M) of the boost circuits when generating the second erase pulse voltage.","13. The non-volatile semiconductor storage device according to claim 10, wherein\nthe control unit is configured to, in the erase operations alternately repeated with the erase verify operation, further perform a third erase operation as one of the erase operations subsequent to the second erase operation, the erase verify operation being performed between the second erase operation and the third erase operation, and\nthe control unit is configured to control the erase pulse voltage such that:\nin the first erase operation, the first erase pulse voltage reaches a first saturation value,\nin the second erase operation, the second erase pulse voltage reaches a second saturation value,\nin the third erase operation, a third erase pulse voltage applied to the memory cell reaches a third saturation value,\nthe erase pulse voltage is increased by the certain step-up voltage from the first saturation value to the second saturation value, and from the second saturation value to the third saturation value, a difference between the first saturation value and the second saturation value and a difference between the second saturation value and the third saturation value being equal to each other, and\nthe width of the blunted wave-shape portion that is continuous to the first saturation value in the first erase pulse voltage is set such that the first erase pulse voltage is longer than the second erase pulse voltage and than the third erase pulse voltage with respect to the width of the blunted wave-shape portion.","14. The non-volatile semiconductor storage device according to claim 11, wherein\nthe control unit controls a voltage of the first erase pulse voltage such that a rise curve thereof is followed by a substantially flat area, the blunted wave-shape portion including the rise curve, and the substantially flat area having the saturation value of the first erase pulse voltage.","15. The non-volatile semiconductor storage device according to claim 14, wherein\nthe control unit controls a voltage of the first erase pulse voltage such that the rise curve is followed by a constant voltage having the saturation value or a progressively increased voltage reaching the saturation value.","16. The non-volatile semiconductor storage device according to claim 11, wherein\nthe control unit controls a voltage of the second erase pulse voltage such that a voltage wave shape of the second erase pulse voltage when a vertical axis thereof denotes a voltage and a lateral axis denotes time has such a gradient that a gradient at a first point of time is not larger than a gradient at a second point of time before the first point of time through the width of the blunted wave-shape portion of the second erase pulse voltage, the blunted wave-shape portion being continuous to the saturation value of the second erase pulse voltage.","17. A non-volatile semiconductor storage device comprising:\na memory cell array including an electrically rewritable non-volatile memory cell arranged therein; and\na control unit configured to perform controlling of repeating an erase operation to apply an erase pulse voltage to the memory cell for data erase and an erase verify operation to verify whether data erase k completed, and to cause the erase pulse voltage to increase by a certain step-up voltage in the erase operation performed again in the repeating of the erase operation and the erase verify operation after it is verified that data erase is not completed in the erase verify operation,\nthe control unit being configured to, in the erase operations alternately repeated with the erase verify operation, perform a first erase operation as an initial one of the erase operations and, subsequent to the first erase operation, a second erase operation as a next one of the erase operations, the erase verify operation being performed between the first erase operation and the second erase operation,\nthe control unit being configured to control the erase pulse voltage such that:\na first erase pulse voltage applied to the memory cell in the first erase operation is longer than a second erase pulse voltage applied to the memory cell in the second erase operation with respect to a width of a blunted wave-shape portion thereof, the blunted wave-shape portion being a single rise curve and continuous to a voltage value at a saturation state, the blunted wave-shape portion of the first erase pulse voltage including the single rise curve being followed by a substantially flat area having a first voltage value at the saturation state of the first erase pulse voltage, and\nthe second erase pulse voltage has a second voltage value at the saturation state larger than the first voltage value at the saturation state of the first erase pulse voltage, wherein\na relation of Wp/3≤t satisfied wherein Wp is a pulse width of the first erase pulse voltage, and t is the width of the blunted wave-shape portion of the first erase pulse voltage.","18. The non-volatile semiconductor storage device according to claim 17, wherein\nthe control unit controls a voltage of the first erase pulse voltage such that the single rise curve is followed by a constant voltage at the saturation state or a progressively increased voltage to the saturation state."],["1. A nonvolatile memory apparatus comprising:\na bus;\na processing unit coupled to said bus; and\na plurality of nonvolatile memories coupled to said bus,\nwherein each of said nonvolatile memories includes a plurality of memory cells, an erase control circuit, which controls performing an erase operation and a verify operation for erasing data stored into ones of said memory cells, and an address generation circuit, which generates an address indicating a part of said ones of said memory cells,\nwherein in an erase operation mode, said erase control circuit repeatedly performs said erase operation and said verify operation until ones of memory cells are erased, said erase control circuit performs said verify operation to said part of said ones of memory cells addressed by said address generated by said address generation circuit in said verify operation, and performs said erase operation again when at least one memory cell in said part of ones of memory cells has not become erased, and\nwherein when said processing unit specifies one of said nonvolatile memories to said erase operation mode, said processing unit issues a signal for specifying said erase operation mode to said one of said nonvolatile memories while activating a chip enable signal of said one of said nonvolatile memories, and said processing unit is capable of inactivating said chip enable signal after fetching said signal for specifying said erase operation mode by said one of said nonvolatile memories and before completion of said erase operation mode of said one of said nonvolatile memories.","2. A nonvolatile memory apparatus according to claim 1,\nwherein said processing unit is capable of accessing another nonvolatile memory, after said one of said nonvolatile memories is specified said erase operation mode and said chip enable signal to said one of said nonvolatile memories is inactivated and before completion of said erase operation mode of said one of said nonvolatile memories.","3. A nonvolatile memory apparatus comprising:\na bus;\na processor electrically connected with said bus; and\na plurality of nonvolatile memories electrically connected with said bus,\nwherein each of said nonvolatile memories includes a plurality of memory cells, an erase control circuit, which is for performing an erase operation and an erase verify operation repeatedly in an erase mode, and an address counter circuit, which is for generating an address signal for said erase verify operation,\nwherein after performing said erase operation by said erase control circuit, said erase control circuit sets an address of said address counter for generating said address signal in accordance with said address, performs said erase verify operation to ones of said memory cells indicated by said address signal generated by said address counter, after then, performs said erase operation again when at least one memory cell of said ones of memory cells has not become erased, and makes said address counter increment the address such that said erase verify operation is performed to other ones of memory cells indicated by said address signal according to the incremented address when all of said ones of memory cells have become erased,\nwherein said processor issues a signal for specifying said erase mode to one of said nonvolatile memories during activating a chip enable signal of said one of said nonvolatile memories, when said processor makes said one of said nonvolatile memories move to said erase mode, and\nwherein said processor is capable of inactivating said chip enable signal of said one of said nonvolatile memories after fetching said signal for specifying said erase mode by said one of said nonvolatile memories and before completion of said erase mode of said one of said nonvolatile memories.","4. A nonvolatile memory apparatus according to claim 3,\nwherein said processor is capable of accessing another nonvolatile memory, after said one of said nonvolatile memories is specified said erase mode and said chip enable signal to said one of said nonvolatile memories is inactivated and before completion of said erase mode of said one of said nonvolatile memories.","5. A nonvolatile memory apparatus comprising:\na bus;\na processor coupled to said bus; and\na plurality of nonvolatile memories coupled to said bus,\nwherein each of said nonvolatile memories includes a plurality of memory cells, an erase operation circuit, which is capable of performing an erase operation to ones of said memory cells, an address generating circuit, which is generating an address for specifying a part of said ones of memory cells, and a detecting circuit, which performs an erase verity operation for determining whether all of said part of said ones of memory cells have become erased or not,\nwherein in an erase mode, after performing said erase operation by said erase operation circuit, said detecting circuit performs said erase verify operation to said part of said ones of memory cells specified by said address generated by address generating circuit, after then, said erase operation circuit performs said erase operation again when said detecting circuit determines at least one of said part of said ones of memory cells has not become erased, and said address generating circuit generates another address and said detecting circuit performs said erase verify operation to another part of said ones of memory cells in accordance with said another address,\nwherein when said processor specifies said erase mode to one of said nonvolatile memories, said processor provides a signal for said one of nonvolatile memories to shift to said erase mode while said processor activates a chip enable signal of said one of nonvolatile memories, and\nwherein said processor is capable of inactivating said chip enable signal of said one of nonvolatile memories between fetching of said signal to shift to said erase mode by said one of nonvolatile memories and finishing of said erase mode of said one of nonvolatile memories.","6. A nonvolatile memory apparatus according to claim 5,\nwherein said processor is capable of accessing another nonvolatile memory, after said one of said nonvolatile memories is specified said erase mode between said chip enable signal to said one of said nonvolatile memories is inactivated and completion of said erase mode of said one of said nonvolatile memories.","7. A nonvolatile memory apparatus comprising:\na processor;\na plurality of memories; and\nan input/output (I/O) terminal,\nwherein one of said memories is a nonvolatile memory and is capable of receiving control signals from said processor,\nwherein said nonvolatile memory includes a plurality of memory cells, an erase control circuit and an address generating circuit for generating an address signal, and is capable of starting an erase operation mode in accordance with receiving an erase signal included in said control signals,\nwherein in said erase operation mode, said erase control circuit performs an erase operation and an erase verify operation repeatedly and automatically,\nwherein said erase control circuit performs said erase operation to ones of said memory cells, performs said erase verify operation to said ones of memory cells indicated in said address signal, after then, performing said erase operation to said ones of said memory cells again when at least one of said ones of said memory cells has not erased data, and\nwherein said processor provides said erase signal to said nonvolatile memory while making an activating signal of said nonvolatile memory vary to a selecting state when said processor specifies said nonvolatile memory to said erase operation mode, and is capable of making said activating signal of said nonvolatile memory vary to an unselected state after fetching said erase signal by said nonvolatile memory and before completing said erase operation.","8. A nonvolatile memory apparatus according to claim 7,\nwherein said processor is capable of accessing to another memory of said memories after fetching said erase signal by said nonvolatile memory and before completing said erase operation.","9. A nonvolatile memory apparatus according to claim 7,\nwherein said processor is capable of receiving data from outside via said I/O terminal after fetching said erase signal by said nonvolatile memory and before completing said erase operation.","10. A nonvolatile memory apparatus according to claim 7,\nwherein said processor is capable of outputting data via said I/O terminal after fetching said erase signal by said nonvolatile memory and before completing said erase operation.","11. A nonvolatile memory apparatus according to claim 7,\nwherein said nonvolatile memory performs a write operation for data writing in accordance with receiving a write signal included in said control signals from said processor.","12. A nonvolatile memory apparatus according to claim 11,\nwherein each of said memory cells has a threshold voltage within one of plural threshold voltage ranges, and\nwherein one of said threshold voltage ranges is an erase voltage range into which said Threshold voltage of said ones of said memory cells are moved in said erase operation, and another of said threshold voltage ranges is a program voltage range into which said threshold voltage of a memory cell is moved in said write operation.","13. A nonvolatile memory apparatus comprising:\na plurality of memories;\na processor, and\nan input/output terminal,\nwherein one of said memories is a nonvolatile memory and is capable of receiving a plurality of control signals from said processor,\nwherein said nonvolatile memory includes a plurality of memory cells, an erase control circuit and an address counter circuit, and is capable of shifting to an erase mode in accordance with receiving an erase signal in said control signals,\nwherein said erase control circuit is capable of performing at least one time each of an erase operation and an erase verify operation in said erase mode,\nwherein said address counter circuit is capable of providing an address signal used for said erase verify operation,\nwherein in said erase mode, said erase control circuit is capable of setting an address information to said address counter circuit, performs said erase verify operation after performing said erase operation, after then, performs again said erase operation when at least one memory cell has stayed in an erase state, and, makes said address counter circuit increment said address signal and performs said erase verify operation to ones of said memory cells in accordance with the incremented address signal when all of memory cells in accordance with previous address signal have gone in a program state, and\nwherein said processor is provided said erase signal while said processor changes an activate signal of said nonvolatile memory to an active state when said processor instructs said erase mode to said nonvolatile memory, and changes said activate signal of said nonvolatile memory to an inactive state after said erase signal is fetched by said nonvolatile memory and before finishing said erase mode.","14. A nonvolatile memory apparatus according to claim 13,\nwherein said processor is capable of accessing another memory of said memories after fetching said erase signal by said nonvolatile memory and before finishing said erase mode.","15. A nonvolatile memory apparatus according to claim 13,\nwherein said processor is capable of receiving data 1mm outside via said input/output terminal after fetching said erase signal by said nonvolatile memory and before finishing said erase mode.","16. A nonvolatile memory apparatus according to claim 13,\nwherein said processor is capable of outputting data via said input/output terminal after fetching said erase signal by said nonvolatile memory and before finishing said erase mode.","17. A nonvolatile memory apparatus according to claim 13,\nwherein said nonvolatile memory performs a write operation for data writing in accordance with receiving a write signal in said control signals from said processor.","18. A nonvolatile memory apparatus according to claim 17,\nwherein each of said memory cells has a threshold voltage within one of plural threshold voltage ranges, and\nwherein one of said threshold voltage ranges is an erase voltage range into which said threshold voltage of said ones of said memory cells are moved in said erase operation, and another of said threshold voltage ranges is a program voltage range into which said threshold voltage of a memory cell is moved in said write operation.","19. A nonvolatile memory apparatus comprising:\nan input/output terminal;\na processor; and\nplural memories, one of which is a nonvolatile memory being capable of receiving control signals from said processor and comprising a plurality of nonvolatile memory cells, an erase circuit, an address counter circuit, and a deciding circuit;\nwherein said erase circuit controls to perform an erase operation to ones of said nonvolatile memory cells,\nwherein said address counter circuit is capable of generating an address signal to select a part of said ones of nonvolatile memory cells,\nwherein said deciding circuit is capable of performing an erase verify operation for deciding whether all of said nonvolatile memory cells addressed by said address signal are already erased or not,\nwherein said nonvolatile memory moves into an erase mode in response to an erase signal included in said control signals,\nwherein in said erase mode, said nonvolatile memory performs said erase operation and said erase verity operation more than once, said deciding circuit performs said erase verify operation to said part of said ones of nonvolatile memory cells addressed by said address signal after performing said erase operation by said erase circuit, after then, said erase circuit performs again said erase operation when at least one of said part of said ones of nonvolatile memory cells has still not achieved an erase state as is decided by said erase verity operation, and said deciding circuit performs said erase verify operation to another part of said ones of said nonvolatile memory cells in accordance with another address signal generated by said address counter circuit, and\nwherein said processor provides said erase signal included in said control signals during activating an activation signal of said nonvolatile memory when said processor instructs said nonvolatile memory to move into said erase mode, and inactivates said activation signal of said nonvolatile memory between fetching said erase signal and finishing said erase mode.","20. A nonvolatile memory apparatus according to claim 19,\nwherein said processor is capable of accessing another memory of said memories between the fetching of said erase signal by said nonvolatile memory and finishing of said erase mode.","21. A nonvolatile memory apparatus according to claim 19,\nwherein said processor is capable of receiving data from outside via said input/output terminal between the fetching of said erase signal by said nonvolatile memory and finishing of said erase mode.","22. A nonvolatile memory apparatus according to claim 19,\nwherein said processor is capable of outputting data via said input/output terminal between the fetching of said erase signal by said nonvolatile memory and finishing of said erase mode.","23. A nonvolatile memory apparatus according to claim 19,\nwherein said nonvolatile memory performs a write operation for data writing in accordance with receiving a write signal included in said control signals from said processor.","24. A nonvolatile memory apparatus according to claim 23,\nwherein each of said memory cells has a threshold voltage within one of plural threshold voltage ranges, and\nwherein one of said threshold voltage ranges is an erase voltage range into which said threshold voltage of said ones of said memory cells are moved in said erase operation, and another of said threshold voltage ranges is a program voltage range into which said threshold voltage of a memory cell is moved in said write operation.","25. A nonvolatile memory apparatus according to claim 1,\nwherein each of said nonvolatile memories is capable of performing said erase operation and said verify operation in response to fetching said signal for specifying said erase operation mode.","26. A nonvolatile memory apparatus according to claim 3,\nwherein said one of said nonvolatile memories is capable of performing said erase operation and said erase verify operation in response to fetching said signal for specifying said erase mode.","27. A nonvolatile memory apparatus according to claim 5,\nwherein each of said nonvolatile memories is capable of performing said erase operation and said erase verify operation in response to fetching said signal to shift to said erase mode.","28. A nonvolatile memory apparatus according to claim 7,\nwherein said nonvolatile memory is capable of performing said erase operation and said erase verify operation in response to fetching said erase signal.","29. A nonvolatile memory apparatus according to claim 13,\nwherein said nonvolatile memory is capable of performing said erase operation and said erase verify operation in response to receiving said erase signal.","30. A nonvolatile memory apparatus according to claim 19,\nwherein said nonvolatile memory is capable of performing said erase operation and said erase verify operation in response to receiving said erase signal."],["1. A method of erasing non-volatile storage, comprising:\napplying an erase voltage to a set of non-volatile storage elements while enabling erasing of each non-volatile storage element in said set, said set including a first subset of non-volatile storage elements and a second subset of non-volatile storage elements;\nverifying whether said set is erased after applying said erase voltage by testing conduction through said set while applying a verify voltage to said first subset of non-volatile storage elements and applying a first voltage to said second subset of non-volatile storage elements, said first voltage is different from said verify voltage;\nrepeating said applying said erase voltage and verifying whether said set is erased until successfully verifying that said set is erased; and\napplying said erase voltage to said set while inhibiting erasing of said first subset after successfully verifying that said set is erased.","2. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:\nverifying whether said set is erased after said applying said erase voltage to said set while inhibiting erasing of said first subset; and\nrepeating said applying said erase voltage to said set while inhibiting erasing of said first subset and said verifying whether said set is erased after applying said erase voltage to said set while inhibiting erasing of said first subset until successfully verifying that said set is erased.","3. A method according to claim 2, wherein:\nverifying whether said set is erased after applying said erase voltage to said set while inhibiting erasing of said first subset includes testing conduction through said set while applying said verify voltage to said first subset and said second subset.","4. A method according to claim 2, wherein:\nverifying whether said set is erased after applying said erase voltage to said set while inhibiting erasing of said first subset includes testing conduction through said set while applying said verify voltage to said second subset and said first voltage to said first subset.","5. A method according to claim 4, wherein:\nsaid first voltage is larger than said verify voltage; and\nsaid applying said first voltage to said second subset promotes conduction of each non-volatile storage element in said second subset.","6. A method according to claim 1, wherein repeating said applying said erase voltage and verifying whether said set is erased includes increasing a size of said erase voltage between each application of said erase voltage.","7. A method according to claim 1, wherein said set of non-volatile storage elements is part of a NAND string.","8. A method according to claim 7, wherein:\nsaid NAND string includes a first select gate and a second select gate;\nsaid second subset of non-volatile storage elements includes a first non-volatile storage element adjacent to said first select gate and a second non-volatile storage element adjacent to said second select gate; and\nsaid first subset of non-volatile storage elements includes a plurality of non-volatile storage elements between said first non-volatile storage element and said second non-volatile storage element.","9. A method of erasing non-volatile storage, comprising:\napplying an erase voltage to a set of non-volatile storage elements while enabling erasing of each non-volatile storage element of said set, said set including a first subset of non-volatile storage elements and a second subset of non-volatile storage elements;\nverifying whether said set is erased after applying said erase voltage by causing said second subset of non-volatile storage elements to be conductive and testing conduction through said set while applying a verify voltage to said first subset of non-volatile storage elements;\nrepeating said applying said erase voltage and verifying whether said set is erased until successfully verifying that said set is erased; and\napplying said erase voltage to said set while inhibiting erasing of said first subset of non-volatile storage elements after successfully verifying that said set is erased.","10. A method according to claim 9, wherein:\ncausing said second subset of non-volatile storage elements to be conductive includes applying a first voltage that is larger than said verify voltage to said second subset of non-volatile storage elements, said first voltage promotes conduction of each non-volatile storage element in said second subset of non-volatile storage elements.","11. A method according to claim 10, further comprising:\nverifying whether said set is erased after applying said erase voltage to said set while inhibiting said first subset of non-volatile storage elements from being erased; and\nrepeating said applying said erase voltage to said set while inhibiting erasing of said first subset and said verifying whether said set is erased after applying said erase voltage to said set while inhibiting said first subset of from being erased until successfully verifying that said set is erased.","12. A method according to claim 11, wherein:\nverifying whether said set is erased after applying said erase voltage to said set while inhibiting said first subset from being erased includes testing conduction through said set while applying said verify voltage to said first subset and said second subset.","13. A method according to claim 11, wherein:\nverifying whether said set is erased after applying said erase voltage to said set while inhibiting said first subset from being erased includes testing conduction through said set while applying said verify voltage to said second subset and applying said first voltage to said first subset of non-volatile storage elements, said first voltage promotes conduction of each non-volatile storage element in said first subset.","14. A method according to claim 9, wherein:\nsaid set of non-volatile storage elements is part of a NAND string; and\nsaid NAND string includes a first select gate and a second select gate;\nsaid second subset of non-volatile storage elements includes a first non-volatile storage element adjacent to said first select gate and a second non-volatile storage element adjacent to said second select gate; and\nsaid first subset of non-volatile storage elements includes a plurality of non-volatile storage elements between said first non-volatile storage element and said second non-volatile storage element.","15. A method of erasing non-volatile storage, comprising:\napplying an erase voltage to a block of non-volatile storage elements in communication with a set of word lines, said block including a plurality of sets of series-connected non-volatile storage elements;\nverifying whether said sets of non-volatile storage elements are erased after applying said erase voltage by applying a verify voltage to a first subset of said set of word lines and a first voltage to a second subset of said set of word lines, said first voltage is different from said verify voltage;\nrepeating said applying and said verifying until all or a predetermined number of said sets of non-volatile storage elements are successfully verified as erased; and\napplying said erase voltage to said block of non-volatile storage elements while inhibiting erasing of non-volatile storage elements in communication with said first subset of word lines after successfully verifying that all or said predetermined number of said sets of non-volatile storage elements are erased.","16. A method according to claim 15, further comprising:\nverifying whether said sets of series-connected non-volatile storage elements are erased after said applying said erase voltage to said block while inhibiting erasing of non-volatile storage elements in communication with said first subset of word lines; and\nrepeating said applying said erase voltage to said block while inhibiting erasing of non-volatile storage elements in communication with said first subset of word lines and said verifying whether said sets are erased after said applying said erase voltage to said block while inhibiting erasing of non-volatile storage elements in communication with said first subset of word lines until all or a predetermined number of said sets are successfully verified as erased.","17. A method according to claim 16, wherein verifying whether said sets of series-connected non-volatile storage elements are erased after said applying said erase voltage to said block while inhibiting erasing of non-volatile storage elements in communication with said first subset of word lines includes:\ntesting conduction through said sets of series-connected non-volatile storage elements while applying said verify voltage to said first subset of word lines and said second subset of word lines.","18. A method according to claim 16, wherein verifying whether said sets of series-connected non-volatile storage elements are erased after said applying said erase voltage to said block while inhibiting erasing of non-volatile storage elements in communication with said first subset of word lines includes:\ntesting conduction through said sets of series-connected non-volatile storage elements while applying said verify voltage to said second subset of word lines and said first voltage to said first subset of word lines.","19. A method according to claim 18, wherein:\nsaid first voltage is larger than said verify voltage; and\nsaid applying said first voltage to said first subset of word lines promotes conduction of non-volatile storage elements in communication with said first subset of word lines.","20. A method according to claim 16, wherein:\nsaid sets of series-connected non-volatile storage elements are sets of NAND strings;\nsaid NAND strings each include a first select gate in communication with a first select line and a second select gate in communication with a second select line;\nsaid second subset of word lines includes a first word line adjacent to said first select line and a second word line adjacent to said second select line; and\nsaid first subset of word lines includes a plurality of word lines between said first word line and said second word line."],["1. A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device comprising:\na memory array configured to include a plurality of nonvolatile memory cells arranged in a matrix form and a plurality of word lines; and\nan X-decode section configured to select a selected word line selected from said plurality of word lines, supply a negative voltage to said selected word line, and supply a positive voltage to unselected word lines which are not said selected word line, at the time of an erase operation,\nwherein said X-decode section includes:\na plurality of output drivers configured to be provided corresponding to said plurality of word lines, each of said plurality of output drivers outputs at least one of said negative voltage and said positive voltage,\na negative voltage decoder configured to supply said negative voltage to said plurality of output drivers, and\na positive voltage decoder configured to supply said positive voltage to said plurality of output drivers,\nwherein each of said plurality of output drivers, based on a word line selection signal for selecting one of said plurality of word lines and a voltage selection signal for selecting one of said negative voltage and said positive voltage, supplies voltage corresponding to said voltage selection signal to corresponding one of said plurality of word lines,\nwherein said voltage selection signal includes a negative-voltage selection signal for selecting said negative voltage and a positive-voltage selection signal for selecting said positive voltage,\nwherein said each of the plurality of output drivers includes:\na first transistor configured to receive said word line selection signal at a gate, be connected to a first node at one terminal and a second node at another terminal, and be a first conductive type,\na second transistor configured to receive said positive-voltage selection signal at a gate, be connected to said first node at one terminal and said second node at another terminal, and be said first conductive type,\na third transistor configured to receive said word line selection signal at a gate, be connected to said second node at one terminal and a third node at another terminal, and be a second conductive type, and\na fourth transistor configured to receive said negative-voltage selection signal at a gate, be connected to said second node at one terminal and said third node at another terminal, and be said second conductive type,\nwherein said first node receives said positive voltage,\nsaid third node receives said negative voltage, and\nsaid second node is connected to corresponding one of said plurality of word lines.","2. The nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to claim 1, further comprising:\na X-predecoder configured to output said word line selection signal based on a first address signal,\nwherein said negative voltage decoder outputs said negative-voltage selection signal based on a second address signal and\nsaid positive voltage decoder outputs said positive-voltage selection signal based on said second address signal.","3. The nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to claim 2, wherein said X-decode section further includes:\na negative-voltage level shifter configured to supply said negative voltage to said negative voltage decoder, and\na positive-voltage level shifter configured to supply said positive voltage to said positive voltage decoder.","4. The nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to claim 3, wherein said plurality of nonvolatile memory cells is separated to a plurality of sectors, and\nsaid negative-voltage level shifter and said positive-voltage level shifter are provided every one of plurality of sectors.","5. The nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to claim 3, wherein said plurality of nonvolatile memory cells is separated to a plurality of cell groups, and\nsaid negative voltage decoder and said positive voltage decoder are provided every one of plurality of cell groups.","6. A method of operating the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device, comprising:\n(a) selecting a selected word line from a plurality of word lines, at the time of an erase operation in a memory array including said plurality of nonvolatile memory cells arranged in a matrix form and a plurality of word lines; and\n(b) supplying a negative voltage to said selected word line, and supplying a positive voltage to unselected word lines which are not said selected word line,\nwherein said step (a) includes:\n(a1) selecting said selected word line, based on a word line selection signal for selecting one of said plurality of word lines,\nwherein said step (b) includes:\n(b1) supplying said negative voltage to said selected word line based on a negative-voltage selection signal for selecting said negative voltage, and supplying said positive voltage to said unselected word lines based on a positive-voltage selection signal for selecting said positive voltage,\nwherein said step (a1) includes:\n(a11) supplying said word line selection signal to gates of a first transistor with a first conductive type and a third transistor with a second conductive type,\nwherein said step (b1) includes:\n(b11) supplying said positive-voltage selection signal to a gate of a second transistor with said first conductive type, and supplying said negative-voltage selection signal to a gate of a fourth transistor with said second conductive type,\nwherein said first transistor is connected to a first node at one terminal and a second node at another terminal,\nsaid second transistor is connected to said first node at one terminal and said second node at another terminal,\nsaid third transistor is connected to said second node at one terminal and a third node at another terminal, and\nsaid fourth transistor is connected to said second node at one terminal and said third node at another terminal,\nwherein said first node receives said positive voltage,\nsaid third node receives said negative voltage, and\nsaid second node is connected to said selected word lines.","7. The method of operating the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to claim 6, wherein said step (a11) includes:\n(a111) outputting said word line selection signal based on a first address signal,\nwherein said step (b11) includes:\n(b111) outputting said negative-voltage selection signal based on a second address signal, and outputting said positive-voltage selection signal based on said second address signal.","8. The method of operating the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to claim 6, wherein said step (b1) includes:\n(b12) supplying said negative voltage from a negative-voltage level shifter to said third node, and\n(b13) supplying said positive voltage from a positive-voltage level shifter to said first node."],["1. A method of data deduplication and compression in a data storage system including a data storage resource, comprising:\nobtaining a data stream including a plurality of data slices;\nperforming, on a slice-by-slice basis, a data deduplication operation on the plurality of data slices to obtain a plurality of deduplicated data slices;\ngrouping the plurality of deduplicated data slices to form a plurality of compression groups, each of the plurality of compression groups corresponding to an uncompressed group of deduplicated data slices;\nperforming a data compression operation on each of the plurality of compression groups as a whole to obtain a plurality of compressed groups of deduplicated data slices;\nstoring the plurality of compressed groups of deduplicated data slices on the data storage resource;\nperforming at least the data deduplication operation in an in-line fashion as the data stream including the plurality of data slices is being obtained; and\nhaving performed at least the data deduplication operation in the in-line fashion, performing a background process comprising:\nobtaining the deduplicated data slices;\nperforming, on a slice-by-slice basis, a second data deduplication operation on the plurality of deduplicated data slices to obtain a second plurality of deduplicated data slices;\ngrouping the second plurality of deduplicated data slices to form a plurality of second compression groups, each of the plurality of second compression groups corresponding to an uncompressed group of deduplicated data slices;\nperforming a second data compression operation on each of the plurality of second compression groups as a whole to obtain a plurality of second compressed groups of deduplicated data slices; and\nstoring the plurality of second compressed groups of deduplicated data slices on the data storage resource.","2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:\nslicing the data stream into the plurality of data slices, the plurality of data slices including a plurality of fixed-length data slices.","3. The method of claim 2 wherein the performing of the data deduplication operation includes performing the data deduplication operation on the plurality of fixed-length data slices to obtain a plurality of fixed-length deduplicated data slices.","4. The method of claim 3 wherein the grouping of the plurality of deduplicated data slices includes grouping the plurality of fixed-length deduplicated data slices to form a plurality of fixed-length compression groups.","5. The method of claim 1 further comprising:\nslicing the data stream into the plurality of data slices, the plurality of data slices including a plurality of variable-length data slices.","6. The method of claim 5 wherein the performing of the data deduplication operation includes performing the data deduplication operation on the plurality of variable-length data slices to obtain a plurality of variable-length deduplicated data slices.","7. The method of claim 6 wherein the grouping of the plurality of deduplicated data slices includes grouping the plurality of variable-length deduplicated data slices to form a plurality of variable-length compression groups.","8. The method of claim 1 further comprising:\ngenerating a metadata map that represents relationships between (i) a plurality of data slice indices for the plurality of deduplicated data slices, respectively, and (ii) a compression group identifier for each of the plurality of compression groups, the plurality of data slice indices pointing to locations within the plurality of compression groups where the plurality of deduplicated data slices reside.","9. The method of claim 1 further comprising:\nperforming the data deduplication operation and the data compression operation in an in-line fashion as the data stream including the plurality of data slices is being obtained.","10. The method of claim 9 wherein the performing of the data deduplication operation and the data compression operation in the in-line fashion comprises:\nperforming, in the in-line fashion:\n(i) on a slice-by-slice basis, the data deduplication operation on the plurality of data slices to obtain a plurality of deduplicated data slices;\n(ii) a staging operation to stage a fixed or variable number of the plurality of deduplicated data slices in a memory buffer to form each of the plurality of compression groups; and\n(iii) the data compression operation on each of the plurality of compression groups as a whole in the memory buffer to obtain the plurality of compressed groups of deduplicated data slices.","11. A data storage system comprising:\na data storage resource;\na memory; and\na processor configured to execute instructions out of the memory:\nto obtain a data stream including a plurality of data slices;\nto perform, on a slice-by-slice basis, a data deduplication operation on the plurality of data slices to obtain a plurality of deduplicated data slices;\nto group the plurality of deduplicated data slices to form a plurality of compression groups, each of the plurality of compression groups corresponding to an uncompressed group of deduplicated data slices;\nto perform a data compression operation on each of the plurality of compression groups as a whole to obtain a plurality of compressed groups of deduplicated data slices;\nto store the plurality of compressed groups of deduplicated data slices on the data storage resource;\nto perform at least the data deduplication operation in an in-line fashion as the data stream including the plurality of data slices is being obtained; and\nhaving performed at least the data deduplication operation in the in-line fashion, to perform a background process comprising:\nobtaining the deduplicated data slices;\nperforming, on a slice-by-slice basis, a second data deduplication operation on the plurality of deduplicated data slices to obtain a second plurality of deduplicated data slices;\ngrouping the second plurality of deduplicated data slices to form a plurality of second compression groups, each of the plurality of second compression groups corresponding to an uncompressed group of deduplicated data slices;\nperforming a second data compression operation on each of the plurality of second compression groups as a whole to obtain a plurality of second compressed groups of deduplicated data slices; and\nstoring the plurality of second compressed groups of deduplicated data slices on the data storage resource.","12. The data storage system of claim 11 wherein the processor is further configured to execute the instructions out of the memory to slice the data stream into the plurality of data slices, wherein the plurality of data slices include a plurality of fixed-length data slices.","13. The data storage system of claim 12 wherein the processor is further configured to execute the instructions out of the memory to perform the data deduplication operation on the plurality of fixed-length data slices to obtain a plurality of fixed-length deduplicated data slices.","14. The data storage system of claim 13 wherein the processor is further configured to execute the instructions out of the memory to group the plurality of fixed-length deduplicated data slices to form a plurality of fixed-length compression groups.","15. The data storage system of claim 11 wherein the processor is further configured to execute the instructions out of the memory to slice the data stream into the plurality of data slices, wherein the plurality of data slices include a plurality of variable-length data slices.","16. The data storage system of claim 15 wherein the processor is further configured to execute the instructions out of the memory to perform the data deduplication operation on the plurality of variable-length data slices to obtain a plurality of variable-length deduplicated data slices, and to group the plurality of variable-length deduplicated data slices to form a plurality of variable-length compression groups.","17. The data storage system of claim 11 wherein the processor is further configured to execute the instructions out of the memory to generate a metadata map that represents relationships between (i) a plurality of data slice indices for the plurality of deduplicated data slices, respectively, and (ii) a compression group identifier for each of the plurality of compression groups, wherein the plurality of data slice indices point to locations within the plurality of compression groups where the plurality of deduplicated data slices reside.","18. A computer program product having a non-transitory computer readable medium that stores a set of instructions to perform data deduplication and compression in a data storage system that includes a data storage resource, the set of instructions, when carried out by computerized circuitry, causing the computerized circuitry to perform a method of:\nobtaining a data stream including a plurality of data slices;\nperforming, on a slice-by-slice basis, a data deduplication operation on the plurality of data slices to obtain a plurality of deduplicated data slices;\ngrouping the plurality of deduplicated data slices to form a plurality of compression groups, each of the plurality of compression groups corresponding to an uncompressed group of deduplicated data slices;\nperforming a data compression operation on each of the plurality of compression groups as a whole to obtain a plurality of compressed groups of deduplicated data slices;\nstoring the plurality of compressed groups of deduplicated data slices on the data storage resource\nperforming at least the data deduplication operation in an in-line fashion as the data stream including the plurality of data slices is being obtained; and\nhaving performed at least the data deduplication operation in the in-line fashion, performing a background process comprising:\nobtaining the deduplicated data slices;\nperforming, on a slice-by-slice basis, a second data deduplication operation on the plurality of deduplicated data slices to obtain a second plurality of deduplicated data slices;\ngrouping the second plurality of deduplicated data slices to form a plurality of second compression groups, each of the plurality of second compression groups corresponding to an uncompressed group of deduplicated data slices;\nperforming a second data compression operation on each of the plurality of second compression groups as a whole to obtain a plurality of second compressed groups of deduplicated data slices; and\nstoring the plurality of second compressed groups of deduplicated data slices on the data storage resource."],["1. A computer-implemented method for storing a data block in a storage system, the method comprising:\nin response to a request from a client to store a data block in a storage system, segmenting the data block into a plurality of subblocks;\nindividually compressing each of the plurality of subblocks into a compressed subblock;\npacking the compressed subblocks into a compressed data block;\nstoring the compressed data block having the individually compressed subblocks therein in a persistent storage device; and\nstoring metadata of the compressed data block in an index entry in an index of the storage system, including storing subblock locators indicating locations of the compressed subblocks, wherein each of the subblocks can be individually accessed based on a corresponding subblock locator without having to access remaining subblocks.","2. The method of claim 1, wherein a subblock locator of a subblock includes a start offset of the subblock within the compressed data block.","3. The method of claim 2, wherein the subblock locator further includes a size of the subblock.","4. The method of claim 1, wherein the index entry further includes a block start location indicating a storage location of the compressed data block.","5. The method of claim 1, wherein the index entry further includes an alignment boundary value indicating a storage alignment of a storage device in which the corresponding subblocks are stored.","6. The method of claim 1, wherein the index entry includes a device identifier identifying one of a plurality of storage devices in which the compressed data block is stored.","7. The method of claim 1, further comprising, for each of the subblocks, determining whether a size of the subblock is reduced due to data compression, wherein a subblock is compressed only if the size of the subblock is reduced after data compression.","8. A non-transitory machine-readable medium having instructions stored therein, which when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations of storing a data block in a storage system, the operations comprising:\nin response to a request from a client to store a data block in a storage system, segmenting the data block into a plurality of subblocks;\nindividually compressing each of the plurality of subblocks into a compressed subblock;\npacking the compressed subblocks into a compressed data block;\nstoring the compressed data block having the individually compressed subblocks therein in a persistent storage device; and\nstoring metadata of the compressed data block in an index entry in an index of the storage system, including storing subblock locators indicating locations of the compressed subblocks, wherein each of the subblocks can be individually accessed based on a corresponding subblock locator without having to access remaining subblocks.","9. The machine-readable medium of claim 8, wherein a subblock locator of a subblock includes a start offset of the subblock within the compressed data block.","10. The machine-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the subblock locator further includes a size of the subblock.","11. The machine-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the index entry further includes a block start location indicating a storage location of the compressed data block.","12. The machine-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the index entry further includes an alignment boundary value indicating a storage alignment of a storage device in which the corresponding subblocks are stored.","13. The machine-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the index entry includes a device identifier identifying one of a plurality of storage devices in which the compressed data block is stored.","14. The machine-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the operations further comprise, for each of the subblocks, determining whether a size of the subblock is reduced due to data compression, wherein a subblock is compressed only if the size of the subblock is reduced after data compression.","15. A storage system, comprising:\na processor; and\na memory coupled to the processor to store instructions, which when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations of storing data, the operations including\nin response to a request from a client to store a data block in the storage system, segmenting the data block into a plurality of subblocks,\nindividually compressing each of the plurality of subblocks into a compressed subblock,\npacking the compressed subblocks into a compressed data block,\nstoring the compressed data block having the individually compressed subblocks therein in a persistent storage device, and\nstoring metadata of the compressed data block in an index entry in an index of the storage system, including storing subblock locators indicating locations of the compressed subblocks, wherein each of the subblocks can be individually accessed based on a corresponding subblock locator without having to access remaining subblocks.","16. The system of claim 15, wherein a subblock locator of a subblock includes a start offset of the subblock within the compressed data block.","17. The system of claim 16, wherein the subblock locator further includes a size of the subblock.","18. The system of claim 15, wherein the index entry further includes a block start location indicating a storage location of the compressed data block.","19. The system of claim 15, wherein the index entry further includes an alignment boundary value indicating a storage alignment of a storage device in which the corresponding subblocks are stored.","20. The system of claim 15, wherein the index entry includes a device identifier identifying one of a plurality of storage devices in which the compressed data block is stored.","21. The system of claim 15, wherein the operations further comprise, for each of the subblocks, determining whether a size of the subblock is reduced due to data compression, wherein a subblock is compressed only if the size of the subblock is reduced after data compression."],["1. A computing system comprising:\na data storage medium;\na data storage controller coupled to the data storage medium, the controller configured to:\nidentify a query value corresponding to a read request;\nselect, in dependence upon the query value, from a plurality of levels within a mapping table, the youngest level associated with the query value; and\nsearch the selected youngest level for an entry that maps the query value to a value corresponding to a location within the data storage medium.","2. The system as recited in claim 1, further comprising\na plurality of processes;\nwherein each mapping table entry comprising a tuple including a tuple key value that may be used to identify data stored within the system;\nand wherein only a first process of the processes is permitted to modify data corresponding to a first subset of the tuple key values, and only a second process of the processes is permitted to modify data corresponding to a second subset of the key values, wherein the second subset does not overlap the first subset;\nwherein levels which are older than a given time may be accessed by multiple processes of the processes without requiring synchronization between the multiple processes.","3. The system as recited in claim 2, wherein the mapping table includes a third subset of the tuple key values different from the first subset and the second subset, wherein a process is not assigned to manage modifications of the third subset of the tuple key values until an update to data corresponding to the third subset is performed.","4. The system as recited in claim 3, wherein prior to a process being assigned to manage modifications of data corresponding to the third subset, any process of the processes may service a read access to the data corresponding to the third subset.","5. The system as recited in claim 2, wherein two or more processes of the plurality of processes may service queries for a given key to multiple levels of the plurality of levels simultaneously.","6. The system as recited in claim 5, wherein a result corresponding to a most recent level of the plurality of levels provided by the two or more processes is selected as the final result.","7. The system as recited in claim 5, wherein the given key corresponds to a subset managed by a particular process and levels in memory are queried by the particular process, and wherein levels which may be cached by other processes may be queried by those other processes.","8. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein levels of the plurality of levels other than the newest level are read only.","9. A method for use in a storage system, the method comprising:\nidentifying a query value corresponding to a read request;\nselecting, in dependence upon the query value, from a plurality of levels within a mapping table, the youngest level associated with the query value; and\nsearching the selected youngest level for an entry that maps the query value to a value corresponding to a location within the data storage medium.","10. The method as recited in claim 9, further comprising executing a plurality of processes in the system;\nwherein each mapping table entry comprising a tuple including a tuple key value that may be used to identify data stored within the system;\nand wherein only a first process of the processes is permitted to modify data corresponding to a first subset of the tuple key values, and only a second process of the processes is permitted to modify data corresponding to a second subset of the key values, wherein the second subset does not overlap the first subset;\nthe method further comprising permitting multiple processes of the processes to access levels which are older than a given time without requiring synchronization between the multiple processes.","11. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein the mapping table includes a third subset of the tuple key values different from the first subset and the second subset, and wherein a process is not assigned to manage modifications of the third subset of the tuple key values until an update to data corresponding to the third subset is performed.","12. The method as recited in claim 11, further comprising permitting any process of the processes to service a read access to the data corresponding to the third subset prior to a process being assigned to manage modifications of data corresponding to the third subset.","13. The method as recited in claim 10, further comprising permitting two or more processes of the plurality of processes to service queries for a given key to multiple levels of the plurality of levels simultaneously.","14. The method as recited in claim 13, further comprising selecting as a final result of two or more processes servicing queries for the given key, a result corresponding to a most recent level of the plurality of levels provided by the two or more processes.","15. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein the given key corresponds to a subset managed by a particular process and levels in memory are queried by the particular process, and wherein levels which may be cached by other processes may be queried by those other processes.","16. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein levels of the plurality of levels other than the newest level are read only.","17. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing program instruction executable by a processor to:\nidentify a query value corresponding to a read request;\nselect, in dependence upon the query value, from a plurality of levels within a mapping table, the youngest level associated with the query value; and\nsearch the selected youngest level for an entry that maps the query value to a value corresponding to a location within the data storage medium.","18. The storage medium as recited in claim 17, further comprising executing a plurality of processes in the system;\nwherein each mapping table entry comprises a tuple including a tuple key value that may be used to identify data stored within the system;\nand wherein only a first process of the processes is permitted to modify data corresponding to a first subset of the tuple key values, and only a second process of the processes is permitted to modify data corresponding to a second subset of the key values, wherein the second subset does not overlap the first subset;\nwherein the program instructions are further executable to cause multiple processes of the processes to access levels of the time ordered levels which are older than a given time without requiring synchronization between the multiple processes.","19. The storage medium as recited in claim 18, wherein the mapping table includes a third subset of the tuple key values different from the first subset and the second subset, and wherein the program instructions are executable to not assign a process to manage modifications of the third subset of the tuple key values until an update to data corresponding to the third subset is performed.","20. The storage medium as recited in claim 19, wherein the program instructions are further executable to allow any process of the processes to service a read access to the data corresponding to the third subset prior to a process being assigned to manage modifications of data corresponding to the third subset."],["1. A computing storage system comprising:\na data storage mediumone or more storage devices;\na data storage controllerthe storage system configured to:\ndetermine that a current segment within the data storage medium one or more storage devices is in use by identifying a valid mapping of a location in the current segment to one or more virtual addresses, including:\ncreating a sorted list of potentially valid entries from a first table comprising entries mapping an address of a location in the one or more storage devices to one or more virtual addresses; and\ncreating a list of valid entries using the sorted list of potentially valid entries and a second table comprising entries mapping a virtual address to a location in the one or more storage devices;\ncopy data from the location in the current segment to a new storage location in the data storage medium one or more storage devices; and\nreclaim the location in the current segment.","2. The storage system as recited in claim 1, wherein the data storage controller is further configured to identifying the valid mapping of a location in the current segment to one or more virtual addresses further comprises:\nidentifying one or more entries in a the first table comprising a plurality of entries, wherein each of the one or more entries of the first table comprises a reverse mapping of an address of a location in the data storage medium to one or more virtual addresses; determine that the first table includes a valid mapping for a virtual address; and\ndeterminedetermining the mapping is valid responsive to determining the first table includes at least one valid mapping for a virtual address.","3. The storage system as recited in claim 1, wherein the data storage controller storage system is further configured to maintain a the second table comprising a plurality of entries, wherein each of the plurality of entries of the second table maps a virtual address to a location in the data storage medium using multi-level shared tables.","4. The storage system as recited in claim 1, wherein prior to copying the data from the location to the new location, the method further comprises deduplicating the data is deduplicated.","5. The storage system as recited in claim 4, wherein the data storage controller storage system is configured to copy the data from the location to the new location in further response to determining the data has not yet been copied to the new location.","6. The storage system as recited in claim 1, wherein the first table is organized as a plurality of time ordered levels, each level comprising a plurality of entries.","7. A method for use in a computing storage system that includes one or more storage devices, the method comprising:\ndetermining that a current segment within a data storage medium the one or more storage devices is in use by identifying a valid mapping of a location in the current segment to one or more virtual addresses, including:\ncreating a sorted list of potentially valid entries from a first table comprising entries mapping an address of a location in the one or more storage devices to one or more virtual addresses; and\ncreating a list of valid entries using the sorted list of potentially valid entries and a second table comprising entries mapping a virtual address to a location in the one or more storage devices;\ncopying data from the location in the current segment to a new storage location in the data storage medium one or more storage devices; and\nreclaiming the location in the current segment.","8. The method as recited in claim 7, further comprising wherein identifying the valid mapping of a location in the current segment to one or more virtual addresses further comprises:\nidentifying one or more entries in a the first table comprising a plurality of entries, wherein each of the one or more entries of the first table comprises a reverse mapping of an address of a location in the data storage medium to one or more virtual addresses;\ndetermining that the first table includes a valid mapping for a virtual address; and\ndetermining the mapping is valid responsive to determining the first table includes at least one valid mapping for a virtual address.","9. The method as recited in claim 8, further comprising maintaining a the second table comprising a plurality of entries, wherein each of the plurality of entries of the second table maps a virtual address to a location in the data storage medium using multi-level shared tables.","10. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein the first table is organized as a plurality of time ordered levels, each level comprising a plurality of entries.","11. The method as recited in claim 7, wherein prior to copying the data from the location to the new location, the method further comprises deduplicating the data.","12. The method as recited in claim 11, further comprising copying the data from the location to the new location in further response to determining the data has not yet been copied to the new location.","13. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising with program instructions stored thereon, wherein said program instructions are executable to:\ndetermine that a current segment within a data storage medium one or more storage devices is in use by identifying a valid mapping of a location in the current segment to one or more virtual addresses, including:\ncreating a sorted list of potentially valid entries from a first table comprising entries mapping an address of a location in the one or more storage devices to one or more virtual addresses; and\ncreating a list of valid entries using the sorted list of potentially valid entries and a second table comprising entries mapping a virtual address to a location in the one or more storage devices;\ncopy data from the location in the current segment to a new storage location in the data storage medium one or more storage devices; and\nreclaim the location in the current segment.","14. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 13, wherein said program instructions are further executable to identifying the valid mapping of a location in the current segment to one or more virtual addresses further comprises:\nidentifying one or more entries in a the first table comprising a plurality of entries, wherein each of the one or more entries of the first table comprises a reverse mapping of an address of a location in the data storage medium to one or more virtual addresses; determine that the first table includes a valid mapping for a virtual address; and\ndeterminedetermining the mapping is valid responsive to determining the first table includes at least one valid mapping for a virtual address.","15. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 14, wherein said program instructions are further executable to maintain a the second table comprising a plurality of entries, wherein each of the plurality of entries of the second table maps a virtual address to a location in the data storage medium using multi-level shared tables.","16. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 14 13, wherein said program instructions are further executable to organize the first table as a plurality of time ordered levels, each level comprising a plurality of entries.","17. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 13, wherein prior to copying the data from the location to the new location, the program instructions are further executable to deduplicate the data."],["1. A computer system comprising:\na data storage medium;\na mapping table organized as a plurality of levels, each level of the plurality of levels comprising one or more mapping table entries, where each of the plurality of entries comprises a tuple including a key; and\na data storage controller coupled to the data storage medium;\nwherein in response to detecting a flattening condition, the data storage controller is configured to:\nidentify a group of two or more levels of the plurality of levels which are logically adjacent in time;\ncreate a new level in the plurality of levels; and\ninsert one or more first records stored within the group into the new level;\nwherein at least one record corresponding to a range of key values in the group is replaced in the new level by a plurality of records corresponding to subranges of the at least one record.","2. The computer system as recited in claim 1, wherein the plurality of levels of the mapping table are organized as time ordered levels.","3. The computer system as recited in claim 1, wherein the data storage controller is further configured to sort records within the new level.","4. The computer system as recited in claim 1, wherein the mapping table entries within a level of the plurality of levels are sorted by key.","5. The computer system as recited in claim 1, wherein the data storage controller is configured to perform flattening operations on the mapping table asynchronously with respect to updates to the mapping table.","6. The computer system as recited in claim 1, wherein in response to detecting the flattening condition, the data storage controller is further configured to insert one or more second records stored within the group into the new level, in response to detecting each of the one or more second records:\ncorresponds to two or more records storing a same non-unique key within the group; and\nis in a youngest level containing a record with the non-unique key of the group.","7. The computer system as recited in claim 6, wherein a single record within the mapping table corresponds to a range of key values.","8. The computer system as recited in claim 6, further comprising an overlay table, wherein at least some of the first and second records inserted into the new level are modified or elided based on entries in the overlay table.","9. The computer system as recited in claim 1, wherein the data storage controller is further configured to create a new level from fewer than all of the records in the group of two or more adjacent levels.","10. The computer system as recited in claim 1, wherein the flattening condition is based on at least one of a current or predicted value of: a number of levels in the mapping table, a number of entries in one or more levels of the plurality of levels, a number of mapping entries that would be elided or modified as part of a flattening operation, and a load on the system.","11. The computer system as recited in claim 1, wherein the data storage controller is further configured to utilize a filtering condition to determine which of the first records are inserted into the new level.","12. The computer system as recited in claim 11, further comprising an overlay table, and wherein the filtering condition comprises a validity of a given record as determined by the overlay table.","13. The computer system as recited in claim 11, wherein the filtering condition is based at least in part on a current or predicted number of entries in the new level.","14. A method for use in a storage system, the method comprising:\nstoring a mapping table organized as a plurality of levels, each level of the plurality of levels comprising one or more mapping table entries, where each of the plurality of entries comprises a tuple including a key; and\nresponsive to detecting a flattening condition:\nidentifying a group of two or more levels of the plurality of levels which are logically adjacent in time;\ncreating a new level in the plurality of levels; and\ninserting one or more first records stored within the group into the new level, in response to detecting each of the one or more first records stores a unique key among keys stored within the group;\nwherein at least one record corresponding to a range of key values in the group is replaced in the new level by a plurality of records corresponding to subranges of the at least one record.","15. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein only a youngest level of the plurality of levels may be updated with new mapping table entries.","16. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein the data storage controller is further configured to sort records within the new level.","17. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein the mapping table entries within a level of the plurality of levels are sorted by key.","18. The method as recited in claim 14, further comprising performing flattening operations on the mapping table asynchronously with respect to updates to the mapping table.","19. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein in response to detecting the flattening condition, the method further comprises inserting one or more second records stored within the group into the new level, in response to detecting each of the one or more second records:\ncorresponds to two or more records storing a same non-unique key within the group; and\nis in a youngest level containing a record with the non-unique key of the group.","20. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing program instruction executable by a processor to:\nstore a mapping table organized as a plurality of levels, each level of the plurality of levels comprising one or more mapping table entries, where each of the plurality of entries comprises a tuple including a key; and\nresponsive to detecting a flattening condition:\nidentify a group of two or more levels of the plurality of levels which are logically adjacent in time;\ncreate a new level in the plurality of levels; and\ninsert one or more first records stored within the group into the new level, in response to detecting each of the one or more first records stores a unique key among keys stored within the group;\nwherein at least one record corresponding to a range of key values in the group is replaced in the new level by a plurality of records corresponding to subranges of the at least one record.","21. A computer system comprising:\na data storage medium;\na deduplication table;\na cached portion of entries in the deduplication table stored in a cache, wherein a number of entries in the cached portion is less than all the entries in the deduplication table; and\na data storage controller coupled to the data storage medium, wherein the data storage controller comprises a controller storage medium comprising computer program instructions, that, when executed, cause the data storage controller to carry out the steps of:\ngenerate a hash corresponding to a write request;\nbefore a subsequent search of all the entries in the deduplication table, search, in the cache, only the cached portion of the entries in the deduplication table to determine whether the hash matches an entry in the cached portion of the entries in the deduplication table;\nin response to determining that the hash does not match an entry in the cached portion, write the data associated with the write request and store a new deduplication table entry for the data in the cache;\nperform the subsequent search of all the entries in the deduplication table including the entries in the cached portion; and\nbased on the subsequent search and in response to determining that the hash matches one of the entries in the deduplication table, perform a deduplication operation to eliminate one or more detected copies.","22. The computer system as recited in claim 21, wherein the subsequent search of all of the entries in the deduplication table is performed during a post-processing deduplication operation.","23. The computer system as recited in claim 22, wherein the post-processing deduplication operation is a garbage collection operation.","24. The computer system as recited in claim 21, wherein the data storage controller is further configured to:\nbased on the subsequent search and in response to determining that the hash does not match any of the entries in the deduplication table, perform the write operation that stores the new deduplication table entry into the deduplication table.","25. The computer system as recited in claim 24 wherein performing the write operation that stores the new deduplication table entry in the deduplication table is combined with other write operations.","26. The computer system as recited in claim 21, wherein the new deduplication table entry is a hash-to-physical pointer mapping.","27. A method for use in a storage system, the method comprising:\ngenerating a hash corresponding to a write request;\nbefore a subsequent search of all the entries in the deduplication table, search, in the cache, only a cached portion of the entries in a deduplication table to determine whether the hash matches an entry in the cached portion, wherein the number of entries in the cached portion is less than all the entries in the deduplication table, and wherein the cached portion is stored in the cache;\nin response to determining that the hash does not match an entry in the cached portion, writing the data associated with the write request and storing a new deduplication table entry for the data in the cache;\nperforming the subsequent search of all the entries in the deduplication table including the entries in the cached portion; and\nbased on the subsequent search and in response to determining that the hash matches one of the entries in the deduplication table, performing a deduplication operation to eliminate one or more detected copies.","28. The method as recited in claim 27, wherein the subsequent search of all of the entries in the deduplication table is performed during a post-processing deduplication operation.","29. The method as recited in claim 28, wherein the post-processing deduplication operation is a garbage collection operation.","30. The method as recited in claim 27, further comprising:\nbased on the subsequent search and in response to determining that the hash does not match any of the entries in the deduplication table, perform the write operation that stores the new deduplication table entry into the deduplication table.","31. The method as recited in claim 30, wherein performing the write operation that stores the new deduplication table entry in the deduplication table is combined with other write operations.","32. The method as recited in claim 27, wherein the new deduplication table entry is a hash-to-physical pointer mapping.","33. A computer program product disposed upon a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, the computer program product comprising computer program instructions, that, when executed, cause a computer to carry out the steps of:\ngenerate a hash corresponding to a write request;\nbefore a subsequent search of all the entries in the deduplication table, search, in the cache, only a cached portion of the entries in a deduplication table to determine whether the hash matches an entry in the cached portion, wherein the number of entries in the cached portion is less than all the entries in the deduplication table, and wherein the cached portion is stored in the cache;\nin response to determining that the hash does not match an entry in the cached portion, write the data associated with the write request and storing a new deduplication table entry for the data in the cache; and\nperform the subsequent search of all the entries in the deduplication table including the entries in the cached portion; and\nbased on the subsequent search and in response to determining that the hash matches one of the entries in the deduplication table, perform a deduplication operation to eliminate one or more detected copies.","34. The computer program product of claim 33, wherein the subsequent search of all of the entries in the deduplication table is performed during a post-processing deduplication operation.","35. The computer program product of claim 34, wherein the post-processing deduplication operation is a garbage collection operation.","36. The of computer program product claim 33, wherein the program instructions are further executable by the processor to:\nbased on the subsequent search and in response to determining that the hash does not match any of the entries in the deduplication table, perform the write operation that stores the new deduplication table entry into the deduplication table.","37. The computer program product of claim 36, wherein performing the write operation that stores the new deduplication table entry in the deduplication table is combined with other write operations.","38. The computer program product of claim 33, wherein the new deduplication table entry is a hash-to-physical pointer mapping."],["1. A storage system comprising:\na storage device;\na plurality of fingerprint tables comprising one or more entries corresponding to data stored in the storage device, the one or more entries having a corresponding probability of the data being deduplicated and wherein the one or more entries are added to a particular fingerprint table of the plurality of fingerprint tables that stores entries having a range of probabilities that the corresponding probability falls within; and\na storage controller communicatively coupled to the storage device, the storage controller configured to:\ndetermine that an event has occurred; and\nmodify one of the plurality of fingerprint tables.","2. The storage system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of fingerprint\ntables comprises:\na first table comprising a first set of entries corresponding to data stored in the storage device which have likelihoods of deduplication that is greater than or equal to a threshold probability; and\na second table comprising a second set of entries corresponding to data stored in the storage device which have likelihoods of deduplication that is less than the threshold probability.","3. The storage system of claim 1, wherein the storage controller is further\nconfigured to:\nmaintain attributes corresponding to usage of data objects storage in the storage device; and\nread the attributes corresponding to the objects, responsive to detecting the event.","4. The storage system as recited in claim 3, wherein the attributes comprise one or more of: access, data age, device performance, device heath, error correction use data, deduplication rate, read shift voltage, frequency of update, and an error rate.","5. The storage system of claim 1, wherein the event comprises one of: a garbage collection operation, a health binning operation, a block calibration operation, a device access operation and a wear levelling operation.","6. The storage system of claim 1, wherein the storage controller is further configured to:\nperform a data access to a fingerprint data of one of the plurality of fingerprint tables as part of a deduplication operation.","7. The storage system of claim 1, wherein the data includes patterns.","8. The storage system of claim 1, wherein the storage system is a flash system.","9. The storage system of claim 1, wherein the one or more entries comprise hashes.","10. A method comprising:\ndetermining that an event has occurred; and\nmodifying one of a plurality of fingerprint tables comprising one or more entries corresponding to data stored in a storage device, the one or more entries having a corresponding probability of the data being deduplicated and wherein the one or more entries are added to a particular fingerprint table of the plurality of fingerprint tables that stories entries having a range of probabilities that the corresponding probability falls within.","11. The method of claim 10, wherein the plurality of fingerprint tables\ncomprises:\na first table comprising a first set of entries corresponding to data stored in the storage device which have likelihoods of deduplication that is greater than or equal to a threshold probability; and\na second table comprising a second set of entries corresponding to data stored in the storage device which have likelihoods of deduplication that is less than the threshold probability.","12. The method of claim 10, further comprising:\nmaintaining attributes corresponding to usage of data objects storage in the storage device; and\nreading the attributes corresponding to the objects, responsive to detecting the event.","13. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein the attributes comprise one or more of: access, data age, device performance, device heath, error correction use data, deduplication rate, read shift voltage, frequency of update, and an error rate.","14. The method of claim 10, wherein the event comprises one of: a garbage collection operation, a health binning operation, a block calibration operation, a device access operation and a wear levelling operation.","15. The method of claim 10, further comprising:\nperforming a data access to a fingerprint data of one of the plurality of fingerprint tables as part of a deduplication operation.","16. The method of claim 10, wherein the data includes patterns.","17. The method of claim 10, wherein the storage device is a flash storage device.","18. The method of claim 10, wherein the one or more entries comprise hashes.","19. A non-transitory, computer-readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a processing device of a storage system, cause the processing device to:\ndetermine that an event has occurred; and\nmodify one of a plurality of fingerprint tables comprising one or more entries corresponding to data stored in a storage device, the one or more entries having a corresponding probability of the data being deduplicated and wherein the one or more entries are added to a particular fingerprint table of the plurality of fingerprint tables that stories entries having a range of probabilities that the corresponding probability falls within.","20. The non-transitory, computer readable storage medium of claim 19, wherein the plurality of fingerprint tables comprises:\na first table comprising a first set of entries corresponding to data stored in the storage device which have likelihoods of deduplication that is greater than or equal to a threshold probability; and\na second table comprising a second set of entries corresponding to data stored in the storage device which have likelihoods of deduplication that is less than the threshold probability."],["1. A computer implemented method comprising:\nreceiving a first dataset;\nassigning the first dataset to a logical address in a mapping table on a first node of a first set of non-volatile memory;\ndetermining by a processor that the first dataset is already present in data written to the first set of non-volatile memory and, in response, identifying that the already present data is written to a first physical data block on a second node of the first set of non-volatile memory; and\nproviding a linking mechanism to associate the received first dataset with the already present data written to the first set of non-volatile memory, wherein the linking mechanism maps the first dataset's assigned logical address to a first virtual data block in a mapping table on a third node, and wherein the linking mechanism, in response to the already present data not being on the same node as the mapping table on the third node: (i) sends the already present data to the third node to be stored on a second physical data block on the third node, and (ii) maps the first virtual data block in the mapping table on the third node to the second physical data block on the third node.","2. The computer implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:\nreceiving a second dataset;\nassigning the second dataset to a logical address in the mapping table on the first node of the first set of non-volatile memory;\ndetermining by a processor that the second dataset is not already present in data written to the first set of non-volatile memory; and\nin response to determining that the second dataset is not already present in the data written to the first set of non-volatile memory, writing the second dataset to the first set of non-volatile memory.","3. The computer implemented method of claim 2, further comprising:\nin response to determining that the second dataset is not already present in the data written to the first set of non-volatile memory, mapping the second dataset's assigned logical address to a third physical data block on the first set of non-volatile memory and correspondingly writing the second dataset to the third physical data block.","4. The computer implemented method of claim 3, further comprising:\nreading the data written to the third physical data block by performing a read operation on the second dataset's assigned logical address.","5. The computer implemented method of claim 3, wherein:\nthe first set of non-volatile memory includes a plurality of flash nodes;\nthe first node, the second node, and the third node are flash nodes; and\nthe third physical data block is located on the first node.","6. The computer implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:\nreading the already present data written to the first set of non-volatile memory by performing a read operation on the first dataset's assigned logical address.","7. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein:\nthe first set of non-volatile memory includes a plurality of flash nodes; and\nthe first node, the second node, and the third node are flash nodes.","8. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein:\nat least the receiving operation is performed by a RAID controller.","9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nin response to receiving an identification of a third physical data block on the third node, wherein the third physical data block is a new location for the already present data due to garbage collection operations performed on the third node, remapping the first virtual data block in the mapping table on the third node to map to the third physical data block on the third node.","10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nembedding a back-pointer in the already present data, wherein the back-pointer maps to the first virtual data block.","11. The method of claim 10, wherein the back-pointer is utilized in the identification of the third physical data block on the third node after garbage collection operations are performed.","12. The method of claim 10, further comprising:\nin the event of a failure, utilizing the back-pointer to reconstruct the mapping table on the third node.","13. A computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith, wherein the computer readable storage medium is not a transitory signal per se, the program instructions readable and/or executable by a processor(s) set to cause the processor(s) set to perform a method comprising:\nreceiving a first dataset;\nassigning the first dataset to a logical address in a mapping table on a first node of a first set of non-volatile memory;\ndetermining, by the processor(s), that the first dataset is already present in data written to the first set of non-volatile memory and, in response, identifying that the already present data is written to a first physical data block on a second node of the first set of non-volatile memory; and\nproviding a linking mechanism to associate the received first dataset with the already present data written to the first set of non-volatile memory, wherein the linking mechanism maps the first dataset's assigned logical address to a first virtual data block in a mapping table on a third node, and wherein the linking mechanism, in response to the already present data not being on the same node as the mapping table on the third node: (i) sends the already present data to the third node to be stored on a second physical data block on the third node, and (ii) maps the first virtual data block in the mapping table on the third node to the second physical data block on the third node.","14. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the method further comprises:\nreceiving a second dataset;\nassigning the second dataset to a logical address in the mapping table on the first node of the first set of non-volatile memory;\ndetermining, by the processor(s), that the second dataset is not already present in data written to the first set of non-volatile memory; and\nin response to determining that the second dataset is not already present in the data written to the first set of non-volatile memory, writing the second dataset to the first set of non-volatile memory.","15. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein the method further comprises:\nin response to determining that the second dataset is not already present in the data written to the first set of non-volatile memory, mapping the second dataset's assigned logical address to a third physical data block on the first set of non-volatile memory and correspondingly writing the second dataset to the third physical data block.","16. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the method further comprises:\nin response to receiving an identification of a third physical data block on the third node, wherein the third physical data block is a new location for the already present data due to garbage collection operations performed on the third node, remapping the first virtual data block in the mapping table on the third node to map to the third physical data block on the third node.","17. A computer system comprising:\na processor; and\na computer readable storage medium;\nwherein the processor is configured to execute program instructions stored on the computer readable storage medium, the computer readable storage medium comprising:\nprogram instructions executable by the processor to receive a first dataset;\nprogram instructions executable by the processor to assign the first dataset to a logical address in a mapping table on a first node of a first set of non-volatile memory;\nprogram instructions executable by the processor to determine that the first dataset is already present in data written to the first set of non-volatile memory and, in response, identifying that the already present data is written to a first physical data block on a second node of the first set of non-volatile memory; and\nprogram instructions executable by the processor to, provide a linking mechanism to associate the received first dataset with the already present data written to the first set of non-volatile memory, wherein the linking mechanism maps the first dataset's assigned logical address to a first virtual data block in a mapping table on a third node, and wherein the linking mechanism, in response to the already present data not being on the same node as the mapping table on the third node: (i) sends the already present data to the third node to be stored on a second physical data block on the third node, and (ii) maps the first virtual data block in the mapping table on the third node to the second physical data block on the third node.","18. The computer system of claim 17, further comprising:\nprogram instructions executable by the processor to receive a second dataset;\nprogram instructions executable by the processor to assign the second dataset to a logical address in the mapping table on the first node of the first set of non-volatile memory;\nprogram instructions executable by the processor to determine that the second dataset is not already present in data written to the first set of non-volatile memory; and\nprogram instructions executable by the processor to, in response to determining that the second dataset is not already present in the data written to the first set of non-volatile memory, write the second dataset to the first set of non-volatile memory.","19. The computer system of claim 18, further comprising:\nprogram instructions executable by the processor to, in response to determining that the second dataset is not already present in the data written to the first set of non-volatile memory, map the second dataset's assigned logical address to a third physical data block on the first set of non-volatile memory and correspondingly write the second dataset to the third physical data block.","20. The computer system of claim 17, further comprising:\nprogram instructions executable by the processor to, in response to receiving an identification of a third physical data block on the third node, wherein the third physical data block is a new location for the already present data due to garbage collection operations performed on the third node, remap the first virtual data block in the mapping table on the third node to map to the third physical data block on the third node."],["1. A method for use in managing inline data compression and deduplication in storage systems, the method comprising:\nidentifying, based on entropy, a block of data from data stored in a cache of a storage system;\ncomparing entropy of the block of data with a first threshold value;\nbased on the comparison, either deduplicating the block of data or compressing the block of data without deduplication.","2. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying the block of data comprises:\nidentifying between 4 KB and 128 KB of data to include in the block.","3. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying the block of data comprises:\ndetermining entropy of chunks of data stored in the cache;\nincluding, in the block of data, chunks of data with entropy falling below a second threshold value.","4. The method of claim 3, wherein a chunk includes 4 KB of data.","5. The method of claim 3, wherein a chunk includes 8 KB of data.","6. The method of claim 3, wherein comparing the entropy of the block of data with the first threshold value comprises:\ndetermining the entropy of the block by averaging the entropy of chunks of data in the block.","7. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying the block of data comprises:\nidentifying chunks of data stored in the cache within a predetermined window of time.","8. The method of claim 1, wherein deduplicating the block of data comprises:\ndeduplicating the block of data in increments of 512 B.","9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\ndetermining entropy of the deduplicated block of data;\ncomparing the entropy of the deduplicated block of data with a third threshold value;\nbased on the comparison, either compressing the deduplicated block of data or writing the deduplicated block of data to storage without compression.","10. The method of claim 9, wherein determining the entropy of the deduplicated block of data comprises:\naveraging the entropy of remaining data in the deduplicated block of data.","11. A system for use in managing inline data compression and deduplication in storage systems, the system comprising a processor configured to:\nidentify, based on entropy, a block of data from data stored in a cache of a storage system;\ncompare entropy of the block of data with a first threshold value;\nbased on the comparison, either deduplicate the block of data or compress the block of data without deduplication.","12. The system of claim 11, wherein the processor is further configured to:\nidentify between 4 KB and 128 KB of data to include in the block.","13. The system of claim 11, wherein the processor is further configured to:\ndetermine entropy of chunks of data stored in the cache;\ninclude, in the block of data, chunks of data with entropy falling below a second threshold value.","14. The system of claim 13, wherein a chunk includes 4 KB of data.","15. The system of claim 13, wherein a chunk includes 8 KB of data.","16. The system of claim 11, wherein the processor is further configured to:\ndetermine the entropy of the block by averaging the entropy of chunks of data in the block.","17. The system of claim 11, wherein the processor is further configured to:\nidentify chunks of data stored in the cache within a predetermined window of time.","18. The system of claim 11, wherein the processor is further configured to:\ndeduplicate the block of data in increments of 512 B.","19. The system of claim 11, wherein the processor is further configured to:\ndetermine entropy of the deduplicated block of data;\ncompare the entropy of the deduplicated block of data with a third threshold value;\nbased on the comparison, either compress the deduplicated block of data or write the deduplicated block of data to storage without compression.","20. The system of claim 19, wherein the processor is further configured to:\naverage the entropy of remaining data in the deduplicated block of data."],["1. A method comprising:\nreceiving a write request from a host directed towards a clone of a logical unit (LUN), the write request having a first data and representing a first address range of the clone of the LUN (clone LUN), the write request processed at a storage system attached to a storage array;\nassociating a first metadata with the first data;\nin response to receiving the write request, diverging the clone LUN from a parent of the LUN (parent LUN) by associating the first metadata with the clone LUN and copying a second metadata associated with the parent LUN, the second metadata associated with a second data shared between the parent LUN and the clone LUN;\nassociating the second metadata with the clone LUN;\ncalculating an amount of space savings from the clone LUN based on a total amount of data and metadata written to the parent LUN;\nde-duplicating the second data by copying and associating the second metadata with the clone LUN, wherein the calculated amount of space savings is overcounted by a size of the second metadata;\nadjusting the calculated amount of space savings such that the adjusted calculated amount of space savings decreases by the size of the second metadata; and\nreporting the adjusted calculated amount of space savings from the clone LUN to the host.","2. The method of claim 1 wherein the adjusted amount of space savings is computed using an amount of space determined from sizes of the first and second metadata.","3. The method of claim 1 wherein the data and metadata are written as extents in a same extent store.","4. The method of claim 1 wherein the adjusting the amount of space savings employs a clone space adjustment counter indicating an initial amount of logical data in the clone shared with the parent LUN and a diverged space adjustment counter indicating an amount of de-duplicated data in the clone resulting from diverging the clone LUN from the parent LUN.","5. The method of claim 1 further comprising:\ndecreasing the amount of space savings by a portion of a mapped space of the parent LUN.","6. The method of claim 1 further comprising:\nde-duplicating a plurality of extents stored on the storage array, the extents referenced by mappings of a total mapped space of the parent LUN.","7. The method of claim 1 wherein the amount of space savings is computed using a total mapped space of the clone LUN.","8. The method of claim 1 wherein the amount of space savings is a ratio having a denominator including sizes of the first and second data as stored on the storage array.","9. The method of claim 1 wherein the first data is stored compressed on the storage array.","10. The method of claim 1 wherein a tree hierarchy of metadata represents a total mapped space of the clone LUN, wherein the tree hierarchy is arbitrarily shared among snapshots of the clone LUN, and wherein the amount of space savings is reduced by a mapped space of metadata copied from the snapshots as the clone LUN diverges from the snapshots.","11. A system comprising:\na storage system having a processor;\na storage array coupled to the storage system and having one or more storage devices;\na storage I/O stack executing on the processor of the storage system, the storage I/O stack configured to:\nreceive a write request from a host directed towards a clone of a logical unit (LUN), the write request having a first data and representing a first address range of the clone LUN;\nassociate a first metadata with the first data;\nin response to receiving the write request, diverge the clone LUN from a parent LUN by associating the first metadata with the clone LUN and copying a second metadata associated with the parent LUN and a second data shared between the parent LUN and the clone LUN;\nassociate the second metadata with the clone LUN;\ncalculate an amount of space savings from the clone LUN based on a total amount of data and metadata written to the parent LUN;\nde-duplicate the second data by copying and associating the second metadata with the clone LUN, wherein the calculated amount of space savings is overcounted by a size of the second metadata;\nadjust the calculated amount of space savings such that the adjusted calculated amount of space savings decreases by the size of the second metadata; and\nreport the adjusted calculated amount of space savings from the clone LUN to host.","12. The system of claim 11 wherein the adjusted amount of space savings is computed using an amount of mapped space determined from sizes of the first and second metadata.","13. The system of claim 11 wherein the data and metadata are written as extents to a same extent store.","14. The system of claim 11 wherein the storage I/O stack configured to adjust the amount of space savings is further configured to employ a clone space adjustment counter indicating an initial amount of logical data in the clone shared with the parent LUN and a diverged space adjustment counter indicating an amount of de-duplicated data in the clone resulting from diverging the clone LUN from the parent LUN.","15. The system of claim 11 wherein the storage I/O stack is further configured to:\ndecrease the amount of space savings by a portion of a mapped space of the parent LUN.","16. The system of claim 11 wherein the storage I/O stack is further configured to:\nde-duplicate a plurality of extents stored on the one or more storage devices, the extents referenced by mappings representing a total mapped space of the parent LUN.","17. The system of claim 11 wherein the amount of space savings is computed using a total mapped space of the clone LUN.","18. The system of claim 11 wherein the amount of space savings is a ratio having a denominator including sizes of the first and second data as stored on the one or more storage devices.","19. The system of claim 11 wherein the first data is stored compressed on the storage array.","20. A non-transitory computer readable medium containing executable program instructions for execution by a processor of a storage system attached to a storage array, the program instructions configured to:\nreceive a write request from a host directed towards a clone of a logical unit (LUN), the write request having a first data representing a first address range of the clone LUN;\nassociate a first metadata with the first data;\nin response to receiving the write request, diverge the clone LUN from a parent LUN by associating the first metadata with the clone LUN and copying a second metadata associated with the parent LUN, the first metadata having a first mapping of the first address range to the first data, the second metadata having a second mapping of a second address range of the parent LUN to a second data shared between the parent LUN and the clone LUN;\nassociate the second metadata with the clone LUN;\ncalculating an amount of space savings from the clone LUN based on a total amount of data and metadata written to the parent LUN;\nde-duplicate the second data by copying and associating the second metadata with the clone LUN, wherein the calculated amount of space savings is overcounted by a size of the second metadata;\nadjust the calculated amount of space savings such that the adjusted calculated amount of space savings decreases by the size of the second metadata; and\nreport the adjusted calculated amount of space savings from the clone LUN to the host."],["1. A method, comprising:\nimplementing, by a storage control system, a log-structured array in at least one block storage device, wherein the at least one block storage device comprises a physical storage space divided into a plurality of logical data blocks, wherein the logical data blocks each comprise a separately addressable unit of the physical storage space with a specified block size, and wherein the log-structured array comprises at least one log segment which comprises a set of contiguous logical data blocks of the physical storage space of the at least one block storage device;\nreceiving, by the storage control system, an input/output (I/O) write request and associated I/O write data to be written to the at least one block storage device;\ncompressing, by the storage control system, the I/O write data to generate compressed I/O write data;\ndetermining, by the storage control system, a level of data compression of the compressed I/O write data;\ndetermining, by the storage control system, whether the level of data compression of the compressed I/O write data meets a target threshold level of data compression;\nin response to determining that the level of data compression of the compressed I/O write data does meet the target threshold level of data compression, the storage control system writing the compressed I/O write data in a log entry in the at least one log segment of the log-structured array, wherein the log entry which comprises the compressed I/O write data is unaligned to at least one logical data block of the set of contiguous logical data blocks of the at least one log segment; and\nin response to determining that the level of data compression of the compressed I/O write data does not meet the target threshold level of data compression, the storage control system writing the I/O write data without compression in a log entry in the at least one log segment of the log-structured array, wherein the log entry which comprises the I/O write data without compression is write-aligned to at least one logical data block of the set of contiguous logical data blocks of the at least one log segment.","2. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the level of data compression of the compressed I/O write data comprises the storage control system determining a compressibility value as a function of a size of the I/O write data as received and a size of the compressed I/O write data; and\nwherein determining whether the level of data compression of the compressed I/O write data meets the target threshold level of data compression comprises the data control system comparing the determined compressibility value to a predefined compressibility threshold value.","3. The method of claim 2, wherein the compressibility value is computed as a compression ratio and wherein the compressibility threshold value comprises a compression ratio threshold value.","4. The method of claim 1, wherein writing the I/O write data without compression in the log entry in the at least one log segment of the log-structured array comprises the storage control system writing the I/O write data without compression in a next available log entry location at a head of the at least one log segment, which is write-aligned to a logical data block of the set of contiguous logical data blocks of the at least one log segment.","5. The method of claim 1, wherein writing the I/O write data without compression in the log entry in the at least one log segment of the log-structured array comprises the storage control system writing the I/O write data without compression in a next available log entry location from an end of the at least one log segment, which is write-aligned to a logical data block of the set of contiguous logical data blocks of the at least one log segment.","6. The method of claim 1, wherein writing the I/O write data without compression in the log entry in the at least one log segment of the log-structured array comprises the storage control system performing an in-place-update by rewriting the I/O write data without compression in an existing log entry of the at least one log segment which comprises a previous version of the I/O write data.","7. The method of claim 1, wherein writing the compressed I/O write data in the log entry in the at least one log segment of the log-structured array comprises:\nwriting a first portion of the compressed I/O write data in a first log entry; and\nwriting a second portion of the compressed I/O write data in a second log entry;\nwherein the first log entry and the second log entry are separated by at least a third log entry which comprises non-compressed data and which is write-aligned to at least one logical data block of the set of contiguous logical data blocks of the at least one log segment.","8. The method of claim 1, further comprising performing, by the storage control system, a defragmentation process to defragment the at least one log segment of the log-structured array without relocating any log entry in the at least one log segment which comprises valid non-compressed data and which is write-aligned to at least one logical data block of the set of contiguous logical data blocks of the at least one log segment.","9. An article of manufacture comprising a non-transitory processor-readable storage medium having stored therein program code of one or more software programs, wherein the program code is executable by one or more processors to implement a method comprising:\nimplementing, by a storage control system, a log-structured array in at least one block storage device, wherein the at least one block storage device comprises a physical storage space divided into a plurality of logical data blocks, wherein the logical data blocks each comprise a separately addressable unit of the physical storage space with a specified block size, and wherein the log-structured array comprises at least one log segment which comprises a set of contiguous logical data blocks of the physical storage space of the at least one block storage device;\nreceiving, by the storage control system, an input/output (I/O) write request and associated I/O write data to be written to the at least one block storage device;\ncompressing, by the storage control system, the I/O write data to generate compressed I/O write data;\ndetermining, by the storage control system, a level of data compression of the compressed I/O write data;\ndetermining, by the storage control system, whether the level of data compression of the compressed I/O write data meets a target threshold level of data compression;\nin response to determining that the level of data compression of the compressed I/O write data does meet the target threshold level of data compression, the storage control system writing the compressed I/O write data in a log entry in the at least one log segment of the log-structured array, wherein the log entry which comprises the compressed I/O write data is unaligned to at least one logical data block of the set of contiguous logical data blocks of the at least one log segment; and\nin response to determining that the level of data compression of the compressed I/O write data does not meet the target threshold level of data compression, the storage control system writing the I/O write data without compression in a log entry in the at least one log segment of the log-structured array, wherein such that the log entry which comprises the I/O write data without compression is write-aligned to at least one logical data block of the set of contiguous logical data blocks of the at least one log segment.","10. The article of manufacture of claim 9, wherein:\nthe program code for determining the level of data compression of the compressed I/O write data comprises program code that is executable by the one or more processors for determining a compressibility value as a function of a size of the I/O write data as received and a size of the compressed I/O write data; and\nthe program code for determining whether the level of data compression of the compressed I/O write data meets the target threshold level of data compression comprises program code that is executable by the one or more processors for comparing the determined compressibility value to a predefined compressibility threshold value.","11. The article of manufacture of claim 10, wherein the compressibility value is computed as a compression ratio and wherein the compressibility threshold value comprises a compression ratio threshold value.","12. The article of manufacture of claim 9, wherein the program code for writing the I/O write data without compression in the log entry in the at least one log segment of the log-structured array comprises program code that is executable by the one or more processors for writing the I/O write data without compression in one of (i) a next available log entry location at a head of the at least one log segment, which is write-aligned to a logical data block of the set of contiguous logical data blocks of the at least one log segment and (ii) a next available log entry location from an end of the at least one log segment, which is write-aligned to a logical data block of the set of contiguous logical data blocks of the at least one log segment.","13. The article of manufacture of claim 9, wherein the program code for writing the I/O write data without compression in the log entry in the at least one log segment of the log-structured array comprises program code that is executable by the one or more processors for performing an in-place-update by rewriting the I/O write data without compression in an existing log entry of the at least one log segment which comprises a previous version of the I/O write data.","14. The article of manufacture of claim 9, wherein the program code for writing the compressed I/O data in a log entry in the at least one log segment of the log-structured array comprises program code that is executable by the one or more processors for:\nwriting a first portion of the compressed I/O write data in a first log entry; and\nwriting a second portion of the compressed I/O write data in a second log entry;\nwherein the first log entry and the second log entry are separated by at least a third log entry which comprises non-compressed data and which is write-aligned to at least one logical data block of the set of contiguous logical data blocks of the at least one log segment.","15. The article of manufacture of claim 9, further comprising program code that is executable by the one or more processors for performing, by the storage control system, a defragmentation process to defragment the at least one log segment of the log-structured array without relocating any log entry in the at least one log segment which comprises valid non-compressed data and which is write-aligned to at least one logical data block of the set of contiguous logical data blocks of the at least one log segment.","16. A server node, comprising:\nat least one processor; and\nsystem memory configured to store program code, wherein the program code is executable by the at least one processor to implement a storage control system which is configured to:\nimplement a log-structured array in at least one block storage device, wherein the at least one block storage device comprises a physical storage space divided into a plurality of logical data blocks, wherein the logical data blocks each comprise a separately addressable unit of the physical storage space with a specified block size, and wherein the log-structured array comprises at least one log segment which comprises a set of contiguous logical data blocks of the physical storage space of the at least one block storage device;\nreceive an input/output (I/O) write request and associated I/O write data to be written to the at least one block storage device;\ncompress the I/O write data to generate compressed I/O write data;\ndetermine a level of data compression of the compressed I/O write data;\ndetermine whether the level of data compression of the compressed I/O write data meets a target threshold level of data compression;\nwrite the compressed I/O write data in a log entry in the at least one log segment of the log-structured array, in response to determining that the level of data compression of the compressed I/O write data does meet the target threshold level of data compression, wherein the log entry which comprises the compressed I/O write data is unaligned to at least one logical data block of the set of contiguous logical data blocks of the at least one log segment; and\nwrite the I/O write data without compression in a log entry in the at least one log segment of the log-structured array, wherein the log entry which comprises the I/O write data without compression is write-aligned to at least one logical data block of the set of contiguous logical data blocks of the at least one log segment, in response to determining that the level of data compression of the compressed I/O write data does not meet the target threshold level of data compression.","17. The server node of claim 16, wherein:\nin determining the level of data compression of the compressed I/O write data, the storage control system is configured to determine a compressibility value as a function of a size of the I/O write data as received and a size of the compressed I/O write data; and\nin determining whether the level of data compression of the compressed I/O write data meets the target threshold level of data compression, the storage control system is configured to compare the determined compressibility value to a predefined compressibility threshold value.","18. The server node of claim 16, wherein in writing the I/O write data without compression in the log entry in the at least one log segment of the log-structured array, the storage control system is configured to write the I/O write data without compression in one of (i) a next available log entry location at a head of the at least one log segment, which is write-aligned to a logical data block of the set of contiguous logical data blocks of the at least one log segment and (ii) a next available log entry location from an end of the at least one log segment, which is write-aligned to a logical data block of the set of contiguous logical data blocks of the at least one log segment.","19. The server node of claim 16, wherein:\nin writing the I/O write data without compression in the log entry in the at least one log segment of the log-structured array, the storage control system is configured to perform an in-place-update by rewriting the I/O write data without compression in an existing log entry of the at least one log segment which comprises a previous version of the I/O write data; and\nin writing the compressed I/O write data in the log entry in the at least one log segment of the log-structured array, the storage control system is configured to:\nwrite a first portion of the compressed I/O write data in a first log entry; and\nwrite a second portion of the compressed I/O write data in a second log entry;\nwherein the first log entry and the second log entry are separated by at least a third log entry which comprises non-compressed data and which is write-aligned to at least one logical data block of the set of contiguous logical data blocks of the at least one log segment.","20. The server node of claim 16, wherein the storage control system is configured to perform a defragmentation process to defragment the at least one log segment of the log-structured array without relocating any log entry in the at least one log segment which comprises valid non-compressed data and which is write-aligned to at least one logical data block of the set of contiguous logical data blocks of the at least one log segment."],["1. A memory system comprising:\na non-volatile memory including a plurality of blocks, the plurality of blocks including blocks in a first block group and blocks in a second block group; and\na controller configured to:\nperform a first write operation for at least one of the blocks in the first block group and not perform a second write operation for any one of the blocks in the first block group throughout a lifetime of the memory system; and\nperform the first write operation and the second write operation for the blocks in the second block group, wherein\na total capacity of the blocks in the first block group is fixed and a total capacity of the blocks in the second block group is fixed,\na first number of bits are written into a memory cell of the non-volatile memory in the first write operation, and\na second number of bits are written into a memory cell of the non-volatile memory in the second write operation, the second number being larger than the first number, and\nthe controller is further configured to:\nallocate, based on a degree of wear-out of at least one of the plurality of blocks, one or more blocks in the first block group or the second block group to a buffer of a write operation; and\nwrite data received from an external device into the buffer in the first write operation.","2. The memory system according to claim 1, wherein\nthe controller is configured to:\nallocate the one or more blocks to the buffer such that a degree of wear-out of at least one block in the first block group does not reach a first degree of wear-out before a total amount of data Which are received from the external device and Written into the non-volatile memory reaches a first amount of data, and a degree of wear-out of at least one block in the second block group does not reach a second degree of wear-out before the total amount of data which are received from the external device and written into the non-volatile memory reaches the first amount of data.","3. The memory system according to claim 1, wherein\nthe controller is configured to:\ndetermine a third number of blocks in the first block group which are to be allocated to the buffer at a first time and a fourth number of blocks in the second block group which are to be allocated to the buffer at the first time such that a degree of wear-out of at least one block in the first block group does not reach a first degree of wear-out before a total amount of data which are received from the external device and written into the non-volatile memory reaches a first amount of data, and a degree of wear-out of at least one block in the second block group does not reach a second degree of wear-out before the total amount of data which are received from the external device and written into the non-volatile memory reaches the first amount of data;\nallocate the third number of blocks in the first block group to the buffer; and\nallocate the fourth number of blocks in the second block group to the buffer.","4. The memory system according to claim 3, wherein\nthe third number is a number of blocks in the first block group which are to be allocated to the buffer at the first time and into which data received from the external device is to be written in the first write operation, and\nthe fourth number is a number of blocks in the second block group which are to be allocated to the buffer at the first time and into which data received from the external device is to be written in the first write operation.","5. The memory system according to claim 3, wherein\nthe third number is a sum of a number of blocks in the first block group in which at least a piece of valid data is included and a number of blocks in the first block group in which valid data is not included, and\nthe fourth number is a sum of a number of blocks in the second block group in which at least a piece of valid data is included and a number of blocks in the second block group in which valid data is not included.","6. The memory system according to claim 3, wherein\nthe controller is further configured to:\nat a second time later than the first time,\nin a case where the degree of wear-out of the at least one block in the first block group is lower than a third degree of wear-out, the third degree being lower than the first degree, determine a fifth number of blocks in the first block group which are to be allocated to the buffer, the fifth number being greater than the third number, and allocate the fifth number of blocks in the first block group to the buffer;\nin a case where the degree of wear-out of the at least one block in the first block group is higher than the third degree of wear-out, determine a sixth number of blocks in the first block group which are to be allocated to the buffer, the sixth number being smaller than the third number, and allocate the sixth number of blocks in the first block group to the buffer;\nin a case where the degree of wear-out of the at least one block in the second block group is lower than a fourth degree of wear-out, the fourth degree being lower than the second degree, determine a seventh number of blocks in the second block group which are to be allocated to the buffer, the seventh number being greater than the fourth number, and allocate the seventh number of blocks in the second block group to the buffer; and\nin a case where the degree of wear-out of the at least one block in the second block group is higher than the fourth degree of wear-out, determine an eighth number of blocks in the second block group which are to be allocated to the buffer, the eighth number being smaller than the fourth number, and allocate the eighth number of blocks in the second block group to the buffer.","7. The memory system according to claim 1, wherein\nan allowable upper limit of a number of write/erase cycles of each of the blocks in the first block group is larger than an allowable upper limit of a number of write/erase cycles of each of the blocks in the second block group.","8. A memory system, comprising:\na non-volatile memory including a plurality of blocks, the plurality of blocks including blocks in a first block group and blocks in a second block group; and\na controller configured to:\nperform a first write operation for at least one of the blocks in the first block group and not perform a second write operation for any one of the blocks in the first block group; and\nperform the first write operation and the second write operation for the blocks in the second block group, wherein\na total capacity of the blocks in the first block group is fixed and a total capacity of the blocks in the second block group is fixed,\na first number of bits are written into a memory cell of the non-volatile memory in the first write operation, and\na second number of bits are written into a memory cell of the non-volatile memory in the second write operation, the second number being larger than the first number, and\nthe controller is further configured to:\ndetermine, based on a degree of wear-out of at least one of the plurality of blocks, a number of blocks in the first block group which are to be allocated to a buffer of a write operation and a number of blocks in the second block group which are to be allocated to the buffer;\nallocate the determined number of blocks in the first block group or the second block group to the buffer; and\nwrite data received from an external device into the buffer in the first write operation.","9. The memory system according to claim 8, wherein\nthe controller is configured to:\ndetermine, based on the degree of wear-out of the at least one of the plurality of blocks, a third number of blocks in the first block group which are to be allocated to the buffer at a first time and a fourth number of blocks in the second block group which are to be allocated to the buffer at the first time;\nallocate the third number of blocks in the first block group to the buffer; and\nallocate the fourth number of blocks in the second block group to the buffer.","10. The memory system according to claim 9, wherein\nthe third number is a number of blocks in the first block group which are to be allocated to the buffer at the first time and into which data received from the external device is to be written in the first write operation, and\nthe fourth number is a number of blocks in the second block group which are to be allocated to the buffer at the first time and into which data received from the external device is to be written in the first write operation.","11. The memory system according to claim 9, wherein\nthe third number is a sum of a number of blocks in the first block group in which at least a piece of valid data is included and a number of blocks in the first block group in which valid data is not included, and\nthe fourth number is a sum of a number of blocks in the second block group in which at least a piece of valid data is included and a number of blocks in the second block group in which valid data is not included.","12. The memory system according to claim 9, wherein\nthe controller is further configured to:\ndetermine, based on at least one of (A) a degree of wear-out of at least one block in the first block group and (B) a degree of wear-out of at least one block in the second block group, a number of free blocks in the first block group to be generated through a garbage collection for the first block group or a number of free blocks in the second block group to be generated through a garbage collection for the second block group;\nexecute the garbage collection for the first block group to generate the determined number of free blocks in the first block group;\nexecute the garbage collection for the second block group to generate the determined number of free blocks in the second block group.","13. The memory system according to claim 9, wherein\nthe controller is further configured to:\ndetermine, based on at least one of (A) a degree of wear-out of at least one block in the first block group and (B) a degree of wear-out of at least one block in the second block group, a number of candidate blocks of garbage collection target for the first block group;\ndetermine, based on at least one of (A) the degree of wear-out of the at least one block in the first block group and (B) the degree of wear-out of the at least one block in the second block group, a number of candidate blocks of garbage collection target for the second block group;\nexecute a garbage collection for a block selected from the candidate blocks for the first block group; and\nexecute a garbage collection for a block selected from the candidate blocks for the second block group.","14. The memory system according to claim 9, wherein\nthe controller is further configured to:\ndetermine, based on at least one of (A) a degree of wear-out of at least one block in the first block group and (B) a degree of wear-out of at least one block in the second block group, which of a garbage collection for the first block group and a garbage collection for the second block group to be given priority for executing; and\nexecute the garbage collection for the first block group or the second block group which is given the priority to generate a free block in the first block group or the second block group.","15. The memory system according to claim 9, wherein\nthe controller is further configured to:\nat a second time later than the first time,\nin a case where a degree of wear-out of at least one block in the first block group is lower than a first degree of wear-out, determine a fifth number of blocks in the first block group which are to be allocated to the buffer, the fifth number being greater than the third number, and allocate the fifth number of blocks in the first block group to the buffer;\nin a case where the degree of wear-out of the at least one block in the first block group is higher than the first degree of wear-out, determine a sixth number of blocks in the first block group which are to be allocated to the buffer, the sixth number being smaller than the third number, and allocate the sixth number of blocks in the first block group to the buffer;\na case where a degree of wear-out of at least one block in the second block group is lower than a second degree of wear-out, determine a seventh number of blocks in the second block group which are to be allocated to the buffer, the seventh number being greater than the fourth number, and allocate the seventh number of blocks in the second block group to the buffer; and\nin a case where the degree of wear-out of the at least one block in the second block group is higher than the second degree of wear-out, determine an eighth number of blocks in the second block group which are to be allocated to the buffer, the eighth number being smaller than the fourth number, and allocate the eighth number of blocks in the second block group to the buffer.","16. A method of writing data into a non-volatile memory including a plurality of blocks, the plurality of blocks including blocks in a first block group and blocks in a second block group, a total capacity of the blocks in the first block group being fixed, and a total capacity of the blocks in the second block group being fixed, the method comprising:\ndetermining, based on a degree of wear-out of at least one of the plurality of blocks, a number of blocks in the first block group which are to be allocated to a buffer of a write operation and a number of blocks in the second block group which are to be allocated to the buffer:\nallocating the determined number of blocks in the first block group or the second block group to the buffer of a write operation; and\nwriting data received from an external device into the buffer in a first write operation, wherein\ndata is written into at least one of the blocks in the first block group in the first write operation and not written in any one of the blocks in the second write operation,\ndata is written into the blocks in the second block group in the first write operation and the second write operation,\na first number of bits are written into a memory cell of the non-volatile memory in the first write operation,\na second number of bits are written into a memory cell of the non-volatile memory in the second write operation, and\nthe second number is larger than the first number.","17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the determining comprises\ndetermining, based on the degree of wear-out of the al least one of the plurality of blocks, a third number of blocks in the first block group which are to be allocated to the buffer at a first time and a fourth number of blocks in the second block group which are to be allocated to the buffer at the first time, and the allocating comprises,\nallocating the third number of blocks in the first block group to the buffer, and\nallocating the fourth number of blocks in the second block group to the buffer.","18. The method according to claim 17, further comprising:\nat a second time later than the first time,\nin a case where a degree of wear-out of at least one block in the first block group is lower than a first degree of wear-out, determining a fifth number of blocks in the first block group which are to be allocated to the buffer, the fifth number being greater than the third number, and allocating the fifth number of blocks in the first block group to the buffer;\nin a case where the degree of wear-out of the at least one block in the first block group is higher than the first degree of wear-out, determining a sixth number of blocks in the first block group which are to be allocated to the buffer, the sixth number being smaller than the third number, and allocating the sixth number of blocks in the first block group to the buffer;\nin a case where a degree of wear-out of at least one block in the second block group is lower than a second degree of wear-out, determining a seventh number of blocks in the second block group which are to be allocated to the buffer, the seventh number being greater than the fourth number, and allocating the seventh number of blocks in the second block group to the buffer; and\nin a case where the degree of wear-out of the at least one block in the second block group is higher than the second degree of wear-out, determining an eighth number of blocks in the second block group which are to be allocated to the buffer, the eighth number being smaller than the fourth number, and allocating the eighth number of blocks in the second block group to the buffer.","19. The method of claim 16, further comprising:\ndetermining, based on at least one of (A) a degree of wear-out of at least one block in the first block group and (B) a degree of wear-out of at least one block in the second block group, a number of free blocks in the first block group to be generated through a garbage collection for the first block group or a number of free blocks in the second block group to be generated through a garbage collection for the second block group;\nexecuting the garbage collection for the first block group to generate the determined number of free blocks in the first block group;\nexecuting the garbage collection for the second block group to generate the determined number of free blocks in the second block group.","20. The method according to claim 16, further comprising:\ndetermining, based on the at least one of (A) a degree of wear-out of at least one block in the first block group and (B) a degree of wear-out of at least one block in the second block group, a number of candidate blocks of garbage collection target in the first block group or a number of candidate blocks of garbage collection target in the second block group;\nexecuting a garbage collection for a block selected from the candidate blocks for the first block group to generate a free block in the first block group;\nexecuting a garbage collection for a block selected from the candidate blocks for the second block group to generate a free block in the second block group.","21. The method according to claim 16, further comprising:\ndetermining, based on at least one of (A) a degree of wear-out of at least one block in the first block group and (B) a degree of wear-out of at least one block in the second block group, which of a garbage collection for the first block group and a garbage collection for the second block group to be given priority for executing;\nexecuting the garbage collection for the first block group or the second block group which is given the priority to generate free blocks in the first block group or the second block group."],["1. A solid state device (SSD) comprising:\na non-volatile memory (NVM), and\na controller operatively coupled to the NVM;\nwherein the controller is configured to:\ndetermine an access pattern of the NVM by a host;\ndetermine a hit and miss (H/M) rate of a logical block address (LBA) range accessed by the host during a predetermined time period;\ndetermine a locality of data (LOD) of the access pattern as the LBA when the H/M rate meets a target rate;\ndynamically configure data storage cells of the NVM into a cache partition and a storage partition based on the LOD of the access pattern; and\nadjust a size of the cache partition in response to a change of the LOD, wherein the data storage cells of the cache partition are configured to provide greater endurance than the data storage cells of the storage partition.","2. The SSD of claim 1,\nwherein the data storage cells of the storage partition comprise quad-level cell (QLC) type cells, and\nwherein the data storage cells of the cache partition comprise at least one of single-level cell (SLC) type cells or multi-level cell (MLC) type cells.","3. The SSD of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to:\nto adjust the size of the cache partition in response to a change in size of the LOD.","4. The SSD of claim 3, wherein the controller is further configured to:\nadjust the size of the cache partition to be no less than the size of the LOD.","5. The SSD of claim 1, wherein the data storage cells of the storage partition are configured to store a greater number of bits per cell than the data storage cells of the cache partition.","6. A method of operating a non-volatile memory (NVM) controller configured to communicate with an NVM, comprising:\nreceiving commands from a host for accessing the NVM;\ndetermining an access pattern of the NVM by the host;\ndetermining a hit and miss (H/M) rate of a logical block address (LBA) range accessed by the host during a predetermined time period;\ndetermining a locality of data (LOD) of the access pattern as the LBA when the H/M rate meets a target rate; and\ndynamically configuring data storage cells of the NVM into a cache partition and a storage partition based on the LOD of the access pattern, wherein the data storage cells of the cache partition are configured to provide higher performance than the data storage cells of the storage partition.","7. The method of claim 6, wherein the data storage cells of the cache partition are configured to provide greater endurance than the data storage cells of the storage partition.","8. The method of claim 6, wherein data storage cells of the storage partition are configured to store a greater number of bits per cell than the data storage cells of the cache partition.","9. The method of claim 6, wherein dynamically configuring the data storage cells comprises:\nadjusting a size of the cache partition in response to a change in size of the LOD.","10. The method of claim 9, wherein adjusting the size of the cache partition comprises:\nadjusting the size of the cache partition to be no less than the size of the LOD.","11. The method of claim 10, wherein adjusting the size of the cache partition further comprises:\nlimiting the size of the cache partition such that a provisioned capacity of the NVM is available to the host regardless of the size of the cache partition.","12. A non-volatile memory (NVM) comprising:\nmeans for receiving commands from a host for performing data operations with the NVM;\nmeans for determining an access pattern of the NVM by the host;\nmeans for determining a locality of data (LOD) corresponding to a logical block address (LBA) range accessed by the host during a predetermined time period;\nmeans for dynamically configuring data storage cells of the NVM into a cache partition and a storage partition based the LOD of the access pattern, wherein data storage cells of the storage partition are configured to use more threshold voltages per cell for storing data than the data storage cells of the cache partition;\nmeans for adjusting the cache partition to be no smaller than the LOD in size such that the cache partition accommodates a higher percentage of the data operations relative to the storage partition; and\nmeans for limiting the size of the cache partition such that a provisioned capacity of the NVM is available to the host regardless of the size of the cache partition.","13. The NVM of claim 12, wherein data storage cells of the storage partition are configured to store a greater number of bits per cell than the data storage cells of the cache partition.","14. The NVM of claim 12, wherein the means for adjusting the cache partition is further configured to:\nincrease the size of the cache partition in response to a size increase of the LOD; and\ndecrease the size of the cache partition in response to a size decrease of the LOD."],["1. A data storage device controller configured to couple to a non-volatile memory comprising a plurality of blocks, each block being configured to store a plurality of physical pages at predetermined physical locations, the controller comprising:\na processor configured to program data to and read data from the non-volatile memory, the data being stored in a plurality of logical pages;\na volatile memory comprising a logical-to-physical address translation map configured to enable the processor to a physical location, within one or more physical pages, of the data stored in each logical page; and\na plurality of journals stored in the non-volatile memory, each journal comprising a plurality of journal entries associating one or more physical pages to each logical page, wherein each of the plurality of journals covers a predetermined range of physical pages within one of the plurality of blocks;\nwherein the controller is configured, upon startup, to:\nread each of the plurality of journals in an order and to rebuild the map in the volatile memory from the read plurality of journals;\nindicate a readiness to process data access commands after the map is rebuilt; and\nrebuild a table from the map and select, based on the rebuilt table, at least one of the plurality of blocks for garbage collection after having indicated the readiness to process data access commands, wherein the table is configured to specify free space in each of the plurality of blocks.","2. The data storage device controller of claim 1, wherein the table is configured to specify free space in each of the plurality of blocks, wherein each of the blocks has a predetermined size and wherein the processor is configured to calculate the amount of free space by subtracting a size of valid data in each block obtained from reading the map from the predetermined size.","3. The data storage device controller of claim 2, wherein the processor is further configured to read sequentially through the map to determine, for each block, a size of valid data and to update a valid size information table with the determined size of valid data.","4. The data storage device controller of claim 3, wherein the processor is further configured to carry out a separate free space accounting operation to update a free space for a block storing a logical page corresponding to an already read entry of the map that is updated after having indicated the readiness to service data access commands.","5. The data storage controller of claim 3, wherein the processor is further configured to refrain from carrying out a separate free space accounting operation to update a free space for a block storing a logical page corresponding to a yet-to-be-read entry of the map that is updated after having indicated the readiness to service data access commands.","6. A method of controlling a data storage device comprising a non-volatile memory comprising a plurality of blocks, each block being configured to store a plurality of physical pages at predetermined physical locations, the method comprising:\nprogramming data to and reading data from the non-volatile memory, the data being stored in a plurality of logical pages;\nmaintaining, in a volatile memory, a logical-to-physical address translation map configured to enable a determination of a physical location, within one or more physical pages, of the data stored in each logical page; and\nmaintaining, in the non-volatile memory, a plurality of journals, each journal comprising a plurality of journal entries associating one or more physical pages to each logical page, wherein each of the plurality of journals covers a pre-determined range of physical pages within one of the plurality of blocks and, upon startup:\nreading each of the plurality of journals in an order and rebuilding the map in the volatile memory from the read plurality of journals;\nindicating a readiness to process data access commands after the map is rebuilt; and\none of the plurality of blocks for garbage collection after having indicated the readiness to process data access command, wherein the table is configured to specify an amount of free space in each of the plurality of blocks, wherein the table is configured to specify an amount of free space in each of the plurality of blocks.","7. The method of claim 6, wherein each of the blocks has a predetermined size and wherein the method further comprises calculating the amount of free space by subtracting a size of valid data in each block obtained from reading the map from the predetermined size.","8. The method of claim 7, further comprising reading sequentially through the map to determine, for each block, a size of valid data and updating a valid size information table with the determined size of valid data.","9. The method of claim 8, further comprising carrying out a separate free space accounting operation to update a free space for a block storing a logical page corresponding to an already read entry of the map that is updated after having indicated the readiness to service data access commands.","10. The method of claim 7, further comprising refraining from carrying out a separate free space accounting operation to update a free space for a block storing a logical page corresponding to a yet-to-be-read entry of the map that is updated after having indicated the readiness to service data access commands."],["1. A method of operating a storage device managing a multi-namespace, the method comprising:\nstoring first mapping information including a mapping between a first logical address space and a first physical address space to a mapping table, in response to a request to create a first namespace, the first logical address space being allocated to the first namespace; and\nstoring second mapping information including a mapping between a second logical address space and a second physical address space to the mapping table, in response to a request to create a second namespace, the second logical address space being allocated to the second namespace and being contiguous to the first logical address space,\nwherein the mapping table includes a first region for the first namespace and a second region for the second namespace that is contiguous to the first region,\nwherein the first region comprises a plurality of first entries, where each first entry maps a logical page number of the first logical address space directly to a physical page number of the first physical address space, and\nwherein the second region comprises a plurality of second entries, where each second entry maps a logical page number of the second logical address space directly to a physical page number of the second physical address space,\nwherein the method further comprises:\nrelocating the first and second mapping information in the mapping table, in response to a request to delete the first namespace; and\nperforming an unmapping operation on the first mapping information in the mapping table such that data stored in the first physical address space is invalidated, after the relocating of the first and second mapping information.","2. The method according to claim 1, wherein a sum of the first and second logical address spaces is equal to or less than a storage capacity of the storage device.","3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the relocating of the first and second mapping information comprises allocating the first logical address space to the second namespace, and updating the mapping table such that the second physical address space corresponds to the first logical address space.","4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the storage device comprises a volatile memory and a non-volatile memory, and the relocating of the first and second mapping information comprises:\nrelocating the first and second mapping information in the mapping table stored in the non-volatile memory to generate a modified mapping table; and\nloading the modified mapping table into the volatile memory.","5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the relocating of the first and second mapping information further comprises storing the mapping table loaded into the volatile memory to the non-volatile memory, before the loading of the modified mapping table.","6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the relocating of the first and second mapping information further comprises storing the modified mapping table to the non-volatile memory, after the loading of the modified mapping table.","7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the relocating of the first and second mapping information comprises:\nperforming an unmapping operation on the first mapping information in the mapping table; and\nmodifying the mapping table by copying the second mapping information into the first logical address space in the mapping table to generate a modified mapping table.","8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the storage device comprises a non-volatile memory, and the relocating of the first and second mapping information further comprises storing the modified mapping table to the non-volatile memory.","9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:\ndetermining whether a contiguous logical address space in a logical address space of the storage device is insufficient, in response to a request to delete the first namespace; and\nrelocating the first and second mapping information in the mapping table, when the contiguous logical address space is determined to be insufficient.","10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:\nperforming an unmapping operation on the second mapping information in the mapping table such that data stored in the second physical address space is invalidated, in response to a request to delete the second namespace.","11. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:\nstoring third mapping information including a mapping between a third logical address space and a third physical address space to the mapping table, in response to a request to create a third namespace, the third logical address space being allocated to the third namespace and being contiguous to the second logical address space.","12. The method according to claim 11, wherein a sum of the first to third logical address spaces is equal to or less than a storage capacity of the storage device.","13. The method according to claim 11, further comprising:\nrelocating the second and third mapping information in the mapping table, in response to a request to delete the second namespace.","14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the relocating of the second and third mapping information comprises allocating the second logical address space to the third namespace such that the third namespace has a logical address space contiguous to the first logical address space, and updating the mapping table such that the third physical address space corresponds to the second logical address space.","15. A method of operating a storage device managing a multi-namespace, the method comprising:\nrespectively allocating first and second logical address spaces contiguous to each other to first and second namespaces and storing first and second mapping information regarding the respective first and second logical address spaces to a mapping table, in response to a request to create the first and second namespaces;\nrelocating the first mapping information and the second mapping information in the mapping table, in response to a request to delete the first namespace; and\nperforming an unmapping operation on the first mapping information in the mapping table, after the relocating of the first mapping information and the second mapping information.","16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the relocating of the first mapping information and the second mapping information comprises allocating the first logical address space to the second namespace, and updating the mapping table.","17. A method of operating a storage device managing a multi-namespace, the method comprising:\nmanaging a mapping table to indicate such that first, second, and third namespaces have contiguous logical address spaces; and\nupdating the mapping table to indicate that the first and third namespaces have contiguous logical address spaces, in response to a request to delete the second namespace,\nwherein the updated mapping table includes a first region for the first namespace and a second region for the third namespace that is contiguous to the first region,\nwherein the first region comprises a plurality of first entries, where each first entry maps a logical page number of a first one of the logical address spaces directly to a physical address, and\nwherein the second region comprises a plurality of second entries, where each second entry maps a logical page number of the remaining logical address spaces directly to a physical address,\nwherein the method further comprises:\nperforming an unmapping operation on mapping information of the second namespace, in mapping table, after the updating of the mapping table."],["1. A method of controlling a nonvolatile memory, the nonvolatile memory including a plurality of blocks, said method comprising:\nmanaging, per physical address of a location in the nonvolatile memory in which data have been stored, the number of logical addresses associated with the physical address; and\nperforming garbage collection by:\ncopying first data from a first physical address in a copy-source block to a first block and not copying second data from a second physical address in the copy-source block to the first block; and\ncopying the second data from the second physical address in the copy-source block to a second block and not copying the first data from the first physical address in the copy-source block to the second block, wherein\nthe number of logical addresses associated with the first physical address belongs to a first range, and\nthe number of logical addresses associated with the second physical address belongs to a second range different from the first range.","2. The method of claim 1, wherein,\nwhen the first data is data having a lifetime longer than a lifetime of the second data, the first range is greater than the second range.","3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nwhen writing update data of third data already stored in the nonvolatile memory, decrementing the number of logical addresses associated with a physical address of a location in which the third data is stored by one.","4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nwhen writing third data to the nonvolatile memory, the third data not matching with any data stored in the nonvolatile memory,\nwriting the third data to the nonvolatile memory;\nupdating a first translation table managing a corresponding relationship between logical addresses and intermediate addresses to associate a first intermediate address with a logical address of the third data;\nupdating a second translation table managing a corresponding relationship between the intermediate addresses and physical addresses of locations in the nonvolatile memory to associate a third physical address with the first intermediate address, the third physical address indicating a location in the nonvolatile memory in which the third data is written; and\nsetting the number of logical addresses associated with the third physical address to one.","5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nin a case where third data matches with fourth data already stored in the nonvolatile memory, without writing the third data to the nonvolatile memory,\nupdating a first translation table managing a corresponding relationship between logical addresses and intermediate addresses to associate a first intermediate address with a logical address of the third data, the first intermediate address having been associated with a logical address of the fourth data;\nmaintaining a second translation table managing a corresponding relationship between the intermediate addresses and physical addresses of locations in the nonvolatile memory such that a third physical address is associated with the first intermediate address, the third physical address indicating a location in the nonvolatile memory in which the fourth data is stored; and\nincrementing the number of logical addresses associated with the third physical address by one.","6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nin the garbage collection, not copying third data from a third physical address in the copy-source block to any block, wherein\nthe number of logical addresses associated with the third physical address is zero.","7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nselecting, as the copy-source block, a third block in preference to a fourth block, wherein\na maximum of the numbers of logical addresses respectively associated with physical addresses of locations in the third block is greater than a maximum of the numbers of logical addresses respectively associated with physical addresses of locations in the fourth block.","8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:\nselecting the third block as the copy-source block in a case where an amount of invalid data in the third block is larger than a first threshold; and\nselecting the fourth block as the copy-source block in a case where an amount of invalid data in the third block is larger than a second threshold, wherein\nthe first threshold is smaller than the second threshold.","9. A method of controlling a nonvolatile memory, the nonvolatile memory including a plurality of blocks, said method comprising:\nmanaging, per physical address of a location in the nonvolatile memory in which data have been stored, the number of logical addresses associated with the physical address; and\nperforming garbage collection by selecting first data in preference to second data as copy target data for the garbage collection, wherein\nthe first data is stored at a first physical address,\nthe number of logical addresses associated with the first physical address belongs to a first range,\nthe second data is stored at a second physical address,\nthe number of logical addresses associated with the second physical address belongs to a second range, and\nthe first range is greater than the second range.","10. The method of claim 9, wherein\nthe first data is data having a lifetime longer than a lifetime of the second data.","11. The method of claim 9, further comprising:\nwhen writing update data of third data already stored in the nonvolatile memory, decrementing the number of logical addresses associated with a physical address of a location in which the third data is stored by one.","12. The method of claim 9, further comprising:\nwhen writing third data to the nonvolatile memory, the third data not matching with any data stored in the nonvolatile memory,\nwriting the third data to the nonvolatile memory;\nupdating a first translation table managing a corresponding relationship between logical addresses and intermediate addresses to associate a first intermediate address with a logical address of the third data;\nupdating a second translation table managing a corresponding relationship between the intermediate addresses and physical addresses of locations in the nonvolatile memory to associate a third physical address with the first intermediate address, the third physical address indicating a location in the nonvolatile memory in which the third data is written; and\nsetting the number of logical addresses associated with the third physical address to one.","13. The method of claim 9, further comprising:\nin a case where third data matches with fourth data already stored in the nonvolatile memory, without writing the third data to the nonvolatile memory,\nupdating a first translation table managing a corresponding relationship between logical addresses and intermediate addresses to associate a first intermediate address with a logical address of the third data, the first intermediate address having been associated with a logical address of the fourth data;\nmaintaining a second translation table managing a corresponding relationship between the intermediate addresses and physical addresses of locations in the nonvolatile memory such that a third physical address is associated with the first intermediate address, the third physical address indicating a location in the nonvolatile memory in which the fourth data is stored; and\nincrementing the number of logical addresses associated with the third physical address by one.","14. The method of claim 9, further comprising:\nin the garbage collection, not copying third data from a third physical address in the copy-source block to any block, wherein\nthe number of logical addresses associated with the third physical address is zero.","15. A method of controlling a nonvolatile memory, the nonvolatile memory including a plurality of blocks, said method comprising:\nmanaging, per physical address of a location in the nonvolatile memory in which data have been stored, the number of logical addresses associated with the physical address; and\nwhen executing garbage collection, copying data from a copy-source physical address to a copy-destination physical address, and associating the number of logical addresses that has been associated with the copy-source physical address with the copy-destination physical address.","16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:\nwhen writing update data of first data already stored in the nonvolatile memory, decrementing the number of logical addresses associated with a physical address of a location in which the first data is stored by one.","17. The method of claim 15, further comprising:\nwhen writing first data to the nonvolatile memory, the first data not matching with any data stored in the nonvolatile memory,\nwriting the first data to the nonvolatile memory;\nupdating a first translation table managing a corresponding relationship between logical addresses and intermediate addresses to associate a first intermediate address with a logical address of the first data;\nupdating a second translation table managing a corresponding relationship between the intermediate addresses and physical addresses of locations in the nonvolatile memory to associate a first physical address with the first intermediate address, the first physical address indicating a location in the nonvolatile memory in which the first data is written; and\nsetting the number of logical addresses associated with the first physical address to one.","18. The method of claim 15, further comprising:\nin a case where first data matches with second data already stored in the nonvolatile memory, without writing the first data to the nonvolatile memory,\nupdating a first translation table managing a corresponding relationship between logical addresses and intermediate addresses to associate a first intermediate address with a logical address of the first data, the first intermediate address having been associated with a logical address of the second data;\nmaintaining a second translation table managing a corresponding relationship between the intermediate addresses and physical addresses of locations in the nonvolatile memory such that a first physical address is associated with the first intermediate address, the first physical address indicating a location in the nonvolatile memory in which the second data is stored; and\nincrementing the number of logical addresses associated with the first physical address by one.","19. The method of claim 15, further comprising:\nin the garbage collection, not copying first data from a first physical address to any location in the nonvolatile memory, wherein\nthe number of logical addresses associated with the first physical address is zero.","20. The method of claim 15, further comprising:\nselecting, as a copy-source block for the garbage collection, a first block in preference to a second block, wherein\na maximum of the numbers of logical addresses respectively associated with physical addresses of locations in the first block is greater than a maximum of the numbers of logical addresses respectively associated with physical addresses of locations in the second block."],["1. A memory system comprising:\na nonvolatile memory; and\na controller electrically connected to the nonvolatile memory, and configured to control the nonvolatile memory, wherein\nthe controller is further configured to:\nmanage a plurality of management tables corresponding to a plurality of first blocks in the nonvolatile memory, each of the management tables including a plurality of reference counts corresponding to a plurality of data in a corresponding first block, and each of the reference counts indicating the number of logical addresses referring to corresponding data;\nwhen redundant data which agrees with write data received from a host does not exist in the nonvolatile memory, update a first translation table managing a corresponding relationship between logical addresses and intermediate addresses to associate non-use first intermediate address with a logical address of the write data, write the write data to the nonvolatile memory, update a second translation table managing a corresponding relationship between the intermediate addresses and physical addresses to associate a physical address indicating a location in the nonvolatile memory, in which the write data is written, with the first intermediate address, and set a reference count corresponding to the write data to 1;\nwhen the redundant data which agrees with the write data already exists in the nonvolatile memory, update the first translation table without writing the write data to the nonvolatile memory to associate a second intermediate address indicating an entry in the second translation table holding a physical address corresponding to the redundant data with the logical address of the write data, and increment a reference count corresponding to the redundant data by 1;\nwhen the write data is update data of data already written in the nonvolatile memory, decrement a reference count corresponding to the data already written by 1; and\nwhen one of the plurality of first blocks is selected as a copy-source block for garbage collection, copy only data corresponding respectively to reference counts of non-zero to a copy-destination block from the copy-source block, based on a first management table in the plurality of management tables, which corresponds to the copy-source block, update the second translation table to associate physical addresses respectively indicating locations in the copy-destination block, to which the data are copied, with intermediate addresses corresponding respectively to the data copied, and copy the reference counts of non-zero to a second management table corresponding to the copy-destination block from the first management table.","2. The memory system of claim 1, wherein\nin each of the plurality of management tables, the plurality of reference counts are arranged in order of arrangement of the physical addresses of the corresponding first block.","3. The memory system of claim 1, wherein\nthe controller is configured to:\nmanage a third translation table managing a corresponding relationship between hash values and the intermediate addresses;\nobtain a hash value of the write data; and\ndetermine, when an intermediate address corresponding to the obtained hash value does not exist in the third translation table, that the redundant data which agrees with the write data does not exist in the nonvolatile memory, assign a non-use intermediate address to the acquired hash value, and store a corresponding relationship between the acquired hash value and the intermediate address assigned to the acquired hash value in the third translation table,\nand wherein\nwhen the redundant data which agrees with the write data does not exist in the nonvolatile memory, the intermediate address assigned to the obtained hash value is associated with the logical address of the write data as the first intermediate address.","4. The memory system of claim 3, wherein\nthe controller is configured to:\nacquire, when intermediate address corresponding to the obtained hash value already exists in the third translation table, a physical address associated with the intermediate address corresponding to the obtained hash value by referring to the second translation table;\ncompare the write data with first data stored in the location in the nonvolatile memory, which is designated by the acquired physical address; and\ndetermine, when the write data and the first data agree with each other, that the redundant data which agrees with the write data already exists in the nonvolatile memory,\nand wherein\nwhen the redundant data which agrees with the write data already exists in the nonvolatile memory, the intermediate address which corresponds to the obtained hash value and already exists in the third translation table is associated with the logical address of the write data as the second intermediate address.","5. The memory system of claim 1, wherein\nthe controller is configured to:\nreceive a read request designating a logical address from the host;\nacquire an intermediate address corresponding to the designated logical address by referring to the first translation table;\nacquire a physical address corresponding to the acquired intermediate address by referring to the second translation table; and\nread data from the nonvolatile memory based on the acquired physical address.","6. The memory system of claim 1, wherein\nthe controller is configured to determine, when intermediate address is already stored in an entry in the first translation table, designated by the logical address of the write data, that the write data is update data of data already written in the nonvolatile memory.","7. A memory system comprising:\na nonvolatile memory including a plurality of physical blocks; and\na controller electrically connected to the nonvolatile memory and configured to manage a plurality of first blocks each including one or more physical blocks, and execute erase operation in a unit of a first block, wherein\nthe controller is further configured to:\nmanage a plurality of management tables corresponding to the plurality of first blocks, each of the management tables including a plurality of reference counts corresponding to a plurality of data in a corresponding first block and each of the reference counts indicating the number of the logical addresses referring to corresponding data;\nreceive write data from a host;\nwhen redundant data which agrees with the write data does not exist in the nonvolatile memory, update a first translation table managing a corresponding relationship between logical addresses and intermediate addresses to associate a non-use first intermediate address with a logical address of the write data, write the write data in one of the plurality of first blocks, and update a second translation table managing a corresponding relationship between the intermediate addresses and physical addresses to associate a physical address indicating a location in the nonvolatile memory, in which the write data is written, with the first intermediate address, and set a reference count corresponding to the write data to 1;\nwhen the redundant data which agrees with the write data already exists in the nonvolatile memory, update the first translation table without writing the write data to one of the plurality of first blocks, to associate a second intermediate address designating an entry in the second translation table holding a physical address corresponding to the redundant data, with the logical address of the write data, and increment the reference count corresponding to the redundant data by 1;\nwhen the write data is update data of data already written in the nonvolatile memory, decrement the reference count corresponding to the already written data by 1; and\nwhen one of the plurality of first blocks is selected as a copy-source block for garbage collection, copy only data corresponding respectively to reference counts of non-zero to a copy-destination block from the copy-source block, based on a first management table in the plurality of management tables which corresponds to the copy-source block, update the second translation table to associate the physical addresses respectively indicating locations in the copy-destination block, to which the data are copied, with intermediate addresses corresponding respectively to the data copied, and copy the reference counts of non-zero to the second management table corresponding to the copy-destination block from the first management table.","8. A memory system comprising:\na nonvolatile memory;\na controller electrically connected to the nonvolatile memory and configured to control the nonvolatile memory, wherein\nthe controller is further configured to:\nmanage a plurality of management tables corresponding to a plurality of first blocks in the nonvolatile memory, each of the management tables including a plurality of reference counts corresponding to a plurality of data in a corresponding first block, and each of the reference counts indicating the number of logical addresses referring to corresponding data;\nwhen redundant data which agrees with write data received from a host does not exist in the nonvolatile memory, write the write data to the nonvolatile memory, and update an intermediate to physical address translation table managing a corresponding relationship between intermediate addresses and physical addresses of the nonvolatile memory to associate a physical address indicating a location in the nonvolatile memory, in which the write data is written, with a first intermediate address assigned to an logical address of the write data, and set a reference count corresponding to the write data to 1;\nwhen the redundant data which agrees with the write data already exists in the nonvolatile memory, associate a second intermediate address assigned to the redundant data with the logical address of the write data, and increment a reference count corresponding to the redundant data by 1;\nwhen the write data is update data of data already written in the nonvolatile memory, decrement a reference count corresponding to the data already written by 1; and\nwhen one of the plurality of first blocks is selected as a copy-source block for garbage collection, copy only data corresponding respectively to reference counts of non-zero to a copy-destination block from the copy-source block, based on a first management table in the plurality of management tables, which corresponds to the copy-source block.","9. The memory system of claim 8, wherein\nwhen one of the plurality of first blocks is selected as a copy-source block for garbage collection, the controller executes an operation of copying only data corresponding respectively to reference counts of non-zero to the copy-destination block from the copy-source block based on the first management table, and an operation of updating the intermediate to physical address translation table to associate physical addresses respectively indicating locations in the copy-destination block, in which the data are copied, with intermediate addresses corresponding respectively to the data copied.","10. The memory system of claim 8, wherein\nwhen one of the plurality of first blocks is selected as a copy-source block for garbage collection, the controller executes an operation of copying only data corresponding respectively to reference counts of non-zero to the copy-destination block from the copy-source block based on the first management table, and an operation of copying each of the reference counts of non-zero from the first management table to a second management table corresponding to the copy-destination block.","11. The memory system of claim 8, wherein\nwhen one of the plurality of first blocks is selected as a copy-source block for garbage collection, the controller executes an operation of copying only data corresponding respectively to reference counts of non-zero to the copy-destination block from the copy-source block based on the first management table, an operation of updating the intermediate to physical address translation table to associate physical addresses respectively indicating locations in the copy-destination block, in which the data are copied, with intermediate addresses corresponding respectively to the data copied, and an operation of copying the reference counts of non-zero from the first management table to a second management table corresponding to the copy-destination block.","12. A method of controlling a nonvolatile memory, the method comprising:\nmanaging a plurality of management tables corresponding to a plurality of first blocks in the nonvolatile memory, each of the management tables including a plurality of reference counts corresponding to a plurality of data in a corresponding first block and each of the reference counts indicating the number of the logical addresses referring to corresponding data;\nwhen redundant data which agrees with write data received from a host does not exist in the nonvolatile memory, executing an operation of updating a first translation table managing a corresponding relationship between logical addresses and intermediate addresses to associate an non-use first intermediate address with a logical address of the write data, an operation of writing the write data to the nonvolatile memory, an operation of updating a second translation table managing a corresponding relationship between the intermediate addresses and physical addresses to associate a physical address indicating a location in the nonvolatile memory, in which the write data is written, with the first intermediate address, and an operation of setting a reference count corresponding to the write data to 1;\nwhen the redundant data which agrees with the write data already exists in the nonvolatile memory, executing an operation of updating the first translation table without writing the write data to the nonvolatile memory to associate a second intermediate address designating an entry in the second translation table holding a physical address corresponding to the redundant data, with the logical address of the write data, and an operation of incrementing a reference count corresponding to the redundant data by 1;\nwhen the write data is update data of data already written in the nonvolatile memory, executing an operation of decrementing a reference count corresponding to the already written data by 1; and\nwhen one of the plurality of first blocks is selected as a copy-source block for garbage collection, executing an operation of copying only data corresponding respectively to reference counts of non-zero to a copy-destination block from the copy-source block, based on a first management table in the plurality of management tables, which corresponds to the copy-source block, an operation of updating the second translation table to associate physical addresses which indicate respectively locations in the copy-destination block, in which the data are copied, with intermediate addresses corresponding respectively to the data copied, and an operation of copying the reference counts of non-zero from the first management table to a second management table corresponding to the copy-destination block.","13. The method of claim 12, wherein\nin each of the plurality of management tables, the plurality of reference counts are arranged in order of arrangement of the physical addresses of the corresponding first block.","14. The method of claim 12, further comprising:\nmanaging a third translation table managing a corresponding relationship between hash values and the intermediate addresses;\nobtaining a hash value of the write data;\nexecuting, when intermediate address corresponding to the obtained hash value does not exist in the third translation table, an operation of determining that the redundant data which agrees with the write data does not exist in the nonvolatile memory and assigning an non-use intermediate address to the obtained hash value, and an operation of storing a corresponding relationship between the obtained hash value and the intermediate address assigned to the obtained hash value in the third translation table, and\nwherein\nwhen the redundant data which agrees with the write data does not exist in the nonvolatile memory, the intermediate address assigned to the obtained hash value is associated with the logical address of the write data as the first intermediate address.","15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:\nacquiring, when intermediate address corresponding to the obtained hash value already exists in the third translation table, a physical address associated with the intermediate address corresponding to the obtained hash value by referring to the second translation table;\ncomparing the write data with first data stored in the location in the nonvolatile memory, which is designated by the acquired physical address; and\ndetermining, when the write data and the first data agree with each other, that the redundant data which agrees with the write data already exists in the nonvolatile memory,\nand wherein\nwhen the redundant data which agrees with the write data already exists in the nonvolatile memory, the intermediate address which corresponds to the obtained hash value and already exists in the third translation table is associated with the logical address of the write data as the second intermediate address.","16. The method of claim 12, further comprising:\nreceiving a read request designating a logical address from the host:\nacquiring an intermediate address corresponding to the designated logical address by referring to the first translation table;\nacquiring a physical address corresponding to the acquired intermediate address by referring to the second translation table; and\nreading data from the nonvolatile memory based on the acquired physical address."],["1. A solid state drive controller, comprising:\na processor configured to couple to a plurality of non-volatile memory devices, wherein the plurality of non-volatile memory devices are configured to store a plurality of system journals and a plurality of physical pages; and\na volatile memory configured to store a logical-to-physical address translation map configured to enable the solid state drive controller to determine a physical location of at least one logical page,\nwherein the processor is configured to:\nmaintain the plurality of system journals in the plurality of non-volatile memory devices, wherein each system journal defines physical-to-logical page correspondences for a predetermined range of the plurality of physical pages, and each system journal comprises an identification number that includes a portion of an address of a first physical page of the predetermined range of the plurality of physical pages;\ndetermine that the logical-to-physical address translation map needs to be rebuilt;\nread information from the plurality of system journals when the logical-to-physical address translation map needs to be rebuilt; and\nrebuild the logical-to-physical address translation map using the information read from the plurality of system journals.","2. The solid state drive controller of claim 1, wherein the portion of the address of the first physical page includes a number of the most significant bits of the address of the first physical page.","3. The solid state drive controller of claim 2, wherein each system journal includes an entry that points to a starting address of a logical page of the at least one logical pages.","4. The solid state drive controller of claim 3, wherein the entry includes a number of least significant bits of an address of a physical page of the predetermined range of the plurality of physical pages that contains the starting address of the logical page of the at least one logical pages.","5. The solid state drive controller of claim 4, wherein a full physical page address is obtained by concatenating the number of the most significant bits with the number of the least significant bits.","6. The solid state drive controller of claim 4, wherein the entry includes an offset of the logical page of the at least one logical pages within the physical page of the predetermined range of the plurality of physical pages.","7. The solid state drive controller of claim 1, wherein a header of each system journal includes the identification number.","8. The solid state drive controller of claim 1, wherein determining that the logical-to-physical address translation map needs to be rebuilt includes determining that the logical-to-physical address translation map needs to be partially rebuilt.","9. The solid state drive controller of claim 1, wherein determining that the logical-to-physical address translation map needs to be rebuilt includes determining that the logical-to-physical address translation map needs to be entirely rebuilt.","10. The solid state drive controller of claim 1, wherein a variable number of the at least one logical page is stored in the predetermined range of physical pages.","11. A method for controlling a solid state drive, the method comprising:\nmaintaining a plurality of system journals in a plurality of non-volatile memory devices, wherein each system journal defines physical-to-logical page correspondences for a predetermined range of a plurality of physical pages, and each system journal comprises an identification number that includes a portion of an address of a first physical page of the predetermined range of the plurality of physical pages;\ndetermining that a logical-to-physical address translation map needs to be rebuilt, wherein the logical-to-physical address translation map is stored in a volatile memory;\nreading information from the plurality of system journals when the logical-to-physical address translation map needs to be rebuilt; and\nrebuilding the logical-to-physical address translation map using the information read from the plurality of system journals.","12. The method of claim 11, wherein the portion of the address of the first physical page includes a number of the most significant bits of the address of the first physical page.","13. The method of claim 12, wherein each system journal includes an entry that points to a starting address of a logical page of the at least one logical pages.","14. The method of claim 13, wherein the entry includes a number of least significant bits of an address of a physical page of the predetermined range of the plurality of physical pages that contains the starting address of the logical page of the at least one logical pages.","15. The method of claim 14, wherein a full physical page address is obtained by concatenating the number of the most significant bits with the number of the least significant bits.","16. A data storage device, comprising:\na plurality of non-volatile memory devices configured to store a plurality of system journals and a plurality of physical pages; and\na solid state controller, wherein the solid state controller includes:\na processor coupled to the plurality of non-volatile memory devices; and\na volatile memory configured to store a logical-to-physical address translation map configured to enable the solid state controller to determine a physical location of at least one logical page, wherein the processor is configured to:\nmaintain the plurality of system journals in the plurality of non-volatile memory devices, wherein each system journal defines physical-to-logical page correspondences for a predetermined range of the plurality of physical pages, and each system journal comprises an identification number that includes a portion of an address of a first physical page of the predetermined range of the plurality of physical pages;\ndetermine that the logical-to-physical address translation map needs to be rebuilt;\nread information from the plurality of system journals when the logical-to-physical address translation map needs to be rebuilt; and\nrebuild the logical-to-physical address translation map using the information read from the plurality of system journals.","17. The data storage device of claim 16, wherein the portion of the address of the first physical page includes a number of the most significant bits of the address of the first physical page.","18. The data storage device of claim 17, wherein each system journal includes an entry that points to a starting address of a logical page of the at least one logical pages.","19. The data storage device of claim 18, wherein the entry includes a number of least significant bits of an address of a physical page of the predetermined range of the plurality of physical pages that contains the starting address of the logical page of the at least one logical pages.","20. The data storage device of claim 19, wherein a full physical page address is obtained by concatenating the number of the most significant bits with the number of the least significant bits.","21. A solid state drive controller, comprising:\nmeans for maintaining a plurality of system journals in a plurality of non-volatile memory devices, wherein each system journal defines physical-to-logical page correspondences for a predetermined range of a plurality of physical pages, and each system journal comprises an identification number that includes a portion of an address of a first physical page of the predetermined range of the plurality of physical pages;\nmeans for determining that a logical-to-physical address translation map needs to be rebuilt, wherein the logical-to-physical address translation map is stored in a volatile memory;\nmeans for reading information from the plurality of system journals when the logical-to-physical address translation map needs to be rebuilt; and\nmeans for rebuilding the logical-to-physical address translation map using the information read from the plurality of system journals.","22. The solid state drive controller of claim 21, wherein the portion of the address of the first physical page includes a number of the most significant bits of the address of the first physical page.","23. The solid state drive controller of claim 22, wherein each system journal includes an entry that points to a starting address of a logical page of the at least one logical pages.","24. The solid state drive controller of claim 23, wherein the entry includes a number of least significant bits of an address of a physical page of the predetermined range of the plurality of physical pages that contains the starting address of the logical page of the at least one logical pages.","25. The solid state drive controller of claim 24, wherein a full physical page address is obtained by concatenating the number of the most significant bits with the number of the least significant bits."],["1. A data storage device, comprising:\na flash memory, comprising a plurality of physical blocks; and\na microcontroller, selecting one source block and one destination block from the plurality of physical blocks, and performing a garbage collection operation according to a check map corresponding to the selected source block to copy data stored in one or more valid physical addresses of the source block to the selected destination block,\nwherein the check map records whether a mapping relationship of each physical address in a physical-to-logical mapping table corresponding to the source block has been compared to that of one or more corresponding group logical-to-physical tables,\nwherein the microcontroller selects a first entry of a physical-to-logical mapping table of the source block, and loads a group logical-to-physical mapping table, corresponding to a specific logic address recorded in the first entry, to a random access memory, wherein the first entry is a non-dummy entry.","2. The data storage device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the microcontroller checks a plurality of entries in the physical-to-logical mapping table to obtain at least one second entry corresponding to the group logical-to-physical mapping table, wherein the at least one second entry comprises the first entry.","3. The data storage device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the microcontroller respectively selects each second entry corresponding to the group logical-to-physical mapping table from the physical-to-logical mapping table, and determines whether the selected second entry is valid.","4. The data storage device as claimed in claim 3, wherein:\nwhen the selected second entry is valid, the microcontroller labels a check bit corresponding to the checked second entry in the check map; and\nwhen the selected second entry is invalid, the microcontroller invalidates a logical address recorded in the checked second entry, and labels the check bit corresponding to the checked second entry in the check map.","5. The data storage device as claimed in claim 4, wherein when each second entry in the physical-to-logical mapping table has been checked, the microcontroller sequentially copies data from the labeled and valid second entries in the physical-to-logical mapping table to the destination block, and invalidates the logical address recorded in the at least one second entry having the copied data.","6. The data storage device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the microcontroller writes the data from the at least one second entry to the destination block using a first-in first-out method to complete the garbage collection operation.","7. The data storage device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the microcontroller does not write the data from the at least one second entry to the destination block until a predetermined of data from the at least one second entry has been stored, thereby completing the garbage collection operation.","8. A data storage device, comprising:\na flash memory, comprising a plurality of physical blocks; and\na microcontroller, selecting one source block and one destination block from the plurality of physical blocks, and dividing the source block into a plurality of virtual blocks,\nwherein the microcontroller selects one of the virtual blocks, and performs a garbage collection operation according to a check map corresponding to the selected virtual block to copy data, stored in one or more valid physical addresses of the virtual block, to the selected destination block,\nwherein the check map records whether a mapping relationship of each physical address in a virtual physical-to-logical mapping table corresponding to the selected virtual block of the source block has been compared to that of one or more corresponding group logical-to-physical tables,\nwherein the microcontroller selects a first entry of the virtual physical-to-logical mapping table of the selected virtual block, and loads a group logical-to-physical mapping table, corresponding to a specific logic address recorded in the first entry, to a random access memory, wherein the first entry is a non-dummy entry.","9. The data storage device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the microcontroller checks a plurality of entries in the virtual physical-to-logical mapping table to obtain at least one second entry corresponding to the group logical-to-physical mapping table, wherein the at least one second entry comprises the first entry.","10. The data storage device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the microcontroller respectively selects each second entry corresponding to the group logical-to-physical mapping table from the virtual physical-to-logical mapping table, and determines whether the selected second entry is valid.","11. The data storage device as claimed in claim 10, wherein:\nwhen the selected second entry is valid, the microcontroller labels a check bit corresponding to the checked second entry in the check map; and\nwhen the selected second entry is invalid, the microcontroller invalidates a logical address recorded in the checked second entry, and labels the check bit corresponding to the checked second entry in the check map.","12. The data storage device as claimed in claim 11, wherein when each second entry in the virtual physical-to-logical mapping table has been checked, the microcontroller sequentially copies data from the labeled and valid second entries in the virtual physical-to-logical mapping table to the destination block, and invalidates the logical address recorded in the at least one second entry having the copied data.","13. The data storage device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the microcontroller writes the data from the at least one second entry to the destination block using a first-in first-out method to complete the garbage collection operation.","14. The data storage device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the microcontroller does not write the data from the at least one second entry to the destination block until a predetermined amount of data from the at least one second entry has been stored, thereby completing the garbage collection operation.","15. A data storage device, comprising:\na flash memory, comprising a plurality of physical blocks; and\na microcontroller, selecting one source block and one destination block from the plurality of physical blocks, and dividing the source block into a plurality of virtual blocks,\nwherein the microcontroller selects one of the virtual blocks, and reads a virtual valid data count of the selected virtual block,\nwherein when the microcontroller determines that the virtual valid data count of the selected virtual block is equal to a maximum storage size of the selected virtual block, the microcontroller performs a garbage collection operation to copy data, stored in a plurality of physical addresses of the selected virtual block, to the selected destination block.","16. The data storage device as claimed in claim 15, wherein when the microcontroller determines that the virtual valid data count of the selected virtual block is equal to 0, the microcontroller ends the garbage collection operation."],["1. A data moving method, adapted for controlling a storage device equipped with a flash memory, the storage device being controlled by a storage controller, the flash memory comprising a plurality of dice, the dice comprising a first die corresponding to a first channel and a second die corresponding to a second channel, each of the dice comprising a first plane and a second plane, the method comprising:\nperforming a data moving operation by the storage controller to obtain a valid data from a plurality of source blocks, the valid data comprising a first data, a second data, a third data and a fourth data;\ndetermining whether the valid data is a sequential data by the storage controller;\nwhen the valid data is the sequential data, transmitting a first 2-plane read command by the storage controller to read the first data and the second data respectively from the first plane and the second plane of the first die through the first channel, transmitting a second 2-plane read command to read the third data and the fourth data respectively from the first plane and the second plane of the second die through the second channel, and transmitting the first data, the third data, the second data and the fourth data to a buffer memory in order; and\ntransmitting a first 2-plane programming command by the storage controller to respectively program the first data and the second data to the first plane and the second plane of a third die among the dice, and transmitting a second 2-plane programming command to respectively program the third data and the fourth data to the first plane and the second plane of a fourth die among the dice.","2. The data moving method according to claim 1, wherein the first data, the second data, the third data and the fourth data of the third die and the fourth die have continuous physical block addresses (PBA).","3. The data moving method according to claim 1, further comprising:\ngenerating an ID code and a data length corresponding to the sequential data, and reading the sequential data to the buffer memory until the data length of the sequential data is reached.","4. The data moving method according to claim 1, wherein the step of determining whether the valid data is the sequential data comprises: determining whether the valid data is the sequential data according to a logical-to-physical (L2P) table and a physical-to-logical (P2L) table.","5. The data moving method according to claim 4, further comprising:\nobtaining a first logical block address corresponding to a first physical block address of the first data according to the physical-to-logical table;\nwhen a physical block address corresponding to the first logical block address obtained from the logical-to-physical table is the first physical block address, determining that the first data is valid;\nobtaining a second physical block address directly adjacent to the first physical block address, the second physical block address storing the second data;\nobtaining a second logical block address corresponding to the second physical block address of the second data according to the physical-to-logical table;\nwhen a physical block address corresponding to the second logical block address obtained from the logical-to-physical table is the second physical block address, determining that the second data is valid;\nwhen the second logical block address and the first logical block address are directly adjacent to each other, determining that the first data and the second data are the sequential data.","6. The data moving method according to claim 1, wherein the sequential data is cut based on a predetermined size, the predetermined size may be a size of a number of physical sub-units in a plane of a die.","7. The data moving method according to claim 1, wherein after the first data, the second data, the third data and the fourth data are respectively programmed to the third die and the fourth die, a logical-to-physical (L2P) table and a physical-to-logical (P2L) table are updated according to physical block addresses of the first data, the second data, the third data and the fourth data.","8. The data moving method according to claim 1, wherein an index of the first data in the first plane of the third die, an index of the second data in the second plane of the third die, an index of the third data in the first plane of the fourth die and an index of the fourth data in the second plane of the fourth die are all the same.","9. The data moving method according to claim 1, wherein unit of the first data, the second data, the third data and the fourth data is a page, a codeword, or a logical block address unit.","10. The data moving method according to claim 1, wherein after the first 2-plane read command is transmitted, it is determined whether a physical block address corresponding to the first data of the first die is the same as a physical address, which is converted by a physical-to-logical table into a logical block address from a physical block address corresponding to the first data of the first die and then converted into the physical address by a logical-to-physical table, if the physical block address and the physical address are different, the first data of the first die is set as invalid.","11. The data moving method according to claim 1, wherein after the first 2-plane read command is transmitted, if a host system receives a programming command to program a fifth data to the flash memory and a logical block address of the fifth data is the same as a logical block address of the first data, the fifth data and the second data are respectively programmed to the first plane and the second plane of the third die according to the first 2-plane programming command.","12. A storage controller, adapted for controlling a storage device equipped with a flash memory, the flash memory comprising a plurality of dice, the dice comprising a first die corresponding to a first channel and a second die corresponding to a second channel, each of the dice comprising a first plane and a second plane, the storage controller comprising:\na processor; and\na memory, coupled to the processor, the memory comprising a buffer memory, wherein\nthe processor performs a data moving operation to obtain a valid data from a plurality of source blocks, the valid data comprising a first data, a second data, a third data and a fourth data;\nthe processor determining whether the valid data is a sequential data;\nwherein when the valid data is the sequential data, the processor transmits a first 2-plane read command to read the first data and the second data respectively from the first plane and the second plane of the first die through the first channel, transmits a second 2-plane read command to read the third data and the fourth data respectively from the first plane and the second plane of the second die through the second channel, and transmits the first data, the third data, the second data and the fourth data to the buffer memory in order; and\nthe processor transmits a first 2-plane programming command to respectively program the first data and the second data to the first plane and the second plane of a third die among the dice, and transmits a second 2-plane programming command to respectively program the third data and the fourth data to the first plane and the second plane of a fourth die among the dice.","13. The storage controller according to claim 12, wherein the first data, the second data, the third data and the fourth data of the third die and the fourth die have continuous physical block addresses (PBA).","14. The storage controller according to claim 12, wherein the processor generates an ID code and a data length corresponding to the sequential data, and reading the sequential data to the buffer memory until the data length of the sequential data is reached.","15. The storage controller according to claim 12, wherein the processor determines whether the valid data is the sequential data according to a logical-to-physical table and a physical-to-logical table.","16. The storage controller according to claim 15, wherein the processor obtains a first logical block address corresponding to a first physical block address of the first data according to the physical-to-logical table;\nwhen a physical block address corresponding to the first logical block address obtained from the logical-to-physical table is the first physical block address, the processor determines that the first data is valid;\nthe processor obtains a second physical block address directly adjacent to the first physical block address, the second physical block address storing the second data;\nthe processor obtains a second logical block address corresponding to the second physical block address of the second data according to the physical-to-logical table;\nwhen a physical block address corresponding to the second logical block address obtained from the logical-to-physical table is the second physical block address, the processor determines that the second data is valid;\nwhen the second logical block address and the first logical block address are directly adjacent to each other, the processor determines that the first data and the second data are the sequential data.","17. The storage controller according to claim 16, wherein after the first 2-plane read command is transmitted, the processor determines whether a physical block address corresponding to the first data of the first die is the same as a physical address, which is converted by a physical-to-logical table into a logical block address from a physical block address corresponding to the first data of the first die and then converted into the physical address by a logical-to-physical table, if the physical block address and the physical address are different, the first data of the first die is set as invalid.","18. The storage controller according to claim 16, wherein after the first 2-plane read command is transmitted, the processor receives a programming command from a host system to program a fifth data to the flash memory and a logical block address of the fifth data is the same as a logical block address of the first data, the processor respectively programs the fifth data and the second data to the first plane and the second plane of the third die according to the first 2-plane programming command.","19. The storage controller according to claim 12, wherein the sequential data is cut based on a predetermined size, the predetermined size may be a size of a number of physical sub-units in a plane of a die.","20. The storage controller according to claim 12, wherein after the first data, the second data, the third data and the fourth data are respectively programmed to the third die and the fourth die, a logical-to-physical table and a physical-to-logical table are updated according to physical block addresses of the first data, the second data, the third data and the fourth data.","21. The storage controller according to claim 12, wherein an index of the first data in the first plane of the third die, an index of the second data in the second plane of the third die, an index of the third data in the first plane of the fourth die and an index of the fourth data in the second plane of the fourth die are all the same.","22. The storage controller according to claim 12, wherein unit of the first data, the second data, the third data and the fourth data is a page, a codeword, or a logical block address unit."],["1. A memory system comprising:\na non-volatile memory;\na buffer memory; and\na controller configured to:\nallocate a target area in the buffer memory for storing data that are to be kept in the buffer memory and not be written into the non-volatile memory until a non-volatilization event occurs, the non-volatilization event being one of a flush request from the host and a detection of a power shutdown;\nwrite first data corresponding to a first write command received from a host into the target area in the buffer memory, responsive to the first write command, which is received with an indication from the host to write the first data in the target area in the buffer memory; and\nwrite second data corresponding to a second write command received from the host into an area in the buffer memory that is not allocated as the target area, responsive to the second write command, which is received with no indication from the host to write the second data into the target area in the buffer memory.","2. The memory system according to claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to manage mapping of logical addresses and physical addresses, wherein\nwhen the first data is stored in the buffer memory, the controller updates the mapping such that a first logical address corresponding to the first data is mapped to a physical address of the buffer memory at which the first data is stored, and\nafter the non-volatilization event occurs, the controller writes the first data stored in the buffer memory into the non-volatile memory and updates the mapping such that the first logical address is mapped to a physical address of the non-volatile memory at which the first data is stored.","3. The memory system according to claim 1, wherein the controller determines that the first write command received from the host indicates that the first data is to be written into the target area in the buffer memory, based on one of a first logical address designated by the write command, information indicating that use of the non-volatile memory is to be suppressed, and a command type.","4. The memory system according to claim 3, wherein the controller returns an error to the host in a case where an available space of the target area in the buffer memory is not enough to keep the first data therein.","5. The memory system according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to:\nassociate the first data with a first logical address designated by the first write command, and\nwrite the associated information items in a region of a volatile memory, which has another region allocated as the buffer memory.","6. The memory system according to claim 1, wherein the controller releases the target area without writing the data stored in the target area into the non-volatile memory when a command for requesting that the target area be released is received from the host.","7. The memory system according to claim 1, wherein\nthe controller is further configured to manage an area in the buffer memory to store data therein for append-write, wherein the data for the append-write in the buffer memory corresponds to data that is within a predetermined range from a last written append-write position, and\nthe non-volatilization event further occurs when a size of data for the append-write stored in the buffer memory exceeds a first threshold value.","8. The memory system according to claim 7, wherein the controller determines the first threshold value based on a command from the host.","9. The memory system according to claim 7, wherein the controller keeps the data for the append-write in the buffer memory for a period of time after the data is written into the non-volatile memory.","10. The memory system according to claim 9, wherein the controller releases a storage area for the data for the append-write in the buffer memory after the controller confirms that the data is readable from the non-volatile memory.","11. The memory system according to claim 7, wherein the controller is further configured to:\ndetermine whether or not the data for the append-write is within a predetermined range from the last written append-write position,\nmaintain the data in the buffer memory when the data is within the predetermined range, and\nwrite the data into the non-volatile memory when the data is outside of the predetermined range.","12. The memory system according to claim 11, wherein the controller manages the latest append-write position and a size of the predetermined range using a management table.","13. The memory system according to claim 11,\nwherein the controller determines a start position of the predetermined range and a size of the predetermined range based on a command from the host.","14. In a memory system including a buffer memory and a non-volatile memory, a method of performing writes to the non-volatile memory, said method comprising:\nallocating a target area in the buffer memory for storing data that are to be kept in the buffer memory and not be written into the non-volatile memory until a non-volatilization event occurs, the non-volatilization event being one of a flush request from the host and a detection of a power shutdown;\nwriting first data corresponding to a first write command received from a host into the target area in the buffer memory, responsive to the first write command, which is received with an indication from the host to write the first data in the target area in the buffer memory; and\nwriting second data corresponding to a second write command received from the host into an area in the buffer memory that is not allocated as the target area, responsive to the second write command, which is received with no indication from the host to write the second data into the target area in the buffer memory.","15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising:\ndetermining that the first write command received from the host indicates that the first data is to be written into the target area in the buffer memory, based on one of a first logical address designated by the write command, information indicating that use of the non-volatile memory is to be suppressed, and a command type.","16. The method according to claim 14, further comprising:\nassociating the first data with a first logical address designated by the first write command; and\nwriting the associated information items in a region of a volatile memory, which has another region allocated as the buffer memory.","17. The method according to claim 14, further comprising:\nin response to a command received from the host for requesting that the target area be released, releasing the target area without writing the data stored in the target area into the non-volatile memory.","18. The method according to claim 14, further comprising:\nmanaging an area in the buffer memory to store data therein for an append-write, wherein the data for the append-write in the buffer memory corresponds to data that is within a predetermined range from a last written append-write position."]],"string":"[\n [\n \"1. A non-volatile memory device, comprising:\\nfirst and second memory cell blocks, each including a plurality of memory cells and including a local drain select line, a local source select line, and local word lines;\\na block selection unit to connect a given local word lines to global word lines, respectively, in response to a block selection signal;\\na first bias voltage generator configured to apply at least first and second erase voltages to the global word lines during an erase operation, the first erase voltage being applied to the global word lines during a first erase attempt of the erase operation, the second erase voltage being applied to the global word lines during a second erase attempt, where the second erase attempt is performed if the first erase attempt did not successfully perform the erase operation, the first and second erase voltages being positive voltages; and\\na bulk voltage generator to apply a bulk voltage to a bulk of the memory cells during the erase operation.\",\n \"2. The memory device of claim 1, wherein an erase voltage applied to the global word lines is reduced by a given voltage each time a new erase attempt is made, wherein a given erase operation is stopped after a predetermined number of unsuccessful erase attempts.\",\n \"3. The memory device of claim 1, wherein the first bias voltage generator generates the erase voltage so that a voltage difference between the local word lines and the bulk becomes 15 V at the time of the first erase attempt, the bulk being a well wherein the first memory cell block is formed.\",\n \"4. The memory device of claim 3, wherein an erase voltage applied to the global word lines is reduced by a given voltage each time a new erase attempt is made, wherein the given voltage is no more than 0.5 V.\",\n \"5. The memory device of claim 1, further comprising:\\na page buffer to read data stored in the memory cells; and\\na Y-decoder to output data stored in the page buffer to a data I/O buffer and the first bias voltage generator.\",\n \"6. The memory device of claim 5, wherein the first bias voltage generator decreases the first erase voltage to the second erase voltage based on the data output from the Y-decoder,\\nwherein the memory device is a NAND flash memory device.\",\n \"7. A flash memory device, comprising:\\nmemory cell blocks each respectively including a local drain select line, a local source select line, and local word lines to which a plurality of memory cells are connected;\\na block selection unit to connect the local word lines to global word lines, respectively, in response to a block selection signal;\\na first bias voltage generator to apply a positive erase voltage to the global word lines at the time of an erase operation; and\\na bulk voltage generator configured to apply a first bulk voltage to a bulk of the memory cells during a first erase attempt of the erase operation, and apply a second bulk voltage to the bulk during a second erase attempt if the first erase attempt has not been performed properly.\",\n \"8. The memory device of claim 7, wherein the first erase attempt is considered to have not been performed properly if not all of the memory cells selected for the erase operation have been erased by the first erase attempt.\",\n \"9. The flash memory device of claim 7, wherein the bulk voltage generator generates the first bulk voltage so that a voltage difference between the local word lines and the bulk is at least 15 V at the time of an initial erase operation.\",\n \"10. The flash memory device of claim 9, wherein the bulk voltage generator increases the first bulk voltage by no more than 1 V to generate the second bulk voltage.\",\n \"11. The flash memory device of claim 7, further comprising:\\na page buffer to read data stored in the memory cells; and\\na Y-decoder to output data stored in the page buffer to a data I/O buffer and the bulk voltage generator.\",\n \"12. The flash memory device of claim 11, wherein the bulk voltage generator generates the second bulk voltage in order to perform the second erase attempt of the erase operation based on the data output from the Y-decoder.\",\n \"13. A flash memory device, comprising:\\nmemory cell blocks each respectively including a local drain select line, a local source select line, and local word lines to which a plurality of memory cells are connected;\\na block selection unit to connect the local word lines to global word lines, respectively, in response to a block selection signal;\\na first bias voltage generator to apply a positive erase voltage to the global word lines at the time of an erase operation, and if there exists a memory cell that has not been erased, decreasing the erase voltage and applying a lowered erase voltage to the global word lines in order to perform the erase operation again; and\\na bulk voltage generator to apply a bulk voltage to a bulk of the memory cells at the time of the erase operation, and if there exists a memory cell that has not been erased, increasing the bulk voltage and apply an increased bulk voltage to the bulk for the purpose of the re-execution of the erase operation again.\",\n \"14. The flash memory device of claim 13, wherein:\\nat the time of an initial erase operation, the first bias voltage generator and the bulk voltage generator generate the erase voltage and the bulk voltage, respectively, so that a voltage difference between the local word lines and the bulk becomes 15 V; and\\nwhen the erase operation is performed again, the bulk voltage generator increases the bulk voltage and the first bias voltage generator decreases the erase voltage so that the voltage difference between the local word lines and the bulk becomes higher than 15 V.\",\n \"15. The flash memory device of claim 13, wherein:\\nthe first bias voltage generator decreases the erase voltage on a 0.1 to 0.5 V basis as a linear function, as a quadratic function or as an exponential function; and\\nthe bulk voltage generator increases the bulk voltage on a 0.5 to 1 V basis as a linear function, as a quadratic function or as an exponential function.\",\n \"16. The flash memory device of claim 13, further comprising:\\na page buffer to read data stored in the memory cells; and\\na Y-decoder to output data stored in the page buffer to a data I/O buffer, the bulk voltage generator, and the first bias voltage generator.\",\n \"17. The flash memory device of claim 16, wherein if data that have not been erased, of the data output from the Y-decoder, are detected, the first bias voltage generator decreases the erase voltage and the bulk voltage generator increases the bulk voltage in order to perform the erase operation again.\",\n \"18. The flash memory device of claim 13, further comprising an X-decoder to decode a row address signal and output the block selection signal to the high voltage generating unit.\",\n \"19. The flash memory device of claim 11, further comprising a second bias voltage generator to apply a predetermined operating voltage to the local drain select line and the local source select line according to any one of program, read, and erase operations.\",\n \"20. The flash memory device of claim 17, wherein the first bias voltage generator comprises:\\na first pump circuit to generate read voltages necessary for a read operation in response to a read command;\\na second pump circuit to generate program voltages necessary for a program operation in response to a program command;\\na third pump circuit to generate the erase voltage in response to an erase command, and to decrease the erase voltage and output a decreased erase voltage if data are determined not to have been erased based the data output from the Y-decoder, are detected; and\\na bias voltage selection unit to select the read voltages, the program voltages or the erase voltage in response to an operation command signal, and output a selected voltage to the global word lines, respectively.\",\n \"21. The flash memory device of claim 20, wherein the bias voltage selection unit comprises:\\na select signal generator to generate select signals based on the operation command signal; and\\nselect circuits respectively connected to the global word lines, the select circuits being configured to output the read voltages, the program voltages, the erase voltage, or a combination thereof to the global word lines, respectively, in response to the select signals.\",\n \"22. A method of erasing a non-volatile memory device, the method comprising:\\nconnecting local word lines and global word lines of a selected block, respectively, in response to a block selection signal;\\nperforming a first erase attempt of an erase operation by applying a first erase voltage to the global word line and a first bulk voltage higher than the first erase voltage to a bulk, so that a voltage difference between the local word line and the bulk is a first potential difference;\\ndetermining whether the first erase attempt has been performed properly; and\\nperforming a second erase attempt of the erase operation if it is determined that the first erase attempt has not been performed properly by applying a second erase voltage to the global word line and a second bulk voltage to the bulk to increase the voltage difference between the local word line and the bulk to a second potential difference.\",\n \"23. The method of claim 22, wherein the second erase voltage is less than the first erase voltage.\",\n \"24. The method of claim 22, wherein the second bulk voltage is greater than the first bulk voltage.\",\n \"25. The method of claim 22, wherein the first erase voltage and the second erase voltage are different, and the first bulk voltage and the second bulk voltage are different.\",\n \"26. The method of claim 22, wherein the erase operation is stopped after a predetermined number of erase attempts have been performed unsuccessfully, wherein the selected block is flagged as an invalid block after the predetermined number of erase attempts has been performed unsuccessfully.\",\n \"27. A method of controlling an erase operation of a flash memory device, the method comprising:\\nconnecting local word lines and global word lines of a selected block, respectively, in response to a block selection signal;\\nperforming an erase operation by applying a positive erase voltage to the global word lines and a bulk voltage higher than the erase voltage to a bulk of a memory cell according to an erase command;\\ndetermining whether the erase operation has been performed properly; and\\nif it is determined that the erase operation has not been performed properly, performing the erase operation again by controlling the erase voltage and the bull voltage at the same time so that a voltage difference between the local word lines and the bulk becomes great.\",\n \"28. The method of claim 24, wherein the steps determining whether the erase operation has been performed properly or not are repeatedly performed as many as the number of times while the erase voltage is decreased as much as a predetermined level and the bulk voltage is increased as much as a predetermined level, and include treating a corresponding block as an invalid block if the erase operation has not been performed properly until the predetermined number.\",\n \"29. The method of claim 27, wherein the erase voltage and the bulk voltage are set such that a voltage difference between the local word lines and the bulk is 15 V or higher.\",\n \"30. The method of claim 27, wherein the erase voltage is decreased on a 0.1 to 0.5 V basis so that a voltage difference between the local word lines and the bulk is increased within a range in which the voltage difference becomes at least 15 V.\",\n \"31. The method of claim 27, wherein the erase voltage is decreased as an exponential function so that a voltage difference between the local word lines and the bulk is increased within a range in which the voltage difference becomes at least 15 V.\",\n \"32. The method of claim 27, wherein the erase voltage is increased on a 0.5 to 1 V basis so that a voltage difference between the local word lines and the bulk is increased within a range in which the voltage difference becomes at least 15 V.\",\n \"33. The method of claim 27, wherein the erase voltage is increased as an exponential function so that a voltage difference between the local word lines and the bulk is increased within a range in which the voltage difference becomes at least 15 V.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. An erase method for use in a memory array including a plurality of memory cells, the memory array being divided into a plurality of memory sectors, the memory sectors each comprising a portion of the plurality of memory cells, the method comprising:\\nperforming an erase process for erasing memory cells of a first memory sector of the plurality of memory sectors;\\nand\\nin response to a suspend command, interrupting the erase process and performing a programming operation on at least one memory cell of the first memory sector of the plurality of memory sectors.\",\n \"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first memory sector is a portion of one of the plurality of sectors.\",\n \"3. The method of claim 1, wherein the programming operation includes a Fowler-Nordheim programming operation.\",\n \"4. The method of claim 3, wherein the at least one memory cell includes a transistor formed on a substrate, and wherein the programming operation includes applying a positive voltage to a gate of the transistor and applying a negative voltage to the substrate.\",\n \"5. The method of claim 1, wherein the erase process includes applying a pre-program pulse to memory cells of the first memory sector.\",\n \"6. The method of claim 1, wherein the erase process includes applying an erase pulse to memory cells of the first memory sector.\",\n \"7. The method of claim 1, wherein the erase process includes applying a soft-program pulse to memory cells of the first memory sector.\",\n \"8. A memory device comprising:\\na memory array comprising a plurality of memory cells, the memory array being divided into a plurality of memory blocks, each memory block being divided into a plurality of memory sectors, the memory sectors each comprising a portion of the plurality of memory cells; and\\na memory controller configured for:\\nperforming an erase process for erasing memory cells of a first memory sector of the plurality of memory sectors;\\nsuspending the erasing the memory cells of the first memory sector while performing the erase process in order to perform an interrupting operation; and\\nperforming a programming operation on at least one memory cell of the first memory sector after suspending the erasing of memory cells but before performing the interrupting operation.\",\n \"9. The memory device of claim 8, wherein the programming operation includes a Fowler-Nordheim program operation.\",\n \"10. The memory device of claim 9, wherein the at least one memory cell includes a transistor formed on a substrate, and wherein the programming operation includes applying a positive voltage to a gate of the transistor and applying a negative voltage to the substrate.\",\n \"11. The memory device of claim 8, wherein the erase process includes applying a pre-program pulse to memory cells of the first memory sector.\",\n \"12. The memory device of claim 8, wherein the erase process includes applying an erase pulse to memory cells of the first memory sector.\",\n \"13. The memory device of claim 8, wherein the erase process includes applying a soft-program pulse to memory cells of the first memory sector.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A method for erasing a non-volatile memory device, the method comprising:\\napplying a first set of erase pulses to a set of memory cells until a first erase pulse count threshold is reached;\\nperforming a first erase verification of a first sub-set of memory cells of the set of memory cells;\\nstoring an address of a first memory cell that is not erased;\\napplying a second set of erase pulses to the set of memory cells until a second erase pulse count threshold is reached; and\\nperforming a second erase verification of the first sub-set of memory cells starting at the first memory cell address.\",\n \"2. The method of claim 1 further comprises performing an erase verification of memory cells of a second sub-set of memory cells prior to applying the second set of erase pulses.\",\n \"3. The method of claim 1 where the address of the first memory cell is stored in an address register corresponding to the first sub-set.\",\n \"4. The method of claim 1 wherein the address of the first memory cell is loaded into an address counter prior to performing the second erase verification.\",\n \"5. The method of claim 1 wherein the first and second erase verifications are comprised of determining if a threshold voltage of each memory cell is less than a predetermined level.\",\n \"6. The method of claim 1 and further including performing an erase verification of memory cells of a second sub-set of memory cells after storing the address of the first memory cell that is programmed.\",\n \"7. The method of claim 1 wherein storing the address comprises storing the address in an address pointer location.\",\n \"8. A non-volatile memory device comprising:\\na memory array comprising a plurality of sets of addressable memory cells;\\na first and a second non-volatile register for respectively storing a first and a second erase pulse count threshold; and\\na state machine, coupled to the memory array and the first and second non-volatile registers, adapted to erase at least one of the sets of memory cells by applying a first set of erase pulses to a first sub-set of addressable memory cells until the first erase pulse count threshold is reached, performing a first erase verification of memory cells of the first sub-set of memory cells, storing an address of a first memory cell that is not erased, applying a second set of erase pulses to the first set of memory cells until the second erase pulse count threshold is reached, and performing a second erase verification of the first sub-set starting at the first memory cell address.\",\n \"9. The device of claim 8 wherein the state machine is further adapted to issue a command to jump to a next sub-set of memory cells after storing the address of the first memory cell that is not erased.\",\n \"10. The device of claim 8 wherein the state machine is further adapted to perform an erase verification of each of the plurality of sets of addressable memory cells prior to issuing the second set of erase pulses.\",\n \"11. The device of claim 8 and further including a pulse counter coupled to the state machine for counting a quantity of erase pulses issued to the memory array.\",\n \"12. The device of claim 8 wherein each set of memory cells is a memory block.\",\n \"13. The device of claim 8 wherein each sub-set of memory cells is a memory sub-block.\",\n \"14. The device of claim 8 wherein the state machine is adapted to begin a first scan operation after the first erase pulse threshold has been reached.\",\n \"15. The device of claim 8 wherein the state machine is adapted to begin a second scan operation after the second erase pulse threshold has been reached.\",\n \"16. A memory system comprising:\\na processor for generating memory control signals; and\\na non-volatile memory device coupled to the processor, the memory device comprising:\\na memory array comprising a plurality of sets of addressable memory cells;\\na pulse counter for counting a quantity of generated erase pulses;\\na first erase pulse register for storing a first erase pulse threshold;\\na second erase pulse register for storing a second erase pulse threshold; and\\na state machine, coupled to the pulse counter and the first and second pulse registers, adapted to erase at least one of the sets of memory cells by applying a first set of erase pulses to a first sub-set of addressable memory cells until the first erase pulse threshold is reached, performing a first erase verification of memory cells of the first sub-set of memory cells, storing an address of a first memory cell that is not erased, applying a second set of erase pulses to the first set of memory cells until the second erase pulse threshold is reached, and performing a second erase verification of the first sub-set starting at the first memory cell address.\",\n \"17. The system of claim 16 and further including command execution logic to interpret the memory control signals from the processor.\",\n \"18. The system of claim 16 wherein the non-volatile memory device is coupled to the processor over data, control, and address buses.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A memory cell, comprising:\\na floating-gate transistor having a control gate and a floating gate, wherein the control gate is coupled to a word line;\\na first select transistor configured to pass current from a bit line to a drain of the floating-gate transistor; and\\na second select transistor configured to pass current to a source line from a source of the floating-gate transistor;\\nwherein a source of the first select transistor and the drain of the floating-gate transistor share a first buried N+(BN+) region, and wherein a drain of the second select transistor and the source of the floating-gate transistor share a second BN+ region.\",\n \"2. The memory cell of claim 1, wherein the memory cell is an OR-type EEPROM memory cell.\",\n \"3. The memory cell of claim 1, wherein the first and second BN+ regions reside in a P substrate.\",\n \"4. The memory cell of claim 1, wherein the first and second BN+ regions reside in a triple well comprising a P well within an N well within a P substrate.\",\n \"5. The memory cell of claim 1, wherein the bit line is coupled to a drain of the first select transistor via a contact region, and wherein the drain of the first select transistor comprises a third BN+ region.\",\n \"6. The memory cell of claim 5, wherein the source line is coupled to a source of the second select transistor, and wherein the source of the second select transistor comprises a fourth BN+ region.\",\n \"7. The memory cell of claim 1, wherein the floating-gate transistor is formed along a first axis, and wherein the first and second select gates are formed along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis.\",\n \"8. The memory cell of claim 1, wherein the floating gate of the floating-gate transistor, a gate of the first select transistor, and a gate of the second select transistor are tied together through polysilicon contact holes.\",\n \"9. The memory cell of claim 1, wherein the memory cell is configured to support a write operation that includes performing a Fowler-Nordheim (FN) channel erase and an FN channel program.\",\n \"10. The memory cell of claim 1, wherein the memory cell is configured to support a write operation that includes performing a Fowler-Nordheim (FN) channel erase on a memory block, a FN channel reverse program on a page in the memory block, and a bit-selective program on the memory cell.\",\n \"11. An apparatus, comprising:\\nan OR-type EEPROM memory cell including a first select transistor, a second select transistor, and a floating-gate transistor, wherein the first select transistor and the floating-gate transistor share a first buried N+(BN+) region, and wherein the second select transistor and the floating-gate transistor share a second BN+region.\",\n \"12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising:\\na byte decoder coupled to a control gate of the floating-gate transistor via a word line, wherein the byte decoder is configured to use the word line to control a set of cells configured to store a byte of data, and wherein the byte decoder resides in a triple well.\",\n \"13. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a flash memory cell, wherein the flash memory cell and the OR-type EEPROM memory cell are configured to share a data bus.\",\n \"14. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a ROM memory cell, wherein the ROM memory cell and the OR-type EEPROM memory cell are configured to share a data bus.\",\n \"15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first and second BN+ regions reside in a P substrate.\",\n \"16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first and second BN+ regions reside in a triple well comprising a P well within an N well within a P substrate.\",\n \"17. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first select transistor is configured to pass current from a bit line to a drain of the floating-gate transistor, wherein the bit line is coupled to a drain of the first select transistor via a contact region, and wherein the drain of the first select transistor includes a third BN+region.\",\n \"18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the second select transistor is configured to pass current to a source line from a source of the floating-gate transistor, wherein the source line is coupled to a source of the second select transistor, and wherein the source of the second select transistor includes a fourth BN+ region.\",\n \"19. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the memory cell is configured to support a write operation that includes performing a Fowler-Nordheim (FN) channel erase on a memory block, a FN channel reverse program on a page in the memory block, and a bit-selective program on the memory cell.\",\n \"20. An apparatus, comprising:\\na floating-gate transistor having a drain and a source, wherein the drain includes a first buried N+(BN+) region and a second BN+ region;\\na means for passing current from a bit line to the drain; and\\na means for passing current from the source to a source line.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A method of programming for a nonvolatile memory, which comprises a plurality of word lines, each of which is coupled with memory cells, and is adapted to perform an erase operation and a program operation,\\nwherein in the erase operation, all of the memory cells coupled to a selected word line shift into an erase state,\\nwherein in the program operation, a first part of said memory cells coupled to the selected word line are in a corresponding state in accordance with first data before performing the program operation and a second part of said memory cells coupled the selected word line are in the erase state, wherein the method comprises the steps of:\\nreceiving second data, quantity of which is 512 byte, to be programmed to the second part of memory cells coupled to the selected word line,\\nmerging the first data already programmed in the first part of the memory cells and the second data to be programmed in the second part of the memory cells, and\\nprogramming the second data to the second part of memory cells coupled to the selected word line, the first part of memory cells coupled the selected word line remaining in the corresponding state in accordance with the first data before performing the program operation by programming a merged data to the memory cells coupled with the selected word line.\",\n \"2. A method of programming for the nonvolatile memory according to claim 1,\\nwherein the first data already programmed to the first part of memory cells before the program operation is used as management information.\",\n \"3. A method of programming for the nonvolatile memory according to claim 2,\\nwherein the memory cells coupled to the selected word line are capable of being programmed with data more than 512 byte.\",\n \"4. A method of programming for the nonvolatile memory according to claim 1,\\nwherein each of the memory cells coupled to the selected word line has a threshold voltage within one of an erase state voltage range and a program state voltage range.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A non-volatile semiconductor memory device comprising:\\na memory cell array having a plurality of non-volatile memory cells, the memory cell array being divided into a plurality of first erase units respectively including a plurality of second erase units; and\\na control circuit which executes erase and write operations of each selected memory cell in the memory cell array in accordance with erase or write instructions,\\nwherein the control circuit includes a first erase control unit which performs an erase in the first erase unit and a second erase control unit which performs an erase in the second erase unit,\\nwherein the second erase control unit sets a voltage applied to the target memory cell at erasing smaller in absolute value than at erasing by the first erase control unit and makes short the time necessary for erasure, and\\nwherein when the second erase unit including each selected memory cell is in a state in which erasing and writing are being done by the first erase control unit, the second erase control unit erases the second erase unit including the selected memory cell.\",\n \"2. The non-volatile semiconductor memory device according to claim 1,\\nwherein the memory cells of the memory cell array are arranged over a well region in matrix form,\\nwherein the first erase units are of well units, and\\nwherein the second erase units are of word lines arranged corresponding to memory cell rows.\",\n \"3. The non-volatile semiconductor memory device according to claim 1,\\nwherein the memory cell array is divided into a plurality of blocks each having sectors including a plurality of memory cell rows respectively,\\nwherein the first erase units are of the blocks, and\\nwherein the second erase units are of the sectors.\",\n \"4. A non-volatile semiconductor memory device, comprising:\\na memory cell array having a plurality of non-volatile memory cells, the memory cell array being divided into a plurality of first erase units respectively including a plurality of second erase units; and\\na control circuit which executes erase and write operations of each selected memory cell in the memory cell array in accordance with erase or write instructions,\\nwherein the control circuit includes a first erase control unit which performs an erase in the first erase unit and a second erase control unit which performs an erase in the second erase unit,\\nwherein the second erase control unit sets a voltage applied to the target memory cell at erasing smaller in absolute value than at erasing by the first erase control unit and makes short the time necessary for erasure,\\nwherein the control circuit further includes a write control unit which executes writing on the second erase units each placed in a non-written state, of the memory cell array upon a state in which the addressed second erase unit is erased by the first erase control unit and data writing has been conducted thereby, and sets the addressed second erase unit to an invalid state,\\nwherein the second erase control unit executes erasing by the second erase control unit on the first erase units when second rewrite units lying within the first erase units are all set to an invalid state, and sets the rewrite units in the first erase units to a valid state, and\\nwherein the first erase control unit executes erasing of the first erase units under the first erase control unit when the second rewrite units lying in the first erase units are all invalidated after erasing thereof by the second erase control unit.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A non-volatile semiconductor storage device comprising:\\na memory cell array including an electrically rewritable non-volatile memory cell arranged therein; and\\na control unit configured to perform controlling of repeating an erase operation to apply an erase pulse voltage to the memory cell for data erase and an erase verify operation to verify whether data erase is completed, and to cause the erase pulse voltage to increase by a certain step-up voltage in the erase operation performed again in the repeating of the erase operation and the erase verify operation after it is verified that data erase is not completed in the erase verify operation,\\nthe control unit being configured to, in the erase operations alternately repeated with the erase verify operation, perform a first erase operation as an initial one of the erase operations and, subsequent to the first erase operation, a second erase operation as a next one of the erase operations, the erase verify operation being performed between the first erase operation and the second erase operation, and\\nthe control unit being configured to control the erase pulse voltage such that:\\nat least a first erase pulse voltage of the erase pulse voltage has a blunted wave-shape portion, the first erase pulse voltage being applied to the memory cell in the first erase operation,\\nthe blunted wave-shape portion of the first erase pulse voltage includes a continuous curve satisfying a relation of Wp/3≤t, wherein Wp is a pulse width of the first erase pulse voltage, and t is a width of the continuous curve of the first erase pulse voltage; and\\na second erase pulse voltage has a voltage value at a saturation state larger than that of the first erase pulse voltage, the second erase pulse voltage being applied to the memory cell in the second erase operation.\",\n \"2. The non-volatile semiconductor storage device according to claim 1, wherein\\nthe control unit controls a voltage of the first erase pulse voltage such that a voltage wave shape of the first erase pulse voltage when a vertical axis thereof denotes a voltage and a lateral axis denotes time has a gradient such that a gradient at a first point of time is not larger than a gradient at a second point of time before the first point of time through the continuous curve, the blunted wave-shape portion of the first erase pulse voltage being included in rising of the first erase pulse voltage and being continuous to the voltage value at the saturation state of the first erase pulse voltage.\",\n \"3. The non-volatile semiconductor storage device according to claim 1, wherein\\nthe control unit is configured to, in the erase operations alternately repeated with the erase verify operation, further perform a third erase operation as one of the erase operations subsequent to the second erase operation, the erase verify operation being performed between the second erase operation and the third erase operation, and\\nthe control unit is configured to control the erase pulse voltage such that:\\nin the first erase operation, the first erase pulse voltage reaches a first saturation value,\\nin the second erase operation, the second erase pulse voltage reaches a second saturation value,\\nin the third erase operation, a third erase pulse voltage applied to the memory cell reaches a third saturation value,\\nthe erase pulse voltage is increased by the certain step-up voltage from the first saturation value to the second saturation value, and from the second saturation value to the third saturation value, a difference between the first saturation value and the second saturation value and a difference between the second saturation value and the third saturation value being equal to each other, and\\na width of the blunted wave-shape portion that is continuous to the voltage value at the saturation state is set such that the first erase pulse voltage is longer than the second erase pulse voltage with respect to the width of the blunted wave-shape portion.\",\n \"4. The non-volatile semiconductor storage device according to claim 1, wherein\\nthe control unit is configured to, in the erase operations alternately repeated with the erase verify operation, further perform a third erase operation as one of the erase operations subsequent to the second erase operation, the erase verify operation being performed between the second erase operation and the third erase operation, and\\nthe control unit is configured to control the erase pulse voltage such that:\\nin the first erase operation, the first erase pulse voltage reaches a first saturation value,\\nin the second erase operation, the second erase pulse voltage reaches a second saturation value,\\nin the third erase operation, a third erase pulse voltage applied to the memory cell reaches a third saturation value,\\nthe erase pulse voltage is increased by the certain step-up voltage from the first saturation value to the second saturation value, and from the second saturation value to the third saturation value, a difference between the first saturation value and the second saturation value and a difference between the second saturation value and the third saturation value being equal to each other, and\\na width of the blunted wave-shape portion that is continuous to the voltage value at the saturation state is set such that the first erase pulse voltage is longer than the third erase pulse voltage with respect to the width of the blunted wave-shape portion.\",\n \"5. The non-volatile semiconductor storage device according to claim 4, wherein\\nthe control unit is configured to control the erase pulse voltage such that the pulse width of the first erase pulse voltage is longer than that of the third erase pulse voltage.\",\n \"6. The non-volatile semiconductor storage device according to claim 1, wherein\\nthe control unit controls a voltage of the first erase pulse voltage such that the continuous curve thereof is followed by a substantially flat area, the substantially flat area having the voltage value at the saturation state of the first erase pulse voltage.\",\n \"7. The non-volatile semiconductor storage device according to claim 6, wherein\\nthe control unit controls a voltage of the first erase pulse voltage such that the voltage is progressively increased following the continuous curve until the voltage reaches the saturation state.\",\n \"8. The non-volatile semiconductor storage device according to claim 6, wherein\\nthe control unit controls a voltage of the first erase pulse voltage such that the voltage is set constant following the continuous curve at the saturation state.\",\n \"9. The non-volatile semiconductor storage device according to claim 1, wherein\\nthe control unit controls a voltage of the second erase pulse voltage such that a voltage wave shape of the second erase pulse voltage when a vertical axis thereof denotes a voltage and a lateral axis denotes time has a continuous curve in which a gradient at a first point of time is not larger than a gradient at a second point of time before the first point of time through the continuous curve, the blunted wave-shape portion of the second erase pulse voltage including the continuous curve and being continuous to the voltage value at the saturation state of the second erase pulse voltage.\",\n \"10. The non-volatile semiconductor storage device according to claim 1, wherein\\nthe control unit is configured to control the erase pulse voltage such that the first erase pulse voltage is longer than the second erase pulse voltage with respect to a width of the blunted wave-shape portion thereof.\",\n \"11. A non-volatile semiconductor storage device comprising: a memory cell array including an electrically rewritable non-volatile memory cell arranged therein; and\\na control unit configured to perform controlling of repeating an erase operation to apply an erase pulse voltage to the memory cell for data erase and an erase verify operation to verify whether data erase is completed, and to cause the erase pulse voltage to increase by a certain step-up voltage in the erase operation performed again in the repeating, of the erase operation and the erase verify operation after it is verified that data erase is not completed in the erase verify operation,\\nthe control unit being configured to, in the erase operations alternately repeated with the erase verify operation, perform a first erase operation as an initial one of the erase operations and, subsequent to the first erase operation, a second erase operation as a next one of the erase operations, the erase verify operation being performed between the first erase operation and the second erase operation, and\\nthe control unit being configured to control a first erase pulse voltage applied to the memory cell in the first erase operation and a second erase pulse voltage applied to the memory cell in the second erase operation such that:\\nat least a voltage wave shape of the first erase pulse voltage when a vertical axis thereof denotes a voltage and a lateral axis denotes time has a blunted wave-shape portion that k continuous to a saturation value thereof, the blunted wave-shape portion being defined by a period in which a gradient at a first point of time is not larger than a gradient at a second point of time before the first point of time in the voltage wave shape through the period; and\\nthe first erase pulse voltage is longer than the second erase pulse voltage with respect to a width of the blunted wave-shape portion, wherein\\nrelation of Wp/3≤t is satisfied, wherein Wp is a pulse width of the first erase pulse voltage, and t is the width of the blunted wave-shape portion of the first erase pulse voltage.\",\n \"12. The non-volatile semiconductor storage device according to claim 11, further comprising:\\na voltage generation circuit including N (N≥2) boost circuits, each configured to generate a boosted voltage based on a power supply voltage, and a pulse generation circuit configured to generate the erase pulse voltage using the boosted voltage, wherein\\nthe control unit drives M (MM) of the boost circuits when generating the second erase pulse voltage.\",\n \"13. The non-volatile semiconductor storage device according to claim 10, wherein\\nthe control unit is configured to, in the erase operations alternately repeated with the erase verify operation, further perform a third erase operation as one of the erase operations subsequent to the second erase operation, the erase verify operation being performed between the second erase operation and the third erase operation, and\\nthe control unit is configured to control the erase pulse voltage such that:\\nin the first erase operation, the first erase pulse voltage reaches a first saturation value,\\nin the second erase operation, the second erase pulse voltage reaches a second saturation value,\\nin the third erase operation, a third erase pulse voltage applied to the memory cell reaches a third saturation value,\\nthe erase pulse voltage is increased by the certain step-up voltage from the first saturation value to the second saturation value, and from the second saturation value to the third saturation value, a difference between the first saturation value and the second saturation value and a difference between the second saturation value and the third saturation value being equal to each other, and\\nthe width of the blunted wave-shape portion that is continuous to the first saturation value in the first erase pulse voltage is set such that the first erase pulse voltage is longer than the second erase pulse voltage and than the third erase pulse voltage with respect to the width of the blunted wave-shape portion.\",\n \"14. The non-volatile semiconductor storage device according to claim 11, wherein\\nthe control unit controls a voltage of the first erase pulse voltage such that a rise curve thereof is followed by a substantially flat area, the blunted wave-shape portion including the rise curve, and the substantially flat area having the saturation value of the first erase pulse voltage.\",\n \"15. The non-volatile semiconductor storage device according to claim 14, wherein\\nthe control unit controls a voltage of the first erase pulse voltage such that the rise curve is followed by a constant voltage having the saturation value or a progressively increased voltage reaching the saturation value.\",\n \"16. The non-volatile semiconductor storage device according to claim 11, wherein\\nthe control unit controls a voltage of the second erase pulse voltage such that a voltage wave shape of the second erase pulse voltage when a vertical axis thereof denotes a voltage and a lateral axis denotes time has such a gradient that a gradient at a first point of time is not larger than a gradient at a second point of time before the first point of time through the width of the blunted wave-shape portion of the second erase pulse voltage, the blunted wave-shape portion being continuous to the saturation value of the second erase pulse voltage.\",\n \"17. A non-volatile semiconductor storage device comprising:\\na memory cell array including an electrically rewritable non-volatile memory cell arranged therein; and\\na control unit configured to perform controlling of repeating an erase operation to apply an erase pulse voltage to the memory cell for data erase and an erase verify operation to verify whether data erase k completed, and to cause the erase pulse voltage to increase by a certain step-up voltage in the erase operation performed again in the repeating of the erase operation and the erase verify operation after it is verified that data erase is not completed in the erase verify operation,\\nthe control unit being configured to, in the erase operations alternately repeated with the erase verify operation, perform a first erase operation as an initial one of the erase operations and, subsequent to the first erase operation, a second erase operation as a next one of the erase operations, the erase verify operation being performed between the first erase operation and the second erase operation,\\nthe control unit being configured to control the erase pulse voltage such that:\\na first erase pulse voltage applied to the memory cell in the first erase operation is longer than a second erase pulse voltage applied to the memory cell in the second erase operation with respect to a width of a blunted wave-shape portion thereof, the blunted wave-shape portion being a single rise curve and continuous to a voltage value at a saturation state, the blunted wave-shape portion of the first erase pulse voltage including the single rise curve being followed by a substantially flat area having a first voltage value at the saturation state of the first erase pulse voltage, and\\nthe second erase pulse voltage has a second voltage value at the saturation state larger than the first voltage value at the saturation state of the first erase pulse voltage, wherein\\na relation of Wp/3≤t satisfied wherein Wp is a pulse width of the first erase pulse voltage, and t is the width of the blunted wave-shape portion of the first erase pulse voltage.\",\n \"18. The non-volatile semiconductor storage device according to claim 17, wherein\\nthe control unit controls a voltage of the first erase pulse voltage such that the single rise curve is followed by a constant voltage at the saturation state or a progressively increased voltage to the saturation state.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A nonvolatile memory apparatus comprising:\\na bus;\\na processing unit coupled to said bus; and\\na plurality of nonvolatile memories coupled to said bus,\\nwherein each of said nonvolatile memories includes a plurality of memory cells, an erase control circuit, which controls performing an erase operation and a verify operation for erasing data stored into ones of said memory cells, and an address generation circuit, which generates an address indicating a part of said ones of said memory cells,\\nwherein in an erase operation mode, said erase control circuit repeatedly performs said erase operation and said verify operation until ones of memory cells are erased, said erase control circuit performs said verify operation to said part of said ones of memory cells addressed by said address generated by said address generation circuit in said verify operation, and performs said erase operation again when at least one memory cell in said part of ones of memory cells has not become erased, and\\nwherein when said processing unit specifies one of said nonvolatile memories to said erase operation mode, said processing unit issues a signal for specifying said erase operation mode to said one of said nonvolatile memories while activating a chip enable signal of said one of said nonvolatile memories, and said processing unit is capable of inactivating said chip enable signal after fetching said signal for specifying said erase operation mode by said one of said nonvolatile memories and before completion of said erase operation mode of said one of said nonvolatile memories.\",\n \"2. A nonvolatile memory apparatus according to claim 1,\\nwherein said processing unit is capable of accessing another nonvolatile memory, after said one of said nonvolatile memories is specified said erase operation mode and said chip enable signal to said one of said nonvolatile memories is inactivated and before completion of said erase operation mode of said one of said nonvolatile memories.\",\n \"3. A nonvolatile memory apparatus comprising:\\na bus;\\na processor electrically connected with said bus; and\\na plurality of nonvolatile memories electrically connected with said bus,\\nwherein each of said nonvolatile memories includes a plurality of memory cells, an erase control circuit, which is for performing an erase operation and an erase verify operation repeatedly in an erase mode, and an address counter circuit, which is for generating an address signal for said erase verify operation,\\nwherein after performing said erase operation by said erase control circuit, said erase control circuit sets an address of said address counter for generating said address signal in accordance with said address, performs said erase verify operation to ones of said memory cells indicated by said address signal generated by said address counter, after then, performs said erase operation again when at least one memory cell of said ones of memory cells has not become erased, and makes said address counter increment the address such that said erase verify operation is performed to other ones of memory cells indicated by said address signal according to the incremented address when all of said ones of memory cells have become erased,\\nwherein said processor issues a signal for specifying said erase mode to one of said nonvolatile memories during activating a chip enable signal of said one of said nonvolatile memories, when said processor makes said one of said nonvolatile memories move to said erase mode, and\\nwherein said processor is capable of inactivating said chip enable signal of said one of said nonvolatile memories after fetching said signal for specifying said erase mode by said one of said nonvolatile memories and before completion of said erase mode of said one of said nonvolatile memories.\",\n \"4. A nonvolatile memory apparatus according to claim 3,\\nwherein said processor is capable of accessing another nonvolatile memory, after said one of said nonvolatile memories is specified said erase mode and said chip enable signal to said one of said nonvolatile memories is inactivated and before completion of said erase mode of said one of said nonvolatile memories.\",\n \"5. A nonvolatile memory apparatus comprising:\\na bus;\\na processor coupled to said bus; and\\na plurality of nonvolatile memories coupled to said bus,\\nwherein each of said nonvolatile memories includes a plurality of memory cells, an erase operation circuit, which is capable of performing an erase operation to ones of said memory cells, an address generating circuit, which is generating an address for specifying a part of said ones of memory cells, and a detecting circuit, which performs an erase verity operation for determining whether all of said part of said ones of memory cells have become erased or not,\\nwherein in an erase mode, after performing said erase operation by said erase operation circuit, said detecting circuit performs said erase verify operation to said part of said ones of memory cells specified by said address generated by address generating circuit, after then, said erase operation circuit performs said erase operation again when said detecting circuit determines at least one of said part of said ones of memory cells has not become erased, and said address generating circuit generates another address and said detecting circuit performs said erase verify operation to another part of said ones of memory cells in accordance with said another address,\\nwherein when said processor specifies said erase mode to one of said nonvolatile memories, said processor provides a signal for said one of nonvolatile memories to shift to said erase mode while said processor activates a chip enable signal of said one of nonvolatile memories, and\\nwherein said processor is capable of inactivating said chip enable signal of said one of nonvolatile memories between fetching of said signal to shift to said erase mode by said one of nonvolatile memories and finishing of said erase mode of said one of nonvolatile memories.\",\n \"6. A nonvolatile memory apparatus according to claim 5,\\nwherein said processor is capable of accessing another nonvolatile memory, after said one of said nonvolatile memories is specified said erase mode between said chip enable signal to said one of said nonvolatile memories is inactivated and completion of said erase mode of said one of said nonvolatile memories.\",\n \"7. A nonvolatile memory apparatus comprising:\\na processor;\\na plurality of memories; and\\nan input/output (I/O) terminal,\\nwherein one of said memories is a nonvolatile memory and is capable of receiving control signals from said processor,\\nwherein said nonvolatile memory includes a plurality of memory cells, an erase control circuit and an address generating circuit for generating an address signal, and is capable of starting an erase operation mode in accordance with receiving an erase signal included in said control signals,\\nwherein in said erase operation mode, said erase control circuit performs an erase operation and an erase verify operation repeatedly and automatically,\\nwherein said erase control circuit performs said erase operation to ones of said memory cells, performs said erase verify operation to said ones of memory cells indicated in said address signal, after then, performing said erase operation to said ones of said memory cells again when at least one of said ones of said memory cells has not erased data, and\\nwherein said processor provides said erase signal to said nonvolatile memory while making an activating signal of said nonvolatile memory vary to a selecting state when said processor specifies said nonvolatile memory to said erase operation mode, and is capable of making said activating signal of said nonvolatile memory vary to an unselected state after fetching said erase signal by said nonvolatile memory and before completing said erase operation.\",\n \"8. A nonvolatile memory apparatus according to claim 7,\\nwherein said processor is capable of accessing to another memory of said memories after fetching said erase signal by said nonvolatile memory and before completing said erase operation.\",\n \"9. A nonvolatile memory apparatus according to claim 7,\\nwherein said processor is capable of receiving data from outside via said I/O terminal after fetching said erase signal by said nonvolatile memory and before completing said erase operation.\",\n \"10. A nonvolatile memory apparatus according to claim 7,\\nwherein said processor is capable of outputting data via said I/O terminal after fetching said erase signal by said nonvolatile memory and before completing said erase operation.\",\n \"11. A nonvolatile memory apparatus according to claim 7,\\nwherein said nonvolatile memory performs a write operation for data writing in accordance with receiving a write signal included in said control signals from said processor.\",\n \"12. A nonvolatile memory apparatus according to claim 11,\\nwherein each of said memory cells has a threshold voltage within one of plural threshold voltage ranges, and\\nwherein one of said threshold voltage ranges is an erase voltage range into which said Threshold voltage of said ones of said memory cells are moved in said erase operation, and another of said threshold voltage ranges is a program voltage range into which said threshold voltage of a memory cell is moved in said write operation.\",\n \"13. A nonvolatile memory apparatus comprising:\\na plurality of memories;\\na processor, and\\nan input/output terminal,\\nwherein one of said memories is a nonvolatile memory and is capable of receiving a plurality of control signals from said processor,\\nwherein said nonvolatile memory includes a plurality of memory cells, an erase control circuit and an address counter circuit, and is capable of shifting to an erase mode in accordance with receiving an erase signal in said control signals,\\nwherein said erase control circuit is capable of performing at least one time each of an erase operation and an erase verify operation in said erase mode,\\nwherein said address counter circuit is capable of providing an address signal used for said erase verify operation,\\nwherein in said erase mode, said erase control circuit is capable of setting an address information to said address counter circuit, performs said erase verify operation after performing said erase operation, after then, performs again said erase operation when at least one memory cell has stayed in an erase state, and, makes said address counter circuit increment said address signal and performs said erase verify operation to ones of said memory cells in accordance with the incremented address signal when all of memory cells in accordance with previous address signal have gone in a program state, and\\nwherein said processor is provided said erase signal while said processor changes an activate signal of said nonvolatile memory to an active state when said processor instructs said erase mode to said nonvolatile memory, and changes said activate signal of said nonvolatile memory to an inactive state after said erase signal is fetched by said nonvolatile memory and before finishing said erase mode.\",\n \"14. A nonvolatile memory apparatus according to claim 13,\\nwherein said processor is capable of accessing another memory of said memories after fetching said erase signal by said nonvolatile memory and before finishing said erase mode.\",\n \"15. A nonvolatile memory apparatus according to claim 13,\\nwherein said processor is capable of receiving data 1mm outside via said input/output terminal after fetching said erase signal by said nonvolatile memory and before finishing said erase mode.\",\n \"16. A nonvolatile memory apparatus according to claim 13,\\nwherein said processor is capable of outputting data via said input/output terminal after fetching said erase signal by said nonvolatile memory and before finishing said erase mode.\",\n \"17. A nonvolatile memory apparatus according to claim 13,\\nwherein said nonvolatile memory performs a write operation for data writing in accordance with receiving a write signal in said control signals from said processor.\",\n \"18. A nonvolatile memory apparatus according to claim 17,\\nwherein each of said memory cells has a threshold voltage within one of plural threshold voltage ranges, and\\nwherein one of said threshold voltage ranges is an erase voltage range into which said threshold voltage of said ones of said memory cells are moved in said erase operation, and another of said threshold voltage ranges is a program voltage range into which said threshold voltage of a memory cell is moved in said write operation.\",\n \"19. A nonvolatile memory apparatus comprising:\\nan input/output terminal;\\na processor; and\\nplural memories, one of which is a nonvolatile memory being capable of receiving control signals from said processor and comprising a plurality of nonvolatile memory cells, an erase circuit, an address counter circuit, and a deciding circuit;\\nwherein said erase circuit controls to perform an erase operation to ones of said nonvolatile memory cells,\\nwherein said address counter circuit is capable of generating an address signal to select a part of said ones of nonvolatile memory cells,\\nwherein said deciding circuit is capable of performing an erase verify operation for deciding whether all of said nonvolatile memory cells addressed by said address signal are already erased or not,\\nwherein said nonvolatile memory moves into an erase mode in response to an erase signal included in said control signals,\\nwherein in said erase mode, said nonvolatile memory performs said erase operation and said erase verity operation more than once, said deciding circuit performs said erase verify operation to said part of said ones of nonvolatile memory cells addressed by said address signal after performing said erase operation by said erase circuit, after then, said erase circuit performs again said erase operation when at least one of said part of said ones of nonvolatile memory cells has still not achieved an erase state as is decided by said erase verity operation, and said deciding circuit performs said erase verify operation to another part of said ones of said nonvolatile memory cells in accordance with another address signal generated by said address counter circuit, and\\nwherein said processor provides said erase signal included in said control signals during activating an activation signal of said nonvolatile memory when said processor instructs said nonvolatile memory to move into said erase mode, and inactivates said activation signal of said nonvolatile memory between fetching said erase signal and finishing said erase mode.\",\n \"20. A nonvolatile memory apparatus according to claim 19,\\nwherein said processor is capable of accessing another memory of said memories between the fetching of said erase signal by said nonvolatile memory and finishing of said erase mode.\",\n \"21. A nonvolatile memory apparatus according to claim 19,\\nwherein said processor is capable of receiving data from outside via said input/output terminal between the fetching of said erase signal by said nonvolatile memory and finishing of said erase mode.\",\n \"22. A nonvolatile memory apparatus according to claim 19,\\nwherein said processor is capable of outputting data via said input/output terminal between the fetching of said erase signal by said nonvolatile memory and finishing of said erase mode.\",\n \"23. A nonvolatile memory apparatus according to claim 19,\\nwherein said nonvolatile memory performs a write operation for data writing in accordance with receiving a write signal included in said control signals from said processor.\",\n \"24. A nonvolatile memory apparatus according to claim 23,\\nwherein each of said memory cells has a threshold voltage within one of plural threshold voltage ranges, and\\nwherein one of said threshold voltage ranges is an erase voltage range into which said threshold voltage of said ones of said memory cells are moved in said erase operation, and another of said threshold voltage ranges is a program voltage range into which said threshold voltage of a memory cell is moved in said write operation.\",\n \"25. A nonvolatile memory apparatus according to claim 1,\\nwherein each of said nonvolatile memories is capable of performing said erase operation and said verify operation in response to fetching said signal for specifying said erase operation mode.\",\n \"26. A nonvolatile memory apparatus according to claim 3,\\nwherein said one of said nonvolatile memories is capable of performing said erase operation and said erase verify operation in response to fetching said signal for specifying said erase mode.\",\n \"27. A nonvolatile memory apparatus according to claim 5,\\nwherein each of said nonvolatile memories is capable of performing said erase operation and said erase verify operation in response to fetching said signal to shift to said erase mode.\",\n \"28. A nonvolatile memory apparatus according to claim 7,\\nwherein said nonvolatile memory is capable of performing said erase operation and said erase verify operation in response to fetching said erase signal.\",\n \"29. A nonvolatile memory apparatus according to claim 13,\\nwherein said nonvolatile memory is capable of performing said erase operation and said erase verify operation in response to receiving said erase signal.\",\n \"30. A nonvolatile memory apparatus according to claim 19,\\nwherein said nonvolatile memory is capable of performing said erase operation and said erase verify operation in response to receiving said erase signal.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A method of erasing non-volatile storage, comprising:\\napplying an erase voltage to a set of non-volatile storage elements while enabling erasing of each non-volatile storage element in said set, said set including a first subset of non-volatile storage elements and a second subset of non-volatile storage elements;\\nverifying whether said set is erased after applying said erase voltage by testing conduction through said set while applying a verify voltage to said first subset of non-volatile storage elements and applying a first voltage to said second subset of non-volatile storage elements, said first voltage is different from said verify voltage;\\nrepeating said applying said erase voltage and verifying whether said set is erased until successfully verifying that said set is erased; and\\napplying said erase voltage to said set while inhibiting erasing of said first subset after successfully verifying that said set is erased.\",\n \"2. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:\\nverifying whether said set is erased after said applying said erase voltage to said set while inhibiting erasing of said first subset; and\\nrepeating said applying said erase voltage to said set while inhibiting erasing of said first subset and said verifying whether said set is erased after applying said erase voltage to said set while inhibiting erasing of said first subset until successfully verifying that said set is erased.\",\n \"3. A method according to claim 2, wherein:\\nverifying whether said set is erased after applying said erase voltage to said set while inhibiting erasing of said first subset includes testing conduction through said set while applying said verify voltage to said first subset and said second subset.\",\n \"4. A method according to claim 2, wherein:\\nverifying whether said set is erased after applying said erase voltage to said set while inhibiting erasing of said first subset includes testing conduction through said set while applying said verify voltage to said second subset and said first voltage to said first subset.\",\n \"5. A method according to claim 4, wherein:\\nsaid first voltage is larger than said verify voltage; and\\nsaid applying said first voltage to said second subset promotes conduction of each non-volatile storage element in said second subset.\",\n \"6. A method according to claim 1, wherein repeating said applying said erase voltage and verifying whether said set is erased includes increasing a size of said erase voltage between each application of said erase voltage.\",\n \"7. A method according to claim 1, wherein said set of non-volatile storage elements is part of a NAND string.\",\n \"8. A method according to claim 7, wherein:\\nsaid NAND string includes a first select gate and a second select gate;\\nsaid second subset of non-volatile storage elements includes a first non-volatile storage element adjacent to said first select gate and a second non-volatile storage element adjacent to said second select gate; and\\nsaid first subset of non-volatile storage elements includes a plurality of non-volatile storage elements between said first non-volatile storage element and said second non-volatile storage element.\",\n \"9. A method of erasing non-volatile storage, comprising:\\napplying an erase voltage to a set of non-volatile storage elements while enabling erasing of each non-volatile storage element of said set, said set including a first subset of non-volatile storage elements and a second subset of non-volatile storage elements;\\nverifying whether said set is erased after applying said erase voltage by causing said second subset of non-volatile storage elements to be conductive and testing conduction through said set while applying a verify voltage to said first subset of non-volatile storage elements;\\nrepeating said applying said erase voltage and verifying whether said set is erased until successfully verifying that said set is erased; and\\napplying said erase voltage to said set while inhibiting erasing of said first subset of non-volatile storage elements after successfully verifying that said set is erased.\",\n \"10. A method according to claim 9, wherein:\\ncausing said second subset of non-volatile storage elements to be conductive includes applying a first voltage that is larger than said verify voltage to said second subset of non-volatile storage elements, said first voltage promotes conduction of each non-volatile storage element in said second subset of non-volatile storage elements.\",\n \"11. A method according to claim 10, further comprising:\\nverifying whether said set is erased after applying said erase voltage to said set while inhibiting said first subset of non-volatile storage elements from being erased; and\\nrepeating said applying said erase voltage to said set while inhibiting erasing of said first subset and said verifying whether said set is erased after applying said erase voltage to said set while inhibiting said first subset of from being erased until successfully verifying that said set is erased.\",\n \"12. A method according to claim 11, wherein:\\nverifying whether said set is erased after applying said erase voltage to said set while inhibiting said first subset from being erased includes testing conduction through said set while applying said verify voltage to said first subset and said second subset.\",\n \"13. A method according to claim 11, wherein:\\nverifying whether said set is erased after applying said erase voltage to said set while inhibiting said first subset from being erased includes testing conduction through said set while applying said verify voltage to said second subset and applying said first voltage to said first subset of non-volatile storage elements, said first voltage promotes conduction of each non-volatile storage element in said first subset.\",\n \"14. A method according to claim 9, wherein:\\nsaid set of non-volatile storage elements is part of a NAND string; and\\nsaid NAND string includes a first select gate and a second select gate;\\nsaid second subset of non-volatile storage elements includes a first non-volatile storage element adjacent to said first select gate and a second non-volatile storage element adjacent to said second select gate; and\\nsaid first subset of non-volatile storage elements includes a plurality of non-volatile storage elements between said first non-volatile storage element and said second non-volatile storage element.\",\n \"15. A method of erasing non-volatile storage, comprising:\\napplying an erase voltage to a block of non-volatile storage elements in communication with a set of word lines, said block including a plurality of sets of series-connected non-volatile storage elements;\\nverifying whether said sets of non-volatile storage elements are erased after applying said erase voltage by applying a verify voltage to a first subset of said set of word lines and a first voltage to a second subset of said set of word lines, said first voltage is different from said verify voltage;\\nrepeating said applying and said verifying until all or a predetermined number of said sets of non-volatile storage elements are successfully verified as erased; and\\napplying said erase voltage to said block of non-volatile storage elements while inhibiting erasing of non-volatile storage elements in communication with said first subset of word lines after successfully verifying that all or said predetermined number of said sets of non-volatile storage elements are erased.\",\n \"16. A method according to claim 15, further comprising:\\nverifying whether said sets of series-connected non-volatile storage elements are erased after said applying said erase voltage to said block while inhibiting erasing of non-volatile storage elements in communication with said first subset of word lines; and\\nrepeating said applying said erase voltage to said block while inhibiting erasing of non-volatile storage elements in communication with said first subset of word lines and said verifying whether said sets are erased after said applying said erase voltage to said block while inhibiting erasing of non-volatile storage elements in communication with said first subset of word lines until all or a predetermined number of said sets are successfully verified as erased.\",\n \"17. A method according to claim 16, wherein verifying whether said sets of series-connected non-volatile storage elements are erased after said applying said erase voltage to said block while inhibiting erasing of non-volatile storage elements in communication with said first subset of word lines includes:\\ntesting conduction through said sets of series-connected non-volatile storage elements while applying said verify voltage to said first subset of word lines and said second subset of word lines.\",\n \"18. A method according to claim 16, wherein verifying whether said sets of series-connected non-volatile storage elements are erased after said applying said erase voltage to said block while inhibiting erasing of non-volatile storage elements in communication with said first subset of word lines includes:\\ntesting conduction through said sets of series-connected non-volatile storage elements while applying said verify voltage to said second subset of word lines and said first voltage to said first subset of word lines.\",\n \"19. A method according to claim 18, wherein:\\nsaid first voltage is larger than said verify voltage; and\\nsaid applying said first voltage to said first subset of word lines promotes conduction of non-volatile storage elements in communication with said first subset of word lines.\",\n \"20. A method according to claim 16, wherein:\\nsaid sets of series-connected non-volatile storage elements are sets of NAND strings;\\nsaid NAND strings each include a first select gate in communication with a first select line and a second select gate in communication with a second select line;\\nsaid second subset of word lines includes a first word line adjacent to said first select line and a second word line adjacent to said second select line; and\\nsaid first subset of word lines includes a plurality of word lines between said first word line and said second word line.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device comprising:\\na memory array configured to include a plurality of nonvolatile memory cells arranged in a matrix form and a plurality of word lines; and\\nan X-decode section configured to select a selected word line selected from said plurality of word lines, supply a negative voltage to said selected word line, and supply a positive voltage to unselected word lines which are not said selected word line, at the time of an erase operation,\\nwherein said X-decode section includes:\\na plurality of output drivers configured to be provided corresponding to said plurality of word lines, each of said plurality of output drivers outputs at least one of said negative voltage and said positive voltage,\\na negative voltage decoder configured to supply said negative voltage to said plurality of output drivers, and\\na positive voltage decoder configured to supply said positive voltage to said plurality of output drivers,\\nwherein each of said plurality of output drivers, based on a word line selection signal for selecting one of said plurality of word lines and a voltage selection signal for selecting one of said negative voltage and said positive voltage, supplies voltage corresponding to said voltage selection signal to corresponding one of said plurality of word lines,\\nwherein said voltage selection signal includes a negative-voltage selection signal for selecting said negative voltage and a positive-voltage selection signal for selecting said positive voltage,\\nwherein said each of the plurality of output drivers includes:\\na first transistor configured to receive said word line selection signal at a gate, be connected to a first node at one terminal and a second node at another terminal, and be a first conductive type,\\na second transistor configured to receive said positive-voltage selection signal at a gate, be connected to said first node at one terminal and said second node at another terminal, and be said first conductive type,\\na third transistor configured to receive said word line selection signal at a gate, be connected to said second node at one terminal and a third node at another terminal, and be a second conductive type, and\\na fourth transistor configured to receive said negative-voltage selection signal at a gate, be connected to said second node at one terminal and said third node at another terminal, and be said second conductive type,\\nwherein said first node receives said positive voltage,\\nsaid third node receives said negative voltage, and\\nsaid second node is connected to corresponding one of said plurality of word lines.\",\n \"2. The nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to claim 1, further comprising:\\na X-predecoder configured to output said word line selection signal based on a first address signal,\\nwherein said negative voltage decoder outputs said negative-voltage selection signal based on a second address signal and\\nsaid positive voltage decoder outputs said positive-voltage selection signal based on said second address signal.\",\n \"3. The nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to claim 2, wherein said X-decode section further includes:\\na negative-voltage level shifter configured to supply said negative voltage to said negative voltage decoder, and\\na positive-voltage level shifter configured to supply said positive voltage to said positive voltage decoder.\",\n \"4. The nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to claim 3, wherein said plurality of nonvolatile memory cells is separated to a plurality of sectors, and\\nsaid negative-voltage level shifter and said positive-voltage level shifter are provided every one of plurality of sectors.\",\n \"5. The nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to claim 3, wherein said plurality of nonvolatile memory cells is separated to a plurality of cell groups, and\\nsaid negative voltage decoder and said positive voltage decoder are provided every one of plurality of cell groups.\",\n \"6. A method of operating the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device, comprising:\\n(a) selecting a selected word line from a plurality of word lines, at the time of an erase operation in a memory array including said plurality of nonvolatile memory cells arranged in a matrix form and a plurality of word lines; and\\n(b) supplying a negative voltage to said selected word line, and supplying a positive voltage to unselected word lines which are not said selected word line,\\nwherein said step (a) includes:\\n(a1) selecting said selected word line, based on a word line selection signal for selecting one of said plurality of word lines,\\nwherein said step (b) includes:\\n(b1) supplying said negative voltage to said selected word line based on a negative-voltage selection signal for selecting said negative voltage, and supplying said positive voltage to said unselected word lines based on a positive-voltage selection signal for selecting said positive voltage,\\nwherein said step (a1) includes:\\n(a11) supplying said word line selection signal to gates of a first transistor with a first conductive type and a third transistor with a second conductive type,\\nwherein said step (b1) includes:\\n(b11) supplying said positive-voltage selection signal to a gate of a second transistor with said first conductive type, and supplying said negative-voltage selection signal to a gate of a fourth transistor with said second conductive type,\\nwherein said first transistor is connected to a first node at one terminal and a second node at another terminal,\\nsaid second transistor is connected to said first node at one terminal and said second node at another terminal,\\nsaid third transistor is connected to said second node at one terminal and a third node at another terminal, and\\nsaid fourth transistor is connected to said second node at one terminal and said third node at another terminal,\\nwherein said first node receives said positive voltage,\\nsaid third node receives said negative voltage, and\\nsaid second node is connected to said selected word lines.\",\n \"7. The method of operating the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to claim 6, wherein said step (a11) includes:\\n(a111) outputting said word line selection signal based on a first address signal,\\nwherein said step (b11) includes:\\n(b111) outputting said negative-voltage selection signal based on a second address signal, and outputting said positive-voltage selection signal based on said second address signal.\",\n \"8. The method of operating the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to claim 6, wherein said step (b1) includes:\\n(b12) supplying said negative voltage from a negative-voltage level shifter to said third node, and\\n(b13) supplying said positive voltage from a positive-voltage level shifter to said first node.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A method of data deduplication and compression in a data storage system including a data storage resource, comprising:\\nobtaining a data stream including a plurality of data slices;\\nperforming, on a slice-by-slice basis, a data deduplication operation on the plurality of data slices to obtain a plurality of deduplicated data slices;\\ngrouping the plurality of deduplicated data slices to form a plurality of compression groups, each of the plurality of compression groups corresponding to an uncompressed group of deduplicated data slices;\\nperforming a data compression operation on each of the plurality of compression groups as a whole to obtain a plurality of compressed groups of deduplicated data slices;\\nstoring the plurality of compressed groups of deduplicated data slices on the data storage resource;\\nperforming at least the data deduplication operation in an in-line fashion as the data stream including the plurality of data slices is being obtained; and\\nhaving performed at least the data deduplication operation in the in-line fashion, performing a background process comprising:\\nobtaining the deduplicated data slices;\\nperforming, on a slice-by-slice basis, a second data deduplication operation on the plurality of deduplicated data slices to obtain a second plurality of deduplicated data slices;\\ngrouping the second plurality of deduplicated data slices to form a plurality of second compression groups, each of the plurality of second compression groups corresponding to an uncompressed group of deduplicated data slices;\\nperforming a second data compression operation on each of the plurality of second compression groups as a whole to obtain a plurality of second compressed groups of deduplicated data slices; and\\nstoring the plurality of second compressed groups of deduplicated data slices on the data storage resource.\",\n \"2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:\\nslicing the data stream into the plurality of data slices, the plurality of data slices including a plurality of fixed-length data slices.\",\n \"3. The method of claim 2 wherein the performing of the data deduplication operation includes performing the data deduplication operation on the plurality of fixed-length data slices to obtain a plurality of fixed-length deduplicated data slices.\",\n \"4. The method of claim 3 wherein the grouping of the plurality of deduplicated data slices includes grouping the plurality of fixed-length deduplicated data slices to form a plurality of fixed-length compression groups.\",\n \"5. The method of claim 1 further comprising:\\nslicing the data stream into the plurality of data slices, the plurality of data slices including a plurality of variable-length data slices.\",\n \"6. The method of claim 5 wherein the performing of the data deduplication operation includes performing the data deduplication operation on the plurality of variable-length data slices to obtain a plurality of variable-length deduplicated data slices.\",\n \"7. The method of claim 6 wherein the grouping of the plurality of deduplicated data slices includes grouping the plurality of variable-length deduplicated data slices to form a plurality of variable-length compression groups.\",\n \"8. The method of claim 1 further comprising:\\ngenerating a metadata map that represents relationships between (i) a plurality of data slice indices for the plurality of deduplicated data slices, respectively, and (ii) a compression group identifier for each of the plurality of compression groups, the plurality of data slice indices pointing to locations within the plurality of compression groups where the plurality of deduplicated data slices reside.\",\n \"9. The method of claim 1 further comprising:\\nperforming the data deduplication operation and the data compression operation in an in-line fashion as the data stream including the plurality of data slices is being obtained.\",\n \"10. The method of claim 9 wherein the performing of the data deduplication operation and the data compression operation in the in-line fashion comprises:\\nperforming, in the in-line fashion:\\n(i) on a slice-by-slice basis, the data deduplication operation on the plurality of data slices to obtain a plurality of deduplicated data slices;\\n(ii) a staging operation to stage a fixed or variable number of the plurality of deduplicated data slices in a memory buffer to form each of the plurality of compression groups; and\\n(iii) the data compression operation on each of the plurality of compression groups as a whole in the memory buffer to obtain the plurality of compressed groups of deduplicated data slices.\",\n \"11. A data storage system comprising:\\na data storage resource;\\na memory; and\\na processor configured to execute instructions out of the memory:\\nto obtain a data stream including a plurality of data slices;\\nto perform, on a slice-by-slice basis, a data deduplication operation on the plurality of data slices to obtain a plurality of deduplicated data slices;\\nto group the plurality of deduplicated data slices to form a plurality of compression groups, each of the plurality of compression groups corresponding to an uncompressed group of deduplicated data slices;\\nto perform a data compression operation on each of the plurality of compression groups as a whole to obtain a plurality of compressed groups of deduplicated data slices;\\nto store the plurality of compressed groups of deduplicated data slices on the data storage resource;\\nto perform at least the data deduplication operation in an in-line fashion as the data stream including the plurality of data slices is being obtained; and\\nhaving performed at least the data deduplication operation in the in-line fashion, to perform a background process comprising:\\nobtaining the deduplicated data slices;\\nperforming, on a slice-by-slice basis, a second data deduplication operation on the plurality of deduplicated data slices to obtain a second plurality of deduplicated data slices;\\ngrouping the second plurality of deduplicated data slices to form a plurality of second compression groups, each of the plurality of second compression groups corresponding to an uncompressed group of deduplicated data slices;\\nperforming a second data compression operation on each of the plurality of second compression groups as a whole to obtain a plurality of second compressed groups of deduplicated data slices; and\\nstoring the plurality of second compressed groups of deduplicated data slices on the data storage resource.\",\n \"12. The data storage system of claim 11 wherein the processor is further configured to execute the instructions out of the memory to slice the data stream into the plurality of data slices, wherein the plurality of data slices include a plurality of fixed-length data slices.\",\n \"13. The data storage system of claim 12 wherein the processor is further configured to execute the instructions out of the memory to perform the data deduplication operation on the plurality of fixed-length data slices to obtain a plurality of fixed-length deduplicated data slices.\",\n \"14. The data storage system of claim 13 wherein the processor is further configured to execute the instructions out of the memory to group the plurality of fixed-length deduplicated data slices to form a plurality of fixed-length compression groups.\",\n \"15. The data storage system of claim 11 wherein the processor is further configured to execute the instructions out of the memory to slice the data stream into the plurality of data slices, wherein the plurality of data slices include a plurality of variable-length data slices.\",\n \"16. The data storage system of claim 15 wherein the processor is further configured to execute the instructions out of the memory to perform the data deduplication operation on the plurality of variable-length data slices to obtain a plurality of variable-length deduplicated data slices, and to group the plurality of variable-length deduplicated data slices to form a plurality of variable-length compression groups.\",\n \"17. The data storage system of claim 11 wherein the processor is further configured to execute the instructions out of the memory to generate a metadata map that represents relationships between (i) a plurality of data slice indices for the plurality of deduplicated data slices, respectively, and (ii) a compression group identifier for each of the plurality of compression groups, wherein the plurality of data slice indices point to locations within the plurality of compression groups where the plurality of deduplicated data slices reside.\",\n \"18. A computer program product having a non-transitory computer readable medium that stores a set of instructions to perform data deduplication and compression in a data storage system that includes a data storage resource, the set of instructions, when carried out by computerized circuitry, causing the computerized circuitry to perform a method of:\\nobtaining a data stream including a plurality of data slices;\\nperforming, on a slice-by-slice basis, a data deduplication operation on the plurality of data slices to obtain a plurality of deduplicated data slices;\\ngrouping the plurality of deduplicated data slices to form a plurality of compression groups, each of the plurality of compression groups corresponding to an uncompressed group of deduplicated data slices;\\nperforming a data compression operation on each of the plurality of compression groups as a whole to obtain a plurality of compressed groups of deduplicated data slices;\\nstoring the plurality of compressed groups of deduplicated data slices on the data storage resource\\nperforming at least the data deduplication operation in an in-line fashion as the data stream including the plurality of data slices is being obtained; and\\nhaving performed at least the data deduplication operation in the in-line fashion, performing a background process comprising:\\nobtaining the deduplicated data slices;\\nperforming, on a slice-by-slice basis, a second data deduplication operation on the plurality of deduplicated data slices to obtain a second plurality of deduplicated data slices;\\ngrouping the second plurality of deduplicated data slices to form a plurality of second compression groups, each of the plurality of second compression groups corresponding to an uncompressed group of deduplicated data slices;\\nperforming a second data compression operation on each of the plurality of second compression groups as a whole to obtain a plurality of second compressed groups of deduplicated data slices; and\\nstoring the plurality of second compressed groups of deduplicated data slices on the data storage resource.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A computer-implemented method for storing a data block in a storage system, the method comprising:\\nin response to a request from a client to store a data block in a storage system, segmenting the data block into a plurality of subblocks;\\nindividually compressing each of the plurality of subblocks into a compressed subblock;\\npacking the compressed subblocks into a compressed data block;\\nstoring the compressed data block having the individually compressed subblocks therein in a persistent storage device; and\\nstoring metadata of the compressed data block in an index entry in an index of the storage system, including storing subblock locators indicating locations of the compressed subblocks, wherein each of the subblocks can be individually accessed based on a corresponding subblock locator without having to access remaining subblocks.\",\n \"2. The method of claim 1, wherein a subblock locator of a subblock includes a start offset of the subblock within the compressed data block.\",\n \"3. The method of claim 2, wherein the subblock locator further includes a size of the subblock.\",\n \"4. The method of claim 1, wherein the index entry further includes a block start location indicating a storage location of the compressed data block.\",\n \"5. The method of claim 1, wherein the index entry further includes an alignment boundary value indicating a storage alignment of a storage device in which the corresponding subblocks are stored.\",\n \"6. The method of claim 1, wherein the index entry includes a device identifier identifying one of a plurality of storage devices in which the compressed data block is stored.\",\n \"7. The method of claim 1, further comprising, for each of the subblocks, determining whether a size of the subblock is reduced due to data compression, wherein a subblock is compressed only if the size of the subblock is reduced after data compression.\",\n \"8. A non-transitory machine-readable medium having instructions stored therein, which when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations of storing a data block in a storage system, the operations comprising:\\nin response to a request from a client to store a data block in a storage system, segmenting the data block into a plurality of subblocks;\\nindividually compressing each of the plurality of subblocks into a compressed subblock;\\npacking the compressed subblocks into a compressed data block;\\nstoring the compressed data block having the individually compressed subblocks therein in a persistent storage device; and\\nstoring metadata of the compressed data block in an index entry in an index of the storage system, including storing subblock locators indicating locations of the compressed subblocks, wherein each of the subblocks can be individually accessed based on a corresponding subblock locator without having to access remaining subblocks.\",\n \"9. The machine-readable medium of claim 8, wherein a subblock locator of a subblock includes a start offset of the subblock within the compressed data block.\",\n \"10. The machine-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the subblock locator further includes a size of the subblock.\",\n \"11. The machine-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the index entry further includes a block start location indicating a storage location of the compressed data block.\",\n \"12. The machine-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the index entry further includes an alignment boundary value indicating a storage alignment of a storage device in which the corresponding subblocks are stored.\",\n \"13. The machine-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the index entry includes a device identifier identifying one of a plurality of storage devices in which the compressed data block is stored.\",\n \"14. The machine-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the operations further comprise, for each of the subblocks, determining whether a size of the subblock is reduced due to data compression, wherein a subblock is compressed only if the size of the subblock is reduced after data compression.\",\n \"15. A storage system, comprising:\\na processor; and\\na memory coupled to the processor to store instructions, which when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations of storing data, the operations including\\nin response to a request from a client to store a data block in the storage system, segmenting the data block into a plurality of subblocks,\\nindividually compressing each of the plurality of subblocks into a compressed subblock,\\npacking the compressed subblocks into a compressed data block,\\nstoring the compressed data block having the individually compressed subblocks therein in a persistent storage device, and\\nstoring metadata of the compressed data block in an index entry in an index of the storage system, including storing subblock locators indicating locations of the compressed subblocks, wherein each of the subblocks can be individually accessed based on a corresponding subblock locator without having to access remaining subblocks.\",\n \"16. The system of claim 15, wherein a subblock locator of a subblock includes a start offset of the subblock within the compressed data block.\",\n \"17. The system of claim 16, wherein the subblock locator further includes a size of the subblock.\",\n \"18. The system of claim 15, wherein the index entry further includes a block start location indicating a storage location of the compressed data block.\",\n \"19. The system of claim 15, wherein the index entry further includes an alignment boundary value indicating a storage alignment of a storage device in which the corresponding subblocks are stored.\",\n \"20. The system of claim 15, wherein the index entry includes a device identifier identifying one of a plurality of storage devices in which the compressed data block is stored.\",\n \"21. The system of claim 15, wherein the operations further comprise, for each of the subblocks, determining whether a size of the subblock is reduced due to data compression, wherein a subblock is compressed only if the size of the subblock is reduced after data compression.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A computing system comprising:\\na data storage medium;\\na data storage controller coupled to the data storage medium, the controller configured to:\\nidentify a query value corresponding to a read request;\\nselect, in dependence upon the query value, from a plurality of levels within a mapping table, the youngest level associated with the query value; and\\nsearch the selected youngest level for an entry that maps the query value to a value corresponding to a location within the data storage medium.\",\n \"2. The system as recited in claim 1, further comprising\\na plurality of processes;\\nwherein each mapping table entry comprising a tuple including a tuple key value that may be used to identify data stored within the system;\\nand wherein only a first process of the processes is permitted to modify data corresponding to a first subset of the tuple key values, and only a second process of the processes is permitted to modify data corresponding to a second subset of the key values, wherein the second subset does not overlap the first subset;\\nwherein levels which are older than a given time may be accessed by multiple processes of the processes without requiring synchronization between the multiple processes.\",\n \"3. The system as recited in claim 2, wherein the mapping table includes a third subset of the tuple key values different from the first subset and the second subset, wherein a process is not assigned to manage modifications of the third subset of the tuple key values until an update to data corresponding to the third subset is performed.\",\n \"4. The system as recited in claim 3, wherein prior to a process being assigned to manage modifications of data corresponding to the third subset, any process of the processes may service a read access to the data corresponding to the third subset.\",\n \"5. The system as recited in claim 2, wherein two or more processes of the plurality of processes may service queries for a given key to multiple levels of the plurality of levels simultaneously.\",\n \"6. The system as recited in claim 5, wherein a result corresponding to a most recent level of the plurality of levels provided by the two or more processes is selected as the final result.\",\n \"7. The system as recited in claim 5, wherein the given key corresponds to a subset managed by a particular process and levels in memory are queried by the particular process, and wherein levels which may be cached by other processes may be queried by those other processes.\",\n \"8. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein levels of the plurality of levels other than the newest level are read only.\",\n \"9. A method for use in a storage system, the method comprising:\\nidentifying a query value corresponding to a read request;\\nselecting, in dependence upon the query value, from a plurality of levels within a mapping table, the youngest level associated with the query value; and\\nsearching the selected youngest level for an entry that maps the query value to a value corresponding to a location within the data storage medium.\",\n \"10. The method as recited in claim 9, further comprising executing a plurality of processes in the system;\\nwherein each mapping table entry comprising a tuple including a tuple key value that may be used to identify data stored within the system;\\nand wherein only a first process of the processes is permitted to modify data corresponding to a first subset of the tuple key values, and only a second process of the processes is permitted to modify data corresponding to a second subset of the key values, wherein the second subset does not overlap the first subset;\\nthe method further comprising permitting multiple processes of the processes to access levels which are older than a given time without requiring synchronization between the multiple processes.\",\n \"11. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein the mapping table includes a third subset of the tuple key values different from the first subset and the second subset, and wherein a process is not assigned to manage modifications of the third subset of the tuple key values until an update to data corresponding to the third subset is performed.\",\n \"12. The method as recited in claim 11, further comprising permitting any process of the processes to service a read access to the data corresponding to the third subset prior to a process being assigned to manage modifications of data corresponding to the third subset.\",\n \"13. The method as recited in claim 10, further comprising permitting two or more processes of the plurality of processes to service queries for a given key to multiple levels of the plurality of levels simultaneously.\",\n \"14. The method as recited in claim 13, further comprising selecting as a final result of two or more processes servicing queries for the given key, a result corresponding to a most recent level of the plurality of levels provided by the two or more processes.\",\n \"15. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein the given key corresponds to a subset managed by a particular process and levels in memory are queried by the particular process, and wherein levels which may be cached by other processes may be queried by those other processes.\",\n \"16. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein levels of the plurality of levels other than the newest level are read only.\",\n \"17. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing program instruction executable by a processor to:\\nidentify a query value corresponding to a read request;\\nselect, in dependence upon the query value, from a plurality of levels within a mapping table, the youngest level associated with the query value; and\\nsearch the selected youngest level for an entry that maps the query value to a value corresponding to a location within the data storage medium.\",\n \"18. The storage medium as recited in claim 17, further comprising executing a plurality of processes in the system;\\nwherein each mapping table entry comprises a tuple including a tuple key value that may be used to identify data stored within the system;\\nand wherein only a first process of the processes is permitted to modify data corresponding to a first subset of the tuple key values, and only a second process of the processes is permitted to modify data corresponding to a second subset of the key values, wherein the second subset does not overlap the first subset;\\nwherein the program instructions are further executable to cause multiple processes of the processes to access levels of the time ordered levels which are older than a given time without requiring synchronization between the multiple processes.\",\n \"19. The storage medium as recited in claim 18, wherein the mapping table includes a third subset of the tuple key values different from the first subset and the second subset, and wherein the program instructions are executable to not assign a process to manage modifications of the third subset of the tuple key values until an update to data corresponding to the third subset is performed.\",\n \"20. The storage medium as recited in claim 19, wherein the program instructions are further executable to allow any process of the processes to service a read access to the data corresponding to the third subset prior to a process being assigned to manage modifications of data corresponding to the third subset.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A computing storage system comprising:\\na data storage mediumone or more storage devices;\\na data storage controllerthe storage system configured to:\\ndetermine that a current segment within the data storage medium one or more storage devices is in use by identifying a valid mapping of a location in the current segment to one or more virtual addresses, including:\\ncreating a sorted list of potentially valid entries from a first table comprising entries mapping an address of a location in the one or more storage devices to one or more virtual addresses; and\\ncreating a list of valid entries using the sorted list of potentially valid entries and a second table comprising entries mapping a virtual address to a location in the one or more storage devices;\\ncopy data from the location in the current segment to a new storage location in the data storage medium one or more storage devices; and\\nreclaim the location in the current segment.\",\n \"2. The storage system as recited in claim 1, wherein the data storage controller is further configured to identifying the valid mapping of a location in the current segment to one or more virtual addresses further comprises:\\nidentifying one or more entries in a the first table comprising a plurality of entries, wherein each of the one or more entries of the first table comprises a reverse mapping of an address of a location in the data storage medium to one or more virtual addresses; determine that the first table includes a valid mapping for a virtual address; and\\ndeterminedetermining the mapping is valid responsive to determining the first table includes at least one valid mapping for a virtual address.\",\n \"3. The storage system as recited in claim 1, wherein the data storage controller storage system is further configured to maintain a the second table comprising a plurality of entries, wherein each of the plurality of entries of the second table maps a virtual address to a location in the data storage medium using multi-level shared tables.\",\n \"4. The storage system as recited in claim 1, wherein prior to copying the data from the location to the new location, the method further comprises deduplicating the data is deduplicated.\",\n \"5. The storage system as recited in claim 4, wherein the data storage controller storage system is configured to copy the data from the location to the new location in further response to determining the data has not yet been copied to the new location.\",\n \"6. The storage system as recited in claim 1, wherein the first table is organized as a plurality of time ordered levels, each level comprising a plurality of entries.\",\n \"7. A method for use in a computing storage system that includes one or more storage devices, the method comprising:\\ndetermining that a current segment within a data storage medium the one or more storage devices is in use by identifying a valid mapping of a location in the current segment to one or more virtual addresses, including:\\ncreating a sorted list of potentially valid entries from a first table comprising entries mapping an address of a location in the one or more storage devices to one or more virtual addresses; and\\ncreating a list of valid entries using the sorted list of potentially valid entries and a second table comprising entries mapping a virtual address to a location in the one or more storage devices;\\ncopying data from the location in the current segment to a new storage location in the data storage medium one or more storage devices; and\\nreclaiming the location in the current segment.\",\n \"8. The method as recited in claim 7, further comprising wherein identifying the valid mapping of a location in the current segment to one or more virtual addresses further comprises:\\nidentifying one or more entries in a the first table comprising a plurality of entries, wherein each of the one or more entries of the first table comprises a reverse mapping of an address of a location in the data storage medium to one or more virtual addresses;\\ndetermining that the first table includes a valid mapping for a virtual address; and\\ndetermining the mapping is valid responsive to determining the first table includes at least one valid mapping for a virtual address.\",\n \"9. The method as recited in claim 8, further comprising maintaining a the second table comprising a plurality of entries, wherein each of the plurality of entries of the second table maps a virtual address to a location in the data storage medium using multi-level shared tables.\",\n \"10. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein the first table is organized as a plurality of time ordered levels, each level comprising a plurality of entries.\",\n \"11. The method as recited in claim 7, wherein prior to copying the data from the location to the new location, the method further comprises deduplicating the data.\",\n \"12. The method as recited in claim 11, further comprising copying the data from the location to the new location in further response to determining the data has not yet been copied to the new location.\",\n \"13. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising with program instructions stored thereon, wherein said program instructions are executable to:\\ndetermine that a current segment within a data storage medium one or more storage devices is in use by identifying a valid mapping of a location in the current segment to one or more virtual addresses, including:\\ncreating a sorted list of potentially valid entries from a first table comprising entries mapping an address of a location in the one or more storage devices to one or more virtual addresses; and\\ncreating a list of valid entries using the sorted list of potentially valid entries and a second table comprising entries mapping a virtual address to a location in the one or more storage devices;\\ncopy data from the location in the current segment to a new storage location in the data storage medium one or more storage devices; and\\nreclaim the location in the current segment.\",\n \"14. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 13, wherein said program instructions are further executable to identifying the valid mapping of a location in the current segment to one or more virtual addresses further comprises:\\nidentifying one or more entries in a the first table comprising a plurality of entries, wherein each of the one or more entries of the first table comprises a reverse mapping of an address of a location in the data storage medium to one or more virtual addresses; determine that the first table includes a valid mapping for a virtual address; and\\ndeterminedetermining the mapping is valid responsive to determining the first table includes at least one valid mapping for a virtual address.\",\n \"15. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 14, wherein said program instructions are further executable to maintain a the second table comprising a plurality of entries, wherein each of the plurality of entries of the second table maps a virtual address to a location in the data storage medium using multi-level shared tables.\",\n \"16. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 14 13, wherein said program instructions are further executable to organize the first table as a plurality of time ordered levels, each level comprising a plurality of entries.\",\n \"17. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 13, wherein prior to copying the data from the location to the new location, the program instructions are further executable to deduplicate the data.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A computer system comprising:\\na data storage medium;\\na mapping table organized as a plurality of levels, each level of the plurality of levels comprising one or more mapping table entries, where each of the plurality of entries comprises a tuple including a key; and\\na data storage controller coupled to the data storage medium;\\nwherein in response to detecting a flattening condition, the data storage controller is configured to:\\nidentify a group of two or more levels of the plurality of levels which are logically adjacent in time;\\ncreate a new level in the plurality of levels; and\\ninsert one or more first records stored within the group into the new level;\\nwherein at least one record corresponding to a range of key values in the group is replaced in the new level by a plurality of records corresponding to subranges of the at least one record.\",\n \"2. The computer system as recited in claim 1, wherein the plurality of levels of the mapping table are organized as time ordered levels.\",\n \"3. The computer system as recited in claim 1, wherein the data storage controller is further configured to sort records within the new level.\",\n \"4. The computer system as recited in claim 1, wherein the mapping table entries within a level of the plurality of levels are sorted by key.\",\n \"5. The computer system as recited in claim 1, wherein the data storage controller is configured to perform flattening operations on the mapping table asynchronously with respect to updates to the mapping table.\",\n \"6. The computer system as recited in claim 1, wherein in response to detecting the flattening condition, the data storage controller is further configured to insert one or more second records stored within the group into the new level, in response to detecting each of the one or more second records:\\ncorresponds to two or more records storing a same non-unique key within the group; and\\nis in a youngest level containing a record with the non-unique key of the group.\",\n \"7. The computer system as recited in claim 6, wherein a single record within the mapping table corresponds to a range of key values.\",\n \"8. The computer system as recited in claim 6, further comprising an overlay table, wherein at least some of the first and second records inserted into the new level are modified or elided based on entries in the overlay table.\",\n \"9. The computer system as recited in claim 1, wherein the data storage controller is further configured to create a new level from fewer than all of the records in the group of two or more adjacent levels.\",\n \"10. The computer system as recited in claim 1, wherein the flattening condition is based on at least one of a current or predicted value of: a number of levels in the mapping table, a number of entries in one or more levels of the plurality of levels, a number of mapping entries that would be elided or modified as part of a flattening operation, and a load on the system.\",\n \"11. The computer system as recited in claim 1, wherein the data storage controller is further configured to utilize a filtering condition to determine which of the first records are inserted into the new level.\",\n \"12. The computer system as recited in claim 11, further comprising an overlay table, and wherein the filtering condition comprises a validity of a given record as determined by the overlay table.\",\n \"13. The computer system as recited in claim 11, wherein the filtering condition is based at least in part on a current or predicted number of entries in the new level.\",\n \"14. A method for use in a storage system, the method comprising:\\nstoring a mapping table organized as a plurality of levels, each level of the plurality of levels comprising one or more mapping table entries, where each of the plurality of entries comprises a tuple including a key; and\\nresponsive to detecting a flattening condition:\\nidentifying a group of two or more levels of the plurality of levels which are logically adjacent in time;\\ncreating a new level in the plurality of levels; and\\ninserting one or more first records stored within the group into the new level, in response to detecting each of the one or more first records stores a unique key among keys stored within the group;\\nwherein at least one record corresponding to a range of key values in the group is replaced in the new level by a plurality of records corresponding to subranges of the at least one record.\",\n \"15. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein only a youngest level of the plurality of levels may be updated with new mapping table entries.\",\n \"16. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein the data storage controller is further configured to sort records within the new level.\",\n \"17. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein the mapping table entries within a level of the plurality of levels are sorted by key.\",\n \"18. The method as recited in claim 14, further comprising performing flattening operations on the mapping table asynchronously with respect to updates to the mapping table.\",\n \"19. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein in response to detecting the flattening condition, the method further comprises inserting one or more second records stored within the group into the new level, in response to detecting each of the one or more second records:\\ncorresponds to two or more records storing a same non-unique key within the group; and\\nis in a youngest level containing a record with the non-unique key of the group.\",\n \"20. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing program instruction executable by a processor to:\\nstore a mapping table organized as a plurality of levels, each level of the plurality of levels comprising one or more mapping table entries, where each of the plurality of entries comprises a tuple including a key; and\\nresponsive to detecting a flattening condition:\\nidentify a group of two or more levels of the plurality of levels which are logically adjacent in time;\\ncreate a new level in the plurality of levels; and\\ninsert one or more first records stored within the group into the new level, in response to detecting each of the one or more first records stores a unique key among keys stored within the group;\\nwherein at least one record corresponding to a range of key values in the group is replaced in the new level by a plurality of records corresponding to subranges of the at least one record.\",\n \"21. A computer system comprising:\\na data storage medium;\\na deduplication table;\\na cached portion of entries in the deduplication table stored in a cache, wherein a number of entries in the cached portion is less than all the entries in the deduplication table; and\\na data storage controller coupled to the data storage medium, wherein the data storage controller comprises a controller storage medium comprising computer program instructions, that, when executed, cause the data storage controller to carry out the steps of:\\ngenerate a hash corresponding to a write request;\\nbefore a subsequent search of all the entries in the deduplication table, search, in the cache, only the cached portion of the entries in the deduplication table to determine whether the hash matches an entry in the cached portion of the entries in the deduplication table;\\nin response to determining that the hash does not match an entry in the cached portion, write the data associated with the write request and store a new deduplication table entry for the data in the cache;\\nperform the subsequent search of all the entries in the deduplication table including the entries in the cached portion; and\\nbased on the subsequent search and in response to determining that the hash matches one of the entries in the deduplication table, perform a deduplication operation to eliminate one or more detected copies.\",\n \"22. The computer system as recited in claim 21, wherein the subsequent search of all of the entries in the deduplication table is performed during a post-processing deduplication operation.\",\n \"23. The computer system as recited in claim 22, wherein the post-processing deduplication operation is a garbage collection operation.\",\n \"24. The computer system as recited in claim 21, wherein the data storage controller is further configured to:\\nbased on the subsequent search and in response to determining that the hash does not match any of the entries in the deduplication table, perform the write operation that stores the new deduplication table entry into the deduplication table.\",\n \"25. The computer system as recited in claim 24 wherein performing the write operation that stores the new deduplication table entry in the deduplication table is combined with other write operations.\",\n \"26. The computer system as recited in claim 21, wherein the new deduplication table entry is a hash-to-physical pointer mapping.\",\n \"27. A method for use in a storage system, the method comprising:\\ngenerating a hash corresponding to a write request;\\nbefore a subsequent search of all the entries in the deduplication table, search, in the cache, only a cached portion of the entries in a deduplication table to determine whether the hash matches an entry in the cached portion, wherein the number of entries in the cached portion is less than all the entries in the deduplication table, and wherein the cached portion is stored in the cache;\\nin response to determining that the hash does not match an entry in the cached portion, writing the data associated with the write request and storing a new deduplication table entry for the data in the cache;\\nperforming the subsequent search of all the entries in the deduplication table including the entries in the cached portion; and\\nbased on the subsequent search and in response to determining that the hash matches one of the entries in the deduplication table, performing a deduplication operation to eliminate one or more detected copies.\",\n \"28. The method as recited in claim 27, wherein the subsequent search of all of the entries in the deduplication table is performed during a post-processing deduplication operation.\",\n \"29. The method as recited in claim 28, wherein the post-processing deduplication operation is a garbage collection operation.\",\n \"30. The method as recited in claim 27, further comprising:\\nbased on the subsequent search and in response to determining that the hash does not match any of the entries in the deduplication table, perform the write operation that stores the new deduplication table entry into the deduplication table.\",\n \"31. The method as recited in claim 30, wherein performing the write operation that stores the new deduplication table entry in the deduplication table is combined with other write operations.\",\n \"32. The method as recited in claim 27, wherein the new deduplication table entry is a hash-to-physical pointer mapping.\",\n \"33. A computer program product disposed upon a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, the computer program product comprising computer program instructions, that, when executed, cause a computer to carry out the steps of:\\ngenerate a hash corresponding to a write request;\\nbefore a subsequent search of all the entries in the deduplication table, search, in the cache, only a cached portion of the entries in a deduplication table to determine whether the hash matches an entry in the cached portion, wherein the number of entries in the cached portion is less than all the entries in the deduplication table, and wherein the cached portion is stored in the cache;\\nin response to determining that the hash does not match an entry in the cached portion, write the data associated with the write request and storing a new deduplication table entry for the data in the cache; and\\nperform the subsequent search of all the entries in the deduplication table including the entries in the cached portion; and\\nbased on the subsequent search and in response to determining that the hash matches one of the entries in the deduplication table, perform a deduplication operation to eliminate one or more detected copies.\",\n \"34. The computer program product of claim 33, wherein the subsequent search of all of the entries in the deduplication table is performed during a post-processing deduplication operation.\",\n \"35. The computer program product of claim 34, wherein the post-processing deduplication operation is a garbage collection operation.\",\n \"36. The of computer program product claim 33, wherein the program instructions are further executable by the processor to:\\nbased on the subsequent search and in response to determining that the hash does not match any of the entries in the deduplication table, perform the write operation that stores the new deduplication table entry into the deduplication table.\",\n \"37. The computer program product of claim 36, wherein performing the write operation that stores the new deduplication table entry in the deduplication table is combined with other write operations.\",\n \"38. The computer program product of claim 33, wherein the new deduplication table entry is a hash-to-physical pointer mapping.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A storage system comprising:\\na storage device;\\na plurality of fingerprint tables comprising one or more entries corresponding to data stored in the storage device, the one or more entries having a corresponding probability of the data being deduplicated and wherein the one or more entries are added to a particular fingerprint table of the plurality of fingerprint tables that stores entries having a range of probabilities that the corresponding probability falls within; and\\na storage controller communicatively coupled to the storage device, the storage controller configured to:\\ndetermine that an event has occurred; and\\nmodify one of the plurality of fingerprint tables.\",\n \"2. The storage system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of fingerprint\\ntables comprises:\\na first table comprising a first set of entries corresponding to data stored in the storage device which have likelihoods of deduplication that is greater than or equal to a threshold probability; and\\na second table comprising a second set of entries corresponding to data stored in the storage device which have likelihoods of deduplication that is less than the threshold probability.\",\n \"3. The storage system of claim 1, wherein the storage controller is further\\nconfigured to:\\nmaintain attributes corresponding to usage of data objects storage in the storage device; and\\nread the attributes corresponding to the objects, responsive to detecting the event.\",\n \"4. The storage system as recited in claim 3, wherein the attributes comprise one or more of: access, data age, device performance, device heath, error correction use data, deduplication rate, read shift voltage, frequency of update, and an error rate.\",\n \"5. The storage system of claim 1, wherein the event comprises one of: a garbage collection operation, a health binning operation, a block calibration operation, a device access operation and a wear levelling operation.\",\n \"6. The storage system of claim 1, wherein the storage controller is further configured to:\\nperform a data access to a fingerprint data of one of the plurality of fingerprint tables as part of a deduplication operation.\",\n \"7. The storage system of claim 1, wherein the data includes patterns.\",\n \"8. The storage system of claim 1, wherein the storage system is a flash system.\",\n \"9. The storage system of claim 1, wherein the one or more entries comprise hashes.\",\n \"10. A method comprising:\\ndetermining that an event has occurred; and\\nmodifying one of a plurality of fingerprint tables comprising one or more entries corresponding to data stored in a storage device, the one or more entries having a corresponding probability of the data being deduplicated and wherein the one or more entries are added to a particular fingerprint table of the plurality of fingerprint tables that stories entries having a range of probabilities that the corresponding probability falls within.\",\n \"11. The method of claim 10, wherein the plurality of fingerprint tables\\ncomprises:\\na first table comprising a first set of entries corresponding to data stored in the storage device which have likelihoods of deduplication that is greater than or equal to a threshold probability; and\\na second table comprising a second set of entries corresponding to data stored in the storage device which have likelihoods of deduplication that is less than the threshold probability.\",\n \"12. The method of claim 10, further comprising:\\nmaintaining attributes corresponding to usage of data objects storage in the storage device; and\\nreading the attributes corresponding to the objects, responsive to detecting the event.\",\n \"13. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein the attributes comprise one or more of: access, data age, device performance, device heath, error correction use data, deduplication rate, read shift voltage, frequency of update, and an error rate.\",\n \"14. The method of claim 10, wherein the event comprises one of: a garbage collection operation, a health binning operation, a block calibration operation, a device access operation and a wear levelling operation.\",\n \"15. The method of claim 10, further comprising:\\nperforming a data access to a fingerprint data of one of the plurality of fingerprint tables as part of a deduplication operation.\",\n \"16. The method of claim 10, wherein the data includes patterns.\",\n \"17. The method of claim 10, wherein the storage device is a flash storage device.\",\n \"18. The method of claim 10, wherein the one or more entries comprise hashes.\",\n \"19. A non-transitory, computer-readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a processing device of a storage system, cause the processing device to:\\ndetermine that an event has occurred; and\\nmodify one of a plurality of fingerprint tables comprising one or more entries corresponding to data stored in a storage device, the one or more entries having a corresponding probability of the data being deduplicated and wherein the one or more entries are added to a particular fingerprint table of the plurality of fingerprint tables that stories entries having a range of probabilities that the corresponding probability falls within.\",\n \"20. The non-transitory, computer readable storage medium of claim 19, wherein the plurality of fingerprint tables comprises:\\na first table comprising a first set of entries corresponding to data stored in the storage device which have likelihoods of deduplication that is greater than or equal to a threshold probability; and\\na second table comprising a second set of entries corresponding to data stored in the storage device which have likelihoods of deduplication that is less than the threshold probability.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A computer implemented method comprising:\\nreceiving a first dataset;\\nassigning the first dataset to a logical address in a mapping table on a first node of a first set of non-volatile memory;\\ndetermining by a processor that the first dataset is already present in data written to the first set of non-volatile memory and, in response, identifying that the already present data is written to a first physical data block on a second node of the first set of non-volatile memory; and\\nproviding a linking mechanism to associate the received first dataset with the already present data written to the first set of non-volatile memory, wherein the linking mechanism maps the first dataset's assigned logical address to a first virtual data block in a mapping table on a third node, and wherein the linking mechanism, in response to the already present data not being on the same node as the mapping table on the third node: (i) sends the already present data to the third node to be stored on a second physical data block on the third node, and (ii) maps the first virtual data block in the mapping table on the third node to the second physical data block on the third node.\",\n \"2. The computer implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:\\nreceiving a second dataset;\\nassigning the second dataset to a logical address in the mapping table on the first node of the first set of non-volatile memory;\\ndetermining by a processor that the second dataset is not already present in data written to the first set of non-volatile memory; and\\nin response to determining that the second dataset is not already present in the data written to the first set of non-volatile memory, writing the second dataset to the first set of non-volatile memory.\",\n \"3. The computer implemented method of claim 2, further comprising:\\nin response to determining that the second dataset is not already present in the data written to the first set of non-volatile memory, mapping the second dataset's assigned logical address to a third physical data block on the first set of non-volatile memory and correspondingly writing the second dataset to the third physical data block.\",\n \"4. The computer implemented method of claim 3, further comprising:\\nreading the data written to the third physical data block by performing a read operation on the second dataset's assigned logical address.\",\n \"5. The computer implemented method of claim 3, wherein:\\nthe first set of non-volatile memory includes a plurality of flash nodes;\\nthe first node, the second node, and the third node are flash nodes; and\\nthe third physical data block is located on the first node.\",\n \"6. The computer implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:\\nreading the already present data written to the first set of non-volatile memory by performing a read operation on the first dataset's assigned logical address.\",\n \"7. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein:\\nthe first set of non-volatile memory includes a plurality of flash nodes; and\\nthe first node, the second node, and the third node are flash nodes.\",\n \"8. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein:\\nat least the receiving operation is performed by a RAID controller.\",\n \"9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\\nin response to receiving an identification of a third physical data block on the third node, wherein the third physical data block is a new location for the already present data due to garbage collection operations performed on the third node, remapping the first virtual data block in the mapping table on the third node to map to the third physical data block on the third node.\",\n \"10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\\nembedding a back-pointer in the already present data, wherein the back-pointer maps to the first virtual data block.\",\n \"11. The method of claim 10, wherein the back-pointer is utilized in the identification of the third physical data block on the third node after garbage collection operations are performed.\",\n \"12. The method of claim 10, further comprising:\\nin the event of a failure, utilizing the back-pointer to reconstruct the mapping table on the third node.\",\n \"13. A computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith, wherein the computer readable storage medium is not a transitory signal per se, the program instructions readable and/or executable by a processor(s) set to cause the processor(s) set to perform a method comprising:\\nreceiving a first dataset;\\nassigning the first dataset to a logical address in a mapping table on a first node of a first set of non-volatile memory;\\ndetermining, by the processor(s), that the first dataset is already present in data written to the first set of non-volatile memory and, in response, identifying that the already present data is written to a first physical data block on a second node of the first set of non-volatile memory; and\\nproviding a linking mechanism to associate the received first dataset with the already present data written to the first set of non-volatile memory, wherein the linking mechanism maps the first dataset's assigned logical address to a first virtual data block in a mapping table on a third node, and wherein the linking mechanism, in response to the already present data not being on the same node as the mapping table on the third node: (i) sends the already present data to the third node to be stored on a second physical data block on the third node, and (ii) maps the first virtual data block in the mapping table on the third node to the second physical data block on the third node.\",\n \"14. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the method further comprises:\\nreceiving a second dataset;\\nassigning the second dataset to a logical address in the mapping table on the first node of the first set of non-volatile memory;\\ndetermining, by the processor(s), that the second dataset is not already present in data written to the first set of non-volatile memory; and\\nin response to determining that the second dataset is not already present in the data written to the first set of non-volatile memory, writing the second dataset to the first set of non-volatile memory.\",\n \"15. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein the method further comprises:\\nin response to determining that the second dataset is not already present in the data written to the first set of non-volatile memory, mapping the second dataset's assigned logical address to a third physical data block on the first set of non-volatile memory and correspondingly writing the second dataset to the third physical data block.\",\n \"16. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the method further comprises:\\nin response to receiving an identification of a third physical data block on the third node, wherein the third physical data block is a new location for the already present data due to garbage collection operations performed on the third node, remapping the first virtual data block in the mapping table on the third node to map to the third physical data block on the third node.\",\n \"17. A computer system comprising:\\na processor; and\\na computer readable storage medium;\\nwherein the processor is configured to execute program instructions stored on the computer readable storage medium, the computer readable storage medium comprising:\\nprogram instructions executable by the processor to receive a first dataset;\\nprogram instructions executable by the processor to assign the first dataset to a logical address in a mapping table on a first node of a first set of non-volatile memory;\\nprogram instructions executable by the processor to determine that the first dataset is already present in data written to the first set of non-volatile memory and, in response, identifying that the already present data is written to a first physical data block on a second node of the first set of non-volatile memory; and\\nprogram instructions executable by the processor to, provide a linking mechanism to associate the received first dataset with the already present data written to the first set of non-volatile memory, wherein the linking mechanism maps the first dataset's assigned logical address to a first virtual data block in a mapping table on a third node, and wherein the linking mechanism, in response to the already present data not being on the same node as the mapping table on the third node: (i) sends the already present data to the third node to be stored on a second physical data block on the third node, and (ii) maps the first virtual data block in the mapping table on the third node to the second physical data block on the third node.\",\n \"18. The computer system of claim 17, further comprising:\\nprogram instructions executable by the processor to receive a second dataset;\\nprogram instructions executable by the processor to assign the second dataset to a logical address in the mapping table on the first node of the first set of non-volatile memory;\\nprogram instructions executable by the processor to determine that the second dataset is not already present in data written to the first set of non-volatile memory; and\\nprogram instructions executable by the processor to, in response to determining that the second dataset is not already present in the data written to the first set of non-volatile memory, write the second dataset to the first set of non-volatile memory.\",\n \"19. The computer system of claim 18, further comprising:\\nprogram instructions executable by the processor to, in response to determining that the second dataset is not already present in the data written to the first set of non-volatile memory, map the second dataset's assigned logical address to a third physical data block on the first set of non-volatile memory and correspondingly write the second dataset to the third physical data block.\",\n \"20. The computer system of claim 17, further comprising:\\nprogram instructions executable by the processor to, in response to receiving an identification of a third physical data block on the third node, wherein the third physical data block is a new location for the already present data due to garbage collection operations performed on the third node, remap the first virtual data block in the mapping table on the third node to map to the third physical data block on the third node.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A method for use in managing inline data compression and deduplication in storage systems, the method comprising:\\nidentifying, based on entropy, a block of data from data stored in a cache of a storage system;\\ncomparing entropy of the block of data with a first threshold value;\\nbased on the comparison, either deduplicating the block of data or compressing the block of data without deduplication.\",\n \"2. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying the block of data comprises:\\nidentifying between 4 KB and 128 KB of data to include in the block.\",\n \"3. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying the block of data comprises:\\ndetermining entropy of chunks of data stored in the cache;\\nincluding, in the block of data, chunks of data with entropy falling below a second threshold value.\",\n \"4. The method of claim 3, wherein a chunk includes 4 KB of data.\",\n \"5. The method of claim 3, wherein a chunk includes 8 KB of data.\",\n \"6. The method of claim 3, wherein comparing the entropy of the block of data with the first threshold value comprises:\\ndetermining the entropy of the block by averaging the entropy of chunks of data in the block.\",\n \"7. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying the block of data comprises:\\nidentifying chunks of data stored in the cache within a predetermined window of time.\",\n \"8. The method of claim 1, wherein deduplicating the block of data comprises:\\ndeduplicating the block of data in increments of 512 B.\",\n \"9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\\ndetermining entropy of the deduplicated block of data;\\ncomparing the entropy of the deduplicated block of data with a third threshold value;\\nbased on the comparison, either compressing the deduplicated block of data or writing the deduplicated block of data to storage without compression.\",\n \"10. The method of claim 9, wherein determining the entropy of the deduplicated block of data comprises:\\naveraging the entropy of remaining data in the deduplicated block of data.\",\n \"11. A system for use in managing inline data compression and deduplication in storage systems, the system comprising a processor configured to:\\nidentify, based on entropy, a block of data from data stored in a cache of a storage system;\\ncompare entropy of the block of data with a first threshold value;\\nbased on the comparison, either deduplicate the block of data or compress the block of data without deduplication.\",\n \"12. The system of claim 11, wherein the processor is further configured to:\\nidentify between 4 KB and 128 KB of data to include in the block.\",\n \"13. The system of claim 11, wherein the processor is further configured to:\\ndetermine entropy of chunks of data stored in the cache;\\ninclude, in the block of data, chunks of data with entropy falling below a second threshold value.\",\n \"14. The system of claim 13, wherein a chunk includes 4 KB of data.\",\n \"15. The system of claim 13, wherein a chunk includes 8 KB of data.\",\n \"16. The system of claim 11, wherein the processor is further configured to:\\ndetermine the entropy of the block by averaging the entropy of chunks of data in the block.\",\n \"17. The system of claim 11, wherein the processor is further configured to:\\nidentify chunks of data stored in the cache within a predetermined window of time.\",\n \"18. The system of claim 11, wherein the processor is further configured to:\\ndeduplicate the block of data in increments of 512 B.\",\n \"19. The system of claim 11, wherein the processor is further configured to:\\ndetermine entropy of the deduplicated block of data;\\ncompare the entropy of the deduplicated block of data with a third threshold value;\\nbased on the comparison, either compress the deduplicated block of data or write the deduplicated block of data to storage without compression.\",\n \"20. The system of claim 19, wherein the processor is further configured to:\\naverage the entropy of remaining data in the deduplicated block of data.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A method comprising:\\nreceiving a write request from a host directed towards a clone of a logical unit (LUN), the write request having a first data and representing a first address range of the clone of the LUN (clone LUN), the write request processed at a storage system attached to a storage array;\\nassociating a first metadata with the first data;\\nin response to receiving the write request, diverging the clone LUN from a parent of the LUN (parent LUN) by associating the first metadata with the clone LUN and copying a second metadata associated with the parent LUN, the second metadata associated with a second data shared between the parent LUN and the clone LUN;\\nassociating the second metadata with the clone LUN;\\ncalculating an amount of space savings from the clone LUN based on a total amount of data and metadata written to the parent LUN;\\nde-duplicating the second data by copying and associating the second metadata with the clone LUN, wherein the calculated amount of space savings is overcounted by a size of the second metadata;\\nadjusting the calculated amount of space savings such that the adjusted calculated amount of space savings decreases by the size of the second metadata; and\\nreporting the adjusted calculated amount of space savings from the clone LUN to the host.\",\n \"2. The method of claim 1 wherein the adjusted amount of space savings is computed using an amount of space determined from sizes of the first and second metadata.\",\n \"3. The method of claim 1 wherein the data and metadata are written as extents in a same extent store.\",\n \"4. The method of claim 1 wherein the adjusting the amount of space savings employs a clone space adjustment counter indicating an initial amount of logical data in the clone shared with the parent LUN and a diverged space adjustment counter indicating an amount of de-duplicated data in the clone resulting from diverging the clone LUN from the parent LUN.\",\n \"5. The method of claim 1 further comprising:\\ndecreasing the amount of space savings by a portion of a mapped space of the parent LUN.\",\n \"6. The method of claim 1 further comprising:\\nde-duplicating a plurality of extents stored on the storage array, the extents referenced by mappings of a total mapped space of the parent LUN.\",\n \"7. The method of claim 1 wherein the amount of space savings is computed using a total mapped space of the clone LUN.\",\n \"8. The method of claim 1 wherein the amount of space savings is a ratio having a denominator including sizes of the first and second data as stored on the storage array.\",\n \"9. The method of claim 1 wherein the first data is stored compressed on the storage array.\",\n \"10. The method of claim 1 wherein a tree hierarchy of metadata represents a total mapped space of the clone LUN, wherein the tree hierarchy is arbitrarily shared among snapshots of the clone LUN, and wherein the amount of space savings is reduced by a mapped space of metadata copied from the snapshots as the clone LUN diverges from the snapshots.\",\n \"11. A system comprising:\\na storage system having a processor;\\na storage array coupled to the storage system and having one or more storage devices;\\na storage I/O stack executing on the processor of the storage system, the storage I/O stack configured to:\\nreceive a write request from a host directed towards a clone of a logical unit (LUN), the write request having a first data and representing a first address range of the clone LUN;\\nassociate a first metadata with the first data;\\nin response to receiving the write request, diverge the clone LUN from a parent LUN by associating the first metadata with the clone LUN and copying a second metadata associated with the parent LUN and a second data shared between the parent LUN and the clone LUN;\\nassociate the second metadata with the clone LUN;\\ncalculate an amount of space savings from the clone LUN based on a total amount of data and metadata written to the parent LUN;\\nde-duplicate the second data by copying and associating the second metadata with the clone LUN, wherein the calculated amount of space savings is overcounted by a size of the second metadata;\\nadjust the calculated amount of space savings such that the adjusted calculated amount of space savings decreases by the size of the second metadata; and\\nreport the adjusted calculated amount of space savings from the clone LUN to host.\",\n \"12. The system of claim 11 wherein the adjusted amount of space savings is computed using an amount of mapped space determined from sizes of the first and second metadata.\",\n \"13. The system of claim 11 wherein the data and metadata are written as extents to a same extent store.\",\n \"14. The system of claim 11 wherein the storage I/O stack configured to adjust the amount of space savings is further configured to employ a clone space adjustment counter indicating an initial amount of logical data in the clone shared with the parent LUN and a diverged space adjustment counter indicating an amount of de-duplicated data in the clone resulting from diverging the clone LUN from the parent LUN.\",\n \"15. The system of claim 11 wherein the storage I/O stack is further configured to:\\ndecrease the amount of space savings by a portion of a mapped space of the parent LUN.\",\n \"16. The system of claim 11 wherein the storage I/O stack is further configured to:\\nde-duplicate a plurality of extents stored on the one or more storage devices, the extents referenced by mappings representing a total mapped space of the parent LUN.\",\n \"17. The system of claim 11 wherein the amount of space savings is computed using a total mapped space of the clone LUN.\",\n \"18. The system of claim 11 wherein the amount of space savings is a ratio having a denominator including sizes of the first and second data as stored on the one or more storage devices.\",\n \"19. The system of claim 11 wherein the first data is stored compressed on the storage array.\",\n \"20. A non-transitory computer readable medium containing executable program instructions for execution by a processor of a storage system attached to a storage array, the program instructions configured to:\\nreceive a write request from a host directed towards a clone of a logical unit (LUN), the write request having a first data representing a first address range of the clone LUN;\\nassociate a first metadata with the first data;\\nin response to receiving the write request, diverge the clone LUN from a parent LUN by associating the first metadata with the clone LUN and copying a second metadata associated with the parent LUN, the first metadata having a first mapping of the first address range to the first data, the second metadata having a second mapping of a second address range of the parent LUN to a second data shared between the parent LUN and the clone LUN;\\nassociate the second metadata with the clone LUN;\\ncalculating an amount of space savings from the clone LUN based on a total amount of data and metadata written to the parent LUN;\\nde-duplicate the second data by copying and associating the second metadata with the clone LUN, wherein the calculated amount of space savings is overcounted by a size of the second metadata;\\nadjust the calculated amount of space savings such that the adjusted calculated amount of space savings decreases by the size of the second metadata; and\\nreport the adjusted calculated amount of space savings from the clone LUN to the host.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A method, comprising:\\nimplementing, by a storage control system, a log-structured array in at least one block storage device, wherein the at least one block storage device comprises a physical storage space divided into a plurality of logical data blocks, wherein the logical data blocks each comprise a separately addressable unit of the physical storage space with a specified block size, and wherein the log-structured array comprises at least one log segment which comprises a set of contiguous logical data blocks of the physical storage space of the at least one block storage device;\\nreceiving, by the storage control system, an input/output (I/O) write request and associated I/O write data to be written to the at least one block storage device;\\ncompressing, by the storage control system, the I/O write data to generate compressed I/O write data;\\ndetermining, by the storage control system, a level of data compression of the compressed I/O write data;\\ndetermining, by the storage control system, whether the level of data compression of the compressed I/O write data meets a target threshold level of data compression;\\nin response to determining that the level of data compression of the compressed I/O write data does meet the target threshold level of data compression, the storage control system writing the compressed I/O write data in a log entry in the at least one log segment of the log-structured array, wherein the log entry which comprises the compressed I/O write data is unaligned to at least one logical data block of the set of contiguous logical data blocks of the at least one log segment; and\\nin response to determining that the level of data compression of the compressed I/O write data does not meet the target threshold level of data compression, the storage control system writing the I/O write data without compression in a log entry in the at least one log segment of the log-structured array, wherein the log entry which comprises the I/O write data without compression is write-aligned to at least one logical data block of the set of contiguous logical data blocks of the at least one log segment.\",\n \"2. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the level of data compression of the compressed I/O write data comprises the storage control system determining a compressibility value as a function of a size of the I/O write data as received and a size of the compressed I/O write data; and\\nwherein determining whether the level of data compression of the compressed I/O write data meets the target threshold level of data compression comprises the data control system comparing the determined compressibility value to a predefined compressibility threshold value.\",\n \"3. The method of claim 2, wherein the compressibility value is computed as a compression ratio and wherein the compressibility threshold value comprises a compression ratio threshold value.\",\n \"4. The method of claim 1, wherein writing the I/O write data without compression in the log entry in the at least one log segment of the log-structured array comprises the storage control system writing the I/O write data without compression in a next available log entry location at a head of the at least one log segment, which is write-aligned to a logical data block of the set of contiguous logical data blocks of the at least one log segment.\",\n \"5. The method of claim 1, wherein writing the I/O write data without compression in the log entry in the at least one log segment of the log-structured array comprises the storage control system writing the I/O write data without compression in a next available log entry location from an end of the at least one log segment, which is write-aligned to a logical data block of the set of contiguous logical data blocks of the at least one log segment.\",\n \"6. The method of claim 1, wherein writing the I/O write data without compression in the log entry in the at least one log segment of the log-structured array comprises the storage control system performing an in-place-update by rewriting the I/O write data without compression in an existing log entry of the at least one log segment which comprises a previous version of the I/O write data.\",\n \"7. The method of claim 1, wherein writing the compressed I/O write data in the log entry in the at least one log segment of the log-structured array comprises:\\nwriting a first portion of the compressed I/O write data in a first log entry; and\\nwriting a second portion of the compressed I/O write data in a second log entry;\\nwherein the first log entry and the second log entry are separated by at least a third log entry which comprises non-compressed data and which is write-aligned to at least one logical data block of the set of contiguous logical data blocks of the at least one log segment.\",\n \"8. The method of claim 1, further comprising performing, by the storage control system, a defragmentation process to defragment the at least one log segment of the log-structured array without relocating any log entry in the at least one log segment which comprises valid non-compressed data and which is write-aligned to at least one logical data block of the set of contiguous logical data blocks of the at least one log segment.\",\n \"9. An article of manufacture comprising a non-transitory processor-readable storage medium having stored therein program code of one or more software programs, wherein the program code is executable by one or more processors to implement a method comprising:\\nimplementing, by a storage control system, a log-structured array in at least one block storage device, wherein the at least one block storage device comprises a physical storage space divided into a plurality of logical data blocks, wherein the logical data blocks each comprise a separately addressable unit of the physical storage space with a specified block size, and wherein the log-structured array comprises at least one log segment which comprises a set of contiguous logical data blocks of the physical storage space of the at least one block storage device;\\nreceiving, by the storage control system, an input/output (I/O) write request and associated I/O write data to be written to the at least one block storage device;\\ncompressing, by the storage control system, the I/O write data to generate compressed I/O write data;\\ndetermining, by the storage control system, a level of data compression of the compressed I/O write data;\\ndetermining, by the storage control system, whether the level of data compression of the compressed I/O write data meets a target threshold level of data compression;\\nin response to determining that the level of data compression of the compressed I/O write data does meet the target threshold level of data compression, the storage control system writing the compressed I/O write data in a log entry in the at least one log segment of the log-structured array, wherein the log entry which comprises the compressed I/O write data is unaligned to at least one logical data block of the set of contiguous logical data blocks of the at least one log segment; and\\nin response to determining that the level of data compression of the compressed I/O write data does not meet the target threshold level of data compression, the storage control system writing the I/O write data without compression in a log entry in the at least one log segment of the log-structured array, wherein such that the log entry which comprises the I/O write data without compression is write-aligned to at least one logical data block of the set of contiguous logical data blocks of the at least one log segment.\",\n \"10. The article of manufacture of claim 9, wherein:\\nthe program code for determining the level of data compression of the compressed I/O write data comprises program code that is executable by the one or more processors for determining a compressibility value as a function of a size of the I/O write data as received and a size of the compressed I/O write data; and\\nthe program code for determining whether the level of data compression of the compressed I/O write data meets the target threshold level of data compression comprises program code that is executable by the one or more processors for comparing the determined compressibility value to a predefined compressibility threshold value.\",\n \"11. The article of manufacture of claim 10, wherein the compressibility value is computed as a compression ratio and wherein the compressibility threshold value comprises a compression ratio threshold value.\",\n \"12. The article of manufacture of claim 9, wherein the program code for writing the I/O write data without compression in the log entry in the at least one log segment of the log-structured array comprises program code that is executable by the one or more processors for writing the I/O write data without compression in one of (i) a next available log entry location at a head of the at least one log segment, which is write-aligned to a logical data block of the set of contiguous logical data blocks of the at least one log segment and (ii) a next available log entry location from an end of the at least one log segment, which is write-aligned to a logical data block of the set of contiguous logical data blocks of the at least one log segment.\",\n \"13. The article of manufacture of claim 9, wherein the program code for writing the I/O write data without compression in the log entry in the at least one log segment of the log-structured array comprises program code that is executable by the one or more processors for performing an in-place-update by rewriting the I/O write data without compression in an existing log entry of the at least one log segment which comprises a previous version of the I/O write data.\",\n \"14. The article of manufacture of claim 9, wherein the program code for writing the compressed I/O data in a log entry in the at least one log segment of the log-structured array comprises program code that is executable by the one or more processors for:\\nwriting a first portion of the compressed I/O write data in a first log entry; and\\nwriting a second portion of the compressed I/O write data in a second log entry;\\nwherein the first log entry and the second log entry are separated by at least a third log entry which comprises non-compressed data and which is write-aligned to at least one logical data block of the set of contiguous logical data blocks of the at least one log segment.\",\n \"15. The article of manufacture of claim 9, further comprising program code that is executable by the one or more processors for performing, by the storage control system, a defragmentation process to defragment the at least one log segment of the log-structured array without relocating any log entry in the at least one log segment which comprises valid non-compressed data and which is write-aligned to at least one logical data block of the set of contiguous logical data blocks of the at least one log segment.\",\n \"16. A server node, comprising:\\nat least one processor; and\\nsystem memory configured to store program code, wherein the program code is executable by the at least one processor to implement a storage control system which is configured to:\\nimplement a log-structured array in at least one block storage device, wherein the at least one block storage device comprises a physical storage space divided into a plurality of logical data blocks, wherein the logical data blocks each comprise a separately addressable unit of the physical storage space with a specified block size, and wherein the log-structured array comprises at least one log segment which comprises a set of contiguous logical data blocks of the physical storage space of the at least one block storage device;\\nreceive an input/output (I/O) write request and associated I/O write data to be written to the at least one block storage device;\\ncompress the I/O write data to generate compressed I/O write data;\\ndetermine a level of data compression of the compressed I/O write data;\\ndetermine whether the level of data compression of the compressed I/O write data meets a target threshold level of data compression;\\nwrite the compressed I/O write data in a log entry in the at least one log segment of the log-structured array, in response to determining that the level of data compression of the compressed I/O write data does meet the target threshold level of data compression, wherein the log entry which comprises the compressed I/O write data is unaligned to at least one logical data block of the set of contiguous logical data blocks of the at least one log segment; and\\nwrite the I/O write data without compression in a log entry in the at least one log segment of the log-structured array, wherein the log entry which comprises the I/O write data without compression is write-aligned to at least one logical data block of the set of contiguous logical data blocks of the at least one log segment, in response to determining that the level of data compression of the compressed I/O write data does not meet the target threshold level of data compression.\",\n \"17. The server node of claim 16, wherein:\\nin determining the level of data compression of the compressed I/O write data, the storage control system is configured to determine a compressibility value as a function of a size of the I/O write data as received and a size of the compressed I/O write data; and\\nin determining whether the level of data compression of the compressed I/O write data meets the target threshold level of data compression, the storage control system is configured to compare the determined compressibility value to a predefined compressibility threshold value.\",\n \"18. The server node of claim 16, wherein in writing the I/O write data without compression in the log entry in the at least one log segment of the log-structured array, the storage control system is configured to write the I/O write data without compression in one of (i) a next available log entry location at a head of the at least one log segment, which is write-aligned to a logical data block of the set of contiguous logical data blocks of the at least one log segment and (ii) a next available log entry location from an end of the at least one log segment, which is write-aligned to a logical data block of the set of contiguous logical data blocks of the at least one log segment.\",\n \"19. The server node of claim 16, wherein:\\nin writing the I/O write data without compression in the log entry in the at least one log segment of the log-structured array, the storage control system is configured to perform an in-place-update by rewriting the I/O write data without compression in an existing log entry of the at least one log segment which comprises a previous version of the I/O write data; and\\nin writing the compressed I/O write data in the log entry in the at least one log segment of the log-structured array, the storage control system is configured to:\\nwrite a first portion of the compressed I/O write data in a first log entry; and\\nwrite a second portion of the compressed I/O write data in a second log entry;\\nwherein the first log entry and the second log entry are separated by at least a third log entry which comprises non-compressed data and which is write-aligned to at least one logical data block of the set of contiguous logical data blocks of the at least one log segment.\",\n \"20. The server node of claim 16, wherein the storage control system is configured to perform a defragmentation process to defragment the at least one log segment of the log-structured array without relocating any log entry in the at least one log segment which comprises valid non-compressed data and which is write-aligned to at least one logical data block of the set of contiguous logical data blocks of the at least one log segment.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A memory system comprising:\\na non-volatile memory including a plurality of blocks, the plurality of blocks including blocks in a first block group and blocks in a second block group; and\\na controller configured to:\\nperform a first write operation for at least one of the blocks in the first block group and not perform a second write operation for any one of the blocks in the first block group throughout a lifetime of the memory system; and\\nperform the first write operation and the second write operation for the blocks in the second block group, wherein\\na total capacity of the blocks in the first block group is fixed and a total capacity of the blocks in the second block group is fixed,\\na first number of bits are written into a memory cell of the non-volatile memory in the first write operation, and\\na second number of bits are written into a memory cell of the non-volatile memory in the second write operation, the second number being larger than the first number, and\\nthe controller is further configured to:\\nallocate, based on a degree of wear-out of at least one of the plurality of blocks, one or more blocks in the first block group or the second block group to a buffer of a write operation; and\\nwrite data received from an external device into the buffer in the first write operation.\",\n \"2. The memory system according to claim 1, wherein\\nthe controller is configured to:\\nallocate the one or more blocks to the buffer such that a degree of wear-out of at least one block in the first block group does not reach a first degree of wear-out before a total amount of data Which are received from the external device and Written into the non-volatile memory reaches a first amount of data, and a degree of wear-out of at least one block in the second block group does not reach a second degree of wear-out before the total amount of data which are received from the external device and written into the non-volatile memory reaches the first amount of data.\",\n \"3. The memory system according to claim 1, wherein\\nthe controller is configured to:\\ndetermine a third number of blocks in the first block group which are to be allocated to the buffer at a first time and a fourth number of blocks in the second block group which are to be allocated to the buffer at the first time such that a degree of wear-out of at least one block in the first block group does not reach a first degree of wear-out before a total amount of data which are received from the external device and written into the non-volatile memory reaches a first amount of data, and a degree of wear-out of at least one block in the second block group does not reach a second degree of wear-out before the total amount of data which are received from the external device and written into the non-volatile memory reaches the first amount of data;\\nallocate the third number of blocks in the first block group to the buffer; and\\nallocate the fourth number of blocks in the second block group to the buffer.\",\n \"4. The memory system according to claim 3, wherein\\nthe third number is a number of blocks in the first block group which are to be allocated to the buffer at the first time and into which data received from the external device is to be written in the first write operation, and\\nthe fourth number is a number of blocks in the second block group which are to be allocated to the buffer at the first time and into which data received from the external device is to be written in the first write operation.\",\n \"5. The memory system according to claim 3, wherein\\nthe third number is a sum of a number of blocks in the first block group in which at least a piece of valid data is included and a number of blocks in the first block group in which valid data is not included, and\\nthe fourth number is a sum of a number of blocks in the second block group in which at least a piece of valid data is included and a number of blocks in the second block group in which valid data is not included.\",\n \"6. The memory system according to claim 3, wherein\\nthe controller is further configured to:\\nat a second time later than the first time,\\nin a case where the degree of wear-out of the at least one block in the first block group is lower than a third degree of wear-out, the third degree being lower than the first degree, determine a fifth number of blocks in the first block group which are to be allocated to the buffer, the fifth number being greater than the third number, and allocate the fifth number of blocks in the first block group to the buffer;\\nin a case where the degree of wear-out of the at least one block in the first block group is higher than the third degree of wear-out, determine a sixth number of blocks in the first block group which are to be allocated to the buffer, the sixth number being smaller than the third number, and allocate the sixth number of blocks in the first block group to the buffer;\\nin a case where the degree of wear-out of the at least one block in the second block group is lower than a fourth degree of wear-out, the fourth degree being lower than the second degree, determine a seventh number of blocks in the second block group which are to be allocated to the buffer, the seventh number being greater than the fourth number, and allocate the seventh number of blocks in the second block group to the buffer; and\\nin a case where the degree of wear-out of the at least one block in the second block group is higher than the fourth degree of wear-out, determine an eighth number of blocks in the second block group which are to be allocated to the buffer, the eighth number being smaller than the fourth number, and allocate the eighth number of blocks in the second block group to the buffer.\",\n \"7. The memory system according to claim 1, wherein\\nan allowable upper limit of a number of write/erase cycles of each of the blocks in the first block group is larger than an allowable upper limit of a number of write/erase cycles of each of the blocks in the second block group.\",\n \"8. A memory system, comprising:\\na non-volatile memory including a plurality of blocks, the plurality of blocks including blocks in a first block group and blocks in a second block group; and\\na controller configured to:\\nperform a first write operation for at least one of the blocks in the first block group and not perform a second write operation for any one of the blocks in the first block group; and\\nperform the first write operation and the second write operation for the blocks in the second block group, wherein\\na total capacity of the blocks in the first block group is fixed and a total capacity of the blocks in the second block group is fixed,\\na first number of bits are written into a memory cell of the non-volatile memory in the first write operation, and\\na second number of bits are written into a memory cell of the non-volatile memory in the second write operation, the second number being larger than the first number, and\\nthe controller is further configured to:\\ndetermine, based on a degree of wear-out of at least one of the plurality of blocks, a number of blocks in the first block group which are to be allocated to a buffer of a write operation and a number of blocks in the second block group which are to be allocated to the buffer;\\nallocate the determined number of blocks in the first block group or the second block group to the buffer; and\\nwrite data received from an external device into the buffer in the first write operation.\",\n \"9. The memory system according to claim 8, wherein\\nthe controller is configured to:\\ndetermine, based on the degree of wear-out of the at least one of the plurality of blocks, a third number of blocks in the first block group which are to be allocated to the buffer at a first time and a fourth number of blocks in the second block group which are to be allocated to the buffer at the first time;\\nallocate the third number of blocks in the first block group to the buffer; and\\nallocate the fourth number of blocks in the second block group to the buffer.\",\n \"10. The memory system according to claim 9, wherein\\nthe third number is a number of blocks in the first block group which are to be allocated to the buffer at the first time and into which data received from the external device is to be written in the first write operation, and\\nthe fourth number is a number of blocks in the second block group which are to be allocated to the buffer at the first time and into which data received from the external device is to be written in the first write operation.\",\n \"11. The memory system according to claim 9, wherein\\nthe third number is a sum of a number of blocks in the first block group in which at least a piece of valid data is included and a number of blocks in the first block group in which valid data is not included, and\\nthe fourth number is a sum of a number of blocks in the second block group in which at least a piece of valid data is included and a number of blocks in the second block group in which valid data is not included.\",\n \"12. The memory system according to claim 9, wherein\\nthe controller is further configured to:\\ndetermine, based on at least one of (A) a degree of wear-out of at least one block in the first block group and (B) a degree of wear-out of at least one block in the second block group, a number of free blocks in the first block group to be generated through a garbage collection for the first block group or a number of free blocks in the second block group to be generated through a garbage collection for the second block group;\\nexecute the garbage collection for the first block group to generate the determined number of free blocks in the first block group;\\nexecute the garbage collection for the second block group to generate the determined number of free blocks in the second block group.\",\n \"13. The memory system according to claim 9, wherein\\nthe controller is further configured to:\\ndetermine, based on at least one of (A) a degree of wear-out of at least one block in the first block group and (B) a degree of wear-out of at least one block in the second block group, a number of candidate blocks of garbage collection target for the first block group;\\ndetermine, based on at least one of (A) the degree of wear-out of the at least one block in the first block group and (B) the degree of wear-out of the at least one block in the second block group, a number of candidate blocks of garbage collection target for the second block group;\\nexecute a garbage collection for a block selected from the candidate blocks for the first block group; and\\nexecute a garbage collection for a block selected from the candidate blocks for the second block group.\",\n \"14. The memory system according to claim 9, wherein\\nthe controller is further configured to:\\ndetermine, based on at least one of (A) a degree of wear-out of at least one block in the first block group and (B) a degree of wear-out of at least one block in the second block group, which of a garbage collection for the first block group and a garbage collection for the second block group to be given priority for executing; and\\nexecute the garbage collection for the first block group or the second block group which is given the priority to generate a free block in the first block group or the second block group.\",\n \"15. The memory system according to claim 9, wherein\\nthe controller is further configured to:\\nat a second time later than the first time,\\nin a case where a degree of wear-out of at least one block in the first block group is lower than a first degree of wear-out, determine a fifth number of blocks in the first block group which are to be allocated to the buffer, the fifth number being greater than the third number, and allocate the fifth number of blocks in the first block group to the buffer;\\nin a case where the degree of wear-out of the at least one block in the first block group is higher than the first degree of wear-out, determine a sixth number of blocks in the first block group which are to be allocated to the buffer, the sixth number being smaller than the third number, and allocate the sixth number of blocks in the first block group to the buffer;\\na case where a degree of wear-out of at least one block in the second block group is lower than a second degree of wear-out, determine a seventh number of blocks in the second block group which are to be allocated to the buffer, the seventh number being greater than the fourth number, and allocate the seventh number of blocks in the second block group to the buffer; and\\nin a case where the degree of wear-out of the at least one block in the second block group is higher than the second degree of wear-out, determine an eighth number of blocks in the second block group which are to be allocated to the buffer, the eighth number being smaller than the fourth number, and allocate the eighth number of blocks in the second block group to the buffer.\",\n \"16. A method of writing data into a non-volatile memory including a plurality of blocks, the plurality of blocks including blocks in a first block group and blocks in a second block group, a total capacity of the blocks in the first block group being fixed, and a total capacity of the blocks in the second block group being fixed, the method comprising:\\ndetermining, based on a degree of wear-out of at least one of the plurality of blocks, a number of blocks in the first block group which are to be allocated to a buffer of a write operation and a number of blocks in the second block group which are to be allocated to the buffer:\\nallocating the determined number of blocks in the first block group or the second block group to the buffer of a write operation; and\\nwriting data received from an external device into the buffer in a first write operation, wherein\\ndata is written into at least one of the blocks in the first block group in the first write operation and not written in any one of the blocks in the second write operation,\\ndata is written into the blocks in the second block group in the first write operation and the second write operation,\\na first number of bits are written into a memory cell of the non-volatile memory in the first write operation,\\na second number of bits are written into a memory cell of the non-volatile memory in the second write operation, and\\nthe second number is larger than the first number.\",\n \"17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the determining comprises\\ndetermining, based on the degree of wear-out of the al least one of the plurality of blocks, a third number of blocks in the first block group which are to be allocated to the buffer at a first time and a fourth number of blocks in the second block group which are to be allocated to the buffer at the first time, and the allocating comprises,\\nallocating the third number of blocks in the first block group to the buffer, and\\nallocating the fourth number of blocks in the second block group to the buffer.\",\n \"18. The method according to claim 17, further comprising:\\nat a second time later than the first time,\\nin a case where a degree of wear-out of at least one block in the first block group is lower than a first degree of wear-out, determining a fifth number of blocks in the first block group which are to be allocated to the buffer, the fifth number being greater than the third number, and allocating the fifth number of blocks in the first block group to the buffer;\\nin a case where the degree of wear-out of the at least one block in the first block group is higher than the first degree of wear-out, determining a sixth number of blocks in the first block group which are to be allocated to the buffer, the sixth number being smaller than the third number, and allocating the sixth number of blocks in the first block group to the buffer;\\nin a case where a degree of wear-out of at least one block in the second block group is lower than a second degree of wear-out, determining a seventh number of blocks in the second block group which are to be allocated to the buffer, the seventh number being greater than the fourth number, and allocating the seventh number of blocks in the second block group to the buffer; and\\nin a case where the degree of wear-out of the at least one block in the second block group is higher than the second degree of wear-out, determining an eighth number of blocks in the second block group which are to be allocated to the buffer, the eighth number being smaller than the fourth number, and allocating the eighth number of blocks in the second block group to the buffer.\",\n \"19. The method of claim 16, further comprising:\\ndetermining, based on at least one of (A) a degree of wear-out of at least one block in the first block group and (B) a degree of wear-out of at least one block in the second block group, a number of free blocks in the first block group to be generated through a garbage collection for the first block group or a number of free blocks in the second block group to be generated through a garbage collection for the second block group;\\nexecuting the garbage collection for the first block group to generate the determined number of free blocks in the first block group;\\nexecuting the garbage collection for the second block group to generate the determined number of free blocks in the second block group.\",\n \"20. The method according to claim 16, further comprising:\\ndetermining, based on the at least one of (A) a degree of wear-out of at least one block in the first block group and (B) a degree of wear-out of at least one block in the second block group, a number of candidate blocks of garbage collection target in the first block group or a number of candidate blocks of garbage collection target in the second block group;\\nexecuting a garbage collection for a block selected from the candidate blocks for the first block group to generate a free block in the first block group;\\nexecuting a garbage collection for a block selected from the candidate blocks for the second block group to generate a free block in the second block group.\",\n \"21. The method according to claim 16, further comprising:\\ndetermining, based on at least one of (A) a degree of wear-out of at least one block in the first block group and (B) a degree of wear-out of at least one block in the second block group, which of a garbage collection for the first block group and a garbage collection for the second block group to be given priority for executing;\\nexecuting the garbage collection for the first block group or the second block group which is given the priority to generate free blocks in the first block group or the second block group.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A solid state device (SSD) comprising:\\na non-volatile memory (NVM), and\\na controller operatively coupled to the NVM;\\nwherein the controller is configured to:\\ndetermine an access pattern of the NVM by a host;\\ndetermine a hit and miss (H/M) rate of a logical block address (LBA) range accessed by the host during a predetermined time period;\\ndetermine a locality of data (LOD) of the access pattern as the LBA when the H/M rate meets a target rate;\\ndynamically configure data storage cells of the NVM into a cache partition and a storage partition based on the LOD of the access pattern; and\\nadjust a size of the cache partition in response to a change of the LOD, wherein the data storage cells of the cache partition are configured to provide greater endurance than the data storage cells of the storage partition.\",\n \"2. The SSD of claim 1,\\nwherein the data storage cells of the storage partition comprise quad-level cell (QLC) type cells, and\\nwherein the data storage cells of the cache partition comprise at least one of single-level cell (SLC) type cells or multi-level cell (MLC) type cells.\",\n \"3. The SSD of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to:\\nto adjust the size of the cache partition in response to a change in size of the LOD.\",\n \"4. The SSD of claim 3, wherein the controller is further configured to:\\nadjust the size of the cache partition to be no less than the size of the LOD.\",\n \"5. The SSD of claim 1, wherein the data storage cells of the storage partition are configured to store a greater number of bits per cell than the data storage cells of the cache partition.\",\n \"6. A method of operating a non-volatile memory (NVM) controller configured to communicate with an NVM, comprising:\\nreceiving commands from a host for accessing the NVM;\\ndetermining an access pattern of the NVM by the host;\\ndetermining a hit and miss (H/M) rate of a logical block address (LBA) range accessed by the host during a predetermined time period;\\ndetermining a locality of data (LOD) of the access pattern as the LBA when the H/M rate meets a target rate; and\\ndynamically configuring data storage cells of the NVM into a cache partition and a storage partition based on the LOD of the access pattern, wherein the data storage cells of the cache partition are configured to provide higher performance than the data storage cells of the storage partition.\",\n \"7. The method of claim 6, wherein the data storage cells of the cache partition are configured to provide greater endurance than the data storage cells of the storage partition.\",\n \"8. The method of claim 6, wherein data storage cells of the storage partition are configured to store a greater number of bits per cell than the data storage cells of the cache partition.\",\n \"9. The method of claim 6, wherein dynamically configuring the data storage cells comprises:\\nadjusting a size of the cache partition in response to a change in size of the LOD.\",\n \"10. The method of claim 9, wherein adjusting the size of the cache partition comprises:\\nadjusting the size of the cache partition to be no less than the size of the LOD.\",\n \"11. The method of claim 10, wherein adjusting the size of the cache partition further comprises:\\nlimiting the size of the cache partition such that a provisioned capacity of the NVM is available to the host regardless of the size of the cache partition.\",\n \"12. A non-volatile memory (NVM) comprising:\\nmeans for receiving commands from a host for performing data operations with the NVM;\\nmeans for determining an access pattern of the NVM by the host;\\nmeans for determining a locality of data (LOD) corresponding to a logical block address (LBA) range accessed by the host during a predetermined time period;\\nmeans for dynamically configuring data storage cells of the NVM into a cache partition and a storage partition based the LOD of the access pattern, wherein data storage cells of the storage partition are configured to use more threshold voltages per cell for storing data than the data storage cells of the cache partition;\\nmeans for adjusting the cache partition to be no smaller than the LOD in size such that the cache partition accommodates a higher percentage of the data operations relative to the storage partition; and\\nmeans for limiting the size of the cache partition such that a provisioned capacity of the NVM is available to the host regardless of the size of the cache partition.\",\n \"13. The NVM of claim 12, wherein data storage cells of the storage partition are configured to store a greater number of bits per cell than the data storage cells of the cache partition.\",\n \"14. The NVM of claim 12, wherein the means for adjusting the cache partition is further configured to:\\nincrease the size of the cache partition in response to a size increase of the LOD; and\\ndecrease the size of the cache partition in response to a size decrease of the LOD.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A data storage device controller configured to couple to a non-volatile memory comprising a plurality of blocks, each block being configured to store a plurality of physical pages at predetermined physical locations, the controller comprising:\\na processor configured to program data to and read data from the non-volatile memory, the data being stored in a plurality of logical pages;\\na volatile memory comprising a logical-to-physical address translation map configured to enable the processor to a physical location, within one or more physical pages, of the data stored in each logical page; and\\na plurality of journals stored in the non-volatile memory, each journal comprising a plurality of journal entries associating one or more physical pages to each logical page, wherein each of the plurality of journals covers a predetermined range of physical pages within one of the plurality of blocks;\\nwherein the controller is configured, upon startup, to:\\nread each of the plurality of journals in an order and to rebuild the map in the volatile memory from the read plurality of journals;\\nindicate a readiness to process data access commands after the map is rebuilt; and\\nrebuild a table from the map and select, based on the rebuilt table, at least one of the plurality of blocks for garbage collection after having indicated the readiness to process data access commands, wherein the table is configured to specify free space in each of the plurality of blocks.\",\n \"2. The data storage device controller of claim 1, wherein the table is configured to specify free space in each of the plurality of blocks, wherein each of the blocks has a predetermined size and wherein the processor is configured to calculate the amount of free space by subtracting a size of valid data in each block obtained from reading the map from the predetermined size.\",\n \"3. The data storage device controller of claim 2, wherein the processor is further configured to read sequentially through the map to determine, for each block, a size of valid data and to update a valid size information table with the determined size of valid data.\",\n \"4. The data storage device controller of claim 3, wherein the processor is further configured to carry out a separate free space accounting operation to update a free space for a block storing a logical page corresponding to an already read entry of the map that is updated after having indicated the readiness to service data access commands.\",\n \"5. The data storage controller of claim 3, wherein the processor is further configured to refrain from carrying out a separate free space accounting operation to update a free space for a block storing a logical page corresponding to a yet-to-be-read entry of the map that is updated after having indicated the readiness to service data access commands.\",\n \"6. A method of controlling a data storage device comprising a non-volatile memory comprising a plurality of blocks, each block being configured to store a plurality of physical pages at predetermined physical locations, the method comprising:\\nprogramming data to and reading data from the non-volatile memory, the data being stored in a plurality of logical pages;\\nmaintaining, in a volatile memory, a logical-to-physical address translation map configured to enable a determination of a physical location, within one or more physical pages, of the data stored in each logical page; and\\nmaintaining, in the non-volatile memory, a plurality of journals, each journal comprising a plurality of journal entries associating one or more physical pages to each logical page, wherein each of the plurality of journals covers a pre-determined range of physical pages within one of the plurality of blocks and, upon startup:\\nreading each of the plurality of journals in an order and rebuilding the map in the volatile memory from the read plurality of journals;\\nindicating a readiness to process data access commands after the map is rebuilt; and\\none of the plurality of blocks for garbage collection after having indicated the readiness to process data access command, wherein the table is configured to specify an amount of free space in each of the plurality of blocks, wherein the table is configured to specify an amount of free space in each of the plurality of blocks.\",\n \"7. The method of claim 6, wherein each of the blocks has a predetermined size and wherein the method further comprises calculating the amount of free space by subtracting a size of valid data in each block obtained from reading the map from the predetermined size.\",\n \"8. The method of claim 7, further comprising reading sequentially through the map to determine, for each block, a size of valid data and updating a valid size information table with the determined size of valid data.\",\n \"9. The method of claim 8, further comprising carrying out a separate free space accounting operation to update a free space for a block storing a logical page corresponding to an already read entry of the map that is updated after having indicated the readiness to service data access commands.\",\n \"10. The method of claim 7, further comprising refraining from carrying out a separate free space accounting operation to update a free space for a block storing a logical page corresponding to a yet-to-be-read entry of the map that is updated after having indicated the readiness to service data access commands.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A method of operating a storage device managing a multi-namespace, the method comprising:\\nstoring first mapping information including a mapping between a first logical address space and a first physical address space to a mapping table, in response to a request to create a first namespace, the first logical address space being allocated to the first namespace; and\\nstoring second mapping information including a mapping between a second logical address space and a second physical address space to the mapping table, in response to a request to create a second namespace, the second logical address space being allocated to the second namespace and being contiguous to the first logical address space,\\nwherein the mapping table includes a first region for the first namespace and a second region for the second namespace that is contiguous to the first region,\\nwherein the first region comprises a plurality of first entries, where each first entry maps a logical page number of the first logical address space directly to a physical page number of the first physical address space, and\\nwherein the second region comprises a plurality of second entries, where each second entry maps a logical page number of the second logical address space directly to a physical page number of the second physical address space,\\nwherein the method further comprises:\\nrelocating the first and second mapping information in the mapping table, in response to a request to delete the first namespace; and\\nperforming an unmapping operation on the first mapping information in the mapping table such that data stored in the first physical address space is invalidated, after the relocating of the first and second mapping information.\",\n \"2. The method according to claim 1, wherein a sum of the first and second logical address spaces is equal to or less than a storage capacity of the storage device.\",\n \"3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the relocating of the first and second mapping information comprises allocating the first logical address space to the second namespace, and updating the mapping table such that the second physical address space corresponds to the first logical address space.\",\n \"4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the storage device comprises a volatile memory and a non-volatile memory, and the relocating of the first and second mapping information comprises:\\nrelocating the first and second mapping information in the mapping table stored in the non-volatile memory to generate a modified mapping table; and\\nloading the modified mapping table into the volatile memory.\",\n \"5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the relocating of the first and second mapping information further comprises storing the mapping table loaded into the volatile memory to the non-volatile memory, before the loading of the modified mapping table.\",\n \"6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the relocating of the first and second mapping information further comprises storing the modified mapping table to the non-volatile memory, after the loading of the modified mapping table.\",\n \"7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the relocating of the first and second mapping information comprises:\\nperforming an unmapping operation on the first mapping information in the mapping table; and\\nmodifying the mapping table by copying the second mapping information into the first logical address space in the mapping table to generate a modified mapping table.\",\n \"8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the storage device comprises a non-volatile memory, and the relocating of the first and second mapping information further comprises storing the modified mapping table to the non-volatile memory.\",\n \"9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:\\ndetermining whether a contiguous logical address space in a logical address space of the storage device is insufficient, in response to a request to delete the first namespace; and\\nrelocating the first and second mapping information in the mapping table, when the contiguous logical address space is determined to be insufficient.\",\n \"10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:\\nperforming an unmapping operation on the second mapping information in the mapping table such that data stored in the second physical address space is invalidated, in response to a request to delete the second namespace.\",\n \"11. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:\\nstoring third mapping information including a mapping between a third logical address space and a third physical address space to the mapping table, in response to a request to create a third namespace, the third logical address space being allocated to the third namespace and being contiguous to the second logical address space.\",\n \"12. The method according to claim 11, wherein a sum of the first to third logical address spaces is equal to or less than a storage capacity of the storage device.\",\n \"13. The method according to claim 11, further comprising:\\nrelocating the second and third mapping information in the mapping table, in response to a request to delete the second namespace.\",\n \"14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the relocating of the second and third mapping information comprises allocating the second logical address space to the third namespace such that the third namespace has a logical address space contiguous to the first logical address space, and updating the mapping table such that the third physical address space corresponds to the second logical address space.\",\n \"15. A method of operating a storage device managing a multi-namespace, the method comprising:\\nrespectively allocating first and second logical address spaces contiguous to each other to first and second namespaces and storing first and second mapping information regarding the respective first and second logical address spaces to a mapping table, in response to a request to create the first and second namespaces;\\nrelocating the first mapping information and the second mapping information in the mapping table, in response to a request to delete the first namespace; and\\nperforming an unmapping operation on the first mapping information in the mapping table, after the relocating of the first mapping information and the second mapping information.\",\n \"16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the relocating of the first mapping information and the second mapping information comprises allocating the first logical address space to the second namespace, and updating the mapping table.\",\n \"17. A method of operating a storage device managing a multi-namespace, the method comprising:\\nmanaging a mapping table to indicate such that first, second, and third namespaces have contiguous logical address spaces; and\\nupdating the mapping table to indicate that the first and third namespaces have contiguous logical address spaces, in response to a request to delete the second namespace,\\nwherein the updated mapping table includes a first region for the first namespace and a second region for the third namespace that is contiguous to the first region,\\nwherein the first region comprises a plurality of first entries, where each first entry maps a logical page number of a first one of the logical address spaces directly to a physical address, and\\nwherein the second region comprises a plurality of second entries, where each second entry maps a logical page number of the remaining logical address spaces directly to a physical address,\\nwherein the method further comprises:\\nperforming an unmapping operation on mapping information of the second namespace, in mapping table, after the updating of the mapping table.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A method of controlling a nonvolatile memory, the nonvolatile memory including a plurality of blocks, said method comprising:\\nmanaging, per physical address of a location in the nonvolatile memory in which data have been stored, the number of logical addresses associated with the physical address; and\\nperforming garbage collection by:\\ncopying first data from a first physical address in a copy-source block to a first block and not copying second data from a second physical address in the copy-source block to the first block; and\\ncopying the second data from the second physical address in the copy-source block to a second block and not copying the first data from the first physical address in the copy-source block to the second block, wherein\\nthe number of logical addresses associated with the first physical address belongs to a first range, and\\nthe number of logical addresses associated with the second physical address belongs to a second range different from the first range.\",\n \"2. The method of claim 1, wherein,\\nwhen the first data is data having a lifetime longer than a lifetime of the second data, the first range is greater than the second range.\",\n \"3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\\nwhen writing update data of third data already stored in the nonvolatile memory, decrementing the number of logical addresses associated with a physical address of a location in which the third data is stored by one.\",\n \"4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\\nwhen writing third data to the nonvolatile memory, the third data not matching with any data stored in the nonvolatile memory,\\nwriting the third data to the nonvolatile memory;\\nupdating a first translation table managing a corresponding relationship between logical addresses and intermediate addresses to associate a first intermediate address with a logical address of the third data;\\nupdating a second translation table managing a corresponding relationship between the intermediate addresses and physical addresses of locations in the nonvolatile memory to associate a third physical address with the first intermediate address, the third physical address indicating a location in the nonvolatile memory in which the third data is written; and\\nsetting the number of logical addresses associated with the third physical address to one.\",\n \"5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\\nin a case where third data matches with fourth data already stored in the nonvolatile memory, without writing the third data to the nonvolatile memory,\\nupdating a first translation table managing a corresponding relationship between logical addresses and intermediate addresses to associate a first intermediate address with a logical address of the third data, the first intermediate address having been associated with a logical address of the fourth data;\\nmaintaining a second translation table managing a corresponding relationship between the intermediate addresses and physical addresses of locations in the nonvolatile memory such that a third physical address is associated with the first intermediate address, the third physical address indicating a location in the nonvolatile memory in which the fourth data is stored; and\\nincrementing the number of logical addresses associated with the third physical address by one.\",\n \"6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\\nin the garbage collection, not copying third data from a third physical address in the copy-source block to any block, wherein\\nthe number of logical addresses associated with the third physical address is zero.\",\n \"7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\\nselecting, as the copy-source block, a third block in preference to a fourth block, wherein\\na maximum of the numbers of logical addresses respectively associated with physical addresses of locations in the third block is greater than a maximum of the numbers of logical addresses respectively associated with physical addresses of locations in the fourth block.\",\n \"8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:\\nselecting the third block as the copy-source block in a case where an amount of invalid data in the third block is larger than a first threshold; and\\nselecting the fourth block as the copy-source block in a case where an amount of invalid data in the third block is larger than a second threshold, wherein\\nthe first threshold is smaller than the second threshold.\",\n \"9. A method of controlling a nonvolatile memory, the nonvolatile memory including a plurality of blocks, said method comprising:\\nmanaging, per physical address of a location in the nonvolatile memory in which data have been stored, the number of logical addresses associated with the physical address; and\\nperforming garbage collection by selecting first data in preference to second data as copy target data for the garbage collection, wherein\\nthe first data is stored at a first physical address,\\nthe number of logical addresses associated with the first physical address belongs to a first range,\\nthe second data is stored at a second physical address,\\nthe number of logical addresses associated with the second physical address belongs to a second range, and\\nthe first range is greater than the second range.\",\n \"10. The method of claim 9, wherein\\nthe first data is data having a lifetime longer than a lifetime of the second data.\",\n \"11. The method of claim 9, further comprising:\\nwhen writing update data of third data already stored in the nonvolatile memory, decrementing the number of logical addresses associated with a physical address of a location in which the third data is stored by one.\",\n \"12. The method of claim 9, further comprising:\\nwhen writing third data to the nonvolatile memory, the third data not matching with any data stored in the nonvolatile memory,\\nwriting the third data to the nonvolatile memory;\\nupdating a first translation table managing a corresponding relationship between logical addresses and intermediate addresses to associate a first intermediate address with a logical address of the third data;\\nupdating a second translation table managing a corresponding relationship between the intermediate addresses and physical addresses of locations in the nonvolatile memory to associate a third physical address with the first intermediate address, the third physical address indicating a location in the nonvolatile memory in which the third data is written; and\\nsetting the number of logical addresses associated with the third physical address to one.\",\n \"13. The method of claim 9, further comprising:\\nin a case where third data matches with fourth data already stored in the nonvolatile memory, without writing the third data to the nonvolatile memory,\\nupdating a first translation table managing a corresponding relationship between logical addresses and intermediate addresses to associate a first intermediate address with a logical address of the third data, the first intermediate address having been associated with a logical address of the fourth data;\\nmaintaining a second translation table managing a corresponding relationship between the intermediate addresses and physical addresses of locations in the nonvolatile memory such that a third physical address is associated with the first intermediate address, the third physical address indicating a location in the nonvolatile memory in which the fourth data is stored; and\\nincrementing the number of logical addresses associated with the third physical address by one.\",\n \"14. The method of claim 9, further comprising:\\nin the garbage collection, not copying third data from a third physical address in the copy-source block to any block, wherein\\nthe number of logical addresses associated with the third physical address is zero.\",\n \"15. A method of controlling a nonvolatile memory, the nonvolatile memory including a plurality of blocks, said method comprising:\\nmanaging, per physical address of a location in the nonvolatile memory in which data have been stored, the number of logical addresses associated with the physical address; and\\nwhen executing garbage collection, copying data from a copy-source physical address to a copy-destination physical address, and associating the number of logical addresses that has been associated with the copy-source physical address with the copy-destination physical address.\",\n \"16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:\\nwhen writing update data of first data already stored in the nonvolatile memory, decrementing the number of logical addresses associated with a physical address of a location in which the first data is stored by one.\",\n \"17. The method of claim 15, further comprising:\\nwhen writing first data to the nonvolatile memory, the first data not matching with any data stored in the nonvolatile memory,\\nwriting the first data to the nonvolatile memory;\\nupdating a first translation table managing a corresponding relationship between logical addresses and intermediate addresses to associate a first intermediate address with a logical address of the first data;\\nupdating a second translation table managing a corresponding relationship between the intermediate addresses and physical addresses of locations in the nonvolatile memory to associate a first physical address with the first intermediate address, the first physical address indicating a location in the nonvolatile memory in which the first data is written; and\\nsetting the number of logical addresses associated with the first physical address to one.\",\n \"18. The method of claim 15, further comprising:\\nin a case where first data matches with second data already stored in the nonvolatile memory, without writing the first data to the nonvolatile memory,\\nupdating a first translation table managing a corresponding relationship between logical addresses and intermediate addresses to associate a first intermediate address with a logical address of the first data, the first intermediate address having been associated with a logical address of the second data;\\nmaintaining a second translation table managing a corresponding relationship between the intermediate addresses and physical addresses of locations in the nonvolatile memory such that a first physical address is associated with the first intermediate address, the first physical address indicating a location in the nonvolatile memory in which the second data is stored; and\\nincrementing the number of logical addresses associated with the first physical address by one.\",\n \"19. The method of claim 15, further comprising:\\nin the garbage collection, not copying first data from a first physical address to any location in the nonvolatile memory, wherein\\nthe number of logical addresses associated with the first physical address is zero.\",\n \"20. The method of claim 15, further comprising:\\nselecting, as a copy-source block for the garbage collection, a first block in preference to a second block, wherein\\na maximum of the numbers of logical addresses respectively associated with physical addresses of locations in the first block is greater than a maximum of the numbers of logical addresses respectively associated with physical addresses of locations in the second block.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A memory system comprising:\\na nonvolatile memory; and\\na controller electrically connected to the nonvolatile memory, and configured to control the nonvolatile memory, wherein\\nthe controller is further configured to:\\nmanage a plurality of management tables corresponding to a plurality of first blocks in the nonvolatile memory, each of the management tables including a plurality of reference counts corresponding to a plurality of data in a corresponding first block, and each of the reference counts indicating the number of logical addresses referring to corresponding data;\\nwhen redundant data which agrees with write data received from a host does not exist in the nonvolatile memory, update a first translation table managing a corresponding relationship between logical addresses and intermediate addresses to associate non-use first intermediate address with a logical address of the write data, write the write data to the nonvolatile memory, update a second translation table managing a corresponding relationship between the intermediate addresses and physical addresses to associate a physical address indicating a location in the nonvolatile memory, in which the write data is written, with the first intermediate address, and set a reference count corresponding to the write data to 1;\\nwhen the redundant data which agrees with the write data already exists in the nonvolatile memory, update the first translation table without writing the write data to the nonvolatile memory to associate a second intermediate address indicating an entry in the second translation table holding a physical address corresponding to the redundant data with the logical address of the write data, and increment a reference count corresponding to the redundant data by 1;\\nwhen the write data is update data of data already written in the nonvolatile memory, decrement a reference count corresponding to the data already written by 1; and\\nwhen one of the plurality of first blocks is selected as a copy-source block for garbage collection, copy only data corresponding respectively to reference counts of non-zero to a copy-destination block from the copy-source block, based on a first management table in the plurality of management tables, which corresponds to the copy-source block, update the second translation table to associate physical addresses respectively indicating locations in the copy-destination block, to which the data are copied, with intermediate addresses corresponding respectively to the data copied, and copy the reference counts of non-zero to a second management table corresponding to the copy-destination block from the first management table.\",\n \"2. The memory system of claim 1, wherein\\nin each of the plurality of management tables, the plurality of reference counts are arranged in order of arrangement of the physical addresses of the corresponding first block.\",\n \"3. The memory system of claim 1, wherein\\nthe controller is configured to:\\nmanage a third translation table managing a corresponding relationship between hash values and the intermediate addresses;\\nobtain a hash value of the write data; and\\ndetermine, when an intermediate address corresponding to the obtained hash value does not exist in the third translation table, that the redundant data which agrees with the write data does not exist in the nonvolatile memory, assign a non-use intermediate address to the acquired hash value, and store a corresponding relationship between the acquired hash value and the intermediate address assigned to the acquired hash value in the third translation table,\\nand wherein\\nwhen the redundant data which agrees with the write data does not exist in the nonvolatile memory, the intermediate address assigned to the obtained hash value is associated with the logical address of the write data as the first intermediate address.\",\n \"4. The memory system of claim 3, wherein\\nthe controller is configured to:\\nacquire, when intermediate address corresponding to the obtained hash value already exists in the third translation table, a physical address associated with the intermediate address corresponding to the obtained hash value by referring to the second translation table;\\ncompare the write data with first data stored in the location in the nonvolatile memory, which is designated by the acquired physical address; and\\ndetermine, when the write data and the first data agree with each other, that the redundant data which agrees with the write data already exists in the nonvolatile memory,\\nand wherein\\nwhen the redundant data which agrees with the write data already exists in the nonvolatile memory, the intermediate address which corresponds to the obtained hash value and already exists in the third translation table is associated with the logical address of the write data as the second intermediate address.\",\n \"5. The memory system of claim 1, wherein\\nthe controller is configured to:\\nreceive a read request designating a logical address from the host;\\nacquire an intermediate address corresponding to the designated logical address by referring to the first translation table;\\nacquire a physical address corresponding to the acquired intermediate address by referring to the second translation table; and\\nread data from the nonvolatile memory based on the acquired physical address.\",\n \"6. The memory system of claim 1, wherein\\nthe controller is configured to determine, when intermediate address is already stored in an entry in the first translation table, designated by the logical address of the write data, that the write data is update data of data already written in the nonvolatile memory.\",\n \"7. A memory system comprising:\\na nonvolatile memory including a plurality of physical blocks; and\\na controller electrically connected to the nonvolatile memory and configured to manage a plurality of first blocks each including one or more physical blocks, and execute erase operation in a unit of a first block, wherein\\nthe controller is further configured to:\\nmanage a plurality of management tables corresponding to the plurality of first blocks, each of the management tables including a plurality of reference counts corresponding to a plurality of data in a corresponding first block and each of the reference counts indicating the number of the logical addresses referring to corresponding data;\\nreceive write data from a host;\\nwhen redundant data which agrees with the write data does not exist in the nonvolatile memory, update a first translation table managing a corresponding relationship between logical addresses and intermediate addresses to associate a non-use first intermediate address with a logical address of the write data, write the write data in one of the plurality of first blocks, and update a second translation table managing a corresponding relationship between the intermediate addresses and physical addresses to associate a physical address indicating a location in the nonvolatile memory, in which the write data is written, with the first intermediate address, and set a reference count corresponding to the write data to 1;\\nwhen the redundant data which agrees with the write data already exists in the nonvolatile memory, update the first translation table without writing the write data to one of the plurality of first blocks, to associate a second intermediate address designating an entry in the second translation table holding a physical address corresponding to the redundant data, with the logical address of the write data, and increment the reference count corresponding to the redundant data by 1;\\nwhen the write data is update data of data already written in the nonvolatile memory, decrement the reference count corresponding to the already written data by 1; and\\nwhen one of the plurality of first blocks is selected as a copy-source block for garbage collection, copy only data corresponding respectively to reference counts of non-zero to a copy-destination block from the copy-source block, based on a first management table in the plurality of management tables which corresponds to the copy-source block, update the second translation table to associate the physical addresses respectively indicating locations in the copy-destination block, to which the data are copied, with intermediate addresses corresponding respectively to the data copied, and copy the reference counts of non-zero to the second management table corresponding to the copy-destination block from the first management table.\",\n \"8. A memory system comprising:\\na nonvolatile memory;\\na controller electrically connected to the nonvolatile memory and configured to control the nonvolatile memory, wherein\\nthe controller is further configured to:\\nmanage a plurality of management tables corresponding to a plurality of first blocks in the nonvolatile memory, each of the management tables including a plurality of reference counts corresponding to a plurality of data in a corresponding first block, and each of the reference counts indicating the number of logical addresses referring to corresponding data;\\nwhen redundant data which agrees with write data received from a host does not exist in the nonvolatile memory, write the write data to the nonvolatile memory, and update an intermediate to physical address translation table managing a corresponding relationship between intermediate addresses and physical addresses of the nonvolatile memory to associate a physical address indicating a location in the nonvolatile memory, in which the write data is written, with a first intermediate address assigned to an logical address of the write data, and set a reference count corresponding to the write data to 1;\\nwhen the redundant data which agrees with the write data already exists in the nonvolatile memory, associate a second intermediate address assigned to the redundant data with the logical address of the write data, and increment a reference count corresponding to the redundant data by 1;\\nwhen the write data is update data of data already written in the nonvolatile memory, decrement a reference count corresponding to the data already written by 1; and\\nwhen one of the plurality of first blocks is selected as a copy-source block for garbage collection, copy only data corresponding respectively to reference counts of non-zero to a copy-destination block from the copy-source block, based on a first management table in the plurality of management tables, which corresponds to the copy-source block.\",\n \"9. The memory system of claim 8, wherein\\nwhen one of the plurality of first blocks is selected as a copy-source block for garbage collection, the controller executes an operation of copying only data corresponding respectively to reference counts of non-zero to the copy-destination block from the copy-source block based on the first management table, and an operation of updating the intermediate to physical address translation table to associate physical addresses respectively indicating locations in the copy-destination block, in which the data are copied, with intermediate addresses corresponding respectively to the data copied.\",\n \"10. The memory system of claim 8, wherein\\nwhen one of the plurality of first blocks is selected as a copy-source block for garbage collection, the controller executes an operation of copying only data corresponding respectively to reference counts of non-zero to the copy-destination block from the copy-source block based on the first management table, and an operation of copying each of the reference counts of non-zero from the first management table to a second management table corresponding to the copy-destination block.\",\n \"11. The memory system of claim 8, wherein\\nwhen one of the plurality of first blocks is selected as a copy-source block for garbage collection, the controller executes an operation of copying only data corresponding respectively to reference counts of non-zero to the copy-destination block from the copy-source block based on the first management table, an operation of updating the intermediate to physical address translation table to associate physical addresses respectively indicating locations in the copy-destination block, in which the data are copied, with intermediate addresses corresponding respectively to the data copied, and an operation of copying the reference counts of non-zero from the first management table to a second management table corresponding to the copy-destination block.\",\n \"12. A method of controlling a nonvolatile memory, the method comprising:\\nmanaging a plurality of management tables corresponding to a plurality of first blocks in the nonvolatile memory, each of the management tables including a plurality of reference counts corresponding to a plurality of data in a corresponding first block and each of the reference counts indicating the number of the logical addresses referring to corresponding data;\\nwhen redundant data which agrees with write data received from a host does not exist in the nonvolatile memory, executing an operation of updating a first translation table managing a corresponding relationship between logical addresses and intermediate addresses to associate an non-use first intermediate address with a logical address of the write data, an operation of writing the write data to the nonvolatile memory, an operation of updating a second translation table managing a corresponding relationship between the intermediate addresses and physical addresses to associate a physical address indicating a location in the nonvolatile memory, in which the write data is written, with the first intermediate address, and an operation of setting a reference count corresponding to the write data to 1;\\nwhen the redundant data which agrees with the write data already exists in the nonvolatile memory, executing an operation of updating the first translation table without writing the write data to the nonvolatile memory to associate a second intermediate address designating an entry in the second translation table holding a physical address corresponding to the redundant data, with the logical address of the write data, and an operation of incrementing a reference count corresponding to the redundant data by 1;\\nwhen the write data is update data of data already written in the nonvolatile memory, executing an operation of decrementing a reference count corresponding to the already written data by 1; and\\nwhen one of the plurality of first blocks is selected as a copy-source block for garbage collection, executing an operation of copying only data corresponding respectively to reference counts of non-zero to a copy-destination block from the copy-source block, based on a first management table in the plurality of management tables, which corresponds to the copy-source block, an operation of updating the second translation table to associate physical addresses which indicate respectively locations in the copy-destination block, in which the data are copied, with intermediate addresses corresponding respectively to the data copied, and an operation of copying the reference counts of non-zero from the first management table to a second management table corresponding to the copy-destination block.\",\n \"13. The method of claim 12, wherein\\nin each of the plurality of management tables, the plurality of reference counts are arranged in order of arrangement of the physical addresses of the corresponding first block.\",\n \"14. The method of claim 12, further comprising:\\nmanaging a third translation table managing a corresponding relationship between hash values and the intermediate addresses;\\nobtaining a hash value of the write data;\\nexecuting, when intermediate address corresponding to the obtained hash value does not exist in the third translation table, an operation of determining that the redundant data which agrees with the write data does not exist in the nonvolatile memory and assigning an non-use intermediate address to the obtained hash value, and an operation of storing a corresponding relationship between the obtained hash value and the intermediate address assigned to the obtained hash value in the third translation table, and\\nwherein\\nwhen the redundant data which agrees with the write data does not exist in the nonvolatile memory, the intermediate address assigned to the obtained hash value is associated with the logical address of the write data as the first intermediate address.\",\n \"15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:\\nacquiring, when intermediate address corresponding to the obtained hash value already exists in the third translation table, a physical address associated with the intermediate address corresponding to the obtained hash value by referring to the second translation table;\\ncomparing the write data with first data stored in the location in the nonvolatile memory, which is designated by the acquired physical address; and\\ndetermining, when the write data and the first data agree with each other, that the redundant data which agrees with the write data already exists in the nonvolatile memory,\\nand wherein\\nwhen the redundant data which agrees with the write data already exists in the nonvolatile memory, the intermediate address which corresponds to the obtained hash value and already exists in the third translation table is associated with the logical address of the write data as the second intermediate address.\",\n \"16. The method of claim 12, further comprising:\\nreceiving a read request designating a logical address from the host:\\nacquiring an intermediate address corresponding to the designated logical address by referring to the first translation table;\\nacquiring a physical address corresponding to the acquired intermediate address by referring to the second translation table; and\\nreading data from the nonvolatile memory based on the acquired physical address.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A solid state drive controller, comprising:\\na processor configured to couple to a plurality of non-volatile memory devices, wherein the plurality of non-volatile memory devices are configured to store a plurality of system journals and a plurality of physical pages; and\\na volatile memory configured to store a logical-to-physical address translation map configured to enable the solid state drive controller to determine a physical location of at least one logical page,\\nwherein the processor is configured to:\\nmaintain the plurality of system journals in the plurality of non-volatile memory devices, wherein each system journal defines physical-to-logical page correspondences for a predetermined range of the plurality of physical pages, and each system journal comprises an identification number that includes a portion of an address of a first physical page of the predetermined range of the plurality of physical pages;\\ndetermine that the logical-to-physical address translation map needs to be rebuilt;\\nread information from the plurality of system journals when the logical-to-physical address translation map needs to be rebuilt; and\\nrebuild the logical-to-physical address translation map using the information read from the plurality of system journals.\",\n \"2. The solid state drive controller of claim 1, wherein the portion of the address of the first physical page includes a number of the most significant bits of the address of the first physical page.\",\n \"3. The solid state drive controller of claim 2, wherein each system journal includes an entry that points to a starting address of a logical page of the at least one logical pages.\",\n \"4. The solid state drive controller of claim 3, wherein the entry includes a number of least significant bits of an address of a physical page of the predetermined range of the plurality of physical pages that contains the starting address of the logical page of the at least one logical pages.\",\n \"5. The solid state drive controller of claim 4, wherein a full physical page address is obtained by concatenating the number of the most significant bits with the number of the least significant bits.\",\n \"6. The solid state drive controller of claim 4, wherein the entry includes an offset of the logical page of the at least one logical pages within the physical page of the predetermined range of the plurality of physical pages.\",\n \"7. The solid state drive controller of claim 1, wherein a header of each system journal includes the identification number.\",\n \"8. The solid state drive controller of claim 1, wherein determining that the logical-to-physical address translation map needs to be rebuilt includes determining that the logical-to-physical address translation map needs to be partially rebuilt.\",\n \"9. The solid state drive controller of claim 1, wherein determining that the logical-to-physical address translation map needs to be rebuilt includes determining that the logical-to-physical address translation map needs to be entirely rebuilt.\",\n \"10. The solid state drive controller of claim 1, wherein a variable number of the at least one logical page is stored in the predetermined range of physical pages.\",\n \"11. A method for controlling a solid state drive, the method comprising:\\nmaintaining a plurality of system journals in a plurality of non-volatile memory devices, wherein each system journal defines physical-to-logical page correspondences for a predetermined range of a plurality of physical pages, and each system journal comprises an identification number that includes a portion of an address of a first physical page of the predetermined range of the plurality of physical pages;\\ndetermining that a logical-to-physical address translation map needs to be rebuilt, wherein the logical-to-physical address translation map is stored in a volatile memory;\\nreading information from the plurality of system journals when the logical-to-physical address translation map needs to be rebuilt; and\\nrebuilding the logical-to-physical address translation map using the information read from the plurality of system journals.\",\n \"12. The method of claim 11, wherein the portion of the address of the first physical page includes a number of the most significant bits of the address of the first physical page.\",\n \"13. The method of claim 12, wherein each system journal includes an entry that points to a starting address of a logical page of the at least one logical pages.\",\n \"14. The method of claim 13, wherein the entry includes a number of least significant bits of an address of a physical page of the predetermined range of the plurality of physical pages that contains the starting address of the logical page of the at least one logical pages.\",\n \"15. The method of claim 14, wherein a full physical page address is obtained by concatenating the number of the most significant bits with the number of the least significant bits.\",\n \"16. A data storage device, comprising:\\na plurality of non-volatile memory devices configured to store a plurality of system journals and a plurality of physical pages; and\\na solid state controller, wherein the solid state controller includes:\\na processor coupled to the plurality of non-volatile memory devices; and\\na volatile memory configured to store a logical-to-physical address translation map configured to enable the solid state controller to determine a physical location of at least one logical page, wherein the processor is configured to:\\nmaintain the plurality of system journals in the plurality of non-volatile memory devices, wherein each system journal defines physical-to-logical page correspondences for a predetermined range of the plurality of physical pages, and each system journal comprises an identification number that includes a portion of an address of a first physical page of the predetermined range of the plurality of physical pages;\\ndetermine that the logical-to-physical address translation map needs to be rebuilt;\\nread information from the plurality of system journals when the logical-to-physical address translation map needs to be rebuilt; and\\nrebuild the logical-to-physical address translation map using the information read from the plurality of system journals.\",\n \"17. The data storage device of claim 16, wherein the portion of the address of the first physical page includes a number of the most significant bits of the address of the first physical page.\",\n \"18. The data storage device of claim 17, wherein each system journal includes an entry that points to a starting address of a logical page of the at least one logical pages.\",\n \"19. The data storage device of claim 18, wherein the entry includes a number of least significant bits of an address of a physical page of the predetermined range of the plurality of physical pages that contains the starting address of the logical page of the at least one logical pages.\",\n \"20. The data storage device of claim 19, wherein a full physical page address is obtained by concatenating the number of the most significant bits with the number of the least significant bits.\",\n \"21. A solid state drive controller, comprising:\\nmeans for maintaining a plurality of system journals in a plurality of non-volatile memory devices, wherein each system journal defines physical-to-logical page correspondences for a predetermined range of a plurality of physical pages, and each system journal comprises an identification number that includes a portion of an address of a first physical page of the predetermined range of the plurality of physical pages;\\nmeans for determining that a logical-to-physical address translation map needs to be rebuilt, wherein the logical-to-physical address translation map is stored in a volatile memory;\\nmeans for reading information from the plurality of system journals when the logical-to-physical address translation map needs to be rebuilt; and\\nmeans for rebuilding the logical-to-physical address translation map using the information read from the plurality of system journals.\",\n \"22. The solid state drive controller of claim 21, wherein the portion of the address of the first physical page includes a number of the most significant bits of the address of the first physical page.\",\n \"23. The solid state drive controller of claim 22, wherein each system journal includes an entry that points to a starting address of a logical page of the at least one logical pages.\",\n \"24. The solid state drive controller of claim 23, wherein the entry includes a number of least significant bits of an address of a physical page of the predetermined range of the plurality of physical pages that contains the starting address of the logical page of the at least one logical pages.\",\n \"25. The solid state drive controller of claim 24, wherein a full physical page address is obtained by concatenating the number of the most significant bits with the number of the least significant bits.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A data storage device, comprising:\\na flash memory, comprising a plurality of physical blocks; and\\na microcontroller, selecting one source block and one destination block from the plurality of physical blocks, and performing a garbage collection operation according to a check map corresponding to the selected source block to copy data stored in one or more valid physical addresses of the source block to the selected destination block,\\nwherein the check map records whether a mapping relationship of each physical address in a physical-to-logical mapping table corresponding to the source block has been compared to that of one or more corresponding group logical-to-physical tables,\\nwherein the microcontroller selects a first entry of a physical-to-logical mapping table of the source block, and loads a group logical-to-physical mapping table, corresponding to a specific logic address recorded in the first entry, to a random access memory, wherein the first entry is a non-dummy entry.\",\n \"2. The data storage device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the microcontroller checks a plurality of entries in the physical-to-logical mapping table to obtain at least one second entry corresponding to the group logical-to-physical mapping table, wherein the at least one second entry comprises the first entry.\",\n \"3. The data storage device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the microcontroller respectively selects each second entry corresponding to the group logical-to-physical mapping table from the physical-to-logical mapping table, and determines whether the selected second entry is valid.\",\n \"4. The data storage device as claimed in claim 3, wherein:\\nwhen the selected second entry is valid, the microcontroller labels a check bit corresponding to the checked second entry in the check map; and\\nwhen the selected second entry is invalid, the microcontroller invalidates a logical address recorded in the checked second entry, and labels the check bit corresponding to the checked second entry in the check map.\",\n \"5. The data storage device as claimed in claim 4, wherein when each second entry in the physical-to-logical mapping table has been checked, the microcontroller sequentially copies data from the labeled and valid second entries in the physical-to-logical mapping table to the destination block, and invalidates the logical address recorded in the at least one second entry having the copied data.\",\n \"6. The data storage device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the microcontroller writes the data from the at least one second entry to the destination block using a first-in first-out method to complete the garbage collection operation.\",\n \"7. The data storage device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the microcontroller does not write the data from the at least one second entry to the destination block until a predetermined of data from the at least one second entry has been stored, thereby completing the garbage collection operation.\",\n \"8. A data storage device, comprising:\\na flash memory, comprising a plurality of physical blocks; and\\na microcontroller, selecting one source block and one destination block from the plurality of physical blocks, and dividing the source block into a plurality of virtual blocks,\\nwherein the microcontroller selects one of the virtual blocks, and performs a garbage collection operation according to a check map corresponding to the selected virtual block to copy data, stored in one or more valid physical addresses of the virtual block, to the selected destination block,\\nwherein the check map records whether a mapping relationship of each physical address in a virtual physical-to-logical mapping table corresponding to the selected virtual block of the source block has been compared to that of one or more corresponding group logical-to-physical tables,\\nwherein the microcontroller selects a first entry of the virtual physical-to-logical mapping table of the selected virtual block, and loads a group logical-to-physical mapping table, corresponding to a specific logic address recorded in the first entry, to a random access memory, wherein the first entry is a non-dummy entry.\",\n \"9. The data storage device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the microcontroller checks a plurality of entries in the virtual physical-to-logical mapping table to obtain at least one second entry corresponding to the group logical-to-physical mapping table, wherein the at least one second entry comprises the first entry.\",\n \"10. The data storage device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the microcontroller respectively selects each second entry corresponding to the group logical-to-physical mapping table from the virtual physical-to-logical mapping table, and determines whether the selected second entry is valid.\",\n \"11. The data storage device as claimed in claim 10, wherein:\\nwhen the selected second entry is valid, the microcontroller labels a check bit corresponding to the checked second entry in the check map; and\\nwhen the selected second entry is invalid, the microcontroller invalidates a logical address recorded in the checked second entry, and labels the check bit corresponding to the checked second entry in the check map.\",\n \"12. The data storage device as claimed in claim 11, wherein when each second entry in the virtual physical-to-logical mapping table has been checked, the microcontroller sequentially copies data from the labeled and valid second entries in the virtual physical-to-logical mapping table to the destination block, and invalidates the logical address recorded in the at least one second entry having the copied data.\",\n \"13. The data storage device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the microcontroller writes the data from the at least one second entry to the destination block using a first-in first-out method to complete the garbage collection operation.\",\n \"14. The data storage device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the microcontroller does not write the data from the at least one second entry to the destination block until a predetermined amount of data from the at least one second entry has been stored, thereby completing the garbage collection operation.\",\n \"15. A data storage device, comprising:\\na flash memory, comprising a plurality of physical blocks; and\\na microcontroller, selecting one source block and one destination block from the plurality of physical blocks, and dividing the source block into a plurality of virtual blocks,\\nwherein the microcontroller selects one of the virtual blocks, and reads a virtual valid data count of the selected virtual block,\\nwherein when the microcontroller determines that the virtual valid data count of the selected virtual block is equal to a maximum storage size of the selected virtual block, the microcontroller performs a garbage collection operation to copy data, stored in a plurality of physical addresses of the selected virtual block, to the selected destination block.\",\n \"16. The data storage device as claimed in claim 15, wherein when the microcontroller determines that the virtual valid data count of the selected virtual block is equal to 0, the microcontroller ends the garbage collection operation.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A data moving method, adapted for controlling a storage device equipped with a flash memory, the storage device being controlled by a storage controller, the flash memory comprising a plurality of dice, the dice comprising a first die corresponding to a first channel and a second die corresponding to a second channel, each of the dice comprising a first plane and a second plane, the method comprising:\\nperforming a data moving operation by the storage controller to obtain a valid data from a plurality of source blocks, the valid data comprising a first data, a second data, a third data and a fourth data;\\ndetermining whether the valid data is a sequential data by the storage controller;\\nwhen the valid data is the sequential data, transmitting a first 2-plane read command by the storage controller to read the first data and the second data respectively from the first plane and the second plane of the first die through the first channel, transmitting a second 2-plane read command to read the third data and the fourth data respectively from the first plane and the second plane of the second die through the second channel, and transmitting the first data, the third data, the second data and the fourth data to a buffer memory in order; and\\ntransmitting a first 2-plane programming command by the storage controller to respectively program the first data and the second data to the first plane and the second plane of a third die among the dice, and transmitting a second 2-plane programming command to respectively program the third data and the fourth data to the first plane and the second plane of a fourth die among the dice.\",\n \"2. The data moving method according to claim 1, wherein the first data, the second data, the third data and the fourth data of the third die and the fourth die have continuous physical block addresses (PBA).\",\n \"3. The data moving method according to claim 1, further comprising:\\ngenerating an ID code and a data length corresponding to the sequential data, and reading the sequential data to the buffer memory until the data length of the sequential data is reached.\",\n \"4. The data moving method according to claim 1, wherein the step of determining whether the valid data is the sequential data comprises: determining whether the valid data is the sequential data according to a logical-to-physical (L2P) table and a physical-to-logical (P2L) table.\",\n \"5. The data moving method according to claim 4, further comprising:\\nobtaining a first logical block address corresponding to a first physical block address of the first data according to the physical-to-logical table;\\nwhen a physical block address corresponding to the first logical block address obtained from the logical-to-physical table is the first physical block address, determining that the first data is valid;\\nobtaining a second physical block address directly adjacent to the first physical block address, the second physical block address storing the second data;\\nobtaining a second logical block address corresponding to the second physical block address of the second data according to the physical-to-logical table;\\nwhen a physical block address corresponding to the second logical block address obtained from the logical-to-physical table is the second physical block address, determining that the second data is valid;\\nwhen the second logical block address and the first logical block address are directly adjacent to each other, determining that the first data and the second data are the sequential data.\",\n \"6. The data moving method according to claim 1, wherein the sequential data is cut based on a predetermined size, the predetermined size may be a size of a number of physical sub-units in a plane of a die.\",\n \"7. The data moving method according to claim 1, wherein after the first data, the second data, the third data and the fourth data are respectively programmed to the third die and the fourth die, a logical-to-physical (L2P) table and a physical-to-logical (P2L) table are updated according to physical block addresses of the first data, the second data, the third data and the fourth data.\",\n \"8. The data moving method according to claim 1, wherein an index of the first data in the first plane of the third die, an index of the second data in the second plane of the third die, an index of the third data in the first plane of the fourth die and an index of the fourth data in the second plane of the fourth die are all the same.\",\n \"9. The data moving method according to claim 1, wherein unit of the first data, the second data, the third data and the fourth data is a page, a codeword, or a logical block address unit.\",\n \"10. The data moving method according to claim 1, wherein after the first 2-plane read command is transmitted, it is determined whether a physical block address corresponding to the first data of the first die is the same as a physical address, which is converted by a physical-to-logical table into a logical block address from a physical block address corresponding to the first data of the first die and then converted into the physical address by a logical-to-physical table, if the physical block address and the physical address are different, the first data of the first die is set as invalid.\",\n \"11. The data moving method according to claim 1, wherein after the first 2-plane read command is transmitted, if a host system receives a programming command to program a fifth data to the flash memory and a logical block address of the fifth data is the same as a logical block address of the first data, the fifth data and the second data are respectively programmed to the first plane and the second plane of the third die according to the first 2-plane programming command.\",\n \"12. A storage controller, adapted for controlling a storage device equipped with a flash memory, the flash memory comprising a plurality of dice, the dice comprising a first die corresponding to a first channel and a second die corresponding to a second channel, each of the dice comprising a first plane and a second plane, the storage controller comprising:\\na processor; and\\na memory, coupled to the processor, the memory comprising a buffer memory, wherein\\nthe processor performs a data moving operation to obtain a valid data from a plurality of source blocks, the valid data comprising a first data, a second data, a third data and a fourth data;\\nthe processor determining whether the valid data is a sequential data;\\nwherein when the valid data is the sequential data, the processor transmits a first 2-plane read command to read the first data and the second data respectively from the first plane and the second plane of the first die through the first channel, transmits a second 2-plane read command to read the third data and the fourth data respectively from the first plane and the second plane of the second die through the second channel, and transmits the first data, the third data, the second data and the fourth data to the buffer memory in order; and\\nthe processor transmits a first 2-plane programming command to respectively program the first data and the second data to the first plane and the second plane of a third die among the dice, and transmits a second 2-plane programming command to respectively program the third data and the fourth data to the first plane and the second plane of a fourth die among the dice.\",\n \"13. The storage controller according to claim 12, wherein the first data, the second data, the third data and the fourth data of the third die and the fourth die have continuous physical block addresses (PBA).\",\n \"14. The storage controller according to claim 12, wherein the processor generates an ID code and a data length corresponding to the sequential data, and reading the sequential data to the buffer memory until the data length of the sequential data is reached.\",\n \"15. The storage controller according to claim 12, wherein the processor determines whether the valid data is the sequential data according to a logical-to-physical table and a physical-to-logical table.\",\n \"16. The storage controller according to claim 15, wherein the processor obtains a first logical block address corresponding to a first physical block address of the first data according to the physical-to-logical table;\\nwhen a physical block address corresponding to the first logical block address obtained from the logical-to-physical table is the first physical block address, the processor determines that the first data is valid;\\nthe processor obtains a second physical block address directly adjacent to the first physical block address, the second physical block address storing the second data;\\nthe processor obtains a second logical block address corresponding to the second physical block address of the second data according to the physical-to-logical table;\\nwhen a physical block address corresponding to the second logical block address obtained from the logical-to-physical table is the second physical block address, the processor determines that the second data is valid;\\nwhen the second logical block address and the first logical block address are directly adjacent to each other, the processor determines that the first data and the second data are the sequential data.\",\n \"17. The storage controller according to claim 16, wherein after the first 2-plane read command is transmitted, the processor determines whether a physical block address corresponding to the first data of the first die is the same as a physical address, which is converted by a physical-to-logical table into a logical block address from a physical block address corresponding to the first data of the first die and then converted into the physical address by a logical-to-physical table, if the physical block address and the physical address are different, the first data of the first die is set as invalid.\",\n \"18. The storage controller according to claim 16, wherein after the first 2-plane read command is transmitted, the processor receives a programming command from a host system to program a fifth data to the flash memory and a logical block address of the fifth data is the same as a logical block address of the first data, the processor respectively programs the fifth data and the second data to the first plane and the second plane of the third die according to the first 2-plane programming command.\",\n \"19. The storage controller according to claim 12, wherein the sequential data is cut based on a predetermined size, the predetermined size may be a size of a number of physical sub-units in a plane of a die.\",\n \"20. The storage controller according to claim 12, wherein after the first data, the second data, the third data and the fourth data are respectively programmed to the third die and the fourth die, a logical-to-physical table and a physical-to-logical table are updated according to physical block addresses of the first data, the second data, the third data and the fourth data.\",\n \"21. The storage controller according to claim 12, wherein an index of the first data in the first plane of the third die, an index of the second data in the second plane of the third die, an index of the third data in the first plane of the fourth die and an index of the fourth data in the second plane of the fourth die are all the same.\",\n \"22. The storage controller according to claim 12, wherein unit of the first data, the second data, the third data and the fourth data is a page, a codeword, or a logical block address unit.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A memory system comprising:\\na non-volatile memory;\\na buffer memory; and\\na controller configured to:\\nallocate a target area in the buffer memory for storing data that are to be kept in the buffer memory and not be written into the non-volatile memory until a non-volatilization event occurs, the non-volatilization event being one of a flush request from the host and a detection of a power shutdown;\\nwrite first data corresponding to a first write command received from a host into the target area in the buffer memory, responsive to the first write command, which is received with an indication from the host to write the first data in the target area in the buffer memory; and\\nwrite second data corresponding to a second write command received from the host into an area in the buffer memory that is not allocated as the target area, responsive to the second write command, which is received with no indication from the host to write the second data into the target area in the buffer memory.\",\n \"2. The memory system according to claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to manage mapping of logical addresses and physical addresses, wherein\\nwhen the first data is stored in the buffer memory, the controller updates the mapping such that a first logical address corresponding to the first data is mapped to a physical address of the buffer memory at which the first data is stored, and\\nafter the non-volatilization event occurs, the controller writes the first data stored in the buffer memory into the non-volatile memory and updates the mapping such that the first logical address is mapped to a physical address of the non-volatile memory at which the first data is stored.\",\n \"3. The memory system according to claim 1, wherein the controller determines that the first write command received from the host indicates that the first data is to be written into the target area in the buffer memory, based on one of a first logical address designated by the write command, information indicating that use of the non-volatile memory is to be suppressed, and a command type.\",\n \"4. The memory system according to claim 3, wherein the controller returns an error to the host in a case where an available space of the target area in the buffer memory is not enough to keep the first data therein.\",\n \"5. The memory system according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to:\\nassociate the first data with a first logical address designated by the first write command, and\\nwrite the associated information items in a region of a volatile memory, which has another region allocated as the buffer memory.\",\n \"6. The memory system according to claim 1, wherein the controller releases the target area without writing the data stored in the target area into the non-volatile memory when a command for requesting that the target area be released is received from the host.\",\n \"7. The memory system according to claim 1, wherein\\nthe controller is further configured to manage an area in the buffer memory to store data therein for append-write, wherein the data for the append-write in the buffer memory corresponds to data that is within a predetermined range from a last written append-write position, and\\nthe non-volatilization event further occurs when a size of data for the append-write stored in the buffer memory exceeds a first threshold value.\",\n \"8. The memory system according to claim 7, wherein the controller determines the first threshold value based on a command from the host.\",\n \"9. The memory system according to claim 7, wherein the controller keeps the data for the append-write in the buffer memory for a period of time after the data is written into the non-volatile memory.\",\n \"10. The memory system according to claim 9, wherein the controller releases a storage area for the data for the append-write in the buffer memory after the controller confirms that the data is readable from the non-volatile memory.\",\n \"11. The memory system according to claim 7, wherein the controller is further configured to:\\ndetermine whether or not the data for the append-write is within a predetermined range from the last written append-write position,\\nmaintain the data in the buffer memory when the data is within the predetermined range, and\\nwrite the data into the non-volatile memory when the data is outside of the predetermined range.\",\n \"12. The memory system according to claim 11, wherein the controller manages the latest append-write position and a size of the predetermined range using a management table.\",\n \"13. The memory system according to claim 11,\\nwherein the controller determines a start position of the predetermined range and a size of the predetermined range based on a command from the host.\",\n \"14. In a memory system including a buffer memory and a non-volatile memory, a method of performing writes to the non-volatile memory, said method comprising:\\nallocating a target area in the buffer memory for storing data that are to be kept in the buffer memory and not be written into the non-volatile memory until a non-volatilization event occurs, the non-volatilization event being one of a flush request from the host and a detection of a power shutdown;\\nwriting first data corresponding to a first write command received from a host into the target area in the buffer memory, responsive to the first write command, which is received with an indication from the host to write the first data in the target area in the buffer memory; and\\nwriting second data corresponding to a second write command received from the host into an area in the buffer memory that is not allocated as the target area, responsive to the second write command, which is received with no indication from the host to write the second data into the target area in the buffer memory.\",\n \"15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising:\\ndetermining that the first write command received from the host indicates that the first data is to be written into the target area in the buffer memory, based on one of a first logical address designated by the write command, information indicating that use of the non-volatile memory is to be suppressed, and a command type.\",\n \"16. The method according to claim 14, further comprising:\\nassociating the first data with a first logical address designated by the first write command; and\\nwriting the associated information items in a region of a volatile memory, which has another region allocated as the buffer memory.\",\n \"17. The method according to claim 14, further comprising:\\nin response to a command received from the host for requesting that the target area be released, releasing the target area without writing the data stored in the target area into the non-volatile memory.\",\n \"18. The method according to claim 14, further comprising:\\nmanaging an area in the buffer memory to store data therein for an append-write, wherein the data for the append-write in the buffer memory corresponds to data that is within a predetermined range from a last written append-write position.\"\n ]\n]"},"102rejection":{"kind":"string","value":"the following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 u.s.c. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this office action:\r\na person shall be entitled to a patent unless –\r\n(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.\r\n(a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.\r\nclaims 1, 4, 7, 10-14, 16, and 18, are rejected under 35 u.s.c. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by shin (us pgpub 2019/0087128).\r\nregarding claim 1, shin teaches a method of operating a memory system comprising a memory controller and a memory device, the memory device comprising a plurality of dies each of which includes a plurality of blocks (fig. 1 and abstract and paragraphs [0056]-[0057], describe the memory device which has a plurality of dies which includes a plurality of planes and blocks), the method comprising: executing, by at least one of the memory controller or the memory device, operations comprising: outputting a plurality of commands comprising first and second commands based on a program request and program data, wherein the plurality of commands are configured to control the memory device in units of super blocks, the super blocks comprising blocks included in different dies of the plurality of dies (abstract, states that commands can be received, including write commands (program operations), which are then applied to corresponding super blocks. paragraphs [0107]-[0109], describe the construction of the super blocks which comprise blocks from different dies. it should be noted that this is standard operating procedure for super block systems), during a first time interval, performing, based on the first commands, a first erase operation on a first-first block among the first-first block to a first-mth block of the blocks included in a first super block among the super blocks, where m is an integer greater than or equal to two, during the first time interval, performing, based on the first commands, a first program operation on a second-first block to a second-mth block of the blocks included in a second super block among the super blocks (abstract and paragraphs [0006]-[0007], states that as program operations are being performed on one super block erase operations can be performed on another super block), during a second time interval after the first time interval, performing, based on the second commands, a second erase operation on a first-second block among the first-first block to the first-mth block, and during the second time interval, performing, based on the second commands, a second program operation on the first-first block and one or more blocks among the second-first block to the second-mth block, and during each time interval from among a plurality of consecutive time intervals that are after the second time interval, performing an additional respective erase operation on at least one of the blocks included in the first super block and, while performing the additional respective erase operation, performing an additional respective program operation on at least one of the blocks included in the second super block (abstract and paragraphs [0006]-[0007], as stated previously the erase commands can be done in parallel between the program operations at various periods of time. fig. 8 and paragraphs [0138] and [0145], show the scheduling of sets of commands wherein at the time intervals starting with t1 there will be one erase operation performed on one or more of the blocks on one die while write operations are performed on the other blocks on the other dies. the writes are also directed to blocks of other superblocks. it should be noted that there is nothing specifying what constitutes a time interval or set of commands).\r\nregarding claim 4, shin teaches all the limitations to claim 1. shin further teaches during a third time interval among the plurality of consecutive time intervals, performing, based on third commands of the plurality of commands, a third erase operation on a first-third block among the first-first block to the first-mth block, and during the third time interval, performing, based on the third commands, a third program operation on the first-first block, the first-second block, and one or more blocks among the second-first block to the second-mth block (abstract and paragraphs [0006]-[0007], as stated in the rejection to claim 1, the erase commands can be done in parallel between the program operations at various periods of time. it should be noted that there is nothing specifying what constitutes a time interval or set of commands).\r\nregarding claim 7, shin teaches all the limitations to claim 1. shin further teaches wherein outputting the plurality of commands comprises: generating program scheduling information representing the blocks to be grouped in the first super block and the second super block among the plurality of blocks during each of the first time interval and the second time interval, and generating the plurality of commands based on the program scheduling information (paragraphs [0006]-[0007], as stated in the rejection to claim 1, the received requests can be queued and then scheduled in a particular manner such that the operations are performed according to the schedule).\r\nregarding claim 10, shin teaches all the limitations to claim 1. shin further teaches wherein performing the second program operation comprises: based on the second commands, at a first time point at which a predetermined time has elapsed from a second time point, initiating the second program operation on the first-first block, wherein the second time point represents a time point at which the first erase operation on the first-first block is completed within the first time interval (abstract and paragraphs [0006]-[0007], as stated in the rejection to claim 1, as only one operation can be performed on a block at a time the erase operation would have to finish before the program operation can even be executed).\r\nregarding claim 11, shin teaches all the limitations to claim 1. shin further teaches wherein, during the second time interval, the second commands are output sequentially with respect to the blocks included in the second super block (fig. 7 and paragraphs [0124]-[0127], show how the commands can be scheduled and that the scheduling can have the commands outputted sequentially with respect to the blocks in the super blocks).\r\nregarding claim 12, shin teaches all the limitations to claim 1. shin further teaches wherein the first super block includes invalid blocks (paragraph [0074], states that the valid page counts of blocks can be tracked and taken into consideration when performing operations meaning the first block can include invalid blocks).\r\nregarding claim 13, shin teaches all the limitations to claim 1. shin further teaches wherein outputting the plurality of commands comprises: generating program scheduling information representing the blocks to be grouped in the first super block and the second super block among the plurality of blocks during each of the first time interval and the second time interval, and generating the plurality of commands based on the program scheduling information (paragraphs [0006]-[0007], as stated in the rejection to claim 1, the received requests can be queued and then scheduled in a particular manner such that the operations are performed according to the schedule), wherein the program scheduling information further represents a time point at which each of the second commands is issued to the memory device (abstract and paragraphs [0006]-[0007], the entire point of scheduling is to set when to issue commands to the device).\r\nregarding claims 14 and 16, claims 14 and 16 are the system claims associated with claims 1 and 4. since shin teaches all the limitations of claims 1 and 4 and further teaches a memory device comprising a plurality of dies, each of which includes a plurality of blocks; and a memory controller configured to control the memory device (fig. 1 and abstract and paragraphs [0056]-[0057]), it also teaches all the limitations to claims 14 and 16; therefore the rejections to claims 1 and 4 also apply to claims 14 and 16.\r\nregarding claim 18, shin teaches all the limitations of claim 16. shin further teaches wherein: the plurality of dies of the memory device comprises a first die to a mth die, the first super block corresponding to the first time interval includes the first-first block to the first-mth block, which are a first portion of the plurality of blocks included in the first die to the mth die, and the second super block corresponding to the second time interval includes the second-first block to the second-mth block, which are a second portion of the plurality of blocks included in the first die to the mth die (fig. 7 and paragraphs [0107]-[0109], as stated in the rejection to claim 1, show how the memory is formed of several dies that include several planes made of blocks. the various super blocks are then comprised of several different blocks from the different dies)."}}},{"rowIdx":9031,"cells":{"query":{"kind":"list like","value":["1. A method for controlling a water drain system for a fuel cell vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:\nderiving an expected location where the water drain system of a fuel cell is expected to be operated; and\ndischarging generated water of the fuel cell by operating the water drain system in advance before the fuel cell vehicle reaches the expected location.","2. The method according to claim 1, wherein in the step of deriving the expected location, any one of a location where the water of the fuel cell is discharged, a location where an operation of the fuel cell is stopped, a location where the fuel cell vehicle is parked, a user's designated location, and a navigation destination, is derived as the expected location.","3. The method according to claim 1, wherein in the step of deriving the expected location, the expected location is updated while the fuel cell vehicle is driving.","4. The method according to claim 1, wherein in the step of discharging the generated water of the fuel cell, the generated water of the fuel cell is discharged when a current location of the fuel cell vehicle is within a set distance of the expected location.","5. The method according to claim 1, wherein in the step of discharging the generated water of the fuel cell, a time for the fuel cell vehicle to reach the expected location from a set distance of an expected distance is set as a set time, and the generated water of the fuel cell is discharged before the set time.","6. The method according to claim 1, wherein in the step of discharging the generated water of the fuel cell, the generated water of the fuel cell is discharged only when a current location of the fuel cell vehicle is located on a driving path.","7. The method according to claim 1, wherein in the step of discharging the generated water of the fuel cell, the generated water of the fuel cell is discharged only when an outside air temperature of the fuel cell vehicle satisfies a preset temperature condition.","8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the outside air temperature of the fuel cell vehicle is an outside air temperature at the expected location.","9. A water drain system for a fuel cell vehicle, the water drain system comprising:\na water drain unit that selectively discharges generated water of a fuel cell;\na location derivation unit that derives an expected location where a water drain system of a fuel cell is expected to be operated; and\na control unit that controls the water drain system so that the generated water of the fuel cell is discharged in advance before the fuel cell vehicle reaches the expected location derived from the location derivation unit.","10. The water drain system according to claim 9, further comprising a display unit that displays whether the water drain system of the fuel cell is in operation."],"string":"[\n \"1. A method for controlling a water drain system for a fuel cell vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:\\nderiving an expected location where the water drain system of a fuel cell is expected to be operated; and\\ndischarging generated water of the fuel cell by operating the water drain system in advance before the fuel cell vehicle reaches the expected location.\",\n \"2. The method according to claim 1, wherein in the step of deriving the expected location, any one of a location where the water of the fuel cell is discharged, a location where an operation of the fuel cell is stopped, a location where the fuel cell vehicle is parked, a user's designated location, and a navigation destination, is derived as the expected location.\",\n \"3. The method according to claim 1, wherein in the step of deriving the expected location, the expected location is updated while the fuel cell vehicle is driving.\",\n \"4. The method according to claim 1, wherein in the step of discharging the generated water of the fuel cell, the generated water of the fuel cell is discharged when a current location of the fuel cell vehicle is within a set distance of the expected location.\",\n \"5. The method according to claim 1, wherein in the step of discharging the generated water of the fuel cell, a time for the fuel cell vehicle to reach the expected location from a set distance of an expected distance is set as a set time, and the generated water of the fuel cell is discharged before the set time.\",\n \"6. The method according to claim 1, wherein in the step of discharging the generated water of the fuel cell, the generated water of the fuel cell is discharged only when a current location of the fuel cell vehicle is located on a driving path.\",\n \"7. The method according to claim 1, wherein in the step of discharging the generated water of the fuel cell, the generated water of the fuel cell is discharged only when an outside air temperature of the fuel cell vehicle satisfies a preset temperature condition.\",\n \"8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the outside air temperature of the fuel cell vehicle is an outside air temperature at the expected location.\",\n \"9. A water drain system for a fuel cell vehicle, the water drain system comprising:\\na water drain unit that selectively discharges generated water of a fuel cell;\\na location derivation unit that derives an expected location where a water drain system of a fuel cell is expected to be operated; and\\na control unit that controls the water drain system so that the generated water of the fuel cell is discharged in advance before the fuel cell vehicle reaches the expected location derived from the location derivation unit.\",\n \"10. The water drain system according to claim 9, further comprising a display unit that displays whether the water drain system of the fuel cell is in operation.\"\n]"},"applicant_patent_id":{"kind":"string","value":"US20230170501A1"},"cited_patent_id":{"kind":"string","value":"JP2008208964A"},"positive":{"kind":"list like","value":["2. The automatic transmission according to claim 1, further comprising a third clutch for preventing high-speed rotation of the carrier of the second double pinion planetary gear. 3. The automatic transmission according to claim 2, wherein the third clutch selectively connects the input shaft and a sun gear directly connected to the first compound planetary gear. 3. The automatic transmission according to claim 2, wherein the third clutch selectively connects a ring gear of the first double pinion planetary gear and a ring gear of the first single pinion planetary gear. 2. The sun gear of the first double pinion planetary gear and the sun gear of the second double pinion planetary gear that are directly connected to each other are directly connected to the input shaft, and the ring gear of the first double pinion planetary gear is connected to the ring gear of the first single pinion planetary gear. An automatic transmission characterized by being directly connected."],"string":"[\n \"2. The automatic transmission according to claim 1, further comprising a third clutch for preventing high-speed rotation of the carrier of the second double pinion planetary gear. 3. The automatic transmission according to claim 2, wherein the third clutch selectively connects the input shaft and a sun gear directly connected to the first compound planetary gear. 3. The automatic transmission according to claim 2, wherein the third clutch selectively connects a ring gear of the first double pinion planetary gear and a ring gear of the first single pinion planetary gear. 2. The sun gear of the first double pinion planetary gear and the sun gear of the second double pinion planetary gear that are directly connected to each other are directly connected to the input shaft, and the ring gear of the first double pinion planetary gear is connected to the ring gear of the first single pinion planetary gear. An automatic transmission characterized by being directly connected.\"\n]"},"hard_negatives":{"kind":"list like","value":[["1. A fuel cell vehicle comprising:\nan electric traction motor;\nan inverter configured to convert DC power to AC power for driving the electric traction motor;\na fuel cell system including a fuel cell configured to generate the DC power with hydrogen fuel and oxygen;\na first boost converter including first low voltage terminals connected to the fuel cell and first high voltage terminals connected to the inverter, the first boost converter including a first capacitor connected between a positive terminal and a negative terminal of the first high voltage terminals;\na first relay connected between the first boost converter and the inverter; and\na controller,\nwherein the controller is configured to:\nshut down the fuel cell system;\nwhile a voltage of the fuel cell is higher than a predetermined voltage threshold, discharge the first capacitor with a voltage of the first capacitor maintained to be higher than the voltage of the fuel cell; and\nwhen the voltage of the fuel cell becomes lower than the predetermined voltage threshold, stop the discharging of the first capacitor and disconnect the first boost converter from the inverter by opening the first relay.","2. The fuel cell vehicle of claim 1 further comprising:\na battery;\na second boost converter including second low voltage terminals connected to the battery and second high voltage terminals connected to the inverter, the second boost converter including a second capacitor connected between a positive terminal and a negative terminal of the second high voltage terminals; and\na second relay connected between the battery and the second boost converter,\nwherein the controller is configured to:\ndisconnect the battery from the second boost converter by opening the second relay prior to discharging the second capacitor;\nwhile the voltage of the fuel cell is higher than the predetermined voltage threshold, discharge the first and second capacitors with voltages of the first and second capacitors maintained to be higher than the voltage of the fuel cell;\nwhen the voltage of the fuel cell becomes lower than the predetermined voltage threshold, stop the discharging of the first capacitor and disconnect the first boost converter from the inverter by opening the first relay; and\ndischarge the second capacitor.","3. The fuel cell vehicle of claim 1, wherein in a case where the voltage of the fuel cell is lower than the predetermined voltage threshold prior to starting the discharging of the first capacitor, the controller is configured to discharge the first capacitor such that the first capacitor has a voltage equal to the predetermined voltage threshold and open the first relay."],["1. A fuel cell vehicle comprising:\na fuel cell system including a fuel cell and fuel cell auxiliary machinery;\na drive motor configured to drive the fuel cell vehicle;\na power storage device configured to be charged with electric power generated by the fuel cell and regenerative electric power generated by the drive motor, and to store electric power to supply to the drive motor;\na remaining charge monitor configured to detect remaining charge of the power storage device;\na temperature sensor configured to detect temperature of the power storage device; and\na power controller configured to control an operation state of the fuel cell system while controlling the remaining charge of the power storage device to be equal to or higher than a predetermined lower limit,\nwherein when the temperature of the power storage device detected by the temperature sensor is a second temperature, which is lower than a predetermined first temperature, at least in a period when the power storage device is allowed to be charged with the regenerative electric power, the power controller controls the remaining charge by setting the lower limit to a value higher than the lower limit set at the first temperature, and\nwherein when a stop instruction for the fuel cell system is input, the power controller performs a remaining charge raising processing for raising the remaining charge of the power storage device.","2. The fuel cell vehicle according to claim 1, wherein when the temperature of the power storage device detected by the temperature sensor is the second temperature, in a period from input of a start instruction for the fuel cell system to input of a stop instruction for the fuel cell system subsequent to the start instruction, the power controller controls the remaining charge by setting the lower limit to the value higher than the lower limit set at the first temperature.","3. The fuel cell vehicle according to claim 1, wherein\nwhen the remaining charge detected by the remaining charge monitor is lower than a predetermined reference value when the stop instruction for the fuel cell system is input, the power controller causes the fuel cell to charge the power storage device, and\nwhen the remaining charge is equal to or higher than the reference value when the stop instruction is input, the power controller drives the fuel cell auxiliary machinery to perform end processing to be performed when the fuel cell system is stopped, without charging the power storage device.","4. The fuel cell vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the reference value is a value equal to or higher than the remaining charge that enables the power storage device to supply electric power required by the fuel cell system for processing to be performed in the fuel cell system in a period from the input of the stop instruction to a restart of power generation by the fuel cell in response to a subsequent start instruction for starting the fuel cell system being input below a freezing point.","5. The fuel cell vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the lower limit is equal to or higher than the reference value.","6. A method for controlling a fuel cell vehicle, the fuel cell vehicle comprising:\na fuel cell system including a fuel cell and fuel cell auxiliary machinery;\na drive motor configured to drive the fuel cell vehicle;\na power storage device configured to be charged with electric power generated by the fuel cell and regenerative electric power generated by the drive motor, and to store electric power to supply to the drive motor;\na remaining charge monitor configured to detect remaining charge of the power storage device; and\na temperature sensor configured to detect temperature of the power storage device,\nthe method comprising:\nwhen the temperature of the power storage device detected by the temperature sensor is a second temperature, which is lower than a predetermined first temperature, when the remaining charge of the power storage device is controlled to be equal to or higher than a predetermined lower limit at least in a period when the power storage device is allowed to be charged with the regenerative electric power, controlling the remaining charge by setting the lower limit to a value higher than the lower limit set at the first temperature; and\nwhen a stop instruction for the fuel cell system is input, performing remaining charge raising processing for raising the remaining charge of the power storage device."],["1. A method for communication between a hydrogen fueling station and a hydrogen powered vehicle having a fueling system comprising a first hydrogen tank and a second hydrogen tank, the method comprising:\ndisposing a nozzle of the station within a specified distance of a receptacle on the vehicle to establish an NFC link between a first near field communication (NFC) hardware and a second NFC hardware;\ncommunicating to the station, via the NFC link, identifying information for the vehicle;\nselecting, by the station, a vehicle to infrastructure (V2X) communication network based on the identifying information for the vehicle;\nestablishing, between the station and the vehicle, a V2X communication link via the V2X communication network;\ntransmitting, via the V2X communication network, an initial pressure of the first hydrogen tank, an initial pressure of the second hydrogen tank, an initial temperature of the first hydrogen tank, and an initial temperature of the second hydrogen tank,\ndelivering through the nozzle, by the station and to the vehicle via the receptacle, pressurized hydrogen to the fueling system to at least partially fill the first hydrogen tank and the second hydrogen tank.","2. The method of claim 1, further comprising communicating to the station, via the NFC link, identifying information for the first hydrogen tank and the second hydrogen tank.","3. The method of claim 2, further comprising communicating to the station, via the NFC link and for each of the first hydrogen tank and the second hydrogen tank, information regarding tank volume, pressure rating, material information, dimensional information including length, diameter, and wall thickness, serial number, and last service date.","4. The method of claim 1, further comprising monitoring, via the V2X communication network and during the delivering pressurized hydrogen, one or more dynamic data for the first hydrogen tank and the second hydrogen tank.","5. The method of claim 1, further comprising stopping, by the station, delivery of hydrogen to the vehicle in response to an indication that the first hydrogen tank temperature is out of bounds or the first hydrogen tank pressure is out of bounds.","6. The method of claim 1, wherein the delivering the pressurized hydrogen between the vehicle and the station and in connection with the NFC link and the V2X link is rated at an ASIL D level of safety.","7. The method of claim 1, further comprising communicating, via the NFC link, one or more of: a fueling protocol identifier; a vehicle identification number, a vehicle hydrogen tank volume, a vehicle hydrogen tank type receptacle type, a fueling command, a maximum mass flow of hydrogen between the nozzle and the receptacle, or a watchdog counter.","8. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting to the vehicle, by the station and over the V2X communication link, an update to at least one of: a software application operative on the vehicle; or firmware for an electronic device operative as part of the vehicle.","9. The method of claim 1, further comprising exchanging, between the station and the vehicle and over the V2X communication link, payment information and confirmation associated with the delivering the pressurized hydrogen to the vehicle.","10. The method of claim 1, further comprising downloading from the vehicle, to the station and over the V2X communication link, diagnostic information for a component of the vehicle.","11. The method of claim 1, further comprising, responsive to an interruption in communication over one of the V2X communication link or the NFC link, completing delivery of pressurized hydrogen through the nozzle in accordance with a default delivery protocol associated with the first hydrogen tank or the second hydrogen tank.","12. The method of claim 1, wherein communication between the station and the vehicle via the NFC link is conducted in accordance with at least one of IEC standard 61784 or IEC standard 61508.","13. The method of claim 4, further comprising updating, responsive to the monitoring and in a database accessible to the station, at least one characteristic of a default fueling protocol for the vehicle.","14. The method of claim 13, wherein the at least one characteristic comprises a target pressure and a ramp rate.","15. The method of claim 1, wherein a communication protocol of the V2X communication link is at least one of an IEEE 802.11 protocol, a 4G LTE mobile network protocol, or a 5G mobile network protocol.","16. The method of claim 1, wherein the first NFC hardware is replaceable without impairing the hydrogen delivery function of the nozzle.","17. The method of claim 1, wherein the delivering pressurized hydrogen at least partially fills the first hydrogen tank and the second hydrogen tank of the vehicle simultaneously.","18. The method of claim 1, wherein, during the delivering pressurized hydrogen, the station polls the vehicle for information regarding the first hydrogen tank or the second hydrogen tank at an interval of 50 milliseconds or less.","19. The method of claim 1, wherein the first NFC hardware and the second NFC hardware are rated for use in a Zone 1 hydrogen classified area.","20. The method of claim 1, wherein the specified distance is 20 centimeters or less."],["1. A lightweight, high power density, fault-tolerant fuel cell system for a clean fuel aircraft, the system comprising:\na power generation subsystem comprising at least one fuel cell module comprising:\na plurality of hydrogen fuel cells configured to supply electrical voltage and current to a plurality of motor and propeller assemblies controlled by a plurality of motor controllers;\na fuel supply subsystem comprising a fuel tank in fluid communication with the at least one fuel cell module and configured to store and transport liquid hydrogen (LH2) fuel;\na thermal energy interface subsystem comprising a heat exchanger in fluid communication with the fuel tank and the at least one fuel cell module including each hydrogen fuel cell of the plurality of hydrogen fuel cells, a plurality of fluid conduits, and at least one radiator in fluid communication with the at least one fuel cell module, configured to store and transport a coolant, wherein the heat exchanger extracts gaseous hydrogen (GH2) from LH2 or to increase a temperature of already extracted gaseous hydrogen (GH2) using thermal energy transfer by transferring heat or thermal energy across heat exchanger walls and heat exchanger surfaces to the fuel supplied by fuel lines in fluid communication with the one or more heat exchangers and the fuel tank, using thermodynamic processes including conduction;\nan external interface subsystem comprising one or more oxygen delivery mechanisms comprising one or more of turbochargers, superchargers, blowers, compressors, local supply of air or oxygen, or combinations thereof, configured to compress ambient air and in fluid communication with at least one air intake and the at least one fuel cell module; and\na power distribution monitoring and control subsystem for monitoring and controlling distribution of supplied electrical voltage and current to the plurality of motor controllers and an avionics subsystem, comprising:\none or more sensing devices configured to measure operating conditions; and\nan electrical circuit configured to collect electrons from each hydrogen fuel cell of the plurality of hydrogen fuel cells and supply voltage and current to the plurality of motor controllers and aircraft components, wherein electrons returning from the electrical circuit combine with oxygen in the compressed air to form oxygen ions, then protons combine with oxygen ions to form H2O molecules, wherein the plurality of motor controllers are commanded by one or more autopilot control units or computer units comprising a computer processor configured to compute algorithms based on measured operating conditions, and configured to select and control an amount and distribution of electrical voltage and torque or current for each of the plurality of motor and propeller assemblies;\nwherein the one or more autopilot control units or computer units comprising a computer processor are further configured to dissipate waste heat using the thermal energy interface subsystem comprising the heat exchanger or a vaporizer used to warm LH2 or GH2, and/or using at least one radiator or one or more exhaust ports to expel waste heat with exhaust gas, wherein the H2O molecules are removed using the one or more exhaust ports or a vent.","2. The system of claim 1, wherein a working fluid and the fuel remain physically isolated from one another.","3. The system of claim 1, further comprising:\na hydrogen flowfield plate, disposed in each hydrogen fuel cell of the plurality of hydrogen fuel cells, and comprising a first channel array configured to divert gaseous hydrogen (GH2) inside each hydrogen fuel cell through an anode backing layer connected thereto and comprising an anode gas diffusion layer (AGDL) connected to an anode side catalyst layer that is further connected to an anode side of a proton exchange membrane (PEM), the anode side catalyst layer configured to contact the GH2 and divide the GH2 into protons and electrons.","4. The system of claim 3, further comprising:\nan outflow end of the hydrogen flowfield plate configured to use the first channel array to remove exhaust gas from each hydrogen fuel cell.","5. The system of claim 3, further comprising:\nan oxygen flowfield plate, disposed in each hydrogen fuel cell, and comprising a second channel array configured to divert compressed air inside each hydrogen fuel cell through a cathode backing layer connected thereto and comprising a cathode gas diffusion layer (CGDL) connected to a cathode side catalyst layer that is further connected to a cathode side of the PEM, wherein the PEM comprises a polymer and is configured to allow protons to permeate from the anode side to the cathode side but restricts the electrons.","6. The system of claim 5, further comprising:\nan outflow end of an oxygen flowfield plate configured to use the second channel array to remove the H2O and the compressed air from each hydrogen fuel cell.","7. The system of claim 1, further comprising:\nan electrical circuit configured to collect electrons from an anode side catalyst layer and supply voltage and current to a power generation subsystem a power distribution monitoring and control subsystem, wherein electrons returning from the electrical circuit combine with oxygen in the compressed air to form oxygen ions, then the protons combine with oxygen ions to form H2O molecules.","8. The system of claim 1, further comprising:\none or more battery arrays;\none or more circuit boards;\none or more processors;\none or more memory;\none or more electronic components, electrical connections, electrical wires; and\none or more diode or field-effect transistors (FET, IGBT or SiC) providing isolation between an electrical main bus and one or more electrical sources comprising the at least one fuel cell module.","9. The system of claim 1, wherein the fuel supply subsystem further comprises fuel lines, pumps, refueling connections for charging or fuel connectors, one or more vents, one or more valves, one or more pressure regulators, and unions, each in fluid communication with the fuel tank that is configured to store and transport a fuel comprising gaseous hydrogen (GH2) or liquid hydrogen (LH2).","10. The system of claim 9, wherein one or more temperature sensing devices or thermal safety sensors monitor temperatures and concentrations of gases in the fuel supply subsystem.","11. The system of claim 10, wherein the one or more temperature sensing devices comprise one or more pressure gauges, one or more level sensors, one or more vacuum gauges, and/or one or more temperature sensors.","12. The system of claim 9, further comprising the at least one fuel cell module and the plurality of motor controllers, each configured to self-measure and report temperature and other parameters using a Controller Area Network (CAN) bus to inform the one or more autopilot control units or computer units as to a valve, pump or combination thereof to enable to increase or decrease of fuel supply or cooling using fluids wherein thermal energy is transferred from the coolant.","13. The system of claim 9, wherein the one or more autopilot control units comprise at least two redundant autopilot control units that command the plurality of motor controllers, the fuel supply subsystem, the at least one fuel cell module, and fluid control units with commands operating valves and pumps altering flows of fuel, air and coolant to different locations.","14. The system of claim 13, wherein the at least two redundant autopilot control units communicate a voting process over a redundant network.","15. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one fuel cell module further comprises a fuel delivery assembly, air filters, blowers, airflow meters, a recirculation pump, a coolant pump, fuel cell controls, sensors, an end plate, coolant conduits, connections, a hydrogen inlet, a coolant inlet, an oxygen inlet, a hydrogen outlet, an oxygen outlets, a coolant outlet, and coolant conduits connected to and in fluid communication with the at least one fuel cell module and transporting coolant.","16. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more autopilot control units or computer units comprising a computer processor are further configured to compute, select and control, based on one or more algorithms, using one or more oxygen delivery mechanisms comprising air-driven turbochargers or superchargers supplying air or oxygen to the at least one fuel cell module, an amount and distribution of voltage and current from the plurality of hydrogen fuel cells of the power generation subsystem to each of the plurality of motor and propeller assemblies being controlled by the plurality of motor controllers.","17. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is mounted within a full-scale, electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) or electric aircraft system sized, dimensioned, and configured for transporting one or more human occupants and/or a payload, comprising a multirotor airframe fuselage supporting vehicle weight, human occupants and/or payload, attached to and supporting the plurality of motor and propeller assemblies, each comprising a plurality of pairs of propeller blades or a plurality of rotor blades, and each being electrically connected to and controlled by the plurality of motor controllers and a power distribution monitoring and control subsystem distributing voltage and current from the plurality of hydrogen fuel cells.","18. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of motor controllers are high-voltage, high-current liquid-cooled or air-cooled controllers.","19. The system of claim 1, further comprising:\na mission planning computer comprising software, with wired or wireless (RF) connections to the one or more autopilot control units.","20. The system of claim 1, further comprising:\na wirelessly connected or wire-connected Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADSB) or Remote ID unit providing software with collision avoidance, traffic, emergency detection and weather information to and from the clean fuel aircraft.","21. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more autopilot control units comprise a computer processor and input/output interfaces comprising at least one of interface selected from serial RS232, Controller Area Network (CAN), Ethernet, analog voltage inputs, analog voltage outputs, pulse-width-modulated outputs for motor control, an embedded or stand-alone air data computer, an embedded or stand-alone inertial measurement device, and one or more cross-communication channels or networks.","22. The system of claim 1, further comprising:\na simplified computer and display with an arrangement of standard avionics used to monitor and display operating conditions, control panels, gauges and sensor output for the clean fuel aircraft.","23. The system of claim 1, further comprising:\na DC-DC converter or starter/alternator configured to down-shift at least a portion of a primary voltage of a multirotor aircraft system to a standard voltage comprising one or more of the group consisting of 12V, 24V, 28V, or other standard voltage for avionics, radiator fan motors, compressor motors, water pump motors and non-propulsion purposes, with a battery of corresponding voltage to provide local current storage.","24. The system of claim 1, further comprising:\na means of combining pitch, roll, yaw, throttle, and other desired information onto a serial line, in such a way that multiple channels of command data pass to the one or more autopilot control units over the serial line, where control information is packaged in a plurality of frames that repeat at a periodic or aperiodic rate.","25. The system of claim 1, further comprising:\nthe one or more autopilot control units operating control algorithms generating commands to each of the plurality of motor controllers, managing and maintaining multirotor aircraft stability for the clean fuel aircraft, and monitoring feedback.","26. The system of claim 1, wherein the fuel tank further comprises a carbon fiber epoxy shell, a plastic liner, a metal interface, drop protection, and is configured to use a working fluid of hydrogen as the fuel.","27. The system of claim 26, wherein the fuel tank further comprises one or more cryogenic inner tanks and an outer tank, an insulating wrap, a vacuum between the inner tank and the outer tank, thereby creating an operating pressure containing liquid hydrogen (LH2) at approximately 10 bar, or 140 psi."],["1. An energy control method for a hybrid bus using a hydrogen fuel cell and a power battery, characterized in that: the method comprises the following steps:\nS1. collecting motor power data;\nS2. selecting an SOC value from a range of an average motor power value, and performing an interpolation assignment on a pile power range;\nS3. adding vehicle parking determination;\nS4. locking a pile variable-load frequency standard, and assessing whether requirements are satisfied;\nS5. determining SOH state of the power battery; and\nS6. adding an operation of forced pile startup during low SOC.","2. The energy control method according to claim 1, characterized in that:\nstep S1 comprises, for a target vehicle, 100% electric mode operation is carried out to collect data information of motor current, motor voltage, motor output power, auxiliary system power, battery current, battery voltage, battery output power, and SOC of the power battery, and then calculating the average motor power value required by the target vehicle in the driving state.","3. The energy control method according to claim 2, characterized in that:\nin step S2, a principle of “performing the interpolation assignment on the pile power range” is as follows: (1) a target power of a pile system is equal to the average motor power; (2) a maximum power of the pile system is a maximum output power Pmax of the pile; (3) a minimum power of the pile system is an allowable minimum power Pmin of the pile system; and (4) equivalent interpolation is performed on the pile power in an SOC range of 5% to 20%, i.e. (Pmax−Pmin)/n, n=5-20.","4. The energy control method according to claim 3, characterized in that:\nin step S3, a comparison is made between a motor power Pmotor1 for parking before 10 min and a motor power Pmotor2 for parking after 10 min: if Pmotor2=Pmotor1=0, a vehicle control unit (VCU) makes a target power Pmin inputted to a fuel cell system control unit (FCU); and the motor power begins to be determined at the same time: if Pmotor≥0, table lookup is performed for power, and the target power is locked by locking the SOC value of the power battery and outputted to fuel cell system control unit FCU.","5. The energy control method according to claim 4, characterized in that:\nin step S4, a variable-load frequency f satisfying service life requirements of the pile is locked according to fuel cell polarization and a Linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) curve, an energy control strategy of a real vehicle is locked according to step S2 for a working condition test or simulation analysis, and the pile variable-load frequency is assessed according to the requirements and adjusted.","6. The energy control method according to claim 5, characterized in that:\nin step S5, after step S4 is completed and the strategy satisfies the requirements, SOC state of the power battery, including an SOC floating range and power throughput, and the SOH state of the power battery are assessed: if the SOC floating range exceeds a healthy range, a corresponding interpolation target power shall be adjusted up or down appropriately.","7. The energy control method according to claim 6, characterized in that:\nin step S6, during operation of a dual-battery system, BMS tracks changes in SOC of the power battery; when SOC is lower than a certain value S0, a hybrid-start button state is ignored, and the pile is forced to start according to a specified target power to complete battery charging and ensure SOH of the power battery."],["1. A thermal management system for a fuel cell vehicle, the thermal management system comprising:\na first line including a coolant pump and a fuel cell stack;\na second line including a coolant heater and a phase change material (PCM) and connected to the first line to form a first loop in which the coolant pump, the stack, the coolant heater, and the PCM are arranged;\na third line including a radiator and connected to the first line to form a second loop in which the coolant pump, the stack, and the radiator are arranged; and\nan opening and closing valve opening and closing each of the first line, the second line, and the third line to allow a coolant to circulate in at least one of the first loop and the second loop,\nwherein the PCM is configured to have a phase change temperature lower than a predetermined coolant temperature limit value and to be heat-exchanged with the coolant heater for storing heat output from the coolant heater and to be heat-exchanged with the coolant, and\nwherein in a cold-starting:\nthe coolant heater is configured to heat the PCM in order to increase a temperature of the PCM to the phase change temperature or higher, and\nthe coolant pump is configured to circulate the coolant in the first loop for transferring heat stored in the PCM to the stack by the coolant in response to a determination that the temperature of the PCM is increased to the phase change temperature or higher.","2. The thermal management system according to claim 1, wherein\nthe coolant heater has a heater housing configured to allow the coolant to pass therethrough and a heater core installed within the heater housing and heating the coolant, and\nthe PCM is installed within the heater housing and is in contact with the coolant.","3. The thermal management system according to claim 2, wherein\nthe coolant heater further has a heat pipe installed within the housing and thermally connect the heater core and the PCM.","4. The thermal management system according to claim 1, wherein\nthe coolant heater has at least one heater core disposed on the basis of the second line, and\nthe PCM is installed to surround at least a portion of the heater core and the second line.","5. The thermal management system according to claim 4, wherein\nthe coolant heater further has a metal coil wound around the heater core and an outer circumferential portion of the second line to thermally connect the heater core and the second line."],["1. A hydrogen fueled thermodynamic fuel cell system for an aircraft, said system comprising:\nan air pathway comprising one compressor, or two or more compressors configured in series;\na hydrogen pathway comprising one hydrogen expander, or two or more hydrogen expanders configured in series;\na liquid hydrogen pump, said liquid hydrogen pump configured to pressurize liquid hydrogen through said hydrogen pathway;\none or more heat exchangers configured to thermally couple said hydrogen pathway and said air pathway;\na fuel cell, said fuel cell fluidically coupled to said hydrogen pathway downstream of said one or more hydrogen expanders, said fuel cell fluidically coupled to said fuel cell air pathway downstream of said one or more compressors; and\na closed loop cooling system configured to cool said fuel cell, said closed loop cooling system comprising a cooling fluid and a pump.","2. The system of claim 1 wherein said cooling fluid of said closed loop cooling system of said fuel cell is thermally coupled to said air pathway.","3. The system of claim 2 wherein said system further comprises a fuel cell cooling heat exchanger, and wherein said cooling fluid of said closed loop cooling system of said fuel cell is thermally coupled to said air pathway with said fuel cell cooling heat exchanger.","4. The system of claim 2 further comprising:\none or more fuel cell exhaust heat exchangers thermally coupled to an exhaust conduit routing exhaust from said fuel cell; and\na water separator coupled to said exhaust conduit downstream from one or more fuel cell exhaust heat exchangers.","5. The system of claim 3 further comprising:\none or more fuel cell exhaust heat exchangers thermally coupled to an exhaust conduit routing exhaust from said fuel cell; and\na water separator coupled to said exhaust conduit downstream from one or more fuel cell exhaust heat exchangers.","6. A hydrogen fueled thermodynamic fuel cell system for an aircraft, said system comprising:\nan air pathway comprising one compressor, or two or more compressors configured in series;\na hydrogen pathway comprising one hydrogen expander, or two or more hydrogen expanders configured in series;\na liquid hydrogen pump, said liquid hydrogen pump configured to pressurize liquid hydrogen through said hydrogen pathway;\none or more heat exchangers configured to thermally couple said hydrogen pathway and said air pathway;\na fuel cell, said fuel cell fluidically coupled to said hydrogen pathway downstream of said one or more hydrogen expanders, said fuel cell fluidically coupled to said fuel cell air pathway downstream of said one or more compressors;\na closed loop cooling system configured to cool said fuel cell, said closed loop cooling system comprising a cooling fluid and a pump, wherein said cooling fluid of said closed loop cooling system of said fuel cell is thermally coupled to said air pathway;\none or more fuel cell exhaust heat exchangers thermally coupled to an exhaust conduit routing exhaust from said fuel cell;\na water separator coupled to said exhaust conduit downstream from one or more fuel cell exhaust heat exchangers;\na water reservoir fluidically coupled to said water separator via a water pathway;\na water pump fluidically coupled to said water reservoir; and\na water sprayer adapted to spray water into said air pathway.","7. A hydrogen fueled thermodynamic fuel cell system for an aircraft, said system comprising:\nan air pathway comprising one compressor, or two or more compressors configured in series;\na hydrogen pathway comprising one hydrogen expander, or two or more hydrogen expanders configured in series;\na liquid hydrogen pump, said liquid hydrogen pump configured to pressurize liquid hydrogen through said hydrogen pathway;\none or more heat exchangers configured to thermally couple said hydrogen pathway and said air pathway;\na fuel cell, said fuel cell fluidically coupled to said hydrogen pathway downstream of said one or more hydrogen expanders, said fuel cell fluidically coupled to said fuel cell air pathway downstream of said one or more compressors;\na closed loop cooling system configured to cool said fuel cell, said closed loop cooling system comprising a cooling fluid and a pump, wherein said cooling fluid of said closed loop cooling system of said fuel cell is thermally coupled to said air pathway;\none or more fuel cell exhaust heat exchangers thermally coupled to an exhaust conduit routing exhaust from said fuel cell;\na water separator coupled to said exhaust conduit downstream from one or more fuel cell exhaust heat exchangers;\na fuel cell cooling heat exchanger, and wherein said cooling fluid of said closed loop cooling system of said fuel cell is thermally coupled to said air pathway with said fuel cell cooling heat exchanger; and\na water reservoir fluidically coupled to said water separator via a water pathway;\na water pump fluidically coupled to said water reservoir; and\na water sprayer adapted to spray water into said air pathway."],["1. A light electric vehicle to support a weight of a user, comprising:\na support surface to support the weight of a user;\ntwo or more wheels:\na rechargeable electric battery mounted i) on the support surface, ii) proximal to the support surface;\na motor controller containing a processor configured to control operation of an electric motor mounted i) on the support surface, or ii) proximal to the support surface, where the motor controller and its processor are electrically connected to the rechargeable electric battery by wires extending from the rechargeable electric battery to the motor controller, where the electric motor is electrically connected to the motor controller and the rechargeable electric battery, as well as connected to a drive mechanism to drive one or more wheels of the two or more wheels;\na sensor mounted on the light electric vehicle to provide sensor measurements on motor operation to the motor controller containing the processor, where the processor is configured to record and process the sensor measurement;\na transmitter-receiver on the light electric vehicle configured to connect wirelessly with and communicate data to i) a mobile device of the user and ii) a wireless remote control; and\na user input device to control one or more of a velocity and an acceleration of the light electric vehicle;\nsaid remote control comprising a mode selector configured to set a first riding experience mode of vehicle response for the light electric vehicle selected from a plurality of riding experience modes, wherein the first riding experience mode has a first acceleration maximum and a second riding experience mode has a second acceleration maximum;\nsaid data including a user perturbation notification when a difference between the mobile device acceleration and the light electric vehicle acceleration exceeds a threshold difference.","2. The light electric vehicle of claim 1, where components making up the light electric vehicle including the support surface, the two or more wheels, the rechargeable electric battery, and the electric motor are light enough in weight to be capable of moving the light electric vehicle in response to a propulsion force generated by the user when the user is in a riding position.","3. The light electric vehicle of claim 1, where the mode selector to set the riding experience mode is configured to factor in at least the user's experience level as well as weight of the user in determining the ride experience.","4. The light electric vehicle of claim 1, where the motor controller that controls electric motor operation is connected to both i) sensors that measure motor operation parameters that include at least any of temperature and electrical current, and ii) sensors that measure vehicle operation parameters that include at least any of an acceleration and speed.","5. The light electric vehicle of claim 1, further comprising: any one of a handle and a steering column, where the handle or steering column is configured to control a direction of vehicle translation and a planar rotation of at least one or more wheels, where the handle or steering column is mounted to the light electric vehicle.","6. The light electric vehicle of claim 1, where the user input is a throttle controlled by the user, where the throttle generates an output value sent to the processor of the motor controller.","7. The light electric vehicle of claim 6, where the drive mechanism is a drivetrain connected to at least a first wheel.","8. A method for a light electric vehicle that supports a weight of a user, comprising:\nsupplying a support surface to support the weight of a user:\nsupplying two or more wheels;\nsupplying a rechargeable electric battery mounted i) on the support surface, or ii) proximal to the support surface;\nsupplying a motor controller containing a processor configured to control operation of an electric motor mounted i) on the support surface, or ii) proximal to the support surface, where the motor controller and its processor are electrically connected to the rechargeable electric battery by wires extending from the rechargeable electric battery to the motor controller, where the electric motor is electrically connected to the motor controller and the rechargeable electric battery, as well as connected to a drive mechanism to drive one or more wheels of the two or more wheels;\nsupplying a sensor mounted on the light electric vehicle to provide sensor measurements on motor operation to the motor controller containing the processor, where the processor is configured to record and process the sensor measurement;\nsupplying a transmitter-receiver on the light electric vehicle configured to connect wirelessly with and communicate data to i) a mobile device of the user and ii) a wireless remote control; and\nsupplying a user input to control one or more of a velocity and an acceleration of the light electric vehicle;\nsaid remote control configured as a mode selector configured to set a first riding experience mode of vehicle response for the light electric vehicle selected from a plurality of riding experience modes, wherein the first riding experience mode has a first acceleration maximum and a second riding experience mode has a second acceleration maximum;\nsaid data including a user perturbation notification when a difference between the mobile device acceleration and the light electric vehicle acceleration exceeds a threshold difference.","9. The method for the light electric vehicle of claim 8, where components making up the light electric vehicle including the support surface, the two or more wheels, the rechargeable electric battery, and the electric motor are light enough in weight to be capable of moving the light electric vehicle in response to a propulsion force generated by the user when the user is in a riding position.","10. The method for the light electric vehicle of claim 8, where the mode selector to set the riding experience mode is configured to factor in at least the user's experience level as well as weight of the user in determining the ride experience.","11. The method for the light electric vehicle of claim 10, where the motor controller that controls electric motor operation is connected to both i) sensors that measure motor operation parameters that include at least any of temperature and electrical current, and ii) sensors that measure vehicle operation parameters that include at least any of an acceleration and speed.","12. The method for the light electric vehicle of claim 11, further comprising:\nsupplying any one of a handle and a steering column where the handle or steering column is configured to control a direction of vehicle translation and a planar rotation of at least one or more wheels, where the handle or steering column is mounted to the light electric vehicle.","13. The method for the light electric vehicle of claim 12, where the user input is a throttle controlled by the user, where the throttle generates an output value sent to the processor of the motor controller.","14. The method for the light electric vehicle of claim 13, where the drive mechanism is a drivetrain connected to at least a first wheel."],["1. A trailer mountable power storage and distribution system, comprising:\na battery assembly comprising a housing and a battery assembly mount system, the housing enclosing a plurality of battery units, the battery assembly mount system configured to couple the battery assembly with a chassis assembly of a trailer unit; and\nan auxiliary component assembly comprising:\na first component module comprising a thermal management component configured to remove heat from the battery assembly,\na second component module comprising a power distribution unit configured to electrically connect the battery assembly to a high-voltage electrical motor on a tractor configured to tow the trailer unit, and\nan auxiliary component assembly mount system configured to couple the auxiliary component assembly with the chassis assembly of the trailer unit.","2. The trailer mountable power storage and distribution system of claim 1, wherein the thermal management component is adapted to operate independently of thermal management of the tractor.","3. The trailer mountable power storage and distribution system of claim 1, wherein the battery assembly is a first battery assembly and the housing is a first housing and further comprising a second battery assembly disposed in a second housing separate from the first housing, the second component module configured to electrically couple the second battery assembly to a load on the tractor independently of the first battery assembly.","4. The trailer mountable power storage and distribution system of claim 3, wherein the first battery assembly and the second battery assembly are configured to mount to the chassis assembly of the trailer unit spaced apart along a longitudinal axis thereof, one forward of the other.","5. The trailer mountable power storage and distribution system of claim 1, wherein the battery assembly comprises a first plurality of battery units and a second plurality of battery units, the second component module configured to electrically couple the first plurality of battery units to a load on the tractor independently of the second plurality of battery units.","6. The trailer mountable power storage and distribution system of claim 1, wherein the power distribution unit comprises a first power distribution unit and further comprising a second power distribution unit configured to electrically couple a second battery assembly to a load independently of the battery assembly.","7. The trailer mountable power storage and distribution system of claim 1, wherein the second component module is configured to supply a first current at a first voltage to a first load on the tractor and is configured to provide a second current at a second voltage lower than the first voltage to a second load.","8. The trailer mountable power storage and distribution system of claim 7, wherein the second component module is configured to supply the second current to the second load disposed on the tractor engagable with the trailer unit to which the battery assembly is coupled in use.","9. The trailer mountable power storage and distribution system of claim 7, wherein the second component module is configured to supply the second current to a load disposed on a same trailer unit to which the battery assembly and the auxiliary component assembly are coupled in use.","10. The trailer mountable power storage and distribution system of claim 1, wherein the battery assembly mount system comprises a vibration isolator configured to reduce or eliminate transmission of vibration from the trailer unit to the battery assembly.","11. The trailer mountable power storage and distribution system of claim 1, wherein the auxiliary component assembly mount system comprises a vibration isolator configured to reduce or eliminate transmission of vibration from the trailer unit to the auxiliary component assembly.","12. The trailer mountable power storage and distribution system of claim 1, wherein the auxiliary component assembly comprises a charge circuit configured to control the charging of the battery assembly.","13. The trailer mountable power storage and distribution system of claim 12, further comprising a user interface component coupled with the charge circuit, the user interface component configured to convey charging status of one or more battery units disposed in the battery assembly or of the battery assembly.","14. The trailer mountable power storage and distribution system of claim 1, further comprising a range extender module configured to mount to the trailer unit in a location separate from which the battery assembly and the auxiliary component assembly are mounted in use, the range extender module configured to replenish power stored in the battery assembly and/or supply current directly to a load on the tractor.","15. The trailer mountable power storage and distribution system of claim 14, wherein the auxiliary component assembly is configured to electrically couple to the range extender module and to electrically couple to one or both of the battery assembly and the load.","16. A cargo trailer assembly comprising:\none or more body rails configured to support a floor structure of an enclosure;\nan axle assembly coupled with the body rails, the axle assembly comprising an axle supporting rear wheels of the cargo trailer assembly;\nthe power storage and distribution system of claim 1, wherein the battery assembly and the auxiliary component assembly are coupled with the body rails and/or the axle assembly of the cargo trailer assembly.","17. The cargo trailer assembly of claim 16, wherein the battery assembly is disposed forward of the rear wheels.","18. The cargo trailer assembly of claim 16, wherein the auxiliary component assembly is disposed rearward of the rear wheels.","19. The cargo trailer assembly of claim 16, wherein the one or more body rails comprises a first body rail extending along a longitudinal axis of the cargo trailer assembly and a second body rail extending along the longitudinal axis of the cargo trailer assembly; and wherein the axle assembly comprises a slider assembly comprising a first slider rail slideably coupled with the first body rail and a second slider rail slideably coupled with the second body rail, wherein the slider assembly is configured to adjustably couple the first slider rail and the second slider rail to the first body rail and the second body rail to allow for a change in a fore-aft position of the slider assembly relative to a chassis.","20. The cargo trailer assembly of claim 19, wherein at least one of the battery assembly or the auxiliary component assembly is coupled with one or both of the first and second slider rails."],["1. A power battery heating method, configured for heating a power battery of a vehicle having a three-phase alternating current motor, a motor controller, and a heat conduction loop, the power battery heating method comprising:\nobtaining a current temperature value of the power battery, and determining whether the current temperature value of the power battery is lower than a preset temperature value;\ndetermining whether a current working status of the three-phase alternating current motor is a non-driving state, and whether one of the power battery, the three-phase alternating current motor, the motor controller, or the heat conduction loop is faulty;\nin response to determining that the current temperature value of the power battery is lower than the preset temperature value, that the current working status of the three-phase alternating current motor is a non-driving state, and that none of the power battery, the three-phase alternating current motor, the motor controller, or the heat conduction loop is faulty, obtaining heating power of the power battery;\nobtaining a preset quadrature-axis current, and obtaining a corresponding preset direct-axis current according to the heating power of the power battery, wherein a value of the obtained preset quadrature-axis current is a quadrature-axis current value that causes a torque value outputted by a three-phase alternating current motor to fall within a target range, and the target range does not comprise zero; and\ncontrolling an on/off status of a power device in a three-phase inverter, so that the three-phase alternating current motor generates heat according to heating energy provided by a heating energy source to heat a coolant flowing through the power battery, and controlling, according to the preset direct-axis current and the preset quadrature-axis current, the three-phase inverter to adjust a phase current of the three-phase alternating current motor in a heating process of the power battery.","2. The power battery heating method according to claim 1, further comprising:\nobtaining gear position information and motor speed information, and obtaining the current working status of the three-phase alternating current motor according to the gear position information and the motor speed information.","3. The power battery heating method according to claim 1, further comprising: setting the preset direct-axis current to zero in response to determining that any one of the power battery, the three-phase alternating current motor, the motor controller, and the heat conduction loop is faulty.","4. The power battery heating method according to claim 3, wherein in response to determining that any one of the power battery, the three-phase alternating current motor, the motor controller, and the heat conduction loop is faulty, the power battery heating method further comprises:\nsetting the preset quadrature-axis current to zero.","5. The power battery heating method according to claim 1, further comprising:\nmonitoring temperatures of the three-phase inverter and the three-phase alternating current motor in real time in the heating process of the power battery, and\nin response to determining that a temperature of either one of the three-phase inverter and the three-phase alternating current motor exceeds a temperature threshold, reducing the preset direct-axis current or setting the preset direct-axis current to zero.","6. The power battery heating method according to claim 5, wherein in response to determining the temperature of either one of the three-phase inverter and the three-phase alternating current motor exceeds the temperature threshold, the power battery heating method further comprises:\nsetting the preset quadrature-axis current to zero.","7. The power battery heating method according to claim 1, further comprising:\nmonitoring a temperature of the power battery in real time in the heating process of the power battery, and reducing the preset direct-axis current if the temperature of the power battery reaches a specified heating temperature.","8. The power battery heating method according to claim 1, further comprising:\nobtaining a current three-phase current value and position and angle information of a motor rotor of the three-phase alternating current motor before the power battery is heated, and\nconverting the current three-phase current value into a direct-axis current and a quadrature-axis current according to the position and angle information of the motor rotor, to control, according to a difference between the direct-axis current and the preset direct-axis current and a difference between the quadrature-axis current and the preset quadrature-axis current, the three-phase inverter to adjust the phase current of the three-phase alternating current motor in the heating process of the power battery.","9. The power battery heating method according to claim 1, wherein the heating energy source is at least one of an external charging device and the power battery.","10. A power battery heating apparatus, configured to heat a power battery of a vehicle, the power battery heating apparatus comprising:\na three-phase inverter, connected to a positive electrode and a negative electrode of a heating energy source configured to provide heating energy;\na three-phase alternating current motor, wherein three phase coils of the three-phase alternating current motor are connected to three phase legs of the three-phase inverter; and\na control circuit, wherein the control circuit is connected to the three-phase inverter and the three-phase alternating current motor, and is configured to:\nobtain a current temperature value of the power battery;\ndetermine whether the current temperature value of the power battery is lower than a preset temperature value;\ndetermine whether a current working status of the three-phase alternating current motor is a non-driving state, and whether one of the power battery, the three-phase alternating current motor, a motor controller, or a heat conduction loop is faulty;\nin response to determining that the current temperature value of the power battery is lower than the preset temperature value, that the current working status of the three-phase alternating current motor is a non-driving state, and that none of the power battery, the three-phase alternating current motor, the motor controller, or the heat conduction loop is faulty, obtain heating power of the power battery;\nobtain a preset quadrature-axis current, and obtain a corresponding preset direct-axis current according to the heating power of the power battery, wherein a value of the obtained preset quadrature-axis current is a quadrature-axis current value that causes a torque value outputted by the three-phase alternating current motor to fall within a target range, and the target range does not comprise zero; and\ncontrol an on/off status of a power device in the three-phase inverter, so that the three-phase alternating current motor generates heat according to the heating energy provided by the heating energy source, to heat a coolant flowing through the power battery, and control, according to the preset direct-axis current and the preset quadrature-axis current, the three-phase inverter to adjust a phase current of the three-phase alternating current motor in a heating process of the power battery.","11. The power battery heating apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the control circuit is further configured to:\nobtain gear position information and motor speed information, and obtain the current working status of the three-phase alternating current motor according to the gear position information and the motor speed information.","12. The power battery heating apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the control circuit is further configured to:\nset the preset direct-axis current to zero in response to determining that any one of the power battery, the three-phase alternating current motor, the motor controller, and the heat conduction loop is faulty.","13. The power battery heating apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the control circuit is further configured to:\nset the preset quadrature-axis current to zero in response to determining that any one of the power battery, the three-phase alternating current motor, the motor controller, and the heat conduction loop is faulty.","14. The power battery heating apparatus according to claim 10 further comprising:\na temperature monitoring unit, wherein the temperature monitoring unit is connected to the control circuit and the three-phase alternating current motor, and is configured to monitor temperatures of the three-phase inverter and the three-phase alternating current motor in real time in the heating process of the power battery, and feed back a result of monitoring to the control circuit, and in response to that a temperature of either one of the three-phase inverter and the three-phase alternating current motor exceeds a temperature threshold, the control circuit reduces the preset direct-axis current or sets the preset direct-axis current to zero.","15. The power battery heating apparatus according to claim 14, wherein in response to determining that the temperature of either one of the three-phase inverter and the three-phase alternating current motor exceeds the temperature threshold, the control circuit is further configured to: set the preset quadrature-axis current to zero.","16. The power battery heating apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the control circuit is further configured to:\nmonitor a temperature of the power battery in real time in the heating process of the power battery, and reduce the preset direct-axis current if the temperature of the power battery reaches a specified heating temperature.","17. The power battery heating apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the control circuit is further configured to:\nobtain a current three-phase current value and position and angle information of a motor rotor of the three-phase alternating current motor before the power battery is heated, and convert the current three-phase current value into a direct-axis current and a quadrature-axis current according to the position and angle information of the motor rotor, to control, according to a difference between the direct-axis current and the preset direct-axis current and a difference between the quadrature-axis current and the preset quadrature-axis current, the three-phase inverter to adjust the phase current of the three-phase alternating current motor in the heating process of the power battery.","18. A vehicle, comprising a power battery heating apparatus, a power battery, a coolant tank, a pump, and a water pipeline, wherein\nthe pump drives a coolant in the coolant tank into the water pipeline according to a control signal,\nthe water pipeline passes through the power battery and the power battery heating apparatus, and\nthe power battery heating apparatus comprises:\na three-phase inverter, connected to a positive electrode and a negative electrode of a heating energy source configured to provide heating energy;\na three-phase alternating current motor, wherein three phase coils of the three-phase alternating current motor are connected to three phase legs of the three-phase inverter; and\na control circuit, wherein the control circuit is connected to the three-phase inverter and the three-phase alternating current motor, and is configured to:\nobtain a current temperature value of the power battery;\ndetermine whether the current temperature value of the power battery is lower than a preset temperature value;\ndetermine whether a current working status of the three-phase alternating current motor is a non-driving state, and whether one of the power battery, the three-phase alternating current motor, a motor controller, or a heat conduction loop is faulty;\nin response to determining that the current temperature value of the power battery is lower than the preset temperature value, that the current working status of the three-phase alternating current motor is a non-driving state, and that none of the power battery, the three-phase alternating current motor, the motor controller, or the heat conduction loop is faulty, obtain heating power of the power battery;\nobtain a preset quadrature-axis current, and obtain a corresponding preset direct-axis current according to the heating power of the power battery, wherein a value of the obtained preset quadrature-axis current is a quadrature-axis current value that causes a torque value outputted by the three-phase alternating current motor to fall within a target range, and the target range does not comprise zero; and\ncontrol an on/off status of a power device in the three-phase inverter, so that the three-phase alternating current motor generates heat according to the heating energy provided by the heating energy source, to heat the coolant flowing through the power battery, and control, according to the preset direct-axis current and the preset quadrature-axis current, the three-phase inverter to adjust a phase current of the three-phase alternating current motor in a heating process of the power battery."],["1. A portable fuel cell system for producing electrical energy included in a portable package, the portable fuel cell system comprising:\na fuel processor having:\na reformer configured to receive fuel and to output hydrogen and reformer exhaust, and\na burner configured to receive fuel, to generate heat using the fuel, and to output burner exhaust;\na fuel cell configured to produce electrical energy using hydrogen output by the reformer;\nat least one fuel line, internal to the portable package, configured to transport fuel to the reformer or burner; and\na water removal system, including:\na water permeable membrane configured to receive an exhaust and configured to remove water from the exhaust; and\na condensing apparatus including a condenser and a wick, the condensing apparatus configured to receive the exhaust after the water permeable membrane and configured to remove water from the exhaust;\nat least one water line, internal to the portable package, configured to transport the water removed by the water permeable membrane and the condensing apparatus to the at least one fuel line, wherein the removed water is added to the fuel.","2. The portable fuel cell system of claim 1, wherein the water removal system further comprises a thermoelectric cooler in thermal communication with the condensing apparatus, the thermoelectric cooler configured to remove heat from the water removal system.","3. The portable fuel cell system of claim 2, wherein the thermoelectric cooler further comprises a fan.","4. The portable fuel cell system of claim 1, wherein the water permeable membrane removes greater than 40% of the required amount of water for the fuel cell system.","5. The portable fuel cell system of claim 1, wherein the water permeable membrane is configured to receive the burner exhaust stream or the reformer exhaust stream.","6. The portable fuel cell system of claim 1, wherein the water permeable membrane is configured to receive a fuel cell exhaust stream.","7. The portable fuel cell system of claim 6, wherein the fuel cell further comprises a cathode and an anode, and wherein the water permeable membrane is configured to receive a cathode exhaust stream.","8. The portable fuel cell system of claim 1, wherein the water removal system further comprises a pump that is configured to apply a negative pressure to the wick.","9. The portable fuel cell system of claim 8, further including a control system that includes instructions that control the pump so as to remove water from the wick for a predetermined period of time at shut down of the fuel cell.","10. The portable fuel cell system of claim 1, wherein the burner exhaust dries the wick at shut down of the fuel cell.","11. The portable fuel cell system of claim 1, wherein the water removal system is configured to receive burner exhaust on startup of the fuel processor.","12. The portable fuel cell system of claim 1, wherein the portable package is configured to operate at any orientation relative to the ground.","13. The portable fuel cell system of claim 1, further comprising a heat exchanger configured to transfer heat generated in the fuel cell or generated in the fuel processor to the incoming fuel that includes the reformer fuel or the burner fuel.","14. The portable fuel cell system of claim 13, wherein the heat exchanger further comprises a heat pipe, internal to the portable fuel cell package, configured to remove heat from the burner exhaust stream or the fuel cell exhaust stream.","15. A method for recovering water in a portable fuel cell system, comprising:\nproviding burner fuel to a burner in a fuel processor;\ngenerating heat in the burner using the burner fuel;\nproviding reformer fuel to a reformer in the fuel processor;\nreforming the reformer fuel provided to the reformer to produce hydrogen;\ngenerating electrical energy in a fuel cell using hydrogen produced by the fuel processor;\nremoving water from an exhaust with a water removal system that includes a water permeable membrane and a condensing apparatus, the water permeable membrane configured to receive the exhaust and configured to remove water from the exhaust, and the condensing apparatus including a condenser and a wick and configured to remove water from the exhaust after the water permeable membrane has removed water from the exhaust; and\nadding the removed water to a fuel line before fuel in the fuel line reaches the reformer or the burner.","16. The method of claim 15, further comprising pumping water out of the membrane humidifier with a pump for a predetermined period of time during shut down of the fuel cell.","17. The method of claim 15, further comprising evaporating the removed water from the wick on shutdown of the portable fuel cell system with the exhaust from the fuel processor or fuel cell.","18. The method of claim 15 further comprising removing heat from the exhaust with a thermoelectric cooler.","19. The method of claim 15, wherein the exhaust is a fuel processor exhaust or a fuel cell exhaust.","20. The method of claim 19, wherein the fuel cell exhaust is a cathode exhaust.","21. The method of claim 19, wherein the fuel processor exhaust is a burner exhaust.","22. The method of claim 15, further comprising operating the portable fuel cell system in any orientation relative to the ground.","23. The method of claim 15, further comprising transferring heat from an exhaust of the fuel cell or an exhaust of the fuel processor to a heat exchanger.","24. The method of claim 23, wherein the heat exchanger further comprises a heat pipe configured to remove heat from the exhaust.","25. A program storage device readable by a machine tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform a method for recovering water in a portable fuel cell system, the method comprising:\nproviding burner fuel to a burner in a fuel processor;\ngenerating heat in the burner using the burner fuel;\nproviding reformer fuel to a reformer in the fuel processor;\nreforming the reformer fuel provided to the reformer to produce hydrogen;\ngenerating electrical energy in a fuel cell using hydrogen produced by the fuel processor;\nremoving water from an exhaust with a water removal system that includes a water permeable membrane and a condensing apparatus, the water permeable membrane configured to receive the exhaust and configured to remove water from the exhaust, and the condensing apparatus including a condenser and a wick and configured to remove water from the exhaust after the water permeable membrane has removed water from the exhaust; and\nadding the removed water to a fuel line before fuel in the fuel line reaches the reformer or the burner.","26. A portable fuel cell system for producing electrical energy included in a portable package, the portable fuel cell system comprising:\na fuel processor having:\na reformer configured to receive fuel and to output hydrogen using the fuel source, and\na burner configured to receive fuel, to generate heat using the fuel, and to output burner exhaust;\na fuel cell configured to produce electrical energy using hydrogen output by the reformer;\nat least one fuel line, internal to the portable package, configured to transport fuel to the reformer or burner; and\na water removal system including:\na water permeable membrane configured to receive the burner exhaust and configured to remove water from the burner exhaust;\na condensing apparatus including a condenser and a wick, the condensing apparatus configured to receive the burner exhaust after the water permeable membrane and configured to remove water from the burner exhaust;\nat least one water line, internal to the portable package, configured to transport the water removed by the water permeable membrane and the condensing apparatus to the at least one fuel line, wherein the removed water is added to the fuel.","27. The portable fuel cell system of claim 26, wherein the water removal system further comprises a thermoelectric cooler in thermal communication with the condensing apparatus, the thermoelectric cooler configured to remove heat from water removal system.","28. The portable fuel cell system of claim 27, wherein the thermoelectric cooler further comprises a fan.","29. The portable fuel cell system of claim 26, wherein the water removal system further comprises a pump that is configured apply a negative pressure to the water permeable membrane and wick.","30. The portable fuel cell system of claim 29, further including a control system that includes instructions that control the pump so as to remove water from the water permeable membrane and wick for a predetermined period of time at shut down of the fuel cell.","31. The portable fuel cell system of claim 26, drying the wick with the burner exhaust at shut down of the fuel cell.","32. The method of claim 30, further comprising operating the portable fuel cell system in any orientation relative to the ground.","33. The portable fuel cell system of claim 26, further comprising a heat exchanger configured to transfer heat generated in the fuel processor to the incoming fuel that includes the reformer fuel or the burner fuel."],["1. An integrated power generation and exhaust processing system comprising:\na fuel cell system configured to generate power and to separate CO2 included in exhaust output from the fuel cell system; and\nan exhaust processing system configured to at least one of sequester or densify CO2 separated from the exhaust output from the fuel cell system,\nwherein the fuel cell system comprises a solid oxide fuel cell stack configured to generate the power, and a carbon dioxide separation device configured to separate the CO2 included in the exhaust output from the fuel cell system.","2. The system of claim 1, wherein the exhaust processing system comprises:\na reservoir configured to receive exhaust output from the fuel cell system; and\na compressor configured to compress exhaust output from the reservoir,\nwherein the reservoir is configured to reduce an amount of exhaust backpressure applied to the fuel cell system.","3. The system of claim 2, wherein the reservoir comprises a relief valve configured to prevent the exhaust backpressure in the reservoir from exceeding a preset level.","4. The system of claim 3, wherein the preset level is less than an amount of pressure that would damage the fuel cell system.","5. The system of claim 2, wherein the reservoir comprises internal baffles configured to reduce the amount of exhaust backpressure applied to the fuel cell system.","6. The system of claim 2, wherein the exhaust processing system further comprises a cooling system configured to reduce the temperature of the exhaust in the reservoir.","7. The system of claim 1, wherein the exhaust processing system comprises:\na sensor configured to measure a characteristic of a fuel that is provided to the fuel cell system; and\na central processing unit configured to determine an amount of CO2 in the exhaust output from the fuel cell system based on a measurement by the sensor.","8. The system of claim 1, wherein the exhaust processing system comprises a CO2 processor configured to chemically convert the CO2 into solid calcium carbonate.","9. The system of claim 1, wherein the exhaust processing system comprises:\na condenser configured to condense water from the exhaust output from the fuel cell system;\na compressor disposed downstream of the condenser with respect to a flow direction of the exhaust and configured to compress the CO2 in the exhaust; and\nat least one heat exchanger configured to heat fuel provided to the fuel cell system using heat from at least one of the condenser or the compressor.","10. The system of claim 9, wherein the at least one heat exchanger comprises:\na first heat exchanger disposed upstream of the condenser, and configured to heat the fuel using heat from the exhaust; and\na second heat exchanger configured to heat the fuel using heat from at least one of the condenser or the compressor.","11. The system of claim 10, wherein the second heat exchanger is configured to convert the exhaust into liquid CO2.","12. The system of claim 10, further comprising a liquid natural gas (LGN) vessel configured to provide the fuel in a form of liquid natural gas (LGN) to the second heat exchanger via a LGN conduit; and\nthe fuel is in the form of natural gas (NG) when the fuel is output from the first heat exchanger.","13. The system of claim 12, further comprising a vaporizer configured to vaporize water to humidify the fuel during system startup using an external heat source.","14. The system of claim 9, further comprising a water treatment device configured to at least one of neutralize or polish water received from the condenser.","15. The system of claim 9, wherein the fuel cell system is located on a ship and is electrically connected to an electrical load of the ship.","16. A method of operating a fuel cell system, comprising:\nproviding a fuel to a fuel cell system;\noperating the fuel cell system to generate power and a fuel exhaust stream;\nseparating CO2 from the fuel exhaust stream using a carbon dioxide separation device to generate a CO2 containing exhaust and a purified exhaust;\nproviding the separated CO2 containing exhaust to an exhaust processing system;\nat least one of sequestering or densifying CO2 in the CO2 containing exhaust using the exhaust processing system,\ncondensing water from the CO2 containing exhaust;\ncompressing the CO2 in the CO2 containing exhaust; and\nheating a fuel provided to the fuel cell system using heat generated from at least one of the condensing or the compressing.","17. The method of claim 16, wherein:\nfuel cell system is located on a ship and is electrically connected to an electrical load of the ship;\nthe fuel comprises liquid natural gas (LNG) stored in a LNG vessel;\nthe compressed CO2 is stored in a CO2 storage vessel; and\nwhen the ship arrives at a port, the LNG is filled into the LNG vessel and the CO2 is removed from the CO2 storage vessel.","18. A method of operating a fuel cell system, comprising:\nproviding a fuel to a fuel cell system;\noperating the fuel cell system to generate power and a fuel exhaust stream;\nseparating CO2 from the fuel exhaust stream using a carbon dioxide separation device to generate a CO2 containing exhaust and a purified exhaust;\nproviding the separated CO2 containing exhaust and solid CaO to a NaOH containing solution, such that the CO2 gas reacts with the NaOH (l) to form Na2CO3 (l) and water, such that the CaO (s) reacts with the water to form Ca(OH)2 (l), and such that the Na2CO3 (l) and the Ca(OH)2 (l) react to precipitate solid CaCO3 and generate NaOH (l); and\nrecycling the generated NaOH (l) to react with additional CO2 gas."],["1. An anode reactant recycling system comprising:\na hollow main body including an inlet, a recycle outlet, and a draining outlet, the inlet configured to receive a fluid;\na bleed conduit providing fluid communication between the inlet and the draining outlet;\na water separator disposed in the hollow main body configured to remove a condensate from the fluid; and\na hydrophilic porous media disposed in the draining outlet in fluid communication with the water separator and configured to collect the condensate removed from the fluid received by the inlet of the hollow main body, thereby hydrating the hydrophilic porous media and militating against gas transfer through the hydrophilic porous media, wherein the anode reactant recycling system is operable to exhaust a first portion of the fluid from the anode reactant recycling system through the bleed conduit and to introduce a second portion of the fluid into the hollow main body and cause the second portion of the fluid to pass through the water separator before exiting the anode reactant recycling system through the recycle outlet.","2. The anode reactant recycling system according to claim 1, wherein the hydrophilic porous media is sealingly disposed in the draining outlet by at least one of adhesion and a friction fit.","3. The anode reactant recycling system according to claim 1, wherein the hydrophilic porous media has a pore size from about 1 to about 10 microns.","4. The anode reactant recycling system according to claim 1, wherein the hydrophilic porous media is one of a metal mesh, a sintered metal mesh, a bonded metal mesh, a woven cloth, and a porous foam.","5. The anode reactant recycling system according to claim 1, wherein the water separator includes a plurality of water capture features.","6. The anode reactant recycling system according to claim 1, further comprising an exhaust valve disposed adjacent the draining outlet.","7. The anode reactant recycling system according to claim 1, further comprising an injector in fluid communication with a fuel source and the hollow main body, the injector configured to inject a fuel into the hollow main body.","8. The anode reactant recycling system according to claim 7, wherein the injector is a component of a jet pump.","9. The anode reactant recycling system according to claim 7, further comprising an ejector disposed between the injector and the water separator.","10. The anode reactant recycling system according to claim 1, wherein the bleed conduit has one end disposed adjacent the inlet and another end disposed adjacent the draining outlet.","11. The anode reactant recycling system according to claim 1, wherein the hollow main body is a chamber configured for pre-pressurization during startup of the anode reactant recycling system.","12. The anode reactant recycling system according to claim 1, wherein the anode reactant recycling system is disposed in a fuel cell end unit.","13. The anode reactant recycling system according to claim 1, wherein the anode reactant recycling system is disposed in a fuel cell system.","14. An anode reactant recycling system comprising:\na hollow main body including an inlet, a recycle outlet, and a draining outlet, the inlet configured to receive a fluid;\na bleed conduit facilitating fluid communication between the inlet and the draining outlet;\nan injector disposed in the hollow main body and configured to inject a fuel from a fuel source;\na water separator disposed in the hollow main body configured to remove a condensate from the fluid; and\na hydrophilic porous media in fluid communication with the water separator and configured to collect at least a portion of the condensate removed from the fluid received by the inlet of the hollow main body, thereby hydrating the hydrophilic porous media and militating against gas transfer through the hydrophilic porous media, wherein the anode reactant recycling system is operable to exhaust a first portion of the fluid from the anode reactant recycling system through the bleed conduit and to introduce a second portion of the fluid into the hollow main body and cause the second portion of the fluid to mix with the fuel and pass through the water separator before exiting the anode reactant recycling system through the recycle outlet.","15. The anode reactant recycling system according to claim 14, wherein the hydrophilic porous media has a pore size from about 1 to about 10 microns.","16. The anode reactant recycling system according to claim 14, wherein the hydrophilic porous media is one of a metal mesh, a sintered metal mesh, a bonded metal mesh, a woven cloth, and a porous foam.","17. The anode reactant recycling system according to claim 14, wherein the bleed conduit has one end disposed adjacent the inlet and another end disposed adjacent the draining outlet.","18. The anode reactant recycling system according to claim 14, wherein the hollow main body is a chamber configured for pre-pressurization during startup of the anode reactant recycling system.","19. The anode reactant recycling system according to claim 14, wherein the injector is a component of a jet pump.","20. A method for the recycling of anode reactants in a fuel cell comprising the steps of:\nproviding a hollow main body including an inlet, a recycle outlet, and a draining outlet, the inlet configured to receive a fluid;\nproviding a bleed conduit facilitating fluid communication between the inlet and the draining outlet;\nproviding an injector disposed in the hollow main body and configured to inject a fuel from a fuel source;\nproviding a water separator disposed in the hollow main body, the water separator configured to remove a condensate from the fluid;\nproviding a hydrophilic porous media in fluid communication with the water separator;\nproviding an anode exhaust stream to the inlet;\ndividing the anode exhaust stream into a first portion entering the bleed conduit and a second portion entering the hollow main body;\nexhausting the first portion of the anode exhaust stream through the draining outlet;\ninjecting the fuel into the hollow main body and mixing the second portion of the anode exhaust stream with the fuel;\nhydrating the hydrophilic porous media with at least a portion of the condensate removed from the fluid received by the inlet of the hollow main body, the hydrated media militating against transfer of one of the first portion of the anode exhaust stream and the second portion of the anode exhaust stream through the hydrophilic porous media;\nexhausting the condensate in excess of a saturation point of the hydrophilic porous media through the hydrophilic porous media and the draining outlet; and\nexhausting the second portion of the anode exhaust stream and the injected fuel through the recycle outlet."],["1. A method of operating a fuel cell system, comprising:\nproviding a fuel inlet stream to a fuel inlet of a fuel cell stack;\noperating the fuel cell stack using the fuel inlet stream to generate a fuel exhaust stream that is output from the fuel cell stack;\ndividing the fuel exhaust stream into a first portion and a second portion;\nproviding the first portion of the fuel exhaust stream to a carbon dioxide separation device, to separate at least a portion of the carbon dioxide from the first portion of the fuel exhaust stream and thereby generate a purified fuel exhaust stream;\nproviding the second portion of the fuel exhaust stream to the carbon dioxide separation device to sweep carbon dioxide from a collection side of the carbon dioxide separation device; and\nrecycling the purified fuel exhaust stream to the fuel inlet.","2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nmixing air into the second portion of the fuel exhaust stream; and\nproviding the mixed air and second portion of the fuel exhaust stream to the collection side of the carbon dioxide separation device.","3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nusing a membrane humidifier to humidify the second portion of the fuel exhaust stream; and\nproviding the humidified second portion of the fuel exhaust stream to the collection side of the carbon dioxide separation device.","4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nremoving water from the purified recycled fuel exhaust stream using a water separator;\nproviding the water to a membrane humidifier;\nproviding the water from using the membrane humidifier to humidify the second portion of the fuel exhaust stream; and\nproviding the humidified second portion of the fuel exhaust stream to the collection side of the carbon dioxide separation device.","5. The method of claim 1, wherein the carbon dioxide separation device is a combination carbon dioxide and water separation device, the method further comprising:\nremoving water from the first portion of the fuel exhaust stream using the carbon dioxide separation device,\nproviding the water to a membrane humidifier;\nusing the membrane humidifier to humidify the second portion of the fuel exhaust stream; and\nproviding the humidified second portion of the fuel exhaust stream to the collection side of the carbon dioxide separation device.","6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first portion of the fuel exhaust stream is provided to a product side of the carbon dioxide separation device, the purified fuel exhaust stream is collected on the product side of the carbon dioxide separation device, the carbon dioxide diffuses through a separator from the product to the collection side of the carbon dioxide separation device, and the fuel cell stack is a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) stack, the method further comprising:\noxidizing a SOFC fuel exhaust stream using a SOFC air exhaust stream prior to providing the second portion of the fuel exhaust stream to the carbon dioxide separation device.","7. A method of operating a fuel cell system, comprising:\nproviding a fuel inlet stream to a fuel inlet of a fuel cell stack;\noperating the fuel cell stack using the fuel inlet stream, to generate a fuel exhaust stream that is output from the fuel cell stack;\ndividing the fuel exhaust stream into a first portion and a second portion;\nproviding the first portion of the fuel exhaust stream to a molten carbonate fuel cell operating in electrolysis mode, which operates as a carbon dioxide separator to separate carbon dioxide from the first portion of the fuel exhaust stream and form a purified fuel exhaust stream;\nrecycling the purified fuel exhaust stream to the fuel inlet;\nremoving water from the purified recycled fuel exhaust stream using a water separator;\nproviding the water to a membrane humidifier;\nusing the membrane humidifier to humidify the second portion of the fuel exhaust stream; and\nproviding the humidified second portion of the fuel exhaust stream to a collection side of the carbon dioxide separator.","8. The method of claim 7, wherein the providing of the second portion of the fuel exhaust stream to the carbon dioxide separation device further comprises oxidizing the second portion of the fuel exhaust stream in an anode tail gas oxidizer reactor, and providing the oxidized second portion of the fuel exhaust stream to the carbon dioxide separation device.","9. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing of the second portion of the fuel exhaust stream to the carbon dioxide separation device further comprises oxidizing the second portion of the fuel exhaust stream in an anode tail gas oxidizer reactor, and providing the oxidized second portion of the fuel exhaust stream to the carbon dioxide separation device."],["1. A fuel cell assembly comprising:\na plurality of membrane electrode assemblies, each comprising an anode configured to accept a hydrogen-bearing reactant, a cathode configured to accept an oxygen-bearing reactant, a proton-permeable electrolyte membrane disposed between said anode and said cathode, a catalyst layer on said anode side of said proton-permeable electrolyte membrane, and a catalyst layer on said cathode side of said proton-permeable electrolyte membrane, said catalyst layer on said anode side and said catalyst layer on said cathode layer having an area; and\na plurality of plates each of which is disposed between a pair of said plurality of membrane electrode assemblies, said each plate defining a wet side reactant channel in fluid communication with a corresponding one of said anode or said cathode of an adjacently facing one of said membrane electrode assemblies, said wet side reactant channel comprising:\nan active region defined by said area of said catalyst layer of said anode side or said cathode side that facilitates a catalytic reaction of one of said reactants that passes therethrough; and\nan inactive region outside said active region where substantially no catalytic reaction takes place, said inactive region fluidly coupled to said active region; and\na water transport device disposed in said inactive region and comprising a hydrophilic member that forms at least a portion of said wet side reactant channel such that upon passage of a fluid containing said one of said reactants through said wet side reactant channel, said hydrophilic member absorbs at least a portion of water present in said fluid.","2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said plurality of plates comprises a plurality of bipolar plates, each of said plurality of bipolar plates having said wet side reactant channel disposed on one side thereof, and a dry side reactant channel disposed on the other side thereof, wherein said dry side reactant channel is in fluid communication with an opposite one of said anode and cathode from said wet side reactant channel.","3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein said hydrophilic member comprises a first porous substrate through which said absorbed water may pass.","4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein said water vapor transfer device further comprises a layered structure comprising:\na water-permeable membrane disposed against a surface of said hydrophilic member that is away from said plurality of wet side reactant channels;\na second porous substrate disposed against a surface of said water-permeable membrane that is away from said hydrophilic member; and\na plurality of dry side reactant channels disposed against a surface of said second porous substrate that is away from said water-permeable membrane, said plurality of dry side reactants cooperative with said second porous substrate such that said water that passes through said hydrophilic member further passes through said water-permeable membrane and said second porous substrate and into said plurality of dry side reactant channels to increase the humidity of a fluid passing therethrough.","5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein said plurality of dry side reactant channels and said plurality of wet side reactant channels are in counterflow relationship with one another.","6. The assembly of claim 5, wherein said plurality of wet side reactant channels are in fluid communication with said cathode, and said plurality of dry side reactant channels are in fluid communication with said anode.","7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein said hydrogen-bearing reactant is fed to said plurality of dry side reactant channels through an anode header, and said oxygen-bearing reactant is fed to said plurality of wet side reactant channels through a cathode header, each of said headers formed in said bipolar plate.","8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said hydrophilic member is selected from the group consisting of porous polymers, nonconductive fiber papers and carbon papers treated with a surfactant.","9. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a water-impermeable layer disposed in said inactive region between said hydrophilic member and said electrolyte membrane.","10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein said water-impermeable layer is perforate.","11. The assembly of claim 2, wherein said water transport device defines a layered structure comprising a water-impermeable layer disposed against a surface of said hydrophilic member that is away from said plurality of wet side reactant channels such that said water absorbed in said hydrophilic member remains therein.","12. The assembly of claim 11, further comprising conduit configured to redistribute said water absorbed in said hydrophilic member throughout a substantially planar region defined by said hydrophilic member such that said water that collects in said hydrophilic member can be redistributed laterally within said plurality of wet side reactant channels.","13. The assembly of claim 2, wherein said hydrophilic member comprises a hydrophilic surface formed on all of the surfaces that define said plurality of wet side reactant channels disposed on said bipolar plates.","14. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said hydrophilic layer extends along an in-plane dimension farther than said inactive region of said plurality of plates.","15. A vehicle comprising the assembly of claim 1, wherein said fuel cell assembly serves as a source of motive power for said vehicle.","16. A fuel cell assembly comprising:\na plurality of membrane electrode assemblies each comprising an anode configured to accept a hydrogen-bearing reactant, a cathode configured to accept an oxygen-bearing reactant, a proton-permeable electrolyte disposed between said anode and said cathode, a catalyst layer on said anode side of said proton-permeable electrolyte membrane, and a catalyst layer on said cathode side of said proton-permeable electrolyte membrane, said catalyst layer on said anode side and said catalyst layer on said cathode layer having an area;\na plurality of bipolar plates alternately disposed with said membrane electrode assemblies such that together said membrane electrode assemblies and said bipolar plates define a fuel cell stack, said bipolar plates comprising reactant flowpaths on opposing sides thereof such that said reactant flowpaths on one side of said bipolar plate can convey a relatively moisture-rich fluid that has passed in fluid communication with either of said anode and said cathode, while said reactant flowpaths on the opposing side of said bipolar plate can convey a relatively moisture-deficient fluid that has passed in fluid communication with the other of said cathode and said anode, a portion of each of said reactant flowpaths defining an active region and a portion of each of said reactant flowpaths defining an inactive region, said active region defined by said area of said catalyst layer of said anode side or said cathode side to facilitate a catalytic reaction involving one of said reactants, said inactive region outside said active region where substantially no catalytic reaction takes place and wherein said inactive region comprises a fluid inlet in fluid communication with said active region and a fluid outlet in fluid communication with said fluid inlet; and\na hydrophilic water transport device fluidly coupled to said inactive region and configured to redistribute liquid water collecting in said inactive region.","17. The assembly of claim 16, wherein said hydrophilic water transport device further comprises a moisture-permeable membrane disposed between a pair of porous substrates, one of said pair of porous substrates disposed against said reactant flowpaths that can convey said relatively moisture-rich fluid and the other of said pair of porous substrates said reactant flowpaths that can convey said relatively moisture-deficient fluid, wherein said one of said porous substrates comprises hydrophilic treatment and forms a portion of said reactant flowpaths that can convey said relatively moisture-rich fluid such that moisture in said relatively moisture-rich fluid passes through said membrane and said pair of porous substrates and into said reactant flowpaths that can convey said relatively moisture-deficient fluid.","18. The assembly of claim 16, wherein said hydrophilic water transport device further comprises a water-impermeable membrane disposed against a layer of hydrophilic material that is disposed against said reactant flowpaths that can convey said relatively moisture-rich fluid such that said redistributed liquid water wets said layer of hydrophilic material.","19. The assembly of claim 16, wherein said hydrophilic water transport device further comprises a water-impermeable membrane disposed against a layer of hydrophilic material disposed on the surfaces of said reactant flowpaths, such that said reactant flowpaths are covered with said hydrophilic material.","20. A method of reducing water blockage in a fuel cell, said method comprising:\nconfiguring a fuel cell to have an anode, a cathode, an electrolyte disposed between said anode and said cathode, an anode flowpath in fluid communication with said anode and a cathode flowpath in fluid communication with said cathode, a catalyst layer on said anode side of said proton-permeable electrolyte membrane, and a catalyst layer on said cathode side of said proton-permeable electrolyte membrane, said catalyst layer on said anode side and said catalyst layer on said cathode layer having an area;\ndelivering a first reactant through said anode flowpath and a second reactant through said cathode flowpath, where at least one of said anode and cathode flowpaths comprise an active region and an inactive region, said active region defined by said area of said catalyst layer of said anode side or said cathode side, said inactive region outside said active region where substantially no catalytic reaction takes place;\ncombining said first and second reactants in an electrochemical conversion reaction in said fuel cell such that a fluid passing through said active region and containing said first or second reactant experiences an increased water content therein;\ntransporting said fluid containing said increased water content through a hydrophilic member disposed in said inactive region; and\nredistributing at least a portion of said increased water content away from said at least one anode or cathode flowpath and into said hydrophilic member.","21. The method of claim 20, wherein said anode and cathode flowpaths are disposed on opposite sides of a bipolar plate that is disposed between adjacent said fuel cells in a fuel cell stack.","22. The method of claim 20, wherein said hydrophilic member comprises a first porous substrate through which said absorbed water may pass.","23. The method of claim 22, wherein said hydrophilic member is part of a water transport device that fluidly connects said anode and cathode flowpaths, said water transport device defining a layered structure further comprising:\na water-permeable membrane disposed against a surface of said hydrophilic member that is away from said at least one anode or cathode flowpath that contains said increased water content; and\na second porous substrate that is disposed against a surface of said water-permeable membrane that is away from said hydrophilic member, said second porous substrate forming part of the one of said at least one anode or cathode flowpath that does not contain said increased water content such that a portion of said increased water content that passes through said hydrophilic member further passes through said water-permeable membrane and said second porous substrate and into said one of said at least one anode or cathode flowpath that does not contain said increased water content to increase the humidity of a fluid passing therethrough.","24. The method of claim 23, wherein said hydrophilic member is part of a water transport device that defines a layered structure further comprising a water-impermeable layer such that said increased water content that is absorbed in said hydrophilic member remains therein."],["1. A fuel cell system comprising:\na fuel cell stack including a cathode side and an anode side;\na compressor providing cathode air to the cathode side of the fuel cell stack; and\na hydrogen source providing hydrogen gas to the anode side of the fuel cell stack, said system operating in a shut-down mode for removing water from the fuel cell stack, said shut-down mode causing the cathode air or the hydrogen gas to flow in an opposite or reverse direction through the fuel cell stack to provide a uniform wetness in a flow field of the fuel cell stack.","2. The system according to claim 1 further comprising a cathode inlet valve and a cathode outlet valve, said cathode inlet valve and said cathode outlet valve being switched to a reverse flow direction during the shut-down mode to cause the cathode air to flow in an opposite direction through cathode flow channels in the cathode side of the fuel cell stack to push water out of an outlet end of the cathode flow channels to provide the uniform wetness through a cathode flow field in the fuel cell stack.","3. The system according to claim 1 further comprising an anode inlet valve and an anode outlet valve, said anode inlet valve and said anode outlet valve being switched to a reverse flow direction during the shut-down mode to cause the hydrogen gas from the hydrogen source to flow in an opposite direction through anode flow channels in the anode side of the fuel cell stack to push water out of an outlet end of the anode flow channels to provide the uniform wetness through an anode flow field in the fuel cell stack.","4. The system according to claim 1 further comprising a cathode inlet valve and a cathode outlet valve, said cathode inlet valve and said cathode outlet valve being switched to a reverse flow direction during the shut-down mode to cause the cathode air to flow in an opposite direction through cathode flow channels in the cathode side of the fuel cell stack to push water out of an outlet end of the cathode flow channels to provide the uniform wetness through a cathode flow field in the fuel cell stack and further comprising an anode inlet valve and an anode outlet valve, said anode inlet valve and said anode outlet valve being switched to a reverse flow direction during the shut-down mode to cause the hydrogen gas from the hydrogen source to flow in an opposite direction through anode flow channels in the anode side of the fuel cell stack to push water out of an outlet end of the anode flow channels to provide the uniform wetness through an anode flow field in the fuel cell stack.","5. The system according to claim 1 wherein a cathode air flow through cathode flow channels in the cathode side of the fuel cell stack draws water from the anode side of the fuel cell stack.","6. The system according to claim 1 further comprising a system load, said fuel cell stack being coupled to the system load at an end of the shut-down mode so as to provide rehydration of membranes in the fuel cell stack.","7. The system according to claim 1 wherein the shut-down mode maintains the membranes with a predetermined amount of relative humidity.","8. The system according to claim 1 wherein the anode flow is a reverse direction and the cathode flow is in a forward direction during the shut-down mode.","9. The system according to claim 1 wherein both the anode flow and the cathode flow are in a reverse direction during the shut-down mode.","10. The system according to claim 1 wherein the hydrogen source is a pressurized hydrogen source that provides the flow of hydrogen fuel.","11. A fuel cell system comprising:\na fuel cell stack including a cathode side and an anode side;\na compressor providing cathode air to the cathode side of the fuel cell stack;\na hydrogen source providing hydrogen gas to the anode side of the fuel cell stack; and\na configuration of valves and piping that allows the hydrogen gas from the hydrogen source to flow through anode flow channels in the anode side of the fuel cell stack in a forward flow direction during normal operation of the fuel cell stack and through the anode flow channels in the anode side of the fuel cell stack in a reverse flow direction during a shut-down mode of the fuel cell system to remove water from the fuel cell stack, wherein during the shut-down mode, air from the compressor flows through the cathode side of the fuel cell stack and draws water through cell membranes from the anode side of the fuel cell stack and the reverse flow of the hydrogen gas through the anode flow channels causes water that has collected in an anode outlet to be pushed into the anode flow channels to be drawn into the cathode side of the fuel cell stack.","12. The system according to claim 11 wherein the configuration of valves includes an anode inlet valve and an anode outlet valve.","13. The system according to claim 11 further comprising a system load, said fuel cell stack being coupled to the system load at an end of the shut-down mode so as to provide rehydration of membranes in the fuel cell stack.","14. The system according to claim 11 wherein the cathode air also flows in a reverse direction during the shut-down mode.","15. A method for purging water from a fuel cell stack at system shut-down, said method comprising:\ndirecting air from a compressor through a cathode side of the fuel cell stack to force water out of cathode flow channels in the cathode side of the fuel cell stack and draw water through fuel cell membranes from anode flow channels in an anode side of the fuel cell stack; and\nreversing a flow direction of hydrogen gas through an anode side of the fuel cell stack so that the reverse flow direction of the hydrogen gas pushes water from an anode outlet into anode flow channels to be drawn through the fuel cell membranes into the cathode flow channels.","16. The method according to claim 15 wherein reversing the direction of flow of the hydrogen gas includes switching an anode inlet valve and an anode outlet valve.","17. The method according to claim 15 further comprising coupling a load to the fuel cell stack at an end of the purging process to provide rehydration of membranes in the fuel cell stack.","18. The method according to claim 15 wherein directing air from a compressor through a cathode side of the fuel cell stack includes directing air through the cathode side in a reverse direction to provide a uniform wetness across a cathode flow field."],["1. A system, comprising:\na fuel cell stack;\nfirst and second pump separators that each comprise an electrolyte disposed between a cathode and an anode;\na fuel exhaust conduit that fluidly connects a fuel exhaust outlet of the fuel cell stack to a splitter;\na first separation conduit that fluidly connects an outlet of the splitter to an anode inlet of the first pump separator;\na second separation conduit that fluidly connects an anode outlet of the first pump separator to an anode inlet of the second pump separator;\na hydrogen conduit that fluidly connects a cathode outlet of the second pump separator to a fuel inlet of the fuel cell stack; and\na recycling conduit that fluidly connects the hydrogen conduit to a fuel inlet conduit.","2. The system of claim 1, further comprising:\na byproduct conduit that fluidly connects an anode outlet of the second pump separator to a carbon dioxide use.","3. The system of claim 1, further comprising:\na byproduct conduit that fluidly connects an anode outlet of the second pump separator to a storage device.","4. The system of claim 2 or 3, wherein the carbon dioxide use or storage device comprises:\na dryer configured to remove water from the carbon dioxide stream; and\na cryogenic storage device configured to store carbon dioxide output from the dryer as dry ice.","5. The system of claim 2 or 3, wherein the carbon dioxide use or storage device carbon dioxide as a shippable liquid.","6. The system of claim 1, wherein the electrolyte is a proton conductor electrolyte.","7. The system of claim 1, wherein the hydrogen of the recycling conduit is mixed with incoming fuel provided from a fuel source before being recycled back to the fuel cell stack.","8. The system of claim 1, wherein the hydrogen conduit contains 95% to about 100% H2.","9. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second hydrogen pump separators each comprise a carbon microlayer as part of a gas diffusion layer of respective anodes.","10. The system of claim 9, wherein respective anodes include a bilayer structure including a polytetrafluoroethylene bonded first electrode and an ionomer bonded electrode second electrode.","11. The system of claim 1, wherein electrodes of the first pump separator and the second pump separator include Pt or Pt—Ru.","12. The system of claim 1, further comprising an anode tail gas oxidizer (ATO).","13. The system of claim 12, an ATO inlet conduit that fluidly connects a cathode outlet of the first pump separator to the anode tail gas oxidizer.","14. The system of claim 1, wherein the fuel cell stack is located within a hotbox.","15. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second pump separators are electrochemical hydrogen pump separators."],["1. A fuel cell system comprising at least:\na hydrogen generator which is supplied with a raw material to generate a fuel gas containing hydrogen;\na humidifier which is supplied with the fuel gas, generated in said hydrogen generator, to humidify the fuel gas by utilizing heat energy and an off gas separately supplied thereto; and\na fuel cell which is supplied with the fuel gas humidified in said humidifier and an oxidizing gas to generate electric power while discharging the heat energy and the off gas,\nthe fuel cell system further comprising a condenser which converts steam of the off gas, discharged from said fuel cell, into condensed water by cooling down the steam by heat exchange with a cooling medium, and supplies the condensed water to said humidifier to humidify the fuel gas,\nwherein said off gas utilized by the humidifier includes fuel gas discharged from the fuel cell.","2. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, further comprising a primary cooling water supplying and discharging system which causes primary cooling water to flow through an inside of said fuel cell to directly control a temperature of said fuel cell,\nthe fuel cell system being configured to use as the cooling medium the primary cooling water in said primary cooling water supplying and discharging system.","3. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, further comprising a secondary cooling water supplying and discharging system which causes primary cooling water of said primary cooling water supplying and discharging system to transfer heat to secondary cooling water to indirectly control a temperature of said fuel cell,\nthe fuel cell system being configured to use as the cooling medium the secondary cooling water in said secondary cooling water supplying and discharging system.","4. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, further comprising an air introducing device which introduces air from an outside of the fuel cell system to an inside of the fuel cell system,\nthe fuel cell system being configured to use as the cooling medium the air introduced to the inside of the fuel cell system by said air introducing device.","5. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, being configured to use air of an inside of the fuel cell system as the cooling medium.","6. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, being configured such that the condensed water is automatically supplied from said condenser toward said humidifier by gravitational force.","7. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, wherein said condenser and said humidifier are integrated with each other to constitute a condensing and humidifying device.","8. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, further comprising as said fuel cell a polymer electrolyte fuel cell which is supplied with the fuel gas and the oxidizing gas to generate the electric power."],["1. A method of altering the temperature of off-gases exiting at least one fuel cell stack, the at least one fuel cell stack having separate anode and cathode off-gas flow paths, the method comprising:\npassing separate anode off-gas from the at least one fuel cell stack and at least one heat transfer fluid through a first heat exchange element to exchange heat between the anode off-gas and the at least one heat transfer fluid;\npassing the separate anode off-gas from the first heat exchange element to a burner;\npassing the separate cathode off-gas exiting the at least one fuel cell stack into said burner; and\nburning the combined anode and cathode off-gases to produce burner off-gas; and passing burner off-gas and the at least one heat transfer fluid through a second heat exchange element to exchange heat between the burner off-gas and the at least one heat transfer fluid.","2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the first heat exchange element cools the anode off-gas and heats the at least one heat transfer fluid.","3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the second heat exchange element cools the burner off-gas and heats the at least one heat transfer fluid.","4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the cooled burner off-gas is output from the second heat exchange element to an exhaust.","5. A method according to claim 1, wherein condensate from the burner off-gas is formed in and output from the second heat exchange element.","6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the second heat exchange element receives the heat transfer fluid after it has been output from the first heat exchange element.","7. A method according to claim 2, wherein condensate from the anode off-gas is formed in and output from the first heat exchange element.","8. A method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one heat exchange fluid is chosen from a group comprising: water, refrigerant fluid, anti-freeze fluid, mixed fluids, fuel and air.","9. A method according claim 1, wherein the first heat exchange element receives a plurality of heat transfer fluids.","10. A method according to claim 9, further comprising independently controlling the rate of flow of each of the heat transfer fluids to optimize heat exchange to or from the heat transfer fluids.","11. A method according to claim 1, further comprising passing the separate anode off-gas through a further heat exchange element before it is received by the first heat exchange element, the further heat exchange element exchanging heat between the anode off-gas and a flow of fluid.","12. A method according to claim 11, the further heat exchange element cooling the anode off-gas and warming the flow of fluid.","13. A method according to claim 11, wherein the flow of fluid into the further heat exchange element is a flow of cathode side feed gas, which cathode side feed gas subsequently enters the at least one fuel cell stack and exits as the cathode off-gas.","14. A method according to claim 1, wherein the operating temperature of the fuel cell is between 450° C. and 650° C.","15. A method according to claim 5, wherein condensed water is recycled and used to reform fuel before it enters the fuel cell(s).","16. A fuel cell system, comprising:\nat least one fuel cell stack having separate outlets and flow paths for flow of anode and cathode off-gases respectively;\na first heat exchange element coupled to receive anode off-gas which has been output from the at least one fuel cell stack anode off-gas outlet, the first heat exchange element for exchanging heat between the anode off-gas from the at least one fuel cell stack and the at least one heat transfer fluid;\na burner configured to receive and combine anode off-gas exiting the first heat exchange element and cathode off-gas exiting the at least one fuel cell stack and combust same to produce burner off-gas; and\nfurther comprising a second heat exchange element, coupled to receive the heat transfer fluid and burner off-gas from the burner, the second heat exchange element for exchanging heat between the burner off-gas and the heat transfer fluid.","17. A fuel cell system according to claim 16, wherein the first heat exchange element is configured to cool the anode off-gas, and heat the heat transfer fluid.","18. A fuel cell system according to claim 17, the first heat exchange element being for reducing the operating temperature of the burner.","19. A fuel cell system according to claim 16, wherein the second heat exchange element is configured to cool the burner off-gas and heat the heat transfer fluid.","20. A fuel cell system according to claim 16, wherein the second heat exchange element comprises a condensing heat exchanger.","21. A fuel cell system according to claim 16, wherein the heat exchange fluid flow path is defined by the first heat exchange element followed by the second heat exchange element, for passing heat transfer fluid into, through and out of the first heat exchange element and subsequently into, through and out of the second heat transfer element.","22. A fuel cell system according to claim 16, wherein the second heat exchange element is adapted to receive a plurality of heat transfer fluids.","23. A fuel cell system according to claim 16, wherein the first heat exchange element comprises a condensing heat exchanger.","24. A fuel cell system according claim 16, wherein the first heat transfer exchange element is adapted to receive a plurality of heat transfer fluids.","25. A fuel cell system according to claim 16, further comprising a further heat exchange element coupled between the at least one fuel cell stack anode off-gas outlet and the first heat exchange element, for reducing the temperature of the anode off-gas before it enters the first heat exchange element.","26. A fuel cell system according to claim 25, wherein the further heat exchange element is a gas-gas heat exchanger.","27. A fuel cell system according to claim 25, wherein the first and further heat exchange elements are integrated into a single unit.","28. A fuel cell system according to claim 16, wherein the first and second heat exchange elements are integrated into a single unit.","29. A fuel cell system according to claim 16, wherein the fuel cell is a solid oxide fuel cell.","30. A fuel cell system according to claim 16, wherein the fuel cell is configured to operate between 450° C.-650° C.","31. A fuel cell system according to claim 20, wherein the system is configured to recycle water from the condensing heat exchanger(s) and provide the water to a reformer for reforming fuel before it enters the fuel cell(s).","32. A fuel cell system according to claim 16, configured to be operated in a marine environment.","33. A fuel cell system according to claim 16, configured to be operated in an automotive environment.","34. A fuel cell system according to claim 16, configured to be operated in an aeronautical environment.","35. In a fuel cell system having separate anode and cathode off-gas outlets and flow paths from at least one fuel cell stack, a heat exchanger system comprising:\na first condensing heat exchange element coupled to receive anode off-gas from the anode off-gas outlet of the at least one fuel cell stack of the fuel cell system and heat transfer fluid, and output cooled anode off-gas, condensate from the anode off-gas and warmed heat transfer fluid from the first heat exchange element; and\na burner coupled to the first heat exchange element to receive cooled anode off-gas from the first heat exchange element and cathode off-gas exiting the at least one fuel cell stack and combust same to produce burner off-gas; and\na further heat exchange element coupled between the at least one fuel cell stack anode off-gas outlet and the first heat exchange element and coupled to receive cathode side feed gas before it enters the at least one fuel cell stack, for reducing the temperature of the anode off-gas before it enters the first heat exchange element, by exchanging heat with the cathode side feed gas.","36. In a fuel cell system having separate anode and cathode off-gas outlets and flow paths from at least one fuel cell stack, a heat exchanger system comprising:\na first condensing heat exchange element coupled to receive anode off-gas from the anode off-gas outlet of the at least one fuel cell stack and heat transfer fluid, and output cooled anode off-gas, condensate from the anode off-gas and warmed heat transfer fluid from the first heat exchange element;\na burner coupled to the first heat exchange element to receive cooled anode off-gas from the first heat exchange element and cathode off-gas exiting the at least one fuel cell stack and combust same to produce burner off-gas; and\na second condensing heat exchange element coupled to receive burner off-gas, and the heat transfer fluid, and output cooled burner off-gas, condensate from the burner off-gas and warmed heat transfer fluid from the second heat exchange element.","37. In a fuel cell system having separate anode and cathode off-gas outlets and flow paths from at least one fuel cell stack, a heat exchanger system comprising:\na first condensing heat exchange element coupled to receive anode off-gas from the anode off-gas outlet of the at least one fuel cell stack and heat transfer fluid, and output cooled anode off-gas, condensate from the anode off-gas and warmed heat transfer fluid from the first heat exchange element;\na burner coupled to the first heat exchange element to receive cooled anode off-gas from the first heat exchange element and cathode off-gas exiting the at least one fuel cell stack and combust same to produce burner off-gas;\na second condensing heat exchange element coupled to receive burner off-gas, and the heat transfer fluid, and output cooled burner off-gas, condensate from the burner off-gas and warmed heat transfer fluid from the second heat exchange element; and\na further heat exchange element coupled in the anode off-gas fluid flow path between at least one fuel cell stack and the first heat exchange element, configured to reduce the temperature of the anode off-gas passing therethrough before it enters the first heat exchange element.","38. In a fuel cell system having separate anode and cathode off-gas outlets and flow paths from at least one fuel cell stack, a heat exchanger system comprising:\na first condensing heat exchange element coupled to receive anode off-gas from the anode off-gas outlet of the at least one fuel cell stack and at least one heat transfer fluid, and output cooled anode off-gas, condensate from the anode off-gas and warmed heat transfer fluid from the first heat exchange element; and\na further heat exchange element coupled in the anode off-gas fluid flow path between at least one fuel cell stack and the first heat exchange element, configured to reduce the temperature of the anode off-gas passing therethrough before it enters the first heat exchange element,\nwherein the further heat exchange element receives a flow of cathode side feed gas, which subsequently enters the at least one fuel cell stack and exits as cathode off-gas.","39. A method of altering the temperature of off-gases exiting at least one fuel cell stack, the at least one fuel cell stack having separate anode and cathode off-gas flow paths, the method comprising:\npassing separate anode off-gas from the at least one fuel cell stack and at least one heat transfer fluid through a first heat exchange element to exchange heat between the anode off-gas and the at least one heat transfer fluid;\npassing the separate anode off-gas from the first heat exchange element to a burner;\npassing the separate cathode off-gas exiting the at least one fuel cell stack into said burner to combine with the anode off-gas and combust to produce burner off-gas;\nfurther comprising passing the separate anode off-gas through a further heat exchange element before it is received by the first heat exchange element, the further heat exchange element exchanging heat between the anode off-gas and a flow of fluid; and\nwherein the flow of fluid into the further heat exchange element is a flow of cathode side feed gas, which cathode side feed gas subsequently enters the at least one fuel cell stack and exits as the cathode off-gas.","40. A fuel cell system, comprising:\nat least one fuel cell stack having separate outlets and flow paths for flow of anode and cathode off-gases respectively;\na first heat exchange element coupled to receive anode off-gas which has been output from the at least one fuel cell stack anode off-gas outlet, the first heat exchange element for exchanging heat between the anode off-gas from the at least one fuel cell stack and the at least one heat transfer fluid;\na burner configured to receive and combine anode off-gas exiting the first heat exchange element and cathode off-gas exiting the at least one fuel cell stack and combust same to produce burner off-gas; and\na further heat exchange element coupled between the at least one fuel cell stack anode off-gas outlet and the first heat exchange element and coupled to receive cathode side feed gas before it enters the at least one fuel cell stack, for reducing the temperature of the anode off-gas before it enters the first heat exchange element, by exchanging heat with the cathode side feed gas."],["1. A fuel cell hydrogen recycling system, comprising a fuel cell, a controller, and a gas-liquid separating reservoir comprising a storage tank and a gas-liquid separator positioned beneath the storage tank, the storage tank and the gas-liquid separator are connected to each other vertically, wherein the storage tank is connected to a hydrogen exhaust pipeline and a hydrogen recycling pipeline respectively, the hydrogen exhaust pipeline is provided with a hydrogen outlet valve operated by the controller, the hydrogen recycling pipeline is provided with a hydrogen circulating pump and a check valve, both of which are operated by the controller, a period between adjacent venting states is defined as a venting cycle of electrochemical reaction of a stack, during the venting cycle of electrochemical reaction of a stack, the hydrogen outlet valve is opened by the controller more than once with a constant interval therebetween, and the hydrogen circulating pump and the check valve open only once.","2. The fuel cell hydrogen recycling system of claim 1, wherein during the venting cycle of electrochemical reaction of a stack, an opening frequency of the hydrogen outlet valve is 2-10 times that of an opening frequency of the hydrogen circulating pump.","3. The fuel cell hydrogen recycling system of claim 1, wherein a pressure sensor connected to the controller is provided between the hydrogen outlet valve and an inlet of the storage tank, during the venting cycle of electrochemical reaction of a stack, the hydrogen outlet valve is opened by the controller to enter the fuel cell hydrogen recycling system into the venting state, and after exhaust gas containing water, nitrogen and hydrogen enters the storage tank and when a pressure of the exhaust gas as detected by the pressure sensor is higher than a preset pressure upper limit, the hydrogen circulating pump and the check valve are opened by the controller to draw the hydrogen in the storage tank back to a hydrogen inlet pipeline.","4. The fuel cell hydrogen recycling system of claim 2, wherein the gas-liquid separator discharges water and nitrogen through an exhaust pipeline that is provided with a ventilation valve operated by the controller, inside the storage tank there is a nitrogen concentration meter connected to the controller, inside the gas-liquid separator there is a level gauge connected to the controller, the gas-liquid separator is connected to the ventilation valve, when a concentration of nitrogen in the storage tank as measured by the nitrogen concentration meter is higher than a preset nitrogen concentration threshold or when a water level as measured by the level gauge is higher than a preset water level threshold, the controller opens the ventilation valve to discharge the water and the nitrogen and closes the ventilation valve after the water and the nitrogen have been discharged.","5. The fuel cell hydrogen recycling system of claim 4, wherein the gas-liquid separator is provided beneath the storage tank in the gas-liquid separating reservoir, for discharge of the nitrogen and the water that have specific gravities larger than hydrogen through the ventilation valve."],["23. An electrochemical cell comprising:\na cell housing defining an air chamber, an inflow port, and an outlet, the inflow port and the outlet in fluid communication with one another via the air chamber;\nan electrolyte disposed in the air chamber;\na pair of electrodes spaced apart from one another in the electrolyte in the air chamber;\na humidity exchange membrane having an inflow side and an outflow side, the inflow side exposed to air entering the cell housing through the inflow port, the outflow side exposed to air exiting the cell through the outlet, and moisture movable through the humidity exchange membrane from the outflow side to the inflow side; and\na scrubber including scrubber media in fluid communication between the inflow side of the humidity exchange membrane and the inflow port of the cell housing, and carbon dioxide from air flowing through the scrubber removable by the scrubber media.","24. The electrochemical cell of claim 23, wherein the humidity exchange membrane includes an ionically conductive polymer or perfluorosulfonic acid polymer.","25. The electrochemical cell of claim 23, wherein the scrubber media is irreversible scrubber media.","26. The electrochemical cell of claim 25, wherein the irreversible scrubber media includes soda lime, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide, lithium peroxide, calcium oxide, calcium carbonate, serpentinite, magnesium silicate magnesium hydroxide, olivine, molecular sieves, amines, monothanolamine, and/or combinations thereof.","27. The electrochemical cell of claim 23, wherein the scrubber media comprises a reversible scrubber media.","28. The electrochemical cell of claim 27, wherein the reversible scrubber media comprises amine groups.","29. The electrochemical cell of claim 23, wherein the scrubber includes a heating element.","30. The electrochemical cell of claim 29, wherein the heating element is a passive heating element that directs heat from the cell to the scrubber media.","31. The electrochemical cell of claim 29, wherein the heating element comprises an electric heating element.","32. The electrochemical cell of claim 23, wherein the scrubber is releasably attachable to the cell housing.","33. The electrochemical cell of claim 32, wherein the electrochemical cell is operable with the scrubber detached from the cell housing.","34. The electrochemical cell of claim 23, further comprising a recirculation feature through which a portion of air exiting the cell through the outlet is transferrable to inlet airflow movable over the inflow side of the humidity exchange membrane.","35. The electrochemical cell of claim 34, wherein the portion of air transferrable to the inlet airflow, via the recirculation feature, is adjustable.","36. The electrochemical cell of claim 34, wherein the recirculation feature is a valve.","37. The electrochemical cell of claim 34, wherein the recirculation feature is a baffle."],["1. A fuel cell system, comprising a fuel cell stack, an air supply system connected to a cathode side of the fuel cell stack, and a hydrogen supply system connected to an anode side of the fuel cell stack, wherein the air supply system includes an air compressor, an air inlet tube, and an air outlet tube, while the hydrogen supply system includes a hydrogen storage tank, a hydrogen inlet tube, and a hydrogen outlet tube,\nwherein\nthe air outlet tube is connected to a low-oxygen, gas storage tank through a manifold, and the low-oxygen gas storage tank is connected back to the hydrogen inlet tube through a circulating tube, whereby during stop of the fuel cell, air supply is reduced by stopping the air compressor or reducing a rotating speed of the air compressor, hydrogen remaining at the anode side of the fuel cell stack consumes or dilutes oxygen in air at the cathode side, and a low-oxygen gas so generated is partially used to purge the fuel cell stack and partially stored in the low-oxygen gas storage tank, wherein\nbefore start of the fuel cell, the low-oxygen gas stored in the low-oxygen gas storage tank fills and purges the anode side of the fuel cell stack, expels oxygen remaining at the anode side or reduce a content of oxygen at the anode side to a level where filling of hydrogen is safe.","2. The fuel cell system of claim 1, wherein the air outlet tube is provided with a first solenoid valve, when the first solenoid valve is closed and the oxygen in air at the cathode side is consumed, the low-oxygen gas generated at the cathode side of the fuel cell is stored into the low-oxygen gas storage tank via the manifold.","3. The fuel cell system of claim 1, wherein the manifold is provided with a second solenoid valve, the second solenoid vale is open when the fuel cell stops, so that the low-oxygen gas generated at the cathode side of the fuel cell is stored into the low-oxygen gas storage tank via the second solenoid valve.","4. The fuel cell system of claim 2, wherein the circulating tube is provided with a third solenoid valve and a check valve,\nwhen the third solenoid valve and the check valve are open, before the fuel cell starts, the low-oxygen gas stored in the low-oxygen gas storage tank fills and purges the anode side of the fuel cell stack via the third solenoid valve and the check valve of the circulating tube, expels oxygen remaining at the anode side or reduce a content of oxygen at the anode side to a level where filling of hydrogen is safe,\nwhen the third solenoid valve and the check valve are closed, before the fuel cell stops, the low-oxygen gas generated at the cathode side of the fuel cell is stored into the low-oxygen gas storage tank via the second solenoid valve.","5. The fuel cell system of claim 1, wherein the hydrogen inlet tube is provided with a fourth solenoid valve,\nwhen the oxygen remaining therein is expelled from the anode side of the fuel cell stack or the content of oxygen at the anode side is reduced to a level where filling of hydrogen is safe, the fourth solenoid valve is opened to input hydrogen to the anode side of the fuel cell stack.","6. The fuel cell system of claim 1, wherein the hydrogen outlet tube is provided with a sensor for measuring a content of hydrogen.","7. A method for purging the fuel cell system of claim 1 during its stop and start process, wherein the method uses the fuel cell system to produce low-oxygen gas, so that during stop of the fuel cell system, hydrogen remaining at the anode side of the fuel cell system is diluted and expelled by purging of the low-oxygen gas, and during start of the fuel cell system, the low-oxygen gas at the anode side of the fuel cell system is diluted and expelled by purging of the low-oxygen gas, the method comprises steps of:\ni) where there is a need of producing the low-oxygen gas or during stop of the fuel cell system, reducing air supply by stopping the air compressor or reducing a rotating speed of the air compressor, closing the first solenoid valve, opening the second solenoid valve, the third solenoid valve and the check valve, using hydrogen remaining or reserved according to needs at the anode side of the fuel cell stack to continuously generate electric power, so as to obtain the low-oxygen gas by way of consuming oxygen in air at the cathode side and, storing the low-oxygen gas into the low-oxygen gas storage tank through the manifold, and transferring the low-oxygen gas to the anode side of the fuel cell stack through the circulating tube to purge hydrogen remaining in a channel at the anode side so as to reduce a concentration of hydrogen to a level below 4%; and\nii) before start of the fuel cell system, first opening the third solenoid valve and the check valve, the low-oxygen gas stored in the low-oxygen gas storage tank filling and purging the anode side of the fuel cell stack via the circulating tube so as to expel oxygen potentially remaining therein or to reduce a content of oxygen at the anode side to a level where filling of hydrogen is safe, and opening the fourth solenoid valve to input hydrogen to the anode side of the fuel cell stack.","8. A fuel cell system, comprising a fuel cell stack, an air supply system connected to a cathode at a cathode side of the fuel cell stack, and a hydrogen supply system connected to an anode at an anode side of the fuel cell stack, wherein the air supply system includes an air compressor, an air inlet tube, and an air outlet tube, while the hydrogen supply system includes a hydrogen storage tank, a hydrogen inlet tube and a hydrogen outlet tube, in which the air outlet tube is connected to a low-oxygen gas storage tank through a manifold, and the low-oxygen gas storage tank is connected back to the hydrogen inlet tube through a circulating tube, while the air inlet tube and the hydrogen inlet tube are connected by a connecting tube that is provided with a first solenoid valve, so that during stop of the fuel cell, redundant hydrogen at the anode side of the fuel cell stack consumes oxygen in air remaining at the cathode side, when a low-oxygen gas generated expels hydrogen remaining at the anode side of the fuel cell stack, the air compressor supplies high pressure air to the anode side and the cathode side of the fuel cell stack at the same time so as to purge the produced water in the fuel cell stack.","9. The fuel cell system of claim 8, wherein the air outlet tube is provided with a second solenoid valve and the manifold is provided with a third solenoid valve while the circulating tube is provided with a fourth solenoid valve and a check valve, in which the hydrogen inlet tube is provided with a fifth solenoid valve and the hydrogen outlet tube is provided with a sensor for measuring a content of hydrogen.","10. A method for purging and removing water for the fuel cell system of claim 8 during its stop and start, which safely expels water standing in the fuel cell system during stop of the fuel cell system with low-oxygen gas, the method comprises steps of:\ni) where there is a need of producing low-oxygen gas or during stop of the fuel cell system, reducing air supply by stopping the air compressor or reducing a rotating speed of the air compressor, closing the second solenoid valve, opening the third solenoid valve, the fourth solenoid valve and the check valve, using hydrogen remaining or reserved according to needs at the anode side of the fuel cell stack to continuously generate electric power, so as obtain the low-oxygen gas by way of consuming oxygen in air at the cathode side, storing the low-oxygen gas into the low-oxygen gas storage tank through the manifold, and transferring the low-oxygen gas to the anode side of the fuel cell stack through the circulating tube to purge a channel at the anode side so as to reduce a concentration of hydrogen to a level below 4%; and\nii) closing the fourth solenoid valve, storing the remaining low-oxygen gas into the low-oxygen gas storage tank, opening the first solenoid valve a and the air compressor to deliver high-pressure high-flow air to both the anode side and the cathode side of the fuel cell stack, so as to effectively purge water standing in the fuel cell stack as a product of reaction.","11. A purging and water-evacuating system for a fuel cell, at least comprising an air supply system and hydrogen supply system, wherein\na connecting tube between an air inlet tube and a hydrogen inlet tube is provided with a first solenoid valve, during stop, after using low-oxygen gas to dilute and purge hydrogen in a fluid channel at an anode side, air is continuously supplied to anode sides and cathode sides of fuel cell stacks by air compressor to purge water standing in a fuel cell stack, so as to further protect the fuel cell stack.","12. The purging and water-evacuating system for a fuel cell of claim 11, wherein an air outlet tube is connected to a low-oxygen gas storage tank via a manifold, the low-oxygen gas storage tank is connected back to an hydrogen inlet tube via a circulating tube, wherein low-oxygen gas is used to purge fluid channel at the anode side to expel hydrogen, thereby forcing electrochemical reaction in a stack to stop in time so as to protect the stack;\nthe produced low-oxygen gas is stored, during start, the low-oxygen gas is used to purge the anode side, expelling oxygen potentially remaining therein or reducing a content of oxygen at the anode side to a level where filling of hydrogen is safe, so as to improve safety and save energy.","13. The purging and water-evacuating system for a fuel cell of claim 12, wherein during stop of the fuel cell, hydrogen remaining at an anode side of a fuel cell stack consumes oxygen in air at an cathode side or reduces its concentration, low-oxygen gas generated is used to purge and dilute the fuel cell stack, a remaining portion is stored in the low-oxygen gas storage tank.","14. The purging and water-evacuating system for a fuel cell of claim 11, wherein during stop or where there is a need of producing low-oxygen gas, a second solenoid valve on the air outlet tube is closed and a third solenoid valve on the manifold is open, the air compressor is stopped or a rotating speed of the air compressor is reduced to reduce air supply, hydrogen remaining or reserved according to needs at the anode side of the fuel cell stack is used to continuously generate electric power so as to obtain the low-oxygen gas by way of consuming oxygen in air at the cathode side.","15. The purging and water-evacuating system for a fuel cell of claim 14, wherein when a fourth solenoid valve on the circulating tube is closed and the first solenoid valve is open, the air compressor inputs high-pressure high-flow air to both the anode side and the cathode side of the fuel cell stack, so as to effectively purge water standing in the fuel cell stack as a product of reaction."],["1. A method of discharging water from a mobile object, which includes: a fuel cell discharging an exhaust gas; a gas-liquid separator separating the exhaust gas into a gas component and a liquid component, and storing the liquid component as an exhaust water; and a circulation pump sending out the gas component flown from the gas-liquid separator, the method comprising:\nan inclined state detection step of detecting an inclined state of the mobile object with respect to a horizontal plane;\na scavenging start step of starting to supply scavenging gas at a predetermined first supply flow rate to a gas flow path in the fuel cell, by driving the circulation pump, when the mobile object is in a predetermined inclined state in which an outlet of the gas flow path is directed upward against a direction of gravity;\na discharging water step of discharging the exhaust water stored in the gas-liquid separator while the scavenging gas is supplied to the fuel cell; and\na supply flow rate increase step of increasing a rotational speed of the circulation pump so that the supply flow rate of the scavenging gas is increased to a second supply flow rate higher than the first supply flow rate after a certain amount of exhaust water has been discharged following starting to supply the scavenging gas.","2. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein\nthe inclined state detection step is a step of acquiring an inclination angle of the mobile object with respect to the horizontal plane as a parameter expressing the inclined state of the mobile object, and\nthe supply flow rate increase step includes a step of changing the second supply flow rate in accordance with the inclination angle.","3. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein\nthe inclined state detection step is a step of acquiring an inclination angle of the mobile object with respect to the horizontal plane as a parameter expressing the inclined state of the mobile object, and\nthe discharging water step is a step of discharging the exhaust water at a predetermined water discharge interval, and includes a step of changing the water discharge interval in accordance with the inclination angle.","4. The method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:\na first scavenging step of scavenging a first gas flow path, which is the gas flow path supplied a first reactive gas that is one reactive gas used for the generating of the fuel cell, by using the scavenging gas as first scavenging gas; and\na second scavenging step of scavenging a second gas flow path, which is provided in the fuel cell and supplied a second reactive gas that is another reactive gas, by supplying a second scavenging gas that is different from the first scavenging gas, and introducing an exhaust water discharged from the second gas flow path to an outside of the mobile object through a water discharge pipe connected to the fuel cell, wherein\nin the first scavenging step, the scavenging start step, the discharging water step, and the supply flow rate increase step are executed, and\nin the second scavenging step, the inclined state of the mobile object with respect to the horizontal plane is detected, and a step of increasing a flow rate of the second scavenging gas is executed when the mobile object is in a predetermined inclined state where a direction of the water discharge pipe extending toward a downstream side is directed upward against the direction of gravity.","5. A fuel cell system installed in a mobile object, the fuel cell system comprising:\na fuel cell incorporating a gas flow path for reaction gas;\na gas-liquid separator that separates exhaust gas from the fuel cell into a gas component and a liquid component, and stores the liquid component as exhaust water;\na circulation pump that circulates the gas component, obtained by the separation in the gas-liquid separator, to the fuel cell;\nan on-off valve that controls discharging of the exhaust water from the gas-liquid separator through an opening and closing operation;\na controller programmed to execute a scavenging processing of circulating scavenging gas to the fuel cell by driving the circulation pump, and execute a water discharge processing of discharging the exhaust water from the gas-liquid separator by opening the water discharge valve while the scavenging gas is supplied to the fuel cell; and\nan inclined state detector configured to detect an inclined state of the mobile object with respect to a horizontal plane, wherein\nthe controller is programmed to start, in the scavenging processing, supplying the scavenging gas to the gas flow path in the fuel cell at a predetermined first supply flow rate when the mobile object is in a predetermined inclined state where an outlet of the gas flow path is directed upward against a direction of gravity, and\nthe controller is programmed to increase a rotational speed of the circulation pump in the scavenging processing so that the supply flow rate of the scavenging gas is increased to a second supply flow rate higher than the first supply flow rate after a certain amount of exhaust water has been discharged following starting to supply the scavenging gas.","6. The fuel cell system in accordance with claim 5, wherein\nthe inclined state detector is configured to acquire an inclination angle of the mobile object with respect to the horizontal plane, and\nthe controller is programmed to change the second supply flow rate in accordance with the inclination angle.","7. The fuel cell system in accordance with claim 5, wherein\nthe inclined state detector is configured to acquire an inclination angle of the mobile object with respect to the horizontal plane as a parameter expressing the inclined state of the mobile object,\nthe water discharge processing including a step of opening the on-off valve at a predetermined water discharge interval, and\nthe controller is programmed to change the water discharge interval in accordance with the inclination angle in the water discharge processing.","8. The fuel cell system in accordance with claim 5, wherein\nthe fuel cell includes:\na first electrode;\na second electrode;\na first gas flow path connected to the first electrode; and\na second gas flow path connected to the second electrode, wherein\nthe gas-liquid separator is connected to the first gas flow path,\nthe scavenging processing is a first scavenging processing of scavenging the first gas flow path by supplying the scavenging gas to the fuel cell as a first scavenging gas,\na water discharge pipe connected to the second gas flow path is configured to guide the exhaust water in the fuel cell to an outside of the mobile object,\nthe controller is programmed to execute a second scavenging processing of scavenging the second gas flow path by supplying second scavenging gas, and guiding the exhaust water discharged from the second gas flow path to the outside of the mobile object through the water discharge pipe when the inclined state detector detects that the mobile object is in a predetermined inclined state where a downstream side of the water discharge pipe is directed upward against the direction of gravity, and\nthe controller is programmed to increase a flow rate of the second scavenging gas in the second scavenging processing after a certain amount of exhaust water has been discharged following starting to supply the second scavenging gas."],["1. A voltage control method for a fuel cell in a power supply system including the fuel cell configured to supply an electric power to a load, the voltage control method comprising:\ninterrupting an electrical connection between the fuel cell and the load when the load is in a low load state where the electric power required by the load is less than or equal to a predetermined reference value;\nsupplying oxygen to the fuel cell based on a preset condition when the electrical connection between the fuel cell and the load is interrupted, the preset condition being a condition for supplying the fuel cell with oxygen required to adjust an open circuit voltage of the fuel cell to a predetermined target voltage;\ndetecting the open circuit voltage of the fuel cell after oxygen is supplied to the fuel cell based on the preset condition;\nin a first voltage state where the detected open circuit voltage is higher than the target voltage by a first value or larger, reducing an amount of oxygen supplied to the fuel cell;\nin a second voltage state where the detected open circuit voltage is lower than the target voltage by a second value or larger, increasing the amount of oxygen supplied to the fuel cell; and\nin a voltage keeping state where the detected open circuit voltage is lower than a sum of the target voltage and the first value and higher than a value obtained by subtracting the second value from the target voltage, keeping the amount of oxygen supplied to the fuel cell.","2. The voltage control method according to claim 1, further comprising:\ndetermining, in the low load state, whether a first state or a second state applies, the first state being a state where there is a higher probability that the load quickly requires the electric power than a probability that the load quickly requires the electric power in the second state;\nusing a predetermined first target voltage as the target voltage when it is determined that the first state applies; and\nusing a second target voltage as the target voltage when it is determined that the second state applies, the second target voltage being lower than the first target voltage.","3. The voltage control method according to claim 1, further comprising:\nusing a first target voltage as the target voltage when a time elapsed after oxygen is supplied to the fuel cell based on the preset condition in the low load state is shorter than a preset reference time; and\nchanging the target voltage from the first target voltage to a second target voltage lower than the first target voltage when the preset reference time has elapsed after oxygen is supplied to the fuel cell based on the preset condition.","4. The voltage control method according to claim 1, further comprising:\ndetermining, in the low load state, whether a shift position is a predetermined drive position or a predetermined non-drive position;\nusing a predetermined first target voltage as the target voltage when the shift position is determined to be the predetermined drive position; and\nusing a second target voltage as the target voltage when the shift position is determined to be the predetermined non-drive position, the second target voltage being lower than the first target voltage.","5. The voltage control method according to claim 4, further comprising:\nusing the first target voltage as the target voltage when a time elapsed after oxygen is supplied to the fuel cell based on the preset condition is shorter than a preset reference time and when the shift position is determined to be the predetermined drive position; and\nchanging the target voltage from the first target voltage to the second target voltage when the preset reference time has elapsed after oxygen is supplied to the fuel cell based on the preset condition and when the shift position is determined to be the predetermined drive position.","6. The voltage control method according to claim 1, further comprising:\ndetermining, in the low load state, whether a vehicle including the fuel cell is in a first state or a second state, the load having a higher probability of requiring a predetermined responsiveness of the electric power in the first state than in the second state, the predetermined responsiveness being higher than or equal to a predetermined level;\nusing a predetermined first target voltage as the target voltage when the vehicle is in the first state; and\nusing a second target voltage as the target voltage when the vehicle is in the second state, the second target voltage being lower than the first target voltage.","7. The voltage control method according to claim 1, further comprising:\nchanging the target voltage from a first target voltage to a second target voltage lower than the first target voltage when the open circuit voltage of the fuel cell decreases, after oxygen is supplied to the fuel cell based on the preset condition in the low load state, by a preset allowable value or larger with respect to the first target voltage set as the target voltage.","8. The voltage control method according to claim 2, further comprising\ntemporarily stopping supply of oxygen to the fuel cell before oxygen is supplied to the fuel cell after a target value of the open circuit voltage of the fuel cell is changed from the first target voltage to the second target voltage.","9. A voltage control method for a fuel cell in a power supply system including the fuel cell configured to supply an electric power to a load, the voltage control method comprising:\nsupplying oxygen to the fuel cell based on a preset condition in a low load state where an electric power required by the load is less than or equal to a predetermined reference value, the preset condition being a condition for supplying the fuel cell with oxygen required to adjust a voltage of the fuel cell to a predetermined target voltage;\ndetecting the voltage of the fuel cell after oxygen is supplied to the fuel cell based on the preset condition;\ncausing the fuel cell to generate an electric power by setting an output voltage to the target voltage in a first voltage state where the detected voltage is higher than the target voltage by a first value or larger;\nin a second voltage state where the detected voltage is lower than the target voltage by a second value or larger, increasing an amount of oxygen supplied to the fuel cell in a state where electrical connection between the fuel cell and the load is interrupted; and\nkeeping the amount of oxygen supplied to the fuel cell in a voltage keeping state where the detected voltage is lower than a sum of the target voltage and the first value and is higher than a value obtained by subtracting the second value from the target voltage.","10. A power supply system comprising:\na fuel cell configured to supply an electric power to a load;\nan oxygen supply device configured to supply oxygen to a cathode of the fuel cell;\nan oxygen amount regulator configured to regulate an amount of oxygen supplied to the cathode by the oxygen supply device;\na load interrupter configured to interrupt electrical connection between the fuel cell and the load in a low load state where an electric power required by the load is lower than or equal to a predetermined reference value; and\na voltage sensor configured to detect an open circuit voltage of the fuel cell,\nwherein the oxygen amount regulator is further configured to drive the oxygen supply device in accordance with a preset condition in the low load state, the preset condition being a condition for supplying the fuel cell with oxygen required to adjust the open circuit voltage of the fuel cell to a predetermined target voltage,\nthe oxygen amount regulator is further configured to drive, after the oxygen supply device is driven, the oxygen supply device in a first voltage state to decrease the amount of oxygen supplied to the fuel cell, the first voltage state being a state where the detected open circuit voltage is higher than the target voltage by a first value or larger, and\nthe oxygen amount regulator is further configured to drive, after the oxygen supply device is driven, the oxygen supply device in a second voltage state to increase the amount of oxygen supplied to the fuel cell, the second voltage state being a state where the detected open circuit voltage is lower than the target voltage by a second value or larger.","11. The power supply system according to claim 10, wherein\nthe oxygen supply device includes an oxygen supply passage, an oxygen introducing device, a bypass passage, a flow dividing valve, and a flow regulating valve,\nthe oxygen supply passage is a passage connected to the cathode,\nthe oxygen introducing device is configured to introduce oxygen into the oxygen supply passage,\nthe bypass passage branches off from the oxygen supply passage and is configured to guide oxygen supplied from the oxygen introducing device without allowing the oxygen to pass through the cathode,\nthe flow dividing valve is provided at a position at which the bypass passage branches off from the oxygen supply passage, and is configured to change a proportion of distribution of oxygen distributed between the oxygen supply passage and the bypass passage depending on a state of opening of the flow dividing valve,\nthe flow regulating valve is provided in the oxygen supply passage, and is configured to change the amount of oxygen supplied to the cathode, and\nthe oxygen amount regulator is configured to adjust the amount of oxygen supplied to the cathode by changing at least one of an amount of oxygen introduced by the oxygen introducing device, the state of opening of the flow dividing valve, or an opening degree of the flow regulating valve.","12. The power supply system according to claim 11, wherein\nthe oxygen amount regulator is further configured to adjust the amount of oxygen supplied to the cathode by changing the opening degree of the flow regulating valve in a state where the amount of oxygen introduced by the oxygen introducing device and the state of opening of the flow dividing valve are fixed.","13. A power supply system comprising:\na fuel cell configured to supply an electric power to a load;\nan oxygen supply device configured to supply oxygen to a cathode of the fuel cell;\nat least one electronic control unit configured to adjust an amount of oxygen supplied by the oxygen supply device to the cathode and to control a state of output of the fuel cell;\na load interrupter configured to interrupt electrical connection between the fuel cell and the load; and\na voltage sensor configured to detect a voltage of the fuel cell,\nwherein the electronic control unit is further configured to drive the oxygen supply device in accordance with a preset condition in a low load state, the preset condition being a condition for supplying the fuel cell with oxygen required to adjust the voltage of the fuel cell to a predetermined target voltage,\nthe electronic control unit is further configured to drive the oxygen supply device to increase the amount of oxygen, which is supplied to the cathode, after the oxygen supply device is driven in accordance with the preset condition, in a second voltage state, and in a state where the load interrupter interrupts the electrical connection between the fuel cell and the load, the second voltage state being a state where the detected voltage is lower than the target voltage by a second value or larger, and\nthe electronic control unit is configured to control the state of output of the fuel cell to change an output voltage of the fuel cell to the target voltage after the electronic control unit drives the oxygen supply device in accordance with the preset condition, and in a first voltage state where the detected voltage is higher than the target voltage by a first value or larger."],["1. An unmanned surface vehicle including a power system, the power system comprising:\na fuel cell including a fuel cell stack, wherein the fuel cell stack includes a fuel inlet;\na fuel storage including at least one fuel-storage module fluidly connected to the fuel inlet of the fuel cell stack, wherein the at least one fuel-storage module is a source of energy for the fuel cell; and\na fuel and thermal management system fluidly connected to the fuel inlet of the fuel cell stack, wherein the fuel and thermal management system comprises:\na heat exchanger in thermal communication with the fuel cell stack for removing waste heat produced by the fuel cell stack during operation;\na primary circuit and a secondary circuit, wherein the primary circuit circulates coolant between the fuel cell stack and the heat exchanger, and the secondary circuit circulates the coolant between the fuel storage and the heat exchanger;\na liquid valve and a diverter conduit, wherein the liquid valve is opened in order to allow the coolant circulating in the secondary circuit to flow through the diverter conduit;\na water-cooled heat exchanger, wherein the coolant flowing through the diverter conduit flows to the water-cooled heat exchanger, wherein the water-cooled heat exchanger is cooled by a body of water the unmanned surface vehicle is deployed within; and\na flow valve, a pressure regulator, and a conduit, wherein the conduit fluidly connects the fuel storage to the fuel cell stack to deliver fuel from the fuel storage to the fuel cell stack by the conduit, and the flow valve and the pressure regulator are both located along the conduit.","2. The unmanned surface vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a control module in communication with a heater, wherein the heater is in thermal communication with and heats fuel contained within the fuel storage.","3. The unmanned surface vehicle of claim 2, wherein the fuel storage includes a metal-hydride fuel-storage substrate, and wherein the control module activates the heater to warm the metal-hydride fuel-storage substrate to a target temperature to achieve a target gaseous hydrogen fuel generation rate.","4. The unmanned surface vehicle of claim 2, further comprising a pressure sensor and temperature sensor in communication with the control module, wherein the pressure sensor indicates a gas pressure of the at least one fuel-storage module and the temperature sensor indicates an internal temperature of the at least one fuel-storage module.","5. The unmanned surface vehicle of claim 4, wherein the control module monitors the pressure sensor and the temperature sensor, and wherein the control module deactivates the heater in response to determining at least one of the following:\nthe gas pressure of the at least one fuel-storage module has reached a predefined limit, and\nthe internal temperature of the at least one fuel-storage module is at a target temperature.","6. The unmanned surface vehicle of claim 1, wherein the fuel storage stores metal hydride, and wherein waste heat produced by the fuel cell stack is conducted by coolant flowing through the heat exchanger.","7. The unmanned surface vehicle of claim 6, wherein the coolant flowing through the heat exchanger circulates to the fuel storage to heat the metal hydride.","8. The unmanned surface vehicle of claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger draws waste heat from the fuel cell stack through the primary circuit.","9. The unmanned surface vehicle of claim 1, further comprising an air blower for cooling the fuel cell stack to a target stack temperature.","10. The unmanned surface vehicle of claim 9, further comprising a control module in communication with the air blower and a primary pump, wherein the primary pump circulates coolant flowing within the primary circuit between the fuel cell stack and the heat exchanger.","11. The unmanned surface vehicle of claim 10, wherein the control module executes instructions for:\ncontinuously monitoring power consumed by the air blower and power consumed by the primary pump;\ncomparing the power consumed by the air blower to the power consumed by the primary pump; in response to determining the power consumed by the air blower is equal to or less than the power consumed by the primary pump, continuing to power the air blower to cool the fuel cell stack to the target stack temperature; and\nin response to determining the power consumed by the air blower is greater than the power consumed by the primary pump, reducing a speed of the air blower and activating the primary pump cool the fuel cell stack to the target stack temperature.","12. The unmanned surface vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a secondary pump that circulates the coolant in the secondary circuit.","13. The unmanned surface vehicle of claim 12, wherein the secondary pump is a variable displacement pump.","14. The unmanned surface vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a three-way valve fluidly connected to the heat exchanger.","15. The unmanned surface vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a three-way valve fluidly connected to the fuel storage.","16. A method of delivering fuel to and removing reaction waste heat from a fuel cell stack of a fuel cell by a fuel and thermal management system that is part of a power system for an unmanned surface vehicle, the method comprising:\nfluidly connecting a fuel storage including at least one fuel-storage module to a fuel inlet of the fuel cell stack of the fuel cell, wherein the at least one fuel-storage module is a source of energy for the fuel cell;\nremoving the reaction waste heat produced by the fuel cell stack by a heat exchanger in thermal communication with the fuel cell stack;\nfluidly connecting the fuel storage to the fuel cell stack by a conduit, wherein a flow valve and a pressure regulator are both located along the conduit;\ncirculating coolant by a primary circuit between the fuel cell stack and the heat exchanger and a secondary circuit between the fuel storage and the heat exchanger;\nopening a liquid valve in order to allow the coolant circulating in the secondary circuit to flow through a diverter conduit;\nallowing the coolant flowing through the diverter conduit to flow to a water-cooled heat exchanger, wherein the water-cooled heat exchanger is cooled by a body of water the unmanned surface vehicle is deployed within; and\ndelivering the fuel from the fuel storage to the fuel cell stack by the conduit.","17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:\nactivating, by a control module, a heater to warm a metal-hydride fuel-storage substrate of the fuel storage to a target temperature to achieve a target gaseous hydrogen fuel generation rate, wherein the heater is in thermal communication with and heats fuel contained within the fuel storage.","18. The method of claim 16, further comprising:\nmonitoring, by a control module, a pressure sensor and temperature sensor, wherein the pressure sensor indicates a gas pressure of the at least one fuel-storage module and the temperature sensor indicates an internal temperature of the at least one fuel-storage module.","19. The method of claim 18, wherein the fuel and thermal management system further comprises a heater in thermal communication with and heats fuel contained within the fuel storage, and wherein the method further comprises:\ndeactivating, by a control module, the heater in response to the control module determining at least one of the following:\nthe gas pressure of the at least one fuel-storage module has reached a predefined limit, and\nthe internal temperature of the at least one fuel-storage module is at a target temperature.","20. The method of claim 16, further comprising an air blower for cooling the fuel cell stack to a target stack temperature, a control module, and a primary pump, wherein the control module is in communication with the air blower and the primary pump, and the primary pump circulates coolant flowing within the primary circuit between the fuel cell stack and the heat exchanger, and wherein the method further comprises:\ncontinuously monitoring power consumed by the air blower and power consumed by the primary pump;\ncomparing the power consumed by the air blower to the power consumed by the primary pump;\nin response to determining the power consumed by the air blower is equal to or less than the power consumed by the primary pump, continuing to power the air blower to cool the fuel cell stack to the target stack temperature; and\nin response to determining the power consumed by the air blower is greater than the power consumed by the primary pump, reducing a speed of the air blower and activating the primary pump cool the fuel cell stack to the target stack temperature."],["1. An electrochemical fuel cell assembly comprising:\na fuel cell stack having a fuel delivery inlet and a fuel delivery outlet,\nthe fuel cell stack further comprising a number of fuel cells each having a membrane-electrode assembly and a fluid flow path coupled between the fuel delivery inlet and the fuel delivery outlet for delivery of fuel to the membrane-electrode assembly;\na fuel delivery conduit coupled to the fuel delivery inlet for delivery of fluid fuel to the stack;\na bleed conduit coupled to the fuel delivery outlet for venting fluid out of the stack; and,\na variable orifice flow control device coupled to the bleed conduit configured to dynamically vary an amount of fluid from the fuel delivery outlet passing into the bleed conduit as a function of one or more control parameters; and,\nwherein the variable orifice flow control device is configured to dynamically vary the proportion of fluid passing into the bleed conduit as a function of the quantity of water and/or water vapour being extracted from the fuel circuit delivery.","2. An electrochemical fuel cell assembly comprising:\na fuel cell stack having a fuel delivery inlet and a fuel delivery outlet,\nthe fuel cell stack further comprising a number of fuel cells each having a membrane-electrode assembly and a fluid flow path coupled between the fuel delivery inlet and the fuel delivery outlet for delivery of fuel to the membrane-electrode assembly;\na fuel delivery conduit coupled to the fuel delivery inlet for delivery of fluid fuel to the stack;\na bleed conduit coupled to the fuel delivery outlet for venting fluid out of the stack;\na variable orifice flow control device coupled to the bleed conduit configured to dynamically vary an amount of fluid from the fuel delivery outlet passing into the bleed conduit as function of one or more control parameters;\na recirculation conduit coupled between the fuel delivery outlet and the fuel delivery conduit for recirculating fluid from the fuel delivery outlet to the fuel delivery inlet, the fuel delivery conduit, the recirculation conduit and the fuel flow paths in the fuel cell stack together defining a fuel circuit;\nwherein the variable orifice flow control device is coupled to the recirculation conduit and is configured to dynamically vary a proportion of fluid from the fuel delivery outlet passing into the bleed conduit as a function of the control parameters,\nwherein the recirculation conduit is coupled to the fuel delivery conduit by way of an ejector in the fuel delivery conduit, the recirculation conduit being coupled to a suction port of the ejector and the fuel delivery inlet being coupled to a discharge port of the ejector; and,\nin which the ejector is a variable orifice ejector.","3. The electrochemical fuel cell assembly of claim 1 in which the variable orifice flow control device further includes a controller configured to vary the flow of fluid through the flow control device to the bleed conduit so as to maximize fuel utilization efficiency.","4. The electrochemical fuel cell assembly of claim 1 further including a heat exchanger in the recirculation conduit.","5. The electrochemical fuel cell assembly of claim 1 in which the variable orifice flow control device further includes a controller configured to vary the proportion of fluid from the fuel delivery outlet passing into the bleed conduit so as to maximize fuel utilization efficiency.","6. The electrochemical fuel cell assembly of claim 1 further including a fuel concentration sensor between the fuel delivery outlet and the variable orifice flow control device, the flow control device being configured to dynamically vary an amount of fluid from the fuel delivery outlet passing into the bleed conduit as a function of measured fuel concentration by the fuel concentration sensor.","7. The electrochemical fuel cell assembly of claim 1, the variable orifice flow control device coupled to the bleed conduit configured to dynamically vary an amount of fluid from the fuel delivery outlet passing into the bleed conduit as a function of one or more of the control parameters: (i) measured fuel concentration; (ii) measured humidity; (iii) cell voltages of fuel cells in the stack; (iv) impedance of fuel cells in the stack; (v) resistance of fuel cells in the stack.","8. The electrochemical fuel cell assembly of claim 1 in which the variable orifice flow control device comprises a valve with a variable orifice controlled by a stepper motor to thereby control an amount of fluid passing through the flow control device.","9. The electrochemical fuel cell assembly of claim 1 in which the variable orifice flow control device comprises a electromagnet drivable by a pulse width modulated, variable duty cycle control signal to vary the position of a mechanical restrictor in the flow control device to thereby control an amount of fluid passing through the flow control device."],["1. A fuel cell system, comprising:\na source of hydrogen gas;\na fuel cell stack configured to receive hydrogen gas from the source and to produce an electric current therefrom, wherein the fuel cell stack comprises a plurality of fuel cells that each include a cathode chamber that is configured to receive an air stream and an anode chamber that is configured to receive hydrogen gas from the source;\na purge assembly configured to selectively purge the anode chambers of the fuel cells to reduce the concentration of at least a selected composition therein; and\na controller configured to selectively actuate the purge assembly responsive to a value of a process parameter representative of a performance of the fuel cell stack; wherein the process parameter includes the cumulative amp-hours of current produced by the fuel cell stack during an operative cycle of the fuel cell stack.","2. The system of claim 1, wherein the selected composition is water.","3. The system of claim 1, wherein the selected composition is nitrogen.","4. The system of claim 1, wherein the selected composition is methane.","5. The system of claim 1, wherein the purge assembly is configured to purge the anode chambers of the fuel cells with hydrogen gas from the source.","6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a sensor assembly in communication with the controller and including at least one sensor configured to measure the value of the process parameter.","7. The system of claim 1, wherein the process parameter further includes the power produced by the fuel cell stack during the operative cycle of the fuel cell stack.","8. The system of claim 1, wherein the process parameter further includes the rate at which water is generated in the fuel cell stack.","9. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to compare the value of the process parameter to a determined value and actuate the purge assembly if the value of the process parameter exceeds the determined value.","10. The system of claim 9, wherein the controller includes a memory device in which the determined value is stored.","11. The system of claim 1, wherein the system further includes at least one device configured to apply an electrical load to the fuel cell stack.","12. The system of claim 1, wherein the fuel cell stack includes at least one proton exchange membrane fuel cell.","13. The system of claim 1, wherein the fuel cell stack includes at least one alkaline fuel cell.","14. The system of claim 1, wherein the source includes a fuel processor configured to produce hydrogen gas from water and at least one carbon-containing feedstock.","15. The system of claim 14, wherein the fuel processor is configured to produce the hydrogen gas by steam reforming a carbon-containing feedstock and water.","16. The system of claim 14, wherein the fuel processor is configured to produce the hydrogen gas by partial oxidation of a carbon-containing feedstock.","17. The system of claim 14, wherein the fuel processor is configured to produce the hydrogen gas by pyrolysis of a carbon-containing feedstock.","18. The system of claim 1, wherein the source includes a storage device containing hydrogen gas.","19. The system of claim 18, wherein the storage device includes a storage tank.","20. The system of claim 18, wherein the storage device includes a hydride bed."],["1. A fuel cell system comprising:\na fuel cell stack including a plurality of single cells stacked on one another, each single cell including an anode to which fuel gas can be supplied, a cathode to which oxidizing gas can be supplied, and a solid polymer electrolyte membrane interposed between the anode and the cathode, the oxidizing gas and the fuel gas configured for counter-flow with respect to each other, the anode being divided into an anode outlet power collecting plate for measurement of local electric current at an anode-outlet side and an anode power collecting plate that collects power from regions other than the anode-outlet side;\na cell voltage detector that detects a cell voltage at a cathode outlet-side of a single cell;\na total voltage detector that detects a total voltage of the fuel cell stack;\na cell voltage difference computing unit configured to determine an average cell voltage from the total cell voltage detector and a minimum cell voltage from the cell voltage detector and to compute a difference between the average cell voltage and the minimum cell voltage;\na stack current detector that detects electric current in the fuel cell stack;\nan anode outlet local current detector that detects a local current at an anode outlet-side of the fuel cell stack;\na current density-computing unit configured to compute a stack current density from the stack current detector and an anode outlet local current density from the anode outlet local current detector; and\na wet state-judging unit configured to judge a wet state of the fuel cell stack based on the difference between the average cell voltage and the minimum cell voltage, and based on the difference between the stack current density and the anode outlet local current density,\nwherein the wet state judging unit is configured to judge that the anode is clogged with water if the difference between the average cell voltage and the minimum cell voltage is less than a first predetermined value and the difference between the stack current density and the anode outlet local current density is equal to or greater than a second predetermined value, and\nwherein the current density-computing unit is configured to store a stack effective area and an anode outlet effective area.","2. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, wherein the wet state-judging unit is configured to judge that the cathode is clogged with water if the difference between the average cell voltage and the minimum cell voltage is equal to or greater than a first predetermined value, and the difference between the stack current density and the anode outlet local current density is less than a second predetermined value.","3. The fuel cell system according to claim 2, further comprising:\nan oxidizing gas flow-adjusting unit that adjusts the oxidizing gas flow supplied to the cathode; and\na controller configured to control the flow of the oxidizing gas flow-adjusting unit, wherein the controller increases the oxidizing gas flow supplied to the cathode when the wet state judging unit determines that the cathode is clogged with water.","4. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, wherein the wet state-judging unit is configured to determine that the fuel cell stack is dry when the difference between the average cell voltage and the minimum cell voltage is equal to or greater than a first predetermined value, and the difference between the stack current density and the anode outlet local current density is equal to or greater than a second predetermined value.","5. The fuel cell system according to claim 4, further comprising:\nan oxidizing gas flow-adjusting unit that adjusts the oxidizing gas flow supplied to the cathode; and\na controller configured to control the flow of the oxidizing gas flow-adjusting unit, wherein the controller decreases the oxidizing gas flow supplied to the cathode when the wet state-judging unit determines that the fuel cell stack is dry.","6. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, further comprising:\na fuel gas flow-adjusting unit that adjusts the fuel gas flow supplied to the anode; and\na controller configured to control the flow in the fuel gas flow-adjusting unit, wherein the controller increases the fuel gas flow supplied to the anode when the wet state-judging unit judges that the anode is clogged with water.","7. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of single cells further includes a cooling channel in which a cooling medium can flow in parallel to the oxidizing gas."]],"string":"[\n [\n \"1. A fuel cell vehicle comprising:\\nan electric traction motor;\\nan inverter configured to convert DC power to AC power for driving the electric traction motor;\\na fuel cell system including a fuel cell configured to generate the DC power with hydrogen fuel and oxygen;\\na first boost converter including first low voltage terminals connected to the fuel cell and first high voltage terminals connected to the inverter, the first boost converter including a first capacitor connected between a positive terminal and a negative terminal of the first high voltage terminals;\\na first relay connected between the first boost converter and the inverter; and\\na controller,\\nwherein the controller is configured to:\\nshut down the fuel cell system;\\nwhile a voltage of the fuel cell is higher than a predetermined voltage threshold, discharge the first capacitor with a voltage of the first capacitor maintained to be higher than the voltage of the fuel cell; and\\nwhen the voltage of the fuel cell becomes lower than the predetermined voltage threshold, stop the discharging of the first capacitor and disconnect the first boost converter from the inverter by opening the first relay.\",\n \"2. The fuel cell vehicle of claim 1 further comprising:\\na battery;\\na second boost converter including second low voltage terminals connected to the battery and second high voltage terminals connected to the inverter, the second boost converter including a second capacitor connected between a positive terminal and a negative terminal of the second high voltage terminals; and\\na second relay connected between the battery and the second boost converter,\\nwherein the controller is configured to:\\ndisconnect the battery from the second boost converter by opening the second relay prior to discharging the second capacitor;\\nwhile the voltage of the fuel cell is higher than the predetermined voltage threshold, discharge the first and second capacitors with voltages of the first and second capacitors maintained to be higher than the voltage of the fuel cell;\\nwhen the voltage of the fuel cell becomes lower than the predetermined voltage threshold, stop the discharging of the first capacitor and disconnect the first boost converter from the inverter by opening the first relay; and\\ndischarge the second capacitor.\",\n \"3. The fuel cell vehicle of claim 1, wherein in a case where the voltage of the fuel cell is lower than the predetermined voltage threshold prior to starting the discharging of the first capacitor, the controller is configured to discharge the first capacitor such that the first capacitor has a voltage equal to the predetermined voltage threshold and open the first relay.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A fuel cell vehicle comprising:\\na fuel cell system including a fuel cell and fuel cell auxiliary machinery;\\na drive motor configured to drive the fuel cell vehicle;\\na power storage device configured to be charged with electric power generated by the fuel cell and regenerative electric power generated by the drive motor, and to store electric power to supply to the drive motor;\\na remaining charge monitor configured to detect remaining charge of the power storage device;\\na temperature sensor configured to detect temperature of the power storage device; and\\na power controller configured to control an operation state of the fuel cell system while controlling the remaining charge of the power storage device to be equal to or higher than a predetermined lower limit,\\nwherein when the temperature of the power storage device detected by the temperature sensor is a second temperature, which is lower than a predetermined first temperature, at least in a period when the power storage device is allowed to be charged with the regenerative electric power, the power controller controls the remaining charge by setting the lower limit to a value higher than the lower limit set at the first temperature, and\\nwherein when a stop instruction for the fuel cell system is input, the power controller performs a remaining charge raising processing for raising the remaining charge of the power storage device.\",\n \"2. The fuel cell vehicle according to claim 1, wherein when the temperature of the power storage device detected by the temperature sensor is the second temperature, in a period from input of a start instruction for the fuel cell system to input of a stop instruction for the fuel cell system subsequent to the start instruction, the power controller controls the remaining charge by setting the lower limit to the value higher than the lower limit set at the first temperature.\",\n \"3. The fuel cell vehicle according to claim 1, wherein\\nwhen the remaining charge detected by the remaining charge monitor is lower than a predetermined reference value when the stop instruction for the fuel cell system is input, the power controller causes the fuel cell to charge the power storage device, and\\nwhen the remaining charge is equal to or higher than the reference value when the stop instruction is input, the power controller drives the fuel cell auxiliary machinery to perform end processing to be performed when the fuel cell system is stopped, without charging the power storage device.\",\n \"4. The fuel cell vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the reference value is a value equal to or higher than the remaining charge that enables the power storage device to supply electric power required by the fuel cell system for processing to be performed in the fuel cell system in a period from the input of the stop instruction to a restart of power generation by the fuel cell in response to a subsequent start instruction for starting the fuel cell system being input below a freezing point.\",\n \"5. The fuel cell vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the lower limit is equal to or higher than the reference value.\",\n \"6. A method for controlling a fuel cell vehicle, the fuel cell vehicle comprising:\\na fuel cell system including a fuel cell and fuel cell auxiliary machinery;\\na drive motor configured to drive the fuel cell vehicle;\\na power storage device configured to be charged with electric power generated by the fuel cell and regenerative electric power generated by the drive motor, and to store electric power to supply to the drive motor;\\na remaining charge monitor configured to detect remaining charge of the power storage device; and\\na temperature sensor configured to detect temperature of the power storage device,\\nthe method comprising:\\nwhen the temperature of the power storage device detected by the temperature sensor is a second temperature, which is lower than a predetermined first temperature, when the remaining charge of the power storage device is controlled to be equal to or higher than a predetermined lower limit at least in a period when the power storage device is allowed to be charged with the regenerative electric power, controlling the remaining charge by setting the lower limit to a value higher than the lower limit set at the first temperature; and\\nwhen a stop instruction for the fuel cell system is input, performing remaining charge raising processing for raising the remaining charge of the power storage device.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A method for communication between a hydrogen fueling station and a hydrogen powered vehicle having a fueling system comprising a first hydrogen tank and a second hydrogen tank, the method comprising:\\ndisposing a nozzle of the station within a specified distance of a receptacle on the vehicle to establish an NFC link between a first near field communication (NFC) hardware and a second NFC hardware;\\ncommunicating to the station, via the NFC link, identifying information for the vehicle;\\nselecting, by the station, a vehicle to infrastructure (V2X) communication network based on the identifying information for the vehicle;\\nestablishing, between the station and the vehicle, a V2X communication link via the V2X communication network;\\ntransmitting, via the V2X communication network, an initial pressure of the first hydrogen tank, an initial pressure of the second hydrogen tank, an initial temperature of the first hydrogen tank, and an initial temperature of the second hydrogen tank,\\ndelivering through the nozzle, by the station and to the vehicle via the receptacle, pressurized hydrogen to the fueling system to at least partially fill the first hydrogen tank and the second hydrogen tank.\",\n \"2. The method of claim 1, further comprising communicating to the station, via the NFC link, identifying information for the first hydrogen tank and the second hydrogen tank.\",\n \"3. The method of claim 2, further comprising communicating to the station, via the NFC link and for each of the first hydrogen tank and the second hydrogen tank, information regarding tank volume, pressure rating, material information, dimensional information including length, diameter, and wall thickness, serial number, and last service date.\",\n \"4. The method of claim 1, further comprising monitoring, via the V2X communication network and during the delivering pressurized hydrogen, one or more dynamic data for the first hydrogen tank and the second hydrogen tank.\",\n \"5. The method of claim 1, further comprising stopping, by the station, delivery of hydrogen to the vehicle in response to an indication that the first hydrogen tank temperature is out of bounds or the first hydrogen tank pressure is out of bounds.\",\n \"6. The method of claim 1, wherein the delivering the pressurized hydrogen between the vehicle and the station and in connection with the NFC link and the V2X link is rated at an ASIL D level of safety.\",\n \"7. The method of claim 1, further comprising communicating, via the NFC link, one or more of: a fueling protocol identifier; a vehicle identification number, a vehicle hydrogen tank volume, a vehicle hydrogen tank type receptacle type, a fueling command, a maximum mass flow of hydrogen between the nozzle and the receptacle, or a watchdog counter.\",\n \"8. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting to the vehicle, by the station and over the V2X communication link, an update to at least one of: a software application operative on the vehicle; or firmware for an electronic device operative as part of the vehicle.\",\n \"9. The method of claim 1, further comprising exchanging, between the station and the vehicle and over the V2X communication link, payment information and confirmation associated with the delivering the pressurized hydrogen to the vehicle.\",\n \"10. The method of claim 1, further comprising downloading from the vehicle, to the station and over the V2X communication link, diagnostic information for a component of the vehicle.\",\n \"11. The method of claim 1, further comprising, responsive to an interruption in communication over one of the V2X communication link or the NFC link, completing delivery of pressurized hydrogen through the nozzle in accordance with a default delivery protocol associated with the first hydrogen tank or the second hydrogen tank.\",\n \"12. The method of claim 1, wherein communication between the station and the vehicle via the NFC link is conducted in accordance with at least one of IEC standard 61784 or IEC standard 61508.\",\n \"13. The method of claim 4, further comprising updating, responsive to the monitoring and in a database accessible to the station, at least one characteristic of a default fueling protocol for the vehicle.\",\n \"14. The method of claim 13, wherein the at least one characteristic comprises a target pressure and a ramp rate.\",\n \"15. The method of claim 1, wherein a communication protocol of the V2X communication link is at least one of an IEEE 802.11 protocol, a 4G LTE mobile network protocol, or a 5G mobile network protocol.\",\n \"16. The method of claim 1, wherein the first NFC hardware is replaceable without impairing the hydrogen delivery function of the nozzle.\",\n \"17. The method of claim 1, wherein the delivering pressurized hydrogen at least partially fills the first hydrogen tank and the second hydrogen tank of the vehicle simultaneously.\",\n \"18. The method of claim 1, wherein, during the delivering pressurized hydrogen, the station polls the vehicle for information regarding the first hydrogen tank or the second hydrogen tank at an interval of 50 milliseconds or less.\",\n \"19. The method of claim 1, wherein the first NFC hardware and the second NFC hardware are rated for use in a Zone 1 hydrogen classified area.\",\n \"20. The method of claim 1, wherein the specified distance is 20 centimeters or less.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A lightweight, high power density, fault-tolerant fuel cell system for a clean fuel aircraft, the system comprising:\\na power generation subsystem comprising at least one fuel cell module comprising:\\na plurality of hydrogen fuel cells configured to supply electrical voltage and current to a plurality of motor and propeller assemblies controlled by a plurality of motor controllers;\\na fuel supply subsystem comprising a fuel tank in fluid communication with the at least one fuel cell module and configured to store and transport liquid hydrogen (LH2) fuel;\\na thermal energy interface subsystem comprising a heat exchanger in fluid communication with the fuel tank and the at least one fuel cell module including each hydrogen fuel cell of the plurality of hydrogen fuel cells, a plurality of fluid conduits, and at least one radiator in fluid communication with the at least one fuel cell module, configured to store and transport a coolant, wherein the heat exchanger extracts gaseous hydrogen (GH2) from LH2 or to increase a temperature of already extracted gaseous hydrogen (GH2) using thermal energy transfer by transferring heat or thermal energy across heat exchanger walls and heat exchanger surfaces to the fuel supplied by fuel lines in fluid communication with the one or more heat exchangers and the fuel tank, using thermodynamic processes including conduction;\\nan external interface subsystem comprising one or more oxygen delivery mechanisms comprising one or more of turbochargers, superchargers, blowers, compressors, local supply of air or oxygen, or combinations thereof, configured to compress ambient air and in fluid communication with at least one air intake and the at least one fuel cell module; and\\na power distribution monitoring and control subsystem for monitoring and controlling distribution of supplied electrical voltage and current to the plurality of motor controllers and an avionics subsystem, comprising:\\none or more sensing devices configured to measure operating conditions; and\\nan electrical circuit configured to collect electrons from each hydrogen fuel cell of the plurality of hydrogen fuel cells and supply voltage and current to the plurality of motor controllers and aircraft components, wherein electrons returning from the electrical circuit combine with oxygen in the compressed air to form oxygen ions, then protons combine with oxygen ions to form H2O molecules, wherein the plurality of motor controllers are commanded by one or more autopilot control units or computer units comprising a computer processor configured to compute algorithms based on measured operating conditions, and configured to select and control an amount and distribution of electrical voltage and torque or current for each of the plurality of motor and propeller assemblies;\\nwherein the one or more autopilot control units or computer units comprising a computer processor are further configured to dissipate waste heat using the thermal energy interface subsystem comprising the heat exchanger or a vaporizer used to warm LH2 or GH2, and/or using at least one radiator or one or more exhaust ports to expel waste heat with exhaust gas, wherein the H2O molecules are removed using the one or more exhaust ports or a vent.\",\n \"2. The system of claim 1, wherein a working fluid and the fuel remain physically isolated from one another.\",\n \"3. The system of claim 1, further comprising:\\na hydrogen flowfield plate, disposed in each hydrogen fuel cell of the plurality of hydrogen fuel cells, and comprising a first channel array configured to divert gaseous hydrogen (GH2) inside each hydrogen fuel cell through an anode backing layer connected thereto and comprising an anode gas diffusion layer (AGDL) connected to an anode side catalyst layer that is further connected to an anode side of a proton exchange membrane (PEM), the anode side catalyst layer configured to contact the GH2 and divide the GH2 into protons and electrons.\",\n \"4. The system of claim 3, further comprising:\\nan outflow end of the hydrogen flowfield plate configured to use the first channel array to remove exhaust gas from each hydrogen fuel cell.\",\n \"5. The system of claim 3, further comprising:\\nan oxygen flowfield plate, disposed in each hydrogen fuel cell, and comprising a second channel array configured to divert compressed air inside each hydrogen fuel cell through a cathode backing layer connected thereto and comprising a cathode gas diffusion layer (CGDL) connected to a cathode side catalyst layer that is further connected to a cathode side of the PEM, wherein the PEM comprises a polymer and is configured to allow protons to permeate from the anode side to the cathode side but restricts the electrons.\",\n \"6. The system of claim 5, further comprising:\\nan outflow end of an oxygen flowfield plate configured to use the second channel array to remove the H2O and the compressed air from each hydrogen fuel cell.\",\n \"7. The system of claim 1, further comprising:\\nan electrical circuit configured to collect electrons from an anode side catalyst layer and supply voltage and current to a power generation subsystem a power distribution monitoring and control subsystem, wherein electrons returning from the electrical circuit combine with oxygen in the compressed air to form oxygen ions, then the protons combine with oxygen ions to form H2O molecules.\",\n \"8. The system of claim 1, further comprising:\\none or more battery arrays;\\none or more circuit boards;\\none or more processors;\\none or more memory;\\none or more electronic components, electrical connections, electrical wires; and\\none or more diode or field-effect transistors (FET, IGBT or SiC) providing isolation between an electrical main bus and one or more electrical sources comprising the at least one fuel cell module.\",\n \"9. The system of claim 1, wherein the fuel supply subsystem further comprises fuel lines, pumps, refueling connections for charging or fuel connectors, one or more vents, one or more valves, one or more pressure regulators, and unions, each in fluid communication with the fuel tank that is configured to store and transport a fuel comprising gaseous hydrogen (GH2) or liquid hydrogen (LH2).\",\n \"10. The system of claim 9, wherein one or more temperature sensing devices or thermal safety sensors monitor temperatures and concentrations of gases in the fuel supply subsystem.\",\n \"11. The system of claim 10, wherein the one or more temperature sensing devices comprise one or more pressure gauges, one or more level sensors, one or more vacuum gauges, and/or one or more temperature sensors.\",\n \"12. The system of claim 9, further comprising the at least one fuel cell module and the plurality of motor controllers, each configured to self-measure and report temperature and other parameters using a Controller Area Network (CAN) bus to inform the one or more autopilot control units or computer units as to a valve, pump or combination thereof to enable to increase or decrease of fuel supply or cooling using fluids wherein thermal energy is transferred from the coolant.\",\n \"13. The system of claim 9, wherein the one or more autopilot control units comprise at least two redundant autopilot control units that command the plurality of motor controllers, the fuel supply subsystem, the at least one fuel cell module, and fluid control units with commands operating valves and pumps altering flows of fuel, air and coolant to different locations.\",\n \"14. The system of claim 13, wherein the at least two redundant autopilot control units communicate a voting process over a redundant network.\",\n \"15. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one fuel cell module further comprises a fuel delivery assembly, air filters, blowers, airflow meters, a recirculation pump, a coolant pump, fuel cell controls, sensors, an end plate, coolant conduits, connections, a hydrogen inlet, a coolant inlet, an oxygen inlet, a hydrogen outlet, an oxygen outlets, a coolant outlet, and coolant conduits connected to and in fluid communication with the at least one fuel cell module and transporting coolant.\",\n \"16. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more autopilot control units or computer units comprising a computer processor are further configured to compute, select and control, based on one or more algorithms, using one or more oxygen delivery mechanisms comprising air-driven turbochargers or superchargers supplying air or oxygen to the at least one fuel cell module, an amount and distribution of voltage and current from the plurality of hydrogen fuel cells of the power generation subsystem to each of the plurality of motor and propeller assemblies being controlled by the plurality of motor controllers.\",\n \"17. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is mounted within a full-scale, electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) or electric aircraft system sized, dimensioned, and configured for transporting one or more human occupants and/or a payload, comprising a multirotor airframe fuselage supporting vehicle weight, human occupants and/or payload, attached to and supporting the plurality of motor and propeller assemblies, each comprising a plurality of pairs of propeller blades or a plurality of rotor blades, and each being electrically connected to and controlled by the plurality of motor controllers and a power distribution monitoring and control subsystem distributing voltage and current from the plurality of hydrogen fuel cells.\",\n \"18. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of motor controllers are high-voltage, high-current liquid-cooled or air-cooled controllers.\",\n \"19. The system of claim 1, further comprising:\\na mission planning computer comprising software, with wired or wireless (RF) connections to the one or more autopilot control units.\",\n \"20. The system of claim 1, further comprising:\\na wirelessly connected or wire-connected Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADSB) or Remote ID unit providing software with collision avoidance, traffic, emergency detection and weather information to and from the clean fuel aircraft.\",\n \"21. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more autopilot control units comprise a computer processor and input/output interfaces comprising at least one of interface selected from serial RS232, Controller Area Network (CAN), Ethernet, analog voltage inputs, analog voltage outputs, pulse-width-modulated outputs for motor control, an embedded or stand-alone air data computer, an embedded or stand-alone inertial measurement device, and one or more cross-communication channels or networks.\",\n \"22. The system of claim 1, further comprising:\\na simplified computer and display with an arrangement of standard avionics used to monitor and display operating conditions, control panels, gauges and sensor output for the clean fuel aircraft.\",\n \"23. The system of claim 1, further comprising:\\na DC-DC converter or starter/alternator configured to down-shift at least a portion of a primary voltage of a multirotor aircraft system to a standard voltage comprising one or more of the group consisting of 12V, 24V, 28V, or other standard voltage for avionics, radiator fan motors, compressor motors, water pump motors and non-propulsion purposes, with a battery of corresponding voltage to provide local current storage.\",\n \"24. The system of claim 1, further comprising:\\na means of combining pitch, roll, yaw, throttle, and other desired information onto a serial line, in such a way that multiple channels of command data pass to the one or more autopilot control units over the serial line, where control information is packaged in a plurality of frames that repeat at a periodic or aperiodic rate.\",\n \"25. The system of claim 1, further comprising:\\nthe one or more autopilot control units operating control algorithms generating commands to each of the plurality of motor controllers, managing and maintaining multirotor aircraft stability for the clean fuel aircraft, and monitoring feedback.\",\n \"26. The system of claim 1, wherein the fuel tank further comprises a carbon fiber epoxy shell, a plastic liner, a metal interface, drop protection, and is configured to use a working fluid of hydrogen as the fuel.\",\n \"27. The system of claim 26, wherein the fuel tank further comprises one or more cryogenic inner tanks and an outer tank, an insulating wrap, a vacuum between the inner tank and the outer tank, thereby creating an operating pressure containing liquid hydrogen (LH2) at approximately 10 bar, or 140 psi.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. An energy control method for a hybrid bus using a hydrogen fuel cell and a power battery, characterized in that: the method comprises the following steps:\\nS1. collecting motor power data;\\nS2. selecting an SOC value from a range of an average motor power value, and performing an interpolation assignment on a pile power range;\\nS3. adding vehicle parking determination;\\nS4. locking a pile variable-load frequency standard, and assessing whether requirements are satisfied;\\nS5. determining SOH state of the power battery; and\\nS6. adding an operation of forced pile startup during low SOC.\",\n \"2. The energy control method according to claim 1, characterized in that:\\nstep S1 comprises, for a target vehicle, 100% electric mode operation is carried out to collect data information of motor current, motor voltage, motor output power, auxiliary system power, battery current, battery voltage, battery output power, and SOC of the power battery, and then calculating the average motor power value required by the target vehicle in the driving state.\",\n \"3. The energy control method according to claim 2, characterized in that:\\nin step S2, a principle of “performing the interpolation assignment on the pile power range” is as follows: (1) a target power of a pile system is equal to the average motor power; (2) a maximum power of the pile system is a maximum output power Pmax of the pile; (3) a minimum power of the pile system is an allowable minimum power Pmin of the pile system; and (4) equivalent interpolation is performed on the pile power in an SOC range of 5% to 20%, i.e. (Pmax−Pmin)/n, n=5-20.\",\n \"4. The energy control method according to claim 3, characterized in that:\\nin step S3, a comparison is made between a motor power Pmotor1 for parking before 10 min and a motor power Pmotor2 for parking after 10 min: if Pmotor2=Pmotor1=0, a vehicle control unit (VCU) makes a target power Pmin inputted to a fuel cell system control unit (FCU); and the motor power begins to be determined at the same time: if Pmotor≥0, table lookup is performed for power, and the target power is locked by locking the SOC value of the power battery and outputted to fuel cell system control unit FCU.\",\n \"5. The energy control method according to claim 4, characterized in that:\\nin step S4, a variable-load frequency f satisfying service life requirements of the pile is locked according to fuel cell polarization and a Linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) curve, an energy control strategy of a real vehicle is locked according to step S2 for a working condition test or simulation analysis, and the pile variable-load frequency is assessed according to the requirements and adjusted.\",\n \"6. The energy control method according to claim 5, characterized in that:\\nin step S5, after step S4 is completed and the strategy satisfies the requirements, SOC state of the power battery, including an SOC floating range and power throughput, and the SOH state of the power battery are assessed: if the SOC floating range exceeds a healthy range, a corresponding interpolation target power shall be adjusted up or down appropriately.\",\n \"7. The energy control method according to claim 6, characterized in that:\\nin step S6, during operation of a dual-battery system, BMS tracks changes in SOC of the power battery; when SOC is lower than a certain value S0, a hybrid-start button state is ignored, and the pile is forced to start according to a specified target power to complete battery charging and ensure SOH of the power battery.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A thermal management system for a fuel cell vehicle, the thermal management system comprising:\\na first line including a coolant pump and a fuel cell stack;\\na second line including a coolant heater and a phase change material (PCM) and connected to the first line to form a first loop in which the coolant pump, the stack, the coolant heater, and the PCM are arranged;\\na third line including a radiator and connected to the first line to form a second loop in which the coolant pump, the stack, and the radiator are arranged; and\\nan opening and closing valve opening and closing each of the first line, the second line, and the third line to allow a coolant to circulate in at least one of the first loop and the second loop,\\nwherein the PCM is configured to have a phase change temperature lower than a predetermined coolant temperature limit value and to be heat-exchanged with the coolant heater for storing heat output from the coolant heater and to be heat-exchanged with the coolant, and\\nwherein in a cold-starting:\\nthe coolant heater is configured to heat the PCM in order to increase a temperature of the PCM to the phase change temperature or higher, and\\nthe coolant pump is configured to circulate the coolant in the first loop for transferring heat stored in the PCM to the stack by the coolant in response to a determination that the temperature of the PCM is increased to the phase change temperature or higher.\",\n \"2. The thermal management system according to claim 1, wherein\\nthe coolant heater has a heater housing configured to allow the coolant to pass therethrough and a heater core installed within the heater housing and heating the coolant, and\\nthe PCM is installed within the heater housing and is in contact with the coolant.\",\n \"3. The thermal management system according to claim 2, wherein\\nthe coolant heater further has a heat pipe installed within the housing and thermally connect the heater core and the PCM.\",\n \"4. The thermal management system according to claim 1, wherein\\nthe coolant heater has at least one heater core disposed on the basis of the second line, and\\nthe PCM is installed to surround at least a portion of the heater core and the second line.\",\n \"5. The thermal management system according to claim 4, wherein\\nthe coolant heater further has a metal coil wound around the heater core and an outer circumferential portion of the second line to thermally connect the heater core and the second line.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A hydrogen fueled thermodynamic fuel cell system for an aircraft, said system comprising:\\nan air pathway comprising one compressor, or two or more compressors configured in series;\\na hydrogen pathway comprising one hydrogen expander, or two or more hydrogen expanders configured in series;\\na liquid hydrogen pump, said liquid hydrogen pump configured to pressurize liquid hydrogen through said hydrogen pathway;\\none or more heat exchangers configured to thermally couple said hydrogen pathway and said air pathway;\\na fuel cell, said fuel cell fluidically coupled to said hydrogen pathway downstream of said one or more hydrogen expanders, said fuel cell fluidically coupled to said fuel cell air pathway downstream of said one or more compressors; and\\na closed loop cooling system configured to cool said fuel cell, said closed loop cooling system comprising a cooling fluid and a pump.\",\n \"2. The system of claim 1 wherein said cooling fluid of said closed loop cooling system of said fuel cell is thermally coupled to said air pathway.\",\n \"3. The system of claim 2 wherein said system further comprises a fuel cell cooling heat exchanger, and wherein said cooling fluid of said closed loop cooling system of said fuel cell is thermally coupled to said air pathway with said fuel cell cooling heat exchanger.\",\n \"4. The system of claim 2 further comprising:\\none or more fuel cell exhaust heat exchangers thermally coupled to an exhaust conduit routing exhaust from said fuel cell; and\\na water separator coupled to said exhaust conduit downstream from one or more fuel cell exhaust heat exchangers.\",\n \"5. The system of claim 3 further comprising:\\none or more fuel cell exhaust heat exchangers thermally coupled to an exhaust conduit routing exhaust from said fuel cell; and\\na water separator coupled to said exhaust conduit downstream from one or more fuel cell exhaust heat exchangers.\",\n \"6. A hydrogen fueled thermodynamic fuel cell system for an aircraft, said system comprising:\\nan air pathway comprising one compressor, or two or more compressors configured in series;\\na hydrogen pathway comprising one hydrogen expander, or two or more hydrogen expanders configured in series;\\na liquid hydrogen pump, said liquid hydrogen pump configured to pressurize liquid hydrogen through said hydrogen pathway;\\none or more heat exchangers configured to thermally couple said hydrogen pathway and said air pathway;\\na fuel cell, said fuel cell fluidically coupled to said hydrogen pathway downstream of said one or more hydrogen expanders, said fuel cell fluidically coupled to said fuel cell air pathway downstream of said one or more compressors;\\na closed loop cooling system configured to cool said fuel cell, said closed loop cooling system comprising a cooling fluid and a pump, wherein said cooling fluid of said closed loop cooling system of said fuel cell is thermally coupled to said air pathway;\\none or more fuel cell exhaust heat exchangers thermally coupled to an exhaust conduit routing exhaust from said fuel cell;\\na water separator coupled to said exhaust conduit downstream from one or more fuel cell exhaust heat exchangers;\\na water reservoir fluidically coupled to said water separator via a water pathway;\\na water pump fluidically coupled to said water reservoir; and\\na water sprayer adapted to spray water into said air pathway.\",\n \"7. A hydrogen fueled thermodynamic fuel cell system for an aircraft, said system comprising:\\nan air pathway comprising one compressor, or two or more compressors configured in series;\\na hydrogen pathway comprising one hydrogen expander, or two or more hydrogen expanders configured in series;\\na liquid hydrogen pump, said liquid hydrogen pump configured to pressurize liquid hydrogen through said hydrogen pathway;\\none or more heat exchangers configured to thermally couple said hydrogen pathway and said air pathway;\\na fuel cell, said fuel cell fluidically coupled to said hydrogen pathway downstream of said one or more hydrogen expanders, said fuel cell fluidically coupled to said fuel cell air pathway downstream of said one or more compressors;\\na closed loop cooling system configured to cool said fuel cell, said closed loop cooling system comprising a cooling fluid and a pump, wherein said cooling fluid of said closed loop cooling system of said fuel cell is thermally coupled to said air pathway;\\none or more fuel cell exhaust heat exchangers thermally coupled to an exhaust conduit routing exhaust from said fuel cell;\\na water separator coupled to said exhaust conduit downstream from one or more fuel cell exhaust heat exchangers;\\na fuel cell cooling heat exchanger, and wherein said cooling fluid of said closed loop cooling system of said fuel cell is thermally coupled to said air pathway with said fuel cell cooling heat exchanger; and\\na water reservoir fluidically coupled to said water separator via a water pathway;\\na water pump fluidically coupled to said water reservoir; and\\na water sprayer adapted to spray water into said air pathway.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A light electric vehicle to support a weight of a user, comprising:\\na support surface to support the weight of a user;\\ntwo or more wheels:\\na rechargeable electric battery mounted i) on the support surface, ii) proximal to the support surface;\\na motor controller containing a processor configured to control operation of an electric motor mounted i) on the support surface, or ii) proximal to the support surface, where the motor controller and its processor are electrically connected to the rechargeable electric battery by wires extending from the rechargeable electric battery to the motor controller, where the electric motor is electrically connected to the motor controller and the rechargeable electric battery, as well as connected to a drive mechanism to drive one or more wheels of the two or more wheels;\\na sensor mounted on the light electric vehicle to provide sensor measurements on motor operation to the motor controller containing the processor, where the processor is configured to record and process the sensor measurement;\\na transmitter-receiver on the light electric vehicle configured to connect wirelessly with and communicate data to i) a mobile device of the user and ii) a wireless remote control; and\\na user input device to control one or more of a velocity and an acceleration of the light electric vehicle;\\nsaid remote control comprising a mode selector configured to set a first riding experience mode of vehicle response for the light electric vehicle selected from a plurality of riding experience modes, wherein the first riding experience mode has a first acceleration maximum and a second riding experience mode has a second acceleration maximum;\\nsaid data including a user perturbation notification when a difference between the mobile device acceleration and the light electric vehicle acceleration exceeds a threshold difference.\",\n \"2. The light electric vehicle of claim 1, where components making up the light electric vehicle including the support surface, the two or more wheels, the rechargeable electric battery, and the electric motor are light enough in weight to be capable of moving the light electric vehicle in response to a propulsion force generated by the user when the user is in a riding position.\",\n \"3. The light electric vehicle of claim 1, where the mode selector to set the riding experience mode is configured to factor in at least the user's experience level as well as weight of the user in determining the ride experience.\",\n \"4. The light electric vehicle of claim 1, where the motor controller that controls electric motor operation is connected to both i) sensors that measure motor operation parameters that include at least any of temperature and electrical current, and ii) sensors that measure vehicle operation parameters that include at least any of an acceleration and speed.\",\n \"5. The light electric vehicle of claim 1, further comprising: any one of a handle and a steering column, where the handle or steering column is configured to control a direction of vehicle translation and a planar rotation of at least one or more wheels, where the handle or steering column is mounted to the light electric vehicle.\",\n \"6. The light electric vehicle of claim 1, where the user input is a throttle controlled by the user, where the throttle generates an output value sent to the processor of the motor controller.\",\n \"7. The light electric vehicle of claim 6, where the drive mechanism is a drivetrain connected to at least a first wheel.\",\n \"8. A method for a light electric vehicle that supports a weight of a user, comprising:\\nsupplying a support surface to support the weight of a user:\\nsupplying two or more wheels;\\nsupplying a rechargeable electric battery mounted i) on the support surface, or ii) proximal to the support surface;\\nsupplying a motor controller containing a processor configured to control operation of an electric motor mounted i) on the support surface, or ii) proximal to the support surface, where the motor controller and its processor are electrically connected to the rechargeable electric battery by wires extending from the rechargeable electric battery to the motor controller, where the electric motor is electrically connected to the motor controller and the rechargeable electric battery, as well as connected to a drive mechanism to drive one or more wheels of the two or more wheels;\\nsupplying a sensor mounted on the light electric vehicle to provide sensor measurements on motor operation to the motor controller containing the processor, where the processor is configured to record and process the sensor measurement;\\nsupplying a transmitter-receiver on the light electric vehicle configured to connect wirelessly with and communicate data to i) a mobile device of the user and ii) a wireless remote control; and\\nsupplying a user input to control one or more of a velocity and an acceleration of the light electric vehicle;\\nsaid remote control configured as a mode selector configured to set a first riding experience mode of vehicle response for the light electric vehicle selected from a plurality of riding experience modes, wherein the first riding experience mode has a first acceleration maximum and a second riding experience mode has a second acceleration maximum;\\nsaid data including a user perturbation notification when a difference between the mobile device acceleration and the light electric vehicle acceleration exceeds a threshold difference.\",\n \"9. The method for the light electric vehicle of claim 8, where components making up the light electric vehicle including the support surface, the two or more wheels, the rechargeable electric battery, and the electric motor are light enough in weight to be capable of moving the light electric vehicle in response to a propulsion force generated by the user when the user is in a riding position.\",\n \"10. The method for the light electric vehicle of claim 8, where the mode selector to set the riding experience mode is configured to factor in at least the user's experience level as well as weight of the user in determining the ride experience.\",\n \"11. The method for the light electric vehicle of claim 10, where the motor controller that controls electric motor operation is connected to both i) sensors that measure motor operation parameters that include at least any of temperature and electrical current, and ii) sensors that measure vehicle operation parameters that include at least any of an acceleration and speed.\",\n \"12. The method for the light electric vehicle of claim 11, further comprising:\\nsupplying any one of a handle and a steering column where the handle or steering column is configured to control a direction of vehicle translation and a planar rotation of at least one or more wheels, where the handle or steering column is mounted to the light electric vehicle.\",\n \"13. The method for the light electric vehicle of claim 12, where the user input is a throttle controlled by the user, where the throttle generates an output value sent to the processor of the motor controller.\",\n \"14. The method for the light electric vehicle of claim 13, where the drive mechanism is a drivetrain connected to at least a first wheel.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A trailer mountable power storage and distribution system, comprising:\\na battery assembly comprising a housing and a battery assembly mount system, the housing enclosing a plurality of battery units, the battery assembly mount system configured to couple the battery assembly with a chassis assembly of a trailer unit; and\\nan auxiliary component assembly comprising:\\na first component module comprising a thermal management component configured to remove heat from the battery assembly,\\na second component module comprising a power distribution unit configured to electrically connect the battery assembly to a high-voltage electrical motor on a tractor configured to tow the trailer unit, and\\nan auxiliary component assembly mount system configured to couple the auxiliary component assembly with the chassis assembly of the trailer unit.\",\n \"2. The trailer mountable power storage and distribution system of claim 1, wherein the thermal management component is adapted to operate independently of thermal management of the tractor.\",\n \"3. The trailer mountable power storage and distribution system of claim 1, wherein the battery assembly is a first battery assembly and the housing is a first housing and further comprising a second battery assembly disposed in a second housing separate from the first housing, the second component module configured to electrically couple the second battery assembly to a load on the tractor independently of the first battery assembly.\",\n \"4. The trailer mountable power storage and distribution system of claim 3, wherein the first battery assembly and the second battery assembly are configured to mount to the chassis assembly of the trailer unit spaced apart along a longitudinal axis thereof, one forward of the other.\",\n \"5. The trailer mountable power storage and distribution system of claim 1, wherein the battery assembly comprises a first plurality of battery units and a second plurality of battery units, the second component module configured to electrically couple the first plurality of battery units to a load on the tractor independently of the second plurality of battery units.\",\n \"6. The trailer mountable power storage and distribution system of claim 1, wherein the power distribution unit comprises a first power distribution unit and further comprising a second power distribution unit configured to electrically couple a second battery assembly to a load independently of the battery assembly.\",\n \"7. The trailer mountable power storage and distribution system of claim 1, wherein the second component module is configured to supply a first current at a first voltage to a first load on the tractor and is configured to provide a second current at a second voltage lower than the first voltage to a second load.\",\n \"8. The trailer mountable power storage and distribution system of claim 7, wherein the second component module is configured to supply the second current to the second load disposed on the tractor engagable with the trailer unit to which the battery assembly is coupled in use.\",\n \"9. The trailer mountable power storage and distribution system of claim 7, wherein the second component module is configured to supply the second current to a load disposed on a same trailer unit to which the battery assembly and the auxiliary component assembly are coupled in use.\",\n \"10. The trailer mountable power storage and distribution system of claim 1, wherein the battery assembly mount system comprises a vibration isolator configured to reduce or eliminate transmission of vibration from the trailer unit to the battery assembly.\",\n \"11. The trailer mountable power storage and distribution system of claim 1, wherein the auxiliary component assembly mount system comprises a vibration isolator configured to reduce or eliminate transmission of vibration from the trailer unit to the auxiliary component assembly.\",\n \"12. The trailer mountable power storage and distribution system of claim 1, wherein the auxiliary component assembly comprises a charge circuit configured to control the charging of the battery assembly.\",\n \"13. The trailer mountable power storage and distribution system of claim 12, further comprising a user interface component coupled with the charge circuit, the user interface component configured to convey charging status of one or more battery units disposed in the battery assembly or of the battery assembly.\",\n \"14. The trailer mountable power storage and distribution system of claim 1, further comprising a range extender module configured to mount to the trailer unit in a location separate from which the battery assembly and the auxiliary component assembly are mounted in use, the range extender module configured to replenish power stored in the battery assembly and/or supply current directly to a load on the tractor.\",\n \"15. The trailer mountable power storage and distribution system of claim 14, wherein the auxiliary component assembly is configured to electrically couple to the range extender module and to electrically couple to one or both of the battery assembly and the load.\",\n \"16. A cargo trailer assembly comprising:\\none or more body rails configured to support a floor structure of an enclosure;\\nan axle assembly coupled with the body rails, the axle assembly comprising an axle supporting rear wheels of the cargo trailer assembly;\\nthe power storage and distribution system of claim 1, wherein the battery assembly and the auxiliary component assembly are coupled with the body rails and/or the axle assembly of the cargo trailer assembly.\",\n \"17. The cargo trailer assembly of claim 16, wherein the battery assembly is disposed forward of the rear wheels.\",\n \"18. The cargo trailer assembly of claim 16, wherein the auxiliary component assembly is disposed rearward of the rear wheels.\",\n \"19. The cargo trailer assembly of claim 16, wherein the one or more body rails comprises a first body rail extending along a longitudinal axis of the cargo trailer assembly and a second body rail extending along the longitudinal axis of the cargo trailer assembly; and wherein the axle assembly comprises a slider assembly comprising a first slider rail slideably coupled with the first body rail and a second slider rail slideably coupled with the second body rail, wherein the slider assembly is configured to adjustably couple the first slider rail and the second slider rail to the first body rail and the second body rail to allow for a change in a fore-aft position of the slider assembly relative to a chassis.\",\n \"20. The cargo trailer assembly of claim 19, wherein at least one of the battery assembly or the auxiliary component assembly is coupled with one or both of the first and second slider rails.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A power battery heating method, configured for heating a power battery of a vehicle having a three-phase alternating current motor, a motor controller, and a heat conduction loop, the power battery heating method comprising:\\nobtaining a current temperature value of the power battery, and determining whether the current temperature value of the power battery is lower than a preset temperature value;\\ndetermining whether a current working status of the three-phase alternating current motor is a non-driving state, and whether one of the power battery, the three-phase alternating current motor, the motor controller, or the heat conduction loop is faulty;\\nin response to determining that the current temperature value of the power battery is lower than the preset temperature value, that the current working status of the three-phase alternating current motor is a non-driving state, and that none of the power battery, the three-phase alternating current motor, the motor controller, or the heat conduction loop is faulty, obtaining heating power of the power battery;\\nobtaining a preset quadrature-axis current, and obtaining a corresponding preset direct-axis current according to the heating power of the power battery, wherein a value of the obtained preset quadrature-axis current is a quadrature-axis current value that causes a torque value outputted by a three-phase alternating current motor to fall within a target range, and the target range does not comprise zero; and\\ncontrolling an on/off status of a power device in a three-phase inverter, so that the three-phase alternating current motor generates heat according to heating energy provided by a heating energy source to heat a coolant flowing through the power battery, and controlling, according to the preset direct-axis current and the preset quadrature-axis current, the three-phase inverter to adjust a phase current of the three-phase alternating current motor in a heating process of the power battery.\",\n \"2. The power battery heating method according to claim 1, further comprising:\\nobtaining gear position information and motor speed information, and obtaining the current working status of the three-phase alternating current motor according to the gear position information and the motor speed information.\",\n \"3. The power battery heating method according to claim 1, further comprising: setting the preset direct-axis current to zero in response to determining that any one of the power battery, the three-phase alternating current motor, the motor controller, and the heat conduction loop is faulty.\",\n \"4. The power battery heating method according to claim 3, wherein in response to determining that any one of the power battery, the three-phase alternating current motor, the motor controller, and the heat conduction loop is faulty, the power battery heating method further comprises:\\nsetting the preset quadrature-axis current to zero.\",\n \"5. The power battery heating method according to claim 1, further comprising:\\nmonitoring temperatures of the three-phase inverter and the three-phase alternating current motor in real time in the heating process of the power battery, and\\nin response to determining that a temperature of either one of the three-phase inverter and the three-phase alternating current motor exceeds a temperature threshold, reducing the preset direct-axis current or setting the preset direct-axis current to zero.\",\n \"6. The power battery heating method according to claim 5, wherein in response to determining the temperature of either one of the three-phase inverter and the three-phase alternating current motor exceeds the temperature threshold, the power battery heating method further comprises:\\nsetting the preset quadrature-axis current to zero.\",\n \"7. The power battery heating method according to claim 1, further comprising:\\nmonitoring a temperature of the power battery in real time in the heating process of the power battery, and reducing the preset direct-axis current if the temperature of the power battery reaches a specified heating temperature.\",\n \"8. The power battery heating method according to claim 1, further comprising:\\nobtaining a current three-phase current value and position and angle information of a motor rotor of the three-phase alternating current motor before the power battery is heated, and\\nconverting the current three-phase current value into a direct-axis current and a quadrature-axis current according to the position and angle information of the motor rotor, to control, according to a difference between the direct-axis current and the preset direct-axis current and a difference between the quadrature-axis current and the preset quadrature-axis current, the three-phase inverter to adjust the phase current of the three-phase alternating current motor in the heating process of the power battery.\",\n \"9. The power battery heating method according to claim 1, wherein the heating energy source is at least one of an external charging device and the power battery.\",\n \"10. A power battery heating apparatus, configured to heat a power battery of a vehicle, the power battery heating apparatus comprising:\\na three-phase inverter, connected to a positive electrode and a negative electrode of a heating energy source configured to provide heating energy;\\na three-phase alternating current motor, wherein three phase coils of the three-phase alternating current motor are connected to three phase legs of the three-phase inverter; and\\na control circuit, wherein the control circuit is connected to the three-phase inverter and the three-phase alternating current motor, and is configured to:\\nobtain a current temperature value of the power battery;\\ndetermine whether the current temperature value of the power battery is lower than a preset temperature value;\\ndetermine whether a current working status of the three-phase alternating current motor is a non-driving state, and whether one of the power battery, the three-phase alternating current motor, a motor controller, or a heat conduction loop is faulty;\\nin response to determining that the current temperature value of the power battery is lower than the preset temperature value, that the current working status of the three-phase alternating current motor is a non-driving state, and that none of the power battery, the three-phase alternating current motor, the motor controller, or the heat conduction loop is faulty, obtain heating power of the power battery;\\nobtain a preset quadrature-axis current, and obtain a corresponding preset direct-axis current according to the heating power of the power battery, wherein a value of the obtained preset quadrature-axis current is a quadrature-axis current value that causes a torque value outputted by the three-phase alternating current motor to fall within a target range, and the target range does not comprise zero; and\\ncontrol an on/off status of a power device in the three-phase inverter, so that the three-phase alternating current motor generates heat according to the heating energy provided by the heating energy source, to heat a coolant flowing through the power battery, and control, according to the preset direct-axis current and the preset quadrature-axis current, the three-phase inverter to adjust a phase current of the three-phase alternating current motor in a heating process of the power battery.\",\n \"11. The power battery heating apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the control circuit is further configured to:\\nobtain gear position information and motor speed information, and obtain the current working status of the three-phase alternating current motor according to the gear position information and the motor speed information.\",\n \"12. The power battery heating apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the control circuit is further configured to:\\nset the preset direct-axis current to zero in response to determining that any one of the power battery, the three-phase alternating current motor, the motor controller, and the heat conduction loop is faulty.\",\n \"13. The power battery heating apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the control circuit is further configured to:\\nset the preset quadrature-axis current to zero in response to determining that any one of the power battery, the three-phase alternating current motor, the motor controller, and the heat conduction loop is faulty.\",\n \"14. The power battery heating apparatus according to claim 10 further comprising:\\na temperature monitoring unit, wherein the temperature monitoring unit is connected to the control circuit and the three-phase alternating current motor, and is configured to monitor temperatures of the three-phase inverter and the three-phase alternating current motor in real time in the heating process of the power battery, and feed back a result of monitoring to the control circuit, and in response to that a temperature of either one of the three-phase inverter and the three-phase alternating current motor exceeds a temperature threshold, the control circuit reduces the preset direct-axis current or sets the preset direct-axis current to zero.\",\n \"15. The power battery heating apparatus according to claim 14, wherein in response to determining that the temperature of either one of the three-phase inverter and the three-phase alternating current motor exceeds the temperature threshold, the control circuit is further configured to: set the preset quadrature-axis current to zero.\",\n \"16. The power battery heating apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the control circuit is further configured to:\\nmonitor a temperature of the power battery in real time in the heating process of the power battery, and reduce the preset direct-axis current if the temperature of the power battery reaches a specified heating temperature.\",\n \"17. The power battery heating apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the control circuit is further configured to:\\nobtain a current three-phase current value and position and angle information of a motor rotor of the three-phase alternating current motor before the power battery is heated, and convert the current three-phase current value into a direct-axis current and a quadrature-axis current according to the position and angle information of the motor rotor, to control, according to a difference between the direct-axis current and the preset direct-axis current and a difference between the quadrature-axis current and the preset quadrature-axis current, the three-phase inverter to adjust the phase current of the three-phase alternating current motor in the heating process of the power battery.\",\n \"18. A vehicle, comprising a power battery heating apparatus, a power battery, a coolant tank, a pump, and a water pipeline, wherein\\nthe pump drives a coolant in the coolant tank into the water pipeline according to a control signal,\\nthe water pipeline passes through the power battery and the power battery heating apparatus, and\\nthe power battery heating apparatus comprises:\\na three-phase inverter, connected to a positive electrode and a negative electrode of a heating energy source configured to provide heating energy;\\na three-phase alternating current motor, wherein three phase coils of the three-phase alternating current motor are connected to three phase legs of the three-phase inverter; and\\na control circuit, wherein the control circuit is connected to the three-phase inverter and the three-phase alternating current motor, and is configured to:\\nobtain a current temperature value of the power battery;\\ndetermine whether the current temperature value of the power battery is lower than a preset temperature value;\\ndetermine whether a current working status of the three-phase alternating current motor is a non-driving state, and whether one of the power battery, the three-phase alternating current motor, a motor controller, or a heat conduction loop is faulty;\\nin response to determining that the current temperature value of the power battery is lower than the preset temperature value, that the current working status of the three-phase alternating current motor is a non-driving state, and that none of the power battery, the three-phase alternating current motor, the motor controller, or the heat conduction loop is faulty, obtain heating power of the power battery;\\nobtain a preset quadrature-axis current, and obtain a corresponding preset direct-axis current according to the heating power of the power battery, wherein a value of the obtained preset quadrature-axis current is a quadrature-axis current value that causes a torque value outputted by the three-phase alternating current motor to fall within a target range, and the target range does not comprise zero; and\\ncontrol an on/off status of a power device in the three-phase inverter, so that the three-phase alternating current motor generates heat according to the heating energy provided by the heating energy source, to heat the coolant flowing through the power battery, and control, according to the preset direct-axis current and the preset quadrature-axis current, the three-phase inverter to adjust a phase current of the three-phase alternating current motor in a heating process of the power battery.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A portable fuel cell system for producing electrical energy included in a portable package, the portable fuel cell system comprising:\\na fuel processor having:\\na reformer configured to receive fuel and to output hydrogen and reformer exhaust, and\\na burner configured to receive fuel, to generate heat using the fuel, and to output burner exhaust;\\na fuel cell configured to produce electrical energy using hydrogen output by the reformer;\\nat least one fuel line, internal to the portable package, configured to transport fuel to the reformer or burner; and\\na water removal system, including:\\na water permeable membrane configured to receive an exhaust and configured to remove water from the exhaust; and\\na condensing apparatus including a condenser and a wick, the condensing apparatus configured to receive the exhaust after the water permeable membrane and configured to remove water from the exhaust;\\nat least one water line, internal to the portable package, configured to transport the water removed by the water permeable membrane and the condensing apparatus to the at least one fuel line, wherein the removed water is added to the fuel.\",\n \"2. The portable fuel cell system of claim 1, wherein the water removal system further comprises a thermoelectric cooler in thermal communication with the condensing apparatus, the thermoelectric cooler configured to remove heat from the water removal system.\",\n \"3. The portable fuel cell system of claim 2, wherein the thermoelectric cooler further comprises a fan.\",\n \"4. The portable fuel cell system of claim 1, wherein the water permeable membrane removes greater than 40% of the required amount of water for the fuel cell system.\",\n \"5. The portable fuel cell system of claim 1, wherein the water permeable membrane is configured to receive the burner exhaust stream or the reformer exhaust stream.\",\n \"6. The portable fuel cell system of claim 1, wherein the water permeable membrane is configured to receive a fuel cell exhaust stream.\",\n \"7. The portable fuel cell system of claim 6, wherein the fuel cell further comprises a cathode and an anode, and wherein the water permeable membrane is configured to receive a cathode exhaust stream.\",\n \"8. The portable fuel cell system of claim 1, wherein the water removal system further comprises a pump that is configured to apply a negative pressure to the wick.\",\n \"9. The portable fuel cell system of claim 8, further including a control system that includes instructions that control the pump so as to remove water from the wick for a predetermined period of time at shut down of the fuel cell.\",\n \"10. The portable fuel cell system of claim 1, wherein the burner exhaust dries the wick at shut down of the fuel cell.\",\n \"11. The portable fuel cell system of claim 1, wherein the water removal system is configured to receive burner exhaust on startup of the fuel processor.\",\n \"12. The portable fuel cell system of claim 1, wherein the portable package is configured to operate at any orientation relative to the ground.\",\n \"13. The portable fuel cell system of claim 1, further comprising a heat exchanger configured to transfer heat generated in the fuel cell or generated in the fuel processor to the incoming fuel that includes the reformer fuel or the burner fuel.\",\n \"14. The portable fuel cell system of claim 13, wherein the heat exchanger further comprises a heat pipe, internal to the portable fuel cell package, configured to remove heat from the burner exhaust stream or the fuel cell exhaust stream.\",\n \"15. A method for recovering water in a portable fuel cell system, comprising:\\nproviding burner fuel to a burner in a fuel processor;\\ngenerating heat in the burner using the burner fuel;\\nproviding reformer fuel to a reformer in the fuel processor;\\nreforming the reformer fuel provided to the reformer to produce hydrogen;\\ngenerating electrical energy in a fuel cell using hydrogen produced by the fuel processor;\\nremoving water from an exhaust with a water removal system that includes a water permeable membrane and a condensing apparatus, the water permeable membrane configured to receive the exhaust and configured to remove water from the exhaust, and the condensing apparatus including a condenser and a wick and configured to remove water from the exhaust after the water permeable membrane has removed water from the exhaust; and\\nadding the removed water to a fuel line before fuel in the fuel line reaches the reformer or the burner.\",\n \"16. The method of claim 15, further comprising pumping water out of the membrane humidifier with a pump for a predetermined period of time during shut down of the fuel cell.\",\n \"17. The method of claim 15, further comprising evaporating the removed water from the wick on shutdown of the portable fuel cell system with the exhaust from the fuel processor or fuel cell.\",\n \"18. The method of claim 15 further comprising removing heat from the exhaust with a thermoelectric cooler.\",\n \"19. The method of claim 15, wherein the exhaust is a fuel processor exhaust or a fuel cell exhaust.\",\n \"20. The method of claim 19, wherein the fuel cell exhaust is a cathode exhaust.\",\n \"21. The method of claim 19, wherein the fuel processor exhaust is a burner exhaust.\",\n \"22. The method of claim 15, further comprising operating the portable fuel cell system in any orientation relative to the ground.\",\n \"23. The method of claim 15, further comprising transferring heat from an exhaust of the fuel cell or an exhaust of the fuel processor to a heat exchanger.\",\n \"24. The method of claim 23, wherein the heat exchanger further comprises a heat pipe configured to remove heat from the exhaust.\",\n \"25. A program storage device readable by a machine tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform a method for recovering water in a portable fuel cell system, the method comprising:\\nproviding burner fuel to a burner in a fuel processor;\\ngenerating heat in the burner using the burner fuel;\\nproviding reformer fuel to a reformer in the fuel processor;\\nreforming the reformer fuel provided to the reformer to produce hydrogen;\\ngenerating electrical energy in a fuel cell using hydrogen produced by the fuel processor;\\nremoving water from an exhaust with a water removal system that includes a water permeable membrane and a condensing apparatus, the water permeable membrane configured to receive the exhaust and configured to remove water from the exhaust, and the condensing apparatus including a condenser and a wick and configured to remove water from the exhaust after the water permeable membrane has removed water from the exhaust; and\\nadding the removed water to a fuel line before fuel in the fuel line reaches the reformer or the burner.\",\n \"26. A portable fuel cell system for producing electrical energy included in a portable package, the portable fuel cell system comprising:\\na fuel processor having:\\na reformer configured to receive fuel and to output hydrogen using the fuel source, and\\na burner configured to receive fuel, to generate heat using the fuel, and to output burner exhaust;\\na fuel cell configured to produce electrical energy using hydrogen output by the reformer;\\nat least one fuel line, internal to the portable package, configured to transport fuel to the reformer or burner; and\\na water removal system including:\\na water permeable membrane configured to receive the burner exhaust and configured to remove water from the burner exhaust;\\na condensing apparatus including a condenser and a wick, the condensing apparatus configured to receive the burner exhaust after the water permeable membrane and configured to remove water from the burner exhaust;\\nat least one water line, internal to the portable package, configured to transport the water removed by the water permeable membrane and the condensing apparatus to the at least one fuel line, wherein the removed water is added to the fuel.\",\n \"27. The portable fuel cell system of claim 26, wherein the water removal system further comprises a thermoelectric cooler in thermal communication with the condensing apparatus, the thermoelectric cooler configured to remove heat from water removal system.\",\n \"28. The portable fuel cell system of claim 27, wherein the thermoelectric cooler further comprises a fan.\",\n \"29. The portable fuel cell system of claim 26, wherein the water removal system further comprises a pump that is configured apply a negative pressure to the water permeable membrane and wick.\",\n \"30. The portable fuel cell system of claim 29, further including a control system that includes instructions that control the pump so as to remove water from the water permeable membrane and wick for a predetermined period of time at shut down of the fuel cell.\",\n \"31. The portable fuel cell system of claim 26, drying the wick with the burner exhaust at shut down of the fuel cell.\",\n \"32. The method of claim 30, further comprising operating the portable fuel cell system in any orientation relative to the ground.\",\n \"33. The portable fuel cell system of claim 26, further comprising a heat exchanger configured to transfer heat generated in the fuel processor to the incoming fuel that includes the reformer fuel or the burner fuel.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. An integrated power generation and exhaust processing system comprising:\\na fuel cell system configured to generate power and to separate CO2 included in exhaust output from the fuel cell system; and\\nan exhaust processing system configured to at least one of sequester or densify CO2 separated from the exhaust output from the fuel cell system,\\nwherein the fuel cell system comprises a solid oxide fuel cell stack configured to generate the power, and a carbon dioxide separation device configured to separate the CO2 included in the exhaust output from the fuel cell system.\",\n \"2. The system of claim 1, wherein the exhaust processing system comprises:\\na reservoir configured to receive exhaust output from the fuel cell system; and\\na compressor configured to compress exhaust output from the reservoir,\\nwherein the reservoir is configured to reduce an amount of exhaust backpressure applied to the fuel cell system.\",\n \"3. The system of claim 2, wherein the reservoir comprises a relief valve configured to prevent the exhaust backpressure in the reservoir from exceeding a preset level.\",\n \"4. The system of claim 3, wherein the preset level is less than an amount of pressure that would damage the fuel cell system.\",\n \"5. The system of claim 2, wherein the reservoir comprises internal baffles configured to reduce the amount of exhaust backpressure applied to the fuel cell system.\",\n \"6. The system of claim 2, wherein the exhaust processing system further comprises a cooling system configured to reduce the temperature of the exhaust in the reservoir.\",\n \"7. The system of claim 1, wherein the exhaust processing system comprises:\\na sensor configured to measure a characteristic of a fuel that is provided to the fuel cell system; and\\na central processing unit configured to determine an amount of CO2 in the exhaust output from the fuel cell system based on a measurement by the sensor.\",\n \"8. The system of claim 1, wherein the exhaust processing system comprises a CO2 processor configured to chemically convert the CO2 into solid calcium carbonate.\",\n \"9. The system of claim 1, wherein the exhaust processing system comprises:\\na condenser configured to condense water from the exhaust output from the fuel cell system;\\na compressor disposed downstream of the condenser with respect to a flow direction of the exhaust and configured to compress the CO2 in the exhaust; and\\nat least one heat exchanger configured to heat fuel provided to the fuel cell system using heat from at least one of the condenser or the compressor.\",\n \"10. The system of claim 9, wherein the at least one heat exchanger comprises:\\na first heat exchanger disposed upstream of the condenser, and configured to heat the fuel using heat from the exhaust; and\\na second heat exchanger configured to heat the fuel using heat from at least one of the condenser or the compressor.\",\n \"11. The system of claim 10, wherein the second heat exchanger is configured to convert the exhaust into liquid CO2.\",\n \"12. The system of claim 10, further comprising a liquid natural gas (LGN) vessel configured to provide the fuel in a form of liquid natural gas (LGN) to the second heat exchanger via a LGN conduit; and\\nthe fuel is in the form of natural gas (NG) when the fuel is output from the first heat exchanger.\",\n \"13. The system of claim 12, further comprising a vaporizer configured to vaporize water to humidify the fuel during system startup using an external heat source.\",\n \"14. The system of claim 9, further comprising a water treatment device configured to at least one of neutralize or polish water received from the condenser.\",\n \"15. The system of claim 9, wherein the fuel cell system is located on a ship and is electrically connected to an electrical load of the ship.\",\n \"16. A method of operating a fuel cell system, comprising:\\nproviding a fuel to a fuel cell system;\\noperating the fuel cell system to generate power and a fuel exhaust stream;\\nseparating CO2 from the fuel exhaust stream using a carbon dioxide separation device to generate a CO2 containing exhaust and a purified exhaust;\\nproviding the separated CO2 containing exhaust to an exhaust processing system;\\nat least one of sequestering or densifying CO2 in the CO2 containing exhaust using the exhaust processing system,\\ncondensing water from the CO2 containing exhaust;\\ncompressing the CO2 in the CO2 containing exhaust; and\\nheating a fuel provided to the fuel cell system using heat generated from at least one of the condensing or the compressing.\",\n \"17. The method of claim 16, wherein:\\nfuel cell system is located on a ship and is electrically connected to an electrical load of the ship;\\nthe fuel comprises liquid natural gas (LNG) stored in a LNG vessel;\\nthe compressed CO2 is stored in a CO2 storage vessel; and\\nwhen the ship arrives at a port, the LNG is filled into the LNG vessel and the CO2 is removed from the CO2 storage vessel.\",\n \"18. A method of operating a fuel cell system, comprising:\\nproviding a fuel to a fuel cell system;\\noperating the fuel cell system to generate power and a fuel exhaust stream;\\nseparating CO2 from the fuel exhaust stream using a carbon dioxide separation device to generate a CO2 containing exhaust and a purified exhaust;\\nproviding the separated CO2 containing exhaust and solid CaO to a NaOH containing solution, such that the CO2 gas reacts with the NaOH (l) to form Na2CO3 (l) and water, such that the CaO (s) reacts with the water to form Ca(OH)2 (l), and such that the Na2CO3 (l) and the Ca(OH)2 (l) react to precipitate solid CaCO3 and generate NaOH (l); and\\nrecycling the generated NaOH (l) to react with additional CO2 gas.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. An anode reactant recycling system comprising:\\na hollow main body including an inlet, a recycle outlet, and a draining outlet, the inlet configured to receive a fluid;\\na bleed conduit providing fluid communication between the inlet and the draining outlet;\\na water separator disposed in the hollow main body configured to remove a condensate from the fluid; and\\na hydrophilic porous media disposed in the draining outlet in fluid communication with the water separator and configured to collect the condensate removed from the fluid received by the inlet of the hollow main body, thereby hydrating the hydrophilic porous media and militating against gas transfer through the hydrophilic porous media, wherein the anode reactant recycling system is operable to exhaust a first portion of the fluid from the anode reactant recycling system through the bleed conduit and to introduce a second portion of the fluid into the hollow main body and cause the second portion of the fluid to pass through the water separator before exiting the anode reactant recycling system through the recycle outlet.\",\n \"2. The anode reactant recycling system according to claim 1, wherein the hydrophilic porous media is sealingly disposed in the draining outlet by at least one of adhesion and a friction fit.\",\n \"3. The anode reactant recycling system according to claim 1, wherein the hydrophilic porous media has a pore size from about 1 to about 10 microns.\",\n \"4. The anode reactant recycling system according to claim 1, wherein the hydrophilic porous media is one of a metal mesh, a sintered metal mesh, a bonded metal mesh, a woven cloth, and a porous foam.\",\n \"5. The anode reactant recycling system according to claim 1, wherein the water separator includes a plurality of water capture features.\",\n \"6. The anode reactant recycling system according to claim 1, further comprising an exhaust valve disposed adjacent the draining outlet.\",\n \"7. The anode reactant recycling system according to claim 1, further comprising an injector in fluid communication with a fuel source and the hollow main body, the injector configured to inject a fuel into the hollow main body.\",\n \"8. The anode reactant recycling system according to claim 7, wherein the injector is a component of a jet pump.\",\n \"9. The anode reactant recycling system according to claim 7, further comprising an ejector disposed between the injector and the water separator.\",\n \"10. The anode reactant recycling system according to claim 1, wherein the bleed conduit has one end disposed adjacent the inlet and another end disposed adjacent the draining outlet.\",\n \"11. The anode reactant recycling system according to claim 1, wherein the hollow main body is a chamber configured for pre-pressurization during startup of the anode reactant recycling system.\",\n \"12. The anode reactant recycling system according to claim 1, wherein the anode reactant recycling system is disposed in a fuel cell end unit.\",\n \"13. The anode reactant recycling system according to claim 1, wherein the anode reactant recycling system is disposed in a fuel cell system.\",\n \"14. An anode reactant recycling system comprising:\\na hollow main body including an inlet, a recycle outlet, and a draining outlet, the inlet configured to receive a fluid;\\na bleed conduit facilitating fluid communication between the inlet and the draining outlet;\\nan injector disposed in the hollow main body and configured to inject a fuel from a fuel source;\\na water separator disposed in the hollow main body configured to remove a condensate from the fluid; and\\na hydrophilic porous media in fluid communication with the water separator and configured to collect at least a portion of the condensate removed from the fluid received by the inlet of the hollow main body, thereby hydrating the hydrophilic porous media and militating against gas transfer through the hydrophilic porous media, wherein the anode reactant recycling system is operable to exhaust a first portion of the fluid from the anode reactant recycling system through the bleed conduit and to introduce a second portion of the fluid into the hollow main body and cause the second portion of the fluid to mix with the fuel and pass through the water separator before exiting the anode reactant recycling system through the recycle outlet.\",\n \"15. The anode reactant recycling system according to claim 14, wherein the hydrophilic porous media has a pore size from about 1 to about 10 microns.\",\n \"16. The anode reactant recycling system according to claim 14, wherein the hydrophilic porous media is one of a metal mesh, a sintered metal mesh, a bonded metal mesh, a woven cloth, and a porous foam.\",\n \"17. The anode reactant recycling system according to claim 14, wherein the bleed conduit has one end disposed adjacent the inlet and another end disposed adjacent the draining outlet.\",\n \"18. The anode reactant recycling system according to claim 14, wherein the hollow main body is a chamber configured for pre-pressurization during startup of the anode reactant recycling system.\",\n \"19. The anode reactant recycling system according to claim 14, wherein the injector is a component of a jet pump.\",\n \"20. A method for the recycling of anode reactants in a fuel cell comprising the steps of:\\nproviding a hollow main body including an inlet, a recycle outlet, and a draining outlet, the inlet configured to receive a fluid;\\nproviding a bleed conduit facilitating fluid communication between the inlet and the draining outlet;\\nproviding an injector disposed in the hollow main body and configured to inject a fuel from a fuel source;\\nproviding a water separator disposed in the hollow main body, the water separator configured to remove a condensate from the fluid;\\nproviding a hydrophilic porous media in fluid communication with the water separator;\\nproviding an anode exhaust stream to the inlet;\\ndividing the anode exhaust stream into a first portion entering the bleed conduit and a second portion entering the hollow main body;\\nexhausting the first portion of the anode exhaust stream through the draining outlet;\\ninjecting the fuel into the hollow main body and mixing the second portion of the anode exhaust stream with the fuel;\\nhydrating the hydrophilic porous media with at least a portion of the condensate removed from the fluid received by the inlet of the hollow main body, the hydrated media militating against transfer of one of the first portion of the anode exhaust stream and the second portion of the anode exhaust stream through the hydrophilic porous media;\\nexhausting the condensate in excess of a saturation point of the hydrophilic porous media through the hydrophilic porous media and the draining outlet; and\\nexhausting the second portion of the anode exhaust stream and the injected fuel through the recycle outlet.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A method of operating a fuel cell system, comprising:\\nproviding a fuel inlet stream to a fuel inlet of a fuel cell stack;\\noperating the fuel cell stack using the fuel inlet stream to generate a fuel exhaust stream that is output from the fuel cell stack;\\ndividing the fuel exhaust stream into a first portion and a second portion;\\nproviding the first portion of the fuel exhaust stream to a carbon dioxide separation device, to separate at least a portion of the carbon dioxide from the first portion of the fuel exhaust stream and thereby generate a purified fuel exhaust stream;\\nproviding the second portion of the fuel exhaust stream to the carbon dioxide separation device to sweep carbon dioxide from a collection side of the carbon dioxide separation device; and\\nrecycling the purified fuel exhaust stream to the fuel inlet.\",\n \"2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\\nmixing air into the second portion of the fuel exhaust stream; and\\nproviding the mixed air and second portion of the fuel exhaust stream to the collection side of the carbon dioxide separation device.\",\n \"3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\\nusing a membrane humidifier to humidify the second portion of the fuel exhaust stream; and\\nproviding the humidified second portion of the fuel exhaust stream to the collection side of the carbon dioxide separation device.\",\n \"4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\\nremoving water from the purified recycled fuel exhaust stream using a water separator;\\nproviding the water to a membrane humidifier;\\nproviding the water from using the membrane humidifier to humidify the second portion of the fuel exhaust stream; and\\nproviding the humidified second portion of the fuel exhaust stream to the collection side of the carbon dioxide separation device.\",\n \"5. The method of claim 1, wherein the carbon dioxide separation device is a combination carbon dioxide and water separation device, the method further comprising:\\nremoving water from the first portion of the fuel exhaust stream using the carbon dioxide separation device,\\nproviding the water to a membrane humidifier;\\nusing the membrane humidifier to humidify the second portion of the fuel exhaust stream; and\\nproviding the humidified second portion of the fuel exhaust stream to the collection side of the carbon dioxide separation device.\",\n \"6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first portion of the fuel exhaust stream is provided to a product side of the carbon dioxide separation device, the purified fuel exhaust stream is collected on the product side of the carbon dioxide separation device, the carbon dioxide diffuses through a separator from the product to the collection side of the carbon dioxide separation device, and the fuel cell stack is a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) stack, the method further comprising:\\noxidizing a SOFC fuel exhaust stream using a SOFC air exhaust stream prior to providing the second portion of the fuel exhaust stream to the carbon dioxide separation device.\",\n \"7. A method of operating a fuel cell system, comprising:\\nproviding a fuel inlet stream to a fuel inlet of a fuel cell stack;\\noperating the fuel cell stack using the fuel inlet stream, to generate a fuel exhaust stream that is output from the fuel cell stack;\\ndividing the fuel exhaust stream into a first portion and a second portion;\\nproviding the first portion of the fuel exhaust stream to a molten carbonate fuel cell operating in electrolysis mode, which operates as a carbon dioxide separator to separate carbon dioxide from the first portion of the fuel exhaust stream and form a purified fuel exhaust stream;\\nrecycling the purified fuel exhaust stream to the fuel inlet;\\nremoving water from the purified recycled fuel exhaust stream using a water separator;\\nproviding the water to a membrane humidifier;\\nusing the membrane humidifier to humidify the second portion of the fuel exhaust stream; and\\nproviding the humidified second portion of the fuel exhaust stream to a collection side of the carbon dioxide separator.\",\n \"8. The method of claim 7, wherein the providing of the second portion of the fuel exhaust stream to the carbon dioxide separation device further comprises oxidizing the second portion of the fuel exhaust stream in an anode tail gas oxidizer reactor, and providing the oxidized second portion of the fuel exhaust stream to the carbon dioxide separation device.\",\n \"9. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing of the second portion of the fuel exhaust stream to the carbon dioxide separation device further comprises oxidizing the second portion of the fuel exhaust stream in an anode tail gas oxidizer reactor, and providing the oxidized second portion of the fuel exhaust stream to the carbon dioxide separation device.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A fuel cell assembly comprising:\\na plurality of membrane electrode assemblies, each comprising an anode configured to accept a hydrogen-bearing reactant, a cathode configured to accept an oxygen-bearing reactant, a proton-permeable electrolyte membrane disposed between said anode and said cathode, a catalyst layer on said anode side of said proton-permeable electrolyte membrane, and a catalyst layer on said cathode side of said proton-permeable electrolyte membrane, said catalyst layer on said anode side and said catalyst layer on said cathode layer having an area; and\\na plurality of plates each of which is disposed between a pair of said plurality of membrane electrode assemblies, said each plate defining a wet side reactant channel in fluid communication with a corresponding one of said anode or said cathode of an adjacently facing one of said membrane electrode assemblies, said wet side reactant channel comprising:\\nan active region defined by said area of said catalyst layer of said anode side or said cathode side that facilitates a catalytic reaction of one of said reactants that passes therethrough; and\\nan inactive region outside said active region where substantially no catalytic reaction takes place, said inactive region fluidly coupled to said active region; and\\na water transport device disposed in said inactive region and comprising a hydrophilic member that forms at least a portion of said wet side reactant channel such that upon passage of a fluid containing said one of said reactants through said wet side reactant channel, said hydrophilic member absorbs at least a portion of water present in said fluid.\",\n \"2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said plurality of plates comprises a plurality of bipolar plates, each of said plurality of bipolar plates having said wet side reactant channel disposed on one side thereof, and a dry side reactant channel disposed on the other side thereof, wherein said dry side reactant channel is in fluid communication with an opposite one of said anode and cathode from said wet side reactant channel.\",\n \"3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein said hydrophilic member comprises a first porous substrate through which said absorbed water may pass.\",\n \"4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein said water vapor transfer device further comprises a layered structure comprising:\\na water-permeable membrane disposed against a surface of said hydrophilic member that is away from said plurality of wet side reactant channels;\\na second porous substrate disposed against a surface of said water-permeable membrane that is away from said hydrophilic member; and\\na plurality of dry side reactant channels disposed against a surface of said second porous substrate that is away from said water-permeable membrane, said plurality of dry side reactants cooperative with said second porous substrate such that said water that passes through said hydrophilic member further passes through said water-permeable membrane and said second porous substrate and into said plurality of dry side reactant channels to increase the humidity of a fluid passing therethrough.\",\n \"5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein said plurality of dry side reactant channels and said plurality of wet side reactant channels are in counterflow relationship with one another.\",\n \"6. The assembly of claim 5, wherein said plurality of wet side reactant channels are in fluid communication with said cathode, and said plurality of dry side reactant channels are in fluid communication with said anode.\",\n \"7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein said hydrogen-bearing reactant is fed to said plurality of dry side reactant channels through an anode header, and said oxygen-bearing reactant is fed to said plurality of wet side reactant channels through a cathode header, each of said headers formed in said bipolar plate.\",\n \"8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said hydrophilic member is selected from the group consisting of porous polymers, nonconductive fiber papers and carbon papers treated with a surfactant.\",\n \"9. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a water-impermeable layer disposed in said inactive region between said hydrophilic member and said electrolyte membrane.\",\n \"10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein said water-impermeable layer is perforate.\",\n \"11. The assembly of claim 2, wherein said water transport device defines a layered structure comprising a water-impermeable layer disposed against a surface of said hydrophilic member that is away from said plurality of wet side reactant channels such that said water absorbed in said hydrophilic member remains therein.\",\n \"12. The assembly of claim 11, further comprising conduit configured to redistribute said water absorbed in said hydrophilic member throughout a substantially planar region defined by said hydrophilic member such that said water that collects in said hydrophilic member can be redistributed laterally within said plurality of wet side reactant channels.\",\n \"13. The assembly of claim 2, wherein said hydrophilic member comprises a hydrophilic surface formed on all of the surfaces that define said plurality of wet side reactant channels disposed on said bipolar plates.\",\n \"14. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said hydrophilic layer extends along an in-plane dimension farther than said inactive region of said plurality of plates.\",\n \"15. A vehicle comprising the assembly of claim 1, wherein said fuel cell assembly serves as a source of motive power for said vehicle.\",\n \"16. A fuel cell assembly comprising:\\na plurality of membrane electrode assemblies each comprising an anode configured to accept a hydrogen-bearing reactant, a cathode configured to accept an oxygen-bearing reactant, a proton-permeable electrolyte disposed between said anode and said cathode, a catalyst layer on said anode side of said proton-permeable electrolyte membrane, and a catalyst layer on said cathode side of said proton-permeable electrolyte membrane, said catalyst layer on said anode side and said catalyst layer on said cathode layer having an area;\\na plurality of bipolar plates alternately disposed with said membrane electrode assemblies such that together said membrane electrode assemblies and said bipolar plates define a fuel cell stack, said bipolar plates comprising reactant flowpaths on opposing sides thereof such that said reactant flowpaths on one side of said bipolar plate can convey a relatively moisture-rich fluid that has passed in fluid communication with either of said anode and said cathode, while said reactant flowpaths on the opposing side of said bipolar plate can convey a relatively moisture-deficient fluid that has passed in fluid communication with the other of said cathode and said anode, a portion of each of said reactant flowpaths defining an active region and a portion of each of said reactant flowpaths defining an inactive region, said active region defined by said area of said catalyst layer of said anode side or said cathode side to facilitate a catalytic reaction involving one of said reactants, said inactive region outside said active region where substantially no catalytic reaction takes place and wherein said inactive region comprises a fluid inlet in fluid communication with said active region and a fluid outlet in fluid communication with said fluid inlet; and\\na hydrophilic water transport device fluidly coupled to said inactive region and configured to redistribute liquid water collecting in said inactive region.\",\n \"17. The assembly of claim 16, wherein said hydrophilic water transport device further comprises a moisture-permeable membrane disposed between a pair of porous substrates, one of said pair of porous substrates disposed against said reactant flowpaths that can convey said relatively moisture-rich fluid and the other of said pair of porous substrates said reactant flowpaths that can convey said relatively moisture-deficient fluid, wherein said one of said porous substrates comprises hydrophilic treatment and forms a portion of said reactant flowpaths that can convey said relatively moisture-rich fluid such that moisture in said relatively moisture-rich fluid passes through said membrane and said pair of porous substrates and into said reactant flowpaths that can convey said relatively moisture-deficient fluid.\",\n \"18. The assembly of claim 16, wherein said hydrophilic water transport device further comprises a water-impermeable membrane disposed against a layer of hydrophilic material that is disposed against said reactant flowpaths that can convey said relatively moisture-rich fluid such that said redistributed liquid water wets said layer of hydrophilic material.\",\n \"19. The assembly of claim 16, wherein said hydrophilic water transport device further comprises a water-impermeable membrane disposed against a layer of hydrophilic material disposed on the surfaces of said reactant flowpaths, such that said reactant flowpaths are covered with said hydrophilic material.\",\n \"20. A method of reducing water blockage in a fuel cell, said method comprising:\\nconfiguring a fuel cell to have an anode, a cathode, an electrolyte disposed between said anode and said cathode, an anode flowpath in fluid communication with said anode and a cathode flowpath in fluid communication with said cathode, a catalyst layer on said anode side of said proton-permeable electrolyte membrane, and a catalyst layer on said cathode side of said proton-permeable electrolyte membrane, said catalyst layer on said anode side and said catalyst layer on said cathode layer having an area;\\ndelivering a first reactant through said anode flowpath and a second reactant through said cathode flowpath, where at least one of said anode and cathode flowpaths comprise an active region and an inactive region, said active region defined by said area of said catalyst layer of said anode side or said cathode side, said inactive region outside said active region where substantially no catalytic reaction takes place;\\ncombining said first and second reactants in an electrochemical conversion reaction in said fuel cell such that a fluid passing through said active region and containing said first or second reactant experiences an increased water content therein;\\ntransporting said fluid containing said increased water content through a hydrophilic member disposed in said inactive region; and\\nredistributing at least a portion of said increased water content away from said at least one anode or cathode flowpath and into said hydrophilic member.\",\n \"21. The method of claim 20, wherein said anode and cathode flowpaths are disposed on opposite sides of a bipolar plate that is disposed between adjacent said fuel cells in a fuel cell stack.\",\n \"22. The method of claim 20, wherein said hydrophilic member comprises a first porous substrate through which said absorbed water may pass.\",\n \"23. The method of claim 22, wherein said hydrophilic member is part of a water transport device that fluidly connects said anode and cathode flowpaths, said water transport device defining a layered structure further comprising:\\na water-permeable membrane disposed against a surface of said hydrophilic member that is away from said at least one anode or cathode flowpath that contains said increased water content; and\\na second porous substrate that is disposed against a surface of said water-permeable membrane that is away from said hydrophilic member, said second porous substrate forming part of the one of said at least one anode or cathode flowpath that does not contain said increased water content such that a portion of said increased water content that passes through said hydrophilic member further passes through said water-permeable membrane and said second porous substrate and into said one of said at least one anode or cathode flowpath that does not contain said increased water content to increase the humidity of a fluid passing therethrough.\",\n \"24. The method of claim 23, wherein said hydrophilic member is part of a water transport device that defines a layered structure further comprising a water-impermeable layer such that said increased water content that is absorbed in said hydrophilic member remains therein.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A fuel cell system comprising:\\na fuel cell stack including a cathode side and an anode side;\\na compressor providing cathode air to the cathode side of the fuel cell stack; and\\na hydrogen source providing hydrogen gas to the anode side of the fuel cell stack, said system operating in a shut-down mode for removing water from the fuel cell stack, said shut-down mode causing the cathode air or the hydrogen gas to flow in an opposite or reverse direction through the fuel cell stack to provide a uniform wetness in a flow field of the fuel cell stack.\",\n \"2. The system according to claim 1 further comprising a cathode inlet valve and a cathode outlet valve, said cathode inlet valve and said cathode outlet valve being switched to a reverse flow direction during the shut-down mode to cause the cathode air to flow in an opposite direction through cathode flow channels in the cathode side of the fuel cell stack to push water out of an outlet end of the cathode flow channels to provide the uniform wetness through a cathode flow field in the fuel cell stack.\",\n \"3. The system according to claim 1 further comprising an anode inlet valve and an anode outlet valve, said anode inlet valve and said anode outlet valve being switched to a reverse flow direction during the shut-down mode to cause the hydrogen gas from the hydrogen source to flow in an opposite direction through anode flow channels in the anode side of the fuel cell stack to push water out of an outlet end of the anode flow channels to provide the uniform wetness through an anode flow field in the fuel cell stack.\",\n \"4. The system according to claim 1 further comprising a cathode inlet valve and a cathode outlet valve, said cathode inlet valve and said cathode outlet valve being switched to a reverse flow direction during the shut-down mode to cause the cathode air to flow in an opposite direction through cathode flow channels in the cathode side of the fuel cell stack to push water out of an outlet end of the cathode flow channels to provide the uniform wetness through a cathode flow field in the fuel cell stack and further comprising an anode inlet valve and an anode outlet valve, said anode inlet valve and said anode outlet valve being switched to a reverse flow direction during the shut-down mode to cause the hydrogen gas from the hydrogen source to flow in an opposite direction through anode flow channels in the anode side of the fuel cell stack to push water out of an outlet end of the anode flow channels to provide the uniform wetness through an anode flow field in the fuel cell stack.\",\n \"5. The system according to claim 1 wherein a cathode air flow through cathode flow channels in the cathode side of the fuel cell stack draws water from the anode side of the fuel cell stack.\",\n \"6. The system according to claim 1 further comprising a system load, said fuel cell stack being coupled to the system load at an end of the shut-down mode so as to provide rehydration of membranes in the fuel cell stack.\",\n \"7. The system according to claim 1 wherein the shut-down mode maintains the membranes with a predetermined amount of relative humidity.\",\n \"8. The system according to claim 1 wherein the anode flow is a reverse direction and the cathode flow is in a forward direction during the shut-down mode.\",\n \"9. The system according to claim 1 wherein both the anode flow and the cathode flow are in a reverse direction during the shut-down mode.\",\n \"10. The system according to claim 1 wherein the hydrogen source is a pressurized hydrogen source that provides the flow of hydrogen fuel.\",\n \"11. A fuel cell system comprising:\\na fuel cell stack including a cathode side and an anode side;\\na compressor providing cathode air to the cathode side of the fuel cell stack;\\na hydrogen source providing hydrogen gas to the anode side of the fuel cell stack; and\\na configuration of valves and piping that allows the hydrogen gas from the hydrogen source to flow through anode flow channels in the anode side of the fuel cell stack in a forward flow direction during normal operation of the fuel cell stack and through the anode flow channels in the anode side of the fuel cell stack in a reverse flow direction during a shut-down mode of the fuel cell system to remove water from the fuel cell stack, wherein during the shut-down mode, air from the compressor flows through the cathode side of the fuel cell stack and draws water through cell membranes from the anode side of the fuel cell stack and the reverse flow of the hydrogen gas through the anode flow channels causes water that has collected in an anode outlet to be pushed into the anode flow channels to be drawn into the cathode side of the fuel cell stack.\",\n \"12. The system according to claim 11 wherein the configuration of valves includes an anode inlet valve and an anode outlet valve.\",\n \"13. The system according to claim 11 further comprising a system load, said fuel cell stack being coupled to the system load at an end of the shut-down mode so as to provide rehydration of membranes in the fuel cell stack.\",\n \"14. The system according to claim 11 wherein the cathode air also flows in a reverse direction during the shut-down mode.\",\n \"15. A method for purging water from a fuel cell stack at system shut-down, said method comprising:\\ndirecting air from a compressor through a cathode side of the fuel cell stack to force water out of cathode flow channels in the cathode side of the fuel cell stack and draw water through fuel cell membranes from anode flow channels in an anode side of the fuel cell stack; and\\nreversing a flow direction of hydrogen gas through an anode side of the fuel cell stack so that the reverse flow direction of the hydrogen gas pushes water from an anode outlet into anode flow channels to be drawn through the fuel cell membranes into the cathode flow channels.\",\n \"16. The method according to claim 15 wherein reversing the direction of flow of the hydrogen gas includes switching an anode inlet valve and an anode outlet valve.\",\n \"17. The method according to claim 15 further comprising coupling a load to the fuel cell stack at an end of the purging process to provide rehydration of membranes in the fuel cell stack.\",\n \"18. The method according to claim 15 wherein directing air from a compressor through a cathode side of the fuel cell stack includes directing air through the cathode side in a reverse direction to provide a uniform wetness across a cathode flow field.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A system, comprising:\\na fuel cell stack;\\nfirst and second pump separators that each comprise an electrolyte disposed between a cathode and an anode;\\na fuel exhaust conduit that fluidly connects a fuel exhaust outlet of the fuel cell stack to a splitter;\\na first separation conduit that fluidly connects an outlet of the splitter to an anode inlet of the first pump separator;\\na second separation conduit that fluidly connects an anode outlet of the first pump separator to an anode inlet of the second pump separator;\\na hydrogen conduit that fluidly connects a cathode outlet of the second pump separator to a fuel inlet of the fuel cell stack; and\\na recycling conduit that fluidly connects the hydrogen conduit to a fuel inlet conduit.\",\n \"2. The system of claim 1, further comprising:\\na byproduct conduit that fluidly connects an anode outlet of the second pump separator to a carbon dioxide use.\",\n \"3. The system of claim 1, further comprising:\\na byproduct conduit that fluidly connects an anode outlet of the second pump separator to a storage device.\",\n \"4. The system of claim 2 or 3, wherein the carbon dioxide use or storage device comprises:\\na dryer configured to remove water from the carbon dioxide stream; and\\na cryogenic storage device configured to store carbon dioxide output from the dryer as dry ice.\",\n \"5. The system of claim 2 or 3, wherein the carbon dioxide use or storage device carbon dioxide as a shippable liquid.\",\n \"6. The system of claim 1, wherein the electrolyte is a proton conductor electrolyte.\",\n \"7. The system of claim 1, wherein the hydrogen of the recycling conduit is mixed with incoming fuel provided from a fuel source before being recycled back to the fuel cell stack.\",\n \"8. The system of claim 1, wherein the hydrogen conduit contains 95% to about 100% H2.\",\n \"9. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second hydrogen pump separators each comprise a carbon microlayer as part of a gas diffusion layer of respective anodes.\",\n \"10. The system of claim 9, wherein respective anodes include a bilayer structure including a polytetrafluoroethylene bonded first electrode and an ionomer bonded electrode second electrode.\",\n \"11. The system of claim 1, wherein electrodes of the first pump separator and the second pump separator include Pt or Pt—Ru.\",\n \"12. The system of claim 1, further comprising an anode tail gas oxidizer (ATO).\",\n \"13. The system of claim 12, an ATO inlet conduit that fluidly connects a cathode outlet of the first pump separator to the anode tail gas oxidizer.\",\n \"14. The system of claim 1, wherein the fuel cell stack is located within a hotbox.\",\n \"15. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second pump separators are electrochemical hydrogen pump separators.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A fuel cell system comprising at least:\\na hydrogen generator which is supplied with a raw material to generate a fuel gas containing hydrogen;\\na humidifier which is supplied with the fuel gas, generated in said hydrogen generator, to humidify the fuel gas by utilizing heat energy and an off gas separately supplied thereto; and\\na fuel cell which is supplied with the fuel gas humidified in said humidifier and an oxidizing gas to generate electric power while discharging the heat energy and the off gas,\\nthe fuel cell system further comprising a condenser which converts steam of the off gas, discharged from said fuel cell, into condensed water by cooling down the steam by heat exchange with a cooling medium, and supplies the condensed water to said humidifier to humidify the fuel gas,\\nwherein said off gas utilized by the humidifier includes fuel gas discharged from the fuel cell.\",\n \"2. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, further comprising a primary cooling water supplying and discharging system which causes primary cooling water to flow through an inside of said fuel cell to directly control a temperature of said fuel cell,\\nthe fuel cell system being configured to use as the cooling medium the primary cooling water in said primary cooling water supplying and discharging system.\",\n \"3. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, further comprising a secondary cooling water supplying and discharging system which causes primary cooling water of said primary cooling water supplying and discharging system to transfer heat to secondary cooling water to indirectly control a temperature of said fuel cell,\\nthe fuel cell system being configured to use as the cooling medium the secondary cooling water in said secondary cooling water supplying and discharging system.\",\n \"4. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, further comprising an air introducing device which introduces air from an outside of the fuel cell system to an inside of the fuel cell system,\\nthe fuel cell system being configured to use as the cooling medium the air introduced to the inside of the fuel cell system by said air introducing device.\",\n \"5. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, being configured to use air of an inside of the fuel cell system as the cooling medium.\",\n \"6. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, being configured such that the condensed water is automatically supplied from said condenser toward said humidifier by gravitational force.\",\n \"7. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, wherein said condenser and said humidifier are integrated with each other to constitute a condensing and humidifying device.\",\n \"8. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, further comprising as said fuel cell a polymer electrolyte fuel cell which is supplied with the fuel gas and the oxidizing gas to generate the electric power.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A method of altering the temperature of off-gases exiting at least one fuel cell stack, the at least one fuel cell stack having separate anode and cathode off-gas flow paths, the method comprising:\\npassing separate anode off-gas from the at least one fuel cell stack and at least one heat transfer fluid through a first heat exchange element to exchange heat between the anode off-gas and the at least one heat transfer fluid;\\npassing the separate anode off-gas from the first heat exchange element to a burner;\\npassing the separate cathode off-gas exiting the at least one fuel cell stack into said burner; and\\nburning the combined anode and cathode off-gases to produce burner off-gas; and passing burner off-gas and the at least one heat transfer fluid through a second heat exchange element to exchange heat between the burner off-gas and the at least one heat transfer fluid.\",\n \"2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the first heat exchange element cools the anode off-gas and heats the at least one heat transfer fluid.\",\n \"3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the second heat exchange element cools the burner off-gas and heats the at least one heat transfer fluid.\",\n \"4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the cooled burner off-gas is output from the second heat exchange element to an exhaust.\",\n \"5. A method according to claim 1, wherein condensate from the burner off-gas is formed in and output from the second heat exchange element.\",\n \"6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the second heat exchange element receives the heat transfer fluid after it has been output from the first heat exchange element.\",\n \"7. A method according to claim 2, wherein condensate from the anode off-gas is formed in and output from the first heat exchange element.\",\n \"8. A method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one heat exchange fluid is chosen from a group comprising: water, refrigerant fluid, anti-freeze fluid, mixed fluids, fuel and air.\",\n \"9. A method according claim 1, wherein the first heat exchange element receives a plurality of heat transfer fluids.\",\n \"10. A method according to claim 9, further comprising independently controlling the rate of flow of each of the heat transfer fluids to optimize heat exchange to or from the heat transfer fluids.\",\n \"11. A method according to claim 1, further comprising passing the separate anode off-gas through a further heat exchange element before it is received by the first heat exchange element, the further heat exchange element exchanging heat between the anode off-gas and a flow of fluid.\",\n \"12. A method according to claim 11, the further heat exchange element cooling the anode off-gas and warming the flow of fluid.\",\n \"13. A method according to claim 11, wherein the flow of fluid into the further heat exchange element is a flow of cathode side feed gas, which cathode side feed gas subsequently enters the at least one fuel cell stack and exits as the cathode off-gas.\",\n \"14. A method according to claim 1, wherein the operating temperature of the fuel cell is between 450° C. and 650° C.\",\n \"15. A method according to claim 5, wherein condensed water is recycled and used to reform fuel before it enters the fuel cell(s).\",\n \"16. A fuel cell system, comprising:\\nat least one fuel cell stack having separate outlets and flow paths for flow of anode and cathode off-gases respectively;\\na first heat exchange element coupled to receive anode off-gas which has been output from the at least one fuel cell stack anode off-gas outlet, the first heat exchange element for exchanging heat between the anode off-gas from the at least one fuel cell stack and the at least one heat transfer fluid;\\na burner configured to receive and combine anode off-gas exiting the first heat exchange element and cathode off-gas exiting the at least one fuel cell stack and combust same to produce burner off-gas; and\\nfurther comprising a second heat exchange element, coupled to receive the heat transfer fluid and burner off-gas from the burner, the second heat exchange element for exchanging heat between the burner off-gas and the heat transfer fluid.\",\n \"17. A fuel cell system according to claim 16, wherein the first heat exchange element is configured to cool the anode off-gas, and heat the heat transfer fluid.\",\n \"18. A fuel cell system according to claim 17, the first heat exchange element being for reducing the operating temperature of the burner.\",\n \"19. A fuel cell system according to claim 16, wherein the second heat exchange element is configured to cool the burner off-gas and heat the heat transfer fluid.\",\n \"20. A fuel cell system according to claim 16, wherein the second heat exchange element comprises a condensing heat exchanger.\",\n \"21. A fuel cell system according to claim 16, wherein the heat exchange fluid flow path is defined by the first heat exchange element followed by the second heat exchange element, for passing heat transfer fluid into, through and out of the first heat exchange element and subsequently into, through and out of the second heat transfer element.\",\n \"22. A fuel cell system according to claim 16, wherein the second heat exchange element is adapted to receive a plurality of heat transfer fluids.\",\n \"23. A fuel cell system according to claim 16, wherein the first heat exchange element comprises a condensing heat exchanger.\",\n \"24. A fuel cell system according claim 16, wherein the first heat transfer exchange element is adapted to receive a plurality of heat transfer fluids.\",\n \"25. A fuel cell system according to claim 16, further comprising a further heat exchange element coupled between the at least one fuel cell stack anode off-gas outlet and the first heat exchange element, for reducing the temperature of the anode off-gas before it enters the first heat exchange element.\",\n \"26. A fuel cell system according to claim 25, wherein the further heat exchange element is a gas-gas heat exchanger.\",\n \"27. A fuel cell system according to claim 25, wherein the first and further heat exchange elements are integrated into a single unit.\",\n \"28. A fuel cell system according to claim 16, wherein the first and second heat exchange elements are integrated into a single unit.\",\n \"29. A fuel cell system according to claim 16, wherein the fuel cell is a solid oxide fuel cell.\",\n \"30. A fuel cell system according to claim 16, wherein the fuel cell is configured to operate between 450° C.-650° C.\",\n \"31. A fuel cell system according to claim 20, wherein the system is configured to recycle water from the condensing heat exchanger(s) and provide the water to a reformer for reforming fuel before it enters the fuel cell(s).\",\n \"32. A fuel cell system according to claim 16, configured to be operated in a marine environment.\",\n \"33. A fuel cell system according to claim 16, configured to be operated in an automotive environment.\",\n \"34. A fuel cell system according to claim 16, configured to be operated in an aeronautical environment.\",\n \"35. In a fuel cell system having separate anode and cathode off-gas outlets and flow paths from at least one fuel cell stack, a heat exchanger system comprising:\\na first condensing heat exchange element coupled to receive anode off-gas from the anode off-gas outlet of the at least one fuel cell stack of the fuel cell system and heat transfer fluid, and output cooled anode off-gas, condensate from the anode off-gas and warmed heat transfer fluid from the first heat exchange element; and\\na burner coupled to the first heat exchange element to receive cooled anode off-gas from the first heat exchange element and cathode off-gas exiting the at least one fuel cell stack and combust same to produce burner off-gas; and\\na further heat exchange element coupled between the at least one fuel cell stack anode off-gas outlet and the first heat exchange element and coupled to receive cathode side feed gas before it enters the at least one fuel cell stack, for reducing the temperature of the anode off-gas before it enters the first heat exchange element, by exchanging heat with the cathode side feed gas.\",\n \"36. In a fuel cell system having separate anode and cathode off-gas outlets and flow paths from at least one fuel cell stack, a heat exchanger system comprising:\\na first condensing heat exchange element coupled to receive anode off-gas from the anode off-gas outlet of the at least one fuel cell stack and heat transfer fluid, and output cooled anode off-gas, condensate from the anode off-gas and warmed heat transfer fluid from the first heat exchange element;\\na burner coupled to the first heat exchange element to receive cooled anode off-gas from the first heat exchange element and cathode off-gas exiting the at least one fuel cell stack and combust same to produce burner off-gas; and\\na second condensing heat exchange element coupled to receive burner off-gas, and the heat transfer fluid, and output cooled burner off-gas, condensate from the burner off-gas and warmed heat transfer fluid from the second heat exchange element.\",\n \"37. In a fuel cell system having separate anode and cathode off-gas outlets and flow paths from at least one fuel cell stack, a heat exchanger system comprising:\\na first condensing heat exchange element coupled to receive anode off-gas from the anode off-gas outlet of the at least one fuel cell stack and heat transfer fluid, and output cooled anode off-gas, condensate from the anode off-gas and warmed heat transfer fluid from the first heat exchange element;\\na burner coupled to the first heat exchange element to receive cooled anode off-gas from the first heat exchange element and cathode off-gas exiting the at least one fuel cell stack and combust same to produce burner off-gas;\\na second condensing heat exchange element coupled to receive burner off-gas, and the heat transfer fluid, and output cooled burner off-gas, condensate from the burner off-gas and warmed heat transfer fluid from the second heat exchange element; and\\na further heat exchange element coupled in the anode off-gas fluid flow path between at least one fuel cell stack and the first heat exchange element, configured to reduce the temperature of the anode off-gas passing therethrough before it enters the first heat exchange element.\",\n \"38. In a fuel cell system having separate anode and cathode off-gas outlets and flow paths from at least one fuel cell stack, a heat exchanger system comprising:\\na first condensing heat exchange element coupled to receive anode off-gas from the anode off-gas outlet of the at least one fuel cell stack and at least one heat transfer fluid, and output cooled anode off-gas, condensate from the anode off-gas and warmed heat transfer fluid from the first heat exchange element; and\\na further heat exchange element coupled in the anode off-gas fluid flow path between at least one fuel cell stack and the first heat exchange element, configured to reduce the temperature of the anode off-gas passing therethrough before it enters the first heat exchange element,\\nwherein the further heat exchange element receives a flow of cathode side feed gas, which subsequently enters the at least one fuel cell stack and exits as cathode off-gas.\",\n \"39. A method of altering the temperature of off-gases exiting at least one fuel cell stack, the at least one fuel cell stack having separate anode and cathode off-gas flow paths, the method comprising:\\npassing separate anode off-gas from the at least one fuel cell stack and at least one heat transfer fluid through a first heat exchange element to exchange heat between the anode off-gas and the at least one heat transfer fluid;\\npassing the separate anode off-gas from the first heat exchange element to a burner;\\npassing the separate cathode off-gas exiting the at least one fuel cell stack into said burner to combine with the anode off-gas and combust to produce burner off-gas;\\nfurther comprising passing the separate anode off-gas through a further heat exchange element before it is received by the first heat exchange element, the further heat exchange element exchanging heat between the anode off-gas and a flow of fluid; and\\nwherein the flow of fluid into the further heat exchange element is a flow of cathode side feed gas, which cathode side feed gas subsequently enters the at least one fuel cell stack and exits as the cathode off-gas.\",\n \"40. A fuel cell system, comprising:\\nat least one fuel cell stack having separate outlets and flow paths for flow of anode and cathode off-gases respectively;\\na first heat exchange element coupled to receive anode off-gas which has been output from the at least one fuel cell stack anode off-gas outlet, the first heat exchange element for exchanging heat between the anode off-gas from the at least one fuel cell stack and the at least one heat transfer fluid;\\na burner configured to receive and combine anode off-gas exiting the first heat exchange element and cathode off-gas exiting the at least one fuel cell stack and combust same to produce burner off-gas; and\\na further heat exchange element coupled between the at least one fuel cell stack anode off-gas outlet and the first heat exchange element and coupled to receive cathode side feed gas before it enters the at least one fuel cell stack, for reducing the temperature of the anode off-gas before it enters the first heat exchange element, by exchanging heat with the cathode side feed gas.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A fuel cell hydrogen recycling system, comprising a fuel cell, a controller, and a gas-liquid separating reservoir comprising a storage tank and a gas-liquid separator positioned beneath the storage tank, the storage tank and the gas-liquid separator are connected to each other vertically, wherein the storage tank is connected to a hydrogen exhaust pipeline and a hydrogen recycling pipeline respectively, the hydrogen exhaust pipeline is provided with a hydrogen outlet valve operated by the controller, the hydrogen recycling pipeline is provided with a hydrogen circulating pump and a check valve, both of which are operated by the controller, a period between adjacent venting states is defined as a venting cycle of electrochemical reaction of a stack, during the venting cycle of electrochemical reaction of a stack, the hydrogen outlet valve is opened by the controller more than once with a constant interval therebetween, and the hydrogen circulating pump and the check valve open only once.\",\n \"2. The fuel cell hydrogen recycling system of claim 1, wherein during the venting cycle of electrochemical reaction of a stack, an opening frequency of the hydrogen outlet valve is 2-10 times that of an opening frequency of the hydrogen circulating pump.\",\n \"3. The fuel cell hydrogen recycling system of claim 1, wherein a pressure sensor connected to the controller is provided between the hydrogen outlet valve and an inlet of the storage tank, during the venting cycle of electrochemical reaction of a stack, the hydrogen outlet valve is opened by the controller to enter the fuel cell hydrogen recycling system into the venting state, and after exhaust gas containing water, nitrogen and hydrogen enters the storage tank and when a pressure of the exhaust gas as detected by the pressure sensor is higher than a preset pressure upper limit, the hydrogen circulating pump and the check valve are opened by the controller to draw the hydrogen in the storage tank back to a hydrogen inlet pipeline.\",\n \"4. The fuel cell hydrogen recycling system of claim 2, wherein the gas-liquid separator discharges water and nitrogen through an exhaust pipeline that is provided with a ventilation valve operated by the controller, inside the storage tank there is a nitrogen concentration meter connected to the controller, inside the gas-liquid separator there is a level gauge connected to the controller, the gas-liquid separator is connected to the ventilation valve, when a concentration of nitrogen in the storage tank as measured by the nitrogen concentration meter is higher than a preset nitrogen concentration threshold or when a water level as measured by the level gauge is higher than a preset water level threshold, the controller opens the ventilation valve to discharge the water and the nitrogen and closes the ventilation valve after the water and the nitrogen have been discharged.\",\n \"5. The fuel cell hydrogen recycling system of claim 4, wherein the gas-liquid separator is provided beneath the storage tank in the gas-liquid separating reservoir, for discharge of the nitrogen and the water that have specific gravities larger than hydrogen through the ventilation valve.\"\n ],\n [\n \"23. An electrochemical cell comprising:\\na cell housing defining an air chamber, an inflow port, and an outlet, the inflow port and the outlet in fluid communication with one another via the air chamber;\\nan electrolyte disposed in the air chamber;\\na pair of electrodes spaced apart from one another in the electrolyte in the air chamber;\\na humidity exchange membrane having an inflow side and an outflow side, the inflow side exposed to air entering the cell housing through the inflow port, the outflow side exposed to air exiting the cell through the outlet, and moisture movable through the humidity exchange membrane from the outflow side to the inflow side; and\\na scrubber including scrubber media in fluid communication between the inflow side of the humidity exchange membrane and the inflow port of the cell housing, and carbon dioxide from air flowing through the scrubber removable by the scrubber media.\",\n \"24. The electrochemical cell of claim 23, wherein the humidity exchange membrane includes an ionically conductive polymer or perfluorosulfonic acid polymer.\",\n \"25. The electrochemical cell of claim 23, wherein the scrubber media is irreversible scrubber media.\",\n \"26. The electrochemical cell of claim 25, wherein the irreversible scrubber media includes soda lime, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide, lithium peroxide, calcium oxide, calcium carbonate, serpentinite, magnesium silicate magnesium hydroxide, olivine, molecular sieves, amines, monothanolamine, and/or combinations thereof.\",\n \"27. The electrochemical cell of claim 23, wherein the scrubber media comprises a reversible scrubber media.\",\n \"28. The electrochemical cell of claim 27, wherein the reversible scrubber media comprises amine groups.\",\n \"29. The electrochemical cell of claim 23, wherein the scrubber includes a heating element.\",\n \"30. The electrochemical cell of claim 29, wherein the heating element is a passive heating element that directs heat from the cell to the scrubber media.\",\n \"31. The electrochemical cell of claim 29, wherein the heating element comprises an electric heating element.\",\n \"32. The electrochemical cell of claim 23, wherein the scrubber is releasably attachable to the cell housing.\",\n \"33. The electrochemical cell of claim 32, wherein the electrochemical cell is operable with the scrubber detached from the cell housing.\",\n \"34. The electrochemical cell of claim 23, further comprising a recirculation feature through which a portion of air exiting the cell through the outlet is transferrable to inlet airflow movable over the inflow side of the humidity exchange membrane.\",\n \"35. The electrochemical cell of claim 34, wherein the portion of air transferrable to the inlet airflow, via the recirculation feature, is adjustable.\",\n \"36. The electrochemical cell of claim 34, wherein the recirculation feature is a valve.\",\n \"37. The electrochemical cell of claim 34, wherein the recirculation feature is a baffle.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A fuel cell system, comprising a fuel cell stack, an air supply system connected to a cathode side of the fuel cell stack, and a hydrogen supply system connected to an anode side of the fuel cell stack, wherein the air supply system includes an air compressor, an air inlet tube, and an air outlet tube, while the hydrogen supply system includes a hydrogen storage tank, a hydrogen inlet tube, and a hydrogen outlet tube,\\nwherein\\nthe air outlet tube is connected to a low-oxygen, gas storage tank through a manifold, and the low-oxygen gas storage tank is connected back to the hydrogen inlet tube through a circulating tube, whereby during stop of the fuel cell, air supply is reduced by stopping the air compressor or reducing a rotating speed of the air compressor, hydrogen remaining at the anode side of the fuel cell stack consumes or dilutes oxygen in air at the cathode side, and a low-oxygen gas so generated is partially used to purge the fuel cell stack and partially stored in the low-oxygen gas storage tank, wherein\\nbefore start of the fuel cell, the low-oxygen gas stored in the low-oxygen gas storage tank fills and purges the anode side of the fuel cell stack, expels oxygen remaining at the anode side or reduce a content of oxygen at the anode side to a level where filling of hydrogen is safe.\",\n \"2. The fuel cell system of claim 1, wherein the air outlet tube is provided with a first solenoid valve, when the first solenoid valve is closed and the oxygen in air at the cathode side is consumed, the low-oxygen gas generated at the cathode side of the fuel cell is stored into the low-oxygen gas storage tank via the manifold.\",\n \"3. The fuel cell system of claim 1, wherein the manifold is provided with a second solenoid valve, the second solenoid vale is open when the fuel cell stops, so that the low-oxygen gas generated at the cathode side of the fuel cell is stored into the low-oxygen gas storage tank via the second solenoid valve.\",\n \"4. The fuel cell system of claim 2, wherein the circulating tube is provided with a third solenoid valve and a check valve,\\nwhen the third solenoid valve and the check valve are open, before the fuel cell starts, the low-oxygen gas stored in the low-oxygen gas storage tank fills and purges the anode side of the fuel cell stack via the third solenoid valve and the check valve of the circulating tube, expels oxygen remaining at the anode side or reduce a content of oxygen at the anode side to a level where filling of hydrogen is safe,\\nwhen the third solenoid valve and the check valve are closed, before the fuel cell stops, the low-oxygen gas generated at the cathode side of the fuel cell is stored into the low-oxygen gas storage tank via the second solenoid valve.\",\n \"5. The fuel cell system of claim 1, wherein the hydrogen inlet tube is provided with a fourth solenoid valve,\\nwhen the oxygen remaining therein is expelled from the anode side of the fuel cell stack or the content of oxygen at the anode side is reduced to a level where filling of hydrogen is safe, the fourth solenoid valve is opened to input hydrogen to the anode side of the fuel cell stack.\",\n \"6. The fuel cell system of claim 1, wherein the hydrogen outlet tube is provided with a sensor for measuring a content of hydrogen.\",\n \"7. A method for purging the fuel cell system of claim 1 during its stop and start process, wherein the method uses the fuel cell system to produce low-oxygen gas, so that during stop of the fuel cell system, hydrogen remaining at the anode side of the fuel cell system is diluted and expelled by purging of the low-oxygen gas, and during start of the fuel cell system, the low-oxygen gas at the anode side of the fuel cell system is diluted and expelled by purging of the low-oxygen gas, the method comprises steps of:\\ni) where there is a need of producing the low-oxygen gas or during stop of the fuel cell system, reducing air supply by stopping the air compressor or reducing a rotating speed of the air compressor, closing the first solenoid valve, opening the second solenoid valve, the third solenoid valve and the check valve, using hydrogen remaining or reserved according to needs at the anode side of the fuel cell stack to continuously generate electric power, so as to obtain the low-oxygen gas by way of consuming oxygen in air at the cathode side and, storing the low-oxygen gas into the low-oxygen gas storage tank through the manifold, and transferring the low-oxygen gas to the anode side of the fuel cell stack through the circulating tube to purge hydrogen remaining in a channel at the anode side so as to reduce a concentration of hydrogen to a level below 4%; and\\nii) before start of the fuel cell system, first opening the third solenoid valve and the check valve, the low-oxygen gas stored in the low-oxygen gas storage tank filling and purging the anode side of the fuel cell stack via the circulating tube so as to expel oxygen potentially remaining therein or to reduce a content of oxygen at the anode side to a level where filling of hydrogen is safe, and opening the fourth solenoid valve to input hydrogen to the anode side of the fuel cell stack.\",\n \"8. A fuel cell system, comprising a fuel cell stack, an air supply system connected to a cathode at a cathode side of the fuel cell stack, and a hydrogen supply system connected to an anode at an anode side of the fuel cell stack, wherein the air supply system includes an air compressor, an air inlet tube, and an air outlet tube, while the hydrogen supply system includes a hydrogen storage tank, a hydrogen inlet tube and a hydrogen outlet tube, in which the air outlet tube is connected to a low-oxygen gas storage tank through a manifold, and the low-oxygen gas storage tank is connected back to the hydrogen inlet tube through a circulating tube, while the air inlet tube and the hydrogen inlet tube are connected by a connecting tube that is provided with a first solenoid valve, so that during stop of the fuel cell, redundant hydrogen at the anode side of the fuel cell stack consumes oxygen in air remaining at the cathode side, when a low-oxygen gas generated expels hydrogen remaining at the anode side of the fuel cell stack, the air compressor supplies high pressure air to the anode side and the cathode side of the fuel cell stack at the same time so as to purge the produced water in the fuel cell stack.\",\n \"9. The fuel cell system of claim 8, wherein the air outlet tube is provided with a second solenoid valve and the manifold is provided with a third solenoid valve while the circulating tube is provided with a fourth solenoid valve and a check valve, in which the hydrogen inlet tube is provided with a fifth solenoid valve and the hydrogen outlet tube is provided with a sensor for measuring a content of hydrogen.\",\n \"10. A method for purging and removing water for the fuel cell system of claim 8 during its stop and start, which safely expels water standing in the fuel cell system during stop of the fuel cell system with low-oxygen gas, the method comprises steps of:\\ni) where there is a need of producing low-oxygen gas or during stop of the fuel cell system, reducing air supply by stopping the air compressor or reducing a rotating speed of the air compressor, closing the second solenoid valve, opening the third solenoid valve, the fourth solenoid valve and the check valve, using hydrogen remaining or reserved according to needs at the anode side of the fuel cell stack to continuously generate electric power, so as obtain the low-oxygen gas by way of consuming oxygen in air at the cathode side, storing the low-oxygen gas into the low-oxygen gas storage tank through the manifold, and transferring the low-oxygen gas to the anode side of the fuel cell stack through the circulating tube to purge a channel at the anode side so as to reduce a concentration of hydrogen to a level below 4%; and\\nii) closing the fourth solenoid valve, storing the remaining low-oxygen gas into the low-oxygen gas storage tank, opening the first solenoid valve a and the air compressor to deliver high-pressure high-flow air to both the anode side and the cathode side of the fuel cell stack, so as to effectively purge water standing in the fuel cell stack as a product of reaction.\",\n \"11. A purging and water-evacuating system for a fuel cell, at least comprising an air supply system and hydrogen supply system, wherein\\na connecting tube between an air inlet tube and a hydrogen inlet tube is provided with a first solenoid valve, during stop, after using low-oxygen gas to dilute and purge hydrogen in a fluid channel at an anode side, air is continuously supplied to anode sides and cathode sides of fuel cell stacks by air compressor to purge water standing in a fuel cell stack, so as to further protect the fuel cell stack.\",\n \"12. The purging and water-evacuating system for a fuel cell of claim 11, wherein an air outlet tube is connected to a low-oxygen gas storage tank via a manifold, the low-oxygen gas storage tank is connected back to an hydrogen inlet tube via a circulating tube, wherein low-oxygen gas is used to purge fluid channel at the anode side to expel hydrogen, thereby forcing electrochemical reaction in a stack to stop in time so as to protect the stack;\\nthe produced low-oxygen gas is stored, during start, the low-oxygen gas is used to purge the anode side, expelling oxygen potentially remaining therein or reducing a content of oxygen at the anode side to a level where filling of hydrogen is safe, so as to improve safety and save energy.\",\n \"13. The purging and water-evacuating system for a fuel cell of claim 12, wherein during stop of the fuel cell, hydrogen remaining at an anode side of a fuel cell stack consumes oxygen in air at an cathode side or reduces its concentration, low-oxygen gas generated is used to purge and dilute the fuel cell stack, a remaining portion is stored in the low-oxygen gas storage tank.\",\n \"14. The purging and water-evacuating system for a fuel cell of claim 11, wherein during stop or where there is a need of producing low-oxygen gas, a second solenoid valve on the air outlet tube is closed and a third solenoid valve on the manifold is open, the air compressor is stopped or a rotating speed of the air compressor is reduced to reduce air supply, hydrogen remaining or reserved according to needs at the anode side of the fuel cell stack is used to continuously generate electric power so as to obtain the low-oxygen gas by way of consuming oxygen in air at the cathode side.\",\n \"15. The purging and water-evacuating system for a fuel cell of claim 14, wherein when a fourth solenoid valve on the circulating tube is closed and the first solenoid valve is open, the air compressor inputs high-pressure high-flow air to both the anode side and the cathode side of the fuel cell stack, so as to effectively purge water standing in the fuel cell stack as a product of reaction.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A method of discharging water from a mobile object, which includes: a fuel cell discharging an exhaust gas; a gas-liquid separator separating the exhaust gas into a gas component and a liquid component, and storing the liquid component as an exhaust water; and a circulation pump sending out the gas component flown from the gas-liquid separator, the method comprising:\\nan inclined state detection step of detecting an inclined state of the mobile object with respect to a horizontal plane;\\na scavenging start step of starting to supply scavenging gas at a predetermined first supply flow rate to a gas flow path in the fuel cell, by driving the circulation pump, when the mobile object is in a predetermined inclined state in which an outlet of the gas flow path is directed upward against a direction of gravity;\\na discharging water step of discharging the exhaust water stored in the gas-liquid separator while the scavenging gas is supplied to the fuel cell; and\\na supply flow rate increase step of increasing a rotational speed of the circulation pump so that the supply flow rate of the scavenging gas is increased to a second supply flow rate higher than the first supply flow rate after a certain amount of exhaust water has been discharged following starting to supply the scavenging gas.\",\n \"2. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein\\nthe inclined state detection step is a step of acquiring an inclination angle of the mobile object with respect to the horizontal plane as a parameter expressing the inclined state of the mobile object, and\\nthe supply flow rate increase step includes a step of changing the second supply flow rate in accordance with the inclination angle.\",\n \"3. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein\\nthe inclined state detection step is a step of acquiring an inclination angle of the mobile object with respect to the horizontal plane as a parameter expressing the inclined state of the mobile object, and\\nthe discharging water step is a step of discharging the exhaust water at a predetermined water discharge interval, and includes a step of changing the water discharge interval in accordance with the inclination angle.\",\n \"4. The method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:\\na first scavenging step of scavenging a first gas flow path, which is the gas flow path supplied a first reactive gas that is one reactive gas used for the generating of the fuel cell, by using the scavenging gas as first scavenging gas; and\\na second scavenging step of scavenging a second gas flow path, which is provided in the fuel cell and supplied a second reactive gas that is another reactive gas, by supplying a second scavenging gas that is different from the first scavenging gas, and introducing an exhaust water discharged from the second gas flow path to an outside of the mobile object through a water discharge pipe connected to the fuel cell, wherein\\nin the first scavenging step, the scavenging start step, the discharging water step, and the supply flow rate increase step are executed, and\\nin the second scavenging step, the inclined state of the mobile object with respect to the horizontal plane is detected, and a step of increasing a flow rate of the second scavenging gas is executed when the mobile object is in a predetermined inclined state where a direction of the water discharge pipe extending toward a downstream side is directed upward against the direction of gravity.\",\n \"5. A fuel cell system installed in a mobile object, the fuel cell system comprising:\\na fuel cell incorporating a gas flow path for reaction gas;\\na gas-liquid separator that separates exhaust gas from the fuel cell into a gas component and a liquid component, and stores the liquid component as exhaust water;\\na circulation pump that circulates the gas component, obtained by the separation in the gas-liquid separator, to the fuel cell;\\nan on-off valve that controls discharging of the exhaust water from the gas-liquid separator through an opening and closing operation;\\na controller programmed to execute a scavenging processing of circulating scavenging gas to the fuel cell by driving the circulation pump, and execute a water discharge processing of discharging the exhaust water from the gas-liquid separator by opening the water discharge valve while the scavenging gas is supplied to the fuel cell; and\\nan inclined state detector configured to detect an inclined state of the mobile object with respect to a horizontal plane, wherein\\nthe controller is programmed to start, in the scavenging processing, supplying the scavenging gas to the gas flow path in the fuel cell at a predetermined first supply flow rate when the mobile object is in a predetermined inclined state where an outlet of the gas flow path is directed upward against a direction of gravity, and\\nthe controller is programmed to increase a rotational speed of the circulation pump in the scavenging processing so that the supply flow rate of the scavenging gas is increased to a second supply flow rate higher than the first supply flow rate after a certain amount of exhaust water has been discharged following starting to supply the scavenging gas.\",\n \"6. The fuel cell system in accordance with claim 5, wherein\\nthe inclined state detector is configured to acquire an inclination angle of the mobile object with respect to the horizontal plane, and\\nthe controller is programmed to change the second supply flow rate in accordance with the inclination angle.\",\n \"7. The fuel cell system in accordance with claim 5, wherein\\nthe inclined state detector is configured to acquire an inclination angle of the mobile object with respect to the horizontal plane as a parameter expressing the inclined state of the mobile object,\\nthe water discharge processing including a step of opening the on-off valve at a predetermined water discharge interval, and\\nthe controller is programmed to change the water discharge interval in accordance with the inclination angle in the water discharge processing.\",\n \"8. The fuel cell system in accordance with claim 5, wherein\\nthe fuel cell includes:\\na first electrode;\\na second electrode;\\na first gas flow path connected to the first electrode; and\\na second gas flow path connected to the second electrode, wherein\\nthe gas-liquid separator is connected to the first gas flow path,\\nthe scavenging processing is a first scavenging processing of scavenging the first gas flow path by supplying the scavenging gas to the fuel cell as a first scavenging gas,\\na water discharge pipe connected to the second gas flow path is configured to guide the exhaust water in the fuel cell to an outside of the mobile object,\\nthe controller is programmed to execute a second scavenging processing of scavenging the second gas flow path by supplying second scavenging gas, and guiding the exhaust water discharged from the second gas flow path to the outside of the mobile object through the water discharge pipe when the inclined state detector detects that the mobile object is in a predetermined inclined state where a downstream side of the water discharge pipe is directed upward against the direction of gravity, and\\nthe controller is programmed to increase a flow rate of the second scavenging gas in the second scavenging processing after a certain amount of exhaust water has been discharged following starting to supply the second scavenging gas.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A voltage control method for a fuel cell in a power supply system including the fuel cell configured to supply an electric power to a load, the voltage control method comprising:\\ninterrupting an electrical connection between the fuel cell and the load when the load is in a low load state where the electric power required by the load is less than or equal to a predetermined reference value;\\nsupplying oxygen to the fuel cell based on a preset condition when the electrical connection between the fuel cell and the load is interrupted, the preset condition being a condition for supplying the fuel cell with oxygen required to adjust an open circuit voltage of the fuel cell to a predetermined target voltage;\\ndetecting the open circuit voltage of the fuel cell after oxygen is supplied to the fuel cell based on the preset condition;\\nin a first voltage state where the detected open circuit voltage is higher than the target voltage by a first value or larger, reducing an amount of oxygen supplied to the fuel cell;\\nin a second voltage state where the detected open circuit voltage is lower than the target voltage by a second value or larger, increasing the amount of oxygen supplied to the fuel cell; and\\nin a voltage keeping state where the detected open circuit voltage is lower than a sum of the target voltage and the first value and higher than a value obtained by subtracting the second value from the target voltage, keeping the amount of oxygen supplied to the fuel cell.\",\n \"2. The voltage control method according to claim 1, further comprising:\\ndetermining, in the low load state, whether a first state or a second state applies, the first state being a state where there is a higher probability that the load quickly requires the electric power than a probability that the load quickly requires the electric power in the second state;\\nusing a predetermined first target voltage as the target voltage when it is determined that the first state applies; and\\nusing a second target voltage as the target voltage when it is determined that the second state applies, the second target voltage being lower than the first target voltage.\",\n \"3. The voltage control method according to claim 1, further comprising:\\nusing a first target voltage as the target voltage when a time elapsed after oxygen is supplied to the fuel cell based on the preset condition in the low load state is shorter than a preset reference time; and\\nchanging the target voltage from the first target voltage to a second target voltage lower than the first target voltage when the preset reference time has elapsed after oxygen is supplied to the fuel cell based on the preset condition.\",\n \"4. The voltage control method according to claim 1, further comprising:\\ndetermining, in the low load state, whether a shift position is a predetermined drive position or a predetermined non-drive position;\\nusing a predetermined first target voltage as the target voltage when the shift position is determined to be the predetermined drive position; and\\nusing a second target voltage as the target voltage when the shift position is determined to be the predetermined non-drive position, the second target voltage being lower than the first target voltage.\",\n \"5. The voltage control method according to claim 4, further comprising:\\nusing the first target voltage as the target voltage when a time elapsed after oxygen is supplied to the fuel cell based on the preset condition is shorter than a preset reference time and when the shift position is determined to be the predetermined drive position; and\\nchanging the target voltage from the first target voltage to the second target voltage when the preset reference time has elapsed after oxygen is supplied to the fuel cell based on the preset condition and when the shift position is determined to be the predetermined drive position.\",\n \"6. The voltage control method according to claim 1, further comprising:\\ndetermining, in the low load state, whether a vehicle including the fuel cell is in a first state or a second state, the load having a higher probability of requiring a predetermined responsiveness of the electric power in the first state than in the second state, the predetermined responsiveness being higher than or equal to a predetermined level;\\nusing a predetermined first target voltage as the target voltage when the vehicle is in the first state; and\\nusing a second target voltage as the target voltage when the vehicle is in the second state, the second target voltage being lower than the first target voltage.\",\n \"7. The voltage control method according to claim 1, further comprising:\\nchanging the target voltage from a first target voltage to a second target voltage lower than the first target voltage when the open circuit voltage of the fuel cell decreases, after oxygen is supplied to the fuel cell based on the preset condition in the low load state, by a preset allowable value or larger with respect to the first target voltage set as the target voltage.\",\n \"8. The voltage control method according to claim 2, further comprising\\ntemporarily stopping supply of oxygen to the fuel cell before oxygen is supplied to the fuel cell after a target value of the open circuit voltage of the fuel cell is changed from the first target voltage to the second target voltage.\",\n \"9. A voltage control method for a fuel cell in a power supply system including the fuel cell configured to supply an electric power to a load, the voltage control method comprising:\\nsupplying oxygen to the fuel cell based on a preset condition in a low load state where an electric power required by the load is less than or equal to a predetermined reference value, the preset condition being a condition for supplying the fuel cell with oxygen required to adjust a voltage of the fuel cell to a predetermined target voltage;\\ndetecting the voltage of the fuel cell after oxygen is supplied to the fuel cell based on the preset condition;\\ncausing the fuel cell to generate an electric power by setting an output voltage to the target voltage in a first voltage state where the detected voltage is higher than the target voltage by a first value or larger;\\nin a second voltage state where the detected voltage is lower than the target voltage by a second value or larger, increasing an amount of oxygen supplied to the fuel cell in a state where electrical connection between the fuel cell and the load is interrupted; and\\nkeeping the amount of oxygen supplied to the fuel cell in a voltage keeping state where the detected voltage is lower than a sum of the target voltage and the first value and is higher than a value obtained by subtracting the second value from the target voltage.\",\n \"10. A power supply system comprising:\\na fuel cell configured to supply an electric power to a load;\\nan oxygen supply device configured to supply oxygen to a cathode of the fuel cell;\\nan oxygen amount regulator configured to regulate an amount of oxygen supplied to the cathode by the oxygen supply device;\\na load interrupter configured to interrupt electrical connection between the fuel cell and the load in a low load state where an electric power required by the load is lower than or equal to a predetermined reference value; and\\na voltage sensor configured to detect an open circuit voltage of the fuel cell,\\nwherein the oxygen amount regulator is further configured to drive the oxygen supply device in accordance with a preset condition in the low load state, the preset condition being a condition for supplying the fuel cell with oxygen required to adjust the open circuit voltage of the fuel cell to a predetermined target voltage,\\nthe oxygen amount regulator is further configured to drive, after the oxygen supply device is driven, the oxygen supply device in a first voltage state to decrease the amount of oxygen supplied to the fuel cell, the first voltage state being a state where the detected open circuit voltage is higher than the target voltage by a first value or larger, and\\nthe oxygen amount regulator is further configured to drive, after the oxygen supply device is driven, the oxygen supply device in a second voltage state to increase the amount of oxygen supplied to the fuel cell, the second voltage state being a state where the detected open circuit voltage is lower than the target voltage by a second value or larger.\",\n \"11. The power supply system according to claim 10, wherein\\nthe oxygen supply device includes an oxygen supply passage, an oxygen introducing device, a bypass passage, a flow dividing valve, and a flow regulating valve,\\nthe oxygen supply passage is a passage connected to the cathode,\\nthe oxygen introducing device is configured to introduce oxygen into the oxygen supply passage,\\nthe bypass passage branches off from the oxygen supply passage and is configured to guide oxygen supplied from the oxygen introducing device without allowing the oxygen to pass through the cathode,\\nthe flow dividing valve is provided at a position at which the bypass passage branches off from the oxygen supply passage, and is configured to change a proportion of distribution of oxygen distributed between the oxygen supply passage and the bypass passage depending on a state of opening of the flow dividing valve,\\nthe flow regulating valve is provided in the oxygen supply passage, and is configured to change the amount of oxygen supplied to the cathode, and\\nthe oxygen amount regulator is configured to adjust the amount of oxygen supplied to the cathode by changing at least one of an amount of oxygen introduced by the oxygen introducing device, the state of opening of the flow dividing valve, or an opening degree of the flow regulating valve.\",\n \"12. The power supply system according to claim 11, wherein\\nthe oxygen amount regulator is further configured to adjust the amount of oxygen supplied to the cathode by changing the opening degree of the flow regulating valve in a state where the amount of oxygen introduced by the oxygen introducing device and the state of opening of the flow dividing valve are fixed.\",\n \"13. A power supply system comprising:\\na fuel cell configured to supply an electric power to a load;\\nan oxygen supply device configured to supply oxygen to a cathode of the fuel cell;\\nat least one electronic control unit configured to adjust an amount of oxygen supplied by the oxygen supply device to the cathode and to control a state of output of the fuel cell;\\na load interrupter configured to interrupt electrical connection between the fuel cell and the load; and\\na voltage sensor configured to detect a voltage of the fuel cell,\\nwherein the electronic control unit is further configured to drive the oxygen supply device in accordance with a preset condition in a low load state, the preset condition being a condition for supplying the fuel cell with oxygen required to adjust the voltage of the fuel cell to a predetermined target voltage,\\nthe electronic control unit is further configured to drive the oxygen supply device to increase the amount of oxygen, which is supplied to the cathode, after the oxygen supply device is driven in accordance with the preset condition, in a second voltage state, and in a state where the load interrupter interrupts the electrical connection between the fuel cell and the load, the second voltage state being a state where the detected voltage is lower than the target voltage by a second value or larger, and\\nthe electronic control unit is configured to control the state of output of the fuel cell to change an output voltage of the fuel cell to the target voltage after the electronic control unit drives the oxygen supply device in accordance with the preset condition, and in a first voltage state where the detected voltage is higher than the target voltage by a first value or larger.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. An unmanned surface vehicle including a power system, the power system comprising:\\na fuel cell including a fuel cell stack, wherein the fuel cell stack includes a fuel inlet;\\na fuel storage including at least one fuel-storage module fluidly connected to the fuel inlet of the fuel cell stack, wherein the at least one fuel-storage module is a source of energy for the fuel cell; and\\na fuel and thermal management system fluidly connected to the fuel inlet of the fuel cell stack, wherein the fuel and thermal management system comprises:\\na heat exchanger in thermal communication with the fuel cell stack for removing waste heat produced by the fuel cell stack during operation;\\na primary circuit and a secondary circuit, wherein the primary circuit circulates coolant between the fuel cell stack and the heat exchanger, and the secondary circuit circulates the coolant between the fuel storage and the heat exchanger;\\na liquid valve and a diverter conduit, wherein the liquid valve is opened in order to allow the coolant circulating in the secondary circuit to flow through the diverter conduit;\\na water-cooled heat exchanger, wherein the coolant flowing through the diverter conduit flows to the water-cooled heat exchanger, wherein the water-cooled heat exchanger is cooled by a body of water the unmanned surface vehicle is deployed within; and\\na flow valve, a pressure regulator, and a conduit, wherein the conduit fluidly connects the fuel storage to the fuel cell stack to deliver fuel from the fuel storage to the fuel cell stack by the conduit, and the flow valve and the pressure regulator are both located along the conduit.\",\n \"2. The unmanned surface vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a control module in communication with a heater, wherein the heater is in thermal communication with and heats fuel contained within the fuel storage.\",\n \"3. The unmanned surface vehicle of claim 2, wherein the fuel storage includes a metal-hydride fuel-storage substrate, and wherein the control module activates the heater to warm the metal-hydride fuel-storage substrate to a target temperature to achieve a target gaseous hydrogen fuel generation rate.\",\n \"4. The unmanned surface vehicle of claim 2, further comprising a pressure sensor and temperature sensor in communication with the control module, wherein the pressure sensor indicates a gas pressure of the at least one fuel-storage module and the temperature sensor indicates an internal temperature of the at least one fuel-storage module.\",\n \"5. The unmanned surface vehicle of claim 4, wherein the control module monitors the pressure sensor and the temperature sensor, and wherein the control module deactivates the heater in response to determining at least one of the following:\\nthe gas pressure of the at least one fuel-storage module has reached a predefined limit, and\\nthe internal temperature of the at least one fuel-storage module is at a target temperature.\",\n \"6. The unmanned surface vehicle of claim 1, wherein the fuel storage stores metal hydride, and wherein waste heat produced by the fuel cell stack is conducted by coolant flowing through the heat exchanger.\",\n \"7. The unmanned surface vehicle of claim 6, wherein the coolant flowing through the heat exchanger circulates to the fuel storage to heat the metal hydride.\",\n \"8. The unmanned surface vehicle of claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger draws waste heat from the fuel cell stack through the primary circuit.\",\n \"9. The unmanned surface vehicle of claim 1, further comprising an air blower for cooling the fuel cell stack to a target stack temperature.\",\n \"10. The unmanned surface vehicle of claim 9, further comprising a control module in communication with the air blower and a primary pump, wherein the primary pump circulates coolant flowing within the primary circuit between the fuel cell stack and the heat exchanger.\",\n \"11. The unmanned surface vehicle of claim 10, wherein the control module executes instructions for:\\ncontinuously monitoring power consumed by the air blower and power consumed by the primary pump;\\ncomparing the power consumed by the air blower to the power consumed by the primary pump; in response to determining the power consumed by the air blower is equal to or less than the power consumed by the primary pump, continuing to power the air blower to cool the fuel cell stack to the target stack temperature; and\\nin response to determining the power consumed by the air blower is greater than the power consumed by the primary pump, reducing a speed of the air blower and activating the primary pump cool the fuel cell stack to the target stack temperature.\",\n \"12. The unmanned surface vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a secondary pump that circulates the coolant in the secondary circuit.\",\n \"13. The unmanned surface vehicle of claim 12, wherein the secondary pump is a variable displacement pump.\",\n \"14. The unmanned surface vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a three-way valve fluidly connected to the heat exchanger.\",\n \"15. The unmanned surface vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a three-way valve fluidly connected to the fuel storage.\",\n \"16. A method of delivering fuel to and removing reaction waste heat from a fuel cell stack of a fuel cell by a fuel and thermal management system that is part of a power system for an unmanned surface vehicle, the method comprising:\\nfluidly connecting a fuel storage including at least one fuel-storage module to a fuel inlet of the fuel cell stack of the fuel cell, wherein the at least one fuel-storage module is a source of energy for the fuel cell;\\nremoving the reaction waste heat produced by the fuel cell stack by a heat exchanger in thermal communication with the fuel cell stack;\\nfluidly connecting the fuel storage to the fuel cell stack by a conduit, wherein a flow valve and a pressure regulator are both located along the conduit;\\ncirculating coolant by a primary circuit between the fuel cell stack and the heat exchanger and a secondary circuit between the fuel storage and the heat exchanger;\\nopening a liquid valve in order to allow the coolant circulating in the secondary circuit to flow through a diverter conduit;\\nallowing the coolant flowing through the diverter conduit to flow to a water-cooled heat exchanger, wherein the water-cooled heat exchanger is cooled by a body of water the unmanned surface vehicle is deployed within; and\\ndelivering the fuel from the fuel storage to the fuel cell stack by the conduit.\",\n \"17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:\\nactivating, by a control module, a heater to warm a metal-hydride fuel-storage substrate of the fuel storage to a target temperature to achieve a target gaseous hydrogen fuel generation rate, wherein the heater is in thermal communication with and heats fuel contained within the fuel storage.\",\n \"18. The method of claim 16, further comprising:\\nmonitoring, by a control module, a pressure sensor and temperature sensor, wherein the pressure sensor indicates a gas pressure of the at least one fuel-storage module and the temperature sensor indicates an internal temperature of the at least one fuel-storage module.\",\n \"19. The method of claim 18, wherein the fuel and thermal management system further comprises a heater in thermal communication with and heats fuel contained within the fuel storage, and wherein the method further comprises:\\ndeactivating, by a control module, the heater in response to the control module determining at least one of the following:\\nthe gas pressure of the at least one fuel-storage module has reached a predefined limit, and\\nthe internal temperature of the at least one fuel-storage module is at a target temperature.\",\n \"20. The method of claim 16, further comprising an air blower for cooling the fuel cell stack to a target stack temperature, a control module, and a primary pump, wherein the control module is in communication with the air blower and the primary pump, and the primary pump circulates coolant flowing within the primary circuit between the fuel cell stack and the heat exchanger, and wherein the method further comprises:\\ncontinuously monitoring power consumed by the air blower and power consumed by the primary pump;\\ncomparing the power consumed by the air blower to the power consumed by the primary pump;\\nin response to determining the power consumed by the air blower is equal to or less than the power consumed by the primary pump, continuing to power the air blower to cool the fuel cell stack to the target stack temperature; and\\nin response to determining the power consumed by the air blower is greater than the power consumed by the primary pump, reducing a speed of the air blower and activating the primary pump cool the fuel cell stack to the target stack temperature.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. An electrochemical fuel cell assembly comprising:\\na fuel cell stack having a fuel delivery inlet and a fuel delivery outlet,\\nthe fuel cell stack further comprising a number of fuel cells each having a membrane-electrode assembly and a fluid flow path coupled between the fuel delivery inlet and the fuel delivery outlet for delivery of fuel to the membrane-electrode assembly;\\na fuel delivery conduit coupled to the fuel delivery inlet for delivery of fluid fuel to the stack;\\na bleed conduit coupled to the fuel delivery outlet for venting fluid out of the stack; and,\\na variable orifice flow control device coupled to the bleed conduit configured to dynamically vary an amount of fluid from the fuel delivery outlet passing into the bleed conduit as a function of one or more control parameters; and,\\nwherein the variable orifice flow control device is configured to dynamically vary the proportion of fluid passing into the bleed conduit as a function of the quantity of water and/or water vapour being extracted from the fuel circuit delivery.\",\n \"2. An electrochemical fuel cell assembly comprising:\\na fuel cell stack having a fuel delivery inlet and a fuel delivery outlet,\\nthe fuel cell stack further comprising a number of fuel cells each having a membrane-electrode assembly and a fluid flow path coupled between the fuel delivery inlet and the fuel delivery outlet for delivery of fuel to the membrane-electrode assembly;\\na fuel delivery conduit coupled to the fuel delivery inlet for delivery of fluid fuel to the stack;\\na bleed conduit coupled to the fuel delivery outlet for venting fluid out of the stack;\\na variable orifice flow control device coupled to the bleed conduit configured to dynamically vary an amount of fluid from the fuel delivery outlet passing into the bleed conduit as function of one or more control parameters;\\na recirculation conduit coupled between the fuel delivery outlet and the fuel delivery conduit for recirculating fluid from the fuel delivery outlet to the fuel delivery inlet, the fuel delivery conduit, the recirculation conduit and the fuel flow paths in the fuel cell stack together defining a fuel circuit;\\nwherein the variable orifice flow control device is coupled to the recirculation conduit and is configured to dynamically vary a proportion of fluid from the fuel delivery outlet passing into the bleed conduit as a function of the control parameters,\\nwherein the recirculation conduit is coupled to the fuel delivery conduit by way of an ejector in the fuel delivery conduit, the recirculation conduit being coupled to a suction port of the ejector and the fuel delivery inlet being coupled to a discharge port of the ejector; and,\\nin which the ejector is a variable orifice ejector.\",\n \"3. The electrochemical fuel cell assembly of claim 1 in which the variable orifice flow control device further includes a controller configured to vary the flow of fluid through the flow control device to the bleed conduit so as to maximize fuel utilization efficiency.\",\n \"4. The electrochemical fuel cell assembly of claim 1 further including a heat exchanger in the recirculation conduit.\",\n \"5. The electrochemical fuel cell assembly of claim 1 in which the variable orifice flow control device further includes a controller configured to vary the proportion of fluid from the fuel delivery outlet passing into the bleed conduit so as to maximize fuel utilization efficiency.\",\n \"6. The electrochemical fuel cell assembly of claim 1 further including a fuel concentration sensor between the fuel delivery outlet and the variable orifice flow control device, the flow control device being configured to dynamically vary an amount of fluid from the fuel delivery outlet passing into the bleed conduit as a function of measured fuel concentration by the fuel concentration sensor.\",\n \"7. The electrochemical fuel cell assembly of claim 1, the variable orifice flow control device coupled to the bleed conduit configured to dynamically vary an amount of fluid from the fuel delivery outlet passing into the bleed conduit as a function of one or more of the control parameters: (i) measured fuel concentration; (ii) measured humidity; (iii) cell voltages of fuel cells in the stack; (iv) impedance of fuel cells in the stack; (v) resistance of fuel cells in the stack.\",\n \"8. The electrochemical fuel cell assembly of claim 1 in which the variable orifice flow control device comprises a valve with a variable orifice controlled by a stepper motor to thereby control an amount of fluid passing through the flow control device.\",\n \"9. The electrochemical fuel cell assembly of claim 1 in which the variable orifice flow control device comprises a electromagnet drivable by a pulse width modulated, variable duty cycle control signal to vary the position of a mechanical restrictor in the flow control device to thereby control an amount of fluid passing through the flow control device.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A fuel cell system, comprising:\\na source of hydrogen gas;\\na fuel cell stack configured to receive hydrogen gas from the source and to produce an electric current therefrom, wherein the fuel cell stack comprises a plurality of fuel cells that each include a cathode chamber that is configured to receive an air stream and an anode chamber that is configured to receive hydrogen gas from the source;\\na purge assembly configured to selectively purge the anode chambers of the fuel cells to reduce the concentration of at least a selected composition therein; and\\na controller configured to selectively actuate the purge assembly responsive to a value of a process parameter representative of a performance of the fuel cell stack; wherein the process parameter includes the cumulative amp-hours of current produced by the fuel cell stack during an operative cycle of the fuel cell stack.\",\n \"2. The system of claim 1, wherein the selected composition is water.\",\n \"3. The system of claim 1, wherein the selected composition is nitrogen.\",\n \"4. The system of claim 1, wherein the selected composition is methane.\",\n \"5. The system of claim 1, wherein the purge assembly is configured to purge the anode chambers of the fuel cells with hydrogen gas from the source.\",\n \"6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a sensor assembly in communication with the controller and including at least one sensor configured to measure the value of the process parameter.\",\n \"7. The system of claim 1, wherein the process parameter further includes the power produced by the fuel cell stack during the operative cycle of the fuel cell stack.\",\n \"8. The system of claim 1, wherein the process parameter further includes the rate at which water is generated in the fuel cell stack.\",\n \"9. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to compare the value of the process parameter to a determined value and actuate the purge assembly if the value of the process parameter exceeds the determined value.\",\n \"10. The system of claim 9, wherein the controller includes a memory device in which the determined value is stored.\",\n \"11. The system of claim 1, wherein the system further includes at least one device configured to apply an electrical load to the fuel cell stack.\",\n \"12. The system of claim 1, wherein the fuel cell stack includes at least one proton exchange membrane fuel cell.\",\n \"13. The system of claim 1, wherein the fuel cell stack includes at least one alkaline fuel cell.\",\n \"14. The system of claim 1, wherein the source includes a fuel processor configured to produce hydrogen gas from water and at least one carbon-containing feedstock.\",\n \"15. The system of claim 14, wherein the fuel processor is configured to produce the hydrogen gas by steam reforming a carbon-containing feedstock and water.\",\n \"16. The system of claim 14, wherein the fuel processor is configured to produce the hydrogen gas by partial oxidation of a carbon-containing feedstock.\",\n \"17. The system of claim 14, wherein the fuel processor is configured to produce the hydrogen gas by pyrolysis of a carbon-containing feedstock.\",\n \"18. The system of claim 1, wherein the source includes a storage device containing hydrogen gas.\",\n \"19. The system of claim 18, wherein the storage device includes a storage tank.\",\n \"20. The system of claim 18, wherein the storage device includes a hydride bed.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A fuel cell system comprising:\\na fuel cell stack including a plurality of single cells stacked on one another, each single cell including an anode to which fuel gas can be supplied, a cathode to which oxidizing gas can be supplied, and a solid polymer electrolyte membrane interposed between the anode and the cathode, the oxidizing gas and the fuel gas configured for counter-flow with respect to each other, the anode being divided into an anode outlet power collecting plate for measurement of local electric current at an anode-outlet side and an anode power collecting plate that collects power from regions other than the anode-outlet side;\\na cell voltage detector that detects a cell voltage at a cathode outlet-side of a single cell;\\na total voltage detector that detects a total voltage of the fuel cell stack;\\na cell voltage difference computing unit configured to determine an average cell voltage from the total cell voltage detector and a minimum cell voltage from the cell voltage detector and to compute a difference between the average cell voltage and the minimum cell voltage;\\na stack current detector that detects electric current in the fuel cell stack;\\nan anode outlet local current detector that detects a local current at an anode outlet-side of the fuel cell stack;\\na current density-computing unit configured to compute a stack current density from the stack current detector and an anode outlet local current density from the anode outlet local current detector; and\\na wet state-judging unit configured to judge a wet state of the fuel cell stack based on the difference between the average cell voltage and the minimum cell voltage, and based on the difference between the stack current density and the anode outlet local current density,\\nwherein the wet state judging unit is configured to judge that the anode is clogged with water if the difference between the average cell voltage and the minimum cell voltage is less than a first predetermined value and the difference between the stack current density and the anode outlet local current density is equal to or greater than a second predetermined value, and\\nwherein the current density-computing unit is configured to store a stack effective area and an anode outlet effective area.\",\n \"2. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, wherein the wet state-judging unit is configured to judge that the cathode is clogged with water if the difference between the average cell voltage and the minimum cell voltage is equal to or greater than a first predetermined value, and the difference between the stack current density and the anode outlet local current density is less than a second predetermined value.\",\n \"3. The fuel cell system according to claim 2, further comprising:\\nan oxidizing gas flow-adjusting unit that adjusts the oxidizing gas flow supplied to the cathode; and\\na controller configured to control the flow of the oxidizing gas flow-adjusting unit, wherein the controller increases the oxidizing gas flow supplied to the cathode when the wet state judging unit determines that the cathode is clogged with water.\",\n \"4. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, wherein the wet state-judging unit is configured to determine that the fuel cell stack is dry when the difference between the average cell voltage and the minimum cell voltage is equal to or greater than a first predetermined value, and the difference between the stack current density and the anode outlet local current density is equal to or greater than a second predetermined value.\",\n \"5. The fuel cell system according to claim 4, further comprising:\\nan oxidizing gas flow-adjusting unit that adjusts the oxidizing gas flow supplied to the cathode; and\\na controller configured to control the flow of the oxidizing gas flow-adjusting unit, wherein the controller decreases the oxidizing gas flow supplied to the cathode when the wet state-judging unit determines that the fuel cell stack is dry.\",\n \"6. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, further comprising:\\na fuel gas flow-adjusting unit that adjusts the fuel gas flow supplied to the anode; and\\na controller configured to control the flow in the fuel gas flow-adjusting unit, wherein the controller increases the fuel gas flow supplied to the anode when the wet state-judging unit judges that the anode is clogged with water.\",\n \"7. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of single cells further includes a cooling channel in which a cooling medium can flow in parallel to the oxidizing gas.\"\n ]\n]"},"102rejection":{"kind":"string","value":"2. the following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 u.s.c. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this office action:\r\na person shall be entitled to a patent unless –\r\n(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.\r\n3. claim(s) 1-10 is/are rejected under 35 u.s.c. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by yamaguchi (jp publication 2007-048650).\r\nregarding claims 1 and 9, yamaguchi discloses a fuel cell system of a vehicle comprising: a fuel cell mounted in a vehicle, a destination prediction unit that predicts the destination of the vehicle based on information from a car navigation system and outputs the predicted destination to a control device, wherein the control device performs the process of calculating a remaining distance to the destination, and performing a moisture removal operation of the fuel cell if it is determined that a calculated remaining distance is less than or equal to a predetermined distance so that the moisture removal occurs before arrival at the destination (paragraphs 0013, 0014, 0017-0020, 0023, 0024, 0026, 0027).\r\nas to claim 2, yamaguchi teaches that the destination prediction unit may predict as the destination the destination that the driver inputs into the car navigation system, or the destination using history information recorded in the car navigation system as common places the vehicle travels to (paragraphs 0018, 0021-0022).\r\nregarding claim 3, yamaguchi states that the destination prediction unit predicts the destination of the vehicle based on information from the car navigation system (paragraph 0019), which is known to be in use while the vehicle is driving.\r\nas to claim 4, yamaguchi discloses that it is determined whether the remaining distance to the destination has reach a predetermined distance or less, and if so, then the water removal operation is started (paragraph 0026).\r\nregarding claim 5, yamaguchi teaches a second embodiment wherein the predicted arrival time to the destination is calculated, and the arrival time calculated in a second step is determined to be less than or equal to a predetermined time (paragraph 0034). yamaguchi also teaches that the water removal operation is started when it is determined that the arrival time to the destination is within a predetermined time (paragraph 0036).\r\nas to claim 6, yamaguchi states that the water removal operation can take place when the vehicle is on a driving path of the navigation system after the driver has input a destination (paragraph 0018).\r\nregarding claims 7 and 8, yamaguchi discloses that the fuel cell system comprises a freeze prediction unit equipped with a calendar, an outside temperature sensor, a radio capable of receiving weather information, etc. that determines the possibility of freezing (paragraph 0039-0040). yamaguchi also discloses that if it is determined that there is a possibility of freezing, the moisture removal process is started (paragraphs 0043-0044).\r\nas to claim 10, yamaguchi teaches that the fuel cell system comprises a notification unit that notifies the driver of the vehicle that the moisture removal operation is being performed, wherein the notification unit is a pilot lamp provided on an instrument panel that lights up (paragraphs 0042 and 0047).\r\nyamaguchi teaches every limitation of claims 1-10 of the present invention and thus anticipates the claims."}}},{"rowIdx":9032,"cells":{"query":{"kind":"list like","value":["1. An optical interference range sensor comprising:\na light source configured to project a light beam while continuously varying a wavelength thereof;\nan interferometer comprising a splitting unit configured to split the light beam projected from the light source into light beams radiated toward a plurality of spots on a measurement target, the interferometer being configured to generate interference beams with the light beams split in correspondence with the plurality of spots, each of the interference beams being generated by interference between a measurement beam radiated toward the measurement target and reflected at the measurement target and a reference beam passing through an optical path that is at least partially different from an optical path of the measurement beam;\na light-receiving unit configured to receive the interference beams from the interferometer; and\na processor configured to detect a peak of the received interference beams, and calculate a distance to the measurement target by associating the detected peak with one of the spots,\nwherein an optical path length difference between the measurement beam and the reference beam is different among the light beams split in correspondence with the plurality of spots.","2. The optical interference range sensor according to claim 1,\nwherein peaks of the interference beams are shifted from each other.","3. The optical interference range sensor according to claim 1,\nwherein the interferometer generates each of the interference beams by interference between a first reflected beam that is a reflected beam of the measurement beam radiated toward the measurement target and reflected at the measurement target and a second reflected beam that is a reflected beam of the reference beam reflected at a reference surface.","4. The optical interference range sensor according to claim 3,\nwherein positions of leading ends of optical fiber cables for transmitting the respective light beams split in correspondence with the plurality of spots are shifted with respect to each other in an optical axis direction, each of the leading ends serving as the reference surface.","5. The optical interference range sensor according to claim 1,\nwherein a difference ΔL in the optical path length difference among the light beams split in correspondence with the plurality of spots is at least larger than a distance resolution δLFWHM, which is represented by:\n\nδL FWHM =c/nδf\n(where c: speed of light, n: refractive index in optical path difference, δf: frequency sweep width).","6. The optical interference range sensor according to claim 1,\nwherein the optical path length difference is set so that distances between adjacent peaks of the interference beams are different, and\nthe processor calculates the distance to the measurement target by associating the detected peak with the one of the spots, based on the distances between the adjacent peaks and a preset optical path length difference.","7. The optical interference range sensor according to claim 1,\nwherein the processor calculates the distance to the measurement target by associating the detected peak with the one of the spots, based on the detected peak and a detected peak of an interference beam received in the past.","8. The optical interference range sensor according to claim 1,\nwherein the light-receiving unit comprises an adjustment unit configured to equalize an amount of light of the interference beams corresponding to the respective spots.","9. The optical interference range sensor according to claim 1,\nwherein the processor generates a signal waveform by converting, to a distance by means of sub-pixel estimation, discrete values obtained by frequency-analyzing the interference beams received by the light-receiving unit.","10. The optical interference range sensor according to claim 1,\nwherein the processor obtains the distance to the measurement target by averaging distance values calculated by associating the detected peak with the one of the spots.","11. The optical interference range sensor according to claim 1,\nwherein the processor obtains the distance to the measurement target by averaging distance values calculated based on a peak having a signal intensity that is not smaller than a predetermined value, out of a plurality of the detected peaks.","12. The optical interference range sensor according to claim 2,\nwherein the interferometer generates each of the interference beams by interference between a first reflected beam that is a reflected beam of the measurement beam radiated toward the measurement target and reflected at the measurement target and a second reflected beam that is a reflected beam of the reference beam reflected at a reference surface.","13. The optical interference range sensor according to claim 2,\nwherein a difference ΔL in the optical path length difference among the light beams split in correspondence with the plurality of spots is at least larger than a distance resolution δLFWHM, which is represented by:\n\nδL FWHM =c/nδf\n(where c: speed of light, n: refractive index in optical path difference, δf: frequency sweep width).","14. The optical interference range sensor according to claim 3,\nwherein a difference ΔL in the optical path length difference among the light beams split in correspondence with the plurality of spots is at least larger than a distance resolution δLFWHM, which is represented by:\n\nδL FWHM =c/nδf\n(where c: speed of light, n: refractive index in optical path difference, δf: frequency sweep width).","15. The optical interference range sensor according to claim 4,\nwherein a difference ΔL in the optical path length difference among the light beams split in correspondence with the plurality of spots is at least larger than a distance resolution δLFWHM, which is represented by:\n\nδL FWHM =c/nδf\n(where c: speed of light, n: refractive index in optical path difference, δf: frequency sweep width).","16. The optical interference range sensor according to claim 2,\nwherein the optical path length difference is set so that distances between adjacent peaks of the interference beams are different, and\nthe processor calculates the distance to the measurement target by associating the detected peak with the one of the spots, based on the distances between the adjacent peaks and a preset optical path length difference.","17. The optical interference range sensor according to claim 3,\nwherein the optical path length difference is set so that distances between adjacent peaks of the interference beams are different, and\nthe processor calculates the distance to the measurement target by associating the detected peak with the one of the spots, based on the distances between the adjacent peaks and a preset optical path length difference.","18. The optical interference range sensor according to claim 4,\nwherein the optical path length difference is set so that distances between adjacent peaks of the interference beams are different, and\nthe processor calculates the distance to the measurement target by associating the detected peak with the one of the spots, based on the distances between the adjacent peaks and a preset optical path length difference.","19. The optical interference range sensor according to claim 5,\nwherein the optical path length difference is set so that distances between adjacent peaks of the interference beams are different, and\nthe processor calculates the distance to the measurement target by associating the detected peak with the one of the spots, based on the distances between the adjacent peaks and a preset optical path length difference.","20. The optical interference range sensor according to claim 2,\nwherein the processor calculates the distance to the measurement target by associating the detected peak with the one of the spots, based on the detected peak and a detected peak of an interference beam received in the past."],"string":"[\n \"1. An optical interference range sensor comprising:\\na light source configured to project a light beam while continuously varying a wavelength thereof;\\nan interferometer comprising a splitting unit configured to split the light beam projected from the light source into light beams radiated toward a plurality of spots on a measurement target, the interferometer being configured to generate interference beams with the light beams split in correspondence with the plurality of spots, each of the interference beams being generated by interference between a measurement beam radiated toward the measurement target and reflected at the measurement target and a reference beam passing through an optical path that is at least partially different from an optical path of the measurement beam;\\na light-receiving unit configured to receive the interference beams from the interferometer; and\\na processor configured to detect a peak of the received interference beams, and calculate a distance to the measurement target by associating the detected peak with one of the spots,\\nwherein an optical path length difference between the measurement beam and the reference beam is different among the light beams split in correspondence with the plurality of spots.\",\n \"2. The optical interference range sensor according to claim 1,\\nwherein peaks of the interference beams are shifted from each other.\",\n \"3. The optical interference range sensor according to claim 1,\\nwherein the interferometer generates each of the interference beams by interference between a first reflected beam that is a reflected beam of the measurement beam radiated toward the measurement target and reflected at the measurement target and a second reflected beam that is a reflected beam of the reference beam reflected at a reference surface.\",\n \"4. The optical interference range sensor according to claim 3,\\nwherein positions of leading ends of optical fiber cables for transmitting the respective light beams split in correspondence with the plurality of spots are shifted with respect to each other in an optical axis direction, each of the leading ends serving as the reference surface.\",\n \"5. The optical interference range sensor according to claim 1,\\nwherein a difference ΔL in the optical path length difference among the light beams split in correspondence with the plurality of spots is at least larger than a distance resolution δLFWHM, which is represented by:\\n\\nδL FWHM =c/nδf\\n(where c: speed of light, n: refractive index in optical path difference, δf: frequency sweep width).\",\n \"6. The optical interference range sensor according to claim 1,\\nwherein the optical path length difference is set so that distances between adjacent peaks of the interference beams are different, and\\nthe processor calculates the distance to the measurement target by associating the detected peak with the one of the spots, based on the distances between the adjacent peaks and a preset optical path length difference.\",\n \"7. The optical interference range sensor according to claim 1,\\nwherein the processor calculates the distance to the measurement target by associating the detected peak with the one of the spots, based on the detected peak and a detected peak of an interference beam received in the past.\",\n \"8. The optical interference range sensor according to claim 1,\\nwherein the light-receiving unit comprises an adjustment unit configured to equalize an amount of light of the interference beams corresponding to the respective spots.\",\n \"9. The optical interference range sensor according to claim 1,\\nwherein the processor generates a signal waveform by converting, to a distance by means of sub-pixel estimation, discrete values obtained by frequency-analyzing the interference beams received by the light-receiving unit.\",\n \"10. The optical interference range sensor according to claim 1,\\nwherein the processor obtains the distance to the measurement target by averaging distance values calculated by associating the detected peak with the one of the spots.\",\n \"11. The optical interference range sensor according to claim 1,\\nwherein the processor obtains the distance to the measurement target by averaging distance values calculated based on a peak having a signal intensity that is not smaller than a predetermined value, out of a plurality of the detected peaks.\",\n \"12. The optical interference range sensor according to claim 2,\\nwherein the interferometer generates each of the interference beams by interference between a first reflected beam that is a reflected beam of the measurement beam radiated toward the measurement target and reflected at the measurement target and a second reflected beam that is a reflected beam of the reference beam reflected at a reference surface.\",\n \"13. The optical interference range sensor according to claim 2,\\nwherein a difference ΔL in the optical path length difference among the light beams split in correspondence with the plurality of spots is at least larger than a distance resolution δLFWHM, which is represented by:\\n\\nδL FWHM =c/nδf\\n(where c: speed of light, n: refractive index in optical path difference, δf: frequency sweep width).\",\n \"14. The optical interference range sensor according to claim 3,\\nwherein a difference ΔL in the optical path length difference among the light beams split in correspondence with the plurality of spots is at least larger than a distance resolution δLFWHM, which is represented by:\\n\\nδL FWHM =c/nδf\\n(where c: speed of light, n: refractive index in optical path difference, δf: frequency sweep width).\",\n \"15. The optical interference range sensor according to claim 4,\\nwherein a difference ΔL in the optical path length difference among the light beams split in correspondence with the plurality of spots is at least larger than a distance resolution δLFWHM, which is represented by:\\n\\nδL FWHM =c/nδf\\n(where c: speed of light, n: refractive index in optical path difference, δf: frequency sweep width).\",\n \"16. The optical interference range sensor according to claim 2,\\nwherein the optical path length difference is set so that distances between adjacent peaks of the interference beams are different, and\\nthe processor calculates the distance to the measurement target by associating the detected peak with the one of the spots, based on the distances between the adjacent peaks and a preset optical path length difference.\",\n \"17. The optical interference range sensor according to claim 3,\\nwherein the optical path length difference is set so that distances between adjacent peaks of the interference beams are different, and\\nthe processor calculates the distance to the measurement target by associating the detected peak with the one of the spots, based on the distances between the adjacent peaks and a preset optical path length difference.\",\n \"18. The optical interference range sensor according to claim 4,\\nwherein the optical path length difference is set so that distances between adjacent peaks of the interference beams are different, and\\nthe processor calculates the distance to the measurement target by associating the detected peak with the one of the spots, based on the distances between the adjacent peaks and a preset optical path length difference.\",\n \"19. The optical interference range sensor according to claim 5,\\nwherein the optical path length difference is set so that distances between adjacent peaks of the interference beams are different, and\\nthe processor calculates the distance to the measurement target by associating the detected peak with the one of the spots, based on the distances between the adjacent peaks and a preset optical path length difference.\",\n \"20. The optical interference range sensor according to claim 2,\\nwherein the processor calculates the distance to the measurement target by associating the detected peak with the one of the spots, based on the detected peak and a detected peak of an interference beam received in the past.\"\n]"},"applicant_patent_id":{"kind":"string","value":"US20230090501A1"},"cited_patent_id":{"kind":"string","value":"US20070278389A1"},"positive":{"kind":"list like","value":["1. A system for determining a characteristic of a sample, the system comprising:\na light source for providing a light;\na splitter receptive to said light from said light source to produce a sensing light portion and a reference light portion;\na sensing light path comprising,\na light path configured to communicate said sensing light portion from said splitter and said sensing light portion reflected from the sample,\na plurality of probe light paths configured to direct said sensing light portion at the sample and to receive said sensing light portion reflected from the sample,\nan optical switch selectable to define communication between said light path and a selected at least one of said probe light paths; and\nmeans for increasing and decreasing the effective light path length of said sensing light path;\na reflecting device;\na reference light path configured to communicate said reference light portion from said splitter, said reference light path further configured to direct said reference light portion at said reflecting device and to receive said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device;\nmeans for increasing and decreasing the effective light path length of said reference light path;\nwherein said means for increasing and decreasing the effective light path length of said sensing light path and said means for increasing and decreasing the effective light path length of said reference light path are configured such that when one of said means is increasing the other of said means is decreasing;\nwherein said means for increasing and decreasing the effective light path length of said sensing light path and said means for increasing and decreasing the effective light path length of said reference light path are increased and decreased to obtain an effective light path length difference between the effective light path lengths of said sensing light path and said reference light path within about a coherence length of said light;\na detector receptive to said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device, said detector generating a signal indicative of an interference of said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device; and\nprocessing means configured to determine a characteristic of the sample from said signal indicative of said interference of said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device.","2. The system of claim 1 wherein said means for increasing and decreasing the effective light path length of said sensing light path and said means for increasing and decreasing the effective light path length of said reference light path each comprise a piezoelectric modulator.","3. The system of claim 1 wherein said splitter has an asymmetrical ratio such that said sensing light portion is greater than said reference light portion.","4. The system of claim 1 wherein said detector comprises at least one photodetector.","5. The system of claim 1 further comprising means for maintaining polarization of said light.","6. The system of claim 1 wherein said broadband light source comprises a superluminescent diode.","7. The system of claim 1 wherein said optical switch is digitally selectable.","8. The system of claim 1 wherein the sample comprises a biological sample.","9. The system of claim 1 wherein said probe light paths are configured as a catheter.","10. A system for determining a characteristic of a sample, the system comprising:\na light source for providing a light;\na splitter receptive to said light from said light source to produce a sensing light portion and a reference light portion;\na sensing light path comprising,\na light path configured to communicate said sensing light portion from said splitter and said sensing light portion reflected from said sample,\na plurality of probe light paths configured to direct said sensing light portion at the sample and to receive said sensing light portion reflected from the sample, and\na plurality of switches arranged in a multi-level configuration, said optical switches selectable to define communication between said light path and a selected at least one of said probe light paths;\na reflecting device;\na reference light path configured to communicate said reference light portion from said splitter, said reference light path further configured to direct said reference light portion at said reflecting device and to receive said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device;\nmeans for generating an interference condition between said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device;\na detector receptive to said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device, said detector generating a signal indicative of an interference of said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device; and\nprocessing means configured to determine a characteristic of the sample from said signal indicative of said interference of said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device.","11. The system of claim 10 wherein said means for generating said interference condition comprises means for generating said interference condition in a time domain.","12. The system of claim 10 wherein said means for generating said interference condition comprises means for generating said interference condition in a frequency domain.","13. The system of claim 11 wherein said means for generating said interference condition in the time domain comprises:\nmeans for varying an effective light path length of said at least one of said reference light path and said sensing light path to within about a coherence length of said light.","14. The system of claim 12 wherein said means for generating said interference condition in the frequency domain comprises:\nmeans for varying a frequency of said light from said light source.","15. The system of claim 10 wherein said splitter has an asymmetrical ratio such that said sensing light portion is greater than said reference light portion.","16. The system of claim 10 wherein said optical switches are digitally selectable.","17. The system of claim 10 wherein the sample comprises a biological sample.","18. The system of claim 10 wherein said probe light paths are configured as a catheter.","19. A system for determining a characteristic of a sample, the system comprising:\na light source for providing a light;\na splitter receptive to said light from said light source to produce a sensing light portion and a reference light portion;\na sensing light path comprising,\na light path configured to communicate said sensing light portion from said splitter and said sensing light portion reflected from the sample,\na plurality of probe light paths configured to direct said sensing light portion at the sample and to receive said sensing light portion reflected from the sample, and\nan optical switch selectable to define communication between said light path and a selected at least one of said probe light paths;\na reflecting device;\na reference light path configured to communicate said reference light portion from said splitter, said reference light path further configured to direct said reference light portion at said reflecting device and to receive said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device;\nmeans for generating an interference condition between said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device and said sensing light portion reflected from the sample;\na detector receptive to said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device and said sensing light portion reflected from the sample, said detector generating a signal indicative of an interference of said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device and said sensing light portion reflected from the sample;\na first circulator disposed in said reference light path to transfer said reference light portion from said splitter to said reflecting device, and to transfer said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device to said detector;\na second circulator disposed in said sensing light path to transfer said sensing light portion from said splitter to said optical switch, and to transfer said sensing light portion reflected from the sample to said detector;\na coupler receptive to said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device and transferred by said first circulator, said coupler receptive also to said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and transferred by said second circulator, said coupler presenting said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device and said sensing light portion reflected from the sample to said detector; and\nprocessing means configured to determine a characteristic of the sample from said signal indicative of said interference of said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device and said sensing light portion reflected from the sample.","20. The system of claim 19 wherein said means for generating said interference condition comprises means for generating said interference condition in a time domain.","21. The system of claim 19 wherein said means for generating said interference condition comprises means for generating said interference condition in a frequency domain.","22. The system of claim 20 wherein said means for generating said interference condition in the time domain comprises:\nmeans for varying an effective light path length of said at least one of said reference light path and said sensing light path to within about a coherence length of said light.","23. The system of claim 21 wherein said means for generating said interference condition in the frequency domain comprises:\nmeans for varying a frequency of said light from said light source.","24. The system of claim 19 wherein said splitter has an asymmetrical ratio such that said sensing light portion is greater than said reference light portion.","25. The system of claim 19 wherein said detector comprises at least one photodetector.","26. The system of claim 19 further comprising means for maintaining polarization of said light.","27. The system of claim 19 wherein said broadband light source comprises a superluminescent diode.","28. The system of claim 19 wherein said optical switch is digitally selectable.","29. The system of claim 19 wherein the sample comprises a biological sample.","30. The system of claim 19 wherein said probe light paths are configured as a catheter.","31. A system for determining a characteristic of a sample, the system comprising:\na light source for providing a light;\na splitter receptive to said light from said light source to produce a sensing light portion and a reference light portion;\na sensing light path comprising,\na light path configured to communicate said sensing light portion from said splitter and said sensing light portion reflected from the sample,\na plurality of probe light paths configured to direct said sensing light portion at the sample and to receive said sensing light portion reflected from the sample, and\nan optical switch selectable to define communication between said light path and a selected at least one of said probe light paths;\na reflecting device;\na reference light path configured to communicate said reference light portion from said splitter, said reference light path further configured to direct said reference light portion at said reflecting device and to receive said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device;\nmeans for generating an interference condition in a frequency domain between said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device;\na detector receptive to said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device, said detector generating a signal indicative of an interference of said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device; and\nprocessing means configured to determine a characteristic of the sample from said signal indicative of said interference of said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device.","32. The system of claim 31 wherein said means for generating said interference condition in the frequency domain comprises:\nmeans for varying a frequency of said light from said light source.","33. The system of claim 31 wherein said detector comprises at least one photodetector.","34. The system of claim 31 further comprising means for maintaining polarization of said light.","35. The system of claim 31 wherein said broadband light source comprises a superluminescent diode.","36. The system of claim 31 wherein said optical switch is digitally selectable.","37. The system of claim 31 wherein the sample comprises a biological sample.","38. The system of claim 31 wherein said probe light paths are configured as a catheter.","39. A system for determining a characteristic of a sample, the system comprising:\na light source for providing a light;\na splitter receptive to said light from said light source to produce a sensing light portion and a reference light portion, said splitter having an asymmetrical ratio such that said sensing light portion is greater than said reference light portion;\na sensing light path comprising,\na light path configured to communicate said sensing light portion from said splitter and said sensing light portion reflected from the sample,\na plurality of probe light paths configured to direct said sensing light portion at the sample and to receive said sensing light portion reflected from the sample, and\nan optical switch selectable to define communication between said light path and a selected at least one of said probe light paths;\na reflecting device;\na reference light path configured to communicate said reference light portion from said splitter, said reference light path further configured to direct said reference light portion at said reflecting device and to receive said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device;\nmeans for generating an interference condition between said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device;\na detector receptive to said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device, said detector generating a signal indicative of an interference of said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device; and\nprocessing means configured to determine a characteristic of the sample from said signal indicative of said interference of said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device.","40. The system of claim 39 wherein said asymmetrical ratio is about x:100−x, where 100−x represents a relative amount of said sensing light portion and x represents a relative amount of said reference light portion in said asymmetrical ratio","41. The system of claim 39 wherein said means for generating said interference condition comprises means for generating said interference condition in a time domain.","42. The system of claim 39 wherein said means for generating said interference condition comprises means for generating said interference condition in a frequency domain.","43. The system of claim 41 wherein said means for generating said interference condition in the time domain comprises:\nmeans for varying an effective light path length of said at least one of said reference light path and said sensing light path to within about a coherence length of said light.","44. The system of claim 42 wherein said means for generating said interference condition in the frequency domain comprises:\nmeans for varying a frequency of said light from said light source.","45. The system of claim 39 wherein said optical switches are digitally selectable.","46. The system of claim 39 wherein the sample comprises a biological sample.","47. The system of claim 39 wherein said probe light paths are configured as a catheter.","48. A system for determining a characteristic of a sample, the system comprising:\na light source for providing a light;\na splitter receptive to said light from said light source to produce a sensing light portion and a reference light portion;\na sensing light path comprising,\na light path configured to communicate said sensing light portion from said splitter and said sensing light portion reflected from the sample,\na plurality of probe light paths configured to direct said sensing light portion at the sample and to receive said sensing light portion reflected from the sample, and\nan optical switch selectable to define communication between said light path and a selected at least one of said probe light paths;\na reflecting device;\na reference light path configured to communicate said reference light portion from said splitter, said reference light path further configured to direct said reference light portion at said reflecting device and to receive said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device;\na variable optical attenuator disposed in said reference light path to attenuate said reference light portion;\nmeans for generating an interference condition between said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device;\na detector receptive to said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device, said detector generating a signal indicative of an interference of said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device; and\nprocessing means configured to determine a characteristic of the sample from said signal indicative of said interference of said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device.","49. The system of claim 48 further comprising:\na digital voltage controller configured to control said variable optical attenuator.","50. The system of claim 48 wherein said means for generating said interference condition comprises means for generating said interference condition in a time domain.","51. The system of claim 48 wherein said means for generating said interference condition comprises means for generating said interference condition in a frequency domain.","52. The system of claim 50 wherein said means for generating said interference condition in the time domain comprises:\nmeans for varying an effective light path length of said at least one of said reference light path and said sensing light path to within about a coherence length of said light.","53. The system of claim 51 wherein said means for generating said interference condition in the frequency domain comprises:\nmeans for varying a frequency of said light from said light source.","54. The system of claim 48 wherein said optical switches are digitally selectable.","55. The system of claim 48 wherein the sample comprises a biological sample.","56. The system of claim 48 wherein said probe light paths are configured as a catheter.","57. A method for determining a characteristic of a sample, the method comprising:\nasymmetrically splitting a light from a light source into a sensing light portion and a reference light portion, said sensing light portion being greater than said reference light portion;\nselecting a probe light path from a plurality of probe light paths, said probe light paths forming a portion of a sensing light path;\ndirecting said sensing light portion by means of said sensing light path, including the selected at least one of said probe light paths, at the sample;\nreceiving said sensing light portion reflected from the sample by means of said sensing light path, including the selected at least one of said probe light paths;\ndirecting said reference light portion by means of a reference light path at a reflecting device;\nreceiving said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device by means of said reference light path;\ngenerating an interference condition between said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device;\ndetecting said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device, to generate a signal indicative of an interference of said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device; and\ndetermining a characteristic of the sample from said signal indicative of said interference of said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device.","58. The method of claim 57 wherein said generating said interference condition comprises generating said interference condition in a time domain.","59. The method of claim 57 wherein said generating said interference condition comprises generating said interference condition in a frequency domain.","60. The method of claim 58 wherein said generating said interference condition in the time domain comprises:\nvarying an effective light path length of said at least one of said reference light path and said sensing light path to within about a coherence length of said light.","61. The method of claim 59 wherein said generating said interference condition in the frequency domain comprises:\nvarying a frequency of said light from said light source.","62. The method of claim 57 further comprising maintaining polarization of said light.","63. The method of claim 57 wherein said light comprises a broadband light.","64. The method of claim 57 wherein said light comprises laser lights.","65. The method of claim 57 wherein the sample comprises a biological sample.","66. A method for determining a characteristic of a sample, the method comprising:\nsplitting a light from a light source into a sensing light portion and a reference light portion;\nselecting a probe light path from a plurality of probe light paths, said probe light paths forming a portion of a sensing light path;\ndirecting said sensing light portion by means of said sensing light path, including the selected at least one of said probe light paths, at the sample;\nreceiving said sensing light portion reflected from the sample by means of said sensing light path, including the selected at least one of said probe light paths;\ndirecting said reference light portion by means of a reference light path at a reflecting device;\nreceiving said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device by means of said reference light path;\ngenerating an interference condition in a frequency domain between said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device;\ndetecting said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device, to generate a signal indicative of an interference of said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device; and\ndetermining a characteristic of the sample from said signal indicative of said interference of said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device.","67. The method of claim 66 wherein said generating said interference condition in the frequency domain comprises:\nvarying a frequency of said light from said light source.","68. The method of claim 66 further comprising maintaining polarization of said light.","69. The method of claim 66 wherein said light comprises a broadband light.","70. The method of claim 66 wherein said light comprises laser lights.","71. The method of claim 66 wherein the sample comprises a biological sample."],"string":"[\n \"1. A system for determining a characteristic of a sample, the system comprising:\\na light source for providing a light;\\na splitter receptive to said light from said light source to produce a sensing light portion and a reference light portion;\\na sensing light path comprising,\\na light path configured to communicate said sensing light portion from said splitter and said sensing light portion reflected from the sample,\\na plurality of probe light paths configured to direct said sensing light portion at the sample and to receive said sensing light portion reflected from the sample,\\nan optical switch selectable to define communication between said light path and a selected at least one of said probe light paths; and\\nmeans for increasing and decreasing the effective light path length of said sensing light path;\\na reflecting device;\\na reference light path configured to communicate said reference light portion from said splitter, said reference light path further configured to direct said reference light portion at said reflecting device and to receive said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device;\\nmeans for increasing and decreasing the effective light path length of said reference light path;\\nwherein said means for increasing and decreasing the effective light path length of said sensing light path and said means for increasing and decreasing the effective light path length of said reference light path are configured such that when one of said means is increasing the other of said means is decreasing;\\nwherein said means for increasing and decreasing the effective light path length of said sensing light path and said means for increasing and decreasing the effective light path length of said reference light path are increased and decreased to obtain an effective light path length difference between the effective light path lengths of said sensing light path and said reference light path within about a coherence length of said light;\\na detector receptive to said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device, said detector generating a signal indicative of an interference of said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device; and\\nprocessing means configured to determine a characteristic of the sample from said signal indicative of said interference of said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device.\",\n \"2. The system of claim 1 wherein said means for increasing and decreasing the effective light path length of said sensing light path and said means for increasing and decreasing the effective light path length of said reference light path each comprise a piezoelectric modulator.\",\n \"3. The system of claim 1 wherein said splitter has an asymmetrical ratio such that said sensing light portion is greater than said reference light portion.\",\n \"4. The system of claim 1 wherein said detector comprises at least one photodetector.\",\n \"5. The system of claim 1 further comprising means for maintaining polarization of said light.\",\n \"6. The system of claim 1 wherein said broadband light source comprises a superluminescent diode.\",\n \"7. The system of claim 1 wherein said optical switch is digitally selectable.\",\n \"8. The system of claim 1 wherein the sample comprises a biological sample.\",\n \"9. The system of claim 1 wherein said probe light paths are configured as a catheter.\",\n \"10. A system for determining a characteristic of a sample, the system comprising:\\na light source for providing a light;\\na splitter receptive to said light from said light source to produce a sensing light portion and a reference light portion;\\na sensing light path comprising,\\na light path configured to communicate said sensing light portion from said splitter and said sensing light portion reflected from said sample,\\na plurality of probe light paths configured to direct said sensing light portion at the sample and to receive said sensing light portion reflected from the sample, and\\na plurality of switches arranged in a multi-level configuration, said optical switches selectable to define communication between said light path and a selected at least one of said probe light paths;\\na reflecting device;\\na reference light path configured to communicate said reference light portion from said splitter, said reference light path further configured to direct said reference light portion at said reflecting device and to receive said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device;\\nmeans for generating an interference condition between said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device;\\na detector receptive to said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device, said detector generating a signal indicative of an interference of said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device; and\\nprocessing means configured to determine a characteristic of the sample from said signal indicative of said interference of said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device.\",\n \"11. The system of claim 10 wherein said means for generating said interference condition comprises means for generating said interference condition in a time domain.\",\n \"12. The system of claim 10 wherein said means for generating said interference condition comprises means for generating said interference condition in a frequency domain.\",\n \"13. The system of claim 11 wherein said means for generating said interference condition in the time domain comprises:\\nmeans for varying an effective light path length of said at least one of said reference light path and said sensing light path to within about a coherence length of said light.\",\n \"14. The system of claim 12 wherein said means for generating said interference condition in the frequency domain comprises:\\nmeans for varying a frequency of said light from said light source.\",\n \"15. The system of claim 10 wherein said splitter has an asymmetrical ratio such that said sensing light portion is greater than said reference light portion.\",\n \"16. The system of claim 10 wherein said optical switches are digitally selectable.\",\n \"17. The system of claim 10 wherein the sample comprises a biological sample.\",\n \"18. The system of claim 10 wherein said probe light paths are configured as a catheter.\",\n \"19. A system for determining a characteristic of a sample, the system comprising:\\na light source for providing a light;\\na splitter receptive to said light from said light source to produce a sensing light portion and a reference light portion;\\na sensing light path comprising,\\na light path configured to communicate said sensing light portion from said splitter and said sensing light portion reflected from the sample,\\na plurality of probe light paths configured to direct said sensing light portion at the sample and to receive said sensing light portion reflected from the sample, and\\nan optical switch selectable to define communication between said light path and a selected at least one of said probe light paths;\\na reflecting device;\\na reference light path configured to communicate said reference light portion from said splitter, said reference light path further configured to direct said reference light portion at said reflecting device and to receive said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device;\\nmeans for generating an interference condition between said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device and said sensing light portion reflected from the sample;\\na detector receptive to said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device and said sensing light portion reflected from the sample, said detector generating a signal indicative of an interference of said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device and said sensing light portion reflected from the sample;\\na first circulator disposed in said reference light path to transfer said reference light portion from said splitter to said reflecting device, and to transfer said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device to said detector;\\na second circulator disposed in said sensing light path to transfer said sensing light portion from said splitter to said optical switch, and to transfer said sensing light portion reflected from the sample to said detector;\\na coupler receptive to said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device and transferred by said first circulator, said coupler receptive also to said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and transferred by said second circulator, said coupler presenting said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device and said sensing light portion reflected from the sample to said detector; and\\nprocessing means configured to determine a characteristic of the sample from said signal indicative of said interference of said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device and said sensing light portion reflected from the sample.\",\n \"20. The system of claim 19 wherein said means for generating said interference condition comprises means for generating said interference condition in a time domain.\",\n \"21. The system of claim 19 wherein said means for generating said interference condition comprises means for generating said interference condition in a frequency domain.\",\n \"22. The system of claim 20 wherein said means for generating said interference condition in the time domain comprises:\\nmeans for varying an effective light path length of said at least one of said reference light path and said sensing light path to within about a coherence length of said light.\",\n \"23. The system of claim 21 wherein said means for generating said interference condition in the frequency domain comprises:\\nmeans for varying a frequency of said light from said light source.\",\n \"24. The system of claim 19 wherein said splitter has an asymmetrical ratio such that said sensing light portion is greater than said reference light portion.\",\n \"25. The system of claim 19 wherein said detector comprises at least one photodetector.\",\n \"26. The system of claim 19 further comprising means for maintaining polarization of said light.\",\n \"27. The system of claim 19 wherein said broadband light source comprises a superluminescent diode.\",\n \"28. The system of claim 19 wherein said optical switch is digitally selectable.\",\n \"29. The system of claim 19 wherein the sample comprises a biological sample.\",\n \"30. The system of claim 19 wherein said probe light paths are configured as a catheter.\",\n \"31. A system for determining a characteristic of a sample, the system comprising:\\na light source for providing a light;\\na splitter receptive to said light from said light source to produce a sensing light portion and a reference light portion;\\na sensing light path comprising,\\na light path configured to communicate said sensing light portion from said splitter and said sensing light portion reflected from the sample,\\na plurality of probe light paths configured to direct said sensing light portion at the sample and to receive said sensing light portion reflected from the sample, and\\nan optical switch selectable to define communication between said light path and a selected at least one of said probe light paths;\\na reflecting device;\\na reference light path configured to communicate said reference light portion from said splitter, said reference light path further configured to direct said reference light portion at said reflecting device and to receive said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device;\\nmeans for generating an interference condition in a frequency domain between said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device;\\na detector receptive to said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device, said detector generating a signal indicative of an interference of said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device; and\\nprocessing means configured to determine a characteristic of the sample from said signal indicative of said interference of said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device.\",\n \"32. The system of claim 31 wherein said means for generating said interference condition in the frequency domain comprises:\\nmeans for varying a frequency of said light from said light source.\",\n \"33. The system of claim 31 wherein said detector comprises at least one photodetector.\",\n \"34. The system of claim 31 further comprising means for maintaining polarization of said light.\",\n \"35. The system of claim 31 wherein said broadband light source comprises a superluminescent diode.\",\n \"36. The system of claim 31 wherein said optical switch is digitally selectable.\",\n \"37. The system of claim 31 wherein the sample comprises a biological sample.\",\n \"38. The system of claim 31 wherein said probe light paths are configured as a catheter.\",\n \"39. A system for determining a characteristic of a sample, the system comprising:\\na light source for providing a light;\\na splitter receptive to said light from said light source to produce a sensing light portion and a reference light portion, said splitter having an asymmetrical ratio such that said sensing light portion is greater than said reference light portion;\\na sensing light path comprising,\\na light path configured to communicate said sensing light portion from said splitter and said sensing light portion reflected from the sample,\\na plurality of probe light paths configured to direct said sensing light portion at the sample and to receive said sensing light portion reflected from the sample, and\\nan optical switch selectable to define communication between said light path and a selected at least one of said probe light paths;\\na reflecting device;\\na reference light path configured to communicate said reference light portion from said splitter, said reference light path further configured to direct said reference light portion at said reflecting device and to receive said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device;\\nmeans for generating an interference condition between said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device;\\na detector receptive to said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device, said detector generating a signal indicative of an interference of said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device; and\\nprocessing means configured to determine a characteristic of the sample from said signal indicative of said interference of said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device.\",\n \"40. The system of claim 39 wherein said asymmetrical ratio is about x:100−x, where 100−x represents a relative amount of said sensing light portion and x represents a relative amount of said reference light portion in said asymmetrical ratio\",\n \"41. The system of claim 39 wherein said means for generating said interference condition comprises means for generating said interference condition in a time domain.\",\n \"42. The system of claim 39 wherein said means for generating said interference condition comprises means for generating said interference condition in a frequency domain.\",\n \"43. The system of claim 41 wherein said means for generating said interference condition in the time domain comprises:\\nmeans for varying an effective light path length of said at least one of said reference light path and said sensing light path to within about a coherence length of said light.\",\n \"44. The system of claim 42 wherein said means for generating said interference condition in the frequency domain comprises:\\nmeans for varying a frequency of said light from said light source.\",\n \"45. The system of claim 39 wherein said optical switches are digitally selectable.\",\n \"46. The system of claim 39 wherein the sample comprises a biological sample.\",\n \"47. The system of claim 39 wherein said probe light paths are configured as a catheter.\",\n \"48. A system for determining a characteristic of a sample, the system comprising:\\na light source for providing a light;\\na splitter receptive to said light from said light source to produce a sensing light portion and a reference light portion;\\na sensing light path comprising,\\na light path configured to communicate said sensing light portion from said splitter and said sensing light portion reflected from the sample,\\na plurality of probe light paths configured to direct said sensing light portion at the sample and to receive said sensing light portion reflected from the sample, and\\nan optical switch selectable to define communication between said light path and a selected at least one of said probe light paths;\\na reflecting device;\\na reference light path configured to communicate said reference light portion from said splitter, said reference light path further configured to direct said reference light portion at said reflecting device and to receive said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device;\\na variable optical attenuator disposed in said reference light path to attenuate said reference light portion;\\nmeans for generating an interference condition between said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device;\\na detector receptive to said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device, said detector generating a signal indicative of an interference of said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device; and\\nprocessing means configured to determine a characteristic of the sample from said signal indicative of said interference of said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device.\",\n \"49. The system of claim 48 further comprising:\\na digital voltage controller configured to control said variable optical attenuator.\",\n \"50. The system of claim 48 wherein said means for generating said interference condition comprises means for generating said interference condition in a time domain.\",\n \"51. The system of claim 48 wherein said means for generating said interference condition comprises means for generating said interference condition in a frequency domain.\",\n \"52. The system of claim 50 wherein said means for generating said interference condition in the time domain comprises:\\nmeans for varying an effective light path length of said at least one of said reference light path and said sensing light path to within about a coherence length of said light.\",\n \"53. The system of claim 51 wherein said means for generating said interference condition in the frequency domain comprises:\\nmeans for varying a frequency of said light from said light source.\",\n \"54. The system of claim 48 wherein said optical switches are digitally selectable.\",\n \"55. The system of claim 48 wherein the sample comprises a biological sample.\",\n \"56. The system of claim 48 wherein said probe light paths are configured as a catheter.\",\n \"57. A method for determining a characteristic of a sample, the method comprising:\\nasymmetrically splitting a light from a light source into a sensing light portion and a reference light portion, said sensing light portion being greater than said reference light portion;\\nselecting a probe light path from a plurality of probe light paths, said probe light paths forming a portion of a sensing light path;\\ndirecting said sensing light portion by means of said sensing light path, including the selected at least one of said probe light paths, at the sample;\\nreceiving said sensing light portion reflected from the sample by means of said sensing light path, including the selected at least one of said probe light paths;\\ndirecting said reference light portion by means of a reference light path at a reflecting device;\\nreceiving said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device by means of said reference light path;\\ngenerating an interference condition between said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device;\\ndetecting said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device, to generate a signal indicative of an interference of said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device; and\\ndetermining a characteristic of the sample from said signal indicative of said interference of said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device.\",\n \"58. The method of claim 57 wherein said generating said interference condition comprises generating said interference condition in a time domain.\",\n \"59. The method of claim 57 wherein said generating said interference condition comprises generating said interference condition in a frequency domain.\",\n \"60. The method of claim 58 wherein said generating said interference condition in the time domain comprises:\\nvarying an effective light path length of said at least one of said reference light path and said sensing light path to within about a coherence length of said light.\",\n \"61. The method of claim 59 wherein said generating said interference condition in the frequency domain comprises:\\nvarying a frequency of said light from said light source.\",\n \"62. The method of claim 57 further comprising maintaining polarization of said light.\",\n \"63. The method of claim 57 wherein said light comprises a broadband light.\",\n \"64. The method of claim 57 wherein said light comprises laser lights.\",\n \"65. The method of claim 57 wherein the sample comprises a biological sample.\",\n \"66. A method for determining a characteristic of a sample, the method comprising:\\nsplitting a light from a light source into a sensing light portion and a reference light portion;\\nselecting a probe light path from a plurality of probe light paths, said probe light paths forming a portion of a sensing light path;\\ndirecting said sensing light portion by means of said sensing light path, including the selected at least one of said probe light paths, at the sample;\\nreceiving said sensing light portion reflected from the sample by means of said sensing light path, including the selected at least one of said probe light paths;\\ndirecting said reference light portion by means of a reference light path at a reflecting device;\\nreceiving said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device by means of said reference light path;\\ngenerating an interference condition in a frequency domain between said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device;\\ndetecting said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device, to generate a signal indicative of an interference of said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device; and\\ndetermining a characteristic of the sample from said signal indicative of said interference of said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device.\",\n \"67. The method of claim 66 wherein said generating said interference condition in the frequency domain comprises:\\nvarying a frequency of said light from said light source.\",\n \"68. The method of claim 66 further comprising maintaining polarization of said light.\",\n \"69. The method of claim 66 wherein said light comprises a broadband light.\",\n \"70. The method of claim 66 wherein said light comprises laser lights.\",\n \"71. The method of claim 66 wherein the sample comprises a biological sample.\"\n]"},"hard_negatives":{"kind":"list like","value":[["1. A three-dimensional measurement device, comprising:\na predetermined optical system that:\nsplits a predetermined incident light into two lights;\nradiates one of the two lights as a measurement light to a measurement object and the other of the two lights as a reference light to a reference surface; and\nrecombines the two lights to a combined light and emits the combined light;\na first irradiator that emits a first light that comprises a polarized light of a first wavelength and enters a first input-output element of the predetermined optical system;\na second irradiator that emits a second light that comprises a polarized light of a second wavelength and enters a second input-output element of the predetermined optical system;\na first camera that takes an image of an output light with regard to the first light that is emitted from the second input-output element when the first light enters the first input-output element;\na second camera that takes an image of an output light with regard to the second light that is emitted from the first input-output element when the second light enters the second input-output element; and\nan image processor that performs three-dimensional measurement of the measurement object, based on interference fringe images taken by the first and the second camera.","2. The three-dimensional measurement device according to claim 1, further comprising:\na first light guide that causes at least part of the first light emitted from the first irradiator to enter the first input-output element and that causes at least part of the output light with regard to the second light emitted from the first input-output element to enter the second camera; and\na second light guide that causes at least part of the second light emitted from the second irradiator to enter the second input-output element and that causes a least part of the output light with regard to the first light emitted from the second input-output element to enter the first camera.","3. The three-dimensional measurement device according to claim 2, further comprising:\na first light isolator that is placed between the first irradiator and the first light guide and that transmits only a light in one direction out of the light emitted from the first irradiator and blocks a light in a reverse direction; and\na second light isolator that is placed between the second irradiator and the second light guide and that transmits only a light in one direction out of the light emitted from the second irradiator and blocks a light in a reverse direction.","4. The three-dimensional measurement device according to claim 1, further comprising:\na first polarizer that gives a relative phase difference between the reference light and the measurement light with regard to the first light; and\na second polarizer that gives a relative phase difference between the reference light and the measurement light with regard to the second light, wherein\nthe image processor:\nmeasures a phase corresponding to a shape of the measurement object by a phase shift method, based on a plurality of interference fringe images of the output light with regard to the first light taken by the first camera when the output light with regard to the first light is subjected to phase shift a plurality of times by the first polarizer, and obtains the phase as a first measurement value;\nmeasures a phase corresponding to the shape of the measurement object by the phase shift method, based on a plurality of interference fringe images of the output light with regard to the second light taken by the second camera when the output light with regard to the second light is subjected to phase shift a plurality of times by the second polarizer, and obtains the phase as a second measurement value; and\nobtains height information specified from the first measurement value and the second measurement value, as height information of the measurement object.","5. The three-dimensional measurement device according to claim 4, further comprising:\na first spectroscope that splits the output light with regard to the first light into a plurality of lights;\na first filter, as the first polarizer, that gives different phase differences to at least a required number of split lights required for measurement by the phase shift method, out of a plurality of split lights split by the first spectroscope;\na second spectroscope that splits the output light with regard to the second light into a plurality of lights; and\na second filter, as the second polarizer, that gives different phase differences to at least a required number of split lights required for measurement by the phase shift method, out of a plurality of split lights split by the second spectroscope, wherein\nthe first camera simultaneously takes images of at least the plurality of split lights transmitted through the first filter, and\nthe second camera simultaneously takes images of at least the plurality of split lights transmitted through the second filter.","6. The three-dimensional measurement device according to claim 5,\nwherein the spectroscope comprises:\na first optical member that is a triangular prism having a triangular sectional shape along a first plane and comprises a first splitter arranged along a plane that goes through a line of intersection between a first surface and a second surface out of three surfaces along a direction perpendicular to the first plane and that is orthogonal to a third surface; and\na second optical member that is a triangular prism having a triangular sectional shape along a second plane orthogonal to the first plane and comprises a second splitter arranged along a plane that goes through a line of intersection between a first surface and a second surface out of three surfaces along a direction perpendicular to the second plane and that is orthogonal to a third surface, wherein\nthe third surface of the first optical member is arranged to be opposed to the first surface of the second optical member, such that\na light entering the first surface of the first optical member is split in two directions by the first splitter; a split light reflected by the first splitter is reflected at the first surface toward the third surface, and a split light transmitted through the first splitter is reflected at the second surface toward the third surface, so that two parallel split lights are emitted from the third surface;\nthe two split lights emitted from the third surface of the first optical member enter the first surface of the second optical member; each of the two split lights is split in two directions by the second splitter; two split lights reflected by the second splitter are respectively reflected at the first surface toward the third surface, and two split lights transmitted through the second splitter are respectively reflected at the second surface toward the third surface, so that four parallel split lights are emitted from the third surface.","7. The three-dimensional measurement device according to claim 6,\nwherein the first camera comprises a single imaging element that simultaneously takes images of at least the plurality of split lights transmitted through the first filter, and\nthe second camera comprises a single imaging element that simultaneously takes images of at least the plurality of split lights transmitted through the second filter.","8. The three-dimensional measurement device according to claim 7,\nwherein the measurement object is either solder paste printed on a printed circuit board or a solder bump formed on a wafer substrate.","9. The three-dimensional measurement device according to claim 6,\nwherein the measurement object is either solder paste printed on a printed circuit board or a solder bump formed on a wafer substrate.","10. The three-dimensional measurement device according to claim 5,\nwherein the first camera comprises a single imaging element that simultaneously takes images of at least the plurality of split lights transmitted through the first filter, and\nthe second camera comprises a single imaging element that simultaneously takes images of at least the plurality of split lights transmitted through the second filter.","11. The three-dimensional measurement device according to claim 10,\nwherein the measurement object is either solder paste printed on a printed circuit board or a solder bump formed on a wafer substrate.","12. The three-dimensional measurement device according to claim 5,\nwherein the measurement object is either solder paste printed on a printed circuit board or a solder bump formed on a wafer substrate.","13. The three-dimensional measurement device according to claim 4,\nwherein the measurement object is either solder paste printed on a printed circuit board or a solder bump formed on a wafer substrate.","14. The three-dimensional measurement device according to claim 1,\nwherein the measurement object is either solder paste printed on a printed circuit board or a solder bump formed on a wafer substrate.","15. A three-dimensional measurement device, comprising:\na polarizing beam splitter that:\ncomprises a boundary surface that splits a predetermined incident light into two polarized lights having polarizing directions orthogonal to each other;\nradiates one of the split polarized lights as a measurement light to a measurement object and the other of the split polarized lights as a reference light to a reference surface; and\nrecombines the two polarized lights to a combined light and emits the combined light;\na first irradiator that emits a first light that comprises a polarized light of a first wavelength and enters a first surface as a first input-output element of the polarizing beam splitter, out of the first surface and a second surface of the polarizing beam splitter arranged to adjoin to each other across the boundary surface;\na second irradiator that emits a second light that comprises a polarized light of a second wavelength and enters the second surface as a second input-output element of the polarizing beam splitter;\na first quarter wave plate placed between the reference surface and a third surface of the polarizing beam splitter which the reference light enters and is emitted from;\na second quarter wave plate placed between the measurement object and a fourth surface of the polarizing beam splitter which the measurement light enters and is emitted from;\na first camera that takes an image of an output light with regard to the first light that is emitted from the second surface when the first light enters the first surface of the polarizing beam splitter;\na second camera that takes an image of an output light with regard to the second light that is emitted from the first surface when the second light enters the second surface of the polarizing beam splitter; and\nan image processor that performs three-dimensional measurement of the measurement object, based on interference fringe images taken by the first and the second camera.","16. The three-dimensional measurement device according to claim 15, further comprising:\na first light guide that causes at least part of the first light emitted from the first irradiator to enter the first input-output element and that causes at least part of the output light with regard to the second light emitted from the first input-output element to enter the second camera; and\na second light guide that causes at least part of the second light emitted from the second irradiator to enter the second input-output element and that causes a least part of the output light with regard to the first light emitted from the second input-output element to enter the first camera.","17. The three-dimensional measurement device according to claim 16, further comprising:\na first light isolator that is placed between the first irradiator and the first light guide and that transmits only a light in one direction out of the light emitted from the first irradiator and blocks a light in a reverse direction; and\na second light isolator that is placed between the second irradiator and the second light guide and that transmits only a light in one direction out of the light emitted from the second irradiator and blocks a light in a reverse direction.","18. A three-dimensional measurement device, comprising:\na predetermined optical system that:\nsplits a predetermined incident light into two polarized lights having polarizing directions orthogonal to each other;\nradiates one of the polarized lights as a measurement light to a measurement object and the other of the polarized lights as a reference light to a reference surface; and\nrecombines the two polarized lights to a combined light and emits the combined light;\na first irradiator that emits a first light that has a first wavelength and enters the predetermined optical system;\na second irradiator that emits a second light that has a second wavelength different from the first wavelength and enters the predetermined optical system;\na first camera that takes an image of an output light with regard to the first light that is emitted from the predetermined optical system;\na second camera that takes an image of an output light with regard to the second light that is emitted from the predetermined optical system; and\nan image processor that performs three-dimensional measurement of the measurement object, based on interference fringe images taken by the first and the second camera, wherein\nthe first light and the second light enter different positions of the predetermined optical system, and\nthe predetermined optical system:\nsplits the first light into the reference light that is a first polarized light having a first polarizing direction and the measurement light that is a second polarized light having a second polarizing direction;\nsplits the second light into the reference light that is the second polarized light and the measurement light that is the first polarized light; and\nemits the output light with regard to the first light by recombining the split lights and the output light with regard to the second light by recombining the split lights from different positions of the predetermined optical system."],["1. A bore testing device for testing an inner surface of a bore in a workpiece to detect surface defects in the bore in the workpiece, the bore testing device comprising:\na) a measuring head which defines an axial direction, and on which an optical system is situated which is in image transmission connection with an image recorder and a downstream evaluation apparatus;\nb) an illumination arrangement is provided, the illumination apparatus illuminates an imaging area of the inner surface of the bore in the workpiece which is detected by the optical system;\nc) the illumination arrangement illuminates the inner surface of the bore in the workpiece to be tested from different illumination directions and generates shadow images of a topography of the inner surface of the bore in the workpiece;\nd) the downstream evaluation apparatus determines the topography based on the shadow images recorded by the image recorder;\ne) the illumination apparatus has a first light source arrangement which illuminates the inner surface from a first illumination direction, and a second light source arrangement which illuminates the inner surface from a second illumination direction;\nf) the first light source arrangement radially illuminates the inner surface, and the second light source arrangement tangentially illuminates the inner surface in the peripheral direction; and\ng)an advancing apparatus for advancing the measuring head in the axial direction in a stepwise manner is associated with the measuring head.","2. The testing device according to claim 1, wherein:\na) one of the first and second light source arrangements is configured for rotationally symmetrical illumination of the inner surface.","3. The testing device according to claim 1, wherein:\na) one of the first and second light source arrangements has a plurality of light sources arranged in a ring shape in the peripheral direction.","4. The testing device according to claim 3, wherein:\na) the first and second light source arrangements include light-emitting diodes.","5. The testing device according to claim 1, wherein:\na) the first and second light source arrangements are separated at a distance from one another in the axial direction, and irradiate in opposite directions.","6. The testing device according to claim 1, wherein:\na) a control device is provided for controlling the first and second light source arrangements.","7. The testing device according to claim 6, wherein:\na) the control device chronologically successively illuminates the inner surface from the different illumination directions.","8. The testing device e according to claim 1, wherein:\na) a separate illumination color is associated with each of the first and second illumination directions; and\nb) the image recorder includes a color sensor.","9. The testing device according to claim 1, wherein:\na) the optical system is an optical system with a panoramic view.","10. The testing device according to claim 1, wherein:\na) the measuring head or the measuring head together with the illumination arrangement, is an endoscope which is insertable into the bore to be tested.","11. The testing device according to claim 1, wherein:\na) the image recorder is a digital image recorder.","12. The testing device according to claim 1, wherein:\na) the evaluation apparatus is a digital evaluation apparatus.","13. The testing device according to claim 1, wherein:\na) the evaluation apparatus evaluates the shadow images recorded by the image recorder according to shape from the shading method.","14. A bore testing device for testing an inner surface of a bore in a workpiece to detect surface defects in the bore in the workpiece, the bore testing device comprising:\na) a measuring head which defines an axial direction, and on which an optical system is situated which is in image transmission connection with an image recorder and a downstream evaluation apparatus;\nb) an illumination arrangement is provided, the illumination apparatus illuminates an imaging area of the inner surface of the bore in the workpiece which is detected by the optical system;\nc) the illumination arrangement illuminates the inner surface of the bore in the workpiece to be tested from different illumination directions and generates shadow images of a topography of the inner surface of the bore in the workpiece;\nd) the downstream evaluation apparatus determines the topography of the inner surface of the bore in the workpiece based on the shadow images of the topography of the inner surface of the bore in the workpiece recorded by the image recorder; and\ne) an advancing apparatus is provided, the advancing apparatus advances the measuring head in the axial direction in a stepwise manner.","15. The testing device according to claim 14,\nwherein:\na) the illumination apparatus has a first light source arrangement for illuminating the inner surface from a first illumination direction, and a second lightsource arrangement for illuminating the inner surface from a second illumination direction.","16. The testing device according to claim 15,\nwherein:\na) the first light source arrangement is configured for radially illuminating the inner surface, and the second light source arrangement is configured for tangentially illuminating the inner surface in the peripheral direction.","17. A bore testing device for testing an inner surface of a bore in a workpiece to detect surface defects in the bore in the workpiece, the bore testing device comprising:\na) a measuring head which defines an axial direction, and on which an optical system is situated which is in image transmission connection with an image recorder and a downstream evaluation apparatus;\nb) an illumination arrangement is provided, the illumination apparatus illuminates an imaging area of the inner surface of the bore in the workpiece which is detected by the optical system;\nc) the illumination arrangement illuminates the inner surface of the bore in the workpiece to be tested from different illumination directions and generates shadow images of a topography of the inner surface of the bore in the workpiece;\nd) the downstream evaluation apparatus determines the topography of the inner surface of the bore in the workpiece based on the shadow images of the topography of the inner surface of the bore in the workpiece recorded by the image recorder; and\ne) an advancing apparatus is provided, the advancing apparatus advances the measuring head in the axial direction in a stepwise and in a continuous manner.","18. The testing device according to claim 17, wherein:\na) the illumination apparatus has a first light source arrangement for illuminating the inner surface from a first illumination direction, and a second light source arrangement for illuminating the inner surface from a second illumination direction.","19. The testing device according to claim 17, wherein:\na) the first light source arrangement is configured for radially illuminating the inner surface, and the second light source arrangement is configured for tangentially illuminating the inner surface in the peripheral direction."],["1. A LIght Detection And Ranging (LIDAR) system, comprising:\na first laser subsystem configured to transmit a first laser beam at a first location on an object at a time;\na second laser subsystem configured to transmit a second laser beam at a second location on the object at the time; and\nan analyzer configured to analyze data based on laser beams produced by the LIDAR system, the analyzer configured to calculate a first range based on a first reflected laser beam reflected from the object in response to the first laser beam, the analyzer configured to calculate a second range based on a second reflected laser beam reflected from the object in response to the second laser beam, the analyzer configured to detect a vibration velocity field over the object;\nthe first location being targeted by the first laser subsystem and the second location being targeted by the second laser subsystem such that a first displacement due to the vibration velocity field at the first location is substantially the same as a second displacement due to the vibration velocity field at the second location while the vibration velocity field is being detected.","2. The LIDAR system of claim 1, wherein the first range and the second range correspond with the time.","3. The LIDAR system of claim 1, wherein the first laser subsystem includes a laser source, a splitter and a delay, the splitter being disposed between the laser source and the delay.","4. The LIDAR system of claim 1, wherein the first laser subsystem includes a laser source, a delay and a combiner, the delay being disposed between the combiner and the laser source.","5. The LIDAR system of claim 1, wherein the analyzer is configured to calculate a constant velocity of a surface of the object, the analyzer is configured to correct a first displacement based on the constant velocity of the surface.","6. The LIDAR system of claim 1, wherein the analyzer is configured to calculate a varying velocity of a surface of the object, the analyzer is configured to correct the second range based on the varying velocity of the surface.","7. The LIDAR system of claim 1, wherein the first range and the second range are included in a first set of simultaneous measurements, the time is a first time,\nthe first laser subsystem configured to transmit a third laser beam at a third location on the object at a second time;\nthe second laser subsystem configured to transmit a fourth laser beam at a fourth location on the object at the second time,\nthe analyzer configured to calculate a third range based on a third reflected laser beam from the third laser beam, the analyzer configured to calculate a fourth range based on a fourth reflected laser beam from the fourth laser beam,\nthe third range and the fourth range are included in a second set of simultaneous measurements,\nthe analyzer configured to modify the first range based on first set of simultaneous measurements and the second set of simultaneous measurements.","8. The LIDAR system of claim 1, wherein the first range is a first estimated range calculated based on the first reflected laser beam and the second range is a second estimated range calculated based on the first reflected laser beam and the second reflected laser beam.","9. A LIght Detection And Ranging (LIDAR) system, comprising:\na first laser subsystem configured to transmit a first laser beam at a first location on an object at a time;\na second laser subsystem configured to transmit a second laser beam at a second location on the object at the time; and\nan analyzer configured to analyze data based on laser beams produced by the LIDAR system, the analyzer configured to calculate a first range based on a first reflected laser beam reflected from the object in response to the first laser beam, the analyzer configured to calculate a second range based on a second reflected laser beam reflected from the object in response to the second laser beam, the analyzer configured to detect a vibration velocity field over the object,\nthe first location having a proximity to the second location such that a first displacement due to the vibration velocity field at the first location is linearly related to a second displacement due to the vibration velocity field at the first location while the vibration velocity field is being detected.","10. The LIDAR system of claim 9, wherein the analyzer is further configured to calculate a constant velocity of a surface of the object, the analyzer is configured to correct the first range based on the constant velocity of the surface.","11. The LIDAR system of claim 9, wherein the analyzer is further configured to calculate a varying velocity of a surface of the object, the analyzer is configured to correct the first range based on the varying velocity of the surface.","12. The LIDAR system of claim 9, wherein the analyzer is configured to calculate a relative range between the first location and the second location at the time independent of absolute range accuracy.","13. The LIDAR system of claim 9, wherein the first laser subsystem is fixedly located with respect to the second laser subsystem.","14. The LIDAR system of claim 9, wherein the first range is a first estimated range calculated based on the first reflected laser beam and the second range is a second estimated range calculated based on the first reflected laser beam and the second reflected laser beam.","15. The LIDAR system of claim 9, wherein the analyzer is further configured to:\ncalculate a first velocity based on a first reflected laser beam reflected from the object in response to the first laser beam; and\ncalculate a variation in the first range based on a variation in the first velocity.","16. The LIDAR system of claim 9, wherein the analyzer is further configured to:\ncalculate a second velocity based on a first reflected laser beam reflected from the object in response to the second laser beam; and,\ncalculate a variation in the second range based on a variation in the second velocity.","17. The LIDAR system of claim 9, wherein the analyzer is further configured to:\ncalculate a first velocity based on a first reflected laser beam reflected from the object in response to the first laser beam; and\ncalculate a constant velocity of a surface of the object, the analyzer is configured to correct the first velocity at the first location based on the constant velocity of the surface.","18. The LIDAR system of claim 9, wherein the analyzer is further configured to:\ncalculate a second velocity based on a second reflected laser beam reflected from the object in response to the second laser beam; and\ncalculate a varying velocity of a surface of the object, the analyzer is configured to correct the second velocity based on the varying velocity of the surface.","19. A method, comprising:\ndetecting a vibration velocity field over an object;\ntransmitting a first laser beam at a first location on the object at a time;\ntransmitting a second laser beam at a second location on the object at the time;\ngenerating a first range based on a first reflected laser beam reflected from the object in response to the first laser beam;\ngenerating a second range based on a second reflected laser beam reflected from the object in response to the second laser beam,\nthe first location being targeted by the first laser subsystem and the second location being targeted by the second laser subsystem such that a first Doppler shift for the first laser beam and a second Doppler shift for the second laser beam are substantially the same while the vibration velocity field is being detected."],["1. An optical coherence tomography (OCT) system comprising:\na light source for generating a light beam to illuminate a sample;\na beam divider for separating the light beam into reference and sample arms, wherein the sample arm contains the sample to be imaged;\nsample arm optics for sequentially illuminating a location in the sample with the light beam from different angles;\na detector for receiving light returning from the reference arm and the sample illuminated at each angle and generating signals in response thereto;\na processor for coherently combining the signals from the different angles to generate an image of the sample, said image having a transverse resolution that is higher than the transverse resolution achieved from the signal generated from a single angle and wherein the coherently combining involves averaging or adding complex OCT data from the different angles.","2. The OCT system as recited in claim 1, wherein the sample is an eye.","3. The OCT system as recited in claim 1, wherein the sample arm optics comprise a splitter for dividing the light beam into multiple imaging beams and an optical switch, wherein sequential illumination of the sample at different angles is achieved with the optical switch.","4. The OCT system as recited in claim 3, wherein an imaging beam from the multiple imaging beams illuminates a point on the sample.","5. The OCT system as recited in claim 3, wherein an imaging beam from the multiple imaging beams illuminates a line on the sample.","6. The OCT system as recited in claim 1, wherein the OCT system is a holoscopic system.","7. The OCT system as recited in claim 1, wherein the sample arm optics include a corner cube reflector and a pivoting mirror element, wherein the sequential angle illumination is achieved by moving the beam on the pivoting mirror element using the corner cube reflector.","8. The OCT system as recited in claim 1, wherein an optical phase adjustment is applied between the sample arm and the reference arm to compensate for an apparent tilt introduced by different scanning angles.","9. The OCT system as recited in claim 1, further comprising an optical phase shifting element between the sample arm and the reference arm to compensate for an apparent tilt introduced by different scanning angles.","10. A method for high resolution imaging of a sample with a multi-beam optical coherence tomography (OCT) system, said method comprising:\nilluminating different locations in the sample through multiple sample arm beam paths using a light source;\nadjusting the multiple sample arm beam paths such that at least one of the previously illuminated sample locations is illuminated again by a different sample arm beam path incident on the sample location at a different angle;\ncombining light returning from the sample and light from one or more reference beam paths at a plurality of beam combiners;\ncollecting light from each combiner and generating signals in response thereto;\ncoherently combining the signals from the different angles at each location to generate an image of the sample, said image having a transverse resolution that is higher than the transverse resolution achieved from the signal generated from a single angle, wherein the coherently combining involves averaging or adding complex OCT signals from the different angles;\nstoring or displaying the image or a further analysis thereof.","11. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein the sample is an eye.","12. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein there are two sample arm beam paths and two reference beam paths.","13. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein there are three sample arm beam paths.","14. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein the adjusting step is achieved by moving the sample relative to the multi-beam OCT system.","15. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein the adjusting step is achieved by changing the location of the sample arm beam path on a scanning element positioned in the beam path.","16. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein the combining of each of the sample and reference arm beam path pairs determines an angular distribution of the scattering.","17. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein, prior to combining the sample and reference arm beam paths, shifting of the phase of the data from one or more sample arm beam paths is performed to correct for optical aberrations."],["1. An integrated photonic chip suitable for space-division multiplexing optical coherence tomography scanning, the photonic chip comprising:\na substrate;\nan optical input port configured to receive an incident singular sampling beam from an external light source;\na plurality of optical output ports configured to transmit a plurality of sampling beams from the chip to a sample to capture scanned images of the sample; and\na multiple branched waveguide structure optically coupling the input port to each of the output ports, the waveguide structure comprising a plurality of interconnected waveguide channels formed in the substrate;\nthe waveguide channels configured to define a plurality of photonic splitters which divide the incident singular sampling beam received at the input port into the plurality of sampling beams at the output ports;\nwherein portions of the waveguide channels between the photonic splitters and output ports have different predetermined lengths to create an optical time delay between each of the plurality of sampling beams;\nwherein a difference in the predetermined lengths between the waveguide channels is selected to produce an optical delay shorter than a coherence length of the light source between the plurality of sampling beams so that when images are formed, signals from different physical locations are detected in different frequency bands.","2. The photonic chip according to claim 1, wherein the photonic splitters are arranged in multiple cascading rows on the substrate, the singular sampling beam being successively divided in each row by the photonic splitters to create an increasingly greater number of sampling beams in each row between the inlet port and the output ports.","3. The photonic chip according to claim 1, wherein the output ports emit the sampling beams from the photonic chip directly into air to the sample.","4. The photonic chip according to claim 1, wherein the output ports are arranged to receive a plurality of reflected light signals returned from the sample, the photonic splitters being configured to combine the plurality of reflected light signals into a singular reflected light signal which is emitted from the input port of the photonic chip.","5. The photonic chip according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of output ports are clustered together on one side of the substrate and evenly spaced apart at a predetermined pitch spacing.","6. The photonic chip according to claim 5, wherein a difference in length between each adjacent waveguide channel in the photonic chip is the same.","7. The photonic chip according to claim 1, further comprising an optical fiber coupled to the input port of the photonic chip.","8. The photonic chip according to claim 1, wherein the substrate is selected from the group consisting of silicon, silicon on insulator, Iridium Phosphide, Lithium Niobate, Silicon Nitride and Gallium Arsenide.","9. The photonic chip according to claim 1, wherein the sampling beams in the time delay region travel in a path generally perpendicular to a path of the sampling beams in the splitter region.","10. The photonic chip according to claim 1, wherein the waveguide channels are etched into the substrate.","11. A low loss integrated photonic chip suitable for space-division multiplexing optical coherence tomography scanning, the photonic chip comprising:\na substrate;\nan optical input port configured to receive an incident singular sampling beam from an external light source;\na reference light input port configured to receive reference light from an external reference light source;\na plurality of optical output ports configured to transmit a plurality of sampling beams from the chip to a sample to capture scanned images of the sample;\na multiple branched waveguide structure optically coupling the input port to each of the output ports, the waveguide structure comprising a plurality of interconnected waveguide channels formed in the substrate, the waveguide channels defining a splitter region and an interferometer region;\nthe waveguide channels in the splitter region configured to define a plurality of photonic splitters which divide the incident singular sampling beam received at the input port into the plurality of sampling beams at the output ports;\nwherein portions of the waveguide channels between the photonic splitters and output ports have different predetermined lengths to create an optical time delay between each of the plurality of sampling beams;\nthe waveguide channels in the interferometer region configured to define a plurality of photonic interferometers, the photonic interferometers optically coupled to the waveguide channels in the time delay region and the reference light;\nwherein the photonic interferometers are arranged to receive a plurality of reflected light signals returned from the sample, the photonic interferometers being configured and operable to combine the reflected light signals with the reference light to produce a plurality of interference signals which are emitted from interference signal output ports of the photonic chip.","12. The photonic chip according to claim 11, wherein the photonic splitters are arranged in multiple cascading rows on the substrate, the singular sampling beam being evenly and successively divided in each row by the photonic splitters to create an increasingly greater number of sampling beams in each row between the inlet port and the output ports.","13. The photonic chip according to claims 12, wherein the photonic interferometers are optically coupled to photonic splitters in a final row of the splitter region.","14. The photonic chip according to claim 13, wherein the reflected light signals returned from the sample travel through the photonic splitters in the final row to the interferometers and bypass preceding rows of photonic splitters in the splitter region.","15. The photonic chip according to claim 11, wherein the photonic interferometers are optically coupled to the reference light input port via a plurality of reference light waveguide channels.","16. The photonic chip according to claim 11, wherein a difference in the predetermined lengths between the waveguide channels is selected to produce an optical delay shorter than a coherence length of the light source between the plurality of sampling beams so that when images are formed, signals from different physical locations are detected in different frequency bands.","17. A method for processing light in a space division multiplexing optical coherence tomography system using a low loss integrated photonic chip, the method comprising:\nproviding a photonic chip comprising an optical input port, a plurality of optical output ports, and a multiple branched waveguide structure optically coupling the input port to each of the output ports, the waveguide structure comprising a plurality of interconnected waveguide channels formed in the chip;\nreceiving a singular sample beam from a light source at the input port;\ndividing the sample beam into a plurality of sampling beams using a plurality of in-chip photonic splitters defined by the waveguide channels in the splitter region;\ncreating a time delay between the plurality of sampling beams by varying a length of each waveguide channel after dividing the sampling beam; and\nemitting the plurality of sampling beams simultaneously in parallel through the output ports towards a sample to be scanned;\nreceiving a plurality of reflected light signals returned from the sample at the output ports;\ntransmitting the reflected light signals to a plurality of interferometers defined by the waveguide channels in an interferometer region of the photonic chip;\ncombining the reflected light signals with a reference light signal using the plurality of interferometers to generate a plurality of interference signals; and\nemitting the interference signals from interference output ports of the photonic chip."],["1. A method, for use with an optical system that includes a camera, the method comprising:\ndetecting surface topography of a portion of a curved surface of an object by:\ndirecting a beam of light toward the surface from a broad angle of incidence with respect to an optical axis of the camera;\nreceiving light reflected from the surface with the camera, the reflected light passing via a narrow-angle aperture, before being received by the camera;\ndetecting one or more darkened regions in the received light; and\ndetecting the surface topography at least partially based upon the detected darkened regions.","2. The method according to claim 1, wherein receiving light reflected from the surface with the camera, via the narrow-angle aperture comprises receiving light reflected from the surface with the camera, the reflected light passing via a narrow-angle aperture that defines an angle of less than 3 degrees, before being received by the camera.","3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising detecting surface topography of a region of the surface that is in a vicinity of the optical axis of the camera, by:\ndetecting a spectrum of light that is reflected from the region, using a spectrometer; and\nanalyzing the detected spectrum.","4. The method according to claim 3, wherein detecting the spectrum of light that is reflected from the region using the spectrometer comprises detecting the spectrum of reflected light from the region using a spectrometer measurement time of between 20 and 300 milliseconds.","5. The method according to claim 3, wherein detecting a spectrum of light that is reflected from the region using the spectrometer comprises detecting the spectrum of reflected light from the region using a spectrometer measurement spot size of between 100 microns and 240 microns.","6. The method according to claim 1, wherein detecting surface topography of the portion of the curved surface of the object comprises detecting surface topography of a portion of a curved surface of a cornea of an eye of a subject.","7. The method according to claim 1, wherein:\ndetecting the one or more darkened regions in the received light comprises using a computer processor to detect the one or more darkened regions in the received light; and\ndetecting the surface topography at least partially based upon the detected darkened regions comprises using the computer processor to detect the surface topography at least partially based upon the detected darkened regions.","8. The method according to claim 1, wherein directing the beam of light toward the surface from the broad angle of incidence with respect to the optical axis of the camera comprises directing the beam of light toward the surface from an angle of incidence of more than 50 degrees with respect to the optical axis of the camera.","9. The method according to claim 1, wherein directing the beam of light toward the surface from the broad angle of incidence with respect to the optical axis of the camera comprises tracing rays of light such that a respective narrow angle illumination beam is focused upon respective portions of the curved surface.","10. Apparatus for detecting surface topography of a portion of a curved surface of an object, the apparatus comprising:\na light source configured to generate light;\na camera that defines an optical axis;\nan optical system configured to direct a beam of the generated light toward the surface from broad angle of incidence with respect to the optical axis of the camera;\na narrow-aperture optical element configured to be disposed between the surface and the camera, such that light that is reflected from the surface passes through the narrow-aperture optical element before being received by the camera.","11. The apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising a computer processor configured to:\ndetect one or more darkened regions in the light received by the camera; and\ndetect the surface topography of the portion of the curved surface of the object, in response to the detected darkened regions.","12. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the optical system is configured to direct the beam of the generated light toward the surface from an angle of incidence of more than 50 degrees with respect to the optical axis of the camera.","13. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the optical system is configured trace rays of the generated light such that a respective narrow angle illumination beam is focused upon respective portions of the curved surface.","14. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the narrow-aperture optical element defines an angle of less than 3 degrees.","15. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the narrow-aperture optical element comprises an optical element selected from the group consisting of: a lens, an annular filter, and an apodizer.","16. The apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising:\na spectrometer configured to detect a spectrum of light that is reflected from a region of the surface that is in a vicinity of the optical axis of the camera; and\na computer processor configured to detect a surface topography of the region by analyzing the detected spectrum.","17. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the spectrometer is configured to measure the spectrum of reflected light from the region using a measurement time of between 20 and 300 milliseconds.","18. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the spectrometer is configured to measure the spectrum of reflected light from the region using a measurement spot size of between 100 microns and 240 microns.","19. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the curved surface of the object includes a curved surface of cornea of an eye of a subject, and the narrow-aperture optical element is configured to be disposed between the curved surface of the cornea and the camera.","20. The apparatus according to claim 19, further comprising a mechanism for centering the cornea of the subject's eye onto the optical axis of the camera, the mechanism comprising a projector that is configured to project a given pattern onto the subject's cornea."],["1. An optical coherence tomography system with space-division multiplexing, the system comprising:\na long coherence light source producing light having a coherence length greater than 5 mm to provide optimal imaging depth range;\na first optical device configured to split the light into reference light and sampling light;\na non-sweeping reference arm receiving the reference light and producing a reference light signal;\na second optical device arranged on a sample arm and configured to split the sampling light into a plurality of sampling beams and transmit the plurality of sampling beams simultaneously;\nan optical delay element configured to produce an optical delay between the plurality of sampling beams;\na scanner arranged to receive and configured to simultaneously scan the plurality of sampling beams onto multiple different sampling locations on a surface of a sample;\nthe second optical device operable to simultaneously receive a plurality of reflected light signals returned from the multiple sampling locations;\na third optical device configured to generate a plurality of interference signals based on simultaneously receiving the plurality of reflected light signals returned from the multiple sampling locations on the surface of the sample produced by the plurality of sampling beams and the reference light signal;\nwherein the interference signals includes data representing digitized images of all of the multiple sampling locations simultaneously from the sample.","2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first optical device is an optical coupler operable to divert the reference light to the reference arm and to divert the sampling light to the sample arm.","3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a single sample arm which includes the second optical device, the sample arm transmitting the plurality of sampling beams to the scanner.","4. The system of claim 1, wherein the second optical device is an optical fiber splitter.","5. The system of claim 4, wherein the optical splitter is planar lightwave circuit splitter.","6. The system of claim 1, wherein the second optical device is a microlens array.","7. The system of claim 6, wherein the optical delay element comprises a plurality of glass or plastic members each having a different thickness and receiving a portion of the sampling light from the microlens array.","8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a balanced detector arranged and operable to detect the interference signal.","9. The system of claim 1, wherein the optical delay element comprises an optical fiber array comprised of plurality of optical fibers each having a different length and conveying one of the plurality of sampling beams.","10. The system of claim 1, wherein the second optical device is further configured to combine the reflected light signals from the sample into a single detection signal containing the reflected light signals, the detection signal being transmitted to the at least one third optical device.","11. The system of claim 1, wherein the third optical device is an optical coupler.","12. The system of claim 1, wherein the light source is a wavelength tunable light source.","13. The system of claim 12, wherein the light source is a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser diode.","14. The system of claim 1, further comprising a fourth optical device configured to divert a portion of the light to a Mach-Zehnder interferometer, the Mach-Zehnder interferometer configured and operable to clock acquisition of the reflected light signals returned from the surface of the sample.","15. The system of claim 1, further comprising a high speed data acquisition card and computer processor configured to capture and process the interference signal and generate a visual display of the actual images of the sample on a display device.","16. An optical coherence tomography system with space-division multiplexing, the system comprising:\na long coherence light source producing light having a coherence length greater than 5 mm to provide optimal imaging depth range;\na first optical coupler configured to divide the light into reference light and sampling light;\na non-sweeping reference arm defining a first optical light path, the reference arm receiving the reference light and generating a reference light signal based on the reference light;\na single sample arm defining a second optical light path and receiving the sampling light;\nan optical fiber splitter arranged on the sample arm and dividing the sampling light into a plurality of sampling light beams;\nan optical delay element comprising a plurality of optical fibers each having a different length and conveying one of the plurality of sampling light beams, the optical fibers producing an optical delay between the plurality of sampling beams;\na scanner receiving and simultaneously scanning the plurality of sampling beams onto multiple different sampling locations on a surface of a sample;\nthe optical fiber splitter operable to simultaneously receive a plurality of reflected light signals returned from the multiple sampling locations produced by each of the plurality of sampling beams;\na second optical coupler receiving and combining the reference light signal and the plurality of reflected light signals each returned simultaneously from the multiple sampling locations on the surface of the sample produced by each of the plurality of sampling beams to produce a plurality of interference signals each associated with one of the plurality of reflected light signals;\nwherein the interference signals includes data representing digitized images of all of the multiple sampling locations simultaneously from the sample.","17. The system of claim 16, wherein the sampling light enters the optical splitter via a single optical fiber and each sampling beam exits the optical splitter via an optical fiber forming an array comprising a plurality of optical fibers.","18. The system of claim 17, wherein the optical splitter is planar lightwave circuit splitter.","19. The system of claim 16, further comprising a balanced detector operable to detect the interference signal.","20. The system of claim 16, wherein the light source is a wavelength tunable laser.","21. The system of claim 16, wherein the light source is a broadband light source.","22. A method for imaging a sample using a space-division multiplexing optical coherence tomography system, the method comprising:\nproviding an optical coherence tomography system comprising a long coherence light source producing light having a coherence length greater than 5 mm to provide optimal imaging depth range, a non-sweeping reference arm defining a first optical path, and a sample arm defining a second optical path;\ndividing the light from the light source into reference light and sampling light;\ntransmitting the reference light to the reference arm to produce a reflected light signal;\ntransmitting the sampling light to the sample arm;\nsplitting the sampling light into a plurality of sampling beams on the sample arm;\nproducing an optical delay between the plurality of sampling beams;\nsimultaneously scanning the plurality of sampling beams onto a surface of a sample at multiple different sample locations;\ncollecting a plurality of reflected light signals each returned from the surface of the sample produced by each of the plurality of sampling beams;\ncombining the plurality of reflected light signals into a single reflected light signal comprised of the plurality of reflected light signals;\ncombining the single reflected light signal comprised of the plurality of reflected light signals and the reference light signal to produce a plurality of interference signals, the interference signals comprising data representing digitized images of all of the multiple different sample locations simultaneously from the sample.","23. The method of claim 22, wherein a single sample arm is provided.","24. The method of claim 22, wherein the splitting step is performed using an optical splitter.","25. The method of claim 22, further comprising detecting the interference signal using a balanced detector.","26. The method of claim 22, further comprising transmitting a portion of the light from the light source to a Mach-Zehnder interferometer to clock acquisition of the interference signal.","27. The method of claim 22, wherein the step of producing the optical delay includes transmitting each of the sampling beams in one of a plurality of optical fibers each having a different length."],["1. A method for sorting wafers utilizing a slope of shape metric, comprising:\nreceiving a plurality of wafers;\nacquiring a set of wafer shape values from a surface of each wafer at a selected process level;\ngenerating a set of residual slope shape metrics for each wafer by calculating a residual slope shape metric at each of a plurality of points of each wafer;\ndetermining a neutral surface of each wafer in a chucked state;\ncalculating a neutral surface factor (NSF) for each wafer utilizing the determined neutral surface for each wafer and a plurality of positions associated with a plurality of patterns of each wafer;\ndetermining a set of pattern placement error (PPE) residual values for each wafer, the PPE residual value for each point for each wafer being a product of at least the calculated NSF for each wafer, the residual slope shape metric for the point, and a thickness of the wafer;\ndetermining one or more thresholds for the set of residual shape metrics suitable for maintaining the set of PPE residuals below one or more selected levels;\nmonitoring each of the plurality of wafers by comparing the determined one or more thresholds for the set of residual shape metrics to the generated set of residual slope shape metrics for each wafer; and\nmodifying one or more wafer fabrication processes, responsive to the monitoring of each of the plurality of wafers, in order to maintain the generated set of residual slope shape metrics for each wafer below the one or more thresholds.","2. The method of claim 1, wherein the NSF is a distance between the neutral surface and a pattern surface of the wafer.","3. The method of claim 1, wherein the selected process level is a bare wafer process level.","4. The method of claim 1, wherein the characterizing the plurality of wafers by comparing the determined one or more thresholds for the set of residual shape metrics to the generated set of residual slope shape metrics for each wafer comprises:\nsorting the plurality of wafers by comparing the determined one or more thresholds for the set of residual shape metrics to the generated set of residual slope shape metrics for each wafer.","5. The method of claim 4, wherein the sorting the plurality of wafers by comparing the determined one or more thresholds for the set of residual shape metrics to the generated set of residual slope shape metrics for each wafer comprises:\nbinning each wafer according to a comparison between the set of residual shape metrics associated with the wafer and the determined threshold.","6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nresponsive to the monitoring of each of the plurality of wafers, identifying one or more processes in order to establish the generated set of residual slope shape metrics for each wafer below the one or more thresholds.","7. A system for sorting wafers utilizing a slope of shape metric, comprising:\na topography system configured to perform a set of topography measurements in order to acquire a set of wafer shape values, at a selected process level, from a surface of each wafer of a plurality of wafers; and\none or more computing systems communicatively coupled to the topography and configured to receive the set of topography measurements, the one or more computing systems further configured to:\ngenerate a set of residual slope shape metrics for each wafer by calculating a residual slope shape metric at each of a plurality of points of each wafer;\ndetermine a neutral surface of each wafer in a chucked state;\ncalculate a neutral surface factor (NSF) for each wafer utilizing the determined neutral surface for each wafer and a plurality of positions associated with a plurality of patterns of each wafer;\ndetermine a set of pattern placement error (PPE) residual values for each wafer, the PPE residual value for each point for each wafer being a product of at least the calculated NSF for each wafer, the residual slope shape metric for the point, and a thickness of the wafer;\ndetermine one or more thresholds for the set of residual shape metrics suitable for maintaining the set of PPE residuals below one or more selected levels;\nmonitor each of the plurality of wafers by comparing the determined one or more thresholds for the set of residual shape metrics to the generated set of residual slope shape metrics for each wafer; and\nmodify one or more wafer fabrication processes, responsive to the monitoring of each of the plurality of wafers, in order to maintain the generated set of residual slope shape metrics for each wafer below the one or more thresholds.","8. The system of claim 7, wherein the topography systems comprises:\nan interferometry based topography system.","9. The system of claim 7, wherein the interferometry based topography system comprises:\na dual Fizeau interferometer.","10. The system of claim 7, wherein the topography systems comprises:\na topography system configured to measure a front-side surface of the wafer and the back-side surface of the wafer simultaneously."],["1. An optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging system comprising:\na tunable laser source configured to provide a wavelength-scanned beam;\nan interferometer configured to split the wavelength-scanned beam into a reference beam and an object beam;\na splitter configured to split the object beam into a first path corresponding to an anterior chamber imaging component and a second path corresponding to a retinal imaging component, wherein the anterior chamber imaging component comprises a first scan mirror configured to image an anterior chamber of an eye, and wherein the retinal imaging component comprises a second scan mirror configured to image a retina of the eye; and\na detector configured to detect a signal caused by interference between the reference beam and at least a portion of the object beam reflected from the eye.","2. The OCT imaging system of claim 1, further comprising a first aperture through which the portion of the object beam on the first path is configured to pass and a second aperture through which the portion of the object beam on the second path is configured to pass.","3. The OCT imaging system of claim 1, wherein the anterior imaging component further comprises a lens system optically coupled to the first scan mirror configured to image the anterior chamber.","4. The OCT imaging system of claim 1, wherein the retinal imaging component further comprises a lens system optically coupled to the second scan mirror configured to image the retina.","5. The OCT imaging system of claim 1, wherein the first path is distinct from the second path.","6. The OCT imaging system of claim 1, further comprising a processing unit configured to process a signal from the detector to generate an image.","7. The OCT imaging system of claim 1, wherein the first path comprises a lens system with a divergent beam and a lateral scanning pattern perpendicular to a sample, and wherein the second path comprises a lens system with a collimating beam and a divergent scanning pattern to the sample.","8. The OCT imaging system of claim 1, wherein a splitting ratio of the first path to the second path is greater than 50%.","9. The OCT imaging system of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second paths comprises a shutter configured to close over an aperture to switch between imaging ranges.","10. The OCT imaging system of claim 1, wherein a path length difference between the first path and the second path has an optical length equivalent to an axial length of an eye.","11. The OCT imaging system of claim 1, wherein first path is combined with the second path using a partially reflecting mirror inside the lens system of the second path.","12. The OCT imaging system of claim 1, wherein the first scan mirror is separate from the second scan mirror.","13. The OCT imaging system of claim 2, wherein the first path extends from the splitter to the first aperture, wherein the second path extends from the splitter to the second aperture, and wherein the first path is separate from the second path an entire distance between the splitter and the first aperture.","14. The OCT imaging system of claim 2, wherein the first path extends from the splitter to the first aperture, wherein the second path extends from the splitter to the second aperture, and wherein the first path is separate from the second path an entire distance between the splitter and the second aperture.","15. The OCT imaging system of claim 11, wherein the second path comprises a two lens system with 4f configuration and the beam of the first path is introduced to a second lens having the first scan mirror positioned in the back focus of the second lens.","16. The OCT imaging system of claim 11, wherein the second path comprises a two lens system with 4f configuration and the beam of the first path is introduced to a second lens having the second scan mirror positioned in the back focus of the second lens through a partial reflecting mirror.","17. A method comprising:\nemitting a wavelength-scanned beam from a tunable laser source;\nsplitting, by an interferometer, the wavelength-scanned beam into a reference beam and an object beam;\nsplitting, by a splitter, the object beam into a first path corresponding to an anterior chamber imaging component and a second path corresponding to a retinal imaging component, wherein the anterior chamber imaging component comprises a first scan mirror, and wherein the retinal imaging component comprises a second scan mirror configured to image a retina;\nimaging, by the first scan mirror, an anterior chamber of an eye;\nimaging, by the second scan mirror, a retina of the eye; and\ndetecting, by a detector, a signal caused by interference between the reference beam and at least a portion of the object beam reflected from the eye.","18. The method of claim 17, further comprising passing a first portion of the object beam along the first path from the splitter to a first aperture through which the first portion of the object beam passes to the eye; and passing a second portion of the object beam along the second path from the splitter to a second aperture through which the second portion of the object beam passes to the eye.","19. The method of claim 18, wherein the first path is separate from the second path an entire distance between the splitter and the first aperture.","20. The method of claim 19, wherein the first path is separate from the second path an entire distance between the splitter and the second aperture."],["1. A temperature measuring apparatus for measuring a temperature of a component having a first surface and a second surface, the component being made of a material which allows low-coherence light to pass therethrough, the component including a stepped portion having a first portion and a second portion whose thickness is smaller than a thickness of the first portion, the apparatus comprising:\na light source configured to output a low-coherence light;\na light transmission unit configured to split the low-coherence light from the light source into a first low-coherence light and a second low-coherence light;\na first irradiation unit configured to irradiate the first low-coherence light received from the light transmission unit onto a first entrance point on the first surface to receive a reflected light from the first entrance point and a reflected light from a first measuring point on the second surface;\na second irradiation unit configured to irradiate the second low-coherence light received from the light transmission unit onto a second entrance point on the first surface to receive a reflected light from the second entrance point and a reflected light from a second measuring point on the second surface, wherein the light transmission unit receives the reflected lights from the first irradiation unit and the second irradiation unit to transmit them;\na spectroscope configured to detect intensity distribution of the reflected lights received from the light transmission unit; and\na storage unit that stores data representing relationship between a temperature of the component and a thickness difference between a first thickness of the component at the first measuring point and a second thickness of the component at the second measuring point; and\nan analysis unit configured to calculate the thickness difference by performing Fourier transform on the intensity distribution detected by the spectroscope and calculate a current temperature of the component based on the calculated thickness difference and the data stored in the storage unit,\nwherein the first entrance point and the first measuring point are set at the first portion, and the second entrance point and the second measuring point are set at the second portion.","2. The temperature measuring apparatus of claim 1, wherein the spectroscope includes:\na light dispersing device configured to disperse the reflected lights at predetermined dispersion angles based on wavelengths of the reflected lights; and\na light receiving device configured to receive the reflected lights dispersed by the light dispersing device and detect wavelength-dependent intensity distribution of the reflected lights.","3. The temperature measuring apparatus of claim 1, wherein the analysis unit includes:\nan optical path difference calculation unit configured to calculate an optical path difference between a first optical path extending from the first entrance point to the first measuring point and a second optical path extending from the second entrance point to the second measuring point by performing Fourier transform on the intensity distribution detected by the spectroscope; and\na thickness difference calculation unit configured to calculate the thickness difference based on the optical path difference and a refractive index of the component.","4. The temperature measuring apparatus of claim 1, wherein the thickness difference between the first thickness and the second thickness is measured based on a distance between two peaks among a plurality of peaks obtained by performing the Fourier transform.","5. A substrate processing system comprising:\nthe temperature measuring apparatus of claim 1 configured to measure a temperature of the component; and\na substrate processing apparatus including a chamber in which a mounting table for mounting thereon a substrate is provided, the chamber being configured to perform predetermined process on the substrate mounted on the mounting table, and the component disposed in the chamber."],["1. An optical shape sensing system for sensing a position and/or shape of a medical device using backscatter reflectometry, comprising:\na broadband light source for generating input light of multiple wavelengths of a broadband spectrum,\nan interferometer arrangement comprising a plurality of interferometers including a multi-core optical fiber, the multi-core optical fiber comprising at least two fiber cores, wherein each of the interferometers is configured to perform backscatter reflectometry separately with a corresponding one of a plurality of input light beams divided from the input light and comprises:\na fiber splitter for dividing the corresponding input light beam into a reference beam and a device beam,\nan additional optical fiber for guiding the reference beam,\na corresponding fiber core of the multi-core optical fiber for guiding the device beam to be reflected within the medical device and for guiding the reflected device beam, and\na fiber coupler for coupling the reflected device beam with the reference beam to form an output light beam,\nthe optical shape sensing system further comprising\na spectrometer for receiving and dispersing the output light beam from each interferometer, the spectrometer comprising a detector unit for detecting the output light beam from each interferometer.","2. Optical shape sensing system according to claim 1, wherein the broadband light source comprises a super-luminescent light emitting diode.","3. Optical shape sensing system according to claim 1, wherein the broadband spectrum comprises a continuous optical band having a bandwidth of at least 20 nm centered at 1550 nm.","4. Optical shape sensing system according to claim 1, wherein the broadband spectrum comprises a continuous optical band having a bandwidth of at least 5 nm centered at 800 nm.","5. Optical shape sensing system according to claim 1, wherein the detector unit comprises a detector array consisting of a plurality of detector elements arranged in an array.","6. Optical shape sensing system according to claim 5, wherein the detector array comprises a two-dimensional array.","7. Optical shape sensing system according to claim 6, wherein one dimension of the two-dimensional array is used for dispersion of the broadband spectrum, wherein the other dimension of the two-dimensional array is used for distributing different output light signals each originating from one of the cores of the multi-core optical fiber.","8. Optical shape sensing system according to claim 1, wherein the multi-core optical fiber comprises a central core arranged in the center of the multi-core optical fiber and at least three outer cores helically wound around the central core.","9. Optical shape sensing system according to claim 8, wherein the outer cores are equidistant from each other in cross section perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the optical fiber.","10. Optical shape sensing system according to claim 1, wherein the detector unit is provided with an integration time between 1 millisecond and 2 milliseconds.","11. Optical shape sensing system according to claim 1, wherein the interferometer arrangement comprises a Mach-Zehnder interferometer comprising a circulator for directing the device beam to the multi-core optical fiber and to redirect the reflected device beam from the multicore optical fiber to the fiber coupler.","12. Optical shape sensing system according to claim 1, further comprising a polarization controller for polarizing each input light beam into two input polarization states, the polarization controller being arranged between the broadband light source and the interferometer arrangement.","13. Optical shape sensing system according to claim 12, further comprising a polarizing beamsplitter for splitting the output light beam into two signal portions each in a corresponding one of two output polarization states, the detector unit being configured to detect the two signal portions, the polarizing beamsplitter being arranged between the interferometer arrangement and the detector unit.","14. A method for sensing a position and/or shape of a medical device using backscatter reflectometry, comprising:\ngenerating input light of multiple wavelengths of a broadband spectrum,\nperforming backscatter reflectometry separately with a corresponding one of a plurality of input light beams divided from the input light using an interferometer arrangement comprising a plurality of interferometers including a multi-core optical fiber, the multi-core optical fiber comprising at least two fiber cores, wherein the backscatter reflectometry comprises:\ndividing the corresponding input light beam into a reference beam and a device beam,\nusing an additional optical fiber to guide the reference beam,\nusing a corresponding fiber core of the multi-core optical fiber to guide the device beam to be reflected within the medical device and to guide the reflected device beam, and\ncoupling the reflected device beam with the reference beam to form an output light beam,\nthe method further comprising\nreceiving and dispersing the output light beam and detecting the output light beam from each of the plurality of interferometers in a spectrometer.","15. Non-transient computer program product having encoded thereon a computer program for sensing a position and/or shape of a medical device, the computer program comprising program code means for causing an optical shape sensing system carry out the steps of\ngenerating input light of multiple wavelengths of a broadband spectrum,\nperforming backscatter reflectometry separately with a corresponding one of a plurality of input light beams divided from the input light using an interferometer arrangement comprising a plurality of interferometers including a multi-core optical fiber, the multi-core optical fiber comprising at least two fiber cores, wherein the backscatter reflectometry comprises:\ndividing the corresponding input light beam into a reference beam and a device beam,\nusing an additional optical fiber to guide the reference beam,\nusing a corresponding fiber core of the multi-core optical fiber to guide the device beam to be reflected within the medical device and to guide the reflected device beam, and\ncoupling the reflected device beam with the reference beam to form an output light beam, and\nreceiving and dispersing the output light beam and detecting the output light beam from each of the plurality of interferometers in a spectrometer."],["1. An optical coherence tomography imaging system comprising:\na vertical cavity laser (VCL), wherein the VCL generates a single longitudinal mode lasing output that is tunable over an emission wavelength range for generating wavelength sweeps at a sweep repetition rate, wherein the laser cavity free spectral range is at least as wide as the emission wavelength range;\nwherein the optical coherence tomography imaging system has the characteristics of being able to operate with an adjustment to at least one of:\ni) an imaging range,\nii) an axial resolution,\niii) an axial scan rate.","2. The optical coherence tomography imaging system of claim 1, wherein the optical coherence tomography imaging system operates at a substantially fixed axial scan rate.","3. The optical coherence tomography imaging system of claim 1, wherein the optical coherence tomography imaging system operates at a substantially fixed imaging range.","4. The optical coherence tomography imaging system of claim 1, wherein the optical coherence tomography imaging system operates at a substantially fixed axial resolution.","5. The optical coherence tomography imaging system of claim 1, further comprising a clocking interferometer receiving at least a portion of the VCL output, a clocking detector coupled to the clocking interferometer to generate a clocking signal, and an electronic circuit to clock an A/D converter based on the clocking signal, the clocking interferometer having an adjustable optical delay to enable operation with at least two modes, wherein the modes differ in at least one of: axial scan rate, axial resolution, and imaging range.","6. The optical coherence tomography imaging system of claim 1, further comprising a clocking interferometer receiving at least a portion of the VCL output, a clocking detector coupled to the clocking interferometer to generate a clocking signal, and an electronic circuit to clock an A/D converter based on the clocking signal, the clocking signal being multiplied or divided in frequency to enable operation with at least two modes, wherein the modes differ in at least one of: axial scan rate, axial resolution, and imaging range.","7. The optical coherence tomography imaging system of claim 1, wherein the adjustment in axial resolution and axial scan rate is used to operate the OCT imaging system at two or more modes of:\na) higher resolution and slower axial scan rate or\nb) lower resolution and higher axial scan rate.","8. The optical coherence tomography imaging system of claim 1, wherein the adjustment in imaging range and axial scan rate is used to operate the OCT imaging system at two or more modes of:\na) longer imaging range and slower axial scan rate or\nb) shorter imaging range and higher axial scan rate.","9. The optical coherence tomography imaging system of claim 1, wherein the adjustment in axial resolution and imaging range is used to operate the OCT imaging system at two or more modes of:\na) higher resolution and shorter imaging range or\nb) lower resolution and longer imaging range.","10. The optical coherence tomography imaging system of claim 1, wherein the VCL is capable of at least one of:\na) operating over at least a 12% variation in the sweep repetition rate,\nb) operating over at least a 10% variation in the emission wavelength range."],["1. An optical coherence tomography (OCT) system to measure a distance between tissue layers of an eye, the OCT system comprising:\na detector;\na light source comprising a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) configured to generate a light beam comprising a plurality of wavelengths;\na plurality of optical elements coupled to the light source to direct the light beam into the eye and generate an interference signal at the detector; and\ncircuitry coupled to the detector and the light source to determine the distance between tissue layers in response to the interference signal, wherein the circuitry is configured to vary an emission wavelength of the VCSEL over a range of wavelengths with a drive current from the circuitry and wherein the circuitry is configured to drive the VCSEL over a maximum rated current threshold for a portion of a waveform and below the maximum rated current threshold for another portion of the waveform to extend the range of wavelengths of the VCSEL;\nwherein the OCT system is configured to measure a distance between tissue layers, the distance between tissue layers corresponding to a first layer at a first location and a second layer at a second location;\nwherein the range of wavelengths from the VCSEL corresponds to an axial resolution.","2. The OCT system of claim 1, wherein the circuitry is configured to drive the VCSEL beyond a specified maximum wavelength range by an amount within a range from 1 nm to 5 nm.","3. The OCT system of claim 1, wherein the range of wavelengths is within a range from 9 nm to 20 nm.","4. The OCT system of claim 3, wherein the axial resolution comprises a resolution value within a range from about 30 μm to about 16 μm.","5. The OCT system of claim 1, wherein the range of wavelengths is within a range from about 5 nm to about 10 nm and the axial resolution is within a range from about 31.9 μm to about 63.8 μm.","6. The OCT system of claim 1, wherein the distance between tissue layers comprises a distance between a first layer of a retina and a second layer of the retina and the ocular tissue thickness is more than 150 μm.","7. The OCT system of claim 1, wherein the distance between tissue layers is within a range from about 150 to 300 μm, and the axial resolution is within a range from about 150 μm to about 30 μm.","8. The OCT system of claim 1, wherein the distance between tissue layers is measured faster than characteristic frequencies of movement of the OCT system in relation to the eye, and wherein the movement is selected from the group consisting of movement related to a patient holding the OCT system in his or her hand, eye movement, and tremor.","9. The OCT system of claim 1, further comprising a viewing target for a patient to align the light beam with a fovea of the eye and wherein the viewing target comprises one or more of the light beam or light from a light emitting diode.","10. The OCT system of claim 1, wherein the circuitry is configured to drive the VCSEL beyond a specified maximum range of wavelength variation by at least about 1 nm.","11. The OCT system of claim 1, wherein the circuitry is configured to cause an emitted wavelength to sweep over the range of wavelengths with a sweeping frequency and the circuitry is configured to determine the distance between tissue layers in response to frequencies of the interference signal.","12. The OCT system of claim 11, wherein the sweeping frequency is faster than an ocular tremor of a user, or a hand tremor of the user.","13. The OCT system of claim 1, wherein the circuitry is configured to heat the light source to change the emission wavelength.","14. The OCT system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of optical elements is arranged to provide a reference optical path and a measurement optical path and the interference signal results from interference of light along the reference optical path and the measurement optical path.","15. The OCT system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of optical elements is arranged to provide a measurement optical path and the interference signal results from interference of light from the tissue layers along the measurement optical path.","16. The OCT system of claim 1, wherein the circuitry comprises a processor configured to transform the interference signal into an intensity profile of light reflected along an optical path of the light beam directed into the eye and to determine the distance between tissue layers in response to the intensity profile.","17. The OCT system of claim 16, wherein the intensity profile comprises a plurality of reflected peaks and the processor is configured with instructions to determine the distance between tissue layers in response to the plurality of reflected peaks.","18. The OCT system of claim 17, wherein the processor is configured with instructions to determine the intensity profile in response to frequencies of the interference signal.","19. The OCT system of claim 16, wherein frequencies of the interference signal correspond to separation distances of tissue layers and a rate of change of the wavelengths of the light source.","20. The OCT system of claim 1, further comprising a viewing target to align the OCT system with a fovea of the eye and wherein the viewing target comprises one or more of the light beam, a target defined with a light emitting diode, or the VCSEL.","21. The OCT system of claim 1, further comprising housing to support the light source, the optical elements, the detector, and the circuitry, and wherein the housing is configured to be held in a hand of a user in front of the eye in order to direct the light beam into the eye.","22. The OCT system of claim 21, further comprising a sensor to measure which eye is measured in response to an orientation of the housing."],["1. A photonic integrated receiver circuit comprising:\na) a substrate;\nb) a first optical coupler positioned on the substrate and configured to couple an optical reference signal from an optical reference path;\nc) a second optical coupler positioned on the substrate and configured to couple an optical probe signal returned from a sample;\nd) a polarization beam splitter positioned on the substrate and having an input optically coupled to the second optical coupler, the polarization beam splitter configured to provide a first polarization at a first output and a second polarization at a second output;\ne) a beam splitter positioned on the substrate and having an input optically coupled to the first optical coupler, the beam splitter configured to provide a portion of the optical reference signal at a first output and another portion of the optical reference signal at a second output;\nf) a first optical hybrid element positioned on the substrate and having an input optically coupled to the first output of the polarization beam splitter and a second input optically coupled to the first output of the beam splitter, the first optical hybrid element having a first output coupled to a first photodiode and a second output coupled to a second photodiode; and\ng) a second optical hybrid element positioned on the substrate and having an input optically coupled to the second output of the polarization beam splitter and a second input optically coupled to the second output of the beam splitter, the second optical hybrid having a first output coupled to a third photodiode and a second output coupled to a fourth photodiode,\nwherein a first optical path from the first optical coupler to the first photodiode and a second optical path from the second optical coupler to the first photodiode are configured such that a known delay is provided between an optical path followed by the optical reference signal from a source to the first photodiode and an optical path followed by the optical probe signal from the source to the first photodiode; and\nwherein at least one of the first, second, third, and fourth photodiodes generates an electrical signal that includes information about optical properties of the sample in response to both the optical reference signal and the optical probe signal.","2. The photonic integrated receiver circuit of claim 1 further comprising a polarization controller positioned on the substrate, the polarization controller having an input optically coupled to the first optical coupler and having an output optically coupled to the beam splitter.","3. The photonic integrated receiver circuit of claim 2 wherein the polarization controller comprises a cascade of Mach-Zehnder interferometers.","4. The photonic integrated receiver circuit of claim 2 wherein the polarization controller comprises an endless polarization controller.","5. The photonic integrated receiver circuit of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second optical coupler comprises a facet coupler.","6. The photonic integrated receiver circuit of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second optical coupler comprises a grating coupler.","7. The photonic integrated receiver circuit of claim 1 wherein the first optical coupler comprises a one-dimensional grating coupler.","8. The photonic integrated receiver circuit of claim 1 wherein the second optical coupler comprises a two-dimensional grating coupler.","9. The photonic integrated receiver circuit of claim 1 wherein the polarization beam splitter comprises a directional coupler.","10. The photonic integrated receiver circuit of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first optical hybrid and the second optical hybrid comprises a 90-degree hybrid.","11. The photonic integrated receiver circuit of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first optical hybrid and the second optical hybrid comprises a multi-mode interference (MMI) coupler.","12. The photonic integrated receiver circuit of claim 1 wherein the first, second, third, and fourth photodiodes are configured as a dual-balanced, dual-polarization receiver.","13. The photonic integrated receiver circuit of claim 1 wherein the first, second, third, and fourth photodiodes are configured as a dual-balanced, dual-polarization I/Q receiver.","14. The photonic integrated receiver circuit of claim 1 wherein the substrate comprises a silicon photonic substrate.","15. The photonic integrated receiver circuit of claim 1 wherein the optical reference signal comprises light from a swept-source optical signal.","16. The photonic integrated receiver circuit of claim 1 wherein the information about optical properties of the sample comprises at least one of optical coherence tomography information, image information, polarization-sensitive image information, birefringence property information, or ranging information.","17. The photonic integrated receiver circuit of claim 1 further comprising a k-clock.","18. The photonic integrated receiver circuit of claim 17 wherein the k-clock is positioned on the substrate.","19. The photonic integrated receiver circuit of claim 1 wherein the known delay comprises a nominally zero delay.","20. The photonic integrated receiver circuit of claim 1 wherein the known delay comprises a fixed delay.","21. The photonic integrated receiver circuit of claim 1 wherein the known delay comprises an adjustable delay.","22. The photonic integrated receiver circuit of claim 1 wherein at least some of the optical path followed by the optical reference signal from the source to the first photodiode comprises an optical fiber path.","23. A photonic integrated receiver circuit comprising:\na) a substrate;\nb) a first optical coupler positioned on the substrate and configured to couple an optical reference signal;\nc) a polarization controller positioned on the substrate and having an input optically coupled to the first optical coupler;\nd) a second optical coupler positioned on the substrate and configured to couple an optical probe signal returned from a sample;\ne) a polarization beam splitter positioned on the substrate and having an input optically coupled to the second optical coupler, the polarization beam splitter configured to provide a first polarization at a first output and a second polarization at a second output;\nf) a beam splitter positioned on the substrate and having an input optically coupled to an output of the polarization controller, the beam splitter configured to provide a portion of the optical reference signal at a first output and another portion of the optical reference signal at a second output;\ng) a first optical hybrid element positioned on the substrate and having an input optically coupled to the first output of the polarization beam splitter and a second input optically coupled to the first output of the beam splitter, the first optical hybrid element having a first output coupled to a first photodiode and a second output coupled to a second photodiode; and\nh) a second optical hybrid element positioned on the substrate and having an input optically coupled to the second output of the polarization beam splitter and a second input optically coupled to the output of the beam splitter, the second optical hybrid having a first output coupled to a third photodiode and a second output coupled to a fourth photodiode,\ni) wherein the polarization controller is configured to control a polarization of the optical reference signal such that at least one of the first, second, third, and fourth photodiodes generates an electrical signal that includes information about optical properties of the sample in response to both the optical reference signal and the optical probe signal.","24. The photonic integrated receiver circuit of claim 23 wherein the electrical signal that includes information about optical properties of the sample in response to both the optical reference signal and the optical probe signal comprises polarization independent imaging information.","25. The photonic integrated receiver circuit of claim 23 wherein the electrical signal that includes information about optical properties of the sample in response to both the optical reference signal and the optical probe signal comprises polarization sensitive imaging information."],["1. A method to measure physical and geometrical data of an object using an optical coherence tomography (OCT) system, the method comprising:\nproviding a light source that emits light over a wavelength range;\ndelivering a portion of the light from the light source as an optical beam to measure the object, and collecting a light signal from the object;\nproviding a portion of the light from the light source to a reference light generator of the OCT system for generating a reference light:\noperating the OCT system in a low depth resolution mode to measure the object height with low resolution and an extended depth measurement range, utilizing a partial spectral bandwidth of the light source, the object height with low resolution being based on an optical delay difference between the reference light and the light signal from the object detected by a detector of the OCT system;\nchanging an optical delay in the reference light generator of the OCT system to match an object height measured in the low depth resolution mode;\nusing a first control loop to control the optical beam focusing conditions for focusing the optical beam onto the object based on the optical delay difference and the object height with low resolution;\nusing a second control loop to control the adjustment of optical delay in the reference light generator based on the optical delay difference;\nchanging an electronic frequency of the detected signals to be within an optimal electronic frequency detection range of the detector of the OCT system;\noperating the OCT system in a high depth resolution mode to measure the object height with high resolution and a reduced depth measurement range, utilizing a full spectral bandwidth of the light source; and\nthe object height is the measured object height in high depth resolution mode adjusted by the changes made to the optical delay in the reference light generator.","2. A method to measure physical and geometrical data of an object using a swept source optical coherence tomography (SSOCT) system, the method comprising:\nproviding a light source that sweeps emitted light over a wavelength range;\ndelivering a portion of the light from the light source as an optical beam to measure the object and collecting a light signal from the object;\nproviding a portion of the light from the light source to a reference light generator of the SSOCT system for generating a reference light;\noperating the SSOCT system in a low depth resolution mode, by reducing the tuning wavelength range of the swept source, to measure the object height with low resolution, the object height with low resolution being based on an optical delay difference between the reference light and the light signal from the object detected by a detector of the SSOCT system;\nchanging the optical delay in the reference light generator of the SSOCT system to match the object height measured in the low depth resolution mode;\nusing a first control loop to control the optical beam focusing conditions for focusing the optical beam onto the object based on the optical delay difference and the object height with low resolution;\nusing a second control loop to control the adjustment of optical delay in the reference light generator based on the optical delay difference;\nchanging an electronic frequency of the detected signals to be within an optimal electronic frequency detection range of the detector of the SSOCT system;\noperating the SSOCT system in a high depth resolution mode and a reduced depth measurement range, by using a full tuning wavelength range of the swept source, to measure the object height with high resolution; and\nthe object height is the measured object height in high depth resolution mode adjusted by the changes made to the optical delay in the reference light generator.","3. A method to measure physical and geometrical data of a spectral domain coherence tomography (SDOCT) system, the method comprising:\noperating the SDOCT system in a low depth resolution mode, using a spectrometer configured for measuring reduce bandwidth of the broadband source at the highest spectral resolution of the spectrometer, to measure the object height with low resolution over an extended depth range;\nchanging the optical delay in the reference light generator of the SDOCT system to match the object height measured in the low depth resolution mode;\noperating the SDOCT system in a high depth resolution mode and a reduced depth measurement range, using a spectrometer configured for measuring the full bandwidth of the broadband source at reduced spectral resolution of the spectrometer, to measure the object height with high resolution in a reduced depth range; and\nthe object height is the measured object height in high depth resolution mode adjusted by the changes made to the optical delay in the reference light generator."],["1. A frequency-domain interferometric imaging system for imaging a light scattering object comprising:\na light source for generating a light beam;\na beam divider for separating the light beam into reference and sample arms, wherein the sample arm contains the light scattering object to be imaged;\nsample optics for delivering the light beam in the sample arm to the light scattering object to be imaged, the light beam in the sample arm defining a line beam illuminating a linear area spanning a plurality of A-scan locations on the light scattering object at the same time, the linear area defining a first linear field of view (FOV), the sample optics including a beam scanner for scanning the line beam in a direction parallel to, and along, the line beam in the sample arm, so that the linear area is moved to illuminate the object at a plurality of locations defining a scan line having a second linear FOV longer than the first linear FOV;\na detector having a plurality of photosensitive elements defining a light-capturing region including a plurality of spatially resolvable A-scan capturing locations arranged to simultaneously capture the plurality of A-scan locations spanned by the linear area, allowing the plurality of A-scan locations to be captured at the same time in parallel with the plurality of photosensitive elements;\nreturn optics for combining light scattered from the object and light from the reference arm and directing the combined light to the spatially resolvable A-scan capturing locations on the detector, the light capturing region of said detector collecting the combined light at the plurality of spatially resolvable A-scan capturing locations at the same time and generating signals in response thereto; and\na processor for processing the signals collected at the plurality of locations and for generating image data of the object based on the processed signals, said image data spanning a linear region longer than the linear area illuminated by the line beam.","2. The system of claim 1, wherein:\nthe light source sweeps the light beam through a plurality of frequencies;\nan entire sweep of the frequencies of the light source is captured by the detector at a fixed linear area on the light scattering object, before the beam scanner moves the linear area to the next adjacent location along the scan line.","3. The system of claim 1, wherein:\nthe scattering object is an eye fundus have a curved shape, and the distance of the system to the eye fundus varies along the scan line; and\nthe axial resolution of the system is adjusted as the linear area is moved along the scan line.","4. The system of claim 1, wherein the linear area is moved linearly by the beam scanner by up to one resolution point during one Nth of the time to move the linear area along the whole scan line, where N is the number of spatially resolvable A-scan capturing locations in the scanning direction.","5. The system of claim 1, wherein:\nthe spectral resolution of the scan line is lower at its end regions than at its central region; and\ngenerating image data includes rearranging or sorting the captured plurality of A-scan locations to produce a continuous spectral fringe signals for each location.","6. The system of claim 1, wherein the linear area is moved along the scan line in displacement steps less than or equal to the length the linear area.","7. The system of claim 1, wherein:\nthe linear area is moved along the scan line in displacement steps of one Mth of the length of the linear area to capture M copies of A-scans acquired sequentially in time; and\nthe image data includes motion contrast image information.","8. The system of claim 1, wherein the beam scanner is a spatial light modulator.","9. The system of claim 8, wherein the spatial light modulator is implemented as a digital micro mirror device (DMD) or as one or more translucent or reflective liquid crystal micro displays in combination with one or more polarizers.","10. The system of claim 1, wherein:\nthe light source has a first numerical aperture (NA) along a first direction and a second numerical aperture (NA) along a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction; and\nwherein the beam scanner is arranged to capture a volume scan, wherein capturing the volume scan includes:\nI. capturing a first interim volume scan comprised of a first plurality of said scan lines adjacent and parallel to each other along the first direction;\nII. capturing a second interim volume scan comprised of a second plurality of said scan lines adjacent and parallel to each other along the second direction; and\nIII. combining the two interim volumes.","11. The system of claim 10, wherein the two interim volumes are combined using a wavelet based image fusion method that is based on the point spread function of the light source.","12. The system of claim 11, wherein the beam scanner includes microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) mirrors."],["1. A sinusoidal frequency sweeping interferometric absolute distance measurement apparatus with dynamic offset frequency locking, comprising a reference laser (1), a first optical fiber beam splitter (2), an optical fiber beam combiner (3), a high frequency electro-optic phase modulator (4), an orthogonal optical fiber beam combiner (5), a coupler (6), a locking controller (12), a femtosecond optical frequency comb (13), a first high frequency amplifier (14), a high frequency clock source (15), a high frequency photodetector (16), a second high frequency amplifier (17), a frequency mixer (18), a third high frequency amplifier (19), a frequency sweeping signal source (20), a digital phase detector (21), a PID controller (22), a frequency sweeping laser (24), and a second optical fiber beam splitter (25);\nwherein an output end of the reference laser (1) is connected to one input end of the locking controller (12), an input end of the high frequency electro-optic phase modulator (4), and one input end of the orthogonal optical fiber beam combiner (5) respectively through the first optical fiber beam splitter (2), another input end of the locking controller (12) is connected to an output end of the femtosecond optical frequency comb (13), an output end of the locking controller (12) is connected to a current control end of the reference laser (1), the high frequency clock source (15) is connected to a modulation control end of the high frequency electro-optic phase modulator (4) through the first high frequency amplifier (14), and an output end of the high frequency electro-optic phase modulator (4) is connected to one input end of the optical fiber beam combiner (3);\nwherein an output end of the frequency sweeping laser (24) is connected to another input end of the optical fiber beam combiner (3) and another input end of the orthogonal optical fiber beam combiner (5) respectively through the second optical fiber beam splitter (25), an output end of the optical fiber beam combiner (3) is connected to the high frequency photodetector (16), an output end of the high frequency photodetector (16) is connected to one input end of the frequency mixer (18) through the second high frequency amplifier (17), the frequency sweeping signal source (20) is connected to another input end of the frequency mixer (18) through the third high frequency amplifier (19), and an output end of the frequency mixer (18) is connected to a current control end of the frequency sweeping laser (24) through the digital phase detector (21) and the PID controller (22);\nwherein an output end of the orthogonal optical fiber beam combiner (5) is connected to a Michelson interferometer through the coupler (6).","2. The sinusoidal frequency sweeping interferometric absolute distance measurement apparatus with dynamic offset frequency locking according to claim 1,\nwherein a laser beam emitted by the reference laser (1) is divided into three laser beams with a power ratio of 70:20:10 after passing through the first optical fiber beam splitter (2), wherein the laser beam with the power ratio of 10% output by the first optical fiber beam splitter (2) and laser beam output by the femtosecond optical frequency comb (13) enter the locking controller (12) together, the locking controller (12) generates a feedback control signal to the reference laser (1) and locks a laser frequency of the reference laser (1) to the femtosecond optical frequency comb (13);\nwherein a laser beam emitted by the frequency sweeping laser (24) is divided into two laser beams with a power ratio of 90:10 after passing through the second optical fiber beam splitter (25), and the laser beam with the power ratio of 10% output by the second optical fiber beam splitter (25) and laser sidebands generated by the high frequency electro-optic phase modulator (4) enter the optical fiber beam combiner (3) together, the combined beam is received by the high frequency photodetector (16) to produce a beat signal, and the beat signal is input to the frequency mixer (18) after being amplified by the second high frequency amplifier (17),\nwherein at a same time, a high frequency sinusoidal signal with continuously variable frequency generated by the frequency sweeping signal source (20) enters the frequency mixer (18) after being amplified by the third high frequency amplifier (19) together with the beat signal amplified by the second high frequency amplifier (17) for down-mixing to obtain a difference frequency signal;\nwherein the difference frequency signal is input to the digital phase detector (21), the digital phase detector (21) calculates a phase error between the difference frequency signal and a reference clock, the feedback control signal is obtained after the phase error is processed by the PID controller (22), and the feedback control signal is input to the current control end of the frequency sweeping laser (24) for closed-loop laser frequency control.","3. The sinusoidal frequency sweeping interferometric absolute distance measurement apparatus with dynamic offset frequency locking according to claim 1, further comprising:\nan atomic clock (23), wherein the locking controller (12), the femtosecond optical frequency comb (13), the high frequency clock source (15), the frequency sweeping signal source (20), and the digital phase detector (21) are all connected to the same atomic clock (23).","4. The sinusoidal frequency sweeping interferometric absolute distance measurement apparatus with dynamic offset frequency locking according to claim 1,\nwherein the Michelson interferometer comprises a reference cube-corner prism (7), a first low frequency electro-optic phase modulator (8), a second low frequency electro-optic phase modulator (9), a beam splitting prism (10), a measurement cube-corner prism (11), a polarizing beam splitting prism (26), a first photodetector (27), a second photodetector (28), a first analog-to-digital converter (30), a second analog-to-digital converter (29), and a field programmable gate array (FPGA) signal processor (31);\nwherein the output end of the orthogonal optical fiber beam combiner (5) is divided into transmitted measurement beam and reflected reference beam after passing through the beam splitting prism (10);\nthe measurement beam returns back to the beam splitting prism (10) in parallel after being reflected by the measurement cube-corner prism (11) to form a measurement path;\nwherein the reference beam is input to the reference cube-corner prism (7) after being modulated by the first low frequency electro-optic phase modulator (8) and the second low frequency electro-optic phase modulator 19) and returns back to the beam splitting prism (10) in parallel after being reflected by the reference cube-corner prism (7) to form a reference path;\nwherein the measurement beam and the reference beam returning back to the beam splitting prism (10) are combined and then divided into two beams including transmitted beam of a P polarization state and reflected beam of an S polarization state after passing through the polarizing beam splitting prism (26), the beam of the P polarization state is irradiated to the first photodetector (27) to be detected and received, and the beam of the S polarization state is irradiated to the second photodetector (28) to be detected and received;\nwherein output ends of the first photodetector (27) and the second photodetector (28) are connected to the field programmable gate array (FPGA) signal processor (31) respectively through the first analog-to-digital converter (30) and the second analog-to-digital converter (29) for performing data processing.","5. The sinusoidal frequency sweeping interferometric absolute distance measurement apparatus with dynamic offset frequency locking according to claim 4,\nwherein a laser beam with a power ratio of 70% output by the first optical fiber beam splitter (2) and a laser beam with a power ratio of 90% output by the second optical fiber beam splitter (25) are input into the orthogonal optical fiber beam combiner (5) together, and the orthogonal optical fiber beam combiner (5) combines reference laser beam with a power ratio of 70% output by the first optical fiber beam splitter (2) and frequency sweeping laser beam with a power ratio of 90% output by the second optical fiber beam splitter (25) into an orthogonal beam according to the P polarization state and the S polarization state respectively;\nwherein the orthogonal beam is converted into space beam after passing through the coupler (6), and the space beam is incident on the Michelson interferometer including the beam splitting prism (10), the reference cube-corner prism (7), and the measurement cube-corner prism (11) to perform absolute distance measurement;\nwherein the space beam is divided into transmitted measurement beam and reflected reference beam after passing through the beam splitting prism (10):\nthe measurement beam returns back to the beam splitting prism (10) in parallel after being reflected by the measurement cube-corner prism (11) to form the measurement path;\nwherein the reference beam is input to the reference cube-corner prism (7) after being modulated by the first low frequency electro-optic phase modulator (8) and the second low frequency electro-optic phase modulator (9) and returns back to the beam splitting prism (10) in parallel after being reflected by the reference cube-corner prism (7) to form the reference path;\nwherein the measurement beam and the reference beam returning back to the beam splitting prism (10) are combined and then divided into two beams including the transmitted beam of the P polarization state and the reflected beam of the S polarization state after passing through the polarizing beam splitting prism (26), the beam of the P polarization state generates an interference signal S1(t) after being irradiated to the first photodetector (27), and the beam of the S polarization state generates an interference signal S2(t) after being irradiated to the second photodetector (28);\nwherein the two interference signals S1(t) and S2(t) enter the field programmable gate array (FPGA) signal processor (31) for data processing after being respectively sampled by the first analog-to-digital converter (30) and the second analog-to-digital converter (29)."],["1. A method comprising:\nproducing a first laser chirp and a second laser chirp, wherein at least one of the first laser chirp and the second laser chirp is an optical frequency sideband;\ndirecting the first and the second laser chirp towards an object;\nreceiving a first interference signal based, at least in part, on the interaction of the first laser chirp with the object;\nreceiving a second interference signal based, at least in part, on the interaction of the second laser chirp with the object; and\nprocessing the first interference signal and the second interference signal to determine a range to the object.","2. The method of claim 1, wherein the directed first and the second laser chirps are scanned laterally across at least a portion of the object.","3. The method of claim 1, wherein there is relative lateral motion between the directed first and second laser chirps, and the object.","4. The method of claim 1, wherein a surface roughness of the object is greater than an optical wavelength of the first laser chirp and an optical wavelength of the second laser chirps.","5. The method of claim 1, wherein the laser output simultaneously includes an up-chirped sideband and a down-chirped sideband.","6. The method of claim 5, wherein processing the first interference signal and the second interference signal to determine the range to the object includes compensating for speckle noise based, at least in part, on a first portion of the received light associated with the up-chirped sideband and a second portion of the received light associated with the down-chirped sideband.","7. The method of claim 1, wherein processing the first interference signal and the second interference signal comprises:\ncalculating a first signal phase based on the first interference signal;\ncalculating a second signal phase based on the second interference signal;\ndetermining at least one corrected phase signal based on the first signal phase and the second signal phase; and\ndetermining a distance to at least a portion of the object based on the at least one corrected signal phase.","8. The method of claim 7, wherein using the first signal phase and the second signal phase comprises determining a sum or a difference of the first signal phase and the second signal phase.","9. The method of claim 7, wherein calculating the first signal phase or the second signal phase comprises performing a Hilbert transform.","10. The method of claim 7, further comprising performing corrections to at least one of the first or second signal phases based on a wavelength or a chirp rate of the laser output.","11. A method comprising:\nproducing a laser output beam including at least one chirped optical frequency sideband;\ndirecting the laser output beam including the at least one chirped optical frequency sideband towards an object;\nreceiving interference signals using at least one optical detector, wherein each interference signal represents interference between a local oscillator signal and a return signal from the object, the local oscillator signal and the return signal being chirped signals including multiple chirps each having a chirp duration, and wherein the return signal is based on an interaction of the laser output and the object; and\ndetermining a distance to at least a portion of the object, at least in part by calculating a respective phase of the interference signals as a function of time over a respective chirp duration.","12. The method of claim 11, further comprising shifting an optical frequency of at least a portion of the laser output beam.","13. The method of claim 11, wherein the multiple chirps includes a first laser chirp having a first chirp rate and a second laser chirp having a second chirp rate different from the first chirp rate.","14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:\nreceiving a first interference signal and a second interference signal;\ncalculating a first phase signal based on the first interference signal and a second phase signal based on the second interference signal;\ndetermining at least one corrected phase signal based on the first and the second interference signal; and\ndetermining the distance based on the corrected phase signal.","15. A system comprising:\na laser source configured to produce a laser output including at least one chirped sideband;\nan optical system configured to direct the laser output towards an object and receive light from the object;\na beam scanner configured to scan the laser output across at least a portion of the object;\na detector configured to produce a signal based on the received light; and\na processor configured to determine a distance to the object based on the signal.","16. The system of claim 15, further comprising an optical frequency shifter configured to shift an optical frequency of the laser output.","17. The system of claim 16, wherein the frequency shifter is configured to shift the optical frequency of the laser output by an offset frequency.","18. The system of claim 17, wherein the processor is configured to use frequencies below the offset frequency to detect a down-chirped sideband of the laser output and frequencies above the offset frequency to detect an up-chirped sideband of the laser output.","19. The system of claim 15, further comprising a modulator configured to produce at least one chirped sideband from the laser output.","20. The system of claim 19, wherein the modulator is external to the laser source.","21. The system of claim 15, wherein the laser output includes an up-chirped sideband and a down-chirped sideband.","22. The system of claim 21, wherein the processor is configured to correct a speckle noise in the signal based, at least in part, on a first portion of the received light associated with the up-chirped sideband and a second portion of the received light associated with the down-chirped sideband.","23. The system of claim 15, wherein the optical system comprises a beam splitter configured to split the laser output into a transmitted (TX) portion and a local oscillator (LO) portion, wherein the optical system is configured to direct the TX portion towards the object and receive a received (RX) portion, and wherein the optical system is further configured to combine the LO portion and the RX portion to produce an interferometric signal at the detector.","24. The system of claim 23, further comprising an optical frequency shifter configured to shift a frequency of at least one of the TX portion and the LO portion."],["1. An optical system comprising:\na diode laser having a junction configured to provide a beam of radiation, wherein the diode laser is configured to produce a first spectral output bandwidth when driven under constant current conditions;\na driver circuit coupled to the diode laser, wherein the driver circuit is configured to apply a pulse of drive current to the diode laser,\nwherein the pulse of drive current has a current amplitude that varies in time causing a variation in an output wavelength of the diode laser during application of the pulse of drive current,\nwherein the pulse of the drive current produces a second spectral output bandwidth that is at least two times larger than the first spectral output bandwidth when driven under constant current conditions, and\nwherein the current amplitude of the pulse of drive current is configured with a rate of change that is slow enough to minimize a difference between an actual temperature of the junction and an equilibrium temperature of the junction occurring during the application of the pulse of drive current;\na set of optics coupled to the diode laser and configured to direct the beam of radiation to a sample for imaging the sample;\na detector disposed in the optical system and configured to produce an electrical signal based on photon energy detected returning from the sample; and\na processor coupled to the detector and configured to produce an image based on the electrical signal produced by the detector.","2. The system of claim 1, wherein the diode laser is a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL).","3. The system of claim 1, wherein the detector is configured with an array of photosensitive elements.","4. The system of claim 1, wherein the detector comprises a camera.","5. The system of claim 1, wherein the optical system comprises an optical coherence tomography system.","6. The system of claim 1, wherein the optical system comprises a point scanning swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) system.","7. A method performed by an optical system comprising:\nreceiving, at an input to a diode laser, a steady-state current;\nproducing, at a junction of the diode laser, a beam of radiation of an output wavelength at a first spectral output bandwidth;\napplying, by a driver circuit coupled to the diode laser, a pulse of drive current to the diode laser with a current amplitude that varies in time for varying the output wavelength produced by the diode laser;\napplying, by the driver circuit coupled to the diode laser, the pulse of drive current for causing the diode laser to produce a second spectral output bandwidth at least two times larger than the first spectral output bandwidth; and\nconfiguring, by the driver circuit coupled to the diode laser, a rate of change of the current amplitude of the pulse of drive current that is sufficiently slow to minimize temperature differences caused between an actual temperature and an equilibrium temperature of the junction of the diode laser occurring during application of the pulse of drive current.","8. The method of claim 7, further comprising directing, by a set of optics coupled to the diode laser, the beam of radiation with the output wavelength to a sample for imaging the sample.","9. The method of claim 8, further comprising producing, by a detector disposed in the optical system, an electrical signal based on photon energy detected by the detector that is returning from the sample.","10. The method of claim 9, further comprising producing, by a processor coupled to the detector, an image based on the electrical signal from the detector.","11. The method of claim 9, wherein the detector is composed of an array of photosensitive elements.","12. The method of claim 9, wherein the detector comprises a camera.","13. The method of claim 7, wherein the diode laser is a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL).","14. The method of claim 7, wherein the optical system comprises an optical coherence tomography system.","15. The method of claim 7, wherein the optical system comprises a point scanning swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) system.","16. A device comprising:\na diode laser having an input configured to receive a steady-state current,\nthe diode laser configured to produce, at a junction of the diode laser, a beam of radiation with an output wavelength at a first spectral output bandwidth;\na driver circuit coupled to the diode laser and configured to apply a pulse of drive current to the diode laser with a current amplitude that varies in time to change the output wavelength from the diode laser,\nwherein the current amplitude of the pulse of drive current is varied in time to enable the diode laser to produce a second spectral output bandwidth at least two times larger than the first spectral output bandwidth,\nwherein the current amplitude of the pulse of drive current is modulated with a rate of change that is sufficiently slow to reduce temperature differences caused between an actual temperature and an equilibrium temperature at the junction of the diode laser during application of the pulse of drive current; and\na set of optics coupled to the diode laser and configured to direct the beam of radiation with the output wavelength to a sample for imaging the sample.","17. The device of claim 16, further comprising a detector configured to produce an electrical signal based on photon energy detected by the detector that is returning from the sample.","18. The device of claim 17, further comprising a processor coupled to the detector and configured to produce an image based on the electrical signal from the detector.","19. The device of claim 17, wherein the detector comprises an array of photosensitive elements.","20. The device of claim 17, wherein the detector comprises a camera.","21. The device of claim 16, wherein the diode laser is a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL).","22. The device of claim 16, wherein the device comprises an optical coherence tomography device.","23. The device of claim 16, wherein the optical device comprises a point scanning swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) device."],["1. A few-mode optical fiber measurement instrument comprising: (a) an optical source having an output optically coupled to a spatial mode extractor; (b) a few-mode optical fiber optically coupled to the spatial mode extractor positioned at a proximal end of the few-mode fiber, the few-mode optical fiber configured to optically illuminate in one or more spatial modes a sample positioned near its distal end using light generated by the optical source and configured to collect light from the sample positioned proximate its distal end, the few-mode optical fiber configured to support at least two spatial modes with field spatial profiles that are substantially distinct such that the light collected in the at least two spatial modes from the sample includes optical information about the sample, the few-mode optical fiber further configured to propagate the light collected in the at least two spatial modes collected from the sample to the spatial mode extractor where the propagation is such that each of the at least two optical spatial modes can be extracted; (c) the spatial mode extractor configured to extract the light collected in the at least two spatial modes and then to produce light in at least two individual modes that preserves the included spatial information about the sample, the spatial mode extractor further configured to convey one of the at least two individual light modes to a first optical directing device and another one of the at least two individual light modes to a second optical directing device, the first and second optical directing devices conveying the light in the at least two individual modes to an interferometric optical receiver; and (d) a measurement subsystem comprising the interferometric optical receiver, the interferometric optical receiver comprising a first interferometric optical receiver optically coupled to the first optical directing device and optically coupled to the optical source and configured to interferometrically detect one of the two individual light modes and a second interferometric optical receiver optically coupled to the second optical directing device and optically coupled to the optical source and configured to interferometrically detect the other one of the two individual light modes simultaneously, the measurement subsystem processing the detected light in the at least two individual modes to produce information about optical properties of the sample.","2. The few-mode fiber measurement instrument of claim 1 wherein the few-mode fiber is further configured to support at least three spatial modes, the spatial mode extractor is further configured to extract light collected in a third spatial mode to produce light in a third individual mode, and the optical receiver is further configured to detect light in the third individual mode.","3. The few-mode fiber measurement instrument of claim 1 wherein the optical source comprises a swept source laser.","4. The few-mode fiber measurement instrument of claim 1 wherein the optical source comprises a widely tunable optical source.","5. The few-mode fiber measurement instrument of claim 1 wherein the optical source conveys the source light to the distal end of the few-mode fiber in one spatial mode.","6. The few-mode fiber measurement instrument of claim 5 wherein the one spatial mode is a low-order circularly symmetric spatial mode.","7. The few-mode fiber measurement instrument of claim 1 wherein the optical source conveys light to the distal end of the few-mode fiber in more than one spatial mode.","8. The few-mode fiber measurement instrument of claim 1 wherein the light collected in the at least two optical spatial modes from the sample near the distal end of the few-mode fiber comprises light collected in a low-order mode and collected in a higher-order mode.","9. The few-mode fiber measurement instrument of claim 1 wherein the light collected in the at least two optical spatial modes from the sample near the distal end of the few-mode fiber comprises light collected in a linearly polarized mode.","10. The few-mode fiber measurement instrument of claim 1 wherein the light collected in the at least two optical spatial modes from the sample near the distal end of the few-mode fiber comprises light collected in an orbital angular momentum mode.","11. The few-mode fiber measurement instrument of claim 1 wherein the light collected in the at least two optical spatial modes from the sample at the distal end of the few-mode fiber comprises light collected in at least two distinct polarization modes.","12. The few-mode fiber measurement instrument of claim 1 wherein at least one of the at least two spatial modes having a field spatial profile comprises a field spatial profile having a null intensity on-axis at a beam waist within the sample.","13. The few-mode fiber measurement instrument of claim 1 wherein the produced information about optical properties of the sample comprises at least one of axial optical profile information, contrast imaging information, longitudinal optical property information, OCT information, image information, fluorescence information, or spectroscopy information.","14. The few-mode fiber measurement instrument of claim 1 wherein the measurement subsystem comprises at least one of a spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) receiver, a time domain OCT receiver, a confocal receiver, a fluorescence receiver or a Raman receiver.","15. The few-mode fiber measurement instrument of claim 1 wherein the measurement subsystem comprises a swept-source optical coherent tomography (SS-OCT) measurement subsystem.","16. The few-mode fiber measurement instrument of claim 1 wherein the optical receiver comprises a dual-polarization optical coherent tomography receiver.","17. The few-mode fiber measurement instrument of claim 1 wherein the spatial mode extractor comprises at least one of a mode selective coupler, a grating device, or a spatial light modulator.","18. The few-mode fiber measurement instrument of claim 1 wherein the few-mode fiber is housed in an endoscope.","19. The few-mode fiber measurement instrument of claim 1 wherein at least one of the spatial mode extractor and the optical receiver is formed in a photonic integrated circuit.","20. A few-mode fiber optical measurement system comprising: (a) an optical source that generates source light; (b) an endoscope body comprising a few-mode optical fiber that is optically coupled to the optical source, the few-mode optical fiber transmitting the source light to a sample and coupling backscattered light from the sample in a low-order mode and a higher-order mode to a mode selective coupler; (c) the mode selective coupler extracting light in the low-order mode and the higher-order mode to produce light in two individual light modes and conveying one of the two individual light modes to a first optical directing device and the other one of the two individual light modes to a second optical directing device, the first and second optical directing devices directing light to an interferometric optical receiver; and (d) the interferometric optical receiver comprising a first interferometric optical receiver optically coupled to the first optical directing device and optically coupled to the optical source and configured to interferometrically detect one of the two individual light modes and a second interferometric optical receiver optically coupled to the second optical directing device and optically coupled to the optical source and configured to interferometrically detect the other one of the two individual light modes simultaneously, the optical receiver further comprising an electrical processor configured to process the interferometrically detected two individual light modes, thereby achieving multi-modal spatial detection such that information about the sample's optical properties is produced."],["1. A low coherence interferometry system comprising:\na first multiplexer configured to receive a first beam of radiation and comprising a first plurality of optical delay elements configured to introduce a group delay to the first beam of radiation based on an optical path traversed by the first beam of radiation among a first plurality of optical waveguides; and\na second multiplexer configured to receive a second beam of radiation, and comprising a second plurality of optical modulators configured to differentiate the second beam of radiation among a second plurality of optical waveguides to produce one or more output radiation beams,\nwherein the second plurality of optical waveguides are configured to guide the one or more output radiation beams towards a sample.","2. The low coherence interferometry system of claim 1, wherein the first multiplexer further comprises a plurality of switches configured to select the optical path traversed by the first beam of radiation among the first plurality of optical waveguides.","3. The low coherence interferometry system of claim 1, wherein the first multiplexer further comprises a plurality of phase modulators.","4. The low coherence interferometry system of claim 1, wherein the second multiplexer is configured to receive the second beam of radiation from a single output of the first multiplexer.","5. The low coherence interferometry system of claim 1, wherein the second multiplexer is configured to receive the second beam of radiation from one of only two outputs of the first multiplexer.","6. The low coherence interferometry system of claim 1, further comprising an optical element disposed between the second multiplexer and the sample.","7. The low coherence interferometry system of claim 6, wherein the optical element is a single lens.","8. The low coherence interferometry system of claim 7, wherein the single lens is configured to focus the one or more output radiation beams onto a focal plane such that a distance between centers of adjacent beams at the focal plane is between 1 and 10 times larger than the diameter of one of the beams at the focal plane.","9. The low coherence interferometry system of claim 7, further comprising a plurality of lenses, each smaller than the single lens, configured to focus at least one subset of the one or more output radiation beams onto a first target region of the sample and focus at least one other subset of the one or more output radiation beams onto a second target region of the sample.","10. The low coherence interferometry system of claim 6, wherein the optical element is a gradient index (GRIN) lens.","11. The low coherence interferometry system of claim 6, further comprising a reflector disposed downstream of the optical element and configured to alter a direction of propagation of the one or more output radiation beams.","12. The low coherence interferometry system of claim 11, wherein the altered direction of propagation is substantially perpendicular to an original direction of propagation.","13. The low coherence interferometry system of claim 11, wherein an orientation of the reflector is adjustable, such that an angle of alteration to the direction of propagation of the one or more output radiation beams is adjustable.","14. The low coherence interferometry system of claim 13, wherein the adjustable reflector comprises microelectromechanical components.","15. The low coherence interferometry system of claim 1, wherein the second plurality of optical modulators comprises phase modulators.","16. The low coherence interferometry system of claim 1, wherein the second plurality of optical modulators comprises optical delay elements.","17. The low coherence interferometry system of claim 1, wherein the second plurality of optical modulators comprises optical switches.","18. The low coherence interferometry system of claim 1, wherein the group delay is associated with a scanning depth of the sample and is carried through to the one or more output radiation beams in the second multiplexer.","19. The low coherence interferometry system of claim 1, wherein the second plurality of optical waveguides are further configured to collect scattered radiation from the sample.","20. The low coherence interferometry system of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of optical waveguides and the second plurality of optical waveguides are integrated on a same substrate.","21. The low coherence interferometry system of claim 1, further comprising microelectromechanical actuators configured to bend one or more of the second plurality of optical waveguides.","22. The low coherence interferometry system of claim 1, wherein the second beam of radiation is different from the first beam of radiation.","23. The low coherence interferometry system of claim 22, wherein the first multiplexer is located in a reference arm of the low coherence interferometry system and the second multiplexer is located in a sample arm of the low coherence interferometry system.","24. The low coherence interferometry system of claim 1, wherein the second beam of radiation is the same as the first beam of radiation.","25. The low coherence interferometry system of claim 24, wherein the first multiplexer and the second multiplexer are both located in a sample arm of the low coherence interferometry system.","26. A method performed by a low coherence interferometry system, comprising:\nreceiving a first beam of radiation at a first multiplexer;\nintroducing a group delay to the first beam of radiation received at the first multiplexer based on an optical path traversed by the first beam of radiation received at the first multiplexer among a first plurality of optical waveguides in the first multiplexer;\nreceiving a second beam of radiation at a second multiplexer;\ndifferentiating the second beam of radiation received at the second multiplexer among a second plurality of optical waveguides to produce one or more output radiation beams; and\nguiding the one or more output radiation beams towards a sample.","27. The method of claim 26, further comprising modulating a phase of the first beam of radiation in the first multiplexer.","28. The method of claim 26, wherein the differentiating the second beam of radiation comprises introducing a delay to the second beam of radiation.","29. The method of claim 26, wherein the differentiating the second beam of radiation comprises switching the second beam of radiation among the second plurality of optical waveguides.","30. The method of claim 26, wherein the differentiating the second beam of radiation comprises modulating a phase of the second beam of radiation.","31. The method of claim 26, further comprising focusing the one or more output radiation beams via an optical element.","32. The method of claim 31, further comprising altering a propagation direction of the one or more output radiation beams via a reflector disposed downstream of the optical element.","33. The method of claim 26, further comprising bending one or more of the second plurality of optical waveguides via microelectromechanical actuators.","34. The method of claim 26, further comprising collecting scattered radiation from the sample.","35. The method of claim 26, wherein the second multiplexer receives the second beam of radiation from the first multiplexer.","36. The method of claim 26, wherein the second beam of radiation received at the second multiplexer is the same as the first beam of radiation received at the first multiplexer.","37. The method of claim 26, wherein the second beam of radiation received at the second multiplexer is different from the first beam of radiation received at the first multiplexer."],["1. A low insertion loss optical coherence tomography system with space-division multiplexing, the system comprising:\na long coherence light source producing coherent light having a coherence length greater than 5 mm to provide optimal imaging depth;\nan optical coupler receiving and dividing the light into reference light and sampling light;\na reference arm defining a first optical light path, the reference arm receiving the reference light and generating a reference light signal based on the reference light;\na sample arm defining a second optical light path and receiving the sampling light;\nan optical splitter arranged on the sample arm, the optical splitter dividing the sampling light into a plurality of sampling light beams and simultaneously transmitting the plurality of sampling beams;\nan optical delay element comprising a plurality of different light path lengths configured and operable to produce an optical delay shorter than the coherence length of the light source between the plurality of sampling beams such that when images are formed, signals from different physical locations are detected in different frequency bands;\na scanner arranged to receive and configured to simultaneously scan the plurality of sampling beams simultaneously onto multiple different sampling locations on a surface of a sample;\na plurality of optical couplers each configured and arranged to simultaneously receive and combine the reference light signal with one of a plurality of individual reflected light signals returned from the multiple different sampling locations on the surface of the sample produced by each of the plurality of sampling beams to simultaneously generate a plurality of interference signals each having a different frequency band; and\na sensor configured to detect and combine the plurality of interference signals;\nwherein the interference signals includes data representing digitized images of the sample.","2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the sensor is a balanced photodetector.","3. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of optical circulators each being associated with one of the plurality of optical couplers, each optical circulator being operable to receive one of the plurality of reflected light signals from the sample and transmit the same reflected light signal to one of the optical couplers.","4. The system according to claim 3, further comprising an optical splitter configured to divide the reference light signal into a plurality of reference light signals, each one of the plurality of reference light signals being transmitted to one of the plurality of optical couplers for producing an interference signal.","5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the reference arm is a non-sweeping reference arm.","6. The system according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of sampling beams is transmitted by an optical fiber forming an array comprising a plurality of the optical fibers.","7. The system according to claim 6, wherein each of optical fibers also receives one of the plurality of reflected light signals returned from the multiple different sampling locations on the surface of the sample.","8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the optical delay element and the optical splitter are replaced by a lightwave circuit which splits the sampling light into the plurality of sampling light beams and produces the optical delay between the plurality of sampling beams which are transmitted simultaneously.","9. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a high speed data acquisition card and computer processor configured to capture and process the interference signal and generate a visual display of the actual images of the sample on a display device.","10. A low insertion loss optical coherence tomography system with space-division multiplexing, the system comprising:\na long coherence light source producing light having a coherence length greater than 5 mm to provide optimal imaging depth range;\na first optical coupler configured and arranged to split the light into reference light and sampling light;\na non-sweeping reference arm receiving the reference light and producing a reference light signal;\na second optical splitter arranged on a sample arm and configured to split the sampling light into a plurality of sampling beams and transmit the plurality of sampling beams simultaneously;\nan optical delay element comprising a plurality of different light path lengths configured to produce an optical delay shorter than the coherence length of the light source between the plurality of sampling beams such that when images are formed, signals from different physical locations are detected in different frequency bands;\na scanner arranged to receive and configured to simultaneously scan the plurality of sampling beams onto multiple different sampling locations on a surface of a sample;\na plurality of third optical couplers each configured and arranged to simultaneously receive and combine the reference light signal with one of a plurality of individual reflected light signals returned from the multiple different sampling locations on the surface of the sample produced by each of the plurality of sampling beams to simultaneously generate a plurality of interference signals each having a different frequency band;\nwherein the interference signals includes data representing digitized images of the sample.","11. The system according to claim 10, wherein the first optical coupler is operable to divert the reference light to the reference arm and to divert the sampling light to the sample arm.","12. The system according to claim 10, wherein the second optical splitter is an optical fiber splitter.","13. The system according to claim 12, wherein the optical fiber splitter is planar lightwave circuit splitter.","14. The system according to claim 10, further comprising a balanced detector sensor arranged and operable to detect and combine the plurality of interference signals from each of the third optical devices.","15. The system according to claim 10, wherein the optical delay element comprises an optical fiber array comprised of a plurality of optical fibers each having a different length and conveying one of the plurality of sampling beams.","16. The system according to claim 10, wherein the light source is a wavelength tunable light source.","17. The system according to claim 10, further comprising a high speed data acquisition card and computer processor configured to capture and process the interference signal and generate a visual display of the actual images of the sample on a display device.","18. The system according to claim 10, further comprising a plurality of optical circulators each being associated with one of the plurality of optical couplers, each optical circulator being operable to receive one of the plurality of reflected light signals from the sample and transmit the same reflected light signal to one of the optical couplers.","19. The system according to claim 18, further comprising an optical splitter configured to divide the reference light signal into a plurality of reference light signals, each one of the plurality of reference light signals being transmitted to one of the plurality of optical couplers for producing an interference signal.","20. The system according to claim 10, wherein the optical delay element and the second optical splitter are replaced by a lightwave circuit which splits the sampling light into the plurality of sampling light beams and produces the optical delay between the plurality of sampling beams which are transmitted simultaneously.","21. A method for imaging a sample using a low insertion loss space-division multiplexing optical coherence tomography system, the method comprising:\nproviding an optical coherence tomography system comprising a long coherence light source producing light having a coherence length greater than 5 mm to provide optimal imaging depth, a non-sweeping reference arm defining a first optical path, and a sample arm defining a second optical path;\ndividing the light from the light source into reference light and sampling light;\ntransmitting the reference light to the reference arm to produce a reflected light signal;\ntransmitting the sampling light to the sample arm;\nsplitting the sampling light into a plurality of sampling beams on the sample arm;\nproducing an optical delay shorter than the coherence length of the light source between the plurality of sampling beams such that when images are formed, signals from different physical locations are detected in different frequency bands;\nscanning the plurality of sampling beams onto a surface of a sample at multiple different sample locations simultaneously;\ncollecting a plurality of reflected light signals each returned from the surface of the sample produced by each of the plurality of sampling beams;\nsimultaneously receiving and combining the reference light signal with one of the plurality of reflected light signals returned from the multiple different sampling locations on the surface of the sample produced by each of the plurality of sampling beams by a plurality of optical couplers to generate a plurality of interference signals each having a different frequency band;\ncombining and simultaneously receiving the plurality of interference signals by a sensor\nwherein the interference signals comprise data representing digitized images of the sample."],["1. A laser measurement system for simultaneously measuring six degree of freedom geometric errors, wherein the laser measurement system has a laser emitting unit, a fixed sensor head, and a moving target unit;\nthe laser emitting unit is connected to the fixed sensor head by a single fiber;\nthe moving target unit is mounted on a linear guide, and moves along the linear guide during measurement;\nthe laser emitting unit further consists of:\na dual-frequency laser, a quarter-wave plate, a coupling lens, and the single fiber is a polarization maintaining fiber;\ntwo light beams, each with an amplitude and are circularly polarized, are left-handed and right-handed and are generated by the dual-frequency laser, the two light beams have the same amplitude, and the two light beams have a frequency difference; the two circularly polarized light beams are transformed to two linearly polarized light beams with an orthogonal polarization direction by the quarter-wave plate; the two linearly polarized light beams are coupled into the polarization maintaining fiber by the coupling lens; the polarization maintaining fiber transmits the two linearly polarized light beams, wherein the two linearly polarized light beams are kept with the frequency difference and in the polarization state,\nthe fixed sensor head includes a fiber exit end, a collimating lens, a half wave plate, a polarization beam splitter, a quarter wave plate, a reflector, a beam splitter, a mirror, a lens, and a photodetector;\nthe moving target unit includes two reflectors and a beam splitter and is in engagement with the linear guide;\nthe laser emitting unit, based on transmission through the single polarization maintaining fiber, is connected with the fixed sensor head.","2. The system of claim 1, wherein a collimated laser beam is obtained after a light beam is transmitted to pass through the single polarization maintaining fiber and the light beam is expanded and collimated by the collimating lens; the half-wave plate is rotated in order to align the polarization direction of the two orthogonal linear polarized light beams emitted from the single polarization maintaining fiber with the polarization direction of the light transmitted through and the light reflected from the polarization beam splitter, so as to make the intensity of the light beam transmitted through the polarization beam splitter and the intensity of the light beam reflected from the polarization beam splitter to be equal with each other, a part of the beam energy reflected by the polarization beam splitter is directed through the beam splitter, and is reflected by the reflector to serve as a reference beam for interferometric length measurement; the remaining beam energy from the polarization beam splitter is directed into the reflector in the moving target unit, and the reflected beam from the reflector serves as a signal beam; the position error Z when the moving target mirror unit moves along a machine tool or its guiding rail is obtained by the beat frequency signal generated by the interference between the reference beam and the signal light on the photodetector in the fixed sensor head.","3. The system of claim 1, wherein the reflected light from the polarization beam splitter in the fixed sensor head is partially diverted onto the half-wave plate by the beam splitter; the polarization direction of the linearly polarized light passing through the half-wave plate is aligned with the polarization direction of the transmitted light from the polarization beam splitter through rotating the half-wave plate; the linearly polarized light is transformed to a circularly polarized light through the quarter-wave plate, and is directed onto the beam splitter in the moving target unit; the beam energy passing through the beam splitter is reflected back to the fixed sensor head by the reflector in the moving target unit; the photodetector in the fixed sensor head receives the reflected light, so that the horizontal straightness error ΔX1 and the vertical straightness error ΔY1 of the moving target unit with respect to the light axis are obtained.","4. The system of claim 1, wherein the reflected light from the beam splitter in the moving target unit passes through the quarter-wave plate in the fixed unit again, and is transformed from the circularly polarized light to the linearly polarized light, but the polarization direction has a 90 degree change as before, so that the reflected light is totally reflected by the polarization beam splitter; the light is then reflected by a mirror and is focused by lens onto a photodetector which is placed at the focal point of the lens, so that the angular displacements of pitch α and yaw β of the moving target unit with respect to the light axis are obtained.","5. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmitted light from the polarization beam splitter in the fixed sensor head is directed onto the reflector in the moving target unit, and is then twice reflected by two beam splitters in the fixed sensor head; the photodetector in the fixed sensor head receives the reflected light, so that the horizontal straightness error ΔX2 and vertical straightness error ΔY2 are then obtained; and the roll error γ is obtained by dividing the difference of the vertical straightness errors ΔY1 and ΔY2 in two different points at the same horizontal position with the distance between the transmitted light from the polarization beam splitter and the reflected light from the beam splitter in the fixed sensor head.","6. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmitted light from the beam splitter in the fixed sensor head is reflected by a mirror, and is focused on a photodetector to obtain the beam angular drift α′ and β′ with respect to the emergent light from the collimating lens; due to the compensating path is just the measuring path, two dimensional straightness errors, pitch and yaw are compensated according to the beam angular drift and the corresponding error model; the random error introduced by the beam drift is decreased, and the measurement accuracy is enhanced as well."],["1. A five-degree-of-freedom heterodyne grating interferometry system, comprising: a laser device (1) and an acousto-optic modulator (2), wherein the laser device (1) emits a laser, which is then incident on the acousto-optic modulator (2) after optical fiber coupling and beam splitting to obtain two beams of linearly polarized light of different frequencies, one beam of which serves as a reference light, and the other beam of which serves as a measurement light; an interferometer lens group (3) and a measurement grating (4), which are used to form the reference light and the measurement light into a measurement interference signal and a compensation interference signal; and a plurality of optical fiber bundles (5), which receive the measurement interference signal and the compensation interference signal respectively;\nwherein the interferometer lens group (3) comprises beam splitting prisms (31), right-angle prisms (32), a quarter-wave plate (33), a refractive element (34), a reflecting mirror (35), and polarization beam splitting prisms (36); and\nwherein components of the interferometer lens group (3) are distributed symmetrical up and down, the beam splitting prisms (31) are located in upper and lower layers of the interferometer lens group, the polarization beam splitting prisms (36) are located in a middle layer of the interferometer lens group, and the refractive element (34) is located at a top end of the interferometer lens group; the right-angle prisms (32) are arranged at positions of 90° deflection of optical path, and are adhered to the beam splitting prisms (31) and the polarization beam splitting prisms (36) respectively; the measurement light and the reference light pass through same path in the interferometer lens group (3).","2. The five-degree-of-freedom heterodyne grating interferometry system according to claim 1, wherein each of the optical fiber bundles (5) contains a plurality of multimode optical fibers for receiving signals at different positions in same plane respectively.","3. The five-degree-of-freedom heterodyne grating interferometry system according to claim 2, wherein the number of the compensation interference signal is one, the number of the measurement interference signal is two, and the two measurement interference signals and the one compensation interference signal are respectively received by the optical fiber bundles (5).","4. The five-degree-of-freedom heterodyne grating interferometry system according to claim 1, wherein the reference light is divided into three beams of reference light after being split by two beam splitting prisms (31) and reflected by the right-angle prism (32), and the three beams of reference light are used as three interference signals after being reflected by middle three of the polarization beam splitting prisms (36);\nthe measurement light is divided into three beams of the measurement light after being split by two beam splitting prisms (31) and reflected by the right-angle prisms (32);\ntwo of the three beams of the measurement light are reflected by the polarization beam splitting prisms (36), pass through the quarter-wave plate (33) and the refractive element (34) in turn, and then are incident on the measurement grating (4) from left and right sides of the refractive element (34); diffracted beams return along an original optical path, then are transmitted through the quarter-wave plate (33) and middle two of the polarization beam splitting prisms (36) in turn, and are reflected by two of the right-angle prisms (32) to respectively interfere with two beams of the reference light serving as two of the three interference signals and form two measurement interference signals;\na third beam of the measurement light is reflected by the polarization beam splitting prism (36), passes through the quarter-wave plate (33), and is then reflected by the reflecting mirror (35); then it passes through the quarter-wave plate (33) again, is transmitted through the polarization beam splitting prism (36), is reflected by two of the right-angle prisms (32), and interferes with a third beam of the reference light serving as one of the three interference signals to form the compensation interference signal.","5. The five-degree-of-freedom heterodyne grating interferometry system according to claim 1, wherein the measurement grating (4) makes a two-degree-of-freedom linear movement or a three-degree-of-freedom rotational movement relative to the interferometer lens group (3).","6. The five-degree-of-freedom heterodyne grating interferometry system according to claim 5, wherein displacements of the two-degree-of-freedom linear movements are measured based on the Doppler frequency shift principle, with accuracy being of an order of nanometer; and rotational angles are measured based on the principle of differential wavefront, with a measurement range of the rotational angles being 1 mrad and the accuracy reaching the order of microradian.","7. The five-degree-of-freedom heterodyne grating interferometry system according to claim 5, when solving displacement two-degree-of-freedom linear movement, a first temperature drift error of the horizontal displacement is automatically eliminated, and a second temperature drift error of vertical displacement is eliminated by the compensation interference signal.","8. The five-degree-of-freedom heterodyne grating interferometry system according to claim 1, wherein number of the compensation interference signal is one, number of the measurement interference signal is two, and the two measurement interference signals and the one compensation interference signal are respectively received by the optical fiber bundles (5).","9. The five-degree-of-freedom heterodyne grating interferometry system according to claim 8, wherein each optical fiber bundle (5) has four optical fibers that are located at different positions in a same plane and are used to receive interference signals of four quadrants; each optical fiber bundle (5) outputs four optical signals.","10. The five-degree-of-freedom heterodyne grating interferometry system according to claim 1, wherein the five-degree-of-freedom heterodyne grating interferometry system further comprises a photoelectric conversion unit (6) and an electronic signal processing component (7), the photoelectric conversion unit (6) is used to receive the optical signals transmitted by the optical fiber bundles (5) and convert them into electrical signals for input into the electronic signal processing component (7); and the electronic signal processing component (7) receives the electrical signals to solve linear displacement or rotational movement of the measurement grating (4).","11. The five-degree-of-freedom heterodyne grating interferometry system according to claim 1, wherein the measurement system is suitable for laser interferometers, grating interferometers, heterodyne interferometers, and homodyne interferometers.","12. The five-degree-of-freedom heterodyne grating interferometry system according to claim 1, wherein the compensation interference signal can compensate for optical fiber transmission errors of the measurement system."],["1. An optical coherence tomography apparatus comprising:\nan optical coherence tomography optical system comprising:\na measurement optical path,\na reference optical path,\nan optical path length difference generator placed in at least one of the measurement optical path and the reference optical path and configured to generate at least two lights having an optical path length difference from each other, the generator comprising,\na light splitter configured to split at least one of the measurement optical path and the reference optical path into a first optical path and a second optical path that is a detour optical path, and\nan optical combiner configured to combine the first optical path and the second optical path, and\na detector configured to obtain a multiplexed spectral interference signal in which a first spectral interference signal and a second spectral interference signal based on the at least two lights generated by the optical path length difference generator are multiplexed, and\nan arithmetic controller configured to process the multiplexed spectral interference signal output from the detector to obtain depth information in which first depth information based on the first spectral interference signal and second depth information based on the second spectral interference signal are multiplexed separately from each other in a depth direction,\nthe first depth information and the second depth information being depth information at a same depth position on an object to be examined and are obtained simultaneously.","2. The optical coherence tomography apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an optical scanner placed in the measurement optical path, and\nwherein the arithmetic controller processes the depth information obtained at each scan position by the optical scanner to obtain tomographic image data including a plurality of tomographic images on the object at the same time.","3. The optical coherence tomography apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the arithmetic controller positionally aligns and combines the first depth information and the second depth information in the depth direction.","4. The optical coherence tomography apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the arithmetic controller obtains a plurality of the first depth information and the second depth information and positionally aligns and combines the first depth information and the second depth information in the depth direction.","5. The optical coherence tomography apparatus according to claim 1, wherein\nthe optical path length difference generator is configured to generate at least two lights having polarization components orthogonal to each other and to generate at least two lights having an optical path length difference therebetween and having polarization components orthogonal to each other,\nthe detector is a detector configured to detect at least two multiplexed spectral interference signals having polarization components orthogonal to each other, and\nthe arithmetic controller processes at least two multiplexed spectral interference signals having polarization components orthogonal to each other to analyze polarization properties of the object to be examined.","6. The optical coherence tomography apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detector includes a vertical polarization detector for detecting a multiplexed spectral interference signal having a vertical polarization component and a horizontal polarization detector for detecting a multiplexed spectral interference signal having a horizontal polarization component.","7. The optical coherence tomography apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a full range unit placed in one of the measurement optical path and the reference optical path and configured to obtain a full-range image capturing region in the depth direction.","8. The optical coherence tomography apparatus according to claim 1, wherein\nthe optical path length difference generator is placed in the measurement optical path, and\nthe optical coherence tomography optical system further comprises a scan optical system configured to simultaneously scan the at least two lights having an optical path length difference from each other at a same depth position on the object to be examined in a transverse direction.","9. The optical coherence tomography apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the scan optical system is a scan optical system configured to scan the at least two lights having an optical path length difference from each other at a same scanning position on the object to be examined.","10. The optical coherence tomography apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the scan optical system is a scan optical system which scans the at least two lights having an optical path length difference from each other at different positions on the object to be examined.","11. The optical coherence tomography apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the object to be examined is a fundus of an eye.","12. The optical coherence tomography apparatus according to claim 1, wherein\nthe optical coherence tomography optical system is a swept source OCT optical system, and\nthe detector is a balanced detector including at least two point sensors.","13. The optical coherence tomography apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the arithmetic controller measures a variation between the first depth information and the second depth information.","14. The optical coherence tomography apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the optical coherence tomography optical system is a spectral-domain-optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) system.","15. The optical coherence tomography apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first optical path and the second optical path in the optical path length difference generator includes an optical fiber.","16. An optical coherence tomography apparatus comprising:\nan optical coherence tomography optical system comprising:\na measurement optical path,\na reference optical path,\nan optical path length difference generator placed in the measurement optical path and configured to generate at least two lights having an optical path length difference from each other, the generator being configured to produce a first optical path and a second optical path that is a detour optical path,\nan optical scanner placed on a side closer to the object than the optical path length difference generator, and\na detector configured to obtain a multiplexed spectral interference signal in which a first spectral interference signal and a second spectral interference signal generated by the optical path length difference generator are multiplexed, and\nan arithmetic controller configured to process the multiplexed spectral interference signal output from the detector to obtain depth information in which first depth information based on the first spectral interference signal and second depth information based on the second spectral interference signal are multiplexed separately from each other in a depth direction,\nthe first depth information and the second depth information being depth information at a same depth position on an object to be examined and are obtained simultaneously.","17. The optical coherence tomography apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the arithmetic controller processes the depth information obtained at each scan position by the optical scanner to obtain tomographic image data including a plurality of tomographic images on the object at the same time.","18. The optical coherence tomography apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the arithmetic controller positionally aligns and combines the first depth information and the second depth information in the depth direction.","19. The optical coherence tomography apparatus according to claim 16, wherein at least one of the first optical path and the second optical path in the optical path length difference generator includes an optical fiber."],["1. An apparatus for interferometric measurement of a sample, the sample comprising an eye, the apparatus comprising:\na short-coherence interferometer arrangement, which comprises a measurement beam path through which a measurement beam is incident on the sample, and a reference beam path, through which a reference beam passes wherein the measurement beam is superimposed on the reference beam and interference occurs between the reference beam and the measurement beam; and\na spectrometer arrangement that detects the superimposed beams, said arrangement comprising an element which spectrally spreads the superimposed beams and a detector array which comprises at least 7,000 individual photo-sensitive cells arranged such that two signal peaks are captured in a short period of time, one of the two signal peaks representing an anterior structure and another of the two signal peaks representing a posterior structure and such that eye measurements over a full axial length of the eye are performed in the single measurement over a short period of time.","2. A method for short-coherence interferometric measurement of a sample, the sample comprising an eye, the method comprising:\ndirecting a measurement beam onto the sample through a measurement beam path;\nsuperimposing a reference beam passing through a first reference beam path onto the measurement beam and wherein interference occurs between the measurement beam and the reference beam;\nusing a spectrometer arrangement for detection of the superimposed beams, said spectrometer arrangement comprising an element which spectrally spreads the superimposed beams and a detector array which comprises at least 7,000 individual photo-sensitive cells;\ncapturing two signal peaks in a short period of time, one of the two signal peaks representing an anterior structure and another of the two signal peaks representing a posterior structure; and\nthus performing eye measurements over a full axial length of the eye in the single measurement over a short period of time."]],"string":"[\n [\n \"1. A three-dimensional measurement device, comprising:\\na predetermined optical system that:\\nsplits a predetermined incident light into two lights;\\nradiates one of the two lights as a measurement light to a measurement object and the other of the two lights as a reference light to a reference surface; and\\nrecombines the two lights to a combined light and emits the combined light;\\na first irradiator that emits a first light that comprises a polarized light of a first wavelength and enters a first input-output element of the predetermined optical system;\\na second irradiator that emits a second light that comprises a polarized light of a second wavelength and enters a second input-output element of the predetermined optical system;\\na first camera that takes an image of an output light with regard to the first light that is emitted from the second input-output element when the first light enters the first input-output element;\\na second camera that takes an image of an output light with regard to the second light that is emitted from the first input-output element when the second light enters the second input-output element; and\\nan image processor that performs three-dimensional measurement of the measurement object, based on interference fringe images taken by the first and the second camera.\",\n \"2. The three-dimensional measurement device according to claim 1, further comprising:\\na first light guide that causes at least part of the first light emitted from the first irradiator to enter the first input-output element and that causes at least part of the output light with regard to the second light emitted from the first input-output element to enter the second camera; and\\na second light guide that causes at least part of the second light emitted from the second irradiator to enter the second input-output element and that causes a least part of the output light with regard to the first light emitted from the second input-output element to enter the first camera.\",\n \"3. The three-dimensional measurement device according to claim 2, further comprising:\\na first light isolator that is placed between the first irradiator and the first light guide and that transmits only a light in one direction out of the light emitted from the first irradiator and blocks a light in a reverse direction; and\\na second light isolator that is placed between the second irradiator and the second light guide and that transmits only a light in one direction out of the light emitted from the second irradiator and blocks a light in a reverse direction.\",\n \"4. The three-dimensional measurement device according to claim 1, further comprising:\\na first polarizer that gives a relative phase difference between the reference light and the measurement light with regard to the first light; and\\na second polarizer that gives a relative phase difference between the reference light and the measurement light with regard to the second light, wherein\\nthe image processor:\\nmeasures a phase corresponding to a shape of the measurement object by a phase shift method, based on a plurality of interference fringe images of the output light with regard to the first light taken by the first camera when the output light with regard to the first light is subjected to phase shift a plurality of times by the first polarizer, and obtains the phase as a first measurement value;\\nmeasures a phase corresponding to the shape of the measurement object by the phase shift method, based on a plurality of interference fringe images of the output light with regard to the second light taken by the second camera when the output light with regard to the second light is subjected to phase shift a plurality of times by the second polarizer, and obtains the phase as a second measurement value; and\\nobtains height information specified from the first measurement value and the second measurement value, as height information of the measurement object.\",\n \"5. The three-dimensional measurement device according to claim 4, further comprising:\\na first spectroscope that splits the output light with regard to the first light into a plurality of lights;\\na first filter, as the first polarizer, that gives different phase differences to at least a required number of split lights required for measurement by the phase shift method, out of a plurality of split lights split by the first spectroscope;\\na second spectroscope that splits the output light with regard to the second light into a plurality of lights; and\\na second filter, as the second polarizer, that gives different phase differences to at least a required number of split lights required for measurement by the phase shift method, out of a plurality of split lights split by the second spectroscope, wherein\\nthe first camera simultaneously takes images of at least the plurality of split lights transmitted through the first filter, and\\nthe second camera simultaneously takes images of at least the plurality of split lights transmitted through the second filter.\",\n \"6. The three-dimensional measurement device according to claim 5,\\nwherein the spectroscope comprises:\\na first optical member that is a triangular prism having a triangular sectional shape along a first plane and comprises a first splitter arranged along a plane that goes through a line of intersection between a first surface and a second surface out of three surfaces along a direction perpendicular to the first plane and that is orthogonal to a third surface; and\\na second optical member that is a triangular prism having a triangular sectional shape along a second plane orthogonal to the first plane and comprises a second splitter arranged along a plane that goes through a line of intersection between a first surface and a second surface out of three surfaces along a direction perpendicular to the second plane and that is orthogonal to a third surface, wherein\\nthe third surface of the first optical member is arranged to be opposed to the first surface of the second optical member, such that\\na light entering the first surface of the first optical member is split in two directions by the first splitter; a split light reflected by the first splitter is reflected at the first surface toward the third surface, and a split light transmitted through the first splitter is reflected at the second surface toward the third surface, so that two parallel split lights are emitted from the third surface;\\nthe two split lights emitted from the third surface of the first optical member enter the first surface of the second optical member; each of the two split lights is split in two directions by the second splitter; two split lights reflected by the second splitter are respectively reflected at the first surface toward the third surface, and two split lights transmitted through the second splitter are respectively reflected at the second surface toward the third surface, so that four parallel split lights are emitted from the third surface.\",\n \"7. The three-dimensional measurement device according to claim 6,\\nwherein the first camera comprises a single imaging element that simultaneously takes images of at least the plurality of split lights transmitted through the first filter, and\\nthe second camera comprises a single imaging element that simultaneously takes images of at least the plurality of split lights transmitted through the second filter.\",\n \"8. The three-dimensional measurement device according to claim 7,\\nwherein the measurement object is either solder paste printed on a printed circuit board or a solder bump formed on a wafer substrate.\",\n \"9. The three-dimensional measurement device according to claim 6,\\nwherein the measurement object is either solder paste printed on a printed circuit board or a solder bump formed on a wafer substrate.\",\n \"10. The three-dimensional measurement device according to claim 5,\\nwherein the first camera comprises a single imaging element that simultaneously takes images of at least the plurality of split lights transmitted through the first filter, and\\nthe second camera comprises a single imaging element that simultaneously takes images of at least the plurality of split lights transmitted through the second filter.\",\n \"11. The three-dimensional measurement device according to claim 10,\\nwherein the measurement object is either solder paste printed on a printed circuit board or a solder bump formed on a wafer substrate.\",\n \"12. The three-dimensional measurement device according to claim 5,\\nwherein the measurement object is either solder paste printed on a printed circuit board or a solder bump formed on a wafer substrate.\",\n \"13. The three-dimensional measurement device according to claim 4,\\nwherein the measurement object is either solder paste printed on a printed circuit board or a solder bump formed on a wafer substrate.\",\n \"14. The three-dimensional measurement device according to claim 1,\\nwherein the measurement object is either solder paste printed on a printed circuit board or a solder bump formed on a wafer substrate.\",\n \"15. A three-dimensional measurement device, comprising:\\na polarizing beam splitter that:\\ncomprises a boundary surface that splits a predetermined incident light into two polarized lights having polarizing directions orthogonal to each other;\\nradiates one of the split polarized lights as a measurement light to a measurement object and the other of the split polarized lights as a reference light to a reference surface; and\\nrecombines the two polarized lights to a combined light and emits the combined light;\\na first irradiator that emits a first light that comprises a polarized light of a first wavelength and enters a first surface as a first input-output element of the polarizing beam splitter, out of the first surface and a second surface of the polarizing beam splitter arranged to adjoin to each other across the boundary surface;\\na second irradiator that emits a second light that comprises a polarized light of a second wavelength and enters the second surface as a second input-output element of the polarizing beam splitter;\\na first quarter wave plate placed between the reference surface and a third surface of the polarizing beam splitter which the reference light enters and is emitted from;\\na second quarter wave plate placed between the measurement object and a fourth surface of the polarizing beam splitter which the measurement light enters and is emitted from;\\na first camera that takes an image of an output light with regard to the first light that is emitted from the second surface when the first light enters the first surface of the polarizing beam splitter;\\na second camera that takes an image of an output light with regard to the second light that is emitted from the first surface when the second light enters the second surface of the polarizing beam splitter; and\\nan image processor that performs three-dimensional measurement of the measurement object, based on interference fringe images taken by the first and the second camera.\",\n \"16. The three-dimensional measurement device according to claim 15, further comprising:\\na first light guide that causes at least part of the first light emitted from the first irradiator to enter the first input-output element and that causes at least part of the output light with regard to the second light emitted from the first input-output element to enter the second camera; and\\na second light guide that causes at least part of the second light emitted from the second irradiator to enter the second input-output element and that causes a least part of the output light with regard to the first light emitted from the second input-output element to enter the first camera.\",\n \"17. The three-dimensional measurement device according to claim 16, further comprising:\\na first light isolator that is placed between the first irradiator and the first light guide and that transmits only a light in one direction out of the light emitted from the first irradiator and blocks a light in a reverse direction; and\\na second light isolator that is placed between the second irradiator and the second light guide and that transmits only a light in one direction out of the light emitted from the second irradiator and blocks a light in a reverse direction.\",\n \"18. A three-dimensional measurement device, comprising:\\na predetermined optical system that:\\nsplits a predetermined incident light into two polarized lights having polarizing directions orthogonal to each other;\\nradiates one of the polarized lights as a measurement light to a measurement object and the other of the polarized lights as a reference light to a reference surface; and\\nrecombines the two polarized lights to a combined light and emits the combined light;\\na first irradiator that emits a first light that has a first wavelength and enters the predetermined optical system;\\na second irradiator that emits a second light that has a second wavelength different from the first wavelength and enters the predetermined optical system;\\na first camera that takes an image of an output light with regard to the first light that is emitted from the predetermined optical system;\\na second camera that takes an image of an output light with regard to the second light that is emitted from the predetermined optical system; and\\nan image processor that performs three-dimensional measurement of the measurement object, based on interference fringe images taken by the first and the second camera, wherein\\nthe first light and the second light enter different positions of the predetermined optical system, and\\nthe predetermined optical system:\\nsplits the first light into the reference light that is a first polarized light having a first polarizing direction and the measurement light that is a second polarized light having a second polarizing direction;\\nsplits the second light into the reference light that is the second polarized light and the measurement light that is the first polarized light; and\\nemits the output light with regard to the first light by recombining the split lights and the output light with regard to the second light by recombining the split lights from different positions of the predetermined optical system.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A bore testing device for testing an inner surface of a bore in a workpiece to detect surface defects in the bore in the workpiece, the bore testing device comprising:\\na) a measuring head which defines an axial direction, and on which an optical system is situated which is in image transmission connection with an image recorder and a downstream evaluation apparatus;\\nb) an illumination arrangement is provided, the illumination apparatus illuminates an imaging area of the inner surface of the bore in the workpiece which is detected by the optical system;\\nc) the illumination arrangement illuminates the inner surface of the bore in the workpiece to be tested from different illumination directions and generates shadow images of a topography of the inner surface of the bore in the workpiece;\\nd) the downstream evaluation apparatus determines the topography based on the shadow images recorded by the image recorder;\\ne) the illumination apparatus has a first light source arrangement which illuminates the inner surface from a first illumination direction, and a second light source arrangement which illuminates the inner surface from a second illumination direction;\\nf) the first light source arrangement radially illuminates the inner surface, and the second light source arrangement tangentially illuminates the inner surface in the peripheral direction; and\\ng)an advancing apparatus for advancing the measuring head in the axial direction in a stepwise manner is associated with the measuring head.\",\n \"2. The testing device according to claim 1, wherein:\\na) one of the first and second light source arrangements is configured for rotationally symmetrical illumination of the inner surface.\",\n \"3. The testing device according to claim 1, wherein:\\na) one of the first and second light source arrangements has a plurality of light sources arranged in a ring shape in the peripheral direction.\",\n \"4. The testing device according to claim 3, wherein:\\na) the first and second light source arrangements include light-emitting diodes.\",\n \"5. The testing device according to claim 1, wherein:\\na) the first and second light source arrangements are separated at a distance from one another in the axial direction, and irradiate in opposite directions.\",\n \"6. The testing device according to claim 1, wherein:\\na) a control device is provided for controlling the first and second light source arrangements.\",\n \"7. The testing device according to claim 6, wherein:\\na) the control device chronologically successively illuminates the inner surface from the different illumination directions.\",\n \"8. The testing device e according to claim 1, wherein:\\na) a separate illumination color is associated with each of the first and second illumination directions; and\\nb) the image recorder includes a color sensor.\",\n \"9. The testing device according to claim 1, wherein:\\na) the optical system is an optical system with a panoramic view.\",\n \"10. The testing device according to claim 1, wherein:\\na) the measuring head or the measuring head together with the illumination arrangement, is an endoscope which is insertable into the bore to be tested.\",\n \"11. The testing device according to claim 1, wherein:\\na) the image recorder is a digital image recorder.\",\n \"12. The testing device according to claim 1, wherein:\\na) the evaluation apparatus is a digital evaluation apparatus.\",\n \"13. The testing device according to claim 1, wherein:\\na) the evaluation apparatus evaluates the shadow images recorded by the image recorder according to shape from the shading method.\",\n \"14. A bore testing device for testing an inner surface of a bore in a workpiece to detect surface defects in the bore in the workpiece, the bore testing device comprising:\\na) a measuring head which defines an axial direction, and on which an optical system is situated which is in image transmission connection with an image recorder and a downstream evaluation apparatus;\\nb) an illumination arrangement is provided, the illumination apparatus illuminates an imaging area of the inner surface of the bore in the workpiece which is detected by the optical system;\\nc) the illumination arrangement illuminates the inner surface of the bore in the workpiece to be tested from different illumination directions and generates shadow images of a topography of the inner surface of the bore in the workpiece;\\nd) the downstream evaluation apparatus determines the topography of the inner surface of the bore in the workpiece based on the shadow images of the topography of the inner surface of the bore in the workpiece recorded by the image recorder; and\\ne) an advancing apparatus is provided, the advancing apparatus advances the measuring head in the axial direction in a stepwise manner.\",\n \"15. The testing device according to claim 14,\\nwherein:\\na) the illumination apparatus has a first light source arrangement for illuminating the inner surface from a first illumination direction, and a second lightsource arrangement for illuminating the inner surface from a second illumination direction.\",\n \"16. The testing device according to claim 15,\\nwherein:\\na) the first light source arrangement is configured for radially illuminating the inner surface, and the second light source arrangement is configured for tangentially illuminating the inner surface in the peripheral direction.\",\n \"17. A bore testing device for testing an inner surface of a bore in a workpiece to detect surface defects in the bore in the workpiece, the bore testing device comprising:\\na) a measuring head which defines an axial direction, and on which an optical system is situated which is in image transmission connection with an image recorder and a downstream evaluation apparatus;\\nb) an illumination arrangement is provided, the illumination apparatus illuminates an imaging area of the inner surface of the bore in the workpiece which is detected by the optical system;\\nc) the illumination arrangement illuminates the inner surface of the bore in the workpiece to be tested from different illumination directions and generates shadow images of a topography of the inner surface of the bore in the workpiece;\\nd) the downstream evaluation apparatus determines the topography of the inner surface of the bore in the workpiece based on the shadow images of the topography of the inner surface of the bore in the workpiece recorded by the image recorder; and\\ne) an advancing apparatus is provided, the advancing apparatus advances the measuring head in the axial direction in a stepwise and in a continuous manner.\",\n \"18. The testing device according to claim 17, wherein:\\na) the illumination apparatus has a first light source arrangement for illuminating the inner surface from a first illumination direction, and a second light source arrangement for illuminating the inner surface from a second illumination direction.\",\n \"19. The testing device according to claim 17, wherein:\\na) the first light source arrangement is configured for radially illuminating the inner surface, and the second light source arrangement is configured for tangentially illuminating the inner surface in the peripheral direction.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A LIght Detection And Ranging (LIDAR) system, comprising:\\na first laser subsystem configured to transmit a first laser beam at a first location on an object at a time;\\na second laser subsystem configured to transmit a second laser beam at a second location on the object at the time; and\\nan analyzer configured to analyze data based on laser beams produced by the LIDAR system, the analyzer configured to calculate a first range based on a first reflected laser beam reflected from the object in response to the first laser beam, the analyzer configured to calculate a second range based on a second reflected laser beam reflected from the object in response to the second laser beam, the analyzer configured to detect a vibration velocity field over the object;\\nthe first location being targeted by the first laser subsystem and the second location being targeted by the second laser subsystem such that a first displacement due to the vibration velocity field at the first location is substantially the same as a second displacement due to the vibration velocity field at the second location while the vibration velocity field is being detected.\",\n \"2. The LIDAR system of claim 1, wherein the first range and the second range correspond with the time.\",\n \"3. The LIDAR system of claim 1, wherein the first laser subsystem includes a laser source, a splitter and a delay, the splitter being disposed between the laser source and the delay.\",\n \"4. The LIDAR system of claim 1, wherein the first laser subsystem includes a laser source, a delay and a combiner, the delay being disposed between the combiner and the laser source.\",\n \"5. The LIDAR system of claim 1, wherein the analyzer is configured to calculate a constant velocity of a surface of the object, the analyzer is configured to correct a first displacement based on the constant velocity of the surface.\",\n \"6. The LIDAR system of claim 1, wherein the analyzer is configured to calculate a varying velocity of a surface of the object, the analyzer is configured to correct the second range based on the varying velocity of the surface.\",\n \"7. The LIDAR system of claim 1, wherein the first range and the second range are included in a first set of simultaneous measurements, the time is a first time,\\nthe first laser subsystem configured to transmit a third laser beam at a third location on the object at a second time;\\nthe second laser subsystem configured to transmit a fourth laser beam at a fourth location on the object at the second time,\\nthe analyzer configured to calculate a third range based on a third reflected laser beam from the third laser beam, the analyzer configured to calculate a fourth range based on a fourth reflected laser beam from the fourth laser beam,\\nthe third range and the fourth range are included in a second set of simultaneous measurements,\\nthe analyzer configured to modify the first range based on first set of simultaneous measurements and the second set of simultaneous measurements.\",\n \"8. The LIDAR system of claim 1, wherein the first range is a first estimated range calculated based on the first reflected laser beam and the second range is a second estimated range calculated based on the first reflected laser beam and the second reflected laser beam.\",\n \"9. A LIght Detection And Ranging (LIDAR) system, comprising:\\na first laser subsystem configured to transmit a first laser beam at a first location on an object at a time;\\na second laser subsystem configured to transmit a second laser beam at a second location on the object at the time; and\\nan analyzer configured to analyze data based on laser beams produced by the LIDAR system, the analyzer configured to calculate a first range based on a first reflected laser beam reflected from the object in response to the first laser beam, the analyzer configured to calculate a second range based on a second reflected laser beam reflected from the object in response to the second laser beam, the analyzer configured to detect a vibration velocity field over the object,\\nthe first location having a proximity to the second location such that a first displacement due to the vibration velocity field at the first location is linearly related to a second displacement due to the vibration velocity field at the first location while the vibration velocity field is being detected.\",\n \"10. The LIDAR system of claim 9, wherein the analyzer is further configured to calculate a constant velocity of a surface of the object, the analyzer is configured to correct the first range based on the constant velocity of the surface.\",\n \"11. The LIDAR system of claim 9, wherein the analyzer is further configured to calculate a varying velocity of a surface of the object, the analyzer is configured to correct the first range based on the varying velocity of the surface.\",\n \"12. The LIDAR system of claim 9, wherein the analyzer is configured to calculate a relative range between the first location and the second location at the time independent of absolute range accuracy.\",\n \"13. The LIDAR system of claim 9, wherein the first laser subsystem is fixedly located with respect to the second laser subsystem.\",\n \"14. The LIDAR system of claim 9, wherein the first range is a first estimated range calculated based on the first reflected laser beam and the second range is a second estimated range calculated based on the first reflected laser beam and the second reflected laser beam.\",\n \"15. The LIDAR system of claim 9, wherein the analyzer is further configured to:\\ncalculate a first velocity based on a first reflected laser beam reflected from the object in response to the first laser beam; and\\ncalculate a variation in the first range based on a variation in the first velocity.\",\n \"16. The LIDAR system of claim 9, wherein the analyzer is further configured to:\\ncalculate a second velocity based on a first reflected laser beam reflected from the object in response to the second laser beam; and,\\ncalculate a variation in the second range based on a variation in the second velocity.\",\n \"17. The LIDAR system of claim 9, wherein the analyzer is further configured to:\\ncalculate a first velocity based on a first reflected laser beam reflected from the object in response to the first laser beam; and\\ncalculate a constant velocity of a surface of the object, the analyzer is configured to correct the first velocity at the first location based on the constant velocity of the surface.\",\n \"18. The LIDAR system of claim 9, wherein the analyzer is further configured to:\\ncalculate a second velocity based on a second reflected laser beam reflected from the object in response to the second laser beam; and\\ncalculate a varying velocity of a surface of the object, the analyzer is configured to correct the second velocity based on the varying velocity of the surface.\",\n \"19. A method, comprising:\\ndetecting a vibration velocity field over an object;\\ntransmitting a first laser beam at a first location on the object at a time;\\ntransmitting a second laser beam at a second location on the object at the time;\\ngenerating a first range based on a first reflected laser beam reflected from the object in response to the first laser beam;\\ngenerating a second range based on a second reflected laser beam reflected from the object in response to the second laser beam,\\nthe first location being targeted by the first laser subsystem and the second location being targeted by the second laser subsystem such that a first Doppler shift for the first laser beam and a second Doppler shift for the second laser beam are substantially the same while the vibration velocity field is being detected.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. An optical coherence tomography (OCT) system comprising:\\na light source for generating a light beam to illuminate a sample;\\na beam divider for separating the light beam into reference and sample arms, wherein the sample arm contains the sample to be imaged;\\nsample arm optics for sequentially illuminating a location in the sample with the light beam from different angles;\\na detector for receiving light returning from the reference arm and the sample illuminated at each angle and generating signals in response thereto;\\na processor for coherently combining the signals from the different angles to generate an image of the sample, said image having a transverse resolution that is higher than the transverse resolution achieved from the signal generated from a single angle and wherein the coherently combining involves averaging or adding complex OCT data from the different angles.\",\n \"2. The OCT system as recited in claim 1, wherein the sample is an eye.\",\n \"3. The OCT system as recited in claim 1, wherein the sample arm optics comprise a splitter for dividing the light beam into multiple imaging beams and an optical switch, wherein sequential illumination of the sample at different angles is achieved with the optical switch.\",\n \"4. The OCT system as recited in claim 3, wherein an imaging beam from the multiple imaging beams illuminates a point on the sample.\",\n \"5. The OCT system as recited in claim 3, wherein an imaging beam from the multiple imaging beams illuminates a line on the sample.\",\n \"6. The OCT system as recited in claim 1, wherein the OCT system is a holoscopic system.\",\n \"7. The OCT system as recited in claim 1, wherein the sample arm optics include a corner cube reflector and a pivoting mirror element, wherein the sequential angle illumination is achieved by moving the beam on the pivoting mirror element using the corner cube reflector.\",\n \"8. The OCT system as recited in claim 1, wherein an optical phase adjustment is applied between the sample arm and the reference arm to compensate for an apparent tilt introduced by different scanning angles.\",\n \"9. The OCT system as recited in claim 1, further comprising an optical phase shifting element between the sample arm and the reference arm to compensate for an apparent tilt introduced by different scanning angles.\",\n \"10. A method for high resolution imaging of a sample with a multi-beam optical coherence tomography (OCT) system, said method comprising:\\nilluminating different locations in the sample through multiple sample arm beam paths using a light source;\\nadjusting the multiple sample arm beam paths such that at least one of the previously illuminated sample locations is illuminated again by a different sample arm beam path incident on the sample location at a different angle;\\ncombining light returning from the sample and light from one or more reference beam paths at a plurality of beam combiners;\\ncollecting light from each combiner and generating signals in response thereto;\\ncoherently combining the signals from the different angles at each location to generate an image of the sample, said image having a transverse resolution that is higher than the transverse resolution achieved from the signal generated from a single angle, wherein the coherently combining involves averaging or adding complex OCT signals from the different angles;\\nstoring or displaying the image or a further analysis thereof.\",\n \"11. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein the sample is an eye.\",\n \"12. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein there are two sample arm beam paths and two reference beam paths.\",\n \"13. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein there are three sample arm beam paths.\",\n \"14. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein the adjusting step is achieved by moving the sample relative to the multi-beam OCT system.\",\n \"15. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein the adjusting step is achieved by changing the location of the sample arm beam path on a scanning element positioned in the beam path.\",\n \"16. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein the combining of each of the sample and reference arm beam path pairs determines an angular distribution of the scattering.\",\n \"17. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein, prior to combining the sample and reference arm beam paths, shifting of the phase of the data from one or more sample arm beam paths is performed to correct for optical aberrations.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. An integrated photonic chip suitable for space-division multiplexing optical coherence tomography scanning, the photonic chip comprising:\\na substrate;\\nan optical input port configured to receive an incident singular sampling beam from an external light source;\\na plurality of optical output ports configured to transmit a plurality of sampling beams from the chip to a sample to capture scanned images of the sample; and\\na multiple branched waveguide structure optically coupling the input port to each of the output ports, the waveguide structure comprising a plurality of interconnected waveguide channels formed in the substrate;\\nthe waveguide channels configured to define a plurality of photonic splitters which divide the incident singular sampling beam received at the input port into the plurality of sampling beams at the output ports;\\nwherein portions of the waveguide channels between the photonic splitters and output ports have different predetermined lengths to create an optical time delay between each of the plurality of sampling beams;\\nwherein a difference in the predetermined lengths between the waveguide channels is selected to produce an optical delay shorter than a coherence length of the light source between the plurality of sampling beams so that when images are formed, signals from different physical locations are detected in different frequency bands.\",\n \"2. The photonic chip according to claim 1, wherein the photonic splitters are arranged in multiple cascading rows on the substrate, the singular sampling beam being successively divided in each row by the photonic splitters to create an increasingly greater number of sampling beams in each row between the inlet port and the output ports.\",\n \"3. The photonic chip according to claim 1, wherein the output ports emit the sampling beams from the photonic chip directly into air to the sample.\",\n \"4. The photonic chip according to claim 1, wherein the output ports are arranged to receive a plurality of reflected light signals returned from the sample, the photonic splitters being configured to combine the plurality of reflected light signals into a singular reflected light signal which is emitted from the input port of the photonic chip.\",\n \"5. The photonic chip according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of output ports are clustered together on one side of the substrate and evenly spaced apart at a predetermined pitch spacing.\",\n \"6. The photonic chip according to claim 5, wherein a difference in length between each adjacent waveguide channel in the photonic chip is the same.\",\n \"7. The photonic chip according to claim 1, further comprising an optical fiber coupled to the input port of the photonic chip.\",\n \"8. The photonic chip according to claim 1, wherein the substrate is selected from the group consisting of silicon, silicon on insulator, Iridium Phosphide, Lithium Niobate, Silicon Nitride and Gallium Arsenide.\",\n \"9. The photonic chip according to claim 1, wherein the sampling beams in the time delay region travel in a path generally perpendicular to a path of the sampling beams in the splitter region.\",\n \"10. The photonic chip according to claim 1, wherein the waveguide channels are etched into the substrate.\",\n \"11. A low loss integrated photonic chip suitable for space-division multiplexing optical coherence tomography scanning, the photonic chip comprising:\\na substrate;\\nan optical input port configured to receive an incident singular sampling beam from an external light source;\\na reference light input port configured to receive reference light from an external reference light source;\\na plurality of optical output ports configured to transmit a plurality of sampling beams from the chip to a sample to capture scanned images of the sample;\\na multiple branched waveguide structure optically coupling the input port to each of the output ports, the waveguide structure comprising a plurality of interconnected waveguide channels formed in the substrate, the waveguide channels defining a splitter region and an interferometer region;\\nthe waveguide channels in the splitter region configured to define a plurality of photonic splitters which divide the incident singular sampling beam received at the input port into the plurality of sampling beams at the output ports;\\nwherein portions of the waveguide channels between the photonic splitters and output ports have different predetermined lengths to create an optical time delay between each of the plurality of sampling beams;\\nthe waveguide channels in the interferometer region configured to define a plurality of photonic interferometers, the photonic interferometers optically coupled to the waveguide channels in the time delay region and the reference light;\\nwherein the photonic interferometers are arranged to receive a plurality of reflected light signals returned from the sample, the photonic interferometers being configured and operable to combine the reflected light signals with the reference light to produce a plurality of interference signals which are emitted from interference signal output ports of the photonic chip.\",\n \"12. The photonic chip according to claim 11, wherein the photonic splitters are arranged in multiple cascading rows on the substrate, the singular sampling beam being evenly and successively divided in each row by the photonic splitters to create an increasingly greater number of sampling beams in each row between the inlet port and the output ports.\",\n \"13. The photonic chip according to claims 12, wherein the photonic interferometers are optically coupled to photonic splitters in a final row of the splitter region.\",\n \"14. The photonic chip according to claim 13, wherein the reflected light signals returned from the sample travel through the photonic splitters in the final row to the interferometers and bypass preceding rows of photonic splitters in the splitter region.\",\n \"15. The photonic chip according to claim 11, wherein the photonic interferometers are optically coupled to the reference light input port via a plurality of reference light waveguide channels.\",\n \"16. The photonic chip according to claim 11, wherein a difference in the predetermined lengths between the waveguide channels is selected to produce an optical delay shorter than a coherence length of the light source between the plurality of sampling beams so that when images are formed, signals from different physical locations are detected in different frequency bands.\",\n \"17. A method for processing light in a space division multiplexing optical coherence tomography system using a low loss integrated photonic chip, the method comprising:\\nproviding a photonic chip comprising an optical input port, a plurality of optical output ports, and a multiple branched waveguide structure optically coupling the input port to each of the output ports, the waveguide structure comprising a plurality of interconnected waveguide channels formed in the chip;\\nreceiving a singular sample beam from a light source at the input port;\\ndividing the sample beam into a plurality of sampling beams using a plurality of in-chip photonic splitters defined by the waveguide channels in the splitter region;\\ncreating a time delay between the plurality of sampling beams by varying a length of each waveguide channel after dividing the sampling beam; and\\nemitting the plurality of sampling beams simultaneously in parallel through the output ports towards a sample to be scanned;\\nreceiving a plurality of reflected light signals returned from the sample at the output ports;\\ntransmitting the reflected light signals to a plurality of interferometers defined by the waveguide channels in an interferometer region of the photonic chip;\\ncombining the reflected light signals with a reference light signal using the plurality of interferometers to generate a plurality of interference signals; and\\nemitting the interference signals from interference output ports of the photonic chip.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A method, for use with an optical system that includes a camera, the method comprising:\\ndetecting surface topography of a portion of a curved surface of an object by:\\ndirecting a beam of light toward the surface from a broad angle of incidence with respect to an optical axis of the camera;\\nreceiving light reflected from the surface with the camera, the reflected light passing via a narrow-angle aperture, before being received by the camera;\\ndetecting one or more darkened regions in the received light; and\\ndetecting the surface topography at least partially based upon the detected darkened regions.\",\n \"2. The method according to claim 1, wherein receiving light reflected from the surface with the camera, via the narrow-angle aperture comprises receiving light reflected from the surface with the camera, the reflected light passing via a narrow-angle aperture that defines an angle of less than 3 degrees, before being received by the camera.\",\n \"3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising detecting surface topography of a region of the surface that is in a vicinity of the optical axis of the camera, by:\\ndetecting a spectrum of light that is reflected from the region, using a spectrometer; and\\nanalyzing the detected spectrum.\",\n \"4. The method according to claim 3, wherein detecting the spectrum of light that is reflected from the region using the spectrometer comprises detecting the spectrum of reflected light from the region using a spectrometer measurement time of between 20 and 300 milliseconds.\",\n \"5. The method according to claim 3, wherein detecting a spectrum of light that is reflected from the region using the spectrometer comprises detecting the spectrum of reflected light from the region using a spectrometer measurement spot size of between 100 microns and 240 microns.\",\n \"6. The method according to claim 1, wherein detecting surface topography of the portion of the curved surface of the object comprises detecting surface topography of a portion of a curved surface of a cornea of an eye of a subject.\",\n \"7. The method according to claim 1, wherein:\\ndetecting the one or more darkened regions in the received light comprises using a computer processor to detect the one or more darkened regions in the received light; and\\ndetecting the surface topography at least partially based upon the detected darkened regions comprises using the computer processor to detect the surface topography at least partially based upon the detected darkened regions.\",\n \"8. The method according to claim 1, wherein directing the beam of light toward the surface from the broad angle of incidence with respect to the optical axis of the camera comprises directing the beam of light toward the surface from an angle of incidence of more than 50 degrees with respect to the optical axis of the camera.\",\n \"9. The method according to claim 1, wherein directing the beam of light toward the surface from the broad angle of incidence with respect to the optical axis of the camera comprises tracing rays of light such that a respective narrow angle illumination beam is focused upon respective portions of the curved surface.\",\n \"10. Apparatus for detecting surface topography of a portion of a curved surface of an object, the apparatus comprising:\\na light source configured to generate light;\\na camera that defines an optical axis;\\nan optical system configured to direct a beam of the generated light toward the surface from broad angle of incidence with respect to the optical axis of the camera;\\na narrow-aperture optical element configured to be disposed between the surface and the camera, such that light that is reflected from the surface passes through the narrow-aperture optical element before being received by the camera.\",\n \"11. The apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising a computer processor configured to:\\ndetect one or more darkened regions in the light received by the camera; and\\ndetect the surface topography of the portion of the curved surface of the object, in response to the detected darkened regions.\",\n \"12. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the optical system is configured to direct the beam of the generated light toward the surface from an angle of incidence of more than 50 degrees with respect to the optical axis of the camera.\",\n \"13. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the optical system is configured trace rays of the generated light such that a respective narrow angle illumination beam is focused upon respective portions of the curved surface.\",\n \"14. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the narrow-aperture optical element defines an angle of less than 3 degrees.\",\n \"15. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the narrow-aperture optical element comprises an optical element selected from the group consisting of: a lens, an annular filter, and an apodizer.\",\n \"16. The apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising:\\na spectrometer configured to detect a spectrum of light that is reflected from a region of the surface that is in a vicinity of the optical axis of the camera; and\\na computer processor configured to detect a surface topography of the region by analyzing the detected spectrum.\",\n \"17. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the spectrometer is configured to measure the spectrum of reflected light from the region using a measurement time of between 20 and 300 milliseconds.\",\n \"18. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the spectrometer is configured to measure the spectrum of reflected light from the region using a measurement spot size of between 100 microns and 240 microns.\",\n \"19. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the curved surface of the object includes a curved surface of cornea of an eye of a subject, and the narrow-aperture optical element is configured to be disposed between the curved surface of the cornea and the camera.\",\n \"20. The apparatus according to claim 19, further comprising a mechanism for centering the cornea of the subject's eye onto the optical axis of the camera, the mechanism comprising a projector that is configured to project a given pattern onto the subject's cornea.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. An optical coherence tomography system with space-division multiplexing, the system comprising:\\na long coherence light source producing light having a coherence length greater than 5 mm to provide optimal imaging depth range;\\na first optical device configured to split the light into reference light and sampling light;\\na non-sweeping reference arm receiving the reference light and producing a reference light signal;\\na second optical device arranged on a sample arm and configured to split the sampling light into a plurality of sampling beams and transmit the plurality of sampling beams simultaneously;\\nan optical delay element configured to produce an optical delay between the plurality of sampling beams;\\na scanner arranged to receive and configured to simultaneously scan the plurality of sampling beams onto multiple different sampling locations on a surface of a sample;\\nthe second optical device operable to simultaneously receive a plurality of reflected light signals returned from the multiple sampling locations;\\na third optical device configured to generate a plurality of interference signals based on simultaneously receiving the plurality of reflected light signals returned from the multiple sampling locations on the surface of the sample produced by the plurality of sampling beams and the reference light signal;\\nwherein the interference signals includes data representing digitized images of all of the multiple sampling locations simultaneously from the sample.\",\n \"2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first optical device is an optical coupler operable to divert the reference light to the reference arm and to divert the sampling light to the sample arm.\",\n \"3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a single sample arm which includes the second optical device, the sample arm transmitting the plurality of sampling beams to the scanner.\",\n \"4. The system of claim 1, wherein the second optical device is an optical fiber splitter.\",\n \"5. The system of claim 4, wherein the optical splitter is planar lightwave circuit splitter.\",\n \"6. The system of claim 1, wherein the second optical device is a microlens array.\",\n \"7. The system of claim 6, wherein the optical delay element comprises a plurality of glass or plastic members each having a different thickness and receiving a portion of the sampling light from the microlens array.\",\n \"8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a balanced detector arranged and operable to detect the interference signal.\",\n \"9. The system of claim 1, wherein the optical delay element comprises an optical fiber array comprised of plurality of optical fibers each having a different length and conveying one of the plurality of sampling beams.\",\n \"10. The system of claim 1, wherein the second optical device is further configured to combine the reflected light signals from the sample into a single detection signal containing the reflected light signals, the detection signal being transmitted to the at least one third optical device.\",\n \"11. The system of claim 1, wherein the third optical device is an optical coupler.\",\n \"12. The system of claim 1, wherein the light source is a wavelength tunable light source.\",\n \"13. The system of claim 12, wherein the light source is a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser diode.\",\n \"14. The system of claim 1, further comprising a fourth optical device configured to divert a portion of the light to a Mach-Zehnder interferometer, the Mach-Zehnder interferometer configured and operable to clock acquisition of the reflected light signals returned from the surface of the sample.\",\n \"15. The system of claim 1, further comprising a high speed data acquisition card and computer processor configured to capture and process the interference signal and generate a visual display of the actual images of the sample on a display device.\",\n \"16. An optical coherence tomography system with space-division multiplexing, the system comprising:\\na long coherence light source producing light having a coherence length greater than 5 mm to provide optimal imaging depth range;\\na first optical coupler configured to divide the light into reference light and sampling light;\\na non-sweeping reference arm defining a first optical light path, the reference arm receiving the reference light and generating a reference light signal based on the reference light;\\na single sample arm defining a second optical light path and receiving the sampling light;\\nan optical fiber splitter arranged on the sample arm and dividing the sampling light into a plurality of sampling light beams;\\nan optical delay element comprising a plurality of optical fibers each having a different length and conveying one of the plurality of sampling light beams, the optical fibers producing an optical delay between the plurality of sampling beams;\\na scanner receiving and simultaneously scanning the plurality of sampling beams onto multiple different sampling locations on a surface of a sample;\\nthe optical fiber splitter operable to simultaneously receive a plurality of reflected light signals returned from the multiple sampling locations produced by each of the plurality of sampling beams;\\na second optical coupler receiving and combining the reference light signal and the plurality of reflected light signals each returned simultaneously from the multiple sampling locations on the surface of the sample produced by each of the plurality of sampling beams to produce a plurality of interference signals each associated with one of the plurality of reflected light signals;\\nwherein the interference signals includes data representing digitized images of all of the multiple sampling locations simultaneously from the sample.\",\n \"17. The system of claim 16, wherein the sampling light enters the optical splitter via a single optical fiber and each sampling beam exits the optical splitter via an optical fiber forming an array comprising a plurality of optical fibers.\",\n \"18. The system of claim 17, wherein the optical splitter is planar lightwave circuit splitter.\",\n \"19. The system of claim 16, further comprising a balanced detector operable to detect the interference signal.\",\n \"20. The system of claim 16, wherein the light source is a wavelength tunable laser.\",\n \"21. The system of claim 16, wherein the light source is a broadband light source.\",\n \"22. A method for imaging a sample using a space-division multiplexing optical coherence tomography system, the method comprising:\\nproviding an optical coherence tomography system comprising a long coherence light source producing light having a coherence length greater than 5 mm to provide optimal imaging depth range, a non-sweeping reference arm defining a first optical path, and a sample arm defining a second optical path;\\ndividing the light from the light source into reference light and sampling light;\\ntransmitting the reference light to the reference arm to produce a reflected light signal;\\ntransmitting the sampling light to the sample arm;\\nsplitting the sampling light into a plurality of sampling beams on the sample arm;\\nproducing an optical delay between the plurality of sampling beams;\\nsimultaneously scanning the plurality of sampling beams onto a surface of a sample at multiple different sample locations;\\ncollecting a plurality of reflected light signals each returned from the surface of the sample produced by each of the plurality of sampling beams;\\ncombining the plurality of reflected light signals into a single reflected light signal comprised of the plurality of reflected light signals;\\ncombining the single reflected light signal comprised of the plurality of reflected light signals and the reference light signal to produce a plurality of interference signals, the interference signals comprising data representing digitized images of all of the multiple different sample locations simultaneously from the sample.\",\n \"23. The method of claim 22, wherein a single sample arm is provided.\",\n \"24. The method of claim 22, wherein the splitting step is performed using an optical splitter.\",\n \"25. The method of claim 22, further comprising detecting the interference signal using a balanced detector.\",\n \"26. The method of claim 22, further comprising transmitting a portion of the light from the light source to a Mach-Zehnder interferometer to clock acquisition of the interference signal.\",\n \"27. The method of claim 22, wherein the step of producing the optical delay includes transmitting each of the sampling beams in one of a plurality of optical fibers each having a different length.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A method for sorting wafers utilizing a slope of shape metric, comprising:\\nreceiving a plurality of wafers;\\nacquiring a set of wafer shape values from a surface of each wafer at a selected process level;\\ngenerating a set of residual slope shape metrics for each wafer by calculating a residual slope shape metric at each of a plurality of points of each wafer;\\ndetermining a neutral surface of each wafer in a chucked state;\\ncalculating a neutral surface factor (NSF) for each wafer utilizing the determined neutral surface for each wafer and a plurality of positions associated with a plurality of patterns of each wafer;\\ndetermining a set of pattern placement error (PPE) residual values for each wafer, the PPE residual value for each point for each wafer being a product of at least the calculated NSF for each wafer, the residual slope shape metric for the point, and a thickness of the wafer;\\ndetermining one or more thresholds for the set of residual shape metrics suitable for maintaining the set of PPE residuals below one or more selected levels;\\nmonitoring each of the plurality of wafers by comparing the determined one or more thresholds for the set of residual shape metrics to the generated set of residual slope shape metrics for each wafer; and\\nmodifying one or more wafer fabrication processes, responsive to the monitoring of each of the plurality of wafers, in order to maintain the generated set of residual slope shape metrics for each wafer below the one or more thresholds.\",\n \"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the NSF is a distance between the neutral surface and a pattern surface of the wafer.\",\n \"3. The method of claim 1, wherein the selected process level is a bare wafer process level.\",\n \"4. The method of claim 1, wherein the characterizing the plurality of wafers by comparing the determined one or more thresholds for the set of residual shape metrics to the generated set of residual slope shape metrics for each wafer comprises:\\nsorting the plurality of wafers by comparing the determined one or more thresholds for the set of residual shape metrics to the generated set of residual slope shape metrics for each wafer.\",\n \"5. The method of claim 4, wherein the sorting the plurality of wafers by comparing the determined one or more thresholds for the set of residual shape metrics to the generated set of residual slope shape metrics for each wafer comprises:\\nbinning each wafer according to a comparison between the set of residual shape metrics associated with the wafer and the determined threshold.\",\n \"6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\\nresponsive to the monitoring of each of the plurality of wafers, identifying one or more processes in order to establish the generated set of residual slope shape metrics for each wafer below the one or more thresholds.\",\n \"7. A system for sorting wafers utilizing a slope of shape metric, comprising:\\na topography system configured to perform a set of topography measurements in order to acquire a set of wafer shape values, at a selected process level, from a surface of each wafer of a plurality of wafers; and\\none or more computing systems communicatively coupled to the topography and configured to receive the set of topography measurements, the one or more computing systems further configured to:\\ngenerate a set of residual slope shape metrics for each wafer by calculating a residual slope shape metric at each of a plurality of points of each wafer;\\ndetermine a neutral surface of each wafer in a chucked state;\\ncalculate a neutral surface factor (NSF) for each wafer utilizing the determined neutral surface for each wafer and a plurality of positions associated with a plurality of patterns of each wafer;\\ndetermine a set of pattern placement error (PPE) residual values for each wafer, the PPE residual value for each point for each wafer being a product of at least the calculated NSF for each wafer, the residual slope shape metric for the point, and a thickness of the wafer;\\ndetermine one or more thresholds for the set of residual shape metrics suitable for maintaining the set of PPE residuals below one or more selected levels;\\nmonitor each of the plurality of wafers by comparing the determined one or more thresholds for the set of residual shape metrics to the generated set of residual slope shape metrics for each wafer; and\\nmodify one or more wafer fabrication processes, responsive to the monitoring of each of the plurality of wafers, in order to maintain the generated set of residual slope shape metrics for each wafer below the one or more thresholds.\",\n \"8. The system of claim 7, wherein the topography systems comprises:\\nan interferometry based topography system.\",\n \"9. The system of claim 7, wherein the interferometry based topography system comprises:\\na dual Fizeau interferometer.\",\n \"10. The system of claim 7, wherein the topography systems comprises:\\na topography system configured to measure a front-side surface of the wafer and the back-side surface of the wafer simultaneously.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. An optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging system comprising:\\na tunable laser source configured to provide a wavelength-scanned beam;\\nan interferometer configured to split the wavelength-scanned beam into a reference beam and an object beam;\\na splitter configured to split the object beam into a first path corresponding to an anterior chamber imaging component and a second path corresponding to a retinal imaging component, wherein the anterior chamber imaging component comprises a first scan mirror configured to image an anterior chamber of an eye, and wherein the retinal imaging component comprises a second scan mirror configured to image a retina of the eye; and\\na detector configured to detect a signal caused by interference between the reference beam and at least a portion of the object beam reflected from the eye.\",\n \"2. The OCT imaging system of claim 1, further comprising a first aperture through which the portion of the object beam on the first path is configured to pass and a second aperture through which the portion of the object beam on the second path is configured to pass.\",\n \"3. The OCT imaging system of claim 1, wherein the anterior imaging component further comprises a lens system optically coupled to the first scan mirror configured to image the anterior chamber.\",\n \"4. The OCT imaging system of claim 1, wherein the retinal imaging component further comprises a lens system optically coupled to the second scan mirror configured to image the retina.\",\n \"5. The OCT imaging system of claim 1, wherein the first path is distinct from the second path.\",\n \"6. The OCT imaging system of claim 1, further comprising a processing unit configured to process a signal from the detector to generate an image.\",\n \"7. The OCT imaging system of claim 1, wherein the first path comprises a lens system with a divergent beam and a lateral scanning pattern perpendicular to a sample, and wherein the second path comprises a lens system with a collimating beam and a divergent scanning pattern to the sample.\",\n \"8. The OCT imaging system of claim 1, wherein a splitting ratio of the first path to the second path is greater than 50%.\",\n \"9. The OCT imaging system of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second paths comprises a shutter configured to close over an aperture to switch between imaging ranges.\",\n \"10. The OCT imaging system of claim 1, wherein a path length difference between the first path and the second path has an optical length equivalent to an axial length of an eye.\",\n \"11. The OCT imaging system of claim 1, wherein first path is combined with the second path using a partially reflecting mirror inside the lens system of the second path.\",\n \"12. The OCT imaging system of claim 1, wherein the first scan mirror is separate from the second scan mirror.\",\n \"13. The OCT imaging system of claim 2, wherein the first path extends from the splitter to the first aperture, wherein the second path extends from the splitter to the second aperture, and wherein the first path is separate from the second path an entire distance between the splitter and the first aperture.\",\n \"14. The OCT imaging system of claim 2, wherein the first path extends from the splitter to the first aperture, wherein the second path extends from the splitter to the second aperture, and wherein the first path is separate from the second path an entire distance between the splitter and the second aperture.\",\n \"15. The OCT imaging system of claim 11, wherein the second path comprises a two lens system with 4f configuration and the beam of the first path is introduced to a second lens having the first scan mirror positioned in the back focus of the second lens.\",\n \"16. The OCT imaging system of claim 11, wherein the second path comprises a two lens system with 4f configuration and the beam of the first path is introduced to a second lens having the second scan mirror positioned in the back focus of the second lens through a partial reflecting mirror.\",\n \"17. A method comprising:\\nemitting a wavelength-scanned beam from a tunable laser source;\\nsplitting, by an interferometer, the wavelength-scanned beam into a reference beam and an object beam;\\nsplitting, by a splitter, the object beam into a first path corresponding to an anterior chamber imaging component and a second path corresponding to a retinal imaging component, wherein the anterior chamber imaging component comprises a first scan mirror, and wherein the retinal imaging component comprises a second scan mirror configured to image a retina;\\nimaging, by the first scan mirror, an anterior chamber of an eye;\\nimaging, by the second scan mirror, a retina of the eye; and\\ndetecting, by a detector, a signal caused by interference between the reference beam and at least a portion of the object beam reflected from the eye.\",\n \"18. The method of claim 17, further comprising passing a first portion of the object beam along the first path from the splitter to a first aperture through which the first portion of the object beam passes to the eye; and passing a second portion of the object beam along the second path from the splitter to a second aperture through which the second portion of the object beam passes to the eye.\",\n \"19. The method of claim 18, wherein the first path is separate from the second path an entire distance between the splitter and the first aperture.\",\n \"20. The method of claim 19, wherein the first path is separate from the second path an entire distance between the splitter and the second aperture.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A temperature measuring apparatus for measuring a temperature of a component having a first surface and a second surface, the component being made of a material which allows low-coherence light to pass therethrough, the component including a stepped portion having a first portion and a second portion whose thickness is smaller than a thickness of the first portion, the apparatus comprising:\\na light source configured to output a low-coherence light;\\na light transmission unit configured to split the low-coherence light from the light source into a first low-coherence light and a second low-coherence light;\\na first irradiation unit configured to irradiate the first low-coherence light received from the light transmission unit onto a first entrance point on the first surface to receive a reflected light from the first entrance point and a reflected light from a first measuring point on the second surface;\\na second irradiation unit configured to irradiate the second low-coherence light received from the light transmission unit onto a second entrance point on the first surface to receive a reflected light from the second entrance point and a reflected light from a second measuring point on the second surface, wherein the light transmission unit receives the reflected lights from the first irradiation unit and the second irradiation unit to transmit them;\\na spectroscope configured to detect intensity distribution of the reflected lights received from the light transmission unit; and\\na storage unit that stores data representing relationship between a temperature of the component and a thickness difference between a first thickness of the component at the first measuring point and a second thickness of the component at the second measuring point; and\\nan analysis unit configured to calculate the thickness difference by performing Fourier transform on the intensity distribution detected by the spectroscope and calculate a current temperature of the component based on the calculated thickness difference and the data stored in the storage unit,\\nwherein the first entrance point and the first measuring point are set at the first portion, and the second entrance point and the second measuring point are set at the second portion.\",\n \"2. The temperature measuring apparatus of claim 1, wherein the spectroscope includes:\\na light dispersing device configured to disperse the reflected lights at predetermined dispersion angles based on wavelengths of the reflected lights; and\\na light receiving device configured to receive the reflected lights dispersed by the light dispersing device and detect wavelength-dependent intensity distribution of the reflected lights.\",\n \"3. The temperature measuring apparatus of claim 1, wherein the analysis unit includes:\\nan optical path difference calculation unit configured to calculate an optical path difference between a first optical path extending from the first entrance point to the first measuring point and a second optical path extending from the second entrance point to the second measuring point by performing Fourier transform on the intensity distribution detected by the spectroscope; and\\na thickness difference calculation unit configured to calculate the thickness difference based on the optical path difference and a refractive index of the component.\",\n \"4. The temperature measuring apparatus of claim 1, wherein the thickness difference between the first thickness and the second thickness is measured based on a distance between two peaks among a plurality of peaks obtained by performing the Fourier transform.\",\n \"5. A substrate processing system comprising:\\nthe temperature measuring apparatus of claim 1 configured to measure a temperature of the component; and\\na substrate processing apparatus including a chamber in which a mounting table for mounting thereon a substrate is provided, the chamber being configured to perform predetermined process on the substrate mounted on the mounting table, and the component disposed in the chamber.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. An optical shape sensing system for sensing a position and/or shape of a medical device using backscatter reflectometry, comprising:\\na broadband light source for generating input light of multiple wavelengths of a broadband spectrum,\\nan interferometer arrangement comprising a plurality of interferometers including a multi-core optical fiber, the multi-core optical fiber comprising at least two fiber cores, wherein each of the interferometers is configured to perform backscatter reflectometry separately with a corresponding one of a plurality of input light beams divided from the input light and comprises:\\na fiber splitter for dividing the corresponding input light beam into a reference beam and a device beam,\\nan additional optical fiber for guiding the reference beam,\\na corresponding fiber core of the multi-core optical fiber for guiding the device beam to be reflected within the medical device and for guiding the reflected device beam, and\\na fiber coupler for coupling the reflected device beam with the reference beam to form an output light beam,\\nthe optical shape sensing system further comprising\\na spectrometer for receiving and dispersing the output light beam from each interferometer, the spectrometer comprising a detector unit for detecting the output light beam from each interferometer.\",\n \"2. Optical shape sensing system according to claim 1, wherein the broadband light source comprises a super-luminescent light emitting diode.\",\n \"3. Optical shape sensing system according to claim 1, wherein the broadband spectrum comprises a continuous optical band having a bandwidth of at least 20 nm centered at 1550 nm.\",\n \"4. Optical shape sensing system according to claim 1, wherein the broadband spectrum comprises a continuous optical band having a bandwidth of at least 5 nm centered at 800 nm.\",\n \"5. Optical shape sensing system according to claim 1, wherein the detector unit comprises a detector array consisting of a plurality of detector elements arranged in an array.\",\n \"6. Optical shape sensing system according to claim 5, wherein the detector array comprises a two-dimensional array.\",\n \"7. Optical shape sensing system according to claim 6, wherein one dimension of the two-dimensional array is used for dispersion of the broadband spectrum, wherein the other dimension of the two-dimensional array is used for distributing different output light signals each originating from one of the cores of the multi-core optical fiber.\",\n \"8. Optical shape sensing system according to claim 1, wherein the multi-core optical fiber comprises a central core arranged in the center of the multi-core optical fiber and at least three outer cores helically wound around the central core.\",\n \"9. Optical shape sensing system according to claim 8, wherein the outer cores are equidistant from each other in cross section perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the optical fiber.\",\n \"10. Optical shape sensing system according to claim 1, wherein the detector unit is provided with an integration time between 1 millisecond and 2 milliseconds.\",\n \"11. Optical shape sensing system according to claim 1, wherein the interferometer arrangement comprises a Mach-Zehnder interferometer comprising a circulator for directing the device beam to the multi-core optical fiber and to redirect the reflected device beam from the multicore optical fiber to the fiber coupler.\",\n \"12. Optical shape sensing system according to claim 1, further comprising a polarization controller for polarizing each input light beam into two input polarization states, the polarization controller being arranged between the broadband light source and the interferometer arrangement.\",\n \"13. Optical shape sensing system according to claim 12, further comprising a polarizing beamsplitter for splitting the output light beam into two signal portions each in a corresponding one of two output polarization states, the detector unit being configured to detect the two signal portions, the polarizing beamsplitter being arranged between the interferometer arrangement and the detector unit.\",\n \"14. A method for sensing a position and/or shape of a medical device using backscatter reflectometry, comprising:\\ngenerating input light of multiple wavelengths of a broadband spectrum,\\nperforming backscatter reflectometry separately with a corresponding one of a plurality of input light beams divided from the input light using an interferometer arrangement comprising a plurality of interferometers including a multi-core optical fiber, the multi-core optical fiber comprising at least two fiber cores, wherein the backscatter reflectometry comprises:\\ndividing the corresponding input light beam into a reference beam and a device beam,\\nusing an additional optical fiber to guide the reference beam,\\nusing a corresponding fiber core of the multi-core optical fiber to guide the device beam to be reflected within the medical device and to guide the reflected device beam, and\\ncoupling the reflected device beam with the reference beam to form an output light beam,\\nthe method further comprising\\nreceiving and dispersing the output light beam and detecting the output light beam from each of the plurality of interferometers in a spectrometer.\",\n \"15. Non-transient computer program product having encoded thereon a computer program for sensing a position and/or shape of a medical device, the computer program comprising program code means for causing an optical shape sensing system carry out the steps of\\ngenerating input light of multiple wavelengths of a broadband spectrum,\\nperforming backscatter reflectometry separately with a corresponding one of a plurality of input light beams divided from the input light using an interferometer arrangement comprising a plurality of interferometers including a multi-core optical fiber, the multi-core optical fiber comprising at least two fiber cores, wherein the backscatter reflectometry comprises:\\ndividing the corresponding input light beam into a reference beam and a device beam,\\nusing an additional optical fiber to guide the reference beam,\\nusing a corresponding fiber core of the multi-core optical fiber to guide the device beam to be reflected within the medical device and to guide the reflected device beam, and\\ncoupling the reflected device beam with the reference beam to form an output light beam, and\\nreceiving and dispersing the output light beam and detecting the output light beam from each of the plurality of interferometers in a spectrometer.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. An optical coherence tomography imaging system comprising:\\na vertical cavity laser (VCL), wherein the VCL generates a single longitudinal mode lasing output that is tunable over an emission wavelength range for generating wavelength sweeps at a sweep repetition rate, wherein the laser cavity free spectral range is at least as wide as the emission wavelength range;\\nwherein the optical coherence tomography imaging system has the characteristics of being able to operate with an adjustment to at least one of:\\ni) an imaging range,\\nii) an axial resolution,\\niii) an axial scan rate.\",\n \"2. The optical coherence tomography imaging system of claim 1, wherein the optical coherence tomography imaging system operates at a substantially fixed axial scan rate.\",\n \"3. The optical coherence tomography imaging system of claim 1, wherein the optical coherence tomography imaging system operates at a substantially fixed imaging range.\",\n \"4. The optical coherence tomography imaging system of claim 1, wherein the optical coherence tomography imaging system operates at a substantially fixed axial resolution.\",\n \"5. The optical coherence tomography imaging system of claim 1, further comprising a clocking interferometer receiving at least a portion of the VCL output, a clocking detector coupled to the clocking interferometer to generate a clocking signal, and an electronic circuit to clock an A/D converter based on the clocking signal, the clocking interferometer having an adjustable optical delay to enable operation with at least two modes, wherein the modes differ in at least one of: axial scan rate, axial resolution, and imaging range.\",\n \"6. The optical coherence tomography imaging system of claim 1, further comprising a clocking interferometer receiving at least a portion of the VCL output, a clocking detector coupled to the clocking interferometer to generate a clocking signal, and an electronic circuit to clock an A/D converter based on the clocking signal, the clocking signal being multiplied or divided in frequency to enable operation with at least two modes, wherein the modes differ in at least one of: axial scan rate, axial resolution, and imaging range.\",\n \"7. The optical coherence tomography imaging system of claim 1, wherein the adjustment in axial resolution and axial scan rate is used to operate the OCT imaging system at two or more modes of:\\na) higher resolution and slower axial scan rate or\\nb) lower resolution and higher axial scan rate.\",\n \"8. The optical coherence tomography imaging system of claim 1, wherein the adjustment in imaging range and axial scan rate is used to operate the OCT imaging system at two or more modes of:\\na) longer imaging range and slower axial scan rate or\\nb) shorter imaging range and higher axial scan rate.\",\n \"9. The optical coherence tomography imaging system of claim 1, wherein the adjustment in axial resolution and imaging range is used to operate the OCT imaging system at two or more modes of:\\na) higher resolution and shorter imaging range or\\nb) lower resolution and longer imaging range.\",\n \"10. The optical coherence tomography imaging system of claim 1, wherein the VCL is capable of at least one of:\\na) operating over at least a 12% variation in the sweep repetition rate,\\nb) operating over at least a 10% variation in the emission wavelength range.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. An optical coherence tomography (OCT) system to measure a distance between tissue layers of an eye, the OCT system comprising:\\na detector;\\na light source comprising a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) configured to generate a light beam comprising a plurality of wavelengths;\\na plurality of optical elements coupled to the light source to direct the light beam into the eye and generate an interference signal at the detector; and\\ncircuitry coupled to the detector and the light source to determine the distance between tissue layers in response to the interference signal, wherein the circuitry is configured to vary an emission wavelength of the VCSEL over a range of wavelengths with a drive current from the circuitry and wherein the circuitry is configured to drive the VCSEL over a maximum rated current threshold for a portion of a waveform and below the maximum rated current threshold for another portion of the waveform to extend the range of wavelengths of the VCSEL;\\nwherein the OCT system is configured to measure a distance between tissue layers, the distance between tissue layers corresponding to a first layer at a first location and a second layer at a second location;\\nwherein the range of wavelengths from the VCSEL corresponds to an axial resolution.\",\n \"2. The OCT system of claim 1, wherein the circuitry is configured to drive the VCSEL beyond a specified maximum wavelength range by an amount within a range from 1 nm to 5 nm.\",\n \"3. The OCT system of claim 1, wherein the range of wavelengths is within a range from 9 nm to 20 nm.\",\n \"4. The OCT system of claim 3, wherein the axial resolution comprises a resolution value within a range from about 30 μm to about 16 μm.\",\n \"5. The OCT system of claim 1, wherein the range of wavelengths is within a range from about 5 nm to about 10 nm and the axial resolution is within a range from about 31.9 μm to about 63.8 μm.\",\n \"6. The OCT system of claim 1, wherein the distance between tissue layers comprises a distance between a first layer of a retina and a second layer of the retina and the ocular tissue thickness is more than 150 μm.\",\n \"7. The OCT system of claim 1, wherein the distance between tissue layers is within a range from about 150 to 300 μm, and the axial resolution is within a range from about 150 μm to about 30 μm.\",\n \"8. The OCT system of claim 1, wherein the distance between tissue layers is measured faster than characteristic frequencies of movement of the OCT system in relation to the eye, and wherein the movement is selected from the group consisting of movement related to a patient holding the OCT system in his or her hand, eye movement, and tremor.\",\n \"9. The OCT system of claim 1, further comprising a viewing target for a patient to align the light beam with a fovea of the eye and wherein the viewing target comprises one or more of the light beam or light from a light emitting diode.\",\n \"10. The OCT system of claim 1, wherein the circuitry is configured to drive the VCSEL beyond a specified maximum range of wavelength variation by at least about 1 nm.\",\n \"11. The OCT system of claim 1, wherein the circuitry is configured to cause an emitted wavelength to sweep over the range of wavelengths with a sweeping frequency and the circuitry is configured to determine the distance between tissue layers in response to frequencies of the interference signal.\",\n \"12. The OCT system of claim 11, wherein the sweeping frequency is faster than an ocular tremor of a user, or a hand tremor of the user.\",\n \"13. The OCT system of claim 1, wherein the circuitry is configured to heat the light source to change the emission wavelength.\",\n \"14. The OCT system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of optical elements is arranged to provide a reference optical path and a measurement optical path and the interference signal results from interference of light along the reference optical path and the measurement optical path.\",\n \"15. The OCT system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of optical elements is arranged to provide a measurement optical path and the interference signal results from interference of light from the tissue layers along the measurement optical path.\",\n \"16. The OCT system of claim 1, wherein the circuitry comprises a processor configured to transform the interference signal into an intensity profile of light reflected along an optical path of the light beam directed into the eye and to determine the distance between tissue layers in response to the intensity profile.\",\n \"17. The OCT system of claim 16, wherein the intensity profile comprises a plurality of reflected peaks and the processor is configured with instructions to determine the distance between tissue layers in response to the plurality of reflected peaks.\",\n \"18. The OCT system of claim 17, wherein the processor is configured with instructions to determine the intensity profile in response to frequencies of the interference signal.\",\n \"19. The OCT system of claim 16, wherein frequencies of the interference signal correspond to separation distances of tissue layers and a rate of change of the wavelengths of the light source.\",\n \"20. The OCT system of claim 1, further comprising a viewing target to align the OCT system with a fovea of the eye and wherein the viewing target comprises one or more of the light beam, a target defined with a light emitting diode, or the VCSEL.\",\n \"21. The OCT system of claim 1, further comprising housing to support the light source, the optical elements, the detector, and the circuitry, and wherein the housing is configured to be held in a hand of a user in front of the eye in order to direct the light beam into the eye.\",\n \"22. The OCT system of claim 21, further comprising a sensor to measure which eye is measured in response to an orientation of the housing.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A photonic integrated receiver circuit comprising:\\na) a substrate;\\nb) a first optical coupler positioned on the substrate and configured to couple an optical reference signal from an optical reference path;\\nc) a second optical coupler positioned on the substrate and configured to couple an optical probe signal returned from a sample;\\nd) a polarization beam splitter positioned on the substrate and having an input optically coupled to the second optical coupler, the polarization beam splitter configured to provide a first polarization at a first output and a second polarization at a second output;\\ne) a beam splitter positioned on the substrate and having an input optically coupled to the first optical coupler, the beam splitter configured to provide a portion of the optical reference signal at a first output and another portion of the optical reference signal at a second output;\\nf) a first optical hybrid element positioned on the substrate and having an input optically coupled to the first output of the polarization beam splitter and a second input optically coupled to the first output of the beam splitter, the first optical hybrid element having a first output coupled to a first photodiode and a second output coupled to a second photodiode; and\\ng) a second optical hybrid element positioned on the substrate and having an input optically coupled to the second output of the polarization beam splitter and a second input optically coupled to the second output of the beam splitter, the second optical hybrid having a first output coupled to a third photodiode and a second output coupled to a fourth photodiode,\\nwherein a first optical path from the first optical coupler to the first photodiode and a second optical path from the second optical coupler to the first photodiode are configured such that a known delay is provided between an optical path followed by the optical reference signal from a source to the first photodiode and an optical path followed by the optical probe signal from the source to the first photodiode; and\\nwherein at least one of the first, second, third, and fourth photodiodes generates an electrical signal that includes information about optical properties of the sample in response to both the optical reference signal and the optical probe signal.\",\n \"2. The photonic integrated receiver circuit of claim 1 further comprising a polarization controller positioned on the substrate, the polarization controller having an input optically coupled to the first optical coupler and having an output optically coupled to the beam splitter.\",\n \"3. The photonic integrated receiver circuit of claim 2 wherein the polarization controller comprises a cascade of Mach-Zehnder interferometers.\",\n \"4. The photonic integrated receiver circuit of claim 2 wherein the polarization controller comprises an endless polarization controller.\",\n \"5. The photonic integrated receiver circuit of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second optical coupler comprises a facet coupler.\",\n \"6. The photonic integrated receiver circuit of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second optical coupler comprises a grating coupler.\",\n \"7. The photonic integrated receiver circuit of claim 1 wherein the first optical coupler comprises a one-dimensional grating coupler.\",\n \"8. The photonic integrated receiver circuit of claim 1 wherein the second optical coupler comprises a two-dimensional grating coupler.\",\n \"9. The photonic integrated receiver circuit of claim 1 wherein the polarization beam splitter comprises a directional coupler.\",\n \"10. The photonic integrated receiver circuit of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first optical hybrid and the second optical hybrid comprises a 90-degree hybrid.\",\n \"11. The photonic integrated receiver circuit of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first optical hybrid and the second optical hybrid comprises a multi-mode interference (MMI) coupler.\",\n \"12. The photonic integrated receiver circuit of claim 1 wherein the first, second, third, and fourth photodiodes are configured as a dual-balanced, dual-polarization receiver.\",\n \"13. The photonic integrated receiver circuit of claim 1 wherein the first, second, third, and fourth photodiodes are configured as a dual-balanced, dual-polarization I/Q receiver.\",\n \"14. The photonic integrated receiver circuit of claim 1 wherein the substrate comprises a silicon photonic substrate.\",\n \"15. The photonic integrated receiver circuit of claim 1 wherein the optical reference signal comprises light from a swept-source optical signal.\",\n \"16. The photonic integrated receiver circuit of claim 1 wherein the information about optical properties of the sample comprises at least one of optical coherence tomography information, image information, polarization-sensitive image information, birefringence property information, or ranging information.\",\n \"17. The photonic integrated receiver circuit of claim 1 further comprising a k-clock.\",\n \"18. The photonic integrated receiver circuit of claim 17 wherein the k-clock is positioned on the substrate.\",\n \"19. The photonic integrated receiver circuit of claim 1 wherein the known delay comprises a nominally zero delay.\",\n \"20. The photonic integrated receiver circuit of claim 1 wherein the known delay comprises a fixed delay.\",\n \"21. The photonic integrated receiver circuit of claim 1 wherein the known delay comprises an adjustable delay.\",\n \"22. The photonic integrated receiver circuit of claim 1 wherein at least some of the optical path followed by the optical reference signal from the source to the first photodiode comprises an optical fiber path.\",\n \"23. A photonic integrated receiver circuit comprising:\\na) a substrate;\\nb) a first optical coupler positioned on the substrate and configured to couple an optical reference signal;\\nc) a polarization controller positioned on the substrate and having an input optically coupled to the first optical coupler;\\nd) a second optical coupler positioned on the substrate and configured to couple an optical probe signal returned from a sample;\\ne) a polarization beam splitter positioned on the substrate and having an input optically coupled to the second optical coupler, the polarization beam splitter configured to provide a first polarization at a first output and a second polarization at a second output;\\nf) a beam splitter positioned on the substrate and having an input optically coupled to an output of the polarization controller, the beam splitter configured to provide a portion of the optical reference signal at a first output and another portion of the optical reference signal at a second output;\\ng) a first optical hybrid element positioned on the substrate and having an input optically coupled to the first output of the polarization beam splitter and a second input optically coupled to the first output of the beam splitter, the first optical hybrid element having a first output coupled to a first photodiode and a second output coupled to a second photodiode; and\\nh) a second optical hybrid element positioned on the substrate and having an input optically coupled to the second output of the polarization beam splitter and a second input optically coupled to the output of the beam splitter, the second optical hybrid having a first output coupled to a third photodiode and a second output coupled to a fourth photodiode,\\ni) wherein the polarization controller is configured to control a polarization of the optical reference signal such that at least one of the first, second, third, and fourth photodiodes generates an electrical signal that includes information about optical properties of the sample in response to both the optical reference signal and the optical probe signal.\",\n \"24. The photonic integrated receiver circuit of claim 23 wherein the electrical signal that includes information about optical properties of the sample in response to both the optical reference signal and the optical probe signal comprises polarization independent imaging information.\",\n \"25. The photonic integrated receiver circuit of claim 23 wherein the electrical signal that includes information about optical properties of the sample in response to both the optical reference signal and the optical probe signal comprises polarization sensitive imaging information.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A method to measure physical and geometrical data of an object using an optical coherence tomography (OCT) system, the method comprising:\\nproviding a light source that emits light over a wavelength range;\\ndelivering a portion of the light from the light source as an optical beam to measure the object, and collecting a light signal from the object;\\nproviding a portion of the light from the light source to a reference light generator of the OCT system for generating a reference light:\\noperating the OCT system in a low depth resolution mode to measure the object height with low resolution and an extended depth measurement range, utilizing a partial spectral bandwidth of the light source, the object height with low resolution being based on an optical delay difference between the reference light and the light signal from the object detected by a detector of the OCT system;\\nchanging an optical delay in the reference light generator of the OCT system to match an object height measured in the low depth resolution mode;\\nusing a first control loop to control the optical beam focusing conditions for focusing the optical beam onto the object based on the optical delay difference and the object height with low resolution;\\nusing a second control loop to control the adjustment of optical delay in the reference light generator based on the optical delay difference;\\nchanging an electronic frequency of the detected signals to be within an optimal electronic frequency detection range of the detector of the OCT system;\\noperating the OCT system in a high depth resolution mode to measure the object height with high resolution and a reduced depth measurement range, utilizing a full spectral bandwidth of the light source; and\\nthe object height is the measured object height in high depth resolution mode adjusted by the changes made to the optical delay in the reference light generator.\",\n \"2. A method to measure physical and geometrical data of an object using a swept source optical coherence tomography (SSOCT) system, the method comprising:\\nproviding a light source that sweeps emitted light over a wavelength range;\\ndelivering a portion of the light from the light source as an optical beam to measure the object and collecting a light signal from the object;\\nproviding a portion of the light from the light source to a reference light generator of the SSOCT system for generating a reference light;\\noperating the SSOCT system in a low depth resolution mode, by reducing the tuning wavelength range of the swept source, to measure the object height with low resolution, the object height with low resolution being based on an optical delay difference between the reference light and the light signal from the object detected by a detector of the SSOCT system;\\nchanging the optical delay in the reference light generator of the SSOCT system to match the object height measured in the low depth resolution mode;\\nusing a first control loop to control the optical beam focusing conditions for focusing the optical beam onto the object based on the optical delay difference and the object height with low resolution;\\nusing a second control loop to control the adjustment of optical delay in the reference light generator based on the optical delay difference;\\nchanging an electronic frequency of the detected signals to be within an optimal electronic frequency detection range of the detector of the SSOCT system;\\noperating the SSOCT system in a high depth resolution mode and a reduced depth measurement range, by using a full tuning wavelength range of the swept source, to measure the object height with high resolution; and\\nthe object height is the measured object height in high depth resolution mode adjusted by the changes made to the optical delay in the reference light generator.\",\n \"3. A method to measure physical and geometrical data of a spectral domain coherence tomography (SDOCT) system, the method comprising:\\noperating the SDOCT system in a low depth resolution mode, using a spectrometer configured for measuring reduce bandwidth of the broadband source at the highest spectral resolution of the spectrometer, to measure the object height with low resolution over an extended depth range;\\nchanging the optical delay in the reference light generator of the SDOCT system to match the object height measured in the low depth resolution mode;\\noperating the SDOCT system in a high depth resolution mode and a reduced depth measurement range, using a spectrometer configured for measuring the full bandwidth of the broadband source at reduced spectral resolution of the spectrometer, to measure the object height with high resolution in a reduced depth range; and\\nthe object height is the measured object height in high depth resolution mode adjusted by the changes made to the optical delay in the reference light generator.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A frequency-domain interferometric imaging system for imaging a light scattering object comprising:\\na light source for generating a light beam;\\na beam divider for separating the light beam into reference and sample arms, wherein the sample arm contains the light scattering object to be imaged;\\nsample optics for delivering the light beam in the sample arm to the light scattering object to be imaged, the light beam in the sample arm defining a line beam illuminating a linear area spanning a plurality of A-scan locations on the light scattering object at the same time, the linear area defining a first linear field of view (FOV), the sample optics including a beam scanner for scanning the line beam in a direction parallel to, and along, the line beam in the sample arm, so that the linear area is moved to illuminate the object at a plurality of locations defining a scan line having a second linear FOV longer than the first linear FOV;\\na detector having a plurality of photosensitive elements defining a light-capturing region including a plurality of spatially resolvable A-scan capturing locations arranged to simultaneously capture the plurality of A-scan locations spanned by the linear area, allowing the plurality of A-scan locations to be captured at the same time in parallel with the plurality of photosensitive elements;\\nreturn optics for combining light scattered from the object and light from the reference arm and directing the combined light to the spatially resolvable A-scan capturing locations on the detector, the light capturing region of said detector collecting the combined light at the plurality of spatially resolvable A-scan capturing locations at the same time and generating signals in response thereto; and\\na processor for processing the signals collected at the plurality of locations and for generating image data of the object based on the processed signals, said image data spanning a linear region longer than the linear area illuminated by the line beam.\",\n \"2. The system of claim 1, wherein:\\nthe light source sweeps the light beam through a plurality of frequencies;\\nan entire sweep of the frequencies of the light source is captured by the detector at a fixed linear area on the light scattering object, before the beam scanner moves the linear area to the next adjacent location along the scan line.\",\n \"3. The system of claim 1, wherein:\\nthe scattering object is an eye fundus have a curved shape, and the distance of the system to the eye fundus varies along the scan line; and\\nthe axial resolution of the system is adjusted as the linear area is moved along the scan line.\",\n \"4. The system of claim 1, wherein the linear area is moved linearly by the beam scanner by up to one resolution point during one Nth of the time to move the linear area along the whole scan line, where N is the number of spatially resolvable A-scan capturing locations in the scanning direction.\",\n \"5. The system of claim 1, wherein:\\nthe spectral resolution of the scan line is lower at its end regions than at its central region; and\\ngenerating image data includes rearranging or sorting the captured plurality of A-scan locations to produce a continuous spectral fringe signals for each location.\",\n \"6. The system of claim 1, wherein the linear area is moved along the scan line in displacement steps less than or equal to the length the linear area.\",\n \"7. The system of claim 1, wherein:\\nthe linear area is moved along the scan line in displacement steps of one Mth of the length of the linear area to capture M copies of A-scans acquired sequentially in time; and\\nthe image data includes motion contrast image information.\",\n \"8. The system of claim 1, wherein the beam scanner is a spatial light modulator.\",\n \"9. The system of claim 8, wherein the spatial light modulator is implemented as a digital micro mirror device (DMD) or as one or more translucent or reflective liquid crystal micro displays in combination with one or more polarizers.\",\n \"10. The system of claim 1, wherein:\\nthe light source has a first numerical aperture (NA) along a first direction and a second numerical aperture (NA) along a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction; and\\nwherein the beam scanner is arranged to capture a volume scan, wherein capturing the volume scan includes:\\nI. capturing a first interim volume scan comprised of a first plurality of said scan lines adjacent and parallel to each other along the first direction;\\nII. capturing a second interim volume scan comprised of a second plurality of said scan lines adjacent and parallel to each other along the second direction; and\\nIII. combining the two interim volumes.\",\n \"11. The system of claim 10, wherein the two interim volumes are combined using a wavelet based image fusion method that is based on the point spread function of the light source.\",\n \"12. The system of claim 11, wherein the beam scanner includes microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) mirrors.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A sinusoidal frequency sweeping interferometric absolute distance measurement apparatus with dynamic offset frequency locking, comprising a reference laser (1), a first optical fiber beam splitter (2), an optical fiber beam combiner (3), a high frequency electro-optic phase modulator (4), an orthogonal optical fiber beam combiner (5), a coupler (6), a locking controller (12), a femtosecond optical frequency comb (13), a first high frequency amplifier (14), a high frequency clock source (15), a high frequency photodetector (16), a second high frequency amplifier (17), a frequency mixer (18), a third high frequency amplifier (19), a frequency sweeping signal source (20), a digital phase detector (21), a PID controller (22), a frequency sweeping laser (24), and a second optical fiber beam splitter (25);\\nwherein an output end of the reference laser (1) is connected to one input end of the locking controller (12), an input end of the high frequency electro-optic phase modulator (4), and one input end of the orthogonal optical fiber beam combiner (5) respectively through the first optical fiber beam splitter (2), another input end of the locking controller (12) is connected to an output end of the femtosecond optical frequency comb (13), an output end of the locking controller (12) is connected to a current control end of the reference laser (1), the high frequency clock source (15) is connected to a modulation control end of the high frequency electro-optic phase modulator (4) through the first high frequency amplifier (14), and an output end of the high frequency electro-optic phase modulator (4) is connected to one input end of the optical fiber beam combiner (3);\\nwherein an output end of the frequency sweeping laser (24) is connected to another input end of the optical fiber beam combiner (3) and another input end of the orthogonal optical fiber beam combiner (5) respectively through the second optical fiber beam splitter (25), an output end of the optical fiber beam combiner (3) is connected to the high frequency photodetector (16), an output end of the high frequency photodetector (16) is connected to one input end of the frequency mixer (18) through the second high frequency amplifier (17), the frequency sweeping signal source (20) is connected to another input end of the frequency mixer (18) through the third high frequency amplifier (19), and an output end of the frequency mixer (18) is connected to a current control end of the frequency sweeping laser (24) through the digital phase detector (21) and the PID controller (22);\\nwherein an output end of the orthogonal optical fiber beam combiner (5) is connected to a Michelson interferometer through the coupler (6).\",\n \"2. The sinusoidal frequency sweeping interferometric absolute distance measurement apparatus with dynamic offset frequency locking according to claim 1,\\nwherein a laser beam emitted by the reference laser (1) is divided into three laser beams with a power ratio of 70:20:10 after passing through the first optical fiber beam splitter (2), wherein the laser beam with the power ratio of 10% output by the first optical fiber beam splitter (2) and laser beam output by the femtosecond optical frequency comb (13) enter the locking controller (12) together, the locking controller (12) generates a feedback control signal to the reference laser (1) and locks a laser frequency of the reference laser (1) to the femtosecond optical frequency comb (13);\\nwherein a laser beam emitted by the frequency sweeping laser (24) is divided into two laser beams with a power ratio of 90:10 after passing through the second optical fiber beam splitter (25), and the laser beam with the power ratio of 10% output by the second optical fiber beam splitter (25) and laser sidebands generated by the high frequency electro-optic phase modulator (4) enter the optical fiber beam combiner (3) together, the combined beam is received by the high frequency photodetector (16) to produce a beat signal, and the beat signal is input to the frequency mixer (18) after being amplified by the second high frequency amplifier (17),\\nwherein at a same time, a high frequency sinusoidal signal with continuously variable frequency generated by the frequency sweeping signal source (20) enters the frequency mixer (18) after being amplified by the third high frequency amplifier (19) together with the beat signal amplified by the second high frequency amplifier (17) for down-mixing to obtain a difference frequency signal;\\nwherein the difference frequency signal is input to the digital phase detector (21), the digital phase detector (21) calculates a phase error between the difference frequency signal and a reference clock, the feedback control signal is obtained after the phase error is processed by the PID controller (22), and the feedback control signal is input to the current control end of the frequency sweeping laser (24) for closed-loop laser frequency control.\",\n \"3. The sinusoidal frequency sweeping interferometric absolute distance measurement apparatus with dynamic offset frequency locking according to claim 1, further comprising:\\nan atomic clock (23), wherein the locking controller (12), the femtosecond optical frequency comb (13), the high frequency clock source (15), the frequency sweeping signal source (20), and the digital phase detector (21) are all connected to the same atomic clock (23).\",\n \"4. The sinusoidal frequency sweeping interferometric absolute distance measurement apparatus with dynamic offset frequency locking according to claim 1,\\nwherein the Michelson interferometer comprises a reference cube-corner prism (7), a first low frequency electro-optic phase modulator (8), a second low frequency electro-optic phase modulator (9), a beam splitting prism (10), a measurement cube-corner prism (11), a polarizing beam splitting prism (26), a first photodetector (27), a second photodetector (28), a first analog-to-digital converter (30), a second analog-to-digital converter (29), and a field programmable gate array (FPGA) signal processor (31);\\nwherein the output end of the orthogonal optical fiber beam combiner (5) is divided into transmitted measurement beam and reflected reference beam after passing through the beam splitting prism (10);\\nthe measurement beam returns back to the beam splitting prism (10) in parallel after being reflected by the measurement cube-corner prism (11) to form a measurement path;\\nwherein the reference beam is input to the reference cube-corner prism (7) after being modulated by the first low frequency electro-optic phase modulator (8) and the second low frequency electro-optic phase modulator 19) and returns back to the beam splitting prism (10) in parallel after being reflected by the reference cube-corner prism (7) to form a reference path;\\nwherein the measurement beam and the reference beam returning back to the beam splitting prism (10) are combined and then divided into two beams including transmitted beam of a P polarization state and reflected beam of an S polarization state after passing through the polarizing beam splitting prism (26), the beam of the P polarization state is irradiated to the first photodetector (27) to be detected and received, and the beam of the S polarization state is irradiated to the second photodetector (28) to be detected and received;\\nwherein output ends of the first photodetector (27) and the second photodetector (28) are connected to the field programmable gate array (FPGA) signal processor (31) respectively through the first analog-to-digital converter (30) and the second analog-to-digital converter (29) for performing data processing.\",\n \"5. The sinusoidal frequency sweeping interferometric absolute distance measurement apparatus with dynamic offset frequency locking according to claim 4,\\nwherein a laser beam with a power ratio of 70% output by the first optical fiber beam splitter (2) and a laser beam with a power ratio of 90% output by the second optical fiber beam splitter (25) are input into the orthogonal optical fiber beam combiner (5) together, and the orthogonal optical fiber beam combiner (5) combines reference laser beam with a power ratio of 70% output by the first optical fiber beam splitter (2) and frequency sweeping laser beam with a power ratio of 90% output by the second optical fiber beam splitter (25) into an orthogonal beam according to the P polarization state and the S polarization state respectively;\\nwherein the orthogonal beam is converted into space beam after passing through the coupler (6), and the space beam is incident on the Michelson interferometer including the beam splitting prism (10), the reference cube-corner prism (7), and the measurement cube-corner prism (11) to perform absolute distance measurement;\\nwherein the space beam is divided into transmitted measurement beam and reflected reference beam after passing through the beam splitting prism (10):\\nthe measurement beam returns back to the beam splitting prism (10) in parallel after being reflected by the measurement cube-corner prism (11) to form the measurement path;\\nwherein the reference beam is input to the reference cube-corner prism (7) after being modulated by the first low frequency electro-optic phase modulator (8) and the second low frequency electro-optic phase modulator (9) and returns back to the beam splitting prism (10) in parallel after being reflected by the reference cube-corner prism (7) to form the reference path;\\nwherein the measurement beam and the reference beam returning back to the beam splitting prism (10) are combined and then divided into two beams including the transmitted beam of the P polarization state and the reflected beam of the S polarization state after passing through the polarizing beam splitting prism (26), the beam of the P polarization state generates an interference signal S1(t) after being irradiated to the first photodetector (27), and the beam of the S polarization state generates an interference signal S2(t) after being irradiated to the second photodetector (28);\\nwherein the two interference signals S1(t) and S2(t) enter the field programmable gate array (FPGA) signal processor (31) for data processing after being respectively sampled by the first analog-to-digital converter (30) and the second analog-to-digital converter (29).\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A method comprising:\\nproducing a first laser chirp and a second laser chirp, wherein at least one of the first laser chirp and the second laser chirp is an optical frequency sideband;\\ndirecting the first and the second laser chirp towards an object;\\nreceiving a first interference signal based, at least in part, on the interaction of the first laser chirp with the object;\\nreceiving a second interference signal based, at least in part, on the interaction of the second laser chirp with the object; and\\nprocessing the first interference signal and the second interference signal to determine a range to the object.\",\n \"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the directed first and the second laser chirps are scanned laterally across at least a portion of the object.\",\n \"3. The method of claim 1, wherein there is relative lateral motion between the directed first and second laser chirps, and the object.\",\n \"4. The method of claim 1, wherein a surface roughness of the object is greater than an optical wavelength of the first laser chirp and an optical wavelength of the second laser chirps.\",\n \"5. The method of claim 1, wherein the laser output simultaneously includes an up-chirped sideband and a down-chirped sideband.\",\n \"6. The method of claim 5, wherein processing the first interference signal and the second interference signal to determine the range to the object includes compensating for speckle noise based, at least in part, on a first portion of the received light associated with the up-chirped sideband and a second portion of the received light associated with the down-chirped sideband.\",\n \"7. The method of claim 1, wherein processing the first interference signal and the second interference signal comprises:\\ncalculating a first signal phase based on the first interference signal;\\ncalculating a second signal phase based on the second interference signal;\\ndetermining at least one corrected phase signal based on the first signal phase and the second signal phase; and\\ndetermining a distance to at least a portion of the object based on the at least one corrected signal phase.\",\n \"8. The method of claim 7, wherein using the first signal phase and the second signal phase comprises determining a sum or a difference of the first signal phase and the second signal phase.\",\n \"9. The method of claim 7, wherein calculating the first signal phase or the second signal phase comprises performing a Hilbert transform.\",\n \"10. The method of claim 7, further comprising performing corrections to at least one of the first or second signal phases based on a wavelength or a chirp rate of the laser output.\",\n \"11. A method comprising:\\nproducing a laser output beam including at least one chirped optical frequency sideband;\\ndirecting the laser output beam including the at least one chirped optical frequency sideband towards an object;\\nreceiving interference signals using at least one optical detector, wherein each interference signal represents interference between a local oscillator signal and a return signal from the object, the local oscillator signal and the return signal being chirped signals including multiple chirps each having a chirp duration, and wherein the return signal is based on an interaction of the laser output and the object; and\\ndetermining a distance to at least a portion of the object, at least in part by calculating a respective phase of the interference signals as a function of time over a respective chirp duration.\",\n \"12. The method of claim 11, further comprising shifting an optical frequency of at least a portion of the laser output beam.\",\n \"13. The method of claim 11, wherein the multiple chirps includes a first laser chirp having a first chirp rate and a second laser chirp having a second chirp rate different from the first chirp rate.\",\n \"14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:\\nreceiving a first interference signal and a second interference signal;\\ncalculating a first phase signal based on the first interference signal and a second phase signal based on the second interference signal;\\ndetermining at least one corrected phase signal based on the first and the second interference signal; and\\ndetermining the distance based on the corrected phase signal.\",\n \"15. A system comprising:\\na laser source configured to produce a laser output including at least one chirped sideband;\\nan optical system configured to direct the laser output towards an object and receive light from the object;\\na beam scanner configured to scan the laser output across at least a portion of the object;\\na detector configured to produce a signal based on the received light; and\\na processor configured to determine a distance to the object based on the signal.\",\n \"16. The system of claim 15, further comprising an optical frequency shifter configured to shift an optical frequency of the laser output.\",\n \"17. The system of claim 16, wherein the frequency shifter is configured to shift the optical frequency of the laser output by an offset frequency.\",\n \"18. The system of claim 17, wherein the processor is configured to use frequencies below the offset frequency to detect a down-chirped sideband of the laser output and frequencies above the offset frequency to detect an up-chirped sideband of the laser output.\",\n \"19. The system of claim 15, further comprising a modulator configured to produce at least one chirped sideband from the laser output.\",\n \"20. The system of claim 19, wherein the modulator is external to the laser source.\",\n \"21. The system of claim 15, wherein the laser output includes an up-chirped sideband and a down-chirped sideband.\",\n \"22. The system of claim 21, wherein the processor is configured to correct a speckle noise in the signal based, at least in part, on a first portion of the received light associated with the up-chirped sideband and a second portion of the received light associated with the down-chirped sideband.\",\n \"23. The system of claim 15, wherein the optical system comprises a beam splitter configured to split the laser output into a transmitted (TX) portion and a local oscillator (LO) portion, wherein the optical system is configured to direct the TX portion towards the object and receive a received (RX) portion, and wherein the optical system is further configured to combine the LO portion and the RX portion to produce an interferometric signal at the detector.\",\n \"24. The system of claim 23, further comprising an optical frequency shifter configured to shift a frequency of at least one of the TX portion and the LO portion.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. An optical system comprising:\\na diode laser having a junction configured to provide a beam of radiation, wherein the diode laser is configured to produce a first spectral output bandwidth when driven under constant current conditions;\\na driver circuit coupled to the diode laser, wherein the driver circuit is configured to apply a pulse of drive current to the diode laser,\\nwherein the pulse of drive current has a current amplitude that varies in time causing a variation in an output wavelength of the diode laser during application of the pulse of drive current,\\nwherein the pulse of the drive current produces a second spectral output bandwidth that is at least two times larger than the first spectral output bandwidth when driven under constant current conditions, and\\nwherein the current amplitude of the pulse of drive current is configured with a rate of change that is slow enough to minimize a difference between an actual temperature of the junction and an equilibrium temperature of the junction occurring during the application of the pulse of drive current;\\na set of optics coupled to the diode laser and configured to direct the beam of radiation to a sample for imaging the sample;\\na detector disposed in the optical system and configured to produce an electrical signal based on photon energy detected returning from the sample; and\\na processor coupled to the detector and configured to produce an image based on the electrical signal produced by the detector.\",\n \"2. The system of claim 1, wherein the diode laser is a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL).\",\n \"3. The system of claim 1, wherein the detector is configured with an array of photosensitive elements.\",\n \"4. The system of claim 1, wherein the detector comprises a camera.\",\n \"5. The system of claim 1, wherein the optical system comprises an optical coherence tomography system.\",\n \"6. The system of claim 1, wherein the optical system comprises a point scanning swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) system.\",\n \"7. A method performed by an optical system comprising:\\nreceiving, at an input to a diode laser, a steady-state current;\\nproducing, at a junction of the diode laser, a beam of radiation of an output wavelength at a first spectral output bandwidth;\\napplying, by a driver circuit coupled to the diode laser, a pulse of drive current to the diode laser with a current amplitude that varies in time for varying the output wavelength produced by the diode laser;\\napplying, by the driver circuit coupled to the diode laser, the pulse of drive current for causing the diode laser to produce a second spectral output bandwidth at least two times larger than the first spectral output bandwidth; and\\nconfiguring, by the driver circuit coupled to the diode laser, a rate of change of the current amplitude of the pulse of drive current that is sufficiently slow to minimize temperature differences caused between an actual temperature and an equilibrium temperature of the junction of the diode laser occurring during application of the pulse of drive current.\",\n \"8. The method of claim 7, further comprising directing, by a set of optics coupled to the diode laser, the beam of radiation with the output wavelength to a sample for imaging the sample.\",\n \"9. The method of claim 8, further comprising producing, by a detector disposed in the optical system, an electrical signal based on photon energy detected by the detector that is returning from the sample.\",\n \"10. The method of claim 9, further comprising producing, by a processor coupled to the detector, an image based on the electrical signal from the detector.\",\n \"11. The method of claim 9, wherein the detector is composed of an array of photosensitive elements.\",\n \"12. The method of claim 9, wherein the detector comprises a camera.\",\n \"13. The method of claim 7, wherein the diode laser is a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL).\",\n \"14. The method of claim 7, wherein the optical system comprises an optical coherence tomography system.\",\n \"15. The method of claim 7, wherein the optical system comprises a point scanning swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) system.\",\n \"16. A device comprising:\\na diode laser having an input configured to receive a steady-state current,\\nthe diode laser configured to produce, at a junction of the diode laser, a beam of radiation with an output wavelength at a first spectral output bandwidth;\\na driver circuit coupled to the diode laser and configured to apply a pulse of drive current to the diode laser with a current amplitude that varies in time to change the output wavelength from the diode laser,\\nwherein the current amplitude of the pulse of drive current is varied in time to enable the diode laser to produce a second spectral output bandwidth at least two times larger than the first spectral output bandwidth,\\nwherein the current amplitude of the pulse of drive current is modulated with a rate of change that is sufficiently slow to reduce temperature differences caused between an actual temperature and an equilibrium temperature at the junction of the diode laser during application of the pulse of drive current; and\\na set of optics coupled to the diode laser and configured to direct the beam of radiation with the output wavelength to a sample for imaging the sample.\",\n \"17. The device of claim 16, further comprising a detector configured to produce an electrical signal based on photon energy detected by the detector that is returning from the sample.\",\n \"18. The device of claim 17, further comprising a processor coupled to the detector and configured to produce an image based on the electrical signal from the detector.\",\n \"19. The device of claim 17, wherein the detector comprises an array of photosensitive elements.\",\n \"20. The device of claim 17, wherein the detector comprises a camera.\",\n \"21. The device of claim 16, wherein the diode laser is a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL).\",\n \"22. The device of claim 16, wherein the device comprises an optical coherence tomography device.\",\n \"23. The device of claim 16, wherein the optical device comprises a point scanning swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) device.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A few-mode optical fiber measurement instrument comprising: (a) an optical source having an output optically coupled to a spatial mode extractor; (b) a few-mode optical fiber optically coupled to the spatial mode extractor positioned at a proximal end of the few-mode fiber, the few-mode optical fiber configured to optically illuminate in one or more spatial modes a sample positioned near its distal end using light generated by the optical source and configured to collect light from the sample positioned proximate its distal end, the few-mode optical fiber configured to support at least two spatial modes with field spatial profiles that are substantially distinct such that the light collected in the at least two spatial modes from the sample includes optical information about the sample, the few-mode optical fiber further configured to propagate the light collected in the at least two spatial modes collected from the sample to the spatial mode extractor where the propagation is such that each of the at least two optical spatial modes can be extracted; (c) the spatial mode extractor configured to extract the light collected in the at least two spatial modes and then to produce light in at least two individual modes that preserves the included spatial information about the sample, the spatial mode extractor further configured to convey one of the at least two individual light modes to a first optical directing device and another one of the at least two individual light modes to a second optical directing device, the first and second optical directing devices conveying the light in the at least two individual modes to an interferometric optical receiver; and (d) a measurement subsystem comprising the interferometric optical receiver, the interferometric optical receiver comprising a first interferometric optical receiver optically coupled to the first optical directing device and optically coupled to the optical source and configured to interferometrically detect one of the two individual light modes and a second interferometric optical receiver optically coupled to the second optical directing device and optically coupled to the optical source and configured to interferometrically detect the other one of the two individual light modes simultaneously, the measurement subsystem processing the detected light in the at least two individual modes to produce information about optical properties of the sample.\",\n \"2. The few-mode fiber measurement instrument of claim 1 wherein the few-mode fiber is further configured to support at least three spatial modes, the spatial mode extractor is further configured to extract light collected in a third spatial mode to produce light in a third individual mode, and the optical receiver is further configured to detect light in the third individual mode.\",\n \"3. The few-mode fiber measurement instrument of claim 1 wherein the optical source comprises a swept source laser.\",\n \"4. The few-mode fiber measurement instrument of claim 1 wherein the optical source comprises a widely tunable optical source.\",\n \"5. The few-mode fiber measurement instrument of claim 1 wherein the optical source conveys the source light to the distal end of the few-mode fiber in one spatial mode.\",\n \"6. The few-mode fiber measurement instrument of claim 5 wherein the one spatial mode is a low-order circularly symmetric spatial mode.\",\n \"7. The few-mode fiber measurement instrument of claim 1 wherein the optical source conveys light to the distal end of the few-mode fiber in more than one spatial mode.\",\n \"8. The few-mode fiber measurement instrument of claim 1 wherein the light collected in the at least two optical spatial modes from the sample near the distal end of the few-mode fiber comprises light collected in a low-order mode and collected in a higher-order mode.\",\n \"9. The few-mode fiber measurement instrument of claim 1 wherein the light collected in the at least two optical spatial modes from the sample near the distal end of the few-mode fiber comprises light collected in a linearly polarized mode.\",\n \"10. The few-mode fiber measurement instrument of claim 1 wherein the light collected in the at least two optical spatial modes from the sample near the distal end of the few-mode fiber comprises light collected in an orbital angular momentum mode.\",\n \"11. The few-mode fiber measurement instrument of claim 1 wherein the light collected in the at least two optical spatial modes from the sample at the distal end of the few-mode fiber comprises light collected in at least two distinct polarization modes.\",\n \"12. The few-mode fiber measurement instrument of claim 1 wherein at least one of the at least two spatial modes having a field spatial profile comprises a field spatial profile having a null intensity on-axis at a beam waist within the sample.\",\n \"13. The few-mode fiber measurement instrument of claim 1 wherein the produced information about optical properties of the sample comprises at least one of axial optical profile information, contrast imaging information, longitudinal optical property information, OCT information, image information, fluorescence information, or spectroscopy information.\",\n \"14. The few-mode fiber measurement instrument of claim 1 wherein the measurement subsystem comprises at least one of a spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) receiver, a time domain OCT receiver, a confocal receiver, a fluorescence receiver or a Raman receiver.\",\n \"15. The few-mode fiber measurement instrument of claim 1 wherein the measurement subsystem comprises a swept-source optical coherent tomography (SS-OCT) measurement subsystem.\",\n \"16. The few-mode fiber measurement instrument of claim 1 wherein the optical receiver comprises a dual-polarization optical coherent tomography receiver.\",\n \"17. The few-mode fiber measurement instrument of claim 1 wherein the spatial mode extractor comprises at least one of a mode selective coupler, a grating device, or a spatial light modulator.\",\n \"18. The few-mode fiber measurement instrument of claim 1 wherein the few-mode fiber is housed in an endoscope.\",\n \"19. The few-mode fiber measurement instrument of claim 1 wherein at least one of the spatial mode extractor and the optical receiver is formed in a photonic integrated circuit.\",\n \"20. A few-mode fiber optical measurement system comprising: (a) an optical source that generates source light; (b) an endoscope body comprising a few-mode optical fiber that is optically coupled to the optical source, the few-mode optical fiber transmitting the source light to a sample and coupling backscattered light from the sample in a low-order mode and a higher-order mode to a mode selective coupler; (c) the mode selective coupler extracting light in the low-order mode and the higher-order mode to produce light in two individual light modes and conveying one of the two individual light modes to a first optical directing device and the other one of the two individual light modes to a second optical directing device, the first and second optical directing devices directing light to an interferometric optical receiver; and (d) the interferometric optical receiver comprising a first interferometric optical receiver optically coupled to the first optical directing device and optically coupled to the optical source and configured to interferometrically detect one of the two individual light modes and a second interferometric optical receiver optically coupled to the second optical directing device and optically coupled to the optical source and configured to interferometrically detect the other one of the two individual light modes simultaneously, the optical receiver further comprising an electrical processor configured to process the interferometrically detected two individual light modes, thereby achieving multi-modal spatial detection such that information about the sample's optical properties is produced.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A low coherence interferometry system comprising:\\na first multiplexer configured to receive a first beam of radiation and comprising a first plurality of optical delay elements configured to introduce a group delay to the first beam of radiation based on an optical path traversed by the first beam of radiation among a first plurality of optical waveguides; and\\na second multiplexer configured to receive a second beam of radiation, and comprising a second plurality of optical modulators configured to differentiate the second beam of radiation among a second plurality of optical waveguides to produce one or more output radiation beams,\\nwherein the second plurality of optical waveguides are configured to guide the one or more output radiation beams towards a sample.\",\n \"2. The low coherence interferometry system of claim 1, wherein the first multiplexer further comprises a plurality of switches configured to select the optical path traversed by the first beam of radiation among the first plurality of optical waveguides.\",\n \"3. The low coherence interferometry system of claim 1, wherein the first multiplexer further comprises a plurality of phase modulators.\",\n \"4. The low coherence interferometry system of claim 1, wherein the second multiplexer is configured to receive the second beam of radiation from a single output of the first multiplexer.\",\n \"5. The low coherence interferometry system of claim 1, wherein the second multiplexer is configured to receive the second beam of radiation from one of only two outputs of the first multiplexer.\",\n \"6. The low coherence interferometry system of claim 1, further comprising an optical element disposed between the second multiplexer and the sample.\",\n \"7. The low coherence interferometry system of claim 6, wherein the optical element is a single lens.\",\n \"8. The low coherence interferometry system of claim 7, wherein the single lens is configured to focus the one or more output radiation beams onto a focal plane such that a distance between centers of adjacent beams at the focal plane is between 1 and 10 times larger than the diameter of one of the beams at the focal plane.\",\n \"9. The low coherence interferometry system of claim 7, further comprising a plurality of lenses, each smaller than the single lens, configured to focus at least one subset of the one or more output radiation beams onto a first target region of the sample and focus at least one other subset of the one or more output radiation beams onto a second target region of the sample.\",\n \"10. The low coherence interferometry system of claim 6, wherein the optical element is a gradient index (GRIN) lens.\",\n \"11. The low coherence interferometry system of claim 6, further comprising a reflector disposed downstream of the optical element and configured to alter a direction of propagation of the one or more output radiation beams.\",\n \"12. The low coherence interferometry system of claim 11, wherein the altered direction of propagation is substantially perpendicular to an original direction of propagation.\",\n \"13. The low coherence interferometry system of claim 11, wherein an orientation of the reflector is adjustable, such that an angle of alteration to the direction of propagation of the one or more output radiation beams is adjustable.\",\n \"14. The low coherence interferometry system of claim 13, wherein the adjustable reflector comprises microelectromechanical components.\",\n \"15. The low coherence interferometry system of claim 1, wherein the second plurality of optical modulators comprises phase modulators.\",\n \"16. The low coherence interferometry system of claim 1, wherein the second plurality of optical modulators comprises optical delay elements.\",\n \"17. The low coherence interferometry system of claim 1, wherein the second plurality of optical modulators comprises optical switches.\",\n \"18. The low coherence interferometry system of claim 1, wherein the group delay is associated with a scanning depth of the sample and is carried through to the one or more output radiation beams in the second multiplexer.\",\n \"19. The low coherence interferometry system of claim 1, wherein the second plurality of optical waveguides are further configured to collect scattered radiation from the sample.\",\n \"20. The low coherence interferometry system of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of optical waveguides and the second plurality of optical waveguides are integrated on a same substrate.\",\n \"21. The low coherence interferometry system of claim 1, further comprising microelectromechanical actuators configured to bend one or more of the second plurality of optical waveguides.\",\n \"22. The low coherence interferometry system of claim 1, wherein the second beam of radiation is different from the first beam of radiation.\",\n \"23. The low coherence interferometry system of claim 22, wherein the first multiplexer is located in a reference arm of the low coherence interferometry system and the second multiplexer is located in a sample arm of the low coherence interferometry system.\",\n \"24. The low coherence interferometry system of claim 1, wherein the second beam of radiation is the same as the first beam of radiation.\",\n \"25. The low coherence interferometry system of claim 24, wherein the first multiplexer and the second multiplexer are both located in a sample arm of the low coherence interferometry system.\",\n \"26. A method performed by a low coherence interferometry system, comprising:\\nreceiving a first beam of radiation at a first multiplexer;\\nintroducing a group delay to the first beam of radiation received at the first multiplexer based on an optical path traversed by the first beam of radiation received at the first multiplexer among a first plurality of optical waveguides in the first multiplexer;\\nreceiving a second beam of radiation at a second multiplexer;\\ndifferentiating the second beam of radiation received at the second multiplexer among a second plurality of optical waveguides to produce one or more output radiation beams; and\\nguiding the one or more output radiation beams towards a sample.\",\n \"27. The method of claim 26, further comprising modulating a phase of the first beam of radiation in the first multiplexer.\",\n \"28. The method of claim 26, wherein the differentiating the second beam of radiation comprises introducing a delay to the second beam of radiation.\",\n \"29. The method of claim 26, wherein the differentiating the second beam of radiation comprises switching the second beam of radiation among the second plurality of optical waveguides.\",\n \"30. The method of claim 26, wherein the differentiating the second beam of radiation comprises modulating a phase of the second beam of radiation.\",\n \"31. The method of claim 26, further comprising focusing the one or more output radiation beams via an optical element.\",\n \"32. The method of claim 31, further comprising altering a propagation direction of the one or more output radiation beams via a reflector disposed downstream of the optical element.\",\n \"33. The method of claim 26, further comprising bending one or more of the second plurality of optical waveguides via microelectromechanical actuators.\",\n \"34. The method of claim 26, further comprising collecting scattered radiation from the sample.\",\n \"35. The method of claim 26, wherein the second multiplexer receives the second beam of radiation from the first multiplexer.\",\n \"36. The method of claim 26, wherein the second beam of radiation received at the second multiplexer is the same as the first beam of radiation received at the first multiplexer.\",\n \"37. The method of claim 26, wherein the second beam of radiation received at the second multiplexer is different from the first beam of radiation received at the first multiplexer.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A low insertion loss optical coherence tomography system with space-division multiplexing, the system comprising:\\na long coherence light source producing coherent light having a coherence length greater than 5 mm to provide optimal imaging depth;\\nan optical coupler receiving and dividing the light into reference light and sampling light;\\na reference arm defining a first optical light path, the reference arm receiving the reference light and generating a reference light signal based on the reference light;\\na sample arm defining a second optical light path and receiving the sampling light;\\nan optical splitter arranged on the sample arm, the optical splitter dividing the sampling light into a plurality of sampling light beams and simultaneously transmitting the plurality of sampling beams;\\nan optical delay element comprising a plurality of different light path lengths configured and operable to produce an optical delay shorter than the coherence length of the light source between the plurality of sampling beams such that when images are formed, signals from different physical locations are detected in different frequency bands;\\na scanner arranged to receive and configured to simultaneously scan the plurality of sampling beams simultaneously onto multiple different sampling locations on a surface of a sample;\\na plurality of optical couplers each configured and arranged to simultaneously receive and combine the reference light signal with one of a plurality of individual reflected light signals returned from the multiple different sampling locations on the surface of the sample produced by each of the plurality of sampling beams to simultaneously generate a plurality of interference signals each having a different frequency band; and\\na sensor configured to detect and combine the plurality of interference signals;\\nwherein the interference signals includes data representing digitized images of the sample.\",\n \"2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the sensor is a balanced photodetector.\",\n \"3. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of optical circulators each being associated with one of the plurality of optical couplers, each optical circulator being operable to receive one of the plurality of reflected light signals from the sample and transmit the same reflected light signal to one of the optical couplers.\",\n \"4. The system according to claim 3, further comprising an optical splitter configured to divide the reference light signal into a plurality of reference light signals, each one of the plurality of reference light signals being transmitted to one of the plurality of optical couplers for producing an interference signal.\",\n \"5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the reference arm is a non-sweeping reference arm.\",\n \"6. The system according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of sampling beams is transmitted by an optical fiber forming an array comprising a plurality of the optical fibers.\",\n \"7. The system according to claim 6, wherein each of optical fibers also receives one of the plurality of reflected light signals returned from the multiple different sampling locations on the surface of the sample.\",\n \"8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the optical delay element and the optical splitter are replaced by a lightwave circuit which splits the sampling light into the plurality of sampling light beams and produces the optical delay between the plurality of sampling beams which are transmitted simultaneously.\",\n \"9. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a high speed data acquisition card and computer processor configured to capture and process the interference signal and generate a visual display of the actual images of the sample on a display device.\",\n \"10. A low insertion loss optical coherence tomography system with space-division multiplexing, the system comprising:\\na long coherence light source producing light having a coherence length greater than 5 mm to provide optimal imaging depth range;\\na first optical coupler configured and arranged to split the light into reference light and sampling light;\\na non-sweeping reference arm receiving the reference light and producing a reference light signal;\\na second optical splitter arranged on a sample arm and configured to split the sampling light into a plurality of sampling beams and transmit the plurality of sampling beams simultaneously;\\nan optical delay element comprising a plurality of different light path lengths configured to produce an optical delay shorter than the coherence length of the light source between the plurality of sampling beams such that when images are formed, signals from different physical locations are detected in different frequency bands;\\na scanner arranged to receive and configured to simultaneously scan the plurality of sampling beams onto multiple different sampling locations on a surface of a sample;\\na plurality of third optical couplers each configured and arranged to simultaneously receive and combine the reference light signal with one of a plurality of individual reflected light signals returned from the multiple different sampling locations on the surface of the sample produced by each of the plurality of sampling beams to simultaneously generate a plurality of interference signals each having a different frequency band;\\nwherein the interference signals includes data representing digitized images of the sample.\",\n \"11. The system according to claim 10, wherein the first optical coupler is operable to divert the reference light to the reference arm and to divert the sampling light to the sample arm.\",\n \"12. The system according to claim 10, wherein the second optical splitter is an optical fiber splitter.\",\n \"13. The system according to claim 12, wherein the optical fiber splitter is planar lightwave circuit splitter.\",\n \"14. The system according to claim 10, further comprising a balanced detector sensor arranged and operable to detect and combine the plurality of interference signals from each of the third optical devices.\",\n \"15. The system according to claim 10, wherein the optical delay element comprises an optical fiber array comprised of a plurality of optical fibers each having a different length and conveying one of the plurality of sampling beams.\",\n \"16. The system according to claim 10, wherein the light source is a wavelength tunable light source.\",\n \"17. The system according to claim 10, further comprising a high speed data acquisition card and computer processor configured to capture and process the interference signal and generate a visual display of the actual images of the sample on a display device.\",\n \"18. The system according to claim 10, further comprising a plurality of optical circulators each being associated with one of the plurality of optical couplers, each optical circulator being operable to receive one of the plurality of reflected light signals from the sample and transmit the same reflected light signal to one of the optical couplers.\",\n \"19. The system according to claim 18, further comprising an optical splitter configured to divide the reference light signal into a plurality of reference light signals, each one of the plurality of reference light signals being transmitted to one of the plurality of optical couplers for producing an interference signal.\",\n \"20. The system according to claim 10, wherein the optical delay element and the second optical splitter are replaced by a lightwave circuit which splits the sampling light into the plurality of sampling light beams and produces the optical delay between the plurality of sampling beams which are transmitted simultaneously.\",\n \"21. A method for imaging a sample using a low insertion loss space-division multiplexing optical coherence tomography system, the method comprising:\\nproviding an optical coherence tomography system comprising a long coherence light source producing light having a coherence length greater than 5 mm to provide optimal imaging depth, a non-sweeping reference arm defining a first optical path, and a sample arm defining a second optical path;\\ndividing the light from the light source into reference light and sampling light;\\ntransmitting the reference light to the reference arm to produce a reflected light signal;\\ntransmitting the sampling light to the sample arm;\\nsplitting the sampling light into a plurality of sampling beams on the sample arm;\\nproducing an optical delay shorter than the coherence length of the light source between the plurality of sampling beams such that when images are formed, signals from different physical locations are detected in different frequency bands;\\nscanning the plurality of sampling beams onto a surface of a sample at multiple different sample locations simultaneously;\\ncollecting a plurality of reflected light signals each returned from the surface of the sample produced by each of the plurality of sampling beams;\\nsimultaneously receiving and combining the reference light signal with one of the plurality of reflected light signals returned from the multiple different sampling locations on the surface of the sample produced by each of the plurality of sampling beams by a plurality of optical couplers to generate a plurality of interference signals each having a different frequency band;\\ncombining and simultaneously receiving the plurality of interference signals by a sensor\\nwherein the interference signals comprise data representing digitized images of the sample.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A laser measurement system for simultaneously measuring six degree of freedom geometric errors, wherein the laser measurement system has a laser emitting unit, a fixed sensor head, and a moving target unit;\\nthe laser emitting unit is connected to the fixed sensor head by a single fiber;\\nthe moving target unit is mounted on a linear guide, and moves along the linear guide during measurement;\\nthe laser emitting unit further consists of:\\na dual-frequency laser, a quarter-wave plate, a coupling lens, and the single fiber is a polarization maintaining fiber;\\ntwo light beams, each with an amplitude and are circularly polarized, are left-handed and right-handed and are generated by the dual-frequency laser, the two light beams have the same amplitude, and the two light beams have a frequency difference; the two circularly polarized light beams are transformed to two linearly polarized light beams with an orthogonal polarization direction by the quarter-wave plate; the two linearly polarized light beams are coupled into the polarization maintaining fiber by the coupling lens; the polarization maintaining fiber transmits the two linearly polarized light beams, wherein the two linearly polarized light beams are kept with the frequency difference and in the polarization state,\\nthe fixed sensor head includes a fiber exit end, a collimating lens, a half wave plate, a polarization beam splitter, a quarter wave plate, a reflector, a beam splitter, a mirror, a lens, and a photodetector;\\nthe moving target unit includes two reflectors and a beam splitter and is in engagement with the linear guide;\\nthe laser emitting unit, based on transmission through the single polarization maintaining fiber, is connected with the fixed sensor head.\",\n \"2. The system of claim 1, wherein a collimated laser beam is obtained after a light beam is transmitted to pass through the single polarization maintaining fiber and the light beam is expanded and collimated by the collimating lens; the half-wave plate is rotated in order to align the polarization direction of the two orthogonal linear polarized light beams emitted from the single polarization maintaining fiber with the polarization direction of the light transmitted through and the light reflected from the polarization beam splitter, so as to make the intensity of the light beam transmitted through the polarization beam splitter and the intensity of the light beam reflected from the polarization beam splitter to be equal with each other, a part of the beam energy reflected by the polarization beam splitter is directed through the beam splitter, and is reflected by the reflector to serve as a reference beam for interferometric length measurement; the remaining beam energy from the polarization beam splitter is directed into the reflector in the moving target unit, and the reflected beam from the reflector serves as a signal beam; the position error Z when the moving target mirror unit moves along a machine tool or its guiding rail is obtained by the beat frequency signal generated by the interference between the reference beam and the signal light on the photodetector in the fixed sensor head.\",\n \"3. The system of claim 1, wherein the reflected light from the polarization beam splitter in the fixed sensor head is partially diverted onto the half-wave plate by the beam splitter; the polarization direction of the linearly polarized light passing through the half-wave plate is aligned with the polarization direction of the transmitted light from the polarization beam splitter through rotating the half-wave plate; the linearly polarized light is transformed to a circularly polarized light through the quarter-wave plate, and is directed onto the beam splitter in the moving target unit; the beam energy passing through the beam splitter is reflected back to the fixed sensor head by the reflector in the moving target unit; the photodetector in the fixed sensor head receives the reflected light, so that the horizontal straightness error ΔX1 and the vertical straightness error ΔY1 of the moving target unit with respect to the light axis are obtained.\",\n \"4. The system of claim 1, wherein the reflected light from the beam splitter in the moving target unit passes through the quarter-wave plate in the fixed unit again, and is transformed from the circularly polarized light to the linearly polarized light, but the polarization direction has a 90 degree change as before, so that the reflected light is totally reflected by the polarization beam splitter; the light is then reflected by a mirror and is focused by lens onto a photodetector which is placed at the focal point of the lens, so that the angular displacements of pitch α and yaw β of the moving target unit with respect to the light axis are obtained.\",\n \"5. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmitted light from the polarization beam splitter in the fixed sensor head is directed onto the reflector in the moving target unit, and is then twice reflected by two beam splitters in the fixed sensor head; the photodetector in the fixed sensor head receives the reflected light, so that the horizontal straightness error ΔX2 and vertical straightness error ΔY2 are then obtained; and the roll error γ is obtained by dividing the difference of the vertical straightness errors ΔY1 and ΔY2 in two different points at the same horizontal position with the distance between the transmitted light from the polarization beam splitter and the reflected light from the beam splitter in the fixed sensor head.\",\n \"6. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmitted light from the beam splitter in the fixed sensor head is reflected by a mirror, and is focused on a photodetector to obtain the beam angular drift α′ and β′ with respect to the emergent light from the collimating lens; due to the compensating path is just the measuring path, two dimensional straightness errors, pitch and yaw are compensated according to the beam angular drift and the corresponding error model; the random error introduced by the beam drift is decreased, and the measurement accuracy is enhanced as well.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A five-degree-of-freedom heterodyne grating interferometry system, comprising: a laser device (1) and an acousto-optic modulator (2), wherein the laser device (1) emits a laser, which is then incident on the acousto-optic modulator (2) after optical fiber coupling and beam splitting to obtain two beams of linearly polarized light of different frequencies, one beam of which serves as a reference light, and the other beam of which serves as a measurement light; an interferometer lens group (3) and a measurement grating (4), which are used to form the reference light and the measurement light into a measurement interference signal and a compensation interference signal; and a plurality of optical fiber bundles (5), which receive the measurement interference signal and the compensation interference signal respectively;\\nwherein the interferometer lens group (3) comprises beam splitting prisms (31), right-angle prisms (32), a quarter-wave plate (33), a refractive element (34), a reflecting mirror (35), and polarization beam splitting prisms (36); and\\nwherein components of the interferometer lens group (3) are distributed symmetrical up and down, the beam splitting prisms (31) are located in upper and lower layers of the interferometer lens group, the polarization beam splitting prisms (36) are located in a middle layer of the interferometer lens group, and the refractive element (34) is located at a top end of the interferometer lens group; the right-angle prisms (32) are arranged at positions of 90° deflection of optical path, and are adhered to the beam splitting prisms (31) and the polarization beam splitting prisms (36) respectively; the measurement light and the reference light pass through same path in the interferometer lens group (3).\",\n \"2. The five-degree-of-freedom heterodyne grating interferometry system according to claim 1, wherein each of the optical fiber bundles (5) contains a plurality of multimode optical fibers for receiving signals at different positions in same plane respectively.\",\n \"3. The five-degree-of-freedom heterodyne grating interferometry system according to claim 2, wherein the number of the compensation interference signal is one, the number of the measurement interference signal is two, and the two measurement interference signals and the one compensation interference signal are respectively received by the optical fiber bundles (5).\",\n \"4. The five-degree-of-freedom heterodyne grating interferometry system according to claim 1, wherein the reference light is divided into three beams of reference light after being split by two beam splitting prisms (31) and reflected by the right-angle prism (32), and the three beams of reference light are used as three interference signals after being reflected by middle three of the polarization beam splitting prisms (36);\\nthe measurement light is divided into three beams of the measurement light after being split by two beam splitting prisms (31) and reflected by the right-angle prisms (32);\\ntwo of the three beams of the measurement light are reflected by the polarization beam splitting prisms (36), pass through the quarter-wave plate (33) and the refractive element (34) in turn, and then are incident on the measurement grating (4) from left and right sides of the refractive element (34); diffracted beams return along an original optical path, then are transmitted through the quarter-wave plate (33) and middle two of the polarization beam splitting prisms (36) in turn, and are reflected by two of the right-angle prisms (32) to respectively interfere with two beams of the reference light serving as two of the three interference signals and form two measurement interference signals;\\na third beam of the measurement light is reflected by the polarization beam splitting prism (36), passes through the quarter-wave plate (33), and is then reflected by the reflecting mirror (35); then it passes through the quarter-wave plate (33) again, is transmitted through the polarization beam splitting prism (36), is reflected by two of the right-angle prisms (32), and interferes with a third beam of the reference light serving as one of the three interference signals to form the compensation interference signal.\",\n \"5. The five-degree-of-freedom heterodyne grating interferometry system according to claim 1, wherein the measurement grating (4) makes a two-degree-of-freedom linear movement or a three-degree-of-freedom rotational movement relative to the interferometer lens group (3).\",\n \"6. The five-degree-of-freedom heterodyne grating interferometry system according to claim 5, wherein displacements of the two-degree-of-freedom linear movements are measured based on the Doppler frequency shift principle, with accuracy being of an order of nanometer; and rotational angles are measured based on the principle of differential wavefront, with a measurement range of the rotational angles being 1 mrad and the accuracy reaching the order of microradian.\",\n \"7. The five-degree-of-freedom heterodyne grating interferometry system according to claim 5, when solving displacement two-degree-of-freedom linear movement, a first temperature drift error of the horizontal displacement is automatically eliminated, and a second temperature drift error of vertical displacement is eliminated by the compensation interference signal.\",\n \"8. The five-degree-of-freedom heterodyne grating interferometry system according to claim 1, wherein number of the compensation interference signal is one, number of the measurement interference signal is two, and the two measurement interference signals and the one compensation interference signal are respectively received by the optical fiber bundles (5).\",\n \"9. The five-degree-of-freedom heterodyne grating interferometry system according to claim 8, wherein each optical fiber bundle (5) has four optical fibers that are located at different positions in a same plane and are used to receive interference signals of four quadrants; each optical fiber bundle (5) outputs four optical signals.\",\n \"10. The five-degree-of-freedom heterodyne grating interferometry system according to claim 1, wherein the five-degree-of-freedom heterodyne grating interferometry system further comprises a photoelectric conversion unit (6) and an electronic signal processing component (7), the photoelectric conversion unit (6) is used to receive the optical signals transmitted by the optical fiber bundles (5) and convert them into electrical signals for input into the electronic signal processing component (7); and the electronic signal processing component (7) receives the electrical signals to solve linear displacement or rotational movement of the measurement grating (4).\",\n \"11. The five-degree-of-freedom heterodyne grating interferometry system according to claim 1, wherein the measurement system is suitable for laser interferometers, grating interferometers, heterodyne interferometers, and homodyne interferometers.\",\n \"12. The five-degree-of-freedom heterodyne grating interferometry system according to claim 1, wherein the compensation interference signal can compensate for optical fiber transmission errors of the measurement system.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. An optical coherence tomography apparatus comprising:\\nan optical coherence tomography optical system comprising:\\na measurement optical path,\\na reference optical path,\\nan optical path length difference generator placed in at least one of the measurement optical path and the reference optical path and configured to generate at least two lights having an optical path length difference from each other, the generator comprising,\\na light splitter configured to split at least one of the measurement optical path and the reference optical path into a first optical path and a second optical path that is a detour optical path, and\\nan optical combiner configured to combine the first optical path and the second optical path, and\\na detector configured to obtain a multiplexed spectral interference signal in which a first spectral interference signal and a second spectral interference signal based on the at least two lights generated by the optical path length difference generator are multiplexed, and\\nan arithmetic controller configured to process the multiplexed spectral interference signal output from the detector to obtain depth information in which first depth information based on the first spectral interference signal and second depth information based on the second spectral interference signal are multiplexed separately from each other in a depth direction,\\nthe first depth information and the second depth information being depth information at a same depth position on an object to be examined and are obtained simultaneously.\",\n \"2. The optical coherence tomography apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an optical scanner placed in the measurement optical path, and\\nwherein the arithmetic controller processes the depth information obtained at each scan position by the optical scanner to obtain tomographic image data including a plurality of tomographic images on the object at the same time.\",\n \"3. The optical coherence tomography apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the arithmetic controller positionally aligns and combines the first depth information and the second depth information in the depth direction.\",\n \"4. The optical coherence tomography apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the arithmetic controller obtains a plurality of the first depth information and the second depth information and positionally aligns and combines the first depth information and the second depth information in the depth direction.\",\n \"5. The optical coherence tomography apparatus according to claim 1, wherein\\nthe optical path length difference generator is configured to generate at least two lights having polarization components orthogonal to each other and to generate at least two lights having an optical path length difference therebetween and having polarization components orthogonal to each other,\\nthe detector is a detector configured to detect at least two multiplexed spectral interference signals having polarization components orthogonal to each other, and\\nthe arithmetic controller processes at least two multiplexed spectral interference signals having polarization components orthogonal to each other to analyze polarization properties of the object to be examined.\",\n \"6. The optical coherence tomography apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detector includes a vertical polarization detector for detecting a multiplexed spectral interference signal having a vertical polarization component and a horizontal polarization detector for detecting a multiplexed spectral interference signal having a horizontal polarization component.\",\n \"7. The optical coherence tomography apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a full range unit placed in one of the measurement optical path and the reference optical path and configured to obtain a full-range image capturing region in the depth direction.\",\n \"8. The optical coherence tomography apparatus according to claim 1, wherein\\nthe optical path length difference generator is placed in the measurement optical path, and\\nthe optical coherence tomography optical system further comprises a scan optical system configured to simultaneously scan the at least two lights having an optical path length difference from each other at a same depth position on the object to be examined in a transverse direction.\",\n \"9. The optical coherence tomography apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the scan optical system is a scan optical system configured to scan the at least two lights having an optical path length difference from each other at a same scanning position on the object to be examined.\",\n \"10. The optical coherence tomography apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the scan optical system is a scan optical system which scans the at least two lights having an optical path length difference from each other at different positions on the object to be examined.\",\n \"11. The optical coherence tomography apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the object to be examined is a fundus of an eye.\",\n \"12. The optical coherence tomography apparatus according to claim 1, wherein\\nthe optical coherence tomography optical system is a swept source OCT optical system, and\\nthe detector is a balanced detector including at least two point sensors.\",\n \"13. The optical coherence tomography apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the arithmetic controller measures a variation between the first depth information and the second depth information.\",\n \"14. The optical coherence tomography apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the optical coherence tomography optical system is a spectral-domain-optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) system.\",\n \"15. The optical coherence tomography apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first optical path and the second optical path in the optical path length difference generator includes an optical fiber.\",\n \"16. An optical coherence tomography apparatus comprising:\\nan optical coherence tomography optical system comprising:\\na measurement optical path,\\na reference optical path,\\nan optical path length difference generator placed in the measurement optical path and configured to generate at least two lights having an optical path length difference from each other, the generator being configured to produce a first optical path and a second optical path that is a detour optical path,\\nan optical scanner placed on a side closer to the object than the optical path length difference generator, and\\na detector configured to obtain a multiplexed spectral interference signal in which a first spectral interference signal and a second spectral interference signal generated by the optical path length difference generator are multiplexed, and\\nan arithmetic controller configured to process the multiplexed spectral interference signal output from the detector to obtain depth information in which first depth information based on the first spectral interference signal and second depth information based on the second spectral interference signal are multiplexed separately from each other in a depth direction,\\nthe first depth information and the second depth information being depth information at a same depth position on an object to be examined and are obtained simultaneously.\",\n \"17. The optical coherence tomography apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the arithmetic controller processes the depth information obtained at each scan position by the optical scanner to obtain tomographic image data including a plurality of tomographic images on the object at the same time.\",\n \"18. The optical coherence tomography apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the arithmetic controller positionally aligns and combines the first depth information and the second depth information in the depth direction.\",\n \"19. The optical coherence tomography apparatus according to claim 16, wherein at least one of the first optical path and the second optical path in the optical path length difference generator includes an optical fiber.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. An apparatus for interferometric measurement of a sample, the sample comprising an eye, the apparatus comprising:\\na short-coherence interferometer arrangement, which comprises a measurement beam path through which a measurement beam is incident on the sample, and a reference beam path, through which a reference beam passes wherein the measurement beam is superimposed on the reference beam and interference occurs between the reference beam and the measurement beam; and\\na spectrometer arrangement that detects the superimposed beams, said arrangement comprising an element which spectrally spreads the superimposed beams and a detector array which comprises at least 7,000 individual photo-sensitive cells arranged such that two signal peaks are captured in a short period of time, one of the two signal peaks representing an anterior structure and another of the two signal peaks representing a posterior structure and such that eye measurements over a full axial length of the eye are performed in the single measurement over a short period of time.\",\n \"2. A method for short-coherence interferometric measurement of a sample, the sample comprising an eye, the method comprising:\\ndirecting a measurement beam onto the sample through a measurement beam path;\\nsuperimposing a reference beam passing through a first reference beam path onto the measurement beam and wherein interference occurs between the measurement beam and the reference beam;\\nusing a spectrometer arrangement for detection of the superimposed beams, said spectrometer arrangement comprising an element which spectrally spreads the superimposed beams and a detector array which comprises at least 7,000 individual photo-sensitive cells;\\ncapturing two signal peaks in a short period of time, one of the two signal peaks representing an anterior structure and another of the two signal peaks representing a posterior structure; and\\nthus performing eye measurements over a full axial length of the eye in the single measurement over a short period of time.\"\n ]\n]"},"102rejection":{"kind":"string","value":"the following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 u.s.c. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this office action:\r\na person shall be entitled to a patent unless –\r\n(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.\r\nclaim(s) 1-3, 6-7, 9, 12, 16-17 and 20 are rejected under 35 u.s.c. 102(a1) as being anticipated by us publication 2007/0278389 to ajgaonkar et al.\r\nin regards to claims 1-3, 6-7, 9, 12, 16-17 and 20, ajgaonkar discloses and shows in figures 3-5 and 7, an optical interference range sensor comprising:\r\na light source (404, 502) configured to project a light beam while continuously varying a wavelength thereof (par. 70-72);\r\nan interferometer comprising a coupler as a splitting unit (426, 522) configured to split the light beam projected from the light source into light beams (140, 414, 418, 520) radiated toward a plurality of spots on a measurement target (438, 508), the interferometer being configured to generate interference beams with the light beams split in correspondence with the plurality of spots, each of the interference beams being generated by interference between a measurement beam radiated toward the measurement target and reflected at the measurement target and a reference beam (422, 512) passing through an optical path that is at least partially different from an optical path of the measurement beam (par. 35-36, 38, 50-52, 58-59. 70-72);\r\na detector (122, 442, 532) (applicant’s light-receiving unit) configured to receive the interference beams from the interferometer (par. 40, 63); and\r\na processor (150, 450) configured to detect a peak of the received interference beams, and calculate a distance to the measurement target by associating the detected peak with one of the spots (par. 37, 40, 59, 63),\r\nwherein an optical path length difference between the measurement beam and the reference beam is different among the light beams split in correspondence with the plurality of spots (par. 50-51);\r\n[claim 2] wherein peaks of the interference beams are shifted from each other (figure 4) (par. 50-51);\r\n[claims 3 and 12] wherein the interferometer generates each of the interference beams by interference between a first reflected beam that is a reflected beam of the measurement beam radiated toward the measurement target and reflected at the measurement target and a second reflected beam that is a reflected beam of the reference beam reflected at a reference surface (par. 34-38);\r\n[claims 6 and 16-17] wherein the optical path length difference is set so that distances between adjacent peaks of the interference beams are different, and the processor calculates the distance to the measurement target by associating the detected peak with the one of the spots, based on the distances between the adjacent peaks and a preset optical path length difference (figure 4) (par. 50-51);\r\n[claim 9] wherein the processor generates a signal waveform by converting, to a distance by means of sub-pixel estimation, discrete values obtained by frequency- analyzing the interference beams received by the light-receiving unit (par. 70-72);\r\n[claims 7 and 20] wherein the processor calculates the distance to the measurement target by associating the detected peak with the one of the spots, based on the detected peak and a detected peak of an interference beam received in the past (comparison to normal material) (par. 50-51) (figure 4)."}}},{"rowIdx":9033,"cells":{"query":{"kind":"list like","value":["1. A multilayer electronic device comprising a plurality of unit electronic devices, said unit electronic devices being connected in series, wherein said plurality of unit electronic devices comprise at least first and second neighbouring unit electronic devices, the multilayer electronic device comprising:\na substrate or non-conducting base layer,\ntwo opposed conducting layers comprising a lower conductive layer and an upper conductive layer,\nat least one electronic layer comprising a material having semiconducting, photovoltaic, photoelectric and/or electroluminescent properties, said electronic layer being provided between said upper and lower conductive layers,\nan intermediate structure comprising a conductive material, the intermediate structure being provided between said first and second unit electronic devices, wherein said intermediate structure:\nis in direct contact with the lower conductive layer of said second unit electronic device,\nis provided to electrically connect the upper conductive layer of said first unit electronic device with the lower conductive layer of the said second unit electronic device,\nphysically separates at least part of the electronic layers of said first and second unit electronic devices, and\nwherein the multilayer electronic device comprises only one intermediate structure per unit electronic device, said only one intermediate structure longitudinally extending between neighbouring unit electronic devices and providing a projection on said surface of said substrate or on said lower conductive layer.","2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein said intermediate structure is formed by a single and/or continuous and preferably homogenous material, which is deposited in a single deposition step, and which preferably has continuous electronic properties.","5. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein said intermediate structure is in contact with both, said substrate and said lower conductive layer.","9. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein said intermediate structure, when seen in transverse section, is asymmetric, preferably presenting the outline of a parallelogram.","13. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein said intermediate structure is an aid for the deposition of layers said aid being provided for allowing the non-continuous deposition of a layer deposited preferably subsequently to the deposition of said intermediate structure.","15. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein said intermediate structure comprises one or more characteristics selected from the group consisting of:\n(i) the intermediate structure comprises a material that is different from the material forming said substrate,\n(ii) said intermediate structure is a structure that is distinct from said substrate, and,\n(iii) said intermediate structure comprises a deposited material.","18. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the intermediate structure comprises a material selected from conducting, semiconducting and insulating material, wherein the intermediate structure is partially or totally provided on the substrate, wherein:\nthe lower conductive layer of said first electronic unit device is spaced apart from said intermediate structure, and/or.\nthe upper conductive layer of the second electronic unit device is spaced apart from said intermediate structure.","19. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the intermediate structure, when seen in transverse section, comprises a lateral side at least part of which is oblique and/or curved with respect to the surface of the substrate such that at least part of the lateral side provides an overhang projection on said substrate or on said lower conductive layer.","20. The electronic device of claim 1, which lacks a passivation or other separating layer between the intermediate structure and the lower conductive layer or, if the intermediate structure is deposited on the substrate, between the intermediate structure and said substrate.","21. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein said substrate provides a flat, planar, even and/or preferably unstructured surface on which the lower conductive layer and further components, as appropriate, of are provided, and/or wherein said substrate is a flat between neighbouring unit electronic devices.","23. The electronic device of claim 1, which is a thin-film device, preferably selected from the group consisting of thin-film solar cells, thin-film transistors, thin-film LEDs, and thin-film OLEDs.","24. A method for producing a multilayer electronic device, the method comprising:\nproviding a substrate comprising a first conductive layer and, optionally, patterning said first conductive layer so as to obtain a plurality of electrically separated conductive layers;\ndepositing an intermediate structure at least partially on said first conductive layer so as to be in direct contact with said first conductive layer, wherein the intermediate structure comprises a conductive material;\ndepositing at least one electronic layer comprising a material having semiconducting, photovoltaic, photoelectric and/or electroluminescent properties;\ndepositing a second conductive layer, preferably on top of said electronic layer, wherein during depositing said second conductive layer said intermediate structure provides a shaded area and/or separation structure such that, during depositing said second conductive layer, a plurality of separated second conductive layers is obtained, said separated second conductive layers being electrically separated by said shaded area and/or separation structure,\nand wherein the intermediate structure is provided to electrically connect the second conductive layer of a first unit electronic device with the first conductive layer of a second unit electronic device.","26. The method of claim 24, wherein providing said substrate comprising said first conductive layer comprises:\nproviding a substrate and/or a non-conducting base layer;\ndepositing said first conductive layer on said substrate and/or non-conducting base layer.","29. The method of claim 24, which comprises depositing said intermediate structure in a single deposition step, so as to obtain said intermediate structure made preferably of a single material.","33. The method of claim 24, wherein depositing said second conductive layer comprises adjusting a deposition angle such that said second conductive layer is non-continuously deposited, so as to form a non-continuous layer on said electronic layer and/or on said intermediate structure.","34. The method of claim 24, wherein depositing said second conductive layer comprises adjusting a deposition angle such that the second conductive layer of said first unit electronic device or the second conductive layer of said second unit electronic device is separated from said intermediate structure.","37. The method of claim 24, wherein depositing said first conductive layer is performed before depositing said intermediate structure on said substrate, and wherein said intermediate structure is partially or totally deposited on said first conductive layer.","38. The method of claim 24, wherein said intermediate structure is deposited so as to be in contact with the first conductive layer of a second unit electronic device and separate from the first conductive layer of a first device.","39. The method of claim 24, wherein depositing said intermediate structure comprises depositing at least part of said intermediate structure so as to comprise an oblique or curved profile, when seen in cross-section of said intermediate structure, said oblique or curved profile providing a shading or separation area on said substrate or on said first conductive layer.","43. The method of claim 24, which lacks\npatterning and/or scribing an electronic layer."],"string":"[\n \"1. A multilayer electronic device comprising a plurality of unit electronic devices, said unit electronic devices being connected in series, wherein said plurality of unit electronic devices comprise at least first and second neighbouring unit electronic devices, the multilayer electronic device comprising:\\na substrate or non-conducting base layer,\\ntwo opposed conducting layers comprising a lower conductive layer and an upper conductive layer,\\nat least one electronic layer comprising a material having semiconducting, photovoltaic, photoelectric and/or electroluminescent properties, said electronic layer being provided between said upper and lower conductive layers,\\nan intermediate structure comprising a conductive material, the intermediate structure being provided between said first and second unit electronic devices, wherein said intermediate structure:\\nis in direct contact with the lower conductive layer of said second unit electronic device,\\nis provided to electrically connect the upper conductive layer of said first unit electronic device with the lower conductive layer of the said second unit electronic device,\\nphysically separates at least part of the electronic layers of said first and second unit electronic devices, and\\nwherein the multilayer electronic device comprises only one intermediate structure per unit electronic device, said only one intermediate structure longitudinally extending between neighbouring unit electronic devices and providing a projection on said surface of said substrate or on said lower conductive layer.\",\n \"2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein said intermediate structure is formed by a single and/or continuous and preferably homogenous material, which is deposited in a single deposition step, and which preferably has continuous electronic properties.\",\n \"5. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein said intermediate structure is in contact with both, said substrate and said lower conductive layer.\",\n \"9. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein said intermediate structure, when seen in transverse section, is asymmetric, preferably presenting the outline of a parallelogram.\",\n \"13. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein said intermediate structure is an aid for the deposition of layers said aid being provided for allowing the non-continuous deposition of a layer deposited preferably subsequently to the deposition of said intermediate structure.\",\n \"15. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein said intermediate structure comprises one or more characteristics selected from the group consisting of:\\n(i) the intermediate structure comprises a material that is different from the material forming said substrate,\\n(ii) said intermediate structure is a structure that is distinct from said substrate, and,\\n(iii) said intermediate structure comprises a deposited material.\",\n \"18. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the intermediate structure comprises a material selected from conducting, semiconducting and insulating material, wherein the intermediate structure is partially or totally provided on the substrate, wherein:\\nthe lower conductive layer of said first electronic unit device is spaced apart from said intermediate structure, and/or.\\nthe upper conductive layer of the second electronic unit device is spaced apart from said intermediate structure.\",\n \"19. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the intermediate structure, when seen in transverse section, comprises a lateral side at least part of which is oblique and/or curved with respect to the surface of the substrate such that at least part of the lateral side provides an overhang projection on said substrate or on said lower conductive layer.\",\n \"20. The electronic device of claim 1, which lacks a passivation or other separating layer between the intermediate structure and the lower conductive layer or, if the intermediate structure is deposited on the substrate, between the intermediate structure and said substrate.\",\n \"21. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein said substrate provides a flat, planar, even and/or preferably unstructured surface on which the lower conductive layer and further components, as appropriate, of are provided, and/or wherein said substrate is a flat between neighbouring unit electronic devices.\",\n \"23. The electronic device of claim 1, which is a thin-film device, preferably selected from the group consisting of thin-film solar cells, thin-film transistors, thin-film LEDs, and thin-film OLEDs.\",\n \"24. A method for producing a multilayer electronic device, the method comprising:\\nproviding a substrate comprising a first conductive layer and, optionally, patterning said first conductive layer so as to obtain a plurality of electrically separated conductive layers;\\ndepositing an intermediate structure at least partially on said first conductive layer so as to be in direct contact with said first conductive layer, wherein the intermediate structure comprises a conductive material;\\ndepositing at least one electronic layer comprising a material having semiconducting, photovoltaic, photoelectric and/or electroluminescent properties;\\ndepositing a second conductive layer, preferably on top of said electronic layer, wherein during depositing said second conductive layer said intermediate structure provides a shaded area and/or separation structure such that, during depositing said second conductive layer, a plurality of separated second conductive layers is obtained, said separated second conductive layers being electrically separated by said shaded area and/or separation structure,\\nand wherein the intermediate structure is provided to electrically connect the second conductive layer of a first unit electronic device with the first conductive layer of a second unit electronic device.\",\n \"26. The method of claim 24, wherein providing said substrate comprising said first conductive layer comprises:\\nproviding a substrate and/or a non-conducting base layer;\\ndepositing said first conductive layer on said substrate and/or non-conducting base layer.\",\n \"29. The method of claim 24, which comprises depositing said intermediate structure in a single deposition step, so as to obtain said intermediate structure made preferably of a single material.\",\n \"33. The method of claim 24, wherein depositing said second conductive layer comprises adjusting a deposition angle such that said second conductive layer is non-continuously deposited, so as to form a non-continuous layer on said electronic layer and/or on said intermediate structure.\",\n \"34. The method of claim 24, wherein depositing said second conductive layer comprises adjusting a deposition angle such that the second conductive layer of said first unit electronic device or the second conductive layer of said second unit electronic device is separated from said intermediate structure.\",\n \"37. The method of claim 24, wherein depositing said first conductive layer is performed before depositing said intermediate structure on said substrate, and wherein said intermediate structure is partially or totally deposited on said first conductive layer.\",\n \"38. The method of claim 24, wherein said intermediate structure is deposited so as to be in contact with the first conductive layer of a second unit electronic device and separate from the first conductive layer of a first device.\",\n \"39. The method of claim 24, wherein depositing said intermediate structure comprises depositing at least part of said intermediate structure so as to comprise an oblique or curved profile, when seen in cross-section of said intermediate structure, said oblique or curved profile providing a shading or separation area on said substrate or on said first conductive layer.\",\n \"43. The method of claim 24, which lacks\\npatterning and/or scribing an electronic layer.\"\n]"},"applicant_patent_id":{"kind":"string","value":"US20230207715A1"},"cited_patent_id":{"kind":"string","value":"US20190378945A1"},"positive":{"kind":"list like","value":["1. A method for manufacturing a photovoltaic module, comprising at least two electrically connected photovoltaic cells, said module comprising an insulating substrate covered with a layer of a first conductive material; the method comprising the following steps:\na) forming, on the layer of first material, a groove defining a first and a second lower electrodes, electrically isolated from one another; and\nb) forming, on each of said lower electrodes, a stack comprising at least: an upper electrode formed by a layer of a second electrically conductive material; and a photo-active layer positioned between the lower and upper electrodes; each of the first and second lower electrodes respectively forming a first and a second photovoltaic cell with the corresponding stack;\nwherein step b) is carried out after step a);\nthe method further comprises the following steps:\nc) formation of a first insulating strip on the layer of first material, so as to cover a location of the groove; said first strip comprising a first and second adjacent portion, respectively oriented toward the first and toward the second lower electrodes; then\nd) formation of a conductive strip on the layer of first material, said conductive strip covering the second portion and leaving the first portion of the first insulating strip free; said conductive strip comprising a first and second adjacent portion, respectively oriented toward the first and toward the second lower electrode, said first portion forming a relief relative to the first insulating strip; then\ne) forming a second insulating strip on the layer of first material, said second strip covering the second portion and leaving the first portion of the conductive strip free;\nwherein at least steps d) and e) being carried out between steps a) and b); and\nwherein in step b), the upper electrodes of the first and second photovoltaic cells are respectively formed in contact with, and away from, the first portion of the electrically conductive strip.","2. The method according to claim 1, wherein step c) is done between steps a) and b), the first insulating strip further being formed in the groove.","3. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second insulating strips is made by depositing a first liquid formulation comprising electrically insulating materials, followed by a passage to the solid state of said first formulation.","4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the conductive strip is made by depositing a second liquid formulation comprising electrically conductive materials, followed by a passage to the solid state of said second formulation.","5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the passage to the solid state of the second formulation comprises heating to a temperature above 120° C.","6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one of the first and second insulating strips and the conductive strip is formed by a coating or printing technique using a continuous wet method, preferably chosen from among slot-die, photogravure, flexography and rotary serigraphy.","7. A photovoltaic module derived from a method according to claim 1","8. The photovoltaic module according to claim 7, wherein the first and second insulating strips and the conductive strip form, with the groove, an inactive zone separating two adjacent photovoltaic cells, a width of the inactive zone being between 0.30 mm and 1.60 mm.","9. The photovoltaic module according to claim 7, wherein a width of at least one of the first and second insulating strips is between 100 μm and 800 μm.","10. The photovoltaic module according to claim 7, wherein a width of the conductive strip is between 200 μm and 900 μm."],"string":"[\n \"1. A method for manufacturing a photovoltaic module, comprising at least two electrically connected photovoltaic cells, said module comprising an insulating substrate covered with a layer of a first conductive material; the method comprising the following steps:\\na) forming, on the layer of first material, a groove defining a first and a second lower electrodes, electrically isolated from one another; and\\nb) forming, on each of said lower electrodes, a stack comprising at least: an upper electrode formed by a layer of a second electrically conductive material; and a photo-active layer positioned between the lower and upper electrodes; each of the first and second lower electrodes respectively forming a first and a second photovoltaic cell with the corresponding stack;\\nwherein step b) is carried out after step a);\\nthe method further comprises the following steps:\\nc) formation of a first insulating strip on the layer of first material, so as to cover a location of the groove; said first strip comprising a first and second adjacent portion, respectively oriented toward the first and toward the second lower electrodes; then\\nd) formation of a conductive strip on the layer of first material, said conductive strip covering the second portion and leaving the first portion of the first insulating strip free; said conductive strip comprising a first and second adjacent portion, respectively oriented toward the first and toward the second lower electrode, said first portion forming a relief relative to the first insulating strip; then\\ne) forming a second insulating strip on the layer of first material, said second strip covering the second portion and leaving the first portion of the conductive strip free;\\nwherein at least steps d) and e) being carried out between steps a) and b); and\\nwherein in step b), the upper electrodes of the first and second photovoltaic cells are respectively formed in contact with, and away from, the first portion of the electrically conductive strip.\",\n \"2. The method according to claim 1, wherein step c) is done between steps a) and b), the first insulating strip further being formed in the groove.\",\n \"3. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second insulating strips is made by depositing a first liquid formulation comprising electrically insulating materials, followed by a passage to the solid state of said first formulation.\",\n \"4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the conductive strip is made by depositing a second liquid formulation comprising electrically conductive materials, followed by a passage to the solid state of said second formulation.\",\n \"5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the passage to the solid state of the second formulation comprises heating to a temperature above 120° C.\",\n \"6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one of the first and second insulating strips and the conductive strip is formed by a coating or printing technique using a continuous wet method, preferably chosen from among slot-die, photogravure, flexography and rotary serigraphy.\",\n \"7. A photovoltaic module derived from a method according to claim 1\",\n \"8. The photovoltaic module according to claim 7, wherein the first and second insulating strips and the conductive strip form, with the groove, an inactive zone separating two adjacent photovoltaic cells, a width of the inactive zone being between 0.30 mm and 1.60 mm.\",\n \"9. The photovoltaic module according to claim 7, wherein a width of at least one of the first and second insulating strips is between 100 μm and 800 μm.\",\n \"10. The photovoltaic module according to claim 7, wherein a width of the conductive strip is between 200 μm and 900 μm.\"\n]"},"hard_negatives":{"kind":"list like","value":[["1. A method for contacting and connecting solar cells by at least two independent electrodes, wherein at least one electrode is formed from at least one continuous wire conductor, comprising the following steps:\npositioning the at least one continuous wire conductor so that said wire conductor extends across a plurality of solar cells,\ndisconnecting the at least one wire conductor at positions between adjacent solar cells to form the at least one electrode after the at least one wire conductor has been extended across the plurality of solar cells and prior to fixing the plurality of solar cells under a glass plate,\nestablishing electrical contact between the solar cells and the at least two electrodes, and\nestablishing electrical contact between the at least two electrodes via bonding prior to disconnecting the electrodes.","2. The method according to claim 1, wherein contacting the electrodes with the solar cells takes place prior to disconnecting the electrodes.","3. The method according to claim 1, wherein said method is carried out with the following steps:\narranging a first electrode on the light incidence side of a plurality of solar cells, wherein the first electrode is formed from a multiplicity of wire conductors which are substantially parallel to each other and which extend across at least two adjacent solar cells,\ncontacting the wire conductors of the first electrode with a second electrode on the back side of the adjacent solar cell,\ndisconnecting the wire conductors of the first electrode and/or the second electrode between the contact point of the first and second electrodes and the edge of the adjacent solar cell.","4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the electrodes are connected/contacted with each other through contact elements/cross-connectors.","5. The method according to claim 4, wherein arranging the contact element/cross-connector takes place substantially perpendicular to the alignment of the wire conductors of the first electrode and in the space between two adjacent solar cells and also between the first and the second electrodes.","6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the ends of the first and/or second wire conductors and/or cross-connectors are provided with electrical collecting connectors.","7. The method according to claim 1, wherein establishing the contacting is carried out without printing bars onto the solar cell.","8. A method for contacting and connecting solar cells by at least two independent electrodes, wherein at least one electrode is formed from at least one continuous wire conductor, comprising the following steps:\npositioning the at least one continuous wire conductor so that said wire conductor extends across a plurality of solar cells,\ndisconnecting the at least one wire conductor at positions between adjacent solar cells to form the at least one electrode after the at least one wire conductor has been extended across the plurality of solar cells and prior to fixing the plurality of solar cells under a glass plate,\nestablishing electrical contact between the solar cells and the at least two electrodes, and\nestablishing electrical contact between the at least two electrodes via bonding prior to disconnecting the electrodes,\nwherein in a manner as continuous as possible, a plurality of solar cells\nare connected to at least one first wire conductor of the at least one continuous wire conductor that runs continuously in the longitudinal direction of successively arranged solar cells, or are connected to a group of said first wire conductors and\nare connected to at least one continuously running further contact element or to a group of further contact elements so as to form together a solar cell combination, and\nan electrical connection is established between the at least one first wire conductor, the further contact elements and the solar cells of the solar cell combination, and\nif required, the at least one first wire conductor and/or the second contact elements are separated before or after establishing the electrical connection in such a manner that a series connection is created or can be established.","9. A method for contacting and connecting solar cells by at least two independent electrodes, wherein at least one electrode is formed from at least one continuous wire conductor, and the electrodes are connected/contacted with each other through contact elements/cross-connectors, wherein the at least one first wire conductor of the first electrode are contacted on an upper side (light incidence side) of a plurality of solar cells, and further contact elements are configured in the form of electrical cross-connectors which run transverse to the at least one first wire conductor between adjacent solar cells and which are applied to the at least one first wire conductor conductors and are connected thereto, and subsequently the at least one first wire conductor is separated, transverse to their longitudinal extension, between adjacent solar cells, and a region protruding beyond the solar cells and provided with the cross-connectors is connected to the lower side of the adjacent solar cells so that the two cross-connectors rest against the lower side of the adjacent solar cells.","10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the at least one first wire conductor of the first electrode is contacted on the upper light incidence side of the solar cells, and\nwherein at least one second wire conductor is contacted on a lower side of the solar cells substantially parallel to the at least one first wire conductor, and the first and the second wire conductors are connected to each other through the electrical cross-connectors.","11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the cross-connectors run between the first and the second wire conductors.","12. The method according to claim 10, wherein the connection of the first and the second wire conductors to the cross-connector are in each case alternately disconnected so that a series connection is created."],["1. A solar cell, comprising:\na semiconductor substrate;\na conductive region on or at the semiconductor substrate; and\nan electrode electrically connected to the conductive region,\nwherein the electrode comprises a plurality of finger lines formed in a first direction and parallel to each other, and a bus bar electrically connected to the plurality of finger lines and formed in a second direction crossing the first direction,\nwherein the bus bar comprises a plurality of pad portions positioned in the second direction,\nwherein the plurality of pad portions comprise a first outer pad positioned at one outermost region among the plurality of pad portions and a second outer pad positioned at another outermost region among the plurality of pad portions, and a plurality of inner pads between the first outer pad and the second outer pad,\nwherein the plurality of inner pads are divided into a first group positioned adjacent to the first outer pad at a first region, a second group positioned adjacent to the second outer pad at another first region, and a third group positioned between the first group and the second group at a second region,\nwherein the plurality of inner pads comprise a plurality of first pads positioned in the first group and the second group respectively, and a plurality of second pads positioned in the third group,\nwherein an area of the first or second outer pad is greater than an area of each of the plurality of inner pads,\nwherein all of a width and a length of the plurality of inner pads is equal to each other,\nwherein all of neighboring two first pads among the plurality of first pads have a first pitch and all of neighboring two second pads among the plurality of second pads have a second pitch greater than the first pitch,\nwherein a third pitch between the first outer pad and a neighboring first pad among the plurality of first pads and a fourth pitch between the second outer pad and a neighboring first pad among the plurality of first pads are equal to each other and are greater than the first pitch,\nwherein each of a length in the second direction of the first region and the another first region is smaller than a length in the second direction of the second region, and\nwherein each of a number of the plurality of first pads in the first group and the second group is smaller than a number of the plurality of second pads in the third group.","2. The solar cell of claim 1, wherein the bus bar further comprises a line portion connecting the plurality of pad portions in the second direction, and\nwherein the line portion comprises a main line portion having a first width and a wide portion having a width larger than the first width.","3. The solar cell of claim 1, wherein the wide portion of the line portion is positioned at the first group, and\nwherein the main line portion of the line portion is positioned at the second group.","4. A solar cell panel, comprising:\na plurality of solar cells comprising at least a first solar cell and a second solar cell adjacent to each other; and\na plurality of leads connecting the first solar cell and the second solar cell, and each lead having a rounded portion,\nwherein each of the plurality of solar cells comprises a semiconductor substrate, a conductive region on or at the semiconductor substrate, and an electrode electrically connected to the conductive region,\nwherein the electrode comprises a plurality of finger lines formed in a first direction and parallel to each other, and a bus bar electrically connected to the plurality of finger lines and formed in a second direction crossing the first direction,\nwherein the bus bar comprises a line portion extending in the second direction and a plurality of pad portions spaced apart from each other and having a width greater than a width of the line portion,\nwherein the plurality of pad portions comprise a first outer pad positioned at one outermost region among the plurality of pad portions and a second outer pad positioned at another outermost region among the plurality of pad portions, and a plurality of inner pads between the first outer pad and the second outer pad,\nwherein the plurality of inner pads are divided into a first group positioned adjacent to the first outer pad, a second group positioned adjacent to the second outer pad, and a third group positioned between the first group and the second group,\nwherein the plurality of inner pads comprise a plurality of first pads positioned in the first group and the second group respectively and a plurality of second pads positioned in the third group,\nwherein an area of the first or second outer pad is greater than an area of each of the plurality of inner pads,\nwherein all of a width and a length of the plurality of inner pads is equal to each other,\nwherein each of lengths of the first outer pad and second outer pad is greater than a length of the plurality of inner pads in the first direction,\nwherein all of neighboring two first pads among the plurality of first pads have a first pitch and all of neighboring two second pads among the plurality of second pads have a second pitch greater than the first pitch,\nwherein a third pitch between the first outer pad and a neighboring first pad among the plurality of first pads and a fourth pitch between the second outer pad and a neighboring first pad among the plurality of first pads are equal to each other and are greater than the first pitch,\nwherein each of a number of the plurality of first pads in the first group and the second group is smaller than a number of the plurality of second pads in the third group,\nwherein a number of the plurality of leads in the first direction is six to thirty-three based on a surface of the solar cell,\nwherein a width of each of the plurality of leads is in a range of 250 to 500 μm, and\nwherein a width of the line portion is the same as or is smaller than the width of each of the plurality of leads, and a width of each of the plurality of pad portions is the same as or is greater than the width of each of the plurality of leads.","5. The solar cell panel of claim 4, wherein the first group is positioned at a first region, the second group is positioned at another first region, and the third group is positioned at a second region, and\nwherein each of a length in the second direction of the first region and the another first region is greater than a length in the second direction of the second region.","6. The solar cell of claim 1, wherein a number of the plurality of finger lines disposed between two neighboring first pads is smaller than a number of the plurality of finger lines disposed between two neighboring second pads.","7. The solar cell of claim 1, wherein a number of the plurality of finger lines disposed between the first outer pad or the second outer pad and the neighboring first pad is greater than a number of the plurality of finger lines disposed between neighboring two first pads.","8. The solar cell panel of claim 4, wherein a number of the plurality of finger lines disposed between two neighboring first pads is smaller than a number of the plurality of finger lines disposed between two neighboring second pads.","9. The solar cell panel of claim 4, wherein a number of the plurality of finger lines disposed between the first outer pad or the second outer pad and the neighboring first pad is greater than a number of the plurality of finger lines disposed between neighboring two first pads."],["1. Photovoltaic module, having:\na) a number of Solar cells made of pre-processed silicon wafers, which respectively have a contact structure that includes a number of linear contact fingers disposed in parallel in a first direction and at least one bus bar disposed perpendicular to the first direction, wherein the bus bar extends over the contact finger in a second direction and is electrically connected to the number of contact fingers, and\nb) at least one cell connector for connecting the solar cells, which extends over the bus bar at least of one solar cell in the second direction and is electrically connected to the bus bar, wherein the width of the cell connector is smaller than the width of the bus bar.\nwherein, the bus bar has a sequence of contact surfaces with different lengths in the second direction, which make the electrical connection with the contact finger, wherein the length of a contact surface of the bus bar which is disposed in the edge region of the solar cell, is greater in the second direction than the length of a contact surface of the bus bar which is disposed in the middle region of the solar cell in the second direction.","2. Photovoltaic module according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the contact surfaces of the bus bar extends in the second direction over a number of contact fingers.","3. Photovoltaic module according to claim 1, wherein the length of the contact surface of the bus bar of the solar cell in the second direction increases from the middle region towards the edge region.","4. Photovoltaic module according to claim 1, wherein a contact surface of the bus bar which is disposed in the middle region of the solar cell, is the minimum surface covering the remaining contact surfaces.","5. Photovoltaic module according to claim 1, wherein the corners of the contact surface are configured rounded-off or chamfered.","6. Photovoltaic module according to claim 1, wherein the transitions of the contact surfaces into the contact fingers are configured rounded-off or chamfered.","7. Photovoltaic module according to claim 1, wherein the bus bar has webs, which are narrower than the contact surfaces and interconnect these.","8. Photovoltaic module according to claim 7, wherein the transition of the contact surface of the bus bar into the webs is configured rounded-off or chamfered.","9. Photovoltaic module according to claim 1, further having a front glass cover and a rear side cover, wherein the solar cells are disposed between the front and rear side cover in an embedded layer, and wherein the solar cells with cell connector are connected to a number of lines of solar cells connected in series."],["1. A solar module comprising:\na solar cell including a photoelectric conversion body and an electrode provided on a main surface of the photoelectric conversion body,\na wiring member arranged on the main surface of the solar cell and electrically connected to the electrode, and\na resin adhesive layer arranged between the wiring member and the main surface of the solar cell, wherein\nthe resin adhesive layer has wide portions and narrow portions along a longitudinal direction of the wiring member,\nwherein a width of the narrow portions is narrower than a width of the wiring member such that the wiring member and the main surface of the solar cell face each other without interposing the resin adhesive layer in a region at least to the outside of the narrow portions,\nthe wide portions include a fillet portion, resin of the fillet portion directly contacting both of a side surface of the wiring member and the main surface of the photoelectric conversion body,\nthe electrode includes a plurality of finger portions extending along a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the wiring member,\nthe wide portions are arranged so as to cover a surface of the plurality of finger portions,\nthe solar module further comprises both a bonded region and an unbonded region in an area in which the wiring member overlaps with a space between adjacent finger portions of the plurality of finger portions,\nwherein in the bonded region one of the narrow portions of the resin adhesive layer is bonded to the main surface of the photoelectric conversion body, and in the unbonded region the resin adhesive layer is not bonded to the main surface of the photoelectric conversion body,\nwherein a width of the wide portions is wider than the width of the wiring member such that a part of the wide portions protrudes outwardly from the wiring member; and\nwherein a length of one wide portion of the wide portions in the longitudinal direction becomes smaller and extends to an apex as the one wide portion extends further away from the wiring member in the direction intersecting the longitudinal direction.","2. The solar module according to claim 1,\nwherein the wide portions and narrow portions are arranged so as to alternate in the longitudinal direction of the wiring member.","3. The solar module according to claim 1, wherein the electrode has a busbar portion extending in the longitudinal direction of the wiring member.","4. The solar module according to claim 1, wherein a sealing material comprising a sealing resin is further provided to seal the solar cell,\nthe sealing material having a portion which enters at least a portion of the region to the outside of the narrow portions of the resin adhesive layer wherein the wiring member and the surface of the solar cell face each other without the interposing adhesive layer.","5. The solar module according to claim 1, wherein\na length of the unbonded region in the longitudinal direction becomes larger as the unbonded region approaches an edge of the wiring member in the direction intersecting the longitudinal direction."],["1. A device comprising:\na string of solar cells comprising at least a first and second rectangular or substantially rectangular crystalline silicon solar cells electrically connected in series, each crystalline silicon solar cell comprising:\na front surface having a front metallization pattern comprising a plurality of front conductive fingers oriented parallel to a long edge of the front surface;\na front pad disposed on the front surface and located at the long edge of the front surface, the front pad electrically connected to the front metallization pattern;\na front-side ribbon disposed on the plurality of front conductive fingers and on the front pad, the front side ribbon oriented parallel to a short edge of the front surface and having a cross-sectional width;\na rear surface having a rear metallization pattern comprising a plurality of rear conductive fingers oriented parallel to a long edge of the rear surface; and\na rear-side ribbon separate from the front-side ribbon; the rear-side ribbon disposed on the plurality of rear conductive fingers, the rear side ribbon having a cross-sectional width that is at least 2 times larger than the cross-sectional width of the front side ribbon;\nthe first and second solar cells arranged in a shingled manner with long sides of the first and second solar cells overlapping to create an overlap area, the rear-side ribbon of the first solar cell in contact with the front pad of the second solar cell, the rear-side ribbon extending into the overlap area, the front-side ribbon not extending into the overlap area.","2. The device of claim 1, wherein the rear-side ribbon of the first solar cell is soldered to the front pad of the second solar cell.","3. The device of claim 1, wherein cross-sectional width of the rear-side ribbon is between 0.5 mm and 3 mm and is at least 3 times larger than the cross-sectional width of the front-side ribbon.","4. The device of claim 1, wherein the rear-side ribbon of the first solar cell extends past the long edge of the rear surface.","5. The device of claim 4, wherein the overlap area has an overlap distance between the first and second solar cells less than 0.1 mm and greater than zero.","6. The device of claim 1, wherein the string of solar cells is encapsulated in a laminate structure and the rear-side ribbon of the first solar cell contacts the front pad of the second solar cell without use of adhesive, solder, or other bonding agent.","7. The device of claim 1, wherein the rear-side ribbon of the first solar cell contacts the front-side ribbon of the second solar cell.","8. The device of claim 1, wherein the front-side ribbon has a circular or triangular shaped cross-sectional area and the rear-side ribbon has a rectangular shaped cross-sectional area.","9. The device of claim 1, wherein the rear-side ribbon comprises a conductive metal core coated with a solder."],["1. An apparatus comprising:\na first string of solar cells and a second string of solar cells, each string of solar cells comprising rectangular or substantially rectangular solar cells arranged in line with long sides of adjacent solar cells overlapping and conductively bonded to each other with an electrically conductive bonding material to electrically connect the solar cells in series,\nan interconnect different from the electrically conductive bonding material, the interconnect located at an end of the first string and electrically connecting the first string of solar cells to the second string of solar cells, the interconnect extending along an entire length of the long sides of the solar cells in the first and second strings of solar cells and interposed between the first and second strings of solar cells, the interconnect comprising a bypass diode tap located at one end of the interconnect and extending past short sides of the solar cells in the first and second strings, the bypass diode tap configured to provide a connection point for a bypass diode, and\nthe bypass diode electrically connected to the bypass diode tap by a metal ribbon contact, the metal ribbon contact sandwiched between two insulating sheets, the metal ribbon contact comprising a narrow neck and a void space, the narrow neck and the void space configured to make the metal ribbon contact flexible, wherein the bypass diode, metal ribbon contact, and two insulating sheets form a flex circuit wherein the flex circuit is attached to a substrate supporting the first and second strings of solar cells by an adhesive layer.","2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the ratio of the length of a long side of the rectangular or substantially rectangular solar cells to the length of a short side of the rectangular or substantially rectangular solar cells is greater than or equal to three.","3. A solar device comprising:\na first string of rectangular or substantially rectangular crystalline silicon solar cells arranged in line with long sides of adjacent solar cells overlapping and conductively bonded to each other with an electrically conductive bonding material to electrically connect the solar cells in series;\na first end solar cell located at a first end of the first string;\na second end solar cell located at a second end of the first string;\na first electrically conductive interconnect different from the electrically conductive bonding material conductively bonded to the first end solar cell;\na second electrically conductive interconnect different from the electrically conductive bonding material conductively bonded to the second end solar cell,\nthe first and second interconnects each extending along an entire length of the long sides of the solar cells in the string of solar cells, the first and second interconnects each comprising a bypass diode tap located at one end of the interconnects and extending past short sides of the solar cells in the first string, the bypass diode tap configured to provide a connection point for a bypass diode; and\na bypass diode electrically connected between the first and second interconnects by two metal ribbon contacts, each the metal ribbon contact sandwiched between two insulating sheets, each metal ribbon contact comprising a narrow neck and a void space, the narrow neck and the void space configured to make the metal ribbon contact flexible, wherein the bypass diode, metal ribbon contacts, and two insulating sheets form a flex circuit wherein the flex circuit is attached to a substrate supporting the first string of solar cells by an adhesive layer,\nwherein either the first or the second electrically conductive interconnects is electrically connected to a second string of rectangular or substantially rectangular crystalline silicon solar cells and is interposed between the first and second strings of solar cells.","4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein\nthe interconnect comprises a plurality of tabs configured to provide connection points to either the first or second string of solar cells.","5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the interconnect is mechanically compliant.","6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bypass diode tap is a ribbon that extends laterally to a side of the first string of solar cells to connect to the first bypass diode.","7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:\nthe first string includes a first end and a second end;\nthe first string includes a group of solar cells that includes a first solar cell at the first end of the first string and a second solar cell that is between the first and second ends but not at the second end of the first string;\na first conductor that connects to the first solar cell;\na second conductor that connects to the second solar cell;\na second bypass diode that connects between the first and second conductors configured to bypass the group of solar cells within the first string.","8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the metal ribbon contact is formed from solder-coated metal.","9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the metal is copper.","10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the two insulating sheets are formed from polyimide.","11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein one of the two insulating sheets comprises an opening configured to expose a region of the metal ribbon contact where the bypass diode is attached.","12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein one of the two insulating sheets comprises an opening configured to expose a region of the metal ribbon contact where the metal ribbon contact is connected to the bypass diode tap.","13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the void space of the metal ribbon contact is oval shaped.","14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bypass diode is attached to a substrate supporting the first and second strings of solar cells."],["1. A method for fabricating a solar module, the method comprising:\nproviding a first cell portion on a semiconductor substrate, the first cell portion comprising a first soldering pad arrangement of emitter contacts and of base contacts;\nproviding a second cell portion on the semiconductor substrate, the second cell portion comprising a second soldering pad arrangement of emitter contacts and of base contacts, wherein the first soldering pad arrangement and the second soldering pad arrangement are aligned asymmetrically with respect to an axis of a semiconductor substrate;\nseparating the first cell portion and the second cell portion along a line perpendicular to an axis of the semiconductor substrate; and\narranging the first cell portion and the second cell portion alternately along a line such that the second cell portion is arranged in an angular orientation with respect to the first cell portion and such that the first soldering pad arrangement of emitter contacts and of base contacts of the first cell portion is aligned with the second soldering pad arrangement of base contacts and of emitter contacts of the second cell portion, respectively.","2. The method of claim 1, further comprising electrically connecting the first cell portion and the second cell portion.","3. The method of claim 1, wherein, before separating a rear contact solar cell, the soldering pad arrangement of an emitter contact continuously extends from a first end arranged close to a first edge of the semiconductors substrate via a centre region of the semiconductor substrate to a second end arranged close to a second edge of the semiconductors substrate, wherein the first end and the second end are spaced apart from the first edge and the second edge, respectively, by between 2 and 48% of the distance between the first and second edges.","4. The method of claim 1, wherein the rear contact solar cells are separated into first and second cell portions by mechanically breaking the solar cell along a linear trench.","5. The method of claim 4, wherein the linear trench is created by laser scribing into the semiconductor substrate.","6. The method of claim 4, wherein the linear trench is created by etching or sawing into the semiconductor substrate.","7. The method of claim 2, wherein electrically connecting the first cell portion and the second cell portion comprises electrically connecting the base contacts of the first cell portion to the emitter contacts of the second cell portion or connecting the emitter contacts of the first cell portion to the base contacts of the second cell portion.","8. A solar module prepared by the process comprising the steps of:\nproviding a first cell portion on a semiconductor substrate, the first cell portion comprising a first soldering pad arrangement of emitter contacts and of base contacts;\nproviding a second cell portion on the semiconductor substrate, the second cell portion comprising a second soldering pad arrangement of emitter contacts and of base contacts, wherein the first soldering pad arrangement and the second soldering pad arrangement are aligned asymmetrically with respect to an axis of a semiconductor substrate;\nseparating the first cell portion and the second cell portion along a line perpendicular to an axis of the semiconductor substrate; and\narranging the first cell portion and the second cell portion alternately along a line such that the second cell portion is arranged in an angular orientation with respect to the first cell portion and such that the first soldering pad arrangement of emitter contacts and of base contacts of the first cell portion is aligned with the second soldering pad arrangement of base contacts and of emitter contacts of the second cell portion, respectively.","9. The solar module of claim 8, wherein the process further comprises electrically connecting the first cell portion and the second cell portion.","10. The solar module of claim 9, wherein electrically connecting the first cell portion and the second cell portion comprises electrically connecting the base contacts of the first cell portion to the emitter contacts of the second cell portion or connecting the emitter contacts of the first cell portion to the base contacts of the second cell portion.","11. The solar module of claim 8, wherein, before separating a rear contact solar cell, the soldering pad arrangement of an emitter contact continuously extends from a first end arranged close to a first edge of the semiconductors substrate via a centre region of the semiconductor substrate to a second end arranged close to a second edge of the semiconductors substrate, wherein the first end and the second end are spaced apart from the first edge and the second edge, respectively, by between 2 and 48% of the distance between the first and second edges.","12. The solar module of claim 8, wherein the rear contact solar cells are separated into first and second cell portions by mechanically breaking the solar cell along a linear trench.","13. The solar module of claim 12, wherein the linear trench is created by laser scribing into the semiconductor substrate.","14. The solar module of claim 12, wherein the linear trench is created by etching or sawing into the semiconductor substrate."],["1. A device comprising:\na string of solar cells comprising\nat least first and second substantially rectangular crystalline silicon solar cells electrically connected in series, each solar cell comprising front and rear surfaces each having a metallization pattern, a first long side having a corrugated shape with protruding portions and recessing portions, and a second long side; the first and second solar cells arranged in a shingled manner with the protruding portions of the first long side of the second solar cell overlapping with the second long side of the first solar cell;\nan opening comprising one of the recessing portions of the first long side of the second solar cell; and\nan electrically conductive ribbon passing through the opening connecting the front surface metallization pattern of the second solar cell with the rear surface metallization pattern of the first solar cell.","2. The device of claim 1, wherein the front surface metallization pattern of each solar cell comprises a plurality of busbars oriented parallel to a short side of the solar cell; and the electrically conductive ribbon is disposed on one of the busbars of the second solar cell.","3. The device of claim 1, wherein the electrically conductive ribbon comprises a first portion with a flat rectangular cross-sectional area and second portion with a triangular cross-sectional area.","4. The device of claim 2, wherein a portion of the electrically conductive ribbon runs substantially parallel to the short side of the second solar cell and wherein the portion is disposed on and attached to one of the busbars of the second solar cell.","5. The device of claim 1, wherein the front surface metallization pattern of each solar cell comprises a busbar oriented parallel to a short side of the solar cell and wherein the busbar is aligned with one of the recessing portions of the first long side of each solar cell.","6. The device of claim 1, wherein the recessing portions of the first solar cell are not aligned with the recessing portions of the second solar cell.","7. The device of claim 1, wherein the second long side of each solar cell is straight.","8. The device of claim 1, wherein the second long side has a corrugated shape with protruding portions and recessing portions.","9. The device of claim 1, comprising a third substantially rectangular crystalline silicon solar cell, the second and third solar cells arranged in a shingled manner with the protruding portions of the first long side of the third solar cell overlapping with the second long side of the second solar cell.","10. The device of claim 9, wherein the recessing portions of the first solar cell are aligned with the recessing portion of the third solar cell and not aligned with the recessing portions of the second solar cell.","11. The device of claim 10, wherein the front surface metallization pattern of each solar cell comprises a busbar oriented parallel to a short side of the solar cell and wherein the busbar is aligned with one of the recessing portions of the first long side of each solar cell.","12. The device of claim 11, wherein the second long side of each solar cell is straight.","13. The device of claim 1, comprising a second opening comprising another one of the recessing portions of the first long side of the second solar cell; and a second electrically conductive ribbon passing through the second opening connecting the front surface metallization pattern of the second solar cell with the rear surface metallization pattern of the first solar cell."],["1. A solar cell module comprising:\na plurality of solar cells comprising a first solar cell and a second solar cell arranged in a longitudinal direction, each of the plurality of solar cells having a front light receiving surface and a rear surface opposite the front surface;\na tab that electrically connects the front surface of the first solar cell with the rear surface of the second solar cell, wherein the tab includes a bent part located between the first solar cell and the second solar cell;\nwherein, when viewed along the longitudinal direction of the tab, the tab has a recess-projection shaped cross section in a width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and the recess valley and the projection peak of the recess-projection shape are formed along the longitudinal direction of the tab;\nwherein the average height of the tab in a peripheral edge area of at least one of the first solar cell and the second solar cell is less than the average height of the tab in overlapping areas where the tab overlaps at least one of the first solar cell and the second solar cell;\nwherein the average heights of the tab in the peripheral edge area and the overlapping areas are greater than zero;\nwherein the average height is measured from recess valley to projection peak in the width direction of the respective cross section portion of the tab.","2. The solar cell module according to claim 1, wherein the tab comprises a front surface and a rear surface, and the tab's front surface forms the recess-projection shape and the tab's rear surface is flat.","3. The solar cell module according to claim 1, wherein a shape of the projection peak of the recess-projection shape of the tab in the peripheral edge area is different than a shape of the projection peak of the recess-projection shape of the tab in the overlapping areas."],["1. A solar cell comprising:\na photoelectric conversion unit having first and second main surfaces,\na first electrode provided on the first main surface, and\na second electrode provided on the second main surface;\nthe first electrode having:\na plurality of finger portions extending in a first direction and arrayed in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction leaving gaps therebetween, and\na busbar portion connected electrically to the plurality of finger portions; and\nthe solar cell further comprising a plurality of protruding portions provided on the first main surface on at least one side of the busbar portion in the first direction,\nthe protruding portions being provided near the finger portions in the second direction.","2. The solar cell according to claim 1, wherein the solar cell is a solar cell having wiring material connected electrically to the first electrode, and a protruding portion is provided at a location overlapping with the wiring material.","3. The solar cell according to claim 2, wherein the protruding portion is provided so as to lead to the outside of the wiring material.","4. The solar cell according to claim 1, wherein the protruding portion is provided so that the distance between the protruding portion and the finger portion in the second direction is at least one-third the pitch of the finger portion in the second direction.","5. The solar cell according to claim 1, wherein the protruding portion is arranged so that the distance between the protruding portion and the finger portion in the second direction is 0.7 mm or less.","6. The solar cell according to claim 1, wherein the protruding portion is arranged so that the distance between the protruding portion and the finger portion in the second direction is 10 times the width of the finger portion or less.","7. The solar cell according to claim 1, wherein the protruding portions include a protruding portion connected at least to one of the busbar portion and the finger portion.","8. The solar cell according to claim 1, wherein the protruding portions include a protruding portion separate from both the busbar portion and the finger portion.","9. The solar cell according to claim 1, wherein the protruding portions include a protruding portion having a linear portion extending in the first direction.","10. The solar cell according to claim 1, wherein the protruding portions include a protruding portion having a linear portion extending in the second direction.","11. The solar cell according to claim 1, wherein the protruding portion intersects the finger portion.","12. The solar cell according to claim 1, wherein the protruding portion intersects the busbar portion.","13. The solar cell according to claim 1, wherein the protruding portions are formed of a conductive member.","14. The solar cell according to claim 13, wherein the material of the protruding portions is identical to the material of the first electrode.","15. The solar cell according to claim 1, wherein the height of the protruding portions is equal to the height of the finger portions.","16. The solar cell according to claim 1, wherein the width of the protruding portions ranges from 0.5 to 2 times the width of the finger portions.","17. The solar cell according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of protruding portions includes another protruding portion arranged between adjacent finger portions in the second direction.","18. The solar cell according to claim 17, wherein the other protruding portion is provided in at least one end portion of the first main surface in the second direction.","19. The solar cell according to claim 17, wherein the other protruding portion is provided in the central portion of the first main surface in the second direction.","20. The solar cell according to claim 1, wherein the busbar portion has a linear shape extending in the second direction.","21. The solar cell according to claim 1, wherein the busbar portion has a zigzag shape extending in the second direction.","22. The solar cell according to claim 1, wherein the first main surface is a light-receiving surface.","23. A solar cell module comprising: a plurality of solar cells including a photoelectric conversion unit having first and second main surfaces, a first electrode provided on the first main surface, and a second electrode provided on the second main surface; wiring material for electrically connecting a first electrode and a second electrode of adjacent solar cells, and an adhesive layer made of a resin for bonding the solar cell and the wiring material;\nthe first electrode having:\na plurality of finger portions extending in a first direction and arrayed in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction leaving gaps therebetween; and\nthe solar cell also having:\na plurality of protruding portions provided on the first main surface so that at least some overlap with the wiring material,\nthe protruding portions being provided near the finger portions in the second direction.","24. The solar cell module according to claim 23, wherein a portion of the resin adhesive layer spanning a side wall of the protruding portion and the wiring material is continuous with a portion of the resin adhesive layer spanning a side wall of the finger portion and the wiring material.","25. The solar cell module according to claim 23, wherein the protruding portion is provided so as to lead to the outside of the wiring material.","26. The solar cell module according to claim 23, wherein the plurality of protruding portions has an additional protruding portion provided between adjacent finger portions in the second direction.","27. The solar cell module according to claim 26, wherein the additional protruding portion is provided so as to entirely overlap with the wiring material.","28. The solar cell module according to claim 26, wherein the additional protruding portion is provided in at least one end portion of the first main surface in the second direction.","29. The solar cell module according to claim 28, wherein the additional protruding portion is provided in a region in which an end portion of the wiring material of the first main surface is positioned.","30. The solar cell module according to claim 26, wherein the additional protruding portion is not provided in the central portion of the first main surface in the second direction.","31. The solar cell module according to claim 23, wherein the first electrode portion is provided so as to at least partially overlap with the wiring material, and further includes a busbar portion connected electrically to the plurality of finger portions.","32. The solar cell module according to claim 23, wherein the resin adhesive layer includes a resin layer and conductive particles dispersed in the resin layer."],["1. A method for making an ablated electrically insulating layer on a semiconductor substrate, said method comprising:\ndepositing a first relatively thin layer of at least an undoped glass or undoped oxide on a surface of a semiconductor substrate having n-type doping;\ndepositing a first relatively thin semiconductor layer having at least one substance chosen from amorphous semiconductor, nanocrystalline semiconductor, microcrystalline semiconductor, or polycrystalline semiconductor on said relatively thin layer of at least an undoped glass or undoped oxide;\ndepositing at least a layer of borosilicate glass or borosilicate/undoped glass stack on said relatively thin semiconductor layer; and\nselectively ablating said layer of at least borosilicate glass or borosilicate/undoped glass stack with a pulsed laser, said relatively thin semiconductor layer substantially protecting said semiconductor substrate from said pulsed laser.","2. The method of claim 1, further comprising a subsequent thermal oxidation process to oxidize said relatively thin semiconductor layer.","3. The method of claim 1, wherein said semiconductor substrate comprises silicon.","4. The method of claim 1, wherein said first relatively thin layer of undoped glass or undoped oxide has a thickness approximately in the range of 3 to 100 nanometers.","5. The method of claim 1, wherein said first relatively thin semiconductor layer has a thickness approximately in the range of 3 to 30 nanometers.","6. The method of claim 1, wherein said laser has a pulse length of approximately 200 picoseconds or less and a wavelength of approximately 1064 nanometers or less.","7. The method of claim 1, further comprising process flow steps for making a thin monocrystalline semiconductor solar cell.","8. The method of claim 7, wherein said thin monocrystalline semiconductor solar cell comprises a thin monocrystalline silicon layer in the thickness range of 10 to 100microns.","9. The method of claim 7, wherein said thin monocrystalline semiconductor solar cell comprises a back-contact/back-junction solar cell.","10. The method of claim 1, further comprising process flow steps for making a crystalline semiconductor based photovoltaic solar cell comprising an all-back-contact back-junction solar cell.","11. The method of claim 1, wherein said ablations are used to make openings to delineate base and emitter regions of an all back contact, back junction solar cell.","12. The method of claim 10, wherein said crystalline semiconductor based photovoltaic solar cell comprises an epitaxial silicon thin film solar substrate.","13. The method of claim 12, wherein said epitaxial thin film solar substrate has a thickness in the range of approximately 10 to 100 microns.","14. The method of claim 12, wherein said epitaxial thin film comprises a substantially planar epitaxial film formed via an epitaxial silicon liftoff process.","15. The method of claim 12, wherein a front surface of said epitaxial thin film comprises three-dimensional pyramids or prisms formed via a textured template liftoff process.","16. The method of claim 1, wherein said relatively thin semiconductor layer is a relatively thin silicon layer.","17. The method of claim 1, wherein said relatively thin semiconductor layer is a relatively thin amorphous semiconductor layer.","18. The method of claim 1, wherein said relatively thin semiconductor layer is a relatively thin amorphous silicon layer."],["1. A method of manufacturing a solar cell module comprising a structure with connected solar cells, wherein the method comprises the steps of:\n(a) providing an electric conductor connecting member comprising a metal foil that has a first adhesive layer on a front side of the metal foil and a second adhesive layer on a back side of the metal foil, wherein neither adhesive layer is a solder layer;\n(b) arranging a first part of the electric conductor connecting member on a surface electrode of a first solar cell in the order of (1) metal foil, (2) first adhesive layer, and (3) surface electrode of the first solar cell;\n(c) hot pressing the first part of the electric conductor connecting member and the surface electrode of the first solar cell so that the metal foil of the first part of the electric conductor connecting member and the surface electrode of the first solar cell are electrically connected and bonded together;\n(d) arranging a second part of the electric conductor connecting member on a surface electrode of a second solar cell in the order of (1) metal foil, (2) second adhesive layer, and (3) surface electrode of the second solar cell; and\n(e) hot pressing the second part of the electric conductor connecting member and the surface electrode of the second solar cell so that the metal foil of the second part of the electric conductor connecting member and the surface electrode of the second solar cell are electrically connected and bonded together,\nwherein a ten-point height of roughness profile Rz1 (μm) on a surface of the surface electrode of the first solar cell facing the metal foil and a ten-point height of roughness profile Rz2 (μm) on a surface of the surface electrode of the second solar cell facing the metal foil are between 2 μm and 30 μm, and\nwherein the surface electrodes of the first solar cell and the second solar cell are bus electrodes,\nwherein a thickness of the first adhesive layer and the second adhesive layer satisfies the condition specified by the following formula (1),\n\n0.8≦t/Rz≦1.5 (1),\nwherein in formula (1), t represents the thickness (μm) of the first adhesive layer and the second adhesive layer, and Rz represents a ten-point height of roughness profile (μm) of a surface of the surface electrode of the first solar cell facing the first adhesive layer and a surface of the surface electrode of the second solar cell facing the second adhesive layer.","2. A method of manufacturing a solar cell module comprising a structure with connected solar cells, wherein the method comprises the steps of:\n(a) providing an electric conductor connecting member comprising a metal foil that has a first adhesive layer and a second adhesive layer, wherein neither adhesive layer is a solder layer;\n(b) arranging a first part of the electric conductor connecting member on a surface electrode of a first solar cell in the order of (1) metal foil, (2) first adhesive layer, and (3) surface electrode of the first solar cell;\n(c) hot pressing the first part of the electric conductor connecting member and the surface electrode of the first solar cell so that the metal foil of the first part of the electric conductor connecting member and the surface electrode of the first solar cell are electrically connected and bonded together;\n(d) arranging a second part of the electric conductor connecting member on a surface electrode of a second solar cell in the order of (1) metal foil, (2) second adhesive layer, and (3) surface electrode of the second solar cell; and\n(e) hot pressing the second part of the electric conductor connecting member and the surface electrode of the second solar cell so that the metal foil of the second part of the electric conductor connecting member and the surface electrode of the second solar cell are electrically connected and bonded together,\nwherein a ten-point height of roughness profile Rz1 (μm) on a surface of the surface electrode of the first solar cell facing the metal foil and a ten-point height of roughness profile Rz2 (μm) on a surface of the surface electrode of the second solar cell facing the metal foil are between 2 μm and 30 μm,\nwherein the surface electrodes of the first solar cell and the second solar cell are bus electrodes,\nwherein a thickness of the first adhesive layer and the second adhesive layer satisfies the condition specified by the following formula (1),\n\n0.8≦t/Rz≦1.5 (1),\nwherein in formula (1), t represents the thickness (μm) of the first adhesive layer and the second adhesive layer, and Rz represents a ten-point height of roughness profile (μm) of a surface of the surface electrode of the first solar cell facing the first adhesive layer and a surface of the surface electrode of the second solar cell facing the second adhesive layer.","3. A method of manufacturing a solar cell module according to claim 1, wherein the first adhesive layer and the second adhesive layer comprise a thermosetting resin and a latent curing agent.","4. A method of manufacturing a solar cell module according to claim 1, wherein the first adhesive layer and the second adhesive layer include conductive particles, wherein Ry1 (μm) is a maximum height on a surface of the surface electrode of the first solar cell facing the first adhesive layer and Ry2 (μm) is a maximum height on a surface of the surface electrode of the second solar cell facing the second adhesive layer when the maximum particle size r1max (μm) of the conductive particles in the first adhesive layer is no greater than the maximum height Ry1 and a maximum particle size r2max (μm) of the conductive particles in the second adhesive layer is no greater than the maximum height Ry2.","5. A method of manufacturing a solar cell module according to claim 1, wherein the metal foil comprises at least one metal selected from among the group consisting of Cu, Ag, Au, Fe, Ni, Pb, Zn, Co, Ti, Mg, Sn and Al.","6. A method of manufacturing a solar cell module according to claim 1, wherein the first adhesive layer and the second adhesive layer include conductive particles, and the conductive particles comprise at least one particle selected from the group consisting of nickel particles, gold-plated nickel particles, plastic particles plated with gold and nickel, and nickel-plated particles.","7. A method of manufacturing a solar cell module according to claim 4, wherein the conductive particles comprise at least one particle selected from the group consisting of nickel particles, gold-plated nickel particles, plastic particles plated with gold and nickel, and nickel-plated particles.","8. A method of manufacturing a solar cell module according to claim 2, wherein the first adhesive layer and the second adhesive layer comprise a thermosetting resin and a latent curing agent.","9. A method of manufacturing a solar cell module according to claim 2, wherein the first adhesive layer and the second adhesive layer include conductive particles, wherein Ry1 (μm) is a maximum height on a surface of the surface electrode of the first solar cell facing the first adhesive layer and Ry2 (μm) is a maximum height on a surface of the surface electrode of the second solar cell facing the second adhesive layer when the maximum particle size r1max (μm) of the conductive particles in the first adhesive layer is no greater than the maximum height Ry1 and a maximum particle size r2max (μm) of the conductive particles in the second adhesive layer is no greater than the maximum height Ry2.","10. A method of manufacturing a solar cell module according to claim 2, wherein the metal foil comprises at least one metal selected from among the group consisting of Cu, Ag, Au, Fe, Ni, Pb, Zn, Co, Ti, Mg, Sn and Al.","11. A method of manufacturing a solar cell module according to claim 2, wherein the first adhesive layer and the second adhesive layer include conductive particles, and the conductive particles comprise at least one particle selected from the group consisting of nickel particles, gold-plated nickel particles, plastic particles plated with gold and nickel, and nickel-plated particles.","12. A method of manufacturing a solar cell module according to claim 9, wherein the conductive particles comprise at least one particle selected from the group consisting of nickel particles, gold-plated nickel particles, plastic particles plated with gold and nickel, and nickel-plated particles.","13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the bus electrodes are silver-containing glass paste electrodes.","14. The method according to claim 2, wherein the bus electrodes are silver-containing glass paste electrodes."],["1. A method of manufacturing a concentrating photovoltaic cell subassembly comprising the steps of:\nbonding a lead structure to a solar cell structure, the lead structure including electrical leads for the solar cell structure; and\nembedding the solar cell structure and operatively connected lead structure within a transparent encapsulant by:\nplacing the solar cell structure into a mold filled with an encapsulant;\ncuring the encapsulant so as to create an encapsulated solar cell device having a first hemispheric dome portion having an index of refraction of nc2; and\nseparating the encapsulated solar cell device from the mold; and\nplacing the encapsulated solar cell device and associated lead structure into a second mold filled with lower refractive index encapsulant material to thereby perform an additional encapsulation having a second hemispheric dome portion concentric with the first hemispheric dome portion and having an index of refraction of nc1 such that nc1 is equal to a square root of nc2, and the solar cell structure is positioned at approximately 1.17*R below a top of the second hemispheric dome portion with R being a radius of the second hemispheric dome portion, and the first hemispheric dome portion has a radius of R/nc1.","2. The method of claim 1 further comprising optical films coated on solar cell structure by oblique angle deposition.","3. The method of claim 1 wherein the transparent encapsulant comprises TiO2 nanoparticles dispersed within a silicone-based encapsulant.","4. The method of claim 1 further comprising synthesizing the solar cell structure.","5. The method of claim 4 further comprising the step of dicing a solar cell material structure into individual die to form the solar cell structure prior to performing the bonding.","6. A concentrating photovoltaic cell subassembly comprising:\na refractive optical element defining a first hemispheric dome portion having an index of refraction of nc2 and a second hemispheric dome portion concentric with the first hemispheric dome portion and having an index of refraction of nc1 such that nc1 is equal to a square root of nc2; and\na semiconductor photovoltaic solar cell positioned at approximately 1.17*R below a top of the second hemispheric dome portion with R being a radius of the second hemispheric dome portion, and the first hemispheric dome portion has a radius of R/nc1."],["21. A solar cell comprising:\na silicon substrate having a front doped region formed inside of a front surface of the silicon substrate;\na first tunneling layer formed on the front doped region; and\na first conductive type area formed on the first tunneling layer,\nwherein the first tunneling layer has a thickness of 0.5 nm to 5 nm.","22. The solar cell according to claim 21, wherein the first tunneling layer is formed of one of nitride, oxide and oxide nitride.","23. The solar cell according to claim 21, further comprising a first passivation film formed on the first conductive type area.","24. The solar cell according to claim 23, wherein the first passivation film comprises at least one of aluminum oxide, zirconium oxide, or hafnium oxide having a negative charge.","25. The solar cell according to claim 23, wherein the first passivation film comprises at least one of silicon oxide or silicon nitride having a positive charge.","26. The solar cell according to claim 23, further comprising a first anti-reflective film formed on the first passivation film.","27. The solar cell according to claim 21, wherein the silicon substrate is a monocrystalline silicon substrate, and the first conductive type area is formed of one of a polycrystalline silicon, an amorphous silicon or a microcrystalline silicon.","28. The solar cell according to claim 21, wherein the silicon substrate further has a base area, the base area is doped with a first conductive type dopant, the first conductive type area and the front doped region are both doped with a second conductive type dopant, and the front doped region forms a p-n junction along with base area.","29. The solar cell according to claim 28, wherein the base area has a lower doping concentration than the front doped region.","30. The solar cell according to claim 21, wherein a dopant in the first conductive type area and a dopant the front doped region have a same conductive type, and a doping concentration of the first conductive type area is higher than a doping concentration of the front doped region.","31. The solar cell according to claim 30, wherein a ratio of the doping concentration of the first conductive type area to the doping concentration of the front doped region is 5 to 10.","32. The solar cell according to claim 30, wherein the doping concentration of the first conductive type area is 5x1019/cm3 to 5×1020/cm3, and the doping concentration of the front doped region is 5x1018/cm3 to 5×1019/cm3.","33. The solar cell according to claim 30, wherein a ratio of a thickness of the first conductive type area to a thickness of the front doped region is 10 to 50.","34. The solar cell according to claim 30, wherein a thickness of the front doped region is 5 nm to 100 nm, and a thickness of the first conductive type area is 50 nm to 500 nm.","35. The solar cell according to claim 21, further comprising a first electrode electrically connected to the first conductive type area.","36. The solar cell according to claim 35, wherein the first tunneling layer is formed only on a portion of the front doped region below the first electrode.","37. The solar cell according to claim 35, wherein the front doped region comprises a first region in contact with the first electrode and a second region not in contact with the first electrode, and wherein the first region has a higher dopant concentration than the second region.","38. The solar cell according to claim 35, further comprising a first passivation film formed on the first conductive type area, wherein the first electrode contacts the first conductive type area through an opening formed in the first passivation film.","39. The solar cell according to claim 21, further comprising: a second tunneling layer, a second conductive type area and a second electrode, wherein the second tunneling layer is interposed between a back surface of the silicon substrate and the second conductive type area, and the second electrode is electrically connected to the second conductive type area.","40. The solar cell according to claim 39, wherein the silicon substrate further comprises a base area and a back doped region formed inside of the back surface of the silicon substrate, the base area and the back doped region are doped with a first conductive type dopant, and the first conductive type area and the front doped region are both doped with a second conductive type dopant."],["1. A photovoltaic element comprising:\ni) a light transmissive, coloured multilayer top sheet having an appearance that exhibits a colouration change depending on the viewing angle, the top sheet comprising:\na) a textured transparent front cover sheet, and\nb) a pigmented top coating layer disposed on the backside of the top sheet with respect to the direction of the incandescent light;\nii) a first encapsulant layer;\niii) one or more photovoltaic cells, each comprising at least one photovoltaically active surface, and comprising two electrically conductive electrode layers with a photovoltaic material disposed between them;\niv) a second encapsulant layer, and\nv) a back cover sheet.","2. The photovoltaic element according to claim 1, wherein the top sheet is birefringent.","3. The photovoltaic element according to claim 1, wherein the pigmented coating comprises effect pigments exhibiting a colour flop.","4. The photovoltaic element according to claim 3, wherein the one or more pigments are selected from the group consisting of a pearlescent pigment, a nacreous pigment, a metal flake pigment, and an encapsulated metal flake pigment.","5. The photovoltaic element according to claim 1, wherein the one or more photovoltaic cells comprise two photovoltaically active surfaces.","6. The photovoltaic element according to claim 1, wherein the top coating layer further comprises infra-red reflective pigments to lower the module temperature.","7. The photovoltaic element according to claim 1, wherein the top coating layer comprises a crosslinked polymeric binder composition, and optionally, UV- and acid stabilizers.","8. The photovoltaic element according to claim 7, wherein the crosslinked binder polymeric composition comprises at least a rigid polymeric resin components and a crosslinked component.","9. The photovoltaic element according to claim 7, wherein the crosslinked component is derived from a radiation curable composition.","10. The photovoltaic element according to claim 7, wherein the crosslinked polymeric binder is selected from one or more of the group consisting of epoxy resins, polycarbonates, polystyrenes, polyurethanes, polyacrylates and polymethacrylates.","11. The photovoltaic element according to claim 1, wherein the textured top sheet a) comprises a textured glass substrate.","12. The photovoltaic element according to claim 11, wherein the top sheet comprises tempered glass sheet having a texture applied thereto on one side, and optionally an anti-reflective coating.","13. The photovoltaic element according to claim 12, wherein the top sheet has a thickness of from 1 to 5 mm.","14. The photovoltaic element according to claim 13, wherein the top sheet has a thickness of from 2 to 4 mm.","15. A method of preparing a photovoltaic element according to claim 1, comprising:\na) coating a textured transparent front cover sheet with a pigmented coating composition in suitable thickness comprising one or more pigments selected from the group consisting of a pearlescent pigment, a nacreous pigment, a metal flake pigment and an encapsulated metal flake pigment, and\nb) subjecting the coated top sheet to a curing process, to obtain the textured coloured light transmissive birefringent multilayer front cover sheet having an appearance that exhibits a colouration change depending on the viewing angle.","16. A method according to claim 15, wherein the coating process is wet coating process, and wherein the curing process is a radiation curing process.","17. A method according to claims 15, further comprising\nc) providing a stack comprising:\nthe light transmissive coloured top sheet obtained in step b),\na first encapsulant material,\none or more photovoltaic cells comprising at least one photovoltaically active surface and comprising two electrically conductive electrode layers with a photovoltaic material disposed between them, and\na second encapsulant material; and\nd) subjecting the stack obtained in c) to a suitable pressure and temperature, to obtain a photovoltaic element.","18. A photovoltaic element comprising one or a plurality of photovoltaic elements according to claim 1, for disposition on a structure.","19. A photovoltaic element comprising one or a plurality of photovoltaic elements obtainable according to the method of claim 15, for disposition on a structure.","20. A non-photovoltaic panel complementary to, and for use with a photovoltaic element according to any one of claim 1, the panel comprising\ni) a coloured, light transmissive birefringent multilayer top sheet having an appearance that exhibits a colouration change depending on the viewing angle, the sheet comprising:\na) a textured transparent front cover sheet; and\nb) a pigmented top coating layer disposed on the inside of the top sheet with respect to the direction of the incandescent light;\nii) a first encapsulant layer\niii) a second encapsulant layer, and\niv) a back cover sheet."],["1. A solar cell comprising:\na first dielectric layer above a silicon substrate;\na material layer above the first dielectric layer, the material layer having a first doped region and a plurality of recast signatures;\na second dielectric layer above the material layer; and\na plurality of conductive contacts through the second dielectric layer with each of the plurality of conductive contacts being in alignment with one of the plurality of recast signatures in the material layer.","2. The solar cell of claim 1, wherein the first dielectric layer comprises a tunnel oxide.","3. The solar cell of claim 1, the second dielectric layer comprises silicon nitride.","4. The solar cell of claim 3, further comprising a third dielectric layer disposed between the material layer and the second dielectric layer, the third dielectric layer comprising silicon dioxide.","5. The solar cell of claim 1, wherein the material layer comprises poly-crystalline silicon.","6. The solar cell of claim 1, further comprising a second doped region in the material layer.","7. The solar cell of claim 1, wherein the silicon substrate comprises single-crystalline silicon.","8. The solar cell of claim 1, wherein the solar cell is a back-contact solar cell.","9. A solar cell comprising:\na first dielectric layer disposed on a silicon substrate;\na poly-crystalline silicon layer disposed on the first dielectric layer, the poly-crystalline silicon layer having a doped region and a recast signature in the doped region;\na second dielectric layer above the poly-crystalline silicon layer; and\na plurality of conductive contacts through the second dielectric layer, a conductive contact of the plurality of conductive contacts being in alignment with the recast signature.","10. The solar cell of claim 9, wherein the first dielectric layer comprises a tunnel oxide.","11. The solar cell of claim 9, wherein the second dielectric layer comprises silicon nitride.","12. The solar cell of claim 11, further comprising a third dielectric layer disposed between the poly-crystalline silicon layer and the second dielectric layer, the third dielectric layer comprising silicon dioxide.","13. The solar cell of claim 9, wherein the silicon substrate comprises single-crystalline silicon.","14. The solar cell of claim 9, wherein the solar cell is a back-contact solar cell.","15. A solar cell comprising:\na first dielectric layer disposed on a silicon substrate;\na poly-crystalline silicon layer disposed on the first dielectric layer, the poly-crystalline silicon layer having a doped region and a plurality of recast signatures;\na dielectric material stack disposed on the poly-crystalline silicon layer; and\na plurality of conductive contacts through the second dielectric layer, each conductive contact of the plurality of conductive contacts being in alignment with a recast signature of the plurality of recast signatures.","16. The solar cell of claim 15, wherein the dielectric material stack comprises a silicon nitride layer that is disposed on the poly-crystalline silicon layer.","17. The solar cell of claim 16, wherein the dielectric material stack comprises a silicon dioxide layer that is disposed between the poly-crystalline silicon layer and the silicon nitride layer.","18. The solar cell of claim 15, wherein the first dielectric layer comprises tunnel oxide that is directly on the silicon substrate.","19. The solar cell of claim 15, wherein the silicon substrate comprises a single-crystalline substrate.","20. The solar cell of claim 15, wherein the solar cell is a back-contact solar cell."],["1. A method, comprising:\nforming a plurality of light sensors on an upper surface of a silicon substrate;\nforming a plurality of contact pads on the upper surface of the silicon substrate;\nforming openings in a lower surface of a silicon cap wafer;\naligning the openings with the light sensors and the contact pads;\nbonding the silicon cap wafer to the silicon substrate;\nremoving material from an upper surface of the silicon cap wafer to expose the light sensors and the contact pads;\nattaching a plurality of light emitters to respective ones of the contact pads;\nthinning the silicon substrate;\nfilling the openings with a transparent material;\nforming through-silicon vias extending from the upper surface of the silicon substrate to a lower surface of the silicon substrate;\nforming a ball grid array on the lower surface of the silicon substrate, the ball grid array including a plurality of solder balls electrically connected with respective ones of the through-silicon vias; and\nsingulating the bonded silicon wafers into individual sensor modules.","2. The method of claim 1, further comprising forming ball grid array contact pads on the lower surface of the silicon substrate, the ball grid array contact pads extending between the through-silicon vias and respective ones of the solder balls.","3. The method of claim 1 wherein bonding the silicon cap wafer to the silicon substrate further includes forming an epoxy layer between the silicon cap wafer and the silicon substrate.","4. The method of claim 1 wherein each sensor module includes one light emitter and one light sensor.","5. The method of claim 4 wherein attaching the light emitters includes attaching one or more of light emitting diodes (LEDs) and laser diodes.","6. The method of claim 1 wherein the light sensors and the contact pads are formed in a same layer of the silicon substrate.","7. The method of claim 1 wherein filling the openings with a transparent material includes filling the openings with a transparent epoxy.","8. A method, comprising:\ncoupling a cap to a first surface of a substrate including:\noverlapping a contact pad at the first surface with a first recess extending into the cap; and\noverlapping a light sensor at the first surface with a second recess extending into the cap;\nexposing the first recess and the second recess from the cap by removing a portion of the cap extending across and overlapping the first recess and the second recess;\ncoupling a die to the contact pad in at least one of the following of the first recess and the second recess;\nforming a transparent material in the first recess and the second recess;\nafter coupling the cap to the substrate, forming a first electrical via extending into the substrate at a second surface of the substrate opposite to the first surface, forming the first electrical via includes forming the first electrical via to be in electrical communication with the contact pad; and\nafter coupling the cap to the substrate, forming a second electrical via extending into the second surface the substrate, forming the second electrical via includes forming the second electrical via to be in electrical communication with the light sensor.","9. The method of claim 8, wherein coupling the die to the contact pad further includes positioning the die within the first recess.","10. The method of claim 8, wherein removing the portion of the cap exposing the first and second recesses from the cap occurs after the cap is coupled to the substrate.","11. The method of claim 8, wherein forming the transparent material further includes forming respective surfaces of the transparent material overlapping the first and second recesses substantially coplanar with a surface of the cap.","12. The method of claim 8, wherein forming the transparent material in the first recess and the second recess further includes:\ncovering the die and the contact pad with the transparent material; and\ncovering the light sensor with the transparent material.","13. The method of claim 8, wherein forming the transparent material in the first recess and the second recess further includes:\nforming the transparent material directly on and physically coupled to the die and the contact pad; and\nforming the transparent material directly on and physically coupled to the light sensor.","14. The method of claim 8, further comprising:\ncoupling a first solder ball to the first electrical via by forming the first solder ball on the second surface of the substrate; and\ncoupling a second solder ball to the second electrical contact by forming the second solder ball on the second surface of the substrate.","15. The method of claim 8, wherein the first and second electrical vias are through-silicon vias.","16. The method of claim 8, wherein exposing the first recess and the second recess from the cap by removing the portion of the cap extending across and overlapping the first recess and the second recess occurs after the cap has been coupled to the first surface of the substrate.","17. The method of claim 8, wherein exposing the first recess and the second recess from the cap by removing the portion of the cap extending across and overlapping the first recess and the second recess occurs before the cap has been coupled to the first surface of the substrate.","18. A method, comprising:\ncoupling a cap to a first surface of a substrate including:\noverlapping a first recess in the cap with a contact pad at the first surface of the substrate; and\noverlapping a second recess in the cap with a light sensor at the first surface of the substrate;\nafter coupling the cap to the first surface of the substrate, exposing the first recess and the second recess from the cap by removing a portion of the cap exposing the first recess and the second recess from the cap; and\nafter coupling the cap to the first surface of the substrate, forming one or more electrical vias extending into a second surface of the substrate opposite to the first surface of the substrate, forming the one or more electrical vias includes forming the one or more electrical vias to be in electrical communication with the contact pad and the light sensor.","19. The method of claim 18, wherein removing the portion of the cap further includes grinding the cap exposing the first recess and the second recess from the cap.","20. The method of claim 18, further comprising:\ncoupling a die to the contact pad overlapped by the first recess by positioning the die within the first recess.","21. The method of claim 20, further comprising:\nforming a transparent material in the first recess and the second recess, forming the transparent material includes:\nfilling the first recess with the transparent material covering the contact pad and the die with the transparent material; and\nfilling the second recess with the transparent material covering the light sensor with the transparent material.","22. The method of claim 21, wherein:\nfilling the first recess with the transparent material further includes forming a first surface of the transparent material substantially coplanar with a respective surface of the cap; and\nfilling the second recess with the transparent material further includes forming a second surface of the transparent material substantially coplanar with the respective surface of the cap."],["1. A solar cell, comprising:\na dielectric contact layer including a plurality of alternating dielectric regions and first converted contact regions, the dielectric contact layer over a first doped region of the solar cell, wherein the first converted contact regions include a dielectric that has been converted to be conductive; and\na first metal layer disposed on the dielectric contact layer, wherein the dielectric contact layer is continuous between the first metal layer and the first doped region, and the first doped region and the first converted contact regions form an ohmic contact between the first metal layer and the first doped region, and wherein the first metal layer comprises a plurality of discrete discontinuous portions, individual ones of the plurality of discrete discontinuous portions on a corresponding one of the first converted contact regions.","2. The solar cell of claim 1, wherein the converted contact regions are separated by the dielectric regions.","3. The solar cell of claim 1, further comprising a second doped region, wherein the dielectric contact layer is formed over the second doped region such that second converted contact regions of the dielectric contact layer form a second ohmic contact between a second metal layer and the second doped region, and the dielectric regions are formed between the first and second converted contact regions.","4. The solar cell of claim 1, further comprising:\na second metal layer formed on top of and bonded to the first metal layer to electrically connect the first converted contact regions to each other.","5. The solar cell of claim 1, wherein the first metal layer is a metal seed layer.","6. The solar cell of claim 1, wherein the first metal layer comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of copper, tin, aluminum, silver, gold, chromium, iron, nickel, zinc, ruthenium, palladium, and platinum.","7. The solar cell of claim 1, further comprising a metal foil on the first metal layer.","8. The solar cell of claim 7, further comprising a localized metal bond between the first metal layer and the metal foil.","9. The solar cell of claim 7 wherein the metal foil comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of copper, tin, aluminum, silver, gold, chromium, iron, nickel, zinc, ruthenium, palladium, and platinum.","10. The solar cell of claim 7, wherein the first metal layer and the metal foil have a same interdigitated pattern.","11. The solar cell of claim 1, wherein the first doped region is an N-type doped region.","12. The solar cell of claim 1, wherein the first doped region is a P-type doped region.","13. The solar cell of claim 1, wherein the dielectric regions of the dielectric contact layer comprise a material selected from the group consisting of silicon nitride, silicon oxide, silicon oxynitride, aluminum oxide, amorphous silicon and polysilicon.","14. A solar cell, comprising:\na dielectric contact layer including a plurality of alternating dielectric regions and first converted contact regions, the dielectric contact layer over a first doped region of the solar cell, wherein the first converted contact regions include a dielectric that has been converted to be conductive; and\nan aluminum layer disposed on the dielectric contact layer, wherein the dielectric contact layer is continuous between the aluminum layer and the first doped region, and the first doped region and the first converted contact regions form an ohmic contact between the aluminum layer and the first doped region, and wherein the aluminum layer comprises a plurality of discrete discontinuous portions, individual ones of the plurality of discrete discontinuous portions on a corresponding one of the first converted contact regions.","15. The solar cell of claim 14, wherein the converted contact regions are separated by the dielectric regions.","16. The solar cell of claim 14, further comprising a second doped region, wherein the dielectric contact layer is formed over the second doped region such that second converted contact regions of the dielectric contact layer form a second ohmic contact between a second metal layer and the second doped region, and the dielectric regions are formed between the first and second converted contact regions.","17. The solar cell of claim 14, further comprising a metal foil on the aluminum layer.","18. A method of fabricating a solar cell, the method comprising:\nforming a dielectric contact layer including a plurality of alternating dielectric regions and first converted contact regions over a first doped region of the solar cell, wherein the first converted contact regions include a dielectric that has been converted to be conductive; and\nforming a first metal layer on the dielectric contact layer, wherein the dielectric contact layer is continuous between the first metal layer and the first doped region, and the first doped region and the first converted contact regions form an ohmic contact between the first metal layer and the first doped region, and wherein the first metal layer comprises a plurality of discrete discontinuous portions, individual ones of the plurality of discrete discontinuous portions on a corresponding one of the first converted contact regions.","19. The method of claim 18, wherein the converted contact regions are separated by the dielectric regions.","20. The method of claim 18, further comprising:\nforming a second metal layer formed on top of and bonded to the first metal layer to electrically connect the first converted contact regions to each other."],["1. An apparatus comprising:\na series connected string of N rectangular silicon solar cells connected in parallel with a bypass diode, the solar cells having on average a breakdown voltage Vc and having on average an open circuit voltage Voc, the solar cells arranged in line with long sides of adjacent solar cells overlapping and conductively bonded to each other with an electrically and thermally conductive adhesive to form a first super cell, wherein\nthe product (N−1)(Voc) is greater than Vc, and\nno single solar cell or group of 20.","4. The dispersants according to claim 3, wherein the polyimine is a polyethyleneimine.","5. The dispersant according to claim 4, wherein the mean molecular weight (Mw) of the polyethyleneimine is between 200 and 600 000 g/mol.","6. The dispersant according to claim 5, wherein the dispersant has an acid number of <10 mg KOH/g.","7. The dispersant according to claim 1, wherein the dispersant has a ratio of amine number to acid number of >10.","8. A method for preparing dispersants according to claim 1, comprising the reaction of polyamines or polyimines each comprising primary amino groups, with at least two or more polymers based on poly(oxy-C1-6-alkylenecarbonyl) compounds (A) selected from the group consisting of glycolic acid, lactic acid, hydroxyvaleric acid, hydroxycaproic acid, β-propiolactone, γ-butyrolactone, δ-valerolactone, and ε-caprolactone and alkyl acids (B) selected from the group consisting of acetic, methoxyacetic, propionic, pentanoic, hexanoic, caprylic, capric, lauric, ricinoleic, stearic acid and hydroxystearic acid, wherein an amidation of alkyl acids (B) with the polyamines or polyimines takes place, wherein the molar ratio of the sum total of poly(oxy-C1-6-alkylenecarbonyl) compounds (A) and alkyl acids (B) to primary amino groups of the polyamines or polyimines is less than 1.","9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the molar ratio between the two or more different poly(oxy-C1-6-alkylenecarbonyl) chains (A) and the alkyl acids (B) is between 90/10 and 10/90, and wherein the poly(oxy-C1-6-alkylenecarbonyl) compounds (A) are homopolymers and wherein the homopolymers have different chain lengths.","10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the polymers are prepared separately or in situ by polymerization of the homopolymers and then used for the reaction with polyamines or polyimines and alkyl acids (B).","11. The method according to claim 8, wherein the least two or more polymers based on poly(oxy-C1-6-alkylenecarbonyl) compounds are selected from the group consisting of δ-valerolactone and ε-caprolactone.","12. The method according to claim 8, wherein the alkyl acids (B) correspond to the polymerization initiator for preparation of the at least two or more polymers based on poly(oxy-C1-6-alkylenecarbonyl) compounds and are selected from the group of acetic, methoxyacetic, propionic, pentanoic, hexanoic, lauric, ricinoleic and stearic acid.","13. The method according to claim 10, wherein the polyimine is a polyethyleneimine.","14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the mean molecular weight (Mw) of the polyethyleneimine is between 200 and 600 000 g/mol.","15. The composition comprising a particulate solid and a dispersant according to claim 1.","16. A method of making an article selected from the group consisting of dispersions, millbases, inks or printing ink, the method comprising the step of making the article with the composition according to claim 15."],["1. A polyurethane-based binder dispersion, comprising:\nwater; and\na polyurethane dispersed in the water, the polyurethane having been formed from:\na polyisocyanate;\na polyol having a chain with two hydroxyl functional groups at one end of the chain and no hydroxyl groups at an opposed end of the chain, and having a number average molecular weight ranging from about 500 to about 5,000;\nan alcohol or a diol or an amine having a number average molecular weight less than 500; and one of\ni) a carboxylic acid;\nii) a sulfonate or sulfonic acid having one amino functional group;\niii) a combination of i and ii;\niv) a combination of i and a homopolymer or copolymer of poly(ethylene glycol) having one or two hydroxyl functional groups or one or two amino functional groups at one end of its chain;\nv) a combination of ii and a homopolymer or copolymer of poly(ethylene glycol) having one or two hydroxyl functional groups or one or two amino functional groups at one end of its chain; or\nvi) a combination of i, ii, and a homopolymer or copolymer of poly(ethylene glycol) having one or two hydroxyl functional groups or one or two amino functional groups at one end of its chain.","2. The polyurethane-based binder dispersion as defined in claim 1 wherein the sulfonate or sulfonic acid having the one amino functional group has, at most, one hydroxyl functional group in addition to the sulfonate or sulfonic acid.","3. The polyurethane-based binder dispersion as defined in claim 2 wherein the sulfonate or sulfonic acid is selected from the group consisting of taurine, 4-Aminotoluene-3-sulfonic acid, Aniline-2-sulfonic acid, Sulfanilic acid, 4-Amino-1-naphthalenesulfonic acid, 3-Amino-4-hydroxybenzenesulfonic acid, 2-Amino-1-naphthalenesulfonic acid, 5-Amino-2-methoxybenzenesulfonic acid, 2-(Cyclohexylamino)ethanesulfonic acid, and 3-Amino-1-propanesulfonic acid.","4. The polyurethane-based binder dispersion as defined in claim 1 wherein:\nthe polyol is formed from a free radical polymerization of a monomer in the presence of a mercaptan including two hydroxyl functional groups or two carboxylic functional groups;\nthe monomer is selected from the group consisting of an alkylester of acrylic acid, an alkylester of methacrylic acid, an acid group containing monomer, acrylamide, an acrylamide derivative, methacrylamide, a methacrylamide derivative, styrene, a styrene derivative, acrylonitrile, vinylidene chloride, a fluorine containing acrylate, a fluorine containing methacrylate, a siloxane containing acrylate, a siloxane containing methacrylate, vinyl acetate, N-vinylpyrrolidone, and combinations thereof; and\nthe mercaptan is selected from the group consisting of 1,2-propanediol (thioglycerol), 1-mercapto-1,1-ethanediol, 2-mercapto-1,3-propanediol, 2-mercapto-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol, 2-mercapto-2-ethyl-1,3-propanediol, 1-mercapto-2,3-propanediol, 2-mercaptoethyl-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol, and thioglycolic acid.","5. The polyurethane-based binder dispersion as defined in claim 4 wherein:\nthe alkylester of acrylic acid or the alkylester of methacrylic acid is selected from the group consisting of methyl (meth)acrylate, ethyl (meth)acrylate, n-butyl (meth)acrylate, tetrahydrofuryl (meth)acrylate, t-butyl (meth)acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl (meth)acrylate, hexyl (meth)acrylate, cyclohexyl (meth)acrylate, phenyl (meth)acrylate, benzyl (meth)acrylate, 2-aziridinylethyl (meth)acrylate, aminomethyl acrylate, aminoethyl acrylate, aminopropyl (meth)acrylate, amino-n-butyl(meth)acrylate, N,N-dimethylaminoethyl(meth)acrylate, N,N-dimethylaminopropyl (meth)acrylate, N,N-diethylaminoethyl (meth)acrylate, and N,N-diethylaminopropyl (meth)acrylate; or\nthe acid group containing monomer is selected from the group consisting of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, carboxyethyl (meth)acrylate, 2-(meth)acryloyl propionic acid, crotonic acid, and itaconic acid; or\nthe acrylamide derivative or the methacrylamide derivative is selected from the group consisting of hydroxyethylacrylamide, N,N-methylol(meth)acrylamide, N-butoxymethyl (meth)acrylamide, and N-isobutoxymethyl (meth)acrylamide; or\nthe styrene derivative is selected from the group consisting of alpha-methyl styrene, p-aminostyrene, and 2-vinylpyridine.","6. The polyurethane-based binder dispersion as defined in claim 4 wherein one of:\nthe monomer includes methyl methacrylate and butyl acrylate in a ratio of 1:1 and the mercaptan includes 10 wt % thioglycerol;\nthe monomer includes methyl methacrylate and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate in a ratio of 3:1 and the mercaptan includes 5 wt % thioglycerol;\nthe monomer includes methyl methacrylate and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate in a ratio of 1:1 and the mercaptan includes 5 wt % thioglycerol;\nthe monomer includes methyl methacrylate and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate in a ratio of 9:1 and the mercaptan includes 5 wt % thioglycerol;\nthe monomer includes methyl methacrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, and methacrylic acid in a ratio of 5:4:1 and the mercaptan includes 5 wt % thioglycerol;\nthe monomer includes methyl methacrylate and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate in a ratio of 1:1 and the mercaptan includes 10 wt % thioglycerol;\nthe monomer includes methyl methacrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, and methacrylic acid in a ratio of 10:8:3 and the mercaptan includes 5 wt % thioglycerol;\nthe monomer includes methyl methacrylate and t-butyl acrylate in a ratio of 1:1 and the mercaptan includes 5 wt % thioglycerol;\nthe monomer includes t-butyl methacrylate and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate in a ratio of 1:1 and the mercaptan includes 5 wt % thioglycerol;\nthe monomer includes benzyl (meth)acrylate and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate in a ratio of 1:1 and the mercaptan includes 5 wt % thioglycerol;\nthe monomer includes styrene and butyl acrylate in a ratio of 1:1 and the mercaptan includes 5 wt % thioglycerol;\nthe monomer includes vinyl acetate and butyl acrylate in a ratio of 1:1 and the mercaptan includes 5 wt % thioglycerol;\nthe monomer includes cyclohexyl methacrylate and butyl acrylate in a ratio of 1:1 and the mercaptan includes 5 wt % thioglycerol; or\nthe monomer includes tetrahydrofuryl methacrylate and butyl acrylate in a ratio of 1:1 and the mercaptan includes 5 wt % thioglycerol.","7. The polyurethane-based binder dispersion as defined in claim 1 wherein the polyurethane is formed from one of iv, v, or vi, and wherein the homopolymer or copolymer of poly(ethylene glycol) having one or two hydroxyl functional groups or one or two amino functional groups at one end of its chain is present in an amount ranging from greater than 5 wt % to about 20 wt % based on a total wt % of the polyurethane.","8. The polyurethane-based binder dispersion as defined in claim 7 wherein the homopolymer or copolymer of poly(ethylene glycol) has a number average molecular weight (Mn) ranging from about 500 to about 5000 and a water solubility greater than 30% v/v, and wherein the homopolymer or copolymer of poly(ethylene glycol) is one of:\na poly(ethylene glycol) copolymer selected from the group consisting of a copolymer of poly(ethylene) and poly(ethylene glycol) with the one hydroxyl functional group, a copolymer of poly(propylene glycol) and poly(ethylene glycol) with the one hydroxyl functional group, and a copolymer of poly(ethylene glycol) and poly(propylene glycol) with the one amino functional group; or\na poly(ethylene glycol) homopolymer selected from the group consisting of monoamine terminated poly(ethylene glycol), poly(ethylene glycol) monoethyl ether, poly(ethylene glycol) monopropyl ether, poly(ethylene glycol) monobutyl ether, poly(ethylene glycol) monomethyl ether, and two hydroxyl terminated at one end poly(ethylene glycol).","9. The polyurethane-based binder dispersion as defined in claim 1 wherein:\nthe polyisocyanate is present in an amount ranging from about 20 wt % to about 50 wt % based on a total wt % of the polyurethane;\nthe polyol having the chain with two hydroxyl functional groups at the one end of the chain and no hydroxyl groups at the opposed end of the chain is present in an amount ranging from about 10 wt % to about 70 wt % based on the total wt % of the polyurethane;\nthe alcohol or diol or amine having the number average molecular weight less than 500 is present in an amount ranging from greater than 0 wt % to about 20 wt %; and when included:\nthe carboxylic acid is present in an amount ranging from greater than 0 wt % to about 10 wt %;\nthe sulfonate or sulfonic acid is present in an amount ranging from greater than 2 wt % to about 20 wt % based on the total wt % of the polyurethane; and\nthe homopolymer or copolymer of poly(ethylene glycol) is present in an amount ranging from greater than 5 wt % to about 20 wt % based on the total wt % of the polyurethane.","10. The polyurethane-based binder dispersion as defined in claim 1 wherein the alcohol or the diol or the amine having the number average molecular weight less than 500 is the alcohol selected from the group consisting of 1,4-butanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, 1,4-cyclohexanediol, cyclohexane-1,4-dimethanol, Bisphenol A ethoxylate, and Bisphenol A propoxylate.","11. An inkjet ink, comprising:\nwater;\na colorant;\na co-solvent;\na surfactant; and\na polyurethane binder, the polyurethane binder having been formed from:\na polyisocyanate;\na polyol having a chain with two hydroxyl functional groups at one end of the chain and no hydroxyl groups at an opposed end of the chain and having a number average molecular weight ranging from about 500 to about 5,000;\nan alcohol or a diol or an amine having a number average molecular weight less than 500; and one of\ni) a carboxylic acid;\nii) a sulfonate or sulfonic acid having one amino functional group;\niii) a combination of i and ii;\niv) a combination of i and a homopolymer or copolymer of poly(ethylene glycol) having one or two hydroxyl functional groups or one or two amino functional groups at one end of its chain;\nv) a combination of ii and a homopolymer or copolymer of poly(ethylene glycol) having one or two hydroxyl functional groups or one or two amino functional groups at one end of its chain; or\nvi) a combination of i, ii, and a homopolymer or copolymer of poly(ethylene glycol) having one or two hydroxyl functional groups or one or two amino functional group at one end of its chain.","12. The inkjet ink as defined in claim 11 wherein the sulfonate or sulfonic acid having the one amino functional group has, at most, one hydroxyl functional group in addition to the sulfonate or sulfonic acid.","13. The inkjet ink as defined in claim 12 wherein the sulfonate or sulfonic acid is selected from the group consisting of taurine, 4-Aminotoluene-3-sulfonic acid, Aniline-2-sulfonic acid, Sulfanilic acid, 4-Amino-1-naphthalenesulfonic acid, 3-Amino-4-hydroxybenzenesulfonic acid, 2-Amino-1-naphthalenesulfonic acid, 5-Amino-2-methoxybenzenesulfonic acid, 2-(Cyclohexylamino)ethanesulfonic acid, and 3-Amino-1-propanesulfonic acid.","14. The inkjet ink as defined in claim 11 wherein:\nthe polyol is formed from a free radical polymerization of a monomer in the presence of a mercaptan including two hydroxyl functional groups or two carboxylic functional groups;\nthe monomer is selected from the group consisting of an alkylester of acrylic acid, an alkylester of methacrylic acid, an acid group containing monomer, acrylamide, an acrylamide derivative, methacrylamide, a methacrylamide derivative, styrene, a styrene derivative, acrylonitrile, vinylidene chloride, a fluorine containing acrylate, a fluorine containing methacrylate, a siloxane containing acrylate, a siloxane containing methacrylate, vinyl acetate, N-vinylpyrrolidone, and combinations thereof; and\nthe mercaptan is selected from the group consisting of 1,2-propanediol (thioglycerol), 1-mercapto-1,1-ethanediol, 2-mercapto-1,3-propanediol, 2-mercapto-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol, 2-mercapto-2-ethyl-1,3-propanediol, 1-mercapto-2,3-propanediol, 2-mercaptoethyl-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol, and thioglycolic acid.","15. An inkjet ink set, comprising:\na pre-treatment fixing fluid, including:\ncalcium propionate present in an amount ranging from greater than 4.5 to about 8.0 wt % based on a total wt % of the pre-treatment fixing fluid;\ncalcium pantothenate present in an amount ranging from about 2.0 wt % to equal to or less than 15 wt % based on the total wt % of the pre-treatment fixing fluid;\ntetraethylene glycol;\na surfactant;\nan acid present in an amount sufficient to render a pH of the pre-treatment fixing fluid from about 4.0 to about 7.0; and\na balance of water; and\nan inkjet ink, including:\nwater;\na colorant;\na co-solvent;\na surfactant; and\na polyurethane binder, the polyurethane binder having been formed from:\na polyisocyanate;\na polyol having a chain with two hydroxyl functional groups at one end of the chain and no hydroxyl groups at an opposed end of the chain and having a number average molecular weight ranging from about 500 to about 5,000;\nan alcohol or a diol or an amine having a number average molecular weight less than 500; and one of\ni) a carboxylic acid;\nii) a sulfonate or sulfonic acid having one amino functional group;\niii) a combination of i and ii;\niv) a combination of i and a homopolymer or copolymer of poly(ethylene glycol) having one or two hydroxyl functional groups or one or two amino functional groups at one end of its chain;\nv) a combination of ii and a homopolymer or copolymer of poly(ethylene glycol) having one or two hydroxyl functional groups or one or two amino functional groups at one end of its chain; or\nvi) a combination of i, ii, and a homopolymer or copolymer of poly(ethylene glycol) having one or two hydroxyl functional groups or one or two amino functional groups at one end of its chain."]],"string":"[\n [\n \"1. An aqueous heat transfer medium liquid composition exhibiting enhanced stability as well as thermal conductivity, said composition comprising, in addition to water:\\n(a) at least one type of silica colloid particle, each particle having an average particle diameter in the range of from 0.1 to 1000 nm;\\n(b) at least one type of phosphonate functional siliconate; and\\n(c) at least one kind of metal corrosion inhibitor.\",\n \"2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the phosphonate functional siliconate has the following structure;\\nwherein R1 is a water solubilizing group, R2 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, an alkyl group of from 1 to 3 carbons, or a water-soluble cation, and R3 is an alkyl group.\",\n \"3. The composition of claim 2, wherein the water soluble cation of R2 is selected from the group consisting of Group I metals and ammonium.\",\n \"4. The composition of claim 1, wherein R3 is substituted with a hydroxyl, amine, halide or alkoxy group rather than with an alkyl group.\",\n \"5. The composition of claim 1, wherein the alkyl group of R3 consists of no more than 8 carbons.\",\n \"6. The composition of claim 1, wherein the water solubilizing function R1 is a phosphonate of following structure:\\nwherein R4 is from the group consisting of hydrogen, an alkyl group or a water soluble cation and R5 is an alkyl group.\",\n \"7. The composition of claim 2, wherein the water soluble cation of R2 is selected from the group consisting of Group I metals and ammonium.\",\n \"8. The composition of claim 6, wherein the alkyl groups of R4 and R5 consist of no more than 5 carbons.\",\n \"9. The composition of claim 1, wherein the water solubilizing function R1 is a functionalized amine of following structure\\nwherein M is hydrogen or a water-soluble cation.\",\n \"10. The composition of claim 1, which further comprises a freezing point depressant which is selected from the group consisting of an alcohol, and earth alkali metal salt.\",\n \"11. The composition of claim 10, wherein the water is present from 5 to 60 wt % in a mixture with 10 to 95 wt. % freezing point depressant.\",\n \"12. The composition of claim 11, wherein the alcohol is a glycol.\",\n \"13. The composition of claim 12, wherein the glycol is selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol; triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, pentaethylene glycol, hexaethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, tripropylene glycol, tetrapropylene glycol, pentapropylene glycol, hexapropylene glycol; mono ethylene glycol, mono propylene glycol.\",\n \"14. The composition of claim 11, wherein the alcohol is selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol, furfurol, tetrahydrofurfuryl, ethoxylated furfuryl, dimethyl ether of glycerol, sorbitol, 1,2,6 hexanetriol, trimethylolpropane, methoxyethanol, and glycerin.\",\n \"15. The composition of claim 11, wherein the earth alkali metal salt is a salt of an acid or mixture of acids selected from the group consisting of acetic acid, propionic acid, succinic acid, betaine and mixtures thereof.\",\n \"16. The composition of claim 1, wherein the metal corrosion inhibitor is present in the fluid composition in an amount of about 0.01% to about 10%.\",\n \"17. The composition of claim 1, wherein the metal corrosion inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of organic acid corrosion inhibiting agents, silicate corrosion inhibiting agents, molybdate salts, nitrate salts, hydrocarbyl triazol or hydrocarbyl thiazol derivatives, and combinations thereof.\",\n \"18. The composition of claim 1 wherein the corrosion inhibitor is present in an amount sufficient to provide corrosion inhibition to metal surfaces in contact with the coolant.\",\n \"19. The composition of claim 1 which further comprises at least one of element of the group consisting of dispersion agents, passivating agents, stabilization agents, and mixtures thereof.\",\n \"20. The composition of claim 1, wherein the silica colloid particles are present in the fluid composition in an amount from about 0.1% to about 40 wt %.\",\n \"21. The composition of claim 1, wherein the silica colloid particles are present in the fluid composition as monodisperse nonaggregated spherical particles.\",\n \"22. The composition of claim 1, wherein the phosphonate functional siliconate is present in the fluid composition in an amount from about 0.001 wt % to about wt 5%.\",\n \"23. The composition of claim 1, said composition having a pH in the range from 7.0 through 11.0.\",\n \"24. The composition of claim 23, said composition having a pH in the range from 8.5 through 10.5.\",\n \"25. The composition of claim 1 which further comprises at least one element selected from the group consisting of antioxidants, anti-wear agents, detergents, antifoam agents, acid-base indicators and dyes.\",\n \"26. A concentrate which, when mixed with water, forms an aqueous heat transfer medium liquid composition exhibiting enhanced stability as well as thermal conductivity, said concentrate comprising:\\n(a) at least one type of silica colloid particle, each particle having an average particle diameter in the range of from 0.1 to 1000 nm;\\n(b) at least one type of phosphonate functional siliconate; and\\n(c) at least one kind of metal corrosion inhibitor.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. An additive package comprising:\\nat least two different oxy-anions, wherein each of the at least two different oxy-anions is independently selected from the group consisting of an oxy-anion of molybdenum, tungsten, vanadium, phosphorous, antimony, and a combination thereof;\\na corrosion inhibitor selected from the group consisting of azole-based corrosion inhibitors, siloxane-based corrosion inhibitors, colloidal silica, carboxylates, tall oil fatty acids, borates, nitrates, nitrites, alkali metal salts thereof, alkaline earth metal salts thereof, ammonium salts thereof, amine salts thereof, and combinations thereof; and\\noptionally a liquid coolant;\\nwherein the additive package is a concentrated additive solution.\",\n \"2. The additive package of claim 1, wherein the additive package is free of liquid coolant.\",\n \"3. The additive package of claim 1 further comprising an additive selected from the group consisting of colorants, antifoam agents, wetting agents, biocides, pH adjusting agents, buffering agents, bitterants, dispersants, phosphonates, and combinations thereof.\",\n \"4. The additive package of claim 3, wherein the additive comprises up to 50 wt % of the total weight of the additive package.\",\n \"5. The additive package of claim 1, wherein the liquid coolant comprises an alcohol.\",\n \"6. The additive package of claim 5, wherein the liquid coolant further comprises water.\",\n \"7. The additive package of claim 1, wherein the additive package is a powder, a gel, or a capsule.\",\n \"8. The additive package of claim 1, wherein the additive package is an immediate release package.\",\n \"9. The additive package of claim 1, wherein the additive package is an extended release package.\",\n \"10. The additive package of claim 1, wherein the at least two different oxy-anions comprise from about 1 wt % to about 99 wt % of the total weight of the additive package.\",\n \"11. The additive package of claim 1, wherein the at least two different oxy-anions comprise from about 40 wt % to about 60 wt % of the total weight of the additive package.\",\n \"12. The additive package of claim 1, wherein the corrosion inhibitor comprises from about 1 wt % to about 99 wt % of the total weight of the additive package.\",\n \"13. The additive package of claim 1, wherein the corrosion inhibitor comprises from about 40 wt % to about 60 wt % of the total weight of the additive package.\",\n \"14. The additive package of claim 1, wherein the additive package comprises an oxy-anion of phosphorous and an oxy-anion of molybdenum, tungsten, vanadium, antimony, or a combination thereof.\",\n \"15. A method of providing corrosion inhibition to a heat transfer fluid, the method comprising:\\na) adding an additive package to the heat transfer fluid, the additive package comprising i) at least two different oxy-anions, wherein each of the at least two different oxy-anions is independently selected from the group consisting of an oxy-anion of molybdenum, tungsten, vanadium, phosphorous, antimony, and a combination thereof; ii) a corrosion inhibitor selected from the group consisting of azole-based corrosion inhibitors, siloxane-based corrosion inhibitors, colloidal silica, carboxylates, tall oil fatty acids, borates, nitrates, nitrites, alkali metal salts thereof, alkaline earth metal salts thereof, ammonium salts thereof, amine salts thereof, and combinations thereof; and iii) optionally a liquid coolant, wherein the additive package is a concentrated additive solution.\",\n \"16. The method of claim 15, wherein the heat transfer fluid requires increased corrosion protection.\",\n \"17. The method of claim 16, wherein the additive package is added to the heat transfer fluid within an automotive vehicle.\",\n \"18. The method of claim 17, wherein the additive package is added to the heat transfer fluid in a heat transfer system within the automotive vehicle.\",\n \"19. The method of claim 18, wherein the heat transfer system comprises a brazed aluminum component.\",\n \"20. The method of claim 16, wherein the heat transfer fluid is a heat transfer fluid or coolant lacking adequate corrosion protection for brazed aluminum or brazed aluminum alloys.\",\n \"21. An additive package comprising:\\nat least two different oxy-anions, wherein each of the at least two different oxy-anions is independently selected from the group consisting of an oxy-anion of molybdenum, tungsten, vanadium, phosphorous, antimony, and a combination thereof; and\\na corrosion inhibitor selected from the group consisting of azole-based corrosion inhibitors, siloxane-based corrosion inhibitors, colloidal silica, carboxylates, tall oil fatty acids, borates, nitrates, nitrites, alkali metal salts thereof, alkaline earth metal salts thereof, ammonium salts thereof, amine salts thereof, and combinations thereof;\\nwherein the oxy-anion comprises from about 10% to about 90% by weight of the additive package.\",\n \"22. The additive package of claim 21, wherein the additive package comprises an oxy-anion of phosphorous and an oxy-anion of molybdenum, tungsten, vanadium, antimony, or a combination thereof.\",\n \"23. The additive package of claim 21, wherein the additive package comprises an oxy-anion of phosphorous and an oxy-anion of molybdenum.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A method of transferring heat, comprising:\\ncontacting a heat transfer system comprising an aluminum component, a magnesium component, or an aluminum component and a magnesium component with the heat transfer fluid, the heat transfer fluid comprising:\\na hydroxylated carboxylic acid of formula (I):\\n\\n(OH)x(R1)(COOH)y (I),\\nwherein x is 2 to 10, y is 3 to 10, and R1 is a C2-50 aliphatic group, a C6-50 aromatic group, or a combination thereof; and\\nwherein the hydroxylated carboxylic acid comprises the hydroxylated carboxylic acid, an ester thereof, a salt thereof, an anhydride thereof, or a combination thereof; and\\nwherein the heat transfer fluid is free of silicates.\",\n \"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the heat transfer fluid comprises about 0.01 to 10 weight percent of the hydroxylated carboxylic acid.\",\n \"3. A method of transferring heat comprising:\\ncontacting a heat transfer system comprising an aluminum component, a magnesium component, or an aluminum component and a magnesium component with the heat transfer fluid, the heat transfer fluid comprising:\\na hydroxylated carboxylic acid of formula (II):\\n\\nR2[R4(OH)x(COOH)y-z][R3(COOH)z] (II),\\nwherein\\nR2 is monovalent,\\nR3 has a total valence of 1+z,\\nR2 and R3 are independently a C1-20 aliphatic group, C6-20 aromatic group, or a combination thereof,\\nR4 has a total valence of 2+x+y-z, and is a C2-15 aliphatic group, C6-15 aromatic group, or a combination thereof,\\nz is 1 to 8, with the proviso that y-z is greater than or equal to 2,\\nwherein the hydroxylated carboxylic acid comprises the hydroxylated carboxylic acid, an ester thereof, a salt thereof, an anhydride thereof, or a combination thereof; and\\nwherein the heat transfer fluid is free of silicates.\",\n \"4. The method of claim 3, wherein the hydroxylated carboxylic acid is of formula (III):\\n\\nR5[R7(OH)x(COOH)y-z][R6(COOH)z] (III),\\nwherein\\nR5 and [R6(COOH)z] have a total valence of 1, and are independently a C1-20 aliphatic group selected from the group consisting of an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, a cycloalkyl group, a cycloalkenyl group, and a combination thereof,\\n[R7(OH)x(COOH)y-z] has a total valence of 2, and is a C1-15 aliphatic group selected from the group consisting of an alkylene group, an alkenylene group, a cycloalkylene group, a cycloalkenylene group, and a combination thereof.\",\n \"5. The method of claim 4, wherein the hydroxylated carboxylic acid is of formula (IV):\\n\\nCH3(CH2)m[R7(OH)x(COOH)y-1](CH2)n(COOH) (IV),\\nwherein m and n are independently 0 to 19.\",\n \"6. The method of claim 2, wherein m and n are independently 0 to 15.\",\n \"7. The method of claim 6, wherein m and n are independently 0 to 10.\",\n \"8. The method of claim 7, with the proviso that m+n is less than or equal to 16.\",\n \"9. The method of claim 5, wherein the hydroxylated carboxylic acid is selected from the group consisting of:\\na hydroxylated carboxylic acid of formula (V):\\na hydroxylated carboxylic acid of formula (VI):\\nand a combination thereof.\",\n \"10. The method of claim 9, wherein m and n are independently 0 to 15.\",\n \"11. The method of claim 10, wherein m and n are independently 0 to 10, with the proviso that m+n is less than or equal to 16.\",\n \"12. The method of claim 9, wherein the anhydride of the hydroxylated carboxylic acid of formula (V) is of formula (XI):\",\n \"13. The method of claim 1, wherein the ester of the hydroxylated carboxylic acid is of formula (VII):\\n\\n(OH)x(R1)(COOH)y-p(COOR8)p (VII),\\nwherein p is 1 to 9, with the proviso that p is less than or equal to y, and R8 is a C1-50 hydrocarbyl group.\",\n \"14. The method of claim 13, wherein R8 is of formula (VIII):\\nwherein s is 0 to 10.\",\n \"15. The method of claim 1, wherein the salt of the hydroxylated carboxylic acid is of formula (IX):\\n\\n(OH)x-q(0M)q(R1)(COOH)y-p(COOM)p (IX),\\nwherein q is 1 to 9, with the proviso that q is less than or equal to x, and M comprises an organic cation, an inorganic cation, or a combination thereof.\",\n \"16. The method of claim 15, wherein M comprises an alkali metal cation, an alkaline earth metal cation, a transition metal cation, an ammonium cation, a phosphonium cation, a pyridinium cation, an imidazolinium cation, a pyrazolinium cation, a triazolinium cation, a tetrazolinium cation, or a combination thereof.\",\n \"17. The method of claim 1, wherein the anhydride of the hydroxylated carboxylic acid is of formula (X):\\nwherein v is 2, 4, 6, 8, or 10, with the proviso that v is less than or equal to y.\",\n \"18. The method of claim 1, comprising about 0.01 percent by weight to about 10 percent by weight of the hydroxylated carboxylic acid, based on the total weight of the heat transfer fluid.\",\n \"19. The method of claim 18, comprising about 0.1 percent by weight to about 5 percent by weight of the hydroxylated carboxylic acid, based on the total weight of the heat transfer fluid.\",\n \"20. The method of claim 1, wherein the heat transfer fluid further comprises a monohydric alcohol, a polyhydric alcohol, or a combination thereof.\",\n \"21. The method of claim 20, wherein the alcohol is selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol, furfural, tetrahydrofurfurol, ethoxylated furfural, alkoxy alkanol, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, 1,2-propylene glycol, 1,3-propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, butylene glycol, glycerol, glycerol-1,2-dimethyl ether, glycerol-1,3 dimethyl ether, monoethylether of glycerol, sorbitol, 1,2,6-hexanetriol, trimethylol propane, and a combination thereof.\",\n \"22. The method of claim 1 comprising about 0 to about 99.9 percent by weight of the alcohol, based on the total weight of the heat transfer fluid.\",\n \"23. The method of claim 1, comprising about 1 to about 60 percent by weight of the water, based on the total weight of the heat transfer fluid.\",\n \"24. The method of claim 1, further comprising a corrosion inhibitor comprising an azole, a siloxane, a colloidal silica, a C6 to C14 aliphatic or aromatic mono- or di-carboxylic acid, a C6 to C14 aliphatic or aromatic mono- or di-carboxylate, a tall oil fatty acid, a borate, a nitrate, a nitrite, an alkali metal salt thereof, an alkaline earth metal salt thereof, an ammonium salt thereof, an amine salt thereof, or a combination thereof.\",\n \"25. The method of claim 1, further comprising an oxy-anion of molybdenum, tungsten, vanadium, phosphorus, antimony, or a combination thereof.\",\n \"26. The method of claim 1, further comprising a colorant, an antifoam agent, a wetting agent, a biocide, a bitterant, a dispersant or a combination thereof.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A biodegradable composition comprising 1,3-propanediol and an ingredient, wherein said 1,3-propanediol has a bio-based carbon content of at least 1%, wherein the bio-based carbon has a C-14/C-12 isotope ratio in range of from 1:0 to greater than 0:1, wherein said composition has a lower anthropogenic CO2 emission profile as compared to a biodegradable composition comprising a 1,3-propanediol with a bio-based carbon content of 0% and wherein said composition is selected from the group consisting of coatings, paints, and inks.\",\n \"2. The biodegradable composition of claim 1 wherein the 1,3-propanediol makes up about 1% to about 50% of the composition by weight.\",\n \"3. The biodegradable composition of claim 1 wherein the 1,3-propanediol has at least 5% biobased carbon.\",\n \"4. The biodegradable composition of claim 1 wherein the 1,3-propanediol has at least 10% biobased carbon.\",\n \"5. The biodegradable composition of claim 1 wherein the 1,3-propanediol has at least 25% biobased carbon.\",\n \"6. The biodegradable composition of claim 1 wherein the 1,3-propanediol has at least 50% biobased carbon.\",\n \"7. The biodegradable composition of claim 1 wherein the 1,3-propanediol has at least 75% biobased carbon.\",\n \"8. The biodegradable composition of claim 1 wherein the 1,3-propanediol has at least 90% biobased carbon.\",\n \"9. The biodegradable composition of claim 1 wherein the 1,3-propanediol has at least 99% biobased carbon.\",\n \"10. The biodegradable composition of claim 1 wherein the 1,3-propanediol has 100% biobased carbon.\",\n \"11. The biodegradable composition of claim 1 wherein the 1,3-propanediol is biologically-derived.\",\n \"12. The biodegradable composition of claim 11 wherein the biologically-derived 1,3-propanediol is biologically produced through a fermentation process.\",\n \"13. A biodegradable composition comprising 1,3-propanediol wherein said 1,3-propanediol has an ultraviolet absorption at 220 nm of less than about 0.200 and at 250 nm of less than about 0.075 and at 275 nm of less than about 0.075, wherein the composition comprises bio-based carbon having a C-14/C-12 isotope ratio in range of from 1:0 to greater than 0:1, and wherein said composition has a lower anthropogenic CO2 emission profile as compared to a biodegradable composition comprising a 1,3-propanediol with a bio-based carbon content of 0%, wherein said composition is selected from the group consisting of coatings, paints, and inks.\",\n \"14. The biodegradable composition of claim 13 wherein the 1,3-propanediol makes up about 1% to about 50% of the composition by weight.\",\n \"15. The biodegradable composition of claim 13 wherein said 1,3-propanediol has a “b” color value of less than about 0.15 and an absorbance at 275 nm of less than about 0.050.\",\n \"16. The biodegradable composition of claim 13 wherein said 1,3-propanediol has a peroxide concentration of less than about 10 ppm.\",\n \"17. The biodegradable composition of claim 13 wherein said 1,3-propanediol has a concentration of total organic impurities in said composition of less than about 400 ppm.\",\n \"18. The biodegradable composition of claim 13 wherein said 1,3-propanediol has a concentration of total organic impurities of less than about 300 ppm.\",\n \"19. The biodegradable composition of claim 13 wherein said 1,3-propanediol has a concentration of total organic impurities of less than about 150 ppm.\",\n \"20. The biodegradable composition of claim 13 wherein said 1,3-propanediol has a concentration of carbonyl groups of less than about 10 ppm.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A hydrocarbon mixture in which:\\na. the percentage of molecules with even carbon number is ≥80% according to FINIS;\\nb. the BP/BI≥−0.6037 (Internal alkyl branching per molecule)+2.0;\\nc. on average there are 0.3 to 1.5 5+methyl per molecule; and\\nd. has a Noack volatility and Cold Crank Simulated viscosity at −35° C. relationship where Noack volatility is between 2750 (CCS at −35° C.)(−0.8)±2.\",\n \"2. The mixture of claim 1, wherein the mixture further has a Noack volatility and Cold Crank Simulated viscosity at −35° C. relationship where Noack volatility is between 2750 (CCS at −35° C.)(−0.8)+0.5 and 2740 (CCS at −35° C.)(−0.8)−2.\",\n \"3. The hydrocarbon mixture of claim 1 further comprising the following characteristics:\\ne. KV100 in the range of 3.0-10.0 cSt; and\\nf. Pour point in the range of −20 to −55° C.\",\n \"4. The hydrocarbon mixture of claim 3, wherein the carbon numbers of the hydrocarbon mixture is in the range of 28 to 40 and the hydrocarbon mixture further exhibits the following characteristics:\\na. KV100 in the range of 3.0-6.0 cSt;\\nb. VI in the range of 11 ln(BP/BI)+135 to 11 ln(BP/BI)+145; and\\nc. Pour point in the range of 33 ln(BP/BI)-45 to 33 ln(BP/BI)-35.\",\n \"5. The hydrocarbon mixture of claim 4, wherein the boiling point range is no more than 125° C. (TBP at 95%-TBP at 5%) as measured by ASTM D2887.\",\n \"6. The hydrocarbon mixture of claim 4, wherein the boiling point range is no more than 50° C. (TBP at 95%-TBP at 5%) as measured by ASTM D2887.\",\n \"7. The hydrocarbon mixture of claim 4, wherein its Branching proximity is in the range of 14-30 and Branching index is in the range of 15-25.\",\n \"8. The hydrocarbon mixture of claim 4, wherein its KV100 is in the range of 3.2 to 5.5 cSt.\",\n \"9. The hydrocarbon mixture of claim 4, wherein its VI is in the range of 135 to 145.\",\n \"10. The hydrocarbon mixture of claim 4, wherein its pour point is in the range of −25 to −55° C.\",\n \"11. The hydrocarbon mixture of claim 4, wherein its Noack volatility is less than 16 wt %.\",\n \"12. The hydrocarbon mixture of claim 3, wherein its CCS viscosity at −35° C. is less than 2,000 cP.\",\n \"13. The mixture according to claim 3, wherein said hydrocarbon mixture has carbon numbers≥42 and the following characteristics:\\na. KV100 in the range of 6.0-10.0 cSt;\\nb. VI in the range of 11 ln(BP/BI)+145 to 11 ln(BP/BI)+160; and a\\nc. Pour point in the range of 33 ln(BP/BI)-40 to 33 ln(BP/BI)-25.\",\n \"14. The hydrocarbon mixture of claim 13, wherein its BP is in the range of 16-30 and BI is in the range of 15-25.\",\n \"15. The hydrocarbon mixture of claim 13, wherein its KV100 is in the range of 8.0-10.0 cSt.\",\n \"16. The hydrocarbon mixture of claim 13, wherein its VI is in the range of 140-170.\",\n \"17. The hydrocarbon mixture of claim 13, wherein its pour point is in the range of −15 to −50° C.\",\n \"18. A lubricant composition comprising the hydrocarbon mixture of claim 1 as the base stock component at 1-99 wt %, and one or more additives selected from antioxidants, viscosity modifiers, pour point depressants, foam inhibitors, detergents, dispersants, dyes, markers, rust inhibitors or other corrosion inhibitors, emulsifiers, de-emulsifiers, flame retardants, antiwear agents, friction modifiers, thermal stability improvers, or multifunctional additives.\",\n \"19. The lubricant composition of claim 18, formulated for use in two cycle engines; for use as a transmission fluid; for use as a hydraulic fluid; for use in compressors; for use in turbines; for use in an automotive engine oil; for use as a marine grade lubricant; for use as a grease; for use as an industrial oil; for use as a dielectric heat transfer fluid; or for use as a process oil.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A method of fabricating a thermally conductive, stretchable elastomer composite, the method comprising mixing liquid metal and a soft material in a centrifugal mixer under conditions such that the liquid metal forms microscale liquid metal droplets that are dispersed in the soft material, wherein the liquid metal is liquid at room temperature, wherein the composite comprises a strain of at least 100%, and wherein the microscale liquid metal droplets comprise a major axis dimension in a range of 1 to 100 microns.\",\n \"2. The method of claim 1, further comprising, prior to mixing with the centrifugal mixer, mixing the liquid metal and the soft material for a period of time using a stirring rod.\",\n \"3. The method of claim 1, wherein the centrifugal mixer comprises a planetary centrifugal mixer.\",\n \"4. The method of claim 1, wherein the composite comprises an amount of the liquid metal of at least 10% by volume of the composite.\",\n \"5. The method of claim 1, wherein the composite comprises an amount of the liquid metal in a range of 40% to 60% by volume of the composite.\",\n \"6. The method of claim 1, wherein mixing the liquid metal and the soft material comprises mixing the liquid metal and the soft material such that at least 80% of the liquid droplets have a major axis dimension in a range of 4 to 30 microns.\",\n \"7. The method of claim 1, wherein the liquid metal comprises eutectic gallium indium.\",\n \"8. The method of claim 7, wherein the soft material comprises a soft elastomer, an oil, an epoxy, a wax, or a combination thereof.\",\n \"9. The method of claim 7, wherein the soft material comprises a soft elastomer.\",\n \"10. The method of claim 9, wherein the soft elastomer comprises polysiloxane.\",\n \"11. The method of claim 9, wherein the soft elastomer comprises polysiloxane, polyurethane, natural rubber, a block copolymer elastomer, thermoplastic elastomer, or a combination thereof.\",\n \"12. The method of claim 1, wherein the liquid metal comprises gallium, a gallium alloy, a tin alloy, an antimony alloy, mercury, or a combination thereof.\",\n \"13. The method of claim 12, wherein the soft material comprises a soft elastomer, an oil, an epoxy, a wax, or a combination thereof.\",\n \"14. The method of claim 12 wherein, the liquid metal comprises a gallium alloy selected from the group consisting of eutectic gallium indium and gallium-indium-tin.\",\n \"15. The method of claim 1, wherein the soft material comprises a soft elastomer, an oil, an epoxy, a wax, or a combination thereof.\",\n \"16. The method of claim 15, wherein the composite comprises an amount of the liquid metal in a range of 40% to 60% by volume of the composite.\",\n \"17. The method of claim 1, wherein the soft material comprises a soft elastomer, and wherein the soft elastomer comprises a polysiloxane, polyurethane, natural rubber, a block copolymer elastomer, thermoplastic elastomer, or a combination thereof.\",\n \"18. The method of claim 1, wherein:\\nthe composite comprises an amount of the liquid metal in a range of 10% to 80% by volume of the composite; mixing the liquid metal and the soft material comprises mixing the liquid metal and the soft material such that at least 80% of the liquid droplets have a major axis dimension of in a range of 4 to 30 microns;\\nthe soft material comprises a soft elastomer, an oil, an epoxy, a wax, or a combination thereof; and\\nthe liquid metal comprises gallium, a gallium alloy, a tin alloy, an antimony alloy, mercury, or a combination thereof.\",\n \"19. A method for fabricating an elastomer composite, the method comprising:\\nforming a composition comprising;\\n5% to 80% by volume of a liquid metal, wherein the liquid metal is liquid at room temperature; and\\nan elastomer;\\nmixing the composition in a centrifugal mixer to form liquid metal droplets from the liquid metal and dispersing the liquid metal droplets through the elastomer thereby forming an elastomer composite, wherein at least 80% of the liquid metal droplets comprise a major axis dimension in a range of 4 to 30 microns after mixing in the centrifugal mixer.\",\n \"20. The method of claim 19, further comprising curing the elastomer composite.\",\n \"21. The method of claim 20, wherein the cured elastomer composite comprises a strain of at least 100%.\",\n \"22. The method of claim 19, wherein the centrifugal mixer comprises a planetary centrifugal mixer.\",\n \"23. The method of claim 19, wherein the elastomer comprises polysiloxane, polyurethane, natural rubber, a block copolymer elastomer, thermoplastic elastomer, or a combination thereof, and the liquid metal comprises gallium, a gallium alloy, a tin alloy, an antimony alloy, mercury, or a combination thereof.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A thermally conductive silicone composition comprising an organopolysiloxane as a base polymer and a thermally conductive filler, wherein the thermally conductive filler includes aluminum nitride having an average particle size of 10 to 100 μm and crushed alumina having an average particle size of 0.1 to 5 μm, the crushed alumina accounting for 15 to 55 wt % of the collective amount of aluminum nitride and crushed alumina, and the aluminum nitride and crushed alumina collectively accounting for 60 to 95 wt % of the thermally conductive silicone composition.\",\n \"2. The thermally conductive silicone composition of claim 1, comprising:\\n(A-1) 100 parts by weight of an organopolysiloxane containing at least two silicon-bonded alkenyl groups on the molecule and having a kinematic viscosity at 25° C. of from 10 to 100,000 mm2/s;\\n(B) from 1,000 to 4,000 parts by weight of, as the thermally conductive filler, aluminum nitride having an average particle size of 10 to 100 μm and crushed alumina having an average particle size of 0.1 to 5 μm;\\n(C-1) an organohydrogenpolysiloxane having at least two hydrogen atoms directly bonded to silicon atoms, in an amount such that the number of moles of hydrogen atoms directly bonded to silicon atoms is from 0.1 to 8 moles per mole of alkenyl groups from component (A-1); and\\n(D) from 0.1 to 2,000 ppm of a platinum family metal-based curing catalyst, expressed as the weight of the platinum family metallic element with respect to component (A-1), wherein the crushed alumina in component (B) is included in a proportion of at least 15 wt % and not more than 55 wt % of the total weight of component (B).\",\n \"3. The thermally conductive silicone composition of claim 1, comprising:\\n(A-2) 100 parts by weight of an organopolysiloxane of general formula (1) below\\n(wherein the R1 groups are mutually like or unlike unsubstituted, halogen-substituted or cyano-substituted alkyl groups of 1 to 5 carbon atoms or aryl groups of 6 to 8 carbon atoms; and the subscript “a” is a number that sets the kinematic viscosity at 25° C. of the organopolysiloxane of formula (1) to the below-indicated value) which is capped at both ends with hydroxyl groups and has a kinematic viscosity at 25° C. of from 10 to 100,000 mm2/s;\\n(B) from 1,000 to 4,000 parts by weight of, as the thermally conductive filler, aluminum nitride having an average particle size of 10 to 100 μm and crushed alumina having an average particle size of 0.1 to 5 μm;\\n(C-2) from 1 to 40 parts by weight of one or more selected from the group consisting of silane compounds of general formula (2) below\\n\\nR2 b—SiX(4-b) (2)\\n(wherein R2 is an unsubstituted, halogen-substituted or cyano-substituted alkyl group of 1 to 3 carbon atoms, vinyl group or phenyl group; X is a hydrolyzable group; and the subscript b is 0 or 1), (partial) hydrolyzates thereof and (partial) hydrolytic condensates thereof; and\\n(F) from 0.01 to 20 parts by weight of a curing catalyst for a condensation reaction selected from the group consisting of alkyltin ester compounds, titanic acid esters, titanium chelate compounds, organozinc compounds, organoiron compounds, organocobalt compounds, organomanganese compounds, organoaluminum compounds, hexylamine, dodecylamine phosphate, quaternary ammonium salts, lower fatty acid salts of alkali metals, dialkylhydroxylamines and guanidyl group-containing silanes and siloxanes,\\nwherein the crushed alumina in component (B) is included in a proportion of at least 15 wt % and not more than 55 wt % of the total weight of component (B).\",\n \"4. The thermally conductive silicone composition of claim 1, comprising:\\n(A-3) 100 parts by weight of an organopolysiloxane containing at least two silicon-bonded alkenyl groups on the molecule and having a kinematic viscosity at 25° C. of from 10 to 100,000 mm2/s;\\n(B) from 1,000 to 4,000 parts by weight of, as the thermally conductive filler, aluminum nitride having an average particle size of 10 to 100 μm and crushed alumina having an average particle size of 0.1 to 5 μm; and\\n(G) from 0.01 to 10 parts by weight of an organic peroxide, wherein the crushed alumina in component (B) is included in a proportion of at least 15 wt % and not more than 55 wt % of the total weight of component (B).\",\n \"5. The thermally conductive silicone composition of claim 1, wherein the aluminum nitride in the thermally conductive filler is crushed and/or spherical.\",\n \"6. The thermally conductive silicone composition of claim 5, wherein crushed aluminum nitride having an average particle size of 10 to 100 μm in the thermally conductive filler is included in a proportion of at least 10 wt % and not more than 50 wt % of the total weight of the thermally conductive filler.\",\n \"7. The thermally conductive silicone composition of claim 2 which further comprises, as component (H), from 10 to 200 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of component (A-1), (A-2) or (A-3) of at least one selected from the group consisting of:\\n(H-1) alkoxy silane compounds of general formula (3) below\\n\\nR3 cR4 dSi(OR5)4-c-d (3)\\n(wherein R3 is independently an alkyl group of 6 to 15 carbon atoms, R4 is independently a substituted or unsubstituted monovalent hydrocarbon group of 1 to 8 carbon atoms, R5 is independently an alkyl group of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, the subscript c is an integer from 1 to 3, the subscript d is 0, 1 or 2, and the sum c+d is an integer from 1 to 3); and\\n(H-2) dimethylpolysiloxanes of general formula (4) below\\n(wherein R6 is independently an alkyl group of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and the subscript e is an integer from 5 to 100) which are capped at one end of the molecular chain with a trialkoxysilyl group.\",\n \"8. The thermally conductive silicone composition of claim 2 which further comprises:\\n(I) from 1 to 40 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of component (A-1), (A-2) or (A-3), of an organopolysiloxane of general formula (5) below\\n\\nR7 3SiO—(R7 2SiO)f—SiR7 3 (5)\\n(wherein R7 is independently a monovalent hydrocarbon group of 1 to 8 carbon atoms without aliphatic unsaturated bonds, and the subscript f is an integer from 5 to 2,000) having a kinematic viscosity at 25° C. of from 10 to 100,000 mm2/s.\",\n \"9. A cured product of the thermally conductive silicone composition of claim 1, which cured product has a thermal conductivity of at least 5 W/mK.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. Composition comprising from 60 to 99% by weight of E-1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene and from 1 to 40% by weight of at least one chlorotrifluoropropene, wherein the composition is azeotropic or azeotrope-like.\",\n \"2. Composition comprising from 1 to 30% by weight of E-1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene and from 70 to 99% by weight of at least one chlorotrifluoropropene.\",\n \"3. Composition according to claim 1 characterized in that the chlorotrifluoropropene is 1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene and 2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene.\",\n \"4. Composition according to claim 3 characterized in that the chlorotrifluoropropene is the trans-isomer of 1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene.\",\n \"5. A composition comprising from 1 to 25% by weight of E-1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene and from 75 to 99% by weight of E-1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene.\",\n \"6. Heat transfer composition comprising composition of claim 1.\",\n \"7. Blowing agent composition comprising composition of claim 1.\",\n \"8. Solvent composition comprising composition of claim 1.\",\n \"9. Sprayable composition comprising composition of claim 1.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A cleaning method, comprising:\\nbringing an article to be cleaned into contact with a liquid-phase solvent composition comprising 1-chloro-2,3,3-trifluoro-1-propene and 1-chloro-2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropane; and\\nexposing the article to be cleaned to evaporated solvent obtained from evaporating the liquid-phase solvent composition,\\nwherein, in the liquid-phase composition, a proportion of a content of 1-chloro-2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropane to a total of a content of 1-chloro-2,3,3-trifluoro-1-propene and a content of 1-chloro-2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropane is 0.0001 to 1 mass %.\",\n \"2. The method of claim 1, wherein a proportion of a content of 1-chloro-2,3,3-trifluoro-1-propene to a total amount of the liquid-phase solvent composition is 80 mass % or more.\",\n \"3. The method of claim 1, wherein the 1-chloro-2,3,3-trifluoro-1-propene consists of (Z)-1-chloro-2,3,3-trifluoro-1-propene and (E)-1-chloro-2,3,3-trifluoro-1-propene, and\\nwherein, in the liquid-phase composition, a proportion of a content of (Z)-1-chloro-2,3,3-trifluoro-1-propene to a total amount of 1-chloro-2,3,3-trifluoro-1-propene is 80 to 100 mass %.\",\n \"4. The method of claim 1, wherein a processing oil adhering to the article is cleaned off.\",\n \"5. The method of claim 4, wherein the processing oil is at least one selected from a group consisting of a cutting oil, a quenching oil, a rolling oil, a lubricating oil, a machine oil, a presswork oil, a stamping oil, a drawing oil, an assembly oil, and a wire drawing oil.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. An azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition consisting essentially of effective amounts of 1,2,2-trifluoro-1-trifluoromethylcyclobutane and perfluoro(2-methyl-3-pentanone), wherein the azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition has a boiling point of about 48.70° C.±0.01° C. at a pressure of about 14.7 psia±0.2 psia.\",\n \"2. The azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition of claim 1, wherein the azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition consists essentially of from about 1 wt. % to about 20 wt. % 1,2,2-trifluoro-1-trifluoromethylcyclobutane and from about 80 wt. % to about 99 wt. % perfluoro(2-methyl-3-pentanone).\",\n \"3. The azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition of claim 1, wherein the azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition consists essentially of from about 5 wt. % to about 15 wt. % 1,2,2-trifluoro-1-trifluoromethylcyclobutane and from about 85 wt. % to about 95 wt. % perfluoro(2-methyl-3-pentanone).\",\n \"4. The azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition of claim 1, wherein the azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition consists essentially of from about 8 wt. % to about 12 wt. % 1,2,2-trifluoro-1-trifluoromethylcyclobutane and from about 88 wt. % to about 92 wt. % perfluoro(2-methyl-3-pentanone).\",\n \"5. The azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition of claim 1, wherein the azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition consists essentially of about 10 wt. % 1,2,2-trifluoro-1-trifluoromethylcyclobutane and about 90 wt. % perfluoro(2-methyl-3-pentanone).\",\n \"6. An azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition consisting of 1,2,2-trifluoro-1-trifluoromethylcyclobutane and perfluoro(2-methyl-3-pentanone), wherein the azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition has a boiling point of about 48.70° C.±0.01° C. at a pressure of about 14.7 psia±0.2 psia.\",\n \"7. The azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition of claim 1, wherein the azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition consists of from about 1 wt. % to about 20 wt. % 1,2,2-trifluoro-1-trifluoromethylcyclobutane and from about 80 wt. % to about 99 wt. % perfluoro(2-methyl-3-pentanone).\",\n \"8. The azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition of claim 1, wherein the azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition consists of from about 5 wt. % to about 15 wt. % 1,2,2-trifluoro-1-trifluoromethylcyclobutane and from about 85 wt. % to about 95 wt. % perfluoro(2-methyl-3-pentanone).\",\n \"9. The azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition of claim 1, wherein the azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition consists of from about 8 wt. % to about 12 wt. % 1,2,2-trifluoro-1-trifluoromethylcyclobutane and from about 88 wt. % to about 92 wt. % perfluoro(2-methyl-3-pentanone).\",\n \"10. The azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition of claim 1, wherein the azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition consists of about 10 wt. % 1,2,2-trifluoro-1-trifluoromethylcyclobutane and about 90 wt. % perfluoro(2-methyl-3-pentanone).\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A method for forming a modified particle that includes a plurality of non-linear surfactants comprising:\\na) providing particles, said particles formed of one or more materials selected from the group consisting of metal, ceramic, cermet, graphite, plastic, resins, and metalloids;\\nb) providing a non-linear surfactant, said non-linear surfactant formed of a base compound with one or more functional groups, said base compound including a compound selected from the group consisting of abietic acid, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, steroids, terpenes, squalenes, terpenoids, sterols, graphenes and their derivatives, said one or more functional groups including one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of alcohols, carboxylic acids, esters, anhydrides, amides, nitriles, aldehydes, boron, thiols, amines, ethers, sulphides, alkenes, alkynes, alkyl halides, nitro, and alkyls; and\\nc) causing said non-linear surfactant to attach to a surface of said particles such that an outer surface of said particles is covered by 30-100% of said non-linear surfactant.\",\n \"2. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein an average particle size of said particles is 1 nm to 1 cm.\",\n \"3. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein said non-linear surfactant constitutes 0.0000001-10 wt. % of said modified particle.\",\n \"4. A modified particle that includes a particle and non-linear surfactant connected to at least a portion of an outer surface of said particle; said particle formed of one or more materials selected from the group consisting of metal, ceramic, cermet, graphite, plastic, resins and metalloids; said non-linear surfactant comprises bi-functionalized molecules and/or particles having both hydrophobic and hydrophilic groups, said non-linear surfactant includes a base compound, said base compound is bi-functionalized with both hydrophilic and hydrophobic functional groups to obtain an amphiphilic particle; at least 30% of an outer surface of said particle is covered by said non-linear surfactant, wherein said base compound includes a compound selected from the group consisting of abietic acid, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, steroids, terpenes, squalenes, terpenoids, sterols, graphenes and their derivatives, at least one of said functional groups includes one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of alcohols, carboxylic acids, esters, anhydrides, amides, nitriles, aldehydes, boron, thiols, amines, ethers, sulphides, alkenes, alkynes, alkyl halides, nitro, and alkyls.\",\n \"5. The modified particle as defined in claim 4, wherein said base compound includes monoterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, diterpenoids, sesterterpenoids, triterpenoids, tetraterpenoids, polyterpenoids, monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, diterpenes, sestererpenes, triterpenes, sesquarterpenes, tetraterpenes, polyterpenes, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, bile acids, abietic acid, and their derivatives thereof.\",\n \"6. The modified particle as defined in claim 4, wherein said base compound has an average particle size of 0.2-1,000 nm.\",\n \"7. The modified particle as defined in claim 4, wherein said functional groups on said base compound form an ionic surface charge, a hydrophilic region, a hydrophobic region, a lipophilic region, an omniphobic region, and an omniphilic region.\",\n \"8. The modified particle as defined in claim 4, wherein an average particle size of said particle is 1 nm to 1 cm.\",\n \"9. The modified particle as defined in claim 4, wherein said non-linear surfactant constitutes 0.0000001-10 wt. % of said modified particle.\",\n \"10. A method for forming a modified particle that includes a plurality of non-linear surfactants comprising:\\na. providing particles, said particles\\nformed of one or more materials selected from the group consisting of metal, ceramic, cermet, graphite, plastic, resins, and metalloids;\\nb. providing a non-linear surfactant, said non-linear surfactant comprises bi-functionalized molecules and/or particles having both hydrophobic and hydrophilic groups, said non-linear surfactant includes a base compound, said base compound is bi-functionalized with both hydrophilic and hydrophobic functional groups to obtain an amphiphilic particle; wherein said base compound includes a compound selected from the group consisting of abietic acid, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, steroids, terpenes, squalenes, terpenoids, sterols, graphenes and their derivatives, at least one of said functional groups includes one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of alcohols, carboxylic acids, esters, anhydrides, amides, nitriles, aldehydes, boron, thiols, amines, ethers, sulphides, alkenes, alkynes, alkyl halides, nitro, and alkyls; and,\\nc. causing said non-linear surfactant to attach to a surface of a plurality of said particles such that an outer surface of said particle is covered by at least 30% of said non-linear surfactant.\",\n \"11. The method as defined in claim 10, wherein said base compound includes monoterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, diterpenoids, sesterterpenoids, triterpenoids, tetraterpenoids, polyterpenoids, monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, diterpenes, sestererpenes, triterpenes, sesquarterpenes, tetraterpenes, polyterpenes, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, bile acids, abietic acid, and their derivatives thereof.\",\n \"12. The method as defined in claim 10, wherein said base compound has an average particle size of 0.2-1,000 nm.\",\n \"13. The method as defined in claim 10, wherein said functional groups on said base compound form an ionic surface charge, a hydrophilic region, a hydrophobic region, a lipophilic region, an omniphobic region, and an omniphilic region.\",\n \"14. The method as defined in claim 10, wherein an average particle size of said particle is 1 nm to 1 cm.\",\n \"15. The method as defined in claim 10, wherein said non-linear surfactant constitutes 0.0000001-10 wt. % of said modified particle.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A dispersion, comprising:\\nmetal oxide particles with an average primary particle diameter of not more than 50 nm;\\nan organic acid;\\na dispersion medium; and\\nan organophosphorus compound, or a salt thereof, represented by formula (1):\\nwherein a and b are each independently 1 or 2, with a+b being equal to 3, and c is 0 or 1;\\nA denotes a substituent comprising a substituent represented by the below-mentioned formula (a1) and at least one of the linker groups represented by the below-mentioned formulae (a2), wherein the below-mentioned formulae (a2) is bonded to the phosphorus atom via the oxygen atom:\\n\\nR1—(O)t— (a1)\\nwherein R1 denotes a saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group with 1 to 50 carbon atoms, a (meth)acryloyl group, or an aromatic group-containing hydrocarbon group with 6 to 100 carbon atoms, and t is 0 or 1;\\nwherein R2, R3, and R4 are a divalent hydrocarbon group with 1 to 18 carbon atoms, or a divalent aromatic group-containing hydrocarbon group with 6 to 30 carbon atoms, and a hydrogen atom of each of the R2, R3, and R4 is optionally substituted with an ether group;\\np, q, and r each denote an integer molar ratio per mole of the unit (a1), with p+q+r being equal to from 1 to 200, p being equal to from 1 to 200, q being equal to from 1 to 200, and r being equal to from 1 to 200; and/or\\nan organosulfur compound, or a salt thereof, represented by formula (2):\\nwherein B denotes a substituent comprising a substituent represented by the below-mentioned formula (b1) and at least one of the linker groups represented by the below-mentioned formulae (b2), wherein the below-mentioned formulae (b2) is bonded to the sulfur atom via the oxygen atom:\\n\\nR5—(O)t— (b1)\\nwherein R5 denotes a saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group with 1 to 50 carbon atoms, a (meth)acryloyl group, or an aromatic group-containing hydrocarbon group with 6 to 100 carbon atoms, and t is 0 or 1;\\nwherein R6, R7, and R8 are a divalent hydrocarbon group with 1 to 18 carbon atoms, or a divalent aromatic group-containing hydrocarbon group with 6 to 30 carbon atoms, and a hydrogen atom of each of the R6, R7, and R8 is optionally substituted with an ether group;\\np, q, and r each denote an integer molar ratio per mole of the unit (b1), with p+q+r being equal to from 1 to 200, p being equal to from 1 to 200, q being equal to from 1 to 200, and r being equal to from 1 to 200.\",\n \"2. The dispersion according to claim 1, wherein the metal oxide particles are coated with at least a part of the organic acid.\",\n \"3. The dispersion according to claim 1, wherein the metal of the metal oxide particles is at least one selected from Ti, Al, Zr, Zn, Sn, and Ce.\",\n \"4. The dispersion according to claim 1, wherein the organic acid is an organic acid selected from (meth)acrylic acids, or carboxylic acids with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of an ester group, an ether group, an amido group, a thioester group, a thioether group, a carbonate group, a urethane group, and a urea group.\",\n \"5. The dispersion according to claim 1, wherein the organic acid is a half ester of a C3-9 aliphatic dicarboxylic acid with a (meth)acryloyloxy C1-6 alkyl alcohol.\",\n \"6. The dispersion according to claim 1, wherein the metal oxide particles have been subjected to surface treatment with a silane coupling agent.\",\n \"7. An article produced by molding or curing the dispersion according to claim 1.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. An emulsion, comprising:\\na continuous phase of a first liquid; and\\na dispersed phase comprising a plurality of liquid marbles, said plurality of liquid marbles comprising one or more type of liquid marble, said liquid marbles comprising a droplet of a liquid covered with a shell of particles, wherein said particles have an average dimension of not less than 50 μm, wherein a size distribution of said dispersed phase is a non-probability distribution,\\nand wherein at least one of:\\nsaid droplet of liquid in at least a portion of said liquid marbles includes a non-soluble constituent suspended therein;\\nsaid dispersed phase includes liquid marbles in which said droplet of liquid is miscible with said first liquid of said continuous phase;\\nthe emulsion comprises at least two components that tend to chemically react when in contact at a temperature of 0° C. and pressure of 100 kPa, said at least two components mutually isolated from such contact by virtue of isolation of at least one of said components in said liquid marble.\",\n \"2. The emulsion of claim 1, wherein said droplet of liquid in at least a portion of said liquid marbles includes said non-soluble constituent suspended therein.\",\n \"3. The emulsion of claim 2, wherein said droplet of liquid is selected from the group consisting of a colloid, an emulsion, oil-in-water emulsion, a sol, a hydrocolloid and a suspension.\",\n \"4. The emulsion of claim 1, wherein said dispersed phase includes liquid marbles in which said droplet of liquid is miscible with and different from said first liquid of said continuous phase.\",\n \"5. The emulsion of claim 1, wherein said dispersed phase includes at least two distinct populations of said liquid marbles.\",\n \"6. The emulsion of claim 5, wherein said at least two distinct populations of said liquid marbles are characterized by different size distributions and/or by different types of said droplet of liquid and/or said shell of particles.\",\n \"7. The emulsion of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said liquid marbles comprise a droplet of a second liquid which is immiscible with said first liquid.\",\n \"8. The emulsion of claim 7, wherein said first liquid is immiscible in water and said second liquid is miscible in water.\",\n \"9. The emulsion of claim 7, wherein said first liquid or said second liquid comprises water and/or glycerol.\",\n \"10. The emulsion of claim 7, wherein said first liquid or said second liquid comprises a water-immiscible liquid comprising a substance selected from the group consisting of toluene, xylene, carbon tetrachloride, dichloromethane, 1,2-dichloroethane, chloroform, a silicone oil, polyaryl siloxane, polyalkylaryl siloxane, polyether siloxane copolymer, and combinations thereof, an edible oil, a vegetable oil, an animal oil and mixtures thereof.\",\n \"11. The emulsion of claim 1, wherein said droplets have an average diameter of not less than 100 μm.\",\n \"12. The emulsion of claim 11, wherein said droplets have an average diameter of not less than 500 μm.\",\n \"13. The emulsion of claim 1, wherein said droplets have an average diameter of not more than 10 mm.\",\n \"14. The emulsion of claim 1, wherein said particles are solid particles.\",\n \"15. The emulsion of claim 1, wherein said particles comprise a material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polytetrafluoroethylene, silica, carbon black, poly(sodium styrene sulfonate), polyacrylic acid, polyvinylidene difluoride, latex, and lycopodium powder.\",\n \"16. The emulsion of claim 1, wherein said particles comprise a material selected from the group consisting of poly(sodium styrene sulfonate), polyacrylic acid, poly(N-(3-aminopropyl)methacrylamide), a polypeptide, a polysaccharide, lecithin, alginate, and carrageenan.\",\n \"17. The emulsion of claim 1, wherein said particles have an average dimension of not more than 500 μm.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A complex comprising:\\na metal fine particle dispersant comprising a branched polymer compound having an ammonium group and having a weight average molecular weight of 500 to 5,000,000; and\\na metal fine particle, wherein\\nthe metal fine particle comprises platinum (Pt) or palladium (Pd),\\nthe metal fine particle dispersant comprises a branched polymer compound of Formula (1):\\nwherein\\nR1 is a hydrogen atom,\\nR2, R3, and R4 are independently a hydrogen atom, a linear, branched, or cyclic C1-20 alkyl group, a C6-20 arylalkyl group,\\nwherein the alkyl group and the arylalkyl group are optionally substituted with an alkoxy group, a hydroxy group, an ammonium group, a carboxy group, or a cyano group, or —(CH2CH2O)m—R5,\\nwherein R5 is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, and m is an arbitrary integer of 2 to 100, or\\nR2, R3, and R4 are optionally bonded to each other through a linear, branched, or cyclic alkylene group to form a ring together with a nitrogen atom to which R2, R3, and R4 are bonded,\\nwherein at least one of R2, R3, and R4 is an octyl group or a dodecyl group,\\nX− is an anion,\\nA1 is a structure of Formula (2):\\nwherein:\\nA2 is a linear, branched, or cyclic C1-30 alkylene group that optionally contains an ether bond or an ester bond, and\\nY1, Y2, Y3, and Y4 are a hydrogen atom, and\\nn is the number of repeating unit structures that is an integer of 2 to 100,000, and\\nthe complex has a higher catalyst activity compared to a same complex that does not have the branched polymer compound of Formula (1).\",\n \"2. The complex according to claim 1, wherein the metal fine particle has an average particle diameter of 1 nm or more to 100 nm or less.\",\n \"3. The complex according to claim 1, wherein the branched polymer compound has a degree of distribution Mw (weight average molecular weight)/Mn (number average molecular weight) of 1 to 7.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A method for producing a nano-silica dispersion having amphiphilic properties and a double-particle structure, the method comprises:\\nproducing a lipophilically modified nano-silica alcosol which is denoted as a first reaction solution by adding a silane coupling agent containing a lipophilic group to a nano-silica alcosol as a raw material;\\nproducing a hydrophilically modified nano-silica alcosol which is denoted as a second reaction solution by adding a silane coupling agent containing a hydrophilic group into a nano-silica alcosol as a raw material; and\\nproducing the nano-silica dispersion having amphiphilic properties and a double-particle structure by adding 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane to the first reaction solution at 30° C. to 45° C., stirring for 3 h to 6 h, then mixing the resultant with the second reaction solution in a mass ratio of 1:1, and stirring for 0.5 h to 3 h;\\nwherein, the mass ratio of 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane to silica in the first reaction solution is 1:20,000 to 1:50,000.\",\n \"2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the production of the lipophilically modified nano-silica alcosol comprises:\\nheating the nano-silica alcosol to 30° C. to 45° C., adding the silane coupling agent containing a lipophilic group in an amount of 25% to 100% by mass based on the nano-silica, stirring for 2 h to 5 h, and aging for 3 d to 7 d, to produce the lipophilically modified nano-silica alcosol.\",\n \"3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the production of the hydrophilically modified nano-silica alcosol comprises:\\nheating the nano-silica alcosol to 30° C. to 45° C., adding the silane coupling agent containing a hydrophilic group in an amount of 25% to 100% by mass based on the nano-silica, stirring for 2 h to 5 h, and aging for 3 d to 7 d, to produce the hydrophilically modified nano-silica alcosol.\",\n \"4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the nano-silica alcosol has a concentration of 1 wt % to 10 wt %.\",\n \"5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the nano-silica alcosol is produced by using an alcohol as a solvent and ethyl orthosilicate as a precursor, under the action of a basic catalyst.\",\n \"6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the alcohol is one or more of ethanol, propanol and butanol.\",\n \"7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the nano-silica alcosol is produced by using an alcohol as a solvent and ethyl orthosilicate as a precursor, under the action of a basic catalyst.\",\n \"8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the alcohol is one or more of ethanol, propanol and butanol.\",\n \"9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the silane coupling agent containing a lipophilic group is a silane coupling agent containing a C8-C16 alkyl chain or a benzene-based group.\",\n \"10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the benzene-based group is a group of alkylphenol polyoxyethylene ether or a polyhydroxy benzene.\",\n \"11. The method according to claim 9, wherein the silane coupling agent containing a lipophilic group comprises one or more of n-octyltrimethoxysilane, dodecyltrimethoxysilane, cetyltrimethoxysilane, diphenyldimethoxysilane, methylphenyldimethoxysilane and hexamethyldisilazane.\",\n \"12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the silane coupling agent containing a lipophilic group comprises one or more of n-octyltrimethoxysilane, dodecyltrimethoxysilane, cetyltrimethoxysilane, diphenyldimethoxysilane, methylphenyldimethoxysilane and hexamethyldisilazane.\",\n \"13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the silane coupling agent containing a hydrophilic group is a silane coupling agent containing a polyhydroxy group or a group that can be converted to a polyhydroxy group.\",\n \"14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the silane coupling agent containing a hydrophilic group is γ-glycidyl oxypropyltrimethoxysilane.\",\n \"15. The method according to claim 1, wherein the silane coupling agent containing a hydrophilic group is γ-glycidyl oxypropyltrimethoxysilane.\",\n \"16. The method according to claim 1, wherein the lipophilic nano-silica particles in the lipophilically modified nano-silica alcosol have a particle size of 5 nm to 100 nm; and the hydrophilic nano-silica particles in the hydrophilically modified nano-silica alcosol have a particle size of 5 nm to 100 nm.\",\n \"17. A nano-silica dispersion having amphiphilic properties and a double-particle structure produced by the method according to claim 1, wherein one nano-silica particle in the double-particle structure is a nano-silica containing the lipophilic group, and the other nano-silica particle in the double-particle structure is a nano-silica containing the hydrophilic group.\",\n \"18. The nano-silica dispersion having amphiphilic properties and a double-particle structure according to claim 17, wherein the nano-silica particles have a particle size of 10 nm to 100 nm.\",\n \"19. A method for producing a nano-silica dispersion having amphiphilic properties and a double-particle structure, the method comprises:\\nproducing a lipophilically modified nano-silica alcosol which is denoted as a first reaction solution by adding a silane coupling agent containing a lipophilic group to a nano-silica alcosol as a raw material;\\nproducing a hydrophilically modified nano-silica alcosol which is denoted as a second reaction solution by adding a silane coupling agent containing a hydrophilic group into a nano-silica alcosol as a raw material; and\\nproducing the nano-silica dispersion having amphiphilic properties and a double-particle structure by stirring in 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane to the first reaction solution, then mixing the resultant with the second reaction solution.\",\n \"20. A nano-silica dispersion having amphiphilic properties and a double-particle structure produced by the method according to claim 19, wherein one nano-silica particle in the double-particle structure is a nano-silica containing the lipophilic group, and the other nano-silica particle in the double-particle structure is a nano-silica containing the hydrophilic group.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A solid dispersion comprising a dispersoid and a dispersion medium in which the dispersoid is dispersed,\\nwherein the dispersoid is an organic particle, an inorganic particle or a mixture thereof,\\nthe dispersion medium is a non-aqueous dispersion medium in a solid state at room temperature,\\nthe solid dispersion does not comprise any dispersant or surfactant,\\nthe inorganic particle is selected from the group consisting of iron, aluminum, chromium, nickel, cobalt, zinc, tungsten, indium, tin, palladium, zirconium, titanium, copper, silver, gold, platinum, kaolin, clay, talc, mica, bentonite, dolomite, calcium silicate, magnesium silicate, asbestos, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, barium carbonate, calcium sulfate, barium sulfate, aluminum sulfate, aluminum hydroxide, iron hydroxide, aluminum silicate, zirconium oxide, magnesium oxide, aluminum oxide, titanium oxide, iron oxide, zinc oxide, antimony trioxide, indium oxide, indium tin oxide, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, boron nitride, barium titanate, diatomite, carbon black, graphite, rock wool, glass wool, glass fiber, graphene, carbon fiber, carbon nanofibers, carbon nanotubes, an alloy of two or more metals of them or a mixture of two or more of them,\\nthe organic particle is selected from the group consisting of azo-based compounds, diazo-based compounds, condensed azo-based compounds, thioindigo-based compounds, indanthrone-based compounds, quinacridone-based compounds, anthraquinone-based compounds, benzimidazolone-based compounds, perylene-based compounds, phthalocyanine-based compounds, anthrapyridine-based compounds, dioxazine-based compounds, polyethylene resin, polypropylene resin, polyester resin, nylon resin, polyamide resin, aramid resin, acrylic resin, vinylon resin, urethane resin, melamine resin, polystyrene resin, polylactic acid, acetate fiber, cellulose, lignin, chitin, chitosan, starch, polyacetal, polycarbonate, polyphenylene ether, polyether ether ketone, polyether ketone, polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polybutylene naphthalate, polysulfone, polyphenylene sulfide, polyimide or mixtures thereof, and\\nthe dispersion medium is one or more selected from the group consisting of polyether polyols, polyester polyols, hydrogenated sugars, alkane diols, phenol-based compounds, imidazole-based compounds, acid anhydride-based compounds, anhydrosugar alcohols or combinations thereof.\",\n \"2. The solid dispersion according to claim 1, wherein the content of the dispersoid is 0.0001 parts by weight to 95 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the dispersion medium.\",\n \"3. The solid dispersion according to claim 1, which is a solid dispersion at room temperature for chain extension.\",\n \"4. A chain-extended polyurethane, which is prepared by the reaction of a polyurethane prepolymer and the solid dispersion of claim 3.\",\n \"5. A method for preparing a chain-extended polyurethane comprising\\n(1) a step of adding the solid dispersion of claim 3 to a polyurethane prepolymer; and\\n(2) a step of reacting the resulting mixture of step (1).\",\n \"6. The method of claim 5, wherein the polyurethane prepolymer is obtained by reacting a polyol—which are vacuum-dried at 50 to 100° C. for 12 to 36 hours—and a polyisocyanate at a temperature of 50 to 100° C. for 0.1 to 5 hours under a nitrogen atmosphere.\",\n \"7. The method of claim 5, wherein the step of the reacting the resulting mixture of step (1) is conducted by curing the resulting mixture for 10 to 30 hours at a temperature of 80 to 200° C.\",\n \"8. The solid dispersion according to claim 1, which is a solid dispersion at room temperature for curing.\",\n \"9. An epoxy resin composition comprising an epoxy resin; and the solid dispersion of claim 8.\",\n \"10. A cured product obtained by curing the epoxy resin composition of claim 9.\",\n \"11. A molded article comprising the cured product of claim 10.\",\n \"12. A method for preparing an epoxy resin composition comprising a step of mixing an epoxy resin and the solid dispersion of claim 8.\",\n \"13. A dispersion composition comprising the solid dispersion of claim 1.\",\n \"14. A method for preparing the solid dispersion according to claim 1 comprising\\na step of mixing the dispersoid and the dispersion medium; and\\na step of melting the dispersion medium in a mixture.\",\n \"15. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of melting the dispersion medium in the mixture is conducted by melting the mixture while removing moisture by applying a vacuum at a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of the dispersion medium.\",\n \"16. A solid dispersion comprising a dispersoid and a dispersion medium in which the dispersoid is dispersed,\\nwherein the dispersoid is an organic particle, an inorganic particle or a mixture thereof,\\nthe dispersion medium is a non-aqueous dispersion medium in a solid state at room temperature,\\nthe solid dispersion does not comprise any dispersant or surfactant,\\nthe inorganic particle is selected from the group consisting of iron, aluminum, chromium, nickel, cobalt, zinc, tungsten, indium, tin, palladium, zirconium, titanium, copper, silver, gold, platinum, kaolin, clay, talc, mica, bentonite, dolomite, calcium silicate, magnesium silicate, asbestos, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, barium carbonate, calcium sulfate, barium sulfate, aluminum sulfate, aluminum hydroxide, iron hydroxide, aluminum silicate, zirconium oxide, magnesium oxide, aluminum oxide, titanium oxide, iron oxide, zinc oxide, antimony trioxide, indium oxide, indium tin oxide, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, boron nitride, barium titanate, diatomite, carbon black, graphite, rock wool, glass wool, glass fiber, graphene, carbon fiber, carbon nanofibers, carbon nanotubes, an alloy of two or more metals of them or a mixture of two or more of them,\\nthe organic particle is selected from the group consisting of azo-based compounds, diazo-based compounds, condensed azo-based compounds, thioindigo-based compounds, indanthrone-based compounds, quinacridone-based compounds, anthraquinone-based compounds, benzimidazolone-based compounds, perylene-based compounds, phthalocyanine-based compounds, anthrapyridine-based compounds, dioxazine-based compounds, polyethylene resin, polypropylene resin, polyester resin, nylon resin, polyamide resin, aramid resin, acrylic resin, vinylon resin, urethane resin, melamine resin, polystyrene resin, polylactic acid, acetate fiber, cellulose, lignin, chitin, chitosan, starch, polyacetal, polycarbonate, polyphenylene ether, polyether ether ketone, polyether ketone, polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polybutylene naphthalate, polysulfone, polyphenylene sulfide, polyimide or mixtures thereof, and\\nwherein the dispersion medium is one or more selected from the group consisting of tetritan, pentitan, heptitan, sorbitan, mannitan, iditan, galactan, isosorbide, isomannide, isoidide, tetritol, pentitol, heptitol, sorbitol, mannitol, iditol, galactitol, modified polypropylene glycol, polytetramethylene ether glycol, butylene adipate diol, 1,6-hexanadipate diol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, 1,9-nonanediol, poly(ethylene glycol)diamine, (R)-(+)-1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-diamine, (S)-(−)-1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-diamine, 1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-diamine, 4-ethoxybenzene-1,2-diamine, (1R,2R)—N,N′-dimethyl-1,2-diphenylethane-1,2-diamine, N,N-bis(4-butylphenyl)benzene-1,4-diamine, 2,3-xylenol, 2,4-xylenol, 2,5-xylenol, 2,6-zylenol, 3,4-zylenol, 3,5-zylenol, 2,5-dimethylphenol, 2,3-dimethylphenol, imidazole, 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)imidazole, imidazole trifluoro methanesulfonate, imidazole-2-carboxylic acid, 4-bromo-1H-imidazole, N-benzyl-2-nitro-1H-imidazole-1-acetamide, 2-chloro-1H-imidazole, imidazole-d, imidazole-N, imidazole-2-C,N, (2-dodecen-1-yl) succinic anhydride, maleic anhydride, succinic anhydride, phthalic anhydride, glutaric anhydride, 3,4,5,6-tetrahydrophthalic anhydride, diglycolic anhydride, itaconic anhydride, trans-1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylic anhydride, 2,3-dimethylmaleic anhydride, 3,3-tetramethylene glutaric anhydride, stearic anhydride, cis-aconitic anhydride, trimellitic anhydride chloride, phenylsuccinic anhydride, 3,3-dimethylglutaric anhydride, methylsuccinic anhydride or combinations thereof.\",\n \"17. A dispersion composition comprising the solid dispersion of claim 16.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A method of utilizing a particulate carbon material producible from renewable raw materials, wherein the particulate carbon material comprises:\\na statistical thickness surface area (STSA) of at least 5 m2/g and maximally 200 m2/g,\\nthe method comprising: mixing the particulate carbon material with an ingredient comprising: a polymer, a rubber, or a plastic to form a polymer mixture, a rubber mixture, or a plastic mixture, respectively.\",\n \"2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the particulate carbon material is effective as a filler in the rubber mixture or the plastic mixture.\",\n \"3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the renewable raw materials are lignin-containing biomass.\",\n \"4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the particulate material is produced by hydrothermal treatment of the renewable raw materials.\",\n \"5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the particulate carbon material has at least one of the following further characteristics:\\na 14C content of greater than 0.20 Bq/g of carbon and less than 0.45 Bq/g of carbon;\\nan oil absorption value (OAN) from 50 ml/100 g to 150 ml/100 g; and\\na carbon content based on ash-free dry substance is from 60 weight % to 80 weight %.\",\n \"6. A mixture comprising an ingredient and at least one particulate carbon material producible from renewable raw materials and at least one polymer, wherein the particulate carbon material comprises:\\na statistical thickness surface area (STSA) of at least 5 m2/g and maximally 200 m2/g,\\nwherein the ingredient comprises: a polymer, a rubber, or a plastic.\",\n \"7. The mixture according to claim 6, wherein the particulate carbon material has at least one of the following further characteristics:\\na 14C content of greater than 0.20 Bq/g of carbon and less than 0.45 Bq/g of carbon,\\nan oil absorption value (OAN) between 50 ml/100 g and 150 ml/100 g, and\\na carbon content based on the ash-free dry substance between 60 wt-% and 80 wt-%.\",\n \"8. The mixture according to claim 6, wherein the ingredient comprises a plastic, and the mixture further contains at least one adhesion promoter in a quantity of 2 wt.-% to 16 wt.-%based on a weight of the plastic in the mixture.\",\n \"9. The mixture according to claim 6, wherein the ingredient comprises a rubber, and the mixture further contains at least one coupling reagent.\",\n \"10. The mixture according to claim 9, wherein the coupling agent is present in the mixture in a quantity of 2 wt.-% to 16 wt.-% based on a weight of the particulate carbon material in the mixture.\",\n \"11. The mixture according to claim 10, wherein the at least one coupling reagent comprises at least one organosilane that is selected from the group consisting of: bis(trialkoxysilylalkyl)-oligosulfides or -polysulfides, mercaptosilanes, aminosilanes, silanes with unsaturated hydrocarbon groups, and silanes with large saturated hydrocarbon groups.\",\n \"12. The mixture according to claim 6, wherein the ingredient comprises a rubber, and the mixture further contains at least one of: (i) at least one reagent, which masks functional groups of the particulate carbon material, wherein the reagent is selected from amines, glycols and organosilanes, (ii) carbon black, and (iii) at least one crosslinker.\",\n \"13. The mixture according to claim 6, wherein the ingredient comprises a rubber, and a BET surface area of the particulate carbon material differs from the STSA by maximally 20%.\",\n \"14. The mixture according to claim 6, wherein the ingredient comprises a rubber, and the particulate carbon material is produced by hydrothermal treatment of the renewable raw materials.\",\n \"15. The mixture according to claim 6, wherein the ingredient comprises a rubber, and the particulate carbon material is not porous or has a pore volume of <0.1 cm3/g.\",\n \"16. The mixture according to claim 6, wherein the ingredient comprises a rubber, and the rubber is selected from the group consisting of: natural rubber, styrene-butadiene copolymers (SBR), polybutadiene (BR), polyisoprene, isobutylene-isoprene copolymers, ethylene-propylene-diene copolymers, acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymers (NBR), chloroprene, fluorine rubber, acrylic rubber, and mixtures thereof.\",\n \"17. The mixture according to one claim 6, wherein the ingredient comprises a rubber, and the rubber comprises at least two types of elastomers, and in which before combining the elastomer types, the particulate carbon material initially is separately incorporated into at least one of the elastomer types.\",\n \"18. A method of manufacturing rubber articles comprising: processing the mixture according to claim 6, wherein the ingredient comprises a rubber; and forming one or more of the following articles: tires, tire treads, tire side walls, cable sheaths, hoses, drive belts, conveyor belts, roll coverings, shoe soles, buffers, sealing rings, profiles, and damping elements.\",\n \"19. A rubber article comprising a vulcanized mixture according to claim 6, wherein the ingredient comprises a rubber, and wherein the rubber article is selected from tires except of pneumatic tires, tire treads, tire side walls, cable sheaths, hoses, drive belts, conveyor belts, roll coverings, shoe soles, buffers, sealing rings, profiles and damping elements.\",\n \"20. A rubber article comprising a vulcanized mixture according to claim 7, wherein the ingredient comprises a rubber, wherein the rubber article is a pneumatic tire.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A colloidal dispersion comprising:\\na) a plurality of precious group metal nanoparticles selected from the group consisting of Pt, Pd, Au, Ag, Ru, Rh, 1 r, Os, alloys thereof, and mixtures thereof, wherein about 90% or more of the precious group metal is in fully reduced form;\\nb) a dispersion medium comprising a polar solvent;\\nc) a water-soluble polymer suspension stabilizing agent; and\\nd) a reducing agent,\\nwherein the nanoparticle concentration is at least about 2 wt. % of the total weight of the colloidal dispersion,\\nwherein the nanoparticles have an average particle size of 1 to 8 nm and at least 95% of the nanoparticles have a particle size within this range;\\nand further wherein the colloidal dispersion contains less than about 10 ppm each of halides, alkali metals, alkaline earth metals and sulfur compounds.\",\n \"2. The colloidal dispersion of claim 1, wherein the precious group metal nanoparticles are selected from the group consisting of Pt, Pd, alloys thereof, and combinations thereof.\",\n \"3. The colloidal dispersion of claim 1, wherein the water-soluble polymer suspension stabilizing agent is selected from the group consisting of polyvinylpyrrolidone, a copolymer comprising vinylpyrrolidone, a fatty acid-substituted or unsubstituted polyoxyethylene, and combinations thereof.\",\n \"4. The colloidal dispersion of claim 1, wherein the reducing agent is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydrazine, hydroxyethylhydrazine, formic hydrazide, urea, formaldehyde, formic acid, ascorbic acid, citric acid, glucose, sucrose, xylitol, meso-erythritol, sorbitol, glycerol, maltitol, oxalic acid, methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, iso-propanol, 1-butanol, 2-butanol, 2-methyl-propan-1-ol, allyl alcohol, diacetone alcohol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, tannic acid, garlic acid, and combinations thereof.\",\n \"5. The colloidal dispersion of claim 1, wherein the polar solvent is selected from the group consisting of water, alcohols, dimethylformamide, and combinations thereof.\",\n \"6. The colloidal dispersion of claim 1, wherein the nanoparticles have an average particle size of 1 to 5 nm and at least 95% of the nanoparticles have a particle size within this range.\",\n \"7. The colloidal dispersion of claim 1, wherein at least 95% of the nanoparticles have a particle size of within 50 percent of the average particle size.\",\n \"8. The colloidal dispersion of claim 1, wherein the nanoparticle concentration is about 2 wt. % to about 80 wt. % of the total weight of the colloidal dispersion.\",\n \"9. The colloidal dispersion of claim 1, wherein the dispersion is shelf stable for at least about six months at ambient temperature.\",\n \"10. The colloidal dispersion of claim 1, where the nanoparticles are not separated from the colloidal dispersion when the dispersion is centrifuged at 4,000 rpm for 10 minutes at ambient temperature.\",\n \"11. The colloidal dispersion of claim 1, wherein the plurality of precious group metal nanoparticles are selected from the group consisting of Pt, Pd, Ag, Ru, Rh, Ir, Os, alloys thereof, and mixtures thereof.\",\n \"12. The colloidal dispersion of claim 1, wherein the plurality of precious group metal nanoparticles are selected from the group consisting of Pt, Pd, Ru, Rh, Ir, Os, alloys thereof, and mixtures thereof.\",\n \"13. The colloidal dispersion of claim 1, wherein the nanoparticles have an average particle size of 1 to 6 nm and at least 95% of the nanoparticles have a particle size within this range.\",\n \"14. A method of making a precious group metal nanoparticle colloidal dispersion of claim 1, comprising:\\na) preparing a solution of precious group metal precursors selected from salts of Pt, Pd, Au, Ag, Ru, Rh, Ir, Os and alloys thereof in the presence of a dispersion medium and a water soluble polymer suspension stabilizing agent, wherein the precious group metal precursors contain less than about 10 ppm each of halides, alkali metals, alkaline earth metals and sulfur compounds; and\\nb) combining the solution with a reducing agent to provide a precious group metal nanoparticle colloidal dispersion wherein the nanoparticle concentration is at least about 2 wt. % of the total weight of the colloidal dispersion and wherein at least about 90% of the precious group metal in the colloidal dispersion is in fully reduced form.\",\n \"15. The method of claim 14, wherein the precious group metal precursors are salts of Pt, Pd, or alloys thereof.\",\n \"16. The method of claim 14, wherein the precious group metal precursors are selected from the group consisting of alkanolamine salts, hydroxy salts, nitrates, carboxylic acid salts, ammonium salts, and oxides.\",\n \"17. The method of claim 14, wherein the precious group metal precursors are selected from the group consisting of monoethanolamine Pt(IV) hexahydroxide, dihydrogen hexahydroxyplatinate, Pd(OH)2, Ir(OH)4, Rh nitrate, Pt nitrate, Pt citrate, Pd(II) nitrate, Pd(II) citrate, and Pd (II) ammonia hydroxide complex.\",\n \"18. The method of claim 14, further comprising applying the nanoparticle dispersion to a solid support material.\",\n \"19. The method of claim 18, wherein the solid support material is selected from the group consisting of silica, alumina, silica/alumina, titania, zirconia, CeO2, rare earth oxides, zeolites, clay materials, carbon, and combinations thereof.\",\n \"20. The method of claim 14, for preparing a platinum nanoparticle dispersion,\\nwherein step a) comprises: preparing a solution of platinum precursor in a dispersion medium, in the presence of a water soluble polymer suspension stabilizing agent, wherein the solution is substantially free of halides, alkali metals, alkaline earth metals and sulfur compounds; and\\nstep b) comprises combining the solution with ethylene glycol as a reducing agent to provide a platinum nanoparticle colloidal dispersion, wherein the platinum nanoparticle concentration is at least about 2 wt. % of the total weight of the colloidal dispersion and wherein at least about 90% of the platinum in the colloidal dispersion is in fully reduced form, and wherein the platinum nanoparticles have an average particle size of 1 to 6 nm, wherein at least 95% of the nanoparticles have a particle size within this range.\",\n \"21. The method of claim 20, wherein the platinum nanoparticles have an average particle size of 5 nm.\",\n \"22. A catalyst comprising:\\na) a solid support material; and\\nb) precious metal group nanoparticles associated with the support material, wherein the nanoparticles are prepared according to the method of claim 14.\",\n \"23. The catalyst of claim 22, wherein the solid support material is selected from the group consisting of silica, alumina, silica/alumina, titania, zirconia, CeO2, rare earth oxides, zeolites, clay materials, carbon, and combinations thereof.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A dispersion comprising: a plurality of oxidized, discrete carbon nanotube fibers, wherein the discrete carbon nanotube fibers have an aspect ratio of 25 or more and are multiwall, and are present in the range of from about 1 to about 30% by weight based on the total weight of the dispersion, and an aqueous based fluid.\",\n \"2. The dispersion of claim 1 wherein at least 70 percent by weight of the nanotube fibers are fully exfoliated.\",\n \"3. The dispersion of claim 1 wherein at least 80 percent by weight of the nanotube fibers are fully exfoliated.\",\n \"4. The dispersion of claim 1 wherein the nanotube fibers are further functionalized.\",\n \"5. The dispersion of claim 1 wherein the carbon nanotube fibers comprise an oxidation level from about 3 weight percent to about 15 weight percent.\",\n \"6. The dispersion of claim 1 wherein the oxidized, discrete carbon nanotubes comprise an oxidation species selected from carboxylic acid or derivative carbonyl containing species.\",\n \"7. The dispersion of claim 4 wherein the further functionalization is selected from ketones, quaternary amines, amides, esters, acyl halogens, and monovalent metal salts.\",\n \"8. The dispersion of claim 1 which further comprises at least one surfactant or dispersing aid.\",\n \"9. The dispersion of claim 1, wherein the aqueous based fluid comprises water.\",\n \"10. A composition for use in an aqueous dispersion comprising: a plurality of oxidized, discrete carbon nanotube fibers, wherein the oxidized discrete carbon nanotubes fibers have an aspect ratio of 25 or more, and are multiwalled.\",\n \"11. The composition of claim 10 wherein at least 70 percent by weight of the carbon nanotube fibers are fully exfoliated.\",\n \"12. The composition of claim 10 wherein at least 80 percent by weight of the carbon nanotube fibers are fully exfoliated.\",\n \"13. The composition of claim 10 wherein the carbon nanotube fibers are further functionalized.\",\n \"14. The composition of claim 10 wherein the carbon nanotube fibers comprise an oxidation level from about 3 weight percent to about 15 weight percent.\",\n \"15. The composition of claim 10 wherein the oxidized, discrete carbon nanotube fibers comprise an oxidation species selected from carboxylic acid or derivative carbonyl containing species.\",\n \"16. The composition of claim 13 wherein the further functionalization is selected from ketones, quaternary amines, amides, esters, acyl halogens, and monovalent metal salts.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A concentrated dispersion of nanometric silver particles, the dispersion comprising:\\n(a) a first solvent;\\n(b) a plurality of nanometric silver particles, in which a majority of said particles are single-crystal silver particles, said plurality of nanometric silver particles having an average secondary particle size (d50) within a range of 30 to 300 nanometers, said particles disposed within said solvent; and\\n(c) at least one dispersant,\\nwherein a concentration of said nanometric silver particles within the concentrated dispersion is within a range of 30% to 75%, by weight,\\nand wherein a concentration of said dispersant within the dispersion is within a range of 0.2% to 30% of said concentration of said nanometric silver particles, by weight.\",\n \"2. The dispersion of claim 1, wherein said concentration of said dispersant within the dispersion is at most 20%, at most 15%, at most 10%, at most 7%, at most 5%, or at most 3%.\",\n \"3. The dispersion of claim 1, wherein a viscosity of the dispersion, at 25° C., is less than 2000 cP, 1000 cP, 600 cP, 300 cP, 120 cP, 80 cP, 60 cP, 45 cP, 35 cP, 25 cP, or 20 cP.\",\n \"5. The dispersion of claim 1, wherein at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, or at least 90% of said nanometric silver particles are said single-crystal silver particles.\",\n \"6. The dispersion of claim 1, wherein said average secondary particle size is at most 250 nanometers, at most 200 nanometers, at most 150 nanometers, at most 120 nanometers, at most 100 nanometers, or at most 80 nanometers.\",\n \"17. The dispersion of claim 1, wherein the concentrated dispersion contains at least 35%, at least 40%, at least 45%, at least 50%, or at least 55%, by weight, of said plurality of nanometric silver particles.\",\n \"27. The dispersion of claim 1, produced according to a process comprising the steps of:\\n(a) reacting at least one soluble silver compound with an alkali metal hydroxide in an aqueous medium, in a presence of a first dispersant, to produce silver oxide solids having an average secondary particle size below 1200 nanometers;\\n(b) reacting said silver oxide solids with at least one reducing agent in an aqueous medium, in a presence of a second dispersant, to produce silver particles, the silver particles having an average secondary particle size below 1000 nanometers; and\\n(c) providing said silver particles in the concentrated dispersion, said concentration of said nanometric silver particles being within a range of 30% to 75%, by weight.\",\n \"28. The dispersion of claim 27, wherein said reducing agent includes, or consists substantially of, a reducing agent selected from the group consisting of peroxides and sodium borohydride.\",\n \"29. The dispersion of claim 27, wherein said reducing agent includes, or consists substantially of, hydrogen peroxide.\",\n \"30. The dispersion of claim 27, wherein at least one of said first dispersant and said second dispersant includes said PVP.\",\n \"31. The dispersion of claim 27, wherein said second dispersant is added in sufficient quantity whereby said silver particles have an average secondary particle size of at most 250 nanometers, at most 200 nanometers, at most 150 nanometers, at most 100 nanometers, or at most 80 nanometers.\",\n \"32. The dispersion of claim 27, wherein said first dispersant is added in sufficient quantity whereby said silver oxide solids have an average secondary particle size of at most 200 nanometers.\",\n \"33. The dispersion of claim 27, wherein said alkali metal hydroxide and said soluble silver compound react in a stoichiometric ratio of said hydroxide to said soluble silver compound, and wherein quantities of said alkali metal hydroxide and said soluble silver compound are added in a particular ratio that is, at most, 1.2 times, 0.98 times, or 0.95 times said stoichiometric ratio.\",\n \"34. The dispersion of claim 27, wherein, subsequent to step (b), said silver particles are washed and concentrated, whereby said aqueous medium is only partially removed from said particles, to form a concentrate.\",\n \"35. A method for producing a dispersion of nanometric silver particles, the method comprising the steps of:\\n(a) reacting at least one soluble silver compound with an alkali metal hydroxide in an aqueous medium, in a presence of a first dispersant, to produce silver oxide solids having an average secondary particle size below 1200 nanometers;\\n(b) reacting said silver oxide solids with at least one reducing agent in an aqueous medium, in a presence of a second dispersant, to produce a first dispersion of silver particles, the silver particles having an average secondary particle size below 300 nanometers; and\\n(c) removing at least a portion of said aqueous medium from the particles to produce the dispersion.\",\n \"36. The method of claim 35, further comprising the step of concentrating the particles to form a second dispersion, concentrated with respect to said first dispersion.\",\n \"37. The method of claim 36, said second dispersion having a concentration of at least 10%, and less than 75%, by weight.\",\n \"38. The method of claim 35, wherein step (c) includes washing and concentrating the silver particles, whereby the aqueous medium is partially removed from the particles, to form a concentrate, the concentrate containing most of the silver particles.\",\n \"39. The method of claim 35, further comprising the step of replacing most of said aqueous medium by at least one volatile organic solvent.\",\n \"40. The method of claim 39, further comprising the step of replacing most of said volatile organic solvent by at least one additional organic solvent.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A concentrated dispersion of nanometric silver particles, the dispersion comprising:\\n(a) a first solvent;\\n(b) a plurality of nanometric silver particles, in which a majority of said particles are single-crystal silver particles, said plurality of nanometric silver particles having an average secondary particle size (d50) within a range of 30 to 250 nanometers, said particles disposed within said solvent, wherein at least one of the following is true of said plurality of nanometric silver particles: (i) at least 50% of a group of at least 10 randomly-selected EBSD scans produce a substantially perfect match for a single crystal, (ii) more than 50% of the silver particles, based on the number of silver particles, are single crystal silver particles; and\\n(c) at least one dispersant,\\nwherein a concentration of said nanometric silver particles within the concentrated dispersion is within a range of 30% to 75%, by weight,\\nand wherein a concentration of said dispersant within the dispersion is within a range of 0.2% to 30% of said concentration of said nanometric silver particles, by weight.\",\n \"2. The dispersion of claim 1, wherein said concentration of said dispersant within the dispersion is at most 20%.\",\n \"3. The dispersion of claim 1, wherein said average secondary particle size is at least 60 nanometers.\",\n \"4. The dispersion of claim 1, wherein said average secondary particle size is at least 40 nanometers.\",\n \"5. The dispersion of claim 1, wherein at least 60% of said nanometric silver particles are said single-crystal silver particles.\",\n \"6. The dispersion of claim 1, wherein said average secondary particle size is at most 200 nanometers.\",\n \"7. The dispersion of claim 1, wherein said at least one dispersant is selected from the group of dispersants consisting of a polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), gum arabic, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyacrylic acid (PAA), polyallylamine (PAAm), polysodium styrene sulfonate (PSS), 3-(aminopropyl) trimethoxysilane (APS), a fatty acid, lauryl amine, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), and tetraoctylammonium bromide (TOAB).\",\n \"8. The dispersion of claim 7, wherein said dispersant includes PVP, and wherein an average molecular weight of said PVP is within a range of 10,000 gram/mole to 1,600,000 gram/mole.\",\n \"9. The dispersion of claim 1, wherein said first solvent includes water.\",\n \"10. The dispersion of claim 1, wherein said first solvent includes an alcohol.\",\n \"35. A method for producing a dispersion of nanometric silver particles, the method comprising the steps of:\\n(a) reacting at least one soluble silver compound with an alkali metal hydroxide in an aqueous medium, in a presence of a first dispersant, to produce silver oxide solids having an average secondary particle size below 1200 nanometers;\\n(b) reacting said silver oxide solids with at least one reducing agent in an aqueous medium, in a presence of a second dispersant, to produce a first dispersion of silver particles, the silver particles having an average secondary particle size below 300 nanometers; and\\n(c) removing at least a portion of said aqueous medium of step (b) from the silver particles to produce the dispersion;\\nwherein said alkali metal hydroxide and said at least one soluble silver compound react in a stoichiometric ratio of said alkali metal hydroxide to said at least one soluble silver compound, and wherein quantities of said alkali metal hydroxide and said at least one soluble silver compound are added to said aqueous medium in a particular ratio that is at most 0.98 moles of said alkali metal hydroxide to one mole of said at least one soluble silver compound;\\nwherein a concentration of said silver particles within said first dispersion is within a range of 0.5% to 5%, by weight of said first dispersion;\\nand wherein more than 50% by weight of the nanometric silver particles are single-crystal silver particles.\",\n \"36. The method of claim 35, further comprising the step of further concentrating the silver particles within the dispersion of the nanometric silver particles produced in step (c), to form a second dispersion.\",\n \"37. The method of claim 36, said second dispersion having a concentration of at least 10%, and less than 75%, by weight.\",\n \"38. The method of claim 35, wherein step (c) includes washing and concentrating the silver particles, whereby the aqueous medium is partially removed from the silver particles, to form a concentrate, the concentrate containing most of the silver particles.\",\n \"40. The method of claim 35, further comprising the step of replacing most of said volatile organic solvent by at least one additional organic solvent.\",\n \"41. The method of claim 35, wherein a concentration of said nanometric silver particles within the dispersion is within a range of 30% to 75%, by weight.\",\n \"42. The method of claim 35, wherein a concentration of said dispersant within the dispersion is within a range of 0.2% to 30% of said concentration of said nanometric silver particles, by weight.\",\n \"43. The method of claim 35, wherein a concentration of said dispersant is at least 0.2%, by weight, of said concentration of said particles of and is at most 10%, at most 7%, at most 5%, at most 4%, or at most 3% of said concentration of said particles, by weight.\",\n \"44. The method of claim 35, wherein the dispersion has been aged for at least 6 months, at least 9 months, at least 12 months, at least 18 months, or at least 24 months.\",\n \"45. The method of claim 44, wherein said reacting said silver oxide solids is performed in the presence of a second dispersant, and wherein an excess of said second dispersant is removed in step (c).\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A method of preparing a polyester containing dispersant by reacting a pre-made polyester with a multi-amine species comprising the steps of:\\na) preparing a polyester having a single carboxylic acid terminal group and 3 to 43 ester repeat units on average in each chain;\\nb) converting at least 10 mole % of carboxylic acid terminal groups on said polyester to anhydride functionality by reacting with a dehydrating agent which is an anhydride of two carboxylic acid molecules of 2 to 5 carbon atoms; and\\nc) reacting the reaction product of step b) with a multi-amine species at a temperature of 100° C. or less to create a multi-amine with pendant polyester chains thereon.\",\n \"2. The method of claim 1, wherein said step b) includes reacting said polyester with dehydrating agent selected from the group of acetic anhydride, propionic anhydride, and butyric anhydride at a temperature between 100° C. and 199° C.\",\n \"3. The method of claim 1, wherein said polyester with a single carboxylic acid terminal group is of the formula\\n\\nR1—[OR3—C(═O)]n—OH\\nwherein:\\nR1 is H— or R2C(═O)—;\\nR2 is a branched or linear, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon chain containing between 1 and 25 carbons atoms;\\nR3 is a branched or linear, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon chain containing between 1 and 25 carbons atoms or —R4—OC(═O)R5;\\nR4 is a branched or linear, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon chain containing between 2 and 30 carbons atoms;\\nR5 is a branched or linear, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon chain containing between 1 and 20 carbons atoms; and\\nn is between 3 and 43.\",\n \"4. The method of claim 3, wherein at least 10 mole % of the R3 units are linear or branched alkyl groups of 1 to 5 carbon atoms.\",\n \"5. The method of claim 3, wherein at least 5 mole % of the R3 units are linear or branched alkyl groups of 4 and/or 5 carbon atoms.\",\n \"6. The method of claim 3, wherein at least 10 mole % of the R3 units are linear or branched alkyl groups of 6 to 17 carbon atoms.\",\n \"7. The method of claim 3, wherein at least 5 mole % of the R3 units are linear or branched alkyl groups of 1 or 2 carbon atoms.\",\n \"8. The method of claim 3, further comprising a step where i) one more primary or secondary amines groups of said multi-amine species or the dispersant containing a multi-amine species are reacted with (a) an isocyanate, lactone, epoxy, anhydride, cyclic carbonate, (meth)acrylate via Michael addition reaction, and/or a polymeric species having a group that reacts with a primary or secondary amine to form a salt or covalent bond; (b) an oxidizing species that could convert the amine group to a nitric oxide; and/or (c) a salification agent; or ii) a tertiary amine group of said multi-amine species or the dispersant containing the multi-amine species is reacted with a quaternization agent to form a quaternized amine group.\",\n \"9. A dispersant comprising the reaction product of the method of claim 3.\",\n \"10. A coating, paint, ink or plastic comprising the dispersant of claim 9.\",\n \"11. The method of claim 1, wherein said polyester comprises from 1 to 50 mole % of at least one di-hydroxy compound.\",\n \"12. The method of claim 11, wherein the at least one di-hydroxy compound comprises at least one of 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)butyric acid or 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)propionic acid.\",\n \"13. The method of claim 3, wherein R4 is a branched or linear, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon chain containing between 2 and 30 carbons atoms, which contains 1 or more ether linkages.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A spray dried emulsifier comprising an alkali metal salt or an alkaline earth metal salt of a carboxylic acid terminated fatty amine condensate, wherein the carboxylic acid terminated fatty amine condensate comprises a reaction product of a fatty acid amine condensate and:\\n(1) a polycarboxylic acid,\\n(2) a carboxylic acid anhydride, or\\n(3) a polycarboxylic acid and a carboxylic acid anhydride.\",\n \"2. The spray dried emulsifier of claim 1, wherein the carboxylic acid terminated fatty amine condensate comprises a reaction product of the fatty acid amine condensate and the polycarboxylic acid.\",\n \"3. The spray dried emulsifier of claim 2, wherein the polycarboxylic acid comprises succinic acid or adipic acid.\",\n \"4. The spray dried emulsifier of claim 2, wherein the polycarboxylic acid comprises succinic acid.\",\n \"5. The spray dried emulsifier of claim 1, wherein the carboxylic acid terminated fatty amine condensate comprises a reaction product of the fatty acid amine condensate and the carboxylic acid anhydride.\",\n \"6. The spray dried emulsifier of claim 5, wherein the carboxylic acid anhydride comprises succinic anhydride.\",\n \"7. The spray dried emulsifier of claim 1, further comprising an alkali metal salt of a modified tall oil, an alkaline earth metal salt of a modified tall oil, or a mixture thereof.\",\n \"8. The spray dried emulsifier of claim 7, wherein the spray dried emulsifier comprises the alkali metal salt of the modified tall oil, and wherein the modified tall oil is prepared by reacting a tall oil distillate component and a second component comprising:\\nan unsaturated polycarboxylic acid,\\nan unsaturated carboxylic anhydride, or\\nan unsaturated polycarboxylic acid and an unsaturated carboxylic anhydride.\",\n \"9. The spray dried emulsifier of claim 7, wherein the spray dried emulsifier comprises the alkaline earth metal salt of the modified tall oil, and wherein the modified tall oil is prepared by reacting a tall oil distillate component and a second component comprising:\\nan unsaturated polycarboxylic acid,\\nan unsaturated carboxylic anhydride, or\\nan unsaturated polycarboxylic acid and an unsaturated carboxylic anhydride.\",\n \"10. The spray dried emulsifier of claim 7, wherein the spray dried emulsifier has an average particle size of about 1 μm to about 150 μm, a bulk density of about 0.24 g/ml to about 0.56 g/ml, and a residual moisture content of less than 10 wt %.\",\n \"11. A method for making a spray dried emulsifier, comprising:\\nneutralizing an emulsifier comprising a carboxylic acid terminated fatty amine condensate to produce a neutralized emulsifier comprising an alkali metal salt or an alkaline earth metal salt of the carboxylic acid terminated fatty amine condensate, wherein the carboxylic acid terminated fatty amine condensate comprises a reaction product of a fatty acid amine condensate and:\\n(1) a polycarboxylic acid,\\n(2) a carboxylic acid anhydride, or\\n(3) a polycarboxylic acid and a carboxylic acid anhydride; and\\nspray drying the neutralized emulsifier to produce a spray dried emulsifier comprising the alkali metal salt or the alkaline earth metal salt of the carboxylic acid terminated fatty amine condensate.\",\n \"12. The method of claim 11, wherein the carboxylic acid terminated fatty amine condensate comprises a reaction product of the fatty acid amine condensate and the polycarboxylic acid, and wherein the polycarboxylic acid comprises succinic acid or adipic acid.\",\n \"13. The method of claim 11, wherein the carboxylic acid terminated fatty amine condensate comprises a reaction product of the fatty acid amine condensate and the carboxylic acid anhydride, and wherein the carboxylic acid anhydride comprises succinic anhydride.\",\n \"14. The method of claim 11, wherein the neutralized emulsifier further comprises an alkali metal salt of a modified tall oil, an alkaline earth metal salt of a modified tall oil, or a mixture thereof.\",\n \"15. The method of claim 11, wherein the emulsifier is neutralized at a temperature of about 50° C. to about 100° C., and wherein the neutralized emulsifier is spray dried at a temperature of about 1 80° C. to about 250° C.\",\n \"16. The method of claim 11, wherein emulsifier further comprises a modified tall oil, and wherein a weight ratio of the carboxylic acid terminated fatty amine condensate to the modified tall oil is about 2:3 to about 1:4.\",\n \"17. A method for making an invert emulsion drilling fluid, comprising:\\ncombining an oil component, a water component, and the spray dried emulsifier of claim 1 to produce an invert emulsion.\",\n \"18. The method of claim 17, wherein the carboxylic acid terminated fatty amine condensate comprises a reaction product of the fatty acid amine condensate and the polycarboxylic acid, and wherein the polycarboxylic acid comprises succinic acid or adipic acid.\",\n \"19. The method of claim 17, wherein the carboxylic acid terminated fatty amine condensate comprises a reaction product of the fatty acid amine condensate and the carboxylic acid anhydride, and wherein the carboxylic acid anhydride comprises succinic anhydride.\",\n \"20. The method of claim 17, wherein the spray dried emulsifier further comprises an alkali metal salt of a modified tall oil, an alkaline earth metal salt of a modified tall oil, or a mixture thereof.\",\n \"21. The spray dried emulsifier of claim 2, wherein the polycarboxylic acid comprises one or more of succinic acid, adipic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, phthalic acid, trans-2-hexenedioic acid, trans-3-hexenedioic acid, cis-3-octenedioic acid, cis-4-octenedioic acid, and trans-3-octenedioic acid.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. An emulsification dispersant comprising:\\na biopolymer disintegrated into single globular particles,\\nwherein, when the biopolymer is disintegrated into the single globular particles, an average particle size of the single globular particles in the emulsification dispersant is at most 800 nm.\",\n \"2. The emulsification dispersant according to claim 1, wherein, when the biopolymer is disintegrated into the single globular particles, the average particle size of the single globular particles in the emulsification dispersant is at least 50 nm.\",\n \"3. The emulsification dispersant according to claim 1, wherein, when the biopolymer is disintegrated into the single globular particles, the average particle size of the single globular particles in the emulsification dispersant is at least 200 nm.\",\n \"4. The emulsification dispersant according to claim 1, wherein, when the biopolymer is disintegrated into the single globular particles, a concentration of the single globular particles in the emulsification dispersant is at most 20 wt %.\",\n \"5. The emulsification dispersant according to claim 4, wherein, when the biopolymer is disintegrated into the single globular particles, the concentration of the single globular particles in the emulsification dispersant is at least 0.04 wt %.\",\n \"6. The emulsification dispersant according to claim 4, wherein, when the biopolymer is disintegrated into the single globular particles, the concentration of the single globular particles in the emulsification dispersant is at least 5 wt %.\",\n \"7. The emulsification dispersant according to claim 1, wherein the biopolymer is from the group consisting of a polysaccharide, a phospholipid, a polyester, and a chitosan.\",\n \"8. The emulsification dispersant according to claim 7, wherein the biopolymer is a microbially produced biopolymer.\",\n \"9. The emulsification dispersant according to claim 7, wherein the polysaccharide is a microbially produced polysaccharide.\",\n \"10. The emulsification dispersant according to claim 7, wherein the polysaccharide is a naturally-derived polysaccharide.\",\n \"11. An emulsion formed by mixing an oil component with the emulsification dispersant according to claim 1.\",\n \"12. The emulsion according to claim 11, wherein, when the emulsion is formed, a weight ratio of the oil component and the emulsification dispersant is 1 to 1000.\",\n \"13. The emulsion according to claim 11, wherein, when the emulsion is formed, a weight ratio of the oil component and the emulsification dispersant is 50 to 2000.\",\n \"14. The emulsion according to claim 11, wherein, when the emulsion is formed, an average particle size of the single globular particles in the emulsion is at most 500 nm.\",\n \"15. The emulsion according to claim 14, wherein, when the emulsion is formed, the average particle size of the single globular particles in the emulsion is at least 5 nm.\",\n \"16. The emulsion according to claim 14, wherein, when the emulsion is formed, the average particle size of the single globular particles in the emulsion is at least 8 nm.\",\n \"17. The emulsion according to claim 11, wherein, when the emulsion is formed, water below a designated temperature is added to a mixture of the oil component and the emulsification dispersant.\",\n \"18. The emulsion according to claim 17, wherein the designated temperature is 60° C.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A surfactant, comprising a block copolymer including a perfluorinated polyether (PFPE) block coupled to a polyethylene glycol (PEG) block via an amide bond, wherein the PFPE block comprises a formula of F(CF(CF3)CF2O)x—CF(CF3)CONH—, wherein x is an integer greater than or equal to 8; and the PEG block comprises a formula of—(CnH2n O)y—or —(CnH2nO)y—CH3, wherein n is a positive integer and y is an integer greater than or equal to 10.\",\n \"2. The surfactant of claim 1, wherein the surfactant comprises one block of PFPE and one block of PEG.\",\n \"3. The surfactant of claim 1, wherein the surfactant comprises two blocks of PFPE and one block of PEG.\",\n \"4. A composition comprising the surfactant of claim 1.\",\n \"5. The composition of claim 4, further comprising a hydrophobic liquid.\",\n \"6. The composition of claim 4, further comprising an aqueous liquid.\",\n \"7. The composition of claim 4, further comprising a fluorinated oil and an aqueous liquid.\",\n \"8. The composition of claim 7, wherein the aqueous liquid additionally comprises biological molecules.\",\n \"9. The composition of claim 8, wherein the biological molecules comprise nucleic acids.\",\n \"10. A method of forming aqueous droplets, comprising:\\nproviding a microfluidic device;\\nproviding an aqueous liquid to the microfluidic device;\\nproviding a fluorinated liquid to the microfluidic device;\\nproviding a surfactant comprising a block copolymer that includes a perfluorinated polyether (PFPE) block coupled to a polyethylene glycol (PEG) block via an amide bond, and comprises a formula —(CnF2nO)x—(CmF2m)y—CONH— wherein n, m, x, and y are positive integers; and\\nforming aqueous droplets in the fluorinated liquid in the presence of the surfactant.\",\n \"11. The method of claim 10, wherein the microfluidic device comprises a first channel intersecting a second channel at a junction.\",\n \"12. The method of claim 11, wherein the aqueous liquid flows in the first channel and the fluorinated liquid flows in the second channel.\",\n \"13. The method of claim 12, wherein the aqueous droplets are formed at the junction.\",\n \"14. The method of claim 13, wherein the microfluidic device includes a nozzle, and the droplets form after the aqueous and fluorinated liquids pass through the nozzle.\",\n \"15. The method of claim 10, wherein the aqueous droplets comprise biological molecules.\",\n \"16. The method of claim 15, wherein the biological molecules comprise nucleic acids.\",\n \"17. The method of claim 10, wherein the aqueous droplets comprise buffers, salts, nutrients, therapeutic agents, drugs, hormones, antibodies, analgesics, anticoagulants, anti-inflammatory compounds, antimicrobial compositions, cytokines, growth factors, interferons, lipids, polymers, polysaccharides, polypeptides, protease inhibitors, cells, RNA, DNA, vasoconstrictors, vasodilators, vitamins, minerals, or stabilizers.\",\n \"18. The method of claim 10, wherein the aqueous droplets comprise fluorescent molecules.\",\n \"19. The method of claim 10, wherein the surfactant comprises the formula —(CF(CF3)CF2O)x—CF(CF3)CONH—, wherein x is greater than or equal to 8.\",\n \"20. A method of forming aqueous droplets, comprising:\\nproviding a microfluidic device;\\nproviding an aqueous liquid to the microfluidic device;\\nproviding a fluorinated liquid to the microfluidic device;\\nproviding a surfactant of claim 1, and\\nforming aqueous droplets in the fluorinated liquid in the presence of the surfactant.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A dispersant based on polyamines or polyimines each having primary amino groups, wherein the polyamines or polyimines contain a first side chain based on two or more poly(oxy-C1-6-alkylenecarbonyl) compounds (A) selected from the group consisting of glycolic acid, lactic acid, hydroxyvaleric acid, hydroxycaproic acid, β-propiolactone, γ-butyrolactone, δ-valerolactone, and ε-caprolactone and a second side chain wherein the second side chain is the reaction product of a primary amino group on the polyamine or polyimine with an alkyl acid (B) selected from the group consisting of acetic, methoxyacetic, propionic, pentanoic, hexanoic, caprylic, capric, lauric, ricinoleic, stearic acid and hydroxystearic acid wherein the molar ratio of the sum total of the poly(oxy-C1-6-alkylenecarbonyl) compounds (A) and alkyl acids (B) to primary amino groups of the polyamines or polyimines is less than 1.\",\n \"2. The dispersant according to claim 1, wherein the at least two or more polymers based on poly(oxy-C1-6-alkylenecarbonyl) compounds are selected from the group consisting of δ-valerolactone and ε-caprolactone.\",\n \"3. The dispersant according to claim 1, wherein the dispersant has a ratio of amine number to acid number of >20.\",\n \"4. The dispersants according to claim 3, wherein the polyimine is a polyethyleneimine.\",\n \"5. The dispersant according to claim 4, wherein the mean molecular weight (Mw) of the polyethyleneimine is between 200 and 600 000 g/mol.\",\n \"6. The dispersant according to claim 5, wherein the dispersant has an acid number of <10 mg KOH/g.\",\n \"7. The dispersant according to claim 1, wherein the dispersant has a ratio of amine number to acid number of >10.\",\n \"8. A method for preparing dispersants according to claim 1, comprising the reaction of polyamines or polyimines each comprising primary amino groups, with at least two or more polymers based on poly(oxy-C1-6-alkylenecarbonyl) compounds (A) selected from the group consisting of glycolic acid, lactic acid, hydroxyvaleric acid, hydroxycaproic acid, β-propiolactone, γ-butyrolactone, δ-valerolactone, and ε-caprolactone and alkyl acids (B) selected from the group consisting of acetic, methoxyacetic, propionic, pentanoic, hexanoic, caprylic, capric, lauric, ricinoleic, stearic acid and hydroxystearic acid, wherein an amidation of alkyl acids (B) with the polyamines or polyimines takes place, wherein the molar ratio of the sum total of poly(oxy-C1-6-alkylenecarbonyl) compounds (A) and alkyl acids (B) to primary amino groups of the polyamines or polyimines is less than 1.\",\n \"9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the molar ratio between the two or more different poly(oxy-C1-6-alkylenecarbonyl) chains (A) and the alkyl acids (B) is between 90/10 and 10/90, and wherein the poly(oxy-C1-6-alkylenecarbonyl) compounds (A) are homopolymers and wherein the homopolymers have different chain lengths.\",\n \"10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the polymers are prepared separately or in situ by polymerization of the homopolymers and then used for the reaction with polyamines or polyimines and alkyl acids (B).\",\n \"11. The method according to claim 8, wherein the least two or more polymers based on poly(oxy-C1-6-alkylenecarbonyl) compounds are selected from the group consisting of δ-valerolactone and ε-caprolactone.\",\n \"12. The method according to claim 8, wherein the alkyl acids (B) correspond to the polymerization initiator for preparation of the at least two or more polymers based on poly(oxy-C1-6-alkylenecarbonyl) compounds and are selected from the group of acetic, methoxyacetic, propionic, pentanoic, hexanoic, lauric, ricinoleic and stearic acid.\",\n \"13. The method according to claim 10, wherein the polyimine is a polyethyleneimine.\",\n \"14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the mean molecular weight (Mw) of the polyethyleneimine is between 200 and 600 000 g/mol.\",\n \"15. The composition comprising a particulate solid and a dispersant according to claim 1.\",\n \"16. A method of making an article selected from the group consisting of dispersions, millbases, inks or printing ink, the method comprising the step of making the article with the composition according to claim 15.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A polyurethane-based binder dispersion, comprising:\\nwater; and\\na polyurethane dispersed in the water, the polyurethane having been formed from:\\na polyisocyanate;\\na polyol having a chain with two hydroxyl functional groups at one end of the chain and no hydroxyl groups at an opposed end of the chain, and having a number average molecular weight ranging from about 500 to about 5,000;\\nan alcohol or a diol or an amine having a number average molecular weight less than 500; and one of\\ni) a carboxylic acid;\\nii) a sulfonate or sulfonic acid having one amino functional group;\\niii) a combination of i and ii;\\niv) a combination of i and a homopolymer or copolymer of poly(ethylene glycol) having one or two hydroxyl functional groups or one or two amino functional groups at one end of its chain;\\nv) a combination of ii and a homopolymer or copolymer of poly(ethylene glycol) having one or two hydroxyl functional groups or one or two amino functional groups at one end of its chain; or\\nvi) a combination of i, ii, and a homopolymer or copolymer of poly(ethylene glycol) having one or two hydroxyl functional groups or one or two amino functional groups at one end of its chain.\",\n \"2. The polyurethane-based binder dispersion as defined in claim 1 wherein the sulfonate or sulfonic acid having the one amino functional group has, at most, one hydroxyl functional group in addition to the sulfonate or sulfonic acid.\",\n \"3. The polyurethane-based binder dispersion as defined in claim 2 wherein the sulfonate or sulfonic acid is selected from the group consisting of taurine, 4-Aminotoluene-3-sulfonic acid, Aniline-2-sulfonic acid, Sulfanilic acid, 4-Amino-1-naphthalenesulfonic acid, 3-Amino-4-hydroxybenzenesulfonic acid, 2-Amino-1-naphthalenesulfonic acid, 5-Amino-2-methoxybenzenesulfonic acid, 2-(Cyclohexylamino)ethanesulfonic acid, and 3-Amino-1-propanesulfonic acid.\",\n \"4. The polyurethane-based binder dispersion as defined in claim 1 wherein:\\nthe polyol is formed from a free radical polymerization of a monomer in the presence of a mercaptan including two hydroxyl functional groups or two carboxylic functional groups;\\nthe monomer is selected from the group consisting of an alkylester of acrylic acid, an alkylester of methacrylic acid, an acid group containing monomer, acrylamide, an acrylamide derivative, methacrylamide, a methacrylamide derivative, styrene, a styrene derivative, acrylonitrile, vinylidene chloride, a fluorine containing acrylate, a fluorine containing methacrylate, a siloxane containing acrylate, a siloxane containing methacrylate, vinyl acetate, N-vinylpyrrolidone, and combinations thereof; and\\nthe mercaptan is selected from the group consisting of 1,2-propanediol (thioglycerol), 1-mercapto-1,1-ethanediol, 2-mercapto-1,3-propanediol, 2-mercapto-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol, 2-mercapto-2-ethyl-1,3-propanediol, 1-mercapto-2,3-propanediol, 2-mercaptoethyl-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol, and thioglycolic acid.\",\n \"5. The polyurethane-based binder dispersion as defined in claim 4 wherein:\\nthe alkylester of acrylic acid or the alkylester of methacrylic acid is selected from the group consisting of methyl (meth)acrylate, ethyl (meth)acrylate, n-butyl (meth)acrylate, tetrahydrofuryl (meth)acrylate, t-butyl (meth)acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl (meth)acrylate, hexyl (meth)acrylate, cyclohexyl (meth)acrylate, phenyl (meth)acrylate, benzyl (meth)acrylate, 2-aziridinylethyl (meth)acrylate, aminomethyl acrylate, aminoethyl acrylate, aminopropyl (meth)acrylate, amino-n-butyl(meth)acrylate, N,N-dimethylaminoethyl(meth)acrylate, N,N-dimethylaminopropyl (meth)acrylate, N,N-diethylaminoethyl (meth)acrylate, and N,N-diethylaminopropyl (meth)acrylate; or\\nthe acid group containing monomer is selected from the group consisting of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, carboxyethyl (meth)acrylate, 2-(meth)acryloyl propionic acid, crotonic acid, and itaconic acid; or\\nthe acrylamide derivative or the methacrylamide derivative is selected from the group consisting of hydroxyethylacrylamide, N,N-methylol(meth)acrylamide, N-butoxymethyl (meth)acrylamide, and N-isobutoxymethyl (meth)acrylamide; or\\nthe styrene derivative is selected from the group consisting of alpha-methyl styrene, p-aminostyrene, and 2-vinylpyridine.\",\n \"6. The polyurethane-based binder dispersion as defined in claim 4 wherein one of:\\nthe monomer includes methyl methacrylate and butyl acrylate in a ratio of 1:1 and the mercaptan includes 10 wt % thioglycerol;\\nthe monomer includes methyl methacrylate and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate in a ratio of 3:1 and the mercaptan includes 5 wt % thioglycerol;\\nthe monomer includes methyl methacrylate and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate in a ratio of 1:1 and the mercaptan includes 5 wt % thioglycerol;\\nthe monomer includes methyl methacrylate and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate in a ratio of 9:1 and the mercaptan includes 5 wt % thioglycerol;\\nthe monomer includes methyl methacrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, and methacrylic acid in a ratio of 5:4:1 and the mercaptan includes 5 wt % thioglycerol;\\nthe monomer includes methyl methacrylate and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate in a ratio of 1:1 and the mercaptan includes 10 wt % thioglycerol;\\nthe monomer includes methyl methacrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, and methacrylic acid in a ratio of 10:8:3 and the mercaptan includes 5 wt % thioglycerol;\\nthe monomer includes methyl methacrylate and t-butyl acrylate in a ratio of 1:1 and the mercaptan includes 5 wt % thioglycerol;\\nthe monomer includes t-butyl methacrylate and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate in a ratio of 1:1 and the mercaptan includes 5 wt % thioglycerol;\\nthe monomer includes benzyl (meth)acrylate and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate in a ratio of 1:1 and the mercaptan includes 5 wt % thioglycerol;\\nthe monomer includes styrene and butyl acrylate in a ratio of 1:1 and the mercaptan includes 5 wt % thioglycerol;\\nthe monomer includes vinyl acetate and butyl acrylate in a ratio of 1:1 and the mercaptan includes 5 wt % thioglycerol;\\nthe monomer includes cyclohexyl methacrylate and butyl acrylate in a ratio of 1:1 and the mercaptan includes 5 wt % thioglycerol; or\\nthe monomer includes tetrahydrofuryl methacrylate and butyl acrylate in a ratio of 1:1 and the mercaptan includes 5 wt % thioglycerol.\",\n \"7. The polyurethane-based binder dispersion as defined in claim 1 wherein the polyurethane is formed from one of iv, v, or vi, and wherein the homopolymer or copolymer of poly(ethylene glycol) having one or two hydroxyl functional groups or one or two amino functional groups at one end of its chain is present in an amount ranging from greater than 5 wt % to about 20 wt % based on a total wt % of the polyurethane.\",\n \"8. The polyurethane-based binder dispersion as defined in claim 7 wherein the homopolymer or copolymer of poly(ethylene glycol) has a number average molecular weight (Mn) ranging from about 500 to about 5000 and a water solubility greater than 30% v/v, and wherein the homopolymer or copolymer of poly(ethylene glycol) is one of:\\na poly(ethylene glycol) copolymer selected from the group consisting of a copolymer of poly(ethylene) and poly(ethylene glycol) with the one hydroxyl functional group, a copolymer of poly(propylene glycol) and poly(ethylene glycol) with the one hydroxyl functional group, and a copolymer of poly(ethylene glycol) and poly(propylene glycol) with the one amino functional group; or\\na poly(ethylene glycol) homopolymer selected from the group consisting of monoamine terminated poly(ethylene glycol), poly(ethylene glycol) monoethyl ether, poly(ethylene glycol) monopropyl ether, poly(ethylene glycol) monobutyl ether, poly(ethylene glycol) monomethyl ether, and two hydroxyl terminated at one end poly(ethylene glycol).\",\n \"9. The polyurethane-based binder dispersion as defined in claim 1 wherein:\\nthe polyisocyanate is present in an amount ranging from about 20 wt % to about 50 wt % based on a total wt % of the polyurethane;\\nthe polyol having the chain with two hydroxyl functional groups at the one end of the chain and no hydroxyl groups at the opposed end of the chain is present in an amount ranging from about 10 wt % to about 70 wt % based on the total wt % of the polyurethane;\\nthe alcohol or diol or amine having the number average molecular weight less than 500 is present in an amount ranging from greater than 0 wt % to about 20 wt %; and when included:\\nthe carboxylic acid is present in an amount ranging from greater than 0 wt % to about 10 wt %;\\nthe sulfonate or sulfonic acid is present in an amount ranging from greater than 2 wt % to about 20 wt % based on the total wt % of the polyurethane; and\\nthe homopolymer or copolymer of poly(ethylene glycol) is present in an amount ranging from greater than 5 wt % to about 20 wt % based on the total wt % of the polyurethane.\",\n \"10. The polyurethane-based binder dispersion as defined in claim 1 wherein the alcohol or the diol or the amine having the number average molecular weight less than 500 is the alcohol selected from the group consisting of 1,4-butanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, 1,4-cyclohexanediol, cyclohexane-1,4-dimethanol, Bisphenol A ethoxylate, and Bisphenol A propoxylate.\",\n \"11. An inkjet ink, comprising:\\nwater;\\na colorant;\\na co-solvent;\\na surfactant; and\\na polyurethane binder, the polyurethane binder having been formed from:\\na polyisocyanate;\\na polyol having a chain with two hydroxyl functional groups at one end of the chain and no hydroxyl groups at an opposed end of the chain and having a number average molecular weight ranging from about 500 to about 5,000;\\nan alcohol or a diol or an amine having a number average molecular weight less than 500; and one of\\ni) a carboxylic acid;\\nii) a sulfonate or sulfonic acid having one amino functional group;\\niii) a combination of i and ii;\\niv) a combination of i and a homopolymer or copolymer of poly(ethylene glycol) having one or two hydroxyl functional groups or one or two amino functional groups at one end of its chain;\\nv) a combination of ii and a homopolymer or copolymer of poly(ethylene glycol) having one or two hydroxyl functional groups or one or two amino functional groups at one end of its chain; or\\nvi) a combination of i, ii, and a homopolymer or copolymer of poly(ethylene glycol) having one or two hydroxyl functional groups or one or two amino functional group at one end of its chain.\",\n \"12. The inkjet ink as defined in claim 11 wherein the sulfonate or sulfonic acid having the one amino functional group has, at most, one hydroxyl functional group in addition to the sulfonate or sulfonic acid.\",\n \"13. The inkjet ink as defined in claim 12 wherein the sulfonate or sulfonic acid is selected from the group consisting of taurine, 4-Aminotoluene-3-sulfonic acid, Aniline-2-sulfonic acid, Sulfanilic acid, 4-Amino-1-naphthalenesulfonic acid, 3-Amino-4-hydroxybenzenesulfonic acid, 2-Amino-1-naphthalenesulfonic acid, 5-Amino-2-methoxybenzenesulfonic acid, 2-(Cyclohexylamino)ethanesulfonic acid, and 3-Amino-1-propanesulfonic acid.\",\n \"14. The inkjet ink as defined in claim 11 wherein:\\nthe polyol is formed from a free radical polymerization of a monomer in the presence of a mercaptan including two hydroxyl functional groups or two carboxylic functional groups;\\nthe monomer is selected from the group consisting of an alkylester of acrylic acid, an alkylester of methacrylic acid, an acid group containing monomer, acrylamide, an acrylamide derivative, methacrylamide, a methacrylamide derivative, styrene, a styrene derivative, acrylonitrile, vinylidene chloride, a fluorine containing acrylate, a fluorine containing methacrylate, a siloxane containing acrylate, a siloxane containing methacrylate, vinyl acetate, N-vinylpyrrolidone, and combinations thereof; and\\nthe mercaptan is selected from the group consisting of 1,2-propanediol (thioglycerol), 1-mercapto-1,1-ethanediol, 2-mercapto-1,3-propanediol, 2-mercapto-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol, 2-mercapto-2-ethyl-1,3-propanediol, 1-mercapto-2,3-propanediol, 2-mercaptoethyl-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol, and thioglycolic acid.\",\n \"15. An inkjet ink set, comprising:\\na pre-treatment fixing fluid, including:\\ncalcium propionate present in an amount ranging from greater than 4.5 to about 8.0 wt % based on a total wt % of the pre-treatment fixing fluid;\\ncalcium pantothenate present in an amount ranging from about 2.0 wt % to equal to or less than 15 wt % based on the total wt % of the pre-treatment fixing fluid;\\ntetraethylene glycol;\\na surfactant;\\nan acid present in an amount sufficient to render a pH of the pre-treatment fixing fluid from about 4.0 to about 7.0; and\\na balance of water; and\\nan inkjet ink, including:\\nwater;\\na colorant;\\na co-solvent;\\na surfactant; and\\na polyurethane binder, the polyurethane binder having been formed from:\\na polyisocyanate;\\na polyol having a chain with two hydroxyl functional groups at one end of the chain and no hydroxyl groups at an opposed end of the chain and having a number average molecular weight ranging from about 500 to about 5,000;\\nan alcohol or a diol or an amine having a number average molecular weight less than 500; and one of\\ni) a carboxylic acid;\\nii) a sulfonate or sulfonic acid having one amino functional group;\\niii) a combination of i and ii;\\niv) a combination of i and a homopolymer or copolymer of poly(ethylene glycol) having one or two hydroxyl functional groups or one or two amino functional groups at one end of its chain;\\nv) a combination of ii and a homopolymer or copolymer of poly(ethylene glycol) having one or two hydroxyl functional groups or one or two amino functional groups at one end of its chain; or\\nvi) a combination of i, ii, and a homopolymer or copolymer of poly(ethylene glycol) having one or two hydroxyl functional groups or one or two amino functional groups at one end of its chain.\"\n ]\n]"},"102rejection":{"kind":"string","value":"the following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 u.s.c. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this office action:\r\na person shall be entitled to a patent unless –\r\n(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.\r\nclaims 1 and 3-4 are rejected under 35 u.s.c. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by endo (us pgpub 2010/0006798).\r\nendo teaches grease-like, room-temperature flowable compositions comprising (a) a silicone resin, (b) a heat-conductive filler, and (c) a volatile solvent (abstract; [0022]; [0030]). endo teaches the heat-conductive filler (b) is present from 50-1,000 parts, includes magnesium oxide ([0044])), and has an average particle size of 0.5 to 50 µm ([0045]); and teaches the volatile solvent (c) dissolves or disperses components (a) and (b) ([0048]), and is preferably an isoparaffins solvent ([0052]). endo additionally teaches the optional inclusion of 0.02-50 parts surface treating agents (d) ([0054]) and further surfactants ([0066])."}}},{"rowIdx":9038,"cells":{"query":{"kind":"list like","value":["1. A last comprising:\nan upper forming surface configured to form an upper including a wearing opening;\na base part that includes a bottom, the bottom having an upper surface and a lower surface, the lower surface being configured to define a bottom surface of the upper; and\na plurality of additional parts, each of which is configured in a plate shape for assembly to the base part,\nwherein the base part further includes:\na first base member that includes a mounting unit configured to mount the plurality of additional parts such that the plurality of additional parts are arranged in a multi-layered configuration along one direction;\na second base member attachable to and detachable from the first base member; and\na first forming surface that defines a first region of the upper forming surface, the plurality of additional parts includes a second forming surface defining a second region disposed at a location different from the first region in the upper forming surface while attached to the mounting unit, each of the additional parts has an end face,\nthe second forming surface includes the end face of each of the plurality of additional parts, and\nthe plurality of additional parts are separate from the bottom of the base part and extends in a downward direction to terminate at the upper surface of the bottom of the base part, such that the plurality of additional parts are spaced from the lower surface of the bottom of the base part and spaced from the bottom surface of the upper.","2. The last according to claim 1, wherein\nthe first forming surface includes a wearing opening forming unit configured to form the wearing opening,\nthe mounting unit includes a front mounting unit located in front of the wearing opening forming unit,\nthe first base member includes the front mounting unit, and\na boundary portion between the first base member and the second base member is defined at a position corresponding to the wearing opening in a height direction.","3. The last according to claim 2, wherein\nthe front mounting unit includes a plurality of partition plates, each of which has a shape rising from the bottom and extending in a foot width direction, and the plurality of partition plates being arranged side by side at intervals in a foot length direction, and\na distance between a pair of partition plates adjacent to each other in the foot length direction among the plurality of partition plates is set to allow each of the additional parts to be disposed between the pair of partition plates.","4. The last according to claim 3, wherein\nthe front mounting unit further includes a rail that is connected to the plurality of partition plates and has a shape extending in the foot length direction, and\na groove having a shape configured to receive the rail is in each of the additional parts.","5. The last according to claim 2, wherein\nthe mounting unit further includes a rear mounting unit located behind the boundary portion between the first base member and the second base member, and\nthe second base member includes the rear mounting unit.","6. A last comprising:\nan upper forming surface configured to form an upper including a wearing opening;\na base part that includes a bottom, the bottom having an upper surface and a lower surface, the lower surface being configured to define a bottom surface of the upper; and\na plurality of additional parts, each of which is configured in a plate shape for assembly to the base part,\nwherein the base part further includes:\na first base member that includes a mounting unit configured to mount the plurality of additional parts such that the plurality of additional parts are arranged in a multi-layered configuration along one direction;\na second base member attachable to and detachable from the first base member; and\na first forming surface that defines a first region of the upper forming surface,\nthe plurality of additional parts includes a second forming surface defining a second region disposed at a location different from the first region in the upper forming surface while attached to the mounting unit,\neach of the additional parts has an end face,\nthe second forming surface includes the end face of each of the plurality of additional parts,\nthe first forming surface includes a wearing opening forming unit configured to form the wearing opening,\nthe mounting unit includes a front mounting unit located in front of the wearing opening forming unit,\nthe first base member includes the front mounting unit, each of the additional parts configured to attach to the front mounting unit includes a bottom end face,\nthe bottom end face of each of the plurality of additional parts attached to the front mounting unit defines a bottom surface of the upper together with the bottom of the base part,\nthe second base member includes a rear mounting unit configured to mount a second plurality of additional parts behind the first base member, each of the second plurality of additional parts being configured in a plate shape for assembly to the second base member in a multi-layered configuration along one direction, and\nthe second plurality of additional parts are separate from the bottom of the base part and extends in a downward direction to terminate at the upper surface of the bottom of the base part, such that the second plurality of additional parts are spaced from the lower surface of the bottom of the base part and spaced from the bottom surface of the upper."],"string":"[\n \"1. A last comprising:\\nan upper forming surface configured to form an upper including a wearing opening;\\na base part that includes a bottom, the bottom having an upper surface and a lower surface, the lower surface being configured to define a bottom surface of the upper; and\\na plurality of additional parts, each of which is configured in a plate shape for assembly to the base part,\\nwherein the base part further includes:\\na first base member that includes a mounting unit configured to mount the plurality of additional parts such that the plurality of additional parts are arranged in a multi-layered configuration along one direction;\\na second base member attachable to and detachable from the first base member; and\\na first forming surface that defines a first region of the upper forming surface, the plurality of additional parts includes a second forming surface defining a second region disposed at a location different from the first region in the upper forming surface while attached to the mounting unit, each of the additional parts has an end face,\\nthe second forming surface includes the end face of each of the plurality of additional parts, and\\nthe plurality of additional parts are separate from the bottom of the base part and extends in a downward direction to terminate at the upper surface of the bottom of the base part, such that the plurality of additional parts are spaced from the lower surface of the bottom of the base part and spaced from the bottom surface of the upper.\",\n \"2. The last according to claim 1, wherein\\nthe first forming surface includes a wearing opening forming unit configured to form the wearing opening,\\nthe mounting unit includes a front mounting unit located in front of the wearing opening forming unit,\\nthe first base member includes the front mounting unit, and\\na boundary portion between the first base member and the second base member is defined at a position corresponding to the wearing opening in a height direction.\",\n \"3. The last according to claim 2, wherein\\nthe front mounting unit includes a plurality of partition plates, each of which has a shape rising from the bottom and extending in a foot width direction, and the plurality of partition plates being arranged side by side at intervals in a foot length direction, and\\na distance between a pair of partition plates adjacent to each other in the foot length direction among the plurality of partition plates is set to allow each of the additional parts to be disposed between the pair of partition plates.\",\n \"4. The last according to claim 3, wherein\\nthe front mounting unit further includes a rail that is connected to the plurality of partition plates and has a shape extending in the foot length direction, and\\na groove having a shape configured to receive the rail is in each of the additional parts.\",\n \"5. The last according to claim 2, wherein\\nthe mounting unit further includes a rear mounting unit located behind the boundary portion between the first base member and the second base member, and\\nthe second base member includes the rear mounting unit.\",\n \"6. A last comprising:\\nan upper forming surface configured to form an upper including a wearing opening;\\na base part that includes a bottom, the bottom having an upper surface and a lower surface, the lower surface being configured to define a bottom surface of the upper; and\\na plurality of additional parts, each of which is configured in a plate shape for assembly to the base part,\\nwherein the base part further includes:\\na first base member that includes a mounting unit configured to mount the plurality of additional parts such that the plurality of additional parts are arranged in a multi-layered configuration along one direction;\\na second base member attachable to and detachable from the first base member; and\\na first forming surface that defines a first region of the upper forming surface,\\nthe plurality of additional parts includes a second forming surface defining a second region disposed at a location different from the first region in the upper forming surface while attached to the mounting unit,\\neach of the additional parts has an end face,\\nthe second forming surface includes the end face of each of the plurality of additional parts,\\nthe first forming surface includes a wearing opening forming unit configured to form the wearing opening,\\nthe mounting unit includes a front mounting unit located in front of the wearing opening forming unit,\\nthe first base member includes the front mounting unit, each of the additional parts configured to attach to the front mounting unit includes a bottom end face,\\nthe bottom end face of each of the plurality of additional parts attached to the front mounting unit defines a bottom surface of the upper together with the bottom of the base part,\\nthe second base member includes a rear mounting unit configured to mount a second plurality of additional parts behind the first base member, each of the second plurality of additional parts being configured in a plate shape for assembly to the second base member in a multi-layered configuration along one direction, and\\nthe second plurality of additional parts are separate from the bottom of the base part and extends in a downward direction to terminate at the upper surface of the bottom of the base part, such that the second plurality of additional parts are spaced from the lower surface of the bottom of the base part and spaced from the bottom surface of the upper.\"\n]"},"applicant_patent_id":{"kind":"string","value":"US12108845B2"},"cited_patent_id":{"kind":"string","value":"US20200113291A1"},"positive":{"kind":"list like","value":["1. A modular last system comprising:\na frame; and\na plurality of last segments removably attached to the frame, wherein each last segment the plurality of last segments has an outer surface that defines an anatomical shape.","2. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one last segment of the plurality of the last segments defines a channel, wherein at least a portion of the frame is received in the channel.","3. The system of claim 2, wherein at least one last segment of the plurality of the last segments has an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the channel is defined in the lower surface.","4. The system of claim 3, wherein the upper surface defines the anatomical shape.","5. The system of claim 4, wherein the anatomical shape is a foot.","6. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of last segments comprises a first heel segment defining a first heel profile, and a first toe segment defining a first toe profile.","7. The system of claim 6, further comprising a second heel segment having a second heel profile, wherein the first heel segment and second heel segment are interchangeable on the frame to alter the anatomical shape.","8. The system of claim 6, further comprising a second toe segment having a second toe profile, wherein the first toe segment and second toe segment are interchangeable on the frame to alter the anatomical shape.","9. The system of claim 6, wherein the plurality of last segments further comprise an ankle segment.","10. The system of claim 6, wherein the plurality of last segments further comprise a first waist segment having a first girth and a second waist segment having a second girth, wherein the first waist segment and second waist segment are interchangeable to alter the anatomical shape.","11. The system of claim 1 further comprising a material disposed adjacent at least a portion of the plurality of last segments to define an article.","12. The system of claim 1, wherein the frame comprises an elongate member having a frame cross-section and a frame profile; and\nthe plurality of last segments defining a channel that conforms to the frame cross-section, wherein the plurality of last segments are removably attached to the frame by an interference fit between the frame and the channel.","13. The system of claim 12, wherein the channel is defined in a lower surface of the plurality of last segments, wherein upon attaching the plurality of segments to the frame, a lower surface of the frame is contiguous with the lower surface of the plurality of segments.","14. The system of claim 12, wherein the cross section of the frame is rectangular.","15. The system of claim 1, wherein the frame comprises a heel portion and a toe portion spaced longitudinally from each other by a waist portion, wherein a lower surface of the waist portion defines a base plane, and wherein the toe portion of the frame extends upward relative to the base plane.","16. The system of claim 1, wherein the frame is constructed of a unitary member.","17. A modular last system comprising:\na frame including an elongate member having a cross section; and\na plurality of segments arranged on the frame to define an anatomical shape, the plurality of segments defining a channel configured to receive the elongate member therein.","18. The system of claim 17, wherein the anatomical shape is a foot.","19. The system of claim 17, wherein the cross section of the elongate member is rectangular having a top wall, a bottom wall, and opposing sidewalls, and wherein the channel comprises side surfaces that are spaced from each to form an interference fit with the opposing sidewalls of the elongate member.","20. The system of claim 17 wherein the plurality of segments comprise a first segment forming a portion of the anatomical shape having a first profile, wherein the system further comprises a second segment interchangeable with the first segment to form the portion of the anatomical shape with a second profile."],"string":"[\n \"1. A modular last system comprising:\\na frame; and\\na plurality of last segments removably attached to the frame, wherein each last segment the plurality of last segments has an outer surface that defines an anatomical shape.\",\n \"2. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one last segment of the plurality of the last segments defines a channel, wherein at least a portion of the frame is received in the channel.\",\n \"3. The system of claim 2, wherein at least one last segment of the plurality of the last segments has an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the channel is defined in the lower surface.\",\n \"4. The system of claim 3, wherein the upper surface defines the anatomical shape.\",\n \"5. The system of claim 4, wherein the anatomical shape is a foot.\",\n \"6. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of last segments comprises a first heel segment defining a first heel profile, and a first toe segment defining a first toe profile.\",\n \"7. The system of claim 6, further comprising a second heel segment having a second heel profile, wherein the first heel segment and second heel segment are interchangeable on the frame to alter the anatomical shape.\",\n \"8. The system of claim 6, further comprising a second toe segment having a second toe profile, wherein the first toe segment and second toe segment are interchangeable on the frame to alter the anatomical shape.\",\n \"9. The system of claim 6, wherein the plurality of last segments further comprise an ankle segment.\",\n \"10. The system of claim 6, wherein the plurality of last segments further comprise a first waist segment having a first girth and a second waist segment having a second girth, wherein the first waist segment and second waist segment are interchangeable to alter the anatomical shape.\",\n \"11. The system of claim 1 further comprising a material disposed adjacent at least a portion of the plurality of last segments to define an article.\",\n \"12. The system of claim 1, wherein the frame comprises an elongate member having a frame cross-section and a frame profile; and\\nthe plurality of last segments defining a channel that conforms to the frame cross-section, wherein the plurality of last segments are removably attached to the frame by an interference fit between the frame and the channel.\",\n \"13. The system of claim 12, wherein the channel is defined in a lower surface of the plurality of last segments, wherein upon attaching the plurality of segments to the frame, a lower surface of the frame is contiguous with the lower surface of the plurality of segments.\",\n \"14. The system of claim 12, wherein the cross section of the frame is rectangular.\",\n \"15. The system of claim 1, wherein the frame comprises a heel portion and a toe portion spaced longitudinally from each other by a waist portion, wherein a lower surface of the waist portion defines a base plane, and wherein the toe portion of the frame extends upward relative to the base plane.\",\n \"16. The system of claim 1, wherein the frame is constructed of a unitary member.\",\n \"17. A modular last system comprising:\\na frame including an elongate member having a cross section; and\\na plurality of segments arranged on the frame to define an anatomical shape, the plurality of segments defining a channel configured to receive the elongate member therein.\",\n \"18. The system of claim 17, wherein the anatomical shape is a foot.\",\n \"19. The system of claim 17, wherein the cross section of the elongate member is rectangular having a top wall, a bottom wall, and opposing sidewalls, and wherein the channel comprises side surfaces that are spaced from each to form an interference fit with the opposing sidewalls of the elongate member.\",\n \"20. The system of claim 17 wherein the plurality of segments comprise a first segment forming a portion of the anatomical shape having a first profile, wherein the system further comprises a second segment interchangeable with the first segment to form the portion of the anatomical shape with a second profile.\"\n]"},"hard_negatives":{"kind":"list like","value":[["1. A method of generating a user-specific recommended size of a wearable item, the method comprising:\nby one or more processors:\naccessing a memory device containing a data set containing parameters for a plurality of wearable items,\nidentifying a wearable item from the data set, querying the memory device to retrieve the parameters for the identified wearable item, and analyzing the retrieved parameters to determine whether the identified wearable item runs true to size, and\nsaving the determination of whether the selected product runs true to size to the data set; and\nby one or more of the processors:\nreceiving, from a first user via a user interface, a selection of the identified wearable item,\nquerying the memory device to receive the determination of whether the selected product runs true to size,\nin response to receiving a determination that the selected product does not run true to size, determining an alternate size of the wearable item that is appropriate for the user,\ngenerating a recommendation that the user select the alternate size for the product, and\ncausing an output of an electronic device to present the recommendation to the user.","2. The method of claim 1, wherein:\nthe data set also contains parameter-specific feedback received from one or more consumers for at least some of the wearable items; and\ndetermine whether the identified wearable item runs true to size also comprises analyzing the parameter-specific feedback.","3. The method of claim 1, further comprising by one or more of the processors:\npresenting, to each of the one or more consumers, a user interface comprising a visual representation of the wearable item;\nreceiving, from each of the one or more consumers via the user interface, a selection of a portion of the wearable item;\nin response to receiving each selection by one of the one or more consumers, presenting the consumer with a feedback interface by which the consumer may enter performance feedback or fit feedback related to the selected portion of the wearable item; and\nsaving the received feedback to the data set for the wearable item.","4. The method of claim 1, wherein:\ndetermining the alternate size comprises:\naccessing the data set to receive a model representation for the selected wearable item, wherein the model representation comprises one or more sizes and, for each size, a plurality of measured parameters of the wearable item in that size,\naccessing profile data for the user, and\nusing the profile data for the user and the model representation for the selected item to determine the alternate size.","5. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the alternate size comprises:\nprompting the user to input alternate sizing information, wherein the alternate sizing information comprises an indication of whether the user may purchase a size that is larger or smaller than a primary size for the user; and\nusing the alternate sizing information to determine the alternate size.","6. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the alternate size comprises:\naccessing the data set to receive a model representation for the selected wearable item, wherein the model representation comprises one or more sizes and, for each size, a plurality of measured parameters of the selected wearable item in the user's primary size;\ndetermining whether one or more of the parameters of the selected wearable item differ from one or more reference parameter values by at least a threshold amount;\nif the measured parameters of the selected wearable item are greater than one or more of the reference parameters by at least the threshold amount, then selecting the alternate size as a size that is smaller than the primary size;\nif the measured parameters of the selected wearable item are less than one or more of the reference parameters by at least a threshold amount, then selecting the alternate size as a size that is larger than the primary size; and\nif the measured parameters of the selected wearable item are neither less than nor greater than one or more of the reference parameters by at least a threshold amount, then selecting the primary size as the alternate size.","7. The method of claim 1, further comprising, by one or more of the processors:\nafter the user has purchased the selected wearable item in the alternate size, presenting the user with a prompt to provide feedback relating to a quality of the recommendation;\nreceiving the feedback from the user in response to the prompt; and\nsaving the feedback to the memory device containing the data set for the selected wearable item.","8. The method of claim 7, wherein:\npresenting the user with the prompt to provide feedback relating to a quality of the automated recommendation comprises presenting the user with a graphic virtual model of the selected wearable item, along with a description of the measured characteristic of the wearable item and a visual indication of a location on the wearable item that is associated with the measured characteristic; and\nreceiving the feedback from the user comprises receiving an indication of whether the user considers the description of the measured characteristic to be accurate.","9. The method of claim 1, wherein presenting the user with the recommendation of the recommended size comprises:\nreceiving, via a user interface that presents a visual indication of the selected item, a user selection of a location on the selected item; and\nin response to receiving the indication of the user selection of the location, causing the user interface to display a measured parameter of the selected wearable item that is associated with the selected location.","10. The method of claim 1, further comprising, by one or more processors:\nreceiving feedback from a plurality of additional consumers, wherein the received feedback from the additional consumers is in response to additional recommendations for the selected item in the selected size that were presented to the additional consumers;\nanalyzing the feedback to identify a trend in a physical characteristic of the selected wearable item for which the additional users substantially consistently express negative feedback; and\nsending a supplier of the selected wearable item a message comprising a summary of the negative feedback and the characteristic of the selected wearable item for which the additional users substantially consistently express negative feedback.","11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nby a scanning device that is inserted into the identified wearable item, collecting a plurality of internal dimensional and tactile measurements of a plurality of parameters of the identified wearable item;\ntransmitting the collected dimensional and tactile measurements to the memory device;\nsaving the collected measurements in the data set as values of parameters for the identified wearable item; and\nusing the dimensional measurements as adjusted by the tactile measurements to determine the alternate size.","12. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether the identified wearable item runs true to size is performed after the system receives the selection of the identified wearable item from the user.","13. A system for generating a user-specific size recommendation for a wearable item, the system comprising:\none or more processors;\na first memory device portion that stores a data set containing parameters for a plurality of wearable items;\na second memory device portion containing programming instructions that are configured to cause one or more of the processors to:\nidentify a wearable item,\nquerying the memory device to retrieve the parameters for the identified wearable item, and\nanalyze the retrieved parameters to determine whether the identified wearable item runs true to size; and\na third memory device portion containing programming instructions that are configured to cause one or more of the processors to:\nreceive, from a first user via a user interface, a selection of the identified wearable item,\nquery the memory device to receive an indication of whether the selected product runs true to size,\nin response to receiving an indication that the selected product does not run true to size, determining an alternate size of the wearable item that is appropriate for the user\ngenerating a recommendation that the user select the alternate size for the product, and\ncausing an output of an electronic device to present the recommendation to the user.","14. The system of claim 13, wherein:\nthe data set also contains parameter-specific feedback received from one or more consumers for at least some of the wearable items; and\nthe instructions to determine whether the identified wearable item runs true to size also comprise instructions to analyze the parameter-specific feedback.","15. The system of claim 13, further comprising additional programming instructions that are configured to cause one or more of the processors to:\npresent, to each of the one or more consumers, a user interface comprising a visual representation of the wearable item;\nreceive, from each of the one or more consumers via the user interface, a selection of a portion of the wearable item;\nin response to receiving each selection by one of the one or more consumers, present the consumer with a feedback interface by which the consumer may enter performance feedback or fit feedback related to the selected portion of the wearable item; and\nsave the received feedback to the data set for the wearable item.","16. The system of claim 13, wherein:\nthe instructions to determine the alternate size comprise instructions to:\naccess the data set to receive a model representation for the selected wearable item, wherein the model representation comprises one or more sizes and, for each size, a plurality of measured parameters of the wearable item in that size,\naccess profile data for the user, and\nuse the profile data for the user and the model representation for the selected item to determine the alternate size.","17. The system of claim 13, wherein the instructions to determine the alternate size comprise instructions to:\nprompt the user to input alternate sizing information, wherein the alternate sizing information comprises an indication of whether the user may purchase a size that is larger or smaller than a primary size for the user; and\nuse the alternate sizing information to determine the alternate size.","18. The system of claim 13, wherein the instructions to determine the alternate size comprise instructions to:\naccess the data set to receive a model representation for the selected wearable item, wherein the model representation comprises one or more sizes and, for each size, a plurality of measured parameters of the selected wearable item in the user's primary size;\ndetermine whether one or more of the parameters of the selected wearable item differ from one or more reference parameter values by at least a threshold amount;\nif the measured parameters of the selected wearable item are greater than one or more of the reference parameters by at least the threshold amount, then select the alternate size as a size that is smaller than the primary size;\nif the measured parameters of the selected wearable item are less than one or more of the reference parameters by at least a threshold amount, then select the alternate size as a size that is larger than the primary size; and\nif the measured parameters of the selected wearable item are neither less than nor greater than one or more of the reference parameters by at least a threshold amount, then select the primary size as the alternate size.","19. The system of claim 13, further comprising additional programming instructions that are configured to cause one or more of the processors to:\nafter the user has purchased the selected wearable item in the alternate size, present the user with a prompt to provide feedback relating to a quality of the recommendation;\nreceive the feedback from the user in response to the prompt; and\nsave the feedback to the data set for the selected wearable item.","20. The system of claim 19, wherein:\nthe instructions to present the user with the prompt to provide feedback relating to a quality of the automated recommendation comprise instructions to present the user with a graphic virtual model of the selected wearable item, along with a description of the measured characteristic of the wearable item and a visual indication of a location on the wearable item that is associated with the measured characteristic; and\nthe instructions to receive the feedback from the user comprise instructions to receive an indication of whether the user considers the description of the measured characteristic to be accurate.","21. The system of claim 13, wherein the instructions to present the user with the recommendation of the recommended size comprise instructions to:\nreceive, via a user interface that presents a visual indication of the selected item, a user selection of a location on the selected item; and\nin response to receiving the indication of the user selection of the location, cause the user interface to display a measured parameter of the selected wearable item that is associated with the selected location.","22. The system of claim 13, further comprising additional programming instructions that are configured to cause one or more of the processors to:\nreceive feedback from a plurality of additional consumers, wherein the received feedback from the additional consumers is in response to additional recommendations for the selected item in the selected size that were presented to the additional consumers;\nanalyze the feedback to identify a trend in a physical characteristic of the selected wearable item for which the additional users substantially consistently express negative feedback; and\nsend a supplier of the selected wearable item a message comprising a summary of the negative feedback and the characteristic of the selected wearable item for which the additional users substantially consistently express negative feedback.","23. The system of claim 13, further comprising a scanning device configured to be inserted into the identified wearable item and collect a plurality of internal dimensional and tactile measurements to be used as values of the parameters of the identified wearable item."],["49. A system for manufacturing equipment for direct injection production of a footwear, the system comprising:\na design facility arranged to provide a footwear design and mold descriptive data based on the footwear design for manufacturing of a mold corresponding to a sole part of the footwear, the mold including a basic direct injection mold and direct injection mold inserts;\na mold manufacturing facility arranged to manufacture the basic direct injection mold based on the mold descriptive data provided by the design facility;\na last manufacturing facility arranged to manufacture a last corresponding to the footwear design; and\na remote footwear manufacturing facility arranged to additively manufacture the direct injection mold inserts based on the mold descriptive data provided by the design facility,\nwherein the basic direct injection mold and the direct injection mold inserts are combined into the mold,\nwherein the mold is combined with the last to manufacture the sole part of the footwear corresponding to the footwear design at the remote footwear manufacturing facility, and\nwherein the mold descriptive data are provided from the design facility to the remote footwear manufacturing facility by means of a public data network.","50. The system according to claim 49, wherein the design facility is located at a design facility location and the remote footwear manufacturing facility is located at a footwear manufacturing location.","51. The system according to claim 49, wherein the basic direct injection mold is attachable to injection molding equipment, and\nwherein the basic direct injection mold is configured for at least partly channelling injection material to a mold cavity.","52. The system according to claim 49, wherein the direct injection mold inserts cover a portion of an inner surface of the basic direct injection mold when the direct injection mold inserts are combined with the basic direct injection mold to obtain the mold at the remote footwear manufacturing facility.","53. The system of claim 49, wherein the basic direct injection mold is configured for being combined with a range of different sizes and/or designs of the direct injection mold inserts.","54. The system of claim 49, wherein the mold descriptive data includes data concerning a size of the basic direct injection mold.","55. The system of claim 49, wherein a further basic direct injection mold is manufactured at the design facility, and\nwherein the mold descriptive data are applied for additive manufacturing of further direct injection mold inserts at the design facility.","56. The system of claim 55, wherein the further direct injection mold inserts are combined with the further basic direct injection mold at the design facility to provide a further mold corresponding to the mold obtained at the remote footwear manufacturing facility.","57. The system of claim 49, wherein, via the public data network, a communication line is established through which the design facility is connected to the mold manufacturing facility, to the last manufacturing facility, and/or to the remote footwear manufacturing facility, and\nwherein the communication line is used for digital transmission of error reports from the mold manufacturing facility and/or from the remote footwear manufacturing facility to the design facility.","58. The system of claim 49, wherein the remote footwear manufacturing facility receives the mold descriptive data via a footwear manufacturing facility router located at the remote footwear manufacturing facility.","59. The system of claim 49, wherein the basic direct injection mold is one of a plurality of basic direct injection molds manufactured by the mold manufacturing facility, and\nwherein the plurality of basic direct injection molds differ in size.","60. The system of claim 59, wherein the direct injection mold inserts are each combinable with the plurality of basic direct injection molds.","61. The system of claim 49, wherein the remote footwear manufacturing facility is remote with respect to the design facility.","62. The system of claim 49, wherein an additive manufacturing material utilized for the additive manufacturing of the direct injection mold inserts includes one or more polymers.","63. The system of claim 49, wherein an additive manufacturing material utilized for the additive manufacturing of the direct injection mold inserts includes one or more photopolymers.","64. The system of claim 49, wherein the basic direct injection mold includes a first side mold, a second side mold, and a bottom mold.","65. The system of claim 49, wherein the direct injection mold inserts include a first direct injection mold insert and a second direct injection mold insert.","66. A method of manufacturing footwear by a direct injection process, the method comprising steps of:\nproviding a footwear design and mold descriptive data by a design facility for manufacturing of a direct injection mold corresponding to a sole part of the footwear;\nproviding a basic direct injection mold manufactured at a mold manufacturing facility based on the mold descriptive data;\nproviding a last corresponding to the footwear design manufactured at a last manufacturing facility;\ncommunicating the mold descriptive data from the design facility to a remote footwear manufacturing facility by means of a public data network;\nmanufacturing direct injection mold inserts at the remote footwear manufacturing facility based on the mold descriptive data;\ncombining the direct injection mold inserts with the basic direct injection mold at the remote footwear manufacturing facility to obtain a mold; and\nmanufacturing by the direct injection process the footwear according to the footwear design at the remote footwear manufacturing facility utilizing the mold and the last.","67. The method of claim 66 further comprising steps of:\nproviding last descriptive data by the design facility, the last descriptive data corresponding to the footwear design; and\ncommunicating the last descriptive data from the design facility to the last manufacturing facility.","68. The method of claim 66 further comprising a step of communicating the mold descriptive data from the design facility to the mold manufacturing facility."],["1. A digital mechanical measurement last system comprising: a front part of the last, a rear part of the last, a three-dimensional strain gauge load cell, a signal amplifier, a data acquisition card, data acquisition system software, and a data line, wherein\nthe front part and the rear part of the last are obtained by dividing the last along a vertical plane passing through a mass center of the last and perpendicular to the long axis of the last, the front part and the rear part of the last are each provided with a position for placing the three-dimensional strain gauge load cell, the depth of the position is half of a length of the three-dimensional strain gauge load cell, and a strain slit is existed between the front part and the rear part of the last;\na center of the three-dimensional strain gauge load cell coincides with the mass center of the last, a long axis of the three-dimensional strain gauge load cell is parallel to a long axis of the last, two ends of the three-dimensional strain gauge load cell are connected to the front part and the rear part of the last, and a circumference of the three-dimensional strain gauge load cell is not in contact with the last; and\nthe signal amplifier, the data acquisition card, and the data acquisition system software are disposed outside the last, the signal amplifier comprises a signal input circuit, a signal amplification circuit, a signal filtering circuit, and a signal output circuit, and transmits a signal to the data acquisition card through the signal output circuit; the data acquisition card comprises a data acquisition module, an A/D conversion module, and a host computer communication module, and completes communication with a computer through a USB interface; and the data line passes through a data line channel in the rear part of the last, and connects the three-dimensional strain gauge load cell, the signal amplifier, the data acquisition card, and a data acquisition system, to implement data measurement.","2. The digital mechanical measurement last system as in claim 1, wherein, the data acquisition system software comprising:\nan user instruction processing module, which receives an operation command of a user, and transmits messages to corresponding modules according to different commands;\na module communicating with the acquisition card completes communication with the acquisition card, which sends an operation command to the acquisition card, and reads data from the acquisition card;\na data processing module, which receives data from the module communicating with the acquisition card, and filters and performs computation on the data;\na data display module, which simulates and displays three-dimensional forces according to data, and displays a three-dimensional force vector diagram using the center of the three-dimensional strain gauge load cell as a start point in a three-dimensional space;\na data recording module, which records measurement results in real time.","3. The digital mechanical measurement last system as in claim 2, wherein the data acquisition system software provides a data import interface capable of analyzing data acquired by a third-party instrument or importing and analyzing data that has been acquired."],["1. A method for manufacturing a light-weight waterproof shoe, at least comprising the following steps:\na first step of cutting, in which a piece of waterproof leather that has a back side coated with a water-resistant hot-melt adhesive is subjected to a cutting operation to make at least a vamp water-resistant plate, one to multiple vamp decorative plates, and a heel water-resistant plate, wherein the vamp water-resistant plate has one side edge that is recessed inwardly to form a first insertion opening;\na second step of arranging pattern of vamp section, in which the vamp water-resistant plate and the one to multiple vamp decorative plates that are formed with the cutting operation in the previous step are arranged and stacked on a vamp lining plate that is in a planar form, wherein the vamp lining plate has a side edge that is recessed inwardly to form a second insertion opening, such that the second insertion opening is in alignment with and overlaps the first insertion opening of the vamp water-resistant plate;\na third step of hot pressing, in which the vamp lining plate and the vamp water-resistant plate and the vamp decorative plates that are arranged and stacked thereon are placed in a hot pressing apparatus for hot pressing, such that the hot-melt adhesive layer on the back sides of the vamp water-resistant plate and the vamp decorative plates are heated and melted to combine with the vamp lining plate as a unitary combination, and portions of the vamp water-resistant plate and the vamp decorative plates that are stacked on each other are combined together as a unitary combination so as to form a water-resistant vamp section;\na fourth step of sewing heel section, in which vamp outer edges of the vamp section at two opposite sides of the first insertion opening are jointed to each other and are fixed together through sewing so as to make the vamp section in a three-dimensional configuration;\na fifth step of hot-pressing heel section, in which the heel water-resistant plate that is made in the cutting operation of the first step is set on and covering the sewing line of the vamp section and is subjected to hot pressing, so that the hot-melt adhesive on the back side of the heel water-resistant plate is heated and melted and combines with the vamp section to form a unitary combination, and a joint site that is between the heel water-resistant plate and the vamp section is made a waterproof interface therebetween;\na sixth step of combining midsole, in which a midsole is attached to and combined with a bottom of the vamp section by means of sewing or adhesive to form a semi-finished product; and\na seventh step of injecting sole, in which the semi-finished product is fit to a multi-segment last of an injection apparatus and a first mold member, a second mold member, and a third mold member are closed to enclose the semi-finished product, such that after the third mold member is closed, a sole gap is formed between a third mold cavity of the third mold member and the midsole of the semi-finished product; and a sole material that is heated and melted is injected into the third mold cavity of the third mold member to form a sole, wherein the sole material that is injected into the third mold cavity combines with the midsole and covers a joint interface between the midsole and the vamp section so that after being cooled, a product is formed and removed to form a light-weight waterproof shoe.","2. The method for manufacturing a light-weight waterproof shoe according to claim 1, wherein the waterproof leather comprises rubber-made waterproof leather.","3. The method for manufacturing a light-weight waterproof shoe according to claim 1, wherein the waterproof leather comprises plastics-made waterproof leather.","4. The method for manufacturing a light-weight waterproof shoe according to claim 1, wherein the sole material comprises rubber.","5. The method for manufacturing a light-weight waterproof shoe according to claim 1, wherein the sole material comprises polyurethane (PU).","6. The method for manufacturing a light-weight waterproof shoe according to claim 3, wherein the plastics-made waterproof leather comprises thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU).","7. The method for manufacturing a light-weight waterproof shoe according to claim 3, wherein the plastics-made waterproof leather comprises thermoplastic elastomer (TPE).","8. A method for manufacturing a light-weight waterproof boot, at least comprising the following steps:\na first step of cutting, in which a piece of waterproof leather that has a back side coated with a water-resistant hot-melt adhesive is subjected to a cutting operation to make at least a vamp water-resistant plate, one to multiple vamp decorative plates, a heel water-resistant plate, and a shaft water-resistant plate, wherein the vamp water-resistant plate has one side edge that is recessed inwardly to form a first insertion opening and the shaft water-resistant plate has one side edge that is formed with a shaft arc opening;\na second step of arranging pattern of vamp section and the shaft section, in which the vamp water-resistant plate and the one to multiple vamp decorative plates that are formed with the cutting operation in the previous step are arranged and stacked on a vamp lining plate that is in a planar form, and the shaft water-resistant plate that is formed with the cutting operation in the previous step is arranged and stacked on a shaft lining plate, wherein the vamp lining plate has a side edge that is recessed inwardly to form a second insertion opening, such that the second insertion opening is in alignment with and overlaps the first insertion opening of the vamp water-resistant plate; and the shaft lining plate is formed with a lining arc opening on a side edge thereof corresponding to that of the shaft water-resistant plate that is formed with the shaft arc opening, wherein the shaft water-resistant plate is longer than the shaft lining plate such that the shaft arc opening of the shaft water-resistant plate projects beyond and is located outside the lining arc opening of the shaft lining plate, and a portion of shaft hot-melt adhesive that is located along a peripheral edge of the shaft arc opening is not covered by the shaft lining plate;\na third step of hot pressing, in which the vamp lining plate and the vamp water-resistant plate, and the vamp decorative plates that are arranged and stacked thereon are placed in a hot pressing apparatus for hot pressing, such that the hot-melt adhesive layer on the back sides of the vamp water-resistant plate and the vamp decorative plates are heated and melted to combine with the vamp lining plate as a unitary combination, and portions of the vamp water-resistant plate and the vamp decorative plates that are stacked on each other are combined together as a unitary combination so as to form a water-resistant vamp section; and the shaft lining plate and the shaft water-resistant plate arranged and stacked thereon are placed in the hot pressing apparatus for hot pressing, such that the hot-melt adhesive layer on the back side of the shaft water-resistant plate is heated and melted to combine with the shaft lining plate as a unitary combination to form a water-resistant shaft section;\na fourth step of combining vamp section and shaft section, in which a portion of the hot-melt adhesive that is located along a peripheral edge of the shaft arc opening of the shaft section is stacked on a peripheral edge of the first insertion opening of the vamp water-resistant plate of the vamp section formed in the previous steps and is subjected to hot pressing such that the portion of the shaft hot-melt adhesive that is located along the peripheral edge of the shaft arc opening of the shaft section is heated and melted to combine the shaft section and the vamp section to each other;\na fifth step of sewing heel section, in which vamp outer edges of the vamp section at two opposite sides of the first insertion opening are jointed to each other and shaft outer edges of two opposite sides of the shaft section are jointed to each other, and are sewn together so that the vamp section and the shaft section jointly form a three-dimensional configuration, wherein an opposite end of the shaft section forms a shaft opening that is connected to and in communication with the first insertion opening of the vamp section; and portions around two sides of the sewn sites of the vamp section and the shaft section form a heel section;\na sixth step of hot-pressing heel section, in which the heel water-resistant plate that is made in the cutting operation of the first step is set on and covering the sewing line of the vamp section and the shaft section and is subjected to hot pressing, so that the hot-melt adhesive on the back side of the heel water-resistant plate is heated and melted and combines with the vamp section and the shaft section to form a unitary combination, and a joint site that is between the heel water-resistant plate and the vamp section and the shaft section is made a waterproof interface therebetween;\na seventh step of combining midsole, in which a midsole is attached to and combined with a bottom of the vamp section by means of sewing or adhesive to form a semi-finished product; and\nan eighth step of injecting sole, in which the semi-finished product is fit to a multi-segment last of an injection apparatus and a first mold member, a second mold member, and a third mold member are closed to enclose the semi-finished product, such that after the third mold member is closed, a sole gap is formed between a third mold cavity of the third mold member and the midsole of the semi-finished product; and a sole material that is heated and melted is injected into the third mold cavity of the third mold member to form a sole, wherein the sole material that is injected into the third mold cavity combines with the midsole and covers a joint interface between the midsole and the vamp section so that after being cooled, a product is formed and removed to form a light-weight waterproof boot product.","9. The method for manufacturing a light-weight waterproof boot according to claim 8, wherein the multi-segment last comprises a shaft section, a vamp section, a heel section, and a sole section and the multi-segment last is formed by combining three separate sections including a first slidable section, a second slidable section, and a non-slidable section, wherein the non-slidable section of the multi-segment last is fixed and securely mounted to the injection apparatus; the first slidable section comprises a part of the vamp section and a part of the shaft section of the last, the first slidable section and the non-slidable section having contact surfaces that are in surface engagement with each other and are inclined and are provided with a slide rack and a slide channel that are in mating engagement with each other arranged therebetween, so that the first slidable section is reciprocally movable on the non-slidable section with the slide rack and the slide channel provided therebetween being arranged to incline downward in a direction from the shaft section toward the sole section, so that when the first slidable section moves in a direction toward the sole section, the first slidable section gradually reduces a vertical position thereof relative to get approaching to the second slidable section; and the second slidable section corresponds to the heel section of the last, the second slidable section and the non-slidable section having contact surfaces that are in surface engagement with each other and are inclined and are provided with a slide rack and a slide channel that are in mating engagement with each other arranged therebetween, so that the second slidable section is reciprocally movable on the non-slidable section with the slide rack and the slide channel provided therebetween being arranged to incline upward in a direction from the shaft section toward the sole section, so that when the second slidable section moves in a direction toward the sole section, the second slidable section gradually raises a vertical position thereof relative to get approaching to the first slidable section.","10. The method for manufacturing a light-weight waterproof boot according to claim 8, wherein the cutting operation of the first step is conducted to further make one to multiple shaft decorative plates; in the second step, the shaft decorative plates are arranged and stacked on the shaft water-resistant plate; and in the third step, the hot-melt adhesive layer on the back sides of the shaft decorative plates is heated and melted to combine with the shaft water-resistant plate as a unitary combination.","11. The method for manufacturing a light-weight waterproof boot according to claim 8, wherein the waterproof leather comprises rubber-made waterproof leather.","12. The method for manufacturing a light-weight waterproof boot according to claim 8, wherein the waterproof leather comprises plastics-made waterproof leather.","13. The method for manufacturing a light-weight waterproof boot according to claim 8, wherein the sole material comprises rubber.","14. The method for manufacturing a light-weight waterproof boot according to claim 8, wherein the sole material comprises polyurethane (PU).","15. The method for manufacturing a light-weight waterproof boot according to claim 12, wherein the plastics-made waterproof leather comprises thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU).","16. The method for manufacturing a light-weight waterproof boot according to claim 12, wherein the plastics-made waterproof leather comprises thermoplastic elastomer (TPE)."],["1. A method for inspecting a film carrier tape for mounting electronic components in which a plurality of electronic component mounting portions is provided in multiple strips in a transverse direction, comprising the steps of:\nunwinding, from an unwinding device, the film carrier tape for mounting electronic components in multiple strips in which the individual film carrier tapes for mounting electronic components previously cut into strips are wound upon an unwinding reel, respectively;\nsimultaneously inspecting the film carrier tapes for mounting electronic components, which are cut into strips, in an inspecting section while causing them to run in parallel with each other; and\nsimultaneously taking up the film carrier tapes for mounting electronic components cut into strips, which are inspected in the inspecting section, upon a plurality of take-up reels attached to an identical take-up shaft of a take-up device in parallel, respectively.","2. A method for inspecting a film carrier tape for mounting electronic components in which a plurality of electronic component mounting portions is provided in multiple strips in a transverse direction, comprising the steps of:\nunwinding, from an unwinding device, the film carrier tape for mounting electronic components in multiple strips in which the individual film carrier tapes for mounting electronic components previously cut into strips are wound upon an unwinding reel, respectively;\nsimultaneously inspecting the film carrier tapes for mounting electronic components, which are cut into strips, in an inspecting section while causing them to run in parallel with each other; and\nsimultaneously taking up the film carrier tapes for mounting electronic components, which are cut into strips, which are inspected in the inspecting section, upon a plurality of take-up reels attached to separate take-up shafts of a take-up device in parallel, respectively.","3. A method for inspecting a film carrier tape for mounting electronic components in which a plurality of electronic component mounting portions is provided in multiple strips in a transverse direction, comprising the steps of:\nunwinding, from an unwinding device, the film carrier tapes for mounting electronic components in multiple strips which are wound upon an unwinding reel;\ncutting the film carrier tapes for mounting electronic components in multiple strips, which are unwound from the unwinding device, into individual film carrier tapes for mounting electronic components in strips by a slit device;\ncausing the film carrier tapes for mounting electronic components, which are cut into strips by the slit device, to run in parallel with each other and simultaneously inspecting them in an inspecting section; and\nsimultaneously taking up the film carrier tapes for mounting electronic components cut into strips which are inspected in the inspecting section, upon a plurality of take-up reels attached to an identical take-up shaft of a take-up device in parallel, respectively.","4. A method for inspecting a film carrier tape for mounting electronic components in which a plurality of electronic component mounting portions is provided in multiple strips in a transverse direction, comprising the steps of:\nunwinding, from an unwinding device, the film carrier tape for mounting electronic components in multiple strips which are wound upon an unwinding reel;\ncutting the film carrier tapes for mounting electronic components in multiple strips which are unwound from the unwinding device, into individual film carrier tapes for mounting electronic components in strips by a slit device;\ncausing the film carrier tapes for mounting electronic components, which are cut into strips by the slit device, to run in parallel with each other and simultaneously inspecting them in an inspecting section; and\nsimultaneously taking up the film carrier tapes for mounting electronic components cut into strips which are inspected in the inspecting section, upon a plurality of take-up reels attached to separate take-up shafts of a take-up device in parallel, respectively.","5. The method for inspecting a film carrier tape for mounting electronic components according to claim 1, wherein the inspecting section includes a guide member for causing film carrier tapes for mounting electronic components, which are cut into strips, to run in parallel with each other,\nthe guide member comprising:\na side guide portion on both ends which serves to guide both end side portions of the film carrier tape for mounting electronic components on an outermost side; and\nan adjacent part guide portion, which is protruded to guide adjacent side portions of the film carrier tapes for mounting electronic components cut into strips between the guide portions on the both ends.","6. The method for inspecting a film carrier tape for mounting electronic components according to claim 1, further comprising a drive gear for conveying the film carrier tapes for mounting electronic components, which are unwound from the unwinding device and cut into strips by the slit device, while causing them to run in parallel with each other,\nthe drive gear including:\na both end gear mated with a sprocket hole in side portions on both ends of the film carrier tape for mounting electronic components on the outermost side; and\nan intermediate gear mated with a sprocket hole provided in the adjacent side portions of the film carrier tape for mounting electronic components cut into strips between both end gears.","7. The method for inspecting a film carrier tape for mounting electronic components according to claim 6, further comprising a guide roller,\nthe guide roller including:\na side guide protruded portion on both ends which serves to guide both end side portions of the film carrier tape for mounting electronic components on an outermost side; and\nan adjacent part guide protruded portion protruded to separate and guide adjacent side portions of the film carrier tapes for mounting electronic components cut into strips between the side guide protruded portions on both ends.","8. The method for inspecting a film carrier tape for mounting electronic components according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of take-up reels, which are attached to the identical take-up shaft of the take-up device in parallel with each other, are fixed into through holes provided in the vicinity of centers of the reels by means of removable engaging bar members.","9. The method for inspecting a film carrier tape for mounting electronic components according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of take-up reels, which are attached to the separate take-up shafts of the take-up device in parallel with each other, are fixed into through holes provided in the vicinity of centers of the reels by means of removable engaging bar members, respectively.","10. The method for inspecting a film carrier tape for mounting electronic components according to claim 1, wherein the identical take-up shaft of the take-up device is constituted by an air shaft capable of expanding to increase a diameter thereof upon receipt of supply or air, and\na plurality of take-up reels attached to the take-up shaft in parallel with each other is thus fixed to each other.","11. The method for inspecting a film carrier tape for mounting electronic components according to claim 2, wherein the separate take-up shafts of the take-up device are constituted by an air shaft capable of expanding to increase a diameter thereof upon receipt of supply of air, and\na plurality of take-up reels attached to the take-up shaft in parallel with each other is thus fixed, respectively.","12. The method for inspecting a film carrier tape for mounting electronic components according to claim 1, wherein the inspecting section includes an illuminating device for irradiating a light on the film carrier tape for mounting electronic components in order to carry out an inspection,\nthe illuminating device having two illuminating lamps, which are provided apart from each other and are serving to irradiate a light on an inspecting position from rearward and above to be simultaneously focused with respect to the film carrier tapes for mounting electronic components, which are cut into strips and run in parallel with each other.","13. The method for inspecting a film carrier tape for mounting electronic components according to claim 1, wherein the inspecting section includes a magnifying lens device for magnifying the film carrier tape for mounting electronic components in order to carry out an inspection,\nthe magnifying lens device including a magnifying lens for magnifying, in a total width direction, the film carrier tapes for mounting electronic components, which are cut into strips and running in parallel with each other.","14. The method for inspecting a film carrier tape for mounting electronic components according to claim 1, wherein the magnifying lens device has a magnification of 1.4 or more at an enlargement ratio of a length.","15. The method for inspecting a film carrier tape for mounting electronic component according to claim 1, wherein separate dancer rollers are provided for the film carrier tapes for mounting electronic components, which are cut into strips, between the unwinding device and the inspecting section.","16. The method for inspecting a film carrier tape for mounting electronic components according to claim 1, wherein separate dancer rollers are provided for the film carrier tapes for mounting electronic components, which are cut into strips, between the take-up device and the inspecting section.","17. The method for inspecting a film carrier tape for mounting electronic components according to claim 1, wherein an identical dancer roller is provided for the film carrier tapes for mounting electronic components, which are cut into strips, between the unwinding device and the inspecting section.","18. The method for inspecting a film carrier tape for mounting electronic components according to claim 1, wherein an identical dancer roller is provided for the film carrier tapes for mounting electronic components, which are cut into strips, between the take-up device and the inspecting section.","19. The method for inspecting a film carrier tape for mounting electronic components according to claim 15, further comprising a looseness control device for detecting a position of the dancer roller to control an amount of looseness of the film carrier tape for mounting electronic components.","20. The method for inspecting a film carrier tape for mounting electronic components according to claim 19, wherein the looseness control device includes a guide member for separately changing a guide path for the film carrier tape for mounting electronic components in each strip which is to be guided by the dancer roller."],["1. A method comprising:\nproviding a waterproof, breathable bootie having a waterproof, breathable laminate construction,\nwherein the waterproof, breathable laminate construction comprises a functional layer and at least one textile layer,\ninserting the waterproof, breathable bootie through a collar of a footwear\nwherein the waterproof, breathable bootie is inserted into an inner space of the footwear, after the inner space of the footwear has been closed, and\npermanently fixing the waterproof, breathable bootie in position in the inner space of the footwear by attaching the waterproof, breathable bootie to the footwear in a donning region of the footwear, and\nattaching the waterproof, breathable bootie to the footwear in at least one further attachment region of the footwear to permanently waterproof the footwear.","2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the inserting of the waterproof, breathable bootie takes place after the inner space has been formed by an upper assembly of the footwear.","3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the inserting of the waterproof, breathable bootie takes place after a sole of the footwear has been applied to the upper assembly, or\nwherein the inserting of the waterproof, breathable bootie takes place; before a sole of the footwear is applied to the upper assembly.","4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the inserting of the waterproof, breathable bootie takes place after the inner space has been jointly formed by an upper assembly of the footwear and a sole of the footwear.","5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the waterproof, breathable bootie consists of the waterproof, breathable laminate construction.","6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the attaching of the waterproof, breathable bootie to the footwear in the donning region of the footwear comprises adhering an adhesive tape of the waterproof, breathable bootie, arranged in a collar region of the waterproof, breathable bootie, to the donning region of the footwear.","7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the attaching of the waterproof, breathable bootie to the footwear in the donning region of the footwear comprises sewing the waterproof, breathable bootie in a collar region thereof to the donning region of the footwear.","8. A method according to claim 1, wherein the attaching of the waterproof, breathable bootie to the footwear in the donning region of the footwear comprises attaching the waterproof, breathable bootie to the footwear at a distance of at least 2 cm from a sole portion of the inner space.","9. A method according to claim 1, wherein the attaching of the waterproof, breathable bootie to the footwear in at least one further attachment region of the footwear comprises attaching the waterproof, breathable bootie to the footwear in at least one of a toe region of the footwear and a heel region of the footwear.","10. A method according to claim 9, wherein the attaching of the waterproof, breathable bootie to the footwear in at least one further attachment region of the footwear comprises adhering the waterproof, breathable bootie to the 25 footwear in at least one of the toe region of the footwear and the heel region of the footwear.","11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of permanently fixing the waterproof, breathable bootie in the inner space of the footwear comprises adhering the waterproof, breathable bootie to the footwear substantially all around its outer surface.","12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of inserting the waterproof, breathable bootie into the inner space comprises arranging the waterproof, breathable bootie on a last and inserting the last together with the waterproof, breathable bootie into the inner space.","13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the last is expandable; and\nwherein the step of permanently fixing the waterproof, breathable bootie in position in the inner space comprises expanding the last within the inner space;\nwherein the last comprises at least two last portions; and\nwherein the step of expanding the last within the inner space comprises spacing the at least two last portions.","14. The method according to claim 12, wherein the last is heatable; and\nwherein the step of permanently fixing the waterproof, breathable bootie in position in the inner space comprises heating the last, when inserted into the inner space.","15. The method according to claim 12, wherein the step of permanently fixing the waterproof, breathable bootie in position in the inner space comprises applying pressure to the last from outside of an upper assembly of the footwear and/or from outside of a sole of the footwear,\nwherein the step of applying pressure to the last from outside of the upper assembly and/or from outside of the sole comprises at least one of:\napplying pressure to an instep portion of the upper assembly via an instep pressuring device,\napplying pressure around a heel portion of the upper assembly via a forked heel pressuring device,\napplying pressure to the sole via a sole pressure plate, and\napplying pressure around an entirety of the upper assembly and sole via a bag around the footwear and the last.","16. The method according to claim 1, wherein the waterproof, breathable bootie is at least partly elastic.","17. The method according to claim 16,\nwherein the waterproof, breathable bootie is elastic at least in a mid-foot portion thereof, in particular at least in a mid-foot portion that extends along at least 50% of a length from a tip of the waterproof, breathable bootie to a rear of the waterproof, breathable bootie, and/or\nwherein the waterproof, breathable bootie is elastic at least in a top portion thereof, in particular at least in a top portion that extends along at least 40%, in particular along at least 50%, of a circumference of the waterproof, breathable bootie.","18. The method according to claim 1,\nwherein the waterproof, breathable laminate construction comprises a one-piece functional layer and at least one textile layer,\nwherein the one-piece functional layer is a seamless, one-piece functional layer, or\nwherein the waterproof, breathable laminate construction comprises multiple waterproof, breathable laminate pieces,\nwherein each of the multiple waterproof, breathable laminate pieces comprises a functional layer piece and at least one textile layer piece, or\nwherein the waterproof, breathable laminate construction comprises multiple functional layer pieces and at least one textile layer.","19. The method according to claim 2, wherein the upper assembly has an upper material\nwherein the upper assembly has one of:\ni) a mono tongue,\nwherein part of the upper material forms a tongue of the footwear,\nii) a separate tongue,\nwherein a tongue piece is attached to the upper material and\niii) a gusset-type tongue,\nwherein a tongue piece is attached to the upper material via an intermittent bridge piece, and\nwherein the step of permanently fixing the waterproof, breathable bootie in position in the inner space comprises attaching the waterproof, breathable bootie to said one of the mono tongue, the separate tongue, and the gusset-type tongue.","20. A footwear produced in accordance with the method of claim 1."],["1. A last for molding a body of a skate boot of a skate, the skate comprising a skating device disposed beneath the skate boot to engage a skating surface, the skate boot being configured to receive a foot of a user, the last being configured to mold the body of the skate boot such that the body of the skate boot comprises a medial side portion to face a medial side of the user's foot, a lateral side portion to face a lateral side of the user's foot, a heel portion to receive a heel of the user's foot, and an ankle portion to receive an ankle of the user, the last being reconfigurable to facilitate demolding of the body of the skate boot from the last such that the last is changeable between a molding configuration to mold the body of the skate boot on the last and a demolding configuration to demold the body of the skate boot from the last.","2. The last of claim 1, wherein the last is contracted in its demolding configuration relative to its molding configuration.","3. The last of claim 1, wherein the last is configured to mold the body of the skate boot such that the body of the skate boot comprises a plurality of undercuts.","4. The last of claim 3, wherein respective ones of the undercuts are medial and lateral depressions of the ankle portion for receiving medial and lateral malleoli of the user.","5. The last of claim 3, wherein a given one of the undercuts is a recess defined by curvature of the heel portion.","6. The last of claim 3, wherein respective ones of the undercuts are recesses defined by curvature of the medial and lateral side portions.","7. The last of claim 1, wherein a volume occupied by the last is reduced from its molding configuration to its demolding configuration such that the volume occupied by the last in its demolding configuration is smaller than the volume occupied by the last in its molding configuration.","8. The last of claim 7, wherein the last comprises a cavity to receive a fluid to vary the volume occupied by the last by expanding and contracting the last.","9. The last of claim 1, wherein the last comprises a cavity containing particles and configured to receive a fluid such that the particles vary a rigidity of the last in response to flow of the fluid relative to the cavity.","10. The last of claim 1, wherein the last comprises a plurality of last members movable relative to one another to change between its molding configuration and its demolding configuration.","11. The last of claim 10, wherein: respective ones of the last members are movable relative to one another while remaining connected to one another as the last changes between its molding configuration and its demolding configuration; and the last comprises a control system to control movement of the last members relative to one another.","12. The last of claim 10, wherein adjacent ones of the last members are translatable relative to one to change the last between its molding configuration and its demolding configuration.","13. The last of claim 10, wherein adjacent ones of the last members are rotatable relative to one to change the last between its molding configuration and its demolding configuration.","14. The last of claim 10, wherein adjacent ones of the last members are translatable and rotatable relative to one to change the last between its molding configuration and its demolding configuration.","15. The last of claim 10, wherein the last members include at least three last members.","16. The last of claim 10, wherein the last members include at least five last members.","17. The last of claim 10, wherein a first one of the last members is a front central last member, a second one of the last members is a rear central last member, a third one of the last members is an intermediate central last member disposed between the front central last member and the rear central last member; a fourth one of the last members is a medial last member; and a fifth one of the last members is a lateral last member.","18. The last of claim 17, wherein the last is configured to mold the body of the skate boot such that the body of the skate boot comprises a sole portion for facing a plantar surface of the user's foot.","19. The last of claim 17, wherein the last is configured to mold the body of the skate boot such that the body of the skate boot comprises a toe portion for enclosing toes of the user's foot.","20. The last of claim 1, wherein the last is configured to mold the body of the skate boot such that the body of the skate boot comprises a sole portion for facing a plantar surface of the user's foot.","21. The last of claim 1, wherein the last is configured to mold the body of the skate boot such that the body of the skate boot comprises a toe portion for enclosing toes of the user's foot.","22. The last of claim 10, wherein: the last comprises a base including respective ones of the last members; and a given one of the last members is a removable covering configured to enclose the base and removable from the base.","23. The last of claim 22, wherein a thickness of the removable covering varies to define a plurality of undercuts of the body of the skate boot.","24. The last of claim 22, wherein the removable covering is flexible.","25. The last of claim 24, wherein the removable covering comprises an elastomeric material.","26. The last of claim 1, wherein the last is configured to injection mold the body of the skate boot.","27. The last of claim 1, wherein the body of the skate boot comprises a plurality of materials that are different and molded by flowing about the last.","28. A skate boot comprising a body molded using the last of claim 1.","29. A method of making a skate boot for a skate, the skate comprising a skating device disposed beneath the skate boot to engage a skating surface, the skate boot being configured to receive a foot of a user, the method comprising:\nproviding a last changeable between a molding configuration and a demolding configuration;\nmolding a body of the skate boot on the last in the molding configuration such that the body of the skate boot comprises a medial side portion to face a medial side of the user's foot, a lateral side portion to face a lateral side of the user's foot, a heel portion to receive a heel of the user's foot, and an ankle portion to receive an ankle of the user;\nchanging the last from the molding configuration to the demolding configuration to facilitate removal of the body of the skate boot from the last; and\ndemolding the body of the skate boot from the last in the demolding configuration.","32. A flexible female mold member for molding a body of a skate boot of a skate, the skate comprising a skating device disposed beneath the skate boot to engage a skating surface, the skate boot being configured to receive a foot of a user, the flexible female mold member being configured to be part of a female mold and disposed adjacent to a last for molding the body of the skate boot, the flexible female mold member comprising an inner surface preformed to define a cavity between the flexible female mold member and the last to receive polymeric material to mold at least a portion of the body of the skate boot such that the inner surface of the flexible female mold member creates an outer surface of the portion of the body of the skate boot.","42. A method of making a skate boot of a skate, the skate comprising a skating device disposed beneath the skate boot to engage a skating surface, the skate boot being configured to receive a foot of a user, the method comprising:\nplacing a sheet in a mold for molding a body of the skate boot; and\ncausing flow of material in the mold to mold at least a portion of the body of the skate boot, the sheet conforming to the portion of the body of the skate boot."],["1. A last for footwear production, the last comprises comprising:\na last main body having an external surface that at least partly has a shape of a human foot, and\na movable last body part,\nwherein said last main body and said movable last body part are at least partly formed by additive manufacturing,\nwherein said last main body and said movable last body part each comprises guiding structures configured for guiding at least partly a relational movement of said last main body and said movable last body part, and\nwherein said guiding structures of said last main body and said movable last body part are at least partly formed by additive manufacturing.","4. The last according to claim 1, wherein said movable last body part comprises a heel body having at least partly the shape of a human heel.","5. The last according to claim 1, wherein said movable last body part comprises a forefoot body having at least partly a shape of a human forefoot.","6. The last according to claim 5, wherein said movable last body part comprises an upper forefoot body having at least partly a shape of an upper human forefoot.","7. The last according to claim 5, wherein said movable last body part comprises a toe body having at least partly the shape of a human toe part.","8. The last according to claim 1, wherein said guiding structures of said last main body and said movable last body part comprise a separate guiding structure (58), configured to be assembled with said last main body or said movable last body part to form at least part of said guiding structures, and\nwherein said separate guiding structure is at least partly formed by additive manufacturing.","10. The last according to claim 1, wherein said last comprises a locking-unlocking mechanism for locking said last main body and said movable last body part in one or more positions of said relational movement of said last main body and said movable last body part.","12. The last according to claim 1, wherein the last further comprises an attachment structure configured to attach the last main body to a footwear manufacturing device.","13. The last according to claim 12, wherein the attachment structure is positioned on a top part of the last main body.","14. The last according to claim 12, wherein the attachment structure comprises one or more openings extending in a vertical direction.","15. The last according to claim 1, wherein the last main body has a side wall having said external surface having at least partly said shape of a human foot and an internal surface defining an inner volume of the last main body.","16. The last according to claim 15, wherein the side wall has a thickness between 2 and 10 mm.","18. The last according to claim 1, wherein the last main body and the movable last body part at least partly comprise homogeneous material structures.","20. The last according to claim 1, wherein the last main body or the movable last body part comprises a polymer.","21. The last according to claim 1, wherein the last main body or the movable last body part comprises a polymeric material having a Shore D value of between 50 and 100.","22. The last according to claim 1, wherein additive manufacturing materials utilized by said additive manufacturing comprises at least one selected from the list of polymers, resin photopolymers, ABS, PLA, ASA, nylon/nylon powder, PETG, metal/metal powder, plaster powder, HIPS, PET, PEEK, PVA, ULTEM, polyjet resin and/or ceramics.","23. The last according to claim 1, wherein the last main body comprises a cooperating wall and wherein the movable last body part comprises a cooperating wall.","24. The last according to claim 1, wherein the last main body comprises a cooperating wall of the last main body and wherein the movable last body part comprises a cooperating wall of the movable last body part, wherein further the cooperating wall the last main body comprises two supporting wall parts and wherein the cooperating wall comprises two supporting wall parts.","25. The last according to claim 24, wherein at least part of the supporting wall parts is 3D printed, and wherein the area of the 3D printed supporting wall parts is at least 5% of the total area of the supporting wall parts.","26. The last according to claim 24, wherein at least part of the supporting wall parts is 3D printed, and wherein the area of the 3D printed supporting wall parts is between 5% and 50% of the total area of the supporting wall parts."],["1. A method of printing to an upper of an article of footwear, comprising:\nplacing the article of footwear onto a last portion of a holding assembly, the last portion including a first side portion filled with a plurality of bead members and further having a flexible membrane stretched over the plurality of bead members;\nflattening a side portion of the upper and the first side portion of the last portion;\ncreating a vacuum within an interior cavity of the first side portion so that the flexible membrane and the plurality of bead members have a substantially rigid geometry; and\nprinting onto the side portion of the upper.","2. The method according to claim 1, wherein flattening the side portion of the upper includes associating a flattening plate with the side portion.","3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the side portion is squeezed between the flattening plate and the first side portion of the last portion.","4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the last portion includes a second side portion and a bladder member disposed between the first side portion and the second side portion.","5. The method according to claim 4, wherein flattening the side portion is followed by expanding the bladder member so that the first side portion and the second side portion are separated.","6. The method according to claim 3, wherein the flattening plate is removed before printing onto the side portion of the upper.","7. A method of printing to an upper of an article of footwear, comprising:\nplacing the article of footwear onto a last portion of a holding assembly, the last portion including a first side portion and a second side portion connected via a bladder member;\ninflating the bladder member so that the last portion expands and causes the article of footwear to tilt on the last portion;\nflattening a side portion of the upper; and\nprinting onto the side portion of the upper.","8. The method according to claim 7, wherein flattening the side portion of the upper includes placing a flattening plate against the upper.","9. The method according to claim 7, wherein the first side portion includes a flexible membrane that bounds an interior chamber filled with a plurality of bead members.","10. The method according to claim 9, wherein flattening the side portion of the upper is followed by creating a vacuum within the interior chamber, thereby temporarily increasing the rigidity of the flexible membrane.","11. The method according to claim 7, wherein printing onto the side portion of the upper is accomplished using an inkjet printer.","12. The method according to claim 7, wherein inflating the bladder member causes the second side portion to tilt with respect to the first side portion.","13. The method according to claim 7, wherein the holding assembly is configured to hold the article so that the side portion faces a print head of the printer.","14. A method of printing to an upper of an article of footwear, comprising:\nplacing the article of footwear onto a last portion of a holding assembly, the last portion including a first side portion with an outer surface that is substantially deformable and the last portion including a second side portion;\nplacing the holding assembly with the article of footwear on a platform;\nfastening a flattening plate to a plurality of mounting arms such that the flattening plate contacts the article of footwear;\nrepositioning the upper on the last portion so that the contact area between the flattening plate and the upper increases;\ntemporarily increasing the rigidity of the outer surface of the first side portion;\nremoving the flattening plate; and\nprinting onto the upper.","15. The method according to claim 14, wherein printing onto the upper includes associating a printing system with the article of footwear.","16. The method according to claim 14, wherein placing the holding assembly on the platform further includes temporarily fixing the position of the holding assembly on the platform.","17. The method according to claim 16, wherein magnetism is used to temporarily lock the position of the holding assembly on the platform.","18. The method according to claim 16, wherein a vacuum is used to temporarily lock the position of the holding assembly on the platform.","19. The method according to claim 14, wherein repositioning the upper on the last portion further includes adjusting the separation between the first side portion and the second side portion.","20. The method according to claim 19, wherein separating the first side portion and the second side portion is accomplished by inflating a bladder member, wherein the bladder member is disposed between the first side portion and the second side portion."],["1. A holding assembly configured to hold an article of footwear, comprising:\na base including a body portion supported by at least two leg portions, the base further including a forward mounting portion that extends from the body portion;\na last portion connected to the forward mounting portion, the last portion having a longitudinal axis in parallel with the at least two leg portions;\nwherein the at least two leg portions extend beyond an edge of the last portion that is opposite an edge of the last portion that is directly connected to the forward mounting portion;\nan adjustable heel assembly connected to the forward mounting portion, the adjustable heel assembly further including a heel engaging portion that extends in parallel with a rearward edge of the last portion and a rotatable handle to adjust and lock the adjustable heel assembly;\nwherein the adjustable heel assembly is capable of being extended and retracted from the forward mounting portion thereby adjusting the distance between the heel engaging portion and the rearward edge of the last portion.","2. The holding assembly according to claim 1, wherein the body portion is associated with a first longitudinal axis and the forward mounting portion is associated with a second longitudinal axis and wherein the first longitudinal axis is perpendicular with the second longitudinal axis.","3. The holding assembly according to claim 1, wherein the adjustable heel assembly is capable of being translated along a first direction and wherein the heel engaging portion extends in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction.","4. The holding assembly according to claim 1, wherein the last portion includes a first side portion, a second side portion and a bladder member disposed between the first side portion, and the second side portion.","5. The holding assembly according to claim 4, wherein the bladder member expands to separate the first side portion from the second side portion.","6. The holding assembly according to claim 4, wherein the first side portion has a moldable outer surface.","7. The holding assembly according to claim 6, wherein the rigidity of the moldable outer surface is variable.","8. The holding assembly according to claim 1, wherein the position of the adjustable heel assembly relative to the forward mounting portion is temporarily locked.","9. The holding assembly according to claim 8, wherein the position is temporarily locked using the rotatable handle.","10. The holding assembly according to claim 9, wherein the rotatable handle is grasped for adjusting the position of the adjustable heel assembly.","11. The holding assembly according to claim 1, wherein the position of the heel engaging portion is adjusted to accommodate different footwear sizes.","12. The holding assembly according to claim 1, wherein the heel engaging portion extends outwardly from a body portion of the adjustable heel assembly and wherein the body portion of the adjustable heel assembly is slidably mounted to the forward mounting portion of the holding assembly.","13. The holding assembly according to claim 1, wherein the heel engaging portion applies tension to a heel portion of the article of footwear and wherein the holding assembly includes a lace locking member, and wherein a lace of the article of footwear is wrapped around the lace locking member to apply tension to a portion of the article of footwear that is forward of the heel engaging portion.","14. A holding assembly configured to hold an article of footwear, comprising:\na base portion and a last portion, the base portion including a body portion supported by at least two leg portions and a forward mounting portion, the forward mounting portion attached to the last portion;\nwherein the at least two leg portions extend beyond an edge of the last portion that is opposite an edge of the last portion that is directly connected to the forward mounting portion;\na lace locking member attached to the body portion, the lace locking member further including a central portion extending from the body portion as well as a first catching portion and a second catching portion, wherein the first catching portion and the second catching portion are spaced apart from the body portion;\nwherein the article of footwear has a lace;\nwherein the lace locking member is configured to receive the lace of the article of footwear that is disposed on the last portion and the lace is wrapped around the central portion; and wherein tension is applied to the upper when the lace is wrapped around the central portion.","15. The holding assembly according to claim 14, wherein the lace locking member is configured to anchor the lace on the body portion.","16. The holding assembly according to claim 14, wherein the holding assembly further includes an adjustable heel assembly including a heel engaging portion configured to apply tension to a heel region of the article of footwear.","17. The holding assembly according to claim 16, wherein the lace locking member works in coordination with the adjustable heel assembly to tension the article of footwear at opposing sides of the opening of the article of footwear.","18. The holding assembly according to claim 14, wherein the last portion is adjustable.","19. The holding assembly according to claim 18, wherein the last portion is capable of being expanded.","20. The holding assembly according to claim 18, wherein an outer surface of the last portion is deformable."],["1. Manufacturing system for a shoe with shock-absorbing insert in the heel, said manufacturing system comprising:\na last having a heel and a mid-sole connected by a spring, said heel incorporating a heel portion connected to said heel by a step, said heel portion being smaller than said heel;\na rigid frame surrounding said heel portion and being comprised of a horseshoe collar; and\na shock-absorbing insert housed inside the shoe under said heel.","2. A method of manufacturing the shoe system with shock-absorbing insert in the heel according to claim 1, said method comprising the steps of:\nA) fixing of a traditional intermediate sole with known means for fixing and with possibility of removal, under the last, the intermediate sole having a lower sole completely covered from toe to heel by the intermediate sole and a central section double-folded to surmount a transversal front edge of the heel portion;\nB) fitting of an upper sole on the last;\nC) rolling up, stretching and fixing of perimeter edges of the upper sole by known means for fixing under edges of the intermediate sole;\nD) using dovetail application on the heel portion of the horseshoe frame, covering the upper sole in a section of the upper sole surrounding and covering the heel portion;\nE) applying and fixing of a traditional sole on the intermediate sole by a known means for fixing;\nF) applying and fixing of a heel layer on the traditional sole with known means for fixing; and\nG) removing the shoe from the last and fitting of the shock-absorbing insert, having a same shape and size as the heel portion and exactly housed in the space surrounded by the horseshoe frame; and\nH) fitting of an insole inside the shoe hiding the insert.","3. The manufacturing system for a shoe with shock-absorbing insert in the heel, according to claim 1, said manufacturing system further comprising:\na sack upper provided with an opening in the area below the heel.","4. System as claimed in claim 1, wherein the horseshoe frame is closed with a lower base used to cover the lower side of the heel portion when the frame is coupled with the last.","5. System as claimed in claim 1, wherein the horseshoe frame has an external surface finish that imitates leather or multilayer leather or is coated with a leather or multilayer leather strip.","6. A method of manufacturing a shoe system with shock-absorbing insert in the heel, according to claim 1, said method comprising the steps of:\na) using dovetail application of the frame on the heel portion of the last;\nb) fixing of a traditional intermediate sole with known means for fixing and with possibility of removal, under the last, the sole having a lower sole completely covered from toe to heel by said intermediate sole and a central section double-folded to surmount a transversal front edge of the heel portion;\nc) fitting of an upper sole of the intermediate sole on the last;\nd) rolling up, stretching and fixing of perimeter edges of the upper sole by known means for fixing under edges of the intermediate sole, the horseshoe frame being hidden and covered by the upper sole;\ne) applying and fixing of a traditional sole on the intermediate sole;\nf) applying and fixing of a heel layer on the traditional sole with known means for fixing;\ng) removing the shoe from the last and fitting of the shock-absorbing insert, the insert having a same shape and size as the heel portion and being exactly housed in the space surrounded by the horseshoe frame; and\nh) fitting of an insole inside the shoe hiding the insert.","7. A method of manufacturing a shoe system with shock-absorbing insert in the heel, according to claim 3, said method comprising the steps of:\nA1) inserting of the sack upper of the last, the heel portion being inserted and protruding from an opening on the sack upper;\nB1) rolling up, stretching and fixing of perimeter edges of the upper sole by known means for fixing on edges of an upper flap of the shoe;\nC1) using dovetail application of the horseshoe-shaped frame on the heel portion;\nD1) applying and fixing of a traditional sole under the sack upper with known means for fixing;\nE1) applying and fixing of a heel layer on the traditional sole with known means for fixing;\nF1) removing the shoe from the last and fitting of the shock-absorbing insert, the insert having a same shape and size as the heel portion and being exactly housed in the space surrounded by the horseshoe frame; and\nG1) fitting of an insole inside the shoe hiding the insert."],["1. A shoe last for forming a shoe, comprising:\na body comprising a heel region including a surface and a sole surface, the sole surface comprising at least three distinct planar surfaces, the three distinct planar surface comprising:\na toe box portion;\na heel portion; and\nan arch support portion positioned between the toe box portion and the heel portion,\nwherein the heel region and the heel portion of the sole surface define a first angle therebetween, the surface of heel region and the arch support portion defining a second angle therebetween, the surface of the heel portion and the arch support portion defining a third angle therebetween, the second and the third angles being different, and wherein the heel portion of the sole surface has a concave shape.","2. The shoe last of claim 1, wherein: the toe box, heel, and arch support portions each includes a surface, the surfaces being on different, non-parallel planes.","3. The shoe last of claim 1, wherein: the concave shape of the heel portion of the sole includes an apex, the apex being spaced apart from the surface of the heel region by a distance, the distance being between 3-8 millimeters inclusive.","4. The shoe last of claim 3, wherein: the distance is about 5 millimeters.","5. The shoe last of claim 1, wherein: the arch support region extends from the heel portion to the toe box portion of the sole surface, a first transverse arch is formed on the sole surface proximate to the toe box portion, a second transverse arch is formed on the sole surface proximate the heel portion, and the first and second transverse arches smoothly transition toward the toe box portions and the heel portions respectively in a continuous curve free from any angled edges.","6. The shoe last of claim 1, wherein: the sole surface has a thickness that is substantially uniform along its length.","7. The shoe last of claim 1, wherein the sole surface is smoothly contoured and is free from sharp edges.","8. The shoe last of claim 1, wherein: the arch support portion is configured as a concave region with respect to an upper portion of the shoe last.","9. The shoe last of claim 1, wherein: the transition between the toe box and the arch support portion is smooth.","10. The shoe last of claim 1, wherein the depths of the toe box and heel portions are approximately equal.","11. The shoe last of claim 1, wherein: when worn, a user's body weight is concentrated at the heal portion of said shoe.","12. The shoe last of claim 1, wherein: the shoe is configured to accommodate a foot having a heel and a ball, and wherein when worn the shoe is configured to redistribute pressure away from the ball of the foot toward the heel of the foot.","13. The shoe last of claim 1, wherein: the concave shape of the heel portion of the sole surface of the sole surface of the shoe last has a depth that varies between 0 and 5 millimeters inclusive.","14. The shoe last of claim 1, wherein: the heel region of the shoe defines a cup-shaped heal rest that is configured to redistribute pressure applied to the sole surface of the shoe toward the heal region of the shoe.","15. A method of manufacturing a shoe, comprising:\nproviding a shoe last, comprising:\na body comprising a heel region including a surface and a sole surface, the sole surface comprising at least three distinct planar surfaces, the three distinct planar surface comprising:\na toe box portion;\na heel portion; and\nan arch support portion positioned between the toe box portion and the heel portion,\nwherein the heel region and the heel portion of the sole surface define a first angle therebetween, the surface of heel region and the arch support portion defining a second angle therebetween, the surface of the heel portion and the arch support portion defining a third angle therebetween, the second and the third angles being different, and wherein the heel portion of the sole surface has a concave shape; and\nforming a shoe by joining portions of the shoe around an exterior of the body of the shoe last,\nwherein the shoe includes a sole surface that is free from angled edges and includes a toe box portion, a heel portion, and an arch support portion, and wherein the heel portion defines a convex shape that corresponds to the concavity of the heel portion of the sole surface of the shoe last.","16. The method of claim 15, wherein: when worn, body weight is concentrated at the heel portion of the shoe.","17. The method of claim 15, wherein: the shoe is configured to accommodate a foot having a heel and a ball, and wherein when worn the shoe is configured to redistribute pressure away from the ball of the foot toward the heel of the foot.","18. The method of claim 15, wherein: the concave shape of the heel portion of the sole surface of the shoe last has a depth that varies between 0 and 5 millimeters inclusive.","19. The method of claim 15, wherein: the heel region of the shoe defines a cup-shaped heel rest that is configured to redistribute pressure applied to the sole surface of the shoe toward the heal region of the shoe.","20. The method of claim 19, wherein: the heel rest has a depth between 2 and 8 millimeters inclusive.","21. The method of claim 19, wherein: the heel rest has a depth of about 5 millimeters.","22. The method of claim 15, wherein: the sole surface has a thickness that is substantially uniform along its length.","23. The method of claim 15, wherein: the toe box, heel, and arch support portions each includes a surface, the surfaces being on different, non-parallel planes.","24. The method of claim 15, wherein: the sole surface of the shoe is formed from a pliable material."]],"string":"[\n [\n \"1. A method of generating a user-specific recommended size of a wearable item, the method comprising:\\nby one or more processors:\\naccessing a memory device containing a data set containing parameters for a plurality of wearable items,\\nidentifying a wearable item from the data set, querying the memory device to retrieve the parameters for the identified wearable item, and analyzing the retrieved parameters to determine whether the identified wearable item runs true to size, and\\nsaving the determination of whether the selected product runs true to size to the data set; and\\nby one or more of the processors:\\nreceiving, from a first user via a user interface, a selection of the identified wearable item,\\nquerying the memory device to receive the determination of whether the selected product runs true to size,\\nin response to receiving a determination that the selected product does not run true to size, determining an alternate size of the wearable item that is appropriate for the user,\\ngenerating a recommendation that the user select the alternate size for the product, and\\ncausing an output of an electronic device to present the recommendation to the user.\",\n \"2. The method of claim 1, wherein:\\nthe data set also contains parameter-specific feedback received from one or more consumers for at least some of the wearable items; and\\ndetermine whether the identified wearable item runs true to size also comprises analyzing the parameter-specific feedback.\",\n \"3. The method of claim 1, further comprising by one or more of the processors:\\npresenting, to each of the one or more consumers, a user interface comprising a visual representation of the wearable item;\\nreceiving, from each of the one or more consumers via the user interface, a selection of a portion of the wearable item;\\nin response to receiving each selection by one of the one or more consumers, presenting the consumer with a feedback interface by which the consumer may enter performance feedback or fit feedback related to the selected portion of the wearable item; and\\nsaving the received feedback to the data set for the wearable item.\",\n \"4. The method of claim 1, wherein:\\ndetermining the alternate size comprises:\\naccessing the data set to receive a model representation for the selected wearable item, wherein the model representation comprises one or more sizes and, for each size, a plurality of measured parameters of the wearable item in that size,\\naccessing profile data for the user, and\\nusing the profile data for the user and the model representation for the selected item to determine the alternate size.\",\n \"5. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the alternate size comprises:\\nprompting the user to input alternate sizing information, wherein the alternate sizing information comprises an indication of whether the user may purchase a size that is larger or smaller than a primary size for the user; and\\nusing the alternate sizing information to determine the alternate size.\",\n \"6. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the alternate size comprises:\\naccessing the data set to receive a model representation for the selected wearable item, wherein the model representation comprises one or more sizes and, for each size, a plurality of measured parameters of the selected wearable item in the user's primary size;\\ndetermining whether one or more of the parameters of the selected wearable item differ from one or more reference parameter values by at least a threshold amount;\\nif the measured parameters of the selected wearable item are greater than one or more of the reference parameters by at least the threshold amount, then selecting the alternate size as a size that is smaller than the primary size;\\nif the measured parameters of the selected wearable item are less than one or more of the reference parameters by at least a threshold amount, then selecting the alternate size as a size that is larger than the primary size; and\\nif the measured parameters of the selected wearable item are neither less than nor greater than one or more of the reference parameters by at least a threshold amount, then selecting the primary size as the alternate size.\",\n \"7. The method of claim 1, further comprising, by one or more of the processors:\\nafter the user has purchased the selected wearable item in the alternate size, presenting the user with a prompt to provide feedback relating to a quality of the recommendation;\\nreceiving the feedback from the user in response to the prompt; and\\nsaving the feedback to the memory device containing the data set for the selected wearable item.\",\n \"8. The method of claim 7, wherein:\\npresenting the user with the prompt to provide feedback relating to a quality of the automated recommendation comprises presenting the user with a graphic virtual model of the selected wearable item, along with a description of the measured characteristic of the wearable item and a visual indication of a location on the wearable item that is associated with the measured characteristic; and\\nreceiving the feedback from the user comprises receiving an indication of whether the user considers the description of the measured characteristic to be accurate.\",\n \"9. The method of claim 1, wherein presenting the user with the recommendation of the recommended size comprises:\\nreceiving, via a user interface that presents a visual indication of the selected item, a user selection of a location on the selected item; and\\nin response to receiving the indication of the user selection of the location, causing the user interface to display a measured parameter of the selected wearable item that is associated with the selected location.\",\n \"10. The method of claim 1, further comprising, by one or more processors:\\nreceiving feedback from a plurality of additional consumers, wherein the received feedback from the additional consumers is in response to additional recommendations for the selected item in the selected size that were presented to the additional consumers;\\nanalyzing the feedback to identify a trend in a physical characteristic of the selected wearable item for which the additional users substantially consistently express negative feedback; and\\nsending a supplier of the selected wearable item a message comprising a summary of the negative feedback and the characteristic of the selected wearable item for which the additional users substantially consistently express negative feedback.\",\n \"11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\\nby a scanning device that is inserted into the identified wearable item, collecting a plurality of internal dimensional and tactile measurements of a plurality of parameters of the identified wearable item;\\ntransmitting the collected dimensional and tactile measurements to the memory device;\\nsaving the collected measurements in the data set as values of parameters for the identified wearable item; and\\nusing the dimensional measurements as adjusted by the tactile measurements to determine the alternate size.\",\n \"12. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether the identified wearable item runs true to size is performed after the system receives the selection of the identified wearable item from the user.\",\n \"13. A system for generating a user-specific size recommendation for a wearable item, the system comprising:\\none or more processors;\\na first memory device portion that stores a data set containing parameters for a plurality of wearable items;\\na second memory device portion containing programming instructions that are configured to cause one or more of the processors to:\\nidentify a wearable item,\\nquerying the memory device to retrieve the parameters for the identified wearable item, and\\nanalyze the retrieved parameters to determine whether the identified wearable item runs true to size; and\\na third memory device portion containing programming instructions that are configured to cause one or more of the processors to:\\nreceive, from a first user via a user interface, a selection of the identified wearable item,\\nquery the memory device to receive an indication of whether the selected product runs true to size,\\nin response to receiving an indication that the selected product does not run true to size, determining an alternate size of the wearable item that is appropriate for the user\\ngenerating a recommendation that the user select the alternate size for the product, and\\ncausing an output of an electronic device to present the recommendation to the user.\",\n \"14. The system of claim 13, wherein:\\nthe data set also contains parameter-specific feedback received from one or more consumers for at least some of the wearable items; and\\nthe instructions to determine whether the identified wearable item runs true to size also comprise instructions to analyze the parameter-specific feedback.\",\n \"15. The system of claim 13, further comprising additional programming instructions that are configured to cause one or more of the processors to:\\npresent, to each of the one or more consumers, a user interface comprising a visual representation of the wearable item;\\nreceive, from each of the one or more consumers via the user interface, a selection of a portion of the wearable item;\\nin response to receiving each selection by one of the one or more consumers, present the consumer with a feedback interface by which the consumer may enter performance feedback or fit feedback related to the selected portion of the wearable item; and\\nsave the received feedback to the data set for the wearable item.\",\n \"16. The system of claim 13, wherein:\\nthe instructions to determine the alternate size comprise instructions to:\\naccess the data set to receive a model representation for the selected wearable item, wherein the model representation comprises one or more sizes and, for each size, a plurality of measured parameters of the wearable item in that size,\\naccess profile data for the user, and\\nuse the profile data for the user and the model representation for the selected item to determine the alternate size.\",\n \"17. The system of claim 13, wherein the instructions to determine the alternate size comprise instructions to:\\nprompt the user to input alternate sizing information, wherein the alternate sizing information comprises an indication of whether the user may purchase a size that is larger or smaller than a primary size for the user; and\\nuse the alternate sizing information to determine the alternate size.\",\n \"18. The system of claim 13, wherein the instructions to determine the alternate size comprise instructions to:\\naccess the data set to receive a model representation for the selected wearable item, wherein the model representation comprises one or more sizes and, for each size, a plurality of measured parameters of the selected wearable item in the user's primary size;\\ndetermine whether one or more of the parameters of the selected wearable item differ from one or more reference parameter values by at least a threshold amount;\\nif the measured parameters of the selected wearable item are greater than one or more of the reference parameters by at least the threshold amount, then select the alternate size as a size that is smaller than the primary size;\\nif the measured parameters of the selected wearable item are less than one or more of the reference parameters by at least a threshold amount, then select the alternate size as a size that is larger than the primary size; and\\nif the measured parameters of the selected wearable item are neither less than nor greater than one or more of the reference parameters by at least a threshold amount, then select the primary size as the alternate size.\",\n \"19. The system of claim 13, further comprising additional programming instructions that are configured to cause one or more of the processors to:\\nafter the user has purchased the selected wearable item in the alternate size, present the user with a prompt to provide feedback relating to a quality of the recommendation;\\nreceive the feedback from the user in response to the prompt; and\\nsave the feedback to the data set for the selected wearable item.\",\n \"20. The system of claim 19, wherein:\\nthe instructions to present the user with the prompt to provide feedback relating to a quality of the automated recommendation comprise instructions to present the user with a graphic virtual model of the selected wearable item, along with a description of the measured characteristic of the wearable item and a visual indication of a location on the wearable item that is associated with the measured characteristic; and\\nthe instructions to receive the feedback from the user comprise instructions to receive an indication of whether the user considers the description of the measured characteristic to be accurate.\",\n \"21. The system of claim 13, wherein the instructions to present the user with the recommendation of the recommended size comprise instructions to:\\nreceive, via a user interface that presents a visual indication of the selected item, a user selection of a location on the selected item; and\\nin response to receiving the indication of the user selection of the location, cause the user interface to display a measured parameter of the selected wearable item that is associated with the selected location.\",\n \"22. The system of claim 13, further comprising additional programming instructions that are configured to cause one or more of the processors to:\\nreceive feedback from a plurality of additional consumers, wherein the received feedback from the additional consumers is in response to additional recommendations for the selected item in the selected size that were presented to the additional consumers;\\nanalyze the feedback to identify a trend in a physical characteristic of the selected wearable item for which the additional users substantially consistently express negative feedback; and\\nsend a supplier of the selected wearable item a message comprising a summary of the negative feedback and the characteristic of the selected wearable item for which the additional users substantially consistently express negative feedback.\",\n \"23. The system of claim 13, further comprising a scanning device configured to be inserted into the identified wearable item and collect a plurality of internal dimensional and tactile measurements to be used as values of the parameters of the identified wearable item.\"\n ],\n [\n \"49. A system for manufacturing equipment for direct injection production of a footwear, the system comprising:\\na design facility arranged to provide a footwear design and mold descriptive data based on the footwear design for manufacturing of a mold corresponding to a sole part of the footwear, the mold including a basic direct injection mold and direct injection mold inserts;\\na mold manufacturing facility arranged to manufacture the basic direct injection mold based on the mold descriptive data provided by the design facility;\\na last manufacturing facility arranged to manufacture a last corresponding to the footwear design; and\\na remote footwear manufacturing facility arranged to additively manufacture the direct injection mold inserts based on the mold descriptive data provided by the design facility,\\nwherein the basic direct injection mold and the direct injection mold inserts are combined into the mold,\\nwherein the mold is combined with the last to manufacture the sole part of the footwear corresponding to the footwear design at the remote footwear manufacturing facility, and\\nwherein the mold descriptive data are provided from the design facility to the remote footwear manufacturing facility by means of a public data network.\",\n \"50. The system according to claim 49, wherein the design facility is located at a design facility location and the remote footwear manufacturing facility is located at a footwear manufacturing location.\",\n \"51. The system according to claim 49, wherein the basic direct injection mold is attachable to injection molding equipment, and\\nwherein the basic direct injection mold is configured for at least partly channelling injection material to a mold cavity.\",\n \"52. The system according to claim 49, wherein the direct injection mold inserts cover a portion of an inner surface of the basic direct injection mold when the direct injection mold inserts are combined with the basic direct injection mold to obtain the mold at the remote footwear manufacturing facility.\",\n \"53. The system of claim 49, wherein the basic direct injection mold is configured for being combined with a range of different sizes and/or designs of the direct injection mold inserts.\",\n \"54. The system of claim 49, wherein the mold descriptive data includes data concerning a size of the basic direct injection mold.\",\n \"55. The system of claim 49, wherein a further basic direct injection mold is manufactured at the design facility, and\\nwherein the mold descriptive data are applied for additive manufacturing of further direct injection mold inserts at the design facility.\",\n \"56. The system of claim 55, wherein the further direct injection mold inserts are combined with the further basic direct injection mold at the design facility to provide a further mold corresponding to the mold obtained at the remote footwear manufacturing facility.\",\n \"57. The system of claim 49, wherein, via the public data network, a communication line is established through which the design facility is connected to the mold manufacturing facility, to the last manufacturing facility, and/or to the remote footwear manufacturing facility, and\\nwherein the communication line is used for digital transmission of error reports from the mold manufacturing facility and/or from the remote footwear manufacturing facility to the design facility.\",\n \"58. The system of claim 49, wherein the remote footwear manufacturing facility receives the mold descriptive data via a footwear manufacturing facility router located at the remote footwear manufacturing facility.\",\n \"59. The system of claim 49, wherein the basic direct injection mold is one of a plurality of basic direct injection molds manufactured by the mold manufacturing facility, and\\nwherein the plurality of basic direct injection molds differ in size.\",\n \"60. The system of claim 59, wherein the direct injection mold inserts are each combinable with the plurality of basic direct injection molds.\",\n \"61. The system of claim 49, wherein the remote footwear manufacturing facility is remote with respect to the design facility.\",\n \"62. The system of claim 49, wherein an additive manufacturing material utilized for the additive manufacturing of the direct injection mold inserts includes one or more polymers.\",\n \"63. The system of claim 49, wherein an additive manufacturing material utilized for the additive manufacturing of the direct injection mold inserts includes one or more photopolymers.\",\n \"64. The system of claim 49, wherein the basic direct injection mold includes a first side mold, a second side mold, and a bottom mold.\",\n \"65. The system of claim 49, wherein the direct injection mold inserts include a first direct injection mold insert and a second direct injection mold insert.\",\n \"66. A method of manufacturing footwear by a direct injection process, the method comprising steps of:\\nproviding a footwear design and mold descriptive data by a design facility for manufacturing of a direct injection mold corresponding to a sole part of the footwear;\\nproviding a basic direct injection mold manufactured at a mold manufacturing facility based on the mold descriptive data;\\nproviding a last corresponding to the footwear design manufactured at a last manufacturing facility;\\ncommunicating the mold descriptive data from the design facility to a remote footwear manufacturing facility by means of a public data network;\\nmanufacturing direct injection mold inserts at the remote footwear manufacturing facility based on the mold descriptive data;\\ncombining the direct injection mold inserts with the basic direct injection mold at the remote footwear manufacturing facility to obtain a mold; and\\nmanufacturing by the direct injection process the footwear according to the footwear design at the remote footwear manufacturing facility utilizing the mold and the last.\",\n \"67. The method of claim 66 further comprising steps of:\\nproviding last descriptive data by the design facility, the last descriptive data corresponding to the footwear design; and\\ncommunicating the last descriptive data from the design facility to the last manufacturing facility.\",\n \"68. The method of claim 66 further comprising a step of communicating the mold descriptive data from the design facility to the mold manufacturing facility.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A digital mechanical measurement last system comprising: a front part of the last, a rear part of the last, a three-dimensional strain gauge load cell, a signal amplifier, a data acquisition card, data acquisition system software, and a data line, wherein\\nthe front part and the rear part of the last are obtained by dividing the last along a vertical plane passing through a mass center of the last and perpendicular to the long axis of the last, the front part and the rear part of the last are each provided with a position for placing the three-dimensional strain gauge load cell, the depth of the position is half of a length of the three-dimensional strain gauge load cell, and a strain slit is existed between the front part and the rear part of the last;\\na center of the three-dimensional strain gauge load cell coincides with the mass center of the last, a long axis of the three-dimensional strain gauge load cell is parallel to a long axis of the last, two ends of the three-dimensional strain gauge load cell are connected to the front part and the rear part of the last, and a circumference of the three-dimensional strain gauge load cell is not in contact with the last; and\\nthe signal amplifier, the data acquisition card, and the data acquisition system software are disposed outside the last, the signal amplifier comprises a signal input circuit, a signal amplification circuit, a signal filtering circuit, and a signal output circuit, and transmits a signal to the data acquisition card through the signal output circuit; the data acquisition card comprises a data acquisition module, an A/D conversion module, and a host computer communication module, and completes communication with a computer through a USB interface; and the data line passes through a data line channel in the rear part of the last, and connects the three-dimensional strain gauge load cell, the signal amplifier, the data acquisition card, and a data acquisition system, to implement data measurement.\",\n \"2. The digital mechanical measurement last system as in claim 1, wherein, the data acquisition system software comprising:\\nan user instruction processing module, which receives an operation command of a user, and transmits messages to corresponding modules according to different commands;\\na module communicating with the acquisition card completes communication with the acquisition card, which sends an operation command to the acquisition card, and reads data from the acquisition card;\\na data processing module, which receives data from the module communicating with the acquisition card, and filters and performs computation on the data;\\na data display module, which simulates and displays three-dimensional forces according to data, and displays a three-dimensional force vector diagram using the center of the three-dimensional strain gauge load cell as a start point in a three-dimensional space;\\na data recording module, which records measurement results in real time.\",\n \"3. The digital mechanical measurement last system as in claim 2, wherein the data acquisition system software provides a data import interface capable of analyzing data acquired by a third-party instrument or importing and analyzing data that has been acquired.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A method for manufacturing a light-weight waterproof shoe, at least comprising the following steps:\\na first step of cutting, in which a piece of waterproof leather that has a back side coated with a water-resistant hot-melt adhesive is subjected to a cutting operation to make at least a vamp water-resistant plate, one to multiple vamp decorative plates, and a heel water-resistant plate, wherein the vamp water-resistant plate has one side edge that is recessed inwardly to form a first insertion opening;\\na second step of arranging pattern of vamp section, in which the vamp water-resistant plate and the one to multiple vamp decorative plates that are formed with the cutting operation in the previous step are arranged and stacked on a vamp lining plate that is in a planar form, wherein the vamp lining plate has a side edge that is recessed inwardly to form a second insertion opening, such that the second insertion opening is in alignment with and overlaps the first insertion opening of the vamp water-resistant plate;\\na third step of hot pressing, in which the vamp lining plate and the vamp water-resistant plate and the vamp decorative plates that are arranged and stacked thereon are placed in a hot pressing apparatus for hot pressing, such that the hot-melt adhesive layer on the back sides of the vamp water-resistant plate and the vamp decorative plates are heated and melted to combine with the vamp lining plate as a unitary combination, and portions of the vamp water-resistant plate and the vamp decorative plates that are stacked on each other are combined together as a unitary combination so as to form a water-resistant vamp section;\\na fourth step of sewing heel section, in which vamp outer edges of the vamp section at two opposite sides of the first insertion opening are jointed to each other and are fixed together through sewing so as to make the vamp section in a three-dimensional configuration;\\na fifth step of hot-pressing heel section, in which the heel water-resistant plate that is made in the cutting operation of the first step is set on and covering the sewing line of the vamp section and is subjected to hot pressing, so that the hot-melt adhesive on the back side of the heel water-resistant plate is heated and melted and combines with the vamp section to form a unitary combination, and a joint site that is between the heel water-resistant plate and the vamp section is made a waterproof interface therebetween;\\na sixth step of combining midsole, in which a midsole is attached to and combined with a bottom of the vamp section by means of sewing or adhesive to form a semi-finished product; and\\na seventh step of injecting sole, in which the semi-finished product is fit to a multi-segment last of an injection apparatus and a first mold member, a second mold member, and a third mold member are closed to enclose the semi-finished product, such that after the third mold member is closed, a sole gap is formed between a third mold cavity of the third mold member and the midsole of the semi-finished product; and a sole material that is heated and melted is injected into the third mold cavity of the third mold member to form a sole, wherein the sole material that is injected into the third mold cavity combines with the midsole and covers a joint interface between the midsole and the vamp section so that after being cooled, a product is formed and removed to form a light-weight waterproof shoe.\",\n \"2. The method for manufacturing a light-weight waterproof shoe according to claim 1, wherein the waterproof leather comprises rubber-made waterproof leather.\",\n \"3. The method for manufacturing a light-weight waterproof shoe according to claim 1, wherein the waterproof leather comprises plastics-made waterproof leather.\",\n \"4. The method for manufacturing a light-weight waterproof shoe according to claim 1, wherein the sole material comprises rubber.\",\n \"5. The method for manufacturing a light-weight waterproof shoe according to claim 1, wherein the sole material comprises polyurethane (PU).\",\n \"6. The method for manufacturing a light-weight waterproof shoe according to claim 3, wherein the plastics-made waterproof leather comprises thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU).\",\n \"7. The method for manufacturing a light-weight waterproof shoe according to claim 3, wherein the plastics-made waterproof leather comprises thermoplastic elastomer (TPE).\",\n \"8. A method for manufacturing a light-weight waterproof boot, at least comprising the following steps:\\na first step of cutting, in which a piece of waterproof leather that has a back side coated with a water-resistant hot-melt adhesive is subjected to a cutting operation to make at least a vamp water-resistant plate, one to multiple vamp decorative plates, a heel water-resistant plate, and a shaft water-resistant plate, wherein the vamp water-resistant plate has one side edge that is recessed inwardly to form a first insertion opening and the shaft water-resistant plate has one side edge that is formed with a shaft arc opening;\\na second step of arranging pattern of vamp section and the shaft section, in which the vamp water-resistant plate and the one to multiple vamp decorative plates that are formed with the cutting operation in the previous step are arranged and stacked on a vamp lining plate that is in a planar form, and the shaft water-resistant plate that is formed with the cutting operation in the previous step is arranged and stacked on a shaft lining plate, wherein the vamp lining plate has a side edge that is recessed inwardly to form a second insertion opening, such that the second insertion opening is in alignment with and overlaps the first insertion opening of the vamp water-resistant plate; and the shaft lining plate is formed with a lining arc opening on a side edge thereof corresponding to that of the shaft water-resistant plate that is formed with the shaft arc opening, wherein the shaft water-resistant plate is longer than the shaft lining plate such that the shaft arc opening of the shaft water-resistant plate projects beyond and is located outside the lining arc opening of the shaft lining plate, and a portion of shaft hot-melt adhesive that is located along a peripheral edge of the shaft arc opening is not covered by the shaft lining plate;\\na third step of hot pressing, in which the vamp lining plate and the vamp water-resistant plate, and the vamp decorative plates that are arranged and stacked thereon are placed in a hot pressing apparatus for hot pressing, such that the hot-melt adhesive layer on the back sides of the vamp water-resistant plate and the vamp decorative plates are heated and melted to combine with the vamp lining plate as a unitary combination, and portions of the vamp water-resistant plate and the vamp decorative plates that are stacked on each other are combined together as a unitary combination so as to form a water-resistant vamp section; and the shaft lining plate and the shaft water-resistant plate arranged and stacked thereon are placed in the hot pressing apparatus for hot pressing, such that the hot-melt adhesive layer on the back side of the shaft water-resistant plate is heated and melted to combine with the shaft lining plate as a unitary combination to form a water-resistant shaft section;\\na fourth step of combining vamp section and shaft section, in which a portion of the hot-melt adhesive that is located along a peripheral edge of the shaft arc opening of the shaft section is stacked on a peripheral edge of the first insertion opening of the vamp water-resistant plate of the vamp section formed in the previous steps and is subjected to hot pressing such that the portion of the shaft hot-melt adhesive that is located along the peripheral edge of the shaft arc opening of the shaft section is heated and melted to combine the shaft section and the vamp section to each other;\\na fifth step of sewing heel section, in which vamp outer edges of the vamp section at two opposite sides of the first insertion opening are jointed to each other and shaft outer edges of two opposite sides of the shaft section are jointed to each other, and are sewn together so that the vamp section and the shaft section jointly form a three-dimensional configuration, wherein an opposite end of the shaft section forms a shaft opening that is connected to and in communication with the first insertion opening of the vamp section; and portions around two sides of the sewn sites of the vamp section and the shaft section form a heel section;\\na sixth step of hot-pressing heel section, in which the heel water-resistant plate that is made in the cutting operation of the first step is set on and covering the sewing line of the vamp section and the shaft section and is subjected to hot pressing, so that the hot-melt adhesive on the back side of the heel water-resistant plate is heated and melted and combines with the vamp section and the shaft section to form a unitary combination, and a joint site that is between the heel water-resistant plate and the vamp section and the shaft section is made a waterproof interface therebetween;\\na seventh step of combining midsole, in which a midsole is attached to and combined with a bottom of the vamp section by means of sewing or adhesive to form a semi-finished product; and\\nan eighth step of injecting sole, in which the semi-finished product is fit to a multi-segment last of an injection apparatus and a first mold member, a second mold member, and a third mold member are closed to enclose the semi-finished product, such that after the third mold member is closed, a sole gap is formed between a third mold cavity of the third mold member and the midsole of the semi-finished product; and a sole material that is heated and melted is injected into the third mold cavity of the third mold member to form a sole, wherein the sole material that is injected into the third mold cavity combines with the midsole and covers a joint interface between the midsole and the vamp section so that after being cooled, a product is formed and removed to form a light-weight waterproof boot product.\",\n \"9. The method for manufacturing a light-weight waterproof boot according to claim 8, wherein the multi-segment last comprises a shaft section, a vamp section, a heel section, and a sole section and the multi-segment last is formed by combining three separate sections including a first slidable section, a second slidable section, and a non-slidable section, wherein the non-slidable section of the multi-segment last is fixed and securely mounted to the injection apparatus; the first slidable section comprises a part of the vamp section and a part of the shaft section of the last, the first slidable section and the non-slidable section having contact surfaces that are in surface engagement with each other and are inclined and are provided with a slide rack and a slide channel that are in mating engagement with each other arranged therebetween, so that the first slidable section is reciprocally movable on the non-slidable section with the slide rack and the slide channel provided therebetween being arranged to incline downward in a direction from the shaft section toward the sole section, so that when the first slidable section moves in a direction toward the sole section, the first slidable section gradually reduces a vertical position thereof relative to get approaching to the second slidable section; and the second slidable section corresponds to the heel section of the last, the second slidable section and the non-slidable section having contact surfaces that are in surface engagement with each other and are inclined and are provided with a slide rack and a slide channel that are in mating engagement with each other arranged therebetween, so that the second slidable section is reciprocally movable on the non-slidable section with the slide rack and the slide channel provided therebetween being arranged to incline upward in a direction from the shaft section toward the sole section, so that when the second slidable section moves in a direction toward the sole section, the second slidable section gradually raises a vertical position thereof relative to get approaching to the first slidable section.\",\n \"10. The method for manufacturing a light-weight waterproof boot according to claim 8, wherein the cutting operation of the first step is conducted to further make one to multiple shaft decorative plates; in the second step, the shaft decorative plates are arranged and stacked on the shaft water-resistant plate; and in the third step, the hot-melt adhesive layer on the back sides of the shaft decorative plates is heated and melted to combine with the shaft water-resistant plate as a unitary combination.\",\n \"11. The method for manufacturing a light-weight waterproof boot according to claim 8, wherein the waterproof leather comprises rubber-made waterproof leather.\",\n \"12. The method for manufacturing a light-weight waterproof boot according to claim 8, wherein the waterproof leather comprises plastics-made waterproof leather.\",\n \"13. The method for manufacturing a light-weight waterproof boot according to claim 8, wherein the sole material comprises rubber.\",\n \"14. The method for manufacturing a light-weight waterproof boot according to claim 8, wherein the sole material comprises polyurethane (PU).\",\n \"15. The method for manufacturing a light-weight waterproof boot according to claim 12, wherein the plastics-made waterproof leather comprises thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU).\",\n \"16. The method for manufacturing a light-weight waterproof boot according to claim 12, wherein the plastics-made waterproof leather comprises thermoplastic elastomer (TPE).\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A method for inspecting a film carrier tape for mounting electronic components in which a plurality of electronic component mounting portions is provided in multiple strips in a transverse direction, comprising the steps of:\\nunwinding, from an unwinding device, the film carrier tape for mounting electronic components in multiple strips in which the individual film carrier tapes for mounting electronic components previously cut into strips are wound upon an unwinding reel, respectively;\\nsimultaneously inspecting the film carrier tapes for mounting electronic components, which are cut into strips, in an inspecting section while causing them to run in parallel with each other; and\\nsimultaneously taking up the film carrier tapes for mounting electronic components cut into strips, which are inspected in the inspecting section, upon a plurality of take-up reels attached to an identical take-up shaft of a take-up device in parallel, respectively.\",\n \"2. A method for inspecting a film carrier tape for mounting electronic components in which a plurality of electronic component mounting portions is provided in multiple strips in a transverse direction, comprising the steps of:\\nunwinding, from an unwinding device, the film carrier tape for mounting electronic components in multiple strips in which the individual film carrier tapes for mounting electronic components previously cut into strips are wound upon an unwinding reel, respectively;\\nsimultaneously inspecting the film carrier tapes for mounting electronic components, which are cut into strips, in an inspecting section while causing them to run in parallel with each other; and\\nsimultaneously taking up the film carrier tapes for mounting electronic components, which are cut into strips, which are inspected in the inspecting section, upon a plurality of take-up reels attached to separate take-up shafts of a take-up device in parallel, respectively.\",\n \"3. A method for inspecting a film carrier tape for mounting electronic components in which a plurality of electronic component mounting portions is provided in multiple strips in a transverse direction, comprising the steps of:\\nunwinding, from an unwinding device, the film carrier tapes for mounting electronic components in multiple strips which are wound upon an unwinding reel;\\ncutting the film carrier tapes for mounting electronic components in multiple strips, which are unwound from the unwinding device, into individual film carrier tapes for mounting electronic components in strips by a slit device;\\ncausing the film carrier tapes for mounting electronic components, which are cut into strips by the slit device, to run in parallel with each other and simultaneously inspecting them in an inspecting section; and\\nsimultaneously taking up the film carrier tapes for mounting electronic components cut into strips which are inspected in the inspecting section, upon a plurality of take-up reels attached to an identical take-up shaft of a take-up device in parallel, respectively.\",\n \"4. A method for inspecting a film carrier tape for mounting electronic components in which a plurality of electronic component mounting portions is provided in multiple strips in a transverse direction, comprising the steps of:\\nunwinding, from an unwinding device, the film carrier tape for mounting electronic components in multiple strips which are wound upon an unwinding reel;\\ncutting the film carrier tapes for mounting electronic components in multiple strips which are unwound from the unwinding device, into individual film carrier tapes for mounting electronic components in strips by a slit device;\\ncausing the film carrier tapes for mounting electronic components, which are cut into strips by the slit device, to run in parallel with each other and simultaneously inspecting them in an inspecting section; and\\nsimultaneously taking up the film carrier tapes for mounting electronic components cut into strips which are inspected in the inspecting section, upon a plurality of take-up reels attached to separate take-up shafts of a take-up device in parallel, respectively.\",\n \"5. The method for inspecting a film carrier tape for mounting electronic components according to claim 1, wherein the inspecting section includes a guide member for causing film carrier tapes for mounting electronic components, which are cut into strips, to run in parallel with each other,\\nthe guide member comprising:\\na side guide portion on both ends which serves to guide both end side portions of the film carrier tape for mounting electronic components on an outermost side; and\\nan adjacent part guide portion, which is protruded to guide adjacent side portions of the film carrier tapes for mounting electronic components cut into strips between the guide portions on the both ends.\",\n \"6. The method for inspecting a film carrier tape for mounting electronic components according to claim 1, further comprising a drive gear for conveying the film carrier tapes for mounting electronic components, which are unwound from the unwinding device and cut into strips by the slit device, while causing them to run in parallel with each other,\\nthe drive gear including:\\na both end gear mated with a sprocket hole in side portions on both ends of the film carrier tape for mounting electronic components on the outermost side; and\\nan intermediate gear mated with a sprocket hole provided in the adjacent side portions of the film carrier tape for mounting electronic components cut into strips between both end gears.\",\n \"7. The method for inspecting a film carrier tape for mounting electronic components according to claim 6, further comprising a guide roller,\\nthe guide roller including:\\na side guide protruded portion on both ends which serves to guide both end side portions of the film carrier tape for mounting electronic components on an outermost side; and\\nan adjacent part guide protruded portion protruded to separate and guide adjacent side portions of the film carrier tapes for mounting electronic components cut into strips between the side guide protruded portions on both ends.\",\n \"8. The method for inspecting a film carrier tape for mounting electronic components according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of take-up reels, which are attached to the identical take-up shaft of the take-up device in parallel with each other, are fixed into through holes provided in the vicinity of centers of the reels by means of removable engaging bar members.\",\n \"9. The method for inspecting a film carrier tape for mounting electronic components according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of take-up reels, which are attached to the separate take-up shafts of the take-up device in parallel with each other, are fixed into through holes provided in the vicinity of centers of the reels by means of removable engaging bar members, respectively.\",\n \"10. The method for inspecting a film carrier tape for mounting electronic components according to claim 1, wherein the identical take-up shaft of the take-up device is constituted by an air shaft capable of expanding to increase a diameter thereof upon receipt of supply or air, and\\na plurality of take-up reels attached to the take-up shaft in parallel with each other is thus fixed to each other.\",\n \"11. The method for inspecting a film carrier tape for mounting electronic components according to claim 2, wherein the separate take-up shafts of the take-up device are constituted by an air shaft capable of expanding to increase a diameter thereof upon receipt of supply of air, and\\na plurality of take-up reels attached to the take-up shaft in parallel with each other is thus fixed, respectively.\",\n \"12. The method for inspecting a film carrier tape for mounting electronic components according to claim 1, wherein the inspecting section includes an illuminating device for irradiating a light on the film carrier tape for mounting electronic components in order to carry out an inspection,\\nthe illuminating device having two illuminating lamps, which are provided apart from each other and are serving to irradiate a light on an inspecting position from rearward and above to be simultaneously focused with respect to the film carrier tapes for mounting electronic components, which are cut into strips and run in parallel with each other.\",\n \"13. The method for inspecting a film carrier tape for mounting electronic components according to claim 1, wherein the inspecting section includes a magnifying lens device for magnifying the film carrier tape for mounting electronic components in order to carry out an inspection,\\nthe magnifying lens device including a magnifying lens for magnifying, in a total width direction, the film carrier tapes for mounting electronic components, which are cut into strips and running in parallel with each other.\",\n \"14. The method for inspecting a film carrier tape for mounting electronic components according to claim 1, wherein the magnifying lens device has a magnification of 1.4 or more at an enlargement ratio of a length.\",\n \"15. The method for inspecting a film carrier tape for mounting electronic component according to claim 1, wherein separate dancer rollers are provided for the film carrier tapes for mounting electronic components, which are cut into strips, between the unwinding device and the inspecting section.\",\n \"16. The method for inspecting a film carrier tape for mounting electronic components according to claim 1, wherein separate dancer rollers are provided for the film carrier tapes for mounting electronic components, which are cut into strips, between the take-up device and the inspecting section.\",\n \"17. The method for inspecting a film carrier tape for mounting electronic components according to claim 1, wherein an identical dancer roller is provided for the film carrier tapes for mounting electronic components, which are cut into strips, between the unwinding device and the inspecting section.\",\n \"18. The method for inspecting a film carrier tape for mounting electronic components according to claim 1, wherein an identical dancer roller is provided for the film carrier tapes for mounting electronic components, which are cut into strips, between the take-up device and the inspecting section.\",\n \"19. The method for inspecting a film carrier tape for mounting electronic components according to claim 15, further comprising a looseness control device for detecting a position of the dancer roller to control an amount of looseness of the film carrier tape for mounting electronic components.\",\n \"20. The method for inspecting a film carrier tape for mounting electronic components according to claim 19, wherein the looseness control device includes a guide member for separately changing a guide path for the film carrier tape for mounting electronic components in each strip which is to be guided by the dancer roller.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A method comprising:\\nproviding a waterproof, breathable bootie having a waterproof, breathable laminate construction,\\nwherein the waterproof, breathable laminate construction comprises a functional layer and at least one textile layer,\\ninserting the waterproof, breathable bootie through a collar of a footwear\\nwherein the waterproof, breathable bootie is inserted into an inner space of the footwear, after the inner space of the footwear has been closed, and\\npermanently fixing the waterproof, breathable bootie in position in the inner space of the footwear by attaching the waterproof, breathable bootie to the footwear in a donning region of the footwear, and\\nattaching the waterproof, breathable bootie to the footwear in at least one further attachment region of the footwear to permanently waterproof the footwear.\",\n \"2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the inserting of the waterproof, breathable bootie takes place after the inner space has been formed by an upper assembly of the footwear.\",\n \"3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the inserting of the waterproof, breathable bootie takes place after a sole of the footwear has been applied to the upper assembly, or\\nwherein the inserting of the waterproof, breathable bootie takes place; before a sole of the footwear is applied to the upper assembly.\",\n \"4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the inserting of the waterproof, breathable bootie takes place after the inner space has been jointly formed by an upper assembly of the footwear and a sole of the footwear.\",\n \"5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the waterproof, breathable bootie consists of the waterproof, breathable laminate construction.\",\n \"6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the attaching of the waterproof, breathable bootie to the footwear in the donning region of the footwear comprises adhering an adhesive tape of the waterproof, breathable bootie, arranged in a collar region of the waterproof, breathable bootie, to the donning region of the footwear.\",\n \"7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the attaching of the waterproof, breathable bootie to the footwear in the donning region of the footwear comprises sewing the waterproof, breathable bootie in a collar region thereof to the donning region of the footwear.\",\n \"8. A method according to claim 1, wherein the attaching of the waterproof, breathable bootie to the footwear in the donning region of the footwear comprises attaching the waterproof, breathable bootie to the footwear at a distance of at least 2 cm from a sole portion of the inner space.\",\n \"9. A method according to claim 1, wherein the attaching of the waterproof, breathable bootie to the footwear in at least one further attachment region of the footwear comprises attaching the waterproof, breathable bootie to the footwear in at least one of a toe region of the footwear and a heel region of the footwear.\",\n \"10. A method according to claim 9, wherein the attaching of the waterproof, breathable bootie to the footwear in at least one further attachment region of the footwear comprises adhering the waterproof, breathable bootie to the 25 footwear in at least one of the toe region of the footwear and the heel region of the footwear.\",\n \"11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of permanently fixing the waterproof, breathable bootie in the inner space of the footwear comprises adhering the waterproof, breathable bootie to the footwear substantially all around its outer surface.\",\n \"12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of inserting the waterproof, breathable bootie into the inner space comprises arranging the waterproof, breathable bootie on a last and inserting the last together with the waterproof, breathable bootie into the inner space.\",\n \"13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the last is expandable; and\\nwherein the step of permanently fixing the waterproof, breathable bootie in position in the inner space comprises expanding the last within the inner space;\\nwherein the last comprises at least two last portions; and\\nwherein the step of expanding the last within the inner space comprises spacing the at least two last portions.\",\n \"14. The method according to claim 12, wherein the last is heatable; and\\nwherein the step of permanently fixing the waterproof, breathable bootie in position in the inner space comprises heating the last, when inserted into the inner space.\",\n \"15. The method according to claim 12, wherein the step of permanently fixing the waterproof, breathable bootie in position in the inner space comprises applying pressure to the last from outside of an upper assembly of the footwear and/or from outside of a sole of the footwear,\\nwherein the step of applying pressure to the last from outside of the upper assembly and/or from outside of the sole comprises at least one of:\\napplying pressure to an instep portion of the upper assembly via an instep pressuring device,\\napplying pressure around a heel portion of the upper assembly via a forked heel pressuring device,\\napplying pressure to the sole via a sole pressure plate, and\\napplying pressure around an entirety of the upper assembly and sole via a bag around the footwear and the last.\",\n \"16. The method according to claim 1, wherein the waterproof, breathable bootie is at least partly elastic.\",\n \"17. The method according to claim 16,\\nwherein the waterproof, breathable bootie is elastic at least in a mid-foot portion thereof, in particular at least in a mid-foot portion that extends along at least 50% of a length from a tip of the waterproof, breathable bootie to a rear of the waterproof, breathable bootie, and/or\\nwherein the waterproof, breathable bootie is elastic at least in a top portion thereof, in particular at least in a top portion that extends along at least 40%, in particular along at least 50%, of a circumference of the waterproof, breathable bootie.\",\n \"18. The method according to claim 1,\\nwherein the waterproof, breathable laminate construction comprises a one-piece functional layer and at least one textile layer,\\nwherein the one-piece functional layer is a seamless, one-piece functional layer, or\\nwherein the waterproof, breathable laminate construction comprises multiple waterproof, breathable laminate pieces,\\nwherein each of the multiple waterproof, breathable laminate pieces comprises a functional layer piece and at least one textile layer piece, or\\nwherein the waterproof, breathable laminate construction comprises multiple functional layer pieces and at least one textile layer.\",\n \"19. The method according to claim 2, wherein the upper assembly has an upper material\\nwherein the upper assembly has one of:\\ni) a mono tongue,\\nwherein part of the upper material forms a tongue of the footwear,\\nii) a separate tongue,\\nwherein a tongue piece is attached to the upper material and\\niii) a gusset-type tongue,\\nwherein a tongue piece is attached to the upper material via an intermittent bridge piece, and\\nwherein the step of permanently fixing the waterproof, breathable bootie in position in the inner space comprises attaching the waterproof, breathable bootie to said one of the mono tongue, the separate tongue, and the gusset-type tongue.\",\n \"20. A footwear produced in accordance with the method of claim 1.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A last for molding a body of a skate boot of a skate, the skate comprising a skating device disposed beneath the skate boot to engage a skating surface, the skate boot being configured to receive a foot of a user, the last being configured to mold the body of the skate boot such that the body of the skate boot comprises a medial side portion to face a medial side of the user's foot, a lateral side portion to face a lateral side of the user's foot, a heel portion to receive a heel of the user's foot, and an ankle portion to receive an ankle of the user, the last being reconfigurable to facilitate demolding of the body of the skate boot from the last such that the last is changeable between a molding configuration to mold the body of the skate boot on the last and a demolding configuration to demold the body of the skate boot from the last.\",\n \"2. The last of claim 1, wherein the last is contracted in its demolding configuration relative to its molding configuration.\",\n \"3. The last of claim 1, wherein the last is configured to mold the body of the skate boot such that the body of the skate boot comprises a plurality of undercuts.\",\n \"4. The last of claim 3, wherein respective ones of the undercuts are medial and lateral depressions of the ankle portion for receiving medial and lateral malleoli of the user.\",\n \"5. The last of claim 3, wherein a given one of the undercuts is a recess defined by curvature of the heel portion.\",\n \"6. The last of claim 3, wherein respective ones of the undercuts are recesses defined by curvature of the medial and lateral side portions.\",\n \"7. The last of claim 1, wherein a volume occupied by the last is reduced from its molding configuration to its demolding configuration such that the volume occupied by the last in its demolding configuration is smaller than the volume occupied by the last in its molding configuration.\",\n \"8. The last of claim 7, wherein the last comprises a cavity to receive a fluid to vary the volume occupied by the last by expanding and contracting the last.\",\n \"9. The last of claim 1, wherein the last comprises a cavity containing particles and configured to receive a fluid such that the particles vary a rigidity of the last in response to flow of the fluid relative to the cavity.\",\n \"10. The last of claim 1, wherein the last comprises a plurality of last members movable relative to one another to change between its molding configuration and its demolding configuration.\",\n \"11. The last of claim 10, wherein: respective ones of the last members are movable relative to one another while remaining connected to one another as the last changes between its molding configuration and its demolding configuration; and the last comprises a control system to control movement of the last members relative to one another.\",\n \"12. The last of claim 10, wherein adjacent ones of the last members are translatable relative to one to change the last between its molding configuration and its demolding configuration.\",\n \"13. The last of claim 10, wherein adjacent ones of the last members are rotatable relative to one to change the last between its molding configuration and its demolding configuration.\",\n \"14. The last of claim 10, wherein adjacent ones of the last members are translatable and rotatable relative to one to change the last between its molding configuration and its demolding configuration.\",\n \"15. The last of claim 10, wherein the last members include at least three last members.\",\n \"16. The last of claim 10, wherein the last members include at least five last members.\",\n \"17. The last of claim 10, wherein a first one of the last members is a front central last member, a second one of the last members is a rear central last member, a third one of the last members is an intermediate central last member disposed between the front central last member and the rear central last member; a fourth one of the last members is a medial last member; and a fifth one of the last members is a lateral last member.\",\n \"18. The last of claim 17, wherein the last is configured to mold the body of the skate boot such that the body of the skate boot comprises a sole portion for facing a plantar surface of the user's foot.\",\n \"19. The last of claim 17, wherein the last is configured to mold the body of the skate boot such that the body of the skate boot comprises a toe portion for enclosing toes of the user's foot.\",\n \"20. The last of claim 1, wherein the last is configured to mold the body of the skate boot such that the body of the skate boot comprises a sole portion for facing a plantar surface of the user's foot.\",\n \"21. The last of claim 1, wherein the last is configured to mold the body of the skate boot such that the body of the skate boot comprises a toe portion for enclosing toes of the user's foot.\",\n \"22. The last of claim 10, wherein: the last comprises a base including respective ones of the last members; and a given one of the last members is a removable covering configured to enclose the base and removable from the base.\",\n \"23. The last of claim 22, wherein a thickness of the removable covering varies to define a plurality of undercuts of the body of the skate boot.\",\n \"24. The last of claim 22, wherein the removable covering is flexible.\",\n \"25. The last of claim 24, wherein the removable covering comprises an elastomeric material.\",\n \"26. The last of claim 1, wherein the last is configured to injection mold the body of the skate boot.\",\n \"27. The last of claim 1, wherein the body of the skate boot comprises a plurality of materials that are different and molded by flowing about the last.\",\n \"28. A skate boot comprising a body molded using the last of claim 1.\",\n \"29. A method of making a skate boot for a skate, the skate comprising a skating device disposed beneath the skate boot to engage a skating surface, the skate boot being configured to receive a foot of a user, the method comprising:\\nproviding a last changeable between a molding configuration and a demolding configuration;\\nmolding a body of the skate boot on the last in the molding configuration such that the body of the skate boot comprises a medial side portion to face a medial side of the user's foot, a lateral side portion to face a lateral side of the user's foot, a heel portion to receive a heel of the user's foot, and an ankle portion to receive an ankle of the user;\\nchanging the last from the molding configuration to the demolding configuration to facilitate removal of the body of the skate boot from the last; and\\ndemolding the body of the skate boot from the last in the demolding configuration.\",\n \"32. A flexible female mold member for molding a body of a skate boot of a skate, the skate comprising a skating device disposed beneath the skate boot to engage a skating surface, the skate boot being configured to receive a foot of a user, the flexible female mold member being configured to be part of a female mold and disposed adjacent to a last for molding the body of the skate boot, the flexible female mold member comprising an inner surface preformed to define a cavity between the flexible female mold member and the last to receive polymeric material to mold at least a portion of the body of the skate boot such that the inner surface of the flexible female mold member creates an outer surface of the portion of the body of the skate boot.\",\n \"42. A method of making a skate boot of a skate, the skate comprising a skating device disposed beneath the skate boot to engage a skating surface, the skate boot being configured to receive a foot of a user, the method comprising:\\nplacing a sheet in a mold for molding a body of the skate boot; and\\ncausing flow of material in the mold to mold at least a portion of the body of the skate boot, the sheet conforming to the portion of the body of the skate boot.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A last for footwear production, the last comprises comprising:\\na last main body having an external surface that at least partly has a shape of a human foot, and\\na movable last body part,\\nwherein said last main body and said movable last body part are at least partly formed by additive manufacturing,\\nwherein said last main body and said movable last body part each comprises guiding structures configured for guiding at least partly a relational movement of said last main body and said movable last body part, and\\nwherein said guiding structures of said last main body and said movable last body part are at least partly formed by additive manufacturing.\",\n \"4. The last according to claim 1, wherein said movable last body part comprises a heel body having at least partly the shape of a human heel.\",\n \"5. The last according to claim 1, wherein said movable last body part comprises a forefoot body having at least partly a shape of a human forefoot.\",\n \"6. The last according to claim 5, wherein said movable last body part comprises an upper forefoot body having at least partly a shape of an upper human forefoot.\",\n \"7. The last according to claim 5, wherein said movable last body part comprises a toe body having at least partly the shape of a human toe part.\",\n \"8. The last according to claim 1, wherein said guiding structures of said last main body and said movable last body part comprise a separate guiding structure (58), configured to be assembled with said last main body or said movable last body part to form at least part of said guiding structures, and\\nwherein said separate guiding structure is at least partly formed by additive manufacturing.\",\n \"10. The last according to claim 1, wherein said last comprises a locking-unlocking mechanism for locking said last main body and said movable last body part in one or more positions of said relational movement of said last main body and said movable last body part.\",\n \"12. The last according to claim 1, wherein the last further comprises an attachment structure configured to attach the last main body to a footwear manufacturing device.\",\n \"13. The last according to claim 12, wherein the attachment structure is positioned on a top part of the last main body.\",\n \"14. The last according to claim 12, wherein the attachment structure comprises one or more openings extending in a vertical direction.\",\n \"15. The last according to claim 1, wherein the last main body has a side wall having said external surface having at least partly said shape of a human foot and an internal surface defining an inner volume of the last main body.\",\n \"16. The last according to claim 15, wherein the side wall has a thickness between 2 and 10 mm.\",\n \"18. The last according to claim 1, wherein the last main body and the movable last body part at least partly comprise homogeneous material structures.\",\n \"20. The last according to claim 1, wherein the last main body or the movable last body part comprises a polymer.\",\n \"21. The last according to claim 1, wherein the last main body or the movable last body part comprises a polymeric material having a Shore D value of between 50 and 100.\",\n \"22. The last according to claim 1, wherein additive manufacturing materials utilized by said additive manufacturing comprises at least one selected from the list of polymers, resin photopolymers, ABS, PLA, ASA, nylon/nylon powder, PETG, metal/metal powder, plaster powder, HIPS, PET, PEEK, PVA, ULTEM, polyjet resin and/or ceramics.\",\n \"23. The last according to claim 1, wherein the last main body comprises a cooperating wall and wherein the movable last body part comprises a cooperating wall.\",\n \"24. The last according to claim 1, wherein the last main body comprises a cooperating wall of the last main body and wherein the movable last body part comprises a cooperating wall of the movable last body part, wherein further the cooperating wall the last main body comprises two supporting wall parts and wherein the cooperating wall comprises two supporting wall parts.\",\n \"25. The last according to claim 24, wherein at least part of the supporting wall parts is 3D printed, and wherein the area of the 3D printed supporting wall parts is at least 5% of the total area of the supporting wall parts.\",\n \"26. The last according to claim 24, wherein at least part of the supporting wall parts is 3D printed, and wherein the area of the 3D printed supporting wall parts is between 5% and 50% of the total area of the supporting wall parts.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A method of printing to an upper of an article of footwear, comprising:\\nplacing the article of footwear onto a last portion of a holding assembly, the last portion including a first side portion filled with a plurality of bead members and further having a flexible membrane stretched over the plurality of bead members;\\nflattening a side portion of the upper and the first side portion of the last portion;\\ncreating a vacuum within an interior cavity of the first side portion so that the flexible membrane and the plurality of bead members have a substantially rigid geometry; and\\nprinting onto the side portion of the upper.\",\n \"2. The method according to claim 1, wherein flattening the side portion of the upper includes associating a flattening plate with the side portion.\",\n \"3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the side portion is squeezed between the flattening plate and the first side portion of the last portion.\",\n \"4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the last portion includes a second side portion and a bladder member disposed between the first side portion and the second side portion.\",\n \"5. The method according to claim 4, wherein flattening the side portion is followed by expanding the bladder member so that the first side portion and the second side portion are separated.\",\n \"6. The method according to claim 3, wherein the flattening plate is removed before printing onto the side portion of the upper.\",\n \"7. A method of printing to an upper of an article of footwear, comprising:\\nplacing the article of footwear onto a last portion of a holding assembly, the last portion including a first side portion and a second side portion connected via a bladder member;\\ninflating the bladder member so that the last portion expands and causes the article of footwear to tilt on the last portion;\\nflattening a side portion of the upper; and\\nprinting onto the side portion of the upper.\",\n \"8. The method according to claim 7, wherein flattening the side portion of the upper includes placing a flattening plate against the upper.\",\n \"9. The method according to claim 7, wherein the first side portion includes a flexible membrane that bounds an interior chamber filled with a plurality of bead members.\",\n \"10. The method according to claim 9, wherein flattening the side portion of the upper is followed by creating a vacuum within the interior chamber, thereby temporarily increasing the rigidity of the flexible membrane.\",\n \"11. The method according to claim 7, wherein printing onto the side portion of the upper is accomplished using an inkjet printer.\",\n \"12. The method according to claim 7, wherein inflating the bladder member causes the second side portion to tilt with respect to the first side portion.\",\n \"13. The method according to claim 7, wherein the holding assembly is configured to hold the article so that the side portion faces a print head of the printer.\",\n \"14. A method of printing to an upper of an article of footwear, comprising:\\nplacing the article of footwear onto a last portion of a holding assembly, the last portion including a first side portion with an outer surface that is substantially deformable and the last portion including a second side portion;\\nplacing the holding assembly with the article of footwear on a platform;\\nfastening a flattening plate to a plurality of mounting arms such that the flattening plate contacts the article of footwear;\\nrepositioning the upper on the last portion so that the contact area between the flattening plate and the upper increases;\\ntemporarily increasing the rigidity of the outer surface of the first side portion;\\nremoving the flattening plate; and\\nprinting onto the upper.\",\n \"15. The method according to claim 14, wherein printing onto the upper includes associating a printing system with the article of footwear.\",\n \"16. The method according to claim 14, wherein placing the holding assembly on the platform further includes temporarily fixing the position of the holding assembly on the platform.\",\n \"17. The method according to claim 16, wherein magnetism is used to temporarily lock the position of the holding assembly on the platform.\",\n \"18. The method according to claim 16, wherein a vacuum is used to temporarily lock the position of the holding assembly on the platform.\",\n \"19. The method according to claim 14, wherein repositioning the upper on the last portion further includes adjusting the separation between the first side portion and the second side portion.\",\n \"20. The method according to claim 19, wherein separating the first side portion and the second side portion is accomplished by inflating a bladder member, wherein the bladder member is disposed between the first side portion and the second side portion.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A holding assembly configured to hold an article of footwear, comprising:\\na base including a body portion supported by at least two leg portions, the base further including a forward mounting portion that extends from the body portion;\\na last portion connected to the forward mounting portion, the last portion having a longitudinal axis in parallel with the at least two leg portions;\\nwherein the at least two leg portions extend beyond an edge of the last portion that is opposite an edge of the last portion that is directly connected to the forward mounting portion;\\nan adjustable heel assembly connected to the forward mounting portion, the adjustable heel assembly further including a heel engaging portion that extends in parallel with a rearward edge of the last portion and a rotatable handle to adjust and lock the adjustable heel assembly;\\nwherein the adjustable heel assembly is capable of being extended and retracted from the forward mounting portion thereby adjusting the distance between the heel engaging portion and the rearward edge of the last portion.\",\n \"2. The holding assembly according to claim 1, wherein the body portion is associated with a first longitudinal axis and the forward mounting portion is associated with a second longitudinal axis and wherein the first longitudinal axis is perpendicular with the second longitudinal axis.\",\n \"3. The holding assembly according to claim 1, wherein the adjustable heel assembly is capable of being translated along a first direction and wherein the heel engaging portion extends in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction.\",\n \"4. The holding assembly according to claim 1, wherein the last portion includes a first side portion, a second side portion and a bladder member disposed between the first side portion, and the second side portion.\",\n \"5. The holding assembly according to claim 4, wherein the bladder member expands to separate the first side portion from the second side portion.\",\n \"6. The holding assembly according to claim 4, wherein the first side portion has a moldable outer surface.\",\n \"7. The holding assembly according to claim 6, wherein the rigidity of the moldable outer surface is variable.\",\n \"8. The holding assembly according to claim 1, wherein the position of the adjustable heel assembly relative to the forward mounting portion is temporarily locked.\",\n \"9. The holding assembly according to claim 8, wherein the position is temporarily locked using the rotatable handle.\",\n \"10. The holding assembly according to claim 9, wherein the rotatable handle is grasped for adjusting the position of the adjustable heel assembly.\",\n \"11. The holding assembly according to claim 1, wherein the position of the heel engaging portion is adjusted to accommodate different footwear sizes.\",\n \"12. The holding assembly according to claim 1, wherein the heel engaging portion extends outwardly from a body portion of the adjustable heel assembly and wherein the body portion of the adjustable heel assembly is slidably mounted to the forward mounting portion of the holding assembly.\",\n \"13. The holding assembly according to claim 1, wherein the heel engaging portion applies tension to a heel portion of the article of footwear and wherein the holding assembly includes a lace locking member, and wherein a lace of the article of footwear is wrapped around the lace locking member to apply tension to a portion of the article of footwear that is forward of the heel engaging portion.\",\n \"14. A holding assembly configured to hold an article of footwear, comprising:\\na base portion and a last portion, the base portion including a body portion supported by at least two leg portions and a forward mounting portion, the forward mounting portion attached to the last portion;\\nwherein the at least two leg portions extend beyond an edge of the last portion that is opposite an edge of the last portion that is directly connected to the forward mounting portion;\\na lace locking member attached to the body portion, the lace locking member further including a central portion extending from the body portion as well as a first catching portion and a second catching portion, wherein the first catching portion and the second catching portion are spaced apart from the body portion;\\nwherein the article of footwear has a lace;\\nwherein the lace locking member is configured to receive the lace of the article of footwear that is disposed on the last portion and the lace is wrapped around the central portion; and wherein tension is applied to the upper when the lace is wrapped around the central portion.\",\n \"15. The holding assembly according to claim 14, wherein the lace locking member is configured to anchor the lace on the body portion.\",\n \"16. The holding assembly according to claim 14, wherein the holding assembly further includes an adjustable heel assembly including a heel engaging portion configured to apply tension to a heel region of the article of footwear.\",\n \"17. The holding assembly according to claim 16, wherein the lace locking member works in coordination with the adjustable heel assembly to tension the article of footwear at opposing sides of the opening of the article of footwear.\",\n \"18. The holding assembly according to claim 14, wherein the last portion is adjustable.\",\n \"19. The holding assembly according to claim 18, wherein the last portion is capable of being expanded.\",\n \"20. The holding assembly according to claim 18, wherein an outer surface of the last portion is deformable.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. Manufacturing system for a shoe with shock-absorbing insert in the heel, said manufacturing system comprising:\\na last having a heel and a mid-sole connected by a spring, said heel incorporating a heel portion connected to said heel by a step, said heel portion being smaller than said heel;\\na rigid frame surrounding said heel portion and being comprised of a horseshoe collar; and\\na shock-absorbing insert housed inside the shoe under said heel.\",\n \"2. A method of manufacturing the shoe system with shock-absorbing insert in the heel according to claim 1, said method comprising the steps of:\\nA) fixing of a traditional intermediate sole with known means for fixing and with possibility of removal, under the last, the intermediate sole having a lower sole completely covered from toe to heel by the intermediate sole and a central section double-folded to surmount a transversal front edge of the heel portion;\\nB) fitting of an upper sole on the last;\\nC) rolling up, stretching and fixing of perimeter edges of the upper sole by known means for fixing under edges of the intermediate sole;\\nD) using dovetail application on the heel portion of the horseshoe frame, covering the upper sole in a section of the upper sole surrounding and covering the heel portion;\\nE) applying and fixing of a traditional sole on the intermediate sole by a known means for fixing;\\nF) applying and fixing of a heel layer on the traditional sole with known means for fixing; and\\nG) removing the shoe from the last and fitting of the shock-absorbing insert, having a same shape and size as the heel portion and exactly housed in the space surrounded by the horseshoe frame; and\\nH) fitting of an insole inside the shoe hiding the insert.\",\n \"3. The manufacturing system for a shoe with shock-absorbing insert in the heel, according to claim 1, said manufacturing system further comprising:\\na sack upper provided with an opening in the area below the heel.\",\n \"4. System as claimed in claim 1, wherein the horseshoe frame is closed with a lower base used to cover the lower side of the heel portion when the frame is coupled with the last.\",\n \"5. System as claimed in claim 1, wherein the horseshoe frame has an external surface finish that imitates leather or multilayer leather or is coated with a leather or multilayer leather strip.\",\n \"6. A method of manufacturing a shoe system with shock-absorbing insert in the heel, according to claim 1, said method comprising the steps of:\\na) using dovetail application of the frame on the heel portion of the last;\\nb) fixing of a traditional intermediate sole with known means for fixing and with possibility of removal, under the last, the sole having a lower sole completely covered from toe to heel by said intermediate sole and a central section double-folded to surmount a transversal front edge of the heel portion;\\nc) fitting of an upper sole of the intermediate sole on the last;\\nd) rolling up, stretching and fixing of perimeter edges of the upper sole by known means for fixing under edges of the intermediate sole, the horseshoe frame being hidden and covered by the upper sole;\\ne) applying and fixing of a traditional sole on the intermediate sole;\\nf) applying and fixing of a heel layer on the traditional sole with known means for fixing;\\ng) removing the shoe from the last and fitting of the shock-absorbing insert, the insert having a same shape and size as the heel portion and being exactly housed in the space surrounded by the horseshoe frame; and\\nh) fitting of an insole inside the shoe hiding the insert.\",\n \"7. A method of manufacturing a shoe system with shock-absorbing insert in the heel, according to claim 3, said method comprising the steps of:\\nA1) inserting of the sack upper of the last, the heel portion being inserted and protruding from an opening on the sack upper;\\nB1) rolling up, stretching and fixing of perimeter edges of the upper sole by known means for fixing on edges of an upper flap of the shoe;\\nC1) using dovetail application of the horseshoe-shaped frame on the heel portion;\\nD1) applying and fixing of a traditional sole under the sack upper with known means for fixing;\\nE1) applying and fixing of a heel layer on the traditional sole with known means for fixing;\\nF1) removing the shoe from the last and fitting of the shock-absorbing insert, the insert having a same shape and size as the heel portion and being exactly housed in the space surrounded by the horseshoe frame; and\\nG1) fitting of an insole inside the shoe hiding the insert.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A shoe last for forming a shoe, comprising:\\na body comprising a heel region including a surface and a sole surface, the sole surface comprising at least three distinct planar surfaces, the three distinct planar surface comprising:\\na toe box portion;\\na heel portion; and\\nan arch support portion positioned between the toe box portion and the heel portion,\\nwherein the heel region and the heel portion of the sole surface define a first angle therebetween, the surface of heel region and the arch support portion defining a second angle therebetween, the surface of the heel portion and the arch support portion defining a third angle therebetween, the second and the third angles being different, and wherein the heel portion of the sole surface has a concave shape.\",\n \"2. The shoe last of claim 1, wherein: the toe box, heel, and arch support portions each includes a surface, the surfaces being on different, non-parallel planes.\",\n \"3. The shoe last of claim 1, wherein: the concave shape of the heel portion of the sole includes an apex, the apex being spaced apart from the surface of the heel region by a distance, the distance being between 3-8 millimeters inclusive.\",\n \"4. The shoe last of claim 3, wherein: the distance is about 5 millimeters.\",\n \"5. The shoe last of claim 1, wherein: the arch support region extends from the heel portion to the toe box portion of the sole surface, a first transverse arch is formed on the sole surface proximate to the toe box portion, a second transverse arch is formed on the sole surface proximate the heel portion, and the first and second transverse arches smoothly transition toward the toe box portions and the heel portions respectively in a continuous curve free from any angled edges.\",\n \"6. The shoe last of claim 1, wherein: the sole surface has a thickness that is substantially uniform along its length.\",\n \"7. The shoe last of claim 1, wherein the sole surface is smoothly contoured and is free from sharp edges.\",\n \"8. The shoe last of claim 1, wherein: the arch support portion is configured as a concave region with respect to an upper portion of the shoe last.\",\n \"9. The shoe last of claim 1, wherein: the transition between the toe box and the arch support portion is smooth.\",\n \"10. The shoe last of claim 1, wherein the depths of the toe box and heel portions are approximately equal.\",\n \"11. The shoe last of claim 1, wherein: when worn, a user's body weight is concentrated at the heal portion of said shoe.\",\n \"12. The shoe last of claim 1, wherein: the shoe is configured to accommodate a foot having a heel and a ball, and wherein when worn the shoe is configured to redistribute pressure away from the ball of the foot toward the heel of the foot.\",\n \"13. The shoe last of claim 1, wherein: the concave shape of the heel portion of the sole surface of the sole surface of the shoe last has a depth that varies between 0 and 5 millimeters inclusive.\",\n \"14. The shoe last of claim 1, wherein: the heel region of the shoe defines a cup-shaped heal rest that is configured to redistribute pressure applied to the sole surface of the shoe toward the heal region of the shoe.\",\n \"15. A method of manufacturing a shoe, comprising:\\nproviding a shoe last, comprising:\\na body comprising a heel region including a surface and a sole surface, the sole surface comprising at least three distinct planar surfaces, the three distinct planar surface comprising:\\na toe box portion;\\na heel portion; and\\nan arch support portion positioned between the toe box portion and the heel portion,\\nwherein the heel region and the heel portion of the sole surface define a first angle therebetween, the surface of heel region and the arch support portion defining a second angle therebetween, the surface of the heel portion and the arch support portion defining a third angle therebetween, the second and the third angles being different, and wherein the heel portion of the sole surface has a concave shape; and\\nforming a shoe by joining portions of the shoe around an exterior of the body of the shoe last,\\nwherein the shoe includes a sole surface that is free from angled edges and includes a toe box portion, a heel portion, and an arch support portion, and wherein the heel portion defines a convex shape that corresponds to the concavity of the heel portion of the sole surface of the shoe last.\",\n \"16. The method of claim 15, wherein: when worn, body weight is concentrated at the heel portion of the shoe.\",\n \"17. The method of claim 15, wherein: the shoe is configured to accommodate a foot having a heel and a ball, and wherein when worn the shoe is configured to redistribute pressure away from the ball of the foot toward the heel of the foot.\",\n \"18. The method of claim 15, wherein: the concave shape of the heel portion of the sole surface of the shoe last has a depth that varies between 0 and 5 millimeters inclusive.\",\n \"19. The method of claim 15, wherein: the heel region of the shoe defines a cup-shaped heel rest that is configured to redistribute pressure applied to the sole surface of the shoe toward the heal region of the shoe.\",\n \"20. The method of claim 19, wherein: the heel rest has a depth between 2 and 8 millimeters inclusive.\",\n \"21. The method of claim 19, wherein: the heel rest has a depth of about 5 millimeters.\",\n \"22. The method of claim 15, wherein: the sole surface has a thickness that is substantially uniform along its length.\",\n \"23. The method of claim 15, wherein: the toe box, heel, and arch support portions each includes a surface, the surfaces being on different, non-parallel planes.\",\n \"24. The method of claim 15, wherein: the sole surface of the shoe is formed from a pliable material.\"\n ]\n]"},"102rejection":{"kind":"string","value":"the following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 u.s.c. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this office action:\r\na person shall be entitled to a patent unless –\r\n(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.\r\n(a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.\r\nclaims 1-3, 5, and 6 are rejected under 35 u.s.c. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by smith (us pg pub. 2020/0113291).\r\nregarding claim 1, smith discloses a last (100, fig. 1-5) comprising:\r\nan upper forming surface (see annotated fig. 1 below) configured to form an upper including a wearing opening (“configured to…opening” is considered as a functional limitation, the device of the prior art discloses substantially all of the claimed structural elements and therefore it is fully capable to perform the claimed function);\r\na base part (combination of 170, 110, 121, and 122) that includes a bottom (102, fig. 3) configured to define a bottom surface of the upper (“configured to…upper” is considered as a functional limitation, the device of the prior art discloses substantially all of the claimed structural elements and therefore it is fully capable to perform the claimed function); and\r\na plurality of additional parts (120), each of which is configured in a plate shape for assembly to the base part (combination of 170, 110, 121, and 122, examiner notes as shown in fig. 1a and 3),\r\nwherein the base part (combination of 170, 110, 121, and 122, fig.1-5) further includes:\r\na first base member (combination of 110 and 122) that includes a mounting unit (110) configured to mount the plurality of additional parts (120) such that the plurality of additional parts are arranged in a multi- layered configuration along one direction (par. 0023, lines: 1-5 and par. 0024);\r\na second base member (121, fig. 5, examiner notes element 121 in fig. 5 corresponds to element 140 in fig. 1) attachable to and detachable from the first base member (combination of 110 and 122, par. 0023, lines: 8-9 and par. 0024); and\r\na first forming surface (see annotated fig. 1 below) that defines a first region of the upper forming surface (see annotated fig. 1 below),\r\nthe plurality of additional parts (120) includes a second forming surface (see annotated fig. 1 below) defining a second region (see annotated fig. 1 below) disposed at a location different from the first region in the upper forming surface while attached to the mounting unit (110, examiner notes as shown in fig. 1-3),\r\neach of the additional parts (120) has an end face (see annotated fig. 1 below), and\r\nthe second forming surface (see annotated fig. 1 below) includes the end face of each of the plurality of additional parts (see annotated fig. 1 below).\r\npng\r\nmedia_image1.png\r\n708\r\n758\r\ngreyscale\r\nfig. 1-examiner annotated\r\nmedia_image2.png\r\n525\r\n671\r\nfig. 2-examiner annotated\r\nmedia_image3.png\r\n559\r\n892\r\nfig. 3-examiner annotated\r\nregarding claim 2, smith discloses the first forming surface (see annotated fig. 1 above) includes a wearing opening forming unit (170) configured to form the wearing opening (“configured to…opening” is considered as a functional limitation, the device of the prior art discloses substantially all of the claimed structural elements and therefore it is fully capable to perform the claimed function), the mounting unit (110) includes a front mounting unit (see annotated fig. 1 above, examiner notes in the annotation of fig. 1 the “front mounting unit” is element 122 in fig. 5 and part of element 120 in fig. 1) located in front of the wearing opening forming unit (170, as shown in annotated fig. 1), the first base member (combination of 110 and 122) includes the front mounting unit (examiner notes as shown in annotated fig. 1 above), and a boundary portion (see annotated fig. 1 above) between the first base member (combination of 110 and 122) and the second base member (121) is defined at a position corresponding to the wearing opening in a height direction (examiner notes as shown in annotated fig. 1 above).\r\nregarding claim 3, smith discloses the front mounting unit (see annotated fig. 1 above) includes a plurality of partition plates (see annotated fig. 1 above), each of which has a shape rising from the bottom and extending in a foot width direction (examiner notes as shown in fig. 1 and 3), and the plurality of partition plates (see annotated fig. 1 above) being arranged side by side at intervals in a foot length direction (examiner notes as shown in fig. 1), and a distance (see annotated fig. 1 above) between a pair of partition plates adjacent to each other in the foot length direction among the plurality of partition plates (examiner notes as shown in annotated fig. 1 above) is set to allow each of the additional parts (120) to be disposed between the pair of partition plates (“set to allow…partition plates” is considered as a functional limitation, the device of the prior art discloses substantially all of the claimed structural elements and therefore it is fully capable to perform the claimed function).\r\nregarding claim 5, smith discloses each of the additional parts (120) configured to attach to the front mounting unit (“configured to…unit” is considered as a functional limitation, the device of the prior art discloses substantially all of the claimed structural elements and therefore it is fully capable to perform the claimed function) includes a bottom end face (see annotated fig. 3 above), and the bottom end face of each of the plurality of additional parts (see annotated fig. 3 above) attached to the front mounting unit (see annotated fig. 1 above) defines a bottom surface of the upper together with the bottom of the base part (102, examiner notes as shown in annotated fig. 3 above).\r\nregarding claim 6, smith discloses the mounting unit (110) further includes a rear mounting unit (see annotated fig. 2 above, examiner notes the annotated “rear mounting unit” is a portion of element 110) located behind the boundary portion between the first base member (combination of 110 and 122) and the second base member (121), and the second base member (121) includes the rear mounting unit (examiner notes when comparing fig. 2 and fig. 5, the annotated “rear mounting unit” is shown including element 121)."}}},{"rowIdx":9039,"cells":{"query":{"kind":"list like","value":["1. A method at a computing device for managing a credential vault, the method comprising:\ndetecting that authentication is pending for an application or service, wherein the application or service is distinct from the credential vault;\ndetermining, by an operating system of the computing device, a state of a credential vault;\nwhen the credential vault is in a locked state,\nactivating an authentication mechanism for the credential vault without changing focus on the user interface for the application or service;\nreceiving authentication credentials for the credential vault;\nverifying the authentication credentials for the credential vault;\nupon verification of the authentication credentials for the credential vault, providing from the credential vault, authentication credentials for the application or service to the application or service.","2. The method of claim 1, wherein the credential vault stores a password for the application or service.","3. The method of claim 1, wherein the credential vault stores a key to enable or launch the application or service.","4. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting that authentication is pending comprises detecting input focus on the user interface into a password entry area.","5. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting that authentication is pending comprises detecting a start of an authentication process for the application or service.","6. The method of claim 1, wherein the authentication mechanism comprises a biometric sensor.","7. The method of claim 1, wherein the authentication mechanism comprises a wireless tag proximity sensor.","8. The method of claim 1, wherein the authentication mechanism comprises a camera.","9. The method of claim 1, wherein verification of input from the authentication mechanism is done within the credential vault.","10. A computing device comprising:\na processor; and\na memory for storing instruction code,\nwherein the instruction code causes the computing device to:\ndetect that authentication is pending for an application or service,\nwherein the application or service is distinct from the credential vault;\ndetermine, by an operating system of the computing device, a state of a credential vault;\nwhen the credential vault is in a locked state,\nactivate an authentication mechanism for the credential vault without changing focus on the user interface for the application or service;\nreceive authentication credentials for the credential vault;\nverify the authentication credentials for the credential vault;\nupon verification of the authentication credentials for the credential vault, provide from the credential vault, authentication credentials for the application or service to the application or service.","11. The computing device of claim 10, wherein the credential vault stores a password for the application or service.","12. The computing device of claim 10, wherein the credential vault stores a key to enable or launch the application or service.","13. The computing device of claim 10, wherein detecting that authentication is pending comprises detecting input focus on the user interface into a password entry area.","14. The computing device of claim 10, wherein detecting that authentication is pending comprises detecting a start of an authentication process for the application or service.","15. The computing device of claim 10, wherein the authentication mechanism comprises a biometric sensor.","16. The computing device of claim 10, wherein the authentication mechanism comprises a wireless tag proximity sensor.","17. The computing device of claim 10, wherein the authentication mechanism comprises a camera.","18. The computing device of claim 10, wherein verification of input from the authentication mechanism is done within the credential vault.","19. A non-transitory computer readable medium for storing program code for execution on a processor of a computing device, the program code comprising instructions for:\ndetecting that authentication is pending for an application or service,\nwherein the application or service is distinct from the credential vault;\ndetermining, by an operating system of the computing device, a state of a credential vault;\nwhen the credential vault is in a locked state,\nactivating an authentication mechanism for the credential vault without changing focus on the user interface for the application or service;\nreceiving authentication credentials for the credential vault;\nverifying the authentication credentials for the credential vault;\nupon verification of the authentication credentials for the credential vault, providing from the credential vault, authentication credentials for the application or service to the application or service."],"string":"[\n \"1. A method at a computing device for managing a credential vault, the method comprising:\\ndetecting that authentication is pending for an application or service, wherein the application or service is distinct from the credential vault;\\ndetermining, by an operating system of the computing device, a state of a credential vault;\\nwhen the credential vault is in a locked state,\\nactivating an authentication mechanism for the credential vault without changing focus on the user interface for the application or service;\\nreceiving authentication credentials for the credential vault;\\nverifying the authentication credentials for the credential vault;\\nupon verification of the authentication credentials for the credential vault, providing from the credential vault, authentication credentials for the application or service to the application or service.\",\n \"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the credential vault stores a password for the application or service.\",\n \"3. The method of claim 1, wherein the credential vault stores a key to enable or launch the application or service.\",\n \"4. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting that authentication is pending comprises detecting input focus on the user interface into a password entry area.\",\n \"5. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting that authentication is pending comprises detecting a start of an authentication process for the application or service.\",\n \"6. The method of claim 1, wherein the authentication mechanism comprises a biometric sensor.\",\n \"7. The method of claim 1, wherein the authentication mechanism comprises a wireless tag proximity sensor.\",\n \"8. The method of claim 1, wherein the authentication mechanism comprises a camera.\",\n \"9. The method of claim 1, wherein verification of input from the authentication mechanism is done within the credential vault.\",\n \"10. A computing device comprising:\\na processor; and\\na memory for storing instruction code,\\nwherein the instruction code causes the computing device to:\\ndetect that authentication is pending for an application or service,\\nwherein the application or service is distinct from the credential vault;\\ndetermine, by an operating system of the computing device, a state of a credential vault;\\nwhen the credential vault is in a locked state,\\nactivate an authentication mechanism for the credential vault without changing focus on the user interface for the application or service;\\nreceive authentication credentials for the credential vault;\\nverify the authentication credentials for the credential vault;\\nupon verification of the authentication credentials for the credential vault, provide from the credential vault, authentication credentials for the application or service to the application or service.\",\n \"11. The computing device of claim 10, wherein the credential vault stores a password for the application or service.\",\n \"12. The computing device of claim 10, wherein the credential vault stores a key to enable or launch the application or service.\",\n \"13. The computing device of claim 10, wherein detecting that authentication is pending comprises detecting input focus on the user interface into a password entry area.\",\n \"14. The computing device of claim 10, wherein detecting that authentication is pending comprises detecting a start of an authentication process for the application or service.\",\n \"15. The computing device of claim 10, wherein the authentication mechanism comprises a biometric sensor.\",\n \"16. The computing device of claim 10, wherein the authentication mechanism comprises a wireless tag proximity sensor.\",\n \"17. The computing device of claim 10, wherein the authentication mechanism comprises a camera.\",\n \"18. The computing device of claim 10, wherein verification of input from the authentication mechanism is done within the credential vault.\",\n \"19. A non-transitory computer readable medium for storing program code for execution on a processor of a computing device, the program code comprising instructions for:\\ndetecting that authentication is pending for an application or service,\\nwherein the application or service is distinct from the credential vault;\\ndetermining, by an operating system of the computing device, a state of a credential vault;\\nwhen the credential vault is in a locked state,\\nactivating an authentication mechanism for the credential vault without changing focus on the user interface for the application or service;\\nreceiving authentication credentials for the credential vault;\\nverifying the authentication credentials for the credential vault;\\nupon verification of the authentication credentials for the credential vault, providing from the credential vault, authentication credentials for the application or service to the application or service.\"\n]"},"applicant_patent_id":{"kind":"string","value":"US20240004974A1"},"cited_patent_id":{"kind":"string","value":"US20110047606A1"},"positive":{"kind":"list like","value":["1. A method for authenticating an identity of a user, the method comprising:\ninitiating a webpage browser session at a user device;\nprompting, the user to provide an at identifier and an authentication element via the user input device;\nreceiving the account identifier and the authentication element from the user input device;\nauthenticating the identity of the user based upon the account identifier and the authentication element received from the user input device and allowing the user access a secure database comprising a plurality of stored website account identifiers and stored website authentication elements:\nthe user device connecting to and displaying a website, the website comprising a prompt to authenticate a website identity of the user to the website; and\nautomatically retrieving and transmitting the stored webs to user account identifier and stored website authentication element from the secure database for the specific website displayed.","2. The method of claim 1 wherein the account identifier comprises a user identification name.","3. The method of claim 1 wherein authenticating the user comprises:\nreceiving the account identifier;\ndisplaying randomly generated grid of randomly selected images, each image having at least one randomly generated unique authentication element comprising an image identifier associated therewith; wherein at least one of the images is from a pre-selected category corresponding to the account identifier;\nreceiving at least one randomly generated unique image identifier associated with the image from the pre-selected image category; and\nauthenticating identity based upon the received unique image identifier associated with the randomly selected image from the pre-selected category.","4. The method of claim 1 wherein the user device comprises at least one of a personal computer, cellular telephone, a personal digital assistant or a Internet enabled game console.","5. The method of claim 1 further comprising:\ndisplaying a second website comprising a prompt to authenticate a second website identity of the user to the website;\nautomatically retrieving and transmitting, to the second website, a stored user account identifier and a stored second website authentication element both specific to the user and the second website from the secure database for authentication of the user by the second website.","6. The method of claim 5 wherein the stored account identifier and stored website authentication element comprise OpenID authentication credentials.","7. The method of claim 1 wherein the secure database is stored at the user device.","8. The method of claim 1 wherein the secure database is stored at an electronic storage device remote from the user device.","9. The method of claim 1 wherein the secure database comprises an online component and an offline component, wherein the offline component is stored at the user device and the online component is stored at an electronic storage device for access from a plurality of user devices via a network connection.","10. The method of claim 1 wherein displaying the website further comprises displaying an authentication notification icon, proximate to the prompt to authenticate the website identity, wherein the authentication notification icon communicates automatic retrieval and transmission of the stored website user account identifier and stored website authentication element further comprising displaying an authentication.","11. The method of claim 1 further comprising displaying an authentication notification icon proximate to the prompt to authenticate the website identity subsequent to authenticating the identity of the user and allowing access the secure database.","12. A system for authorizing a user to a website, the system comprising:\na memory unit for storing a plurality of website account identifiers and a plurality of website authentication elements for a single user, wherein each of the plurality of secure website account identifiers are associated with only one of the plurality of the website authentication elements;\na means for controlling access to the memory unit based upon authentication of an identity of the user to the memory unit; and\nwebsite access device comprising a means for accessing the memory unit and a communications link between the memory unit and the website;\nwherein the memory unit is adapted to automatically select a website account identifier and website authentication element specific to the website and transmit the website account identifier and website authentication element to the secure website to authenticate the identity of the user to the secure website.","13. The system of claim 12 wherein the memory unit comprises a secure file stored on a electronic file storage device at the website access device.","14. The system of claim 12 wherein the memory unit comprises a secure file stored on a electronic file storage device at a third-party computer system in communication with the website and the website access device.","15. The system of claim 12 wherein the means for controlling access to the memory unit comprises an authentication server adapted to receive an account identifier and authentication element from the website access device and to authenticate the user upon validation the account identifier and authentication element.","16. The system of claim 15 wherein the authentication server comprises:\na processor adapted to generate a grid of randomly selected images for display on the website access device and to assign a different randomly selected authentication element comprising a unique image identifier to each of the randomly selected images for display with the image on the website access device; and\nwherein the processor is adapted to receive at least one alphanumeric character from a user input device corresponding to the unique image identifier to authenticate the user.","17. The system of claim 16 wherein the randomly selected images are selected from a plurality of image categories, at least one category comprising an authenticating category, and wherein the user input the image identifier assigned to the randomly selected image from the authenticating category.","18. The system of claim 16 wherein the grid of randomly selected images comprise at least one image from a pre-selected image category.","19. The system of claim 12 wherein the memory unit comprises a portable read/write memory device.","20. The system of claim 12 wherein the website access device is selected from the group comprising a personal computer, a personal digital assistant, a cellular telephone, or a gaming console.","21. The system of claim 12 wherein the memory unit comprises an online component and an offline component, wherein the offline component comprises a secure database of high priority set of website account identifiers and website authentication elements stored at the user device and wherein the online component comprises a secure stored at an electronic storage device for access from a plurality of user devices via an network connection.","22. A computer implemented authentication protocol comprising:\ninitiating a webpage browser session at a user website access device;\nauthenticating a user identity to an authentication server;\naccessing a secure database comprising a plurality of website authentication elements;\naccessing a first secure website and determining the presence of a user authentication data field; and\nthe authentication server thereafter automatically transmitting at least one of the plurality of authentication elements specific to the authentication data field of the first secure website to authenticate the user to the first website.","23. The computer implemented authentication protocol of claim 22 further comprising:\naccessing a second secure website and determining the presence of a user authentication data field; and\nthe authentication server thereafter automatically transmitting at least one of the plurality of authentication elements specific to the authentication data field of the second secure website to authenticate the user to the second secure website.","24. The computer implemented authentication protocol of claim 22 wherein the secure database is stored at the user web access device.","25. The computer implemented authentication protocol of claim 22 wherein the secure database is stored by the authentication server.","26. The computer implements authentication protocol of claim 23 further comprising displaying an authentication notification icon proximate to the authentication data fields of the first secure website and the second secure website subsequent to authenticating the user identity to the authentication server.","27. The computer implements authentication protocol of claim 22 further comprising displaying an authentication notification icon proximate to the any authentication data field of any secure website subsequent to authenticating the user identity to the authentication server."],"string":"[\n \"1. A method for authenticating an identity of a user, the method comprising:\\ninitiating a webpage browser session at a user device;\\nprompting, the user to provide an at identifier and an authentication element via the user input device;\\nreceiving the account identifier and the authentication element from the user input device;\\nauthenticating the identity of the user based upon the account identifier and the authentication element received from the user input device and allowing the user access a secure database comprising a plurality of stored website account identifiers and stored website authentication elements:\\nthe user device connecting to and displaying a website, the website comprising a prompt to authenticate a website identity of the user to the website; and\\nautomatically retrieving and transmitting the stored webs to user account identifier and stored website authentication element from the secure database for the specific website displayed.\",\n \"2. The method of claim 1 wherein the account identifier comprises a user identification name.\",\n \"3. The method of claim 1 wherein authenticating the user comprises:\\nreceiving the account identifier;\\ndisplaying randomly generated grid of randomly selected images, each image having at least one randomly generated unique authentication element comprising an image identifier associated therewith; wherein at least one of the images is from a pre-selected category corresponding to the account identifier;\\nreceiving at least one randomly generated unique image identifier associated with the image from the pre-selected image category; and\\nauthenticating identity based upon the received unique image identifier associated with the randomly selected image from the pre-selected category.\",\n \"4. The method of claim 1 wherein the user device comprises at least one of a personal computer, cellular telephone, a personal digital assistant or a Internet enabled game console.\",\n \"5. The method of claim 1 further comprising:\\ndisplaying a second website comprising a prompt to authenticate a second website identity of the user to the website;\\nautomatically retrieving and transmitting, to the second website, a stored user account identifier and a stored second website authentication element both specific to the user and the second website from the secure database for authentication of the user by the second website.\",\n \"6. The method of claim 5 wherein the stored account identifier and stored website authentication element comprise OpenID authentication credentials.\",\n \"7. The method of claim 1 wherein the secure database is stored at the user device.\",\n \"8. The method of claim 1 wherein the secure database is stored at an electronic storage device remote from the user device.\",\n \"9. The method of claim 1 wherein the secure database comprises an online component and an offline component, wherein the offline component is stored at the user device and the online component is stored at an electronic storage device for access from a plurality of user devices via a network connection.\",\n \"10. The method of claim 1 wherein displaying the website further comprises displaying an authentication notification icon, proximate to the prompt to authenticate the website identity, wherein the authentication notification icon communicates automatic retrieval and transmission of the stored website user account identifier and stored website authentication element further comprising displaying an authentication.\",\n \"11. The method of claim 1 further comprising displaying an authentication notification icon proximate to the prompt to authenticate the website identity subsequent to authenticating the identity of the user and allowing access the secure database.\",\n \"12. A system for authorizing a user to a website, the system comprising:\\na memory unit for storing a plurality of website account identifiers and a plurality of website authentication elements for a single user, wherein each of the plurality of secure website account identifiers are associated with only one of the plurality of the website authentication elements;\\na means for controlling access to the memory unit based upon authentication of an identity of the user to the memory unit; and\\nwebsite access device comprising a means for accessing the memory unit and a communications link between the memory unit and the website;\\nwherein the memory unit is adapted to automatically select a website account identifier and website authentication element specific to the website and transmit the website account identifier and website authentication element to the secure website to authenticate the identity of the user to the secure website.\",\n \"13. The system of claim 12 wherein the memory unit comprises a secure file stored on a electronic file storage device at the website access device.\",\n \"14. The system of claim 12 wherein the memory unit comprises a secure file stored on a electronic file storage device at a third-party computer system in communication with the website and the website access device.\",\n \"15. The system of claim 12 wherein the means for controlling access to the memory unit comprises an authentication server adapted to receive an account identifier and authentication element from the website access device and to authenticate the user upon validation the account identifier and authentication element.\",\n \"16. The system of claim 15 wherein the authentication server comprises:\\na processor adapted to generate a grid of randomly selected images for display on the website access device and to assign a different randomly selected authentication element comprising a unique image identifier to each of the randomly selected images for display with the image on the website access device; and\\nwherein the processor is adapted to receive at least one alphanumeric character from a user input device corresponding to the unique image identifier to authenticate the user.\",\n \"17. The system of claim 16 wherein the randomly selected images are selected from a plurality of image categories, at least one category comprising an authenticating category, and wherein the user input the image identifier assigned to the randomly selected image from the authenticating category.\",\n \"18. The system of claim 16 wherein the grid of randomly selected images comprise at least one image from a pre-selected image category.\",\n \"19. The system of claim 12 wherein the memory unit comprises a portable read/write memory device.\",\n \"20. The system of claim 12 wherein the website access device is selected from the group comprising a personal computer, a personal digital assistant, a cellular telephone, or a gaming console.\",\n \"21. The system of claim 12 wherein the memory unit comprises an online component and an offline component, wherein the offline component comprises a secure database of high priority set of website account identifiers and website authentication elements stored at the user device and wherein the online component comprises a secure stored at an electronic storage device for access from a plurality of user devices via an network connection.\",\n \"22. A computer implemented authentication protocol comprising:\\ninitiating a webpage browser session at a user website access device;\\nauthenticating a user identity to an authentication server;\\naccessing a secure database comprising a plurality of website authentication elements;\\naccessing a first secure website and determining the presence of a user authentication data field; and\\nthe authentication server thereafter automatically transmitting at least one of the plurality of authentication elements specific to the authentication data field of the first secure website to authenticate the user to the first website.\",\n \"23. The computer implemented authentication protocol of claim 22 further comprising:\\naccessing a second secure website and determining the presence of a user authentication data field; and\\nthe authentication server thereafter automatically transmitting at least one of the plurality of authentication elements specific to the authentication data field of the second secure website to authenticate the user to the second secure website.\",\n \"24. The computer implemented authentication protocol of claim 22 wherein the secure database is stored at the user web access device.\",\n \"25. The computer implemented authentication protocol of claim 22 wherein the secure database is stored by the authentication server.\",\n \"26. The computer implements authentication protocol of claim 23 further comprising displaying an authentication notification icon proximate to the authentication data fields of the first secure website and the second secure website subsequent to authenticating the user identity to the authentication server.\",\n \"27. The computer implements authentication protocol of claim 22 further comprising displaying an authentication notification icon proximate to the any authentication data field of any secure website subsequent to authenticating the user identity to the authentication server.\"\n]"},"hard_negatives":{"kind":"list like","value":[["1. A computer-implemented method for providing access control to a resource, comprising:\nreceiving an authentication request to access a resource using a shared secret between a requesting device and an authentication mechanism, the shared secret including predefined authentication information states arranged in a predefined sequence;\nreceiving specified information items in a specified sequence such that each of the specified information items corresponds to one of the predefined authentication information states;\naccessing the predefined authentication information states arranged in a predefined sequence;\ndetermining whether each of the specified information items correctly match its corresponding predefined authentication information state;\nin response to a determination that a match is incorrect such that access to the resource is denied, allowing re-submission of the specified information items up to and including a determined number of times that is based upon a complexity of the predefined authentication information states.","2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 further comprising receiving one or more additional credentials to gain access to the resource and only granting access to the resource if the additional credentials are verified as being correct.","3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 in which the resource is a network-based resource and the authentication request is received by a server associated with the network-based resource over a communication network.","4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 in which the authentication request is received through a user interface of a computing device in which a processor performing the computer-implemented method is located and the resource is locally available to the computing device.","5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 in which at least one of the predefined authentication information states specifies that one of the credentials is to be incorrectly entered.","6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 further comprising presenting the requesting device a series of selectable states that include at least one state that does not allow access to the resource to be granted and at least one other state that does allow access to the resource to be granted, and wherein granting access to the resource further includes only granting access to the resource upon selection of said at least one other state and not said at least one state.","7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 further comprising presenting a series of selectable states that include a plurality of selectable states that each provide a prompt for a response, wherein only one of the plurality of selectable states is included in the shared secret such that if any remaining ones of the plurality of selectable states access are selected access to the resource will be denied.","8. The computer-implemented method of claim 7 further comprising granting access to the resource only upon receiving a correct response to the prompt associated with the one selectable state that is included in the shared secret.","9. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 in which the network resource is associated with a web site that receives the authentication request and wherein at least one of the predefined authentication information states specifies that the requesting device is to access the web site through a predetermined alternative web site in order for access to the resource to be granted.","10. The computer-implemented method of claim 2 further comprising, when one of the additional credentials that is provided is a previously valid credential that is now expired, denying access to the resource.","11. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein in response to a determination that each of the specified information items correctly matches its corresponding predefined authentication information state, granting access to the resource.","12. One or more computer-readable memory devices storing instructions for establishing an account allowing access to one or more protected resources, the instructions when executed by one or more processors disposed in a computing device causing the computing device to:\nestablish credentials and a shared secret with an access control mechanism associated with the one or more protected resources, wherein establishing the shared secret includes establishing predefined authentication information states arranged in a predefined sequence, the credentials and the shared secret to be presented to the access control mechanism to gain access to the one or more protected resources; and\nstore the credentials in a first data structure so that the credentials are accessible to the access control mechanism upon receiving an authentication attempt from a requesting device requesting access to the one or more protected resources, wherein a number of authentication attempts allowed is based at least in part upon a complexity of the predefined authentication information states.","13. The one or more computer-readable memory devices of claim 12 in which the instructions when executed by the one or more processors disposed in the computing device further causes the computing device to:\nassociate with the credentials stored in the first data structure a reference indicative to the access control mechanism of a location from which the shared secret is accessible,\nwherein the shared secret includes executable code used to perform one or more state machine steps and interact with the access control mechanism upon receiving an authentication request from the location from which the shared secret executable code is accessible requesting access to the one or more protected resources.","14. The one or more computer-readable memory devices of claim 13 further comprising a common data structure that includes the first data structure and a second data structure.","15. The one or more computer-readable memory devices of claim 12 in which establishing the shared secret further comprises establishing a shared secret that causes a requesting device accessing the account to be presented with a sequentially presented series of selectable states that include at least one state that does not allow access to the one or more protected resources to be granted and at least one other state that does allow access to the one or more protected resources to be granted such that access to the one or more protected resources is only granted if the requesting device selects said at least one other state and not said at least one state.","16. The one or more computer-readable memory devices of claim 12 in which establishing the shared secret further comprises establishing a shared secret that causes a requesting device accessing the account to be sequentially presented with a plurality of selectable states that each prompt the requesting device for a response, wherein selection of only one of the plurality of selectable states allows access to the one or more protected resource and selection of any remaining ones of the plurality of selectable states denies access to the one or more protected resources.","17. A computing device, comprising:\none or more processors;\na user interface (UI) configured to interact with a user of the device;\na memory device storing computer-readable instructions which, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the computing device to:\nexecute a state machine;\nreceive a request from the user interface to access a protected resource;\nresponsive to the request to access the protected resource, present a prompt through the user interface to provide predefined authentication information needed to access the protected resource, the prompting enabling user-specified authentication information to be received by the state machine during each of a predefined sequence of states of the state machine;\nuse the state machine to verify whether the user-specified authentication information matches the predefined authentication information and was correctly entered during each state and in the predefined sequence; and\nreceive one or more additional user credentials to gain access to the resource and only grant access to the resource if the additional user credentials are verified as being correct when one of the additional user credentials is provided incorrectly such that access to the resource is denied, allowing the user to re-submit the user-specified information for each of the states a specified number of times, the specified number of times being based at least in part on a complexity of the one additional credential.","18. The computing device of claim 17 in which at least one states in the predefined sequence of states specifies that one of the additional user credentials is to be incorrectly entered through the user interface.","19. The computing device of claim 17 in which in response to a verification that the predetermined authentication information was correctly entered during each state and in the predefined sequence, access to the resource is granted.","20. The computing device of claim 17 further comprising causing the computing device to present the user interface with a series of user-selectable states that include a plurality of user-selectable states that each provide a prompt for a response, wherein only one of the plurality of user-selectable states are included in a shared secret between the user and the state machine such that if the s any remaining ones of the plurality of user-selectable states are selected access to the resource will be denied."],["1. A method for authenticating an identity of an online user, the method including:\nreceiving registration data of an online user, wherein the registration data is used to access a web page associated with the online user;\nreceiving, from a registration device, a request to access the web page associated with the online user;\ntransmitting, by an authentication server, in response to the request to access the web page from the registration device, an image that contains a unique identifier (“ID”);\nreceiving, at the authentication server from the online user through a first device, an authentication request containing a digital certificate, the unique ID, and a log-in identifier (“ID”);\nauthenticating, by the authentication server, the first device of the online user based on the digital certificate, the unique ID, and log-in ID;\ntransmitting the web page associated with the online user to the first user device when the first user device is authenticated, the requested web page including an access number and a unique authentication code associated with the registration data of the online user;\nreceiving, at a biometric matching server associated with the access number, the unique authentication code associated with the registration data of the online user;\nreceiving, at the biometric matching server, a biometric parameter of the online user for authenticating the online user based on biometric matching; and\nassociating the biometric parameter of the online user with the registration data of the online user.","2. The method of claim 1, wherein the registration device is one of a personal computer, a public computer, and a public kiosk, and the first device is a mobile device.","3. The method of claim 1, wherein the image is a two-dimensional barcode or a quick response code.","4. The method of claim 1, wherein the authentication request includes a request for notice of completed log-in for the unique ID.","5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nproviding the online user with a mobile application enabling the online user to extract the unique ID from the image, by taking a picture of a display of the registration device using a camera of the first device.","6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nstoring, upon receiving the authentication request containing the unique ID, the unique ID in relation to a browser session ID of the registration device.","7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:\nlooking up the browser session ID of the registration device based on the unique ID received from the user through the first device.","8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nsending the first device one of the digital certificate and an access token storing the log-in ID of the online user.","9. The method of claim 8, wherein the log-in ID of the online user and the unique ID are received from the online user within one of the digital certificate and the access token.","10. A system for authenticating an identity of an online user, the system including:\na data storage device for storing instructions for authenticating an identity of an online user; and\na processor configured to execute the instructions to perform a method including:\nreceiving registration data of an online user, wherein the registration data is used to access a web page associated with the online user;\nreceiving, from a registration device, a request to access the web page associated with the online user;\ntransmitting, by an authentication server, in response to the request to access the web page from the registration device, an image that contains a unique identifier (“ID”);\nreceiving, at the authentication server from the online user through a first device, an authentication request containing a digital certificate, the unique ID, and a log-in identifier (“ID”);\nauthenticating, by the authentication server, the first device of the online user based on the digital certificate, the unique ID, and log-in ID;\ntransmitting the web page associated with the online user to the first user device when the first user device is authenticated, the requested web page including an access number and a unique authentication code associated with the registration data of the online user;\nreceiving, at a biometric matching server associated with the access number, the unique authentication code associated with the registration data of the online user;\nreceiving, at the biometric matching server, a biometric parameter of the online user for authenticating the online user based on biometric matching; and\nassociating the biometric parameter of the online user with the registration data of the online user.","11. The system of claim 10, wherein the registration device is one of a personal computer, a public computer, and a public kiosk, and the first device is a mobile device.","12. The system of claim 10, wherein the image is a two-dimensional barcode or a quick response code.","13. The system of claim 10, wherein the authentication request includes a request for notice of completed log-in for the unique ID.","14. The system of claim 10, wherein the processor is further configured to execute the instructions to perform the method including:\nproviding the online user with a mobile application enabling the online user to extract the unique ID from the image, by taking a picture of a display of the registration device using a camera of the first device.","15. The system of claim 10, wherein the processor is further configured to execute the instructions to perform the method including:\nstoring, upon receiving the authentication request containing the unique ID, the unique ID in relation to a browser session ID of the registration device.","16. The system of claim 15, wherein the processor is further configured to execute the instructions to perform the method including:\nlooking up the browser session ID of the registration device based on the unique ID received from the user through the first device.","17. The system of claim 10, wherein the processor is further configured to execute the instructions to perform the method including:\nsending the first device one of the digital certificate and an access token storing the log-in ID of the online user.","18. The system of claim 17, wherein the log-in ID of the online user and the unique ID are received from the online user within one of the digital certificate and the access token.","19. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that, when executed by a computer system, cause the computer system to perform a method for authenticating an identity of an online user, the method including:\nreceiving registration data of an online user, wherein the registration data is used to access a web page associated with the online user;\nreceiving, from a registration device, a request to access the web page associated with the online user;\ntransmitting, by an authentication server, in response to the request to access the web page from the registration device, an image that contains a unique identifier (“ID”);\nreceiving, at the authentication server from the online user through a first device, an authentication request containing a digital certificate, the unique ID, and a log-in identifier (“ID”);\nauthenticating, by the authentication server, the first device of the online user based on the digital certificate, the unique ID, and log-in ID;\ntransmitting the web page associated with the online user to the first user device when the first user device is authenticated, the requested web page including an access number and a unique authentication code associated with the registration data of the online user;\nreceiving, at a biometric matching server associated with the access number, the unique authentication code associated with the registration data of the online user;\nreceiving, at the biometric matching server, a biometric parameter of the online user for authenticating the online user based on biometric matching; and\nassociating the biometric parameter of the online user with the registration data of the online user.","20. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 19, wherein the biometric parameter of the online user includes one of fingerprint scanning, eye recognition, DNA matching, heart monitoring, and impedance matching."],["1. A method comprising:\n(a) storing a representation of a secret data-item of a particular user, wherein said secret data-item is one of: a password, a Personal Identification Number (PIN);\n(b) generating a user authentication session that requires said particular user to enter said secret data-item by performing a task comprised of on-screen operations in which said user drags or moves on-screen objects to input said secret data-item;\n(c) during said user authentication session, monitoring user gestures of user performance of said task; and extracting from said user gestures a behavioral characteristic that characterizes user performance of said task;\n(d1) determining whether or not said user gestures correspond to correct entry of said secret data-item;\n(d2) determining whether or not the behavioral characteristic that was extracted in step (c), matches a previously-stored reference behavioral characteristic that was extracted from past on-screen operations that were previously associated with said particular user during previous log-in sessions;\n(e) if the determining of step (d1) is negative or the determining of step (d2) is negative, then: generating a notification that user authentication is rejected;\nwherein said log-in task comprises a requirement to enter said password or said PIN, by drawing on-screen lines among on-screen representations of characters;\nwherein the determining of step (d2) is performed based on at least one of: (I) a speed of on-screen gestures in which said user draws said on-screen lines, (II) a curvature level of on-screen gestures in which said user draws said on-screen lines.","2. A method comprising:\n(a) storing a representation of a secret data-item of a particular user, wherein said secret data-item is one of: a password, a Personal Identification Number (PIN);\n(b) generating a user authentication session that requires said particular user to enter said secret data-item by performing a task comprised of on-screen operations in which said user drags or moves on-screen objects to input said secret data-item;\n(c) during said user authentication session, monitoring user gestures of user performance of said task; and extracting from said user gestures a behavioral characteristic that characterizes user performance of said task;\n(d1) determining whether or not said user gestures correspond to correct entry of said secret data-item;\n(d2) determining whether or not the behavioral characteristic that was extracted in step (c), matches a previously-stored reference behavioral characteristic that was extracted from past on-screen operations that were previously associated with said particular user during previous log-in sessions;\n(e) if the determining of step (d1) is negative or the determining of step (d2) is negative, then: generating a notification that user authentication is rejected;\nwherein said log-in task comprises a requirement to enter said password or said PIN, by typing characters on a physical keyboard;\nwherein the determining of step (d2) is performed based on a speed in which said user typed, on said physical keyboard, said password or said PIN.","3. A method comprising:\n(a) storing a representation of a secret data-item of a particular user, wherein said secret data-item is one of: a password, a Personal Identification Number (PIN);\n(b) generating a user authentication session that requires said particular user to enter said secret data-item by performing a task comprised of on-screen operations in which said user drags or moves on-screen objects to input said secret data-item;\n(c) during said user authentication session, monitoring user gestures of user performance of said task; and extracting from said user gestures a behavioral characteristic that characterizes user performance of said task;\n(d1) determining whether or not said user gestures correspond to correct entry of said secret data-item;\n(d2) determining whether or not the behavioral characteristic that was extracted in step (c), matches a previously-stored reference behavioral characteristic that was extracted from past on-screen operations that were previously associated with said particular user during previous log-in sessions;\n(e) if the determining of step (d1) is negative or the determining of step (d2) is negative, then: generating a notification that user authentication is rejected;\nwherein said log-in task comprises a requirement to enter (I) a username, and (II) said password or said PIN, by typing characters on a physical keyboard;\nwherein the determining of step (d2) is performed based on a user-specific behavioral characteristic that indicates whether said user, in previous log-in sessions, (i) used a keyboard shortcut to move between on-screen fields or (ii) used a pointing device to move between on-screen fields.","4. A method comprising:\n(a) storing a representation of a secret data-item of a particular user, wherein said secret data-item is one of: a password, a Personal Identification Number (PIN);\n(b) generating a user authentication session that requires said particular user to enter said secret data-item by performing a task comprised of on-screen operations in which said user drags or moves on-screen objects to input said secret data-item;\n(c) during said user authentication session, monitoring user gestures of user performance of said task; and extracting from said user gestures a behavioral characteristic that characterizes user performance of said task;\n(d1) determining whether or not said user gestures correspond to correct entry of said secret data-item;\n(d2) determining whether or not the behavioral characteristic that was extracted in step (c), matches a previously-stored reference behavioral characteristic that was extracted from past on-screen operations that were previously associated with said particular user during previous log-in sessions;\n(e) if the determining of step (d1) is negative or the determining of step (d2) is negative, then: generating a notification that user authentication is rejected;\nwherein said log-in task comprises a requirement to enter (I) a username, and (II) said password or said PIN, by typing characters on a physical keyboard;\nwherein the determining of step (d2) is performed based on a user-specific behavioral characteristic that indicates whether said user, in previous log-in sessions, (i) used an Enter key on a keyboard to submit his credentials, or (ii) used a non-keyboard input unit to click or to tap on an on-screen Submit button to submit his credentials.","5. A method comprising:\n(a) storing a representation of a secret data-item of a particular user, wherein said secret data-item is one of: a password, a Personal Identification Number (PIN);\n(b) generating a user authentication session that requires said particular user to enter said secret data-item by performing a task comprised of on-screen operations in which said user drags or moves on-screen objects to input said secret data-item;\n(c) during said user authentication session, monitoring user gestures of user performance of said task; and extracting from said user gestures a behavioral characteristic that characterizes user performance of said task;\n(d1) determining whether or not said user gestures correspond to correct entry of said secret data-item;\n(d2) determining whether or not the behavioral characteristic that was extracted in step (c), matches a previously-stored reference behavioral characteristic that was extracted from past on-screen operations that were previously associated with said particular user during previous log-in sessions;\n(e) if the determining of step (d1) is negative or the determining of step (d2) is negative, then: generating a notification that user authentication is rejected;\nwherein said log-in task comprises a requirement to enter said password or said PIN, by drawing on-screen lines among on-screen representations of characters;\nwherein the determining of step (d2) is performed based on: measured acceleration and measured deceleration of user gestures, during entry of said password or said PIN.","6. A method comprising:\n(a) storing a representation of a secret data-item of a particular user, wherein said secret data-item is one of: a password, a Personal Identification Number (PIN);\n(b) generating a user authentication session that requires said particular user to enter said secret data-item by performing a task comprised of on-screen operations in which said user drags or moves on-screen objects to input said secret data-item;\n(c) during said user authentication session, monitoring user gestures of user performance of said task; and extracting from said user gestures a behavioral characteristic that characterizes user performance of said task;\n(d1) determining whether or not said user gestures correspond to correct entry of said secret data-item;\n(d2) determining whether or not the behavioral characteristic that was extracted in step (c), matches a previously-stored reference behavioral characteristic that was extracted from past on-screen operations that were previously associated with said particular user during previous log-in sessions;\n(e) if the determining of step (d1) is negative or the determining of step (d2) is negative, then: generating a notification that user authentication is rejected;\nwherein the extracting of step (c) comprises:\ninvoking a Machine Learning (ML) unit that learns and defines a user-specific behavioral profile based on user-gestures that were monitored across multiple previous log-in sessions;\nwherein the determining of step (d2) is based on a comparison between (i) monitored user-gestures in a current log-in session, and (ii) the user-specific behavioral profile that was defined by said Machine Learning (ML) unit based on user-gestures that were monitored across multiple previous log-in sessions.","7. A method comprising:\n(a) storing a representation of a secret data-item of a particular user, wherein said secret data-item is one of: a password, a Personal Identification Number (PIN);\n(b) generating a user authentication session that requires said particular user to enter said secret data-item by performing a task comprised of on-screen operations in which said user drags or moves on-screen objects to input said secret data-item;\n(c) during said user authentication session, monitoring user gestures of user performance of said task; and extracting from said user gestures a behavioral characteristic that characterizes user performance of said task;\n(d1) determining whether or not said user gestures correspond to correct entry of said secret data-item;\n(d2) determining whether or not the behavioral characteristic that was extracted in step (c), matches a previously-stored reference behavioral characteristic that was extracted from past on-screen operations that were previously associated with said particular user during previous log-in sessions;\n(e) if the determining of step (d1) is negative or the determining of step (d2) is negative, then: generating a notification that user authentication is rejected;\nwherein the extracting of step (c) comprises:\ninvoking a Machine Learning (ML) unit that learns and defines a user-specific behavioral profile based on (I) user-gestures that were monitored across multiple previous log-in sessions, and also (II) user-gestures that were monitored immediately prior to log-in sessions, and also (III) user-gestures that were monitored immediate after log-in sessions;\nwherein the determining of step (d2) is based on a comparison between (i) monitored user-gestures in a current log-in session, and (ii) the user-specific behavioral profile that was defined by said Machine Learning (ML) unit based on (I) user-gestures that were monitored across multiple previous log-in sessions, and also (II) user-gestures that were monitored immediately prior to log-in sessions, and also (III) user-gestures that were monitored immediate after log-in sessions.","8. A method comprising:\n(a) storing a representation of a secret data-item of a particular user, wherein said secret data-item is one of: a password, a Personal Identification Number (PIN);\n(b) generating a user authentication session that requires said particular user to enter said secret data-item by performing a task comprised of on-screen operations in which said user drags or moves on-screen objects to input said secret data-item;\n(c) during said user authentication session, monitoring user gestures of user performance of said task; and extracting from said user gestures a behavioral characteristic that characterizes user performance of said task;\n(d1) determining whether or not said user gestures correspond to correct entry of said secret data-item;\n(d2) determining whether or not the behavioral characteristic that was extracted in step (c), matches a previously-stored reference behavioral characteristic that was extracted from past on-screen operations that were previously associated with said particular user during previous log-in sessions;\n(e) if the determining of step (d1) is negative or the determining of step (d2) is negative, then: generating a notification that user authentication is rejected;\nwherein the method comprises monitoring said user-gestures that are performed by the user on a portable electronic device selected from a group consisting of: a smartphone, a tablet;\nwherein the extracting of step (c) comprises:\nextracting a user-specific characteristic that corresponds to changes in spatial orientation of an entirety of said portable electronic device during performance of said log-in task by the user;\nwherein the determining of step (d2) is based on a comparison between (i) monitored changes in spatial orientation of the entirety of said portable electronic device during performance of said log-in task by the user, and (ii) a user-specific profile that indicates previous changes in spatial orientation of the entirety of said portable electronic device during previous log-in sessions.","9. A method comprising:\n(a) storing a representation of a secret data-item of a particular user, wherein said secret data-item is one of: a password, a Personal Identification Number (PIN);\n(b) generating a user authentication session that requires said particular user to enter said secret data-item by performing a task comprised of on-screen operations in which said user drags or moves on-screen objects to input said secret data-item;\n(c) during said user authentication session, monitoring user gestures of user performance of said task; and extracting from said user gestures a behavioral characteristic that characterizes user performance of said task;\n(d1) determining whether or not said user gestures correspond to correct entry of said secret data-item;\n(d2) determining whether or not the behavioral characteristic that was extracted in step (c), matches a previously-stored reference behavioral characteristic that was extracted from past on-screen operations that were previously associated with said particular user during previous log-in sessions;\n(e) if the determining of step (d1) is negative or the determining of step (d2) is negative, then: generating a notification that user authentication is rejected;\nwherein the method comprises monitoring said user-gestures that are performed by the user on a portable electronic device selected from a group consisting of: a smartphone, a tablet;\nwherein the extracting of step (c) comprises:\nextracting a user-specific characteristic that corresponds to time gaps among on-screen drag-and-drop operations that the user performs during said log-in task;\nwherein the determining of step (d2) is based on a comparison between (i) monitored time gaps among on-screen drag-and-drop operations that the user performs during said log-in task, and (ii) a user-specific profile that indicates previous time gaps among on-screen drag-and-drop operations that the user performed during previous log-in sessions.","10. A method comprising:\n(a) storing a representation of a secret data-item of a particular user, wherein said secret data-item is one of: a password, a Personal Identification Number (PIN);\n(b) generating a user authentication session that requires said particular user to enter said secret data-item by performing a task comprised of on-screen operations in which said user drags or moves on-screen objects to input said secret data-item;\n(c) during said user authentication session, monitoring user gestures of user performance of said task; and extracting from said user gestures a behavioral characteristic that characterizes user performance of said task;\n(d1) determining whether or not said user gestures correspond to correct entry of said secret data-item;\n(d2) determining whether or not the behavioral characteristic that was extracted in step (c), matches a previously-stored reference behavioral characteristic that was extracted from past on-screen operations that were previously associated with said particular user during previous log-in sessions;\n(e) if the determining of step (d1) is negative or the determining of step (d2) is negative, then: generating a notification that user authentication is rejected;\nwherein the method comprises monitoring said user-gestures that are performed by the user on a portable electronic device selected from a group consisting of: a smartphone, a tablet,\nwherein the extracting of step (c) comprises:\nextracting a user-specific characteristic that corresponds to a level of touch-force of touch-based gestures that the user performs via a touch-screen during said log-in task;\nwherein the determining of step (d2) is based on a comparison between (i) monitored level of touch-force of touch-based gestures that the user performs during said log-in task, and (ii) a user-specific profile that indicates previous level of touch-force of touch-based gestures that the user performed during previous log-in sessions.","11. A method comprising:\n(a) storing a representation of a secret data-item of a particular user, wherein said secret data-item is one of: a password, a Personal Identification Number (PIN);\n(b) generating a user authentication session that requires said particular user to enter said secret data-item by performing a task comprised of on-screen operations in which said user drags or moves on-screen objects to input said secret data-item;\n(c) during said user authentication session, monitoring user gestures of user performance of said task; and extracting from said user gestures a behavioral characteristic that characterizes user performance of said task;\n(d1) determining whether or not said user gestures correspond to correct entry of said secret data-item;\n(d2) determining whether or not the behavioral characteristic that was extracted in step (c), matches a previously-stored reference behavioral characteristic that was extracted from past on-screen operations that were previously associated with said particular user during previous log-in sessions;\n(e) if the determining of step (d1) is negative or the determining of step (d2) is negative, then: generating a notification that user authentication is rejected;\nwherein the method comprises authenticating said user, or rejecting authentication of said user, based on a cumulative assessment that takes into account (i) the secret data-item that the user knows, and (ii) the specific behavioral way in which the user interacted with the electronic device to input said secret data-item by moving in space or tilting in space the entirety of the electronic device, and (iii) spatial orientation changes of an entirety of the electronic device during performance of said log-in task, and (iv) speed of performing said log-in task by the user.","12. A method comprising:\n(a) storing a representation of a secret data-item of a particular user, wherein said secret data-item is one of: a password, a Personal Identification Number (PIN);\n(b) generating a user authentication session that requires said particular user to enter said secret data-item by performing a task comprised of on-screen operations in which said user drags or moves on-screen objects to input said secret data-item;\n(c) during said user authentication session, monitoring user gestures of user performance of said task; and extracting from said user gestures a behavioral characteristic that characterizes user performance of said task;\n(d1) determining whether or not said user gestures correspond to correct entry of said secret data-item;\n(d2) determining whether or not the behavioral characteristic that was extracted in step (c), matches a previously-stored reference behavioral characteristic that was extracted from past on-screen operations that were previously associated with said particular user during previous log-in sessions;\n(e) if the determining of step (d1) is negative or the determining of step (d2) is negative, then: generating a notification that user authentication is rejected;\nmonitoring user-gestures during performance of said log-in task; determining that said user-gestures indicate that a current user is non-experienced in performing said log-in task; determining that a legitimate user had performed said log-in task multiple times in previous log-in sessions; and therefore, determining that the current user is not the legitimate user.","13. A method comprising:\n(a) storing a representation of a secret data-item of a particular user, wherein said secret data-item is one of: a password, a Personal Identification Number (PIN);\n(b) generating a user authentication session that requires said particular user to enter said secret data-item by performing a task comprised of on-screen operations in which said user drags or moves on-screen objects to input said secret data-item;\n(c) during said user authentication session, monitoring user gestures of user performance of said task; and extracting from said user gestures a behavioral characteristic that characterizes user performance of said task;\n(d1) determining whether or not said user gestures correspond to correct entry of said secret data-item;\n(d2) determining whether or not the behavioral characteristic that was extracted in step (c), matches a previously-stored reference behavioral characteristic that was extracted from past on-screen operations that were previously associated with said particular user during previous log-in sessions;\n(e) if the determining of step (d1) is negative or the determining of step (d2) is negative, then: generating a notification that user authentication is rejected;\ndistinguishing among a plurality of human users, who attempt to gain authorized access to a same single electronic device, based cumulatively on: (I) accuracy level in performing the log-in task, and also (II) speed of performing the log-in task, and (III) spatial orientation of an entirety of said electronic device during performance of the log-in task.","14. A method comprising:\n(a) storing a representation of a secret data-item of a particular user, wherein said secret data-item is one of: a password, a Personal Identification Number (PIN);\n(b) generating a user authentication session that requires said particular user to enter said secret data-item by performing a task comprised of on-screen operations in which said user drags or moves on-screen objects to input said secret data-item;\n(c) during said user authentication session, monitoring user gestures of user performance of said task; and extracting from said user gestures a behavioral characteristic that characterizes user performance of said task;\n(d1) determining whether or not said user gestures correspond to correct entry of said secret data-item;\n(d2) determining whether or not the behavioral characteristic that was extracted in step (c), matches a previously-stored reference behavioral characteristic that was extracted from past on-screen operations that were previously associated with said particular user during previous log-in sessions;\n(e) if the determining of step (d1) is negative or the determining of step (d2) is negative, then: generating a notification that user authentication is rejected;\ndistinguishing among a plurality of human users, who attempt to gain authorized access to a same single electronic device, based cumulatively on: (I) accuracy level in performing the log-in task, and also (II) speed of performing the log-in task, and (III) curvature level or linearity level of user gestures during performance of the log-in task.","15. A method comprising:\n(a) storing a representation of a secret data-item of a particular user, wherein said secret data-item is one of: a password, a Personal Identification Number (PIN);\n(b) generating a user authentication session that requires said particular user to enter said secret data-item by performing a task comprised of on-screen operations in which said user drags or moves on-screen objects to input said secret data-item;\n(c) during said user authentication session, monitoring user gestures of user performance of said task; and extracting from said user gestures a behavioral characteristic that characterizes user performance of said task;\n(d1) determining whether or not said user gestures correspond to correct entry of said secret data-item;\n(d2) determining whether or not the behavioral characteristic that was extracted in step (c), matches a previously-stored reference behavioral characteristic that was extracted from past on-screen operations that were previously associated with said particular user during previous log-in sessions;\n(e) if the determining of step (d1) is negative or the determining of step (d2) is negative, then: generating a notification that user authentication is rejected;\ndistinguishing among a plurality of human users, who attempt to gain authorized access to a same single electronic device, based cumulatively on: (I) accuracy level in performing the log-in task, and also (II) speed of performing the log-in task, and (III) touch-force of user gestures during performance of the log-in task.","16. A method comprising:\n(a) storing a representation of a secret data-item of a particular user, wherein said secret data-item is one of: a password, a Personal Identification Number (PIN);\n(b) generating a user authentication session that requires said particular user to enter said secret data-item by performing a task comprised of on-screen operations in which said user drags or moves on-screen objects to input said secret data-item;\n(c) during said user authentication session, monitoring user gestures of user performance of said task; and extracting from said user gestures a behavioral characteristic that characterizes user performance of said task;\n(d1) determining whether or not said user gestures correspond to correct entry of said secret data-item;\n(d2) determining whether or not the behavioral characteristic that was extracted in step (c), matches a previously-stored reference behavioral characteristic that was extracted from past on-screen operations that were previously associated with said particular user during previous log-in sessions;\n(e) if the determining of step (d1) is negative or the determining of step (d2) is negative, then: generating a notification that user authentication is rejected;\ndistinguishing among a plurality of human users, who attempt to gain authorized access to a same single electronic device, based cumulatively on: (I) accuracy level in performing the log-in task, and also (II) speed of performing the log-in task, and (III) time-gaps among user-gestures during performance of the log-in task."],["1. A method of registering a mobile device, comprising:\nreceiving, at a server, from an authorized device, a request for a registration code to register a mobile device;\ntransmitting, from the server, to the authorized device, the registration code, wherein the authorized device is a different device than the mobile device and the authorized device was previously registered;\nreceiving, by the server, from the mobile device, the registration code and a mobile device identifier;\nauthorizing the mobile device by the server; and\nupon receiving the request from an unauthorized device, requiring the request from the authorized device.","2. The method of claim 1, wherein the registration code is an optical, machine-readable code.","3. The method of claim 1, wherein the registration code is a QR code.","4. The method of claim 1, wherein the registration code is an alphanumeric code.","5. The method of claim 1, wherein the registration code is a QR code and an alphanumeric code.","6. The method of claim 1, wherein the registration code is transmitted or otherwise presented to the mobile device by a user.","7. The method of claim 1, wherein the registration code comprises an embedded link to a registration process with the server.","8. The method of claim 1, wherein the registration of the mobile device is required at a periodic interval.","9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nupon a failure of authorizing the mobile device, providing an alternate process of registration comprising one of a Portable Security Transaction Protocol (PSTP) or a variable code."],["1. An integrated cybersecurity system for providing restricted client access to a website, comprising:\na security database communicatively coupled to a client device via a client communication link to pass client data therebetween, the security database communicatively coupled to the website via a website communication link to pass secure information therebetween, the client device communicatively coupled to authentication hardware to receive client input from a client, the client data comprising the client input and client enrollment information, the secure information comprising information from or associated with the client data; and\na gateway comprising a user interface accessible by a gateway operator to configure client settings, a website module accessible by a website operator to configure website settings, and a services module that works in concert with the user interface, the website module, and the security database to send integrated client confirmation to the website, wherein the integrated client confirmation comprises authentication, authorization, and identification of the client, whereby the website permits selective access to the website by the client based at least on the website being sent the authorization in the integrated client confirmation.","2. The integrated cybersecurity system of claim 1, further comprising a matcher configured to create a template based on client enrollment or authentication information and to ascertain whether a match exists between the template created based on the client enrollment or the authentication information and another template stored in the security database.","3. The integrated cybersecurity system of claim 1, wherein the gateway is configured to:\nreceive an authentication request from the website;\nlocate the client in the security database;\nredirect the client device to an authentication screen;\nreceive a capture template from the client device;\nattempt to match the capture template with an enrollment template in a client data library in the security database; and\nupon determination of a match result, send the match result to the website to confirm authentication of the client device.","4. The integrated cybersecurity system of claim 3, wherein the capture template is created based on the confirmation of an identity of the client, the confirmation performed locally at the client device.","5. The integrated cybersecurity system of claim 1, wherein the gateway is configured to:\nin response to an enrollment or authentication request from the website, consult the security database and send secure information to the website; and\nin response to receipt of client enrollment or authentication information, process the authentication information and send a confirmation response to the website.","6. The integrated cybersecurity system of claim 5, wherein the security database stores a plurality of templates, and processing the authentication information comprises:\ncreating a client template from the client enrollment or the authentication information; and\nsearching the security database to find a match with one of the plurality of templates stored therein.","7. The integrated cybersecurity system of claim 5, wherein the gateway is further configured to:\nredirect a browser on the client device to an enrollment webpage specific to the client device attempting enrollment or authentication.","8. The integrated cybersecurity system of claim 5, wherein the gateway is configured to perform authentication as a background operation without being displayed on a user interface."],["1. A computing device comprising:\na mobile device having a first and second processor;\nat least one storage area;\nat least one biometric sensor, wherein the biometric sensor comprises one or more of a fingerprint image sensor or a facial image sensor;\nthe software contained within the at least one of the storage area, said computing device wherein, prior to executing at least some of the software, said software causes the second processor to:\ncapture an identity verification credential from the user;\nbiometrically enroll the identity of the user by capturing biometric samples representing fingerprint or facial images from the at least one or more biometric sensors, and, using the second processor, calculate one or more biometric templates; and\nsecurely store the one or more biometric templates in a hardware-protected manner without persistent storage of the biometric template in a non-secured manner; and wherein, upon unlocking the mobile device in response to a successful match of one or more subsequent biometric samples to one or more of the decrypted securely stored biometric templates, release access to one or more protected functions of the mobile device.","2. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the secure storing of the one or more biometric templates comprises encryption of the one or more biometric templates using at least one hardware-based characteristic of the computing device.","3. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the secure storing of the one or more biometric templates comprises encryption of the one or more biometric templates using the second processor.","4. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the at least one biometric sensor comprises the first processor that is configured to receive external information.","5. The computing device of claim 4, wherein the first processor is configured to receive external information used to access the mobile device.","6. The device of claim 1 where the data of the biometric samples representing fingerprint or facial images are processed to allow the data to be effectively used for matching despite being submitted at varying angles or at substantially any angle.","7. The device of claim 1 wherein the second processor enables at least in part the secure storage of biometric templates and determines if there is a match of the one or more subsequent biometric samples to one or more of the decrypted securely stored one or more biometric templates.","8. The device of claim 7 wherein the second processor is used to create at least one hardware rooted encryption key and to cause the secure storage of the one or more biometric templates comprising encryption of the one or more biometric templates with the at least one hardware rooted encryption key.","9. The device of claim 8 wherein the second processor operates with a trusted cryptographically authenticated component.","10. The computing device of claim 7 wherein the second processor automatically deletes the unencrypted biometric template after a matching operation.","11. The device of claim 1, wherein the secure storing of the one or more biometric templates comprises storing the one or more encrypted biometric templates in a hardware-secured portion of a mobile device memory.","12. The device of claim 1, where, in the event the one or more subsequent biometric samples do not match the one or more decrypted biometric templates, the mobile device performs failure actions according to a defined policy.","13. The device of claim 1 wherein the protected function comprises releasing a securely stored password for a website.","14. The device of claim 13 where the website is configured to access the identity verification credential of the user.","15. The mobile device of claim 1 wherein the protected function comprises allowing the user to use a software application on the mobile device.","16. The computing device of claim 1 where the biometric template is updated after each successful biometric match.","17. The computing device of claim 1 wherein the first processor does not directly interact with the securely stored biometric templates.","18. The computing device of claim 1 wherein the first processor interacts with the at least one biometric sensors.","19. A mobile communication device having:\na first processor;\na second processor;\nat least one storage area, containing software,\nat least one biometric sensor, wherein the biometric sensor comprises one or more of a fingerprint image sensor or a facial image sensor;\nwherein the second processor causes the mobile device to perform authentication with a remote computer using an encryption key,\nsaid software further causing the second processor to perform encryption using at least said encryption key,\nsaid second processor securely storing the one or more biometric templates in a hardware-protected manner which is encrypted and decrypted using said encryption key;\nwherein said mobile device is unlocked in response to a good match between an entered PIN and a previously entered PIN,\nwherein, subject to a successful match of a newly submitted sample with the decrypted biometric template, access is granted to a protected function of the mobile device; and wherein said decrypted biometric template is not persistently stored on the mobile device.","20. The computing device of claim 19 wherein the decrypted biometric template is deleted by the second processor after the successful match.","21. The computing device of claim 19 wherein the first processor interacts with the at least one biometric sensor.","22. A mobile communication device comprising:\na first processor;\na second processor;\nat least one storage area including software;\nthe first processor being configured to operate with the second processor, the second processor configured to access a hardware-secured portion of mobile device memory based trusted software associated with the second processor;\nat least one biometric sensor, wherein the biometric sensor comprises one or more of a fingerprint image sensor or a facial image sensor; and\nwherein, said mobile device is configured to implement biometric template security and acquisition functions including:\ncapture a PIN from the user that is chosen by the user, and biometrically enroll the identity of the user by capturing a plurality of biometric samples representing one or more fingerprint images or facial images from the at least one sensor, and calculating one or more unencrypted biometric templates;\nencrypt the one or more unencrypted biometric templates and store the one or more encrypted one or more biometric templates in a hardware-secured portion of the mobile device memory without persistent storage of the unencrypted biometric template in a non-secured manner; such that the one or more unencrypted biometric templates do not persist in the hardware-secured portion of mobile device memory;\nand wherein the second processor decrypts the one or more encrypted biometric templates and compares the one or more decrypted biometric templates to one or more subsequently acquired biometric samples from a user attempting to gain access to the mobile device, and, if the subsequently acquired biometric samples from a user match one or more decrypted biometric templates, allow access to a protected function of the mobile device.","23. The mobile device of claim 22 wherein the first processor is associated with the at least one sensor and the second processor is configured to encrypt the one or more unencrypted biometric templates.","24. The computing device of claim 22, wherein the at least one biometric sensor comprises the first processor that is configured to receive external information.","25. The computing device of claim 22, wherein the first processor is configured to receive external information used to access the mobile device.","26. The mobile device of claim 22 where the said protected function includes one or more of the following:\nconducting a payment transaction on behalf of the user without the user having to enter a verification credential;\nallowing the user to view or change secure information stored on one of a local, or a remote computer without having to enter a verification credential;\nand automatically submitting a verification credential to a secure computer or website to allow the user to gain access without the user having to re-enter the verification credential.","27. The device of claim 22 wherein the data of the biometric samples are processed to allow the biometric samples to be effectively used for matching despite being submitted at varying angles or at substantially any angle.","28. The device of claim 22, wherein the device is configured to learn more about the user's biometrics as they change over time.","29. The device of claim 22, wherein the second processor is used to create an encryption key.","30. The device of claim 22, wherein the second processor automatically calculates updated unencrypted biometric templates from new biometric samples and then encrypts the updated biometric templates.","31. The device of claim 30, wherein upon calculation of the updated unencrypted biometric templates, the mobile device automatically encrypts the updated unencrypted biometric templates and stores the resulting updated encrypted biometric templates in the hardware-secured portion of the mobile device memory.","32. The device of claim 31, wherein the updated unencrypted biometric templates are deleted from the device.","33. The computing device of claim 22 wherein the first processor interacts with the at least one biometric sensors.","34. The device of claim 22, where, in the event the match is not successful, the mobile device performs failure actions according to a defined policy.","35. A method for allowing access to a secure mobile device comprising:\nproviding a first processor;\nproviding a second processor;\nat least one biometric sensor;\nproviding at least one storage area including software;\nconfiguring the first processor to operate with a second processor configured to access a hardware-secured portion of mobile device memory based trusted software associated with the second processor;\nconfiguring the at least one biometric sensor to acquire biometric data, wherein the at least one biometric sensor comprises one or more of a fingerprint image sensor or a facial image sensor; and\nconfiguring said mobile device to implement biometric template security and acquisition functions including:\ncapturing a plurality of biometric samples representing one or more fingerprint images or facial images from the at least one sensor, and calculating one or more unencrypted biometric templates;\nencrypting the one or more unencrypted biometric templates and store the one or more encrypted biometric templates in a hardware-secured portion of the mobile device memory without persistent storage of the unencrypted biometric template in a non-secured manner; such that the one or more unencrypted biometric templates do not persist in the hardware-secured portion of mobile device memory;\ndecrypting the one or more encrypted biometric templates and comparing the one or more decrypted biometric templates to one or more subsequently acquired biometric samples from a user attempting to gain access to the mobile device, and, if the subsequently acquired biometric samples from a user match one or more decrypted biometric templates, allow access to a protected function of the mobile device.","36. The method of claim 35 wherein the decrypting is performed by the second processor.","37. The method of claim 35 further comprising wherein the data of the biometric samples processed by the second processor to allow the data to be effectively used for matching despite being submitted at varying angles or at substantially any angle.","38. The method of claim 35 comprising using the second processor to create an encryption key.","39. The method of claim 38, comprising automatically calculating updated unencrypted biometric templates from new biometric samples and then encrypting the updated biometric templates using the second processor.","40. The method of claim 39, further comprising automatically encrypting the updated unencrypted biometric templates and storing the resulting updated encrypted biometric templates in the hardware-secured portion of the mobile device memory upon calculation of the updated unencrypted biometric templates using the second processor.","41. The method of claim 40, further comprising configuring the second processor to delete the updated unencrypted biometric templates after completion of an attempted matching operation.","42. The method of claim 35, wherein the first processor is configured to receive external information.","43. The method of claim 35, wherein the first processor is configured to receive external information used to access the mobile device.","44. A computer program product embodied on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium and comprising computer instruction for:\nconfiguring the first processor to operate with a second processor configured to access a hardware-secured portion of mobile device memory based trusted software associated with the second processor;\nconfiguring the at least one biometric sensor to acquire biometric data, wherein the at least one biometric sensor comprises one or more of a fingerprint image sensor or a facial image sensor; and\nconfiguring said mobile device to implement biometric template security and acquisition functions including:\ncapturing a PIN from the user that is chosen by the user, and biometrically enrolling the identity of the user by capturing a plurality of biometric samples representing one or more of a fingerprint image or a facial image, and calculating one or more unencrypted biometric templates;\nencrypting the one or more unencrypted biometric templates and store the encrypted one or more biometric templates in a hardware-secured portion of the mobile device memory without persistent storage of the unencrypted biometric template in a non-secured manner; such that the one or more unencrypted biometric templates do not persist in the hardware-secured portion of mobile device memory;\ndecrypting the one or more encrypted biometric templates with the second processor and comparing the one or more decrypted biometric templates to one or more subsequently acquired biometric samples from a user attempting to gain access to the mobile device, and, if the subsequently acquired biometric samples from a user match one or more decrypted biometric templates, allow access to a protected function of the mobile device.","45. The computer program product of claim 44 wherein the second processor is configured to encrypt the one or more unencrypted biometric templates.","46. The computer program product of claim 44, wherein the first processor is configured to receive external information.","47. The computer program product of claim 44, wherein the first processor is configured to receive external information used to access the mobile device."],["1. A method programmed in a non-transitory memory of a mobile device comprising:\nrecognizing an optical mark displayed on a device screen of a device, wherein the optical mark comprises at least two concentric circles, wherein the optical mark is calibrated by comparing at least three different colors within a calibration region within the at least two concentric circles to an encoding palette, wherein a portion of the optical mark within the at least two concentric circles, comprises a plurality of segments wherein each segment of the plurality of segments comprises one color of the at least three different colors;\ndetecting the optical mark using the registration mark and the calibration region by identifying and assigning values to the plurality of segments of the segmented portion and decoding an optical code based on the assigned values; and\nauthenticating an on-line identity for a client based on the optical code of the optical mark and based on the on-line identity of the client.","2. The method of claim 1 wherein the portion of the optical mark is based on the at least three different colors and each color is associated with the optical code comprising a number.","3. The method of claim 1 wherein the optical mark is oriented by positioning a registration mark relative to the portion of the optical mark.","4. The method of claim 1 wherein recognizing the optical mark comprises recognizing the optical mark over an air-gapped channel between the mobile device and the device screen of the device.","5. The method of claim 1 further comprising:\nstoring a first key, wherein authenticating the on-line identity for the client comprises signing a transaction completion request with the first key stored in the mobile device; and\nverifying the on-line identity for the client by using a corresponding second key stored by a computer of a web service provider.","6. The method of claim 5 wherein verifying the on-line identity for the client comprises evaluating personal biometry.","7. The method of claim 5 further comprising:\nconstructing an authorization assertion; and\npassing the authorization assertion to the web service provider.","8. The method of claim 7 wherein passing the authorization assertion comprises passing an OAuth2 token, SAML token, or RP token to the web service provider.","9. The method of claim 1 wherein recognizing the optical mark comprises scanning the optical mark by a camera of the mobile device.","10. The method of claim 5 wherein the first key comprises a private key, and wherein the second key comprises a public key.","11. The method of claim 6 wherein evaluating the personal biometry comprises retina scanning or fingerprint scanning.","12. An apparatus comprising:\na non-transitory memory configured for storing an application, the application configured for:\nrecognizing an optical mark displayed on a device screen of a device, wherein the optical mark comprises at least two concentric circles, wherein the optical mark is calibrated by comparing at least three different colors within a calibration region within the at least two concentric circles to an encoding palette, wherein a portion of the optical mark within the at least two concentric circles, comprises a plurality of segments wherein each segment of the plurality of segments comprises one color of the at least three different colors;\ndetecting the optical mark using the registration mark and the calibration region by identifying and assigning values to the plurality of segments of the segmented portion and decoding an optical code based on the assigned values; and\nauthenticating an on-line identity for a client based on the optical code of the optical mark and based on the on-line identity of the client; and\na processor configured for processing the application.","13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the portion of the optical mark is based on the at least three different colors and each color is associated with the optical code comprising a number.","14. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the optical mark is oriented by positioning a registration mark relative to the portion of the optical mark.","15. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein recognizing the optical mark comprises recognizing the optical mark over an air-gapped channel between the mobile device and the device screen of the device.","16. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the application is configured for:\nstoring a first key, wherein authenticating the on-line identity for the client comprises signing a transaction completion request with the first key stored in the mobile device; and\nverifying the on-line identity for the client by using a corresponding second key stored by a computer of a web service provider.","17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein verifying the on-line identity for the client comprises evaluating personal biometry.","18. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the application is configured for:\nconstructing an authorization assertion; and\npassing the authorization assertion to the web service provider.","19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein passing the authorization assertion comprises passing an OAuth2 token, SAML token, or RP token to the web service provider.","20. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein recognizing the optical mark comprises scanning the optical mark by a camera of the mobile device.","21. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the first key comprises a private key, and wherein the second key comprises a public key.","22. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein evaluating the personal biometry comprises retina scanning or fingerprint scanning.","23. A method programmed in a non-transitory memory of a mobile device comprising:\nrecognizing an optical mark displayed on a device screen of a device, wherein the optical mark comprises at least two concentric circles, wherein the optical mark is calibrated by comparing at least three different colors within a calibration region within the at least two concentric circles to an encoding palette;\ndetecting the optical mark using the registration mark and the calibration region by decoding an optical code; and\nauthenticating an on-line identity for a client based on the optical code of the optical mark and based on the on-line identity of the client.","24. The method of claim 23 wherein a portion of the optical mark is based on the at least three different colors and each color is associated with the optical code comprising a number.","25. The method of claim 23 wherein the optical mark is oriented by positioning a registration mark relative to a portion of the optical mark.","26. The method of claim 23 wherein recognizing the optical mark comprises recognizing the optical mark over an air-gapped channel between the mobile device and the device screen of the device.","27. The method of claim 23 further comprising:\nstoring a first key, wherein authenticating the on-line identity for the client comprises signing a transaction completion request with the first key stored in the mobile device; and\nverifying the on-line identity for the client by using a corresponding second key stored by a computer of a web service provider.","28. The method of claim 27 wherein verifying the on-line identity for the client comprises evaluating personal biometry.","29. The method of claim 27 further comprising:\nconstructing an authorization assertion; and\npassing the authorization assertion to the web service provider.","30. The method of claim 29 wherein passing the authorization assertion comprises passing an OAuth2 token, SAML token, or RP token to the web service provider.","31. The method of claim 23 wherein recognizing the optical mark comprises scanning the optical mark by a camera of the mobile device.","32. The method of claim 27 wherein the first key comprises a private key, and wherein the second key comprises a public key.","33. The method of claim 28 wherein evaluating the personal biometry comprises retina scanning or fingerprint scanning."],["1. A method comprising:\nmeasuring, by a user device, a second parameter value;\nsending, by the user device, to a server computer, a request for accessing a first dataset, wherein the first dataset is associated with a first reference biometric template and a first parameter value at the server computer, wherein the request includes a query biometric template and the second parameter value associated with the user device, wherein the server computer determines a subset of datasets from a plurality of datasets based on the second parameter value, the subset of datasets including more than one dataset and less than the plurality of datasets, each of the subset of datasets corresponding to a different user, and the subset of datasets including the first dataset, the server computer retrieves a subset of reference biometric templates including, for each dataset in the subset of datasets, a corresponding reference biometric template, the server computer identifies a matching reference biometric template from among the subset of reference biometric templates that matches the query biometric template within a predetermined threshold, wherein the matching reference biometric template that matches the query biometric template is the first reference biometric template associated with the first dataset, and the server computer authenticates the query biometric template based on a comparison with the first reference biometric template;\nreceiving, by the user device, from the server computer, an authentication approval message that allows the user device to access to the first dataset; and\naccessing, by the user device, the first dataset.","2. The method of claim 1, wherein the user device is a second user device, wherein the server computer receives the first reference biometric template and the first parameter value from a first user device associated with the first dataset, the first parameter value is associated with the first user device, the second parameter value is associated with the second user device, the server computer receives the first parameter value when the first user device is being used to access the first dataset, and wherein the server computer determines that the second parameter value matches the first parameter value within a predetermined range.","3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first parameter value is a first location, wherein the second parameter value is a second location.","4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first dataset is associated with a user identifier, wherein the authentication approval message includes the first reference biometric template and the user identifier, and further comprising:\nstoring, by the user device, the user identifier and the first reference biometric template, wherein accessing the first dataset includes performing a subsequent user authentication based on the user identifier and the first reference biometric template.","5. The method of claim 1, wherein each dataset in the subset of datasets is associated with a respective parameter value that is within a predetermined range of the second parameter value, wherein the first parameter value is within the predetermined range of the second parameter value.","6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:\nreceiving, by the user device, from the server computer, an instruction to prompt a user for a biometric template type;\nprompting, by the user device, the user to select the biometric template type;\nreceiving, by the user device, from the user, a selection of the biometric template type;\nsending, by the user device, to the server computer, the selected biometric template type, wherein the server computer determines the subset of datasets further based on the selected biometric template type, wherein each dataset in the subset of datasets is associated with a reference biometric template of the selected biometric template type;\nreceiving, by the user device, from the server computer, an instruction to obtain a biometric template of the selected biometric template type;\nreceiving, by the user device, from the user, a biometric; and\ngenerating, by the user device, the query biometric template, wherein the query biometric template is of the selected biometric template type.","7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first reference biometric template is a voice template, and further comprising:\nreceiving, by the user device, from a user, a voice command; and\ngenerating, by the user device, the query biometric template based on the voice command.","8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:\nactivating, by the user device, a service provider application in response to the voice command, and wherein the request for accessing the first dataset is sent based on the voice command.","9. The method of claim 1, wherein, before sending the request for accessing the first dataset, the user device has never accessed the first dataset, wherein the request does not include an identifier for the first dataset, and wherein the server computer identifies the first reference biometric template based on the second parameter value and not based on a user identifier.","10. A user device comprising:\na processor; and\na computer readable medium, the computer readable medium comprising code, executable by the processor, for implementing a method comprising:\nmeasuring a second parameter value;\nsending, to a server computer, a request for accessing a first dataset, wherein the first dataset is associated with a first reference biometric template and a first parameter value at the server computer, wherein the request includes a query biometric template and the second parameter value associated with the user device, wherein the server computer determines a subset of datasets from a plurality of datasets based on the second parameter value, the subset of datasets including more than one dataset and less than the plurality of datasets, each of the subset of datasets corresponding to a different user, and the subset of datasets including the first dataset, the server computer retrieves a subset of reference biometric templates including, for each dataset in the subset of datasets, a corresponding reference biometric template, the server computer identifies a matching reference biometric template from among the subset of reference biometric templates that matches the query biometric template within a predetermined threshold, wherein the matching reference biometric template that matches the query biometric template is the first reference biometric template associated with the first dataset, and the server computer authenticates the query biometric template based on a comparison with the first reference biometric template;\nreceiving, from the server computer, an authentication approval message that allows the user device to access to the first dataset; and\naccessing the first dataset.","11. The user device of claim 10, wherein the first parameter value is first location, wherein the second parameter value is a second location.","12. The user device of claim 10, further comprising:\nactivating an application;\nin response to activating the application, prompting a user to provide a biometric;\nmeasuring the biometric; and\ngenerating the query biometric template based on the biometric.","13. The user device of claim 10, wherein the first dataset is a user account, and wherein the accessing the first dataset includes logging into the user account.","14. The user device of claim 10, wherein the authentication approval message includes the first reference biometric template in an encrypted form, and further comprising:\ndecrypting the first reference biometric template; and\nstoring the first reference biometric template at the user device.","15. The user device of claim 10, further comprising:\nencrypting the query biometric template, wherein the query biometric template included in the request is encrypted, and wherein the server computer decrypts the query biometric template.","16. The method of claim 2, wherein the first parameter value is a first time, wherein the second parameter value is a second time.","17. The method of claim 2, wherein the first parameter value is a first device condition, wherein the second parameter value is a second device condition.","18. The method of claim 2, wherein the first parameter value is a first battery level, wherein the second parameter value is a second battery level.","19. The method of claim 2, wherein the first parameter value is a first language setting, wherein the second parameter value is a second language setting."],["1. A method of authorizing access to access-controlled environments, the method comprising:\nreceiving, by a computing device, passive authentication information indicative of an identity of an entity;\ncomparing, by the computing device, the passive authentication information to a stored identifier associated with the entity;\nreceiving, by the computing device, active authentication information indicative of the identity of the entity;\ncomparing, by the computing device, the active authentication information to the stored identifier;\ngenerating a liveness evaluation of the entity, including acts of:\nvalidating submission of the passive and active authentication information, wherein the liveness evaluation includes authentication information that validates capture of the passive and active authentication information by a live entity;\nprocessing the authentication information that validates the capture of the passive and active authentication information using a plurality of neural networks including at least a first neural network configured to process passive authentication information and a second neural network configured to process active authentication information;\ndetermining a probability, generated in response to the first and second neural networks processing the passive and active authentication information, that the passive authentication information and the active authentication information are actually obtained from the entity meets a threshold for validation;\nreceiving, by the computing device, a request from the entity to execute an access-controlled function; and\ngranting, by the computing device, the request from the entity responsive to determining that an identity probability satisfies a first identity probability threshold associated with the access-controlled function based on, at least in part, the passive and active authentication information and the liveness evaluation.","2. The method of claim 1, wherein the passive authentication information includes behavior authentication information.","3. The method of claim 2, wherein receiving the passive authentication information is performed without prompting the entity to provide the behavior authentication information.","4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first neural network configured to process passive authentication information and the second neural network configured to process active authentication information are configured as a consolidated neural network.","5. The method of claim 1, wherein an entity profile includes at least one encrypted biometric value corresponding to the entity, the at least one encrypted biometric value being encrypted by a first encryption algorithm.","6. The method of claim 5, wherein comparing active authentication information includes:\nencrypting at least one biometric input using the first encryption algorithm to generate at least one encrypted biometric input; and\ncomparing the at least one encrypted biometric input to the at least one encrypted biometric value.","7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nreceiving, by the computing device, a second request from the entity to execute a second access-controlled function;\nprompting, by the computing device, the entity to provide at least one biometric input responsive to determining that the identity probability does not satisfy a second identity probability threshold associated with the second access-controlled function;\nreceiving, by the computing device, the at least one biometric input;\ncomparing, by the computing device, the at least one biometric input to an entity profile;\ncalculating, by the computing device, a second entity identity probability based on the comparison of the at least one biometric input to the entity profile;\nadjusting, by the computing device, the identity probability based on the second identity probability; and\ngranting, by the computing device, the second request from the entity responsive to determining that the identity probability satisfies the second identity probability threshold.","8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:\nreceiving, by the computing device, a third request from the entity to execute a third access-controlled function;\ndetermining, by the computing device, that the identity probability does not satisfy a third identity probability threshold associated with the third access-controlled function;\nreceiving, by the computing device, a liveness indicator from the entity;\ncalculating, by the computing device, a third entity identity probability based on the liveness indicator;\nadjusting, by the computing device, the identity probability based on the third entity identity probability; and\ngranting, by the computing device, the third request from the entity responsive to determining that the identity probability satisfies the third identity probability threshold.","9. The method of claim 8, wherein generating the liveness evaluation includes an act of determining a probability that the entity is a live human entity.","10. The method of claim 9, wherein generating the liveness evaluation includes at least evaluation of one of an audio recording of the entity speaking a phrase generated by the computing device or a video of the entity performing a gesture generated by the computing device.","11. The method of claim 9, wherein receiving the liveness indicator includes receiving, passively by the computing device, one or more signals indicative of one or more vital signs of the entity.","12. A system of authorizing access to access-controlled environments, the system comprising:\nat least one processor operatively connected to a memory, the at least one processor configured to:\nreceive passive authentication information indicative of an identity of an entity;\ncompare the passive authentication information to a stored identifier associated with the entity;\nreceive active authentication information indicative of the identity of the entity;\ncompare the active authentication information to the stored entity identifier associated with the entity;\ngenerate a liveness evaluation of the entity and validate submission of the passive and active authentication information, wherein the liveness evaluation includes authentication information that validates capture of the passive and active authentication information by a live entity, wherein generation of the liveness evaluation includes operations executed by the at least one processor to process the authentication information that validates the capture of the passive and active authentication information using a plurality of neural networks including at least a first neural network configured to process passive authentication information and a second neural network configured to process active authentication information;\ndetermine a probability in response to the first and second neural networks processing the passive and active authentication information, that the passive authentication information and the active authentication information are actually obtained from the entity meets a threshold for validation;\nreceive a request from the entity to execute an access-controlled function; and\ngrant the request from the entity responsive to a determination that an identity probability satisfies a first identity probability threshold associated with the access-controlled function based on, at least in part, the active and passive authentication information and the liveness evaluation.","13. The system of claim 12, wherein the passive authentication information includes behavior authentication information.","14. The system of claim 12, wherein receiving the behavior authentication information is performed without prompting the entity to provide the behavior authentication information.","15. The system of claim 12, wherein the first neural network configured to process passive authentication information and the second neural network configured to process active authentication information are configured as a consolidated neural network.","16. The system of claim 12, wherein the at least one processor is configured to store an entity profile including an encrypted biometric value corresponding to the entity, the encrypted biometric value being encrypted by a first encryption algorithm.","17. The system of claim 16, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:\nencrypt at least one biometric input using the first encryption algorithm to generate at least one encrypted biometric input; and\ncompare the at least one encrypted biometric input to the encrypted biometric value.","18. The system of claim 12, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:\nreceive a second request from the entity to execute a second access-controlled function;\nprompt the entity to provide at least one biometric input responsive to determining that the identity probability does not satisfy a second identity probability threshold associated with the second access-controlled function;\nreceive the at least one biometric input from the entity;\ncompare the at least one biometric input to a entity profile;\ncalculate a second entity identity probability based on the comparison of the at least one biometric input to the entity profile;\nadjust the identity probability based on the second entity identity probability; and\ngrant the second request from the entity responsive to a determination that the identity probability satisfies the second identity probability threshold.","19. The system of claim 18, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:\nreceive a third request from the entity to execute a third access-controlled function;\ndetermine that the identity probability does not satisfy a third identity probability threshold associated with the third access-controlled function;\nreceive a liveness indicator from the entity;\ncalculate a third entity identity probability based on the liveness indicator;\nadjust the identity probability based on the third entity identity probability; and\ngrant the third request from the entity responsive to determining that the identity probability satisfies the third identity probability threshold.","20. The system of claim 19 wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: determine a probability that the entity is a live human entity based on, at least in part, generation of the liveness evaluation.","21. The system of claim 20, wherein generation of the liveness evaluation includes at least evaluation of one of an audio recording of the entity speaking a phrase generated by the at least one processor or a video of the entity performing a gesture generated by the at least one processor.","22. The system of claim 20, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: receive passively one or more signals indicative of one or more vital signs of the entity."],["1. A method for authenticating a client to multiple domains of an enterprise computing environment, each of the multiple domains comprising a standalone authentication system, the method comprising:\ninitiating a login session with a first standalone authentication system of a primary domain of the multiple domains, the primary domain comprising a first set of applications and a first directory, wherein access to the first set of applications is limited to users with existing accounts defined in the first directory;\ntransmitting a first set of credentials from the client to the first standalone authentication system;\nvalidating the client by the first standalone authentication system based upon the first set of credentials;\nstoring, on the client, a token received from the first standalone authentication system;\ntransmitting, during the login session, the token and a second set of login credentials different than the first set of credentials to a secondary domain of the multiple domains subsequent to the transmitting of the first set of credentials to the first standalone authentication system, the secondary domain comprising a second set of applications and a second directory, wherein access to the second set of applications is limited to a subset of the users with existing accounts, wherein the subset is defined in the second directory, wherein the second set of login credentials is transmitted outside of the token and exists on the client prior to the client transmitting the first set of credentials to the first standalone authentication system; and\nvalidating the client by a second standalone authentication system of the secondary domain based upon the transmitted token and the second set of login credentials.","2. The method of claim 1, wherein the token and the second set of login credentials are transmitted in separate transmissions.","3. The method of claim 1, wherein the token includes an account identifier associated with a user account on the primary domain and the secondary domain of the multiple domains.","4. The method of claim 1, wherein the second set of login credentials is a digital certificate.","5. The method of claim 4, wherein the digital certificate is stored on the client.","6. The method of claim 4, wherein the digital certificate is stored on an external hardware device readable by the client.","7. The method of claim 4, wherein the digital certificate is associated with a complementary client application of the second standalone authentication system of the secondary domain.","8. The method of claim 4, wherein the digital certificate is associated with a client application independent of the second standalone authentication system of the secondary domain.","9. The method of claim 1, further comprising: transmitting the second set of login credentials from the client to the first standalone authentication system of the primary domain; wherein validating the client to the primary domain is further based upon the second set of login credentials.","10. A method for authenticating a client to multiple domains of an enterprise computing environment, each of the multiple domains comprising a standalone authentication system, comprising:\nreceiving, during a login session, a first set of credentials from the client to a first standalone authentication system of a primary domain of the multiple domains, the primary domain comprising a first set of applications and a first directory, wherein access to the first set of applications is limited to users with existing accounts defined in the first directory;\nvalidating the client to the primary domain based upon the first set of credentials;\ntransmitting to the client a token in response to a successful validation of the first set of credentials;\nreceiving on a secondary domain of the multiple domains, during the login session, the token and a second set of login credentials different from the first set of credentials subsequent to the receiving of the first set of credentials by the first standalone authentication system, the secondary domain comprising a second set of applications and a second directory, wherein access to the second set of applications is limited to a subset of the users with existing accounts, wherein the subset is defined in the second directory, wherein the second set of login credentials is transmitted outside of the token and exists on the client prior to the client transmitting the first set of credentials to the first standalone authentication system; and\nvalidating the client by a second standalone authentication system of the secondary domain based upon the received token and the second set of login credentials.","11. The method of claim 10, wherein the token and the second set of login credentials are received by the secondary domain through separate transmissions.","12. The method of claim 10, wherein the token includes an account identifier associated with a user account on the primary domain and the secondary domain of the multiple domains.","13. The method of claim 10, wherein the second set of login credentials is a digital certificate.","14. The method of claim 13, wherein the digital certificate is stored on the client.","15. The method of claim 13, wherein the digital certificate is stored on an external hardware device readable by the client.","16. The method of claim 13, wherein the digital certificate is associated with a complementary client application of the second standalone authentication system of the secondary domain.","17. The method of claim 13, wherein the digital certificate is associated with a client application independent of the second standalone authentication system of the secondary domain.","18. The method of claim 10, further comprising: receiving the second set of login credentials on the primary domain; wherein: validating the client to the primary domain is further based upon the second set of login credentials; and transmitting the token is in response to a successful validation of the second set of login credentials.","19. An article of manufacture comprising a non-transitory program storage medium readable by a computer, the non-transitory program storage medium tangibly embodying one or more programs of instructions executable by the computer to perform a method for authenticating a client to multiple domains of an enterprise computing environment, each of the multiple domains comprising a standalone authentication system, the method comprising:\nreceiving, during a login session, a first set of credentials from the client to a first standalone authentication system of a primary domain of the multiple domains, the primary domain comprising a first set of applications and a first directory, wherein access to the first set of applications is limited to users with existing accounts defined in the first directory;\nvalidating the client to the primary domain based upon the first set of credentials;\ntransmitting to the client a token in response to a successful validation of the first set of credentials;\nreceiving on a secondary domain of the multiple domains, during the login session, the token and a second set of login credentials different from the first set of credentials subsequent to the receiving of the first set of credentials by the first standalone authentication system, the secondary domain comprising a second set of applications and a second directory, wherein access to the second set of applications is limited to a subset of the users with existing accounts, wherein the subset is defined in the second directory, wherein the second set of login credentials is transmitted outside of the token and exists on the client prior to the client transmitting the first set of credentials to the first standalone authentication system; and\nvalidating the client by a second standalone authentication system of the secondary domain based upon the received token and the second set of login credentials.","20. The article of manufacture of claim 19, wherein the token and the second set of login credentials are received by the secondary domain through separate transmissions."],["1. A method comprising:\nintercepting a message in a network environment of a vehicle, the message being sent from a source to a receiver;\nevaluating one or more predefined policies to determine whether the source is permitted to communicate with the receiver, the one or more predefined policies including security rules for network communications with a plurality of subsystems in the network environment, wherein evaluating the one or more predefined policies includes:\nevaluating a security rule related to the network communications between a first bus system of the source from among the plurality of subsystems and a second bus system of the receiver from among the plurality of subsystems, and\nevaluating a source address of the source and a destination address of the receiver and different buses that are communicating for transmitting the message; and\nblocking the message if the source is not permitted to communicate with the receiver.","2. The method of claim 1, wherein the source is not permitted to communicate with the receiver if the one or more predefined policies indicate that a first interface associated with the source is not permitted to communicate with a second interface associated with the receiver.","3. The method of claim 1, wherein the source is not permitted to communicate with the receiver if the one or more predefined policies indicate that a first network address associated with the source is not permitted to communicate with a second network address associated with the receiver.","4. The method of claim 1, wherein the source is not permitted to communicate with the receiver if the one or more predefined policies indicate that a first application process associated with the source is not permitted to communicate with a second application process associated with the receiver.","5. The method of claim 1, wherein the source is not permitted to communicate with the receiver if the one or more predefined policies indicate that an application process associated with the source is not permitted to communicate with a network address associated with the receiver.","6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nlogging an event representing the message.","7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nestablishing a network connection from an on-board unit (OBU) of the vehicle to a remote node;\nauthenticating the OBU to the remote node; and\ndownloading updated policies to the OBU from the remote node, the updated policies including updated security rules for the network communications with the plurality of subsystems; and\nupdating the predefined one or more policies with the updated policies.","8. The method of claim 1, wherein the source is a first machine device on a first subsystem in the network environment of the vehicle, wherein the receiver is a second machine device on a second subsystem in the network environment of the vehicle.","9. The method of claim 1, wherein the source is a machine device on a first subsystem in the network environment of the vehicle, wherein the receiver is a network interface of an on-board unit (OBU) of the vehicle.","10. The method of claim 1, wherein the source is an application process on an on-board unit (OBU) of the vehicle, wherein the receiver is a machine device on a first subsystem in the network environment of the vehicle.","11. The method of claim 1, wherein intercepting the message, evaluating the one or more predefined policies, and blocking the message are performed by one or more hardware elements of the plurality of subsystems.","12. The method of claim 1, wherein the predefined policies include the security rules for a specific subset of vehicles manufactured by a vehicle manufacturer.","13. The method of claim 1, wherein evaluating the one or more predefined policies includes:\nevaluating a type of the message to be communicated between the first bus system and the second bus system.","14. An apparatus, comprising:\na communication interface that enables network communications; a processor; and\na memory storing data and instructions executable by the processor, wherein the processor is configured to execute the instructions to:\nintercept a message in a network environment of a vehicle, the message being sent from a source to a receiver;\nevaluate one or more predefined policies to determine whether the source is permitted to communicate with the receiver, the one or more predefined policies including security rules for the network communications with a plurality of subsystems in the network environment, wherein the processor is configured to evaluate the one or more predefined policies by:\nevaluating a security rule related to the network communications between a first bus system of the source from among the plurality of subsystems and a second bus system of the receiver from among the plurality of subsystems, and\nevaluating a source address of the source and a destination address of the receiver and different buses that are communicating for transmitting the message; and\nblock the message if the source is not permitted to communicate with the receiver.","15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the source is not permitted to communicate with the receiver if the one or more predefined policies indicate that a first interface associated with the source is not permitted to communicate with a second interface associated with the receiver.","16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the source is not permitted to communicate with the receiver if the one or more predefined policies indicate that a first network address associated with the source is not permitted to communicate with a second network address associated with the receiver.","17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the source is not permitted to communicate with the receiver if the one or more predefined policies indicate that a first application process associated with the source is not permitted to communicate with a second application process associated with the receiver.","18. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium encoded with software comprising computer executable instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to:\nintercept a message in a network environment of a vehicle, the message being sent from a source to a receiver;\nevaluate one or more predefined policies to determine whether the source is permitted to communicate with the receiver, the one or more predefined policies including security rules for network communications with a plurality of subsystems in the network environment, wherein the instructions cause the processor to evaluate the one or more predefined policies by:\nevaluating a security rule related to the network communications between a first bus system of the source from among the plurality of subsystems and a second bus system of the receiver from among the plurality of subsystems, and\nevaluating a source address of the source and a destination address of the receiver and different buses that are communicating for transmitting the message; and\nblock the message if the source is not permitted to communicate with the receiver.","19. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 18, wherein the instructions cause the processor to perform an additional operation including:\nstoring the security rules in a firewall policy database, wherein at least one of the security rules is preprogrammed by a manufacturer of the vehicle and the security rules include a local interconnect network (LIN) specific rule.","20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 18, wherein the instructions cause the processor to evaluate the one or more predefined policies by:\nevaluating whether communication is permitted between a first application process associated with the source and a second application process associated with the receiver."],["1. A method for processing a request to access a target server over a network from a user operating a client computer, the method comprising:\nreceiving, at an authentication server, a request to access the target server from the user operating the client computer, wherein the target server is separate from the authentication server and wherein the target server is accessible to the user executing a web browser on the client computer;\ncausing, by the authentication server, user input fields to be displayed on the client computer to prompt the user for entry of user credentials through the web browser;\nissuing, by the authentication server, a challenge to an authorizing client device requiring validation of an identity of the user in response to the request to access the target server;\nsending, from the authentication server, a command to the authorizing client device to prompt the user to input a response to the challenge into the authorizing client device;\nreceiving, at the authentication server, verification from the authorizing client device that the response to the challenge is valid;\nevaluating, by the authentication server, at least one item of context information related to the client computer being operated by the user, the at least one item of context information including at least one of a location of the client computer, characteristics of a network to which the client computer is connected, security risk data associated with an application operating on the target server for which the user requests access, an identification of accounts common to both the client computer and the authorizing client device, and an identification of usage anomalies, wherein the at least one item of context information is provided by the client computer to the authentication server separate from the request to access the network resource and separate from the user credentials;\ndetermining, at the authentication server, a disposition of the request to access the target server based on the verification from the authorizing client device and the evaluation of the at least one item of context information; and\nreleasing, by the authentication server, user credentials to a client desktop extension on the client computer when the determined disposition is to grant access, the released user credentials being used by the client computer to obtain access to the target server.","2. The method of claim 1 wherein the disposition of the request to access the target server includes one of granting the request by the user to access the target server or denying the request by the user to access the target server, and the method further comprising transmitting, by the server, the disposition information in a message to the authorizing client device to cause the authorizing client device to display the disposition.","3. The method of claim 1 wherein the target server provides access to a network resource from the group consisting of: a web site, a service provided by the target server, a hardware device coupled to the network, access to physical facilities controlled by the target server, an executable application, and a product sold by an operator of the target server.","4. The method of claim 1 wherein the authorizing client device comprises a mobile communications device coupled to the client computer over a network link, wherein the network link is at least one of: cellular link, Bluetooth link, WIFI link, and near field communication link.","5. The method of claim 4 further comprising causing, by the authentication server, a display of a device selection field on the client computer to allow the user to select a specific type and model of mobile communications device from a selection of mobile communications devices.","6. The method of claim 1 wherein the response to the challenge is a universal password.","7. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one item of context information is the location of the client computer.","8. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one item of context information is the characteristics of a network to which the client computer is connected.","9. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one item of context information is the security risk data associated with the network resource to which the user requests access.","10. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one item of context information is the identification of common accounts.","11. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one item of context information is the identification of usage anomalies.","12. A non-transitory computer-readable medium encoded with a plurality of instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform a method comprising:\nreceiving, at an authentication server, a request to access a target server from the user operating a client computer, wherein the target server is separate from the authentication server and wherein the target server is accessible to the user executing a web browser on the client computer;\ncausing, by the authentication server, user input fields to be displayed on the client computer to prompt the user for entry of user credentials through the web browser;\nissuing, by the authentication server, a challenge to an authorizing client device requiring validation of an identity of the user in response to the request to access the target server;\nsending, from the authentication server, a command to the authorizing client device to prompt the user to input a response to the challenge into the authorizing client device;\nreceiving, at the authentication server, verification from the authorizing client device that the response to the challenge is valid;\nevaluating, by the authentication server, at least one item of context information related to the client computer being operated by the user, the at least one item of context information including at least one of a location of the client computer, characteristics of a network to which the client computer is connected, security risk data associated with an application operating on the target server for which the user requests access, an identification of accounts common to both the client computer and the authorizing client device, and an identification of usage anomalies, wherein the at least one item of context information is provided by the client computer to the authentication server separate from the request to access the network resource and separate from the user credentials;\ndetermining, at the authentication server, a disposition of the request to access the target server based on the verification from the authorizing client device and the evaluation of the at least one item of context information; and\nreleasing, by the authentication server, user credentials to a client desktop extension on the client computer when the determined disposition is to grant access, the released user credentials being used by the client computer to obtain access to the target server.","13. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12 wherein the disposition of the request to access the target server includes one of granting the request by the user to access the target server or denying the request by the user to access the target server, and the non-transitory computer-readable medium further comprising instructions to cause the processor to perform a method comprising transmitting, by the server, the disposition information in a message to the authorizing client device to cause the authorizing client device to display the disposition.","14. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12 wherein the target server provides access to a network resource from the group consisting of: a web site, a service provided by the target server, a hardware device coupled to the network, access to physical facilities controlled by the target server, an executable application, and a product sold by an operator of the target server.","15. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12 wherein the authorizing client device comprises a mobile communications device coupled to the client computer over a network link, wherein the network link is at least one of: cellular link, Bluetooth link, WIFI link, and near field communication link.","16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15 further comprising instructions to cause the processor to perform a method comprising causing, by the authentication server, a display of a device selection field on the client computer to allow the user to select a specific type and model of mobile communications device from a selection of mobile communications devices.","17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12 wherein the response to the challenge is a universal password.","18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12 wherein the at least one item of context information is the location of the client computer.","19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12 wherein the at least one item of context information is the characteristics of a network to which the client computer is connected.","20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12 wherein the at least one item of context information is the security risk data associated with the network resource to which the user requests access.","21. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12 wherein the at least one item of context information is the identification of common accounts.","22. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12 wherein the at least one item of context information is the identification of usage anomalies."],["1. An electronic device, comprising:\na display;\na biometric sensor;\none or more processors; and\nmemory storing one or more programs configured to be executed by the one or more processors, the one or more programs including instructions for:\ndetecting a request to display a set of credentials, wherein the set of credentials includes a first credential and a second credential;\nin response to detecting the request to display the set of credentials:\ncollecting, via the biometric sensor, a first set of biometric information; and\nafter collecting the first set of biometric information and in accordance with a determination that the first set of biometric information is associated with a user who is authorized to use the set of credentials, concurrently displaying, via the display:\na redacted version of the first credential; and\na redacted version of the second credential;\nwhile concurrently displaying the redacted version of the first credential and the redacted version of the second credential, detecting a request to display a non-redacted version of the set of credentials; and\nin response to detecting the request to display the non-redacted version of the set of credentials, concurrently displaying, via the display:\na non-redacted version of the first credential; and\na non-redacted version of the second credential.","2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the set of credentials includes credentials that correspond to a plurality of different accounts of a user of the electronic device.","3. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the set of credentials includes passwords for a plurality of different accounts of a user of the electronic device.","4. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the set of credentials includes payment authorization information for a plurality of different payment accounts of a user of the electronic device.","5. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the set of credentials includes one or more of: a user ID, a password, a credit card number, a bank account number, an address, a telephone number, and a shopping credential.","6. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein:\nthe redacted version of the first credential includes an indication of a length of the first credential;\nthe redacted version of the second credential includes an indication of a length of the second credential;\nthe non-redacted version of the first credential includes a human readable version of the first credential; and\nthe non-redacted version of the second credential includes a human readable version of the second credential.","7. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein:\nthe redacted version of the first credential includes a non-redacted portion of the first credential;\nthe redacted version of the second credential includes a non-redacted portion of the second credential;\nthe non-redacted version of the first credential includes a human readable version of an entirety of the first credential; and\nthe non-redacted version of the second credential includes a human readable version of an entirety of the second credential.","8. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the determination that the first set of biometric information is associated with the user who is authorized to use the set of credentials includes a determination that the first set of biometric information matches at least one of a set of one or more enrolled sets of biometric information.","9. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing one or more programs configured to be executed by one or more processors of an electronic device with a display and a biometric sensor, the one or more programs comprising instructions for:\ndetecting a request to display a set of credentials, wherein the set of credentials includes a first credential and a second credential;\nin response to detecting the request to display the set of credentials:\ncollecting, via the biometric sensor, a first set of biometric information; and\nafter collecting the first set of biometric information and in accordance with a determination that the first set of biometric information is associated with a user who is authorized to use the set of credentials, concurrently displaying, via the display:\na redacted version of the first credential; and\na redacted version of the second credential;\nwhile concurrently displaying the redacted version of the first credential and the redacted version of the second credential, detecting a request to display a non-redacted version of the set of credentials; and\nin response to detecting the request to display the non-redacted version of the set of one of more credentials, concurrently displaying, via the display:\na non-redacted version of the first credential; and\na non-redacted version of the second credential.","10. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein the set of credentials includes credentials that correspond to a plurality of different accounts of a user of the electronic device.","11. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein the set of credentials includes passwords for a plurality of different accounts of a user of the electronic device.","12. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein the set of credentials includes payment authorization information for a plurality of different payment accounts of a user of the electronic device.","13. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein the set of credentials includes one or more of: a user ID, a password, a credit card number, a bank account number, an address, a telephone number, and a shopping credential.","14. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein:\nthe redacted version of the first credential includes an indication of a length of the first credential;\nthe redacted version of the second credential includes an indication of a length of the second credential;\nthe non-redacted version of the first credential includes a human readable version of the first credential; and\nthe non-redacted version of the second credential includes a human readable version of the second credential.","15. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein:\nthe redacted version of the first credential includes a non-redacted portion of the first credential;\nthe redacted version of the second credential includes a non-redacted portion of the second credential;\nthe non-redacted version of the first credential includes a human readable version of an entirety of the first credential; and\nthe non-redacted version of the second credential includes a human readable version of an entirety of the second credential.","16. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein the determination that the first set of biometric information is associated with the user who is authorized to use the set of credentials includes a determination that the first set of biometric information matches at least one of a set of one or more enrolled sets of biometric information.","17. A method, comprising:\nat an electronic device with one or more processors, memory, a display, and a biometric sensor:\ndetecting a request to display a set of credentials, wherein the set of credentials includes a first credential and a second credential;\nin response to detecting the request to display the set of credentials:\ncollecting, via the biometric sensor, a first set of biometric information; and\nafter collecting the first set of biometric information and in accordance with a determination that the first set of biometric information is associated with a user who is authorized to use the set of credentials, concurrently displaying, via the display:\na redacted version of the first credential; and\na redacted version of the second credential;\nwhile concurrently displaying the redacted version of the first credential and the redacted version of the second credential, detecting a request to display a non-redacted version of the set of credentials; and\nin response to detecting the request to display the non-redacted version of the set of credentials, concurrently displaying, via the display:\na non-redacted version of the first credential; and\na non-redacted version of the second credential.","18. The method of claim 17, wherein the set of credentials includes credentials that correspond to a plurality of different accounts of a user of the electronic device.","19. The method of claim 17, wherein the set of credentials includes passwords for a plurality of different accounts of a user of the electronic device.","20. The method of claim 17, wherein the set of credentials includes payment authorization information for a plurality of different payment accounts of a user of the electronic device.","21. The method of claim 17, wherein the set of credentials includes one or more of: a user ID, a password, a credit card number, a bank account number, an address, a telephone number, and a shopping credential.","22. The method of claim 17, wherein:\nthe redacted version of the first credential includes an indication of a length of the first credential;\nthe redacted version of the second credential includes an indication of a length of the second credential;\nthe non-redacted version of the first credential includes a human readable version of the first credential; and\nthe non-redacted version of the second credential includes a human readable version of the second credential.","23. The method of claim 17, wherein:\nthe redacted version of the first credential includes a non-redacted portion of the first credential;\nthe redacted version of the second credential includes a non-redacted portion of the second credential;\nthe non-redacted version of the first credential includes a human readable version of an entirety of the first credential; and\nthe non-redacted version of the second credential includes a human readable version of an entirety of the second credential.","24. The method of claim 17, wherein the determination that the first set of biometric information is associated with the user who is authorized to use the set of credentials includes a determination that the first set of biometric information matches at least one of a set of one or more enrolled sets of biometric information."],["1. A method for identifying a strength of an input picture password formed by performing a sequence of gestures relative to a picture, the method comprising:\nstoring, in a memory device, a crowdsource history of picture passwords, each of the picture passwords including a picture and a sequence of gestures on the picture;\ngenerating, by a processor-based demography-based pattern usage assessment generator, a demography-based pattern usage assessment to develop demography-based rules determined from the crowd source history as well as user cultural and language backgrounds encompassing distinct gestures so that each gesture of each sequence of gestures is compared to commonly used hand movement and demography-based patterns derived from the user cultural and language backgrounds to determine a strength of each gesture; and\nproviding an indication of the strength of the input picture password based on the strength of each gesture within the input picture password.","2. The method of claim 1, further comprising preventing usage of the input picture password, responsive to the strength of the picture password being indicated as below a predetermined threshold.","3. The method of claim 2, further comprising accepting the picture password for actual use by the user responsive to the strength of the picture password being indicated as being equal to or above a predetermined threshold, and providing a user physical access to a locked application or facility responsive to the user providing the accepted picture password.","4. The method of claim 2, further comprising requiring a user to provide a new picture password that includes at least one different gesture, responsive to the strength of the picture password being indicated as below the predetermined threshold.","5. The method of claim 1, wherein the strength of the input picture password is indicated using a measure selected from weak, medium, and strong.","6. The method of claim 1, wherein the demography-based pattern usage assessment is determined from a demography that includes at least one of a language style, an age group, a country, an experience level, a gender, and a culture.","7. The method of claim 1, wherein the demography-based pattern usage assessment is determined from a pattern usage that includes an image main point of interest reference, a contour, a common pattern, a predictable pattern, a circular pattern, and a direction.","8. The method of claim 1, further comprising updating the demography-based pattern usage assessment based on changes to the crowdsource history.","9. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating a set of rules for judging password strength based on at least one of the crowdsource history and the demography-based pattern usage assessment.","10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:\nupdating the crowdsource history to obtain updated crowdsource history, and\nupdating the set of rules based at least one of the updated crowdsource history and the demography-based pattern usage assessment.","11. The method of claim 9, wherein the set of rules are generated further based on user inputs to applications that involve users making one or more gestures.","12. The method of claim 1, wherein said providing step comprises evaluating the input picture password using at least one of a two-dimensional grid and a three-dimensional grid.","13. The method of claim 1, wherein the input picture is evaluated with respect to a set of commonly used patterns, wherein a pattern status of commonly used is determined based on the demography-based pattern usage assessment.","14. The method of claim 1, wherein the input picture is evaluated with respect to a set of too easily predicted patterns, wherein a pattern status of too easily predicted is determined based on the demography-based pattern usage assessment.","15. The method of claim 1, wherein the crowdsource history of picture passwords is formed by tracking a plurality of picture passwords used to authenticate a plurality of users.","16. The method of claim 1, wherein each user of the plurality of users has a respective user profile comprising a country, language, cultural profile, gender, or any combination thereof.","17. The method of claim 1, wherein the indication of the strength of the input picture password is provided by a user perceptible indication device in accordance with the demography based pattern usage assessment.","18. A method for identifying a strength of an input picture password formed by performing a sequence of gestures relative to a picture, the method comprising:\nstoring, in a memory device, a crowdsource history of picture passwords, each of the picture passwords including a picture and a sequence of gestures on the picture; and\ngenerating, by a processor-based demography-based pattern usage assessment generator, a demography-based pattern usage assessment to develop demography-based rules determined from the crowd source history as well as user cultural and language backgrounds encompassing distinct gestures so that each gesture of each sequence of gestures is compared to commonly used hand movement and demography-based patterns derived from the user cultural and language backgrounds to determine a strength of each gesture to provide an indication of the strength of the input picture password based on the assessment."],["1. A method of event handling in a cloud based multi-tenant identity management system, the method comprising:\nreceiving a plurality of individual events and a request to create a group from the individual events, each of the events one of a create, read, update or delete event, and each of the individual events comprising a published message having a corresponding message topic that is received by one or more subscribers that subscribe to the corresponding message topic;\npublishing the group as a composite event, the composite event comprising the plurality of individual events and forming a composite event message having a composite event message topic;\npersisting the composite event in a composite queue;\ndispatching the composite event to a composite handler comprising sending the composite event to a messaging service that comprises the composite handler, wherein the composite handler is registered for listening for composite events by subscribing to the composite event message topic, wherein the messaging service further comprises one or more individual event handlers;\nparsing the composite event by the composite handler and persisting the individual events in respective event queues; and\ndispatching the individual events to the one or more individual event handlers of the messaging service, each individual event handler subscribing to one of the corresponding message topics.","2. The method of claim 1, wherein each published message comprises a topic and event-id combination, further comprising dispatching the individual events to respective individual event handlers of the messaging service that are listening for individual events by subscribing to the topic and event-id combination.","3. The method of claim 2, wherein a respective individual event handler is an audit handler and the individual events are written to an audit log.","4. The method of claim 2, wherein a respective individual event handler is a notify handler and the individual events are turned into custom email notifications.","5. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the published messages and the composite event message comprise a Java Message Service (JMS) message.","6. The method of claim 1, wherein the group comprises members, and each of the individual events corresponds to a member.","7. The method of claim 1, wherein the create the group is implemented by an administration microservice, and the messaging service is implemented by a messaging microservice.","8. A non-transitory computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the processors to provide event handling in a cloud based multi-tenant identity management system, the providing comprising:\nreceiving a plurality of individual events and a request to create a group from the individual events, each of the events one of a create, read, update or delete event, and each of the individual events comprising a published message having a corresponding message topic that is received by one or more subscribers that subscribe to the corresponding message topic;\npublishing the group as a composite event, the composite event comprising the plurality of individual events and forming a composite event message having a composite event message topic;\npersisting the composite event in a composite queue;\ndispatching the composite event to a composite handler comprising sending the composite event to a messaging service that comprises the composite handler, wherein the composite handler is registered for listening for composite events by subscribing to the composite event message topic, wherein the messaging service further comprises one or more individual event handlers;\nparsing the composite event by the composite handler and persisting the individual events in respective event queues; and\ndispatching the individual events to the one or more individual event handlers of the messaging service, each individual event handler subscribing to one of the corresponding message topics.","9. The computer readable medium of claim 8, wherein each published message comprises a topic and event-id combination, the providing further comprising dispatching the individual events to respective individual event handlers of the messaging service that are listening for individual events by subscribing to the topic and event-id combination.","10. The computer readable medium of claim 9, wherein a respective individual event handler is an audit handler and the individual events are written to an audit log.","11. The computer readable medium of claim 9, wherein a respective individual event handler is a notify handler and the individual events are turned into custom email notifications.","12. The computer readable medium of claim 8, wherein each of the published messages and the composite event message comprise a Java Message Service (JMS) message.","13. The computer readable medium of claim 8, wherein the group comprises members, and each of the individual events corresponds to a member.","14. The computer readable medium of claim 8, wherein the create the group is implemented by an administration microservice, and the messaging service is implemented by a messaging microservice.","15. A system for providing cloud based identity and access management, comprising:\na plurality of tenants;\na plurality of microservices; and\none or more processors that:\nreceive a plurality of individual events and a request to create a group from the individual events, each of the events one of a create, read, update or delete event, and each of the individual events comprising a published message having a corresponding message topic that is received by one or more subscribers that subscribe to the corresponding message topic;\npublish the group as a composite event, the composite event comprising the plurality of individual events and forming a composite event message having a composite event message topic;\npersist the composite event in a composite queue;\ndispatch the composite event to a composite handler comprising sending the composite event to a messaging service that comprises the composite handler, wherein the composite handler is registered for listening for composite events by subscribing to the composite event message topic, wherein the messaging service further comprises one or more individual event handlers;\nparse the composite event by the composite handler and persisting the individual events in respective event queues; and\ndispatch the individual events to the one or more individual event handlers of the messaging service, each individual event handler subscribing to one of the corresponding message topics.","16. The system of claim 15, wherein each published message comprises a topic and event-id combination, further comprising dispatching the individual events to respective individual event handlers of the messaging service that are listening for individual events by subscribing to the topic and event-id combination.","17. The system of claim 16, wherein a respective individual event handler is an audit handler and the individual events are written to an audit log.","18. The system of claim 16, wherein a respective individual event handler is a notify handler and the individual events are turned into custom email notifications.","19. The system of claim 15, wherein each of the published messages and the composite event message comprise a Java Message Service (JMS) message.","20. The system of claim 15, wherein the group comprises members, and each of the individual events corresponds to a member."],["1. A secure identity device arrangement, such secure identity device arrangement enabling reliable secure human identification, the secure identity device arrangement comprising:\nsecurity hardened identity device arrangement packaging;\na sensor set arrangement including at least one sensor, for acquiring biometric identification information, configured to detect electromagnetic radiation and/or sound, the sensor set arrangement configured for at least in part establishing, and subsequently authenticating, a human subject's biometric identification information;\na biometric identification liveness testing arrangement including at least one processor and associated memory and configured to perform biometric identification physical presence liveness testing involving time stamped, correlated emitter and sensor information, such testing involving identification of (1) timing discontinuity, (2) timing overhead delay, and/or (3) other sensed signal inconsistencies with emitted signal information,\nwherein the biometric identification liveness testing arrangement comprises: (a) an emitter arrangement including an emitter and configured to provide electromagnetic radiation and/or sound, (b) such emitter arrangement's emission control arrangement including at least one processor and associated memory, where such emission control arrangement controls such emitter arrangement's provision of electromagnetic radiation and/or sound to produce at least in part unpredictable emitter output for painting at least a portion of such human subject, (c) a sensor set arrangement, for acquiring information for timing analysis, configured at least in part for receiving information corresponding to such emitter radiation, and (d) a secure clock arrangement including a trusted clock and configured for time stamping emitter emission timing information and/or sensor receiving timing information;\nat least one cryptographic arrangement including at least one processor and associated memory and including a protected repository, located within such security hardened identity device arrangement packaging, at least in part configured for enabling secure communication with a remote administrative and/or cloud service identity arrangement including a server, such secure communication enabling the performance of secure human identification information verification similarity matching using such human subject's registered and securely maintained identification information;\na processing device arrangement located within such security hardened identity device arrangement packaging, comprising a secure operatively isolated processor, at least in part configured for processing such human subject's biometric identification information,\nwherein such processing device arrangement is contained in a parent computing device arrangement including at least one processor and associated memory, such processing device arrangement configured to:\noperate one or more authenticated and authorized load modules configured for performing identity operations using one or more protected processing environments to enable trusted identity operations, at least one of any such protected processing environments isolated from external processes, and\nisolate operating resource sets from corruption, misdirection, subversion, observation, and/or other forms of interference using external resource sets; and at least one memory component configured for securely storing at least a portion of such human subject's biometric identification information.","2. The secure identity device arrangement of claim 1, wherein such time stamping of emitter emission timing information and/or sensor receiving timing information enables cross-correlating emitter output and sensor input signals according to such clock arrangement's secure time stamping.","3. The secure identity device arrangement of claim 1, wherein such parent computing device arrangement is configured to hibernate during one or more of the trusted identity operations of such contained processing device arrangement, such hibernation providing protection against interference with such identity device arrangement's operations.","4. The secure identity device arrangement of claim 1, wherein such human subject's biometric identification information is at least in part derived from 2D image-acquisition-over-time pattern information, and\nwherein such 2D image-acquisition-over-time information is used to test for 3D physical presence liveness of such human subject by calculating such human subject's corresponding 3D image pattern set using such 2D image pattern set information.","5. The identity device arrangement of claim 1, wherein such security hardened identity device arrangement packaging contains a plurality of protected processing environments that respectively isolate different trusted identity related operations.","6. The secure identity device arrangement of claim 1, wherein biometric identification and liveness information of the human subject, and at least a portion of such biometrically identified human subject's registered, securely associated attribute information, is stored within such security hardened identity device arrangement packaging, wherein at least a portion of such attribute information is employed in authorizing computing activities of such identified human subject.","7. The secure identity device arrangement of claim 1, wherein such processing device arrangement comprises a protected processing environment that enables extraction and correlation processing that includes human subject (a) feature extraction and/or (b) temporal pattern extraction.","8. The secure identity device arrangement of claim 1, wherein each of a plurality of component identity device arrangements contains such human subject's biometric identification information, wherein each of such plurality of component identity device arrangements includes at least one processor and associated memory and employs security hardened identity device arrangement packaging.","9. The secure identity device arrangement of claim 1, wherein a secure identity device arrangement processing arrangement instructs such emitter arrangement to provide in its output an encrypted emission challenge comprising tamper resistant challenge information used in authenticating the presence of a human biometrically identified subject.","10. The secure identity device arrangement of claim 9, wherein such challenge is at least in part generated by a pseudo random generator located within such processing device arrangement.","11. The secure identity device arrangement of claim 1, wherein such security hardened identity device arrangement's protected processing environment arrangement at least in part is enabled to securely perform plural registrations of a user's biometric identification with plural registration services.","12. The secure identity device arrangement of claim 1, wherein such parent computing device arrangement is a mobile computing device.","13. The secure identity device arrangement of claim 1, wherein at least one component arrangement including at least one processor and associated memory of such security hardened identity device arrangement packaging includes at least one of (a) a sensor arrangement, or (b) an emitter arrangement.","14. The secure identity device arrangement of claim 1, wherein such emission control arrangement operates at least in part in such remote administrative and/or cloud service identity arrangement.","15. The secure identity device arrangement of claim 1, wherein such portion of a human subject comprises at least one of a finger, an iris, a retina, vasculature, or a face.","16. The secure identity device arrangement of claim 1, wherein the biometric identification sensor set arrangement and the timing analysis information acquiring sensor set arrangement are the same sensor set arrangement.","17. A method for establishing reliable secure human identification, such method comprising:\nproviding, through use of a computing arrangement including at least one processor and associated memory, at least one of one or more standardized resources and specifications, wherein such providing enables operating a secure identity device arrangement for enabling reliable secure human identification, wherein such secure identity device arrangement comprises:\nsecurity hardened identity device arrangement packaging;\na sensor set arrangement including at least one sensor, for acquiring biometric identification information, configured to detect electromagnetic radiation and/or sound, the sensor set arrangement configured for at least in part establishing, and subsequently authenticating, a human subject's biometric identification information;\na biometric identification liveness testing arrangement including at least one processor and associated memory and configured to perform biometric identification physical presence liveness testing involving time stamped, correlated emitter and sensor information, such testing involving identification of (1) timing discontinuity, (2) timing overhead delay, and/or (3) other sensed signal inconsistencies with emitted signal information,\nwherein the biometric identification liveness testing arrangement comprises: (a) an emitter arrangement including an emitter and configured to provide electromagnetic radiation, and/or sound, (b) such emitter arrangement's emission control arrangement, including at least one processor and associated memory, where such emission control arrangement controls such emitter arrangement's provision of electromagnetic radiation and/or sound to produce at least in part unpredictable emitter output for painting at least a portion of such human subject, (c) a sensor set arrangement, for acquiring information for timing analysis, configured at least in part for receiving information corresponding to such emitter radiation, and (d) a secure clock arrangement including a trusted clock and configured for time stamping emitter emission timing information and/or sensor receiving timing information;\nat least one cryptographic arrangement including at least one processor and associated memory and including a protected repository, located within such security hardened identity device arrangement packaging, at least in part configured for enabling secure communication with a remote administrative and/or cloud service identity arrangement including a server, such secure communication enabling the performance of secure human identification information verification similarity matching using such human subject's registered and securely maintained identification information;\na processing device arrangement located within such security hardened identity device arrangement packaging, comprising a secure operatively isolated processor, at least in part configured for processing such human subject's biometric identification information,\nwherein such processing device arrangement is contained in a parent computing device arrangement including at least one processor and associated memory, such processing device arrangement configured to:\noperate one or more authenticated and authorized load modules configured for performing identity operations using one or more protected processing environments to enable trusted identity operations, at least one of any such protected processing environments isolated from external processes, and\nisolate operating resource sets from corruption, misdirection, subversion, observation, and/or other forms of interference using external resource sets; and\nat least one memory component configured for securely storing at least a portion of such human subject's biometric identification information.","18. The method of claim 17, wherein such providing enables such time stamping of emitter emission timing information and/or sensor receiving timing information enables cross-correlating emitter output and sensor input signals according to such clock arrangement's secure time stamping.","19. The method of claim 17, wherein such providing enables such parent computing device arrangement to be configured to hibernate during one or more of the trusted identity operations of such contained processing device arrangement, such hibernation providing protection against interference with such identity device arrangement's operations.","20. The method of claim 17, wherein such providing enables deriving such human subject's biometric identification information at least in part from 2D image-acquisition-over-time pattern set information, and\nwherein such 2D image-acquisition-over-time information is used to test for 3D physical presence liveness of such human subject by calculating such human subject's corresponding 3D image pattern set using such 2D image pattern set information.","21. The method of claim 17, wherein such providing enables including a plurality of protected processing environments that respectively isolate different trusted identity related operations.","22. The method of claim 17, wherein such providing enables storing biometric identification and liveness information of the human subject, and at least a portion of such biometrically identified human subject's registered, securely associated attribute information within such security hardened identity device arrangement packaging, wherein at least a portion of such attribute information is employed in authorizing computing activities of such identified human subject.","23. The method of claim 17, wherein such providing enables such processing device arrangement comprising a protected processing environment to enable extraction and correlation processing that includes human subject (a) feature extraction and/or (b) temporal pattern extraction.","24. The method of claim 17, wherein such providing enables a plurality of component identity device arrangements, the component identity device arrangements including at least one processor and associated memory, to respectively contain such human subject's biometric identification information, wherein each of such plurality of component identity device arrangements employs security hardened identity device arrangement packaging.","25. The method of claim 17, wherein such providing enables a secure identity device arrangement's processing arrangement to instruct such emitter arrangement to provide in its output an encrypted emission challenge comprising tamper resistant challenge information used in authenticating the presence of a human biometrically identified subject.","26. The method of claim 25, wherein such providing enables generating such challenge at least in part by a pseudo random generator located within such processing device arrangement.","27. The method of claim 17, wherein such providing enables such security hardened identity device arrangement's protected processing environment arrangement at least in part to securely perform plural registrations of a user's biometric identification with plural registration services.","28. The method of claim 17, wherein such providing enables such parent computing device arrangement to be a mobile computing device.","29. The method of claim 17, wherein such providing enables at least one component arrangement including at least one processor and associated memory of such security hardened identity device arrangement packaging to include at least one of (a) a sensor arrangement, or (b) an emitter arrangement.","30. The method of claim 17, wherein such providing enables such emission control arrangement to operate at least in part in such remote administrative and/or cloud service identity arrangement.","31. The method of claim 17, wherein such providing enables such portion of a human subject to comprise at least one of a finger, an iris, a retina, vasculature, or a face.","32. The method of claim 17, wherein such providing enables the biometric identification sensor set arrangement and the timing analysis information acquiring sensor set arrangement to be the same sensor set arrangement."],["1. A computer program product for operating a firewall to selectively forward network communications between a first network interface of the firewall operable to couple to an endpoint and a second network interface of the firewall operable to couple to a remote resource hosted at a server, the computer program product comprising computer executable code embodied in a non-transitory memory of the firewall that, when executing on the firewall, causes the firewall to perform the steps of:\nreceiving a request from the endpoint;\ndetermining an identity of an application that originated the request on the endpoint based on a packet carrying the request;\nquerying a security data recorder on the endpoint from the firewall to identify previous events associated with the application;\nreceiving one or more previous events associated with the application from the security data recorder;\ndetermining if a security state of the application that originated the request is an uncompromised state based on the one or more previous events associated with the application; and\nconditionally forwarding the request from the firewall to the server in response to the identity of the application being recognized and the security state of the application being the uncompromised state.","2. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein determining the security state of the application that originated the request includes determining the security state based on a secure heartbeat included in the packet.","3. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein determining the security state of the application includes traversing a causal chain of events on the endpoint to identify a root cause of the request.","4. A firewall configured to selectively forward network communications, the firewall comprising:\na processor configured to respond to a request from an endpoint to a remote resource for a service of the remote resource by performing the steps of:\ndetermining an identity of an application that originated the request on the endpoint;\nquerying a security data recorder on the endpoint from the firewall to identify previous events associated with the application;\nreceiving one or more previous events associated with the application from the security data recorder;\ndetermining if a security state of the application that originated the request is an uncompromised state based on the one or more previous events associated with the application; and\nconditionally forwarding the request to the remote resource in response to the identity of the application being recognized and the security state of the application being the uncompromised state.","5. The firewall of claim 4, wherein determining the identity of the application includes following a causal chain from a nominal originating application to identify a root cause of the request.","6. The firewall of claim 4, wherein the request includes an indicia of maliciousness based on an indication of compromise of the endpoint in a secure heartbeat included in the request.","7. The firewall of claim 4, wherein querying the security data recorder includes querying the security data recorder to identify a root cause of the request.","8. The firewall of claim 4, wherein the endpoint and the remote resource are peers coupled together through a peer-to-peer network.","9. The firewall of claim 4, wherein the request includes an indicia of maliciousness based on an attempt to access external resources in violation of a security policy.","10. The firewall of claim 4, wherein the request includes an indicia of maliciousness based on a use of corporate credentials in violation of a security policy.","11. The firewall of claim 4, wherein the request includes an indicia of maliciousness based on web traffic in violation of a security policy.","12. The firewall of claim 4, wherein the request includes an indicia of maliciousness based on an attempted communications through the firewall in violation of a security policy.","13. The firewall of claim 4, wherein determining the security state of the application includes querying the endpoint from the firewall for one or more indicia of compromise.","14. The firewall of claim 4, wherein determining the identity of the application includes querying the endpoint from the firewall for the identity.","15. The firewall of claim 4, wherein the processor is further configured to perform the steps of monitoring a pattern of traffic to the remote resource from a plurality of endpoints and automatically developing a rule for acceptable connections to the remote resource based on the pattern of traffic.","16. The firewall of claim 4, wherein determining the security state of the application includes querying the endpoint for at least one of credentials authenticating the application to the remote resource, credentials authenticating a user of the endpoint to the remote resource, or an encrypted heartbeat containing information about a state of the endpoint.","17. The firewall of claim 4, wherein the processor is further configured to transmit a notification to the endpoint when an indication of compromise is detected for the application.","18. The firewall of claim 4, wherein the firewall is coupled to at least one of the endpoint, the remote resource, and a threat management facility.","19. A method for operating a firewall to selectively forward network communications between a first network interface of the firewall operable to couple to an endpoint and a second network interface of the firewall operable to couple to a remote resource hosted at a server, the method comprising:\nreceiving, at the firewall, a request from the endpoint to the server;\ndetermining an identity of an application that originated the request on the endpoint based on a packet carrying the request;\nquerying a security data recorder on the endpoint from the firewall to identify previous events associated with the application;\nreceiving one or more previous events associated with the application from the security data recorder;\ndetermining if a security state of the application that originated the request is an uncompromised state based on the one or more previous events associated with the application; and\nconditionally forwarding the request to the server in response to the identity of the application being recognized and the security state of the application being the uncompromised state.","20. The method of claim 19, wherein querying the security data recorder includes querying the security data recorder to identify a root cause of the request."],["1. A method for supporting real-time telecommunication, the method comprising:\nproviding an information repository that stores a device identifier associated with a particular device of a social network user having a plan with an MNO (Mobile Network Operator), wherein the device identifier for the social network user is stored in the information repository in response to a registration process that authenticates the social network user;\nin response to receiving at least one message related to real-time telecommunication involving the social network user, querying the information repository and retrieving from the information repository the device identifier for the social network user; and\ncommunicating information to at least one gateway of the MNO, wherein the information includes the device identifier for the social network user retrieved from the information repository, wherein the device identifier for the social network user is used by the least one gateway of the MNO in carrying out the real-time telecommunication.","2. The method according to claim 1, wherein:\nthe device identifier represents an IP address associated with the particular device of the social network user.","3. The method according to claim 1, wherein:\nthe information communicated to the at least one gateway of the MNO includes additional information about the social network user, wherein the additional information is also used by the least one gateway of the MNO in carrying out the real-time telecommunication.","4. The method according to claim 3, wherein:\nthe additional information includes location information for the social network user, and the location information for the social network user is used by the MNO in billing the real-time communication.","5. The method according to claim 4, wherein:\nthe location information for the social network user is used to selectively authorize or reject the real-time communication.","6. The method according to claim 3, wherein:\nthe additional information includes information that identifies a social network application.","7. The method according to claim 1, wherein:\nthe information repository further stores user data corresponding to the social network user that is queried to selectively authorize or reject the real-time telecommunication, wherein the user data is selected from the group consisting of calling rules data, application-specific data, whitelist data and blacklist data associated with the social network user.","8. The method according to claim 1, wherein:\nthe at least one message related to real-time telecommunication involving the social network user is communicated to initiate the real-time telecommunication.","9. The method according to claim 1, wherein:\nthe social network user in an intended recipient of the real-time telecommunication.","10. The method according to claim 1, wherein:\nthe social network user is an initiator of the real-time telecommunication.","11. The method according to claim 1, wherein:\nthe real-time telecommunication is selected from the group consisting of a voice call, a multiparty voice conference, a video conference, file sharing between users, and media streaming between users.","12. The method according to claim 1, wherein:\nthe device identifier for the first social network user retrieved from the information repository is used by the at least one MNO gateway to ring or announce the real-time telecommunication on the device corresponding to the device identifier.","13. The method according to claim 1, wherein:\nthe device identifier for the first social network user retrieved from the information repository is used by the at least one MNO gateway to provision a connection or communication session that carries traffic for the real-time telecommunication.","14. The method according to claim 1, wherein:\nthe registration process is configured to verify possession of the device identified by the device identifier by communication to the device identified by the device identifier.","15. The method according to claim 14, wherein:\nthe registration process further involves communication from the device identified by the device identifier."],["1. A tangible, non-transitory, machine-readable medium storing instructions that when executed by a computer system effectuate operations comprising:\nestablishing, by a first computing device, a set of credentials maintained by the first computing device, the set of credentials including an authentication credential of a user of the first computing device and a private key of a public-private key pair associated with the user;\ntransmitting, by the first computing device, a public key of the key pair associated with the user to a server system over a secure session to register the first computing device and the public key with the server system;\nreceiving, by the first computing device, a user selection to register the first computing device for authenticating user access to a web-service to be accessed from a second computing device, wherein:\nthe second computing device is different from the first computing device, and\nthe server system is configured to convey one or more credentials associated with the user of the first computing device for presentation to a web-server system associated with the web-service to authenticate the second computing device to access to an account of the user with the web-service;\ngenerating, by the first computing device, based on a registration value corresponding to the web-service, signed data using the private key, the first computing device governing use of the private key subject to authentication of the user based on the authentication credential;\ntransmitting, by the first computing device, the signed data to the server system to cause the server system to register the first computing device with the web-service based on authentication of the signed data using the public key and the registration value; and\ntransmitting, by the first computing device, authentication data generated using the private key to the server system to cause the web-server system to permit the second computing device to access the account of the user with the web-service based on the authentication data.","2. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 1, the operations further comprising obtaining the registration value corresponding to the web-service by:\nrequesting the registration value from the server system; or\nrequesting the registration value from the server or another server of the web-service.","3. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 1, the operations further comprising obtaining the registration value corresponding to the web-service by:\nauthenticating to the web-service or the server system under the account of the user associated with the web-service,\nwherein a certificate or token associated with the user account is added to the set of credentials.","4. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 1, the operations further comprising:\nobtaining a policy associated with accessing the web-service from the second computing device, the policy comprising one or more rules;\nenforcing, based on the policy at least a first rule indicating compliance of the authentication credential with the policy.","5. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 4, wherein enforcing, based on the policy, at least a first rule, comprises:\nauthentication of the user on the first computing device based on the authentication credential prior to use of the private key.","6. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 5, wherein the signed data includes data corresponding to a representation of the authentication credential by which the user authenticated on the first computing device.","7. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 1, wherein transmitting the public key to the server system over the secure session comprises:\ntransmitting a representation of the authentication credential in the set of credentials.","8. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 1, the operations further comprising:\ntransmitting an identifier of the web-service to the server system;\nreceiving, from the server system, an indication of a credential in the set of credentials by which the user is to authenticate on the first computing device; and\nin response to the credential being the authentication credential, requesting authentication of the user on the first computing device based on the authentication credential prior to use of the private key.","9. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 1, wherein generating the authentication data using the private key comprises:\ngenerating second signed data using the private key, the second signed data being verifiable by one or more of the server system and the web-server system corresponding to the web-service based on the public key and data that was signed to generate the second signed data; and\ntransmitting at least the second signed data to the server system.","10. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the server system:\nverifies the second signed data based on the public key associated with the first computing device,\nidentifies the second computing device as corresponding an active session of the user with the second computing device, and\ntransmits data signed by the server system to cause the web-server system to permit the second computing device to access the account of the user with the web-service.","11. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 1, the operations further comprising:\nobtaining, by the first computing device, a user certificate or token corresponding to the user or the account of the user with the web-service; and\nmaintaining, by the first computing device, the user certificate or token as a credential within the set of credentials, wherein generating the authentication data using the private key comprises signing the user certificate or token.","12. A tangible, non-transitory, machine-readable medium storing instructions that when executed by a server system effectuate operations comprising:\nestablishing, by a server system, at least one record to register a user of a mobile computing device for authenticating, using the mobile computing device, access to a web-service by a second computing device under an account of the user, the at least one record comprising information indicative of a public key of a public-private key pair for which the mobile computing device maintains a private key of the key pair, wherein:\nthe key pair is associated with a user of the mobile computing device, and\nuse of the private key by the mobile computing device is subject to authentication of the user;\nobtaining, by the server system, an authentication result indicative of authentication of the user to the web-service with the mobile computing device, the authentication result associated with an identifier of the account of the user;\nreceiving, by the server system from the mobile computing device, a request to authenticate access to the web-service by the second computing device and, in association with the authentication request, authentication data and signed data;\nidentifying, by the server system, the second computing device being permitted to access the web-service and having an active session corresponding to the user;\nverifying, by the server system, the authentication data based on the signed data using the public key of the key pair associated with the user of the mobile device; and\ntransmitting, by the server system, second authentication data including the identifier of the account of the user to cause a web-server of the web-service to permit the second computing device access to the web-service under the account of the user.","13. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 12, the operations further comprising:\nestablishing a plurality of second computing device records corresponding to a respective plurality of second computing devices accessed by the user; and\ntransmitting, to the mobile computing devices, indications of the respective second computing devices the user is permitted to use the mobile computing device for authentication to access the web-service.","14. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 12, the operations further comprising:\nverifying the authentication data complies with a policy associated with accessing the web-service with the second computing device; and\nverifying the authentication data was generated by a trusted execution environment of the mobile computing device.","15. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 14, the operations further comprising:\ntransmitting, by the server system, an indication of a credential in a set of credentials by which the user is to authenticate on a first computing device based on the policy, wherein the authentication data is based in part on the credential.","16. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 12, the operations further comprising:\nreceiving an indication of the active session corresponding to the user on the second computing device, wherein the indication associates the second computing device with the identifier of the account of the user with the web-service.","17. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 12, the operations further comprising:\nreceiving, from the mobile computing device, a request to authorize the user to authenticate on the mobile computing device to access the web-service by the second computing device and, in association with the request, registration value, wherein obtaining the authentication result indicative of authentication of the user to the web-service comprises receiving a registration value identifier;\nidentifying a correspondence between the registration value and the registration value identifier; and\ndetermining the user of the mobile computing device is permitted to authenticate on the mobile computing device to access the web-service from the second computing device based on the correspondence and verification of the authentication result as corresponding to the user of the mobile computing device.","18. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the permitting of the second computing device to access the account of the user with the web-service comprises:\nlogin of the second computing device under the account of the user being accepted by the web-service to permit the second computing device to utilize the web-service, and wherein\nthe server system stores a login result indicative of the computing device obtaining access in association with the at least one record.","19. A computer-implemented method, comprising:\nestablishing, by a first computing device, a set of credentials maintained on the first computing device, the set of credentials including an authentication credential of a user of the first computing device and a private key of a public-private key pair associated with the user;\ntransmitting, by the first computing device, a public key of the key pair associated with the user to a server system over a secure session to register the first computing device and the public key with the server system;\nreceiving, by the first computing device, a user selection to register the first computing device for authenticating user access to a web-service to be accessed from a second computing device, wherein:\nthe second computing device is different from the first computing device, and\nthe server system is configured to convey one or more credentials associated with the user of the first computing device for presentation to a web-server system associated with the web-service to authenticate the second computing device to access to an account of the user with the web-service;\ngenerating, by the first computing device, based on a registration value corresponding to the web-service, signed data using the private key, the first computing device governing use of the private key subject to authentication of the user based on the authentication credential;\ntransmitting, by the first computing device, the signed data to the server system to cause the server system to register the first computing device with the web-service based on authentication of the signed data using the public key and the registration value; and\ntransmitting, by the first computing device, authentication data generated using the private key to the server system to cause the web-server system to permit the second computing device to access the account of the user with the web-service based on the authentication data.","20. The method of claim 19, further comprising obtaining the registration value corresponding to the web-service by:\nrequesting the registration value from the server system; or\nrequesting the registration value from the server or another server of the web-service.","21. The method of claim 19, further comprising obtaining the registration value corresponding to the web-service by:\nauthenticating to the web-service or the server system under the account of the user associated with the web-service,\nwherein a certificate or token associated with the user account is added to the set of credentials.","22. The method of claim 19, further comprising:\nobtaining a policy associated with accessing the web-service from the second computing device, the policy comprising one or more rules;\nenforcing, based on the policy at least a first rule indicating compliance of the authentication credential with the policy.","23. The method of claim 22, wherein enforcing, based on the policy, at least a first rule, comprises:\nauthentication of the user on the first computing device based on the authentication credential prior to use of the private key.","24. The method of claim 23, wherein the signed data includes data corresponding to a representation of the authentication credential by which the user authenticated on the first computing device.","25. The method of claim 19, wherein transmitting the public key to the server system over the secure session comprises:\ntransmitting a representation of the authentication credential in the set of credentials.","26. The method of claim 19, further comprising:\ntransmitting an identifier of the web-service to the server system;\nreceiving, from the server system, an indication of a credential in the set of credentials by which the user is to authenticate on the first computing device; and\nin response to the credential being the authentication credential, requesting authentication of the user on the first computing device based on the authentication credential prior to use of the private key.","27. The method of claim 19, wherein generating the authentication data using the private key comprises:\ngenerating second signed data using the private key, the second signed data being verifiable by one or more of the server system and the web-server system corresponding to the web-service based on the public key and data that was signed to generate the second signed data; and\ntransmitting at least the second signed data to the server system.","28. The method of claim 27, wherein the server system:\nverifies the second signed data based on the public key associated with the first computing device,\nidentifies the second computing device as corresponding an active session of the user with the second computing device, and\ntransmits data signed by the server system to cause the web-server system to permit the second computing device to access the account of the user with the web-service.","29. The method of claim 19, further comprising:\nobtaining, by the first computing device, a user certificate or token corresponding to the user or the account of the user with the web-service; and\nmaintaining, by the first computing device, the user certificate or token as a credential within the set of credentials, wherein generating the authentication data using the private key comprises signing the user certificate or token.","30. A computer-implemented method, comprising:\nestablishing, by a server system, at least one record to register a user of a mobile computing device for authenticating, using the mobile computing device, access to a web-service by a second computing device under an account of the user, the at least one record comprising information indicative of a public key of a public-private key pair for which the mobile computing device maintains a private key of the key pair, wherein:\nthe private key is associated with a user of the mobile computing device, and\nuse of the private key by the mobile computing device is subject to authentication of the user;\nobtaining, by the server system, an authentication result indicative of authentication of the user to the web-service using the mobile computing device, the authentication result associated with an identifier;\nreceiving, by the server system from the mobile computing device, a request to authenticate access to the web-service by the second computing device and, in association with the authentication request, authentication data and signed data;\nidentifying, by the server system, the second computing device being permitted to access the web-service and having an active session corresponding to the user;\nverifying, by the server system, the authentication data based on the signed data using the public key of the key pair associated with the user of the mobile device; and\ntransmitting, by the server system, second authentication data including an identifier of the account of the user to cause a web-server of the web-service to permit the second computing device access to the web-service under the account of the user.","31. The method of claim 30, further comprising:\nestablishing a plurality of second computing device records corresponding to a respective plurality of second computing devices accessed by the user; and\ntransmitting, to the mobile computing devices, indications of the respective second computing devices the user is permitted to use the mobile computing device for authentication to access the web-service.","32. The method of claim 30, further comprising:\nverifying the authentication data complies with a policy associated with accessing the web-service with the second computing device; and\nverifying the authentication data was generated by a trusted execution environment of the mobile computing device.","33. The method of claim 32, further comprising:\ntransmitting, by the server system, an indication of a credential in a set of credentials by which the user is to authenticate on a first computing device based on the policy, wherein the authentication data is based in part on the credential.","34. The method of claim 30, further comprising:\nreceiving an indication of the active session corresponding to the user on the second computing device, wherein the indication associates the second computing device with the identifier of the account of the user with the web-service.","35. The method of claim 30, further comprising:\nreceiving, from the mobile computing device, a request to authorize the user to authenticate on the mobile computing device to access the web-service by the second computing device and, in association with the request, registration value, wherein obtaining the authentication result indicative of authentication of the user to the web-service comprises receiving a registration value identifier;\nidentifying a correspondence between the registration value and the registration value identifier; and\ndetermining the user of the mobile computing device is permitted to authenticate on the mobile computing device to access the web-service from the second computing device based on the correspondence and verification of the authentication result as corresponding to the user of the mobile computing device.","36. The method of claim 30, wherein the permitting of the second computing device to access the account of the user with the web-service comprises:\nlogin of the second computing device under the account of the user being accepted by the web-service to permit the second computing device to utilize the web-service, and wherein\nthe server system stores a login result indicative of the computing device obtaining access in association with the at least one record."],["1. A computer-implemented method, the method comprising:\nestablishing, by a server system, a record of a user permitted to access a secure asset, the record comprising an identifier associated with the user;\nestablishing, by the server system, in association with the record of the user, information corresponding to a first device in response to receiving, from the first device, a public key of an asymmetric key-pair, the first device maintaining a private key of the asymmetric key-pair;\nreceiving information corresponding to an attempt to access the secure asset from a second device different from the first device, the information comprising the identifier associated with the user;\nidentifying the record of the user responsive to the identifier;\nselecting the public key of the asymmetric key-pair associated with the record of the user;\ngenerating notification data comprising a portion of data encrypted based on the public key and operable to be decrypted by the private key maintained by the first device;\ndetermining at least one verification value based on the portion of data in unencrypted form;\ntransmitting, to the second device, the notification data;\nreceiving a notification response comprising at least one value for verification;\nverifying the at least one value based on the at least one verification value, the verifying indicating whether the first device successfully decrypted the encrypted portion of data using the private key; and\ntransmitting, based on the verifying indicating that the first device successfully decrypted the encrypted portion of data using the private key, an authentication result to grant the access attempt by the second device.","2. The method of claim 1, wherein:\nthe first computing device obtains the encrypted portion of data from the second computing device,\nthe at least one value is determined by the first computing device,\nthe second computing device obtains the at least one value, and\nthe notification response is received from the second computing device.","3. The method of claim 1, wherein:\nthe first computing device obtains the encrypted portion of data from the second computing device, and\nthe notification response is generated by the first computing device.","4. The method of claim 3, wherein:\nthe notification response is received from the first computing device.","5. The method of claim 1, wherein establishing the record of the user comprises:\nreceiving an indication of one or more accounts of the user, wherein the identifier associated with the user corresponds to an account of the user.","6. The method of claim 1, wherein:\na set of credentials indicative of, or corresponding to, the user is established on the first device; and\nuse of the private key maintained by the first device is dependent on authentication of the user, to the first device, based upon one or more of the credentials in the set of credentials.","7. The method of claim 1, wherein:\nthe notification data is generated by the server system in response to receiving the information corresponding to the attempt to access the secure asset from the second device, and the second device provides the identifier in association with the access attempt.","8. The method of claim 1, wherein:\nthe attempt to access the secure asset from the second device is a request to login to a user account.","9. The method of claim 8, wherein:\nthe user account is associated with the identifier of the user.","10. The method of claim 1, wherein:\nthe server system receives, via a computing system through which access to the secure asset is provided, the information corresponding to the attempt to access the secure asset from the second device,\nthe server system transmits, to the computing system, the authentication result to grant the access attempt by the second device, and\nthe computing system provides the second device access to the secure asset based on the authentication result to grant the access attempt received from the server system.","11. The method of claim 1, wherein:\nthe server system receives, via a web server system through which access to the web service is provided, the information corresponding to the attempt to access the web service from the second device,\nthe server system transmits, to the web server system, the authentication result to grant the access attempt by the second device, and\nthe web server system provides the second device access to the web service based on the authentication result to grant the access attempt received from the server system.","12. A tangible, non-transitory, machine readable medium storing instructions that when executed by one or more processors effectuate operations comprising:\nestablishing, by a server system, a record of a user permitted to access a secure asset, the record comprising an identifier associated with the user;\nestablishing, by the server system, in association with the record of the user, information corresponding to a first device in response to receiving, from the first device, a public key of an asymmetric key-pair, the first device maintaining a private key of the asymmetric key-pair;\nreceiving information corresponding to an attempt to access the secure asset from a second device different from the first device, the information comprising the identifier associated with the user;\nidentifying the record of the user responsive to the identifier;\nselecting the public key of the asymmetric key-pair associated with the record of the user;\ngenerating notification data comprising a portion of data encrypted based on the public key and operable to be decrypted by the private key maintained by the first device;\ndetermining at least one verification value based on the portion of data in unencrypted form;\ntransmitting, to the second device, the notification data;\nreceiving a notification response comprising at least one value for verification;\nverifying the at least one value based on the at least one verification value, the verifying indicating whether the first device successfully decrypted the encrypted portion of data using the private key; and\ntransmitting, based on the verifying indicating that the first device successfully decrypted the encrypted portion of data using the private key, an authentication result to grant the access attempt by the second device.","13. A computer-implemented method, the method comprising:\nestablishing, by a server system, a record of a user permitted to access a web service, the record comprising an identifier associated with the user;\nstoring, by the server system, in association with the record of the user, a public key of an asymmetric key-pair associated with the user, a first device of the user maintaining a private key of the asymmetric key-pair;\nreceiving information corresponding to an attempt to access the web service from a second device, the information comprising the identifier associated with the user;\nidentifying the record of the user responsive to the identifier;\nselecting the public key of the asymmetric key-pair associated with the record of the user;\ntransmitting notification data comprising a portion of data to be processed using the private key maintained by the first device;\nreceiving a notification response comprising a value for verification;\nverifying the received value, the verifying indicating whether the first device processed the portion of data using the private key; and\ndetermining, based on the verifying indicating that the first device processed the portion of data using the private key, an authentication result granting the second device access to the web service.","14. The method of claim 13, wherein:\nthe notification data is transmitted to the second computing device.","15. The method of claim 14, wherein:\nthe first computing device obtains the portion of data from the second computing device, and\nthe value for verification is determined by the first computing device.","16. The method of claim 14, wherein:\nthe second computing device obtains the value for verification, and\nthe notification response is received from the second computing device.","17. The method of claim 14, wherein:\nthe notification response is received from the first computing device.","18. The method of claim 13, wherein:\nthe portion of data is an encrypted portion of data decryptable by the first device using the private key, and\nthe value for verification is determined by the first computing device based on data obtained by decrypting the encrypted portion of data.","19. The method of claim 13, wherein:\nthe first device, using the private key, generates a cryptographic signature based on the portion of the data; and\nthe value for verification is the cryptographic signature, and verifying the received value comprises using the public key and input based on the portion of the data to verify the cryptographic signature.","20. The method of claim 13, wherein establishing the record of the user comprises:\nreceiving an indication of one or more accounts of the user, wherein the identifier associated with the user corresponds to an account of the user with the web service.","21. The method of claim 13, wherein:\na set of credentials indicative of, or corresponding to, the user is established on the first device; and\nuse of the private key maintained by the first device to process the portion of data is dependent on authentication of the user, to the first device, based upon one or more of the credentials in the set of credentials.","22. The method of claim 13, wherein:\nthe notification data is generated by the server system in response to receiving the information corresponding to the attempt to access the web service from the second device, and the second device provides the identifier in association with the access attempt.","23. A tangible, non-transitory, machine readable medium storing computer-program instructions that when executed by one or more processors effectuate operations comprising:\nestablishing, by a server system, a record of a user permitted to access a web service, the record comprising an identifier associated with the user;\nstoring, by the server system, in association with the record of the user, a public key of an asymmetric key-pair associated with the user, a first device of the user maintaining a private key of the asymmetric key-pair;\nreceiving information corresponding to an attempt to access the web service from a second device, the information comprising the identifier associated with the user;\nidentifying the record of the user responsive to the identifier;\nselecting the public key of the asymmetric key-pair associated with the record of the user;\ntransmitting notification data comprising a portion of data to be processed using the private key maintained by the first device;\nreceiving a notification response comprising a value for verification;\nverifying the received value, the verifying indicating whether the first device processed the portion of data using the private key; and\ndetermining, based on the verifying indicating that the first device processed the portion of data using the private key, an authentication result granting the second device access to the web service."],["1. A device for use in verifying a request for access to data, comprising:\na first circuit arranged to generate a password associated with a request for data, the first circuit comprising a first user interface arranged to output the generated password to a human in possession of the first circuit; and\na second circuit comprising a second user interface enabling the human in possession of the second circuit to input the password associated with the request for data generated by the first circuit, the second circuit being arranged to validate the input password and to enable access to the requested data when the second circuit validates the password,\nwherein the first circuit is arranged to generate the password in dependence upon a one-time password generation key and said second circuit being is arranged to validate the password, and\nwherein the first circuit is communicatively disconnected from the second circuit, and does not share common communication circuitry or communication interfaces.","2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said second circuit is arranged to validate the password in dependence on the one-time password generation key.","3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the second circuit is arranged to send the password to an authentication server for validation.","4. The device according to claim 1, wherein said device has a unique device identifier and said generated and received passwords are generated and validated in dependence upon the unique device identifier.","5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the second circuit is arranged to send data for use in enabling access to the requested data, whereby to enable access to the requested data.","6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first circuit is arranged to generate said generated password in response to an input related to said request for access to data.","7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the first circuit is arranged to generate a subsequent password in response to a subsequent input related to a subsequent request for access to data, the subsequently generated password being different from a previously generated password.","8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first circuit is arranged to generate a plurality of passwords, at least one password of the plurality of passwords being different from another password of the plurality of passwords, and to provide at least one of the generated passwords to a user via an interface of the first circuit.","9. The device according to claim 8, wherein said passwords are generated in dependence upon at least said one-time password generation key and a current time.","10. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first circuit comprises a first clock for use in generating a password and the second circuit comprises a second clock for use in validating a received password, the first and second clocks being synchronised.","11. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first circuit comprises a clock for use in generating a password and the second circuit is arranged to receive a timestamp for use in validating a received password, the timestamp being received from a third party that has a clock that is synchronised with the clock of the first circuit.","12. The device according to claim 1, wherein the second user interface is arranged to receive the request for access to data from a user of the human in possession of the second circuit via that user interface.","13. The device according to claim 12, wherein the second circuit is further arranged to receive information via the user interface of the second circuit that uniquely identifies the human, and said data sent by the second circuit for use in enabling access to data comprises data that uniquely identifies said human.","14. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a battery, wherein the first circuit and the second circuit are integrated within the device, and share and are powered by the battery.","15. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device is a wireless device.","16. A method of verifying a request for access to data, the method comprising:\ngenerating, by a first circuit of a device, a password and outputting the generated password via an interface of the first circuit to a human in possession of the device;\nreceiving, by a second circuit of the device, a password associated with the request for data from the human in possession of the device via an interface of the second circuit, said received password corresponding to the password generated by the first circuit;\nvalidating at the second circuit said received password; and\nenabling access to the requested data at the second circuit,\nwherein the first circuit generates the password in dependence on a one-time password generation key, and\nwherein the first circuit is communicatively disconnected from the second circuit, and does not share common communication circuitry or communication interfaces.","17. The method of claim 16, wherein the second circuit validates the received password in dependence on the one-time password generation key.","18. The method of claim 16, wherein the second circuit sends the received password to an authentication server for validation.","19. The method of claim 16, wherein the device is a wireless device.","20. The method of claim 16, wherein the first circuit and the second circuit are powered by a common battery.","21. The method of claim 16, wherein the first circuit and the second circuit are integrated within the device and share a battery."],["1. A computer-implemented method of passwords management, the method comprising:\nobtaining, by a password management entity, a request to login into a local device;\nsending, by the password management entity, a notification to a user device;\nobtaining, by the password management entity, a notification approval from the user device;\nupon, obtaining the notification approval, generating, by the password management entity, a temporary password;\nsending, by the password management entity, the temporary password to the authentication authority;\nsending, by the password management entity, the temporary password to the local device;\nsending, by the local device, the temporary password obtained from the password management entity to the authentication authority;\nobtaining, at the authentication authority, the temporary password from the local device;\ncomparing, by the authentication authority, the temporary password obtained from the local device with the temporary password obtained from the password management entity; and\nauthorizing, by the authentication authority, the login if a match is found.","2. The method of claim 1, wherein sending the notification comprises:\nencrypting the notification using an encryption key;\ncreating, by the password management entity, at least two shares based on the encryption key;\nsending the at least two shares of the encryption key over two different channels to the user device; and\nsending the encrypted notification to the user device,\nwherein sending the temporary password comprises:\nupon obtaining the notification approval, encrypting the temporary password using the encryption key and sending the encrypted temporary password to the user device.","3. The method of claim 2, wherein:\neach of the at least two shares includes a pair of input and output values of a polynomial of a first degree, and\nwherein the method includes:\nusing the pairs to identify the polynomial; and\ngenerating the encryption key based on a function applied to at least one coefficient of the polynomial.","4. The method of claim 2, further comprising:\ngenerating a set of at least K+1 pairs of input and output values of a polynomial of degree K, wherein each of the at least two shares includes a portion of pairs of input and output values of the polynomial;\nusing the at least two shares to identify the polynomial; and\nafter identifying the polynomial from the at least K+1 pairs, applying a function to at least one of the coefficients of the polynomial to generate the encryption key.","5. The method of claim 1, comprising sending the temporary password to the user device, wherein sending the temporary password to the user device comprises:\ngenerating, by the password management entity, a first and a second shares, based on the temporary password, wherein the temporary password can be determined based on the first share and the second share;\nsending, by the password management entity, the first share to the user device over a first secured communication channel; and\nsending, by the password management entity, the second share to the user device over a second secured communication channel.","6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nsending the temporary password to the user device;\nstoring the temporary password at the user device; and\nusing the temporary password from the user device to login to the local device when the local device is offline or when a local login is needed.","7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nupon obtaining the notification approval:\ngenerating, by the password management entity, a first and a second shares based on the temporary password, wherein the temporary password can be determined based on the first and the second shares;\nsending, by the password management entity the first share to the user device over a first secured communication channel; and\nsending, by the password management entity the second share to the local device over a second secured communication channel.","8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:\nstoring the temporary password and the second share at the local device; and\nwhen the local device is offline or when a local login is needed:\nobtaining the first share from the user device;\ncombining the first and the second shares to calculate a calculated temporary password;\ncomparing the calculated temporary password with the stored temporary password; and\nauthorizing the login request if the calculated temporary password and the stored temporary password are identical.","9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\ndeleting the temporary password from the authentication authority after comparing.","10. A system for passwords management, the system comprising:\na local device;\na first processor; and\na second processor configured to:\nobtain a request to login into the local device;\nsend a notification to a user device;\nobtain a notification approval from the user device;\nupon obtaining the notification approval, generate a temporary password;\nsend the temporary password to the first processor;\nsend the temporary password to the local device:\nwherein the local device is configured to send the temporary password obtained from the second processor to the first processor;\nwherein the first processor is configured to:\nobtain the temporary password from the local device;\ncompare the temporary password obtained from the local device with the temporary password obtained from second processor; and\nauthorize the login if a match is found.","11. The system of claim 10, wherein the second processor is configured to send the notification by:\nencrypting the notification using an encryption key;\ncreating at least two shares based on the encryption key;\nsending the at least two shares of the encryption key over two different channels to the user device; and\nsending the encrypted notification to the user device,\nwherein the second processor is configured to send the temporary password by:\nupon obtaining the notification approval, encrypting the temporary password using the encryption key and sending the encrypted temporary password to the user device.","12. The system of claim 11, wherein:\neach of the at least two shares includes a pair of input and output values of a polynomial of a first degree, and\nwherein the second processor is configured to:\nuse the pairs to identify the polynomial; and\ngenerate the encryption key based on a function applied to at least one coefficient of the polynomial.","13. The system of claim 11, wherein the second processor is configured to:\ngenerate a set of at least K+1 pairs of input and output values of a polynomial of degree K, wherein each of the at least two shares includes a portion of pairs of input and output values of the polynomial;\nuse the at least two shares to identify the polynomial; and\nafter identifying the polynomial from the at least K+1 pairs, apply a function to at least one of the coefficients of the polynomial to generate the encryption key.","14. The system of claim 10, wherein the second processor is configured to send the temporary password to the user device by:\ngenerating a first and a second shares, based on the temporary password, wherein the temporary password can be determined based on the first share and the second share;\nsending the first share to the user device over a first secured communication channel; and\nsending the second share to the user device over a second secured communication channel.","15. The system of 10, wherein:\nthe second processor is configured to send the temporary password to the user device;\nthe user device is configured to store the temporary password; and\nwherein the user device is configured to use the temporary password from the user device to login to the local device when the local device is offline or when a local login is needed.","16. The system of claim 10, wherein the second processor is configured to:\nupon receiving the request to login into the local device, send a notification to a user device;\nobtaining a notification approval from the user device; and\nupon obtaining the notification approval:\ngenerate a first and a second shares based on the temporary password, wherein the temporary password can be determined based on the first and the second shares;\nsend the first share to the user device over a first secured communication channel; and\nsend the second share to the local device over a second secured communication channel.","17. The system of claim 16, wherein the local device is configured to:\nstore the temporary password and the second share; and\nwhen the local device is offline or when a local login is needed:\nobtain the first share from the user device;\ncombine the first and the second shares to calculate a calculated temporary password;\ncompare the calculated temporary password with the stored temporary password; and\nauthorize the login request if the calculated temporary password and the stored temporary password are identical.","18. The system of claim 10, wherein the first processor is configured to:\ndeleting the temporary password after comparing."],["1. A computer-implemented method of passwords management, the method comprising:\nobtaining, by a password management entity, a request to login a local device into an authentication authority;\ngenerating, by the password management entity, a temporary password;\ngenerating, by the password management entity, two values, TP1 and TP2, based on the temporary password, wherein the temporary password can be determined based on the values TP1 and TP2;\nsending, by the password management entity, the temporary password to the authentication authority;\nsending, by the password management entity, the temporary password to a user device by sending the values TP1 and TP2 over multiple channels;\ncombining, by the user device, the values TP1 and TP2 to arrive at the temporary password;\nobtaining, at the local device, the temporary password from the user device;\nobtaining, at the authentication authority the temporary password from the local device;\ncomparing, by the authentication authority, the temporary password obtained from the local device with the temporary password obtained from the password management entity; and\nauthorizing the login if a match is found.","2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nsending, by the password management entity, TP1 to the user device over a first secured communication channel; and\nsending, by the password management entity, TP2 to the user device over a second secured communication channel.","3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\ncombining TP1 and TP2 by the user device to arrive at the temporary password; and\nsending the temporary password from the user device to the local device using an out-of-band channel.","4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nsending, by password management entity, TP1 to authentication authority over a first secured communication channel;\nsending, by password management entity, TP2 to the authentication authority over a second secured communication channel; and\ncombining TP1 and TP2 by the authentication authority to arrive at the temporary password.","5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\ndeleting the temporary password from the authentication authority after comparing.","6. The method of claim 1, wherein:\nTP1 includes a first pair of input and output values of a polynomial of a first degree, and the TP2 includes a second pair of input and output values of the polynomial, and\nwherein the method includes:\nusing the first and second pairs to identify the polynomial; and\ngenerating the temporary password based on a function applied to at least one coefficient of the polynomial.","7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\ngenerating a set of at least K+1 pairs of input and output values of a polynomial of degree K, wherein TP1 includes a portion of pairs of input and output values of the polynomial, and wherein the TP2 includes the other pairs of input and output values of the polynomial;\nusing TP1 and TP2 to identify the polynomial; and\nafter identifying the polynomial from the at least K+1 pairs, applying a function to at least one of the coefficients of the polynomial to generate the temporary password.","8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nstoring the temporary password on the local device.","9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nsending, by the password management entity, TP1 to the user device over a first in-band communication channel; and\nsending, by the password management entity, TP2 to the user device over a second in-band communication channel.","10. A computer-implemented method of passwords management, the method comprising:\nobtaining, by a password management entity, a request to login a local device into an authentication authority;\ngenerating, by the password management entity, a temporary password;\ngenerating, by the password management entity, two values, TP1 and TP2, based on the temporary password, wherein the temporary password can be determined based on the values TP1 and TP2;\nsending, by the password management entity, TP1 to the user device over a first secured communication channel;\nsending, by the password management entity, TP2 to the local device over a second secured communication channel;\nsending the TP1 from the user device to the local device using out-of-band channel; and\ncombining TP1 and TP2 by the local device to arrive at the temporary password;\nobtaining, at the authentication authority the temporary password from the local device;\ncomparing, by the authentication authority, the temporary password obtained from the local device with the temporary password obtained from the password management entity; and\nauthorizing the login if a match is found.","11. A system for temporary passwords management, the system comprising:\na memory;\na processor configured to:\nobtain a request to login a local device into an authentication authority;\ngenerate a temporary password;\ngenerate two values, TP1 and TP2, based on the temporary password, wherein the temporary password can be determined based on the values TP1 and TP2;\nsend the temporary password to the authentication authority;\nsend the temporary password to a user device by sending the values TP1 and TP2 over multiple channels;\ncombine, by the user device, the values TP1 and TP2 to arrive at the temporary password;\nobtain the temporary password from the local device, wherein the local device is configured to receive the temporary password from the user device;\ncompare the temporary password obtained from the local device with the temporary password obtained from the password management entity; and\nauthorize the login if a match is found.","12. The system of claim 11, wherein the processor is further configured to:\nsend TP1 to the user device over a first secured communication channel; and\nsend TP2 to the user device over a second secured communication channel.","13. The system of claim 11, further comprising the user device:\nwherein the user device is configured to:\nsend the temporary password to the local device using an out-of-band channel.","14. The system of claim 11, further comprising the user device, wherein:\nTP1 includes a first pair of input and output values of a polynomial of a first degree and TP2 includes a second pair of input and output values of the polynomial, and\nwherein the user device is configured to:\nuse the first and second pairs to identify the polynomial; and\ngenerate the temporary password based on a function applied to at least one coefficient of the polynomial.","15. The system of claim 11, further comprising the user device, wherein the processor is further configured to:\ngenerate a set of at least K+1 pairs of input and output values of a polynomial of degree K, wherein TP1 includes a portion of pairs of input and output values of the polynomial, and wherein the TP2 includes the other pairs of input and output values of the polynomial; and\nwherein the user device is configured to:\nuse TP1 and TP2 to identify the polynomial; and\nafter identifying the polynomial from the at least K+1 pairs, apply a function to at least one of the coefficients of the polynomial to generate the temporary password.","16. The system of claim 11, further comprising the authentication authority:\nwherein the processor is further configured to:\nsend TP1 to the authentication authority over a first secured communication channel;\nsend TP2 to the authentication authority over a second secured communication channel; and\nwherein the authentication authority is configured to:\ncombine TP1 and TP2 to arrive at the temporary password.","17. The system of claim 11, further comprising the authentication authority, wherein the authentication authority is configured to delete the temporary password from the authentication authority after comparing.","18. The system of claim 11, further comprising the local device, wherein the local device is configured to store the temporary password on the local device.","19. The system of claim 11, wherein the processor is further configured to:\nsend TP1 to the user device over a first in-band communication channel; and\nsend TP2 to the user device over a second in-band communication channel."],["1. A system, comprising a server computing device coupled to a network and comprising at least one processor executing specific computer-executable instructions that, when executed, cause the system to:\nidentify, in a first transmission from a first authentication user interface (UI) on a first client computing device operated by a user, a first authentication credential input by the user;\nresponsive to identifying, within a database coupled to the network, a user identifier associated with the first authentication credential, the database storing a public key and a biometric record signed by a private key and wherein the private key and the public key are configured to bind a first software code on a second client computing device with a second software code on the server computing device to establish an encryption channel:\ngenerate a second authentication UI requesting a second authentication credential from the user;\ntransmit the second authentication UI to be displayed on the second client computing device operated by the user;\nreceive, via the encryption channel between the second client computing device and the server computing device, a second transmission from the second authentication UI on the second client computing device;\nidentify, in the second transmission the second authentication UI on the second client computing device, the second authentication credential input by the user; and\nresponsive to identifying, within the database, the user identifier associated with the second authentication credential input by the user, authenticate the user.","2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first authentication credential or the second authentication credential comprises a time-based one time password or a tap code.","3. The system of claim 1, wherein the computer-executable instructions further cause the server computing device to generate an alert to be displayed on the first client computing device or the second client computing device responsive to a determination that:\nthe first authentication credential or the second authentication credential is not associated with the user identifier in the database; or\nthe second authentication credential, comprising a biometric input by the user, does not match the biometric record stored in the database.","4. The system of claim 1, wherein the computer executable instructions further cause the server computing device, responsive to a determination that the first client computing device and the second client computing device are the same device, to generate an alert to be displayed on the first client computing device or the second client computing device.","5. The system of claim 1, wherein the authentication of the user authorizes the user to access a domain name administration software, a bank account, a retail website, or at least one private health record.","6. The system of claim 5, wherein the second client computing device is configured to, without user input:\nstore a biometric data;\nencrypt the biometric data using a private key; and\ntransmit the biometric data to the server computing device.","7. The system of claim 6, wherein, upon authentication of the user, the server computing device is configured to perform a requested action for which the authentication is required.","8. The system of claim 1, wherein the second authentication credential comprises a biometric data including a finger or thumb print, a capillary distribution, or a software identification of the user's face, voice, retina, or DNA.","9. A method, comprising the steps of:\nidentifying, by a server computing device coupled to a network and comprising at least one processor executing specific computer-executable instructions, in a first transmission from a first authentication user interface (UI) on a first client computing device operated by a user, a first authentication credential input by the user;\nresponsive to identifying, by the server computing device, within a database coupled to the network, a user identifier associated with the first authentication credential, the database storing a public key and a biometric record signed by a private key and wherein the private key and the public key are configured to bind a first software code on a second client computing device with a second software code on the server computing device to establish an encryption channel:\ngenerating, by the server computing device, a second authentication UI requesting a second authentication credential the user;\ntransmitting, by the server computing device, the second authentication UI to be displayed on the second computing device operated by the user;\nreceiving, via the encryption channel between the second client computing device and the server computing device, a second transmission the second authentication UI on the second client computing device;\nidentifying, by the server computing device, in the second transmission the second authentication UI on the second client computing device, the second authentication credential input by the user;\nresponsive to identifying, within the database, the user identifier associated with the second authentication credential input by the user, authenticating, by the server computing device, the user.","10. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of decoding the first authentication credential or the second authentication credential as a time-based one time password or a tap code.","11. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of generating, by the server computing device, an alert to be displayed on the first client computing device or the second client computing device responsive to a determination that:\nthe first authentication credential or the second authentication credential is not associated with the user identifier in the database; or\nthe second authentication credential, comprising a biometric input by the user, does not match the biometric record stored in the database.","12. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of: responsive to a determination that the first client computing device and the second client computing device are the same device, generating, by the server computing device, an alert to be displayed on the first client computing device or the second client computing device.","13. The method of claim 9, wherein the authentication of the user authorizes the user to access a domain name administration software, a bank account, a retail website, or at least one private health record.","14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the steps of:\nstoring, by the second client computing device, a biometric data;\nencrypting, by the second client computing device, the biometric data using a private key; and\ntransmitting, by the second client computing device, the biometric data to the server computing device.","15. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of performing, by the server computing device, a requested action, upon authentication of the user, for which the authentication is required.","16. The method of claim 9, wherein the second authentication credential comprises a biometric data including a finger or thumb print, a capillary distribution, or a software identification of the user's face, voice, retina, or DNA."],["1. A computer-implemented method for authenticating a user by a system comprising a processor coupled to a non-transitory memory containing instructions executable by the processor, the method comprising:\nreceiving, by the system, a request from an entity in response to attempted access to entity resources by a user via a primary user computing device;\ndetermining, by the system, whether the user is registered with the system; and\ninitiating, by the system, one of a registration process and an authentication process with the user based on the determination;\nwherein a registration process comprises:\nestablishing a peer-to-peer exchange of data between at least the system and the primary user computing device and a secondary user computing device;\ngenerating, via the system, an initial candidate secret and transmitting the initial candidate secret to one of the primary and secondary user computing devices via the peer-to-peer exchange;\nreceiving a reciprocal secret from the secondary user computing device based on interaction between the secondary user computing device and the initial candidate secret, wherein the initial candidate secret is specific to the user and the secondary user computing device, and wherein the reciprocal secret is based on the initial candidate secret;\ngenerating, via the system, a canonical secret including a token and a random confirmation code and transmitting the canonical secret to the secondary user computing device via the peer-to-peer exchange ensuring a bonded device metaphor such that the canonical secret is a definitive secret only known and stored by the system and the secondary user computing device, wherein the token is associated with an expiry date and is stored on the secondary user computing device to be used for authenticating the user during a future authentication session in lieu of the user entering user login credentials for authentication; and\nregistering the user with the system in response to receipt of the confirmation code from the secondary user computing device.","2. The system of claim 1, wherein the initial candidate secret, reciprocal secret, and canonical secret are based on a Time-based One-time Password (TOTP) algorithm.","3. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises, prior to transmitting the initial candidate secret, inviting the user to install at least one management system software application used for completing the registration process and the future authentication process.","4. The method of claim 1, wherein the token is used for OTP generation during the future authentication session.","5. The method of claim 1, wherein the traditional user login credentials comprise at least one of user identification information and a password.","6. The method of claim 5, wherein user identification information comprises at least one of a name of the user, a user ID, an email address of the user, and information likely to be known only to the user.","7. The method of claim 1, wherein the token comprises a built-in expiry date.","8. The method of claim 1, wherein the expiry date is associated with and controls a grant period during which the user can carry out an authentication session.","9. The method of claim 8, wherein the grant period and expiry date are determined by the entity.","10. The method of claim 1, wherein the future authentication process comprises:\nreceiving an authentication session request from the entity, comprising at least one of a public session key and a private session key;\ndetecting, via the secondary user computing device, the public session key;\nreceiving one or more identifying secrets from the secondary user computing device based on detection of the public session key; and\nreceiving an enquiry from the entity concerning an authentication result.","11. The method of claim 10, wherein the one or more identifying secrets comprises the token associated with the canonical secret.","12. The method of claim 10, wherein the method further comprises, upon receipt of a positive authentication result, granting user access to entity resources.","13. The method of claim 1, wherein the initial candidate secret comprises data associated with a QR code.","14. The method of claim 13, wherein transmitting the initial candidate secret to one of the primary and secondary user computing devices comprises displaying the QR code on a display of one of the primary and secondary user computing devices.","15. The method of claim 14, wherein interaction between the secondary user computing device and the initial candidate secret comprises a scanning event involving the QR code.","16. The method of claim 1, wherein the future authentication process comprises at least one of a biometric factor and a challenge-response factor, wherein a user is authenticated by satisfying at least one of the biometric and challenge-response factors.","17. The method of claim 16, wherein a user is authenticated by satisfying both the biometric and challenge-response factors.","18. The method of claim 16, wherein the biometric factor comprises at least one of a DNA sample, a fingerprint scan, a retina scan, a facial scan, a brain scan, an earlobe scan, a toeprint scan, a footprint scan, voice recognition, and speech recognition.","19. The method of claim 18, wherein the challenge-response factor comprises a passphrase.","20. The method of claim 19, wherein a user response to the challenge-response factor comprises a spoken response, which provides both a correct response and matches a biometric identification of a voice."],["1. A system, comprising:\na server-based secure data exchange system for secure sharing of content between a first client device accessed by a user associated with a first organizational entity and a second client device accessed by a user associated with a second organizational entity, wherein the content has shared relevance with the first organizational entity and the second organizational entity, the secure data exchange system comprising a data management facility managed by a third organizational entity and adapted to provide permissioned control to a plurality of organizational entities for use of at least one of a plurality of data storage nodes, wherein the first organizational entity is granted permissioned control of a first data storage node by the third organizational entity for a content, wherein the content is shared between the first client device and the second client device through the first data storage node, wherein the data management facility manages secure data exchange of the content through the first data storage node,\nwherein the data management facility is distributed into a plurality of data management sites to enable management of the plurality of data storage nodes, wherein the plurality of data storage nodes are located at network locations separate from the data management facility and specified by the plurality of organizational entities, and\nwherein the server-based secure data exchange system includes an authentication facility,\nwherein the server-based secure data exchange system stores data relating to a user log authentication of the user associated with the second organizational entity and data relating to a user login authentication for the user associated with the third organizational entity,\nwherein the server-based secure data exchange system determines a level of access authentication for access to received computer data content for the user associated with the second organizational entity based on an event condition related to a current state of the client computing device of the user associated with the second organizational entity at a time of the access request, and\nwherein the server-based secure data exchange system adjusts a level of access authentication based on the event condition, presenting the user associated with the second organizational entity the adjusted level of access authentication, and grants access to the computer data content when the secure exchange server receives the adjusted level of access authentication.","2. The system of claim 1, wherein the server-based secure data exchange system includes at least one of: an authorization facility, an encryption sharing facility, a process failure monitoring facility, a software deployment management facility, and a content replication facility.","3. The system of claim 2, wherein the authorization facility provides authorization data for the secure sharing of content across the plurality of organizational entities, the plurality of data management sites, and the plurality of data storage nodes, which ensures that an authorization for the sharing is not tampered with.","4. The system of claim 3, wherein the authorization facility signs messages with a shared secret that comprises an identifier of the secret.","5. The system of claim 4, wherein the shared secret is cryptographically signed for at least one of an authentication of origin and tamper detection.","6. The system of claim 4, wherein the shared secret comprises a changeable portion and a tamper-proof portion, wherein the tamper-proof portion is cryptographically protected.","7. The system of claim 2, wherein the encryption sharing facility enables sharing of an encryption secret between the plurality of organizational entities, the plurality of data management sites, and the plurality of data storage nodes.","8. The system of claim 7, wherein the encryption secret comprises and encryption key that at least one of a plurality of content nodes generates as part of an encryption key rotation process.","9. The system of claim 8, wherein the at least one of the plurality of content nodes notifies at least one of the plurality of data management sites and transmits the encryption key to a central encryption key management facility.","10. The system of claim 2, wherein the process failure monitoring facility monitors in-process messages to determine if a process has started but is not yet complete, wherein the process includes at least one of uploading document, downloading documents, and undertaking steps in a workflow.","11. The system of claim 10, wherein the monitored in-process messages each include a start process indicator or an end process indicator, and the process failure monitoring facility monitors a count value, wherein during the monitoring, the count value is increased when a start process indicator is detected and the count value is decreased when an end process indicator is detected, and wherein the process failure monitoring facility transmits a process failure indication when the count value is not zero at a predetermined time.","12. The system of claim 2, wherein the software deployment management facility establishes at least on of an identity, an origin, and a correctness for deployed software.","13. The system of claim 12, wherein the deployed software comprises metadata for software comprising at least one of a hash of the software code, an identifier of a shared secret, and an identifier of a client.","14. The system of claim 12, wherein the software deployment management facility provides automatic deployment of software that is triggered by an event, including at least one of an upload triggering the event and a processor triggering the event.","15. The system of claim 2, wherein the content replication facility provides content replication services to the secure data exchange system.","16. The system of claim 15, wherein the content replication facility coordinates replication of content among the plurality of data storages nodes.","17. The system of claim 15, wherein the content replication facility facilitates creation of a new data storage node, and replicating content from an existing data node from the plurality of data storage nodes to the new data storage node.","18. The system of claim 1, wherein the data management facility has access to metadata of the stored data for managing sharing of the content via the first data storage node, but the data management facility does not have access to the content."],["1. An authority transfer system, comprising:\nat least a processor and at least a memory coupled to the at least the processor and having stored thereon instructions, when executed by the at least the processor, and cooperating to act as:\ntransmitting from a client to an authorization server an authorization code request for issuing an authorization code by the authorization server when an access to a resource server by the client is permitted by a user;\nreceiving an authorization code response from the authorization server to the client, the authorization code response being a response to the authorization code request; and\ngenerating a log-in context when the user logs in the client,\nwherein the authorization code request transmitted by the transmitting includes signature information and a parameter having the log-in context set as a value of the parameter for associating the authorization code request with the authorization code response,\nwherein, after the signature information is verified in the authorization server, the authorization code response corresponding to the authorization code request is transmitted to the client, and\nwherein the client uses the parameter included in the authorization code response received by the receiving and a parameter included in the authorization code response transmitted by the transmitting to verify that the authorization code response corresponds to the authorization code request.","2. The authority transfer system according to claim 1,\nwherein the signature information is added to the authorization code request by using an encryption key held by the client, and\nwherein the authorization server verifies the signature information added to the authorization code request by using a decryption key held by the authorization server.","3. The authority transfer system according to claim 1,\nwherein the transmitting transmits from the client to the authorization server via a user agent an authorization code request for permitting by the authorization server an access to the resource server by the client,\nwherein the parameter is a state parameter,\nwherein the log-in context is information including at least one of a local user ID and an e-mail address of the local user and uniquely identifying the local user.","4. The authority transfer system according to claim 1, wherein the log-in context set in a parameter received by the authorization server is included in approval information used for permitting an access to the resource server by the client.","5. The authority transfer system according to claim 4, wherein the approval information at least includes a client ID identifying the client and a user ID identifying a user logging in the authorization server.","6. The authority transfer system according to claim 5,\nwherein the client transmits to the authorization server signature information and a token request including the client ID and the user ID and being usable for obtaining an authorization token by the client, and\nwherein the authority transfer system further comprises an issuing the authorization token from the authorization server to the client\nafter the authorization server having received the token request verifies the signature information received along with the token request by using an encryption key, and\nafter the issuing determines that an access to the resource server by the client identified by the client ID included in the token request is authorized by the user identified by the user ID included in the token request.","7. The authority transfer system according to claim 6,\nwherein the authorization token is a token indicating that the client is authorized to access the resource server.","8. The authority transfer system according to claim 6, wherein the issuing issues the authorization token after the issuing determines that a flag indicating that the user has authorized an access to the resource server by the client is added to approval information identified by the client ID and user ID included in the token request.","9. The authority transfer system according to claim 1,\nwherein the authorization code request to be transmitted by the transmitting includes signature information and response destination information designating a response destination to be used by the authorization server for returning the authorization code response, and\nwherein the authority transfer system further comprises, after the signature information is verified in the authorization server, transmitting by the authorization server an authorization code response to an authorization code request transmitted by the transmitting unit, based on the response destination information included in the authorization code request.","10. A control method for an authority transfer system, the method comprising:\ntransmitting from a client to an authorization server an authorization code request for issuing an authorization code by the authorization server when an access to a resource server by the client is permitted by a user;\nreceiving an authorization code response from the authorization server to the client, the authorization code response being a response to the authorization code request; and\ngenerating a log-in context when the user logs in the client,\nwherein the authorization code request transmitted by the transmitting includes signature information and a parameter having the log-in context set as a value of the parameter for associating the authorization code request with the authorization code response,\nwherein, after the signature information is verified in the authorization server, the authorization code response corresponding to the authorization code request is transmitted to the client, and\nwherein the client uses the parameter included in the authorization code response received by the receiving and a parameter included in the authorization code response transmitted by the transmitting to verify that the authorization code response corresponds to the authorization code request.","11. A client comprising:\na transmitting unit configured to transmit from a client to an authorization server an authorization code request for issuing an authorization code by the authorization server when an access to a resource server by the client is permitted by a user;\na receiving unit configured to receive an authorization code response, the authorization code response being a response to the authorization code request; and\nwherein the authorization code request transmitted by the transmitting unit includes signature information and a parameter having the log-in context set as a value of the parameter for associating the authorization code request with the authorization code response,\nwherein, after the signature information is verified in the authorization server, the client receives the authorization code response corresponding to the authorization code request from the authorization server, and\nwherein the client uses the parameter included in the authorization code response received by the receiving unit and a parameter included in the authorization code response transmitted by the transmitting unit to verify that the authorization code response corresponds to the authorization code request.","12. The client according to claim 11,\nwherein the transmitting unit transmits from the client to the authorization server via a user agent an authorization code request for permitting by the authorization server an access to the resource server by the client,\nwherein the parameter is a state parameter,\nwherein the log-in context is information including at least one of a local user ID and an e-mail address of the local user and uniquely identifying the local user.","13. The authority transfer system according to claim 1,\nwherein the generating unit generates a log-in context when the user logs in the client before an authorization flow for processing of authorizing the client to use an open web service provided by the resource server is started in accordance with permission by the user."],["1. A retail system configured to determine product placement conditions within a retail facility, comprising:\na product monitoring control circuit associated with a retail facility; and\na memory coupled with the control circuit and storing computer instructions that when executed by the control circuit cause the control circuit to:\nobtain a scan mapping corresponding to at least a select area of the retail facility and based on a series of scan data from a motorized robotic scanner unit moved along at least the select area of the retail facility;\naccess a baseline scan of at least the select area;\ncompare the scan mapping to the baseline scan and determine, based on differences between the scan mapping and the baseline scan, an empty area of a product support structure defined relative to a reference proximate an edge of the product support structure and each of multiple items of a first product supported by the product support structure; and\nidentify when the empty area is greater than a predefined area threshold relative to the reference proximate the edge of the product support structure.","2. The retail system of claim 1, wherein the scan mapping comprises a three-dimensional (3D) scan mapping and wherein the control circuit in identifying when the empty area is greater than the area threshold is further configured to identify, based on the 3D scan mapping, when the empty area is greater than a case threshold such that the empty area is large enough to receive at least a full case of the items of the first product; and\ncause one or more commands to be communicated to cause initiation of one or more actions in response to identifying that the empty area has the predefined relationship to the area threshold and the empty area is greater than the case threshold.","3. The retail system of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is further configured to:\nidentify, from the scan mapping and relative to each of multiple sets of items of the first product supported by the product support structure, whether a threshold number of items are present within each of the multiple sets of items, wherein each of the multiple sets of items comprises one or more of the items on the product support structure;\nidentify that a threshold number of the sets of items within the select area that do not have at least the threshold number of items; and\ncause one or more commands to be communicated, in response to identifying that the threshold number of the sets of items do not have at least the threshold number of items, to initiate one or more actions.","4. The retail system of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is further configured to:\nidentify, based on the scan mapping, when one or more items within the select area are different than the first product; and\ncause a notification to be communicated notifying a retail facility associate that at least one item of at least a second product is incorrectly placed within the select area.","5. The retail system of claim 1, wherein the scan mapping comprises point cloud measurements, and the baseline scan comprises point cloud measurements.","6. The retail system of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is further configured to:\ncause one or more movement commands to control the motorized robotic scanner unit to be communicated to the motorized robotic scanner unit, wherein the one or more movement commands when implemented by the motorized robotic scanner unit cause physical movement of the motorized robotic scanner unit consistent with the one or more movement commands through at least a portion of the retail facility and along the select area of the product support structure.","7. The retail system of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is further configured to:\nidentify that the empty area is less than a restocking area threshold; and\ncause an instruction to be communicated to cause movement of the multiple items of the first product still supported on the product support structure in the select area to be closer to the reference offset and faced on the product support structure in response to the identifying that the empty area is greater than the area threshold but not greater than the restocking area threshold, wherein the area threshold is a facing area threshold.","8. The retail system of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is further configured to:\ncommunicate commands to the motorized robotic scanner unit causing the motorized robotic scanner unit to perform at least one additional task and to capture the scan data as the motorized robotic scanner unit travels through the retail facility performing the at least one additional task, wherein the at least one additional task is different than capturing the scan data.","9. The retail system of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is further configured to access inventory information of the first product and identify from the inventory information when there is a threshold number of items of the first product;\ncause an instruction to be communicated to cause a restocking of the empty area with additional items of the first product in response to both identifying that the empty area is greater than the area threshold relative to the reference proximate the edge of the product support structure, and identifying that there is the threshold number of items of the first product; and\nprevent an instruction from being communicated regarding restocking of the empty area in response to one of identifying that the empty area is not greater than the area threshold relative to the reference proximate the edge of the product support structure, and identifying that there is not the threshold number of items of the first product.","10. A method of determining product placement conditions within a retail facility, comprising:\nby a control circuit of a retail facility product monitoring system:\nobtaining a scan mapping corresponding to at least a select area of the retail facility and based on a series of scan data from a motorized robotic scanner unit moved along at least the select area of the retail facility;\naccessing a baseline scan of at least the select area;\ncomparing the scan mapping to the baseline scan and determining, based on differences between the scan mapping and the baseline scan, an empty area of a product support structure defined relative to a reference proximate an edge of the product support structure and each of multiple items of a first product supported by the product support structure; and\nidentifying when the empty area is greater than a predefined area threshold relative to the edge of the product support structure.","11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:\nthe scan mapping comprises a three-dimensional (3D) scan mapping;\nwherein the identifying when the empty area is greater than the area threshold further comprises:\nidentifying, based on the 3D scan mapping, when the empty area is greater than a case threshold such that the empty area is large enough to receive at least a full case of the items of the first product; and\ncausing one or more commands to be communicated to cause initiation of one or more actions in response to identifying that the empty area has the predefined relationship to the area threshold and the empty area is greater than the case threshold.","12. The method of claim 10, further comprising:\nidentifying, relative to each of multiple sets of items of the first product supported by the product support structure, whether a threshold number of items are present within each of the multiple sets of items, wherein each of the multiple sets of items comprises one or more of the items on the product support structure;\nidentifying that a threshold number of the sets of items within the select area that do not have at least the threshold number of items; and\ncausing one or more commands to be communicated in response to identifying that the threshold number of the set of items do not have at least the threshold number of items to initiate one or more actions.","13. The method of claim 10, further comprising:\nidentifying, based on the scan mapping, when one or more items within the select area are different than the first product; and\ncausing a notification to be communicated notifying a retail facility associate that at least one item of at least a second product is incorrectly placed within the select area.","14. The method of claim 10, wherein the scan mapping comprises point cloud measurements, and the baseline scan comprises point cloud measurements.","15. The method of claim 10, further comprising:\ncausing one or more movement commands to control the motorized robotic scanner unit to be communicated to the motorized robotic scanner unit, wherein the one or more movement commands when implemented by the motorized robotic scanner unit cause physical movement of the motorized robotic scanner unit consistent with the one or more movement commands through at least a portion of the retail facility and along the select area of the product support structure.","16. The method of claim 10, further comprising:\nidentifying that the empty area is less than a restocking area threshold; and\ncausing an instruction to be communicated to cause movement of the multiple items of the first product still supported on the product support structure in the select area to be closer to the reference offset and faced on the product support structure in response to the identifying that the empty area is greater than the area threshold but not greater than the restocking area threshold, wherein the area threshold is a facing area threshold.","17. The method of claim 10, further comprising:\ncommunicating commands to the motorized robotic scanner unit causing the motorized robotic scanner unit to perform at least one additional task and to capture the scan data as the motorized robotic scanner unit travels through the retail facility performing the at least one additional task, wherein the at least one additional task is different than capturing the scan data.","18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:\naccessing inventory information of the first product;\nidentifying from the inventory information when there is a threshold number of items of the first product;\ncausing an instruction to be communicated to cause a restocking of the empty area with additional items of the first product in response to both identifying that the empty area is greater than the area threshold relative to the reference proximate the edge of the product support structure, and identifying that there is the threshold number of items of the first product; and\npreventing an instruction from being communicated regarding restocking of the empty area in response to one of identifying that the empty area is not greater than the area threshold relative to the reference proximate the edge of the product support structure, and identifying that there is not the threshold number of items of the first product.","19. A retail facility product monitoring system, comprising:\na plurality of autonomous, motorized robotic scanner units;\na product monitoring control circuit associated with a retail facility and communicatively coupled over a wireless communication network with each of the motorized robotic scanner units;\na memory coupled with the product monitoring control circuit and storing computer instructions that when executed by the control circuit cause the control circuit to:\ncommunicate one or more route commands to a first motorized robotic scanner unit of the plurality of motorized robotic scanner units to cause physical movement of the first motorized robotic scanner unit to move consistent with the one or more route commands through at least a portion of the retail facility and at least along a select area of a product support structure and capture scan data relative to the select area;\nobtain a scan mapping corresponding to at least the select area of the product support structure based on a series of the scan data from the first motorized robotic scanner unit;\naccess a baseline scan of at least the select area of the product support structure;\ncompare the scan mapping with the baseline scan and identify differences between the scan mapping and the baseline scan of an empty area on the product support structure relative to an edge of the product support structure;\nidentify when the empty area has a predefined relationship with an area threshold; and\ncommunicate one or more commands to initiate one or more actions in response to identifying that the empty area has the predefined relationship to the area threshold.","20. The system of claim 19, wherein the product monitoring control circuit, in identifying that the empty area has the predefined relationship with the area threshold, is configured to:\nidentify when an empty area across the product support structure where a plurality of the first product have been removed, corresponding the first product, has a predefined relationship to an area threshold."],["1. A method for managing digital rights management (DRM) protected content sharing in a networked secure collaborative computer data exchange environment, the method comprising:\nestablishing, by a secure exchange facility managed by an intermediate organizational entity, a user login data authentication procedure that allows user access through at least one client computing device to the secure exchange facility, where communication between the secure exchange facility and the at least one client computing device is through a communications network;\nreceiving computer data content and at least one indicator of access rights for the computer data content from a first client computing device of a first user associated with a first organizational entity, wherein the secure exchange facility permits sharing access to the computer data content by at least a second user associated with a second organizational entity based on the at least one indicator of access rights, wherein the second organizational entity is a distinct entity from the first organizational entity;\ntransforming the computer data content and the at least one indicator of access rights into DRM protected computer data content through communications with a DRM engine, wherein the DRM engine is selected based on a content type of the computer data content, and wherein the DRM engine is provided by an entity distinct from the intermediate organizational entity and any other organizational entity that accesses content shared through the secure exchange facility; and\ngranting, by the secure exchange facility, shared access to the DRM protected computer data content to at least the second user;\nreceiving, by the secure exchange facility from a second client computing device of the second user, a request for download of the computer data content;\ntransmitting the DRM protected computer data content to the second client computing device, wherein each time an access is requested to the DRM protected computer data stored on the second client computing device the second client computing device is required to request access permission from the DRM engine;\nreceiving, from the DRM engine, a request for access rights to the DRM protected computer data content as a result of the second client computing device requesting access permission from the DRM engine to the DRM protected computer data content; and\nproviding the DRM engine with updated access rights for the DRM protected computer data content as a result of a received updated indicator of access rights to the secure exchange facility from the first client computing device, wherein the second client computing device is granted access to the DRM protected computer data content by the DRM engine as determined by the updated indicator of access rights,\nwherein the first client computing device provides the updated indicator of access rights to the secure exchange facility as a result of the secure exchange facility requesting an update of access rights from the first client computing device as a result of the secure exchange facility receiving the request for access rights from the DRM engine.","2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of transforming comprises translating the indicator of access rights into a format recognizable by the DRM engine.","3. The method of claim 2, wherein the translated access rights are provided by the DRM engine to the second client computing device where the translated access policies are enforced in managing any potential access to the DRM protected computer data content.","4. The method of claim 3, wherein the translated access rights are enforced by a DRM agent resident on the second client computing device.","5. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the request for access rights from the DRM engine comprises user credentials for authentication.","6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of transforming comprises the secure exchange facility encrypting the computer data content.","7. The method of claim 6, wherein an encryption protocol utilized in the encrypting is determined by the secure exchange facility based on a type of the received computer data content.","8. The method of claim 6, wherein the encrypted computer data content is registered at the DRM engine.","9. The method of claim 1, wherein the DRM engine is selected from a plurality of DRM engines.","10. A system for managing digital rights management (DRM) protected content sharing in a networked secure collaborative computer data exchange environment, the system comprising:\na secure exchange facility managed by an intermediate organizational entity, wherein a user login data authentication procedure is established that allows user access through at least one client computing device to the secure exchange facility, where communication between the secure exchange facility and the at least one client computing device is through a communications network,\nwherein the secure exchange facility is adapted to receive, transform, and grant access to computer data content in relation to at least one indicator of access rights for the computer data content from a first client computing device of a first user associated with a first organizational entity, wherein the secure exchange facility permits sharing access to the computer data content by at least a second user associated with a second organizational entity based on the at least one indicator of access rights, wherein the second organizational entity is a distinct entity from the first organizational entity,\nwherein transforming the computer data content and the at least one indicator of access rights into DRM protected computer data content is implemented through communications with a DRM engine, wherein the DRM engine is selected based on a content type of the computer data content, and wherein the DRM engine is provided by an entity distinct from the intermediate organizational entity and any other organizational entity that accesses content shared through the secure exchange facility,\nwherein the secure exchange facility receives from a second client computing device of the second user a request for download of the computer data content,\nwherein the DRM protected computer data content is transmitted to the second client computing device, wherein each time an access is requested to the DRM protected computer data stored on the second client computing device the second client computing device is required to request access permission from the DRM engine,\nwherein a request for access rights to the DRM protected computer data content is received from the DRM engine as a result of the second client computing device requesting access permission from the DRM engine to the DRM protected computer data content,\nwherein the DRM engine is provided with updated access rights for the DRM protected computer data content as a result of a received updated indicator of access rights to the secure exchange facility from the first client computing device,\nwherein the second client computing device is granted access to the DRM protected computer data content by the DRM engine as determined by the updated indicator of access rights, and\nwherein the first client computing device provides the updated indicator of access rights to the secure exchange facility as a result of the secure exchange facility requesting an update of access rights from the first client computing device as a result of the secure exchange facility receiving the request for access rights from the DRM engine.","11. The system of claim 10, wherein the step of transforming comprises translating the indicator of access rights into a format recognizable by the DRM engine.","12. The system of claim 11, wherein the translated access rights are provided by the DRM engine to the second client computing device where the translated access policies are enforced in managing any potential access to the DRM protected computer data content.","13. The system of claim 12, wherein the translated access rights are enforced by a DRM agent resident on the second client computing device.","14. The system of claim 10, wherein receiving the request for access rights from the DRM engine comprises user credentials for authentication.","15. The system of claim 10, wherein the step of transforming comprises the secure exchange facility encrypting the computer data content.","16. The system of claim 15, wherein an encryption protocol utilized in the encrypting is determined by the secure exchange facility based on a type of the received computer data content.","17. The system of claim 15, wherein the encrypted computer data content is registered at the DRM engine.","18. The system of claim 10, wherein the DRM engine is selected from a plurality of DRM engines."]],"string":"[\n [\n \"1. A computer-implemented method for providing access control to a resource, comprising:\\nreceiving an authentication request to access a resource using a shared secret between a requesting device and an authentication mechanism, the shared secret including predefined authentication information states arranged in a predefined sequence;\\nreceiving specified information items in a specified sequence such that each of the specified information items corresponds to one of the predefined authentication information states;\\naccessing the predefined authentication information states arranged in a predefined sequence;\\ndetermining whether each of the specified information items correctly match its corresponding predefined authentication information state;\\nin response to a determination that a match is incorrect such that access to the resource is denied, allowing re-submission of the specified information items up to and including a determined number of times that is based upon a complexity of the predefined authentication information states.\",\n \"2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 further comprising receiving one or more additional credentials to gain access to the resource and only granting access to the resource if the additional credentials are verified as being correct.\",\n \"3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 in which the resource is a network-based resource and the authentication request is received by a server associated with the network-based resource over a communication network.\",\n \"4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 in which the authentication request is received through a user interface of a computing device in which a processor performing the computer-implemented method is located and the resource is locally available to the computing device.\",\n \"5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 in which at least one of the predefined authentication information states specifies that one of the credentials is to be incorrectly entered.\",\n \"6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 further comprising presenting the requesting device a series of selectable states that include at least one state that does not allow access to the resource to be granted and at least one other state that does allow access to the resource to be granted, and wherein granting access to the resource further includes only granting access to the resource upon selection of said at least one other state and not said at least one state.\",\n \"7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 further comprising presenting a series of selectable states that include a plurality of selectable states that each provide a prompt for a response, wherein only one of the plurality of selectable states is included in the shared secret such that if any remaining ones of the plurality of selectable states access are selected access to the resource will be denied.\",\n \"8. The computer-implemented method of claim 7 further comprising granting access to the resource only upon receiving a correct response to the prompt associated with the one selectable state that is included in the shared secret.\",\n \"9. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 in which the network resource is associated with a web site that receives the authentication request and wherein at least one of the predefined authentication information states specifies that the requesting device is to access the web site through a predetermined alternative web site in order for access to the resource to be granted.\",\n \"10. The computer-implemented method of claim 2 further comprising, when one of the additional credentials that is provided is a previously valid credential that is now expired, denying access to the resource.\",\n \"11. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein in response to a determination that each of the specified information items correctly matches its corresponding predefined authentication information state, granting access to the resource.\",\n \"12. One or more computer-readable memory devices storing instructions for establishing an account allowing access to one or more protected resources, the instructions when executed by one or more processors disposed in a computing device causing the computing device to:\\nestablish credentials and a shared secret with an access control mechanism associated with the one or more protected resources, wherein establishing the shared secret includes establishing predefined authentication information states arranged in a predefined sequence, the credentials and the shared secret to be presented to the access control mechanism to gain access to the one or more protected resources; and\\nstore the credentials in a first data structure so that the credentials are accessible to the access control mechanism upon receiving an authentication attempt from a requesting device requesting access to the one or more protected resources, wherein a number of authentication attempts allowed is based at least in part upon a complexity of the predefined authentication information states.\",\n \"13. The one or more computer-readable memory devices of claim 12 in which the instructions when executed by the one or more processors disposed in the computing device further causes the computing device to:\\nassociate with the credentials stored in the first data structure a reference indicative to the access control mechanism of a location from which the shared secret is accessible,\\nwherein the shared secret includes executable code used to perform one or more state machine steps and interact with the access control mechanism upon receiving an authentication request from the location from which the shared secret executable code is accessible requesting access to the one or more protected resources.\",\n \"14. The one or more computer-readable memory devices of claim 13 further comprising a common data structure that includes the first data structure and a second data structure.\",\n \"15. The one or more computer-readable memory devices of claim 12 in which establishing the shared secret further comprises establishing a shared secret that causes a requesting device accessing the account to be presented with a sequentially presented series of selectable states that include at least one state that does not allow access to the one or more protected resources to be granted and at least one other state that does allow access to the one or more protected resources to be granted such that access to the one or more protected resources is only granted if the requesting device selects said at least one other state and not said at least one state.\",\n \"16. The one or more computer-readable memory devices of claim 12 in which establishing the shared secret further comprises establishing a shared secret that causes a requesting device accessing the account to be sequentially presented with a plurality of selectable states that each prompt the requesting device for a response, wherein selection of only one of the plurality of selectable states allows access to the one or more protected resource and selection of any remaining ones of the plurality of selectable states denies access to the one or more protected resources.\",\n \"17. A computing device, comprising:\\none or more processors;\\na user interface (UI) configured to interact with a user of the device;\\na memory device storing computer-readable instructions which, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the computing device to:\\nexecute a state machine;\\nreceive a request from the user interface to access a protected resource;\\nresponsive to the request to access the protected resource, present a prompt through the user interface to provide predefined authentication information needed to access the protected resource, the prompting enabling user-specified authentication information to be received by the state machine during each of a predefined sequence of states of the state machine;\\nuse the state machine to verify whether the user-specified authentication information matches the predefined authentication information and was correctly entered during each state and in the predefined sequence; and\\nreceive one or more additional user credentials to gain access to the resource and only grant access to the resource if the additional user credentials are verified as being correct when one of the additional user credentials is provided incorrectly such that access to the resource is denied, allowing the user to re-submit the user-specified information for each of the states a specified number of times, the specified number of times being based at least in part on a complexity of the one additional credential.\",\n \"18. The computing device of claim 17 in which at least one states in the predefined sequence of states specifies that one of the additional user credentials is to be incorrectly entered through the user interface.\",\n \"19. The computing device of claim 17 in which in response to a verification that the predetermined authentication information was correctly entered during each state and in the predefined sequence, access to the resource is granted.\",\n \"20. The computing device of claim 17 further comprising causing the computing device to present the user interface with a series of user-selectable states that include a plurality of user-selectable states that each provide a prompt for a response, wherein only one of the plurality of user-selectable states are included in a shared secret between the user and the state machine such that if the s any remaining ones of the plurality of user-selectable states are selected access to the resource will be denied.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A method for authenticating an identity of an online user, the method including:\\nreceiving registration data of an online user, wherein the registration data is used to access a web page associated with the online user;\\nreceiving, from a registration device, a request to access the web page associated with the online user;\\ntransmitting, by an authentication server, in response to the request to access the web page from the registration device, an image that contains a unique identifier (“ID”);\\nreceiving, at the authentication server from the online user through a first device, an authentication request containing a digital certificate, the unique ID, and a log-in identifier (“ID”);\\nauthenticating, by the authentication server, the first device of the online user based on the digital certificate, the unique ID, and log-in ID;\\ntransmitting the web page associated with the online user to the first user device when the first user device is authenticated, the requested web page including an access number and a unique authentication code associated with the registration data of the online user;\\nreceiving, at a biometric matching server associated with the access number, the unique authentication code associated with the registration data of the online user;\\nreceiving, at the biometric matching server, a biometric parameter of the online user for authenticating the online user based on biometric matching; and\\nassociating the biometric parameter of the online user with the registration data of the online user.\",\n \"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the registration device is one of a personal computer, a public computer, and a public kiosk, and the first device is a mobile device.\",\n \"3. The method of claim 1, wherein the image is a two-dimensional barcode or a quick response code.\",\n \"4. The method of claim 1, wherein the authentication request includes a request for notice of completed log-in for the unique ID.\",\n \"5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\\nproviding the online user with a mobile application enabling the online user to extract the unique ID from the image, by taking a picture of a display of the registration device using a camera of the first device.\",\n \"6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\\nstoring, upon receiving the authentication request containing the unique ID, the unique ID in relation to a browser session ID of the registration device.\",\n \"7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:\\nlooking up the browser session ID of the registration device based on the unique ID received from the user through the first device.\",\n \"8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\\nsending the first device one of the digital certificate and an access token storing the log-in ID of the online user.\",\n \"9. The method of claim 8, wherein the log-in ID of the online user and the unique ID are received from the online user within one of the digital certificate and the access token.\",\n \"10. A system for authenticating an identity of an online user, the system including:\\na data storage device for storing instructions for authenticating an identity of an online user; and\\na processor configured to execute the instructions to perform a method including:\\nreceiving registration data of an online user, wherein the registration data is used to access a web page associated with the online user;\\nreceiving, from a registration device, a request to access the web page associated with the online user;\\ntransmitting, by an authentication server, in response to the request to access the web page from the registration device, an image that contains a unique identifier (“ID”);\\nreceiving, at the authentication server from the online user through a first device, an authentication request containing a digital certificate, the unique ID, and a log-in identifier (“ID”);\\nauthenticating, by the authentication server, the first device of the online user based on the digital certificate, the unique ID, and log-in ID;\\ntransmitting the web page associated with the online user to the first user device when the first user device is authenticated, the requested web page including an access number and a unique authentication code associated with the registration data of the online user;\\nreceiving, at a biometric matching server associated with the access number, the unique authentication code associated with the registration data of the online user;\\nreceiving, at the biometric matching server, a biometric parameter of the online user for authenticating the online user based on biometric matching; and\\nassociating the biometric parameter of the online user with the registration data of the online user.\",\n \"11. The system of claim 10, wherein the registration device is one of a personal computer, a public computer, and a public kiosk, and the first device is a mobile device.\",\n \"12. The system of claim 10, wherein the image is a two-dimensional barcode or a quick response code.\",\n \"13. The system of claim 10, wherein the authentication request includes a request for notice of completed log-in for the unique ID.\",\n \"14. The system of claim 10, wherein the processor is further configured to execute the instructions to perform the method including:\\nproviding the online user with a mobile application enabling the online user to extract the unique ID from the image, by taking a picture of a display of the registration device using a camera of the first device.\",\n \"15. The system of claim 10, wherein the processor is further configured to execute the instructions to perform the method including:\\nstoring, upon receiving the authentication request containing the unique ID, the unique ID in relation to a browser session ID of the registration device.\",\n \"16. The system of claim 15, wherein the processor is further configured to execute the instructions to perform the method including:\\nlooking up the browser session ID of the registration device based on the unique ID received from the user through the first device.\",\n \"17. The system of claim 10, wherein the processor is further configured to execute the instructions to perform the method including:\\nsending the first device one of the digital certificate and an access token storing the log-in ID of the online user.\",\n \"18. The system of claim 17, wherein the log-in ID of the online user and the unique ID are received from the online user within one of the digital certificate and the access token.\",\n \"19. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that, when executed by a computer system, cause the computer system to perform a method for authenticating an identity of an online user, the method including:\\nreceiving registration data of an online user, wherein the registration data is used to access a web page associated with the online user;\\nreceiving, from a registration device, a request to access the web page associated with the online user;\\ntransmitting, by an authentication server, in response to the request to access the web page from the registration device, an image that contains a unique identifier (“ID”);\\nreceiving, at the authentication server from the online user through a first device, an authentication request containing a digital certificate, the unique ID, and a log-in identifier (“ID”);\\nauthenticating, by the authentication server, the first device of the online user based on the digital certificate, the unique ID, and log-in ID;\\ntransmitting the web page associated with the online user to the first user device when the first user device is authenticated, the requested web page including an access number and a unique authentication code associated with the registration data of the online user;\\nreceiving, at a biometric matching server associated with the access number, the unique authentication code associated with the registration data of the online user;\\nreceiving, at the biometric matching server, a biometric parameter of the online user for authenticating the online user based on biometric matching; and\\nassociating the biometric parameter of the online user with the registration data of the online user.\",\n \"20. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 19, wherein the biometric parameter of the online user includes one of fingerprint scanning, eye recognition, DNA matching, heart monitoring, and impedance matching.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A method comprising:\\n(a) storing a representation of a secret data-item of a particular user, wherein said secret data-item is one of: a password, a Personal Identification Number (PIN);\\n(b) generating a user authentication session that requires said particular user to enter said secret data-item by performing a task comprised of on-screen operations in which said user drags or moves on-screen objects to input said secret data-item;\\n(c) during said user authentication session, monitoring user gestures of user performance of said task; and extracting from said user gestures a behavioral characteristic that characterizes user performance of said task;\\n(d1) determining whether or not said user gestures correspond to correct entry of said secret data-item;\\n(d2) determining whether or not the behavioral characteristic that was extracted in step (c), matches a previously-stored reference behavioral characteristic that was extracted from past on-screen operations that were previously associated with said particular user during previous log-in sessions;\\n(e) if the determining of step (d1) is negative or the determining of step (d2) is negative, then: generating a notification that user authentication is rejected;\\nwherein said log-in task comprises a requirement to enter said password or said PIN, by drawing on-screen lines among on-screen representations of characters;\\nwherein the determining of step (d2) is performed based on at least one of: (I) a speed of on-screen gestures in which said user draws said on-screen lines, (II) a curvature level of on-screen gestures in which said user draws said on-screen lines.\",\n \"2. A method comprising:\\n(a) storing a representation of a secret data-item of a particular user, wherein said secret data-item is one of: a password, a Personal Identification Number (PIN);\\n(b) generating a user authentication session that requires said particular user to enter said secret data-item by performing a task comprised of on-screen operations in which said user drags or moves on-screen objects to input said secret data-item;\\n(c) during said user authentication session, monitoring user gestures of user performance of said task; and extracting from said user gestures a behavioral characteristic that characterizes user performance of said task;\\n(d1) determining whether or not said user gestures correspond to correct entry of said secret data-item;\\n(d2) determining whether or not the behavioral characteristic that was extracted in step (c), matches a previously-stored reference behavioral characteristic that was extracted from past on-screen operations that were previously associated with said particular user during previous log-in sessions;\\n(e) if the determining of step (d1) is negative or the determining of step (d2) is negative, then: generating a notification that user authentication is rejected;\\nwherein said log-in task comprises a requirement to enter said password or said PIN, by typing characters on a physical keyboard;\\nwherein the determining of step (d2) is performed based on a speed in which said user typed, on said physical keyboard, said password or said PIN.\",\n \"3. A method comprising:\\n(a) storing a representation of a secret data-item of a particular user, wherein said secret data-item is one of: a password, a Personal Identification Number (PIN);\\n(b) generating a user authentication session that requires said particular user to enter said secret data-item by performing a task comprised of on-screen operations in which said user drags or moves on-screen objects to input said secret data-item;\\n(c) during said user authentication session, monitoring user gestures of user performance of said task; and extracting from said user gestures a behavioral characteristic that characterizes user performance of said task;\\n(d1) determining whether or not said user gestures correspond to correct entry of said secret data-item;\\n(d2) determining whether or not the behavioral characteristic that was extracted in step (c), matches a previously-stored reference behavioral characteristic that was extracted from past on-screen operations that were previously associated with said particular user during previous log-in sessions;\\n(e) if the determining of step (d1) is negative or the determining of step (d2) is negative, then: generating a notification that user authentication is rejected;\\nwherein said log-in task comprises a requirement to enter (I) a username, and (II) said password or said PIN, by typing characters on a physical keyboard;\\nwherein the determining of step (d2) is performed based on a user-specific behavioral characteristic that indicates whether said user, in previous log-in sessions, (i) used a keyboard shortcut to move between on-screen fields or (ii) used a pointing device to move between on-screen fields.\",\n \"4. A method comprising:\\n(a) storing a representation of a secret data-item of a particular user, wherein said secret data-item is one of: a password, a Personal Identification Number (PIN);\\n(b) generating a user authentication session that requires said particular user to enter said secret data-item by performing a task comprised of on-screen operations in which said user drags or moves on-screen objects to input said secret data-item;\\n(c) during said user authentication session, monitoring user gestures of user performance of said task; and extracting from said user gestures a behavioral characteristic that characterizes user performance of said task;\\n(d1) determining whether or not said user gestures correspond to correct entry of said secret data-item;\\n(d2) determining whether or not the behavioral characteristic that was extracted in step (c), matches a previously-stored reference behavioral characteristic that was extracted from past on-screen operations that were previously associated with said particular user during previous log-in sessions;\\n(e) if the determining of step (d1) is negative or the determining of step (d2) is negative, then: generating a notification that user authentication is rejected;\\nwherein said log-in task comprises a requirement to enter (I) a username, and (II) said password or said PIN, by typing characters on a physical keyboard;\\nwherein the determining of step (d2) is performed based on a user-specific behavioral characteristic that indicates whether said user, in previous log-in sessions, (i) used an Enter key on a keyboard to submit his credentials, or (ii) used a non-keyboard input unit to click or to tap on an on-screen Submit button to submit his credentials.\",\n \"5. A method comprising:\\n(a) storing a representation of a secret data-item of a particular user, wherein said secret data-item is one of: a password, a Personal Identification Number (PIN);\\n(b) generating a user authentication session that requires said particular user to enter said secret data-item by performing a task comprised of on-screen operations in which said user drags or moves on-screen objects to input said secret data-item;\\n(c) during said user authentication session, monitoring user gestures of user performance of said task; and extracting from said user gestures a behavioral characteristic that characterizes user performance of said task;\\n(d1) determining whether or not said user gestures correspond to correct entry of said secret data-item;\\n(d2) determining whether or not the behavioral characteristic that was extracted in step (c), matches a previously-stored reference behavioral characteristic that was extracted from past on-screen operations that were previously associated with said particular user during previous log-in sessions;\\n(e) if the determining of step (d1) is negative or the determining of step (d2) is negative, then: generating a notification that user authentication is rejected;\\nwherein said log-in task comprises a requirement to enter said password or said PIN, by drawing on-screen lines among on-screen representations of characters;\\nwherein the determining of step (d2) is performed based on: measured acceleration and measured deceleration of user gestures, during entry of said password or said PIN.\",\n \"6. A method comprising:\\n(a) storing a representation of a secret data-item of a particular user, wherein said secret data-item is one of: a password, a Personal Identification Number (PIN);\\n(b) generating a user authentication session that requires said particular user to enter said secret data-item by performing a task comprised of on-screen operations in which said user drags or moves on-screen objects to input said secret data-item;\\n(c) during said user authentication session, monitoring user gestures of user performance of said task; and extracting from said user gestures a behavioral characteristic that characterizes user performance of said task;\\n(d1) determining whether or not said user gestures correspond to correct entry of said secret data-item;\\n(d2) determining whether or not the behavioral characteristic that was extracted in step (c), matches a previously-stored reference behavioral characteristic that was extracted from past on-screen operations that were previously associated with said particular user during previous log-in sessions;\\n(e) if the determining of step (d1) is negative or the determining of step (d2) is negative, then: generating a notification that user authentication is rejected;\\nwherein the extracting of step (c) comprises:\\ninvoking a Machine Learning (ML) unit that learns and defines a user-specific behavioral profile based on user-gestures that were monitored across multiple previous log-in sessions;\\nwherein the determining of step (d2) is based on a comparison between (i) monitored user-gestures in a current log-in session, and (ii) the user-specific behavioral profile that was defined by said Machine Learning (ML) unit based on user-gestures that were monitored across multiple previous log-in sessions.\",\n \"7. A method comprising:\\n(a) storing a representation of a secret data-item of a particular user, wherein said secret data-item is one of: a password, a Personal Identification Number (PIN);\\n(b) generating a user authentication session that requires said particular user to enter said secret data-item by performing a task comprised of on-screen operations in which said user drags or moves on-screen objects to input said secret data-item;\\n(c) during said user authentication session, monitoring user gestures of user performance of said task; and extracting from said user gestures a behavioral characteristic that characterizes user performance of said task;\\n(d1) determining whether or not said user gestures correspond to correct entry of said secret data-item;\\n(d2) determining whether or not the behavioral characteristic that was extracted in step (c), matches a previously-stored reference behavioral characteristic that was extracted from past on-screen operations that were previously associated with said particular user during previous log-in sessions;\\n(e) if the determining of step (d1) is negative or the determining of step (d2) is negative, then: generating a notification that user authentication is rejected;\\nwherein the extracting of step (c) comprises:\\ninvoking a Machine Learning (ML) unit that learns and defines a user-specific behavioral profile based on (I) user-gestures that were monitored across multiple previous log-in sessions, and also (II) user-gestures that were monitored immediately prior to log-in sessions, and also (III) user-gestures that were monitored immediate after log-in sessions;\\nwherein the determining of step (d2) is based on a comparison between (i) monitored user-gestures in a current log-in session, and (ii) the user-specific behavioral profile that was defined by said Machine Learning (ML) unit based on (I) user-gestures that were monitored across multiple previous log-in sessions, and also (II) user-gestures that were monitored immediately prior to log-in sessions, and also (III) user-gestures that were monitored immediate after log-in sessions.\",\n \"8. A method comprising:\\n(a) storing a representation of a secret data-item of a particular user, wherein said secret data-item is one of: a password, a Personal Identification Number (PIN);\\n(b) generating a user authentication session that requires said particular user to enter said secret data-item by performing a task comprised of on-screen operations in which said user drags or moves on-screen objects to input said secret data-item;\\n(c) during said user authentication session, monitoring user gestures of user performance of said task; and extracting from said user gestures a behavioral characteristic that characterizes user performance of said task;\\n(d1) determining whether or not said user gestures correspond to correct entry of said secret data-item;\\n(d2) determining whether or not the behavioral characteristic that was extracted in step (c), matches a previously-stored reference behavioral characteristic that was extracted from past on-screen operations that were previously associated with said particular user during previous log-in sessions;\\n(e) if the determining of step (d1) is negative or the determining of step (d2) is negative, then: generating a notification that user authentication is rejected;\\nwherein the method comprises monitoring said user-gestures that are performed by the user on a portable electronic device selected from a group consisting of: a smartphone, a tablet;\\nwherein the extracting of step (c) comprises:\\nextracting a user-specific characteristic that corresponds to changes in spatial orientation of an entirety of said portable electronic device during performance of said log-in task by the user;\\nwherein the determining of step (d2) is based on a comparison between (i) monitored changes in spatial orientation of the entirety of said portable electronic device during performance of said log-in task by the user, and (ii) a user-specific profile that indicates previous changes in spatial orientation of the entirety of said portable electronic device during previous log-in sessions.\",\n \"9. A method comprising:\\n(a) storing a representation of a secret data-item of a particular user, wherein said secret data-item is one of: a password, a Personal Identification Number (PIN);\\n(b) generating a user authentication session that requires said particular user to enter said secret data-item by performing a task comprised of on-screen operations in which said user drags or moves on-screen objects to input said secret data-item;\\n(c) during said user authentication session, monitoring user gestures of user performance of said task; and extracting from said user gestures a behavioral characteristic that characterizes user performance of said task;\\n(d1) determining whether or not said user gestures correspond to correct entry of said secret data-item;\\n(d2) determining whether or not the behavioral characteristic that was extracted in step (c), matches a previously-stored reference behavioral characteristic that was extracted from past on-screen operations that were previously associated with said particular user during previous log-in sessions;\\n(e) if the determining of step (d1) is negative or the determining of step (d2) is negative, then: generating a notification that user authentication is rejected;\\nwherein the method comprises monitoring said user-gestures that are performed by the user on a portable electronic device selected from a group consisting of: a smartphone, a tablet;\\nwherein the extracting of step (c) comprises:\\nextracting a user-specific characteristic that corresponds to time gaps among on-screen drag-and-drop operations that the user performs during said log-in task;\\nwherein the determining of step (d2) is based on a comparison between (i) monitored time gaps among on-screen drag-and-drop operations that the user performs during said log-in task, and (ii) a user-specific profile that indicates previous time gaps among on-screen drag-and-drop operations that the user performed during previous log-in sessions.\",\n \"10. A method comprising:\\n(a) storing a representation of a secret data-item of a particular user, wherein said secret data-item is one of: a password, a Personal Identification Number (PIN);\\n(b) generating a user authentication session that requires said particular user to enter said secret data-item by performing a task comprised of on-screen operations in which said user drags or moves on-screen objects to input said secret data-item;\\n(c) during said user authentication session, monitoring user gestures of user performance of said task; and extracting from said user gestures a behavioral characteristic that characterizes user performance of said task;\\n(d1) determining whether or not said user gestures correspond to correct entry of said secret data-item;\\n(d2) determining whether or not the behavioral characteristic that was extracted in step (c), matches a previously-stored reference behavioral characteristic that was extracted from past on-screen operations that were previously associated with said particular user during previous log-in sessions;\\n(e) if the determining of step (d1) is negative or the determining of step (d2) is negative, then: generating a notification that user authentication is rejected;\\nwherein the method comprises monitoring said user-gestures that are performed by the user on a portable electronic device selected from a group consisting of: a smartphone, a tablet,\\nwherein the extracting of step (c) comprises:\\nextracting a user-specific characteristic that corresponds to a level of touch-force of touch-based gestures that the user performs via a touch-screen during said log-in task;\\nwherein the determining of step (d2) is based on a comparison between (i) monitored level of touch-force of touch-based gestures that the user performs during said log-in task, and (ii) a user-specific profile that indicates previous level of touch-force of touch-based gestures that the user performed during previous log-in sessions.\",\n \"11. A method comprising:\\n(a) storing a representation of a secret data-item of a particular user, wherein said secret data-item is one of: a password, a Personal Identification Number (PIN);\\n(b) generating a user authentication session that requires said particular user to enter said secret data-item by performing a task comprised of on-screen operations in which said user drags or moves on-screen objects to input said secret data-item;\\n(c) during said user authentication session, monitoring user gestures of user performance of said task; and extracting from said user gestures a behavioral characteristic that characterizes user performance of said task;\\n(d1) determining whether or not said user gestures correspond to correct entry of said secret data-item;\\n(d2) determining whether or not the behavioral characteristic that was extracted in step (c), matches a previously-stored reference behavioral characteristic that was extracted from past on-screen operations that were previously associated with said particular user during previous log-in sessions;\\n(e) if the determining of step (d1) is negative or the determining of step (d2) is negative, then: generating a notification that user authentication is rejected;\\nwherein the method comprises authenticating said user, or rejecting authentication of said user, based on a cumulative assessment that takes into account (i) the secret data-item that the user knows, and (ii) the specific behavioral way in which the user interacted with the electronic device to input said secret data-item by moving in space or tilting in space the entirety of the electronic device, and (iii) spatial orientation changes of an entirety of the electronic device during performance of said log-in task, and (iv) speed of performing said log-in task by the user.\",\n \"12. A method comprising:\\n(a) storing a representation of a secret data-item of a particular user, wherein said secret data-item is one of: a password, a Personal Identification Number (PIN);\\n(b) generating a user authentication session that requires said particular user to enter said secret data-item by performing a task comprised of on-screen operations in which said user drags or moves on-screen objects to input said secret data-item;\\n(c) during said user authentication session, monitoring user gestures of user performance of said task; and extracting from said user gestures a behavioral characteristic that characterizes user performance of said task;\\n(d1) determining whether or not said user gestures correspond to correct entry of said secret data-item;\\n(d2) determining whether or not the behavioral characteristic that was extracted in step (c), matches a previously-stored reference behavioral characteristic that was extracted from past on-screen operations that were previously associated with said particular user during previous log-in sessions;\\n(e) if the determining of step (d1) is negative or the determining of step (d2) is negative, then: generating a notification that user authentication is rejected;\\nmonitoring user-gestures during performance of said log-in task; determining that said user-gestures indicate that a current user is non-experienced in performing said log-in task; determining that a legitimate user had performed said log-in task multiple times in previous log-in sessions; and therefore, determining that the current user is not the legitimate user.\",\n \"13. A method comprising:\\n(a) storing a representation of a secret data-item of a particular user, wherein said secret data-item is one of: a password, a Personal Identification Number (PIN);\\n(b) generating a user authentication session that requires said particular user to enter said secret data-item by performing a task comprised of on-screen operations in which said user drags or moves on-screen objects to input said secret data-item;\\n(c) during said user authentication session, monitoring user gestures of user performance of said task; and extracting from said user gestures a behavioral characteristic that characterizes user performance of said task;\\n(d1) determining whether or not said user gestures correspond to correct entry of said secret data-item;\\n(d2) determining whether or not the behavioral characteristic that was extracted in step (c), matches a previously-stored reference behavioral characteristic that was extracted from past on-screen operations that were previously associated with said particular user during previous log-in sessions;\\n(e) if the determining of step (d1) is negative or the determining of step (d2) is negative, then: generating a notification that user authentication is rejected;\\ndistinguishing among a plurality of human users, who attempt to gain authorized access to a same single electronic device, based cumulatively on: (I) accuracy level in performing the log-in task, and also (II) speed of performing the log-in task, and (III) spatial orientation of an entirety of said electronic device during performance of the log-in task.\",\n \"14. A method comprising:\\n(a) storing a representation of a secret data-item of a particular user, wherein said secret data-item is one of: a password, a Personal Identification Number (PIN);\\n(b) generating a user authentication session that requires said particular user to enter said secret data-item by performing a task comprised of on-screen operations in which said user drags or moves on-screen objects to input said secret data-item;\\n(c) during said user authentication session, monitoring user gestures of user performance of said task; and extracting from said user gestures a behavioral characteristic that characterizes user performance of said task;\\n(d1) determining whether or not said user gestures correspond to correct entry of said secret data-item;\\n(d2) determining whether or not the behavioral characteristic that was extracted in step (c), matches a previously-stored reference behavioral characteristic that was extracted from past on-screen operations that were previously associated with said particular user during previous log-in sessions;\\n(e) if the determining of step (d1) is negative or the determining of step (d2) is negative, then: generating a notification that user authentication is rejected;\\ndistinguishing among a plurality of human users, who attempt to gain authorized access to a same single electronic device, based cumulatively on: (I) accuracy level in performing the log-in task, and also (II) speed of performing the log-in task, and (III) curvature level or linearity level of user gestures during performance of the log-in task.\",\n \"15. A method comprising:\\n(a) storing a representation of a secret data-item of a particular user, wherein said secret data-item is one of: a password, a Personal Identification Number (PIN);\\n(b) generating a user authentication session that requires said particular user to enter said secret data-item by performing a task comprised of on-screen operations in which said user drags or moves on-screen objects to input said secret data-item;\\n(c) during said user authentication session, monitoring user gestures of user performance of said task; and extracting from said user gestures a behavioral characteristic that characterizes user performance of said task;\\n(d1) determining whether or not said user gestures correspond to correct entry of said secret data-item;\\n(d2) determining whether or not the behavioral characteristic that was extracted in step (c), matches a previously-stored reference behavioral characteristic that was extracted from past on-screen operations that were previously associated with said particular user during previous log-in sessions;\\n(e) if the determining of step (d1) is negative or the determining of step (d2) is negative, then: generating a notification that user authentication is rejected;\\ndistinguishing among a plurality of human users, who attempt to gain authorized access to a same single electronic device, based cumulatively on: (I) accuracy level in performing the log-in task, and also (II) speed of performing the log-in task, and (III) touch-force of user gestures during performance of the log-in task.\",\n \"16. A method comprising:\\n(a) storing a representation of a secret data-item of a particular user, wherein said secret data-item is one of: a password, a Personal Identification Number (PIN);\\n(b) generating a user authentication session that requires said particular user to enter said secret data-item by performing a task comprised of on-screen operations in which said user drags or moves on-screen objects to input said secret data-item;\\n(c) during said user authentication session, monitoring user gestures of user performance of said task; and extracting from said user gestures a behavioral characteristic that characterizes user performance of said task;\\n(d1) determining whether or not said user gestures correspond to correct entry of said secret data-item;\\n(d2) determining whether or not the behavioral characteristic that was extracted in step (c), matches a previously-stored reference behavioral characteristic that was extracted from past on-screen operations that were previously associated with said particular user during previous log-in sessions;\\n(e) if the determining of step (d1) is negative or the determining of step (d2) is negative, then: generating a notification that user authentication is rejected;\\ndistinguishing among a plurality of human users, who attempt to gain authorized access to a same single electronic device, based cumulatively on: (I) accuracy level in performing the log-in task, and also (II) speed of performing the log-in task, and (III) time-gaps among user-gestures during performance of the log-in task.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A method of registering a mobile device, comprising:\\nreceiving, at a server, from an authorized device, a request for a registration code to register a mobile device;\\ntransmitting, from the server, to the authorized device, the registration code, wherein the authorized device is a different device than the mobile device and the authorized device was previously registered;\\nreceiving, by the server, from the mobile device, the registration code and a mobile device identifier;\\nauthorizing the mobile device by the server; and\\nupon receiving the request from an unauthorized device, requiring the request from the authorized device.\",\n \"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the registration code is an optical, machine-readable code.\",\n \"3. The method of claim 1, wherein the registration code is a QR code.\",\n \"4. The method of claim 1, wherein the registration code is an alphanumeric code.\",\n \"5. The method of claim 1, wherein the registration code is a QR code and an alphanumeric code.\",\n \"6. The method of claim 1, wherein the registration code is transmitted or otherwise presented to the mobile device by a user.\",\n \"7. The method of claim 1, wherein the registration code comprises an embedded link to a registration process with the server.\",\n \"8. The method of claim 1, wherein the registration of the mobile device is required at a periodic interval.\",\n \"9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\\nupon a failure of authorizing the mobile device, providing an alternate process of registration comprising one of a Portable Security Transaction Protocol (PSTP) or a variable code.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. An integrated cybersecurity system for providing restricted client access to a website, comprising:\\na security database communicatively coupled to a client device via a client communication link to pass client data therebetween, the security database communicatively coupled to the website via a website communication link to pass secure information therebetween, the client device communicatively coupled to authentication hardware to receive client input from a client, the client data comprising the client input and client enrollment information, the secure information comprising information from or associated with the client data; and\\na gateway comprising a user interface accessible by a gateway operator to configure client settings, a website module accessible by a website operator to configure website settings, and a services module that works in concert with the user interface, the website module, and the security database to send integrated client confirmation to the website, wherein the integrated client confirmation comprises authentication, authorization, and identification of the client, whereby the website permits selective access to the website by the client based at least on the website being sent the authorization in the integrated client confirmation.\",\n \"2. The integrated cybersecurity system of claim 1, further comprising a matcher configured to create a template based on client enrollment or authentication information and to ascertain whether a match exists between the template created based on the client enrollment or the authentication information and another template stored in the security database.\",\n \"3. The integrated cybersecurity system of claim 1, wherein the gateway is configured to:\\nreceive an authentication request from the website;\\nlocate the client in the security database;\\nredirect the client device to an authentication screen;\\nreceive a capture template from the client device;\\nattempt to match the capture template with an enrollment template in a client data library in the security database; and\\nupon determination of a match result, send the match result to the website to confirm authentication of the client device.\",\n \"4. The integrated cybersecurity system of claim 3, wherein the capture template is created based on the confirmation of an identity of the client, the confirmation performed locally at the client device.\",\n \"5. The integrated cybersecurity system of claim 1, wherein the gateway is configured to:\\nin response to an enrollment or authentication request from the website, consult the security database and send secure information to the website; and\\nin response to receipt of client enrollment or authentication information, process the authentication information and send a confirmation response to the website.\",\n \"6. The integrated cybersecurity system of claim 5, wherein the security database stores a plurality of templates, and processing the authentication information comprises:\\ncreating a client template from the client enrollment or the authentication information; and\\nsearching the security database to find a match with one of the plurality of templates stored therein.\",\n \"7. The integrated cybersecurity system of claim 5, wherein the gateway is further configured to:\\nredirect a browser on the client device to an enrollment webpage specific to the client device attempting enrollment or authentication.\",\n \"8. The integrated cybersecurity system of claim 5, wherein the gateway is configured to perform authentication as a background operation without being displayed on a user interface.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A computing device comprising:\\na mobile device having a first and second processor;\\nat least one storage area;\\nat least one biometric sensor, wherein the biometric sensor comprises one or more of a fingerprint image sensor or a facial image sensor;\\nthe software contained within the at least one of the storage area, said computing device wherein, prior to executing at least some of the software, said software causes the second processor to:\\ncapture an identity verification credential from the user;\\nbiometrically enroll the identity of the user by capturing biometric samples representing fingerprint or facial images from the at least one or more biometric sensors, and, using the second processor, calculate one or more biometric templates; and\\nsecurely store the one or more biometric templates in a hardware-protected manner without persistent storage of the biometric template in a non-secured manner; and wherein, upon unlocking the mobile device in response to a successful match of one or more subsequent biometric samples to one or more of the decrypted securely stored biometric templates, release access to one or more protected functions of the mobile device.\",\n \"2. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the secure storing of the one or more biometric templates comprises encryption of the one or more biometric templates using at least one hardware-based characteristic of the computing device.\",\n \"3. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the secure storing of the one or more biometric templates comprises encryption of the one or more biometric templates using the second processor.\",\n \"4. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the at least one biometric sensor comprises the first processor that is configured to receive external information.\",\n \"5. The computing device of claim 4, wherein the first processor is configured to receive external information used to access the mobile device.\",\n \"6. The device of claim 1 where the data of the biometric samples representing fingerprint or facial images are processed to allow the data to be effectively used for matching despite being submitted at varying angles or at substantially any angle.\",\n \"7. The device of claim 1 wherein the second processor enables at least in part the secure storage of biometric templates and determines if there is a match of the one or more subsequent biometric samples to one or more of the decrypted securely stored one or more biometric templates.\",\n \"8. The device of claim 7 wherein the second processor is used to create at least one hardware rooted encryption key and to cause the secure storage of the one or more biometric templates comprising encryption of the one or more biometric templates with the at least one hardware rooted encryption key.\",\n \"9. The device of claim 8 wherein the second processor operates with a trusted cryptographically authenticated component.\",\n \"10. The computing device of claim 7 wherein the second processor automatically deletes the unencrypted biometric template after a matching operation.\",\n \"11. The device of claim 1, wherein the secure storing of the one or more biometric templates comprises storing the one or more encrypted biometric templates in a hardware-secured portion of a mobile device memory.\",\n \"12. The device of claim 1, where, in the event the one or more subsequent biometric samples do not match the one or more decrypted biometric templates, the mobile device performs failure actions according to a defined policy.\",\n \"13. The device of claim 1 wherein the protected function comprises releasing a securely stored password for a website.\",\n \"14. The device of claim 13 where the website is configured to access the identity verification credential of the user.\",\n \"15. The mobile device of claim 1 wherein the protected function comprises allowing the user to use a software application on the mobile device.\",\n \"16. The computing device of claim 1 where the biometric template is updated after each successful biometric match.\",\n \"17. The computing device of claim 1 wherein the first processor does not directly interact with the securely stored biometric templates.\",\n \"18. The computing device of claim 1 wherein the first processor interacts with the at least one biometric sensors.\",\n \"19. A mobile communication device having:\\na first processor;\\na second processor;\\nat least one storage area, containing software,\\nat least one biometric sensor, wherein the biometric sensor comprises one or more of a fingerprint image sensor or a facial image sensor;\\nwherein the second processor causes the mobile device to perform authentication with a remote computer using an encryption key,\\nsaid software further causing the second processor to perform encryption using at least said encryption key,\\nsaid second processor securely storing the one or more biometric templates in a hardware-protected manner which is encrypted and decrypted using said encryption key;\\nwherein said mobile device is unlocked in response to a good match between an entered PIN and a previously entered PIN,\\nwherein, subject to a successful match of a newly submitted sample with the decrypted biometric template, access is granted to a protected function of the mobile device; and wherein said decrypted biometric template is not persistently stored on the mobile device.\",\n \"20. The computing device of claim 19 wherein the decrypted biometric template is deleted by the second processor after the successful match.\",\n \"21. The computing device of claim 19 wherein the first processor interacts with the at least one biometric sensor.\",\n \"22. A mobile communication device comprising:\\na first processor;\\na second processor;\\nat least one storage area including software;\\nthe first processor being configured to operate with the second processor, the second processor configured to access a hardware-secured portion of mobile device memory based trusted software associated with the second processor;\\nat least one biometric sensor, wherein the biometric sensor comprises one or more of a fingerprint image sensor or a facial image sensor; and\\nwherein, said mobile device is configured to implement biometric template security and acquisition functions including:\\ncapture a PIN from the user that is chosen by the user, and biometrically enroll the identity of the user by capturing a plurality of biometric samples representing one or more fingerprint images or facial images from the at least one sensor, and calculating one or more unencrypted biometric templates;\\nencrypt the one or more unencrypted biometric templates and store the one or more encrypted one or more biometric templates in a hardware-secured portion of the mobile device memory without persistent storage of the unencrypted biometric template in a non-secured manner; such that the one or more unencrypted biometric templates do not persist in the hardware-secured portion of mobile device memory;\\nand wherein the second processor decrypts the one or more encrypted biometric templates and compares the one or more decrypted biometric templates to one or more subsequently acquired biometric samples from a user attempting to gain access to the mobile device, and, if the subsequently acquired biometric samples from a user match one or more decrypted biometric templates, allow access to a protected function of the mobile device.\",\n \"23. The mobile device of claim 22 wherein the first processor is associated with the at least one sensor and the second processor is configured to encrypt the one or more unencrypted biometric templates.\",\n \"24. The computing device of claim 22, wherein the at least one biometric sensor comprises the first processor that is configured to receive external information.\",\n \"25. The computing device of claim 22, wherein the first processor is configured to receive external information used to access the mobile device.\",\n \"26. The mobile device of claim 22 where the said protected function includes one or more of the following:\\nconducting a payment transaction on behalf of the user without the user having to enter a verification credential;\\nallowing the user to view or change secure information stored on one of a local, or a remote computer without having to enter a verification credential;\\nand automatically submitting a verification credential to a secure computer or website to allow the user to gain access without the user having to re-enter the verification credential.\",\n \"27. The device of claim 22 wherein the data of the biometric samples are processed to allow the biometric samples to be effectively used for matching despite being submitted at varying angles or at substantially any angle.\",\n \"28. The device of claim 22, wherein the device is configured to learn more about the user's biometrics as they change over time.\",\n \"29. The device of claim 22, wherein the second processor is used to create an encryption key.\",\n \"30. The device of claim 22, wherein the second processor automatically calculates updated unencrypted biometric templates from new biometric samples and then encrypts the updated biometric templates.\",\n \"31. The device of claim 30, wherein upon calculation of the updated unencrypted biometric templates, the mobile device automatically encrypts the updated unencrypted biometric templates and stores the resulting updated encrypted biometric templates in the hardware-secured portion of the mobile device memory.\",\n \"32. The device of claim 31, wherein the updated unencrypted biometric templates are deleted from the device.\",\n \"33. The computing device of claim 22 wherein the first processor interacts with the at least one biometric sensors.\",\n \"34. The device of claim 22, where, in the event the match is not successful, the mobile device performs failure actions according to a defined policy.\",\n \"35. A method for allowing access to a secure mobile device comprising:\\nproviding a first processor;\\nproviding a second processor;\\nat least one biometric sensor;\\nproviding at least one storage area including software;\\nconfiguring the first processor to operate with a second processor configured to access a hardware-secured portion of mobile device memory based trusted software associated with the second processor;\\nconfiguring the at least one biometric sensor to acquire biometric data, wherein the at least one biometric sensor comprises one or more of a fingerprint image sensor or a facial image sensor; and\\nconfiguring said mobile device to implement biometric template security and acquisition functions including:\\ncapturing a plurality of biometric samples representing one or more fingerprint images or facial images from the at least one sensor, and calculating one or more unencrypted biometric templates;\\nencrypting the one or more unencrypted biometric templates and store the one or more encrypted biometric templates in a hardware-secured portion of the mobile device memory without persistent storage of the unencrypted biometric template in a non-secured manner; such that the one or more unencrypted biometric templates do not persist in the hardware-secured portion of mobile device memory;\\ndecrypting the one or more encrypted biometric templates and comparing the one or more decrypted biometric templates to one or more subsequently acquired biometric samples from a user attempting to gain access to the mobile device, and, if the subsequently acquired biometric samples from a user match one or more decrypted biometric templates, allow access to a protected function of the mobile device.\",\n \"36. The method of claim 35 wherein the decrypting is performed by the second processor.\",\n \"37. The method of claim 35 further comprising wherein the data of the biometric samples processed by the second processor to allow the data to be effectively used for matching despite being submitted at varying angles or at substantially any angle.\",\n \"38. The method of claim 35 comprising using the second processor to create an encryption key.\",\n \"39. The method of claim 38, comprising automatically calculating updated unencrypted biometric templates from new biometric samples and then encrypting the updated biometric templates using the second processor.\",\n \"40. The method of claim 39, further comprising automatically encrypting the updated unencrypted biometric templates and storing the resulting updated encrypted biometric templates in the hardware-secured portion of the mobile device memory upon calculation of the updated unencrypted biometric templates using the second processor.\",\n \"41. The method of claim 40, further comprising configuring the second processor to delete the updated unencrypted biometric templates after completion of an attempted matching operation.\",\n \"42. The method of claim 35, wherein the first processor is configured to receive external information.\",\n \"43. The method of claim 35, wherein the first processor is configured to receive external information used to access the mobile device.\",\n \"44. A computer program product embodied on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium and comprising computer instruction for:\\nconfiguring the first processor to operate with a second processor configured to access a hardware-secured portion of mobile device memory based trusted software associated with the second processor;\\nconfiguring the at least one biometric sensor to acquire biometric data, wherein the at least one biometric sensor comprises one or more of a fingerprint image sensor or a facial image sensor; and\\nconfiguring said mobile device to implement biometric template security and acquisition functions including:\\ncapturing a PIN from the user that is chosen by the user, and biometrically enrolling the identity of the user by capturing a plurality of biometric samples representing one or more of a fingerprint image or a facial image, and calculating one or more unencrypted biometric templates;\\nencrypting the one or more unencrypted biometric templates and store the encrypted one or more biometric templates in a hardware-secured portion of the mobile device memory without persistent storage of the unencrypted biometric template in a non-secured manner; such that the one or more unencrypted biometric templates do not persist in the hardware-secured portion of mobile device memory;\\ndecrypting the one or more encrypted biometric templates with the second processor and comparing the one or more decrypted biometric templates to one or more subsequently acquired biometric samples from a user attempting to gain access to the mobile device, and, if the subsequently acquired biometric samples from a user match one or more decrypted biometric templates, allow access to a protected function of the mobile device.\",\n \"45. The computer program product of claim 44 wherein the second processor is configured to encrypt the one or more unencrypted biometric templates.\",\n \"46. The computer program product of claim 44, wherein the first processor is configured to receive external information.\",\n \"47. The computer program product of claim 44, wherein the first processor is configured to receive external information used to access the mobile device.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A method programmed in a non-transitory memory of a mobile device comprising:\\nrecognizing an optical mark displayed on a device screen of a device, wherein the optical mark comprises at least two concentric circles, wherein the optical mark is calibrated by comparing at least three different colors within a calibration region within the at least two concentric circles to an encoding palette, wherein a portion of the optical mark within the at least two concentric circles, comprises a plurality of segments wherein each segment of the plurality of segments comprises one color of the at least three different colors;\\ndetecting the optical mark using the registration mark and the calibration region by identifying and assigning values to the plurality of segments of the segmented portion and decoding an optical code based on the assigned values; and\\nauthenticating an on-line identity for a client based on the optical code of the optical mark and based on the on-line identity of the client.\",\n \"2. The method of claim 1 wherein the portion of the optical mark is based on the at least three different colors and each color is associated with the optical code comprising a number.\",\n \"3. The method of claim 1 wherein the optical mark is oriented by positioning a registration mark relative to the portion of the optical mark.\",\n \"4. The method of claim 1 wherein recognizing the optical mark comprises recognizing the optical mark over an air-gapped channel between the mobile device and the device screen of the device.\",\n \"5. The method of claim 1 further comprising:\\nstoring a first key, wherein authenticating the on-line identity for the client comprises signing a transaction completion request with the first key stored in the mobile device; and\\nverifying the on-line identity for the client by using a corresponding second key stored by a computer of a web service provider.\",\n \"6. The method of claim 5 wherein verifying the on-line identity for the client comprises evaluating personal biometry.\",\n \"7. The method of claim 5 further comprising:\\nconstructing an authorization assertion; and\\npassing the authorization assertion to the web service provider.\",\n \"8. The method of claim 7 wherein passing the authorization assertion comprises passing an OAuth2 token, SAML token, or RP token to the web service provider.\",\n \"9. The method of claim 1 wherein recognizing the optical mark comprises scanning the optical mark by a camera of the mobile device.\",\n \"10. The method of claim 5 wherein the first key comprises a private key, and wherein the second key comprises a public key.\",\n \"11. The method of claim 6 wherein evaluating the personal biometry comprises retina scanning or fingerprint scanning.\",\n \"12. An apparatus comprising:\\na non-transitory memory configured for storing an application, the application configured for:\\nrecognizing an optical mark displayed on a device screen of a device, wherein the optical mark comprises at least two concentric circles, wherein the optical mark is calibrated by comparing at least three different colors within a calibration region within the at least two concentric circles to an encoding palette, wherein a portion of the optical mark within the at least two concentric circles, comprises a plurality of segments wherein each segment of the plurality of segments comprises one color of the at least three different colors;\\ndetecting the optical mark using the registration mark and the calibration region by identifying and assigning values to the plurality of segments of the segmented portion and decoding an optical code based on the assigned values; and\\nauthenticating an on-line identity for a client based on the optical code of the optical mark and based on the on-line identity of the client; and\\na processor configured for processing the application.\",\n \"13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the portion of the optical mark is based on the at least three different colors and each color is associated with the optical code comprising a number.\",\n \"14. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the optical mark is oriented by positioning a registration mark relative to the portion of the optical mark.\",\n \"15. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein recognizing the optical mark comprises recognizing the optical mark over an air-gapped channel between the mobile device and the device screen of the device.\",\n \"16. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the application is configured for:\\nstoring a first key, wherein authenticating the on-line identity for the client comprises signing a transaction completion request with the first key stored in the mobile device; and\\nverifying the on-line identity for the client by using a corresponding second key stored by a computer of a web service provider.\",\n \"17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein verifying the on-line identity for the client comprises evaluating personal biometry.\",\n \"18. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the application is configured for:\\nconstructing an authorization assertion; and\\npassing the authorization assertion to the web service provider.\",\n \"19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein passing the authorization assertion comprises passing an OAuth2 token, SAML token, or RP token to the web service provider.\",\n \"20. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein recognizing the optical mark comprises scanning the optical mark by a camera of the mobile device.\",\n \"21. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the first key comprises a private key, and wherein the second key comprises a public key.\",\n \"22. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein evaluating the personal biometry comprises retina scanning or fingerprint scanning.\",\n \"23. A method programmed in a non-transitory memory of a mobile device comprising:\\nrecognizing an optical mark displayed on a device screen of a device, wherein the optical mark comprises at least two concentric circles, wherein the optical mark is calibrated by comparing at least three different colors within a calibration region within the at least two concentric circles to an encoding palette;\\ndetecting the optical mark using the registration mark and the calibration region by decoding an optical code; and\\nauthenticating an on-line identity for a client based on the optical code of the optical mark and based on the on-line identity of the client.\",\n \"24. The method of claim 23 wherein a portion of the optical mark is based on the at least three different colors and each color is associated with the optical code comprising a number.\",\n \"25. The method of claim 23 wherein the optical mark is oriented by positioning a registration mark relative to a portion of the optical mark.\",\n \"26. The method of claim 23 wherein recognizing the optical mark comprises recognizing the optical mark over an air-gapped channel between the mobile device and the device screen of the device.\",\n \"27. The method of claim 23 further comprising:\\nstoring a first key, wherein authenticating the on-line identity for the client comprises signing a transaction completion request with the first key stored in the mobile device; and\\nverifying the on-line identity for the client by using a corresponding second key stored by a computer of a web service provider.\",\n \"28. The method of claim 27 wherein verifying the on-line identity for the client comprises evaluating personal biometry.\",\n \"29. The method of claim 27 further comprising:\\nconstructing an authorization assertion; and\\npassing the authorization assertion to the web service provider.\",\n \"30. The method of claim 29 wherein passing the authorization assertion comprises passing an OAuth2 token, SAML token, or RP token to the web service provider.\",\n \"31. The method of claim 23 wherein recognizing the optical mark comprises scanning the optical mark by a camera of the mobile device.\",\n \"32. The method of claim 27 wherein the first key comprises a private key, and wherein the second key comprises a public key.\",\n \"33. The method of claim 28 wherein evaluating the personal biometry comprises retina scanning or fingerprint scanning.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A method comprising:\\nmeasuring, by a user device, a second parameter value;\\nsending, by the user device, to a server computer, a request for accessing a first dataset, wherein the first dataset is associated with a first reference biometric template and a first parameter value at the server computer, wherein the request includes a query biometric template and the second parameter value associated with the user device, wherein the server computer determines a subset of datasets from a plurality of datasets based on the second parameter value, the subset of datasets including more than one dataset and less than the plurality of datasets, each of the subset of datasets corresponding to a different user, and the subset of datasets including the first dataset, the server computer retrieves a subset of reference biometric templates including, for each dataset in the subset of datasets, a corresponding reference biometric template, the server computer identifies a matching reference biometric template from among the subset of reference biometric templates that matches the query biometric template within a predetermined threshold, wherein the matching reference biometric template that matches the query biometric template is the first reference biometric template associated with the first dataset, and the server computer authenticates the query biometric template based on a comparison with the first reference biometric template;\\nreceiving, by the user device, from the server computer, an authentication approval message that allows the user device to access to the first dataset; and\\naccessing, by the user device, the first dataset.\",\n \"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the user device is a second user device, wherein the server computer receives the first reference biometric template and the first parameter value from a first user device associated with the first dataset, the first parameter value is associated with the first user device, the second parameter value is associated with the second user device, the server computer receives the first parameter value when the first user device is being used to access the first dataset, and wherein the server computer determines that the second parameter value matches the first parameter value within a predetermined range.\",\n \"3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first parameter value is a first location, wherein the second parameter value is a second location.\",\n \"4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first dataset is associated with a user identifier, wherein the authentication approval message includes the first reference biometric template and the user identifier, and further comprising:\\nstoring, by the user device, the user identifier and the first reference biometric template, wherein accessing the first dataset includes performing a subsequent user authentication based on the user identifier and the first reference biometric template.\",\n \"5. The method of claim 1, wherein each dataset in the subset of datasets is associated with a respective parameter value that is within a predetermined range of the second parameter value, wherein the first parameter value is within the predetermined range of the second parameter value.\",\n \"6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:\\nreceiving, by the user device, from the server computer, an instruction to prompt a user for a biometric template type;\\nprompting, by the user device, the user to select the biometric template type;\\nreceiving, by the user device, from the user, a selection of the biometric template type;\\nsending, by the user device, to the server computer, the selected biometric template type, wherein the server computer determines the subset of datasets further based on the selected biometric template type, wherein each dataset in the subset of datasets is associated with a reference biometric template of the selected biometric template type;\\nreceiving, by the user device, from the server computer, an instruction to obtain a biometric template of the selected biometric template type;\\nreceiving, by the user device, from the user, a biometric; and\\ngenerating, by the user device, the query biometric template, wherein the query biometric template is of the selected biometric template type.\",\n \"7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first reference biometric template is a voice template, and further comprising:\\nreceiving, by the user device, from a user, a voice command; and\\ngenerating, by the user device, the query biometric template based on the voice command.\",\n \"8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:\\nactivating, by the user device, a service provider application in response to the voice command, and wherein the request for accessing the first dataset is sent based on the voice command.\",\n \"9. The method of claim 1, wherein, before sending the request for accessing the first dataset, the user device has never accessed the first dataset, wherein the request does not include an identifier for the first dataset, and wherein the server computer identifies the first reference biometric template based on the second parameter value and not based on a user identifier.\",\n \"10. A user device comprising:\\na processor; and\\na computer readable medium, the computer readable medium comprising code, executable by the processor, for implementing a method comprising:\\nmeasuring a second parameter value;\\nsending, to a server computer, a request for accessing a first dataset, wherein the first dataset is associated with a first reference biometric template and a first parameter value at the server computer, wherein the request includes a query biometric template and the second parameter value associated with the user device, wherein the server computer determines a subset of datasets from a plurality of datasets based on the second parameter value, the subset of datasets including more than one dataset and less than the plurality of datasets, each of the subset of datasets corresponding to a different user, and the subset of datasets including the first dataset, the server computer retrieves a subset of reference biometric templates including, for each dataset in the subset of datasets, a corresponding reference biometric template, the server computer identifies a matching reference biometric template from among the subset of reference biometric templates that matches the query biometric template within a predetermined threshold, wherein the matching reference biometric template that matches the query biometric template is the first reference biometric template associated with the first dataset, and the server computer authenticates the query biometric template based on a comparison with the first reference biometric template;\\nreceiving, from the server computer, an authentication approval message that allows the user device to access to the first dataset; and\\naccessing the first dataset.\",\n \"11. The user device of claim 10, wherein the first parameter value is first location, wherein the second parameter value is a second location.\",\n \"12. The user device of claim 10, further comprising:\\nactivating an application;\\nin response to activating the application, prompting a user to provide a biometric;\\nmeasuring the biometric; and\\ngenerating the query biometric template based on the biometric.\",\n \"13. The user device of claim 10, wherein the first dataset is a user account, and wherein the accessing the first dataset includes logging into the user account.\",\n \"14. The user device of claim 10, wherein the authentication approval message includes the first reference biometric template in an encrypted form, and further comprising:\\ndecrypting the first reference biometric template; and\\nstoring the first reference biometric template at the user device.\",\n \"15. The user device of claim 10, further comprising:\\nencrypting the query biometric template, wherein the query biometric template included in the request is encrypted, and wherein the server computer decrypts the query biometric template.\",\n \"16. The method of claim 2, wherein the first parameter value is a first time, wherein the second parameter value is a second time.\",\n \"17. The method of claim 2, wherein the first parameter value is a first device condition, wherein the second parameter value is a second device condition.\",\n \"18. The method of claim 2, wherein the first parameter value is a first battery level, wherein the second parameter value is a second battery level.\",\n \"19. The method of claim 2, wherein the first parameter value is a first language setting, wherein the second parameter value is a second language setting.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A method of authorizing access to access-controlled environments, the method comprising:\\nreceiving, by a computing device, passive authentication information indicative of an identity of an entity;\\ncomparing, by the computing device, the passive authentication information to a stored identifier associated with the entity;\\nreceiving, by the computing device, active authentication information indicative of the identity of the entity;\\ncomparing, by the computing device, the active authentication information to the stored identifier;\\ngenerating a liveness evaluation of the entity, including acts of:\\nvalidating submission of the passive and active authentication information, wherein the liveness evaluation includes authentication information that validates capture of the passive and active authentication information by a live entity;\\nprocessing the authentication information that validates the capture of the passive and active authentication information using a plurality of neural networks including at least a first neural network configured to process passive authentication information and a second neural network configured to process active authentication information;\\ndetermining a probability, generated in response to the first and second neural networks processing the passive and active authentication information, that the passive authentication information and the active authentication information are actually obtained from the entity meets a threshold for validation;\\nreceiving, by the computing device, a request from the entity to execute an access-controlled function; and\\ngranting, by the computing device, the request from the entity responsive to determining that an identity probability satisfies a first identity probability threshold associated with the access-controlled function based on, at least in part, the passive and active authentication information and the liveness evaluation.\",\n \"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the passive authentication information includes behavior authentication information.\",\n \"3. The method of claim 2, wherein receiving the passive authentication information is performed without prompting the entity to provide the behavior authentication information.\",\n \"4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first neural network configured to process passive authentication information and the second neural network configured to process active authentication information are configured as a consolidated neural network.\",\n \"5. The method of claim 1, wherein an entity profile includes at least one encrypted biometric value corresponding to the entity, the at least one encrypted biometric value being encrypted by a first encryption algorithm.\",\n \"6. The method of claim 5, wherein comparing active authentication information includes:\\nencrypting at least one biometric input using the first encryption algorithm to generate at least one encrypted biometric input; and\\ncomparing the at least one encrypted biometric input to the at least one encrypted biometric value.\",\n \"7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\\nreceiving, by the computing device, a second request from the entity to execute a second access-controlled function;\\nprompting, by the computing device, the entity to provide at least one biometric input responsive to determining that the identity probability does not satisfy a second identity probability threshold associated with the second access-controlled function;\\nreceiving, by the computing device, the at least one biometric input;\\ncomparing, by the computing device, the at least one biometric input to an entity profile;\\ncalculating, by the computing device, a second entity identity probability based on the comparison of the at least one biometric input to the entity profile;\\nadjusting, by the computing device, the identity probability based on the second identity probability; and\\ngranting, by the computing device, the second request from the entity responsive to determining that the identity probability satisfies the second identity probability threshold.\",\n \"8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:\\nreceiving, by the computing device, a third request from the entity to execute a third access-controlled function;\\ndetermining, by the computing device, that the identity probability does not satisfy a third identity probability threshold associated with the third access-controlled function;\\nreceiving, by the computing device, a liveness indicator from the entity;\\ncalculating, by the computing device, a third entity identity probability based on the liveness indicator;\\nadjusting, by the computing device, the identity probability based on the third entity identity probability; and\\ngranting, by the computing device, the third request from the entity responsive to determining that the identity probability satisfies the third identity probability threshold.\",\n \"9. The method of claim 8, wherein generating the liveness evaluation includes an act of determining a probability that the entity is a live human entity.\",\n \"10. The method of claim 9, wherein generating the liveness evaluation includes at least evaluation of one of an audio recording of the entity speaking a phrase generated by the computing device or a video of the entity performing a gesture generated by the computing device.\",\n \"11. The method of claim 9, wherein receiving the liveness indicator includes receiving, passively by the computing device, one or more signals indicative of one or more vital signs of the entity.\",\n \"12. A system of authorizing access to access-controlled environments, the system comprising:\\nat least one processor operatively connected to a memory, the at least one processor configured to:\\nreceive passive authentication information indicative of an identity of an entity;\\ncompare the passive authentication information to a stored identifier associated with the entity;\\nreceive active authentication information indicative of the identity of the entity;\\ncompare the active authentication information to the stored entity identifier associated with the entity;\\ngenerate a liveness evaluation of the entity and validate submission of the passive and active authentication information, wherein the liveness evaluation includes authentication information that validates capture of the passive and active authentication information by a live entity, wherein generation of the liveness evaluation includes operations executed by the at least one processor to process the authentication information that validates the capture of the passive and active authentication information using a plurality of neural networks including at least a first neural network configured to process passive authentication information and a second neural network configured to process active authentication information;\\ndetermine a probability in response to the first and second neural networks processing the passive and active authentication information, that the passive authentication information and the active authentication information are actually obtained from the entity meets a threshold for validation;\\nreceive a request from the entity to execute an access-controlled function; and\\ngrant the request from the entity responsive to a determination that an identity probability satisfies a first identity probability threshold associated with the access-controlled function based on, at least in part, the active and passive authentication information and the liveness evaluation.\",\n \"13. The system of claim 12, wherein the passive authentication information includes behavior authentication information.\",\n \"14. The system of claim 12, wherein receiving the behavior authentication information is performed without prompting the entity to provide the behavior authentication information.\",\n \"15. The system of claim 12, wherein the first neural network configured to process passive authentication information and the second neural network configured to process active authentication information are configured as a consolidated neural network.\",\n \"16. The system of claim 12, wherein the at least one processor is configured to store an entity profile including an encrypted biometric value corresponding to the entity, the encrypted biometric value being encrypted by a first encryption algorithm.\",\n \"17. The system of claim 16, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:\\nencrypt at least one biometric input using the first encryption algorithm to generate at least one encrypted biometric input; and\\ncompare the at least one encrypted biometric input to the encrypted biometric value.\",\n \"18. The system of claim 12, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:\\nreceive a second request from the entity to execute a second access-controlled function;\\nprompt the entity to provide at least one biometric input responsive to determining that the identity probability does not satisfy a second identity probability threshold associated with the second access-controlled function;\\nreceive the at least one biometric input from the entity;\\ncompare the at least one biometric input to a entity profile;\\ncalculate a second entity identity probability based on the comparison of the at least one biometric input to the entity profile;\\nadjust the identity probability based on the second entity identity probability; and\\ngrant the second request from the entity responsive to a determination that the identity probability satisfies the second identity probability threshold.\",\n \"19. The system of claim 18, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:\\nreceive a third request from the entity to execute a third access-controlled function;\\ndetermine that the identity probability does not satisfy a third identity probability threshold associated with the third access-controlled function;\\nreceive a liveness indicator from the entity;\\ncalculate a third entity identity probability based on the liveness indicator;\\nadjust the identity probability based on the third entity identity probability; and\\ngrant the third request from the entity responsive to determining that the identity probability satisfies the third identity probability threshold.\",\n \"20. The system of claim 19 wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: determine a probability that the entity is a live human entity based on, at least in part, generation of the liveness evaluation.\",\n \"21. The system of claim 20, wherein generation of the liveness evaluation includes at least evaluation of one of an audio recording of the entity speaking a phrase generated by the at least one processor or a video of the entity performing a gesture generated by the at least one processor.\",\n \"22. The system of claim 20, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: receive passively one or more signals indicative of one or more vital signs of the entity.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A method for authenticating a client to multiple domains of an enterprise computing environment, each of the multiple domains comprising a standalone authentication system, the method comprising:\\ninitiating a login session with a first standalone authentication system of a primary domain of the multiple domains, the primary domain comprising a first set of applications and a first directory, wherein access to the first set of applications is limited to users with existing accounts defined in the first directory;\\ntransmitting a first set of credentials from the client to the first standalone authentication system;\\nvalidating the client by the first standalone authentication system based upon the first set of credentials;\\nstoring, on the client, a token received from the first standalone authentication system;\\ntransmitting, during the login session, the token and a second set of login credentials different than the first set of credentials to a secondary domain of the multiple domains subsequent to the transmitting of the first set of credentials to the first standalone authentication system, the secondary domain comprising a second set of applications and a second directory, wherein access to the second set of applications is limited to a subset of the users with existing accounts, wherein the subset is defined in the second directory, wherein the second set of login credentials is transmitted outside of the token and exists on the client prior to the client transmitting the first set of credentials to the first standalone authentication system; and\\nvalidating the client by a second standalone authentication system of the secondary domain based upon the transmitted token and the second set of login credentials.\",\n \"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the token and the second set of login credentials are transmitted in separate transmissions.\",\n \"3. The method of claim 1, wherein the token includes an account identifier associated with a user account on the primary domain and the secondary domain of the multiple domains.\",\n \"4. The method of claim 1, wherein the second set of login credentials is a digital certificate.\",\n \"5. The method of claim 4, wherein the digital certificate is stored on the client.\",\n \"6. The method of claim 4, wherein the digital certificate is stored on an external hardware device readable by the client.\",\n \"7. The method of claim 4, wherein the digital certificate is associated with a complementary client application of the second standalone authentication system of the secondary domain.\",\n \"8. The method of claim 4, wherein the digital certificate is associated with a client application independent of the second standalone authentication system of the secondary domain.\",\n \"9. The method of claim 1, further comprising: transmitting the second set of login credentials from the client to the first standalone authentication system of the primary domain; wherein validating the client to the primary domain is further based upon the second set of login credentials.\",\n \"10. A method for authenticating a client to multiple domains of an enterprise computing environment, each of the multiple domains comprising a standalone authentication system, comprising:\\nreceiving, during a login session, a first set of credentials from the client to a first standalone authentication system of a primary domain of the multiple domains, the primary domain comprising a first set of applications and a first directory, wherein access to the first set of applications is limited to users with existing accounts defined in the first directory;\\nvalidating the client to the primary domain based upon the first set of credentials;\\ntransmitting to the client a token in response to a successful validation of the first set of credentials;\\nreceiving on a secondary domain of the multiple domains, during the login session, the token and a second set of login credentials different from the first set of credentials subsequent to the receiving of the first set of credentials by the first standalone authentication system, the secondary domain comprising a second set of applications and a second directory, wherein access to the second set of applications is limited to a subset of the users with existing accounts, wherein the subset is defined in the second directory, wherein the second set of login credentials is transmitted outside of the token and exists on the client prior to the client transmitting the first set of credentials to the first standalone authentication system; and\\nvalidating the client by a second standalone authentication system of the secondary domain based upon the received token and the second set of login credentials.\",\n \"11. The method of claim 10, wherein the token and the second set of login credentials are received by the secondary domain through separate transmissions.\",\n \"12. The method of claim 10, wherein the token includes an account identifier associated with a user account on the primary domain and the secondary domain of the multiple domains.\",\n \"13. The method of claim 10, wherein the second set of login credentials is a digital certificate.\",\n \"14. The method of claim 13, wherein the digital certificate is stored on the client.\",\n \"15. The method of claim 13, wherein the digital certificate is stored on an external hardware device readable by the client.\",\n \"16. The method of claim 13, wherein the digital certificate is associated with a complementary client application of the second standalone authentication system of the secondary domain.\",\n \"17. The method of claim 13, wherein the digital certificate is associated with a client application independent of the second standalone authentication system of the secondary domain.\",\n \"18. The method of claim 10, further comprising: receiving the second set of login credentials on the primary domain; wherein: validating the client to the primary domain is further based upon the second set of login credentials; and transmitting the token is in response to a successful validation of the second set of login credentials.\",\n \"19. An article of manufacture comprising a non-transitory program storage medium readable by a computer, the non-transitory program storage medium tangibly embodying one or more programs of instructions executable by the computer to perform a method for authenticating a client to multiple domains of an enterprise computing environment, each of the multiple domains comprising a standalone authentication system, the method comprising:\\nreceiving, during a login session, a first set of credentials from the client to a first standalone authentication system of a primary domain of the multiple domains, the primary domain comprising a first set of applications and a first directory, wherein access to the first set of applications is limited to users with existing accounts defined in the first directory;\\nvalidating the client to the primary domain based upon the first set of credentials;\\ntransmitting to the client a token in response to a successful validation of the first set of credentials;\\nreceiving on a secondary domain of the multiple domains, during the login session, the token and a second set of login credentials different from the first set of credentials subsequent to the receiving of the first set of credentials by the first standalone authentication system, the secondary domain comprising a second set of applications and a second directory, wherein access to the second set of applications is limited to a subset of the users with existing accounts, wherein the subset is defined in the second directory, wherein the second set of login credentials is transmitted outside of the token and exists on the client prior to the client transmitting the first set of credentials to the first standalone authentication system; and\\nvalidating the client by a second standalone authentication system of the secondary domain based upon the received token and the second set of login credentials.\",\n \"20. The article of manufacture of claim 19, wherein the token and the second set of login credentials are received by the secondary domain through separate transmissions.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A method comprising:\\nintercepting a message in a network environment of a vehicle, the message being sent from a source to a receiver;\\nevaluating one or more predefined policies to determine whether the source is permitted to communicate with the receiver, the one or more predefined policies including security rules for network communications with a plurality of subsystems in the network environment, wherein evaluating the one or more predefined policies includes:\\nevaluating a security rule related to the network communications between a first bus system of the source from among the plurality of subsystems and a second bus system of the receiver from among the plurality of subsystems, and\\nevaluating a source address of the source and a destination address of the receiver and different buses that are communicating for transmitting the message; and\\nblocking the message if the source is not permitted to communicate with the receiver.\",\n \"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the source is not permitted to communicate with the receiver if the one or more predefined policies indicate that a first interface associated with the source is not permitted to communicate with a second interface associated with the receiver.\",\n \"3. The method of claim 1, wherein the source is not permitted to communicate with the receiver if the one or more predefined policies indicate that a first network address associated with the source is not permitted to communicate with a second network address associated with the receiver.\",\n \"4. The method of claim 1, wherein the source is not permitted to communicate with the receiver if the one or more predefined policies indicate that a first application process associated with the source is not permitted to communicate with a second application process associated with the receiver.\",\n \"5. The method of claim 1, wherein the source is not permitted to communicate with the receiver if the one or more predefined policies indicate that an application process associated with the source is not permitted to communicate with a network address associated with the receiver.\",\n \"6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\\nlogging an event representing the message.\",\n \"7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\\nestablishing a network connection from an on-board unit (OBU) of the vehicle to a remote node;\\nauthenticating the OBU to the remote node; and\\ndownloading updated policies to the OBU from the remote node, the updated policies including updated security rules for the network communications with the plurality of subsystems; and\\nupdating the predefined one or more policies with the updated policies.\",\n \"8. The method of claim 1, wherein the source is a first machine device on a first subsystem in the network environment of the vehicle, wherein the receiver is a second machine device on a second subsystem in the network environment of the vehicle.\",\n \"9. The method of claim 1, wherein the source is a machine device on a first subsystem in the network environment of the vehicle, wherein the receiver is a network interface of an on-board unit (OBU) of the vehicle.\",\n \"10. The method of claim 1, wherein the source is an application process on an on-board unit (OBU) of the vehicle, wherein the receiver is a machine device on a first subsystem in the network environment of the vehicle.\",\n \"11. The method of claim 1, wherein intercepting the message, evaluating the one or more predefined policies, and blocking the message are performed by one or more hardware elements of the plurality of subsystems.\",\n \"12. The method of claim 1, wherein the predefined policies include the security rules for a specific subset of vehicles manufactured by a vehicle manufacturer.\",\n \"13. The method of claim 1, wherein evaluating the one or more predefined policies includes:\\nevaluating a type of the message to be communicated between the first bus system and the second bus system.\",\n \"14. An apparatus, comprising:\\na communication interface that enables network communications; a processor; and\\na memory storing data and instructions executable by the processor, wherein the processor is configured to execute the instructions to:\\nintercept a message in a network environment of a vehicle, the message being sent from a source to a receiver;\\nevaluate one or more predefined policies to determine whether the source is permitted to communicate with the receiver, the one or more predefined policies including security rules for the network communications with a plurality of subsystems in the network environment, wherein the processor is configured to evaluate the one or more predefined policies by:\\nevaluating a security rule related to the network communications between a first bus system of the source from among the plurality of subsystems and a second bus system of the receiver from among the plurality of subsystems, and\\nevaluating a source address of the source and a destination address of the receiver and different buses that are communicating for transmitting the message; and\\nblock the message if the source is not permitted to communicate with the receiver.\",\n \"15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the source is not permitted to communicate with the receiver if the one or more predefined policies indicate that a first interface associated with the source is not permitted to communicate with a second interface associated with the receiver.\",\n \"16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the source is not permitted to communicate with the receiver if the one or more predefined policies indicate that a first network address associated with the source is not permitted to communicate with a second network address associated with the receiver.\",\n \"17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the source is not permitted to communicate with the receiver if the one or more predefined policies indicate that a first application process associated with the source is not permitted to communicate with a second application process associated with the receiver.\",\n \"18. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium encoded with software comprising computer executable instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to:\\nintercept a message in a network environment of a vehicle, the message being sent from a source to a receiver;\\nevaluate one or more predefined policies to determine whether the source is permitted to communicate with the receiver, the one or more predefined policies including security rules for network communications with a plurality of subsystems in the network environment, wherein the instructions cause the processor to evaluate the one or more predefined policies by:\\nevaluating a security rule related to the network communications between a first bus system of the source from among the plurality of subsystems and a second bus system of the receiver from among the plurality of subsystems, and\\nevaluating a source address of the source and a destination address of the receiver and different buses that are communicating for transmitting the message; and\\nblock the message if the source is not permitted to communicate with the receiver.\",\n \"19. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 18, wherein the instructions cause the processor to perform an additional operation including:\\nstoring the security rules in a firewall policy database, wherein at least one of the security rules is preprogrammed by a manufacturer of the vehicle and the security rules include a local interconnect network (LIN) specific rule.\",\n \"20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 18, wherein the instructions cause the processor to evaluate the one or more predefined policies by:\\nevaluating whether communication is permitted between a first application process associated with the source and a second application process associated with the receiver.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A method for processing a request to access a target server over a network from a user operating a client computer, the method comprising:\\nreceiving, at an authentication server, a request to access the target server from the user operating the client computer, wherein the target server is separate from the authentication server and wherein the target server is accessible to the user executing a web browser on the client computer;\\ncausing, by the authentication server, user input fields to be displayed on the client computer to prompt the user for entry of user credentials through the web browser;\\nissuing, by the authentication server, a challenge to an authorizing client device requiring validation of an identity of the user in response to the request to access the target server;\\nsending, from the authentication server, a command to the authorizing client device to prompt the user to input a response to the challenge into the authorizing client device;\\nreceiving, at the authentication server, verification from the authorizing client device that the response to the challenge is valid;\\nevaluating, by the authentication server, at least one item of context information related to the client computer being operated by the user, the at least one item of context information including at least one of a location of the client computer, characteristics of a network to which the client computer is connected, security risk data associated with an application operating on the target server for which the user requests access, an identification of accounts common to both the client computer and the authorizing client device, and an identification of usage anomalies, wherein the at least one item of context information is provided by the client computer to the authentication server separate from the request to access the network resource and separate from the user credentials;\\ndetermining, at the authentication server, a disposition of the request to access the target server based on the verification from the authorizing client device and the evaluation of the at least one item of context information; and\\nreleasing, by the authentication server, user credentials to a client desktop extension on the client computer when the determined disposition is to grant access, the released user credentials being used by the client computer to obtain access to the target server.\",\n \"2. The method of claim 1 wherein the disposition of the request to access the target server includes one of granting the request by the user to access the target server or denying the request by the user to access the target server, and the method further comprising transmitting, by the server, the disposition information in a message to the authorizing client device to cause the authorizing client device to display the disposition.\",\n \"3. The method of claim 1 wherein the target server provides access to a network resource from the group consisting of: a web site, a service provided by the target server, a hardware device coupled to the network, access to physical facilities controlled by the target server, an executable application, and a product sold by an operator of the target server.\",\n \"4. The method of claim 1 wherein the authorizing client device comprises a mobile communications device coupled to the client computer over a network link, wherein the network link is at least one of: cellular link, Bluetooth link, WIFI link, and near field communication link.\",\n \"5. The method of claim 4 further comprising causing, by the authentication server, a display of a device selection field on the client computer to allow the user to select a specific type and model of mobile communications device from a selection of mobile communications devices.\",\n \"6. The method of claim 1 wherein the response to the challenge is a universal password.\",\n \"7. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one item of context information is the location of the client computer.\",\n \"8. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one item of context information is the characteristics of a network to which the client computer is connected.\",\n \"9. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one item of context information is the security risk data associated with the network resource to which the user requests access.\",\n \"10. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one item of context information is the identification of common accounts.\",\n \"11. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one item of context information is the identification of usage anomalies.\",\n \"12. A non-transitory computer-readable medium encoded with a plurality of instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform a method comprising:\\nreceiving, at an authentication server, a request to access a target server from the user operating a client computer, wherein the target server is separate from the authentication server and wherein the target server is accessible to the user executing a web browser on the client computer;\\ncausing, by the authentication server, user input fields to be displayed on the client computer to prompt the user for entry of user credentials through the web browser;\\nissuing, by the authentication server, a challenge to an authorizing client device requiring validation of an identity of the user in response to the request to access the target server;\\nsending, from the authentication server, a command to the authorizing client device to prompt the user to input a response to the challenge into the authorizing client device;\\nreceiving, at the authentication server, verification from the authorizing client device that the response to the challenge is valid;\\nevaluating, by the authentication server, at least one item of context information related to the client computer being operated by the user, the at least one item of context information including at least one of a location of the client computer, characteristics of a network to which the client computer is connected, security risk data associated with an application operating on the target server for which the user requests access, an identification of accounts common to both the client computer and the authorizing client device, and an identification of usage anomalies, wherein the at least one item of context information is provided by the client computer to the authentication server separate from the request to access the network resource and separate from the user credentials;\\ndetermining, at the authentication server, a disposition of the request to access the target server based on the verification from the authorizing client device and the evaluation of the at least one item of context information; and\\nreleasing, by the authentication server, user credentials to a client desktop extension on the client computer when the determined disposition is to grant access, the released user credentials being used by the client computer to obtain access to the target server.\",\n \"13. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12 wherein the disposition of the request to access the target server includes one of granting the request by the user to access the target server or denying the request by the user to access the target server, and the non-transitory computer-readable medium further comprising instructions to cause the processor to perform a method comprising transmitting, by the server, the disposition information in a message to the authorizing client device to cause the authorizing client device to display the disposition.\",\n \"14. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12 wherein the target server provides access to a network resource from the group consisting of: a web site, a service provided by the target server, a hardware device coupled to the network, access to physical facilities controlled by the target server, an executable application, and a product sold by an operator of the target server.\",\n \"15. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12 wherein the authorizing client device comprises a mobile communications device coupled to the client computer over a network link, wherein the network link is at least one of: cellular link, Bluetooth link, WIFI link, and near field communication link.\",\n \"16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15 further comprising instructions to cause the processor to perform a method comprising causing, by the authentication server, a display of a device selection field on the client computer to allow the user to select a specific type and model of mobile communications device from a selection of mobile communications devices.\",\n \"17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12 wherein the response to the challenge is a universal password.\",\n \"18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12 wherein the at least one item of context information is the location of the client computer.\",\n \"19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12 wherein the at least one item of context information is the characteristics of a network to which the client computer is connected.\",\n \"20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12 wherein the at least one item of context information is the security risk data associated with the network resource to which the user requests access.\",\n \"21. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12 wherein the at least one item of context information is the identification of common accounts.\",\n \"22. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12 wherein the at least one item of context information is the identification of usage anomalies.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. An electronic device, comprising:\\na display;\\na biometric sensor;\\none or more processors; and\\nmemory storing one or more programs configured to be executed by the one or more processors, the one or more programs including instructions for:\\ndetecting a request to display a set of credentials, wherein the set of credentials includes a first credential and a second credential;\\nin response to detecting the request to display the set of credentials:\\ncollecting, via the biometric sensor, a first set of biometric information; and\\nafter collecting the first set of biometric information and in accordance with a determination that the first set of biometric information is associated with a user who is authorized to use the set of credentials, concurrently displaying, via the display:\\na redacted version of the first credential; and\\na redacted version of the second credential;\\nwhile concurrently displaying the redacted version of the first credential and the redacted version of the second credential, detecting a request to display a non-redacted version of the set of credentials; and\\nin response to detecting the request to display the non-redacted version of the set of credentials, concurrently displaying, via the display:\\na non-redacted version of the first credential; and\\na non-redacted version of the second credential.\",\n \"2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the set of credentials includes credentials that correspond to a plurality of different accounts of a user of the electronic device.\",\n \"3. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the set of credentials includes passwords for a plurality of different accounts of a user of the electronic device.\",\n \"4. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the set of credentials includes payment authorization information for a plurality of different payment accounts of a user of the electronic device.\",\n \"5. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the set of credentials includes one or more of: a user ID, a password, a credit card number, a bank account number, an address, a telephone number, and a shopping credential.\",\n \"6. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein:\\nthe redacted version of the first credential includes an indication of a length of the first credential;\\nthe redacted version of the second credential includes an indication of a length of the second credential;\\nthe non-redacted version of the first credential includes a human readable version of the first credential; and\\nthe non-redacted version of the second credential includes a human readable version of the second credential.\",\n \"7. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein:\\nthe redacted version of the first credential includes a non-redacted portion of the first credential;\\nthe redacted version of the second credential includes a non-redacted portion of the second credential;\\nthe non-redacted version of the first credential includes a human readable version of an entirety of the first credential; and\\nthe non-redacted version of the second credential includes a human readable version of an entirety of the second credential.\",\n \"8. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the determination that the first set of biometric information is associated with the user who is authorized to use the set of credentials includes a determination that the first set of biometric information matches at least one of a set of one or more enrolled sets of biometric information.\",\n \"9. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing one or more programs configured to be executed by one or more processors of an electronic device with a display and a biometric sensor, the one or more programs comprising instructions for:\\ndetecting a request to display a set of credentials, wherein the set of credentials includes a first credential and a second credential;\\nin response to detecting the request to display the set of credentials:\\ncollecting, via the biometric sensor, a first set of biometric information; and\\nafter collecting the first set of biometric information and in accordance with a determination that the first set of biometric information is associated with a user who is authorized to use the set of credentials, concurrently displaying, via the display:\\na redacted version of the first credential; and\\na redacted version of the second credential;\\nwhile concurrently displaying the redacted version of the first credential and the redacted version of the second credential, detecting a request to display a non-redacted version of the set of credentials; and\\nin response to detecting the request to display the non-redacted version of the set of one of more credentials, concurrently displaying, via the display:\\na non-redacted version of the first credential; and\\na non-redacted version of the second credential.\",\n \"10. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein the set of credentials includes credentials that correspond to a plurality of different accounts of a user of the electronic device.\",\n \"11. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein the set of credentials includes passwords for a plurality of different accounts of a user of the electronic device.\",\n \"12. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein the set of credentials includes payment authorization information for a plurality of different payment accounts of a user of the electronic device.\",\n \"13. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein the set of credentials includes one or more of: a user ID, a password, a credit card number, a bank account number, an address, a telephone number, and a shopping credential.\",\n \"14. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein:\\nthe redacted version of the first credential includes an indication of a length of the first credential;\\nthe redacted version of the second credential includes an indication of a length of the second credential;\\nthe non-redacted version of the first credential includes a human readable version of the first credential; and\\nthe non-redacted version of the second credential includes a human readable version of the second credential.\",\n \"15. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein:\\nthe redacted version of the first credential includes a non-redacted portion of the first credential;\\nthe redacted version of the second credential includes a non-redacted portion of the second credential;\\nthe non-redacted version of the first credential includes a human readable version of an entirety of the first credential; and\\nthe non-redacted version of the second credential includes a human readable version of an entirety of the second credential.\",\n \"16. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein the determination that the first set of biometric information is associated with the user who is authorized to use the set of credentials includes a determination that the first set of biometric information matches at least one of a set of one or more enrolled sets of biometric information.\",\n \"17. A method, comprising:\\nat an electronic device with one or more processors, memory, a display, and a biometric sensor:\\ndetecting a request to display a set of credentials, wherein the set of credentials includes a first credential and a second credential;\\nin response to detecting the request to display the set of credentials:\\ncollecting, via the biometric sensor, a first set of biometric information; and\\nafter collecting the first set of biometric information and in accordance with a determination that the first set of biometric information is associated with a user who is authorized to use the set of credentials, concurrently displaying, via the display:\\na redacted version of the first credential; and\\na redacted version of the second credential;\\nwhile concurrently displaying the redacted version of the first credential and the redacted version of the second credential, detecting a request to display a non-redacted version of the set of credentials; and\\nin response to detecting the request to display the non-redacted version of the set of credentials, concurrently displaying, via the display:\\na non-redacted version of the first credential; and\\na non-redacted version of the second credential.\",\n \"18. The method of claim 17, wherein the set of credentials includes credentials that correspond to a plurality of different accounts of a user of the electronic device.\",\n \"19. The method of claim 17, wherein the set of credentials includes passwords for a plurality of different accounts of a user of the electronic device.\",\n \"20. The method of claim 17, wherein the set of credentials includes payment authorization information for a plurality of different payment accounts of a user of the electronic device.\",\n \"21. The method of claim 17, wherein the set of credentials includes one or more of: a user ID, a password, a credit card number, a bank account number, an address, a telephone number, and a shopping credential.\",\n \"22. The method of claim 17, wherein:\\nthe redacted version of the first credential includes an indication of a length of the first credential;\\nthe redacted version of the second credential includes an indication of a length of the second credential;\\nthe non-redacted version of the first credential includes a human readable version of the first credential; and\\nthe non-redacted version of the second credential includes a human readable version of the second credential.\",\n \"23. The method of claim 17, wherein:\\nthe redacted version of the first credential includes a non-redacted portion of the first credential;\\nthe redacted version of the second credential includes a non-redacted portion of the second credential;\\nthe non-redacted version of the first credential includes a human readable version of an entirety of the first credential; and\\nthe non-redacted version of the second credential includes a human readable version of an entirety of the second credential.\",\n \"24. The method of claim 17, wherein the determination that the first set of biometric information is associated with the user who is authorized to use the set of credentials includes a determination that the first set of biometric information matches at least one of a set of one or more enrolled sets of biometric information.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A method for identifying a strength of an input picture password formed by performing a sequence of gestures relative to a picture, the method comprising:\\nstoring, in a memory device, a crowdsource history of picture passwords, each of the picture passwords including a picture and a sequence of gestures on the picture;\\ngenerating, by a processor-based demography-based pattern usage assessment generator, a demography-based pattern usage assessment to develop demography-based rules determined from the crowd source history as well as user cultural and language backgrounds encompassing distinct gestures so that each gesture of each sequence of gestures is compared to commonly used hand movement and demography-based patterns derived from the user cultural and language backgrounds to determine a strength of each gesture; and\\nproviding an indication of the strength of the input picture password based on the strength of each gesture within the input picture password.\",\n \"2. The method of claim 1, further comprising preventing usage of the input picture password, responsive to the strength of the picture password being indicated as below a predetermined threshold.\",\n \"3. The method of claim 2, further comprising accepting the picture password for actual use by the user responsive to the strength of the picture password being indicated as being equal to or above a predetermined threshold, and providing a user physical access to a locked application or facility responsive to the user providing the accepted picture password.\",\n \"4. The method of claim 2, further comprising requiring a user to provide a new picture password that includes at least one different gesture, responsive to the strength of the picture password being indicated as below the predetermined threshold.\",\n \"5. The method of claim 1, wherein the strength of the input picture password is indicated using a measure selected from weak, medium, and strong.\",\n \"6. The method of claim 1, wherein the demography-based pattern usage assessment is determined from a demography that includes at least one of a language style, an age group, a country, an experience level, a gender, and a culture.\",\n \"7. The method of claim 1, wherein the demography-based pattern usage assessment is determined from a pattern usage that includes an image main point of interest reference, a contour, a common pattern, a predictable pattern, a circular pattern, and a direction.\",\n \"8. The method of claim 1, further comprising updating the demography-based pattern usage assessment based on changes to the crowdsource history.\",\n \"9. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating a set of rules for judging password strength based on at least one of the crowdsource history and the demography-based pattern usage assessment.\",\n \"10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:\\nupdating the crowdsource history to obtain updated crowdsource history, and\\nupdating the set of rules based at least one of the updated crowdsource history and the demography-based pattern usage assessment.\",\n \"11. The method of claim 9, wherein the set of rules are generated further based on user inputs to applications that involve users making one or more gestures.\",\n \"12. The method of claim 1, wherein said providing step comprises evaluating the input picture password using at least one of a two-dimensional grid and a three-dimensional grid.\",\n \"13. The method of claim 1, wherein the input picture is evaluated with respect to a set of commonly used patterns, wherein a pattern status of commonly used is determined based on the demography-based pattern usage assessment.\",\n \"14. The method of claim 1, wherein the input picture is evaluated with respect to a set of too easily predicted patterns, wherein a pattern status of too easily predicted is determined based on the demography-based pattern usage assessment.\",\n \"15. The method of claim 1, wherein the crowdsource history of picture passwords is formed by tracking a plurality of picture passwords used to authenticate a plurality of users.\",\n \"16. The method of claim 1, wherein each user of the plurality of users has a respective user profile comprising a country, language, cultural profile, gender, or any combination thereof.\",\n \"17. The method of claim 1, wherein the indication of the strength of the input picture password is provided by a user perceptible indication device in accordance with the demography based pattern usage assessment.\",\n \"18. A method for identifying a strength of an input picture password formed by performing a sequence of gestures relative to a picture, the method comprising:\\nstoring, in a memory device, a crowdsource history of picture passwords, each of the picture passwords including a picture and a sequence of gestures on the picture; and\\ngenerating, by a processor-based demography-based pattern usage assessment generator, a demography-based pattern usage assessment to develop demography-based rules determined from the crowd source history as well as user cultural and language backgrounds encompassing distinct gestures so that each gesture of each sequence of gestures is compared to commonly used hand movement and demography-based patterns derived from the user cultural and language backgrounds to determine a strength of each gesture to provide an indication of the strength of the input picture password based on the assessment.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A method of event handling in a cloud based multi-tenant identity management system, the method comprising:\\nreceiving a plurality of individual events and a request to create a group from the individual events, each of the events one of a create, read, update or delete event, and each of the individual events comprising a published message having a corresponding message topic that is received by one or more subscribers that subscribe to the corresponding message topic;\\npublishing the group as a composite event, the composite event comprising the plurality of individual events and forming a composite event message having a composite event message topic;\\npersisting the composite event in a composite queue;\\ndispatching the composite event to a composite handler comprising sending the composite event to a messaging service that comprises the composite handler, wherein the composite handler is registered for listening for composite events by subscribing to the composite event message topic, wherein the messaging service further comprises one or more individual event handlers;\\nparsing the composite event by the composite handler and persisting the individual events in respective event queues; and\\ndispatching the individual events to the one or more individual event handlers of the messaging service, each individual event handler subscribing to one of the corresponding message topics.\",\n \"2. The method of claim 1, wherein each published message comprises a topic and event-id combination, further comprising dispatching the individual events to respective individual event handlers of the messaging service that are listening for individual events by subscribing to the topic and event-id combination.\",\n \"3. The method of claim 2, wherein a respective individual event handler is an audit handler and the individual events are written to an audit log.\",\n \"4. The method of claim 2, wherein a respective individual event handler is a notify handler and the individual events are turned into custom email notifications.\",\n \"5. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the published messages and the composite event message comprise a Java Message Service (JMS) message.\",\n \"6. The method of claim 1, wherein the group comprises members, and each of the individual events corresponds to a member.\",\n \"7. The method of claim 1, wherein the create the group is implemented by an administration microservice, and the messaging service is implemented by a messaging microservice.\",\n \"8. A non-transitory computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the processors to provide event handling in a cloud based multi-tenant identity management system, the providing comprising:\\nreceiving a plurality of individual events and a request to create a group from the individual events, each of the events one of a create, read, update or delete event, and each of the individual events comprising a published message having a corresponding message topic that is received by one or more subscribers that subscribe to the corresponding message topic;\\npublishing the group as a composite event, the composite event comprising the plurality of individual events and forming a composite event message having a composite event message topic;\\npersisting the composite event in a composite queue;\\ndispatching the composite event to a composite handler comprising sending the composite event to a messaging service that comprises the composite handler, wherein the composite handler is registered for listening for composite events by subscribing to the composite event message topic, wherein the messaging service further comprises one or more individual event handlers;\\nparsing the composite event by the composite handler and persisting the individual events in respective event queues; and\\ndispatching the individual events to the one or more individual event handlers of the messaging service, each individual event handler subscribing to one of the corresponding message topics.\",\n \"9. The computer readable medium of claim 8, wherein each published message comprises a topic and event-id combination, the providing further comprising dispatching the individual events to respective individual event handlers of the messaging service that are listening for individual events by subscribing to the topic and event-id combination.\",\n \"10. The computer readable medium of claim 9, wherein a respective individual event handler is an audit handler and the individual events are written to an audit log.\",\n \"11. The computer readable medium of claim 9, wherein a respective individual event handler is a notify handler and the individual events are turned into custom email notifications.\",\n \"12. The computer readable medium of claim 8, wherein each of the published messages and the composite event message comprise a Java Message Service (JMS) message.\",\n \"13. The computer readable medium of claim 8, wherein the group comprises members, and each of the individual events corresponds to a member.\",\n \"14. The computer readable medium of claim 8, wherein the create the group is implemented by an administration microservice, and the messaging service is implemented by a messaging microservice.\",\n \"15. A system for providing cloud based identity and access management, comprising:\\na plurality of tenants;\\na plurality of microservices; and\\none or more processors that:\\nreceive a plurality of individual events and a request to create a group from the individual events, each of the events one of a create, read, update or delete event, and each of the individual events comprising a published message having a corresponding message topic that is received by one or more subscribers that subscribe to the corresponding message topic;\\npublish the group as a composite event, the composite event comprising the plurality of individual events and forming a composite event message having a composite event message topic;\\npersist the composite event in a composite queue;\\ndispatch the composite event to a composite handler comprising sending the composite event to a messaging service that comprises the composite handler, wherein the composite handler is registered for listening for composite events by subscribing to the composite event message topic, wherein the messaging service further comprises one or more individual event handlers;\\nparse the composite event by the composite handler and persisting the individual events in respective event queues; and\\ndispatch the individual events to the one or more individual event handlers of the messaging service, each individual event handler subscribing to one of the corresponding message topics.\",\n \"16. The system of claim 15, wherein each published message comprises a topic and event-id combination, further comprising dispatching the individual events to respective individual event handlers of the messaging service that are listening for individual events by subscribing to the topic and event-id combination.\",\n \"17. The system of claim 16, wherein a respective individual event handler is an audit handler and the individual events are written to an audit log.\",\n \"18. The system of claim 16, wherein a respective individual event handler is a notify handler and the individual events are turned into custom email notifications.\",\n \"19. The system of claim 15, wherein each of the published messages and the composite event message comprise a Java Message Service (JMS) message.\",\n \"20. The system of claim 15, wherein the group comprises members, and each of the individual events corresponds to a member.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A secure identity device arrangement, such secure identity device arrangement enabling reliable secure human identification, the secure identity device arrangement comprising:\\nsecurity hardened identity device arrangement packaging;\\na sensor set arrangement including at least one sensor, for acquiring biometric identification information, configured to detect electromagnetic radiation and/or sound, the sensor set arrangement configured for at least in part establishing, and subsequently authenticating, a human subject's biometric identification information;\\na biometric identification liveness testing arrangement including at least one processor and associated memory and configured to perform biometric identification physical presence liveness testing involving time stamped, correlated emitter and sensor information, such testing involving identification of (1) timing discontinuity, (2) timing overhead delay, and/or (3) other sensed signal inconsistencies with emitted signal information,\\nwherein the biometric identification liveness testing arrangement comprises: (a) an emitter arrangement including an emitter and configured to provide electromagnetic radiation and/or sound, (b) such emitter arrangement's emission control arrangement including at least one processor and associated memory, where such emission control arrangement controls such emitter arrangement's provision of electromagnetic radiation and/or sound to produce at least in part unpredictable emitter output for painting at least a portion of such human subject, (c) a sensor set arrangement, for acquiring information for timing analysis, configured at least in part for receiving information corresponding to such emitter radiation, and (d) a secure clock arrangement including a trusted clock and configured for time stamping emitter emission timing information and/or sensor receiving timing information;\\nat least one cryptographic arrangement including at least one processor and associated memory and including a protected repository, located within such security hardened identity device arrangement packaging, at least in part configured for enabling secure communication with a remote administrative and/or cloud service identity arrangement including a server, such secure communication enabling the performance of secure human identification information verification similarity matching using such human subject's registered and securely maintained identification information;\\na processing device arrangement located within such security hardened identity device arrangement packaging, comprising a secure operatively isolated processor, at least in part configured for processing such human subject's biometric identification information,\\nwherein such processing device arrangement is contained in a parent computing device arrangement including at least one processor and associated memory, such processing device arrangement configured to:\\noperate one or more authenticated and authorized load modules configured for performing identity operations using one or more protected processing environments to enable trusted identity operations, at least one of any such protected processing environments isolated from external processes, and\\nisolate operating resource sets from corruption, misdirection, subversion, observation, and/or other forms of interference using external resource sets; and at least one memory component configured for securely storing at least a portion of such human subject's biometric identification information.\",\n \"2. The secure identity device arrangement of claim 1, wherein such time stamping of emitter emission timing information and/or sensor receiving timing information enables cross-correlating emitter output and sensor input signals according to such clock arrangement's secure time stamping.\",\n \"3. The secure identity device arrangement of claim 1, wherein such parent computing device arrangement is configured to hibernate during one or more of the trusted identity operations of such contained processing device arrangement, such hibernation providing protection against interference with such identity device arrangement's operations.\",\n \"4. The secure identity device arrangement of claim 1, wherein such human subject's biometric identification information is at least in part derived from 2D image-acquisition-over-time pattern information, and\\nwherein such 2D image-acquisition-over-time information is used to test for 3D physical presence liveness of such human subject by calculating such human subject's corresponding 3D image pattern set using such 2D image pattern set information.\",\n \"5. The identity device arrangement of claim 1, wherein such security hardened identity device arrangement packaging contains a plurality of protected processing environments that respectively isolate different trusted identity related operations.\",\n \"6. The secure identity device arrangement of claim 1, wherein biometric identification and liveness information of the human subject, and at least a portion of such biometrically identified human subject's registered, securely associated attribute information, is stored within such security hardened identity device arrangement packaging, wherein at least a portion of such attribute information is employed in authorizing computing activities of such identified human subject.\",\n \"7. The secure identity device arrangement of claim 1, wherein such processing device arrangement comprises a protected processing environment that enables extraction and correlation processing that includes human subject (a) feature extraction and/or (b) temporal pattern extraction.\",\n \"8. The secure identity device arrangement of claim 1, wherein each of a plurality of component identity device arrangements contains such human subject's biometric identification information, wherein each of such plurality of component identity device arrangements includes at least one processor and associated memory and employs security hardened identity device arrangement packaging.\",\n \"9. The secure identity device arrangement of claim 1, wherein a secure identity device arrangement processing arrangement instructs such emitter arrangement to provide in its output an encrypted emission challenge comprising tamper resistant challenge information used in authenticating the presence of a human biometrically identified subject.\",\n \"10. The secure identity device arrangement of claim 9, wherein such challenge is at least in part generated by a pseudo random generator located within such processing device arrangement.\",\n \"11. The secure identity device arrangement of claim 1, wherein such security hardened identity device arrangement's protected processing environment arrangement at least in part is enabled to securely perform plural registrations of a user's biometric identification with plural registration services.\",\n \"12. The secure identity device arrangement of claim 1, wherein such parent computing device arrangement is a mobile computing device.\",\n \"13. The secure identity device arrangement of claim 1, wherein at least one component arrangement including at least one processor and associated memory of such security hardened identity device arrangement packaging includes at least one of (a) a sensor arrangement, or (b) an emitter arrangement.\",\n \"14. The secure identity device arrangement of claim 1, wherein such emission control arrangement operates at least in part in such remote administrative and/or cloud service identity arrangement.\",\n \"15. The secure identity device arrangement of claim 1, wherein such portion of a human subject comprises at least one of a finger, an iris, a retina, vasculature, or a face.\",\n \"16. The secure identity device arrangement of claim 1, wherein the biometric identification sensor set arrangement and the timing analysis information acquiring sensor set arrangement are the same sensor set arrangement.\",\n \"17. A method for establishing reliable secure human identification, such method comprising:\\nproviding, through use of a computing arrangement including at least one processor and associated memory, at least one of one or more standardized resources and specifications, wherein such providing enables operating a secure identity device arrangement for enabling reliable secure human identification, wherein such secure identity device arrangement comprises:\\nsecurity hardened identity device arrangement packaging;\\na sensor set arrangement including at least one sensor, for acquiring biometric identification information, configured to detect electromagnetic radiation and/or sound, the sensor set arrangement configured for at least in part establishing, and subsequently authenticating, a human subject's biometric identification information;\\na biometric identification liveness testing arrangement including at least one processor and associated memory and configured to perform biometric identification physical presence liveness testing involving time stamped, correlated emitter and sensor information, such testing involving identification of (1) timing discontinuity, (2) timing overhead delay, and/or (3) other sensed signal inconsistencies with emitted signal information,\\nwherein the biometric identification liveness testing arrangement comprises: (a) an emitter arrangement including an emitter and configured to provide electromagnetic radiation, and/or sound, (b) such emitter arrangement's emission control arrangement, including at least one processor and associated memory, where such emission control arrangement controls such emitter arrangement's provision of electromagnetic radiation and/or sound to produce at least in part unpredictable emitter output for painting at least a portion of such human subject, (c) a sensor set arrangement, for acquiring information for timing analysis, configured at least in part for receiving information corresponding to such emitter radiation, and (d) a secure clock arrangement including a trusted clock and configured for time stamping emitter emission timing information and/or sensor receiving timing information;\\nat least one cryptographic arrangement including at least one processor and associated memory and including a protected repository, located within such security hardened identity device arrangement packaging, at least in part configured for enabling secure communication with a remote administrative and/or cloud service identity arrangement including a server, such secure communication enabling the performance of secure human identification information verification similarity matching using such human subject's registered and securely maintained identification information;\\na processing device arrangement located within such security hardened identity device arrangement packaging, comprising a secure operatively isolated processor, at least in part configured for processing such human subject's biometric identification information,\\nwherein such processing device arrangement is contained in a parent computing device arrangement including at least one processor and associated memory, such processing device arrangement configured to:\\noperate one or more authenticated and authorized load modules configured for performing identity operations using one or more protected processing environments to enable trusted identity operations, at least one of any such protected processing environments isolated from external processes, and\\nisolate operating resource sets from corruption, misdirection, subversion, observation, and/or other forms of interference using external resource sets; and\\nat least one memory component configured for securely storing at least a portion of such human subject's biometric identification information.\",\n \"18. The method of claim 17, wherein such providing enables such time stamping of emitter emission timing information and/or sensor receiving timing information enables cross-correlating emitter output and sensor input signals according to such clock arrangement's secure time stamping.\",\n \"19. The method of claim 17, wherein such providing enables such parent computing device arrangement to be configured to hibernate during one or more of the trusted identity operations of such contained processing device arrangement, such hibernation providing protection against interference with such identity device arrangement's operations.\",\n \"20. The method of claim 17, wherein such providing enables deriving such human subject's biometric identification information at least in part from 2D image-acquisition-over-time pattern set information, and\\nwherein such 2D image-acquisition-over-time information is used to test for 3D physical presence liveness of such human subject by calculating such human subject's corresponding 3D image pattern set using such 2D image pattern set information.\",\n \"21. The method of claim 17, wherein such providing enables including a plurality of protected processing environments that respectively isolate different trusted identity related operations.\",\n \"22. The method of claim 17, wherein such providing enables storing biometric identification and liveness information of the human subject, and at least a portion of such biometrically identified human subject's registered, securely associated attribute information within such security hardened identity device arrangement packaging, wherein at least a portion of such attribute information is employed in authorizing computing activities of such identified human subject.\",\n \"23. The method of claim 17, wherein such providing enables such processing device arrangement comprising a protected processing environment to enable extraction and correlation processing that includes human subject (a) feature extraction and/or (b) temporal pattern extraction.\",\n \"24. The method of claim 17, wherein such providing enables a plurality of component identity device arrangements, the component identity device arrangements including at least one processor and associated memory, to respectively contain such human subject's biometric identification information, wherein each of such plurality of component identity device arrangements employs security hardened identity device arrangement packaging.\",\n \"25. The method of claim 17, wherein such providing enables a secure identity device arrangement's processing arrangement to instruct such emitter arrangement to provide in its output an encrypted emission challenge comprising tamper resistant challenge information used in authenticating the presence of a human biometrically identified subject.\",\n \"26. The method of claim 25, wherein such providing enables generating such challenge at least in part by a pseudo random generator located within such processing device arrangement.\",\n \"27. The method of claim 17, wherein such providing enables such security hardened identity device arrangement's protected processing environment arrangement at least in part to securely perform plural registrations of a user's biometric identification with plural registration services.\",\n \"28. The method of claim 17, wherein such providing enables such parent computing device arrangement to be a mobile computing device.\",\n \"29. The method of claim 17, wherein such providing enables at least one component arrangement including at least one processor and associated memory of such security hardened identity device arrangement packaging to include at least one of (a) a sensor arrangement, or (b) an emitter arrangement.\",\n \"30. The method of claim 17, wherein such providing enables such emission control arrangement to operate at least in part in such remote administrative and/or cloud service identity arrangement.\",\n \"31. The method of claim 17, wherein such providing enables such portion of a human subject to comprise at least one of a finger, an iris, a retina, vasculature, or a face.\",\n \"32. The method of claim 17, wherein such providing enables the biometric identification sensor set arrangement and the timing analysis information acquiring sensor set arrangement to be the same sensor set arrangement.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A computer program product for operating a firewall to selectively forward network communications between a first network interface of the firewall operable to couple to an endpoint and a second network interface of the firewall operable to couple to a remote resource hosted at a server, the computer program product comprising computer executable code embodied in a non-transitory memory of the firewall that, when executing on the firewall, causes the firewall to perform the steps of:\\nreceiving a request from the endpoint;\\ndetermining an identity of an application that originated the request on the endpoint based on a packet carrying the request;\\nquerying a security data recorder on the endpoint from the firewall to identify previous events associated with the application;\\nreceiving one or more previous events associated with the application from the security data recorder;\\ndetermining if a security state of the application that originated the request is an uncompromised state based on the one or more previous events associated with the application; and\\nconditionally forwarding the request from the firewall to the server in response to the identity of the application being recognized and the security state of the application being the uncompromised state.\",\n \"2. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein determining the security state of the application that originated the request includes determining the security state based on a secure heartbeat included in the packet.\",\n \"3. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein determining the security state of the application includes traversing a causal chain of events on the endpoint to identify a root cause of the request.\",\n \"4. A firewall configured to selectively forward network communications, the firewall comprising:\\na processor configured to respond to a request from an endpoint to a remote resource for a service of the remote resource by performing the steps of:\\ndetermining an identity of an application that originated the request on the endpoint;\\nquerying a security data recorder on the endpoint from the firewall to identify previous events associated with the application;\\nreceiving one or more previous events associated with the application from the security data recorder;\\ndetermining if a security state of the application that originated the request is an uncompromised state based on the one or more previous events associated with the application; and\\nconditionally forwarding the request to the remote resource in response to the identity of the application being recognized and the security state of the application being the uncompromised state.\",\n \"5. The firewall of claim 4, wherein determining the identity of the application includes following a causal chain from a nominal originating application to identify a root cause of the request.\",\n \"6. The firewall of claim 4, wherein the request includes an indicia of maliciousness based on an indication of compromise of the endpoint in a secure heartbeat included in the request.\",\n \"7. The firewall of claim 4, wherein querying the security data recorder includes querying the security data recorder to identify a root cause of the request.\",\n \"8. The firewall of claim 4, wherein the endpoint and the remote resource are peers coupled together through a peer-to-peer network.\",\n \"9. The firewall of claim 4, wherein the request includes an indicia of maliciousness based on an attempt to access external resources in violation of a security policy.\",\n \"10. The firewall of claim 4, wherein the request includes an indicia of maliciousness based on a use of corporate credentials in violation of a security policy.\",\n \"11. The firewall of claim 4, wherein the request includes an indicia of maliciousness based on web traffic in violation of a security policy.\",\n \"12. The firewall of claim 4, wherein the request includes an indicia of maliciousness based on an attempted communications through the firewall in violation of a security policy.\",\n \"13. The firewall of claim 4, wherein determining the security state of the application includes querying the endpoint from the firewall for one or more indicia of compromise.\",\n \"14. The firewall of claim 4, wherein determining the identity of the application includes querying the endpoint from the firewall for the identity.\",\n \"15. The firewall of claim 4, wherein the processor is further configured to perform the steps of monitoring a pattern of traffic to the remote resource from a plurality of endpoints and automatically developing a rule for acceptable connections to the remote resource based on the pattern of traffic.\",\n \"16. The firewall of claim 4, wherein determining the security state of the application includes querying the endpoint for at least one of credentials authenticating the application to the remote resource, credentials authenticating a user of the endpoint to the remote resource, or an encrypted heartbeat containing information about a state of the endpoint.\",\n \"17. The firewall of claim 4, wherein the processor is further configured to transmit a notification to the endpoint when an indication of compromise is detected for the application.\",\n \"18. The firewall of claim 4, wherein the firewall is coupled to at least one of the endpoint, the remote resource, and a threat management facility.\",\n \"19. A method for operating a firewall to selectively forward network communications between a first network interface of the firewall operable to couple to an endpoint and a second network interface of the firewall operable to couple to a remote resource hosted at a server, the method comprising:\\nreceiving, at the firewall, a request from the endpoint to the server;\\ndetermining an identity of an application that originated the request on the endpoint based on a packet carrying the request;\\nquerying a security data recorder on the endpoint from the firewall to identify previous events associated with the application;\\nreceiving one or more previous events associated with the application from the security data recorder;\\ndetermining if a security state of the application that originated the request is an uncompromised state based on the one or more previous events associated with the application; and\\nconditionally forwarding the request to the server in response to the identity of the application being recognized and the security state of the application being the uncompromised state.\",\n \"20. The method of claim 19, wherein querying the security data recorder includes querying the security data recorder to identify a root cause of the request.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A method for supporting real-time telecommunication, the method comprising:\\nproviding an information repository that stores a device identifier associated with a particular device of a social network user having a plan with an MNO (Mobile Network Operator), wherein the device identifier for the social network user is stored in the information repository in response to a registration process that authenticates the social network user;\\nin response to receiving at least one message related to real-time telecommunication involving the social network user, querying the information repository and retrieving from the information repository the device identifier for the social network user; and\\ncommunicating information to at least one gateway of the MNO, wherein the information includes the device identifier for the social network user retrieved from the information repository, wherein the device identifier for the social network user is used by the least one gateway of the MNO in carrying out the real-time telecommunication.\",\n \"2. The method according to claim 1, wherein:\\nthe device identifier represents an IP address associated with the particular device of the social network user.\",\n \"3. The method according to claim 1, wherein:\\nthe information communicated to the at least one gateway of the MNO includes additional information about the social network user, wherein the additional information is also used by the least one gateway of the MNO in carrying out the real-time telecommunication.\",\n \"4. The method according to claim 3, wherein:\\nthe additional information includes location information for the social network user, and the location information for the social network user is used by the MNO in billing the real-time communication.\",\n \"5. The method according to claim 4, wherein:\\nthe location information for the social network user is used to selectively authorize or reject the real-time communication.\",\n \"6. The method according to claim 3, wherein:\\nthe additional information includes information that identifies a social network application.\",\n \"7. The method according to claim 1, wherein:\\nthe information repository further stores user data corresponding to the social network user that is queried to selectively authorize or reject the real-time telecommunication, wherein the user data is selected from the group consisting of calling rules data, application-specific data, whitelist data and blacklist data associated with the social network user.\",\n \"8. The method according to claim 1, wherein:\\nthe at least one message related to real-time telecommunication involving the social network user is communicated to initiate the real-time telecommunication.\",\n \"9. The method according to claim 1, wherein:\\nthe social network user in an intended recipient of the real-time telecommunication.\",\n \"10. The method according to claim 1, wherein:\\nthe social network user is an initiator of the real-time telecommunication.\",\n \"11. The method according to claim 1, wherein:\\nthe real-time telecommunication is selected from the group consisting of a voice call, a multiparty voice conference, a video conference, file sharing between users, and media streaming between users.\",\n \"12. The method according to claim 1, wherein:\\nthe device identifier for the first social network user retrieved from the information repository is used by the at least one MNO gateway to ring or announce the real-time telecommunication on the device corresponding to the device identifier.\",\n \"13. The method according to claim 1, wherein:\\nthe device identifier for the first social network user retrieved from the information repository is used by the at least one MNO gateway to provision a connection or communication session that carries traffic for the real-time telecommunication.\",\n \"14. The method according to claim 1, wherein:\\nthe registration process is configured to verify possession of the device identified by the device identifier by communication to the device identified by the device identifier.\",\n \"15. The method according to claim 14, wherein:\\nthe registration process further involves communication from the device identified by the device identifier.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A tangible, non-transitory, machine-readable medium storing instructions that when executed by a computer system effectuate operations comprising:\\nestablishing, by a first computing device, a set of credentials maintained by the first computing device, the set of credentials including an authentication credential of a user of the first computing device and a private key of a public-private key pair associated with the user;\\ntransmitting, by the first computing device, a public key of the key pair associated with the user to a server system over a secure session to register the first computing device and the public key with the server system;\\nreceiving, by the first computing device, a user selection to register the first computing device for authenticating user access to a web-service to be accessed from a second computing device, wherein:\\nthe second computing device is different from the first computing device, and\\nthe server system is configured to convey one or more credentials associated with the user of the first computing device for presentation to a web-server system associated with the web-service to authenticate the second computing device to access to an account of the user with the web-service;\\ngenerating, by the first computing device, based on a registration value corresponding to the web-service, signed data using the private key, the first computing device governing use of the private key subject to authentication of the user based on the authentication credential;\\ntransmitting, by the first computing device, the signed data to the server system to cause the server system to register the first computing device with the web-service based on authentication of the signed data using the public key and the registration value; and\\ntransmitting, by the first computing device, authentication data generated using the private key to the server system to cause the web-server system to permit the second computing device to access the account of the user with the web-service based on the authentication data.\",\n \"2. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 1, the operations further comprising obtaining the registration value corresponding to the web-service by:\\nrequesting the registration value from the server system; or\\nrequesting the registration value from the server or another server of the web-service.\",\n \"3. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 1, the operations further comprising obtaining the registration value corresponding to the web-service by:\\nauthenticating to the web-service or the server system under the account of the user associated with the web-service,\\nwherein a certificate or token associated with the user account is added to the set of credentials.\",\n \"4. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 1, the operations further comprising:\\nobtaining a policy associated with accessing the web-service from the second computing device, the policy comprising one or more rules;\\nenforcing, based on the policy at least a first rule indicating compliance of the authentication credential with the policy.\",\n \"5. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 4, wherein enforcing, based on the policy, at least a first rule, comprises:\\nauthentication of the user on the first computing device based on the authentication credential prior to use of the private key.\",\n \"6. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 5, wherein the signed data includes data corresponding to a representation of the authentication credential by which the user authenticated on the first computing device.\",\n \"7. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 1, wherein transmitting the public key to the server system over the secure session comprises:\\ntransmitting a representation of the authentication credential in the set of credentials.\",\n \"8. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 1, the operations further comprising:\\ntransmitting an identifier of the web-service to the server system;\\nreceiving, from the server system, an indication of a credential in the set of credentials by which the user is to authenticate on the first computing device; and\\nin response to the credential being the authentication credential, requesting authentication of the user on the first computing device based on the authentication credential prior to use of the private key.\",\n \"9. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 1, wherein generating the authentication data using the private key comprises:\\ngenerating second signed data using the private key, the second signed data being verifiable by one or more of the server system and the web-server system corresponding to the web-service based on the public key and data that was signed to generate the second signed data; and\\ntransmitting at least the second signed data to the server system.\",\n \"10. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the server system:\\nverifies the second signed data based on the public key associated with the first computing device,\\nidentifies the second computing device as corresponding an active session of the user with the second computing device, and\\ntransmits data signed by the server system to cause the web-server system to permit the second computing device to access the account of the user with the web-service.\",\n \"11. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 1, the operations further comprising:\\nobtaining, by the first computing device, a user certificate or token corresponding to the user or the account of the user with the web-service; and\\nmaintaining, by the first computing device, the user certificate or token as a credential within the set of credentials, wherein generating the authentication data using the private key comprises signing the user certificate or token.\",\n \"12. A tangible, non-transitory, machine-readable medium storing instructions that when executed by a server system effectuate operations comprising:\\nestablishing, by a server system, at least one record to register a user of a mobile computing device for authenticating, using the mobile computing device, access to a web-service by a second computing device under an account of the user, the at least one record comprising information indicative of a public key of a public-private key pair for which the mobile computing device maintains a private key of the key pair, wherein:\\nthe key pair is associated with a user of the mobile computing device, and\\nuse of the private key by the mobile computing device is subject to authentication of the user;\\nobtaining, by the server system, an authentication result indicative of authentication of the user to the web-service with the mobile computing device, the authentication result associated with an identifier of the account of the user;\\nreceiving, by the server system from the mobile computing device, a request to authenticate access to the web-service by the second computing device and, in association with the authentication request, authentication data and signed data;\\nidentifying, by the server system, the second computing device being permitted to access the web-service and having an active session corresponding to the user;\\nverifying, by the server system, the authentication data based on the signed data using the public key of the key pair associated with the user of the mobile device; and\\ntransmitting, by the server system, second authentication data including the identifier of the account of the user to cause a web-server of the web-service to permit the second computing device access to the web-service under the account of the user.\",\n \"13. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 12, the operations further comprising:\\nestablishing a plurality of second computing device records corresponding to a respective plurality of second computing devices accessed by the user; and\\ntransmitting, to the mobile computing devices, indications of the respective second computing devices the user is permitted to use the mobile computing device for authentication to access the web-service.\",\n \"14. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 12, the operations further comprising:\\nverifying the authentication data complies with a policy associated with accessing the web-service with the second computing device; and\\nverifying the authentication data was generated by a trusted execution environment of the mobile computing device.\",\n \"15. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 14, the operations further comprising:\\ntransmitting, by the server system, an indication of a credential in a set of credentials by which the user is to authenticate on a first computing device based on the policy, wherein the authentication data is based in part on the credential.\",\n \"16. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 12, the operations further comprising:\\nreceiving an indication of the active session corresponding to the user on the second computing device, wherein the indication associates the second computing device with the identifier of the account of the user with the web-service.\",\n \"17. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 12, the operations further comprising:\\nreceiving, from the mobile computing device, a request to authorize the user to authenticate on the mobile computing device to access the web-service by the second computing device and, in association with the request, registration value, wherein obtaining the authentication result indicative of authentication of the user to the web-service comprises receiving a registration value identifier;\\nidentifying a correspondence between the registration value and the registration value identifier; and\\ndetermining the user of the mobile computing device is permitted to authenticate on the mobile computing device to access the web-service from the second computing device based on the correspondence and verification of the authentication result as corresponding to the user of the mobile computing device.\",\n \"18. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the permitting of the second computing device to access the account of the user with the web-service comprises:\\nlogin of the second computing device under the account of the user being accepted by the web-service to permit the second computing device to utilize the web-service, and wherein\\nthe server system stores a login result indicative of the computing device obtaining access in association with the at least one record.\",\n \"19. A computer-implemented method, comprising:\\nestablishing, by a first computing device, a set of credentials maintained on the first computing device, the set of credentials including an authentication credential of a user of the first computing device and a private key of a public-private key pair associated with the user;\\ntransmitting, by the first computing device, a public key of the key pair associated with the user to a server system over a secure session to register the first computing device and the public key with the server system;\\nreceiving, by the first computing device, a user selection to register the first computing device for authenticating user access to a web-service to be accessed from a second computing device, wherein:\\nthe second computing device is different from the first computing device, and\\nthe server system is configured to convey one or more credentials associated with the user of the first computing device for presentation to a web-server system associated with the web-service to authenticate the second computing device to access to an account of the user with the web-service;\\ngenerating, by the first computing device, based on a registration value corresponding to the web-service, signed data using the private key, the first computing device governing use of the private key subject to authentication of the user based on the authentication credential;\\ntransmitting, by the first computing device, the signed data to the server system to cause the server system to register the first computing device with the web-service based on authentication of the signed data using the public key and the registration value; and\\ntransmitting, by the first computing device, authentication data generated using the private key to the server system to cause the web-server system to permit the second computing device to access the account of the user with the web-service based on the authentication data.\",\n \"20. The method of claim 19, further comprising obtaining the registration value corresponding to the web-service by:\\nrequesting the registration value from the server system; or\\nrequesting the registration value from the server or another server of the web-service.\",\n \"21. The method of claim 19, further comprising obtaining the registration value corresponding to the web-service by:\\nauthenticating to the web-service or the server system under the account of the user associated with the web-service,\\nwherein a certificate or token associated with the user account is added to the set of credentials.\",\n \"22. The method of claim 19, further comprising:\\nobtaining a policy associated with accessing the web-service from the second computing device, the policy comprising one or more rules;\\nenforcing, based on the policy at least a first rule indicating compliance of the authentication credential with the policy.\",\n \"23. The method of claim 22, wherein enforcing, based on the policy, at least a first rule, comprises:\\nauthentication of the user on the first computing device based on the authentication credential prior to use of the private key.\",\n \"24. The method of claim 23, wherein the signed data includes data corresponding to a representation of the authentication credential by which the user authenticated on the first computing device.\",\n \"25. The method of claim 19, wherein transmitting the public key to the server system over the secure session comprises:\\ntransmitting a representation of the authentication credential in the set of credentials.\",\n \"26. The method of claim 19, further comprising:\\ntransmitting an identifier of the web-service to the server system;\\nreceiving, from the server system, an indication of a credential in the set of credentials by which the user is to authenticate on the first computing device; and\\nin response to the credential being the authentication credential, requesting authentication of the user on the first computing device based on the authentication credential prior to use of the private key.\",\n \"27. The method of claim 19, wherein generating the authentication data using the private key comprises:\\ngenerating second signed data using the private key, the second signed data being verifiable by one or more of the server system and the web-server system corresponding to the web-service based on the public key and data that was signed to generate the second signed data; and\\ntransmitting at least the second signed data to the server system.\",\n \"28. The method of claim 27, wherein the server system:\\nverifies the second signed data based on the public key associated with the first computing device,\\nidentifies the second computing device as corresponding an active session of the user with the second computing device, and\\ntransmits data signed by the server system to cause the web-server system to permit the second computing device to access the account of the user with the web-service.\",\n \"29. The method of claim 19, further comprising:\\nobtaining, by the first computing device, a user certificate or token corresponding to the user or the account of the user with the web-service; and\\nmaintaining, by the first computing device, the user certificate or token as a credential within the set of credentials, wherein generating the authentication data using the private key comprises signing the user certificate or token.\",\n \"30. A computer-implemented method, comprising:\\nestablishing, by a server system, at least one record to register a user of a mobile computing device for authenticating, using the mobile computing device, access to a web-service by a second computing device under an account of the user, the at least one record comprising information indicative of a public key of a public-private key pair for which the mobile computing device maintains a private key of the key pair, wherein:\\nthe private key is associated with a user of the mobile computing device, and\\nuse of the private key by the mobile computing device is subject to authentication of the user;\\nobtaining, by the server system, an authentication result indicative of authentication of the user to the web-service using the mobile computing device, the authentication result associated with an identifier;\\nreceiving, by the server system from the mobile computing device, a request to authenticate access to the web-service by the second computing device and, in association with the authentication request, authentication data and signed data;\\nidentifying, by the server system, the second computing device being permitted to access the web-service and having an active session corresponding to the user;\\nverifying, by the server system, the authentication data based on the signed data using the public key of the key pair associated with the user of the mobile device; and\\ntransmitting, by the server system, second authentication data including an identifier of the account of the user to cause a web-server of the web-service to permit the second computing device access to the web-service under the account of the user.\",\n \"31. The method of claim 30, further comprising:\\nestablishing a plurality of second computing device records corresponding to a respective plurality of second computing devices accessed by the user; and\\ntransmitting, to the mobile computing devices, indications of the respective second computing devices the user is permitted to use the mobile computing device for authentication to access the web-service.\",\n \"32. The method of claim 30, further comprising:\\nverifying the authentication data complies with a policy associated with accessing the web-service with the second computing device; and\\nverifying the authentication data was generated by a trusted execution environment of the mobile computing device.\",\n \"33. The method of claim 32, further comprising:\\ntransmitting, by the server system, an indication of a credential in a set of credentials by which the user is to authenticate on a first computing device based on the policy, wherein the authentication data is based in part on the credential.\",\n \"34. The method of claim 30, further comprising:\\nreceiving an indication of the active session corresponding to the user on the second computing device, wherein the indication associates the second computing device with the identifier of the account of the user with the web-service.\",\n \"35. The method of claim 30, further comprising:\\nreceiving, from the mobile computing device, a request to authorize the user to authenticate on the mobile computing device to access the web-service by the second computing device and, in association with the request, registration value, wherein obtaining the authentication result indicative of authentication of the user to the web-service comprises receiving a registration value identifier;\\nidentifying a correspondence between the registration value and the registration value identifier; and\\ndetermining the user of the mobile computing device is permitted to authenticate on the mobile computing device to access the web-service from the second computing device based on the correspondence and verification of the authentication result as corresponding to the user of the mobile computing device.\",\n \"36. The method of claim 30, wherein the permitting of the second computing device to access the account of the user with the web-service comprises:\\nlogin of the second computing device under the account of the user being accepted by the web-service to permit the second computing device to utilize the web-service, and wherein\\nthe server system stores a login result indicative of the computing device obtaining access in association with the at least one record.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A computer-implemented method, the method comprising:\\nestablishing, by a server system, a record of a user permitted to access a secure asset, the record comprising an identifier associated with the user;\\nestablishing, by the server system, in association with the record of the user, information corresponding to a first device in response to receiving, from the first device, a public key of an asymmetric key-pair, the first device maintaining a private key of the asymmetric key-pair;\\nreceiving information corresponding to an attempt to access the secure asset from a second device different from the first device, the information comprising the identifier associated with the user;\\nidentifying the record of the user responsive to the identifier;\\nselecting the public key of the asymmetric key-pair associated with the record of the user;\\ngenerating notification data comprising a portion of data encrypted based on the public key and operable to be decrypted by the private key maintained by the first device;\\ndetermining at least one verification value based on the portion of data in unencrypted form;\\ntransmitting, to the second device, the notification data;\\nreceiving a notification response comprising at least one value for verification;\\nverifying the at least one value based on the at least one verification value, the verifying indicating whether the first device successfully decrypted the encrypted portion of data using the private key; and\\ntransmitting, based on the verifying indicating that the first device successfully decrypted the encrypted portion of data using the private key, an authentication result to grant the access attempt by the second device.\",\n \"2. The method of claim 1, wherein:\\nthe first computing device obtains the encrypted portion of data from the second computing device,\\nthe at least one value is determined by the first computing device,\\nthe second computing device obtains the at least one value, and\\nthe notification response is received from the second computing device.\",\n \"3. The method of claim 1, wherein:\\nthe first computing device obtains the encrypted portion of data from the second computing device, and\\nthe notification response is generated by the first computing device.\",\n \"4. The method of claim 3, wherein:\\nthe notification response is received from the first computing device.\",\n \"5. The method of claim 1, wherein establishing the record of the user comprises:\\nreceiving an indication of one or more accounts of the user, wherein the identifier associated with the user corresponds to an account of the user.\",\n \"6. The method of claim 1, wherein:\\na set of credentials indicative of, or corresponding to, the user is established on the first device; and\\nuse of the private key maintained by the first device is dependent on authentication of the user, to the first device, based upon one or more of the credentials in the set of credentials.\",\n \"7. The method of claim 1, wherein:\\nthe notification data is generated by the server system in response to receiving the information corresponding to the attempt to access the secure asset from the second device, and the second device provides the identifier in association with the access attempt.\",\n \"8. The method of claim 1, wherein:\\nthe attempt to access the secure asset from the second device is a request to login to a user account.\",\n \"9. The method of claim 8, wherein:\\nthe user account is associated with the identifier of the user.\",\n \"10. The method of claim 1, wherein:\\nthe server system receives, via a computing system through which access to the secure asset is provided, the information corresponding to the attempt to access the secure asset from the second device,\\nthe server system transmits, to the computing system, the authentication result to grant the access attempt by the second device, and\\nthe computing system provides the second device access to the secure asset based on the authentication result to grant the access attempt received from the server system.\",\n \"11. The method of claim 1, wherein:\\nthe server system receives, via a web server system through which access to the web service is provided, the information corresponding to the attempt to access the web service from the second device,\\nthe server system transmits, to the web server system, the authentication result to grant the access attempt by the second device, and\\nthe web server system provides the second device access to the web service based on the authentication result to grant the access attempt received from the server system.\",\n \"12. A tangible, non-transitory, machine readable medium storing instructions that when executed by one or more processors effectuate operations comprising:\\nestablishing, by a server system, a record of a user permitted to access a secure asset, the record comprising an identifier associated with the user;\\nestablishing, by the server system, in association with the record of the user, information corresponding to a first device in response to receiving, from the first device, a public key of an asymmetric key-pair, the first device maintaining a private key of the asymmetric key-pair;\\nreceiving information corresponding to an attempt to access the secure asset from a second device different from the first device, the information comprising the identifier associated with the user;\\nidentifying the record of the user responsive to the identifier;\\nselecting the public key of the asymmetric key-pair associated with the record of the user;\\ngenerating notification data comprising a portion of data encrypted based on the public key and operable to be decrypted by the private key maintained by the first device;\\ndetermining at least one verification value based on the portion of data in unencrypted form;\\ntransmitting, to the second device, the notification data;\\nreceiving a notification response comprising at least one value for verification;\\nverifying the at least one value based on the at least one verification value, the verifying indicating whether the first device successfully decrypted the encrypted portion of data using the private key; and\\ntransmitting, based on the verifying indicating that the first device successfully decrypted the encrypted portion of data using the private key, an authentication result to grant the access attempt by the second device.\",\n \"13. A computer-implemented method, the method comprising:\\nestablishing, by a server system, a record of a user permitted to access a web service, the record comprising an identifier associated with the user;\\nstoring, by the server system, in association with the record of the user, a public key of an asymmetric key-pair associated with the user, a first device of the user maintaining a private key of the asymmetric key-pair;\\nreceiving information corresponding to an attempt to access the web service from a second device, the information comprising the identifier associated with the user;\\nidentifying the record of the user responsive to the identifier;\\nselecting the public key of the asymmetric key-pair associated with the record of the user;\\ntransmitting notification data comprising a portion of data to be processed using the private key maintained by the first device;\\nreceiving a notification response comprising a value for verification;\\nverifying the received value, the verifying indicating whether the first device processed the portion of data using the private key; and\\ndetermining, based on the verifying indicating that the first device processed the portion of data using the private key, an authentication result granting the second device access to the web service.\",\n \"14. The method of claim 13, wherein:\\nthe notification data is transmitted to the second computing device.\",\n \"15. The method of claim 14, wherein:\\nthe first computing device obtains the portion of data from the second computing device, and\\nthe value for verification is determined by the first computing device.\",\n \"16. The method of claim 14, wherein:\\nthe second computing device obtains the value for verification, and\\nthe notification response is received from the second computing device.\",\n \"17. The method of claim 14, wherein:\\nthe notification response is received from the first computing device.\",\n \"18. The method of claim 13, wherein:\\nthe portion of data is an encrypted portion of data decryptable by the first device using the private key, and\\nthe value for verification is determined by the first computing device based on data obtained by decrypting the encrypted portion of data.\",\n \"19. The method of claim 13, wherein:\\nthe first device, using the private key, generates a cryptographic signature based on the portion of the data; and\\nthe value for verification is the cryptographic signature, and verifying the received value comprises using the public key and input based on the portion of the data to verify the cryptographic signature.\",\n \"20. The method of claim 13, wherein establishing the record of the user comprises:\\nreceiving an indication of one or more accounts of the user, wherein the identifier associated with the user corresponds to an account of the user with the web service.\",\n \"21. The method of claim 13, wherein:\\na set of credentials indicative of, or corresponding to, the user is established on the first device; and\\nuse of the private key maintained by the first device to process the portion of data is dependent on authentication of the user, to the first device, based upon one or more of the credentials in the set of credentials.\",\n \"22. The method of claim 13, wherein:\\nthe notification data is generated by the server system in response to receiving the information corresponding to the attempt to access the web service from the second device, and the second device provides the identifier in association with the access attempt.\",\n \"23. A tangible, non-transitory, machine readable medium storing computer-program instructions that when executed by one or more processors effectuate operations comprising:\\nestablishing, by a server system, a record of a user permitted to access a web service, the record comprising an identifier associated with the user;\\nstoring, by the server system, in association with the record of the user, a public key of an asymmetric key-pair associated with the user, a first device of the user maintaining a private key of the asymmetric key-pair;\\nreceiving information corresponding to an attempt to access the web service from a second device, the information comprising the identifier associated with the user;\\nidentifying the record of the user responsive to the identifier;\\nselecting the public key of the asymmetric key-pair associated with the record of the user;\\ntransmitting notification data comprising a portion of data to be processed using the private key maintained by the first device;\\nreceiving a notification response comprising a value for verification;\\nverifying the received value, the verifying indicating whether the first device processed the portion of data using the private key; and\\ndetermining, based on the verifying indicating that the first device processed the portion of data using the private key, an authentication result granting the second device access to the web service.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A device for use in verifying a request for access to data, comprising:\\na first circuit arranged to generate a password associated with a request for data, the first circuit comprising a first user interface arranged to output the generated password to a human in possession of the first circuit; and\\na second circuit comprising a second user interface enabling the human in possession of the second circuit to input the password associated with the request for data generated by the first circuit, the second circuit being arranged to validate the input password and to enable access to the requested data when the second circuit validates the password,\\nwherein the first circuit is arranged to generate the password in dependence upon a one-time password generation key and said second circuit being is arranged to validate the password, and\\nwherein the first circuit is communicatively disconnected from the second circuit, and does not share common communication circuitry or communication interfaces.\",\n \"2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said second circuit is arranged to validate the password in dependence on the one-time password generation key.\",\n \"3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the second circuit is arranged to send the password to an authentication server for validation.\",\n \"4. The device according to claim 1, wherein said device has a unique device identifier and said generated and received passwords are generated and validated in dependence upon the unique device identifier.\",\n \"5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the second circuit is arranged to send data for use in enabling access to the requested data, whereby to enable access to the requested data.\",\n \"6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first circuit is arranged to generate said generated password in response to an input related to said request for access to data.\",\n \"7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the first circuit is arranged to generate a subsequent password in response to a subsequent input related to a subsequent request for access to data, the subsequently generated password being different from a previously generated password.\",\n \"8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first circuit is arranged to generate a plurality of passwords, at least one password of the plurality of passwords being different from another password of the plurality of passwords, and to provide at least one of the generated passwords to a user via an interface of the first circuit.\",\n \"9. The device according to claim 8, wherein said passwords are generated in dependence upon at least said one-time password generation key and a current time.\",\n \"10. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first circuit comprises a first clock for use in generating a password and the second circuit comprises a second clock for use in validating a received password, the first and second clocks being synchronised.\",\n \"11. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first circuit comprises a clock for use in generating a password and the second circuit is arranged to receive a timestamp for use in validating a received password, the timestamp being received from a third party that has a clock that is synchronised with the clock of the first circuit.\",\n \"12. The device according to claim 1, wherein the second user interface is arranged to receive the request for access to data from a user of the human in possession of the second circuit via that user interface.\",\n \"13. The device according to claim 12, wherein the second circuit is further arranged to receive information via the user interface of the second circuit that uniquely identifies the human, and said data sent by the second circuit for use in enabling access to data comprises data that uniquely identifies said human.\",\n \"14. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a battery, wherein the first circuit and the second circuit are integrated within the device, and share and are powered by the battery.\",\n \"15. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device is a wireless device.\",\n \"16. A method of verifying a request for access to data, the method comprising:\\ngenerating, by a first circuit of a device, a password and outputting the generated password via an interface of the first circuit to a human in possession of the device;\\nreceiving, by a second circuit of the device, a password associated with the request for data from the human in possession of the device via an interface of the second circuit, said received password corresponding to the password generated by the first circuit;\\nvalidating at the second circuit said received password; and\\nenabling access to the requested data at the second circuit,\\nwherein the first circuit generates the password in dependence on a one-time password generation key, and\\nwherein the first circuit is communicatively disconnected from the second circuit, and does not share common communication circuitry or communication interfaces.\",\n \"17. The method of claim 16, wherein the second circuit validates the received password in dependence on the one-time password generation key.\",\n \"18. The method of claim 16, wherein the second circuit sends the received password to an authentication server for validation.\",\n \"19. The method of claim 16, wherein the device is a wireless device.\",\n \"20. The method of claim 16, wherein the first circuit and the second circuit are powered by a common battery.\",\n \"21. The method of claim 16, wherein the first circuit and the second circuit are integrated within the device and share a battery.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A computer-implemented method of passwords management, the method comprising:\\nobtaining, by a password management entity, a request to login into a local device;\\nsending, by the password management entity, a notification to a user device;\\nobtaining, by the password management entity, a notification approval from the user device;\\nupon, obtaining the notification approval, generating, by the password management entity, a temporary password;\\nsending, by the password management entity, the temporary password to the authentication authority;\\nsending, by the password management entity, the temporary password to the local device;\\nsending, by the local device, the temporary password obtained from the password management entity to the authentication authority;\\nobtaining, at the authentication authority, the temporary password from the local device;\\ncomparing, by the authentication authority, the temporary password obtained from the local device with the temporary password obtained from the password management entity; and\\nauthorizing, by the authentication authority, the login if a match is found.\",\n \"2. The method of claim 1, wherein sending the notification comprises:\\nencrypting the notification using an encryption key;\\ncreating, by the password management entity, at least two shares based on the encryption key;\\nsending the at least two shares of the encryption key over two different channels to the user device; and\\nsending the encrypted notification to the user device,\\nwherein sending the temporary password comprises:\\nupon obtaining the notification approval, encrypting the temporary password using the encryption key and sending the encrypted temporary password to the user device.\",\n \"3. The method of claim 2, wherein:\\neach of the at least two shares includes a pair of input and output values of a polynomial of a first degree, and\\nwherein the method includes:\\nusing the pairs to identify the polynomial; and\\ngenerating the encryption key based on a function applied to at least one coefficient of the polynomial.\",\n \"4. The method of claim 2, further comprising:\\ngenerating a set of at least K+1 pairs of input and output values of a polynomial of degree K, wherein each of the at least two shares includes a portion of pairs of input and output values of the polynomial;\\nusing the at least two shares to identify the polynomial; and\\nafter identifying the polynomial from the at least K+1 pairs, applying a function to at least one of the coefficients of the polynomial to generate the encryption key.\",\n \"5. The method of claim 1, comprising sending the temporary password to the user device, wherein sending the temporary password to the user device comprises:\\ngenerating, by the password management entity, a first and a second shares, based on the temporary password, wherein the temporary password can be determined based on the first share and the second share;\\nsending, by the password management entity, the first share to the user device over a first secured communication channel; and\\nsending, by the password management entity, the second share to the user device over a second secured communication channel.\",\n \"6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\\nsending the temporary password to the user device;\\nstoring the temporary password at the user device; and\\nusing the temporary password from the user device to login to the local device when the local device is offline or when a local login is needed.\",\n \"7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\\nupon obtaining the notification approval:\\ngenerating, by the password management entity, a first and a second shares based on the temporary password, wherein the temporary password can be determined based on the first and the second shares;\\nsending, by the password management entity the first share to the user device over a first secured communication channel; and\\nsending, by the password management entity the second share to the local device over a second secured communication channel.\",\n \"8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:\\nstoring the temporary password and the second share at the local device; and\\nwhen the local device is offline or when a local login is needed:\\nobtaining the first share from the user device;\\ncombining the first and the second shares to calculate a calculated temporary password;\\ncomparing the calculated temporary password with the stored temporary password; and\\nauthorizing the login request if the calculated temporary password and the stored temporary password are identical.\",\n \"9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\\ndeleting the temporary password from the authentication authority after comparing.\",\n \"10. A system for passwords management, the system comprising:\\na local device;\\na first processor; and\\na second processor configured to:\\nobtain a request to login into the local device;\\nsend a notification to a user device;\\nobtain a notification approval from the user device;\\nupon obtaining the notification approval, generate a temporary password;\\nsend the temporary password to the first processor;\\nsend the temporary password to the local device:\\nwherein the local device is configured to send the temporary password obtained from the second processor to the first processor;\\nwherein the first processor is configured to:\\nobtain the temporary password from the local device;\\ncompare the temporary password obtained from the local device with the temporary password obtained from second processor; and\\nauthorize the login if a match is found.\",\n \"11. The system of claim 10, wherein the second processor is configured to send the notification by:\\nencrypting the notification using an encryption key;\\ncreating at least two shares based on the encryption key;\\nsending the at least two shares of the encryption key over two different channels to the user device; and\\nsending the encrypted notification to the user device,\\nwherein the second processor is configured to send the temporary password by:\\nupon obtaining the notification approval, encrypting the temporary password using the encryption key and sending the encrypted temporary password to the user device.\",\n \"12. The system of claim 11, wherein:\\neach of the at least two shares includes a pair of input and output values of a polynomial of a first degree, and\\nwherein the second processor is configured to:\\nuse the pairs to identify the polynomial; and\\ngenerate the encryption key based on a function applied to at least one coefficient of the polynomial.\",\n \"13. The system of claim 11, wherein the second processor is configured to:\\ngenerate a set of at least K+1 pairs of input and output values of a polynomial of degree K, wherein each of the at least two shares includes a portion of pairs of input and output values of the polynomial;\\nuse the at least two shares to identify the polynomial; and\\nafter identifying the polynomial from the at least K+1 pairs, apply a function to at least one of the coefficients of the polynomial to generate the encryption key.\",\n \"14. The system of claim 10, wherein the second processor is configured to send the temporary password to the user device by:\\ngenerating a first and a second shares, based on the temporary password, wherein the temporary password can be determined based on the first share and the second share;\\nsending the first share to the user device over a first secured communication channel; and\\nsending the second share to the user device over a second secured communication channel.\",\n \"15. The system of 10, wherein:\\nthe second processor is configured to send the temporary password to the user device;\\nthe user device is configured to store the temporary password; and\\nwherein the user device is configured to use the temporary password from the user device to login to the local device when the local device is offline or when a local login is needed.\",\n \"16. The system of claim 10, wherein the second processor is configured to:\\nupon receiving the request to login into the local device, send a notification to a user device;\\nobtaining a notification approval from the user device; and\\nupon obtaining the notification approval:\\ngenerate a first and a second shares based on the temporary password, wherein the temporary password can be determined based on the first and the second shares;\\nsend the first share to the user device over a first secured communication channel; and\\nsend the second share to the local device over a second secured communication channel.\",\n \"17. The system of claim 16, wherein the local device is configured to:\\nstore the temporary password and the second share; and\\nwhen the local device is offline or when a local login is needed:\\nobtain the first share from the user device;\\ncombine the first and the second shares to calculate a calculated temporary password;\\ncompare the calculated temporary password with the stored temporary password; and\\nauthorize the login request if the calculated temporary password and the stored temporary password are identical.\",\n \"18. The system of claim 10, wherein the first processor is configured to:\\ndeleting the temporary password after comparing.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A computer-implemented method of passwords management, the method comprising:\\nobtaining, by a password management entity, a request to login a local device into an authentication authority;\\ngenerating, by the password management entity, a temporary password;\\ngenerating, by the password management entity, two values, TP1 and TP2, based on the temporary password, wherein the temporary password can be determined based on the values TP1 and TP2;\\nsending, by the password management entity, the temporary password to the authentication authority;\\nsending, by the password management entity, the temporary password to a user device by sending the values TP1 and TP2 over multiple channels;\\ncombining, by the user device, the values TP1 and TP2 to arrive at the temporary password;\\nobtaining, at the local device, the temporary password from the user device;\\nobtaining, at the authentication authority the temporary password from the local device;\\ncomparing, by the authentication authority, the temporary password obtained from the local device with the temporary password obtained from the password management entity; and\\nauthorizing the login if a match is found.\",\n \"2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\\nsending, by the password management entity, TP1 to the user device over a first secured communication channel; and\\nsending, by the password management entity, TP2 to the user device over a second secured communication channel.\",\n \"3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\\ncombining TP1 and TP2 by the user device to arrive at the temporary password; and\\nsending the temporary password from the user device to the local device using an out-of-band channel.\",\n \"4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\\nsending, by password management entity, TP1 to authentication authority over a first secured communication channel;\\nsending, by password management entity, TP2 to the authentication authority over a second secured communication channel; and\\ncombining TP1 and TP2 by the authentication authority to arrive at the temporary password.\",\n \"5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\\ndeleting the temporary password from the authentication authority after comparing.\",\n \"6. The method of claim 1, wherein:\\nTP1 includes a first pair of input and output values of a polynomial of a first degree, and the TP2 includes a second pair of input and output values of the polynomial, and\\nwherein the method includes:\\nusing the first and second pairs to identify the polynomial; and\\ngenerating the temporary password based on a function applied to at least one coefficient of the polynomial.\",\n \"7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\\ngenerating a set of at least K+1 pairs of input and output values of a polynomial of degree K, wherein TP1 includes a portion of pairs of input and output values of the polynomial, and wherein the TP2 includes the other pairs of input and output values of the polynomial;\\nusing TP1 and TP2 to identify the polynomial; and\\nafter identifying the polynomial from the at least K+1 pairs, applying a function to at least one of the coefficients of the polynomial to generate the temporary password.\",\n \"8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\\nstoring the temporary password on the local device.\",\n \"9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\\nsending, by the password management entity, TP1 to the user device over a first in-band communication channel; and\\nsending, by the password management entity, TP2 to the user device over a second in-band communication channel.\",\n \"10. A computer-implemented method of passwords management, the method comprising:\\nobtaining, by a password management entity, a request to login a local device into an authentication authority;\\ngenerating, by the password management entity, a temporary password;\\ngenerating, by the password management entity, two values, TP1 and TP2, based on the temporary password, wherein the temporary password can be determined based on the values TP1 and TP2;\\nsending, by the password management entity, TP1 to the user device over a first secured communication channel;\\nsending, by the password management entity, TP2 to the local device over a second secured communication channel;\\nsending the TP1 from the user device to the local device using out-of-band channel; and\\ncombining TP1 and TP2 by the local device to arrive at the temporary password;\\nobtaining, at the authentication authority the temporary password from the local device;\\ncomparing, by the authentication authority, the temporary password obtained from the local device with the temporary password obtained from the password management entity; and\\nauthorizing the login if a match is found.\",\n \"11. A system for temporary passwords management, the system comprising:\\na memory;\\na processor configured to:\\nobtain a request to login a local device into an authentication authority;\\ngenerate a temporary password;\\ngenerate two values, TP1 and TP2, based on the temporary password, wherein the temporary password can be determined based on the values TP1 and TP2;\\nsend the temporary password to the authentication authority;\\nsend the temporary password to a user device by sending the values TP1 and TP2 over multiple channels;\\ncombine, by the user device, the values TP1 and TP2 to arrive at the temporary password;\\nobtain the temporary password from the local device, wherein the local device is configured to receive the temporary password from the user device;\\ncompare the temporary password obtained from the local device with the temporary password obtained from the password management entity; and\\nauthorize the login if a match is found.\",\n \"12. The system of claim 11, wherein the processor is further configured to:\\nsend TP1 to the user device over a first secured communication channel; and\\nsend TP2 to the user device over a second secured communication channel.\",\n \"13. The system of claim 11, further comprising the user device:\\nwherein the user device is configured to:\\nsend the temporary password to the local device using an out-of-band channel.\",\n \"14. The system of claim 11, further comprising the user device, wherein:\\nTP1 includes a first pair of input and output values of a polynomial of a first degree and TP2 includes a second pair of input and output values of the polynomial, and\\nwherein the user device is configured to:\\nuse the first and second pairs to identify the polynomial; and\\ngenerate the temporary password based on a function applied to at least one coefficient of the polynomial.\",\n \"15. The system of claim 11, further comprising the user device, wherein the processor is further configured to:\\ngenerate a set of at least K+1 pairs of input and output values of a polynomial of degree K, wherein TP1 includes a portion of pairs of input and output values of the polynomial, and wherein the TP2 includes the other pairs of input and output values of the polynomial; and\\nwherein the user device is configured to:\\nuse TP1 and TP2 to identify the polynomial; and\\nafter identifying the polynomial from the at least K+1 pairs, apply a function to at least one of the coefficients of the polynomial to generate the temporary password.\",\n \"16. The system of claim 11, further comprising the authentication authority:\\nwherein the processor is further configured to:\\nsend TP1 to the authentication authority over a first secured communication channel;\\nsend TP2 to the authentication authority over a second secured communication channel; and\\nwherein the authentication authority is configured to:\\ncombine TP1 and TP2 to arrive at the temporary password.\",\n \"17. The system of claim 11, further comprising the authentication authority, wherein the authentication authority is configured to delete the temporary password from the authentication authority after comparing.\",\n \"18. The system of claim 11, further comprising the local device, wherein the local device is configured to store the temporary password on the local device.\",\n \"19. The system of claim 11, wherein the processor is further configured to:\\nsend TP1 to the user device over a first in-band communication channel; and\\nsend TP2 to the user device over a second in-band communication channel.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A system, comprising a server computing device coupled to a network and comprising at least one processor executing specific computer-executable instructions that, when executed, cause the system to:\\nidentify, in a first transmission from a first authentication user interface (UI) on a first client computing device operated by a user, a first authentication credential input by the user;\\nresponsive to identifying, within a database coupled to the network, a user identifier associated with the first authentication credential, the database storing a public key and a biometric record signed by a private key and wherein the private key and the public key are configured to bind a first software code on a second client computing device with a second software code on the server computing device to establish an encryption channel:\\ngenerate a second authentication UI requesting a second authentication credential from the user;\\ntransmit the second authentication UI to be displayed on the second client computing device operated by the user;\\nreceive, via the encryption channel between the second client computing device and the server computing device, a second transmission from the second authentication UI on the second client computing device;\\nidentify, in the second transmission the second authentication UI on the second client computing device, the second authentication credential input by the user; and\\nresponsive to identifying, within the database, the user identifier associated with the second authentication credential input by the user, authenticate the user.\",\n \"2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first authentication credential or the second authentication credential comprises a time-based one time password or a tap code.\",\n \"3. The system of claim 1, wherein the computer-executable instructions further cause the server computing device to generate an alert to be displayed on the first client computing device or the second client computing device responsive to a determination that:\\nthe first authentication credential or the second authentication credential is not associated with the user identifier in the database; or\\nthe second authentication credential, comprising a biometric input by the user, does not match the biometric record stored in the database.\",\n \"4. The system of claim 1, wherein the computer executable instructions further cause the server computing device, responsive to a determination that the first client computing device and the second client computing device are the same device, to generate an alert to be displayed on the first client computing device or the second client computing device.\",\n \"5. The system of claim 1, wherein the authentication of the user authorizes the user to access a domain name administration software, a bank account, a retail website, or at least one private health record.\",\n \"6. The system of claim 5, wherein the second client computing device is configured to, without user input:\\nstore a biometric data;\\nencrypt the biometric data using a private key; and\\ntransmit the biometric data to the server computing device.\",\n \"7. The system of claim 6, wherein, upon authentication of the user, the server computing device is configured to perform a requested action for which the authentication is required.\",\n \"8. The system of claim 1, wherein the second authentication credential comprises a biometric data including a finger or thumb print, a capillary distribution, or a software identification of the user's face, voice, retina, or DNA.\",\n \"9. A method, comprising the steps of:\\nidentifying, by a server computing device coupled to a network and comprising at least one processor executing specific computer-executable instructions, in a first transmission from a first authentication user interface (UI) on a first client computing device operated by a user, a first authentication credential input by the user;\\nresponsive to identifying, by the server computing device, within a database coupled to the network, a user identifier associated with the first authentication credential, the database storing a public key and a biometric record signed by a private key and wherein the private key and the public key are configured to bind a first software code on a second client computing device with a second software code on the server computing device to establish an encryption channel:\\ngenerating, by the server computing device, a second authentication UI requesting a second authentication credential the user;\\ntransmitting, by the server computing device, the second authentication UI to be displayed on the second computing device operated by the user;\\nreceiving, via the encryption channel between the second client computing device and the server computing device, a second transmission the second authentication UI on the second client computing device;\\nidentifying, by the server computing device, in the second transmission the second authentication UI on the second client computing device, the second authentication credential input by the user;\\nresponsive to identifying, within the database, the user identifier associated with the second authentication credential input by the user, authenticating, by the server computing device, the user.\",\n \"10. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of decoding the first authentication credential or the second authentication credential as a time-based one time password or a tap code.\",\n \"11. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of generating, by the server computing device, an alert to be displayed on the first client computing device or the second client computing device responsive to a determination that:\\nthe first authentication credential or the second authentication credential is not associated with the user identifier in the database; or\\nthe second authentication credential, comprising a biometric input by the user, does not match the biometric record stored in the database.\",\n \"12. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of: responsive to a determination that the first client computing device and the second client computing device are the same device, generating, by the server computing device, an alert to be displayed on the first client computing device or the second client computing device.\",\n \"13. The method of claim 9, wherein the authentication of the user authorizes the user to access a domain name administration software, a bank account, a retail website, or at least one private health record.\",\n \"14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the steps of:\\nstoring, by the second client computing device, a biometric data;\\nencrypting, by the second client computing device, the biometric data using a private key; and\\ntransmitting, by the second client computing device, the biometric data to the server computing device.\",\n \"15. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of performing, by the server computing device, a requested action, upon authentication of the user, for which the authentication is required.\",\n \"16. The method of claim 9, wherein the second authentication credential comprises a biometric data including a finger or thumb print, a capillary distribution, or a software identification of the user's face, voice, retina, or DNA.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A computer-implemented method for authenticating a user by a system comprising a processor coupled to a non-transitory memory containing instructions executable by the processor, the method comprising:\\nreceiving, by the system, a request from an entity in response to attempted access to entity resources by a user via a primary user computing device;\\ndetermining, by the system, whether the user is registered with the system; and\\ninitiating, by the system, one of a registration process and an authentication process with the user based on the determination;\\nwherein a registration process comprises:\\nestablishing a peer-to-peer exchange of data between at least the system and the primary user computing device and a secondary user computing device;\\ngenerating, via the system, an initial candidate secret and transmitting the initial candidate secret to one of the primary and secondary user computing devices via the peer-to-peer exchange;\\nreceiving a reciprocal secret from the secondary user computing device based on interaction between the secondary user computing device and the initial candidate secret, wherein the initial candidate secret is specific to the user and the secondary user computing device, and wherein the reciprocal secret is based on the initial candidate secret;\\ngenerating, via the system, a canonical secret including a token and a random confirmation code and transmitting the canonical secret to the secondary user computing device via the peer-to-peer exchange ensuring a bonded device metaphor such that the canonical secret is a definitive secret only known and stored by the system and the secondary user computing device, wherein the token is associated with an expiry date and is stored on the secondary user computing device to be used for authenticating the user during a future authentication session in lieu of the user entering user login credentials for authentication; and\\nregistering the user with the system in response to receipt of the confirmation code from the secondary user computing device.\",\n \"2. The system of claim 1, wherein the initial candidate secret, reciprocal secret, and canonical secret are based on a Time-based One-time Password (TOTP) algorithm.\",\n \"3. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises, prior to transmitting the initial candidate secret, inviting the user to install at least one management system software application used for completing the registration process and the future authentication process.\",\n \"4. The method of claim 1, wherein the token is used for OTP generation during the future authentication session.\",\n \"5. The method of claim 1, wherein the traditional user login credentials comprise at least one of user identification information and a password.\",\n \"6. The method of claim 5, wherein user identification information comprises at least one of a name of the user, a user ID, an email address of the user, and information likely to be known only to the user.\",\n \"7. The method of claim 1, wherein the token comprises a built-in expiry date.\",\n \"8. The method of claim 1, wherein the expiry date is associated with and controls a grant period during which the user can carry out an authentication session.\",\n \"9. The method of claim 8, wherein the grant period and expiry date are determined by the entity.\",\n \"10. The method of claim 1, wherein the future authentication process comprises:\\nreceiving an authentication session request from the entity, comprising at least one of a public session key and a private session key;\\ndetecting, via the secondary user computing device, the public session key;\\nreceiving one or more identifying secrets from the secondary user computing device based on detection of the public session key; and\\nreceiving an enquiry from the entity concerning an authentication result.\",\n \"11. The method of claim 10, wherein the one or more identifying secrets comprises the token associated with the canonical secret.\",\n \"12. The method of claim 10, wherein the method further comprises, upon receipt of a positive authentication result, granting user access to entity resources.\",\n \"13. The method of claim 1, wherein the initial candidate secret comprises data associated with a QR code.\",\n \"14. The method of claim 13, wherein transmitting the initial candidate secret to one of the primary and secondary user computing devices comprises displaying the QR code on a display of one of the primary and secondary user computing devices.\",\n \"15. The method of claim 14, wherein interaction between the secondary user computing device and the initial candidate secret comprises a scanning event involving the QR code.\",\n \"16. The method of claim 1, wherein the future authentication process comprises at least one of a biometric factor and a challenge-response factor, wherein a user is authenticated by satisfying at least one of the biometric and challenge-response factors.\",\n \"17. The method of claim 16, wherein a user is authenticated by satisfying both the biometric and challenge-response factors.\",\n \"18. The method of claim 16, wherein the biometric factor comprises at least one of a DNA sample, a fingerprint scan, a retina scan, a facial scan, a brain scan, an earlobe scan, a toeprint scan, a footprint scan, voice recognition, and speech recognition.\",\n \"19. The method of claim 18, wherein the challenge-response factor comprises a passphrase.\",\n \"20. The method of claim 19, wherein a user response to the challenge-response factor comprises a spoken response, which provides both a correct response and matches a biometric identification of a voice.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A system, comprising:\\na server-based secure data exchange system for secure sharing of content between a first client device accessed by a user associated with a first organizational entity and a second client device accessed by a user associated with a second organizational entity, wherein the content has shared relevance with the first organizational entity and the second organizational entity, the secure data exchange system comprising a data management facility managed by a third organizational entity and adapted to provide permissioned control to a plurality of organizational entities for use of at least one of a plurality of data storage nodes, wherein the first organizational entity is granted permissioned control of a first data storage node by the third organizational entity for a content, wherein the content is shared between the first client device and the second client device through the first data storage node, wherein the data management facility manages secure data exchange of the content through the first data storage node,\\nwherein the data management facility is distributed into a plurality of data management sites to enable management of the plurality of data storage nodes, wherein the plurality of data storage nodes are located at network locations separate from the data management facility and specified by the plurality of organizational entities, and\\nwherein the server-based secure data exchange system includes an authentication facility,\\nwherein the server-based secure data exchange system stores data relating to a user log authentication of the user associated with the second organizational entity and data relating to a user login authentication for the user associated with the third organizational entity,\\nwherein the server-based secure data exchange system determines a level of access authentication for access to received computer data content for the user associated with the second organizational entity based on an event condition related to a current state of the client computing device of the user associated with the second organizational entity at a time of the access request, and\\nwherein the server-based secure data exchange system adjusts a level of access authentication based on the event condition, presenting the user associated with the second organizational entity the adjusted level of access authentication, and grants access to the computer data content when the secure exchange server receives the adjusted level of access authentication.\",\n \"2. The system of claim 1, wherein the server-based secure data exchange system includes at least one of: an authorization facility, an encryption sharing facility, a process failure monitoring facility, a software deployment management facility, and a content replication facility.\",\n \"3. The system of claim 2, wherein the authorization facility provides authorization data for the secure sharing of content across the plurality of organizational entities, the plurality of data management sites, and the plurality of data storage nodes, which ensures that an authorization for the sharing is not tampered with.\",\n \"4. The system of claim 3, wherein the authorization facility signs messages with a shared secret that comprises an identifier of the secret.\",\n \"5. The system of claim 4, wherein the shared secret is cryptographically signed for at least one of an authentication of origin and tamper detection.\",\n \"6. The system of claim 4, wherein the shared secret comprises a changeable portion and a tamper-proof portion, wherein the tamper-proof portion is cryptographically protected.\",\n \"7. The system of claim 2, wherein the encryption sharing facility enables sharing of an encryption secret between the plurality of organizational entities, the plurality of data management sites, and the plurality of data storage nodes.\",\n \"8. The system of claim 7, wherein the encryption secret comprises and encryption key that at least one of a plurality of content nodes generates as part of an encryption key rotation process.\",\n \"9. The system of claim 8, wherein the at least one of the plurality of content nodes notifies at least one of the plurality of data management sites and transmits the encryption key to a central encryption key management facility.\",\n \"10. The system of claim 2, wherein the process failure monitoring facility monitors in-process messages to determine if a process has started but is not yet complete, wherein the process includes at least one of uploading document, downloading documents, and undertaking steps in a workflow.\",\n \"11. The system of claim 10, wherein the monitored in-process messages each include a start process indicator or an end process indicator, and the process failure monitoring facility monitors a count value, wherein during the monitoring, the count value is increased when a start process indicator is detected and the count value is decreased when an end process indicator is detected, and wherein the process failure monitoring facility transmits a process failure indication when the count value is not zero at a predetermined time.\",\n \"12. The system of claim 2, wherein the software deployment management facility establishes at least on of an identity, an origin, and a correctness for deployed software.\",\n \"13. The system of claim 12, wherein the deployed software comprises metadata for software comprising at least one of a hash of the software code, an identifier of a shared secret, and an identifier of a client.\",\n \"14. The system of claim 12, wherein the software deployment management facility provides automatic deployment of software that is triggered by an event, including at least one of an upload triggering the event and a processor triggering the event.\",\n \"15. The system of claim 2, wherein the content replication facility provides content replication services to the secure data exchange system.\",\n \"16. The system of claim 15, wherein the content replication facility coordinates replication of content among the plurality of data storages nodes.\",\n \"17. The system of claim 15, wherein the content replication facility facilitates creation of a new data storage node, and replicating content from an existing data node from the plurality of data storage nodes to the new data storage node.\",\n \"18. The system of claim 1, wherein the data management facility has access to metadata of the stored data for managing sharing of the content via the first data storage node, but the data management facility does not have access to the content.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. An authority transfer system, comprising:\\nat least a processor and at least a memory coupled to the at least the processor and having stored thereon instructions, when executed by the at least the processor, and cooperating to act as:\\ntransmitting from a client to an authorization server an authorization code request for issuing an authorization code by the authorization server when an access to a resource server by the client is permitted by a user;\\nreceiving an authorization code response from the authorization server to the client, the authorization code response being a response to the authorization code request; and\\ngenerating a log-in context when the user logs in the client,\\nwherein the authorization code request transmitted by the transmitting includes signature information and a parameter having the log-in context set as a value of the parameter for associating the authorization code request with the authorization code response,\\nwherein, after the signature information is verified in the authorization server, the authorization code response corresponding to the authorization code request is transmitted to the client, and\\nwherein the client uses the parameter included in the authorization code response received by the receiving and a parameter included in the authorization code response transmitted by the transmitting to verify that the authorization code response corresponds to the authorization code request.\",\n \"2. The authority transfer system according to claim 1,\\nwherein the signature information is added to the authorization code request by using an encryption key held by the client, and\\nwherein the authorization server verifies the signature information added to the authorization code request by using a decryption key held by the authorization server.\",\n \"3. The authority transfer system according to claim 1,\\nwherein the transmitting transmits from the client to the authorization server via a user agent an authorization code request for permitting by the authorization server an access to the resource server by the client,\\nwherein the parameter is a state parameter,\\nwherein the log-in context is information including at least one of a local user ID and an e-mail address of the local user and uniquely identifying the local user.\",\n \"4. The authority transfer system according to claim 1, wherein the log-in context set in a parameter received by the authorization server is included in approval information used for permitting an access to the resource server by the client.\",\n \"5. The authority transfer system according to claim 4, wherein the approval information at least includes a client ID identifying the client and a user ID identifying a user logging in the authorization server.\",\n \"6. The authority transfer system according to claim 5,\\nwherein the client transmits to the authorization server signature information and a token request including the client ID and the user ID and being usable for obtaining an authorization token by the client, and\\nwherein the authority transfer system further comprises an issuing the authorization token from the authorization server to the client\\nafter the authorization server having received the token request verifies the signature information received along with the token request by using an encryption key, and\\nafter the issuing determines that an access to the resource server by the client identified by the client ID included in the token request is authorized by the user identified by the user ID included in the token request.\",\n \"7. The authority transfer system according to claim 6,\\nwherein the authorization token is a token indicating that the client is authorized to access the resource server.\",\n \"8. The authority transfer system according to claim 6, wherein the issuing issues the authorization token after the issuing determines that a flag indicating that the user has authorized an access to the resource server by the client is added to approval information identified by the client ID and user ID included in the token request.\",\n \"9. The authority transfer system according to claim 1,\\nwherein the authorization code request to be transmitted by the transmitting includes signature information and response destination information designating a response destination to be used by the authorization server for returning the authorization code response, and\\nwherein the authority transfer system further comprises, after the signature information is verified in the authorization server, transmitting by the authorization server an authorization code response to an authorization code request transmitted by the transmitting unit, based on the response destination information included in the authorization code request.\",\n \"10. A control method for an authority transfer system, the method comprising:\\ntransmitting from a client to an authorization server an authorization code request for issuing an authorization code by the authorization server when an access to a resource server by the client is permitted by a user;\\nreceiving an authorization code response from the authorization server to the client, the authorization code response being a response to the authorization code request; and\\ngenerating a log-in context when the user logs in the client,\\nwherein the authorization code request transmitted by the transmitting includes signature information and a parameter having the log-in context set as a value of the parameter for associating the authorization code request with the authorization code response,\\nwherein, after the signature information is verified in the authorization server, the authorization code response corresponding to the authorization code request is transmitted to the client, and\\nwherein the client uses the parameter included in the authorization code response received by the receiving and a parameter included in the authorization code response transmitted by the transmitting to verify that the authorization code response corresponds to the authorization code request.\",\n \"11. A client comprising:\\na transmitting unit configured to transmit from a client to an authorization server an authorization code request for issuing an authorization code by the authorization server when an access to a resource server by the client is permitted by a user;\\na receiving unit configured to receive an authorization code response, the authorization code response being a response to the authorization code request; and\\nwherein the authorization code request transmitted by the transmitting unit includes signature information and a parameter having the log-in context set as a value of the parameter for associating the authorization code request with the authorization code response,\\nwherein, after the signature information is verified in the authorization server, the client receives the authorization code response corresponding to the authorization code request from the authorization server, and\\nwherein the client uses the parameter included in the authorization code response received by the receiving unit and a parameter included in the authorization code response transmitted by the transmitting unit to verify that the authorization code response corresponds to the authorization code request.\",\n \"12. The client according to claim 11,\\nwherein the transmitting unit transmits from the client to the authorization server via a user agent an authorization code request for permitting by the authorization server an access to the resource server by the client,\\nwherein the parameter is a state parameter,\\nwherein the log-in context is information including at least one of a local user ID and an e-mail address of the local user and uniquely identifying the local user.\",\n \"13. The authority transfer system according to claim 1,\\nwherein the generating unit generates a log-in context when the user logs in the client before an authorization flow for processing of authorizing the client to use an open web service provided by the resource server is started in accordance with permission by the user.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A retail system configured to determine product placement conditions within a retail facility, comprising:\\na product monitoring control circuit associated with a retail facility; and\\na memory coupled with the control circuit and storing computer instructions that when executed by the control circuit cause the control circuit to:\\nobtain a scan mapping corresponding to at least a select area of the retail facility and based on a series of scan data from a motorized robotic scanner unit moved along at least the select area of the retail facility;\\naccess a baseline scan of at least the select area;\\ncompare the scan mapping to the baseline scan and determine, based on differences between the scan mapping and the baseline scan, an empty area of a product support structure defined relative to a reference proximate an edge of the product support structure and each of multiple items of a first product supported by the product support structure; and\\nidentify when the empty area is greater than a predefined area threshold relative to the reference proximate the edge of the product support structure.\",\n \"2. The retail system of claim 1, wherein the scan mapping comprises a three-dimensional (3D) scan mapping and wherein the control circuit in identifying when the empty area is greater than the area threshold is further configured to identify, based on the 3D scan mapping, when the empty area is greater than a case threshold such that the empty area is large enough to receive at least a full case of the items of the first product; and\\ncause one or more commands to be communicated to cause initiation of one or more actions in response to identifying that the empty area has the predefined relationship to the area threshold and the empty area is greater than the case threshold.\",\n \"3. The retail system of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is further configured to:\\nidentify, from the scan mapping and relative to each of multiple sets of items of the first product supported by the product support structure, whether a threshold number of items are present within each of the multiple sets of items, wherein each of the multiple sets of items comprises one or more of the items on the product support structure;\\nidentify that a threshold number of the sets of items within the select area that do not have at least the threshold number of items; and\\ncause one or more commands to be communicated, in response to identifying that the threshold number of the sets of items do not have at least the threshold number of items, to initiate one or more actions.\",\n \"4. The retail system of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is further configured to:\\nidentify, based on the scan mapping, when one or more items within the select area are different than the first product; and\\ncause a notification to be communicated notifying a retail facility associate that at least one item of at least a second product is incorrectly placed within the select area.\",\n \"5. The retail system of claim 1, wherein the scan mapping comprises point cloud measurements, and the baseline scan comprises point cloud measurements.\",\n \"6. The retail system of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is further configured to:\\ncause one or more movement commands to control the motorized robotic scanner unit to be communicated to the motorized robotic scanner unit, wherein the one or more movement commands when implemented by the motorized robotic scanner unit cause physical movement of the motorized robotic scanner unit consistent with the one or more movement commands through at least a portion of the retail facility and along the select area of the product support structure.\",\n \"7. The retail system of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is further configured to:\\nidentify that the empty area is less than a restocking area threshold; and\\ncause an instruction to be communicated to cause movement of the multiple items of the first product still supported on the product support structure in the select area to be closer to the reference offset and faced on the product support structure in response to the identifying that the empty area is greater than the area threshold but not greater than the restocking area threshold, wherein the area threshold is a facing area threshold.\",\n \"8. The retail system of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is further configured to:\\ncommunicate commands to the motorized robotic scanner unit causing the motorized robotic scanner unit to perform at least one additional task and to capture the scan data as the motorized robotic scanner unit travels through the retail facility performing the at least one additional task, wherein the at least one additional task is different than capturing the scan data.\",\n \"9. The retail system of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is further configured to access inventory information of the first product and identify from the inventory information when there is a threshold number of items of the first product;\\ncause an instruction to be communicated to cause a restocking of the empty area with additional items of the first product in response to both identifying that the empty area is greater than the area threshold relative to the reference proximate the edge of the product support structure, and identifying that there is the threshold number of items of the first product; and\\nprevent an instruction from being communicated regarding restocking of the empty area in response to one of identifying that the empty area is not greater than the area threshold relative to the reference proximate the edge of the product support structure, and identifying that there is not the threshold number of items of the first product.\",\n \"10. A method of determining product placement conditions within a retail facility, comprising:\\nby a control circuit of a retail facility product monitoring system:\\nobtaining a scan mapping corresponding to at least a select area of the retail facility and based on a series of scan data from a motorized robotic scanner unit moved along at least the select area of the retail facility;\\naccessing a baseline scan of at least the select area;\\ncomparing the scan mapping to the baseline scan and determining, based on differences between the scan mapping and the baseline scan, an empty area of a product support structure defined relative to a reference proximate an edge of the product support structure and each of multiple items of a first product supported by the product support structure; and\\nidentifying when the empty area is greater than a predefined area threshold relative to the edge of the product support structure.\",\n \"11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:\\nthe scan mapping comprises a three-dimensional (3D) scan mapping;\\nwherein the identifying when the empty area is greater than the area threshold further comprises:\\nidentifying, based on the 3D scan mapping, when the empty area is greater than a case threshold such that the empty area is large enough to receive at least a full case of the items of the first product; and\\ncausing one or more commands to be communicated to cause initiation of one or more actions in response to identifying that the empty area has the predefined relationship to the area threshold and the empty area is greater than the case threshold.\",\n \"12. The method of claim 10, further comprising:\\nidentifying, relative to each of multiple sets of items of the first product supported by the product support structure, whether a threshold number of items are present within each of the multiple sets of items, wherein each of the multiple sets of items comprises one or more of the items on the product support structure;\\nidentifying that a threshold number of the sets of items within the select area that do not have at least the threshold number of items; and\\ncausing one or more commands to be communicated in response to identifying that the threshold number of the set of items do not have at least the threshold number of items to initiate one or more actions.\",\n \"13. The method of claim 10, further comprising:\\nidentifying, based on the scan mapping, when one or more items within the select area are different than the first product; and\\ncausing a notification to be communicated notifying a retail facility associate that at least one item of at least a second product is incorrectly placed within the select area.\",\n \"14. The method of claim 10, wherein the scan mapping comprises point cloud measurements, and the baseline scan comprises point cloud measurements.\",\n \"15. The method of claim 10, further comprising:\\ncausing one or more movement commands to control the motorized robotic scanner unit to be communicated to the motorized robotic scanner unit, wherein the one or more movement commands when implemented by the motorized robotic scanner unit cause physical movement of the motorized robotic scanner unit consistent with the one or more movement commands through at least a portion of the retail facility and along the select area of the product support structure.\",\n \"16. The method of claim 10, further comprising:\\nidentifying that the empty area is less than a restocking area threshold; and\\ncausing an instruction to be communicated to cause movement of the multiple items of the first product still supported on the product support structure in the select area to be closer to the reference offset and faced on the product support structure in response to the identifying that the empty area is greater than the area threshold but not greater than the restocking area threshold, wherein the area threshold is a facing area threshold.\",\n \"17. The method of claim 10, further comprising:\\ncommunicating commands to the motorized robotic scanner unit causing the motorized robotic scanner unit to perform at least one additional task and to capture the scan data as the motorized robotic scanner unit travels through the retail facility performing the at least one additional task, wherein the at least one additional task is different than capturing the scan data.\",\n \"18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:\\naccessing inventory information of the first product;\\nidentifying from the inventory information when there is a threshold number of items of the first product;\\ncausing an instruction to be communicated to cause a restocking of the empty area with additional items of the first product in response to both identifying that the empty area is greater than the area threshold relative to the reference proximate the edge of the product support structure, and identifying that there is the threshold number of items of the first product; and\\npreventing an instruction from being communicated regarding restocking of the empty area in response to one of identifying that the empty area is not greater than the area threshold relative to the reference proximate the edge of the product support structure, and identifying that there is not the threshold number of items of the first product.\",\n \"19. A retail facility product monitoring system, comprising:\\na plurality of autonomous, motorized robotic scanner units;\\na product monitoring control circuit associated with a retail facility and communicatively coupled over a wireless communication network with each of the motorized robotic scanner units;\\na memory coupled with the product monitoring control circuit and storing computer instructions that when executed by the control circuit cause the control circuit to:\\ncommunicate one or more route commands to a first motorized robotic scanner unit of the plurality of motorized robotic scanner units to cause physical movement of the first motorized robotic scanner unit to move consistent with the one or more route commands through at least a portion of the retail facility and at least along a select area of a product support structure and capture scan data relative to the select area;\\nobtain a scan mapping corresponding to at least the select area of the product support structure based on a series of the scan data from the first motorized robotic scanner unit;\\naccess a baseline scan of at least the select area of the product support structure;\\ncompare the scan mapping with the baseline scan and identify differences between the scan mapping and the baseline scan of an empty area on the product support structure relative to an edge of the product support structure;\\nidentify when the empty area has a predefined relationship with an area threshold; and\\ncommunicate one or more commands to initiate one or more actions in response to identifying that the empty area has the predefined relationship to the area threshold.\",\n \"20. The system of claim 19, wherein the product monitoring control circuit, in identifying that the empty area has the predefined relationship with the area threshold, is configured to:\\nidentify when an empty area across the product support structure where a plurality of the first product have been removed, corresponding the first product, has a predefined relationship to an area threshold.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A method for managing digital rights management (DRM) protected content sharing in a networked secure collaborative computer data exchange environment, the method comprising:\\nestablishing, by a secure exchange facility managed by an intermediate organizational entity, a user login data authentication procedure that allows user access through at least one client computing device to the secure exchange facility, where communication between the secure exchange facility and the at least one client computing device is through a communications network;\\nreceiving computer data content and at least one indicator of access rights for the computer data content from a first client computing device of a first user associated with a first organizational entity, wherein the secure exchange facility permits sharing access to the computer data content by at least a second user associated with a second organizational entity based on the at least one indicator of access rights, wherein the second organizational entity is a distinct entity from the first organizational entity;\\ntransforming the computer data content and the at least one indicator of access rights into DRM protected computer data content through communications with a DRM engine, wherein the DRM engine is selected based on a content type of the computer data content, and wherein the DRM engine is provided by an entity distinct from the intermediate organizational entity and any other organizational entity that accesses content shared through the secure exchange facility; and\\ngranting, by the secure exchange facility, shared access to the DRM protected computer data content to at least the second user;\\nreceiving, by the secure exchange facility from a second client computing device of the second user, a request for download of the computer data content;\\ntransmitting the DRM protected computer data content to the second client computing device, wherein each time an access is requested to the DRM protected computer data stored on the second client computing device the second client computing device is required to request access permission from the DRM engine;\\nreceiving, from the DRM engine, a request for access rights to the DRM protected computer data content as a result of the second client computing device requesting access permission from the DRM engine to the DRM protected computer data content; and\\nproviding the DRM engine with updated access rights for the DRM protected computer data content as a result of a received updated indicator of access rights to the secure exchange facility from the first client computing device, wherein the second client computing device is granted access to the DRM protected computer data content by the DRM engine as determined by the updated indicator of access rights,\\nwherein the first client computing device provides the updated indicator of access rights to the secure exchange facility as a result of the secure exchange facility requesting an update of access rights from the first client computing device as a result of the secure exchange facility receiving the request for access rights from the DRM engine.\",\n \"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of transforming comprises translating the indicator of access rights into a format recognizable by the DRM engine.\",\n \"3. The method of claim 2, wherein the translated access rights are provided by the DRM engine to the second client computing device where the translated access policies are enforced in managing any potential access to the DRM protected computer data content.\",\n \"4. The method of claim 3, wherein the translated access rights are enforced by a DRM agent resident on the second client computing device.\",\n \"5. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the request for access rights from the DRM engine comprises user credentials for authentication.\",\n \"6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of transforming comprises the secure exchange facility encrypting the computer data content.\",\n \"7. The method of claim 6, wherein an encryption protocol utilized in the encrypting is determined by the secure exchange facility based on a type of the received computer data content.\",\n \"8. The method of claim 6, wherein the encrypted computer data content is registered at the DRM engine.\",\n \"9. The method of claim 1, wherein the DRM engine is selected from a plurality of DRM engines.\",\n \"10. A system for managing digital rights management (DRM) protected content sharing in a networked secure collaborative computer data exchange environment, the system comprising:\\na secure exchange facility managed by an intermediate organizational entity, wherein a user login data authentication procedure is established that allows user access through at least one client computing device to the secure exchange facility, where communication between the secure exchange facility and the at least one client computing device is through a communications network,\\nwherein the secure exchange facility is adapted to receive, transform, and grant access to computer data content in relation to at least one indicator of access rights for the computer data content from a first client computing device of a first user associated with a first organizational entity, wherein the secure exchange facility permits sharing access to the computer data content by at least a second user associated with a second organizational entity based on the at least one indicator of access rights, wherein the second organizational entity is a distinct entity from the first organizational entity,\\nwherein transforming the computer data content and the at least one indicator of access rights into DRM protected computer data content is implemented through communications with a DRM engine, wherein the DRM engine is selected based on a content type of the computer data content, and wherein the DRM engine is provided by an entity distinct from the intermediate organizational entity and any other organizational entity that accesses content shared through the secure exchange facility,\\nwherein the secure exchange facility receives from a second client computing device of the second user a request for download of the computer data content,\\nwherein the DRM protected computer data content is transmitted to the second client computing device, wherein each time an access is requested to the DRM protected computer data stored on the second client computing device the second client computing device is required to request access permission from the DRM engine,\\nwherein a request for access rights to the DRM protected computer data content is received from the DRM engine as a result of the second client computing device requesting access permission from the DRM engine to the DRM protected computer data content,\\nwherein the DRM engine is provided with updated access rights for the DRM protected computer data content as a result of a received updated indicator of access rights to the secure exchange facility from the first client computing device,\\nwherein the second client computing device is granted access to the DRM protected computer data content by the DRM engine as determined by the updated indicator of access rights, and\\nwherein the first client computing device provides the updated indicator of access rights to the secure exchange facility as a result of the secure exchange facility requesting an update of access rights from the first client computing device as a result of the secure exchange facility receiving the request for access rights from the DRM engine.\",\n \"11. The system of claim 10, wherein the step of transforming comprises translating the indicator of access rights into a format recognizable by the DRM engine.\",\n \"12. The system of claim 11, wherein the translated access rights are provided by the DRM engine to the second client computing device where the translated access policies are enforced in managing any potential access to the DRM protected computer data content.\",\n \"13. The system of claim 12, wherein the translated access rights are enforced by a DRM agent resident on the second client computing device.\",\n \"14. The system of claim 10, wherein receiving the request for access rights from the DRM engine comprises user credentials for authentication.\",\n \"15. The system of claim 10, wherein the step of transforming comprises the secure exchange facility encrypting the computer data content.\",\n \"16. The system of claim 15, wherein an encryption protocol utilized in the encrypting is determined by the secure exchange facility based on a type of the received computer data content.\",\n \"17. The system of claim 15, wherein the encrypted computer data content is registered at the DRM engine.\",\n \"18. The system of claim 10, wherein the DRM engine is selected from a plurality of DRM engines.\"\n ]\n]"},"102rejection":{"kind":"string","value":"in the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to aia 35 u.s.c. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-aia 35 u.s.c. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from aia to pre-aia ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.\r\n(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.\r\nclaim(s) 1-3, 5, 9-12, 14, 18 and 19 is/are rejected under 35 u.s.c. 102 (a) (1) as being anticipated by blomquist et al (hereinafter blomquist) (us 20110047606).\r\nregarding claim 1 blomquist teaches a method at a computing device for managing a credential vault, the method comprising: (blomquist on [0003 and 0017-0020] teaches a method for authenticating an identity of user using password vault);\r\ndetecting that authentication is pending for an application or service (blomquist fig 2 block 204, 206 and text on [0019-0020] teaches detecting at a website access device a plug-in provided by the authentication server entity prompts the user to activate its password vault identity by providing an account identifier and an authentication element via the user input (i.e., authentication is pending until user inputs authentication element). an authentication prompt appears on the user's screen upon accessing the machine's internet browser and may be configured to automatically appear each time the web browser is accessed (i.e., indicating authentication is pending));\r\nwherein the application or service is distinct from the credential vault (blomquist on [0020] teaches password vault plug-in is programmed to recognize the third-party website (i.e., application or service distinct from password vault) requesting authentication. thus, the user is provided with automated logon when the user visits third-party websites the user has stored in its password vault online or offline accounts);\r\ndisplaying, by a user interface of the computing device, a symbol indicating whether a state of the credential vault is in an unlocked state or a locked state (blomquist on [0023] teaches the notification icon may appear in an altered state, such as a grey colored vidoop shield design icon, to alert the user that the authentication program and password vault are present on the machine but that the user has not activated the password vault by authenticating its identity (i.e. locked state of password vault). see also on [0029] teaches the user will also be presented with a notification icon in each field auto-filled by the password vault program to visually verify the user is logged into the password vault program (i.e., unlocked state of vault));\r\nand when the symbol indicates that the credential vault is in the locked state; activating an authentication mechanism for the credential vault; (blomquist fig 2 block 204 and text on [0020-0021] teaches during step 204 the user is allowed to sign in, change users, or select \"no\". if the \"sign in\" option is selected, the user is directed to the password vault authentication website for authentication. for example, the user may be directed to the password vault website and asked to enter its username (i.e., indicating password is locked as required by the claim). after entry of the username the user is then challenged to enter the require authentication element in the form of a password (i.e., activating authentication mechanism to enter password for vault) or image category identifier. next the user may be directed to an account management page or the third-party website the user originally intended to visit. further teaches if the user selects the \"change user\" option, the user is directed to the authentication server web interface and required to enter the username (i.e., authentication mechanism activate for password vault for entering password) corresponding to its password vault account. the user may then authenticate to its password vault account by entering the required authentication element (i.e., again indicating password vault locked state). once authenticated, the password vault program will automatically authenticate the user to third-party websites that require user authentication (i.e. equivalent to credentials are required) and for which the user has stored the corresponding authentication elements for said third-party websites in the user's password vault. see on [0024] teaches the password vault program is further adapted to, when activated by authentication of the user's identity, monitor the user's web session and identify instances where the user is authenticating to a third-party website that is not already stored in the user's online or offline directory. in this instance, the user enters the previously unknown authentication elements);\r\nreceiving authentication credentials for the credential vault (blomquist fig 2 block 204 and text on [0020-0021] teaches at step 204 the user is allowed to sign in, change users, or select \"no\". if the \"sign in\" option is selected, the user is directed to the password vault authentication website for authentication. for example, the user may be directed to the password vault website and asked to enter its username (i.e., indicating password vault is locked). after entry of the username the user is then challenged to entry the required authentication element in the form of a password (i.e., activating authentication mechanism to enter password for vault) or image category identifier. next the user may be directed to an account management page or the third-party website the user originally intended to visit. further teaches if the user selects the \"change user\" option, the user is directed to the authentication server web interface and required to enter the username (i.e., authentication mechanism activate for password vault for entering password) corresponding to its password vault account. the user may then authenticate to its password vault account by entering the required authentication element (i.e., again indicating password vault locked state). once authenticated, the password vault program will automatically authenticate the user to third-party websites that require user authentication (i.e. equivalent to credentials are required) and for which the user has stored the corresponding authentication elements for said third-party websites in the user's password vault. see on [0024] teaches the password vault program is further adapted to, when activated by authentication of the user's identity, monitor the user's web session and identify instances where the user is authenticating to a third-party website that is not already stored in the user's online or offline directory. in this instance, the user enters the previously unknown authentication elements);\r\nverifying the authentication credentials for the credential vault (blomquist on [0020] teaches the user may be directed to the password vault website and asked to enter its username. after entry of the username the user is then challenged to entry the required authentication element in the form of a password or image category identifier. once authenticated to password vault account the user is granted access to the secure database comprising the plurality of stored website account identifiers and associated authentication elements. see on [0021] teaches the user may then authenticate to its password vault account by entering the required authentication element. once authenticated, the password vault program will automatically authenticate the user to third-party websites that require use authentication and for which the user has stored the corresponding authentication elements for said third-party websites in the user's password vault. see on [0025] teaches once authenticated to the password vault program, the user is granted access to all of its online authentication elements from any machine with internet access);\r\nand upon verification of the authentication credentials for the credential vault, providing from the credential vault, authentication parameter to the application or service (blomquist on [0020] teaches the user may be directed to the password vault website and asked to enter its username. after entry of the username the user is then challenged to entry the required authentication element in the form of a password or image category identifier. once authenticated to password vault account the user is granted access to the secure database comprising the plurality of stored website account identifiers and associated authentication elements. see on [0021] teaches the user may then authenticate to its password vault account by entering the required authentication element. once authenticated, the password vault program will automatically authenticate the user to third-party websites that require use authentication and for which the user has stored the corresponding authentication elements for said third-party websites in the user's password vault. see on [0025] teaches once authenticated to the password vault program, the user is granted access to all of its online authentication elements from any machine with internet access).\r\nregarding claim 10 blomquist teaches a computing device comprising (blomquist on [0004-0005] teaches a computer implementing authentication protocol having a memory unit, a means for controlling access to the memory unit, and a website access device);\r\na processor; and a memory for storing instruction code, wherein the instruction code causes the computing device to (blomquist on [0004] teaches the system comprises a memory unit, a means for controlling access to the memory unit, and a website access device. the memory unit is adapted to store plurality of website account identifiers and a plurality of website authentication elements for a single user. see on [0013] teaches first user device comprising a personal computer 10 or other website access device may be in communication with a means for controlling access to the memory unit);\r\ndetect that authentication is pending for an application or service (blomquist fig 2 block 204, 206 and text on [0019-0020] teaches detecting at a website access device a plug-in provided by the authentication server entity prompts the user to activate its password vault identity by providing an account identifier and an authentication element via the user input (i.e., authentication is pending until user inputs authentication element). an authentication prompt appears on the user's screen upon accessing the machine's internet browser and may be configured to automatically appear each time the web browser is accessed (i.e., indicating authentication is pending));\r\ndisplay, by a user interface of the computing device, a symbol indicating whether a state of the credential vault is in an unlocked state or a locked state (blomquist on [0023] teaches the notification icon may appear in an altered state, such as a grey colored vidoop shield design icon, to alert the user that the authentication program and password vault are present on the machine but that the user has not activated the password vault by authenticating its identity (i.e. inactivate state of password vault). see also on [0029] teaches the user will also be presented with a notification icon in each field auto-filled by the password vault program to visually verify the user is logged into the password vault program (i.e., active state of vault));\r\nand when the symbol indicates that the credential vault is in the locked state; activate an authentication mechanism for the credential vault; (blomquist fig 2 block 204 and text on [0020-0021] teaches during step 204 the user is allowed to sign in, change users, or select \"no\". if the \"sign in\" option is selected, the user is directed to the password vault authentication website for authentication. for example, the user may be directed to the password vault website and asked to enter its username (i.e., indicating password is locked as required by the claim). after entry of the username the user is then challenged to enter the require authentication element in the form of a password (i.e., activating authentication mechanism to enter password for vault) or image category identifier. next the user may be directed to an account management page or the third-party website the user originally intended to visit. further teaches if the user selects the \"change user\" option, the user is directed to the authentication server web interface and required to enter the username (i.e., authentication mechanism activate for password vault for entering password) corresponding to its password vault account. the user may then authenticate to its password vault account by entering the required authentication element (i.e., again indicating password vault locked state). once authenticated, the password vault program will automatically authenticate the user to third-party websites that require user authentication (i.e. equivalent to credentials are required) and for which the user has stored the corresponding authentication elements for said third-party websites in the user's password vault. see on [0024] teaches the password vault program is further adapted to, when activated by authentication of the user's identity, monitor the user's web session and identify instances where the user is authenticating to a third-party website that is not already stored in the user's online or offline directory. in this instance, the user enters the previously unknown authentication elements);\r\nreceive authentication credentials for the credential vault (blomquist fig 2 block 204 and text on [0020-0021] teaches at step 204 the user is allowed to sign in, change users, or select \"no\". if the \"sign in\" option is selected, the user is directed to the password vault authentication website for authentication. for example, the user may be directed to the password vault website and asked to enter its username (i.e., indicating password vault is locked). after entry of the username the user is then challenged to entry the required authentication element in the form of a password (i.e., activating authentication mechanism to enter password for vault) or image category identifier. next the user may be directed to an account management page or the third-party website the user originally intended to visit. further teaches if the user selects the \"change user\" option, the user is directed to the authentication server web interface and required to enter the username (i.e., authentication mechanism activate for password vault for entering password) corresponding to its password vault account. the user may then authenticate to its password vault account by entering the required authentication element (i.e., again indicating password vault locked state). once authenticated, the password vault program will automatically authenticate the user to third-party websites that require user authentication (i.e. equivalent to credentials are required) and for which the user has stored the corresponding authentication elements for said third-party websites in the user's password vault. see on [0024] teaches the password vault program is further adapted to, when activated by authentication of the user's identity, monitor the user's web session and identify instances where the user is authenticating to a third-party website that is not already stored in the user's online or offline directory. in this instance, the user enters the previously unknown authentication elements);\r\nverify the authentication credentials for the credential vault (blomquist on [0020] teaches the user may be directed to the password vault website and asked to enter its username. after entry of the username the user is then challenged to entry the required authentication element in the form of a password or image category identifier. once authenticated to password vault account the user is granted access to the secure database comprising the plurality of stored website account identifiers and associated authentication elements. see on [0021] teaches the user may then authenticate to its password vault account by entering the required authentication element. once authenticated, the password vault program will automatically authenticate the user to third-party websites that require use authentication and for which the user has stored the corresponding authentication elements for said third-party websites in the user's password vault. see on [0025] teaches once authenticated to the password vault program, the user is granted access to all of its online authentication elements from any machine with internet access);\r\nand upon verification of the authentication credentials for the credential vault, provide from the credential vault, authentication parameter to the application or service (blomquist on [0020] teaches the user may be directed to the password vault website and asked to enter its username. after entry of the username the user is then challenged to entry the required authentication element in the form of a password or image category identifier. once authenticated to password vault account the user is granted access to the secure database comprising the plurality of stored website account identifiers and associated authentication elements. see on [0021] teaches the user may then authenticate to its password vault account by entering the required authentication element. once authenticated, the password vault program will automatically authenticate the user to third-party websites that require use authentication and for which the user has stored the corresponding authentication elements for said third-party websites in the user's password vault. see on [0025] teaches once authenticated to the password vault program, the user is granted access to all of its online authentication elements from any machine with internet access).\r\nregarding claim 19 blomquist teaches a non-transitory computer readable medium for storing program code for execution on a processor of a computing device, the program code comprising instructions for: (blomquist on [0004] teaches the system comprises a memory unit, a means for controlling access to the memory unit, and a website access device. the memory unit is adapted to store plurality of website account identifiers and a plurality of website authentication elements for a single user. see on [0013-0017] teaches first user device comprising a personal computer 10 or other website access device may be in communication with a means for controlling access to the memory unit);\r\ndisplaying, by a user interface of the computing device, a symbol indicating whether a state of the credential vault is in an unlocked state or a locked state (blomquist on [0023] teaches the notification icon may appear in an altered state, such as a grey colored vidoop shield design icon, to alert the user that the authentication program and password vault are present on the machine but that the user has not activated the password vault by authenticating its identity (i.e. inactivated state of password vault). see also on [0029] teaches the user will also be presented with a notification icon in each field auto-filled by the password vault program to visually verify the user is logged into the password vault program (i.e., active state of vault));\r\nand when the symbol indicates that the credential vault is in the locked state; activating an authentication mechanism for the credential vault; (blomquist fig 2 block 204 and text on [0020-0021] teaches during step 204 the user is allowed to sign in, change users, or select \"no\". if the \"sign in\" option is selected, the user is directed to the password vault authentication website for authentication. for example, the user may be directed to the password vault website and asked to enter its username (i.e., indicating password is locked as required by the claim). after entry of the username the user is then challenged to enter the require authentication element in the form of a password (i.e., activating authentication mechanism to enter password for vault) or image category identifier. next the user may be directed to an account management page or the third-party website the user originally intended to visit. further teaches if the user selects the \"change user\" option, the user is directed to the authentication server web interface and required to enter the username (i.e., authentication mechanism activate for password vault for entering password) corresponding to its password vault account. the user may then authenticate to its password vault account by entering the required authentication element (i.e., again indicating password vault locked state). once authenticated, the password vault program will automatically authenticate the user to third-party websites that require user authentication (i.e. equivalent to credentials are required) and for which the user has stored the corresponding authentication elements for said third-party websites in the user's password vault);\r\nregarding claim 2 and 11 blomquist teaches all the limitation of claim 1 and 10 respectively, blomquist further teaches wherein the credential vault stores a password for the application or service (blomquist on [0021-0022] teaches authentication element stored in user’s password vault. see on [0016] teaches authentication elements are username and passwords).\r\nregarding claim 3 and 12 blomquist teaches all the limitation of claim 1 and 10 respectively, blomquist further teaches wherein the credential vault stores a key to enable or launch the application or service (blomquist on [0021-0022] teaches authentication element stored in user’s password vault. see on [0012] teaches the term \"authentication elements\" may comprise traditional usernames and passwords, site key image and other elements. see also on [0017] the authentication elements are stored in a location of the user's selection on the user machine 10 and are encrypted for access using a key generated by the password vault).\r\nregarding claim 5 and 14 blomquist teaches all the limitation of claim 1 and 10 respectively, blomquist further teaches wherein detecting that authentication is pending comprises detecting a start of an authentication process for the application or service (blomquist fig 2 and text on [0019] teaches partially automated two factor authentication process, the process begins and the user initiates a webpage browser session using a user website access device at step 202).\r\nregarding claim 9 and 18 blomquist teaches all the limitations of claim 1 and 10 respectively, blomquist further teaches wherein verification of input from the authentication mechanism is done within the credential vault (blomquist on [0021] teaches the user may then authenticate to its password vault account by entering the required authentication element. once authenticated, the password vault program will automatically authenticate the user to third-party websites that require use authentication and for which the user has stored the corresponding authentication elements for said third-party websites in the user's password vault. see on [0025] teaches once authenticated to the password vault program, the user is granted access to all of its online authentication elements from any machine with internet access)."}}},{"rowIdx":9040,"cells":{"query":{"kind":"list like","value":["1. A foldable device comprising:\na flexible display comprising a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion provided between the first portion and the second portion;\na first body and a second body that support the flexible display and are synchronously rotated;\na hinge comprising a first hinge axis and a second hinge axis that rotatably connect the first body and the second body respectively; and\na support member that is disposed between the first body and the second body, and supports the third portion of the flexible display when the foldable device is in an intermediate configuration between a folded configuration of the foldable device and an unfolded configuration of the foldable device,\nwherein the support member is connected to the first body and the second body.","2. The foldable device of claim 1, wherein the first body and the second body comprise a first base cover and a second base cover, and a first frame and a second frame that are disposed inside the first base cover and the second base cover and support the flexible display.","3. The foldable device of claim 2, wherein an end of the first frame and an end of the second frame are formed to be bent toward the flexible display in a state in which the flexible display is unfolded.","4. The foldable device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the support member includes a slot extending in a folding direction of the first body and the second body, and\nwherein the first frame and the second frame include a pair of guide portions coupled to one end of the first frame and one end of the second frame and slidably inserted into the slot according to rotation of the first body and the second body.","5. The foldable device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first portion is provided on the first frame, and the second portion is provided on the second frame.","6. The foldable device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first frame includes a first support portion supporting the first portion and a first receiving portion connected to the first support portion and inclined in a direction away from the flexible display,\nwherein the second frame includes a second support portion supporting the second portion and a second receiving portion connected to the second support portion and inclined in a direction away from the flexible display, and\nwherein the first receiving portion and the second receiving portion form a receiving space in which the third portion is received as the first body and the second body rotate in a direction in which the first body and the second body face each other.","7. The foldable device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support member moves in one direction toward the flexible display when the flexible display is unfolded and moves in a direction opposite to the one direction when the flexible display is folded.","8. The foldable device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support member is spaced apart from a bent portion of the flexible display when the foldable device is folded.","9. The foldable device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:\na cover member surrounding an outside of a portion where the first body and the second body are connected to each other.","10. The foldable device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the cover member includes an extension portion corresponding to each of facing corners of the first body and the second body and a side wall portion disposed at both ends of the extension portion.","11. The foldable device as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the first body and the second body rotates about a first central axis and a second central axis,\nwherein the first body includes a first gear portion, and\nwherein the second body includes a second gear portion engaged with the first gear portion.","12. The foldable device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first body and the second body move within a slot of the support member as a configuration of the foldable device changes from the folded configuration to the intermediate configuration.","13. The foldable device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first body and the second body extend into a slot of the support member.","14. A foldable device comprising:\na flexible display comprising a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion provided between the first portion and the second portion;\na first body and a second body that support the flexible display;\na hinge comprising a first hinge axis and a second hinge axis that rotatably connect the first body and the second body respectively; and\na support member that is disposed between the first body and the second body, and supports the third portion of the flexible display when the foldable device is in an intermediate configuration between a folded configuration of the foldable device and an unfolded configuration of the foldable device,\nwherein the support member is connected to the first body and the second body.","15. The foldable device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the first body and the second body move within a slot of the support member as a configuration of the foldable device changes from the folded configuration to the intermediate configuration.","16. The foldable device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the first body and the second body extend into a slot of the support member."],"string":"[\n \"1. A foldable device comprising:\\na flexible display comprising a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion provided between the first portion and the second portion;\\na first body and a second body that support the flexible display and are synchronously rotated;\\na hinge comprising a first hinge axis and a second hinge axis that rotatably connect the first body and the second body respectively; and\\na support member that is disposed between the first body and the second body, and supports the third portion of the flexible display when the foldable device is in an intermediate configuration between a folded configuration of the foldable device and an unfolded configuration of the foldable device,\\nwherein the support member is connected to the first body and the second body.\",\n \"2. The foldable device of claim 1, wherein the first body and the second body comprise a first base cover and a second base cover, and a first frame and a second frame that are disposed inside the first base cover and the second base cover and support the flexible display.\",\n \"3. The foldable device of claim 2, wherein an end of the first frame and an end of the second frame are formed to be bent toward the flexible display in a state in which the flexible display is unfolded.\",\n \"4. The foldable device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the support member includes a slot extending in a folding direction of the first body and the second body, and\\nwherein the first frame and the second frame include a pair of guide portions coupled to one end of the first frame and one end of the second frame and slidably inserted into the slot according to rotation of the first body and the second body.\",\n \"5. The foldable device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first portion is provided on the first frame, and the second portion is provided on the second frame.\",\n \"6. The foldable device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first frame includes a first support portion supporting the first portion and a first receiving portion connected to the first support portion and inclined in a direction away from the flexible display,\\nwherein the second frame includes a second support portion supporting the second portion and a second receiving portion connected to the second support portion and inclined in a direction away from the flexible display, and\\nwherein the first receiving portion and the second receiving portion form a receiving space in which the third portion is received as the first body and the second body rotate in a direction in which the first body and the second body face each other.\",\n \"7. The foldable device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support member moves in one direction toward the flexible display when the flexible display is unfolded and moves in a direction opposite to the one direction when the flexible display is folded.\",\n \"8. The foldable device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support member is spaced apart from a bent portion of the flexible display when the foldable device is folded.\",\n \"9. The foldable device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:\\na cover member surrounding an outside of a portion where the first body and the second body are connected to each other.\",\n \"10. The foldable device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the cover member includes an extension portion corresponding to each of facing corners of the first body and the second body and a side wall portion disposed at both ends of the extension portion.\",\n \"11. The foldable device as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the first body and the second body rotates about a first central axis and a second central axis,\\nwherein the first body includes a first gear portion, and\\nwherein the second body includes a second gear portion engaged with the first gear portion.\",\n \"12. The foldable device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first body and the second body move within a slot of the support member as a configuration of the foldable device changes from the folded configuration to the intermediate configuration.\",\n \"13. The foldable device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first body and the second body extend into a slot of the support member.\",\n \"14. A foldable device comprising:\\na flexible display comprising a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion provided between the first portion and the second portion;\\na first body and a second body that support the flexible display;\\na hinge comprising a first hinge axis and a second hinge axis that rotatably connect the first body and the second body respectively; and\\na support member that is disposed between the first body and the second body, and supports the third portion of the flexible display when the foldable device is in an intermediate configuration between a folded configuration of the foldable device and an unfolded configuration of the foldable device,\\nwherein the support member is connected to the first body and the second body.\",\n \"15. The foldable device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the first body and the second body move within a slot of the support member as a configuration of the foldable device changes from the folded configuration to the intermediate configuration.\",\n \"16. The foldable device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the first body and the second body extend into a slot of the support member.\"\n]"},"applicant_patent_id":{"kind":"string","value":"US12153472B2"},"cited_patent_id":{"kind":"string","value":"KR20210090595A"},"positive":{"kind":"list like","value":["3. The method of claim 2,\nIn a state in which the flexible display is folded, the third portion is supported by the first and second accommodating portions and is curved. According to claim 1,\nThe first and second accommodating units are pivoted at one end of the first and second supporting units to flatly support the third portion in a state in which the flexible display is unfolded and form the accommodating space in a state in which the flexible display is folded (pivot) A collapsible device capable of being joined together. 5. The method of claim 4,\nWhen the first and second bodies rotate so that the flexible display is folded, the first and second accommodating parts rotate in a first direction inclined downward from the first and second support parts. 6. The method of claim 5,\nWhen the first and second bodies rotate to unfold the flexible display, the first and second accommodating parts rotate in a second direction opposite to the first direction. 7. The method of claim 6,\nTo continuously support the third part while the first and second bodies rotate, the flexible display moves in one direction toward the third part while the first and second bodies rotate so that the flexible display is unfolded The foldable device further comprising a; support member that moves in the other direction opposite to the one direction while the first and second bodies rotate so that the display is folded. 8. The method of claim 7,\nThe foldable device further comprising a; first and second rotation levers having one end pivotably coupled to the support member and the other end connected to the ends of the first and second accommodation units, respectively. 9. The method of claim 8,\nWhen the support member moves in the one direction, the first and second pivot levers lift the ends of the first and second accommodating parts so that the first and second accommodating parts rotate in a second direction. 10. The method of claim 9,\nand the support member includes a stopper for blocking rotation of the first and second rotation levers in an unfolded state of the flexible display."],"string":"[\n \"3. The method of claim 2,\\nIn a state in which the flexible display is folded, the third portion is supported by the first and second accommodating portions and is curved. According to claim 1,\\nThe first and second accommodating units are pivoted at one end of the first and second supporting units to flatly support the third portion in a state in which the flexible display is unfolded and form the accommodating space in a state in which the flexible display is folded (pivot) A collapsible device capable of being joined together. 5. The method of claim 4,\\nWhen the first and second bodies rotate so that the flexible display is folded, the first and second accommodating parts rotate in a first direction inclined downward from the first and second support parts. 6. The method of claim 5,\\nWhen the first and second bodies rotate to unfold the flexible display, the first and second accommodating parts rotate in a second direction opposite to the first direction. 7. The method of claim 6,\\nTo continuously support the third part while the first and second bodies rotate, the flexible display moves in one direction toward the third part while the first and second bodies rotate so that the flexible display is unfolded The foldable device further comprising a; support member that moves in the other direction opposite to the one direction while the first and second bodies rotate so that the display is folded. 8. The method of claim 7,\\nThe foldable device further comprising a; first and second rotation levers having one end pivotably coupled to the support member and the other end connected to the ends of the first and second accommodation units, respectively. 9. The method of claim 8,\\nWhen the support member moves in the one direction, the first and second pivot levers lift the ends of the first and second accommodating parts so that the first and second accommodating parts rotate in a second direction. 10. The method of claim 9,\\nand the support member includes a stopper for blocking rotation of the first and second rotation levers in an unfolded state of the flexible display.\"\n]"},"hard_negatives":{"kind":"list like","value":[["1. A display device comprising:\na display panel;\nwherein the display panel comprises a display region and a light-transmitting region,\nwherein the light-transmitting region is provided at one end of the display panel,\nwherein the display region comprises a first portion, a second portion and a third portion,\nwherein the first portion comprises a first plurality of pixels,\nwherein the second portion comprises a second plurality of pixels,\nwherein the third portion comprises a third plurality of pixels,\nwherein the light-transmitting region is adjacent to the first portion,\nwherein the second portion is between the first portion and the third portion,\nwherein the display panel is flexible,\nwherein the display panel is curved to form a ring so that the light-transmitting region overlaps with a display surface side of the display region,\nwherein the first portion and the third portion overlap each other,\nwherein the first plurality of pixels and the third plurality of pixels are deviated to each other, and\nwherein the display panel is configured to add adjustment to a display signal corresponding to an image of the third plurality of pixels.","2. The display device according to claim 1,\nwherein a width of the first portion is larger than a width of one pixel, and\nwherein the display panel is configured not to drive the third plurality of pixels.","3. The display device according to claim 1,\nwherein the display panel is configured to display an image,\nwherein the first portion is configured to display a first part of the image,\nwherein the second portion is configured to display a second part of the image, and\nwherein the first part and the second part is seamlessly displayed when the display panel is curved to form a ring."],["1. A foldable display device assembly being foldable about a folding axis, comprising:\na flexible display module;\na first plate disposed below the flexible display module;\na second plate disposed below the first plate, the second plate comprising a first portion and a second portion spaced apart from each other with the folding axis therebetween;\na first adhesive film disposed between the first plate and the second plate, the first adhesive film comprising a first section and a second section spaced apart from each other with the folding axis therebetween;\na second adhesive film disposed between the first plate and the second plate, the second adhesive film being spaced apart from the first adhesive film; and\na third adhesive film disposed between the first plate and the second plate, the third adhesive film being spaced apart from the first adhesive film;\nwherein the second adhesive film and the third adhesive film are disposed closer to the folding axis than the first adhesive film,\nwherein the third adhesive film overlaps the second adhesive film, and\nwherein a sum of a thickness of the second adhesive film and a thickness of the third adhesive film is substantially the same as a thickness of the first adhesive film.","2. The foldable display device assembly of claim 1,\nwherein the second adhesive film comprises a third section and a fourth section spaced apart from each other with the folding axis therebetween,\nwherein the third section overlaps the first portion of the second plate,\nwherein the fourth section overlaps the first portion of the second plate, and\nwherein the third section of the second adhesive film and the fourth section of the second adhesive film are disposed between the first section of the first adhesive film and the second section of the first adhesive film.","3. The foldable display device assembly of claim 2,\nwherein the third adhesive film comprises a fifth section and a sixth section spaced apart from each other with the folding axis therebetween,\nwherein the fifth section of the third adhesive film overlaps the third section of the second adhesive film, and\nwherein the sixth section of the third adhesive film overlaps the fourth section of the second adhesive film.","4. The foldable display device assembly of claim 3, wherein a sum of a thickness of the third section of the second adhesive film and a thickness of the fifth section of the third adhesive film is substantially the same as a thickness of the first section the first adhesive film.","5. The foldable display device assembly of claim 4, wherein a sum of a thickness of the fourth section of the second adhesive film and a thickness of the sixth section of the third adhesive film is substantially the same as a thickness of the second section the first adhesive film.","6. The foldable display device assembly of claim 1, wherein the second adhesive film or the third adhesive film comprises metal.","7. The foldable display device assembly of claim 1, further comprising a fourth adhesive film disposed between the flexible display module and the first plate,\nwherein the fourth adhesive film overlaps a space between the first section of the first adhesive film and the second section of the first adhesive film.","8. The foldable display device assembly of claim 7, further comprising:\nan upper flexible module disposed on the flexible display module; and\na fifth adhesive film disposed between the flexible display module and the upper flexible module,\nwherein the first plate has a substantially lower light transmittance than the upper flexible module."],["1. An electronic device comprising:\na foldable display panel which folds with surfaces of a display surface facing inward;\na first substrate on a rear side of the foldable display panel;\na first housing;\na second housing;\na second substrate adjacent to the foldable display panel;\na first frame member and a second frame member on a display surface side of the foldable display panel; and\na pair of members,\nwherein a first region of the foldable display panel and the first housing overlap with each other with the first substrate sandwiched between the first region and the first housing,\nwherein a second region of the foldable display panel and the second housing overlap with each other with the first substrate sandwiched between the second region and the second housing,\nwherein the second substrate comprises an opening overlapping with the foldable display panel, and\nwherein when the electronic device is opened, the pair of members are between the first frame member and the second frame member.","2. An electronic device comprising:\na foldable display panel which folds with surfaces of a display surface facing inward;\na first substrate on a rear side of the foldable display panel;\na first housing;\na second housing;\na second substrate adjacent to the foldable display panel;\na first frame member and a second frame member on a display surface side of the foldable display panel; and\na pair of members,\nwherein a region of the foldable display panel and the first housing overlap with each other with the first substrate sandwiched between the region and the first housing,\nwherein a size of the first substrate is smaller than a size of the foldable display panel,\nwherein the second substrate comprises an opening overlapping with the foldable display panel, and\nwherein when the electronic device is opened, the pair of members are between the first frame member and the second frame member.","3. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the second substrate is on the display surface side of the foldable display panel.","4. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising a third housing between the first housing and the second housing.","5. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the pair of members are not in contact with the first frame member and the second frame member.","6. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein each of the first frame member and the second frame member surrounds three sides of the foldable display panel.","7. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the first substrate is configured to connect the first housing with the second housing.","8. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the foldable display panel comprises a light-emitting element.","9. The electronic device according to claim 1,\nwherein the first substrate is flexible, and\nwherein the second substrate is flexible.","10. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the second substrate is on the display surface side of the foldable display panel.","11. The electronic device according to claim 2, further comprising a third housing between the first housing and the second housing.","12. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the pair of members are not in contact with the first frame member and the second frame member.","13. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein each of the first frame member and the second frame member surrounds three sides of the foldable display panel.","14. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the first substrate is configured to connect the first housing with the second housing.","15. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the foldable display panel comprises a light-emitting element.","16. The electronic device according to claim 2,\nwherein the first substrate is flexible, and\nwherein the second substrate is flexible."],["1. A display device comprising:\na substrate;\na display area including a plurality of pixels on the substrate;\na first area disposed adjacent to the display area on the substrate;\nan encapsulation layer disposed on the first area and the display area;\na buffer layer disposed on the encapsulation layer;\na plurality of touch conductors disposed on the buffer layer and in the display area;\na crack detection line disposed on the buffer layer and in the first area, wherein\nthe crack detection line comprises a same material as at least one of the plurality of touch conductors, and\nthe crack detection line comprises a first curved portion and a second curved portion where an extension direction of the crack detection line is reversed, and\nthe first curved portion and the second curved portion area spaced apart from each other and face each other.","2. The display device of claim 1, wherein\nthe crack detection line is disposed in a same layer as at least one of the plurality of touch conductors.","3. The display device of claim 1, further comprising:\nat least one dam portion disposed in the first area, wherein\nthe crack detection line is disposed between the at least one dam portion and the display area.","4. The display device of claim 3, wherein\nthe encapsulation layer comprises an organic layer and a first inorganic layer, and\nthe first inorganic layer covers the at least one dam portion.","5. The display device of claim 4, wherein\nthe encapsulation layer further comprises a second inorganic layer disposed between the organic layer and the substrate, and\nthe second inorganic layer covers the at least one dam portion.","6. The display device of claim 3, further comprising:\nan insulating layer on the crack detection line,\nwherein the insulating layer covers the at least one dam portion.","7. The display device of claim 6, wherein the buffer layer covers the at least one dam portion.","8. The display device of claim 7, wherein the crack detection line is enclosed by the insulating layer and the buffer layer and contacts the insulating layer and the buffer layer.","9. The display device of claim 1, wherein\nthe encapsulation layer comprises an organic layer and a first inorganic layer, and\nthe crack detection line overlaps the organic layer in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the substrate.","10. The display device of claim 1, wherein\nthe plurality of touch conductors comprises a first touch conductor and a second touch conductor,\na touch insulating layer is further comprised between the first touch conductor and the second touch conductor, and\nthe crack detection line is disposed in a same layer as the first touch conductor or the second touch conductor.","11. The display device of claim 1, wherein\nthe crack detection line comprises a first line portion and a second line portion that are adjacent to each other, extend parallel to each other, and are electrically connected to each other.","12. The display device of claim 1, wherein\nthe crack detection line and the at least one of the plurality of touch conductors contact a same layer."],["1. A display device comprising:\na first resin layer;\na second resin layer;\na display portion between the first resin layer and the second resin layer;\na scan line driver circuit between the first resin layer and the second resin layer;\na connection terminal electrode over the first resin layer;\nan FPC electrically connected to the connection terminal electrode;\na first plate configured to support the first resin layer; and\na second plate configured to support the first resin layer,\nwherein the display device is an active matrix display device,\nwherein the first resin layer is over the first plate and the second plate,\nwherein the second resin layer is over the first resin layer,\nwherein the first plate and the second plate are apart from each other,\nwherein the first resin layer comprises a first region, a second region, a third region, a fourth region, and a fifth region,\nwherein the first region and the connection terminal electrode overlap each other,\nwherein the third region and the first plate overlap each other,\nwherein the third region and the display portion overlap each other,\nwherein the second region is between the first region and the third region,\nwherein the fourth region and the display portion overlap each other,\nwherein the fifth region and the second plate overlap each other,\nwherein the fifth region and the display portion overlap each other,\nwherein the fourth region is between the third region and the fifth region,\nwherein the second region and the fourth region are configured to be bent, and\nwherein the scan line driver circuit does not overlap with the first region in a state where the first resin layer is not bent.","2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the second resin layer does not overlap with the FPC in a state where the first resin layer is not bent at the second region.","3. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the scan line driver circuit and the third region overlap each other.","4. A display device comprising:\na first resin layer;\na second resin layer;\na display portion between the first resin layer and the second resin layer;\na scan line driver circuit between the first resin layer and the second resin layer;\na connection terminal electrode over the first resin layer;\nan FPC electrically connected to the connection terminal electrode;\na first plate configured to support the first resin layer; and\na second plate configured to support the first resin layer,\nwherein the display device comprises a transistor and a light-emitting element electrically connected to the transistor,\nwherein the first resin layer is over the first plate and the second plate,\nwherein the second resin layer is over the first resin layer,\nwherein the first plate and the second plate are apart from each other,\nwherein the first resin layer comprises a first region, a second region, a third region, a fourth region, and a fifth region,\nwherein the first region and the connection terminal electrode overlap each other,\nwherein the third region and the first plate overlap each other,\nwherein the third region and the display portion overlap each other,\nwherein the second region is between the first region and the third region,\nwherein the fourth region and the display portion overlap each other,\nwherein the fifth region and the second plate overlap each other,\nwherein the fifth region and the display portion overlap each other,\nwherein the fourth region is between the third region and the fifth region,\nwherein the second region and the fourth region are configured to be bent, and\nwherein the scan line driver circuit does not overlap with the first region in a state where the first resin layer is not bent.","5. The display device according to claim 4, wherein the second resin layer does not overlap with the FPC in a state where the first resin layer is not bent at the second region.","6. The display device according to claim 4, wherein the scan line driver circuit and the third region overlap each other."],["1. A flexible display apparatus comprising:\na first film including a first region, a second region, and a bending portion between the first region and the second region, a plurality of first openings or grooves being defined in the bending portion of the first film;\na third film over the first film, the third film including a bending portion corresponding to the bending portion of the first film;\na fourth film over the third film, the fourth film including a bending portion corresponding to the bending portion of the first film;\nan emission display unit between the third film and the fourth film;\nan elastic member disposed in correspondence with the bending portion of the third film; and\na second film over the fourth film, the second film including a first surface adjacent to the fourth film, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a second opening or groove defined in the second surface.","2. The flexible display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second opening or groove is disposed in correspondence with the bending portion of the first film.","3. The flexible display apparatus of claim 2, wherein a thickness of the second film corresponding to the bending portion of the first film is smaller than a thickness of the second film corresponding to the first and second regions.","4. The flexible display apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an adhesion layer between the third film and the elastic member.","5. The flexible display apparatus of claim 1, wherein a total width of the plurality of first openings or grooves defined in the bending portion of the first film is at least two times greater than a thickness of the first film.","6. The flexible display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the third film comprises a plastic material.","7. The flexible display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fourth film is configured to encapsulate the emission display unit.","8. The flexible display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fourth film comprises a multi-layer.","9. The flexible display apparatus of claim 8, wherein the multi-layer comprises at least one inorganic film.","10. The flexible display apparatus of claim 8, wherein the multi-layer comprises at least one organic film.","11. A flexible display apparatus comprising:\na first film including a first region, a second region, and a bending portion between the first region and the second region, a plurality of first openings or grooves being defined in the bending portion of the first film;\na third film over the first film, the third film including a bending portion corresponding to the bending portion of the first film;\na fourth film over the third film, the fourth film including a bending portion corresponding to the bending portion of the first film;\nan emission display unit between the third film and the fourth film;\nan elastic member disposed in correspondence with the bending portion of the third film; and\na second film over the fourth film, the second film including a first surface adjacent to the fourth film, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a second opening or groove defined in the second surface,\nwherein a thickness of the second film corresponding to the bending portion of the first film is smaller than a thickness of the second film corresponding to the first and second regions of the first film.","12. The flexible display apparatus of claim 11, wherein the second opening or groove is disposed in correspondence with the bending portion of the first film.","13. The flexible display apparatus of claim 11, further comprising an adhesion layer between the third film and the elastic member.","14. The flexible display apparatus of claim 11, wherein a total width of the plurality of first openings or grooves defined in the bending portion of the first film is at least two times greater than a thickness of the first film.","15. The flexible display apparatus of claim 11, wherein the third film comprises a plastic material.","16. The flexible display apparatus of claim 11, wherein the fourth film is configured to encapsulate the emission display unit.","17. The flexible display apparatus of claim 16, wherein the fourth film comprises at least one inorganic film and at least one organic film.","18. A flexible display apparatus comprising:\na first film including a first region, a second region, and a bending portion between the first region and the second region, a plurality of first openings or grooves being defined in the bending portion of the first film;\na third film over the first film, the third film including a bending portion corresponding to the bending portion of the first film;\na fourth film over the third film, the fourth film including a bending portion corresponding to the bending portion of the first film;\nan emission display unit between the third film and the fourth film;\nan elastic member disposed in correspondence with the bending portion of the third film;\nan adhesion layer between the third film and the elastic member; and\na second film over the fourth film, the second film including a first surface adjacent to the fourth film, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a second opening or groove defined in the second surface,\nwherein the second opening or groove is disposed in correspondence with the bending portion of the first film.","19. The flexible display apparatus of claim 18, wherein a width of the second opening or groove of the second film is at least two times greater than a thickness of the second film."],["1. A portable electronic device comprising:\na touch-sensitive display;\na battery;\na foldable enclosure enclosing the touch-sensitive display and the battery, the foldable enclosure comprising:\na front cover positioned over the touch-sensitive display and including a chemically strengthened glass layer defining:\na first region positioned over a first portion of the touch-sensitive display;\na second region positioned over a second portion of the touch-sensitive display; and\na foldable region positioned over a third portion of the touch-sensitive display between the first and the second portions of the touch-sensitive display, the foldable enclosure configured to:\nin a folded configuration: define a first graphical output using the first portion of the touch-sensitive display and viewable along a front of the portable electronic device; define a second graphical output using the second portion of the touch-sensitive display and viewable along a rear of the portable electronic device opposite to the front; and define a third graphical output using the third portion of the touch-sensitive display and viewable along a side of the portable electronic device extending between the front and the rear; and\nin an unfolded configuration, define a fourth graphical output using the first, second, and third portions of the touch-sensitive display.","2. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein:\nthe chemically strengthened glass layer at the foldable region defines a relief feature comprising a locally thinned region; and\nthe foldable region further comprises a filler disposed in the relief feature and optically matched to the chemically strengthened glass layer.","3. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein the chemically strengthened glass layer is formed of an aluminosilicate glass.","4. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein in the unfolded configuration, the first, second, and foldable portions define a front surface of the portable electronic device that is flat.","5. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein:\nin response to transitioning from the folded configuration to the unfolded configuration, a first aspect ratio associated with a size of the fourth graphical output changes to a second aspect ratio associated with a size of the first graphical output.","6. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein:\nin the folded configuration, the foldable region defines a curved surface having a minimum bend radius between 10 mm and 25 mm.","7. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein the chemically strengthened glass layer is configured to produce compressive stresses on the outside of a bend in the foldable region.","8. An electronic device comprising:\na touch-sensitive display;\na battery;\na foldable enclosure enclosing the touch-sensitive display and the battery, the foldable enclosure having a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration, the foldable enclosure comprising:\na cover positioned over the touch-sensitive display and including a glass layer comprising a ceramic, the cover defining:\na first region defining a first external surface of the electronic device;\na second region defining a second external surface of the electronic device; and\na foldable region defining a third external surface of the electronic device between the first and the second external surface, the cover defining a contiguous external surface including the first, second, and third external surfaces, wherein:\nin the folded configuration, the third external surface defines a side portion of the electronic device, the first external surface defines a front portion of the electronic device, and the second external surface defines a rear portion of the electronic device; and\nin the unfolded configuration, the first, second, and third external surfaces define the front portion of the electronic device.","9. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein:\nthe electronic device further comprises a processor configured to:\nin the unfolded configuration, cause display of a first graphical output; and\nin the folded configuration, cause display of a second graphical output different from the first graphical output, the second graphical output adapted to at least a viewable area defined by the first external surface.","10. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein the cover comprises a locally-thinned region configured to relieve stresses in the cover at the foldable region.","11. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein the cover comprises multiple ceramic layers having a respective thickness, at least one ceramic layer having a different thickness from other respective thicknesses.","12. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein\nthe foldable enclosure has an intermediate configuration between the unfolded configuration and the folded configuration; and\na compressive stress at the third external surface in the unfolded configuration is greater than a compressive stress at the third external surface in the intermediate configuration.","13. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein a thickness of cover at the foldable region is uniform.","14. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein:\nthe glass layer defines a relief feature comprising a locally thinned region; and\na filler disposed in the relief feature and optically matched to the glass layer.","15. A portable electronic device comprising:\na battery;\na display layer;\na glass cover layer coupled to the display layer, the glass cover layer configured to be moved between a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration, the glass cover layer comprising:\na first region positioned over a first portion of the display layer;\na second region positioned over a second portion of the display layer;\na foldable region positioned over a third portion of the display layer between the first and second region;\na housing coupled to the glass cover layer and enclosing the battery and the display layer, the housing movable with the glass cover layer to the folded configuration and to the unfolded configuration; and\na processor configured to:\nin the folded configuration:\ncause display of a first graphical output at the first portion of the display layer;\ncause display of a second graphical output at the second portion of the display layer; and\ncause display of a third graphical output at the third portion of the display layer; and\nin the unfolded configuration, cause display of a fourth graphical output, the fourth graphical output comprising a combined graphical output over the first, second, and third portions of the display layer.","16. The portable electronic device of claim 15, wherein the portable electronic device further comprises:\na sensor configured to detect a transition between the folded and the unfolded configuration of the portable electronic device; and\nprocessing circuitry operatively coupled to the sensor and the display layer and configured to control at least one of the first, the second, the third, and the fourth graphical outputs based on an output from the sensor.","17. The portable electronic device of claim 15, wherein the first, second, and third graphical outputs are viewable when the portable electronic device is in the folded configuration.","18. The portable electronic device of claim 15, wherein the glass cover layer includes a chemically strengthened glass strengthened through ion exchange.","19. The portable electronic device of claim 15, wherein\nthe housing comprises a rear cover positioned opposite the glass cover layer; and\nthe rear cover defines an internal surface of the portable electronic device in the folded configuration.","20. The portable electronic device of claim 19, wherein the rear cover is chemically strengthened glass."],["1. A flexible display device comprising:\na flexible display module comprising a flexible display panel;\na first frame and a second frame supporting the flexible display module;\na hinge portion pivotally coupling the first frame and the second frame; and\na curvature sensor sensing a curvature of the flexible display module, and\nthe curvature sensor comprising:\na wheel portion connected to a rotation axis of the hinge portion and rotating in accordance with folding and unfolding of the flexible display module;\na sensor switch adjacent to the wheel portion; and\na permanent magnet located on the wheel portion, a distance between the sensor switch and the permanent magnet varying in accordance with rotating of the hinge portion, and\na state of the sensor switch varies the distance between the sensor switch and the permanent magnet.","2. The flexible display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor switch comprises a projection including the permanent magnet and located on a periphery of the wheel portion.","3. The flexible display device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the projection is located on the periphery of the wheel portion to face the sensor switch in a state in which the flexible display module is unfolded.","4. The flexible display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor switch comprises a first contact point and a second contact point, and\nthe first contact point and the second contact point corresponding to the first contact point contact or do not contact each other in accordance with the distance between the sensor switch and the permanent magnet.","5. The flexible display device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first contact point and the second contact point do not contact each other in a state in which the flexible display module is folded.","6. The flexible display device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first contact point and the second contact point contact each other in a state in which the flexible display module is unfolded.","7. The flexible display device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the second contact point displaces in terms of position according to a magnetic force of the permanent magnet.","8. The flexible display device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the second contact point moves in accordance with the magnetic force of the permanent magnet and is electrically connected to the first contact point by contacting the first contact point in a state in which the flexible display module is unfolded.","9. The flexible display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor switch comprises a housing protecting the first contact point and the second contact point.","10. The flexible display device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the housing fixes terminals drawn out from the first contact point and the second contact point.","11. The flexible display device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:\nan electrostatic coupler detachably coupling at least a portion of the first frame and at least a portion of the flexible display module, and\nthe electrostatic coupler comprises a static electricity generator, and\nan electrostatic force of the static electricity generator varies in accordance with a sensing value of the curvature sensor.","12. The flexible display device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the static electricity generator is fixed on one of the flexible display module and the first frame.","13. The flexible display device as claimed in claim 12, further comprising a static electricity plate fixed to the other one of the flexible display module and the first frame."],["1. An electronic device comprising:\na first columnar body, a second columnar body, and a third columnar body; and\na flexible display over the first columnar body, the second columnar body, and the third columnar body,\nwherein the second columnar body is interposed between the first columnar body and the third columnar body,\nwherein the second columnar body is linked with the first columnar body at a first connection portion, and linked with the third columnar body at a second connection portion,\nwherein a curved surface is formed in the flexible display by rotating the first columnar body and the third columnar body around the second columnar body, and\nwherein a width of the second columnar body is larger than a width of the first columnar body and a width of the third columnar body when viewed from a side of the electronic device.","2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein each of the first columnar body, the second columnar body, and the third columnar body has a trapezoidal shape.","3. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the flexible display is not folded at a region over the second columnar body.","4. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein a side surface of the first columnar body is in contact with a first side surface of the second columnar body, and a side surface of the third columnar body is in contact with a second side surface of the second columnar body when the electronic device is folded.","5. An electronic device comprising:\na first columnar body, a second columnar body, and a third columnar body; and\na flexible display over the first columnar body, the second columnar body, and the third columnar body,\nwherein the second columnar body is interposed between the first columnar body and the third columnar body,\nwherein the second columnar body is linked with the first columnar body at a first connection portion, and linked with the third columnar body at a second connection portion,\nwherein a curved surface is formed in the flexible display by rotating the first columnar body and the third columnar body around the second columnar body,\nwherein a width of the second columnar body is larger than a width of the first columnar body and a width of the third columnar body when viewed from a side of the electronic device,\nwherein a first part of the flexible display overlaps with a second part of the flexible display when the electronic device is folded, and\nwherein the first part of the flexible display is continuous to the second part of the flexible display.","6. The electronic device according to claim 5, wherein each of the first columnar body, the second columnar body, and the third columnar body has a trapezoidal shape.","7. The electronic device according to claim 5, wherein the flexible display is not folded at a region over the second columnar body.","8. The electronic device according to claim 5, wherein a side surface of the first columnar body is in contact with a first side surface of the second columnar body, and a side surface of the third columnar body is in contact with a second side surface of the second columnar body when the electronic device is folded."],["1. A portable communication device comprising:\na housing including a first housing and a second housing;\na flexible display accommodated in the housing such that a first display portion and a second display portion of the flexible display are disposed in the first housing and the second housing, respectively; and\na hinge structure coupled to the first housing and the second housing, the hinge structure including:\na first shaft configured to rotate about a first axis,\na second shaft configured to rotate about a second axis different from the first axis,\na bracket including a first curved guide groove and a second curved guide groove formed therein,\na first rotational member coupled with the bracket such that the first rotational member is configured to rotate about a third axis different from each of the first and second axes by at least a part of an outer surface of the first rotational member sliding along the first curved guide groove as the first shaft rotates about the first axis, and\na second rotational member coupled with the bracket such that the second rotational member is configured to rotate about a fourth axis different from each of the first, second and third axes by at least part of an outer surface of the second rotational member sliding along the second curved guide groove as the second shaft rotates about the second axis,\nwherein at least part of a third display portion of the flexible display between the first display portion and the second display portion is configured to be bent as the first rotational member rotates about the third axis and the second rotational member rotates about the fourth axis.","2. The portable communication device of claim 1, wherein a first distance between the third axis and the fourth axis is shorter than a second distance between the first axis and the second axis.","3. The portable communication device of claim 1, wherein a shortest distance from the third axis to an upper surface of the flexible display is shorter than a shortest distance from the first axis to the upper surface of the flexible display, when the portable communication device is fully unfolded.","4. The portable communication device of claim 1, further comprising:\na hinge housing coupled to the bracket and accommodating at least part of the hinge structure.","5. The portable communication device of claim 1, further comprising:\na plate in contact with a substantially entire area of a rear surface of the flexible display, a central portion of the plate including a patterned-hole area formed therein such that the patterned-hole area is bent and unbent along with the third display portion as the portable communication device is folded and unfolded, respectively.","6. The portable communication device of claim 1, wherein the first axis is internal to the first shaft and the second axis is internal to the second shaft, and the third axis is external to the first rotational member and the fourth axis is external to the second rotational member.","7. The portable communication device of claim 6, wherein each of the third axis and the fourth axis is adjacent to the third display portion between the first display portion and the second display portion of the flexible display.","8. The portable communication device of claim 1, wherein the hinge structure includes:\na third shaft configured to rotate about a fifth axis internal to the third shaft and substantially parallel with the first axis and the third axis as the first shaft rotates about the first axis; and\na fourth shaft and configured to rotate about sixth axis internal to the fourth shaft and substantially parallel with the fifth axis as the second shaft rotates about the second axis.","9. The portable communication device of claim 8, wherein the third axis and the fourth axis are close to the flexible display than the fifth axis and the sixth axis, respectively.","10. The portable communication device of claim 1, wherein each of the third axis and the fourth axis is inside a hinge housing when viewed from above the flexible display.","11. The portable communication device of claim 1, further comprising:\na first front bracket coupled to the first housing and the first rotational member; and\na second front bracket coupled to the second housing and the second rotational member.","12. A portable communication device comprising:\na housing including a first housing and a second housing;\na flexible display accommodated in the housing such that a first display portion and a second display portion of the flexible display are disposed in the first housing and the second housing, respectively; and\na hinge structure coupled to the first housing and the second housing, the hinge structure including:\na first shaft configured to rotate about a first axis,\na second shaft configured to rotate about a second axis different from the first axis,\na first center bracket including a first curved guide groove formed therein,\na second center bracket including a second curved guide groove formed therein,\na first rotational member coupled with the first housing and with the first center bracket such that the first rotational member is configured to rotate about a third axis different from each of the first and second axes by at least a part of an outer surface of the first rotational member sliding along the first curved guide groove as the first shaft rotates about the first axis, and\na second rotational member coupled with the second housing and with the second center bracket such that the second rotational member is configured to rotate about a fourth axis different from each of the first, second and third axes by at least part of an outer surface of the second rotational member sliding along the second curved guide groove as the second shaft rotates about the second axis,\nwherein at least part of a third display portion of the flexible display between the first display portion and the second display portion is configured to be bent as the first rotational member rotates about the third axis and the second rotational member rotates about the fourth axis.","13. The portable communication device of claim 12, wherein a first distance between the third axis and the fourth axis is shorter than a second distance between the first axis and the second axis.","14. The portable communication device of claim 12, wherein a shortest distance from the third axis to an upper surface of the flexible display is shorter than a shortest distance from the first axis to the upper surface of the flexible display, when the portable communication device is fully unfolded.","15. The portable communication device of claim 12, wherein a hinge housing accommodates at least part of the first rotational member and at least part of the second rotational member.","16. The portable communication device of claim 12, further comprising:\na plate in contact with a substantially entire area of a rear surface of the flexible display, a central portion of the plate including a patterned-hole area formed therein such that the patterned-hole area is bent and unbent along with the third display portion as the portable communication device is folded and unfolded, respectively.","17. The portable communication device of claim 12, wherein the first axis is internal to the first shaft and the second axis is internal to the second shaft, and the third axis is external to the first rotational member and the fourth axis is external to the second rotational member.","18. The portable communication device of claim 17, wherein each of the third axis and the fourth axis is adjacent to the third display portion between the first display portion and the second display portion of the flexible display.","19. The portable communication device of claim 12, wherein each of the third axis and the fourth axis is inside a hinge housing when viewed from above the flexible display.","20. The portable communication device of claim 12, further comprising:\na first front bracket coupled to the first housing and the first rotational member; and\na second front bracket coupled to the second housing and the second rotational member."],["1. A display apparatus, comprising:\na display panel bendable in a bending direction about a bending axis;\na first pad unit and a second pad unit disposed on one side of the display panel, wherein the first and second pad units extend in the bending direction and are arranged in the bending direction;\na curved member disposed below the display panel;\na first printed circuit board (PCB) and a second PCB fixed to a rear surface of the curved member and spaced apart from each other in the bending direction;\na first flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) comprising a plurality of first flexible boards, each of which has a first end connected to the first pad unit and a second end connected to the first PCB; and\na second FPCB comprising a plurality of second flexible boards, each of which has a first end connected to the second pad unit and a second end connected to the second PCB,\nwherein the first flexible board closest to the second pad unit is defined as a first outermost flexible board, and the second flexible board closest to the first pad unit is defined as a second outermost flexible board, and\na first distance defined as a distance between the first end of the first outermost flexible board and the first end of the second outermost flexible board is less than a second distance defined as a distance between the second end of the first outermost flexible board and the second end of the second outermost flexible board.","2. The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein a rigidity of the curved member is greater than a rigidity of the display panel.","3. The display apparatus of claim 2, wherein the curved member comprises at least one of a light guide plate, an optical sheet, a mold frame, or a bottom chassis.","4. The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second PCBs are bendable in the bending direction about the bending axis.","5. The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein, as the first flexible boards are disposed further away from a center of the first PCB, a tilted angle of each of the first flexible boards from a normal direction at a point on the display panel at which each of the first flexible boards is connected to the display panel increases, and\nas the second flexible boards are disposed further away from a center of the second PCB, a tilted angle of each of the second flexible boards from a normal direction at a point on the display panel at which each of the second flexible boards is connected to the display panel increases.","6. The display apparatus of claim 5, wherein a length of each of the first flexible boards increases as the first flexible boards are disposed further away from the center of the first PCB, and\na length of each of the second flexible boards increases as the second flexible boards are disposed further away from the center of the second PCB.","7. The display apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:\na plurality of first driving chips mounted in a one-to-one correspondence with the first flexible boards; and\na plurality of second driving chips mounted in a one-to-one correspondence with the second flexible boards,\nwherein extending directions of each of the first driving chips and each of the second driving chips are parallel to the bending direction.","8. The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein, when the display panel is bent, each of the first outermost flexible board and the second outermost flexible board has a rectangular shape.","9. The display apparatus of claim 8, wherein, when the display panel is bent, lengths of each of the first flexible boards and each of the second flexible boards are the same.","10. The display apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:\na plurality of first driving chips mounted in a one-to-one correspondence with the first flexible boards; and\na plurality of second driving chips mounted in a one-to-one correspondence with the second flexible boards,\nwherein, on a cross-section, a virtual line comprising central points of a distance between one surface of the display panel and one surface of the first PCB and central points of a distance between the one surface of the display panel and one surface of the second PCB is defined as a bending line, and\nextending directions of each of the first driving chips and each of the second driving chips are parallel to the bending line.","11. The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein, when a curvature radius of the display panel is defined as R, a thickness of the curved member is defined as D, and a distance between a center of the first PCB and a center of the second PCB is defined as W, a minimum value of a difference between the first distance and the second distance ranges from 9*D*W/20*R to 11*D*W/20*R.","12. A method for manufacturing a display apparatus, the method comprising:\nbonding a display panel and each of a plurality of printed circuit boards to a plurality of flexible printed circuit boards;\ndisposing the display panel on an upper portion of a bottom part of a curved member; and\nfixing each of the printed circuit boards to a rear surface of the bottom part of the curved member,\nwherein the curved member is bendable in a bending direction about a bending axis, and\na distance between the printed circuit boards adjacent to each other after the printed circuit boards are fixed is greater than a distance between the printed circuit boards adjacent to each other before the printed circuit boards are fixed.","13. The method of claim 12, wherein a pad unit is disposed on one side of the display panel in a first direction parallel to the bending axis,\nthe printed circuit boards are arranged in a second direction crossing the first direction and extend in the second direction, and\nthe flexible printed circuit boards connect the pad unit to the printed circuit boards.","14. The method of claim 13, wherein, when bonding the display panel and each of the printed circuit boards, the flexible printed circuit boards extend in the first direction and are disposed in parallel to the first direction, and\nwhen fixing the printed circuit boards, as the display panel is bent, the printed circuit boards are fixed to the curved member in an order of the flexible printed circuit boards disposed further away from a center of each of the printed circuit boards, and each of the flexible printed circuit boards increases in extending length.","15. The method of claim 13, wherein bonding the display panel and each of the printed circuit boards comprises bonding a plurality of driving chips to the flexible printed circuit boards in a one-to-one correspondence with each other.","16. The method of claim 13, wherein bonding the display panel and each of the printed circuit boards comprises:\nbonding the flexible printed circuit boards to the display panel and each of the printed circuit boards in an order of the flexible printed circuit boards disposed further away from a center of each of the printed circuit boards,\nwherein an angle between an extending direction of one end of each of the flexible printed circuit boards and the first direction increases, and\nwhen fixing the printed circuit boards, as the display panel is bent, the printed circuit boards are fixed to the curved member such that the extending direction of each of the flexible printed circuit boards is parallel to a normal direction at a point on the display panel at which each of the flexible printed circuit boards is connected to the display panel.","17. The method of claim 16, wherein bonding the display panel and each of the printed circuit boards comprises:\nbonding a plurality of driving chips to the flexible printed circuit boards in a one-to-one correspondence with the flexible printed circuit boards,\nwherein each of the driving chips is bonded in the order of the flexible printed circuit boards disposed further away from the center of each of the printed circuit boards,\nwherein an angle between a normal direction of the extending direction of the flexible printed circuit boards and an extending direction of the corresponding driving chips increases.","18. The method of claim 17, wherein, when fixing the printed circuit boards to the curved member, the extending direction of each of the driving chips is perpendicular to the normal direction of the extending direction of the flexible printed circuit boards.","19. The method of claim 12, wherein a rigidity of the curved member is greater than a rigidity of the display panel.","20. The method of claim 19, wherein the curved member comprises at least one of a light guide plate, an optical sheet, a mold frame, or a bottom chassis.","21. The method of claim 19, wherein the display panel is bent in a bending direction about the bending axis as the display panel is disposed on the curved member and as each of the printed circuit boards is fixed to a rear surface of the bottom part of the curved member.","22. The method of claim 21, wherein as the display panel is bent, a stress applied to at least one flexible printed circuit board closest to a center of each of the printed circuit boards is reduced.","23. The method of claim 22, wherein as the display panel is bent, the stress applied to each of the flexible printed circuit boards increases as the flexible printed circuit boards are disposed further away from the center of each of the printed circuit boards.","24. The method of claim 19, wherein each of the printed circuit boards is bent in a bending direction about the bending axis as the display panel is disposed on the curved member.","25. The method of claim 12, wherein fixing each of the printed circuit boards comprises:\nforming alignment marks on the rear surface of the bottom part of the curved member; and\nfixing the printed circuit boards to the curved member such that the printed circuit boards correspond to the alignment marks.","26. The method of claim 12, wherein, when a curvature radius of the display panel is defined as R, a thickness of the curved member is defined as D, and a distance between a center of a first printed circuit board and a center of a second printed circuit board adjacent to the first printed circuit board is defined as W, a minimum value of a difference of a distance between the first and second printed circuit boards after the first and second printed circuit boards are fixed and a distance between the first and second printed circuit boards before the first and second printed circuit boards are fixed ranges from 9*D*W/20*R to 11*D*W/20*R.","27. A method for manufacturing a display apparatus, the method comprising:\nbonding a display panel and each of a plurality of printed circuit boards to a plurality of flexible printed circuit boards;\ndisposing the display panel on an upper portion of a bottom part of a curved member; and\nfixing each of the printed circuit boards to a rear surface of the bottom part of the curved member,\nwherein the curved member is bendable in a bending direction about a bending axis, and\nwhen fixing the printed circuit boards, as the display panel is bent, the printed circuit boards are fixed such that deformation of the flexible printed circuit boards is successively reduced as the flexible printed circuit boards are disposed closer to a center of each of the printed circuit boards.","28. A display apparatus, comprising:\na display panel bendable in a bending direction about a bending axis;\na plurality of pad units disposed on one side of the display panel and arranged in the bendable direction;\na plurality of printed circuit boards disposed below the display panel,\nwherein the printed circuit boards are bendable in the bending direction about the bending axis, are arranged in the bendable direction, and extend in the bendable direction; and\na plurality of flexible printed circuit boards configured to connect the display panel to the printed circuit boards,\nwherein each of the flexible printed circuit boards has a first end connected to the display panel and a second end connected to one of the printed circuit boards, and\na second distance between the second ends of two of the flexible printed circuit boards respectively connected to two adjacent printed circuit boards is greater than a first distance between the first ends of the two flexible printed circuit boards.","29. The display apparatus of claim 28, further comprising:\na curved member disposed between the display panel and each of the printed circuit boards,\nwherein the printed circuit boards are fixed to a rear surface of the curved member.","30. The display apparatus of claim 29, wherein, when a curvature radius of the display panel is defined as R, a thickness of the curved member is defined as D, and a distance between a center of each of the two adjacent printed circuit boards is defined as W, a minimum value of a difference between the first distance and the second distance ranges from 9*D*W/20*R to 11*D*W/20*R."],["1. A display device comprising:\na display panel; and\na window member positioned on at least one surface of the display panel, wherein the window member includes a coating layer, the coating layer including a cross-linked structure of a silsesquioxane compound that includes an epoxy group and an acryl group and having an indentation hardness of about 50 MPa or more and a tensile modulus of about 4.0 GPa or less,\nwherein the coating layer includes a cross-linked structure formed from a curing reaction of a silsesquioxane compound including repeating units represented by Chemical Formulas 1, wherein an oxygen atom connected to * is connected to an adjacent Si atom in the siloxane oligomer, R1 represents an epoxy group or an alkyl group including an epoxy group, R2 represents a (meth)acryl group or an alkyl group including a (meth)acryl group, n and m independently represent a natural number, and a summation of n and m is from 6 to 100","2. The display device of claim 1, wherein the window member further includes a base film disposed between the coating layer and the display panel.","3. The display device of claim 1, wherein a mole ratio of a first repeating unit, which is connected to R1, to a second repeating group, which is connected to R2, is 80:20 to 60:40.","4. A display device comprising:\na display panel; and\na window member positioned on at least one surface of the display panel, wherein the window member includes a coating layer, the coating layer including a cross-linked structure of a silsesquioxane compound that includes an epoxy group and an acryl group and having an indentation hardness of about 50 MPa or more and a tensile modulus of about 4.0 GPa or less, wherein the coating layer includes a cross-linked structure formed from a curing reaction of a silsesquioxane compound including repeating units represented by Chemical Formula 5, wherein an oxygen atom connected to * is connected to an adjacent Si atom in the siloxane oligomer, R1 represents an epoxy group or an alkyl group including an epoxy group, R2 represents a (meth)acryl group or an alkyl group including a (meth)acryl group, R3 represents a fluoroalkyl group, in which at least one hydrogen atom is substituted with a fluorine atom, or a perfluoro polyether group, n, m and r independently represent a natural number, and a summation of n, m and r is from 6 to 100","5. The display device of claim 4, wherein a content of a repeating unit including fluorine combined with R3 in the siloxane oligomer is from about 5% to about 10% by weight based on a total weight of the siloxane oligomer.","6. A display device comprising:\na display panel; and\na window member positioned on at least one surface of the display panel, wherein the window member includes a coating layer, the coating layer including a cross-linked structure of a silsesquioxane compound that includes an epoxy group and an acryl group and having an indentation hardness of about 50 MPa or more and a tensile modulus of about 4.0 GPa or less, wherein the coating layer includes a first coating layer and a second coating layer disposed on the first coating layer,\nwherein the first coating layer includes a cross-linked structure formed from a curing reaction of a silsesquioxane compound including a repeating unit represented by Chemical Formula 8,\nwherein the second coating layer includes a cross-linked structure formed from a curing reaction of a silsesquioxane compound including a repeating unit represented by Chemical Formula 9,\nwherein an oxygen atom connected to * is connected to an adjacent Si atom in the siloxane oligomer, R1 represents an epoxy group or an alkyl group including an epoxy group, R2 represents a (meth)acryl group or an alkyl group including a (meth)acryl group, and n and m independently represent a natural number","7. The display device of claim 6, wherein a thickness ratio of the first coating layer and the second coaling layer is from 7:3 to 3:7.","8. A display device comprising:\na display panel; and\na window member positioned on at least one surface of the display panel, wherein the window member includes a coating layer, the coating layer including a cross-linked structure of a silsesquioxane compound that includes an epoxy group and an acryl group and having an indentation hardness of about 50 MPa or more and a tensile modulus of about 4.0 GPa or less, wherein the window member further includes a base film, wherein the coating layer includes an upper coating layer disposed on a first surface of the base film, and a lower coating layer disposed on a second surface of the base film, wherein the upper coating layer includes a first upper coating layer combined with the base film and a second upper coating layer combined with the first upper coating layer, wherein the lower coating layer includes a first lower coating layer combined with the base film and a second lower coating layer combined with the first lower coating layer, and\nwherein the first upper coating layer and the first lower coating layer include a cross-linked structure formed from a curing reaction of a silsesquioxane compound including a repeating unit represented by Chemical Formula 8,\nwherein the second upper coating layer and the second lower coating layer include a cross-linked structure formed from a curing reaction of a silsesquioxane compound including a repeating unit represented by Chemical Formula 9, p1 wherein an oxygen atom connected to * is connected to another Si atom in the siloxane oligomer, R1 represents an epoxy group or an alkyl group including an epoxy group, R2 represents a (meth)acryl group or an alkyl group containing a (meth)acryl group, and n and m independently represent a natural number","9. The display device of claim 1, wherein the display device is foldable.","10. The display device of claim 1, wherein the silsesquioxane compound has a tensile modulus of about 2.7-4.0 GPa.","11. The display device of claim 1, wherein the silsesquioxane compound comprises at least about 40% by weight of the coating layer.","12. A display device comprising;\na display panel; and\na window member positioned on at least one surface of the display panel, wherein the window member includes a coating layer, the coating layer including a cross-linked structure of a silsesquioxane compound including repeating units having substituents, wherein each of the substituents independently includes an epoxy group or an acryl group.","13. The display device of claim 12, wherein the coating layer includes a cross-linked structure formed from a curing reaction of a silsesquioxane compound including repeating units represented by Chemical Formula 1, wherein an oxygen atom connected to * is connected to an adjacent Si atom in the siloxane oligomer, R1 represents an epoxy group or an alkyl group including an epoxy group, R2 represents a (meth)acryl group or an alkyl group including a (meth)acryl group, n and m independently represent a natural number, and a summation of n and m is from 6 to 100","14. The display device of claim 12, wherein the coating layer includes a cross-linked structure formed from a curing reaction of a silsesquioxane compound including repeating units represented by Chemical Formula 5, wherein an oxygen atom connected to * is connected to an adjacent Si atom in the siloxane oligomer, R1 represents an epoxy group or an alkyl group including an epoxy group, R2 represents a (meth)acryl group or an alkyl group including a (meth)acryl group, R3 represents a fluoroalkyl group, in which at least one hydrogen atom is substituted with a fluorine atom, or a perfluoro polyether group, n, m and r independently represent a natural number, and a summation of n, m and r is from 6 to 100","15. The display device of claim 12, wherein the coating layer includes a first coating layer and a second coating layer disposed on the first coating layer,\nwherein the first coating layer includes a cross-linked structure formed from a curing reaction of a silsesquioxane compound including a repeating unit represented by Chemical Formula 8,\nwherein the second coating layer includes a cross-linked structure formed from a curing reaction of a silsesquioxane compound including a repeating unit represented by Chemical Formula 9,\nwherein an oxygen atom connected to * is connected to an adjacent Si atom in the siloxane oligomer, R1 represents an epoxy group or an alkyl group including an epoxy group, R2 represents a (meth)acryl group or an alkyl group including a (meth)acryl group, and n and m independently represent a natural number","16. The display device of claim 12, wherein the window member further includes a base film, wherein the coating layer includes an upper coating layer disposed on a first surface of the base film, and a lower coating layer disposed on a second surface of the base film, wherein the upper coating layer includes a first upper coating layer combined with the base film and a second upper coating layer combined with the first upper coating layer, wherein the lower coating layer includes a first lower coating layer combined with the base film and a second lower coating layer combined with the first lower coating layer, and\nwherein the first upper coating layer and the first lower coating layer include a cross-linked structure formed from a curing reaction of a silsesquioxane compound including a repeating unit represented by Chemical Formula 8,\nwherein the second upper coating layer and the second lower coating layer include a cross-linked structure formed from a curing reaction of a silsesquioxane compound including a repeating unit represented by Chemical Formula 9,\nwherein an oxygen atom connected to * is connected to another Si atom in the siloxane oligomer, R1 represents an epoxy group or an alkyl group including an epoxy group, R2 represents a (meth)acryl group or an alkyl group containing a (meth)acryl group, and n and m independently represent a natural number"],["1. An electronic device comprising:\nan element substrate provided with a display portion, a first scan line driver circuit, a second scan line driver circuit, and an external connecting electrode; and\na flexible printed circuit electrically connected to the external connecting electrode,\nwherein the element substrate comprises:\na first outer edge portion extending in a first direction;\na first portion where the first scan line driver circuit is provided;\na first curved portion provided along the first scan line driver circuit;\na second outer edge portion extending in the first direction;\na second portion where the second scan line driver circuit is provided;\na second curved portion provided along the second scan line driver circuit;\na third outer edge portion extending in a second direction intersecting with the first direction;\na third portion where the external connecting electrode is provided;\na third curved portion between the display portion and the third outer edge portion; and\na fourth portion adjacent to the third curved portion,\nwherein the third portion, the fourth portion, the external connecting electrode, and the flexible printed circuit overlap each other,\nwherein the third outer edge portion and the flexible printed circuit overlap each other,\nwherein the element substrate has flexibility,\nwherein the first scan line driver circuit comprises a first transistor,\nwherein the second scan line driver circuit comprises a second transistor, and\nwherein the display portion comprises a third transistor.","2. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising a supporting portion,\nwherein the third portion and the supporting portion overlap each other, and\nwherein the supporting portion comprises a plate shape.","3. The electronic device according to claim 1,\nwherein the display portion comprises a light-emitting element, and\nwherein the third transistor in the display portion is electrically connected to the light-emitting element.","4. The electronic device according to claim 1,\nwherein at least one of the first transistor, the second transistor, and the third transistor comprises an oxide semiconductor layer.","5. The electronic device according to claim 1,\nwherein the display portion is provided between the first curved portion and the second curved portion.","6. An electronic device comprising:\nan element substrate provided with a display portion, a first scan line driver circuit, a second scan line driver circuit, and an external connecting electrode; and\na flexible printed circuit electrically connected to the external connecting electrode,\nwherein the element substrate comprises:\na first outer edge portion extending in a first direction;\na first portion where the first scan line driver circuit is provided;\na first curved portion provided along the first scan line driver circuit;\na second outer edge portion extending in the first direction;\na second portion where the second scan line driver circuit is provided;\na second curved portion provided along the second scan line driver circuit;\na third outer edge portion extending in a second direction intersecting with the first direction;\na third portion where the external connecting electrode is provided;\na third curved portion between the display portion and the third outer edge portion; and\na fourth portion adjacent to the third curved portion,\nwherein the third portion, the fourth portion, the external connecting electrode, and the flexible printed circuit overlap each other in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the element substrate,\nwherein the third outer edge portion and the flexible printed circuit overlap each other in the direction perpendicular to the surface of the element substrate,\nwherein the element substrate has flexibility,\nwherein the first scan line driver circuit comprises a first transistor,\nwherein the second scan line driver circuit comprises a second transistor, and\nwherein the display portion comprises a third transistor.","7. The electronic device according to claim 6, further comprising a supporting portion,\nwherein the third portion and the supporting portion overlap each other, and\nwherein the supporting portion comprises a plate shape.","8. The electronic device according to claim 6,\nwherein the display portion comprises a light-emitting element, and\nwherein the third transistor in the display portion is electrically connected to the light-emitting element.","9. The electronic device according to claim 6,\nwherein at least one of the first transistor, the second transistor, and the third transistor comprises an oxide semiconductor layer.","10. The electronic device according to claim 6,\nwherein the display portion is provided between the first curved portion and the second curved portion.","11. An electronic device comprising:\nan element substrate provided with a display portion, a first scan line driver circuit, a second scan line driver circuit, and an external connecting electrode; and\na flexible printed circuit electrically connected to the external connecting electrode,\nwherein the element substrate comprises:\na first outer edge portion extending in a first direction;\na first portion where the first scan line driver circuit is provided;\na first curved portion provided along the first scan line driver circuit;\na second outer edge portion extending in the first direction;\na second portion where the second scan line driver circuit is provided;\na second curved portion provided along the second scan line driver circuit;\na third outer edge portion extending in a second direction intersecting with the first direction;\na third portion where the external connecting electrode is provided;\na third curved portion between the display portion and the third outer edge portion; and\na fourth portion adjacent to the third curved portion,\nwherein the third portion, the fourth portion, the external connecting electrode, and the flexible printed circuit overlap each other in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the element substrate,\nwherein the third outer edge portion and the flexible printed circuit overlap each other in the direction perpendicular to the surface of the element substrate,\nwherein the element substrate has flexibility,\nwherein the first scan line driver circuit comprises a first transistor,\nwherein the second scan line driver circuit comprises a second transistor,\nwherein the display portion comprises a third transistor, and\nwherein the fourth portion is not in contact with the flexible printed circuit.","12. The electronic device according to claim 11, further comprising a supporting portion,\nwherein the third portion and the supporting portion overlap each other, and\nwherein the supporting portion comprises a plate shape.","13. The electronic device according to claim 11,\nwherein the display portion comprises a light-emitting element, and\nwherein the third transistor in the display portion is electrically connected to the light-emitting element.","14. The electronic device according to claim 11,\nwherein at least one of the first transistor, the second transistor, and the third transistor comprises an oxide semiconductor layer.","15. The electronic device according to claim 11,\nwherein the display portion is provided between the first curved portion and the second curved portion."],["1. A display device comprising:\na first resin;\na first insulating layer over the first resin;\na semiconductor layer over the first insulating layer;\na second insulating layer over the semiconductor layer;\na first gate electrode layer over the second insulating layer;\na first electrode layer of a first light-emitting element over the first gate electrode layer;\na second electrode layer of the first light-emitting element over the first electrode layer of the first light-emitting element with an electroluminescent layer of the first light-emitting element provided therebetween; and\na second resin over the second electrode layer of the first light-emitting element,\nwherein the display device further comprises:\na scanning line driver circuit comprising a first region located between the first resin and the second resin; and\na signal line driver circuit comprising a second region which is not located between the first resin and the second resin,\nwherein the display device is configured to bend in a third region and a fourth region,\nwherein the third region is provided between a fifth region in which the first resin and the second resin sandwich the first light-emitting element and a sixth region in which the first resin and the second resin sandwich a second light-emitting element, and\nwherein the fourth region is provided between the fifth region in which the first resin and the second resin sandwich the first light-emitting element and a seventh region in which the first resin overlaps with the signal line driver circuit.","2. The display device according to claim 1,\nwherein the semiconductor layer comprises an oxide semiconductor, and\nwherein one of the first resin and the second resin comprises an aramid resin or a polyimide resin.","3. A display device comprising:\na first substrate, the first substrate comprising a first resin;\na first insulating layer over the first resin;\na semiconductor layer over the first insulating layer;\na second insulating layer over the semiconductor layer;\na first gate electrode layer over the second insulating layer;\na first electrode layer of a first light-emitting element over the first gate electrode layer;\na second electrode layer of the first light-emitting element over the first electrode layer of the first light-emitting element with an electroluminescent layer of the first light-emitting element provided therebetween; and\na second resin over the second electrode layer of the first light-emitting element,\nwherein the display device further comprises:\na scanning line driver circuit comprising a first region located between the first resin and the second resin; and\na signal line driver circuit comprising a second region which is not located between the first resin and the second resin,\nwherein the display device is configured to bend in a third region and a fourth region,\nwherein the third region is provided between a fifth region in which the first resin and the second resin sandwich the first light-emitting element and a sixth region in which the first resin and the second resin sandwich a second light-emitting element, and\nwherein the fourth region is provided between the fifth region in which the first resin and the second resin sandwich the first light-emitting element and a seventh region in which the first resin overlaps with the signal line driver circuit.","4. The display device according to claim 3,\nwherein the semiconductor layer comprises an oxide semiconductor, and\nwherein one of the first resin and the second resin comprises an aramid resin or a polyimide resin.","5. A display device comprising:\na first resin;\na first insulating layer over the first resin;\na semiconductor layer over the first insulating layer;\na second insulating layer over the semiconductor layer;\na first gate electrode layer over the second insulating layer;\na first electrode layer of a first light-emitting element over the first gate electrode layer;\na second electrode layer of the first light-emitting element over the first electrode layer of the first light-emitting element with an electroluminescent layer of the first light-emitting element provided therebetween; and\na second resin over the second electrode layer of the first light-emitting element,\nwherein the display device further comprises:\na scanning line driver circuit comprising a first region located between the first resin and the second resin; and\na signal line driver circuit comprising a second region which is not located between the first resin and the second resin,\nwherein the display device is configured to bend in a third region and a fourth region,\nwherein the third region is provided between a fifth region in which the first resin and the second resin sandwich the first light-emitting element and a sixth region in which the first resin and the second resin sandwich a second light-emitting element,\nwherein the fourth region is provided between the fifth region in which the first resin and the second resin sandwich the first light-emitting element and a seventh region in which the first resin overlaps with the signal line driver circuit, and\nwherein a second gate electrode layer is provided below the semiconductor layer.","6. The display device according to claim 5,\nwherein the semiconductor layer comprises an oxide semiconductor, and\nwherein one of the first resin and the second resin comprises an aramid resin or a polyimide resin."],["1. A display unit comprising:\na first plate-like member including a display device that extends in a first direction, the first plate-like member having a rear surface and front surface; and\na second plate-like member overlapping the first plate-like member and extending in the first direction, the second plate-like member being positioned on the rear surface of the first plate-like member,\nwherein a thermal expansion coefficient of the first plate-like member is smaller than that of the second plate-like member, and\nwherein the first and second plate-like members are curved in a second direction and curvatures of the first and second plate-like members differ.","2. The display unit according to claim 1, further comprising holders that connect the second to the first plate-like member.","3. The display unit according to claim 1, wherein the second plate-like member comprising circuitry for control of the display device.","4. The display unit according to claim 1, wherein a curvature of the front surface of the first plate-like member is greater than a curvature of a front surface of the second plate-like member.","5. The display unit according to claim 1, comprising a third plate-like member overlapping the first plate-like member and extending in the first direction of the display device control,\nwherein the second plate-like member and the third plate-like member having a gap therebetween in the first direction, and\nwherein the third plate-like member is curved in the second direction and curvatures of the first and third plate-like members differ.","6. The display unit according to claim 3, comprising a third plate-like member having second circuitry for control of the display device, the third plate-like member overlapping the first plate-like member and extending in the first direction of the display device control,\nwherein the second plate-like member and the third plate-like member having a gap therebetween in the first direction, and\nwherein the third plate-like member is curved in the second direction and curvatures of the first and third plate-like members differ.","7. The display unit according to claim 5, wherein a curvature of the front surface of the first plate-like member is greater than curvatures of front surfaces of the second and third plate-like members.","8. The display unit according to claim 6, wherein a curvature of the front surface of the first plate-like member is greater than curvatures of front surfaces of the second and third plate-like members.","9. The display unit according to claim 5, wherein the thermal expansion coefficient of the first plate-like member is smaller than that of the third plate-like member.","10. The display unit according to claim 6, wherein the thermal expansion coefficient of the first plate-like member is smaller than that of the third plate-like member.","11. The display unit according to claim 8, further comprising holders that connect the second and third plate-like members to the first plate-like member.","12. The display unit according to claim 7, further comprising a supporting member positioned on a surface of the first plate-like member, the supporting member supports the first plate-like member.","13. The display unit according to claim 1, further comprising a flexible section coupling the first plate-like member and the second plate-like member to each other.","14. The display unit according to claim 6, further comprising flexible sections coupling the first plate-like member to the second plate-like member and to the third plate-like member.","15. The display unit according to claim 14, wherein the flexible sections comprise wiring sections.","16. The display unit according to claim 15, wherein the wiring sections each include an Integrated Circuit (IC) chip.","17. The display unit according to claim 16, wherein the IC chip on each of the wiring sections is in contact with a heat dissipation member.","18. The display unit according to claim 1, wherein the first plate-like member comprises at least one glass substrate.","19. The display unit according to claim 1, wherein the first plate-like member comprises two glass substrates that seal liquid crystal material therebetween.","20. The display unit according to claim 16, wherein the second plate-like member and third-plate member are circuit boards."],["1. An electronic device comprising an active matrix display device, the electronic device comprising:\na housing;\na curved display surface;\na base between the housing and the curved display surface;\na first electronic circuit board;\na second electronic circuit board; and\na secondary battery,\nwherein each of the first electronic circuit board, the second electronic circuit board, and the secondary battery is located between the base and the housing,\nwherein, on a side of the curved display surface, the base comprises a region curved in a same direction as the curved display surface,\nwherein, on a side of the housing, the base comprises a first region, a second region, and a third region deeper than each of the first region and the second region,\nwherein the first electronic circuit board is mounted to overlap with the first region,\nwherein the second electronic circuit board is mounted to overlap with the second region, and\nwherein the secondary battery is mounted to overlap with the third region.","2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the base has an insulating property.","3. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein, in a cross-sectional view, a terminal portion of the base has a more curved shape than a central portion of the base.","4. An electronic device comprising an active matrix display device, the electronic device comprising:\na housing;\na curved display surface;\na base between the housing and the curved display surface;\na first electronic circuit board;\na second electronic circuit board; and\na secondary battery,\nwherein each of the first electronic circuit board, the second electronic circuit board, and the secondary battery is located between the base and the housing,\nwherein, on a side of the curved display surface, the base comprises a region curved in a same direction as the curved display surface,\nwherein, on a side of the housing, the base comprises a first region, a second region, and a third region deeper than each of the first region and the second region,\nwherein the first electronic circuit board is mounted to overlap with the first region,\nwherein the second electronic circuit board is mounted to overlap with the second region, and\nwherein the secondary battery is mounted to overlap with the third region such that the secondary battery is closer to the side of the curved display surface than the first electronic circuit board is.","5. The electronic device according to claim 4, wherein the base has an insulating property.","6. The electronic device according to claim 4, wherein, in a cross-sectional view, a terminal portion of the base has a more curved shape than a central portion of the base.","7. An electronic device comprising an active matrix display device, the electronic device comprising:\na housing;\na curved display surface;\na base between the housing and the curved display surface;\na first electronic circuit board;\na second electronic circuit board; and\na secondary battery,\nwherein each of the first electronic circuit board, the second electronic circuit board, and the secondary battery is located between the base and the housing,\nwherein, on a side of the curved display surface, the base comprises a region curved in a same direction as the curved display surface,\nwherein the base comprises a contact hole for electrically connecting the first electronic circuit board and the active matrix display device,\nwherein, on a side of the housing, the base comprises a first region, a second region, and a third region deeper than each of the first region and the second region,\nwherein the first electronic circuit board is mounted to overlap with the first region,\nwherein the second electronic circuit board is mounted to overlap with the second region, and\nwherein the secondary battery is mounted to overlap with the third region.","8. The electronic device according to claim 7, wherein the secondary battery is mounted to overlap with the third region such that the secondary battery is closer to the side of the curved display surface than the first electronic circuit board is.","9. The electronic device according to claim 7, wherein the secondary battery is mounted to overlap with the third region such that the secondary battery is closer to the side of the curved display surface than the second electronic circuit board is.","10. The electronic device according to claim 7, wherein the base has an insulating property.","11. The electronic device according to claim 7, wherein, in a cross-sectional view, a terminal portion of the base has a more curved shape than a central portion of the base."],["1. A portable device comprising:\na flexible display;\na hinge about which the flexible display is unfolded and folded into a first area of the flexible display and a second area of the flexible display; and\nat least one processor configured to:\ncontrol the flexible display to display first information on the first area of the flexible display and control the flexible display not to display information on the second area of the flexible display in a folded configuration about the hinge in which the first area of the flexible display corresponds to a first side of the portable device and the second area of the flexible display corresponds to a second side of the portable device that opposes the first side,\nbased on unfolding the flexible display from the folded configuration to an unfolded configuration in which the first area of the flexible display and the second area of the flexible display corresponds to the first side of the portable device, control the flexible display to display the first information on the first area of the flexible display and control the flexible display not to display information on the second area of the flexible display, and\ncontrol the flexible display to display information corresponding to the first information on the first area of the flexible display and the second area of the flexible display in the unfolded configuration.","2. The portable device of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:\ndetect an angle between the first area of the flexible display and the second area of the flexible display while unfolding the flexible display from the folded configuration to the unfolded configuration, and\nbased on the angle, control the first area of the flexible display to display the first information and the second area of the flexible display not to display information or control to display the information corresponding to the first information on the first area of the flexible display and the second area of the flexible display.","3. The portable device of claim 1, further comprising:\na housing; and\na camera disposed in the housing.","4. The portable device of claim 3, wherein the camera comprises:\na first camera disposed in the housing on a front surface of the portable device; and\na second camera disposed in the housing on a rear surface of the portable device.","5. The portable device of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to control to display the information corresponding to the first information by displaying the first information across the first area of the flexible display and the second area of the flexible display in the unfolded configuration.","6. A method of controlling a portable device comprising a flexible display and a hinge about which the flexible display is unfolded and folded into a first area of the flexible display and a second area of the flexible display, the method comprising:\ncontrolling the flexible display to display first information on the first area of the flexible display and not to display information on the second area of the flexible display in a folded configuration about the hinge in which the first area of the flexible display corresponds to a first side of the portable device and the second area of the flexible display corresponds to a second side of the portable device that opposes the first side;\nbased on unfolding the flexible display from the folded configuration to an unfolded configuration in which the first area of the flexible display and the second area of the flexible display corresponds to the first side of the portable device, controlling the flexible display to display the first information on the first area of the flexible display and not to display information on the second area of the flexible display; and\ncontrolling the flexible display to display information corresponding to the first information on the first area of the flexible display and the second area of the flexible display in the unfolded configuration.","7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:\ndetecting an angle between the first area of the flexible display and the second area of the flexible display while unfolding the flexible display from the folded configuration to the unfolded configuration; and\nbased on the angle, controlling the first area of the flexible display to display the first information and the second area of the flexible display not to display information or controlling to display the information corresponding to the first information on the first area of the flexible display and the second area of the flexible display.","8. The method of claim 6, wherein the portable device further comprises:\na housing; and\na camera disposed in the housing.","9. The method of claim 8, wherein the camera comprises:\na first camera disposed in the housing on a front surface of the portable device; and\na second camera disposed in the housing on a rear surface of the portable device.","10. The method of claim 6, wherein the information corresponding to the first information by displaying the first information is displayed across the first area of the flexible display and the second area of the flexible display in the unfolded configuration."],["1. A portable electronic device, comprising:\na housing that carries operational components that include:\na magnetic field sensor capable of ROM detecting relative motion of a wearable object with respect to the housing, and providing, in response to detecting the relative motion, a corresponding detection signal, and\na processor in communication with the magnetic field sensor, wherein the processor is capable of receiving the corresponding detection signal, and executing instructions in accordance with the relative motion.","2. The portable electronic device of claim 1, further comprising:\na display that is capable of (i) receiving the instructions from the processor, and (ii) presenting a graphical output in accordance with the relative motion.","3. The portable electronic device of claim 1, further comprising an ambient light sensor configured to detect the relative motion.","4. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein the magnetic field sensor is capable of detecting an external magnetic field generated by a magnetic element carried by the wearable object.","5. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein, when the relative motion of the wearable object is a first direction, then the processor executes a first instruction corresponding to a first operation based on the first direction.","6. The portable electronic device of claim 5, wherein, when the relative motion of the wearable object is a second direction different than the first direction, then the processor executes a second instruction corresponding to a second operation based on the second direction, the second operation different than the first operation.","7. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein the magnetic field sensor comprises a Hall Effect sensor.","8. A portable electronic device, comprising:\na housing that carries operational components that include:\na magnetic field sensor capable of detecting an orientation of a magnetic element carried by a wearable object relative to the magnetic field sensor, and providing a detection signal in accordance with the orientation of the magnetic element; and\na processor in communication with the magnetic field sensor, wherein the processor is capable of receiving the detection signal, and executing a function based on the detection signal.","9. The portable electronic device of claim 8, wherein the orientation of the wearable object is based on a change of a strength of the magnetic field as detected by the magnetic field sensor.","10. The portable electronic device of claim 9, wherein the change of the strength of the magnetic field corresponds to a direction and a distance between the magnetic field sensor and the magnetic element.","11. The portable electronic device of claim 10, wherein, in response to the magnetic field sensor determining a different orientation of the magnetic element relative to the magnetic sensor, the magnetic field sensor is capable of providing a different detection signal based on the different orientation.","12. The portable electronic device of claim 11, wherein, in response to the processor receiving the different detection signal, the processor is capable of responding by executing a different function based on the different orientation.","13. The portable electronic device of claim 8, wherein the operational components further include:\na display in communication with the processor, wherein the display is capable of presenting a graphical output that is based on the function.","14. The portable electronic device of claim 8, further comprising an ambient light sensor configured to detect the orientation.","15. A touch-free method for altering an operating state of a portable electronic device that includes a processor and a sensor, the method comprising:\ndetecting, by a magnetic field sensor, a relative motion of a wearable object with respect to the portable electronic device, the wearable object i) comprising a magnetic element and ii) being external to the portable electronic device;\nproviding, to the processor by the magnetic field sensor, a detection signal corresponding to the relative motion;\nproviding, by the processor, an instruction corresponding to the relative motion; and\noperating, using the instruction, the portable electronic device.","16. The touch-free method of claim 15, wherein the relative motion of the wearable object is based on a strength of a magnetic field generated by the magnetic element.","17. The touch-free method of claim 16, wherein the strength of the magnetic field is detected by the magnetic field sensor.","18. The touch-free method of claim 15, further comprising detecting, by an ambient light sensor, the relative motion.","19. The touch-free method of claim 15, further comprising presenting, by a display, a graphical output in accordance with the relative motion.","20. The portable electronic device of claim 8, further comprising a display that is capable of (i) receiving the instructions from the processor, and (ii) presenting a graphical output in accordance with the orientation."],["1. An electronic device, comprising:\na display having an array of pixels that forms an active area;\nan opaque masking material that forms an inactive area within the active area, wherein the opaque masking material has first and second openings; and\na lens located in the first opening.","2. The electronic device defined in claim 1 wherein the opaque masking material surrounds the first opening.","3. The electronic device defined in claim 1 wherein the active area has first, second, and third portions, wherein the inactive area comprises a first inactive area separating the first and second portions and a second inactive area separating the second and third portions.","4. The electronic device defined in claim 3 wherein the pixels are configured to display an icon between the first and second inactive areas.","5. The electronic device defined in claim 4 wherein the icon is touch-sensitive.","6. The electronic device defined in claim 1 further comprising a touch sensor that detects touch input on the first opening.","7. The electronic device defined in claim 6 further comprising control circuitry configured to launch a camera application in response to the touch input.","8. The electronic device defined in claim 6 further comprising an output device configured to provide feedback in response to the touch input.","9. The electronic device defined in claim 1 further comprising a light-emitting diode configured to emit light through the first opening.","10. The electronic device defined in claim 1 wherein the display comprises a flexible display having a bent edge.","11. An electronic device, comprising:\na display having an array of pixels;\nan opaque masking material that separates a first group of the pixels from a second group of the pixels, wherein the opaque masking material has an opening; and\na lens located in the opening.","12. The electronic device defined in claim 11 further comprising a touch sensor configured to detect touch input on the opening.","13. The electronic device defined in claim 12 further comprising control circuitry configured to launch a camera application in response to the touch input.","14. The electronic device defined in claim 11 wherein the display has a bent edge.","15. The electronic device defined in claim 11 wherein the opaque masking material surrounds the opening.","16. An electronic device, comprising:\na display having an array of pixels that forms a first active area and a second active area;\nan opaque masking material that forms an inactive area interposed between the first and second active areas, wherein the opaque masking material has an opening; and\na lens located in the opening.","17. The electronic device defined in claim 16 wherein the opaque masking material comprises an additional opening.","18. The electronic device defined in claim 16 wherein the array of pixels forms a third active area and wherein the opaque masking material forms an additional inactive area interposed between the second and third active areas.","19. The electronic device defined in claim 16 further comprising a touch sensor configured to detect touch input on the opening.","20. The electronic device defined in claim 19 further comprising control circuitry configured to launch a camera application in response to the touch input."],["1. A rotation shaft structure, comprising:\na main shaft assembly;\na first folding assembly comprising a first swing arm, a first driven arm, a first support plate, and a first housing mounting bracket, a first end of the first swing arm is rotationally connected to the main shaft assembly, a second end of the first swing arm is rotationally connected to the first housing mounting bracket, a first end of the first driven arm is rotationally connected to the main shaft assembly, and a second end of the first driven arm is slidably connected to the first housing mounting bracket, rotation axis centers of the first driven arm and the first swing arm on the main shaft assembly are parallel to each other and do not coincide with each other; the first support plate is rotationally connected to the first housing mounting bracket and is slidably connected to the first swing arm or the first driven arm; the first support plate comprises a first plate body and a first guide structure, the first plate body has a first surface and a second surface that are disposed opposite to each other, the first guide structure is disposed on the second surface of the first plate body, and the first guide structure is slidably connected to the first swing arm or the first driven arm; and\na second folding assembly comprising a second swing arm, a second driven arm, a second support plate, and a second housing mounting bracket, a first end of the second swing arm is rotationally connected to the main shaft assembly, a second end of the second swing arm is rotationally connected to the second housing mounting bracket, a first end of the second driven arm is rotationally connected to the main shaft assembly, and a second end of the second driven arm is slidably connected to the second housing mounting bracket, rotation axis centers of the second driven arm and the second swing arm on the main shaft assembly are parallel to each other and do not coincide with each other; the second support plate is rotationally connected to the second housing mounting bracket and is slidably connected to the second swing arm or the second driven arm; the second support plate comprises a second plate body and a second guide structure, the second plate body has a third surface and a fourth surface that are disposed opposite to each other, the second guide structure is disposed on the fourth surface of the second plate body, and the second guide structure is slidably connected to the second swing arm or the second driven arm, wherein the first folding assembly and the second folding assembly are disposed on two sides of the main shaft assembly;\nwhen the rotation shaft structure is unfold, the first surface of the first plate body, the third surface of the second plate body, and the main shaft assembly are unfolded flat to form a support surface; and\nwhen the rotation shaft structure is fold, the first support plate, the second support plate and the main shaft assembly enclose an accommodation space together, a distance between an end of the first support plate near the main shaft assembly and an end of the second support plate near the main shaft assembly is greater than a distance between an end of the first support plate away from the main shaft assembly and an end of the second support plate away from the main shaft assembly.","2. The rotation shaft structure according to claim 1, wherein when the first housing mounting bracket and the second housing mounting bracket rotate toward each other, a first end that is of the first support plate and that is close to the main shaft assembly moves in a direction away from the main shaft assembly, and a first end that is of the second support plate and that is close to the main shaft assembly moves in a direction away from the main shaft assembly; and\nwherein when the first housing mounting bracket and the second housing mounting bracket rotate against each other, the first end that is of the first support plate and that is close to the main shaft assembly moves in a direction approaching the main shaft assembly; and the second folding assembly drives the second support plate to rotate relative to the second housing mounting bracket, and drives the first end that is of the second support plate and that is close to the main shaft assembly to move in a direction approaching the main shaft assembly.","3. The rotation shaft structure according to claim 1, wherein the first support plate is slidable relative to the first swing arm or the first driven arm in a direction perpendicular to a rotation axis of the first swing arm or the first driven arm, and the second support plate is slidable relative to the second swing arm or the second driven arm in a direction perpendicular to a rotation axis of the second swing arm or the second driven arm.","4. The rotation shaft structure according to claim 1, wherein the first support plate rotates in a same direction relative to the first housing mounting bracket, and the second support plate rotates in a same direction relative to the second housing mounting bracket.","5. The rotation shaft structure according to claim 1, wherein a projection of the first swing arm and the first driven arm on the first support plate is located between two ends in a length direction of the first support plate, and the projection of the second swing arm and the second driven arm on the second support plate is located between two ends in a length direction of the first support plate and the second support plate.","6. The rotation shaft structure according to claim 1, wherein a first circular arc groove is disposed in the first housing mounting bracket, a first circular arc shaft is disposed on the first support plate, and the first circular arc shaft is slidably disposed in the first circular arc groove, to implement a rotational connection between the first housing mounting bracket and the first support plate; and\na second circular arc groove is disposed in the second housing mounting bracket, a second circular arc shaft is disposed on the second support plate, and the second circular arc shaft is slidably disposed in the second circular arc groove, to implement a rotational connection between the second housing mounting bracket and the second support plate.","7. The rotation shaft structure according to claim 1, wherein when the first housing mounting bracket and the second housing mounting bracket rotate toward each other, the first housing mounting bracket and the first swing arm stretch relative to the first driven arm, and the second housing mounting bracket and the second swing arm stretch relative to the second driven arm, to increase a length of the rotation shaft structure; and\nwherein when the first housing mounting bracket and the second housing mounting bracket rotate against each other, the first housing mounting bracket and the first swing arm contract relative to the first driven arm, and the second housing mounting bracket and the second swing arm contract relative to the second driven arm, to reduce a length of the rotation shaft structure.","8. The rotation shaft structure according to claim 1, wherein a first track slot is disposed in the first guide structure, a first guide shaft is disposed on the first swing arm, and the first guide shaft is slidably connected to the first track slot; and\na second track slot is disposed in the second guide structure, a second guide shaft is disposed on the second swing arm, and the second guide shaft is slidably connected to the second track slot.","9. The rotation shaft structure according to claim 1, wherein a first track slot is disposed in the first guide structure, a first guide shaft is disposed on the first driven arm, and the first guide shaft is slidably connected to the first track slot; and\na second track slot is disposed in the second guide structure, a second guide shaft is disposed on the second driven arm, and the second guide shaft is slidably connected to the second track slot.","10. The rotation shaft structure according to claim 8, wherein a distance between a first end of the first track slot and the main shaft assembly is less than a distance between a second end of the first track slot and the main shaft assembly, a distance between the first end of the first track slot and the first surface is less than a distance between the second end of the first track slot and the first surface, a distance between the first end of the second track slot and the main shaft assembly is less than a distance between the second end of the second track slot and the main shaft assembly, and a distance between the first end of the second track slot and the third surface is less than a distance between the second end of the second track slot and the third surface;\nwherein when the first housing mounting bracket and the second housing mounting bracket rotate toward each other, the first guide shaft slides in the first track slot along a direction of the second end of the first track slot to the first end of the first track slot, and the second guide shaft slides in the second track slot along the direction of the second end of the second track slot to the first end of the second track slot; and\nwherein when the first housing mounting bracket and the second housing mounting bracket rotate against each other, the first guide shaft slides in the first track slot along the direction of the first end of the first track slot to the second end of the first track slot, and the second guide shaft slides in the second track slot along the direction of the first end of the second track slot to the second end of the second track slot.","11. The rotation shaft structure according to claim 9, wherein an end that is of the first driven arm and that is slidably connected to the first support plate is recessed to form a first concave region, at least part of the first guide structure is located in the first concave region, and the first guide shaft is located in the first concave region; and\nwherein an end that is of the second driven arm and that is slidably connected to the second support plate is recessed to form a second concave region, at least part of the second guide structure is located in the second concave region, and the second guide shaft is located in the second concave region.","12. The rotation shaft structure according to claim 1, wherein a third circular arc groove and a fourth circular arc groove are disposed in the main shaft assembly; and\na third circular arc shaft is disposed at one end of the first swing arm, and a fourth circular arc shaft is disposed at an end of the second swing arm; the third circular arc shaft is disposed in the third circular arc groove, to implement a rotational connection between the first swing arm and the main shaft assembly; and the fourth circular arc shaft is disposed in the fourth circular arc groove, to implement a rotational connection between the second swing arm and the main shaft assembly.","13. The rotation shaft structure according to claim 1, wherein a first shaft hole is disposed in the first swing arm, a second shaft hole is disposed in the first housing mounting bracket, and the first shaft hole and the second shaft hole are connected through a pin shaft; and a third shaft hole is disposed in the second swing arm, a fourth shaft hole is disposed in the second housing mounting bracket, and the third shaft hole and the fourth shaft hole are connected through a pin shaft.","14. The rotation shaft structure according to claim 1, wherein a first sliding slot is disposed in the first housing mounting bracket, a first sliding rail is disposed on the first driven arm, and the first sliding rail is slidably disposed in the first sliding slot; and a second sliding slot is disposed in the second housing mounting bracket, a second sliding rail is disposed on the second driven arm, and the second sliding rail is slidably disposed in the second sliding slot.","15. An electronic device, comprising:\na first housing;\na second housing;\na flexible display; and\na rotation shaft structure comprising:\na main shaft assembly;\na first folding assembly comprises a first swing arm, a first driven arm, a first support plate, and a first housing mounting bracket, a first end of the first swing arm is rotationally connected to the main shaft assembly, a second end of the first swing arm is rotationally connected to the first housing mounting bracket, a first end of the first driven arm is rotationally connected to the main shaft assembly, and a second other end of the first driven arm is slidably connected to the first housing mounting bracket, rotation axis centers of the first driven arm and the first swing arm on the main shaft assembly are parallel to each other and do not coincide with each other; the first support plate is rotationally connected to the first housing mounting bracket and is slidably connected to the first swing arm or the first driven arm; the first support plate comprises a first plate body and a first guide structure, the first plate body has a first surface and a second surface that are disposed opposite to each other, the first guide structure is disposed on the second surface of the first plate body, and the first guide structure is slidably connected to the first swing arm or the first driven arm, wherein the first housing mounting bracket is fastened to the first housing; and\na second folding assembly comprising a second swing arm, a second driven arm, a second support plate, and a second housing mounting bracket, a first end of the second swing arm is rotationally connected to the main shaft assembly, a second end of the second swing arm is rotationally connected to the second housing mounting bracket, a first end of the second driven arm is rotationally connected to the main shaft assembly, and a second end of the second driven arm is slidably connected to the second housing mounting bracket, rotation axis centers of the second driven arm and the second swing arm on the main shaft assembly are parallel to each other and do not coincide with each other; the second support plate is rotationally connected to the second housing mounting bracket and is slidably connected to the second swing arm or the second driven arm; the second support plate comprises a second plate body and a second guide structure, the second plate body has a third surface and a fourth surface that are disposed opposite to each other, the second guide structure is disposed on the fourth surface of the second plate body, and the second guide structure is slidably connected to the second swing arm or the second driven arm, wherein the second housing mounting bracket is fastened to the second housing, wherein the first folding assembly and the second folding assembly are disposed on two sides of the main shaft assembly;\nwhen the rotation shaft structure is unfold, the first surface of the first plate body, the third surface of the second plate body, and the main shaft assembly are unfolded flat to form a support surface; and\nwhen the rotation shaft structure is fold, the first support plate, the second support plate and the main shaft assembly enclose an accommodation space together, a distance between the end of the first support plate near the main shaft assembly and the end of the second support plate near the main shaft assembly is greater than a distance between the end of the first support plate away from the main shaft assembly and the end of the second support plate away from the main shaft assembly;\nwherein the first housing comprises a fifth surface, the second housing comprises a sixth surface, the flexible display continuously covers the fifth surface of the first housing, the rotation shaft structure, and the sixth surface of the second housing, and the flexible display is respectively fastened to the fifth surface of the first housing and the sixth surface of the second housing.","16. The electronic device according to claim 15, wherein when the first housing mounting bracket and the second housing mounting bracket rotate toward each other, an end that is of the first support plate and that is close to the main shaft assembly moves in a direction away from the main shaft assembly, and an end that is of the second support plate and that is close to the main shaft assembly moves in a direction away from the main shaft assembly; and\nwherein when the first housing mounting bracket and the second housing mounting bracket rotate against each other, an end that is of the first support plate and that is close to the main shaft assembly moves in a direction approaching the main shaft assembly; and the second rotation assembly drives the second support plate to rotate relative to the second housing mounting bracket, and drives an end that is of the second support plate and that is close to the main shaft assembly to move in a direction approaching the main shaft assembly.","17. The electronic device according to claim 15, wherein the first support plate is slidable relative to the first swing arm or the first driven arm in a direction perpendicular to a rotation axis of the first swing arm or the first driven arm, and the second support plate is slidable relative to the second swing arm or the second driven arm in a direction perpendicular to a rotation axis of the second swing arm or the second driven arm.","18. The electronic device according to claim 15, wherein the projection of the first swing arm and the first driven arm on the first support plate is located between two ends in a length direction of the first support plate, and the projection of the second swing arm and the second driven arm on the second support plate is located between two ends in a length direction of the two support plate.","19. The electronic device according to claim 15, wherein a first track slot is disposed in the first guide structure, a first guide shaft is disposed on the first driven arm, and the first guide shaft is slidably connected to the first track slot; and\na second track slot is disposed in the second guide structure, a second guide shaft is disposed on the second driven arm, and the second guide shaft is slidably connected to the second track slot.","20. The electronic device according to claim 19, wherein one end that is of the first driven arm and that is slidably connected to the first support plate is recessed to form a first concave region, at least part of the first guide structure is located in the first concave region, and the first guide shaft is located in the first concave region; and\nwherein an end that is of the second driven arm and that is slidably connected to the second support plate is recessed to form a second concave region, at least part of the second guide structure is located in the second concave region, and the second guide shaft is located in the second concave region."],["1. A method, comprising:\nreceiving, by a processing system comprising a processor, a first user-identified actuation threshold associated with a venue state of a present game environment in a gaming application, wherein the venue state is identified according to an image analysis of still images produced by the gaming application and messages received from the gaming application;\nassociating, by the processing system, the first user-identified actuation threshold with a first displacement along a travel range of a button of a gaming device operable between a minimum displacement and a maximum displacement; and\nresponsive to a depressing of the button of the gaming device, wherein the depressing of the button results in a first depression range of first travel distance:\ncomparing, by the processing system, the first depression range of first travel distance to the first user-identified actuation threshold; and\nasserting, by the processing system, a first actuation state when the first depression range of first travel distance exceeds the first user-identified actuation threshold.","2. The method of claim 1, wherein the asserting the first actuation state comprises transmitting first stimuli to the gaming application.","3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first stimuli are retrieved from a profile according to the venue state.","4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nobtaining, by the processing system, a second user-identified actuation threshold associated with the venue state of the present game environment in the gaming application;\nassociating, by the processing system, the second user-identified actuation threshold with a second displacement along the travel range of the button of the gaming device, wherein the second displacement is different than the first displacement; and\nresponsive to a depressing of the button of the gaming device, wherein the depressing of the button results in a second depression range of second travel distance:\ncomparing, by the processing system, the second depression range of the second travel distance to the second user-identified actuation threshold; and\nasserting, by the processing system, a second actuation state when the second depression range of the second travel distance exceeds the second user-identified actuation threshold, wherein the first and second actuation states correspond to different commands for the venue state.","5. The method of claim 1, wherein the button comprises an electro-mechanical sensor for detecting the first depression range of first travel distance.","6. The method of claim 5, wherein the electro-mechanical sensor generates a voltage level proportional to a depression range of travel distance of the button.","7. The method of claim 1, further comprising monitoring, by the processing system, the venue state of the gaming application by tracking gaming options chosen by an operation of the gaming device.","8. The method of claim 7, wherein the first depression range of first travel distance comprises a signal supplied by a sensor of the button.","9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\ndetermining, by the processing system, a first release threshold associated with the venue state of the present game environment in the gaming application;\nassociating, by the processing system, the first release threshold with a second displacement along the travel range of the button of the gaming device, wherein the second displacement is different than the first displacement;\ncomparing, by the processing system, a first release displacement of a first release travel distance to the first release threshold; and\nasserting, by the processing system, a first reset state responsive to the first release displacement of the first release travel distance satisfying the first release threshold.","10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\ndetecting, by the processing system, a second release range of a second release travel distance of the button;\ncomparing, by the processing system, the second release range of the second release travel distance to a second reset threshold; and\nasserting, by the processing system, a second reset state when the second release range of the second release travel distance satisfies the second reset threshold.","11. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving, by the processing system, a program setting for the first user-identified actuation threshold.","12. A non-transitory, machine-readable storage medium, comprising instructions that, when executing on a processing system including a processor, facilitate performance of operations, the operations comprising:\nassociating a first user-identified actuation threshold with a first actuation threshold travel distance of a plurality of actuation threshold travel distances along a travel range of a button of a gaming device operable between a minimum displacement and a maximum displacement;\nobtaining a signal that represents a depression range of travel distance of the button, wherein a software application executing on a computing device to control aspects of a gaming application accesses the plurality of actuation threshold travel distances for a current gaming venue state of the gaming application according to different commands for the current gaming venue state; and\nproviding the signal to the software application, wherein the software application asserts an actuation state responsive to the depression range of travel distance exceeding the first actuation threshold travel distance,\nwherein the current gaming venue state is identified according to an analysis of still images produced by the gaming application and messages received from the gaming application.","13. The non-transitory, machine-readable storage medium of claim 12, wherein the providing the signal to the software application causes the first actuation threshold travel distance of the plurality of actuation threshold travel distances to be changed to a second actuation threshold travel distance of the plurality of actuation threshold travel distances in accordance with a change in the current gaming venue state.","14. The non-transitory, machine-readable storage device of claim 13, wherein the operations further comprise receiving instructions to change the second actuation threshold travel distance to a new actuation threshold of the plurality of actuation threshold travel distances for detecting the new actuation threshold for a different depression range of travel distance of the button, responsive to another change in the current gaming venue state, and wherein the different depression range of travel distance is compared with the first actuation threshold travel distance of the plurality of actuation threshold travel distances.","15. The non-transitory, machine-readable storage device of claim 12, wherein the signal comprises an analog signal or a digital signal.","16. An accessory, comprising:\na button comprising a sensor that generates a signal level according to a degree of displacement of the button; and\na memory that stores executable instructions that when executed by a processing system including a processor facilitate performance of operations, the operations comprising:\nassociating a first user-identified actuation threshold with a first actuation threshold travel distance of a plurality of actuation threshold travel distances along a travel range of a button of a gaming device operable between a minimum displacement and a maximum displacement;\ndetermining a venue state based on an analysis of a present game environment in still images of a gaming application and messages received from the gaming application;\ndetermining an actuation threshold of a plurality of actuation thresholds for the venue state according to different commands for the venue state;\ncomparing an input from the sensor indicative of the degree of displacement of the button to the actuation threshold; and\nproviding an actuation signal to a software application being executed on a computing device of a gaming application, wherein the software application asserts an actuation state responsive to the input exceeding the actuation threshold.","17. The accessory of claim 16, wherein the sensor generates a voltage level proportional to a depression range of the button.","18. The accessory of claim 17, wherein the sensor comprises an electro-mechanical sensor adapted for detecting the depression range of the input.","19. The accessory of claim 16, wherein the button is a spring-loaded button.","20. The accessory of claim 16, wherein the button comprises an inductive sensor, a capacitive sensor, or a combination thereof."],["1. An electronic device having front and rear surfaces, the electronic device comprising:\na housing;\na first display region that displays content in a first direction;\na second display region that displays the content in the first direction, wherein the content is perceived to be three-dimensional;\na curved glass layer mounted to the housing and facing a second direction opposite the first direction; and\nan array of cameras facing the second direction and configured to track a face location using facial recognition software, wherein the content is adjusted based on the face location.","2. The electronic device defined in claim 1 further comprising an opaque masking layer on the curved glass layer.","3. The electronic device defined in claim 1 further comprising a third display region facing the second direction, wherein the curved glass layer overlaps the third display region and wherein the third display region is flexible.","4. The electronic device defined in claim 3 wherein the third display region conforms to the curved glass layer.","5. The electronic device defined in claim 1 wherein the first and second display regions comprise two separate displays that cooperate to display the content.","6. The electronic device defined in claim 3 wherein the third display region comprises organic light-emitting diode pixels.","7. The electronic device defined in claim 1 further comprising an accelerometer, wherein the content is adjusted based on information from the accelerometer.","8. The electronic device defined in claim 1 further comprising a touch sensor configured to detect touch input, wherein the content is adjusted based on the touch input.","9. The electronic device defined in claim 3 further comprising a touch sensor configured to detect the touch input in a location between the first and third display regions.","10. An electronic device, comprising:\na curved glass enclosure facing a first direction and having a transparent portion and an opaque portion, wherein the opaque portion is covered with an opaque masking material;\nfirst and second display portions that display an image in a second direction opposite the first direction, wherein the image is perceived to be three-dimensional; and\nat least one camera facing the first direction and configured to track facial movements using facial recognition software, wherein the image is adjusted based on the facial movements.","11. The electronic device defined in claim 10 wherein the first and second display portions are formed from two separate displays that cooperate to display the image.","12. The electronic device defined in claim 10 wherein the at least one camera is part of an array of cameras facing the first direction.","13. The electronic device defined in claim 10 further comprising an accelerometer, wherein the image is adjusted based on information from the accelerometer.","14. The electronic device defined in claim 10 further comprising a third display portion that displays an additional image in the first direction through the transparent portion of the curved glass enclosure, wherein the third display portion is flexible and conforms to the curved glass enclosure.","15. An electronic device, comprising:\na housing comprising a layer of curved glass;\nfirst and second displays facing a first direction and configured to cooperatively present visual content that is perceived to be three-dimensional; and\nan array of cameras facing a second direction that is different from the first direction, wherein the array of cameras is configured to track a position of a person and wherein the visual content is adjusted based on the position of the person.","16. The electronic device defined in claim 15 wherein the layer of curved glass has an opaque portion and a transparent portion and wherein the opaque portion is covered with an opaque masking material.","17. The electronic device defined in claim 16 further comprising an array of pixels facing the second direction.","18. The electronic device defined in claim 17 wherein the array of pixels is configured to display additional visual content through the transparent portion of the layer of curved glass.","19. The electronic device defined in claim 18 wherein the array of pixels has a flexible substrate that conforms to the layer of curved glass."],["1. A portable communication device comprising:\na housing including a first housing and a second housing, the first housing including a first inner conductive plate having an opening formed therein, and the second housing including a second inner conductive plate;\na hinge connected between the first housing and the second housing such that each of the first and second housings is rotatable with respect to the hinge to allow the portable communication device to transition between a folded state and an unfolded state;\na flexible display disposed over the first inner conductive plate and the second inner conductive plate;\na first printed circuit board (PCB) disposed in the first housing;\na second PCB disposed in the second housing;\na flexible PCB (FPCB) partially overlapped with the hinge such that a first ending portion and a second ending portion of the flexible PCB are connected to the first PCB and the second PCB, respectively, and such that a portion of the flexible PCB between the first and second ending portions passes through the opening; and\nan elastic member in contact with the flexible PCB and covering at least one portion of the opening.","2. The portable communication device of claim 1, further comprising:\na support member more rigid than the elastic member and in contact with the elastic member.","3. The portable communication device of claim 2, wherein the elastic member and the support member together form a cover member configured to at least partially seal the opening from an external material from entering into the opening.","4. The portable communication device of claim 2, wherein the elastic member is in contact with at least one portion of the support member via an adhesive member.","5. The portable communication device of claim 4, wherein the first inner conductive plate includes a recessed area in which the opening is formed.","6. The portable communication device of claim 5, wherein the support member is disposed at least partially in the recessed area.","7. The portable communication device of claim 2, wherein the support member includes a protruding portion disposed at least partially in the opening.","8. The portable communication device of claim 1, further comprises:\na first connecting PCB located between the first ending portion of flexible PCB and the first PCB.","9. The portable communication device of claim 8, wherein the flexible PCB comprises:\na first sub-FPCB, at least part of which is located in the opening, connected to the first connecting PCB.","10. The portable communication device of claim 9, wherein at least part of the elastic member makes contact with the first sub-FPCB.","11. The portable communication device of claim 8, wherein further comprises:\na first connector connected between the first PCB and the first connecting PCB.","12. The portable communication device of claim 1,\nwherein the second inner conductive plate includes a second opening formed therein, and\nwherein the second ending portion of the flexible PCB passes through the second opening.","13. The portable communication device of claim 12, further comprising:\na second elastic member in contact with the flexible PCB and covering at least one portion of the second opening.","14. The portable communication device of claim 13, further comprising:\na second support member more rigid than the second elastic member and in contact with the second elastic member.","15. The portable communication device of claim 14, wherein the second elastic member and the second support member together form a second cover member configured to at least partially seal the second opening from an external material from entering into the second opening.","16. The portable communication device of claim 14, wherein the second elastic member is in contact with at least one portion of the second support member via an adhesive member.","17. The portable communication device of claim 13, wherein further comprises:\na second connecting PCB located between the second ending portion of flexible PCB and the second PCB.","18. The portable communication device of claim 17, wherein the flexible PCB comprises:\na second sub-FPCB, at least part of which is located in the second opening, connected to the second connecting PCB.","19. The portable communication device of claim 18, wherein at least part of the second elastic member makes contact with the second sub-FPCB.","20. The portable communication device of claim 17, wherein further comprises:\na second connector connected between the second PCB and the second connecting PCB."]],"string":"[\n [\n \"1. A display device comprising:\\na display panel;\\nwherein the display panel comprises a display region and a light-transmitting region,\\nwherein the light-transmitting region is provided at one end of the display panel,\\nwherein the display region comprises a first portion, a second portion and a third portion,\\nwherein the first portion comprises a first plurality of pixels,\\nwherein the second portion comprises a second plurality of pixels,\\nwherein the third portion comprises a third plurality of pixels,\\nwherein the light-transmitting region is adjacent to the first portion,\\nwherein the second portion is between the first portion and the third portion,\\nwherein the display panel is flexible,\\nwherein the display panel is curved to form a ring so that the light-transmitting region overlaps with a display surface side of the display region,\\nwherein the first portion and the third portion overlap each other,\\nwherein the first plurality of pixels and the third plurality of pixels are deviated to each other, and\\nwherein the display panel is configured to add adjustment to a display signal corresponding to an image of the third plurality of pixels.\",\n \"2. The display device according to claim 1,\\nwherein a width of the first portion is larger than a width of one pixel, and\\nwherein the display panel is configured not to drive the third plurality of pixels.\",\n \"3. The display device according to claim 1,\\nwherein the display panel is configured to display an image,\\nwherein the first portion is configured to display a first part of the image,\\nwherein the second portion is configured to display a second part of the image, and\\nwherein the first part and the second part is seamlessly displayed when the display panel is curved to form a ring.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A foldable display device assembly being foldable about a folding axis, comprising:\\na flexible display module;\\na first plate disposed below the flexible display module;\\na second plate disposed below the first plate, the second plate comprising a first portion and a second portion spaced apart from each other with the folding axis therebetween;\\na first adhesive film disposed between the first plate and the second plate, the first adhesive film comprising a first section and a second section spaced apart from each other with the folding axis therebetween;\\na second adhesive film disposed between the first plate and the second plate, the second adhesive film being spaced apart from the first adhesive film; and\\na third adhesive film disposed between the first plate and the second plate, the third adhesive film being spaced apart from the first adhesive film;\\nwherein the second adhesive film and the third adhesive film are disposed closer to the folding axis than the first adhesive film,\\nwherein the third adhesive film overlaps the second adhesive film, and\\nwherein a sum of a thickness of the second adhesive film and a thickness of the third adhesive film is substantially the same as a thickness of the first adhesive film.\",\n \"2. The foldable display device assembly of claim 1,\\nwherein the second adhesive film comprises a third section and a fourth section spaced apart from each other with the folding axis therebetween,\\nwherein the third section overlaps the first portion of the second plate,\\nwherein the fourth section overlaps the first portion of the second plate, and\\nwherein the third section of the second adhesive film and the fourth section of the second adhesive film are disposed between the first section of the first adhesive film and the second section of the first adhesive film.\",\n \"3. The foldable display device assembly of claim 2,\\nwherein the third adhesive film comprises a fifth section and a sixth section spaced apart from each other with the folding axis therebetween,\\nwherein the fifth section of the third adhesive film overlaps the third section of the second adhesive film, and\\nwherein the sixth section of the third adhesive film overlaps the fourth section of the second adhesive film.\",\n \"4. The foldable display device assembly of claim 3, wherein a sum of a thickness of the third section of the second adhesive film and a thickness of the fifth section of the third adhesive film is substantially the same as a thickness of the first section the first adhesive film.\",\n \"5. The foldable display device assembly of claim 4, wherein a sum of a thickness of the fourth section of the second adhesive film and a thickness of the sixth section of the third adhesive film is substantially the same as a thickness of the second section the first adhesive film.\",\n \"6. The foldable display device assembly of claim 1, wherein the second adhesive film or the third adhesive film comprises metal.\",\n \"7. The foldable display device assembly of claim 1, further comprising a fourth adhesive film disposed between the flexible display module and the first plate,\\nwherein the fourth adhesive film overlaps a space between the first section of the first adhesive film and the second section of the first adhesive film.\",\n \"8. The foldable display device assembly of claim 7, further comprising:\\nan upper flexible module disposed on the flexible display module; and\\na fifth adhesive film disposed between the flexible display module and the upper flexible module,\\nwherein the first plate has a substantially lower light transmittance than the upper flexible module.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. An electronic device comprising:\\na foldable display panel which folds with surfaces of a display surface facing inward;\\na first substrate on a rear side of the foldable display panel;\\na first housing;\\na second housing;\\na second substrate adjacent to the foldable display panel;\\na first frame member and a second frame member on a display surface side of the foldable display panel; and\\na pair of members,\\nwherein a first region of the foldable display panel and the first housing overlap with each other with the first substrate sandwiched between the first region and the first housing,\\nwherein a second region of the foldable display panel and the second housing overlap with each other with the first substrate sandwiched between the second region and the second housing,\\nwherein the second substrate comprises an opening overlapping with the foldable display panel, and\\nwherein when the electronic device is opened, the pair of members are between the first frame member and the second frame member.\",\n \"2. An electronic device comprising:\\na foldable display panel which folds with surfaces of a display surface facing inward;\\na first substrate on a rear side of the foldable display panel;\\na first housing;\\na second housing;\\na second substrate adjacent to the foldable display panel;\\na first frame member and a second frame member on a display surface side of the foldable display panel; and\\na pair of members,\\nwherein a region of the foldable display panel and the first housing overlap with each other with the first substrate sandwiched between the region and the first housing,\\nwherein a size of the first substrate is smaller than a size of the foldable display panel,\\nwherein the second substrate comprises an opening overlapping with the foldable display panel, and\\nwherein when the electronic device is opened, the pair of members are between the first frame member and the second frame member.\",\n \"3. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the second substrate is on the display surface side of the foldable display panel.\",\n \"4. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising a third housing between the first housing and the second housing.\",\n \"5. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the pair of members are not in contact with the first frame member and the second frame member.\",\n \"6. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein each of the first frame member and the second frame member surrounds three sides of the foldable display panel.\",\n \"7. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the first substrate is configured to connect the first housing with the second housing.\",\n \"8. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the foldable display panel comprises a light-emitting element.\",\n \"9. The electronic device according to claim 1,\\nwherein the first substrate is flexible, and\\nwherein the second substrate is flexible.\",\n \"10. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the second substrate is on the display surface side of the foldable display panel.\",\n \"11. The electronic device according to claim 2, further comprising a third housing between the first housing and the second housing.\",\n \"12. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the pair of members are not in contact with the first frame member and the second frame member.\",\n \"13. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein each of the first frame member and the second frame member surrounds three sides of the foldable display panel.\",\n \"14. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the first substrate is configured to connect the first housing with the second housing.\",\n \"15. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the foldable display panel comprises a light-emitting element.\",\n \"16. The electronic device according to claim 2,\\nwherein the first substrate is flexible, and\\nwherein the second substrate is flexible.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A display device comprising:\\na substrate;\\na display area including a plurality of pixels on the substrate;\\na first area disposed adjacent to the display area on the substrate;\\nan encapsulation layer disposed on the first area and the display area;\\na buffer layer disposed on the encapsulation layer;\\na plurality of touch conductors disposed on the buffer layer and in the display area;\\na crack detection line disposed on the buffer layer and in the first area, wherein\\nthe crack detection line comprises a same material as at least one of the plurality of touch conductors, and\\nthe crack detection line comprises a first curved portion and a second curved portion where an extension direction of the crack detection line is reversed, and\\nthe first curved portion and the second curved portion area spaced apart from each other and face each other.\",\n \"2. The display device of claim 1, wherein\\nthe crack detection line is disposed in a same layer as at least one of the plurality of touch conductors.\",\n \"3. The display device of claim 1, further comprising:\\nat least one dam portion disposed in the first area, wherein\\nthe crack detection line is disposed between the at least one dam portion and the display area.\",\n \"4. The display device of claim 3, wherein\\nthe encapsulation layer comprises an organic layer and a first inorganic layer, and\\nthe first inorganic layer covers the at least one dam portion.\",\n \"5. The display device of claim 4, wherein\\nthe encapsulation layer further comprises a second inorganic layer disposed between the organic layer and the substrate, and\\nthe second inorganic layer covers the at least one dam portion.\",\n \"6. The display device of claim 3, further comprising:\\nan insulating layer on the crack detection line,\\nwherein the insulating layer covers the at least one dam portion.\",\n \"7. The display device of claim 6, wherein the buffer layer covers the at least one dam portion.\",\n \"8. The display device of claim 7, wherein the crack detection line is enclosed by the insulating layer and the buffer layer and contacts the insulating layer and the buffer layer.\",\n \"9. The display device of claim 1, wherein\\nthe encapsulation layer comprises an organic layer and a first inorganic layer, and\\nthe crack detection line overlaps the organic layer in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the substrate.\",\n \"10. The display device of claim 1, wherein\\nthe plurality of touch conductors comprises a first touch conductor and a second touch conductor,\\na touch insulating layer is further comprised between the first touch conductor and the second touch conductor, and\\nthe crack detection line is disposed in a same layer as the first touch conductor or the second touch conductor.\",\n \"11. The display device of claim 1, wherein\\nthe crack detection line comprises a first line portion and a second line portion that are adjacent to each other, extend parallel to each other, and are electrically connected to each other.\",\n \"12. The display device of claim 1, wherein\\nthe crack detection line and the at least one of the plurality of touch conductors contact a same layer.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A display device comprising:\\na first resin layer;\\na second resin layer;\\na display portion between the first resin layer and the second resin layer;\\na scan line driver circuit between the first resin layer and the second resin layer;\\na connection terminal electrode over the first resin layer;\\nan FPC electrically connected to the connection terminal electrode;\\na first plate configured to support the first resin layer; and\\na second plate configured to support the first resin layer,\\nwherein the display device is an active matrix display device,\\nwherein the first resin layer is over the first plate and the second plate,\\nwherein the second resin layer is over the first resin layer,\\nwherein the first plate and the second plate are apart from each other,\\nwherein the first resin layer comprises a first region, a second region, a third region, a fourth region, and a fifth region,\\nwherein the first region and the connection terminal electrode overlap each other,\\nwherein the third region and the first plate overlap each other,\\nwherein the third region and the display portion overlap each other,\\nwherein the second region is between the first region and the third region,\\nwherein the fourth region and the display portion overlap each other,\\nwherein the fifth region and the second plate overlap each other,\\nwherein the fifth region and the display portion overlap each other,\\nwherein the fourth region is between the third region and the fifth region,\\nwherein the second region and the fourth region are configured to be bent, and\\nwherein the scan line driver circuit does not overlap with the first region in a state where the first resin layer is not bent.\",\n \"2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the second resin layer does not overlap with the FPC in a state where the first resin layer is not bent at the second region.\",\n \"3. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the scan line driver circuit and the third region overlap each other.\",\n \"4. A display device comprising:\\na first resin layer;\\na second resin layer;\\na display portion between the first resin layer and the second resin layer;\\na scan line driver circuit between the first resin layer and the second resin layer;\\na connection terminal electrode over the first resin layer;\\nan FPC electrically connected to the connection terminal electrode;\\na first plate configured to support the first resin layer; and\\na second plate configured to support the first resin layer,\\nwherein the display device comprises a transistor and a light-emitting element electrically connected to the transistor,\\nwherein the first resin layer is over the first plate and the second plate,\\nwherein the second resin layer is over the first resin layer,\\nwherein the first plate and the second plate are apart from each other,\\nwherein the first resin layer comprises a first region, a second region, a third region, a fourth region, and a fifth region,\\nwherein the first region and the connection terminal electrode overlap each other,\\nwherein the third region and the first plate overlap each other,\\nwherein the third region and the display portion overlap each other,\\nwherein the second region is between the first region and the third region,\\nwherein the fourth region and the display portion overlap each other,\\nwherein the fifth region and the second plate overlap each other,\\nwherein the fifth region and the display portion overlap each other,\\nwherein the fourth region is between the third region and the fifth region,\\nwherein the second region and the fourth region are configured to be bent, and\\nwherein the scan line driver circuit does not overlap with the first region in a state where the first resin layer is not bent.\",\n \"5. The display device according to claim 4, wherein the second resin layer does not overlap with the FPC in a state where the first resin layer is not bent at the second region.\",\n \"6. The display device according to claim 4, wherein the scan line driver circuit and the third region overlap each other.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A flexible display apparatus comprising:\\na first film including a first region, a second region, and a bending portion between the first region and the second region, a plurality of first openings or grooves being defined in the bending portion of the first film;\\na third film over the first film, the third film including a bending portion corresponding to the bending portion of the first film;\\na fourth film over the third film, the fourth film including a bending portion corresponding to the bending portion of the first film;\\nan emission display unit between the third film and the fourth film;\\nan elastic member disposed in correspondence with the bending portion of the third film; and\\na second film over the fourth film, the second film including a first surface adjacent to the fourth film, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a second opening or groove defined in the second surface.\",\n \"2. The flexible display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second opening or groove is disposed in correspondence with the bending portion of the first film.\",\n \"3. The flexible display apparatus of claim 2, wherein a thickness of the second film corresponding to the bending portion of the first film is smaller than a thickness of the second film corresponding to the first and second regions.\",\n \"4. The flexible display apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an adhesion layer between the third film and the elastic member.\",\n \"5. The flexible display apparatus of claim 1, wherein a total width of the plurality of first openings or grooves defined in the bending portion of the first film is at least two times greater than a thickness of the first film.\",\n \"6. The flexible display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the third film comprises a plastic material.\",\n \"7. The flexible display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fourth film is configured to encapsulate the emission display unit.\",\n \"8. The flexible display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fourth film comprises a multi-layer.\",\n \"9. The flexible display apparatus of claim 8, wherein the multi-layer comprises at least one inorganic film.\",\n \"10. The flexible display apparatus of claim 8, wherein the multi-layer comprises at least one organic film.\",\n \"11. A flexible display apparatus comprising:\\na first film including a first region, a second region, and a bending portion between the first region and the second region, a plurality of first openings or grooves being defined in the bending portion of the first film;\\na third film over the first film, the third film including a bending portion corresponding to the bending portion of the first film;\\na fourth film over the third film, the fourth film including a bending portion corresponding to the bending portion of the first film;\\nan emission display unit between the third film and the fourth film;\\nan elastic member disposed in correspondence with the bending portion of the third film; and\\na second film over the fourth film, the second film including a first surface adjacent to the fourth film, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a second opening or groove defined in the second surface,\\nwherein a thickness of the second film corresponding to the bending portion of the first film is smaller than a thickness of the second film corresponding to the first and second regions of the first film.\",\n \"12. The flexible display apparatus of claim 11, wherein the second opening or groove is disposed in correspondence with the bending portion of the first film.\",\n \"13. The flexible display apparatus of claim 11, further comprising an adhesion layer between the third film and the elastic member.\",\n \"14. The flexible display apparatus of claim 11, wherein a total width of the plurality of first openings or grooves defined in the bending portion of the first film is at least two times greater than a thickness of the first film.\",\n \"15. The flexible display apparatus of claim 11, wherein the third film comprises a plastic material.\",\n \"16. The flexible display apparatus of claim 11, wherein the fourth film is configured to encapsulate the emission display unit.\",\n \"17. The flexible display apparatus of claim 16, wherein the fourth film comprises at least one inorganic film and at least one organic film.\",\n \"18. A flexible display apparatus comprising:\\na first film including a first region, a second region, and a bending portion between the first region and the second region, a plurality of first openings or grooves being defined in the bending portion of the first film;\\na third film over the first film, the third film including a bending portion corresponding to the bending portion of the first film;\\na fourth film over the third film, the fourth film including a bending portion corresponding to the bending portion of the first film;\\nan emission display unit between the third film and the fourth film;\\nan elastic member disposed in correspondence with the bending portion of the third film;\\nan adhesion layer between the third film and the elastic member; and\\na second film over the fourth film, the second film including a first surface adjacent to the fourth film, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a second opening or groove defined in the second surface,\\nwherein the second opening or groove is disposed in correspondence with the bending portion of the first film.\",\n \"19. The flexible display apparatus of claim 18, wherein a width of the second opening or groove of the second film is at least two times greater than a thickness of the second film.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A portable electronic device comprising:\\na touch-sensitive display;\\na battery;\\na foldable enclosure enclosing the touch-sensitive display and the battery, the foldable enclosure comprising:\\na front cover positioned over the touch-sensitive display and including a chemically strengthened glass layer defining:\\na first region positioned over a first portion of the touch-sensitive display;\\na second region positioned over a second portion of the touch-sensitive display; and\\na foldable region positioned over a third portion of the touch-sensitive display between the first and the second portions of the touch-sensitive display, the foldable enclosure configured to:\\nin a folded configuration: define a first graphical output using the first portion of the touch-sensitive display and viewable along a front of the portable electronic device; define a second graphical output using the second portion of the touch-sensitive display and viewable along a rear of the portable electronic device opposite to the front; and define a third graphical output using the third portion of the touch-sensitive display and viewable along a side of the portable electronic device extending between the front and the rear; and\\nin an unfolded configuration, define a fourth graphical output using the first, second, and third portions of the touch-sensitive display.\",\n \"2. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein:\\nthe chemically strengthened glass layer at the foldable region defines a relief feature comprising a locally thinned region; and\\nthe foldable region further comprises a filler disposed in the relief feature and optically matched to the chemically strengthened glass layer.\",\n \"3. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein the chemically strengthened glass layer is formed of an aluminosilicate glass.\",\n \"4. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein in the unfolded configuration, the first, second, and foldable portions define a front surface of the portable electronic device that is flat.\",\n \"5. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein:\\nin response to transitioning from the folded configuration to the unfolded configuration, a first aspect ratio associated with a size of the fourth graphical output changes to a second aspect ratio associated with a size of the first graphical output.\",\n \"6. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein:\\nin the folded configuration, the foldable region defines a curved surface having a minimum bend radius between 10 mm and 25 mm.\",\n \"7. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein the chemically strengthened glass layer is configured to produce compressive stresses on the outside of a bend in the foldable region.\",\n \"8. An electronic device comprising:\\na touch-sensitive display;\\na battery;\\na foldable enclosure enclosing the touch-sensitive display and the battery, the foldable enclosure having a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration, the foldable enclosure comprising:\\na cover positioned over the touch-sensitive display and including a glass layer comprising a ceramic, the cover defining:\\na first region defining a first external surface of the electronic device;\\na second region defining a second external surface of the electronic device; and\\na foldable region defining a third external surface of the electronic device between the first and the second external surface, the cover defining a contiguous external surface including the first, second, and third external surfaces, wherein:\\nin the folded configuration, the third external surface defines a side portion of the electronic device, the first external surface defines a front portion of the electronic device, and the second external surface defines a rear portion of the electronic device; and\\nin the unfolded configuration, the first, second, and third external surfaces define the front portion of the electronic device.\",\n \"9. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein:\\nthe electronic device further comprises a processor configured to:\\nin the unfolded configuration, cause display of a first graphical output; and\\nin the folded configuration, cause display of a second graphical output different from the first graphical output, the second graphical output adapted to at least a viewable area defined by the first external surface.\",\n \"10. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein the cover comprises a locally-thinned region configured to relieve stresses in the cover at the foldable region.\",\n \"11. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein the cover comprises multiple ceramic layers having a respective thickness, at least one ceramic layer having a different thickness from other respective thicknesses.\",\n \"12. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein\\nthe foldable enclosure has an intermediate configuration between the unfolded configuration and the folded configuration; and\\na compressive stress at the third external surface in the unfolded configuration is greater than a compressive stress at the third external surface in the intermediate configuration.\",\n \"13. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein a thickness of cover at the foldable region is uniform.\",\n \"14. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein:\\nthe glass layer defines a relief feature comprising a locally thinned region; and\\na filler disposed in the relief feature and optically matched to the glass layer.\",\n \"15. A portable electronic device comprising:\\na battery;\\na display layer;\\na glass cover layer coupled to the display layer, the glass cover layer configured to be moved between a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration, the glass cover layer comprising:\\na first region positioned over a first portion of the display layer;\\na second region positioned over a second portion of the display layer;\\na foldable region positioned over a third portion of the display layer between the first and second region;\\na housing coupled to the glass cover layer and enclosing the battery and the display layer, the housing movable with the glass cover layer to the folded configuration and to the unfolded configuration; and\\na processor configured to:\\nin the folded configuration:\\ncause display of a first graphical output at the first portion of the display layer;\\ncause display of a second graphical output at the second portion of the display layer; and\\ncause display of a third graphical output at the third portion of the display layer; and\\nin the unfolded configuration, cause display of a fourth graphical output, the fourth graphical output comprising a combined graphical output over the first, second, and third portions of the display layer.\",\n \"16. The portable electronic device of claim 15, wherein the portable electronic device further comprises:\\na sensor configured to detect a transition between the folded and the unfolded configuration of the portable electronic device; and\\nprocessing circuitry operatively coupled to the sensor and the display layer and configured to control at least one of the first, the second, the third, and the fourth graphical outputs based on an output from the sensor.\",\n \"17. The portable electronic device of claim 15, wherein the first, second, and third graphical outputs are viewable when the portable electronic device is in the folded configuration.\",\n \"18. The portable electronic device of claim 15, wherein the glass cover layer includes a chemically strengthened glass strengthened through ion exchange.\",\n \"19. The portable electronic device of claim 15, wherein\\nthe housing comprises a rear cover positioned opposite the glass cover layer; and\\nthe rear cover defines an internal surface of the portable electronic device in the folded configuration.\",\n \"20. The portable electronic device of claim 19, wherein the rear cover is chemically strengthened glass.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A flexible display device comprising:\\na flexible display module comprising a flexible display panel;\\na first frame and a second frame supporting the flexible display module;\\na hinge portion pivotally coupling the first frame and the second frame; and\\na curvature sensor sensing a curvature of the flexible display module, and\\nthe curvature sensor comprising:\\na wheel portion connected to a rotation axis of the hinge portion and rotating in accordance with folding and unfolding of the flexible display module;\\na sensor switch adjacent to the wheel portion; and\\na permanent magnet located on the wheel portion, a distance between the sensor switch and the permanent magnet varying in accordance with rotating of the hinge portion, and\\na state of the sensor switch varies the distance between the sensor switch and the permanent magnet.\",\n \"2. The flexible display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor switch comprises a projection including the permanent magnet and located on a periphery of the wheel portion.\",\n \"3. The flexible display device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the projection is located on the periphery of the wheel portion to face the sensor switch in a state in which the flexible display module is unfolded.\",\n \"4. The flexible display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor switch comprises a first contact point and a second contact point, and\\nthe first contact point and the second contact point corresponding to the first contact point contact or do not contact each other in accordance with the distance between the sensor switch and the permanent magnet.\",\n \"5. The flexible display device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first contact point and the second contact point do not contact each other in a state in which the flexible display module is folded.\",\n \"6. The flexible display device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first contact point and the second contact point contact each other in a state in which the flexible display module is unfolded.\",\n \"7. The flexible display device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the second contact point displaces in terms of position according to a magnetic force of the permanent magnet.\",\n \"8. The flexible display device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the second contact point moves in accordance with the magnetic force of the permanent magnet and is electrically connected to the first contact point by contacting the first contact point in a state in which the flexible display module is unfolded.\",\n \"9. The flexible display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor switch comprises a housing protecting the first contact point and the second contact point.\",\n \"10. The flexible display device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the housing fixes terminals drawn out from the first contact point and the second contact point.\",\n \"11. The flexible display device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:\\nan electrostatic coupler detachably coupling at least a portion of the first frame and at least a portion of the flexible display module, and\\nthe electrostatic coupler comprises a static electricity generator, and\\nan electrostatic force of the static electricity generator varies in accordance with a sensing value of the curvature sensor.\",\n \"12. The flexible display device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the static electricity generator is fixed on one of the flexible display module and the first frame.\",\n \"13. The flexible display device as claimed in claim 12, further comprising a static electricity plate fixed to the other one of the flexible display module and the first frame.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. An electronic device comprising:\\na first columnar body, a second columnar body, and a third columnar body; and\\na flexible display over the first columnar body, the second columnar body, and the third columnar body,\\nwherein the second columnar body is interposed between the first columnar body and the third columnar body,\\nwherein the second columnar body is linked with the first columnar body at a first connection portion, and linked with the third columnar body at a second connection portion,\\nwherein a curved surface is formed in the flexible display by rotating the first columnar body and the third columnar body around the second columnar body, and\\nwherein a width of the second columnar body is larger than a width of the first columnar body and a width of the third columnar body when viewed from a side of the electronic device.\",\n \"2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein each of the first columnar body, the second columnar body, and the third columnar body has a trapezoidal shape.\",\n \"3. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the flexible display is not folded at a region over the second columnar body.\",\n \"4. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein a side surface of the first columnar body is in contact with a first side surface of the second columnar body, and a side surface of the third columnar body is in contact with a second side surface of the second columnar body when the electronic device is folded.\",\n \"5. An electronic device comprising:\\na first columnar body, a second columnar body, and a third columnar body; and\\na flexible display over the first columnar body, the second columnar body, and the third columnar body,\\nwherein the second columnar body is interposed between the first columnar body and the third columnar body,\\nwherein the second columnar body is linked with the first columnar body at a first connection portion, and linked with the third columnar body at a second connection portion,\\nwherein a curved surface is formed in the flexible display by rotating the first columnar body and the third columnar body around the second columnar body,\\nwherein a width of the second columnar body is larger than a width of the first columnar body and a width of the third columnar body when viewed from a side of the electronic device,\\nwherein a first part of the flexible display overlaps with a second part of the flexible display when the electronic device is folded, and\\nwherein the first part of the flexible display is continuous to the second part of the flexible display.\",\n \"6. The electronic device according to claim 5, wherein each of the first columnar body, the second columnar body, and the third columnar body has a trapezoidal shape.\",\n \"7. The electronic device according to claim 5, wherein the flexible display is not folded at a region over the second columnar body.\",\n \"8. The electronic device according to claim 5, wherein a side surface of the first columnar body is in contact with a first side surface of the second columnar body, and a side surface of the third columnar body is in contact with a second side surface of the second columnar body when the electronic device is folded.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A portable communication device comprising:\\na housing including a first housing and a second housing;\\na flexible display accommodated in the housing such that a first display portion and a second display portion of the flexible display are disposed in the first housing and the second housing, respectively; and\\na hinge structure coupled to the first housing and the second housing, the hinge structure including:\\na first shaft configured to rotate about a first axis,\\na second shaft configured to rotate about a second axis different from the first axis,\\na bracket including a first curved guide groove and a second curved guide groove formed therein,\\na first rotational member coupled with the bracket such that the first rotational member is configured to rotate about a third axis different from each of the first and second axes by at least a part of an outer surface of the first rotational member sliding along the first curved guide groove as the first shaft rotates about the first axis, and\\na second rotational member coupled with the bracket such that the second rotational member is configured to rotate about a fourth axis different from each of the first, second and third axes by at least part of an outer surface of the second rotational member sliding along the second curved guide groove as the second shaft rotates about the second axis,\\nwherein at least part of a third display portion of the flexible display between the first display portion and the second display portion is configured to be bent as the first rotational member rotates about the third axis and the second rotational member rotates about the fourth axis.\",\n \"2. The portable communication device of claim 1, wherein a first distance between the third axis and the fourth axis is shorter than a second distance between the first axis and the second axis.\",\n \"3. The portable communication device of claim 1, wherein a shortest distance from the third axis to an upper surface of the flexible display is shorter than a shortest distance from the first axis to the upper surface of the flexible display, when the portable communication device is fully unfolded.\",\n \"4. The portable communication device of claim 1, further comprising:\\na hinge housing coupled to the bracket and accommodating at least part of the hinge structure.\",\n \"5. The portable communication device of claim 1, further comprising:\\na plate in contact with a substantially entire area of a rear surface of the flexible display, a central portion of the plate including a patterned-hole area formed therein such that the patterned-hole area is bent and unbent along with the third display portion as the portable communication device is folded and unfolded, respectively.\",\n \"6. The portable communication device of claim 1, wherein the first axis is internal to the first shaft and the second axis is internal to the second shaft, and the third axis is external to the first rotational member and the fourth axis is external to the second rotational member.\",\n \"7. The portable communication device of claim 6, wherein each of the third axis and the fourth axis is adjacent to the third display portion between the first display portion and the second display portion of the flexible display.\",\n \"8. The portable communication device of claim 1, wherein the hinge structure includes:\\na third shaft configured to rotate about a fifth axis internal to the third shaft and substantially parallel with the first axis and the third axis as the first shaft rotates about the first axis; and\\na fourth shaft and configured to rotate about sixth axis internal to the fourth shaft and substantially parallel with the fifth axis as the second shaft rotates about the second axis.\",\n \"9. The portable communication device of claim 8, wherein the third axis and the fourth axis are close to the flexible display than the fifth axis and the sixth axis, respectively.\",\n \"10. The portable communication device of claim 1, wherein each of the third axis and the fourth axis is inside a hinge housing when viewed from above the flexible display.\",\n \"11. The portable communication device of claim 1, further comprising:\\na first front bracket coupled to the first housing and the first rotational member; and\\na second front bracket coupled to the second housing and the second rotational member.\",\n \"12. A portable communication device comprising:\\na housing including a first housing and a second housing;\\na flexible display accommodated in the housing such that a first display portion and a second display portion of the flexible display are disposed in the first housing and the second housing, respectively; and\\na hinge structure coupled to the first housing and the second housing, the hinge structure including:\\na first shaft configured to rotate about a first axis,\\na second shaft configured to rotate about a second axis different from the first axis,\\na first center bracket including a first curved guide groove formed therein,\\na second center bracket including a second curved guide groove formed therein,\\na first rotational member coupled with the first housing and with the first center bracket such that the first rotational member is configured to rotate about a third axis different from each of the first and second axes by at least a part of an outer surface of the first rotational member sliding along the first curved guide groove as the first shaft rotates about the first axis, and\\na second rotational member coupled with the second housing and with the second center bracket such that the second rotational member is configured to rotate about a fourth axis different from each of the first, second and third axes by at least part of an outer surface of the second rotational member sliding along the second curved guide groove as the second shaft rotates about the second axis,\\nwherein at least part of a third display portion of the flexible display between the first display portion and the second display portion is configured to be bent as the first rotational member rotates about the third axis and the second rotational member rotates about the fourth axis.\",\n \"13. The portable communication device of claim 12, wherein a first distance between the third axis and the fourth axis is shorter than a second distance between the first axis and the second axis.\",\n \"14. The portable communication device of claim 12, wherein a shortest distance from the third axis to an upper surface of the flexible display is shorter than a shortest distance from the first axis to the upper surface of the flexible display, when the portable communication device is fully unfolded.\",\n \"15. The portable communication device of claim 12, wherein a hinge housing accommodates at least part of the first rotational member and at least part of the second rotational member.\",\n \"16. The portable communication device of claim 12, further comprising:\\na plate in contact with a substantially entire area of a rear surface of the flexible display, a central portion of the plate including a patterned-hole area formed therein such that the patterned-hole area is bent and unbent along with the third display portion as the portable communication device is folded and unfolded, respectively.\",\n \"17. The portable communication device of claim 12, wherein the first axis is internal to the first shaft and the second axis is internal to the second shaft, and the third axis is external to the first rotational member and the fourth axis is external to the second rotational member.\",\n \"18. The portable communication device of claim 17, wherein each of the third axis and the fourth axis is adjacent to the third display portion between the first display portion and the second display portion of the flexible display.\",\n \"19. The portable communication device of claim 12, wherein each of the third axis and the fourth axis is inside a hinge housing when viewed from above the flexible display.\",\n \"20. The portable communication device of claim 12, further comprising:\\na first front bracket coupled to the first housing and the first rotational member; and\\na second front bracket coupled to the second housing and the second rotational member.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A display apparatus, comprising:\\na display panel bendable in a bending direction about a bending axis;\\na first pad unit and a second pad unit disposed on one side of the display panel, wherein the first and second pad units extend in the bending direction and are arranged in the bending direction;\\na curved member disposed below the display panel;\\na first printed circuit board (PCB) and a second PCB fixed to a rear surface of the curved member and spaced apart from each other in the bending direction;\\na first flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) comprising a plurality of first flexible boards, each of which has a first end connected to the first pad unit and a second end connected to the first PCB; and\\na second FPCB comprising a plurality of second flexible boards, each of which has a first end connected to the second pad unit and a second end connected to the second PCB,\\nwherein the first flexible board closest to the second pad unit is defined as a first outermost flexible board, and the second flexible board closest to the first pad unit is defined as a second outermost flexible board, and\\na first distance defined as a distance between the first end of the first outermost flexible board and the first end of the second outermost flexible board is less than a second distance defined as a distance between the second end of the first outermost flexible board and the second end of the second outermost flexible board.\",\n \"2. The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein a rigidity of the curved member is greater than a rigidity of the display panel.\",\n \"3. The display apparatus of claim 2, wherein the curved member comprises at least one of a light guide plate, an optical sheet, a mold frame, or a bottom chassis.\",\n \"4. The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second PCBs are bendable in the bending direction about the bending axis.\",\n \"5. The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein, as the first flexible boards are disposed further away from a center of the first PCB, a tilted angle of each of the first flexible boards from a normal direction at a point on the display panel at which each of the first flexible boards is connected to the display panel increases, and\\nas the second flexible boards are disposed further away from a center of the second PCB, a tilted angle of each of the second flexible boards from a normal direction at a point on the display panel at which each of the second flexible boards is connected to the display panel increases.\",\n \"6. The display apparatus of claim 5, wherein a length of each of the first flexible boards increases as the first flexible boards are disposed further away from the center of the first PCB, and\\na length of each of the second flexible boards increases as the second flexible boards are disposed further away from the center of the second PCB.\",\n \"7. The display apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:\\na plurality of first driving chips mounted in a one-to-one correspondence with the first flexible boards; and\\na plurality of second driving chips mounted in a one-to-one correspondence with the second flexible boards,\\nwherein extending directions of each of the first driving chips and each of the second driving chips are parallel to the bending direction.\",\n \"8. The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein, when the display panel is bent, each of the first outermost flexible board and the second outermost flexible board has a rectangular shape.\",\n \"9. The display apparatus of claim 8, wherein, when the display panel is bent, lengths of each of the first flexible boards and each of the second flexible boards are the same.\",\n \"10. The display apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:\\na plurality of first driving chips mounted in a one-to-one correspondence with the first flexible boards; and\\na plurality of second driving chips mounted in a one-to-one correspondence with the second flexible boards,\\nwherein, on a cross-section, a virtual line comprising central points of a distance between one surface of the display panel and one surface of the first PCB and central points of a distance between the one surface of the display panel and one surface of the second PCB is defined as a bending line, and\\nextending directions of each of the first driving chips and each of the second driving chips are parallel to the bending line.\",\n \"11. The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein, when a curvature radius of the display panel is defined as R, a thickness of the curved member is defined as D, and a distance between a center of the first PCB and a center of the second PCB is defined as W, a minimum value of a difference between the first distance and the second distance ranges from 9*D*W/20*R to 11*D*W/20*R.\",\n \"12. A method for manufacturing a display apparatus, the method comprising:\\nbonding a display panel and each of a plurality of printed circuit boards to a plurality of flexible printed circuit boards;\\ndisposing the display panel on an upper portion of a bottom part of a curved member; and\\nfixing each of the printed circuit boards to a rear surface of the bottom part of the curved member,\\nwherein the curved member is bendable in a bending direction about a bending axis, and\\na distance between the printed circuit boards adjacent to each other after the printed circuit boards are fixed is greater than a distance between the printed circuit boards adjacent to each other before the printed circuit boards are fixed.\",\n \"13. The method of claim 12, wherein a pad unit is disposed on one side of the display panel in a first direction parallel to the bending axis,\\nthe printed circuit boards are arranged in a second direction crossing the first direction and extend in the second direction, and\\nthe flexible printed circuit boards connect the pad unit to the printed circuit boards.\",\n \"14. The method of claim 13, wherein, when bonding the display panel and each of the printed circuit boards, the flexible printed circuit boards extend in the first direction and are disposed in parallel to the first direction, and\\nwhen fixing the printed circuit boards, as the display panel is bent, the printed circuit boards are fixed to the curved member in an order of the flexible printed circuit boards disposed further away from a center of each of the printed circuit boards, and each of the flexible printed circuit boards increases in extending length.\",\n \"15. The method of claim 13, wherein bonding the display panel and each of the printed circuit boards comprises bonding a plurality of driving chips to the flexible printed circuit boards in a one-to-one correspondence with each other.\",\n \"16. The method of claim 13, wherein bonding the display panel and each of the printed circuit boards comprises:\\nbonding the flexible printed circuit boards to the display panel and each of the printed circuit boards in an order of the flexible printed circuit boards disposed further away from a center of each of the printed circuit boards,\\nwherein an angle between an extending direction of one end of each of the flexible printed circuit boards and the first direction increases, and\\nwhen fixing the printed circuit boards, as the display panel is bent, the printed circuit boards are fixed to the curved member such that the extending direction of each of the flexible printed circuit boards is parallel to a normal direction at a point on the display panel at which each of the flexible printed circuit boards is connected to the display panel.\",\n \"17. The method of claim 16, wherein bonding the display panel and each of the printed circuit boards comprises:\\nbonding a plurality of driving chips to the flexible printed circuit boards in a one-to-one correspondence with the flexible printed circuit boards,\\nwherein each of the driving chips is bonded in the order of the flexible printed circuit boards disposed further away from the center of each of the printed circuit boards,\\nwherein an angle between a normal direction of the extending direction of the flexible printed circuit boards and an extending direction of the corresponding driving chips increases.\",\n \"18. The method of claim 17, wherein, when fixing the printed circuit boards to the curved member, the extending direction of each of the driving chips is perpendicular to the normal direction of the extending direction of the flexible printed circuit boards.\",\n \"19. The method of claim 12, wherein a rigidity of the curved member is greater than a rigidity of the display panel.\",\n \"20. The method of claim 19, wherein the curved member comprises at least one of a light guide plate, an optical sheet, a mold frame, or a bottom chassis.\",\n \"21. The method of claim 19, wherein the display panel is bent in a bending direction about the bending axis as the display panel is disposed on the curved member and as each of the printed circuit boards is fixed to a rear surface of the bottom part of the curved member.\",\n \"22. The method of claim 21, wherein as the display panel is bent, a stress applied to at least one flexible printed circuit board closest to a center of each of the printed circuit boards is reduced.\",\n \"23. The method of claim 22, wherein as the display panel is bent, the stress applied to each of the flexible printed circuit boards increases as the flexible printed circuit boards are disposed further away from the center of each of the printed circuit boards.\",\n \"24. The method of claim 19, wherein each of the printed circuit boards is bent in a bending direction about the bending axis as the display panel is disposed on the curved member.\",\n \"25. The method of claim 12, wherein fixing each of the printed circuit boards comprises:\\nforming alignment marks on the rear surface of the bottom part of the curved member; and\\nfixing the printed circuit boards to the curved member such that the printed circuit boards correspond to the alignment marks.\",\n \"26. The method of claim 12, wherein, when a curvature radius of the display panel is defined as R, a thickness of the curved member is defined as D, and a distance between a center of a first printed circuit board and a center of a second printed circuit board adjacent to the first printed circuit board is defined as W, a minimum value of a difference of a distance between the first and second printed circuit boards after the first and second printed circuit boards are fixed and a distance between the first and second printed circuit boards before the first and second printed circuit boards are fixed ranges from 9*D*W/20*R to 11*D*W/20*R.\",\n \"27. A method for manufacturing a display apparatus, the method comprising:\\nbonding a display panel and each of a plurality of printed circuit boards to a plurality of flexible printed circuit boards;\\ndisposing the display panel on an upper portion of a bottom part of a curved member; and\\nfixing each of the printed circuit boards to a rear surface of the bottom part of the curved member,\\nwherein the curved member is bendable in a bending direction about a bending axis, and\\nwhen fixing the printed circuit boards, as the display panel is bent, the printed circuit boards are fixed such that deformation of the flexible printed circuit boards is successively reduced as the flexible printed circuit boards are disposed closer to a center of each of the printed circuit boards.\",\n \"28. A display apparatus, comprising:\\na display panel bendable in a bending direction about a bending axis;\\na plurality of pad units disposed on one side of the display panel and arranged in the bendable direction;\\na plurality of printed circuit boards disposed below the display panel,\\nwherein the printed circuit boards are bendable in the bending direction about the bending axis, are arranged in the bendable direction, and extend in the bendable direction; and\\na plurality of flexible printed circuit boards configured to connect the display panel to the printed circuit boards,\\nwherein each of the flexible printed circuit boards has a first end connected to the display panel and a second end connected to one of the printed circuit boards, and\\na second distance between the second ends of two of the flexible printed circuit boards respectively connected to two adjacent printed circuit boards is greater than a first distance between the first ends of the two flexible printed circuit boards.\",\n \"29. The display apparatus of claim 28, further comprising:\\na curved member disposed between the display panel and each of the printed circuit boards,\\nwherein the printed circuit boards are fixed to a rear surface of the curved member.\",\n \"30. The display apparatus of claim 29, wherein, when a curvature radius of the display panel is defined as R, a thickness of the curved member is defined as D, and a distance between a center of each of the two adjacent printed circuit boards is defined as W, a minimum value of a difference between the first distance and the second distance ranges from 9*D*W/20*R to 11*D*W/20*R.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A display device comprising:\\na display panel; and\\na window member positioned on at least one surface of the display panel, wherein the window member includes a coating layer, the coating layer including a cross-linked structure of a silsesquioxane compound that includes an epoxy group and an acryl group and having an indentation hardness of about 50 MPa or more and a tensile modulus of about 4.0 GPa or less,\\nwherein the coating layer includes a cross-linked structure formed from a curing reaction of a silsesquioxane compound including repeating units represented by Chemical Formulas 1, wherein an oxygen atom connected to * is connected to an adjacent Si atom in the siloxane oligomer, R1 represents an epoxy group or an alkyl group including an epoxy group, R2 represents a (meth)acryl group or an alkyl group including a (meth)acryl group, n and m independently represent a natural number, and a summation of n and m is from 6 to 100\",\n \"2. The display device of claim 1, wherein the window member further includes a base film disposed between the coating layer and the display panel.\",\n \"3. The display device of claim 1, wherein a mole ratio of a first repeating unit, which is connected to R1, to a second repeating group, which is connected to R2, is 80:20 to 60:40.\",\n \"4. A display device comprising:\\na display panel; and\\na window member positioned on at least one surface of the display panel, wherein the window member includes a coating layer, the coating layer including a cross-linked structure of a silsesquioxane compound that includes an epoxy group and an acryl group and having an indentation hardness of about 50 MPa or more and a tensile modulus of about 4.0 GPa or less, wherein the coating layer includes a cross-linked structure formed from a curing reaction of a silsesquioxane compound including repeating units represented by Chemical Formula 5, wherein an oxygen atom connected to * is connected to an adjacent Si atom in the siloxane oligomer, R1 represents an epoxy group or an alkyl group including an epoxy group, R2 represents a (meth)acryl group or an alkyl group including a (meth)acryl group, R3 represents a fluoroalkyl group, in which at least one hydrogen atom is substituted with a fluorine atom, or a perfluoro polyether group, n, m and r independently represent a natural number, and a summation of n, m and r is from 6 to 100\",\n \"5. The display device of claim 4, wherein a content of a repeating unit including fluorine combined with R3 in the siloxane oligomer is from about 5% to about 10% by weight based on a total weight of the siloxane oligomer.\",\n \"6. A display device comprising:\\na display panel; and\\na window member positioned on at least one surface of the display panel, wherein the window member includes a coating layer, the coating layer including a cross-linked structure of a silsesquioxane compound that includes an epoxy group and an acryl group and having an indentation hardness of about 50 MPa or more and a tensile modulus of about 4.0 GPa or less, wherein the coating layer includes a first coating layer and a second coating layer disposed on the first coating layer,\\nwherein the first coating layer includes a cross-linked structure formed from a curing reaction of a silsesquioxane compound including a repeating unit represented by Chemical Formula 8,\\nwherein the second coating layer includes a cross-linked structure formed from a curing reaction of a silsesquioxane compound including a repeating unit represented by Chemical Formula 9,\\nwherein an oxygen atom connected to * is connected to an adjacent Si atom in the siloxane oligomer, R1 represents an epoxy group or an alkyl group including an epoxy group, R2 represents a (meth)acryl group or an alkyl group including a (meth)acryl group, and n and m independently represent a natural number\",\n \"7. The display device of claim 6, wherein a thickness ratio of the first coating layer and the second coaling layer is from 7:3 to 3:7.\",\n \"8. A display device comprising:\\na display panel; and\\na window member positioned on at least one surface of the display panel, wherein the window member includes a coating layer, the coating layer including a cross-linked structure of a silsesquioxane compound that includes an epoxy group and an acryl group and having an indentation hardness of about 50 MPa or more and a tensile modulus of about 4.0 GPa or less, wherein the window member further includes a base film, wherein the coating layer includes an upper coating layer disposed on a first surface of the base film, and a lower coating layer disposed on a second surface of the base film, wherein the upper coating layer includes a first upper coating layer combined with the base film and a second upper coating layer combined with the first upper coating layer, wherein the lower coating layer includes a first lower coating layer combined with the base film and a second lower coating layer combined with the first lower coating layer, and\\nwherein the first upper coating layer and the first lower coating layer include a cross-linked structure formed from a curing reaction of a silsesquioxane compound including a repeating unit represented by Chemical Formula 8,\\nwherein the second upper coating layer and the second lower coating layer include a cross-linked structure formed from a curing reaction of a silsesquioxane compound including a repeating unit represented by Chemical Formula 9, p1 wherein an oxygen atom connected to * is connected to another Si atom in the siloxane oligomer, R1 represents an epoxy group or an alkyl group including an epoxy group, R2 represents a (meth)acryl group or an alkyl group containing a (meth)acryl group, and n and m independently represent a natural number\",\n \"9. The display device of claim 1, wherein the display device is foldable.\",\n \"10. The display device of claim 1, wherein the silsesquioxane compound has a tensile modulus of about 2.7-4.0 GPa.\",\n \"11. The display device of claim 1, wherein the silsesquioxane compound comprises at least about 40% by weight of the coating layer.\",\n \"12. A display device comprising;\\na display panel; and\\na window member positioned on at least one surface of the display panel, wherein the window member includes a coating layer, the coating layer including a cross-linked structure of a silsesquioxane compound including repeating units having substituents, wherein each of the substituents independently includes an epoxy group or an acryl group.\",\n \"13. The display device of claim 12, wherein the coating layer includes a cross-linked structure formed from a curing reaction of a silsesquioxane compound including repeating units represented by Chemical Formula 1, wherein an oxygen atom connected to * is connected to an adjacent Si atom in the siloxane oligomer, R1 represents an epoxy group or an alkyl group including an epoxy group, R2 represents a (meth)acryl group or an alkyl group including a (meth)acryl group, n and m independently represent a natural number, and a summation of n and m is from 6 to 100\",\n \"14. The display device of claim 12, wherein the coating layer includes a cross-linked structure formed from a curing reaction of a silsesquioxane compound including repeating units represented by Chemical Formula 5, wherein an oxygen atom connected to * is connected to an adjacent Si atom in the siloxane oligomer, R1 represents an epoxy group or an alkyl group including an epoxy group, R2 represents a (meth)acryl group or an alkyl group including a (meth)acryl group, R3 represents a fluoroalkyl group, in which at least one hydrogen atom is substituted with a fluorine atom, or a perfluoro polyether group, n, m and r independently represent a natural number, and a summation of n, m and r is from 6 to 100\",\n \"15. The display device of claim 12, wherein the coating layer includes a first coating layer and a second coating layer disposed on the first coating layer,\\nwherein the first coating layer includes a cross-linked structure formed from a curing reaction of a silsesquioxane compound including a repeating unit represented by Chemical Formula 8,\\nwherein the second coating layer includes a cross-linked structure formed from a curing reaction of a silsesquioxane compound including a repeating unit represented by Chemical Formula 9,\\nwherein an oxygen atom connected to * is connected to an adjacent Si atom in the siloxane oligomer, R1 represents an epoxy group or an alkyl group including an epoxy group, R2 represents a (meth)acryl group or an alkyl group including a (meth)acryl group, and n and m independently represent a natural number\",\n \"16. The display device of claim 12, wherein the window member further includes a base film, wherein the coating layer includes an upper coating layer disposed on a first surface of the base film, and a lower coating layer disposed on a second surface of the base film, wherein the upper coating layer includes a first upper coating layer combined with the base film and a second upper coating layer combined with the first upper coating layer, wherein the lower coating layer includes a first lower coating layer combined with the base film and a second lower coating layer combined with the first lower coating layer, and\\nwherein the first upper coating layer and the first lower coating layer include a cross-linked structure formed from a curing reaction of a silsesquioxane compound including a repeating unit represented by Chemical Formula 8,\\nwherein the second upper coating layer and the second lower coating layer include a cross-linked structure formed from a curing reaction of a silsesquioxane compound including a repeating unit represented by Chemical Formula 9,\\nwherein an oxygen atom connected to * is connected to another Si atom in the siloxane oligomer, R1 represents an epoxy group or an alkyl group including an epoxy group, R2 represents a (meth)acryl group or an alkyl group containing a (meth)acryl group, and n and m independently represent a natural number\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. An electronic device comprising:\\nan element substrate provided with a display portion, a first scan line driver circuit, a second scan line driver circuit, and an external connecting electrode; and\\na flexible printed circuit electrically connected to the external connecting electrode,\\nwherein the element substrate comprises:\\na first outer edge portion extending in a first direction;\\na first portion where the first scan line driver circuit is provided;\\na first curved portion provided along the first scan line driver circuit;\\na second outer edge portion extending in the first direction;\\na second portion where the second scan line driver circuit is provided;\\na second curved portion provided along the second scan line driver circuit;\\na third outer edge portion extending in a second direction intersecting with the first direction;\\na third portion where the external connecting electrode is provided;\\na third curved portion between the display portion and the third outer edge portion; and\\na fourth portion adjacent to the third curved portion,\\nwherein the third portion, the fourth portion, the external connecting electrode, and the flexible printed circuit overlap each other,\\nwherein the third outer edge portion and the flexible printed circuit overlap each other,\\nwherein the element substrate has flexibility,\\nwherein the first scan line driver circuit comprises a first transistor,\\nwherein the second scan line driver circuit comprises a second transistor, and\\nwherein the display portion comprises a third transistor.\",\n \"2. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising a supporting portion,\\nwherein the third portion and the supporting portion overlap each other, and\\nwherein the supporting portion comprises a plate shape.\",\n \"3. The electronic device according to claim 1,\\nwherein the display portion comprises a light-emitting element, and\\nwherein the third transistor in the display portion is electrically connected to the light-emitting element.\",\n \"4. The electronic device according to claim 1,\\nwherein at least one of the first transistor, the second transistor, and the third transistor comprises an oxide semiconductor layer.\",\n \"5. The electronic device according to claim 1,\\nwherein the display portion is provided between the first curved portion and the second curved portion.\",\n \"6. An electronic device comprising:\\nan element substrate provided with a display portion, a first scan line driver circuit, a second scan line driver circuit, and an external connecting electrode; and\\na flexible printed circuit electrically connected to the external connecting electrode,\\nwherein the element substrate comprises:\\na first outer edge portion extending in a first direction;\\na first portion where the first scan line driver circuit is provided;\\na first curved portion provided along the first scan line driver circuit;\\na second outer edge portion extending in the first direction;\\na second portion where the second scan line driver circuit is provided;\\na second curved portion provided along the second scan line driver circuit;\\na third outer edge portion extending in a second direction intersecting with the first direction;\\na third portion where the external connecting electrode is provided;\\na third curved portion between the display portion and the third outer edge portion; and\\na fourth portion adjacent to the third curved portion,\\nwherein the third portion, the fourth portion, the external connecting electrode, and the flexible printed circuit overlap each other in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the element substrate,\\nwherein the third outer edge portion and the flexible printed circuit overlap each other in the direction perpendicular to the surface of the element substrate,\\nwherein the element substrate has flexibility,\\nwherein the first scan line driver circuit comprises a first transistor,\\nwherein the second scan line driver circuit comprises a second transistor, and\\nwherein the display portion comprises a third transistor.\",\n \"7. The electronic device according to claim 6, further comprising a supporting portion,\\nwherein the third portion and the supporting portion overlap each other, and\\nwherein the supporting portion comprises a plate shape.\",\n \"8. The electronic device according to claim 6,\\nwherein the display portion comprises a light-emitting element, and\\nwherein the third transistor in the display portion is electrically connected to the light-emitting element.\",\n \"9. The electronic device according to claim 6,\\nwherein at least one of the first transistor, the second transistor, and the third transistor comprises an oxide semiconductor layer.\",\n \"10. The electronic device according to claim 6,\\nwherein the display portion is provided between the first curved portion and the second curved portion.\",\n \"11. An electronic device comprising:\\nan element substrate provided with a display portion, a first scan line driver circuit, a second scan line driver circuit, and an external connecting electrode; and\\na flexible printed circuit electrically connected to the external connecting electrode,\\nwherein the element substrate comprises:\\na first outer edge portion extending in a first direction;\\na first portion where the first scan line driver circuit is provided;\\na first curved portion provided along the first scan line driver circuit;\\na second outer edge portion extending in the first direction;\\na second portion where the second scan line driver circuit is provided;\\na second curved portion provided along the second scan line driver circuit;\\na third outer edge portion extending in a second direction intersecting with the first direction;\\na third portion where the external connecting electrode is provided;\\na third curved portion between the display portion and the third outer edge portion; and\\na fourth portion adjacent to the third curved portion,\\nwherein the third portion, the fourth portion, the external connecting electrode, and the flexible printed circuit overlap each other in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the element substrate,\\nwherein the third outer edge portion and the flexible printed circuit overlap each other in the direction perpendicular to the surface of the element substrate,\\nwherein the element substrate has flexibility,\\nwherein the first scan line driver circuit comprises a first transistor,\\nwherein the second scan line driver circuit comprises a second transistor,\\nwherein the display portion comprises a third transistor, and\\nwherein the fourth portion is not in contact with the flexible printed circuit.\",\n \"12. The electronic device according to claim 11, further comprising a supporting portion,\\nwherein the third portion and the supporting portion overlap each other, and\\nwherein the supporting portion comprises a plate shape.\",\n \"13. The electronic device according to claim 11,\\nwherein the display portion comprises a light-emitting element, and\\nwherein the third transistor in the display portion is electrically connected to the light-emitting element.\",\n \"14. The electronic device according to claim 11,\\nwherein at least one of the first transistor, the second transistor, and the third transistor comprises an oxide semiconductor layer.\",\n \"15. The electronic device according to claim 11,\\nwherein the display portion is provided between the first curved portion and the second curved portion.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A display device comprising:\\na first resin;\\na first insulating layer over the first resin;\\na semiconductor layer over the first insulating layer;\\na second insulating layer over the semiconductor layer;\\na first gate electrode layer over the second insulating layer;\\na first electrode layer of a first light-emitting element over the first gate electrode layer;\\na second electrode layer of the first light-emitting element over the first electrode layer of the first light-emitting element with an electroluminescent layer of the first light-emitting element provided therebetween; and\\na second resin over the second electrode layer of the first light-emitting element,\\nwherein the display device further comprises:\\na scanning line driver circuit comprising a first region located between the first resin and the second resin; and\\na signal line driver circuit comprising a second region which is not located between the first resin and the second resin,\\nwherein the display device is configured to bend in a third region and a fourth region,\\nwherein the third region is provided between a fifth region in which the first resin and the second resin sandwich the first light-emitting element and a sixth region in which the first resin and the second resin sandwich a second light-emitting element, and\\nwherein the fourth region is provided between the fifth region in which the first resin and the second resin sandwich the first light-emitting element and a seventh region in which the first resin overlaps with the signal line driver circuit.\",\n \"2. The display device according to claim 1,\\nwherein the semiconductor layer comprises an oxide semiconductor, and\\nwherein one of the first resin and the second resin comprises an aramid resin or a polyimide resin.\",\n \"3. A display device comprising:\\na first substrate, the first substrate comprising a first resin;\\na first insulating layer over the first resin;\\na semiconductor layer over the first insulating layer;\\na second insulating layer over the semiconductor layer;\\na first gate electrode layer over the second insulating layer;\\na first electrode layer of a first light-emitting element over the first gate electrode layer;\\na second electrode layer of the first light-emitting element over the first electrode layer of the first light-emitting element with an electroluminescent layer of the first light-emitting element provided therebetween; and\\na second resin over the second electrode layer of the first light-emitting element,\\nwherein the display device further comprises:\\na scanning line driver circuit comprising a first region located between the first resin and the second resin; and\\na signal line driver circuit comprising a second region which is not located between the first resin and the second resin,\\nwherein the display device is configured to bend in a third region and a fourth region,\\nwherein the third region is provided between a fifth region in which the first resin and the second resin sandwich the first light-emitting element and a sixth region in which the first resin and the second resin sandwich a second light-emitting element, and\\nwherein the fourth region is provided between the fifth region in which the first resin and the second resin sandwich the first light-emitting element and a seventh region in which the first resin overlaps with the signal line driver circuit.\",\n \"4. The display device according to claim 3,\\nwherein the semiconductor layer comprises an oxide semiconductor, and\\nwherein one of the first resin and the second resin comprises an aramid resin or a polyimide resin.\",\n \"5. A display device comprising:\\na first resin;\\na first insulating layer over the first resin;\\na semiconductor layer over the first insulating layer;\\na second insulating layer over the semiconductor layer;\\na first gate electrode layer over the second insulating layer;\\na first electrode layer of a first light-emitting element over the first gate electrode layer;\\na second electrode layer of the first light-emitting element over the first electrode layer of the first light-emitting element with an electroluminescent layer of the first light-emitting element provided therebetween; and\\na second resin over the second electrode layer of the first light-emitting element,\\nwherein the display device further comprises:\\na scanning line driver circuit comprising a first region located between the first resin and the second resin; and\\na signal line driver circuit comprising a second region which is not located between the first resin and the second resin,\\nwherein the display device is configured to bend in a third region and a fourth region,\\nwherein the third region is provided between a fifth region in which the first resin and the second resin sandwich the first light-emitting element and a sixth region in which the first resin and the second resin sandwich a second light-emitting element,\\nwherein the fourth region is provided between the fifth region in which the first resin and the second resin sandwich the first light-emitting element and a seventh region in which the first resin overlaps with the signal line driver circuit, and\\nwherein a second gate electrode layer is provided below the semiconductor layer.\",\n \"6. The display device according to claim 5,\\nwherein the semiconductor layer comprises an oxide semiconductor, and\\nwherein one of the first resin and the second resin comprises an aramid resin or a polyimide resin.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A display unit comprising:\\na first plate-like member including a display device that extends in a first direction, the first plate-like member having a rear surface and front surface; and\\na second plate-like member overlapping the first plate-like member and extending in the first direction, the second plate-like member being positioned on the rear surface of the first plate-like member,\\nwherein a thermal expansion coefficient of the first plate-like member is smaller than that of the second plate-like member, and\\nwherein the first and second plate-like members are curved in a second direction and curvatures of the first and second plate-like members differ.\",\n \"2. The display unit according to claim 1, further comprising holders that connect the second to the first plate-like member.\",\n \"3. The display unit according to claim 1, wherein the second plate-like member comprising circuitry for control of the display device.\",\n \"4. The display unit according to claim 1, wherein a curvature of the front surface of the first plate-like member is greater than a curvature of a front surface of the second plate-like member.\",\n \"5. The display unit according to claim 1, comprising a third plate-like member overlapping the first plate-like member and extending in the first direction of the display device control,\\nwherein the second plate-like member and the third plate-like member having a gap therebetween in the first direction, and\\nwherein the third plate-like member is curved in the second direction and curvatures of the first and third plate-like members differ.\",\n \"6. The display unit according to claim 3, comprising a third plate-like member having second circuitry for control of the display device, the third plate-like member overlapping the first plate-like member and extending in the first direction of the display device control,\\nwherein the second plate-like member and the third plate-like member having a gap therebetween in the first direction, and\\nwherein the third plate-like member is curved in the second direction and curvatures of the first and third plate-like members differ.\",\n \"7. The display unit according to claim 5, wherein a curvature of the front surface of the first plate-like member is greater than curvatures of front surfaces of the second and third plate-like members.\",\n \"8. The display unit according to claim 6, wherein a curvature of the front surface of the first plate-like member is greater than curvatures of front surfaces of the second and third plate-like members.\",\n \"9. The display unit according to claim 5, wherein the thermal expansion coefficient of the first plate-like member is smaller than that of the third plate-like member.\",\n \"10. The display unit according to claim 6, wherein the thermal expansion coefficient of the first plate-like member is smaller than that of the third plate-like member.\",\n \"11. The display unit according to claim 8, further comprising holders that connect the second and third plate-like members to the first plate-like member.\",\n \"12. The display unit according to claim 7, further comprising a supporting member positioned on a surface of the first plate-like member, the supporting member supports the first plate-like member.\",\n \"13. The display unit according to claim 1, further comprising a flexible section coupling the first plate-like member and the second plate-like member to each other.\",\n \"14. The display unit according to claim 6, further comprising flexible sections coupling the first plate-like member to the second plate-like member and to the third plate-like member.\",\n \"15. The display unit according to claim 14, wherein the flexible sections comprise wiring sections.\",\n \"16. The display unit according to claim 15, wherein the wiring sections each include an Integrated Circuit (IC) chip.\",\n \"17. The display unit according to claim 16, wherein the IC chip on each of the wiring sections is in contact with a heat dissipation member.\",\n \"18. The display unit according to claim 1, wherein the first plate-like member comprises at least one glass substrate.\",\n \"19. The display unit according to claim 1, wherein the first plate-like member comprises two glass substrates that seal liquid crystal material therebetween.\",\n \"20. The display unit according to claim 16, wherein the second plate-like member and third-plate member are circuit boards.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. An electronic device comprising an active matrix display device, the electronic device comprising:\\na housing;\\na curved display surface;\\na base between the housing and the curved display surface;\\na first electronic circuit board;\\na second electronic circuit board; and\\na secondary battery,\\nwherein each of the first electronic circuit board, the second electronic circuit board, and the secondary battery is located between the base and the housing,\\nwherein, on a side of the curved display surface, the base comprises a region curved in a same direction as the curved display surface,\\nwherein, on a side of the housing, the base comprises a first region, a second region, and a third region deeper than each of the first region and the second region,\\nwherein the first electronic circuit board is mounted to overlap with the first region,\\nwherein the second electronic circuit board is mounted to overlap with the second region, and\\nwherein the secondary battery is mounted to overlap with the third region.\",\n \"2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the base has an insulating property.\",\n \"3. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein, in a cross-sectional view, a terminal portion of the base has a more curved shape than a central portion of the base.\",\n \"4. An electronic device comprising an active matrix display device, the electronic device comprising:\\na housing;\\na curved display surface;\\na base between the housing and the curved display surface;\\na first electronic circuit board;\\na second electronic circuit board; and\\na secondary battery,\\nwherein each of the first electronic circuit board, the second electronic circuit board, and the secondary battery is located between the base and the housing,\\nwherein, on a side of the curved display surface, the base comprises a region curved in a same direction as the curved display surface,\\nwherein, on a side of the housing, the base comprises a first region, a second region, and a third region deeper than each of the first region and the second region,\\nwherein the first electronic circuit board is mounted to overlap with the first region,\\nwherein the second electronic circuit board is mounted to overlap with the second region, and\\nwherein the secondary battery is mounted to overlap with the third region such that the secondary battery is closer to the side of the curved display surface than the first electronic circuit board is.\",\n \"5. The electronic device according to claim 4, wherein the base has an insulating property.\",\n \"6. The electronic device according to claim 4, wherein, in a cross-sectional view, a terminal portion of the base has a more curved shape than a central portion of the base.\",\n \"7. An electronic device comprising an active matrix display device, the electronic device comprising:\\na housing;\\na curved display surface;\\na base between the housing and the curved display surface;\\na first electronic circuit board;\\na second electronic circuit board; and\\na secondary battery,\\nwherein each of the first electronic circuit board, the second electronic circuit board, and the secondary battery is located between the base and the housing,\\nwherein, on a side of the curved display surface, the base comprises a region curved in a same direction as the curved display surface,\\nwherein the base comprises a contact hole for electrically connecting the first electronic circuit board and the active matrix display device,\\nwherein, on a side of the housing, the base comprises a first region, a second region, and a third region deeper than each of the first region and the second region,\\nwherein the first electronic circuit board is mounted to overlap with the first region,\\nwherein the second electronic circuit board is mounted to overlap with the second region, and\\nwherein the secondary battery is mounted to overlap with the third region.\",\n \"8. The electronic device according to claim 7, wherein the secondary battery is mounted to overlap with the third region such that the secondary battery is closer to the side of the curved display surface than the first electronic circuit board is.\",\n \"9. The electronic device according to claim 7, wherein the secondary battery is mounted to overlap with the third region such that the secondary battery is closer to the side of the curved display surface than the second electronic circuit board is.\",\n \"10. The electronic device according to claim 7, wherein the base has an insulating property.\",\n \"11. The electronic device according to claim 7, wherein, in a cross-sectional view, a terminal portion of the base has a more curved shape than a central portion of the base.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A portable device comprising:\\na flexible display;\\na hinge about which the flexible display is unfolded and folded into a first area of the flexible display and a second area of the flexible display; and\\nat least one processor configured to:\\ncontrol the flexible display to display first information on the first area of the flexible display and control the flexible display not to display information on the second area of the flexible display in a folded configuration about the hinge in which the first area of the flexible display corresponds to a first side of the portable device and the second area of the flexible display corresponds to a second side of the portable device that opposes the first side,\\nbased on unfolding the flexible display from the folded configuration to an unfolded configuration in which the first area of the flexible display and the second area of the flexible display corresponds to the first side of the portable device, control the flexible display to display the first information on the first area of the flexible display and control the flexible display not to display information on the second area of the flexible display, and\\ncontrol the flexible display to display information corresponding to the first information on the first area of the flexible display and the second area of the flexible display in the unfolded configuration.\",\n \"2. The portable device of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:\\ndetect an angle between the first area of the flexible display and the second area of the flexible display while unfolding the flexible display from the folded configuration to the unfolded configuration, and\\nbased on the angle, control the first area of the flexible display to display the first information and the second area of the flexible display not to display information or control to display the information corresponding to the first information on the first area of the flexible display and the second area of the flexible display.\",\n \"3. The portable device of claim 1, further comprising:\\na housing; and\\na camera disposed in the housing.\",\n \"4. The portable device of claim 3, wherein the camera comprises:\\na first camera disposed in the housing on a front surface of the portable device; and\\na second camera disposed in the housing on a rear surface of the portable device.\",\n \"5. The portable device of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to control to display the information corresponding to the first information by displaying the first information across the first area of the flexible display and the second area of the flexible display in the unfolded configuration.\",\n \"6. A method of controlling a portable device comprising a flexible display and a hinge about which the flexible display is unfolded and folded into a first area of the flexible display and a second area of the flexible display, the method comprising:\\ncontrolling the flexible display to display first information on the first area of the flexible display and not to display information on the second area of the flexible display in a folded configuration about the hinge in which the first area of the flexible display corresponds to a first side of the portable device and the second area of the flexible display corresponds to a second side of the portable device that opposes the first side;\\nbased on unfolding the flexible display from the folded configuration to an unfolded configuration in which the first area of the flexible display and the second area of the flexible display corresponds to the first side of the portable device, controlling the flexible display to display the first information on the first area of the flexible display and not to display information on the second area of the flexible display; and\\ncontrolling the flexible display to display information corresponding to the first information on the first area of the flexible display and the second area of the flexible display in the unfolded configuration.\",\n \"7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:\\ndetecting an angle between the first area of the flexible display and the second area of the flexible display while unfolding the flexible display from the folded configuration to the unfolded configuration; and\\nbased on the angle, controlling the first area of the flexible display to display the first information and the second area of the flexible display not to display information or controlling to display the information corresponding to the first information on the first area of the flexible display and the second area of the flexible display.\",\n \"8. The method of claim 6, wherein the portable device further comprises:\\na housing; and\\na camera disposed in the housing.\",\n \"9. The method of claim 8, wherein the camera comprises:\\na first camera disposed in the housing on a front surface of the portable device; and\\na second camera disposed in the housing on a rear surface of the portable device.\",\n \"10. The method of claim 6, wherein the information corresponding to the first information by displaying the first information is displayed across the first area of the flexible display and the second area of the flexible display in the unfolded configuration.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A portable electronic device, comprising:\\na housing that carries operational components that include:\\na magnetic field sensor capable of ROM detecting relative motion of a wearable object with respect to the housing, and providing, in response to detecting the relative motion, a corresponding detection signal, and\\na processor in communication with the magnetic field sensor, wherein the processor is capable of receiving the corresponding detection signal, and executing instructions in accordance with the relative motion.\",\n \"2. The portable electronic device of claim 1, further comprising:\\na display that is capable of (i) receiving the instructions from the processor, and (ii) presenting a graphical output in accordance with the relative motion.\",\n \"3. The portable electronic device of claim 1, further comprising an ambient light sensor configured to detect the relative motion.\",\n \"4. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein the magnetic field sensor is capable of detecting an external magnetic field generated by a magnetic element carried by the wearable object.\",\n \"5. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein, when the relative motion of the wearable object is a first direction, then the processor executes a first instruction corresponding to a first operation based on the first direction.\",\n \"6. The portable electronic device of claim 5, wherein, when the relative motion of the wearable object is a second direction different than the first direction, then the processor executes a second instruction corresponding to a second operation based on the second direction, the second operation different than the first operation.\",\n \"7. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein the magnetic field sensor comprises a Hall Effect sensor.\",\n \"8. A portable electronic device, comprising:\\na housing that carries operational components that include:\\na magnetic field sensor capable of detecting an orientation of a magnetic element carried by a wearable object relative to the magnetic field sensor, and providing a detection signal in accordance with the orientation of the magnetic element; and\\na processor in communication with the magnetic field sensor, wherein the processor is capable of receiving the detection signal, and executing a function based on the detection signal.\",\n \"9. The portable electronic device of claim 8, wherein the orientation of the wearable object is based on a change of a strength of the magnetic field as detected by the magnetic field sensor.\",\n \"10. The portable electronic device of claim 9, wherein the change of the strength of the magnetic field corresponds to a direction and a distance between the magnetic field sensor and the magnetic element.\",\n \"11. The portable electronic device of claim 10, wherein, in response to the magnetic field sensor determining a different orientation of the magnetic element relative to the magnetic sensor, the magnetic field sensor is capable of providing a different detection signal based on the different orientation.\",\n \"12. The portable electronic device of claim 11, wherein, in response to the processor receiving the different detection signal, the processor is capable of responding by executing a different function based on the different orientation.\",\n \"13. The portable electronic device of claim 8, wherein the operational components further include:\\na display in communication with the processor, wherein the display is capable of presenting a graphical output that is based on the function.\",\n \"14. The portable electronic device of claim 8, further comprising an ambient light sensor configured to detect the orientation.\",\n \"15. A touch-free method for altering an operating state of a portable electronic device that includes a processor and a sensor, the method comprising:\\ndetecting, by a magnetic field sensor, a relative motion of a wearable object with respect to the portable electronic device, the wearable object i) comprising a magnetic element and ii) being external to the portable electronic device;\\nproviding, to the processor by the magnetic field sensor, a detection signal corresponding to the relative motion;\\nproviding, by the processor, an instruction corresponding to the relative motion; and\\noperating, using the instruction, the portable electronic device.\",\n \"16. The touch-free method of claim 15, wherein the relative motion of the wearable object is based on a strength of a magnetic field generated by the magnetic element.\",\n \"17. The touch-free method of claim 16, wherein the strength of the magnetic field is detected by the magnetic field sensor.\",\n \"18. The touch-free method of claim 15, further comprising detecting, by an ambient light sensor, the relative motion.\",\n \"19. The touch-free method of claim 15, further comprising presenting, by a display, a graphical output in accordance with the relative motion.\",\n \"20. The portable electronic device of claim 8, further comprising a display that is capable of (i) receiving the instructions from the processor, and (ii) presenting a graphical output in accordance with the orientation.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. An electronic device, comprising:\\na display having an array of pixels that forms an active area;\\nan opaque masking material that forms an inactive area within the active area, wherein the opaque masking material has first and second openings; and\\na lens located in the first opening.\",\n \"2. The electronic device defined in claim 1 wherein the opaque masking material surrounds the first opening.\",\n \"3. The electronic device defined in claim 1 wherein the active area has first, second, and third portions, wherein the inactive area comprises a first inactive area separating the first and second portions and a second inactive area separating the second and third portions.\",\n \"4. The electronic device defined in claim 3 wherein the pixels are configured to display an icon between the first and second inactive areas.\",\n \"5. The electronic device defined in claim 4 wherein the icon is touch-sensitive.\",\n \"6. The electronic device defined in claim 1 further comprising a touch sensor that detects touch input on the first opening.\",\n \"7. The electronic device defined in claim 6 further comprising control circuitry configured to launch a camera application in response to the touch input.\",\n \"8. The electronic device defined in claim 6 further comprising an output device configured to provide feedback in response to the touch input.\",\n \"9. The electronic device defined in claim 1 further comprising a light-emitting diode configured to emit light through the first opening.\",\n \"10. The electronic device defined in claim 1 wherein the display comprises a flexible display having a bent edge.\",\n \"11. An electronic device, comprising:\\na display having an array of pixels;\\nan opaque masking material that separates a first group of the pixels from a second group of the pixels, wherein the opaque masking material has an opening; and\\na lens located in the opening.\",\n \"12. The electronic device defined in claim 11 further comprising a touch sensor configured to detect touch input on the opening.\",\n \"13. The electronic device defined in claim 12 further comprising control circuitry configured to launch a camera application in response to the touch input.\",\n \"14. The electronic device defined in claim 11 wherein the display has a bent edge.\",\n \"15. The electronic device defined in claim 11 wherein the opaque masking material surrounds the opening.\",\n \"16. An electronic device, comprising:\\na display having an array of pixels that forms a first active area and a second active area;\\nan opaque masking material that forms an inactive area interposed between the first and second active areas, wherein the opaque masking material has an opening; and\\na lens located in the opening.\",\n \"17. The electronic device defined in claim 16 wherein the opaque masking material comprises an additional opening.\",\n \"18. The electronic device defined in claim 16 wherein the array of pixels forms a third active area and wherein the opaque masking material forms an additional inactive area interposed between the second and third active areas.\",\n \"19. The electronic device defined in claim 16 further comprising a touch sensor configured to detect touch input on the opening.\",\n \"20. The electronic device defined in claim 19 further comprising control circuitry configured to launch a camera application in response to the touch input.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A rotation shaft structure, comprising:\\na main shaft assembly;\\na first folding assembly comprising a first swing arm, a first driven arm, a first support plate, and a first housing mounting bracket, a first end of the first swing arm is rotationally connected to the main shaft assembly, a second end of the first swing arm is rotationally connected to the first housing mounting bracket, a first end of the first driven arm is rotationally connected to the main shaft assembly, and a second end of the first driven arm is slidably connected to the first housing mounting bracket, rotation axis centers of the first driven arm and the first swing arm on the main shaft assembly are parallel to each other and do not coincide with each other; the first support plate is rotationally connected to the first housing mounting bracket and is slidably connected to the first swing arm or the first driven arm; the first support plate comprises a first plate body and a first guide structure, the first plate body has a first surface and a second surface that are disposed opposite to each other, the first guide structure is disposed on the second surface of the first plate body, and the first guide structure is slidably connected to the first swing arm or the first driven arm; and\\na second folding assembly comprising a second swing arm, a second driven arm, a second support plate, and a second housing mounting bracket, a first end of the second swing arm is rotationally connected to the main shaft assembly, a second end of the second swing arm is rotationally connected to the second housing mounting bracket, a first end of the second driven arm is rotationally connected to the main shaft assembly, and a second end of the second driven arm is slidably connected to the second housing mounting bracket, rotation axis centers of the second driven arm and the second swing arm on the main shaft assembly are parallel to each other and do not coincide with each other; the second support plate is rotationally connected to the second housing mounting bracket and is slidably connected to the second swing arm or the second driven arm; the second support plate comprises a second plate body and a second guide structure, the second plate body has a third surface and a fourth surface that are disposed opposite to each other, the second guide structure is disposed on the fourth surface of the second plate body, and the second guide structure is slidably connected to the second swing arm or the second driven arm, wherein the first folding assembly and the second folding assembly are disposed on two sides of the main shaft assembly;\\nwhen the rotation shaft structure is unfold, the first surface of the first plate body, the third surface of the second plate body, and the main shaft assembly are unfolded flat to form a support surface; and\\nwhen the rotation shaft structure is fold, the first support plate, the second support plate and the main shaft assembly enclose an accommodation space together, a distance between an end of the first support plate near the main shaft assembly and an end of the second support plate near the main shaft assembly is greater than a distance between an end of the first support plate away from the main shaft assembly and an end of the second support plate away from the main shaft assembly.\",\n \"2. The rotation shaft structure according to claim 1, wherein when the first housing mounting bracket and the second housing mounting bracket rotate toward each other, a first end that is of the first support plate and that is close to the main shaft assembly moves in a direction away from the main shaft assembly, and a first end that is of the second support plate and that is close to the main shaft assembly moves in a direction away from the main shaft assembly; and\\nwherein when the first housing mounting bracket and the second housing mounting bracket rotate against each other, the first end that is of the first support plate and that is close to the main shaft assembly moves in a direction approaching the main shaft assembly; and the second folding assembly drives the second support plate to rotate relative to the second housing mounting bracket, and drives the first end that is of the second support plate and that is close to the main shaft assembly to move in a direction approaching the main shaft assembly.\",\n \"3. The rotation shaft structure according to claim 1, wherein the first support plate is slidable relative to the first swing arm or the first driven arm in a direction perpendicular to a rotation axis of the first swing arm or the first driven arm, and the second support plate is slidable relative to the second swing arm or the second driven arm in a direction perpendicular to a rotation axis of the second swing arm or the second driven arm.\",\n \"4. The rotation shaft structure according to claim 1, wherein the first support plate rotates in a same direction relative to the first housing mounting bracket, and the second support plate rotates in a same direction relative to the second housing mounting bracket.\",\n \"5. The rotation shaft structure according to claim 1, wherein a projection of the first swing arm and the first driven arm on the first support plate is located between two ends in a length direction of the first support plate, and the projection of the second swing arm and the second driven arm on the second support plate is located between two ends in a length direction of the first support plate and the second support plate.\",\n \"6. The rotation shaft structure according to claim 1, wherein a first circular arc groove is disposed in the first housing mounting bracket, a first circular arc shaft is disposed on the first support plate, and the first circular arc shaft is slidably disposed in the first circular arc groove, to implement a rotational connection between the first housing mounting bracket and the first support plate; and\\na second circular arc groove is disposed in the second housing mounting bracket, a second circular arc shaft is disposed on the second support plate, and the second circular arc shaft is slidably disposed in the second circular arc groove, to implement a rotational connection between the second housing mounting bracket and the second support plate.\",\n \"7. The rotation shaft structure according to claim 1, wherein when the first housing mounting bracket and the second housing mounting bracket rotate toward each other, the first housing mounting bracket and the first swing arm stretch relative to the first driven arm, and the second housing mounting bracket and the second swing arm stretch relative to the second driven arm, to increase a length of the rotation shaft structure; and\\nwherein when the first housing mounting bracket and the second housing mounting bracket rotate against each other, the first housing mounting bracket and the first swing arm contract relative to the first driven arm, and the second housing mounting bracket and the second swing arm contract relative to the second driven arm, to reduce a length of the rotation shaft structure.\",\n \"8. The rotation shaft structure according to claim 1, wherein a first track slot is disposed in the first guide structure, a first guide shaft is disposed on the first swing arm, and the first guide shaft is slidably connected to the first track slot; and\\na second track slot is disposed in the second guide structure, a second guide shaft is disposed on the second swing arm, and the second guide shaft is slidably connected to the second track slot.\",\n \"9. The rotation shaft structure according to claim 1, wherein a first track slot is disposed in the first guide structure, a first guide shaft is disposed on the first driven arm, and the first guide shaft is slidably connected to the first track slot; and\\na second track slot is disposed in the second guide structure, a second guide shaft is disposed on the second driven arm, and the second guide shaft is slidably connected to the second track slot.\",\n \"10. The rotation shaft structure according to claim 8, wherein a distance between a first end of the first track slot and the main shaft assembly is less than a distance between a second end of the first track slot and the main shaft assembly, a distance between the first end of the first track slot and the first surface is less than a distance between the second end of the first track slot and the first surface, a distance between the first end of the second track slot and the main shaft assembly is less than a distance between the second end of the second track slot and the main shaft assembly, and a distance between the first end of the second track slot and the third surface is less than a distance between the second end of the second track slot and the third surface;\\nwherein when the first housing mounting bracket and the second housing mounting bracket rotate toward each other, the first guide shaft slides in the first track slot along a direction of the second end of the first track slot to the first end of the first track slot, and the second guide shaft slides in the second track slot along the direction of the second end of the second track slot to the first end of the second track slot; and\\nwherein when the first housing mounting bracket and the second housing mounting bracket rotate against each other, the first guide shaft slides in the first track slot along the direction of the first end of the first track slot to the second end of the first track slot, and the second guide shaft slides in the second track slot along the direction of the first end of the second track slot to the second end of the second track slot.\",\n \"11. The rotation shaft structure according to claim 9, wherein an end that is of the first driven arm and that is slidably connected to the first support plate is recessed to form a first concave region, at least part of the first guide structure is located in the first concave region, and the first guide shaft is located in the first concave region; and\\nwherein an end that is of the second driven arm and that is slidably connected to the second support plate is recessed to form a second concave region, at least part of the second guide structure is located in the second concave region, and the second guide shaft is located in the second concave region.\",\n \"12. The rotation shaft structure according to claim 1, wherein a third circular arc groove and a fourth circular arc groove are disposed in the main shaft assembly; and\\na third circular arc shaft is disposed at one end of the first swing arm, and a fourth circular arc shaft is disposed at an end of the second swing arm; the third circular arc shaft is disposed in the third circular arc groove, to implement a rotational connection between the first swing arm and the main shaft assembly; and the fourth circular arc shaft is disposed in the fourth circular arc groove, to implement a rotational connection between the second swing arm and the main shaft assembly.\",\n \"13. The rotation shaft structure according to claim 1, wherein a first shaft hole is disposed in the first swing arm, a second shaft hole is disposed in the first housing mounting bracket, and the first shaft hole and the second shaft hole are connected through a pin shaft; and a third shaft hole is disposed in the second swing arm, a fourth shaft hole is disposed in the second housing mounting bracket, and the third shaft hole and the fourth shaft hole are connected through a pin shaft.\",\n \"14. The rotation shaft structure according to claim 1, wherein a first sliding slot is disposed in the first housing mounting bracket, a first sliding rail is disposed on the first driven arm, and the first sliding rail is slidably disposed in the first sliding slot; and a second sliding slot is disposed in the second housing mounting bracket, a second sliding rail is disposed on the second driven arm, and the second sliding rail is slidably disposed in the second sliding slot.\",\n \"15. An electronic device, comprising:\\na first housing;\\na second housing;\\na flexible display; and\\na rotation shaft structure comprising:\\na main shaft assembly;\\na first folding assembly comprises a first swing arm, a first driven arm, a first support plate, and a first housing mounting bracket, a first end of the first swing arm is rotationally connected to the main shaft assembly, a second end of the first swing arm is rotationally connected to the first housing mounting bracket, a first end of the first driven arm is rotationally connected to the main shaft assembly, and a second other end of the first driven arm is slidably connected to the first housing mounting bracket, rotation axis centers of the first driven arm and the first swing arm on the main shaft assembly are parallel to each other and do not coincide with each other; the first support plate is rotationally connected to the first housing mounting bracket and is slidably connected to the first swing arm or the first driven arm; the first support plate comprises a first plate body and a first guide structure, the first plate body has a first surface and a second surface that are disposed opposite to each other, the first guide structure is disposed on the second surface of the first plate body, and the first guide structure is slidably connected to the first swing arm or the first driven arm, wherein the first housing mounting bracket is fastened to the first housing; and\\na second folding assembly comprising a second swing arm, a second driven arm, a second support plate, and a second housing mounting bracket, a first end of the second swing arm is rotationally connected to the main shaft assembly, a second end of the second swing arm is rotationally connected to the second housing mounting bracket, a first end of the second driven arm is rotationally connected to the main shaft assembly, and a second end of the second driven arm is slidably connected to the second housing mounting bracket, rotation axis centers of the second driven arm and the second swing arm on the main shaft assembly are parallel to each other and do not coincide with each other; the second support plate is rotationally connected to the second housing mounting bracket and is slidably connected to the second swing arm or the second driven arm; the second support plate comprises a second plate body and a second guide structure, the second plate body has a third surface and a fourth surface that are disposed opposite to each other, the second guide structure is disposed on the fourth surface of the second plate body, and the second guide structure is slidably connected to the second swing arm or the second driven arm, wherein the second housing mounting bracket is fastened to the second housing, wherein the first folding assembly and the second folding assembly are disposed on two sides of the main shaft assembly;\\nwhen the rotation shaft structure is unfold, the first surface of the first plate body, the third surface of the second plate body, and the main shaft assembly are unfolded flat to form a support surface; and\\nwhen the rotation shaft structure is fold, the first support plate, the second support plate and the main shaft assembly enclose an accommodation space together, a distance between the end of the first support plate near the main shaft assembly and the end of the second support plate near the main shaft assembly is greater than a distance between the end of the first support plate away from the main shaft assembly and the end of the second support plate away from the main shaft assembly;\\nwherein the first housing comprises a fifth surface, the second housing comprises a sixth surface, the flexible display continuously covers the fifth surface of the first housing, the rotation shaft structure, and the sixth surface of the second housing, and the flexible display is respectively fastened to the fifth surface of the first housing and the sixth surface of the second housing.\",\n \"16. The electronic device according to claim 15, wherein when the first housing mounting bracket and the second housing mounting bracket rotate toward each other, an end that is of the first support plate and that is close to the main shaft assembly moves in a direction away from the main shaft assembly, and an end that is of the second support plate and that is close to the main shaft assembly moves in a direction away from the main shaft assembly; and\\nwherein when the first housing mounting bracket and the second housing mounting bracket rotate against each other, an end that is of the first support plate and that is close to the main shaft assembly moves in a direction approaching the main shaft assembly; and the second rotation assembly drives the second support plate to rotate relative to the second housing mounting bracket, and drives an end that is of the second support plate and that is close to the main shaft assembly to move in a direction approaching the main shaft assembly.\",\n \"17. The electronic device according to claim 15, wherein the first support plate is slidable relative to the first swing arm or the first driven arm in a direction perpendicular to a rotation axis of the first swing arm or the first driven arm, and the second support plate is slidable relative to the second swing arm or the second driven arm in a direction perpendicular to a rotation axis of the second swing arm or the second driven arm.\",\n \"18. The electronic device according to claim 15, wherein the projection of the first swing arm and the first driven arm on the first support plate is located between two ends in a length direction of the first support plate, and the projection of the second swing arm and the second driven arm on the second support plate is located between two ends in a length direction of the two support plate.\",\n \"19. The electronic device according to claim 15, wherein a first track slot is disposed in the first guide structure, a first guide shaft is disposed on the first driven arm, and the first guide shaft is slidably connected to the first track slot; and\\na second track slot is disposed in the second guide structure, a second guide shaft is disposed on the second driven arm, and the second guide shaft is slidably connected to the second track slot.\",\n \"20. The electronic device according to claim 19, wherein one end that is of the first driven arm and that is slidably connected to the first support plate is recessed to form a first concave region, at least part of the first guide structure is located in the first concave region, and the first guide shaft is located in the first concave region; and\\nwherein an end that is of the second driven arm and that is slidably connected to the second support plate is recessed to form a second concave region, at least part of the second guide structure is located in the second concave region, and the second guide shaft is located in the second concave region.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A method, comprising:\\nreceiving, by a processing system comprising a processor, a first user-identified actuation threshold associated with a venue state of a present game environment in a gaming application, wherein the venue state is identified according to an image analysis of still images produced by the gaming application and messages received from the gaming application;\\nassociating, by the processing system, the first user-identified actuation threshold with a first displacement along a travel range of a button of a gaming device operable between a minimum displacement and a maximum displacement; and\\nresponsive to a depressing of the button of the gaming device, wherein the depressing of the button results in a first depression range of first travel distance:\\ncomparing, by the processing system, the first depression range of first travel distance to the first user-identified actuation threshold; and\\nasserting, by the processing system, a first actuation state when the first depression range of first travel distance exceeds the first user-identified actuation threshold.\",\n \"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the asserting the first actuation state comprises transmitting first stimuli to the gaming application.\",\n \"3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first stimuli are retrieved from a profile according to the venue state.\",\n \"4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\\nobtaining, by the processing system, a second user-identified actuation threshold associated with the venue state of the present game environment in the gaming application;\\nassociating, by the processing system, the second user-identified actuation threshold with a second displacement along the travel range of the button of the gaming device, wherein the second displacement is different than the first displacement; and\\nresponsive to a depressing of the button of the gaming device, wherein the depressing of the button results in a second depression range of second travel distance:\\ncomparing, by the processing system, the second depression range of the second travel distance to the second user-identified actuation threshold; and\\nasserting, by the processing system, a second actuation state when the second depression range of the second travel distance exceeds the second user-identified actuation threshold, wherein the first and second actuation states correspond to different commands for the venue state.\",\n \"5. The method of claim 1, wherein the button comprises an electro-mechanical sensor for detecting the first depression range of first travel distance.\",\n \"6. The method of claim 5, wherein the electro-mechanical sensor generates a voltage level proportional to a depression range of travel distance of the button.\",\n \"7. The method of claim 1, further comprising monitoring, by the processing system, the venue state of the gaming application by tracking gaming options chosen by an operation of the gaming device.\",\n \"8. The method of claim 7, wherein the first depression range of first travel distance comprises a signal supplied by a sensor of the button.\",\n \"9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\\ndetermining, by the processing system, a first release threshold associated with the venue state of the present game environment in the gaming application;\\nassociating, by the processing system, the first release threshold with a second displacement along the travel range of the button of the gaming device, wherein the second displacement is different than the first displacement;\\ncomparing, by the processing system, a first release displacement of a first release travel distance to the first release threshold; and\\nasserting, by the processing system, a first reset state responsive to the first release displacement of the first release travel distance satisfying the first release threshold.\",\n \"10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\\ndetecting, by the processing system, a second release range of a second release travel distance of the button;\\ncomparing, by the processing system, the second release range of the second release travel distance to a second reset threshold; and\\nasserting, by the processing system, a second reset state when the second release range of the second release travel distance satisfies the second reset threshold.\",\n \"11. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving, by the processing system, a program setting for the first user-identified actuation threshold.\",\n \"12. A non-transitory, machine-readable storage medium, comprising instructions that, when executing on a processing system including a processor, facilitate performance of operations, the operations comprising:\\nassociating a first user-identified actuation threshold with a first actuation threshold travel distance of a plurality of actuation threshold travel distances along a travel range of a button of a gaming device operable between a minimum displacement and a maximum displacement;\\nobtaining a signal that represents a depression range of travel distance of the button, wherein a software application executing on a computing device to control aspects of a gaming application accesses the plurality of actuation threshold travel distances for a current gaming venue state of the gaming application according to different commands for the current gaming venue state; and\\nproviding the signal to the software application, wherein the software application asserts an actuation state responsive to the depression range of travel distance exceeding the first actuation threshold travel distance,\\nwherein the current gaming venue state is identified according to an analysis of still images produced by the gaming application and messages received from the gaming application.\",\n \"13. The non-transitory, machine-readable storage medium of claim 12, wherein the providing the signal to the software application causes the first actuation threshold travel distance of the plurality of actuation threshold travel distances to be changed to a second actuation threshold travel distance of the plurality of actuation threshold travel distances in accordance with a change in the current gaming venue state.\",\n \"14. The non-transitory, machine-readable storage device of claim 13, wherein the operations further comprise receiving instructions to change the second actuation threshold travel distance to a new actuation threshold of the plurality of actuation threshold travel distances for detecting the new actuation threshold for a different depression range of travel distance of the button, responsive to another change in the current gaming venue state, and wherein the different depression range of travel distance is compared with the first actuation threshold travel distance of the plurality of actuation threshold travel distances.\",\n \"15. The non-transitory, machine-readable storage device of claim 12, wherein the signal comprises an analog signal or a digital signal.\",\n \"16. An accessory, comprising:\\na button comprising a sensor that generates a signal level according to a degree of displacement of the button; and\\na memory that stores executable instructions that when executed by a processing system including a processor facilitate performance of operations, the operations comprising:\\nassociating a first user-identified actuation threshold with a first actuation threshold travel distance of a plurality of actuation threshold travel distances along a travel range of a button of a gaming device operable between a minimum displacement and a maximum displacement;\\ndetermining a venue state based on an analysis of a present game environment in still images of a gaming application and messages received from the gaming application;\\ndetermining an actuation threshold of a plurality of actuation thresholds for the venue state according to different commands for the venue state;\\ncomparing an input from the sensor indicative of the degree of displacement of the button to the actuation threshold; and\\nproviding an actuation signal to a software application being executed on a computing device of a gaming application, wherein the software application asserts an actuation state responsive to the input exceeding the actuation threshold.\",\n \"17. The accessory of claim 16, wherein the sensor generates a voltage level proportional to a depression range of the button.\",\n \"18. The accessory of claim 17, wherein the sensor comprises an electro-mechanical sensor adapted for detecting the depression range of the input.\",\n \"19. The accessory of claim 16, wherein the button is a spring-loaded button.\",\n \"20. The accessory of claim 16, wherein the button comprises an inductive sensor, a capacitive sensor, or a combination thereof.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. An electronic device having front and rear surfaces, the electronic device comprising:\\na housing;\\na first display region that displays content in a first direction;\\na second display region that displays the content in the first direction, wherein the content is perceived to be three-dimensional;\\na curved glass layer mounted to the housing and facing a second direction opposite the first direction; and\\nan array of cameras facing the second direction and configured to track a face location using facial recognition software, wherein the content is adjusted based on the face location.\",\n \"2. The electronic device defined in claim 1 further comprising an opaque masking layer on the curved glass layer.\",\n \"3. The electronic device defined in claim 1 further comprising a third display region facing the second direction, wherein the curved glass layer overlaps the third display region and wherein the third display region is flexible.\",\n \"4. The electronic device defined in claim 3 wherein the third display region conforms to the curved glass layer.\",\n \"5. The electronic device defined in claim 1 wherein the first and second display regions comprise two separate displays that cooperate to display the content.\",\n \"6. The electronic device defined in claim 3 wherein the third display region comprises organic light-emitting diode pixels.\",\n \"7. The electronic device defined in claim 1 further comprising an accelerometer, wherein the content is adjusted based on information from the accelerometer.\",\n \"8. The electronic device defined in claim 1 further comprising a touch sensor configured to detect touch input, wherein the content is adjusted based on the touch input.\",\n \"9. The electronic device defined in claim 3 further comprising a touch sensor configured to detect the touch input in a location between the first and third display regions.\",\n \"10. An electronic device, comprising:\\na curved glass enclosure facing a first direction and having a transparent portion and an opaque portion, wherein the opaque portion is covered with an opaque masking material;\\nfirst and second display portions that display an image in a second direction opposite the first direction, wherein the image is perceived to be three-dimensional; and\\nat least one camera facing the first direction and configured to track facial movements using facial recognition software, wherein the image is adjusted based on the facial movements.\",\n \"11. The electronic device defined in claim 10 wherein the first and second display portions are formed from two separate displays that cooperate to display the image.\",\n \"12. The electronic device defined in claim 10 wherein the at least one camera is part of an array of cameras facing the first direction.\",\n \"13. The electronic device defined in claim 10 further comprising an accelerometer, wherein the image is adjusted based on information from the accelerometer.\",\n \"14. The electronic device defined in claim 10 further comprising a third display portion that displays an additional image in the first direction through the transparent portion of the curved glass enclosure, wherein the third display portion is flexible and conforms to the curved glass enclosure.\",\n \"15. An electronic device, comprising:\\na housing comprising a layer of curved glass;\\nfirst and second displays facing a first direction and configured to cooperatively present visual content that is perceived to be three-dimensional; and\\nan array of cameras facing a second direction that is different from the first direction, wherein the array of cameras is configured to track a position of a person and wherein the visual content is adjusted based on the position of the person.\",\n \"16. The electronic device defined in claim 15 wherein the layer of curved glass has an opaque portion and a transparent portion and wherein the opaque portion is covered with an opaque masking material.\",\n \"17. The electronic device defined in claim 16 further comprising an array of pixels facing the second direction.\",\n \"18. The electronic device defined in claim 17 wherein the array of pixels is configured to display additional visual content through the transparent portion of the layer of curved glass.\",\n \"19. The electronic device defined in claim 18 wherein the array of pixels has a flexible substrate that conforms to the layer of curved glass.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A portable communication device comprising:\\na housing including a first housing and a second housing, the first housing including a first inner conductive plate having an opening formed therein, and the second housing including a second inner conductive plate;\\na hinge connected between the first housing and the second housing such that each of the first and second housings is rotatable with respect to the hinge to allow the portable communication device to transition between a folded state and an unfolded state;\\na flexible display disposed over the first inner conductive plate and the second inner conductive plate;\\na first printed circuit board (PCB) disposed in the first housing;\\na second PCB disposed in the second housing;\\na flexible PCB (FPCB) partially overlapped with the hinge such that a first ending portion and a second ending portion of the flexible PCB are connected to the first PCB and the second PCB, respectively, and such that a portion of the flexible PCB between the first and second ending portions passes through the opening; and\\nan elastic member in contact with the flexible PCB and covering at least one portion of the opening.\",\n \"2. The portable communication device of claim 1, further comprising:\\na support member more rigid than the elastic member and in contact with the elastic member.\",\n \"3. The portable communication device of claim 2, wherein the elastic member and the support member together form a cover member configured to at least partially seal the opening from an external material from entering into the opening.\",\n \"4. The portable communication device of claim 2, wherein the elastic member is in contact with at least one portion of the support member via an adhesive member.\",\n \"5. The portable communication device of claim 4, wherein the first inner conductive plate includes a recessed area in which the opening is formed.\",\n \"6. The portable communication device of claim 5, wherein the support member is disposed at least partially in the recessed area.\",\n \"7. The portable communication device of claim 2, wherein the support member includes a protruding portion disposed at least partially in the opening.\",\n \"8. The portable communication device of claim 1, further comprises:\\na first connecting PCB located between the first ending portion of flexible PCB and the first PCB.\",\n \"9. The portable communication device of claim 8, wherein the flexible PCB comprises:\\na first sub-FPCB, at least part of which is located in the opening, connected to the first connecting PCB.\",\n \"10. The portable communication device of claim 9, wherein at least part of the elastic member makes contact with the first sub-FPCB.\",\n \"11. The portable communication device of claim 8, wherein further comprises:\\na first connector connected between the first PCB and the first connecting PCB.\",\n \"12. The portable communication device of claim 1,\\nwherein the second inner conductive plate includes a second opening formed therein, and\\nwherein the second ending portion of the flexible PCB passes through the second opening.\",\n \"13. The portable communication device of claim 12, further comprising:\\na second elastic member in contact with the flexible PCB and covering at least one portion of the second opening.\",\n \"14. The portable communication device of claim 13, further comprising:\\na second support member more rigid than the second elastic member and in contact with the second elastic member.\",\n \"15. The portable communication device of claim 14, wherein the second elastic member and the second support member together form a second cover member configured to at least partially seal the second opening from an external material from entering into the second opening.\",\n \"16. The portable communication device of claim 14, wherein the second elastic member is in contact with at least one portion of the second support member via an adhesive member.\",\n \"17. The portable communication device of claim 13, wherein further comprises:\\na second connecting PCB located between the second ending portion of flexible PCB and the second PCB.\",\n \"18. The portable communication device of claim 17, wherein the flexible PCB comprises:\\na second sub-FPCB, at least part of which is located in the second opening, connected to the second connecting PCB.\",\n \"19. The portable communication device of claim 18, wherein at least part of the second elastic member makes contact with the second sub-FPCB.\",\n \"20. The portable communication device of claim 17, wherein further comprises:\\na second connector connected between the second PCB and the second connecting PCB.\"\n ]\n]"},"102rejection":{"kind":"string","value":"in the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to aia 35 u.s.c. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-aia 35 u.s.c. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from aia to pre-aia ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.\r\nthe following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 u.s.c. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this office action:\r\na person shall be entitled to a patent unless –\r\n(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, and\r\n(a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.\r\nclaims 1-4, 6-7 and 9-12 are rejected under 35 u.s.c. 102(a)(1)/(a)(2) as being anticipated by u.s. pat. appl. publ. no. 2013/0021762 to van dijk et al. (i.e., “d1” hereinafter). referring to claim 1, d1 discloses a foldable device (9, see figs. 9a-9f and [0049-0050]) comprising:\r\na flexible display (10) comprising a first portion (left side), a second portion (right side), and a third portion (center, 10a) provided between the first portion and the second portion;\r\na first body (11) and a second body (12) that support the flexible display and are synchronously rotated;\r\na hinge (not numbered) comprising a first hinge axis (at 36) and a second hinge axis (at 37) that rotatably connect the first body and the second body respectively; and\r\na support member (33) that is disposed between the first body (11) and the second body (12), and supports the third portion (10a) of the flexible display (10) when the foldable device is in an intermediate configuration between an (sic) folded configuration of the foldable device and an unfolded configuration of the foldable device (see figs. 9c and 9d, and [0050], which states that “plates 33, 34 and 35 facilitate by their positioning, a pre-defined curvature of the display segment (10a), which implicitly defines support[ing] the third portion (10a)),”\r\nwherein the support member (33) is connected to the first body (11) and the second body (12).\r\nreferring to claim 2, d1 discloses the foldable device of claim 1, wherein the first body (11) and the second body (12) comprise a first base cover and a second base cover (i.e., outside portions of the body housing), and a first frame and a second frame (i.e., upper portions of the body housings) that are disposed inside the first base cover and the second base cover and support the flexible display. see figs. 9a-9f.\r\nreferring to claim 3, d1 discloses the foldable device of claim 2, wherein an end of the first frame and an end of the second frame are formed to be bent toward the flexible display in a state in which the flexible display is unfolded (i.e., the inner portions are bent upward, see fig. 9b).\r\nreferring to claim 4, d1 discloses the foldable device of claim 1, wherein the support member (33) moves in one direction toward the flexible display when the flexible display is unfolded and moves in a direction opposite to the one direction when the flexible display is folded. see [0049-0050].\r\nreferring to claim 6, d1 discloses the foldable device of claim 1, wherein the support member (33) is spaced apart from a bent portion of the flexible display when the foldable device is folded. see fig. 9f and [0050].\r\nreferring to claim 7, d1 discloses the foldable device of claim 1, further comprising: a cover member (curved hinge cover, not numbered) surrounding an outside of a portion where the first body and the second body are connected to each other. see figs. 9e-9f.\r\nreferring to claim 9, d1 discloses the foldable device of claim 1, wherein the first portion (left side) is provided on the first frame, and the second portion (right side) is provided on the second frame. see figs. 9a-9b.\r\nreferring to claim 10, d1 discloses the foldable device of claim 9, wherein the first frame (i.e., upper portion) includes a first support portion (i.e., outer edge) supporting the first portion and a first receiving portion (11a) connected to the first support portion and inclined in a direction away from the flexible display (near 34a, fig. 9b),\r\nwherein the second frame includes a second support portion (outer edge) supporting the second portion and a second receiving portion (12a) connected to the second support portion and inclined in a direction away from the flexible display (near 34b), and\r\nwherein the first receiving portion and the second receiving portion form a receiving space (between 11a and 12a) in which the third portion (10a) is received as the first body and the second body rotate in a direction in which the first body and the second body face each other. see figs. 9c-9f.\r\nreferring to claim 11, d1 discloses the foldable device of claim 1, wherein each of the first body and the second body rotates about a first central axis and a second central axis, wherein the first body includes a first gear portion (36) and\r\nwherein the second body includes a second gear portion (37) engaged with the first gear portion (36). see figs. 9a-9f.\r\nreferring to claim 12, d1 discloses a foldable device comprising:\r\na first body (11) and a second body (12) that support the flexible display;"}}},{"rowIdx":9041,"cells":{"query":{"kind":"list like","value":["20. An apparatus for measuring one or more physiological properties of a biological sample, the apparatus comprising:\na lid having a first surface and a second surface;\na plurality of spines connected to and extending from the first surface of the lid, each of the plurality of spines comprising a body having a distal end, wherein at least one spine of the plurality of spines comprises at least two sensors; and\nwherein the at least two sensors are disposed on at least one spine of the plurality of spines, wherein the at least two sensors engage and provide a signal responsive to one or more analytes.","21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein at least one of the at least two sensors is a fluorescent indicator.","22. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein at least one of the at least two sensors is an indicator embedded in a permeable medium.","23. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein at least one of the at least two sensors is a capture reagent.","24. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the plurality of spines comprises 24, 48, 96, 384, or 1536 spines.","25. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein each of the plurality of spines has a length, and the length is between 1 mm and 20 mm.","26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the plurality of spines collectively has a mean length, and the length of each of the plurality of spines is within 20% of the mean length.","27. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the plurality of spines is removably connected to the lid.","28. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein each of the plurality of spines comprises an impeller on the body.","29. A system for measuring one or more physiological properties of a biological sample, the system comprising:\na well plate having a plurality of wells, the wells having an open end and a closed end opposite the open end;\nthe apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of spines extend into the wells through the open end.","30. The system of claim 29, wherein the plurality of spines extend into the wells, wherein the distal end of each of the plurality of spines is between 50 micrometers and 800 micrometers from the closed end of the well.","31. The system of claim 29, further comprising a signal detector in a position to detect a signal from the at least two sensors.","32. The system of claim 31, wherein at least one of the at least two sensors is positioned on an opposite side of the closed end of the well plate from the signal detector.","33. The system of claim 31, further comprising a processor in communication with the signal detector.","34. A method for manufacturing an apparatus for measuring one or more physiological properties of a biological sample, the apparatus comprising:\nproviding a lid having a first surface and a second surface and a plurality of spines connected to and extending from the first surface of the lid, each of the plurality of spines comprising a body having a distal end; and\napplying at least two sensors to the distal end of at least one of the plurality of spines, wherein the at least two sensors engage and provide a signal responsive to one or more analytes.","35. The method of claim 34, wherein the at least two sensors are applied as a mixture of a fluorescent indicator in a medium, and the at least two sensors are attached to the plurality of spines by solidifying or removing the medium.","36. The method of claim 34, wherein the at least two sensors are applied by dipping or spotting the distal end of at least one of the plurality of spines in a mixture of a fluorescent indicator in a medium.","37. The method of claim 34, wherein the lid is provided by molding a polymer material to form the lid and the plurality of spines."],"string":"[\n \"20. An apparatus for measuring one or more physiological properties of a biological sample, the apparatus comprising:\\na lid having a first surface and a second surface;\\na plurality of spines connected to and extending from the first surface of the lid, each of the plurality of spines comprising a body having a distal end, wherein at least one spine of the plurality of spines comprises at least two sensors; and\\nwherein the at least two sensors are disposed on at least one spine of the plurality of spines, wherein the at least two sensors engage and provide a signal responsive to one or more analytes.\",\n \"21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein at least one of the at least two sensors is a fluorescent indicator.\",\n \"22. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein at least one of the at least two sensors is an indicator embedded in a permeable medium.\",\n \"23. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein at least one of the at least two sensors is a capture reagent.\",\n \"24. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the plurality of spines comprises 24, 48, 96, 384, or 1536 spines.\",\n \"25. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein each of the plurality of spines has a length, and the length is between 1 mm and 20 mm.\",\n \"26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the plurality of spines collectively has a mean length, and the length of each of the plurality of spines is within 20% of the mean length.\",\n \"27. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the plurality of spines is removably connected to the lid.\",\n \"28. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein each of the plurality of spines comprises an impeller on the body.\",\n \"29. A system for measuring one or more physiological properties of a biological sample, the system comprising:\\na well plate having a plurality of wells, the wells having an open end and a closed end opposite the open end;\\nthe apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of spines extend into the wells through the open end.\",\n \"30. The system of claim 29, wherein the plurality of spines extend into the wells, wherein the distal end of each of the plurality of spines is between 50 micrometers and 800 micrometers from the closed end of the well.\",\n \"31. The system of claim 29, further comprising a signal detector in a position to detect a signal from the at least two sensors.\",\n \"32. The system of claim 31, wherein at least one of the at least two sensors is positioned on an opposite side of the closed end of the well plate from the signal detector.\",\n \"33. The system of claim 31, further comprising a processor in communication with the signal detector.\",\n \"34. A method for manufacturing an apparatus for measuring one or more physiological properties of a biological sample, the apparatus comprising:\\nproviding a lid having a first surface and a second surface and a plurality of spines connected to and extending from the first surface of the lid, each of the plurality of spines comprising a body having a distal end; and\\napplying at least two sensors to the distal end of at least one of the plurality of spines, wherein the at least two sensors engage and provide a signal responsive to one or more analytes.\",\n \"35. The method of claim 34, wherein the at least two sensors are applied as a mixture of a fluorescent indicator in a medium, and the at least two sensors are attached to the plurality of spines by solidifying or removing the medium.\",\n \"36. The method of claim 34, wherein the at least two sensors are applied by dipping or spotting the distal end of at least one of the plurality of spines in a mixture of a fluorescent indicator in a medium.\",\n \"37. The method of claim 34, wherein the lid is provided by molding a polymer material to form the lid and the plurality of spines.\"\n]"},"applicant_patent_id":{"kind":"string","value":"US20230228743A1"},"cited_patent_id":{"kind":"string","value":"US20070087401A1"},"positive":{"kind":"list like","value":["1. A method for analysis comprising the steps of:\nincubating animal cells under analysis in a medium disposed in at least one of a plurality of wells in a multiwell plate;\nadding to the medium to bring into contact with the cells a substance potentially capable of altering cellular metabolism; and\nmeasuring in medium in a well the rate of change in concentration of both an extracellular solute which is a component of cellular aerobic metabolism and an extracellular solute which is a component of cellular anaerobic metabolism.","2. The method of claim 1 wherein the animal cells are primary.","3. The method of claim 1 wherein the animal cells are neoplastic.","4. The method of claim 1 wherein the animal cells are adherent to a substrate.","5. The method of claim 1 wherein the animal cells are in suspension.","6. The method of claim 1 wherein the substance is a drug candidate.","7. The method of claim 1 wherein the substance is a toxin.","8. The method of claim 1 wherein the substance is a ligand known or suspected to bind to a cell surface receptor.","9. The method of claim 1 wherein the measurements are conducted substantially simultaneously in said well.","10. The method of claim 1 comprising the additional steps of:\nmeasuring, in said cell medium prior to addition of said substance, or in the medium of a cell culture in a well separate from said cells under analysis, the rate of change in concentration of the extracellular solute which is a component of cellular aerobic metabolism and the extracellular solute which is a component of cellular anaerobic metabolism, and\ncomparing the said rates of change prior to and after addition of said substance to assess the effect of said substance on the metabolic activity of said cells.","11. The method of claim 1 comprising the additional step of:\nincubating said cells in the presence of said substance for a predetermined time interval prior to measuring said rates of change.","12. The method of claim 111 comprising the additional steps of:\nmeasuring, in the medium of a cell culture in a well separate from said cells under analysis and treated differently than said cells under analysis, either or both the rate of change in concentration of an extracellular solute which is a component of cellular aerobic metabolism and an extracellular solute which is a component of cellular anaerobic metabolism; and\ncomparing the measurements of the rate of change in said separate cell culture to said cells under analysis.","13. The method of claim 1 comprising the additional steps of:\nadding to the medium in separate cultures of the same cells in different wells different concentrations of said substance potentially capable of altering cellular metabolism; and\nmeasuring in the cell medium in said separate cultures said rates of change.","14. The method of claim 1 comprising the additional step of:\nmeasuring in the cell medium the rates of change in concentration at different times to obtain a temporal profile of the effect of said substance on said cells.","15. The method of claim 1 comprising adding a fatty acid to a said well to assess a characteristic of fatty acid metabolic activity of a said cell culture.","16. The method of claim 1 wherein said component of cellular aerobic metabolism is extracellular oxygen and said measurement is oxygen consumption rate.","17. The method of claim 1 wherein said component of cellular anaerobic metabolism is extracellular proton concentration and said measurement is the extracellular acidification rate.","18. The method of claim 1 wherein said component of cellular aerobic metabolism is the extracellular concentration of carbon dioxide and said measurement is the extracellular carbon dioxide production rate.","19. The method of claim 1 wherein said component of cellular anaerobic metabolism is the extracellular concentration of either lactic acid or lactate.","20. The method of claim 1 comprising incubating in parallel plural cultures of said animal cells in plural wells, adding to the media in different wells different substances or different concentrations of the same substance, and measuring said rate of change in plural wells.","21. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of measuring the rate of change in concentration in a cell medium comprises the step of temporarily reducing the volume of medium in a cell culture to increase the sensitivity of solute concentration changes.","22. The method of claim 1 comprising, prior to adding said substance, measuring in a cell medium in a well the rate of change in concentration of both an extracellular solute which is a component of cellular aerobic metabolism and an extracellular solute which is a component of cellular anaerobic metabolism, adding to the medium a drug that increases cellular metabolism, and measuring in the medium the rates of change in concentration of plural extracellular solutes, one of which is a component of cellular aerobic metabolism and another of which is a component of cellular anaerobic metabolism, and comparing the measurement, thereby to measure the relative excess metabolic capacity of said cells.","23. A method for analysis of cell culture quality comprising the steps of:\nmeasuring in a cell medium the rate of change in concentration of both an extracellular solute which is a component of cellular aerobic metabolism and an extracellular solute which is a component of cellular anaerobic metabolism; and\ncomparing said measured rates of change to a standard informative of known cell culture respiration rates thereby to assess the respiratory capacity, metabolic rate, or relative pathway utilization of the culture as a measure of cell vitality and cell quality.","24. The method for analysis of claim 23 comprising comparing said measured rates of change to rates measured in a culture comprising a known number of healthy cells of a cell type having inherently comparable metabolic rates or pathway utilization properties to the cells under quality assessment.","25. The method for analysis of claim 23 comprising seeding cells at a predetermined density in a test well prior to said measuring step thereby to enable direct comparison of said measured rates of change to a standard.","26. The method of claim 23 wherein said component of cellular aerobic metabolism is extracellular oxygen and said measurement is oxygen consumption rate.","27. The method of claim 23 wherein said component of cellular anaerobic metabolism is extracellular proton concentration and said measurement is the extracellular acidification rate.","28. The method of claim 23 wherein said component of cellular aerobic metabolism is the extracellular concentration of carbon dioxide.","29. The method of claim 23 wherein said component of cellular anaerobic metabolism is the extracellular concentration of lactic acid or lactate.","30. The method of claim 15 comprising the additional step of:\nincubating said cells in a drug prior to adding a fatty acid to a said well to assess any effect on fatty acid metabolism.","31. The method of claim 30 comprising the additional step of\nadding a substance known to inhibit fatty acid transport or oxidation to medium in a said well in order to determine more specifically the effect of said drug.","32. A method for analysis comprising the steps of:\na) exposing an animal to a test substance;\nb) removing cells from said animal;\nc) incubating said cells in a medium disposed in at least one of a plurality of wells in a multiwell plate;\nd) measuring in the medium in the well the rate of change in concentration of both an extracellular solute which is a component of cellular aerobic metabolism and an extracellular solute which is a component of cellular anaerobic metabolism.","33. The method of claim 32 further comprising the additional steps of:\ne) repeating steps b), c), and d), and;\nf) comparing said measured rates produced in different cycles.","34. A method for analysis comprising the steps of:\nincubating animal cells under analysis in a medium disposed in at least one of a plurality of wells in a multiwell plate;\nsubjecting said cells to a genetic alteration or environmental stress potentially capable of altering cellular metabolism; and\nmeasuring in medium in a well the rate of change in concentration of both an extracellular solute which is a component of cellular aerobic metabolism and an extracellular solute which is a component of cellular anaerobic metabolism."],"string":"[\n \"1. A method for analysis comprising the steps of:\\nincubating animal cells under analysis in a medium disposed in at least one of a plurality of wells in a multiwell plate;\\nadding to the medium to bring into contact with the cells a substance potentially capable of altering cellular metabolism; and\\nmeasuring in medium in a well the rate of change in concentration of both an extracellular solute which is a component of cellular aerobic metabolism and an extracellular solute which is a component of cellular anaerobic metabolism.\",\n \"2. The method of claim 1 wherein the animal cells are primary.\",\n \"3. The method of claim 1 wherein the animal cells are neoplastic.\",\n \"4. The method of claim 1 wherein the animal cells are adherent to a substrate.\",\n \"5. The method of claim 1 wherein the animal cells are in suspension.\",\n \"6. The method of claim 1 wherein the substance is a drug candidate.\",\n \"7. The method of claim 1 wherein the substance is a toxin.\",\n \"8. The method of claim 1 wherein the substance is a ligand known or suspected to bind to a cell surface receptor.\",\n \"9. The method of claim 1 wherein the measurements are conducted substantially simultaneously in said well.\",\n \"10. The method of claim 1 comprising the additional steps of:\\nmeasuring, in said cell medium prior to addition of said substance, or in the medium of a cell culture in a well separate from said cells under analysis, the rate of change in concentration of the extracellular solute which is a component of cellular aerobic metabolism and the extracellular solute which is a component of cellular anaerobic metabolism, and\\ncomparing the said rates of change prior to and after addition of said substance to assess the effect of said substance on the metabolic activity of said cells.\",\n \"11. The method of claim 1 comprising the additional step of:\\nincubating said cells in the presence of said substance for a predetermined time interval prior to measuring said rates of change.\",\n \"12. The method of claim 111 comprising the additional steps of:\\nmeasuring, in the medium of a cell culture in a well separate from said cells under analysis and treated differently than said cells under analysis, either or both the rate of change in concentration of an extracellular solute which is a component of cellular aerobic metabolism and an extracellular solute which is a component of cellular anaerobic metabolism; and\\ncomparing the measurements of the rate of change in said separate cell culture to said cells under analysis.\",\n \"13. The method of claim 1 comprising the additional steps of:\\nadding to the medium in separate cultures of the same cells in different wells different concentrations of said substance potentially capable of altering cellular metabolism; and\\nmeasuring in the cell medium in said separate cultures said rates of change.\",\n \"14. The method of claim 1 comprising the additional step of:\\nmeasuring in the cell medium the rates of change in concentration at different times to obtain a temporal profile of the effect of said substance on said cells.\",\n \"15. The method of claim 1 comprising adding a fatty acid to a said well to assess a characteristic of fatty acid metabolic activity of a said cell culture.\",\n \"16. The method of claim 1 wherein said component of cellular aerobic metabolism is extracellular oxygen and said measurement is oxygen consumption rate.\",\n \"17. The method of claim 1 wherein said component of cellular anaerobic metabolism is extracellular proton concentration and said measurement is the extracellular acidification rate.\",\n \"18. The method of claim 1 wherein said component of cellular aerobic metabolism is the extracellular concentration of carbon dioxide and said measurement is the extracellular carbon dioxide production rate.\",\n \"19. The method of claim 1 wherein said component of cellular anaerobic metabolism is the extracellular concentration of either lactic acid or lactate.\",\n \"20. The method of claim 1 comprising incubating in parallel plural cultures of said animal cells in plural wells, adding to the media in different wells different substances or different concentrations of the same substance, and measuring said rate of change in plural wells.\",\n \"21. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of measuring the rate of change in concentration in a cell medium comprises the step of temporarily reducing the volume of medium in a cell culture to increase the sensitivity of solute concentration changes.\",\n \"22. The method of claim 1 comprising, prior to adding said substance, measuring in a cell medium in a well the rate of change in concentration of both an extracellular solute which is a component of cellular aerobic metabolism and an extracellular solute which is a component of cellular anaerobic metabolism, adding to the medium a drug that increases cellular metabolism, and measuring in the medium the rates of change in concentration of plural extracellular solutes, one of which is a component of cellular aerobic metabolism and another of which is a component of cellular anaerobic metabolism, and comparing the measurement, thereby to measure the relative excess metabolic capacity of said cells.\",\n \"23. A method for analysis of cell culture quality comprising the steps of:\\nmeasuring in a cell medium the rate of change in concentration of both an extracellular solute which is a component of cellular aerobic metabolism and an extracellular solute which is a component of cellular anaerobic metabolism; and\\ncomparing said measured rates of change to a standard informative of known cell culture respiration rates thereby to assess the respiratory capacity, metabolic rate, or relative pathway utilization of the culture as a measure of cell vitality and cell quality.\",\n \"24. The method for analysis of claim 23 comprising comparing said measured rates of change to rates measured in a culture comprising a known number of healthy cells of a cell type having inherently comparable metabolic rates or pathway utilization properties to the cells under quality assessment.\",\n \"25. The method for analysis of claim 23 comprising seeding cells at a predetermined density in a test well prior to said measuring step thereby to enable direct comparison of said measured rates of change to a standard.\",\n \"26. The method of claim 23 wherein said component of cellular aerobic metabolism is extracellular oxygen and said measurement is oxygen consumption rate.\",\n \"27. The method of claim 23 wherein said component of cellular anaerobic metabolism is extracellular proton concentration and said measurement is the extracellular acidification rate.\",\n \"28. The method of claim 23 wherein said component of cellular aerobic metabolism is the extracellular concentration of carbon dioxide.\",\n \"29. The method of claim 23 wherein said component of cellular anaerobic metabolism is the extracellular concentration of lactic acid or lactate.\",\n \"30. The method of claim 15 comprising the additional step of:\\nincubating said cells in a drug prior to adding a fatty acid to a said well to assess any effect on fatty acid metabolism.\",\n \"31. The method of claim 30 comprising the additional step of\\nadding a substance known to inhibit fatty acid transport or oxidation to medium in a said well in order to determine more specifically the effect of said drug.\",\n \"32. A method for analysis comprising the steps of:\\na) exposing an animal to a test substance;\\nb) removing cells from said animal;\\nc) incubating said cells in a medium disposed in at least one of a plurality of wells in a multiwell plate;\\nd) measuring in the medium in the well the rate of change in concentration of both an extracellular solute which is a component of cellular aerobic metabolism and an extracellular solute which is a component of cellular anaerobic metabolism.\",\n \"33. The method of claim 32 further comprising the additional steps of:\\ne) repeating steps b), c), and d), and;\\nf) comparing said measured rates produced in different cycles.\",\n \"34. A method for analysis comprising the steps of:\\nincubating animal cells under analysis in a medium disposed in at least one of a plurality of wells in a multiwell plate;\\nsubjecting said cells to a genetic alteration or environmental stress potentially capable of altering cellular metabolism; and\\nmeasuring in medium in a well the rate of change in concentration of both an extracellular solute which is a component of cellular aerobic metabolism and an extracellular solute which is a component of cellular anaerobic metabolism.\"\n]"},"hard_negatives":{"kind":"list like","value":[["12. A method for determining the presence of an analyte in a sample suspected of containing said analyte, the method comprising:\na) forming a reaction mixture comprising the sample, a first substance that can produce a metastable species, and a second substance that can react with the metastable species to produce a detectable signal, by combining at least the sample and the first and second substances;\nb) treating the reaction mixture with energy or a reactive compound to cause the first substance to form a metastable species,\nwherein the analyte, if present, either i) brings the second substance into close proximity to the site of formation of the metastable species, or ii) blocks the second substance from coming into close proximity of the site of formation of the metastable species;\nc) adding a selective signal inhibiting agent that interferes with the reaction of any metastable species not in close proximity to the second substance; and\nd) determining whether the metastable species has reacted with the second substance by detecting a signal produced by the second substance as a result of activation of the second substance by the metastable species, the presence or amount of the signal indicating the presence of analyte in the sample.","13. The method of claim 12, wherein the metastable species comprises singlet oxygen, triplet states, dioxetanes or dioxetane diones.","14. The method of claim 13, wherein the metastable species has a lifetime of less than 1 ms.","15. The method of claim 12, wherein the selective signal inhibiting agent is a singlet oxygen quencher or free radical trap.","16. The method of claim 15, wherein the selective signal inhibiting agent comprises ascorbic acid, tocopherol, vitamin D, beta-carotene, thioredoxin, lidocaine, sodium azide, manganese (II) chloride, copper (II) chloride, platinum (II) colloids, tertiary amines, dienes, conjugated polyenes, electron-rich alkenes, guanine, TEMP, proline, or mixtures thereof.","17. The method of claim 12, wherein the reaction of the metastable species with the second substance results in chemiluminescence.","18. The method of claim 12, further comprising determining the amount or concentration of the analyte in the sample.","19. The method of claim 12 wherein the second substance is a chemiluminescent compound and wherein the first substance is a photosensitizer compound.","20. The method of claim 19 wherein the chemiluminescent compound is conjugated to a first specific binding partner is associated with a first suspendible particle and wherein the sensitizer compound conjugated to the second specific binding partner is associated with a second suspendible particle.","21. The method of claim 20 wherein the chemiluminescent compound conjugated to the first specific binding partner is associated with a first suspendible particle and wherein the sensitizer compound conjugated to the second specific binding partner is associated with a second suspendible particle.","22. A method for increasing the sensitivity of an assay of an analyte in a sample, the method comprising:\nforming a reaction mixture, in any order or concurrently, by adding the sample,\na chemiluminescent-labeled specific binding partner,\na sensitizer-labeled specific binding partner, and\na selective signal inhibiting agent,\nto form a binding complex;\ntreating the reaction mixture with energy or a reactive compound to cause the sensitizer-labeled specific binding partner to form a metastable species,\nwherein the analyte, if present, either i) brings the chemiluminescent-labeled specific binding partner into close proximity to the site of formation of the metastable species, or ii) blocks the chemiluminescent-labeled specific binding partner from coming into close proximity to the site of formation of the metastable species;\nwherein the interaction of the metastable species with the binding complex releases a detectable chemiluminescent signal correlated to the amount of analyte in the reaction mixture, and\nwherein the selective signal inhibiting agent interferes with excess metastable species that has not interacted with the binding complex and thereby reduces non-specific signal and increases sensitivity of the assay.","23. A kit for detecting an analyte in a sample, the kit comprising:\na first specific binding partner for the analyte;\na chemiluminescent compound conjugated to the first specific binding partner;\na second specific binding partner;\na sensitizer compound conjugated to the second specific binding partner; and\na selective signal inhibiting agent.","24. The kit of claim 23, wherein the selective signal inhibiting agent is a singlet oxygen quencher or free radical trap.","25. The kit of claim 23, wherein the selective signal inhibiting agent comprises ascorbic acid, tocopherol, vitamin D, beta-carotene, thioredoxin, lidocaine, sodium azide, manganese (II) chloride, copper (II) chloride, platinum (II) colloids, tertiary amines, dienes, conjugated polyenes, electron-rich alkenes, guanine, TEMP, proline, or mixtures thereof.","26. The kit of claim 23, wherein the sensitizer is a photosensitizer capable upon irradiation with light of generating singlet oxygen.","27. The kit of claim 26 wherein chemiluminescent compound conjugated to the first specific binding partner is associated with a first suspendible particle and wherein the sensitizer compound conjugated to the second specific binding partner is associated with a second suspendible particle."],["1. A method for labelling and detecting a biological material, the method comprising:\ni) adding to a liquid containing said biological material a fluorescent dye of formula:\nwherein:\ngroups R2 and R3 are attached to the Z1 ring structure and groups R4 and R5 are attached to the Z2 ring structure;\nZ1 and Z2 independently represent the atoms necessary to complete one ring, two fused ring, or three fused ring aromatic or heteroaromatic systems, each ring having five or six atoms selected from carbon atoms and optionally no more than two atoms selected from oxygen, nitrogen and sulphur;\nat least one of groups R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 is the group -E-F where E is a spacer group having a chain from 1-60 atoms selected from the group consisting of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, sulphur and phosphorus atoms and F is a target bonding group;\nwhen any of said groups R2, R3, R4 and R5 is not said group -E-F, said remaining groups R2, R3, R4 and R5 are independently selected from hydrogen, halogen, amide, hydroxyl, cyano, amino, mono- or di-C1-C4 alkyl-substituted amino, sulphydryl, carbonyl, carboxyl, C1-C6 alkoxy, acrylate, vinyl, styryl, aryl, heteroaryl, C1-C20 alkyl, aralkyl, sulphonate, sulphonic acid, quaternary ammonium and the group —(CH2—)nY; and,\nwhen group R1 is not said group -E-F, it is selected from hydrogen, C1-C20 alkyl, aralkyl and the group —(CH2—)nY;\nY is selected from sulphonate, sulphate, phosphonate, phosphate, quaternary ammonium and carboxyl; and n is an integer from 1 to 6;\nii) incubating said dye with said target biological material under conditions suitable for labelling said biological material; and\niii) detecting said labelled biological material by measurement of its fluorescence lifetime.","2. The method of claim 1, wherein said fluorescent dye has a fluorescence lifetime in the range from 2 to 30 nanoseconds.","3. The method of claim 1, wherein Z1 and Z2 independently represent the atoms necessary to complete a phenyl or a naphthyl ring structure.","4. The method of claim 1, wherein said target bonding group F comprises either:\ni) a reactive group selected from carboxyl, succinimidyl ester, sulpho-succinimidyl ester, isothiocyanate, maleimide, haloacetamide, acid halide, hydrazide, vinylsulphone, dichlorotriazine and phosphoramidite; or ii) a functional group selected from hydroxy, amino, sulphydryl, imidazole, carbonyl including aldehyde and ketone, phosphate and thiophosphate.","5. The method of claim 1, wherein said spacer group E is selected from:\n\n—(CHR′)p—\n\n—{(CHR′)q—O—(CHR′)r}s—\n\n—{(CHR′)q—NR′—(CHR′)r}s—\n\n—{(CHR′)q—(CH═CH)—(CHR′)r}s—\n\n—{(CHR′)q—Ar—(CHR′)r}s—\n\n—{(CHR′)q—CO—NR′—(CHR′)r}s—\n\n—{(CHR′)q—CO—Ar—NR′—(CHR′)r}s—\nwhere R′ is hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl or aryl, which may be optionally substituted with sulphonate, Ar is phenylene, optionally substituted with sulphonate, p is 1-20, preferably 1-10, q is 0-10, r is 1-10 and s is 1-5.","6. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of groups R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 comprises the group —(CH2—)nY, where Y is selected from sulphonate, sulphate, phosphonate, phosphate, quaternary ammonium and carboxyl and n is zero or an integer from 1 to 6.","7. The method of claim 1, wherein said biological material is selected from the group consisting of antibody, lipid, protein, peptide, carbohydrate, nucleotides which contain or are derivatized to contain one or more of an amino, sulphydryl, carbonyl, hydroxyl and carboxyl, phosphate and thiophosphate groups, and oxy or deoxy polynucleic acids which contain or are derivatized to contain one or more of an amino, sulphydryl, carbonyl, hydroxyl and carboxyl, phosphate and thiophosphate groups, microbial materials, drugs, hormones, cells, cell membranes and toxins."],["1. A method of making a compound of Formula I comprising:\ncontacting a carrier molecule or a solid support comprising a nucleophile with a compound of Formula IA or a tautomer or salt thereof:\nwherein,\nL is a linker;\nR1 is chlorine;\nR2 is chlorine;\nR3 is COO−, SO3−, substituted azenyl, PEG, phosphate or bisphosphonate; and\nRa is a reporter molecule;\nforming a compound of Formula I or a tautomer or salt thereof:\nwherein\nL is the linker;\nRa is the reporter molecule; and\nRb is the carrier molecule or solid support comprising a nucleophile (X).","2. The method of claim 1, wherein X is —NH, —S— or —O—.","3. The method of claim 1, wherein L is a covalent bond, -alkyl-, -substituted alkyl-, -alkenyl-, -substituted alkenyl-, -heterocyclyl-, -substituted heterocyclyl-, -aryl-, -substituted aryl-, -heteroaryl-, -substituted heteroaryl-, -cycloakyl-, -substituted cycloalkyl-, -oxy-, -alkoxy-, -substituted alkoxy-, -thio-, -amino-, or -substituted amino-.","4. The method of claim 1, wherein Ra is a dye.","5. The method of claim 4, wherein the dye is a xanthene, a cyanine, an indole, a benzofuran, a coumarin, or a borapolyazaindacine.","6. The method of claim 1, wherein the reporter molecule Ra is an ion chelating moiety, a hapten, an antibody, an enzyme, a radiolabel, a metal ion or metal ion containing substance, a pigment, a chromogen, a phosphor, a fluorogen, a bioluminescent substance, a chemiluminescent substance, or a semiconductor nanocrystal.","7. The method of claim 1, wherein Rb is a solid support.","8. The method of claim 1, wherein Rb is a carrier molecule.","9. The method of claim 8, wherein the carrier molecule is selected from the group consisting of an amino acid, a peptide, a protein, a carbohydrate, a polysaccharide, a nucleoside, a nucleotide, an oligonucleotide, a nucleic acid polymer, a drug, a lipid, and a synthetic polymer.","10. The method of claim 1, wherein the compound of Formula IA is a salt.","11. The method of claim 10, wherein the salt comprises a potassium or sodium ion.","12. The method of claim 1, further comprising incubating the carrier molecule or solid support with the compound of Formula IA after the contacting step.","13. The method of claim 1, wherein the contacting step is done in an aqueous solution.","14. The method of claim 1, wherein the reporter molecule is hydrophobic.","15. The method of claim 1, wherein the compound of Formula IA is soluble in an aqueous solution.","16. A method of labeling a carrier molecule or solid support comprising:\ncontacting the carrier molecule or solid support with a compound of Formula IA or a tautomer or salt thereof:\nwherein,\nL is a linker;\nR1 is chlorine;\nR2 is chlorine;\nR3 is COO−, SO3−, substituted azenyl, PEG, phosphate or bisphosphonate; and\nRa is a reporter molecule; and\nthe carrier molecule or solid support comprises a nucleophile; and\nforming a labeled carrier molecule or solid support.","17. The method of claim 16, wherein the labeled carrier molecule or solid support comprises a compound of Formula I:\nwherein,\nRa is the reporter molecule; and\nRb is the carrier molecule or solid support comprising a nucleophile (x)."],["1. A composition for use in a specific binding assay for two or more individual analytes in a liquid test sample comprising:\n(a) two or more specific labeled reagents, wherein each such reagent comprises\n(i) a member of a specific binding pair to which an individual analyte is a member, and\n(ii) a different, specific chemiluminescent label covalently or non-covalently joined to said member,\nwherein each said specific labeled reagent is able to form at least one labeled said specific binding pair;\nwherein at least one label is characterized by the ability to emit peak energy at a time after the generation of light emission from said at least one label which is distinguishable from at least one other of said labels.","2. The composition of claim 1 wherein at least one of said labels is selected from the group consisting of acridinium compounds, phenanthridium compounds, phthalhydrazides, oxalate esters, dioxetanes and dioxetanones.","3. The composition of claim 2 wherein at least one label forms an acridone before light is emitted from said label.","4. The composition of claim 2 wherein at least one of said labels is an aryl acridinium ester.","5. The composition of claim 4 wherein the aryl ring of at least one said label or labels is substituted at one or more position with a chemical group, each independently selected from the group consisting of an electron-withdrawing group and an electron-donating group such that emission of light occurs over said distinguishable times.","6. The composition of claim 4 wherein the acridinium ring of at least one said label or labels is substituted at one or more position with a chemical group, each independently selected from the group consisting of an electron-withdrawing group and an electron-donating group such that emission of light occurs over said distinguishable times.","7. The composition of claim 5 or 6 wherein said electron-withdrawing group is a halogen.","8. The composition of claim 5 or 6 wherein at least one said electron-donating group is selected from the group consisting of a methyl group and a methoxy group.","9. The composition of claim 2 wherein at least one of said labels is an optionally substituted diphenylanthracene.","10. The composition of claim 1 wherein said composition comprises at least one fluorescent label able to emit light by energy transfer from another molecule.","11. The composition of claim 1, 4, 5, or 6 wherein each said specific binding partner is selected from the group consisting of hormones, vitamins, co-factors, nucleic acids, proteins, antigens, antibodies, haptens, ligands, enzymes, and enzyme substrates.","12. The composition of claim 1, 4, 5 or 6 wherein the labels comprised in at least two of said different specific labeled specific binding pairs are caused to emit light at substantially the same time.","13. If The composition of claim 1 or 4 wherein the intensity of the light emitted from said specific binding pairs complexes can be detected over different time intervals which may overlap in relation to the starting point of said detection and the duration of said light emission.","14. The composition of claim 1 or 4 wherein said sample is contacted with at least three specific labeled reagents, wherein light emitted by labels joined to at least two said reagents can be distinguished by detection over different wavelength ranges, and light emitted by labels joined to at least two said reagents can be distinguished by a difference in the time of peak energy emission after initiation of a light-emitting reaction.","15. The composition of claim 4 wherein a first of said different labels is an acridinium ester substituted with electron withdrawing groups and a second of said different labels is an acridinium ester substituted with electron donating groups, and wherein, upon simultaneous induction of light emission from said labels, light emission from the first label occurs over a period of time in excess of light emission from said second label, wherein said groups are selected such that emission of light occurs over said distinguishable times.","16. The composition of claim 4 wherein two or more of said different labels are each an aryl acridinium ester.","17. The composition of claim 4 wherein each said specifically labeled specific binding pairs comprise analyte bound to a specific binding partner by an interaction selected from the group selected from the group consisting of an immunoassay binding reaction, a receptor binding reaction and a nucleic acid hybridization reaction.","18. The composition of claim 1 wherein at least two of said specific labeled reagents individually comprise a chemiluminescent label."],["1. A reagent for use in detecting an analyte, comprising a fluorescent energy donor and an energy acceptor, the energy donor and the energy acceptor being such that when they are sufficiently close to one another energy is non-radiatively transferred from the energy donor following excitation thereof to the energy acceptor quenching fluorescence of the energy donor, wherein the energy acceptor is of the formula:\nwherein:\nR1, R2 and R3 are each independently H, electron donating substituents, or electron withdrawing substituents or R3 is attached to a linker structure, provided that at least two of R1, R2 and R3 are electron donating groups;\nR4, R5, R6, R7, R8 and R9 are each independently H, halogen, alkyl, aryl, O-alkyl, S-alkyl and R10,R11, R12, R13, R14 and R15 are each independently hydrogen, O-alkyl, S-alkyl, alkyl, or one or more pairs of groups R1 and R4 and/or R1 and R5 and/or R2 and R6 and/or R2 and R7 and/or R3 and R8 and/or R3 and R9 and/or R4 and R10 and/or R5 and R11 and/or R6 and R12 and/or R7 and R13 and/or R8 and R14 and/or R9 and R15 is a bridging group consisting of aryl, alkylene, O-alkylene, S-alkylene or N-alkylene optionally substituted with one or more of SO3 −, PO3 2−, OH, O-alkyl, SH, S-alkyl, COOH, COO−, ester, amide, halogen, SO-alkyl, SO2-alkyl, SO2NH2, SO2NH-alkyl, SO2N-dialkyl, SO3-alkyl, CN, secondary amine or tertiary amine, provided that not all of R10, R11, R12, R13, R14 and R15 are hydrogen;\nwherein a linker structure is attached to the energy acceptor at R3, or where a bridging group is present optionally the linker structure is attached to the energy acceptor at the bridging group, the linker structure being formed by reaction of a linker element selected from an active ester, an isothiocyanate, an acid chloride, an aldehyde, an azide, an α-halogenated ketone and an amine with a reaction partner;\nand wherein the distance between the energy donor and the energy acceptor of the reagent is capable of modulation by a suitable analyte to be detected.","2. A reagent as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reaction partner is selected from a polysaccharide, a polynucleotide and a protein.","3. A reagent as claimed in claim 1, wherein the linker element is an active ester, and is selected from succinimidyl and pentafluorophenyl active esters.","4. A reagent as claimed in claim 1, wherein the energy donor and energy acceptor are linked together by a covalent linkage.","5. A reagent as claimed in claim 4, wherein the covalent linkage between the energy donor and energy acceptor is cleavable to increase the distance between the energy donor and the energy acceptor of the reagent.","6. A reagent as claimed in claim 4, wherein the energy donor and energy acceptor are linked via a polynucleotide sequence or a polynucleotide analogue sequence or a polypeptide sequence, the sequence having a conformation which is capable of modulation by a suitable analyte to be detected so as to modulate the distance between the energy donor and the energy acceptor of the reagent.","7. A reagent as claimed in claim 1, wherein the energy donor and energy acceptor are linked together by non-covalent binding.","8. A reagent as claimed in claim 7 wherein the non-covalent binding exists between an analyte binding agent linked to one of the energy donor and the energy acceptor and an analyte analogue linked to the other of the energy donor and the energy acceptor, the non-covalent binding being disruptable by a suitable analyte so as to increase the distance between the energy donor and the energy acceptor of the reagent.","9. A reagent as claimed in claim 8, wherein the analyte binding agent is a lectin.","10. A reagent as claimed in claim 8, wherein the analyte analogue is a glucose analogue.","11. A reagent as claimed in claim 10, wherein the analyte analogue is dextran.","12. A reagent as claimed in claim 1, wherein the energy donor and the energy acceptor are not linked.","13. A reagent as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electron donating substituents are selected from amino, primary amine, secondary amine, O-alkyl, alkyl, S-alkyl, amide, ester, OH and SH.","14. A reagent as claimed in claim 13, wherein one or more of R1 to R3 is dimethylamino, diethylamino or methylethylamino, optionally substituted with one or more of SO3 −, PO3 2−, OH, O-alkyl, SH, S-alkyl, COOH, COO−, ester, amide, halogen, SO-alkyl, SO2-alkyl, SO2NH2, SO2NH-alkyl, SO2N-dialkyl, SO3-alkyl, CN, secondary amine or tertiary amine.","15. A reagent as claimed in claim 1, wherein an electron withdrawing substituent is present, and the electron withdrawing substituent is selected from NO, NO2, CN, COOH, ester, COO−, amide, CHO, keto, SO-alkyl, SO2-alkyl, SO2NH2, SO2NH-alkyl, SO2N-dialkyl, and SO3-alkyl.","16. A reagent as claimed in claim 11, wherein at least one of R10, R11, R12, R13, R14 and R15 is O-alkyl.","17. A reagent as claimed in claim 11, wherein one or more pairs of groups R4 and R10 and/or R5 and R11 and/or R6 and R12 and/or R7 and R13 and/or R8 and R14 and/or R9 and R15 is a bridging group consisting of alkylene, O-alkylene, S-alkylene or N-alkylene optionally substituted with one or more of SO3 −, PO3 2−, OH, O-alkyl, SH, S-alkyl, COOH, COO−, ester, amide, halogen, SO-alkyl, SO2-alkyl, SO2NH2, SO2NH-alkyl, SO2N-dialkyl, SO3-alkyl, CN, secondary amine or tertiary amine.","18. A reagent as claimed in claim 1, wherein R10 to R15 are each O-methyl or O-ethyl.","19. A reagent as claimed in claim 1, further comprising one or more counterions selected from halide, BF4 −, PF6 −, NO3 −, carboxylate, ClO4 −, Li+, Na+, K+, Mg2+and Zn2+.","20. A reagent as claimed in claim 1, wherein the energy donor is a dye that absorbs at 594 nm and fluoresces at 620 nm.","21. A dye compound having the formula:\nwherein:\nR4, R5, R6, R7, R8 and R9 are each independently H, halogen, alkyl, aryl, O-alkyl or S-alkyl and R10, R11, R12, R13, R14 and R15 are each independently hydrogen, O-alkyl, S-alkyl, or alkyl, or one or more pairs of groups R20 and R4 and/or R20 and R5 and/or R4 and R10 and/or R5 and R11 and/or R6 and R12 and/or R7 and R13 and/or R8 and R14 and/or R9 and R15 is a bridging group consisting of aryl, alkylene, O-alkylene, S-alkylene or N-alkylene optionally substituted with one or more of SO3 −, PO3 2−, OH, O-alkyl, SH, S-alkyl, COOH, COO−, ester, amide, halogen, SO-alkyl, SO2-alkyl, SO2NH2, SO2NH-alkyl, SO2N-dialkyl, SO3-alkyl, CN, secondary amine or tertiary amine, provided that not all of R10, R11, R12, R13, R14 and R15 are hydrogen;\nR16, R17, R18 and R19 are each independently H, alkyl or aryl, or one or more of R16 and R17 or R18 and R19 is alkylene, optionally substituted with one or more of SO3 −, PO3 2−, OH, O-alkyl, SH, S-alkyl, COOH, COO−, ester, amide, halogen, SO-alkyl, SO2-alkyl, SO2NH2, SO2NH-alkyl, SO2N-dialkyl, SO3-alkyl, CN, secondary amine or tertiary amine;\nor one or more of pairs of groups R6 and R16, R7 and R17, R8 and R18 and R9 and R19 is alkylene, O-alkylene, S-alkylene or N-alkylene optionally substituted with one or more of SO3 −, PO3 2−, OH, O-alkyl, SH, S-alkyl, COOH, COO−, ester, amide, halogen, SO-alkyl, SO2-alkyl, SO2NH2, SO2NH-alkyl, SO2N-dialkyl, SO3-alkyl, CN, secondary amine or tertiary amine\nand\nR20 is a linker element selected from an active ester, an isothiocyanate, an acid chloride, an a-halogenated ketone and an azide.","22. A dye compound as claimed in claim 21, wherein at least one of R10, R11, R12, R13, R14 and R15 is O-alkyl.","23. A dye compound as claimed in claim 21, wherein one or more pairs of groups R4 and R10 and/or R5 and R11 and/or R6 and R12 and/or R7 and R13 and/or R8 and R14 and/or R9 and R15 is a bridging group consisting of aryl, alkylene, O-alkylene, S-alkylene or N-alkylene optionally substituted with one or more of SO3, PO3 2−, OH, O-alkyl, SH, S-alkyl, COOH, COO−, ester, amide, halogen, SO-alkyl, SO2NH2, SO2NH-alkyl, SO2N-dialkyl, SO3-alkyl, CN, secondary amine or tertiary amine.","24. A dye compound as claimed in claim 21, wherein R20 is a linker element having the structure:\nR21 is H or alkyl or aryl optionally substituted with one or more of SO3 −, PO3 2−, OH, O-alkyl, SH, S-alkyl, COOH, COO−, ester, amide, halogen, SO-alkyl, SO2N-dialkyl, CN, secondary amine or tertiary amine and R22 is alkylene, O-alkylene, S-alkylene or N-alkylene or R21 and R22 are part of a ring, optionally substituted with one or more of SO3 −, PO3 2−, OH, O-alkyl, SH, S-alkyl, COOH, COO−, ester, amide, halogen, SO-alkyl, SO2NH2, SO2NH-alkyl, SO2N-dialkyl, SO3-alkyl, CN, secondary amine or tertiary amine; and\nR23 is o-succinimidyl, o-pentafluorophenyl, Cl or α-halogenated alkyl.","25. A dye compound as claimed in claim 21, wherein R10 to R15 are each O-methyl or O-ethyl.","26. A dye compound as claimed in claim 21, further comprising one or more counterions selected from halide, BF4 −, PF6 −, NO3 −, carboxylate, ClO4 −, Li+, Na+, K+, Mg2+and Zn2+.","27. A method of detecting or measuring an analyte using a reagent as claimed in claim 1, comprising the steps of:\ncontacting the reagent with a sample;\nilluminating the reagent and sample with light of wavelength within the absorption spectrum of the energy donor;\ndetecting non-radiative energy transfer between the energy donor and energy acceptor by measuring the fluorescence of the energy donor; and\nassociating the fluorescence measurements with presence or concentration of analyte.","28. A method as claimed in claim 27, wherein the fluorescence of the energy donor is measured by measuring making intensity based or time resolved fluorescence measurements.","29. A method as claimed in claim 27, wherein the analyte is measured by comparing sample fluorescence measurements with fluorescence measurements made using known concentrations of analyte."],["1. A method for identifying a protein in a sample, comprising:\nA. introducing at least one protein molecule onto a bead, and wherein the bead contains an amine-reactive surface and wherein the amine-reactive surface allows for direct reaction between the surface and the N-termini of a peptide and the protein molecule has been treated such that the N-terminals are capable of reacting to the amine-reactive surface;\nB. incubating an endopeptidase with the at least one protein molecule on the bead for a time and under conditions which allow the endopeptidase to cleave the protein into peptides, wherein the endopeptidase cleaves the at least one protein molecule at specific amino acids in the protein resulting in peptides comprising an N-terminal amino acid and corresponding to the at least one protein molecule contained on the bead;\nC. allowing the peptides to react via their N-terminal amino acid residue with the amine-reactive surface of the bead, for a time and under conditions which result in the peptides attaching to the amine-reactive surface of the bead and forming a pattern on the amine-reactive surface, wherein the pattern is associated with the bead containing the at least one protein molecule;\nD. washing the endopeptidase from the bead, wherein the washing of the endopeptidase ends the cleaving of the protein in step B;\nE. labeling the peptides at specific amino acid residues, such that the specific amino acid residues can be detected when imaged;\nF. imaging the peptides to detect the labeled amino acids and generating amino acid sequence information from the peptides in step B;\nG. further incubating the peptides generated in step B, with at least one enzyme or chemical for a time and under conditions which allow the enzyme or chemical to cleave and imaging the resulting peptides to generate additional amino acid sequence information;\nH. washing the enzyme or chemical from the bead, wherein the washing of the enzyme or chemical ends the cleaving of the peptides in step G;\nI. further labeling the peptides generated in step G, at specific amino acids different from the label in step E:\nJ. imaging the peptides to detect the labeled amino acids and generating additional amino acid sequence information; K. compiling the generated amino acid sequence information from steps F, G and J to obtain a putative amino acid sequence of the at least one protein molecule;\nL. comparing the putative amino acid information of at least one protein molecule with a known amino acid sequence of proteins; and\nM. identifying the protein from the comparison in step L; wherein steps G.-J. are repeated with a plurality of enzymes or chemical and labels as desired until a putative amino acid sequence of the at least one protein molecule is obtained.","2. The method of claim 1, wherein the bead is made from a material chosen from the group consisting of latex and silicon.","3. The method of claim 1, wherein the endopeptidase used in step B. is selected from the group consisting of trypsin, chymotrypsin, elastase, thermolysin, pepsin, clostripan, glutamyl endopeptidase (GluC), endopeptidase ArgC, peptidyl-asp metallo-endopeptidase (ApsN), endopeptidase LysC and endopeptidase LysN.","4. The method of claim 1, wherein the bead is contained in microwells or enclosed in a water-oil emulsion droplet.","5. The method of claim 1, wherein the peptides are labeled with one or more fluorescent dyes.","6. The method of claim 5, wherein the fluorescent dyes are selected from the group consisting of Alexa Fluor®, tetramethylrhodamine-maleimide, fluorescein, fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC), pentafluorophenyl esters (PFP), tetra fluorophenyl esters (TFP), DyLight Fluor, sulforhodamine B, coumarin, eosin, hydroxycoumarin, aminocoumarin, methoxycoumarin dabcyl, dabcyl, Cascade Blue, Lucifer Yellow, P-phycoerythrin, R-phycoerythrin, cyanine 3, cyanine 5, cyanine 7, PE-cyanine 5 conjugates, PE-cyanine 7 conjugates, APC-cyanine 7 conjugates, Red 613, boron-dipyrromethene (Bodipy), lissamine, rhodamine B, peridinin CP, Texas Red, allophycocyanin (APC), TruRed, Oregon Green, tetramethylrhodamine (TRITC), dansyl, dansyl aziridine, Indo-1, Fura-2, (N-(3-triethylammoniumpropyl)-4-(4-(dibutylamino) styryl) pyridinium dibromide) (FM 1-43), 1,1′-ioctadecyl-3,3,3′,3′-etramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate (DilC18(3)), Fluo-3, dichlorofluorescin (DCFH), dihydrorhodamine (DHR), seminaphtharhodafluor (SNARF), monochlorobimane, calcein, N-(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl) amine (NBD), ananilinonapthalene, deproxyl, phthalamide, amino pH phthalamide, dimethylamino-naphthalenesulfonamide, and biotin labels.","7. The method of claim 1, wherein the peptides are labeled with affinity tags.","8. The method of claim 7, wherein the affinity tags are selected from the group consisting of biotin, digoxigenin, hexhistadine, pentahistadine, hemagglutinin (HA-tag).","9. A method for identifying a protein in a sample, comprising:\nA. labeling the protein at a plurality of specific amino acid residues such that the specific amino acid residues can be detected when imaged;\nB. introducing at least one protein molecule from the labeled protein onto a bead wherein the bead comprises an amine-reactive surface which allows for direct reaction between the bead and the N-termini of a peptide and the protein molecule has been treated such that the N-terminals are capable of reacting to the amine-reactive surface;\nC. incubating an endopeptidase with the at least one protein molecule on the bead for a time and under conditions which allow the endopeptidase to cleave the at least one protein molecule into peptides wherein the endopeptidase cleaves the at least one protein molecule at specific amino acids in the at least one protein molecule resulting in peptides comprising an N-terminal amino acid and corresponding to the at least one protein molecule contained on the bead;\nD. allowing the peptides to react via their N-terminal amino acid residue with the amine-reactive surface of the bead, for a time and under conditions which result in the peptides attaching to the bead and forming a pattern on the amine-reactive surface, wherein the pattern is associated with the bead containing the at least one protein molecule;\nE. washing the endopeptidase from the bead, wherein the washing of the endopeptidase ends the cleaving of the protein in step C;\nF. imaging the peptides to detect labeled amino acids and generate amino acid sequence information from the peptides in step C;\nG. further incubating the peptides generated in step C, with at least one enzyme or chemical for a time and under conditions which allow the enzyme to cleave peptides at specific amino acid residues and imaging the resulting peptides to generate additional amino acid sequence information;\nH. washing the enzyme or chemical from the bead, wherein the washing of the enzyme or chemical ends the cleaving of the peptides in step G;\nI. compiling the generated amino acid sequence information from steps F and G to obtain a putative amino acid sequence of the at least one protein molecule;\nJ. comparing the putative amino acid sequence information of the at least one protein molecule with a known amino acid sequence of proteins; and\nK. identifying the protein from the comparison in step J; wherein steps G-I are repeated with a plurality of enzymes or chemical as desired until a putative amino acid sequence of the at least one protein molecule is obtained.","10. The method of claim 9, wherein the bead is made from a material chosen from the group consisting of latex and silicon.","11. The method of claim 9, wherein the endopeptidase used in step C is selected from the group consisting of trypsin, chymotrypsin, elastase, thermolysin, pepsin, clostripan, glutamyl endopeptidase (GluC), endopeptidase ArgC, peptidyl-asp metallo-endopeptidase (ApsN), endopeptidase LysC and endopeptidase LysN.","12. The method of claim 9, wherein the bead is contained in microwells or enclosed in a water-oil emulsion droplet.","13. The method of claim 9, wherein the peptides are labeled with one or more fluorescent dyes.","14. The method of claim 13, wherein the fluorescent dyes are selected from the group consisting of Alexa Fluor®, tetramethylrhodamine-maleimide, fluorescein, fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC), pentafluorophenyl esters (PFP), tetra fluorophenyl esters (TFP), DyLight Fluor, sulforhodamine B, coumarin, eosin, hydroxycoumarin, aminocoumarin, methoxycoumarin dabcyl, dabcyl, Cascade Blue, Lucifer Yellow, P-phycoerythrin, R-phycoerythrin, cyanine 3, cyanine 5, cyanine 7, PE-cyanine 5 conjugates, PE-cyanine 7 conjugates, APC-cyanine 7 conjugates, Red 613, boron-dipyrromethene (Bodipy), lissamine, rhodamine B, peridinin CP, Texas Red, allophycocyanin (APC), TruRed, Oregon Green, tetramethylrhodamine (TRITC), dansyl, dansyl aziridine, Indo-1, Fura-2, (N-(3-triethylammoniumpropyl)-4-(4-(dibutylamino) styryl) pyridinium dibromide) (FM 1-43), 1,1′-ioctadecyl-3,3,3′,3′-etramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate (Di1C18(3)), Fluo-3, dichlorofluorescin (DCFH), dihydrorhodamine (DHR), seminaphtharhodafluor (SNARF), monochlorobimane, calcein, N-(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl) amine (NBD), ananilinonapthalene, deproxyl, phthalamide, amino pH phthalamide, dimethylamino-naphthalenesulfonamide, and biotin labels.","15. The method of claim 9, wherein the peptides are labeled with affinity tags.","16. The method of claim 15, wherein the affinity tags are selected from the group consisting of biotin, digoxigenin, hexhistadine, pentahistadine, hemagglutinin (HA-tag), FLAG-tag, myc-tag, and fluorescein.","17. A kit for identifying a protein in a sample according to the method of claim 1, said kit comprising beads coated with an amine-reactive surface material, reagents to label and detect specific amino acid residues, endopeptidases, and instructions for use.","18. The kit of claim 17, wherein the labels are chosen from the group consisting of fluorescent dyes and affinity tags.","19. The kit of claim 17, further comprising denaturants, buffers, and reagents for coupling the peptides to the amine-reactive surface, and amine-blocked, autolysis-resistant endopeptidases."],["1. A method for fluorescently labelling a biological molecule, the method comprising:\na) contacting said biological molecule with a dye of formula (I):\nwherein:\nthe ring Z3 is a pyridyl ring and R3 is absent;\ngroup R4 is attached to an available atom of the Z1 ring structure and group R5 is attached to an available atom of the Z2 ring structure;\nZ1 and Z2 independently represent the atoms necessary to complete a benzene ring system which is unsubstituted or substituted; and\nR4 and R5 are independently at each occurrence selected from hydrogen, halogen, amide, hydroxyl, cyano, nitro, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, or heteroaryl substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, alkyloxy, amino, mono- or di-C1-C4 alkyl-substituted amino, sulphydryl, carbonyl, carboxyl, acrylate, vinyl, styryl, sulphonate, sulphonic acid, quaternary ammonium and the group -J-K, wherein, J is a linker group and K is a reactive group or functional group, and at least one of the groups R4 or R5 is -J-K wherein the linker group contains 1-40 chain atoms comprising carbon, and optionally nitrogen, oxygen, sulphur and/or phosphorus;\nwherein the dye of formula (I) is in free or salt form; and\nb) incubating said dye with said biological molecule under conditions suitable for conjugating said dye to said biological molecule through said reactive group or functional group.","2. A method of measuring the activity of an enzyme on a dye-substrate conjugate, wherein the dye-substrate conjugate comprises (i) at least one dye of formula (I):\nwherein:\nthe ring Z3 is a pyridyl ring and R3 is absent;\ngroup R4 is attached to an available atom of the Z1 ring structure and group R5 is attached to an available atom of the Z2 ring structure;\nZ1 and Z2 independently represent the atoms necessary to complete a benzene ring system which is unsubstituted or substituted; and\nR4 and R5 are independently at each occurrence selected from hydrogen, halogen, amide, hydroxyl, cyano, nitro, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, or heteroaryl substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, alkyloxy, amino, mono- or di-C1-C4 alkyl-substituted amino, sulphydryl, carbonyl, carboxyl, acrylate, vinyl, styryl, sulphonate, sulphonic acid, quaternary ammonium and the group -J-K, wherein, J is a linker group and K is a reactive group or functional group and at least one of the groups R4 or R5 is-J-K, wherein the dye of formula (I) is in free or salt form, and\n(ii) a substrate for the enzyme, wherein said substrate comprises a fluorescence modulating moiety which is capable of being cleaved by the action of the enzyme on the dye-substrate conjugate, resulting in an altered fluorescence lifetime, the method comprising the steps of:\na) measuring the fluorescence lifetime of the dye-substrate conjugate prior to contact with the enzyme;\nb) contacting the enzyme with said dye-substrate conjugate, and\nc) measuring any modulation in fluorescence lifetime as a result of enzyme action on the substrate.","3. The method according to claim 2 wherein the substrate comprises a peptide comprising a tyrosine, tryptophan or phenyalanine as the fluorescence modulating moiety.","4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the peptide comprises 4 to 20 amino acid residues.","5. The method according to claim 2, wherein said enzyme is selected from the group consisting of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), caspase, cathepsin D, chymotrypsin, pepsin, subtilisin, proteinase K, elastase, neprilysin, thermolysin, asp-n, matrix metallo protein 1 to 20, papain, plasmin, trypsin, enterokinase and urokinase.","6. The method according to claim 2, wherein the enzyme is selected from the group consisting of protease, esterase, peptidase, amidase, nuclease and glycosidase.","7. A method of screening an effect a test agent has upon the activity of an enzyme, said method comprising the steps of:\na) performing the method of claim 2 in the presence and in the absence of the agent and; and\nb) determining the activity of said enzyme in the presence and in the absence of the agent;\nwherein a difference between the activity of the enzyme in the presence and in the absence of the agent is indicative of the effect of the test agent upon the activity of the enzyme.","8. A method for measuring cellular location and distribution of the dye-substrate conjugate of claim 2, wherein the substrate is capable of being taken up by a living cell, the method comprising the steps of:\na) measuring the fluorescence lifetime of the substrate in a cell-free environment;\nb) adding the substrate to one or more cells, and\nc) measuring the fluorescence lifetime of the substrate following step b);\nwherein a modulation in fluorescence lifetime indicates substrate modification and can be used to determine both enzyme activity and localisation.","9. The method of claim 8, wherein said cell is selected from the group consisting of mammalian, plant, insect, fish, avian, bacterial and fungal cells.","10. The method of claim 2 additionally comprising the use of a plurality of different substrates each bound to a plurality of different fluorescent dyes, wherein each of said dye is individually distinguishable from the others by its fluorescence lifetime, thereby enabling simultaneous measurement of a plurality of enzyme activities.","11. A fluorescent dye-biological molecule conjugate comprising a dye covalently bonded to a biological molecule, the dye prior to reaction with the biological molecule having the structure of formula (IV):\nwherein R4 and R5 are independently at each occurrence selected from hydrogen, halogen, amide, hydroxyl, cyano, nitro, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, or heteroaryl substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, alkyloxy, amino, mono- or di-C1-C4 alkyl-substituted amino, sulphydryl, carbonyl, carboxyl, acrylate, vinyl, styryl, sulphonate, sulphonic acid, quaternary ammonium or the group -J-K; wherein at least one of said R4 or R5 is -JK, wherein J contains 1-40 chain atoms comprising carbon, and optionally nitrogen, oxygen, sulphur and/or phosphorus and, wherein K is prior to reaction with the biological molecule, succinimidyl ester, sulpho-succinimidyl ester, isothiocyanate, maleimide, haloacetamide, acid halide, vinylsulphone, dichlorotriazine, carbodimide, hydrazide, phosphoramidiate, pentafluorophylester and alkylhalide, hydroxyl, amino, sulphydryl, imidazole, carboxyl, aldehyde, ketone, phosphate and thiophosphate, wherein the biological molecule is linked to the structure of formula (IV) through said K, and wherein prior to the reaction, the compound of formula (IV) is in free or salt form.","12. The fluorescent dye-biological molecule conjugate according to claim 11 wherein the biological molecule is selected from the group consisting of an antibody, lipid, protein, peptide, carbohydrate, nucleotides which contain or are derivatized to contain one or more of an amino, sulphydryl, carbonyl, hydroxyl and carboxyl, phosphate and thiophosphate groups, and oxy or deoxy polynucleic acids which contain or are derivatized to contain one or more of an amino, sulphydryl, carbonyl including aldehyde and ketone, hydroxyl and carboxyl, phosphate and thiophosphate groups, microbial materials, drugs, hormones, cells, cell membranes and toxins.","13. A kit comprising:\na) a fluorescent dye-biological molecule conjugate according to claim 11; and\nb) a binding partner for said biological molecule or enzyme capable of catalytically altering said biological molecule.","14. The method according to claim 2 wherein the fluorescence modulating moiety contains an aromatic system.","15. The method according to claim 1, wherein the dye is a compound of formula (IV):\nin free or salt form, wherein one of R4 and R5 is:\na group -J-K, wherein J contains 1-40 chain atoms comprising carbon, and optionally nitrogen, oxygen, sulphur and/or phosphorus and K is a reactive group selected from succinimidyl ester, sulpho-succinimidyl ester, isothiocyanate, maleimide, haloacetamide, acid halide, vinylsulphone, dichlorotriazine, carbodimide, hydrazide, phosphoramidiate, pentafluorophylester and alkylhalide or K is a functional group selected from hydroxyl, amino, sulphydryl, imidazole, carboxyl, carbonyl including aldehyde and ketone, phosphate and thiophosphate; and\nthe other is hydrogen.","16. The method according to claim 1, wherein the dye is a compound of the following structure:\nin free or salt form, wherein R5 is a group -J-K, wherein J contains 1-40 chain atoms comprising carbon, and optionally nitrogen, oxygen, sulphur and/or phosphorus and K is a reactive group selected from succinimidyl ester, sulpho-succinimidyl ester, isothiocyanate, maleimide, haloacetamide, acid halide, vinylsulphone, dichlorotriazine, carbodimide, hydrazide, phosphoramidiate, pentafluorophylester and alkylhalide or K is a functional group selected from hydroxyl, amino, sulphydryl, imidazole, carboxyl, carbonyl including aldehyde and ketone, phosphate and thiophosphate.","17. The method according to claim 1, wherein the dye is a compound of the following structure:\nin free or salt form, wherein K is a reactive group selected from succinimidyl ester, sulpho-succinimidyl ester, isothiocyanate, maleimide, haloacetamide, acid halide, vinylsulphone, dichlorotriazine, carbodimide, hydrazide, phosphoramidiate, pentafluorophylester and alkylhalide or K is a functional group selected from hydroxyl, amino, sulphydryl, imidazole, carboxyl, carbonyl including aldehyde and ketone, phosphate and thiophosphate.","18. The method according to claim 1, wherein the dye is a compound of the following structure:\nin free or salt form.","19. The method according to claim 1, wherein the biological molecule is selected from the group consisting of an antibody, lipid, protein, peptide, carbohydrate, nucleotides which contain or are derivatized to contain one or more of an amino, sulphydryl, carbonyl, hydroxyl and carboxyl, phosphate and thiophosphate groups, and oxy or deoxy polynucleic acids which contain or are derivatized to contain one or more of an amino, sulphydryl, carbonyl including aldehyde and ketone, hydroxyl and carboxyl, phosphate and thiophosphate groups, microbial materials, drugs, hormones, cells, cell membranes and toxins.","20. The method according to claim 2, wherein the dye is a compound of formula (IV):\nin free or salt form, wherein one of R4 and R5 is:\na group -J-K, wherein J contains 1-40 chain atoms comprising carbon, and optionally nitrogen, oxygen, sulphur and/or phosphorus and K is a reactive group selected from succinimidyl ester, sulpho-succinimidyl ester, isothiocyanate, maleimide, haloacetamide, acid halide, vinylsulphone, dichlorotriazine, carbodimide, hydrazide, phosphoramidiate, pentafluorophylester and alkylhalide or K is a functional group selected from hydroxyl, amino, sulphydryl, imidazole, carboxyl, carbonyl including aldehyde and ketone, phosphate and thiophosphate; and\nthe other is hydrogen.","21. The method according to claim 2, wherein the dye is a compound of the following structure:\nin free or salt form, wherein R5 is a group -J-K, wherein J contains 1-40 chain atoms comprising carbon, and optionally nitrogen, oxygen, sulphur and/or phosphorus and K is a reactive group selected from succinimidyl ester, sulpho-succinimidyl ester, isothiocyanate, maleimide, haloacetamide, acid halide, vinylsulphone, dichlorotriazine, carbodimide, hydrazide, phosphoramidiate, pentafluorophylester and alkylhalide or K is a functional group selected from hydroxyl, amino, sulphydryl, imidazole, carboxyl, carbonyl including aldehyde and ketone, phosphate and thiophosphate.","22. The method according to claim 2, wherein the dye is a compound of the following structure:\nin free or salt form, wherein K is a reactive group selected from succinimidyl ester, sulpho-succinimidyl ester, isothiocyanate, maleimide, haloacetamide, acid halide, vinylsulphone, dichlorotriazine, carbodimide, hydrazide, phosphoramidiate, pentafluorophylester and alkylhalide or K is a functional group selected from hydroxyl, amino, sulphydryl, imidazole, carboxyl, carbonyl including aldehyde and ketone, phosphate and thiophosphate.","23. The method according to claim 2, wherein the dye is a compound of the following structure:\nin free or salt form.","24. The method according to claim 2, wherein the substrate for the enzyme is selected from the group consisting of an antibody, lipid, protein, peptide, carbohydrate, nucleotides which contain or are derivatized to contain one or more of an amino, sulphydryl, carbonyl, hydroxyl and carboxyl, phosphate and thiophosphate groups, and oxy or deoxy polynucleic acids which contain or are derivatized to contain one or more of an amino, sulphydryl, carbonyl including aldehyde and ketone, hydroxyl and carboxyl, phosphate and thiophosphate groups, microbial materials, drugs, hormones, cells, cell membranes and toxins.","25. The fluorescent dye-biological molecule conjugate according to claim 11, wherein the dye is a compound of formula (IV):\nin free or salt form, wherein one of R4 and R5 is:\na group -J-K, wherein J contains 1-40 chain atoms comprising carbon, and optionally nitrogen, oxygen, sulphur and/or phosphorus and K prior to reaction with the biological molecule is a reactive group selected from succinimidyl ester, sulpho-succinimidyl ester, isothiocyanate, maleimide, haloacetamide, acid halide, vinylsulphone, dichlorotriazine, carbodimide, hydrazide, phosphoramidiate, pentafluorophylester and alkylhalide or K prior to reaction with the biological molecule is a functional group selected from hydroxyl, amino, sulphydryl, imidazole, carboxyl, carbonyl including aldehyde and ketone, phosphate and thiophosphate; and the other is hydrogen.","26. The fluorescent dye-biological molecule conjugate according to claim 11, wherein the dye is a compound of the following structure:\nin free or salt form, wherein R5 is a group -J-K, wherein J contains 1-40 chain atoms comprising carbon, and optionally nitrogen, oxygen, sulphur and/or phosphorus and K prior to reaction with the biological molecule is a reactive group selected from succinimidyl ester, sulpho-succinimidyl ester, isothiocyanate, maleimide, haloacetamide, acid halide, vinylsulphone, dichlorotriazine, carbodimide, hydrazide, phosphoramidiate, pentafluorophylester and alkylhalide or K prior to reaction with the biological molecule is a functional group selected from hydroxyl, amino, sulphydryl, imidazole, carboxyl, carbonyl including aldehyde and ketone, phosphate and thiophosphate.","27. The fluorescent dye-biological molecule conjugate according to claim 11, wherein the dye is a compound of the following structure:\nin free or salt form, wherein K prior to reaction with the biological molecule is a reactive group selected from succinimidyl ester, sulpho-succinimidyl ester, isothiocyanate, maleimide, haloacetamide, acid halide, vinylsulphone, dichlorotriazine, carbodimide, hydrazide, phosphoramidiate, pentafluorophylester and alkylhalide or K prior to reaction with the biological molecule is a functional group selected from hydroxyl, amino, sulphydryl, imidazole, carboxyl, carbonyl including aldehyde and ketone, phosphate and thiophosphate.","28. The fluorescent dye-biological molecule conjugate according to claim 11, wherein the dye is a compound of the following structure:\nin free or salt form."],["1. A compound having a chemical structure selected from","2. A kit for detecting an analyte, comprising at least one compound according to claim 1, wherein the compound when combined with a sample comprising the analyte will undergo a change in its absorbance spectrum, emission spectrum, or both compared to the compound in a sample that does not comprise the analyte.","3. The kit of claim 2, further comprising at least one buffer solution in which the compound when combined with a sample comprising the analyte will undergo a change in its absorbance spectrum, emission spectrum, or both compared to the compound combined with the buffer solution and a sample that does not comprise the analyte.","4. The kit of claim 2, where the analyte comprises glutathione, cysteine, homocysteine, succinyl-5-amino-4-imidazolecarboxamide riboside, succinyladenosine, or a combination of succinyl-5-amino-4-imidazolecarboxamide riboside and succinyladenosine.","5. The kit of claim 2, further comprising a plurality of disposable containers in which a reaction between the compound and the analyte can be performed.","6. The kit of claim 5, where an amount of the compound effective to undergo a detectable change in the absorbance spectrum, the emission spectrum, or both when reacted with the analyte is premeasured into the plurality of disposable containers.","7. A method for selectively detecting an analyte in a biological fluid, comprising:\n(a) combining a compound according to general formula (III) or (IV) with a biological fluid to form a solution\nwhere each bond depicted as “\n” is a single or double bond as needed to satisfy valence requirements;\nX1 is O, S, or N(H);\nR6 is hydroxyl, amino, alkyl amino, or —NHRc when the bond between R6 and ring A is a single bond, or R6 is oxygen, imino, iminium, alkyl imino, or alkyl iminium when the bond between R6 and ring A is a double bond, where RC is\nR7 is hydrogen or halogen;\nR9-R12 independently are hydrogen, lower alkyl, carboxyl, amino, or —SO3H;\nR13 is hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, —SO3H or —COOR14 where R14 is hydrogen or lower alkyl and the bond depicted as “\n” in ring B is a double bond, or R13 is one or more atoms forming a ring system with rings B and D and the bond depicted as “\n” in ring B is a single bond;\nR16 and R18 independently are hydrogen, hydroxyl, thiol, oxygen, lower alkoxy, amino, alkyl amino, or —NHRc, and at least one of R16 and R18 is other than hydrogen;\nR19 and R21 independently are hydrogen, hydroxyl, thiol, oxygen, amino, alkyl amino, imino, iminium, alkyl imino, alkyl iminium, or —NHRc where Rc is as defined above, and at least one of R19 and R21 is other than hydrogen; and\nwherein if X1 is oxygen in general formula (III), then R6 is other than oxygen or alkyl amino, or R13 is other than one or more atoms forming a ring system with rings B and D, or R16 is other than hydroxyl or hydrogen, or R18 is other than hydroxyl or hydrogen, or at least one of R7, R9, R10, R11, R12, R13 is other than hydrogen, or\nif the compound has a chemical structure according to general formula (IV), then at least one of R9-R13, R16, R18, R19, or R21is other than hydrogen, hydroxyl, halogen, oxygen, lower alkyl, amino, or thiol, or R13 is one or more atoms forming a ring system with rings B and D and the bond depicted as “\n” in ring B is a single bond;\n(b) exposing the solution to a light source; and\n(c) detecting the analyte by detecting fluorescence from the compound, wherein the analyte comprises cysteine, homocysteine, glutathione, succinyl-5-amino-4-imidazolecarboxamide riboside, succinyladenosine, or a combination thereof.","8. The method of claim 7 where detecting fluorescence from the compound comprises detecting fluorescence at a wavelength corresponding to an emission spectrum maximum of the compound.","9. The method of claim 8, further comprising quantitating the analyte by measuring an amount of fluorescence from the compound at a wavelength corresponding to an emission spectrum maximum of the compound.","10. The method of claim 7 where the biological fluid comprises blood or urine."],["1. A substrate represented by the structural formula DYE-(B)m, wherein the DYE is not a rhodamine dye and wherein the DYE is capable of (i) binding to a partner biomolecule or an assembly of partner biomolecules and (ii) exhibiting increased fluorescence upon such binding; wherein m is selected from 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5; and wherein each of at least one B, independently, comprises an enzyme substrate moiety that is capable of enzymatic transformation comprising cleavage of a bond between the dye and the at least one B, cleavage of a bond within the at least one B, or formation of a bond to the at least one B; and wherein at least one of the at least one B comprises an enzyme substrate moiety that is capable of enzymatic transformation by a caspase enzyme.","2. The substrate of claim 1, wherein the DYE comprises a nucleic acid dye, a membrane dye, an organelle dye, or a fluorescent ligand dye.","3. The substrate of claim 1, wherein the DYE comprises a fluorogenic dye.","4. The substrate of claim 1, wherein the DYE comprises a nucleic acid dye or a membrane dye.","5. The substrate of claim 1, wherein m is selected from 1 and 2.","6. The substrate of claim 1, comprising at least two B, wherein each of the at least two B is an enzyme substrate moiety for the same enzyme.","7. The substrate of claim 1, wherein the caspase is caspase-3.","8. The substrate of claim 1, wherein the substrate exhibits a change in fluorescence upon cleavage of a bond between the dye and the at least one B, cleavage of a bond within the at least one B, or formation of a bond to the at least one B."],["1. A method for providing enhanced chemiluminescence from a stable 1,2-dioxetane which comprises:\n(a) providing in a solution or on a surface where the light is to be produced a stable 1,2-dioxetane and a polymeric phosphonium salt with polyvinyLinktriAyl-phosphonium groups wherein Link is a linking group between the polymer and the phosphonium group containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms and A is selected from the group consisting of alkyl containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms and from alkyl and aralkyl groups each containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms; and\n(b) triggering the 1,2-dioxetane with an activating agent to provide the enhanced chemiluminescence.","2. The method of claim 1 wherein the 1,2-dioxetane is of the formula: ##STR18## wherein R3 and R4 are organic groups which may be combined together, wherein Rl is an organic group which may be combined with R2 and wherein R2 is an aryl group substituted with an X-oxy group which forms an unstable oxide intermediate dioxetane when triggered to remove a chemically labile group X by an activating agent selected from acids, bases, salts, enzymes, inorganic and organic catalysts and electron donors.","3. The method of claim 1 wherein the 1,2-dioxetane is of the formula: ##STR19## wherein R1 is selected from lower alkyl or alkaryl containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms and may additionally contain heteroatoms, wherein R3 C is selected from spirofused cyclic and polycyclic organic groups containing 6 to 30 carbon atoms and may additionally contain heteroatoms, wherein R2 is selected from aryl, biaryl, heteroaryl, fused ring polycyclic aryl or heteroaryl groups which can be substituted or unsubstituted and wherein OX is an X-oxy group which forms an unstable oxide intermediate dioxetane compound when triggered to remove a chemically labile group X by an activating agent selected from acids, bases, salts, enzymes, inorganic and organic catalysts and electron donors.","4. The method of claim 3 wherein the OX group is selected from hydroxyl, trialkyl or aryl silyoxy, inorganic oxy acid salt, phosphate salt, sulfate salt, oxygen-pyranoside, aryl and alkyl carboxyl esters.","5. The method of claim 4 wherein ##STR20## is selected from the group consisting of adamantyl or substituted adamantyl.","6. The method of claim 4 wherein R2 is metaphenyl.","7. The method of claim 4 wherein R1 is methyl.","8. The method of claim 5 wherein R1 is methyl, wherein R2 is meta-phenyl, wherein OX is a phosphate salt and wherein the activating agent is alkaline phosphatase.","9. The method of any of claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 wherein the polymeric phosphonium salt is a poly(vinylbenzyltriAylphosphonium salt) wherein A is selected from the group consisting of alkyl containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms or alkyl and alkaryl groups each containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms.","10. The method of claim 1 wherein the polymeric phosphonium salt is a poly(vinylbenzyltrialkylphosphonium salt) wherein alkyl is selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms.","11. The method of claim 10 wherein the poly(vinylbenzyltrialkylphosphonium salt) is poly(vinylbenzyltrimethylphosphonium chloride).","12. The method of claim 10 wherein the poly(vinylbenzyltrialkylphosphonium salt) is poly(vinylbenzyltributylphosphonium chloride).","13. The method of claim 10 wherein the poly(vinylbenzyltrialkylphosphonium salt) is poly(vinylbenzyltrioctylphosphonium chloride).","14. The method of claim 1 wherein the polymeric phosphonium salt is a mixture of poly(benzyltriAylphosphonium salts) wherein A is selected from the group consisting of alkyl containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms and alkyl and alkyl and alkaryl each containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms.","15. The method of claim 14 wherein the mixture contains benzyltributylphosphonium chloride and benzyltrioctylphosphonium chloride.","16. The method of claim 14 wherein the polymer is poly(vinylbenzyltrialkylphosphonium chloride) wherein alkyl is 75 mole percent tributyl and 25 mole percent trioctyl.","17. The method of any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 wherein the polymeric phosphonium salt is a polyvinylbenzyltriAylphosphonium salt and a fluorescent group containing polymer wherein A is selected from the group consisting of alkyl containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms or alkyl and aralkyl each containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms and wherein the fluorescent group is attached to the polymer.","18. The method of claim 1 wherein the polymeric phosphonium salt is poly(vinylbenzyltributylphosphonium chloride) containing fluorescent groups selected from the group consisting of fluorescein and Rose Bengal.","19. The method of claim 1 wherein the method is used for chemiluminescent detection of enzymes, antibodies, antigens, or nucleic acids.","20. The method of claim 1 wherein the method is used for chemiluminescent detection in enzyme-linked immunoassays or enzyme-linked nucleic acid assays.","21. The method of claim 20 wherein the enzyme is alkaline phosphatase or galactosidase.","22. The method of claims 19, 20 or 21 wherein the chemiluminescence is detected by film or a luminometer.","23. In a method for enhancing chemiluminescence produced by activating a 1,2-dioxetane the improvement which comprises generating the chemiluminescence in the presence of a polymeric phosphonium salt with polyvinyLinktriAylphosphonium groups wherein Link is a linking group between the polymer and the phosphonium group containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms and A is selected from the group consisting of alkyl containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms and from alkyl and aralkyl groups each containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms.","24. The method of claim 22 wherein the polymeric phosphonium salt is prepared by reacting triAyl phosphine with a polyvinyl chloride polymer wherein Link is a linking group between the polymer and the phosphonium cation containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms and A is selected from the group consisting of alkyl containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms or alkyl and aralkyl groups containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms.","25. The method of claim 24 wherein Link is benzyl.","26. The method of claim 24 wherein the LinktriAyl phosphonium group is a benzyltrimethylphosphonium group.","27. The method of claim 23 wherein the polymeric phosphonium salt a polyvinylbenzyltrimethyl-phosphonium chloride polymer substantially free of chlorobenzyl groups.","28. The method of claim 23 wherein the polymeric phosphonium salt is a polyvinylLinktriAyl-phosphonium and fluorescent group containing polymer wherein Link is a linking group between the polymer and the phosphonium cation containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms and A is selected from the group consisting of alkyl and aralkyl groups containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms and wherein the fluorescent group is attached to the polymer.","29. The method of claim 28 wherein Link is benzyl.","30. The method of claim 28 wherein the LinktriAyl phosphonium group is a benzyltributylphosphonium group.","31. The method of claim 23 as a probe or enzyme linked assay."],["1. A device for conducting an agglutination assay comprising several reaction vessels, each reaction vessel comprising an upper chamber having an opening for accepting reactants and/or a sample; and a lower chamber comprising an end in communication with the upper chamber for receiving fluids from the upper chamber, a closed end opposite to the end, and a matrix for separating agglutinates from non-agglutinates; wherein\nthe device further comprises a rotating support able to rotate around an axis and holding pivotally the reaction vessels in a way to allow the reaction vessels to pivot about an axis essentially perpendicular to the rotation axis of the support when the latter is rotated, such that the fluids remain in the upper chamber when the support is not rotated, and can flow from the upper chamber to the lower chamber and into the matrix when the support is rotated.","2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the rotating support and/or the reaction vessels are made by a plastic injection molding process.","3. The device according to claim 1, wherein\nthe rotating support is made of a single piece.","4. The device according to claim 1, wherein\nthe rotating support comprises twelve reaction vessels.","5. The device according to claim 1, wherein\nthe upper chamber is eccentric with the lower chamber.","6. The device according to claim 1, wherein\nthe lower chamber is an elongate tube with a cylindrical section.","7. The device according to claim 1, wherein\nthe rotating support comprises a receptacle concentric with the axis.","8. The device according to claim 7, wherein\nthe underneath face of the support and/or the surface of the receptacle comprises one or several ribs.","9. The device according to claim 7, wherein\nthe receptacle extends below and above the plane of the rotating support.","10. An analysis station for performing agglutination reaction and separation assays comprising:\na device containing several reaction vessels, each reaction vessel comprising an upper chamber having an opening for accepting reactants and/or a sample; a lower chamber comprising an end in communication with the upper chamber for receiving fluids from the upper chamber, a closed end opposite to the end, and a matrix for separating agglutinates from non-agglutinates; a rotating support able to rotate around an axis and holding pivotally the reaction vessels in a way to allow the reaction vessels to pivot about an axis essentially perpendicular to said rotation axis when the latter is rotated, such as to retain the fluids in the upper chamber when the support is not rotated and makes it flow from the upper chamber to the lower chamber and into the matrix when the support is rotated;\na drive shaft which fixedly holds the device at the rotating support;\na heating unit concentric with the support of the device; and\nmeans to optically detect cluster agglutinate and/or band or button formation within the lower chamber.","11. The analysis station according to claim 10, wherein the drive shaft fixedly holds the device with the support having its rotation axis essentially parallel with the drive shaft rotation axis.","12. The analysis station according to claim 10, wherein the device is held in the drive shaft by fitting the receptacle into a conformal recess in the drive shaft.","13. The analysis station according to claim 10, wherein the underneath face of the support and/or the surface of a receptacle of the support comprises one or several ribs cooperating with one or several corresponding grooves on the surface of the recess, in order to maintain the device in the drive shaft during centrifugation.","14. The analysis station according to claim 10, wherein the heating unit is annular-shaped.","15. A method for conducting an agglutination assay comprising:\nproviding an analysis station comprising a device containing several reaction vessels, each reaction vessel comprising an upper chamber having an opening for accepting reactants and/or a sample; a lower chamber comprising an end in communication with the upper chamber for receiving fluids from the upper chamber, a closed end opposite to the end, and a matrix for separating agglutinates from non-agglutinates; a rotating support able to rotate around an axis and holding pivotally the reaction vessels in a way to allow the reaction vessels to pivot about an axis essentially perpendicular to said rotation axis when the latter is rotated, such as to retain the fluids in the upper chamber when the support is not rotated and makes it flow from the upper chamber to the lower chamber and into the matrix when the support is rotated; a drive shaft which fixedly holds the device at the rotating support; a heating unit concentric with the support of the device; and means to optically detect cluster agglutinate and/or band or button formation within the lower chamber;\nincubating the reagents and sample in the upper chambers of the vessels while the support is not rotating;\ncentrifuging the reagents and sample by rotating the support in order to force to the fluids from the upper chamber to the lower chamber to the separation matrix; and\nperforming readings and interpretation of positive or negative agglutination reactions.","16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the support comprises a receptacle and further comprising the steps of:\nadding reagents and a sample into the receptacle and mixing them together; and\npipetting the mixed reagents and sample into the upper chamber of the different reaction vessels;\nsaid steps being performed prior to said incubating the reagents and sample.","17. The method according to claim 15, wherein\nthe device is disposed after completion of said performing readings and interpretation."],["1. A diagnostic device for detecting the presence of an analyte in a fluid sample, the device comprising:\na housing configured to receive a lateral flow diagnostic strip, said lateral flow diagnostic strip including:\na receiving end for receiving the fluid sample;\na terminal end opposite said receiving end; and\na capture region located between said receiving end and said terminal end; and a processor configured to, upon receiving the fluid sample:\nilluminate the lateral flow diagnostic strip;\nmeasure intensity values of light reflected from the lateral flow diagnostic strip;\nobtain, during a first time period, a first series of intensity value pairs, wherein each intensity value pair of the first series of intensity value pairs comprises a measurement signal and a background signal, and wherein the measurement signal and the background signal for each intensity value pair of the first series of intensity value pairs are obtained at substantially the same time;\ncalculate the intensity difference between the measurement signal and the background signal for each pair of the first series of intensity value pairs to generate a first series of intensity difference values;\ngenerate, at the end of the first time period, a fluid front detection result based at least in part on the first series of intensity difference values, wherein the fluid front detection result indicates whether at least a portion of the first series of intensity difference values correspond to a threshold for identifying a fluid front;\nobtain, during a second time period, a second series of intensity value pairs, wherein each intensity value pair of the second series of intensity value pairs comprises a measurement signal and a background signal, and wherein the measurement signal and the background signal for each intensity value pair of the second series of intensity value pairs are obtained at substantially the same time;\ncalculate the intensity difference between the measurement signal and the background signal for each pair of the second series of intensity value pairs to generate a second series of intensity difference values; and\ngenerate, at the end of the second time period, a message indicating that the analyte is present in the fluid sample based at least in part on:\n(i) the fluid front detection result generated with the first series of intensity difference values obtained during the first time period, and\n(ii) the second series of intensity difference values obtained during the second time period.","2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a sensor positioned within the housing and configured to detect the quantity of light reflected from said capture region.","3. The device of claim 2, wherein the sensor is a photo detector.","4. The device of claim 1, wherein quantities of light reflected during the first time period and the second time period are reflected from said capture region.","5. The device of claim 1, further comprising a display, wherein the processor is further configured to:\nincrement a fluid front counter based on a comparison between the threshold and an intensity difference value obtained during the first time period, wherein the fluid front detection result is generated based at least in part on the fluid front counter; and\ngenerate a message for presentation via the display if said fluid front detection result indicates that the fluid front was not detected after the first time period.","6. The device of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to increment a result counter based on a comparison of at least a portion of the second plurality of intensity difference values received during the second time period and a second threshold, and wherein the processor is further configured to generate the assay result output based at least in part on the result counter.","7. The device of claim 1, further comprising:\na pair of electrical contacts separated by a gap and in physical contact with the lateral flow diagnostic strip, wherein the gap, when wetted by the fluid sample, causes a current to flow between the pair of electrical contacts; and\na current detection circuit configured to:\nsense the current between the pair of electrical contacts; and increase a level of power supplied to the processor.","8. The device of claim 7, wherein the first time period is after the level of power supplied to the processor is increased.","9. The device of claim 1, wherein the first time period is between five seconds and twenty-eight seconds.","10. The device of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to exclude the intensity difference values obtained during the first time period when generating an assay result output.","11. The device of claim 7, wherein the processor is further configured to:\nincrement a fluid front counter based on a comparison between the threshold and an intensity difference value obtained during the first time period;\ndetermine, prior to the end of the first time period, that the fluid front counter exceeds a count threshold associated with a presence of the fluid front; and\nin response to said determining that the fluid front counter exceeds the count threshold, disable at least one element included in the device at least until the end of the first time period."],["1. An analyte measurement method, comprising:\na) obtaining a sample;\nb) applying the sample to a signal-amplifying nanosensor, comprising:\n(i) a substrate;\n(ii) a signal amplification layer; and\n(iii) a capture agent that specifically binds to an analyte in the sample,\nwherein the capture agent is linked to the surface of the signal amplification layer and said nanosensor amplifies a light signal from labeled analytes that are bound to the signal amplification layer via the capture agent, under conditions suitable for binding of the analyte in a sample to the capture agent;\nc) washing the signal-amplifying nanosensor; and\nd) reading the signal-amplifying nanosensor, thereby obtaining a measurement of the amount of the analyte in the sample.","2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the sample is a liquid sample.","3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the applying step b) comprises applying a sample to a microfluidic device comprising the signal-amplifying nanosensor.","4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the reading step d) comprises detecting a fluorescence or luminescence signal from the signal-amplifying nanosensor.","5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the reading step d) comprises reading the signal-amplifying nanosensor with a handheld device configured to read the signal-amplifying nanosensor.","6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the handheld device is a mobile phone.","7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the signal-amplifying nanosensor comprises a labeling agent that can bind to an analyte-capture agent complex on the signal-amplifying nanosensor.","8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises between steps c) and d):\napplying to the signal-amplifying nanosensor a labeling agent that binds to an analyte-capture agent complex on the signal-amplifying nanosensor; and\nwashing the signal-amplifying nanosensor.","9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the reading step d) comprises reading an identifier for the signal-amplifying nanosensor.","10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the identifier is an optical barcode, a radio frequency ID tag, or combinations thereof.","11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises:\napplying a control sample to a control signal-amplifying nanosensor comprising a capture agent that binds to the analyte, wherein the control sample comprises a known detectable amount of the analyte; and\nreading the control signal-amplifying nanosensor, thereby obtaining a control measurement for the known detectable amount of the analyte in a sample.","12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the sample is a diagnostic sample obtained from a subject, the analyte is a biomarker, and wherein the amount of the analyte in the sample is diagnostic of a disease or a condition.","13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the sample is saliva, serum, blood, sputum, urine, sweat, lacrima, semen, or mucus.","14. The method according to claim 12, wherein the method further comprises:\nreceiving a report that indicates:\nthe measured amount of the biomarker; and\na range of measured values for the biomarker in an individual free of or at low risk of having the disease or condition,\nwherein the measured amount of the biomarker relative to the range of measured values is diagnostic of a disease or condition.","15. The method according to claim 12, wherein the method further comprises:\nproviding to the subject a report that indicates:\nthe measured amount of the biomarker; and\na range of measured values for the biomarker in an individual free of or at low risk of having the disease or condition,\nwherein the measured amount of the biomarker relative to the range of measured values is diagnostic of a disease or condition.","16. The method according to claim 12, wherein the method further comprises:\ndiagnosing the subject based on information comprising the measured amount of the biomarker in the sample.","17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the diagnosing step comprises sending data comprising the measured amount of the biomarker to a remote location and receiving a diagnosis based on information comprising the measurement from the remote location.","18. The method according to claim 12, wherein the biomarker is selected from Tables 1, 2, 3 or 7.","19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the biomarker is a protein selected from Tables 1, 2, or 3.","20. The method according to claim 18, wherein the biomarker is a nucleic acid selected from Tables 2, 3 or 7.","44. A kit comprising:\na signal-amplifying nanosensor comprising a capture agent that binds to an analyte of interest in a sample; and\ninstructions for reading the signal-amplifying nanosensor, thereby obtaining a measurement of the amount of the analyte in the sample."],["1. A cartridge for conducting a chemical reaction, the cartridge comprising:\na) a body having (1) a plurality of sensor chambers having optical sensors positioned to detect liquid in the sensor chamber and (2) at least one flow path formed therein;\nand\nb) a reaction vessel extending from the body, the vessel comprising:\ni) a rigid frame defining a plurality of side walls of a reaction chamber, wherein the frame includes at least one channel connecting the flow path to the chamber; and\nii) at least one sheet attached to the rigid frame to form a major wall of the chamber, wherein the major wall is sufficiently flexible to conform to a surface that comes into contact with the major wall.","2. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the vessel includes first and second flexible sheets attached to opposite sides of the rigid frame to form opposing major walls of the chamber.","3. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein at least two of the plurality of side walls are optically transmissive and angularly offset from each other by about 90°.","4. The cartridge of claim 3, comprising at least two additional side walls having retro-reflective faces.","5. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the ratio of the width of the chamber to the thickness of the chamber is at least 4:1, and wherein the chamber has a thickness in the range of 0.5 to 2 mm.","6. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the vessel includes at least two separate ports in fluid communication with the reaction chamber, and wherein the body includes at least a first channel in fluid communication with the first port and at least a second channel in fluid communication with the second port.","7. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the body has formed therein:\ni) a sample flow path;\nii) a separation region in the sample flow path for separating a desired analyte from a fluid sample;\nand\niii) an analyte flow path extending from the separation region, wherein a channel in the vessel connects the analyte flow path to the reaction chamber.","8. The cartridge of claim 7, wherein the separation region in the body comprises: a) a lysing chamber in the sample flow path for lysing cells or viruses in the sample to release material therefrom; and b) at least one solid support positioned in the lysing chamber for capturing the cells or viruses to be lysed.","9. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the cartridge is in combination with an instrument having:\na) at least one thermal surface for contacting the major wall of the reaction chamber;\nb) means for increasing the pressure in the reaction chamber, wherein the pressure increase in the chamber is sufficient to force the major wall to contact and conform to the thermal surface; and\nc) at least one thermal element for heating or cooling the at least one thermal surface to induce a temperature change within the chamber.","10. The cartridge of claim 9, wherein the vessel includes first and second flexible sheets attached to opposite sides of the rigid frame to form opposing major walls of the chamber, the instrument includes first and second thermal surfaces formed by opposing plates positioned to receive the chamber between them, and the pressure increase in the chamber is sufficient to force the major walls to contact and conform to the inner surfaces of the plates.","11. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein at least two of the plurality of side walls of the reaction chamber are optically transmissive and angularly offset from each other, and wherein the cartridge is in combination with an optics system having at least one light source for exciting a reaction mixture in the chamber through a first one of the optically transmissive side walls and having at least one detector for detecting light emitted from the chamber through a second one of the optically transmissive side walls.","12. A cartridge for conducting a chemical reaction, the cartridge comprising:\na) a body having (1) a plurality of sensor chambers having optical sensors positioned to detect liquid in the sensor chamber and (2) at least one flow path formed therein; and\nb) a reaction vessel extending from the body, the vessel comprising:\ni) two opposing major walls;\nii) side walls connecting the major walls to each other to define a reaction chamber, wherein at least two of the side walls are optically transmissive and angularly offset from each other; and\niii) at least one channel connecting the reaction chamber to the flow path in the body.","13. The cartridge of claim 12, wherein the vessel includes:\na) a rigid frame defining the side walls of the chamber; and\nb) first and second flexible sheets attached to opposite sides of the rigid frame to form the major walls of the chamber.","14. The cartridge of claim 12, wherein the optically transmissive side walls are angularly offset from each other by about 90°.","15. The cartridge of claim 12, comprising at least two additional side walls having retro-reflective faces.","16. The cartridge of claim 12, wherein the ratio of the width of the chamber to the thickness of the chamber is at least 4:1, and wherein the chamber has a thickness in the range of 0.5 to 2 mm.","17. The cartridge of claim 12, wherein the vessel includes at least two separate ports in fluid communication with the reaction chamber, and wherein the body includes at least a first channel in fluid communication with the first port and at least a second channel in fluid communication with the second port.","18. The cartridge of claim 12, wherein the body has:\ni) a sample flow path;\nii) a separation region in the sample flow path for separating a desired analyte from a fluid sample; and\niii) an analyte flow path extending from the separation region, wherein a channel in the vessel connects the analyte flow path to the reaction chamber.","19. The cartridge of claim 18, wherein the separation region comprises: a) a lysing chamber in the sample flow path for lysing cells or viruses in the sample to release material therefrom; and b) at least one solid support positioned in the lysing, chamber for capturing the cells or viruses to be lysed.","20. The cartridge of claim 12, wherein the cartridge is in combination with an instrument having:\na) opposing plates positioned to receive the chamber of the vessel between them;\nb) means for increasing the pressure in the chamber, wherein the pressure increase in the chamber is sufficient to force the major walls to contact and conform to the inner surfaces of the plates; and\nc) at least one thermal element for heating or cooling the surfaces of the plates to induce a temperature change within the chamber.","21. The cartridge of claim 12, wherein the cartridge is in combination with an optics system having at least one light source for exciting a reaction mixture in the chamber through a first one of the optically transmissive side walls and having at least one detector for detecting light emitted from the chamber through a second one of the optically transmissive side walls."],["1. A diagnostic analyzer comprising:\na base having a first side and a second side opposite the first side;\na loading bay disposed along the first side of the base;\na first carrier shuttle on the base, the first carrier shuttle having a first end at a first area adjacent the loading bay and a second end, opposite the first end, at a second area adjacent the second side of the base, the first carrier shuttle to transport a first carrier between the first area and the second area;\na second carrier shuttle on the base, the second carrier shuttle disposed adjacent the first carrier shuttle, the first and second carrier shuttles being independently operable, the second carrier shuttle having a third end at the first area adjacent the loading bay and fourth second end, opposite the third end, at the second area adjacent the second side of the base, the second carrier shuttle to transport a second carrier between the first area and the second area; and\na pipetting mechanism coupled to the base and disposed adjacent the second side of the base, the pipetting mechanism to:\naspirate a first sample from the first carrier while the first carrier is on the first carrier shuttle at the second area;\ndispense the first sample into a first reaction vessel;\naspirate a second sample from the second carrier while the second carrier is on the second carrier shuttle at the second area; and\ndispense the second sample into a second reaction vessel.","2. The diagnostic analyzer of claim 1, wherein the first carrier shuttle and the second carrier shuttle are parallel to each other.","3. The diagnostic analyzer of claim 1, further including a positioner to transport the first carrier between the loading bay and the first carrier shuttle, and to transport the second carrier between the loading bay and the second carrier shuttle.","4. The diagnostic analyzer of claim 3, wherein the positioner is moveable along a track disposed along the first side of the base, between the base and the loading bay.","5. The diagnostic analyzer of claim 4, wherein the track is perpendicular to the first and second carrier shuttles.","6. The diagnostic analyzer of claim 1, wherein the first carrier shuttle includes a first carriage and a first lead screw to move the first carriage, and the second carrier shuttle includes a second carriage and a second lead screw to move the second carriage.","7. The diagnostic analyzer of claim 1, wherein the first carrier shuttle includes a first conveyor belt and the second carrier shuttle includes a second conveyor belt.","8. The diagnostic analyzer of claim 7, wherein the first carrier shuttle includes a motor to move the first conveyor belt and a sensor to detect movement of the first conveyor belt.","9. The diagnostic analyzer of claim 8, wherein the motor and the sensor are disposed near opposite ends of the first carrier shuttle.","10. The diagnostic analyzer of claim 1, further including a processing carousel on the base, the first and second reaction vessels disposed on the processing carousel, and wherein the first and second carrier shuttles are disposed between the processing carousel and a third side of the base.","11. At least one machine readable storage medium comprising instructions that, when executed, cause at least one processor of a diagnostic analyzer to at least:\ncontrol a first carrier shuttle to transport a first carrier from a first area adjacent a first side of a base of the diagnostic analyzer to a second area adjacent a second side of the base, the first carrier shuttle having a first end at the first area and a second end, opposite the first end, at the second area, the second side of the base opposite the first side of the base, the diagnostic analyzer having a loading bay disposed along the first side of the base;\ncontrol a pipetting mechanism coupled to the base adjacent the second side to:\naspirate a first sample from the first carrier while the first carrier is at the second area; and\ndispense the first sample into a first vessel on the diagnostic analyzer;\ncontrol a second carrier shuttle disposed adjacent the first carrier shuttle to transport a second carrier from the first area to the second area, the second carrier shuttle having a third end at the first area and a fourth end, opposite the third end, at the second area; and\ncontrol the pipetting mechanism to:\naspirate a second sample from the second carrier while the second carrier is at the second area; and\ndispense the second sample into a second vessel on the diagnostic analyzer.","12. The at least one machine readable storage medium of claim 11, wherein the diagnostic analyzer includes a positioner moveable along the first side of the base, and wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the at least one processor to control the positioner to transport the first carrier from a slot in the loading bay to the first carrier shuttle.","13. The at least one machine readable storage medium of claim 12, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the at least one processor to:\nafter the first sample is aspirated, control the first carrier shuttle to transport the first carrier from the second area to the first area; and\ncontrol the positioner to transfer the first carrier from the first carrier shuttle to a slot in the loading bay.","14. The at least one machine readable storage medium of claim 12, wherein the positioner includes a label reader, and wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the at least one processor to control the label reader to read a label on the first carrier.","15. The at least one machine readable storage medium of claim 11, wherein the first vessel and the second vessel are to be carried on a carousel of the diagnostic analyzer, and wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the at least one processor to control the carousel to rotate the carousel to move reaction vessels.","16. The diagnostic analyzer of claim 3, wherein the positioner includes a reader to detect labels on the first and second carriers.","17. The diagnostic analyzer of claim 10, wherein the pipetting mechanism is rotatable about an axis disposed outside of the processing carousel.","18. The diagnostic analyzer of claim 1, wherein the pipetting mechanism includes an arm that is rotatable about an axis of rotation and a pipette at a distal end of the arm.","19. The diagnostic analyzer of claim 1, wherein the loading bay includes a plurality of slots arranged in a horizontal array along the first side of the base.","20. The diagnostic analyzer of claim 1, further including a first carousel to support a plurality of reagent containers and a second carousel to support a plurality of reaction vessels.","21. A diagnostic analyzer comprising:\na base having a first side and a second side opposite the first side;\na loading bay disposed along the first side of the base;\na first carrier shuttle on the base, the first carrier shuttle extending in a linear direction that is perpendicular to the first side and the second side, the first carrier shuttle to transport a first carrier from a first area adjacent the loading bay to a second area adjacent the second side of the base;\na second carrier shuttle on the base, the second carrier shuttle disposed adjacent the first carrier shuttle, the first and second carrier shuttles being independently operable, the second carrier shuttle extending in a linear direction that is perpendicular to the first side and the second side, the second carrier shuttle to transport a second carrier from the first area adjacent the loading bay to the second area adjacent the second side of the base; and\na pipetting mechanism coupled to the base and disposed adjacent the second side of the base, the pipetting mechanism to:\naspirate a first sample from the first carrier while the first carrier is on the first carrier shuttle at the second area;\ndispense the first sample into a first reaction vessel;\naspirate a second sample from the second carrier while the second carrier is on the second carrier shuttle at the second area; and\ndispense the second sample into a second reaction vessel."],["1. A method of nucleic acid analysis, comprising:\n(a) providing a cell or nucleus comprising:\n(1) genomic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA),\n(2) a protein, and\n(3) a complex comprising:\n(i) a labeling agent configured to couple to the protein, and\n(ii) a transposase complex comprising (A) a transposase and (B) a nucleic acid molecule, wherein the nucleic acid molecule comprises (I) an adapter sequence and (II) a reporter barcode sequence, wherein the labeling agent is coupled to the transposase complex;\n(b) using the transposase, the nucleic acid molecule, and the genomic DNA to generate a DNA fragment comprising a sequence of the genomic DNA, the adapter sequence, and the reporter barcode sequence; and\n(c) using a barcode nucleic acid molecule comprising a barcode sequence and the DNA fragment to generate a barcoded nucleic acid molecule comprising (1) the sequence of the genomic DNA or reverse complement thereof, (2) the reporter barcode sequence or reverse complement thereof, and (3) the barcode sequence or reverse complement thereof.","2. The method of claim 1, wherein the reporter barcode sequence identifies the labeling agent.","3. The method of claim 1, wherein the nucleic acid molecule further comprises a transposon end sequence.","4. The method of claim 1, wherein the labeling agent is coupled to the protein.","5. The method of claim 1, further comprising (d) sequencing the barcoded nucleic acid molecule to identify (1) the sequence of the genomic DNA or reverse complement thereof, (2) the reporter barcode sequence or reverse complement thereof, and (3) the barcode sequence or reverse complement thereof.","6. The method of claim 5, further comprising subsequent to (d), (e) using the barcode sequence or reverse complement thereof to identify (1) the sequence of the genomic DNA or reverse complement thereof and (2) the reporter barcode sequence or reverse complement thereof as originating from the cell or nucleus.","7. The method of claim 6, wherein (e) further identifies the protein as being associated with the sequence of the genomic DNA.","8. The method of claim 1, wherein (c) comprises coupling the DNA fragment to the barcode nucleic acid molecule.","9. The method of claim 8, wherein the coupling comprises hybridizing the adapter sequence to at least a portion of the barcode nucleic acid molecule.","10. The method of claim 8, wherein the coupling comprises ligating the adapter sequence to at least a portion of the barcode nucleic acid molecule.","11. The method of claim 1, wherein the cell or nucleus further comprises:\n(4) a second protein, and (5) a second complex comprising (i) a second labeling agent configured to couple to the second protein, and (ii) a second transposase complex comprising (A) a second transposase and (B) a second nucleic acid molecule, wherein the second nucleic acid molecule comprises (I) a second adapter sequence and (II) a second reporter barcode sequence, and wherein the second labeling agent is coupled to the second transposase complex; and wherein the method further comprises\n(d) using the second transposase, the second nucleic acid molecule, and the genomic DNA to generate a second DNA fragment comprising a second sequence of the genomic DNA, the second adapter sequence, and the second reporter barcode sequence; and\n(e) using a second barcode nucleic acid molecule comprising the barcode sequence and the second DNA fragment to generate a second barcoded nucleic acid molecule comprising (1) the second sequence of the genomic DNA or reverse complement thereof, (2) the second reporter barcode sequence or reverse complement thereof, and (3) the barcode sequence or reverse complement thereof.","12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:\n(f) sequencing at least a portion of the barcoded nucleic acid molecule to identify (1) the sequence of the genomic DNA or reverse complement thereof, (2) the reporter barcode sequence or reverse complement thereof, and (3) the barcode sequence or reverse complement thereof; and\n(g) sequencing at least a portion of the second barcoded nucleic acid molecule to identify (1) the second sequence of the genomic DNA or reverse complement thereof, (2) the second reporter barcode sequence or reverse complement thereof, and (3) the barcode sequence or reverse complement thereof.","13. The method of claim 12, further comprising subsequent to (f) and (g),\nusing the barcode sequence or reverse complement thereof to identify (1) the sequence of the genomic DNA or reverse complement thereof and (2) the reporter barcode sequence or reverse complement thereof as originating from the cell or nucleus; and,\nusing the barcode sequence or reverse complement thereof to identify (1) the second sequence of the genomic DNA or reverse complement thereof and (2) the second reporter barcode sequence or reverse complement thereof as originating from the cell or nucleus.","14. The method of claim 1, wherein the labeling agent is an antibody or a fragment thereof.","15. The method of claim 1, further comprising prior to (a), (b), or (c), partitioning the cell or nucleus into a partition.","16. The method of claim 15, wherein (c) is performed in the partition.","17. The method of claim 15, wherein (b) is performed prior to the partitioning.","18. The method of claim 15, wherein the partition is an aqueous droplet in an emulsion.","19. The method of claim 15, wherein the partition is a well.","20. The method of claim 15, wherein the partition comprises a support.","21. The method of claim 20, wherein the support comprises a plurality of barcode nucleic acid molecules attached thereto.","22. The method of claim 21, wherein the plurality of barcode nucleic acid molecules comprises the barcode nucleic acid molecule.","23. The method of claim 21, wherein the support is a bead.","24. The method of claim 23, further comprising releasing the plurality of barcode nucleic acid molecules from the bead.","25. The method of claim 24, wherein the plurality of barcode nucleic acid molecules is releasably attached to the bead through a labile bond.","26. The method of claim 25, wherein the labile bond is selected from the group consisting of a thermally cleavable bond, a chemically labile bond, and a photo-sensitive bond.","27. The method of claim 23, wherein the bead is a gel bead.","28. The method of claim 27, further comprising degrading the gel bead by applying a stimulus.","29. The method of claim 28, wherein the stimulus is a chemical stimulus.","30. A method of nucleic acid analysis, comprising:\n(a) providing a cell or nucleus comprising:\n(1) genomic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA),\n(2) a protein, and\n(3) a complex comprising:\n(i) an antibody or a fragment thereof configured to couple to the protein and\n(ii) a transposase complex comprising (A) a transposase and (B) a nucleic acid molecule, wherein the nucleic acid molecule comprises (I) an adapter sequence and (II) a reporter barcode sequence that identifies the antibody or the fragment thereof, wherein the antibody or the fragment thereof is coupled to the transposase complex;\n(b) using the transposase, the nucleic acid molecule, and the genomic DNA to generate a DNA fragment comprising a sequence of the genomic DNA, the adapter sequence, and the reporter barcode sequence;\n(c) partitioning the cell or nucleus in a droplet with a bead comprising at least one barcode nucleic acid molecule comprising a barcode sequence; and\n(d) using the at least one barcode nucleic acid molecule and the DNA fragment to generate a barcoded nucleic acid molecule comprising (1) the sequence of the genomic DNA or reverse complement thereof, (2) the reporter barcode sequence or reverse complement thereof, and (3) the barcode sequence or reverse complement thereof."],["1. A fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer, comprising:\na sample and reagent receiving device for receiving a sample and a reagent, wherein the sample and reagent receiving device comprises a sample receiving mechanism for receiving the sample and a reagent receiving mechanism for receiving the reagent, the sample receiving mechanism is sleeved outside the reagent receiving mechanism, and the sample receiving mechanism and the reagent receiving mechanism are capable of rotating independently of each other;\na dispensing device for aspirating and discharging the sample and the reagent, wherein the dispensing device is located above the sample and reagent receiving device, and respectively transfers the sample and the reagent into a reaction vessel in a mixing device;\nthe mixing device for mixing the sample and the reagent in the reaction vessel;\nan incubation and luminescence detection device for incubation and luminescence detection;\na magnetic separation cleaning device for separation cleaning an analyte and impurities in the reaction vessel;\na reaction vessel grasping device for transferring the reaction vessel, wherein the reaction vessel grasping device transfers the reaction vessel into the mixing device, transfers the reaction vessel from the mixing device to the incubation and luminescence detection device to perform the incubation, transfers the reaction vessel to the magnetic separation cleaning device to perform the separation cleaning after the incubation, and transfers the reaction vessel into the incubation and luminescence detection device to perform the luminescence detection after the separation cleaning; and\na liquid path device respectively connected to the dispensing device and the magnetic separation cleaning device, wherein the liquid path device is configured to inject or discharge a cleaning liquid into or from the magnetic separation cleaning device,\nwherein the incubation and luminescence detection device comprises a sample incubation mechanism and a sample detection mechanism, wherein the sample detection mechanism detects the reaction vessel;\nthe sample incubation mechanism comprises an incubation block and a heating component configured to heat the incubation block, the incubation block is provided with a plurality of incubation holes arranged in an array, and each of the incubation holes is configured to receive the reaction vessel; and\nthe sample detection mechanism is disposed on the sample incubation mechanism, and located at a side face of the incubation block,\nwherein the incubation block is provided with a luminescence detection hole arranged corresponding to the sample detection mechanism, wherein the luminescence detection hole is within the incubation block, and wherein the luminescence detection hole is configured to accommodate the reaction vessel, the reaction vessel after the incubation is transferred from one of the incubation holes into the luminescence detection hole, and the reaction vessel accommodated in the luminescence detection hole is detected by the sample detection mechanism.","2. The fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer of claim 1, wherein the sample receiving mechanism comprises a plurality of sample holders arranged in an arc shape, a sample receiving driving structure, and a chassis, wherein each of the sample holders is configured to carry sample vessels with samples, the sample holders are sequentially installed on the chassis, and the sample receiving driving structure drives the chassis to rotate, so as to drive the sample holders on the chassis to rotate.","3. The fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer of claim 1, wherein the reagent receiving mechanism comprises a reagent housing, a reagent disc, and a reagent disc driving structure, wherein the reagent disc is accommodated in the reagent housing, the reagent disc is configured to store reagent vessels with reagents, and the reagent disc driving structure drives the reagent disc to rotate.","4. The fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer of claim 3, wherein the reagent receiving mechanism further comprises a cooling structure having a cooling component and a cold-end spreader, wherein the cooling component is located below the reagent disc and offset from a center of the reagent housing for cooling an interior of the reagent housing, and the cold-end spreader is connected to a cold end of the cooling component and located below the reagent disc.","5. The fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer of claim 4, wherein the reagent receiving mechanism further comprises a hot-end radiator having a heat-conducting component, wherein the hot-end radiator is connected to a hot end of the cooling component and located on an outer side of the reagent housing.","6. The fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer of claim 3, wherein the reagent receiving mechanism further comprises a reagent housing lid that covers the reagent housing; and\nthe reagent housing lid is provided with a plurality of reagent aspiration holes that are arranged in a radial direction of the reagent disc and located on a straight line, and the dispensing device is capable of entering into any one of the reagent aspiration holes to aspirate the reagent; and\nwherein the reagent housing lid comprises a condensation structure that is provided on the reagent housing lid, the reagent aspiration holes are located in the condensation structure, and the condensation structure is configured to receive condensed water generated at the reagent aspiration holes.","7. The fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer of claim 6, wherein the condensation structure comprises a condensation plate and a water receiving tray arranged opposite each other, the condensation plate is detachably connected to the water receiving tray, an airflow channel is formed between the condensation plate and the water receiving tray, and cold air in the reagent housing is capable of entering into the airflow channel;\neach of the reagent aspiration holes comprises a first reagent aspiration hole located in the condensation plate and a second reagent aspiration hole located in the water receiving tray; and the first reagent aspiration hole and the second reagent aspiration hole are arranged opposite each other, an outline of the first reagent aspiration hole covers an outline of the second reagent aspiration hole, and the first reagent aspiration hole is respectively in communication with the airflow channel and an outside environment.","8. The fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer of claim 3, wherein the sample and reagent receiving device further comprises an identification code scanner for scanning an identification code, and the sample receiving mechanism is provided with a scanning notch; and\nthe identification code scanner is capable of scanned identification codes of the sample vessels on sample receiving mechanism through the scanning notch, and the identification code scanner is further capable of scanning identification codes of the reagent vessels on the reagent receiving mechanism through the scanning notch;\nthe reagent housing is provided with a scanning window, and the scanning window, the scanning notch and the identification code scanner correspond to one another, the reagent disc drives the reagent vessels to rotate, such that the reagent vessels are sequentially moved to the scanning window, and the identification code scanner scans the identification codes of the reagent vessels.","9. The fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer of claim 1, wherein the mixing device comprises two mixing mechanisms, a mixing driving structure and a mixing seat, and the mixing driving structure drives each of the mixing mechanisms to move, so as to mix the sample and the reagent in the reaction vessel on the mixing device;\nthe mixing seat comprises a reagent and sample mixing seat and a substrate mixing seat, the reagent and sample mixing seat is configured to carry the reaction vessel with the sample and the reagent and to mix the sample and the reagent in the reaction vessel, the substrate mixing seat is configured to carry the reaction vessel or another reaction vessel with a substrate and to mix the analyte and the substrate in the reaction vessel, and the mixing driving structure respectively drives, via the two mixing mechanisms, the reagent and sample mixing seat and the substrate mixing seat to perform mixing operations simultaneously.","10. The fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer of claim 1, wherein the dispensing device comprises a dispensing needle, a horizontal movement mechanism and a vertical movement mechanism, wherein the vertical movement mechanism is provided on the horizontal movement mechanism, the dispensing needle is provided on the vertical movement mechanism and is in communication with the liquid path device, and movements of the vertical movement mechanism and the horizontal movement mechanism cause the dispensing needle to transfer the sample and the reagent between the sample and reagent receiving device and the mixing device;\nthe dispensing device further comprises a first cleaning mechanism connected to the horizontal movement mechanism, wherein the first cleaning mechanism is in communication with the liquid path device, the horizontal movement mechanism drives the first cleaning mechanism to move, and when the vertical movement mechanism drives the dispensing needle to ascend or descend, the first cleaning mechanism cleans an outer wall of the dispensing needle.","11. The fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer of claim 10, wherein the dispensing device comprises a second cleaning mechanism, wherein the second cleaning mechanism is connected to the liquid path device, and the second cleaning mechanism is configured to receive a waste cleaning liquid after an inner wall of the dispensing needle is cleaned, and the waste cleaning liquid is discharged by the liquid path device.","12. The fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer of claim 1, wherein the incubation block is further provided with a waste liquid discharge hole arranged adjacent to the luminescence detection hole, the reaction vessel is transferred from the luminescence detection hole into the waste liquid discharge hole, and a waste liquid in the reaction vessel is discharged by the liquid path device.","13. The fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer of claim 1, wherein the sample incubation mechanism further comprises a substrate heat-conducting structure having a substrate tube and a substrate heat-conducting block, wherein the substrate tube and the substrate heat-conducting block are both disposed in the incubation block, and the substrate heat-conducting block is configured to heat a substrate in the substrate tube.","14. The fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer of claim 1, wherein the sample incubation mechanism further comprises a cleaning liquid heat-conducting container, which is disposed in the incubation block for heating the cleaning liquid, and is capable of delivering the heated cleaning liquid into the reaction vessel.","15. The fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer of claim 1, further comprising a waste liquid discharge device, which is connected to the liquid path device and configured to discharge a waste liquid from the reaction vessel after being detected by the incubation and luminescence detection device; and\nwhile discharging the waste liquid, the waste liquid discharge device is further capable of shielding the reaction vessel from light, when the reaction vessel is being subjected to the luminescence detection in the incubation and luminescence detection device.","16. The fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer of claim 1, wherein the magnetic separation cleaning device comprises a magnetic separation base, a cleaning liquid injection mechanism, a cleaning liquid discharge mechanism and a magnetic separation attraction mechanism, wherein\nthe magnetic separation base is provided with an access hole, at least one cleaning liquid intake hole and at least one cleaning liquid discharge hole provided in sequence, the access hole being configured to receive or remove the reaction vessel to be separated and cleaned; the magnetic separation base drives the reaction vessel to rotate such that the reaction vessel sequentially corresponds to the cleaning liquid intake hole, the cleaning liquid discharge hole and the access hole; the cleaning liquid injection mechanism is connected to the liquid path device and provided in the cleaning liquid intake hole for adding the cleaning liquid into the reaction vessel; the cleaning liquid discharge mechanism is connected to the liquid path device and arranged in a liftable manner corresponding to the cleaning liquid discharge hole, for discharging the waste cleaning liquid from the reaction vessel; and\nthe magnetic separation attraction mechanism is provided in the magnetic separation base and located on two sides of a rotation path of the reaction vessel.","17. The fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer of claim 16, wherein the magnetic separation cleaning device further comprises a separation cleaning mechanism, and a liquid discharge ascending/descending mechanism located in a liftable manner on the magnetic separation base; the cleaning liquid discharge mechanism comprises a cleaning liquid discharge needle provided on the liquid discharge ascending/descending mechanism, the separation cleaning mechanism is provided in the cleaning liquid discharge hole, and when the liquid discharge ascending/descending mechanism drives the liquid discharge needle to ascend or descend, the separation cleaning mechanism cleans an outer wall of the liquid discharge needle.","18. The fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer of claim 16, wherein the at least one cleaning liquid intake hole comprises three cleaning liquid intake holes and the at least one cleaning liquid discharge hole comprises three cleaning discharge holes, and each of the three cleaning liquid intake holes and each of the three cleaning liquid discharge holes are alternately placed in a circumferential direction of the magnetic separation base.","19. The fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer of claim 16, wherein the magnetic separation cleaning device further comprises a magnetic shielding component, the magnetic shielding component being sleeved outside the magnetic separation base for shielding a magnetic field generated by the magnetic separation attraction mechanism.","20. The fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer of claim 1, further comprising: a carrying platform, a reaction vessel receiving device, a waste box, a main control device, and a power supply device, wherein\nthe sample and reagent receiving device is located at one side edge of the carrying platform and provided on a side of the incubation and luminescence detection device away from the magnetic separation cleaning device, for carrying and automatically delivering the reaction vessel;\nthe incubation and luminescence detection device, the magnetic separation cleaning device and the reaction vessel receiving device are located at the other side edge of the carrying platform;\nthe mixing device is located between the incubation and luminescence detection device and the sample and reagent receiving device;\nthe liquid path device is located below the carrying platform; the reaction vessel grasping device is located at an edge of the carrying platform and above the reaction vessel receiving device; and\nthe dispensing device is located above the sample and reagent receiving device;\nthe power supply device is electrically connected to the main control device;\nthe main control device is electrically connected to the sample and reagent receiving device, the dispensing device, the incubation and luminescence detection device, the magnetic separation cleaning device, the reaction vessel grasping device, the reaction vessel receiving device and the liquid path device respectively; and\nthe main control device and the power supply device are located below the carrying platform.","21. The fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer of claim 1, wherein the liquid path device further comprises a magnetic separation cleaning liquid path system, and the magnetic separation cleaning device is provided with a liquid injection needle; the magnetic separation cleaning liquid path system comprises a magnetic separation power source, a magnetic separation liquid aspiration pipeline, a magnetic separation liquid injection pipeline and a first magnetic separation control valve;\nthe magnetic separation power source is respectively connected to the magnetic separation liquid aspiration pipeline and the magnetic separation liquid injection pipeline via the first magnetic separation control valve; the magnetic separation liquid aspiration pipeline is in communication with a cleaning liquid container with the cleaning liquid, and the magnetic separation liquid injection pipeline is connected to the liquid injection needle;\nthe first magnetic separation control valve connects the magnetic separation power source with the magnetic separation liquid aspiration pipeline and disconnects the magnetic separation power source from the magnetic separation liquid injection pipeline, so that the cleaning liquid is capable of being aspirated from the cleaning liquid container; and the first magnetic separation control valve connects the magnetic separation power source with the magnetic separation liquid injection pipeline and disconnects the magnetic separation power source from the magnetic separation liquid aspiration pipeline, so that the cleaning liquid is capable of being injected into the reaction vessel;\nthe magnetic separation cleaning device is provided with a separation cleaning mechanism and a cleaning liquid discharge needle; the magnetic separation cleaning liquid path system further comprises a first magnetic separation cleaning pipeline, a third magnetic separation control valve and a fourth magnetic separation control valve;\nthe first magnetic separation cleaning pipeline connects the magnetic separation liquid injection pipeline to the separation cleaning mechanism, and the third magnetic separation control valve is provided on the first magnetic separation cleaning pipeline for controlling opening and closing of the first magnetic separation cleaning pipeline; the fourth magnetic separation control valve is provided on the magnetic separation liquid injection pipeline; and\nthe magnetic separation power source is in communication with the first magnetic separation cleaning pipeline via the magnetic separation liquid injection pipeline, and the fourth magnetic separation control valve closes the magnetic separation liquid injection pipeline to clean an outer wall of the liquid injection needle.","22. The fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer of claim 21, wherein the magnetic separation cleaning liquid path system further comprises a magnetic separation liquid discharge pipeline, a second magnetic separation control valve, a magnetic separation drive source, and a recovery pipeline;\nthe magnetic separation liquid discharge pipeline connects the magnetic separation drive source to the liquid discharge needle, and the second magnetic separation control valve is provided on the magnetic separation liquid discharge pipeline for discharging waste cleaning liquid from the reaction vessel; and the magnetic separation drive source is further connected to the recovery pipeline, and the waste cleaning liquid in the reaction vessel is discharged into a waste liquid bucket through the recovery pipeline;\nthe magnetic separation cleaning liquid path system further comprises a second magnetic separation cleaning pipeline and a fifth magnetic separation control valve; the second magnetic separation cleaning pipeline connects the separation cleaning mechanism to the magnetic separation drive source, the fifth magnetic separation control valve is provided on the second magnetic separation cleaning pipeline for controlling opening and closing of the second magnetic separation cleaning pipeline, and the waste cleaning liquid is discharged into the waste liquid bucket by the magnetic separation drive source;\nthe magnetic separation drive source comprises a negative pressure chamber, a vacuum pump, and a negative pressure sensor, wherein the negative pressure chamber connects the magnetic separation liquid discharge pipeline to the recovery pipeline, the vacuum pump is provided on the recovery pipeline, the negative pressure sensor is configured to detect a pressure of the negative pressure chamber, and the pressure is adjusted by the vacuum pump."],["1. A valveless, single use, microfluidic cartridge for performing an assay, the cartridge comprising:\na sealable sample chamber;\na first microfluidic blister comprising a first reagent;\noptionally a second blister comprising a second reagent;\noptionally a third blister comprising a third reagent;\na first mixing chamber;\na second mixing chamber;\na first bellows;\na second bellows;\na reading cuvette connected to the first mixing chamber;\nwherein\nthe sample chamber, first blister and optionally the second blister are each connected to the first mixing chamber;\nthe first mixing chamber is connected to the second mixing chamber via a tortuous channel;\nthe first bellows is connected to the second mixing chamber;\nthe second bellows is adapted to force liquids from the first mixing chamber towards the reading cuvette;\nand wherein the cartridge is being adapted to:\nreceive a sample into said sample chamber and to seal said sample chamber such that said cartridge is a closed system after sealing said sample chamber;\npass a predetermined quantity of said sample into said first mixing chamber;\ntransfer said first reagent from said first blister into said first mixing chamber;\noperate said first bellows to transfer liquid back and forth between said first and said second mixing chambers, to mix said sample and said first reagent;\noptionally transfer said second reagent from said second blister into said first mixing chamber and optionally operate said first bellows to transfer liquid back and forth between said first and said second mixing chambers;\noptionally transfer said third reagent from said third blister into said second mixing chamber and optionally operate said first bellows to transfer liquid back and forth between said first and said second mixing chambers;\noperate said second bellows to transfer liquid from said first mixing chamber, toward said reading cuvette.","2. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein said first mixing chamber is of a volume of 200 to 10000 microliters.","3. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein a volume of any of the blisters is from about 1 microliter to 1000 microliters.","4. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein a volume of the sample is about 10 microliters.","5. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein said cartridge has a shelf-life of 6 to 24 months.","6. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein said first bellows and/or said second bellows comprises an inflatable deformable elastic chamber adapted to apply at least one of a negative pressure and a positive pressure to said mixing chamber(s).","7. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein:\nsaid first reagent comprises antibodies;\nsaid second reagent or said third reagent comprises a diluent and/or a cell lysis reagent;\nsaid second reagent or said third reagent comprise fluorescently tagged beads.","8. The cartridge of claim 7, wherein said antibodies comprise an antibody mixture comprising fluorescently tagged CD64 and fluorescently tagged CD163 antibodies.","9. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein said reagent(s) comprises at least one of:\ni. at least one target antibody;\nii. at least one positive control identifying antibody; and\niii. at least one negative control identifying detection moiety.","10. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein said reagent(s) comprises at least one reference composition comprising at least one of:\ni. a target signal reference composition; and\nii. a reference identifier composition.","11. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein said first reagent comprise at least one sepsis biomarker.","12. The cartridge of claim 11, wherein said at least one biomarker comprises at least one of CD64 and CD163 biomarkers.","13. The cartridge of claim 8, wherein the fluorescent tags of said beads comprising two fluorescent tags, wherein at least one of the two fluorescent tags on said beads is different from the fluorescently tagged CD64 and fluorescently tagged CD163 antibodies.","14. The cartridge of claim 7, wherein said antibodies are murine monoclonal antibodies.","15. The cartridge of claim 7, wherein the fluorescently tagged beads comprise Starfire Red.","16. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the cell lysis reagent comprises ammonium chloride.","17. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein said sample comprises cells.","18. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein said sample is a blood sample.","19. The cartridge of claim 18, wherein said blood sample is whole blood.","20. The cartridge of claim 18, wherein the blood sample comprises erythrocytes and/or leukocytes, and wherein the leukocytes comprise lymphocytes and neutrophils.","21. The cartridge of claim 20, wherein the blood sample comprises leukocytes."],["1. An analyte detection device, comprising:\na first substrate and a second substrate aligned to define a gap therebetween;\nan array of wells disposed in the second substrate, wherein:\neach well is of the array of wells is dimensioned to hold a single solid support of a plurality of solid supports, the plurality of solid supports being configured to bind to an analyte of interest;\neach well of the array of wells comprises a first sidewall and a bottom surface; and\nat least a top portion of the first sidewall is oriented at an obtuse angle with reference to the bottom surface; and\nan actuation component configured to facilitate movement of the plurality of solid supports to the array of wells.","2. The analyte detection device of claim 1, wherein a bottom portion of the first sidewall is oriented at the obtuse angle with reference to the bottom surface.","3. The analyte detection device of claim 1, wherein each well comprises a second sidewall that is perpendicular to the bottom surface.","4. The analyte detection device of claim 1, wherein each well comprises a second sidewall that is oriented at an acute angle with reference to the bottom portion.","5. The analyte detection device of claim 1, wherein each well has a frustoconical shape.","6. The analyte detection device of claim 1, wherein each well has an inverted frustoconical shape.","7. The analyte detection device of claim 1, wherein the first substrate comprises a first portion at which a liquid containing the analyte of interest is introduced and a second portion toward which the liquid is moved, wherein the array of wells is disposed proximate the second portion.","8. The analyte detection device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second substrates is substantially transparent to facilitate optical interrogation of the wells.","9. The analyte detection device of claim 8, further comprising an optical imaging component configured to determine a number of the solid supports disposed in a well and bound to the analyte of interest.","10. The analyte detection device of claim 1, wherein a plurality of the plurality of solid supports are magnetic solid supports.","11. The analyte detection device of claim 10, wherein a magnetic field is used to facilitate loading the magnetic solid supports into respective wells.","12. The analyte detection device of claim 1, further comprising a reagent reservoir disposed on the first substrate.","13. The analyte detection device of claim 12, wherein at least one reagent disposed in the reagent reservoir comprises a detectable label, a binding member, a dye, or a surfactant.","14. The analyte detection device of claim 12, wherein at least one reagent is disposed in the reagent reservoir in a printed or dried form.","15. The analyte detection device of claim 1, wherein each solid support comprises a passivating layer configured to minimize non-specific attachment of non-capture components to the solid support.","16. A method of detecting an analyte of interest, comprising:\nintroducing a liquid comprising an analyte of interest into an analyte detection device comprising:\na first substrate and a second substrate aligned to define a gap therebetween;\nan array of wells disposed in the second substrate, wherein:\neach well is of the array of wells is dimensioned to hold a single solid support of a plurality of solid supports, the plurality of solid supports being configured to bind to an analyte of interest;\neach well of the array of wells comprises a first sidewall and a bottom surface;\nat least a top portion of the first sidewall is oriented at an obtuse angle with reference to the bottom surface;\nthe first substrate comprises a first portion at which the liquid comprising the analyte of interest is introduced and a second portion toward which the liquid is moved, wherein the array of wells is disposed proximate the second portion; and\nan actuation component configured to facilitate movement of the plurality of solid supports to the array of wells;\nintroducing the solid supports to the liquid comprising the analyte of interest;\nmoving the plurality of solid supports bound to the analyte of interest towards the array of wells;\nloading the plurality of solid supports into respective wells of the array of wells; and\nimaging the array of wells to determine a number of the solid supports disposed in the array of wells and bound to the analyte of interest.","17. The method of claim 16, wherein at least one of the first and second substrates is substantially transparent to facilitate optical interrogation of the wells.","18. The method of claim 16, wherein a plurality of the plurality of solid supports are magnetic solid supports, the method further comprising:\nactuating a magnetic field to facilitate loading the magnetic solid supports into respective wells.","19. The method of claim 16, further comprising:\ncalculating a ratio of the solid supports bound to the analyte of interest to solid supports not bound to the analyte of interest.","20. The method of claim 19, wherein at least one of the first substrate and the second substrate is substantially transparent to facilitate optical interrogation of the wells."],["1. An apparatus for detecting an analyte in a biological fluid of a subject, comprising:\na) a sample collection unit for introducing a biological fluid in fluid communication with a plurality of reaction sites;\nb) a plurality of reactant chambers carrying a plurality of reactants in fluid communication with said reaction sites,\nwherein said plurality of reaction sites comprise a plurality of reactants bound thereto for detecting said analyte; and\nc) a system of fluidic channels to allow said biological fluid and said plurality of reactants to flow in said apparatus, wherein at least one channel located between said plurality of reaction sites comprises an optical barrier to reduce the amount of optical cross-talk between said plurality of said reaction sites during detection of said analyte.","2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of waste chambers in fluid communication with at least one of said reaction sites.","3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each channel located between said plurality of reaction sites comprises an optical barrier.","4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the biological fluid is less than about 500 microliters.","5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said optical barrier comprises a nonlinear fluidic channel.","6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the fluid is less than about 50 microliters.","7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reactants comprise immunoassay reagents.","8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said apparatus detects a plurality of analytes, wherein the analytes are identified by distinct signals detectable over a range of 3 orders of magnitude.","9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the immunoassay reagents detect a polypeptide glycoprotein, polysaccharide, lipid, nucleic acid, and a combination thereof.","10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the immunoassay reagents detect a member selected from the group consisting of drug, drug metabolite, biomarker indicative of a disease, tissue specific marker, and biomarker specific for a cell or cell type.","11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the detectable signal is a luminescent signal.","12. An apparatus for detecting an analyte in a biological fluid of a subject, comprising\na) a sample collection unit for introducing a biological fluid in fluid communication with a plurality of reaction sites, wherein said plurality of reaction sites comprise a plurality of bound reactants for detecting said analyte;\nb) a plurality of reactant chambers carrying a plurality of reactants in fluid communication with said reaction sites; and\nc) a system of fluidic channels to allow said biological fluid and said plurality of reactants to flow in said apparatus,\nwherein said bound reactants in at least one reaction site are unevenly distributed.","13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said bound reactants in the at least one reaction site are localized around the center of said reaction site.","14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein an outer edge of the at least one reaction site is at a distance sufficiently far from said bound reactants to reduce signals unrelated to the presence of said analyte.","15. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a waste chamber in fluid communication with said reaction sites.","16. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said unbound reactant is coupled to said edge of said reaction site.","17. A method of manufacturing a fluidic device for detecting an analyte in a biological fluid of a subject, comprising:\na) providing a plurality of layers of a fluidic device;\nb) ultrasonically welding said layers together such that a fluidic network exists between a sample collection unit, at least one reactant chamber, at least one reaction site, and at least one waste chamber.","18. The method of claim 17 wherein said at least one reaction chamber is vacuum sealed.","19. The method of claim 17, wherein said fluidic device comprises a system of fluidic channels to allow contact of said biological fluid with reactants in said at least one reaction site.","20. The method of claim 17, wherein said reaction site comprises an optical barrier to reduce the amount of optical cross-talk between another reaction site on the fluidic device."],["32. A method of amplifying and sequencing nucleic acid, comprising:\na) providing:\ni) a population of different nucleic acid template molecules,\nii) a plurality of single stranded oligonucleotides immobilized on a bead,\niii) amplification reagents,\niv) sequencing reagents, and\nv) a plurality of first and second sequencing primers;\nb) hybridizing at least a portion of said population of nucleic acid template molecules to said plurality of single stranded oligonucleotides immobilized on said bead;\nc) amplifying said nucleic acid template molecules so as to create a plurality of forward strands;\nd) sequencing said forward oligonucleotide strands with said first sequencing primers;\ne) amplifying said nucleic acid template molecules so as to create a plurality of reverse single stranded strands; and\nf) sequencing said reverse oligonucleotide strands with said second sequencing primers.","33. The method of claim 32, wherein said amplification reagents comprise polymerase and dNTPs.","34. The method of claim 32, wherein said sequencing reagents comprise reagents for sequencing by synthesis.","35. The method of claim 32, wherein the bead is enclosed in a chamber.","36. The method of claim 35, wherein the chamber is formed between i) a first surface having a plurality of indentations and ii) a second surface.","37. The method of claim 35, wherein the bead is located within a single indentation of the plurality of indentations.","38. The method of claim 36, wherein each indentation of the plurality of indentation comprises a bead.","39. The method of claim 36, wherein said chamber is sealed by an adhesive gasket between the first and second surfaces.","40. The method of claim 32, wherein said plurality of single stranded oligonucleotides are immobilized to said bead through a linker.","41. The method of claim 40, wherein said linker elevates said oligonucleotides away from said surface.","42. The method of claim 32, wherein when the first sequencing primers are used in step d), said second sequencing primers are not active.","43. A method of sequencing nucleic acid, comprising:\na) providing i) a plurality of different amplicons immobilized on a bead enclosed in a chamber, and ii) sequencing reagents;\nb) introducing said sequencing reagents into said chamber; and\nc) performing sequencing by synthesis.","44. The method of claim 43, wherein the chamber is formed between i) a first surface having a plurality of indentations and ii) a second surface.","45. The method of claim 43, wherein said chamber is sealed by an adhesive gasket, between the first and second surfaces.","46. The method of claim 45, wherein said adhesive gasket is sandwiched between said first and second surfaces.","47. The method of claim 43, wherein said sequencing reagents comprise polymerase and a plurality of sequencing primers.","48. The method of claim 43, wherein said amplicons are attached to the bead through extension of the primers which were attached to the bead prior to amplification.","49. The method of claim 48, wherein said amplification performed without the use of emulsions.","50. The method of claim 44, wherein the first surface comprises silicon.","51. The method of claim 50, where the first surface is a microchip."],["1. An application method for an automatic micro droplet array screening system with picoliter scale precision, wherein the system comprises a capillary, a fluid driving system in connection with the capillary, a microwell array chip, a sample/reagent storage tube and an automated translation stage, the application method comprising the following steps:\n(1) filling the fluid driving system and the capillary with a carrier fluid, and removing air bubbles inside the capillary, wherein thermal expansion coefficient of the carrier fluid ranges from 0.00001/° C to 0.0005/° C;\n(2) immersing a sampling end of the capillary into a first oil phase that is mutually immiscible with and above an aqueous sample in the sample/reagent storage tube, and aspirating a plug of the first oil phase into the capillary for separating the aqueous sample and the carrier fluid, wherein the carrier fluid and the first oil phase are mutually immiscible;\n(3) immersing the sampling end of the capillary into the sample/reagent storage tube and aspirating a predetermined volume of the aqueous sample into the capillary; and\n(4) moving the sampling end of the capillary to a location above a second oil phase in and above microwells on the microwell array chip, and pushing the aqueous sample in the capillary into the microwells to form droplets of the aqueous sample, wherein the carrier fluid and the second oil phase are mutually immiscible.","2. The application method for an automatic micro droplet array screening system with picoliter scale precision according to claim 1, wherein step (4) of the application method further comprises the following specific sub-steps:\nproducing droplets of multiple aqueous samples to be screened with different chemical compositions or concentrations on the microwell array chip;\naspirating a predetermined volume of a reagent at one time into the capillary, and respectively inserting the sampling end of the capillary into each aqueous sample droplet; respectively injecting a further predetermined volume of the aspirated reagent to form a droplet reactor, and complete mixing, reaction, testing and screening of the aqueous sample and the reagent.","3. The application method for an automatic micro droplet array screening system with picoliter scale precision according to claim 1, wherein characterized in that step (4) also comprises the following specific sub-steps:\nproducing a predetermined number of droplets of a reagent on the microwell array chip;\nrespectively injecting the aqueous sample to be screened into each droplet of the reagent to form a droplet reactor, and complete mixing, reaction, testing and screening of the reagent and aqueous sample.","4. The application method for an automatic micro droplet array screening system with picoliter scale precision according to claim 1, wherein the fluid driving system is configured to drive fluid at a flow rate of 1 nanoliter/min to 500 nanoliters/min.","5. The application method for an automatic micro droplet array screening system with picoliter scale precision according to claim 1, wherein an additional volume of the first oil phase is aspirated into the capillary before aspiration of the aqueous sample or a reagent; the first oil phase is also pushed out of the capillary together with the aqueous sample or the reagent.","6. The application method for an automatic micro droplet array screening system with picoliter scale precision according to claim 1, wherein wall thickness of the capillary ranges from 1 micron to 100 microns.","7. The application method for an automatic micro droplet array screening system with picoliter scale precision according to claim 1, wherein the carrier fluid and the first and second oil phases are degassed before step (1).","8. The application method for an automatic micro droplet array screening system with picoliter scale precision according to claim 1, wherein a layer of the second oil phase covers the microwells on the microwell array chip and a layer of the first oil phase covers the aqueous sample in the sample/reagent storage tube; and thickness of the first and second oil phases ranges from 0.1 mm to 10 mm.","9. The application method for an automatic micro droplet array screening system with picoliter scale precision according to claim 1, wherein a biologically compatible surfactant is added into the first and second oil phases; and concentration of the surfactant ranges from 0.01% to 10%."],["1. A method for identifying a transcriptome change in a cell induced by a compound, the method comprising:\na) generating an assay array wherein said array comprises:\ni) a plurality of confined volumes wherein each confined volume is separated from the other confined volumes and wherein each confined volume comprises at least one cell;\nii) a plurality of beads where each bead comprises the compound and a plurality of first functionalized oligonucleotides, wherein each first functionalized oligonucleotide comprises a capture sequence and an oligonucleotide portion that encodes a structure of the compound or the synthetic steps used to make said compound, wherein a single bead is disposed in each confined volume;\nb) contacting the at least one cell in each confined volume with the compound released into the confined volume from the bead; and\nc) capturing RNA from the at least one cell in each confined volume by lysing the at least one cell and contacting the RNA with the capture sequence on said bead or with a second functionalized oligonucleotide.","2. The method of claim 1, wherein the RNA is contacted with the second functionalized oligonucleotide, and the method further comprises:\ncausing a poly-A tail located 3′ with respect to the capture sequence to hybridize to a poly-T region of a different second functionalized oligonucleotide, wherein the second functionalized oligonucleotide encodes a structure of the captured RNA.","3. The method of claim 2, wherein second functionalized oligonucleotides each comprise a unique molecular identifier (UMI) distinct from UMIs of other second functionalized oligonucleotides, and the method further comprises:\nquantifying RNA that has been captured based on a number of UMIs bound to RNA.","4. The method of claim 2, wherein the second functionalized oligonucleotide is hybridized to the RNA from the at least one cell, and the method further comprises:\ncausing the different second functionalized oligonucleotide to hybridize to the poly-A tail.","5. The method of claim 1, wherein the compound is selected as a drug candidate from a combinatorial library.","6. The method of claim 1, wherein the capturing of the RNA comprises contacting a membrane of the at least one cell to the capture sequence.","7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\ncausing a first end of a first functionalized oligonucleotide to hybridize to a second end of the second functionalized oligonucleotide, wherein the first end is located 3′ with respect to the capture sequence and the second end comprises a 5′ end of the second functionalized oligonucleotide.","8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first functionalized oligonucleotides encode a date that the compound was synthesized, a disease that the compound is intended to treat, or a cellular event that the compound is intended to stimulate or inhibit.","9. The method of claim 1, further comprising maintaining said contact for a period sufficient to generate a transcriptome change in the RNA expressed by the at least one cell in response to said contacting.","10. The method of claim 1, further comprising applying the second functionalized oligonucleotide to the at least one cell while lysing the at least one cell.","11. An assay device comprising:\na plurality of confined volumes wherein each confined volume is separated from the other confined volumes and wherein each confined volume comprises at least one cell;\na plurality of beads, wherein:\neach bead comprises a compound and a plurality of first functionalized oligonucleotides;\nthe compound is released into the confined volume from the bead;\neach first functionalized oligonucleotide comprises a capture sequence and an oligonucleotide portion that encodes a structure of the compound or the synthetic steps used to make said compound;\na single bead is disposed in each confined volume; and\nat least one of the first functionalized oligonucleotides or a second functionalized oligonucleotide captures RNA from the cell in each confined volume following lysing of the at least one cell.","12. The assay device of claim 11, further comprising the second functionalized oligonucleotide and a different second functionalized oligonucleotide, wherein:\nthe first functionalized oligonucleotides each comprise a poly-A tail located 3′ with respect to the capture sequence;\nthe second functionalized oligonucleotide and the different second functionalized oligonucleotide each comprise a poly-T region; and\nthe poly-A tail of one of the first functionalized oligonucleotides hybridizes to the poly-T region of the different second functionalized oligonucleotide.","13. The assay device of claim 12, further comprising second functionalized oligonucleotides, wherein the second functionalized oligonucleotides each comprise a unique molecular identifier (UMI) distinct from UMIs of other second functionalized oligonucleotides, wherein RNA that has been captured is quantified based on a number of UMIs bound to RNA.","14. The assay device of claim 12, wherein the second functionalized oligonucleotide is hybridized to the RNA from the at least one cell, and the second functionalized oligonucleotide and the different second functionalized oligonucleotide are within a same confined volume and comprise a common promoter region to indicate that the compound was contacted with the at least one cell.","15. The assay device of claim 12, wherein the second functionalized oligonucleotide and the different second functionalized oligonucleotide each comprise a sequence that is identical, wherein the sequence is different from other sequences belonging to other second functionalized oligonucleotides in different confined volumes.","16. The assay device of claim 11, wherein the compound is selected as a drug candidate from a combinatorial library.","17. The assay device of claim 11, wherein the capture sequence contacts a membrane of the at least one cell.","18. The assay device of claim 11, wherein a first functionalized oligonucleotide of the first functionalized oligonucleotides hybridizes to a second end of the second functionalized oligonucleotide, wherein the first end is located 3′ with respect to the capture sequence and the second end comprises a 5′ end of the second functionalized oligonucleotide.","19. The assay device of claim 11, wherein the first functionalized oligonucleotides encode a date that the compound was synthesized, a disease that the compound is intended to treat, or a cellular event that the compound is intended to stimulate or inhibit.","20. The assay device of claim 11, further comprising the second functionalized oligonucleotide which contacts the at least one cell, and wherein the at least one cell is lysed."],["1. An assay system configured to use an assay consumable for conducting an assay, said assay consumable associated with a consumable identifier wherein said assay system comprises:\n(a) a storage medium configured to store data describing a plurality of steps of a generic assay protocol applicable to a plurality of assays, and configured to store a data deployable bundle (DDB) associated with the consumable identifier, wherein the DDB includes information describing a specific assay protocol to be performed, the specific assay protocol including all or a portion of the plurality of steps of the generic assay protocol;\n(b) a controller adapted to:\nread the information in the DDB to determine the specific assay protocol to be performed when conducting the assay; and\ncause all or a portion of the steps of the generic assay protocol to be performed based on the specific assay protocol associated with the DDB.","2. The assay system of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to persist one or more data files of the DDB to the storage medium.","3. The assay system of claim 2, wherein the one or more data files comprise a DDB unique identifier, a DDB version, consumable static information, consumable processing information, and combinations thereof.","4. The assay system of claim 3, wherein the consumable static information comprises consumable type information.","5. The assay system of claim 4, wherein the assay consumable is a multi-well assay plate and the consumable type information includes a number of columns of wells; a number of rows of wells; a number of binding domains per well; and combinations thereof.","6. The assay system of claim 3, wherein the assay consumable is a multi-well assay plate and the consumable processing information comprises data used by the assay system in the conduct of the assay using the multi-well assay plate and/or the processing of assay data resulting from the conduct of the assay using the multi-well assay plate.","7. The assay system of claim 6, wherein the consumable processing information comprises the number of sectors per multi-well assay plate, the number of circuits per multi-well assay plate, detection parameters used by the assay system to read the multi-well assay plate; image processing properties use to produce ECL results; plate type gain; binding domain gain; optical cross talk matrix; and combinations thereof.","8. The assay system of claim 3, wherein the assay consumable is a kit comprising a multi-well assay plate and one or more reagents used in the conduct of the assay using the multi-well assay plate and the DDB further comprises assay binding domain information, assay protocol, data analysis parameters, a product insert, and combinations thereof.","9. The assay system of claim 2, wherein the one or more data files comprise a DDB unique identifier, a DDB version, and consumable static information.","10. The assay system of claim 1, wherein the assay system further comprises a DDB version compatibility processor configured to downgrade and/or upgrade incompatible DDB software.","11. The assay system of claim 1, wherein the assay system further comprises a DDB factory adapted to transform raw classified data into assay system configured data suitable for use by the assay system in the conduct of the assay.","12. The assay system of claim 1, wherein the DDB comprises a DDB xml file including data description information and data processing information.","13. The assay system of claim 1, wherein the specific assay protocol includes only a portion of the plurality of steps of the generic assay protocol.","14. A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon a computer program which, when executed by a computer system operatively connected to an assay system, causes the assay system to perform all or some of the steps of a method of conducting an assay on said assay system, wherein said assay system is configured to use an assay consumable in the conduct of said assay, said assay consumable comprising an assay consumable identifier including a data deployable bundle (DDB), and said assay system comprises:\n(a) a storage medium including a consumable data repository comprising local consumable data, a data registry, and data describing a plurality of steps of a generic assay protocol applicable to a plurality of assays;\n(b) a consumable identifier controller adapted to read and install said DDB to said storage medium; and\n(c) a consumable data service processor adapted to query said data registry and one or more remote consumable data databases to identify and download the local consumable data required for the conduct of the assay by the assay system using said assay consumable;\nsaid method comprising the steps of:\n(a) causing the DDB to be read from said assay consumable identifier to determine a specific assay protocol to be performed when conducting the assay;\n(b) causing the DDB to be stored to said consumable data repository;\n(c) causing the local consumable data to be identified from said consumable data repository and\noptionally, causing the local consumable data to be downloaded from one or more remote consumable data databases;\n(d) causing all or a portion of the plurality of steps of the generic assay protocol to be selected to be performed based on the specific assay protocol associated with the DDB; and\n(e) conducting said assay using said assay consumable.","15. The computer readable medium of claim 14, wherein the method further comprises the step of persisting one or more data files of the DDB to the storage medium.","16. The assay system of claim 15, wherein the one or more data files comprise a DDB unique identifier, a DDB version, consumable static information, consumable processing information, and combinations thereof.","17. The assay system of claim 16, wherein the consumable processing information comprises data used by the assay system in the conduct of the assay using a multi-well assay plate or the processing of assay data resulting from the conduct of the assay using the multi-well assay plate.","18. The assay system of claim 17, wherein the consumable processing information comprises the number of sectors per multi-well assay plate, the number of circuits per multi-well assay plate, detection parameters used by the assay system to read the multi-well assay plate; image processing properties use to produce ECL results; plate type gain; binding domain gain; optical cross talk matrix; and combinations thereof.","19. The assay system of claim 15, wherein the one or more data files comprise a DDB unique identifier, a DDB version, and consumable static information.","20. The assay system of claim 19, wherein the consumable static information comprises consumable type information.","21. The assay system of claim 14, wherein selecting all or a portion of a plurality of steps of the generic assay protocol includes selecting only a portion of the plurality of steps.","22. The assay system of any of claim 14, wherein the DDB comprises a DDB xml file including data description information and data processing information.","23. An automated assay system configured to use assay consumables in the conduct of an assay, said assay system comprises at least one processor and at least one storage medium,\nwherein said storage medium stores instructions to conduct said assay by said at least one processor,\nwherein said instructions are separated into a plurality of components, said plurality of components comprises:\na security component,\na user interface component,\nan instrument control component, and\na data services component,\nwherein each component operates substantially independently of each other and has substantially no interaction with each other,\nwherein said plurality of components are connected to a master organizer and the master organizer instructs each component when to operate.","24. The assay system of claim 23, wherein the system comprises more than one component and an update to one component does not require a revalidation of all the components.","25. The assay system of claim 23, wherein the master organizer serves as a conduit to pass information among the plurality of components.","26. The assay system of any of claim 23, wherein at least one of said components is further separated into sub-components, wherein each sub-component operates substantially independently of each other and has substantially no interaction with each other, and wherein a sub-master organizer is connected to the sub-components and the sub-master organizer instructs each sub-component when to operate.","27. The assay system of claim 26, wherein an update to one sub-component does not require a revalidation of all the sub-components.","28. An assay system configured to use assay consumables in the conduct of a first assay, wherein the first assay comprises a unique assay identifier, said assay system comprises:\na reader adapted to read the unique assay identifier, and\na processor that accesses a general protocol file and an instrument parameter file,\nwherein the general protocol file contains a general assay protocol comprising assaying steps that are applicable to a plurality of assays including the first assay,\nwherein the instrument parameter file contains a plurality of flags that are either ON or OFF, and\nwherein the processor turns the assaying steps in the general assay protocol either ON or OFF according to said plurality of flags to conduct the first assay.","29. The assay system of claim 28, wherein the general assay protocol contains assaying steps for a V-PLEX assay.","30. The assay system of claim 28, wherein the general assay protocol contains assaying steps for a U-PLEX assay.","31. The assay system of claim 28, wherein the general assay protocol contains assaying steps for an immunogenicity assay.","32. The assay system of claim 28, wherein the general assay protocol contains assaying steps for a pharmacokinetic assay.","33. The assay system of claim 28, wherein the general assay protocol contains assaying steps for a custom sandwich assay."],["1. A method of performing a nucleic acid sequencing reaction, comprising:\n(a) coupling a reagent cartridge to a detection apparatus;\nwherein the reagent cartridge comprises a plurality of reagent reservoirs and a main channel;\n(b) coupling the reagent cartridge to a pump;\n(c) delivering sequencing reagents from the reagent cartridge to a flow cell, wherein the plurality of reagent reservoirs contains the sequencing reagents, and wherein the sequencing reagents comprise a nucleic acid sample for the sequencing reaction; and\n(d) detecting the sequencing reaction in the flow cell using the detection apparatus,\nwherein the pump is coupled to the reagent cartridge separately from the detection apparatus;\nwherein the pump is a separate component from the reagent cartridge and the detection apparatus;\nwherein the reagent cartridge interacts transiently with the detection apparatus; and\nwherein the flow cell is an integral component of the detection apparatus such that the flow cell is coupled to the reagent cartridge during coupling of the reagent cartridge to the detection apparatus.","2. A sequencing system, comprising:\n(a) a reagent cartridge coupled to a detection apparatus;\nwherein the reagent cartridge comprises a plurality of reagent reservoirs and a main channel, and wherein the plurality of reagent reservoirs contain sequencing reagents; and\n(b) a pump coupled to the reagent cartridge;\nwherein the pump is fluidically coupled to the reagent cartridge separately from the detection apparatus;\nwherein the pump is a separate component from the reagent cartridge and the detection apparatus;\nwherein the reagent cartridge interacts transiently with the detection apparatus; and\nwherein a flow cell is an integral component of the detection apparatus such that the flow cell is coupled to the reagent cartridge during coupling of the reagent cartridge to the detection apparatus;\nwherein the system is configured to deliver sequencing reagents from the reagent cartridge to the flow cell.","3. The method of claim 1, wherein at least in step (c), each reagent reservoir of the plurality of reagent reservoirs is connected to the main channel of the reagent cartridge via an individual valve such that each reagent reservoir fluidically communicates with the flow cell.","4. The method of claim 1, wherein at least in step (c), the flow cell is connected to the main channel via a first passage at a first end of the main channel and a second passage at a second end of the main channel.","5. The method of claim 1, wherein at least in step (c), the pump applies pressure to the main channel at a region that is between a first master valve and a second master valve, thereby allowing fluids to move through the main channel.","6. The method of claim 5, wherein the delivering sequencing reagents from the reagent cartridge to the flow cell comprises opening a first reagent valve of a first reagent reservoir and the first master valve, thereby delivering a first sequencing reagent in the first reagent reservoir to the flow cell in a first direction.","7. The method of claim 6, wherein the delivering sequencing reagents from the reagent cartridge to the flow cell further comprises opening a second reagent valve of a second reagent reservoir and the second master valve and closing the first reagent valve and the first master valve, thereby delivering a second sequencing reagent in the second reagent reservoir to the flow cell in a second direction that is opposite the first direction.","8. The method of claim 1, wherein the flow cell of step (c) and (d) comprises a solid support having an array of features.","9. The method of claim 1, further comprising (e) regulating flow of the sequencing reagents from the flow cell to a waste reservoir, wherein the regulating comprises opening a waste valve, and wherein the reagent cartridge comprises a waste reservoir and a waste valve in the main channel.","10. The method of claim 1, wherein at least in step (c), the pump alternatively applies positive and negative pressure to the main channel.","11. The method of claim 1, wherein the pump is a syringe pump.","12. The method of claim 1, further comprising real-time monitoring of DNA polymerase activity with zeromode waveguides.","13. The system of claim 2, wherein each reagent reservoir of the plurality of reagent reservoirs is connected to the main channel of the reagent cartridge via an individual valve such that each reagent reservoir fluidically communicates with the flow cell.","14. The system of claim 2, wherein the flow cell is connected to the main channel via a first passage at a first end of the main channel and a second passage at a second end of the main channel.","15. The system of claim 2, wherein the pump applies pressure to the main channel at a region that is between a first master valve and a second master valve, thereby allowing fluids to move through the main channel.","16. The system of claim 15, wherein a first reagent reservoir of the plurality of reagent reservoirs comprises a first reagent valve, and when the first reagent valve and the first master valve are open a first sequencing reagent in the first reagent reservoir is delivered to the flow cell in a first direction.","17. The system of claim 16, wherein a second reagent reservoir of the plurality of reagent reservoirs comprises a second reagent valve, and when the second reagent valve and the second master valve are open and the first reagent valve and the first master valve are closed, a second sequencing reagent in the second reagent reservoir is delivered to the flow cell in a second direction that is opposite the first direction.","18. The system of claim 2, wherein the reagent cartridge comprises a waste reservoir and a waste valve in the main channel.","19. The system of claim 18, wherein the system is configured to regulate flow of the sequencing reagents from the flow cell to the waste reservoir by opening the waste valve.","20. The system of claim 2, wherein the pump alternatively applies positive and negative pressure to the main channel.","21. The system of claim 2, wherein the pump is a syringe pump.","22. The system of claim 2, wherein the flow cell comprises a solid support having an array of features."],["1. An assembly for storing sample processing consumables, comprising:\na cover comprising a flexible panel and a cover wall extending downwardly from the perimeter of the panel, wherein the panel and the cover wall define a cover cavity; and\na tray having a top surface defining a plurality of wells and a side surface extending downwardly from the perimeter of the top surface, wherein the panel is situated adjacent the top surface of the tray, wherein a first portion of the tray is received within the cover cavity such that a press fit is formed between the side surface of the tray and an inner surface of the cover wall, thereby releasably coupling the cover to the tray, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of wells contain a sample processing consumable,\nwherein the cover wall defines a hollow protrusion configured to prevent a vacuum from forming in the cover cavity when the first portion of the tray is received therein, and\nwherein the cover is configured to be decoupled from the tray by applying a force to the panel to overcome the press fit.","2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the cover is configured such that the cover wall remains stationary as the cover is decoupled from the tray by applying the force to the panel.","3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the cover further comprises a flange extending outward from the cover wall.","4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the flange extends from a distal end of the cover wall.","5. The assembly of claim 3, wherein:\nthe cover wall has a cover dimension between the panel and the flange; and\nthe tray has a tray dimension between a bottom surface of the tray and the top surface of the tray, the tray dimension being greater than the cover dimension such that a second portion of the tray extends beyond the flange in a direction away from the panel.","6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of wells comprise first and second subsets of wells, the first and second subsets of wells defining alternating, linear rows of wells, wherein the first subset of wells contains receptacles for performing nucleic acid-based assays, and wherein the second subset of wells contains caps for closing openings of the receptacles.","7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the panel defines a plurality of protrusions, each of the protrusions defining a trough that extends into a portion of a corresponding well of the first subset of wells, and wherein the trough is situated adjacent a top portion of the receptacle in the corresponding well, thereby substantially preventing movement of the cap within the well.","8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the cover is thermoformed.","9. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the cover can be decoupled from the tray by applying a force to the center of the panel in the range of about 3 N to about 11 N.","10. The assembly of claim 1, wherein a magnitude of the force applied to the panel to overcome the press fit is at least greater than a weight of the tray.","11. An assembly for storing sample processing consumables, comprising:\na cover comprising:\na flexible panel,\na cover wall extending downwardly from a perimeter of the panel, wherein the panel and the cover wall define a cover cavity, and\na flange extending outward from a distal end of the cover wall,\nwherein the cover wall has a cover dimension defined between the panel and the flange; and\na tray comprising:\na top surface defining a plurality of wells, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of wells contain a sample processing consumable,\na side surface extending downwardly from a perimeter of the top surface, and\na bottom surface, wherein the tray has a tray dimension defined between the bottom surface and the top surface,\nwherein a first portion of the tray is received within the cover cavity such that a press fit is formed between the side surface of the tray and an inner surface of the cover wall, thereby releasably coupling the cover to the tray and such that the panel is situated adjacent the top surface of the tray,\nwherein the tray dimension is greater than the cover dimension such that a second portion of the tray extends beyond the flange in a direction away from the panel, and\nwherein the cover is configured to be decoupled from the tray by applying a force to the panel to overcome the press fit.","12. The assembly of claim 11, wherein a magnitude of the force applied to the panel to overcome the press fit is at least greater than a weight of the tray.","13. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the panel and cover wall of the cover have a thickness in a range from 10 mil to 20 mil.","14. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the cover dimension is in a range from 20 mm to 40 mm.","15. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the cover wall defines a hollow protrusion configured to prevent a vacuum from forming in the cover cavity when the first portion of the tray is received therein.","16. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the second portion of the tray is configured to be received within a support cavity defined by a support of a sample processing instrument, and the flange of the cover is configured to contact a wall of the support when the second portion of the tray is received within the support cavity of the support.","17. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the tray comprises a plastic-based material.","18. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the tray comprises a stainless steel.","19. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the cover is thermoformed."],["1. A lid apparatus for sealing atop a fluid sample container, the lid apparatus comprising:\na top lid having a major opening and a plurality of openings disposed about the major opening, wherein the top lid includes a hinged end and a snap-fit end; and\na bottom-cap hingedly attached to the top lid, the bottom-cap comprising an upper side and a lower side, wherein the upper side comprises a plurality of openings that include a surrounding lip or plateau that protrudes from the upper side, wherein each of the plurality of openings defines a through passage such that the plurality of openings correspond to a plurality of passages,\nwherein the lower side of the bottom-cap comprises:\na lower side main surface;\nan outermost edge extending downward from the lower side main surface; and\na continuous outer ridge extending downward from the lower side along the outermost edge for sealingly securing to the fluid sample container.","2. The lid apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:\na multi-chambered fluid sample container connected to the bottom-cap, wherein a continuous outer top edge of the multi-chambered fluid sample container is sealingly secured to the outermost ridge by a gasket or an adhesive.","3. The lid apparatus of claim 1, wherein in an open configuration the top lid is hinged away from the bottom-cap, and wherein in a closed configuration the top lid is engaged with the bottom-cap, wherein in the closed configuration the snap-fit end of the top lid engages a snap portion of the outermost edge of the lower side of the bottom-cap and the plurality of openings align with the plurality of openings in the top lid.","4. The lid apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an inner ridge pattern extending from the lower side main surface, the inner ridge pattern being patterned such that the inner ridge pattern extends adjacent the plurality of passages in the lower side main surface.","5. The lid apparatus of claim 4, further comprising:\na multi-chambered fluid sample container connected to the bottom-cap, wherein corresponding edges of the multi-chambered fluid sample container are sealingly secured to the outermost ridge and inner ridge pattern such that the chambers of the multi-chambered fluid sample container are fluidically sealed from one another at the connection between the multi-chambered fluid sample container and the bottom-cap.","6. The lid apparatus of claim 5, wherein the continuous outer ridge and the inner ridge pattern are sealingly secured to the corresponding edges of the multi-chambered fluid sample container by a gasket or an adhesive.","7. The lid apparatus of claim 1, wherein the major opening of the top lid comprises a circular opening.","8. The lid apparatus of claim 1, wherein the top lid comprises a first lateral side and a second lateral side extending between the hinged end and the snap-fit end.","9. The lid apparatus of claim 8, wherein the hinged end of the top lid comprises a first hinge and a second hinge, each being laterally displaced from the first and second lateral sides.","10. The lid apparatus of claim 1, wherein the snap-fit end is displaced off of a curved portion.","11. The lid apparatus of claim 1, wherein the top lid comprises an annular recess surrounding the major opening, the plurality of opening being defined within the annular recess.","12. The lid apparatus of claim 11, wherein the top lid comprises a cylindrical wall extending downward from an upper-most top lid surface, the cylindrical wall defining the major opening.","13. The lid apparatus of claim 12, wherein the top lid comprises a bottom top lid surface opposite to the upper-most top lid surface, the cylindrical wall extending past the bottom top lid surface.","14. The lid apparatus of claim 13, wherein the top lid includes a plurality of cylindrical walls extending from the bottom top lid surface.","15. The lid apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bottom-cap further comprises a central opening surrounded by the plurality of openings.","16. The lid apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of openings is circular.","17. The lid apparatus of claim 1, wherein the upper side of the bottom-cap includes at least one additional passage separate from the plurality of passages that is larger than each of the plurality of passages.","18. The lid apparatus of claim 1, wherein the outermost edge comprises an edge alignment feature.","19. The lid apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:\na plurality of walls defining separate cavities for each opening of the plurality of passages of the bottom-cap, the plurality of walls extending from the lower side main surface of the bottom-cap.","20. The lid apparatus of claim 19, wherein the plurality of walls defining separate cavities further form a plurality of wedge shaped cavities.","21. The lid apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bottom-cap includes an additional hole that is separate from the plurality of openings and has a key-hole shape.","22. The lid apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lid apparatus is constructed of plastic and/or metal.","23. A lid apparatus for sealing atop a fluid sample container, the lid apparatus comprising:\na top lid having a plurality of openings, wherein the top lid includes a hinged end and a snap-fit end; and\na bottom-cap hingedly attached to the top lid, the bottom-cap comprising an upper side and a lower side, wherein the upper side comprises a plurality of openings that include a surrounding lip or plateau that extends upwardly from a lower surface of the upper side, wherein each opening aligns with a corresponding opening of the top lid,\nwherein the lower side of the bottom-cap comprises:\na lower side main surface;\nan outermost edge extending downward from the lower side main surface;\na continuous outer ridge extending downward from the lower side along the outermost edge; and\nan inner ridge pattern extending from the lower side main surface, the inner ridge pattern being non-coextensive with any walls that extend from the lower side main surface,\nwherein in an open configuration the top lid is hinged away from the bottom-cap, and wherein in a closed configuration the top lid is engaged with the bottom-cap, wherein in the closed configuration the snap-fit end of the top lid engages a snap portion of the outermost edge of the lower side of the bottom-cap.","24. The lid apparatus of claim 23, wherein the continuous outer ridge and the inner ridge pattern are sealingly secured to the corresponding edges of a multi-chambered fluid sample container by a gasket or an adhesive.","25. The lid apparatus of claim 23, wherein the lid apparatus is constructed of plastic and/or metal."],["1. A method of processing a polynucleotide from a tissue section, the method comprising:\nretaining a first solid support on a first member of a support device, the first solid support comprising the tissue section mounted on a surface of the first solid support;\nretaining a second solid support on a second member of the support device, wherein a surface of the second solid support comprises a plurality of capture oligonucleotides, wherein a capture oligonucleotide of the plurality of capture oligonucleotides comprises (i) a positional domain nucleic acid sequence that identifies a distinct position of the surface of the second solid support and (ii) a capture domain sequence complementary to a portion of the polynucleotide;\nadding a reagent solution to the first solid support and/or the second solid support;\noperating an alignment mechanism connected to the first and second members of the support device to move the first member and/or the second member such that a portion of the tissue section comprising the polynucleotide is brought into contact with the plurality of capture oligonucleotides via the reagent solution;\nhybridizing the polynucleotide to the capture domain sequence of the capture oligonucleotide; and\nperforming an extension reaction to generate a barcoded nucleic acid comprising (i) the positional domain nucleic acid sequence or a reverse complement thereof and (ii) a sequence of the polynucleotide or a reverse complement thereof.","2. The method of claim 1, further comprising using the barcoded nucleic acid in a nucleic acid amplification reaction to generate a barcoded amplification product.","3. The method of claim 2, further comprising sequencing the barcoded amplification product to determine the positional domain nucleic acid sequence or reverse complement thereof and the sequence of the polynucleotide or reverse complement thereof in the barcoded amplification product.","4. The method of claim 3, further comprising using the determined positional domain nucleic acid sequence or reverse complement thereof and the determined sequence of the polynucleotide or reverse complement thereof to determine a spatial position and identity of the polynucleotide in the tissue section.","5. The method of claim 1, wherein the polynucleotide is an mRNA molecule of the tissue section.","6. The method of claim 1, wherein the polynucleotide is a DNA molecule of the tissue section.","7. The method of claim 1, wherein the polynucleotide is a ligation product comprising a first probe and a second probe, wherein the first probe and the second probe each comprise a sequence that is substantially complementary to sequences of a nucleic acid analyte of the tissue section, wherein the second probe comprises a capture probe binding domain, and wherein the first probe and the second probe are coupled to generate the ligation product.","8. The method of claim 1, wherein the polynucleotide is linked to an antibody bound to a protein of the tissue section.","9. The method of claim 1, wherein the polynucleotide is selected from:\n(i) a DNA molecule of the tissue section;\n(ii) an mRNA molecule of the tissue section;\n(iii) a ligation product comprising a first probe and a second probe, wherein the first probe and the second probe each comprise a sequence that is substantially complementary to a sequence of a nucleic acid analyte of the tissue section, wherein the second probe comprises a capture probe binding domain, and wherein the first probe and the second probe are coupled to generate the ligation product; or\n(iv) an oligonucleotide from an analyte capture agent comprising:\n(A) an analyte binding moiety that binds to a protein of the tissue section,\n(B) an analyte binding moiety barcode, and\n(C) the oligonucleotide.","10. The method of claim 1, wherein operating the alignment mechanism comprises:\nrotating the first member and/or the second member relative to an axis such that the portion of the tissue section is brought into contact with the plurality of capture oligonucleotides via the reagent solution.","11. The method of claim 10, wherein rotating the first member and/or the second member relative to the axis comprises:\nrotating the first member and/or the second member relative to a hinge defining the axis.","12. The method of claim 1, wherein operating the alignment mechanism comprises:\nmaintaining the first solid support and the second solid support in an approximately parallel relationship when the portion of the tissue section is in contact with the plurality of capture oligonucleotides via the reagent solution.","13. The method of claim 12, wherein maintaining the first solid support and the second solid support in the approximately parallel relationship comprises:\nmaintaining an angle between the first solid support and the second solid support that is no more than 2 degrees.","14. The method of claim 13, wherein the angle is no more than 0.5 degrees.","15. The method of claim 1, wherein operating the alignment mechanism comprises:\nmaintaining, using a spacing member, a spacing between the first solid support and the second solid support when the portion of the tissue section is brought into contact with the plurality of capture oligonucleotides via the reagent solution.","16. The method of claim 15, wherein the spacing member is positioned between the first member and the second member.","17. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nadjusting, using an adjustment mechanism, a distance of a separation between the first solid support and the second solid support after operating the alignment mechanism.","18. The method of claim 17, wherein the distance of the separation is between 50 microns and 1 mm.","19. The method of claim 18, wherein the distance of the separation is between 50 microns and 500 microns.","20. The method of claim 17, wherein adjusting, using the adjustment mechanism, the distance of the separation between the first solid support and the second solid support comprises:\nusing a linear actuator of the adjustment mechanism.","21. The method of claim 17, wherein adjusting, using the adjustment mechanism, the distance of the separation between the first solid support and the second solid support comprises:\nadjusting the distance of the separation in a direction orthogonal to a surface of the first solid support.","22. The method of claim 1, wherein operating the alignment mechanism comprises:\noperating a rotating actuator of the alignment mechanism.","23. The method of claim 22, wherein the rotating actuator comprises at least one of a hinge, a folding member, or an arm.","24. The method of claim 1, wherein retaining the first solid support on the first member comprises:\nretaining the first solid support in a recess of the first member.","25. The method of claim 24, wherein retaining the first solid support on the first member comprises:\nmaintaining an interference fit between the recess and the first solid support with a gasket positioned within the recess","26. The method of claim 1, wherein retaining the second solid support on the second member comprises:\nretaining the second solid support in a recess of the second member.","27. The method of claim 1, wherein retaining the first solid support on the first member comprises:\naligning an aperture of the first member with a region of the first solid support where the tissue section is positioned.","28. The method of claim 1, wherein operating the alignment mechanism comprises:\naligning an aperture of the second member with a region of the first solid support where the tissue section is positioned.","29. The method of claim 1, wherein:\nretaining the first solid support on the first member comprises:\ncausing a first retaining mechanism to apply a force to the first solid support to maintain contact between the first solid support and the first member; and\nretaining the second solid support on the second member comprises:\ncausing a second retaining mechanism to apply a force to the second solid support to maintain contact between the second solid support and the second member.","30. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\ntranslating the first solid support relative to the second solid support in a direction parallel to a surface of the first solid support."],["1. A cap comprising:\na lower portion;\nan upper portion having an opening formed therein; and\na plurality of longitudinally oriented ribs disposed on an inner surface of the cap, the inner surface of the cap being defined by the opening formed in the upper portion of the cap, wherein each rib is associated with a concave recess disposed directly opposite the rib on an outer surface of the upper portion of the cap, and wherein the recess extends along at least part of the length of the rib.","2. The cap of claim 1, further comprising locking arms for securing the cap to the receptacle when the lower portion of the cap is inserted into an open top end of the receptacle, wherein the locking arms do not comprise the ribs.","3. The cap of claim 1, further comprising one or more annular ribs disposed on an outer surface of the lower portion of the cap, wherein the annular ribs are configured to provide a sealing engagement between the outer surface of the lower portion of the cap and an inner surface in the opening at the top end of the receptacle.","4. The cap of claim 1, wherein the ribs are spaced equidistantly apart.","5. The cap of claim 1, wherein each rib includes an enlarged portion proximate a distal end thereof, and wherein the enlarged portion has a greater radius than the remainder of the rib.","6. The cap of claim 5, wherein the enlarged portion of each rib includes an inwardly tapered portion proximate the distal end thereof.","7. The cap of claim 6, wherein the opening formed in the upper portion of the cap defines an upper, generally cylindrical portion and a lower, inwardly tapered portion, and wherein the enlarged portion of each rib traverses a transition between the cylindrical and inwardly tapered portions of the opening.","8. The cap of claim 1, wherein the concave recess is a groove formed in the outer surface of the upper portion of the cap.","9. The cap of claim 1, wherein each recess is constructed to flex radially outwardly when a tubular probe of a receptacle transport mechanism is inserted into the opening formed in the upper portion of the cap.","10. The cap of claim 9, wherein each recess extends along the entire length of the associated rib.","11. The cap of claim 1, further comprising an opening formed in the lower portion of the cap and a bottom wall separating the opening formed in the upper portion of the cap from the opening formed in the lower portion of the cap.","12. The cap of claim 11, wherein the bottom wall includes score lines formed therein to facilitate piercing of the bottom wall by a mechanism configured to dispense reagents.","13. The cap of claim 1, wherein the cap is a unitary plastic structure.","14. A tray comprising a plurality of wells formed in a base thereof, wherein a first well of the tray contains a receptacle and a second well of the tray contains the cap of claim 1, wherein the receptacle is configured for engagement by the cap and comprises a generally cylindrical portion having an opening formed therein that is configured to receive the lower portion of the cap so as to provide a sealing engagement between an outer surface of the lower portion of the cap and an inner surface of the opening formed in the cylindrical portion of the receptacle.","15. The tray of claim 14, wherein the cap further comprises locking arms for securing the cap to the receptacle when the lower portion of the cap is inserted into the opening of the receptacle, wherein the locking arms do not comprise the ribs.","16. The tray of claim 14, wherein the cap further comprises an opening formed in the lower portion and a bottom wall separating the opening formed in the upper portion from the opening formed in the lower portion.","17. The tray of claim 16, wherein the cap further comprises one or more annular ribs disposed on an outer surface of the lower portion of the cap, wherein the annular ribs are configured to provide a sealing engagement between the outer surface of the lower portion of the cap and the inner surface of the receptacle.","18. The tray of claim 14, wherein the receptacle further comprises a plurality of longitudinally oriented grooves formed in the inner surface of the opening.","19. The tray of claim 14, wherein each of the cap and the receptacle is a unitary plastic structure.","20. An assembly comprising a cap secured to a receptacle,\nwherein the receptacle comprises:\na generally cylindrical portion having an opening formed therein; and\na radially projecting lip circumscribing the opening; and\nwherein the cap comprises:\na lower portion inserted into the opening of the receptacle and providing a sealing engagement between an outer surface of the lower portion of the cap and an inner surface of the opening of the receptacle;\nan upper portion having an opening formed therein, the opening defining an open end that is configured for engagement by a receptacle transport mechanism; and\na plurality of longitudinally oriented ribs disposed on an inner surface of the cap, the inner surface of the cap being defined by the opening formed in the upper portion of the cap, wherein each rib is associated with a concave recess disposed directly opposite the rib on an outer surface of the upper portion of the cap, and wherein the recess extends along at least part of the length of the rib.","21. The assembly of claim 20, wherein the lower portion of the cap has an outer surface defining one or more annular ribs that provide a sealing engagement between the outer surface of the cap and the inner surface of the opening of the receptacle.","22. The assembly of claim 20, wherein the ribs are spaced equidistantly apart.","23. The assembly of claim 20, wherein each rib includes an enlarged portion proximate a distal end thereof, and wherein the enlarged portion has a greater radius than the remainder of the rib.","24. The assembly of claim 23, wherein the enlarged portion of each rib includes an inwardly tapered portion proximate the distal end thereof.","25. The assembly of claim 24, wherein the opening formed in the upper portion of the cap defines an upper, generally cylindrical portion and a lower, inwardly tapered portion, and wherein the enlarged portion of each rib traverses a transition between the cylindrical and inwardly tapered portions of the opening.","26. The assembly of claim 20, wherein the concave recess is a groove formed in the outer surface of the upper portion of the cap.","27. The assembly of claim 20, wherein each recess is constructed to flex radially outwardly when a tubular probe of a receptacle transport mechanism is inserted into the opening formed in the upper portion of the cap.","28. The assembly of claim 27, wherein each recess extends along the entire length of the associated rib.","29. The assembly of claim 20, wherein the cap further comprises an opening formed in the lower portion of the cap and a bottom wall separating the opening formed in the upper portion of the cap from the opening formed in the lower portion of the cap.","30. The assembly of claim 29, wherein the bottom wall includes score lines formed therein to facilitate piercing of the bottom wall by a mechanism configured to dispense reagents to a test sample contained within the receptacle.","31. The assembly of claim 20, wherein the cap is secured to the receptacle in a snap-fit relationship.","32. The assembly of claim 20, wherein the receptacle further comprises a conical portion depending from the cylindrical portion, wherein the opening extends into the conical portion.","33. The assembly of claim 20, wherein the receptacle further comprises a plurality of longitudinally oriented grooves formed on the inner surface of the opening of the receptacle.","34. The assembly of claim 20, wherein each of the cap and the receptacle is a unitary plastic structure."],["1. A printed microarray of unknown cell-derived products, each position of said array comprising a deposit corresponding to a composition of a single cell, said deposit being less than 100 micrometers in diameter.","2. The microarray of claim 1, wherein said deposit is a secreted cell-derived product selected from the group consisting of an antibody, cytokine, chemokine, and inflammatory mediator.","3. The microarray of claim 1, wherein said microarray comprises a capture ligand for a class of secreted products.","4. The microarray of claim 3, wherein said capture ligand binds to a single immunoglobulin isotype."]],"string":"[\n [\n \"12. A method for determining the presence of an analyte in a sample suspected of containing said analyte, the method comprising:\\na) forming a reaction mixture comprising the sample, a first substance that can produce a metastable species, and a second substance that can react with the metastable species to produce a detectable signal, by combining at least the sample and the first and second substances;\\nb) treating the reaction mixture with energy or a reactive compound to cause the first substance to form a metastable species,\\nwherein the analyte, if present, either i) brings the second substance into close proximity to the site of formation of the metastable species, or ii) blocks the second substance from coming into close proximity of the site of formation of the metastable species;\\nc) adding a selective signal inhibiting agent that interferes with the reaction of any metastable species not in close proximity to the second substance; and\\nd) determining whether the metastable species has reacted with the second substance by detecting a signal produced by the second substance as a result of activation of the second substance by the metastable species, the presence or amount of the signal indicating the presence of analyte in the sample.\",\n \"13. The method of claim 12, wherein the metastable species comprises singlet oxygen, triplet states, dioxetanes or dioxetane diones.\",\n \"14. The method of claim 13, wherein the metastable species has a lifetime of less than 1 ms.\",\n \"15. The method of claim 12, wherein the selective signal inhibiting agent is a singlet oxygen quencher or free radical trap.\",\n \"16. The method of claim 15, wherein the selective signal inhibiting agent comprises ascorbic acid, tocopherol, vitamin D, beta-carotene, thioredoxin, lidocaine, sodium azide, manganese (II) chloride, copper (II) chloride, platinum (II) colloids, tertiary amines, dienes, conjugated polyenes, electron-rich alkenes, guanine, TEMP, proline, or mixtures thereof.\",\n \"17. The method of claim 12, wherein the reaction of the metastable species with the second substance results in chemiluminescence.\",\n \"18. The method of claim 12, further comprising determining the amount or concentration of the analyte in the sample.\",\n \"19. The method of claim 12 wherein the second substance is a chemiluminescent compound and wherein the first substance is a photosensitizer compound.\",\n \"20. The method of claim 19 wherein the chemiluminescent compound is conjugated to a first specific binding partner is associated with a first suspendible particle and wherein the sensitizer compound conjugated to the second specific binding partner is associated with a second suspendible particle.\",\n \"21. The method of claim 20 wherein the chemiluminescent compound conjugated to the first specific binding partner is associated with a first suspendible particle and wherein the sensitizer compound conjugated to the second specific binding partner is associated with a second suspendible particle.\",\n \"22. A method for increasing the sensitivity of an assay of an analyte in a sample, the method comprising:\\nforming a reaction mixture, in any order or concurrently, by adding the sample,\\na chemiluminescent-labeled specific binding partner,\\na sensitizer-labeled specific binding partner, and\\na selective signal inhibiting agent,\\nto form a binding complex;\\ntreating the reaction mixture with energy or a reactive compound to cause the sensitizer-labeled specific binding partner to form a metastable species,\\nwherein the analyte, if present, either i) brings the chemiluminescent-labeled specific binding partner into close proximity to the site of formation of the metastable species, or ii) blocks the chemiluminescent-labeled specific binding partner from coming into close proximity to the site of formation of the metastable species;\\nwherein the interaction of the metastable species with the binding complex releases a detectable chemiluminescent signal correlated to the amount of analyte in the reaction mixture, and\\nwherein the selective signal inhibiting agent interferes with excess metastable species that has not interacted with the binding complex and thereby reduces non-specific signal and increases sensitivity of the assay.\",\n \"23. A kit for detecting an analyte in a sample, the kit comprising:\\na first specific binding partner for the analyte;\\na chemiluminescent compound conjugated to the first specific binding partner;\\na second specific binding partner;\\na sensitizer compound conjugated to the second specific binding partner; and\\na selective signal inhibiting agent.\",\n \"24. The kit of claim 23, wherein the selective signal inhibiting agent is a singlet oxygen quencher or free radical trap.\",\n \"25. The kit of claim 23, wherein the selective signal inhibiting agent comprises ascorbic acid, tocopherol, vitamin D, beta-carotene, thioredoxin, lidocaine, sodium azide, manganese (II) chloride, copper (II) chloride, platinum (II) colloids, tertiary amines, dienes, conjugated polyenes, electron-rich alkenes, guanine, TEMP, proline, or mixtures thereof.\",\n \"26. The kit of claim 23, wherein the sensitizer is a photosensitizer capable upon irradiation with light of generating singlet oxygen.\",\n \"27. The kit of claim 26 wherein chemiluminescent compound conjugated to the first specific binding partner is associated with a first suspendible particle and wherein the sensitizer compound conjugated to the second specific binding partner is associated with a second suspendible particle.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A method for labelling and detecting a biological material, the method comprising:\\ni) adding to a liquid containing said biological material a fluorescent dye of formula:\\nwherein:\\ngroups R2 and R3 are attached to the Z1 ring structure and groups R4 and R5 are attached to the Z2 ring structure;\\nZ1 and Z2 independently represent the atoms necessary to complete one ring, two fused ring, or three fused ring aromatic or heteroaromatic systems, each ring having five or six atoms selected from carbon atoms and optionally no more than two atoms selected from oxygen, nitrogen and sulphur;\\nat least one of groups R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 is the group -E-F where E is a spacer group having a chain from 1-60 atoms selected from the group consisting of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, sulphur and phosphorus atoms and F is a target bonding group;\\nwhen any of said groups R2, R3, R4 and R5 is not said group -E-F, said remaining groups R2, R3, R4 and R5 are independently selected from hydrogen, halogen, amide, hydroxyl, cyano, amino, mono- or di-C1-C4 alkyl-substituted amino, sulphydryl, carbonyl, carboxyl, C1-C6 alkoxy, acrylate, vinyl, styryl, aryl, heteroaryl, C1-C20 alkyl, aralkyl, sulphonate, sulphonic acid, quaternary ammonium and the group —(CH2—)nY; and,\\nwhen group R1 is not said group -E-F, it is selected from hydrogen, C1-C20 alkyl, aralkyl and the group —(CH2—)nY;\\nY is selected from sulphonate, sulphate, phosphonate, phosphate, quaternary ammonium and carboxyl; and n is an integer from 1 to 6;\\nii) incubating said dye with said target biological material under conditions suitable for labelling said biological material; and\\niii) detecting said labelled biological material by measurement of its fluorescence lifetime.\",\n \"2. The method of claim 1, wherein said fluorescent dye has a fluorescence lifetime in the range from 2 to 30 nanoseconds.\",\n \"3. The method of claim 1, wherein Z1 and Z2 independently represent the atoms necessary to complete a phenyl or a naphthyl ring structure.\",\n \"4. The method of claim 1, wherein said target bonding group F comprises either:\\ni) a reactive group selected from carboxyl, succinimidyl ester, sulpho-succinimidyl ester, isothiocyanate, maleimide, haloacetamide, acid halide, hydrazide, vinylsulphone, dichlorotriazine and phosphoramidite; or ii) a functional group selected from hydroxy, amino, sulphydryl, imidazole, carbonyl including aldehyde and ketone, phosphate and thiophosphate.\",\n \"5. The method of claim 1, wherein said spacer group E is selected from:\\n\\n—(CHR′)p—\\n\\n—{(CHR′)q—O—(CHR′)r}s—\\n\\n—{(CHR′)q—NR′—(CHR′)r}s—\\n\\n—{(CHR′)q—(CH═CH)—(CHR′)r}s—\\n\\n—{(CHR′)q—Ar—(CHR′)r}s—\\n\\n—{(CHR′)q—CO—NR′—(CHR′)r}s—\\n\\n—{(CHR′)q—CO—Ar—NR′—(CHR′)r}s—\\nwhere R′ is hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl or aryl, which may be optionally substituted with sulphonate, Ar is phenylene, optionally substituted with sulphonate, p is 1-20, preferably 1-10, q is 0-10, r is 1-10 and s is 1-5.\",\n \"6. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of groups R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 comprises the group —(CH2—)nY, where Y is selected from sulphonate, sulphate, phosphonate, phosphate, quaternary ammonium and carboxyl and n is zero or an integer from 1 to 6.\",\n \"7. The method of claim 1, wherein said biological material is selected from the group consisting of antibody, lipid, protein, peptide, carbohydrate, nucleotides which contain or are derivatized to contain one or more of an amino, sulphydryl, carbonyl, hydroxyl and carboxyl, phosphate and thiophosphate groups, and oxy or deoxy polynucleic acids which contain or are derivatized to contain one or more of an amino, sulphydryl, carbonyl, hydroxyl and carboxyl, phosphate and thiophosphate groups, microbial materials, drugs, hormones, cells, cell membranes and toxins.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A method of making a compound of Formula I comprising:\\ncontacting a carrier molecule or a solid support comprising a nucleophile with a compound of Formula IA or a tautomer or salt thereof:\\nwherein,\\nL is a linker;\\nR1 is chlorine;\\nR2 is chlorine;\\nR3 is COO−, SO3−, substituted azenyl, PEG, phosphate or bisphosphonate; and\\nRa is a reporter molecule;\\nforming a compound of Formula I or a tautomer or salt thereof:\\nwherein\\nL is the linker;\\nRa is the reporter molecule; and\\nRb is the carrier molecule or solid support comprising a nucleophile (X).\",\n \"2. The method of claim 1, wherein X is —NH, —S— or —O—.\",\n \"3. The method of claim 1, wherein L is a covalent bond, -alkyl-, -substituted alkyl-, -alkenyl-, -substituted alkenyl-, -heterocyclyl-, -substituted heterocyclyl-, -aryl-, -substituted aryl-, -heteroaryl-, -substituted heteroaryl-, -cycloakyl-, -substituted cycloalkyl-, -oxy-, -alkoxy-, -substituted alkoxy-, -thio-, -amino-, or -substituted amino-.\",\n \"4. The method of claim 1, wherein Ra is a dye.\",\n \"5. The method of claim 4, wherein the dye is a xanthene, a cyanine, an indole, a benzofuran, a coumarin, or a borapolyazaindacine.\",\n \"6. The method of claim 1, wherein the reporter molecule Ra is an ion chelating moiety, a hapten, an antibody, an enzyme, a radiolabel, a metal ion or metal ion containing substance, a pigment, a chromogen, a phosphor, a fluorogen, a bioluminescent substance, a chemiluminescent substance, or a semiconductor nanocrystal.\",\n \"7. The method of claim 1, wherein Rb is a solid support.\",\n \"8. The method of claim 1, wherein Rb is a carrier molecule.\",\n \"9. The method of claim 8, wherein the carrier molecule is selected from the group consisting of an amino acid, a peptide, a protein, a carbohydrate, a polysaccharide, a nucleoside, a nucleotide, an oligonucleotide, a nucleic acid polymer, a drug, a lipid, and a synthetic polymer.\",\n \"10. The method of claim 1, wherein the compound of Formula IA is a salt.\",\n \"11. The method of claim 10, wherein the salt comprises a potassium or sodium ion.\",\n \"12. The method of claim 1, further comprising incubating the carrier molecule or solid support with the compound of Formula IA after the contacting step.\",\n \"13. The method of claim 1, wherein the contacting step is done in an aqueous solution.\",\n \"14. The method of claim 1, wherein the reporter molecule is hydrophobic.\",\n \"15. The method of claim 1, wherein the compound of Formula IA is soluble in an aqueous solution.\",\n \"16. A method of labeling a carrier molecule or solid support comprising:\\ncontacting the carrier molecule or solid support with a compound of Formula IA or a tautomer or salt thereof:\\nwherein,\\nL is a linker;\\nR1 is chlorine;\\nR2 is chlorine;\\nR3 is COO−, SO3−, substituted azenyl, PEG, phosphate or bisphosphonate; and\\nRa is a reporter molecule; and\\nthe carrier molecule or solid support comprises a nucleophile; and\\nforming a labeled carrier molecule or solid support.\",\n \"17. The method of claim 16, wherein the labeled carrier molecule or solid support comprises a compound of Formula I:\\nwherein,\\nRa is the reporter molecule; and\\nRb is the carrier molecule or solid support comprising a nucleophile (x).\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A composition for use in a specific binding assay for two or more individual analytes in a liquid test sample comprising:\\n(a) two or more specific labeled reagents, wherein each such reagent comprises\\n(i) a member of a specific binding pair to which an individual analyte is a member, and\\n(ii) a different, specific chemiluminescent label covalently or non-covalently joined to said member,\\nwherein each said specific labeled reagent is able to form at least one labeled said specific binding pair;\\nwherein at least one label is characterized by the ability to emit peak energy at a time after the generation of light emission from said at least one label which is distinguishable from at least one other of said labels.\",\n \"2. The composition of claim 1 wherein at least one of said labels is selected from the group consisting of acridinium compounds, phenanthridium compounds, phthalhydrazides, oxalate esters, dioxetanes and dioxetanones.\",\n \"3. The composition of claim 2 wherein at least one label forms an acridone before light is emitted from said label.\",\n \"4. The composition of claim 2 wherein at least one of said labels is an aryl acridinium ester.\",\n \"5. The composition of claim 4 wherein the aryl ring of at least one said label or labels is substituted at one or more position with a chemical group, each independently selected from the group consisting of an electron-withdrawing group and an electron-donating group such that emission of light occurs over said distinguishable times.\",\n \"6. The composition of claim 4 wherein the acridinium ring of at least one said label or labels is substituted at one or more position with a chemical group, each independently selected from the group consisting of an electron-withdrawing group and an electron-donating group such that emission of light occurs over said distinguishable times.\",\n \"7. The composition of claim 5 or 6 wherein said electron-withdrawing group is a halogen.\",\n \"8. The composition of claim 5 or 6 wherein at least one said electron-donating group is selected from the group consisting of a methyl group and a methoxy group.\",\n \"9. The composition of claim 2 wherein at least one of said labels is an optionally substituted diphenylanthracene.\",\n \"10. The composition of claim 1 wherein said composition comprises at least one fluorescent label able to emit light by energy transfer from another molecule.\",\n \"11. The composition of claim 1, 4, 5, or 6 wherein each said specific binding partner is selected from the group consisting of hormones, vitamins, co-factors, nucleic acids, proteins, antigens, antibodies, haptens, ligands, enzymes, and enzyme substrates.\",\n \"12. The composition of claim 1, 4, 5 or 6 wherein the labels comprised in at least two of said different specific labeled specific binding pairs are caused to emit light at substantially the same time.\",\n \"13. If The composition of claim 1 or 4 wherein the intensity of the light emitted from said specific binding pairs complexes can be detected over different time intervals which may overlap in relation to the starting point of said detection and the duration of said light emission.\",\n \"14. The composition of claim 1 or 4 wherein said sample is contacted with at least three specific labeled reagents, wherein light emitted by labels joined to at least two said reagents can be distinguished by detection over different wavelength ranges, and light emitted by labels joined to at least two said reagents can be distinguished by a difference in the time of peak energy emission after initiation of a light-emitting reaction.\",\n \"15. The composition of claim 4 wherein a first of said different labels is an acridinium ester substituted with electron withdrawing groups and a second of said different labels is an acridinium ester substituted with electron donating groups, and wherein, upon simultaneous induction of light emission from said labels, light emission from the first label occurs over a period of time in excess of light emission from said second label, wherein said groups are selected such that emission of light occurs over said distinguishable times.\",\n \"16. The composition of claim 4 wherein two or more of said different labels are each an aryl acridinium ester.\",\n \"17. The composition of claim 4 wherein each said specifically labeled specific binding pairs comprise analyte bound to a specific binding partner by an interaction selected from the group selected from the group consisting of an immunoassay binding reaction, a receptor binding reaction and a nucleic acid hybridization reaction.\",\n \"18. The composition of claim 1 wherein at least two of said specific labeled reagents individually comprise a chemiluminescent label.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A reagent for use in detecting an analyte, comprising a fluorescent energy donor and an energy acceptor, the energy donor and the energy acceptor being such that when they are sufficiently close to one another energy is non-radiatively transferred from the energy donor following excitation thereof to the energy acceptor quenching fluorescence of the energy donor, wherein the energy acceptor is of the formula:\\nwherein:\\nR1, R2 and R3 are each independently H, electron donating substituents, or electron withdrawing substituents or R3 is attached to a linker structure, provided that at least two of R1, R2 and R3 are electron donating groups;\\nR4, R5, R6, R7, R8 and R9 are each independently H, halogen, alkyl, aryl, O-alkyl, S-alkyl and R10,R11, R12, R13, R14 and R15 are each independently hydrogen, O-alkyl, S-alkyl, alkyl, or one or more pairs of groups R1 and R4 and/or R1 and R5 and/or R2 and R6 and/or R2 and R7 and/or R3 and R8 and/or R3 and R9 and/or R4 and R10 and/or R5 and R11 and/or R6 and R12 and/or R7 and R13 and/or R8 and R14 and/or R9 and R15 is a bridging group consisting of aryl, alkylene, O-alkylene, S-alkylene or N-alkylene optionally substituted with one or more of SO3 −, PO3 2−, OH, O-alkyl, SH, S-alkyl, COOH, COO−, ester, amide, halogen, SO-alkyl, SO2-alkyl, SO2NH2, SO2NH-alkyl, SO2N-dialkyl, SO3-alkyl, CN, secondary amine or tertiary amine, provided that not all of R10, R11, R12, R13, R14 and R15 are hydrogen;\\nwherein a linker structure is attached to the energy acceptor at R3, or where a bridging group is present optionally the linker structure is attached to the energy acceptor at the bridging group, the linker structure being formed by reaction of a linker element selected from an active ester, an isothiocyanate, an acid chloride, an aldehyde, an azide, an α-halogenated ketone and an amine with a reaction partner;\\nand wherein the distance between the energy donor and the energy acceptor of the reagent is capable of modulation by a suitable analyte to be detected.\",\n \"2. A reagent as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reaction partner is selected from a polysaccharide, a polynucleotide and a protein.\",\n \"3. A reagent as claimed in claim 1, wherein the linker element is an active ester, and is selected from succinimidyl and pentafluorophenyl active esters.\",\n \"4. A reagent as claimed in claim 1, wherein the energy donor and energy acceptor are linked together by a covalent linkage.\",\n \"5. A reagent as claimed in claim 4, wherein the covalent linkage between the energy donor and energy acceptor is cleavable to increase the distance between the energy donor and the energy acceptor of the reagent.\",\n \"6. A reagent as claimed in claim 4, wherein the energy donor and energy acceptor are linked via a polynucleotide sequence or a polynucleotide analogue sequence or a polypeptide sequence, the sequence having a conformation which is capable of modulation by a suitable analyte to be detected so as to modulate the distance between the energy donor and the energy acceptor of the reagent.\",\n \"7. A reagent as claimed in claim 1, wherein the energy donor and energy acceptor are linked together by non-covalent binding.\",\n \"8. A reagent as claimed in claim 7 wherein the non-covalent binding exists between an analyte binding agent linked to one of the energy donor and the energy acceptor and an analyte analogue linked to the other of the energy donor and the energy acceptor, the non-covalent binding being disruptable by a suitable analyte so as to increase the distance between the energy donor and the energy acceptor of the reagent.\",\n \"9. A reagent as claimed in claim 8, wherein the analyte binding agent is a lectin.\",\n \"10. A reagent as claimed in claim 8, wherein the analyte analogue is a glucose analogue.\",\n \"11. A reagent as claimed in claim 10, wherein the analyte analogue is dextran.\",\n \"12. A reagent as claimed in claim 1, wherein the energy donor and the energy acceptor are not linked.\",\n \"13. A reagent as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electron donating substituents are selected from amino, primary amine, secondary amine, O-alkyl, alkyl, S-alkyl, amide, ester, OH and SH.\",\n \"14. A reagent as claimed in claim 13, wherein one or more of R1 to R3 is dimethylamino, diethylamino or methylethylamino, optionally substituted with one or more of SO3 −, PO3 2−, OH, O-alkyl, SH, S-alkyl, COOH, COO−, ester, amide, halogen, SO-alkyl, SO2-alkyl, SO2NH2, SO2NH-alkyl, SO2N-dialkyl, SO3-alkyl, CN, secondary amine or tertiary amine.\",\n \"15. A reagent as claimed in claim 1, wherein an electron withdrawing substituent is present, and the electron withdrawing substituent is selected from NO, NO2, CN, COOH, ester, COO−, amide, CHO, keto, SO-alkyl, SO2-alkyl, SO2NH2, SO2NH-alkyl, SO2N-dialkyl, and SO3-alkyl.\",\n \"16. A reagent as claimed in claim 11, wherein at least one of R10, R11, R12, R13, R14 and R15 is O-alkyl.\",\n \"17. A reagent as claimed in claim 11, wherein one or more pairs of groups R4 and R10 and/or R5 and R11 and/or R6 and R12 and/or R7 and R13 and/or R8 and R14 and/or R9 and R15 is a bridging group consisting of alkylene, O-alkylene, S-alkylene or N-alkylene optionally substituted with one or more of SO3 −, PO3 2−, OH, O-alkyl, SH, S-alkyl, COOH, COO−, ester, amide, halogen, SO-alkyl, SO2-alkyl, SO2NH2, SO2NH-alkyl, SO2N-dialkyl, SO3-alkyl, CN, secondary amine or tertiary amine.\",\n \"18. A reagent as claimed in claim 1, wherein R10 to R15 are each O-methyl or O-ethyl.\",\n \"19. A reagent as claimed in claim 1, further comprising one or more counterions selected from halide, BF4 −, PF6 −, NO3 −, carboxylate, ClO4 −, Li+, Na+, K+, Mg2+and Zn2+.\",\n \"20. A reagent as claimed in claim 1, wherein the energy donor is a dye that absorbs at 594 nm and fluoresces at 620 nm.\",\n \"21. A dye compound having the formula:\\nwherein:\\nR4, R5, R6, R7, R8 and R9 are each independently H, halogen, alkyl, aryl, O-alkyl or S-alkyl and R10, R11, R12, R13, R14 and R15 are each independently hydrogen, O-alkyl, S-alkyl, or alkyl, or one or more pairs of groups R20 and R4 and/or R20 and R5 and/or R4 and R10 and/or R5 and R11 and/or R6 and R12 and/or R7 and R13 and/or R8 and R14 and/or R9 and R15 is a bridging group consisting of aryl, alkylene, O-alkylene, S-alkylene or N-alkylene optionally substituted with one or more of SO3 −, PO3 2−, OH, O-alkyl, SH, S-alkyl, COOH, COO−, ester, amide, halogen, SO-alkyl, SO2-alkyl, SO2NH2, SO2NH-alkyl, SO2N-dialkyl, SO3-alkyl, CN, secondary amine or tertiary amine, provided that not all of R10, R11, R12, R13, R14 and R15 are hydrogen;\\nR16, R17, R18 and R19 are each independently H, alkyl or aryl, or one or more of R16 and R17 or R18 and R19 is alkylene, optionally substituted with one or more of SO3 −, PO3 2−, OH, O-alkyl, SH, S-alkyl, COOH, COO−, ester, amide, halogen, SO-alkyl, SO2-alkyl, SO2NH2, SO2NH-alkyl, SO2N-dialkyl, SO3-alkyl, CN, secondary amine or tertiary amine;\\nor one or more of pairs of groups R6 and R16, R7 and R17, R8 and R18 and R9 and R19 is alkylene, O-alkylene, S-alkylene or N-alkylene optionally substituted with one or more of SO3 −, PO3 2−, OH, O-alkyl, SH, S-alkyl, COOH, COO−, ester, amide, halogen, SO-alkyl, SO2-alkyl, SO2NH2, SO2NH-alkyl, SO2N-dialkyl, SO3-alkyl, CN, secondary amine or tertiary amine\\nand\\nR20 is a linker element selected from an active ester, an isothiocyanate, an acid chloride, an a-halogenated ketone and an azide.\",\n \"22. A dye compound as claimed in claim 21, wherein at least one of R10, R11, R12, R13, R14 and R15 is O-alkyl.\",\n \"23. A dye compound as claimed in claim 21, wherein one or more pairs of groups R4 and R10 and/or R5 and R11 and/or R6 and R12 and/or R7 and R13 and/or R8 and R14 and/or R9 and R15 is a bridging group consisting of aryl, alkylene, O-alkylene, S-alkylene or N-alkylene optionally substituted with one or more of SO3, PO3 2−, OH, O-alkyl, SH, S-alkyl, COOH, COO−, ester, amide, halogen, SO-alkyl, SO2NH2, SO2NH-alkyl, SO2N-dialkyl, SO3-alkyl, CN, secondary amine or tertiary amine.\",\n \"24. A dye compound as claimed in claim 21, wherein R20 is a linker element having the structure:\\nR21 is H or alkyl or aryl optionally substituted with one or more of SO3 −, PO3 2−, OH, O-alkyl, SH, S-alkyl, COOH, COO−, ester, amide, halogen, SO-alkyl, SO2N-dialkyl, CN, secondary amine or tertiary amine and R22 is alkylene, O-alkylene, S-alkylene or N-alkylene or R21 and R22 are part of a ring, optionally substituted with one or more of SO3 −, PO3 2−, OH, O-alkyl, SH, S-alkyl, COOH, COO−, ester, amide, halogen, SO-alkyl, SO2NH2, SO2NH-alkyl, SO2N-dialkyl, SO3-alkyl, CN, secondary amine or tertiary amine; and\\nR23 is o-succinimidyl, o-pentafluorophenyl, Cl or α-halogenated alkyl.\",\n \"25. A dye compound as claimed in claim 21, wherein R10 to R15 are each O-methyl or O-ethyl.\",\n \"26. A dye compound as claimed in claim 21, further comprising one or more counterions selected from halide, BF4 −, PF6 −, NO3 −, carboxylate, ClO4 −, Li+, Na+, K+, Mg2+and Zn2+.\",\n \"27. A method of detecting or measuring an analyte using a reagent as claimed in claim 1, comprising the steps of:\\ncontacting the reagent with a sample;\\nilluminating the reagent and sample with light of wavelength within the absorption spectrum of the energy donor;\\ndetecting non-radiative energy transfer between the energy donor and energy acceptor by measuring the fluorescence of the energy donor; and\\nassociating the fluorescence measurements with presence or concentration of analyte.\",\n \"28. A method as claimed in claim 27, wherein the fluorescence of the energy donor is measured by measuring making intensity based or time resolved fluorescence measurements.\",\n \"29. A method as claimed in claim 27, wherein the analyte is measured by comparing sample fluorescence measurements with fluorescence measurements made using known concentrations of analyte.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A method for identifying a protein in a sample, comprising:\\nA. introducing at least one protein molecule onto a bead, and wherein the bead contains an amine-reactive surface and wherein the amine-reactive surface allows for direct reaction between the surface and the N-termini of a peptide and the protein molecule has been treated such that the N-terminals are capable of reacting to the amine-reactive surface;\\nB. incubating an endopeptidase with the at least one protein molecule on the bead for a time and under conditions which allow the endopeptidase to cleave the protein into peptides, wherein the endopeptidase cleaves the at least one protein molecule at specific amino acids in the protein resulting in peptides comprising an N-terminal amino acid and corresponding to the at least one protein molecule contained on the bead;\\nC. allowing the peptides to react via their N-terminal amino acid residue with the amine-reactive surface of the bead, for a time and under conditions which result in the peptides attaching to the amine-reactive surface of the bead and forming a pattern on the amine-reactive surface, wherein the pattern is associated with the bead containing the at least one protein molecule;\\nD. washing the endopeptidase from the bead, wherein the washing of the endopeptidase ends the cleaving of the protein in step B;\\nE. labeling the peptides at specific amino acid residues, such that the specific amino acid residues can be detected when imaged;\\nF. imaging the peptides to detect the labeled amino acids and generating amino acid sequence information from the peptides in step B;\\nG. further incubating the peptides generated in step B, with at least one enzyme or chemical for a time and under conditions which allow the enzyme or chemical to cleave and imaging the resulting peptides to generate additional amino acid sequence information;\\nH. washing the enzyme or chemical from the bead, wherein the washing of the enzyme or chemical ends the cleaving of the peptides in step G;\\nI. further labeling the peptides generated in step G, at specific amino acids different from the label in step E:\\nJ. imaging the peptides to detect the labeled amino acids and generating additional amino acid sequence information; K. compiling the generated amino acid sequence information from steps F, G and J to obtain a putative amino acid sequence of the at least one protein molecule;\\nL. comparing the putative amino acid information of at least one protein molecule with a known amino acid sequence of proteins; and\\nM. identifying the protein from the comparison in step L; wherein steps G.-J. are repeated with a plurality of enzymes or chemical and labels as desired until a putative amino acid sequence of the at least one protein molecule is obtained.\",\n \"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the bead is made from a material chosen from the group consisting of latex and silicon.\",\n \"3. The method of claim 1, wherein the endopeptidase used in step B. is selected from the group consisting of trypsin, chymotrypsin, elastase, thermolysin, pepsin, clostripan, glutamyl endopeptidase (GluC), endopeptidase ArgC, peptidyl-asp metallo-endopeptidase (ApsN), endopeptidase LysC and endopeptidase LysN.\",\n \"4. The method of claim 1, wherein the bead is contained in microwells or enclosed in a water-oil emulsion droplet.\",\n \"5. The method of claim 1, wherein the peptides are labeled with one or more fluorescent dyes.\",\n \"6. The method of claim 5, wherein the fluorescent dyes are selected from the group consisting of Alexa Fluor®, tetramethylrhodamine-maleimide, fluorescein, fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC), pentafluorophenyl esters (PFP), tetra fluorophenyl esters (TFP), DyLight Fluor, sulforhodamine B, coumarin, eosin, hydroxycoumarin, aminocoumarin, methoxycoumarin dabcyl, dabcyl, Cascade Blue, Lucifer Yellow, P-phycoerythrin, R-phycoerythrin, cyanine 3, cyanine 5, cyanine 7, PE-cyanine 5 conjugates, PE-cyanine 7 conjugates, APC-cyanine 7 conjugates, Red 613, boron-dipyrromethene (Bodipy), lissamine, rhodamine B, peridinin CP, Texas Red, allophycocyanin (APC), TruRed, Oregon Green, tetramethylrhodamine (TRITC), dansyl, dansyl aziridine, Indo-1, Fura-2, (N-(3-triethylammoniumpropyl)-4-(4-(dibutylamino) styryl) pyridinium dibromide) (FM 1-43), 1,1′-ioctadecyl-3,3,3′,3′-etramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate (DilC18(3)), Fluo-3, dichlorofluorescin (DCFH), dihydrorhodamine (DHR), seminaphtharhodafluor (SNARF), monochlorobimane, calcein, N-(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl) amine (NBD), ananilinonapthalene, deproxyl, phthalamide, amino pH phthalamide, dimethylamino-naphthalenesulfonamide, and biotin labels.\",\n \"7. The method of claim 1, wherein the peptides are labeled with affinity tags.\",\n \"8. The method of claim 7, wherein the affinity tags are selected from the group consisting of biotin, digoxigenin, hexhistadine, pentahistadine, hemagglutinin (HA-tag).\",\n \"9. A method for identifying a protein in a sample, comprising:\\nA. labeling the protein at a plurality of specific amino acid residues such that the specific amino acid residues can be detected when imaged;\\nB. introducing at least one protein molecule from the labeled protein onto a bead wherein the bead comprises an amine-reactive surface which allows for direct reaction between the bead and the N-termini of a peptide and the protein molecule has been treated such that the N-terminals are capable of reacting to the amine-reactive surface;\\nC. incubating an endopeptidase with the at least one protein molecule on the bead for a time and under conditions which allow the endopeptidase to cleave the at least one protein molecule into peptides wherein the endopeptidase cleaves the at least one protein molecule at specific amino acids in the at least one protein molecule resulting in peptides comprising an N-terminal amino acid and corresponding to the at least one protein molecule contained on the bead;\\nD. allowing the peptides to react via their N-terminal amino acid residue with the amine-reactive surface of the bead, for a time and under conditions which result in the peptides attaching to the bead and forming a pattern on the amine-reactive surface, wherein the pattern is associated with the bead containing the at least one protein molecule;\\nE. washing the endopeptidase from the bead, wherein the washing of the endopeptidase ends the cleaving of the protein in step C;\\nF. imaging the peptides to detect labeled amino acids and generate amino acid sequence information from the peptides in step C;\\nG. further incubating the peptides generated in step C, with at least one enzyme or chemical for a time and under conditions which allow the enzyme to cleave peptides at specific amino acid residues and imaging the resulting peptides to generate additional amino acid sequence information;\\nH. washing the enzyme or chemical from the bead, wherein the washing of the enzyme or chemical ends the cleaving of the peptides in step G;\\nI. compiling the generated amino acid sequence information from steps F and G to obtain a putative amino acid sequence of the at least one protein molecule;\\nJ. comparing the putative amino acid sequence information of the at least one protein molecule with a known amino acid sequence of proteins; and\\nK. identifying the protein from the comparison in step J; wherein steps G-I are repeated with a plurality of enzymes or chemical as desired until a putative amino acid sequence of the at least one protein molecule is obtained.\",\n \"10. The method of claim 9, wherein the bead is made from a material chosen from the group consisting of latex and silicon.\",\n \"11. The method of claim 9, wherein the endopeptidase used in step C is selected from the group consisting of trypsin, chymotrypsin, elastase, thermolysin, pepsin, clostripan, glutamyl endopeptidase (GluC), endopeptidase ArgC, peptidyl-asp metallo-endopeptidase (ApsN), endopeptidase LysC and endopeptidase LysN.\",\n \"12. The method of claim 9, wherein the bead is contained in microwells or enclosed in a water-oil emulsion droplet.\",\n \"13. The method of claim 9, wherein the peptides are labeled with one or more fluorescent dyes.\",\n \"14. The method of claim 13, wherein the fluorescent dyes are selected from the group consisting of Alexa Fluor®, tetramethylrhodamine-maleimide, fluorescein, fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC), pentafluorophenyl esters (PFP), tetra fluorophenyl esters (TFP), DyLight Fluor, sulforhodamine B, coumarin, eosin, hydroxycoumarin, aminocoumarin, methoxycoumarin dabcyl, dabcyl, Cascade Blue, Lucifer Yellow, P-phycoerythrin, R-phycoerythrin, cyanine 3, cyanine 5, cyanine 7, PE-cyanine 5 conjugates, PE-cyanine 7 conjugates, APC-cyanine 7 conjugates, Red 613, boron-dipyrromethene (Bodipy), lissamine, rhodamine B, peridinin CP, Texas Red, allophycocyanin (APC), TruRed, Oregon Green, tetramethylrhodamine (TRITC), dansyl, dansyl aziridine, Indo-1, Fura-2, (N-(3-triethylammoniumpropyl)-4-(4-(dibutylamino) styryl) pyridinium dibromide) (FM 1-43), 1,1′-ioctadecyl-3,3,3′,3′-etramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate (Di1C18(3)), Fluo-3, dichlorofluorescin (DCFH), dihydrorhodamine (DHR), seminaphtharhodafluor (SNARF), monochlorobimane, calcein, N-(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl) amine (NBD), ananilinonapthalene, deproxyl, phthalamide, amino pH phthalamide, dimethylamino-naphthalenesulfonamide, and biotin labels.\",\n \"15. The method of claim 9, wherein the peptides are labeled with affinity tags.\",\n \"16. The method of claim 15, wherein the affinity tags are selected from the group consisting of biotin, digoxigenin, hexhistadine, pentahistadine, hemagglutinin (HA-tag), FLAG-tag, myc-tag, and fluorescein.\",\n \"17. A kit for identifying a protein in a sample according to the method of claim 1, said kit comprising beads coated with an amine-reactive surface material, reagents to label and detect specific amino acid residues, endopeptidases, and instructions for use.\",\n \"18. The kit of claim 17, wherein the labels are chosen from the group consisting of fluorescent dyes and affinity tags.\",\n \"19. The kit of claim 17, further comprising denaturants, buffers, and reagents for coupling the peptides to the amine-reactive surface, and amine-blocked, autolysis-resistant endopeptidases.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A method for fluorescently labelling a biological molecule, the method comprising:\\na) contacting said biological molecule with a dye of formula (I):\\nwherein:\\nthe ring Z3 is a pyridyl ring and R3 is absent;\\ngroup R4 is attached to an available atom of the Z1 ring structure and group R5 is attached to an available atom of the Z2 ring structure;\\nZ1 and Z2 independently represent the atoms necessary to complete a benzene ring system which is unsubstituted or substituted; and\\nR4 and R5 are independently at each occurrence selected from hydrogen, halogen, amide, hydroxyl, cyano, nitro, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, or heteroaryl substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, alkyloxy, amino, mono- or di-C1-C4 alkyl-substituted amino, sulphydryl, carbonyl, carboxyl, acrylate, vinyl, styryl, sulphonate, sulphonic acid, quaternary ammonium and the group -J-K, wherein, J is a linker group and K is a reactive group or functional group, and at least one of the groups R4 or R5 is -J-K wherein the linker group contains 1-40 chain atoms comprising carbon, and optionally nitrogen, oxygen, sulphur and/or phosphorus;\\nwherein the dye of formula (I) is in free or salt form; and\\nb) incubating said dye with said biological molecule under conditions suitable for conjugating said dye to said biological molecule through said reactive group or functional group.\",\n \"2. A method of measuring the activity of an enzyme on a dye-substrate conjugate, wherein the dye-substrate conjugate comprises (i) at least one dye of formula (I):\\nwherein:\\nthe ring Z3 is a pyridyl ring and R3 is absent;\\ngroup R4 is attached to an available atom of the Z1 ring structure and group R5 is attached to an available atom of the Z2 ring structure;\\nZ1 and Z2 independently represent the atoms necessary to complete a benzene ring system which is unsubstituted or substituted; and\\nR4 and R5 are independently at each occurrence selected from hydrogen, halogen, amide, hydroxyl, cyano, nitro, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, or heteroaryl substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, alkyloxy, amino, mono- or di-C1-C4 alkyl-substituted amino, sulphydryl, carbonyl, carboxyl, acrylate, vinyl, styryl, sulphonate, sulphonic acid, quaternary ammonium and the group -J-K, wherein, J is a linker group and K is a reactive group or functional group and at least one of the groups R4 or R5 is-J-K, wherein the dye of formula (I) is in free or salt form, and\\n(ii) a substrate for the enzyme, wherein said substrate comprises a fluorescence modulating moiety which is capable of being cleaved by the action of the enzyme on the dye-substrate conjugate, resulting in an altered fluorescence lifetime, the method comprising the steps of:\\na) measuring the fluorescence lifetime of the dye-substrate conjugate prior to contact with the enzyme;\\nb) contacting the enzyme with said dye-substrate conjugate, and\\nc) measuring any modulation in fluorescence lifetime as a result of enzyme action on the substrate.\",\n \"3. The method according to claim 2 wherein the substrate comprises a peptide comprising a tyrosine, tryptophan or phenyalanine as the fluorescence modulating moiety.\",\n \"4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the peptide comprises 4 to 20 amino acid residues.\",\n \"5. The method according to claim 2, wherein said enzyme is selected from the group consisting of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), caspase, cathepsin D, chymotrypsin, pepsin, subtilisin, proteinase K, elastase, neprilysin, thermolysin, asp-n, matrix metallo protein 1 to 20, papain, plasmin, trypsin, enterokinase and urokinase.\",\n \"6. The method according to claim 2, wherein the enzyme is selected from the group consisting of protease, esterase, peptidase, amidase, nuclease and glycosidase.\",\n \"7. A method of screening an effect a test agent has upon the activity of an enzyme, said method comprising the steps of:\\na) performing the method of claim 2 in the presence and in the absence of the agent and; and\\nb) determining the activity of said enzyme in the presence and in the absence of the agent;\\nwherein a difference between the activity of the enzyme in the presence and in the absence of the agent is indicative of the effect of the test agent upon the activity of the enzyme.\",\n \"8. A method for measuring cellular location and distribution of the dye-substrate conjugate of claim 2, wherein the substrate is capable of being taken up by a living cell, the method comprising the steps of:\\na) measuring the fluorescence lifetime of the substrate in a cell-free environment;\\nb) adding the substrate to one or more cells, and\\nc) measuring the fluorescence lifetime of the substrate following step b);\\nwherein a modulation in fluorescence lifetime indicates substrate modification and can be used to determine both enzyme activity and localisation.\",\n \"9. The method of claim 8, wherein said cell is selected from the group consisting of mammalian, plant, insect, fish, avian, bacterial and fungal cells.\",\n \"10. The method of claim 2 additionally comprising the use of a plurality of different substrates each bound to a plurality of different fluorescent dyes, wherein each of said dye is individually distinguishable from the others by its fluorescence lifetime, thereby enabling simultaneous measurement of a plurality of enzyme activities.\",\n \"11. A fluorescent dye-biological molecule conjugate comprising a dye covalently bonded to a biological molecule, the dye prior to reaction with the biological molecule having the structure of formula (IV):\\nwherein R4 and R5 are independently at each occurrence selected from hydrogen, halogen, amide, hydroxyl, cyano, nitro, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, or heteroaryl substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, alkyloxy, amino, mono- or di-C1-C4 alkyl-substituted amino, sulphydryl, carbonyl, carboxyl, acrylate, vinyl, styryl, sulphonate, sulphonic acid, quaternary ammonium or the group -J-K; wherein at least one of said R4 or R5 is -JK, wherein J contains 1-40 chain atoms comprising carbon, and optionally nitrogen, oxygen, sulphur and/or phosphorus and, wherein K is prior to reaction with the biological molecule, succinimidyl ester, sulpho-succinimidyl ester, isothiocyanate, maleimide, haloacetamide, acid halide, vinylsulphone, dichlorotriazine, carbodimide, hydrazide, phosphoramidiate, pentafluorophylester and alkylhalide, hydroxyl, amino, sulphydryl, imidazole, carboxyl, aldehyde, ketone, phosphate and thiophosphate, wherein the biological molecule is linked to the structure of formula (IV) through said K, and wherein prior to the reaction, the compound of formula (IV) is in free or salt form.\",\n \"12. The fluorescent dye-biological molecule conjugate according to claim 11 wherein the biological molecule is selected from the group consisting of an antibody, lipid, protein, peptide, carbohydrate, nucleotides which contain or are derivatized to contain one or more of an amino, sulphydryl, carbonyl, hydroxyl and carboxyl, phosphate and thiophosphate groups, and oxy or deoxy polynucleic acids which contain or are derivatized to contain one or more of an amino, sulphydryl, carbonyl including aldehyde and ketone, hydroxyl and carboxyl, phosphate and thiophosphate groups, microbial materials, drugs, hormones, cells, cell membranes and toxins.\",\n \"13. A kit comprising:\\na) a fluorescent dye-biological molecule conjugate according to claim 11; and\\nb) a binding partner for said biological molecule or enzyme capable of catalytically altering said biological molecule.\",\n \"14. The method according to claim 2 wherein the fluorescence modulating moiety contains an aromatic system.\",\n \"15. The method according to claim 1, wherein the dye is a compound of formula (IV):\\nin free or salt form, wherein one of R4 and R5 is:\\na group -J-K, wherein J contains 1-40 chain atoms comprising carbon, and optionally nitrogen, oxygen, sulphur and/or phosphorus and K is a reactive group selected from succinimidyl ester, sulpho-succinimidyl ester, isothiocyanate, maleimide, haloacetamide, acid halide, vinylsulphone, dichlorotriazine, carbodimide, hydrazide, phosphoramidiate, pentafluorophylester and alkylhalide or K is a functional group selected from hydroxyl, amino, sulphydryl, imidazole, carboxyl, carbonyl including aldehyde and ketone, phosphate and thiophosphate; and\\nthe other is hydrogen.\",\n \"16. The method according to claim 1, wherein the dye is a compound of the following structure:\\nin free or salt form, wherein R5 is a group -J-K, wherein J contains 1-40 chain atoms comprising carbon, and optionally nitrogen, oxygen, sulphur and/or phosphorus and K is a reactive group selected from succinimidyl ester, sulpho-succinimidyl ester, isothiocyanate, maleimide, haloacetamide, acid halide, vinylsulphone, dichlorotriazine, carbodimide, hydrazide, phosphoramidiate, pentafluorophylester and alkylhalide or K is a functional group selected from hydroxyl, amino, sulphydryl, imidazole, carboxyl, carbonyl including aldehyde and ketone, phosphate and thiophosphate.\",\n \"17. The method according to claim 1, wherein the dye is a compound of the following structure:\\nin free or salt form, wherein K is a reactive group selected from succinimidyl ester, sulpho-succinimidyl ester, isothiocyanate, maleimide, haloacetamide, acid halide, vinylsulphone, dichlorotriazine, carbodimide, hydrazide, phosphoramidiate, pentafluorophylester and alkylhalide or K is a functional group selected from hydroxyl, amino, sulphydryl, imidazole, carboxyl, carbonyl including aldehyde and ketone, phosphate and thiophosphate.\",\n \"18. The method according to claim 1, wherein the dye is a compound of the following structure:\\nin free or salt form.\",\n \"19. The method according to claim 1, wherein the biological molecule is selected from the group consisting of an antibody, lipid, protein, peptide, carbohydrate, nucleotides which contain or are derivatized to contain one or more of an amino, sulphydryl, carbonyl, hydroxyl and carboxyl, phosphate and thiophosphate groups, and oxy or deoxy polynucleic acids which contain or are derivatized to contain one or more of an amino, sulphydryl, carbonyl including aldehyde and ketone, hydroxyl and carboxyl, phosphate and thiophosphate groups, microbial materials, drugs, hormones, cells, cell membranes and toxins.\",\n \"20. The method according to claim 2, wherein the dye is a compound of formula (IV):\\nin free or salt form, wherein one of R4 and R5 is:\\na group -J-K, wherein J contains 1-40 chain atoms comprising carbon, and optionally nitrogen, oxygen, sulphur and/or phosphorus and K is a reactive group selected from succinimidyl ester, sulpho-succinimidyl ester, isothiocyanate, maleimide, haloacetamide, acid halide, vinylsulphone, dichlorotriazine, carbodimide, hydrazide, phosphoramidiate, pentafluorophylester and alkylhalide or K is a functional group selected from hydroxyl, amino, sulphydryl, imidazole, carboxyl, carbonyl including aldehyde and ketone, phosphate and thiophosphate; and\\nthe other is hydrogen.\",\n \"21. The method according to claim 2, wherein the dye is a compound of the following structure:\\nin free or salt form, wherein R5 is a group -J-K, wherein J contains 1-40 chain atoms comprising carbon, and optionally nitrogen, oxygen, sulphur and/or phosphorus and K is a reactive group selected from succinimidyl ester, sulpho-succinimidyl ester, isothiocyanate, maleimide, haloacetamide, acid halide, vinylsulphone, dichlorotriazine, carbodimide, hydrazide, phosphoramidiate, pentafluorophylester and alkylhalide or K is a functional group selected from hydroxyl, amino, sulphydryl, imidazole, carboxyl, carbonyl including aldehyde and ketone, phosphate and thiophosphate.\",\n \"22. The method according to claim 2, wherein the dye is a compound of the following structure:\\nin free or salt form, wherein K is a reactive group selected from succinimidyl ester, sulpho-succinimidyl ester, isothiocyanate, maleimide, haloacetamide, acid halide, vinylsulphone, dichlorotriazine, carbodimide, hydrazide, phosphoramidiate, pentafluorophylester and alkylhalide or K is a functional group selected from hydroxyl, amino, sulphydryl, imidazole, carboxyl, carbonyl including aldehyde and ketone, phosphate and thiophosphate.\",\n \"23. The method according to claim 2, wherein the dye is a compound of the following structure:\\nin free or salt form.\",\n \"24. The method according to claim 2, wherein the substrate for the enzyme is selected from the group consisting of an antibody, lipid, protein, peptide, carbohydrate, nucleotides which contain or are derivatized to contain one or more of an amino, sulphydryl, carbonyl, hydroxyl and carboxyl, phosphate and thiophosphate groups, and oxy or deoxy polynucleic acids which contain or are derivatized to contain one or more of an amino, sulphydryl, carbonyl including aldehyde and ketone, hydroxyl and carboxyl, phosphate and thiophosphate groups, microbial materials, drugs, hormones, cells, cell membranes and toxins.\",\n \"25. The fluorescent dye-biological molecule conjugate according to claim 11, wherein the dye is a compound of formula (IV):\\nin free or salt form, wherein one of R4 and R5 is:\\na group -J-K, wherein J contains 1-40 chain atoms comprising carbon, and optionally nitrogen, oxygen, sulphur and/or phosphorus and K prior to reaction with the biological molecule is a reactive group selected from succinimidyl ester, sulpho-succinimidyl ester, isothiocyanate, maleimide, haloacetamide, acid halide, vinylsulphone, dichlorotriazine, carbodimide, hydrazide, phosphoramidiate, pentafluorophylester and alkylhalide or K prior to reaction with the biological molecule is a functional group selected from hydroxyl, amino, sulphydryl, imidazole, carboxyl, carbonyl including aldehyde and ketone, phosphate and thiophosphate; and the other is hydrogen.\",\n \"26. The fluorescent dye-biological molecule conjugate according to claim 11, wherein the dye is a compound of the following structure:\\nin free or salt form, wherein R5 is a group -J-K, wherein J contains 1-40 chain atoms comprising carbon, and optionally nitrogen, oxygen, sulphur and/or phosphorus and K prior to reaction with the biological molecule is a reactive group selected from succinimidyl ester, sulpho-succinimidyl ester, isothiocyanate, maleimide, haloacetamide, acid halide, vinylsulphone, dichlorotriazine, carbodimide, hydrazide, phosphoramidiate, pentafluorophylester and alkylhalide or K prior to reaction with the biological molecule is a functional group selected from hydroxyl, amino, sulphydryl, imidazole, carboxyl, carbonyl including aldehyde and ketone, phosphate and thiophosphate.\",\n \"27. The fluorescent dye-biological molecule conjugate according to claim 11, wherein the dye is a compound of the following structure:\\nin free or salt form, wherein K prior to reaction with the biological molecule is a reactive group selected from succinimidyl ester, sulpho-succinimidyl ester, isothiocyanate, maleimide, haloacetamide, acid halide, vinylsulphone, dichlorotriazine, carbodimide, hydrazide, phosphoramidiate, pentafluorophylester and alkylhalide or K prior to reaction with the biological molecule is a functional group selected from hydroxyl, amino, sulphydryl, imidazole, carboxyl, carbonyl including aldehyde and ketone, phosphate and thiophosphate.\",\n \"28. The fluorescent dye-biological molecule conjugate according to claim 11, wherein the dye is a compound of the following structure:\\nin free or salt form.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A compound having a chemical structure selected from\",\n \"2. A kit for detecting an analyte, comprising at least one compound according to claim 1, wherein the compound when combined with a sample comprising the analyte will undergo a change in its absorbance spectrum, emission spectrum, or both compared to the compound in a sample that does not comprise the analyte.\",\n \"3. The kit of claim 2, further comprising at least one buffer solution in which the compound when combined with a sample comprising the analyte will undergo a change in its absorbance spectrum, emission spectrum, or both compared to the compound combined with the buffer solution and a sample that does not comprise the analyte.\",\n \"4. The kit of claim 2, where the analyte comprises glutathione, cysteine, homocysteine, succinyl-5-amino-4-imidazolecarboxamide riboside, succinyladenosine, or a combination of succinyl-5-amino-4-imidazolecarboxamide riboside and succinyladenosine.\",\n \"5. The kit of claim 2, further comprising a plurality of disposable containers in which a reaction between the compound and the analyte can be performed.\",\n \"6. The kit of claim 5, where an amount of the compound effective to undergo a detectable change in the absorbance spectrum, the emission spectrum, or both when reacted with the analyte is premeasured into the plurality of disposable containers.\",\n \"7. A method for selectively detecting an analyte in a biological fluid, comprising:\\n(a) combining a compound according to general formula (III) or (IV) with a biological fluid to form a solution\\nwhere each bond depicted as “\\n” is a single or double bond as needed to satisfy valence requirements;\\nX1 is O, S, or N(H);\\nR6 is hydroxyl, amino, alkyl amino, or —NHRc when the bond between R6 and ring A is a single bond, or R6 is oxygen, imino, iminium, alkyl imino, or alkyl iminium when the bond between R6 and ring A is a double bond, where RC is\\nR7 is hydrogen or halogen;\\nR9-R12 independently are hydrogen, lower alkyl, carboxyl, amino, or —SO3H;\\nR13 is hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, —SO3H or —COOR14 where R14 is hydrogen or lower alkyl and the bond depicted as “\\n” in ring B is a double bond, or R13 is one or more atoms forming a ring system with rings B and D and the bond depicted as “\\n” in ring B is a single bond;\\nR16 and R18 independently are hydrogen, hydroxyl, thiol, oxygen, lower alkoxy, amino, alkyl amino, or —NHRc, and at least one of R16 and R18 is other than hydrogen;\\nR19 and R21 independently are hydrogen, hydroxyl, thiol, oxygen, amino, alkyl amino, imino, iminium, alkyl imino, alkyl iminium, or —NHRc where Rc is as defined above, and at least one of R19 and R21 is other than hydrogen; and\\nwherein if X1 is oxygen in general formula (III), then R6 is other than oxygen or alkyl amino, or R13 is other than one or more atoms forming a ring system with rings B and D, or R16 is other than hydroxyl or hydrogen, or R18 is other than hydroxyl or hydrogen, or at least one of R7, R9, R10, R11, R12, R13 is other than hydrogen, or\\nif the compound has a chemical structure according to general formula (IV), then at least one of R9-R13, R16, R18, R19, or R21is other than hydrogen, hydroxyl, halogen, oxygen, lower alkyl, amino, or thiol, or R13 is one or more atoms forming a ring system with rings B and D and the bond depicted as “\\n” in ring B is a single bond;\\n(b) exposing the solution to a light source; and\\n(c) detecting the analyte by detecting fluorescence from the compound, wherein the analyte comprises cysteine, homocysteine, glutathione, succinyl-5-amino-4-imidazolecarboxamide riboside, succinyladenosine, or a combination thereof.\",\n \"8. The method of claim 7 where detecting fluorescence from the compound comprises detecting fluorescence at a wavelength corresponding to an emission spectrum maximum of the compound.\",\n \"9. The method of claim 8, further comprising quantitating the analyte by measuring an amount of fluorescence from the compound at a wavelength corresponding to an emission spectrum maximum of the compound.\",\n \"10. The method of claim 7 where the biological fluid comprises blood or urine.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A substrate represented by the structural formula DYE-(B)m, wherein the DYE is not a rhodamine dye and wherein the DYE is capable of (i) binding to a partner biomolecule or an assembly of partner biomolecules and (ii) exhibiting increased fluorescence upon such binding; wherein m is selected from 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5; and wherein each of at least one B, independently, comprises an enzyme substrate moiety that is capable of enzymatic transformation comprising cleavage of a bond between the dye and the at least one B, cleavage of a bond within the at least one B, or formation of a bond to the at least one B; and wherein at least one of the at least one B comprises an enzyme substrate moiety that is capable of enzymatic transformation by a caspase enzyme.\",\n \"2. The substrate of claim 1, wherein the DYE comprises a nucleic acid dye, a membrane dye, an organelle dye, or a fluorescent ligand dye.\",\n \"3. The substrate of claim 1, wherein the DYE comprises a fluorogenic dye.\",\n \"4. The substrate of claim 1, wherein the DYE comprises a nucleic acid dye or a membrane dye.\",\n \"5. The substrate of claim 1, wherein m is selected from 1 and 2.\",\n \"6. The substrate of claim 1, comprising at least two B, wherein each of the at least two B is an enzyme substrate moiety for the same enzyme.\",\n \"7. The substrate of claim 1, wherein the caspase is caspase-3.\",\n \"8. The substrate of claim 1, wherein the substrate exhibits a change in fluorescence upon cleavage of a bond between the dye and the at least one B, cleavage of a bond within the at least one B, or formation of a bond to the at least one B.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A method for providing enhanced chemiluminescence from a stable 1,2-dioxetane which comprises:\\n(a) providing in a solution or on a surface where the light is to be produced a stable 1,2-dioxetane and a polymeric phosphonium salt with polyvinyLinktriAyl-phosphonium groups wherein Link is a linking group between the polymer and the phosphonium group containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms and A is selected from the group consisting of alkyl containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms and from alkyl and aralkyl groups each containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms; and\\n(b) triggering the 1,2-dioxetane with an activating agent to provide the enhanced chemiluminescence.\",\n \"2. The method of claim 1 wherein the 1,2-dioxetane is of the formula: ##STR18## wherein R3 and R4 are organic groups which may be combined together, wherein Rl is an organic group which may be combined with R2 and wherein R2 is an aryl group substituted with an X-oxy group which forms an unstable oxide intermediate dioxetane when triggered to remove a chemically labile group X by an activating agent selected from acids, bases, salts, enzymes, inorganic and organic catalysts and electron donors.\",\n \"3. The method of claim 1 wherein the 1,2-dioxetane is of the formula: ##STR19## wherein R1 is selected from lower alkyl or alkaryl containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms and may additionally contain heteroatoms, wherein R3 C is selected from spirofused cyclic and polycyclic organic groups containing 6 to 30 carbon atoms and may additionally contain heteroatoms, wherein R2 is selected from aryl, biaryl, heteroaryl, fused ring polycyclic aryl or heteroaryl groups which can be substituted or unsubstituted and wherein OX is an X-oxy group which forms an unstable oxide intermediate dioxetane compound when triggered to remove a chemically labile group X by an activating agent selected from acids, bases, salts, enzymes, inorganic and organic catalysts and electron donors.\",\n \"4. The method of claim 3 wherein the OX group is selected from hydroxyl, trialkyl or aryl silyoxy, inorganic oxy acid salt, phosphate salt, sulfate salt, oxygen-pyranoside, aryl and alkyl carboxyl esters.\",\n \"5. The method of claim 4 wherein ##STR20## is selected from the group consisting of adamantyl or substituted adamantyl.\",\n \"6. The method of claim 4 wherein R2 is metaphenyl.\",\n \"7. The method of claim 4 wherein R1 is methyl.\",\n \"8. The method of claim 5 wherein R1 is methyl, wherein R2 is meta-phenyl, wherein OX is a phosphate salt and wherein the activating agent is alkaline phosphatase.\",\n \"9. The method of any of claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 wherein the polymeric phosphonium salt is a poly(vinylbenzyltriAylphosphonium salt) wherein A is selected from the group consisting of alkyl containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms or alkyl and alkaryl groups each containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms.\",\n \"10. The method of claim 1 wherein the polymeric phosphonium salt is a poly(vinylbenzyltrialkylphosphonium salt) wherein alkyl is selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms.\",\n \"11. The method of claim 10 wherein the poly(vinylbenzyltrialkylphosphonium salt) is poly(vinylbenzyltrimethylphosphonium chloride).\",\n \"12. The method of claim 10 wherein the poly(vinylbenzyltrialkylphosphonium salt) is poly(vinylbenzyltributylphosphonium chloride).\",\n \"13. The method of claim 10 wherein the poly(vinylbenzyltrialkylphosphonium salt) is poly(vinylbenzyltrioctylphosphonium chloride).\",\n \"14. The method of claim 1 wherein the polymeric phosphonium salt is a mixture of poly(benzyltriAylphosphonium salts) wherein A is selected from the group consisting of alkyl containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms and alkyl and alkyl and alkaryl each containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms.\",\n \"15. The method of claim 14 wherein the mixture contains benzyltributylphosphonium chloride and benzyltrioctylphosphonium chloride.\",\n \"16. The method of claim 14 wherein the polymer is poly(vinylbenzyltrialkylphosphonium chloride) wherein alkyl is 75 mole percent tributyl and 25 mole percent trioctyl.\",\n \"17. The method of any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 wherein the polymeric phosphonium salt is a polyvinylbenzyltriAylphosphonium salt and a fluorescent group containing polymer wherein A is selected from the group consisting of alkyl containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms or alkyl and aralkyl each containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms and wherein the fluorescent group is attached to the polymer.\",\n \"18. The method of claim 1 wherein the polymeric phosphonium salt is poly(vinylbenzyltributylphosphonium chloride) containing fluorescent groups selected from the group consisting of fluorescein and Rose Bengal.\",\n \"19. The method of claim 1 wherein the method is used for chemiluminescent detection of enzymes, antibodies, antigens, or nucleic acids.\",\n \"20. The method of claim 1 wherein the method is used for chemiluminescent detection in enzyme-linked immunoassays or enzyme-linked nucleic acid assays.\",\n \"21. The method of claim 20 wherein the enzyme is alkaline phosphatase or galactosidase.\",\n \"22. The method of claims 19, 20 or 21 wherein the chemiluminescence is detected by film or a luminometer.\",\n \"23. In a method for enhancing chemiluminescence produced by activating a 1,2-dioxetane the improvement which comprises generating the chemiluminescence in the presence of a polymeric phosphonium salt with polyvinyLinktriAylphosphonium groups wherein Link is a linking group between the polymer and the phosphonium group containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms and A is selected from the group consisting of alkyl containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms and from alkyl and aralkyl groups each containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms.\",\n \"24. The method of claim 22 wherein the polymeric phosphonium salt is prepared by reacting triAyl phosphine with a polyvinyl chloride polymer wherein Link is a linking group between the polymer and the phosphonium cation containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms and A is selected from the group consisting of alkyl containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms or alkyl and aralkyl groups containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms.\",\n \"25. The method of claim 24 wherein Link is benzyl.\",\n \"26. The method of claim 24 wherein the LinktriAyl phosphonium group is a benzyltrimethylphosphonium group.\",\n \"27. The method of claim 23 wherein the polymeric phosphonium salt a polyvinylbenzyltrimethyl-phosphonium chloride polymer substantially free of chlorobenzyl groups.\",\n \"28. The method of claim 23 wherein the polymeric phosphonium salt is a polyvinylLinktriAyl-phosphonium and fluorescent group containing polymer wherein Link is a linking group between the polymer and the phosphonium cation containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms and A is selected from the group consisting of alkyl and aralkyl groups containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms and wherein the fluorescent group is attached to the polymer.\",\n \"29. The method of claim 28 wherein Link is benzyl.\",\n \"30. The method of claim 28 wherein the LinktriAyl phosphonium group is a benzyltributylphosphonium group.\",\n \"31. The method of claim 23 as a probe or enzyme linked assay.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A device for conducting an agglutination assay comprising several reaction vessels, each reaction vessel comprising an upper chamber having an opening for accepting reactants and/or a sample; and a lower chamber comprising an end in communication with the upper chamber for receiving fluids from the upper chamber, a closed end opposite to the end, and a matrix for separating agglutinates from non-agglutinates; wherein\\nthe device further comprises a rotating support able to rotate around an axis and holding pivotally the reaction vessels in a way to allow the reaction vessels to pivot about an axis essentially perpendicular to the rotation axis of the support when the latter is rotated, such that the fluids remain in the upper chamber when the support is not rotated, and can flow from the upper chamber to the lower chamber and into the matrix when the support is rotated.\",\n \"2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the rotating support and/or the reaction vessels are made by a plastic injection molding process.\",\n \"3. The device according to claim 1, wherein\\nthe rotating support is made of a single piece.\",\n \"4. The device according to claim 1, wherein\\nthe rotating support comprises twelve reaction vessels.\",\n \"5. The device according to claim 1, wherein\\nthe upper chamber is eccentric with the lower chamber.\",\n \"6. The device according to claim 1, wherein\\nthe lower chamber is an elongate tube with a cylindrical section.\",\n \"7. The device according to claim 1, wherein\\nthe rotating support comprises a receptacle concentric with the axis.\",\n \"8. The device according to claim 7, wherein\\nthe underneath face of the support and/or the surface of the receptacle comprises one or several ribs.\",\n \"9. The device according to claim 7, wherein\\nthe receptacle extends below and above the plane of the rotating support.\",\n \"10. An analysis station for performing agglutination reaction and separation assays comprising:\\na device containing several reaction vessels, each reaction vessel comprising an upper chamber having an opening for accepting reactants and/or a sample; a lower chamber comprising an end in communication with the upper chamber for receiving fluids from the upper chamber, a closed end opposite to the end, and a matrix for separating agglutinates from non-agglutinates; a rotating support able to rotate around an axis and holding pivotally the reaction vessels in a way to allow the reaction vessels to pivot about an axis essentially perpendicular to said rotation axis when the latter is rotated, such as to retain the fluids in the upper chamber when the support is not rotated and makes it flow from the upper chamber to the lower chamber and into the matrix when the support is rotated;\\na drive shaft which fixedly holds the device at the rotating support;\\na heating unit concentric with the support of the device; and\\nmeans to optically detect cluster agglutinate and/or band or button formation within the lower chamber.\",\n \"11. The analysis station according to claim 10, wherein the drive shaft fixedly holds the device with the support having its rotation axis essentially parallel with the drive shaft rotation axis.\",\n \"12. The analysis station according to claim 10, wherein the device is held in the drive shaft by fitting the receptacle into a conformal recess in the drive shaft.\",\n \"13. The analysis station according to claim 10, wherein the underneath face of the support and/or the surface of a receptacle of the support comprises one or several ribs cooperating with one or several corresponding grooves on the surface of the recess, in order to maintain the device in the drive shaft during centrifugation.\",\n \"14. The analysis station according to claim 10, wherein the heating unit is annular-shaped.\",\n \"15. A method for conducting an agglutination assay comprising:\\nproviding an analysis station comprising a device containing several reaction vessels, each reaction vessel comprising an upper chamber having an opening for accepting reactants and/or a sample; a lower chamber comprising an end in communication with the upper chamber for receiving fluids from the upper chamber, a closed end opposite to the end, and a matrix for separating agglutinates from non-agglutinates; a rotating support able to rotate around an axis and holding pivotally the reaction vessels in a way to allow the reaction vessels to pivot about an axis essentially perpendicular to said rotation axis when the latter is rotated, such as to retain the fluids in the upper chamber when the support is not rotated and makes it flow from the upper chamber to the lower chamber and into the matrix when the support is rotated; a drive shaft which fixedly holds the device at the rotating support; a heating unit concentric with the support of the device; and means to optically detect cluster agglutinate and/or band or button formation within the lower chamber;\\nincubating the reagents and sample in the upper chambers of the vessels while the support is not rotating;\\ncentrifuging the reagents and sample by rotating the support in order to force to the fluids from the upper chamber to the lower chamber to the separation matrix; and\\nperforming readings and interpretation of positive or negative agglutination reactions.\",\n \"16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the support comprises a receptacle and further comprising the steps of:\\nadding reagents and a sample into the receptacle and mixing them together; and\\npipetting the mixed reagents and sample into the upper chamber of the different reaction vessels;\\nsaid steps being performed prior to said incubating the reagents and sample.\",\n \"17. The method according to claim 15, wherein\\nthe device is disposed after completion of said performing readings and interpretation.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A diagnostic device for detecting the presence of an analyte in a fluid sample, the device comprising:\\na housing configured to receive a lateral flow diagnostic strip, said lateral flow diagnostic strip including:\\na receiving end for receiving the fluid sample;\\na terminal end opposite said receiving end; and\\na capture region located between said receiving end and said terminal end; and a processor configured to, upon receiving the fluid sample:\\nilluminate the lateral flow diagnostic strip;\\nmeasure intensity values of light reflected from the lateral flow diagnostic strip;\\nobtain, during a first time period, a first series of intensity value pairs, wherein each intensity value pair of the first series of intensity value pairs comprises a measurement signal and a background signal, and wherein the measurement signal and the background signal for each intensity value pair of the first series of intensity value pairs are obtained at substantially the same time;\\ncalculate the intensity difference between the measurement signal and the background signal for each pair of the first series of intensity value pairs to generate a first series of intensity difference values;\\ngenerate, at the end of the first time period, a fluid front detection result based at least in part on the first series of intensity difference values, wherein the fluid front detection result indicates whether at least a portion of the first series of intensity difference values correspond to a threshold for identifying a fluid front;\\nobtain, during a second time period, a second series of intensity value pairs, wherein each intensity value pair of the second series of intensity value pairs comprises a measurement signal and a background signal, and wherein the measurement signal and the background signal for each intensity value pair of the second series of intensity value pairs are obtained at substantially the same time;\\ncalculate the intensity difference between the measurement signal and the background signal for each pair of the second series of intensity value pairs to generate a second series of intensity difference values; and\\ngenerate, at the end of the second time period, a message indicating that the analyte is present in the fluid sample based at least in part on:\\n(i) the fluid front detection result generated with the first series of intensity difference values obtained during the first time period, and\\n(ii) the second series of intensity difference values obtained during the second time period.\",\n \"2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a sensor positioned within the housing and configured to detect the quantity of light reflected from said capture region.\",\n \"3. The device of claim 2, wherein the sensor is a photo detector.\",\n \"4. The device of claim 1, wherein quantities of light reflected during the first time period and the second time period are reflected from said capture region.\",\n \"5. The device of claim 1, further comprising a display, wherein the processor is further configured to:\\nincrement a fluid front counter based on a comparison between the threshold and an intensity difference value obtained during the first time period, wherein the fluid front detection result is generated based at least in part on the fluid front counter; and\\ngenerate a message for presentation via the display if said fluid front detection result indicates that the fluid front was not detected after the first time period.\",\n \"6. The device of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to increment a result counter based on a comparison of at least a portion of the second plurality of intensity difference values received during the second time period and a second threshold, and wherein the processor is further configured to generate the assay result output based at least in part on the result counter.\",\n \"7. The device of claim 1, further comprising:\\na pair of electrical contacts separated by a gap and in physical contact with the lateral flow diagnostic strip, wherein the gap, when wetted by the fluid sample, causes a current to flow between the pair of electrical contacts; and\\na current detection circuit configured to:\\nsense the current between the pair of electrical contacts; and increase a level of power supplied to the processor.\",\n \"8. The device of claim 7, wherein the first time period is after the level of power supplied to the processor is increased.\",\n \"9. The device of claim 1, wherein the first time period is between five seconds and twenty-eight seconds.\",\n \"10. The device of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to exclude the intensity difference values obtained during the first time period when generating an assay result output.\",\n \"11. The device of claim 7, wherein the processor is further configured to:\\nincrement a fluid front counter based on a comparison between the threshold and an intensity difference value obtained during the first time period;\\ndetermine, prior to the end of the first time period, that the fluid front counter exceeds a count threshold associated with a presence of the fluid front; and\\nin response to said determining that the fluid front counter exceeds the count threshold, disable at least one element included in the device at least until the end of the first time period.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. An analyte measurement method, comprising:\\na) obtaining a sample;\\nb) applying the sample to a signal-amplifying nanosensor, comprising:\\n(i) a substrate;\\n(ii) a signal amplification layer; and\\n(iii) a capture agent that specifically binds to an analyte in the sample,\\nwherein the capture agent is linked to the surface of the signal amplification layer and said nanosensor amplifies a light signal from labeled analytes that are bound to the signal amplification layer via the capture agent, under conditions suitable for binding of the analyte in a sample to the capture agent;\\nc) washing the signal-amplifying nanosensor; and\\nd) reading the signal-amplifying nanosensor, thereby obtaining a measurement of the amount of the analyte in the sample.\",\n \"2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the sample is a liquid sample.\",\n \"3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the applying step b) comprises applying a sample to a microfluidic device comprising the signal-amplifying nanosensor.\",\n \"4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the reading step d) comprises detecting a fluorescence or luminescence signal from the signal-amplifying nanosensor.\",\n \"5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the reading step d) comprises reading the signal-amplifying nanosensor with a handheld device configured to read the signal-amplifying nanosensor.\",\n \"6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the handheld device is a mobile phone.\",\n \"7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the signal-amplifying nanosensor comprises a labeling agent that can bind to an analyte-capture agent complex on the signal-amplifying nanosensor.\",\n \"8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises between steps c) and d):\\napplying to the signal-amplifying nanosensor a labeling agent that binds to an analyte-capture agent complex on the signal-amplifying nanosensor; and\\nwashing the signal-amplifying nanosensor.\",\n \"9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the reading step d) comprises reading an identifier for the signal-amplifying nanosensor.\",\n \"10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the identifier is an optical barcode, a radio frequency ID tag, or combinations thereof.\",\n \"11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises:\\napplying a control sample to a control signal-amplifying nanosensor comprising a capture agent that binds to the analyte, wherein the control sample comprises a known detectable amount of the analyte; and\\nreading the control signal-amplifying nanosensor, thereby obtaining a control measurement for the known detectable amount of the analyte in a sample.\",\n \"12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the sample is a diagnostic sample obtained from a subject, the analyte is a biomarker, and wherein the amount of the analyte in the sample is diagnostic of a disease or a condition.\",\n \"13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the sample is saliva, serum, blood, sputum, urine, sweat, lacrima, semen, or mucus.\",\n \"14. The method according to claim 12, wherein the method further comprises:\\nreceiving a report that indicates:\\nthe measured amount of the biomarker; and\\na range of measured values for the biomarker in an individual free of or at low risk of having the disease or condition,\\nwherein the measured amount of the biomarker relative to the range of measured values is diagnostic of a disease or condition.\",\n \"15. The method according to claim 12, wherein the method further comprises:\\nproviding to the subject a report that indicates:\\nthe measured amount of the biomarker; and\\na range of measured values for the biomarker in an individual free of or at low risk of having the disease or condition,\\nwherein the measured amount of the biomarker relative to the range of measured values is diagnostic of a disease or condition.\",\n \"16. The method according to claim 12, wherein the method further comprises:\\ndiagnosing the subject based on information comprising the measured amount of the biomarker in the sample.\",\n \"17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the diagnosing step comprises sending data comprising the measured amount of the biomarker to a remote location and receiving a diagnosis based on information comprising the measurement from the remote location.\",\n \"18. The method according to claim 12, wherein the biomarker is selected from Tables 1, 2, 3 or 7.\",\n \"19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the biomarker is a protein selected from Tables 1, 2, or 3.\",\n \"20. The method according to claim 18, wherein the biomarker is a nucleic acid selected from Tables 2, 3 or 7.\",\n \"44. A kit comprising:\\na signal-amplifying nanosensor comprising a capture agent that binds to an analyte of interest in a sample; and\\ninstructions for reading the signal-amplifying nanosensor, thereby obtaining a measurement of the amount of the analyte in the sample.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A cartridge for conducting a chemical reaction, the cartridge comprising:\\na) a body having (1) a plurality of sensor chambers having optical sensors positioned to detect liquid in the sensor chamber and (2) at least one flow path formed therein;\\nand\\nb) a reaction vessel extending from the body, the vessel comprising:\\ni) a rigid frame defining a plurality of side walls of a reaction chamber, wherein the frame includes at least one channel connecting the flow path to the chamber; and\\nii) at least one sheet attached to the rigid frame to form a major wall of the chamber, wherein the major wall is sufficiently flexible to conform to a surface that comes into contact with the major wall.\",\n \"2. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the vessel includes first and second flexible sheets attached to opposite sides of the rigid frame to form opposing major walls of the chamber.\",\n \"3. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein at least two of the plurality of side walls are optically transmissive and angularly offset from each other by about 90°.\",\n \"4. The cartridge of claim 3, comprising at least two additional side walls having retro-reflective faces.\",\n \"5. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the ratio of the width of the chamber to the thickness of the chamber is at least 4:1, and wherein the chamber has a thickness in the range of 0.5 to 2 mm.\",\n \"6. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the vessel includes at least two separate ports in fluid communication with the reaction chamber, and wherein the body includes at least a first channel in fluid communication with the first port and at least a second channel in fluid communication with the second port.\",\n \"7. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the body has formed therein:\\ni) a sample flow path;\\nii) a separation region in the sample flow path for separating a desired analyte from a fluid sample;\\nand\\niii) an analyte flow path extending from the separation region, wherein a channel in the vessel connects the analyte flow path to the reaction chamber.\",\n \"8. The cartridge of claim 7, wherein the separation region in the body comprises: a) a lysing chamber in the sample flow path for lysing cells or viruses in the sample to release material therefrom; and b) at least one solid support positioned in the lysing chamber for capturing the cells or viruses to be lysed.\",\n \"9. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the cartridge is in combination with an instrument having:\\na) at least one thermal surface for contacting the major wall of the reaction chamber;\\nb) means for increasing the pressure in the reaction chamber, wherein the pressure increase in the chamber is sufficient to force the major wall to contact and conform to the thermal surface; and\\nc) at least one thermal element for heating or cooling the at least one thermal surface to induce a temperature change within the chamber.\",\n \"10. The cartridge of claim 9, wherein the vessel includes first and second flexible sheets attached to opposite sides of the rigid frame to form opposing major walls of the chamber, the instrument includes first and second thermal surfaces formed by opposing plates positioned to receive the chamber between them, and the pressure increase in the chamber is sufficient to force the major walls to contact and conform to the inner surfaces of the plates.\",\n \"11. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein at least two of the plurality of side walls of the reaction chamber are optically transmissive and angularly offset from each other, and wherein the cartridge is in combination with an optics system having at least one light source for exciting a reaction mixture in the chamber through a first one of the optically transmissive side walls and having at least one detector for detecting light emitted from the chamber through a second one of the optically transmissive side walls.\",\n \"12. A cartridge for conducting a chemical reaction, the cartridge comprising:\\na) a body having (1) a plurality of sensor chambers having optical sensors positioned to detect liquid in the sensor chamber and (2) at least one flow path formed therein; and\\nb) a reaction vessel extending from the body, the vessel comprising:\\ni) two opposing major walls;\\nii) side walls connecting the major walls to each other to define a reaction chamber, wherein at least two of the side walls are optically transmissive and angularly offset from each other; and\\niii) at least one channel connecting the reaction chamber to the flow path in the body.\",\n \"13. The cartridge of claim 12, wherein the vessel includes:\\na) a rigid frame defining the side walls of the chamber; and\\nb) first and second flexible sheets attached to opposite sides of the rigid frame to form the major walls of the chamber.\",\n \"14. The cartridge of claim 12, wherein the optically transmissive side walls are angularly offset from each other by about 90°.\",\n \"15. The cartridge of claim 12, comprising at least two additional side walls having retro-reflective faces.\",\n \"16. The cartridge of claim 12, wherein the ratio of the width of the chamber to the thickness of the chamber is at least 4:1, and wherein the chamber has a thickness in the range of 0.5 to 2 mm.\",\n \"17. The cartridge of claim 12, wherein the vessel includes at least two separate ports in fluid communication with the reaction chamber, and wherein the body includes at least a first channel in fluid communication with the first port and at least a second channel in fluid communication with the second port.\",\n \"18. The cartridge of claim 12, wherein the body has:\\ni) a sample flow path;\\nii) a separation region in the sample flow path for separating a desired analyte from a fluid sample; and\\niii) an analyte flow path extending from the separation region, wherein a channel in the vessel connects the analyte flow path to the reaction chamber.\",\n \"19. The cartridge of claim 18, wherein the separation region comprises: a) a lysing chamber in the sample flow path for lysing cells or viruses in the sample to release material therefrom; and b) at least one solid support positioned in the lysing, chamber for capturing the cells or viruses to be lysed.\",\n \"20. The cartridge of claim 12, wherein the cartridge is in combination with an instrument having:\\na) opposing plates positioned to receive the chamber of the vessel between them;\\nb) means for increasing the pressure in the chamber, wherein the pressure increase in the chamber is sufficient to force the major walls to contact and conform to the inner surfaces of the plates; and\\nc) at least one thermal element for heating or cooling the surfaces of the plates to induce a temperature change within the chamber.\",\n \"21. The cartridge of claim 12, wherein the cartridge is in combination with an optics system having at least one light source for exciting a reaction mixture in the chamber through a first one of the optically transmissive side walls and having at least one detector for detecting light emitted from the chamber through a second one of the optically transmissive side walls.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A diagnostic analyzer comprising:\\na base having a first side and a second side opposite the first side;\\na loading bay disposed along the first side of the base;\\na first carrier shuttle on the base, the first carrier shuttle having a first end at a first area adjacent the loading bay and a second end, opposite the first end, at a second area adjacent the second side of the base, the first carrier shuttle to transport a first carrier between the first area and the second area;\\na second carrier shuttle on the base, the second carrier shuttle disposed adjacent the first carrier shuttle, the first and second carrier shuttles being independently operable, the second carrier shuttle having a third end at the first area adjacent the loading bay and fourth second end, opposite the third end, at the second area adjacent the second side of the base, the second carrier shuttle to transport a second carrier between the first area and the second area; and\\na pipetting mechanism coupled to the base and disposed adjacent the second side of the base, the pipetting mechanism to:\\naspirate a first sample from the first carrier while the first carrier is on the first carrier shuttle at the second area;\\ndispense the first sample into a first reaction vessel;\\naspirate a second sample from the second carrier while the second carrier is on the second carrier shuttle at the second area; and\\ndispense the second sample into a second reaction vessel.\",\n \"2. The diagnostic analyzer of claim 1, wherein the first carrier shuttle and the second carrier shuttle are parallel to each other.\",\n \"3. The diagnostic analyzer of claim 1, further including a positioner to transport the first carrier between the loading bay and the first carrier shuttle, and to transport the second carrier between the loading bay and the second carrier shuttle.\",\n \"4. The diagnostic analyzer of claim 3, wherein the positioner is moveable along a track disposed along the first side of the base, between the base and the loading bay.\",\n \"5. The diagnostic analyzer of claim 4, wherein the track is perpendicular to the first and second carrier shuttles.\",\n \"6. The diagnostic analyzer of claim 1, wherein the first carrier shuttle includes a first carriage and a first lead screw to move the first carriage, and the second carrier shuttle includes a second carriage and a second lead screw to move the second carriage.\",\n \"7. The diagnostic analyzer of claim 1, wherein the first carrier shuttle includes a first conveyor belt and the second carrier shuttle includes a second conveyor belt.\",\n \"8. The diagnostic analyzer of claim 7, wherein the first carrier shuttle includes a motor to move the first conveyor belt and a sensor to detect movement of the first conveyor belt.\",\n \"9. The diagnostic analyzer of claim 8, wherein the motor and the sensor are disposed near opposite ends of the first carrier shuttle.\",\n \"10. The diagnostic analyzer of claim 1, further including a processing carousel on the base, the first and second reaction vessels disposed on the processing carousel, and wherein the first and second carrier shuttles are disposed between the processing carousel and a third side of the base.\",\n \"11. At least one machine readable storage medium comprising instructions that, when executed, cause at least one processor of a diagnostic analyzer to at least:\\ncontrol a first carrier shuttle to transport a first carrier from a first area adjacent a first side of a base of the diagnostic analyzer to a second area adjacent a second side of the base, the first carrier shuttle having a first end at the first area and a second end, opposite the first end, at the second area, the second side of the base opposite the first side of the base, the diagnostic analyzer having a loading bay disposed along the first side of the base;\\ncontrol a pipetting mechanism coupled to the base adjacent the second side to:\\naspirate a first sample from the first carrier while the first carrier is at the second area; and\\ndispense the first sample into a first vessel on the diagnostic analyzer;\\ncontrol a second carrier shuttle disposed adjacent the first carrier shuttle to transport a second carrier from the first area to the second area, the second carrier shuttle having a third end at the first area and a fourth end, opposite the third end, at the second area; and\\ncontrol the pipetting mechanism to:\\naspirate a second sample from the second carrier while the second carrier is at the second area; and\\ndispense the second sample into a second vessel on the diagnostic analyzer.\",\n \"12. The at least one machine readable storage medium of claim 11, wherein the diagnostic analyzer includes a positioner moveable along the first side of the base, and wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the at least one processor to control the positioner to transport the first carrier from a slot in the loading bay to the first carrier shuttle.\",\n \"13. The at least one machine readable storage medium of claim 12, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the at least one processor to:\\nafter the first sample is aspirated, control the first carrier shuttle to transport the first carrier from the second area to the first area; and\\ncontrol the positioner to transfer the first carrier from the first carrier shuttle to a slot in the loading bay.\",\n \"14. The at least one machine readable storage medium of claim 12, wherein the positioner includes a label reader, and wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the at least one processor to control the label reader to read a label on the first carrier.\",\n \"15. The at least one machine readable storage medium of claim 11, wherein the first vessel and the second vessel are to be carried on a carousel of the diagnostic analyzer, and wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the at least one processor to control the carousel to rotate the carousel to move reaction vessels.\",\n \"16. The diagnostic analyzer of claim 3, wherein the positioner includes a reader to detect labels on the first and second carriers.\",\n \"17. The diagnostic analyzer of claim 10, wherein the pipetting mechanism is rotatable about an axis disposed outside of the processing carousel.\",\n \"18. The diagnostic analyzer of claim 1, wherein the pipetting mechanism includes an arm that is rotatable about an axis of rotation and a pipette at a distal end of the arm.\",\n \"19. The diagnostic analyzer of claim 1, wherein the loading bay includes a plurality of slots arranged in a horizontal array along the first side of the base.\",\n \"20. The diagnostic analyzer of claim 1, further including a first carousel to support a plurality of reagent containers and a second carousel to support a plurality of reaction vessels.\",\n \"21. A diagnostic analyzer comprising:\\na base having a first side and a second side opposite the first side;\\na loading bay disposed along the first side of the base;\\na first carrier shuttle on the base, the first carrier shuttle extending in a linear direction that is perpendicular to the first side and the second side, the first carrier shuttle to transport a first carrier from a first area adjacent the loading bay to a second area adjacent the second side of the base;\\na second carrier shuttle on the base, the second carrier shuttle disposed adjacent the first carrier shuttle, the first and second carrier shuttles being independently operable, the second carrier shuttle extending in a linear direction that is perpendicular to the first side and the second side, the second carrier shuttle to transport a second carrier from the first area adjacent the loading bay to the second area adjacent the second side of the base; and\\na pipetting mechanism coupled to the base and disposed adjacent the second side of the base, the pipetting mechanism to:\\naspirate a first sample from the first carrier while the first carrier is on the first carrier shuttle at the second area;\\ndispense the first sample into a first reaction vessel;\\naspirate a second sample from the second carrier while the second carrier is on the second carrier shuttle at the second area; and\\ndispense the second sample into a second reaction vessel.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A method of nucleic acid analysis, comprising:\\n(a) providing a cell or nucleus comprising:\\n(1) genomic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA),\\n(2) a protein, and\\n(3) a complex comprising:\\n(i) a labeling agent configured to couple to the protein, and\\n(ii) a transposase complex comprising (A) a transposase and (B) a nucleic acid molecule, wherein the nucleic acid molecule comprises (I) an adapter sequence and (II) a reporter barcode sequence, wherein the labeling agent is coupled to the transposase complex;\\n(b) using the transposase, the nucleic acid molecule, and the genomic DNA to generate a DNA fragment comprising a sequence of the genomic DNA, the adapter sequence, and the reporter barcode sequence; and\\n(c) using a barcode nucleic acid molecule comprising a barcode sequence and the DNA fragment to generate a barcoded nucleic acid molecule comprising (1) the sequence of the genomic DNA or reverse complement thereof, (2) the reporter barcode sequence or reverse complement thereof, and (3) the barcode sequence or reverse complement thereof.\",\n \"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the reporter barcode sequence identifies the labeling agent.\",\n \"3. The method of claim 1, wherein the nucleic acid molecule further comprises a transposon end sequence.\",\n \"4. The method of claim 1, wherein the labeling agent is coupled to the protein.\",\n \"5. The method of claim 1, further comprising (d) sequencing the barcoded nucleic acid molecule to identify (1) the sequence of the genomic DNA or reverse complement thereof, (2) the reporter barcode sequence or reverse complement thereof, and (3) the barcode sequence or reverse complement thereof.\",\n \"6. The method of claim 5, further comprising subsequent to (d), (e) using the barcode sequence or reverse complement thereof to identify (1) the sequence of the genomic DNA or reverse complement thereof and (2) the reporter barcode sequence or reverse complement thereof as originating from the cell or nucleus.\",\n \"7. The method of claim 6, wherein (e) further identifies the protein as being associated with the sequence of the genomic DNA.\",\n \"8. The method of claim 1, wherein (c) comprises coupling the DNA fragment to the barcode nucleic acid molecule.\",\n \"9. The method of claim 8, wherein the coupling comprises hybridizing the adapter sequence to at least a portion of the barcode nucleic acid molecule.\",\n \"10. The method of claim 8, wherein the coupling comprises ligating the adapter sequence to at least a portion of the barcode nucleic acid molecule.\",\n \"11. The method of claim 1, wherein the cell or nucleus further comprises:\\n(4) a second protein, and (5) a second complex comprising (i) a second labeling agent configured to couple to the second protein, and (ii) a second transposase complex comprising (A) a second transposase and (B) a second nucleic acid molecule, wherein the second nucleic acid molecule comprises (I) a second adapter sequence and (II) a second reporter barcode sequence, and wherein the second labeling agent is coupled to the second transposase complex; and wherein the method further comprises\\n(d) using the second transposase, the second nucleic acid molecule, and the genomic DNA to generate a second DNA fragment comprising a second sequence of the genomic DNA, the second adapter sequence, and the second reporter barcode sequence; and\\n(e) using a second barcode nucleic acid molecule comprising the barcode sequence and the second DNA fragment to generate a second barcoded nucleic acid molecule comprising (1) the second sequence of the genomic DNA or reverse complement thereof, (2) the second reporter barcode sequence or reverse complement thereof, and (3) the barcode sequence or reverse complement thereof.\",\n \"12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:\\n(f) sequencing at least a portion of the barcoded nucleic acid molecule to identify (1) the sequence of the genomic DNA or reverse complement thereof, (2) the reporter barcode sequence or reverse complement thereof, and (3) the barcode sequence or reverse complement thereof; and\\n(g) sequencing at least a portion of the second barcoded nucleic acid molecule to identify (1) the second sequence of the genomic DNA or reverse complement thereof, (2) the second reporter barcode sequence or reverse complement thereof, and (3) the barcode sequence or reverse complement thereof.\",\n \"13. The method of claim 12, further comprising subsequent to (f) and (g),\\nusing the barcode sequence or reverse complement thereof to identify (1) the sequence of the genomic DNA or reverse complement thereof and (2) the reporter barcode sequence or reverse complement thereof as originating from the cell or nucleus; and,\\nusing the barcode sequence or reverse complement thereof to identify (1) the second sequence of the genomic DNA or reverse complement thereof and (2) the second reporter barcode sequence or reverse complement thereof as originating from the cell or nucleus.\",\n \"14. The method of claim 1, wherein the labeling agent is an antibody or a fragment thereof.\",\n \"15. The method of claim 1, further comprising prior to (a), (b), or (c), partitioning the cell or nucleus into a partition.\",\n \"16. The method of claim 15, wherein (c) is performed in the partition.\",\n \"17. The method of claim 15, wherein (b) is performed prior to the partitioning.\",\n \"18. The method of claim 15, wherein the partition is an aqueous droplet in an emulsion.\",\n \"19. The method of claim 15, wherein the partition is a well.\",\n \"20. The method of claim 15, wherein the partition comprises a support.\",\n \"21. The method of claim 20, wherein the support comprises a plurality of barcode nucleic acid molecules attached thereto.\",\n \"22. The method of claim 21, wherein the plurality of barcode nucleic acid molecules comprises the barcode nucleic acid molecule.\",\n \"23. The method of claim 21, wherein the support is a bead.\",\n \"24. The method of claim 23, further comprising releasing the plurality of barcode nucleic acid molecules from the bead.\",\n \"25. The method of claim 24, wherein the plurality of barcode nucleic acid molecules is releasably attached to the bead through a labile bond.\",\n \"26. The method of claim 25, wherein the labile bond is selected from the group consisting of a thermally cleavable bond, a chemically labile bond, and a photo-sensitive bond.\",\n \"27. The method of claim 23, wherein the bead is a gel bead.\",\n \"28. The method of claim 27, further comprising degrading the gel bead by applying a stimulus.\",\n \"29. The method of claim 28, wherein the stimulus is a chemical stimulus.\",\n \"30. A method of nucleic acid analysis, comprising:\\n(a) providing a cell or nucleus comprising:\\n(1) genomic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA),\\n(2) a protein, and\\n(3) a complex comprising:\\n(i) an antibody or a fragment thereof configured to couple to the protein and\\n(ii) a transposase complex comprising (A) a transposase and (B) a nucleic acid molecule, wherein the nucleic acid molecule comprises (I) an adapter sequence and (II) a reporter barcode sequence that identifies the antibody or the fragment thereof, wherein the antibody or the fragment thereof is coupled to the transposase complex;\\n(b) using the transposase, the nucleic acid molecule, and the genomic DNA to generate a DNA fragment comprising a sequence of the genomic DNA, the adapter sequence, and the reporter barcode sequence;\\n(c) partitioning the cell or nucleus in a droplet with a bead comprising at least one barcode nucleic acid molecule comprising a barcode sequence; and\\n(d) using the at least one barcode nucleic acid molecule and the DNA fragment to generate a barcoded nucleic acid molecule comprising (1) the sequence of the genomic DNA or reverse complement thereof, (2) the reporter barcode sequence or reverse complement thereof, and (3) the barcode sequence or reverse complement thereof.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer, comprising:\\na sample and reagent receiving device for receiving a sample and a reagent, wherein the sample and reagent receiving device comprises a sample receiving mechanism for receiving the sample and a reagent receiving mechanism for receiving the reagent, the sample receiving mechanism is sleeved outside the reagent receiving mechanism, and the sample receiving mechanism and the reagent receiving mechanism are capable of rotating independently of each other;\\na dispensing device for aspirating and discharging the sample and the reagent, wherein the dispensing device is located above the sample and reagent receiving device, and respectively transfers the sample and the reagent into a reaction vessel in a mixing device;\\nthe mixing device for mixing the sample and the reagent in the reaction vessel;\\nan incubation and luminescence detection device for incubation and luminescence detection;\\na magnetic separation cleaning device for separation cleaning an analyte and impurities in the reaction vessel;\\na reaction vessel grasping device for transferring the reaction vessel, wherein the reaction vessel grasping device transfers the reaction vessel into the mixing device, transfers the reaction vessel from the mixing device to the incubation and luminescence detection device to perform the incubation, transfers the reaction vessel to the magnetic separation cleaning device to perform the separation cleaning after the incubation, and transfers the reaction vessel into the incubation and luminescence detection device to perform the luminescence detection after the separation cleaning; and\\na liquid path device respectively connected to the dispensing device and the magnetic separation cleaning device, wherein the liquid path device is configured to inject or discharge a cleaning liquid into or from the magnetic separation cleaning device,\\nwherein the incubation and luminescence detection device comprises a sample incubation mechanism and a sample detection mechanism, wherein the sample detection mechanism detects the reaction vessel;\\nthe sample incubation mechanism comprises an incubation block and a heating component configured to heat the incubation block, the incubation block is provided with a plurality of incubation holes arranged in an array, and each of the incubation holes is configured to receive the reaction vessel; and\\nthe sample detection mechanism is disposed on the sample incubation mechanism, and located at a side face of the incubation block,\\nwherein the incubation block is provided with a luminescence detection hole arranged corresponding to the sample detection mechanism, wherein the luminescence detection hole is within the incubation block, and wherein the luminescence detection hole is configured to accommodate the reaction vessel, the reaction vessel after the incubation is transferred from one of the incubation holes into the luminescence detection hole, and the reaction vessel accommodated in the luminescence detection hole is detected by the sample detection mechanism.\",\n \"2. The fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer of claim 1, wherein the sample receiving mechanism comprises a plurality of sample holders arranged in an arc shape, a sample receiving driving structure, and a chassis, wherein each of the sample holders is configured to carry sample vessels with samples, the sample holders are sequentially installed on the chassis, and the sample receiving driving structure drives the chassis to rotate, so as to drive the sample holders on the chassis to rotate.\",\n \"3. The fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer of claim 1, wherein the reagent receiving mechanism comprises a reagent housing, a reagent disc, and a reagent disc driving structure, wherein the reagent disc is accommodated in the reagent housing, the reagent disc is configured to store reagent vessels with reagents, and the reagent disc driving structure drives the reagent disc to rotate.\",\n \"4. The fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer of claim 3, wherein the reagent receiving mechanism further comprises a cooling structure having a cooling component and a cold-end spreader, wherein the cooling component is located below the reagent disc and offset from a center of the reagent housing for cooling an interior of the reagent housing, and the cold-end spreader is connected to a cold end of the cooling component and located below the reagent disc.\",\n \"5. The fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer of claim 4, wherein the reagent receiving mechanism further comprises a hot-end radiator having a heat-conducting component, wherein the hot-end radiator is connected to a hot end of the cooling component and located on an outer side of the reagent housing.\",\n \"6. The fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer of claim 3, wherein the reagent receiving mechanism further comprises a reagent housing lid that covers the reagent housing; and\\nthe reagent housing lid is provided with a plurality of reagent aspiration holes that are arranged in a radial direction of the reagent disc and located on a straight line, and the dispensing device is capable of entering into any one of the reagent aspiration holes to aspirate the reagent; and\\nwherein the reagent housing lid comprises a condensation structure that is provided on the reagent housing lid, the reagent aspiration holes are located in the condensation structure, and the condensation structure is configured to receive condensed water generated at the reagent aspiration holes.\",\n \"7. The fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer of claim 6, wherein the condensation structure comprises a condensation plate and a water receiving tray arranged opposite each other, the condensation plate is detachably connected to the water receiving tray, an airflow channel is formed between the condensation plate and the water receiving tray, and cold air in the reagent housing is capable of entering into the airflow channel;\\neach of the reagent aspiration holes comprises a first reagent aspiration hole located in the condensation plate and a second reagent aspiration hole located in the water receiving tray; and the first reagent aspiration hole and the second reagent aspiration hole are arranged opposite each other, an outline of the first reagent aspiration hole covers an outline of the second reagent aspiration hole, and the first reagent aspiration hole is respectively in communication with the airflow channel and an outside environment.\",\n \"8. The fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer of claim 3, wherein the sample and reagent receiving device further comprises an identification code scanner for scanning an identification code, and the sample receiving mechanism is provided with a scanning notch; and\\nthe identification code scanner is capable of scanned identification codes of the sample vessels on sample receiving mechanism through the scanning notch, and the identification code scanner is further capable of scanning identification codes of the reagent vessels on the reagent receiving mechanism through the scanning notch;\\nthe reagent housing is provided with a scanning window, and the scanning window, the scanning notch and the identification code scanner correspond to one another, the reagent disc drives the reagent vessels to rotate, such that the reagent vessels are sequentially moved to the scanning window, and the identification code scanner scans the identification codes of the reagent vessels.\",\n \"9. The fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer of claim 1, wherein the mixing device comprises two mixing mechanisms, a mixing driving structure and a mixing seat, and the mixing driving structure drives each of the mixing mechanisms to move, so as to mix the sample and the reagent in the reaction vessel on the mixing device;\\nthe mixing seat comprises a reagent and sample mixing seat and a substrate mixing seat, the reagent and sample mixing seat is configured to carry the reaction vessel with the sample and the reagent and to mix the sample and the reagent in the reaction vessel, the substrate mixing seat is configured to carry the reaction vessel or another reaction vessel with a substrate and to mix the analyte and the substrate in the reaction vessel, and the mixing driving structure respectively drives, via the two mixing mechanisms, the reagent and sample mixing seat and the substrate mixing seat to perform mixing operations simultaneously.\",\n \"10. The fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer of claim 1, wherein the dispensing device comprises a dispensing needle, a horizontal movement mechanism and a vertical movement mechanism, wherein the vertical movement mechanism is provided on the horizontal movement mechanism, the dispensing needle is provided on the vertical movement mechanism and is in communication with the liquid path device, and movements of the vertical movement mechanism and the horizontal movement mechanism cause the dispensing needle to transfer the sample and the reagent between the sample and reagent receiving device and the mixing device;\\nthe dispensing device further comprises a first cleaning mechanism connected to the horizontal movement mechanism, wherein the first cleaning mechanism is in communication with the liquid path device, the horizontal movement mechanism drives the first cleaning mechanism to move, and when the vertical movement mechanism drives the dispensing needle to ascend or descend, the first cleaning mechanism cleans an outer wall of the dispensing needle.\",\n \"11. The fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer of claim 10, wherein the dispensing device comprises a second cleaning mechanism, wherein the second cleaning mechanism is connected to the liquid path device, and the second cleaning mechanism is configured to receive a waste cleaning liquid after an inner wall of the dispensing needle is cleaned, and the waste cleaning liquid is discharged by the liquid path device.\",\n \"12. The fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer of claim 1, wherein the incubation block is further provided with a waste liquid discharge hole arranged adjacent to the luminescence detection hole, the reaction vessel is transferred from the luminescence detection hole into the waste liquid discharge hole, and a waste liquid in the reaction vessel is discharged by the liquid path device.\",\n \"13. The fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer of claim 1, wherein the sample incubation mechanism further comprises a substrate heat-conducting structure having a substrate tube and a substrate heat-conducting block, wherein the substrate tube and the substrate heat-conducting block are both disposed in the incubation block, and the substrate heat-conducting block is configured to heat a substrate in the substrate tube.\",\n \"14. The fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer of claim 1, wherein the sample incubation mechanism further comprises a cleaning liquid heat-conducting container, which is disposed in the incubation block for heating the cleaning liquid, and is capable of delivering the heated cleaning liquid into the reaction vessel.\",\n \"15. The fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer of claim 1, further comprising a waste liquid discharge device, which is connected to the liquid path device and configured to discharge a waste liquid from the reaction vessel after being detected by the incubation and luminescence detection device; and\\nwhile discharging the waste liquid, the waste liquid discharge device is further capable of shielding the reaction vessel from light, when the reaction vessel is being subjected to the luminescence detection in the incubation and luminescence detection device.\",\n \"16. The fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer of claim 1, wherein the magnetic separation cleaning device comprises a magnetic separation base, a cleaning liquid injection mechanism, a cleaning liquid discharge mechanism and a magnetic separation attraction mechanism, wherein\\nthe magnetic separation base is provided with an access hole, at least one cleaning liquid intake hole and at least one cleaning liquid discharge hole provided in sequence, the access hole being configured to receive or remove the reaction vessel to be separated and cleaned; the magnetic separation base drives the reaction vessel to rotate such that the reaction vessel sequentially corresponds to the cleaning liquid intake hole, the cleaning liquid discharge hole and the access hole; the cleaning liquid injection mechanism is connected to the liquid path device and provided in the cleaning liquid intake hole for adding the cleaning liquid into the reaction vessel; the cleaning liquid discharge mechanism is connected to the liquid path device and arranged in a liftable manner corresponding to the cleaning liquid discharge hole, for discharging the waste cleaning liquid from the reaction vessel; and\\nthe magnetic separation attraction mechanism is provided in the magnetic separation base and located on two sides of a rotation path of the reaction vessel.\",\n \"17. The fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer of claim 16, wherein the magnetic separation cleaning device further comprises a separation cleaning mechanism, and a liquid discharge ascending/descending mechanism located in a liftable manner on the magnetic separation base; the cleaning liquid discharge mechanism comprises a cleaning liquid discharge needle provided on the liquid discharge ascending/descending mechanism, the separation cleaning mechanism is provided in the cleaning liquid discharge hole, and when the liquid discharge ascending/descending mechanism drives the liquid discharge needle to ascend or descend, the separation cleaning mechanism cleans an outer wall of the liquid discharge needle.\",\n \"18. The fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer of claim 16, wherein the at least one cleaning liquid intake hole comprises three cleaning liquid intake holes and the at least one cleaning liquid discharge hole comprises three cleaning discharge holes, and each of the three cleaning liquid intake holes and each of the three cleaning liquid discharge holes are alternately placed in a circumferential direction of the magnetic separation base.\",\n \"19. The fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer of claim 16, wherein the magnetic separation cleaning device further comprises a magnetic shielding component, the magnetic shielding component being sleeved outside the magnetic separation base for shielding a magnetic field generated by the magnetic separation attraction mechanism.\",\n \"20. The fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer of claim 1, further comprising: a carrying platform, a reaction vessel receiving device, a waste box, a main control device, and a power supply device, wherein\\nthe sample and reagent receiving device is located at one side edge of the carrying platform and provided on a side of the incubation and luminescence detection device away from the magnetic separation cleaning device, for carrying and automatically delivering the reaction vessel;\\nthe incubation and luminescence detection device, the magnetic separation cleaning device and the reaction vessel receiving device are located at the other side edge of the carrying platform;\\nthe mixing device is located between the incubation and luminescence detection device and the sample and reagent receiving device;\\nthe liquid path device is located below the carrying platform; the reaction vessel grasping device is located at an edge of the carrying platform and above the reaction vessel receiving device; and\\nthe dispensing device is located above the sample and reagent receiving device;\\nthe power supply device is electrically connected to the main control device;\\nthe main control device is electrically connected to the sample and reagent receiving device, the dispensing device, the incubation and luminescence detection device, the magnetic separation cleaning device, the reaction vessel grasping device, the reaction vessel receiving device and the liquid path device respectively; and\\nthe main control device and the power supply device are located below the carrying platform.\",\n \"21. The fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer of claim 1, wherein the liquid path device further comprises a magnetic separation cleaning liquid path system, and the magnetic separation cleaning device is provided with a liquid injection needle; the magnetic separation cleaning liquid path system comprises a magnetic separation power source, a magnetic separation liquid aspiration pipeline, a magnetic separation liquid injection pipeline and a first magnetic separation control valve;\\nthe magnetic separation power source is respectively connected to the magnetic separation liquid aspiration pipeline and the magnetic separation liquid injection pipeline via the first magnetic separation control valve; the magnetic separation liquid aspiration pipeline is in communication with a cleaning liquid container with the cleaning liquid, and the magnetic separation liquid injection pipeline is connected to the liquid injection needle;\\nthe first magnetic separation control valve connects the magnetic separation power source with the magnetic separation liquid aspiration pipeline and disconnects the magnetic separation power source from the magnetic separation liquid injection pipeline, so that the cleaning liquid is capable of being aspirated from the cleaning liquid container; and the first magnetic separation control valve connects the magnetic separation power source with the magnetic separation liquid injection pipeline and disconnects the magnetic separation power source from the magnetic separation liquid aspiration pipeline, so that the cleaning liquid is capable of being injected into the reaction vessel;\\nthe magnetic separation cleaning device is provided with a separation cleaning mechanism and a cleaning liquid discharge needle; the magnetic separation cleaning liquid path system further comprises a first magnetic separation cleaning pipeline, a third magnetic separation control valve and a fourth magnetic separation control valve;\\nthe first magnetic separation cleaning pipeline connects the magnetic separation liquid injection pipeline to the separation cleaning mechanism, and the third magnetic separation control valve is provided on the first magnetic separation cleaning pipeline for controlling opening and closing of the first magnetic separation cleaning pipeline; the fourth magnetic separation control valve is provided on the magnetic separation liquid injection pipeline; and\\nthe magnetic separation power source is in communication with the first magnetic separation cleaning pipeline via the magnetic separation liquid injection pipeline, and the fourth magnetic separation control valve closes the magnetic separation liquid injection pipeline to clean an outer wall of the liquid injection needle.\",\n \"22. The fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer of claim 21, wherein the magnetic separation cleaning liquid path system further comprises a magnetic separation liquid discharge pipeline, a second magnetic separation control valve, a magnetic separation drive source, and a recovery pipeline;\\nthe magnetic separation liquid discharge pipeline connects the magnetic separation drive source to the liquid discharge needle, and the second magnetic separation control valve is provided on the magnetic separation liquid discharge pipeline for discharging waste cleaning liquid from the reaction vessel; and the magnetic separation drive source is further connected to the recovery pipeline, and the waste cleaning liquid in the reaction vessel is discharged into a waste liquid bucket through the recovery pipeline;\\nthe magnetic separation cleaning liquid path system further comprises a second magnetic separation cleaning pipeline and a fifth magnetic separation control valve; the second magnetic separation cleaning pipeline connects the separation cleaning mechanism to the magnetic separation drive source, the fifth magnetic separation control valve is provided on the second magnetic separation cleaning pipeline for controlling opening and closing of the second magnetic separation cleaning pipeline, and the waste cleaning liquid is discharged into the waste liquid bucket by the magnetic separation drive source;\\nthe magnetic separation drive source comprises a negative pressure chamber, a vacuum pump, and a negative pressure sensor, wherein the negative pressure chamber connects the magnetic separation liquid discharge pipeline to the recovery pipeline, the vacuum pump is provided on the recovery pipeline, the negative pressure sensor is configured to detect a pressure of the negative pressure chamber, and the pressure is adjusted by the vacuum pump.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A valveless, single use, microfluidic cartridge for performing an assay, the cartridge comprising:\\na sealable sample chamber;\\na first microfluidic blister comprising a first reagent;\\noptionally a second blister comprising a second reagent;\\noptionally a third blister comprising a third reagent;\\na first mixing chamber;\\na second mixing chamber;\\na first bellows;\\na second bellows;\\na reading cuvette connected to the first mixing chamber;\\nwherein\\nthe sample chamber, first blister and optionally the second blister are each connected to the first mixing chamber;\\nthe first mixing chamber is connected to the second mixing chamber via a tortuous channel;\\nthe first bellows is connected to the second mixing chamber;\\nthe second bellows is adapted to force liquids from the first mixing chamber towards the reading cuvette;\\nand wherein the cartridge is being adapted to:\\nreceive a sample into said sample chamber and to seal said sample chamber such that said cartridge is a closed system after sealing said sample chamber;\\npass a predetermined quantity of said sample into said first mixing chamber;\\ntransfer said first reagent from said first blister into said first mixing chamber;\\noperate said first bellows to transfer liquid back and forth between said first and said second mixing chambers, to mix said sample and said first reagent;\\noptionally transfer said second reagent from said second blister into said first mixing chamber and optionally operate said first bellows to transfer liquid back and forth between said first and said second mixing chambers;\\noptionally transfer said third reagent from said third blister into said second mixing chamber and optionally operate said first bellows to transfer liquid back and forth between said first and said second mixing chambers;\\noperate said second bellows to transfer liquid from said first mixing chamber, toward said reading cuvette.\",\n \"2. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein said first mixing chamber is of a volume of 200 to 10000 microliters.\",\n \"3. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein a volume of any of the blisters is from about 1 microliter to 1000 microliters.\",\n \"4. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein a volume of the sample is about 10 microliters.\",\n \"5. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein said cartridge has a shelf-life of 6 to 24 months.\",\n \"6. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein said first bellows and/or said second bellows comprises an inflatable deformable elastic chamber adapted to apply at least one of a negative pressure and a positive pressure to said mixing chamber(s).\",\n \"7. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein:\\nsaid first reagent comprises antibodies;\\nsaid second reagent or said third reagent comprises a diluent and/or a cell lysis reagent;\\nsaid second reagent or said third reagent comprise fluorescently tagged beads.\",\n \"8. The cartridge of claim 7, wherein said antibodies comprise an antibody mixture comprising fluorescently tagged CD64 and fluorescently tagged CD163 antibodies.\",\n \"9. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein said reagent(s) comprises at least one of:\\ni. at least one target antibody;\\nii. at least one positive control identifying antibody; and\\niii. at least one negative control identifying detection moiety.\",\n \"10. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein said reagent(s) comprises at least one reference composition comprising at least one of:\\ni. a target signal reference composition; and\\nii. a reference identifier composition.\",\n \"11. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein said first reagent comprise at least one sepsis biomarker.\",\n \"12. The cartridge of claim 11, wherein said at least one biomarker comprises at least one of CD64 and CD163 biomarkers.\",\n \"13. The cartridge of claim 8, wherein the fluorescent tags of said beads comprising two fluorescent tags, wherein at least one of the two fluorescent tags on said beads is different from the fluorescently tagged CD64 and fluorescently tagged CD163 antibodies.\",\n \"14. The cartridge of claim 7, wherein said antibodies are murine monoclonal antibodies.\",\n \"15. The cartridge of claim 7, wherein the fluorescently tagged beads comprise Starfire Red.\",\n \"16. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the cell lysis reagent comprises ammonium chloride.\",\n \"17. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein said sample comprises cells.\",\n \"18. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein said sample is a blood sample.\",\n \"19. The cartridge of claim 18, wherein said blood sample is whole blood.\",\n \"20. The cartridge of claim 18, wherein the blood sample comprises erythrocytes and/or leukocytes, and wherein the leukocytes comprise lymphocytes and neutrophils.\",\n \"21. The cartridge of claim 20, wherein the blood sample comprises leukocytes.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. An analyte detection device, comprising:\\na first substrate and a second substrate aligned to define a gap therebetween;\\nan array of wells disposed in the second substrate, wherein:\\neach well is of the array of wells is dimensioned to hold a single solid support of a plurality of solid supports, the plurality of solid supports being configured to bind to an analyte of interest;\\neach well of the array of wells comprises a first sidewall and a bottom surface; and\\nat least a top portion of the first sidewall is oriented at an obtuse angle with reference to the bottom surface; and\\nan actuation component configured to facilitate movement of the plurality of solid supports to the array of wells.\",\n \"2. The analyte detection device of claim 1, wherein a bottom portion of the first sidewall is oriented at the obtuse angle with reference to the bottom surface.\",\n \"3. The analyte detection device of claim 1, wherein each well comprises a second sidewall that is perpendicular to the bottom surface.\",\n \"4. The analyte detection device of claim 1, wherein each well comprises a second sidewall that is oriented at an acute angle with reference to the bottom portion.\",\n \"5. The analyte detection device of claim 1, wherein each well has a frustoconical shape.\",\n \"6. The analyte detection device of claim 1, wherein each well has an inverted frustoconical shape.\",\n \"7. The analyte detection device of claim 1, wherein the first substrate comprises a first portion at which a liquid containing the analyte of interest is introduced and a second portion toward which the liquid is moved, wherein the array of wells is disposed proximate the second portion.\",\n \"8. The analyte detection device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second substrates is substantially transparent to facilitate optical interrogation of the wells.\",\n \"9. The analyte detection device of claim 8, further comprising an optical imaging component configured to determine a number of the solid supports disposed in a well and bound to the analyte of interest.\",\n \"10. The analyte detection device of claim 1, wherein a plurality of the plurality of solid supports are magnetic solid supports.\",\n \"11. The analyte detection device of claim 10, wherein a magnetic field is used to facilitate loading the magnetic solid supports into respective wells.\",\n \"12. The analyte detection device of claim 1, further comprising a reagent reservoir disposed on the first substrate.\",\n \"13. The analyte detection device of claim 12, wherein at least one reagent disposed in the reagent reservoir comprises a detectable label, a binding member, a dye, or a surfactant.\",\n \"14. The analyte detection device of claim 12, wherein at least one reagent is disposed in the reagent reservoir in a printed or dried form.\",\n \"15. The analyte detection device of claim 1, wherein each solid support comprises a passivating layer configured to minimize non-specific attachment of non-capture components to the solid support.\",\n \"16. A method of detecting an analyte of interest, comprising:\\nintroducing a liquid comprising an analyte of interest into an analyte detection device comprising:\\na first substrate and a second substrate aligned to define a gap therebetween;\\nan array of wells disposed in the second substrate, wherein:\\neach well is of the array of wells is dimensioned to hold a single solid support of a plurality of solid supports, the plurality of solid supports being configured to bind to an analyte of interest;\\neach well of the array of wells comprises a first sidewall and a bottom surface;\\nat least a top portion of the first sidewall is oriented at an obtuse angle with reference to the bottom surface;\\nthe first substrate comprises a first portion at which the liquid comprising the analyte of interest is introduced and a second portion toward which the liquid is moved, wherein the array of wells is disposed proximate the second portion; and\\nan actuation component configured to facilitate movement of the plurality of solid supports to the array of wells;\\nintroducing the solid supports to the liquid comprising the analyte of interest;\\nmoving the plurality of solid supports bound to the analyte of interest towards the array of wells;\\nloading the plurality of solid supports into respective wells of the array of wells; and\\nimaging the array of wells to determine a number of the solid supports disposed in the array of wells and bound to the analyte of interest.\",\n \"17. The method of claim 16, wherein at least one of the first and second substrates is substantially transparent to facilitate optical interrogation of the wells.\",\n \"18. The method of claim 16, wherein a plurality of the plurality of solid supports are magnetic solid supports, the method further comprising:\\nactuating a magnetic field to facilitate loading the magnetic solid supports into respective wells.\",\n \"19. The method of claim 16, further comprising:\\ncalculating a ratio of the solid supports bound to the analyte of interest to solid supports not bound to the analyte of interest.\",\n \"20. The method of claim 19, wherein at least one of the first substrate and the second substrate is substantially transparent to facilitate optical interrogation of the wells.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. An apparatus for detecting an analyte in a biological fluid of a subject, comprising:\\na) a sample collection unit for introducing a biological fluid in fluid communication with a plurality of reaction sites;\\nb) a plurality of reactant chambers carrying a plurality of reactants in fluid communication with said reaction sites,\\nwherein said plurality of reaction sites comprise a plurality of reactants bound thereto for detecting said analyte; and\\nc) a system of fluidic channels to allow said biological fluid and said plurality of reactants to flow in said apparatus, wherein at least one channel located between said plurality of reaction sites comprises an optical barrier to reduce the amount of optical cross-talk between said plurality of said reaction sites during detection of said analyte.\",\n \"2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of waste chambers in fluid communication with at least one of said reaction sites.\",\n \"3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each channel located between said plurality of reaction sites comprises an optical barrier.\",\n \"4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the biological fluid is less than about 500 microliters.\",\n \"5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said optical barrier comprises a nonlinear fluidic channel.\",\n \"6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the fluid is less than about 50 microliters.\",\n \"7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reactants comprise immunoassay reagents.\",\n \"8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said apparatus detects a plurality of analytes, wherein the analytes are identified by distinct signals detectable over a range of 3 orders of magnitude.\",\n \"9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the immunoassay reagents detect a polypeptide glycoprotein, polysaccharide, lipid, nucleic acid, and a combination thereof.\",\n \"10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the immunoassay reagents detect a member selected from the group consisting of drug, drug metabolite, biomarker indicative of a disease, tissue specific marker, and biomarker specific for a cell or cell type.\",\n \"11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the detectable signal is a luminescent signal.\",\n \"12. An apparatus for detecting an analyte in a biological fluid of a subject, comprising\\na) a sample collection unit for introducing a biological fluid in fluid communication with a plurality of reaction sites, wherein said plurality of reaction sites comprise a plurality of bound reactants for detecting said analyte;\\nb) a plurality of reactant chambers carrying a plurality of reactants in fluid communication with said reaction sites; and\\nc) a system of fluidic channels to allow said biological fluid and said plurality of reactants to flow in said apparatus,\\nwherein said bound reactants in at least one reaction site are unevenly distributed.\",\n \"13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said bound reactants in the at least one reaction site are localized around the center of said reaction site.\",\n \"14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein an outer edge of the at least one reaction site is at a distance sufficiently far from said bound reactants to reduce signals unrelated to the presence of said analyte.\",\n \"15. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a waste chamber in fluid communication with said reaction sites.\",\n \"16. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said unbound reactant is coupled to said edge of said reaction site.\",\n \"17. A method of manufacturing a fluidic device for detecting an analyte in a biological fluid of a subject, comprising:\\na) providing a plurality of layers of a fluidic device;\\nb) ultrasonically welding said layers together such that a fluidic network exists between a sample collection unit, at least one reactant chamber, at least one reaction site, and at least one waste chamber.\",\n \"18. The method of claim 17 wherein said at least one reaction chamber is vacuum sealed.\",\n \"19. The method of claim 17, wherein said fluidic device comprises a system of fluidic channels to allow contact of said biological fluid with reactants in said at least one reaction site.\",\n \"20. The method of claim 17, wherein said reaction site comprises an optical barrier to reduce the amount of optical cross-talk between another reaction site on the fluidic device.\"\n ],\n [\n \"32. A method of amplifying and sequencing nucleic acid, comprising:\\na) providing:\\ni) a population of different nucleic acid template molecules,\\nii) a plurality of single stranded oligonucleotides immobilized on a bead,\\niii) amplification reagents,\\niv) sequencing reagents, and\\nv) a plurality of first and second sequencing primers;\\nb) hybridizing at least a portion of said population of nucleic acid template molecules to said plurality of single stranded oligonucleotides immobilized on said bead;\\nc) amplifying said nucleic acid template molecules so as to create a plurality of forward strands;\\nd) sequencing said forward oligonucleotide strands with said first sequencing primers;\\ne) amplifying said nucleic acid template molecules so as to create a plurality of reverse single stranded strands; and\\nf) sequencing said reverse oligonucleotide strands with said second sequencing primers.\",\n \"33. The method of claim 32, wherein said amplification reagents comprise polymerase and dNTPs.\",\n \"34. The method of claim 32, wherein said sequencing reagents comprise reagents for sequencing by synthesis.\",\n \"35. The method of claim 32, wherein the bead is enclosed in a chamber.\",\n \"36. The method of claim 35, wherein the chamber is formed between i) a first surface having a plurality of indentations and ii) a second surface.\",\n \"37. The method of claim 35, wherein the bead is located within a single indentation of the plurality of indentations.\",\n \"38. The method of claim 36, wherein each indentation of the plurality of indentation comprises a bead.\",\n \"39. The method of claim 36, wherein said chamber is sealed by an adhesive gasket between the first and second surfaces.\",\n \"40. The method of claim 32, wherein said plurality of single stranded oligonucleotides are immobilized to said bead through a linker.\",\n \"41. The method of claim 40, wherein said linker elevates said oligonucleotides away from said surface.\",\n \"42. The method of claim 32, wherein when the first sequencing primers are used in step d), said second sequencing primers are not active.\",\n \"43. A method of sequencing nucleic acid, comprising:\\na) providing i) a plurality of different amplicons immobilized on a bead enclosed in a chamber, and ii) sequencing reagents;\\nb) introducing said sequencing reagents into said chamber; and\\nc) performing sequencing by synthesis.\",\n \"44. The method of claim 43, wherein the chamber is formed between i) a first surface having a plurality of indentations and ii) a second surface.\",\n \"45. The method of claim 43, wherein said chamber is sealed by an adhesive gasket, between the first and second surfaces.\",\n \"46. The method of claim 45, wherein said adhesive gasket is sandwiched between said first and second surfaces.\",\n \"47. The method of claim 43, wherein said sequencing reagents comprise polymerase and a plurality of sequencing primers.\",\n \"48. The method of claim 43, wherein said amplicons are attached to the bead through extension of the primers which were attached to the bead prior to amplification.\",\n \"49. The method of claim 48, wherein said amplification performed without the use of emulsions.\",\n \"50. The method of claim 44, wherein the first surface comprises silicon.\",\n \"51. The method of claim 50, where the first surface is a microchip.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. An application method for an automatic micro droplet array screening system with picoliter scale precision, wherein the system comprises a capillary, a fluid driving system in connection with the capillary, a microwell array chip, a sample/reagent storage tube and an automated translation stage, the application method comprising the following steps:\\n(1) filling the fluid driving system and the capillary with a carrier fluid, and removing air bubbles inside the capillary, wherein thermal expansion coefficient of the carrier fluid ranges from 0.00001/° C to 0.0005/° C;\\n(2) immersing a sampling end of the capillary into a first oil phase that is mutually immiscible with and above an aqueous sample in the sample/reagent storage tube, and aspirating a plug of the first oil phase into the capillary for separating the aqueous sample and the carrier fluid, wherein the carrier fluid and the first oil phase are mutually immiscible;\\n(3) immersing the sampling end of the capillary into the sample/reagent storage tube and aspirating a predetermined volume of the aqueous sample into the capillary; and\\n(4) moving the sampling end of the capillary to a location above a second oil phase in and above microwells on the microwell array chip, and pushing the aqueous sample in the capillary into the microwells to form droplets of the aqueous sample, wherein the carrier fluid and the second oil phase are mutually immiscible.\",\n \"2. The application method for an automatic micro droplet array screening system with picoliter scale precision according to claim 1, wherein step (4) of the application method further comprises the following specific sub-steps:\\nproducing droplets of multiple aqueous samples to be screened with different chemical compositions or concentrations on the microwell array chip;\\naspirating a predetermined volume of a reagent at one time into the capillary, and respectively inserting the sampling end of the capillary into each aqueous sample droplet; respectively injecting a further predetermined volume of the aspirated reagent to form a droplet reactor, and complete mixing, reaction, testing and screening of the aqueous sample and the reagent.\",\n \"3. The application method for an automatic micro droplet array screening system with picoliter scale precision according to claim 1, wherein characterized in that step (4) also comprises the following specific sub-steps:\\nproducing a predetermined number of droplets of a reagent on the microwell array chip;\\nrespectively injecting the aqueous sample to be screened into each droplet of the reagent to form a droplet reactor, and complete mixing, reaction, testing and screening of the reagent and aqueous sample.\",\n \"4. The application method for an automatic micro droplet array screening system with picoliter scale precision according to claim 1, wherein the fluid driving system is configured to drive fluid at a flow rate of 1 nanoliter/min to 500 nanoliters/min.\",\n \"5. The application method for an automatic micro droplet array screening system with picoliter scale precision according to claim 1, wherein an additional volume of the first oil phase is aspirated into the capillary before aspiration of the aqueous sample or a reagent; the first oil phase is also pushed out of the capillary together with the aqueous sample or the reagent.\",\n \"6. The application method for an automatic micro droplet array screening system with picoliter scale precision according to claim 1, wherein wall thickness of the capillary ranges from 1 micron to 100 microns.\",\n \"7. The application method for an automatic micro droplet array screening system with picoliter scale precision according to claim 1, wherein the carrier fluid and the first and second oil phases are degassed before step (1).\",\n \"8. The application method for an automatic micro droplet array screening system with picoliter scale precision according to claim 1, wherein a layer of the second oil phase covers the microwells on the microwell array chip and a layer of the first oil phase covers the aqueous sample in the sample/reagent storage tube; and thickness of the first and second oil phases ranges from 0.1 mm to 10 mm.\",\n \"9. The application method for an automatic micro droplet array screening system with picoliter scale precision according to claim 1, wherein a biologically compatible surfactant is added into the first and second oil phases; and concentration of the surfactant ranges from 0.01% to 10%.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A method for identifying a transcriptome change in a cell induced by a compound, the method comprising:\\na) generating an assay array wherein said array comprises:\\ni) a plurality of confined volumes wherein each confined volume is separated from the other confined volumes and wherein each confined volume comprises at least one cell;\\nii) a plurality of beads where each bead comprises the compound and a plurality of first functionalized oligonucleotides, wherein each first functionalized oligonucleotide comprises a capture sequence and an oligonucleotide portion that encodes a structure of the compound or the synthetic steps used to make said compound, wherein a single bead is disposed in each confined volume;\\nb) contacting the at least one cell in each confined volume with the compound released into the confined volume from the bead; and\\nc) capturing RNA from the at least one cell in each confined volume by lysing the at least one cell and contacting the RNA with the capture sequence on said bead or with a second functionalized oligonucleotide.\",\n \"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the RNA is contacted with the second functionalized oligonucleotide, and the method further comprises:\\ncausing a poly-A tail located 3′ with respect to the capture sequence to hybridize to a poly-T region of a different second functionalized oligonucleotide, wherein the second functionalized oligonucleotide encodes a structure of the captured RNA.\",\n \"3. The method of claim 2, wherein second functionalized oligonucleotides each comprise a unique molecular identifier (UMI) distinct from UMIs of other second functionalized oligonucleotides, and the method further comprises:\\nquantifying RNA that has been captured based on a number of UMIs bound to RNA.\",\n \"4. The method of claim 2, wherein the second functionalized oligonucleotide is hybridized to the RNA from the at least one cell, and the method further comprises:\\ncausing the different second functionalized oligonucleotide to hybridize to the poly-A tail.\",\n \"5. The method of claim 1, wherein the compound is selected as a drug candidate from a combinatorial library.\",\n \"6. The method of claim 1, wherein the capturing of the RNA comprises contacting a membrane of the at least one cell to the capture sequence.\",\n \"7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\\ncausing a first end of a first functionalized oligonucleotide to hybridize to a second end of the second functionalized oligonucleotide, wherein the first end is located 3′ with respect to the capture sequence and the second end comprises a 5′ end of the second functionalized oligonucleotide.\",\n \"8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first functionalized oligonucleotides encode a date that the compound was synthesized, a disease that the compound is intended to treat, or a cellular event that the compound is intended to stimulate or inhibit.\",\n \"9. The method of claim 1, further comprising maintaining said contact for a period sufficient to generate a transcriptome change in the RNA expressed by the at least one cell in response to said contacting.\",\n \"10. The method of claim 1, further comprising applying the second functionalized oligonucleotide to the at least one cell while lysing the at least one cell.\",\n \"11. An assay device comprising:\\na plurality of confined volumes wherein each confined volume is separated from the other confined volumes and wherein each confined volume comprises at least one cell;\\na plurality of beads, wherein:\\neach bead comprises a compound and a plurality of first functionalized oligonucleotides;\\nthe compound is released into the confined volume from the bead;\\neach first functionalized oligonucleotide comprises a capture sequence and an oligonucleotide portion that encodes a structure of the compound or the synthetic steps used to make said compound;\\na single bead is disposed in each confined volume; and\\nat least one of the first functionalized oligonucleotides or a second functionalized oligonucleotide captures RNA from the cell in each confined volume following lysing of the at least one cell.\",\n \"12. The assay device of claim 11, further comprising the second functionalized oligonucleotide and a different second functionalized oligonucleotide, wherein:\\nthe first functionalized oligonucleotides each comprise a poly-A tail located 3′ with respect to the capture sequence;\\nthe second functionalized oligonucleotide and the different second functionalized oligonucleotide each comprise a poly-T region; and\\nthe poly-A tail of one of the first functionalized oligonucleotides hybridizes to the poly-T region of the different second functionalized oligonucleotide.\",\n \"13. The assay device of claim 12, further comprising second functionalized oligonucleotides, wherein the second functionalized oligonucleotides each comprise a unique molecular identifier (UMI) distinct from UMIs of other second functionalized oligonucleotides, wherein RNA that has been captured is quantified based on a number of UMIs bound to RNA.\",\n \"14. The assay device of claim 12, wherein the second functionalized oligonucleotide is hybridized to the RNA from the at least one cell, and the second functionalized oligonucleotide and the different second functionalized oligonucleotide are within a same confined volume and comprise a common promoter region to indicate that the compound was contacted with the at least one cell.\",\n \"15. The assay device of claim 12, wherein the second functionalized oligonucleotide and the different second functionalized oligonucleotide each comprise a sequence that is identical, wherein the sequence is different from other sequences belonging to other second functionalized oligonucleotides in different confined volumes.\",\n \"16. The assay device of claim 11, wherein the compound is selected as a drug candidate from a combinatorial library.\",\n \"17. The assay device of claim 11, wherein the capture sequence contacts a membrane of the at least one cell.\",\n \"18. The assay device of claim 11, wherein a first functionalized oligonucleotide of the first functionalized oligonucleotides hybridizes to a second end of the second functionalized oligonucleotide, wherein the first end is located 3′ with respect to the capture sequence and the second end comprises a 5′ end of the second functionalized oligonucleotide.\",\n \"19. The assay device of claim 11, wherein the first functionalized oligonucleotides encode a date that the compound was synthesized, a disease that the compound is intended to treat, or a cellular event that the compound is intended to stimulate or inhibit.\",\n \"20. The assay device of claim 11, further comprising the second functionalized oligonucleotide which contacts the at least one cell, and wherein the at least one cell is lysed.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. An assay system configured to use an assay consumable for conducting an assay, said assay consumable associated with a consumable identifier wherein said assay system comprises:\\n(a) a storage medium configured to store data describing a plurality of steps of a generic assay protocol applicable to a plurality of assays, and configured to store a data deployable bundle (DDB) associated with the consumable identifier, wherein the DDB includes information describing a specific assay protocol to be performed, the specific assay protocol including all or a portion of the plurality of steps of the generic assay protocol;\\n(b) a controller adapted to:\\nread the information in the DDB to determine the specific assay protocol to be performed when conducting the assay; and\\ncause all or a portion of the steps of the generic assay protocol to be performed based on the specific assay protocol associated with the DDB.\",\n \"2. The assay system of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to persist one or more data files of the DDB to the storage medium.\",\n \"3. The assay system of claim 2, wherein the one or more data files comprise a DDB unique identifier, a DDB version, consumable static information, consumable processing information, and combinations thereof.\",\n \"4. The assay system of claim 3, wherein the consumable static information comprises consumable type information.\",\n \"5. The assay system of claim 4, wherein the assay consumable is a multi-well assay plate and the consumable type information includes a number of columns of wells; a number of rows of wells; a number of binding domains per well; and combinations thereof.\",\n \"6. The assay system of claim 3, wherein the assay consumable is a multi-well assay plate and the consumable processing information comprises data used by the assay system in the conduct of the assay using the multi-well assay plate and/or the processing of assay data resulting from the conduct of the assay using the multi-well assay plate.\",\n \"7. The assay system of claim 6, wherein the consumable processing information comprises the number of sectors per multi-well assay plate, the number of circuits per multi-well assay plate, detection parameters used by the assay system to read the multi-well assay plate; image processing properties use to produce ECL results; plate type gain; binding domain gain; optical cross talk matrix; and combinations thereof.\",\n \"8. The assay system of claim 3, wherein the assay consumable is a kit comprising a multi-well assay plate and one or more reagents used in the conduct of the assay using the multi-well assay plate and the DDB further comprises assay binding domain information, assay protocol, data analysis parameters, a product insert, and combinations thereof.\",\n \"9. The assay system of claim 2, wherein the one or more data files comprise a DDB unique identifier, a DDB version, and consumable static information.\",\n \"10. The assay system of claim 1, wherein the assay system further comprises a DDB version compatibility processor configured to downgrade and/or upgrade incompatible DDB software.\",\n \"11. The assay system of claim 1, wherein the assay system further comprises a DDB factory adapted to transform raw classified data into assay system configured data suitable for use by the assay system in the conduct of the assay.\",\n \"12. The assay system of claim 1, wherein the DDB comprises a DDB xml file including data description information and data processing information.\",\n \"13. The assay system of claim 1, wherein the specific assay protocol includes only a portion of the plurality of steps of the generic assay protocol.\",\n \"14. A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon a computer program which, when executed by a computer system operatively connected to an assay system, causes the assay system to perform all or some of the steps of a method of conducting an assay on said assay system, wherein said assay system is configured to use an assay consumable in the conduct of said assay, said assay consumable comprising an assay consumable identifier including a data deployable bundle (DDB), and said assay system comprises:\\n(a) a storage medium including a consumable data repository comprising local consumable data, a data registry, and data describing a plurality of steps of a generic assay protocol applicable to a plurality of assays;\\n(b) a consumable identifier controller adapted to read and install said DDB to said storage medium; and\\n(c) a consumable data service processor adapted to query said data registry and one or more remote consumable data databases to identify and download the local consumable data required for the conduct of the assay by the assay system using said assay consumable;\\nsaid method comprising the steps of:\\n(a) causing the DDB to be read from said assay consumable identifier to determine a specific assay protocol to be performed when conducting the assay;\\n(b) causing the DDB to be stored to said consumable data repository;\\n(c) causing the local consumable data to be identified from said consumable data repository and\\noptionally, causing the local consumable data to be downloaded from one or more remote consumable data databases;\\n(d) causing all or a portion of the plurality of steps of the generic assay protocol to be selected to be performed based on the specific assay protocol associated with the DDB; and\\n(e) conducting said assay using said assay consumable.\",\n \"15. The computer readable medium of claim 14, wherein the method further comprises the step of persisting one or more data files of the DDB to the storage medium.\",\n \"16. The assay system of claim 15, wherein the one or more data files comprise a DDB unique identifier, a DDB version, consumable static information, consumable processing information, and combinations thereof.\",\n \"17. The assay system of claim 16, wherein the consumable processing information comprises data used by the assay system in the conduct of the assay using a multi-well assay plate or the processing of assay data resulting from the conduct of the assay using the multi-well assay plate.\",\n \"18. The assay system of claim 17, wherein the consumable processing information comprises the number of sectors per multi-well assay plate, the number of circuits per multi-well assay plate, detection parameters used by the assay system to read the multi-well assay plate; image processing properties use to produce ECL results; plate type gain; binding domain gain; optical cross talk matrix; and combinations thereof.\",\n \"19. The assay system of claim 15, wherein the one or more data files comprise a DDB unique identifier, a DDB version, and consumable static information.\",\n \"20. The assay system of claim 19, wherein the consumable static information comprises consumable type information.\",\n \"21. The assay system of claim 14, wherein selecting all or a portion of a plurality of steps of the generic assay protocol includes selecting only a portion of the plurality of steps.\",\n \"22. The assay system of any of claim 14, wherein the DDB comprises a DDB xml file including data description information and data processing information.\",\n \"23. An automated assay system configured to use assay consumables in the conduct of an assay, said assay system comprises at least one processor and at least one storage medium,\\nwherein said storage medium stores instructions to conduct said assay by said at least one processor,\\nwherein said instructions are separated into a plurality of components, said plurality of components comprises:\\na security component,\\na user interface component,\\nan instrument control component, and\\na data services component,\\nwherein each component operates substantially independently of each other and has substantially no interaction with each other,\\nwherein said plurality of components are connected to a master organizer and the master organizer instructs each component when to operate.\",\n \"24. The assay system of claim 23, wherein the system comprises more than one component and an update to one component does not require a revalidation of all the components.\",\n \"25. The assay system of claim 23, wherein the master organizer serves as a conduit to pass information among the plurality of components.\",\n \"26. The assay system of any of claim 23, wherein at least one of said components is further separated into sub-components, wherein each sub-component operates substantially independently of each other and has substantially no interaction with each other, and wherein a sub-master organizer is connected to the sub-components and the sub-master organizer instructs each sub-component when to operate.\",\n \"27. The assay system of claim 26, wherein an update to one sub-component does not require a revalidation of all the sub-components.\",\n \"28. An assay system configured to use assay consumables in the conduct of a first assay, wherein the first assay comprises a unique assay identifier, said assay system comprises:\\na reader adapted to read the unique assay identifier, and\\na processor that accesses a general protocol file and an instrument parameter file,\\nwherein the general protocol file contains a general assay protocol comprising assaying steps that are applicable to a plurality of assays including the first assay,\\nwherein the instrument parameter file contains a plurality of flags that are either ON or OFF, and\\nwherein the processor turns the assaying steps in the general assay protocol either ON or OFF according to said plurality of flags to conduct the first assay.\",\n \"29. The assay system of claim 28, wherein the general assay protocol contains assaying steps for a V-PLEX assay.\",\n \"30. The assay system of claim 28, wherein the general assay protocol contains assaying steps for a U-PLEX assay.\",\n \"31. The assay system of claim 28, wherein the general assay protocol contains assaying steps for an immunogenicity assay.\",\n \"32. The assay system of claim 28, wherein the general assay protocol contains assaying steps for a pharmacokinetic assay.\",\n \"33. The assay system of claim 28, wherein the general assay protocol contains assaying steps for a custom sandwich assay.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A method of performing a nucleic acid sequencing reaction, comprising:\\n(a) coupling a reagent cartridge to a detection apparatus;\\nwherein the reagent cartridge comprises a plurality of reagent reservoirs and a main channel;\\n(b) coupling the reagent cartridge to a pump;\\n(c) delivering sequencing reagents from the reagent cartridge to a flow cell, wherein the plurality of reagent reservoirs contains the sequencing reagents, and wherein the sequencing reagents comprise a nucleic acid sample for the sequencing reaction; and\\n(d) detecting the sequencing reaction in the flow cell using the detection apparatus,\\nwherein the pump is coupled to the reagent cartridge separately from the detection apparatus;\\nwherein the pump is a separate component from the reagent cartridge and the detection apparatus;\\nwherein the reagent cartridge interacts transiently with the detection apparatus; and\\nwherein the flow cell is an integral component of the detection apparatus such that the flow cell is coupled to the reagent cartridge during coupling of the reagent cartridge to the detection apparatus.\",\n \"2. A sequencing system, comprising:\\n(a) a reagent cartridge coupled to a detection apparatus;\\nwherein the reagent cartridge comprises a plurality of reagent reservoirs and a main channel, and wherein the plurality of reagent reservoirs contain sequencing reagents; and\\n(b) a pump coupled to the reagent cartridge;\\nwherein the pump is fluidically coupled to the reagent cartridge separately from the detection apparatus;\\nwherein the pump is a separate component from the reagent cartridge and the detection apparatus;\\nwherein the reagent cartridge interacts transiently with the detection apparatus; and\\nwherein a flow cell is an integral component of the detection apparatus such that the flow cell is coupled to the reagent cartridge during coupling of the reagent cartridge to the detection apparatus;\\nwherein the system is configured to deliver sequencing reagents from the reagent cartridge to the flow cell.\",\n \"3. The method of claim 1, wherein at least in step (c), each reagent reservoir of the plurality of reagent reservoirs is connected to the main channel of the reagent cartridge via an individual valve such that each reagent reservoir fluidically communicates with the flow cell.\",\n \"4. The method of claim 1, wherein at least in step (c), the flow cell is connected to the main channel via a first passage at a first end of the main channel and a second passage at a second end of the main channel.\",\n \"5. The method of claim 1, wherein at least in step (c), the pump applies pressure to the main channel at a region that is between a first master valve and a second master valve, thereby allowing fluids to move through the main channel.\",\n \"6. The method of claim 5, wherein the delivering sequencing reagents from the reagent cartridge to the flow cell comprises opening a first reagent valve of a first reagent reservoir and the first master valve, thereby delivering a first sequencing reagent in the first reagent reservoir to the flow cell in a first direction.\",\n \"7. The method of claim 6, wherein the delivering sequencing reagents from the reagent cartridge to the flow cell further comprises opening a second reagent valve of a second reagent reservoir and the second master valve and closing the first reagent valve and the first master valve, thereby delivering a second sequencing reagent in the second reagent reservoir to the flow cell in a second direction that is opposite the first direction.\",\n \"8. The method of claim 1, wherein the flow cell of step (c) and (d) comprises a solid support having an array of features.\",\n \"9. The method of claim 1, further comprising (e) regulating flow of the sequencing reagents from the flow cell to a waste reservoir, wherein the regulating comprises opening a waste valve, and wherein the reagent cartridge comprises a waste reservoir and a waste valve in the main channel.\",\n \"10. The method of claim 1, wherein at least in step (c), the pump alternatively applies positive and negative pressure to the main channel.\",\n \"11. The method of claim 1, wherein the pump is a syringe pump.\",\n \"12. The method of claim 1, further comprising real-time monitoring of DNA polymerase activity with zeromode waveguides.\",\n \"13. The system of claim 2, wherein each reagent reservoir of the plurality of reagent reservoirs is connected to the main channel of the reagent cartridge via an individual valve such that each reagent reservoir fluidically communicates with the flow cell.\",\n \"14. The system of claim 2, wherein the flow cell is connected to the main channel via a first passage at a first end of the main channel and a second passage at a second end of the main channel.\",\n \"15. The system of claim 2, wherein the pump applies pressure to the main channel at a region that is between a first master valve and a second master valve, thereby allowing fluids to move through the main channel.\",\n \"16. The system of claim 15, wherein a first reagent reservoir of the plurality of reagent reservoirs comprises a first reagent valve, and when the first reagent valve and the first master valve are open a first sequencing reagent in the first reagent reservoir is delivered to the flow cell in a first direction.\",\n \"17. The system of claim 16, wherein a second reagent reservoir of the plurality of reagent reservoirs comprises a second reagent valve, and when the second reagent valve and the second master valve are open and the first reagent valve and the first master valve are closed, a second sequencing reagent in the second reagent reservoir is delivered to the flow cell in a second direction that is opposite the first direction.\",\n \"18. The system of claim 2, wherein the reagent cartridge comprises a waste reservoir and a waste valve in the main channel.\",\n \"19. The system of claim 18, wherein the system is configured to regulate flow of the sequencing reagents from the flow cell to the waste reservoir by opening the waste valve.\",\n \"20. The system of claim 2, wherein the pump alternatively applies positive and negative pressure to the main channel.\",\n \"21. The system of claim 2, wherein the pump is a syringe pump.\",\n \"22. The system of claim 2, wherein the flow cell comprises a solid support having an array of features.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. An assembly for storing sample processing consumables, comprising:\\na cover comprising a flexible panel and a cover wall extending downwardly from the perimeter of the panel, wherein the panel and the cover wall define a cover cavity; and\\na tray having a top surface defining a plurality of wells and a side surface extending downwardly from the perimeter of the top surface, wherein the panel is situated adjacent the top surface of the tray, wherein a first portion of the tray is received within the cover cavity such that a press fit is formed between the side surface of the tray and an inner surface of the cover wall, thereby releasably coupling the cover to the tray, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of wells contain a sample processing consumable,\\nwherein the cover wall defines a hollow protrusion configured to prevent a vacuum from forming in the cover cavity when the first portion of the tray is received therein, and\\nwherein the cover is configured to be decoupled from the tray by applying a force to the panel to overcome the press fit.\",\n \"2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the cover is configured such that the cover wall remains stationary as the cover is decoupled from the tray by applying the force to the panel.\",\n \"3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the cover further comprises a flange extending outward from the cover wall.\",\n \"4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the flange extends from a distal end of the cover wall.\",\n \"5. The assembly of claim 3, wherein:\\nthe cover wall has a cover dimension between the panel and the flange; and\\nthe tray has a tray dimension between a bottom surface of the tray and the top surface of the tray, the tray dimension being greater than the cover dimension such that a second portion of the tray extends beyond the flange in a direction away from the panel.\",\n \"6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of wells comprise first and second subsets of wells, the first and second subsets of wells defining alternating, linear rows of wells, wherein the first subset of wells contains receptacles for performing nucleic acid-based assays, and wherein the second subset of wells contains caps for closing openings of the receptacles.\",\n \"7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the panel defines a plurality of protrusions, each of the protrusions defining a trough that extends into a portion of a corresponding well of the first subset of wells, and wherein the trough is situated adjacent a top portion of the receptacle in the corresponding well, thereby substantially preventing movement of the cap within the well.\",\n \"8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the cover is thermoformed.\",\n \"9. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the cover can be decoupled from the tray by applying a force to the center of the panel in the range of about 3 N to about 11 N.\",\n \"10. The assembly of claim 1, wherein a magnitude of the force applied to the panel to overcome the press fit is at least greater than a weight of the tray.\",\n \"11. An assembly for storing sample processing consumables, comprising:\\na cover comprising:\\na flexible panel,\\na cover wall extending downwardly from a perimeter of the panel, wherein the panel and the cover wall define a cover cavity, and\\na flange extending outward from a distal end of the cover wall,\\nwherein the cover wall has a cover dimension defined between the panel and the flange; and\\na tray comprising:\\na top surface defining a plurality of wells, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of wells contain a sample processing consumable,\\na side surface extending downwardly from a perimeter of the top surface, and\\na bottom surface, wherein the tray has a tray dimension defined between the bottom surface and the top surface,\\nwherein a first portion of the tray is received within the cover cavity such that a press fit is formed between the side surface of the tray and an inner surface of the cover wall, thereby releasably coupling the cover to the tray and such that the panel is situated adjacent the top surface of the tray,\\nwherein the tray dimension is greater than the cover dimension such that a second portion of the tray extends beyond the flange in a direction away from the panel, and\\nwherein the cover is configured to be decoupled from the tray by applying a force to the panel to overcome the press fit.\",\n \"12. The assembly of claim 11, wherein a magnitude of the force applied to the panel to overcome the press fit is at least greater than a weight of the tray.\",\n \"13. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the panel and cover wall of the cover have a thickness in a range from 10 mil to 20 mil.\",\n \"14. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the cover dimension is in a range from 20 mm to 40 mm.\",\n \"15. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the cover wall defines a hollow protrusion configured to prevent a vacuum from forming in the cover cavity when the first portion of the tray is received therein.\",\n \"16. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the second portion of the tray is configured to be received within a support cavity defined by a support of a sample processing instrument, and the flange of the cover is configured to contact a wall of the support when the second portion of the tray is received within the support cavity of the support.\",\n \"17. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the tray comprises a plastic-based material.\",\n \"18. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the tray comprises a stainless steel.\",\n \"19. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the cover is thermoformed.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A lid apparatus for sealing atop a fluid sample container, the lid apparatus comprising:\\na top lid having a major opening and a plurality of openings disposed about the major opening, wherein the top lid includes a hinged end and a snap-fit end; and\\na bottom-cap hingedly attached to the top lid, the bottom-cap comprising an upper side and a lower side, wherein the upper side comprises a plurality of openings that include a surrounding lip or plateau that protrudes from the upper side, wherein each of the plurality of openings defines a through passage such that the plurality of openings correspond to a plurality of passages,\\nwherein the lower side of the bottom-cap comprises:\\na lower side main surface;\\nan outermost edge extending downward from the lower side main surface; and\\na continuous outer ridge extending downward from the lower side along the outermost edge for sealingly securing to the fluid sample container.\",\n \"2. The lid apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:\\na multi-chambered fluid sample container connected to the bottom-cap, wherein a continuous outer top edge of the multi-chambered fluid sample container is sealingly secured to the outermost ridge by a gasket or an adhesive.\",\n \"3. The lid apparatus of claim 1, wherein in an open configuration the top lid is hinged away from the bottom-cap, and wherein in a closed configuration the top lid is engaged with the bottom-cap, wherein in the closed configuration the snap-fit end of the top lid engages a snap portion of the outermost edge of the lower side of the bottom-cap and the plurality of openings align with the plurality of openings in the top lid.\",\n \"4. The lid apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an inner ridge pattern extending from the lower side main surface, the inner ridge pattern being patterned such that the inner ridge pattern extends adjacent the plurality of passages in the lower side main surface.\",\n \"5. The lid apparatus of claim 4, further comprising:\\na multi-chambered fluid sample container connected to the bottom-cap, wherein corresponding edges of the multi-chambered fluid sample container are sealingly secured to the outermost ridge and inner ridge pattern such that the chambers of the multi-chambered fluid sample container are fluidically sealed from one another at the connection between the multi-chambered fluid sample container and the bottom-cap.\",\n \"6. The lid apparatus of claim 5, wherein the continuous outer ridge and the inner ridge pattern are sealingly secured to the corresponding edges of the multi-chambered fluid sample container by a gasket or an adhesive.\",\n \"7. The lid apparatus of claim 1, wherein the major opening of the top lid comprises a circular opening.\",\n \"8. The lid apparatus of claim 1, wherein the top lid comprises a first lateral side and a second lateral side extending between the hinged end and the snap-fit end.\",\n \"9. The lid apparatus of claim 8, wherein the hinged end of the top lid comprises a first hinge and a second hinge, each being laterally displaced from the first and second lateral sides.\",\n \"10. The lid apparatus of claim 1, wherein the snap-fit end is displaced off of a curved portion.\",\n \"11. The lid apparatus of claim 1, wherein the top lid comprises an annular recess surrounding the major opening, the plurality of opening being defined within the annular recess.\",\n \"12. The lid apparatus of claim 11, wherein the top lid comprises a cylindrical wall extending downward from an upper-most top lid surface, the cylindrical wall defining the major opening.\",\n \"13. The lid apparatus of claim 12, wherein the top lid comprises a bottom top lid surface opposite to the upper-most top lid surface, the cylindrical wall extending past the bottom top lid surface.\",\n \"14. The lid apparatus of claim 13, wherein the top lid includes a plurality of cylindrical walls extending from the bottom top lid surface.\",\n \"15. The lid apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bottom-cap further comprises a central opening surrounded by the plurality of openings.\",\n \"16. The lid apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of openings is circular.\",\n \"17. The lid apparatus of claim 1, wherein the upper side of the bottom-cap includes at least one additional passage separate from the plurality of passages that is larger than each of the plurality of passages.\",\n \"18. The lid apparatus of claim 1, wherein the outermost edge comprises an edge alignment feature.\",\n \"19. The lid apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:\\na plurality of walls defining separate cavities for each opening of the plurality of passages of the bottom-cap, the plurality of walls extending from the lower side main surface of the bottom-cap.\",\n \"20. The lid apparatus of claim 19, wherein the plurality of walls defining separate cavities further form a plurality of wedge shaped cavities.\",\n \"21. The lid apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bottom-cap includes an additional hole that is separate from the plurality of openings and has a key-hole shape.\",\n \"22. The lid apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lid apparatus is constructed of plastic and/or metal.\",\n \"23. A lid apparatus for sealing atop a fluid sample container, the lid apparatus comprising:\\na top lid having a plurality of openings, wherein the top lid includes a hinged end and a snap-fit end; and\\na bottom-cap hingedly attached to the top lid, the bottom-cap comprising an upper side and a lower side, wherein the upper side comprises a plurality of openings that include a surrounding lip or plateau that extends upwardly from a lower surface of the upper side, wherein each opening aligns with a corresponding opening of the top lid,\\nwherein the lower side of the bottom-cap comprises:\\na lower side main surface;\\nan outermost edge extending downward from the lower side main surface;\\na continuous outer ridge extending downward from the lower side along the outermost edge; and\\nan inner ridge pattern extending from the lower side main surface, the inner ridge pattern being non-coextensive with any walls that extend from the lower side main surface,\\nwherein in an open configuration the top lid is hinged away from the bottom-cap, and wherein in a closed configuration the top lid is engaged with the bottom-cap, wherein in the closed configuration the snap-fit end of the top lid engages a snap portion of the outermost edge of the lower side of the bottom-cap.\",\n \"24. The lid apparatus of claim 23, wherein the continuous outer ridge and the inner ridge pattern are sealingly secured to the corresponding edges of a multi-chambered fluid sample container by a gasket or an adhesive.\",\n \"25. The lid apparatus of claim 23, wherein the lid apparatus is constructed of plastic and/or metal.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A method of processing a polynucleotide from a tissue section, the method comprising:\\nretaining a first solid support on a first member of a support device, the first solid support comprising the tissue section mounted on a surface of the first solid support;\\nretaining a second solid support on a second member of the support device, wherein a surface of the second solid support comprises a plurality of capture oligonucleotides, wherein a capture oligonucleotide of the plurality of capture oligonucleotides comprises (i) a positional domain nucleic acid sequence that identifies a distinct position of the surface of the second solid support and (ii) a capture domain sequence complementary to a portion of the polynucleotide;\\nadding a reagent solution to the first solid support and/or the second solid support;\\noperating an alignment mechanism connected to the first and second members of the support device to move the first member and/or the second member such that a portion of the tissue section comprising the polynucleotide is brought into contact with the plurality of capture oligonucleotides via the reagent solution;\\nhybridizing the polynucleotide to the capture domain sequence of the capture oligonucleotide; and\\nperforming an extension reaction to generate a barcoded nucleic acid comprising (i) the positional domain nucleic acid sequence or a reverse complement thereof and (ii) a sequence of the polynucleotide or a reverse complement thereof.\",\n \"2. The method of claim 1, further comprising using the barcoded nucleic acid in a nucleic acid amplification reaction to generate a barcoded amplification product.\",\n \"3. The method of claim 2, further comprising sequencing the barcoded amplification product to determine the positional domain nucleic acid sequence or reverse complement thereof and the sequence of the polynucleotide or reverse complement thereof in the barcoded amplification product.\",\n \"4. The method of claim 3, further comprising using the determined positional domain nucleic acid sequence or reverse complement thereof and the determined sequence of the polynucleotide or reverse complement thereof to determine a spatial position and identity of the polynucleotide in the tissue section.\",\n \"5. The method of claim 1, wherein the polynucleotide is an mRNA molecule of the tissue section.\",\n \"6. The method of claim 1, wherein the polynucleotide is a DNA molecule of the tissue section.\",\n \"7. The method of claim 1, wherein the polynucleotide is a ligation product comprising a first probe and a second probe, wherein the first probe and the second probe each comprise a sequence that is substantially complementary to sequences of a nucleic acid analyte of the tissue section, wherein the second probe comprises a capture probe binding domain, and wherein the first probe and the second probe are coupled to generate the ligation product.\",\n \"8. The method of claim 1, wherein the polynucleotide is linked to an antibody bound to a protein of the tissue section.\",\n \"9. The method of claim 1, wherein the polynucleotide is selected from:\\n(i) a DNA molecule of the tissue section;\\n(ii) an mRNA molecule of the tissue section;\\n(iii) a ligation product comprising a first probe and a second probe, wherein the first probe and the second probe each comprise a sequence that is substantially complementary to a sequence of a nucleic acid analyte of the tissue section, wherein the second probe comprises a capture probe binding domain, and wherein the first probe and the second probe are coupled to generate the ligation product; or\\n(iv) an oligonucleotide from an analyte capture agent comprising:\\n(A) an analyte binding moiety that binds to a protein of the tissue section,\\n(B) an analyte binding moiety barcode, and\\n(C) the oligonucleotide.\",\n \"10. The method of claim 1, wherein operating the alignment mechanism comprises:\\nrotating the first member and/or the second member relative to an axis such that the portion of the tissue section is brought into contact with the plurality of capture oligonucleotides via the reagent solution.\",\n \"11. The method of claim 10, wherein rotating the first member and/or the second member relative to the axis comprises:\\nrotating the first member and/or the second member relative to a hinge defining the axis.\",\n \"12. The method of claim 1, wherein operating the alignment mechanism comprises:\\nmaintaining the first solid support and the second solid support in an approximately parallel relationship when the portion of the tissue section is in contact with the plurality of capture oligonucleotides via the reagent solution.\",\n \"13. The method of claim 12, wherein maintaining the first solid support and the second solid support in the approximately parallel relationship comprises:\\nmaintaining an angle between the first solid support and the second solid support that is no more than 2 degrees.\",\n \"14. The method of claim 13, wherein the angle is no more than 0.5 degrees.\",\n \"15. The method of claim 1, wherein operating the alignment mechanism comprises:\\nmaintaining, using a spacing member, a spacing between the first solid support and the second solid support when the portion of the tissue section is brought into contact with the plurality of capture oligonucleotides via the reagent solution.\",\n \"16. The method of claim 15, wherein the spacing member is positioned between the first member and the second member.\",\n \"17. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\\nadjusting, using an adjustment mechanism, a distance of a separation between the first solid support and the second solid support after operating the alignment mechanism.\",\n \"18. The method of claim 17, wherein the distance of the separation is between 50 microns and 1 mm.\",\n \"19. The method of claim 18, wherein the distance of the separation is between 50 microns and 500 microns.\",\n \"20. The method of claim 17, wherein adjusting, using the adjustment mechanism, the distance of the separation between the first solid support and the second solid support comprises:\\nusing a linear actuator of the adjustment mechanism.\",\n \"21. The method of claim 17, wherein adjusting, using the adjustment mechanism, the distance of the separation between the first solid support and the second solid support comprises:\\nadjusting the distance of the separation in a direction orthogonal to a surface of the first solid support.\",\n \"22. The method of claim 1, wherein operating the alignment mechanism comprises:\\noperating a rotating actuator of the alignment mechanism.\",\n \"23. The method of claim 22, wherein the rotating actuator comprises at least one of a hinge, a folding member, or an arm.\",\n \"24. The method of claim 1, wherein retaining the first solid support on the first member comprises:\\nretaining the first solid support in a recess of the first member.\",\n \"25. The method of claim 24, wherein retaining the first solid support on the first member comprises:\\nmaintaining an interference fit between the recess and the first solid support with a gasket positioned within the recess\",\n \"26. The method of claim 1, wherein retaining the second solid support on the second member comprises:\\nretaining the second solid support in a recess of the second member.\",\n \"27. The method of claim 1, wherein retaining the first solid support on the first member comprises:\\naligning an aperture of the first member with a region of the first solid support where the tissue section is positioned.\",\n \"28. The method of claim 1, wherein operating the alignment mechanism comprises:\\naligning an aperture of the second member with a region of the first solid support where the tissue section is positioned.\",\n \"29. The method of claim 1, wherein:\\nretaining the first solid support on the first member comprises:\\ncausing a first retaining mechanism to apply a force to the first solid support to maintain contact between the first solid support and the first member; and\\nretaining the second solid support on the second member comprises:\\ncausing a second retaining mechanism to apply a force to the second solid support to maintain contact between the second solid support and the second member.\",\n \"30. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\\ntranslating the first solid support relative to the second solid support in a direction parallel to a surface of the first solid support.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A cap comprising:\\na lower portion;\\nan upper portion having an opening formed therein; and\\na plurality of longitudinally oriented ribs disposed on an inner surface of the cap, the inner surface of the cap being defined by the opening formed in the upper portion of the cap, wherein each rib is associated with a concave recess disposed directly opposite the rib on an outer surface of the upper portion of the cap, and wherein the recess extends along at least part of the length of the rib.\",\n \"2. The cap of claim 1, further comprising locking arms for securing the cap to the receptacle when the lower portion of the cap is inserted into an open top end of the receptacle, wherein the locking arms do not comprise the ribs.\",\n \"3. The cap of claim 1, further comprising one or more annular ribs disposed on an outer surface of the lower portion of the cap, wherein the annular ribs are configured to provide a sealing engagement between the outer surface of the lower portion of the cap and an inner surface in the opening at the top end of the receptacle.\",\n \"4. The cap of claim 1, wherein the ribs are spaced equidistantly apart.\",\n \"5. The cap of claim 1, wherein each rib includes an enlarged portion proximate a distal end thereof, and wherein the enlarged portion has a greater radius than the remainder of the rib.\",\n \"6. The cap of claim 5, wherein the enlarged portion of each rib includes an inwardly tapered portion proximate the distal end thereof.\",\n \"7. The cap of claim 6, wherein the opening formed in the upper portion of the cap defines an upper, generally cylindrical portion and a lower, inwardly tapered portion, and wherein the enlarged portion of each rib traverses a transition between the cylindrical and inwardly tapered portions of the opening.\",\n \"8. The cap of claim 1, wherein the concave recess is a groove formed in the outer surface of the upper portion of the cap.\",\n \"9. The cap of claim 1, wherein each recess is constructed to flex radially outwardly when a tubular probe of a receptacle transport mechanism is inserted into the opening formed in the upper portion of the cap.\",\n \"10. The cap of claim 9, wherein each recess extends along the entire length of the associated rib.\",\n \"11. The cap of claim 1, further comprising an opening formed in the lower portion of the cap and a bottom wall separating the opening formed in the upper portion of the cap from the opening formed in the lower portion of the cap.\",\n \"12. The cap of claim 11, wherein the bottom wall includes score lines formed therein to facilitate piercing of the bottom wall by a mechanism configured to dispense reagents.\",\n \"13. The cap of claim 1, wherein the cap is a unitary plastic structure.\",\n \"14. A tray comprising a plurality of wells formed in a base thereof, wherein a first well of the tray contains a receptacle and a second well of the tray contains the cap of claim 1, wherein the receptacle is configured for engagement by the cap and comprises a generally cylindrical portion having an opening formed therein that is configured to receive the lower portion of the cap so as to provide a sealing engagement between an outer surface of the lower portion of the cap and an inner surface of the opening formed in the cylindrical portion of the receptacle.\",\n \"15. The tray of claim 14, wherein the cap further comprises locking arms for securing the cap to the receptacle when the lower portion of the cap is inserted into the opening of the receptacle, wherein the locking arms do not comprise the ribs.\",\n \"16. The tray of claim 14, wherein the cap further comprises an opening formed in the lower portion and a bottom wall separating the opening formed in the upper portion from the opening formed in the lower portion.\",\n \"17. The tray of claim 16, wherein the cap further comprises one or more annular ribs disposed on an outer surface of the lower portion of the cap, wherein the annular ribs are configured to provide a sealing engagement between the outer surface of the lower portion of the cap and the inner surface of the receptacle.\",\n \"18. The tray of claim 14, wherein the receptacle further comprises a plurality of longitudinally oriented grooves formed in the inner surface of the opening.\",\n \"19. The tray of claim 14, wherein each of the cap and the receptacle is a unitary plastic structure.\",\n \"20. An assembly comprising a cap secured to a receptacle,\\nwherein the receptacle comprises:\\na generally cylindrical portion having an opening formed therein; and\\na radially projecting lip circumscribing the opening; and\\nwherein the cap comprises:\\na lower portion inserted into the opening of the receptacle and providing a sealing engagement between an outer surface of the lower portion of the cap and an inner surface of the opening of the receptacle;\\nan upper portion having an opening formed therein, the opening defining an open end that is configured for engagement by a receptacle transport mechanism; and\\na plurality of longitudinally oriented ribs disposed on an inner surface of the cap, the inner surface of the cap being defined by the opening formed in the upper portion of the cap, wherein each rib is associated with a concave recess disposed directly opposite the rib on an outer surface of the upper portion of the cap, and wherein the recess extends along at least part of the length of the rib.\",\n \"21. The assembly of claim 20, wherein the lower portion of the cap has an outer surface defining one or more annular ribs that provide a sealing engagement between the outer surface of the cap and the inner surface of the opening of the receptacle.\",\n \"22. The assembly of claim 20, wherein the ribs are spaced equidistantly apart.\",\n \"23. The assembly of claim 20, wherein each rib includes an enlarged portion proximate a distal end thereof, and wherein the enlarged portion has a greater radius than the remainder of the rib.\",\n \"24. The assembly of claim 23, wherein the enlarged portion of each rib includes an inwardly tapered portion proximate the distal end thereof.\",\n \"25. The assembly of claim 24, wherein the opening formed in the upper portion of the cap defines an upper, generally cylindrical portion and a lower, inwardly tapered portion, and wherein the enlarged portion of each rib traverses a transition between the cylindrical and inwardly tapered portions of the opening.\",\n \"26. The assembly of claim 20, wherein the concave recess is a groove formed in the outer surface of the upper portion of the cap.\",\n \"27. The assembly of claim 20, wherein each recess is constructed to flex radially outwardly when a tubular probe of a receptacle transport mechanism is inserted into the opening formed in the upper portion of the cap.\",\n \"28. The assembly of claim 27, wherein each recess extends along the entire length of the associated rib.\",\n \"29. The assembly of claim 20, wherein the cap further comprises an opening formed in the lower portion of the cap and a bottom wall separating the opening formed in the upper portion of the cap from the opening formed in the lower portion of the cap.\",\n \"30. The assembly of claim 29, wherein the bottom wall includes score lines formed therein to facilitate piercing of the bottom wall by a mechanism configured to dispense reagents to a test sample contained within the receptacle.\",\n \"31. The assembly of claim 20, wherein the cap is secured to the receptacle in a snap-fit relationship.\",\n \"32. The assembly of claim 20, wherein the receptacle further comprises a conical portion depending from the cylindrical portion, wherein the opening extends into the conical portion.\",\n \"33. The assembly of claim 20, wherein the receptacle further comprises a plurality of longitudinally oriented grooves formed on the inner surface of the opening of the receptacle.\",\n \"34. The assembly of claim 20, wherein each of the cap and the receptacle is a unitary plastic structure.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A printed microarray of unknown cell-derived products, each position of said array comprising a deposit corresponding to a composition of a single cell, said deposit being less than 100 micrometers in diameter.\",\n \"2. The microarray of claim 1, wherein said deposit is a secreted cell-derived product selected from the group consisting of an antibody, cytokine, chemokine, and inflammatory mediator.\",\n \"3. The microarray of claim 1, wherein said microarray comprises a capture ligand for a class of secreted products.\",\n \"4. The microarray of claim 3, wherein said capture ligand binds to a single immunoglobulin isotype.\"\n ]\n]"},"102rejection":{"kind":"string","value":"the following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 u.s.c. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this office action:\r\na person shall be entitled to a patent unless –\r\n(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.\r\nclaims 20-24, 27, 29, 31, 33 and 34 are rejected under 35 u.s.c. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by neilson et al. (us 2007/0087401).\r\nwith respect to claim 20, the reference of neilson et al. discloses:\r\nan apparatus (fig. 1 and 4-6b) for measuring one or more physiological properties of a biological sample, the apparatus comprising:\r\na lid (110) having a first surface and a second surface;\r\na plurality of spines (170) connected to and extending from the first surface of the lid, each of the plurality of spines comprising a body (240) having a distal end (fig. 4-6b),\r\nwherein at least one spine (170) of the plurality of spines comprises at least two sensors (250); and wherein the at least two sensors are disposed on at least one spine of the plurality of spines, wherein the at least two sensors engage and provide a signal responsive to at least one or more analytes.\r\nwith respect to claim 21, the reference of neilson et al. discloses the use of fluorescent indicators (¶[0074]-[0075] of neilson et al.).\r\nwith respect to claim 22, the references of neilson et al. discloses the use of providing the indicator embedded in a permeable medium (¶[0074]-[0075] of neilson et al.).\r\nwith respect to claim 23, the reference of neilson et al. discloses the use of a capture agent (a boronic probe the complexes with glucose) (¶[0075]).\r\nwith respect to claim 24, the reference of neilson et al. discloses a conventional well plate format (fig. 2a).\r\nwith respect to claim 27, the spines (170) of neilson et al. are considered to be removably connected to the lid since they pass through apertures (230) in the lid.\r\nwith respect to claim 29, the reference of neilson et al. discloses the use of a well plate (120) which includes a plurality of wells having an open end and a closed end (fig. 1).\r\nwith respect to claims 31 and 33, the reference of neilson et al. discloses the use of a signal detector (300) and processor (175).\r\nwith respect to claim 34, the reference of neilson et al. discloses:\r\na method for manufacturing an apparatus for measuring one or more physiological properties of a biological sample, the apparatus comprising:\r\nproviding a lid (110) having a first surface and a second surface and a plurality of spines (170) connected to and extending from the first surface of the lid, each of the plurality of spines comprising a body (240) having a distal end (figs. 4-6b); and\r\napplying at least two sensors (250) to the distal end of at least one of the plurality of spines, wherein the at least two sensors engage and provide a signal responsive to one or more analytes (¶[0070]-[0075)."}}},{"rowIdx":9042,"cells":{"query":{"kind":"list like","value":["1. A frame for a foldable playard, the frame having a compact folded configuration for storage of the frame and a deployed unfolded configuration to support the foldable playard, in an upright position on a ground surface, the frame comprising:\na plurality of leg support assemblies extending upward from the ground surface when the frame is in the deployed unfolded configuration, each leg support assembly of the plurality of leg support assemblies comprising a bottom end supported by the ground surface and a top portion opposite to the bottom end; and\na plurality of X-frame assemblies coupled to the plurality of leg support assemblies, each X-frame assembly of the plurality of X-frame assemblies being coupled to respective top portions of adjacent leg support assemblies of the plurality of leg support assemblies when the frame is in the deployed unfolded configuration such that, in the deployed unfolded configuration of the frame the plurality of X-frame assemblies form a top perimeter structure of the frame outlining an interior space of the foldable playard;\nwherein the plurality of X-frame assemblies each comprise a first X-tube and a second X-tube movably coupled to each other; and\neach of the plurality of leg assemblies comprising:\na corner disposed on the top end of the leg tube, the corner including a base that defines an opening in which the top end of the leg tube is received, and\na slider slidably coupled to the leg tube such that the slider is disposed proximate to the corner when the foldable playard is in the deployed unfolded configuration,\nwherein each of the plurality of X-frame assemblies comprises a pair of X-tubes pivotally coupled together at a pivot, the pair of X-tubes in near parallel alignment with one another with the pivot at or above a height of the base of the corner in the deployed unfolded configuration.","2. The frame of claim 1, wherein the top portion of each leg tube comprises 20 percent or less of an overall length of the leg tube.","3. The frame of claim 1, wherein the plurality of X-frame assemblies comprises:\na first X-frame assembly, disposed between and coupled to a first leg support assembly and a second leg support assembly in the plurality of leg support assemblies, the first X-frame assembly forming a single X-frame structure; and\na second X-frame assembly, disposed between and coupled to the second leg support assembly and a third leg support assembly in the plurality of leg support assemblies, the second X-frame assembly forming a double X-frame structure.","4. The frame of claim 1, wherein, in the deployed unfolded configuration, each X-frame assembly of the plurality of X-frame assemblies is located proximate to a top end of a respective leg assembly of the plurality of leg support assemblies.","5. The frame of claim 1, each of the plurality of leg support assemblies comprising a leg tube, the frame further comprising a top portion defined by 30% or less of the total length of a leg tube,\nwherein the deployed unfolded configuration provides the X-tubes within the top portion.","6. The frame of claim 5, each of the plurality of leg support assemblies further comprising a corner within the top portion, each corner configured to couple to soft goods.","7. The frame of claim 1, at least one X-frame assembly of the plurality of X-frame assemblies comprising a topper support disposed thereon, the topper support configured to mount one or more of a changing table, a bassinet, and a bouncer.","8. A foldable playard, comprising:\na frame having a compact folded configuration for storage of the frame and a deployed unfolded configuration to support the foldable playard, in an upright position on a ground surface, the frame comprising:\na plurality of leg support assemblies extending upward from the ground surface when the frame is in the deployed unfolded configuration, each leg support assembly of the plurality of leg support assemblies comprising a bottom end supported by the ground surface and a top portion opposite to the bottom end; and\na plurality of X-frame assemblies coupled to the plurality of leg support assemblies, each X-frame assembly of the plurality of X-frame assemblies being coupled to respective top portions of adjacent leg support assemblies of the plurality of leg support assemblies when the frame is in the deployed unfolded configuration such that, in the deployed unfolded configuration of the frame the plurality of X-frame assemblies form a top perimeter structure of the frame outlining an interior space of the foldable playard,\nwherein the plurality of X-frame assemblies each comprise a first X-tube and a second X-tube movably coupled to each other by a pivot;\neach of the plurality of leg assemblies comprising:\na leg tube and a corner disposed on the top end of the leg tube, the corner including a base that defines an opening in which the top end of the leg tube is received, and\na slider slidably coupled to the leg tube such that the slider is disposed proximate to the corner when the foldable playard is in the deployed unfolded configuration,\nwherein the first X-tube and the second X-tube are in near parallel alignment with one another with the pivot at or above a height of a bottom of the corner in the deployed unfolded configuration.","9. The foldable playard of claim 8, further comprising soft goods coupled to the frame to completely cover the X-frame assemblies in the deployed unfolded configuration.","10. The foldable playard of claim 8, further comprising soft goods coupled to respective corners of the plurality of leg support assemblies to at least partially cover the X-frame assemblies and to partially enclose the interior space.","11. The foldable playard of claim 10, wherein the soft goods are coupled to respective corners of the plurality of leg support assemblies.","12. The foldable playard of claim 10, the soft goods further comprising a floor portion and a see-through portion, the see-through portion disposed along one or more sides of the interior space when the foldable playard is in the unfolded configuration,\nwherein each X-frame assembly of the plurality of X-frame assemblies is positioned sufficiently proximate to respective top ends of the leg tubes of the plurality of leg support assemblies so as not to block the see-through portion of the soft goods when the foldable playard is in the unfolded configuration.","13. The foldable playard of claim 12, wherein the floor portion of the soft goods directly contacts a ground supporting the foldable playard.","14. The foldable playard of claim 8, wherein, in the deployed unfolded configuration, each X-frame assembly of the plurality of X-frame assemblies is located proximate to a top end of a respective leg assembly of the plurality of leg support assemblies.","15. The foldable playard of claim 8, the frame further comprising a top portion defined by 30% or less of the total length of a leg tube,\nwherein the deployed unfolded configuration provides the X-tubes within the top portion.","16. The foldable playard of claim 15, each of the plurality of leg support assemblies further comprising a corner within the top portion, each corner configured to couple to soft goods.","17. The foldable playard of claim 8, at least one X-frame assembly of the plurality of X-frame assemblies comprising a topper support disposed thereon, the topper support configured to mount one or more of a changing table, a bassinet, and a bouncer."],"string":"[\n \"1. A frame for a foldable playard, the frame having a compact folded configuration for storage of the frame and a deployed unfolded configuration to support the foldable playard, in an upright position on a ground surface, the frame comprising:\\na plurality of leg support assemblies extending upward from the ground surface when the frame is in the deployed unfolded configuration, each leg support assembly of the plurality of leg support assemblies comprising a bottom end supported by the ground surface and a top portion opposite to the bottom end; and\\na plurality of X-frame assemblies coupled to the plurality of leg support assemblies, each X-frame assembly of the plurality of X-frame assemblies being coupled to respective top portions of adjacent leg support assemblies of the plurality of leg support assemblies when the frame is in the deployed unfolded configuration such that, in the deployed unfolded configuration of the frame the plurality of X-frame assemblies form a top perimeter structure of the frame outlining an interior space of the foldable playard;\\nwherein the plurality of X-frame assemblies each comprise a first X-tube and a second X-tube movably coupled to each other; and\\neach of the plurality of leg assemblies comprising:\\na corner disposed on the top end of the leg tube, the corner including a base that defines an opening in which the top end of the leg tube is received, and\\na slider slidably coupled to the leg tube such that the slider is disposed proximate to the corner when the foldable playard is in the deployed unfolded configuration,\\nwherein each of the plurality of X-frame assemblies comprises a pair of X-tubes pivotally coupled together at a pivot, the pair of X-tubes in near parallel alignment with one another with the pivot at or above a height of the base of the corner in the deployed unfolded configuration.\",\n \"2. The frame of claim 1, wherein the top portion of each leg tube comprises 20 percent or less of an overall length of the leg tube.\",\n \"3. The frame of claim 1, wherein the plurality of X-frame assemblies comprises:\\na first X-frame assembly, disposed between and coupled to a first leg support assembly and a second leg support assembly in the plurality of leg support assemblies, the first X-frame assembly forming a single X-frame structure; and\\na second X-frame assembly, disposed between and coupled to the second leg support assembly and a third leg support assembly in the plurality of leg support assemblies, the second X-frame assembly forming a double X-frame structure.\",\n \"4. The frame of claim 1, wherein, in the deployed unfolded configuration, each X-frame assembly of the plurality of X-frame assemblies is located proximate to a top end of a respective leg assembly of the plurality of leg support assemblies.\",\n \"5. The frame of claim 1, each of the plurality of leg support assemblies comprising a leg tube, the frame further comprising a top portion defined by 30% or less of the total length of a leg tube,\\nwherein the deployed unfolded configuration provides the X-tubes within the top portion.\",\n \"6. The frame of claim 5, each of the plurality of leg support assemblies further comprising a corner within the top portion, each corner configured to couple to soft goods.\",\n \"7. The frame of claim 1, at least one X-frame assembly of the plurality of X-frame assemblies comprising a topper support disposed thereon, the topper support configured to mount one or more of a changing table, a bassinet, and a bouncer.\",\n \"8. A foldable playard, comprising:\\na frame having a compact folded configuration for storage of the frame and a deployed unfolded configuration to support the foldable playard, in an upright position on a ground surface, the frame comprising:\\na plurality of leg support assemblies extending upward from the ground surface when the frame is in the deployed unfolded configuration, each leg support assembly of the plurality of leg support assemblies comprising a bottom end supported by the ground surface and a top portion opposite to the bottom end; and\\na plurality of X-frame assemblies coupled to the plurality of leg support assemblies, each X-frame assembly of the plurality of X-frame assemblies being coupled to respective top portions of adjacent leg support assemblies of the plurality of leg support assemblies when the frame is in the deployed unfolded configuration such that, in the deployed unfolded configuration of the frame the plurality of X-frame assemblies form a top perimeter structure of the frame outlining an interior space of the foldable playard,\\nwherein the plurality of X-frame assemblies each comprise a first X-tube and a second X-tube movably coupled to each other by a pivot;\\neach of the plurality of leg assemblies comprising:\\na leg tube and a corner disposed on the top end of the leg tube, the corner including a base that defines an opening in which the top end of the leg tube is received, and\\na slider slidably coupled to the leg tube such that the slider is disposed proximate to the corner when the foldable playard is in the deployed unfolded configuration,\\nwherein the first X-tube and the second X-tube are in near parallel alignment with one another with the pivot at or above a height of a bottom of the corner in the deployed unfolded configuration.\",\n \"9. The foldable playard of claim 8, further comprising soft goods coupled to the frame to completely cover the X-frame assemblies in the deployed unfolded configuration.\",\n \"10. The foldable playard of claim 8, further comprising soft goods coupled to respective corners of the plurality of leg support assemblies to at least partially cover the X-frame assemblies and to partially enclose the interior space.\",\n \"11. The foldable playard of claim 10, wherein the soft goods are coupled to respective corners of the plurality of leg support assemblies.\",\n \"12. The foldable playard of claim 10, the soft goods further comprising a floor portion and a see-through portion, the see-through portion disposed along one or more sides of the interior space when the foldable playard is in the unfolded configuration,\\nwherein each X-frame assembly of the plurality of X-frame assemblies is positioned sufficiently proximate to respective top ends of the leg tubes of the plurality of leg support assemblies so as not to block the see-through portion of the soft goods when the foldable playard is in the unfolded configuration.\",\n \"13. The foldable playard of claim 12, wherein the floor portion of the soft goods directly contacts a ground supporting the foldable playard.\",\n \"14. The foldable playard of claim 8, wherein, in the deployed unfolded configuration, each X-frame assembly of the plurality of X-frame assemblies is located proximate to a top end of a respective leg assembly of the plurality of leg support assemblies.\",\n \"15. The foldable playard of claim 8, the frame further comprising a top portion defined by 30% or less of the total length of a leg tube,\\nwherein the deployed unfolded configuration provides the X-tubes within the top portion.\",\n \"16. The foldable playard of claim 15, each of the plurality of leg support assemblies further comprising a corner within the top portion, each corner configured to couple to soft goods.\",\n \"17. The foldable playard of claim 8, at least one X-frame assembly of the plurality of X-frame assemblies comprising a topper support disposed thereon, the topper support configured to mount one or more of a changing table, a bassinet, and a bouncer.\"\n]"},"applicant_patent_id":{"kind":"string","value":"US12295503B2"},"cited_patent_id":{"kind":"string","value":"US20080289103A1"},"positive":{"kind":"list like","value":["1. A playard, comprising:\na frame structure movable between an open arrangement and a folded arrangement, the frame structure comprising:\na plurality of pivot joints arranged in an upper set and a lower set; and\na plurality of cross members connected to the upper and lower sets of pivot joints; and\na plurality of top rails, each top rail being attached to adjacent pivot joints in the upper set;\nwherein the plurality of cross members are arranged on respective slants as booms to support the upper set of pivot joints at an elevation above the lower set of pivot joints, the elevation decreasing as the frame structure moves from the folded arrangement to the open arrangement until the top rails are under tension.","2. A playard according to claim 1, wherein each top rail is flexible.","3. A playard according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of cross members are arranged in pairs arranged in an X-shape to define respective sides of the frame structure, and wherein the frame structure lacks any components within an interior space of the frame structure defined by the sides.","4. A playard according to claim 1, wherein each pivot joint in the upper set is disposed over a respective pivot joint in the lower set.","5. A playard according to claim 4, wherein the frame structure lacks legs to support the upper set of pivot joints above the lower set of pivot joints.","6. A playard according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of bottom rails, each bottom rail being attached to two adjacent lower pivot joints.","7. A playard according to claim 1, wherein each pivot joint in the lower set comprises a foot configured to engage a surface upon which the frame structure rests.","8. A playard according to claim 1, wherein each top rail comprises a fabric webbing.","9. A playard according to claim 1, wherein each top rail comprises a fold mechanism and a pair of stiff sections coupled via the fold mechanism.","10. A playard according to claim 1, further comprising a fabric enclosure supported by the frame structure, the fabric enclosure having a base portion suspended from the plurality of top rails such that weight of a child upon the base portion produces additional tension in each top rail.","11. A playard, comprising:\na frame structure movable between an open arrangement and a folded arrangement, the frame structure comprising:\na plurality of pivot joints arranged in an upper set and a lower set, each pivot joint in the upper set being positioned over a corresponding pivot joint in the lower set; and\na plurality of cross members connected at respective slants to the upper and lower sets of pivot joints; and\na plurality of top rails, each top rail being attached to adjacent pivot joints in the upper set;\nwherein the frame structure lacks legs to support the upper set of pivot joints at an elevation above the lower set of pivot joints, the elevation decreasing as the respective slants of the cross members change to move the frame structure from the folded arrangement to the open arrangement until the top rails are under tension.","12. A playard according to claim 11, wherein each top rail is flexible.","13. A playard according to claim 11, wherein the plurality of cross members are arranged in pairs arranged in an X-shape to define respective sides of the frame structure, and wherein the frame structure lacks any components within an interior space of the frame structure defined by the sides.","14. A playard according to claim 11, wherein the plurality of cross members are arranged on the respective slants as booms to support the upper set of pivot joints above the lower set of pivot joints.","15. A playard according to claim 11, further comprising a plurality of bottom rails, each bottom rail being attached to two adjacent pivot joints in the lower set.","16. A playard according to claim 11, wherein each pivot joint in the lower set comprises a foot configured to engage a surface upon which the frame structure rests.","17. A playard according to claim 11, wherein each top rail comprises a fabric webbing.","18. A playard according to claim 11, wherein each top rail comprises a fold mechanism and a pair of stiff sections coupled via the fold mechanism.","19. A playard according to claim 11, further comprising a fabric enclosure supported by the frame structure, the fabric enclosure having a base portion suspended from the plurality of top rails such that weight of a child upon the base portion produces additional tension in each top rail."],"string":"[\n \"1. A playard, comprising:\\na frame structure movable between an open arrangement and a folded arrangement, the frame structure comprising:\\na plurality of pivot joints arranged in an upper set and a lower set; and\\na plurality of cross members connected to the upper and lower sets of pivot joints; and\\na plurality of top rails, each top rail being attached to adjacent pivot joints in the upper set;\\nwherein the plurality of cross members are arranged on respective slants as booms to support the upper set of pivot joints at an elevation above the lower set of pivot joints, the elevation decreasing as the frame structure moves from the folded arrangement to the open arrangement until the top rails are under tension.\",\n \"2. A playard according to claim 1, wherein each top rail is flexible.\",\n \"3. A playard according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of cross members are arranged in pairs arranged in an X-shape to define respective sides of the frame structure, and wherein the frame structure lacks any components within an interior space of the frame structure defined by the sides.\",\n \"4. A playard according to claim 1, wherein each pivot joint in the upper set is disposed over a respective pivot joint in the lower set.\",\n \"5. A playard according to claim 4, wherein the frame structure lacks legs to support the upper set of pivot joints above the lower set of pivot joints.\",\n \"6. A playard according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of bottom rails, each bottom rail being attached to two adjacent lower pivot joints.\",\n \"7. A playard according to claim 1, wherein each pivot joint in the lower set comprises a foot configured to engage a surface upon which the frame structure rests.\",\n \"8. A playard according to claim 1, wherein each top rail comprises a fabric webbing.\",\n \"9. A playard according to claim 1, wherein each top rail comprises a fold mechanism and a pair of stiff sections coupled via the fold mechanism.\",\n \"10. A playard according to claim 1, further comprising a fabric enclosure supported by the frame structure, the fabric enclosure having a base portion suspended from the plurality of top rails such that weight of a child upon the base portion produces additional tension in each top rail.\",\n \"11. A playard, comprising:\\na frame structure movable between an open arrangement and a folded arrangement, the frame structure comprising:\\na plurality of pivot joints arranged in an upper set and a lower set, each pivot joint in the upper set being positioned over a corresponding pivot joint in the lower set; and\\na plurality of cross members connected at respective slants to the upper and lower sets of pivot joints; and\\na plurality of top rails, each top rail being attached to adjacent pivot joints in the upper set;\\nwherein the frame structure lacks legs to support the upper set of pivot joints at an elevation above the lower set of pivot joints, the elevation decreasing as the respective slants of the cross members change to move the frame structure from the folded arrangement to the open arrangement until the top rails are under tension.\",\n \"12. A playard according to claim 11, wherein each top rail is flexible.\",\n \"13. A playard according to claim 11, wherein the plurality of cross members are arranged in pairs arranged in an X-shape to define respective sides of the frame structure, and wherein the frame structure lacks any components within an interior space of the frame structure defined by the sides.\",\n \"14. A playard according to claim 11, wherein the plurality of cross members are arranged on the respective slants as booms to support the upper set of pivot joints above the lower set of pivot joints.\",\n \"15. A playard according to claim 11, further comprising a plurality of bottom rails, each bottom rail being attached to two adjacent pivot joints in the lower set.\",\n \"16. A playard according to claim 11, wherein each pivot joint in the lower set comprises a foot configured to engage a surface upon which the frame structure rests.\",\n \"17. A playard according to claim 11, wherein each top rail comprises a fabric webbing.\",\n \"18. A playard according to claim 11, wherein each top rail comprises a fold mechanism and a pair of stiff sections coupled via the fold mechanism.\",\n \"19. A playard according to claim 11, further comprising a fabric enclosure supported by the frame structure, the fabric enclosure having a base portion suspended from the plurality of top rails such that weight of a child upon the base portion produces additional tension in each top rail.\"\n]"},"hard_negatives":{"kind":"list like","value":[["1. An infant playpen comprising:\nan upper frame portion including a pivot joint and a first and a second side segment, the first and second side segments being rotatable relative to each other between an unfolded state and a folded state;\na latching device disposed adjacent to the pivot joint, the latching device being switchable between a locking state for locking the first and the second side segments in the unfolded state, and an unlocking state for rotation of the first and the second side segments between the unfolded state and the folded state, wherein the latching device includes a first and a second latch, the first latch being engaged with the first side segment and the second latch engaged with the second side segment in the locking state, the first latch being disengaged from the first side segment and the second latch disengaged from the second side segment in the unlocking state;\na standing post connected with the upper frame portion and having a foot portion, the standing post carrying a cable actuator and a resilient part, the resilient part applying a biasing force on the cable actuator for biasing the cable actuator toward an initial position;\na cable assembly respectively connected with the latching device and the cable actuator, wherein the cable assembly includes a conduit, and a cable extending through an interior of the conduit, the cable having two opposite ends respectively anchored to the first latch and the cable actuator, and the conduit having two opposite ends respectively anchored to the second latch and the standing post; and\na bottom linkage portion including a bar segment pivotally connected with the foot portion of the standing post, the bar segment being rotatable relative to the foot portion to urge the cable actuator in movement away from the initial position and thereby cause the latching device to switch from the locking state to the unlocking state.","2. The infant playpen according to claim 1, wherein the pivot joint has a bracket that is respectively connected pivotally with the first and second side segments, the first and second side segments being respectively rotatable relative to the bracket between the unfolded state and the folded state.","3. The infant playpen according to claim 2, wherein the first and the second latch are carried with the bracket.","4. The infant playpen according to claim 3, wherein the bar segment is movable to urge the cable actuator in movement and thereby cause a relative movement between the cable and the conduit, which causes the first latch to disengage from the first side segment and the second latch to disengage from the second side segment.","5. The infant playpen according to claim 4, wherein the second side segment and the standing post are respectively connected with a corner bracket, and the cable and the conduit extend along the second side segment and the standing post.","6. The infant playpen according to claim 3, wherein the first latch and the second latch are respectively connected pivotally with the bracket, and the latching device further includes a spring having two ends respectively connected with the first latch and the second latch, the spring biasing the first latch and the second latch to respectively engage with the first side segment and the second side segment.","7. The infant playpen according to claim 1, wherein the cable actuator is slidably connected with the standing post or the foot portion.","8. The infant playpen according to claim 1, wherein an end of the bar segment is provided with a retractable part that is connected with a spring, the retractable part being movable relative to the bar segment to retract toward the bar segment or extend outward from the bar segment, the bar segment being rotatable relative to the foot portion so that the retractable part contacts and urges the cable actuator in movement away from the initial position and thereby cause the latching device to switch from the locking state to the unlocking state.","9. The infant playpen according to claim 8, wherein the retractable part is slidably connected with the bar segment.","10. The infant playpen according to claim 8, wherein the retractable part is out of contact with the cable actuator when the infant playpen is fully folded.","11. The infant playpen according to claim 1, wherein the bottom linkage portion includes a central hub pivotally connected with the bar segment.","12. An infant playpen comprising:\nan upper frame portion including a pivot joint, and a first and a second side segment respectively connected pivotally with the pivot joint, the first and second side segments being rotatable relative to each other between an unfolded state and a folded state;\na latching device including a first and a second latch disposed adjacent to the pivot joint, the first latch being engaged with the first side segment and the second latch engaged with the second side segment for locking the first and second side segments in the unfolded state, and the first latch being disengaged from the first side segment and the second latch disengaged from the second side segment for rotation of the first and the second side segments between the unfolded state and the folded state;\na standing post connected with the upper frame portion and having a foot portion, the standing post carrying a cable actuator;\na cable assembly respectively connected with the cable actuator, the first latch and the second latch, the cable assembly extending along the second side segment and the standing post, wherein the cable assembly includes a conduit, and a cable extending through an interior of the conduit, the cable having two opposite ends respectively anchored to the first latch and the cable actuator, and the conduit having two opposite ends respectively anchored to the second latch and the standing post; and\na bottom linkage portion including a bar segment pivotally connected with the foot portion of the standing post, the bar segment being rotatable relative to the foot portion to urge the cable actuator in movement and thereby cause the first latch and the second latch to respectively disengage from the first side segment and the second side segment.","13. The infant playpen according to claim 12, wherein the cable actuator is connected with a resilient part, the resilient part applying a biasing force on the cable actuator for biasing the cable actuator toward an initial position, and the bar segment being rotatable relative to the foot portion to urge the cable actuator in movement away from the initial position and thereby cause the first latch and the second latch to respectively disengage from the first side segment and the second side segment.","14. The infant playpen according to claim 12 wherein the bottom linkage portion includes a central hub pivotally connected with the bar segment.","15. The infant playpen according to claim 12, wherein an end of the bar segment is provided with a retractable part that is connected with a spring, the retractable part being movable relative to the bar segment to retract toward the bar segment or extend outward from the bar segment, the bar segment being rotatable relative to the foot portion so that the retractable part contacts and urges the cable actuator in movement and thereby cause the first latch and the second latch to respectively disengage from the first side segment and the second side segment."],["1. A child play yard including a frame comprising:\nlegs;\nlower cross bars having first ends pivotally coupled to lower ends of the legs;\na hub pivotally coupled to second ends of the lower cross bars, the hub including a hub mechanical central tube, a column slidably disposed within the hub mechanical central tube, a hub mechanical spindle disposed within the column, and hub lock fingers pivotally coupled to a lower portion of the column and including lower feet portions, the hub mechanical spindle having an enlarged diameter lower end portion that engages lower inner sidewalls of the hub lock fingers and maintains the lower feet portions of the hub lock fingers outside a perimeter of a lower opening of the hub mechanical central tube when the hub is disposed in a lowermost position in the frame; and\na hub cover and a middle central piece slidably disposed within a recess defined in the hub cover, an upper end of the hub mechanical spindle being secured to the middle central piece, mechanical stops extending from a lower surface of the middle central piece that limit relative displacement between the hub cover and middle central piece.","2. The child play yard of claim 1, wherein the enlarged diameter lower end portion of the hub mechanical spindle engages internal angled sidewalls of the hub lock fingers and displaces the lower feet portions of the hub lock fingers to a position below and within the perimeter of the lower opening of the hub mechanical central tube when the hub is displaced a first distance above the lowermost position in the frame.","3. The child play yard of claim 2, wherein the column is displaced upward through the hub mechanical central tube when the hub is displaced the first distance above the lowermost position in the frame.","4. The child play yard of claim 3, wherein the column is displaced further upward through the hub mechanical central tube and the hub lock fingers are drawn into the hub mechanical central tube when the hub is displaced a second distance greater than the first distance above the lowermost position in the frame.","5. The child play yard of claim 1, wherein the lower cross bars include lower fourbar tops and lower fourbar bottoms.","6. The child play yard of claim 5, wherein the hub further includes a base, second ends of the lower fourbar bottoms being pivotally coupled to the hub with pivot pins fixedly coupled to lower internal walls of the base of the hub.","7. The child play yard of claim 6, wherein the hub further includes linkage interfaces disposed within the base, second ends of the lower fourbar tops being pivotally coupled to the hub with first pivot pins fixedly secured to upper internal walls of the base of the hub and by second pins that slide through slots defined in the linkage interfaces.","8. The child play yard of claim 7, further comprising upper cross bars extending between respective pairs of the legs, the upper cross bars including first portions and second portions, the first and second portions being locked in alignment with one another when the hub is disposed in the lowermost position in the frame.","9. The child play yard of claim 8, wherein the first and second portions are locked in alignment with one another when the hub is disposed in the lowermost position in the frame by plungers internal to the first and second portions that are biased by springs into contact with surfaces of strike plates disposed between ends of the first and second portions.","10. The child play yard of claim 9, wherein displacement of the hub to a position above the lowermost position in the frame causes the first ends of the lower fourbar tops to pull on foot linkages disposed on lower portions of the legs that in turn pull indirectly on cables that pass into the first and second portions of each upper cross bar and pull the plungers out of engagement with the strike plates.","11. The child play yard of claim 1, further comprising a spring disposed about an upper portion of the hub mechanical spindle and biasing the hub mechanical spindle downward through the column.","12. The child play yard of claim 1, wherein an upper end of the column is secured to a bottom surface of the hub cover.","13. A child play yard including a frame comprising:\nlegs;\nlower cross bars having first ends pivotally coupled to lower ends of the legs and second ends pivotally coupled to a hub disposed substantially centrally within a periphery of the frame, the hub including hub lock fingers pivotally coupled to the hub and including lower feet portions, and a hub mechanical spindle having an enlarged diameter lower end portion that engages lower inner sidewalls of the hub lock fingers and maintains the lower feet portions of the hub lock fingers outside a perimeter of a lower opening of the hub when the hub is disposed in a lowermost position in the frame;\nupper cross bars extending between respective pairs of the legs, the upper cross bars including first and second sections with ends disposed proximate midpoints of the upper cross bars, the first and second sections being locked into alignment with one another when the hub is disposed in the lowermost position; and\na hub cover and a middle central piece slidably disposed within a recess defined in the hub cover, an upper end of the hub mechanical spindle being secured to the middle central piece, mechanical stops extending from a lower surface of the middle central piece that limit relative displacement between the hub cover and middle central piece,\ndisplacement of the hub upward from the lowermost position causing the hub mechanical spindle to engage internal angled sidewalls of the hub lock fingers and cause the hub lock fingers to pivot and the lower feet portions to be drawn into the lower opening of the hub, the lower cross bars to pivot relative to the hub and the legs and to draw the legs inward toward the hub, the first ends of the lower cross bars to pull indirectly on cables passing into the upper cross bars, the cables disengaging plungers from strike plates in the upper cross bars and unlocking the first and second sections of the upper cross bars from each other, and the upper cross bars to fold and the ends of the first and second sections of the upper cross bars to be drawn downward.","14. The child play yard of claim 13, wherein the hub further comprises a hub mechanical central tube, a column slidably disposed within the hub mechanical central tube, the hub mechanical spindle disposed within the column, the hub lock fingers pivotally coupled to a lower portion of the column, the displacement of the hub upward from the lowermost position further causing the column to be displaced upward through the hub mechanical central tube.","15. The child play yard of claim 13, further comprising a linkage interface to which the second ends of the lower cross bars are pivotally coupled, the displacement of the hub upward from the lowermost position further causing the linkage interface to be displaced upward through the hub."],["1. An infant playpen comprising:\na plurality of upright legs; and\na first and a second upper side rail assembly supported by the upright legs, wherein each of the first and second upper side rail assemblies includes at least one elongated segment having an outer surface, and a plurality of positioning regions are defined on the outer surfaces of the elongated segments, each of the positioning regions being configured to locate a connection of a removable accessory on the infant playpen, and at least one of the positioning regions including two slots that are formed on the outer surface of the corresponding segment and are spaced apart from each other along a length of the corresponding segment.","2. The infant playpen according to claim 1, wherein the first upper side rail assembly includes a first and a second segment pivotally connected with a first joint, the second upper side rail assembly includes a third segment and a fourth segment pivotally connected with a second joint, and the positioning regions include four positioning regions respectively distributed on the first, second, third and fourth segments.","3. The infant playpen according to claim 1, wherein the positioning regions are respectively formed with the outer surfaces of the elongated segments.","4. The infant playpen according to claim 1, wherein the positioning regions are identical in construction.","5. The infant playpen according to claim 1, wherein each of the slots is being configured to engage with a protrusion provided on a removable accessory.","6. The infant playpen according to claim 1, wherein the infant playpen has a central axis extending centrally between the first and second upper side rail assemblies, and the positioning regions include four positioning regions arranged in a distribution that is symmetrical with respect to the central axis.","7. The infant playpen according to claim 1, wherein the infant playpen has a transversal axis that intersects respective centers of the first and second upper side rail assemblies, and the positioning regions include four positioning regions arranged in a distribution that is symmetrical with respect to the transversal axis.","8. The infant playpen according to claim 1, further including an enclosure stretched between the upright legs, the enclosure being comprised of a cloth material that wraps at least partially around the elongated segments, the cloth material respectively covering the positioning regions on the elongated segments.","9. The infant playpen according to claim 1, further including an enclosure stretched between the upright legs, the enclosure being comprised of a cloth material that wraps at least partially around the elongated segments, the cloth material having openings for respectively exposing the positioning regions on the elongated segments.","10. The infant playpen according to claim 1, wherein each of the positioning regions is configured to engage with any of a changing station, a napper device, a bassinet, a canopy, a toy bar and a storage tray.","11. An infant care system comprising:\nthe infant playpen according to claim 1; and\na removable accessory installable on the infant playpen in one or more configurations by selectively registering with one or more of the positioning regions.","12. The infant care system according to claim 11, wherein the positioning regions include four positioning regions, and the removable accessory when installed on the infant playpen attaches to the four positioning regions.","13. The infant care system according to claim 11, wherein the removable accessory includes:\na housing having a saddle portion and a coupling portion; and\na locking part connected with the housing;\nwherein when the removable accessory is installed on the infant playpen, one selected positioning region on the elongated segment of the first upper side rail assembly is received in the saddle portion, the coupling portion engages with the selected positioning region to prevent displacement of the housing along the elongated segment, and the locking part is displaced to a locked position that retains the selected positioning region in the saddle portion.","14. The infant care system according to claim 13, wherein the housing has a resilient portion, and a retaining rib formed on an inner sidewall of the resilient portion, the locking part when in the locked position being engaged with the retaining rib, and the resilient portion being deflectable to disengage the retaining rib from the locking part.","15. The infant care system according to claim 13, wherein the housing is assembled with a release button having an inner sidewall and a retaining rib formed on the inner sidewall, the locking part when in the locked position being engaged with the retaining rib, and the release button being operable to disengage the retaining rib from the locking part.","16. The infant care system according to claim 13, wherein the coupling portion includes a protrusion configured to engage with at least one of the slots of one selected positioning region.","17. The infant care system according to claim 16, wherein the protrusion vertically slides through the slot of one selected positioning region to register the removable accessory with the selected positioning region.","18. An infant care system comprising:\nan infant playpen including:\na plurality of upright legs; and\na first and a second upper side rail assembly supported by the upright legs, wherein each of the first and second upper side rail assemblies includes at least one elongated segment having an outer surface, and a plurality of positioning regions are defined on the outer surfaces of the elongated segments;\na removable accessory installed on the infant playpen, the removable accessory including:\na housing having a saddle portion and a coupling portion; and\na locking part connected with the housing;\nwherein one selected positioning region on the first upper side rail assembly is received in the saddle portion, the coupling portion engages with the selected positioning region to prevent displacement of the housing along the first upper side rail assembly, and the locking part is displaced to a locked position that retains the selected positioning region in the saddle portion.","19. The infant care system according to claim 18, wherein the first upper side rail assembly includes a first and a second segment pivotally connected with a first joint, the second upper side rail assembly includes a third segment and a fourth segment pivotally connected with a second joint, and the positioning regions are respectively defined on the first, second, third and fourth segments.","20. The infant care system according to claim 19, wherein the first, second, third and fourth segments are respectively formed to include the positioning regions.","21. The infant care system according to claim 18, wherein all of the positioning regions are identical in construction.","22. The infant care system according to claim 18, wherein the housing has a resilient portion, and a retaining rib formed on an inner sidewall of the resilient portion, the locking part when in the locked position being engaged with the retaining rib, and the resilient portion being deflectable to disengage the retaining rib from the locking part.","23. The infant care system according to claim 18, wherein the housing is assembled with a release button having an inner sidewall and a retaining rib formed on the inner sidewall, the locking part when in the locked position being engaged with the retaining rib, and the release button being operable to disengage the retaining rib from the locking part.","24. The infant care system according to claim 18, wherein the coupling portion includes a protrusion, and each of the positioning regions includes a slot configured to receive the protrusion.","25. The infant care system according to claim 24, wherein the protrusion vertically slides through the slot of the selected positioning region to engage the removable accessory with the selected positioning region.","26. The infant care system according to claim 18, wherein the infant playpen has a central axis extending between the first and second upper rail assemblies, and the positioning regions are arranged in a distribution that is symmetrical with respect to the central axis.","27. The infant care system according to claim 18, wherein the infant playpen has a transversal axis that intersects respective centers of the first and second upper side rail assemblies, and the positioning regions are arranged in a distribution that is symmetrical with respect to the transversal axis.","28. The infant care system according to claim 18, wherein the infant playpen further includes an enclosure stretched between the upright legs, the enclosure being comprised of a cloth material that wraps at least partially around the first and second upper rail assemblies, and covers the positioning regions thereon.","29. The infant care system according to claim 18, wherein the infant playpen further includes an enclosure stretched between the upright legs, the enclosure being comprised of a cloth material that that have openings for respectively exposing the positioning regions on the first and second upper rail assemblies.","30. The infant care system according to claim 18, wherein the removable accessory is selectively installable on the infant playpen in a first position in which the removable accessory respectively engages with two first ones of the four positioning regions respectively provided on the first and second upper side rail assemblies, and in a second position in which the removable accessory respectively engages with two second ones of the positioning regions respectively provided on the first and second upper side rail assemblies.","31. The infant care system according to claim 18, wherein the positioning regions include four positioning regions, and the removable accessory when installed on the infant playpen engages with the four positioning regions.","32. An infant playpen comprising:\na plurality of upright legs; and\na first and a second upper side rail assembly supported by the upright legs, wherein each of the first and second upper side rail assemblies includes at least one elongated segment having an outer surface, and a plurality of positioning regions are defined on the outer surfaces of the elongated segments, each of the positioning regions being configured to locate a connection of a removable accessory on the infant playpen, and each of the positioning regions being defined from a distinctive geometrical shape formed by the corresponding segment.","33. The infant playpen according to claim 32, wherein the distinctive geometrical shape includes one or more slots, each of the slots being configured to respectively engage with a protrusion provided on a removable accessory.","34. The infant playpen according to claim 32, wherein the first upper side rail assembly includes a first and a second segment pivotally connected with a first joint, the second upper side rail assembly includes a third segment and a fourth segment pivotally connected with a second joint, and the positioning regions include four positioning regions respectively distributed on the first, second, third and fourth segments.","35. The infant playpen according to claim 32, wherein the positioning regions are identical in construction.","36. The infant playpen according to claim 32, wherein the infant playpen has a central axis extending centrally between the first and second upper side rail assemblies, and the positioning regions include four positioning regions arranged in a distribution that is symmetrical with respect to the central axis.","37. The infant playpen according to claim 32, wherein the infant playpen has a transversal axis that intersects respective centers of the first and second upper side rail assemblies, and the positioning regions include four positioning regions arranged in a distribution that is symmetrical with respect to the transversal axis.","38. The infant playpen according to claim 32, further including an enclosure stretched between the upright legs, the enclosure being comprised of a cloth material that wraps at least partially around the elongated segments, the cloth material respectively covering the positioning regions on the elongated segments.","39. The infant playpen according to claim 32, further including an enclosure stretched between the upright legs, the enclosure being comprised of a cloth material that wraps at least partially around the elongated segments, the cloth material having openings for respectively exposing the positioning regions on the elongated segments.","40. The infant playpen according to claim 32, wherein each of the positioning regions is configured to engage with any of a changing station, a napper device, a bassinet, a canopy, a toy bar and a storage tray.","41. An infant care system comprising:\nthe infant playpen according to claim 32; and\na removable accessory installable on the infant playpen in one or more configurations by selectively registering with one or more of the positioning regions.","42. The infant care system according to claim 41, wherein the removable accessory includes:\na housing having a saddle portion and a coupling portion; and\na locking part connected with the housing;\nwherein when the removable accessory is installed on the infant playpen, one selected positioning region on the elongated segment of the first upper side rail assembly is received in the saddle portion, the coupling portion engages with the selected positioning region to prevent displacement of the housing along the elongated segment, and the locking part is displaced to a locked position that retains the selected positioning region in the saddle portion.","43. The infant care system according to claim 42, wherein the housing is assembled with a release button having an inner sidewall and a retaining rib formed on the inner sidewall, the locking part when in the locked position being engaged with the retaining rib, and the release button being operable to disengage the retaining rib from the locking part.","44. The infant care system according to claim 42, wherein the coupling portion includes a protrusion, and each of the positioning regions includes a slot configured to receive the protrusion.","45. The infant care system according to claim 44, wherein the protrusion vertically slides through the slot of the selected positioning region to engage the removable accessory with the selected positioning region."],["1. A foldable frame for play pen and cot, comprising:\na top frame comprising a pair of parallel top frame bars and a pair of parallel top frame units to form a rectangular structure, wherein each of said top frame units has an affixing end and a locking end;\na supporting frame comprising four supporting posts;\na base frame;\na pair of first top joints, each having a transverse tubular sleeve, connecting two ends of said two top frame bars with upper ends of said two supporting posts respectively;\na pair of second top joints, each having a transverse locking slot, connecting the other two of said ends of two said top frame bars with upper ends of the other two of said supporting posts respectively, wherein each of said top frame units is detachably connected between said first top joint and said second top joint;\nfour base joints connecting bottom ends of said four supporting posts with said base frame respectively; and\na rotatable locker affixed to each of said locking ends of said top frame units and arranged in such a manner that each said top frame unit is slidably penetrated through said locking slot of said second top joint until said affixing end of said top frame unit is inserted into said tubular sleeve of said first top joint and said rotatable locker is adjustably locked up with said second top joint, so as to securely lock up said top frame unit between said first and second top joints.","2. The foldable frame, as recited in claim 1, wherein said rotatable locker comprises a threaded shank firmly attached to said locking end of a respective said top frame unit and an enlarged rotating bottom arranged to drive said thread shank to rotate, wherein said threaded shank is rotatably and fittedly engaged with an inner thread portion of said locking slot when said top frame unit is slidably passing therethrough.","3. The foldable frame, as recited in claim 2, wherein each said top frame unit is constructed by first and second tubular frame posts detachably connected each other wherein each said first frame post has a receiving end portion and each said second frame post has a connecting end portion, having a diameter slightly smaller than said receiving end portion of said first frame post into said receiving end portion of said first frame post so as to connect said first frame post with said second frame post to form said top frame unit.","4. The foldable frame, as recited in claim 3, wherein said top frame further comprises a blocking element movable and transversely penetrated through said connecting end portion of said second frame post and a resilient element disposed in said connecting end portion of said second frame post for applying an urging pressure on said blocking element so as to normally maintain a head portion of said blocking element exposed to an exterior of said second frame post in such a manner that when said connecting end portion of said second frame post is inserted into said receiving end portion of said first frame post, said head portion of said blocking element is inserted into a locker hole formed on said receiving end portion of said first frame post, so as to securely lock up said first frame post with said second frame post.","5. The foldable frame, as recited in claim 3, wherein said base frame comprises a pair of base support apparatus each comprising a pair of identical base support arms wherein an inward end of each base support arm is pivotally connected to a respective said base joint, and two coupling joints each for pivotally connecting an inward end of said base support arm of one said base support apparatus with an inward end of said base support arm of another said base supporting apparatus.","6. The foldable frame, as recited in claim 5, wherein each said coupling joint comprises a standing leg having a predetermined height extended downwardly adapted for steadily sitting on ground when said foldable frame is unfolded.","7. The foldable frame, as recited in claim 6, wherein each said base support apparatus further comprises an inner pillar firmly affixed between said two coupling joints and an outer pillar firmly affixed between two outward end portions of said base support arms wherein said two inner pillars and said two outer pillars are capable of retaining a shape of said foldable frame.","8. The foldable frame, as recited in claim 7, further comprising a boundary shelter supported by said foldable frame wherein said base joint further comprises an elongated element having an affixing end portion affixed to said two inner pillars and a pulling end portion extended through at least a slit formed on a bottom panel of said boundary shelter in such a manner that when said elongated element is pulled upwardly, said inward ends of said base support arms are arranged to pivotally move upward in opposite directions, so as to fold up said base frame in half.","9. The foldable frame, as recited in claim 2, wherein said base frame comprises a pair of base support apparatus each comprising a pair of identical base support arms wherein an inward end of each base support arm is pivotally connected to said respective base joint, and two coupling joints each for pivotally connecting an inward end of said base support arm of one said base support apparatus with an inward end of said base support arm of another said base supporting apparatus.","10. The foldable frame, as recited in claim 9, wherein each said coupling joint comprises a standing leg having a predetermined height extended downwardly adapted for steadily sitting on ground when said foldable frame is unfolded.","11. The foldable frame, as recited in claim 10, wherein each said base support apparatus further comprises an inner pillar firmly affixed between said two coupling joints and an outer pillar firmly affixed between two outward end portions of said base support arms wherein said two inner pillars and said two outer pillars are capable of retaining a shape of said foldable frame.","12. The foldable frame, as recited in claim 11, further comprising a boundary shelter supported by said foldable frame, wherein each said base joint further comprises an elongated element having an affixing end portion affixed to said two inner pillars and a pulling end portion extended through at least a slit formed on a bottom panel of said boundary shelter in such a manner that when said elongated element is pulled upwardly, said inward ends of said base support arms are arranged to pivotally move upward in opposite directions, so as to fold up said base frame in half.","13. The foldable frame, as recited in claim 1, wherein each said top frame unit is constructed by first and second tubular frame posts detachably connected to each other wherein each said first frame post has a receiving end portion and each said second frame post has a connecting end portion, having a diameter slightly smaller than said receiving end portion of said first frame post, fittedly inserted into said receiving end portion of said first frame post so as to connect said first frame post with said second frame post to form said top frame unit.","14. The foldable frame, as recited in claim 13, wherein said top frame further comprises a blocking element movable and transversely penetrated through said connecting end portion of said second frame post and a resilient element disposed in said connecting end portion of said second frame post for applying an urging pressure on said blocking element so as to normally maintain a head portion of said blocking element exposed to an exterior of said second frame post in such a manner that when said connecting end portion of said second frame post is inserted into said receiving end portion of said first frame post, said head portion of said blocking element is inserted into a locker hole formed on said receiving end portion of said first frame post, so as to securely lock up said first frame post with said second frame post.","15. The foldable frame, as recited in claim 1, wherein said base frame comprises a pair of base support apparatus each comprising a pair of identical base support arms wherein an inward end of each base support arm is pivotally connected to a respective said base joint, and two coupling joints each for pivotally connecting an inward end of said base support arm of one said base support apparatus with an inward end of said base support arm of another said base supporting apparatus.","16. The foldable frame as recited in claim 15, wherein each said coupling joint comprises a standing leg having a predetermined height extended downwardly adapted for steadily sitting on ground when said foldable frame is unfolded.","17. The foldable frame, as recited in claim 16, wherein each said base support apparatus further comprises an inner pillar firmly affixed between said two coupling joints and an outer pillar firmly affixed between two outward end portions of said base support arms wherein said two inner pillars and said two outer pillars are capable of retaining a shape of said foldable frame.","18. The foldable frame as recited in claim 17, further comprising a boundary shelter supported by said foldable frame, wherein each said base joint further comprises an elongated element having an affixing end portion affixed to said two inner pillars and a pulling end portion extended through at least a slit formed on a bottom panel of said boundary shelter in such a manner that when said elongated element is pulled upwardly, said inward ends of said base support arms are arranged to pivotally move upward in opposite directions, so as to fold up said base frame in half.","19. The foldable frame, as recited in claim 15, wherein each said base support apparatus further comprises an inner pillar firmly affixed between said two coupling joints and an outer pillar firmly affixed between two outward end portions of said base support arms wherein said two inner pillars and said two outer pillars are capable of retaining a sharp of said foldable frame.","20. The foldable frame, as recited in claim 19, further comprising a boundary shelter supported by said foldable frame wherein each said base joint further comprises an elongated element having an affixing end portion affixed to said two inner pillars and a pulling end portion extended through at least a slit formed on a bottom panel of said boundary shelter in such a manner that when said elongated element is pulled upwardly, said inward ends of said base support arms are arranged to pivotally move upward in opposite directions so as to fold up said base frame in half."],["1. A collapsible device, comprising:\na collapsible frame body including:\na continuous rail having at least first and second corner continuous rail joints that segment the continuous rail into segments, the continuous rail comprising at least first and second corners, wherein the first corner continuous rail joint is located at the first corner and the second corner continuous rail joint is located at a position offset and adjacent to the second corner, thereby allowing the continuous rail to transition between a first extended configuration in which the first and second corner continuous rail joints are in a plane and a first collapsed configuration in which the first and second corner continuous rail joints have folded in the plane such that the segments of the continuous rail are positioned adjacent each other;\na first extension extending from the continuous rail, the first extension including a first proximal part and a first distal part with a first extension joint positioned a first distance from the continuous rail and between the first proximal part and the first distal part, the first extension joint allowing the first extension to transition between a second collapsed configuration and a second extended configuration, wherein the second extended configuration includes the first proximal part being collinear with the first distal part, and wherein the second collapsed configuration includes the first proximal part being angled relative to the first distal part;\na second extension extending from the continuous rail, the second extension including a second proximal part and a second distal part with having a second extension joint positioned a second distance from the continuous rail and between the second proximal part and the second distal part, the first extension joint allowing the second extension to transition between a third collapsed configuration and a third extended configuration, wherein the third extended configuration includes the second proximal part being collinear with the second distal part, and wherein the third collapsed configuration includes the second proximal part being angled relative to the second distal part, and wherein the first distance is shorter than the second distance;\na flexible material component configured to reversibly secure to at least a part of the collapsible frame body and provide the at least partial containment; and\na foldable base configured to reversibly mate with the flexible material.","2. The device of claim 1, wherein the continuous rail is rectangular in shape with two opposing first rails and two opposing second rails with the first rails having a length that is longer than the second rails.","3. The device of claim 2, wherein each of the first rails include a first continuous rail joint which segment the first rails and allow the first rails to transition between a third collapsed configuration and a third extended configuration.","4. The device of claim 3, wherein the first continuous rail joints include a locking mechanism configured to be activated by a user and allow the user to lock and unlock the first continuous rail joints.","5. The device of claim 1, wherein a third corner includes a third corner continuous rail joint located at the third corner and a fourth corner includes a fourth corner continuous rail joint located at a position offset and adjacent to the fourth corner of the continuous rail.","6. The device of claim 1, wherein a distal end of the first extension and/or the second extension is configured to couple to a rocker adapter or an adaptable foot.","7. A method comprising;\nproviding a collapsible device that provides at least partial containment, wherein the collapsible device includes a collapsible frame body including:\na continuous rail having at least first and second corner continuous rail joints that segment the continuous rail into segments, the continuous rail comprising at least first and second corners, wherein the first corner continuous rail joint is located at the first corner, the second corner continuous rail joint is located at a position offset and adjacent to the second corner thereby allowing the continuous rail to transition between a first extended configuration in which the first and second corner continuous rail joints are in a plane and a first collapsed configuration in which the first and second corner continuous rail joints have folded in the plane such that the segments of the continuous rail are positioned adjacent to each other;\na first extension extending from the continuous rail, the first extension including a first proximal part and a first distal part with a first extension joint positioned a first distance from the continuous rail and between the first proximal part and the first distal part, the first extension joint allowing the first extension to transition between a second collapsed configuration and a second extended configuration, wherein the second extended configuration includes the first proximal part being collinear with the first distal part, and wherein the second collapsed configuration includes the first proximal part being angled relative to the first distal part;\na second extension extending from the continuous rail, the second extension including a second proximal part and a second distal part with having a second extension joint positioned a second distance from the continuous rail and between the second proximal part and the second distal part, the first extension joint allowing the second extension to transition between a third collapsed configuration and a third extended configuration, wherein the third extended configuration includes the second proximal part being collinear with the second distal part, and wherein the third collapsed configuration includes the second proximal part being angled relative to the second distal part, the first distance being shorter than the second distance;\na flexible material component configured to reversibly secure to at least a part of the collapsible frame body and provide the at least partial containment; and\na foldable base configured to reversibly mate with the flexible material.","8. The method of claim 7, wherein the continuous rail is rectangular in shape with two opposing first rails and two opposing second rails with the first rails having a length that is longer than the second rails.","9. The method of claim 8, wherein each of the first rails include a first continuous rail joint which segment the first rails and allow the first rails to transition between a third collapsed configuration and a third extended configuration.","10. The method of claim 9, wherein the first continuous rail joints include a locking mechanism configured to be activated by a user and allow the user to lock and unlock the first continuous rail joints.","11. The method of claim 7, wherein a third corner includes a third corner continuous rail joint located at the third corner and a fourth corner includes a fourth corner continuous rail joint located at a position offset and adjacent to the fourth corner of the continuous rail.","12. The method of claim 7, wherein a distal end of the first extension and/or the second extension is configured to couple to a rocker adapter or an adaptable foot."],["1. A foldable crib comprising a pair of U-shaped rim frame members; a pair of connecting means each pivoted at the two ends thereof to ends of different ones of said frame members; a pair of base members each having a shape conforming to the area enclosed by a respective one of said frame members; a pair of legs associated with each of said frame members; means for pivoting the upper end of each of said legs to a respective side of the associated frame member; link means associated with each of said legs; first means for pivoting one end of each link means to the associated leg and second means for pivoting the other end of each link means to the respective side of the associated frame member; means for coupling each of said base members to a pair of respective legs at points below the respective first pivoting means along said legs; flexible fabric means for providing end and side walls for the crib between said frame members and said base members; and hinge joint means positioned along each of said legs between the upper end thereof and the respective first pivoting means for allowing said legs to be selectively set in extended and folded positions; the lengths of said link means and the positions of said hinge joint means being such that (1) when said legs are in their extended positions each of said legs extends downwardly from said frame membeRs and outwardly from said connecting means, each of said link means extends upwardly and outwardly from the associated leg, and said frame members are substantially coplanar, and (2) when said legs are in their folded positions said frame members extend downwardly from said connecting means and are substantially parallel, and each of said link means is disposed below the respective hinge joint means and extends downwardly and outwardly from the respective leg to the respective side of the associated frame member.","2. A foldable crib in accordance with claim 1 wherein each of said hinge joint means is operative to allow the two parts of the respective leg on either side thereof to be rotated relative to each other through an angle of approximately 180 degrees.","3. A foldable crib in accordance with claim 1 further including means for hinging said base members together along facing edges thereof to permit said base members to be folded inwardly to face each other with said hinging means being raised when said legs are in their folded positions.","4. A foldable crib in accordance with claim 1 further including two cross-strut means each extended between the lower portions of the legs in a respective one of said pairs, and means for locking said cross-strut means adjacent to and parallel to each other when said legs are in their folded positions.","5. A foldable crib in accordance with claim 1 wherein each of said legs includes a pair of telescoping leg sections and means for locking said leg sections in at least two discrete telescoping positions.","6. A foldable crib in accordance with claim 1 wherein each of the coupling means for one of said base members includes a pair of links each pivoted at one end thereof to a respective side of said base member and pivoted at the other end thereof to one of the respective legs, and means fixed to each of said links at a point intermediate the ends thereof for gripping the respective leg at two separate positions therealong for two extreme rotated positions of said link relative to said leg whereby said base members may be maintained coplanar in two separate positions below said frame members when said legs are in their open positions.","7. A foldable crib in accordance with claim 1 wherein the coupling means for said base members include means for positioning said base members coplanar in two separate switchable positions below said frame members when said legs are in their open positions.","8. A foldable crib in accordance with claim 7 further including means for hinging said base members together along facing edges thereof to permit said base members to be folded inwardly to face each other with said hinging means being raised when said legs are in their folded positions.","9. A foldable crib in accordance with claim 7 wherein each of said hinge joint means is operative to allow the two parts of the respective leg on either side thereof to be rotated relative to each other through an angle of approximately 180 degrees.","10. A foldable crib in accordance with claim 7 wherein each of said legs includes a pair of telescoping leg sections and means for locking said leg sections in at least two discrete telescoping positions.","11. A foldable crib comprising a pair of rim frame members; means for joining said frame members in the configuration of a rim for the crib; a pair of base members each having a shape conforming to the area enclosed by a respective one of said frame members; a pair of legs associated with each of said frame members; means for pivoting the upper end of each of said legs to a respective side of the associated frame member; a pair of means for coupling each of said base members to a pair of respective legs; flexible fabric means for providing end and side walls for the crib between said frame members and said base members; hinge joint means positioned along each of said legs between the upper end thereof and the respective coupling means for allowing said legs to be selectively set in extended and Folded conditions; and means for maintaining said legs when they are in their extended conditions in positions which extend downwardly from said frame members and outwardly therefrom such that said frame members are substantially coplanar; said hinge joint means being operative when said legs are in their folded conditions to allow both of said frame members to extend downwardly with said base members being maintained vertically therebetween.","12. A foldable crib in accordance with claim 11 wherein each of said hinge joint means is operative to allow the two parts of the respective leg on either side thereof to be rotated relative to each other through an angle of approximately 180 degrees.","13. A foldable crib in accordance with claim 11 further including means for hinging said base members together along facing edges thereof to permit said base members to be folded inwardly to face each other with said hinging means being raised when said legs are in their folded conditions.","14. A foldable crib in accordance with claim 11 further including two cross-strut means each extended between the lower portions of the legs in a respective one of said parts, and means for locking said cross-strut means adjacent to and parallel to each other when said legs are in their folded conditions.","15. A foldable crib in accordance with claim 11 wherein each of said legs includes a pair of telescoping leg sections and means for locking said leg sections in at least two discrete telescoping positions.","16. A foldable crib in accordance with claim 11 wherein each of said coupling means for one of said base members includes a pair of links each pivoted at one end thereof to a respective side of said base member and pivoted at the other end thereof to one of the respective legs, and means fixed to each of said links at a point intermediate the ends thereof for gripping the respective leg at two separate positions therealong for two extreme rotated positions of said link relative to said leg whereby said base members may be maintained coplanar in two separate positions below said frame members when said legs are in their open conditions.","17. A foldable crib in accordance with claim 11 wherein the coupling means for said base members include means for positioning said base members coplanar in two separate switchable positions below said frame members when said legs are in their open conditions.","18. A foldable crib in accordance with claim 17 further including means for hinging said base members together along facing edges thereof to permit said base members to be folded inwardly to face each other with said hinging means being raised when said legs are in their folded conditions.","19. A foldable crib in accordance with claim 17 wherein each of said hinge joint means is operative to allow the two parts of the respective leg on either side thereof to be rotated relative to each other through an angle of approximately 180*.","20. A foldable crib in accordance with claim 17 wherein each of said legs includes a pair of telescoping leg sections and means for locking said leg sections in at least two discrete telescoping positions.","21. An adjustable crib comprising a pair of U-shaped rim frame members; means for connecting respective ends of different ones of said frame members; a pair of base members each having a shape conforming to the area enclosed by a respective one of said frame members; a pair of legs associated with each of said frame members; means for connecting each of said legs to a respective side of the associated frame member; means for maintaining each of said legs in a position extending downward from the associated frame member and outward from said connecting means; flexible fabric means for providing end and side walls for the crib between said frame members and said base members; and means for coupling each of said base members to a pair of respective legs; each of said coupling means including a pair of links each pivoted at one end thereof to a respectiVe side of said base member and pivoted at the other end thereof to one of the respective legs, and means fixed to each of said links at a point intermediate the ends thereof for engaging the respective leg at two separate positions therealong for two extreme rotated positions of said link relative to said leg whereby said base members may be maintained coplanar in two separate positions below said frame members.","22. An adjustable crib in accordance with claim 21 further including means for hinging said base members together along facing edges thereof.","23. An adjustable crib in accordance with claim 21 wherein each of said legs includes a pair of telescoping leg sections and means for locking said leg sections in at least two discrete telescoping positions.","24. An adjustable crib comprising a frame rim; floorboard means having a shape conforming to the area enclosed by said frame rim; a pair of legs associated with each end of said frame rim; means for connecting each of said legs to a respective side of the associated frame rim; means for maintaining each of said legs in a position extending downward from said frame rim and outward from the center thereof; flexible fabric means for providing end and side walls for the crib between said frame rim and said floorboard means; means for coupling each end of said floorboard means to a pair of respective legs; each of said coupling means including a pair of links each pivoted at a first end thereof to a respective side of said floorboard means at one end thereof and pivoted at a second end thereof to one of the respective legs, and means fixed to each of said links at a point intermediate the ends thereof for engaging the respective leg at two separate positions therealong for two extreme rotated positions of said link relative to said leg whereby said floorboard means may be set in two separate positions below said frame members; and means for permitting said floorboard means to be moved manually between said two positions but to be maintained fixed in each of said positions after being set therein.","25. An adjustable crib in accordance with claim 24 wherein each of said legs includes a pair of telescoping leg sections and means for locking said leg sections in at least two discrete telescoping positions."],["1. A collapsible playpen comprising:\nan upper frame assembly having four sides, the four sides including a first and a second side opposite to each other that respectively have a first and a second coupling bracket, and a third and a fourth side opposite to each other that are respectively contiguous to the first and second sides;\nfour standing legs having lower end portions respectively provided a plurality of foot members, the four standing legs including a first and a second standing leg respectively coupled with the upper frame assembly via a first and a second leg linkage that are assembled with the first coupling bracket, and a third and a fourth standing leg respectively coupled with the upper frame assembly via a third and a fourth leg linkage that are assembled with the second coupling bracket; and\na bottom linkage assembly connected with the foot members of the four standing legs.","2. The playpen according to claim 1, wherein the third and fourth sides of the upper frame assembly are free of leg linkages.","3. The playpen according to claim 1, wherein the first and second coupling brackets are respectively disposed at a middle of the first and second side of the upper frame assembly.","4. The playpen according to claim 1, wherein the upper frame assembly includes a first and a second frame subassembly each of which having two opposite ends respectively connected with the first and second coupling brackets, each of the first and second frame subassemblies forming a cantilever projecting from the first and second coupling brackets when the playpen is in an unfolded state.","5. The playpen according to claim 4, wherein at least one of the first and second frame subassemblies includes two side segments coupled with each other via a hinge, and two end segments respectively coupled with the two side segments via two corner brackets, the two end segments being further respectively coupled with the first and second coupling brackets.","6. The playpen according to claim 4, wherein the first and second leg linkages respectively include a plurality of first and second linking members that are assembled according to a cross-shaped geometry, the first leg linkage coupling the first frame subassembly with the first standing leg, and the second leg linkage coupling the second frame subassembly with the second standing leg.","7. The playpen according to claim 4, wherein the first coupling bracket includes a guide slot and is respectively connected with the first frame subassembly and the first standing leg via a first and a second pivot connection, and the first leg linkage includes:\na first linking member affixed with the first frame subassembly;\na second linking member connected with the first linking member via a third pivot connection; and\na third linking member affixed with the first standing leg and connected with the second linking member via a fourth pivot connection, the fourth pivot connection being guided for sliding movement along the guide slot of the first coupling bracket.","8. The playpen according to claim 7, wherein when the playpen is in an unfolded state, the third and fourth pivot connections are located at two sides of a vertical axis intersecting the first pivot connection.","9. The playpen according to claim 7, wherein when the playpen is in an unfolded state, the second, third and fourth pivot connections define three distinct apexes of a triangle, the apex of the fourth pivot connection being located at an underside of a line joining the respective apexes of the second and third pivot connections.","10. The playpen according to claim 1, wherein the lower end portions of the four standing legs are respectively connected pivotally with the foot members.","11. The playpen according to claim 10, wherein the bottom linkage assembly includes a central hub, and four bar segments that are coupled with the central hub and are respectively connected pivotally with the foot members of the four standing legs.","12. The playpen according to claim 11, wherein at least one of the four bar segments that is coupled with the first standing leg has an impeding protrusion, the impeding protrusion being movable along with the bar segment between a locking position engaged with the first standing leg and a release position disengaged from the first standing leg, the impeding protrusion being in the locking position for preventing relative rotation between the first standing leg and the foot member coupled therewith when the playpen is in an unfolded state.","13. The playpen according to claim 11, wherein each of the four bar segments has an end portion, and the central hub includes:\na hub housing respectively connected pivotally with the four bar segments, the end portions of the bar segments being received at least partially in the hub housing;\na handle having a guide slot and pivotally connected with the hub housing via a fifth pivot connection;\na latch assembled with the hub housing for sliding movement along a displacement axis, the latch contacting with the end portions of the bar segments at an upper side thereof to keep the bar segments in an unfolded state; and\na lever in sliding contact with the latch, the lever being respectively connected pivotally with the hub housing and the handle via a sixth and a seventh pivot connection, the seventh pivot connection being guided for sliding displacement along the guide slot of the handle.","14. The playpen according to claim 13, wherein the handle closes an upper opening of the hub housing when the playpen is in an unfolded state.","15. The playpen according to claim 13, wherein the hub housing is affixed with a shaft portion, and the latch is guided for sliding displacement along the shaft portion.","16. The playpen according to claim 15, wherein the lever is pivotally connected with the shaft portion.","17. The playpen according to claim 13, wherein when the playpen is in an unfolded state, the fifth, sixth and seventh pivot connections define three distinct apexes of a triangle, the apex of the sixth pivot connection being located above a line joining the respective apexes of the fifth and seventh pivot connections.","18. The playpen according to claim 17, wherein the latch is connected with a spring, the lever being rotated by the latch biased by an action of the spring in a direction for keeping the apex of the sixth pivot connection above the line joining the respective apexes of the fifth and seventh pivot connections when the playpen is in the unfolded state, whereby locking the four bar segments in a substantially horizontal configuration.","19. A playpen comprising:\nan upper frame assembly including a first and a second frame subassembly that are respectively connected with a first and a second coupling bracket, the first frame subassembly having a first and a second end opposite to each other, and the second frame subassembly having a third and a fourth end opposite to each other;\nfour standing legs having lower ends respectively provided with foot members, the four standing legs including a first and a second standing leg respectively coupled with the first end of the first frame subassembly and the third end of the second frame subassembly via a first and a second leg linkage that are assembled with the first coupling bracket, and a third and a fourth standing leg respectively coupled with the second end of the first frame subassembly and the fourth end of the second frame subassembly via a third and a fourth leg linkage that are assembled with the second coupling bracket; and\na bottom linkage assembly respectively connected with the foot members of the four standing legs;\nwherein when the playpen is in an unfolded state, the first and second frame subassemblies form two cantilevers oppositely projecting from the first and second coupling brackets so as to respectively bias each of the first through fourth leg linkages to a geometric configuration for maintaining the unfolded state.","20. The playpen according to claim 19, wherein the first frame subassembly includes two side segments coupled with each other via a hinge, and two end segments respectively coupled with the two side segments via two corner brackets, the two end segments being further respectively coupled with the first and third leg linkages.","21. The playpen according to claim 19, wherein the first and second leg linkages respectively include a plurality of first linking members and a plurality of second linking members that are assembled according to a cross-shaped geometry, the first leg linkage coupling the first frame subassembly with the first standing leg, and the second leg linkage coupling the second frame subassembly with the second standing leg.","22. The playpen according to claim 19, wherein the first coupling bracket includes a guide slot and is respectively connected with the first frame subassembly and the first standing leg via a first and a second pivot connection, and the first leg linkage includes:\na first linking member affixed with the first frame subassembly;\na second linking member connected with the first linking member via a third pivot connection; and\na third linking member affixed with the first standing leg and connected with the second linking member via a fourth pivot connection, the fourth pivot connection being guided for sliding movement along the guide slot of the first coupling bracket.","23. The playpen according to claim 22, wherein the second frame subassembly and the second standing leg are respectively connected pivotally with the first coupling bracket, the second frame subassembly and the second standing leg being coupled with each other via three other linking members that are assembled symmetrically to the first through third linking members.","24. The playpen according to claim 22, wherein when the playpen is in an unfolded state, the second, third and fourth pivot connections define three distinct apexes of a triangle, the apex of the fourth pivot connection being located at an underside of a line joining the respective apexes of the second and third pivot connections.","25. A playpen comprising:\na plurality of standing legs coupled with an upper frame assembly via a plurality of leg linkage assemblies; and\na bottom linkage assembly connected with a plurality of foot members respectively provided at lower ends of the standing legs, wherein the bottom linkage assembly includes:\na plurality of bar segments respectively connected pivotally with the foot members of the standing legs;\na hub housing respectively connected pivotally with the bar segments, the bar segments having end portions received at least partially in the hub housing, the bar segments being rotatable relative to the hub housing between a folded and an unfolded configuration;\na handle having a guide slot and pivotally connected with the hub housing via a first pivot connection;\na latch assembled with the hub housing for sliding movement, the latch contacting with the end portions of the bar segments at an upper side thereof to maintain the bar segments in the unfolded state; and\na lever connected with the latch, the lever further being respectively connected pivotally with the hub housing and the handle via a second and a third pivot connection, the third pivot connection being guided for sliding displacement along the guide slot of the handle.","26. The playpen according to claim 25, wherein when the playpen is unfolded for use, the first through third pivot connections define three distinct apexes of a triangle, the apex of the second pivot connection being located above a line joining the respective apexes of the first and third pivot connections.","27. The playpen according to claim 26, wherein when the playpen is unfolded for use, the lever contacts with the latch at a location below the line joining the respective apexes of the first and third pivot connections.","28. The playpen according to claim 27, wherein the latch is connected with a spring, and when the playpen is unfolded, the lever is rotationally biased by an action of the spring in a direction for keeping the apex of the second pivot connection above the line joining the respective apexes of the first and third pivot connections.","29. The playpen according to claim 25, wherein the handle closes an upper opening of the hub housing when the bar segments are in the unfolded configuration.","30. The playpen according to claim 25, wherein the hub housing is affixed with a shaft portion, and the latch is guided for sliding displacement along the shaft portion.","31. The playpen according to claim 30, wherein the lever is pivotally connected with the shaft portion."],["1. A play yard for holding an infant or child, comprising:\nan upper rail assembly comprising a plurality of upper rails;\na base assembly;\na side structure connecting said upper rail assembly and said base assembly; and\na mattress positioned above and separated from the base assembly, the mattress comprising a substantially planar surface comprising a breathable material, wherein an interior space is formed between the mattress and at least part of the base assembly, said mattress comprising the top of said interior space, said interior space configured to be substantially void;\nwherein said upper rail assembly, said side structure, said mattress, and said base assembly define a substantially rectangular enclosure.","2. The play yard of claim 1, wherein said base assembly further comprises at least one base arm connected to said side structure, said at least one base arm extending internally from said side structure and positioned below and at least partially separated from said mattress to form said interior space.","3. The play yard of claim 1, wherein said base assembly further comprises a plurality of base arms and a hub assembly, said hub assembly positioned within said play yard, said plurality of base arms connected to said side structure and said hub assembly, said hub assembly and said plurality of base arms positioned below said mattress to form said interior space.","4. The play yard of claim 1, wherein said upper rail assembly is configured to collapse said play yard to a collapsed state, and further comprises a plurality of lower rails positioned beneath and substantially parallel to the plurality of upper rails, wherein as the play yard is collapsed the plurality of lower rails remain substantially parallel to the plurality of upper rails.","5. The play yard of claim 4, wherein said upper rail assembly further comprises at least one lateral connector and at least two corner connectors, wherein said plurality of upper rails further comprises a left upper rail and a right upper rail each pivotally coupled to said at least one lateral connector, said left upper rail and said right upper rail each pivotally coupled to a corner connector of said at least two corner connectors;\nwherein said upper rail assembly is configured such that as the at least one lateral connector is urged downwards, the at least one lateral connector and the at least two corner connectors remain substantially parallel to a plane, and said left upper rail and said right upper rail move symmetrically.","6. The play yard of claim 1, wherein the base assembly further comprises a hub assembly, the hub assembly comprising:\na release button;\nat least one sliding pin in communication with at least one of said plurality of base arms and said release button;\nwherein manipulating said release button creates a space within said hub assembly for said at least one sliding pin to enter, allowing said plurality of base arms to pivot with respect to said hub assembly and said side structure.","7. The play yard of claim 1, wherein the breathable material comprises mesh.","8. The play yard of claim 1, further comprising a base fabric positioned above the base assembly and configured to receive the mattress.","9. The play yard of claim 8, wherein the base fabric comprises a pocket sized to accommodate a structural component of the mattress.","10. A collapsible mattress for a play yard, comprising:\na mattress frame, said mattress frame comprising a plurality of mattress arms pivotally connected to one another to form a rectangular shape;\na fabric bedding connected to said mattress frame to define a substantially planar surface for placing an infant or child; and\na tensioner in communication with said mattress frame, said tensioner positioned below and substantially not in contact with said fabric bedding, said tensioner configured to provide a sufficient force against the interior of said mattress frame to prevent said mattress frame from collapsing and to support an infant or child placed thereon.","11. The collapsible mattress for a play yard of claim 10, further comprising a plurality of modular legs in communication with the mattress frame to allow for usage of the mattress as a cot.","12. The collapsible mattress for a play yard of claim 10, further comprising a first lateral connector linearly connecting at least two of said plurality of mattress arms, wherein said tensioner is in communication with said first lateral connector to provide outward force against the interior of said mattress frame.","13. The collapsible mattress for a play yard of claim 12, wherein said tensioner comprises a tube having an end connected to said first lateral connector.","14. The collapsible mattress for a play yard of claim 13, further comprising a second lateral connector spaced opposite from said first lateral connector, said second lateral connector linearly connecting at least two of said plurality of mattress arms, wherein an opposite end of said tube is connected to said second lateral connector, wherein said tube is configured to extend between said first lateral connector and said second lateral connector to provide outward force against the interior of said mattress frame.","15. A collapsible play yard for receiving an infant or child, comprising:\nan upper rail assembly, said upper rail assembly comprising a plurality of horizontal upper rails;\na side structure connected to said upper rail assembly, said side structure comprising a plurality of vertical posts; and\na mattress positioned on the interior of said side structure, said mattress and said side structure configured such that said mattress provides outward force against the interior of said side structure to prevent said play yard from collapsing.","16. The collapsible play yard of claim 15, further comprising a base assembly in communication with said side structure, said base assembly further comprising a hub assembly.","17. The collapsible play yard of claim 15, wherein said plurality of vertical posts are positioned at corners of said play yard, wherein said mattress and said plurality of vertical posts are configured such that the corners of said mattress provides sufficient outward force against said plurality of vertical posts to prevent said play yard from collapsing.","18. The collapsible play yard of claim 16, further comprising at least one mattress connector, said at least one mattress connector connected to at least one post of said plurality of vertical posts and configured to receive a corner of said mattress.","19. The collapsible play yard of claim 15, wherein said upper rail assembly further comprises at least one lateral connector and at least two corner connectors, wherein said plurality of horizontal upper rails further comprises a left upper rail and a right upper rail each pivotally coupled to said at least one lateral connector, said left upper rail and said right upper rail each pivotally coupled to a corner connector of said at least two corner connectors;\nwherein said upper rail assembly is configured such that as the at least one lateral connector is urged downwards, the at least one lateral connector and the at least two corner connectors remain substantially parallel to a plane, and said left upper rail and said right upper rail move symmetrically.","20. The collapsible play yard of claim 15, wherein said side structure comprises a relaxed position in which each of said plurality of vertical posts are angled inwards towards a center of said play yard;\nwherein said mattress positioned on the interior of said side structure urges said plurality of vertical posts away from said relaxed position, causing the plurality of vertical posts to become substantially perpendicular to said upper rail assembly."],["1. A multi-purpose convertible play yard convertibly adapted for use as a bassinet, changing table or bedside co-sleeper comprising:\na rigid first enclosure having an open top, a floor, a front wall, a back wall, a first side wall and a second side wall, said first side wall having a top edge; said first enclosure having a first height, said first height established by the top edge of said first side wall;\na second enclosure, said second enclosure being sized to fit substantially within the first enclosure and having an open top, a back wall, a front wall, first and second side walls and a bottom;\nmeans for removably supporting said second enclosure within the first enclosure;\na rigid frame, said rigid frame supporting the floor, the front wall, the back wall, the first side wall and the second side wall of said first enclosure, said frame being formed adjacent the top by a rear upper horizontal rail orthogonally connected to first and second upper side horizontal rails, and being formed adjacent the floor by front and rear lower parallel horizontal rails orthogonally connected to first side and second side lower parallel horizontal rails, said upper and lower horizontal rails being orthogonally connected by first and second front vertical rails and a pair of rear vertical rails disposed at ends of said horizontal rails, said front vertical rails having an upper end and a lower end;\na rigid panel, said rigid panel having upper and lower edges, first and second side edges and extending from said first front vertical rail to said second front vertical rail and extending downwardly from the upper end of said front vertical rails for a second predetermined distance; said rigid panel being hingedly attached at its lower edge to said first and second front vertical rails;\nmeans for removably securing the first and second side edges of said rigid panel in a closed position, wherein said closed position, said first and second side edges of said rigid panel substantially parallel to said first and second front vertical rails;\na securing strap assembly for securing the play yard to a parental bed;\nwherein said front wall is formed of flexible material and extends from a point below the lower edge of said rigid panel to said front lower horizontal rail and from said first front vertical rail to said second front vertical rail;\nwhereby, when the rigid panel is in the closed position and the second enclosure is supported by the supporting means, the play yard is usable as a bassinet; and wherein, when the rigid panel is not in the closed position, the play yard is usable as a changing table; and further, when the securing strap assembly is properly positioned and the play yard is secured to the parental bed the play yard may serve as a co-sleeper.","2. A multi-purpose convertible play yard adapted for use as a bassinet, changing table or bedside co-sleeper as described in claim 1, wherein the means for removably securing the first and second side edges of said rigid panel adjacent the upper ends of said front vertical rails further comprises: first and second threaded orifices, said threaded orifices being disposed adjacent the upper ends of the first and second front vertical rails and facing toward said rigid panel; first and second threaded fasteners, said threaded fasteners being sized and shaped to threadedly engage said threaded orifices and being rotatably mounted to holes adjacent the upper edge and first and second side edges of said rigid panel, said holes disposed to allow said threaded fasteners to removably engage said threaded orifices; and whereby, when said threaded fasteners are rotated to engage said threaded orifices, said rigid panel will be secured to said front vertical rails thereby forming a rigid enclosure with walls of equal height and when said threaded fasteners are rotated to disengage from said threaded orifices, said rigid panel will be lowered to provide a rigid enclosure having one lowered wall.","3. A multi-purpose convertible play yard adapted for use as a bassinet, changing table or bedside co-sleeper as described in claim 1, wherein the means for removably securing the rigid panel to the front vertical rails further comprises: at least two threaded orifices, said threaded orifices being disposed upon the first and second front vertical rails and facing toward said rigid panel; at least two threaded fasteners, said threaded fasteners being sized and shaped to threadedly engage said threaded orifices and being rotatably mounted to holes adjacent the first and second side edges of said rigid panel, said holes disposed to allow said threaded fasteners to removably engage said threaded orifices; and whereby, when said threaded fasteners are rotated to engage said threaded orifices, said rigid panel will be secured to said front vertical rails thereby forming a rigid enclosure with walls of equal height and when said threaded fasteners are rotated to disengage from said threaded orifices, said rigid panel will be removed to provide a first enclosure having one lowered wall.","4. A multi-purpose convertible play yard adapted for use as a bassinet, changing table or bedside co-sleeper as described in claim 1, further comprising:\nfirst and second receiving tracks, said receiving tracks being disposed upon said first and second front vertical rails and facing inwardly toward each other; said receiving tracks extending downwardly from the upper ends of said front vertical rails;\nwherein said rigid panel is sized and shaped to fit slidably between said first and second receiving tracks.","5. A multi-purpose convertible play yard adapted for use as a bassinet, changing table or bedside co-sleeper as described in claim 4, wherein the means for maintaining said rigid panel at the first upper position, with the upper edge of said panel adjacent the upper ends of said front vertical rails further comprises: a pair of retaining holes, said retaining holes penetrating said first and second side edges of said rigid panel;\na pair of clearance holes, said clearance holes penetrating said receiving tracks so as to align with said retaining holes in said rigid panel when said panel is disposed in a first upper position with its upper edge adjacent the upper ends of said front vertical rails;\na pair of spring-loaded pins, said pins disposed upon said first and second receiving tracks so that said pins will engage said retaining holes when the rigid panel is in the first upper position; and\nwhereby, when the spring-loaded pins are retracted, the rigid panel will fall in said receiving tracks to a second, lowered position.","6. A multi-purpose convertible play yard adapted for use as a bassinet, changing table or bedside co-sleeper as described in claim 1, further comprising means for removably securing the rigid panel to the first enclosure.","7. A multi-purpose convertible play yard adapted for use as a bassinet, changing table or bedside co-sleeper as described in claim 6, wherein the means for removably securing the rigid panel to the first enclosure further comprises:\nat least two threaded orifices, said threaded orifices being disposed upon the first and second front vertical rails and facing toward said rigid panel;\nat least two threaded fasteners, said threaded fasteners being sized and shaped to threadedly engage said threaded orifices and being rotatably mounted to holes adjacent the first and second side edges of said rigid panel, said holes disposed to allow said threaded fasteners to removably engage said threaded orifices; and\nwhereby, when said threaded fasteners are rotated to engage said threaded orifices, said rigid panel will be secured to said front vertical rails thereby forming a rigid first enclosure with walls of equal height and when said threaded fasteners are rotated to disengage from said threaded orifices, said rigid panel will be removed to provide a first enclosure having one lowered wall.","8. A multi-purpose convertible play yard adapted for use as a bassinet, changing table or bedside co-sleeper as described in claim 1, further comprising first and second positioning arms, said positioning arms having first and second ends, being pivotally mounted at their first ends to said first and second upper side horizontal rails and being pivotally mounted at their second ends to said first and second side edges of said rigid panel; said rigid panel being movable from a first, lowered position wherein the upper edge of the rigid panel is disposed adjacent the upper ends of said front vertical rails, to a second, raised position wherein the upper edge of the rigid panel is disposed adjacent the rear upper horizontal rail;\nmeans for securing said rigid panel in either of said first and second positions;\nwhereby, when said rigid panel is secured in said closed position, all of the walls of the play yard will be of similar height and when said rigid panel is secured in said second, raised position, the play yard will have a lowered front wall and be suitable for use as either of a changing table and a co-sleeper.","9. A multi-purpose convertible play yard adapted for use as a bassinet, changing table or bedside co-sleeper as described in claim 8, wherein the means for securing the rigid panel in either of the first and second positions further comprises: first and second threaded orifices, said first and second threaded orifices being disposed upon the first and second front vertical rails and facing toward said rigid panel when said rigid panel is disposed in said first, lowered position;\nthird and fourth threaded orifices, said third and fourth threaded orifices being disposed upon the first and second rear vertical rails and facing toward said rigid panel when said rigid panel is disposed in said second, raised position; at least two threaded fasteners, said threaded fasteners being sized and shaped to threadedly engage said threaded orifices and being rotatably mounted to holes adjacent the first and second side edges of said rigid panel, said holes disposed to allow said threaded fasteners to removably engage said threaded orifices; and\nwhereby, when said threaded fasteners are rotated to engage said first and second threaded orifices, said rigid panel will be secured to said front vertical rails in the closed position and when said threaded fasteners are rotated to engage said third and fourth threaded orifices, said rigid panel may be secured to the rear vertical rails.","10. A multi-purpose convertible play yard convertibly adapted for use as a bassinet, changing table or bedside co-sleeper comprising:\na first enclosure having an open top, a floor, a front wall, and a first side wall and a second side wall, said first side wall and said second side wall each having a front edge and a top edge, said front edge connecting said first side wall and said second side wall to said front wall;\na rigid frame, said rigid frame supporting the first enclosure and having a lower front rail, a first vertical rail and a second vertical rail, said first and second vertical rails each having an upper end and a lower end, said first vertical rail being positioned adjacent said front edge of said first side wall and said second vertical rail being positioned adjacent to said front edges of said second side wall, a rigid panel, said rigid panel said rigid panel being selectively positionable between said first and said second vertical rails to form a closed position, said rigid panel having an upper and a lower edge and first and second side edges, said rigid panel extending from said first front vertical rail to said second front vertical rail and extending downwardly from the upper ends of said front vertical rails for a first distance when in said closed position;\nrigid panel retainers for selectively securing said rigid panel to said frame in said closed position;\na second enclosure, said second enclosure being sized to fit substantially within the first enclosure and having an open top and a bottom;\nan inner support, said inner support supporting the bottom of the second enclosure at a height above the height of the floor of the first enclosure; and\na securing strap assembly for securing the play yard to a parental bed;\nwherein said front wall extends upward from said front lower rail to at least a point adjacent the lower edge of said rigid panel when said rigid panel is in said closed position, and further extending from said first front vertical rail to said second front vertical rail;\nwhereby, when the second enclosure is supported by the inner support and the rigid panel is in a closed position and the second enclosure is supported by the inner support, the play yard is usable as a bassinet; and\nwherein, when the rigid panel is moved from the closed position, the play yard is usable as a changing table; and further, when the securing strap assembly is properly positioned and the play yard is secured to the parental bed the play yard may serve as a co-sleeper.","11. A multi-purpose convertible play yard convertibly adapted for use as a bassinet, changing table or bedside co-sleeper according to claim 10, wherein said rigid panel is hingedly attached to said rigid frame, said hinged attachment allowing said rigid panel to rotate about an axis parallel and adjacent to said lower edge of said rigid panel; said first enclosure further comprising rigid panel attachments selectively securing said first and second side edges of said rigid panel adjacent the first and second vertical rails to retain said rigid panel in said closed position.","12. A multi-purpose convertible play yard adapted for use as a bassinet, changing table or bedside co-sleeper as described in claim 11, wherein the rigid panel attachments comprises:\nfirst and second threaded orifices, said threaded orifices being disposed adjacent the upper ends of the first and second front vertical rails and facing toward said rigid panel;\nfirst and second threaded fasteners, said threaded fasteners being sized and shaped to threadedly engage said threaded orifices and being rotatably mounted to holes adjacent the upper edge and first and second side edges of said rigid panel, said holes disposed to allow said threaded fasteners to removably engage said threaded orifices; and\nwhereby, when said threaded fasteners are rotated to engage said threaded orifices, said rigid panel will be secured to said front vertical rails in a closed position.","13. A multi-purpose convertible play yard adapted for use as a bassinet, changing table or bedside co-sleeper as described in claim 10, further comprising:\nfirst and second receiving tracks, said receiving tracks being disposed upon said first and second vertical rails and facing inwardly toward each other;\nsaid receiving tracks extending from the upper ends of said front vertical rails downwardly;\nwherein said rigid panel is sized and shaped to fit slidably between said first and second receiving tracks; and\nwherein when said rigid panel is disposed between said first and second receiving tracks, said rigid panel may be positioned at an upper extent of said receiving tracks to be disposed in said closed position.","14. A multi-purpose convertible play yard adapted for use as a bassinet, changing table or bedside co-sleeper as described in claim 13, wherein the rigid panel retainers for maintaining said rigid panel at said closed position comprise:\na pair of retaining holes, said retaining holes penetrating said first and second side edges of said rigid panel;\na pair of clearance holes, said clearance holes penetrating said receiving tracks so as to align with said retaining holes in said rigid panel when said panel is in said closed position;\na pair of spring-loaded pins, said pins disposed upon said first and second receiving tracks so that said pins will engage said retaining holes when the rigid panel is in said closed position; and\nwhereby, when the spring-loaded pins are retracted, the rigid panel may be translated within said receiving tracks to an open position.","15. A multi-purpose convertible play yard adapted for use as a bassinet, changing table or bedside co-sleeper as described in claim 12, further comprising a rigid panel attachment, said rigid panel attachment comprising:\nat least two threaded orifices, said threaded orifices being disposed upon the first and second front vertical rails and facing toward said rigid panel;\nat least two threaded fasteners, said threaded fasteners being sized and shaped to threadedly engage said threaded orifices and being rotatably mounted to holes adjacent the first and second side edges of said rigid panel, said holes disposed to allow said threaded fasteners to removably engage said threaded orifices; and\nwhereby, when said threaded fasteners are rotated to engage said threaded orifices, said rigid panel will be secured to said front vertical rails thereby forming a rigid first enclosure with walls of equal height and when said threaded fasteners are rotated to disengage from said threaded orifices, said rigid panel may be removed to provide a rigid first enclosure having one lowered wall.","16. A multi-purpose convertible play yard adapted for use as a bassinet, changing table or bedside co-sleeper as described in claim 10, further comprising:\nfirst and second positioning arms, said positioning arms having first and second ends, being pivotally mounted at their first ends to said first and second upper side horizontal rails and being pivotally mounted at their second ends to said first and second side edges of said rigid panel;\nwherein said rigid panel being is movable from a closed position, to an open position wherein the upper edge of the rigid panel is disposed adjacent the rear upper horizontal rail;\nwhereby, when said rigid panel is in said closed position, all of the walls of the play yard will be of similar height."],["1. A combination crib comprising:\na cabinet panel;\nan end panel;\na vertically adjustable, removable board for supporting a mattress, the board being horizontally secured between the cabinet panel and the end panel;\na bottom panel for supporting the board being horizontally secured between the cabinet panel and the end panel;\na pair of opposed confronting side rails having a plurality of slats arranged in a row, each slat being different in size than the size of the adjacent slat, each pair of slats having different spacing between the slats than the spacing of the slats in the adjacent pair of slats;\na changing table being hidden inside the cabinet panel being connected to a damper assembly, the damper assembly adapted for opening the changing table with a damped motion; and\na control mechanism being adapted for actuating the changing table and being located on one outer surface of the cabinet panel.","2. A combination crib comprising:\na cabinet;\na changing table being hidden inside the cabinet, the changing table being adapted to be opened and closed with a damped motion; and\na plurality of rails having a plurality of slats, each slat being variedly sized and variedly spaced from each other.","3. A combination crib comprising:\na cabinet;\na changing table being hidden inside the cabinet, the changing table being adapted to be opened and closed with a damped motion;\nthe cabinet panel having irregularly shaped lateral sides that are adapted to complement the shape of the changing table in a closed position wherein the lateral sides of the changing table are significantly open; and\na plurality of rails having a plurality of slats, each slat being variedly sized and variedly spaced from each other.","4. A combination crib according to claim 1, comprising:\na cabinet;\na hidden changing table being hidden inside the cabinet, the table being adapted to be actuated using a button.","5. A crib according to claim 1, wherein the end panel comprises:\na cabinet;\na changing table being hidden inside the cabinet being connected to a damper assembly, the damper assembly being adapted for opening the changing table with a damped motion; and\na control mechanism being hidden inside the cabinet adapted for actuating the changing table being located on one outer surface of the cabinet.","6. A combination crib according to claim 1, comprising:\na cabinet panel;\nan end rail and a pair of opposed confronting side rails having a plurality of slats arranged in a row, each slat being different in size than the size of the adjacent slat, each pair of slats having different spacing between the slats than the spacing of the slats in the adjacent pair of slats;\na vertically adjustable, removable board for supporting a mattress, the board being horizontally secured between the cabinet panel and the end panel;\na bottom panel for supporting the board being horizontally secured between the cabinet panel and the end panel;\na changing table being hidden inside the cabinet panel being connected to a damper assembly, the damper assembly adapted for opening the changing table with a damped motion; and\na control mechanism hidden inside the cabinet panel adapted for actuating the changing table being located on an outer surface of the cabinet panel.","7. A crib according to claim 1, wherein the damper assembly comprises an elastomeric damper.","8. A crib according to claims 1 and 5, where in the damper assembly comprises an electronically activated damper.","9. A crib according to claims 1 and 5, wherein the control mechanism is a button activatable in response to pressure.","10. A crib according to claim 1, wherein crib is readily convertible into a desk when the side rails, the bottom panel, the end panel are removed.","11. A crib according to claim 1, wherein crib is readily convertible into a desk when the side rails, the bottom panel, the end rail are removed.","12. A crib according to claim 1, wherein the cabinet panel comprises at least a door and a shelf.","13. A crib according to claim 1 that further comprises at least a drawer adapted to be slid underneath the bottom panel.","14. A crib according to claim 1, wherein the crib is convertible to at least one other article of furniture selected from the group consisting of a day bed, a playing table, a bedside sleeper and a dressing table."],["1. A child bassinet comprising:\na support frame supporting an enclosure, the support frame and the enclosure delimiting at least partially an interior space for receiving a child; and\na playpen coupling mechanism provided on the support frame and operable to engage with and disengage from a playpen for installation and removal of the child bassinet on the playpen, the playpen coupling mechanism including a first catching part and a second catching part respectively connected with the support frame at two vertically spaced-apart locations, the first catching part being engageable with a playpen for installing the child bassinet on the playpen at a first height above a bottom of the playpen, and the second catching part being engageable with the playpen for installing the child bassinet on the playpen at a second height above the bottom of the playpen that is different from the first height, wherein the second catching part is movable relative to the support frame between a first position and a second position, the first position disabling engagement of the second catching part with a playpen, and the second position allowing engagement of the second catching part with a playpen.","2. The child bassinet according to claim 1, wherein the first catching part is disposed at a first location on the support frame, and the second catching part is disposed at a second location on the support frame below the first catching part.","3. The child bassinet according to claim 1, wherein the first catching part is fixedly connected with the support frame.","4. The child bassinet according to claim 3, wherein the first catching part and the second catching part protrude from the support frame in a same direction when the second catching part is in the second position.","5. The child bassinet according to claim 3, wherein the first catching part and the second catching part respectively protrude from the support frame in two different directions when the second catching part is in the first position.","6. The child bassinet according to claim 1, wherein the second catching part is connected with an upright frame portion of the support frame, and is movable substantially perpendicular to the upright frame portion between the first and second position.","7. The child bassinet according to claim 1, wherein the second catching part is pivotally connected with an upright frame portion of the support frame.","8. The child bassinet according to claim 7, wherein the second catching part is rotatable relative to the upright frame portion about a pivot axis that is substantially vertical, and has a downwardly facing surface between the pivot axis and a distal end of the second catching part, the second catching part being engageable with a playpen with the downwardly facing surface in contact with the playpen.","9. The child bassinet according to claim 7, wherein the second catching part is rotatable relative to the upright frame portion about a pivot axis that is substantially horizontal, and has a distal end distant from the pivot axis, the second catching part being engageable with a playpen with the distal end in contact with the playpen.","10. The child bassinet according to claim 9, wherein the upright frame portion includes a recess, the distal end of the second catching part being received in the recess in the first position and protruding outside the recess in the second position.","11. The child bassinet according to claim 1, wherein the support frame includes an upright frame portion, and the first and second catching parts are respectively connected with the upright frame portion.","12. A child care apparatus comprising:\na playpen having an upper frame portion; and\nthe child bassinet according to claim 1, installable on the upper frame portion of the playpen.","13. A child bassinet comprising:\na support frame supporting an enclosure, the support frame and the enclosure delimiting at least partially an interior space for receiving a child, the support frame including a rigid post disposed at a corner of the child bassinet; and\na playpen coupling mechanism provided on the support frame and operable to engage with and disengage from a playpen for installation and removal of the child bassinet on the playpen, the playpen coupling mechanism including a first catching part and a second catching part that are respectively connected with the rigid post at two vertically spaced-apart locations and are configurable to protrude outside the interior space of the child bassinet, the first catching part being engageable with a playpen while the second catching part remains disengaged from the playpen for installing the child bassinet on the playpen at a first height above a bottom of the playpen, and the second catching part being engageable with the playpen while the first catching part remains disengaged from the playpen for installing the child bassinet on the playpen at a second height above the bottom of the playpen that is different from the first height.","14. The child bassinet according to claim 13, wherein the second catching part is movable relative to the rigid post between a first position and a second position, the first position disabling engagement of the second catching part with a playpen, and the second position allowing engagement of the second catching part with a playpen.","15. The child bassinet according to claim 14, wherein the first catching part is disposed at a first location on the rigid post, and the second catching part is disposed at a second location on the rigid post below the first catching part.","16. The child bassinet according to claim 14, wherein the first catching part is fixedly connected with the rigid post.","17. The child bassinet according to claim 16, wherein the first catching part and the second catching part protrude from the rigid post in a same direction when the second catching part is in the second position.","18. The child bassinet according to claim 16, wherein the first catching part and the second catching part respectively protrude from the rigid post in two different directions when the second catching part is in the first position.","19. The child bassinet according to claim 14, wherein the second catching part is movable substantially perpendicular to the rigid post between the first and second position.","20. The child bassinet according to claim 14, wherein the second catching part is pivotally connected with the rigid post.","21. The child bassinet according to claim 20, wherein the second catching part is rotatable relative to the rigid post about a pivot axis that is substantially vertical, and has a downwardly facing surface between the pivot axis and a distal end of the second catching part, the second catching part being engageable with a playpen with the downwardly facing surface in contact with the playpen.","22. The child bassinet according to claim 20, wherein the second catching part is rotatable relative to the rigid post about a pivot axis that is substantially horizontal, and has a distal end distant from the pivot axis, the second catching part being engageable with a playpen with the distal end in contact with the playpen.","23. The child bassinet according to claim 22, wherein the rigid post includes a recess, the distal end of the second catching part being received in the recess in the first position and protruding outside the recess in the second position.","24. A child care apparatus comprising:\na playpen having an upper frame portion; and\nthe child bassinet according to claim 13, installable on the upper frame portion of the playpen."],["1. An infant calming/sleep-aid device, comprising:\na rigid base;\na movement linkage or bearing extending from the rigid base;\na platform mounted on the movement linkage or bearing; and\nan actuation assembly that controls movement of the platform about the movement linkage or bearing relative to the rigid base to rotate the platform in an reciprocating manner, the actuation assembly including a drive motor, wherein the reciprocating rotation is on an axis of rotation that intersects the platform and extends orthogonal to a major plane of the platform, and\na control system operable to control operations of the actuation assembly,\nwherein the control system is configured to receive data signals from one or more sensors comprising at least a sound sensing device configured to detect sounds of an infant supported on the platform, wherein, if the control system determines that the infant is in a first crying state, utilizing one or more first data signals comprising at least sound data detected by the sound sensing device, the control system is configured to initiate a calming reflex operational mode in which the control system causes the actuation assembly to move the platform in a reciprocating rotation within a frequency range of between 2 and 4.5 cycles per second and an amplitude range corresponding to a circumferential distance of between 0.2 inches and 1.0 inches taken at a radial distance from the axis of rotation configured to correspond to a center of a head of the infant.","2. The infant calming/sleep-aid device of claim 1, further comprising:\na second platform comprising a moving head platform; and\na second movement linkage comprising a head movement linkage or bearing mounted to the platform linking the moving platform to the second platform.","3. The infant calming/sleep-aid device of claim 1, further comprising a sound generating device that includes a speaker for generating sound directed to the infant, wherein, in the calming reflex operational mode, the control system further causes the sound generating device to direct sound to the infant.","4. The infant calming/sleep-aid device of claim 1, wherein the sound sensing device comprises at least one microphone.","5. The infant calming/sleep-aid device of claim 1, further comprising a head rest positioned above the platform, wherein the head rest includes a gel.","6. The infant calming/sleep-aid device of claim 1, further comprising a secure swaddling sack within which to swaddle an infant, and wherein the secure swaddling sack is securable to the platform to secure a position of the infant when swaddled within the secure swaddling sack with respect to the platform.","7. The infant calming/sleep-aid device of claim 1, wherein the one or more sensors further comprise a motion sensing device that detects motion of the infant when supported on the platform, and wherein the first data signals further comprise motion corresponding to perturbations of the platform detected by the motion sensing device caused by the infant during a reciprocating rotation of the platform prior to initiation of the calming reflex operational mode.","8. The infant calming/sleep aid device of claim 1, wherein the control system is configured to reduce the reciprocating rotation in a stepwise fashion if the control system determines, utilizing data signals received from the one or more sensors, that the infant is being soothed by the reciprocating rotation of the platform.","9. The infant calming/sleep-aid device of claim 1, wherein the control system is further configured to control the reciprocating rotation of the platform utilizing age of the infant as variable, and wherein at a predetermined age of the infant, the control system is configured to reduce intensity of the reciprocating rotation to wean the infant off the reciprocating rotation of the device.","10. The infant calming/sleep-aid device of claim 1, wherein the control system controls the reciprocating rotation utilizing at least one variable selected from weight of the infant, age of the infant, a duration of detected sound made by the infant, and a duration of detected motion of the infant.","11. The infant calming/sleep-aid device of claim 1, wherein the actuation assembly is configured to reciprocally rotate the platform on the axis of rotation that is configured to be positioned to intersect an infant when supported on the platform.","12. The infant calming/sleep-aid device of claim 1, wherein in a soothing operational mode, the control system controls the frequency of reciprocating rotation within a range of between 0.5 and 1.5 cycles per second with a corresponding amplitude of the reciprocating rotation at a location corresponding to the center of the head of the infant when positioned on the platform that is in a range of between 0.5 inches and 1.5 inches.","13. The infant calming/sleep-aid device of claim 12, further comprising a sound generation device comprising a speaker to generate sound directed to the infant, wherein, in the soothing mode, the control system is further configured to cause the sound generation device to output a low pitch rumbling sound directed to the infant.","14. The infant calming/sleep aid device of claim 13, wherein the control system is configured to reduce the volume of the generated sound in a stepwise fashion if the control system detects that an infant is being soothed.","15. The infant calming/sleep-aid device of claim 13, wherein the low pitched rumbling sound is output within a range between 65 dB and 75 dB.","16. The infant calming/sleep-aid device of claim 13, wherein if the control system determines, utilizing second data signals received from the one or more sensors, that the infant is not being soothed by the sound directed to the infant and reciprocating rotation of the soothing mode, the control system is configured to initiate an enhanced soothing mode comprising causing the sound generation device to direct a higher pitched sound with greater volume to the infant.","17. The infant calming/sleep-aid device of claim 16, wherein the higher pitched sound has a volume between 75 dB and 80 dB.","18. The infant calming/sleep-aid device of claim 16, wherein the second data signals comprise sound detected by the sound sensing device from which the control system determines that the infant is in a second crying state.","19. The infant calming/sleep-aid device of claim 17, wherein the one or more sensors further comprise a motion sensing device that detects motion of the infant when supported on the platform, wherein the second data signals further comprise data signals corresponding to perturbations of the platform detected by the motion sensing device caused by the infant during a reciprocating rotation of the platform in the soothing operational mode.","20. The infant calming/sleep-aid device of claim 18, wherein the control system is configured to initiate the calming reflex operational mode to transition the device from the enhanced soothing operational mode to the calming reflex operational mode if the control system receives the first data signals from which it determines that the infant is in the first crying state."],["1. A child holding accessory installable on a rigid support frame, comprising:\na reversible resting support having a first and a second bearing surface facing opposite directions, the first and second bearing surfaces respectively having substantially different profiles, and each of the first and second bearing surfaces being positionable to be upwardly facing to receive a child thereon; and\nat least one fixture for attaching the resting support with a rigid support frame, the fixture being rotatably assembled with the resting support via a connection that allows rotation of the resting support relative to the fixture between a first position where the first bearing surface faces upward and a second position where the second bearing surface faces upward.","2. The child holding accessory according to claim 1, wherein the resting support includes a surrounding frame connected with the fixture, and a bearing platform assembled with the surrounding frame and having the first and second bearing surfaces.","3. The child holding accessory according to claim 2, wherein the surrounding frame has a first frame portion, and a second frame portion vertically raised relative to the first frame portion.","4. The child holding accessory according to claim 2, wherein the bearing platform comprises a cushion element including a first layer where is arranged the first bearing surface, and a second layer where is arranged the second bearing surface .","5. The child holding accessory according to claim 4, wherein the first layer includes one of a polyvinyl chloride (PVC)-based fabric, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA)-based polymer fabric, and any water-proof and easy to wipe-off fabrics, and the second layer includes one of a cotton cloth, flannelette, and any soft and comfortable fabric.","6. The child holding accessory according to claim 2, wherein the at least one fixture includes a first and a second fixture and the resting support is attachable to a rigid support frame via the first fixture and the second fixture, the surrounding frame has a head-side frame segment and a foot-side frame segment that are respectively connected with the first and second fixture, and one of the first and second fixture has a pivot connection with the resting support that defines a rotation axis of the resting support, a first distance between the head-side frame segment and the rotation axis being smaller than a second distance between the foot-side frame segment and the rotation axis.","7. The child holding accessory according to claim 1, wherein the first bearing surface when facing upward is generally flat, and the second bearing surface when facing upward has a portion recessing downward.","8. The child holding accessory according to claim 1, wherein the first bearing surface is configured as a changing table, and the second bearing surface is configured as a sleeping bed.","9. The child holding accessory according to claim 1, wherein the resting support includes a support board having a first side associated with the first bearing surface, and a second side associated with the second bearing surface, the support board being deformable differently depending on whether the child is placed on the first or second bearing surface.","10. An infant support apparatus comprising:\na rigid support frame;\na reversible resting support having a first and a second bearing surface facing opposite directions, each of the first and second bearing surfaces being positionable to be upwardly facing to receive a child thereon, wherein the first bearing surface when upwardly facing is configured to support the child with a first bearing profile, and the second bearing surface when upwardly facing is configured to support the child with a second bearing profile different from the first bearing profile; and\nat least one fixture rotatably connected with the resting support, the fixture being configured to attach the resting support with the rigid support frame at an elevated position above a floor, and the fixture being rotatably assembled with the resting support via a connection that allows rotation of the resting support relative to the fixture and the rigid support frame to position either of the first and second bearing surfaces upwardly facing.","11. The infant support apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the first and second bearing surfaces bend to different depths when the child is respectively placed thereon.","12. The infant support apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the resting support includes a surrounding frame connected with the fixture, and a bearing platform assembled with the surrounding frame and having the first and second bearing surfaces.","13. The infant support apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the surrounding frame has a first frame portion, and a second frame portion vertically raised relative to the first frame portion.","14. The infant support apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the bearing platform comprises a cushion element including a first layer where is arranged the first bearing surface, and a second layer where is arranged the second bearing surface .","15. The infant support apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the first layer includes one of a polyvinyl chloride (PVC)-based fabric, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA)-based polymer fabric, and any water-proof and easy to wipe-off fabrics, and the second layer includes one of a cotton cloth, flannelette, and any soft and comfortable fabric.","16. The infant support apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the at least one fixture includes a first and a second fixture and the resting support is attachable to the rigid support frame via the first fixture and the second fixture, the surrounding frame has a head-side frame segment and a foot-side frame segment that are respectively connected with the first and second fixture, and one of the first and second fixture has a pivot connection with the resting support that defines a rotation axis of the resting support, a first distance between the head-side frame segment and the rotation axis being smaller than a second distance between the foot-side frame segment and the rotation axis.","17. The infant support apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the first bearing surface when facing upward is generally flat, and the second bearing surface when facing upward has a portion recessing downward.","18. The infant support apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the first bearing surface is configured as a changing table, and the second bearing surface is configured as a sleeping bed."],["1. A bassinet assembly having an inclinable floor, said bassinet assembly comprising:\na floor comprising an upper surface and an inclinable flap, said inclinable flap comprising an upper surface; and\none or more rods, each of said one or more rods comprising a static portion having a first longitudinal axis and an inclined portion having a second longitudinal axis, wherein said first longitudinal axis and said second longitudinal axis intersect at an angle greater than 0° and less than about 90°, said static portion being disposed below said upper surface of said floor and said inclined portion being disposed below said upper surface of said inclinable flap, and wherein when said inclinable flap is raised above said floor, said rods rotate about said first longitudinal axis such that said first and second longitudinal axes are in a plane substantially perpendicular to said support surface, and wherein when said inclinable flap is allowed to lay substantially flat against said floor, said rods rotate about said first longitudinal axis such that said first and second longitudinal axes are in a plane substantially parallel to said support surface.","2. The bassinet assembly of claim 1 wherein said longitudinal axes intersect at an angle of about 10°.","3. The bassinet assembly of claim 1 wherein:\nsaid inclinable flap comprises a first set of fasteners disposed along at least a portion of an outer perimeter of said inclinable flap; and\nsaid bassinet assembly further comprises:\none or more side walls that extend upwardly from a perimeter of said floor and at least partially surround said floor, said side walls having an upper perimeter and a lower perimeter, said lower perimeter being adjacent said floor;\na second set of mating fasteners for engaging said first set of fasteners, said second set of mating fasteners being disposed on at least a portion of said one or more side walls between said upper perimeter and said lower perimeter, wherein a first portion and a second portion of said second set of mating fasteners are disposed along an inclined path at an angle greater than 0° to said floor substantially equal to said angle of intersection of said first and second longitudinal axes of said rods and a third portion of said second set of mating fasteners is disposed along a path that is substantially parallel to said floor, the third portion being intermediate the first and second portions, and\nwherein said first set of fasteners is engageable with said second set of mating fasteners to secure said inclinable flap at said angle of said inclined path and said first set of fasteners is disengagable with said second set of mating fasteners to allow said inclinable flap to lay substantially flat against said floor.","4. The bassinet assembly of claim 3 wherein said inclinable flap comprises a first edge and a second edge, wherein said first edge is attached to said floor and said second edge comprises at least a portion of said first set of fasteners for engaging said second set of mating fasteners.","5. The bassinet assembly of claim 3 wherein said inclinable flap comprises a first edge and a second edge, wherein said first edge is integrally formed with said floor and said second edge comprises at least a portion of said first set of fasteners for engaging said second set of mating fasteners.","6. The bassinet assembly of claim 3 wherein said one or more side walls comprises four walls, and said first portion and said second portion of said second set of mating fasteners are disposed along a first wall and a second wall, respectively, wherein said first wall and said second wall substantially face each other, and said third portion of said second set of mating fasteners is disposed along a third wall, wherein said third wall is intermediate said first wall and said second wall.","7. The bassinet assembly of claim 3 wherein said angle to said floor of said inclined path is about 10°.","8. The bassinet assembly of claim 3 wherein said first set of fasteners comprises a first row of zipper teeth and said second set of fasteners comprises a second set of zipper teeth, said first row of zipper teeth and said second row of zipper teeth being engaged or disengaged with one or more zippers.","9. The bassinet assembly of claim 3 wherein said first set of fasteners comprises a first set of snap fasteners and said second set of fasteners comprises a second set of mating snap fasteners.","10. The bassinet assembly of claim 3 wherein said first set of fasteners comprises a one or more buckles and said second set of fasteners comprises one or more mating buckles.","11. The bassinet assembly of claim 1 wherein two or more pockets are attached to a lower surface of said floor and a lower surface of said inclinable flap, and said rods are disposed within said pockets.","12. The bassinet assembly of claim 1 wherein:\nsaid inclinable flap comprises a first set of fasteners disposed along a first edge of said inclinable flap;\nsaid inclinable flap being disposed adjacent said floor along a second edge of said inclinable flap , said first edge being spaced apart from said second edge; and\nsaid bassinet assembly further comprises:\none or more side walls that extend upwardly from a perimeter of said floor and surround said floor, said side walls having an upper perimeter and a lower perimeter, said lower perimeter being adjacent said floor;\na second set of mating fasteners for engaging said first set of fasteners, said second set of mating fasteners being disposed on at least a portion of a first side wall between said upper perimeter and said lower perimeter of said first side wall, wherein said second set of mating fasteners are disposed along a path that is substantially parallel to said floor and spaced above said floor, and said first side wall is spaced apart from said second edge of said inclinable flap, and\nwherein said first set of fasteners are engagable with said second set of mating fasteners to secure said inclinable flap at an angle greater than 0° relative to said floor, and said first set of fasteners are disengagable with said second set of mating fasteners to allow said inclinable flap to lay substantially flat against said floor.","13. The bassinet assembly of claim 12 wherein said second edge of said inclinable flap is attached to said floor.","14. The bassinet assembly of claim 12 wherein said second edge of said inclinable flap is integrally formed with said floor.","15. The bassinet assembly of claim 12 wherein said first set of fasteners comprises a first row of zipper teeth and said second set of fasteners comprises a second set of zipper teeth, said first row of zipper teeth and said second row of zipper teeth being engaged or disengaged with one or more zippers.","16. The bassinet assembly of claim 12 wherein said first set of fasteners comprises a first set of snap fasteners and said second set of fasteners comprises a second set of mating snap fasteners.","17. The bassinet assembly of claim 12 wherein said first set of fasteners comprises a one or more buckles and said second set of fasteners comprises one or more mating buckles.","18. A bassinet assembly having an inclinable floor, said bassinet assembly comprising:\na floor comprising an upper surface and an inclinable flap, said inclinable flap comprising an upper surface; and\none or more substantially rigid panels, each of said one or more panels comprising a first portion and a second portion, said first portion having a first longitudinal axis and said second portion having a second longitudinal axis, and said first longitudinal axis and said second longitudinal axis intersecting at an angle greater than 0° and less than about 90°,\nwherein said first portion of each of said one or more panels is disposed below said upper surface of said floor and second portion of each of said one or more panels is disposed below said upper surface of said inclinable flap to support said inclinable flap at said angle with respect to said floor.","19. The bassinet assembly of claim 18 wherein said one or more substantially rigid panels is removable from said bassinet assembly.","20. A bassinet assembly having an inclinable floor, said bassinet assembly comprising:\na floor comprising an upper surface and a lower surface; and\none or more rods, each of said one or more rods comprising a static portion having a first longitudinal axis and an inclined portion having a second longitudinal axis, wherein said first longitudinal axis and said second longitudinal axis intersect at an angle greater than 0° and less than about 90°, said static portion being disposed below a first portion of said floor adjacent said lower surface of said floor and said inclined portion being disposed below a second portion of said floor adjacent said lower surface of said floor, and wherein when said second portion of said floor raised at said angle relative to said first portion of said floor, said rods rotate about said first longitudinal axis such that said first and second longitudinal axes are in a plane substantially perpendicular to said support surface, and wherein when said second portion of said floor is allowed to lay at an angle substantially equal to 0° with respect to said first portion of said floor, said rods rotate about said first longitudinal axis such that said first and second longitudinal axes are in a plane substantially parallel to said support surface."],["1. A changing table for use with a playard comprising:\na flexible platform that is sized to support a child;\na plurality of panels joined to edges of the platform at a plurality of joints; and\na changing table mount arranged to releasably engage the platform to the playard including a plurality of straps located at edges of the panels, each strap having a fastener, and a plurality of c-clips located on an underside of the platform at the joints,\nwherein the platform is adapted to be suspended by the changing table mount above a floor area of the playard, and\nwherein each strap is adapted to be removably received in corresponding slots of the playard and the plurality of c-clips are adapted to releasably engage side rails and an end rail of the playard.","2. The changing table according to claim 1, further comprising a support structure, wherein the platform is coupled to the support structure, and wherein the changing table mount is coupled to or part of the support structure.","3. The changing table according to claim 2, wherein the support structure further comprises a beam adapted to extend between the side rails of the playard spanning an open top of the playard, and wherein the beam is received within a pocket of the platform.","4. The changing table according to claim 1, wherein the corresponding slots are formed in, or on, corresponding sidewalls and an endwall of the playard.","5. The changing table according to claim 1, wherein the straps each fasten to themselves with the fastener.","6. The changing table according to claim 5, wherein each fastener includes at least one of a male snap fastener and a female snap fastener, and wherein the straps are folded onto themselves such that the female snap members of the straps align with the corresponding male snap members.","7. The changing table according to claim 1, wherein the platform is formed of a fabric material, such as vinyl or polyester, or other material or combination of materials that is strong enough to support a child's weight, and wherein the platform forms a concave child changing area.","8. A playard and changing table combination comprising:\na playard having an enclosure with a floor area;\na changing table with a flexible platform sized to support a child and a plurality of panels joined to the platform at a plurality of seams; and\na changing table mount that suspends the platform above the floor area of the playard thereby forming a child changing area and to releasably engage the platform to the playard, the changing table mount including a plurality of straps attached to edges of the plurality of panels and a plurality of c-clips positioned on an underside of the changing table at the seams,\nwherein each strap has a fastener and is removably received in a corresponding slot of the playard and each c-clip releasably engages top rails of the playard.","9. A juvenile product comprising:\na playard having a fabric body forming walls and a floor; and\na changing table with a flexible platform that is sized to support a child and having at least one panel coupled to the platform at a joint, the changing table including at least one changing table mount adapted to suspend the platform above the floor of the playard and to releasably engage the platform to the playard,\nwherein, the at least one changing table mount includes at least one c-clip on an underside of the changing table at the joint and at least one strap at a free edge of the panel, the strap having at least one fastener adapted to removably connect the strap to the playard, and\nwherein the strap is removably received in a corresponding slot of the playard.","10. The juvenile product according to claim 9, wherein the changing table mount comprises a plurality of straps which engage corresponding slots on the playard and wherein the straps fasten to themselves with the fastener.","11. The juvenile product according to claim 9, wherein the fastener comprises a male snap fastener and a female snap fastener.","12. The juvenile product according to claim 9, wherein the c-clip is configured to engage a top rail of the playard."],["1. An infant seat, comprising:\na seat back member comprising at least one outer huh, the at least one outer hub having a first gear tooth structure;\na seat support member comprising an inner hub corresponding to the at least one outer hub, the inner hub being pivotably connected to the at least one outer hub to make the seat back member rotatably connected to the seat support member for forming a cross bar structure, the inner hub having a second gear tooth structure;\na seat structure connected to the seat back member and forming a seating space; and\na locking mechanism operably disposed between the seat back member and the seat support member, the locking mechanism comprising a slide gear slidable within the at least one outer hub and the inner hub for engaging with the first gear tooth structure and the second gear tooth structure at a locked position to stop the inner hub of the seat support member from rotating relative to the at least one outer hub of the seat back member, the locking mechanism translating the slide gear to the locked position or an unlocked position, the locking mechanism including an actuator having a pivot huh pivoted relative to the at least one outer hub and having at least one ramped surface structure;\nwherein when the locking mechanism translates the slide gear to slide to the unlocked position, the slide gear is disengaged from the first gear tooth structure and engaged with the second gear tooth structure, to make the seat back member rotatable relative to the seat support member by a rotation of the inner hub on the at least one outer huh for adjusting a tilt angle of the seat structure, the actuator being coupled to the pivot hub so that, when actuated, the ramped surface structure drives the slide gear to the unlocked position.","2. The infant seat of claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism further comprises:\na gear pusher slidable between the at least one outer hub and the slide gear; and\nwherein when the actuator is configured so that, when actuated, the actuator rotates the pivot hub so that the gear pusher is pressed against the slide gear by leaning on the ramped surface structure to drive, for driving the slide gear to the unlocked position.","3. The infant seat of claim 2, wherein the locking mechanism further comprises:\na spring respectively connected to the slide gear and the inner hub, for biasing the slide gear to the locked position.","4. The infant seat of claim 1, wherein the at least one outer hub has at least one ramped surface structure formed therein, and the locking mechanism further comprises:\na gear pusher slidable between the at least one outer hub and the slide gear, wherein the actuator is pivotally connected to the seat back member; and\nan actuator link respectively pivoted to the actuator and the gear pusher;\nwherein when the actuator is operated to rotate the gear pusher via the actuator link, the gear pusher slides to the unlocked position along the ramped surface structure disengaging the slide gear from the first gear tooth structure.","5. The infant seat of claim 4, wherein the locking mechanism further comprises:\na spring respectively connected to the slide gear and the inner hub, for biasing the slide gear to the locked position.","6. The infant seat of claim 1, wherein the infant seat further comprises a base member, the seat back member further comprises a seatback tube portion and a front connection portion, the at least one outer hub is connected between the front connection portion and the seatback tube portion, the seat support member further comprises a seat front portion and a support strut portion, the inner hub is connected between the seat front portion and the support strut portion, and the base member is respectively connected to the support strut portion and the front connection portion.","7. The infant seat of claim 6 further comprising:\na pivot rod pivoted to the base member and detachably connected to the seat back member, for supporting the seat back member at a sitting position when the seat back member is rotated to the sitting position."],["1. A modular organizer adapted to be attached to a rod of a playpen, said organizer comprising:\na row of storage members, each adjacent pair of said storage members defining a gap therebetween;\nfirst and second positioning elements disposed respectively on two of said storage members, each of said first and second positioning elements having a retaining hook portion at an upper end thereof, which is adapted to be removably connected with the rod, and a third one of said storage members being positioned between said two of said storage members; and\na plurality of joining mechanisms disposed respectively within said gaps, each of said joining mechanisms including first and second joining units that are disposed respectively at a corresponding adjacent pair of said storage members and that engage each other so as to interconnect the corresponding adjacent pair of said storage members removably;\nwherein a first storage member of said two of said storage members has a first extension extending there from and a second storage member of said two of said storage members has a first groove formed therein, said first extension being sized to engage said first groove to removably connect said first and second storage members;\nwherein said third storage member has a second extension extending there from and a second groove formed therein, said first extension being sized to engage said second groove to removably connect said first and third storage members, and said second extension being sized to engage said first groove to removably connect said second and third storage members;\nwherein said first joining unit of each of said joining mechanisms includes a corresponding one of said first and second extensions;\nwherein said second joining unit of each of said joining mechanisms includes a corresponding one of said first and second grooves;\nwherein each of said first and second extensions is a dovetail tongue extending from a corresponding one of said storage members, and each of said first and second grooves is a dovetail groove formed in a corresponding one of said storage members and engaging fittingly a corresponding one of said dovetail tongues; and\nwherein each of said dovetail grooves is defined by an inverted U-shaped plate portion and a groove bottom-defining wall of the corresponding one of said storage members, between which an inverted U-shaped accommodating space is formed, each of said inverted U-shaped accommodating spaces being adapted to be disposed respectively around a corresponding one of said dovetail tongues, each of said dovetail tongues having an inverted U-shaped outer peripheral portion fitted within a corresponding one of said inverted U-shaped accommodating spaces.","2. The modular organizer as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said dovetail tongues has a T-shaped cross section so as to define an inverted U-shaped groove between a corresponding one of said storage members and a corresponding one of said dovetail tongues.","3. The modular organizer as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said first joining units further includes a positioning tongue extending from a corresponding one of said storage members and disposed under a corresponding one of said dovetail tongues; each of said second joining units further including a resilient plate extending downwardly from said groove bottom-defining wall and formed with a hole therethrough, said positioning tongues engaging respectively said holes in said resilient plates.","4. The modular organizer as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of said dovetail tongues is formed integrally with a corresponding one of said storage members.","5. The modular organizer as claimed in claim 3, wherein said resilient plates are formed respectively and integrally with said groove bottom-defining walls.","6. The modular organizer as claimed in claim 3, wherein each of said resilient plates has a hole-defining wall defining a corresponding one of said holes in said resilient plates; and each of said positioning tongues has a horizontal first contact surface abutting against a lower end of a corresponding one of said hole-defining walls of said resilient plates, and an inclined second contact surface abutting against an upper end of the corresponding one of said hole-defining walls of said resilient plates.","7. The modular organizer as claimed in claim 3, wherein each of said two of said storage members has a sleeve portion, said first and second positioning elements extending respectively through said sleeve portions of a corresponding one of said two of said storage members.","8. The modular organizer as claimed in claim 7, wherein each of said first and second positioning elements has a lower end formed with two resilient arms, each of which has a retaining portion that is shaped so as to prevent movement of a corresponding one of said first and second positioning elements through said sleeve portion of a corresponding one of said two of said storage members.","9. The modular organizer as claimed in claim 7, wherein\nsaid first storage member includes a bowl-shaped container body defining an accommodating chamber therein, and an openable top cover disposed pivotally on said container body for covering said accommodating chamber; and\nsaid second storage member having a top surface that is formed with a blind hole.","10. The modular organizer as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said two of said storage members has a sleeve portion, said first and second positioning elements extending respectively through said sleeve portions of a corresponding one of said two of said storage members.","11. The modular organizer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second positioning elements extend above the row of storage members such that the row of storage members are separated from the rod when the retaining hook portion engages the rod."],["1. A crib comprising a first and a second sidewall;\na first and a second end wall operably connected to the first and second sidewalls to form a frame; and\na separate sleeping platform configured to be positioned within a cavity defined by the frame where the frame substantially surrounds the sleeping platform, the sleeping platform comprising\na sleeping surface formed of a mesh material;\na base frame supporting the sleeping surface; and\na plurality of legs configured to support the base frame above a support surface of the crib; wherein\nthe base frame is positioned adjacent an inner surface of each the first and second sidewalls and the first and second end walls.","2. The crib of claim 1, wherein\nthe plurality of legs are rotatable between a first position and a second position;\nin the first position the legs are positioned substantially along a portion of the base frame and a bottom surface of the base rests on the support surface, and\nin the second position the legs extend below the base frame to rest on the support surface.","3. The crib of claim 1, further comprising an elevated platform spanning between and selectively secured to each of the first and second sidewalls.","4. The crib of claim 3, wherein the elevated platform further comprises\na cradle member; and\na pair of braces operably connected to opposite longitudinal edges of the cradle member.","5. The crib of claim 1, wherein\nthe first and second sidewalls each comprise\na sidewall top rail defining a first sidewall receiving notch and a second sidewall receiving notch;\na first sidewall side member and a second sidewall side member extending from a bottom surface of the sidewall top rail where the first sidewall side member extends from a first end of the sidewall top rail and the second sidewall side member extends from a second end of the sidewall top rail, a bottom surface of each the first sidewall side member and the second sidewall side members each defining a third sidewall receiving notch and a second sidewall receiving notch; and\nat least one cross member operably connected to each of the first and second sidewall side members.","6. The crib of claim 5, further comprising a sidewall mesh material spanning between the sidewall top rail, the first and second sidewall side members, and the at least one cross member.","7. The crib of claim 5, wherein the first sidewall side member and the second sidewall side member taper from the support surface towards the top rail.","8. The crib of claim 7, wherein the first sidewall side member and the second sidewall side member are trapezoidal shaped.","9. The crib of claim 5, wherein the end walls further comprise\nan end wall top rail comprising a first end wall receiving notch and a second end wall receiving notch defined on a bottom surface of the end wall top rail;\na first end wall side member extending from the bottom surface of the end wall top rail adjacent the first end wall receiving notch; and\na second end wall side member extending from the bottom surface of the end wall top rail adjacent the second end wall receiving notch; wherein\nthe first end wall receiving notch is configured to be received within the first sidewall receiving notch and the second end wall receiving notch is configured to be received within the second sidewall receiving notch.","10. The crib of claim 9, further comprising a base member operably connected to a bottom surface of the first and second end wall side members, the base member defining a first base receiving notch configured to be received within the third sidewall receiving notch and a second base receiving notch configured to be received within the fourth sidewall receiving notch.","11. The crib of claim 9, wherein the end walls further comprise one or more shelves operably connected to each of the first and second end wall side members.","12. The crib of claim 1, further comprising a rocker member having an arcuate bottom surface selectively attachable to a bottom end of each of the end wall.","13. The crib of claim 1, wherein\nthe first sidewall further comprises a top rail; and\nthe second sidewall further comprises a first cross member; wherein\nthe top rail is positioned higher above the support surface than the first cross member.","14. A kit for a reconfigurable crib, comprising\na frame comprising\na pair of sidewalls; and\na pair of end walls configured to operably connect to the pair of sidewalls;\na sleeping platform configured to be positioned within but not attached to, the frame; and\nat least one shelf configured to be operably connected to the pair of sidewalls or to the pair of end walls.","15. The kit of claim 14, further comprising an elevated platform selectively attachable to a top surface of the pair of sidewalls.","16. The kit of claim 15, wherein the elevated platform comprises\na cradle member; and\na pair of braces operably connected to opposite longitudinal edges of the cradle member.","17. The kit of claim 16, wherein the cradle member is a mesh material.","18. The kit of claim 17, wherein\nthe at least one shelf comprises a first shelf and a second shelf; wherein\nthe first shelf is configured to be operably connected to one to the end walls and the second shelf is configured to be operably connected to a each of the sidewalls.","19. The kit of claim 19, wherein each of the sidewalls in the pair of sidewalls comprises a panel defining one or more receiving apertures configured to receive the second shelf.","20. The kit of claim 14, further comprising a rocker member having an arcuate surface configured to be selectively attachable to a bottom end of each of the end walls."],["1. A collapsible structure, comprising:\na base panel comprising separate first and second sides, a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, and a fabric material covering portions of the frame member to form the base panel when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation, with the fabric assuming the unfolded orientation of its frame member; and\nfirst and second loops, each loop having a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation;\nwherein the first side of the base panel is coupled to the first loop, and the second side of the base panel is coupled to the second loop.","2. The structure of claim 1, further including a second panel having a first side coupled to the first loop, and a second side coupled to the second loop, with the base panel and the second panel spaced-apart from each other, the second panel also having a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, and a fabric material covering portions of the frame member of the second panel to form the second panel when the frame member of the second panel is in the unfolded orientation.","3. The structure of claim 2, wherein the base panel and the second panel are generally parallel to each other.","4. The structure of claim 1, wherein the first and second loops are spaced apart and generally parallel to each other.","5. The structure of claim 1, further including a side fabric that is coupled to the base panel and the first and second loops.","6. The structure of claim 1, wherein the base panel is a first base panel, the structure further including:\na third loop having a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, the third loop spaced apart from the second loop;\na second base panel comprising separate first and second sides, a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, and a fabric material covering portions of the frame member to form the second base panel when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation, with the fabric assuming the unfolded orientation of its frame member; and\nwherein the first side of the second base panel is coupled to the second loop, and the second side of the second base panel is coupled to the third loop.","7. The structure of claim 6, further including:\na third panel having a first side coupled to the first loop, and a second side coupled to the second loop, with the first base panel and the third panel spaced-apart from each other; and\na fourth panel having a first side coupled to the second loop, and a second side coupled to the third loop, with the second base panel and the fourth panel spaced-apart from each other; and\nwherein the third and fourth panel each has a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, and a fabric material covering portions of the frame member of the corresponding panel.","8. The structure of claim 1, wherein the first loop includes a fabric that covers a portion of the first loop.","9. The structure of claim 7, further including a side fabric that is coupled to the first and second base panels, the third and fourth panels, and the first, second and third loops.","10. The structure of claim 7, wherein the second base panel and the fourth panel are disposed out of phase with the first base panel and the third panel.","11. The structure of claim 1, wherein the structure is a first structure, and further including a second identical structure, with the first loop of each of the first and second structures coupled together.","12. The structure of claim 1, wherein the structure is an exercise apparatus.","13. The structure of claim 1, wherein the structure defines a passageway.","14. The structure of claim 1, wherein the structure is a display.","15. The structure of claim 1, wherein the structure is a partition."],["1. A method of displaying images or messages, comprising:\nproviding a support frame having a foldable frame member that has a folded and an unfolded orientation, the frame member defining a periphery for the support frame, wherein the frame member is collapsible to the folded position by twisting and folding to form a plurality of concentric rings to substantially reduce the size of the support frame in the folded position;\ncoupling a first covering to the support frame, the first covering having a first image;\nremoving the first covering from the support frame; and\ncoupling a second covering to the support frame, the second covering having a second image.","2. The method of claim 1, wherein coupling the first covering to the support frame comprises:\nplacing the first covering over but not enclosing the support frame, the covering having the same configuration as the frame member in the unfolded orientation.","3. The method of claim 1, further including retaining the frame member inside a frame retaining sleeve.","4. The method of claim 1, wherein the support frame is a first support frame, further including:\nproviding a second support frame having a foldable frame member that has a folded and an unfolded orientation, the frame member of the second support frame defining a periphery for the second support frame; and\nhingedly connecting the first and second support frames each other.","5. The method of claim 4, further including:\nhingedly connecting the top edges of the first and second support frames each other.","6. The method of claim 4, further including:\ncoupling a third covering to the second support frame, the third covering having a third image."],["1. A collapsible play structure adapted to be supported on a surface and comprising:\nat least three foldable frame members, each having a folded and an unfolded orientation;\na fabric material substantially covering each frame member to form a side panel for each frame member when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation, the fabric assuming the unfolded orientation of its associated frame member;\neach side panel further comprising at least a left side, a bottom side and a right side;\nwherein the left side of each side panel is connected and hinged to the right side of an adjacent side panel, and the right side of each side panel is connected and hinged to the left side of another adjacent side panel; and\nwherein the bottom side of each side panel is adapted to rest on the surface to support the play structure.","2. The collapsible play structure of claim 1, wherein the collapsible play structure comprises four side panels and frame members, each side panel and its frame member having four sides, including a top side.","3. The collapsible play structure of claim 2, further comprising a fabric connected to the top sides of the four side panels and extending therebetween.","4. The collapsible play structure of claim 3, further comprising an opening provided within the fabric connected to the top sides of the four side panels.","5. The collapsible play structure of claim 4, wherein at least one of the four side panels comprises an opening.","6. The collapsible play structure of claim 1 wherein each side panel comprises a frame retaining sleeve for retaining one of the frame members, and the frame retaining sleeves of adjacent side panels are stitched together to form a hinged connection.","7. The collapsible play structure of claim 1 wherein each side panel comprises a frame retaining sleeve for holding a portion of one of the frame members, the frame retaining sleeves of adjacent side panels converging to form a singular retaining sleeve which retains the adjacent sides of the adjacent frame members of the corresponding adjacent side panels.","8. A collapsible play structure, comprising:\na plurality of collapsible play modules connected to each other, each play module supported on a surface and comprising:\nat least three foldable frame members, each having a folded and an unfolded orientation;\na fabric material substantially covering each frame member to form a side panel for each frame member when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation, the fabric assuming the unfolded orientation of its associated frame member;\neach side panel further comprising at least a left side, a bottom side and a right side;\nwherein the left side of each side panel is connected and hinged to the right side of an adjacent side panel, and the right side of each side panel is connected and hinged to the left side of another adjacent side panel; and\nwherein the bottom side of each side panel is adapted to rest on the surface to support the play module.","9. The collapsible play structure of claim 8, wherein each play module comprises four side panels and frame members, each side panel and its frame member having four sides, including a top side.","10. The collapsible play structure of claim 9, wherein each play module further comprises a fabric connected to the top sides of the four side panels and extending therebetween.","11. The collapsible play structure of claim 10, wherein each play module further comprises an opening provided within the fabric connected to the top sides of the four side panels.","12. The collapsible play structure of claim 11, wherein at least one of the four side panels of each play module comprises an opening.","13. The collapsible play structure of claim 8 wherein each side panel of each play module comprises a frame retaining sleeve for retaining one of the frame members, and the frame retaining sleeves of adjacent side panels are stitched together to form a hinged connection.","14. The collapsible play structure of claim 8 wherein each side panel of each play module comprises a frame retaining sleeve for holding one of the frame members, the frame retaining sleeves of adjacent side panels converging to form a singular retaining sleeve which retains the adjacent sides of the adjacent frame members of the corresponding adjacent side panels.","15. The collapsible play structure of claim 8, further comprising three play modules, each comprising attachment mechanisms for connecting each play module to at least one other play module.","16. The collapsible play structure of claim 9, further comprising one larger play module, and four identical play modules each having a size that is smaller than the larger play module, each of the four identical play modules comprising attachment mechanisms for connecting one of its side panels to one side panel of the larger play module.","17. The collapsible play structure of claim 16, wherein each of the four identical play modules comprises at least one opening provided on one side panel, and wherein each side panel of the larger play module is provided with at least one opening, wherein each of the at least one opening of the four identical play modules is aligned with the opening provided in a corresponding side panel of the larger play module."],["1. A collapsible structure comprising:\na first frame member defining a base of the structure;\na second frame member defining a top of the structure;\na piece of foldable material attached to and extending between said first and second frame members; and\na plurality of foldable frame supporters connected to said first and second frame members and to said piece of foldable material, said frame supporters being foldable to move said first and second frame members towards one another to a superimposed and collapsed position, and being unfolded to move said first and second frame members away from one another to a spaced and expanded position.","2. A collapsible structure according to claim 1, comprising hinges in said foldable frame supporters which enable the frame supporters to move the first and second frame members between said collapsed and expanded positions.","3. A collapsible structure according to claim 2, where in said hinges include projections to serve as stops to limit movement of the frame members to said expanded position and provide a lock engagement of the hinges.","4. A collapsible structure according to claim 3, wherein said foldable frame supporters each comprises a first segment having one end fixed to said first frame member and a second segment having one end fixed to said second frame member, and a link hingeably connected to said first and second segments at ends thereof opposite said ends fixed to the frame members.","5. A collapsible structure according to claim 4, wherein said segments are adjacent to one another in said collapsed position and are colinear in said expanded position.","6. The collapsible structure according to claim 1, wherein said first and second frame members include respective hinges which enable the first and second frame members to be jointly folded when in said superposed and collapsed position to reduce size of the structure in said collapsed position.","7. A collapsible structure according to claim 1, wherein said frame members define a circumferentially enclosed space with an open top in said expanded position to enable the structure to serve as a baby bed.","8. A collapsible structure according to claim 7, wherein said foldable frame supporters are spaced circumferentially around the structure.","9. A collapsible structure according to claim 1, wherein said first and second frame members are annular and said frame supporters have a length to define an interior space within the foldable material to serve as a play area for a child.","10. A collapsible structure according to claim 9, wherein said play area comprises a cylindrical volume.","11. A collapsible structure according to claim 9, wherein said frame supporters are arranged to fold inwardly to permit the frame members to move to the collapsed position.","12. A collapsible child play enclosure comprising:\na plurality of frame assemblies\neach frame assembly including a plurality of frame segments and a plurality of hinges connecting adjoining frame segments, said hinges being constructed and arranged to provide movement between assembled and collapsed positions;\na piece of foldable material secured to said frame members to enclosed an interior space within the frame assemblies when in said assembled position, said frame segments of said frame assemblies being superimposed on one another in said collapsed position.","13. The collapsible child play enclosure according to claim 12, wherein said frame segments include curved segments to confer a rounded shape to said enclosure which simulates an igloo.","14. The collapsible child play enclosure according to claim 13, wherein said frame segments of said frame assemblies include lower frame segments having lower ends adapted for supporting the play enclosure on the ground in the assembled position.","15. The collapsible child play enclosure according to claim 13, wherein said hinges include projections to serve as stops to limit movement of the frame segments in said assembled position and provide a lock engagement of the hinges.","16. The collapsible child play enclosure according to claim 13, wherein the frame segments of each frame member confer a substantially semi-circular shape to the frame member.","17. The collapsible child play enclosure according to claim 16, wherein each frame member has a peak with a said hinge thereat and the frame member extends in opposite directions from said peak along curved paths, each of which includes two said hinges connecting adjoining frame segments.","18. The collapsible child play enclosure according to claim 12, further comprising a ground engaging frame structure including a plurality of ground engaging members said frame assemblies being connected to said ground engaging frame structure to provide a pyramidal shape for the child play enclosure to simulate a teepee.","19. The collapsible child play enclosure to claim 18, wherein said ground engaging frame structure has corners at adjoining ground engaging members at which a respective said frame segment is disposed, a first of said hinges pivotably connects the adjoining ground engaging members to one another and said respective frame segment to said adjoining ground engaging members.","20. The collapsible child play enclosure according to claim 19, wherein a second of said hinges is provided in each ground engaging member to form ground segments which are pivotable between collapsed and extended positions.","21. The collapsible child play enclosure according to claim 20, wherein each said frame assembly includes a plurality of said second hinges.","22. The collapsible child play enclosure according to claim 21, wherein said ground members are inwardly foldable at said second hinges and said frame assemblies are superimposable on one another and capable of being folded around said second hinges to collapse the child play enclosure.","23. A method for expanding and collapsing a structure intended for use by a child, said method comprising:\nassembling a structure having an enclosure for a child;\nforming said structure with a plurality of segments incorporating hinges movable between folded and unfolded positions;\nproviding a flexible fabric cover on the structure; and\nselectively expanding and collapsing the structure by unfolding and folding the hinges,\nwherein said hinges are selectively unfolded and folded by (1) aligning segments of the structure connected by the hinges and (2) by pivotably moving the segments out of alignment, and\nwherein when said segments are in the folded condition, the segments are superimposed on one another to provide a flat, collapsed condition for the structure.","24. The method according to claim 23, wherein in the expanded condition, the structure forms a baby bed.","25. The method according to claim 23, wherein in the expanded condition, the structure forms a play pen.","26. The method according to claim 23, wherein in the expanded condition, the structure forms an igloo.","27. The method according to claim 23, wherein in the expanded condition, the structure forms a teepee.","28. The method according to claim 23, comprising folding the segments in the collapsed condition of the structure to reduce size of the structure and make it more compact."],["1. A collapsible structure, comprising:\na first vertical panel having a top edge and a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, with a fabric material covering portions of the frame member to form the first panel when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation;\na second vertical panel having a top edge and a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, with a fabric material covering portions of the frame member of the second panel to form the second panel when the frame member of the second panel is in the unfolded orientation; and\na connecting member having opposing edges that are coupled to the top edges of the first and second panels in a manner such that the first and second panels are positioned spaced from each other, and the connecting member including means for supporting the first and second panels in an upright position that is parallel to each other;\nwherein each of the frame members of the first and second panels is twisted and folded to form a plurality of concentric rings when the frame member is in the folded orientation.","2. The structure of claim 1, wherein the connecting member includes a third horizontal panel having a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, with a fabric material covering portions of the frame member of the third panel to form the third panel when the frame member of the third panel is in the unfolded orientation, the third panel having opposing first and second sides that are coupled to the top edges of the first and second panels, respectively.","3. The structure of claim 2, wherein the connecting member is a fabric piece.","4. The structure of claim 2, wherein the fabric extends across the entire panel of at least one of the panels.","5. The structure of claim 2, wherein the entire connecting member extends between the top edges of the first and second panels.","6. A collapsible structure, comprising:\na first vertical panel having a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, with a fabric material covering portions of the frame member to form the first panel when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation;\na second vertical panel having a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, with a fabric material covering portions of the frame member of the second panel to form the second panel when the frame member of the second panel is in the unfolded orientation; and\na connecting member coupled to, and extending between, the first and second panels in a manner such that the first and second panels are positioned parallel to each other;\nwherein each of the frame members of the first and second panels is twisted and folded to form a plurality of concentric rings when the frame member is in the folded orientation;\nwherein each of the first and second panels has a top side, and wherein the connecting member includes a third horizontal panel having a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, with a fabric material covering portions of the frame member of the third panel to form the third panel when the frame member of the third panel is in the unfolded orientation, the third panel having opposing first and second sides that are coupled to the top sides of the first and second panels, respectively; and\nwherein each of the first and second panels has a bottom side, and wherein the connecting member includes a fourth horizontal panel having a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, with a fabric material covering portions of the frame member of the fourth panel to form the fourth panel when the frame member of the fourth panel is in the unfolded orientation, the fourth panel having opposing first and second sides that are coupled to the bottom sides of the first and second panels, respectively."],["1. A collapsible play structure adapted to be supported on a surface and comprising:\nat least three foldable frame members, each having a folded and an unfolded orientation;\na fabric material substantially covering each frame member to form a side panel for each frame member when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation, the fabric assuming the unfolded orientation of its associated frame member;\neach side panel and its frame member having a square configuration and comprising four sides, including a left side, a right side, a bottom side connecting the left side and the right side, and a top side connecting the left side and the right side, with the left side and the right side vertical and the top side and the bottom side horizontal when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation;\nwherein the left side of each side panel is hingedly connected to the right side of an adjacent side panel, and the right side of each side panel is hingedly connected to the left side of another adjacent side panel; and\nwherein the bottom side of each side panel is adapted to rest on the surface to support the play structure.","2. The structure of claim 1, further comprising a top fabric connected to the top sides of the side panels and frame members and extending therebetween, the top fabric comprising an opening provided therewithin and adapted for a child to crawl therethrough.","3. The structure of claim 2, wherein at least one of the side panels comprises an opening.","4. The structure of claim 2, wherein the structure comprises four side panels.","5. The structure of claim 2, wherein each side panel comprises a frame retaining sleeve for retaining one of the frame members, and the frame retaining sleeves of adjacent side panels are stitched together to form a hinged connection."],["1. A modular tent system, comprising:\nat least two interconnectable tent modules, with each at least two interconnectable tent modules having a plurality of side panels, wherein each of said at least two interconnectable tent modules have at least one of said plurality of side panels with a first interconnecting section that is removably interconnecting with a second interconnecting section on a separate interconnectable tent module.","2. The modular tent system, as described in claim 1, wherein at least one of said at least two interconnectable tent modules further comprises a top cover attachable to said plurality of side panels of said at least one of said at least two interconnectable tent modules to form a roof cover for said tent module.","3. The modular tent system, as described in claim 1, wherein each of said at least two interconnectable tent modules are a similar size and shape.","4. The modular tent system, as described in claim 1, wherein at least two of said at least two interconnectable tent modules are a dissimilar size or dissimilar shape from each other.","5. The modular tent system, as described in claim 1, wherein said first and second interconnecting sections are at least one of a hook and loop textile tape, a zipper, a plurality of snaps, a plurality of buttons, a pair of attracting magnets, a pole and loop, a pole and sleeve.","6. The modular tent system, as described in claim 1, wherein each of said at least two interconnectable tent modules are a polygon shape.","7. The modular tent system, as described in claim 1, wherein at least one of said at least two interconnectable tent modules has at least one integral openable door.","8. The modular tent system, as described in claim 1, wherein at least one of said at least two interconnectable tent modules has at least one integral openable window.","9. The modular tent system, as described in claim 1, wherein said side panel with said first or second interconnecting section has an openable door allowing internal access between the two interconnected tent modules.","10. The modular tent system, as described in claim 1, wherein said side panel with said first or second interconnecting section is detachable on at least one vertical edge to allow said first or second interconnecting section to be hinged and overlay an adjacent side panel.","11. The modular tent system, as provided in claim 1, wherein said at least two interconnecting tent modules are at least partially manufactured from a synthetic plastic polymer including at least one of a polyethylene material and a polyvinyl chloride material.","12. An expandable modular tent system, comprising:\na plurality of interconnectable modules, with each of said plurality of interconnectable modules having a plurality of side panels, and wherein each of said plurality of interconnectable modules have at least one of said plurality of side panels with an interconnecting element that is removably interconnecting with an interconnecting element and side panel on a separate interconnectable module.","13. The expandable modular tent system, as described in claim 12, wherein at least one of said plurality of interconnectable modules, further comprising a top cover.","14. The expandable modular tent system, as described in claim 12, wherein said interconnecting elements are at least one of a hook and loop textile tape, a zipper, a plurality of snaps, a plurality of buttons, a pair of attracting magnets, a pole and loop, a pole and sleeve.","15. The expandable modular tent system, as described in claim 12, wherein each of said plurality of interconnectable modules are a polygon shape.","16. The expandable modular tent system, as described in claim 12, wherein at least two of said at least two interconnectable modules are a dissimilar size or dissimilar shape from each other.","17. The expandable modular tent system, as described in claim 12, wherein at least one of said plurality of interconnectable modules has at least one integral openable door.","18. The expandable modular tent system, as described in claim 12, wherein at least one of said plurality of interconnectable modules has at least one integral openable window.","19. The expandable modular tent system, as described in claim 12, wherein said side panel with an interconnecting element has an openable door allowing access between two attached interconnected modules.","20. The expandable modular tent system, as described in claim 12, wherein said side panel with said interconnecting section is detachable on at least one vertical edge to allow said interconnecting section to be hinged and overlay an adjacent side panel.","21. The expandable modular tent system, as described in claim 12, wherein said plurality of interconnecting modules are at least partially manufactured from a synthetic plastic polymer including at least one of a polyethylene material and a polyvinyl chloride material."],["1. A collapsible structure comprising:\na first panel, a second panel, and a third panel, each panel having a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, with a fabric material covering internal portions of the frame member to form the panel when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation, with each panel being collapsed to a smaller size by twisting and folding its respective frame member, each of the panels further including a side;\nwherein the side of the first panel is coupled to the side of the second panel; and\nwherein the side of the third panel is coupled to the fabric material of the second panel internal of the frame member of the second panel; and\nwherein each of the first and second panels having a flat configuration when the frame members for the first and second panels are in the unfolded orientation and coupled together to form the structure.","2. The structure of claim 1, wherein the side of the first panel is hingedly coupled to the side of the second panel.","3. The structure of claim 1, wherein the side of the third panel is hingedly coupled to the fabric of the second panel.","4. The structure of claim 1, wherein the third panel is coupled to the first panel.","5. The structure of claim 1, further including an amusement feature provided on the fabric material of the second panel.","6. The structure of claim 1, wherein the third panel extends parallel to a horizontal surface.","7. The structure of claim 1, wherein the side of the third panel is removably coupled to the fabric material of the second panel.","8. A collapsible structure comprising:\na first panel, a second panel, and a third panel, each panel having a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, with a fabric material covering portions of the frame member to form the panel when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation, each panel being collapsed to a smaller size by twisting and folding its respective frame member, each of the panels further including a side;\nwherein the side of the first panel is coupled to the side of the second panel;\nwherein the side of the third panel is coupled to the fabric material of the second panel; and\na fourth panel having a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, with a fabric material covering portions of the frame member of the fourth panel to form the fourth panel when the frame member of the fourth panel is in the unfolded orientation, with the fourth panel further including a side, and the second panel further including a second side, wherein the side of the fourth panel is coupled to the second side of the second panel.","9. The structure of claim 8, wherein the third panel is coupled to the first panel and the fourth panel.","10. A collapsible structure comprising:\na first panel, a second panel, and a third panel, each panel having a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, with a fabric material covering portions of the frame member to form the panel when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation, each panel being collapsed to a smaller size by twisting and folding its respective frame member, each of the panels further including a side;\nwherein the side of the first panel is coupled to the side of the second panel;\nwherein the side of the third panel is coupled to the fabric material of the second panel; and\nwherein the third panel extends at an angle from a horizontal surface, with the first and second panels extending vertically from the horizontal surface."],["1. A collapsible portable structure having side walling comprising at least one continuous loop of a flexible coilable rod supporting a flexible fabric panel and an integrated canopy formed by a flexible fabric material which is attached to the side walling and which is supported by at least one separate pole, wherein the side walling is configured to define an upright corner region and to have a free side edge.","2. A structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the side walling is configured to be curved or angular to define the upright corner region and to have the free side edge.","3. A structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the side walling is configured to comprises two or more adjoining walls or wall sections to define the upright corner region and to have the free side edge.","4. A structure as claimed in claim 2, wherein the canopy straddles the upright corner region.","5. A structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the canopy is attached to the side walling at a location spaced inwards from an upper edge of the side wailing.","6. A structure as claimed in claim 2, wherein the canopy is attached to the side walling at a location spaced inwards from the free side edge.","7. A structure as claimed in claim 2, wherein the continuous loop of a flexible coilable rod provides a frame at the periphery of the fabric panel.","8. A structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the side walling is formed by two continuous loops of the coilable rod, each loop supporting a respective flexible fabric panel.","9. A structure as claimed in claim 8, wherein the side walling comprises two distinct side walls, each formed by a respective continuous loop of a coilable flexible rod supporting a respective flexible fabric panel.","10. A structure as claimed in claim 9, wherein the side walling comprises two distinct side walls, each formed by a respective coilable flexible rod supporting a respective flexible fabric panel.","11. A structure as claimed in claim 9, wherein the side walls are arranged to extend substantially perpendicular to each other.","12. A structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the canopy is stitched to the side walling.","13. A structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the canopy includes wall and roof sections.","14. A structure as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an integrated mat or ground sheet attached to the side walling.","15. A structure as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of poles to support the canopy, the poles being attached to each other by means of connectors.","16. A structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the side walling is collapsible by twisting each of the flexible coilable rods."],["1. A collapsible structure adapted to be supported on a surface and comprising:\na pair of side panel frame members, each side panel frame member forming a continuous loop that has a folded and unfolded orientation, with each loop collapsible to the folded position by twisting and folding to form a plurality of concentric rings;\na fabric material covering portions of each side panel loop frame member to form a side panel with each side panel frame member when the side panel frame members are in the unfolded orientation, the fabric material also extending from one of the side panel loop frame members to another of the side panel loop frame members;\na further frame structure coupled to the pair of side panel frame members;\na base coupled to each side panel;\nwherein when the pair of side panel frame members are in the unfolded orientation, each side panel is supported upright with a lower portion of the side panel oriented to rest on the surface and an upper portion of the side panel supported above the surface to define an interior space partially bordered by the side panel; wherein the pair of side panels are generally parallel to, and spaced apart from, each other; and\nwherein each side panel has a respective fabric sleeve permanently secured to the fabric material, with each side panel frame member located inside a respective fabric sleeve.","2. A collapsible structure as recited in claim 1, wherein the further frame structure is connected to the upper portions of the side panels.","3. A collapsible structure as recited in claim 2, wherein the further frame structure comprises a further frame member forming a continuous loop that has a folded and unfolded orientation.","4. A collapsible structure as recited in claim 1, wherein each fabric sleeve has a continuous annular shape.","5. A collapsible structure as recited in claim 1, wherein each fabric sleeve traverses all sides of its respective side panel.","6. A collapsible structure adapted to be supported on a surface and comprising:\nfirst and second continuous loop frame members, each having a folded and an unfolded orientation, and with each continuous loop frame member collapsible to the folded position by twisting and folding to form a plurality of concentric rings; and\na further frame structure connecting the first and second continuous loop frame members in a spaced relation relative to each other and defining an interior space between the first and second continuous loop frame members when the first and second continuous loop members are in the unfolded orientation;\na base coupled to each side panel;\na fabric material and first and second fabric sleeves permanently secured to the fabric material, wherein:\nthe first continuous loop frame member is located inside the first fabric sleeve and together with the fabric material defines a first panel;\nthe second continuous loop frame member is located inside the second fabric sleeve and together with the fabric material defines a second panel; and\nthe first and second panels are substantially parallel to each other.","7. A collapsible structure as recited in claim 6, wherein:\nthe further frame structure comprises a third continuous loop frame member.","8. A collapsible structure as recited in claim 6, wherein each fabric sleeve has a continuous annular shape.","9. A collapsible structure as recited in claim 6, wherein each fabric sleeve traverses all sides of its respective side panel.","10. A collapsible structure adapted to be supported on a surface and comprising:\nfabric material and a plurality of fabric sleeves permanently secured to the fabric material;\na pair of side panels, each side panel having a continuous loop frame member positioned in a respective one of the fabric sleeves, each continuous loop frame member having a folded and unfolded orientation, with each continuous loop frame member collapsible to the folded position by twisting and folding to form a plurality of concentric rings, and each side panel having a bottom portion adapted to be supported on the surface and an upper portion adapted to be supported above the surface when the continuous loop frame members are in the unfolded orientation; and\na further frame structure coupling the upper portions of the pair of side panels in a spaced relation to define an interior space partially bordered by each side panel when the continuous loop frame members are in the unfolded orientation;\na base coupled to each side panel;\nwherein the pair of side panels are generally parallel to, and spaced apart from, each other.","11. A collapsible structure as recited in claim 10, wherein the further frame structure comprises a further frame member forming a continuous loop that has a folded and unfolded orientation.","12. A collapsible structure as recited in claim 10, wherein each fabric sleeve has a continuous annular shape.","13. A collapsible structure as recited in claim 10, wherein each fabric sleeve traverses all sides of its respective side panel.","14. A collapsible structure as recited in claim 10, wherein the fabric material extends across each of the parallel side panels and from one of the parallel side panels to the other parallel side panel.","15. A collapsible structure comprising:\na plurality of side panels, each side panel having a continuous loop frame member that has a folded and an unfolded orientation, a fabric material and a fabric sleeve that is permanently secured to the fabric material and which contains the respective continuous loop frame member such that the fabric material defines a generally planar surface when the continuous loop frame member is in the unfolded orientation, with each continuous loop frame member collapsible to the folded position by twisting and folding to form a plurality of concentric rings; and\na further frame structure coupling the plural side panels together to define an interior space partially bordered by each side panel when the continuous loop frame members are in the unfolded orientation;\na base coupled to each side panel; and\nwherein the plurality of side panels comprise at least one pair of side panels that are generally parallel to, and spaced apart from, each other.","16. A collapsible structure as recited in claim 15, wherein the further frame structure is connected to the upper portions of the side panels.","17. A collapsible structure as recited in claim 15, wherein the further frame structure comprises a further frame member forming a continuous loop that has a folded and unfolded orientation.","18. A collapsible structure as recited in claim 15, wherein each fabric sleeve has a continuous annular shape.","19. A collapsible structure as recited in claim 15, wherein each fabric sleeve traverses all sides of its respective side panel.","20. A collapsible structure as recited in claim 15, wherein the fabric material extends across each of the parallel side panels and from one of the parallel side panels to the other parallel side panel."]],"string":"[\n [\n \"1. An infant playpen comprising:\\nan upper frame portion including a pivot joint and a first and a second side segment, the first and second side segments being rotatable relative to each other between an unfolded state and a folded state;\\na latching device disposed adjacent to the pivot joint, the latching device being switchable between a locking state for locking the first and the second side segments in the unfolded state, and an unlocking state for rotation of the first and the second side segments between the unfolded state and the folded state, wherein the latching device includes a first and a second latch, the first latch being engaged with the first side segment and the second latch engaged with the second side segment in the locking state, the first latch being disengaged from the first side segment and the second latch disengaged from the second side segment in the unlocking state;\\na standing post connected with the upper frame portion and having a foot portion, the standing post carrying a cable actuator and a resilient part, the resilient part applying a biasing force on the cable actuator for biasing the cable actuator toward an initial position;\\na cable assembly respectively connected with the latching device and the cable actuator, wherein the cable assembly includes a conduit, and a cable extending through an interior of the conduit, the cable having two opposite ends respectively anchored to the first latch and the cable actuator, and the conduit having two opposite ends respectively anchored to the second latch and the standing post; and\\na bottom linkage portion including a bar segment pivotally connected with the foot portion of the standing post, the bar segment being rotatable relative to the foot portion to urge the cable actuator in movement away from the initial position and thereby cause the latching device to switch from the locking state to the unlocking state.\",\n \"2. The infant playpen according to claim 1, wherein the pivot joint has a bracket that is respectively connected pivotally with the first and second side segments, the first and second side segments being respectively rotatable relative to the bracket between the unfolded state and the folded state.\",\n \"3. The infant playpen according to claim 2, wherein the first and the second latch are carried with the bracket.\",\n \"4. The infant playpen according to claim 3, wherein the bar segment is movable to urge the cable actuator in movement and thereby cause a relative movement between the cable and the conduit, which causes the first latch to disengage from the first side segment and the second latch to disengage from the second side segment.\",\n \"5. The infant playpen according to claim 4, wherein the second side segment and the standing post are respectively connected with a corner bracket, and the cable and the conduit extend along the second side segment and the standing post.\",\n \"6. The infant playpen according to claim 3, wherein the first latch and the second latch are respectively connected pivotally with the bracket, and the latching device further includes a spring having two ends respectively connected with the first latch and the second latch, the spring biasing the first latch and the second latch to respectively engage with the first side segment and the second side segment.\",\n \"7. The infant playpen according to claim 1, wherein the cable actuator is slidably connected with the standing post or the foot portion.\",\n \"8. The infant playpen according to claim 1, wherein an end of the bar segment is provided with a retractable part that is connected with a spring, the retractable part being movable relative to the bar segment to retract toward the bar segment or extend outward from the bar segment, the bar segment being rotatable relative to the foot portion so that the retractable part contacts and urges the cable actuator in movement away from the initial position and thereby cause the latching device to switch from the locking state to the unlocking state.\",\n \"9. The infant playpen according to claim 8, wherein the retractable part is slidably connected with the bar segment.\",\n \"10. The infant playpen according to claim 8, wherein the retractable part is out of contact with the cable actuator when the infant playpen is fully folded.\",\n \"11. The infant playpen according to claim 1, wherein the bottom linkage portion includes a central hub pivotally connected with the bar segment.\",\n \"12. An infant playpen comprising:\\nan upper frame portion including a pivot joint, and a first and a second side segment respectively connected pivotally with the pivot joint, the first and second side segments being rotatable relative to each other between an unfolded state and a folded state;\\na latching device including a first and a second latch disposed adjacent to the pivot joint, the first latch being engaged with the first side segment and the second latch engaged with the second side segment for locking the first and second side segments in the unfolded state, and the first latch being disengaged from the first side segment and the second latch disengaged from the second side segment for rotation of the first and the second side segments between the unfolded state and the folded state;\\na standing post connected with the upper frame portion and having a foot portion, the standing post carrying a cable actuator;\\na cable assembly respectively connected with the cable actuator, the first latch and the second latch, the cable assembly extending along the second side segment and the standing post, wherein the cable assembly includes a conduit, and a cable extending through an interior of the conduit, the cable having two opposite ends respectively anchored to the first latch and the cable actuator, and the conduit having two opposite ends respectively anchored to the second latch and the standing post; and\\na bottom linkage portion including a bar segment pivotally connected with the foot portion of the standing post, the bar segment being rotatable relative to the foot portion to urge the cable actuator in movement and thereby cause the first latch and the second latch to respectively disengage from the first side segment and the second side segment.\",\n \"13. The infant playpen according to claim 12, wherein the cable actuator is connected with a resilient part, the resilient part applying a biasing force on the cable actuator for biasing the cable actuator toward an initial position, and the bar segment being rotatable relative to the foot portion to urge the cable actuator in movement away from the initial position and thereby cause the first latch and the second latch to respectively disengage from the first side segment and the second side segment.\",\n \"14. The infant playpen according to claim 12 wherein the bottom linkage portion includes a central hub pivotally connected with the bar segment.\",\n \"15. The infant playpen according to claim 12, wherein an end of the bar segment is provided with a retractable part that is connected with a spring, the retractable part being movable relative to the bar segment to retract toward the bar segment or extend outward from the bar segment, the bar segment being rotatable relative to the foot portion so that the retractable part contacts and urges the cable actuator in movement and thereby cause the first latch and the second latch to respectively disengage from the first side segment and the second side segment.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A child play yard including a frame comprising:\\nlegs;\\nlower cross bars having first ends pivotally coupled to lower ends of the legs;\\na hub pivotally coupled to second ends of the lower cross bars, the hub including a hub mechanical central tube, a column slidably disposed within the hub mechanical central tube, a hub mechanical spindle disposed within the column, and hub lock fingers pivotally coupled to a lower portion of the column and including lower feet portions, the hub mechanical spindle having an enlarged diameter lower end portion that engages lower inner sidewalls of the hub lock fingers and maintains the lower feet portions of the hub lock fingers outside a perimeter of a lower opening of the hub mechanical central tube when the hub is disposed in a lowermost position in the frame; and\\na hub cover and a middle central piece slidably disposed within a recess defined in the hub cover, an upper end of the hub mechanical spindle being secured to the middle central piece, mechanical stops extending from a lower surface of the middle central piece that limit relative displacement between the hub cover and middle central piece.\",\n \"2. The child play yard of claim 1, wherein the enlarged diameter lower end portion of the hub mechanical spindle engages internal angled sidewalls of the hub lock fingers and displaces the lower feet portions of the hub lock fingers to a position below and within the perimeter of the lower opening of the hub mechanical central tube when the hub is displaced a first distance above the lowermost position in the frame.\",\n \"3. The child play yard of claim 2, wherein the column is displaced upward through the hub mechanical central tube when the hub is displaced the first distance above the lowermost position in the frame.\",\n \"4. The child play yard of claim 3, wherein the column is displaced further upward through the hub mechanical central tube and the hub lock fingers are drawn into the hub mechanical central tube when the hub is displaced a second distance greater than the first distance above the lowermost position in the frame.\",\n \"5. The child play yard of claim 1, wherein the lower cross bars include lower fourbar tops and lower fourbar bottoms.\",\n \"6. The child play yard of claim 5, wherein the hub further includes a base, second ends of the lower fourbar bottoms being pivotally coupled to the hub with pivot pins fixedly coupled to lower internal walls of the base of the hub.\",\n \"7. The child play yard of claim 6, wherein the hub further includes linkage interfaces disposed within the base, second ends of the lower fourbar tops being pivotally coupled to the hub with first pivot pins fixedly secured to upper internal walls of the base of the hub and by second pins that slide through slots defined in the linkage interfaces.\",\n \"8. The child play yard of claim 7, further comprising upper cross bars extending between respective pairs of the legs, the upper cross bars including first portions and second portions, the first and second portions being locked in alignment with one another when the hub is disposed in the lowermost position in the frame.\",\n \"9. The child play yard of claim 8, wherein the first and second portions are locked in alignment with one another when the hub is disposed in the lowermost position in the frame by plungers internal to the first and second portions that are biased by springs into contact with surfaces of strike plates disposed between ends of the first and second portions.\",\n \"10. The child play yard of claim 9, wherein displacement of the hub to a position above the lowermost position in the frame causes the first ends of the lower fourbar tops to pull on foot linkages disposed on lower portions of the legs that in turn pull indirectly on cables that pass into the first and second portions of each upper cross bar and pull the plungers out of engagement with the strike plates.\",\n \"11. The child play yard of claim 1, further comprising a spring disposed about an upper portion of the hub mechanical spindle and biasing the hub mechanical spindle downward through the column.\",\n \"12. The child play yard of claim 1, wherein an upper end of the column is secured to a bottom surface of the hub cover.\",\n \"13. A child play yard including a frame comprising:\\nlegs;\\nlower cross bars having first ends pivotally coupled to lower ends of the legs and second ends pivotally coupled to a hub disposed substantially centrally within a periphery of the frame, the hub including hub lock fingers pivotally coupled to the hub and including lower feet portions, and a hub mechanical spindle having an enlarged diameter lower end portion that engages lower inner sidewalls of the hub lock fingers and maintains the lower feet portions of the hub lock fingers outside a perimeter of a lower opening of the hub when the hub is disposed in a lowermost position in the frame;\\nupper cross bars extending between respective pairs of the legs, the upper cross bars including first and second sections with ends disposed proximate midpoints of the upper cross bars, the first and second sections being locked into alignment with one another when the hub is disposed in the lowermost position; and\\na hub cover and a middle central piece slidably disposed within a recess defined in the hub cover, an upper end of the hub mechanical spindle being secured to the middle central piece, mechanical stops extending from a lower surface of the middle central piece that limit relative displacement between the hub cover and middle central piece,\\ndisplacement of the hub upward from the lowermost position causing the hub mechanical spindle to engage internal angled sidewalls of the hub lock fingers and cause the hub lock fingers to pivot and the lower feet portions to be drawn into the lower opening of the hub, the lower cross bars to pivot relative to the hub and the legs and to draw the legs inward toward the hub, the first ends of the lower cross bars to pull indirectly on cables passing into the upper cross bars, the cables disengaging plungers from strike plates in the upper cross bars and unlocking the first and second sections of the upper cross bars from each other, and the upper cross bars to fold and the ends of the first and second sections of the upper cross bars to be drawn downward.\",\n \"14. The child play yard of claim 13, wherein the hub further comprises a hub mechanical central tube, a column slidably disposed within the hub mechanical central tube, the hub mechanical spindle disposed within the column, the hub lock fingers pivotally coupled to a lower portion of the column, the displacement of the hub upward from the lowermost position further causing the column to be displaced upward through the hub mechanical central tube.\",\n \"15. The child play yard of claim 13, further comprising a linkage interface to which the second ends of the lower cross bars are pivotally coupled, the displacement of the hub upward from the lowermost position further causing the linkage interface to be displaced upward through the hub.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. An infant playpen comprising:\\na plurality of upright legs; and\\na first and a second upper side rail assembly supported by the upright legs, wherein each of the first and second upper side rail assemblies includes at least one elongated segment having an outer surface, and a plurality of positioning regions are defined on the outer surfaces of the elongated segments, each of the positioning regions being configured to locate a connection of a removable accessory on the infant playpen, and at least one of the positioning regions including two slots that are formed on the outer surface of the corresponding segment and are spaced apart from each other along a length of the corresponding segment.\",\n \"2. The infant playpen according to claim 1, wherein the first upper side rail assembly includes a first and a second segment pivotally connected with a first joint, the second upper side rail assembly includes a third segment and a fourth segment pivotally connected with a second joint, and the positioning regions include four positioning regions respectively distributed on the first, second, third and fourth segments.\",\n \"3. The infant playpen according to claim 1, wherein the positioning regions are respectively formed with the outer surfaces of the elongated segments.\",\n \"4. The infant playpen according to claim 1, wherein the positioning regions are identical in construction.\",\n \"5. The infant playpen according to claim 1, wherein each of the slots is being configured to engage with a protrusion provided on a removable accessory.\",\n \"6. The infant playpen according to claim 1, wherein the infant playpen has a central axis extending centrally between the first and second upper side rail assemblies, and the positioning regions include four positioning regions arranged in a distribution that is symmetrical with respect to the central axis.\",\n \"7. The infant playpen according to claim 1, wherein the infant playpen has a transversal axis that intersects respective centers of the first and second upper side rail assemblies, and the positioning regions include four positioning regions arranged in a distribution that is symmetrical with respect to the transversal axis.\",\n \"8. The infant playpen according to claim 1, further including an enclosure stretched between the upright legs, the enclosure being comprised of a cloth material that wraps at least partially around the elongated segments, the cloth material respectively covering the positioning regions on the elongated segments.\",\n \"9. The infant playpen according to claim 1, further including an enclosure stretched between the upright legs, the enclosure being comprised of a cloth material that wraps at least partially around the elongated segments, the cloth material having openings for respectively exposing the positioning regions on the elongated segments.\",\n \"10. The infant playpen according to claim 1, wherein each of the positioning regions is configured to engage with any of a changing station, a napper device, a bassinet, a canopy, a toy bar and a storage tray.\",\n \"11. An infant care system comprising:\\nthe infant playpen according to claim 1; and\\na removable accessory installable on the infant playpen in one or more configurations by selectively registering with one or more of the positioning regions.\",\n \"12. The infant care system according to claim 11, wherein the positioning regions include four positioning regions, and the removable accessory when installed on the infant playpen attaches to the four positioning regions.\",\n \"13. The infant care system according to claim 11, wherein the removable accessory includes:\\na housing having a saddle portion and a coupling portion; and\\na locking part connected with the housing;\\nwherein when the removable accessory is installed on the infant playpen, one selected positioning region on the elongated segment of the first upper side rail assembly is received in the saddle portion, the coupling portion engages with the selected positioning region to prevent displacement of the housing along the elongated segment, and the locking part is displaced to a locked position that retains the selected positioning region in the saddle portion.\",\n \"14. The infant care system according to claim 13, wherein the housing has a resilient portion, and a retaining rib formed on an inner sidewall of the resilient portion, the locking part when in the locked position being engaged with the retaining rib, and the resilient portion being deflectable to disengage the retaining rib from the locking part.\",\n \"15. The infant care system according to claim 13, wherein the housing is assembled with a release button having an inner sidewall and a retaining rib formed on the inner sidewall, the locking part when in the locked position being engaged with the retaining rib, and the release button being operable to disengage the retaining rib from the locking part.\",\n \"16. The infant care system according to claim 13, wherein the coupling portion includes a protrusion configured to engage with at least one of the slots of one selected positioning region.\",\n \"17. The infant care system according to claim 16, wherein the protrusion vertically slides through the slot of one selected positioning region to register the removable accessory with the selected positioning region.\",\n \"18. An infant care system comprising:\\nan infant playpen including:\\na plurality of upright legs; and\\na first and a second upper side rail assembly supported by the upright legs, wherein each of the first and second upper side rail assemblies includes at least one elongated segment having an outer surface, and a plurality of positioning regions are defined on the outer surfaces of the elongated segments;\\na removable accessory installed on the infant playpen, the removable accessory including:\\na housing having a saddle portion and a coupling portion; and\\na locking part connected with the housing;\\nwherein one selected positioning region on the first upper side rail assembly is received in the saddle portion, the coupling portion engages with the selected positioning region to prevent displacement of the housing along the first upper side rail assembly, and the locking part is displaced to a locked position that retains the selected positioning region in the saddle portion.\",\n \"19. The infant care system according to claim 18, wherein the first upper side rail assembly includes a first and a second segment pivotally connected with a first joint, the second upper side rail assembly includes a third segment and a fourth segment pivotally connected with a second joint, and the positioning regions are respectively defined on the first, second, third and fourth segments.\",\n \"20. The infant care system according to claim 19, wherein the first, second, third and fourth segments are respectively formed to include the positioning regions.\",\n \"21. The infant care system according to claim 18, wherein all of the positioning regions are identical in construction.\",\n \"22. The infant care system according to claim 18, wherein the housing has a resilient portion, and a retaining rib formed on an inner sidewall of the resilient portion, the locking part when in the locked position being engaged with the retaining rib, and the resilient portion being deflectable to disengage the retaining rib from the locking part.\",\n \"23. The infant care system according to claim 18, wherein the housing is assembled with a release button having an inner sidewall and a retaining rib formed on the inner sidewall, the locking part when in the locked position being engaged with the retaining rib, and the release button being operable to disengage the retaining rib from the locking part.\",\n \"24. The infant care system according to claim 18, wherein the coupling portion includes a protrusion, and each of the positioning regions includes a slot configured to receive the protrusion.\",\n \"25. The infant care system according to claim 24, wherein the protrusion vertically slides through the slot of the selected positioning region to engage the removable accessory with the selected positioning region.\",\n \"26. The infant care system according to claim 18, wherein the infant playpen has a central axis extending between the first and second upper rail assemblies, and the positioning regions are arranged in a distribution that is symmetrical with respect to the central axis.\",\n \"27. The infant care system according to claim 18, wherein the infant playpen has a transversal axis that intersects respective centers of the first and second upper side rail assemblies, and the positioning regions are arranged in a distribution that is symmetrical with respect to the transversal axis.\",\n \"28. The infant care system according to claim 18, wherein the infant playpen further includes an enclosure stretched between the upright legs, the enclosure being comprised of a cloth material that wraps at least partially around the first and second upper rail assemblies, and covers the positioning regions thereon.\",\n \"29. The infant care system according to claim 18, wherein the infant playpen further includes an enclosure stretched between the upright legs, the enclosure being comprised of a cloth material that that have openings for respectively exposing the positioning regions on the first and second upper rail assemblies.\",\n \"30. The infant care system according to claim 18, wherein the removable accessory is selectively installable on the infant playpen in a first position in which the removable accessory respectively engages with two first ones of the four positioning regions respectively provided on the first and second upper side rail assemblies, and in a second position in which the removable accessory respectively engages with two second ones of the positioning regions respectively provided on the first and second upper side rail assemblies.\",\n \"31. The infant care system according to claim 18, wherein the positioning regions include four positioning regions, and the removable accessory when installed on the infant playpen engages with the four positioning regions.\",\n \"32. An infant playpen comprising:\\na plurality of upright legs; and\\na first and a second upper side rail assembly supported by the upright legs, wherein each of the first and second upper side rail assemblies includes at least one elongated segment having an outer surface, and a plurality of positioning regions are defined on the outer surfaces of the elongated segments, each of the positioning regions being configured to locate a connection of a removable accessory on the infant playpen, and each of the positioning regions being defined from a distinctive geometrical shape formed by the corresponding segment.\",\n \"33. The infant playpen according to claim 32, wherein the distinctive geometrical shape includes one or more slots, each of the slots being configured to respectively engage with a protrusion provided on a removable accessory.\",\n \"34. The infant playpen according to claim 32, wherein the first upper side rail assembly includes a first and a second segment pivotally connected with a first joint, the second upper side rail assembly includes a third segment and a fourth segment pivotally connected with a second joint, and the positioning regions include four positioning regions respectively distributed on the first, second, third and fourth segments.\",\n \"35. The infant playpen according to claim 32, wherein the positioning regions are identical in construction.\",\n \"36. The infant playpen according to claim 32, wherein the infant playpen has a central axis extending centrally between the first and second upper side rail assemblies, and the positioning regions include four positioning regions arranged in a distribution that is symmetrical with respect to the central axis.\",\n \"37. The infant playpen according to claim 32, wherein the infant playpen has a transversal axis that intersects respective centers of the first and second upper side rail assemblies, and the positioning regions include four positioning regions arranged in a distribution that is symmetrical with respect to the transversal axis.\",\n \"38. The infant playpen according to claim 32, further including an enclosure stretched between the upright legs, the enclosure being comprised of a cloth material that wraps at least partially around the elongated segments, the cloth material respectively covering the positioning regions on the elongated segments.\",\n \"39. The infant playpen according to claim 32, further including an enclosure stretched between the upright legs, the enclosure being comprised of a cloth material that wraps at least partially around the elongated segments, the cloth material having openings for respectively exposing the positioning regions on the elongated segments.\",\n \"40. The infant playpen according to claim 32, wherein each of the positioning regions is configured to engage with any of a changing station, a napper device, a bassinet, a canopy, a toy bar and a storage tray.\",\n \"41. An infant care system comprising:\\nthe infant playpen according to claim 32; and\\na removable accessory installable on the infant playpen in one or more configurations by selectively registering with one or more of the positioning regions.\",\n \"42. The infant care system according to claim 41, wherein the removable accessory includes:\\na housing having a saddle portion and a coupling portion; and\\na locking part connected with the housing;\\nwherein when the removable accessory is installed on the infant playpen, one selected positioning region on the elongated segment of the first upper side rail assembly is received in the saddle portion, the coupling portion engages with the selected positioning region to prevent displacement of the housing along the elongated segment, and the locking part is displaced to a locked position that retains the selected positioning region in the saddle portion.\",\n \"43. The infant care system according to claim 42, wherein the housing is assembled with a release button having an inner sidewall and a retaining rib formed on the inner sidewall, the locking part when in the locked position being engaged with the retaining rib, and the release button being operable to disengage the retaining rib from the locking part.\",\n \"44. The infant care system according to claim 42, wherein the coupling portion includes a protrusion, and each of the positioning regions includes a slot configured to receive the protrusion.\",\n \"45. The infant care system according to claim 44, wherein the protrusion vertically slides through the slot of the selected positioning region to engage the removable accessory with the selected positioning region.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A foldable frame for play pen and cot, comprising:\\na top frame comprising a pair of parallel top frame bars and a pair of parallel top frame units to form a rectangular structure, wherein each of said top frame units has an affixing end and a locking end;\\na supporting frame comprising four supporting posts;\\na base frame;\\na pair of first top joints, each having a transverse tubular sleeve, connecting two ends of said two top frame bars with upper ends of said two supporting posts respectively;\\na pair of second top joints, each having a transverse locking slot, connecting the other two of said ends of two said top frame bars with upper ends of the other two of said supporting posts respectively, wherein each of said top frame units is detachably connected between said first top joint and said second top joint;\\nfour base joints connecting bottom ends of said four supporting posts with said base frame respectively; and\\na rotatable locker affixed to each of said locking ends of said top frame units and arranged in such a manner that each said top frame unit is slidably penetrated through said locking slot of said second top joint until said affixing end of said top frame unit is inserted into said tubular sleeve of said first top joint and said rotatable locker is adjustably locked up with said second top joint, so as to securely lock up said top frame unit between said first and second top joints.\",\n \"2. The foldable frame, as recited in claim 1, wherein said rotatable locker comprises a threaded shank firmly attached to said locking end of a respective said top frame unit and an enlarged rotating bottom arranged to drive said thread shank to rotate, wherein said threaded shank is rotatably and fittedly engaged with an inner thread portion of said locking slot when said top frame unit is slidably passing therethrough.\",\n \"3. The foldable frame, as recited in claim 2, wherein each said top frame unit is constructed by first and second tubular frame posts detachably connected each other wherein each said first frame post has a receiving end portion and each said second frame post has a connecting end portion, having a diameter slightly smaller than said receiving end portion of said first frame post into said receiving end portion of said first frame post so as to connect said first frame post with said second frame post to form said top frame unit.\",\n \"4. The foldable frame, as recited in claim 3, wherein said top frame further comprises a blocking element movable and transversely penetrated through said connecting end portion of said second frame post and a resilient element disposed in said connecting end portion of said second frame post for applying an urging pressure on said blocking element so as to normally maintain a head portion of said blocking element exposed to an exterior of said second frame post in such a manner that when said connecting end portion of said second frame post is inserted into said receiving end portion of said first frame post, said head portion of said blocking element is inserted into a locker hole formed on said receiving end portion of said first frame post, so as to securely lock up said first frame post with said second frame post.\",\n \"5. The foldable frame, as recited in claim 3, wherein said base frame comprises a pair of base support apparatus each comprising a pair of identical base support arms wherein an inward end of each base support arm is pivotally connected to a respective said base joint, and two coupling joints each for pivotally connecting an inward end of said base support arm of one said base support apparatus with an inward end of said base support arm of another said base supporting apparatus.\",\n \"6. The foldable frame, as recited in claim 5, wherein each said coupling joint comprises a standing leg having a predetermined height extended downwardly adapted for steadily sitting on ground when said foldable frame is unfolded.\",\n \"7. The foldable frame, as recited in claim 6, wherein each said base support apparatus further comprises an inner pillar firmly affixed between said two coupling joints and an outer pillar firmly affixed between two outward end portions of said base support arms wherein said two inner pillars and said two outer pillars are capable of retaining a shape of said foldable frame.\",\n \"8. The foldable frame, as recited in claim 7, further comprising a boundary shelter supported by said foldable frame wherein said base joint further comprises an elongated element having an affixing end portion affixed to said two inner pillars and a pulling end portion extended through at least a slit formed on a bottom panel of said boundary shelter in such a manner that when said elongated element is pulled upwardly, said inward ends of said base support arms are arranged to pivotally move upward in opposite directions, so as to fold up said base frame in half.\",\n \"9. The foldable frame, as recited in claim 2, wherein said base frame comprises a pair of base support apparatus each comprising a pair of identical base support arms wherein an inward end of each base support arm is pivotally connected to said respective base joint, and two coupling joints each for pivotally connecting an inward end of said base support arm of one said base support apparatus with an inward end of said base support arm of another said base supporting apparatus.\",\n \"10. The foldable frame, as recited in claim 9, wherein each said coupling joint comprises a standing leg having a predetermined height extended downwardly adapted for steadily sitting on ground when said foldable frame is unfolded.\",\n \"11. The foldable frame, as recited in claim 10, wherein each said base support apparatus further comprises an inner pillar firmly affixed between said two coupling joints and an outer pillar firmly affixed between two outward end portions of said base support arms wherein said two inner pillars and said two outer pillars are capable of retaining a shape of said foldable frame.\",\n \"12. The foldable frame, as recited in claim 11, further comprising a boundary shelter supported by said foldable frame, wherein each said base joint further comprises an elongated element having an affixing end portion affixed to said two inner pillars and a pulling end portion extended through at least a slit formed on a bottom panel of said boundary shelter in such a manner that when said elongated element is pulled upwardly, said inward ends of said base support arms are arranged to pivotally move upward in opposite directions, so as to fold up said base frame in half.\",\n \"13. The foldable frame, as recited in claim 1, wherein each said top frame unit is constructed by first and second tubular frame posts detachably connected to each other wherein each said first frame post has a receiving end portion and each said second frame post has a connecting end portion, having a diameter slightly smaller than said receiving end portion of said first frame post, fittedly inserted into said receiving end portion of said first frame post so as to connect said first frame post with said second frame post to form said top frame unit.\",\n \"14. The foldable frame, as recited in claim 13, wherein said top frame further comprises a blocking element movable and transversely penetrated through said connecting end portion of said second frame post and a resilient element disposed in said connecting end portion of said second frame post for applying an urging pressure on said blocking element so as to normally maintain a head portion of said blocking element exposed to an exterior of said second frame post in such a manner that when said connecting end portion of said second frame post is inserted into said receiving end portion of said first frame post, said head portion of said blocking element is inserted into a locker hole formed on said receiving end portion of said first frame post, so as to securely lock up said first frame post with said second frame post.\",\n \"15. The foldable frame, as recited in claim 1, wherein said base frame comprises a pair of base support apparatus each comprising a pair of identical base support arms wherein an inward end of each base support arm is pivotally connected to a respective said base joint, and two coupling joints each for pivotally connecting an inward end of said base support arm of one said base support apparatus with an inward end of said base support arm of another said base supporting apparatus.\",\n \"16. The foldable frame as recited in claim 15, wherein each said coupling joint comprises a standing leg having a predetermined height extended downwardly adapted for steadily sitting on ground when said foldable frame is unfolded.\",\n \"17. The foldable frame, as recited in claim 16, wherein each said base support apparatus further comprises an inner pillar firmly affixed between said two coupling joints and an outer pillar firmly affixed between two outward end portions of said base support arms wherein said two inner pillars and said two outer pillars are capable of retaining a shape of said foldable frame.\",\n \"18. The foldable frame as recited in claim 17, further comprising a boundary shelter supported by said foldable frame, wherein each said base joint further comprises an elongated element having an affixing end portion affixed to said two inner pillars and a pulling end portion extended through at least a slit formed on a bottom panel of said boundary shelter in such a manner that when said elongated element is pulled upwardly, said inward ends of said base support arms are arranged to pivotally move upward in opposite directions, so as to fold up said base frame in half.\",\n \"19. The foldable frame, as recited in claim 15, wherein each said base support apparatus further comprises an inner pillar firmly affixed between said two coupling joints and an outer pillar firmly affixed between two outward end portions of said base support arms wherein said two inner pillars and said two outer pillars are capable of retaining a sharp of said foldable frame.\",\n \"20. The foldable frame, as recited in claim 19, further comprising a boundary shelter supported by said foldable frame wherein each said base joint further comprises an elongated element having an affixing end portion affixed to said two inner pillars and a pulling end portion extended through at least a slit formed on a bottom panel of said boundary shelter in such a manner that when said elongated element is pulled upwardly, said inward ends of said base support arms are arranged to pivotally move upward in opposite directions so as to fold up said base frame in half.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A collapsible device, comprising:\\na collapsible frame body including:\\na continuous rail having at least first and second corner continuous rail joints that segment the continuous rail into segments, the continuous rail comprising at least first and second corners, wherein the first corner continuous rail joint is located at the first corner and the second corner continuous rail joint is located at a position offset and adjacent to the second corner, thereby allowing the continuous rail to transition between a first extended configuration in which the first and second corner continuous rail joints are in a plane and a first collapsed configuration in which the first and second corner continuous rail joints have folded in the plane such that the segments of the continuous rail are positioned adjacent each other;\\na first extension extending from the continuous rail, the first extension including a first proximal part and a first distal part with a first extension joint positioned a first distance from the continuous rail and between the first proximal part and the first distal part, the first extension joint allowing the first extension to transition between a second collapsed configuration and a second extended configuration, wherein the second extended configuration includes the first proximal part being collinear with the first distal part, and wherein the second collapsed configuration includes the first proximal part being angled relative to the first distal part;\\na second extension extending from the continuous rail, the second extension including a second proximal part and a second distal part with having a second extension joint positioned a second distance from the continuous rail and between the second proximal part and the second distal part, the first extension joint allowing the second extension to transition between a third collapsed configuration and a third extended configuration, wherein the third extended configuration includes the second proximal part being collinear with the second distal part, and wherein the third collapsed configuration includes the second proximal part being angled relative to the second distal part, and wherein the first distance is shorter than the second distance;\\na flexible material component configured to reversibly secure to at least a part of the collapsible frame body and provide the at least partial containment; and\\na foldable base configured to reversibly mate with the flexible material.\",\n \"2. The device of claim 1, wherein the continuous rail is rectangular in shape with two opposing first rails and two opposing second rails with the first rails having a length that is longer than the second rails.\",\n \"3. The device of claim 2, wherein each of the first rails include a first continuous rail joint which segment the first rails and allow the first rails to transition between a third collapsed configuration and a third extended configuration.\",\n \"4. The device of claim 3, wherein the first continuous rail joints include a locking mechanism configured to be activated by a user and allow the user to lock and unlock the first continuous rail joints.\",\n \"5. The device of claim 1, wherein a third corner includes a third corner continuous rail joint located at the third corner and a fourth corner includes a fourth corner continuous rail joint located at a position offset and adjacent to the fourth corner of the continuous rail.\",\n \"6. The device of claim 1, wherein a distal end of the first extension and/or the second extension is configured to couple to a rocker adapter or an adaptable foot.\",\n \"7. A method comprising;\\nproviding a collapsible device that provides at least partial containment, wherein the collapsible device includes a collapsible frame body including:\\na continuous rail having at least first and second corner continuous rail joints that segment the continuous rail into segments, the continuous rail comprising at least first and second corners, wherein the first corner continuous rail joint is located at the first corner, the second corner continuous rail joint is located at a position offset and adjacent to the second corner thereby allowing the continuous rail to transition between a first extended configuration in which the first and second corner continuous rail joints are in a plane and a first collapsed configuration in which the first and second corner continuous rail joints have folded in the plane such that the segments of the continuous rail are positioned adjacent to each other;\\na first extension extending from the continuous rail, the first extension including a first proximal part and a first distal part with a first extension joint positioned a first distance from the continuous rail and between the first proximal part and the first distal part, the first extension joint allowing the first extension to transition between a second collapsed configuration and a second extended configuration, wherein the second extended configuration includes the first proximal part being collinear with the first distal part, and wherein the second collapsed configuration includes the first proximal part being angled relative to the first distal part;\\na second extension extending from the continuous rail, the second extension including a second proximal part and a second distal part with having a second extension joint positioned a second distance from the continuous rail and between the second proximal part and the second distal part, the first extension joint allowing the second extension to transition between a third collapsed configuration and a third extended configuration, wherein the third extended configuration includes the second proximal part being collinear with the second distal part, and wherein the third collapsed configuration includes the second proximal part being angled relative to the second distal part, the first distance being shorter than the second distance;\\na flexible material component configured to reversibly secure to at least a part of the collapsible frame body and provide the at least partial containment; and\\na foldable base configured to reversibly mate with the flexible material.\",\n \"8. The method of claim 7, wherein the continuous rail is rectangular in shape with two opposing first rails and two opposing second rails with the first rails having a length that is longer than the second rails.\",\n \"9. The method of claim 8, wherein each of the first rails include a first continuous rail joint which segment the first rails and allow the first rails to transition between a third collapsed configuration and a third extended configuration.\",\n \"10. The method of claim 9, wherein the first continuous rail joints include a locking mechanism configured to be activated by a user and allow the user to lock and unlock the first continuous rail joints.\",\n \"11. The method of claim 7, wherein a third corner includes a third corner continuous rail joint located at the third corner and a fourth corner includes a fourth corner continuous rail joint located at a position offset and adjacent to the fourth corner of the continuous rail.\",\n \"12. The method of claim 7, wherein a distal end of the first extension and/or the second extension is configured to couple to a rocker adapter or an adaptable foot.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A foldable crib comprising a pair of U-shaped rim frame members; a pair of connecting means each pivoted at the two ends thereof to ends of different ones of said frame members; a pair of base members each having a shape conforming to the area enclosed by a respective one of said frame members; a pair of legs associated with each of said frame members; means for pivoting the upper end of each of said legs to a respective side of the associated frame member; link means associated with each of said legs; first means for pivoting one end of each link means to the associated leg and second means for pivoting the other end of each link means to the respective side of the associated frame member; means for coupling each of said base members to a pair of respective legs at points below the respective first pivoting means along said legs; flexible fabric means for providing end and side walls for the crib between said frame members and said base members; and hinge joint means positioned along each of said legs between the upper end thereof and the respective first pivoting means for allowing said legs to be selectively set in extended and folded positions; the lengths of said link means and the positions of said hinge joint means being such that (1) when said legs are in their extended positions each of said legs extends downwardly from said frame membeRs and outwardly from said connecting means, each of said link means extends upwardly and outwardly from the associated leg, and said frame members are substantially coplanar, and (2) when said legs are in their folded positions said frame members extend downwardly from said connecting means and are substantially parallel, and each of said link means is disposed below the respective hinge joint means and extends downwardly and outwardly from the respective leg to the respective side of the associated frame member.\",\n \"2. A foldable crib in accordance with claim 1 wherein each of said hinge joint means is operative to allow the two parts of the respective leg on either side thereof to be rotated relative to each other through an angle of approximately 180 degrees.\",\n \"3. A foldable crib in accordance with claim 1 further including means for hinging said base members together along facing edges thereof to permit said base members to be folded inwardly to face each other with said hinging means being raised when said legs are in their folded positions.\",\n \"4. A foldable crib in accordance with claim 1 further including two cross-strut means each extended between the lower portions of the legs in a respective one of said pairs, and means for locking said cross-strut means adjacent to and parallel to each other when said legs are in their folded positions.\",\n \"5. A foldable crib in accordance with claim 1 wherein each of said legs includes a pair of telescoping leg sections and means for locking said leg sections in at least two discrete telescoping positions.\",\n \"6. A foldable crib in accordance with claim 1 wherein each of the coupling means for one of said base members includes a pair of links each pivoted at one end thereof to a respective side of said base member and pivoted at the other end thereof to one of the respective legs, and means fixed to each of said links at a point intermediate the ends thereof for gripping the respective leg at two separate positions therealong for two extreme rotated positions of said link relative to said leg whereby said base members may be maintained coplanar in two separate positions below said frame members when said legs are in their open positions.\",\n \"7. A foldable crib in accordance with claim 1 wherein the coupling means for said base members include means for positioning said base members coplanar in two separate switchable positions below said frame members when said legs are in their open positions.\",\n \"8. A foldable crib in accordance with claim 7 further including means for hinging said base members together along facing edges thereof to permit said base members to be folded inwardly to face each other with said hinging means being raised when said legs are in their folded positions.\",\n \"9. A foldable crib in accordance with claim 7 wherein each of said hinge joint means is operative to allow the two parts of the respective leg on either side thereof to be rotated relative to each other through an angle of approximately 180 degrees.\",\n \"10. A foldable crib in accordance with claim 7 wherein each of said legs includes a pair of telescoping leg sections and means for locking said leg sections in at least two discrete telescoping positions.\",\n \"11. A foldable crib comprising a pair of rim frame members; means for joining said frame members in the configuration of a rim for the crib; a pair of base members each having a shape conforming to the area enclosed by a respective one of said frame members; a pair of legs associated with each of said frame members; means for pivoting the upper end of each of said legs to a respective side of the associated frame member; a pair of means for coupling each of said base members to a pair of respective legs; flexible fabric means for providing end and side walls for the crib between said frame members and said base members; hinge joint means positioned along each of said legs between the upper end thereof and the respective coupling means for allowing said legs to be selectively set in extended and Folded conditions; and means for maintaining said legs when they are in their extended conditions in positions which extend downwardly from said frame members and outwardly therefrom such that said frame members are substantially coplanar; said hinge joint means being operative when said legs are in their folded conditions to allow both of said frame members to extend downwardly with said base members being maintained vertically therebetween.\",\n \"12. A foldable crib in accordance with claim 11 wherein each of said hinge joint means is operative to allow the two parts of the respective leg on either side thereof to be rotated relative to each other through an angle of approximately 180 degrees.\",\n \"13. A foldable crib in accordance with claim 11 further including means for hinging said base members together along facing edges thereof to permit said base members to be folded inwardly to face each other with said hinging means being raised when said legs are in their folded conditions.\",\n \"14. A foldable crib in accordance with claim 11 further including two cross-strut means each extended between the lower portions of the legs in a respective one of said parts, and means for locking said cross-strut means adjacent to and parallel to each other when said legs are in their folded conditions.\",\n \"15. A foldable crib in accordance with claim 11 wherein each of said legs includes a pair of telescoping leg sections and means for locking said leg sections in at least two discrete telescoping positions.\",\n \"16. A foldable crib in accordance with claim 11 wherein each of said coupling means for one of said base members includes a pair of links each pivoted at one end thereof to a respective side of said base member and pivoted at the other end thereof to one of the respective legs, and means fixed to each of said links at a point intermediate the ends thereof for gripping the respective leg at two separate positions therealong for two extreme rotated positions of said link relative to said leg whereby said base members may be maintained coplanar in two separate positions below said frame members when said legs are in their open conditions.\",\n \"17. A foldable crib in accordance with claim 11 wherein the coupling means for said base members include means for positioning said base members coplanar in two separate switchable positions below said frame members when said legs are in their open conditions.\",\n \"18. A foldable crib in accordance with claim 17 further including means for hinging said base members together along facing edges thereof to permit said base members to be folded inwardly to face each other with said hinging means being raised when said legs are in their folded conditions.\",\n \"19. A foldable crib in accordance with claim 17 wherein each of said hinge joint means is operative to allow the two parts of the respective leg on either side thereof to be rotated relative to each other through an angle of approximately 180*.\",\n \"20. A foldable crib in accordance with claim 17 wherein each of said legs includes a pair of telescoping leg sections and means for locking said leg sections in at least two discrete telescoping positions.\",\n \"21. An adjustable crib comprising a pair of U-shaped rim frame members; means for connecting respective ends of different ones of said frame members; a pair of base members each having a shape conforming to the area enclosed by a respective one of said frame members; a pair of legs associated with each of said frame members; means for connecting each of said legs to a respective side of the associated frame member; means for maintaining each of said legs in a position extending downward from the associated frame member and outward from said connecting means; flexible fabric means for providing end and side walls for the crib between said frame members and said base members; and means for coupling each of said base members to a pair of respective legs; each of said coupling means including a pair of links each pivoted at one end thereof to a respectiVe side of said base member and pivoted at the other end thereof to one of the respective legs, and means fixed to each of said links at a point intermediate the ends thereof for engaging the respective leg at two separate positions therealong for two extreme rotated positions of said link relative to said leg whereby said base members may be maintained coplanar in two separate positions below said frame members.\",\n \"22. An adjustable crib in accordance with claim 21 further including means for hinging said base members together along facing edges thereof.\",\n \"23. An adjustable crib in accordance with claim 21 wherein each of said legs includes a pair of telescoping leg sections and means for locking said leg sections in at least two discrete telescoping positions.\",\n \"24. An adjustable crib comprising a frame rim; floorboard means having a shape conforming to the area enclosed by said frame rim; a pair of legs associated with each end of said frame rim; means for connecting each of said legs to a respective side of the associated frame rim; means for maintaining each of said legs in a position extending downward from said frame rim and outward from the center thereof; flexible fabric means for providing end and side walls for the crib between said frame rim and said floorboard means; means for coupling each end of said floorboard means to a pair of respective legs; each of said coupling means including a pair of links each pivoted at a first end thereof to a respective side of said floorboard means at one end thereof and pivoted at a second end thereof to one of the respective legs, and means fixed to each of said links at a point intermediate the ends thereof for engaging the respective leg at two separate positions therealong for two extreme rotated positions of said link relative to said leg whereby said floorboard means may be set in two separate positions below said frame members; and means for permitting said floorboard means to be moved manually between said two positions but to be maintained fixed in each of said positions after being set therein.\",\n \"25. An adjustable crib in accordance with claim 24 wherein each of said legs includes a pair of telescoping leg sections and means for locking said leg sections in at least two discrete telescoping positions.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A collapsible playpen comprising:\\nan upper frame assembly having four sides, the four sides including a first and a second side opposite to each other that respectively have a first and a second coupling bracket, and a third and a fourth side opposite to each other that are respectively contiguous to the first and second sides;\\nfour standing legs having lower end portions respectively provided a plurality of foot members, the four standing legs including a first and a second standing leg respectively coupled with the upper frame assembly via a first and a second leg linkage that are assembled with the first coupling bracket, and a third and a fourth standing leg respectively coupled with the upper frame assembly via a third and a fourth leg linkage that are assembled with the second coupling bracket; and\\na bottom linkage assembly connected with the foot members of the four standing legs.\",\n \"2. The playpen according to claim 1, wherein the third and fourth sides of the upper frame assembly are free of leg linkages.\",\n \"3. The playpen according to claim 1, wherein the first and second coupling brackets are respectively disposed at a middle of the first and second side of the upper frame assembly.\",\n \"4. The playpen according to claim 1, wherein the upper frame assembly includes a first and a second frame subassembly each of which having two opposite ends respectively connected with the first and second coupling brackets, each of the first and second frame subassemblies forming a cantilever projecting from the first and second coupling brackets when the playpen is in an unfolded state.\",\n \"5. The playpen according to claim 4, wherein at least one of the first and second frame subassemblies includes two side segments coupled with each other via a hinge, and two end segments respectively coupled with the two side segments via two corner brackets, the two end segments being further respectively coupled with the first and second coupling brackets.\",\n \"6. The playpen according to claim 4, wherein the first and second leg linkages respectively include a plurality of first and second linking members that are assembled according to a cross-shaped geometry, the first leg linkage coupling the first frame subassembly with the first standing leg, and the second leg linkage coupling the second frame subassembly with the second standing leg.\",\n \"7. The playpen according to claim 4, wherein the first coupling bracket includes a guide slot and is respectively connected with the first frame subassembly and the first standing leg via a first and a second pivot connection, and the first leg linkage includes:\\na first linking member affixed with the first frame subassembly;\\na second linking member connected with the first linking member via a third pivot connection; and\\na third linking member affixed with the first standing leg and connected with the second linking member via a fourth pivot connection, the fourth pivot connection being guided for sliding movement along the guide slot of the first coupling bracket.\",\n \"8. The playpen according to claim 7, wherein when the playpen is in an unfolded state, the third and fourth pivot connections are located at two sides of a vertical axis intersecting the first pivot connection.\",\n \"9. The playpen according to claim 7, wherein when the playpen is in an unfolded state, the second, third and fourth pivot connections define three distinct apexes of a triangle, the apex of the fourth pivot connection being located at an underside of a line joining the respective apexes of the second and third pivot connections.\",\n \"10. The playpen according to claim 1, wherein the lower end portions of the four standing legs are respectively connected pivotally with the foot members.\",\n \"11. The playpen according to claim 10, wherein the bottom linkage assembly includes a central hub, and four bar segments that are coupled with the central hub and are respectively connected pivotally with the foot members of the four standing legs.\",\n \"12. The playpen according to claim 11, wherein at least one of the four bar segments that is coupled with the first standing leg has an impeding protrusion, the impeding protrusion being movable along with the bar segment between a locking position engaged with the first standing leg and a release position disengaged from the first standing leg, the impeding protrusion being in the locking position for preventing relative rotation between the first standing leg and the foot member coupled therewith when the playpen is in an unfolded state.\",\n \"13. The playpen according to claim 11, wherein each of the four bar segments has an end portion, and the central hub includes:\\na hub housing respectively connected pivotally with the four bar segments, the end portions of the bar segments being received at least partially in the hub housing;\\na handle having a guide slot and pivotally connected with the hub housing via a fifth pivot connection;\\na latch assembled with the hub housing for sliding movement along a displacement axis, the latch contacting with the end portions of the bar segments at an upper side thereof to keep the bar segments in an unfolded state; and\\na lever in sliding contact with the latch, the lever being respectively connected pivotally with the hub housing and the handle via a sixth and a seventh pivot connection, the seventh pivot connection being guided for sliding displacement along the guide slot of the handle.\",\n \"14. The playpen according to claim 13, wherein the handle closes an upper opening of the hub housing when the playpen is in an unfolded state.\",\n \"15. The playpen according to claim 13, wherein the hub housing is affixed with a shaft portion, and the latch is guided for sliding displacement along the shaft portion.\",\n \"16. The playpen according to claim 15, wherein the lever is pivotally connected with the shaft portion.\",\n \"17. The playpen according to claim 13, wherein when the playpen is in an unfolded state, the fifth, sixth and seventh pivot connections define three distinct apexes of a triangle, the apex of the sixth pivot connection being located above a line joining the respective apexes of the fifth and seventh pivot connections.\",\n \"18. The playpen according to claim 17, wherein the latch is connected with a spring, the lever being rotated by the latch biased by an action of the spring in a direction for keeping the apex of the sixth pivot connection above the line joining the respective apexes of the fifth and seventh pivot connections when the playpen is in the unfolded state, whereby locking the four bar segments in a substantially horizontal configuration.\",\n \"19. A playpen comprising:\\nan upper frame assembly including a first and a second frame subassembly that are respectively connected with a first and a second coupling bracket, the first frame subassembly having a first and a second end opposite to each other, and the second frame subassembly having a third and a fourth end opposite to each other;\\nfour standing legs having lower ends respectively provided with foot members, the four standing legs including a first and a second standing leg respectively coupled with the first end of the first frame subassembly and the third end of the second frame subassembly via a first and a second leg linkage that are assembled with the first coupling bracket, and a third and a fourth standing leg respectively coupled with the second end of the first frame subassembly and the fourth end of the second frame subassembly via a third and a fourth leg linkage that are assembled with the second coupling bracket; and\\na bottom linkage assembly respectively connected with the foot members of the four standing legs;\\nwherein when the playpen is in an unfolded state, the first and second frame subassemblies form two cantilevers oppositely projecting from the first and second coupling brackets so as to respectively bias each of the first through fourth leg linkages to a geometric configuration for maintaining the unfolded state.\",\n \"20. The playpen according to claim 19, wherein the first frame subassembly includes two side segments coupled with each other via a hinge, and two end segments respectively coupled with the two side segments via two corner brackets, the two end segments being further respectively coupled with the first and third leg linkages.\",\n \"21. The playpen according to claim 19, wherein the first and second leg linkages respectively include a plurality of first linking members and a plurality of second linking members that are assembled according to a cross-shaped geometry, the first leg linkage coupling the first frame subassembly with the first standing leg, and the second leg linkage coupling the second frame subassembly with the second standing leg.\",\n \"22. The playpen according to claim 19, wherein the first coupling bracket includes a guide slot and is respectively connected with the first frame subassembly and the first standing leg via a first and a second pivot connection, and the first leg linkage includes:\\na first linking member affixed with the first frame subassembly;\\na second linking member connected with the first linking member via a third pivot connection; and\\na third linking member affixed with the first standing leg and connected with the second linking member via a fourth pivot connection, the fourth pivot connection being guided for sliding movement along the guide slot of the first coupling bracket.\",\n \"23. The playpen according to claim 22, wherein the second frame subassembly and the second standing leg are respectively connected pivotally with the first coupling bracket, the second frame subassembly and the second standing leg being coupled with each other via three other linking members that are assembled symmetrically to the first through third linking members.\",\n \"24. The playpen according to claim 22, wherein when the playpen is in an unfolded state, the second, third and fourth pivot connections define three distinct apexes of a triangle, the apex of the fourth pivot connection being located at an underside of a line joining the respective apexes of the second and third pivot connections.\",\n \"25. A playpen comprising:\\na plurality of standing legs coupled with an upper frame assembly via a plurality of leg linkage assemblies; and\\na bottom linkage assembly connected with a plurality of foot members respectively provided at lower ends of the standing legs, wherein the bottom linkage assembly includes:\\na plurality of bar segments respectively connected pivotally with the foot members of the standing legs;\\na hub housing respectively connected pivotally with the bar segments, the bar segments having end portions received at least partially in the hub housing, the bar segments being rotatable relative to the hub housing between a folded and an unfolded configuration;\\na handle having a guide slot and pivotally connected with the hub housing via a first pivot connection;\\na latch assembled with the hub housing for sliding movement, the latch contacting with the end portions of the bar segments at an upper side thereof to maintain the bar segments in the unfolded state; and\\na lever connected with the latch, the lever further being respectively connected pivotally with the hub housing and the handle via a second and a third pivot connection, the third pivot connection being guided for sliding displacement along the guide slot of the handle.\",\n \"26. The playpen according to claim 25, wherein when the playpen is unfolded for use, the first through third pivot connections define three distinct apexes of a triangle, the apex of the second pivot connection being located above a line joining the respective apexes of the first and third pivot connections.\",\n \"27. The playpen according to claim 26, wherein when the playpen is unfolded for use, the lever contacts with the latch at a location below the line joining the respective apexes of the first and third pivot connections.\",\n \"28. The playpen according to claim 27, wherein the latch is connected with a spring, and when the playpen is unfolded, the lever is rotationally biased by an action of the spring in a direction for keeping the apex of the second pivot connection above the line joining the respective apexes of the first and third pivot connections.\",\n \"29. The playpen according to claim 25, wherein the handle closes an upper opening of the hub housing when the bar segments are in the unfolded configuration.\",\n \"30. The playpen according to claim 25, wherein the hub housing is affixed with a shaft portion, and the latch is guided for sliding displacement along the shaft portion.\",\n \"31. The playpen according to claim 30, wherein the lever is pivotally connected with the shaft portion.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A play yard for holding an infant or child, comprising:\\nan upper rail assembly comprising a plurality of upper rails;\\na base assembly;\\na side structure connecting said upper rail assembly and said base assembly; and\\na mattress positioned above and separated from the base assembly, the mattress comprising a substantially planar surface comprising a breathable material, wherein an interior space is formed between the mattress and at least part of the base assembly, said mattress comprising the top of said interior space, said interior space configured to be substantially void;\\nwherein said upper rail assembly, said side structure, said mattress, and said base assembly define a substantially rectangular enclosure.\",\n \"2. The play yard of claim 1, wherein said base assembly further comprises at least one base arm connected to said side structure, said at least one base arm extending internally from said side structure and positioned below and at least partially separated from said mattress to form said interior space.\",\n \"3. The play yard of claim 1, wherein said base assembly further comprises a plurality of base arms and a hub assembly, said hub assembly positioned within said play yard, said plurality of base arms connected to said side structure and said hub assembly, said hub assembly and said plurality of base arms positioned below said mattress to form said interior space.\",\n \"4. The play yard of claim 1, wherein said upper rail assembly is configured to collapse said play yard to a collapsed state, and further comprises a plurality of lower rails positioned beneath and substantially parallel to the plurality of upper rails, wherein as the play yard is collapsed the plurality of lower rails remain substantially parallel to the plurality of upper rails.\",\n \"5. The play yard of claim 4, wherein said upper rail assembly further comprises at least one lateral connector and at least two corner connectors, wherein said plurality of upper rails further comprises a left upper rail and a right upper rail each pivotally coupled to said at least one lateral connector, said left upper rail and said right upper rail each pivotally coupled to a corner connector of said at least two corner connectors;\\nwherein said upper rail assembly is configured such that as the at least one lateral connector is urged downwards, the at least one lateral connector and the at least two corner connectors remain substantially parallel to a plane, and said left upper rail and said right upper rail move symmetrically.\",\n \"6. The play yard of claim 1, wherein the base assembly further comprises a hub assembly, the hub assembly comprising:\\na release button;\\nat least one sliding pin in communication with at least one of said plurality of base arms and said release button;\\nwherein manipulating said release button creates a space within said hub assembly for said at least one sliding pin to enter, allowing said plurality of base arms to pivot with respect to said hub assembly and said side structure.\",\n \"7. The play yard of claim 1, wherein the breathable material comprises mesh.\",\n \"8. The play yard of claim 1, further comprising a base fabric positioned above the base assembly and configured to receive the mattress.\",\n \"9. The play yard of claim 8, wherein the base fabric comprises a pocket sized to accommodate a structural component of the mattress.\",\n \"10. A collapsible mattress for a play yard, comprising:\\na mattress frame, said mattress frame comprising a plurality of mattress arms pivotally connected to one another to form a rectangular shape;\\na fabric bedding connected to said mattress frame to define a substantially planar surface for placing an infant or child; and\\na tensioner in communication with said mattress frame, said tensioner positioned below and substantially not in contact with said fabric bedding, said tensioner configured to provide a sufficient force against the interior of said mattress frame to prevent said mattress frame from collapsing and to support an infant or child placed thereon.\",\n \"11. The collapsible mattress for a play yard of claim 10, further comprising a plurality of modular legs in communication with the mattress frame to allow for usage of the mattress as a cot.\",\n \"12. The collapsible mattress for a play yard of claim 10, further comprising a first lateral connector linearly connecting at least two of said plurality of mattress arms, wherein said tensioner is in communication with said first lateral connector to provide outward force against the interior of said mattress frame.\",\n \"13. The collapsible mattress for a play yard of claim 12, wherein said tensioner comprises a tube having an end connected to said first lateral connector.\",\n \"14. The collapsible mattress for a play yard of claim 13, further comprising a second lateral connector spaced opposite from said first lateral connector, said second lateral connector linearly connecting at least two of said plurality of mattress arms, wherein an opposite end of said tube is connected to said second lateral connector, wherein said tube is configured to extend between said first lateral connector and said second lateral connector to provide outward force against the interior of said mattress frame.\",\n \"15. A collapsible play yard for receiving an infant or child, comprising:\\nan upper rail assembly, said upper rail assembly comprising a plurality of horizontal upper rails;\\na side structure connected to said upper rail assembly, said side structure comprising a plurality of vertical posts; and\\na mattress positioned on the interior of said side structure, said mattress and said side structure configured such that said mattress provides outward force against the interior of said side structure to prevent said play yard from collapsing.\",\n \"16. The collapsible play yard of claim 15, further comprising a base assembly in communication with said side structure, said base assembly further comprising a hub assembly.\",\n \"17. The collapsible play yard of claim 15, wherein said plurality of vertical posts are positioned at corners of said play yard, wherein said mattress and said plurality of vertical posts are configured such that the corners of said mattress provides sufficient outward force against said plurality of vertical posts to prevent said play yard from collapsing.\",\n \"18. The collapsible play yard of claim 16, further comprising at least one mattress connector, said at least one mattress connector connected to at least one post of said plurality of vertical posts and configured to receive a corner of said mattress.\",\n \"19. The collapsible play yard of claim 15, wherein said upper rail assembly further comprises at least one lateral connector and at least two corner connectors, wherein said plurality of horizontal upper rails further comprises a left upper rail and a right upper rail each pivotally coupled to said at least one lateral connector, said left upper rail and said right upper rail each pivotally coupled to a corner connector of said at least two corner connectors;\\nwherein said upper rail assembly is configured such that as the at least one lateral connector is urged downwards, the at least one lateral connector and the at least two corner connectors remain substantially parallel to a plane, and said left upper rail and said right upper rail move symmetrically.\",\n \"20. The collapsible play yard of claim 15, wherein said side structure comprises a relaxed position in which each of said plurality of vertical posts are angled inwards towards a center of said play yard;\\nwherein said mattress positioned on the interior of said side structure urges said plurality of vertical posts away from said relaxed position, causing the plurality of vertical posts to become substantially perpendicular to said upper rail assembly.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A multi-purpose convertible play yard convertibly adapted for use as a bassinet, changing table or bedside co-sleeper comprising:\\na rigid first enclosure having an open top, a floor, a front wall, a back wall, a first side wall and a second side wall, said first side wall having a top edge; said first enclosure having a first height, said first height established by the top edge of said first side wall;\\na second enclosure, said second enclosure being sized to fit substantially within the first enclosure and having an open top, a back wall, a front wall, first and second side walls and a bottom;\\nmeans for removably supporting said second enclosure within the first enclosure;\\na rigid frame, said rigid frame supporting the floor, the front wall, the back wall, the first side wall and the second side wall of said first enclosure, said frame being formed adjacent the top by a rear upper horizontal rail orthogonally connected to first and second upper side horizontal rails, and being formed adjacent the floor by front and rear lower parallel horizontal rails orthogonally connected to first side and second side lower parallel horizontal rails, said upper and lower horizontal rails being orthogonally connected by first and second front vertical rails and a pair of rear vertical rails disposed at ends of said horizontal rails, said front vertical rails having an upper end and a lower end;\\na rigid panel, said rigid panel having upper and lower edges, first and second side edges and extending from said first front vertical rail to said second front vertical rail and extending downwardly from the upper end of said front vertical rails for a second predetermined distance; said rigid panel being hingedly attached at its lower edge to said first and second front vertical rails;\\nmeans for removably securing the first and second side edges of said rigid panel in a closed position, wherein said closed position, said first and second side edges of said rigid panel substantially parallel to said first and second front vertical rails;\\na securing strap assembly for securing the play yard to a parental bed;\\nwherein said front wall is formed of flexible material and extends from a point below the lower edge of said rigid panel to said front lower horizontal rail and from said first front vertical rail to said second front vertical rail;\\nwhereby, when the rigid panel is in the closed position and the second enclosure is supported by the supporting means, the play yard is usable as a bassinet; and wherein, when the rigid panel is not in the closed position, the play yard is usable as a changing table; and further, when the securing strap assembly is properly positioned and the play yard is secured to the parental bed the play yard may serve as a co-sleeper.\",\n \"2. A multi-purpose convertible play yard adapted for use as a bassinet, changing table or bedside co-sleeper as described in claim 1, wherein the means for removably securing the first and second side edges of said rigid panel adjacent the upper ends of said front vertical rails further comprises: first and second threaded orifices, said threaded orifices being disposed adjacent the upper ends of the first and second front vertical rails and facing toward said rigid panel; first and second threaded fasteners, said threaded fasteners being sized and shaped to threadedly engage said threaded orifices and being rotatably mounted to holes adjacent the upper edge and first and second side edges of said rigid panel, said holes disposed to allow said threaded fasteners to removably engage said threaded orifices; and whereby, when said threaded fasteners are rotated to engage said threaded orifices, said rigid panel will be secured to said front vertical rails thereby forming a rigid enclosure with walls of equal height and when said threaded fasteners are rotated to disengage from said threaded orifices, said rigid panel will be lowered to provide a rigid enclosure having one lowered wall.\",\n \"3. A multi-purpose convertible play yard adapted for use as a bassinet, changing table or bedside co-sleeper as described in claim 1, wherein the means for removably securing the rigid panel to the front vertical rails further comprises: at least two threaded orifices, said threaded orifices being disposed upon the first and second front vertical rails and facing toward said rigid panel; at least two threaded fasteners, said threaded fasteners being sized and shaped to threadedly engage said threaded orifices and being rotatably mounted to holes adjacent the first and second side edges of said rigid panel, said holes disposed to allow said threaded fasteners to removably engage said threaded orifices; and whereby, when said threaded fasteners are rotated to engage said threaded orifices, said rigid panel will be secured to said front vertical rails thereby forming a rigid enclosure with walls of equal height and when said threaded fasteners are rotated to disengage from said threaded orifices, said rigid panel will be removed to provide a first enclosure having one lowered wall.\",\n \"4. A multi-purpose convertible play yard adapted for use as a bassinet, changing table or bedside co-sleeper as described in claim 1, further comprising:\\nfirst and second receiving tracks, said receiving tracks being disposed upon said first and second front vertical rails and facing inwardly toward each other; said receiving tracks extending downwardly from the upper ends of said front vertical rails;\\nwherein said rigid panel is sized and shaped to fit slidably between said first and second receiving tracks.\",\n \"5. A multi-purpose convertible play yard adapted for use as a bassinet, changing table or bedside co-sleeper as described in claim 4, wherein the means for maintaining said rigid panel at the first upper position, with the upper edge of said panel adjacent the upper ends of said front vertical rails further comprises: a pair of retaining holes, said retaining holes penetrating said first and second side edges of said rigid panel;\\na pair of clearance holes, said clearance holes penetrating said receiving tracks so as to align with said retaining holes in said rigid panel when said panel is disposed in a first upper position with its upper edge adjacent the upper ends of said front vertical rails;\\na pair of spring-loaded pins, said pins disposed upon said first and second receiving tracks so that said pins will engage said retaining holes when the rigid panel is in the first upper position; and\\nwhereby, when the spring-loaded pins are retracted, the rigid panel will fall in said receiving tracks to a second, lowered position.\",\n \"6. A multi-purpose convertible play yard adapted for use as a bassinet, changing table or bedside co-sleeper as described in claim 1, further comprising means for removably securing the rigid panel to the first enclosure.\",\n \"7. A multi-purpose convertible play yard adapted for use as a bassinet, changing table or bedside co-sleeper as described in claim 6, wherein the means for removably securing the rigid panel to the first enclosure further comprises:\\nat least two threaded orifices, said threaded orifices being disposed upon the first and second front vertical rails and facing toward said rigid panel;\\nat least two threaded fasteners, said threaded fasteners being sized and shaped to threadedly engage said threaded orifices and being rotatably mounted to holes adjacent the first and second side edges of said rigid panel, said holes disposed to allow said threaded fasteners to removably engage said threaded orifices; and\\nwhereby, when said threaded fasteners are rotated to engage said threaded orifices, said rigid panel will be secured to said front vertical rails thereby forming a rigid first enclosure with walls of equal height and when said threaded fasteners are rotated to disengage from said threaded orifices, said rigid panel will be removed to provide a first enclosure having one lowered wall.\",\n \"8. A multi-purpose convertible play yard adapted for use as a bassinet, changing table or bedside co-sleeper as described in claim 1, further comprising first and second positioning arms, said positioning arms having first and second ends, being pivotally mounted at their first ends to said first and second upper side horizontal rails and being pivotally mounted at their second ends to said first and second side edges of said rigid panel; said rigid panel being movable from a first, lowered position wherein the upper edge of the rigid panel is disposed adjacent the upper ends of said front vertical rails, to a second, raised position wherein the upper edge of the rigid panel is disposed adjacent the rear upper horizontal rail;\\nmeans for securing said rigid panel in either of said first and second positions;\\nwhereby, when said rigid panel is secured in said closed position, all of the walls of the play yard will be of similar height and when said rigid panel is secured in said second, raised position, the play yard will have a lowered front wall and be suitable for use as either of a changing table and a co-sleeper.\",\n \"9. A multi-purpose convertible play yard adapted for use as a bassinet, changing table or bedside co-sleeper as described in claim 8, wherein the means for securing the rigid panel in either of the first and second positions further comprises: first and second threaded orifices, said first and second threaded orifices being disposed upon the first and second front vertical rails and facing toward said rigid panel when said rigid panel is disposed in said first, lowered position;\\nthird and fourth threaded orifices, said third and fourth threaded orifices being disposed upon the first and second rear vertical rails and facing toward said rigid panel when said rigid panel is disposed in said second, raised position; at least two threaded fasteners, said threaded fasteners being sized and shaped to threadedly engage said threaded orifices and being rotatably mounted to holes adjacent the first and second side edges of said rigid panel, said holes disposed to allow said threaded fasteners to removably engage said threaded orifices; and\\nwhereby, when said threaded fasteners are rotated to engage said first and second threaded orifices, said rigid panel will be secured to said front vertical rails in the closed position and when said threaded fasteners are rotated to engage said third and fourth threaded orifices, said rigid panel may be secured to the rear vertical rails.\",\n \"10. A multi-purpose convertible play yard convertibly adapted for use as a bassinet, changing table or bedside co-sleeper comprising:\\na first enclosure having an open top, a floor, a front wall, and a first side wall and a second side wall, said first side wall and said second side wall each having a front edge and a top edge, said front edge connecting said first side wall and said second side wall to said front wall;\\na rigid frame, said rigid frame supporting the first enclosure and having a lower front rail, a first vertical rail and a second vertical rail, said first and second vertical rails each having an upper end and a lower end, said first vertical rail being positioned adjacent said front edge of said first side wall and said second vertical rail being positioned adjacent to said front edges of said second side wall, a rigid panel, said rigid panel said rigid panel being selectively positionable between said first and said second vertical rails to form a closed position, said rigid panel having an upper and a lower edge and first and second side edges, said rigid panel extending from said first front vertical rail to said second front vertical rail and extending downwardly from the upper ends of said front vertical rails for a first distance when in said closed position;\\nrigid panel retainers for selectively securing said rigid panel to said frame in said closed position;\\na second enclosure, said second enclosure being sized to fit substantially within the first enclosure and having an open top and a bottom;\\nan inner support, said inner support supporting the bottom of the second enclosure at a height above the height of the floor of the first enclosure; and\\na securing strap assembly for securing the play yard to a parental bed;\\nwherein said front wall extends upward from said front lower rail to at least a point adjacent the lower edge of said rigid panel when said rigid panel is in said closed position, and further extending from said first front vertical rail to said second front vertical rail;\\nwhereby, when the second enclosure is supported by the inner support and the rigid panel is in a closed position and the second enclosure is supported by the inner support, the play yard is usable as a bassinet; and\\nwherein, when the rigid panel is moved from the closed position, the play yard is usable as a changing table; and further, when the securing strap assembly is properly positioned and the play yard is secured to the parental bed the play yard may serve as a co-sleeper.\",\n \"11. A multi-purpose convertible play yard convertibly adapted for use as a bassinet, changing table or bedside co-sleeper according to claim 10, wherein said rigid panel is hingedly attached to said rigid frame, said hinged attachment allowing said rigid panel to rotate about an axis parallel and adjacent to said lower edge of said rigid panel; said first enclosure further comprising rigid panel attachments selectively securing said first and second side edges of said rigid panel adjacent the first and second vertical rails to retain said rigid panel in said closed position.\",\n \"12. A multi-purpose convertible play yard adapted for use as a bassinet, changing table or bedside co-sleeper as described in claim 11, wherein the rigid panel attachments comprises:\\nfirst and second threaded orifices, said threaded orifices being disposed adjacent the upper ends of the first and second front vertical rails and facing toward said rigid panel;\\nfirst and second threaded fasteners, said threaded fasteners being sized and shaped to threadedly engage said threaded orifices and being rotatably mounted to holes adjacent the upper edge and first and second side edges of said rigid panel, said holes disposed to allow said threaded fasteners to removably engage said threaded orifices; and\\nwhereby, when said threaded fasteners are rotated to engage said threaded orifices, said rigid panel will be secured to said front vertical rails in a closed position.\",\n \"13. A multi-purpose convertible play yard adapted for use as a bassinet, changing table or bedside co-sleeper as described in claim 10, further comprising:\\nfirst and second receiving tracks, said receiving tracks being disposed upon said first and second vertical rails and facing inwardly toward each other;\\nsaid receiving tracks extending from the upper ends of said front vertical rails downwardly;\\nwherein said rigid panel is sized and shaped to fit slidably between said first and second receiving tracks; and\\nwherein when said rigid panel is disposed between said first and second receiving tracks, said rigid panel may be positioned at an upper extent of said receiving tracks to be disposed in said closed position.\",\n \"14. A multi-purpose convertible play yard adapted for use as a bassinet, changing table or bedside co-sleeper as described in claim 13, wherein the rigid panel retainers for maintaining said rigid panel at said closed position comprise:\\na pair of retaining holes, said retaining holes penetrating said first and second side edges of said rigid panel;\\na pair of clearance holes, said clearance holes penetrating said receiving tracks so as to align with said retaining holes in said rigid panel when said panel is in said closed position;\\na pair of spring-loaded pins, said pins disposed upon said first and second receiving tracks so that said pins will engage said retaining holes when the rigid panel is in said closed position; and\\nwhereby, when the spring-loaded pins are retracted, the rigid panel may be translated within said receiving tracks to an open position.\",\n \"15. A multi-purpose convertible play yard adapted for use as a bassinet, changing table or bedside co-sleeper as described in claim 12, further comprising a rigid panel attachment, said rigid panel attachment comprising:\\nat least two threaded orifices, said threaded orifices being disposed upon the first and second front vertical rails and facing toward said rigid panel;\\nat least two threaded fasteners, said threaded fasteners being sized and shaped to threadedly engage said threaded orifices and being rotatably mounted to holes adjacent the first and second side edges of said rigid panel, said holes disposed to allow said threaded fasteners to removably engage said threaded orifices; and\\nwhereby, when said threaded fasteners are rotated to engage said threaded orifices, said rigid panel will be secured to said front vertical rails thereby forming a rigid first enclosure with walls of equal height and when said threaded fasteners are rotated to disengage from said threaded orifices, said rigid panel may be removed to provide a rigid first enclosure having one lowered wall.\",\n \"16. A multi-purpose convertible play yard adapted for use as a bassinet, changing table or bedside co-sleeper as described in claim 10, further comprising:\\nfirst and second positioning arms, said positioning arms having first and second ends, being pivotally mounted at their first ends to said first and second upper side horizontal rails and being pivotally mounted at their second ends to said first and second side edges of said rigid panel;\\nwherein said rigid panel being is movable from a closed position, to an open position wherein the upper edge of the rigid panel is disposed adjacent the rear upper horizontal rail;\\nwhereby, when said rigid panel is in said closed position, all of the walls of the play yard will be of similar height.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A combination crib comprising:\\na cabinet panel;\\nan end panel;\\na vertically adjustable, removable board for supporting a mattress, the board being horizontally secured between the cabinet panel and the end panel;\\na bottom panel for supporting the board being horizontally secured between the cabinet panel and the end panel;\\na pair of opposed confronting side rails having a plurality of slats arranged in a row, each slat being different in size than the size of the adjacent slat, each pair of slats having different spacing between the slats than the spacing of the slats in the adjacent pair of slats;\\na changing table being hidden inside the cabinet panel being connected to a damper assembly, the damper assembly adapted for opening the changing table with a damped motion; and\\na control mechanism being adapted for actuating the changing table and being located on one outer surface of the cabinet panel.\",\n \"2. A combination crib comprising:\\na cabinet;\\na changing table being hidden inside the cabinet, the changing table being adapted to be opened and closed with a damped motion; and\\na plurality of rails having a plurality of slats, each slat being variedly sized and variedly spaced from each other.\",\n \"3. A combination crib comprising:\\na cabinet;\\na changing table being hidden inside the cabinet, the changing table being adapted to be opened and closed with a damped motion;\\nthe cabinet panel having irregularly shaped lateral sides that are adapted to complement the shape of the changing table in a closed position wherein the lateral sides of the changing table are significantly open; and\\na plurality of rails having a plurality of slats, each slat being variedly sized and variedly spaced from each other.\",\n \"4. A combination crib according to claim 1, comprising:\\na cabinet;\\na hidden changing table being hidden inside the cabinet, the table being adapted to be actuated using a button.\",\n \"5. A crib according to claim 1, wherein the end panel comprises:\\na cabinet;\\na changing table being hidden inside the cabinet being connected to a damper assembly, the damper assembly being adapted for opening the changing table with a damped motion; and\\na control mechanism being hidden inside the cabinet adapted for actuating the changing table being located on one outer surface of the cabinet.\",\n \"6. A combination crib according to claim 1, comprising:\\na cabinet panel;\\nan end rail and a pair of opposed confronting side rails having a plurality of slats arranged in a row, each slat being different in size than the size of the adjacent slat, each pair of slats having different spacing between the slats than the spacing of the slats in the adjacent pair of slats;\\na vertically adjustable, removable board for supporting a mattress, the board being horizontally secured between the cabinet panel and the end panel;\\na bottom panel for supporting the board being horizontally secured between the cabinet panel and the end panel;\\na changing table being hidden inside the cabinet panel being connected to a damper assembly, the damper assembly adapted for opening the changing table with a damped motion; and\\na control mechanism hidden inside the cabinet panel adapted for actuating the changing table being located on an outer surface of the cabinet panel.\",\n \"7. A crib according to claim 1, wherein the damper assembly comprises an elastomeric damper.\",\n \"8. A crib according to claims 1 and 5, where in the damper assembly comprises an electronically activated damper.\",\n \"9. A crib according to claims 1 and 5, wherein the control mechanism is a button activatable in response to pressure.\",\n \"10. A crib according to claim 1, wherein crib is readily convertible into a desk when the side rails, the bottom panel, the end panel are removed.\",\n \"11. A crib according to claim 1, wherein crib is readily convertible into a desk when the side rails, the bottom panel, the end rail are removed.\",\n \"12. A crib according to claim 1, wherein the cabinet panel comprises at least a door and a shelf.\",\n \"13. A crib according to claim 1 that further comprises at least a drawer adapted to be slid underneath the bottom panel.\",\n \"14. A crib according to claim 1, wherein the crib is convertible to at least one other article of furniture selected from the group consisting of a day bed, a playing table, a bedside sleeper and a dressing table.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A child bassinet comprising:\\na support frame supporting an enclosure, the support frame and the enclosure delimiting at least partially an interior space for receiving a child; and\\na playpen coupling mechanism provided on the support frame and operable to engage with and disengage from a playpen for installation and removal of the child bassinet on the playpen, the playpen coupling mechanism including a first catching part and a second catching part respectively connected with the support frame at two vertically spaced-apart locations, the first catching part being engageable with a playpen for installing the child bassinet on the playpen at a first height above a bottom of the playpen, and the second catching part being engageable with the playpen for installing the child bassinet on the playpen at a second height above the bottom of the playpen that is different from the first height, wherein the second catching part is movable relative to the support frame between a first position and a second position, the first position disabling engagement of the second catching part with a playpen, and the second position allowing engagement of the second catching part with a playpen.\",\n \"2. The child bassinet according to claim 1, wherein the first catching part is disposed at a first location on the support frame, and the second catching part is disposed at a second location on the support frame below the first catching part.\",\n \"3. The child bassinet according to claim 1, wherein the first catching part is fixedly connected with the support frame.\",\n \"4. The child bassinet according to claim 3, wherein the first catching part and the second catching part protrude from the support frame in a same direction when the second catching part is in the second position.\",\n \"5. The child bassinet according to claim 3, wherein the first catching part and the second catching part respectively protrude from the support frame in two different directions when the second catching part is in the first position.\",\n \"6. The child bassinet according to claim 1, wherein the second catching part is connected with an upright frame portion of the support frame, and is movable substantially perpendicular to the upright frame portion between the first and second position.\",\n \"7. The child bassinet according to claim 1, wherein the second catching part is pivotally connected with an upright frame portion of the support frame.\",\n \"8. The child bassinet according to claim 7, wherein the second catching part is rotatable relative to the upright frame portion about a pivot axis that is substantially vertical, and has a downwardly facing surface between the pivot axis and a distal end of the second catching part, the second catching part being engageable with a playpen with the downwardly facing surface in contact with the playpen.\",\n \"9. The child bassinet according to claim 7, wherein the second catching part is rotatable relative to the upright frame portion about a pivot axis that is substantially horizontal, and has a distal end distant from the pivot axis, the second catching part being engageable with a playpen with the distal end in contact with the playpen.\",\n \"10. The child bassinet according to claim 9, wherein the upright frame portion includes a recess, the distal end of the second catching part being received in the recess in the first position and protruding outside the recess in the second position.\",\n \"11. The child bassinet according to claim 1, wherein the support frame includes an upright frame portion, and the first and second catching parts are respectively connected with the upright frame portion.\",\n \"12. A child care apparatus comprising:\\na playpen having an upper frame portion; and\\nthe child bassinet according to claim 1, installable on the upper frame portion of the playpen.\",\n \"13. A child bassinet comprising:\\na support frame supporting an enclosure, the support frame and the enclosure delimiting at least partially an interior space for receiving a child, the support frame including a rigid post disposed at a corner of the child bassinet; and\\na playpen coupling mechanism provided on the support frame and operable to engage with and disengage from a playpen for installation and removal of the child bassinet on the playpen, the playpen coupling mechanism including a first catching part and a second catching part that are respectively connected with the rigid post at two vertically spaced-apart locations and are configurable to protrude outside the interior space of the child bassinet, the first catching part being engageable with a playpen while the second catching part remains disengaged from the playpen for installing the child bassinet on the playpen at a first height above a bottom of the playpen, and the second catching part being engageable with the playpen while the first catching part remains disengaged from the playpen for installing the child bassinet on the playpen at a second height above the bottom of the playpen that is different from the first height.\",\n \"14. The child bassinet according to claim 13, wherein the second catching part is movable relative to the rigid post between a first position and a second position, the first position disabling engagement of the second catching part with a playpen, and the second position allowing engagement of the second catching part with a playpen.\",\n \"15. The child bassinet according to claim 14, wherein the first catching part is disposed at a first location on the rigid post, and the second catching part is disposed at a second location on the rigid post below the first catching part.\",\n \"16. The child bassinet according to claim 14, wherein the first catching part is fixedly connected with the rigid post.\",\n \"17. The child bassinet according to claim 16, wherein the first catching part and the second catching part protrude from the rigid post in a same direction when the second catching part is in the second position.\",\n \"18. The child bassinet according to claim 16, wherein the first catching part and the second catching part respectively protrude from the rigid post in two different directions when the second catching part is in the first position.\",\n \"19. The child bassinet according to claim 14, wherein the second catching part is movable substantially perpendicular to the rigid post between the first and second position.\",\n \"20. The child bassinet according to claim 14, wherein the second catching part is pivotally connected with the rigid post.\",\n \"21. The child bassinet according to claim 20, wherein the second catching part is rotatable relative to the rigid post about a pivot axis that is substantially vertical, and has a downwardly facing surface between the pivot axis and a distal end of the second catching part, the second catching part being engageable with a playpen with the downwardly facing surface in contact with the playpen.\",\n \"22. The child bassinet according to claim 20, wherein the second catching part is rotatable relative to the rigid post about a pivot axis that is substantially horizontal, and has a distal end distant from the pivot axis, the second catching part being engageable with a playpen with the distal end in contact with the playpen.\",\n \"23. The child bassinet according to claim 22, wherein the rigid post includes a recess, the distal end of the second catching part being received in the recess in the first position and protruding outside the recess in the second position.\",\n \"24. A child care apparatus comprising:\\na playpen having an upper frame portion; and\\nthe child bassinet according to claim 13, installable on the upper frame portion of the playpen.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. An infant calming/sleep-aid device, comprising:\\na rigid base;\\na movement linkage or bearing extending from the rigid base;\\na platform mounted on the movement linkage or bearing; and\\nan actuation assembly that controls movement of the platform about the movement linkage or bearing relative to the rigid base to rotate the platform in an reciprocating manner, the actuation assembly including a drive motor, wherein the reciprocating rotation is on an axis of rotation that intersects the platform and extends orthogonal to a major plane of the platform, and\\na control system operable to control operations of the actuation assembly,\\nwherein the control system is configured to receive data signals from one or more sensors comprising at least a sound sensing device configured to detect sounds of an infant supported on the platform, wherein, if the control system determines that the infant is in a first crying state, utilizing one or more first data signals comprising at least sound data detected by the sound sensing device, the control system is configured to initiate a calming reflex operational mode in which the control system causes the actuation assembly to move the platform in a reciprocating rotation within a frequency range of between 2 and 4.5 cycles per second and an amplitude range corresponding to a circumferential distance of between 0.2 inches and 1.0 inches taken at a radial distance from the axis of rotation configured to correspond to a center of a head of the infant.\",\n \"2. The infant calming/sleep-aid device of claim 1, further comprising:\\na second platform comprising a moving head platform; and\\na second movement linkage comprising a head movement linkage or bearing mounted to the platform linking the moving platform to the second platform.\",\n \"3. The infant calming/sleep-aid device of claim 1, further comprising a sound generating device that includes a speaker for generating sound directed to the infant, wherein, in the calming reflex operational mode, the control system further causes the sound generating device to direct sound to the infant.\",\n \"4. The infant calming/sleep-aid device of claim 1, wherein the sound sensing device comprises at least one microphone.\",\n \"5. The infant calming/sleep-aid device of claim 1, further comprising a head rest positioned above the platform, wherein the head rest includes a gel.\",\n \"6. The infant calming/sleep-aid device of claim 1, further comprising a secure swaddling sack within which to swaddle an infant, and wherein the secure swaddling sack is securable to the platform to secure a position of the infant when swaddled within the secure swaddling sack with respect to the platform.\",\n \"7. The infant calming/sleep-aid device of claim 1, wherein the one or more sensors further comprise a motion sensing device that detects motion of the infant when supported on the platform, and wherein the first data signals further comprise motion corresponding to perturbations of the platform detected by the motion sensing device caused by the infant during a reciprocating rotation of the platform prior to initiation of the calming reflex operational mode.\",\n \"8. The infant calming/sleep aid device of claim 1, wherein the control system is configured to reduce the reciprocating rotation in a stepwise fashion if the control system determines, utilizing data signals received from the one or more sensors, that the infant is being soothed by the reciprocating rotation of the platform.\",\n \"9. The infant calming/sleep-aid device of claim 1, wherein the control system is further configured to control the reciprocating rotation of the platform utilizing age of the infant as variable, and wherein at a predetermined age of the infant, the control system is configured to reduce intensity of the reciprocating rotation to wean the infant off the reciprocating rotation of the device.\",\n \"10. The infant calming/sleep-aid device of claim 1, wherein the control system controls the reciprocating rotation utilizing at least one variable selected from weight of the infant, age of the infant, a duration of detected sound made by the infant, and a duration of detected motion of the infant.\",\n \"11. The infant calming/sleep-aid device of claim 1, wherein the actuation assembly is configured to reciprocally rotate the platform on the axis of rotation that is configured to be positioned to intersect an infant when supported on the platform.\",\n \"12. The infant calming/sleep-aid device of claim 1, wherein in a soothing operational mode, the control system controls the frequency of reciprocating rotation within a range of between 0.5 and 1.5 cycles per second with a corresponding amplitude of the reciprocating rotation at a location corresponding to the center of the head of the infant when positioned on the platform that is in a range of between 0.5 inches and 1.5 inches.\",\n \"13. The infant calming/sleep-aid device of claim 12, further comprising a sound generation device comprising a speaker to generate sound directed to the infant, wherein, in the soothing mode, the control system is further configured to cause the sound generation device to output a low pitch rumbling sound directed to the infant.\",\n \"14. The infant calming/sleep aid device of claim 13, wherein the control system is configured to reduce the volume of the generated sound in a stepwise fashion if the control system detects that an infant is being soothed.\",\n \"15. The infant calming/sleep-aid device of claim 13, wherein the low pitched rumbling sound is output within a range between 65 dB and 75 dB.\",\n \"16. The infant calming/sleep-aid device of claim 13, wherein if the control system determines, utilizing second data signals received from the one or more sensors, that the infant is not being soothed by the sound directed to the infant and reciprocating rotation of the soothing mode, the control system is configured to initiate an enhanced soothing mode comprising causing the sound generation device to direct a higher pitched sound with greater volume to the infant.\",\n \"17. The infant calming/sleep-aid device of claim 16, wherein the higher pitched sound has a volume between 75 dB and 80 dB.\",\n \"18. The infant calming/sleep-aid device of claim 16, wherein the second data signals comprise sound detected by the sound sensing device from which the control system determines that the infant is in a second crying state.\",\n \"19. The infant calming/sleep-aid device of claim 17, wherein the one or more sensors further comprise a motion sensing device that detects motion of the infant when supported on the platform, wherein the second data signals further comprise data signals corresponding to perturbations of the platform detected by the motion sensing device caused by the infant during a reciprocating rotation of the platform in the soothing operational mode.\",\n \"20. The infant calming/sleep-aid device of claim 18, wherein the control system is configured to initiate the calming reflex operational mode to transition the device from the enhanced soothing operational mode to the calming reflex operational mode if the control system receives the first data signals from which it determines that the infant is in the first crying state.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A child holding accessory installable on a rigid support frame, comprising:\\na reversible resting support having a first and a second bearing surface facing opposite directions, the first and second bearing surfaces respectively having substantially different profiles, and each of the first and second bearing surfaces being positionable to be upwardly facing to receive a child thereon; and\\nat least one fixture for attaching the resting support with a rigid support frame, the fixture being rotatably assembled with the resting support via a connection that allows rotation of the resting support relative to the fixture between a first position where the first bearing surface faces upward and a second position where the second bearing surface faces upward.\",\n \"2. The child holding accessory according to claim 1, wherein the resting support includes a surrounding frame connected with the fixture, and a bearing platform assembled with the surrounding frame and having the first and second bearing surfaces.\",\n \"3. The child holding accessory according to claim 2, wherein the surrounding frame has a first frame portion, and a second frame portion vertically raised relative to the first frame portion.\",\n \"4. The child holding accessory according to claim 2, wherein the bearing platform comprises a cushion element including a first layer where is arranged the first bearing surface, and a second layer where is arranged the second bearing surface .\",\n \"5. The child holding accessory according to claim 4, wherein the first layer includes one of a polyvinyl chloride (PVC)-based fabric, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA)-based polymer fabric, and any water-proof and easy to wipe-off fabrics, and the second layer includes one of a cotton cloth, flannelette, and any soft and comfortable fabric.\",\n \"6. The child holding accessory according to claim 2, wherein the at least one fixture includes a first and a second fixture and the resting support is attachable to a rigid support frame via the first fixture and the second fixture, the surrounding frame has a head-side frame segment and a foot-side frame segment that are respectively connected with the first and second fixture, and one of the first and second fixture has a pivot connection with the resting support that defines a rotation axis of the resting support, a first distance between the head-side frame segment and the rotation axis being smaller than a second distance between the foot-side frame segment and the rotation axis.\",\n \"7. The child holding accessory according to claim 1, wherein the first bearing surface when facing upward is generally flat, and the second bearing surface when facing upward has a portion recessing downward.\",\n \"8. The child holding accessory according to claim 1, wherein the first bearing surface is configured as a changing table, and the second bearing surface is configured as a sleeping bed.\",\n \"9. The child holding accessory according to claim 1, wherein the resting support includes a support board having a first side associated with the first bearing surface, and a second side associated with the second bearing surface, the support board being deformable differently depending on whether the child is placed on the first or second bearing surface.\",\n \"10. An infant support apparatus comprising:\\na rigid support frame;\\na reversible resting support having a first and a second bearing surface facing opposite directions, each of the first and second bearing surfaces being positionable to be upwardly facing to receive a child thereon, wherein the first bearing surface when upwardly facing is configured to support the child with a first bearing profile, and the second bearing surface when upwardly facing is configured to support the child with a second bearing profile different from the first bearing profile; and\\nat least one fixture rotatably connected with the resting support, the fixture being configured to attach the resting support with the rigid support frame at an elevated position above a floor, and the fixture being rotatably assembled with the resting support via a connection that allows rotation of the resting support relative to the fixture and the rigid support frame to position either of the first and second bearing surfaces upwardly facing.\",\n \"11. The infant support apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the first and second bearing surfaces bend to different depths when the child is respectively placed thereon.\",\n \"12. The infant support apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the resting support includes a surrounding frame connected with the fixture, and a bearing platform assembled with the surrounding frame and having the first and second bearing surfaces.\",\n \"13. The infant support apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the surrounding frame has a first frame portion, and a second frame portion vertically raised relative to the first frame portion.\",\n \"14. The infant support apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the bearing platform comprises a cushion element including a first layer where is arranged the first bearing surface, and a second layer where is arranged the second bearing surface .\",\n \"15. The infant support apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the first layer includes one of a polyvinyl chloride (PVC)-based fabric, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA)-based polymer fabric, and any water-proof and easy to wipe-off fabrics, and the second layer includes one of a cotton cloth, flannelette, and any soft and comfortable fabric.\",\n \"16. The infant support apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the at least one fixture includes a first and a second fixture and the resting support is attachable to the rigid support frame via the first fixture and the second fixture, the surrounding frame has a head-side frame segment and a foot-side frame segment that are respectively connected with the first and second fixture, and one of the first and second fixture has a pivot connection with the resting support that defines a rotation axis of the resting support, a first distance between the head-side frame segment and the rotation axis being smaller than a second distance between the foot-side frame segment and the rotation axis.\",\n \"17. The infant support apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the first bearing surface when facing upward is generally flat, and the second bearing surface when facing upward has a portion recessing downward.\",\n \"18. The infant support apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the first bearing surface is configured as a changing table, and the second bearing surface is configured as a sleeping bed.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A bassinet assembly having an inclinable floor, said bassinet assembly comprising:\\na floor comprising an upper surface and an inclinable flap, said inclinable flap comprising an upper surface; and\\none or more rods, each of said one or more rods comprising a static portion having a first longitudinal axis and an inclined portion having a second longitudinal axis, wherein said first longitudinal axis and said second longitudinal axis intersect at an angle greater than 0° and less than about 90°, said static portion being disposed below said upper surface of said floor and said inclined portion being disposed below said upper surface of said inclinable flap, and wherein when said inclinable flap is raised above said floor, said rods rotate about said first longitudinal axis such that said first and second longitudinal axes are in a plane substantially perpendicular to said support surface, and wherein when said inclinable flap is allowed to lay substantially flat against said floor, said rods rotate about said first longitudinal axis such that said first and second longitudinal axes are in a plane substantially parallel to said support surface.\",\n \"2. The bassinet assembly of claim 1 wherein said longitudinal axes intersect at an angle of about 10°.\",\n \"3. The bassinet assembly of claim 1 wherein:\\nsaid inclinable flap comprises a first set of fasteners disposed along at least a portion of an outer perimeter of said inclinable flap; and\\nsaid bassinet assembly further comprises:\\none or more side walls that extend upwardly from a perimeter of said floor and at least partially surround said floor, said side walls having an upper perimeter and a lower perimeter, said lower perimeter being adjacent said floor;\\na second set of mating fasteners for engaging said first set of fasteners, said second set of mating fasteners being disposed on at least a portion of said one or more side walls between said upper perimeter and said lower perimeter, wherein a first portion and a second portion of said second set of mating fasteners are disposed along an inclined path at an angle greater than 0° to said floor substantially equal to said angle of intersection of said first and second longitudinal axes of said rods and a third portion of said second set of mating fasteners is disposed along a path that is substantially parallel to said floor, the third portion being intermediate the first and second portions, and\\nwherein said first set of fasteners is engageable with said second set of mating fasteners to secure said inclinable flap at said angle of said inclined path and said first set of fasteners is disengagable with said second set of mating fasteners to allow said inclinable flap to lay substantially flat against said floor.\",\n \"4. The bassinet assembly of claim 3 wherein said inclinable flap comprises a first edge and a second edge, wherein said first edge is attached to said floor and said second edge comprises at least a portion of said first set of fasteners for engaging said second set of mating fasteners.\",\n \"5. The bassinet assembly of claim 3 wherein said inclinable flap comprises a first edge and a second edge, wherein said first edge is integrally formed with said floor and said second edge comprises at least a portion of said first set of fasteners for engaging said second set of mating fasteners.\",\n \"6. The bassinet assembly of claim 3 wherein said one or more side walls comprises four walls, and said first portion and said second portion of said second set of mating fasteners are disposed along a first wall and a second wall, respectively, wherein said first wall and said second wall substantially face each other, and said third portion of said second set of mating fasteners is disposed along a third wall, wherein said third wall is intermediate said first wall and said second wall.\",\n \"7. The bassinet assembly of claim 3 wherein said angle to said floor of said inclined path is about 10°.\",\n \"8. The bassinet assembly of claim 3 wherein said first set of fasteners comprises a first row of zipper teeth and said second set of fasteners comprises a second set of zipper teeth, said first row of zipper teeth and said second row of zipper teeth being engaged or disengaged with one or more zippers.\",\n \"9. The bassinet assembly of claim 3 wherein said first set of fasteners comprises a first set of snap fasteners and said second set of fasteners comprises a second set of mating snap fasteners.\",\n \"10. The bassinet assembly of claim 3 wherein said first set of fasteners comprises a one or more buckles and said second set of fasteners comprises one or more mating buckles.\",\n \"11. The bassinet assembly of claim 1 wherein two or more pockets are attached to a lower surface of said floor and a lower surface of said inclinable flap, and said rods are disposed within said pockets.\",\n \"12. The bassinet assembly of claim 1 wherein:\\nsaid inclinable flap comprises a first set of fasteners disposed along a first edge of said inclinable flap;\\nsaid inclinable flap being disposed adjacent said floor along a second edge of said inclinable flap , said first edge being spaced apart from said second edge; and\\nsaid bassinet assembly further comprises:\\none or more side walls that extend upwardly from a perimeter of said floor and surround said floor, said side walls having an upper perimeter and a lower perimeter, said lower perimeter being adjacent said floor;\\na second set of mating fasteners for engaging said first set of fasteners, said second set of mating fasteners being disposed on at least a portion of a first side wall between said upper perimeter and said lower perimeter of said first side wall, wherein said second set of mating fasteners are disposed along a path that is substantially parallel to said floor and spaced above said floor, and said first side wall is spaced apart from said second edge of said inclinable flap, and\\nwherein said first set of fasteners are engagable with said second set of mating fasteners to secure said inclinable flap at an angle greater than 0° relative to said floor, and said first set of fasteners are disengagable with said second set of mating fasteners to allow said inclinable flap to lay substantially flat against said floor.\",\n \"13. The bassinet assembly of claim 12 wherein said second edge of said inclinable flap is attached to said floor.\",\n \"14. The bassinet assembly of claim 12 wherein said second edge of said inclinable flap is integrally formed with said floor.\",\n \"15. The bassinet assembly of claim 12 wherein said first set of fasteners comprises a first row of zipper teeth and said second set of fasteners comprises a second set of zipper teeth, said first row of zipper teeth and said second row of zipper teeth being engaged or disengaged with one or more zippers.\",\n \"16. The bassinet assembly of claim 12 wherein said first set of fasteners comprises a first set of snap fasteners and said second set of fasteners comprises a second set of mating snap fasteners.\",\n \"17. The bassinet assembly of claim 12 wherein said first set of fasteners comprises a one or more buckles and said second set of fasteners comprises one or more mating buckles.\",\n \"18. A bassinet assembly having an inclinable floor, said bassinet assembly comprising:\\na floor comprising an upper surface and an inclinable flap, said inclinable flap comprising an upper surface; and\\none or more substantially rigid panels, each of said one or more panels comprising a first portion and a second portion, said first portion having a first longitudinal axis and said second portion having a second longitudinal axis, and said first longitudinal axis and said second longitudinal axis intersecting at an angle greater than 0° and less than about 90°,\\nwherein said first portion of each of said one or more panels is disposed below said upper surface of said floor and second portion of each of said one or more panels is disposed below said upper surface of said inclinable flap to support said inclinable flap at said angle with respect to said floor.\",\n \"19. The bassinet assembly of claim 18 wherein said one or more substantially rigid panels is removable from said bassinet assembly.\",\n \"20. A bassinet assembly having an inclinable floor, said bassinet assembly comprising:\\na floor comprising an upper surface and a lower surface; and\\none or more rods, each of said one or more rods comprising a static portion having a first longitudinal axis and an inclined portion having a second longitudinal axis, wherein said first longitudinal axis and said second longitudinal axis intersect at an angle greater than 0° and less than about 90°, said static portion being disposed below a first portion of said floor adjacent said lower surface of said floor and said inclined portion being disposed below a second portion of said floor adjacent said lower surface of said floor, and wherein when said second portion of said floor raised at said angle relative to said first portion of said floor, said rods rotate about said first longitudinal axis such that said first and second longitudinal axes are in a plane substantially perpendicular to said support surface, and wherein when said second portion of said floor is allowed to lay at an angle substantially equal to 0° with respect to said first portion of said floor, said rods rotate about said first longitudinal axis such that said first and second longitudinal axes are in a plane substantially parallel to said support surface.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A changing table for use with a playard comprising:\\na flexible platform that is sized to support a child;\\na plurality of panels joined to edges of the platform at a plurality of joints; and\\na changing table mount arranged to releasably engage the platform to the playard including a plurality of straps located at edges of the panels, each strap having a fastener, and a plurality of c-clips located on an underside of the platform at the joints,\\nwherein the platform is adapted to be suspended by the changing table mount above a floor area of the playard, and\\nwherein each strap is adapted to be removably received in corresponding slots of the playard and the plurality of c-clips are adapted to releasably engage side rails and an end rail of the playard.\",\n \"2. The changing table according to claim 1, further comprising a support structure, wherein the platform is coupled to the support structure, and wherein the changing table mount is coupled to or part of the support structure.\",\n \"3. The changing table according to claim 2, wherein the support structure further comprises a beam adapted to extend between the side rails of the playard spanning an open top of the playard, and wherein the beam is received within a pocket of the platform.\",\n \"4. The changing table according to claim 1, wherein the corresponding slots are formed in, or on, corresponding sidewalls and an endwall of the playard.\",\n \"5. The changing table according to claim 1, wherein the straps each fasten to themselves with the fastener.\",\n \"6. The changing table according to claim 5, wherein each fastener includes at least one of a male snap fastener and a female snap fastener, and wherein the straps are folded onto themselves such that the female snap members of the straps align with the corresponding male snap members.\",\n \"7. The changing table according to claim 1, wherein the platform is formed of a fabric material, such as vinyl or polyester, or other material or combination of materials that is strong enough to support a child's weight, and wherein the platform forms a concave child changing area.\",\n \"8. A playard and changing table combination comprising:\\na playard having an enclosure with a floor area;\\na changing table with a flexible platform sized to support a child and a plurality of panels joined to the platform at a plurality of seams; and\\na changing table mount that suspends the platform above the floor area of the playard thereby forming a child changing area and to releasably engage the platform to the playard, the changing table mount including a plurality of straps attached to edges of the plurality of panels and a plurality of c-clips positioned on an underside of the changing table at the seams,\\nwherein each strap has a fastener and is removably received in a corresponding slot of the playard and each c-clip releasably engages top rails of the playard.\",\n \"9. A juvenile product comprising:\\na playard having a fabric body forming walls and a floor; and\\na changing table with a flexible platform that is sized to support a child and having at least one panel coupled to the platform at a joint, the changing table including at least one changing table mount adapted to suspend the platform above the floor of the playard and to releasably engage the platform to the playard,\\nwherein, the at least one changing table mount includes at least one c-clip on an underside of the changing table at the joint and at least one strap at a free edge of the panel, the strap having at least one fastener adapted to removably connect the strap to the playard, and\\nwherein the strap is removably received in a corresponding slot of the playard.\",\n \"10. The juvenile product according to claim 9, wherein the changing table mount comprises a plurality of straps which engage corresponding slots on the playard and wherein the straps fasten to themselves with the fastener.\",\n \"11. The juvenile product according to claim 9, wherein the fastener comprises a male snap fastener and a female snap fastener.\",\n \"12. The juvenile product according to claim 9, wherein the c-clip is configured to engage a top rail of the playard.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. An infant seat, comprising:\\na seat back member comprising at least one outer huh, the at least one outer hub having a first gear tooth structure;\\na seat support member comprising an inner hub corresponding to the at least one outer hub, the inner hub being pivotably connected to the at least one outer hub to make the seat back member rotatably connected to the seat support member for forming a cross bar structure, the inner hub having a second gear tooth structure;\\na seat structure connected to the seat back member and forming a seating space; and\\na locking mechanism operably disposed between the seat back member and the seat support member, the locking mechanism comprising a slide gear slidable within the at least one outer hub and the inner hub for engaging with the first gear tooth structure and the second gear tooth structure at a locked position to stop the inner hub of the seat support member from rotating relative to the at least one outer hub of the seat back member, the locking mechanism translating the slide gear to the locked position or an unlocked position, the locking mechanism including an actuator having a pivot huh pivoted relative to the at least one outer hub and having at least one ramped surface structure;\\nwherein when the locking mechanism translates the slide gear to slide to the unlocked position, the slide gear is disengaged from the first gear tooth structure and engaged with the second gear tooth structure, to make the seat back member rotatable relative to the seat support member by a rotation of the inner hub on the at least one outer huh for adjusting a tilt angle of the seat structure, the actuator being coupled to the pivot hub so that, when actuated, the ramped surface structure drives the slide gear to the unlocked position.\",\n \"2. The infant seat of claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism further comprises:\\na gear pusher slidable between the at least one outer hub and the slide gear; and\\nwherein when the actuator is configured so that, when actuated, the actuator rotates the pivot hub so that the gear pusher is pressed against the slide gear by leaning on the ramped surface structure to drive, for driving the slide gear to the unlocked position.\",\n \"3. The infant seat of claim 2, wherein the locking mechanism further comprises:\\na spring respectively connected to the slide gear and the inner hub, for biasing the slide gear to the locked position.\",\n \"4. The infant seat of claim 1, wherein the at least one outer hub has at least one ramped surface structure formed therein, and the locking mechanism further comprises:\\na gear pusher slidable between the at least one outer hub and the slide gear, wherein the actuator is pivotally connected to the seat back member; and\\nan actuator link respectively pivoted to the actuator and the gear pusher;\\nwherein when the actuator is operated to rotate the gear pusher via the actuator link, the gear pusher slides to the unlocked position along the ramped surface structure disengaging the slide gear from the first gear tooth structure.\",\n \"5. The infant seat of claim 4, wherein the locking mechanism further comprises:\\na spring respectively connected to the slide gear and the inner hub, for biasing the slide gear to the locked position.\",\n \"6. The infant seat of claim 1, wherein the infant seat further comprises a base member, the seat back member further comprises a seatback tube portion and a front connection portion, the at least one outer hub is connected between the front connection portion and the seatback tube portion, the seat support member further comprises a seat front portion and a support strut portion, the inner hub is connected between the seat front portion and the support strut portion, and the base member is respectively connected to the support strut portion and the front connection portion.\",\n \"7. The infant seat of claim 6 further comprising:\\na pivot rod pivoted to the base member and detachably connected to the seat back member, for supporting the seat back member at a sitting position when the seat back member is rotated to the sitting position.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A modular organizer adapted to be attached to a rod of a playpen, said organizer comprising:\\na row of storage members, each adjacent pair of said storage members defining a gap therebetween;\\nfirst and second positioning elements disposed respectively on two of said storage members, each of said first and second positioning elements having a retaining hook portion at an upper end thereof, which is adapted to be removably connected with the rod, and a third one of said storage members being positioned between said two of said storage members; and\\na plurality of joining mechanisms disposed respectively within said gaps, each of said joining mechanisms including first and second joining units that are disposed respectively at a corresponding adjacent pair of said storage members and that engage each other so as to interconnect the corresponding adjacent pair of said storage members removably;\\nwherein a first storage member of said two of said storage members has a first extension extending there from and a second storage member of said two of said storage members has a first groove formed therein, said first extension being sized to engage said first groove to removably connect said first and second storage members;\\nwherein said third storage member has a second extension extending there from and a second groove formed therein, said first extension being sized to engage said second groove to removably connect said first and third storage members, and said second extension being sized to engage said first groove to removably connect said second and third storage members;\\nwherein said first joining unit of each of said joining mechanisms includes a corresponding one of said first and second extensions;\\nwherein said second joining unit of each of said joining mechanisms includes a corresponding one of said first and second grooves;\\nwherein each of said first and second extensions is a dovetail tongue extending from a corresponding one of said storage members, and each of said first and second grooves is a dovetail groove formed in a corresponding one of said storage members and engaging fittingly a corresponding one of said dovetail tongues; and\\nwherein each of said dovetail grooves is defined by an inverted U-shaped plate portion and a groove bottom-defining wall of the corresponding one of said storage members, between which an inverted U-shaped accommodating space is formed, each of said inverted U-shaped accommodating spaces being adapted to be disposed respectively around a corresponding one of said dovetail tongues, each of said dovetail tongues having an inverted U-shaped outer peripheral portion fitted within a corresponding one of said inverted U-shaped accommodating spaces.\",\n \"2. The modular organizer as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said dovetail tongues has a T-shaped cross section so as to define an inverted U-shaped groove between a corresponding one of said storage members and a corresponding one of said dovetail tongues.\",\n \"3. The modular organizer as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said first joining units further includes a positioning tongue extending from a corresponding one of said storage members and disposed under a corresponding one of said dovetail tongues; each of said second joining units further including a resilient plate extending downwardly from said groove bottom-defining wall and formed with a hole therethrough, said positioning tongues engaging respectively said holes in said resilient plates.\",\n \"4. The modular organizer as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of said dovetail tongues is formed integrally with a corresponding one of said storage members.\",\n \"5. The modular organizer as claimed in claim 3, wherein said resilient plates are formed respectively and integrally with said groove bottom-defining walls.\",\n \"6. The modular organizer as claimed in claim 3, wherein each of said resilient plates has a hole-defining wall defining a corresponding one of said holes in said resilient plates; and each of said positioning tongues has a horizontal first contact surface abutting against a lower end of a corresponding one of said hole-defining walls of said resilient plates, and an inclined second contact surface abutting against an upper end of the corresponding one of said hole-defining walls of said resilient plates.\",\n \"7. The modular organizer as claimed in claim 3, wherein each of said two of said storage members has a sleeve portion, said first and second positioning elements extending respectively through said sleeve portions of a corresponding one of said two of said storage members.\",\n \"8. The modular organizer as claimed in claim 7, wherein each of said first and second positioning elements has a lower end formed with two resilient arms, each of which has a retaining portion that is shaped so as to prevent movement of a corresponding one of said first and second positioning elements through said sleeve portion of a corresponding one of said two of said storage members.\",\n \"9. The modular organizer as claimed in claim 7, wherein\\nsaid first storage member includes a bowl-shaped container body defining an accommodating chamber therein, and an openable top cover disposed pivotally on said container body for covering said accommodating chamber; and\\nsaid second storage member having a top surface that is formed with a blind hole.\",\n \"10. The modular organizer as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said two of said storage members has a sleeve portion, said first and second positioning elements extending respectively through said sleeve portions of a corresponding one of said two of said storage members.\",\n \"11. The modular organizer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second positioning elements extend above the row of storage members such that the row of storage members are separated from the rod when the retaining hook portion engages the rod.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A crib comprising a first and a second sidewall;\\na first and a second end wall operably connected to the first and second sidewalls to form a frame; and\\na separate sleeping platform configured to be positioned within a cavity defined by the frame where the frame substantially surrounds the sleeping platform, the sleeping platform comprising\\na sleeping surface formed of a mesh material;\\na base frame supporting the sleeping surface; and\\na plurality of legs configured to support the base frame above a support surface of the crib; wherein\\nthe base frame is positioned adjacent an inner surface of each the first and second sidewalls and the first and second end walls.\",\n \"2. The crib of claim 1, wherein\\nthe plurality of legs are rotatable between a first position and a second position;\\nin the first position the legs are positioned substantially along a portion of the base frame and a bottom surface of the base rests on the support surface, and\\nin the second position the legs extend below the base frame to rest on the support surface.\",\n \"3. The crib of claim 1, further comprising an elevated platform spanning between and selectively secured to each of the first and second sidewalls.\",\n \"4. The crib of claim 3, wherein the elevated platform further comprises\\na cradle member; and\\na pair of braces operably connected to opposite longitudinal edges of the cradle member.\",\n \"5. The crib of claim 1, wherein\\nthe first and second sidewalls each comprise\\na sidewall top rail defining a first sidewall receiving notch and a second sidewall receiving notch;\\na first sidewall side member and a second sidewall side member extending from a bottom surface of the sidewall top rail where the first sidewall side member extends from a first end of the sidewall top rail and the second sidewall side member extends from a second end of the sidewall top rail, a bottom surface of each the first sidewall side member and the second sidewall side members each defining a third sidewall receiving notch and a second sidewall receiving notch; and\\nat least one cross member operably connected to each of the first and second sidewall side members.\",\n \"6. The crib of claim 5, further comprising a sidewall mesh material spanning between the sidewall top rail, the first and second sidewall side members, and the at least one cross member.\",\n \"7. The crib of claim 5, wherein the first sidewall side member and the second sidewall side member taper from the support surface towards the top rail.\",\n \"8. The crib of claim 7, wherein the first sidewall side member and the second sidewall side member are trapezoidal shaped.\",\n \"9. The crib of claim 5, wherein the end walls further comprise\\nan end wall top rail comprising a first end wall receiving notch and a second end wall receiving notch defined on a bottom surface of the end wall top rail;\\na first end wall side member extending from the bottom surface of the end wall top rail adjacent the first end wall receiving notch; and\\na second end wall side member extending from the bottom surface of the end wall top rail adjacent the second end wall receiving notch; wherein\\nthe first end wall receiving notch is configured to be received within the first sidewall receiving notch and the second end wall receiving notch is configured to be received within the second sidewall receiving notch.\",\n \"10. The crib of claim 9, further comprising a base member operably connected to a bottom surface of the first and second end wall side members, the base member defining a first base receiving notch configured to be received within the third sidewall receiving notch and a second base receiving notch configured to be received within the fourth sidewall receiving notch.\",\n \"11. The crib of claim 9, wherein the end walls further comprise one or more shelves operably connected to each of the first and second end wall side members.\",\n \"12. The crib of claim 1, further comprising a rocker member having an arcuate bottom surface selectively attachable to a bottom end of each of the end wall.\",\n \"13. The crib of claim 1, wherein\\nthe first sidewall further comprises a top rail; and\\nthe second sidewall further comprises a first cross member; wherein\\nthe top rail is positioned higher above the support surface than the first cross member.\",\n \"14. A kit for a reconfigurable crib, comprising\\na frame comprising\\na pair of sidewalls; and\\na pair of end walls configured to operably connect to the pair of sidewalls;\\na sleeping platform configured to be positioned within but not attached to, the frame; and\\nat least one shelf configured to be operably connected to the pair of sidewalls or to the pair of end walls.\",\n \"15. The kit of claim 14, further comprising an elevated platform selectively attachable to a top surface of the pair of sidewalls.\",\n \"16. The kit of claim 15, wherein the elevated platform comprises\\na cradle member; and\\na pair of braces operably connected to opposite longitudinal edges of the cradle member.\",\n \"17. The kit of claim 16, wherein the cradle member is a mesh material.\",\n \"18. The kit of claim 17, wherein\\nthe at least one shelf comprises a first shelf and a second shelf; wherein\\nthe first shelf is configured to be operably connected to one to the end walls and the second shelf is configured to be operably connected to a each of the sidewalls.\",\n \"19. The kit of claim 19, wherein each of the sidewalls in the pair of sidewalls comprises a panel defining one or more receiving apertures configured to receive the second shelf.\",\n \"20. The kit of claim 14, further comprising a rocker member having an arcuate surface configured to be selectively attachable to a bottom end of each of the end walls.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A collapsible structure, comprising:\\na base panel comprising separate first and second sides, a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, and a fabric material covering portions of the frame member to form the base panel when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation, with the fabric assuming the unfolded orientation of its frame member; and\\nfirst and second loops, each loop having a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation;\\nwherein the first side of the base panel is coupled to the first loop, and the second side of the base panel is coupled to the second loop.\",\n \"2. The structure of claim 1, further including a second panel having a first side coupled to the first loop, and a second side coupled to the second loop, with the base panel and the second panel spaced-apart from each other, the second panel also having a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, and a fabric material covering portions of the frame member of the second panel to form the second panel when the frame member of the second panel is in the unfolded orientation.\",\n \"3. The structure of claim 2, wherein the base panel and the second panel are generally parallel to each other.\",\n \"4. The structure of claim 1, wherein the first and second loops are spaced apart and generally parallel to each other.\",\n \"5. The structure of claim 1, further including a side fabric that is coupled to the base panel and the first and second loops.\",\n \"6. The structure of claim 1, wherein the base panel is a first base panel, the structure further including:\\na third loop having a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, the third loop spaced apart from the second loop;\\na second base panel comprising separate first and second sides, a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, and a fabric material covering portions of the frame member to form the second base panel when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation, with the fabric assuming the unfolded orientation of its frame member; and\\nwherein the first side of the second base panel is coupled to the second loop, and the second side of the second base panel is coupled to the third loop.\",\n \"7. The structure of claim 6, further including:\\na third panel having a first side coupled to the first loop, and a second side coupled to the second loop, with the first base panel and the third panel spaced-apart from each other; and\\na fourth panel having a first side coupled to the second loop, and a second side coupled to the third loop, with the second base panel and the fourth panel spaced-apart from each other; and\\nwherein the third and fourth panel each has a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, and a fabric material covering portions of the frame member of the corresponding panel.\",\n \"8. The structure of claim 1, wherein the first loop includes a fabric that covers a portion of the first loop.\",\n \"9. The structure of claim 7, further including a side fabric that is coupled to the first and second base panels, the third and fourth panels, and the first, second and third loops.\",\n \"10. The structure of claim 7, wherein the second base panel and the fourth panel are disposed out of phase with the first base panel and the third panel.\",\n \"11. The structure of claim 1, wherein the structure is a first structure, and further including a second identical structure, with the first loop of each of the first and second structures coupled together.\",\n \"12. The structure of claim 1, wherein the structure is an exercise apparatus.\",\n \"13. The structure of claim 1, wherein the structure defines a passageway.\",\n \"14. The structure of claim 1, wherein the structure is a display.\",\n \"15. The structure of claim 1, wherein the structure is a partition.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A method of displaying images or messages, comprising:\\nproviding a support frame having a foldable frame member that has a folded and an unfolded orientation, the frame member defining a periphery for the support frame, wherein the frame member is collapsible to the folded position by twisting and folding to form a plurality of concentric rings to substantially reduce the size of the support frame in the folded position;\\ncoupling a first covering to the support frame, the first covering having a first image;\\nremoving the first covering from the support frame; and\\ncoupling a second covering to the support frame, the second covering having a second image.\",\n \"2. The method of claim 1, wherein coupling the first covering to the support frame comprises:\\nplacing the first covering over but not enclosing the support frame, the covering having the same configuration as the frame member in the unfolded orientation.\",\n \"3. The method of claim 1, further including retaining the frame member inside a frame retaining sleeve.\",\n \"4. The method of claim 1, wherein the support frame is a first support frame, further including:\\nproviding a second support frame having a foldable frame member that has a folded and an unfolded orientation, the frame member of the second support frame defining a periphery for the second support frame; and\\nhingedly connecting the first and second support frames each other.\",\n \"5. The method of claim 4, further including:\\nhingedly connecting the top edges of the first and second support frames each other.\",\n \"6. The method of claim 4, further including:\\ncoupling a third covering to the second support frame, the third covering having a third image.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A collapsible play structure adapted to be supported on a surface and comprising:\\nat least three foldable frame members, each having a folded and an unfolded orientation;\\na fabric material substantially covering each frame member to form a side panel for each frame member when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation, the fabric assuming the unfolded orientation of its associated frame member;\\neach side panel further comprising at least a left side, a bottom side and a right side;\\nwherein the left side of each side panel is connected and hinged to the right side of an adjacent side panel, and the right side of each side panel is connected and hinged to the left side of another adjacent side panel; and\\nwherein the bottom side of each side panel is adapted to rest on the surface to support the play structure.\",\n \"2. The collapsible play structure of claim 1, wherein the collapsible play structure comprises four side panels and frame members, each side panel and its frame member having four sides, including a top side.\",\n \"3. The collapsible play structure of claim 2, further comprising a fabric connected to the top sides of the four side panels and extending therebetween.\",\n \"4. The collapsible play structure of claim 3, further comprising an opening provided within the fabric connected to the top sides of the four side panels.\",\n \"5. The collapsible play structure of claim 4, wherein at least one of the four side panels comprises an opening.\",\n \"6. The collapsible play structure of claim 1 wherein each side panel comprises a frame retaining sleeve for retaining one of the frame members, and the frame retaining sleeves of adjacent side panels are stitched together to form a hinged connection.\",\n \"7. The collapsible play structure of claim 1 wherein each side panel comprises a frame retaining sleeve for holding a portion of one of the frame members, the frame retaining sleeves of adjacent side panels converging to form a singular retaining sleeve which retains the adjacent sides of the adjacent frame members of the corresponding adjacent side panels.\",\n \"8. A collapsible play structure, comprising:\\na plurality of collapsible play modules connected to each other, each play module supported on a surface and comprising:\\nat least three foldable frame members, each having a folded and an unfolded orientation;\\na fabric material substantially covering each frame member to form a side panel for each frame member when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation, the fabric assuming the unfolded orientation of its associated frame member;\\neach side panel further comprising at least a left side, a bottom side and a right side;\\nwherein the left side of each side panel is connected and hinged to the right side of an adjacent side panel, and the right side of each side panel is connected and hinged to the left side of another adjacent side panel; and\\nwherein the bottom side of each side panel is adapted to rest on the surface to support the play module.\",\n \"9. The collapsible play structure of claim 8, wherein each play module comprises four side panels and frame members, each side panel and its frame member having four sides, including a top side.\",\n \"10. The collapsible play structure of claim 9, wherein each play module further comprises a fabric connected to the top sides of the four side panels and extending therebetween.\",\n \"11. The collapsible play structure of claim 10, wherein each play module further comprises an opening provided within the fabric connected to the top sides of the four side panels.\",\n \"12. The collapsible play structure of claim 11, wherein at least one of the four side panels of each play module comprises an opening.\",\n \"13. The collapsible play structure of claim 8 wherein each side panel of each play module comprises a frame retaining sleeve for retaining one of the frame members, and the frame retaining sleeves of adjacent side panels are stitched together to form a hinged connection.\",\n \"14. The collapsible play structure of claim 8 wherein each side panel of each play module comprises a frame retaining sleeve for holding one of the frame members, the frame retaining sleeves of adjacent side panels converging to form a singular retaining sleeve which retains the adjacent sides of the adjacent frame members of the corresponding adjacent side panels.\",\n \"15. The collapsible play structure of claim 8, further comprising three play modules, each comprising attachment mechanisms for connecting each play module to at least one other play module.\",\n \"16. The collapsible play structure of claim 9, further comprising one larger play module, and four identical play modules each having a size that is smaller than the larger play module, each of the four identical play modules comprising attachment mechanisms for connecting one of its side panels to one side panel of the larger play module.\",\n \"17. The collapsible play structure of claim 16, wherein each of the four identical play modules comprises at least one opening provided on one side panel, and wherein each side panel of the larger play module is provided with at least one opening, wherein each of the at least one opening of the four identical play modules is aligned with the opening provided in a corresponding side panel of the larger play module.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A collapsible structure comprising:\\na first frame member defining a base of the structure;\\na second frame member defining a top of the structure;\\na piece of foldable material attached to and extending between said first and second frame members; and\\na plurality of foldable frame supporters connected to said first and second frame members and to said piece of foldable material, said frame supporters being foldable to move said first and second frame members towards one another to a superimposed and collapsed position, and being unfolded to move said first and second frame members away from one another to a spaced and expanded position.\",\n \"2. A collapsible structure according to claim 1, comprising hinges in said foldable frame supporters which enable the frame supporters to move the first and second frame members between said collapsed and expanded positions.\",\n \"3. A collapsible structure according to claim 2, where in said hinges include projections to serve as stops to limit movement of the frame members to said expanded position and provide a lock engagement of the hinges.\",\n \"4. A collapsible structure according to claim 3, wherein said foldable frame supporters each comprises a first segment having one end fixed to said first frame member and a second segment having one end fixed to said second frame member, and a link hingeably connected to said first and second segments at ends thereof opposite said ends fixed to the frame members.\",\n \"5. A collapsible structure according to claim 4, wherein said segments are adjacent to one another in said collapsed position and are colinear in said expanded position.\",\n \"6. The collapsible structure according to claim 1, wherein said first and second frame members include respective hinges which enable the first and second frame members to be jointly folded when in said superposed and collapsed position to reduce size of the structure in said collapsed position.\",\n \"7. A collapsible structure according to claim 1, wherein said frame members define a circumferentially enclosed space with an open top in said expanded position to enable the structure to serve as a baby bed.\",\n \"8. A collapsible structure according to claim 7, wherein said foldable frame supporters are spaced circumferentially around the structure.\",\n \"9. A collapsible structure according to claim 1, wherein said first and second frame members are annular and said frame supporters have a length to define an interior space within the foldable material to serve as a play area for a child.\",\n \"10. A collapsible structure according to claim 9, wherein said play area comprises a cylindrical volume.\",\n \"11. A collapsible structure according to claim 9, wherein said frame supporters are arranged to fold inwardly to permit the frame members to move to the collapsed position.\",\n \"12. A collapsible child play enclosure comprising:\\na plurality of frame assemblies\\neach frame assembly including a plurality of frame segments and a plurality of hinges connecting adjoining frame segments, said hinges being constructed and arranged to provide movement between assembled and collapsed positions;\\na piece of foldable material secured to said frame members to enclosed an interior space within the frame assemblies when in said assembled position, said frame segments of said frame assemblies being superimposed on one another in said collapsed position.\",\n \"13. The collapsible child play enclosure according to claim 12, wherein said frame segments include curved segments to confer a rounded shape to said enclosure which simulates an igloo.\",\n \"14. The collapsible child play enclosure according to claim 13, wherein said frame segments of said frame assemblies include lower frame segments having lower ends adapted for supporting the play enclosure on the ground in the assembled position.\",\n \"15. The collapsible child play enclosure according to claim 13, wherein said hinges include projections to serve as stops to limit movement of the frame segments in said assembled position and provide a lock engagement of the hinges.\",\n \"16. The collapsible child play enclosure according to claim 13, wherein the frame segments of each frame member confer a substantially semi-circular shape to the frame member.\",\n \"17. The collapsible child play enclosure according to claim 16, wherein each frame member has a peak with a said hinge thereat and the frame member extends in opposite directions from said peak along curved paths, each of which includes two said hinges connecting adjoining frame segments.\",\n \"18. The collapsible child play enclosure according to claim 12, further comprising a ground engaging frame structure including a plurality of ground engaging members said frame assemblies being connected to said ground engaging frame structure to provide a pyramidal shape for the child play enclosure to simulate a teepee.\",\n \"19. The collapsible child play enclosure to claim 18, wherein said ground engaging frame structure has corners at adjoining ground engaging members at which a respective said frame segment is disposed, a first of said hinges pivotably connects the adjoining ground engaging members to one another and said respective frame segment to said adjoining ground engaging members.\",\n \"20. The collapsible child play enclosure according to claim 19, wherein a second of said hinges is provided in each ground engaging member to form ground segments which are pivotable between collapsed and extended positions.\",\n \"21. The collapsible child play enclosure according to claim 20, wherein each said frame assembly includes a plurality of said second hinges.\",\n \"22. The collapsible child play enclosure according to claim 21, wherein said ground members are inwardly foldable at said second hinges and said frame assemblies are superimposable on one another and capable of being folded around said second hinges to collapse the child play enclosure.\",\n \"23. A method for expanding and collapsing a structure intended for use by a child, said method comprising:\\nassembling a structure having an enclosure for a child;\\nforming said structure with a plurality of segments incorporating hinges movable between folded and unfolded positions;\\nproviding a flexible fabric cover on the structure; and\\nselectively expanding and collapsing the structure by unfolding and folding the hinges,\\nwherein said hinges are selectively unfolded and folded by (1) aligning segments of the structure connected by the hinges and (2) by pivotably moving the segments out of alignment, and\\nwherein when said segments are in the folded condition, the segments are superimposed on one another to provide a flat, collapsed condition for the structure.\",\n \"24. The method according to claim 23, wherein in the expanded condition, the structure forms a baby bed.\",\n \"25. The method according to claim 23, wherein in the expanded condition, the structure forms a play pen.\",\n \"26. The method according to claim 23, wherein in the expanded condition, the structure forms an igloo.\",\n \"27. The method according to claim 23, wherein in the expanded condition, the structure forms a teepee.\",\n \"28. The method according to claim 23, comprising folding the segments in the collapsed condition of the structure to reduce size of the structure and make it more compact.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A collapsible structure, comprising:\\na first vertical panel having a top edge and a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, with a fabric material covering portions of the frame member to form the first panel when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation;\\na second vertical panel having a top edge and a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, with a fabric material covering portions of the frame member of the second panel to form the second panel when the frame member of the second panel is in the unfolded orientation; and\\na connecting member having opposing edges that are coupled to the top edges of the first and second panels in a manner such that the first and second panels are positioned spaced from each other, and the connecting member including means for supporting the first and second panels in an upright position that is parallel to each other;\\nwherein each of the frame members of the first and second panels is twisted and folded to form a plurality of concentric rings when the frame member is in the folded orientation.\",\n \"2. The structure of claim 1, wherein the connecting member includes a third horizontal panel having a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, with a fabric material covering portions of the frame member of the third panel to form the third panel when the frame member of the third panel is in the unfolded orientation, the third panel having opposing first and second sides that are coupled to the top edges of the first and second panels, respectively.\",\n \"3. The structure of claim 2, wherein the connecting member is a fabric piece.\",\n \"4. The structure of claim 2, wherein the fabric extends across the entire panel of at least one of the panels.\",\n \"5. The structure of claim 2, wherein the entire connecting member extends between the top edges of the first and second panels.\",\n \"6. A collapsible structure, comprising:\\na first vertical panel having a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, with a fabric material covering portions of the frame member to form the first panel when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation;\\na second vertical panel having a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, with a fabric material covering portions of the frame member of the second panel to form the second panel when the frame member of the second panel is in the unfolded orientation; and\\na connecting member coupled to, and extending between, the first and second panels in a manner such that the first and second panels are positioned parallel to each other;\\nwherein each of the frame members of the first and second panels is twisted and folded to form a plurality of concentric rings when the frame member is in the folded orientation;\\nwherein each of the first and second panels has a top side, and wherein the connecting member includes a third horizontal panel having a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, with a fabric material covering portions of the frame member of the third panel to form the third panel when the frame member of the third panel is in the unfolded orientation, the third panel having opposing first and second sides that are coupled to the top sides of the first and second panels, respectively; and\\nwherein each of the first and second panels has a bottom side, and wherein the connecting member includes a fourth horizontal panel having a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, with a fabric material covering portions of the frame member of the fourth panel to form the fourth panel when the frame member of the fourth panel is in the unfolded orientation, the fourth panel having opposing first and second sides that are coupled to the bottom sides of the first and second panels, respectively.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A collapsible play structure adapted to be supported on a surface and comprising:\\nat least three foldable frame members, each having a folded and an unfolded orientation;\\na fabric material substantially covering each frame member to form a side panel for each frame member when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation, the fabric assuming the unfolded orientation of its associated frame member;\\neach side panel and its frame member having a square configuration and comprising four sides, including a left side, a right side, a bottom side connecting the left side and the right side, and a top side connecting the left side and the right side, with the left side and the right side vertical and the top side and the bottom side horizontal when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation;\\nwherein the left side of each side panel is hingedly connected to the right side of an adjacent side panel, and the right side of each side panel is hingedly connected to the left side of another adjacent side panel; and\\nwherein the bottom side of each side panel is adapted to rest on the surface to support the play structure.\",\n \"2. The structure of claim 1, further comprising a top fabric connected to the top sides of the side panels and frame members and extending therebetween, the top fabric comprising an opening provided therewithin and adapted for a child to crawl therethrough.\",\n \"3. The structure of claim 2, wherein at least one of the side panels comprises an opening.\",\n \"4. The structure of claim 2, wherein the structure comprises four side panels.\",\n \"5. The structure of claim 2, wherein each side panel comprises a frame retaining sleeve for retaining one of the frame members, and the frame retaining sleeves of adjacent side panels are stitched together to form a hinged connection.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A modular tent system, comprising:\\nat least two interconnectable tent modules, with each at least two interconnectable tent modules having a plurality of side panels, wherein each of said at least two interconnectable tent modules have at least one of said plurality of side panels with a first interconnecting section that is removably interconnecting with a second interconnecting section on a separate interconnectable tent module.\",\n \"2. The modular tent system, as described in claim 1, wherein at least one of said at least two interconnectable tent modules further comprises a top cover attachable to said plurality of side panels of said at least one of said at least two interconnectable tent modules to form a roof cover for said tent module.\",\n \"3. The modular tent system, as described in claim 1, wherein each of said at least two interconnectable tent modules are a similar size and shape.\",\n \"4. The modular tent system, as described in claim 1, wherein at least two of said at least two interconnectable tent modules are a dissimilar size or dissimilar shape from each other.\",\n \"5. The modular tent system, as described in claim 1, wherein said first and second interconnecting sections are at least one of a hook and loop textile tape, a zipper, a plurality of snaps, a plurality of buttons, a pair of attracting magnets, a pole and loop, a pole and sleeve.\",\n \"6. The modular tent system, as described in claim 1, wherein each of said at least two interconnectable tent modules are a polygon shape.\",\n \"7. The modular tent system, as described in claim 1, wherein at least one of said at least two interconnectable tent modules has at least one integral openable door.\",\n \"8. The modular tent system, as described in claim 1, wherein at least one of said at least two interconnectable tent modules has at least one integral openable window.\",\n \"9. The modular tent system, as described in claim 1, wherein said side panel with said first or second interconnecting section has an openable door allowing internal access between the two interconnected tent modules.\",\n \"10. The modular tent system, as described in claim 1, wherein said side panel with said first or second interconnecting section is detachable on at least one vertical edge to allow said first or second interconnecting section to be hinged and overlay an adjacent side panel.\",\n \"11. The modular tent system, as provided in claim 1, wherein said at least two interconnecting tent modules are at least partially manufactured from a synthetic plastic polymer including at least one of a polyethylene material and a polyvinyl chloride material.\",\n \"12. An expandable modular tent system, comprising:\\na plurality of interconnectable modules, with each of said plurality of interconnectable modules having a plurality of side panels, and wherein each of said plurality of interconnectable modules have at least one of said plurality of side panels with an interconnecting element that is removably interconnecting with an interconnecting element and side panel on a separate interconnectable module.\",\n \"13. The expandable modular tent system, as described in claim 12, wherein at least one of said plurality of interconnectable modules, further comprising a top cover.\",\n \"14. The expandable modular tent system, as described in claim 12, wherein said interconnecting elements are at least one of a hook and loop textile tape, a zipper, a plurality of snaps, a plurality of buttons, a pair of attracting magnets, a pole and loop, a pole and sleeve.\",\n \"15. The expandable modular tent system, as described in claim 12, wherein each of said plurality of interconnectable modules are a polygon shape.\",\n \"16. The expandable modular tent system, as described in claim 12, wherein at least two of said at least two interconnectable modules are a dissimilar size or dissimilar shape from each other.\",\n \"17. The expandable modular tent system, as described in claim 12, wherein at least one of said plurality of interconnectable modules has at least one integral openable door.\",\n \"18. The expandable modular tent system, as described in claim 12, wherein at least one of said plurality of interconnectable modules has at least one integral openable window.\",\n \"19. The expandable modular tent system, as described in claim 12, wherein said side panel with an interconnecting element has an openable door allowing access between two attached interconnected modules.\",\n \"20. The expandable modular tent system, as described in claim 12, wherein said side panel with said interconnecting section is detachable on at least one vertical edge to allow said interconnecting section to be hinged and overlay an adjacent side panel.\",\n \"21. The expandable modular tent system, as described in claim 12, wherein said plurality of interconnecting modules are at least partially manufactured from a synthetic plastic polymer including at least one of a polyethylene material and a polyvinyl chloride material.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A collapsible structure comprising:\\na first panel, a second panel, and a third panel, each panel having a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, with a fabric material covering internal portions of the frame member to form the panel when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation, with each panel being collapsed to a smaller size by twisting and folding its respective frame member, each of the panels further including a side;\\nwherein the side of the first panel is coupled to the side of the second panel; and\\nwherein the side of the third panel is coupled to the fabric material of the second panel internal of the frame member of the second panel; and\\nwherein each of the first and second panels having a flat configuration when the frame members for the first and second panels are in the unfolded orientation and coupled together to form the structure.\",\n \"2. The structure of claim 1, wherein the side of the first panel is hingedly coupled to the side of the second panel.\",\n \"3. The structure of claim 1, wherein the side of the third panel is hingedly coupled to the fabric of the second panel.\",\n \"4. The structure of claim 1, wherein the third panel is coupled to the first panel.\",\n \"5. The structure of claim 1, further including an amusement feature provided on the fabric material of the second panel.\",\n \"6. The structure of claim 1, wherein the third panel extends parallel to a horizontal surface.\",\n \"7. The structure of claim 1, wherein the side of the third panel is removably coupled to the fabric material of the second panel.\",\n \"8. A collapsible structure comprising:\\na first panel, a second panel, and a third panel, each panel having a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, with a fabric material covering portions of the frame member to form the panel when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation, each panel being collapsed to a smaller size by twisting and folding its respective frame member, each of the panels further including a side;\\nwherein the side of the first panel is coupled to the side of the second panel;\\nwherein the side of the third panel is coupled to the fabric material of the second panel; and\\na fourth panel having a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, with a fabric material covering portions of the frame member of the fourth panel to form the fourth panel when the frame member of the fourth panel is in the unfolded orientation, with the fourth panel further including a side, and the second panel further including a second side, wherein the side of the fourth panel is coupled to the second side of the second panel.\",\n \"9. The structure of claim 8, wherein the third panel is coupled to the first panel and the fourth panel.\",\n \"10. A collapsible structure comprising:\\na first panel, a second panel, and a third panel, each panel having a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, with a fabric material covering portions of the frame member to form the panel when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation, each panel being collapsed to a smaller size by twisting and folding its respective frame member, each of the panels further including a side;\\nwherein the side of the first panel is coupled to the side of the second panel;\\nwherein the side of the third panel is coupled to the fabric material of the second panel; and\\nwherein the third panel extends at an angle from a horizontal surface, with the first and second panels extending vertically from the horizontal surface.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A collapsible portable structure having side walling comprising at least one continuous loop of a flexible coilable rod supporting a flexible fabric panel and an integrated canopy formed by a flexible fabric material which is attached to the side walling and which is supported by at least one separate pole, wherein the side walling is configured to define an upright corner region and to have a free side edge.\",\n \"2. A structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the side walling is configured to be curved or angular to define the upright corner region and to have the free side edge.\",\n \"3. A structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the side walling is configured to comprises two or more adjoining walls or wall sections to define the upright corner region and to have the free side edge.\",\n \"4. A structure as claimed in claim 2, wherein the canopy straddles the upright corner region.\",\n \"5. A structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the canopy is attached to the side walling at a location spaced inwards from an upper edge of the side wailing.\",\n \"6. A structure as claimed in claim 2, wherein the canopy is attached to the side walling at a location spaced inwards from the free side edge.\",\n \"7. A structure as claimed in claim 2, wherein the continuous loop of a flexible coilable rod provides a frame at the periphery of the fabric panel.\",\n \"8. A structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the side walling is formed by two continuous loops of the coilable rod, each loop supporting a respective flexible fabric panel.\",\n \"9. A structure as claimed in claim 8, wherein the side walling comprises two distinct side walls, each formed by a respective continuous loop of a coilable flexible rod supporting a respective flexible fabric panel.\",\n \"10. A structure as claimed in claim 9, wherein the side walling comprises two distinct side walls, each formed by a respective coilable flexible rod supporting a respective flexible fabric panel.\",\n \"11. A structure as claimed in claim 9, wherein the side walls are arranged to extend substantially perpendicular to each other.\",\n \"12. A structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the canopy is stitched to the side walling.\",\n \"13. A structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the canopy includes wall and roof sections.\",\n \"14. A structure as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an integrated mat or ground sheet attached to the side walling.\",\n \"15. A structure as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of poles to support the canopy, the poles being attached to each other by means of connectors.\",\n \"16. A structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the side walling is collapsible by twisting each of the flexible coilable rods.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A collapsible structure adapted to be supported on a surface and comprising:\\na pair of side panel frame members, each side panel frame member forming a continuous loop that has a folded and unfolded orientation, with each loop collapsible to the folded position by twisting and folding to form a plurality of concentric rings;\\na fabric material covering portions of each side panel loop frame member to form a side panel with each side panel frame member when the side panel frame members are in the unfolded orientation, the fabric material also extending from one of the side panel loop frame members to another of the side panel loop frame members;\\na further frame structure coupled to the pair of side panel frame members;\\na base coupled to each side panel;\\nwherein when the pair of side panel frame members are in the unfolded orientation, each side panel is supported upright with a lower portion of the side panel oriented to rest on the surface and an upper portion of the side panel supported above the surface to define an interior space partially bordered by the side panel; wherein the pair of side panels are generally parallel to, and spaced apart from, each other; and\\nwherein each side panel has a respective fabric sleeve permanently secured to the fabric material, with each side panel frame member located inside a respective fabric sleeve.\",\n \"2. A collapsible structure as recited in claim 1, wherein the further frame structure is connected to the upper portions of the side panels.\",\n \"3. A collapsible structure as recited in claim 2, wherein the further frame structure comprises a further frame member forming a continuous loop that has a folded and unfolded orientation.\",\n \"4. A collapsible structure as recited in claim 1, wherein each fabric sleeve has a continuous annular shape.\",\n \"5. A collapsible structure as recited in claim 1, wherein each fabric sleeve traverses all sides of its respective side panel.\",\n \"6. A collapsible structure adapted to be supported on a surface and comprising:\\nfirst and second continuous loop frame members, each having a folded and an unfolded orientation, and with each continuous loop frame member collapsible to the folded position by twisting and folding to form a plurality of concentric rings; and\\na further frame structure connecting the first and second continuous loop frame members in a spaced relation relative to each other and defining an interior space between the first and second continuous loop frame members when the first and second continuous loop members are in the unfolded orientation;\\na base coupled to each side panel;\\na fabric material and first and second fabric sleeves permanently secured to the fabric material, wherein:\\nthe first continuous loop frame member is located inside the first fabric sleeve and together with the fabric material defines a first panel;\\nthe second continuous loop frame member is located inside the second fabric sleeve and together with the fabric material defines a second panel; and\\nthe first and second panels are substantially parallel to each other.\",\n \"7. A collapsible structure as recited in claim 6, wherein:\\nthe further frame structure comprises a third continuous loop frame member.\",\n \"8. A collapsible structure as recited in claim 6, wherein each fabric sleeve has a continuous annular shape.\",\n \"9. A collapsible structure as recited in claim 6, wherein each fabric sleeve traverses all sides of its respective side panel.\",\n \"10. A collapsible structure adapted to be supported on a surface and comprising:\\nfabric material and a plurality of fabric sleeves permanently secured to the fabric material;\\na pair of side panels, each side panel having a continuous loop frame member positioned in a respective one of the fabric sleeves, each continuous loop frame member having a folded and unfolded orientation, with each continuous loop frame member collapsible to the folded position by twisting and folding to form a plurality of concentric rings, and each side panel having a bottom portion adapted to be supported on the surface and an upper portion adapted to be supported above the surface when the continuous loop frame members are in the unfolded orientation; and\\na further frame structure coupling the upper portions of the pair of side panels in a spaced relation to define an interior space partially bordered by each side panel when the continuous loop frame members are in the unfolded orientation;\\na base coupled to each side panel;\\nwherein the pair of side panels are generally parallel to, and spaced apart from, each other.\",\n \"11. A collapsible structure as recited in claim 10, wherein the further frame structure comprises a further frame member forming a continuous loop that has a folded and unfolded orientation.\",\n \"12. A collapsible structure as recited in claim 10, wherein each fabric sleeve has a continuous annular shape.\",\n \"13. A collapsible structure as recited in claim 10, wherein each fabric sleeve traverses all sides of its respective side panel.\",\n \"14. A collapsible structure as recited in claim 10, wherein the fabric material extends across each of the parallel side panels and from one of the parallel side panels to the other parallel side panel.\",\n \"15. A collapsible structure comprising:\\na plurality of side panels, each side panel having a continuous loop frame member that has a folded and an unfolded orientation, a fabric material and a fabric sleeve that is permanently secured to the fabric material and which contains the respective continuous loop frame member such that the fabric material defines a generally planar surface when the continuous loop frame member is in the unfolded orientation, with each continuous loop frame member collapsible to the folded position by twisting and folding to form a plurality of concentric rings; and\\na further frame structure coupling the plural side panels together to define an interior space partially bordered by each side panel when the continuous loop frame members are in the unfolded orientation;\\na base coupled to each side panel; and\\nwherein the plurality of side panels comprise at least one pair of side panels that are generally parallel to, and spaced apart from, each other.\",\n \"16. A collapsible structure as recited in claim 15, wherein the further frame structure is connected to the upper portions of the side panels.\",\n \"17. A collapsible structure as recited in claim 15, wherein the further frame structure comprises a further frame member forming a continuous loop that has a folded and unfolded orientation.\",\n \"18. A collapsible structure as recited in claim 15, wherein each fabric sleeve has a continuous annular shape.\",\n \"19. A collapsible structure as recited in claim 15, wherein each fabric sleeve traverses all sides of its respective side panel.\",\n \"20. A collapsible structure as recited in claim 15, wherein the fabric material extends across each of the parallel side panels and from one of the parallel side panels to the other parallel side panel.\"\n ]\n]"},"102rejection":{"kind":"string","value":"the following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 u.s.c. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this office action:\r\na person shall be entitled to a patent unless –\r\n(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.\r\nclaim(s) 1 is/are rejected under 35 u.s.c. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by gehr et al. 2008/0289103 to gehr et al.\r\nclaim 1, gehr discloses, figs. 1, 2, 8, 9, 23 and 24 for example, a frame for a foldable playyard, the frame having a compact folded configuration for storage of the frame and a deployed unfolded configuration to support the foldable playyard, in an upright position on a ground surface, the frame comprising a plurality of leg support assemblies 18 extending upward from the ground surface when the frame is in the deployed unfolded configuration, each leg support assembly of the plurality of leg support assemblies comprising a bottom end supported by the ground surface and a top portion opposite to the bottom end; and a plurality of x-frame assemblies defined by cross members 22 coupled to the plurality of leg support assemblies, each cross member being coupled to respective top portions of adjacent leg support assemblies of the plurality of leg support assemblies, (fig. 2 and 23), when the frame is in the deployed unfolded configuration such that, in the deployed unfolded configuration of the frame the cross members form a top perimeter structure, (fig. 2), of the frame outlining an interior space of the foldable playyard; wherein the plurality of cross members each comprise a first tube 22 and a second tube 22 movably coupled to each at pivot (p)."}}},{"rowIdx":9043,"cells":{"query":{"kind":"list like","value":["1. A cast-in-place anchor assembly for anchoring objects to a concrete structure after concrete pouring and concrete setting, the objects fastened to an elongated load bearing member which is connected to the anchor assembly, the cast-in-place anchor assembly comprising:\nan anchor housing including an outwardly extending radial flange for casting in the concrete, the anchor housing including an opening therein along a longitudinal axis thereof for receiving the elongate load bearing member, the anchor housing also including a jaw assembly housed in the anchor housing, the jaw assembly for lockingly engaging and axially constraining the elongate load bearing member relative to the anchor housing,\nthe jaw assembly including separable jaws and a bias member for biasing the jaws toward each other and downward away from the outwardly extending radial flange, the jaw assembly including a reconfigurable lock,\nwherein, in a first anchor assembly configuration, the reconfigurable lock has a first configuration that allows the jaws to move axially relative to the anchor housing and in a second anchor assembly configuration the reconfigurable lock reconfigures axially to limit the relative upward axial movement of the jaws compared to the axial relative movement of the jaws in the first configuration.","2. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 1, wherein the jaw assembly further includes a compressible member between the jaws and the anchor housing.","3. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 1, wherein the reconfigurable lock is a flexible member and the elongated load bearing member is threaded.","4. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 1, wherein the reconfigurable lock is an expandable member.","5. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 1, wherein the reconfigurable lock structure is a metal member.","6. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 1, wherein the reconfigurable lock structure is a contractible member.","7. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 2, wherein the lock is between the bias member and the separable jaws.","8. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 2, wherein the limiting of relative axial movement of the jaws is a result of trapping the jaws between the reconfigurable lock structure and the compressible member.","9. A cast-in-place anchor assembly for anchoring objects to a concrete structure after concrete pouring and concrete setting, the objects fastened to an elongated load bearing member which is connected to the anchor assembly, the cast-in-place anchor assembly comprising:\nan anchor housing, the anchor housing including an opening therein along a longitudinal axis thereof for receiving the elongate load bearing member, the anchor housing also including a jaw assembly housed in the anchor housing, the jaw assembly for lockingly engaging and axially constraining the elongate load bearing member relative to the anchor housing,\nthe jaw assembly including separable jaws and a bias member for biasing the jaws toward each other and downward away from the outwardly extending radial flange, the jaws including a reconfigurable lock structure,\nwherein, in a first anchor assembly configuration, the reconfigurable lock structure has a first configuration that allows the jaws to move axially relative to the anchor housing and in a second anchor assembly configuration the reconfigurable lock structure reconfigures by compression of the compressible member to further limit the relative axial movement of the jaws,\nwherein the reconfigurable lock is ring-shaped flexible member.","10. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 9, wherein the jaw assembly further includes a compressible member between the jaws and the anchor housing.","11. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 9, wherein the separable jaws include threaded interior surfaces.","12. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 9, wherein the separable jaws include a separator projection thereon, and wherein the separator projection includes an inclined surface.","13. A cast-in-place anchor assembly for anchoring objects to a concrete structure after concrete pouring and concrete setting, the objects fastened to an elongated load bearing member which is connected to the anchor assembly, the cast-in-place anchor assembly comprising:\nan anchor housing, the anchor housing including an opening therein along a longitudinal axis thereof for receiving the elongate load bearing member, the anchor housing also including a jaw assembly housed in an anchor assembly, the anchor assembly for lockingly engaging and axially constraining the elongate load bearing member relative to the anchor housing,\nthe jaw assembly including separable jaws and the anchor assembly including a bias member for biasing the separable jaws toward each other and downward away from the outwardly extending radial flange, the anchor assembly further including a reconfigurable lock and wherein,\nin a first configuration the reconfigurable lock is able to move axially within the anchor housing, and in a second configuration the lock is constrained axially within the anchor housing to limit upward axial movement of the separable jaws.","14. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 13, wherein the reconfigurable lock is disposed above the separable jaws.","15. The case-in-place anchor assembly of claim 14, wherein the limiting axial movement of the separable jaws is a result of trapping the jaws between the reconfigurable lock and the compressible member.","16. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 14, wherein the separable jaws include a separator projection thereon, and wherein the separator projection includes an inclined surface.","17. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 16, wherein the inclined surface has a decreasing radius moving axially away from a bottom of the separable jaws.","18. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 17, wherein a threaded rod inserted into the opening along the longitudinal axis engages the inclined surface to urge lower ends of the jaws radially outward.","19. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 17, wherein the inclined surface is positioned on the separable jaws distal from a separation plane of the jaws so that a force caused by the elongate load bearing member against the inclined surface acts generally perpendicular to the separation plane."],"string":"[\n \"1. A cast-in-place anchor assembly for anchoring objects to a concrete structure after concrete pouring and concrete setting, the objects fastened to an elongated load bearing member which is connected to the anchor assembly, the cast-in-place anchor assembly comprising:\\nan anchor housing including an outwardly extending radial flange for casting in the concrete, the anchor housing including an opening therein along a longitudinal axis thereof for receiving the elongate load bearing member, the anchor housing also including a jaw assembly housed in the anchor housing, the jaw assembly for lockingly engaging and axially constraining the elongate load bearing member relative to the anchor housing,\\nthe jaw assembly including separable jaws and a bias member for biasing the jaws toward each other and downward away from the outwardly extending radial flange, the jaw assembly including a reconfigurable lock,\\nwherein, in a first anchor assembly configuration, the reconfigurable lock has a first configuration that allows the jaws to move axially relative to the anchor housing and in a second anchor assembly configuration the reconfigurable lock reconfigures axially to limit the relative upward axial movement of the jaws compared to the axial relative movement of the jaws in the first configuration.\",\n \"2. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 1, wherein the jaw assembly further includes a compressible member between the jaws and the anchor housing.\",\n \"3. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 1, wherein the reconfigurable lock is a flexible member and the elongated load bearing member is threaded.\",\n \"4. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 1, wherein the reconfigurable lock is an expandable member.\",\n \"5. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 1, wherein the reconfigurable lock structure is a metal member.\",\n \"6. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 1, wherein the reconfigurable lock structure is a contractible member.\",\n \"7. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 2, wherein the lock is between the bias member and the separable jaws.\",\n \"8. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 2, wherein the limiting of relative axial movement of the jaws is a result of trapping the jaws between the reconfigurable lock structure and the compressible member.\",\n \"9. A cast-in-place anchor assembly for anchoring objects to a concrete structure after concrete pouring and concrete setting, the objects fastened to an elongated load bearing member which is connected to the anchor assembly, the cast-in-place anchor assembly comprising:\\nan anchor housing, the anchor housing including an opening therein along a longitudinal axis thereof for receiving the elongate load bearing member, the anchor housing also including a jaw assembly housed in the anchor housing, the jaw assembly for lockingly engaging and axially constraining the elongate load bearing member relative to the anchor housing,\\nthe jaw assembly including separable jaws and a bias member for biasing the jaws toward each other and downward away from the outwardly extending radial flange, the jaws including a reconfigurable lock structure,\\nwherein, in a first anchor assembly configuration, the reconfigurable lock structure has a first configuration that allows the jaws to move axially relative to the anchor housing and in a second anchor assembly configuration the reconfigurable lock structure reconfigures by compression of the compressible member to further limit the relative axial movement of the jaws,\\nwherein the reconfigurable lock is ring-shaped flexible member.\",\n \"10. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 9, wherein the jaw assembly further includes a compressible member between the jaws and the anchor housing.\",\n \"11. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 9, wherein the separable jaws include threaded interior surfaces.\",\n \"12. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 9, wherein the separable jaws include a separator projection thereon, and wherein the separator projection includes an inclined surface.\",\n \"13. A cast-in-place anchor assembly for anchoring objects to a concrete structure after concrete pouring and concrete setting, the objects fastened to an elongated load bearing member which is connected to the anchor assembly, the cast-in-place anchor assembly comprising:\\nan anchor housing, the anchor housing including an opening therein along a longitudinal axis thereof for receiving the elongate load bearing member, the anchor housing also including a jaw assembly housed in an anchor assembly, the anchor assembly for lockingly engaging and axially constraining the elongate load bearing member relative to the anchor housing,\\nthe jaw assembly including separable jaws and the anchor assembly including a bias member for biasing the separable jaws toward each other and downward away from the outwardly extending radial flange, the anchor assembly further including a reconfigurable lock and wherein,\\nin a first configuration the reconfigurable lock is able to move axially within the anchor housing, and in a second configuration the lock is constrained axially within the anchor housing to limit upward axial movement of the separable jaws.\",\n \"14. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 13, wherein the reconfigurable lock is disposed above the separable jaws.\",\n \"15. The case-in-place anchor assembly of claim 14, wherein the limiting axial movement of the separable jaws is a result of trapping the jaws between the reconfigurable lock and the compressible member.\",\n \"16. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 14, wherein the separable jaws include a separator projection thereon, and wherein the separator projection includes an inclined surface.\",\n \"17. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 16, wherein the inclined surface has a decreasing radius moving axially away from a bottom of the separable jaws.\",\n \"18. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 17, wherein a threaded rod inserted into the opening along the longitudinal axis engages the inclined surface to urge lower ends of the jaws radially outward.\",\n \"19. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 17, wherein the inclined surface is positioned on the separable jaws distal from a separation plane of the jaws so that a force caused by the elongate load bearing member against the inclined surface acts generally perpendicular to the separation plane.\"\n]"},"applicant_patent_id":{"kind":"string","value":"US12116772B2"},"cited_patent_id":{"kind":"string","value":"US20150275505A1"},"positive":{"kind":"list like","value":["1. A quick-connect anchor for accepting threaded rod of different diameters once encapsulated by concrete poured over a metal deck, at about a thickness of 3 to 3¼ inches, the anchor comprising:\na casing attachable to the metal deck, the casing sized to allow at least a 1 inch concrete layer on top of the encapsulated anchor, the casing having a first end and a second end with a head at the closed first end and an opening of a predetermined diameter at the second end, a cavity in the casing extending from the first end to the second end, the casing having a diameter larger than the diameter of the opening at the second end of the casing;\na plurality of arcuate internally threaded segments captured in the cavity of the casing, each segment adapted for axial movement with other segments in the casing, each segment having a first end and a second end, the second end of each segment located closest to the open second end of the casing, each segment having the same, at least two different diameter thread portions along its length, a larger diameter thread portion at the second end of each segment, and a smaller diameter thread portion at the first end of each segment;\na spring in the cavity of the casing between the head at the closed first end of the casing and the first end of the plurality of arcuate internally threaded segments; and\na plate located on the cylindrical casing for holding the casing to the metal deck before concrete is poured, with the open second end of the casing adjacent to an aperture in the metal deck.","2. The quick-connect anchor of claim 1 wherein the closed first end of the casing comprises an opening having a diameter larger than the diameter of all the internally threaded segments in the cavity; and\na plate sized to fit within the opening, permanently attached thereto after the internally threaded segments are placed inside the cavity.","3. The quick-connect anchor of claim 1 wherein each arcuate internally threaded segment has an annular head portion at the first end, a frustoconical surface underneath the head portion, and a frustoconical surface at the second end.","4. The quick-connect anchor of claim 3 wherein each arcuate internally threaded segment has a tab extending from the annular head portion.","5. The quick-connect anchor of claim 3 wherein each arcuate internally threaded segment has teeth in the frustoconical surface at the second end.","6. The quick-connect anchor of claim 4 or 5 wherein the cavity in the casing has a first diameter at the first end of the casing, a second diameter at the second end of the casing different from the first diameter, and a third diameter between the first and second diameter of the casing, different from the first and second diameter.","7. The quick-connect anchor of claim 6 wherein a first frustoconical surface transitions the first diameter to the third diameter of the cavity, and a second frustoconical surface transitions the third diameter to the second diameter of the cavity in the casing.","8. The quick-connect anchor of claim 7 wherein each arcuate internally threaded segment has an annular head portion at the first end, with the frustoconical surface underneath the head portion engaging the first frustoconical surface in the cavity, and the frustoconical surface at the second end of the internally threaded segment engaging the second frustoconical surface in the cavity.","9. The quick-connect anchor of claim 7 further comprising slots in the cavity wall of the casing between the first end and the first frustoconical surface to receive respective tabs from the internally threaded segments.","10. The quick-connect anchor of claim 7 further comprising at least one tab on the second frustoconical surface of the cavity to engage the teeth in the internally threaded segment.","11. A quick-connect anchor for accepting threaded rod of different diameters, once encapsulated by concrete poured over a wood deck at about a thickness of 3 to 3¼ inches, the anchor comprising:\na casing attachable to the wood deck, the casing sized to allow at least about a 1 inch concrete layer on top of the encapsulated anchor, the casing having a first end and a second end with a head at the closed first end and an opening of a predetermined diameter at the second end, a cavity in the casing extending from the first end to the second end, the casing having a diameter larger than the diameter of opening at the second end of the casing;\na plurality of arcuate internally threaded segments captured in the cavity of the casing, each segment capable of axial movement with other segments in the casing, each segment having a first end and a second end, the second end of each segment located closest to the open second end of the casing, each segment having the same, at least two different diameter thread portions along its length, a larger diameter thread portion at the second end of each segment and a smaller diameter thread portion at the first end of each segment;\na spring in the cavity of the casing between the head at the closed first end of the casing and the first end of the plurality of arcuate internally threaded segments;\na sleeve with a boss attached to the exterior of the casing at the open second end; and\na plurality of nails held by the boss with the heads of the nails located underneath the head at the closed first end, the nails adapted for holding the casing to the wood deck before concrete is poured.","12. The quick-connect anchor of claim 11 wherein the closed first end of the casing comprises an opening having a diameter larger than the diameter of all the internally threaded segments in the cavity; and\na plate sized to fit within the opening, permanently attached thereto after the internally threaded segments are placed inside the cavity.","13. The quick-connect anchor of claim 11 wherein each arcuate internally threaded segment has an annular head portion at the first end, a frustoconical surface underneath the head portion, and a frustoconical surface at the second end.","14. The quick-connect anchor of claim 13 wherein each arcuate internally threaded segment has a tab extending from the annular head portion.","15. The quick-connect anchor of claim 13 wherein each arcuate internally threaded segment has teeth in the frustoconical surface of the second end.","16. The quick-connect anchor of claim 14 or 15 wherein the cavity in the casing has a first diameter at the first end of the casing, a second diameter at the second end of the casing different from the first diameter, and a third diameter between the first and second diameter in the casing, different from the first and second diameter.","17. The quick-connect anchor of claim 16 wherein a first frustoconical surface transitions the first diameter to the third diameter of the cavity, and a second frustoconical surface transitions the third diameter to the second diameter of the cavity in the casing.","18. The quick-connect anchor of claim 17 wherein each arcuate internally threaded segment has an annular head portion at the first end, with the frustoconical surface underneath the head portion engaging the first frustoconical surface in the cavity, and the frustoconical surface at the second end of the internally threaded segment engaging the second frustoconical surface in the cavity.","19. The quick-connect anchor of claim 17 further comprising slots in the cavity wall of the casing between the first end and the first frustoconical surface to receive the respective tabs from the internally threaded segments.","20. The quick-connect anchor of claim 17 further comprising at least one tab on the second frustoconical surface of the cavity to engage the teeth in the internally threaded segments.","21. An anchor kit for a concrete slab poured over a deck containing a quick-connect anchor for accepting threaded rod of different diameters, once encapsulated by concrete poured on the deck at about a thickness of 3 to 3¼ inches, the kit comprising:\na quick connect anchor having:\na casing adaptable for attachment to the deck, the casing sized to allow at least about a 1 inch concrete layer on top of the encapsulated anchor, the casing having a first end and a second end with a head at the closed first end and an opening of a predetermined diameter at the second end, a cavity in the casing extending from the first end to the second end, the casing having a diameter larger that the diameter of the opening at the second end of the casing;\na plurality of arcuate internally threaded segments captured in the cavity of the casing, each segment adapted for axial movement with other segments in the casing, each segment having a first end and a second end, the second end of each segment located closest to the open second end of the casing, each segment having the same, at least two, different diameter thread portions along its length, a larger diameter thread portion at the second end of each segment and a smaller diameter thread portion at the first end of each segment;\na spring in the cavity of the casing between the head at the closed first end of the casing and the first end of the plurality of arcuate internally threaded segments; and\na threaded rod of a predetermined length having a first end and a second end and a diameter smaller than the diameter of the opening in the second end of the anchor casing, the diameter of the rod matching the diameter of one of the thread portions of the segments in the casing, the threaded rod visually marked at a predetermined distance from the first end, the marked distance being equal to the distance from the first end of the threaded rod to the second end of the anchor casing when the end is fully inserted into the casing and engaged by the thread portions of the arcuate segments.","22. The quick-connect anchor kit of claim 21 wherein the visually marked threaded rod further includes an authentication tag associated with the marked end of the rod, the authentication tag extending beyond the marked predetermined distance on the rod, whereby on full insertion into the casing, the visually marked portion of the rod disappears from view into the casing and only the authentication tag is still visible.","23. The quick-connect anchor kit of claim 21 further comprising:\nthe anchor having a plate located on the casing of the anchor for holding the anchor to a metal deck before concrete is poured, with the second open end of the anchor casing located at an aperture in the metal deck, and a plastic sleeve located on the anchor casing below the plate, having a first end and a second end with collapsible fingers at an open first end and an aperture at the second end; and\nwherein the visually marked threaded rod is marked from the first end for a predetermined distance along the length of the rod, the distance being equal to the distance from the first end of the threaded rod to the first end of the plastic sleeve, when the rod is fully inserted into the anchor through the collapsible fingers in the plastic sleeve and engaged by the thread portions of the arcuate segments in the anchor.","24. The quick-connect anchor kit of claim 23 wherein the visually marked threaded rod further includes an authentication tag associated with the marked end of the rod, the authentication tag extending beyond the marked predetermined distance on the rod, whereby on full insertion into the casing, the visually marked portion of the rod disappears from view into the casing and only the authentication tag is still viewable.","25. The quick-connect anchor kit of claim 21 further comprising:\nthe anchor having a sleeve with a boss attached to the exterior of the anchor casing at the second end, the sleeve having an opening at the second end of the anchor casing, and a plurality of nails, held by the boss on the sleeve with the heads of the nails located underneath the head of the anchor casing at the closed first end, the nails attaching the second end of the anchor casing to a wood deck; and\nwherein the visually marked threaded rod is marked from the first end for a predetermined distance along the length of the rod, the marked distance being equal to the distance from the first end of the threaded rod to the second end of the anchor casing at the opening in the sleeve, when the rod is fully inserted into the anchor casing through the sleeve and engaged by the thread portions of the arcuate segments in the anchor.","26. The quick-connect anchor kit of claim 25 wherein the visually marked threaded rod further includes an authentication tag associated with the marked end of the rod, the authentication tag extending beyond the marked predetermined distance on the rod, whereby on full insertion into the casing, the visually marked portion of the rod disappears from view into the casing and only the authentication tag is still visible.","27. A suspension kit for utilities or conduit for use with a concrete slab poured over a deck containing quick-connect anchors for accepting threaded rod of different diameters once the anchors are encapsulated by concrete poured on the deck at about a thickness of 3 to 3¼ inches, the kit comprising:\nA. a plurality of quick-connect anchors, each anchor having:\n(a) a casing adaptable for attachment to the deck, the casing sized to allow at least about a 1 inch concrete layer on top of the encapsulated anchor, the casing having a first end and a second end with a head at the closed first end and an opening of a predetermined diameter at the second end, a cavity in the casing extending from the first end to the second end, the casing having a diameter larger that the diameter of the opening at the second end of the casing;\n(b) a plurality of arcuate internally threaded segments captured in the cavity of the casing, each segment adapted for axial movement with other segments in the casing, each segment having a first end and a second end, the second end of each segment located closest to the open second end of the casing, each segment having the same, at least two, different diameter thread portions along its length, a larger diameter thread portion at the second end of each segment and a smaller diameter thread portion at the first end of each segment;\n(c) a spring in the cavity of the casing between the head at the closed first end of the casing and the first end of the plurality of arcuate internally threaded segments; and\nB. a suspension assembly having:\n(a) at least two threaded rods of a predetermined length, each rod having a first end and a second end and a diameter smaller than the diameter of the opening in the second end of the casing of the quick-connect anchor, the diameter of the rod matching the diameter of one of the thread portions of the segments in the casing, the threaded rod visually marked at a predetermined distance from the first end, the marked distance being equal to the distance from the first end of the threaded rod to the second end of the casing when the rod is fully inserted into the casing and engaged by the thread portion of the arcuate segments in the anchor; and\n(b) at least one support bracket fastened to the at least two threaded rods at their respective second ends to form a support platform for utilities or conduit,\nwhereby the support bracket is suspended from the concrete slab by inserting the first ends of the threaded rods into respective quick-connect anchors in the concrete slab and pushing vertically upward to obtain full engagement of all the threaded rods, as indicated by disappearance of the visually marked distance at the first end of each threaded rod.","28. The suspension kit of claim 27 wherein the at least two visually marked threaded rods further include an authentication tag associated with the marked end of each rod, the authentication tag extending beyond the marked predetermined distance on the rod.","29. The suspension kit of claim 24 further comprising:\neach anchor in the kit having a plate located on the casing of the anchor for holding the anchor to a metal deck before concrete is poured, with the second end of the anchor casing located at an aperture in the metal deck, and a plastic sleeve located on the anchor casing below the plate, having a first end and a second end with collapsible fingers at an open first end and an aperture at the second end; and\nwherein the visually marked threaded rods are marked from the first end for a predetermined distance along the length of the rod, the marked distance being equal to the distance from the first end of the threaded rod to the first end of the plastic sleeve, when the rod is fully inserted into the anchor casing through the collapsible fingers of the plastic sleeve and engaged by the thread portions of the arcuate segment in the anchor.","30. The suspension kit of claim 29 wherein the at least two visually marked threaded rods further include an authentication tag associated with the marked end of each rod, the authentication tag extending beyond the marked predetermined distance on the rod.","31. The suspension kit of claim 24, further comprising:\neach anchor in the kit having a sleeve with a boss attached to the exterior of the anchor casing at the second end, the sleeve having an opening at the second end of the anchor casing, and a plurality of nails, held by the boss on the sleeve, with the heads of the nails located underneath the head of the anchor casing at the closed end, the nails adapted for attaching the second end of the anchor casing to a wood deck; and wherein the visually marked threaded rods are marked from the first end for a predetermined distance along the length of the rod, the marked distance being equal to the distance from the first end of the threaded rod to the second end of the anchor casing at the opening in the sleeve, when the rod is fully inserted into the anchor casing through the sleeve and engaged by the thread portions of the arcuate segments in the anchor.","32. The suspension kit of claim 31 wherein the at least two visually marked threaded rods further include an authentication tag associated with the marked end of each rod, the authentication tag extending beyond the marked predetermined distance on the rod."],"string":"[\n \"1. A quick-connect anchor for accepting threaded rod of different diameters once encapsulated by concrete poured over a metal deck, at about a thickness of 3 to 3¼ inches, the anchor comprising:\\na casing attachable to the metal deck, the casing sized to allow at least a 1 inch concrete layer on top of the encapsulated anchor, the casing having a first end and a second end with a head at the closed first end and an opening of a predetermined diameter at the second end, a cavity in the casing extending from the first end to the second end, the casing having a diameter larger than the diameter of the opening at the second end of the casing;\\na plurality of arcuate internally threaded segments captured in the cavity of the casing, each segment adapted for axial movement with other segments in the casing, each segment having a first end and a second end, the second end of each segment located closest to the open second end of the casing, each segment having the same, at least two different diameter thread portions along its length, a larger diameter thread portion at the second end of each segment, and a smaller diameter thread portion at the first end of each segment;\\na spring in the cavity of the casing between the head at the closed first end of the casing and the first end of the plurality of arcuate internally threaded segments; and\\na plate located on the cylindrical casing for holding the casing to the metal deck before concrete is poured, with the open second end of the casing adjacent to an aperture in the metal deck.\",\n \"2. The quick-connect anchor of claim 1 wherein the closed first end of the casing comprises an opening having a diameter larger than the diameter of all the internally threaded segments in the cavity; and\\na plate sized to fit within the opening, permanently attached thereto after the internally threaded segments are placed inside the cavity.\",\n \"3. The quick-connect anchor of claim 1 wherein each arcuate internally threaded segment has an annular head portion at the first end, a frustoconical surface underneath the head portion, and a frustoconical surface at the second end.\",\n \"4. The quick-connect anchor of claim 3 wherein each arcuate internally threaded segment has a tab extending from the annular head portion.\",\n \"5. The quick-connect anchor of claim 3 wherein each arcuate internally threaded segment has teeth in the frustoconical surface at the second end.\",\n \"6. The quick-connect anchor of claim 4 or 5 wherein the cavity in the casing has a first diameter at the first end of the casing, a second diameter at the second end of the casing different from the first diameter, and a third diameter between the first and second diameter of the casing, different from the first and second diameter.\",\n \"7. The quick-connect anchor of claim 6 wherein a first frustoconical surface transitions the first diameter to the third diameter of the cavity, and a second frustoconical surface transitions the third diameter to the second diameter of the cavity in the casing.\",\n \"8. The quick-connect anchor of claim 7 wherein each arcuate internally threaded segment has an annular head portion at the first end, with the frustoconical surface underneath the head portion engaging the first frustoconical surface in the cavity, and the frustoconical surface at the second end of the internally threaded segment engaging the second frustoconical surface in the cavity.\",\n \"9. The quick-connect anchor of claim 7 further comprising slots in the cavity wall of the casing between the first end and the first frustoconical surface to receive respective tabs from the internally threaded segments.\",\n \"10. The quick-connect anchor of claim 7 further comprising at least one tab on the second frustoconical surface of the cavity to engage the teeth in the internally threaded segment.\",\n \"11. A quick-connect anchor for accepting threaded rod of different diameters, once encapsulated by concrete poured over a wood deck at about a thickness of 3 to 3¼ inches, the anchor comprising:\\na casing attachable to the wood deck, the casing sized to allow at least about a 1 inch concrete layer on top of the encapsulated anchor, the casing having a first end and a second end with a head at the closed first end and an opening of a predetermined diameter at the second end, a cavity in the casing extending from the first end to the second end, the casing having a diameter larger than the diameter of opening at the second end of the casing;\\na plurality of arcuate internally threaded segments captured in the cavity of the casing, each segment capable of axial movement with other segments in the casing, each segment having a first end and a second end, the second end of each segment located closest to the open second end of the casing, each segment having the same, at least two different diameter thread portions along its length, a larger diameter thread portion at the second end of each segment and a smaller diameter thread portion at the first end of each segment;\\na spring in the cavity of the casing between the head at the closed first end of the casing and the first end of the plurality of arcuate internally threaded segments;\\na sleeve with a boss attached to the exterior of the casing at the open second end; and\\na plurality of nails held by the boss with the heads of the nails located underneath the head at the closed first end, the nails adapted for holding the casing to the wood deck before concrete is poured.\",\n \"12. The quick-connect anchor of claim 11 wherein the closed first end of the casing comprises an opening having a diameter larger than the diameter of all the internally threaded segments in the cavity; and\\na plate sized to fit within the opening, permanently attached thereto after the internally threaded segments are placed inside the cavity.\",\n \"13. The quick-connect anchor of claim 11 wherein each arcuate internally threaded segment has an annular head portion at the first end, a frustoconical surface underneath the head portion, and a frustoconical surface at the second end.\",\n \"14. The quick-connect anchor of claim 13 wherein each arcuate internally threaded segment has a tab extending from the annular head portion.\",\n \"15. The quick-connect anchor of claim 13 wherein each arcuate internally threaded segment has teeth in the frustoconical surface of the second end.\",\n \"16. The quick-connect anchor of claim 14 or 15 wherein the cavity in the casing has a first diameter at the first end of the casing, a second diameter at the second end of the casing different from the first diameter, and a third diameter between the first and second diameter in the casing, different from the first and second diameter.\",\n \"17. The quick-connect anchor of claim 16 wherein a first frustoconical surface transitions the first diameter to the third diameter of the cavity, and a second frustoconical surface transitions the third diameter to the second diameter of the cavity in the casing.\",\n \"18. The quick-connect anchor of claim 17 wherein each arcuate internally threaded segment has an annular head portion at the first end, with the frustoconical surface underneath the head portion engaging the first frustoconical surface in the cavity, and the frustoconical surface at the second end of the internally threaded segment engaging the second frustoconical surface in the cavity.\",\n \"19. The quick-connect anchor of claim 17 further comprising slots in the cavity wall of the casing between the first end and the first frustoconical surface to receive the respective tabs from the internally threaded segments.\",\n \"20. The quick-connect anchor of claim 17 further comprising at least one tab on the second frustoconical surface of the cavity to engage the teeth in the internally threaded segments.\",\n \"21. An anchor kit for a concrete slab poured over a deck containing a quick-connect anchor for accepting threaded rod of different diameters, once encapsulated by concrete poured on the deck at about a thickness of 3 to 3¼ inches, the kit comprising:\\na quick connect anchor having:\\na casing adaptable for attachment to the deck, the casing sized to allow at least about a 1 inch concrete layer on top of the encapsulated anchor, the casing having a first end and a second end with a head at the closed first end and an opening of a predetermined diameter at the second end, a cavity in the casing extending from the first end to the second end, the casing having a diameter larger that the diameter of the opening at the second end of the casing;\\na plurality of arcuate internally threaded segments captured in the cavity of the casing, each segment adapted for axial movement with other segments in the casing, each segment having a first end and a second end, the second end of each segment located closest to the open second end of the casing, each segment having the same, at least two, different diameter thread portions along its length, a larger diameter thread portion at the second end of each segment and a smaller diameter thread portion at the first end of each segment;\\na spring in the cavity of the casing between the head at the closed first end of the casing and the first end of the plurality of arcuate internally threaded segments; and\\na threaded rod of a predetermined length having a first end and a second end and a diameter smaller than the diameter of the opening in the second end of the anchor casing, the diameter of the rod matching the diameter of one of the thread portions of the segments in the casing, the threaded rod visually marked at a predetermined distance from the first end, the marked distance being equal to the distance from the first end of the threaded rod to the second end of the anchor casing when the end is fully inserted into the casing and engaged by the thread portions of the arcuate segments.\",\n \"22. The quick-connect anchor kit of claim 21 wherein the visually marked threaded rod further includes an authentication tag associated with the marked end of the rod, the authentication tag extending beyond the marked predetermined distance on the rod, whereby on full insertion into the casing, the visually marked portion of the rod disappears from view into the casing and only the authentication tag is still visible.\",\n \"23. The quick-connect anchor kit of claim 21 further comprising:\\nthe anchor having a plate located on the casing of the anchor for holding the anchor to a metal deck before concrete is poured, with the second open end of the anchor casing located at an aperture in the metal deck, and a plastic sleeve located on the anchor casing below the plate, having a first end and a second end with collapsible fingers at an open first end and an aperture at the second end; and\\nwherein the visually marked threaded rod is marked from the first end for a predetermined distance along the length of the rod, the distance being equal to the distance from the first end of the threaded rod to the first end of the plastic sleeve, when the rod is fully inserted into the anchor through the collapsible fingers in the plastic sleeve and engaged by the thread portions of the arcuate segments in the anchor.\",\n \"24. The quick-connect anchor kit of claim 23 wherein the visually marked threaded rod further includes an authentication tag associated with the marked end of the rod, the authentication tag extending beyond the marked predetermined distance on the rod, whereby on full insertion into the casing, the visually marked portion of the rod disappears from view into the casing and only the authentication tag is still viewable.\",\n \"25. The quick-connect anchor kit of claim 21 further comprising:\\nthe anchor having a sleeve with a boss attached to the exterior of the anchor casing at the second end, the sleeve having an opening at the second end of the anchor casing, and a plurality of nails, held by the boss on the sleeve with the heads of the nails located underneath the head of the anchor casing at the closed first end, the nails attaching the second end of the anchor casing to a wood deck; and\\nwherein the visually marked threaded rod is marked from the first end for a predetermined distance along the length of the rod, the marked distance being equal to the distance from the first end of the threaded rod to the second end of the anchor casing at the opening in the sleeve, when the rod is fully inserted into the anchor casing through the sleeve and engaged by the thread portions of the arcuate segments in the anchor.\",\n \"26. The quick-connect anchor kit of claim 25 wherein the visually marked threaded rod further includes an authentication tag associated with the marked end of the rod, the authentication tag extending beyond the marked predetermined distance on the rod, whereby on full insertion into the casing, the visually marked portion of the rod disappears from view into the casing and only the authentication tag is still visible.\",\n \"27. A suspension kit for utilities or conduit for use with a concrete slab poured over a deck containing quick-connect anchors for accepting threaded rod of different diameters once the anchors are encapsulated by concrete poured on the deck at about a thickness of 3 to 3¼ inches, the kit comprising:\\nA. a plurality of quick-connect anchors, each anchor having:\\n(a) a casing adaptable for attachment to the deck, the casing sized to allow at least about a 1 inch concrete layer on top of the encapsulated anchor, the casing having a first end and a second end with a head at the closed first end and an opening of a predetermined diameter at the second end, a cavity in the casing extending from the first end to the second end, the casing having a diameter larger that the diameter of the opening at the second end of the casing;\\n(b) a plurality of arcuate internally threaded segments captured in the cavity of the casing, each segment adapted for axial movement with other segments in the casing, each segment having a first end and a second end, the second end of each segment located closest to the open second end of the casing, each segment having the same, at least two, different diameter thread portions along its length, a larger diameter thread portion at the second end of each segment and a smaller diameter thread portion at the first end of each segment;\\n(c) a spring in the cavity of the casing between the head at the closed first end of the casing and the first end of the plurality of arcuate internally threaded segments; and\\nB. a suspension assembly having:\\n(a) at least two threaded rods of a predetermined length, each rod having a first end and a second end and a diameter smaller than the diameter of the opening in the second end of the casing of the quick-connect anchor, the diameter of the rod matching the diameter of one of the thread portions of the segments in the casing, the threaded rod visually marked at a predetermined distance from the first end, the marked distance being equal to the distance from the first end of the threaded rod to the second end of the casing when the rod is fully inserted into the casing and engaged by the thread portion of the arcuate segments in the anchor; and\\n(b) at least one support bracket fastened to the at least two threaded rods at their respective second ends to form a support platform for utilities or conduit,\\nwhereby the support bracket is suspended from the concrete slab by inserting the first ends of the threaded rods into respective quick-connect anchors in the concrete slab and pushing vertically upward to obtain full engagement of all the threaded rods, as indicated by disappearance of the visually marked distance at the first end of each threaded rod.\",\n \"28. The suspension kit of claim 27 wherein the at least two visually marked threaded rods further include an authentication tag associated with the marked end of each rod, the authentication tag extending beyond the marked predetermined distance on the rod.\",\n \"29. The suspension kit of claim 24 further comprising:\\neach anchor in the kit having a plate located on the casing of the anchor for holding the anchor to a metal deck before concrete is poured, with the second end of the anchor casing located at an aperture in the metal deck, and a plastic sleeve located on the anchor casing below the plate, having a first end and a second end with collapsible fingers at an open first end and an aperture at the second end; and\\nwherein the visually marked threaded rods are marked from the first end for a predetermined distance along the length of the rod, the marked distance being equal to the distance from the first end of the threaded rod to the first end of the plastic sleeve, when the rod is fully inserted into the anchor casing through the collapsible fingers of the plastic sleeve and engaged by the thread portions of the arcuate segment in the anchor.\",\n \"30. The suspension kit of claim 29 wherein the at least two visually marked threaded rods further include an authentication tag associated with the marked end of each rod, the authentication tag extending beyond the marked predetermined distance on the rod.\",\n \"31. The suspension kit of claim 24, further comprising:\\neach anchor in the kit having a sleeve with a boss attached to the exterior of the anchor casing at the second end, the sleeve having an opening at the second end of the anchor casing, and a plurality of nails, held by the boss on the sleeve, with the heads of the nails located underneath the head of the anchor casing at the closed end, the nails adapted for attaching the second end of the anchor casing to a wood deck; and wherein the visually marked threaded rods are marked from the first end for a predetermined distance along the length of the rod, the marked distance being equal to the distance from the first end of the threaded rod to the second end of the anchor casing at the opening in the sleeve, when the rod is fully inserted into the anchor casing through the sleeve and engaged by the thread portions of the arcuate segments in the anchor.\",\n \"32. The suspension kit of claim 31 wherein the at least two visually marked threaded rods further include an authentication tag associated with the marked end of each rod, the authentication tag extending beyond the marked predetermined distance on the rod.\"\n]"},"hard_negatives":{"kind":"list like","value":[["1. An anchor rod support, comprising:\na) a support having a floor and at least three legs extending downwardly from the floor with openings between the legs, the floor including a through opening, the support is embedded in concrete; and\nb) the support including threads for attaching thereto an anchor rod.","2. An anchor embedded in concrete for supporting a load, comprising:\na) a rod having a first threaded end portion embedded in concrete;\nb) a support embedded in the concrete, the support having a floor and legs;\nc) the support including threads for attaching the first threaded end portion to the support; and\nd) the legs are wedge-shaped, extending wide to narrow from the floor.","3. An anchor as in claim 2, wherein the support is molded.","4. A holder for an anchor rod, comprising:\na) a support without legs, the support including a floor portion, the support including a plurality of openings for receiving respective nails for attaching the support to a concrete form;\nb) the support including a central threaded opening in the floor portion for threadedly receiving an end portion of an anchor rod; and\nc) the floor portion including a top surface and a bottom surface, the bottom surface is flat across the floor portion so as to lay on a surface of a concrete form prior to the support being embedded in concrete in the concrete form.","5. An anchor embedded in concrete for supporting a load, comprising:\na) a rod having a first end portion embedded in concrete and a second end portion for attachment to a load;\nb) an anchor body threaded to the first end portion, the anchor body being embedded in concrete, the anchor body including a through opening;\nc) the anchor body including a first cylindrical portion; and\nd) the anchor body includes a second cylindrical portion, the first cylindrical portion including a larger diameter than the second cylindrical portion, the second cylindrical portion being disposed closer to the second end portion than the first cylindrical portion.","6. An anchor embedded in concrete for supporting a load, comprising:\na) a rod having a first end portion embedded in concrete and a second end portion for attachment to a load;\nb) an anchor body threaded to the first end portion, the anchor body being embedded in concrete;\nc) the anchor body including a cylindrical portion, the cylindrical portion including a bottom end portion;\nd) a circumferential groove disposed at the bottom end portion; and\ne) a split ring is disposed in the circumferential groove, the split ring including a portion extending beyond a surface of the cylindrical portion."],["1. A curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor assembly comprising:\na curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor array including:\n(a) a plurality of curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchors, each curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor including an anchor body including:\n(i) a threaded leveler receiver having a first inner diameter, and\n(ii) a threaded fastener receiver connected to and extending from the leveler receiver, wherein the fastener receiver has a second inner diameter different than the first inner diameter;\n(b) for each curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor, a leveler threadably receivable by the leveler receiver of said curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor such that, when the leveler is threadably received by the leveler receiver, the leveler is rotatable relative to the anchor body of said curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor, wherein the leveler defines an opening therethrough and the opening is sized such that, when the leveler is threadably received by the leveler receiver, a fastener can extend through the opening and be threadably received by the fastener receiver, wherein the leveler includes a leveler head and a coaxial leveler body connected to and extending from the leveler head; and\n(c) an anchor connector connecting the plurality of curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchors; and\na protective cover removably attachable to the curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor array, wherein the protective cover includes, for each leveler, a leveler head engager configured to engage and removably attach to the leveler head of said leveler.","2. The curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor assembly of claim 1, wherein, for each curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor, the first inner diameter is greater than the second inner diameter.","3. The curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor assembly of claim 1, wherein, for each curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor, the leveler receiver of said curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor and the fastener receiver of said curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor are coaxial.","4. The curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor assembly of claim 1, wherein, for each leveler, the opening has a hexagonal profile.","5. The curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor assembly of claim 1, wherein, for each leveler, the leveler body of said leveler is being-threadably receivable by the leveler receiver of the corresponding curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor such that, when the leveler body is threadably received by the leveler receiver, the leveler head of said leveler is exterior to the leveler receiver and the leveler is rotatable relative to the anchor body of said curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor.","6. A curtain wall panel bracket leveling system comprising:\na curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor array including:\n(a) a plurality of curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchors, each curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor including an anchor body including:\n(i) a threaded leveler receiver, and\n(ii) a threaded fastener receiver connected to and extending from the leveler receiver;\n(b) for each curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor, a leveler threadably receivable by the leveler receiver of said curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor and rotatable relative to the anchor body, wherein the leveler defines an opening therethrough and the opening is sized such that, when the leveler is threadably received by the leveler receiver, a fastener can extend through the opening and be threadably received by the fastener receiver; and\n(c) an anchor connector connecting the plurality of curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchors;\na panel bracket mountable to the plurality of curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchors, said panel bracket defining a plurality of mounting openings therethrough; and\na plurality of leveler rotation preventers, each leveler rotation preventer including one or more locking tabs, each locking tab configured to extend through one of the plurality of mounting openings of the panel bracket and engage one of the levelers to prevent the leveler from rotating relative to the anchor body of the corresponding curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor.","7. The curtain wall panel bracket leveling system of claim 6, wherein, for each curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor, the leveler receiver and the fastener receiver of said curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor are coaxial.","8. The curtain wall panel bracket leveling system of claim 7, wherein, for each curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor, the panel bracket is mountable to said curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor via a threaded fastener inserted through an opening through one of the leveler rotation preventers, inserted through the opening defined through one of the threaded levelers, and threadably received by the fastener receiver.","9. The curtain wall panel bracket leveling system of claim 6, wherein an upper surface of the panel bracket includes a plurality of first teeth and a lower surface of each of the plurality of leveler rotation preventers includes a plurality of corresponding second teeth configured to engage and interlock with the first teeth of the panel bracket.","10. A curtain wall panel bracket leveling system comprising:\n(a) a curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor including an anchor body including:\n(i) a threaded leveler receiver, and\n(ii) a threaded fastener receiver connected to and extending from the leveler receiver;\n(b) a leveler threadably receivable by the leveler receiver of the curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor and rotatable relative to the anchor body, wherein the leveler defines an opening therethrough and the opening is sized such that, when the leveler is threadably received by the leveler receiver, a fastener can extend through the opening and be threadably received by the fastener receiver; and\n(c) a leveler rotation preventer including one or more locking tabs, each locking tab configured to engage the leveler to prevent the leveler from rotating relative to the anchor body.","11. The curtain wall panel bracket panel bracket leveling system of claim 10, which includes the fastener that can be threadably received by the fastener receiver.","12. A curtain wall panel bracket leveling system comprising:\na curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor array including:\n(a) a plurality of curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchors, each curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor including an anchor body including:\n(i) a leveler receiver, and\n(ii) a fastener receiver coaxial with and extending from the leveler receiver;\n(b) for each curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor, a leveler threadably received by the leveler receiver of said curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor and rotatable relative to the anchor body, the leveler defining an opening therethrough; and\n(c) an anchor connector connecting the plurality of curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchors;\na panel bracket mountable to the plurality of curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchors, said panel bracket defining a plurality of mounting openings therethrough; and\na plurality of leveler rotation preventers, each leveler rotation preventer defining an opening therethrough and including one or more locking tabs, each locking tab configured to engage one of the levelers to prevent the leveler from rotating relative to the corresponding curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor,\nwherein the panel bracket is mountable to each curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor via a threaded fastener inserted through the opening through one of the leveler rotation preventers, inserted through the opening defined through one of the threaded levelers, and threadably received by the fastener receiver.","13. A curtain wall panel bracket leveling system comprising:\na curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor array including:\n(a) a plurality of curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchors, each curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor including an anchor body including:\n(i) a leveler receiver, and\n(ii) a fastener receiver extending from the leveler receiver;\n(b) for each curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor, a leveler threadably received by the leveler receiver of said curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor and rotatable relative to the anchor body; and\n(c) an anchor connector connecting the plurality of curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchors;\na panel bracket mountable to the plurality of curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchors, said panel bracket defining a plurality of mounting openings therethrough and having an upper surface including a plurality of first teeth; and\na plurality of leveler rotation preventers, each leveler rotation preventer including:\n(a) a lower surface including a plurality of second teeth configured to engage and interlock with the first teeth of the panel bracket; and\n(b) one or more locking tabs, each locking tab configured to engage one of the levelers to prevent the leveler from rotating relative to the corresponding curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor."],["1. A concrete anchor assembly, comprising:\na) an anchor body including a rod portion and a head portion;\nb) the head portion extending laterally from the rod portion, the head portion including a threaded bore;\nc) the rod portion including an internally threaded bore, the rod body portion including an outside thread; and\nd) a holder for the anchor body, the holder including an opening opposite the head portion configured to receive a fastener to attach to the anchor body.","2. A concrete anchor assembly as in claim 1, wherein the internally threaded bore includes multiple diameters.","3. A concrete anchor assembly as in claim 1, and further comprising a nut threaded to the outside thread of the rod portion.","4. A concrete anchor assembly as in claim 1, wherein the holder includes a sleeve portion threaded to the rod portion.","5. A concrete anchor assembly as in claim 4, wherein:\na) the holder includes a base portion; and\nb) the sleeve portion extends to the base portion.","6. A concrete anchor assembly as in claim 3, wherein:\na) the nut includes a first thread and a second thread; and\nb) the first thread for threading to the rod portion.","7. A concrete anchor assembly as in claim 6, wherein:\na) the second thread includes a major diameter larger than a major diameter of the internally threaded bore; and\nb) the second thread includes a major diameter less than a major diameter of the outside thread.","8. A concrete anchor assembly, comprising:\na) a holder;\nb) an anchor body attached to the holder;\nc) the holder including an opening for providing an access opening for a threaded portion of a fastener to attach to the anchor body;\nd) the anchor body including a bottom opening; and\ne) a split body disposed inside the anchor body, the split body including a threaded opening disposed over the bottom opening.","9. A concrete anchor assembly as in claim 8, wherein the anchor body includes a flange portion.","10. A concrete anchor assembly as in claim 8, wherein the anchor body is threaded to the holder.","11. A concrete anchor assembly as in claim 8, wherein:\na) the anchor body includes a head portion and a body portion; and\nb) the body portion includes outside thread.","12. A concrete anchor assembly as in claim 11, wherein the body portion is threaded to the holder.","13. A concrete anchor assembly as in claim 8, and further comprising nails attached to the holder.","14. A concrete anchor assembly as in claim 8, and further comprising nails attached to the anchor body.","15. A concrete anchor assembly as in claim 9, and further comprising nail shafts attached to the flange portion.","16. A concrete anchor assembly as in claim 11, wherein the head portion includes threaded bore.","17. A concrete anchor assembly as in claim 8, wherein the holder includes a plug portion with the opening.","18. A concrete anchor assembly as in claim 8, wherein the bottom opening communicates with the opening of the holder."],["1. A coupling assembly, comprising:\na) a body for being embedded in concrete, the body including a first end and an opposite second end, the body including a threaded opening;\nb) a first rod and a second rod threaded to the first end and the second end, respectively;\nc) the first rod for being embedded in concrete and the second rod for being attached to a load;\nd) the body including a sight hole communicating with the threaded opening to provide a check on depth of penetration of the first rod in the threaded opening;\ne) the threaded opening including a first portion at the first end and a second portion at the second end; and\nf) the first portion and the second portion have unequal diameters.","2. The coupling assembly as in claim 1, wherein the body includes a longitudinal axis.","3. The coupling assembly as in claim 2, wherein the body includes shoulder portion extending transversely from the longitudinal axis.","4. The coupling assembly as in claim 1, wherein the body is cylindrical.","5. The coupling assembly as in claim 1, wherein the sight hole is disposed at a juncture inside the body between the first portion and the second portion.","6. The coupling assembly as in claim 1, wherein a nut locks the first rod to the body.","7. The coupling assembly as in claim 1, wherein the first rod is operably attached to a holder.","8. The coupling assembly as in claim 7, wherein:\na) the holder includes a base portion with a central portion; and\nb) the central portion includes a base opening for receiving an end portion of the first rod.","9. The coupling assembly as in claim 8, wherein the base opening is threaded.","10. The coupling assembly as in claim 8, wherein the base opening includes a through opening.","11. The coupling assembly as in claim 8, wherein the base opening includes a stop member.","12. The coupling assembly as in claim 8, wherein the base portion is circular in plan view.","13. The coupling assembly as in claim 8, wherein a plurality of arm portions extend outwardly from the base portion.","14. The coupling assembly as in claim 8, wherein leg portions extend downwardly from the base portion.","15. The coupling assembly as in claim 1, wherein the first rod has a smaller diameter than the second rod.","16. A coupling assembly, comprising:\na) a body including a first end and an opposite second end, the body including a threaded opening;\nb) a first rod and a second rod threaded to the first end and the second end, respectively;\nc) the first rod for being anchored in concrete and the second rod for being attached to a load;\nd) the body including a sight hole communicating with the threaded opening to provide a check on depth of penetration of the first rod in the threaded opening; and\ne) a nut locks the first rod to the body.","17. A coupling assembly, comprising:\na) a body including a first end and an opposite second end, the body including a threaded opening;\nb) a first rod and a second rod threaded to the first end and the second end, respectively;\nc) the first rod for being anchored in concrete and the second rod for being attached to a load;\nd) the body including a sight hole communicating with the threaded opening to provide a check on depth of penetration of the first rod in the threaded opening;\ne) the first rod is operably attached to a holder; and\nf) the holder including a base portion with a central portion, the central portion including a base opening for receiving an end portion of the first rod.","18. The coupling assembly as in claim 17, wherein the base opening is threaded.","19. The coupling assembly as in claim 17, wherein the base opening includes a through opening.","20. The coupling assembly as in claim 17, wherein:\na) a plurality of arm portions extend outwardly from the base portion; and\nb) leg portions extend downwardly from the base portion."],["1. An anchor embedded in concrete for supporting a load, comprising:\na) a one-piece anchor body including an opening;\nb) a rod attached to the opening, the anchor body and the rod being embedded in concrete with a portion of the rod extending outside the concrete;\nc) the anchor body including a top surface and a bottom surface and a side surface between the top surface and the bottom surface, the top surface being disposed below a surface of the concrete to generate a first shear cone when load is applied to the portion in a direction away from the surface of the concrete; and\nd) the anchor body including a bearing surface extending outwardly from the side surface, the bearing surface intersecting the side surface uninterrupted in a complete loop around the side surface, the bearing surface being disposed below the top surface such that the bearing surface is disposed in the concrete deeper than the top surface to generate a second shear cone larger than the first shear cone when the load is applied to the portion of the rod.","2. The anchor as in claim 1, wherein:\na) the anchor body includes a circular cross-section; and\nb) the bearing surface is circumferentially disposed around the anchor body.","3. The anchor as in claim 1, wherein the side surface is cylindrical.","4. The anchor as in claim 1, wherein the opening is threaded.","5. The anchor as in claim 1, wherein the side surface includes a conical surface.","6. The anchor as in claim 1, wherein the side surface includes a convex surface.","7. The anchor as in claim 1, wherein the anchor body is wedge-shaped.","8. The anchor as in claim 1, wherein the side surface includes thread.","9. The anchor as in claim 1, wherein the anchor body includes a rectangular cross-section above the bearing surface.","10. The anchor as in claim 1, wherein the side surface proceeds downwardly and inwardly toward the bearing surface.","11. The anchor as in claim 10, wherein the anchor body includes a plurality of the bearing surface arranged vertically in series between the top surface and the bottom surface.","12. The anchor as in claim 1, wherein the bearing surface is attached to the side surface with a curved surface.","13. The anchor as in claim 1, wherein the bottom surface includes a recess.","14. The anchor as in claim 1, wherein the top surface forms an edge surface around the opening.","15. The anchor as in claim 1, wherein the bottom surface and the bearing surface form a shoulder.","16. The anchor as in claim 1, wherein the bearing surface extends uniformly with respect to the side surface around the anchor body.","17. The anchor as in claim 1, wherein the top surface and the bottom surface are rectangular.","18. The anchor as in claim 1, wherein the anchor body is tubular."],["1. An anchor assembly for attaching to a metal deck, comprising:\na) a body for being inserted into an opening in a metal deck, the body including an outside vertical wall, the body including an opening;\nb) the body including arms extending outwardly from the vertical wall, the arms being collapsible toward the body when the body is inserted into the opening in the metal deck and expanding outwardly after passing the opening to be disposed below the metal deck;\nc) a support attached to the body to keep the body fastened to the metal deck;\nd) an anchor received within the opening of the body, the anchor including a bottom end disposed above the metal deck; and\ne) the body including a projection inside the opening of the body to prevent the bottom end of the anchor from extending below the metal deck.","2. An anchor assembly as in claim 1, wherein the bottom end of the anchor includes a threaded bore.","3. An anchor assembly as in claim 1, wherein the bottom end of the anchor includes multiple diameter threaded bores.","4. An anchor assembly as in claim 2, wherein a cap is attached to the bottom end to cover the threaded bore.","5. An anchor assembly as in claim 1, and further comprising:\na) a coupling disposed within the opening of the body; and\nb) the bottom end of the anchor is attached to the coupling.","6. An anchor assembly for attaching to a metal deck, comprising:\na) a body for being inserted into an opening in a metal deck, the body including an outside vertical wall, the body including an opening;\nb) the body including arms extending outwardly from the vertical wall, the arms being collapsible toward the body when the body is inserted into the opening in the metal deck and expanding outwardly after passing the opening to be disposed below the metal deck;\nc) a support attached to the body to keep the body fastened to the metal deck;\nd) an anchor including a bottom end extending completely through the opening of the body below the metal deck; and\ne) the bottom end including a threaded bore.","7. The anchor assembly as in claim 6, wherein the anchor includes a head portion.","8. The anchor assembly as in claim 6, wherein the anchor is a bolt.","9. The anchor assembly as in claim 6, and further comprising a cap attached to the bottom end."],["1. A plug for creating a passageway in concrete, comprising:\na) a main body portion extending upwardly from a base portion, the plug for being attached to a form board with a nail or screw prior to pouring of concrete;\nb) the main body portion including a central opening for providing access into the concrete;\nc) the main body including an end portion disposed a distance from the base portion, the end portion for supporting a first anchor body such that a bottom portion of the first anchor body is exposed to direct contact with the concrete; and\nd) a cap for being disposed over the first anchor body.","2. The plug as in claim 1, wherein:\na) the base portion includes an edge portion with a base opening for receiving the nail or screw; and\nb) the base opening is configured to allow the nail or screw to separate from the base portion and remain attached to the form board when the form board is removed.","3. The plug as in claim 2, wherein the base opening includes a peripheral edge portion with a circumferential slit partway into a thickness of the base portion.","4. The plug as in claim 1, wherein:\na) the base portion includes a base opening within the central opening, the base opening for receiving the nail or screw; and\nb) the base opening is configured to allow the nail or screw to separate from the base portion and remain attached to the form board when the form board is removed.","5. The plug as in claim 4, wherein the base opening includes a peripheral edge portion with a circumferential slit partway into a thickness of the base portion.","6. The plug as in claim 1, wherein:\na) the base portion includes a central portion disposed at a bottom portion of the central opening;\nb) the central portion is for being attached to the form board with the nail or screw; and\nc) the central portion is configured to separate from the central opening and remain attached to the form board when the form board is removed.","7. The plug as in claim 6, wherein:\na) the central portion includes a thickness; and\nb) the central portion includes a circular slit partway into the thickness around the base opening.","8. The plug as in claim 1, wherein:\na) the base portion includes a base opening for receiving the nail or screw within the central opening; and\nb) the base portion is configured to separate from the main body portion and remain attached to the form board when the form board is removed.","9. The plug as in claim 8, wherein the base portion is attached to the main body portion with breakable members.","10. The plug as in claim 1, wherein:\na) the base portion includes an edge portion with a base opening for receiving the nail or screw; and\nb) the base portion is configured to separate from the main body portion and remain attached to the form board when the form board is removed.","11. The plug as in claim 10, wherein:\na) base portion includes a thickness; and\nb) the base portion includes a circumferential slit partway into the thickness adjacent a bottom portion of the main body portion.","12. The plug as in claim 1, wherein:\na) the base portion includes a central portion removably received within the central opening;\nb) the central portion includes a base opening for receiving the nail or screw.","13. The plug as in claim 1, wherein the main body portion is separable from the concrete when the form board is removed.","14. The plug as in claim 1, and further comprising a first anchor body supported by the end portion.","15. The plug as in claim 14, wherein a first opening of the first anchor body is sealed by the end portion.","16. The plug as in claim 14, and further comprising a second anchor body operably supported by the end portion.","17. The plug as in claim 16, wherein:\na) the second anchor body includes a second threaded opening with a second diameter; and\nb) the second anchor body is disposed above the first anchor body.","18. The plug as in claim 17, wherein the cap is disposed over the second anchor body.","19. The plug as in claim 18, wherein the cap provides a space above the second anchor body.","20. The plug as in claim 14, wherein the first anchor body includes a threaded opening with a first diameter and a second diameter.","21. The plug as in claim 1, wherein the end portion of the main body portion is threaded.","22. The plug as in claim 1, wherein the base portion remains attached to the form board when the form board is removed.","23. The plug as in claim 1, wherein:\na) the base portion includes a central portion disposed at a bottom portion of the central opening; and\nb) the central portion remains attached to the form board when the form board is removed.","24. The plug as in claim 14, wherein the cap includes a marking indicating the diameter and thread size of the first anchor body.","25. The plug as in claim 14, wherein the end portion includes outwardly extending arms for supporting the anchor body.","26. The plug as in claim 25, wherein:\na) partly circular members are attached to adjacent arms; and\nb) the cap is threaded to the partly circular members."],["1. A product comprising:\na concrete panel having a first primary surface, an opposite second primary surface, and four peripheral edges and having a first reinforcing rib, a second reinforcing rib, a third reinforcing rib, a fourth reinforcing rib and a plurality of intersecting reinforcing rib all extending outwardly from the first primary surface, wherein the first, second, third and fourth reinforcing ribs form the peripheral edge of the concrete panel and the plurality of intersecting reinforcing ribs being disposed so as to form a waffle grid on the first primary surface, wherein the second primary surface of the concrete panel is substantially a continuous plane;\na layer of insulating material having a first primary surface and an opposite second primary surface, wherein the first primary surface of the layer of insulating material is disposed on the first, second, third and fourth reinforcing ribs and the plurality of intersecting reinforcing ribs and on the first primary surface of the concrete panel and wherein the second primary surface of the layer of insulating material is substantially a continuous plane;\na layer of reinforcing material disposed on, substantially covering and adhered to the second primary surface of the layer of insulating material, wherein the layer of reinforcing material is made from a fabric, a web or a mesh; and\na roofing membrane disposed on and attached to the layer of reinforcing material.","2. The product of claim 1, wherein the layer of insulating material comprises expanded polystyrene foam, polyisocyanurate foam or polyurethane foam.","3. The product of claim 1 further comprising a layer of mortar on the layer of reinforcing material.","4. The product of claim 3, wherein the mortar is a polymer modified mortar.","5. The roofing system of claim 1 further comprising the concrete panel attached to a pair of horizontally disposed steel roof joists such that the concrete panel is disposed horizontally.","6. A product comprising:\na concrete panel having a first primary surface, an opposite second primary surface, and four peripheral edges and having a first reinforcing rib, a second reinforcing rib, a third reinforcing rib, a fourth reinforcing rib and a plurality of intersecting reinforcing rib all extending outwardly from the first primary surface, wherein the first, second, third and fourth reinforcing ribs form the peripheral edge of the concrete panel and the plurality of intersecting reinforcing ribs being disposed so as to form a waffle grid on the first primary surface, wherein the second primary surface of the concrete panel is substantially a continuous plane;\nan insulating panel, the panel having a first primary surface and an opposite second primary surface, wherein the first primary surface of the insulating panel is disposed on the first, second, third and fourth reinforcing ribs and the plurality of intersecting reinforcing ribs and on the first primary surface of the concrete panel and wherein the second primary surface of the insulating panel is substantially flat;\na layer of reinforcing material disposed on, substantially covering and adhered to the second primary surface of the insulating panel, wherein the layer of reinforcing material is made from a fabric, a web or a mesh;\na layer of mortar on the layer of reinforcing material, and\na roofing membrane disposed on and attached to the layer of mortar.","7. The product of claim 6, wherein the fabric, web or mesh comprises fiberglass, basalt fibers, aramid fibers or carbon fibers.","8. The product of claim 7, wherein the mortar is a polymer modified mortar.","9. The product of claim 1, wherein the fabric, web or mesh comprises fiberglass, basalt fibers, aramid fibers or carbon fibers."],["1. An assembling structure of prefabricated concrete component, comprising a half-grout sleeve and an alignment device; wherein\nthe half-grout sleeve comprises a sleeve, a steel tube transition section, and a self-locking steel frame; wherein\nthe sleeve comprises a non-grout connection section and a grout connection section; wherein a first section of tube body of the steel tube transition section is fixed in the non-grout connection section, and a second section of tube body of the steel tube transition section extends out of the non-grout connection section to form a rolling section connected to a first to-be-connceted steel bar by a rolling connection;\nthe self-locking steel frame comprises a plurality of longitudinal guide steel bars, a plurality of tilted steel branches, and a plurality of annular fixing steel rings; wherein the plurality of longitudinal guide steel bars and the plurality of annular fixing steel rings form a cylindrical keel; the plurality of tilted steel branches are circumferentially and radially arranged in the cylindrical keel and fixed slantwise; a first end of each of the plurality of tilted steel branches is located in the cylindrical keel to form an inner barbed structure; a plurality of inner barbed structures surround to form a channel for a second to-be-connceted steel bar to pass; a diameter of the channel is smaller than a diameter of the second to-be-connceted steel bar; a second end of each of the plurality of tilted steel branches is located outside the cylindrical keel to form an outer barbed structure; a diameter of a contour surrounded by the outer barbed structure is larger than a diameter of an inner chamber of the grout connection section;\nwhen the self-locking steel frame is inserted into the grout connection section, the outer barbed structure closely contact an inner wall of the grout connection section; the channel is coaxial with the steel tube transition section;\nthe alignment device comprises a control mechanism, at least two sets of bearing mechanisms, and a positioning mechanism; wherein the bearing mechanism comprises a lower bearer and an upper bearer; both of the upper bearer and the lower bearer are electromagnets; the positioning mechanism comprises a first mark and a second mark respectively arranged at a corresponding position of an assembly surface between an upper concrete component and a lower concrete component; the lower bearer is placed at the first mark, and the upper bearer is placed at the second mark; same magnetic poles of the upper bearer and the lower bearer are oppositely arranged to generate a repulsive force;\nthe upper bearer and the lower bearer are connected in series on a same circuit;\nthe control mechanism controls a magnitude of the repulsive force between the upper bearer and the lower bearer by controlling the magnitude of the current of the circuit.","2. The assembling structure of the prefabricated concrete component according to claim 1, wherein\nthe non-grout connection section is a truncated cone structure; the grout connection section is a cylindrical structure; a small diameter end of the non-grout connection section is connected to an end of the grout connection section, and a junction thereof has a fillet transition.","3. The assembling structure of the prefabricated concrete component according to claim 1, wherein\na section of tube body of the steel tube transition section is connected and fixed with the non-grout connection section by the thread connection.","4. The assembling structure of the prefabricated concrete component according to claim 1, wherein\nan end of the grout connection section away from the non-grout connection section is provided with a grouting hole; the non-grout connection section is provided an exhaust hole (5110) connected to an inner chamber of the grout connection section.","5. The assembling structure of the prefabricated concrete component according to claim 1, wherein\nthe inner wall of the grout connection section is provided with a spiral raised rib the spiral raised rib tilts from bottom to top toward a side away from the non-grout connection section a first side of the spiral raised rib away from the non-grout connection section is a concave arc surface, and a second side is a convex arc surface; a junction between the first side and the second side of the spiral raised rib and the inner wall of the grout connection section has a fillet transition.","6. The assembling structure of the prefabricated concrete component according to claim 1, wherein\na plurality of anti-shear components are fixed in a cylinder wall of the grout connection section; the plurality of anti-shear components are simultaneously cured and fixed with the grouting material inside the grout connection section and concrete outside the grout connection section.","7. The assembling structure of the prefabricated concrete component according to claim 1, wherein\nthe upper bearer comprises a support plate and a limit plate; the limit plate is vertically fixed at an end part of the support plate and forms an L-shaped structure with the support plate; the support plate is located on an assembly surface of the upper concrete component; and the limit plate is located on a side surface of the upper concrete component.","8. The assembling structure of the prefabricated concrete component according to claim 7, wherein\nthe support plate and the lower bearer both have a hollow structure; an interior of the hollow structure is provided with a coil and an iron core passing through the coil; both of the support plate and the lower bearer are provided with an incoming line port and an outgoing line port; an input end and an output end of the coil are respectively connected to an external circuit through the incoming line port and the outgoing line port.","9. The assembling structure of the prefabricated concrete component according to claim 7, wherein\ntwo adjacent upper bearers and/or two adjacent lower bearers are connected to each other by a connection rod; and the connection rod is a retractable rod.","10. The assembling structure of the prefabricated concrete component according to claim 6, wherein\nopposite sides of two adjacent limit plates are respectively provided with an engaging slot; opposite sides of two adjacent lower bearers are respectively provided with an engaging slot; and two ends of the connection rod are respectively provided with an engaging key matched with the engaging slot.","11. The assembling structure of the prefabricated concrete component according to claim 2, wherein\na section of tube body of the steel tube transition section is connected and fixed with the non-grout connection section by the thread connection.","12. The assembling structure of the prefabricated concrete component according to claim 2, wherein\nthe end of the grout connection section away from the non-grout connection section is provided with a grouting hole; the non-grout connection section is provided an exhaust hole connected to an inner chamber of the grout connection section.","13. The assembling structure of the prefabricated concrete component according to claim 2, wherein\nthe inner wall of the grout connection section is provided with a spiral raised rib;\nthe spiral raised rib tilts from bottom to top toward a side away from the non-grout connection section; a first side of the spiral raised rib away from the non-grout connection section is a concave arc surface, and a second side is a convex arc surface; a junction between the first side and the second side of the spiral raised rib and the inner wall of the grout connection section has a fillet transition.","14. The assembling structure of the prefabricated concrete component according to claim 2, wherein\na plurality of anti-shear components are fixed in a cylinder wall of the grout connection section; the plurality of anti-shear components are simultaneously cured and fixed with the grouting material inside the grout connection section and concrete outside the grout connection section."],["37. A hold down system for a building wall, comprising:\na) a rigid member for being supported on a horizontal member of a stud wall, the rigid member including an opening;\nb) an inner cylindrical body disposed inside an outer cylindrical body, the inner cylindrical body being threaded to the outer cylindrical body, a torsional spring disposed around the outer cylindrical body, the torsional spring being operably attached to the inner cylindrical body and the outer cylindrical body to cause rotation of the outer cylindrical body relative to the inner cylindrical body;\nc) a tie-rod with a lower end portion for being operably anchored to a foundation, the tie-rod extending transversely through the opening and the inner cylindrical body, the inner cylindrical body being operably attached to the tie-rod, the outer cylindrical body bearing on the rigid member; and\nd) first and second vertical studs with respective bottom ends bearing on the rigid member.","38. The hold down system as in claim 37, wherein the rigid member is metal.","39. A reinforced building wall, comprising:\na) a first stud wall having a first top plate;\nb) a second stud wall above the first stud wall, the second stud wall having a second bottom plate disposed on a subfloor;\nc) a rigid member disposed on the second bottom plate;\nd) a tie-rod with a lower end portion for being operably anchored to a foundation, the tie-rod extending through the first top plate, the second bottom plate, and the rigid member;\ne) a fastener attached to the tie-rod and bearing on the rigid member;\nf) a first blocking and a second blocking disposed between the first top plate and the subfloor, the tie-rod extending between first blocking and the second blocking.","40. The reinforced building wall as in claim 39, wherein the first stud wall includes a first stud with a top end bearing on an underside of the first top plate below the first blocking.","41. The reinforced building wall as in claim 39, wherein the second stud wall includes a second stud with a bottom end bearing on the rigid member.","42. The reinforced building wall as in claim 39, wherein the fastener includes a nut attached to the tie-rod a spring between the nut and the rigid member.","43. The reinforced building wall as in claim 42, wherein:\na) the spring is associated with a first cylindrical member disposed within a second cylindrical member;\nb) one of the first and second cylindrical members being movable relative to another one of the first cylindrical member and the second cylindrical member in a first direction; and\nc) the spring is operably attached to the first cylindrical member and the second cylindrical member to urge the one of the first cylindrical member and the second cylindrical member in the first direction.","44. A reinforced building wall, comprising:\na) a first stud wall having a first top plate;\nb) a second stud wall above the first stud wall, the second stud wall having a second bottom plate disposed on a subfloor;\nc) a rigid member disposed on the first top plate;\nd) a tie-rod with a lower end portion for being operably anchored to a foundation, the tie-rod extending through the first top plate, the second bottom plate, and the rigid member;\ne) a fastener attached to the tie-rod and bearing on the rigid member.","45. The reinforced building wall as in claim 44, wherein a first blocking and a second blocking are disposed between the first top plate and the subfloor, the tie-rod extending between first blocking and the second blocking."],["1. A connection between a rod, an anchor, and a first structural member, the connection comprising:\na. the first structural member;\nb. the rod, having a thread with a thread angle; and\nc. the anchor, connecting the first structural member to the rod, the anchor including a housing, the housing having a bottom and a top, and the anchor having a longitudinal central axis extending through the bottom and the top of the housing, the housing having an insert receiving bore that opens through the bottom of the housing, the insert receiving bore having a narrowing lower portion closer to the bottom than the top of the housing; and wherein a plurality of inserts are disposed in the insert receiving bore and contained securely within the housing, each of the inserts has a base bore interfacing surface that interfaces with the narrowing lower portion of the insert receiving bore of the housing, wherein each insert has a concave inner surface and the plurality of concave inner surfaces form a generally tubular interior rod receiving bore that receives a portion of the rod, and the inserts are sized with respect to the housing such that when the rod is received in the interior rod receiving bore and engages the inserts and moves toward the bottom of the housing, the inserts will be pulled toward the bottom of the housing, and the narrowing in the lower portion of the insert receiving bore causes a constriction of the inserts about the rod forcing them to grasp and hold the rod, the lower portion of the insert receiving bore of the housing has a base-bore first sliding surface disposed at an angle to the longitudinal, central axis of the anchor and when the rod is inserted into the interior rod receiving bore and moves toward the top of the housing, the inserts can be moved away from each other and from the longitudinal, central axis of the housing, allowing the rod to be inserted farther into the housing and towards the top of the housing; and wherein\nd. the first sliding surface of the housing is set at the same angle as the thread angle of the rod.","2. The connection of claim 1, wherein:\nthe interior rod receiving bore is formed with multiple diameters such that anchors of different diameters can be received by the inserts.","3. The connection of claim 1 wherein:\nthe first structural member is a hardened concrete member, and the anchor is embedded the hardened concrete member.","4. A method of forming the connection of claim 1 comprising the steps of:\na. embedding the anchor in the first structural member; and\nb. inserting the rod into the interior rod receiving bore of the anchor.","5. A connection between a rod, an anchor, and a first structural member, the connection comprising:\na. the first structural member;\nb. the rod; and\nc. the anchor, connecting the first structural member to the rod, the anchor including a housing, the housing having a bottom and a top, and the anchor having a longitudinal central axis extending through the bottom and the top of the housing, the housing having an insert receiving bore that opens through the bottom of the housing, the insert receiving bore having a narrowing lower portion closer to the bottom than the top of the housing; and wherein a plurality of inserts are disposed in the insert receiving bore and contained securely within the housing, each of the inserts has a base bore interfacing surface that interfaces with the narrowing lower portion of the insert receiving bore of the housing, wherein each insert has a concave inner surface and the plurality of concave inner surfaces form a generally tubular interior rod receiving bore that receives a portion of the rod, and the inserts are sized with respect to the housing such that when the rod is received in the interior rod receiving bore and engages the inserts and moves toward the bottom of the housing, the inserts will be pulled toward the bottom of the housing, and the narrowing in the lower portion of the insert receiving bore causes a constriction of the inserts about the rod forcing them to grasp and hold the rod, the lower portion of the insert receiving bore of the housing has a base-bore first sliding surface disposed at an angle to the longitudinal, central axis of the anchor, and above the base first sliding surface is a middle housing wall, and when the rod is inserted into the interior rod receiving bore and moves toward the top of the housing, the inserts can be moved away from each other and from the longitudinal, central axis of the housing, allowing the rod to be inserted farther into the housing and towards the top of the housing;\nd. the inserts are formed with lower portions where the shape of the base bore interfacing surface causes the insert to taper to a bottom edge of the insert; and\ne. the middle housing wall has a diameter large enough to contain the lower portions of the inserts when there is a constriction of the inserts about the rod and the inserts grasp and hold the rod;\nf. the base-bore first sliding surface is frusto-conical in shape; and\ng. the base bore interfacing surface is frusto-spherical where the base bore interfacing surface makes contact with the base-bore first sliding surface.","6. The connection of claim 1, wherein:\nthe interior rod receiving bore is formed with multiple diameters such that anchors of different diameters can be received by the inserts.","7. The connection of claim 1 wherein:\nthe first structural member is a hardened concrete member, and the anchor is embedded the hardened concrete member.","8. A method of forming the connection of claim 1 comprising the steps of:\na. embedding the anchor in the first structural member; and\nb. inserting the rod into the interior rod receiving bore of the anchor."],["1. A threaded rod connector comprising:\na housing having a cavity for receiving a threaded rod therein, the cavity having a mouth for inserting the threaded rod into the cavity; and\nan insert including a plurality of rod engagement segments arranged within the cavity, each of the rod engagement segments has a mating thread structure for engaging the thread of the threaded rod,\nthe cavity having a tapered zone tapering towards the mouth of the cavity for wedging the rod engagement segments against the threaded rod, the insert further including a plurality of segment carrying arms, each of the segment carrying arms carrying at least one of the rod engagement segments,\nthe segment carrying arms forming a cage for accommodating the threaded rod,\nthe insert further includes a collar connected to the segment carrying arms, and interconnecting the segment carrying arms,\nthe cavity having a collar locking zone, the collar being, at least partly, arranged, in the collar locking zone,\nthe housing rotationally locking the collar arranged in the collar locking zone to the housing to prevent spinning of the insert within the cavity;\nthe rod engagement segments being unbiased within the housing when the threaded rod is not inserted.","2. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein an engagement surface is provided on the collar, and within the collar locking zone, the cavity mates with the engagement surface to rotationally lock the collar arranged in the collar locking zone to the housing.","3. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein the segment carrying arms project from the collar towards the mouth of the cavity.","4. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein the collar has a rod accommodation hole for accommodating the threaded rod.","5. The connector as recited in claim 4 wherein the rod accommodation hole is a through hole.","6. The connector as recited in claim 5 wherein the rod accommodation hole is axially aligned with the cage of the segment carrying arms and with a receiving space located between the rod engagement segments.","7. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein the collar radially projects over the cage.","8. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein the insert is rotationally locked to the housing only at the collar.","9. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein the collar has axial play within the collar locking zone.","10. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein the insert has spring-tensionless axial play within the cavity.","11. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein the insert is monolithic.","12. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein the collar is C-shaped or a closed ring.","13. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein the rod engagement segments are shell shaped and surround a receiving space for the threaded rod.","14. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein the mating thread structure is a continuous cut-out of an internal thread.","15. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein each of the segment carrying arms includes a segment connection end and an interconnection end, wherein the segment connection end and the interconnection end are located on opposite ends of the segment carrying arm.","16. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein the segment carrying arms are parallel to each other and parallel to a longitudinal axis of the insert.","17. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein the collar interconnects the rod engagement segments indirectly via the segment carrying arms.","18. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein the insert is elastic.","19. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein the collar further comprises an engagement surface.","20. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein the rod engagement segments have a chamfered tip on free ends located remote from the segment carrying arms and facing away from the collar."],["1. A mounting device, comprising:\na treaded stud;\na body portion defining a cavity oriented along a longitudinal axis of the treaded stud having an opening in which the threaded stud is received, wherein the cavity defines a flexible pawl engaging a thread of the plurality of helical threads of the treaded stud, thereby securing the mounting device to the threaded stud;\nan elongate element;\na flexible cable tie separate from the body portion having a cable tie strap and a cable tie head;\na support portion arranged on a distal end of the body portion opposite the opening having a support surface engaging the elongate element and a first enclosed channel extending along a lateral axis generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, wherein the flexible cable tie is received within the first channel and extends along the lateral axis as the flexible cable tie is wrapped about the elongate element and the cable tie strap is inserted within the cable tie head, thereby securing the elongate element to the body portion.","2. A mounting device configured to secure an elongate element to a threaded stud using a flexible cable tie, said mounting device comprising:\na body portion defining a cavity oriented along a longitudinal axis having an opening configured to receive the stud, wherein the cavity defines a flexible pawl configured to engage a thread of the plurality of helical threads, thereby securing the mounting device to the threaded stud;\na support portion arranged on a distal end of the body portion opposite the opening having a support surface configured to engage the elongate element and a first enclosed channel arranged along a lateral axis generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, wherein the first channel defines a first pair of cable tie apertures configured to receive the flexible cable tie as it is wrapped about the elongate element, thereby securing the elongate element to the mounting device, wherein the support portion has a side support surface configured to engage the elongate element and wherein the support portion defines a fourth enclosed channel having an axis that is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis and generally parallel to the lateral axis and wherein the fourth channel defines a fourth pair of cable tie apertures configured to receive the flexible cable tie as it is wrapped about the elongate element, thereby securing the elongate element to the mounting device.","3. The mounting device according to claim 2, wherein each flexible pawl in the plurality of flexible pawls is arranged opposite another flexible pawl in the plurality of flexible pawls.","4. The mounting device according to claim 2, wherein the support portion has a side support surface configured to engage the elongate element, wherein the support portion defines a second enclosed channel having an axis that is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and generally parallel to the lateral axis, and wherein the second channel defines a second pair of cable tie apertures configured to receive the flexible cable tie as it is wrapped about the elongate element, thereby securing the elongate element to the mounting device.","5. A mounting device configured to secure an elongate element to a threaded stud using a flexible cable tie, said mounting device comprising:\na body portion defining a cavity oriented along a longitudinal axis having an opening configured to receive the stud, wherein the cavity defines a flexible pawl configured to engage a thread of the plurality of helical threads, thereby securing the mounting device to the threaded stud;\na support portion arranged on a distal end of the body portion opposite the opening having a support surface configured to engage the elongate element and a first enclosed channel arranged along a lateral axis generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, wherein the first channel defines a first pair of cable tie apertures configured to receive the flexible cable tie as it is wrapped about the elongate element, thereby securing the elongate element to the mounting device, wherein the support portion has a side support surface configured to engage the elongate element, wherein the support portion defines a second enclosed channel having an axis that is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and generally parallel to the lateral axis, and wherein the second channel defines a second pair of cable tie apertures configured to receive the flexible cable tie as it is wrapped about the elongate element, thereby securing the elongate element to the mounting device, wherein the support portion has another side support surface opposite the side support surface that is configured to engage the elongate element, wherein the support portion defines a third enclosed channel having an axis that is generally parallel to the second enclosed channel and wherein the third channel defines a third pair of cable tie apertures configured to receive the flexible cable tie as it is wrapped about the elongate element, thereby securing the elongate element to the mounting device.","6. The mounting device according to claim 2, wherein the cavity defines a plurality of flexible pawls configured to engage the thread of the plurality of helical threads.","7. The mounting device according to claim 2, wherein the support portion has another side support surface opposite the side support surface that is configured to engage the elongate element, wherein the support portion defines a fifth enclosed channel having an axis that is generally parallel to the fourth enclosed channel and wherein the fifth channel defines a fifth pair of cable tie apertures configured to receive the flexible cable tie as it is wrapped about the elongate element, thereby securing the elongate element to the mounting device.","8. The mounting device according to claim 2, wherein the side support surface is characterized as having a generally concave shape.","9. The mounting device according to claim 2, wherein the body portion is characterized as having a generally cylindrical shape.","10. The mounting device according to claim 2, wherein the body portion and the cavity is characterized as having an X-shaped cross section, wherein the cavity defines four flexible pawls configured to engage the thread of the plurality of helical threads, and wherein each leg of the X-shaped cavity defines one of the flexible pawls.","11. The mounting device according to claim 2, wherein the flexible pawl defines a plurality of teeth configured to engage the plurality of helical threads.","12. The mounting device according to claim 2, wherein the support surface is characterized as having a generally circular shape.","13. The mounting device according to claim 12, wherein the cavity defines another flexible pawl configured to engage a thread of the plurality of helical threads located opposite the flexible pawl and wherein the flexible pawl and the another flexible pawl are offset by 45 degrees from the lateral axis of the first channel.","14. The mounting device according to claim 5, wherein the cavity defines a plurality of flexible pawls configured to engage the thread of the plurality of helical threads.","15. The mounting device according to claim 5, wherein each flexible pawl in the plurality of flexible pawls is arranged opposite another flexible pawl in the plurality of flexible pawls.","16. The mounting device according to claim 5, wherein the body portion is characterized as having a generally cylindrical shape.","17. The mounting device according to claim 5, wherein the body portion and the cavity is characterized as having an X-shaped cross section, wherein the cavity defines four flexible pawls configured to engage the thread of the plurality of helical threads, and wherein each leg of the X-shaped cavity defines one of the flexible pawls.","18. The mounting device according to claim 5, wherein the flexible pawl defines a plurality of teeth configured to engage the plurality of helical threads.","19. The mounting device according to claim 5, wherein the support surface is characterized as having a generally circular shape.","20. The mounting device according to claim 19, wherein the cavity defines another flexible pawl configured to engage a thread of the plurality of helical threads located opposite the flexible pawl and wherein the flexible pawl and the another flexible pawl are offset by 45 degrees from the lateral axis of the first channel."],["1. A support member of an anchor assembly, the support member for receiving and securing a threaded shaft thereto, the support member comprising:\nan outer housing, the outer housing being defined by a longitudinal axis (A-A), the outer housing including a wall, the outer housing also including a connector opening at a first end thereof for receiving the threaded shaft, the housing wall including an inner surface defining a bore space,\na bore assembly disposed in the bore space, the bore assembly including at least two female threaded bore portions the threads of which selectively engage threads of the shaft, the bore assembly further including a flexible bias member for generating a biasing force to bias the at least one female thread bore portion toward the longitudinal axis (A-A),\na first of the at least two female thread bores including a projection extending therefrom and toward a second of the at least two female thread bores, the second of the at least two female thread bores including a track, the projection slidingly engaging the track to promote alignment between the first and second of the at least two female thread bores as the first and second of the at least two female thread bores move toward and away from the longitudinal axis (A-A), wherein\nthe projection is tapered away from the first of the at least two female threaded bores and the track of the second of the at least two female threaded bores is complementarily tapered to promote compliance between the projection and the track.","2. The support member of claim 1, wherein the first of the two female thread bores includes at least one first projection and at least one first track and the second of the at least two female thread bores includes at least one second projection and at least one second track.","3. The support member of claim 2, wherein the first projection is slidingly received in the second track and the second projection is received in the first track.","4. The support member of claim 1, wherein the at least two female threaded bores include an outer surface and the projection and track are within the outer surface.","5. The support member of claim 1, wherein the at least two female threaded bores include an outer surface and the projection and track are along the outer surface.","6. The support member of claim 1, wherein the projection includes an upper engagement surface and a lower engagement surface for slidingly engaging respectively with upper and lower engagement surfaces of the track.","7. The support member of claim 1, wherein biasing is toward the central axis A-A is due to a biasing against a tapered conical surface.","8. The support member of claim 1, wherein the projection includes a radially inner surface for slidingly engaging a radially outer surface of the track.","9. The support member of claim 1, wherein multiple projections project from the first of the two threaded female bores and multiple tracks of the second of the two threaded female bores receive the projections.","10. The support member of claim 1, wherein the at least two threaded female bores become more aligned as the tapered projection and the complementarily tapered track translate toward the central axis A-A.","11. The support member of claim 1, wherein the projection and the track slidingly engage toward central axis A-A to align the at least two threaded female bores with a threaded rod along central axis A-A.","12. The support member of claim 1, wherein the at least two threaded female bores include grooves for receiving the bias member.","13. The support member of claim 1, wherein at least one of the at least two female threaded bore portions is biased toward the central axis A-A due to a biasing of the threaded bore portion between the flexible bias member and a tapered conical surface.","14. The support member of claim 1, wherein the outer housing further includes an assembly opening at a second end opposite the first end thereof to facilitate assembly of the bore assembly into the bore space."],["1. A rebar coupler comprising:\na housing which is a cylindrical hollow body having at one end a first opening for receiving a first rebar, at the other end a second opening for receiving a second rebar, to connect the first rebar and the second rebar, and a partition disposed at a center thereof to divide the ends having the first and second openings;\na mounting member inserted in each end of the housing and receiving the corresponding first and second rebars therein;\na plurality of coupling members slidably disposed on the corresponding mounting member and being brought into contact with an outer peripheral surface of the corresponding inserted first and second rebars to prevent the first and second rebars from moving out from the rebar coupler;\na resilient member configured to apply a restoring force to the coupling members so that the coupling members slid by the first and second rebars inserted in the corresponding mounting member are returned to an original position; and\na cover fastened to both ends of the housing to prevent the mounting member and the coupling members from moving out from the housing due to a tensile force of the first and second rebars,\neach mounting members having a plurality of guide portions for guiding sliding movement of the coupling members along an inserting direction of the corresponding first and second rebars, a flange connecting ends of the guide portions, and a contact portion protruding from the flange towards the coupling members.","2. The rebar coupler according to claim 1, wherein the contact portion is integrally formed with the flange, but is made from a material different from that of the flange.","3. The rebar coupler according to claim 2, wherein the contact portion has first surfaces protruding from areas between the guide portions to be brought into contact with the coupling members, second surfaces disposed between the flange and the contact portion to be opposite to the first surfaces, and third surfaces for connecting both ends of the first surface and the second surface and deformed to correspond to a width of deformations of the corresponding first and second rebars if the first surfaces are pressed.","4. The rebar coupler according to claim 3, wherein the third surface is formed in a shape of a slope or an arc.","5. The rebar coupler according to claim 3, wherein each mounting member is provided with a spacing between the coupling members and the flange or between the contact portion and the guide portions in order to correspond to elastic deformation of a shape of the contact portions.","6. The rebar coupler according to claim 2, wherein the contact portion contains at least one of rubber, silicon and a synthetic resin having elasticity.","7. The rebar coupler according to claim 1, wherein an inner peripheral surface of the coupling members is provided with a threaded portion of a desired pattern which is brought into contact with an outer peripheral surface of the corresponding first and second rebars.","8. The rebar coupler according to claim 7, wherein a tooth angle of the threaded portion of the coupling members is set in the range of 50 to 75°.","9. The rebar coupler according to claim 7, wherein a tooth pitch of the threaded portion of the coupling members is set in the range of 0.4 to 1.3 mm.","10. The rebar coupler according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the housing, the mounting member, the coupling members, the resilient member and the cover is made from a composite material containing at least one of glass fiber and a carbon fiber."],["1. A faucet fixation system, comprising:\na fastener configured to couple to a faucet; and\na connector comprising:\na base including a bore;\na nut assembly disposed in the bore around a portion of the fastener, wherein the nut assembly includes a first locking member, which has a first threaded portion and a first actuating portion, and a second locking member, which has a second threaded portion and a second actuating portion; and\na clip comprising an annular base disposed around a portion of the fastener and at least one finger extending from the annular base;\nwherein in a locking position of the connector, the first and second threaded portions engage threads of the fastener to prohibit relative translational movement between the connector and the fastener while allowing the connector to rotate along the threads of the fastener;\nwherein in a non-locking position of the connector, the first and second threaded portions disengage the threads of the fastener to allow translational movement of the connector relative to the fastener; and\nwherein in the locking position, threaded rotation of the nut assembly along the threads of the fastener causes the at least one finger to engage a gap in the nut assembly, thereby blocking the connector from moving out of the locking position.","2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second threaded portions are biased toward the fastener by a biasing force in the locking position, and wherein the first and second actuating portions are configured to be pressed toward each other to overcome the biasing force in the non-locking position.","3. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second locking members move independently of the other.","4. The system of claim 3, wherein the first and second locking members move in opposite directions in moving from the locking position to the non-locking position.","5. The system of claim 3, wherein the first and second threaded portions move toward one another in moving from the non-locking position to the locking position.","6. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second locking members translate in a common plane.","7. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second locking members are nested such that a portion of at least one of the first and second locking members engages the other of the first and second locking members.","8. The system of claim 7, wherein the first threaded portion nests with a second projection of the second locking member and the second threaded portion nests with a first projection of the first locking member.","9. The system of claim 1, wherein the connector further comprises a first spring coupled to the first locking member and a second spring coupled to the second locking member.","10. The system of claim 9, wherein the first spring is positioned adjacent to the second spring, proximate to the nut assembly.","11. The system of claim 10, wherein the first spring is configured to bias the first locking member into the locking position; and\nwherein the second spring is configured to bias the second locking member into the locking position.","12. The system of claim 11, wherein the bias on the first locking member actuates the first threaded portion away from the second actuating portion.","13. The system of claim 11, wherein the bias on the second locking member actuates the second threaded portion away from the first actuating portion."],["1. A rebar coupler that connects rebars with each other and fixes the rebars in a longitudinal direction, comprising:\na pair of coupler bodies each having a cylindrical shape through which an inside is penetrated to have a passage, each including an inlet in one side through which one of the rebars is inserted, and each having a fixing piece contact surface inclined toward the inlet inside the penetrated passage;\na connector disposed between the pair of coupler bodies to couple opposite ends of the inlets of the respective pair of coupler bodies with each other;\na plurality of fixing pieces arranged radially inside each coupler body, wherein a plurality of inclined surfaces inclined toward the inlet are formed on a circumference of an outer surface at an interval so that the outer surface is installed to be in surface contact with the plurality of fixing pieces, wherein a plurality of axially-extending horizontal locking protrusions which line contact an outer circumferential surface of the rebar in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the inserted rebar are formed in one side of an inner surface of each fixing piece so that the rebar coupler can prevent relative rotation of the rebar when fixed therein and a plurality of circumferentially-extending vertical locking protrusions which line contact the outer circumferential surface of the rebar in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the inserted rebar are formed in another side of the inner surface of each fixing piece so that the rebar coupler can prevent axial separation of the rebar when fixed therein, while fixing the rebar inserted into the inside through the inlet; and\nan elastic member provided inside each coupler body to press the plurality of fixing pieces toward the inlet,\nwherein the plurality of fixing pieces arranged in each coupler body comprise at least two fixing pieces forming one group, the at least two fixing pieces form four inclined surfaces inclined toward the inlet at an interval on a circumference of the outer surface, and one end of the outer surface is formed in a rectangular shape and another end thereof is formed in a circular shape, and wherein the fixing piece contact surface inside each coupler body is formed to correspond to the outer surface of the at least two fixing pieces.","2. The rebar coupler of claim 1, wherein an inlet passage with a length is formed in the penetrated passage between the inlet and the fixing piece contact surface inside each coupler body, and wherein a rib insertion groove into which a rib formed on the outer circumferential surface of the rebar is inserted is formed in the inlet and the inlet passage.","3. The rebar coupler of claim 1, wherein the elastic member comprises a pair of springs which are coaxially and doubly arranged.","4. The rebar coupler of claim 3, wherein the pair of springs comprises:\na first spring configured to press the plurality of fixing pieces; and\na second spring arranged inside the first spring and configured to buffer the rebar, while elastically supporting the rebar inserted and passing through the inlet of each coupler body and the plurality of fixing pieces.","5. The rebar coupler of claim 1, wherein a node and a rib are formed on the outer surface of each coupler body.","6. The rebar coupler of claim 1, wherein each coupler body is formed in one of a cylindrical shape, an elliptic cylindrical shape or a polygonal prism shape.","7. The rebar coupler of claim 1, wherein a support plate which supports the elastic members provided inside the pair of coupler bodies is formed in the connector, and wherein a pin hole is formed in the support plate at an interval.","8. The rebar coupler of claim 1, wherein a circumference of the inlet of each coupler body is tapered at an angle of 20° to 45°."],["1. A nut assembly arranged for mounting on a threaded member, the nut assembly comprising:\na. an axially oriented capture nut comprising:\ni. an outer, wrench-engaging surface, a top surface and a bottom surface;\nii. a bowl defining a plurality of slanted, entirely flat, planar surfaces slanting downwardly and inwardly from the capture nut top surface toward the capture nut bottom surface to a depth D, each flat planar surface having opposed vertical edges, each flat planar surface being aligned about such axis and sharing such opposed vertical edges with an adjacent of such flat planar surfaces; and\niii. a bore through the bowl on the axis of the capture nut for passing a threaded member through the capture nut; and\nb. a nut comprising:\ni. a top surface, a bottom surface, and an outer surface comprising a corresponding plurality of slanted, entirely flat, planar surfaces extending downwardly and inwardly from the nut top surface to a depth D′ for mating engagement with the bowl of the capture nut; and\nii. an internally threaded bore, coaxial with the bore of the capture nut, for engagement with the threaded member;\nwherein the nut is divided vertically along the axis into two separate, opposed nut halves each having a complementary vertical face facing the complementary face of the opposing nut half.","2. The nut assembly of claim 1, further comprising a membrane which joins the nut halves.","3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the nut halves are magnetized to retain the nut halves releasably together.","4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the nut halves are different from one another.","5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein the different nut halves are color coded different from one another.","6. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a radial groove around the nut halves.","7. The assembly of claim 6, further comprising an elastic band arranged to releasably fit into the groove.","8. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a registration element to align the nut halves together.","9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the registration element comprises a conical protrusion on the surface of one nut half and a mating detent on the other nut half.","10. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the each opposed nut half comprises three slanted, flat planar surfaces and the bowl comprises six slanted, flat, planar surfaces.","11. The assembly of claim 1 wherein depth D and depth D′ are different.","12. The assembly of claim 1 wherein depth D and depth D′ are the same.","13. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the tapered bowl defines a hexagon in cross section, and wherein the opposed nut halves, when placed together vertical face to vertical face also defines a hexagon in cross section.","14. A nut assembly arranged for mounting on a threaded member, the nut assembly comprising:\na. an axially oriented capture nut comprising:\ni. an outer, wrench-engaging surface;\nii. a bowl defining a plurality of slanted surfaces; and\niii. a bore through the bowl on the axis of the capture nut for passing a threaded member through the capture nut; and\nb. a pair of opposed nut halves comprising:\ni. a bottom surface for mating engagement with the bowl of the capture nut; and\nii. an internally threaded bore, coaxial with the bore of the capture nut, for engagement with the threaded member;\nwherein the nut halves are magnetized to retain the nut halves releasably together.","15. The assembly of claim 14, wherein the nut halves are different from one another.","16. The assembly of claim 15, wherein the different nut halves are color coded different from one another.","17. The assembly of claim 14, further comprising a radial groove around the nut halves.","18. The assembly of claim 17, further comprising an elastic band arranged to releasably fit into the groove.","19. The assembly of claim 14, wherein each of the nut halves defines a surface facing the complementary face of the opposing nut half, and further comprising a registration element to align the nut halves together.","20. The assembly of claim 19, wherein the registration element comprises a conical protrusion on the surface of one nut half and a mating detent on the other nut half."],["1. A clamp tie comprising:\na locking head including first and second spaced apertures, a third aperture for receiving a mounting element therethrough and an upper surface, a lower surface comprising a lower surface counterbore surrounding said third aperture and a plurality of channels, a plurality of side surfaces coupled to and disposed between said upper surface and said lower surface,\na first strap extending from said locking head, said first strap having a first strap thickness and a first strap width, said first strap width disposed between first strap first and second sides,\na second strap extending from said locking head, said second strap having a second strap thickness and a second strap width, said second strap width disposed between second strap first and second sides,\na first arcuate rail extending from said locking head substantially parallel to and spaced from said first strap first side,\na second arcuate rail extending from said locking head substantially parallel to and spaced from said first strap second side,\na first pawl mechanism cooperating with said first aperture for engaging and retaining said first strap,\na second pawl mechanism cooperating with said second aperture for engaging and retaining said second strap, and\nsaid first strap and said first and second arcuate rails extending from a first side surface and said second strap extending from a second side surface.","2. A clamp tie according to claim 1 wherein said first and second apertures each have an entrance and an exit, each entrance aperture having a strap side and a body side, said first pawl mechanism further comprising a first reinforcement rib disposed at least partially along said first aperture entrance strap side, said second pawl mechanism further comprising a second reinforcement rib disposed at least partially along said second aperture entrance strap side.","3. A clamp tie according to claim 1, said clamp tie comprising a unitary member.","4. A clamp tie according to claim 1 wherein the first strap width and second strap width are equal.","5. A clamp tie according to claim 1 wherein said first strap thickness and second strap thickness are equal.","6. A clamp tie according to claim 1 further comprising:\na third arcuate rail extending from said locking head substantially parallel to and spaced from said second strap first side, and\na fourth arcuate rail extending from said locking head substantially parallel to and spaced from said second strap second side.","7. A clamp tie according to claim 1 wherein said first arcuate rail has a radius and said upper surface and said lower surface are spaced a distance, said distance being greater than said radius of said first arcuate rail.","8. A clamp tie according to claim 7 wherein said distance is greater than twice said radius of said first arcuate rail.","9. A clamp tie according to claim 1 wherein said first and second side surfaces are disposed substantially 180 angular degrees about said locking head.","10. A clamp tie according to claim 1 wherein said upper surface comprises an upper surface counterbore surrounding said third aperture.","11. A clamp tie according to claim 10 wherein said upper surface counterbore comprises a plurality of channels.","12. A clamp tie according to claim 1 wherein one of said channels is mateable with a surface on or near said mounting element to prevent rotation of the tie about said mounting element.","13. A clamp tie according to claim 1 further comprising a third pawl mechanism, said third pawl mechanism located within said third aperture.","14. A clamp tie comprising\na unitary member including;\na single locking head including a pair of laterally spaced apertures, a third aperture for receiving a mounting element therethrough, said third aperture located between said pair of laterally spaced apertures, an upper surface, a lower surface comprising a lower surface counterbore surrounding said third aperture and a plurality of channels, a plurality of side surfaces coupled to and disposed between said upper surface and said lower surface,\na pair of straps extending in opposite directions from the locking head,\na first saddle structure coupled to and extending from said locking head adjacent one of the straps,\na second saddle structure coupled to and extending from said locking head adjacent the other of the straps, said first and second saddle structures each comprising two arcuate rail members, one disposed on each side of said first and second straps, respectively,\na first pawl mechanism contained within one of said locking head apertures for engaging and retaining one of the straps,\na second pawl mechanism contained within the other of said locking head apertures for engaging and retaining the other of the straps, and\nsaid first strap and said first and second arcuate rails extending from a first side surface and said second strap extending from a second side surface.","15. A clamp tie according to claim 14 further comprising a third pawl mechanism, said third pawl mechanism located within said third aperture.","16. A clamp tie according to claim 15 wherein said third pawl mechanism includes a pair of opposed pawls located substantially opposite one another within said aperture.","17. A clamp tie according to claim 14 wherein the diameter of the third aperture is smaller than the diameter of a predetermined mounting element.","18. A clamp tie for securing elongate items adjacent a mounting surface in spaced, substantially parallel relationship to each other, comprising:\na locking head having an aperture for receiving therethrough a mounting element and an upper surface, a lower surface comprising a lower surface counterbore surrounding said third aperture and a plurality of channels, a plurality of side surfaces coupled to and disposed between said upper surface and said lower surface,\na pair of straps extending in opposite directions from said locking head and insertable through said locking head to form a loop,\ntwo pairs of arcuate rails extending from said locking head, one pair being adjacent to but separate from each of said straps,\na first pawl mechanism within said locking head for engaging and retaining one of said straps in looped relationship with said locking head and one said pair of arcuate rails,\na second pawl mechanism within said locking head for engaging and retaining the other of said straps in looped relationship with said locking head and the other of said pair of arcuate rails,\na third pawl mechanism within said aperture for engaging and retaining said locking head proximate said mounting surface, and\nsaid first strap and said first and second arcuate rails extending from a first side surface and said second strap extending from a second side surface.","19. A clamp tie according to claim 18 wherein said third pawl mechanism permits movement of said mounting element through said aperture in a first direction but resists movement of said mounting element through said aperture in a second direction.","20. A clamp tie according to claim 19 wherein said third pawl mechanism includes a pair of substantially diametrically opposed pawls, each pawl carried by an elongate hinge within said aperture.","21. A clamp tie according to claim 20 wherein said tie comprises a single unitary structure."],["1. A stud locking device, operable when in an assembled condition for securing a target member to a support member, the target member including an upper surface and a lower surface and partially defining a through mounting hole, and the support member including a stud projecting axially toward the lower surface of the target member and the stud including an engageable surface; the stud locking device comprising:\na first clip including:\na hollow inner cylindrical portion defining a central axis and partially defining a central bore operable for receiving the stud, the first cylindrical portion insertable at a base end into the mounting hole of the target member;\nan annular first flange located at a target end of the first cylindrical portion and projecting radially outward from the first cylindrical portion;\na guide wall located in the base end of the inner cylindrical portion and tapering radially inward toward the flange of the inner cylindrical portion, and operable to guide the stud into the central bore as the stud locking device is placed into the assembled condition;\na tapered bore partially defined by and coaxial with the flange and first cylindrical portion, the tapered bore open at a first end in an upper surface of the flange, narrowing with increasing axial distance from the first end, and connected to the central bore at a second end;\na locking pawl projecting radially inward into the central bore from the first cylindrical portion and operable to engage the stud when the stud locking device is in the assembled condition;\na locking shoulder; and\na second clip including:\na hollow outer cylindrical portion capable of receiving coaxially therein the first cylindrical portion of the first clip;\na second flange provided at a target end of the outer cylindrical portion; and\na locking tab engageable with the locking shoulder when the stud locking device is in the assembled condition.","2. The stud locking device as defined in claim 1, and when in the assembled condition the inner cylindrical portion of the first clip is inserted through the mounting hole of the target member, the first flange of the first clip contacts the upper surface of the target member, and, when the inner cylindrical portion of the first clip is received in the outer cylindrical portion of the second clip, the second flange of the second clip contacts the lower surface of the target member.","3. The stud locking device as defined in claim 1, wherein the taper angle Δ of the guide wall is in the range of 115 to 135°.","4. The stud locking device as defined in claim 1, wherein the second flange includes an elastic edge portion extending obliquely radially and axially, and in the assembled condition the elastic edge portion is operable of elastically pressing the target member toward the first flange of the first clip.","5. The stud locking device as defined in claim 4, wherein the second flange of the second clip includes a flange hole, the flange hole radially located outward of the outer cylinder and elongated in the circumferential direction, which makes the elastic edge portion adjacent to and radially outward of the flange hole more flexible.","6. The stud locking device as defined in claim 1, wherein the locking pawl is an upper pair of locking pawls and the inner cylindrical portion further includes a lower pair of locking pawls axial separated from the upper pair in the direction away from the target end; and the inner cylindrical portion further includes a first rib and second rib extending along the axial direction and projecting into the central bore from radially opposite directions."],["1. A fastener assembly comprising:\na nut having an internally threaded portion;\nan annulus extending from the nut and defining an annular end distal from the nut, wherein the annulus defines a radial cutout section along a length thereof for providing a flex point; and\na compression collar configured for radially compressing the annular end upon tightening of the nut.","2. The fastener assembly of claim 1, wherein the annulus end defines a shoulder that catches on an internally circumferentially extending rim of the compression collar.","3. The fastener assembly of claim 1, wherein the annulus is free of threads on an inner facing surface thereof.","4. The fastener assembly according to claim 1, wherein the compression collar defines a taper for applying progressively increasing compression of the annulus end.","5. The fastener assembly according to claim 1, wherein the annulus defines a taper from the nut to the annulus end.","6. The fastener assembly of claim 1, wherein the annulus and nut are coaxially aligned.","7. The fastener assembly of claim 1, wherein the compression collar is configured for being compressed between the nut and a working surface.","8. The fastener assembly of claim 1, wherein the annulus consists of two cutout sections positioned opposite of each other.","9. A fastener assembly comprising:\na nut having an internally threaded portion;\nan annulus extending from the nut at an angle, wherein the annulus defines a radial cutout section along a length thereof for providing a flex point; and\na compression collar configured for compressing the annulus upon tightening of the nut, such that the angle becomes inwardly more acute.","10. The fastener assembly of claim 9, wherein the annulus defines a shoulder that catches on an internally circumferentially extending rim of the compression collar.","11. The fastener assembly of claim 9, wherein the annulus defines an internally threaded portion.","12. The fastener assembly according to claim 9, wherein the compression collar defines a taper for applying progressively increasing compression of the annulus.","13. The fastener assembly according to claim 9, wherein the annulus defines a taper.","14. The fastener assembly of claim 9, wherein the annulus and nut are coaxially aligned.","15. The fastener assembly of claim 9, wherein the compression collar is configured for being compressed between the nut and a working surface.","16. The fastener assembly of claim 9, wherein the annulus consists of two cutout sections positioned opposite of each other."],["1. Bolt (1) comprising a screw (3) and an insert (2) which can be inserted in the opening in a wall (5), said insert (2) comprising an insert head (6) and a shaft (7) comprising a recess (8), said insert head (6) and said recess (8) being configured such as, after deformation of the recess (8), to ensure the crimping of said insert (2) on said wall (5), wherein said screw (3) comprises a break ring (14), which, by being supported on said insert head (6) directly or indirectly, is designed to immobilize said screw (3) relative to said insert head (6), in order to create the deformation of the recess (8) by rotation of the screw and obtain said crimping, and, once the crimping has been carried out, it is designed to give rise to breakage, such as to release the screw (3) from said insert head (6), thus permitting the tightening of an accessory (4) on the wall (5),\nwherein the break ring (14) is supported indirectly against the insert head (6) by means of bracing means (22), and\nwherein the bracing means (22) comprise a washer (16) which is provided between said break ring (14) and the insert head (6).","2. Bolt (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said breakage takes place in the break ring (14).","3. Bolt (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said breakage takes place in the bracing means (22).","4. Bolt (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the insert (2) comprises a means for blocking said insert (2) in rotation, preferably by an external form with a non-circular transverse cross-section.","5. Bolt (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said screw (3) comprises a screw head (10) comprising a base (11) which is designed to be supported on the accessory (4), a cavity (12) preferably being provided below said base (11) in order to accommodate in it at least partially said break ring (14) and/or said bracing means (22).","6. Bolt (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said insert head (6), said break ring (14) and, if applicable, said bracing means (22) are configured such that, in the assembled position, the screw head (10) is supported on the insert (2) by means of the break ring (14) and/or bracing means (22), without being supported on said accessory (4), such as to constitute an attachment which allows said accessory (4) to be mobile in rotation and/or translation relative to the wall (5).","7. Bolt (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said screw (3) comprises a non-threaded part, contained between the screw head (10) and the threaded part (13), which does not cooperate with the tapped part (9) of the insert (2), such as to provide resilience necessary to create the tension of the screw (3) on said bolt in the tightened situation, even when the thicknesses of the accessories and walls are very slight.","8. Bolt (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said insert (2) has weakening of the recess (8), such as to facilitate its deformation during the crimping, this weakening preferably taking the form of undercuts.","9. Bolt (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said screw (3) comprises a non-threaded part, contained between a screw head (10) and a threaded part (13), which does not cooperate with a tapped part (9) of the insert (2), said non-threaded part being provided with a widened part (17) which is designed to make it possible to fix the broken part of the break ring (14) by forcing it to slide towards said widened part (17) during the screwing phase which follows its breakage.","10. Bolt (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the insert (2) contains a lubricant (25), preferably grease.","11. Bolt (1) comprising a screw (3) and an insert (2) which can be inserted in the opening in a wall (5), said insert (2) comprising an insert head (6) and a shaft (7) comprising a recess (8), said insert head (6) and said recess (8) being configured such as, after deformation of the recess (8), to ensure the crimping of said insert (2) on said wall (5), wherein said screw (3) comprises a break ring (14), which, by being supported on said insert head (6) directly or indirectly, is designed to immobilize said screw (3) relative to said insert head (6), in order to create the deformation of the recess (8) by rotation of the screw and obtain said crimping, and, once the crimping has been carried out, it is designed to give rise to breakage, such as to release the screw (3) from said insert head (6), thus permitting the tightening of an accessory (4) on the wall (5),\nwherein the break ring (14) is supported indirectly against the insert head (6) by means of bracing means (22), and\nwherein the bracing means (22) comprise a tubular element (23) provided with a radial spreaded part (24) which can be supported against the insert head (6).","12. Bolt (1) as claimed in claim 11, wherein said breakage takes place in the bracing means (22).","13. Bolt (1) as claimed in claim 11, wherein the insert (2) comprises a means for blocking said insert (2) in rotation, preferably by an external form with a non-circular transverse cross-section.","14. Bolt (1) as claimed in claim 11, wherein said screw (3) comprises a screw head (10) comprising a base (11) which is designed to be supported on the accessory (4), a cavity (12) preferably being provided below said base (11) in order to accommodate in it at least partially said break ring (14) and/or said bracing means (22).","15. Bolt (1) as claimed in claim 11, wherein said insert head (6), said break ring (14) and, if applicable, said bracing means (22) are configured such that, in the assembled position, the screw head (10) is supported on the insert (2) by means of the break ring (14) and/or bracing means (22), without being supported on said accessory (4), such as to constitute an attachment which allows said accessory (4) to be mobile in rotation and/or translation relative to the wall (5).","16. Bolt (1) as claimed in claim 11, wherein said screw (3) comprises a non-threaded part, contained between the screw head (10) and the threaded part (13), which does not cooperate with the tapped part (9) of the insert (2), such as to provide resilience necessary to create the tension of the screw (3) on said bolt in the tightened situation, even when the thicknesses of the accessories and walls are very slight.","17. Bolt (1) as claimed in claim 11, wherein said insert (2) has weakening of the recess (8), such as to facilitate its deformation during the crimping, this weakening preferably taking the form of undercuts.","18. Bolt (1) as claimed in claim 11, wherein the insert (2) contains a lubricant (25), preferably grease.","19. Bolt (1) comprising a screw (3) and an insert (2) which can be inserted in the opening in a wall (5), said insert (2) comprising an insert head (6) and a shaft (7) comprising a recess (8), said insert head (6) and said recess (8) being configured such as, after deformation of the recess (8), to ensure the crimping of said insert (2) on said wall (5), wherein said screw (3) comprises a break ring (14), which, by being supported on said insert head (6) directly or indirectly, is designed to immobilize said screw (3) relative to said insert head (6), in order to create the deformation of the recess (8) by rotation of the screw and obtain said crimping, and, once the crimping has been carried out, it is designed to give rise to breakage, such as to release the screw (3) from said insert head (6), thus permitting the tightening of an accessory (4) on the wall (5),\nwherein the break ring (14) is supported indirectly against the insert head (6) by means of bracing means (22),\nwherein the bracing means (22) comprise a tubular element (23) provided with a radial spreaded part (24) which can be supported against the insert head (6), and\nwherein said break ring (14) is constituted by the screw head (10).","20. Bolt (1) comprising a screw (3) and an insert (2) which can be inserted in the opening in a wall (5), said insert (2) comprising an insert head (6) and a shaft (7) comprising a recess (8), said insert head (6) and said recess (8) being configured such as, after deformation of the recess (8), to ensure the crimping of said insert (2) on said wall (5), wherein said screw (3) comprises a break ring (14), which, by being supported on said insert head (6) directly or indirectly, is designed to immobilize said screw (3) relative to said insert head (6), in order to create the deformation of the recess (8) by rotation of the screw and obtain said crimping, and, once the crimping has been carried out, it is designed to give rise to breakage, such as to release the screw (3) from said insert head (6), thus permitting the tightening of an accessory (4) on the wall (5),\nwherein said breakage takes place in the break ring (14),\nwherein the screw (3) comprises a screw head (10) and a threaded part (13),\nwherein the screw head (10) comprises a male indentation (18) having external dimensions which are greater than an external diameter of the threaded part (13),\nwherein the screw head (10), the male indentation (18), and the threaded part (13) are formed in one piece, and\nwherein the break ring (14) is provided between the screw head (10) and the threaded part (13) of the screw (3), the break ring (14) being spaced apart from the screw head (10).","21. Bolt (1) as claimed in claim 20, wherein the break ring (14) is supported directly against the insert head (6).","22. Bolt (1) as claimed in claim 20, wherein the insert (2) comprises a means for blocking said insert (2) in rotation, preferably by an external form with a non-circular transverse cross-section.","23. Bolt (1) as claimed in claim 20, wherein said screw (3) comprises a screw head (10) comprising a base (11) which is designed to be supported on the accessory (4), a cavity (12) preferably being provided below said base (11) in order to accommodate in it at least partially said break ring (14) and/or said bracing means (22).","24. Bolt (1) as claimed in claim 20, wherein said insert head (6), said break ring (14) and, if applicable, said bracing means (22) are configured such that, in the assembled position, the screw head (10) is supported on the insert (2) by means of the break ring (14) and/or bracing means (22), without being supported on said accessory (4), such as to constitute an attachment which allows said accessory (4) to be mobile in rotation and/or translation relative to the wall (5).","25. Bolt (1) as claimed in claim 20, wherein said screw (3) comprises a non-threaded part, contained between the screw head (10) and the threaded part (13), which does not cooperate with the tapped part (9) of the insert (2), such as to provide resilience necessary to create the tension of the screw (3) on said bolt in the tightened situation, even when the thicknesses of the accessories and walls are very slight.","26. Bolt (1) as claimed in claim 20, wherein said insert (2) has weakening of the recess (8), such as to facilitate its deformation during the crimping, this weakening preferably taking the form of undercuts.","27. Bolt (1) as claimed in claim 20, wherein said screw (3) comprises a non-threaded part, contained between the screw head (10) and the threaded part (13), which does not cooperate with the tapped part (9) of the insert (2), said non-threaded part being provided with a widened part (17) which is designed to make it possible to fix the broken part of the break ring (14) by forcing it to slide towards said widened part (17) during the screwing phase which follows its breakage.","28. Bolt (1) as claimed in claim 20, wherein the insert (2) contains a lubricant (25), preferably grease.","29. Method for securing an accessory (4) on a wall (5) by means of a bolt (1), the bolt comprising a screw (3) and an insert (2) which can be inserted in the opening in a wall (5), said insert (2) comprising an insert head (6) and a shaft (7) comprising a recess (8), said insert head (6) and said recess (8) being configured such as, after deformation of the recess (8), to ensure the crimping of said insert (2) on said wall (5), wherein said screw (3) comprises a break ring (14), which, by being supported on said insert head (6) directly or indirectly, is designed to immobilize said screw (3) relative to said insert head (6), in order to create the deformation of the recess (8) by rotation of the screw and obtain said crimping, and, once the crimping has been carried out, it is designed to give rise to breakage, such as to release the screw (3) from said insert head (6), thus permitting the tightening of an accessory (4) on the wall (5),\nwherein said accessory (4) comprises an accessory opening (20) designed to allow the insert head (6) to pass through, and said wall (5) comprises a wall opening (19) designed to allow the shaft (7) of the insert (2) to pass through,\nthe method comprising the steps of:\na) arranging the accessory (4) on the wall (5), such as to align the accessory (20) and wall (19) openings,\nb) introducing the bolt (1) into the openings thus aligned, in the direction from the accessory (4) towards the wall (5), until the insert head (6) is applied on the wall (5),\nc) rotating the screw (3), with a thread (13) of the screw (3) cooperating with a tapping (9) of the insert (2), the break ring (14) being supported on the insert head (6), if applicable by means of bracing means (22), thus creating deformation of the recess (8) below the wall (5), and consequently carrying out the crimping of the insert (2) on the wall (5),\nd) increasing the torque until breakage is obtained, thus releasing the screw (3) from the insert head (6), and\ne) continuing rotation of the screw (3) until the accessory (4) is tightened on the wall (5)."],["1. An apparatus for coupling a shank of a threaded fastener and a torque device including:—\na first coupling member having an external surface portion defined by more than two steps that forms a taper;\na second coupling member having an inversely tapered internal surface portion non-rotatably engagable with the tapered external surface of the first coupling member;\nwherein the steps of the first coupling member and the second coupling member are shaped either as angled cylinders, frustums of an angled stepped cone or frustums of an angled curved solid; and\nwherein the diameters of the steps of the first coupling member and the second coupling member are less than the diameter of the shank.","2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the steps of the first coupling member and the second coupling member are shaped as solids not limited to particular step quantities, dimensions, geometries, angles and/or intervals.","3. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the internal surface portion of the second coupling member substantially surrounds the external surface portion of the first coupling member.","4. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first coupling member is non-rotatably engagable with an action portion of the torque device.","5. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the second coupling member, when rotated by an action portion of the torque device, applies a load to the threaded fastener.","6. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first coupling member is formed on a reaction shaft of the torque device and wherein the second coupling member is formed on the shank of the threaded fastener.","7. An apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the first coupling member is formed as an axial protrusion and wherein the second coupling member is formed as an axial bore.","8. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first coupling member is formed on a shank of the threaded fastener and wherein the second coupling member is formed on a reaction shaft of the torque device.","9. An apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the first coupling member is formed as an axial bore and wherein the second coupling member is formed as an axial protrusion.","10. An apparatus according to claim 1 having an infinite number of steps such that the external surface portion of the first coupling member is smoothly tapered and the inversely tapered internal surface portion of the second coupling member is smoothly tapered.","11. A system for fastening objects including a combination of a torque power tool either pneumatically, electrically, hydraulically or manually driven and a threaded fastener having an apparatus according to either claim 1-10."],["1. A fastener kit for fastening a workpiece using a specified threaded rod, the fastener kit comprising:\na first nut and a second nut, both the first nut and second nut having a tapered cavity extending axially inward to a predetermined depth from a face of the first nut and second nut and tapering from a larger opening down to the diameter of a threaded portion of the first nut and second nut; which threaded portion of the first nut and second nut has threads that mate with threads of the specified threaded rod;\na ferrule having an inside diameter defined by a lengthwise bore of a predetermined length that permits the ferrule to be positioned on a threaded lengthwise portion of the specified threaded rod, the ferrule being a non-resilient continuous ring having a profile with a middle collar portion and distal first and second tapered ends tapering down from the collar portion to distal thin edges; and\ninstructions for use of the fastener kit, the instructions comprising:\ninstruction for positioning the first nut on the specified threaded rod;\ninstruction for positioning the ferrule on the threaded lengthwise portion of the specified threaded rod such that the tapered cavity of the first nut engages the first tapered end of the ferrule;\ninstruction for positioning the second nut on the specified threaded rod such that the tapered cavity of the second nut engages the second tapered end of the ferrule, wherein the predetermined ferrule length and the predetermined tapered cavity depths place the inside face of the first nut at a predetermined distance from the inside face of the second nut; and\ninstructions for forcibly torquing the first nut towards the second nut by a specified force that is predetermined to permanently crimp and deform the material of the ferrule into the threads of the specified threaded rod, thereby providing a predetermined locknut holding force for the fastener kit.","2. The fastener kit of claim 1 wherein:\nthe larger opening of the tapered cavity of the nut has a diameter that is greater than or equal to a maximum outside diameter of the ferrule.","3. The fastener kit of claim 2 wherein the ferrule has a flange that extends radially outward.","4. The fastener kit of claim 3 wherein the flange has a high friction surface on at least one of an axially front face and an axially back face.","5. The fastener kit of claim 1 wherein the ferrule bore has threads mated to the threads of the rod.","6. The fastener kit of claim 1 further comprising the specified threaded rod.","7. The fastener kit of claim 1 wherein the specified threaded rod is a bolt.","8. The fastener kit of claim 1 wherein, according to design, the amount of force that is sufficient to crimp the ferrule into the threads of the specified threaded rod is an amount that achieves a stated fraction of a turn after the first and second nuts contact the first and second ferrule ends, respectively.","9. The fastener kit of claim 1 wherein a Fastener Standard strength specification for a nut is achieved by the nut with the tapered cavity by having an extended axial thickness sufficient to maintain a threaded portion of the nut that is in accord with requirements of the Fastener Standard strength specification.","10. The fastener kit of claim 1 wherein the nut has a tapered cavity on both axial faces of the nut.","11. The fastener kit of claim 1 wherein the ferrule has a lesser outside diameter at either or both of the ends than it does between the ends.","12. The fastener kit of claim 1 wherein the ferrule has one or more weakened portions for reducing the amount of force that is sufficient to crimp the ferrule against the threads of the specified threaded rod.","13. The fastener kit of claim 12 wherein the ferrule is weakened by one or more radially open slots.","14. The fastener kit of claim 12 wherein a portion of the ferrule is weakened by reduced thickness.","15. The fastener kit of claim 1 wherein a wall of the cavity in the nut has a radially extending groove or ridge feature.","16. The fastener kit of claim 1 wherein the nut face with the tapered cavity has a high friction surface feature.","17. The fastener kit of claim 16 wherein the high friction surface feature comprises radial serrations.","18. The fastener kit of claim 17 wherein the radial serrations have a ramped sawtooth shape for interlocking with complementary mating ramps on an adjacent surface."],["1. A cast-in-place anchor assembly for anchoring objects to a concrete structure after concrete pouring and concrete setting, the objects fastened to an elongated load bearing member which is connected to the anchor assembly, the cast-in-place anchor assembly comprising:\nan anchor housing, the anchor housing including an opening therein along a longitudinal axis thereof for receiving the elongate load bearing member, the anchor housing also including a jaw assembly housed in the anchor housing, the jaw assembly for lockingly engaging and axially constraining the elongate load bearing member relative to the anchor housing,\nthe jaw assembly including separable jaws and a bias member for biasing the jaws toward each other, the jaw assembly including a reconfigurable lock,\nwherein, in a first anchor assembly configuration, the reconfigurable lock has a first configuration that allows the jaws to move axially relative to the anchor housing and in a second anchor assembly configuration the reconfigurable lock reconfigures axially to limit the relative axial movement of the jaws.","2. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 1, wherein the jaw assembly further includes a compressible member between the jaws and the anchor housing.","3. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 1, wherein the reconfigurable lock is a flexible member and the elongated load bearing member is threaded.","4. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 1, wherein the reconfigurable lock is an expandable member.","5. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 1, wherein the reconfigurable lock structure is a metal member.","6. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 1, wherein the reconfigurable lock structure is a contractible member.","7. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 2, wherein the lock is between the bias member and the separable jaws.","8. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 2, wherein the limiting of relative axial movement of the jaws is a result of trapping the jaws between the reconfigurable lock structure and the compressible member.","9. A cast-in-place anchor assembly for anchoring objects to a concrete structure after concrete pouring and concrete setting, the objects fastened to an elongated load bearing member which is connected to the anchor assembly, the cast-in-place anchor assembly comprising:\nan anchor housing, the anchor housing including an opening therein along a longitudinal axis thereof for receiving the elongate load bearing member, the anchor housing also including a jaw assembly housed in the anchor housing, the jaw assembly for lockingly engaging and axially constraining the elongate load bearing member relative to the anchor housing,\nthe jaw assembly including separable jaws and a bias member for biasing the jaws toward each other, the jaws including a reconfigurable lock structure,\nwherein, in a first anchor assembly configuration, the reconfigurable lock structure has a first configuration that allows the jaws to move axially relative to the anchor housing and in a second anchor assembly configuration the reconfigurable lock structure reconfigures by compression of the compressible member to further limit the relative axial movement of the jaws,\nwherein the reconfigurable lock is ring-shaped flexible member.","10. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 9, wherein the jaw assembly further includes a compressible member between the jaws and the anchor housing.","11. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 9, wherein the separable jaws include threaded interior surfaces.","12. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 9, wherein the separable jaws include a separator projection thereon, and wherein the separator projection includes an inclined surface.","13. A cast-in-place anchor assembly for anchoring objects to a concrete structure after concrete pouring and concrete setting, the objects fastened to an elongated load bearing member which is connected to the anchor assembly, the cast-in-place anchor assembly comprising:\nan anchor housing, the anchor housing including an opening therein along a longitudinal axis thereof for receiving the elongate load bearing member, the anchor housing also including a jaw assembly housed in an anchor assembly, the anchor assembly for lockingly engaging and axially constraining the elongate load bearing member relative to the anchor housing,\nthe jaw assembly including separable jaws and the anchor assembly including a bias member for biasing the separable jaws toward each other, the anchor assembly further including a reconfigurable lock and wherein,\nin a first configuration the reconfigurable lock is able to move axially within the anchor housing, and in a second configuration the lock is constrained axially within the anchor housing to limit axial movement of the separable jaws.","14. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 13, wherein the reconfigurable lock is disposed above the separable jaws and wherein.","15. The case-in-place anchor assembly of claim 14, wherein the limiting axial movement of the separable jaws is a result of trapping the jaws between the reconfigurable lock and the compressible member.","16. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 14, wherein the separable jaws include a separator projection thereon, and wherein the separator projection includes an inclined surface.","17. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 16, wherein the inclined surface has a decreasing radius moving axially away from a bottom of the separable jaws.","18. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 17, wherein a threaded rod inserted into the opening along the longitudinal axis engages the inclined surface to urge lower ends of the jaws radially outward.","19. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 17, wherein the inclined surface is positioned on the separable jaws distal from a separation plane of the jaws so that a force caused by the elongate load bearing member against the inclined surface acts generally perpendicular to the separation plane."],["1. An apparatus comprising:\na hollow rod including an inner portion, a first outer portion, and a second outer portion between the first outer portion and the inner portion, the inner portion including a first thickness, the second outer portion including a second thickness less than the first thickness, wherein the second thickness is a uniform thickness extending between the inner portion and the first outer portion, and the first outer portion including a conical thickness that varies from the second thickness to a third thickness less than the second thickness, the first outer portion and the second outer portion including first threads;\na threadless rod partially positioned in the hollow rod; and\na conical nut including second threads to engage the first threads, the conical nut to couple the hollow rod and the threadless rod.","2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first outer portion and the second outer portion of the hollow rod are defined by intermittent tabs extending from a body of the hollow rod defined by the inner portion.","3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second outer portion includes a first section and a second section, and wherein the second section is threadless.","4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the threadless rod includes a bearing.","5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the inner portion is a first inner portion, wherein the hollow rod includes a second inner portion between the first inner portion and the second outer portion, wherein the second inner portion includes a fourth thickness greater than the first thickness.","6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first inner portion and the second inner portion include a same inner diameter.","7. An apparatus comprising:\na first rod including a body and tabs extending from a longitudinal end of the body, the tabs positioned around an opening at the longitudinal end, the tabs including a first portion in connection with the longitudinal end and a second portion in connection with the first portion, the first portion including a non-conical thickness, the second portion including a conical thickness, the first portion and the second portion including first threads;\na second rod to be positioned in the opening; and\na conical nut including second threads complementary to the first threads.","8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the second rod is threadless.","9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the body of the first rod includes a first portion and a second portion positioned between the tabs and the first portion, wherein the first portion includes a first thickness, and wherein the second portion includes a second thickness different from the first thickness.","10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first portion and the second portion of the body of the first rod include an inner diameter that corresponds with the opening.","11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the second threads engage the first threads of the first portion without engaging the first threads of the second portion when the conical nut is a first distance from the longitudinal end, and wherein the second threads engage the first threads of the first portion and the first threads of the second portion when the conical nut is a second distance from the longitudinal end, the second distance smaller than the first distance.","12. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the non-conical thickness includes a first thickness size, and wherein the conical thickness defines an adjustment from the first thickness size to a second thickness size smaller than the first thickness size.","13. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein an end of the second rod includes a bearing.","14. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the non-conical thickness defines a uniform thickness between an inner surface of the first portion and an inner edge of the first threads of the first portion.","15. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the first portion of the tabs includes a first section and a second section, and wherein the second section is threadless.","16. An apparatus comprising:\nfirst means for bearing to couple to a first structure;\nsecond means for bearing to couple to a second structure;\nmeans for containing at least a portion of the first means for bearing and at least a portion of the second means for bearing, wherein the portion of the first means for bearing and the portion of the second means for bearing contained by the means for containing is adjustable independent of an orientation of the first means for bearing or the second means for bearing;\nfirst means for coupling the means for containing to the first means for bearing, the first means for coupling including means for constricting the means for containing around the first means for bearing and means for engaging without constricting the means for containing; and\nsecond means for coupling the means for containing to the second means for bearing.","17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein a position of the first means for bearing is translatably and rotatably adjustable relative to the means for containing when the means for engaging without constricting of the first means for coupling is engaged with the means for containing.","18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein a rotational adjustment of the first means for bearing is independent of a translational adjustment of the first means for bearing."],["1. A shockproof nut kit comprising an upper nut (1) and a lower nut (2), wherein an end surface of the upper nut (1) is provided with an elliptic cylinder boss (12); the upper nut is provided with a circular threaded through-hole I (11), and a central axis of the elliptic cylinder boss coincides with a central axis of the threaded through-hole I; on an upper end surface of the elliptic cylinder at a longer planar extension side is provided an unfilled corner (13); a cylindrical groove (22) aligned with the boss of elliptic cylinder shape is concavely formed in an end surface of the lower nut (2); inside the lower nut is provided a circular threaded through-hole II (21), a central axis of the cylindrical groove coincides with a central axis of the threaded through-hole II, and a bore diameter of the threaded through-hole I (11) is the same as a bore diameter of the threaded through-hole II (21); and after being assembled together, the elliptic cylinder boss (12) on the upper nut is in clearance fit with the cylindrical groove (22) in the lower nut.","2. The shockproof nut kit in accordance with claim 1, wherein a maximum opening position of the unfilled corner (13) is located at one third of a diameter of the threaded through-hole I (11).","3. The shockproof nut kit in accordance with claim 1, wherein both an external shape of the upper nut (1) and an external shape of the lower nut (2) are hexagonal."],["1. A locking system for a connection between two parts, comprising:\na first part;\na second part for connection with the first part; and\nan interfering member, the member constructed and arranged to permit connection and thereafter, to prevent separation of the parts.","2. The system of claim 1, wherein the interfering member is a resilient member.","3. The system of claim 2, wherein the first part has male threads and the second part has female threads and the connection is a threaded connection.","4. The system of claim 3, wherein the resilient member is a compressible snap ring having a variable circumference.","5. The system of claim 4, wherein, prior to the connection being made, the snap ring is at least partially housed in an outer surface of the first part.","6. The system of claim 5, wherein the snap ring is at least partially housed in a groove formed in the outer surface.","7. The system of claim 6, wherein when the threaded connection is made, the snap ring is partially housed in the groove in the outer surface and partially housed in a grooved formed in an inner surface of the second part.","8. The system of claim 7, wherein when the threaded connection is made, interference between parts and the snap ring prevents axial movement of one part relative to the other part.","9. The system of claim 8, wherein the inner surface of the second part includes a tapered surface constructed and arranged to reduce the circumference of the snap ring as the parts are threaded together.","10. The system of claim 9, further including a second snap ring adjacent the snap ring wherein both snap rings are housed in the grooves.","11. The system of claim 9, further including a preloading member installed between the first and second parts for placing a preload on the threaded connection after the connection is made.","12. The system of claim 11, wherein the preload member is a spring located in a distal end of the second part, the spring compressible by the first part when the connection is made.","13. A method of locking two parts together, comprising:\nproviding a first part having male threads, a second part having female threads, a snap ring housed in a groove on the outer surface of the first part and a groove formed on an inner surface of the second part;\nconnecting the parts together by threading; and\nlocking the parts together by causing the snap ring to be housed in both grooves, thereby creating interference between the threaded members."],["1. A lock nut assembly configured to couple to a threaded bolt, the lock nut assembly comprising:\na base nut having a bore with an angled inner wall defining an angled ramp portion, the base nut bore configured to receive the threaded bolt; and\na lock nut having an angled outer wall defining a wedge portion, the lock nut configured to threadably engage the threaded bolt such that the wedge portion is driven into the angled ramp portion, the angled inner wall configured to force the wedge portion to exert a clamping force against the threaded bolt to lock the base nut in place.","2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the base nut further includes a threaded inner bore configured to threadably engage the threaded bolt.","3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein a plurality of slits is formed in the lock nut wedge portion to define at least one tab.","4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein six slits are formed in the lock nut wedge portion to define six tabs, wherein the angled inner wall is configured to facilitate movement of the tabs inwardly to exert the clamping force against the threaded bolt.","5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the threaded bolt defines a bolt axis, the angled inner wall oriented at a first angle relative to the bolt axis, and the angled outer wall oriented at a second angle relative to the bolt axis, wherein the second angle is less than the first angle.","6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the base nut is hexagonal.","7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the lock nut is hexagonal.","8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the lock nut includes a threaded inner bore configured to threadably engage the threaded bolt.","9. A lock nut assembly configured to couple to a threaded bolt, the lock nut assembly comprising:\na base nut having a threaded first bore and a second bore with an angled inner wall defining an angled ramp portion, the base nut threaded bore configured to receive and threadably engage the threaded bolt; and\na lock nut having an angled outer wall defining a wedge portion, a plurality of slits formed in the wedge portion and extending from a first end of the lock nut, the plurality of slits defining a plurality of tabs of the wedge portion,\nwherein the lock nut includes a threaded third bore configured to threadably engage the threaded bolt such that the wedge portion is driven into the angled ramp portion, the angled inner wall configured to force the plurality of tabs to exert a clamping force against the threaded bolt to lock the base nut in place.","10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the base nut and the lock nut are hexagonal.","11. The assembly of claim 10, wherein the threaded bolt defines a bolt axis, the angled inner wall oriented at a first angle relative to the bolt axis, and the angled outer wall oriented at a second angle relative to the bolt axis, wherein the second angle is less than the first angle.","12. A method of fabricating a lock nut assembly configured to couple to a threaded bolt, the method comprising:\nforming a base nut having a bore with an angled inner wall defining an angled ramp portion, the base nut bore configured to receive the threaded bolt; and\nforming a lock nut having an angled outer wall defining a wedge portion, the lock nut configured to threadably engage the threaded bolt such that the wedge portion is driven into the angled ramp portion, the angled inner wall configured to force the wedge portion to exert a clamping force against the threaded bolt to lock the base nut in place."]],"string":"[\n [\n \"1. An anchor rod support, comprising:\\na) a support having a floor and at least three legs extending downwardly from the floor with openings between the legs, the floor including a through opening, the support is embedded in concrete; and\\nb) the support including threads for attaching thereto an anchor rod.\",\n \"2. An anchor embedded in concrete for supporting a load, comprising:\\na) a rod having a first threaded end portion embedded in concrete;\\nb) a support embedded in the concrete, the support having a floor and legs;\\nc) the support including threads for attaching the first threaded end portion to the support; and\\nd) the legs are wedge-shaped, extending wide to narrow from the floor.\",\n \"3. An anchor as in claim 2, wherein the support is molded.\",\n \"4. A holder for an anchor rod, comprising:\\na) a support without legs, the support including a floor portion, the support including a plurality of openings for receiving respective nails for attaching the support to a concrete form;\\nb) the support including a central threaded opening in the floor portion for threadedly receiving an end portion of an anchor rod; and\\nc) the floor portion including a top surface and a bottom surface, the bottom surface is flat across the floor portion so as to lay on a surface of a concrete form prior to the support being embedded in concrete in the concrete form.\",\n \"5. An anchor embedded in concrete for supporting a load, comprising:\\na) a rod having a first end portion embedded in concrete and a second end portion for attachment to a load;\\nb) an anchor body threaded to the first end portion, the anchor body being embedded in concrete, the anchor body including a through opening;\\nc) the anchor body including a first cylindrical portion; and\\nd) the anchor body includes a second cylindrical portion, the first cylindrical portion including a larger diameter than the second cylindrical portion, the second cylindrical portion being disposed closer to the second end portion than the first cylindrical portion.\",\n \"6. An anchor embedded in concrete for supporting a load, comprising:\\na) a rod having a first end portion embedded in concrete and a second end portion for attachment to a load;\\nb) an anchor body threaded to the first end portion, the anchor body being embedded in concrete;\\nc) the anchor body including a cylindrical portion, the cylindrical portion including a bottom end portion;\\nd) a circumferential groove disposed at the bottom end portion; and\\ne) a split ring is disposed in the circumferential groove, the split ring including a portion extending beyond a surface of the cylindrical portion.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor assembly comprising:\\na curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor array including:\\n(a) a plurality of curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchors, each curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor including an anchor body including:\\n(i) a threaded leveler receiver having a first inner diameter, and\\n(ii) a threaded fastener receiver connected to and extending from the leveler receiver, wherein the fastener receiver has a second inner diameter different than the first inner diameter;\\n(b) for each curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor, a leveler threadably receivable by the leveler receiver of said curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor such that, when the leveler is threadably received by the leveler receiver, the leveler is rotatable relative to the anchor body of said curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor, wherein the leveler defines an opening therethrough and the opening is sized such that, when the leveler is threadably received by the leveler receiver, a fastener can extend through the opening and be threadably received by the fastener receiver, wherein the leveler includes a leveler head and a coaxial leveler body connected to and extending from the leveler head; and\\n(c) an anchor connector connecting the plurality of curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchors; and\\na protective cover removably attachable to the curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor array, wherein the protective cover includes, for each leveler, a leveler head engager configured to engage and removably attach to the leveler head of said leveler.\",\n \"2. The curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor assembly of claim 1, wherein, for each curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor, the first inner diameter is greater than the second inner diameter.\",\n \"3. The curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor assembly of claim 1, wherein, for each curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor, the leveler receiver of said curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor and the fastener receiver of said curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor are coaxial.\",\n \"4. The curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor assembly of claim 1, wherein, for each leveler, the opening has a hexagonal profile.\",\n \"5. The curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor assembly of claim 1, wherein, for each leveler, the leveler body of said leveler is being-threadably receivable by the leveler receiver of the corresponding curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor such that, when the leveler body is threadably received by the leveler receiver, the leveler head of said leveler is exterior to the leveler receiver and the leveler is rotatable relative to the anchor body of said curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor.\",\n \"6. A curtain wall panel bracket leveling system comprising:\\na curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor array including:\\n(a) a plurality of curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchors, each curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor including an anchor body including:\\n(i) a threaded leveler receiver, and\\n(ii) a threaded fastener receiver connected to and extending from the leveler receiver;\\n(b) for each curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor, a leveler threadably receivable by the leveler receiver of said curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor and rotatable relative to the anchor body, wherein the leveler defines an opening therethrough and the opening is sized such that, when the leveler is threadably received by the leveler receiver, a fastener can extend through the opening and be threadably received by the fastener receiver; and\\n(c) an anchor connector connecting the plurality of curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchors;\\na panel bracket mountable to the plurality of curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchors, said panel bracket defining a plurality of mounting openings therethrough; and\\na plurality of leveler rotation preventers, each leveler rotation preventer including one or more locking tabs, each locking tab configured to extend through one of the plurality of mounting openings of the panel bracket and engage one of the levelers to prevent the leveler from rotating relative to the anchor body of the corresponding curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor.\",\n \"7. The curtain wall panel bracket leveling system of claim 6, wherein, for each curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor, the leveler receiver and the fastener receiver of said curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor are coaxial.\",\n \"8. The curtain wall panel bracket leveling system of claim 7, wherein, for each curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor, the panel bracket is mountable to said curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor via a threaded fastener inserted through an opening through one of the leveler rotation preventers, inserted through the opening defined through one of the threaded levelers, and threadably received by the fastener receiver.\",\n \"9. The curtain wall panel bracket leveling system of claim 6, wherein an upper surface of the panel bracket includes a plurality of first teeth and a lower surface of each of the plurality of leveler rotation preventers includes a plurality of corresponding second teeth configured to engage and interlock with the first teeth of the panel bracket.\",\n \"10. A curtain wall panel bracket leveling system comprising:\\n(a) a curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor including an anchor body including:\\n(i) a threaded leveler receiver, and\\n(ii) a threaded fastener receiver connected to and extending from the leveler receiver;\\n(b) a leveler threadably receivable by the leveler receiver of the curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor and rotatable relative to the anchor body, wherein the leveler defines an opening therethrough and the opening is sized such that, when the leveler is threadably received by the leveler receiver, a fastener can extend through the opening and be threadably received by the fastener receiver; and\\n(c) a leveler rotation preventer including one or more locking tabs, each locking tab configured to engage the leveler to prevent the leveler from rotating relative to the anchor body.\",\n \"11. The curtain wall panel bracket panel bracket leveling system of claim 10, which includes the fastener that can be threadably received by the fastener receiver.\",\n \"12. A curtain wall panel bracket leveling system comprising:\\na curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor array including:\\n(a) a plurality of curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchors, each curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor including an anchor body including:\\n(i) a leveler receiver, and\\n(ii) a fastener receiver coaxial with and extending from the leveler receiver;\\n(b) for each curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor, a leveler threadably received by the leveler receiver of said curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor and rotatable relative to the anchor body, the leveler defining an opening therethrough; and\\n(c) an anchor connector connecting the plurality of curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchors;\\na panel bracket mountable to the plurality of curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchors, said panel bracket defining a plurality of mounting openings therethrough; and\\na plurality of leveler rotation preventers, each leveler rotation preventer defining an opening therethrough and including one or more locking tabs, each locking tab configured to engage one of the levelers to prevent the leveler from rotating relative to the corresponding curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor,\\nwherein the panel bracket is mountable to each curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor via a threaded fastener inserted through the opening through one of the leveler rotation preventers, inserted through the opening defined through one of the threaded levelers, and threadably received by the fastener receiver.\",\n \"13. A curtain wall panel bracket leveling system comprising:\\na curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor array including:\\n(a) a plurality of curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchors, each curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor including an anchor body including:\\n(i) a leveler receiver, and\\n(ii) a fastener receiver extending from the leveler receiver;\\n(b) for each curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor, a leveler threadably received by the leveler receiver of said curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor and rotatable relative to the anchor body; and\\n(c) an anchor connector connecting the plurality of curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchors;\\na panel bracket mountable to the plurality of curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchors, said panel bracket defining a plurality of mounting openings therethrough and having an upper surface including a plurality of first teeth; and\\na plurality of leveler rotation preventers, each leveler rotation preventer including:\\n(a) a lower surface including a plurality of second teeth configured to engage and interlock with the first teeth of the panel bracket; and\\n(b) one or more locking tabs, each locking tab configured to engage one of the levelers to prevent the leveler from rotating relative to the corresponding curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A concrete anchor assembly, comprising:\\na) an anchor body including a rod portion and a head portion;\\nb) the head portion extending laterally from the rod portion, the head portion including a threaded bore;\\nc) the rod portion including an internally threaded bore, the rod body portion including an outside thread; and\\nd) a holder for the anchor body, the holder including an opening opposite the head portion configured to receive a fastener to attach to the anchor body.\",\n \"2. A concrete anchor assembly as in claim 1, wherein the internally threaded bore includes multiple diameters.\",\n \"3. A concrete anchor assembly as in claim 1, and further comprising a nut threaded to the outside thread of the rod portion.\",\n \"4. A concrete anchor assembly as in claim 1, wherein the holder includes a sleeve portion threaded to the rod portion.\",\n \"5. A concrete anchor assembly as in claim 4, wherein:\\na) the holder includes a base portion; and\\nb) the sleeve portion extends to the base portion.\",\n \"6. A concrete anchor assembly as in claim 3, wherein:\\na) the nut includes a first thread and a second thread; and\\nb) the first thread for threading to the rod portion.\",\n \"7. A concrete anchor assembly as in claim 6, wherein:\\na) the second thread includes a major diameter larger than a major diameter of the internally threaded bore; and\\nb) the second thread includes a major diameter less than a major diameter of the outside thread.\",\n \"8. A concrete anchor assembly, comprising:\\na) a holder;\\nb) an anchor body attached to the holder;\\nc) the holder including an opening for providing an access opening for a threaded portion of a fastener to attach to the anchor body;\\nd) the anchor body including a bottom opening; and\\ne) a split body disposed inside the anchor body, the split body including a threaded opening disposed over the bottom opening.\",\n \"9. A concrete anchor assembly as in claim 8, wherein the anchor body includes a flange portion.\",\n \"10. A concrete anchor assembly as in claim 8, wherein the anchor body is threaded to the holder.\",\n \"11. A concrete anchor assembly as in claim 8, wherein:\\na) the anchor body includes a head portion and a body portion; and\\nb) the body portion includes outside thread.\",\n \"12. A concrete anchor assembly as in claim 11, wherein the body portion is threaded to the holder.\",\n \"13. A concrete anchor assembly as in claim 8, and further comprising nails attached to the holder.\",\n \"14. A concrete anchor assembly as in claim 8, and further comprising nails attached to the anchor body.\",\n \"15. A concrete anchor assembly as in claim 9, and further comprising nail shafts attached to the flange portion.\",\n \"16. A concrete anchor assembly as in claim 11, wherein the head portion includes threaded bore.\",\n \"17. A concrete anchor assembly as in claim 8, wherein the holder includes a plug portion with the opening.\",\n \"18. A concrete anchor assembly as in claim 8, wherein the bottom opening communicates with the opening of the holder.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A coupling assembly, comprising:\\na) a body for being embedded in concrete, the body including a first end and an opposite second end, the body including a threaded opening;\\nb) a first rod and a second rod threaded to the first end and the second end, respectively;\\nc) the first rod for being embedded in concrete and the second rod for being attached to a load;\\nd) the body including a sight hole communicating with the threaded opening to provide a check on depth of penetration of the first rod in the threaded opening;\\ne) the threaded opening including a first portion at the first end and a second portion at the second end; and\\nf) the first portion and the second portion have unequal diameters.\",\n \"2. The coupling assembly as in claim 1, wherein the body includes a longitudinal axis.\",\n \"3. The coupling assembly as in claim 2, wherein the body includes shoulder portion extending transversely from the longitudinal axis.\",\n \"4. The coupling assembly as in claim 1, wherein the body is cylindrical.\",\n \"5. The coupling assembly as in claim 1, wherein the sight hole is disposed at a juncture inside the body between the first portion and the second portion.\",\n \"6. The coupling assembly as in claim 1, wherein a nut locks the first rod to the body.\",\n \"7. The coupling assembly as in claim 1, wherein the first rod is operably attached to a holder.\",\n \"8. The coupling assembly as in claim 7, wherein:\\na) the holder includes a base portion with a central portion; and\\nb) the central portion includes a base opening for receiving an end portion of the first rod.\",\n \"9. The coupling assembly as in claim 8, wherein the base opening is threaded.\",\n \"10. The coupling assembly as in claim 8, wherein the base opening includes a through opening.\",\n \"11. The coupling assembly as in claim 8, wherein the base opening includes a stop member.\",\n \"12. The coupling assembly as in claim 8, wherein the base portion is circular in plan view.\",\n \"13. The coupling assembly as in claim 8, wherein a plurality of arm portions extend outwardly from the base portion.\",\n \"14. The coupling assembly as in claim 8, wherein leg portions extend downwardly from the base portion.\",\n \"15. The coupling assembly as in claim 1, wherein the first rod has a smaller diameter than the second rod.\",\n \"16. A coupling assembly, comprising:\\na) a body including a first end and an opposite second end, the body including a threaded opening;\\nb) a first rod and a second rod threaded to the first end and the second end, respectively;\\nc) the first rod for being anchored in concrete and the second rod for being attached to a load;\\nd) the body including a sight hole communicating with the threaded opening to provide a check on depth of penetration of the first rod in the threaded opening; and\\ne) a nut locks the first rod to the body.\",\n \"17. A coupling assembly, comprising:\\na) a body including a first end and an opposite second end, the body including a threaded opening;\\nb) a first rod and a second rod threaded to the first end and the second end, respectively;\\nc) the first rod for being anchored in concrete and the second rod for being attached to a load;\\nd) the body including a sight hole communicating with the threaded opening to provide a check on depth of penetration of the first rod in the threaded opening;\\ne) the first rod is operably attached to a holder; and\\nf) the holder including a base portion with a central portion, the central portion including a base opening for receiving an end portion of the first rod.\",\n \"18. The coupling assembly as in claim 17, wherein the base opening is threaded.\",\n \"19. The coupling assembly as in claim 17, wherein the base opening includes a through opening.\",\n \"20. The coupling assembly as in claim 17, wherein:\\na) a plurality of arm portions extend outwardly from the base portion; and\\nb) leg portions extend downwardly from the base portion.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. An anchor embedded in concrete for supporting a load, comprising:\\na) a one-piece anchor body including an opening;\\nb) a rod attached to the opening, the anchor body and the rod being embedded in concrete with a portion of the rod extending outside the concrete;\\nc) the anchor body including a top surface and a bottom surface and a side surface between the top surface and the bottom surface, the top surface being disposed below a surface of the concrete to generate a first shear cone when load is applied to the portion in a direction away from the surface of the concrete; and\\nd) the anchor body including a bearing surface extending outwardly from the side surface, the bearing surface intersecting the side surface uninterrupted in a complete loop around the side surface, the bearing surface being disposed below the top surface such that the bearing surface is disposed in the concrete deeper than the top surface to generate a second shear cone larger than the first shear cone when the load is applied to the portion of the rod.\",\n \"2. The anchor as in claim 1, wherein:\\na) the anchor body includes a circular cross-section; and\\nb) the bearing surface is circumferentially disposed around the anchor body.\",\n \"3. The anchor as in claim 1, wherein the side surface is cylindrical.\",\n \"4. The anchor as in claim 1, wherein the opening is threaded.\",\n \"5. The anchor as in claim 1, wherein the side surface includes a conical surface.\",\n \"6. The anchor as in claim 1, wherein the side surface includes a convex surface.\",\n \"7. The anchor as in claim 1, wherein the anchor body is wedge-shaped.\",\n \"8. The anchor as in claim 1, wherein the side surface includes thread.\",\n \"9. The anchor as in claim 1, wherein the anchor body includes a rectangular cross-section above the bearing surface.\",\n \"10. The anchor as in claim 1, wherein the side surface proceeds downwardly and inwardly toward the bearing surface.\",\n \"11. The anchor as in claim 10, wherein the anchor body includes a plurality of the bearing surface arranged vertically in series between the top surface and the bottom surface.\",\n \"12. The anchor as in claim 1, wherein the bearing surface is attached to the side surface with a curved surface.\",\n \"13. The anchor as in claim 1, wherein the bottom surface includes a recess.\",\n \"14. The anchor as in claim 1, wherein the top surface forms an edge surface around the opening.\",\n \"15. The anchor as in claim 1, wherein the bottom surface and the bearing surface form a shoulder.\",\n \"16. The anchor as in claim 1, wherein the bearing surface extends uniformly with respect to the side surface around the anchor body.\",\n \"17. The anchor as in claim 1, wherein the top surface and the bottom surface are rectangular.\",\n \"18. The anchor as in claim 1, wherein the anchor body is tubular.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. An anchor assembly for attaching to a metal deck, comprising:\\na) a body for being inserted into an opening in a metal deck, the body including an outside vertical wall, the body including an opening;\\nb) the body including arms extending outwardly from the vertical wall, the arms being collapsible toward the body when the body is inserted into the opening in the metal deck and expanding outwardly after passing the opening to be disposed below the metal deck;\\nc) a support attached to the body to keep the body fastened to the metal deck;\\nd) an anchor received within the opening of the body, the anchor including a bottom end disposed above the metal deck; and\\ne) the body including a projection inside the opening of the body to prevent the bottom end of the anchor from extending below the metal deck.\",\n \"2. An anchor assembly as in claim 1, wherein the bottom end of the anchor includes a threaded bore.\",\n \"3. An anchor assembly as in claim 1, wherein the bottom end of the anchor includes multiple diameter threaded bores.\",\n \"4. An anchor assembly as in claim 2, wherein a cap is attached to the bottom end to cover the threaded bore.\",\n \"5. An anchor assembly as in claim 1, and further comprising:\\na) a coupling disposed within the opening of the body; and\\nb) the bottom end of the anchor is attached to the coupling.\",\n \"6. An anchor assembly for attaching to a metal deck, comprising:\\na) a body for being inserted into an opening in a metal deck, the body including an outside vertical wall, the body including an opening;\\nb) the body including arms extending outwardly from the vertical wall, the arms being collapsible toward the body when the body is inserted into the opening in the metal deck and expanding outwardly after passing the opening to be disposed below the metal deck;\\nc) a support attached to the body to keep the body fastened to the metal deck;\\nd) an anchor including a bottom end extending completely through the opening of the body below the metal deck; and\\ne) the bottom end including a threaded bore.\",\n \"7. The anchor assembly as in claim 6, wherein the anchor includes a head portion.\",\n \"8. The anchor assembly as in claim 6, wherein the anchor is a bolt.\",\n \"9. The anchor assembly as in claim 6, and further comprising a cap attached to the bottom end.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A plug for creating a passageway in concrete, comprising:\\na) a main body portion extending upwardly from a base portion, the plug for being attached to a form board with a nail or screw prior to pouring of concrete;\\nb) the main body portion including a central opening for providing access into the concrete;\\nc) the main body including an end portion disposed a distance from the base portion, the end portion for supporting a first anchor body such that a bottom portion of the first anchor body is exposed to direct contact with the concrete; and\\nd) a cap for being disposed over the first anchor body.\",\n \"2. The plug as in claim 1, wherein:\\na) the base portion includes an edge portion with a base opening for receiving the nail or screw; and\\nb) the base opening is configured to allow the nail or screw to separate from the base portion and remain attached to the form board when the form board is removed.\",\n \"3. The plug as in claim 2, wherein the base opening includes a peripheral edge portion with a circumferential slit partway into a thickness of the base portion.\",\n \"4. The plug as in claim 1, wherein:\\na) the base portion includes a base opening within the central opening, the base opening for receiving the nail or screw; and\\nb) the base opening is configured to allow the nail or screw to separate from the base portion and remain attached to the form board when the form board is removed.\",\n \"5. The plug as in claim 4, wherein the base opening includes a peripheral edge portion with a circumferential slit partway into a thickness of the base portion.\",\n \"6. The plug as in claim 1, wherein:\\na) the base portion includes a central portion disposed at a bottom portion of the central opening;\\nb) the central portion is for being attached to the form board with the nail or screw; and\\nc) the central portion is configured to separate from the central opening and remain attached to the form board when the form board is removed.\",\n \"7. The plug as in claim 6, wherein:\\na) the central portion includes a thickness; and\\nb) the central portion includes a circular slit partway into the thickness around the base opening.\",\n \"8. The plug as in claim 1, wherein:\\na) the base portion includes a base opening for receiving the nail or screw within the central opening; and\\nb) the base portion is configured to separate from the main body portion and remain attached to the form board when the form board is removed.\",\n \"9. The plug as in claim 8, wherein the base portion is attached to the main body portion with breakable members.\",\n \"10. The plug as in claim 1, wherein:\\na) the base portion includes an edge portion with a base opening for receiving the nail or screw; and\\nb) the base portion is configured to separate from the main body portion and remain attached to the form board when the form board is removed.\",\n \"11. The plug as in claim 10, wherein:\\na) base portion includes a thickness; and\\nb) the base portion includes a circumferential slit partway into the thickness adjacent a bottom portion of the main body portion.\",\n \"12. The plug as in claim 1, wherein:\\na) the base portion includes a central portion removably received within the central opening;\\nb) the central portion includes a base opening for receiving the nail or screw.\",\n \"13. The plug as in claim 1, wherein the main body portion is separable from the concrete when the form board is removed.\",\n \"14. The plug as in claim 1, and further comprising a first anchor body supported by the end portion.\",\n \"15. The plug as in claim 14, wherein a first opening of the first anchor body is sealed by the end portion.\",\n \"16. The plug as in claim 14, and further comprising a second anchor body operably supported by the end portion.\",\n \"17. The plug as in claim 16, wherein:\\na) the second anchor body includes a second threaded opening with a second diameter; and\\nb) the second anchor body is disposed above the first anchor body.\",\n \"18. The plug as in claim 17, wherein the cap is disposed over the second anchor body.\",\n \"19. The plug as in claim 18, wherein the cap provides a space above the second anchor body.\",\n \"20. The plug as in claim 14, wherein the first anchor body includes a threaded opening with a first diameter and a second diameter.\",\n \"21. The plug as in claim 1, wherein the end portion of the main body portion is threaded.\",\n \"22. The plug as in claim 1, wherein the base portion remains attached to the form board when the form board is removed.\",\n \"23. The plug as in claim 1, wherein:\\na) the base portion includes a central portion disposed at a bottom portion of the central opening; and\\nb) the central portion remains attached to the form board when the form board is removed.\",\n \"24. The plug as in claim 14, wherein the cap includes a marking indicating the diameter and thread size of the first anchor body.\",\n \"25. The plug as in claim 14, wherein the end portion includes outwardly extending arms for supporting the anchor body.\",\n \"26. The plug as in claim 25, wherein:\\na) partly circular members are attached to adjacent arms; and\\nb) the cap is threaded to the partly circular members.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A product comprising:\\na concrete panel having a first primary surface, an opposite second primary surface, and four peripheral edges and having a first reinforcing rib, a second reinforcing rib, a third reinforcing rib, a fourth reinforcing rib and a plurality of intersecting reinforcing rib all extending outwardly from the first primary surface, wherein the first, second, third and fourth reinforcing ribs form the peripheral edge of the concrete panel and the plurality of intersecting reinforcing ribs being disposed so as to form a waffle grid on the first primary surface, wherein the second primary surface of the concrete panel is substantially a continuous plane;\\na layer of insulating material having a first primary surface and an opposite second primary surface, wherein the first primary surface of the layer of insulating material is disposed on the first, second, third and fourth reinforcing ribs and the plurality of intersecting reinforcing ribs and on the first primary surface of the concrete panel and wherein the second primary surface of the layer of insulating material is substantially a continuous plane;\\na layer of reinforcing material disposed on, substantially covering and adhered to the second primary surface of the layer of insulating material, wherein the layer of reinforcing material is made from a fabric, a web or a mesh; and\\na roofing membrane disposed on and attached to the layer of reinforcing material.\",\n \"2. The product of claim 1, wherein the layer of insulating material comprises expanded polystyrene foam, polyisocyanurate foam or polyurethane foam.\",\n \"3. The product of claim 1 further comprising a layer of mortar on the layer of reinforcing material.\",\n \"4. The product of claim 3, wherein the mortar is a polymer modified mortar.\",\n \"5. The roofing system of claim 1 further comprising the concrete panel attached to a pair of horizontally disposed steel roof joists such that the concrete panel is disposed horizontally.\",\n \"6. A product comprising:\\na concrete panel having a first primary surface, an opposite second primary surface, and four peripheral edges and having a first reinforcing rib, a second reinforcing rib, a third reinforcing rib, a fourth reinforcing rib and a plurality of intersecting reinforcing rib all extending outwardly from the first primary surface, wherein the first, second, third and fourth reinforcing ribs form the peripheral edge of the concrete panel and the plurality of intersecting reinforcing ribs being disposed so as to form a waffle grid on the first primary surface, wherein the second primary surface of the concrete panel is substantially a continuous plane;\\nan insulating panel, the panel having a first primary surface and an opposite second primary surface, wherein the first primary surface of the insulating panel is disposed on the first, second, third and fourth reinforcing ribs and the plurality of intersecting reinforcing ribs and on the first primary surface of the concrete panel and wherein the second primary surface of the insulating panel is substantially flat;\\na layer of reinforcing material disposed on, substantially covering and adhered to the second primary surface of the insulating panel, wherein the layer of reinforcing material is made from a fabric, a web or a mesh;\\na layer of mortar on the layer of reinforcing material, and\\na roofing membrane disposed on and attached to the layer of mortar.\",\n \"7. The product of claim 6, wherein the fabric, web or mesh comprises fiberglass, basalt fibers, aramid fibers or carbon fibers.\",\n \"8. The product of claim 7, wherein the mortar is a polymer modified mortar.\",\n \"9. The product of claim 1, wherein the fabric, web or mesh comprises fiberglass, basalt fibers, aramid fibers or carbon fibers.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. An assembling structure of prefabricated concrete component, comprising a half-grout sleeve and an alignment device; wherein\\nthe half-grout sleeve comprises a sleeve, a steel tube transition section, and a self-locking steel frame; wherein\\nthe sleeve comprises a non-grout connection section and a grout connection section; wherein a first section of tube body of the steel tube transition section is fixed in the non-grout connection section, and a second section of tube body of the steel tube transition section extends out of the non-grout connection section to form a rolling section connected to a first to-be-connceted steel bar by a rolling connection;\\nthe self-locking steel frame comprises a plurality of longitudinal guide steel bars, a plurality of tilted steel branches, and a plurality of annular fixing steel rings; wherein the plurality of longitudinal guide steel bars and the plurality of annular fixing steel rings form a cylindrical keel; the plurality of tilted steel branches are circumferentially and radially arranged in the cylindrical keel and fixed slantwise; a first end of each of the plurality of tilted steel branches is located in the cylindrical keel to form an inner barbed structure; a plurality of inner barbed structures surround to form a channel for a second to-be-connceted steel bar to pass; a diameter of the channel is smaller than a diameter of the second to-be-connceted steel bar; a second end of each of the plurality of tilted steel branches is located outside the cylindrical keel to form an outer barbed structure; a diameter of a contour surrounded by the outer barbed structure is larger than a diameter of an inner chamber of the grout connection section;\\nwhen the self-locking steel frame is inserted into the grout connection section, the outer barbed structure closely contact an inner wall of the grout connection section; the channel is coaxial with the steel tube transition section;\\nthe alignment device comprises a control mechanism, at least two sets of bearing mechanisms, and a positioning mechanism; wherein the bearing mechanism comprises a lower bearer and an upper bearer; both of the upper bearer and the lower bearer are electromagnets; the positioning mechanism comprises a first mark and a second mark respectively arranged at a corresponding position of an assembly surface between an upper concrete component and a lower concrete component; the lower bearer is placed at the first mark, and the upper bearer is placed at the second mark; same magnetic poles of the upper bearer and the lower bearer are oppositely arranged to generate a repulsive force;\\nthe upper bearer and the lower bearer are connected in series on a same circuit;\\nthe control mechanism controls a magnitude of the repulsive force between the upper bearer and the lower bearer by controlling the magnitude of the current of the circuit.\",\n \"2. The assembling structure of the prefabricated concrete component according to claim 1, wherein\\nthe non-grout connection section is a truncated cone structure; the grout connection section is a cylindrical structure; a small diameter end of the non-grout connection section is connected to an end of the grout connection section, and a junction thereof has a fillet transition.\",\n \"3. The assembling structure of the prefabricated concrete component according to claim 1, wherein\\na section of tube body of the steel tube transition section is connected and fixed with the non-grout connection section by the thread connection.\",\n \"4. The assembling structure of the prefabricated concrete component according to claim 1, wherein\\nan end of the grout connection section away from the non-grout connection section is provided with a grouting hole; the non-grout connection section is provided an exhaust hole (5110) connected to an inner chamber of the grout connection section.\",\n \"5. The assembling structure of the prefabricated concrete component according to claim 1, wherein\\nthe inner wall of the grout connection section is provided with a spiral raised rib the spiral raised rib tilts from bottom to top toward a side away from the non-grout connection section a first side of the spiral raised rib away from the non-grout connection section is a concave arc surface, and a second side is a convex arc surface; a junction between the first side and the second side of the spiral raised rib and the inner wall of the grout connection section has a fillet transition.\",\n \"6. The assembling structure of the prefabricated concrete component according to claim 1, wherein\\na plurality of anti-shear components are fixed in a cylinder wall of the grout connection section; the plurality of anti-shear components are simultaneously cured and fixed with the grouting material inside the grout connection section and concrete outside the grout connection section.\",\n \"7. The assembling structure of the prefabricated concrete component according to claim 1, wherein\\nthe upper bearer comprises a support plate and a limit plate; the limit plate is vertically fixed at an end part of the support plate and forms an L-shaped structure with the support plate; the support plate is located on an assembly surface of the upper concrete component; and the limit plate is located on a side surface of the upper concrete component.\",\n \"8. The assembling structure of the prefabricated concrete component according to claim 7, wherein\\nthe support plate and the lower bearer both have a hollow structure; an interior of the hollow structure is provided with a coil and an iron core passing through the coil; both of the support plate and the lower bearer are provided with an incoming line port and an outgoing line port; an input end and an output end of the coil are respectively connected to an external circuit through the incoming line port and the outgoing line port.\",\n \"9. The assembling structure of the prefabricated concrete component according to claim 7, wherein\\ntwo adjacent upper bearers and/or two adjacent lower bearers are connected to each other by a connection rod; and the connection rod is a retractable rod.\",\n \"10. The assembling structure of the prefabricated concrete component according to claim 6, wherein\\nopposite sides of two adjacent limit plates are respectively provided with an engaging slot; opposite sides of two adjacent lower bearers are respectively provided with an engaging slot; and two ends of the connection rod are respectively provided with an engaging key matched with the engaging slot.\",\n \"11. The assembling structure of the prefabricated concrete component according to claim 2, wherein\\na section of tube body of the steel tube transition section is connected and fixed with the non-grout connection section by the thread connection.\",\n \"12. The assembling structure of the prefabricated concrete component according to claim 2, wherein\\nthe end of the grout connection section away from the non-grout connection section is provided with a grouting hole; the non-grout connection section is provided an exhaust hole connected to an inner chamber of the grout connection section.\",\n \"13. The assembling structure of the prefabricated concrete component according to claim 2, wherein\\nthe inner wall of the grout connection section is provided with a spiral raised rib;\\nthe spiral raised rib tilts from bottom to top toward a side away from the non-grout connection section; a first side of the spiral raised rib away from the non-grout connection section is a concave arc surface, and a second side is a convex arc surface; a junction between the first side and the second side of the spiral raised rib and the inner wall of the grout connection section has a fillet transition.\",\n \"14. The assembling structure of the prefabricated concrete component according to claim 2, wherein\\na plurality of anti-shear components are fixed in a cylinder wall of the grout connection section; the plurality of anti-shear components are simultaneously cured and fixed with the grouting material inside the grout connection section and concrete outside the grout connection section.\"\n ],\n [\n \"37. A hold down system for a building wall, comprising:\\na) a rigid member for being supported on a horizontal member of a stud wall, the rigid member including an opening;\\nb) an inner cylindrical body disposed inside an outer cylindrical body, the inner cylindrical body being threaded to the outer cylindrical body, a torsional spring disposed around the outer cylindrical body, the torsional spring being operably attached to the inner cylindrical body and the outer cylindrical body to cause rotation of the outer cylindrical body relative to the inner cylindrical body;\\nc) a tie-rod with a lower end portion for being operably anchored to a foundation, the tie-rod extending transversely through the opening and the inner cylindrical body, the inner cylindrical body being operably attached to the tie-rod, the outer cylindrical body bearing on the rigid member; and\\nd) first and second vertical studs with respective bottom ends bearing on the rigid member.\",\n \"38. The hold down system as in claim 37, wherein the rigid member is metal.\",\n \"39. A reinforced building wall, comprising:\\na) a first stud wall having a first top plate;\\nb) a second stud wall above the first stud wall, the second stud wall having a second bottom plate disposed on a subfloor;\\nc) a rigid member disposed on the second bottom plate;\\nd) a tie-rod with a lower end portion for being operably anchored to a foundation, the tie-rod extending through the first top plate, the second bottom plate, and the rigid member;\\ne) a fastener attached to the tie-rod and bearing on the rigid member;\\nf) a first blocking and a second blocking disposed between the first top plate and the subfloor, the tie-rod extending between first blocking and the second blocking.\",\n \"40. The reinforced building wall as in claim 39, wherein the first stud wall includes a first stud with a top end bearing on an underside of the first top plate below the first blocking.\",\n \"41. The reinforced building wall as in claim 39, wherein the second stud wall includes a second stud with a bottom end bearing on the rigid member.\",\n \"42. The reinforced building wall as in claim 39, wherein the fastener includes a nut attached to the tie-rod a spring between the nut and the rigid member.\",\n \"43. The reinforced building wall as in claim 42, wherein:\\na) the spring is associated with a first cylindrical member disposed within a second cylindrical member;\\nb) one of the first and second cylindrical members being movable relative to another one of the first cylindrical member and the second cylindrical member in a first direction; and\\nc) the spring is operably attached to the first cylindrical member and the second cylindrical member to urge the one of the first cylindrical member and the second cylindrical member in the first direction.\",\n \"44. A reinforced building wall, comprising:\\na) a first stud wall having a first top plate;\\nb) a second stud wall above the first stud wall, the second stud wall having a second bottom plate disposed on a subfloor;\\nc) a rigid member disposed on the first top plate;\\nd) a tie-rod with a lower end portion for being operably anchored to a foundation, the tie-rod extending through the first top plate, the second bottom plate, and the rigid member;\\ne) a fastener attached to the tie-rod and bearing on the rigid member.\",\n \"45. The reinforced building wall as in claim 44, wherein a first blocking and a second blocking are disposed between the first top plate and the subfloor, the tie-rod extending between first blocking and the second blocking.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A connection between a rod, an anchor, and a first structural member, the connection comprising:\\na. the first structural member;\\nb. the rod, having a thread with a thread angle; and\\nc. the anchor, connecting the first structural member to the rod, the anchor including a housing, the housing having a bottom and a top, and the anchor having a longitudinal central axis extending through the bottom and the top of the housing, the housing having an insert receiving bore that opens through the bottom of the housing, the insert receiving bore having a narrowing lower portion closer to the bottom than the top of the housing; and wherein a plurality of inserts are disposed in the insert receiving bore and contained securely within the housing, each of the inserts has a base bore interfacing surface that interfaces with the narrowing lower portion of the insert receiving bore of the housing, wherein each insert has a concave inner surface and the plurality of concave inner surfaces form a generally tubular interior rod receiving bore that receives a portion of the rod, and the inserts are sized with respect to the housing such that when the rod is received in the interior rod receiving bore and engages the inserts and moves toward the bottom of the housing, the inserts will be pulled toward the bottom of the housing, and the narrowing in the lower portion of the insert receiving bore causes a constriction of the inserts about the rod forcing them to grasp and hold the rod, the lower portion of the insert receiving bore of the housing has a base-bore first sliding surface disposed at an angle to the longitudinal, central axis of the anchor and when the rod is inserted into the interior rod receiving bore and moves toward the top of the housing, the inserts can be moved away from each other and from the longitudinal, central axis of the housing, allowing the rod to be inserted farther into the housing and towards the top of the housing; and wherein\\nd. the first sliding surface of the housing is set at the same angle as the thread angle of the rod.\",\n \"2. The connection of claim 1, wherein:\\nthe interior rod receiving bore is formed with multiple diameters such that anchors of different diameters can be received by the inserts.\",\n \"3. The connection of claim 1 wherein:\\nthe first structural member is a hardened concrete member, and the anchor is embedded the hardened concrete member.\",\n \"4. A method of forming the connection of claim 1 comprising the steps of:\\na. embedding the anchor in the first structural member; and\\nb. inserting the rod into the interior rod receiving bore of the anchor.\",\n \"5. A connection between a rod, an anchor, and a first structural member, the connection comprising:\\na. the first structural member;\\nb. the rod; and\\nc. the anchor, connecting the first structural member to the rod, the anchor including a housing, the housing having a bottom and a top, and the anchor having a longitudinal central axis extending through the bottom and the top of the housing, the housing having an insert receiving bore that opens through the bottom of the housing, the insert receiving bore having a narrowing lower portion closer to the bottom than the top of the housing; and wherein a plurality of inserts are disposed in the insert receiving bore and contained securely within the housing, each of the inserts has a base bore interfacing surface that interfaces with the narrowing lower portion of the insert receiving bore of the housing, wherein each insert has a concave inner surface and the plurality of concave inner surfaces form a generally tubular interior rod receiving bore that receives a portion of the rod, and the inserts are sized with respect to the housing such that when the rod is received in the interior rod receiving bore and engages the inserts and moves toward the bottom of the housing, the inserts will be pulled toward the bottom of the housing, and the narrowing in the lower portion of the insert receiving bore causes a constriction of the inserts about the rod forcing them to grasp and hold the rod, the lower portion of the insert receiving bore of the housing has a base-bore first sliding surface disposed at an angle to the longitudinal, central axis of the anchor, and above the base first sliding surface is a middle housing wall, and when the rod is inserted into the interior rod receiving bore and moves toward the top of the housing, the inserts can be moved away from each other and from the longitudinal, central axis of the housing, allowing the rod to be inserted farther into the housing and towards the top of the housing;\\nd. the inserts are formed with lower portions where the shape of the base bore interfacing surface causes the insert to taper to a bottom edge of the insert; and\\ne. the middle housing wall has a diameter large enough to contain the lower portions of the inserts when there is a constriction of the inserts about the rod and the inserts grasp and hold the rod;\\nf. the base-bore first sliding surface is frusto-conical in shape; and\\ng. the base bore interfacing surface is frusto-spherical where the base bore interfacing surface makes contact with the base-bore first sliding surface.\",\n \"6. The connection of claim 1, wherein:\\nthe interior rod receiving bore is formed with multiple diameters such that anchors of different diameters can be received by the inserts.\",\n \"7. The connection of claim 1 wherein:\\nthe first structural member is a hardened concrete member, and the anchor is embedded the hardened concrete member.\",\n \"8. A method of forming the connection of claim 1 comprising the steps of:\\na. embedding the anchor in the first structural member; and\\nb. inserting the rod into the interior rod receiving bore of the anchor.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A threaded rod connector comprising:\\na housing having a cavity for receiving a threaded rod therein, the cavity having a mouth for inserting the threaded rod into the cavity; and\\nan insert including a plurality of rod engagement segments arranged within the cavity, each of the rod engagement segments has a mating thread structure for engaging the thread of the threaded rod,\\nthe cavity having a tapered zone tapering towards the mouth of the cavity for wedging the rod engagement segments against the threaded rod, the insert further including a plurality of segment carrying arms, each of the segment carrying arms carrying at least one of the rod engagement segments,\\nthe segment carrying arms forming a cage for accommodating the threaded rod,\\nthe insert further includes a collar connected to the segment carrying arms, and interconnecting the segment carrying arms,\\nthe cavity having a collar locking zone, the collar being, at least partly, arranged, in the collar locking zone,\\nthe housing rotationally locking the collar arranged in the collar locking zone to the housing to prevent spinning of the insert within the cavity;\\nthe rod engagement segments being unbiased within the housing when the threaded rod is not inserted.\",\n \"2. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein an engagement surface is provided on the collar, and within the collar locking zone, the cavity mates with the engagement surface to rotationally lock the collar arranged in the collar locking zone to the housing.\",\n \"3. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein the segment carrying arms project from the collar towards the mouth of the cavity.\",\n \"4. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein the collar has a rod accommodation hole for accommodating the threaded rod.\",\n \"5. The connector as recited in claim 4 wherein the rod accommodation hole is a through hole.\",\n \"6. The connector as recited in claim 5 wherein the rod accommodation hole is axially aligned with the cage of the segment carrying arms and with a receiving space located between the rod engagement segments.\",\n \"7. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein the collar radially projects over the cage.\",\n \"8. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein the insert is rotationally locked to the housing only at the collar.\",\n \"9. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein the collar has axial play within the collar locking zone.\",\n \"10. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein the insert has spring-tensionless axial play within the cavity.\",\n \"11. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein the insert is monolithic.\",\n \"12. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein the collar is C-shaped or a closed ring.\",\n \"13. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein the rod engagement segments are shell shaped and surround a receiving space for the threaded rod.\",\n \"14. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein the mating thread structure is a continuous cut-out of an internal thread.\",\n \"15. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein each of the segment carrying arms includes a segment connection end and an interconnection end, wherein the segment connection end and the interconnection end are located on opposite ends of the segment carrying arm.\",\n \"16. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein the segment carrying arms are parallel to each other and parallel to a longitudinal axis of the insert.\",\n \"17. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein the collar interconnects the rod engagement segments indirectly via the segment carrying arms.\",\n \"18. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein the insert is elastic.\",\n \"19. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein the collar further comprises an engagement surface.\",\n \"20. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein the rod engagement segments have a chamfered tip on free ends located remote from the segment carrying arms and facing away from the collar.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A mounting device, comprising:\\na treaded stud;\\na body portion defining a cavity oriented along a longitudinal axis of the treaded stud having an opening in which the threaded stud is received, wherein the cavity defines a flexible pawl engaging a thread of the plurality of helical threads of the treaded stud, thereby securing the mounting device to the threaded stud;\\nan elongate element;\\na flexible cable tie separate from the body portion having a cable tie strap and a cable tie head;\\na support portion arranged on a distal end of the body portion opposite the opening having a support surface engaging the elongate element and a first enclosed channel extending along a lateral axis generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, wherein the flexible cable tie is received within the first channel and extends along the lateral axis as the flexible cable tie is wrapped about the elongate element and the cable tie strap is inserted within the cable tie head, thereby securing the elongate element to the body portion.\",\n \"2. A mounting device configured to secure an elongate element to a threaded stud using a flexible cable tie, said mounting device comprising:\\na body portion defining a cavity oriented along a longitudinal axis having an opening configured to receive the stud, wherein the cavity defines a flexible pawl configured to engage a thread of the plurality of helical threads, thereby securing the mounting device to the threaded stud;\\na support portion arranged on a distal end of the body portion opposite the opening having a support surface configured to engage the elongate element and a first enclosed channel arranged along a lateral axis generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, wherein the first channel defines a first pair of cable tie apertures configured to receive the flexible cable tie as it is wrapped about the elongate element, thereby securing the elongate element to the mounting device, wherein the support portion has a side support surface configured to engage the elongate element and wherein the support portion defines a fourth enclosed channel having an axis that is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis and generally parallel to the lateral axis and wherein the fourth channel defines a fourth pair of cable tie apertures configured to receive the flexible cable tie as it is wrapped about the elongate element, thereby securing the elongate element to the mounting device.\",\n \"3. The mounting device according to claim 2, wherein each flexible pawl in the plurality of flexible pawls is arranged opposite another flexible pawl in the plurality of flexible pawls.\",\n \"4. The mounting device according to claim 2, wherein the support portion has a side support surface configured to engage the elongate element, wherein the support portion defines a second enclosed channel having an axis that is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and generally parallel to the lateral axis, and wherein the second channel defines a second pair of cable tie apertures configured to receive the flexible cable tie as it is wrapped about the elongate element, thereby securing the elongate element to the mounting device.\",\n \"5. A mounting device configured to secure an elongate element to a threaded stud using a flexible cable tie, said mounting device comprising:\\na body portion defining a cavity oriented along a longitudinal axis having an opening configured to receive the stud, wherein the cavity defines a flexible pawl configured to engage a thread of the plurality of helical threads, thereby securing the mounting device to the threaded stud;\\na support portion arranged on a distal end of the body portion opposite the opening having a support surface configured to engage the elongate element and a first enclosed channel arranged along a lateral axis generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, wherein the first channel defines a first pair of cable tie apertures configured to receive the flexible cable tie as it is wrapped about the elongate element, thereby securing the elongate element to the mounting device, wherein the support portion has a side support surface configured to engage the elongate element, wherein the support portion defines a second enclosed channel having an axis that is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and generally parallel to the lateral axis, and wherein the second channel defines a second pair of cable tie apertures configured to receive the flexible cable tie as it is wrapped about the elongate element, thereby securing the elongate element to the mounting device, wherein the support portion has another side support surface opposite the side support surface that is configured to engage the elongate element, wherein the support portion defines a third enclosed channel having an axis that is generally parallel to the second enclosed channel and wherein the third channel defines a third pair of cable tie apertures configured to receive the flexible cable tie as it is wrapped about the elongate element, thereby securing the elongate element to the mounting device.\",\n \"6. The mounting device according to claim 2, wherein the cavity defines a plurality of flexible pawls configured to engage the thread of the plurality of helical threads.\",\n \"7. The mounting device according to claim 2, wherein the support portion has another side support surface opposite the side support surface that is configured to engage the elongate element, wherein the support portion defines a fifth enclosed channel having an axis that is generally parallel to the fourth enclosed channel and wherein the fifth channel defines a fifth pair of cable tie apertures configured to receive the flexible cable tie as it is wrapped about the elongate element, thereby securing the elongate element to the mounting device.\",\n \"8. The mounting device according to claim 2, wherein the side support surface is characterized as having a generally concave shape.\",\n \"9. The mounting device according to claim 2, wherein the body portion is characterized as having a generally cylindrical shape.\",\n \"10. The mounting device according to claim 2, wherein the body portion and the cavity is characterized as having an X-shaped cross section, wherein the cavity defines four flexible pawls configured to engage the thread of the plurality of helical threads, and wherein each leg of the X-shaped cavity defines one of the flexible pawls.\",\n \"11. The mounting device according to claim 2, wherein the flexible pawl defines a plurality of teeth configured to engage the plurality of helical threads.\",\n \"12. The mounting device according to claim 2, wherein the support surface is characterized as having a generally circular shape.\",\n \"13. The mounting device according to claim 12, wherein the cavity defines another flexible pawl configured to engage a thread of the plurality of helical threads located opposite the flexible pawl and wherein the flexible pawl and the another flexible pawl are offset by 45 degrees from the lateral axis of the first channel.\",\n \"14. The mounting device according to claim 5, wherein the cavity defines a plurality of flexible pawls configured to engage the thread of the plurality of helical threads.\",\n \"15. The mounting device according to claim 5, wherein each flexible pawl in the plurality of flexible pawls is arranged opposite another flexible pawl in the plurality of flexible pawls.\",\n \"16. The mounting device according to claim 5, wherein the body portion is characterized as having a generally cylindrical shape.\",\n \"17. The mounting device according to claim 5, wherein the body portion and the cavity is characterized as having an X-shaped cross section, wherein the cavity defines four flexible pawls configured to engage the thread of the plurality of helical threads, and wherein each leg of the X-shaped cavity defines one of the flexible pawls.\",\n \"18. The mounting device according to claim 5, wherein the flexible pawl defines a plurality of teeth configured to engage the plurality of helical threads.\",\n \"19. The mounting device according to claim 5, wherein the support surface is characterized as having a generally circular shape.\",\n \"20. The mounting device according to claim 19, wherein the cavity defines another flexible pawl configured to engage a thread of the plurality of helical threads located opposite the flexible pawl and wherein the flexible pawl and the another flexible pawl are offset by 45 degrees from the lateral axis of the first channel.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A support member of an anchor assembly, the support member for receiving and securing a threaded shaft thereto, the support member comprising:\\nan outer housing, the outer housing being defined by a longitudinal axis (A-A), the outer housing including a wall, the outer housing also including a connector opening at a first end thereof for receiving the threaded shaft, the housing wall including an inner surface defining a bore space,\\na bore assembly disposed in the bore space, the bore assembly including at least two female threaded bore portions the threads of which selectively engage threads of the shaft, the bore assembly further including a flexible bias member for generating a biasing force to bias the at least one female thread bore portion toward the longitudinal axis (A-A),\\na first of the at least two female thread bores including a projection extending therefrom and toward a second of the at least two female thread bores, the second of the at least two female thread bores including a track, the projection slidingly engaging the track to promote alignment between the first and second of the at least two female thread bores as the first and second of the at least two female thread bores move toward and away from the longitudinal axis (A-A), wherein\\nthe projection is tapered away from the first of the at least two female threaded bores and the track of the second of the at least two female threaded bores is complementarily tapered to promote compliance between the projection and the track.\",\n \"2. The support member of claim 1, wherein the first of the two female thread bores includes at least one first projection and at least one first track and the second of the at least two female thread bores includes at least one second projection and at least one second track.\",\n \"3. The support member of claim 2, wherein the first projection is slidingly received in the second track and the second projection is received in the first track.\",\n \"4. The support member of claim 1, wherein the at least two female threaded bores include an outer surface and the projection and track are within the outer surface.\",\n \"5. The support member of claim 1, wherein the at least two female threaded bores include an outer surface and the projection and track are along the outer surface.\",\n \"6. The support member of claim 1, wherein the projection includes an upper engagement surface and a lower engagement surface for slidingly engaging respectively with upper and lower engagement surfaces of the track.\",\n \"7. The support member of claim 1, wherein biasing is toward the central axis A-A is due to a biasing against a tapered conical surface.\",\n \"8. The support member of claim 1, wherein the projection includes a radially inner surface for slidingly engaging a radially outer surface of the track.\",\n \"9. The support member of claim 1, wherein multiple projections project from the first of the two threaded female bores and multiple tracks of the second of the two threaded female bores receive the projections.\",\n \"10. The support member of claim 1, wherein the at least two threaded female bores become more aligned as the tapered projection and the complementarily tapered track translate toward the central axis A-A.\",\n \"11. The support member of claim 1, wherein the projection and the track slidingly engage toward central axis A-A to align the at least two threaded female bores with a threaded rod along central axis A-A.\",\n \"12. The support member of claim 1, wherein the at least two threaded female bores include grooves for receiving the bias member.\",\n \"13. The support member of claim 1, wherein at least one of the at least two female threaded bore portions is biased toward the central axis A-A due to a biasing of the threaded bore portion between the flexible bias member and a tapered conical surface.\",\n \"14. The support member of claim 1, wherein the outer housing further includes an assembly opening at a second end opposite the first end thereof to facilitate assembly of the bore assembly into the bore space.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A rebar coupler comprising:\\na housing which is a cylindrical hollow body having at one end a first opening for receiving a first rebar, at the other end a second opening for receiving a second rebar, to connect the first rebar and the second rebar, and a partition disposed at a center thereof to divide the ends having the first and second openings;\\na mounting member inserted in each end of the housing and receiving the corresponding first and second rebars therein;\\na plurality of coupling members slidably disposed on the corresponding mounting member and being brought into contact with an outer peripheral surface of the corresponding inserted first and second rebars to prevent the first and second rebars from moving out from the rebar coupler;\\na resilient member configured to apply a restoring force to the coupling members so that the coupling members slid by the first and second rebars inserted in the corresponding mounting member are returned to an original position; and\\na cover fastened to both ends of the housing to prevent the mounting member and the coupling members from moving out from the housing due to a tensile force of the first and second rebars,\\neach mounting members having a plurality of guide portions for guiding sliding movement of the coupling members along an inserting direction of the corresponding first and second rebars, a flange connecting ends of the guide portions, and a contact portion protruding from the flange towards the coupling members.\",\n \"2. The rebar coupler according to claim 1, wherein the contact portion is integrally formed with the flange, but is made from a material different from that of the flange.\",\n \"3. The rebar coupler according to claim 2, wherein the contact portion has first surfaces protruding from areas between the guide portions to be brought into contact with the coupling members, second surfaces disposed between the flange and the contact portion to be opposite to the first surfaces, and third surfaces for connecting both ends of the first surface and the second surface and deformed to correspond to a width of deformations of the corresponding first and second rebars if the first surfaces are pressed.\",\n \"4. The rebar coupler according to claim 3, wherein the third surface is formed in a shape of a slope or an arc.\",\n \"5. The rebar coupler according to claim 3, wherein each mounting member is provided with a spacing between the coupling members and the flange or between the contact portion and the guide portions in order to correspond to elastic deformation of a shape of the contact portions.\",\n \"6. The rebar coupler according to claim 2, wherein the contact portion contains at least one of rubber, silicon and a synthetic resin having elasticity.\",\n \"7. The rebar coupler according to claim 1, wherein an inner peripheral surface of the coupling members is provided with a threaded portion of a desired pattern which is brought into contact with an outer peripheral surface of the corresponding first and second rebars.\",\n \"8. The rebar coupler according to claim 7, wherein a tooth angle of the threaded portion of the coupling members is set in the range of 50 to 75°.\",\n \"9. The rebar coupler according to claim 7, wherein a tooth pitch of the threaded portion of the coupling members is set in the range of 0.4 to 1.3 mm.\",\n \"10. The rebar coupler according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the housing, the mounting member, the coupling members, the resilient member and the cover is made from a composite material containing at least one of glass fiber and a carbon fiber.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A faucet fixation system, comprising:\\na fastener configured to couple to a faucet; and\\na connector comprising:\\na base including a bore;\\na nut assembly disposed in the bore around a portion of the fastener, wherein the nut assembly includes a first locking member, which has a first threaded portion and a first actuating portion, and a second locking member, which has a second threaded portion and a second actuating portion; and\\na clip comprising an annular base disposed around a portion of the fastener and at least one finger extending from the annular base;\\nwherein in a locking position of the connector, the first and second threaded portions engage threads of the fastener to prohibit relative translational movement between the connector and the fastener while allowing the connector to rotate along the threads of the fastener;\\nwherein in a non-locking position of the connector, the first and second threaded portions disengage the threads of the fastener to allow translational movement of the connector relative to the fastener; and\\nwherein in the locking position, threaded rotation of the nut assembly along the threads of the fastener causes the at least one finger to engage a gap in the nut assembly, thereby blocking the connector from moving out of the locking position.\",\n \"2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second threaded portions are biased toward the fastener by a biasing force in the locking position, and wherein the first and second actuating portions are configured to be pressed toward each other to overcome the biasing force in the non-locking position.\",\n \"3. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second locking members move independently of the other.\",\n \"4. The system of claim 3, wherein the first and second locking members move in opposite directions in moving from the locking position to the non-locking position.\",\n \"5. The system of claim 3, wherein the first and second threaded portions move toward one another in moving from the non-locking position to the locking position.\",\n \"6. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second locking members translate in a common plane.\",\n \"7. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second locking members are nested such that a portion of at least one of the first and second locking members engages the other of the first and second locking members.\",\n \"8. The system of claim 7, wherein the first threaded portion nests with a second projection of the second locking member and the second threaded portion nests with a first projection of the first locking member.\",\n \"9. The system of claim 1, wherein the connector further comprises a first spring coupled to the first locking member and a second spring coupled to the second locking member.\",\n \"10. The system of claim 9, wherein the first spring is positioned adjacent to the second spring, proximate to the nut assembly.\",\n \"11. The system of claim 10, wherein the first spring is configured to bias the first locking member into the locking position; and\\nwherein the second spring is configured to bias the second locking member into the locking position.\",\n \"12. The system of claim 11, wherein the bias on the first locking member actuates the first threaded portion away from the second actuating portion.\",\n \"13. The system of claim 11, wherein the bias on the second locking member actuates the second threaded portion away from the first actuating portion.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A rebar coupler that connects rebars with each other and fixes the rebars in a longitudinal direction, comprising:\\na pair of coupler bodies each having a cylindrical shape through which an inside is penetrated to have a passage, each including an inlet in one side through which one of the rebars is inserted, and each having a fixing piece contact surface inclined toward the inlet inside the penetrated passage;\\na connector disposed between the pair of coupler bodies to couple opposite ends of the inlets of the respective pair of coupler bodies with each other;\\na plurality of fixing pieces arranged radially inside each coupler body, wherein a plurality of inclined surfaces inclined toward the inlet are formed on a circumference of an outer surface at an interval so that the outer surface is installed to be in surface contact with the plurality of fixing pieces, wherein a plurality of axially-extending horizontal locking protrusions which line contact an outer circumferential surface of the rebar in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the inserted rebar are formed in one side of an inner surface of each fixing piece so that the rebar coupler can prevent relative rotation of the rebar when fixed therein and a plurality of circumferentially-extending vertical locking protrusions which line contact the outer circumferential surface of the rebar in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the inserted rebar are formed in another side of the inner surface of each fixing piece so that the rebar coupler can prevent axial separation of the rebar when fixed therein, while fixing the rebar inserted into the inside through the inlet; and\\nan elastic member provided inside each coupler body to press the plurality of fixing pieces toward the inlet,\\nwherein the plurality of fixing pieces arranged in each coupler body comprise at least two fixing pieces forming one group, the at least two fixing pieces form four inclined surfaces inclined toward the inlet at an interval on a circumference of the outer surface, and one end of the outer surface is formed in a rectangular shape and another end thereof is formed in a circular shape, and wherein the fixing piece contact surface inside each coupler body is formed to correspond to the outer surface of the at least two fixing pieces.\",\n \"2. The rebar coupler of claim 1, wherein an inlet passage with a length is formed in the penetrated passage between the inlet and the fixing piece contact surface inside each coupler body, and wherein a rib insertion groove into which a rib formed on the outer circumferential surface of the rebar is inserted is formed in the inlet and the inlet passage.\",\n \"3. The rebar coupler of claim 1, wherein the elastic member comprises a pair of springs which are coaxially and doubly arranged.\",\n \"4. The rebar coupler of claim 3, wherein the pair of springs comprises:\\na first spring configured to press the plurality of fixing pieces; and\\na second spring arranged inside the first spring and configured to buffer the rebar, while elastically supporting the rebar inserted and passing through the inlet of each coupler body and the plurality of fixing pieces.\",\n \"5. The rebar coupler of claim 1, wherein a node and a rib are formed on the outer surface of each coupler body.\",\n \"6. The rebar coupler of claim 1, wherein each coupler body is formed in one of a cylindrical shape, an elliptic cylindrical shape or a polygonal prism shape.\",\n \"7. The rebar coupler of claim 1, wherein a support plate which supports the elastic members provided inside the pair of coupler bodies is formed in the connector, and wherein a pin hole is formed in the support plate at an interval.\",\n \"8. The rebar coupler of claim 1, wherein a circumference of the inlet of each coupler body is tapered at an angle of 20° to 45°.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A nut assembly arranged for mounting on a threaded member, the nut assembly comprising:\\na. an axially oriented capture nut comprising:\\ni. an outer, wrench-engaging surface, a top surface and a bottom surface;\\nii. a bowl defining a plurality of slanted, entirely flat, planar surfaces slanting downwardly and inwardly from the capture nut top surface toward the capture nut bottom surface to a depth D, each flat planar surface having opposed vertical edges, each flat planar surface being aligned about such axis and sharing such opposed vertical edges with an adjacent of such flat planar surfaces; and\\niii. a bore through the bowl on the axis of the capture nut for passing a threaded member through the capture nut; and\\nb. a nut comprising:\\ni. a top surface, a bottom surface, and an outer surface comprising a corresponding plurality of slanted, entirely flat, planar surfaces extending downwardly and inwardly from the nut top surface to a depth D′ for mating engagement with the bowl of the capture nut; and\\nii. an internally threaded bore, coaxial with the bore of the capture nut, for engagement with the threaded member;\\nwherein the nut is divided vertically along the axis into two separate, opposed nut halves each having a complementary vertical face facing the complementary face of the opposing nut half.\",\n \"2. The nut assembly of claim 1, further comprising a membrane which joins the nut halves.\",\n \"3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the nut halves are magnetized to retain the nut halves releasably together.\",\n \"4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the nut halves are different from one another.\",\n \"5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein the different nut halves are color coded different from one another.\",\n \"6. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a radial groove around the nut halves.\",\n \"7. The assembly of claim 6, further comprising an elastic band arranged to releasably fit into the groove.\",\n \"8. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a registration element to align the nut halves together.\",\n \"9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the registration element comprises a conical protrusion on the surface of one nut half and a mating detent on the other nut half.\",\n \"10. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the each opposed nut half comprises three slanted, flat planar surfaces and the bowl comprises six slanted, flat, planar surfaces.\",\n \"11. The assembly of claim 1 wherein depth D and depth D′ are different.\",\n \"12. The assembly of claim 1 wherein depth D and depth D′ are the same.\",\n \"13. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the tapered bowl defines a hexagon in cross section, and wherein the opposed nut halves, when placed together vertical face to vertical face also defines a hexagon in cross section.\",\n \"14. A nut assembly arranged for mounting on a threaded member, the nut assembly comprising:\\na. an axially oriented capture nut comprising:\\ni. an outer, wrench-engaging surface;\\nii. a bowl defining a plurality of slanted surfaces; and\\niii. a bore through the bowl on the axis of the capture nut for passing a threaded member through the capture nut; and\\nb. a pair of opposed nut halves comprising:\\ni. a bottom surface for mating engagement with the bowl of the capture nut; and\\nii. an internally threaded bore, coaxial with the bore of the capture nut, for engagement with the threaded member;\\nwherein the nut halves are magnetized to retain the nut halves releasably together.\",\n \"15. The assembly of claim 14, wherein the nut halves are different from one another.\",\n \"16. The assembly of claim 15, wherein the different nut halves are color coded different from one another.\",\n \"17. The assembly of claim 14, further comprising a radial groove around the nut halves.\",\n \"18. The assembly of claim 17, further comprising an elastic band arranged to releasably fit into the groove.\",\n \"19. The assembly of claim 14, wherein each of the nut halves defines a surface facing the complementary face of the opposing nut half, and further comprising a registration element to align the nut halves together.\",\n \"20. The assembly of claim 19, wherein the registration element comprises a conical protrusion on the surface of one nut half and a mating detent on the other nut half.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A clamp tie comprising:\\na locking head including first and second spaced apertures, a third aperture for receiving a mounting element therethrough and an upper surface, a lower surface comprising a lower surface counterbore surrounding said third aperture and a plurality of channels, a plurality of side surfaces coupled to and disposed between said upper surface and said lower surface,\\na first strap extending from said locking head, said first strap having a first strap thickness and a first strap width, said first strap width disposed between first strap first and second sides,\\na second strap extending from said locking head, said second strap having a second strap thickness and a second strap width, said second strap width disposed between second strap first and second sides,\\na first arcuate rail extending from said locking head substantially parallel to and spaced from said first strap first side,\\na second arcuate rail extending from said locking head substantially parallel to and spaced from said first strap second side,\\na first pawl mechanism cooperating with said first aperture for engaging and retaining said first strap,\\na second pawl mechanism cooperating with said second aperture for engaging and retaining said second strap, and\\nsaid first strap and said first and second arcuate rails extending from a first side surface and said second strap extending from a second side surface.\",\n \"2. A clamp tie according to claim 1 wherein said first and second apertures each have an entrance and an exit, each entrance aperture having a strap side and a body side, said first pawl mechanism further comprising a first reinforcement rib disposed at least partially along said first aperture entrance strap side, said second pawl mechanism further comprising a second reinforcement rib disposed at least partially along said second aperture entrance strap side.\",\n \"3. A clamp tie according to claim 1, said clamp tie comprising a unitary member.\",\n \"4. A clamp tie according to claim 1 wherein the first strap width and second strap width are equal.\",\n \"5. A clamp tie according to claim 1 wherein said first strap thickness and second strap thickness are equal.\",\n \"6. A clamp tie according to claim 1 further comprising:\\na third arcuate rail extending from said locking head substantially parallel to and spaced from said second strap first side, and\\na fourth arcuate rail extending from said locking head substantially parallel to and spaced from said second strap second side.\",\n \"7. A clamp tie according to claim 1 wherein said first arcuate rail has a radius and said upper surface and said lower surface are spaced a distance, said distance being greater than said radius of said first arcuate rail.\",\n \"8. A clamp tie according to claim 7 wherein said distance is greater than twice said radius of said first arcuate rail.\",\n \"9. A clamp tie according to claim 1 wherein said first and second side surfaces are disposed substantially 180 angular degrees about said locking head.\",\n \"10. A clamp tie according to claim 1 wherein said upper surface comprises an upper surface counterbore surrounding said third aperture.\",\n \"11. A clamp tie according to claim 10 wherein said upper surface counterbore comprises a plurality of channels.\",\n \"12. A clamp tie according to claim 1 wherein one of said channels is mateable with a surface on or near said mounting element to prevent rotation of the tie about said mounting element.\",\n \"13. A clamp tie according to claim 1 further comprising a third pawl mechanism, said third pawl mechanism located within said third aperture.\",\n \"14. A clamp tie comprising\\na unitary member including;\\na single locking head including a pair of laterally spaced apertures, a third aperture for receiving a mounting element therethrough, said third aperture located between said pair of laterally spaced apertures, an upper surface, a lower surface comprising a lower surface counterbore surrounding said third aperture and a plurality of channels, a plurality of side surfaces coupled to and disposed between said upper surface and said lower surface,\\na pair of straps extending in opposite directions from the locking head,\\na first saddle structure coupled to and extending from said locking head adjacent one of the straps,\\na second saddle structure coupled to and extending from said locking head adjacent the other of the straps, said first and second saddle structures each comprising two arcuate rail members, one disposed on each side of said first and second straps, respectively,\\na first pawl mechanism contained within one of said locking head apertures for engaging and retaining one of the straps,\\na second pawl mechanism contained within the other of said locking head apertures for engaging and retaining the other of the straps, and\\nsaid first strap and said first and second arcuate rails extending from a first side surface and said second strap extending from a second side surface.\",\n \"15. A clamp tie according to claim 14 further comprising a third pawl mechanism, said third pawl mechanism located within said third aperture.\",\n \"16. A clamp tie according to claim 15 wherein said third pawl mechanism includes a pair of opposed pawls located substantially opposite one another within said aperture.\",\n \"17. A clamp tie according to claim 14 wherein the diameter of the third aperture is smaller than the diameter of a predetermined mounting element.\",\n \"18. A clamp tie for securing elongate items adjacent a mounting surface in spaced, substantially parallel relationship to each other, comprising:\\na locking head having an aperture for receiving therethrough a mounting element and an upper surface, a lower surface comprising a lower surface counterbore surrounding said third aperture and a plurality of channels, a plurality of side surfaces coupled to and disposed between said upper surface and said lower surface,\\na pair of straps extending in opposite directions from said locking head and insertable through said locking head to form a loop,\\ntwo pairs of arcuate rails extending from said locking head, one pair being adjacent to but separate from each of said straps,\\na first pawl mechanism within said locking head for engaging and retaining one of said straps in looped relationship with said locking head and one said pair of arcuate rails,\\na second pawl mechanism within said locking head for engaging and retaining the other of said straps in looped relationship with said locking head and the other of said pair of arcuate rails,\\na third pawl mechanism within said aperture for engaging and retaining said locking head proximate said mounting surface, and\\nsaid first strap and said first and second arcuate rails extending from a first side surface and said second strap extending from a second side surface.\",\n \"19. A clamp tie according to claim 18 wherein said third pawl mechanism permits movement of said mounting element through said aperture in a first direction but resists movement of said mounting element through said aperture in a second direction.\",\n \"20. A clamp tie according to claim 19 wherein said third pawl mechanism includes a pair of substantially diametrically opposed pawls, each pawl carried by an elongate hinge within said aperture.\",\n \"21. A clamp tie according to claim 20 wherein said tie comprises a single unitary structure.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A stud locking device, operable when in an assembled condition for securing a target member to a support member, the target member including an upper surface and a lower surface and partially defining a through mounting hole, and the support member including a stud projecting axially toward the lower surface of the target member and the stud including an engageable surface; the stud locking device comprising:\\na first clip including:\\na hollow inner cylindrical portion defining a central axis and partially defining a central bore operable for receiving the stud, the first cylindrical portion insertable at a base end into the mounting hole of the target member;\\nan annular first flange located at a target end of the first cylindrical portion and projecting radially outward from the first cylindrical portion;\\na guide wall located in the base end of the inner cylindrical portion and tapering radially inward toward the flange of the inner cylindrical portion, and operable to guide the stud into the central bore as the stud locking device is placed into the assembled condition;\\na tapered bore partially defined by and coaxial with the flange and first cylindrical portion, the tapered bore open at a first end in an upper surface of the flange, narrowing with increasing axial distance from the first end, and connected to the central bore at a second end;\\na locking pawl projecting radially inward into the central bore from the first cylindrical portion and operable to engage the stud when the stud locking device is in the assembled condition;\\na locking shoulder; and\\na second clip including:\\na hollow outer cylindrical portion capable of receiving coaxially therein the first cylindrical portion of the first clip;\\na second flange provided at a target end of the outer cylindrical portion; and\\na locking tab engageable with the locking shoulder when the stud locking device is in the assembled condition.\",\n \"2. The stud locking device as defined in claim 1, and when in the assembled condition the inner cylindrical portion of the first clip is inserted through the mounting hole of the target member, the first flange of the first clip contacts the upper surface of the target member, and, when the inner cylindrical portion of the first clip is received in the outer cylindrical portion of the second clip, the second flange of the second clip contacts the lower surface of the target member.\",\n \"3. The stud locking device as defined in claim 1, wherein the taper angle Δ of the guide wall is in the range of 115 to 135°.\",\n \"4. The stud locking device as defined in claim 1, wherein the second flange includes an elastic edge portion extending obliquely radially and axially, and in the assembled condition the elastic edge portion is operable of elastically pressing the target member toward the first flange of the first clip.\",\n \"5. The stud locking device as defined in claim 4, wherein the second flange of the second clip includes a flange hole, the flange hole radially located outward of the outer cylinder and elongated in the circumferential direction, which makes the elastic edge portion adjacent to and radially outward of the flange hole more flexible.\",\n \"6. The stud locking device as defined in claim 1, wherein the locking pawl is an upper pair of locking pawls and the inner cylindrical portion further includes a lower pair of locking pawls axial separated from the upper pair in the direction away from the target end; and the inner cylindrical portion further includes a first rib and second rib extending along the axial direction and projecting into the central bore from radially opposite directions.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A fastener assembly comprising:\\na nut having an internally threaded portion;\\nan annulus extending from the nut and defining an annular end distal from the nut, wherein the annulus defines a radial cutout section along a length thereof for providing a flex point; and\\na compression collar configured for radially compressing the annular end upon tightening of the nut.\",\n \"2. The fastener assembly of claim 1, wherein the annulus end defines a shoulder that catches on an internally circumferentially extending rim of the compression collar.\",\n \"3. The fastener assembly of claim 1, wherein the annulus is free of threads on an inner facing surface thereof.\",\n \"4. The fastener assembly according to claim 1, wherein the compression collar defines a taper for applying progressively increasing compression of the annulus end.\",\n \"5. The fastener assembly according to claim 1, wherein the annulus defines a taper from the nut to the annulus end.\",\n \"6. The fastener assembly of claim 1, wherein the annulus and nut are coaxially aligned.\",\n \"7. The fastener assembly of claim 1, wherein the compression collar is configured for being compressed between the nut and a working surface.\",\n \"8. The fastener assembly of claim 1, wherein the annulus consists of two cutout sections positioned opposite of each other.\",\n \"9. A fastener assembly comprising:\\na nut having an internally threaded portion;\\nan annulus extending from the nut at an angle, wherein the annulus defines a radial cutout section along a length thereof for providing a flex point; and\\na compression collar configured for compressing the annulus upon tightening of the nut, such that the angle becomes inwardly more acute.\",\n \"10. The fastener assembly of claim 9, wherein the annulus defines a shoulder that catches on an internally circumferentially extending rim of the compression collar.\",\n \"11. The fastener assembly of claim 9, wherein the annulus defines an internally threaded portion.\",\n \"12. The fastener assembly according to claim 9, wherein the compression collar defines a taper for applying progressively increasing compression of the annulus.\",\n \"13. The fastener assembly according to claim 9, wherein the annulus defines a taper.\",\n \"14. The fastener assembly of claim 9, wherein the annulus and nut are coaxially aligned.\",\n \"15. The fastener assembly of claim 9, wherein the compression collar is configured for being compressed between the nut and a working surface.\",\n \"16. The fastener assembly of claim 9, wherein the annulus consists of two cutout sections positioned opposite of each other.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. Bolt (1) comprising a screw (3) and an insert (2) which can be inserted in the opening in a wall (5), said insert (2) comprising an insert head (6) and a shaft (7) comprising a recess (8), said insert head (6) and said recess (8) being configured such as, after deformation of the recess (8), to ensure the crimping of said insert (2) on said wall (5), wherein said screw (3) comprises a break ring (14), which, by being supported on said insert head (6) directly or indirectly, is designed to immobilize said screw (3) relative to said insert head (6), in order to create the deformation of the recess (8) by rotation of the screw and obtain said crimping, and, once the crimping has been carried out, it is designed to give rise to breakage, such as to release the screw (3) from said insert head (6), thus permitting the tightening of an accessory (4) on the wall (5),\\nwherein the break ring (14) is supported indirectly against the insert head (6) by means of bracing means (22), and\\nwherein the bracing means (22) comprise a washer (16) which is provided between said break ring (14) and the insert head (6).\",\n \"2. Bolt (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said breakage takes place in the break ring (14).\",\n \"3. Bolt (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said breakage takes place in the bracing means (22).\",\n \"4. Bolt (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the insert (2) comprises a means for blocking said insert (2) in rotation, preferably by an external form with a non-circular transverse cross-section.\",\n \"5. Bolt (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said screw (3) comprises a screw head (10) comprising a base (11) which is designed to be supported on the accessory (4), a cavity (12) preferably being provided below said base (11) in order to accommodate in it at least partially said break ring (14) and/or said bracing means (22).\",\n \"6. Bolt (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said insert head (6), said break ring (14) and, if applicable, said bracing means (22) are configured such that, in the assembled position, the screw head (10) is supported on the insert (2) by means of the break ring (14) and/or bracing means (22), without being supported on said accessory (4), such as to constitute an attachment which allows said accessory (4) to be mobile in rotation and/or translation relative to the wall (5).\",\n \"7. Bolt (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said screw (3) comprises a non-threaded part, contained between the screw head (10) and the threaded part (13), which does not cooperate with the tapped part (9) of the insert (2), such as to provide resilience necessary to create the tension of the screw (3) on said bolt in the tightened situation, even when the thicknesses of the accessories and walls are very slight.\",\n \"8. Bolt (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said insert (2) has weakening of the recess (8), such as to facilitate its deformation during the crimping, this weakening preferably taking the form of undercuts.\",\n \"9. Bolt (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said screw (3) comprises a non-threaded part, contained between a screw head (10) and a threaded part (13), which does not cooperate with a tapped part (9) of the insert (2), said non-threaded part being provided with a widened part (17) which is designed to make it possible to fix the broken part of the break ring (14) by forcing it to slide towards said widened part (17) during the screwing phase which follows its breakage.\",\n \"10. Bolt (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the insert (2) contains a lubricant (25), preferably grease.\",\n \"11. Bolt (1) comprising a screw (3) and an insert (2) which can be inserted in the opening in a wall (5), said insert (2) comprising an insert head (6) and a shaft (7) comprising a recess (8), said insert head (6) and said recess (8) being configured such as, after deformation of the recess (8), to ensure the crimping of said insert (2) on said wall (5), wherein said screw (3) comprises a break ring (14), which, by being supported on said insert head (6) directly or indirectly, is designed to immobilize said screw (3) relative to said insert head (6), in order to create the deformation of the recess (8) by rotation of the screw and obtain said crimping, and, once the crimping has been carried out, it is designed to give rise to breakage, such as to release the screw (3) from said insert head (6), thus permitting the tightening of an accessory (4) on the wall (5),\\nwherein the break ring (14) is supported indirectly against the insert head (6) by means of bracing means (22), and\\nwherein the bracing means (22) comprise a tubular element (23) provided with a radial spreaded part (24) which can be supported against the insert head (6).\",\n \"12. Bolt (1) as claimed in claim 11, wherein said breakage takes place in the bracing means (22).\",\n \"13. Bolt (1) as claimed in claim 11, wherein the insert (2) comprises a means for blocking said insert (2) in rotation, preferably by an external form with a non-circular transverse cross-section.\",\n \"14. Bolt (1) as claimed in claim 11, wherein said screw (3) comprises a screw head (10) comprising a base (11) which is designed to be supported on the accessory (4), a cavity (12) preferably being provided below said base (11) in order to accommodate in it at least partially said break ring (14) and/or said bracing means (22).\",\n \"15. Bolt (1) as claimed in claim 11, wherein said insert head (6), said break ring (14) and, if applicable, said bracing means (22) are configured such that, in the assembled position, the screw head (10) is supported on the insert (2) by means of the break ring (14) and/or bracing means (22), without being supported on said accessory (4), such as to constitute an attachment which allows said accessory (4) to be mobile in rotation and/or translation relative to the wall (5).\",\n \"16. Bolt (1) as claimed in claim 11, wherein said screw (3) comprises a non-threaded part, contained between the screw head (10) and the threaded part (13), which does not cooperate with the tapped part (9) of the insert (2), such as to provide resilience necessary to create the tension of the screw (3) on said bolt in the tightened situation, even when the thicknesses of the accessories and walls are very slight.\",\n \"17. Bolt (1) as claimed in claim 11, wherein said insert (2) has weakening of the recess (8), such as to facilitate its deformation during the crimping, this weakening preferably taking the form of undercuts.\",\n \"18. Bolt (1) as claimed in claim 11, wherein the insert (2) contains a lubricant (25), preferably grease.\",\n \"19. Bolt (1) comprising a screw (3) and an insert (2) which can be inserted in the opening in a wall (5), said insert (2) comprising an insert head (6) and a shaft (7) comprising a recess (8), said insert head (6) and said recess (8) being configured such as, after deformation of the recess (8), to ensure the crimping of said insert (2) on said wall (5), wherein said screw (3) comprises a break ring (14), which, by being supported on said insert head (6) directly or indirectly, is designed to immobilize said screw (3) relative to said insert head (6), in order to create the deformation of the recess (8) by rotation of the screw and obtain said crimping, and, once the crimping has been carried out, it is designed to give rise to breakage, such as to release the screw (3) from said insert head (6), thus permitting the tightening of an accessory (4) on the wall (5),\\nwherein the break ring (14) is supported indirectly against the insert head (6) by means of bracing means (22),\\nwherein the bracing means (22) comprise a tubular element (23) provided with a radial spreaded part (24) which can be supported against the insert head (6), and\\nwherein said break ring (14) is constituted by the screw head (10).\",\n \"20. Bolt (1) comprising a screw (3) and an insert (2) which can be inserted in the opening in a wall (5), said insert (2) comprising an insert head (6) and a shaft (7) comprising a recess (8), said insert head (6) and said recess (8) being configured such as, after deformation of the recess (8), to ensure the crimping of said insert (2) on said wall (5), wherein said screw (3) comprises a break ring (14), which, by being supported on said insert head (6) directly or indirectly, is designed to immobilize said screw (3) relative to said insert head (6), in order to create the deformation of the recess (8) by rotation of the screw and obtain said crimping, and, once the crimping has been carried out, it is designed to give rise to breakage, such as to release the screw (3) from said insert head (6), thus permitting the tightening of an accessory (4) on the wall (5),\\nwherein said breakage takes place in the break ring (14),\\nwherein the screw (3) comprises a screw head (10) and a threaded part (13),\\nwherein the screw head (10) comprises a male indentation (18) having external dimensions which are greater than an external diameter of the threaded part (13),\\nwherein the screw head (10), the male indentation (18), and the threaded part (13) are formed in one piece, and\\nwherein the break ring (14) is provided between the screw head (10) and the threaded part (13) of the screw (3), the break ring (14) being spaced apart from the screw head (10).\",\n \"21. Bolt (1) as claimed in claim 20, wherein the break ring (14) is supported directly against the insert head (6).\",\n \"22. Bolt (1) as claimed in claim 20, wherein the insert (2) comprises a means for blocking said insert (2) in rotation, preferably by an external form with a non-circular transverse cross-section.\",\n \"23. Bolt (1) as claimed in claim 20, wherein said screw (3) comprises a screw head (10) comprising a base (11) which is designed to be supported on the accessory (4), a cavity (12) preferably being provided below said base (11) in order to accommodate in it at least partially said break ring (14) and/or said bracing means (22).\",\n \"24. Bolt (1) as claimed in claim 20, wherein said insert head (6), said break ring (14) and, if applicable, said bracing means (22) are configured such that, in the assembled position, the screw head (10) is supported on the insert (2) by means of the break ring (14) and/or bracing means (22), without being supported on said accessory (4), such as to constitute an attachment which allows said accessory (4) to be mobile in rotation and/or translation relative to the wall (5).\",\n \"25. Bolt (1) as claimed in claim 20, wherein said screw (3) comprises a non-threaded part, contained between the screw head (10) and the threaded part (13), which does not cooperate with the tapped part (9) of the insert (2), such as to provide resilience necessary to create the tension of the screw (3) on said bolt in the tightened situation, even when the thicknesses of the accessories and walls are very slight.\",\n \"26. Bolt (1) as claimed in claim 20, wherein said insert (2) has weakening of the recess (8), such as to facilitate its deformation during the crimping, this weakening preferably taking the form of undercuts.\",\n \"27. Bolt (1) as claimed in claim 20, wherein said screw (3) comprises a non-threaded part, contained between the screw head (10) and the threaded part (13), which does not cooperate with the tapped part (9) of the insert (2), said non-threaded part being provided with a widened part (17) which is designed to make it possible to fix the broken part of the break ring (14) by forcing it to slide towards said widened part (17) during the screwing phase which follows its breakage.\",\n \"28. Bolt (1) as claimed in claim 20, wherein the insert (2) contains a lubricant (25), preferably grease.\",\n \"29. Method for securing an accessory (4) on a wall (5) by means of a bolt (1), the bolt comprising a screw (3) and an insert (2) which can be inserted in the opening in a wall (5), said insert (2) comprising an insert head (6) and a shaft (7) comprising a recess (8), said insert head (6) and said recess (8) being configured such as, after deformation of the recess (8), to ensure the crimping of said insert (2) on said wall (5), wherein said screw (3) comprises a break ring (14), which, by being supported on said insert head (6) directly or indirectly, is designed to immobilize said screw (3) relative to said insert head (6), in order to create the deformation of the recess (8) by rotation of the screw and obtain said crimping, and, once the crimping has been carried out, it is designed to give rise to breakage, such as to release the screw (3) from said insert head (6), thus permitting the tightening of an accessory (4) on the wall (5),\\nwherein said accessory (4) comprises an accessory opening (20) designed to allow the insert head (6) to pass through, and said wall (5) comprises a wall opening (19) designed to allow the shaft (7) of the insert (2) to pass through,\\nthe method comprising the steps of:\\na) arranging the accessory (4) on the wall (5), such as to align the accessory (20) and wall (19) openings,\\nb) introducing the bolt (1) into the openings thus aligned, in the direction from the accessory (4) towards the wall (5), until the insert head (6) is applied on the wall (5),\\nc) rotating the screw (3), with a thread (13) of the screw (3) cooperating with a tapping (9) of the insert (2), the break ring (14) being supported on the insert head (6), if applicable by means of bracing means (22), thus creating deformation of the recess (8) below the wall (5), and consequently carrying out the crimping of the insert (2) on the wall (5),\\nd) increasing the torque until breakage is obtained, thus releasing the screw (3) from the insert head (6), and\\ne) continuing rotation of the screw (3) until the accessory (4) is tightened on the wall (5).\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. An apparatus for coupling a shank of a threaded fastener and a torque device including:—\\na first coupling member having an external surface portion defined by more than two steps that forms a taper;\\na second coupling member having an inversely tapered internal surface portion non-rotatably engagable with the tapered external surface of the first coupling member;\\nwherein the steps of the first coupling member and the second coupling member are shaped either as angled cylinders, frustums of an angled stepped cone or frustums of an angled curved solid; and\\nwherein the diameters of the steps of the first coupling member and the second coupling member are less than the diameter of the shank.\",\n \"2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the steps of the first coupling member and the second coupling member are shaped as solids not limited to particular step quantities, dimensions, geometries, angles and/or intervals.\",\n \"3. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the internal surface portion of the second coupling member substantially surrounds the external surface portion of the first coupling member.\",\n \"4. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first coupling member is non-rotatably engagable with an action portion of the torque device.\",\n \"5. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the second coupling member, when rotated by an action portion of the torque device, applies a load to the threaded fastener.\",\n \"6. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first coupling member is formed on a reaction shaft of the torque device and wherein the second coupling member is formed on the shank of the threaded fastener.\",\n \"7. An apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the first coupling member is formed as an axial protrusion and wherein the second coupling member is formed as an axial bore.\",\n \"8. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first coupling member is formed on a shank of the threaded fastener and wherein the second coupling member is formed on a reaction shaft of the torque device.\",\n \"9. An apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the first coupling member is formed as an axial bore and wherein the second coupling member is formed as an axial protrusion.\",\n \"10. An apparatus according to claim 1 having an infinite number of steps such that the external surface portion of the first coupling member is smoothly tapered and the inversely tapered internal surface portion of the second coupling member is smoothly tapered.\",\n \"11. A system for fastening objects including a combination of a torque power tool either pneumatically, electrically, hydraulically or manually driven and a threaded fastener having an apparatus according to either claim 1-10.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A fastener kit for fastening a workpiece using a specified threaded rod, the fastener kit comprising:\\na first nut and a second nut, both the first nut and second nut having a tapered cavity extending axially inward to a predetermined depth from a face of the first nut and second nut and tapering from a larger opening down to the diameter of a threaded portion of the first nut and second nut; which threaded portion of the first nut and second nut has threads that mate with threads of the specified threaded rod;\\na ferrule having an inside diameter defined by a lengthwise bore of a predetermined length that permits the ferrule to be positioned on a threaded lengthwise portion of the specified threaded rod, the ferrule being a non-resilient continuous ring having a profile with a middle collar portion and distal first and second tapered ends tapering down from the collar portion to distal thin edges; and\\ninstructions for use of the fastener kit, the instructions comprising:\\ninstruction for positioning the first nut on the specified threaded rod;\\ninstruction for positioning the ferrule on the threaded lengthwise portion of the specified threaded rod such that the tapered cavity of the first nut engages the first tapered end of the ferrule;\\ninstruction for positioning the second nut on the specified threaded rod such that the tapered cavity of the second nut engages the second tapered end of the ferrule, wherein the predetermined ferrule length and the predetermined tapered cavity depths place the inside face of the first nut at a predetermined distance from the inside face of the second nut; and\\ninstructions for forcibly torquing the first nut towards the second nut by a specified force that is predetermined to permanently crimp and deform the material of the ferrule into the threads of the specified threaded rod, thereby providing a predetermined locknut holding force for the fastener kit.\",\n \"2. The fastener kit of claim 1 wherein:\\nthe larger opening of the tapered cavity of the nut has a diameter that is greater than or equal to a maximum outside diameter of the ferrule.\",\n \"3. The fastener kit of claim 2 wherein the ferrule has a flange that extends radially outward.\",\n \"4. The fastener kit of claim 3 wherein the flange has a high friction surface on at least one of an axially front face and an axially back face.\",\n \"5. The fastener kit of claim 1 wherein the ferrule bore has threads mated to the threads of the rod.\",\n \"6. The fastener kit of claim 1 further comprising the specified threaded rod.\",\n \"7. The fastener kit of claim 1 wherein the specified threaded rod is a bolt.\",\n \"8. The fastener kit of claim 1 wherein, according to design, the amount of force that is sufficient to crimp the ferrule into the threads of the specified threaded rod is an amount that achieves a stated fraction of a turn after the first and second nuts contact the first and second ferrule ends, respectively.\",\n \"9. The fastener kit of claim 1 wherein a Fastener Standard strength specification for a nut is achieved by the nut with the tapered cavity by having an extended axial thickness sufficient to maintain a threaded portion of the nut that is in accord with requirements of the Fastener Standard strength specification.\",\n \"10. The fastener kit of claim 1 wherein the nut has a tapered cavity on both axial faces of the nut.\",\n \"11. The fastener kit of claim 1 wherein the ferrule has a lesser outside diameter at either or both of the ends than it does between the ends.\",\n \"12. The fastener kit of claim 1 wherein the ferrule has one or more weakened portions for reducing the amount of force that is sufficient to crimp the ferrule against the threads of the specified threaded rod.\",\n \"13. The fastener kit of claim 12 wherein the ferrule is weakened by one or more radially open slots.\",\n \"14. The fastener kit of claim 12 wherein a portion of the ferrule is weakened by reduced thickness.\",\n \"15. The fastener kit of claim 1 wherein a wall of the cavity in the nut has a radially extending groove or ridge feature.\",\n \"16. The fastener kit of claim 1 wherein the nut face with the tapered cavity has a high friction surface feature.\",\n \"17. The fastener kit of claim 16 wherein the high friction surface feature comprises radial serrations.\",\n \"18. The fastener kit of claim 17 wherein the radial serrations have a ramped sawtooth shape for interlocking with complementary mating ramps on an adjacent surface.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A cast-in-place anchor assembly for anchoring objects to a concrete structure after concrete pouring and concrete setting, the objects fastened to an elongated load bearing member which is connected to the anchor assembly, the cast-in-place anchor assembly comprising:\\nan anchor housing, the anchor housing including an opening therein along a longitudinal axis thereof for receiving the elongate load bearing member, the anchor housing also including a jaw assembly housed in the anchor housing, the jaw assembly for lockingly engaging and axially constraining the elongate load bearing member relative to the anchor housing,\\nthe jaw assembly including separable jaws and a bias member for biasing the jaws toward each other, the jaw assembly including a reconfigurable lock,\\nwherein, in a first anchor assembly configuration, the reconfigurable lock has a first configuration that allows the jaws to move axially relative to the anchor housing and in a second anchor assembly configuration the reconfigurable lock reconfigures axially to limit the relative axial movement of the jaws.\",\n \"2. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 1, wherein the jaw assembly further includes a compressible member between the jaws and the anchor housing.\",\n \"3. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 1, wherein the reconfigurable lock is a flexible member and the elongated load bearing member is threaded.\",\n \"4. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 1, wherein the reconfigurable lock is an expandable member.\",\n \"5. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 1, wherein the reconfigurable lock structure is a metal member.\",\n \"6. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 1, wherein the reconfigurable lock structure is a contractible member.\",\n \"7. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 2, wherein the lock is between the bias member and the separable jaws.\",\n \"8. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 2, wherein the limiting of relative axial movement of the jaws is a result of trapping the jaws between the reconfigurable lock structure and the compressible member.\",\n \"9. A cast-in-place anchor assembly for anchoring objects to a concrete structure after concrete pouring and concrete setting, the objects fastened to an elongated load bearing member which is connected to the anchor assembly, the cast-in-place anchor assembly comprising:\\nan anchor housing, the anchor housing including an opening therein along a longitudinal axis thereof for receiving the elongate load bearing member, the anchor housing also including a jaw assembly housed in the anchor housing, the jaw assembly for lockingly engaging and axially constraining the elongate load bearing member relative to the anchor housing,\\nthe jaw assembly including separable jaws and a bias member for biasing the jaws toward each other, the jaws including a reconfigurable lock structure,\\nwherein, in a first anchor assembly configuration, the reconfigurable lock structure has a first configuration that allows the jaws to move axially relative to the anchor housing and in a second anchor assembly configuration the reconfigurable lock structure reconfigures by compression of the compressible member to further limit the relative axial movement of the jaws,\\nwherein the reconfigurable lock is ring-shaped flexible member.\",\n \"10. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 9, wherein the jaw assembly further includes a compressible member between the jaws and the anchor housing.\",\n \"11. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 9, wherein the separable jaws include threaded interior surfaces.\",\n \"12. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 9, wherein the separable jaws include a separator projection thereon, and wherein the separator projection includes an inclined surface.\",\n \"13. A cast-in-place anchor assembly for anchoring objects to a concrete structure after concrete pouring and concrete setting, the objects fastened to an elongated load bearing member which is connected to the anchor assembly, the cast-in-place anchor assembly comprising:\\nan anchor housing, the anchor housing including an opening therein along a longitudinal axis thereof for receiving the elongate load bearing member, the anchor housing also including a jaw assembly housed in an anchor assembly, the anchor assembly for lockingly engaging and axially constraining the elongate load bearing member relative to the anchor housing,\\nthe jaw assembly including separable jaws and the anchor assembly including a bias member for biasing the separable jaws toward each other, the anchor assembly further including a reconfigurable lock and wherein,\\nin a first configuration the reconfigurable lock is able to move axially within the anchor housing, and in a second configuration the lock is constrained axially within the anchor housing to limit axial movement of the separable jaws.\",\n \"14. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 13, wherein the reconfigurable lock is disposed above the separable jaws and wherein.\",\n \"15. The case-in-place anchor assembly of claim 14, wherein the limiting axial movement of the separable jaws is a result of trapping the jaws between the reconfigurable lock and the compressible member.\",\n \"16. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 14, wherein the separable jaws include a separator projection thereon, and wherein the separator projection includes an inclined surface.\",\n \"17. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 16, wherein the inclined surface has a decreasing radius moving axially away from a bottom of the separable jaws.\",\n \"18. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 17, wherein a threaded rod inserted into the opening along the longitudinal axis engages the inclined surface to urge lower ends of the jaws radially outward.\",\n \"19. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 17, wherein the inclined surface is positioned on the separable jaws distal from a separation plane of the jaws so that a force caused by the elongate load bearing member against the inclined surface acts generally perpendicular to the separation plane.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. An apparatus comprising:\\na hollow rod including an inner portion, a first outer portion, and a second outer portion between the first outer portion and the inner portion, the inner portion including a first thickness, the second outer portion including a second thickness less than the first thickness, wherein the second thickness is a uniform thickness extending between the inner portion and the first outer portion, and the first outer portion including a conical thickness that varies from the second thickness to a third thickness less than the second thickness, the first outer portion and the second outer portion including first threads;\\na threadless rod partially positioned in the hollow rod; and\\na conical nut including second threads to engage the first threads, the conical nut to couple the hollow rod and the threadless rod.\",\n \"2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first outer portion and the second outer portion of the hollow rod are defined by intermittent tabs extending from a body of the hollow rod defined by the inner portion.\",\n \"3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second outer portion includes a first section and a second section, and wherein the second section is threadless.\",\n \"4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the threadless rod includes a bearing.\",\n \"5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the inner portion is a first inner portion, wherein the hollow rod includes a second inner portion between the first inner portion and the second outer portion, wherein the second inner portion includes a fourth thickness greater than the first thickness.\",\n \"6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first inner portion and the second inner portion include a same inner diameter.\",\n \"7. An apparatus comprising:\\na first rod including a body and tabs extending from a longitudinal end of the body, the tabs positioned around an opening at the longitudinal end, the tabs including a first portion in connection with the longitudinal end and a second portion in connection with the first portion, the first portion including a non-conical thickness, the second portion including a conical thickness, the first portion and the second portion including first threads;\\na second rod to be positioned in the opening; and\\na conical nut including second threads complementary to the first threads.\",\n \"8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the second rod is threadless.\",\n \"9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the body of the first rod includes a first portion and a second portion positioned between the tabs and the first portion, wherein the first portion includes a first thickness, and wherein the second portion includes a second thickness different from the first thickness.\",\n \"10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first portion and the second portion of the body of the first rod include an inner diameter that corresponds with the opening.\",\n \"11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the second threads engage the first threads of the first portion without engaging the first threads of the second portion when the conical nut is a first distance from the longitudinal end, and wherein the second threads engage the first threads of the first portion and the first threads of the second portion when the conical nut is a second distance from the longitudinal end, the second distance smaller than the first distance.\",\n \"12. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the non-conical thickness includes a first thickness size, and wherein the conical thickness defines an adjustment from the first thickness size to a second thickness size smaller than the first thickness size.\",\n \"13. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein an end of the second rod includes a bearing.\",\n \"14. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the non-conical thickness defines a uniform thickness between an inner surface of the first portion and an inner edge of the first threads of the first portion.\",\n \"15. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the first portion of the tabs includes a first section and a second section, and wherein the second section is threadless.\",\n \"16. An apparatus comprising:\\nfirst means for bearing to couple to a first structure;\\nsecond means for bearing to couple to a second structure;\\nmeans for containing at least a portion of the first means for bearing and at least a portion of the second means for bearing, wherein the portion of the first means for bearing and the portion of the second means for bearing contained by the means for containing is adjustable independent of an orientation of the first means for bearing or the second means for bearing;\\nfirst means for coupling the means for containing to the first means for bearing, the first means for coupling including means for constricting the means for containing around the first means for bearing and means for engaging without constricting the means for containing; and\\nsecond means for coupling the means for containing to the second means for bearing.\",\n \"17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein a position of the first means for bearing is translatably and rotatably adjustable relative to the means for containing when the means for engaging without constricting of the first means for coupling is engaged with the means for containing.\",\n \"18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein a rotational adjustment of the first means for bearing is independent of a translational adjustment of the first means for bearing.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A shockproof nut kit comprising an upper nut (1) and a lower nut (2), wherein an end surface of the upper nut (1) is provided with an elliptic cylinder boss (12); the upper nut is provided with a circular threaded through-hole I (11), and a central axis of the elliptic cylinder boss coincides with a central axis of the threaded through-hole I; on an upper end surface of the elliptic cylinder at a longer planar extension side is provided an unfilled corner (13); a cylindrical groove (22) aligned with the boss of elliptic cylinder shape is concavely formed in an end surface of the lower nut (2); inside the lower nut is provided a circular threaded through-hole II (21), a central axis of the cylindrical groove coincides with a central axis of the threaded through-hole II, and a bore diameter of the threaded through-hole I (11) is the same as a bore diameter of the threaded through-hole II (21); and after being assembled together, the elliptic cylinder boss (12) on the upper nut is in clearance fit with the cylindrical groove (22) in the lower nut.\",\n \"2. The shockproof nut kit in accordance with claim 1, wherein a maximum opening position of the unfilled corner (13) is located at one third of a diameter of the threaded through-hole I (11).\",\n \"3. The shockproof nut kit in accordance with claim 1, wherein both an external shape of the upper nut (1) and an external shape of the lower nut (2) are hexagonal.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A locking system for a connection between two parts, comprising:\\na first part;\\na second part for connection with the first part; and\\nan interfering member, the member constructed and arranged to permit connection and thereafter, to prevent separation of the parts.\",\n \"2. The system of claim 1, wherein the interfering member is a resilient member.\",\n \"3. The system of claim 2, wherein the first part has male threads and the second part has female threads and the connection is a threaded connection.\",\n \"4. The system of claim 3, wherein the resilient member is a compressible snap ring having a variable circumference.\",\n \"5. The system of claim 4, wherein, prior to the connection being made, the snap ring is at least partially housed in an outer surface of the first part.\",\n \"6. The system of claim 5, wherein the snap ring is at least partially housed in a groove formed in the outer surface.\",\n \"7. The system of claim 6, wherein when the threaded connection is made, the snap ring is partially housed in the groove in the outer surface and partially housed in a grooved formed in an inner surface of the second part.\",\n \"8. The system of claim 7, wherein when the threaded connection is made, interference between parts and the snap ring prevents axial movement of one part relative to the other part.\",\n \"9. The system of claim 8, wherein the inner surface of the second part includes a tapered surface constructed and arranged to reduce the circumference of the snap ring as the parts are threaded together.\",\n \"10. The system of claim 9, further including a second snap ring adjacent the snap ring wherein both snap rings are housed in the grooves.\",\n \"11. The system of claim 9, further including a preloading member installed between the first and second parts for placing a preload on the threaded connection after the connection is made.\",\n \"12. The system of claim 11, wherein the preload member is a spring located in a distal end of the second part, the spring compressible by the first part when the connection is made.\",\n \"13. A method of locking two parts together, comprising:\\nproviding a first part having male threads, a second part having female threads, a snap ring housed in a groove on the outer surface of the first part and a groove formed on an inner surface of the second part;\\nconnecting the parts together by threading; and\\nlocking the parts together by causing the snap ring to be housed in both grooves, thereby creating interference between the threaded members.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A lock nut assembly configured to couple to a threaded bolt, the lock nut assembly comprising:\\na base nut having a bore with an angled inner wall defining an angled ramp portion, the base nut bore configured to receive the threaded bolt; and\\na lock nut having an angled outer wall defining a wedge portion, the lock nut configured to threadably engage the threaded bolt such that the wedge portion is driven into the angled ramp portion, the angled inner wall configured to force the wedge portion to exert a clamping force against the threaded bolt to lock the base nut in place.\",\n \"2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the base nut further includes a threaded inner bore configured to threadably engage the threaded bolt.\",\n \"3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein a plurality of slits is formed in the lock nut wedge portion to define at least one tab.\",\n \"4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein six slits are formed in the lock nut wedge portion to define six tabs, wherein the angled inner wall is configured to facilitate movement of the tabs inwardly to exert the clamping force against the threaded bolt.\",\n \"5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the threaded bolt defines a bolt axis, the angled inner wall oriented at a first angle relative to the bolt axis, and the angled outer wall oriented at a second angle relative to the bolt axis, wherein the second angle is less than the first angle.\",\n \"6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the base nut is hexagonal.\",\n \"7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the lock nut is hexagonal.\",\n \"8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the lock nut includes a threaded inner bore configured to threadably engage the threaded bolt.\",\n \"9. A lock nut assembly configured to couple to a threaded bolt, the lock nut assembly comprising:\\na base nut having a threaded first bore and a second bore with an angled inner wall defining an angled ramp portion, the base nut threaded bore configured to receive and threadably engage the threaded bolt; and\\na lock nut having an angled outer wall defining a wedge portion, a plurality of slits formed in the wedge portion and extending from a first end of the lock nut, the plurality of slits defining a plurality of tabs of the wedge portion,\\nwherein the lock nut includes a threaded third bore configured to threadably engage the threaded bolt such that the wedge portion is driven into the angled ramp portion, the angled inner wall configured to force the plurality of tabs to exert a clamping force against the threaded bolt to lock the base nut in place.\",\n \"10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the base nut and the lock nut are hexagonal.\",\n \"11. The assembly of claim 10, wherein the threaded bolt defines a bolt axis, the angled inner wall oriented at a first angle relative to the bolt axis, and the angled outer wall oriented at a second angle relative to the bolt axis, wherein the second angle is less than the first angle.\",\n \"12. A method of fabricating a lock nut assembly configured to couple to a threaded bolt, the method comprising:\\nforming a base nut having a bore with an angled inner wall defining an angled ramp portion, the base nut bore configured to receive the threaded bolt; and\\nforming a lock nut having an angled outer wall defining a wedge portion, the lock nut configured to threadably engage the threaded bolt such that the wedge portion is driven into the angled ramp portion, the angled inner wall configured to force the wedge portion to exert a clamping force against the threaded bolt to lock the base nut in place.\"\n ]\n]"},"102rejection":{"kind":"string","value":"the following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 u.s.c. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this office action:\r\na person shall be entitled to a patent unless –\r\n(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.\r\nclaim(s) 1-2, 5, 13-14 are rejected under 35 u.s.c. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by thompson (us2015/0275505).\r\nfor claim 1, thompson discloses a cast-in-place anchor assembly (figs. 4-5) for anchoring objects to a concrete structure after concrete pouring and concrete setting, the objects fastened to an elongated load bearing member (19) which is connected to the anchor assembly, the cast-in-place anchor assembly comprising: an anchor housing (13, 17) including an outwardly extending radial flange for casting in the concrete (fig. 5, 15), the anchor housing including an opening therein along a longitudinal axis thereof for receiving the elongate load bearing member, the anchor housing also including a jaw assembly (29, 31) housed in the anchor housing, the jaw assembly for lockingly engaging and axially constraining the elongate load bearing member (19) relative to the anchor housing, the jaw assembly including separable jaws and a bias member (fig. 5, 63) for biasing the jaws toward each other, the jaws including a reconfigurable lock (fig. 4, 35, 39, 23, 25), wherein, in a first anchor assembly configuration, the reconfigurable lock has a first configuration that allows the jaws to move axially relative to the anchor housing (when the tabs (35, 39) are within the cavity (16) and can move freely [0052]) and in a second anchor assembly configuration the reconfigurable lock member reconfigures axially to limit the relative upward axial movement of the jaws (when the tabs (35, 39) are within the cavity (16) and are not aligned with the notches (23, 25)) compared to the axial relative movement of the jaws in the first configuration [0052].\r\nfor claim 2, thompson discloses that the jaw assembly further includes a compressible member (fig. 5, 41) between the jaws and the anchor housing (17).\r\nfor claim 5, thompson discloses that the reconfigurable lock structure is a metal member ([0034] inherent).\r\nfor claim 13, thompson discloses a cast-in-place anchor assembly (figs. 4-5) for anchoring objects to a concrete structure after concrete pouring and concrete setting, the objects fastened to an elongated load bearing member which is connected to the anchor assembly, the cast-in-place anchor assembly comprising: an anchor housing (13, 17), the anchor housing including an opening therein along a longitudinal axis thereof for receiving the elongate load bearing member (19), the anchor housing also including a jaw assembly (29, 31) housed in an anchor assembly, the anchor assembly for lockingly engaging and axially constraining the elongate load bearing member relative to the anchor housing, the jaw assembly including separable jaws and the anchor assembly including a bias member (63) for biasing the separable jaws toward each other, the anchor assembly further including a reconfigurable lock (fig. 4, 35, 39, 23, 25) and wherein, in a first configuration the reconfigurable lock is able to move axially within the anchor housing (when the tabs (35, 39) are within the cavity (16) and can move freely [0052]), and in a second configuration the lock is constrained axially within the anchor housing to limit upward axial movement of the separable jaws (when the tabs (35, 39) are within the cavity (16) and are not aligned with the notches (23, 25)) [0052].\r\nfor claim 14, thompson discloses that the reconfigurable lock (fig. 4, 35, 39, 23, 25) is disposed above the separable jaws (29, 31)."}}},{"rowIdx":9044,"cells":{"query":{"kind":"list like","value":["1. A mid-infrared photothermal microscopy system for imaging a sample comprising:\na mid-infrared optical source configured to generate a mid-infrared beam, the mid-infrared beam being directed along a first optical path towards the sample to heat the sample;\na probe light source configured to generate a probe light, the probe light being directed along a second optical path towards the sample, the second optical path overlapping and counter-propagating with the first optical path at the sample;\na first laser scanner comprising at least one movable mirror, positioned along the first optical path and configured to rotate to redirect light and scan the sample with the mid-infrared beam;\na second laser scanner comprising at least one movable mirror, positioned along the second optical path and configured to rotate to redirect light and scan the sample with the probe light,\na reflective objective lens arranged along the first optical path between the mid-infrared optical source and the sample; and\na second objective lens arranged along the second optical path between the probe light source and the sample,\nwherein the laser scanners are driven to rotate such that the mid-infrared beam and the probe light scan the sample synchronously.","2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a photodiode configured to detect probe light from the sample to generate a reconstructed image of the sample.","3. The system of claim 2, wherein the mid-infrared beam is a pulsed beam and wherein the MIP system further comprises single pulse photothermal detection.","4. The system of claim 1, wherein:\nthe first laser scanner comprises a first pair of scanning mirrors, including a first mirror and a second mirror; and\nthe second laser scanner comprises a second pair of scanning mirrors, including a third mirror and a fourth mirror.","5. The system of claim 4, wherein the first pair of scanning mirrors have orthogonal scanning axes; and\nthe second pair of scanning mirrors have orthogonal scanning axes.","6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a digital-to-analog device configured to generate four control signals to drive the laser scanners for synchronous scanning of the mid-infrared beam and probe lights.","7. The system of claim 6, wherein at least one of the four control signals is adjusted by an angle scaling factor based on the focal lengths of probe light and mid-infrared objectives and the beam expansion ratio of relay systems, the angle scaling factor determining relative angular motion for the laser scanners for the probe light and the mid-infrared beam.","8. The system of claim 1, wherein a relative scaling of motion for the mid-infrared and probe light laser scanning mechanisms is configured such that the probe light and mid-infrared beam are focused to overlapping locations on the sample during scanning.","9. The system of claim 1, further comprising:\na first photodiode positioned along the first optical path and configured to detect the probe light passing through the sample; and\na second photodiode positioned along the second optical path and configured to detect the probe light returning after reflecting off the sample.","10. The system of claim 1, wherein the mid-infrared beam is pulsed with a repetition rate between 500 kHz to 1 MHz and a duty cycle of less than 30%.","11. The system of claim 1, wherein the pairs of laser scanners are configured to cause the sample to be scanned at a frequency of substantially 3 kHz.","12. The system of claim 1, further comprising a scan lens positioned on the second optical path between the second pair of laser scanners and the substrate, wherein the probe light is conjugated to a back pupil of the second objective lens with the scan lens.","13. The system of claim 12, further comprising a tube lens positioned on the second optical path between the second objective lens and the scan lens, wherein the tube lens introduces a beam expansion to substantially fill the back pupil of the objective lens.","14. The system of claim 1, wherein a focus of the mid-infrared beam is aligned to overlap with a focus of the probe light.","15. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the laser scanners comprises at least one galvo mirror.","16. The system of claim 1, wherein the probe light and mid-infrared beam are scanned across a shared focal spot of the sample as each of the laser scanners rotates in both a forward direction and a backward direction, the backward direction being opposite the forward direction.","17. The system of claim 16, wherein rotational movement of the laser scanners follows a sinusoidal pattern.","18. The system of claim 1, further comprising a laser scanning position sensor configured to measure a position of at least one of the laser scanners during scanning, wherein a reconstructed image of the sample is adjusted based on feedback from the galvo position sensor.","19. The system of claim 1, wherein the laser scanners provide an effective scan area of the mid-IR and probe lights of at least 100 micrometers on a side.","20. The system of claim 1, wherein the laser scanners provide an effective scan area of the mid-IR and probe lights of at least 200 micrometers on a side.","21. A method of operating a photothermal infrared microscope to image a sample, the method comprising:\nilluminating the sample with a beam of mid-infrared light to heat the sample by directing the beam of infrared light along a first optical path towards the sample;\nilluminating the sample with a beam of probe light by directing the probe light along a second optical path towards the sample, the second optical path overlapping and counter-propagating with the first optical path at the sample;\nproviding a first laser scanner comprising at least one movable mirror, positioned along the first optical path and configured to rotate to redirect light and scan the sample with the mid-infrared beam;\nproviding a second laser scanner comprising at least one movable mirror, positioned along the second optical path and configured to rotate to redirect light and scan the sample with the probe light;\nproviding a reflective objective lens arranged along the first optical path between the mid-infrared optical source and the sample; and\nproviding a second objective lens arranged along the second optical path between the probe light source and the sample;\nwherein the laser scanners are driven to rotate such that the mid-infrared beam and the probe light scan the sample synchronously.","22. The method of claim 21, further comprising collecting an image of mid-infrared absorption by the sample covering an area at least 10 microns on a side in a time of 0.1 seconds or less.","23. The method of claim 21, further comprising measuring cellular dynamics within a biological cell.","24. The method of claim 21, further comprising:\ncollecting probe light from the sample; and\ndetecting a change in probe light collected from the sample at the plurality of locations on the sample in response to radiation from the mid-infrared light absorbed by the sample.","25. The method of claim 24, further comprising extracting a signal from the detected change in collected probe light to produce an image that is indicative of infrared absorption by the sample.","26. The method of claim 25, further comprising collecting a plurality of images at a plurality of mid-infrared wavelengths.","27. The method of claim 25, further comprising measuring a plurality of images at different times to record dynamic changes in the sample.","28. The method of claim 25, wherein the image indicative of infrared absorption by the sample has a signal to noise ratio of greater than 50."],"string":"[\n \"1. A mid-infrared photothermal microscopy system for imaging a sample comprising:\\na mid-infrared optical source configured to generate a mid-infrared beam, the mid-infrared beam being directed along a first optical path towards the sample to heat the sample;\\na probe light source configured to generate a probe light, the probe light being directed along a second optical path towards the sample, the second optical path overlapping and counter-propagating with the first optical path at the sample;\\na first laser scanner comprising at least one movable mirror, positioned along the first optical path and configured to rotate to redirect light and scan the sample with the mid-infrared beam;\\na second laser scanner comprising at least one movable mirror, positioned along the second optical path and configured to rotate to redirect light and scan the sample with the probe light,\\na reflective objective lens arranged along the first optical path between the mid-infrared optical source and the sample; and\\na second objective lens arranged along the second optical path between the probe light source and the sample,\\nwherein the laser scanners are driven to rotate such that the mid-infrared beam and the probe light scan the sample synchronously.\",\n \"2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a photodiode configured to detect probe light from the sample to generate a reconstructed image of the sample.\",\n \"3. The system of claim 2, wherein the mid-infrared beam is a pulsed beam and wherein the MIP system further comprises single pulse photothermal detection.\",\n \"4. The system of claim 1, wherein:\\nthe first laser scanner comprises a first pair of scanning mirrors, including a first mirror and a second mirror; and\\nthe second laser scanner comprises a second pair of scanning mirrors, including a third mirror and a fourth mirror.\",\n \"5. The system of claim 4, wherein the first pair of scanning mirrors have orthogonal scanning axes; and\\nthe second pair of scanning mirrors have orthogonal scanning axes.\",\n \"6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a digital-to-analog device configured to generate four control signals to drive the laser scanners for synchronous scanning of the mid-infrared beam and probe lights.\",\n \"7. The system of claim 6, wherein at least one of the four control signals is adjusted by an angle scaling factor based on the focal lengths of probe light and mid-infrared objectives and the beam expansion ratio of relay systems, the angle scaling factor determining relative angular motion for the laser scanners for the probe light and the mid-infrared beam.\",\n \"8. The system of claim 1, wherein a relative scaling of motion for the mid-infrared and probe light laser scanning mechanisms is configured such that the probe light and mid-infrared beam are focused to overlapping locations on the sample during scanning.\",\n \"9. The system of claim 1, further comprising:\\na first photodiode positioned along the first optical path and configured to detect the probe light passing through the sample; and\\na second photodiode positioned along the second optical path and configured to detect the probe light returning after reflecting off the sample.\",\n \"10. The system of claim 1, wherein the mid-infrared beam is pulsed with a repetition rate between 500 kHz to 1 MHz and a duty cycle of less than 30%.\",\n \"11. The system of claim 1, wherein the pairs of laser scanners are configured to cause the sample to be scanned at a frequency of substantially 3 kHz.\",\n \"12. The system of claim 1, further comprising a scan lens positioned on the second optical path between the second pair of laser scanners and the substrate, wherein the probe light is conjugated to a back pupil of the second objective lens with the scan lens.\",\n \"13. The system of claim 12, further comprising a tube lens positioned on the second optical path between the second objective lens and the scan lens, wherein the tube lens introduces a beam expansion to substantially fill the back pupil of the objective lens.\",\n \"14. The system of claim 1, wherein a focus of the mid-infrared beam is aligned to overlap with a focus of the probe light.\",\n \"15. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the laser scanners comprises at least one galvo mirror.\",\n \"16. The system of claim 1, wherein the probe light and mid-infrared beam are scanned across a shared focal spot of the sample as each of the laser scanners rotates in both a forward direction and a backward direction, the backward direction being opposite the forward direction.\",\n \"17. The system of claim 16, wherein rotational movement of the laser scanners follows a sinusoidal pattern.\",\n \"18. The system of claim 1, further comprising a laser scanning position sensor configured to measure a position of at least one of the laser scanners during scanning, wherein a reconstructed image of the sample is adjusted based on feedback from the galvo position sensor.\",\n \"19. The system of claim 1, wherein the laser scanners provide an effective scan area of the mid-IR and probe lights of at least 100 micrometers on a side.\",\n \"20. The system of claim 1, wherein the laser scanners provide an effective scan area of the mid-IR and probe lights of at least 200 micrometers on a side.\",\n \"21. A method of operating a photothermal infrared microscope to image a sample, the method comprising:\\nilluminating the sample with a beam of mid-infrared light to heat the sample by directing the beam of infrared light along a first optical path towards the sample;\\nilluminating the sample with a beam of probe light by directing the probe light along a second optical path towards the sample, the second optical path overlapping and counter-propagating with the first optical path at the sample;\\nproviding a first laser scanner comprising at least one movable mirror, positioned along the first optical path and configured to rotate to redirect light and scan the sample with the mid-infrared beam;\\nproviding a second laser scanner comprising at least one movable mirror, positioned along the second optical path and configured to rotate to redirect light and scan the sample with the probe light;\\nproviding a reflective objective lens arranged along the first optical path between the mid-infrared optical source and the sample; and\\nproviding a second objective lens arranged along the second optical path between the probe light source and the sample;\\nwherein the laser scanners are driven to rotate such that the mid-infrared beam and the probe light scan the sample synchronously.\",\n \"22. The method of claim 21, further comprising collecting an image of mid-infrared absorption by the sample covering an area at least 10 microns on a side in a time of 0.1 seconds or less.\",\n \"23. The method of claim 21, further comprising measuring cellular dynamics within a biological cell.\",\n \"24. The method of claim 21, further comprising:\\ncollecting probe light from the sample; and\\ndetecting a change in probe light collected from the sample at the plurality of locations on the sample in response to radiation from the mid-infrared light absorbed by the sample.\",\n \"25. The method of claim 24, further comprising extracting a signal from the detected change in collected probe light to produce an image that is indicative of infrared absorption by the sample.\",\n \"26. The method of claim 25, further comprising collecting a plurality of images at a plurality of mid-infrared wavelengths.\",\n \"27. The method of claim 25, further comprising measuring a plurality of images at different times to record dynamic changes in the sample.\",\n \"28. The method of claim 25, wherein the image indicative of infrared absorption by the sample has a signal to noise ratio of greater than 50.\"\n]"},"applicant_patent_id":{"kind":"string","value":"US12298238B2"},"cited_patent_id":{"kind":"string","value":"US10942116B2"},"positive":{"kind":"list like","value":["1. A method for analyzing a sample with a photothermal microscope, the method comprising:\n(a) illuminating a region of the sample in the photothermal microscope with a light beam of infrared radiation;\n(b) illuminating at least a sub-region of the region of the sample in the photothermal microscope with a probe light beam, the probe light beam having a shorter wavelength than the light beam of infrared radiation;\n(c) analyzing probe light collected from the sample to obtain measurements indicative of infrared absorption of the sub-region of the sample; and\n(d) analyzing probe light collected from the sample to obtain measurements indicative of Raman scattering of the sub-region of the sample.","2. The method of claim 1 wherein (c) and (d) are performed substantially simultaneously.","3. The method of claim 1 wherein (a)-(d) are repeated at a plurality of wavelengths of the beam of infrared radiation.","4. The method of claim 3 further comprising generating a spectrum of infrared absorption by the sub-region of the sample.","5. The method of claim 1 further comprising analyzing probe light collected from the sample to construct a signal indicative of fluorescent response of the sub-region of the sample.","6. The method of claim 1 wherein the probe light is collected with an optical detector.","7. The method of claim 1 wherein the probe light is collected with at least one of (i) an array detector and (ii) a video camera.","8. The method of claim 1 wherein the probe light is collected in a transmission configuration in which a detector collects probe light that has passed through the sample.","9. The method of claim 1 wherein the probe light is collected in a reflection configuration in which a detector collects probe light that is reflected and/or backscattered from the sample.","10. The method of claim 1 wherein measurements of IR absorption and Raman scattering are performed on substantially the same region of the sample.","11. A method for analyzing a sample with a photothermal microscope, the method comprising:\n(a) illuminating a region of the sample with a light beam of infrared radiation;\n(b) illuminating at least a sub-region of the region of the sample with a probe light beam having a shorter wavelength than the light beam of infrared radiation;\n(c) analyzing probe light collected from the sample to obtain measurements indicative of infrared absorption of the sub-region of the sample;\n(d) analyzing probe light collected from the sample to obtain measurements indicative of Raman scattering of the sub-region of the sample; and\n(e) repeating (a)-(d) at a plurality of locations on the sample.","12. The method of claim 11 wherein (c) and (d) are performed substantially simultaneously.","13. The method of claim 12 further comprising creating a map of infrared absorption of at least a portion of the region of the sample and a map of Raman scattering of at least a portion of the region of the sample that is overlapping with the map of infrared absorption.","14. The method of claim 11 further comprising generating a map of infrared absorption of a plurality of locations on the sample.","15. The method of claim 11 wherein (a)-(d) are repeated at a plurality of wavelengths of the beam of infrared radiation to generate a spectrum of infrared absorption by the sub-region of the sample.","16. The method of claim 11 further comprising analyzing probe light collected from the sample to construct a signal indicative of fluorescent response of the sub-region of the sample.","17. The method of claim 11 wherein the probe light is collected with at least one of (i) an optical detector, (ii) an array detector and (iii) a video camera.","18. The method of claim 11 wherein the probe light is collected in one of a transmission configuration in which a detector collects probe light that has passed through the sample or a reflection configuration in which a detector collects probe light that is reflected and/or backscattered from the sample.","19. The method of claim 11 wherein measurements of IR absorption and Raman scattering are performed on substantially the same region of the sample.","20. A method for analyzing a sample with a photothermal microscope, the method comprising:\n(a) illuminating a region of the sample with a light beam of infrared radiation;\n(b) illuminating at least a sub-region of the region of the sample with a probe light beam having a shorter wavelength than the light beam of infrared radiation;\n(c) analyzing probe light collected from the sample to obtain measurements indicative of infrared absorption of the sub-region of the sample; and\n(d) analyzing probe light collected from the sample to obtain measurements indicative of Raman scattering of the sub-region of the sample,\nwherein the light beam of infrared radiation comprises mid-IR radiation within the wavelength range of 2.5-25 microns.","21. The method of claim 20 wherein (a)-(d) are repeated at a plurality of wavelengths of the beam of infrared radiation to generate a spectrum of infrared absorption by the sub-region of the sample.","22. The method of claim 20 further comprising analyzing probe light collected from the sample to construct a signal indicative of fluorescent response of the sub-region of the sample.","23. The method of claim 20 wherein the probe light is collected with at least one of (i) an optical detector, (ii) an array detector and (iii) a video camera.","24. The method of claim 20 wherein the probe light is collected in one of a transmission configuration in which a detector collects probe light that has passed through the sample or a reflection configuration in which a detector collects probe light that is reflected and/or backscattered from the sample.","25. The method of claim 20 wherein measurements of IR absorption and Raman scattering are performed on substantially the same region of the sample.","26. A method for analyzing a sample with a photothermal microscope, the method comprising:\n(a) illuminating a region of the sample with a light beam of infrared radiation;\n(b) illuminating at least a sub-region of the region of the sample with a probe light beam having a shorter wavelength than the light beam of infrared radiation;\n(c) adjusting an overlap between a focused spot of the light beam of infrared radiation and a focused spot of the probe light beam on the sample;\n(d) analyzing probe light collected from the sample to obtain measurements indicative of infrared absorption of the sub-region of the sample; and\n(e) analyzing probe light collected from the sample to obtain measurements indicative of Raman scattering of the sub-region of the sample.","27. The method of claim 26 wherein adjusting the overlap adjusts the overlap between the focused spots to substantially maximize the measurements indicative of infrared absorption of the sample.","28. The method of claim 26 wherein adjusting the overlap adjusts the overlap between the focused spots to arrange an overlap that is smaller than a diameter of the focused spot of the probe light beam.","29. The method of claim 26 wherein adjusting the overlap adjusts the overlap between the focused spots to achieve a spatial resolution of less than 100 nm for the measurements indicative of the infrared absorption of the sample.","30. The method of claim 26 wherein (a)-(d) are repeated at a plurality of wavelengths of the beam of infrared radiation to generate a spectrum of infrared absorption by the sub-region of the sample.","31. The method of claim 26 further comprising analyzing probe light collected from the sample to construct a signal indicative of fluorescent response of the sub-region of the sample.","32. The method of claim 26 wherein the probe light is collected with at least one of (i) an optical detector, (ii) an array detector and (iii) a video camera.","33. The method of claim 26 wherein the probe light is collected in one of a transmission configuration in which a detector collects probe light that has passed through the sample or a reflection configuration in which a detector collects probe light that is reflected and/or backscattered from the sample.","34. The method of claim 26 wherein measurements of IR absorption and Raman scattering are performed on substantially the same region of the sample.","35. A method for analyzing a sample immersed in a liquid, the method comprising:\n(a) illuminating a region of the sample immersed in the liquid with a light beam of infrared radiation;\n(b) illuminating at least a sub-region of the region of the sample with a probe light beam having a shorter wavelength than the light beam of infrared radiation;\n(c) analyzing probe light collected from the sample to obtain measurements indicative of infrared absorption of the sub-region of the sample; and\n(d) analyzing probe light collected from the sample to obtain measurements indicative of Raman scattering of the sub-region of the sample.","36. The method of claim 35 wherein (a)-(d) are repeated at a plurality of wavelengths of the beam of infrared radiation to generate a spectrum of infrared absorption by the sub-region of the sample.","37. The method of claim 35 further comprising analyzing probe light collected from the sample to construct a signal indicative of fluorescent response of the sub-region of the sample.","38. The method of claim 35 wherein the probe light is collected with at least one of (i) an optical detector, (ii) an array detector and (iii) a video camera.","39. The method of claim 35 wherein the probe light is collected in one of a transmission configuration in which a detector collects probe light that has passed through the sample or a reflection configuration in which a detector collects probe light that is reflected and/or backscattered from the sample.","40. The method of claim 35 wherein measurements of IR absorption and Raman scattering are performed on substantially the same region of the sample.","41. A method for analyzing a sample, the method comprising:\n(a) illuminating a region of the sample with a light beam of infrared radiation;\n(b) illuminating at least a sub-region of the region of the sample with a probe light beam having a shorter wavelength than the light beam of infrared radiation;\n(c) analyzing probe light collected from the sample to obtain measurements indicative of infrared absorption of the sub-region of the sample; and\n(d) analyzing probe light collected from the sample to obtain measurements indicative of Raman scattering of the sub-region of the sample,\nwherein at least one focusing optic is used to focus the light beam of infrared radiation and the probe light beam illuminating the sample and further comprising adjusting a relative separation between the at least one focusing optic and the sample to perform depth-resolved measurements of sub-surface features of a sample.","42. The method of claim 41 wherein (a)-(d) are repeated at a plurality of wavelengths of the beam of infrared radiation to generate a spectrum of infrared absorption by the sub-region of the sample.","43. The method of claim 41 further comprising analyzing probe light collected from the sample to construct a signal indicative of fluorescent response of the sub-region of the sample.","44. The method of claim 41 wherein the probe light is collected with at least one of (i) an optical detector, (ii) an array detector and (iii) a video camera.","45. The method of claim 41 wherein the probe light is collected in one of a transmission configuration in which a detector collects probe light that has passed through the sample or a reflection configuration in which a detector collects probe light that is reflected and/or backscattered from the sample.","46. The method of claim 41 wherein measurements of IR absorption and Raman scattering are performed on substantially the same region of the sample."],"string":"[\n \"1. A method for analyzing a sample with a photothermal microscope, the method comprising:\\n(a) illuminating a region of the sample in the photothermal microscope with a light beam of infrared radiation;\\n(b) illuminating at least a sub-region of the region of the sample in the photothermal microscope with a probe light beam, the probe light beam having a shorter wavelength than the light beam of infrared radiation;\\n(c) analyzing probe light collected from the sample to obtain measurements indicative of infrared absorption of the sub-region of the sample; and\\n(d) analyzing probe light collected from the sample to obtain measurements indicative of Raman scattering of the sub-region of the sample.\",\n \"2. The method of claim 1 wherein (c) and (d) are performed substantially simultaneously.\",\n \"3. The method of claim 1 wherein (a)-(d) are repeated at a plurality of wavelengths of the beam of infrared radiation.\",\n \"4. The method of claim 3 further comprising generating a spectrum of infrared absorption by the sub-region of the sample.\",\n \"5. The method of claim 1 further comprising analyzing probe light collected from the sample to construct a signal indicative of fluorescent response of the sub-region of the sample.\",\n \"6. The method of claim 1 wherein the probe light is collected with an optical detector.\",\n \"7. The method of claim 1 wherein the probe light is collected with at least one of (i) an array detector and (ii) a video camera.\",\n \"8. The method of claim 1 wherein the probe light is collected in a transmission configuration in which a detector collects probe light that has passed through the sample.\",\n \"9. The method of claim 1 wherein the probe light is collected in a reflection configuration in which a detector collects probe light that is reflected and/or backscattered from the sample.\",\n \"10. The method of claim 1 wherein measurements of IR absorption and Raman scattering are performed on substantially the same region of the sample.\",\n \"11. A method for analyzing a sample with a photothermal microscope, the method comprising:\\n(a) illuminating a region of the sample with a light beam of infrared radiation;\\n(b) illuminating at least a sub-region of the region of the sample with a probe light beam having a shorter wavelength than the light beam of infrared radiation;\\n(c) analyzing probe light collected from the sample to obtain measurements indicative of infrared absorption of the sub-region of the sample;\\n(d) analyzing probe light collected from the sample to obtain measurements indicative of Raman scattering of the sub-region of the sample; and\\n(e) repeating (a)-(d) at a plurality of locations on the sample.\",\n \"12. The method of claim 11 wherein (c) and (d) are performed substantially simultaneously.\",\n \"13. The method of claim 12 further comprising creating a map of infrared absorption of at least a portion of the region of the sample and a map of Raman scattering of at least a portion of the region of the sample that is overlapping with the map of infrared absorption.\",\n \"14. The method of claim 11 further comprising generating a map of infrared absorption of a plurality of locations on the sample.\",\n \"15. The method of claim 11 wherein (a)-(d) are repeated at a plurality of wavelengths of the beam of infrared radiation to generate a spectrum of infrared absorption by the sub-region of the sample.\",\n \"16. The method of claim 11 further comprising analyzing probe light collected from the sample to construct a signal indicative of fluorescent response of the sub-region of the sample.\",\n \"17. The method of claim 11 wherein the probe light is collected with at least one of (i) an optical detector, (ii) an array detector and (iii) a video camera.\",\n \"18. The method of claim 11 wherein the probe light is collected in one of a transmission configuration in which a detector collects probe light that has passed through the sample or a reflection configuration in which a detector collects probe light that is reflected and/or backscattered from the sample.\",\n \"19. The method of claim 11 wherein measurements of IR absorption and Raman scattering are performed on substantially the same region of the sample.\",\n \"20. A method for analyzing a sample with a photothermal microscope, the method comprising:\\n(a) illuminating a region of the sample with a light beam of infrared radiation;\\n(b) illuminating at least a sub-region of the region of the sample with a probe light beam having a shorter wavelength than the light beam of infrared radiation;\\n(c) analyzing probe light collected from the sample to obtain measurements indicative of infrared absorption of the sub-region of the sample; and\\n(d) analyzing probe light collected from the sample to obtain measurements indicative of Raman scattering of the sub-region of the sample,\\nwherein the light beam of infrared radiation comprises mid-IR radiation within the wavelength range of 2.5-25 microns.\",\n \"21. The method of claim 20 wherein (a)-(d) are repeated at a plurality of wavelengths of the beam of infrared radiation to generate a spectrum of infrared absorption by the sub-region of the sample.\",\n \"22. The method of claim 20 further comprising analyzing probe light collected from the sample to construct a signal indicative of fluorescent response of the sub-region of the sample.\",\n \"23. The method of claim 20 wherein the probe light is collected with at least one of (i) an optical detector, (ii) an array detector and (iii) a video camera.\",\n \"24. The method of claim 20 wherein the probe light is collected in one of a transmission configuration in which a detector collects probe light that has passed through the sample or a reflection configuration in which a detector collects probe light that is reflected and/or backscattered from the sample.\",\n \"25. The method of claim 20 wherein measurements of IR absorption and Raman scattering are performed on substantially the same region of the sample.\",\n \"26. A method for analyzing a sample with a photothermal microscope, the method comprising:\\n(a) illuminating a region of the sample with a light beam of infrared radiation;\\n(b) illuminating at least a sub-region of the region of the sample with a probe light beam having a shorter wavelength than the light beam of infrared radiation;\\n(c) adjusting an overlap between a focused spot of the light beam of infrared radiation and a focused spot of the probe light beam on the sample;\\n(d) analyzing probe light collected from the sample to obtain measurements indicative of infrared absorption of the sub-region of the sample; and\\n(e) analyzing probe light collected from the sample to obtain measurements indicative of Raman scattering of the sub-region of the sample.\",\n \"27. The method of claim 26 wherein adjusting the overlap adjusts the overlap between the focused spots to substantially maximize the measurements indicative of infrared absorption of the sample.\",\n \"28. The method of claim 26 wherein adjusting the overlap adjusts the overlap between the focused spots to arrange an overlap that is smaller than a diameter of the focused spot of the probe light beam.\",\n \"29. The method of claim 26 wherein adjusting the overlap adjusts the overlap between the focused spots to achieve a spatial resolution of less than 100 nm for the measurements indicative of the infrared absorption of the sample.\",\n \"30. The method of claim 26 wherein (a)-(d) are repeated at a plurality of wavelengths of the beam of infrared radiation to generate a spectrum of infrared absorption by the sub-region of the sample.\",\n \"31. The method of claim 26 further comprising analyzing probe light collected from the sample to construct a signal indicative of fluorescent response of the sub-region of the sample.\",\n \"32. The method of claim 26 wherein the probe light is collected with at least one of (i) an optical detector, (ii) an array detector and (iii) a video camera.\",\n \"33. The method of claim 26 wherein the probe light is collected in one of a transmission configuration in which a detector collects probe light that has passed through the sample or a reflection configuration in which a detector collects probe light that is reflected and/or backscattered from the sample.\",\n \"34. The method of claim 26 wherein measurements of IR absorption and Raman scattering are performed on substantially the same region of the sample.\",\n \"35. A method for analyzing a sample immersed in a liquid, the method comprising:\\n(a) illuminating a region of the sample immersed in the liquid with a light beam of infrared radiation;\\n(b) illuminating at least a sub-region of the region of the sample with a probe light beam having a shorter wavelength than the light beam of infrared radiation;\\n(c) analyzing probe light collected from the sample to obtain measurements indicative of infrared absorption of the sub-region of the sample; and\\n(d) analyzing probe light collected from the sample to obtain measurements indicative of Raman scattering of the sub-region of the sample.\",\n \"36. The method of claim 35 wherein (a)-(d) are repeated at a plurality of wavelengths of the beam of infrared radiation to generate a spectrum of infrared absorption by the sub-region of the sample.\",\n \"37. The method of claim 35 further comprising analyzing probe light collected from the sample to construct a signal indicative of fluorescent response of the sub-region of the sample.\",\n \"38. The method of claim 35 wherein the probe light is collected with at least one of (i) an optical detector, (ii) an array detector and (iii) a video camera.\",\n \"39. The method of claim 35 wherein the probe light is collected in one of a transmission configuration in which a detector collects probe light that has passed through the sample or a reflection configuration in which a detector collects probe light that is reflected and/or backscattered from the sample.\",\n \"40. The method of claim 35 wherein measurements of IR absorption and Raman scattering are performed on substantially the same region of the sample.\",\n \"41. A method for analyzing a sample, the method comprising:\\n(a) illuminating a region of the sample with a light beam of infrared radiation;\\n(b) illuminating at least a sub-region of the region of the sample with a probe light beam having a shorter wavelength than the light beam of infrared radiation;\\n(c) analyzing probe light collected from the sample to obtain measurements indicative of infrared absorption of the sub-region of the sample; and\\n(d) analyzing probe light collected from the sample to obtain measurements indicative of Raman scattering of the sub-region of the sample,\\nwherein at least one focusing optic is used to focus the light beam of infrared radiation and the probe light beam illuminating the sample and further comprising adjusting a relative separation between the at least one focusing optic and the sample to perform depth-resolved measurements of sub-surface features of a sample.\",\n \"42. The method of claim 41 wherein (a)-(d) are repeated at a plurality of wavelengths of the beam of infrared radiation to generate a spectrum of infrared absorption by the sub-region of the sample.\",\n \"43. The method of claim 41 further comprising analyzing probe light collected from the sample to construct a signal indicative of fluorescent response of the sub-region of the sample.\",\n \"44. The method of claim 41 wherein the probe light is collected with at least one of (i) an optical detector, (ii) an array detector and (iii) a video camera.\",\n \"45. The method of claim 41 wherein the probe light is collected in one of a transmission configuration in which a detector collects probe light that has passed through the sample or a reflection configuration in which a detector collects probe light that is reflected and/or backscattered from the sample.\",\n \"46. The method of claim 41 wherein measurements of IR absorption and Raman scattering are performed on substantially the same region of the sample.\"\n]"},"hard_negatives":{"kind":"list like","value":[["1. A method of photo thermal nanocalorimetry on a sample using an AFM operating in Peak Force Tapping mode, the method including:\npositioning a tip at a region of interest of the sample;\ndirecting IR electromagnetic energy having a selected frequency, ω, towards the tip;\ndetermining a mass of the region by obtaining 3D topography data corresponding to the region in response to the directing step; and\ndetermining a ΔT in response to the directing step.","2. The method of claim 1, wherein the tip has an apex with a radius between about 10 nm and 100 nm.","3. The method of claim 2, wherein the tip is made so as to concentrate IR fields along a length of the tip in response to the directing step.","4. The method of claim 3, wherein an IR conductivity of the distal 10 nm to 100 nm of the tip is higher than the remainder of the tip.","5. The method of claim 4, wherein the tip is silicon and is metalized with a Platinum Iridium or Platinum Silicide coating.","6. The method of claim 3, wherein the tip is one of a solid metal probe and a probe made of a heavily doped material.","7. The method of claim 1, further comprising calculating a heat capacity, [C], of the region according to [C]=Q/mΔT.","8. The method of claim 7, further comprising repeating each of the previous steps at a plurality of regions of interest.","9. The method of claim 7, further comprising repeating each of the previous steps at a plurality of selected frequencies, ω, at the regions of interest.","10. The method of claim 1, wherein the directing step includes using an IR source that is monochromatic with a line width below 1 cm−1 and a peak power greater than 1 mW.","11. The method of claim 10, wherein the monochromatic source is a tunable Quantum Cascade Laser (QCL).","12. The method of claim 1, wherein ΔT is measured using Peak Force QNM mode."],["1. A gas measuring method based on photothermal effect in hollow-core optical fiber, comprising the following steps:\nfilling a target gas into the core of a hollow-core optical fiber;\ncoupling a probe light and a periodically modulated pump light into the hollow-core optical fiber;\nabsorbing the modulated pump light by the target gas to generate a photothermal excitation effect resulting in the periodic modulation of the phase of the probe light;\ndemodulating the phase modulation information of the probe light to obtain the concentration of the target gas;\nwherein the periodic modulation of the pump laser is wavelength and/or amplitude modulation,\nwherein the probe light is a pulsed light,\nwherein the obtained concentration of the target gas is a distributed gas concentration along the length of the hollow-core optical fiber, and\nwherein demodulating the phase modulation information of the probe light comprises demodulating the phase modulation information of the back scattered pulsed probe light in the hollow-core optical fiber.","2. The gas measuring method based on photothermal effect in hollow-core optical fiber of claim 1, wherein demodulating the phase modulation information of a back scattered pulsed probe light in the hollow-core optical fiber comprises the steps of:\ncombining the phase-modulated back scattered probe light with the unmodulated probe light to obtain an interference light, and\nobtaining phase changes of the back scattered light distributed along the length of the hollow-core optical fiber by demodulating the signal generated by a beat frequency of the interference light, to obtain the distributed concentration information of the target gas along the length of the optical fiber.","3. The gas measuring method based on photothermal effect in hollow-core optical fiber of claim 2, wherein the probe light comprises a first part and a second part;\nwherein the first part is a frequency-shifted pulsed light generated by an acousto-optic modulator, and\nwherein the second part serves as an unmodulated probe light which interferes with the phase-modulated back scattered probe light."],["1. A device for microscopic analysis of a sample, comprising:\na) a mid-IR optical source that generates an infrared beam;\nb) an optical source that generates a probe beam;\nc) beam combining optics configured to combine the infrared beam and the probe beam as combined beams;\nd) an objective configured to focus the combined beams on to the sample;\ne) a detector to detect probe light from at least one of: the probe beam transmitted through the sample and the probe beam returning from the sample; and\nf) a data acquisition and processing system configured to acquire and process the detected probe light from the detector to generate a signal indicative of IR absorption by the sample, wherein the signal indicative of IR absorption has a spatial resolution of less than 1 micrometer,\nwherein the data acquisition and processing system is configured to obtain measurements at different depths within the sample and generate a plurality of signals indicative of IR absorption each at the different depths for use in generating a set of depth-resolved maps of IR absorption of the sample.","2. The device of claim 1 wherein the each of the set of depth-resolved maps have a spatial resolution in an axial direction of less than 4 micrometers.","3. The device of claim 1 wherein the signal indicative of IR absorption has a molecular concentration detection sensitivity of less than 10 millimolar.","4. The device of claim 1 wherein the signal indicative of IR absorption has a molecular concentration detection sensitivity of less than 1 millimolar.","5. The device of claim 1 wherein the signal indicative of IR absorption has a molecular concentration detection sensitivity of less than 100 micromolar.","6. The device of claim 1 wherein the signal indicative of IR absorption has a molecular concentration detection sensitivity of less than 10 micromolar.","7. The device of claim 1 wherein the measurements corresponding to IR absorption at a location on a sample are acquired with a pixel dwell time of less than or equal to 500 microseconds.","8. The device of claim 1 wherein the mid-IR optical source comprises an electronically pulsed laser source.","9. The device of claim 8 wherein the electronically pulsed laser source operates at a pulse rate of greater than or equal to 100 kHz.","10. The device of claim 1 wherein the spatial resolution is 0.63 micrometers or better.","11. The device of claim 1 further comprising a variable iris in an optical path between the sample and the detector to block at least a portion of probe light that is transmitted, reflected and/or scattered from the sample.","12. The device of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of probe light is deflected due to absorption of the infrared beam by the sample.","13. A system for microscopic analysis of a sample, comprising:\na) a mid-IR optical source (MIR Source) that generates an infrared beam;\nb) an optical source that generates a probe beam;\nc) beam combining optics configured to combine the infrared beam and the probe beam as combined beams;\nd) an objective configured to focus the combined beams on to the sample;\ne) a detector to detect at least one of: probe light transmitted through the sample and probe light returning from the sample;\nf) a focus stage to generate relative motion between the sample and the focused combined beams to enable measurements of IR absorption at a plurality of depths within the sample; and\ng) a data acquisition and processing system for acquiring and processing a signal indicative of IR absorption by the sample at the plurality of depths, wherein IR absorption signals are acquired at a plurality of locations of the focus stage to generate depth resolved maps of IR absorption of the sample.","14. The device of claim 13 wherein the depth resolved maps have a spatial resolution in an axial direction of less than 4 micrometers."],["1. A method for detecting infrared light absorption in a sample, the method comprising:\na) illuminating a region of the sample with a pump beam generated by a first light source, wherein at least a portion of the pump beam is absorbed by the region of the sample;\nb) illuminating the region of the sample with a probe beam generated by a second light source, wherein the probe beam has a wavelength shorter than the pump beam and a Gaussian beam width of less than 2.33 micrometers;\nc) collecting, by a detector, a portion of the probe beam coming from the region of the sample as collected light; and\nd) analyzing the collected light to construct a signal indicative of infrared absorption by the region of the sample.","2. The method according to claim 1, wherein analyzing the collected light comprises generating, based on the collected light and a wavelength of the first light source, a signal indicative of the portion of the pump beam absorbed by the region of the sample, wherein the signal represents an amount of infrared light absorbed by the region of the sample.","3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising repeating (a)-(d) at a plurality of regions on the sample to construct a map of the signal indicative of infrared absorption with a spatial resolution of less than 1 micron.","4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the probe beam has a Gaussian beam width of less than 0.7 micrometers.","5. The method according to claim 1,\nwherein the pump beam travels along a first pathway toward the region of the sample,\nwherein the probe beam travels along a second pathway toward the region of the sample, and\nwherein the first pathway does not intersect with the second pathway.","6. The method according to claim 1,\nwherein the pump beam is directed toward a first sample surface,\nwherein the probe beam is directed toward a second sample surface, and\nwherein the first sample surface is adjacent to the second sample surface.","7. The method according to claim 1,\nwherein the pump beam is directed toward a first sample surface,\nwherein the probe beam is directed toward a second sample surface, and\nwherein the first sample surface is the same as the second sample surface.","8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising modulating the pump beam according to a first modulation frequency.","9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the first modulation frequency is greater than or equal to 100 kHz.","10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first light source is a mid-infrared laser having at least one emission wavelength within the range of 3 to 25 micrometers.","11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second light source is a visible light laser having at least one emission wavelength that is less than or equal to 800 nanometers.","12. The method according to claim 1, further comprising focusing, by a reflective objective, the pump beam onto the region of the sample.","13. The method according to claim 1, further comprising focusing, by a refractive objective, the probe beam onto the region of the sample.","14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the analyzing comprises:\nsending a signal from the detector to a lock-in amplifier configured to determine at least one of an amplitude and a phase of the probe beam collected from the region of the sample; and\nusing the at least one of the amplitude and the phase of the probe beam to construct the signal indicative of infrared absorption by the region of the sample.","15. The method according to claim 1, wherein the sample is held by a cell adapted for high infrared transmission, wherein the cell includes sapphire windows.","16. The method according to claim 1, wherein absorption of infrared radiation from the pump beam by the sample results in a temperature increase of the region of the sample and wherein propagation of the probe beam is affected by a thermal lens formed by the temperature increase.","17. The method according to claim 1, wherein the analyzing comprises sending a signal from the detector to a lock-in amplifier configured to determine at least one modulation property of the collected light.","18. The method of claim 17 wherein the at least one modulation property comprises at least one of frequency, shift in frequency, phase, phase shift, and modulation intensity.","19. The method of claim 18 wherein a determined modulation frequency is used to construct the signal indicative of infrared absorption by the region of the sample.","20. The method of claim 1 where the sample is immersed in a liquid.","21. The method of claim 20 where the liquid comprises water.","22. The method of claim 20 wherein the liquid is chosen to enhance a photothermal detection of IR absorption by the sample.","23. A method for detecting infrared light absorption in a sample, the method comprising:\na) illuminating a region of the sample with a pump beam generated by a tunable source of mid-infrared radiation, wherein at least a portion of the pump beam is absorbed by the region of the sample at least one wavelength generated by the tunable source of mid-infrared radiation;\nb) illuminating the region of the sample with a probe beam generated by a second light source, wherein the probe beam has a wavelength shorter than the pump beam and a Gaussian beam width of less than 2.33 micrometers;\nc) collecting by a detector at least of a portion of the probe beam coming from the region of the sample;\nd) generating, based on a portion of the probe beam collected by the detector, a signal indicative of an amount of infrared light absorbed by the region of the sample; and\ne) repeating (a)-(d) at a plurality of wavelengths of the tunable source of mid-infrared radiation.","24. The method according to claim 23, further comprising:\ngenerating a signal indicative of an absorption spectrum of the region of the sample; and\nbased on the signal indicative of the amount of infrared light absorbed by the region of the sample, determining one or more chemical compounds present in the sample.","25. The method of claim 20 wherein the liquid is at least one of the group consisting of carbon disulfide, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, hexane, decane, ethanol, and glycerin.","26. The method according to claim 23, further comprising:\ngenerating a signal indicative of an absorption spectrum of the region of the sample; and\ncomparing the signal indicative of the amount of infrared light absorbed by the region of the sample to a database to identify a chemical composition of the sample.","27. The method according to claim 23, wherein the probe beam has a Gaussian beam width of less than 0.7 micrometers.","28. A system for detecting infrared light absorption in a sample, the system comprising:\na first light source operable to illuminate a region of the sample with a pump beam generated by a tunable mid-infrared light source operable to generate radiation at a plurality of wavelengths; and wherein the sample absorbs at least a portion of the pump beam at least one wavelength of a tunable light source;\na second light source operable to illuminate the region of the sample with a probe beam generated by a second light source, wherein the probe beam has a shorter wavelength than that of the pump beam and also has a Gaussian beam width of less than 2.33 micrometers;\na detector operable to collect at least a portion of the probe beam from the region of the sample; and\na signal processing device configured to generate a signal indicative of an amount of mid-infrared light absorbed by the region of the sample with at the plurality of wavelengths of the tunable IR pump beam.","29. The system according to claim 28, wherein the system is further configured to:\ngenerate a signal indicative of an absorption spectrum of the sample based on the signal indicative of the absorption of the region of the sample at the plurality of wavelengths of the tunable IR pump beam; and\nbased on the signal indicative of the absorption spectrum, determine one or more chemical compounds present in the sample.","30. The system according to claim 28, wherein the probe beam has a Gaussian beam width of less than 0.7 micrometers."],["1. A method for determining a blood sugar level of a patient, comprising the following steps:\narranging an optical medium on a surface of the skin of said patient, so that at least a portion of the surface of the optical medium is in contact with the substance surface;\nemitting an excitation light beam with an excitation wavelength through the region of the surface of the optical medium in contact with the skin surface onto the skin surface;\nemitting a probe light beam through the optical medium onto the region of the surface of the optical medium which is in contact with the skin surface, in such a way that the probe light beam is reflected at an interface of the optical medium and the skin surface;\ndirectly or indirectly detecting a deflection of the reflected probe light beam as a function of the wavelength of the excitation light beam; and\ndetermining the blood sugar level on the basis of the detected deflection of the probe light beam as a function of the wavelength of the excitation light beam,\nwherein the excitation light beam is intensity-modulated at a modulation frequency between 5 and 2000 Hz, and\nthe excitation wavelength is selected from a range of 6 μm to 13 μm.","2. The method according to claim 1, comprising the further step of:\naligning the probe light beam such that the probe light beam undergoes total internal reflection at the interface between the optical medium and the substance surface.","3. The method according to claim 1, in which the excitation light beam is a pulsed excitation light beam.","4. The method according to claim 3, in which the pulse rate is between 20 and 700 Hz.","5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of emitting the excitation light beam is repeated for different modulation frequencies and the step of analyzing the substance comprises the analysis of the substance on the basis of the detected deflections of the measurement beam as a function of the wavelength and the modulation frequency of the excitation light beam.","6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the step of determining said blood sugar level comprises one of\na subtraction of a value which is based on a deflection of the probe light beam that was detected at a first modulation frequency, from a value which is based on a deflection of the probe light beam that was detected at a second modulation frequency; and\na division of a value which is based on a deflection of the probe light beam that was detected at a first modulation frequency, by a value which is based on a deflection of the probe light beam that was detected at a second modulation frequency.","7. The method according to claim 5, wherein the step of determining said blood sugar level comprises a subtraction of values based on deflections of the probe light beam that were detected at a first modulation frequency for different wavelengths of the excitation light beam, from values based on deflections of the probe light beam that were detected at a second modulation frequency for different wavelengths of the excitation light beam.","8. The method of claim 7, wherein said values are spectral absorption intensity values.","9. The method of claim 5, wherein the step of determining said blood sugar level comprises a division of values based on deflections of the probe light beam, which were detected at a first modulation frequency for different wavelengths of the excitation light beam, by values based on deflections of the probe light beam, which were detected at a second modulation frequency for different wavelengths of the excitation light beam.","10. The method of claim 9, wherein the values are spectral absorption intensity values.","11. The method according to claim 5, wherein the step of determining said blood sugar level comprises associating values based on deflections of the probe light beam, which were detected at different modulation frequencies, with regions in said skin of said patient located at different depths.","12. The method according to claim 1, in which the detection of the deflection of the probe light beam comprises amplification of an associated measurement signal with a lock-in amplifier.","13. The method according to claim 1, in which the wavelength of the excitation light beam is varied, in one of the following ways:\nthe wavelength is cyclically tuned within a predetermined wavelength range, or characteristic wavelengths are selectively set.","14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the excitation light beam is an excitation laser beam, and wherein the probe light beam is a probe laser beam.","15. The method according to claim 1, wherein a polarization of the probe light beam is set such that the deflection of the reflected probe light beam is a maximum.","16. The method according to claim 1, in which the excitation light beam is generated by means of a quantum cascade laser.","17. The method according to claim 1, in which the excitation wavelength is selected from a range of 8 μm to 11 μm.","18. The method according to claim 1, in which the excitation light beam is focused on the said surface of the optical medium by means of an optical device.","19. The method according to claim 1, in which the wavelength of the probe light beam is in the visible range.","20. The method according to claim 1, in which the deflection of the probe light beam\nis determined by means of a photo-detector, in particular a photodiode, which is arranged behind an iris diaphragm, or\nis determined by means of a PSD.","21. The method of claim 1, wherein the probe light beam and the excitation light beam overlap at said interface of the optical medium and the skin surface.","22. The method according to claim 21, in which before the detection of the deflection the probe light beam is reflected back into an overlap region with the excitation light beam on the interface at least one additional time.","23. The method according to claim 1, the method comprising the additional step of:\npreparing the surface of the skin by attaching and removing a fabric strip to remove dead skin cells,\nwherein the fabric strip comprises a material which adheres to the surface of the skin.","24. The method according to claim 1, in which, based on the detected deflection of the probe light beam an absorption intensity value is associated with the wavelength of the excitation light beam.","25. The method according to claim 24, wherein the absorption intensity value is compared with a calibration absorption intensity value, which represents the absorption intensity value of the skin of said patient at a known blood sugar level and at this exact wavelength of the excitation light beam.","26. The method according to claim 25, wherein the current blood sugar level of the patient is determined on the basis of the comparison, wherein the determined blood sugar level deviates the more from the blood sugar level during calibration, the more the absorption intensity value deviates from the calibration absorption intensity value.","27. An apparatus for determining the blood sugar level of a patient, which comprises the following:\nan optical medium;\na device for emitting an excitation light beam with an excitation wavelength, wherein the excitation wavelength is selected from a range of 6 μm to 13 μm, wherein the device for emitting the excitation light beam is arranged such that the emitted excitation light beam enters the optical medium and exits the same again at a predetermined point on the surface of the optical medium;\na measurement device, wherein the measurement device comprises a device for emitting a probe light beam, which is arranged such that an emitted probe light beam enters the optical medium, and during operation the probe light beam is reflected at an interface of the optical medium and a surface of the skin of said patient, wherein the measurement device comprises a device for receiving the reflected probe light beam and for directly or indirectly detecting a deflection of the reflected probe light beam;\na controller for setting different wavelengths of the excitation light beam; and\na logic unit or calculating unit, which is configured to determine blood sugar levels in the skin of a patient from detected deflections of the probe light beam as a function of the excitation wavelength, when the optical medium is brought into contact with the skin of the patient in such a way that the excitation light beam emerging from the optical medium at the said predetermined point enters into the skin.","28. The apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the probe light beam in operation undergoes total internal reflection at the interface between the optical medium and the substance surface.","29. The apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the probe light beam is an intensity-modulated, in particular pulsed, probe light beam.","30. The apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the device for receiving the reflected probe light beam and for directly or indirectly detecting a deflection of the reflected probe light beam preferably comprises a lock-in amplifier.","31. The apparatus according to claim 29, in which the modulation frequency is between 5 and 2000 Hz.","32. The apparatus according to claim 29, further comprising an optical chopper, wherein the optical chopper is positioned in the beam path of the excitation light beam and is suitable for modulating the intensity of the excitation light beam.","33. The apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the excitation light beam is an excitation laser beam and the device for emitting the excitation light beam is configured for emitting excitation laser beams of different excitation frequencies.","34. The apparatus according to claim 27, having an optical device which is suitable for focusing the excitation light beam on a predetermined point.","35. The apparatus according to claim 34, further comprising an alignment laser for aligning the optical device.","36. The apparatus according to claim 27, in which the device for emitting the excitation light beam is a quantum cascade laser.","37. The apparatus according to claim 27, in which the device for emitting the excitation light beam is tunable in an excitation wavelength range of 8 μm to 11 μm.","38. The apparatus according to claim 27, in which the wavelength of the probe light beam is in the visible range.","39. The apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the device for receiving the reflected probe light beam and for directly or indirectly detecting a deflection of the reflected probe light beam comprises one of\na photo-detector and an iris diaphragm, wherein the photo-detector is arranged behind the iris diaphragm, and\na PSD.","40. The apparatus according to claim 27, in which before the detection of the deflection, the probe light beam is reflected back into a region of overlap with the excitation light beam on the interface at least one additional time."],["1. A method of thermo-optically measuring characteristics of a biological cell in a solution comprising:\nproviding a sample comprising a marked biological cell in a solution;\nexciting fluorescently said marked biological cell and firstly detecting fluorescence of said excited biological cell;\nirradiating a laser light beam into the solution to obtain a spatial temperature distribution in the solution around the irradiated laser light beam;\ndetecting secondly a fluorescence of the biological cell in the solution at a predetermined time within the range of 1 ms to 250 ms after irradiation of the laser into the solution has been started, and characterizing the biological cell based on said two detections.","2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined time is in the range of 1 ms to 50 ms.","3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the laser beam is defocused such that a temperature gradient within the temperature distribution is in the range of from 0.0 to 2K/μm.","4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the laser beam is irradiated through an optical element into the solution.","5. The method according to claim 3, wherein the optical element is a single lens.","6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising measuring the temperature distribution in said solution around the irradiated beam with a temperature sensitive dye.","7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the temperature distribution is determined based on detected fluorescence of the temperature sensitive dye, wherein the solution comprising said temperature sensitive dye is heated by the irradiated laser beam and the fluorescence spatial fluorescence intensity is measured substantially perpendicular around the laser beam.","8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined time is within the range of 0.5 s to 250 s.","9. The method according to claim 8, wherein in said predetermined time, concentration change(s) within the spatial temperature distribution in the solution due to thermophoretic effects and such (an) concentration change(s) is(are) detected by a change of the distribution of fluorescence.","10. The method according to claim 8, wherein the laser beam is focused such that a temperature gradient within the temperature distribution is achieved in the range of from 0.001 to 10K/μm.","11. The method according to claim 8, wherein said fluorescence is detected with a CCD camera.","12. The method according to claim 8, wherein the brightness of said fluorescence is detected with a photodiode or a single pixel with the CCD in the centre of the laser beam.","13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the laser light is within the range of from 1200 nm to 2000 nm.","14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the laser is a high power laser within the range of from 0.1 W to 10 W.","15. The method according to claim 1, wherein the solution is a saline solution with concentrations in the range of from 0 to 1M.","16. The method according to claim 15, wherein said temperature gradient is created within 0.1 μm to 500 μm in diameter around the laser beam.","17. The method according to claim 1, wherein the spatial temperature distribution is between 0.1° C. and 100° C.","18. The method according to claim 1, wherein the irradiation of the laser and the detection of the fluorescence is conducted from the same side with respect to the sample.","19. The method according to claim 1, wherein the solution is provided with a thickness in direction of the laser light beam from 1 μm to 500 μm.","20. The method according to claim 1, wherein the detection of the fluorescence is detected within a range of from 1 nm to 500 μm in direction of the laser beam.","21. The method according to claim 1, wherein the fluorescence is detected substantially perpendicular with respect to the laser light beam with a CCD camera.","22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the second fluorescence detection is spatial measurement of the fluorescence in dependence of the temperature distribution substantially perpendicular with respect to the laser light beam.","23. The method according to claim 1, wherein the laser beam is defocused such that a temperature gradient within the temperature distribution is in the range of from 0.0 to 5K/μm.","24. The method according to claim 1, wherein the laser is a high power laser within the range of from 4 W to 6 W."],["1. A method for microscopic analysis of a sample to provide improved characterization of infrared absorption of the sample, the method comprising:\nilluminating the sample with a beam of mid-infrared radiation to create an infrared illuminated spot on the sample;\nilluminating the sample with a beam of probe radiation at least partially overlapping the infrared illuminated spot;\ncollecting probe light from the sample,\ninterfering, with an asymmetric interferometer, the collected probe light with a reference beam to create interfering radiation,\ncollecting the interfering radiation at at least one detector,\nanalyzing the detected interfering radiation to produce a signal indicative of mid-infrared absorption of the sample.","2. The method of claim 1, wherein the reference beam has an intensity of at least 10× an intensity of the probe light collected from the sample.","3. The method of claim 1, wherein the interfering radiation is detected at at least two detectors.","4. The method of claim 3, wherein the at least two detectors are operated at two different phases.","5. The method of claim 3, wherein the at least two detectors are operated at substantially orthogonal phases relative to one another.","6. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one detector comprises a first detector and a second detector, the method further comprising:\nseparating the interfering radiation into a first portion having a first polarization and a second portion having a second polarizing at a polarizing beam splitter;\nreceiving the first portion at the first detector to create a first signal;\nreceiving the second portion at the second detector to create a second signal; and\ncombining the first signal and the second signal at a phase computation module to produce a third signal that is indicative of the relative optical phase of the first portion and the second portion.","7. A method of performing photothermal infrared imaging, the method comprising:\nilluminating a sample with a beam of infrared radiation to induce a transient temperature change in the sample due to absorption of the infrared radiation;\nilluminating at least a portion of the sample that is illuminated with the beam of infrared radiation with a beam of probe radiation;\ndetecting, with at least one detector, at least a portion of the probe radiation scattered from a region of the sample that is illuminated with the beam of infrared radiation;\nprocessing, using one or more computing device processors, the portion of the probe radiation detected by the photodiode to produce a signal indicative of infrared absorption of the sample; and\ninterfering the portion of the probe radiation scattered from the region of the sample with a reference beam to create interfering radiation.","8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:\ndigitizing an intensity of the portion of the probe radiation detected by the photodiode to produce a photothermal response signal.","9. The method of claim 7, wherein the at least one detector is a photodiode.","10. The method of claim 7, wherein the infrared radiation is a pulsed infrared radiation.","11. The method of claim 7, wherein the beam of probe radiation is generated by a UV/VIS source that generates light in an ultraviolet and visible wavelength range.","12. The method of claim 7, wherein the beam of probe radiation has a shorter wavelength than the beam of infrared radiation.","13. The method of claim 7, wherein a beam splitter is configured to divide the beam of probe radiation into two paths, a first path that is directed towards illuminating at least the portion of the sample and a second path that is directed towards a reference reflector.","14. The method of claim 13, wherein the reference reflector returns the beam of probe radiation as the reference beam.","15. The method of claim 7, wherein the reference beam has an intensity of at least 10× an intensity of the portion of the probe radiation scattered from the region of the sample.","16. The method of claim 7, wherein the interfering radiation is detected at at least two detectors.","17. The method of claim 16, wherein the at least two detectors are operated at two different phases.","18. The method of claim 16, wherein the at least two detectors are operated at substantially orthogonal phases relative to one another.","19. The method of claim 16, wherein the at least two detectors comprise a first detector and a second detector, the method further comprising:\nseparating the interfering radiation into a first portion having a first polarization and a second portion having a second polarization at a polarizing beam splitter;\nreceiving the first portion at the first detector to create a first signal;\nreceiving the second portion at the second detector to create a second signal; and\ncombining the first signal and the second signal at a phase computation module to produce a third signal that is indicative of the relative optical phase of the first portion and the second portion."],["1. An apparatus for measuring infrared absorption of a sample being analyzed during operation, the apparatus comprising:\na first radiation source configured to emit at least one infrared radiation pulse;\na second radiation source configured to emit pulses of shorter wavelength than wavelengths of infrared radiation, the pulses comprising (i) at least one first radiation pulse and (ii) at least one second radiation pulse emitted at a first delay time after triggering the first radiation source to emit the at least one infrared radiation pulse;\none or more optical elements configured to deliver the at least one infrared radiation pulse to a region of the sample, deliver the at least one first radiation pulse and the at least one second radiation pulse to one or more sub-regions within the region;\nan ultrasonic transducer acoustically coupled to the sample to detect photoacoustic signals induced by the at least one first radiation pulse and the at least one second radiation pulse; and\none or more processors and memory configured to analyze the photoacoustic signals to determine an indication of infrared absorption of the one or more sub-regions of the region of the sample.","2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors and memory are further configured to generate an infrared image of the sample at least in part using the photoacoustic signals.","3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one first radiation pulse and/or the at least one second radiation pulse have a wavelength between about 100 nm and about 2000 nm.","4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one first radiation pulse and the at least one second radiation pulse comprise ultraviolet radiation pulses.","5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the least one infrared radiation pulse comprises a mid-infrared radiation pulse.","6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:\n(i) the second radiation source is configured to emit a first ultraviolet radiation pulse that is delivered to the one or more sub-regions of the region of the sample, the first ultraviolet radiation pulse configured to induce a first photoacoustic signal;\n(ii) the first radiation source is configured to emit a mid-infrared radiation pulse that is delivered to the region of the sample; and\n(iii) the second radiation source is also configured to emit a second ultraviolet radiation pulse that is delivered to the one or more sub-regions of the region of the sample, the second ultraviolet radiation pulse configured to induce a second photoacoustic signal.","7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the one or more processors and memory are further configured to calculate a difference between the first and second photoacoustic signals, said difference being indicative of the infrared absorption of the one or more sub-regions of the region of the sample.","8. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a scanning mechanism configured to move at least one of the sample and the one or more of the optical elements such that the at least one infrared radiation pulse is scanned to a plurality of regions in a field-of-view of the sample and the first and second ultraviolet radiation pulses are scanned to one or more sub-regions within each region of the plurality of regions.","9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the one or more processors and the memory are further configured to use the indication of infrared absorption of one or more sub-regions in each of the plurality of regions to determine an infrared image of the sample.","10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the infrared image is a photoacoustic image.","11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first radiation source comprises a tunable infrared radiation source.","12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the tunable infrared radiation source comprises at least one of an optical parametric oscillator and a quantum cascade laser.","13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first radiation source comprises a broadband infrared radiation source or a fixed wavelength radiation source optically coupled to the one or more optical elements and configured to emit the at least one infrared radiation pulse.","14. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a pulser configured to generate trigger pulses, at least one of which is configured to trigger the second radiation source to emit a first ultraviolet radiation pulse at a first time before or after the first radiation source is triggered to emit a first infrared radiation pulse, and wherein at least one of the trigger pulses is configured to trigger the second radiation source to emit a second ultraviolet radiation pulse at a second time after the first radiation source is triggered to emit the first infrared radiation pulse.","15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the one or more processors and memory are configured to determine the infrared absorption of the one or more sub-regions of the region of the sample by calculating a difference in amplitude between a first photoacoustic signal induced by the first ultraviolet radiation pulse and a second photoacoustic signal induced by the second ultraviolet radiation pulse.","16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors and memory are configured to determine the infrared absorption of the one or more sub-regions of the region of the sample at least in part by calculating a difference in amplitude between a first photoacoustic signal induced by a radiation pulse from the second radiation source and a second photoacoustic signal induced by another radiation pulse from the second radiation source.","17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors and memory are configured to determine the indication of infrared absorption of the one or more sub-regions with a spatial resolution of less than 1,000 nm.","18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors and memory are configured to determine the indication of infrared absorption of the one or more sub-regions with a spatial resolution of less than 500 nm.","19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors and memory are configured to determine the indication of infrared absorption of the one or more sub-regions based at least in part on a difference in amplitude between photoacoustic signals induced by the pulses from the second radiation source in response to absorption of infrared radiation by the one or more sub-regions from the first radiation source.","20. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a photodiode configured to take one or more intensity measurements of the pulses emitted from the second radiation source.","21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the one or more processors and memory are configured to normalize the photoacoustic signals by compensating for variations in pulse energy from the pulses emitted from the second radiation source using the one or more intensity measurements taken by the photodiode.","22. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first radiation source is configured to emit the at least one infrared radiation pulse at a plurality of infrared wavelengths, wherein the indication of infrared absorption is determined for the plurality of infrared wavelengths to construct a spectrum of infrared absorption of the one or more sub-regions of the region.","23. The apparatus of claim 1,\nfurther comprising a microlens array to generate an array of infrared radiation pulses and an array of additional radiation pulses,\nwherein the one or more optical elements further are configured to deliver the array of infrared radiation pulses and the array of additional radiation pulses to a plurality of regions of the sample.","24. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first radiation source is configured to emit the at least one infrared pulse of wavelengths between about 3,000 and about 8,000 nanometers or between about 5,800 and about 6,200 nanometers, and the second radiation source is configured to emit the pulses of wavelengths between about 200 and about 300 nanometers.","25. A method for measuring infrared absorption of a sample, the method comprising:\n(i) initiating delivery of at least one first radiation pulse of shorter wavelength than wavelengths of infrared radiation to one or more sub-regions of a region of the sample;\n(ii) initiating delivery of at least one infrared radiation pulse to the region of the sample;\n(iii) initiating delivery of at least one second radiation pulse of shorter wavelength than wavelengths of infrared radiation to the one or more sub-regions of the region of the sample, wherein the at least one second radiation pulse is initiated at a first delay time after (ii);\n(iv) receiving, from an ultrasonic transducer acoustically coupled to the sample, photoacoustic signals induced by the at least one first radiation pulse and the at least one second radiation pulse; and\n(v) analyzing the photoacoustic signals to determine an indication of infrared absorption of the one or more sub-regions of the region of the sample.","26. The method of claim 25, wherein the at least one first radiation pulse is initiated before (ii) or at a second delay time after (iii).","27. The method of claim 25, wherein in (v) the indication of infrared absorption of the one or more sub-regions of the region of the sample is determined at least in part by calculating a difference in amplitude between a first photoacoustic signal induced by the at least one first radiation pulse and a second photoacoustic signal induced by the at least one second radiation pulse.","28. The method of claim 25, further comprising scanning the at least one infrared radiation pulse to a plurality of regions of the sample, and scanning the at least one first radiation pulse and the at least one second radiation pulse to one or more sub-regions within each region of the plurality of regions of the sample.","29. The method of claim 25, wherein the at least one first radiation pulse and the at least one second radiation pulse are of a wavelength between about 100 nm and about 2000 nm.","30. The method of claim 25, wherein the at least one first radiation pulse and the at least one second radiation pulse are ultraviolet radiation pulses and the at least one infrared radiation pulse is a mid-infrared radiation pulse.","31. The method of claim 25, wherein the first delay time is less than about 1,000 nanoseconds.","32. The method of claim 25, wherein the first delay time is between about 100 nanoseconds and about 500 nanoseconds.","33. The method of claim 25, further comprising initiating delivery of one or more additional radiation pulses of shorter wavelength than wavelengths of infrared radiation to additional sub-regions of the region, wherein the one or more additional radiation pulses are initiated within the first delay time after (ii).","34. The method of claim 33, wherein the first delay time is less than or equal to, a thermal confinement time of the sample.","35. The method of claim 33, wherein the first delay time is between about 100 nanoseconds and about 500 nanoseconds.","36. The method of claim 25, wherein (ii) further comprises tuning a tunable infrared radiation source to generate the at least one infrared radiation of a plurality of infrared wavelengths.","37. The method of claim 25,\nwherein (i) comprises initiating delivery of a first ultraviolet radiation pulse to the one or more sub-regions, the first ultraviolet radiation pulse inducing a first photoacoustic signal;\nwherein (iii) comprises initiating delivery of a second ultraviolet radiation pulse to the one or more sub-regions at the first delay time after (ii), the second ultraviolet radiation pulse inducing a second photoacoustic signal.","38. The method of claim 37, further comprising:\nmeasuring, using a photosensor, an amplitude of the first ultraviolet radiation pulse;\nmeasuring, using the photosensor, an amplitude of the second ultraviolet radiation pulse; and\nnormalizing amplitudes of the first and second photoacoustic signals based at least in part on the measured amplitudes of the first and second ultraviolet radiation pulses.","39. The method of claim 25, further comprising generating an infrared image of the sample at least in part using the photoacoustic signals.","40. The method of claim 39, wherein the infrared image has a spatial resolution of less than 1,000 nm.","41. The method of claim 39, wherein the infrared image has a spatial resolution of less than 500 nm.","42. The method of claim 39, wherein the infrared image has a spatial resolution finer than one-tenth of a wavelength of the at least one infrared radiation pulse.","43. The method of claim 25, further comprising, before (v), normalizing the photoacoustic signals by compensating for variations in the at least one first radiation pulse and the at least one second radiation pulse using measured amplitudes of the at least one first radiation pulse and the at least one second radiation pulse.","44. The method of claim 25, wherein (ii) comprises generating the at least one infrared radiation pulse at a plurality of infrared wavelengths, wherein (v) comprises determining the indication of infrared absorption at the plurality of infrared wavelengths and constructing a spectrum of infrared absorption of the one or more sub-regions of the region based at least in part on the indication of infrared absorption.","45. The method of claim 25, wherein the first delay time is less than about 500 nanoseconds.","46. A method for measuring infrared absorption of a sample, the method comprising:\n(i) emitting at least one first radiation pulse of shorter wavelength than wavelengths of infrared radiation, wherein the at least one first radiation pulse is delivered to one or more sub-regions of a region of the sample;\n(ii) emitting at least one infrared radiation pulse, wherein the at least one infrared radiation pulse is delivered to the region of the sample;\n(iii) emitting at least one second radiation pulse of shorter wavelength than wavelengths of infrared radiation, wherein the at least one second radiation pulse is delivered to the one or more sub-regions of the region of the sample, and wherein the at least one second radiation pulse is initiated at a first delay time after (ii);\n(iv) detecting, by an ultrasonic transducer acoustically coupled to the sample, photoacoustic signals induced by the at least one first radiation pulse and the at least one second radiation pulse; and\n(v) analyzing the photoacoustic signals to determine an indication of infrared absorption of the one or more sub-regions of the region of the sample."],["1. A fluid sensor comprising:\na housing;\na first thermal emitter that is arranged in the housing and configured to:\nemit first thermal radiation into a detection volume of the housing, which contains a measurement gas, at a first power level during a measurement interval, and\nemit the first thermal radiation at a reduced first power level during an intermediate interval disposed outside of the measurement interval or not emit said first thermal radiation at all during the intermediate interval;\na measuring element that is arranged in the detection volume and configured to receive a radiation signal, which is based on the first thermal radiation, during the measurement interval; and\na second thermal emitter that is arranged in the housing and embodied to emit second thermal radiation at a second power level into the detection volume during the intermediate interval such that a thermal oscillation of thermal radiation in relation to an overall power level of the thermal radiation in the detection volume, which is based on a sum of the first power level and the second power level, is at most ±50% during a contiguous period of time comprising the measurement interval and the intermediate interval.","2. The fluid sensor as claimed in claim 1, configured to deactivate the first thermal emitter during the intermediate interval.","3. The fluid sensor as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an actuation device that is embodied to actuate the first thermal emitter in such a way that the latter:\nemits the first thermal radiation during the measurement interval at the first power level, and\nemits said first thermal radiation at the reduced first power level during the intermediate level or not at all during the intermediate interval,\nwherein the actuation device is further embodied to actuate the second thermal emitter in such a way that the latter;\nemits the second thermal radiation during the intermediate interval, and\nemits said second thermal radiation at a reduced second power level during the measurement interval or not at all during the measurement interval.","4. The fluid sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first thermal emitter is configured to emit the first thermal radiation in a multiplicity of measurement intervals that are respectively spaced apart in time by an intermediate interval.","5. The fluid sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the radiation signal is a first radiation signal and wherein the measuring element is configured to provide a first measurement signal on the basis of the first radiation signal and receive a second radiation signal during the intermediate interval, said second radiation signal being based on the second thermal radiation, and provide a second measurement signal on the basis of the second radiation signal.","6. The fluid sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the measuring element is embodied to capture an excitation of the measurement gas on the basis of the radiation signal, wherein the excitation is based on the first thermal radiation, wherein the fluid sensor comprises an optical filter that is arranged between the first thermal emitter and the detection volume, wherein the optical filter has a first pass range and is configured to filter the first thermal radiation in order to obtain filtered first thermal radiation,\nwherein the fluid sensor has an element that suppresses a measurement wavelength, said element being arranged between the second thermal emitter and the detection volume and being configured to at least partly suppress the second thermal radiation in the first pass range.","7. The fluid sensor as claimed in claim 6, wherein the radiation signal is a first radiation signal, wherein the optical filter is a first optical filter, wherein the element suppressing the measurement wavelength is a second optical filter with a second pass range such that filtered second thermal radiation is obtained on the basis of the second thermal radiation, wherein the first and the second pass range are disjoint,\nwherein the fluid sensor is embodied to output a first sensor signal, which is based on the first radiation signal and which has an information item in respect of a first fluid constituent, and\nwherein the fluid sensor is embodied to output a second sensor signal, which is based on a second radiation signal, wherein the second radiation signal is based on an excitation of the measurement gas by the filtered second thermal radiation during the intermediate interval, wherein the second sensor signal has an information item in respect of a second fluid constituent.","8. The fluid sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the measuring element is embodied to provide a first sensor signal on the basis of the radiation signal received during the measurement interval and to provide a second sensor signal on the basis of a second radiation signal received during the intermediate interval, said second radiation signal being based on an excitation of the measurement gas on the basis of the second thermal radiation, wherein the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal have information items about different constituents of the measurement gas.","9. The fluid sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first thermal radiation predominantly contributes to an operating temperature in the detection volume during the measurement interval and wherein predominantly the second thermal radiation contributes to the operating temperature during the intermediate interval, wherein the operating temperature remains the same within a temperature tolerance range of ±3° C. over a multiplicity of measurement intervals and intermediate intervals during operation of the fluid sensor.","10. The fluid sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first thermal emitter and the second thermal emitter are arranged symmetrically in the housing with respect to the measuring element.","11. The fluid sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first thermal emitter and the second thermal emitter are arranged in the housing in axisymmetric fashion with respect to the measuring element with respect to an axis of symmetry, wherein the axis of symmetry extends through the measuring element.","12. The fluid sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first power level and the second power level are equal within a tolerance range of 10%.","13. The fluid sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first thermal radiation and the second thermal radiation are partly absorbed by the housing and/or the detection volume and contribute to the thermal oscillation.","14. The fluid sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the measuring element has a MEMS microphone with a membrane element, wherein the membrane element is designed to be deflected on the basis of the radiation signal that is based on an excitation of the measurement gas on the basis of the first thermal radiation and provide a measurement signal that is based on the deflection of the membrane element.","15. The fluid sensor as claimed in claim 1, formed as a thermoacoustic fluid sensor.","16. The fluid sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first thermal emitter comprises a first membrane structure and a first electrical conductor structure arranged thereon such that the first electrical conductor structure partly covers the first membrane structure, wherein the first electrical conductor structure is embodied to provide heating of the first membrane structure on the basis of a current flow through the first electrical conductor structure and thus produce the first thermal radiation.","17. The fluid sensor as claimed in claim 16, wherein the second thermal emitter comprises a second electrical conductor structure, which is arranged adjacent to the first membrane structure on a membrane substrate of the first membrane structure, wherein the second electrical conductor structure is embodied to produce the second thermal radiation on the basis of a current flow through the second electrical conductor structure.","18. The fluid sensor as claimed in claim 17, wherein the second electrical conductor structure surrounds the first membrane structure.","19. The fluid sensor as claimed in claim 16, wherein the second thermal emitter comprises a second membrane structure and a second electrical conductor structure arranged thereon such that the second electrical conductor structure partly covers the second membrane structure, wherein the second electrical conductor structure is embodied to provide heating of the second membrane structure on the basis of a current flow through the second electrical conductor structure and thus produce the second thermal radiation.","20. The fluid sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first thermal emitter and/or the second thermal emitter are formed comprising a multiplicity of radiation elements.","21. A method for providing a fluid sensor, the method comprising:\nproviding a housing;\narranging a first thermal emitter in the housing such that the first thermal emitter is configured to:\nemit first thermal radiation into a detection volume of the housing, which contains a measurement gas, at a first power level during a measurement interval, and\nemit the first thermal radiation at a reduced first power level during an intermediate interval disposed outside of the measurement interval or not emit said first thermal radiation at all during the intermediate interval;\narranging a measuring element in the detection volume such that the measuring element is configured to receive a radiation signal, which is based on the first thermal radiation, during the measurement interval; and\narranging a second thermal emitter in the housing such that the second thermal emitter is embodied to emit second thermal radiation at a second power level into the detection volume during the intermediate interval such that a thermal oscillation of thermal radiation in relation to an overall power level of the thermal radiation in the detection volume, which is based on a sum of the first power level and the second power level, is at most ±50% during a contiguous period of time comprising the measurement interval and the intermediate interval."],["1. A process for the control of biodiesel content in a complex mixture comprising hydrocarbons and/or substituted hydrocarbons and at least one type of biodiesel material, by near infrared spectroscopy, comprising predicting said biodiesel content by:\na) measuring the near infrared absorbance of at least one wavelength in a portion of the range of 800-2500 nm; which are used to quantify the biodiesel content,\nb) outputting a periodic or continuous signal indicative of a derivative of said absorbance in said wavelength, or wavelengths in said one or more bands or a combination of mathematical functions comprising a derivative thereof,\nc) mathematically converting said signal to an output signal indicative of the biodiesel content of said mixture; and\nd) controlling a blending or other process which correlates with biodiesel content by apparatus responsive to said output signal;\nwherein said mathematically converting includes taking a first or higher derivative, and\nwherein said output signal is used to control proportioning pumps, automatic control valves, or other flow control means to control the addition rate of each of a series of components fed from different sources to provide a target biodiesel content in a finished blended mixture.","2. A process according to claim 1 wherein said mixture comprises diesel fuel and biodiesel material.","3. A process according to claim 1 wherein said statistical treatment comprises partial least squares analysis over the length of each band, of wavelengths, or of a portion thereof.","4. A process according to claim 1, wherein said mixture flows substantially intermittently or continuously past the point of measuring said absorbance.","5. A process according to claim 1 wherein a derivative of said absorbance is computed.","6. A process according to claim 1 wherein a second derivative of absorbances are measured.","7. A process according to claim 1 wherein said mathematical converting comprises a baseline off-set correction.","8. A process according to claim 1 wherein said mathematically converting or statistical treatment comprises partial least squares analyses, principle component regression, Gauss-Jordan Row reduction, multiple regression analysis, or multiple linear regression.","9. A process according to claim 1 wherein said signal controls a fuel blending system feeding blending components having different biodiesel compositions into a common zone, whereby a product having a desired biodiesel composition is produced.","10. A process according to claim 1 wherein the mixture is a stream and at least one further output signal is indicative of hydrocarbon content by measuring the near infrared absorbance of at least one wavelength, in two or more bands selected from the range of 800-2500 nm.","11. A process according to claim 1 wherein said composition comprises fatty acid methyl esters and or mixtures thereof.","12. A process according to claim 1 wherein said hydrocarbons comprise middle distillate fuels which include diesel fuels, kerosenes, jet fuels and other fuel oils.","13. A process according to claim 1 wherein the wavelengths is in the range of 1100 to 2500 nm.","14. A process for the control of hydrocarbons and substituted hydrocarbons and biodiesel material in a complex mixture to determine biodiesel content concentration, comprising, in combination:\na) measuring the near infrared absorbance of at least one wavelength in a portion of the range of 800-2500 nm; which are used to quantify the biodiesel content,\nb) taking each of the absorbances measured, or a mathematical function thereof,\nc) performing statistical treatment using said absorbances or functions as the individual independent variables,\nd) assigning and applying weighting constants or their equivalents to said independent variables,\ne) applying the above steps using known compositions in a calibration step to calibrate the instrument and determine said weighting constants or equivalents,\nf) repeating said steps a) and b) with unknown compositions, applying the weighting constants or equivalents determined during said calibration with known compositions to output a signal or signals indicative of a biodiesel component or biodiesel components concentration, and\ng) controlling blending, hydrocarbon refining or chemical process by means of apparatus responsive to said signal or signals;\nwherein said mathematically converting includes taking a first or higher derivative, and\nwherein said output signal is used to control proportioning pumps, automatic control valves, or other flow control means to control the addition rate of each of a series of components fed from different sources to provide a target biodiesel content in a finished blended mixture.","15. A process for the analysis and control of hydrocarbons and substituted hydrocarbons and at least one type of biodiesel material in complex mixtures to determine component concentration, the improvement comprising, in combination:\na) measuring the near infrared absorbance of at least one wavelength in a portion of the range of 800-2500 nm; which are used to quantify the biodiesel content,\nb) outputting a periodic or continuous signal indicative of a derivative of said absorbance in said wavelength or wavelengths in said band, or of a combination of mathematical functions thereof,\nc) performing statistical treatment using said signal derivative of said absorbance or functions as the individual independent variables,\nd) assigning and applying weighting constants or their equivalents to said independent variables,\ne) applying the above steps using known compositions in a calibration step to calibrate the instrument and determine said weighting constants or equivalents,\nf) repeating said steps a) and b) with unknown compositions, applying the weighting constants or equivalents determined during said calibration with known compositions to output a signal or signals indicative of a biodiesel component or biodiesel components concentration, and\ng) controlling a blending, hydrocarbon refining or chemical process by apparatus responsive to said output signal;\nwherein said mathematically converting includes taking a first or higher derivative, and\nwherein said output signal is used to control proportioning pumps, automatic control valves, or other flow control means to control the addition rate of each of a series of components fed from different sources to provide a target biodiesel content in a finished blended mixture.","16. A system for blending hydrocarbon and/or substituted hydrocarbon feeds and at least one type of biodiesel material, comprising, in combination:\na) NIR absorbance sensing means for emitting a signal indicative of absorbance in at least one band from a portion of the range of 800-2500 nm; selected from bands which are used to quantify biodiesel content\nb) computer means for mathematically converting said signal to an output indication of biodiesel content or other measure of fuel quality; and,\nc) flow control means responsive to said output, for controlling respective flows of said feeds to produce a blended mixture having substantially a preset value of said biodiesel.","17. A system according to claim 16, wherein said computer means take a first or higher derivative of said signal.","18. A system according to claim 16 wherein said mathematical converting comprises partial least squares analysis over the length of each band, of wavelengths, or of a portion thereof.","19. A system according to claim 16, wherein a derivative of said absorbance is computed.","20. A system according to claim 16, wherein a second derivative of absorbances are measured.","21. A system according to claim 16 wherein said mathematical converting comprises a baseline off-set correction.","22. A system according to claim 16, wherein said mathematically converting or statistical treatment comprises partial least squares analyses, principle component regression, Gauss-Jordan Row reduction, multiple regression analysis, or multiple linear regression.","23. A system according to claim 16 wherein said signal controls a fuel blending system feeding blending components having different biodiesel compositions into a common zone, whereby a product having a desired biodiesel composition is produced."],["1. A sampling chamber for performing optical measurements on a sample of a flowing fluid, said chamber comprising:\na flow conduit for the passage of fluid entering and exiting said sampling chamber;\na recessed cavity having an arc-shaped smooth profile in fluid contact along a side wall of said conduit, and disposed in a generally downward direction such that a sample of the fluid in said conduit enters and exits said cavity so as to repeatedly replace the sample contained therein; and\nan optical transmission source for projecting an optical beam into said cavity, along an optical transmission path disposed outside the confines of said conduit.","2. A sampling chamber according to claim 1 wherein said optical transmission path includes at least one of optic fibers and plastic optical guides.","3. A sampling chamber according to claim 1 and wherein said recessed cavity is formed and disposed such that the fluid sample is repeatedly changed by the effects of the flow of the fluid in said conduit.","4. A sampling chamber according to claim 1 and wherein said recessed cavity is formed such that the optical measurements are generally unaffected by flow turbulence in said conduit.","5. A sampling chamber according to claim 1 and wherein said recessed cavity is formed such that the optical measurements are generally unaffected by flow pulsation in said conduit.","6. A sampling chamber according to claim 1, and wherein said conduit is a milk conduit.","7. A sampling chamber according to claim 1, and wherein the optical measurements are utilized to determine a relative concentration of at least one component of the fluid.","8. A sampling chamber according to claim 1 and wherein said optical transmission path comprises an entry port for projecting the optical beam from the optical source into said cavity through the fluid sample contained therein, and at least one exit port for directing the optical beam from said cavity to at least one exit detector.","9. A sampling chamber according to claim 8 and wherein said entry port and said exit port are disposed such that the optical beam traverses said cavity linearly, such that said exit detector measures optical transmission through the fluid sample contained in said cavity.","10. A sampling chamber according to claim 8 and wherein said exit port is disposed at a predetermined angle to the direction of the entering optical beam, such that said exit detector measures optical scattering through the fluid sample contained in said cavity.","11. A sampling chamber according to claim 8 and wherein said exit port is disposed essentially co-positional with said entry port such that said sampling chamber measures optical back-scattering from the fluid contained in said cavity.","12. A system for determining a concentration of at least one component of a fluid, the fluid comprising at least two components having different optical properties, said system comprising:\na sampling chamber for performing optical measurements on a sample of a flowing fluid said chamber comprising:\na flow conduit for the passage of fluid entering and exiting said sampling chamber;\na recessed cavity having an arc-shaped smooth profile in contact along a side wall of said conduit, and disposed in a generally downward direction such that a sample of the fluid in said conduit enters and exits said cavity so as to repeatedly replace the sample contained therein; and\nan optical transmission path projecting an optical beam into said cavity, said optical transmission path disposed outside the confines of said conduit;\na plurality of optical beam sources, at least one of which, when excited, emits an optical beam in an essentially continuum of wavelengths, at least two of said sources having different spectral ranges of emission, said sources being disposed such that the optical beam from said sources is incident to the fluid sample contained in said cavity;\nat least one detector selected from the group including\na first detector disposed such that it measures the intensity of said optical beam transmitted through the fluid sample; and\nat least one second detector disposed such that it measures the intensity of said optical beam scattered by the fluid sample;\na control system which serially causes excitation of at least two of said optical beam sources, such that the fluid is separately scanned with wavelengths of said optical beams emanating from said at least two optical beam sources; and\na computing system operative to determine the concentration of the at least one component of the fluid from the intensity of at least one of the optical beams transmitted through the fluid and the optical beam scattered by the fluid sample.","13. A system according to claim 12, and wherein said plurality of optical beam sources is at least five sources.","14. A system according to claim 12, and wherein said plurality of optical beam sources is at least ten sources.","15. A system according to claim 12, and wherein said at least one second detector is disposed such that it measures the intensity of the optical beam reflected from the fluid sample.","16. A system according to claim 12, and wherein said sources are light emitting diodes.","17. A system according to claim 16 wherein the spectral half width of emission of at least one of said light emitting diodes is less than 40 nanometers.","18. A system according to claim 16, and wherein the spectral half width of emission of at least one of said light emitting diodes is less than 60 nanometers.","19. A system according to claim 12 and wherein said computing system is operative to determine the concentration of the at least one component by relating the intensity of said optical beam transmitted through the fluid sample and of said optical beam scattered by the fluid sample to an expression for the concentration in terms of the intensities.","20. A system according to claim 19 and wherein the expression is a polynomial expression of at least second order in the transmitted and scattered intensities.","21. A system according to claim 19 and wherein the transmitted and scattered intensities are related to the concentration of said at least one component by means of empirical coefficients, and wherein said empirical coefficients are determined by a statistical analysis of transmitted and scattered intensities obtained from a plurality of samples of the fluid having known concentrations of said at least one component.","22. A system according to claim 20, wherein the statistical analysis is a Partial Least Squares regression method.","23. The system of claim 21, wherein the statistical analysis is a Ridge Least Squares regression method.","24. The system of claim 21 wherein said empirical coefficients are stored in a database and the concentration is extracted from the transmitted and scattered intensities by means of statistical analysis methods operating on said database.","25. The system of claim 12 wherein said conduit is a milk conduit.","26. The system of claim 25, wherein said system determines the constitution of milk on-line during a milking process."],["1. A tunable diode laser absorption spectrometry system for fuel gas measurement, comprising:\nan off-axis integrated cavity output spectroscopy (ICOS) instrument comprising a first tunable laser diode with a first tunable wavelength range providing laser light coupled off-axis into a high-finesse optical cavity, a second tunable laser diode with a second tunable wavelength range providing laser light coupled off-axis into the cavity, a gas inlet and a gas outlet arranged to flow a fuel gas through the cavity, and an optical sensor arranged to measure intensity of laser light exiting the optical cavity, wherein the laser diodes are tuned over their respective wavelength ranges so that the sensor measurement provides a wavelength-dependent optical absorption spectrum; and\na computer processor to receive the sensor measurement from the optical sensor, access a database of basis spectra for fuel gas components, process the absorption spectrum with a chemometric fitting routine to determine concentrations of selected fuel gas components, and calculate at least a heating value (F) and an additional value (X) selected from relative density, compressibility, theoretical hydrocarbon liquid content, and Wobbe index from the determined fuel gas component concentrations on the basis of determined concentrations for methane (CCH 4 ) and ethane (CC 2 H 6 ) and the determined concentration (CBB) of an offset basis spectrum representing higher hydrocarbons such that:\n\nX=C CH 4 ·X CH 4 +C C 2 H 6 ·X C 2 H 6 +C BB ·E,\n where XCH 4 and XC 2 H 6 are respective coefficients for methane and ethane, and E is an empirical factor for a composite relative density, compressibility, theoretical hydrocarbon liquid content, or Wobbe index of all expected higher hydrocarbons in the fuel gas mixture.","2. The system as in claim 1, wherein the database includes basis spectra for at least methane, ethane, together with a broadband offset basis to represent the higher hydrocarbons.","3. The system as in claim 2, wherein the heating value (F) is calculated by the processor on the basis of the determined concentrations for methane and ethane and the determined concentration of the offset basis spectrum representing the higher hydrocarbons, such that:\n\nF=C CH 4 ·F CH 4 +C C 2 H 6 ·F C 2 H 6 +C BB ·E,\nwhere FCH 4 and FC 2 H 6 are respective heating values for methane and ethane, and E is an empirical factor for a composite heating value of all the expected higher hydrocarbons in the fuel gas mixture.","4. The system as in claim 1, wherein the Wobbe index (Iw) is calculated by the processor on the basis of the determined concentrations for methane and ethane and the determined concentration of the offset basis spectrum representing the higher hydrocarbons, such that:\n\nI w =C CH 4 ·I wCH 4 +C C 2 H 6 ·I wC 2 H 6 +C BB ·E,\nwhere IwCH 4 and IwC 2 H 6 are respective Wobbe indices for methane and ethane, and E is an empirical factor for a composite Wobbe index of all the expected higher hydrocarbons in the fuel gas mixture.","5. The system as in claim 1, wherein the relative density (G) is calculated by the processor on the basis of the determined concentrations for methane and ethane and the determined concentration of the offset basis spectrum representing the higher hydrocarbons, such that:\n\nG=C CH 4 ·G CH 4 +C C 2 H 6 ·G C 2 H 6 +C BB ·E,\nwhere GCH 4 and GC 2 H 6 are respective relative densities for methane and ethane, and E is an empirical factor for a composite relative density of all the expected higher hydrocarbons in the fuel gas mixture.","6. The system as in claim 1, wherein the compressibility (Z) is calculated by the processor on the basis of the determined concentrations for methane and ethane and the determined concentration of the offset basis spectrum representing the higher hydrocarbons, such that:\n\nX=C CH 4 ·Z CH 4 +C C 2 H 6 ·Z C 2 H 6 +C BB ·E,\nwhere ZCH 4 and ZC 2 H 6 are respective compressibility factors for methane and ethane, and E is an empirical factor for a composite compressibility of all expected higher hydrocarbons in the fuel gas mixture.","7. The system as in claim 1, wherein the theoretical hydrocarbon liquid content (L) is calculated by the processor on the basis of the determined concentrations for methane and the ethane and the determined concentration (CBB) of the offset basis spectrum representing the higher hydrocarbons, such that:\n\nL=C CH 4 ·L CH 4 +C C 2 H 6 ·L C 2 H 6 +C BB ·E,\nwhere LCH 4 and LC 2 H 6 are respective theoretical liquid content values for methane and ethane, and E is an empirical factor for a composite theoretical liquid content of all the expected higher hydrocarbons in the fuel gas mixture.","8. The system as in claim 1, wherein concentrations of the selected fuel gas components to be determined include specified fuel gas contaminant species.","9. The system as in claim 8, wherein specified fuel gas contaminant species are selected from any one or more of H2S, H2O, O2, CO2, or OCS.","10. The system as in claim 1, wherein the first wavelength range is a near-infrared wavelength range encompassing absorption bands of the selected fuel gas components with minimal cross-interference.","11. The system as in claim 10, wherein the first wavelength range is in a vicinity of 1.58 μm.","12. The system as in claim 11, wherein the second wavelength range is in a vicinity of 1.27 μm.","13. A method of measuring a heating value for a fuel gas, comprising:\ncoupling laser light from first and second tunable laser diodes off-axis into a high-finesse optical cavity of an off-axis integrated cavity output spectroscopy (ICOS) instrument, wherein the first and second laser diodes have respective tunable wavelength ranges,\nflowing a fuel gas from a gas inlet through the cavity to a gas outlet,\nmeasuring intensity of laser light exiting the optical cavity using an optical sensor while the laser diodes are tuned over their respective wavelength ranges so that the sensor measurement provides a wavelength-dependent optical absorption spectrum,\nreceiving, with a computer processor, the sensor measurement from the optical sensor,\naccessing, with the computer processor, a database of basis spectra for fuel gas components,\nemploying, with the computer processor, a chemometric fitting routine to process the absorption spectrum so as to determine concentrations of selected fuel gas components, and\ncalculating, with the computer processor, a heating value (F) and an additional value (X) selected from relative density, compressibility, theoretical hydrocarbon liquid content, and Wobbe index from the determined fuel gas component concentrations on the basis of determined concentrations for methane (CCH 4 ) and ethane (CC 2 H 6 ) and the determined concentration (CBB) of an offset basis spectrum representing higher hydrocarbons such that:\n\nX=C CH 4 ·X CH 4 +C C 2 H 6 ·X C 2 H 6 +C BB ·E,\n where XCH 4 and XC 2 H 6 are respective coefficients for methane and ethane, and E is an empirical factor for a composite relative density, compressibility, theoretical hydrocarbon liquid content, or Wobbe index of all expected higher hydrocarbons in the fuel gas mixture.","14. The method as in claim 13, wherein the database includes basis spectra for at least methane, ethane, together with a broadband offset basis to represent the higher hydrocarbons.","15. The method as in claim 14, wherein the heating value (F) is calculated by the processor on the basis of the determined concentrations for methane and ethane and the determined concentration of the offset basis spectrum representing the higher hydrocarbons, such that:\n\nF=C CH 4 ·F CH 4 +C C 2 H 6 ·F C 2 H 6 +C BB ·E,\nwhere FCH 4 and FC 2 H 6 are respective heating values for methane and ethane, and E is an empirical factor for a composite heating value of all the expected higher hydrocarbons in the fuel gas mixture.","16. The method as in claim 13, wherein the Wobbe index (Iw) is calculated by the processor on the basis of the determined concentrations for methane and ethane and the determined concentration of the offset basis spectrum representing the higher hydrocarbons, such that:\n\nI w =C CH 4 ·I wCH 4 +C C 2 H 6 ·I wC 2 H 6 +C BB ·E,\nwhere IwCH 4 and IwC 2 H 6 are respective Wobbe indices for methane and ethane, and E is an empirical factor for a composite Wobbe index of all the expected higher hydrocarbons in the fuel gas mixture.","17. The method as in claim 13, wherein the relative density (G) is calculated by the processor on the basis of the determined concentrations for the methane and ethane and the determined concentration of the offset basis spectrum representing the higher hydrocarbons, such that:\n\nG=C CH 4 ·G CH 4 +C C 2 H 6 ·G C 2 H 6 +C BB ·E,\nwhere GCH 4 and GC 2 H 6 are respective relative densities for the methane and ethane, and E is an empirical factor for a composite relative density of all the expected higher hydrocarbons in the fuel gas mixture.","18. The method as in claim 13, wherein the compressibility (Z) is calculated by the processor on the basis of the determined concentrations for the methane and ethane and the determined concentration of the offset basis spectrum representing the higher hydrocarbons, such that:\n\nZ=C CH 4 ·Z CH 4 +C C 2 H 6 ·Z C 2 H 6 +C BB ·E,\nwhere ZCH 4 and ZC 2 H 6 are respective compressibility factors for the methane and ethane, and E is an empirical factor for a composite compressibility of all the expected higher hydrocarbons in the fuel gas mixture.","19. The method as in claim 13, wherein the theoretical hydrocarbon liquid content (L) is calculated by the processor on the basis of the determined concentrations for the methane and ethane and the determined concentration of the offset basis spectrum representing the higher hydrocarbons, such that:\n\nL=C CH 4 ·L CH 4 +C C 2 H 6 ·L C 2 H 6 +C BB ·E,\nwhere LCH 4 and LC 2 H 6 are respective theoretical liquid content values for methane and ethane, and E is an empirical factor for a composite theoretical liquid content of all the expected higher hydrocarbons in the fuel gas mixture.","20. The method as in claim 13, wherein concentrations of the selected fuel gas components determined by the processor include specified fuel gas contaminant species.","21. The method as in claim 20, wherein specified fuel gas contaminant species are selected from any one or more of H2S, H2O, O2, CO2, or OCS.","22. The method as in claim 13, wherein the wavelength range of the first diode is a near-infrared wavelength range encompassing absorption bands of the selected fuel gas components with minimal cross-interference.","23. The method as in claim 22, wherein the wavelength range of the first diode is in a vicinity of 1.58 μm.","24. The method as in claim 23, wherein the wavelength range of the second laser diode is in a vicinity of 1.27 μm and is coupled into the optical cavity to obtain an absorption spectrum in a second wavelength range.","25. The system as in claim 1, wherein the first laser diode is tunable over a spectral range of at least 20 GHz, and wherein the second laser diode is tunable over a spectral range of 60-80 Ghz.","26. The method as in claim 13, wherein the first laser diode is tunable over a spectral range of at least 20 GHz, and wherein the second laser diode is tunable over a spectral range of 60-80 Ghz."],["1. A method of determining characteristics of samples comprising:\nA building algorithms of the relationship between sample characteristics and absorbed and scattered light from a sample having an interior;\nB illuminating the interior of a sample with a broadband frequency spectrum;\nC detecting the spectrum of absorbed and scattered light from the sample;\nD analyzing the detected spectrum of absorbed and scattered light from the sample with the algorithms; calculating the characteristics of the sample.","2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:\nA building the algorithms to generate a regression vector that relates the frequency spectrum, further comprised of VIS and NIR spectra, to brix, firmness, acidity, density, pH, color and external and internal defects and disorders;\nB storing the regression vector, in a CPU having a memory, as a prediction or classification calibration algorithm;\nC illuminating the sample interior with a spectrum of 250 to 1150 nm;\nD inputting the detected spectrum of absorbed and scattered light from the sample interior to a spectrometer;\nE converting the detected spectrum from analog to digital and inputting the converted spectrum to a CPU; combining the spectrum detected;\nF comparing the combined spectrum with a stored calibration algorithm;\nG predicting the characteristics of the sample.","3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:\nA the characteristics are chemical characteristics including acidity, pH and sugar content.","4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:\nA the characteristics are physical characteristics including firmness, density, color, appearance and internal and external defects and disorders.","5. The method of claim 1 further comprising:\nA the characteristics are consumer characteristics.","6. The method of claim 1 further comprising:\nA sampling is of samples from the group of C—H, N—H or O—H chemical groups;\nB illuminating of the interior of the sample is with a frequency spectrum including visible and near infrared light;\nC building algorithms for a correlation analysis separately of Brix, firmness, ph and acidity in relation to the light spectrum output from the illuminated sample;\nD detecting the spectrum of absorbed and scattered light from the sample with a light detector.","7. The method of claim 2 further comprising:\nA illuminating of the interior of the sample with a frequency spectrum of 250 to 1150 nm;\nB detecting the spectrum with a light detector fiber; shielding the light detector fiber from the illuminating spectrum;\nC measuring the spectrum for chlorophyl at around 680 nm;\nD correlating the characteristics of Brix, firmness, pH and acidity with the measured spectrum.","8. An apparatus for determining characteristics of samples comprising;\nA at least one broadband light source; a sample having an sample surface and an interior; input mechanism of positioning the at least one light source proximal the sample surface;\nB at least one light detector; output mechanism of positioning the at least one light detector proximal the sample surface;\nC at least one mechanism of measuring the illumination detected from the sample;\nD the at least one light source produces a spectrum within the range of 250 to 1150 nm;\nE the at least one mechanism of measuring the illumination is a spectrometer; the spectrometer has at least one input;\nF the at least one light detector is a light pickup fiber; the at least one light detector collects a spectrum which is received by the at least one spectrometer input;\nG the sample is from the chemical group consisting of C—H, N—O, and O—H.","9. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising:\nA the least one light source is a tungsten halogen lamp; the illumination is transmitted to the sample surface by fiber optics;\nB the at least one light detector is a fiber optics light pickup;\nC the at least one spectrometer comprises a 1026 linear array detector.","10. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising:\nA the at least one light source is an illumination fiber.","11. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising:\nA the at least one light source comprises a plurality of illumination fibers;\nB the plurality of illumination fibers are arrayed such that each illumination fiber is equidistant from adjoining illumination fibers; the at least one light detector is positioned centrally in the array of illumination fibers.","12. The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising:\nA the plurality of illumination fibers are comprised of 32 illumination fibers.","13. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising:\nA the light source is a 5 w tungsten halogen lamp.","14. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising:\nA the at least one light source comprises a plurality of light sources which is further comprised of two 50 w light sources;\nB the at least one light detector is comprised of a plurality of light detectors.","15. The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising:\nA the plurality of light detectors are arrayed such that each light detector is equidistant from adjoining light detectors.","16. The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising:\nA the plurality of light detectors comprise twenty-two light detectors.","17. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising:\nA the light source comprised of an ellipsoidal reflector with a 50 w bulb with cooling fan; the fiber optics is comprised of at least one fiber optic fiber for transmission of the light source to the sample surface.\nB the at least one fiber optic and the at least one light detector spring biased against the sample surface; the pressure exerted by the spring biasing limited by the character of the sample.","18. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising:\nA the at least one light source is a 5 w tungsten halogen lamp; the at least one light detector is a single fiber optic fiber; the illumination source is positioned against the sample surface 180 degrees distal to the detection fiber.","19. The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising:\nA a polarization filter is positioned between the at least one light source and the sample;\nB a matching polarization filter is positioned between the at least one light detector and the sample.","20. The apparatus of claim 19 further comprising:\nA the polarization filter is a linear polarization filter; the matching polarization filter is a linear polarization filter rotated 90 degrees in relation to the polarization filter."],["1. A method for developing a calibration model for use in a central processor configured to generate a predicted value of a property of interest based on an input from one or more data acquisition instruments, comprising:\nobtaining a set of samples having the property of interest;\ngenerating a first set of data by measuring the property of interest in the samples;\ngenerating a mathematical model of the property of interest using the first set of data;\ngenerating predicted values for the property of interest using the mathematical model;\ndetermining whether the predicted values for the property of interest correlate with the measured values of the property of interest to within a predetermined criterion;\nidentifying the type and range of a secondary variable that is potentially influential of the measurement of the property of interest;\ndetermining whether the secondary variable is actually influential of the measurement of the property of interest;\nadjusting the preliminary model to compensate for the secondary variable and/or identifying an appropriate method of treating responses of the one or more data acquisition instruments to compensate for the secondary variable;\ndetermining whether predicted values of the property of interest generated by the adjusted mathematical model and/or using the treatment method correlate with the measured values within another predetermined criterion when the secondary variable is varied;\ngenerating a second set of data by measuring the property of interest in the samples using the treatment method;\ngenerating a prediction of the property of interest using the second set of data and the revised property model;\ndetermining whether a probable outlier is present in the prediction of the property of interest;\ngenerating a third set of data using the pretreatment method while varying the influential factor;\ngenerating a prediction of the property of interest using the revised property model and the third set of data; and\ndetermining whether a probable outlier is present in the prediction of the property of interest generated using the revised property model.","2. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining whether the probable outlier is a good outlier in accordance with another predetermined criterion, and if so, adding the probable outlier to the second set of data, determining a method of treatment to compensate for the probable outlier, and revising the revised model to compensate for the probable outlier.","3. The method of claim 1, wherein the property of interest in the samples spans the range over which the property of interest is expected to vary during actual measurements in the future.","4. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining whether the property of interest is measurable in the presence of variations in the secondary variable to within another predetermined criterion.","5. The method of claim 1, wherein the predetermined criterion is a limit of desired precision.","6. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether the secondary variable is actually influential of the measurement of the property of interest comprises varying the secondary variable and obtaining measurements of the property of interest.","7. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying an appropriate method of treating responses of the one or more data acquisition instruments to compensate for the secondary variable comprises determining mathematical operations that are used on responses of the data acquisition instrument to compensate for factors that influence the response of the instrument when measuring the property of interest.","8. The method of claim 1, further comprising installing the revised model in the central processor.","9. The method of claim 1, further comprising obtaining a measurement of the property of interest on site and determining whether any outliers exist in the measurement and adjusting the revised model and/or the method of treatment to compensate for the outliers.","10. The method of claim 6, wherein determining whether the secondary variable is actually influential of the measurement of the property of interest comprises determining whether the variation of the secondary variable produces a change in the measured value of the property of interest that is statistically significant to a limit of desired precision in the measured value.","11. The method of claim 1, further comprising notifying the user of the presence of the outliers."],["1. A method of analyzing spectral data for the selection of the best calibration model from a plurality of calibration models, relating spectra of a substance to a physical or a chemical parameter of the substance, over a predetermined range of the physical or chemical parameters,\ncomprising the steps of:\na) capturing spectral data of the substance with respective values of the physical or chemical parameter over the predetermined range;\nb) building a plurality of calibration models, using the captured spectral data from step a, in dependence upon the values of the physical or chemical parameter, said plurality of calibration models being based on said spectral data and physical or chemical parameter from step a and using statistical resampling methods to assess a predictive quality of the models;\nc) calculating tolerance intervals of the predicted results obtained using the models built in step b at reference level for each calibration model,\nd) displaying the tolerance intervals at each reference level for each calibration model; and\ne) selecting at least one of the calibration models upon a predefined criterion;\nwherein the calibration model comprises a data regression model and a data pretreatment;\nwherein the data regression model comprises any spectral data pretreatment followed by selecting at least one of the following available choices comprising a multiple linear regression model, a partial least squares model, a principal component regression model and an artificial neuronal network model;\nwherein the predefined criterion comprises at least one of the following available choices comprising a tolerance interval corresponding to a small relative error of the calibration model, an acceptance limit of the physical parameter corresponding to a small relative total error of the calibration model and a Fitting Model Index of the calibration model that is close to 1; and\nwherein the methodology to compute a tolerance interval is selected from the available choices of frequentist or Bayesian.","2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the spectral data comprise near infrared spectra data.","3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the data pretreatment comprises any one of a standard normal variate treatment, a Savitzky-Golay smoothing filter with no derivative and/or a first derivative and/or a second derivative operation, a multiplicative scatter correction, an orthogonal signal correction or raw data.","4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the tolerance interval corresponds to either a beta expectation tolerance interval or a beta-gamma content tolerance interval.","5. The method according to claim 1, wherein step d) comprises at least one of printing on a printer, plotting on a plotter, displaying on a video display unit and projecting onto a screen.","6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the reference level is the concentration or amount of the physical or chemical parameter determined by the reference analytical method.","7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the methodology to compute the Fitting Model Index corresponds to the geometric mean of the dosing range, precision and trueness indexes and its value range from 0 to 1 depending on the fit quality.","8. A non-transitory computer readable medium product comprising code segments that when implemented on a computing system implement the methods of claim 1.","9. The computer readable medium product of claim 8 stored on machine readable signal storage means.","10. A computer based system for analyzing spectral data for the selection of a calibration model, relating spectra of a substance to a physical or a chemical parameter of the substance, over a predetermined range of the physical or chemical parameter, comprising:\na) means for capturing spectral data of the substance with respective values of the physical or chemical parameter over the predetermined range,\nb) means for creating a plurality of calibration models using the captured spectral data in dependence upon the values of the physical or chemical parameter based on the calibration data using statistical resampling methods,\nc) means for calculating tolerance intervals of the results at each reference level for each calibration model,\nd) means for displaying the tolerance intervals at each reference level over the predetermined range for each calibration model, and\ne) means for selecting at least one of the calibration models upon a predefined criterion;\nwherein the calibration model comprises a data regression model and a data pretreatment;\nwherein the data regression model comprises any spectral data pretreatment followed by selecting at least one of the following available choices comprising a multiple linear regression model, a partial least squares model, a principal component regression model and an artificial neuronal network model;\nwherein the predefined criterion comprises at least one of the following available choices comprising a tolerance interval corresponding to a small relative error of the calibration model, an acceptance limit of the physical parameter corresponding to a small relative total error of the calibration model and a Fitting Model Index of the calibration model that is close to 1; and\nwherein the methodology to compute a tolerance interval is selected from the available choices of frequentist or Bayesian."],["1. A liquid inspection method for checking whether an explosive, a raw material for explosive, or an illicit drug is contained in a liquid with which an optically transparent container for a drink is filled, comprising:\na near-infrared irradiation step in which a substantially whole portion of the liquid is irradiated by an irradiation unit with near-infrared light having wavelengths of 650 to 1000 nm from outside the container;\na near-infrared light reception step in which the near-infrared light passed through the liquid or the near-infrared light scattered by the liquid is received by a light reception unit; and\nan absorption spectrum analysis step in which an absorption spectrum of the received near-infrared light is analyzed,\nwherein whether an explosive, a raw material for explosive, or an illicit material is contained in a liquid with which the container is filled is checked by analyzing the absorption spectrum,\nthe liquid is a drink which may contain the explosive, a raw material for an explosive or an illicit drug filled in the optically transparent container,\nthe irradiation unit and the light reception unit are integrated,\nthe near-infrared light is emitted by the irradiation unit into the container from a surface of the container to conduct the near-infrared irradiation step, and the near-infrared light scattered by the liquid is received through the surface of the container by the light reception unit to conduct the near-infrared light reception step.","2. The liquid inspection method according to claim 1, wherein identification of the kinds of the explosive, raw material for explosive, and/or illicit drug is conducted by analyzing the absorption spectrum.","3. The liquid inspection method according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein absorbance at the predetermined wavelengths of an absorption spectrum analyzed at the absorption spectrum analysis step is substituted into a concentration estimation equation formulated based on absorption spectra analyzed by using a plurality of liquids that contain the explosive, the raw material for explosive, and/or the illicit drug with preset concentrations\nto measure a concentration of the explosive, the raw material for explosive, and/or the illicit drug.","4. The liquid inspection method according to claim 3, wherein the concentration estimation equation is formulated by conducting multiple regression analyses by using the absorbances at the wavelengths of the absorption spectra analyzed by using the liquids containing the explosive, the raw material for explosive, and/or the illicit drug with the preset concentrations.","5. The liquid inspection method according to claim 3, wherein an absorbance quadratic differential value at the predetermined wavelengths which is obtained by a quadratic differentiation for the absorption spectra is used as the absorbance.","6. The liquid inspection method according to claim 1, wherein the raw material for explosive is hydrogen peroxide.","7. The liquid inspection method according to claim 3, wherein regular products are used as the liquids containing the explosive, the raw material for explosive, and/or the illicit drug with the preset concentrations,\na concentration estimation equation is previously formulated for each of the regular products,\na regular product corresponding to the inspection object is identified by reading the product labeling mark put on the inspection object, and\nthe concentration of liquid explosive, raw material for explosive, and/or illicit drug in the inspection objects is measured by using the concentration estimation equation corresponding to the identified regular product, wherein\nthe regular product is control of a sample type to be tested.","8. A liquid inspection device for inspecting whether an explosive, a raw material for explosive, or an illicit drug is contained in a liquid with which an optically transparent container for a drink is filled, comprising:\na near-infrared light irradiation means for irradiating a substantially whole portion of the liquid with near-infrared light having wavelengths of 650 to 1000 nm from outside the container;\na near-infrared light reception means for receiving the near-infrared light passed through the liquid or the near-infrared light scattered by the liquid; and\nan absorption spectrum analysis means for analyzing an absorption spectrum of the received near-infrared light,\nwherein whether an explosive, a raw material for explosive, or an illicit drug is contained in the liquid with which the container is filled is inspected by analyzing the absorption spectrum, and\nthe liquid is a drink which may contain the explosive, a raw material for an explosive or an illicit drug filled in the optically transparent container,\nthe near-infrared light irradiation means and the near-infrared light reception means are integrated, and\nthe unit is disponed under the container so that the near-infrared light is emitted by the near-infrared light irradiation means into the container from a surface thereof and the near-infrared light scattered by the liquid is received through the surface of the container by the near-infrared light reception means.","9. The liquid inspection device according to claim 8, which further comprising a product labeling mark reading means for reading a product labeling mark put on a regular product, wherein i) said product labeling mark reading means identifies the regular product and the device, ii) identifies a previously formulated concentration estimation equation, and iii) compares the previously formulated equation with a concentration of an explosive, a raw material for explosive or the illicit drug in the liquid to be inspected.","10. The liquid inspection method according to claim 1, wherein\nthe irradiation unit is a white lamp.","11. The liquid inspection method according to claim 1, wherein\nthe container is shield from an extraneous light other than the near-infrared light.","12. The liquid inspection device according to claim 8, wherein\nthe near-infrared light irradiation means is a white lamp.","13. The liquid inspection device according to claim 8, further comprising a shield so that the container is shield by the shield from an extraneous light other than the near-infrared light.","14. The liquid inspection method according to claim 1, wherein the surface is a bottom of the container.","15. The liquid inspection method according to claim 8, wherein the surface is a bottom of the container."],["1. An apparatus comprising:\na) a spectral imager that is configured to resolve light obtained from a region of interest of a subject into a plurality of component spectral bands, wherein the spectral imager comprises a lens in optical connection with an image sensor; and\nb) a computer system electrically coupled to the spectral imager and comprising a memory and a processor, wherein the memory stores instructions for\n(i) constructing a color photo image by concatenating three planes from a hyperspectral cube constructed from the plurality of component spectral bands;\n(ii) constructing a pseudo color image based on the plurality of component spectral bands; and\n(iii) combining the pseudo color image with the color photo image to form a composite image,\nwherein the constructing of the pseudo color image comprises:\ndefining a color hue plane that represents a first characteristic in the group consisting of (a) an oxyhemoglobin concentration, (b) a deoxyhemoglobin concentration and (c) a mathematical combination of the oxyhemoglobin concentration and the deoxyhemoglobin concentration;\ndefining a color saturation plane that represents a second characteristic in the group consisting of (a) the oxyhemoglobin concentration, (b) the deoxyhemoglobin concentration and (c) a mathematical combination of the oxyhemoglobin concentration and the deoxyhemoglobin concentration, wherein the second characteristic is different than the first characteristic; and\ndefining a color intensity plane that represents reflectance in a region that is about 450 nm to about 580 nm.","2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a wavelength range of each respective component spectral band in the plurality of component spectral bands is adjacent to the wavelength range of another component spectral band in the plurality of component spectral bands.","3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each respective component spectral band in the plurality of spectral bands has a bandwidth of less than 50 nm.","4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the memory further stores instructions for displaying the composite image on a computer screen.","5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the region of interest of the subject is a portion of the skin of the subject.","6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the light obtained from the region of interest is in the visible range.","7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the color photo image is constructed by concatenating a first resolved component spectral band, a second resolved component spectral band, and a third resolved component spectral band, wherein:\nthe first resolved component spectral band comprises a wavelength corresponding to red light;\nthe second resolved component spectral band comprises a wavelength corresponding to green light; and\nthe third resolved component spectral band comprises a wavelength corresponding to blue light.","8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the three planes concatenated from the hyperspectral cube consist of a first plane at a wavelength of 580 nm to 800 nm, a second plane at a wavelength of 480-580 nm, and a third plane at a wavelength of 350 nm to 490 nm.","9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the spectral imager further comprises one or more polarizers, wherein the one or more polarizers compile light entering the spectral imager into a plane of polarization before entering the image sensor.","10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lens comprises a lens assembly.","11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the lens assembly comprises a first stage imaging optic and a second stage imaging optic.","12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a display for displaying the composite image.","13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the computing system further comprises a storage device for storing the composite image.","14. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a printer for printing the composite image.","15. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a communication link for transferring the composite image to a remote device or computer.","16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each respective component spectral band in the plurality of component spectral bands has a bandwidth that is between 10 nm and 40 nm.","17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each respective component spectral band in the plurality of component spectral bands has a bandwidth that is between 10 nm and 15 nm.","18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each respective component spectral band in the plurality of component spectral bands has a bandwidth that is between 5 nm and 12 nm.","19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is a portable apparatus.","20. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the region of interest is a tissue of the subject.","21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the tissue comprises an ulcer, callus, intact skin, hematoma, or superficial blood vessel."],["1. A laser gas analyzer, comprising:\na MEMS-vertical cavity surface emitting laser;\na light-split module configured to split an output light of the MEMS-vertical cavity surface emitting laser into a measurement light and a reference light;\na measurement gas cell, which receives gasses to be measured, is configured such that the measurement light is made incident to the measurement gas cell;\na first receiver is configured such that the measurement light that passed through the measurement gas cell is made incident to the first receiver;\na second receiver is configured such that the reference light is made incident to the second receiver; and\na data processor configured to obtain concentrations of the gases to be measured based on an absorption signal of the gases to be measured obtained from the first receiver and a reference signal of the MEMS-vertical cavity surface emitting laser obtained from the second receiver.","2. The laser gas analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the gases to be measured are hydrocarbon gases.","3. The laser gas analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the light source can oscillate in a wavelength range of 1620 nm to 1750 nm.","4. The laser gas analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the light source can oscillate in a wavelength range of 1620 nm to 1640 nm.","5. The laser gas analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the light source can oscillate in a wavelength range of 1670 nm to 1700 nm."],["1. A plant analysis system, comprising:\na) a data acquisition component configured to:\nmeasure properties of a plant utilizing waveform light detection and ranging (LiDAR) to assemble point cloud data, wherein said point cloud data comprises a plurality of three dimensional vertices each of which represents an external surface associated with said plant;\ncollect photographic data of said plant;\ncollect spectral data for said plant; and\ngeo-register the point cloud data and photographic data;\nwherein the plurality of said three dimensional vertices of said point cloud data is associated with global positioning satellite (GPS) data, said photographic data, and said spectral data;\nb) a transport vehicle on which said data acquisition component is mounted and configured to assemble and geo-register said point cloud data, and collect said photographic data and said spectral data on said plant; and\nc) a processor configured to:\ndetermine a spectral signature of said plant based on said spectral data;\ndetermine plant color based on said photographic data and associate said point cloud data with said plant color; and\ngenerate morphological data of said plant based on said point cloud data, said morphological data comprising one or more of plant stem diameter, plant height, plant volume, and plant leaf density.","2. The plant analysis system of claim 1, wherein:\nthe processor generates said morphological data by segmenting said point cloud data to identify boundaries of said plant; or\nthe processor classifies said morphological data to identify a plant feature, said plant feature comprising a branching structure, trunk, biomass, canopy, fruit, blossom, fruit cluster, or blossom cluster.","3. The plant analysis system of claim 1, wherein the processor utilizes said point cloud data and said plant color to discriminate a fruit, blossom, fruit cluster, or blossom cluster from a shadow based, at least in part, on analyzing a variation of said plant color and a geometric shape defined by the three dimensional vertices of said point cloud data.","4. The plant analysis system of claim 1, wherein said data acquisition component is further configured to measure atmospheric conditions, and wherein said processor determines a phenotype of the plant based on said spectral signature, said morphological data, and said atmospheric conditions.","5. The plant analysis system of claim 1, wherein said processor is further configured to determine a vegetation index of one or more plants based on said spectral data.","6. The plant analysis system of claim 1, wherein said processor is further configured to determine a number and a size of fruits or blossoms on the plant, wherein the number and size of fruits or blossoms on the plant is based one or more of said point cloud data or said plant color data.","7. The plant analysis system of claim 6, wherein:\nsaid number and size of fruits or blossoms on the plant is determined by clustering said point cloud data and plant color data; and\na crop yield is estimated based, at least in part, on said number and size of fruits or blossoms on the plant.","8. The plant analysis system of claim 1, wherein said processor is further configured to compare the spectral signature of the plant with a second spectral signature from a library of plant records.","9. The plant analysis system of claim 8, wherein said processor is further configured to:\ndetect a presence of a plant disease based on said comparison of the spectral signature with the second spectral signature;\ndetect a presence of wilt or leaf drop caused by environmental stressors based on said comparison of the spectral signature with the second spectral signature; or\nidentify a pest, including a disease vector, and predict said pest's trajectory.","10. The plant analysis system of claim 1, wherein a library of plant records is further configured to store historical data associated with the plant, said historical data comprising one or more of date of planting, root stock, grating record, nutritional treatment, health treatment, yield, surrounding soil conditions, surrounding atmospheric conditions, and surrounding topography.","11. The plant analysis system of claim 1, further comprising an asset management dashboard for accessing, viewing, analyzing and controlling a library of plant records.","12. The plant analysis system of claim 11, wherein said asset management dashboard integrates spatial information of a subset of said plant records in a configurable display, said subset of said plant records correspond to a plot on an orchard, and wherein said asset management dashboard allows users to generate counting and statistical reports about said plant records.","13. The plant analysis system of claim 11, wherein the processor is further configured to create a record of said plant in a library of plant records, and the record of said plant associates said plant with said spectral signature, said plant color, said spectral data, said assembled point cloud data, and said morphological data.","14. A method for analyzing a plant, comprising:\nmeasure, using a data acquisition component coupled to a transport vehicle, properties of a plant utilizing waveform light detection and ranging (LiDAR) to assemble point cloud data, wherein said point cloud data comprises a plurality of three dimensional vertices each of which represents an external surface associated with said plant;\ncollect, using the data acquisition component, photographic data of said plant;\ncollect, using the data acquisition component, spectral data for said plant;\ngeo-register the point cloud data and photographic data;\nassociate a plurality of said three dimensional vertices of said point cloud data with global positioning satellite (GPS) data, said photographic data, and said spectral data;\ndetermine, using one or more processors, a spectral signature of said plant based on said spectral data;\ndetermine, using the one or more processors, plant color based on said photographic data;\nassociate said point cloud data with said plant color; and\ngenerate, using the one or more processors, morphological data of said plant based on said point cloud data, said morphological data comprising one or more of plant stem diameter, plant height, plant volume, and plant leaf density.","15. The method of claim 14, wherein:\nsaid morphological data is generated by segmenting said point cloud data to identify boundaries of said plant; or\nsaid morphological data is classified to identify a plant feature, said plant feature comprising a branching structure, trunk, biomass, canopy, fruit, blossom, fruit cluster, or blossom cluster.","16. The method of claim 14, wherein said point cloud data and said plant color is utilized to discriminate a fruit, blossom, fruit cluster, or blossom cluster from a shadow based, at least in part, on analyzing a variation of said plant color and a geometric shape defined by the three dimensional vertices of said point cloud data.","17. The method of claim 14, further comprising:\nmeasuring atmospheric conditions; and\ndetermining a phenotype of the plant based on said spectral signature, said morphological data, and said atmospheric conditions.","18. The method of claim 14, further comprising:\ndetermining a number and a size of fruits or blossoms on the plant based one or more of said point cloud data or said plant color data, wherein said number and size of fruits or blossoms on the plant is determined by clustering said point cloud data and plant color data, and a crop yield is estimated based, at least in part, on said number and size of fruits or blossoms on the plant.","19. The method of claim 14, wherein:\nthe spectral signature of the plant is compared with a second spectral signature from a library of plant records to:\ndetect a presence of a plant disease based on said comparison of the spectral signature with the second spectral signature; or\ndetect a presence of wilt or leaf drop caused by environmental stressors based on said comparison of the spectral signature with the second spectral signature.","20. The method of claim 14, further comprising:\ncreating a record of said plant in a library of plant records, wherein the record of said plant associates said plant with said spectral signature, said plant color, said spectral data, said assembled point cloud data, and said morphological data."],["1. An analysis device for analyzing a material having\nan excitation transmission device for generating at least one excitation light beam with at least one excitation wavelength, and radiating the at least one electromagnetic excitation beam into a material volume, which is located underneath a first region of the surface of the material,\nan optical medium, which in operation is in contact with said first region of the surface of the material,\na detection device for detecting a response signal, and\na device for analyzing the material on the basis of the detected response signal.","2. The analysis device according to claim 1, wherein\nthe device comprises a system for emitting a measurement beam, which is arranged so that the emitted measurement beam penetrates the optical medium and is reflected at an interface of the optical medium and the surface of the material, and\nthe detection device is a device for receiving the reflected measuring beam which forms the response signal and for directly or indirectly detecting a deflection of the reflected measuring beam.","3. The analysis device according to claim 1, wherein\nin order to detect a response signal, the detection device is configured to detect a parameter change of the optical medium in a region adjacent to the first region, as a result of the response signal, wherein said parameter change is one or both of a deformation and a density change of the optical medium.","4. The analysis device according to claim 3, wherein\nthe detection device comprises one of a piezo-element, which is connected to the optical medium or integrated therein, as a detector for detecting said deformation or density change and temperature sensors as detectors for detecting the response signal.","5. The analysis device according to claim 1, wherein\nthe device comprises a device for the intensity modulation of the excitation light beam, and\nthe detection device is suitable for detecting a time-dependent response signal as a function of one or both of the wavelength of the excitation light and the intensity modulation of the excitation light.","6. The analysis device according to claim 1, wherein\nthe excitation transmission device comprises two or more transmission elements in the form of a one-, two- or multi-dimensional transmission element array, wherein\nthe two or more transmission elements each generate their own electromagnetic excitation beam and radiate the same into the volume below the first region and\nthe wavelengths of the electromagnetic excitation beams of the two or more transmission elements are different.","7. The analysis device according to claim 1, wherein\nthe excitation transmission device is directly, or indirectly by means of an adjustment device, mechanically fixedly connected to said optical medium.","8. The analysis device according to claim 5, wherein\nthe device for the intensity modulation comprises or is formed by an electrical modulation device, which is electrically connected to the excitation transmission device and electrically controls it.","9. The analysis device according claim 5, wherein\nthe device for intensity modulation comprises one of a controlled mirror arranged in the beam path and a layer which is arranged in the beam path and is controllable with respect to its transparency, or is formed by such a layer.","10. The analysis device according to claim 1, wherein\none or more of a device for emitting a measuring beam, the detection device and the excitation transmission device is/are directly mechanically fixedly connected to the optical medium or coupled to the same by means of a fiber-optic cable.","11. The analysis device according to claim 1, wherein\nthe optical medium directly supports an imaging optics, or an imaging optics is integrated into the optical medium.","12. The analysis device according to claim 1, wherein\nthe surface of the optical medium has a plurality of partial faces inclined towards each other, at which the measuring beam is reflected multiple times.","13. The analysis device according to claim 1, wherein\none or more reflective surfaces are provided in or on the optical medium for reflecting the measuring beam.","14. The analysis device according to claim 1, wherein\none or more of the excitation transmission device, a device for the emission of a measuring beam and the detection device are directly attached to each other or to a common support.","15. The analysis device according to claim 1, wherein\nthe excitation transmission device has an integrated semiconductor component, which comprises one or more laser elements and at least one micro-optical component and an additional modulation element.","16. The analysis device according to claim 1, wherein the analysis device has a wearable housing which can be fastened to the body of a person, wherein the excitation transmission device and the detection device are arranged and configured in such a way that the material to be analyzed is measured on the side of the housing facing away from the body.","17. The analysis device according to claim 16, wherein the housing of the device has a window which is transparent for the excitation light beam on its side facing away from the body in the intended wearing position.","18. The analysis device according to claim 16, wherein the excitation transmission device has an integrated semiconductor component, which comprises a plurality of laser elements and a modulation element for modulating the intensity of excitation light beams generated by corresponding ones of said plurality of laser elements, wherein said modulation element is one of a mirror, which is movable relative to the rest of the semiconductor device and is controllable with respect to its position, a layer with controllable radiation permeability, and an electronic control circuit for the modulation of the plurality of laser elements.","19. The analysis device according to claim 16, wherein the excitation transmission device is directly, or indirectly by means of an adjustment device, mechanically fixedly connected to said optical medium.","20. The analysis device according to claim 16, wherein\none or more of the excitation transmission device, the device for the emission of the measuring beam and the detection device are directly attached to each other or to a common support.","21. The analysis device according to claim 16, wherein one or more of a device for emitting a measuring beam, the detection device and the excitation transmission device is/are directly mechanically fixedly connected to the optical medium or coupled to the same by means of a fiber-optic cable.","22. A method for analyzing a material, wherein in the method\nan optical medium is brought into contact with a surface of the material,\nwith an excitation transmission device, at least one electromagnetic excitation light beam with at least one excitation wavelength is generated by an at least partially simultaneous or consecutive operation of a plurality of laser emitters of a laser light source, and the at least one excitation light beam is radiated into a material volume, which is located underneath a first region of the surface of the material,\nwith a detection device a response signal is detected and\nthe material is analyzed on the basis of the detected response signal.","23. The method according to claim 22, wherein\nusing different modulation frequencies of the excitation transmission device, response signals, in particular temporal response signal waveforms or patterns, are successively determined and wherein a plurality of response signal waveforms or patterns at different modulation frequencies are combined with each other and that, in particular, specific information for a depth range under the surface is obtained from this.","24. The method according to claim 23, wherein\nresponse signal waveforms or patterns at different modulation frequencies are determined for different wavelengths of the excitation beam and from this, in particular specific information is obtained for each depth range under the surface.","25. The method according to claim 24, wherein\nwhen a plurality of modulation frequencies of the excitation light beam are used at the same time, the detected signal is resolved into its frequencies by means of an analytical procedure, and\nonly the partial signal that corresponds to the desired frequency is filtered out.","26. The method according to claim 22, wherein\nthe emitted excitation light beam is radiated in such a way that it penetrates the optical medium and exits the same at a predetermined point on the surface of the optical medium,\nwith a device for emitting a measuring beam, a measuring beam is generated in such a way that it penetrates the optical medium and is reflected at an interface of the optical medium and the surface of the material, and\na reflected measuring beam forming the response signal is measured with the detection device,\nand the deflection of the reflected beam is directly or indirectly detected.","27. The method according to claim 22, wherein\nsaid material is formed by a body part of a patient, and as a function of a material concentration identified in the material, a dosing device is activated for delivering a substance into the body of the patient, an acoustic or visual signal is output or a signal is delivered to a processing device via a wireless connection."],["1. A photothermal interferometry apparatus for detecting a molecule in a sample, comprising:\na Fabry-Perot interferometer with a first mirror, a second mirror and a first cavity for containing the sample extending between the first and the second mirror, a probe laser arrangement with at least one probe laser for providing a first probe laser beam and a second probe laser beam, an excitation laser for passing an excitation laser beam through the first cavity of the Fabry-Perot interferometer for exciting the molecule in the sample, the Fabry-Perot interferometer comprising a third mirror, a fourth mirror and a second cavity for containing the sample extending between the third and the fourth mirror, the first and the second cavity of the Fabry-Perot interferometer being arranged such that the first probe laser beam intersects with the excitation laser beam in the first cavity and the second probe laser beam does not intersect with the excitation laser beam in the second cavity, and a photodetector unit comprising a first photo detector for detecting the transmitted first probe laser beam and a second photo detector for detecting the transmitted second probe laser beam.","2. The photothermal interferometry apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the probe laser arrangement comprises a beam splitter for splitting a probe laser beam from the probe laser into the first and second probe laser beam.","3. The photothermal interferometry apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a subtractor for subtracting a second transmission signal corresponding to the transmitted second probe laser beam from a first transmission signal corresponding to the first transmitted probe laser beam.","4. The photothermal interferometry apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first and the third mirror are formed by a first and a second section of a first mirror element, the second and the fourth mirror are formed by a first and a second section of a second mirror element such that the first and the second cavity extend continuously between the first and second mirror element.","5. The photothermal interferometry apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a modulator for modulating the wavelength of the excitation laser beam, the photodetector unit being arranged for detecting a modulation of the transmitted probe laser beam passed through the first cavity of the Fabry-Perot interferometer.","6. The photothermal interferometry apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the photodetector unit communicates with a control unit arranged for determining a harmonic of the modulation of the probe laser beam passed through the first cavity of the Fabry-Perot interferometer.","7. The photothermal interferometry apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the control unit comprises a lock-in amplifier, and wherein the harmonic is a second harmonic.","8. The photothermal interferometry apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a first tuner for tuning the probe laser beam over a first given wavelength range.","9. The photothermal interferometry apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second tuner for tuning the excitation laser beam over a second given wavelength range.","10. The photothermal interferometry apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the Fabry-Perot interferometer comprises a sample cell for containing the sample, the first and the second mirror being fixed on a first and second side of the sample cell.","11. The photothermal interferometry apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the sample cell of the Fabry-Perot interferometer comprises a sample inlet and a sample outlet.","12. The photothermal interferometry apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a vacuum device connected to the sample outlet of the Fabry-Perot interferometer.","13. The photothermal interferometry apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a reference cell containing the sample, the reference cell being arranged in the path of the excitation laser beam such that the excitation laser beam is passed through the sample in the reference cell, and a photo diode for detecting the excitation laser beam passed through the reference cell.","14. The photothermal interferometry apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the excitation laser is a diode laser, or a continuous wave quantum cascade laser, or a continuous wave distributed feedback quantum cascade laser, or an external cavity quantum cascade laser, or an interband cascade laser, and/or wherein the probe laser is a diode laser, or a single mode diode laser, or a continuous wave distributed feedback diode laser or an external cavity quantum cascade laser.","15. A method for detecting a trace gas species in a sample using photothermal spectroscopy, comprising the steps of: providing a first and a second probe laser beam, directing the first probe laser beam through the sample in a first cavity of a Fabry-Perot interferometer, directing the second probe laser beam through the sample in a second cavity of the Fabry-Perot interferometer, providing an excitation laser beam for heating the sample in the first cavity of the Fabry-Perot interferometer, directing the excitation laser beam through the sample in the first cavity of the Fabry-Perot interferometer, detecting the transmitted first probe laser beam, and detecting the transmitted second probe laser beam.","16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of subtracting a second transmission signal corresponding to the transmitted second probe laser beam from a first transmission signal corresponding to the transmitted first probe laser beam.","17. The method of claim 15, further comprising the steps of detecting a thermal wave in the sample with the transmitted first probe laser beam and detecting an acoustic wave in the sample with the transmitted second probe laser beam.","18. The method of claim 15, further comprising the steps of—modulating the excitation laser beam wavelength, directing the modulated excitation laser beam through the sample in the first cavity of the Fabry-Perot interferometer, detecting a harmonic of a modulation of the transmitted first probe laser beam passed through the first cavity of the Fabry-Perot interferometer.","19. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of—tuning the probe laser beam in accordance with a predetermined value of a transmission function of the Fabry-Perot interferometer.","20. The photothermal interferometry apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is for detecting a trace gas species."],["1. A feedback control system for microfluidic droplet manipulation, the system comprising:\nat least one pump operable to pump a sample fluid from the pump through an inlet channel and into a junction with a main channel on a microfluidic device, thereby to cause the system to form microfluidic droplets of the sample fluid surrounded by a carrier fluid at the junction;\na flow rate sensor operable to measure a flow rate to the inlet channel; and\na feedback controller operable to receive a flow rate measurement from the flow rate sensor and adjust a flow rate of the at least one pump to cause the system to form the microfluidic droplets at a uniform size.","2. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one pump is a pressure-driven pump.","3. The system of claim 1, wherein the flow rate is measured using heat transfer.","4. The system of claim 1, wherein after the flow rate is adjusted, the droplets are formed with <1.5% polydispersity.","5. The system of claim 1, wherein the feedback controller transmits automated instructions to the at least one pump to control the production of the microfluidic droplets.","6. The system of claim 1, wherein the flow rate sensor is operable to measure flow rates between 10 to 104 μL/hour.","7. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one pump creates positive displacement pressure driven flow.","8. The system of claim 1, wherein the feedback controller is operable to adjust pressure on the main channel and the inlet channel.","9. The system of claim 1, wherein the sample fluid contains molecules or cells that are introduced into the droplets.","10. The system of claim 1, wherein the sample fluid is pressurized.","11. The system of claim 1, wherein feedback on the infusion rates of the carrier fluid and the sample fluid provides droplets that are uniform in size and generated at a fixed frequency over arbitrarily long periods of time.","12. The system of claim 1, wherein the feedback controller controls a pressure difference between the carrier fluid in the main channel and the sample fluid at the inlet channel to regulate size and periodicity of the droplets.","13. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one pump comprises a pressure head.","14. The system of claim 1, wherein the feedback controller controls droplet generation rate.","15. The system of claim 1, wherein the feedback controller controls droplet properties including one or more of droplet volume, droplet generation rate, droplet release rate, and the total number of droplets generated.","16. The system of claim 1, further comprising a second inlet channel to form a second species of aqueous droplet.","17. The system of claim 16, wherein the system is operable to flow the droplets and the second species of aqueous droplet into a merge zone."],["1. A method for analyzing a material, the method comprising:\nan optical medium is brought into direct contact with a first region of a surface of the material,\nwith an excitation transmission device, at least one excitation light beam with at least one excitation wavelength is generated by an at least partially simultaneous or consecutive operation of a plurality of laser emitters of a laser light source, and the at least one excitation light beam is radiated into a material volume, which is located underneath said first region of the surface of the material,\nwith a device for emitting a measuring beam, a measuring beam is emitted which penetrates the optical medium,\nwith a detection device a response signal is detected, wherein detecting said response signal (SR) comprises detecting said measuring beam as a time-dependent response signal, after this measuring beam has been reflected at least once at an interface of the optical medium, which is in contact with the first region of the surface of the material, and\nthe material is analyzed on the basis of the detected response signal (SR), wherein to control the excitation transmission device for generating the excitation light beam, a series of stored equidistant or non-equidistant settings can be adjusted successively, each of which determines an excitation wavelength of the laser source and among which at least 3 wavelengths of absorption maxima of a substance to be identified in the material are included.","2. The method according to claim 1, wherein\nusing different modulation frequencies of the excitation transmission device, response signals are successively determined and a plurality of response signal waveforms or patterns at different modulation frequencies are combined with each other and specific information for a depth range under the surface is obtained from this.","3. The method according to claim 1, wherein\na plurality of modulation frequencies of the excitation light beam are used at the same time, and the detected response signal is resolved into its frequencies by an analytical procedure, and\nonly a partial signal that corresponds to a desired frequency is filtered out.","4. The method according to claim 1, wherein\nsaid material is formed by a body part of a patient, and as a function of a material concentration identified in the body part, one or more of the following is carried out:\nan acoustic or visual signal is output, or a signal is delivered to a processing device via a wireless connection.","5. The method according to claim 1, wherein\nthe excitation light beam is modulated with between 1 and 3 modulation frequencies, and a time characteristic of the response signal is analyzed.","6. The method according to claim 1, wherein\nin operation the measuring beam and the excitation beam overlap at an interface of the optical medium and the surface of the material, at which the measuring beam is reflected, and\nthe detection device is a device for receiving the reflected measuring beam which forms the response signal (SR) and for directly or indirectly detecting a deflection of the reflected measuring beam.","7. The method according to claim 1, wherein\nthe detection device is suitable for detecting a time-dependent response signal (SR) as a function of the wavelength of the excitation light and an intensity modulation of the excitation light.","8. The method according to claim 1, wherein\nthe excitation transmission device comprises two or more transmission elements in the form of a one-, two- or multi-dimensional transmission element array.","9. The method according to claim 1, wherein\nthe excitation transmission device has an integrated semiconductor component, which comprises one or more laser elements and at least one micro-optical component and an additional modulation element.","10. The method according to claim 9, wherein\nthe modulation element comprises an electronic control circuit for the modulation of the one or the plurality of laser elements.","11. The method according to claim 1, wherein\nthe excitation transmission device is configured to radiate more than 80% of its transmission power in the medium infrared wavenumber range between 900/cm and 1650/cm.","12. The method according to claim 1, wherein\nthe excitation transmission device is configured to emit between 20 and 100 wavelengths individually, simultaneously or sequentially.","13. The method according to claim 1, wherein\nthe excitation transmission device is configured to modulate the excitation light beam with a frequency between 10 and 1000 Hertz.","14. The method according to claim 2, wherein\nthe response signal waveforms or patterns at different modulation frequencies are determined for different wavelengths of the excitation light beam and from this, specific information is obtained for each depth range under the surface.","15. The method according claim 1, wherein\nthe emitted excitation light beam is radiated in such a way that the excitation light beam penetrates the optical medium and exits the optical medium at a predetermined point on the surface of the optical medium, and\nthe deflection of the reflected measuring beam is directly or indirectly detected.","16. The method according to claim 1, wherein\nan excitation corresponding to more than 80% of the excitation light power takes place in the medium infra-red wavenumber range between 900/cm and 1650/cm.","17. The method according to claim 1, wherein\nbetween 20 and 100 excitation wavelengths are individually excited.","18. The method according to claim 1, wherein\nmore than 50% of the excitation wavelengths are located at absorption maxima of fundamental oscillations of a glucose molecule.","19. The method according to claim 1, wherein\nthe excitation is modulated with a frequency between 10 and 1000 Hertz.","20. The method according to claim 1, wherein\na temporal waveform of the response signal is detected and subjected to an integral transformation after an excitation pulse of between 10 ms and 1000 ms duration.","21. The method according to claim 20, wherein\na measurement of the temporal waveform of the response signal is repeated 2-10 times, and an averaged signal waveform or pattern is subject to said integral transformation.","22. The method according to claim 1, wherein\nin order to take account of the absorption behavior of the sample or tissue which is independent of a glucose concentration, at least one or two wavenumber ranges or wavelength ranges without a significant absorption by the glucose are provided, in which the absorption is measured.","23. The method according to claim 22, wherein\nat least one of the wavenumber ranges is between 1610 and 1695 cm−1.","24. The method according to claim 22, wherein\nat least one of the wavenumber ranges is between 1480 and 1575 cm−1.","25. The method according to claim 1, wherein said material is skin and the method further comprises a step of detecting water or a sweat on the skin surface by a test stimulus with an excitation radiation using the excitation transmission device with water-specific wavelengths, wherein said water-specific wavelengths are chosen from water-specific bands at 1640 cm−1 and 690 cm−1.","26. The method according to claim 1, wherein\nduring the analysis, a temperature of one or more of the laser emitters of the excitation transmission device, a temperature of the detection device, a temperature of said optical medium, a temperature of said device for emitting said measuring beam, or an a temperature of an optical sensor is detected and taken into account in the evaluation of the analysis by associating or combining the measurement results with temperature correction values.","27. The method according to claim 1, wherein\nsaid material is formed by a body part and is pressed against said optical medium, wherein the pressure exerted on the optical medium by means of the pressed-on body part is detected, and wherein the excitation transmission device is turned on depending on the detected pressure on the optical medium, or is turned off depending on a reduction in the pressure below a specific threshold.","28. The method according to claim 1, wherein\nthe material is formed by a body part and is pressed against said optical medium, wherein a moisture level of the optical medium in the area of the pressed-on body part is detected, and wherein the excitation transmission device is turned on upon reaching a specified moisture level on the optical medium or is turned off by a reduction in the moisture level below a certain threshold, or by an increase in the moisture level above a certain threshold.","29. The method according to claim 1, wherein\nduring the implementation of the method a body part forming said material is pressed onto the optical medium and is affixed to the optical medium by clamping the body part to the optical medium, gluing the body part to the optical medium, adhesion of the body part to the optical medium, or by vacuum suction of the body part.","30. The method according to claim 1, wherein\nthe excitation light beam is emitted with at least two excitation wavelengths or groups of excitation wavelengths, wherein a first excitation wavelength or group of excitation wavelengths enables the identification of a substance to be identified in the material, while at least one additional excitation wavelength or group of excitation wavelengths enables the identification of a reference substance, which is different from the substance to be identified, and that for at least two different substances profiles are determined with regard to their density distribution over the depth of the material and combined with each other, and wherein a depth profile, or at least one or more parameters of a depth profile, of the reference substance in the material is known.","31. The method according to claim 30, wherein the excitation light beam is successively modulated with different modulation frequencies, wherein response signals are detected for different modulation frequencies or a time characteristic of the response signal in the event of a change in intensity of the excitation light beam is analyzed.","32. The method according to claim 31, wherein\nthe excitation light beam is modulated by controlling said laser light source which generates the excitation light beam.","33. The method according to claim 1, wherein\na duty factor of the excitation light beam is between 3 and 10%.","34. The method according to claim 1, wherein\na power density of the excitation light beam on the surface of the material to be analyzed is less than 5 mW/mm2.","35. The method according to claim 1, wherein\nthe material is formed by a body part, a vessel carrying a dialysate or a vessel of a dialysis unit carrying blood.","36. The method according to claim 1, wherein before and/or during and/or after said measurement, a mechanical pressure is detected, with which the optical medium is pressed against the material, and wherein the effect of the pressure on the material or the optical medium is eliminated from the measurement results or taken into account during the analysis.","37. A method for analyzing a material, the method comprising:\nan optical medium is brought into direct contact with a first region of a surface of the material,\nwith an excitation transmission device, at least one excitation light beam with at least one excitation wavelength is generated by an at least partially simultaneous or consecutive operation of a plurality of laser emitters of a laser light source, and the at least one excitation light beam is radiated into a material volume, which is located underneath said first region of the surface of the material,\nwith a device for emitting a measuring beam, a measuring beam is emitted which penetrates the optical medium,\nwith a detection device a response signal is detected, wherein detecting said response signal (SR) comprises detecting said measuring beam as a time-dependent response signal, after this measuring beam has been reflected at least once at an interface of the optical medium, which is in contact with the first region of the surface of the material, and\nthe material is analyzed on the basis of the detected response signal (SR), wherein\na depth range to be investigated in the material is first selected, and the excitation light beam is controlled thereafter in such a way that between time intervals in which the excitation beam is emitted, at least one time period is provided which corresponds to the diffusion time required by a thermal wave to traverse the distance between the depth range to be investigated in the material and the material surface.","38. A method for analyzing a material, the method comprising:\nan optical medium is brought into direct contact with a first region of a surface of the material,\nwith an excitation transmission device, at least one excitation light beam with at least one excitation wavelength is generated by an at least partially simultaneous or consecutive operation of a plurality of laser emitters of a laser light source, and the at least one excitation light beam is radiated into a material volume, which is located underneath said first region of the surface of the material,\nwith a device for emitting a measuring beam, a measuring beam is emitted which penetrates the optical medium,\nwith a detection device a response signal is detected, wherein detecting said response signal (SR) comprises detecting said measuring beam as a time-dependent response signal, after this measuring beam has been reflected at least once at an interface of the optical medium, which is in contact with the first region of the surface of the material, and\nthe material is analyzed on the basis of the detected response signal (SR),\nwherein a moisture content of the material or a humidity of the upper layers or the surface of the material is determined, and wherein the effect of the moisture in the material is eliminated from the measurement results or taken into account during the analysis."],["1. An additive manufacturing method comprising:\nemitting a first energy beam to a material and solidifying the material to form a layer;\nprocessing a surface of a manufactured object including the layer by emission of a second energy beam to the surface, and propagating, in the manufactured object, an elastic wave generated by impact of the emission of the second energy beam;\ndetecting the elastic wave; and\ninspecting an abnormality in the manufactured object on the basis of a detection result about the elastic wave.","2. The additive manufacturing method according to claim 1, further comprising:\nmeasuring a shape of the layer; and\nprocessing the surface on the basis of a result of the measurement.","3. The additive manufacturing method according to claim 1, wherein the detecting includes detecting the elastic wave in an area of the manufactured object in which the surface is processed.","4. The additive manufacturing method according to claim 1, wherein\nthe second energy beam is a first laser beam for processing,\nthe additive manufacturing method further comprises emitting a second laser beam for detection to the surface and receiving reflected light of the second laser beam, including oscillation of the surface by the elastic wave, reflected from the surface to detect the elastic wave, and\nthe first laser beam and the second laser beam do not interfere with each other.","5. An additive manufacturing method comprising:\nemitting an energy beam to a material and solidifying the material to form a layer;\nemitting a laser beam for processing and detection;\ndividing the laser beam into a first laser beam for processing and a second laser beam for detection;\nprocessing a surface of a manufactured object including the layer by emission of the first laser beam to the surface, and propagating, in the manufactured object, an elastic wave generated by impact of the emission of the first laser beam;\nemitting the second laser beam to the surface and receiving reflected light of the second laser beam including oscillation of the surface by the elastic wave to detect the elastic wave; and\ninspecting an abnormality in the manufactured object on a basis of a detection result about the elastic wave.","6. The additive manufacturing method according to claim 1, further comprising\nwhen the abnormality in the manufactured object is detected, partially removing the manufactured object from the surface of the manufactured object to the abnormality to form an opening, and filling the material in the opening of the manufactured object formed after removal thereof and solidifying the material.","7. The additive manufacturing method according to claim 6, wherein when a protruding portion is formed above a upper boundary of the opening by filling the material in the opening, the partially removing includes removing at least part of the protruding portion of the manufactured object."],["1. A system for detecting an analyte in a solution, the system comprising:\na first magnet configured to generate a first magnetic field that forces a plurality of magnetic particles in the solution toward an optical sensor that comprises a capture probe; and\na detector configured to detect a change in an optical property of the optical sensor, the change in the optical property resulting from the binding of at least the analyte, a magnetic particle, and the capture probe at the optical sensor.","2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first magnet is located on the opposite side of the optical sensor from the solution.","3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a controller module configured to cycle the first magnetic field.","4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a second magnet configured to generate a second magnetic field that forces the magnetic particles away from the optical sensor.","5. The system of claim 4, wherein the second magnet is located on the same side of the optical sensor as the solution.","6. The system of claim 4, wherein the second magnet is tunable to provide a second magnetic field having a variable magnitude.","7. The system of claim 4, further comprising a controller module configured to activate the first magnetic field before activating the second magnetic field.","8. The system of claim 7, wherein the controller module is configured to cycle the first magnetic field and the second magnetic field.","9. The system of claim 4, wherein the second magnet is configured to provide a magnetic field with a spatially-varying gradient.","10. The system of claim 9, wherein the spatially-varying gradient of the second magnet is provided about a plurality of optical sensors, and wherein the detector is configured to detect changes in the optical property of each of the plurality of optical sensors.","11. The system of claim 1, wherein the optical sensor comprises a resonant optical sensor, and wherein the detected optical property comprises a shift in the resonant wavelength of the optical sensor.","12. The system of claim 11, wherein the resonant optical sensor comprises an optical waveguide.","13. The system of claim 12, wherein the optical waveguide comprises a ring.","14. The system of claim 13, wherein the optical sensor is formed at least partially of silicon.","15. The system of claim 1, wherein the optical sensor is integrated on an integrated optical chip comprising optical waveguides.","16. The system of claim 1, wherein the magnetic particles specifically bind to the analyte or to a complex that includes the analyte.","17. A method for detecting an analyte in a solution, the method comprising: providing the solution in proximity to an optical sensor, the solution\ncomprising an analyte and a plurality of magnetic particles, and the optical sensor comprising a capture probe;\nproviding a first magnetic field that interacts with the magnetic particles to force the magnetic particles toward the optical sensor; and\ndetecting the analyte based on the binding of at least the analyte, a magnetic particle, and the capture probe by determining a change in an optical property of the optical sensor.","18. The method of claim 17, further comprising, prior to detecting the analyte, decreasing or removing the first magnetic field to reduce or remove the force directing the magnetic particles toward the optical sensor.","19. The method of claim 17, wherein the first magnetic field is provided using a first magnet located on the opposite side of the optical sensor as the solution.","20. The method of claim 17, further comprising cycling the first magnetic field."],["1. A method of measuring thermal conductivity of a material, the method comprising:\nfocusing a modulated CW pump laser beam having a beam diameter and a power having an “on” and “off” state, and thereby providing an “on” and “off” cyclical heat flux at a spot of the material, a size of the spot being the beam diameter, the modulated CW pump laser beam having a modulation frequency low enough to induce a cyclical steady-state temperature rise on the spot of the material, the cyclical steady-state temperature rise having an “on” and “off” state corresponding to the cyclical heat flux;\nfocusing a CW probe laser beam at the spot of the material and generating a reflected probe beam reflected from the spot of the material, the reflected probe beam having a reflectance signal, a magnitude of the reflectance signal being a function of the temperature of the material, the magnitude of the reflectance signal being periodic corresponding to the cyclical steady-state temperature rise, the magnitude of the reflectance signal having an “on” and “off” state;\nmeasuring a difference of the power of the pump laser beam between the “on” and “off” states of the power of the pump laser beam;\nmeasuring a difference of the magnitude of the reflectance signals of the reflected probe beam between the “on” and “off” states; and\ncalculating the thermal conductivity by fitting the measured difference of the power and the measured difference of the magnitude of the reflectance signal to a thermal model, the thermal model being a function of a thermal conductivity of the material relating the heat flux to the temperature rise, the thermal model being a function of the modulation frequency and the spot size of the pump beam on the material.","2. The method of claim 1, the calculating step further comprising calibrating a proportionality constant encompassing a thermoreflectance coefficient and a conversion factor of change in reflectance to change in photodetector voltage, the calibration being done with a material having a known thermal conductivity.","3. The method of claim 2, wherein the material used for the calibration is single-crystal sapphire.","4. The method claim 1, wherein the magnitude of the reflectance signal of the reflected probe beam is measured using a periodic waveform analyzer via a digital boxcar average.","5. The method claim 1, wherein the magnitude of the reflectance signal of the reflected probe beam is measured using a lock-in amplifier to lock into the periodic signal produced by the reflected probe beam.","6. The method of claim 5, wherein the lock-in amplifier is synced to the modulation frequency.","7. The method of claim 1, wherein the modulation frequency defines a period longer than 95% rise time of the temperature rise.","8. The method of claim 1, wherein the pump beam diameter is lowered allowing for a steady-state temperature rise to be reached at a higher modulation frequency.","9. The method of claim 1, wherein the modulated pump laser beam is a continuous wave beam modulated by an arbitrary periodic waveform.","10. The method of claim 1, wherein the steady-state temperature rise is a quasi-steady-state temperature rise.","11. The method of claim 1, wherein a beam diameter of the probe beam is the same as or smaller than the beam diameter of the pump beam.","12. The method of claim 2, further comprising:\nmeasuring the difference of the magnitude of the reflectance signal as the pump power at the “on” state is varied;\ngenerating a dataset of the magnitude of the reflectance signal difference versus the pump power difference;\nperforming a linear fit on the dataset to determine a slope; and\ndetermining the thermal conductivity by comparing the slope to the thermal model after dividing by the proportionality constant.","13. The method of claim 12, wherein the pump power is increased linearly.","14. The method of claim 1, wherein the modulation frequency is a first modulation frequency, the method further comprising:\nmeasuring the magnitude of the reflectance signal difference as the pump power at the “on” state at the first modulation frequency is varied;\ngenerating a dataset of the magnitude of the reflectance signal difference versus the pump power difference;\nperforming a linear fit on the dataset to determine a first slope;\nsetting the modulation frequency to a second modulation frequency;\nmeasuring the magnitude of the reflectance signal difference as the pump power at the “on” state at the second modulation frequency is varied;\ngenerating a dataset of the magnitude of the reflectance signal difference versus the pump power difference;\nperforming a linear fit on the dataset to determine a second slope;\nfitting the first and second slopes to the thermal model for determining the thermal conductivity.","15. The method of claim 14, wherein the pump power is increased linearly.","16. The method of claim 1, wherein the pump power at the “on” state is kept constant, the method further comprising:\nsweeping the modulation frequency over a range of frequencies ranging from 1 Hz to 1 GHz,\nmapping out the frequency response of the steady state signal; and\nfitting the data to a frequency dependent steady-state thermoreflectance model.","17. A system for measuring thermal conductivity of a material, comprising:\na pump laser source for emitting a CW pump laser beam having a beam diameter and a power;\na modulator for modulating the CW pump laser beam, the modulated CW pump laser beam having a modulation frequency low enough to induce a cyclical steady-state temperature rise on a spot of the material, the spot having a size of the beam diameter;\na probe laser source for emitting a CW probe laser beam at the spot of the material and generating a reflected probe beam reflected from the spot of the material, the reflected probe beam having a reflectance signal, a magnitude of the reflectance signal being a function of the temperature of the material, the magnitude of the reflectance signal being periodic corresponding to the cyclical steady-state temperature rise, the magnitude of the reflectance signal having an “on” and “off” state;\ndetectors for measuring the waveform and power of the pump laser beam and the waveform and the magnitude of the reflectance signal of the reflected probe laser beam;\noptical components for directing and focusing the pump laser beam and probe laser beam onto a surface of the material; and\na processing unit for calculating the thermal conductivity by fitting the measured difference of the power and the measured difference of the magnitude of the reflectance signal to a thermal model, the thermal model being a function of a thermal conductivity of the material relating the heat flux to the temperature rise, the thermal model being a function of the modulation frequency and the spot size of the pump beam on the material.","18. The system of claim 17, wherein the detectors are power meters or photodetectors.","19. The system of claim 17, further comprising a lock-in amplifier for measuring the waveform and power of the pump laser beam and the waveform and the magnitude of the reflectance signal of the reflected probe laser beam."],["1. An arrangement comprising:\nat least one first arrangement configured to provide at least one first electro-magnetic radiation to a sample so as to interact with at least one acoustic wave in the sample, wherein at least one second electro-magnetic radiation is produced based on the at least one acoustic wave and the at least one acoustic wave is amplified as a result of an interaction with the second electro-magnetic radiation;\nat least one second arrangement configured to receive at least one portion of the at least one second electro-magnetic radiation; and\nat least one third arrangement configured to determine information associated with a mechanical property of at least one portion of the sample based on a measurement of at least one of a magnitude or frequency of a spectral peak in a spectrum of the at least one second electro-magnetic radiation.","2. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein the at least one first electromagnetic radiation has a form of a plurality of pulses.","3. The arrangement of claim 1, further comprising at least one fourth arrangement configured to image the at least one portion of the sample based on data associated with the at least one second electro-magnetic radiation.","4. The arrangement of claim 3, wherein the at least one first electro-magnetic radiation includes at least one first magnitude and at least one first frequency, wherein the at least one second electro-magnetic radiation includes at least one second magnitude and at least one second frequency, and wherein the data relates to at least one of a first difference between the first and second magnitudes or a second difference between the first and second frequencies.","5. The arrangement of claim 4, wherein the second difference is between −100 GHz and 100 GHz, excluding zero.","6. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein the at least one second arrangement includes a spectral filter which facilitates a determination of the spectrum of the at least one second electro-magnetic radiation.","7. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein the information is associated with a mechanical property of the sample.","8. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein the sample is a living subject.","9. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein the sample is at least one of an organ, a tissue, or a cell.","10. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein the at least one first electromagnetic radiation has a center wavelength which is between 0.5-1.8 μm.","11. A method for obtaining information associated with a sample, comprising:\nproviding at least one first electro-magnetic radiation to the sample so as to interact with at least one acoustic wave in the sample, wherein at least one second electro-magnetic radiation is produced based on the at least acoustic wave and the at least one acoustic wave is amplified as a result of an interaction with the second electro-magnetic radiation;\nreceiving at least one portion of at least one second electro-magnetic radiation; and\ndetermining information associated with a mechanical property of at least one portion of the sample based on a measurement of at least one of a magnitude or frequency of a spectral peak in a spectrum of the at least one second electro-magnetic radiation.","12. The method of claim 11, wherein the at least one first electromagnetic radiation has a form of a plurality of pulses.","13. The method of claim 11, further comprising imaging the at least one portion of the sample based on data associated with the at least one second electro-magnetic radiation.","14. The method of claim 13, wherein the at least one first electro-magnetic radiation includes at least one first magnitude and at least one first frequency, wherein the at least one second electro-magnetic radiation includes at least one second magnitude and at least one second frequency, and wherein the data relates to at least one of a first difference between the first and second magnitudes or a second difference between the first and second frequencies.","15. The method of claim 14, wherein the second difference is between −100 GHz and 100 GHz, excluding zero.","16. The method of claim 11, wherein receiving at least one portion of at least one second electro-magnetic radiation includes determining the spectrum of the at least one second electro-magnetic radiation using a spectral filter.","17. The method of claim 11, wherein the information is associated with a mechanical property of the sample.","18. The method of claim 11, wherein the sample is a living subject.","19. The method of claim 11, wherein the sample is at least one of an organ, a tissue, or a cell.","20. The method of claim 11, wherein the at least one first electromagnetic radiation has a center wavelength which is between 0.5-1.8 μm."],["1. A fluidic cell for use in analyzing a property of fluids, comprising:\na flow channel for conducting a fluid within the fluidic cell, the flow channel defined on one side by a cell window and on a second side by a cell back side surface, wherein the fluid is confined to flow substantially parallel to the surface of the cell window and cell back side surface;\nan interrogation region within the flow channel wherein the fluid interacts with an optical beam over a pathlength; and\nan inlet channel for flowing fluids into the flow channel and an outlet channel for flowing fluids out of the flow channel,\nwherein the cell window has a reflective surface in contact with the fluid and has a first port transmissive to an optical beam for entering the optical beam into the flow channel at an angle other than normal incidence,\nand wherein the cell back side surface is coated with a film semi-reflective to the optical beam, such that the optical beam is reflected back and forth in the flow channel and a portion of the optical beam is transmitted through the cell back side surface at each reflection, forming multiple optical beams exiting the fluidic cell through the cell back side surface for measurement by a detector.","2. The fluidic cell of claim 1, wherein the fluid flow within the fluid channel is substantially laminar.","3. The fluidic cell of claim 2, wherein the reflection is along the direction perpendicular to fluid flow.","4. The fluidic cell of claim 1, wherein one of the multiple optical beams is selected for measurement based on the optical beam power, detector performance or optical absorption of the optical beam in the fluid.","5. A fluidic cell for use in analyzing a property of fluids, comprising:\nfirst, second and third cell windows, the cell windows being transmissive to an optical beam generated by an optical source;\na first flow channel for conducting a fluid within the fluidic cell, the first flow channel defined on one side by the first cell window and on a second side by the second cell window;\na second flow channel for conducting a second fluid within the fluidic cell, the second flow channel defined on one side by the second cell window and on a second side by the third cell window; and\ninterrogation regions within the first flow channel and the second flow channel wherein the first and second fluids interact with the optical beam over a pathlength,\nwherein the optical beam passes first through the first flow channel and second through the second flow channel.","6. The fluidic cell of claim 5, wherein the first and second flow channels alternatively contain a fluid that interacts with the optical beam and a gas or fluid substantially optically transparent to the optical beam.","7. A fluidic cell for use in analyzing a property of fluids, comprising:\na first cell window and a back side surface, the first cell window being transmissive to an optical beam generated by an optical source;\nfirst and second flow channels for conducting a first fluid and second fluid respectively within the fluidic cell, the flow channels defined on one side by the first cell window and on a second side by the back side surface;\nan interrogation region within the first flow channel wherein the fluid interacts with the optical beam over a pathlength; and\na flow channel barrier separating the first and second fluids when flowing in the flow channel, the flow channel barrier moving in the flow channel in response to pressure changes in the first or second fluids.","8. The fluidic cell of claim 7, wherein the flow channel barrier separates the first and second fluids in the interrogation region.","9. The fluidic cell of claim 8, wherein the flow channel barrier does not contact one of the first cell window or the back side surface.","10. The fluidic cell of claim 8, wherein the flow channel barrier removes first or second fluids from a spatial region proximate to the first cell window or back side surface.","11. The fluidic cell of claim 7, wherein the moving of the flow channel barrier is a result of a pump injecting a fluid into the channel to create pressure variations.","12. The fluidic cell of claim 11, wherein the pump further includes a reservoir, the reservoir being replenished with fluids at a rate less than a rate of pressure variation.","13. The fluidic cell of claim 7, wherein the flow channel barrier is attached at one end and the first fluid and second fluid flow through a common outlet channel."]],"string":"[\n [\n \"1. A method of photo thermal nanocalorimetry on a sample using an AFM operating in Peak Force Tapping mode, the method including:\\npositioning a tip at a region of interest of the sample;\\ndirecting IR electromagnetic energy having a selected frequency, ω, towards the tip;\\ndetermining a mass of the region by obtaining 3D topography data corresponding to the region in response to the directing step; and\\ndetermining a ΔT in response to the directing step.\",\n \"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the tip has an apex with a radius between about 10 nm and 100 nm.\",\n \"3. The method of claim 2, wherein the tip is made so as to concentrate IR fields along a length of the tip in response to the directing step.\",\n \"4. The method of claim 3, wherein an IR conductivity of the distal 10 nm to 100 nm of the tip is higher than the remainder of the tip.\",\n \"5. The method of claim 4, wherein the tip is silicon and is metalized with a Platinum Iridium or Platinum Silicide coating.\",\n \"6. The method of claim 3, wherein the tip is one of a solid metal probe and a probe made of a heavily doped material.\",\n \"7. The method of claim 1, further comprising calculating a heat capacity, [C], of the region according to [C]=Q/mΔT.\",\n \"8. The method of claim 7, further comprising repeating each of the previous steps at a plurality of regions of interest.\",\n \"9. The method of claim 7, further comprising repeating each of the previous steps at a plurality of selected frequencies, ω, at the regions of interest.\",\n \"10. The method of claim 1, wherein the directing step includes using an IR source that is monochromatic with a line width below 1 cm−1 and a peak power greater than 1 mW.\",\n \"11. The method of claim 10, wherein the monochromatic source is a tunable Quantum Cascade Laser (QCL).\",\n \"12. The method of claim 1, wherein ΔT is measured using Peak Force QNM mode.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A gas measuring method based on photothermal effect in hollow-core optical fiber, comprising the following steps:\\nfilling a target gas into the core of a hollow-core optical fiber;\\ncoupling a probe light and a periodically modulated pump light into the hollow-core optical fiber;\\nabsorbing the modulated pump light by the target gas to generate a photothermal excitation effect resulting in the periodic modulation of the phase of the probe light;\\ndemodulating the phase modulation information of the probe light to obtain the concentration of the target gas;\\nwherein the periodic modulation of the pump laser is wavelength and/or amplitude modulation,\\nwherein the probe light is a pulsed light,\\nwherein the obtained concentration of the target gas is a distributed gas concentration along the length of the hollow-core optical fiber, and\\nwherein demodulating the phase modulation information of the probe light comprises demodulating the phase modulation information of the back scattered pulsed probe light in the hollow-core optical fiber.\",\n \"2. The gas measuring method based on photothermal effect in hollow-core optical fiber of claim 1, wherein demodulating the phase modulation information of a back scattered pulsed probe light in the hollow-core optical fiber comprises the steps of:\\ncombining the phase-modulated back scattered probe light with the unmodulated probe light to obtain an interference light, and\\nobtaining phase changes of the back scattered light distributed along the length of the hollow-core optical fiber by demodulating the signal generated by a beat frequency of the interference light, to obtain the distributed concentration information of the target gas along the length of the optical fiber.\",\n \"3. The gas measuring method based on photothermal effect in hollow-core optical fiber of claim 2, wherein the probe light comprises a first part and a second part;\\nwherein the first part is a frequency-shifted pulsed light generated by an acousto-optic modulator, and\\nwherein the second part serves as an unmodulated probe light which interferes with the phase-modulated back scattered probe light.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A device for microscopic analysis of a sample, comprising:\\na) a mid-IR optical source that generates an infrared beam;\\nb) an optical source that generates a probe beam;\\nc) beam combining optics configured to combine the infrared beam and the probe beam as combined beams;\\nd) an objective configured to focus the combined beams on to the sample;\\ne) a detector to detect probe light from at least one of: the probe beam transmitted through the sample and the probe beam returning from the sample; and\\nf) a data acquisition and processing system configured to acquire and process the detected probe light from the detector to generate a signal indicative of IR absorption by the sample, wherein the signal indicative of IR absorption has a spatial resolution of less than 1 micrometer,\\nwherein the data acquisition and processing system is configured to obtain measurements at different depths within the sample and generate a plurality of signals indicative of IR absorption each at the different depths for use in generating a set of depth-resolved maps of IR absorption of the sample.\",\n \"2. The device of claim 1 wherein the each of the set of depth-resolved maps have a spatial resolution in an axial direction of less than 4 micrometers.\",\n \"3. The device of claim 1 wherein the signal indicative of IR absorption has a molecular concentration detection sensitivity of less than 10 millimolar.\",\n \"4. The device of claim 1 wherein the signal indicative of IR absorption has a molecular concentration detection sensitivity of less than 1 millimolar.\",\n \"5. The device of claim 1 wherein the signal indicative of IR absorption has a molecular concentration detection sensitivity of less than 100 micromolar.\",\n \"6. The device of claim 1 wherein the signal indicative of IR absorption has a molecular concentration detection sensitivity of less than 10 micromolar.\",\n \"7. The device of claim 1 wherein the measurements corresponding to IR absorption at a location on a sample are acquired with a pixel dwell time of less than or equal to 500 microseconds.\",\n \"8. The device of claim 1 wherein the mid-IR optical source comprises an electronically pulsed laser source.\",\n \"9. The device of claim 8 wherein the electronically pulsed laser source operates at a pulse rate of greater than or equal to 100 kHz.\",\n \"10. The device of claim 1 wherein the spatial resolution is 0.63 micrometers or better.\",\n \"11. The device of claim 1 further comprising a variable iris in an optical path between the sample and the detector to block at least a portion of probe light that is transmitted, reflected and/or scattered from the sample.\",\n \"12. The device of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of probe light is deflected due to absorption of the infrared beam by the sample.\",\n \"13. A system for microscopic analysis of a sample, comprising:\\na) a mid-IR optical source (MIR Source) that generates an infrared beam;\\nb) an optical source that generates a probe beam;\\nc) beam combining optics configured to combine the infrared beam and the probe beam as combined beams;\\nd) an objective configured to focus the combined beams on to the sample;\\ne) a detector to detect at least one of: probe light transmitted through the sample and probe light returning from the sample;\\nf) a focus stage to generate relative motion between the sample and the focused combined beams to enable measurements of IR absorption at a plurality of depths within the sample; and\\ng) a data acquisition and processing system for acquiring and processing a signal indicative of IR absorption by the sample at the plurality of depths, wherein IR absorption signals are acquired at a plurality of locations of the focus stage to generate depth resolved maps of IR absorption of the sample.\",\n \"14. The device of claim 13 wherein the depth resolved maps have a spatial resolution in an axial direction of less than 4 micrometers.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A method for detecting infrared light absorption in a sample, the method comprising:\\na) illuminating a region of the sample with a pump beam generated by a first light source, wherein at least a portion of the pump beam is absorbed by the region of the sample;\\nb) illuminating the region of the sample with a probe beam generated by a second light source, wherein the probe beam has a wavelength shorter than the pump beam and a Gaussian beam width of less than 2.33 micrometers;\\nc) collecting, by a detector, a portion of the probe beam coming from the region of the sample as collected light; and\\nd) analyzing the collected light to construct a signal indicative of infrared absorption by the region of the sample.\",\n \"2. The method according to claim 1, wherein analyzing the collected light comprises generating, based on the collected light and a wavelength of the first light source, a signal indicative of the portion of the pump beam absorbed by the region of the sample, wherein the signal represents an amount of infrared light absorbed by the region of the sample.\",\n \"3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising repeating (a)-(d) at a plurality of regions on the sample to construct a map of the signal indicative of infrared absorption with a spatial resolution of less than 1 micron.\",\n \"4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the probe beam has a Gaussian beam width of less than 0.7 micrometers.\",\n \"5. The method according to claim 1,\\nwherein the pump beam travels along a first pathway toward the region of the sample,\\nwherein the probe beam travels along a second pathway toward the region of the sample, and\\nwherein the first pathway does not intersect with the second pathway.\",\n \"6. The method according to claim 1,\\nwherein the pump beam is directed toward a first sample surface,\\nwherein the probe beam is directed toward a second sample surface, and\\nwherein the first sample surface is adjacent to the second sample surface.\",\n \"7. The method according to claim 1,\\nwherein the pump beam is directed toward a first sample surface,\\nwherein the probe beam is directed toward a second sample surface, and\\nwherein the first sample surface is the same as the second sample surface.\",\n \"8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising modulating the pump beam according to a first modulation frequency.\",\n \"9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the first modulation frequency is greater than or equal to 100 kHz.\",\n \"10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first light source is a mid-infrared laser having at least one emission wavelength within the range of 3 to 25 micrometers.\",\n \"11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second light source is a visible light laser having at least one emission wavelength that is less than or equal to 800 nanometers.\",\n \"12. The method according to claim 1, further comprising focusing, by a reflective objective, the pump beam onto the region of the sample.\",\n \"13. The method according to claim 1, further comprising focusing, by a refractive objective, the probe beam onto the region of the sample.\",\n \"14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the analyzing comprises:\\nsending a signal from the detector to a lock-in amplifier configured to determine at least one of an amplitude and a phase of the probe beam collected from the region of the sample; and\\nusing the at least one of the amplitude and the phase of the probe beam to construct the signal indicative of infrared absorption by the region of the sample.\",\n \"15. The method according to claim 1, wherein the sample is held by a cell adapted for high infrared transmission, wherein the cell includes sapphire windows.\",\n \"16. The method according to claim 1, wherein absorption of infrared radiation from the pump beam by the sample results in a temperature increase of the region of the sample and wherein propagation of the probe beam is affected by a thermal lens formed by the temperature increase.\",\n \"17. The method according to claim 1, wherein the analyzing comprises sending a signal from the detector to a lock-in amplifier configured to determine at least one modulation property of the collected light.\",\n \"18. The method of claim 17 wherein the at least one modulation property comprises at least one of frequency, shift in frequency, phase, phase shift, and modulation intensity.\",\n \"19. The method of claim 18 wherein a determined modulation frequency is used to construct the signal indicative of infrared absorption by the region of the sample.\",\n \"20. The method of claim 1 where the sample is immersed in a liquid.\",\n \"21. The method of claim 20 where the liquid comprises water.\",\n \"22. The method of claim 20 wherein the liquid is chosen to enhance a photothermal detection of IR absorption by the sample.\",\n \"23. A method for detecting infrared light absorption in a sample, the method comprising:\\na) illuminating a region of the sample with a pump beam generated by a tunable source of mid-infrared radiation, wherein at least a portion of the pump beam is absorbed by the region of the sample at least one wavelength generated by the tunable source of mid-infrared radiation;\\nb) illuminating the region of the sample with a probe beam generated by a second light source, wherein the probe beam has a wavelength shorter than the pump beam and a Gaussian beam width of less than 2.33 micrometers;\\nc) collecting by a detector at least of a portion of the probe beam coming from the region of the sample;\\nd) generating, based on a portion of the probe beam collected by the detector, a signal indicative of an amount of infrared light absorbed by the region of the sample; and\\ne) repeating (a)-(d) at a plurality of wavelengths of the tunable source of mid-infrared radiation.\",\n \"24. The method according to claim 23, further comprising:\\ngenerating a signal indicative of an absorption spectrum of the region of the sample; and\\nbased on the signal indicative of the amount of infrared light absorbed by the region of the sample, determining one or more chemical compounds present in the sample.\",\n \"25. The method of claim 20 wherein the liquid is at least one of the group consisting of carbon disulfide, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, hexane, decane, ethanol, and glycerin.\",\n \"26. The method according to claim 23, further comprising:\\ngenerating a signal indicative of an absorption spectrum of the region of the sample; and\\ncomparing the signal indicative of the amount of infrared light absorbed by the region of the sample to a database to identify a chemical composition of the sample.\",\n \"27. The method according to claim 23, wherein the probe beam has a Gaussian beam width of less than 0.7 micrometers.\",\n \"28. A system for detecting infrared light absorption in a sample, the system comprising:\\na first light source operable to illuminate a region of the sample with a pump beam generated by a tunable mid-infrared light source operable to generate radiation at a plurality of wavelengths; and wherein the sample absorbs at least a portion of the pump beam at least one wavelength of a tunable light source;\\na second light source operable to illuminate the region of the sample with a probe beam generated by a second light source, wherein the probe beam has a shorter wavelength than that of the pump beam and also has a Gaussian beam width of less than 2.33 micrometers;\\na detector operable to collect at least a portion of the probe beam from the region of the sample; and\\na signal processing device configured to generate a signal indicative of an amount of mid-infrared light absorbed by the region of the sample with at the plurality of wavelengths of the tunable IR pump beam.\",\n \"29. The system according to claim 28, wherein the system is further configured to:\\ngenerate a signal indicative of an absorption spectrum of the sample based on the signal indicative of the absorption of the region of the sample at the plurality of wavelengths of the tunable IR pump beam; and\\nbased on the signal indicative of the absorption spectrum, determine one or more chemical compounds present in the sample.\",\n \"30. The system according to claim 28, wherein the probe beam has a Gaussian beam width of less than 0.7 micrometers.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A method for determining a blood sugar level of a patient, comprising the following steps:\\narranging an optical medium on a surface of the skin of said patient, so that at least a portion of the surface of the optical medium is in contact with the substance surface;\\nemitting an excitation light beam with an excitation wavelength through the region of the surface of the optical medium in contact with the skin surface onto the skin surface;\\nemitting a probe light beam through the optical medium onto the region of the surface of the optical medium which is in contact with the skin surface, in such a way that the probe light beam is reflected at an interface of the optical medium and the skin surface;\\ndirectly or indirectly detecting a deflection of the reflected probe light beam as a function of the wavelength of the excitation light beam; and\\ndetermining the blood sugar level on the basis of the detected deflection of the probe light beam as a function of the wavelength of the excitation light beam,\\nwherein the excitation light beam is intensity-modulated at a modulation frequency between 5 and 2000 Hz, and\\nthe excitation wavelength is selected from a range of 6 μm to 13 μm.\",\n \"2. The method according to claim 1, comprising the further step of:\\naligning the probe light beam such that the probe light beam undergoes total internal reflection at the interface between the optical medium and the substance surface.\",\n \"3. The method according to claim 1, in which the excitation light beam is a pulsed excitation light beam.\",\n \"4. The method according to claim 3, in which the pulse rate is between 20 and 700 Hz.\",\n \"5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of emitting the excitation light beam is repeated for different modulation frequencies and the step of analyzing the substance comprises the analysis of the substance on the basis of the detected deflections of the measurement beam as a function of the wavelength and the modulation frequency of the excitation light beam.\",\n \"6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the step of determining said blood sugar level comprises one of\\na subtraction of a value which is based on a deflection of the probe light beam that was detected at a first modulation frequency, from a value which is based on a deflection of the probe light beam that was detected at a second modulation frequency; and\\na division of a value which is based on a deflection of the probe light beam that was detected at a first modulation frequency, by a value which is based on a deflection of the probe light beam that was detected at a second modulation frequency.\",\n \"7. The method according to claim 5, wherein the step of determining said blood sugar level comprises a subtraction of values based on deflections of the probe light beam that were detected at a first modulation frequency for different wavelengths of the excitation light beam, from values based on deflections of the probe light beam that were detected at a second modulation frequency for different wavelengths of the excitation light beam.\",\n \"8. The method of claim 7, wherein said values are spectral absorption intensity values.\",\n \"9. The method of claim 5, wherein the step of determining said blood sugar level comprises a division of values based on deflections of the probe light beam, which were detected at a first modulation frequency for different wavelengths of the excitation light beam, by values based on deflections of the probe light beam, which were detected at a second modulation frequency for different wavelengths of the excitation light beam.\",\n \"10. The method of claim 9, wherein the values are spectral absorption intensity values.\",\n \"11. The method according to claim 5, wherein the step of determining said blood sugar level comprises associating values based on deflections of the probe light beam, which were detected at different modulation frequencies, with regions in said skin of said patient located at different depths.\",\n \"12. The method according to claim 1, in which the detection of the deflection of the probe light beam comprises amplification of an associated measurement signal with a lock-in amplifier.\",\n \"13. The method according to claim 1, in which the wavelength of the excitation light beam is varied, in one of the following ways:\\nthe wavelength is cyclically tuned within a predetermined wavelength range, or characteristic wavelengths are selectively set.\",\n \"14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the excitation light beam is an excitation laser beam, and wherein the probe light beam is a probe laser beam.\",\n \"15. The method according to claim 1, wherein a polarization of the probe light beam is set such that the deflection of the reflected probe light beam is a maximum.\",\n \"16. The method according to claim 1, in which the excitation light beam is generated by means of a quantum cascade laser.\",\n \"17. The method according to claim 1, in which the excitation wavelength is selected from a range of 8 μm to 11 μm.\",\n \"18. The method according to claim 1, in which the excitation light beam is focused on the said surface of the optical medium by means of an optical device.\",\n \"19. The method according to claim 1, in which the wavelength of the probe light beam is in the visible range.\",\n \"20. The method according to claim 1, in which the deflection of the probe light beam\\nis determined by means of a photo-detector, in particular a photodiode, which is arranged behind an iris diaphragm, or\\nis determined by means of a PSD.\",\n \"21. The method of claim 1, wherein the probe light beam and the excitation light beam overlap at said interface of the optical medium and the skin surface.\",\n \"22. The method according to claim 21, in which before the detection of the deflection the probe light beam is reflected back into an overlap region with the excitation light beam on the interface at least one additional time.\",\n \"23. The method according to claim 1, the method comprising the additional step of:\\npreparing the surface of the skin by attaching and removing a fabric strip to remove dead skin cells,\\nwherein the fabric strip comprises a material which adheres to the surface of the skin.\",\n \"24. The method according to claim 1, in which, based on the detected deflection of the probe light beam an absorption intensity value is associated with the wavelength of the excitation light beam.\",\n \"25. The method according to claim 24, wherein the absorption intensity value is compared with a calibration absorption intensity value, which represents the absorption intensity value of the skin of said patient at a known blood sugar level and at this exact wavelength of the excitation light beam.\",\n \"26. The method according to claim 25, wherein the current blood sugar level of the patient is determined on the basis of the comparison, wherein the determined blood sugar level deviates the more from the blood sugar level during calibration, the more the absorption intensity value deviates from the calibration absorption intensity value.\",\n \"27. An apparatus for determining the blood sugar level of a patient, which comprises the following:\\nan optical medium;\\na device for emitting an excitation light beam with an excitation wavelength, wherein the excitation wavelength is selected from a range of 6 μm to 13 μm, wherein the device for emitting the excitation light beam is arranged such that the emitted excitation light beam enters the optical medium and exits the same again at a predetermined point on the surface of the optical medium;\\na measurement device, wherein the measurement device comprises a device for emitting a probe light beam, which is arranged such that an emitted probe light beam enters the optical medium, and during operation the probe light beam is reflected at an interface of the optical medium and a surface of the skin of said patient, wherein the measurement device comprises a device for receiving the reflected probe light beam and for directly or indirectly detecting a deflection of the reflected probe light beam;\\na controller for setting different wavelengths of the excitation light beam; and\\na logic unit or calculating unit, which is configured to determine blood sugar levels in the skin of a patient from detected deflections of the probe light beam as a function of the excitation wavelength, when the optical medium is brought into contact with the skin of the patient in such a way that the excitation light beam emerging from the optical medium at the said predetermined point enters into the skin.\",\n \"28. The apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the probe light beam in operation undergoes total internal reflection at the interface between the optical medium and the substance surface.\",\n \"29. The apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the probe light beam is an intensity-modulated, in particular pulsed, probe light beam.\",\n \"30. The apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the device for receiving the reflected probe light beam and for directly or indirectly detecting a deflection of the reflected probe light beam preferably comprises a lock-in amplifier.\",\n \"31. The apparatus according to claim 29, in which the modulation frequency is between 5 and 2000 Hz.\",\n \"32. The apparatus according to claim 29, further comprising an optical chopper, wherein the optical chopper is positioned in the beam path of the excitation light beam and is suitable for modulating the intensity of the excitation light beam.\",\n \"33. The apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the excitation light beam is an excitation laser beam and the device for emitting the excitation light beam is configured for emitting excitation laser beams of different excitation frequencies.\",\n \"34. The apparatus according to claim 27, having an optical device which is suitable for focusing the excitation light beam on a predetermined point.\",\n \"35. The apparatus according to claim 34, further comprising an alignment laser for aligning the optical device.\",\n \"36. The apparatus according to claim 27, in which the device for emitting the excitation light beam is a quantum cascade laser.\",\n \"37. The apparatus according to claim 27, in which the device for emitting the excitation light beam is tunable in an excitation wavelength range of 8 μm to 11 μm.\",\n \"38. The apparatus according to claim 27, in which the wavelength of the probe light beam is in the visible range.\",\n \"39. The apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the device for receiving the reflected probe light beam and for directly or indirectly detecting a deflection of the reflected probe light beam comprises one of\\na photo-detector and an iris diaphragm, wherein the photo-detector is arranged behind the iris diaphragm, and\\na PSD.\",\n \"40. The apparatus according to claim 27, in which before the detection of the deflection, the probe light beam is reflected back into a region of overlap with the excitation light beam on the interface at least one additional time.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A method of thermo-optically measuring characteristics of a biological cell in a solution comprising:\\nproviding a sample comprising a marked biological cell in a solution;\\nexciting fluorescently said marked biological cell and firstly detecting fluorescence of said excited biological cell;\\nirradiating a laser light beam into the solution to obtain a spatial temperature distribution in the solution around the irradiated laser light beam;\\ndetecting secondly a fluorescence of the biological cell in the solution at a predetermined time within the range of 1 ms to 250 ms after irradiation of the laser into the solution has been started, and characterizing the biological cell based on said two detections.\",\n \"2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined time is in the range of 1 ms to 50 ms.\",\n \"3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the laser beam is defocused such that a temperature gradient within the temperature distribution is in the range of from 0.0 to 2K/μm.\",\n \"4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the laser beam is irradiated through an optical element into the solution.\",\n \"5. The method according to claim 3, wherein the optical element is a single lens.\",\n \"6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising measuring the temperature distribution in said solution around the irradiated beam with a temperature sensitive dye.\",\n \"7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the temperature distribution is determined based on detected fluorescence of the temperature sensitive dye, wherein the solution comprising said temperature sensitive dye is heated by the irradiated laser beam and the fluorescence spatial fluorescence intensity is measured substantially perpendicular around the laser beam.\",\n \"8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined time is within the range of 0.5 s to 250 s.\",\n \"9. The method according to claim 8, wherein in said predetermined time, concentration change(s) within the spatial temperature distribution in the solution due to thermophoretic effects and such (an) concentration change(s) is(are) detected by a change of the distribution of fluorescence.\",\n \"10. The method according to claim 8, wherein the laser beam is focused such that a temperature gradient within the temperature distribution is achieved in the range of from 0.001 to 10K/μm.\",\n \"11. The method according to claim 8, wherein said fluorescence is detected with a CCD camera.\",\n \"12. The method according to claim 8, wherein the brightness of said fluorescence is detected with a photodiode or a single pixel with the CCD in the centre of the laser beam.\",\n \"13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the laser light is within the range of from 1200 nm to 2000 nm.\",\n \"14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the laser is a high power laser within the range of from 0.1 W to 10 W.\",\n \"15. The method according to claim 1, wherein the solution is a saline solution with concentrations in the range of from 0 to 1M.\",\n \"16. The method according to claim 15, wherein said temperature gradient is created within 0.1 μm to 500 μm in diameter around the laser beam.\",\n \"17. The method according to claim 1, wherein the spatial temperature distribution is between 0.1° C. and 100° C.\",\n \"18. The method according to claim 1, wherein the irradiation of the laser and the detection of the fluorescence is conducted from the same side with respect to the sample.\",\n \"19. The method according to claim 1, wherein the solution is provided with a thickness in direction of the laser light beam from 1 μm to 500 μm.\",\n \"20. The method according to claim 1, wherein the detection of the fluorescence is detected within a range of from 1 nm to 500 μm in direction of the laser beam.\",\n \"21. The method according to claim 1, wherein the fluorescence is detected substantially perpendicular with respect to the laser light beam with a CCD camera.\",\n \"22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the second fluorescence detection is spatial measurement of the fluorescence in dependence of the temperature distribution substantially perpendicular with respect to the laser light beam.\",\n \"23. The method according to claim 1, wherein the laser beam is defocused such that a temperature gradient within the temperature distribution is in the range of from 0.0 to 5K/μm.\",\n \"24. The method according to claim 1, wherein the laser is a high power laser within the range of from 4 W to 6 W.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A method for microscopic analysis of a sample to provide improved characterization of infrared absorption of the sample, the method comprising:\\nilluminating the sample with a beam of mid-infrared radiation to create an infrared illuminated spot on the sample;\\nilluminating the sample with a beam of probe radiation at least partially overlapping the infrared illuminated spot;\\ncollecting probe light from the sample,\\ninterfering, with an asymmetric interferometer, the collected probe light with a reference beam to create interfering radiation,\\ncollecting the interfering radiation at at least one detector,\\nanalyzing the detected interfering radiation to produce a signal indicative of mid-infrared absorption of the sample.\",\n \"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the reference beam has an intensity of at least 10× an intensity of the probe light collected from the sample.\",\n \"3. The method of claim 1, wherein the interfering radiation is detected at at least two detectors.\",\n \"4. The method of claim 3, wherein the at least two detectors are operated at two different phases.\",\n \"5. The method of claim 3, wherein the at least two detectors are operated at substantially orthogonal phases relative to one another.\",\n \"6. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one detector comprises a first detector and a second detector, the method further comprising:\\nseparating the interfering radiation into a first portion having a first polarization and a second portion having a second polarizing at a polarizing beam splitter;\\nreceiving the first portion at the first detector to create a first signal;\\nreceiving the second portion at the second detector to create a second signal; and\\ncombining the first signal and the second signal at a phase computation module to produce a third signal that is indicative of the relative optical phase of the first portion and the second portion.\",\n \"7. A method of performing photothermal infrared imaging, the method comprising:\\nilluminating a sample with a beam of infrared radiation to induce a transient temperature change in the sample due to absorption of the infrared radiation;\\nilluminating at least a portion of the sample that is illuminated with the beam of infrared radiation with a beam of probe radiation;\\ndetecting, with at least one detector, at least a portion of the probe radiation scattered from a region of the sample that is illuminated with the beam of infrared radiation;\\nprocessing, using one or more computing device processors, the portion of the probe radiation detected by the photodiode to produce a signal indicative of infrared absorption of the sample; and\\ninterfering the portion of the probe radiation scattered from the region of the sample with a reference beam to create interfering radiation.\",\n \"8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:\\ndigitizing an intensity of the portion of the probe radiation detected by the photodiode to produce a photothermal response signal.\",\n \"9. The method of claim 7, wherein the at least one detector is a photodiode.\",\n \"10. The method of claim 7, wherein the infrared radiation is a pulsed infrared radiation.\",\n \"11. The method of claim 7, wherein the beam of probe radiation is generated by a UV/VIS source that generates light in an ultraviolet and visible wavelength range.\",\n \"12. The method of claim 7, wherein the beam of probe radiation has a shorter wavelength than the beam of infrared radiation.\",\n \"13. The method of claim 7, wherein a beam splitter is configured to divide the beam of probe radiation into two paths, a first path that is directed towards illuminating at least the portion of the sample and a second path that is directed towards a reference reflector.\",\n \"14. The method of claim 13, wherein the reference reflector returns the beam of probe radiation as the reference beam.\",\n \"15. The method of claim 7, wherein the reference beam has an intensity of at least 10× an intensity of the portion of the probe radiation scattered from the region of the sample.\",\n \"16. The method of claim 7, wherein the interfering radiation is detected at at least two detectors.\",\n \"17. The method of claim 16, wherein the at least two detectors are operated at two different phases.\",\n \"18. The method of claim 16, wherein the at least two detectors are operated at substantially orthogonal phases relative to one another.\",\n \"19. The method of claim 16, wherein the at least two detectors comprise a first detector and a second detector, the method further comprising:\\nseparating the interfering radiation into a first portion having a first polarization and a second portion having a second polarization at a polarizing beam splitter;\\nreceiving the first portion at the first detector to create a first signal;\\nreceiving the second portion at the second detector to create a second signal; and\\ncombining the first signal and the second signal at a phase computation module to produce a third signal that is indicative of the relative optical phase of the first portion and the second portion.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. An apparatus for measuring infrared absorption of a sample being analyzed during operation, the apparatus comprising:\\na first radiation source configured to emit at least one infrared radiation pulse;\\na second radiation source configured to emit pulses of shorter wavelength than wavelengths of infrared radiation, the pulses comprising (i) at least one first radiation pulse and (ii) at least one second radiation pulse emitted at a first delay time after triggering the first radiation source to emit the at least one infrared radiation pulse;\\none or more optical elements configured to deliver the at least one infrared radiation pulse to a region of the sample, deliver the at least one first radiation pulse and the at least one second radiation pulse to one or more sub-regions within the region;\\nan ultrasonic transducer acoustically coupled to the sample to detect photoacoustic signals induced by the at least one first radiation pulse and the at least one second radiation pulse; and\\none or more processors and memory configured to analyze the photoacoustic signals to determine an indication of infrared absorption of the one or more sub-regions of the region of the sample.\",\n \"2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors and memory are further configured to generate an infrared image of the sample at least in part using the photoacoustic signals.\",\n \"3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one first radiation pulse and/or the at least one second radiation pulse have a wavelength between about 100 nm and about 2000 nm.\",\n \"4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one first radiation pulse and the at least one second radiation pulse comprise ultraviolet radiation pulses.\",\n \"5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the least one infrared radiation pulse comprises a mid-infrared radiation pulse.\",\n \"6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:\\n(i) the second radiation source is configured to emit a first ultraviolet radiation pulse that is delivered to the one or more sub-regions of the region of the sample, the first ultraviolet radiation pulse configured to induce a first photoacoustic signal;\\n(ii) the first radiation source is configured to emit a mid-infrared radiation pulse that is delivered to the region of the sample; and\\n(iii) the second radiation source is also configured to emit a second ultraviolet radiation pulse that is delivered to the one or more sub-regions of the region of the sample, the second ultraviolet radiation pulse configured to induce a second photoacoustic signal.\",\n \"7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the one or more processors and memory are further configured to calculate a difference between the first and second photoacoustic signals, said difference being indicative of the infrared absorption of the one or more sub-regions of the region of the sample.\",\n \"8. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a scanning mechanism configured to move at least one of the sample and the one or more of the optical elements such that the at least one infrared radiation pulse is scanned to a plurality of regions in a field-of-view of the sample and the first and second ultraviolet radiation pulses are scanned to one or more sub-regions within each region of the plurality of regions.\",\n \"9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the one or more processors and the memory are further configured to use the indication of infrared absorption of one or more sub-regions in each of the plurality of regions to determine an infrared image of the sample.\",\n \"10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the infrared image is a photoacoustic image.\",\n \"11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first radiation source comprises a tunable infrared radiation source.\",\n \"12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the tunable infrared radiation source comprises at least one of an optical parametric oscillator and a quantum cascade laser.\",\n \"13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first radiation source comprises a broadband infrared radiation source or a fixed wavelength radiation source optically coupled to the one or more optical elements and configured to emit the at least one infrared radiation pulse.\",\n \"14. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a pulser configured to generate trigger pulses, at least one of which is configured to trigger the second radiation source to emit a first ultraviolet radiation pulse at a first time before or after the first radiation source is triggered to emit a first infrared radiation pulse, and wherein at least one of the trigger pulses is configured to trigger the second radiation source to emit a second ultraviolet radiation pulse at a second time after the first radiation source is triggered to emit the first infrared radiation pulse.\",\n \"15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the one or more processors and memory are configured to determine the infrared absorption of the one or more sub-regions of the region of the sample by calculating a difference in amplitude between a first photoacoustic signal induced by the first ultraviolet radiation pulse and a second photoacoustic signal induced by the second ultraviolet radiation pulse.\",\n \"16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors and memory are configured to determine the infrared absorption of the one or more sub-regions of the region of the sample at least in part by calculating a difference in amplitude between a first photoacoustic signal induced by a radiation pulse from the second radiation source and a second photoacoustic signal induced by another radiation pulse from the second radiation source.\",\n \"17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors and memory are configured to determine the indication of infrared absorption of the one or more sub-regions with a spatial resolution of less than 1,000 nm.\",\n \"18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors and memory are configured to determine the indication of infrared absorption of the one or more sub-regions with a spatial resolution of less than 500 nm.\",\n \"19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors and memory are configured to determine the indication of infrared absorption of the one or more sub-regions based at least in part on a difference in amplitude between photoacoustic signals induced by the pulses from the second radiation source in response to absorption of infrared radiation by the one or more sub-regions from the first radiation source.\",\n \"20. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a photodiode configured to take one or more intensity measurements of the pulses emitted from the second radiation source.\",\n \"21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the one or more processors and memory are configured to normalize the photoacoustic signals by compensating for variations in pulse energy from the pulses emitted from the second radiation source using the one or more intensity measurements taken by the photodiode.\",\n \"22. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first radiation source is configured to emit the at least one infrared radiation pulse at a plurality of infrared wavelengths, wherein the indication of infrared absorption is determined for the plurality of infrared wavelengths to construct a spectrum of infrared absorption of the one or more sub-regions of the region.\",\n \"23. The apparatus of claim 1,\\nfurther comprising a microlens array to generate an array of infrared radiation pulses and an array of additional radiation pulses,\\nwherein the one or more optical elements further are configured to deliver the array of infrared radiation pulses and the array of additional radiation pulses to a plurality of regions of the sample.\",\n \"24. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first radiation source is configured to emit the at least one infrared pulse of wavelengths between about 3,000 and about 8,000 nanometers or between about 5,800 and about 6,200 nanometers, and the second radiation source is configured to emit the pulses of wavelengths between about 200 and about 300 nanometers.\",\n \"25. A method for measuring infrared absorption of a sample, the method comprising:\\n(i) initiating delivery of at least one first radiation pulse of shorter wavelength than wavelengths of infrared radiation to one or more sub-regions of a region of the sample;\\n(ii) initiating delivery of at least one infrared radiation pulse to the region of the sample;\\n(iii) initiating delivery of at least one second radiation pulse of shorter wavelength than wavelengths of infrared radiation to the one or more sub-regions of the region of the sample, wherein the at least one second radiation pulse is initiated at a first delay time after (ii);\\n(iv) receiving, from an ultrasonic transducer acoustically coupled to the sample, photoacoustic signals induced by the at least one first radiation pulse and the at least one second radiation pulse; and\\n(v) analyzing the photoacoustic signals to determine an indication of infrared absorption of the one or more sub-regions of the region of the sample.\",\n \"26. The method of claim 25, wherein the at least one first radiation pulse is initiated before (ii) or at a second delay time after (iii).\",\n \"27. The method of claim 25, wherein in (v) the indication of infrared absorption of the one or more sub-regions of the region of the sample is determined at least in part by calculating a difference in amplitude between a first photoacoustic signal induced by the at least one first radiation pulse and a second photoacoustic signal induced by the at least one second radiation pulse.\",\n \"28. The method of claim 25, further comprising scanning the at least one infrared radiation pulse to a plurality of regions of the sample, and scanning the at least one first radiation pulse and the at least one second radiation pulse to one or more sub-regions within each region of the plurality of regions of the sample.\",\n \"29. The method of claim 25, wherein the at least one first radiation pulse and the at least one second radiation pulse are of a wavelength between about 100 nm and about 2000 nm.\",\n \"30. The method of claim 25, wherein the at least one first radiation pulse and the at least one second radiation pulse are ultraviolet radiation pulses and the at least one infrared radiation pulse is a mid-infrared radiation pulse.\",\n \"31. The method of claim 25, wherein the first delay time is less than about 1,000 nanoseconds.\",\n \"32. The method of claim 25, wherein the first delay time is between about 100 nanoseconds and about 500 nanoseconds.\",\n \"33. The method of claim 25, further comprising initiating delivery of one or more additional radiation pulses of shorter wavelength than wavelengths of infrared radiation to additional sub-regions of the region, wherein the one or more additional radiation pulses are initiated within the first delay time after (ii).\",\n \"34. The method of claim 33, wherein the first delay time is less than or equal to, a thermal confinement time of the sample.\",\n \"35. The method of claim 33, wherein the first delay time is between about 100 nanoseconds and about 500 nanoseconds.\",\n \"36. The method of claim 25, wherein (ii) further comprises tuning a tunable infrared radiation source to generate the at least one infrared radiation of a plurality of infrared wavelengths.\",\n \"37. The method of claim 25,\\nwherein (i) comprises initiating delivery of a first ultraviolet radiation pulse to the one or more sub-regions, the first ultraviolet radiation pulse inducing a first photoacoustic signal;\\nwherein (iii) comprises initiating delivery of a second ultraviolet radiation pulse to the one or more sub-regions at the first delay time after (ii), the second ultraviolet radiation pulse inducing a second photoacoustic signal.\",\n \"38. The method of claim 37, further comprising:\\nmeasuring, using a photosensor, an amplitude of the first ultraviolet radiation pulse;\\nmeasuring, using the photosensor, an amplitude of the second ultraviolet radiation pulse; and\\nnormalizing amplitudes of the first and second photoacoustic signals based at least in part on the measured amplitudes of the first and second ultraviolet radiation pulses.\",\n \"39. The method of claim 25, further comprising generating an infrared image of the sample at least in part using the photoacoustic signals.\",\n \"40. The method of claim 39, wherein the infrared image has a spatial resolution of less than 1,000 nm.\",\n \"41. The method of claim 39, wherein the infrared image has a spatial resolution of less than 500 nm.\",\n \"42. The method of claim 39, wherein the infrared image has a spatial resolution finer than one-tenth of a wavelength of the at least one infrared radiation pulse.\",\n \"43. The method of claim 25, further comprising, before (v), normalizing the photoacoustic signals by compensating for variations in the at least one first radiation pulse and the at least one second radiation pulse using measured amplitudes of the at least one first radiation pulse and the at least one second radiation pulse.\",\n \"44. The method of claim 25, wherein (ii) comprises generating the at least one infrared radiation pulse at a plurality of infrared wavelengths, wherein (v) comprises determining the indication of infrared absorption at the plurality of infrared wavelengths and constructing a spectrum of infrared absorption of the one or more sub-regions of the region based at least in part on the indication of infrared absorption.\",\n \"45. The method of claim 25, wherein the first delay time is less than about 500 nanoseconds.\",\n \"46. A method for measuring infrared absorption of a sample, the method comprising:\\n(i) emitting at least one first radiation pulse of shorter wavelength than wavelengths of infrared radiation, wherein the at least one first radiation pulse is delivered to one or more sub-regions of a region of the sample;\\n(ii) emitting at least one infrared radiation pulse, wherein the at least one infrared radiation pulse is delivered to the region of the sample;\\n(iii) emitting at least one second radiation pulse of shorter wavelength than wavelengths of infrared radiation, wherein the at least one second radiation pulse is delivered to the one or more sub-regions of the region of the sample, and wherein the at least one second radiation pulse is initiated at a first delay time after (ii);\\n(iv) detecting, by an ultrasonic transducer acoustically coupled to the sample, photoacoustic signals induced by the at least one first radiation pulse and the at least one second radiation pulse; and\\n(v) analyzing the photoacoustic signals to determine an indication of infrared absorption of the one or more sub-regions of the region of the sample.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A fluid sensor comprising:\\na housing;\\na first thermal emitter that is arranged in the housing and configured to:\\nemit first thermal radiation into a detection volume of the housing, which contains a measurement gas, at a first power level during a measurement interval, and\\nemit the first thermal radiation at a reduced first power level during an intermediate interval disposed outside of the measurement interval or not emit said first thermal radiation at all during the intermediate interval;\\na measuring element that is arranged in the detection volume and configured to receive a radiation signal, which is based on the first thermal radiation, during the measurement interval; and\\na second thermal emitter that is arranged in the housing and embodied to emit second thermal radiation at a second power level into the detection volume during the intermediate interval such that a thermal oscillation of thermal radiation in relation to an overall power level of the thermal radiation in the detection volume, which is based on a sum of the first power level and the second power level, is at most ±50% during a contiguous period of time comprising the measurement interval and the intermediate interval.\",\n \"2. The fluid sensor as claimed in claim 1, configured to deactivate the first thermal emitter during the intermediate interval.\",\n \"3. The fluid sensor as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an actuation device that is embodied to actuate the first thermal emitter in such a way that the latter:\\nemits the first thermal radiation during the measurement interval at the first power level, and\\nemits said first thermal radiation at the reduced first power level during the intermediate level or not at all during the intermediate interval,\\nwherein the actuation device is further embodied to actuate the second thermal emitter in such a way that the latter;\\nemits the second thermal radiation during the intermediate interval, and\\nemits said second thermal radiation at a reduced second power level during the measurement interval or not at all during the measurement interval.\",\n \"4. The fluid sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first thermal emitter is configured to emit the first thermal radiation in a multiplicity of measurement intervals that are respectively spaced apart in time by an intermediate interval.\",\n \"5. The fluid sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the radiation signal is a first radiation signal and wherein the measuring element is configured to provide a first measurement signal on the basis of the first radiation signal and receive a second radiation signal during the intermediate interval, said second radiation signal being based on the second thermal radiation, and provide a second measurement signal on the basis of the second radiation signal.\",\n \"6. The fluid sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the measuring element is embodied to capture an excitation of the measurement gas on the basis of the radiation signal, wherein the excitation is based on the first thermal radiation, wherein the fluid sensor comprises an optical filter that is arranged between the first thermal emitter and the detection volume, wherein the optical filter has a first pass range and is configured to filter the first thermal radiation in order to obtain filtered first thermal radiation,\\nwherein the fluid sensor has an element that suppresses a measurement wavelength, said element being arranged between the second thermal emitter and the detection volume and being configured to at least partly suppress the second thermal radiation in the first pass range.\",\n \"7. The fluid sensor as claimed in claim 6, wherein the radiation signal is a first radiation signal, wherein the optical filter is a first optical filter, wherein the element suppressing the measurement wavelength is a second optical filter with a second pass range such that filtered second thermal radiation is obtained on the basis of the second thermal radiation, wherein the first and the second pass range are disjoint,\\nwherein the fluid sensor is embodied to output a first sensor signal, which is based on the first radiation signal and which has an information item in respect of a first fluid constituent, and\\nwherein the fluid sensor is embodied to output a second sensor signal, which is based on a second radiation signal, wherein the second radiation signal is based on an excitation of the measurement gas by the filtered second thermal radiation during the intermediate interval, wherein the second sensor signal has an information item in respect of a second fluid constituent.\",\n \"8. The fluid sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the measuring element is embodied to provide a first sensor signal on the basis of the radiation signal received during the measurement interval and to provide a second sensor signal on the basis of a second radiation signal received during the intermediate interval, said second radiation signal being based on an excitation of the measurement gas on the basis of the second thermal radiation, wherein the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal have information items about different constituents of the measurement gas.\",\n \"9. The fluid sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first thermal radiation predominantly contributes to an operating temperature in the detection volume during the measurement interval and wherein predominantly the second thermal radiation contributes to the operating temperature during the intermediate interval, wherein the operating temperature remains the same within a temperature tolerance range of ±3° C. over a multiplicity of measurement intervals and intermediate intervals during operation of the fluid sensor.\",\n \"10. The fluid sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first thermal emitter and the second thermal emitter are arranged symmetrically in the housing with respect to the measuring element.\",\n \"11. The fluid sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first thermal emitter and the second thermal emitter are arranged in the housing in axisymmetric fashion with respect to the measuring element with respect to an axis of symmetry, wherein the axis of symmetry extends through the measuring element.\",\n \"12. The fluid sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first power level and the second power level are equal within a tolerance range of 10%.\",\n \"13. The fluid sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first thermal radiation and the second thermal radiation are partly absorbed by the housing and/or the detection volume and contribute to the thermal oscillation.\",\n \"14. The fluid sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the measuring element has a MEMS microphone with a membrane element, wherein the membrane element is designed to be deflected on the basis of the radiation signal that is based on an excitation of the measurement gas on the basis of the first thermal radiation and provide a measurement signal that is based on the deflection of the membrane element.\",\n \"15. The fluid sensor as claimed in claim 1, formed as a thermoacoustic fluid sensor.\",\n \"16. The fluid sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first thermal emitter comprises a first membrane structure and a first electrical conductor structure arranged thereon such that the first electrical conductor structure partly covers the first membrane structure, wherein the first electrical conductor structure is embodied to provide heating of the first membrane structure on the basis of a current flow through the first electrical conductor structure and thus produce the first thermal radiation.\",\n \"17. The fluid sensor as claimed in claim 16, wherein the second thermal emitter comprises a second electrical conductor structure, which is arranged adjacent to the first membrane structure on a membrane substrate of the first membrane structure, wherein the second electrical conductor structure is embodied to produce the second thermal radiation on the basis of a current flow through the second electrical conductor structure.\",\n \"18. The fluid sensor as claimed in claim 17, wherein the second electrical conductor structure surrounds the first membrane structure.\",\n \"19. The fluid sensor as claimed in claim 16, wherein the second thermal emitter comprises a second membrane structure and a second electrical conductor structure arranged thereon such that the second electrical conductor structure partly covers the second membrane structure, wherein the second electrical conductor structure is embodied to provide heating of the second membrane structure on the basis of a current flow through the second electrical conductor structure and thus produce the second thermal radiation.\",\n \"20. The fluid sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first thermal emitter and/or the second thermal emitter are formed comprising a multiplicity of radiation elements.\",\n \"21. A method for providing a fluid sensor, the method comprising:\\nproviding a housing;\\narranging a first thermal emitter in the housing such that the first thermal emitter is configured to:\\nemit first thermal radiation into a detection volume of the housing, which contains a measurement gas, at a first power level during a measurement interval, and\\nemit the first thermal radiation at a reduced first power level during an intermediate interval disposed outside of the measurement interval or not emit said first thermal radiation at all during the intermediate interval;\\narranging a measuring element in the detection volume such that the measuring element is configured to receive a radiation signal, which is based on the first thermal radiation, during the measurement interval; and\\narranging a second thermal emitter in the housing such that the second thermal emitter is embodied to emit second thermal radiation at a second power level into the detection volume during the intermediate interval such that a thermal oscillation of thermal radiation in relation to an overall power level of the thermal radiation in the detection volume, which is based on a sum of the first power level and the second power level, is at most ±50% during a contiguous period of time comprising the measurement interval and the intermediate interval.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A process for the control of biodiesel content in a complex mixture comprising hydrocarbons and/or substituted hydrocarbons and at least one type of biodiesel material, by near infrared spectroscopy, comprising predicting said biodiesel content by:\\na) measuring the near infrared absorbance of at least one wavelength in a portion of the range of 800-2500 nm; which are used to quantify the biodiesel content,\\nb) outputting a periodic or continuous signal indicative of a derivative of said absorbance in said wavelength, or wavelengths in said one or more bands or a combination of mathematical functions comprising a derivative thereof,\\nc) mathematically converting said signal to an output signal indicative of the biodiesel content of said mixture; and\\nd) controlling a blending or other process which correlates with biodiesel content by apparatus responsive to said output signal;\\nwherein said mathematically converting includes taking a first or higher derivative, and\\nwherein said output signal is used to control proportioning pumps, automatic control valves, or other flow control means to control the addition rate of each of a series of components fed from different sources to provide a target biodiesel content in a finished blended mixture.\",\n \"2. A process according to claim 1 wherein said mixture comprises diesel fuel and biodiesel material.\",\n \"3. A process according to claim 1 wherein said statistical treatment comprises partial least squares analysis over the length of each band, of wavelengths, or of a portion thereof.\",\n \"4. A process according to claim 1, wherein said mixture flows substantially intermittently or continuously past the point of measuring said absorbance.\",\n \"5. A process according to claim 1 wherein a derivative of said absorbance is computed.\",\n \"6. A process according to claim 1 wherein a second derivative of absorbances are measured.\",\n \"7. A process according to claim 1 wherein said mathematical converting comprises a baseline off-set correction.\",\n \"8. A process according to claim 1 wherein said mathematically converting or statistical treatment comprises partial least squares analyses, principle component regression, Gauss-Jordan Row reduction, multiple regression analysis, or multiple linear regression.\",\n \"9. A process according to claim 1 wherein said signal controls a fuel blending system feeding blending components having different biodiesel compositions into a common zone, whereby a product having a desired biodiesel composition is produced.\",\n \"10. A process according to claim 1 wherein the mixture is a stream and at least one further output signal is indicative of hydrocarbon content by measuring the near infrared absorbance of at least one wavelength, in two or more bands selected from the range of 800-2500 nm.\",\n \"11. A process according to claim 1 wherein said composition comprises fatty acid methyl esters and or mixtures thereof.\",\n \"12. A process according to claim 1 wherein said hydrocarbons comprise middle distillate fuels which include diesel fuels, kerosenes, jet fuels and other fuel oils.\",\n \"13. A process according to claim 1 wherein the wavelengths is in the range of 1100 to 2500 nm.\",\n \"14. A process for the control of hydrocarbons and substituted hydrocarbons and biodiesel material in a complex mixture to determine biodiesel content concentration, comprising, in combination:\\na) measuring the near infrared absorbance of at least one wavelength in a portion of the range of 800-2500 nm; which are used to quantify the biodiesel content,\\nb) taking each of the absorbances measured, or a mathematical function thereof,\\nc) performing statistical treatment using said absorbances or functions as the individual independent variables,\\nd) assigning and applying weighting constants or their equivalents to said independent variables,\\ne) applying the above steps using known compositions in a calibration step to calibrate the instrument and determine said weighting constants or equivalents,\\nf) repeating said steps a) and b) with unknown compositions, applying the weighting constants or equivalents determined during said calibration with known compositions to output a signal or signals indicative of a biodiesel component or biodiesel components concentration, and\\ng) controlling blending, hydrocarbon refining or chemical process by means of apparatus responsive to said signal or signals;\\nwherein said mathematically converting includes taking a first or higher derivative, and\\nwherein said output signal is used to control proportioning pumps, automatic control valves, or other flow control means to control the addition rate of each of a series of components fed from different sources to provide a target biodiesel content in a finished blended mixture.\",\n \"15. A process for the analysis and control of hydrocarbons and substituted hydrocarbons and at least one type of biodiesel material in complex mixtures to determine component concentration, the improvement comprising, in combination:\\na) measuring the near infrared absorbance of at least one wavelength in a portion of the range of 800-2500 nm; which are used to quantify the biodiesel content,\\nb) outputting a periodic or continuous signal indicative of a derivative of said absorbance in said wavelength or wavelengths in said band, or of a combination of mathematical functions thereof,\\nc) performing statistical treatment using said signal derivative of said absorbance or functions as the individual independent variables,\\nd) assigning and applying weighting constants or their equivalents to said independent variables,\\ne) applying the above steps using known compositions in a calibration step to calibrate the instrument and determine said weighting constants or equivalents,\\nf) repeating said steps a) and b) with unknown compositions, applying the weighting constants or equivalents determined during said calibration with known compositions to output a signal or signals indicative of a biodiesel component or biodiesel components concentration, and\\ng) controlling a blending, hydrocarbon refining or chemical process by apparatus responsive to said output signal;\\nwherein said mathematically converting includes taking a first or higher derivative, and\\nwherein said output signal is used to control proportioning pumps, automatic control valves, or other flow control means to control the addition rate of each of a series of components fed from different sources to provide a target biodiesel content in a finished blended mixture.\",\n \"16. A system for blending hydrocarbon and/or substituted hydrocarbon feeds and at least one type of biodiesel material, comprising, in combination:\\na) NIR absorbance sensing means for emitting a signal indicative of absorbance in at least one band from a portion of the range of 800-2500 nm; selected from bands which are used to quantify biodiesel content\\nb) computer means for mathematically converting said signal to an output indication of biodiesel content or other measure of fuel quality; and,\\nc) flow control means responsive to said output, for controlling respective flows of said feeds to produce a blended mixture having substantially a preset value of said biodiesel.\",\n \"17. A system according to claim 16, wherein said computer means take a first or higher derivative of said signal.\",\n \"18. A system according to claim 16 wherein said mathematical converting comprises partial least squares analysis over the length of each band, of wavelengths, or of a portion thereof.\",\n \"19. A system according to claim 16, wherein a derivative of said absorbance is computed.\",\n \"20. A system according to claim 16, wherein a second derivative of absorbances are measured.\",\n \"21. A system according to claim 16 wherein said mathematical converting comprises a baseline off-set correction.\",\n \"22. A system according to claim 16, wherein said mathematically converting or statistical treatment comprises partial least squares analyses, principle component regression, Gauss-Jordan Row reduction, multiple regression analysis, or multiple linear regression.\",\n \"23. A system according to claim 16 wherein said signal controls a fuel blending system feeding blending components having different biodiesel compositions into a common zone, whereby a product having a desired biodiesel composition is produced.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A sampling chamber for performing optical measurements on a sample of a flowing fluid, said chamber comprising:\\na flow conduit for the passage of fluid entering and exiting said sampling chamber;\\na recessed cavity having an arc-shaped smooth profile in fluid contact along a side wall of said conduit, and disposed in a generally downward direction such that a sample of the fluid in said conduit enters and exits said cavity so as to repeatedly replace the sample contained therein; and\\nan optical transmission source for projecting an optical beam into said cavity, along an optical transmission path disposed outside the confines of said conduit.\",\n \"2. A sampling chamber according to claim 1 wherein said optical transmission path includes at least one of optic fibers and plastic optical guides.\",\n \"3. A sampling chamber according to claim 1 and wherein said recessed cavity is formed and disposed such that the fluid sample is repeatedly changed by the effects of the flow of the fluid in said conduit.\",\n \"4. A sampling chamber according to claim 1 and wherein said recessed cavity is formed such that the optical measurements are generally unaffected by flow turbulence in said conduit.\",\n \"5. A sampling chamber according to claim 1 and wherein said recessed cavity is formed such that the optical measurements are generally unaffected by flow pulsation in said conduit.\",\n \"6. A sampling chamber according to claim 1, and wherein said conduit is a milk conduit.\",\n \"7. A sampling chamber according to claim 1, and wherein the optical measurements are utilized to determine a relative concentration of at least one component of the fluid.\",\n \"8. A sampling chamber according to claim 1 and wherein said optical transmission path comprises an entry port for projecting the optical beam from the optical source into said cavity through the fluid sample contained therein, and at least one exit port for directing the optical beam from said cavity to at least one exit detector.\",\n \"9. A sampling chamber according to claim 8 and wherein said entry port and said exit port are disposed such that the optical beam traverses said cavity linearly, such that said exit detector measures optical transmission through the fluid sample contained in said cavity.\",\n \"10. A sampling chamber according to claim 8 and wherein said exit port is disposed at a predetermined angle to the direction of the entering optical beam, such that said exit detector measures optical scattering through the fluid sample contained in said cavity.\",\n \"11. A sampling chamber according to claim 8 and wherein said exit port is disposed essentially co-positional with said entry port such that said sampling chamber measures optical back-scattering from the fluid contained in said cavity.\",\n \"12. A system for determining a concentration of at least one component of a fluid, the fluid comprising at least two components having different optical properties, said system comprising:\\na sampling chamber for performing optical measurements on a sample of a flowing fluid said chamber comprising:\\na flow conduit for the passage of fluid entering and exiting said sampling chamber;\\na recessed cavity having an arc-shaped smooth profile in contact along a side wall of said conduit, and disposed in a generally downward direction such that a sample of the fluid in said conduit enters and exits said cavity so as to repeatedly replace the sample contained therein; and\\nan optical transmission path projecting an optical beam into said cavity, said optical transmission path disposed outside the confines of said conduit;\\na plurality of optical beam sources, at least one of which, when excited, emits an optical beam in an essentially continuum of wavelengths, at least two of said sources having different spectral ranges of emission, said sources being disposed such that the optical beam from said sources is incident to the fluid sample contained in said cavity;\\nat least one detector selected from the group including\\na first detector disposed such that it measures the intensity of said optical beam transmitted through the fluid sample; and\\nat least one second detector disposed such that it measures the intensity of said optical beam scattered by the fluid sample;\\na control system which serially causes excitation of at least two of said optical beam sources, such that the fluid is separately scanned with wavelengths of said optical beams emanating from said at least two optical beam sources; and\\na computing system operative to determine the concentration of the at least one component of the fluid from the intensity of at least one of the optical beams transmitted through the fluid and the optical beam scattered by the fluid sample.\",\n \"13. A system according to claim 12, and wherein said plurality of optical beam sources is at least five sources.\",\n \"14. A system according to claim 12, and wherein said plurality of optical beam sources is at least ten sources.\",\n \"15. A system according to claim 12, and wherein said at least one second detector is disposed such that it measures the intensity of the optical beam reflected from the fluid sample.\",\n \"16. A system according to claim 12, and wherein said sources are light emitting diodes.\",\n \"17. A system according to claim 16 wherein the spectral half width of emission of at least one of said light emitting diodes is less than 40 nanometers.\",\n \"18. A system according to claim 16, and wherein the spectral half width of emission of at least one of said light emitting diodes is less than 60 nanometers.\",\n \"19. A system according to claim 12 and wherein said computing system is operative to determine the concentration of the at least one component by relating the intensity of said optical beam transmitted through the fluid sample and of said optical beam scattered by the fluid sample to an expression for the concentration in terms of the intensities.\",\n \"20. A system according to claim 19 and wherein the expression is a polynomial expression of at least second order in the transmitted and scattered intensities.\",\n \"21. A system according to claim 19 and wherein the transmitted and scattered intensities are related to the concentration of said at least one component by means of empirical coefficients, and wherein said empirical coefficients are determined by a statistical analysis of transmitted and scattered intensities obtained from a plurality of samples of the fluid having known concentrations of said at least one component.\",\n \"22. A system according to claim 20, wherein the statistical analysis is a Partial Least Squares regression method.\",\n \"23. The system of claim 21, wherein the statistical analysis is a Ridge Least Squares regression method.\",\n \"24. The system of claim 21 wherein said empirical coefficients are stored in a database and the concentration is extracted from the transmitted and scattered intensities by means of statistical analysis methods operating on said database.\",\n \"25. The system of claim 12 wherein said conduit is a milk conduit.\",\n \"26. The system of claim 25, wherein said system determines the constitution of milk on-line during a milking process.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A tunable diode laser absorption spectrometry system for fuel gas measurement, comprising:\\nan off-axis integrated cavity output spectroscopy (ICOS) instrument comprising a first tunable laser diode with a first tunable wavelength range providing laser light coupled off-axis into a high-finesse optical cavity, a second tunable laser diode with a second tunable wavelength range providing laser light coupled off-axis into the cavity, a gas inlet and a gas outlet arranged to flow a fuel gas through the cavity, and an optical sensor arranged to measure intensity of laser light exiting the optical cavity, wherein the laser diodes are tuned over their respective wavelength ranges so that the sensor measurement provides a wavelength-dependent optical absorption spectrum; and\\na computer processor to receive the sensor measurement from the optical sensor, access a database of basis spectra for fuel gas components, process the absorption spectrum with a chemometric fitting routine to determine concentrations of selected fuel gas components, and calculate at least a heating value (F) and an additional value (X) selected from relative density, compressibility, theoretical hydrocarbon liquid content, and Wobbe index from the determined fuel gas component concentrations on the basis of determined concentrations for methane (CCH 4 ) and ethane (CC 2 H 6 ) and the determined concentration (CBB) of an offset basis spectrum representing higher hydrocarbons such that:\\n\\nX=C CH 4 ·X CH 4 +C C 2 H 6 ·X C 2 H 6 +C BB ·E,\\n where XCH 4 and XC 2 H 6 are respective coefficients for methane and ethane, and E is an empirical factor for a composite relative density, compressibility, theoretical hydrocarbon liquid content, or Wobbe index of all expected higher hydrocarbons in the fuel gas mixture.\",\n \"2. The system as in claim 1, wherein the database includes basis spectra for at least methane, ethane, together with a broadband offset basis to represent the higher hydrocarbons.\",\n \"3. The system as in claim 2, wherein the heating value (F) is calculated by the processor on the basis of the determined concentrations for methane and ethane and the determined concentration of the offset basis spectrum representing the higher hydrocarbons, such that:\\n\\nF=C CH 4 ·F CH 4 +C C 2 H 6 ·F C 2 H 6 +C BB ·E,\\nwhere FCH 4 and FC 2 H 6 are respective heating values for methane and ethane, and E is an empirical factor for a composite heating value of all the expected higher hydrocarbons in the fuel gas mixture.\",\n \"4. The system as in claim 1, wherein the Wobbe index (Iw) is calculated by the processor on the basis of the determined concentrations for methane and ethane and the determined concentration of the offset basis spectrum representing the higher hydrocarbons, such that:\\n\\nI w =C CH 4 ·I wCH 4 +C C 2 H 6 ·I wC 2 H 6 +C BB ·E,\\nwhere IwCH 4 and IwC 2 H 6 are respective Wobbe indices for methane and ethane, and E is an empirical factor for a composite Wobbe index of all the expected higher hydrocarbons in the fuel gas mixture.\",\n \"5. The system as in claim 1, wherein the relative density (G) is calculated by the processor on the basis of the determined concentrations for methane and ethane and the determined concentration of the offset basis spectrum representing the higher hydrocarbons, such that:\\n\\nG=C CH 4 ·G CH 4 +C C 2 H 6 ·G C 2 H 6 +C BB ·E,\\nwhere GCH 4 and GC 2 H 6 are respective relative densities for methane and ethane, and E is an empirical factor for a composite relative density of all the expected higher hydrocarbons in the fuel gas mixture.\",\n \"6. The system as in claim 1, wherein the compressibility (Z) is calculated by the processor on the basis of the determined concentrations for methane and ethane and the determined concentration of the offset basis spectrum representing the higher hydrocarbons, such that:\\n\\nX=C CH 4 ·Z CH 4 +C C 2 H 6 ·Z C 2 H 6 +C BB ·E,\\nwhere ZCH 4 and ZC 2 H 6 are respective compressibility factors for methane and ethane, and E is an empirical factor for a composite compressibility of all expected higher hydrocarbons in the fuel gas mixture.\",\n \"7. The system as in claim 1, wherein the theoretical hydrocarbon liquid content (L) is calculated by the processor on the basis of the determined concentrations for methane and the ethane and the determined concentration (CBB) of the offset basis spectrum representing the higher hydrocarbons, such that:\\n\\nL=C CH 4 ·L CH 4 +C C 2 H 6 ·L C 2 H 6 +C BB ·E,\\nwhere LCH 4 and LC 2 H 6 are respective theoretical liquid content values for methane and ethane, and E is an empirical factor for a composite theoretical liquid content of all the expected higher hydrocarbons in the fuel gas mixture.\",\n \"8. The system as in claim 1, wherein concentrations of the selected fuel gas components to be determined include specified fuel gas contaminant species.\",\n \"9. The system as in claim 8, wherein specified fuel gas contaminant species are selected from any one or more of H2S, H2O, O2, CO2, or OCS.\",\n \"10. The system as in claim 1, wherein the first wavelength range is a near-infrared wavelength range encompassing absorption bands of the selected fuel gas components with minimal cross-interference.\",\n \"11. The system as in claim 10, wherein the first wavelength range is in a vicinity of 1.58 μm.\",\n \"12. The system as in claim 11, wherein the second wavelength range is in a vicinity of 1.27 μm.\",\n \"13. A method of measuring a heating value for a fuel gas, comprising:\\ncoupling laser light from first and second tunable laser diodes off-axis into a high-finesse optical cavity of an off-axis integrated cavity output spectroscopy (ICOS) instrument, wherein the first and second laser diodes have respective tunable wavelength ranges,\\nflowing a fuel gas from a gas inlet through the cavity to a gas outlet,\\nmeasuring intensity of laser light exiting the optical cavity using an optical sensor while the laser diodes are tuned over their respective wavelength ranges so that the sensor measurement provides a wavelength-dependent optical absorption spectrum,\\nreceiving, with a computer processor, the sensor measurement from the optical sensor,\\naccessing, with the computer processor, a database of basis spectra for fuel gas components,\\nemploying, with the computer processor, a chemometric fitting routine to process the absorption spectrum so as to determine concentrations of selected fuel gas components, and\\ncalculating, with the computer processor, a heating value (F) and an additional value (X) selected from relative density, compressibility, theoretical hydrocarbon liquid content, and Wobbe index from the determined fuel gas component concentrations on the basis of determined concentrations for methane (CCH 4 ) and ethane (CC 2 H 6 ) and the determined concentration (CBB) of an offset basis spectrum representing higher hydrocarbons such that:\\n\\nX=C CH 4 ·X CH 4 +C C 2 H 6 ·X C 2 H 6 +C BB ·E,\\n where XCH 4 and XC 2 H 6 are respective coefficients for methane and ethane, and E is an empirical factor for a composite relative density, compressibility, theoretical hydrocarbon liquid content, or Wobbe index of all expected higher hydrocarbons in the fuel gas mixture.\",\n \"14. The method as in claim 13, wherein the database includes basis spectra for at least methane, ethane, together with a broadband offset basis to represent the higher hydrocarbons.\",\n \"15. The method as in claim 14, wherein the heating value (F) is calculated by the processor on the basis of the determined concentrations for methane and ethane and the determined concentration of the offset basis spectrum representing the higher hydrocarbons, such that:\\n\\nF=C CH 4 ·F CH 4 +C C 2 H 6 ·F C 2 H 6 +C BB ·E,\\nwhere FCH 4 and FC 2 H 6 are respective heating values for methane and ethane, and E is an empirical factor for a composite heating value of all the expected higher hydrocarbons in the fuel gas mixture.\",\n \"16. The method as in claim 13, wherein the Wobbe index (Iw) is calculated by the processor on the basis of the determined concentrations for methane and ethane and the determined concentration of the offset basis spectrum representing the higher hydrocarbons, such that:\\n\\nI w =C CH 4 ·I wCH 4 +C C 2 H 6 ·I wC 2 H 6 +C BB ·E,\\nwhere IwCH 4 and IwC 2 H 6 are respective Wobbe indices for methane and ethane, and E is an empirical factor for a composite Wobbe index of all the expected higher hydrocarbons in the fuel gas mixture.\",\n \"17. The method as in claim 13, wherein the relative density (G) is calculated by the processor on the basis of the determined concentrations for the methane and ethane and the determined concentration of the offset basis spectrum representing the higher hydrocarbons, such that:\\n\\nG=C CH 4 ·G CH 4 +C C 2 H 6 ·G C 2 H 6 +C BB ·E,\\nwhere GCH 4 and GC 2 H 6 are respective relative densities for the methane and ethane, and E is an empirical factor for a composite relative density of all the expected higher hydrocarbons in the fuel gas mixture.\",\n \"18. The method as in claim 13, wherein the compressibility (Z) is calculated by the processor on the basis of the determined concentrations for the methane and ethane and the determined concentration of the offset basis spectrum representing the higher hydrocarbons, such that:\\n\\nZ=C CH 4 ·Z CH 4 +C C 2 H 6 ·Z C 2 H 6 +C BB ·E,\\nwhere ZCH 4 and ZC 2 H 6 are respective compressibility factors for the methane and ethane, and E is an empirical factor for a composite compressibility of all the expected higher hydrocarbons in the fuel gas mixture.\",\n \"19. The method as in claim 13, wherein the theoretical hydrocarbon liquid content (L) is calculated by the processor on the basis of the determined concentrations for the methane and ethane and the determined concentration of the offset basis spectrum representing the higher hydrocarbons, such that:\\n\\nL=C CH 4 ·L CH 4 +C C 2 H 6 ·L C 2 H 6 +C BB ·E,\\nwhere LCH 4 and LC 2 H 6 are respective theoretical liquid content values for methane and ethane, and E is an empirical factor for a composite theoretical liquid content of all the expected higher hydrocarbons in the fuel gas mixture.\",\n \"20. The method as in claim 13, wherein concentrations of the selected fuel gas components determined by the processor include specified fuel gas contaminant species.\",\n \"21. The method as in claim 20, wherein specified fuel gas contaminant species are selected from any one or more of H2S, H2O, O2, CO2, or OCS.\",\n \"22. The method as in claim 13, wherein the wavelength range of the first diode is a near-infrared wavelength range encompassing absorption bands of the selected fuel gas components with minimal cross-interference.\",\n \"23. The method as in claim 22, wherein the wavelength range of the first diode is in a vicinity of 1.58 μm.\",\n \"24. The method as in claim 23, wherein the wavelength range of the second laser diode is in a vicinity of 1.27 μm and is coupled into the optical cavity to obtain an absorption spectrum in a second wavelength range.\",\n \"25. The system as in claim 1, wherein the first laser diode is tunable over a spectral range of at least 20 GHz, and wherein the second laser diode is tunable over a spectral range of 60-80 Ghz.\",\n \"26. The method as in claim 13, wherein the first laser diode is tunable over a spectral range of at least 20 GHz, and wherein the second laser diode is tunable over a spectral range of 60-80 Ghz.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A method of determining characteristics of samples comprising:\\nA building algorithms of the relationship between sample characteristics and absorbed and scattered light from a sample having an interior;\\nB illuminating the interior of a sample with a broadband frequency spectrum;\\nC detecting the spectrum of absorbed and scattered light from the sample;\\nD analyzing the detected spectrum of absorbed and scattered light from the sample with the algorithms; calculating the characteristics of the sample.\",\n \"2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:\\nA building the algorithms to generate a regression vector that relates the frequency spectrum, further comprised of VIS and NIR spectra, to brix, firmness, acidity, density, pH, color and external and internal defects and disorders;\\nB storing the regression vector, in a CPU having a memory, as a prediction or classification calibration algorithm;\\nC illuminating the sample interior with a spectrum of 250 to 1150 nm;\\nD inputting the detected spectrum of absorbed and scattered light from the sample interior to a spectrometer;\\nE converting the detected spectrum from analog to digital and inputting the converted spectrum to a CPU; combining the spectrum detected;\\nF comparing the combined spectrum with a stored calibration algorithm;\\nG predicting the characteristics of the sample.\",\n \"3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:\\nA the characteristics are chemical characteristics including acidity, pH and sugar content.\",\n \"4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:\\nA the characteristics are physical characteristics including firmness, density, color, appearance and internal and external defects and disorders.\",\n \"5. The method of claim 1 further comprising:\\nA the characteristics are consumer characteristics.\",\n \"6. The method of claim 1 further comprising:\\nA sampling is of samples from the group of C—H, N—H or O—H chemical groups;\\nB illuminating of the interior of the sample is with a frequency spectrum including visible and near infrared light;\\nC building algorithms for a correlation analysis separately of Brix, firmness, ph and acidity in relation to the light spectrum output from the illuminated sample;\\nD detecting the spectrum of absorbed and scattered light from the sample with a light detector.\",\n \"7. The method of claim 2 further comprising:\\nA illuminating of the interior of the sample with a frequency spectrum of 250 to 1150 nm;\\nB detecting the spectrum with a light detector fiber; shielding the light detector fiber from the illuminating spectrum;\\nC measuring the spectrum for chlorophyl at around 680 nm;\\nD correlating the characteristics of Brix, firmness, pH and acidity with the measured spectrum.\",\n \"8. An apparatus for determining characteristics of samples comprising;\\nA at least one broadband light source; a sample having an sample surface and an interior; input mechanism of positioning the at least one light source proximal the sample surface;\\nB at least one light detector; output mechanism of positioning the at least one light detector proximal the sample surface;\\nC at least one mechanism of measuring the illumination detected from the sample;\\nD the at least one light source produces a spectrum within the range of 250 to 1150 nm;\\nE the at least one mechanism of measuring the illumination is a spectrometer; the spectrometer has at least one input;\\nF the at least one light detector is a light pickup fiber; the at least one light detector collects a spectrum which is received by the at least one spectrometer input;\\nG the sample is from the chemical group consisting of C—H, N—O, and O—H.\",\n \"9. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising:\\nA the least one light source is a tungsten halogen lamp; the illumination is transmitted to the sample surface by fiber optics;\\nB the at least one light detector is a fiber optics light pickup;\\nC the at least one spectrometer comprises a 1026 linear array detector.\",\n \"10. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising:\\nA the at least one light source is an illumination fiber.\",\n \"11. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising:\\nA the at least one light source comprises a plurality of illumination fibers;\\nB the plurality of illumination fibers are arrayed such that each illumination fiber is equidistant from adjoining illumination fibers; the at least one light detector is positioned centrally in the array of illumination fibers.\",\n \"12. The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising:\\nA the plurality of illumination fibers are comprised of 32 illumination fibers.\",\n \"13. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising:\\nA the light source is a 5 w tungsten halogen lamp.\",\n \"14. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising:\\nA the at least one light source comprises a plurality of light sources which is further comprised of two 50 w light sources;\\nB the at least one light detector is comprised of a plurality of light detectors.\",\n \"15. The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising:\\nA the plurality of light detectors are arrayed such that each light detector is equidistant from adjoining light detectors.\",\n \"16. The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising:\\nA the plurality of light detectors comprise twenty-two light detectors.\",\n \"17. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising:\\nA the light source comprised of an ellipsoidal reflector with a 50 w bulb with cooling fan; the fiber optics is comprised of at least one fiber optic fiber for transmission of the light source to the sample surface.\\nB the at least one fiber optic and the at least one light detector spring biased against the sample surface; the pressure exerted by the spring biasing limited by the character of the sample.\",\n \"18. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising:\\nA the at least one light source is a 5 w tungsten halogen lamp; the at least one light detector is a single fiber optic fiber; the illumination source is positioned against the sample surface 180 degrees distal to the detection fiber.\",\n \"19. The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising:\\nA a polarization filter is positioned between the at least one light source and the sample;\\nB a matching polarization filter is positioned between the at least one light detector and the sample.\",\n \"20. The apparatus of claim 19 further comprising:\\nA the polarization filter is a linear polarization filter; the matching polarization filter is a linear polarization filter rotated 90 degrees in relation to the polarization filter.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A method for developing a calibration model for use in a central processor configured to generate a predicted value of a property of interest based on an input from one or more data acquisition instruments, comprising:\\nobtaining a set of samples having the property of interest;\\ngenerating a first set of data by measuring the property of interest in the samples;\\ngenerating a mathematical model of the property of interest using the first set of data;\\ngenerating predicted values for the property of interest using the mathematical model;\\ndetermining whether the predicted values for the property of interest correlate with the measured values of the property of interest to within a predetermined criterion;\\nidentifying the type and range of a secondary variable that is potentially influential of the measurement of the property of interest;\\ndetermining whether the secondary variable is actually influential of the measurement of the property of interest;\\nadjusting the preliminary model to compensate for the secondary variable and/or identifying an appropriate method of treating responses of the one or more data acquisition instruments to compensate for the secondary variable;\\ndetermining whether predicted values of the property of interest generated by the adjusted mathematical model and/or using the treatment method correlate with the measured values within another predetermined criterion when the secondary variable is varied;\\ngenerating a second set of data by measuring the property of interest in the samples using the treatment method;\\ngenerating a prediction of the property of interest using the second set of data and the revised property model;\\ndetermining whether a probable outlier is present in the prediction of the property of interest;\\ngenerating a third set of data using the pretreatment method while varying the influential factor;\\ngenerating a prediction of the property of interest using the revised property model and the third set of data; and\\ndetermining whether a probable outlier is present in the prediction of the property of interest generated using the revised property model.\",\n \"2. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining whether the probable outlier is a good outlier in accordance with another predetermined criterion, and if so, adding the probable outlier to the second set of data, determining a method of treatment to compensate for the probable outlier, and revising the revised model to compensate for the probable outlier.\",\n \"3. The method of claim 1, wherein the property of interest in the samples spans the range over which the property of interest is expected to vary during actual measurements in the future.\",\n \"4. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining whether the property of interest is measurable in the presence of variations in the secondary variable to within another predetermined criterion.\",\n \"5. The method of claim 1, wherein the predetermined criterion is a limit of desired precision.\",\n \"6. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether the secondary variable is actually influential of the measurement of the property of interest comprises varying the secondary variable and obtaining measurements of the property of interest.\",\n \"7. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying an appropriate method of treating responses of the one or more data acquisition instruments to compensate for the secondary variable comprises determining mathematical operations that are used on responses of the data acquisition instrument to compensate for factors that influence the response of the instrument when measuring the property of interest.\",\n \"8. The method of claim 1, further comprising installing the revised model in the central processor.\",\n \"9. The method of claim 1, further comprising obtaining a measurement of the property of interest on site and determining whether any outliers exist in the measurement and adjusting the revised model and/or the method of treatment to compensate for the outliers.\",\n \"10. The method of claim 6, wherein determining whether the secondary variable is actually influential of the measurement of the property of interest comprises determining whether the variation of the secondary variable produces a change in the measured value of the property of interest that is statistically significant to a limit of desired precision in the measured value.\",\n \"11. The method of claim 1, further comprising notifying the user of the presence of the outliers.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A method of analyzing spectral data for the selection of the best calibration model from a plurality of calibration models, relating spectra of a substance to a physical or a chemical parameter of the substance, over a predetermined range of the physical or chemical parameters,\\ncomprising the steps of:\\na) capturing spectral data of the substance with respective values of the physical or chemical parameter over the predetermined range;\\nb) building a plurality of calibration models, using the captured spectral data from step a, in dependence upon the values of the physical or chemical parameter, said plurality of calibration models being based on said spectral data and physical or chemical parameter from step a and using statistical resampling methods to assess a predictive quality of the models;\\nc) calculating tolerance intervals of the predicted results obtained using the models built in step b at reference level for each calibration model,\\nd) displaying the tolerance intervals at each reference level for each calibration model; and\\ne) selecting at least one of the calibration models upon a predefined criterion;\\nwherein the calibration model comprises a data regression model and a data pretreatment;\\nwherein the data regression model comprises any spectral data pretreatment followed by selecting at least one of the following available choices comprising a multiple linear regression model, a partial least squares model, a principal component regression model and an artificial neuronal network model;\\nwherein the predefined criterion comprises at least one of the following available choices comprising a tolerance interval corresponding to a small relative error of the calibration model, an acceptance limit of the physical parameter corresponding to a small relative total error of the calibration model and a Fitting Model Index of the calibration model that is close to 1; and\\nwherein the methodology to compute a tolerance interval is selected from the available choices of frequentist or Bayesian.\",\n \"2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the spectral data comprise near infrared spectra data.\",\n \"3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the data pretreatment comprises any one of a standard normal variate treatment, a Savitzky-Golay smoothing filter with no derivative and/or a first derivative and/or a second derivative operation, a multiplicative scatter correction, an orthogonal signal correction or raw data.\",\n \"4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the tolerance interval corresponds to either a beta expectation tolerance interval or a beta-gamma content tolerance interval.\",\n \"5. The method according to claim 1, wherein step d) comprises at least one of printing on a printer, plotting on a plotter, displaying on a video display unit and projecting onto a screen.\",\n \"6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the reference level is the concentration or amount of the physical or chemical parameter determined by the reference analytical method.\",\n \"7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the methodology to compute the Fitting Model Index corresponds to the geometric mean of the dosing range, precision and trueness indexes and its value range from 0 to 1 depending on the fit quality.\",\n \"8. A non-transitory computer readable medium product comprising code segments that when implemented on a computing system implement the methods of claim 1.\",\n \"9. The computer readable medium product of claim 8 stored on machine readable signal storage means.\",\n \"10. A computer based system for analyzing spectral data for the selection of a calibration model, relating spectra of a substance to a physical or a chemical parameter of the substance, over a predetermined range of the physical or chemical parameter, comprising:\\na) means for capturing spectral data of the substance with respective values of the physical or chemical parameter over the predetermined range,\\nb) means for creating a plurality of calibration models using the captured spectral data in dependence upon the values of the physical or chemical parameter based on the calibration data using statistical resampling methods,\\nc) means for calculating tolerance intervals of the results at each reference level for each calibration model,\\nd) means for displaying the tolerance intervals at each reference level over the predetermined range for each calibration model, and\\ne) means for selecting at least one of the calibration models upon a predefined criterion;\\nwherein the calibration model comprises a data regression model and a data pretreatment;\\nwherein the data regression model comprises any spectral data pretreatment followed by selecting at least one of the following available choices comprising a multiple linear regression model, a partial least squares model, a principal component regression model and an artificial neuronal network model;\\nwherein the predefined criterion comprises at least one of the following available choices comprising a tolerance interval corresponding to a small relative error of the calibration model, an acceptance limit of the physical parameter corresponding to a small relative total error of the calibration model and a Fitting Model Index of the calibration model that is close to 1; and\\nwherein the methodology to compute a tolerance interval is selected from the available choices of frequentist or Bayesian.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A liquid inspection method for checking whether an explosive, a raw material for explosive, or an illicit drug is contained in a liquid with which an optically transparent container for a drink is filled, comprising:\\na near-infrared irradiation step in which a substantially whole portion of the liquid is irradiated by an irradiation unit with near-infrared light having wavelengths of 650 to 1000 nm from outside the container;\\na near-infrared light reception step in which the near-infrared light passed through the liquid or the near-infrared light scattered by the liquid is received by a light reception unit; and\\nan absorption spectrum analysis step in which an absorption spectrum of the received near-infrared light is analyzed,\\nwherein whether an explosive, a raw material for explosive, or an illicit material is contained in a liquid with which the container is filled is checked by analyzing the absorption spectrum,\\nthe liquid is a drink which may contain the explosive, a raw material for an explosive or an illicit drug filled in the optically transparent container,\\nthe irradiation unit and the light reception unit are integrated,\\nthe near-infrared light is emitted by the irradiation unit into the container from a surface of the container to conduct the near-infrared irradiation step, and the near-infrared light scattered by the liquid is received through the surface of the container by the light reception unit to conduct the near-infrared light reception step.\",\n \"2. The liquid inspection method according to claim 1, wherein identification of the kinds of the explosive, raw material for explosive, and/or illicit drug is conducted by analyzing the absorption spectrum.\",\n \"3. The liquid inspection method according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein absorbance at the predetermined wavelengths of an absorption spectrum analyzed at the absorption spectrum analysis step is substituted into a concentration estimation equation formulated based on absorption spectra analyzed by using a plurality of liquids that contain the explosive, the raw material for explosive, and/or the illicit drug with preset concentrations\\nto measure a concentration of the explosive, the raw material for explosive, and/or the illicit drug.\",\n \"4. The liquid inspection method according to claim 3, wherein the concentration estimation equation is formulated by conducting multiple regression analyses by using the absorbances at the wavelengths of the absorption spectra analyzed by using the liquids containing the explosive, the raw material for explosive, and/or the illicit drug with the preset concentrations.\",\n \"5. The liquid inspection method according to claim 3, wherein an absorbance quadratic differential value at the predetermined wavelengths which is obtained by a quadratic differentiation for the absorption spectra is used as the absorbance.\",\n \"6. The liquid inspection method according to claim 1, wherein the raw material for explosive is hydrogen peroxide.\",\n \"7. The liquid inspection method according to claim 3, wherein regular products are used as the liquids containing the explosive, the raw material for explosive, and/or the illicit drug with the preset concentrations,\\na concentration estimation equation is previously formulated for each of the regular products,\\na regular product corresponding to the inspection object is identified by reading the product labeling mark put on the inspection object, and\\nthe concentration of liquid explosive, raw material for explosive, and/or illicit drug in the inspection objects is measured by using the concentration estimation equation corresponding to the identified regular product, wherein\\nthe regular product is control of a sample type to be tested.\",\n \"8. A liquid inspection device for inspecting whether an explosive, a raw material for explosive, or an illicit drug is contained in a liquid with which an optically transparent container for a drink is filled, comprising:\\na near-infrared light irradiation means for irradiating a substantially whole portion of the liquid with near-infrared light having wavelengths of 650 to 1000 nm from outside the container;\\na near-infrared light reception means for receiving the near-infrared light passed through the liquid or the near-infrared light scattered by the liquid; and\\nan absorption spectrum analysis means for analyzing an absorption spectrum of the received near-infrared light,\\nwherein whether an explosive, a raw material for explosive, or an illicit drug is contained in the liquid with which the container is filled is inspected by analyzing the absorption spectrum, and\\nthe liquid is a drink which may contain the explosive, a raw material for an explosive or an illicit drug filled in the optically transparent container,\\nthe near-infrared light irradiation means and the near-infrared light reception means are integrated, and\\nthe unit is disponed under the container so that the near-infrared light is emitted by the near-infrared light irradiation means into the container from a surface thereof and the near-infrared light scattered by the liquid is received through the surface of the container by the near-infrared light reception means.\",\n \"9. The liquid inspection device according to claim 8, which further comprising a product labeling mark reading means for reading a product labeling mark put on a regular product, wherein i) said product labeling mark reading means identifies the regular product and the device, ii) identifies a previously formulated concentration estimation equation, and iii) compares the previously formulated equation with a concentration of an explosive, a raw material for explosive or the illicit drug in the liquid to be inspected.\",\n \"10. The liquid inspection method according to claim 1, wherein\\nthe irradiation unit is a white lamp.\",\n \"11. The liquid inspection method according to claim 1, wherein\\nthe container is shield from an extraneous light other than the near-infrared light.\",\n \"12. The liquid inspection device according to claim 8, wherein\\nthe near-infrared light irradiation means is a white lamp.\",\n \"13. The liquid inspection device according to claim 8, further comprising a shield so that the container is shield by the shield from an extraneous light other than the near-infrared light.\",\n \"14. The liquid inspection method according to claim 1, wherein the surface is a bottom of the container.\",\n \"15. The liquid inspection method according to claim 8, wherein the surface is a bottom of the container.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. An apparatus comprising:\\na) a spectral imager that is configured to resolve light obtained from a region of interest of a subject into a plurality of component spectral bands, wherein the spectral imager comprises a lens in optical connection with an image sensor; and\\nb) a computer system electrically coupled to the spectral imager and comprising a memory and a processor, wherein the memory stores instructions for\\n(i) constructing a color photo image by concatenating three planes from a hyperspectral cube constructed from the plurality of component spectral bands;\\n(ii) constructing a pseudo color image based on the plurality of component spectral bands; and\\n(iii) combining the pseudo color image with the color photo image to form a composite image,\\nwherein the constructing of the pseudo color image comprises:\\ndefining a color hue plane that represents a first characteristic in the group consisting of (a) an oxyhemoglobin concentration, (b) a deoxyhemoglobin concentration and (c) a mathematical combination of the oxyhemoglobin concentration and the deoxyhemoglobin concentration;\\ndefining a color saturation plane that represents a second characteristic in the group consisting of (a) the oxyhemoglobin concentration, (b) the deoxyhemoglobin concentration and (c) a mathematical combination of the oxyhemoglobin concentration and the deoxyhemoglobin concentration, wherein the second characteristic is different than the first characteristic; and\\ndefining a color intensity plane that represents reflectance in a region that is about 450 nm to about 580 nm.\",\n \"2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a wavelength range of each respective component spectral band in the plurality of component spectral bands is adjacent to the wavelength range of another component spectral band in the plurality of component spectral bands.\",\n \"3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each respective component spectral band in the plurality of spectral bands has a bandwidth of less than 50 nm.\",\n \"4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the memory further stores instructions for displaying the composite image on a computer screen.\",\n \"5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the region of interest of the subject is a portion of the skin of the subject.\",\n \"6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the light obtained from the region of interest is in the visible range.\",\n \"7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the color photo image is constructed by concatenating a first resolved component spectral band, a second resolved component spectral band, and a third resolved component spectral band, wherein:\\nthe first resolved component spectral band comprises a wavelength corresponding to red light;\\nthe second resolved component spectral band comprises a wavelength corresponding to green light; and\\nthe third resolved component spectral band comprises a wavelength corresponding to blue light.\",\n \"8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the three planes concatenated from the hyperspectral cube consist of a first plane at a wavelength of 580 nm to 800 nm, a second plane at a wavelength of 480-580 nm, and a third plane at a wavelength of 350 nm to 490 nm.\",\n \"9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the spectral imager further comprises one or more polarizers, wherein the one or more polarizers compile light entering the spectral imager into a plane of polarization before entering the image sensor.\",\n \"10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lens comprises a lens assembly.\",\n \"11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the lens assembly comprises a first stage imaging optic and a second stage imaging optic.\",\n \"12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a display for displaying the composite image.\",\n \"13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the computing system further comprises a storage device for storing the composite image.\",\n \"14. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a printer for printing the composite image.\",\n \"15. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a communication link for transferring the composite image to a remote device or computer.\",\n \"16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each respective component spectral band in the plurality of component spectral bands has a bandwidth that is between 10 nm and 40 nm.\",\n \"17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each respective component spectral band in the plurality of component spectral bands has a bandwidth that is between 10 nm and 15 nm.\",\n \"18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each respective component spectral band in the plurality of component spectral bands has a bandwidth that is between 5 nm and 12 nm.\",\n \"19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is a portable apparatus.\",\n \"20. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the region of interest is a tissue of the subject.\",\n \"21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the tissue comprises an ulcer, callus, intact skin, hematoma, or superficial blood vessel.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A laser gas analyzer, comprising:\\na MEMS-vertical cavity surface emitting laser;\\na light-split module configured to split an output light of the MEMS-vertical cavity surface emitting laser into a measurement light and a reference light;\\na measurement gas cell, which receives gasses to be measured, is configured such that the measurement light is made incident to the measurement gas cell;\\na first receiver is configured such that the measurement light that passed through the measurement gas cell is made incident to the first receiver;\\na second receiver is configured such that the reference light is made incident to the second receiver; and\\na data processor configured to obtain concentrations of the gases to be measured based on an absorption signal of the gases to be measured obtained from the first receiver and a reference signal of the MEMS-vertical cavity surface emitting laser obtained from the second receiver.\",\n \"2. The laser gas analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the gases to be measured are hydrocarbon gases.\",\n \"3. The laser gas analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the light source can oscillate in a wavelength range of 1620 nm to 1750 nm.\",\n \"4. The laser gas analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the light source can oscillate in a wavelength range of 1620 nm to 1640 nm.\",\n \"5. The laser gas analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the light source can oscillate in a wavelength range of 1670 nm to 1700 nm.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A plant analysis system, comprising:\\na) a data acquisition component configured to:\\nmeasure properties of a plant utilizing waveform light detection and ranging (LiDAR) to assemble point cloud data, wherein said point cloud data comprises a plurality of three dimensional vertices each of which represents an external surface associated with said plant;\\ncollect photographic data of said plant;\\ncollect spectral data for said plant; and\\ngeo-register the point cloud data and photographic data;\\nwherein the plurality of said three dimensional vertices of said point cloud data is associated with global positioning satellite (GPS) data, said photographic data, and said spectral data;\\nb) a transport vehicle on which said data acquisition component is mounted and configured to assemble and geo-register said point cloud data, and collect said photographic data and said spectral data on said plant; and\\nc) a processor configured to:\\ndetermine a spectral signature of said plant based on said spectral data;\\ndetermine plant color based on said photographic data and associate said point cloud data with said plant color; and\\ngenerate morphological data of said plant based on said point cloud data, said morphological data comprising one or more of plant stem diameter, plant height, plant volume, and plant leaf density.\",\n \"2. The plant analysis system of claim 1, wherein:\\nthe processor generates said morphological data by segmenting said point cloud data to identify boundaries of said plant; or\\nthe processor classifies said morphological data to identify a plant feature, said plant feature comprising a branching structure, trunk, biomass, canopy, fruit, blossom, fruit cluster, or blossom cluster.\",\n \"3. The plant analysis system of claim 1, wherein the processor utilizes said point cloud data and said plant color to discriminate a fruit, blossom, fruit cluster, or blossom cluster from a shadow based, at least in part, on analyzing a variation of said plant color and a geometric shape defined by the three dimensional vertices of said point cloud data.\",\n \"4. The plant analysis system of claim 1, wherein said data acquisition component is further configured to measure atmospheric conditions, and wherein said processor determines a phenotype of the plant based on said spectral signature, said morphological data, and said atmospheric conditions.\",\n \"5. The plant analysis system of claim 1, wherein said processor is further configured to determine a vegetation index of one or more plants based on said spectral data.\",\n \"6. The plant analysis system of claim 1, wherein said processor is further configured to determine a number and a size of fruits or blossoms on the plant, wherein the number and size of fruits or blossoms on the plant is based one or more of said point cloud data or said plant color data.\",\n \"7. The plant analysis system of claim 6, wherein:\\nsaid number and size of fruits or blossoms on the plant is determined by clustering said point cloud data and plant color data; and\\na crop yield is estimated based, at least in part, on said number and size of fruits or blossoms on the plant.\",\n \"8. The plant analysis system of claim 1, wherein said processor is further configured to compare the spectral signature of the plant with a second spectral signature from a library of plant records.\",\n \"9. The plant analysis system of claim 8, wherein said processor is further configured to:\\ndetect a presence of a plant disease based on said comparison of the spectral signature with the second spectral signature;\\ndetect a presence of wilt or leaf drop caused by environmental stressors based on said comparison of the spectral signature with the second spectral signature; or\\nidentify a pest, including a disease vector, and predict said pest's trajectory.\",\n \"10. The plant analysis system of claim 1, wherein a library of plant records is further configured to store historical data associated with the plant, said historical data comprising one or more of date of planting, root stock, grating record, nutritional treatment, health treatment, yield, surrounding soil conditions, surrounding atmospheric conditions, and surrounding topography.\",\n \"11. The plant analysis system of claim 1, further comprising an asset management dashboard for accessing, viewing, analyzing and controlling a library of plant records.\",\n \"12. The plant analysis system of claim 11, wherein said asset management dashboard integrates spatial information of a subset of said plant records in a configurable display, said subset of said plant records correspond to a plot on an orchard, and wherein said asset management dashboard allows users to generate counting and statistical reports about said plant records.\",\n \"13. The plant analysis system of claim 11, wherein the processor is further configured to create a record of said plant in a library of plant records, and the record of said plant associates said plant with said spectral signature, said plant color, said spectral data, said assembled point cloud data, and said morphological data.\",\n \"14. A method for analyzing a plant, comprising:\\nmeasure, using a data acquisition component coupled to a transport vehicle, properties of a plant utilizing waveform light detection and ranging (LiDAR) to assemble point cloud data, wherein said point cloud data comprises a plurality of three dimensional vertices each of which represents an external surface associated with said plant;\\ncollect, using the data acquisition component, photographic data of said plant;\\ncollect, using the data acquisition component, spectral data for said plant;\\ngeo-register the point cloud data and photographic data;\\nassociate a plurality of said three dimensional vertices of said point cloud data with global positioning satellite (GPS) data, said photographic data, and said spectral data;\\ndetermine, using one or more processors, a spectral signature of said plant based on said spectral data;\\ndetermine, using the one or more processors, plant color based on said photographic data;\\nassociate said point cloud data with said plant color; and\\ngenerate, using the one or more processors, morphological data of said plant based on said point cloud data, said morphological data comprising one or more of plant stem diameter, plant height, plant volume, and plant leaf density.\",\n \"15. The method of claim 14, wherein:\\nsaid morphological data is generated by segmenting said point cloud data to identify boundaries of said plant; or\\nsaid morphological data is classified to identify a plant feature, said plant feature comprising a branching structure, trunk, biomass, canopy, fruit, blossom, fruit cluster, or blossom cluster.\",\n \"16. The method of claim 14, wherein said point cloud data and said plant color is utilized to discriminate a fruit, blossom, fruit cluster, or blossom cluster from a shadow based, at least in part, on analyzing a variation of said plant color and a geometric shape defined by the three dimensional vertices of said point cloud data.\",\n \"17. The method of claim 14, further comprising:\\nmeasuring atmospheric conditions; and\\ndetermining a phenotype of the plant based on said spectral signature, said morphological data, and said atmospheric conditions.\",\n \"18. The method of claim 14, further comprising:\\ndetermining a number and a size of fruits or blossoms on the plant based one or more of said point cloud data or said plant color data, wherein said number and size of fruits or blossoms on the plant is determined by clustering said point cloud data and plant color data, and a crop yield is estimated based, at least in part, on said number and size of fruits or blossoms on the plant.\",\n \"19. The method of claim 14, wherein:\\nthe spectral signature of the plant is compared with a second spectral signature from a library of plant records to:\\ndetect a presence of a plant disease based on said comparison of the spectral signature with the second spectral signature; or\\ndetect a presence of wilt or leaf drop caused by environmental stressors based on said comparison of the spectral signature with the second spectral signature.\",\n \"20. The method of claim 14, further comprising:\\ncreating a record of said plant in a library of plant records, wherein the record of said plant associates said plant with said spectral signature, said plant color, said spectral data, said assembled point cloud data, and said morphological data.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. An analysis device for analyzing a material having\\nan excitation transmission device for generating at least one excitation light beam with at least one excitation wavelength, and radiating the at least one electromagnetic excitation beam into a material volume, which is located underneath a first region of the surface of the material,\\nan optical medium, which in operation is in contact with said first region of the surface of the material,\\na detection device for detecting a response signal, and\\na device for analyzing the material on the basis of the detected response signal.\",\n \"2. The analysis device according to claim 1, wherein\\nthe device comprises a system for emitting a measurement beam, which is arranged so that the emitted measurement beam penetrates the optical medium and is reflected at an interface of the optical medium and the surface of the material, and\\nthe detection device is a device for receiving the reflected measuring beam which forms the response signal and for directly or indirectly detecting a deflection of the reflected measuring beam.\",\n \"3. The analysis device according to claim 1, wherein\\nin order to detect a response signal, the detection device is configured to detect a parameter change of the optical medium in a region adjacent to the first region, as a result of the response signal, wherein said parameter change is one or both of a deformation and a density change of the optical medium.\",\n \"4. The analysis device according to claim 3, wherein\\nthe detection device comprises one of a piezo-element, which is connected to the optical medium or integrated therein, as a detector for detecting said deformation or density change and temperature sensors as detectors for detecting the response signal.\",\n \"5. The analysis device according to claim 1, wherein\\nthe device comprises a device for the intensity modulation of the excitation light beam, and\\nthe detection device is suitable for detecting a time-dependent response signal as a function of one or both of the wavelength of the excitation light and the intensity modulation of the excitation light.\",\n \"6. The analysis device according to claim 1, wherein\\nthe excitation transmission device comprises two or more transmission elements in the form of a one-, two- or multi-dimensional transmission element array, wherein\\nthe two or more transmission elements each generate their own electromagnetic excitation beam and radiate the same into the volume below the first region and\\nthe wavelengths of the electromagnetic excitation beams of the two or more transmission elements are different.\",\n \"7. The analysis device according to claim 1, wherein\\nthe excitation transmission device is directly, or indirectly by means of an adjustment device, mechanically fixedly connected to said optical medium.\",\n \"8. The analysis device according to claim 5, wherein\\nthe device for the intensity modulation comprises or is formed by an electrical modulation device, which is electrically connected to the excitation transmission device and electrically controls it.\",\n \"9. The analysis device according claim 5, wherein\\nthe device for intensity modulation comprises one of a controlled mirror arranged in the beam path and a layer which is arranged in the beam path and is controllable with respect to its transparency, or is formed by such a layer.\",\n \"10. The analysis device according to claim 1, wherein\\none or more of a device for emitting a measuring beam, the detection device and the excitation transmission device is/are directly mechanically fixedly connected to the optical medium or coupled to the same by means of a fiber-optic cable.\",\n \"11. The analysis device according to claim 1, wherein\\nthe optical medium directly supports an imaging optics, or an imaging optics is integrated into the optical medium.\",\n \"12. The analysis device according to claim 1, wherein\\nthe surface of the optical medium has a plurality of partial faces inclined towards each other, at which the measuring beam is reflected multiple times.\",\n \"13. The analysis device according to claim 1, wherein\\none or more reflective surfaces are provided in or on the optical medium for reflecting the measuring beam.\",\n \"14. The analysis device according to claim 1, wherein\\none or more of the excitation transmission device, a device for the emission of a measuring beam and the detection device are directly attached to each other or to a common support.\",\n \"15. The analysis device according to claim 1, wherein\\nthe excitation transmission device has an integrated semiconductor component, which comprises one or more laser elements and at least one micro-optical component and an additional modulation element.\",\n \"16. The analysis device according to claim 1, wherein the analysis device has a wearable housing which can be fastened to the body of a person, wherein the excitation transmission device and the detection device are arranged and configured in such a way that the material to be analyzed is measured on the side of the housing facing away from the body.\",\n \"17. The analysis device according to claim 16, wherein the housing of the device has a window which is transparent for the excitation light beam on its side facing away from the body in the intended wearing position.\",\n \"18. The analysis device according to claim 16, wherein the excitation transmission device has an integrated semiconductor component, which comprises a plurality of laser elements and a modulation element for modulating the intensity of excitation light beams generated by corresponding ones of said plurality of laser elements, wherein said modulation element is one of a mirror, which is movable relative to the rest of the semiconductor device and is controllable with respect to its position, a layer with controllable radiation permeability, and an electronic control circuit for the modulation of the plurality of laser elements.\",\n \"19. The analysis device according to claim 16, wherein the excitation transmission device is directly, or indirectly by means of an adjustment device, mechanically fixedly connected to said optical medium.\",\n \"20. The analysis device according to claim 16, wherein\\none or more of the excitation transmission device, the device for the emission of the measuring beam and the detection device are directly attached to each other or to a common support.\",\n \"21. The analysis device according to claim 16, wherein one or more of a device for emitting a measuring beam, the detection device and the excitation transmission device is/are directly mechanically fixedly connected to the optical medium or coupled to the same by means of a fiber-optic cable.\",\n \"22. A method for analyzing a material, wherein in the method\\nan optical medium is brought into contact with a surface of the material,\\nwith an excitation transmission device, at least one electromagnetic excitation light beam with at least one excitation wavelength is generated by an at least partially simultaneous or consecutive operation of a plurality of laser emitters of a laser light source, and the at least one excitation light beam is radiated into a material volume, which is located underneath a first region of the surface of the material,\\nwith a detection device a response signal is detected and\\nthe material is analyzed on the basis of the detected response signal.\",\n \"23. The method according to claim 22, wherein\\nusing different modulation frequencies of the excitation transmission device, response signals, in particular temporal response signal waveforms or patterns, are successively determined and wherein a plurality of response signal waveforms or patterns at different modulation frequencies are combined with each other and that, in particular, specific information for a depth range under the surface is obtained from this.\",\n \"24. The method according to claim 23, wherein\\nresponse signal waveforms or patterns at different modulation frequencies are determined for different wavelengths of the excitation beam and from this, in particular specific information is obtained for each depth range under the surface.\",\n \"25. The method according to claim 24, wherein\\nwhen a plurality of modulation frequencies of the excitation light beam are used at the same time, the detected signal is resolved into its frequencies by means of an analytical procedure, and\\nonly the partial signal that corresponds to the desired frequency is filtered out.\",\n \"26. The method according to claim 22, wherein\\nthe emitted excitation light beam is radiated in such a way that it penetrates the optical medium and exits the same at a predetermined point on the surface of the optical medium,\\nwith a device for emitting a measuring beam, a measuring beam is generated in such a way that it penetrates the optical medium and is reflected at an interface of the optical medium and the surface of the material, and\\na reflected measuring beam forming the response signal is measured with the detection device,\\nand the deflection of the reflected beam is directly or indirectly detected.\",\n \"27. The method according to claim 22, wherein\\nsaid material is formed by a body part of a patient, and as a function of a material concentration identified in the material, a dosing device is activated for delivering a substance into the body of the patient, an acoustic or visual signal is output or a signal is delivered to a processing device via a wireless connection.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A photothermal interferometry apparatus for detecting a molecule in a sample, comprising:\\na Fabry-Perot interferometer with a first mirror, a second mirror and a first cavity for containing the sample extending between the first and the second mirror, a probe laser arrangement with at least one probe laser for providing a first probe laser beam and a second probe laser beam, an excitation laser for passing an excitation laser beam through the first cavity of the Fabry-Perot interferometer for exciting the molecule in the sample, the Fabry-Perot interferometer comprising a third mirror, a fourth mirror and a second cavity for containing the sample extending between the third and the fourth mirror, the first and the second cavity of the Fabry-Perot interferometer being arranged such that the first probe laser beam intersects with the excitation laser beam in the first cavity and the second probe laser beam does not intersect with the excitation laser beam in the second cavity, and a photodetector unit comprising a first photo detector for detecting the transmitted first probe laser beam and a second photo detector for detecting the transmitted second probe laser beam.\",\n \"2. The photothermal interferometry apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the probe laser arrangement comprises a beam splitter for splitting a probe laser beam from the probe laser into the first and second probe laser beam.\",\n \"3. The photothermal interferometry apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a subtractor for subtracting a second transmission signal corresponding to the transmitted second probe laser beam from a first transmission signal corresponding to the first transmitted probe laser beam.\",\n \"4. The photothermal interferometry apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first and the third mirror are formed by a first and a second section of a first mirror element, the second and the fourth mirror are formed by a first and a second section of a second mirror element such that the first and the second cavity extend continuously between the first and second mirror element.\",\n \"5. The photothermal interferometry apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a modulator for modulating the wavelength of the excitation laser beam, the photodetector unit being arranged for detecting a modulation of the transmitted probe laser beam passed through the first cavity of the Fabry-Perot interferometer.\",\n \"6. The photothermal interferometry apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the photodetector unit communicates with a control unit arranged for determining a harmonic of the modulation of the probe laser beam passed through the first cavity of the Fabry-Perot interferometer.\",\n \"7. The photothermal interferometry apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the control unit comprises a lock-in amplifier, and wherein the harmonic is a second harmonic.\",\n \"8. The photothermal interferometry apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a first tuner for tuning the probe laser beam over a first given wavelength range.\",\n \"9. The photothermal interferometry apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second tuner for tuning the excitation laser beam over a second given wavelength range.\",\n \"10. The photothermal interferometry apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the Fabry-Perot interferometer comprises a sample cell for containing the sample, the first and the second mirror being fixed on a first and second side of the sample cell.\",\n \"11. The photothermal interferometry apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the sample cell of the Fabry-Perot interferometer comprises a sample inlet and a sample outlet.\",\n \"12. The photothermal interferometry apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a vacuum device connected to the sample outlet of the Fabry-Perot interferometer.\",\n \"13. The photothermal interferometry apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a reference cell containing the sample, the reference cell being arranged in the path of the excitation laser beam such that the excitation laser beam is passed through the sample in the reference cell, and a photo diode for detecting the excitation laser beam passed through the reference cell.\",\n \"14. The photothermal interferometry apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the excitation laser is a diode laser, or a continuous wave quantum cascade laser, or a continuous wave distributed feedback quantum cascade laser, or an external cavity quantum cascade laser, or an interband cascade laser, and/or wherein the probe laser is a diode laser, or a single mode diode laser, or a continuous wave distributed feedback diode laser or an external cavity quantum cascade laser.\",\n \"15. A method for detecting a trace gas species in a sample using photothermal spectroscopy, comprising the steps of: providing a first and a second probe laser beam, directing the first probe laser beam through the sample in a first cavity of a Fabry-Perot interferometer, directing the second probe laser beam through the sample in a second cavity of the Fabry-Perot interferometer, providing an excitation laser beam for heating the sample in the first cavity of the Fabry-Perot interferometer, directing the excitation laser beam through the sample in the first cavity of the Fabry-Perot interferometer, detecting the transmitted first probe laser beam, and detecting the transmitted second probe laser beam.\",\n \"16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of subtracting a second transmission signal corresponding to the transmitted second probe laser beam from a first transmission signal corresponding to the transmitted first probe laser beam.\",\n \"17. The method of claim 15, further comprising the steps of detecting a thermal wave in the sample with the transmitted first probe laser beam and detecting an acoustic wave in the sample with the transmitted second probe laser beam.\",\n \"18. The method of claim 15, further comprising the steps of—modulating the excitation laser beam wavelength, directing the modulated excitation laser beam through the sample in the first cavity of the Fabry-Perot interferometer, detecting a harmonic of a modulation of the transmitted first probe laser beam passed through the first cavity of the Fabry-Perot interferometer.\",\n \"19. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of—tuning the probe laser beam in accordance with a predetermined value of a transmission function of the Fabry-Perot interferometer.\",\n \"20. The photothermal interferometry apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is for detecting a trace gas species.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A feedback control system for microfluidic droplet manipulation, the system comprising:\\nat least one pump operable to pump a sample fluid from the pump through an inlet channel and into a junction with a main channel on a microfluidic device, thereby to cause the system to form microfluidic droplets of the sample fluid surrounded by a carrier fluid at the junction;\\na flow rate sensor operable to measure a flow rate to the inlet channel; and\\na feedback controller operable to receive a flow rate measurement from the flow rate sensor and adjust a flow rate of the at least one pump to cause the system to form the microfluidic droplets at a uniform size.\",\n \"2. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one pump is a pressure-driven pump.\",\n \"3. The system of claim 1, wherein the flow rate is measured using heat transfer.\",\n \"4. The system of claim 1, wherein after the flow rate is adjusted, the droplets are formed with <1.5% polydispersity.\",\n \"5. The system of claim 1, wherein the feedback controller transmits automated instructions to the at least one pump to control the production of the microfluidic droplets.\",\n \"6. The system of claim 1, wherein the flow rate sensor is operable to measure flow rates between 10 to 104 μL/hour.\",\n \"7. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one pump creates positive displacement pressure driven flow.\",\n \"8. The system of claim 1, wherein the feedback controller is operable to adjust pressure on the main channel and the inlet channel.\",\n \"9. The system of claim 1, wherein the sample fluid contains molecules or cells that are introduced into the droplets.\",\n \"10. The system of claim 1, wherein the sample fluid is pressurized.\",\n \"11. The system of claim 1, wherein feedback on the infusion rates of the carrier fluid and the sample fluid provides droplets that are uniform in size and generated at a fixed frequency over arbitrarily long periods of time.\",\n \"12. The system of claim 1, wherein the feedback controller controls a pressure difference between the carrier fluid in the main channel and the sample fluid at the inlet channel to regulate size and periodicity of the droplets.\",\n \"13. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one pump comprises a pressure head.\",\n \"14. The system of claim 1, wherein the feedback controller controls droplet generation rate.\",\n \"15. The system of claim 1, wherein the feedback controller controls droplet properties including one or more of droplet volume, droplet generation rate, droplet release rate, and the total number of droplets generated.\",\n \"16. The system of claim 1, further comprising a second inlet channel to form a second species of aqueous droplet.\",\n \"17. The system of claim 16, wherein the system is operable to flow the droplets and the second species of aqueous droplet into a merge zone.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A method for analyzing a material, the method comprising:\\nan optical medium is brought into direct contact with a first region of a surface of the material,\\nwith an excitation transmission device, at least one excitation light beam with at least one excitation wavelength is generated by an at least partially simultaneous or consecutive operation of a plurality of laser emitters of a laser light source, and the at least one excitation light beam is radiated into a material volume, which is located underneath said first region of the surface of the material,\\nwith a device for emitting a measuring beam, a measuring beam is emitted which penetrates the optical medium,\\nwith a detection device a response signal is detected, wherein detecting said response signal (SR) comprises detecting said measuring beam as a time-dependent response signal, after this measuring beam has been reflected at least once at an interface of the optical medium, which is in contact with the first region of the surface of the material, and\\nthe material is analyzed on the basis of the detected response signal (SR), wherein to control the excitation transmission device for generating the excitation light beam, a series of stored equidistant or non-equidistant settings can be adjusted successively, each of which determines an excitation wavelength of the laser source and among which at least 3 wavelengths of absorption maxima of a substance to be identified in the material are included.\",\n \"2. The method according to claim 1, wherein\\nusing different modulation frequencies of the excitation transmission device, response signals are successively determined and a plurality of response signal waveforms or patterns at different modulation frequencies are combined with each other and specific information for a depth range under the surface is obtained from this.\",\n \"3. The method according to claim 1, wherein\\na plurality of modulation frequencies of the excitation light beam are used at the same time, and the detected response signal is resolved into its frequencies by an analytical procedure, and\\nonly a partial signal that corresponds to a desired frequency is filtered out.\",\n \"4. The method according to claim 1, wherein\\nsaid material is formed by a body part of a patient, and as a function of a material concentration identified in the body part, one or more of the following is carried out:\\nan acoustic or visual signal is output, or a signal is delivered to a processing device via a wireless connection.\",\n \"5. The method according to claim 1, wherein\\nthe excitation light beam is modulated with between 1 and 3 modulation frequencies, and a time characteristic of the response signal is analyzed.\",\n \"6. The method according to claim 1, wherein\\nin operation the measuring beam and the excitation beam overlap at an interface of the optical medium and the surface of the material, at which the measuring beam is reflected, and\\nthe detection device is a device for receiving the reflected measuring beam which forms the response signal (SR) and for directly or indirectly detecting a deflection of the reflected measuring beam.\",\n \"7. The method according to claim 1, wherein\\nthe detection device is suitable for detecting a time-dependent response signal (SR) as a function of the wavelength of the excitation light and an intensity modulation of the excitation light.\",\n \"8. The method according to claim 1, wherein\\nthe excitation transmission device comprises two or more transmission elements in the form of a one-, two- or multi-dimensional transmission element array.\",\n \"9. The method according to claim 1, wherein\\nthe excitation transmission device has an integrated semiconductor component, which comprises one or more laser elements and at least one micro-optical component and an additional modulation element.\",\n \"10. The method according to claim 9, wherein\\nthe modulation element comprises an electronic control circuit for the modulation of the one or the plurality of laser elements.\",\n \"11. The method according to claim 1, wherein\\nthe excitation transmission device is configured to radiate more than 80% of its transmission power in the medium infrared wavenumber range between 900/cm and 1650/cm.\",\n \"12. The method according to claim 1, wherein\\nthe excitation transmission device is configured to emit between 20 and 100 wavelengths individually, simultaneously or sequentially.\",\n \"13. The method according to claim 1, wherein\\nthe excitation transmission device is configured to modulate the excitation light beam with a frequency between 10 and 1000 Hertz.\",\n \"14. The method according to claim 2, wherein\\nthe response signal waveforms or patterns at different modulation frequencies are determined for different wavelengths of the excitation light beam and from this, specific information is obtained for each depth range under the surface.\",\n \"15. The method according claim 1, wherein\\nthe emitted excitation light beam is radiated in such a way that the excitation light beam penetrates the optical medium and exits the optical medium at a predetermined point on the surface of the optical medium, and\\nthe deflection of the reflected measuring beam is directly or indirectly detected.\",\n \"16. The method according to claim 1, wherein\\nan excitation corresponding to more than 80% of the excitation light power takes place in the medium infra-red wavenumber range between 900/cm and 1650/cm.\",\n \"17. The method according to claim 1, wherein\\nbetween 20 and 100 excitation wavelengths are individually excited.\",\n \"18. The method according to claim 1, wherein\\nmore than 50% of the excitation wavelengths are located at absorption maxima of fundamental oscillations of a glucose molecule.\",\n \"19. The method according to claim 1, wherein\\nthe excitation is modulated with a frequency between 10 and 1000 Hertz.\",\n \"20. The method according to claim 1, wherein\\na temporal waveform of the response signal is detected and subjected to an integral transformation after an excitation pulse of between 10 ms and 1000 ms duration.\",\n \"21. The method according to claim 20, wherein\\na measurement of the temporal waveform of the response signal is repeated 2-10 times, and an averaged signal waveform or pattern is subject to said integral transformation.\",\n \"22. The method according to claim 1, wherein\\nin order to take account of the absorption behavior of the sample or tissue which is independent of a glucose concentration, at least one or two wavenumber ranges or wavelength ranges without a significant absorption by the glucose are provided, in which the absorption is measured.\",\n \"23. The method according to claim 22, wherein\\nat least one of the wavenumber ranges is between 1610 and 1695 cm−1.\",\n \"24. The method according to claim 22, wherein\\nat least one of the wavenumber ranges is between 1480 and 1575 cm−1.\",\n \"25. The method according to claim 1, wherein said material is skin and the method further comprises a step of detecting water or a sweat on the skin surface by a test stimulus with an excitation radiation using the excitation transmission device with water-specific wavelengths, wherein said water-specific wavelengths are chosen from water-specific bands at 1640 cm−1 and 690 cm−1.\",\n \"26. The method according to claim 1, wherein\\nduring the analysis, a temperature of one or more of the laser emitters of the excitation transmission device, a temperature of the detection device, a temperature of said optical medium, a temperature of said device for emitting said measuring beam, or an a temperature of an optical sensor is detected and taken into account in the evaluation of the analysis by associating or combining the measurement results with temperature correction values.\",\n \"27. The method according to claim 1, wherein\\nsaid material is formed by a body part and is pressed against said optical medium, wherein the pressure exerted on the optical medium by means of the pressed-on body part is detected, and wherein the excitation transmission device is turned on depending on the detected pressure on the optical medium, or is turned off depending on a reduction in the pressure below a specific threshold.\",\n \"28. The method according to claim 1, wherein\\nthe material is formed by a body part and is pressed against said optical medium, wherein a moisture level of the optical medium in the area of the pressed-on body part is detected, and wherein the excitation transmission device is turned on upon reaching a specified moisture level on the optical medium or is turned off by a reduction in the moisture level below a certain threshold, or by an increase in the moisture level above a certain threshold.\",\n \"29. The method according to claim 1, wherein\\nduring the implementation of the method a body part forming said material is pressed onto the optical medium and is affixed to the optical medium by clamping the body part to the optical medium, gluing the body part to the optical medium, adhesion of the body part to the optical medium, or by vacuum suction of the body part.\",\n \"30. The method according to claim 1, wherein\\nthe excitation light beam is emitted with at least two excitation wavelengths or groups of excitation wavelengths, wherein a first excitation wavelength or group of excitation wavelengths enables the identification of a substance to be identified in the material, while at least one additional excitation wavelength or group of excitation wavelengths enables the identification of a reference substance, which is different from the substance to be identified, and that for at least two different substances profiles are determined with regard to their density distribution over the depth of the material and combined with each other, and wherein a depth profile, or at least one or more parameters of a depth profile, of the reference substance in the material is known.\",\n \"31. The method according to claim 30, wherein the excitation light beam is successively modulated with different modulation frequencies, wherein response signals are detected for different modulation frequencies or a time characteristic of the response signal in the event of a change in intensity of the excitation light beam is analyzed.\",\n \"32. The method according to claim 31, wherein\\nthe excitation light beam is modulated by controlling said laser light source which generates the excitation light beam.\",\n \"33. The method according to claim 1, wherein\\na duty factor of the excitation light beam is between 3 and 10%.\",\n \"34. The method according to claim 1, wherein\\na power density of the excitation light beam on the surface of the material to be analyzed is less than 5 mW/mm2.\",\n \"35. The method according to claim 1, wherein\\nthe material is formed by a body part, a vessel carrying a dialysate or a vessel of a dialysis unit carrying blood.\",\n \"36. The method according to claim 1, wherein before and/or during and/or after said measurement, a mechanical pressure is detected, with which the optical medium is pressed against the material, and wherein the effect of the pressure on the material or the optical medium is eliminated from the measurement results or taken into account during the analysis.\",\n \"37. A method for analyzing a material, the method comprising:\\nan optical medium is brought into direct contact with a first region of a surface of the material,\\nwith an excitation transmission device, at least one excitation light beam with at least one excitation wavelength is generated by an at least partially simultaneous or consecutive operation of a plurality of laser emitters of a laser light source, and the at least one excitation light beam is radiated into a material volume, which is located underneath said first region of the surface of the material,\\nwith a device for emitting a measuring beam, a measuring beam is emitted which penetrates the optical medium,\\nwith a detection device a response signal is detected, wherein detecting said response signal (SR) comprises detecting said measuring beam as a time-dependent response signal, after this measuring beam has been reflected at least once at an interface of the optical medium, which is in contact with the first region of the surface of the material, and\\nthe material is analyzed on the basis of the detected response signal (SR), wherein\\na depth range to be investigated in the material is first selected, and the excitation light beam is controlled thereafter in such a way that between time intervals in which the excitation beam is emitted, at least one time period is provided which corresponds to the diffusion time required by a thermal wave to traverse the distance between the depth range to be investigated in the material and the material surface.\",\n \"38. A method for analyzing a material, the method comprising:\\nan optical medium is brought into direct contact with a first region of a surface of the material,\\nwith an excitation transmission device, at least one excitation light beam with at least one excitation wavelength is generated by an at least partially simultaneous or consecutive operation of a plurality of laser emitters of a laser light source, and the at least one excitation light beam is radiated into a material volume, which is located underneath said first region of the surface of the material,\\nwith a device for emitting a measuring beam, a measuring beam is emitted which penetrates the optical medium,\\nwith a detection device a response signal is detected, wherein detecting said response signal (SR) comprises detecting said measuring beam as a time-dependent response signal, after this measuring beam has been reflected at least once at an interface of the optical medium, which is in contact with the first region of the surface of the material, and\\nthe material is analyzed on the basis of the detected response signal (SR),\\nwherein a moisture content of the material or a humidity of the upper layers or the surface of the material is determined, and wherein the effect of the moisture in the material is eliminated from the measurement results or taken into account during the analysis.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. An additive manufacturing method comprising:\\nemitting a first energy beam to a material and solidifying the material to form a layer;\\nprocessing a surface of a manufactured object including the layer by emission of a second energy beam to the surface, and propagating, in the manufactured object, an elastic wave generated by impact of the emission of the second energy beam;\\ndetecting the elastic wave; and\\ninspecting an abnormality in the manufactured object on the basis of a detection result about the elastic wave.\",\n \"2. The additive manufacturing method according to claim 1, further comprising:\\nmeasuring a shape of the layer; and\\nprocessing the surface on the basis of a result of the measurement.\",\n \"3. The additive manufacturing method according to claim 1, wherein the detecting includes detecting the elastic wave in an area of the manufactured object in which the surface is processed.\",\n \"4. The additive manufacturing method according to claim 1, wherein\\nthe second energy beam is a first laser beam for processing,\\nthe additive manufacturing method further comprises emitting a second laser beam for detection to the surface and receiving reflected light of the second laser beam, including oscillation of the surface by the elastic wave, reflected from the surface to detect the elastic wave, and\\nthe first laser beam and the second laser beam do not interfere with each other.\",\n \"5. An additive manufacturing method comprising:\\nemitting an energy beam to a material and solidifying the material to form a layer;\\nemitting a laser beam for processing and detection;\\ndividing the laser beam into a first laser beam for processing and a second laser beam for detection;\\nprocessing a surface of a manufactured object including the layer by emission of the first laser beam to the surface, and propagating, in the manufactured object, an elastic wave generated by impact of the emission of the first laser beam;\\nemitting the second laser beam to the surface and receiving reflected light of the second laser beam including oscillation of the surface by the elastic wave to detect the elastic wave; and\\ninspecting an abnormality in the manufactured object on a basis of a detection result about the elastic wave.\",\n \"6. The additive manufacturing method according to claim 1, further comprising\\nwhen the abnormality in the manufactured object is detected, partially removing the manufactured object from the surface of the manufactured object to the abnormality to form an opening, and filling the material in the opening of the manufactured object formed after removal thereof and solidifying the material.\",\n \"7. The additive manufacturing method according to claim 6, wherein when a protruding portion is formed above a upper boundary of the opening by filling the material in the opening, the partially removing includes removing at least part of the protruding portion of the manufactured object.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A system for detecting an analyte in a solution, the system comprising:\\na first magnet configured to generate a first magnetic field that forces a plurality of magnetic particles in the solution toward an optical sensor that comprises a capture probe; and\\na detector configured to detect a change in an optical property of the optical sensor, the change in the optical property resulting from the binding of at least the analyte, a magnetic particle, and the capture probe at the optical sensor.\",\n \"2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first magnet is located on the opposite side of the optical sensor from the solution.\",\n \"3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a controller module configured to cycle the first magnetic field.\",\n \"4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a second magnet configured to generate a second magnetic field that forces the magnetic particles away from the optical sensor.\",\n \"5. The system of claim 4, wherein the second magnet is located on the same side of the optical sensor as the solution.\",\n \"6. The system of claim 4, wherein the second magnet is tunable to provide a second magnetic field having a variable magnitude.\",\n \"7. The system of claim 4, further comprising a controller module configured to activate the first magnetic field before activating the second magnetic field.\",\n \"8. The system of claim 7, wherein the controller module is configured to cycle the first magnetic field and the second magnetic field.\",\n \"9. The system of claim 4, wherein the second magnet is configured to provide a magnetic field with a spatially-varying gradient.\",\n \"10. The system of claim 9, wherein the spatially-varying gradient of the second magnet is provided about a plurality of optical sensors, and wherein the detector is configured to detect changes in the optical property of each of the plurality of optical sensors.\",\n \"11. The system of claim 1, wherein the optical sensor comprises a resonant optical sensor, and wherein the detected optical property comprises a shift in the resonant wavelength of the optical sensor.\",\n \"12. The system of claim 11, wherein the resonant optical sensor comprises an optical waveguide.\",\n \"13. The system of claim 12, wherein the optical waveguide comprises a ring.\",\n \"14. The system of claim 13, wherein the optical sensor is formed at least partially of silicon.\",\n \"15. The system of claim 1, wherein the optical sensor is integrated on an integrated optical chip comprising optical waveguides.\",\n \"16. The system of claim 1, wherein the magnetic particles specifically bind to the analyte or to a complex that includes the analyte.\",\n \"17. A method for detecting an analyte in a solution, the method comprising: providing the solution in proximity to an optical sensor, the solution\\ncomprising an analyte and a plurality of magnetic particles, and the optical sensor comprising a capture probe;\\nproviding a first magnetic field that interacts with the magnetic particles to force the magnetic particles toward the optical sensor; and\\ndetecting the analyte based on the binding of at least the analyte, a magnetic particle, and the capture probe by determining a change in an optical property of the optical sensor.\",\n \"18. The method of claim 17, further comprising, prior to detecting the analyte, decreasing or removing the first magnetic field to reduce or remove the force directing the magnetic particles toward the optical sensor.\",\n \"19. The method of claim 17, wherein the first magnetic field is provided using a first magnet located on the opposite side of the optical sensor as the solution.\",\n \"20. The method of claim 17, further comprising cycling the first magnetic field.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A method of measuring thermal conductivity of a material, the method comprising:\\nfocusing a modulated CW pump laser beam having a beam diameter and a power having an “on” and “off” state, and thereby providing an “on” and “off” cyclical heat flux at a spot of the material, a size of the spot being the beam diameter, the modulated CW pump laser beam having a modulation frequency low enough to induce a cyclical steady-state temperature rise on the spot of the material, the cyclical steady-state temperature rise having an “on” and “off” state corresponding to the cyclical heat flux;\\nfocusing a CW probe laser beam at the spot of the material and generating a reflected probe beam reflected from the spot of the material, the reflected probe beam having a reflectance signal, a magnitude of the reflectance signal being a function of the temperature of the material, the magnitude of the reflectance signal being periodic corresponding to the cyclical steady-state temperature rise, the magnitude of the reflectance signal having an “on” and “off” state;\\nmeasuring a difference of the power of the pump laser beam between the “on” and “off” states of the power of the pump laser beam;\\nmeasuring a difference of the magnitude of the reflectance signals of the reflected probe beam between the “on” and “off” states; and\\ncalculating the thermal conductivity by fitting the measured difference of the power and the measured difference of the magnitude of the reflectance signal to a thermal model, the thermal model being a function of a thermal conductivity of the material relating the heat flux to the temperature rise, the thermal model being a function of the modulation frequency and the spot size of the pump beam on the material.\",\n \"2. The method of claim 1, the calculating step further comprising calibrating a proportionality constant encompassing a thermoreflectance coefficient and a conversion factor of change in reflectance to change in photodetector voltage, the calibration being done with a material having a known thermal conductivity.\",\n \"3. The method of claim 2, wherein the material used for the calibration is single-crystal sapphire.\",\n \"4. The method claim 1, wherein the magnitude of the reflectance signal of the reflected probe beam is measured using a periodic waveform analyzer via a digital boxcar average.\",\n \"5. The method claim 1, wherein the magnitude of the reflectance signal of the reflected probe beam is measured using a lock-in amplifier to lock into the periodic signal produced by the reflected probe beam.\",\n \"6. The method of claim 5, wherein the lock-in amplifier is synced to the modulation frequency.\",\n \"7. The method of claim 1, wherein the modulation frequency defines a period longer than 95% rise time of the temperature rise.\",\n \"8. The method of claim 1, wherein the pump beam diameter is lowered allowing for a steady-state temperature rise to be reached at a higher modulation frequency.\",\n \"9. The method of claim 1, wherein the modulated pump laser beam is a continuous wave beam modulated by an arbitrary periodic waveform.\",\n \"10. The method of claim 1, wherein the steady-state temperature rise is a quasi-steady-state temperature rise.\",\n \"11. The method of claim 1, wherein a beam diameter of the probe beam is the same as or smaller than the beam diameter of the pump beam.\",\n \"12. The method of claim 2, further comprising:\\nmeasuring the difference of the magnitude of the reflectance signal as the pump power at the “on” state is varied;\\ngenerating a dataset of the magnitude of the reflectance signal difference versus the pump power difference;\\nperforming a linear fit on the dataset to determine a slope; and\\ndetermining the thermal conductivity by comparing the slope to the thermal model after dividing by the proportionality constant.\",\n \"13. The method of claim 12, wherein the pump power is increased linearly.\",\n \"14. The method of claim 1, wherein the modulation frequency is a first modulation frequency, the method further comprising:\\nmeasuring the magnitude of the reflectance signal difference as the pump power at the “on” state at the first modulation frequency is varied;\\ngenerating a dataset of the magnitude of the reflectance signal difference versus the pump power difference;\\nperforming a linear fit on the dataset to determine a first slope;\\nsetting the modulation frequency to a second modulation frequency;\\nmeasuring the magnitude of the reflectance signal difference as the pump power at the “on” state at the second modulation frequency is varied;\\ngenerating a dataset of the magnitude of the reflectance signal difference versus the pump power difference;\\nperforming a linear fit on the dataset to determine a second slope;\\nfitting the first and second slopes to the thermal model for determining the thermal conductivity.\",\n \"15. The method of claim 14, wherein the pump power is increased linearly.\",\n \"16. The method of claim 1, wherein the pump power at the “on” state is kept constant, the method further comprising:\\nsweeping the modulation frequency over a range of frequencies ranging from 1 Hz to 1 GHz,\\nmapping out the frequency response of the steady state signal; and\\nfitting the data to a frequency dependent steady-state thermoreflectance model.\",\n \"17. A system for measuring thermal conductivity of a material, comprising:\\na pump laser source for emitting a CW pump laser beam having a beam diameter and a power;\\na modulator for modulating the CW pump laser beam, the modulated CW pump laser beam having a modulation frequency low enough to induce a cyclical steady-state temperature rise on a spot of the material, the spot having a size of the beam diameter;\\na probe laser source for emitting a CW probe laser beam at the spot of the material and generating a reflected probe beam reflected from the spot of the material, the reflected probe beam having a reflectance signal, a magnitude of the reflectance signal being a function of the temperature of the material, the magnitude of the reflectance signal being periodic corresponding to the cyclical steady-state temperature rise, the magnitude of the reflectance signal having an “on” and “off” state;\\ndetectors for measuring the waveform and power of the pump laser beam and the waveform and the magnitude of the reflectance signal of the reflected probe laser beam;\\noptical components for directing and focusing the pump laser beam and probe laser beam onto a surface of the material; and\\na processing unit for calculating the thermal conductivity by fitting the measured difference of the power and the measured difference of the magnitude of the reflectance signal to a thermal model, the thermal model being a function of a thermal conductivity of the material relating the heat flux to the temperature rise, the thermal model being a function of the modulation frequency and the spot size of the pump beam on the material.\",\n \"18. The system of claim 17, wherein the detectors are power meters or photodetectors.\",\n \"19. The system of claim 17, further comprising a lock-in amplifier for measuring the waveform and power of the pump laser beam and the waveform and the magnitude of the reflectance signal of the reflected probe laser beam.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. An arrangement comprising:\\nat least one first arrangement configured to provide at least one first electro-magnetic radiation to a sample so as to interact with at least one acoustic wave in the sample, wherein at least one second electro-magnetic radiation is produced based on the at least one acoustic wave and the at least one acoustic wave is amplified as a result of an interaction with the second electro-magnetic radiation;\\nat least one second arrangement configured to receive at least one portion of the at least one second electro-magnetic radiation; and\\nat least one third arrangement configured to determine information associated with a mechanical property of at least one portion of the sample based on a measurement of at least one of a magnitude or frequency of a spectral peak in a spectrum of the at least one second electro-magnetic radiation.\",\n \"2. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein the at least one first electromagnetic radiation has a form of a plurality of pulses.\",\n \"3. The arrangement of claim 1, further comprising at least one fourth arrangement configured to image the at least one portion of the sample based on data associated with the at least one second electro-magnetic radiation.\",\n \"4. The arrangement of claim 3, wherein the at least one first electro-magnetic radiation includes at least one first magnitude and at least one first frequency, wherein the at least one second electro-magnetic radiation includes at least one second magnitude and at least one second frequency, and wherein the data relates to at least one of a first difference between the first and second magnitudes or a second difference between the first and second frequencies.\",\n \"5. The arrangement of claim 4, wherein the second difference is between −100 GHz and 100 GHz, excluding zero.\",\n \"6. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein the at least one second arrangement includes a spectral filter which facilitates a determination of the spectrum of the at least one second electro-magnetic radiation.\",\n \"7. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein the information is associated with a mechanical property of the sample.\",\n \"8. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein the sample is a living subject.\",\n \"9. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein the sample is at least one of an organ, a tissue, or a cell.\",\n \"10. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein the at least one first electromagnetic radiation has a center wavelength which is between 0.5-1.8 μm.\",\n \"11. A method for obtaining information associated with a sample, comprising:\\nproviding at least one first electro-magnetic radiation to the sample so as to interact with at least one acoustic wave in the sample, wherein at least one second electro-magnetic radiation is produced based on the at least acoustic wave and the at least one acoustic wave is amplified as a result of an interaction with the second electro-magnetic radiation;\\nreceiving at least one portion of at least one second electro-magnetic radiation; and\\ndetermining information associated with a mechanical property of at least one portion of the sample based on a measurement of at least one of a magnitude or frequency of a spectral peak in a spectrum of the at least one second electro-magnetic radiation.\",\n \"12. The method of claim 11, wherein the at least one first electromagnetic radiation has a form of a plurality of pulses.\",\n \"13. The method of claim 11, further comprising imaging the at least one portion of the sample based on data associated with the at least one second electro-magnetic radiation.\",\n \"14. The method of claim 13, wherein the at least one first electro-magnetic radiation includes at least one first magnitude and at least one first frequency, wherein the at least one second electro-magnetic radiation includes at least one second magnitude and at least one second frequency, and wherein the data relates to at least one of a first difference between the first and second magnitudes or a second difference between the first and second frequencies.\",\n \"15. The method of claim 14, wherein the second difference is between −100 GHz and 100 GHz, excluding zero.\",\n \"16. The method of claim 11, wherein receiving at least one portion of at least one second electro-magnetic radiation includes determining the spectrum of the at least one second electro-magnetic radiation using a spectral filter.\",\n \"17. The method of claim 11, wherein the information is associated with a mechanical property of the sample.\",\n \"18. The method of claim 11, wherein the sample is a living subject.\",\n \"19. The method of claim 11, wherein the sample is at least one of an organ, a tissue, or a cell.\",\n \"20. The method of claim 11, wherein the at least one first electromagnetic radiation has a center wavelength which is between 0.5-1.8 μm.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1. A fluidic cell for use in analyzing a property of fluids, comprising:\\na flow channel for conducting a fluid within the fluidic cell, the flow channel defined on one side by a cell window and on a second side by a cell back side surface, wherein the fluid is confined to flow substantially parallel to the surface of the cell window and cell back side surface;\\nan interrogation region within the flow channel wherein the fluid interacts with an optical beam over a pathlength; and\\nan inlet channel for flowing fluids into the flow channel and an outlet channel for flowing fluids out of the flow channel,\\nwherein the cell window has a reflective surface in contact with the fluid and has a first port transmissive to an optical beam for entering the optical beam into the flow channel at an angle other than normal incidence,\\nand wherein the cell back side surface is coated with a film semi-reflective to the optical beam, such that the optical beam is reflected back and forth in the flow channel and a portion of the optical beam is transmitted through the cell back side surface at each reflection, forming multiple optical beams exiting the fluidic cell through the cell back side surface for measurement by a detector.\",\n \"2. The fluidic cell of claim 1, wherein the fluid flow within the fluid channel is substantially laminar.\",\n \"3. The fluidic cell of claim 2, wherein the reflection is along the direction perpendicular to fluid flow.\",\n \"4. The fluidic cell of claim 1, wherein one of the multiple optical beams is selected for measurement based on the optical beam power, detector performance or optical absorption of the optical beam in the fluid.\",\n \"5. A fluidic cell for use in analyzing a property of fluids, comprising:\\nfirst, second and third cell windows, the cell windows being transmissive to an optical beam generated by an optical source;\\na first flow channel for conducting a fluid within the fluidic cell, the first flow channel defined on one side by the first cell window and on a second side by the second cell window;\\na second flow channel for conducting a second fluid within the fluidic cell, the second flow channel defined on one side by the second cell window and on a second side by the third cell window; and\\ninterrogation regions within the first flow channel and the second flow channel wherein the first and second fluids interact with the optical beam over a pathlength,\\nwherein the optical beam passes first through the first flow channel and second through the second flow channel.\",\n \"6. The fluidic cell of claim 5, wherein the first and second flow channels alternatively contain a fluid that interacts with the optical beam and a gas or fluid substantially optically transparent to the optical beam.\",\n \"7. A fluidic cell for use in analyzing a property of fluids, comprising:\\na first cell window and a back side surface, the first cell window being transmissive to an optical beam generated by an optical source;\\nfirst and second flow channels for conducting a first fluid and second fluid respectively within the fluidic cell, the flow channels defined on one side by the first cell window and on a second side by the back side surface;\\nan interrogation region within the first flow channel wherein the fluid interacts with the optical beam over a pathlength; and\\na flow channel barrier separating the first and second fluids when flowing in the flow channel, the flow channel barrier moving in the flow channel in response to pressure changes in the first or second fluids.\",\n \"8. The fluidic cell of claim 7, wherein the flow channel barrier separates the first and second fluids in the interrogation region.\",\n \"9. The fluidic cell of claim 8, wherein the flow channel barrier does not contact one of the first cell window or the back side surface.\",\n \"10. The fluidic cell of claim 8, wherein the flow channel barrier removes first or second fluids from a spatial region proximate to the first cell window or back side surface.\",\n \"11. The fluidic cell of claim 7, wherein the moving of the flow channel barrier is a result of a pump injecting a fluid into the channel to create pressure variations.\",\n \"12. The fluidic cell of claim 11, wherein the pump further includes a reservoir, the reservoir being replenished with fluids at a rate less than a rate of pressure variation.\",\n \"13. The fluidic cell of claim 7, wherein the flow channel barrier is attached at one end and the first fluid and second fluid flow through a common outlet channel.\"\n ]\n]"},"102rejection":{"kind":"string","value":"the following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 u.s.c. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this office action:\r\na person shall be entitled to a patent unless –\r\n(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.\r\nclaim(s) 1 - 4, 8, 9, 14 - 16, 20 - 23, 25, and 28 is/are rejected under 35 u.s.c. 102 (a)(1) as being anticipated by prater et al. (us 10,942,116 b2).\r\nwith regards to claim 1, photothermal discloses a mid-infrared (\"mid-ir\", col. 3, ln. 43) photothermal microscopy system for imaging (fig. 2; \"...platform that combines the analytical and imaging techniques of dual-beam photo-thermal spectroscopy with confocal microscopy...”, col. 2, lines 44-46) a sample (fig. 2, \"sample 125\", col. 13, line 44) on a substrate (\"stage 119\", fig. 2, col. 21, line 36) comprising: a mid-infrared (\"mid-ir\", col. 3, line. 43) optical source (\"infrared source 112\", fig. 2, col. 12, line. 51) configured to generate a mid-infrared beam (“infrared radiation beam 114\", col. 12, line. 52), the mid-infrared beam being directed along a first optical path (fig. 2, path of \"ir heating beam 125\", col. 8, line. 13) to reach the substrate on a first side (upper side in fig. 2) and heat the sample (...the sample will heat up.\", col. 8, line. 17); a probe light source configured to generate a probe light (fig. 2, \"probe beam source 126\", col. 9, line. 4), the probe light being directed along a second optical path (fig. 2, path of “probe beam 127\", col. 8, line. 28) to reach the substrate on a second side (lower side in fig. 2) and illuminate the sample (probe beam illuminates the \"region of interest\" at the upper side and also passes through the substrate to the lower side as seen in fig. 2), the second side opposite the first side (i.e. lower is opposite to upper); a first laser scanner comprising at least one movable mirror (fig. 2, \"single or multi-axis galvo mirrors 200 and 202\"), positioned along the first optical path (i.e. path of beam 125) and configured to rotate to redirect light and scan the sample with the mid-infrared beam (\"scanning over a plurality of locations\", col. 11, line. 55); and a second laser scanner comprising at least one movable mirror (fig. 2, \"beam steering mirrors 204 and 206\", col. 13, line. 6), positioned along the second optical path (i.e., path of \"probe beam 127\") and configured to rotate to redirect the light and scan the sample with the probe light (\"...scanning...\", col. 13, line. 14), wherein the laser scanners are driven to rotate such that the mid-infrared beam and the probe light scan the sample synchronously (fig. 4c, \"ir and probe beams overlap\", col. 19, lines 46-50).\r\nwith regards to claim 2, prater discloses the system of claim 1, further comprising a photodiode (\"photodiode\", col. 15, line 11) configured to detect probe light from the sample (\"probe light detector\", col. 15, line 8-9) to generate a reconstructed image of the sample (\"chemical images 150\", col. 11, line44).\r\nwith regards to claim 3, prater discloses the system of claim 2, wherein the mid-infrared beam is a pulsed beam (\"the ir laser...is pulsed.”, col. 11, line 8) and wherein the mip system further comprises single pulse (\"the ir laser pulse\", col. 17, line 21) photothermal detection (fig. 4c, “each signa! collection pulse\", col. 16, lines 17-18).\r\nwith regards to claim 4, prater discloses the system of claim 1, wherein the first laser scanner comprises a first pair of scanning mirrors (fig. 2, \"steering mirrors 200 and 202\", col. 12, line 59), including a first mirror (200) and a second mirror (202); and the second laser scanner comprises a second pair of scanning mirrors (fig. 2, \"steering mirrors 204 and 206\", col. 13, line 6), including a third mirror (204) and a fourth mirror (206).\r\nwith regards to claim 8, prater discloses the system of claim 1, wherein a relative scaling-of motion for the mid-infrared and probe light laser scanning (\"scanning over a plurality of locations\", col: 11, line 55) mechanisms (\"steering mirrors\") is configured such that the probe light and midinfrared beam are focused to overlapping locations on the sample during scanning (fig. 4c; \"control overlap of ir beam and probe beam\", col. 12, lines 36-37).\r\nwith regards to claim 9, prater discloses the system of claim 1, further comprising: a first photodiode (\"photodiode\", col. 5, line 65) positioned along the first optical path and configured to detect the probe light passing through the sample (fig. 2, detector labeled \"receiver 140\", col. 29, line 34); and a second photodiode positioned along the second optical path and configured to detect the probe light returning after reflecting off the sample (fig. 2, detector labeled \"receiver module 142”, col. 10, line 31).\r\nwith regards to claim 14, prater discloses the system of claim 1, wherein a focus of the mid-infrared beam (\"mid-ir\", col. 3, line 43) is aligned to overlap with a focus of the probe light (fig. 4c; “the focused sensing beam overlaps with the focused ir beam\", col. 9, lines 4-2).\r\nwith regards to claim 15, prater discloses the system of claim 1, further comprising a reflective objective lens (\"dichroic lens 208 positioned on the first optical path between the first laser scanner and the substrate (fig. 2)).\r\nwith regards to claim 16, prater discloses the system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the laser scanners comprises at least one galvo mirror (\"galvo mirrors” 202, 200, 204, 206 in fig. 2, col. 12, line 65).\r\nwith regards to claim 20, prater discloses the system of claim 1, wherein the laser scanners provide an effective scan area of the mid-ir and probe lights of at least 100 micrometers on a side (\"areas greater than 1 square mm\", col. 25, line 21).\r\nwith regards to claim 21, prater discloses the system of claim 1, wherein the laser scanners provide an effective scan area of the mid-ir and probe lights of at least 200 micrometers on a side (\"areas greater than 1 square mm\", col. 25, line 21).\r\nwith regards to claim 22, prater discloses a method (\"method\", title) of operating a photothermal infrared (\"mid-ir\", col. 3, line 43) microscope (fig. 2; \"...platform that combines the analytical and imaging techniques of dual-beam photo-thermal spectroscopy with confocal microscopy...\", col. 2, lines 44-46) comprising\r\na) illuminating a sample with a beam of mid-infrared light (‘infrared radiation beam 114\", col. 12, line 52);\r\nb) illuminating the sample with a beam of probe light at least partially overlapping the beam of mid-infrared light at the sample (fig. 4c, \"probe beam 127\" overlaps \"ir heating beam 125\");\r\nc) synchronously scanning the beam of mid-infrared light and the beam of probe light over a plurality of locations (\"scanning over a plurality of locations\", col. 11, line 55) on the sample such that the two beams remain substantially overlapped during the scanning (fig. 4c, \"ir and probe beams overlap\", col. 19, lines 46-50);\r\nd) collecting probe light from the sample (“probe light collected by the collection optic 134\", col. 9, line 14);\r\ne) detecting a change in probe light collected from the sample (\"changes in probe beam\", col. 9, line 35-36) at the plurality of locations (\"scanning over a plurality of locations\", col. 11, line 55) on the sample (fig. 2, \"sample -125) in response to radiation from the mid-infrared light absorbed by the sample (change of probe beam is \"associated with absorption of the heating radiation\" of the ir beam, col. 9, lines 36-37).\r\nwith regards to claim 23, prater discloses the method of claim 22, further comprising extracting a signal (\"probe beam signa!\", col. 11, line 16) from the detected change in collected probe light to produce an image that is indicative of infrared absorption by the sample (\"signal...indicative of...deviation of the probe beam\", col. 11, line 18-20).\r\nwith regards to claim 25, prater discloses the method of claim 23, further comprising collecting a plurality of images (\"chemical images\" showing \"distribution\", col. 11, lines 44-45) at a plurality of mid-infrared (\"mid-ir\", col. 3, line 43) wavelengths (\"...signal can be measured at a plurality of wavelengths\", col. 11, lines 26-27).\r\nwith regards to claim 28, prater discloses the method of claim 23, wherein the image indicative of infrared absorption by the sample has a signal to noise ratio of greater than 50 (\"...snr...is 76.\", col. 41, line 41)."}}},{"rowIdx":9045,"cells":{"query":{"kind":"list like","value":["1. A method, comprising:\ngenerating, at a sensor apparatus, sensor data indicating a flow rate of an instance of aerosol that is drawn through a conduit of the sensor apparatus from an external tobacco element coupled to the sensor apparatus and to an outlet opening of the conduit;\ncommunicating a data stream between the sensor apparatus and a computing device via a communication link, the data stream providing a real-time indication or near real-time indication of the flow rate of the instance of aerosol drawn through the conduit, the data stream including information associated with the sensor data; and\nprocessing the information associated with the sensor data to generate topography information associated with the sensor apparatus,\nwherein the topography information includes\nan aerosol draw pattern of the instance of aerosol drawn though the conduit over a period of time, the aerosol draw pattern associated with the sensor data, the aerosol draw pattern representing a time variation of a cumulative amount of aerosol in multiple instances of aerosol drawn through the conduit during the period of time, from a null value at a start of the period of time to a cumulative amount at an end of the period of time, and\na time variation of a threshold cumulative amount of aerosol drawn through the conduit during the period of time, the threshold cumulative amount of aerosol varying as a function of time over the period of time, wherein\nthe aerosol draw pattern includes a historical aerosol draw pattern generated based on an aggregate of multiple instances of aerosol drawn through the conduit, and\nthe aerosol draw pattern includes a projected aerosol draw pattern generated based on the historical aerosol draw pattern and an initial flow rate at a start of an ongoing instance of aerosol drawn through the conduit.","2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\ngenerating a feedback control signal from a comparison of a cumulative aerosol draw pattern including the cumulative amount of aerosol in the multiple instances of aerosol drawn through the conduit during the period of time, and a threshold cumulative aerosol draw pattern, including the threshold cumulative amount of aerosol drawn through the conduit during the period of time; and\ncontrolling flow control devices at the sensor apparatus based on the feedback control signal.","3. The method of claim 2, wherein the flow control devices include an adjustable valve device configured to adjustably control a cross-sectional flow area of a particular portion of the conduit.","4. The method of claim 2, wherein the flow control devices include an adjustable vent device configured to adjustably direct a separate portion of generated aerosol to flow to an ambient environment as a bypass aerosol.","5. The method of claim 2, wherein the flow control devices include an adjustable intake device configured to adjustably draw bypass air from an ambient environment into the conduit and to the outlet opening.","6. The method of claim 2, wherein the topography information further includes\na time variation of an amount of aerosol generated by the external tobacco element during the period of time,\na time variation of an amount of bypass aerosol drawn through an adjustable vent device during the period of time, and\na time variation of an amount of bypass air drawn through an adjustable intake device during the period of time.","7. The method of claim 2, wherein the feedback control signal is generated based on the projected aerosol draw pattern.","8. The method of claim 7, wherein the flow control devices are configured to cause the projected aerosol draw pattern to conform to the threshold cumulative amount of aerosol drawn through the conduit during the period of time.","9. The method of claim 2, further comprising:\ngenerating a visual, audio, or haptic response in the sensor apparatus upon reception of the feedback control signal by the sensor apparatus.","10. The method of claim 1, wherein the communication link is a wireless network communication link.","11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\ndisplaying the topography information to provide graphical representations of the time variation of the cumulative amount of aerosol in the multiple instances of aerosol drawn through the conduit during the period of time.","12. The method of claim 1,\nwherein the aerosol draw pattern is a remainder generated aerosol draw pattern drawn through the outlet opening of the sensor apparatus, and\nwherein the remainder generated aerosol draw pattern is based on an amount of aerosol generated by the external tobacco element during the period of time and an amount of bypass aerosol drawn through a bypass vent during the period of time.","13. A method, comprising:\ngenerating, at a sensor apparatus, sensor data indicating a flow rate of an instance of aerosol that is drawn through a conduit of the sensor apparatus from an external tobacco element coupled to the sensor apparatus and to an outlet opening of the conduit;\ncommunicating a data stream between the sensor apparatus and a computing device via a communication link, the data stream providing a real-time indication or near real-time indication of the flow rate of the instance of aerosol drawn through the conduit, the data stream including information associated with the sensor data;\nprocessing the information associated with the sensor data to generate topography information associated with the sensor apparatus,\nwherein the topography information includes\nan aerosol draw pattern of the instance of aerosol drawn though the conduit over a period of time, the aerosol draw pattern associated with the sensor data, the aerosol draw pattern representing a time variation of a cumulative amount of aerosol in one or more instances of aerosol drawn through the conduit during the period of time, from a null value at a start of the period of time to a cumulative amount at an end of the period of time, and\na time variation of a threshold cumulative amount of aerosol drawn through the conduit during the period of time, the threshold cumulative amount of aerosol varying with time over the period of time;\ngenerating a feedback control signal from a comparison of a cumulative aerosol draw pattern including the cumulative amount of aerosol in the one or more instances of aerosol drawn through the conduit during the period of time, and a threshold cumulative aerosol draw pattern, including the threshold cumulative amount of aerosol drawn through the conduit during the period of time; and\ncontrolling flow control devices at the sensor apparatus based on the feedback control signal, wherein\nthe aerosol draw pattern includes a historical aerosol draw pattern generated based on multiple prior instances of aerosol drawn through the conduit, and\nthe aerosol draw pattern includes a projected aerosol draw pattern generated based on the historical aerosol draw pattern and an initial flow rate at a start of an ongoing instance of aerosol drawn through the conduit.","14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:\ngenerating, at a temperature sensor, temperature data based on a temperature of the external tobacco element, the temperature data including a threshold temperature corresponding to a temperature at which the external tobacco element is depleted.","15. The method of claim 13,\nwherein the aerosol draw pattern is a remainder generated aerosol draw pattern drawn through the outlet opening of the sensor apparatus, and\nwherein the remainder generated aerosol draw pattern is based on an amount of aerosol generated by the external tobacco element during the period of time and an amount of bypass air drawn through an intake device during the period of time.","16. The method of claim 13, wherein the topography information includes an amount of the one or more instances of aerosol drawn through the conduit of the sensor apparatus during the period of time."],"string":"[\n \"1. A method, comprising:\\ngenerating, at a sensor apparatus, sensor data indicating a flow rate of an instance of aerosol that is drawn through a conduit of the sensor apparatus from an external tobacco element coupled to the sensor apparatus and to an outlet opening of the conduit;\\ncommunicating a data stream between the sensor apparatus and a computing device via a communication link, the data stream providing a real-time indication or near real-time indication of the flow rate of the instance of aerosol drawn through the conduit, the data stream including information associated with the sensor data; and\\nprocessing the information associated with the sensor data to generate topography information associated with the sensor apparatus,\\nwherein the topography information includes\\nan aerosol draw pattern of the instance of aerosol drawn though the conduit over a period of time, the aerosol draw pattern associated with the sensor data, the aerosol draw pattern representing a time variation of a cumulative amount of aerosol in multiple instances of aerosol drawn through the conduit during the period of time, from a null value at a start of the period of time to a cumulative amount at an end of the period of time, and\\na time variation of a threshold cumulative amount of aerosol drawn through the conduit during the period of time, the threshold cumulative amount of aerosol varying as a function of time over the period of time, wherein\\nthe aerosol draw pattern includes a historical aerosol draw pattern generated based on an aggregate of multiple instances of aerosol drawn through the conduit, and\\nthe aerosol draw pattern includes a projected aerosol draw pattern generated based on the historical aerosol draw pattern and an initial flow rate at a start of an ongoing instance of aerosol drawn through the conduit.\",\n \"2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\\ngenerating a feedback control signal from a comparison of a cumulative aerosol draw pattern including the cumulative amount of aerosol in the multiple instances of aerosol drawn through the conduit during the period of time, and a threshold cumulative aerosol draw pattern, including the threshold cumulative amount of aerosol drawn through the conduit during the period of time; and\\ncontrolling flow control devices at the sensor apparatus based on the feedback control signal.\",\n \"3. The method of claim 2, wherein the flow control devices include an adjustable valve device configured to adjustably control a cross-sectional flow area of a particular portion of the conduit.\",\n \"4. The method of claim 2, wherein the flow control devices include an adjustable vent device configured to adjustably direct a separate portion of generated aerosol to flow to an ambient environment as a bypass aerosol.\",\n \"5. The method of claim 2, wherein the flow control devices include an adjustable intake device configured to adjustably draw bypass air from an ambient environment into the conduit and to the outlet opening.\",\n \"6. The method of claim 2, wherein the topography information further includes\\na time variation of an amount of aerosol generated by the external tobacco element during the period of time,\\na time variation of an amount of bypass aerosol drawn through an adjustable vent device during the period of time, and\\na time variation of an amount of bypass air drawn through an adjustable intake device during the period of time.\",\n \"7. The method of claim 2, wherein the feedback control signal is generated based on the projected aerosol draw pattern.\",\n \"8. The method of claim 7, wherein the flow control devices are configured to cause the projected aerosol draw pattern to conform to the threshold cumulative amount of aerosol drawn through the conduit during the period of time.\",\n \"9. The method of claim 2, further comprising:\\ngenerating a visual, audio, or haptic response in the sensor apparatus upon reception of the feedback control signal by the sensor apparatus.\",\n \"10. The method of claim 1, wherein the communication link is a wireless network communication link.\",\n \"11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\\ndisplaying the topography information to provide graphical representations of the time variation of the cumulative amount of aerosol in the multiple instances of aerosol drawn through the conduit during the period of time.\",\n \"12. The method of claim 1,\\nwherein the aerosol draw pattern is a remainder generated aerosol draw pattern drawn through the outlet opening of the sensor apparatus, and\\nwherein the remainder generated aerosol draw pattern is based on an amount of aerosol generated by the external tobacco element during the period of time and an amount of bypass aerosol drawn through a bypass vent during the period of time.\",\n \"13. A method, comprising:\\ngenerating, at a sensor apparatus, sensor data indicating a flow rate of an instance of aerosol that is drawn through a conduit of the sensor apparatus from an external tobacco element coupled to the sensor apparatus and to an outlet opening of the conduit;\\ncommunicating a data stream between the sensor apparatus and a computing device via a communication link, the data stream providing a real-time indication or near real-time indication of the flow rate of the instance of aerosol drawn through the conduit, the data stream including information associated with the sensor data;\\nprocessing the information associated with the sensor data to generate topography information associated with the sensor apparatus,\\nwherein the topography information includes\\nan aerosol draw pattern of the instance of aerosol drawn though the conduit over a period of time, the aerosol draw pattern associated with the sensor data, the aerosol draw pattern representing a time variation of a cumulative amount of aerosol in one or more instances of aerosol drawn through the conduit during the period of time, from a null value at a start of the period of time to a cumulative amount at an end of the period of time, and\\na time variation of a threshold cumulative amount of aerosol drawn through the conduit during the period of time, the threshold cumulative amount of aerosol varying with time over the period of time;\\ngenerating a feedback control signal from a comparison of a cumulative aerosol draw pattern including the cumulative amount of aerosol in the one or more instances of aerosol drawn through the conduit during the period of time, and a threshold cumulative aerosol draw pattern, including the threshold cumulative amount of aerosol drawn through the conduit during the period of time; and\\ncontrolling flow control devices at the sensor apparatus based on the feedback control signal, wherein\\nthe aerosol draw pattern includes a historical aerosol draw pattern generated based on multiple prior instances of aerosol drawn through the conduit, and\\nthe aerosol draw pattern includes a projected aerosol draw pattern generated based on the historical aerosol draw pattern and an initial flow rate at a start of an ongoing instance of aerosol drawn through the conduit.\",\n \"14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:\\ngenerating, at a temperature sensor, temperature data based on a temperature of the external tobacco element, the temperature data including a threshold temperature corresponding to a temperature at which the external tobacco element is depleted.\",\n \"15. The method of claim 13,\\nwherein the aerosol draw pattern is a remainder generated aerosol draw pattern drawn through the outlet opening of the sensor apparatus, and\\nwherein the remainder generated aerosol draw pattern is based on an amount of aerosol generated by the external tobacco element during the period of time and an amount of bypass air drawn through an intake device during the period of time.\",\n \"16. The method of claim 13, wherein the topography information includes an amount of the one or more instances of aerosol drawn through the conduit of the sensor apparatus during the period of time.\"\n]"},"applicant_patent_id":{"kind":"string","value":"US12250963B2"},"cited_patent_id":{"kind":"string","value":"US20160157524A1"},"positive":{"kind":"list like","value":["1. A method of determining a dose of a vaporizable material delivered to a user of a vaporizing device over a time period, wherein the time period comprises a plurality of sequential time intervals, and wherein the vaporizing device includes a heater controller, a heater, a source of the vaporizable material and a vaporized dose predictor unit, the method comprising:\ncalculating, for each of the sequential time intervals, a partial dose, wherein the partial dose is calculated from a power delivered by the heater controller to the heater to vaporize the vaporizable material during a partial dose time interval, a temperature of the vaporizable material being vaporized during the partial dose time interval, and a temperature of the vaporizable material being vaporized before the partial dose time interval; and\nsumming the calculated partial doses in the vaporized dose predictor unit to determine a total dose of vapor delivered during the time period.","2. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining an amount of active ingredient delivered to the user based on the total dose of vapor delivered.","3. The method of claim 1, wherein calculating further comprises determining a change in temperature (ΔT) of the vaporizable material being vaporized for each of the sequential time intervals relative the temperature of the vaporizable material being vaporized.","4. The method of claim 1, wherein the sequential time intervals are between about 200 msec and about 10 msec.","5. The method of claim 1, wherein calculating, for each of the sequential time intervals, a partial dose is further based upon a latent heat and a specific heat of the material.","6. The method of claim 1, wherein calculating, for each of the sequential time intervals, a partial dose comprises subtracting from a first constant times the power delivered by the heater controller to the heater to vaporize the vaporizable material during the partial dose time interval, a second constant times the temperature of the vaporizable material being vaporized during the partial dose time interval and a third constant times the temperature of the vaporizable material being vaporized before the partial dose time interval.","7. The method of claim 1, wherein calculating the partial dose using the temperature of the vaporizable material being vaporized during the partial dose time interval and the temperature of the vaporizable material being vaporized before the partial dose time interval comprises using an electrical property of the heater that is proportional to the temperature of the heater as the temperature of the vaporizable material being vaporized during the partial dose time interval.","8. The method of claim 1, further comprising alerting the user when the total dose of vapor delivered during the time period meets or exceeds a preset threshold.","9. The method of claim 1, further comprising disabling the device when the total dose of vapor delivered during the time period meets or exceeds a preset threshold.","10. The method of claim 1, further comprising calculating and displaying a cumulative total dose of vapor delivered over a session period that includes the time period.","11. The method of claim 1, further comprising detecting a user's puff on the vaporizer device, wherein the time period corresponds to a duration of the detected user's puff.","12. The method of claim 1, wherein the vaporizable material is a liquid.","13. The method of claim 1, wherein the vaporizable material comprises a tobacco-based material.","14. The method of claim 1, wherein the vaporizable material comprises a botanical.","15. The method of claim 1, wherein the vaporizable material comprises a nicotine compound.","16. The method of claim 1, wherein the vaporizable material comprises a cannabinoid.","17. The method of claim 1, wherein the vaporizable material comprises one or more of: cetirizine, ibuprofen, naproxen, omeprazole, doxylamine, diphenhydramine, melatonin, or meclizine.","18. The method of claim 1, wherein the vaporizable material comprises one or more of: albuterol, levalbuterol, pirbuterol, salmeterol, formoterol, atropine sulfate, ipratropium bromide, fluticasone, budesonide, mometasone, montelukast, zafirlukast, theophylline, fluticasone and salmeterol, budesonide and formoterol, or mometasone and formoterol.","19. The method of claim 1, wherein the vaporizable material comprises one or more of: a polyphonel, a green tea catechin, caffeine, a phenol, a glycoside, a labdane diterpenoid, yohimbine, a proanthocyanidin, terpene glycoside, an omega fatty acid, echinacoside, an alkaloid, isovaleric acid, a terpene, gamma-aminobutyric acid, a senna glycoside, cinnamaldehyde, or Vitamin D.","20. The method of claim 1, wherein the vaporizable material comprises a nicotine salt, glycerin, and propylene glycol.","21. The method of claim 1, wherein the vaporized dose predictor unit is part of a controller.","22. The method of claim 1, wherein summing the calculated partial doses in the vaporized dose predictor unit comprises aggregating them as each partial dose is calculated.","23. A method of determining a dose of a vaporizable material delivered to a user of a vaporizing device over a time period, wherein the time period comprises a plurality of sequential time intervals, and wherein the vaporizing device includes a heater controller, a heater, a source of the vaporizable material and a vaporized dose predictor unit, the method comprising:\ntransmitting a power delivered by the heater controller to the heater at each of the plurality of sequential time intervals from the power controller to the vaporized dose predictor unit;\ncalculating, for each of the sequential time intervals, a partial dose, wherein the partial dose is calculated from the power delivered by the heater controller to the heater to vaporize the vaporizable material during each of the plurality of sequential time intervals, a temperature of the vaporizable material being vaporized during each of the plurality of sequential time intervals, and a temperature of the vaporizable material being vaporized before each of the plurality of sequential time intervals; and\nsumming the calculated partial doses in the vaporized dose predictor unit to determine a total dose of vapor delivered during the time period.","24. The method of claim 23, further comprising transmitting the temperature of the vaporizable materials being vaporized during each of the plurality of sequential time intervals from the power controller to the vaporized dose predictor unit.","25. A method of determining a dose of a vaporizable material delivered to a user of a vaporizing device over a time period, wherein the time period comprises a plurality of sequential time intervals, and wherein the vaporizing device includes a heater controller, a heater, a source of the vaporizable material including an active ingredient, and a vaporized dose predictor unit, the method comprising:\ncalculating, for each of the sequential time intervals, a partial dose, wherein the partial dose is calculated from a power delivered by the heater controller to the heater to vaporize the vaporizable material during a partial dose time interval, a temperature of the vaporizable material being vaporized during the partial dose time interval, and a temperature of the vaporizable material being vaporized immediately before the partial dose time interval;\nsumming the calculated partial doses in the vaporized dose predictor unit to determine a total dose of vapor delivered during the time period; and\ndetermining an amount of active ingredient delivered to the user based on the total dose of vapor delivered."],"string":"[\n \"1. A method of determining a dose of a vaporizable material delivered to a user of a vaporizing device over a time period, wherein the time period comprises a plurality of sequential time intervals, and wherein the vaporizing device includes a heater controller, a heater, a source of the vaporizable material and a vaporized dose predictor unit, the method comprising:\\ncalculating, for each of the sequential time intervals, a partial dose, wherein the partial dose is calculated from a power delivered by the heater controller to the heater to vaporize the vaporizable material during a partial dose time interval, a temperature of the vaporizable material being vaporized during the partial dose time interval, and a temperature of the vaporizable material being vaporized before the partial dose time interval; and\\nsumming the calculated partial doses in the vaporized dose predictor unit to determine a total dose of vapor delivered during the time period.\",\n \"2. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining an amount of active ingredient delivered to the user based on the total dose of vapor delivered.\",\n \"3. The method of claim 1, wherein calculating further comprises determining a change in temperature (ΔT) of the vaporizable material being vaporized for each of the sequential time intervals relative the temperature of the vaporizable material being vaporized.\",\n \"4. The method of claim 1, wherein the sequential time intervals are between about 200 msec and about 10 msec.\",\n \"5. The method of claim 1, wherein calculating, for each of the sequential time intervals, a partial dose is further based upon a latent heat and a specific heat of the material.\",\n \"6. The method of claim 1, wherein calculating, for each of the sequential time intervals, a partial dose comprises subtracting from a first constant times the power delivered by the heater controller to the heater to vaporize the vaporizable material during the partial dose time interval, a second constant times the temperature of the vaporizable material being vaporized during the partial dose time interval and a third constant times the temperature of the vaporizable material being vaporized before the partial dose time interval.\",\n \"7. The method of claim 1, wherein calculating the partial dose using the temperature of the vaporizable material being vaporized during the partial dose time interval and the temperature of the vaporizable material being vaporized before the partial dose time interval comprises using an electrical property of the heater that is proportional to the temperature of the heater as the temperature of the vaporizable material being vaporized during the partial dose time interval.\",\n \"8. The method of claim 1, further comprising alerting the user when the total dose of vapor delivered during the time period meets or exceeds a preset threshold.\",\n \"9. The method of claim 1, further comprising disabling the device when the total dose of vapor delivered during the time period meets or exceeds a preset threshold.\",\n \"10. The method of claim 1, further comprising calculating and displaying a cumulative total dose of vapor delivered over a session period that includes the time period.\",\n \"11. The method of claim 1, further comprising detecting a user's puff on the vaporizer device, wherein the time period corresponds to a duration of the detected user's puff.\",\n \"12. The method of claim 1, wherein the vaporizable material is a liquid.\",\n \"13. The method of claim 1, wherein the vaporizable material comprises a tobacco-based material.\",\n \"14. The method of claim 1, wherein the vaporizable material comprises a botanical.\",\n \"15. The method of claim 1, wherein the vaporizable material comprises a nicotine compound.\",\n \"16. The method of claim 1, wherein the vaporizable material comprises a cannabinoid.\",\n \"17. The method of claim 1, wherein the vaporizable material comprises one or more of: cetirizine, ibuprofen, naproxen, omeprazole, doxylamine, diphenhydramine, melatonin, or meclizine.\",\n \"18. The method of claim 1, wherein the vaporizable material comprises one or more of: albuterol, levalbuterol, pirbuterol, salmeterol, formoterol, atropine sulfate, ipratropium bromide, fluticasone, budesonide, mometasone, montelukast, zafirlukast, theophylline, fluticasone and salmeterol, budesonide and formoterol, or mometasone and formoterol.\",\n \"19. The method of claim 1, wherein the vaporizable material comprises one or more of: a polyphonel, a green tea catechin, caffeine, a phenol, a glycoside, a labdane diterpenoid, yohimbine, a proanthocyanidin, terpene glycoside, an omega fatty acid, echinacoside, an alkaloid, isovaleric acid, a terpene, gamma-aminobutyric acid, a senna glycoside, cinnamaldehyde, or Vitamin D.\",\n \"20. The method of claim 1, wherein the vaporizable material comprises a nicotine salt, glycerin, and propylene glycol.\",\n \"21. The method of claim 1, wherein the vaporized dose predictor unit is part of a controller.\",\n \"22. The method of claim 1, wherein summing the calculated partial doses in the vaporized dose predictor unit comprises aggregating them as each partial dose is calculated.\",\n \"23. A method of determining a dose of a vaporizable material delivered to a user of a vaporizing device over a time period, wherein the time period comprises a plurality of sequential time intervals, and wherein the vaporizing device includes a heater controller, a heater, a source of the vaporizable material and a vaporized dose predictor unit, the method comprising:\\ntransmitting a power delivered by the heater controller to the heater at each of the plurality of sequential time intervals from the power controller to the vaporized dose predictor unit;\\ncalculating, for each of the sequential time intervals, a partial dose, wherein the partial dose is calculated from the power delivered by the heater controller to the heater to vaporize the vaporizable material during each of the plurality of sequential time intervals, a temperature of the vaporizable material being vaporized during each of the plurality of sequential time intervals, and a temperature of the vaporizable material being vaporized before each of the plurality of sequential time intervals; and\\nsumming the calculated partial doses in the vaporized dose predictor unit to determine a total dose of vapor delivered during the time period.\",\n \"24. The method of claim 23, further comprising transmitting the temperature of the vaporizable materials being vaporized during each of the plurality of sequential time intervals from the power controller to the vaporized dose predictor unit.\",\n \"25. A method of determining a dose of a vaporizable material delivered to a user of a vaporizing device over a time period, wherein the time period comprises a plurality of sequential time intervals, and wherein the vaporizing device includes a heater controller, a heater, a source of the vaporizable material including an active ingredient, and a vaporized dose predictor unit, the method comprising:\\ncalculating, for each of the sequential time intervals, a partial dose, wherein the partial dose is calculated from a power delivered by the heater controller to the heater to vaporize the vaporizable material during a partial dose time interval, a temperature of the vaporizable material being vaporized during the partial dose time interval, and a temperature of the vaporizable material being vaporized immediately before the partial dose time interval;\\nsumming the calculated partial doses in the vaporized dose predictor unit to determine a total dose of vapor delivered during the time period; and\\ndetermining an amount of active ingredient delivered to the user based on the total dose of vapor delivered.\"\n]"},"hard_negatives":{"kind":"list like","value":[["1. In a cigarette testing device for detecting flaws in the wrappers of filter-tipped cigarettes including means producing a pressure differential between the inside and outside of the wrapper of each cigarette in turn at a testing station to induce an air flow through the wrapper and means to detect any leaks in the wrapper produced by the said differential pressure, the improvement comprising means for applying a full pressure differential in the region of the joint between the filter and the smokable part of each cigarette, and reducing means for applying a reduced pressure differential in a selected region occupied substantially entirely by at least part of the smokable part of the cigarette.","2. A cigarette testing device according to claim 1 in which each cigarette is carried during testing by a fluted drum, and in which the means for reducing the pressure differential along part of the wrapper comprises a number of pressure-reducing members carried by a second drum arranged adjacent said fluted drum so that one of the pressure-reducing members lies adjacent to each cigarette during testing, said testing station being situated between the two drums.","3. A cigarette testing device according to claim 2 in which each pressure-reducing member forms part of an assembly which includes part of the fluted drum and which closely surrounds part of the cigarette at the testing station so as to reduce the flow of air through the part of the cigarette wrapper which is thus closely surrounded.","4. A cigarette testing device according to claim 2 in which the pressure differential is produced by means of suction in an annular chamber around the cigarette at the testing station, the annular chamber being defined by the two drums, and the suction being connected to each annular chamber at the testing station via a suction space in the second drum.","5. A cigarette testing device according to claim 4 in which each pressure-reducing member comprises a part which restricts free communication between the suction space and the annular space to a slot in the second drum in the region of the joint between the filter and the smokable part of the corresponding cigarette.","6. A method of testing filter-tipped cigarettes comprising the steps of producing a pressure differential between the inside and outside of the wrapper of each cigarette in turn to induce an air flow through the wrapper to detect leaks in the wrapper, selectively varying the pressure differential along the length of the wrapper so that the pressure differential is greatest in the region of the joint between the filter and the smokable part ofthe cigarette and is relatively less in other regions, whereby variations in the rate of air flow through the wrapper caused by variations in the porosity of the wrapper are minimized.","7. Apparatus for testing filter-tipped cigarettes each comprising a filter portion joined to one end of a tobacco portion including a wrapper, the apparatus comprising: a. means for carrying the cigarettes successively through a testing station; b. means for forming an enclosure around each cigarette in turn while at the testing station, whereby an annular space is formed between the cigarette and the enclosure, the annular space extending over the joint between the tobacco and filter portions and also over at least part of the tobacco portion; c. means for producing a pressure differential between the annular space and the interior of the cigarette to induce an air flow to test for the presence of any leaks; and d. means for varying the pressure at different points along the annular space whereby the said pressure differential is greater in the region of the joint than it is in the region of the tobacco portion.","8. Apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising means defining a slot for feeding suction to the annular space, the said means for varying the pressure comprising means for restricting the flow of air into the slot from the part of the annular space which extends over the tobacco portion of the cigarette."],["1. A method of making a continuous body of fibrous material, particularly for subdivision into rod-shaped articles of predetermined length, comprising the steps of advancing a continuous tow of fibrous material along a predetermined path including transporting the tow by an endless belt the thickness of which decreases as a result of wear; gradually condensing the running tow in a predetermined portion of said path to thus convert the tow into a rod-like filler; measuring a characteristic of the filler and generating first signals denoting the measured characteristic; monitoring the thickness of the belt and generating second signals denoting the monitored thickness; and modifying said first signals as a function of said second signals.","2. The method of claim 1, wherein said measuring step includes measuring a characteristic of the filler in said predetermined portion of said path.","3. The method of claim 1, wherein said measuring step includes ascertaining the resistance which the filler offers to the flow of a gaseous fluid therethrough.","4. The method of claim 3, wherein said modifying step includes correcting said first signals to denote a higher resistance to the flow of gaseous fluid in response to decreasing thickness of the belt.","5. The method of claim 1, wherein the tow contains filamentary filter material.","6. The method of claim 5, further comprising the step of draping the filler into a web of wrapping material to convert the web and the filler into a continuous filter rod.","7. The method of claim 6, wherein said draping step is carried out in said portion of said path.","8. Apparatus for making a continuous body of fibrous material, particularly for subdivision into rod-shaped articles of predetermined length, comprising means for advancing a continuous tow of fibrous material along a predetermined path, including an endless belt the thickness of which decreases as a result of wear; means for gradually condensing the tow in a predetermined portion of said path to thus convert the tow into a rod-like filler; means for measuring a characteristic of the filler, including means for generating first signals denoting the measured characteristic; means for monitoring the thickness of said belt, including means for generating second signals denoting the monitored thickness of the belt; and means for modifying said first signals as a function of said second signals.","9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said measuring means includes means for measuring said characteristic of the filler in said portion of said path.","10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said belt includes a portion which advances the fibrous material along said portion of said path.","11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said measuring means includes means for measuring the resistance which the filler offers to the flow of a gaseous fluid therethrough.","12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said modifying means includes means for correcting said first signals to denote a higher resistance to the flow of a gaseous fluid in response to decreasing thickness of the belt.","13. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said means for generating second signals includes a displacement measuring device.","14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said monitoring means further comprises a first guide at one side of said belt and a mobile second guide at the other side of said belt opposite said first guide, said second guide being arranged to move toward said first guide in response to decreasing thickness of the belt and said device being arranged to generate second signals which vary in response to movement of said second guide toward said first guide.","15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said monitoring means further comprises means for biasing said second guide toward said first guide.","16. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said measuring means includes means for measuring the resistance which the filler offers to the flow of a gaseous fluid and said resistance measuring means includes a source of pressurized fluid, said condensing means having an inlet connected with said source and arranged to direct a stream of fluid against fibrous material in said portion of said path.","17. The apparatus of claim 8, for making a continuous filter rod, further comprising means for draping the filler into a web of wrapping material.","18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said draping means includes said belt.","19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said draping means includes said condensing means."],["1. A filtered smoking article inspection system for a smoking article comprising a filter element having a mouth end terminus and a smokable rod having a lighting end terminus opposite from the filter element, the mouth end terminus and the lighting end terminus extending substantially perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of the smoking article, the smokable rod including a smokable material having a circumscribing outer layer of a wrapping material, the smokable rod and filter element being serially secured to each other by a tipping material circumscribing the filter element along a longitudinal periphery thereof and the smokable rod along a portion of a longitudinal periphery thereof adjacent to the filter element, said inspection system comprising:\na transport device configured to transport individual as-formed smoking articles from a first position to a second position such that the tipping material associated with each smoking article is accessible at least about the portion of the longitudinal periphery of the smoking article, the transport device configured to engage at least one of the mouth end terminus of the filter element and the lighting end terminus of the smokable rod of the smoking article to support the smoking article during movement from the first position to the second position without contacting any part of the longitudinal periphery of the smoking article; and\nan inspection device operably engaged with the transport device and configured to optically inspect each smoking article at least about the portion of the longitudinal periphery of the smoking article having the tipping material as the smoking article is transported between the first and second positions, the inspection device being configured to automatically determine from the optical inspection whether the inspected smoking article is defective;\nwherein the inspection device is further configured to determine whether a defect exists in the smoking articles from the optical inspection thereof, the defect being determined according to whether the tipping material is misaligned with respect to the smoking article, whether the wrapping material is misaligned with respect to the smokable material, whether one of the tipping material and the wrapping material is wrinkled, whether one of the tipping material and the wrapping material is visibly contaminated, whether one of the tipping material and the wrapping material corresponds to a specified material, whether multiple units of the tipping material have been applied to the smoking article, whether multiple units of the wrapping material have been applied to the smokable material, whether the tipping material is adhered as specified about the smoking article, whether the wrapping material is adhered as specified about the smokable material, whether the tipping material is rolled over itself along the portion of the longitudinal periphery of the smoking article, whether the tobacco rod is secured to the filter element by the tipping material, whether the tipping material extends at least along the portion of the longitudinal periphery of the smokable rod as specified, whether the wrapping material has been punctured to expose the smokable material, and whether adhesive securing one of the tipping material about the smoking article and the wrapping material about the smokable material is exposed.","2. A system according to claim 1, further comprising a rotation device operably engaged with the transport device, the rotation device being configured to rotate the smoking article about the longitudinal axis thereof so as to allow the inspection device to inspect the smoking article at least about the portion of the longitudinal periphery of the smoking article having the tipping material.","3. A system according to claim 1, wherein the inspection device comprises an imaging device configured to capture at least one image of each smoking article, at least about the portion of the longitudinal periphery of the smoking article having the tipping material, as the smoking article is transported between the first and second positions.","4. A system according to claim 3, further comprising a display terminal operably engaged with the imaging device and configured to display the at least one image of each smoking article.","5. A system according to claim 3, wherein the inspection device further comprises a computer device configured to automatically process the at least one image from the imaging device to determine whether the inspected smoking article is defective.","6. A system according to claim 1, further comprising a selection device operably engaged with the transport device, the selection device being responsive to the inspection device to remove any smoking article determined to be defective by the inspection device.","7. A system according to claim 1, wherein the smoking article is supported by engagement of the transport device with only the mouth end terminus.","8. A system according to claim 1, wherein the smoking article is supported by engagement of the transport device with only the lighting end terminus.","9. A system according to claim 1, wherein the transport device comprises one or more contact members configured to engage at least one of the mouth end terminus of the filter element and the lighting end terminus of the smokable rod of the smoking and respectively rotate about a rotational axis that is substantially coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the smoking article engaged therewith.","10. A system according to claim 1 wherein the inspection device is configured to determine, from the optical inspection of each smoking article, whether the smoking article corresponds to a non-defective smoking article.","11. A system according to claim 1, wherein the transport device includes a rotatable cylinder configured to retain an individual smoking article about an outer surface thereof as the smoking article is transported between the first and second positions.","12. A system according to claim 11, wherein the inspection device further comprises an imaging device disposed adjacent to the rotatable cylinder, and wherein the imaging device is configured to optically inspect each smoking article at least about the portion of the longitudinal periphery of the smoking article having the tipping material as the smoking article is transported therepast upon rotation of the cylinder.","13. A method of inspecting a smoking article comprising a filter element having a mouth end terminus and a smokable rod having a lighting end terminus opposite from the filter element, the mouth end terminus and the lighting end terminus extending substantially perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of the smoking article, the smokable rod including a smokable material having a circumscribing outer layer of a wrapping material, the smokable rod and filter element being serially secured to each other by a tipping material circumscribing the filter element along a longitudinal periphery thereof and the smokable rod along a portion of a longitudinal periphery thereof adjacent to the filter element, said method comprising:\ntransporting individual as-formed smoking articles from a first position to a second position with a transport device such that the tipping material associated with each smoking article is accessible at least about the portion of the longitudinal periphery of the smoking article by engaging at least one of the mouth end terminus of the filter element and the lighting end terminus of the smokable rod of the smoking article with the transport device to support the smoking article during movement from the first position to the second position without contacting any part of the longitudinal periphery of the smoking article;\noptically inspecting each smoking article with an inspection device, at least about the portion of the longitudinal periphery of the smoking article having the tipping material, as the smoking article is transported between the first and second positions, and automatically determining whether the inspected smoking article is defective, with the inspection device, from the optical inspection thereof; and\ndetermining whether a defect exists in the smoking articles from the optical inspection thereof, the defect being determined according to whether the tipping material is misaligned with respect to the smoking article, whether the wrapping material is misaligned with respect to the smokable material, whether one of the tipping material and the wrapping material is wrinkled, whether one of the tipping material and the wrapping material is visibly contaminated, whether one of the tipping material and the wrapping material corresponds to a specified material, whether multiple units of the tipping material have been applied to the smoking article, whether multiple units of the wrapping material have been applied to the smokable material, whether the tipping material is adhered as specified about the smoking article, whether the wrapping material is adhered as specified about the smokable material, whether the tipping material is rolled over itself along the portion of the longitudinal periphery of the smoking article, whether the tobacco rod is secured to the filter element by the tipping material, whether the tipping material extends at least along the portion of the longitudinal periphery of the smokable rod as specified, whether the wrapping material has been punctured to expose the smokable material, and whether adhesive securing one of the tipping material about the smoking article and the wrapping material about the smokable material is exposed.","14. A method according to claim 13, further comprising rotating the smoking article about the longitudinal axis thereof with a rotation device operably engaged with the transport device so as to allow the inspection device to inspect the smoking article at least about the portion of the longitudinal periphery of the smoking article having the tipping material.","15. A method according to claim 13, further comprising capturing at least one image of each smoking article with an imaging device, at least about the portion of the longitudinal periphery of the smoking article having the tipping material, as the smoking article is transported between the first and second positions.","16. A method according to claim 15, further comprising displaying the at least one image of each smoking article on a display terminal operably engaged with the imaging device.","17. A method according to claim 15, further comprising automatically processing the at least one image from the imaging device with a computer device to determine whether the inspected smoking article is defective.","18. A method according to claim 13, further comprising removing any smoking article determined to be defective with a selection device operably engaged with the transport device, in response to the determination thereof by the inspection device.","19. A method according to claim 13 further comprising determining, from the optical inspection of each smoking article, whether the smoking article corresponds to a non-defective smoking article.","20. A method according to claim 13, wherein the transport device includes a rotatable cylinder, and the method further comprises retaining an individual smoking article about an outer surface of the rotatable cylinder as the smoking article is transported between the first and second positions.","21. A method according to claim 20, wherein the inspection device further comprises an imaging device disposed adjacent to the rotatable cylinder, and the method further comprises optically inspecting each smoking article with the imaging device, at least about the portion of the longitudinal periphery of the smoking article having the tipping material, as the smoking article is transported therepast upon rotation of the cylinder.","22. A method according to claim 13, wherein engaging at least one of the mouth end terminus of the filter element and the lighting end terminus of the smokable rod of the smoking article comprises engaging only the mouth end terminus.","23. A method according to claim 13, wherein engaging at least one of the mouth end terminus of the filter element and the lighting end terminus of the smokable rod of the smoking article comprises engaging only the lighting end terminus.","24. A method according to claim 13, wherein engaging at least one of the mouth end terminus of the filter element and the lighting end terminus of the smokable rod of the smoking article comprises engaging at least one of the mouth end terminus of the filter element and the lighting end terminus of the smokable rod of the smoking article with one or more contact members and respectively rotating the contact members about a rotational axis that is substantially coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the smoking article engaged therewith."],["1. A method of ascertaining the density of at least one stream of fibrous material of the tobacco processing industry, which in addition to density exhibits at least one further variable characteristic including the color and composition of its constituents, comprising the steps of directing at the stream at least one beam of radiation which is capable of penetrating through the stream whereby the intensity of radiation which has penetrated through the stream denotes the density of the stream, said directing step comprising pointing at the stream at least one beam of a first radiation which is influenced by the at least one further characteristic in a first manner and pointing at the stream at least one beam of a second radiation which is influenced by the at least one further characteristic in a different second manner; and generating at least one density signal which is indicative of said intensity, said generating step including generating at least one first density signal indicative of the intensity of first radiation which has penetrated through the stream and generating at least one second density signal indicative of the intensity of second radiation which has penetrated through the stream.","2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of modifying one of said first and second density signals by the other of said first and second signals to at least substantially eliminate the influence of said further characteristic upon one of said modified signals.","3. The method of claim 1, wherein said first radiation is a nuclear radiation.","4. The method of claim 1, wherein said first radiation includes X-rays.","5. The method of claim 1, wherein said second radiation is an optical radiation.","6. The method of claim 5, wherein said optical radiation includes infrared radiation.","7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of forming the stream with a surplus of fibrous material, conveying the stream longitudinally in a predetermined direction along a predetermined path, modifying one of said first and second density signals by the other of said first and second density signals to at least substantially eliminate the influence of said further characteristic upon one of said modified signals, removing the surplus from the stream in a predetermined portion of said path at a rate which is a function of one of said modified signals, and draping the stream into a web of wrapping material in a second portion of said path downstream of said predetermined portion.","8. The method of claim 7, wherein said first radiation is nuclear radiation and said radiation is optical radiation, said second signal being one of said modified signals.","9. Apparatus for processing at least one stream of fibrous material of the tobacco processing industry, which in addition to density exhibits at least one further variable characteristic including the color and composition of its constituents, comprising density monitoring means including means for directing at the at least one stream at least one beam of radiation which is capable of penetrating through the stream whereby the intensity of radiation which has penetrated through the stream denotes the density of the stream, and means for generating at least one density signal which is indicative of said density, said directing means comprising means for pointing at the at least one stream at least one beam of a first radiation which is influenced by the at least one further characteristic in a first manner and means for pointing at the at least one stream at least one beam of a second radiation which is influenced by the at least one further characteristic in a different second manner, said signal generating means comprising a device for generating at least one first density signal indicative of the intensity of first radiation which has penetrated through the stream and a device for generating at least one second density signal indicative of the intensity of second radiation which has penetrated through the stream.","10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising means for evaluating said first and second density signals, said evaluating means including means for modifying one of said first and second density signals by the other of said first and second density signals to at least substantially eliminate the influence of said at least one further characteristic upon one of said modified signals.","11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein one of said pointing means includes a source of nuclear radiation.","12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein one of said pointing means includes a source of X-rays.","13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein at least one of said pointing means includes a source of optical radiation.","14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein at least one of said pointing means includes a source of infrared light.","15. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein one of said pointing means includes a source of nuclear radiation and another of said pointing means includes a source of optical radiation, and further comprising means for evaluating said first and second density signals including means for modifying the signal denoting the intensity of optical radiation by the signal denoting the intensity of nuclear radiation.","16. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein one of said pointing means includes a source of nuclear radiation and the other of said pointing means includes a source of optical radiation, and further comprising means for forming the at least one stream with a surplus of fibrous material, means for conveying the stream and its surplus in a predetermined direction along a predetermined path, adjustable trimming means including means for removing the surplus in a predetermined portion of said path, means for evaluating said first and second density signals including means for modifying the signal denoting the intensity of optical radiation by the signal denoting the intensity of nuclear radiation, and means for adjusting said trimming means by the modified signal.","17. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising means for adjusting said trimming means by the signal denoting the intensity of nuclear radiation so that the adjustment by said modified signal is superimposed upon adjustment by the signal denoting the intensity of nuclear radiation.","18. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising means for forming the at least one stream with a surplus of fibrous material, means for conveying the stream and its surplus in a predetermined direction along a predetermined path, and trimming means including means for removing the surplus in a predetermined portion of said path, one of said pointing means including a first source of optical radiation which is aimed at the stream upstream of said predetermined portion of the path and the other of said pointing means including a second source of optical radiation which is aimed at the stream downstream of said predetermined portion of the path, and further comprising means for evaluating the signals denoting the intensities of optical radiation from said first and second sources of optical radiation and for generating an additional signal denoting the quantity of surplus which is removed in said predetermined portion of the path.","19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said directing means further comprises means for pointing at the stream at least one beam of nuclear radiation and said signal generating means further comprises a device for generating at least one third density signal indicative of the intensity of nuclear radiation which has penetrated through the stream, said evaluating means further comprising means for modifying at least one of the signals denoting intensities of optical radiation by the signal denoting the intensity of nuclear radiation.","20. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising means for forming at least two discrete streams and means for conveying said streams longitudinally along separate paths, one of said pointing means including a source of nuclear radiation which is aimed at one of the streams and the other of said pointing means including a discrete source of optical radiation for each of said streams and each aimed at the respective stream, one of said devices for generating at least one density signal including means for generating at least one first density signal denoting the intensity of nuclear radiation which has penetrated through the one stream and the other of said devices for generating at least one density signal including means for generating said second density signals each denoting the intensity of optical radiation which has penetrated through the respective stream, and further comprising means for evaluating said first and second density signals including means for modifying the signals denoting the intensities of optical radiation by the signal denoting the intensity of nuclear radiation to at least substantially eliminate the influence of said at least one further characteristic upon the signals denoting the intensities of optical radiation.","21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein said forming means includes means for forming discrete streams each of which contains a surplus of fibrous material and further comprising adjustable trimming means for each of the streams, each of said trimming means including means for removing the surplus from the respective stream in a predetermined portion of the corresponding path and further comprising means for adjusting each of said trimming means by the respective modified signals.","22. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising means for forming at least two discrete streams, means for conveying the streams longitudinally in predetermined directions along predetermined paths, means for draping the streams into discrete webs of wrapping material in predetermined portions of the respective paths, and means for subdividing each of the draped streams into a series of rod-shaped articles downstream of the predetermined portions of the respective paths, one of said pointing means including means for aiming at least one beam of nuclear radiation upon successive articles which are obtained as a result of subdivision of at least one of the draped streams and the other of said pointing means including means for aiming at least one discrete beam of optical radiation at each of the streams, one of said devices for generating at least one density signal including means for generating first density signals denoting the intensity of nuclear radiation which has penetrated through the rod-shaped articles and the other of said, devices for generating at least one density signal including means for generating second density signal denoting the intensities of optical radiations which have passed through the stream, and further comprising means for evaluating said first and second density signals by said modifying at least one of said second density signals by said first density signals to at least substantially eliminate the influence of said at least one further characteristic upon one of said modified second density signals.","23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said evaluating means further comprises means for modifying the second density signals denoting the density of the stream yielding rod-shaped articles which are traversed by the beam of nuclear radiation.","24. A method of ascertaining the density of at least one stream of fibrous material of the tobacco processing industry, comprising the steps of forming the stream with a surplus of fibrous material; conveying the stream longitudinally in a predetermined direction along a predetermined path; directing at the stream at least one beam of radiation which is capable of penetrating through the stream whereby the intensity of radiation which has penetrated through the stream denotes the density of the stream, said directing step including pointing at least one first beam of optical radiation at the stream in a first portion of said path and pointing at least one second beam of optical radiation at the stream in a second portion of said path; generating at least one density signal which is indicative of said intensity, including generating at least one first density signal indicative of optical radiation which has penetrated across said first portion of said path and at least one second density signal indicative of optical radiation which has penetrated across the second portion of said path; removing the surplus from the stream in a third portion of said path between said first and second portions of said path; and processing said first and second density signals to form an additional signal denoting the quantity of removed surplus.","25. The method of claim 24, wherein said directing step further includes pointing at the stream in said path at least one beam of nuclear radiation which is influenced by at least one further characteristic of the stream in a way other than the said first and second beams of optical radiation, said generating step including generating at least one third density signal indicative of nuclear radiation which has penetrated across said path, and further comprising the step of correcting at least one of said first and second density signals to at least substantially eliminate the influence of said at least one further characteristic upon at least one of said first and second density signals.","26. A method of ascertaining the density of plural streams of fibrous material of the tobacco processing industry, which in addition to density exhibit at least one further variable characteristic including the color and composition of their constituents, comprising the steps of conveying at least one first stream longitudinally along a first predetermined path; forming at least one second stream of fibrous material; conveying the second stream longitudinally along a second predetermined path; directing at said streams beams of radiation which is capable of penetrating through the streams whereby the intensity of radiation which has penetrated through the streams denotes the density of the respective streams, said directing step comprising pointing at the stream in at least one of said paths at least one beam of nuclear radiation which is influenced by the at least one further characteristic in a first manner and pointing against each of said streams at least one beam of optical radiation which is influenced by the at least one further characteristic in a different second manner; generating density signals which are indicative of the density of said streams, including generating a first density signal indicative of the intensity of nuclear radiation which has penetrated through the stream in said at least one path, generating a first second density signal indicative of the intensity of optical radiation which has penetrated through said at least one first stream and generating a second second density signal indicative of the intensity of optical radiation which has penetrated through said at least one second stream; and modifying said first and second second density signals by said first density signal to at least substantially eliminate the influence of said at least one further characteristic upon said first and second second density signals.","27. The method of claim 26, further comprising the step of draping the streams into discrete strips of wrapping material.","28. A method of ascertaining the density of plural streams of fibrous material of the tobacco processing industry, which in addition to density exhibit at least one further variable characteristic including the color and composition of their constituents, comprising the steps of conveying at least one first stream longitudinally along a first predetermined path; forming at least one second stream of fibrous material; conveying the second stream longitudinally along a second predetermined path; draping the streams into discrete strips of wrapping material; subdividing at least one of the draped streams into a succession of discrete rod-shaped articles; directing at said streams beams of radiation which is capable of penetrating through the streams whereby the intensity of radiation which has penetrated through the streams denotes the density of the respective streams, including pointing at the discrete articles at least one beam of nuclear radiation which is influenced by said at least one further characteristic in a first manner and pointing at each of said streams at least one beam of optical radiation which is influenced by said at least one further characteristic in a different second manner; generating density signals which are indicative of the density of said streams, including generating a first density signal indicative of the intensity of nuclear radiation which has penetrated through the discrete articles, generating a first second density signal indicative of the intensity of optical radiation which has penetrated through said at least one first stream and generating a second second density signal indicative of the intensity of optical radiation which has penetrated through said at least one second stream; and modifying at least one of said first and second density second signals by said first density signals to at least substantially eliminate the influence of said at least one further characteristic upon said at least one second density signal.","29. The method of claim 28, further comprising the step of transporting said discrete articles substantially at right angles to their respective longitudinal axes.","30. The method of claim 28, wherein aid modified step includes correcting said second signals denoting the density of the stream, said stream is subdivided into rod-shaped articles.","31. The method of claim 30, wherein subdividing step includes severing said at least one draped stream in a predetermined portion of the respective path so that the severed stream yields a file of successive rod-shaped articles, and further comprising the step of transporting successive rod-shaped articles of the file transversely of their respective longitudinal axes in the form of a row of at least substantially parallel rod-shaped articles.","32. A method of ascertaining the density of at least one stream of fibrous material of the tobacco processing industry, stream, which in addition to density exhibits a variable color, comprising the steps of directing at the stream at least one beam of radiation which is capable of penetrating through the stream whereby the intensity of radiation which has penetrated through the stream denotes the density of the stream, including pointing at the stream at least one beam of a first radiation which is influenced by color changes of the stream in a first manner and pointing at the stream at least one beam of second radiation which is influenced by color changes of the stream in a different second manner; generating at least one density signal which is indicative of said intensity, including generating at least one first density signal indicative of the intensity of first radiation which has penetrated through the stream and generating at least one second density signal indicative of the intensity of second radiation which has penetrated through the stream; and modifying one of said first and second density signals by the other of said first and second density signals to at least substantially eliminate the influence of color changes upon one of said modified signals.","33. A method of ascertaining the density of at least one stream of fibrous material of the tobacco processing industry, which in addition to density exhibits a variable composition including different blends of fibrous material, comprising the steps of directing at the stream at least one beam of radiation which is capable of penetrating through the stream whereby the intensity of radiation which has penetrated through the stream denotes the density of the stream, including pointing at the stream at least one beam of a first radiation which is influenced by composition changes of the stream in a first manner and pointing at the stream at least one beam of a second radiation which is influenced by composition changes of the stream in a different second manner; generating at least one density signal which is indicative of said density, including generating at least one first density signal indicative of the intensity of first radiation which has penetrated through the stream and generating at least one second density signal indicative of the intensity of second radiation which has penetrated through the stream; and modifying one of said first and second density signals to at least substantially eliminate the influence of composition changes upon one of said modified signals.","34. A method of ascertaining the density of at least one stream of fibrous material of the tobacco processing industry, which in addition to density exhibits at least one further variable characteristic including color and composition of its constituents, comprising the steps of continuously building at least one stream in a first portion of a predetermined path so that the stream contains a surplus of fibrous material; conveying the at least one stream longitudinally in a predetermined direction along said path; directing at the at least one stream at least one beam of radiation which is capable of penetrating through the at least one stream whereby the intensity of radiation which has penetrated through the at least one stream denotes the density of the at least one stream, including pointing at the at least one stream at least one beam of nuclear radiation which is influenced by the at least one further characteristic in a first manner and pointing at the at least one stream a beam of optical radiation which is influenced by the at least one further characteristic in a different second manner; generating at least one density signal which is indicative of said intensity, including generating at least one first density signal indicative of the intensity of nuclear radiation which has penetrated through the at least one stream and generating at least one second density signal indicative of the intensity of optical radiation which has penetrated through the at least one stream; removing the surplus in a second portion of said path downstream of said first portion in dependency upon said first density signal; and modifying said second density signal by said first density signal to at least substantially eliminate the influence of the at least one further characteristic from the modified second density signal, said surplus removing step further including regulating the rate of surplus removal in dependency upon the modified second density signal.","35. A method of ascertaining the density of at least one stream of fibrous material of the tobacco processing industry, comprising the steps of forming at least one stream with a surplus of fibrous material; conveying the at least one stream longitudinally in a predetermined direction along a predetermined path; removing the surplus from the at least one stream in a first portion of said path; draping the at least one stream into a strip of wrapping material in a second portion of said path downstream of said first portion; subdividing the draped at least one stream into rod-shaped articles; directing at the at least one stream at least one beam of radiation which is capable of penetrating through the at least one stream whereby the intensity of radiation which has penetrated through the at least one stream denotes the density of the at least one stream, including pointing at successive increments of the at least one stream in said path at least one beam of optical radiation; generating at least one density signal which is indicative of said intensity, including gene rating a series of signals denoting the densities of successive increments of the at least one stream; comparing the signals of said series with a reference signal denoting a predetermined range of acceptable densities; and utilizing the signals which are outside of said range to segregate the respective rod-shaped articles from the remaining rod-shaped articles.","36. Apparatus for processing at least one stream of the tobacco processing industry, comprising means for conveying the at least one stream along a predetermined path; and density monitoring means including means for directing at the at least one stream at least one beam of radiation which is capable of penetrating through the at least one stream whereby the intensity of radiation which has penetrated through the at least one stream denotes the density of the at least one stream, and means for generating at least one density signal which is indicative of said intensity, said directing means including at least one source of optical radiation which is aimed at the at least one stream at one side of said path so that the radiation penetrates through the at least one stream and through the conveying means, said signal generating means including a device for generating at least one density signal indicative of optical radiation which has penetrated through the at least one stream and through said conveying means, said device being disposed at the other side of said path.","37. Apparatus for processing at least one stream of fibrous material of the tobacco processing industry, comprising density monitoring means including means for directing at the at least one stream at least one beam of radiation which is capable of penetrating through the at least one stream whereby the intensity of radiation which has penetrated through the at least one stream denotes the density of the at least one stream, and means for generating at least one density signal which is indicative of said intensity, said signal generating means including an optoelectronic transducer and said directing means including several sources of radiation each arranged to point a beam of radiation at the at least one stream so that the radiation which has penetrated through the at least one stream impinges upon said transducer.","38. Apparatus for processing at least one stream of fibrous material of the tobacco processing industry, comprising means for forming the at least one stream with a surplus of fibrous material; means for conveying the at least one stream and its surplus in a predetermined direction along a predetermined path; adjustable means for removing the surplus in a predetermined portion of said path; means for subdividing the stream into rod-shaped articles downstream of the predetermined portion of said path; density monitoring means including means for directing at the at least one stream at least one beam of radiation which is capable of penetrating through the at least one stream whereby the intensity of radiation which has penetrated through the at least one stream denotes the density of the at least one stream, and means for generating at least one density signal which is indicative of said intensity, said directing means including means for pointing at least one beam of optical radiation at the at least one stream in said path and means for pointing at the at least one stream at least one beam of nuclear radiation, said signal generating means including a device for generating first signals denoting the intensity of optical radiation which has penetrated through successive increments of the conveyed at least one stream so that the generated first signals denote the density of successive increments of the at least one stream, said signal generating means further comprising a device for generating second signals denoting the intensity of nuclear radiation which has penetrated through the as least one stream; means for evaluating said first signals including a source of reference signals denoting the range of acceptable densities and means for comparing said first articles containing stream increments whose densities are outside of said range from the remaining articles; and means for adjusting said surplus removing means by said second signals."],["1. A method of ascertaining the density of a body of fibrous material, particularly a wrapped rod-like filler which contains particles of tobacco, comprising a first step of directing at least one beam of electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength in one of the ultraviolet, visible and infrared ranges of the spectrum into the body of fibrous material so that the beam penetrates through at least a portion of the body and at least one of its characteristics is influenced by the density of such body, said first step including directing radiation in at least one predetermined direction whereby at least some radiation is reflected and scattered by the fibrous material of the body and such radiation emerges from the body in at least one second direction at an angle to the predetermined direction; a second step of monitoring the one characteristic of the beam subsequent to its penetration through at least a portion of the body of fibrous material, said second step comprising monitoring at least one characteristic of at least some of the scattered and reflected radiation subsequent to its emergence from the body; and a third step of generating a signal which is indicative of the monitored characteristic of the beam.","2. The method of claim, wherein said first step includes directing against the body of fibrous material several mutually inclined beams of radiation, said second step including individually monitoring the one characteristic of each of said beams subsequent to penetration of the beams through a portion at least of the body of fibrous material, said third step including generating discrete signals each of which is indicative of the monitored characteristic of a different beam and further comprising the step of converting said discrete signals into a single signal.","3. The method of claim 2, wherein said converting step comprises totalizing said discrete signals into a combined signal and dividing the combined signal by the total number of beams.","4. The method of claim 2, wherein the number of discrete beams exceeds two.","5. The method of claim 4, wherein said body has a substantially circular outline and said first step includes directing the beams substantially radially of the body at angles of substantially 120 degrees to each other.","6. The method of claim 1, wherein the body is elongated and said first step includes directing a plurality of discrete beams of radiation substantially radially against longitudinally spaced apart portions of the body, said second step including individually monitoring the one characteristic of each of said beams subsequent to its penetration through a portion of or the entire body, said third step including generating discrete signals each of which is indicative of the monitored characteristic of a different beam.","7. The method of claim 1, wherein said body is elongated and said second step includes monitoring the scattered and reflected radiation at a plurality of locations which are spaced apart from each other circumferentially of the elongated body.","8. The method of claim 1, wherein the wavelength of the radiation is between approximately 150 and 15,000 nm.","9. The method of claim 8, wherein the radiation is infrared radiation with a wavelength of approximately 900 nm.","10. Apparatus for ascertaining the density of a body including a stream of fibrous material, particularly a wrapped rod-like filler which contains particles of tobacco, comprising means for transporting the stream along a predetermined path; means for guiding the stream in a portion of said path; a source of electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength in one of the ultraviolet, visible and infrared ranges of the spectrum including means for directing a plurality of discrete beams of such radiation into the stream of fibrous material so that the beams penetrate through at least a portion of the stream and at least one of their characteristics is influenced by the density of the stream, said directing means including means for directing the beams substantially transversely of said portion of said path; and means for monitoring the one characteristic of the beams subsequent to their emergence from the stream of fibrous material, including means for generating at least one signal which is indicative of the monitored characteristic of the beams.","11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein some of the radiation is reflected by the exterior of the stream of fibrous material, said monitoring means being located outside of the path of reflected radiation.","12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said directing means includes means for directing a plurality of mutually inclined discrete beams against said portion of said path.","13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the stream has a substantially circular cross-sectional outline and said beams are directed toward said portion of said path substantially radially of the stream within the confines of said guiding means.","14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said monitoring means includes means for generating discrete signals each of which is indicative of the monitored characteristic of a different beams, and further comprising means for evaluating said discrete signals.","15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said path is elongated and said portions of the stream are spaced apart from each other as considered in the longitudinal direction of said path, said transporting means comprising means for conveying the stream in a predetermined direction at a predetermined speed, said signal generating means including a series of optoelectronic transducers, one for each of said beams, and the transducers of said series being arranged to transmit to said evaluating means signals one after the other at intervals whose duration is a function of said speed.","16. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising means for influencing said source including means for generating reference signals denoting at least one characteristic of radiation at least a portion of which does not penetrate through said stream and means for transmitting such reference signals to said source.","17. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the wavelength of said electromagnetic radiation is between about 150 and 15,000 nm.","18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said source includes at least one diode arranged to emit infrared light having a wavelength of approximately 900 nm.","19. Apparatus for ascertaining the density of a body including a stream of fibrous material, particularly a wrapped rod-like filler which contains particles of tobacco, comprising means for transporting the stream along a predetermined path; means for guiding the stream in a portion of said path; a source of electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength in one of the ultraviolet, visible and infrared ranges of the spectrum including means for directing a plurality of discrete beams of such radiation substantially transversely of said portion of said path and toward successive increments of the stream of fibrous material so that the beams penetrate through at least a portion of the stream and at least one of their characteristics is influenced by the density of the stream; means for monitoring the one characteristic of the beams subsequent to their emergence from the stream of fibrous material, including means for generating discrete signals each of which is indicative of the monitored characteristic of a different beam; and means for evaluating said discrete signals including means for totalizing said discrete signals and for dividing the thus obtained signal by the number of discrete beams.","20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said evaluating means comprises means for logarithmizing said signals.","21. Apparatus for ascertaining the density of a body of fibrous material, particularly a wrapped rod-like filler which contains particles of tobacco, comprising a source of electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength in one of the ultraviolet, visible and infrared ranges of the spectrum including means for directing at least one beam of such radiation into the body of fibrous material so that the beam penetrates through at least a portion of the body and at least one of its characteristics is influenced by the density of the body; means for monitoring the one characteristic of the beam subsequent to its emergence from the body of fibrous material, including means for generating a signal which is indicative of the monitored characteristic of the beam; and means for influencing said source including means for generating reference signals denoting at least one characteristic of radiation at least a portion of which does not penetrate through said body and means for transmitting such reference signals to said source.","22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said reference signals are utilized to regulate the intensity of radiation issuing from said source.","23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said influencing means includes a discrete source arranged to direct an additional beam of radiation along a path which bypasses the body of fibrous material and said means for generating reference signals includes a photoelectronic transducer which monitors the one characteristic of said additional beam.","24. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said source includes means for directing an additional beam of radiation against the body of fibrous material so that the body reflects at least a portion of such additional beam and said means for generating reference signals includes a photoelectronic transducer which generates signals denoting at least one characteristic of the reflected portion of said additional beam.","25. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said influencing means includes means for maintaining the intensity of radiation issuing from said source at a predetermined value.","26. The apparatus of claim 21, further comprising means for modifying the at least one signal which is indicative of the monitored characteristic of said beams in response to deviation of of the one characteristic of said reference signals from a predetermined value denoting a predetermined intensity of radiation issuing from said source.","27. Apparatus for ascertaining the density of a body including a stream of fibrous material whose exterior reflects some electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength in one of the ultraviolet, visible and infrared ranges of the spectrum, particularly a wrapped rod-like filler which contains particles of tobacco, comprising means for transporting the stream along a predetermined path; means for guiding the stream in a portion of said path; a source of said radiation including means for directing a plurality of discrete beams against said portion of said path so that the beams penetrate through at least a portion of the stream and at least one of their characteristics is influence by the density of the stream, said directing means including a pair of radiation sources disposed substantially diametrically opposite each other with reference to said predetermined path; and means for monitoring the one characteristic of said beams subsequent to their emergence from the stream of fibrous material, including a plurality of means for generating discrete signals each of which is indicative of the monitored characteristics of radiation that has passed through a portion at least of the stream, said signal generating means being located outside of the path of propagation of radiation which is reflected by the exterior of the stream.","28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein said means for generating discrete signals includes a pair of signal generators which alternate with said pair of radiation sources and are disposed substantially diametrically opposite each other with reference to said predetermined path.","29. Apparatus for ascertaining the density of a body including a stream of fibrous material whose exterior reflects some electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength in one of the ultraviolet, visible and infrared ranges of the spectrum, particularly a wrapped rod-like filler which contains particles of tobacco, comprising means for transporting the stream along a predetermined path; means for guiding the stream in a portion of said path; a source of said radiation including means for directing at least one beam against said portion of said path so that the beam penetrates through at least a portion of the stream and at least one of its characteristics is influenced by the density of the stream; means for monitoring the one characteristic of the beam subsequent to its emergence from the stream of fibrous material, including at least one means for generating signals indicative of the monitored characteristic of radiation that has passed through a portion at least of the stream; and means for intercepting radiation which is reflected by the exterior of the stream so that such radiation does not reach the signal generating means.","30. Apparatus for ascertaining the density of a body including a stream of fibrous material whose exterior reflects some electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength in one of the ultraviolet, visible and infrared ranges of the spectrum, particularly a wrapped rod-like filler which contains particles of tobacco, comprising a source of said radiation including means for directing at least one beam of such radiation toward the stream at an oblique angle with reference to the longitudinal direction of the stream so that the beam penetrates through at least a portion of the stream and at least one of its characteristics is influenced by the density of the stream; and means for monitoring the one characteristic of the beam subsequent to its emergence from the stream of fibrous material, including means for generating a signal which is indicative of the monitored characteristic of the beam, said signal generating means including at least one optoelectronic transducer disposed in the path of radiation which has penetrated through a portion at least of the stream and outside of the path of propagation of reflected radiation.","31. The apparatus of claim 30, further comprising means for intercepting reflected radiation between said directing means and said monitoring means.","32. Apparatus for ascertaining the density of a body including an unwrapped stream of fibrous material, comprising means for transporting the stream along a predetermined path in a cigarette maker; means for guiding the stream in a portion of said path including a channel having a bottom wall and sidewalls and being open between said sidewalls, at least one of said walls being permeable to electromagnetic radiation in one of the ultraviolet, visible and infrared ranges of the spectrum; a source of said radiation including means for directing at least one beam of such radiation into the stream of fibrous material so that the beam penetrates through at least a portion of the stream and at least one of its characteristics is influenced by the density of the stream, said directing means being arranged to direct said at least one beam of radiation through said at least one wall; and means for monitoring the one characteristic of the beam subsequent to its emergence from the body of fibrous material, including means for generating a signal which is indicative of the monitored characteristic of the beam.","33. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the beam of radiation is partly reflected and partly scattered by the fibrous material of the stream and said monitoring means includes means for monitoring the one characteristic of scattered and reflected radiation.","34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein said directing means includes a plurality of radiation sources spaced apart from one another transversely of the stream, said monitoring means including a plurality of photoelectronic transducers spaced apart from one another transversely of the stream."],["1. Apparatus for ascertaining the density of an elongated body of fibrous material, comprising a source of electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength in one of the ultraviolet, visible and infrared ranges of the spectrum including means for directing at least one beam of such radiation into the body of fibrous material in at least on predetermined direction at least substantially at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the elongated body so that the beam penetrates through at least a portion of the body and at least one of its characteristics is influenced by the density of the body, at least some of the radiation being reflected and scattered by the fibrous material of the body so that the direction of propagation of reflected and scattered radiation departs form said at least one predetermined direction and such reflected and scattered radiation emerges from the body in at least one second direction other than said at least one predetermined direction; and means for monitoring the characteristic of at least some of the scattered and reflected radiation subsequent to its emergence from the body of fibrous material in said at least one second direction, said monitoring means being oriented to monitor radiation which is scattered and reflected substantially transversely of said at least one predetermined direction and substantially at right angles to the longitudinal direction of said elongated body, said monitoring means including means for generating a signal which is indicative of the monitored characteristic of the radiation.","2. A method of ascertaining the density of an unwrapped stream which contains particles of tobacco, comprising the steps of transporting the stream along a predetermined path in a cigarette maker; guiding the stream in a portion of said path within an open-sided channel; directing at least one beam of electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength in one of the visible and infrared ranges of the spectrum into the stream of fibrous material so that the beam penetrates through the channel and through at least a portion of the stream and at least one of its characteristics is influenced by the density of such stream; monitoring the one characteristic of the beam subsequent to its penetration through at least a portion of the stream of fibrous material; and generating a signal which is indicative of the monitored characteristic of the beam."],["1. A method of testing the wrappers of cigarettes, cigars, filter rods, analogous rod-shaped smokers' products, components thereof, and the like, comprising the steps of generating pneumatic test signals indicative of the extent to which imperfections are present in the wrappers of such rod-shaped articles and converting the pneumatic test signals into electrical test signals; conveying said test signals along a first path; generating a pneumatic comparison signal and converting said pneumatic comparison signal into an electrical comparison signal; conveying said comparison signals along a second path, at least a portion of one of said paths being common to at least a portion of the other of said paths so that drift phenomena, if any, and not ascertained, which influence the characteristics of said test signals in each common portion of said paths also influence the characteristics of said comparison signals; deriving from the electrical comparison and test signals derived signals dependent upon the difference between the electrical comparison and test signals but uninfluenced by drift phenomena; and determining whether the wrappers are defective or non-defective by comparing the derived signals against a reference value.","2. The method defined in claim 1, wherein the generating of the test signals comprises generating successive test signals corresponding to successive articles, and wherein the generating of the comparison signal comprises generating a comparison signal intermediate the generation of each two successive test signals.","3. The method defined in claim 1, wherein the generating of the comparison signal comprises generating the comparison signal in dependence upon atmospheric pressure.","4. The method defined in claim 1, wherein the step of deriving signals comprises generating difference signals corresponding to the difference between the electrical comparison and test signals, continually forming an average value from the difference signals, and generating as the derived signals signals indicative of the deviations of the difference signals from the average value.","5. The method defined in claim 4, wherein the forming of the average value from the difference signals comprises forming the average value from only those difference signals derived from articles having non-defective wrappers.","6. The method defined in claim 4, wherein the formation of the average value comprises generating a signal indicative of the average value, the signal having a duration independent of its generation.","7. The method defined in claim 4, wherein the step of determining whether the wrappers are defective or non-defective further comprises comparing the average value against a second reference value.","8. The method defined in claim 4, wherein the step of continually forming an average value from the difference signals comprises transmitting the difference signals to an averaging device substantially without any delay, and wherein the step of generating as the derived signals signals indicative of the deviations of the difference signals from the average value comprises comparing each difference signal against the average value only after the elapse of a time delay corresponding to the time required for testing a plurality of successive articles.","9. The method defined in claim 1, the method including transporting the rod-shaped articles in a direction transverse to their elongation during the testing of the articles.","10. The method defined in claim 1, and in dependence upon the comparison of the derived signals against the reference value generating defect signals indicative of which rod-shaped articles have defective wrappers, and using the defect signals to control the operation of a discarding device so as to discard the articles having defective wrappers.","11. A method of testing the wrappers of cigarettes, cigars, filter rods, analogous rod-shaped smokers' products, components thereof and the like, comprising the steps of generating pneumatic test signals indicative of the extent to which imperfections are present in the wrappers of such rod-shaped articles and converting said pneumatic test signals into electrical test signals; conveying said test signals along a first path; generating a pneumatic comparison signal and converting said pneumatic comparison signal into an electrical comparison signal; conveying said comparison signals along a second path, at least a portion of one of said paths being common to at least a portion of the other of said paths so that drift phenomena, if any, which influence the characteristics of said test signals in each common portion of said paths also influence the characteristics of said comparison signals, said generating steps including generating said test and comparison signals as the components of a signal flow in which test and comparison signals form extreme values; deriving from said electrical comparison and test signals derived signals dependent upon the difference between said electrical comparison and test signals, comprising processing said comparison and test signals including detecting the moment at which one of the signals reaches an extreme value and at that moment initiating the processing of the one signal; and determining whether the wrappers are defective or non-defective by comparing said derived signals with a reference value.","12. The method defined in claim 11, wherein the detecting of the moment at which one of the signals reaches an extreme value comprises forming the first time derivative of the signal flow and detecting the moment at which the first time derivative reaches a predetermined value.","13. A method of testing the wrappers of cigarettes, cigars, filter rods, analogous rod-shaped smokers' products, components thereof and the like, comprising the steps of generating pneumatic test signals indicative of the extent to which imperfections are present in the wrappers of such rod-shaped articles and converting said pneumatic test signals into electrical test signals; conveying said test signals along a first path; generating a pneumatic comparison signal and converting said pneumatic comparison signal into an electrical comparison signal; conveying said comparison signals along a second path, at least a portion of one of said paths being common to at least a portion of the other of said paths so that drift phenomena, if any, which influence the characteristics of said test signals in each common portion of said paths also influence the characteristics of said comparison signals; deriving from said electrical comparison signals and said electrical test signals derived signals dependent upon the difference between said electrical comparison and test signals, comprising processing said comparison and test signals including detecting the moment at which the comparison signal reaches an extreme value and at that moment initiating the processing of the comparison signal; and determining whether the wrappers are defective or non-defective by comparing said derived signals with a reference value.","14. A method of testing the wrappers of cigarettes, cigars, filter rods, analogous rod-shaped smokers' products, components thereof and the like, comprising the steps of generating pneumatic test signals indicative of the extent to which imperfections are present in the wrappers of such rod-shaped articles and converting said pneumatic test signals into electrical test signals; conveying said test signals along a first path; generating a pneumatic comparison signal and converting said pneumatic comparison signal into an electrical comparison signal; conveying said comparison signals along a second path, at least a portion of one of said paths being common to at least a portion of the other of said paths so that drift phenomena, if any, which influence the characteristics of said test signals in each common portion of said paths also influence the characteristics of said comparison signals; deriving from said electrical comparison and test signals derived signals dependent upon the difference between said electrical comparison and test signals, comprising processing said comparison and test signals including detecting the moment at which the test signal reaches an extreme value and at that moment initiating the processing of the test signal; and determining whether the wrappers are defective or non-defective by comparing said derived signals with a reference value.","15. A method of testing the wrappers of cigarettes, cigars, filter rods, analogous rod-shaped smokers' products, components thereof and the like, comprising the steps of generating pneumatic test signals indicative of the extent to which imperfections are present in the wrappers of such rod-shaped articles and converting said pneumatic test signals into electrical test signals; conveying said test signals along a first path; generating a pneumatic comparison signal and converting said pneumatic comparison signal into an electrical comparison signal; conveying said comparison signals along a second path, at least a portion of one of said paths being common to at least a portion of the other of said paths so that drift phenomena, if any, which influence the characteristics of said test signals in each common portion of said paths also influence the characteristics of said comparison signals, said generating steps comprising generating said test and comparison signals as the components of a signal flow in which said test and comparison signals form respective distinguishable extreme values; and determining whether the wrappers are defective or non-defective by comparing said derived signals with a reference value.","16. An apparatus for testing the wrappers of cigarettes, cigars, filter rods, analogous rod-shaped smokers' products, components of such articles, and the like, comprising, in combination, measurement transducer means for generating pressure-dependent signals, test pressure generating means for generating test pressures dependent upon the permeability of the wrappers of such articles and applying the test pressure to the measurement transducer means, comparison pressure furnishing means for effecting the application of a comparison pressure to the measurement transducer means, and comparing means for generating a pressure-difference-dependent signal dependent upon the difference between the signals denoting the test and comparison pressures, the test pressures and the respective signals being transmitted to said comparing means along a first path and the comparison pressure and the respective signal being transmitted to said comparing means along a second path, said paths having common portions at least in said transducer means so that drift phenomena, if any, and not ascertained, in each common portion of said paths which influence the characteristics of signals denoting said test pressures also influence the characteristics of signal denoting said comparison pressure and said pressure-difference-dependent signal is uninfluenced by drift phenomena.","17. The apparatus defined in claim 16, further including control means operative for causing the test pressure generating means and the comparison pressure furnishing means to alternately effect the application of test and comparison pressures to the measurement transducer means.","18. The apparatus defined in claim 16, wherein the comparison pressure furnishing means is a structure having a controllable opening leading from the ambient atmosphere to the measurement transducer means.","19. The apparatus defined in claim 16, wherein the measurement transducer means is a pressure-to-voltage converter.","20. The apparatus defined in claim 16, wherein the comparing means constitutes first comparing means, and further including second comparing means having an input connected to the first comparing means for receiving the pressure-difference-dependent signal and operative for generating an output signal dependent upon the difference between the pressure-difference-dependent signal and a predetermined compensation signal, and means for generating and applying the predetermined compensation signal to the second comparing means including averaging means for deriving an average value from the output signals of one of the comparing means.","21. The apparatus defined in claim 20, wherein the means for applying the predetermined compensation signal to the second comparing means includes means for deriving the predetermined compensation signal from the output of the averaging means.","22. The apparatus defined in claim 20, further including signal transmission control means connected between the output of the second comparing means and the input of the averaging means and operative for permitting and preventing transmission of the output signals of the second comparing means to the input of the averaging means in dependence upon the difference between the output signals of the second comparing means and a predetermined reference value.","23. The apparatus defined in claim 20, further including means operative for receiving the predetermined compensation signal and comparing it against a reference value and generating defect signals in dependence upon that comparison.","24. The apparatus defined in claim 20, wherein the means for generating and applying the predetermined compensation signal to the second comparing means further includes adjustable signal generating means operative for generating a persisting output signal.","25. The apparatus defined in claim 24, wherein the means for generating and applying the predetermined compensation signal to the second comparing means further includes evaluating means connected to the output of the averaging means for evaluating the output signal of the averaging means and adjusting means connected to the output of the evaluating means and to the adjustable signal generating means for automatically adjusting the latter in dependence upon the output signal of the evaluating means.","26. The apparatus defined in claim 20, and further including time-delay means connecting the output of the first comparing means to the input of the second comparing means for transmitting to the latter the pressure-difference-dependent signal with a predetermined time delay.","27. Apparatus for testing the wrappers of cigarettes, cigars, filter rods, analogous rod-shaped smokers' products, components of such articles and the like, comprising measurement transducer means for generating pressure-dependent signals; test pressure generating means for generating test pressures dependent upon the permeability of the wrappers of such articles and applying said test pressures to said transducer means; comparison pressure furnishing means for effecting the application of a comparison pressure to said transducer means; control means operative for causing said test pressure generating means and said comparison pressure furnishing means to alternately effect the application of test and comparison pressures to said transducer means to cause the latter to generate a signal flow in which test and comparison signals form extreme values; extreme-value-detecting means connected to said transducer means to receive the signal flow and operative for detecting when one of the signals in the signal flow reaches an extreme value; comparing means for generating a pressure-difference-dependent signal dependent upon the difference between the signals denoting the test and comparison pressures, the test pressures and the respective signals being transmitted to said comparing means along a first path and the comparison pressure and the respective signal being transmitted to said comparing means along a second path, said paths having common portions at least in said transducer means so that drift phenomena, if any, in each common portion of said paths which influence the characteristics of signals denoting said test pressures also influence the characteristics of signal denoting said comparison pressure; and signal transfer means connected to said extreme-value-detecting means and to said transducer means and operative in response to the extreme-value-detection for transmitting to said comparing means the signal reaching the detected extreme value.","28. The apparatus defined in claim 27, wherein the extreme-value-detecting means comprises differentiating means for differentiating the signal flow and threshold-detecting means for determining when the differentiated signal flow reaches a value corresponding to the extreme value of a signal in the undifferentiated signal flow.","29. Apparatus for testing the wrappers of cigarettes, cigars, filter rods, analogous rod-shaped smokers' products, components of such articles and the like, comprising measurement transducer means for generating pressure-dependent signals; test pressure generating means for generating test pressures dependent upon the permeability of the wrappers of such articles and applying said test pressures to said transducer means; comparison pressure furnishing means for effecting the application of a comparison pressure to said transducer means; control means operative for causing said test pressure generating means and said comparison pressure furnishing means to alternately effect the application of test and comparison pressures to said transducer means to cause the latter to generate a signal flow in which test and comparison signals form extreme values; extreme-value-detecting means connected to said transducer means to receive the signal flow and operative for detecting when the comparison signal reaches an extreme value; comparing means for generating a pressure-difference-dependent signal dependent upon the difference between the signals denoting the test and comparison pressures, the test pressures and the respective signals being transmitted to said comparing means along a first path and the comparison pressure and the respective signal being transmitted to said comparing means along a second path, said paths having common portions at least in said transducer means so that drift phenomena, if any, in each common portion of said paths which influence the characteristics of signals denoting said test pressures also influence the characteristics of signal denoting said comparison pressure; and signal transfer means connected to said extreme-value-detecting means and to said transducer means and operative in response to the extreme-value detection for transmitting to said comparing means the comparison signal as it reaches the detected extreme value.","30. Apparatus for testing the wrappers of cigarettes, cigars, filter rods, analogous rod-shaped smokers' products, components of such articles and the like, comprising measurement transducer means for generating pressure-dependent signals; test pressure generating means for generating test pressures dependent upon the permeability of the wrappers of such articles and applying said test pressures to said transducer means; comparison pressure furnishing means for effecting the application of a comparison pressure to said transducer means; control means operative for causing said test pressure generating means and said comparison pressure furnishing means to alternately effect the application of test and comparison pressures to said transducer means to cause the latter to generate a signal flow in which test and comparison pressures form extreme values; extreme-value-detecting means connected to said transducer means to receive the signal flow and operative for detecting when the test signal reaches an extreme value; comparing means for generating a pressure-difference-dependent signal dependent upon the difference between the signals denoting the test and comparison pressures, the test pressures and the respective signals being transmitted to said comparing means along a first path and the comparison pressure and the respective signal being transmitted to said comparing means along a second path, said paths having common portions at least in said transducer means so that drift phenomena, if any, in each common portion of said paths which influence the characteristics of signals denoting said test pressures also influence the characteristics of signal denoting said comparison pressure; and signal transfer means connected to said extreme-value-detecting means and said transducer means and operative in response to the extreme-value-detection for transmitting to said comparing means the test signal as it reaches the detected extreme value.","31. A method of testing the wrappers of cigarettes, cigars, filter rods, analogous rod-shaped smokers' products, components thereof and the like, comprising the steps of generating pneumatic test signals indicative of the extent to which imperfections are present in the wrappers of such rod-shaped articles and converting said pneumatic test signals into electrical test signals; generating a pneumatic comparison signal and converting said pneumatic comparison signal into an electrical comparison signal, said generating steps including generating said test and comparison signals as the components of a signal flow in which test and comparison signals form extreme values; deriving from said electrical comparison and test signals derived signals dependent upon the difference between said electrical comparison and test signals, comprising processing said comparison and test signals including detecting the moment at which one of the signals reaches an extreme value and at the moment initiating the processing of the one signal; and determining whether the wrappers are defective or non-defective by comparing said derived signals with a reference value.","32. The method of claim 31, wherein the detecing of the moment at which one of the signals reaches an extreme value comprises forming the first time derivative of the signal flow and detecting the moment at which the first time derivative reaches a predetermined value.","33. A method of testing the wrappers of cigarettes, cigars, filter rods, analogous rod-shaped smokers' products, components thereof and the like, comprising the steps of generating pneumatic test signals indicative of the extent to which imperfections are present in the wrappers of such rod-shaped articles and converting said pneumatic test signals into electrical test signals; generating a pneumatic comparison signal and converting said pneumatic comparison signal into an electrical comparison signal; deriving from said electrical comparison and test signals derived signals dependent upon the difference between said electrical comparison and test signals, comprising processing said comparison and test signals including detecting the moment at which the comparison signal reaches an extreme value and at that moment initiating the processing of the comparison signal; and determining whether the wrappers are defective or non-defective by comparing said derived signals with a reference value.","34. A method of testing the wrappers of cigarettes, cigars, filter rods, analogous rod-shaped smokers' products, components thereof and the like, comprising the steps of generating pneumatic test signals indicative of the extent to which imperfections are present in the wrappers of such rod-shaped articles and converting said pneumatic test signals into electrical test signals; generating a pneumatic comparison signal and converting said pneumatic comparison signal into an electrical comparison signal; deriving from said electrical comparison and test signals derived signals dependent upon the difference between said electrical comparison and test signals, comprising processing said comparison and test signals including detecting the moment at which the test signal reaches an extreme value and at the moment initiating the processing of the test signal; and determining whether the wrappers are defective or non-defective by comparing said derived signals with a reference value.","35. A method of testing the wrappers of cigarettes, cigars, filter rods, analogous rod-shaped smokers' products, components thereof and the like, comprising the steps of generating pneumatic test signals indicative of the extent to which imperfections are present in the wrappers of such rod-shaped articles and converting said pneumatic test signals into electrical test signals; generating a pneumatic comparison signal and converting said pneumatic comparison signal into an electrical comparison signal, said generating steps comprising generating said test and comparison signals as the components of a signal flow in which said test and comparison signals form respective distinguishable extreme values; and determining whether the wrappers are defective or non-defective by comparing said derived signals with a reference value.","36. Apparatus for testing the wrappers of cigarettes, cigars, filter rods, analogous rod-shaped smokers' products, components of such articles and the like, comprising measurement transducer means for generating pressure-dependent signals; test pressure generating means for generating test pressures dependent upon the permeability of the wrappers of such articles and applying said test pressures to said transducer means; comparison pressure furnishing means for effecting the application of a comparison pressure to said transducer means; control means operative for causing said test pressure generating means and said comparison pressure furnishing means to alternately effect the application of test and comparison pressures to said transducer means to cause the latter to generate a signal flow in which test and comparison signals form extreme values; extreme-value-detecting means connected to said transducer means to receive the signal flow and operative for detecting when one of the signals in the signal flow reaches an extreme value; comparing means for generating a pressure-difference-dependent signal dependent upon the difference between said test and comparison pressures; and signal transfer means connected to said extreme-value-detecting means and to said transducer means and operative in response to the extreme-value-detection for transmitting to said comparing means the signal reaching the detected extreme value.","37. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein said extreme-value-detecting means comprises differentiating means for differentiating the signal flow and threshold-detecting means for determining when the differentiated signal flow reaches a value corresponding to the extreme value of a signal in the undifferentiated signal flow.","38. Apparatus for testing the wrappers of cigarettes, cigars, filter rods, analogous rod-shaped smokers' products, components of such articles and the like, comprising measurement transducer means for generating pressure-dependent signals; test pressure generating means for generating test pressures dependent upon the permeability of the wrappers of such articles and applying said test pressures to said transducer means; comparison pressure furnishing means for effecting the application of a comparison pressure to said transducer means; control means operative for causing said test pressure generating means and said comparison pressure furnishing means to alternately effect the application of test and comparison pressures to said transducer means to cause the latter to generate a signal flow in which test and comparison signals form extreme values; extreme-value-detecting means connected to said transducer means to receive the signal flow and operative for detecting when the comparison signal reaches an extreme value; comparing means for generating a pressure-difference-dependent signal dependent upon the difference between said test and comparison pressures; and signal transfer means connected to said extreme-value-detecting means and to said transducer means and operative in response to the extreme-value detection for transmitting to said comparing means the comparison signal as it reaches the detected extreme value.","39. Apparatus for testing the wrappers of cigarettes, cigars, filter rods, analogous rod-shaped smokers' products, components of such articles and the like, comprising measurement transducer means for generating pressure-dependent signals; test pressure generating means for generating test pressures dependent upon the permeability of the wrappers of such articles and applying said test pressures to said transducer means; comparison pressure furnishing means for effecting the application of a comparison pressure to said transducer means; control means operative for causing said test pressure generating means and said comparison pressure furnishing means to alternately effect the application of test and comparison pressures to said transducer means to cause the latter to generate a signal flow in which test and comparison signals form extreme values; extreme-value-detecting means connected to said transducer means to receive the signal flow and operative for detecting when the test signal reaches an extreme value; comparing means for generating a pressure-difference-dependent signal dependent upon the difference between said test and comparison pressures; and signal transfer means connected to said extreme-value-detecting means and said transducer means and operative in response to the extreme-value-detection for transmitting to said comparing means the test signal as it reaches the detected extreme value."],["1. An apparatus for identifying cigarettes having loose ends comprising:\nconveyor means for serially conveying a plurality of cigarettes along a path of travel with the cigarettes being oriented transversely to the direction of travel so that tobacco filled ends of the cigarettes pass serially along one side of the conveying means; and\ninspection means fixedly positioned along the path of travel adjacent the one side of the conveyor and comprising an infrared emitter and an infrared receiver, the emitter and receiver being aligned with each other on opposite sides of, and spaced from, the path of travel so that tobacco filled end portions of the cigarettes serially pass between the emitter and the receiver.","2. The apparatus of claim 1 additionally comprising a rejection means responsive to the inspection means for rejecting cigarettes having loose ends.","3. The apparatus of claim 1 additionally comprising a signal receiving means for receiving signals from the infrared detector and a comparator means for comparing the value of the signals to a predetermined value.","4. The apparatus of claim 3 additionally comprising converting means for converting received signals from the infrared receiver into digital signals, and wherein said comparator means comprises digital comparator means for comparing the converted digital signals to a predetermined digital value.","5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the emitter and receiver are each spaced from the path of travel at a distance of between about 0.1 and 2.0 millimeters.","6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the receiver and the emitter are each spaced a distance of from about 0.25 to about 1.5 millimeters from the path of travel.","7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the conveyor means comprises a rotary drum conveyor.","8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the emitter and the receiver are in substantial alignment along a diameter of the rotary conveyor so that the cigarette end portion passes through a beam of infrared radiation which is substantially perpendicular to the tangential path of the cigarette.","9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the infrared emitter emits infrared radiation within a narrow spectral region of between about 860-900 nanometers.","10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said infrared receiver comprises an infrared detector having an active surface area of less than about 10 square millimeters.","11. A method for inspecting the end portions of cigarettes comprising:\nconveying a plurality of cigarettes serially along a predetermined path of travel comprising an inspection zone, the cigarettes being oriented transversely to the path of travel and so that the tobacco filled ends of the cigarettes are on one side of the path of travel, the inspection zone being on the one side of the path of travel and comprising an infrared emitter and an infrared receiver in alignment on opposite sides of the path of travel;\npassing a beam of infrared radiation transversely through an end portion of each cigarette adjacent the tobacco filled end thereof as the cigarettes are serially conveyed through the inspection zone and between the aligned infrared emitter and receiver; and\nsensing the intensity of infrared radiation passing through the end portion adjacent the end of each of the plurality of cigarettes.","12. The method of claim 11 additionally comprising the step of comparing a value representative of the sensed amount of infrared radiation to a predetermined value.","13. The method of claim 12 additionally comprising the step of rejecting the cigarette hen the value representative of the sensed amount of infrared radiation is greater than the predetermined value.","14. The method of claim 11, 12 or 13 wherein the method is conducted during the cigarette manufacturing process.","15. The method of claim 14 wherein the cigarette manufacturing process is operated at a speed greater than about 7,000 cigarettes per minute.","16. The method of claim 11 wherein the beam of infrared radiation is passed through a portion of the tobacco filled end of the cigarette located at a distance of from about 1 to about 5 millimeters from the end of the cigarette.","17. The method of claim 11 wherein the conveying step comprises conveying cigarettes along a curved path.","18. The method of claim 11 wherein the beam of infrared radiation has a narrow spectral width of between about 860-900 nanometers.","19. The method of claim 17 wherein the conveying step comprises conveying the cigarettes along a linear path of travel.","20. An inspection system for identifying cigarettes having loose ends comprising:\nconveying means for conveying cigarettes serially through an inspection zone, the inspection zone comprising an infrared emitter oriented to pass infrared radiation transversely through an end portion of each cigarette and an infrared detector aligned with the emitter and oriented to receive the infrared light passing transversely through the end portion of each cigarette; control means for the inspection system comprising:\nreceiving means for receiving an inspection signal representative of the intensity of infrared radiation being received by the infrared detector;\nfirst comparator means for comparing the inspection signal to a first predetermined value;\ngenerating means responsive to the first comparator means for generating an initiation signal if the inspection signal is less than the first predetermined value;\nsampling means responsive to the generating means for obtaining a sample signal from the receiving means at a predetermined time after the inspection signal, the sample signal being representative of the intensity of infrared radiation passing through a cigarette; and\nsecond comparator means for comparing the sample signal to a second predetermined value.","21. The inspection system of claim 20 wherein the control means additionally comprises a reject signal generating means for generating a reject signal when the sample signal is greater than the second predetermined value.","22. The inspection system of claim 20 wherein the first predetermined value is representative of the average value of a plurality of prior inspection signals.","23. The inspection system of claim 20 wherein the inspection signal compared in the first comparator means is representative of an average of a plurality of inspection signals from the receiving means.","24. The inspection system of claim 20 wherein the predetermined time after the inspection signal is determined based on the speed of the conveying means.","25. The inspection system of claim 20 wherein the sample signal obtained in the sampling means is representative of the average of a plurality of inspection signals from the receiving means.","26. The inspection system of claim 20 wherein the cigarettes are conveyed on said conveying means at a speed in excess of 7,000 cigarettes per minute.","27. The inspection system of claim 20 wherein the control means comprises a microcomputer system.","28. An inspection system for identifying cigarettes having loose ends comprising:\nconveying means for conveying cigarettes serially through an inspection zone, the inspection zone comprising an infrared emitter oriented to pass infrared radiation transversely through an end portion of each cigarette and an infrared detector aligned with the emitter and oriented to receive the infrared light passing transversely through the end portion of each cigarette; control means for the inspection system comprising:\nreceiving means for receiving an inspection signal representative of the intensity of infrared radiation being received by the infrared detector;\nlocal minimum detecting means for detecting a local minimum value of the inspection signal; and\ncomparator means for comparing the local minimum value of the inspection signal to a predetermined value.","29. The inspection system of claim 28 wherein said local minimum detecting means and said comparator means comprise digital local minimum detecting means and digital comparator means, respectively.","30. The inspection system of claim 28 wherein said local minimum detecting means and said comparator means comprise analog local minimum detecting means and first analog comparator means, respectively.","31. The inspection system of claim 28 wherein the control means additionally comprises a reject signal generating means for generating a reject signal when the sample signal is greater than the second predetermined value.","32. The inspection system of claim 28 wherein the cigarettes are conveyed on said conveying means at a speed in excess of 7,000 cigarettes per minute.","33. The inspection system of claim 28 wherein the control means comprises a microcomputer system.","34. An apparatus for manufacturing cigarettes at a speed in excess of 7000 cigarettes per minute comprising\nmeans for receiving tobacco rods of double unit length;\nmeans for cutting each double unit length rod into two axially aligned single unit length tobacco rods;\nmeans for inserting a double unit length filter between the two axially aligned, single unit length tobacco rods;\nmeans for joining the double unit filter to the two single unit tobacco rods to thereby form a double unit length cigarette;\nmeans for cutting each double unit cigarette at its center to form single unit length cigarettes;\nmeans for orienting the single unit length cigarettes in a like direction so that the tobacco filled ends of the cigarettes face in the same direction;\nconveying means for conveying the like oriented cigarettes at a speed in excess of 7000 cigarettes per minute; and\ninspection means positioned adjacent the conveying means and comprising an infrared emitter oriented to pass infrared radiation transversely through an end portion of each cigarette on the conveying means and an infrared receiver aligned with the emitter and oriented to receive the infrared light passing transversely through the end portion of each cigarette.","35. The apparatus of claim 34 additionally comprising a rejection means responsive to the inspection means for rejecting cigarettes having loose ends.","36. The apparatus of claim 34 additionally comprising a signal receiving means for receiving signals from the infrared detector and a comparator means for comparing the value of the signals to a predetermined value.","37. The apparatus of claim 34 additionally comprising converting means for converting received signals from the infrared receiver into digital signals, and wherein said comparator means comprises digital comparator means for comparing the converted digital signals to a predetermined digital value.","38. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein the emitter and receiver are each spaced from the path of travel at a distance of between about 0.1 and 2.0 millimeters.","39. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein the conveyor means comprises a rotary drum conveyor.","40. The apparatus of claim 39 wherein the emitter and the receiver are in substantial alignment along a diameter of the rotary conveyor so that the cigarette end portion passes through a beam of infrared radiation which is substantially perpendicular to the tangential path of the cigarette.","41. A method for manufacturing cigarettes at a speed in excess of 7000 cigarettes per minute comprising the steps:\nconveying double unit length tobacco rods at a speed in excess of 3500 rods per minute;\ncutting the double unit length tobacco rods into pairs of axially aligned single unit length tobacco rods;\ninserting a double unit length filter between each pair of axially aligned single unit length tobacco rods;\njoining each double unit filter to each pair of single unit tobacco rods to thereby form double unit length cigarettes;\ncutting each double length cigarette at its center to form single unit length cigarettes;\norienting the single unit length cigarettes in a like direction so that the tobacco filled ends of the cigarettes face in the same direction;\nconveying the like oriented cigarettes at a speed in excess of 7000 cigarettes per minute along a predetermined path of travel through an inspection zone comprising an infrared emitter and an infrared receiver in alignment on opposite sides of the path of travel so that the tobacco filled ends of the cigarettes serially pass between the aligned infrared emitter and receiver;\npassing a beam of infrared radiation transversely through the end portion of each cigarette adjacent the tobacco filled end thereof as the cigarette is conveyed through the inspection zone and between the aligned infrared emitter and receiver; and\nsensing the intensity of infrared radiation passing transversely through each cigarette.","42. The method of claim 41 additionally comprising the step of comparing a value representative of the sensed amount of infrared radiation to a predetermined value.","43. The method of claim 42 additionally comprising the step of rejecting the cigarette when the value representative of the sensed amount of infrared radiation is greater than the predetermined value.","44. The method of claim 41 wherein the beam of infrared radiation is passed through a portion of the tobacco filled end of the cigarette located at a distance of from about 1 to about 5 millimeters from the end of the cigarette."],["17. A method for inspecting filter rods used to form cigarette filter elements, each filter rod defining a longitudinal axis extending between opposed ends, each end extending substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis, and including a filter material having an axially-extending strand disposed therein, the method comprising:\nreceiving at least one filter rod in a filter rod support device such that one end of the at least one filter rod is exposed;\nanalyzing the one end of the at least one filter rod using an analysis unit; determining a status of the at least one filter rod from the analysis of the one end; and\nproviding a signal in response to and corresponding to the determined status.","18. A method according to claim 17 wherein receiving the at least one filter rod further comprises receiving the at least one filter rod such that both ends are exposed, and the analyzing step further comprises analyzing at least one of the ends of the at least one filter rod to determine the status of the at least one filter rod.","19. A method according to claim 17 wherein the analyzing step further comprises analyzing an image of the one end of the at least one filter rod using an image analysis unit.","20. A method according to claim 19 further comprising capturing the image of the at least one filter rod using an image acquisition device.","21. A method according to claim 19 further comprising displaying, in response to the signal, an indicia corresponding to the determined status on a display unit in communication with the analysis unit.","22. A method according to claim 17 wherein determining a status of the at least one filter rod further comprises determining at least one of a strand presence within the filter rod, a strand absence from the filter rod, an acceptable strand presence in the filter rod, and an unacceptable strand presence in the filter rod.","23. A method according to claim 22 wherein determining a status of the at least one filter rod further comprises determining one of an acceptable strand presence in the filter rod and an unacceptable strand presence in the filter rod with respect to a characteristic selected from the group consisting of strand disposition within the filter material, strand alignment within the filter material, strand configuration, strand type, strand color, strand size, strand condition, and combinations thereof.","24. A system according to claim 22 further comprising removing, in response to the signal, the at least one filter rod from the filter rod support device using a filter rod removal device operably engaged with the analysis unit and the filter rod support device, and discarding the at least one filter rod, when the status corresponds to one of the strand absence from the filter rod and the unacceptable strand presence in the filter rod."],["1. A system, comprising:\na sensor apparatus, the sensor apparatus including\na channel structure including an inlet, an outlet, and an inner surface defining a fluid conduit extending from the inlet to the outlet through an interior of the channel structure, the fluid conduit not including a restriction in a diameter of the fluid conduit, the channel structure configured to couple with an external element, such that the channel structure is configured to\nreceive a fluid drawn through the external element at the inlet, the fluid at least partially drawn through the external element from an ambient environment that is external to the fluid conduit, and\ndirect the fluid through the fluid conduit,\na single, individual sensor device in hydrodynamic contact with the fluid conduit, wherein the single, individual sensor device is configured to measure a value of a local pressure at a single location in hydrodynamic contact with the fluid conduit at separate points in time over at least a period of time, the single, individual sensor device further configured to generate sensor data associated with one or more values of the local pressure measured by the single, individual sensor device over the period of time, and\na communication interface configured to communicate the sensor data to a separately-located device external to the sensor apparatus; and\na computing device communicatively linked to the sensor apparatus,\nwherein the sensor apparatus is configured to communicate the sensor data to the computing device,\nwherein the computing device is further configured to process the sensor data to generate topography information associated with at least one of the sensor apparatus and the external element, based on\nprocessing the sensor data to\ndetermine a value of an ambient pressure P0 of the ambient environment based on a plurality of values of the local pressure measured by the single, individual sensor device over the period of time as indicated by the sensor data, and\ndetermine a flow rate of the fluid through the fluid conduit at a first point in time based on determining a pressure differential ΔP between the determined value of the ambient pressure P0 and a first value of the local pressure P measured by the single, individual sensor device at the first point in time.","2. The system of claim 1, wherein the communication interface is a wireless network communication transceiver, such that the communication interface is configured to communicate the sensor data to the separately-located device via a wireless network communication link.","3. The system of claim 2, wherein the sensor apparatus is further configured to communicate a sensor data stream providing a real-time indication of a value of the local pressure measured by the single, individual sensor device.","4. The system of claim 1, wherein the single, individual sensor device is incorporated into the inner surface defining the fluid conduit, such that a fluid conduit-proximate surface of the single, individual sensor device is substantially coplanar with the inner surface without reducing the diameter of the fluid conduit.","5. The system of claim 1, wherein\nthe external element is an e-vaping device configured to generate a vapor and direct the vapor through an outlet end of the e-vaping device, and\nthe inlet includes an interface configured to couple with the outlet end of the e-vaping device, such that\nthe interface establishes a substantially airtight seal between the inlet of the channel structure and the outlet end of the e-vaping device, and\nthe channel structure is configured to receive the vapor at the inlet and direct the vapor through the fluid conduit to the outlet.","6. The system of claim 5, wherein the interface is configured to detachably couple with the outlet end of the e-vaping device.","7. The system of claim 1, wherein the computing device is configured to determine that an instance of fluid is passing through the channel structure, based on monitoring a variation in the measured value of the local pressure, measured by the single, individual sensor device at the single location, over a particular period of time.","8. The system of claim 7, wherein the computing device is configured to determine a volume and/or mass of the instance of fluid based on monitoring the variation in the measured value of the local pressure, measured by the single, individual sensor device at the single location, over the particular period of time."],["1. An apparatus for assessing hot coal fallout propensity of burning cigarettes based on human behavior features of ash-tapping action, comprising:\na holding unit for holding a cigarette;\na suction unit connected to one end of the cigarette to suck the cigarette;\na tapping unit disposed adjacent to the holding unit, and the tapping unit being capable of tapping the cigarette; and\na control unit coupled with the suction unit and the tapping unit, respectively, to control suction and tapping actions,\nwherein the tapping unit comprises: a tapping arm; and a tapping hammer disposed at one end of the tapping arm to slap the cigarette under driving of the tapping arm, and\nwherein a width or diameter of the tapping hammer is between 9.5 mm-10.5 mm, and a distance between a tapping point and the one end is between 33 mm-38 mm.","2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the holding unit is disposed at a filter tip of the cigarette, and the one end is a free end of the filter tip.","3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the tapping hammer is made of a material with a Shore hardness in a range of 0.4HA-5HA.","4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a tapping strength of the tapping hammer applied on the cigarette is between 10gf-30gf.","5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:\nif the cigarette is a Superslim cigarette with a small diameter, duration for every tapping action applied by the tapping hammer is between 0.095-0.105 seconds; and\nif the cigarette is a King Size cigarette with a large diameter, duration for every tapping action applied by the tapping hammer is between 0.115-0.125 seconds.","6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the holding unit is made of a material with Shore hardness in a range of 0.4HA-5.0HA.","7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a holding width of the holding unit holding the cigarette is between 9.5 mm-10.5 mm, a holding strength of the holding unit is between 16gf-18gf, and a distance from a holding point of the holding unit to the one end is between 19 mm-22 mm.","8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is used to control a holding strength of the holding unit, a suction strength and a suction frequency of the suction unit, and a tapping cycle, a position of a tapping point and a tapping strength of the tapping unit.","9. A method for assessing hot coal fallout propensity of burning cigarettes by using the apparatus for assessing hot coal fallout propensity of burning cigarettes according to claim 1, comprising:\nstep A: using the holding unit to hold the cigarette and ignite the cigarette; step B: activating the suction unit by the control unit to suck the cigarette, so as to simulate smoking action of human;\nstep C: taking k times suction by the suction unit as a cycle, and activating the tapping unit by the control unit to perform a round of tapping actions on the cigarette to simulate human's tapping actions;\nstep D: stopping detection by the control unit when the cigarette has fallout or the cigarette is burned to a predetermined test termination mark; and\nstep E: repeating the step B, the step C and the step D for 40 cigarettes, and recording an occurrence number n of fallout so as to calculate hot coal fallout propensity (HCFP) of burning cigarettes by using the following formula:\n\nHCFP=n/40×100%.","10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the step A, the step B, the step C, the step D, and the step E are performed in a constant temperature and humidity environment.","11. The method according to claim 9, wherein a holding width of the holding unit holding the cigarette is between 9.5mm-10.5mm, a holding strength of the holding unit is between 16gf-18gf, and a distance from a holding point of the holding unit to the one end is between 18mm-20mm.","12. The method according to claim 9, wherein in the step C, the one round of tapping actions comprise performing 2-4 times of tapping actions on the cigarette by using the tapping unit, and an interval time between adjacent two tapping actions is no longer than 1 second.","13. The method according to claim 9, wherein the tapping unit comprises a tapping arm and a tapping hammer, an angle between the tapping arm and the cigarette is between 30-60 degrees when the tapping hammer is in contact with the cigarette.","14. The method according to claim 13, wherein in said step C, a tapping strength of the tapping hammer applied on the cigarette is between 20gf-60gf.","15. The method according to claim 13, wherein in said step C, a width of a tapping point, where the tapping hammer slaps at the cigarette, is between 9.5mm-10.5mm, and a distance between the tapping point and the one end is between 30mm-32mm.","16. The method according to claim 9, wherein two sets of tests are applied to each cigarette sample, a final HCFP of the cigarette is represented by an average value of the two sets of detection results after the step E, and the detection is performed again when an absolute difference of two sets of detection results is greater than 20%."],["1. A smoking machine for an electronic cigarette, comprising: a housing (100); a rotary disc (200) installed on the housing (100), the rotary disc (200) rotates relative to the housing (100) with a central axis of the rotary disc as a center; at least one disc-body smoking through hole (210) is disposed on an end face of the rotary disc (200); a housing sealing member (120) is disposed on the housing (100), a sealing ventilation hole (121) penetrating into an inner portion of the housing (100) is provided in the housing sealing member (120), and when the sealing ventilation hole (121) is in communication with one end of a catcher (2), the other end of the catcher (2) is in communication with a smoking apparatus (440);\nwherein\nthe central axis of the rotary disc (200) is parallel to a horizontal plane; and\nthe smoking machine for an electronic cigarette comprising at least one cigarette clamping mechanism, the cigarette clamping mechanism comprising a clamping mechanism body (310) and a cigarette clamp (320) disposed on the clamping mechanism body (310), wherein the cigarette clamp (320) is installed on the disc-body smoking through hole (210) of the rotary disc (200); one end of the cigarette clamp (320) is a cigarette clamping end (321) for inserting therein an electronic cigarette (1) in a horizontal direction, the cigarette clamp (320) is provided with an axial through hole (322) penetrating in a horizontal direction for smoke to pass through, and the rotary disc (200) is able to rotate to a position to make the axial through hole (322) in communication with the sealing ventilation hole (121) of the housing sealing member (120).","2. The smoking machine for an electronic cigarette as in claim 1, wherein when two or more disc-body smoking through holes (210) exist, the two or more disc-body smoking through holes (210) are evenly arranged on the rotary disc (200), and distances between central axes of the disc-body smoking through holes (210) and the central axis of the rotary disc (200) are the same.","3. The smoking machine for an electronic cigarette as in claim 2, wherein the housing sealing member (120) is disposed on an upper portion of a side surface of the housing (100), a central axis of the sealing ventilation hole (121) and the central axis of the rotary disc (200) both pass through a vertical plane perpendicular to the horizontal plane.","4. The smoking machine for an electronic cigarette as in claim 1, wherein an end face of the housing sealing member (120) is in contact with the end face of the rotary disc (200), and the end face of the rotary disc (200) in contact with the housing sealing member (120) is a plane.","5. The smoking machine for an electronic cigarette as in claim 1, wherein further comprising an automatic loading and weighing system of a catcher, the automatic loading and weighing system of a catcher comprises:\na temporary feeding storage store (510) and a temporary discharge storage store (520), which are disposed on the housing (100) of the smoking machine for an electronic cigarette and in communication with an inner portion of the housing (100);\na transmission mechanism (600), a balance (700), an ejector pin assembly (400), and a discharge transferring mechanism (800), which are disposed inside the housing (100); and\na main control circuit board (300) electrically connected to the ejector pin assembly (400), the transmission mechanism (600), the temporary feeding storage store (510), the temporary discharge storage store (520), and the discharge transferring mechanism (800);\nthe temporary feeding storage store (510) receives the catcher (2) disposed from an outer portion of the smoking machine for an electronic cigarette, and the catcher (2) is taken out from the temporary discharge storage store (520);\na robotic arm (610) is installed on the transmission mechanism (600), the robotic arm (610) obtains the catcher (2), the transmission mechanism (600) drives the robotic arm (610) to move, so that the catcher (2) reaches a preparation position and a weighing position, and during moving of the catcher (2), a central axis of the catcher (2) remains in parallel to a central axis of the sealing ventilation hole (121);\nthe balance (700) weighs the catcher (2) reaching the weighing position;\nthe ejector pin assembly (400) pushes the catcher (2) to horizontally move to a smoking position, and the ejector pin assembly (400) is provided with a vapor channel (421) for sucking vapor; and\nthe discharge transferring mechanism (800) transfers the catcher (2) to the temporary discharge storage store (520).","6. The smoking machine for an electronic cigarette as in claim 5, wherein the discharge transferring mechanism (800) comprises an inclined slideway (810) for the catcher (2) to slide and a discharge pushing cylinder (820), a horizontal height of an end of the inclined slideway (810) close to the temporary discharge storage store (520) is less than a horizontal height of an end of the inclined slideway (810) far away from the temporary discharge storage store (520), the discharge pushing cylinder (820) is disposed below the end of the inclined slideway (810) close to the temporary discharge storage store (520), and a piston rod of the discharge pushing cylinder (820) is located exactly below the temporary discharge storage store (520).","7. The smoking machine for an electronic cigarette as in claim 5, wherein the catcher (2) comprises a catching body (21) and a vapor guiding head (22) disposed on each of two axial end faces of the catching body (21); the robotic arm (610) is formed by two grippers (611) with a V-shaped groove at an end portion; and the V-shaped groove supports the corresponding vapor guiding head (22).","8. The smoking machine for an electronic cigarette as in claim 5, wherein the ejector pin assembly (400) comprises an ejector pin cylinder (410) and an adapter sealing member (420), the adapter sealing member (420) is connected to a piston rod of the ejector pin cylinder (410), the vapor channel (421) is disposed on the adapter sealing member (420), and when the catcher (2) is located at the smoking position, the adapter sealing member (420) is in sealing connection to a vapor outlet end of the catcher (2), and the vapor channel (421) communicates the catcher (2) with the smoking apparatus (440).","9. The smoking machine for an electronic cigarette as in claim 1, wherein further comprising an electronic cigarette triggering system, the electronic cigarette triggering system comprises a cigarette triggering portion (3) and a triggering control cylinder (4) connected to the cigarette triggering portion (3), the cigarette triggering portion (3) is able to come into contact with the electronic cigarette (1) under control of the triggering control cylinder (4), the triggering control cylinder (4) is fixed on a connection block (5), and the connection block (5) is connected to the housing (100) by using a connection structure (6).","10. The smoking machine for an electronic cigarette as in claim 9, wherein the cigarette triggering portion (3) comprises a negative contact terminal (31) and a positive contact terminal (32), the negative contact terminal (31) corresponds to a position of a negative electrode (11) of the electronic cigarette (1), the positive contact terminal (32) corresponds to a position of a positive electrode (12) of the electronic cigarette (1), and the negative contact terminal (31) and the positive contact terminal (32) are connected to a current control apparatus.","11. The smoking machine for an electronic cigarette as in claim 9, wherein the cigarette triggering portion (3) comprises a cigarette pressing terminal (33), and the cigarette pressing terminal (33) corresponds to a position of a power-on button (13) of the electronic cigarette (1).","12. The smoking machine for an electronic cigarette as in claim 1, wherein\nthe clamping mechanism body (310) comprises a horizontal base plate (311) and a vertical supporting plate (314), an upper surface of the horizontal base plate (311) is provided with a guiding groove (312), the guiding groove (312) is disposed in a direction of the length of the horizontal base plate (311); and a bottom portion of the vertical supporting plate (314) is connected to a rear end of the horizontal base plate (311), and the vertical supporting plate (314) is provided with a base through hole (315) penetrating in a horizontal direction;\nthe other end of the cigarette clamp (320) is a disc body connection end (324), and the disc body connection end (324) penetrates into the base through hole (315) of the vertical supporting plate (314); and\nthe cigarette clamping mechanism further comprises a cigarette gripper (330), and the cigarette gripper (330) comprises a gripper base plate (331) and two side surface clamping portions (334) disposed opposite to each other provided on the gripper base plate (331), the gripper base plate (331) is installed on the guiding groove (312) of the horizontal base plate (311) and is movable in a direction of the length of the guiding groove (312), and the two side surface clamping portions (334) are symmetrically disposed by using a vertical plane of a central axis of the axial through hole (322) as a central axial plane."],["1. A testing apparatus for testing vaporizers of electronic cigarettes, each vaporizer comprising a heating element, and electric terminals connected to the heating element for electrically powering the heating element, the testing apparatus comprising:\na holding construction part provided with multiple holding units each for holding a vaporizer, wherein the holding construction part is movable whereby the holding units are moved along a holding unit trajectory;\na contact construction part provided with multiple electric contact members, wherein each electric contact member of the multiple electric contact members is associated with a respective different holding unit of the multiple holding units, and is configured to electrically contact at least one electric terminal of a vaporizer in the associated respective different holding unit;\na supply construction part configured to conduct electric power to each electric contact member; and\na measuring part configured to measure at least one electric quantity representative of an electric resistance and/or inductance of the heating element.","2. The testing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the measuring part is configured for:\nmeasuring a DC current flowing through the heating element while applying a predetermined DC voltage to the electric terminals of the heating element, or\nmeasuring a DC voltage at the electric terminals of the heating element while supplying a predetermined DC current flowing through the heating element, or\nmeasuring a DC voltage at the electric terminals of the heating element and measuring a DC current flowing through the heating element, or\nmeasuring an AC current flowing through the heating element while applying a predetermined AC voltage to the electric terminals of the heating element, or\nmeasuring an AC voltage at the electric terminals of the heating element while supplying a predetermined AC current flowing through the heating element, or\nmeasuring an AC voltage at the electric terminals of the heating element and measuring an AC current flowing through the heating element.","3. The testing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the measuring part further is configured to measure:\na frequency of the AC voltage or the AC current; and/or\na phase shift between the AC voltage and the AC current; and/or\na time constant of the DC current or the DC voltage.","4. The testing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the measuring part further is configured to:\ncompare the measured quantity with a predetermined range and, if the measured quantity is outside the predetermined range, output a rejection signal.","5. The testing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the supply construction part comprises:\nmultiple electric slip contacts, wherein each slip contact is associated with, and electrically connected to, a respective electric contact member, and wherein the supply construction part is adapted to be moved in synchronism with the contact construction part; and\nat least one power electric terminal configured to electrically contact slip contacts for conducting electric power to the slip contacts, wherein the slip contacts are adapted to move relative to the power electric terminal.","6. The testing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the power electric terminal is stationary.","7. The testing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each electric contact member is configured to be displaced between a first position in which the electric contact member contacts at least one electric terminal of a vaporizer in the associated holding unit, and a second position in which the electric contact member does not contact an electric terminal of the vaporizer in the associated holding unit, wherein two or more electric contact members of the multiple electric contact members are each configured to electrically contact a single respective different vaporizer at the same time.","8. The testing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein each electric contact member comprises a cam track follower, and wherein upon movement of the contact construction part the electric contact members are positioned in and between the first position and the second position by a cam track engaging the cam track followers of the electric contact members, wherein the cam track followers are moved relative to the cam track while moving along a part of the cam track.","9. The testing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the cam track is stationary.","10. The testing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the holding units form a circular configuration, and wherein the holding construction part is movable in rotation whereby the holding units are moved in a rotation direction.","11. The testing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the contact construction part is fixed to the holding construction part to be moved in rotation therewith.","12. The testing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:\na supply unit configured to place the vaporizers in the holding units of the holding construction part at a receiving location along the holding unit trajectory so that the vaporizers are transported along at least part of the holding unit trajectory; and\na discharge unit configured to remove the vaporizers from the holding units at a discharge location along the holding unit trajectory.","13. The testing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the contact construction part is adapted to move in synchronism with the holding construction part.","14. The testing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the contact construction part is fixed to the holding construction part.","15. The testing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:\nthe contact construction part and the holding construction part are each part of a rotary wheel;\nthe multiple holding units comprise a plurality of recesses formed in a peripheral surface of the rotary wheel; and\neach electric contact member of the multiple electric contact members is disposed at least partially through a respective different channel of multiple channels formed in the rotary wheel.","16. The testing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each respective different channel of the multiple channels is disposed below the respective different holding unit of the multiple holding units.","17. A method of testing vaporizers for electronic cigarettes, each vaporizer comprising a heating element, and electric terminals connected to the heating element for electrically powering the heating element, the method comprising:\nelectrically powering a plurality of heating elements of a plurality of vaporizers at the same time;\nmeasuring at least one electric quantity representative of an electric resistance and/or inductance of each of the plurality of heating elements at the same time; and\ncomparing the measured quantity with a predetermined range for each of the plurality of heating elements and, if the measured quantity is outside the predetermined range for a vaporizer, then rejecting the vaporizer, the rejecting the vaporizer comprising removing the vaporizer from a production process."],["1. An automatic multichannel apparatus for assessing hot coal fallout propensity of burning cigarettes, comprising: a main frame, a control unit, and a multichannel rotary plate unit, an automatic supplying unit for cigarette samples, an automatic ignition and burning line detection unit for cigarette samples, a suction unit, a cigarette holding and force applying unit and an automatic hot coal fallout detection and removal unit, which are disposed inside the main frame and connected with the control unit respectively, wherein:\nthe multichannel rotary plate unit has a plurality of sample insertion holes for holding cigarettes;\nthe automatic supplying unit for cigarette samples is connected with the multichannel rotary plate unit and disposed on an enter side of the plurality of sample insertion holes so as to load a cigarette to one of the plurality of sample insertion holes;\nthe automatic ignition and burning line detection unit for cigarette samples is disposed on an exit side of the plurality of sample insertion holes and located closer to the plurality of sample insertion holes, to ignite the cigarette samples each held in relative one of the plurality of sample insertion holes and detect the burning line of the cigarette samples;\nthe suction unit is connected with one of the plurality of sample insertion holes to simulate a cigarette smoking action after igniting the cigarette;\nthe cigarette holding and force applying unit is disposed closer to the enter side of the plurality of sample insertion holes to simulate cigarette holding and flicking actions; and\nthe automatic hot coal fallout detection and removal unit is disposed closer to one of the plurality of sample insertion holes to detect whether the cigarette has hot coal fallout and the cigarette is removed from a channel.","2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the multichannel rotary plate unit comprises:\na transmission seat base disposed inside the main frame;\na transmission seat vertically disposed on the transmission seat base and connected with a rotation driving device;\na rotary plate disposed on a rotary surface of the transmission seat and including the plurality of sample insertion holes;\na securing plate disposed on a securing surface of the transmission seat, and a sealing device being provided between the securing plate and the rotary plate; and\na first pneumatic joint disposed on the securing plate and connected with the suction unit, and the first pneumatic joint being capable of be in communication with one of the plurality of sample insertion holes so as to suck the cigarette held in the one of the plurality of sample insertion holes to perform suction.","3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the rotary surface of the transmission seat is provided with a rotary plate flange that is mounted on the rotary plate flange by pressing a knob.","4. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the rotary plate is sealed with the securing plate by a Variseal.","5. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of sample insertion holes comprises:\na labyrinth ring connection seat, the sealing device between the rotary plate and the securing plate being disposed at one end of the labyrinth ring connection seat closer to the securing plate;\na labyrinth ring sleeve disposed at another end of the labyrinth ring connection seat away from the securing plate via the sealing device; and\na plurality of labyrinth rings disposed inside the labyrinth ring sleeve to hold cigarette samples.","6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of labyrinth rings include four labyrinth rings.","7. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein at least two handles are disposed on one side of the rotary plate facing away from the securing plate.","8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the automatic supplying unit for cigarette samples comprises a cigarette supplying module and a cigarette pushing module connected to the cigarette supplying module by a cigarette sliding slot, and the cigarette supplying module and the cigarette pushing module are both mounted on the main body by a cigarette loading base, wherein the cigarette supplying module is configured to supply a cigarette into the cigarette sliding slot, and the cigarette pushing module pushes the cigarette within the cigarette sliding slot into one of the plurality of sample insertion holes.","9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the cigarette supplying module comprises:\na cigarette collection box mounted on the cigarette loading base by a cigarette collection box bracket to contain the cigarette; and\na roller disposed at an exit end of the cigarette collection box and connected with the cigarette sliding slot, so as to supply the cigarette within the cigarette collection box into the cigarette sliding slot under drive of a roller driving device.","10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the cigarette supplying module further comprises a cigarette supplying guide plate disposed on a lower side of the roller and overlapped with the cigarette sliding slot, so as to guide the cigarette to roll from the roller to the cigarette sliding slot.","11. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the cigarette supplying module further comprises correlation photoelectric switches, the correlation photoelectric switches are disposed opposite to each other in a direction perpendicular to a length direction of the cigarette sliding slot to detect whether the cigarette is located in the cigarette sliding slot.","12. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the cigarette supplying module further comprises:\na roller photoelectric switch disposed on the cigarette collecting box bracket to determine an initial position of the roller.","13. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the cigarette supplying module further comprises a coding plate of a cigarette loading roller and a roller coupler, wherein one end of the roller coupler is connected with the roller driving device and another end thereof is connected to the roller by the coding plate for the cigarette loading roller.","14. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the cigarette pushing module comprises:\na sample bracket disposed at one end of the cigarette sliding slot closer to one of the plurality of sample insertion holes;\na pushing rod disposed above the cigarette sliding slot to push the cigarette within the cigarette sliding slot to the sample bracket under action of a pushing rod driving device; and\na cigarette loading claw disposed above the sample bracket and connected with a claw driving device, to clamp the cigarette sample on the sample bracket under drive of the claw driving device and transmit the cigarette sample to one of the plurality of sample insertion holes.","15. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the cigarette pushing driving device comprises:\na cigarette pushing motor;\na cigarette pushing lead screw platform connected with the cigarette pushing motor by a coupler; and\na cigarette pushing baffle installed on the cigarette pushing lead screw platform and connected with one end of the pushing rod.","16. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the cigarette pushing module further comprises a cigarette pushing photoelectric switch disposed on a cigarette pushing lead screw platform installation seat to determine an initial position of the pushing rod.","17. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the claw driving device comprises:\na transverse cylinder disposed in parallel with the cigarette pushing lead screw platform;\na claw cylinder mounted at a piston end of the transverse cylinder by a claw cylinder installation seat; and\nthe cigarette loading claw connected with the claw cylinder to clamp the cigarette held on the sample bracket.","18. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the automatic ignition and burning line detection unit for cigarette samples comprises:\nan igniter disposed closer to one of the plurality of sample insertion holes to ignite the cigarette sample held within the one of the plurality of sample insertion holes;\nan igniter electric platform installed on a base of the automatic ignition and burning line detection unit for cigarette samples and connected with the igniter to drive the igniter to move under drive of a cigarette ignition electric platform driving device; and\na burning line detection device disposed on an ignition base closer to one of the plurality of sample insertion holes, to detect a burning line of the cigarette held within the one of the plurality of sample insertion holes.","19. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the burning line detection device comprises:\na burning line detection movable platform disposed on the base of the automatic ignition and burning line detection unit for cigarette samples, the burning line detection movable platform being capable of moving;\na probe shaft disposed on a burning line detection adaptor closer to one of the plurality of sample insertion holes; and\na burning line detection temperature sensor installed inside the burning line detection line detection adaptor.","20. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein an end of the probe shaft has a probe piece.","21. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein an axis of the probe shaft and an axis of the igniter are located in the same plane and perpendicular to each other.","22. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the igniter includes an igniter head, an igniter rod and an igniter handle, wherein the igniter head is disposed at one end of the igniter rod by an igniter fixing sleeve, the igniter handle is disposed at the other end of the igniter rod, and the igniter rod is connected with the igniter electric platform to move under drive of the igniter electric platform.","23. The apparatus according to 22, wherein the automatic ignition and burning line detection unit for cigarette samples further comprises:\nan upper igniter support seat and a lower igniter support seat cooperated with the upper igniter support seat, wherein the igniter rod is held between the upper igniter support seat and the lower igniter support seat, and the lower igniter support seat is connected with the igniter electric platform.","24. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the igniter electric platform driving device includes a platform driving motor connected to the igniter electric platform by a coupler.","25. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the automatic ignition and burning line detection unit for cigarette samples further comprises:\ntwo ignition photoelectric switches oppositely disposed on an installation seat of the automatic ignition and burning line detecting unit for cigarette samples; and\nan igniter photoelectric switch baffle disposed on a slider located on the igniter electric platform,\nwherein, an initial position of the igniter electric platform is a position, to which the igniter photoelectric switch baffle moves between the two igniter photoelectric switches.","26. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the suction unit comprises:\na suction unit installation seat disposed on a vertical support in the main frame;\na slide rail disposed on the suction unit installation seat along a length direction of the suction unit installation seat;\na suction motor, wherein a motor shaft of the suction motor is connected with a slider on the slide rail; and\na suction cylinder, wherein one end of the suction cylinder is connected with the suction motor by a motor connection plate and the other end thereof is closed by a cover, a suction piston is disposed in the suction cylinder and an end face of the suction piston is the same as a radial section of the suction cylinder, and the cover is provided with an opening to be connected with a suction air pipe, and the suction air pipe is connected with one of the plurality of sample insertion holes.","27. The apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the suction unit further comprises:\na suction motor bracket connected with the vertical support to fix the suction motor;\na suction cylinder base disposed at a bottom of the suction cylinder to support the suction cylinder; and\na tension rod, both ends of the tensioning rod being respectively connected with the suction motor bracket and the suction cylinder base.","28. The apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the suction cylinder is a cylindrical glass cylinder with openings at both ends.","29. The apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the suction unit further comprises a suction null photoelectric switch that is disposed on the suction unit installation seat and connected with the control unit, to determine an initial position of the suction motor.","30. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cigarette holding and force applying unit comprises a flicking module and a holding module, wherein:\nthe flicking module includes:\na flicking sheet;\na rotary cylinder, a cylinder shaft of the rotary cylinder being connected with one end of the flicking sheet to drive the flicking sheet to rotate upwardly and downwardly; and\na pneumatic sliding table of the flicking module disposed on the base of the cigarette holding and force applying unit, and one end of the pneumatic sliding table of the flicking module being connected with the rotary cylinder to drive the flicking sheet to move horizontally, and the holding module includes:\na flicking claw;\na one-dimensional motor platform disposed on the pneumatic sliding table of the flicking module by a motor sliding table installation plate, and the one-dimensional motor platform is connected with the flicking claw to drive action of the flicking claw.","31. The apparatus according to claim 30, wherein one end of the flicking sheet for flicking the cigarette is provided with a flicking head having a larger sectional area than a wide of the flicking sheet to increase a flicking area.","32. The apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the flicking sheet is mounted on the rotary cylinder by a flicking sheet installation seat, and the rotary cylinder is mounted on the pneumatic sliding table of the flicking module by a rotary cylinder installation seat,\nwherein the flicking module further includes an upper vibration-damping sheet mounted on the flicking sheet installation seat and a lower vibration-damping sheet mounted on the rotary cylinder installation seat to limit a range, in which the flicking sheet rotates up and down.","33. The apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the flicking module further comprises:\na lead screw sliding table of the flicking module disposed on the pneumatic sliding table of the flicking assembly, and the pneumatic sliding table of the flicking module is disposed on the lead screw sliding table of the flicking module to install the rotary cylinder.","34. The apparatus according to claim 33, where the flicking module further comprises:\na null photoelectric switch disposed on the motor sliding stable installation plate and connected with the control unit; and\na null switch baffle disposed on the base of the cigarette holding and force applying unit, wherein a position of the null switch baffle is detected by the null photoelectric switch to determine stroke of the base of the cigarette holding and force applying unit.","35. The apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the flicking claw comprises:\na cigarette flicking pneumatic claw connected with the one-dimensional motor platform;\nan upper flicking claw mounted on an upper jaw of the cigarette flicking pneumatic claw; and\na lower flicking claw mounted on a lower jaw of the cigarette flicking pneumatic claw by a lower jaw installation seat.","36. The apparatus according to claim 35, wherein the holding module further comprises:\na cigarette flicking claw support seat mounted on the one-dimensional motor platform and mounted on the cigarette flicking claw support seat by one end of a flicking claw installation seat;\na claw limit baffle mounted on the cigarette flicking claw support seat; and\na limit photoelectric switch mounted on a motor sliding table base, the motor sliding table base being disposed on the motor sliding table installation plate to mount the one-dimensional motor platform, and the limit photoelectric switch being capable of detecting a stroke of the claw limit baffle to determine a stroke of the cigarette flicking claw support seat.","37. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the automatic hot coal fallout detection and removal unit comprises:\na hot coal fallout unit base connected with the main frame;\na hot coal fallout detection temperature sensor disposed inside the hot coal fallout unit base by an adapter and connected with the control unit to detect a temperature of a burning end of the cigarette and transmit the temperature data to the control unit, so that the control unit determines whether hot coal fallout of the cigarette occurs;\na cigarette pull cylinder mounted on the hot coal fallout unit base by a cigarette pull cylinder installation seat;\na pneumatic finger connection plate, one end of the pneumatic finger connection plate being connected with the cigarette pull cylinder installation seat; and\na cigarette pull claw disposed at the other end of the pneumatic finger connection plate to move under drive of the cigarette pull cylinder and pull out the cigarette from one of the plurality of sample insertion holes.","38. The apparatus according to claim 37, wherein the automatic hot coal fallout detection and removal unit further comprises at least one linear bearing disposed on the cigarette pull cylinder installation seat, and a guide shaft positioned in parallel to a direction of pulling the cigarette is provided in the at least one linear bearing.","39. The apparatus according to claim 37, wherein the at least one linear bearing comprises two linear bearings.","40. The apparatus according to claim 37, wherein the automatic hot coal fallout detection and removal unit further comprises:\na probe guide tube mounted on the adapter by a probe seat and being coaxial with a probe head of the hot coal fallout detection temperature sensor, the probe guide tube facing one of the plurality of sample insertion holes so that the hot coal fallout detection temperature sensor is capable of receiving burning temperature of a cigarettes sample held in the one of the plurality of sample insertion holes.","41. The apparatus according to claim 37, wherein the hot coal fallout detection temperature sensor is an infrared temperature sensor.","42. The apparatus according to claim 37, wherein the automatic hot coal fallout detection and removal unit further comprises a cigarette pull pneumatic finger connected with the cigarette pull claw to perform grasping and releasing actions of the cigarette pull claw.","43. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a smoke collecting unit, said smoke collecting unit comprising:\na gas filtering device disposed in the main frame by a smoke collecting unit installation sat and including a second pneumatic joint and a gas discharge joint, wherein the second pneumatic joint communicates with one of the plurality of sample insertion holes, and the gas discharge joint communicates with the suction unit.","44. The apparatus according to claim 43, wherein the gas filtering device further comprises:\na compression cylinder mounted on the smoke collecting unit installation seat;\na pressing opening disposed at a piston end of the compression cylinder, and the second pneumatic joint being in communication with the pressing opening to transfer the suction gas through the pressing opening; and\na filter plate, an upper end of the filter plate being in communication with the pressing opening and a lower end of the filter plate being in communication with the gas discharge joint, so as to filter the suction gas and transfer the filtered gas to the suction unit.","45. The apparatus according to claim 44, wherein the filter plate comprises:\na trap tray disposed on the smoke collecting unit by a shaft rod;\na filter disposed inside the trap tray;\na triangle clip disposed above the filter to compress the filter inside the trap tray, and the pressing opening being disposed above the triangle clip to compress the triangle clip under action of the compression cylinder; and\na trap adaptor in communication with a bottom of the trap tray and the gas discharge joint, respectively, to transfer the filtered gas to the gas discharge joint.","46. The apparatus according claim 45, wherein the filter further comprises:\na filter seat disposed in the trap tray to accommodate the filter, and a plurality of through holes being provided at a bottom of the filter seat to permit gas flow; and\na filter cover fitted with the filter seat to seal the filter, and a top portion of the filter cover having a hole for communicating the filter seat with the pressing opening, wherein the triangle clip is disposed on an upper surface of the filter cover.","47. The apparatus according claim 1, further comprising an ash hopper disposed below the multichannel rotary plate unit to collect ash of burning cigarettes and the remaining portion of the cigarettes.","48. The apparatus according claim 1, further comprising a smoke exhaust unit having one end connected with the main frame and another end connected with an external smoke collecting device to discharge smoke within the main frame.","49. A method for assessing hot coal fallout propensity of burning cigarettes by using the apparatus according to claim 1. the method comprising:\nstep A: starting the automatic supplying unit for cigarette samples to supply a cigarette to each of the plurality of sample insertion holes;\nstep B: starting the automatic ignition and burning line detection unit for cigarette samples to ignite the cigarette held in each of the plurality of sample insertion holes while starting the suction unit to simulate smoking action on the cigarette;\nstep C: starting the cigarette holding and force applying unit to simulate flicking action on the cigarette held within each of the plurality of sample insertion holes;\nstep D: starting the automatic hot coal fallout detection and removal unit to detect whether hot coal fallout occurs and using the automatic ignition and burning line detection unit for cigarette samples to detect whether the burning cigarette has reached to a predetermined burning line; and\nstep E: pulling out the cigarette from the channel, in which the cigarette is held, by the automatic hot coal fallout detection and removal unit, when the cigarette having hot coal fallout or burning to said predetermined burning line is detected.","50. The method according to claim 49, wherein said step A comprises:\nstep A1: supplying the cigarette to one of the plurality of sample insertion holes by the automatic supplying unit for cigarette samples;\nstep A2: rotating the multichannel rotary plate unit and repeating the step A to supply a cigarette to another hole adjacent the one hole completing cigarette supplying action; and\nstep A3: comparing a rotating number n of the multichannel rotary plate unit and a number N of the plurality of sample insertion holes, repeating the step A1 and the step A2 if n
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[
"1. A firearm comprising:\na frame having a barrel and defining a passage registered with the barrel;\na bolt configured to reciprocate in the passage between a forward battery condition and a retracted condition;\na latch movable between a retention position in which the bolt is prevented by the latch from moving from the retracted position to the battery position, and a release condition in which the bolt is prevented by the latch from moving from the retracted position to the battery position;\nthe latch being biased to the retention position such that the bolt is retained in the retracted position after every shot; and\nan actuator connected to the latch and configured to move the latch to the release condition."
] |
US20220187035A1
|
US20190137202A1
|
[
"1. A bolt catch for a firearm having a bolt and a slot with a floor, the bolt catch comprising:\na body member dimensioned to be disposed within the slot, the body member having:\na pair of opposing planar walls and a top planar wall, with the planar walls forming a parallelepiped-shaped void in the body member; and\na pivot portion, wherein the body member is biased to rotate within the slot about the pivot portion, thereby blocking the bolt from moving in a predetermined direction.",
"2. The bolt catch of claim 1, wherein the pivot portion includes a hole for receiving a pivot pin.",
"3. The bolt catch of claim 1, further comprising:\nan outer member extending perpendicular to a longitudinal length of the body member, the outer member including a finger pad.",
"4. The bolt catch of claim 1, further comprising:\na biasing member disposed in the void;\nwherein the body member is biased by the biasing member.",
"5. The bolt catch of claim 4, wherein the biasing member has a pair of ends, with one end engaging the floor of the slot, and the other end engaging the body member.",
"6. The bolt catch of claim 4, wherein the void includes a plurality of voids; and\nwherein the biasing member includes a plurality of biasing members, with each biasing member disposed in a respective void.",
"7. The bolt catch of claim 4, wherein the void has a rounded edge to prevent the biasing member from binding to the body member.",
"8. The bolt catch of claim 4, wherein the biasing member is selected from a compression spring, a torsion spring, and a magnet.",
"9. A bolt catch for a firearm having a bolt, a slot with a floor, and a magazine for holding a cartridge, the bolt catch comprising:\na body member dimensioned to be disposed within the slot, the body member having:\na pair of opposing planar walls and a top planar wall, with the planar walls forming a parallelepiped-shaped void in the body member; and\na pivot portion, wherein the body member is biased to rotate in a first rotational direction within the slot about the pivot portion, thereby blocking the bolt from moving forward; and\nan outer member extending perpendicular to a longitudinal length of the body member, the outer member including a finger pad for a user to press for rotating the body member in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction and for countering the restorative force of the resilient member, thereby moving the bolt forward to engage the cartridge.",
"10. The bolt catch of claim 9, wherein the pivot portion includes a hole for receiving a pivot pin.",
"11. The bolt catch of claim 9, further comprising:\na biasing member disposed in the void;\nwherein the body member is biased by the biasing member.",
"12. The bolt catch of claim 11, wherein the biasing member has a pair of ends, with one end engaging the floor of the slot, and the other end engaging the body member.",
"13. The bolt catch of claim 11, wherein the void includes a plurality of voids; and\nwherein the biasing member includes a plurality of biasing members, with each biasing member disposed in a respective void.",
"14. The bolt catch of claim 11, wherein the void has a rounded edge to prevent the biasing member from binding to the body member.",
"15. The bolt catch of claim 11, wherein the biasing member is selected from a compression spring, a torsion spring, and a magnet.",
"16. A method for converting a semi-automatic firearm into a bolt action firearm, the semi-automatic firearm having a bolt, a slot with a floor, and a magazine for holding a cartridge, the method comprising:\nproviding a bolt catch having a body member and an outer member extending perpendicular to a longitudinal length of the body member, the outer member including a finger pad, the body member dimensioned to be disposed within the slot, the body member having:\na pair of opposing planar walls and a top planar wall, with the planar walls forming a parallelepiped-shaped void in the body member; and\na pivot portion;\npositioning the body member within the slot;\nbiasing the body member to rotate in a first rotational direction within the slot about the pivot portion, thereby blocking the bolt from moving forward; and\npressing the finger pad to rotate the body member in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction for countering the restorative force of the resilient member, thereby moving the bolt forward to engage the cartridge.",
"17. The method of claim 16, wherein the bolt catch further comprises:\na biasing member disposed in the void;\nwherein the body member is biased by the biasing member.",
"18. The bolt catch of claim 17, wherein the biasing member has a pair of ends, with one end engaging the floor of the slot, and the other end engaging the body member.",
"19. The method of claim 17, wherein the void includes a plurality of voids; and\nwherein the biasing member includes a plurality of biasing members, with each biasing member disposed in a respective void.",
"20. The method of claim 17, wherein the biasing member is selected from a compression spring, a torsion spring, and a magnet.",
"21. A firearm comprising:\na lower receiver including a slot with a floor, wherein the floor has an aperture therein;\na bolt catch disposed in the slot; and\na biasing member including:\na first end disposed in the aperture; and\na second end engaging the bolt catch.",
"22. The firearm of claim 21, wherein the biasing member is selected from a compression spring, a torsion spring, and a magnet.",
"23. The firearm of claim 21, wherein the bolt catch has a lower surface facing the floor; and\nwherein the second end of the biasing member engages the lower surface of the bolt catch."
] |
[
[
"1. A bolt action firearm, comprising:\na bolt assembly including:\na main body defining central bore along a central axis and a pair of elongate slots that pass through said main body, the elongate slots of said pair of elongate slots being diametrically opposed to each other;\na cam cylinder mounted to said main body, said cam cylinder defining diametrically opposed spiral-shaped slots that pass through said cam cylinder, said spiral shaped slots being in mirrored symmetry about said central axis;\na handle portion coupled to said cam cylinder; and\na cam pin that extends perpendicular to said central axis, through said pair of elongate slots of said main body, and through said diametrically opposed spiral-shaped slots of said cam cylinder,\nwherein rotation of said bolt assembly about said central axis with said handle portion causes said spiral slots of said cam cylinder to rotate about and exert an axial force that is parallel to said central axis against said cam pin, which causes a translation of said cam pin within said elongate slots of said main body.",
"2. The bolt action firearm of claim 1, comprising:\na spring retainer coupled to said cam pin and slidably engaged within said central bore; and\na main spring disposed distal to and in contact with said spring retainer,\nwherein rotation of said bolt assembly from an open position to a closed position causes said translation of said cam pin to exert a force on said spring retainer in a distal direction, which causes said spring retainer to move in said distal direction to apply a compressive force on said main spring.",
"3. The bolt action firearm of claim 1, wherein said body portion includes a neck portion that defines said pair of elongate slots.",
"4. The bolt action firearm of claim 3, wherein said cam cylinder is mounted to an external surface of said neck portion.",
"5. The bolt action firearm of claim 1, comprising:\na trigger assembly; and\na barrel operatively coupled with said trigger assembly,\nwherein said bolt assembly is operatively coupled to said trigger assembly and said barrel.",
"6. The bolt action firearm of claim 5, wherein said barrel includes a cartridge chamber.",
"7. The bolt action firearm of claim 6, wherein said cartridge chamber is configured to accept one of a .17 caliber cartridge, a .17 WSM cartridge, and a .17 HMR cartridge.",
"8. The bolt action firearm of claim 5, comprising a housing attached to a proximal end of said barrel, said housing defining an actuation axis, said bolt assembly being disposed within said housing so that said central axis of said bolt assembly is substantially concentric with said actuation axis, said bolt assembly being translatable along said actuation axis.",
"9. The bolt action firearm of claim 8, wherein:\nsaid housing includes a plurality of inwardly extending retaining tab portions disposed at a proximal end thereof, each of said inwardly extending retaining tab portions including a distal face; and\nsaid cam cylinder of said bolt assembly includes a plurality of outwardly extending tab portions, each of said outwardly extending tab portions including a proximal face,\nwherein rotation of said bolt assembly from an open position to a closed position causes each proximal face of said plurality of outwardly extending tab portions to rotate into contact with said distal face of a corresponding one said plurality of inwardly extending retaining tab portions of said housing to secure said bolt assembly within said housing.",
"10. The bolt action firearm of claim 9, wherein said plurality of inwardly extending retaining tab portions include lead-in surfaces.",
"11. The bolt action firearm of claim 9, wherein said plurality of outwardly extending tab portions include lead-in surfaces.",
"12. A cock-on-close bolt action firearm, comprising:\na bolt assembly including:\na main body defining central bore along a central axis and a pair of elongate slots that pass through said main body, the elongate slots of said pair of elongate slots being diametrically opposed to each other;\na cam cylinder mounted to said main body, said cam cylinder defining diametrically opposed spiral-shaped slots that pass through said cam cylinder, said spiral shaped slots being in mirrored symmetry about said central axis;\na spring retainer coupled to said cam pin and slidably engaged within said central bore, said spring retainer including a cam pin that extends perpendicular to said central axis, through said pair of elongate slots of said main body, and through said diametrically opposed spiral-shaped slots of said cam cylinder; and\na main spring disposed distal to and in contact with said spring retainer,\nwherein rotation of said bolt assembly about said central axis from an open position to a closed position causes said cam to exert a force on said cam pin in a distal direction, which causes said cam pin and said spring retainer to move in said distal direction to apply a compressive force on said main spring.",
"13. The cock-on-close bolt action firearm of claim 12, wherein said body portion includes a neck portion that defines said pair of elongate slots.",
"14. The bolt action firearm of claim 13, wherein said cam cylinder is mounted to an external surface of said neck portion.",
"15. The bolt action firearm of claim 12, comprising:\na trigger assembly; and\na barrel operatively coupled with said trigger assembly,\nwherein said bolt assembly is operatively coupled to said trigger assembly and said barrel.",
"16. The bolt action firearm of claim 15, wherein said barrel includes a cartridge chamber.",
"17. The bolt action firearm of claim 16, wherein said cartridge chamber is configured to accept one of a .17 caliber cartridge, a .17 WSM cartridge, and a .17 HMR cartridge."
],
[
"1. A bolt release for use with a firearm, comprising:\na first handle to protrude from a first side of the firearm;\na second handle to protrude from a second side of the firearm, the first and second handles being integral, the first and second handles to enable the bolt release to be operable from the first and second sides of the firearm, wherein the bolt release comprises a pivot axis adjacent the first side or the second side, the pivot axis to enable the bolt release to be pivoted between a release position and a retained position, the bolt release including a surface structured to be engaged by a spring or a spring-biased follower to bias the bolt release toward the release position.",
"2. The bolt release of claim 1, wherein the bolt release comprises a protrusion to extend into a magazine chamber of the firearm, the protrusion to be engaged by a cartridge loader of a magazine when the magazine is empty, the engagement between the protrusion and the cartridge loader to actuate the bolt release from the release position to the retained position.",
"3. The bolt release of claim 1, further comprising a third handle, wherein the first and third handles are proximate the pivot axis and the second handle is distal to the pivot axis, outward facing surfaces of the first and third handles being substantially co-planer.",
"4. The bolt release of claim 3, wherein the bolt release is to be actuated between the release position and the retained position using the first handle, the second handle, or the third handle.",
"5. The bolt release of claim 4, wherein the bolt release is to be actuated from the release position to the retained position using the first handle, the second handle, or the third handle.",
"6. The bolt release of claim 4, wherein the bolt release is to be actuated from the retained position to the release position using the first handle, the second handle, or the third handle.",
"7. The bolt release of claim 1, wherein the first handle comprises surface structures or a slip-resistant coating.",
"8. The bolt release of claim 1, wherein the bolt release comprises a retrofit bolt release.",
"9. A firearm, comprising:\na receiver; and\na bolt release disposed in the receiver, the bolt release comprising:\na first handle to protrude from a first side of the firearm;\na second handle to protrude from a second side of the firearm, the first and second handles being integral, the first and second handles to enable the bolt release to be operable from the first and second sides of the firearm, wherein the bolt release comprises a pivot axis adjacent the first side or the second side, the pivot axis to enable the bolt release to be pivoted between a release position and a retained position, the receiver defining a lateral bore receiving a spring, the spring biasing the bolt release toward the release position.",
"10. The firearm of claim 9, wherein the bolt release comprises a protrusion to extend into a magazine chamber of the firearm, the protrusion to be engaged by a cartridge loader of a magazine when the magazine is empty, the engagement between the protrusion and the cartridge loader to actuate the bolt release from the release position to the retained position.",
"11. The firearm of claim 9, further comprising a third handle, wherein the first and third handles are proximate the pivot axis and the second handle is distal to the pivot axis, outward facing surfaces of the first and third handles being substantially co-planer.",
"12. The firearm of claim 11, wherein the bolt release is to be actuated between the release position and the retained position using the first handle, the second handle, or the third handle.",
"13. The firearm of claim 11, wherein the bolt release is to be actuated from the release position to the retained position using the first handle, the second handle, or the third handle.",
"14. The firearm of claim 11, wherein the bolt release is to be actuated from the retained position to the release position using the first handle, the second handle, or the third handle.",
"15. The firearm of claim 9, wherein the first handle comprises surface structures or a slip-resistant coating.",
"16. A receiver, comprising:\na lower receiver;\na bolt release disposed in the lower receiver, the bolt release comprising:\na first handle to protrude from a first side of the lower receiver; and\na second handle to protrude from a second side of the lower receiver, the first and second handles being integral, the first and second handles to enable the bolt release to be operable from the first and second sides of the lower receiver, wherein the bolt release comprises a pivot axis adjacent the first side or the second side, the pivot axis to enable the bolt release to be pivoted between a release position and a retained position, a spring urging the bolt release, via the first handle, toward the release position.",
"17. The receiver of claim 16, wherein the lower receiver comprises a protrusion to substantially protect the first handle or the second handle against damage or accidental actuation.",
"18. The receiver of claim 16, wherein, in the release position, the bolt release is to enable a bolt of a firearm to oscillate between a rearward position and a forward position, in the retained position, the bolt release to retain the bolt adjacent the rearward position.",
"19. A bolt release for use with a firearm, comprising:\na first handle to protrude from a first side of the firearm;\na second handle to protrude from a second side of the firearm, the first and second handles to enable the bolt release to be operable from the first and second sides of the firearm, the first handle including a surface structured to be engaged by a spring or a spring-biased follower to bias the bolt release toward a release position;\nan elongated portion coupling the first and second handles, wherein a chamfer is defined between the first handle and the elongated portion to substantially reduce a likelihood of contaminants affecting a pivotal movement of the bolt release, a pivot axis is defined adjacent the chamfer and the first handle, the pivot axis to enable the bolt release to be pivoted between a release position and a retained position, the bolt release is to be biased toward the release position, the first handle, the second handle, and the elongated portion being integral; and\na protrusion to extend into a magazine chamber of the firearm, the protrusion to be engaged by a cartridge loader of a magazine when the magazine is empty, the engagement between the protrusion and the cartridge loader to actuate the bolt release from the release position to the retained position.",
"20. The firearm of claim 9, further including a projection coupled to the spring, the projection being urged into engagement with the bolt release, via the spring, to bias the bolt release toward the release position.",
"21. The firearm of claim 20, wherein the projection includes a tapered or rounded end engaging the bolt release to bias the bolt release toward the release position.",
"22. The firearm of claim 1, wherein the surface is a planar surface.",
"23. The receiver of claim 16, wherein the lower receiver defines a bore in which the spring or the spring-biased follower are disposed."
],
[
"1. A firearm comprising:\na left side;\na right side opposite the left side;\nat least one of a bolt or a carrier;\na bolt catch that holds the bolt or the carrier in a retracted position;\na left bolt release feature at the left side;\nand a right bolt release feature at the right side;\nwherein the left bolt release feature is actuated with a first user action to release the bolt catch;\nwherein the right bolt release feature is actuated with a second user action to release the bolt catch;\nwherein the first user action and the second user action are substantially similar but in opposite directions;\na left bolt engagement feature at the left side;\na right bolt engagement feature at the right side;\nwherein the left bolt engagement feature is actuated with a third user action;\nwherein the right bolt engagement feature is actuated with a fourth user action; and\nwherein the third user action and the fourth user action are substantially similar but in opposite directions.",
"2. The firearm of claim 1 further comprising:\nwherein the first user action is an application of a first pushing force substantially perpendicular to the left side of the firearm; and\nwherein the second user action is an application of a second pushing force substantially perpendicular to the right side of the firearm.",
"3. The firearm of claim 1 further comprising:\nwherein the left bolt release feature comprises a left bolt release pad at the left side;\nwherein the right bolt release feature comprises a right bolt release pad at the right side; and\nwherein the left bolt release pad is substantially opposite the right bolt release pad.",
"4. The firearm of claim 3 further comprising:\na left bolt engagement feature at the left side;\na right bolt engagement feature at the right side;\nwherein the left bolt engagement feature is actuated with a third user action;\nwherein the right bolt engagement feature is actuated with a fourth user action;\nwherein the third user action and the fourth user action are substantially similar, but in opposite directions; and\nwherein the left bolt engagement feature is substantially opposite the right bolt engagement feature.",
"5. A firearm with an ambidextrous bolt control comprising:\na frame defining an bolt passage and opposed right and left sides;\na bolt operable to reciprocate in the bolt passage between a forward battery position and a rearward retracted position;\na bolt catch attached to the frame;\nthe bolt catch having a bolt engagement portion proximate the bolt passage;\nthe bolt catch being movable between a restraint position in which the bolt engagement portion extends into the passage to retrain the bolt in the retracted position, and a release position in which the bolt engagement portion is clear of the passage to enable the bolt to move from the rearward retracted position to the forward battery position;\nthe bolt catch having a primary release actuation surface exposed on a selected one of the right and left sides of the frame;\na secondary bolt catch actuator connected to the frame and movable between a first position and a second position;\nthe secondary bolt catch actuator having a secondary release actuation surface exposed on the opposite side of the frame from the primary release actuation surface;\nwherein the primary release actuation surface and the secondary release actuation surface are symmetrically positioned in registration with each other on opposite sides of the frame;\nthe secondary bolt catch actuator being operably engaged to the bolt catch; and\nthe bolt catch being responsive to movement of the secondary bolt catch actuator from the first position to the second position to move from the restraint position to the release position, such that the bolt may be released from either side of the rifle.",
"6. The firearm of claim 5 wherein the primary release actuation surface and the secondary release actuation surface are positioned in registration with each at the same position along the length of the firearm on opposed sides of the frame.",
"7. The firearm of claim 5 wherein the primary release actuation surface and the secondary release actuation surface are symmetrically positioned in vertical registration with each other at the same vertical level on opposed sides of the frame.",
"8. The firearm of claim 5 wherein each of the bolt catch and the secondary bolt catch actuator are pivotally connected to the frame at spaced apart pivot axes.",
"9. The firearm of claim 8 wherein the pivot axes are symmetrically positioned equidistant from a medial plane of the firearm.",
"10. The firearm of claim 5 wherein the bolt catch and the secondary bolt catch actuator are operably engaged with each other such that movement by either in either direction compels movement by the other.",
"11. The firearm of claim 5 wherein at least one of the bolt catch and the secondary bolt catch actuator are biased toward the release position.",
"12. The firearm of claim 11 wherein each of the bolt catch and the secondary bolt catch actuator are biased toward the release position by a respective spring.",
"13. The firearm of claim 5 wherein a first one of the bolt catch and the bolt catch actuator defines a receptacle, and a second one of the bolt catch and the bolt catch actuator has a protrusion received in the receptacle.",
"14. The firearm of claim 5 wherein the bolt catch and the secondary bolt catch actuator each have an extension element extending medially into the firearm, and the extension elements engaging each other at a zone of contact proximate to a midline plane of the firearm, such that angular movement of the catch and catch actuator are equivalent.",
"15. The firearm of claim 5 wherein the zone of contact, the primary release actuation surface, and the secondary release actuation surface are in a common plane perpendicular to a major axis of the firearm.",
"16. A firearm with an ambidextrous bolt control comprising:\na frame defining a bolt passage and opposed right and left sides;\na bolt operable to reciprocate in the bolt passage between a forward battery position and a rearward retraced position;\na bolt catch attached to the frame;\nthe bolt catch having a bolt engagement portion proximate the bolt passage;\nthe bolt catch being movable between a restraint position in which the bolt engagement portion extends into the passage to retrain the bolt in the retracted position, and a release position in which the bolt engagement portion is clear of the passage to enable the bolt to from the rearward retracted position to the forward battery position;\nthe bolt catch having a primary release actuation surface exposed on a selected one of the right and left sides of the frame;\na secondary bolt catch actuator connected to the frame and movable between a first position and a second position;\nthe secondary bolt catch actuator having a secondary release actuation surface exposed on the opposite side of the frame from the primary release actuation surface;\nthe bolt catch being responsive to movement of the secondary bolt catch actuator from the first position to the second position to move from the restraint position to the release position, such that the bolt may be released from either side of the rifle;\nwherein the bolt catch has a primary catch actuation surface spaced apart from the primary release actuation surface and the secondary bolt catch actuator has an actuator catch actuation surface spaced apart from the secondary release actuation surface, and;\nthe bolt catch and the secondary bolt catch actuator are operably engaged to each other to move the bolt catch to the restraint position in response to application of pressure on either one of the primary catch actuation surface and the actuator catch actuation surface.",
"17. The firearm of claim 16 wherein the primary catch actuation surface and the actuator catch actuation surface are symmetrically positioned in registration with each other on opposite sides of the frame.",
"18. The firearm of claim 17 wherein the primary release actuation surface and the secondary release actuation surface are symmetrically positioned in registration with each other on opposite sides of the frame.",
"19. The firearm of claim 16 wherein the release actuation surface and the secondary release actuation surface are positioned at a level vertically above the catch actuation surface and the actuator catch actuation surface.",
"20. The firearm of claim 16 wherein the release actuation surface and the secondary release actuation surface each have a selected first contact surface area, and the catch actuation surface and the actuator catch actuation surface each have a selected second contact surface area less than the first contact surface area."
],
[
"1. An ambidextrous bolt catch device for firearms, comprising in combination:\na bolt catch finger connected to a receiver of a firearm by a pivot pin;\na first release lever located on a right side of the firearm and attached to the receiver of the firearm with a vertical pin;\na second release lever located on a left side of the firearm and integral to the bolt catch finger; and\na plunger rod assembly having a first end abutting a base of the bolt catch finger on the left side of the firearm and a second end connected to the first release lever on the right side of the firearm, thus providing a fully assembled bolt catch device that holds the bolt and bolt carrier in a rearward position and releases the bolt and bolt carrier to move forward and chamber ammunition for the firearm.",
"2. The bolt catch device of claim 1, wherein the plunger rod assembly includes a torsion spring surrounding the first end of the plunger rod, held in place by a plunger head, the torsion spring creates tension and causes rotation of the bolt catch finger in a downward position when the first release lever and second release lever are pressed laterally toward the right side and the left side of the weapon and when the first release lever and second release lever are pulled laterally away from the right side and the left side of the firearm, the bolt catch finger rotates to an upward position.",
"3. The bolt catch device of claim 1, wherein the bolt catch finger is shaped from a solid metal.",
"4. The bolt catch device of claim 3, wherein the solid metal is at least one of steel, stainless steel, and an iron alloy.",
"5. The bolt catch device of claim 1, wherein the bolt catch finger is fabricated using metal injection molding (MIM).",
"6. A method of preventing a bolt carrier of a firearm from moving forward after firing ammunition, the method comprising the steps of:\na) moving a first lever and a second lever of an ambidextrous bolt catch device that is attached to a firearm laterally away the first side and the second side of the firearm and simultaneously pushing a plunger rod against the bias of the spring that causes the rotation of a bolt catch finger in an upward position; and\nb) blocking the forward motion of a bolt and bolt carrier by the bolt catch finger in a upward position.",
"7. The method of claim 6, wherein the step of moving the first lever and the second lever is accomplished manually with one hand selected from at least one of a right hand and a left hand.",
"8. The method of claim 6, wherein the step of moving the first lever and the second lever is accomplished mechanically with the rearward movement of the bolt carrier and bolt after the last round of ammunition is fired.",
"9. A method of releasing a bolt carrier of a firearm for forward movement to chamber ammunition in a firearm, the method comprising the steps of:\na) moving a first lever and a second lever of an ambidextrous bolt catch device that is attached to a firearm laterally toward the first side and the second side of the firearm and releasing pressure on the spring bias of the plunger rod causing the rotation of a bolt catch finger in an downward position; and\nb) releasing the bolt and bolt carrier to move forward and chamber ammunition in the firearm.",
"10. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of moving the first lever and second lever is accomplished manually with one hand selected from at least one of a right hand and a left hand.",
"11. A firearm with bolt catch firing system, comprising: in combination:\na rifle having a magazine receptacle and a removable magazine;\na bolt catch finger connected to a receiver of the rifle by a pivot pin;\na first release lever located on a right side of the rifle and attached to the receiver of the rifle with a vertical pin;\na second release lever located on a left side of the rifle and integral to the bolt catch finger; and\na plunger rod assembly having a first end abutting the base of the bolt catch finger on the left side of the rifle and a second end connected to the first release lever on the right side of the rifle, thus providing a fully assembled bolt catch device that holds the bolt and bolt carrier in a rearward position and releases the bolt and bolt carrier to move forward and chamber ammunition for the rifle.",
"12. The firearm of claim 11, wherein the plunger rod assembly includes a torsion spring surrounding the first end of the plunger rod, held in place by a plunger head, the torsion spring creates tension and causes rotation of the bolt catch finger in a downward position when the first release lever and second release lever are pressed laterally toward the right side and the left side of the weapon and when the first release lever and second release lever are pulled laterally away from the right side and the left side of the rifle, the bolt catch finger rotates to an upward position.",
"13. The firearm of claim 11, wherein bolt catch finger is shaped from a solid metal.",
"14. The firearm of claim 13, wherein the solid metal is at least one of steel, stainless steel, and an iron alloy.",
"15. The firearm of claim 11, wherein the bolt catch finger is fabricated using metal injection molding (MIM).",
"16. The firearm of claim 11, wherein the rifle is a semi-automatic weapon.",
"17. The firearm of claim 11, wherein the rifle is a fully automatic weapon.",
"18. The firearm of claim 11, wherein the rifle is selected from one of a M16 firearm and M4 firearm."
],
[
"1. A method of operating a bolt assembly for a firearm, comprising:\nproviding a firearm comprising: a barrel having a firing chamber; a receiver; a bolt slide; a bolt slidably received within the bolt slide; and a locking member;\nadvancing the bolt toward the firing chamber to chamber a round of ammunition in the firing chamber;\nlocking the bolt at a rear of the firing chamber with the locking member, wherein a bolt face of the bolt is adjacent to the round of ammunition; and\nfiring the round of ammunition, whereupon the bolt moves towards a rear of the receiver and remains substantially fixed against rotation about a longitudinal axis of the bolt, with respect to the barrel,\nwherein locking the bolt comprises rotating the locking member about the bolt in a first direction.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein rotating the locking member about the bolt comprises engaging at least one locking lug of the locking member with a mating pocket in the firearm.",
"3. The method of claim 2, further comprising unlocking the bolt after firing the round of ammunition.",
"4. The method of claim 3, wherein unlocking the bolt comprises rotating the locking member about the bolt in a second direction opposite to the first direction.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein rotating the locking member about the bolt comprises rotating the locking member within the bolt slide.",
"6. The method of claim 5, wherein rotating the locking member about the bolt comprises engaging a cam pin in a slot of the locking member.",
"7. The method of claim 1, wherein firing the round of ammunition comprises moving a firing pin through the bolt so that the firing pin strikes the round of ammunition.",
"8. The method of claim 1, wherein the locking member comprises a locking ring and at least one helical slot formed therein.",
"9. The method of claim 8, wherein rotating the locking member comprises engaging a cam assembly in the bolt slide with the helical slot in the locking member as the bolt slide moves longitudinally with respect to the bolt.",
"10. The method of claim 1, wherein rotating the locking member about the bolt comprises rotating the locking member within the bolt slide.",
"11. The method of claim 1, further comprising extracting the round of ammunition with an extractor mounted on the bolt.",
"12. The method of claim 1, wherein the bolt remains substantially fixed against rotation about a longitudinal axis of the bolt, with respect to the barrel, while advancing the bolt toward the firing chamber to chamber the round of ammunition.",
"13. A method of operating a bolt assembly for a firearm, comprising:\nproviding a firearm comprising: a barrel; a firing chamber; a bolt slide having a bolt slide passage; a locking member at least partially received within the bolt slide passage; and a bolt extending through the locking member, the bolt having a bolt face;\nadvancing the bolt toward the firing chamber to chamber a round of ammunition in the firing chamber;\nrotating the locking member in a first direction about the bolt to lock the bolt with the locking member so that the bolt face is adjacent to the chambered round of ammunition;\nfiring the round of ammunition, whereupon the bolt slide moves towards a rear of a receiver; and\nunlocking the bolt after firing the round of ammunition by rotating the locking member about the bolt in a second direction opposite to the first direction.",
"14. The method of claim 13, wherein rotating the locking member in the first direction comprises rotating the locking member about a longitudinal axis of the locking member, wherein the locking member rotates with respect to the barrel, the bolt slide, and the bolt.",
"15. The method of claim 14, wherein the bolt remains substantially fixed against rotation about a longitudinal axis of the bolt, with respect to the barrel, after firing the round of ammunition.",
"16. The method of claim 14, wherein unlocking the bolt comprises engaging a cam member with the locking member to cause the rotation in the second direction.",
"17. The method of claim 16, wherein unlocking the bolt further comprises moving the bolt slide toward a rear of the receiver after firing the round of ammunition, the rearward movement of the bolt slide causing the cam member to rotate the locking member.",
"18. The method of claim 14, wherein the bolt slide moves longitudinally with respect to the bolt and the locking member.",
"19. The method of claim 18, wherein the locking member is located between the bolt slide and the bolt.",
"20. A method of operating a bolt assembly for a firearm, comprising:\nproviding a firearm comprising: a firing chamber; a bolt slide; a bolt having a bolt face; and a locking member located between the bolt and the bolt slide and at least partially received within the bolt slide;\nproviding a round of ammunition chambered within the firing chamber with the bolt face adjacent to the round of ammunition at a rear of the firing chamber;\nfiring the round of ammunition;\nmoving the bolt slide in a longitudinal direction toward a rear of a receiver while the bolt face remains at a rear of the firing chamber;\nas the bolt slide moves rearwardly, rotating the locking member about the bolt by engaging a member of the bolt slide with the locking member, wherein the locking member rotates with respect to a barrel, the bolt slide, and the bolt; and\nafter rotating the locking member about the bolt, moving the bolt and the locking member toward the rear of the receiver.",
"21. The method of claim 20, wherein the bolt remains substantially fixed against rotation about a longitudinal axis of the bolt, with respect to the barrel, after firing the round of ammunition.",
"22. The method of claim 20, wherein rotating the locking member disengages at least one locking lug of the locking member with a mating pocket in the firearm."
],
[
"1. A bolt catch engagement/magazine releasing system comprising:\na firearm having a first side and a second side and a forward section with a barrel and a rearward section with a stock, the firearm having a bolt catch and a magazine, the firearm having a central section with an actuation button on the first side and bolt catch linkage on the second side and with a magazine release there between;\nan actuation pin extending through the central section from the actuation button to both the bolt catch linkage and the magazine release, a coil spring urging the actuation button outwardly to an inoperative extended orientation, the actuation button adapted to be depressed for both releasing the magazine and engaging the bolt catch.",
"2. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the firearm is a rifle.",
"3. The system as set forth in claim 1 and further including\na bolt catch linkage having a shiftable component and a pivotable component, the shiftable component having a lower element extending horizontally with a forward end coupled to the shiftable pin and a rearward end and a central region, the shiftable component also having an upper element extending horizontally, the shiftable component also having a middle element extending vertically between the upper element and the central region of the lower element, the pivotable component having an L-shaped link, the L-shaped link having an input leg and an output leg and a pivot pin there between, the input leg in response to pressing the actuation button adapted to be contacted by the upper element and move downwardly to thereby pivot the output leg downwardly away from the bolt catch to engage the bolt catch.",
"4. The system as set forth in claim 1 and further including\na secondary button positioned on the left side of the firearm, the side opposite from the actuation button, the actuation button being more readily accessible to a right handed shooter, the secondary button being more accessible to a left handed shooter, the system thus being considered an ambidextrous system, a pivot pin operatively coupling the secondary button to the bottom of the middle element whereby pressing the secondary button pulls the actuation pin as if the actuation button were depressed.",
"5. The system (100) as set forth in claim 1 and further including:\na bolt catch linkage (126) having a shiftable component (138) and a pivotable component (140), the shiftable component having a lower element (142) extending horizontally with a forward end (144) coupled to the shiftable pin (132) and a rearward end and a central region there between, the shiftable component also having an upper element (150) extending horizontally, the shiftable component also having a middle element (152) extending vertically between the upper element and the central region of the lower element, the pivotable component (140) having an L-shaped link adapted to move the output leg downwardly away from the bolt catch to engage the bolt catch.",
"6. A rifle (10) with a bolt catch engagement/magazine releasing system (12), both releasing a magazine 14 and engaging a bolt catch (16) being done with a single movement, the system comprising, in combination:\na rifle having a forward section (18) with a barrel and a rearward section (20) with a stock, the rifle having a bolt catch and a magazine, the rifle having a central section (22) with an actuation button (25) on the right side and bolt catch linkage (26) on the left side and with a magazine release (28) there between;\nan actuation pin (32) extending through the central section from the actuation button to both the bolt catch linkage and the magazine release, a spacer (24) and a coil spring (34) on the actuation pin urging the actuation button outwardly to an inoperative extended orientation, the actuation button adapted to be depressed for both releasing the magazine and engaging the bolt catch;\nthe bolt catch linkage (26) having a shiftable component (38) and a pivotable component (40), the shiftable component having a lower element (42) extending horizontally with a forward end (44) coupled to the shiftable pin and a rearward end (46) and a central region there between, the shiftable component also having an upper element (50) extending horizontally, the shiftable component also having a middle element (52) extending vertically between the upper element and the central region of the lower element, the pivotable component (40) having an L-shaped link (56), the L-shaped link having an input leg (58) and an output leg (60) and a pivot pin (62) there between, the input leg in response to pressing the actuation button adapted to be contacted by the upper element and move downwardly to thereby pivot the output leg downwardly away from the bolt catch to engage the bolt catch; and\na secondary button (64) positioned on the left side of the firearm, the side opposite from the actuation button (25), the actuation button being more readily accessible to a right-handed shooter, the secondary button being more accessible to a left-handed shooter, the system thus being an ambidextrous system, a pivot pin (66) operatively coupling the secondary button to the bottom of the middle element (52) whereby pressing the secondary button pulls the actuation pin (32) as if the actuation button (25) were depressed."
],
[
"1. Apparatus comprising a semi bolt receiver assembly configured for assembly with a rifle base that has a buttstock and pistol grip configured for semi automatic operation, the semi bolt receiver including a bolt and carrier assembly, and a manually operable handle is coupled with the bolt and carrier assembly in a manner that enables the bolt and carrier assembly to be manipulated by a shooter to charge the rifle (i) while the shooter is maintaining a shooting position and (ii) without removing the shooter's hand from the pistol grip.",
"2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the handle and bolt and carrier assembly are coupled and configured in a manner that enables the operation of the manually operable handle in charging the rifle to be substantially a straight pull action, while the shooter is maintaining a shooting position.",
"3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the semi bolt receiver assembly includes a receiver, and wherein the handle is coupled with a handle mount that has a portion which extends through a side opening in the receiver.",
"4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the semi bolt receiver assembly is configured for assembly with an AR-15 rifle base.",
"5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the semi bolt receiver assembly is configured to restrict diversion of a portion of combustion gas that is generated when the rifle is being fired.",
"6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the semi bolt receiver assembly includes a barrel that is configured without a gas port for diverting a portion of combustion gas that is generated when the rifle is being fired.",
"7. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the portion of the receiver assembly that has the side opening has a height of at least 2.25 inches",
"8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein an adaptor base is coupled with the bolt and carrier assembly, and the handle mount to which the handle is coupled is connected to the adaptor base.",
"9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the adaptor base is coupled to the bolt carrier, and the adjustable handle is coupled with the handle mount in a manner that enables the length of pull of the adjustable handle to be selectively adjusted over a predetermined range.",
"10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the semi bolt receiver assembly includes a receiver, and wherein the adjustable handle is coupled with the handle mount in a manner that enables the handle to be selectively manipulated relative to the side of the semi bolt receiver to adjust the angle at which the handle is oriented relative to the side of the semi bolt receiver.",
"11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the semi bolt receiver assembly is configured for assembly with an AR-15 rifle base.",
"12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bolt and carrier assembly includes a bolt carrier with a substantially cylindrical configuration, and wherein the adaptor base is connected with the bolt carrier by one or more fasteners, each of which extends through the adaptor base and into the top of the cylindrical bolt carrier and directs forces applied to the adaptor base through the cylindrical bolt carrier along a line of action extending through the center of the cylindrical bolt carrier.",
"13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the semi bolt receiver assembly is configured for assembly with an AR-15 rifle base.",
"14. Apparatus comprising a semi bolt receiver assembly configured for assembly with a rifle base that has a buttstock and pistol grip configured for semi automatic operation, the semi bolt receiver assembly including\na. a bolt and carrier assembly,\nb. an adaptor base that is connected with the bolt and carrier assembly,\nc. a manually operable handle that is coupled with the adaptor base in a manner that enables the orientation of the handle relative to the bolt and carrier assembly to be selectively adjusted to a plurality of operating orientations relative to the bolt and carrier assembly and in a manner that enables the handle to charge the bolt and carrier assembly when the handle is in any of the plurality of operating orientations, and\nd. a semi bolt receiver.",
"15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the bolt and carrier assembly includes a bolt carrier with a substantially cylindrical configuration, and wherein the adaptor base is connected with the bolt carrier by a fastener that extends from the adaptor based through the top of the cylindrical bolt carrier and directs forces applied to the adaptor base through the cylindrical bolt carrier along a line of action extending through the center of the cylindrical bolt carrier.",
"16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the manually operable handle is connected to a handle mount that is coupled to the adaptor base, the connection between the handle and the handle mount configured to enable the length of pull of the adjustable handle to be selectively adjusted over a predetermined range.",
"17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the handle has a connector portion that extends through and is supported in a sleeve that forms part of the handle mount, and the handle has a hand grip portion that extends at an angle to the connector portion, and wherein connector portion can be selectively connected at different locations along the sleeve, and at selected rotational orientations in the sleeve, to selectively adjust the length of pull of the handle, to selectively adjust the angle at which the hand grip is oriented relative to the bolt and carrier assembly.",
"18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the handle and bolt and carrier assembly are coupled and configured in a manner that enables the operation of the manually operable handle in charging the rifle to be substantially a straight pull action.",
"19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the semi bolt receiver has a side slot, through which a portion of the handle mount carrying the sleeve extends, so that the handle is located on a side of the receiver, in a convenient orientation to be grasped by a shooter's hand on that side of the receiver.",
"20. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the semi bolt receiver is configured for assembly with an AR-15 rifle base, and the portion of the receiver carrying the side slot has a height of at least 2.25 inches"
],
[
"1. A slide block mechanism intended for use in a pistol that includes a frame, a reciprocating slide mounted to the frame, a slide stop part mounted to the frame, and a fire control mechanism seated within the frame, the slide block mechanism comprising:\na block lever pivotally but inoperatively mounted to the fire control mechanism within the frame and spaced independently from the slide stop part for movement between a first position and a second position;\na spring detent carried by the fire control mechanism within the frame and restrictively engaging the block lever to hold the block lever in either the first position or the second position;\na slide notch formed in the slide for receiving the block lever when the block lever is in the first position to lock the slide in battery and prevent the slide from moving rearward when the pistol is discharged; and\na frame notch formed in the frame for receiving the block lever when the block lever is in the second position\nthe block lever includes a lever body and a protrusion extending from the lever body, the lever body has a pair of scallops formed therein, the spring detent restrictively seats within one of the pair of scallops when the block lever is in the first position and within the other of the pair of scallops when the block lever is in the second position.",
"2. The slide block mechanism of claim 1 and a pin pivotally connecting the lever body to the fire control mechanism and the frame.",
"3. The slide block mechanism of claim 1 wherein the protrusion restrictively seats within the slide notch when the lever part is in the first position and the protrusion restrictively seats within the frame notch spaced from the slide notch when the lever part is in the second position."
],
[
"1. A firearm comprising:\na frame;\na barrel connected to the frame;\nthe frame defining a magazine well configured to receive a magazine with a movable follower;\nthe frame defining a bolt passage configured to receive a bolt;\na bolt received in the bolt passage and operable to reciprocate between a rear position rearward of the magazine well and a forward position;\nthe bolt defining a bolt face configured to receive a case head of a cartridge;\na bolt catch connected to the frame and movable between a first operational position in which bolt reciprocation forward from the rear position is enabled, and a second restraining position in which a portion of the bolt catch restrains the bolt in the rear position;\nthe bolt catch having an ejector surface portion positioned clear of the bolt face when the bolt catch is in the second restraining position and in registration with a portion of the bolt face when the bolt catch is in the first operational position such that a case head received by the bolt face strikes the ejector surface portion upon movement of the bolt from the forward to the rearward position when the bolt catch is in the first operational position;\nthe bolt catch having a first actuator surface operable in response to force by a user to move the bolt catch from the first operational position to the second restraining position; and\nthe bolt catch having a second actuator surface operable in response to force by a user to move the bolt catch from the second restraining position to the first operational position.",
"2. The firearm of claim 1 wherein the bolt catch has a rear-facing catch surface configured to catch the bolt and a forward-facing ejector surface.",
"3. The firearm of claim 1 wherein the bolt catch is a unitary body.",
"4. The firearm of claim 1 wherein the bolt catch has an actuator element external to the frame and configured to move the bolt catch by external contact.",
"5. A firearm comprising:\na frame;\na barrel connected to the frame;\nthe frame defining a magazine well configured to receive a magazine with a movable follower;\nthe frame defining a bolt passage configured to receive a bolt;\na bolt received in the bolt passage and operable to reciprocate between a rear position rearward of the magazine well and a forward position;\nthe bolt defining a bolt face configured to receive a case head of a cartridge;\na bolt catch connected to the frame and movable between a first operational position in which bolt reciprocation forward from the rear position is enabled, and a second restraining position in which a portion of the bolt catch restrains the bolt in the rear position;\nthe bolt catch having an ejector surface portion positioned clear of the bolt face when the bolt catch is in the second restraining position and in registration with a portion of the bolt face when the bolt catch is in the first operational position such that a case head received by the bolt face strikes the ejector surface portion upon movement of the bolt from the forward to the rearward position when the bolt catch is in the first operational position;\nwherein the bolt catch has an actuator element external to the frame and configured to move the bolt cat by external contact; and\nincluding a transverse actuator operably connected to the bolt catch and having an actuator external to the frame on an opposite side from the actuator element.",
"6. The firearm of claim 1 wherein the forward-facing ejector surface moves with the bolt catch.",
"7. The firearm of claim 1 wherein the forward-facing ejector surface moves relative to the frame.",
"8. The firearm of claim 1 wherein the frame includes a fire-control housing having a forward surface between opposed side plates each having a forward edge, and a recoil lug abutting the barrel and having a rear surface abutting the forward edges of the opposed side plates.",
"9. The firearm of claim 1 including a magazine having a body with upper feed lips, and wherein the movable follower has a protrusion extending above the upper feed lips when the movable follower is in an uppermost position, the protrusion configured to motivate the bolt catch to the second restraining position when the movable follower is in the uppermost position.",
"10. A firearm comprising:\na frame;\na barrel connected to the frame;\nthe frame defining a magazine well configured to receive a magazine with a movable follower;\nthe frame defining a bolt passage configured to receive a bolt;\na bolt received in the bolt passage and operable to reciprocate between a rear position rearward of the magazine well and a forward position;\nthe bolt defining a bolt face configured to receive a case head of a cartridge;\na bolt catch connected to the frame and movable between a first operational position in which bolt reciprocation forward from the rear position is enabled, and a second restraining position in which a portion of the bolt catch restrains the bolt in the rear position;\na magazine having a body with upper feed lips\nthe follower having a protrusion extending above the upper feed lips when the follower is in an uppermost position;\nthe protrusion configured to motivate the bolt catch to the second restraining position when the follower is in the uppermost position;\nthe bolt catch having a first actuator surface operable in response to force by a user to move the bolt catch from the first operational position to the second restraining position; and\nthe bolt catch having a second actuator surface operable in response to force by a user to move the bolt catch from the second restraining position to the first operational position.",
"11. The firearm of claim 10 wherein the bolt catch has a rear-facing catch surface configured to catch the bolt and forward-facing ejector surface.",
"12. The firearm of claim 11 wherein when the magazine is in the magazine well, the rear-facing catch surface is above the upper feed lips when in the restraining position.",
"13. The firearm of claim 10 wherein the bolt catch is a unitary body.",
"14. The firearm of claim 10 wherein the bolt catch has an actuator element external to the frame and configured to move the bolt catch by external contact.",
"15. A firearm comprising:\na frame;\na barrel connected to the frame;\nthe frame defining a magazine well configured to receive a magazine with a movable follower;\nthe frame defining a bolt passage configured to receive a bolt;\na bolt received in the bolt passage and operable to reciprocate between a rear position rearward of magazine well and a forward position;\nthe bolt defining a bolt face configured to receive a case head of a cartridge;\na bolt catch connected to the frame and movable between a first operational position in which bolt reciprocation forward from the rear position is enabled, and a second restraining position in which a portion of the bolt catch restraints the bolt in the rear position;\na magazine having a body with upper feed lips\nthe follower having a protrusion extending above the upper feed lips when the follower is in an uppermost position;\nthe protrusion configured to motivate the bolt catch to the second restraining position when the follower is in the uppermost position;\nwherein the bold catch has an actuator element external to the frame and configured to move the bold catch by external contact; and\nincluding a transverse actuator operably connected to the bolt catch and having an actuator external to the frame on an opposite side from the actuator element.",
"16. The firearm of claim 10 wherein the forward-facing ejector surface moves with the bolt catch.",
"17. The firearm of claim 10 wherein the forward-facing ejector surface moves relative to the frame.",
"18. The firearm of claim 10 wherein the frame includes a fire-control housing having a forward surface between opposed side plates each having a forward edge, and a recoil lug abutting the barrel and having a rear surface abutting the forward edges of the side plates.",
"19. The firearm of claim 1 including the first and second actuator surfaces being positioned at a lateral side panel of the frame.",
"20. The firearm of claim 1 including the first and second actuator surfaces being positioned vertically one above the other.",
"21. The firearm of claim 1 including the first and second actuator surfaces being on a single unitary body.",
"22. The firearm of claim 1 including the bolt catch being pivotally connected to the frame to pivot about a pivot axis.",
"23. The firearm of claim 22 including the pivot axis being positioned between the first and second actuator surfaces."
],
[
"1. A bolt action rifle with safety latching mechanism comprising:\nan upper receiver including a movable bolt assembly;\na lower receiver having a trigger assembly and releasably attached to the upper receiver;\nthe bolt assembly being movable between a cocked position and an uncocked position; and\nthe upper receiver and the lower receiver including a latching mechanism operable to prevent the lower receiver from being detached from the upper receiver while the bolt assembly is in the cocked position and operable to release the upper receiver when the bolt is in the uncocked position.",
"2. The bolt action rifle of claim 1, wherein the latching mechanism includes:\na movable actuator on the lower receiver operable to move between a locked position in which the upper and lower receivers are connected to each other, and a released position in which the upper and lower receivers are separable from each other;\nthe bolt assembly having a first blocking portion adjacent to the actuator when the bolt is in the cocked position and operable to prevent movement of the actuator; and\nthe bolt assembly having a second clearance portion adjacent to the actuator when the bolt is in the uncocked position and operable to permit movement of the actuator.",
"3. The bolt action rifle of claim 2, wherein the bolt assembly second clearance portion defines a clearance space.",
"4. The bolt action rifle of claim 1, wherein the bolt assembly includes a firing pin that is movable between a retracted position and a firing position, the firing pin being spring biased toward the firing position, and wherein the trigger assembly includes a sear, and wherein the sear operates to restrain the firing pin in the retracted position.",
"5. The bolt action rifle of claim 1, wherein the latching mechanism comprises:\na rear bolt guide having a front end, a rear end, and a sidewall;\nthe sidewall defining a rear bolt guide slot;\na receiver latch element attached to the lower receiver;\nthe receiver latch element being constrained against movement when the slot is offset away from the latch element, and the receiver latch element being movable when the slot is registered with the latch element.",
"6. The bolt action rifle of claim 5, wherein the latching mechanism further comprises:\nan upper receiver tab having a receiver latch seat attached to the upper receiver;\na receiver latch having opposing ends pivotably mounted on the receiver latch element, wherein one end of the receiver latch releasably and frictionally engages with the receiver latch seat;\na receiver safety latch having opposing ends with one end frictionally engaged with one end of the receiver latch opposite the receiver latch seat;\na receiver latch spring having opposing ends with one end frictionally engaged with one end of the receiver safety latch opposite the receiver latch and its opposing end frictionally engaged with the lower receiver; and\na tab attached to one end of the receiver safety latch adjacent to the receiver latch spring, wherein the tab frictionally engages with the sidewall of the rear bolt guide.",
"7. The bolt action rifle of claim 6, wherein unlocking the bolt assembly aligns the notch with the tab, thereby permitting the receiver latch to pivot about the receiver latch element when depressed to detach the receiver latch from the receiver latch seat.",
"8. The bolt action rifle of claim 6, wherein locking the bolt assembly moves the notch out of alignment with the tab, thereby preventing the receiver latch from pivoting about the receiver latch element when depressed to detach the receiver latch from the receiver latch seat.",
"9. The bolt action rifle of claim 2, wherein the bolt assembly is placed in its locked position by lowering the bolt handle with respect to the upper receiver.",
"10. The bolt action rifle of claim 2, wherein the bolt assembly is placed in its unlocked position by raising the bolt handle with respect to the upper receiver.",
"11. The bolt action rifle of claim 6, wherein raising the bolt handle rotates the rear bolt guide and aligns the notch with the tab.",
"12. The bolt action rifle of claim 6, wherein lowering the bolt handle rotates the rear bolt guide and moves the notch out of alignment with the tab.",
"13. The bolt action rifle of claim 6, further comprising the rear of the upper receiver defining a bolt handle slot.",
"14. The bolt action rifle of claim 13, wherein the bolt handle slidably reciprocates within the bolt handle slot and rear bolt guide slot.",
"15. The bolt action rifle of claim 13, wherein the bolt handle slot is L-shaped.",
"16. A firearm with safety latching mechanism comprising:\nan upper portion including a movable bolt assembly;\na lower portion having a trigger assembly;\nthe lower portion releasably attached to the upper receiver;\nthe bolt assembly being movable between a cocked position and an uncocked position; and\nthe upper receiver and the lower receiver including a latching mechanism operable to prevent the lower receiver from being detached from the upper receiver while the bolt assembly is in the cocked position and operable to release the upper receiver when the bolt is in the uncocked position.",
"17. The firearm of claim 16, wherein the bolt assembly defines a bolt axis, and wherein movement between the cocked and uncocked positions comprises rotation about the bolt axis.",
"18. The bolt action rifle of claim 16, wherein the latching mechanism includes:\na movable actuator on the lower receiver operable to move between a locked position in which the upper and lower receivers are connected to each other, and a released position in which the upper and lower receivers are separable from each other;\nthe bolt assembly having a first blocking portion adjacent to the actuator when the bolt is in the cocked position and operable to prevent movement of the actuator; and\nthe bolt assembly having a second clearance portion adjacent to the actuator when the bolt is in the uncocked position and operable to permit movement of the actuator.",
"19. The bolt action rifle of claim 18, wherein the bolt assembly second clearance portion defines a clearance space.",
"20. The bolt action rifle of claim 16, wherein the bolt assembly includes a firing pin that is movable between a retracted position and a firing position, the firing pin being spring biased toward the firing position, and wherein the trigger assembly includes a sear, and wherein the sear operates to restrain the firing pin in the retracted position."
],
[
"1. A firearm with an ambidextrously operated bolt catch assembly, comprising:\na receiver;\na bolt carrier group having a bolt; and\na bolt catch assembly including,\na bolt engagement leg configured for moving between a displaced position in which said bolt engagement leg engages the bolt of the firearm to hold the bolt in a locked-back position, and a static position in which said bolt engagement leg moves out of a path of said bolt to allow the bolt carrier group to go to a battery position;\na primary bolt catch operating lever located on one side of the receiver and operably connected to the bolt engagement leg;\na secondary bolt catch operating lever located on an opposing side of the receiver, said secondary bolt catch operating lever is connected to a lift arm by a rotating shaft which extends therebetween, wherein the rotating shaft is a separate component from the secondary bolt catch operating lever and wherein the rotating shaft is housed in a through hole in a wall of the receiver, wherein the through hole is generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of a barrel, thereby avoiding exposure of the rotating shaft to an inside of the receiver housing a trigger group, and wherein the combination of said rotating shaft and said lift arm place said secondary bolt catch into operational contact with the bolt engagement leg;\neach of said operating levers has a primary contact surface and a secondary contact surface, said operating levers being configured so that when force is independently placed on the primary contact surface of either operating lever, the primary contact surfaces of both operating levers are rotated towards the receiver and the bolt engagement leg is moved into the static position, and wherein said secondary bolt catch operating lever is configured so that when force is independently placed on the primary contact surface of the secondary bolt catch operating lever the secondary bolt catch operating lever rotates around a longitudinal axis of the rotating shaft; and\neach of said operating levers are configured so that when force is independently placed on the secondary contact surface of either operating lever, the secondary contact surfaces of both operating levers are rotated towards the receiver and the bolt engagement leg is moved into the displaced position.",
"2. The firearm with an ambidextrously operated bolt catch assembly of claim 1, wherein the primary bolt catch operating lever and the bolt engagement leg are a single unitary element.",
"3. The firearm with an ambidextrously controlled bolt catch assembly of claim 2, wherein the bolt engagement leg has an engagement surface abutting said lift arm which is operationally coupled to the rotating shaft.",
"4. The firearm with an ambidextrously controlled bolt catch assembly of claim 2, wherein said single unitary element rotates on a pin having an axis that is generally parallel with a longitudinal axis of said bolt and of said rotating shaft.",
"5. The firearm with an ambidextrously controlled bolt catch assembly of claim 1, wherein the receiver includes a plurality of holes to define primary and secondary bolt catch operating lever attachment positions, said attachment positions being offset from one another.",
"6. An ambidextrously operated bolt catch system comprising:\na bolt moveable along a longitudinal axis of a bolt carrier configured for receiving the bolt, said bolt being moveable between a battery position and a locked-back position;\na magazine with a follower;\na bolt catch assembly including a bolt engagement portion and a follower engagement portion having a contact element, a primary operating lever in direct contact with the bolt engagement portion and a secondary operating lever secured about a rotating shaft having a lift arm secured at one end which effectively places said secondary operating lever into operational contact with the primary operating lever, wherein said rotating shaft is a separate component from the secondary operating lever and wherein the rotating shaft is housed in a through hole in a wall of a lower receiver, wherein the through hole is generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of a barrel, thereby avoiding exposure of the rotating shaft to an inside of the lower receiver housing a trigger group, and wherein said bolt engagement portion being movable transversely to the longitudinal axis of the bolt carrier between a static position in which said bolt engagement portion does not interfere with movement of the bolt to the battery position, and a displaced position in which the bolt engagement portion locks the bolt in the locked-back position;\nat least one of said contact element of said follower engagement portion and said operating levers being configured to urge the bolt catch assembly toward the displaced position from the static position in response to the contact element of the follower engagement portion engaging the magazine follower, or the operating levers being moved by a user;\nsaid primary operating lever being placed on one side of the firearm and said secondary operating lever being placed on an opposite side of the firearm, said primary and secondary operating levers being offset from one another;\nsaid operating levers defining both a primary contact surface and a secondary contact surface, said operating levers being configured so that when force is independently placed on the primary contact surface of either operating lever, the primary contact surfaces of both operating levers are rotated towards the firearm and the bolt engagement portion is moved into the static position, and wherein said secondary operating lever is configured so that when force is independently placed on the primary contact surface of the secondary operating lever the secondary operating lever rotates around a longitudinal axis of the rotating shaft; and\nsaid operating levers are also configured so that when force is independently placed on the secondary contact surfaces of either operating lever, the secondary contact surfaces of both operating levers are rotated towards the firearm and the bolt engagement portion is moved into the displaced position.",
"7. The ambidextrously operated bolt catch system of claim 6, wherein said contact element is a bolt stop pin.",
"8. The ambidextrously operated bolt catch system of claim 6, wherein the primary operating lever and the bolt engagement portion are a single unitary element.",
"9. The ambidextrously operated bolt catch system of claim 8, wherein the bolt engagement portion has an engagement surface abutting the lift arm and is pivotally movable with respect to said lift arm.",
"10. The ambidextrously operated bolt catch system of claim 8, wherein said single unitary element rotates on a pin having an axis that is generally parallel with the longitudinal axis of said bolt and of said rotating shaft.",
"11. The ambidextrously operated bolt catch system of claim 8, wherein said bolt engagement portion moves upwardly to said displaced position and downwardly to said static position.",
"12. The ambidextrously operated bolt catch system of claim 6, wherein said bolt engagement portion is biased to the static position by a spring element.",
"13. The ambidextrously operated bolt catch system of claim 12, wherein said spring element is positioned between said lower receiver and a back surface of the secondary contact surface on the primary operating lever."
],
[
"1. A bolt stop for an automatic firearm comprising:\na bolt stop lever movable between a release position and a catch position;\na locking device movable between a standby position and a locking position for selectively securing the bolt stop lever in the release position, wherein the locking device is disengaged with the bolt stop lever when in the standby position, and is engaged with the bolt stop lever when in the locking position, the locking device deactivated in the locking position.",
"2. The bolt stop according to claim 1, wherein the locking device includes a locking element that can be displaced longitudinally counter to a direction of firing.",
"3. The bolt stop according to claim 1, wherein the locking device includes a locking element that can be displaced longitudinally in a grip stock or a receiver in and counter to a direction of firing.",
"4. The bolt stop according to claim 3, wherein the locking element is flush with the receiver or the grip stock.",
"5. The bolt stop according to claim 4, wherein the locking element is to be secured in or on the grip stock or in or on the receiver when in the standby position and in the locking position.",
"6. The bolt stop according to claim 5, wherein the locking element is to be held in place via a spring-loaded retaining element.",
"7. The bolt stop according to claim 5, wherein the locking element encompasses at least a portion of the bolt stop when in the locking position.",
"8. The bolt stop according to claim 7, wherein the locking element comprises a non-slip surface.",
"9. The bolt stop according to claim 4, wherein the locking element is supported on an axle inside the grip stock or the receiver.",
"10. The bolt stop according claim 9, wherein the locking element comprises a form spring having at least one elastic segment.",
"11. The bolt stop according to claim 2, wherein the bolt stop comprises a recess with which the locking element engages when in the locking position.",
"12. A firearm grip stock for an automatic firearm comprising:\na bolt stop lever movable between a release position and a catch position;\na locking device provable between a standby position and a locking position for selectively securing the bolt stop lever in the release position, wherein the locking device is disengaged with the bolt stop lever when in the standby position, and is engaged with the bolt stop lever when in the locking position, the locking device deactivated in the locking position.",
"13. The firearm grip stock according to claim 12, further comprising at least one guide segment for guiding a locking element in walls of the firearm grip stock.",
"14. The firearm grip stock according to claim 12, wherein the bolt stop lever comprises a recess with which a locking element engages when in the locking position.",
"15. The firearm grip stock according to claim 14, further comprising at least one recess in a wall of the firearm grip stock facing a magazine well, which passes through the locking element when in the locking position.",
"16. The firearm grip stock according to claim 14, further comprising at least one recess for receiving and guiding a retaining element.",
"17. A firearm receiver for an automatic firearm comprising:\na bolt stop lever movable between a release position and a catch position;\na locking device movable between a standby position and a locking position for selectively securing the bolt stop lever in the release position, wherein the locking device is disengaged with the bolt stop lever when in the standby position, and is engaged with the bolt stop lever when in the locking position, the locking device deactivated in the locking position."
],
[
"1. An ambidextrous safety for a firearm, comprising separate first and second opposed and spaced-apart thumb safeties, said thumb safeties being interconnected by a shaft extending therebetween, said shaft comprising a first shaft portion extending from said first thumb safety and a second shaft portion extending from said second thumb safety, said first shaft portion being interlocked with said second shaft portion, said shaft extending through a separate sleeve which surrounds and reinforces a location on said shaft where said first and second shaft portions are interlocked.",
"2. The ambidextrous safety according to claim 1, wherein said location on said shaft where said first and second portions are interlocked is a central location along a length of said shaft between said first and second opposed and spaced-apart thumb safeties.",
"3. The ambidextrous safety according to claim 1, wherein said location on said shaft where said first and second portions are interlocked is offset from a central location along a length of said shaft between said first and second opposed and spaced-apart thumb safeties.",
"4. The ambidextrous safety according to claim 1, wherein each of said first and second shaft portions includes an end segment, wherein said end segment of one of said first and second shaft portions includes a tongue and said end segment of the other of said first and second shaft portions includes a fork forming a groove, wherein said tongue and fork of said end segments form a tongue and groove connection that interlocks said first shaft portion to said second shaft portion.",
"5. The ambidextrous safety according to claim 4, wherein said tongue and groove connection is located centrally on said shaft and is equally spaced from each of said first and second thumb safeties.",
"6. The ambidextrous safety according to claim 4, wherein each of said first and second shaft portions includes a base segment extending between said thumb safety and said end segment, wherein each of said base segments is of a first pre-determined diameter and each of said end segments is of a second pre-determined diameter, and wherein said first pre-determined diameter is greater than said second pre-determined diameter.",
"7. The ambidextrous safety according to claim 6, wherein said sleeve has an inner diameter that is less than said first pre-determined diameter and is able to slide over and accommodate said second pre-determined diameter in a manner constricting any spreading of said fork.",
"8. The ambidextrous safety according to claim 7, wherein said sleeve extends over a full length of said shaft formed by said end segments of said first and second shaft portions and is captured on said shaft and prevented from movement along a longitudinal direction on said shaft by and between said base segments of said first and second shaft portions.",
"9. The ambidextrous safety according to claim 8, wherein said first thumb safety includes a first thumb lever extending from a first side of a first base plate, wherein said first shaft portion extends from an opposite side of said first base plate, wherein said second thumb safety includes a second thumb lever extending from a first side of a second base plate, and wherein said second shaft portion extends from an opposite side of said second base plate.",
"10. The ambidextrous safety according to claim 9, wherein each of said base segments of said first and second shaft portions extend from said first and second base plates, respectively.",
"11. The ambidextrous safety according to claim 10, wherein a locking stud extends from one of said first and second base plates.",
"12. The ambidextrous safety according to claim 10, wherein a separate hammer pin is removably connected to one of said first and second base plates via a slotted aperture forming in said one of said first and second base plates.",
"13. The ambidextrous safety according to claim 12, wherein said one of said first and second base plate to which said hammer pin is connected is opposite to said one of said first and second base plate base plate to which said locking stud extends.",
"14. A firearm having an ambidextrous safety, comprising:\na firearm frame having a left side, a right side, a handle portion, and aligned apertures extending through said left and right sides;\na first thumb safety located on an exterior of said left side of said firearm frame;\na second thumb safety located on an exterior of said right side of said firearm frame;\na shaft extending through said apertures in said firearm frame and interconnecting said first and second thumb safeties in a manner permitting said first and second thumb safeties to pivot between first and second positions relative to said frame, said shaft comprising a first shaft portion extending from said first thumb safety and a second shaft portion extending from said second thumb safety, said first and second shaft portions being interlocked by a tongue and groove connection; and\na separate sleeve through which said shaft extends, said sleeve surrounding and reinforces said tongue and groove connection to prevent loosening or disconnection thereof.",
"15. The firearm according to claim 14, wherein each of said first and second shaft portions includes an end segment, wherein said end segment of one of said first and second shaft portions includes a tongue and said end segment of the other of said first and second shaft portions includes a fork forming a groove, wherein said tongue and fork of said end segments form said tongue and groove connection that interlocks said first and second shaft portions.",
"16. The firearm according to claim 15, wherein each of said first and second shaft portions includes a base segment extending between said thumb safety and said end segment, wherein each of said base segments is of a first pre-determined diameter and each of said end segments of a second pre-determined diameter, wherein said first pre-determined diameter is greater than said second pre-determined diameter, and wherein said sleeve has an inner diameter that is less than said first pre-determined diameter and is able to slide over and accommodate said second pre-determined diameter in a manner constricting and spreading of said fork.",
"17. The firearm according to claim 16, wherein said sleeve extends over a full length of said shaft formed by said end segments of said first and second shaft portions and is captured on said shaft and prevented from movement along a longitudinal direction on said shaft by and between said base segments of said first and second shaft portions.",
"18. The firearm according to claim 16, wherein said first thumb safety includes a thumb lever extending from a first side of a first base plate, wherein said first shaft portion extends from an opposite side of said first base plate, wherein said base segment of said first shaft portion extends from said first base plate, wherein said second thumb safety includes a thumb lever extending from a first side of a second base plate, wherein said second shaft portion extends from an opposite side of said second base plate, and wherein said base segment of said second shaft portion extends from said second base plate.",
"19. The firearm according to claim 18, further comprising a trigger and hammer connected to said firearm frame, and wherein a locking stud extends from one of said first and second base plates to lock the trigger and hammer and prevent firing of the firearm when the ambidextrous safety is positioned in a safe position.",
"20. The firearm according to claim 19, wherein a hammer pin is connected to one of said first and second base plates via a slotted aperture formed in said one of said first and second base plates, and wherein said one of said first and second base plates to which said hammer pin is connected is opposite to the other one of said first and second said base plates to which said locking stud extends."
],
[
"1. A firearm bolt locking mechanism, comprising:\na bolt carrier for moving a bolt within the receiver of a firearm, said bolt carrier including:\na base block for slidably engaging said receiver, said base block having a longitudinal bore in the bottom thereof for carrying the bolt, said base block also having a lateral bore being positioned above said longitudinal bore and being oriented at right angles thereto;\nan elongated, tubular sleeve being affixed atop said base block for receiving the recoil spring and the spring guide of a firearm action therein, said tubular sleeve being adapted to carry a gas-piston at its front;\na slotted guideway being disposed forwardly of said longitudinal bore and beneath said sleeve for receiving a stud extending from the bolt;\na charging handle being affixed to said guideway and extending therefrom;\na locking pin being slidably disposed in said lateral bore; and,\na first compressed spring being disposed in said lateral bore for normally extending said locking pin from said lateral bore; and,\na receiver cover for covering the receiver of the firearm, said receiver cover including:\na top wall having a first hole adapted to receive therein said locking pin of said bolt carrier;\na back wall affixed to top wall and having a second hole for receiving the base of the spring guide;\na pivot block being affixed to said top wall adjacent said first hole;\na pivot arm being pivotally secured to said pivot block; and,\na finger extending inwardly from said pivot arm and being adapted for insertion into said first hole.",
"2. The firearm bolt locking mechanism according to claim 1 further comprising a magazine, said magazine including:\na housing for storing a plurality of cartridges, said housing having an open top and a pair of inwardly directed feed lips bounding said open top;\na grooved lug being affixed to the front of said housing for receiving a cooperating rib extending from the receiver;\na catch being affixed to the back of said housing for releasably engaging a spring-biased magazine latch extending from the receiver;\na follower being slidably positioned within said housing, said follower having a longitudinal ridge in the top thereof for urging cartridges positioned within said housing upwardly into engagement with said feed lips, said longitudinal ridge being adapted to catch the bolt of the firearm when said magazine is empty of cartridges;\na setscrew, penetrating the back of said follower and said longitudinal ridge thereof, for variably spacing said bolt from said longitudinal ridge; and,\na second compressed spring being disposed between the bottom of said housing and said follower for urging said follower upwardly toward said feed lips.",
"3. The firearm bolt locking mechanism according to claim 1 wherein:\nsaid locking pin further includes a notch in its top;\nsaid base block further includes a vertical bore that intersects said lateral bore; and,\nsaid bolt carrier further includes a retaining pin being secured within said vertical bore so that its bottom is fitted within said notch so as to prevent the removal of said locking pin from said lateral bore.",
"4. The firearm bolt locking mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said receiver cover further includes a third compressed spring for urging said finger into said hole."
],
[
"1. A dual use trigger, comprising:\na trigger sear configured to engage a hammer notch of a standard hammer; and\na light pull sear configured to engage a hammer post of a light pull hammer.",
"2. A trigger group comprising the dual use trigger of claim 1, the trigger group further comprising:\nthe standard hammer, wherein the standard hammer is free of features that engage the light pull sear; and wherein the standard hammer comprises a portion configured to engage a disconnect and an extended portion having the hammer notch configured to engage an auto sear.",
"3. A trigger group comprising the dual use trigger of claim 1, the trigger group further comprising:\nthe light pull hammer comprising the hammer post; and\nwherein the hammer post is configured to engage the light pull sear on a first side and a disconnect on an opposing second side.",
"4. A firearm comprising the dual use trigger of claim 1 and configured to receive the standard hammer or the light pull hammer.",
"5. The dual use trigger of claim 1, wherein the dual use trigger has a forward position for a fully automatic open bolt mode of operation that is different from a forward position for a semi-automatic closed bolt mode of operation.",
"6. The dual use trigger of claim 1, wherein the dual use trigger has a pulled position for a fully automatic open bolt mode of operation that is different from a pulled position for a semi-automatic closed bolt mode of operation.",
"7. The dual use trigger of claim 1, wherein a rear portion of the dual use trigger is configured to be propped by a trigger prop.",
"8. The dual use trigger of claim 1, wherein the light pull hammer is associated with a lighter pull weight than a pull weight for the standard hammer.",
"9. The trigger group of claim 2, wherein the hammer notch is configured to engage the trigger sear at a location relatively close to a hammer pivot of the hammer notch than the light pull sear.",
"10. The trigger group of claim 2, further comprising a trigger prop configured to be moved rearward from under a rear portion of the dual use trigger so that the trigger sear engages the hammer notch, wherein the auto sear is configured to be retracted so that the standard hammer rests on the trigger sear.",
"11. The trigger group of claim 3, wherein the light pull hammer comprises a cutaway portion configured to provide clearance with the trigger sear to prevent the trigger sear from engaging the light pull hammer.",
"12. The trigger group of claim 3, wherein the hammer post is configured to extend beneath the light pull sear to control release of the light pull hammer",
"13. The firearm of claim 4, further comprising:\na trigger prop configured to prop a rear portion of the dual use trigger in a fully automatic open bolt mode of operation;\na bolt carrier; and\nan open bolt sear configured to block motion of the bolt carrier to prevent firing when the dual use trigger is released in the fully automatic open bolt mode of operation of the firearm.",
"14. The firearm of claim 4, wherein:\nthe dual use trigger has a forward position for a fully automatic open bolt mode of operation that is different from a forward position for a semi-automatic closed bolt mode of operation; and/or\nthe dual use trigger has a pulled position for a fully automatic open bolt mode of operation that is different from a pulled position for a semi-automatic closed bolt mode of operation.",
"15. The firearm of claim 4, further comprising:\na charging handle; and\na lever arm, wherein, based on a position of the charging handle and a mode of operation of the firearm, the lever arm is configured to selectively block or allow a pull of the dual use trigger.",
"16. The firearm of claim 4, further comprising a selector operable to select a fully automatic open bolt mode of operation, a semi-automatic closed bolt mode of operation, or a safe mode for the firearm.",
"17. A method of making the firearm of claim 4, the method comprising:\nreceiving a selected one of the standard hammer or the light pull hammer;\nassembling a trigger group comprising the dual use trigger and the selected one of the standard hammer or the light pull hammer; and\ninserting the trigger group into a lower receiver of the firearm.",
"18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:\nremoving the trigger group from the lower receiver;\nreassembling the trigger group by replacing either the light pull hammer or the standard hammer with the other; and\ninserting the reassembled trigger group into the lower receiver.",
"19. The method of claim 17, wherein the light pull hammer is received such that the hammer post of the light pull hammer is located farther away from a hammer pivot of the light pull hammer than a location of a notch of the standard hammer when the standard hammer is received.",
"20. The method of claim 19, further comprising, when in a semi-automatic closed bolt mode of operation and a selector is moved from semi-auto to full auto:\nfiring a first fully automatic burst from a closed bolt configuration;\nstopping the first fully automatic burst in an open bolt configuration; and\nfiring a subsequent fully automatic burst from the open bolt configuration."
],
[
"1. A firearm apparatus comprising:\na firearm receiver structured to accept a magazine capable of holding ammunition;\na magazine catch device configured to hold an inserted magazine in the firearm receiver; and\na magazine release lever connected to the magazine catch device, where the magazine release lever is configured to rotate about an external fulcrum.",
"2. The firearm apparatus of claim 1, wherein the magazine release lever is positioned on a left-hand side of the firearm receiver adjacent to the magazine catch.",
"3. The firearm apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a first linking mechanism connecting the magazine release lever to the magazine catch device.",
"4. The firearm apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first linking mechanism includes a pin link connecting an upper portion of the magazine release lever to a lower portion of the magazine catch device.",
"5. The firearm apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a raised stop formed on the upper portion of the magazine release lever, the raised stop configured to restrict outward movement of the magazine release lever.",
"6. The firearm apparatus of claim 5, wherein the external fulcrum is a pin disposed on the firearm receiver and positioned between a portion of the magazine release lever and the firearm receiver.",
"7. The firearm apparatus of claim 5, wherein the external fulcrum is a raised section of the firearm receiver.",
"8. The firearm apparatus of claim 1, wherein the external fulcrum is formed such that an axis of rotation for the magazine release lever does not pass through the magazine release lever.",
"9. The firearm apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a second linking mechanism configured to manipulate the magazine catch device in response to activation of a right-handed magazine release button.",
"10. A firearm apparatus comprising:\na firearm receiver housing a firing chamber and a firearm bolt;\na bolt-catch device installed on the firearm receiver and configured to lock the bolt in a rearward open position; and\nan activation device adjacent to a firing grip, where the activation device is configured to lock open the firearm bolt and release a magazine while an operator retains contact with a firing grip of the firearm.",
"11. The firearm apparatus of claim 10, wherein the activation device includes:\na magazine release button installed in the firearm receiver and configured to release a magazine from interfacing with the firearm receiver; and\na linking mechanism installed in the firearm receiver and configured to manipulate the bolt-catch device in response to activation of the magazine release button.",
"12. The firearm apparatus of claim 11, wherein the linking mechanism includes a pin disposed between the magazine release button and the bolt catch device.",
"13. The firearm apparatus of claim 12, wherein the pin is disposed in an angularly directed hole between the magazine release button and the bolt catch device, the pin configured to contact a lower portion of the bolt-catch device in response to the magazine release button being pressed into the firearm receiver.",
"14. The firearm receiver of claim 13, wherein the magazine release button includes an angled ramp configured to engage the pin.",
"15. The firearm receiver of claim 13, wherein the bolt-catch mechanism includes a notch configured to interface with the pin.",
"16. The firearm receiver of claim 12, wherein the firearm receiver is configured to release the pin from the firearm receiver when the magazine release button is depressed to a predetermined depth.",
"17. The firearm receiver of claim 11, wherein the linking mechanism includes a rod attached to the bolt-catch device and extending downward to interface with the magazine release button.",
"18. The firearm receiver of claim 11, wherein the linking mechanism includes a lever attached to the magazine release button and configured to interface with the magazine release button.",
"19. The firearm receiver of claim 10, further comprising a hammer pin having an head that engages a slot in the receiver to prevent the hammer pin from rotating during operation of the firearm.",
"20. A method of clearing a jam in a firearm, the method comprising:\nretracting a charging handle of a the firearm;\ndepressing a magazine release button to activate a bolt-catch device;\nremoving a magazine;\nrunning the charging handle forward and back to clear any jams in the firearm;\nretracting the charging handle of the firearm while depressing the magazine release button to lock open a firearm bolt;\ninserting a magazine of ammunition; and\nreleasing the bolt-catch device."
],
[
"1. A firearm comprising:\na receiver, trigger, trigger guard, bolt carrier group, a barrel, and bolt catch;\nthe bolt carrier group positionable in a retained position;\nthe bolt carrier group positionable in a firing position;\nthe bolt catch having a paddle with a backside and connected to the receiver; and a bolt control device including a spring element between the backside of the paddle of the bolt catch and the receiver, the spring element maintaining outward pressure on the backside of the paddle of the bolt catch;\nwherein the bolt control device retains the bolt carrier group after each time the firearm is fired.",
"2. The firearm of claim 1 where in the spring element of claim 1 is affixed to the back side of the paddle of the bolt catch.",
"3. The firearm of claim 1 wherein the spring element of claim 1 is in contact with the backside of the paddle of the bolt catch and the receiver of the firearm.",
"4. A firearm comprising:\na receiver, trigger, trigger guard, bolt carrier group, and reverse trigger bolt control device;\nthe bolt carrier group being in either a retained position or a firing position and having a notch for engaging the reverse trigger bolt control device; and\nthe receiver having a first hole to receive the trigger within the trigger guard and the receiver having a second hold for receiving the reverse trigger bolt control device within the trigger guard.",
"5. The firearm of claim 4 wherein the reverse trigger bolt control device is within the trigger guard and oriented opposite to the trigger.",
"6. The firearm of claim 4 wherein the reverse trigger bolt control device is operable to engage the notch on the bolt carrier group and disengage the notch on the bolt carrier group.",
"7. A firearm comprising:\na receiver, trigger, trigger guard, bolt carrier group, bolt catch; and bolt control device;\nthe bolt carrier group positionable in a retained position;\nthe bolt carrier group positionable in a firing position;\nthe bolt control device comprising part of the trigger guard and in communication with the bolt catch of the firearm; wherein the bolt catch retains the bolt carrier group after each time the firearm is fired and downward pressure on the bolt control device comprising part of the trigger guard allows the bolt carrier group to move into a firing position.",
"8. The firearm of claim 7 where the bolt control device comprising part of the trigger guard comprises levers for ambidextrous manipulation."
],
[
"1. An autoloading handgun, comprising:\nan elongated receiver, the receiver having a handgrip portion defining a cavity therein, the receiver having a forward end, a rearward end, and a longitudinal axis;\na magazine removably disposed in the handgrip portion;\na barrel supported on the receiver, the barrel having a bore defined on an axis of the barrel;\na firing assembly having a trigger, trigger bar and striker arranged in operable relation, the striker being coaxially aligned with the barrel; and\na slide slidably engaged with the barrel and receiver when the handgun is fired, the slide having a forward portion and a rearward portion, the rearward portion including a change in profile; and\na manual safety latch extending from the rearward end of the receiver and including an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, the manual safety latch including a feature engageable with the change in profile on the slide to place the handgun in a safe, non-operational mode and to alternately disengage the feature from the change in profile to place the handgun in a non-safe, operational mode, wherein the trigger bar includes a feature engageable with the safety latch simultaneously with the engagement of the safety latch and slide.",
"2. The autoloading handgun according to claim 1, wherein the receiver has a plurality of recesses defined therein disposed under the slide, the autoloading handgun further comprising a recoil rod having a back plate, the back plate having side lugs engaging the receiver recesses under a bottom portion of the slide, the slide having indentions accepting the lugs, the lugs removably retaining the barrel, slide and receiver in an operable configuration.",
"3. The autoloading handgun according to claim 1, further comprising a striker spring disposed over the striker, the striker spring providing sufficient potential energy to the striker so that the striker is propelled against a round of ammunition to fire the round when the trigger is squeezed.",
"4. The autoloading handgun according to claim 1, further comprising a lever pivotally mounted in the receiver, the lever having a portion blocking the slide in an open position when the magazine is emptied.",
"5. The autoloading handgun according to claim 1, further comprising a cover slidably engageable with a bottom portion of the receiver, the cover preventing dirt from accumulating in the receiver.",
"6. The autoloading handgun according to claim 1, further comprising a recoil rod having a back plate, the back plate having side lugs, the back plate sidelugs engaging recesses defined in the receiver under a bottom portion of the slide, the slide having indentions accepting the lugs, the lugs removably retaining the barrel, the slide and the receiver in an operable configuration."
],
[
"1. A receiver for a self-loading firearm, the receiver comprising:\na first guide track within which a loading lever can be moved to move a loading tube that can be brought into contact with, or is in contact with, a breechblock; and\na second guide track connected to the first guide track, wherein the loading lever can be shifted to the second guide track via a first opening in the receiver to move the loading tube, such that the loading lever can be operated ambidextrously for loading the self-loading firearm.",
"2. A receiver for a self-loading firearm, the receiver comprising:\na first guide track within which a loading lever can be moved to move a loading tube that can be brought into contact with, or is in contact with a breechblock; and\na second guide track connected to the first guide track, wherein the loading lever can be shifted to the second guide track via a first opening in the receiver to move the loading tube, such that the loading lever can be operated ambidextrously, wherein the first opening connects rear areas of the first and second guide track to one another.",
"3. The receiver according to claim 1, wherein the first and second guide tracks each include a recess for locking the loading lever in place, such that the loading lever can be locked in place on a left or a right side of the receiver.",
"4. A receiver for a self-loading firearm, the receiver comprising:\na first guide track within which a loading lever can be moved to move a loading tube that can be brought into contact with, or is in contact with a breechblock; and\na second guide track connected to the first guide track, wherein the loading lever can be shifted to the second guide track via a first opening in the receiver to move the loading tube, such that the loading lever can be operated ambidextrously, wherein the first and second guide tracks each include a recess for locking the loading lever in place, such that the loading lever can be locked in place on a left or a right side of the receiver and wherein the recesses are formed in the first opening.",
"5. The receiver according to claim 3, wherein the recesses have extensions facing toward a muzzle of the receiver, and wherein the extensions are semicircular.",
"6. The receiver according to claim 3, wherein the recesses are separated from one another by a receiver portion of the receiver, wherein the receiver portion extends over both recesses toward a stock of the receiver.",
"7. A receiver for a self-loading firearm, the receiver comprising:\na first guide track within which a loading lever can be moved to move a loading tube that can be brought into contact with, or is in contact with a breechblock;\na second guide track connected to the first guide track, wherein the loading lever can be shifted to the second guide track via a first opening in the receiver to move the loading tube, such that the loading lever can be operated ambidextrously; and\na safety device with a safety element, which can be moved back and forth between a first position and second position, wherein the safety element prevents movement of the loading lever between the first guide track and the second guide track when in the first position, and allows this movement when in the second position, and wherein the safety device is configured to retain the safety element in at least the first position.",
"8. The receiver according to claim 7, wherein the safety element is located on the receiver, or on a component connected to the receiver.",
"9. The receiver according to claim 7, wherein the safety element is located in or on a profile rail located on top of the receiver.",
"10. The receiver according to claim 7, wherein the safety element comprises a pin, which has a circular or polygonal cross section.",
"11. The receiver according to claim 7, wherein the safety element is movable longitudinally and is spring loaded and can be moved from the first position to the second position by pressing against a force of a spring, and can be moved from the second position to the first position with the force of the spring.",
"12. The receiver according to claim 7, wherein the safety element is articulated and can be pivoted back and forth about an axis between the first position and the second position.",
"13. The receiver according to claim 11, wherein the safety device comprises a gearing that interacts with the spring such that the safety element can be retained in the first position and the second position without an external force.",
"14. A receiver for a self-loading firearm, the receiver comprising:\na first guide track within which a loading lever can be moved to move a loading tube that can be brought into contact with, or is in contact with a breechblock;\na second guide track connected to the first guide track, wherein the loading lever can be shifted to the second guide track via a first opening in the receiver to move the loading tube, such that the loading lever can be operated ambidextrously; and\nat least one counter-latch in which a latching element on the loading lever can catch a latching lug such that the loading lever can be held in place in either the first guide track or the second guide track while the breech moves on a weapon housing.",
"15. The receiver according to claim 14, wherein at least one counter-latch is formed by a second opening and a third opening in the receiver.",
"16. The receiver according to claim 15, wherein the second and third openings are located axially between a muzzle and the guide tracks.",
"17. The receiver according to claim 16, wherein the first guide track, the second opening, the second guide track, and the third opening are substantially flush to one another in an axial direction.",
"18. The receiver according to claim 15, wherein the second and third openings are polygonal.",
"19. A self-loading firearm, comprising:\na loading lever\na loading tube adjacent the loading lever;\na breechblock; and\na receiver including:\na first guide track within which the loading lever can be moved to move the loading tube into contact with the breechblock; and\na second guide track connected to the first guide track, wherein the loading lever can be shifted to the second guide track via a first opening in the receiver to move the loading tube, such that the loading lever can be operated ambidextrously for loading the self-loading firearm.",
"20. A self-loading firearm, comprising:\na loading lever;\na loading tube adjacent the loading lever;\na breechblock;\na receiver including:\na first guide track within which the loading lever can be moved to move the loading tube into contact with the breechblock;\na second guide track connected to the first guide track, wherein the loading lever can be shifted to the second guide track via a first opening in the receiver to move the loading tube, such that the loading lever can be operated ambidextrously; and\na safety device with a safety element, which can be moved back and forth between a first position and second position, wherein the safety element prevents movement of the loading lever between the first guide track and the second guide track when in the first position, and allows this movement when in the second position, and wherein the safety device is configured to retain the safety element in at least the first position.",
"21. The self-loading firearm according to claim 20, wherein the safety element is located on the receiver, or on a component connected to the receiver.",
"22. The self-loading firearm according to claim 20, wherein the safety element is located in or on a profile rail located on top of the receiver.",
"23. The self-loading firearm according to claim 20, wherein the safety element comprises a pin, which has a circular or polygonal cross section.",
"24. The self-loading firearm according to claim 20, wherein the safety element is movable longitudinally and is spring loaded and can be moved from the first position to the second position by pressing against a force of a spring, and can be moved from the second position to the first position with the force of the spring.",
"25. The self-loading firearm according to claim 20, wherein the safety element is articulated and can be pivoted back and forth about an axis between the first position and the second position.",
"26. A profile rail for a weapon receiver of a self-loading firearm, the profile rail comprising:\na safety device with a safety element extending from an end surface of the safety device and facing toward a muzzle of the self-loading firearm, wherein the safety element can be moved back and forth between a first position and a second position, and wherein the safety device is configured to retain the safety element in at least the first position, wherein when in the first position the safety element prevents movement of a loading lever between a first guide track and a second guide track and wherein when in the second position the safety element prevents movement of the loading lever between the first guide track and the second guide.",
"27. The profile rail according to claim 26, wherein the safety element can move longitudinally and is spring loaded, and, can be moved from the first position to the second position by pressing against a force of the spring, and can be moved from the second position to the first position with a force of the spring.",
"28. A profile rail for a weapon receiver of a self-loading firearm, the profile rail comprising:\na safety device with a safety element extending from an end surface of the safety device and facing toward a muzzle of the self-loading firearm, wherein the safety element can be moved back and forth between a first position and a second position, and wherein the safety device is configured to retain the safety element in at least the first position, wherein the safety element is articulated and can be pivoted about an axis between the first position and the second position.",
"29. A profile rail for a weapon receiver of a self-loading firearm, the profile rail comprising:\na safety device with a safety element extending from an end surface of the safety device and facing toward a muzzle of the self-loading firearm, wherein the safety element can be moved back and forth between a first position and a second position, and wherein the safety device is configured to retain the safety element in at least the first position, wherein the safety element can move longitudinally and is spring loaded, and, can be moved from the first position to the second position by pressing against a force of a spring, and can be moved from the second position to the first position with a force of the spring, wherein the safety device comprises a gearing that interacts with the spring such that the safety element can be retained in the first position and the second position without an external force.",
"30. The profile rail according to claim 26, wherein the safety element comprises a pin, having a cylindrical, polygonal, or oval cross section.",
"31. A receiver for a self-loading firearm, the receiver comprising:\na first guide track on a first side of the receiver; and\na second guide track on a second side of the receiver opposite the first side to the first guide track, wherein a first opening in the receiver connects the first guide track to the second guide track.",
"32. A receiver for a self-loading firearm, the receiver comprising:\na first guide track on a first side of the receiver;\na second guide track on a second side of the receiver opposite the first side to the first guide track, wherein a first opening in the receiver connects the first guide track to the second guide track; and\na safety device with a safety element movable between a first position and second position, wherein in the first position the safety element covers the first opening in an axial direction.",
"33. The receiver according to claim 32, wherein the safety element is located on the receiver, or on a component connected to the receiver.",
"34. The receiver according to claim 32, wherein the safety element is located in or on a profile rail located on top of the receiver.",
"35. The receiver according to claim 32, wherein the safety element comprises a pin, which has a circular or polygonal cross section.",
"36. The receiver according to claim 32, wherein the safety element is movable longitudinally and is spring loaded and can be moved from the first position to a second position by pressing against a force of a spring, and can be moved from the second position to the first position with the force of the spring.",
"37. The receiver according to claim 32, wherein the safety element is articulated and can be pivoted back and forth about an axis between the first position and the second position.",
"38. The receiver according to claim 2, wherein the first opening connects rear regions of the first and second guide tracks.",
"39. The receiver according to claim 1, wherein the first and second guide tracks are symmetrical."
]
] |
in the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to aia 35 u.s.c. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-aia 35 u.s.c. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
the following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 u.s.c. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this office action:
a person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
claim(s) 1 is/are rejected under 35 u.s.c. 102(a)(1) as being clearly anticipated by facchini et al. (us patent application publication 2019/0137202). facchini et al. discloses
a firearm comprising: a frame having a barrel and defining a passage registered with the barrel;
a bolt configured to reciprocate in the passage between a forward battery condition and a retracted condition (par. 0041); a latch (120) movable between a retention position in which the bolt is prevented by the latch from moving from the retracted position to the battery position, and a release condition in which the bolt is prevented by the latch from moving from the retracted/retention position to the battery position;
the latch being biased to the retention position such that the bolt is retained in the retracted position after every shot (par. 0046); and an actuator (124) connected to the latch and configured to move the latch to the release condition.
|
[
"1. A die stack comprising:\na first semiconductor die comprising a first semiconductor substrate;\na first redistribution layer (RDL) structure disposed on a front surface of the first semiconductor die and electrically connected to the first semiconductor substrate;\na second semiconductor die bonded to the front surface of the first semiconductor die and comprising a second semiconductor substrate;\na third semiconductor die bonded to the front surface of the first semiconductor die and comprising a third semiconductor substrate;\na second RDL structure disposed on front surfaces of the second semiconductor die and third semiconductor die and electrically connected to the second semiconductor substrate and third semiconductor substrate; and\na through dielectric via (TDV) structure extending between the second semiconductor die and the third semiconductor die, wherein the TDV structure is electrically connected to the first RDL structure and second RDL structure,\nwherein the second semiconductor die and third semiconductor die are disposed in a plane that extends perpendicular to a vertical stacking direction of the die stack.",
"2. The die stack of claim 1, wherein:\nthe second semiconductor die comprises a through silicon via (TSV) structure that extends through the second semiconductor substrate, wherein the second semiconductor die is electrically connected to the first RDL structure; and\nthe third semiconductor die is electrically connected to the first semiconductor die by a second connection circuit that includes a conductive line of the second RDL structure, the TSV structure of the second semiconductor die, and a conductive line of the first RDL structure.",
"3. The die stack of claim 2, wherein the second connection circuit comprises metal features of the second semiconductor die.",
"4. The die stack of claim 2, wherein the third semiconductor die is a non-TSV die.",
"5. The die stack of claim 4, wherein the first semiconductor die is a non-TSV die.",
"6. The die stack of claim 2, further comprising a fourth semiconductor die bonded to the front surfaces of the second semiconductor die and the third semiconductor die and comprising a fourth semiconductor substrate.",
"7. The die stack of claim 6, wherein the fourth semiconductor die comprises:\na first TSV structure that extends through the fourth semiconductor substrate and is electrically connected to the first semiconductor die by the TDV structure;\na second TSV structure that extends through the fourth semiconductor substrate and is electrically connected to the second semiconductor die; and\na third TSV structure that extends through the fourth semiconductor substrate and is electrically connected to the third semiconductor die.",
"8. The die stack of claim 7, wherein the fourth semiconductor die is electrically connected to an external device by a metal bump.",
"9. The die stack of claim 6, wherein:\nthe first semiconductor die, the second semiconductor die, and the fourth semiconductor die are random access memory dies; and\nthe third semiconductor die has a different function than the first semiconductor die, the second semiconductor die, and the fourth semiconductor die.",
"10. The die stack of claim 1, wherein:\nthe second semiconductor die comprises a through silicon via (TSV) structure that extends through the second semiconductor substrate and electrically contacts to the first RDL structure; and\nthe third semiconductor die is electrically connected to the first semiconductor die by a first connection circuit that includes a conductive line of the second RDL structure and the TDV structure.",
"11. The die stack of claim 10, wherein the third semiconductor die is a non-TSV die.",
"12. The die stack of claim 11, wherein the first semiconductor die is electrically connected to a fourth semiconductor die by the TDV structure.",
"13. The die stack of claim 1, wherein:\nthe second semiconductor die is electrically connected to the first semiconductor die by a first connection circuit that includes a conductive line of the second RDL structure and the TDV structure; and\nthe third semiconductor die is electrically connected to the first semiconductor die by a third connection circuit that includes a conductive line of the second RDL structure and the TDV structure.",
"14. A system on integrated circuit (SoIC) structure comprising:\na die stack comprising:\na first semiconductor die comprising a first semiconductor substrate;\na first redistribution layer (RDL) structure disposed on a front surface of the first semiconductor die and electrically connected to the first semiconductor substrate;\na second semiconductor die bonded to the front surface of the first semiconductor die and comprising a second semiconductor substrate;\na third semiconductor die bonded to the front surface of the first semiconductor die and comprising a third semiconductor substrate;\na second RDL structure disposed on front surfaces of the second semiconductor die and the third semiconductor die, wherein the second RDL structure is electrically connected to the second semiconductor substrate and the third semiconductor substrate;\na fourth semiconductor die bonded to the front surfaces of the second semiconductor die and the third semiconductor die, wherein the fourth semiconductor die comprises a fourth semiconductor substrate; and\na through dielectric via (TDV) structure extending between the second semiconductor die and the third semiconductor die, wherein the TDV structure electrically connects the first RDL structure and the second RDL structure,\nwherein the second semiconductor die and the third semiconductor die are disposed in a plane that extends perpendicular to a vertical stacking direction of the die stack; and\na logic die bonded to the die stack and comprising a logic die semiconductor substrate comprising logic circuitry.",
"15. The SoIC structure of claim 14, wherein:\nthe second semiconductor die comprises a through silicon via (TSV) structure that extends through the second semiconductor substrate and electrically contacts the first RDL structure; and\nthe third semiconductor die is electrically connected to the first semiconductor die by a second connection circuit that includes a conductive line of the second RDL structure, the TSV structure of the second semiconductor die, and a conductive line of the first RDL structure.",
"16. The SoIC structure of claim 15, wherein the first semiconductor die and the third semiconductor die are non-TSV dies.",
"17. The SoIC structure of claim 14, wherein:\nthe second semiconductor die comprises a through silicon via (TSV) structure that extends through the second semiconductor substrate and electrically contacts to the first RDL structure; and\nthe third semiconductor die is electrically connected to the first semiconductor die by a first connection circuit that includes a conductive line of the second RDL structure and the TDV structure,\nwherein the first semiconductor die is electrically connected to the logic die by the TDV structure and a TSV structure of the fourth semiconductor die.",
"18. The SoIC structure of claim 14, wherein the first semiconductor die, the second semiconductor die, and the fourth semiconductor die each comprise a memory die.",
"19. A system on integrated circuit (SoIC) structure comprising:\na die stack comprising:\na first semiconductor die comprising a first semiconductor substrate comprising a memory array;\na first redistribution layer (RDL) structure disposed on a front surface of the first semiconductor die and electrically connected to the first semiconductor substrate;\na second semiconductor die bonded to the front surface of the first semiconductor die and comprising a second semiconductor substrate comprising a memory array;\na third semiconductor die bonded to the front surface of the first semiconductor die and comprising a third semiconductor substrate comprising a memory array;\na second RDL structure disposed on front surfaces of the second semiconductor die and third semiconductor die and electrically connected to the second semiconductor substrate and third semiconductor substrate;\na fourth semiconductor die bonded to the front surfaces of the second semiconductor die and third semiconductor die and comprising a fourth semiconductor substrate comprising a memory array; and\na through dielectric via (TDV) structure extending between the second semiconductor die and third semiconductor die and electrically connecting the first semiconductor die and the fourth semiconductor die,\nwherein the second semiconductor die and third semiconductor die are disposed in a plane that extends perpendicular to a vertical stacking direction of the die stack; and\na logic die bonded to the die stack and comprising a logic die semiconductor substrate comprising logic circuitry.",
"20. The SoIC structure of claim 19, wherein the third semiconductor die is electrically connected to the first semiconductor die by the TDV structure."
] |
US20230060265A1
|
US11515290B2
|
[
"1. A semiconductor package comprising:\nan upper substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other, wherein the upper substrate is a silicon interposer substrate, and the first and second surfaces extend along a first direction;\na lower semiconductor chip disposed on the first surface of the upper substrate;\na plurality of conductive pillars disposed on the first surface of the upper substrate at at least one side of the lower semiconductor chip;\nan upper semiconductor chip disposed on the second surface of the upper substrate,\nwherein the lower semiconductor chip and the plurality of conductive pillars are connected to the first surface of the upper substrate, and\nwherein the upper semiconductor chip is connected to the second surface of the upper substrate;\na lower substrate spaced apart from the first surface of the upper substrate, wherein the lower semiconductor chip and the plurality of conductive pillars are interposed between the lower substrate and the upper substrate; and\na lower redistribution layer between the lower substrate and the lower semiconductor chip along a second direction, and between the lower substrate and the plurality of conductive pillars along the second direction, the second direction perpendicular to the first direction,\nwherein the lower semiconductor chip and the plurality of conductive pillars are connected to the lower redistribution layer.",
"2. The semiconductor package of claim 1, wherein the upper semiconductor chip is one of a plurality of upper semiconductor chips laterally spaced apart from each other along the first direction on the second surface of the upper substrate, and\nwherein each of the plurality of upper semiconductor chips is connected to the second surface of the upper substrate.",
"3. The semiconductor package of claim 1, wherein the lower semiconductor chip is one of a plurality of lower semiconductor chips laterally spaced apart from each other along the first direction on the first surface of the upper substrate, and\nwherein each of the plurality of lower semiconductor chips is connected to the first surface of the upper substrate.",
"4. The semiconductor package of claim 3, wherein at least one of the plurality of lower semiconductor chips comprises at least one lower through-electrode penetrating therethrough.",
"5. The semiconductor package of claim 1, wherein the silicon interposer substrate comprises metal interconnection lines,\nwherein the metal interconnection lines are adjacent to the second surface of the upper substrate, and\nwherein the upper semiconductor chip is connected to the metal interconnection lines.",
"6. The semiconductor package of claim 5, wherein the silicon interposer substrate further comprises through-vias connected to the metal interconnection lines, and\nwherein the through-vias vertically extend from the metal interconnection lines along the second direction toward the first surface of the upper substrate.",
"7. The semiconductor package of claim 1, further comprising a lower mold layer on the lower redistribution layer, the lower mold layer covering the lower semiconductor chip and the plurality of conductive pillars.",
"8. The semiconductor package of claim 7, further comprising an upper mold layer on the second surface of the upper substrate, the upper mold layer covering the upper semiconductor chip.",
"9. The semiconductor package of claim 1, wherein the upper substrate comprises an upper redistribution layer disposed adjacent to the first surface, and\nwherein the lower semiconductor chip and the plurality of conductive pillars are connected to the upper redistribution layer.",
"10. A semiconductor package comprising:\nan upper substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other, wherein the upper substrate is a silicon interposer substrate, and the first and second surfaces extend along a first direction;\na lower semiconductor chip disposed on the first surface of the upper substrate;\na plurality of conductive pillars disposed on the first surface of the upper substrate at at least one side of the lower semiconductor chip;\nan upper semiconductor chip disposed on the second surface of the upper substrate,\nwherein the lower semiconductor chip and the plurality of conductive pillars are connected to the first surface of the upper substrate, and\nwherein the upper semiconductor chip is connected to the second surface of the upper substrate;\na lower structure spaced apart from the first surface of the upper substrate, wherein the lower semiconductor chip and the plurality of conductive pillars are interposed between the lower structure and the upper substrate,\nwherein the plurality of conductive pillars is connected to the lower structure,\nand wherein the lower structure comprises a printed circuit board, a semiconductor chip, or a lower semiconductor package; and\na heat dissipation structure disposed on the lower structure and on the upper semiconductor chip, the heat dissipation structure covering the upper semiconductor chip, the upper substrate, the lower semiconductor chip, and the plurality of conductive pillars.",
"11. A semiconductor package comprising:\nan upper substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other, wherein the upper substrate is a silicon interposer substrate comprising a through-via layer, and a metal interconnection layer on the through-via layer, the metal interconnection layer adjacent to the second surface;\na plurality of lower semiconductor chips on the first surface of the upper substrate and laterally spaced apart from each other in a first direction parallel to the first surface of the upper substrate;\na plurality of conductive pillars on the first surface of the upper substrate and laterally spaced apart from the plurality of lower semiconductor chips in the first direction;\na plurality of upper semiconductor chips on the second surface of the upper substrate and laterally spaced apart from each other in the first direction;\na lower structure spaced apart from the first surface of the upper substrate in a second direction perpendicular to the first surface of the upper substrate, wherein the plurality of lower semiconductor chips and the plurality of conductive pillars are interposed between the lower structure and the upper substrate; and\na lower redistribution layer between the lower structure and the plurality of lower semiconductor chips along the second direction, and between the lower structure and the plurality of conductive pillars along the second direction,\nwherein the upper substrate comprises first upper substrate pads adjacent to the first surface, and second upper substrate pads adjacent to the second surface,\nwherein each of the plurality of lower semiconductor chips include lower chip pads connected to corresponding ones of the first upper substrate pads, and the plurality of conductive pillars are connected to other corresponding ones of the first upper substrate pads,\nwherein the plurality of lower semiconductor chips and the plurality of conductive pillars are connected to through-vias in the through-via layer through the first upper substrate pads,\nwherein each of the plurality of upper semiconductor chips include upper chip pads connected to corresponding ones of the second upper substrate pads,\nwherein the plurality of upper semiconductor chips are connected to metal interconnection lines in the metal interconnection layer through the second upper substrate pads, and\nwherein the plurality of lower semiconductor chips and the plurality of conductive pillars are connected to the lower redistribution layer.",
"12. The semiconductor package of claim 11, wherein each of the plurality of upper semiconductor chips includes a first surface that faces the second surface of the upper substrate, and the upper chip pads are adjacent to the first surface of the plurality of upper semiconductor chips,\nwherein each of the plurality of upper semiconductor chips comprises an upper circuit layer adjacent to the first surface of the plurality of upper semiconductor chips.",
"13. The semiconductor package of claim 12, wherein each of the plurality of lower semiconductor chips includes a first surface that faces the first surface of the upper substrate, and the lower chip pads are adjacent to the first surface of the plurality of lower semiconductor chips,\nwherein at least one of the plurality of lower semiconductor chips comprises a lower circuit layer adjacent to the first surface of the at least one of the plurality of lower semiconductor chips.",
"14. The semiconductor package of claim 11, the lower structure includes pads,\nwherein the lower redistribution layer is connected to corresponding ones of the pads of the lower structure, and\nwherein the lower structure comprises a printed circuit board, a semiconductor chip, or a lower semiconductor package.",
"15. The semiconductor package of claim 14, further comprising a heat dissipation structure on the lower structure, the heat dissipation structure covering the plurality of upper semiconductor chips, the upper substrate, the plurality of lower semiconductor chips, and the plurality of conductive pillars.",
"16. The semiconductor package of claim 11, wherein the through-vias are connected to the metal interconnection lines and extend from the metal interconnection lines toward the first surface of the upper substrate, and\nwherein the upper semiconductor chips are connected to the metal interconnection lines through the upper chip pads and the second upper substrate pads.",
"17. The semiconductor package of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of connection bumps disposed between and electrically connecting the lower redistribution layer and the lower substrate."
] |
[
[
"1. A method comprising:\nforming a dielectric layer over a portion of a Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) cell, wherein the SRAM cell comprises:\na first pull-up transistor and a second pull-up transistor;\na first pull-down transistor and a second pull-down transistor forming cross-latched inverters with the first pull-up transistor and the second pull-up transistor; and\na first pass-gate transistor and a second pass-gate transistor connected to drains of the first pull-up transistor and the first pull-down transistor and drains of the second pull-up transistor and the second pull-down transistor, respectively;\nforming and patterning a first mask layer over the dielectric layer, wherein the forming and the patterning of the first mask layer includes:\npatterning a photo resist material disposed over the first mask layer; and\netching the first mask layer to transfer a pattern from the patterned photo resist material to the first mask layer such that the etched first mask layer includes an opening extending over a first source/drain fin of the SRAM cell, over a second source/drain fin of the SRAM cell, and over a third source/drain fin of the SRAM cell, wherein the opening extends uninterrupted across the entire SRAM cell along one dimension of the SRAM cell and has a substantially uniform width measured perpendicular to the one dimension;\nthereafter, forming a second mask layer over the dielectric layer;\netching the dielectric layer using the first mask layer and the second mask layer in combination as an etching mask, wherein a first contact opening and a second contact opening are formed in the dielectric layer from the opening in the etched first mask layer;\nwherein the first contact opening extends over and exposes both the first source/drain fin and the third source/drain fin;\nforming a first discrete contact plug in the first contact opening electrically connected to the first source/drain fin and the third source/drain fin; and\nforming a second discrete contact plug in the second contact opening connected to the second source/drain fin.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first mask layer comprises a material selected from the group consisting essentially of a silicon oxide based dielectric, silicon oxynitride, silicon nitride, polysilicon, amorphous silicon, a carbon-containing dielectric material, a nitrogen-containing dielectric material, an organic material, a refractory metal, and combinations thereof.",
"3. The method of claim 2, wherein the second mask layer comprises a photo resist, and wherein the second mask layer is over the first mask layer.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein after the step of patterning the first mask layer, the first mask layer forms a continuous layer with a first long contact opening therein, wherein the first long contact opening has a longitudinal direction parallel to a long boundary of the SRAM cell, and wherein the first long contact opening has a length greater than or equal to a length of the long boundary.",
"5. The method of claim 4, wherein the continuous layer further comprises a second long contact opening therein, wherein the second long contact opening has a longitudinal direction parallel to a long boundary of the SRAM cell, and wherein the second long contact opening has a length smaller than the length of the long boundary.",
"6. The method of claim 5, wherein the second long contact opening extends to a boundary of the SRAM cell.",
"7. The method of claim 5, wherein the second long contact opening does not extend to any boundary of the SRAM cell.",
"8. The method of claim 1, wherein after the step of patterning the first mask layer, the first mask layer forms islands that are separated from each other.",
"9. The method of claim 1, wherein at a time the first discrete contact plug is formed, the second discrete contact plug is formed simultaneous.",
"10. The method of claim 1, wherein the first discrete contact plug continuously extends over, and interconnects, a drain of the first pull-down transistor and a drain of the first pull-up transistor.",
"11. A method comprising:\nforming a Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) cell comprising a plurality of gate electrodes, and a plurality of active region strips, wherein the plurality of active region strips form transistors with the plurality of gate electrodes;\nforming an Inter-Layer Dielectric (ILD) over the plurality of gate electrodes and the plurality of active region strips;\nforming a first mask layer over the ILD, wherein the first mask layer covers first portions of the ILD, with second portions of the ILD exposed through openings in the first mask layer, wherein the forming of the first mask layer includes:\nforming a resist over the first mask layer;\npatterning the resist; and\netching the first mask layer using the patterned resist to form the openings through which the second portions of the ILD are exposed,\nwherein the openings include a first opening of the first mask layer disposed over a first active region, a second active region, and a third active region of the plurality of active region strips,\nwherein the first opening of the first mask layer extends uninterrupted from a first boundary of the SRAM cell to a second boundary of the SRAM cell opposite the first boundary, and\nwherein the first opening has a substantially uniform width measured parallel to the first boundary and the second boundary;\nforming a second mask layer, wherein the second mask layer comprises portions filled into parts of the openings in the first mask layer;\netching the ILD using the first mask layer and the second mask layer as an etching mask to form a plurality of contact openings in the ILD, wherein the etching forms a first contact opening and a second contact opening underlying the opening of the first mask layer;\nwherein the first contact opening extends over and exposes both the first active region and the third active region; and\nforming a plurality of contact plugs in the plurality of contact openings, wherein the plurality of contacts plugs includes:\na first discrete contact plug within the first contact opening and electrically connected to the first active region and the third active region; and\na second discrete contact plug within the second contact opening and electrically connected to the second active region; and\nwherein the active regions include source and drain regions of the transistors.",
"12. The method of claim 11,\nwherein the openings in the first mask layer further comprise a second opening overlapping, and having a longitudinal direction parallel to, a third boundary of the SRAM cell, and\nwherein the third boundary is perpendicular to the first boundary and the second boundary.",
"13. The method of claim 12, wherein the second mask layer comprises strips having longitudinal directions perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the second opening.",
"14. The method of claim 11, wherein the first mask layer comprises a hard mask material, and the second mask layer comprises a photo resist.",
"15. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of forming the plurality of contact plugs comprises:\nforming the first discrete contact plug over and connected to a drain of a pull-down transistor of the SRAM cell and to a drain of a pull-up transistor of the SRAM cell.",
"16. A method comprising:\nreceiving a substrate having a circuit device formed thereupon, wherein the circuit device includes:\na plurality of active regions of a plurality of transistors disposed on the substrate;\na material layer disposed on the substrate;\na first masking layer disposed on the material layer; and\na photoresist disposed on the first masking layer;\npatterning the photoresist;\netching the first masking layer to remove a portion of the first masking layer exposed by the patterned photoresist to form a cavity within the first masking layer extending over a first active region, a second active region, and a third active region of the plurality of active regions, wherein the cavity extends uninterrupted from a first cell boundary of the circuit device to an opposing second cell boundary of the circuit device, and wherein the cavity has a substantially uniform width measured parallel to the first cell boundary and the second cell boundary;\nforming a second masking layer on the substrate and within the cavity;\npatterning the second masking layer;\netching the material layer to remove a portion of the material layer exposed by the etched first masking layer and the patterned second masking layer to form a first contact opening and a second contact opening from the cavity;\nwherein the first contact opening extends over and exposes both the first active region and the third active region; and\nforming a plurality of contact plugs within and extending through the etched material layer, wherein the plurality of contact plugs includes:\na first discrete plug disposed in the first contact opening and electrically coupled to the first active region and the third active region, and\na second discrete plug disposed in the second contact opening and coupled to the second active region; and\nwherein the active regions include source and drain regions of the transistors.",
"17. The method of claim 16, wherein the circuit device includes an SRAM cell over which the material layer is formed, and wherein the first cell boundary and the second cell boundary are boundaries of the SRAM cell.",
"18. The method of claim 16, wherein the circuit device defines a standard cell, and wherein the first cell boundary and the second cell boundary are boundaries of the standard cell.",
"19. The method of claim 17, wherein the first active region corresponds to a first cross-coupled invertor of the SRAM cell, and wherein the second active region corresponds to a second cross-coupled invertor of the SRAM cell.",
"20. The method of claim 17 wherein the first discrete plug extends over, and is coupled to, a drain of a pull-down transistor of the SRAM cell and a drain of a pull-up transistor of the SRAM cell."
],
[
"1. A method of forming a semiconductor device, the method comprising:\nforming a protective layer over a backside of an integrated circuit die, wherein a die-attach film is interposed between the protective layer and the integrated circuit die, the integrated circuit die having an active side opposite the backside, the active side having electrical contacts;\nforming an adhesive layer over a substrate;\nforming conductors over the adhesive layer;\nafter forming the protective layer over the backside of the integrated circuit, attaching the protective layer to the adhesive layer, wherein the protective layer is interposed between the integrated circuit die and the adhesive layer; and\nforming a molding compound over the adhesive layer along opposing sidewalls of the integrated circuit die, opposing sidewalls of the conductors, and opposing sidewalls of the protective layer.",
"2. The method of claim 1 further comprising removing the adhesive layer and the substrate from the protective layer and the molding compound.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein a surface of the conductors are level with a surface of the protective layer.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein forming the conductors comprises:\nforming a seed layer over the adhesive layer;\nforming a mask over the seed layer, the mask having openings corresponding to each of the conductors;\nforming a through via over the seed layer in the openings; and\nremoving the mask and exposed portions of the seed layer.",
"5. The method of claim 1 further comprising:\nattaching a package to the conductors using solder connectors; and\nforming an underfill between the package and the protective layer and between the package and the molding compound, wherein the underfill directly contacts the protective layer.",
"6. The method of claim 1 further comprising:\nforming one or more redistribution layers over the molding compound and the integrated circuit die.",
"7. The method of claim 1, wherein sidewalls of the protective layer are aligned with sidewalls of the integrated circuit die.",
"8. A method of forming a semiconductor device, the method comprising:\nattaching an integrated circuit die and a protective layer to a carrier substrate, wherein the protective layer is interposed between the integrated circuit die and the carrier substrate, wherein the integrated circuit die is attached to the protective layer using a die-attach film, the integrated circuit die having an active side and a backside, the active side having electrical contacts;\nforming conductors on the carrier substrate adjacent the integrated circuit;\nforming a molding compound adjacent sidewalls of the integrated circuit die and the conductors;\nattaching a package to the conductors by electrical connectors; and\nforming an underfill between the protective layer and the package, wherein the underfill directly contacts the protective layer.",
"9. The method of claim 8, wherein the conductors extend through the protective layer.",
"10. The method of claim 8, wherein forming the conductors comprises:\nforming a seed layer on the carrier substrate; and\nforming a conductor layer over the seed layer, wherein a surface of the seed layer is level with a surface of the protective layer.",
"11. The method of claim 8, wherein attaching the integrated circuit die and the protective layer to the carrier substrate comprises:\nattaching the protective layer to the integrated circuit die using the die-attach film; and\nafter attaching the protective layer, attaching the protective layer to the carrier substrate.",
"12. The method of claim 11, wherein sidewalls of the protective layer are aligned with sidewalls of the integrated circuit die.",
"13. The method of claim 8, wherein the electrical connectors comprise solder.",
"14. The method of claim 13, wherein the solder extends through the protective layer.",
"15. A method of forming a semiconductor device, the method comprising:\nforming a protective layer on a backside of a die using a first adhesive, the protective layer having lateral edges aligned with lateral edges of the die;\nforming a second adhesive over a carrier substrate;\nforming conductors over the second adhesive;\nattaching the protective layer to the carrier substrate;\nforming a molding compound along sidewalls of the die and the conductors; and\nforming one or more redistribution layers over an active side of the die, the one or more redistribution layers extending over the molding compound.",
"16. The method of claim 15, wherein sidewalls of the protective layer are covered by the molding compound.",
"17. The method of claim 16, wherein the molding compound extends along entire sidewalls of the conductors.",
"18. The method of claim 16, wherein a surface of the conductors is level with a surface of the protective layer.",
"19. The method of claim 16, wherein the conductors comprise a seed layer.",
"20. The method of claim 16 further comprising:\nattaching a package to the conductors, wherein the protective layer is interposed between the package and the die."
],
[
"1. An integrated circuit, comprising:\na first plurality of interconnects, the first plurality of comprising a first pair of interconnects and a second pair of interconnects; and\na second plurality of interconnects, the second plurality comprising a third pair of interconnects and a fourth pair of interconnects;\na line of symmetry between the first plurality and the second plurality, the first plurality being disposed on a first side of the line of symmetry and the second plurality being disposed on a second side of the line of symmetry, the first and second pluralities being mirror images relative to one another across the line of symmetry along an entirety of a length of the interconnects;\nwherein each interconnect of the first plurality and the second plurality comprises first ends bending towards the line of symmetry and comprises second ends that bend away from the line of symmetry;\nwherein the second ends with each pair are spaced from each other by a first distance, the second ends of the first pair being spaced from the second ends of the second pair by a second distance, and the second ends of the third pair being spaced from the second ends of the fourth pair by the second distance, the second distance being greater than the first distance; and\na first bond pad associated with a first interconnect of the first pair of interconnects and a second bond pad being associated with a second interconnect of the first pair of interconnects, the first bond pad and the second bond pad associated with a second interconnect of the first pair of interconnects, the first bond pad and the second bond pad being disposed at differing distances from the line of symmetry relative to one another;\nwherein the integrated circuit comprises an array region disposed between opposing periphery regions, wherein interconnects of the first and second pluralities extend into the array region from the opposing periphery regions.",
"2. The integrated circuit of claim 1, wherein the interconnects comprise bond pads disposed in the periphery regions.",
"3. The integrated circuit of claim 1 wherein the array region is a memory array region.",
"4. The integrated circuit of claim 1, wherein the interconnects are spaced between about 50 and 100 nm from one another in the array region.",
"5. The integrated circuit of claim 4, wherein the interconnects are spaced between about 25 and 50 nm from one another in the array region.",
"6. The integrated circuit of claim 1, wherein the interconnects comprise a metal.",
"7. A computer system comprising the integrated circuit of claim 1."
],
[
"1. A semiconductor package, comprising:\na substrate;\nat least one first chip on an upper surface of the substrate;\na second chip on the upper surface of the substrate and located beside the at least one first chip as viewed in a plan view; and\na support structure on the second chip,\nwherein a width of the support structure, in a direction parallel to the upper surface of the substrate, is equal to or greater than a width of the second chip in said direction, and\nwherein a distance from the upper surface of the substrate to a top surface of the support structure is substantially the same as a distance from the upper surface of the substrate to a top surface of an uppermost one the at least one first chip.",
"2. The semiconductor package of claim 1, wherein the support structure comprises a block of insulating material, a dummy chip, or a memory chip.",
"3. The semiconductor package of claim 1, wherein the support structure comprises silicon (Si).",
"4. The semiconductor package of claim 1, wherein each said at least one first chip is a memory chip, and\nthe second chip is a logic chip.",
"5. The semiconductor package of claim 1, wherein the at least one first chip is wire-bonded to the substrate, and\nthe second chip is flip-chip bonded to the substrate.",
"6. The semiconductor package of claim 4, wherein the at least one first chip is a chip stack.",
"7. The semiconductor package of claim 1, further comprising at least one third chip on the at least one first chip and the second chip.",
"8. The semiconductor package of claim 1, further comprising at least one third chip on the at least one first chip and the support structure.",
"9. The semiconductor package of claim 7, further comprising a first spacer interposed between the at least one first chip and the at least one third chip.",
"10. The semiconductor package of claim 9, further comprising at least one fourth chip on the upper surface of the substrate and disposed beside the at least one first chip and the second chip as viewed in a plan view, the at least one fourth chip being interposed between substrate and the first spacer.",
"11. A semiconductor package, comprising:\nan electronic package substrate;\na first functional block comprising at least one first chip disposed on an upper surface of and electrically connected to the electronic package substrate, the first functional block having a footprint on a first region of an upper surface of the electronic package substrate;\na second chip disposed on the upper surface of and electrically connected to the electronic package substrate, the second chip being disposed beside the at least one first chip as viewed in a plan view such that the second chip has a footprint on a second region of the electronic package substrate beside the first region;\na block of silicon-containing material disposed on the second chip and disposed beside the at least one first chip as viewed in a plan view; and\na molded layer on the electronic package substrate and in which the first functional block, the second chip and the block of silicon-containing material are encapsulated,\nwherein a width of the block of silicon-containing material, in a direction parallel to an upper surface of the electronic package substrate, is equal to or greater than a width of the second chip in said direction such that the block of silicon-containing material has a footprint on the second region of the electronic package substrate, and\nthe block of silicon-containing material has a silicon content ratio greater than that of the molded layer.",
"12. The semiconductor package of claim 11, wherein the at least one first chip is a memory chip stack, the second chip is a logic chip, and a top surface of the block of silicon-containing material and a top surface an uppermost memory chip of the memory chip stack are situated at substantially the same distance above the upper surface of the electronic package substrate.",
"13. The semiconductor package of claim 11, wherein the first functional block consists of a single first chip, and a top surface of the block of silicon-containing material and a top surface the single first chip are situated at substantially the same distance above the upper surface of the electronic package substrate.",
"14. The semiconductor package of claim 13, further comprising a second functional block comprising a stack of memory chips disposed on the single first chip and the block of silicon-containing material, the stack of memory chips having a footprint on the electronic package substrate that spans the first and second regions of the electronic package substrate.",
"15. The semiconductor package of claim 11, wherein the second chip is flip-chip bonded to the electronic package substrate.",
"16. A semiconductor package, comprising:\nan electronic package substrate;\na first functional block comprising at least one first chip disposed on an upper surface of and electrically connected to the electronic package substrate, the first functional block having a footprint on a first region of an upper surface of the electronic package substrate;\na second chip disposed on the upper surface of and electrically connected to the electronic package substrate, the second chip being disposed beside the at least one first chip as viewed in a plan view such that the second chip has a footprint on a second region of the electronic package substrate beside the first region;\na silicon-based third chip disposed on the second chip and disposed beside the at least one first chip as viewed in a plan view; and\na molded layer on the electronic package substrate and in which the first functional block, the second chip and the silicon-based third chip are encapsulated,\nwherein a width of the silicon-based third chip, in a direction parallel to an upper surface of the electronic package substrate, is equal to or greater than a width of the second chip in said direction such that the silicon-based third chip has a footprint on the second region of the electronic package substrate, and\nthe silicon-based third chip has a silicon content ratio greater than that of the molded layer.",
"17. The semiconductor package of claim 16, wherein the second chip is flip-chip bonded to the electronic package substrate, and the silicon-based third chip is wire-bonded to the electronic package substrate.",
"18. The semiconductor package of claim 16, wherein the second chip is flip-chip bonded to the electronic package substrate, and the silicon-based third chip is a dummy chip electrically isolated from the electronic package substrate, the first functional block, and the second chip.",
"19. The semiconductor package of claim 16, wherein the at least one first chip is a memory chip stack, and a top surface of the silicon-based chip and a top surface an uppermost memory chip of the memory chip stack are situated at substantially the same distance above the upper surface of the electronic package substrate."
],
[
"1. A microelectronic assembly, comprising:\na base memory structure, including a base memory die, a base compute die, and a bonding interface between the base memory die and the base compute die; and\na die stack, coupled to the base memory structure, the die stack including a stack memory die and a stack compute die;\nwherein:\nthe base memory die includes a plurality of memory cells that include backend transistors, and a base memory die control logic that includes frontend transistors,\nthe base compute die includes a plurality of frontend transistors configured to control operation of the base memory die,\nthe microelectronic assembly further includes signal vias and power vias extending through the bonding interface between the base memory die and the base compute die, where cross-sectional dimensions and a pitch of the power vias are larger than cross-sectional dimensions and a pitch of the signal vias, and\nthe die stack is coupled to the base memory structure by having the stack memory die being coupled to the base compute die.",
"2. The microelectronic assembly according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of memory cells include dynamic random-access memory cells.",
"3. The microelectronic assembly according to claim 2, wherein the stack memory die includes a plurality of static random-access memory cells.",
"4. The microelectronic assembly according to claim 1, wherein the base memory structure includes a non-hierarchical memory.",
"5. The microelectronic assembly according to claim 1, wherein the stack memory die includes a hierarchical memory.",
"6. The microelectronic assembly according to claim 1, wherein the backend transistors of the plurality of memory cells of the base memory die are coupled in a plurality of pairs of backend transistors, where, for a pair of the plurality of pairs:\nthe pair includes a first backend transistor and a second backend transistor,\nthe first and second backend transistors share a continuous layer of a channel material,\na gate contact and a first source or drain (S/D) contact for each of the first and second backend transistors are over a first surface of the channel material, and\na second S/D contact for each of the first and second backend transistors is a shared S/D contact over a second surface of the channel material, the second surface being opposite the first surface.",
"7. The microelectronic assembly according to claim 6, wherein the gate contact for the first backend transistor and the gate contact for the second backend transistor are over a portion of the channel material that is between a portion of the channel material in conductive contact with the first S/D contact of the first backend transistor and a portion of the channel material in conductive contact with the first S/D contact of the second backend transistor.",
"8. The microelectronic assembly according to claim 1, wherein the bonding interface between the base memory die and the base compute die is a hybrid bonding interface.",
"9. The microelectronic assembly according to claim 1, wherein the pitch of the power vias is between about 10 and 25 micrometers, and the pitch of the signal vias is between about 2 and 12 micrometers.",
"10. The microelectronic assembly according to claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional dimensions of the power vias are between about 7 and 11 micrometers, and the cross-sectional dimensions of the signal vias are between about 2 and 4 micrometers.",
"11. The microelectronic assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a glass carrier structure and a bonding material, wherein:\neach of the glass carrier structure and the base memory die has a frontside and a backside, the backside being opposite the frontside, and\nwherein the bonding material is to secure the frontside of the base memory die to the frontside of the glass carrier.",
"12. The microelectronic assembly according to claim 11, wherein the glass carrier structure is a quartz substrate.",
"13. The microelectronic assembly according to claim 11, wherein a thickness of the base memory die is smaller than a thickness of the glass carrier.",
"14. The microelectronic assembly according to claim 11, wherein the bonding material includes silicon, nitrogen, and carbon.",
"15. A microelectronic assembly, comprising:\na compute die; and\na memory die, coupled to the compute die, the memory die comprising:\na data block that includes a memory array circuit, where the memory array circuit includes a memory array and a plurality of signal vias associated with the memory array by being configured to communicate signals to or from the memory array, and\na plurality of power vias associated with the data block by being configured to provide power to components of the data block,\nwherein:\nthe plurality of power vias and the plurality of signal vias extend between opposing faces of the memory die,\nthe plurality of signal vias are arranged in a first line,\nthe plurality of signal vias are arranged in a second line, and\nthe second line is substantially perpendicular to the first line.",
"16. The microelectronic assembly according to claim 15, wherein the first line is substantially parallel to an edge of the memory array.",
"17. The microelectronic assembly according to claim 16, wherein the second line is substantially parallel to an edge of the data block.",
"18. The microelectronic assembly according to claim 15, wherein:\nthe memory array is one of a plurality of memory arrays included in the memory array circuit, and each of the plurality of memory arrays is associated with a respective plurality of signal vias, and\nthe memory array circuit is one of a plurality of memory array circuits included in the data block, and each of the plurality of memory array circuits is associated with a respective plurality of power vias.",
"19. A microelectronic assembly, comprising:\na first memory die that includes first components and first conductive lines, the first conductive lines configured to provide electrical connectivity between various two or more of the first components;\na second memory die that includes second components and second conductive lines, the second conductive lines configured to provide electrical connectivity between various two or more of the second components, the second memory die being coplanar with the first memory die; and\na stitch conductive line, in a plane of or parallel to a plane of the first memory die, having a first end in conductive contact with at least one of the first conductive lines and having a second end in conductive contact with at least one of the second conductive lines.",
"20. The microelectronic assembly according to claim 19, wherein: the stitch conductive line is substantially perpendicular to at least a subset of the first conductive lines or to at least a subset of the second conductive lines."
],
[
"1. A microelectronic assembly comprising:\na substrate having a first lateral footprint;\na first die and a first bonding layer on the first die, the first die having a second lateral footprint, the first bonding layer directly bonded to the substrate without an adhesive;\na second die having a microelectronic circuit element formed therein and disposed over the first die, the second die having a third lateral footprint, the first die directly bonded to a second bonding layer on the second die without an adhesive;\na first compound disposed adjacent a side wall of the first die; and\na second compound deposited on and laterally adjacent the first compound,\nwherein the second lateral footprint is smaller than the first lateral footprint and smaller than the third lateral footprint.",
"2. The microelectronic assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second compounds have different material compositions.",
"3. The microelectronic assembly of claim 1, wherein a side edge of the second die is laterally offset from a side edge of the first die.",
"4. The microelectronic assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second compounds have different coefficients of thermal expansion (CTEs).",
"5. The microelectronic assembly of claim 1, wherein the second compound comprises silica.",
"6. The microelectronic assembly of claim 1, wherein the first compound comprises an inorganic material.",
"7. The microelectronic assembly of claim 1, further comprising conductive features at a surface of the second die opposite the second bonding layer, the conductive features configured to electrically connect to another component.",
"8. The microelectronic assembly of claim 7, wherein the surface of the second die is free of the first compound.",
"9. The microelectronic assembly of claim 7, further comprising a plurality of through-substrate vias (TSVs) in the second die.",
"10. The microelectronic assembly of claim 9, wherein the first die includes a first plurality of pads, wherein the plurality of TSVs in the second die are connected to a second plurality of pads in the second bonding layer, the second plurality of pads directly bonded to the first plurality of pads.",
"11. The microelectronic assembly of claim 1, wherein the substrate has a first lateral footprint larger than a second lateral footprint of the first die, and wherein the second lateral footprint of the first die is smaller than a third lateral footprint of the second die.",
"12. The microelectronic assembly of claim 11, wherein the first lateral footprint of the substrate is larger than the third lateral footprint of the second die.",
"13. The microelectronic assembly of claim 1, wherein a first die area of the first die is smaller than a second die area of the second die.",
"14. The microelectronic assembly of claim 1, wherein the first die and the second bonding layer on the second die are directly bonded with dielectric-to-dielectric and metal-to-metal direct bonds.",
"15. The microelectronic assembly of claim 1, wherein the first die comprises a memory die.",
"16. The microelectronic assembly of claim 1, wherein the first encapsulating layer comprises multiple layers.",
"17. The microelectronic assembly of claim 1, wherein the first encapsulating layer comprises a molding compound.",
"18. The microelectronic assembly of claim 1, wherein a portion of the first encapsulating layer is disposed over a portion of the first die.",
"19. The microelectronic assembly of claim 1,\nwherein the first compound is also deposited adjacent a side wall of the second die, and\nwherein the second compound is also deposited on and laterally adjacent a portion of the first compound deposited adjacent the side wall of the second die.",
"20. The microelectronic assembly of claim 1, wherein the second compound comprises an inorganic material.",
"21. A microelectronic assembly comprising:\na substrate;\na first die and a first bonding layer on the first die, the first bonding layer directly bonded to the substrate without an adhesive, the first die comprising a memory die;\na second die having a microelectronic circuit element formed therein and disposed over the first die, the first die hybrid bonded to a second bonding layer on the second die;\na first compound disposed adjacent a side wall of the first die; and\na second compound deposited on and laterally adjacent the first compound,\nwherein a surface of the second die opposite the second bonding layer comprises conductive features configured to electrically connect to another component, the surface of the second die free of the first compound.",
"22. The microelectronic assembly of claim 21, wherein the first and second compounds have different material compositions.",
"23. The microelectronic assembly of claim 21, wherein the second compound comprises silica.",
"24. The microelectronic assembly of claim 21, wherein the second compound comprises an inorganic material.",
"25. The microelectronic assembly of claim 21, further comprising a plurality of through-substrate vias (TSVs) in the second die.",
"26. The microelectronic assembly of claim 25, wherein the first die includes a first plurality of pads, wherein the plurality of TSVs in the second die are connected to a second plurality of pads in the second bonding layer, the second plurality of pads directly bonded to the first plurality of pads.",
"27. The microelectronic assembly of claim 21, wherein the substrate has a first lateral footprint larger than a second lateral footprint of the first die, and wherein the second lateral footprint of the first die is smaller than a third lateral footprint of the second die.",
"28. The microelectronic assembly of claim 27, wherein the first lateral footprint of the substrate is larger than the third lateral footprint of the second die.",
"29. A microelectronic assembly comprising:\na substrate having a first lateral footprint;\na first die and a first bonding layer on the first die, the first bonding layer directly bonded to the substrate without an adhesive, the first die comprising a memory die having a second lateral footprint smaller than the first lateral footprint;\na second die having a microelectronic circuit element formed therein and disposed over the first die, the first die hybrid bonded to a second bonding layer on the second die, the second die having a third lateral footprint smaller than the first lateral footprint and larger than the second lateral footprint; and\na casing disposed adjacent a side wall of the first die.",
"30. The microelectronic assembly of claim 21, wherein the first compound comprises an inorganic material.",
"31. The microelectronic assembly of claim 29, wherein the inorganic casing comprises multiple layers.",
"32. The microelectronic assembly of claim 31, wherein the multiple layers comprise first and second layers comprising two different materials.",
"33. The microelectronic assembly of claim 29, further comprising a plurality of through-substrate vias (TSVs) in the second die, wherein the first die includes a first plurality of pads, wherein the plurality of TSVs in the second die are connected to a second plurality of pads in the second bonding layer, the second plurality of pads directly bonded to the first plurality of pads.",
"34. The microelectronic assembly of claim 29, wherein at least two side edges of the first die are disposed within the third lateral footprint of the second die.",
"35. The microelectronic assembly of claim 29, wherein the casing comprises an inorganic casing."
],
[
"1. A package structure, comprising:\na plurality of semiconductor dies;\nan antenna array provided with a first dielectric layer, disposed over the plurality of semiconductor dies, the antenna array comprising a first metallic portion having a plurality of first metallic patterns and a second metallic portion having a plurality of second metallic patterns, wherein the first metallic portion is electrically coupled to the second metallic portion in a manner of wirelessly coupling;\na plurality of conductive features, disposed between and electrically coupling the plurality of semiconductor dies and the antenna array; and\na plurality of conductive elements, disposed over the antenna array, wherein the first dielectric layer is between the plurality of semiconductor dies and the plurality of conductive elements.",
"2. The package structure of claim 1, wherein the first metallic portion is vertically distant from the second metallic portion.",
"3. The package structure of claim 1, wherein a second dielectric layer is vertically disposed between the first metallic portion and the second metallic portion.",
"4. The package structure of claim 1, further comprising a redistribution circuit structure between the plurality of semiconductor dies and the antenna array, wherein the redistribution circuit structure includes the plurality of conductive features.",
"5. The package structure of claim 4, wherein the plurality of conductive features are included in different layers of the redistribution circuit structure, and the different layers are vertically disposed in different elevations from a first outermost surface of the redistribution circuit structure.",
"6. The package structure of claim 4, wherein the plurality of semiconductor dies are disposed on a second outermost surface of the redistribution circuit structure, the first outermost surface is opposing to the second outermost surface.",
"7. The package structure of claim 1, further comprising:\nan encapsulant, at least laterally covering the plurality of semiconductor dies and over the antenna array.",
"8. The package structure of claim 7, wherein the encapsulant partially covers a side of at least one of the plurality of semiconductor dies, and the side of at least one of the plurality of semiconductor dies is facing away from the plurality of conductive elements.",
"9. The package structure of claim 7, wherein the plurality of conductive features comprise a plurality of conductive pillars partially penetrating the encapsulant.",
"10. The package structure of claim 1, wherein at least some of the plurality of semiconductor dies are laterally arranged next to each other.",
"11. A package structure, comprising:\na circuit structure, comprising a plurality of build-up layers stacked on each other;\nat least one first semiconductor device, disposed over the circuit structure;\na plurality of antenna patterns, disposed over the at least one first semiconductor device, and comprising a first metallic portion having a plurality of first metallic patterns in a first dielectric layer and a second metallic portion having a plurality of second metallic patterns in a second dielectric layer separated from the first dielectric layer, wherein the first metallic portion is electrically coupled to the second metallic portion in a manner of wirelessly coupling; and\nan encapsulant, covering a sidewall of the at least one first semiconductor device.",
"12. The package structure of claim 11, wherein in a vertical projection along a stacking direction of the at least one semiconductor device and the circuit structure, the first metallic portion and the second metallic portion are next to the at least one first semiconductor device.",
"13. The package structure of claim 11, wherein in a vertical projection along a stacking direction of the at least one semiconductor device and the circuit structure, the first metallic portion and the second metallic portion are overlapped with the at least one first semiconductor device.",
"14. The package structure of claim 11, further comprising at least one second semiconductor device disposed over and electrically coupled to the circuit structure, and the at least one second semiconductor device is free from the encapsulant.",
"15. The package structure of claim 11, wherein the plurality of antenna patterns are embedded in the circuit structure.",
"16. A package structure, comprising:\na plurality of semiconductor dies, laterally disposed next to each other;\na first redistribution circuit structure, vertically disposed over the plurality of semiconductor dies;\nan antenna array provided within a dielectric layer, vertically disposed over the plurality of semiconductor dies, and comprising a first metallic portion having a plurality of first metallic patterns and a second metallic portion having a plurality of second metallic patterns, wherein the first redistribution circuit structure is between the antenna array and the plurality of semiconductor dies; and\nan encapsulant, covering the plurality of semiconductor dies over the first redistribution circuit structure,\nwherein in a cross section along a stacking direction of the plurality of semiconductor dies and the antenna array, the first metallic portion and the second metallic portion of the antenna array are disposed at one side of the plurality of semiconductor dies.",
"17. The package structure of claim 16, wherein active surfaces of the plurality of the semiconductor dies are closer to the first redistribution circuit structure than non-active surfaces of the plurality of the semiconductor dies.",
"18. The package structure of claim 16, further comprising:\nat least one conductive connector, disposed over and electrically coupled to the first redistribution circuit structure; and\nat least one semiconductor device, disposed over and electrically coupled to the first redistribution circuit structure.",
"19. The package structure of claim 18, wherein the at least one conductive connector and the at least one semiconductor device are laterally disposed next to each, and the plurality of semiconductor dies are disposed between the at least one conductive connector and the first redistribution circuit structure.",
"20. The package structure of claim 16, further comprising a second redistribution circuit structure vertically disposed over the plurality of semiconductor dies, wherein the plurality of semiconductor dies is disposed between and electrically coupled to the first redistribution circuit structure and the second redistribution circuit structure, and the first redistribution circuit structure is between the antenna array and the plurality of semiconductor dies."
],
[
"1. A package comprising:\nan integrated circuit die encapsulated in an encapsulant;\na patch antenna device over the integrated circuit die, wherein the patch antenna device overlaps the integrated circuit die in a top-down view, and wherein the patch antenna device comprises a ground element and a signal line disposed in a same layer; and\na dielectric feature disposed between the integrated circuit die and the patch antenna device, wherein the dielectric feature is in direct contact with the integrated circuit die, wherein a thickness of the dielectric feature is selected based on an operating bandwidth of the patch antenna device, wherein the dielectric feature is encapsulated in the encapsulant.",
"2. The package of claim 1, wherein the dielectric feature extends between the ground element and the signal line.",
"3. The package of claim 1, wherein bottom surfaces of the ground element and the signal line are coplanar.",
"4. The package of claim 1, wherein the dielectric feature has a same width as the integrated circuit die.",
"5. The package of claim 1, wherein the dielectric feature has a different width from the integrated circuit die.",
"6. The package of claim 1, wherein the dielectric feature comprises a die attach film (DAF).",
"7. The package of claim 1, wherein the patch antenna device further comprises a radiating element over and electrically coupled to the signal line, and wherein a dielectric layer is between the signal line and the radiating element.",
"8. The package of claim 1, wherein the thickness of the dielectric feature is further selected based on with a k-value of the dielectric feature, an area of the device, an efficiency of the device, or a combination thereof.",
"9. A package, comprising:\na device comprising a ground element, a signal line, a radiating element, and a first dielectric layer, the first dielectric layer being between the ground element and the radiating element;\nan integrated circuit die;\na dielectric feature between the device and the integrated circuit die, wherein the dielectric feature extends along and directly contacts sidewalls of the signal line and the ground element; and\na molding compound encapsulating the integrated circuit die and the dielectric feature, wherein the molding compound is external to the integrated circuit die.",
"10. The package of claim 9, wherein the dielectric feature comprises multiple dielectric layers.",
"11. The package of claim 10, wherein one dielectric layer of the multiple dielectric layers occupies greater than 50% of a volume of the dielectric feature.",
"12. The package of claim 10, wherein the multiple dielectric layers have a same width.",
"13. The package of claim 10, wherein the multiple dielectric layers have different widths.",
"14. The package of claim 10, wherein the multiple dielectric layers comprise a die attach film (DAF), a backside coating tape (LC) tape, a prepreg (PP) material, or a low-k material.",
"15. A package, comprising:\nan integrated circuit die;\nconductive vias adjacent to the integrated circuit die;\na molding compound extending between a sidewall of the integrated circuit die and a sidewall of the conductive vias;\na redistribution structure on a first side of the integrated circuit die, wherein the conductive vias are electrically coupled to the integrated circuit die by way of the redistribution structure;\na device comprising a signal line and a ground element, surfaces of the ground element and the signal line being coplanar, the ground element being connected to the integrated circuit die by way of the conductive vias; and\na dielectric feature between the integrated circuit die and the device, the dielectric feature further extending on sidewalls of the signal line, wherein the dielectric feature is in direct contact with the sidewalls of the signal line.",
"16. The package of claim 15, wherein the dielectric feature separates the ground element and the signal line.",
"17. The package of claim 15, wherein the device further comprises one or more dielectric layers over the ground element and the signal line, and a radiating element on the one or more dielectric layers.",
"18. The package of claim 17, wherein the integrated circuit die overlaps with the radiating element in top-down view.",
"19. The package of claim 17, wherein the signal line overlaps with the radiating element in top-down view.",
"20. The package of claim 15, wherein the integrated circuit die overlaps with the signal line in top-down view."
],
[
"1. An electronics package, comprising:\nan interposer comprising silicon, the interposer comprising vias that provide connections between pads on a bottom of the interposer and a redistribution layer on a top of the interposer;\na first die over the interposer, the first die coupled to the redistribution layer of the interposer by first interconnects;\na second die over the interposer and laterally spaced apart from the first die, the second die coupled to the redistribution layer of the interposer by second interconnects;\na first mold layer between the first die and the interposer and between the second die and the interposer, the first mold layer laterally between and in contact with the first die and the second die, and the first mold layer in contact with the first interconnects and with the second interconnects;\nbumps on the pads on the bottom of the interposer and vertically beneath the vias of the interposer, the bumps vertically beneath the first die and vertically beneath the second die; and\na second mold layer beneath the interposer and in contact with a side of the interposer, the second mold layer in contact with the bumps and with the pads on the bottom of the interposer.",
"2. The electronics package of claim 1, wherein the first mold layer has an uppermost surface at a same level as an uppermost surface of the first die.",
"3. The electronics package of claim 2, wherein the uppermost surface of the first mold layer is at a same level as an uppermost surface of the second die.",
"4. The electronics package of claim 1, wherein the second mold layer is in contact with a second side of the interposer, the second side laterally opposite the side.",
"5. The electronics package of claim 4, wherein the second mold layer is in contact with less than an entirety of the side of the interposer, and with less than an entirety of the second side of the interposer.",
"6. The electronics package of claim 1, wherein the second mold layer has an edge in vertical alignment with an edge of the first mold layer.",
"7. The electronics package of claim 1, further comprising:\nan underfill material between the interposer and the first mold layer.",
"8. A method of fabricating an electronics package, the method comprising:\ncoupling a first die to a redistribution layer of an interposer with first interconnects, the interposer comprising vias that provide connections between pads on a bottom of the interposer and the redistribution layer on a top of the interposer;\ncoupling a second die to the redistribution layer of the interposer with second interconnects;\nforming a first mold layer between the first die and the interposer and between the second die and the interposer, the first mold layer laterally between and in contact with the first die and the second die, and the first mold layer in contact with the first interconnects and with the second interconnects;\nforming bumps on the pads on the bottom of the interposer and vertically beneath the vias of the interposer, the bumps vertically beneath the first die and vertically beneath the second die; and\nforming a second mold layer beneath the interposer and in contact with a side of the interposer, the second mold layer in contact with the bumps and with the pads on the bottom of the interposer.",
"9. The method of claim 8, wherein the first mold layer has an uppermost surface at a same level as an uppermost surface of the first die.",
"10. The method of claim 9, wherein the uppermost surface of the first mold layer is at a same level as an uppermost surface of the second die.",
"11. The method of claim 8, wherein the second mold layer is in contact with a second side of the interposer, the second side laterally opposite the side.",
"12. The method of claim 11, wherein the second mold layer is in contact with less than an entirety of the side of the interposer, and with less than an entirety of the second side of the interposer.",
"13. The method of claim 8, wherein the second mold layer has an edge in vertical alignment with an edge of the first mold layer.",
"14. The method of claim 8, further comprising:\nforming an underfill material between the interposer and the first mold layer.",
"15. An electronic system, comprising:\na board;\na package substrate coupled to the board; and\nan electronics package coupled to the package substrate, the electronics package comprising:\nan interposer comprising silicon, the interposer comprising vias that provide connections between pads on a bottom of the interposer and a redistribution layer on a top of the interposer;\na first die over the interposer, the first die coupled to the redistribution layer of the interposer by first interconnects;\na second die over the interposer and laterally spaced apart from the first die, the second die coupled to the redistribution layer of the interposer by second interconnects;\na first mold layer between the first die and the interposer and between the second die and the interposer, the first mold layer laterally between and in contact with the first die and the second die, and the first mold layer in contact with the first interconnects and with the second interconnects;\nbumps on the pads on the bottom of the interposer and vertically beneath the vias of the interposer, the bumps vertically beneath the first die and vertically beneath the second die; and\na second mold layer beneath the interposer and in contact with a side of the interposer, the second mold layer in contact with the bumps and with the pads on the bottom of the interposer.",
"16. The electronic system of claim 15, further comprising:\na battery coupled to the board.",
"17. The electronic system of claim 15, further comprising:\na camera coupled to the board.",
"18. The electronic system of claim 15, further comprising:\na display coupled to the board.",
"19. The electronic system of claim 15, further comprising:\na global positioning system (GPS) coupled to the board.",
"20. The electronic system of claim 15, further comprising:\na communication chip coupled to the board."
],
[
"1. A method of forming a stacked semiconductor device, comprising:\nplacing a first dielectric film over a semiconductor package, the semiconductor package comprising:\na first semiconductor die disposed within a first cavity of a first substrate and embedded within a first insulating layer, the first insulating layer disposed over a first side and a second side of the first substrate and contacting each side of the first semiconductor die, the first substrate comprising a material to be selected from a group comprising at least one of: silicon or glass; and\na first conductive interconnection disposed within a first via of the first substrate and extending from at least the first side to the second side of the first substrate, wherein the first insulating layer is disposed between the first conductive interconnection and a sidewall of the first via;\npositioning a second substrate over the first dielectric film, the second substrate comprising a second cavity and a second via formed therein, the second substrate comprising a material to be selected from a group comprising silicon or glass;\nplacing a second semiconductor die within the second cavity formed in the second substrate;\nplacing a second dielectric film over the second substrate, wherein the second substrate is disposed between the second dielectric film and the first dielectric film;\nlaminating the first and second dielectric films to form a second insulating layer, the second insulating layer embedding the second semiconductor die within the second cavity; and\nforming a second conductive interconnection within the second via.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the forming the second conductive interconnection comprises:\nlaser ablating a hole in the second insulating layer disposed within the second via; and\nforming a metal layer over a surface of the hole in the second insulating layer.",
"3. The method of claim 2, wherein the forming the second conductive interconnection further comprises:\nforming a molybdenum adhesion layer and a copper seed layer over the surface of the hole prior to forming the metal layer.",
"4. The method of claim 2, wherein the laser ablation exposes a surface of the first conductive interconnection through the hole, and wherein the second conductive interconnection is electrically coupled to the first conductive interconnection.",
"5. The method of claim 2, wherein the forming the metal layer comprises one of electroplating and electroless deposition.",
"6. The method of claim 2, wherein the second conductive interconnection extends at least from a first surface to a second surface of the second substrate, wherein the cavity extends from the first surface.",
"7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and the second semiconductor dies comprise different circuit configurations.",
"8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and the second semiconductor dies comprise the same circuit configuration.",
"9. The method of claim 8, wherein the first and second semiconductor dies are DRAM dies and the stacked semiconductor device is a stacked DRAM device.",
"10. The method of claim 1, wherein the first insulating layer and the second insulating layer comprise the same material.",
"11. The method of claim 10, wherein the first insulating layer and the second insulating comprise an epoxy resin material having ceramic fillers.",
"12. The method of claim 1, wherein the second insulating layer comprises a polyimide material.",
"13. A method of forming a stacked semiconductor device, comprising:\nplacing a first dielectric film over a semiconductor package, the semiconductor package comprising:\na first plurality of semiconductor dies disposed within one or more first cavities of a first substrate and embedded within a first insulating layer, the first insulating layer disposed over a first side and a second side of the first substrate and contacting each side of each of the first plurality of semiconductor dies, the first substrate comprising a material to be selected from a group comprising at least one of: silicon or glass; and\na first plurality of conductive interconnections disposed within a first plurality of vias of the first substrate and extending from at least the first side to the second side of the first substrate, wherein the first insulating layer is disposed between the each of the first plurality of conductive interconnection and surfaces of the first plurality of vias;\npositioning a second substrate over the first dielectric film, the second substrate comprising one or more second cavities and a second plurality of vias formed therein, the second substrate comprising a material to be selected from a group comprising silicon or glass;\nplacing a second plurality of semiconductor dies within the one or more second cavities formed in the second substrate;\nplacing a second dielectric film over the second substrate, wherein the second substrate is disposed between the second dielectric film and the first dielectric film;\nlaminating the first and second dielectric films to form a second insulating layer, the second insulating layer embedding the second plurality of semiconductor dies within the one or more second cavities and filling each of the second plurality of vias;\nlaser ablating a plurality of holes in the second insulating layer, each of the plurality of holes formed through a portion of the second insulating layer filling one of the second plurality of vias; and\nforming a second plurality of conductive interconnections, each of the second plurality of conductive interconnections formed over a surface of one of the plurality of holes.",
"14. The method of claim 13, wherein the forming the second plurality of conductive interconnections further comprises:\nforming a molybdenum adhesion layer and a copper seed layer over the surfaces of each of the plurality of holes.",
"15. The method of claim 13, wherein the laser ablation exposes a surface of at least one of the first plurality of conductive interconnections through the plurality of holes, and wherein at least one of the second plurality of conductive interconnections is electrically coupled to the at least one of the first plurality of conductive interconnections.",
"16. The method of claim 13, wherein the forming the second plurality of conductive interconnections comprises one of electroplating and electroless deposition of the second plurality of conductive interconnections.",
"17. The method of claim 13, wherein at least one of the second plurality of conductive interconnections extends at least from a first surface to a second surface of the second substrate.",
"18. The method of claim 13, wherein at least one of the first plurality of semiconductor dies and at least one of the second plurality of semiconductor dies are different materials.",
"19. The method of claim 13, wherein at least one of the first plurality of semiconductor dies and at least one of the second plurality of semiconductor dies are the same material.",
"20. A method of forming a stacked DRAM device, comprising:\nplacing a first dielectric film over a semiconductor package, the semiconductor package comprising:\na first DRAM die disposed within a first cavity of a first substrate and embedded within a first insulating layer, the first insulating layer disposed over a first side and a second side of the first substrate and contacting each side of the first DRAM die, the first substrate comprising a material to be selected from a group comprising at least one of: silicon or glass; and\na first conductive interconnection disposed within a first via of the first substrate and extending from at least the first side to the second side of the first substrate, wherein the first insulating layer is disposed between the first conductive interconnection and surfaces of the first via;\npositioning a second substrate over the first dielectric film, the second substrate comprising a second cavity and a second via formed therein, the second substrate comprising a material to be selected from a group comprising silicon or glass;\nplacing a second DRAM die within the second cavity formed in the second substrate;\nplacing a second dielectric film over the second substrate, wherein the second substrate is disposed between the second dielectric film and the first dielectric film;\nlaminating the first and second dielectric films to form a second insulating layer, the second insulating layer embedding the second DRAM die within the second cavity and filling the second via;\nlaser ablating a hole in the second insulating layer filling the second via; and\nforming a second conductive interconnection over a surface of the hole."
],
[
"1. A method for manufacturing a plurality of semiconductor structures, the method comprising:\nforming a first hybrid bonding layer over a first wafer having a plurality of first memory structures, wherein the plurality of first memory structures are in contact with the first hybrid bonding layer;\nforming a second hybrid bonding layer over a second wafer having a plurality of control circuit structures, wherein the plurality of control circuit structures are in contact with the second hybrid bonding layer;\nbonding the first wafer and the second wafer through a first hybrid bonding operation to connect the first hybrid bonding layer and the second hybrid bonding layer, thereby obtaining a first bonded wafer; and\nsingulating at least the first wafer, the second wafer, the first hybrid bonding layer, and the second hybrid bonding layer to obtain the plurality of semiconductor structures.",
"2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nforming a third hybrid bonding layer over a third wafer having a plurality of second memory structures;\nforming a fourth hybrid bonding layer over the first bonded wafer;\nbonding the third wafer and the first bonded wafer through a second hybrid bonding operation to connect the third hybrid bonding layer and the fourth hybrid bonding layer, thereby obtaining a second bonded wafer.",
"3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nforming a first via adjacent to a face side of the first wafer prior to forming the first hybrid bonding layer over the first wafer, wherein the first hybrid bonding layer is formed at the face side of the first wafer;\nforming a second via adjacent to a face side of the second wafer prior to forming the second hybrid bonding layer over the second wafer, wherein the second hybrid bonding layer is formed at the face side of the second wafer;\nthinning the first wafer from a back side of the first wafer to expose the first via after bonding the first wafer and the second wafer and prior to forming the fourth bonding layer over the first bonded wafer;\nforming a third via adjacent to a face side of the third wafer prior to forming the third hybrid bonding layer over the third wafer; and\nthinning the second wafer from a back side of the second wafer to expose the second via.",
"4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nforming a first via adjacent to a face side of the first wafer prior to forming the first hybrid bonding layer over the first wafer, wherein the first hybrid bonding layer is at the face side of the first wafer;\nforming a second via adjacent to a face side of the third wafer prior to forming the third hybrid bonding layer over the third wafer;\nthinning the first wafer from a back side of the first wafer to expose the first via after bonding the first wafer and the second wafer and prior to bonding the third wafer and the first bonded wafer;\nthinning the first bonded wafer from a back side of the second wafer to form a thinned second wafer after bonding the third wafer and the first bonded wafer; and\nforming a third through via in the thinned second wafer.",
"5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nforming a first via adjacent to a face side of the first wafer prior to forming the first hybrid bonding layer over the first wafer, wherein the first hybrid bonding layer is at a face side of the first wafer;\nforming a second via adjacent to a face side of the second wafer;\nthinning the second wafer from a back side of the second wafer to expose the second via prior to forming the second hybrid bonding layer over the second wafer, wherein the second hybrid bonding layer is formed at the back side of the second wafer; and\nforming a third via adjacent to a face side of the third wafer prior to forming the third hybrid bonding layer over the third wafer.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein singulating at least the first wafer and the second wafer comprises:\nperforming a laser scribing operation; and\nperforming a mechanical dicing operation following the laser scribing operation.",
"7. The method of claim 1, wherein singulating at least the first wafer and the second wafer comprises:\nperforming a plasma etching operation; and\nperforming a grinding operation.",
"8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nforming a fourth hybrid bonding layer over the first bonded wafer; and\nbonding the first bonded wafer and at least one third wafer having a third hybrid bonding layer and a second memory structure, wherein the second memory structure is in contact with the third hybrid bonding layer.",
"9. The method of claim 8, wherein the third wafer is in proximity to the first wafer of the first bonded wafer.",
"10. The method of claim 8, wherein the first wafer and the third wafer are bonded over the second wafer, and the method further comprising:\nthinning the third wafer to obtain a thinned third wafer exposing a TSV prior to bonding another third wafer over the thinned third wafer.",
"11. The method of claim 8, wherein the first wafer and third wafer are bonded over the second wafer, and the third wafer comprises a half-through via electrically connected to a metallization structure of the third wafer.",
"12. The method of claim 8, further comprising:\nthinning the second wafer to have a thickness less than about 10 μm to obtain a thinned second wafer; and\nforming a half-through via in the thinned second wafer.",
"13. A method for manufacturing a system in package (SiP), the method comprising:\nforming a first hybrid bonding layer over a first wafer, the first wafer comprises a first semiconductor structure associated with a memory having a first critical dimension;\nforming a second hybrid bonding layer over a second wafer, the second wafer comprises a second semiconductor structure associated with a control circuit having a second critical dimension;\nstacking the first wafer and the second wafer through a first hybrid bonding operation, thereby obtaining a first bonded wafer; and\ndisposing the first bonded wafer on an interposer.",
"14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:\nsingulating the first wafer and the second wafer to obtain a plurality of semiconductor structures prior to disposing the first bonded wafer on the interposer.",
"15. The method of claim 13, further comprising:\nthinning the second wafer from a back side of the second wafer to obtain a thinned second wafer exposing a TSV; and\ndisposing a bottom metal layer and a conductive bump connection on the thinned second wafer to electrically connect to the TSV.",
"16. The method of claim 15, wherein the SiP comprises a third semiconductor structure electrically connected to the first semiconductor structure and the second semiconductor structure through the conductive bump connection, wherein the third semiconductor structure has a third critical dimension smaller than the first critical dimension.",
"17. The method of claim 13, wherein the first critical dimension is smaller than or substantially equal to the second critical dimension.",
"18. The method of claim 13, further comprising:\nthinning the second wafer from a back side of the second wafer to expose a half-through via in the second wafer; and\ndisposing a bottom metal layer and a conductive bump connection on the back side of the second wafer to electrically connect to the half-through via.",
"19. The method of claim 13, further comprising:\nthinning the second wafer from a back side of the second wafer to obtain a thinned second wafer, wherein a thickness of the thinned second wafer is less than about 10 μm;\nforming a half-through via in the thinned second wafer, wherein the half-through via is electrically connected to a metallization structure of the second wafer;\ndisposing a bottom metal layer and a conductive bump connection on the back side of the second wafer to electrically connect to the half-through via."
],
[
"1. A method of forming an integrated circuit package, the method comprising:\nplacing a first plurality of dies over a carrier, wherein the first plurality of dies comprise at least a first logic die and a first memory die;\nplacing a second plurality of dies over the first plurality of dies, wherein the second plurality of dies are electrically coupled to the first plurality of dies, and wherein the second plurality of dies comprise at least a second logic die and a second memory die;\nafter the second plurality of dies are placed, forming a through-via extending into one of the second plurality of dies, wherein the through-via lands on a metal pad in the one of the second plurality of dies;\nplacing a third plurality of dies over the second plurality of dies, wherein the third plurality of dies are electrically coupled to the first plurality of dies and the second plurality of dies, and wherein the third plurality of dies comprise at least a third logic die and a third memory die; and\nforming electrical connectors over and electrically coupling to the first plurality of dies, the second plurality of dies, and the third plurality of dies.",
"2. The method of claim 1 further comprising bonding the second plurality of dies to the first plurality of dies through direct dielectric bonding, wherein at a time of the direct dielectric bonding, the second plurality of dies are electrically de-coupled from the first plurality of dies.",
"3. The method of claim 1 further comprising filling a dielectric material between the second plurality of dies, wherein the dielectric material comprises a top portion overlapping the one of the plurality of dies, wherein the through-via penetrates through the top portion of the dielectric material.",
"4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:\nfilling a first dielectric material, wherein the first dielectric material continuously extends into gaps between the first plurality of dies and gaps between the second plurality of dies, wherein the first dielectric material has a portion covering the second plurality of dies;\nforming metal pads over the first dielectric material;\nforming a second dielectric material to cover the metal pads; and\nbonding the third plurality of dies to the second dielectric material through dielectric-to-dielectric bonding.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein one of the second plurality of dies is physically bonded to both a first one and a second one of the first plurality of dies.",
"6. The method of claim 5 further comprising forming a through-via physically connecting the one of the second plurality of dies to the first one of the first plurality of dies, and there is no direct electrical connection between the one of the second plurality of dies and the second one of the first plurality of dies.",
"7. The method of claim 1, wherein the forming the electrical connectors comprises forming solder regions.",
"8. The method of claim 1, wherein the forming the electrical connectors comprises:\nforming a dielectric layer over the third plurality of dies; and\nforming metal pillars in the dielectric layer, with top surfaces of the metal pillars being coplanar with a top surface of the dielectric layer.",
"9. The method of claim 1 further comprising:\nperforming a die-saw to form a plurality of packages, wherein the first plurality of dies, the second plurality of dies, and the third plurality of dies are in one of the plurality of packages.",
"10. The method of claim 9 further comprising:\nbonding the one of the plurality of packages to a package component through flip-chip bonding; and\nencapsulating the one of the plurality of packages in an encapsulant.",
"11. The method of claim 9 further comprising:\nencapsulating the one of the plurality of packages in an encapsulant; and\nforming redistribution lines and dielectric layers overlapping both the one of the plurality of packages and the encapsulant.",
"12. A method of forming an integrated circuit package, the method comprising:\nplacing first-tier dies;\nbonding second-tier dies to the first-tier dies;\nfilling a first gap-filling dielectric material, wherein the first gap-filling dielectric material is filled into both gaps between the first-tier dies and gaps between the second-tier dies;\nafter the first gap-filling dielectric material is filled, forming first through-vias extending into the second-tier dies, wherein at least a lower portion of each of the first through-vias is inside one of the second-tier dies, and wherein the first through-vias electrically couple the second-tier dies to the first-tier dies;\nforming metal pads over the first gap-filling dielectric material and electrically coupling to the first through-vias;\nforming a dielectric layer covering the metal pads;\nbonding third-tier dies to the dielectric layer, wherein each tier of the first-tier dies, second-tier dies, and the third-tier dies comprises at least a logic die and a memory die; and\nforming second through-vias penetrating through the third-tier dies to electrically couple to the metal pads.",
"13. The method of claim 12, wherein the first through-vias comprise a first through-via terminating in one of the second-tier dies, and a second through-via terminating in one of the first-tier dies.",
"14. The method of claim 12, wherein the first gap-filling dielectric material comprises a top portion overlapping the second-tier dies, and each of the first through-vias penetrates through the top portion of the first gap-filling dielectric material.",
"15. The method of claim 12, wherein one of the first through-vias penetrates through a metal pad in the second-tier dies to land on a metal pad on one of the first-tier dies.",
"16. A method of forming an integrated circuit package, the method comprising:\nplacing a first plurality of dies, wherein the first plurality of dies comprise a first device die;\nbonding a second plurality of dies over the first plurality of dies, wherein the second plurality of dies comprise a second device die;\nencapsulating the second plurality of dies in a gap-filling material;\nplanarizing the gap-filling material, wherein the gap-filling material has a top portion covering the second plurality of dies; and\nafter the gap-filling material is planarized, forming a first through-via penetrating through the second device die, wherein the first through-via electrically connects the second device die to the first device die.",
"17. The method of claim 16, wherein the first through-via is stopped on a first metal pad in the first device die.",
"18. The method of claim 17, wherein the first through-via penetrates through a second metal pad in the second device die, and wherein the first through-via is in physical contact with the second metal pad.",
"19. The method of claim 16 further comprising:\nforming a second through-via penetrating through a semiconductor substrate of the second device die, wherein the second through-via is stopped on an additional metal pad in the second device die.",
"20. The method of claim 16 further comprising forming a third metal pad over and contacting the first through-via.",
"21. The method of claim 20 further comprising:\ndepositing a dielectric layer on the third metal pad;\nbonding a third device die to the dielectric layer; and\nforming an additional through-via penetrating through the third device die and the dielectric layer to contact the third metal pad."
],
[
"1. A package structure, comprising:\na semiconductor device, comprising:\na first integrated circuit component;\na second integrated circuit component, stacked on and electrically connected to the first integrated circuit component;\na third integrated circuit component, stacked on and electrically connected to the second integrated circuit component; and\na dielectric encapsulation, laterally encapsulating the second integrated circuit component, wherein outer sidewalls of the dielectric encapsulation are substantially aligned with a sidewall of the first integrated circuit component and a sidewall of the third integrated circuit component, wherein in a cross-section of the semiconductor device, a side of the dielectric encapsulation is substantially level with an active surface of the second integrated circuit component;\nan insulating encapsulation, encapsulating the semiconductor device;\na redistribution structure, disposed on the insulating encapsulation and electrically connected to the semiconductor device; and\na plurality of conductive terminals, disposed on and electrically connected to the redistribution structure, wherein the redistribution structure is disposed between the semiconductor device and the plurality of conductive terminals.",
"2. The package structure of claim 1, wherein the second integrated circuit component comprises a plurality of first through semiconductor vias and the third integrated circuit component comprises a plurality of second through semiconductor vias electrically connected to the first through semiconductor vias.",
"3. The package structure of claim 2, further comprising:\na plurality of input/output terminals, disposed on the third integrated circuit component and electrically connected to the second through semiconductor vias.",
"4. The package structure of claim 1, wherein the first integrated circuit component comprises a plurality of first through semiconductor vias and the second integrated circuit component comprises a plurality of second through semiconductor vias electrically connected to the first through semiconductor vias.",
"5. The package structure of claim 4, further comprising:\na plurality of input/output terminals, disposed on the first integrated circuit component and electrically connected to the first through semiconductor vias of the first integrated circuit component.",
"6. The package structure of claim 1, further comprising:\na bonding layer, disposed between the second integrated circuit component and the third integrated circuit component, wherein the second integrated circuit component and the third integrated circuit component are electrically connected to each other through the bonding layer,\nwherein the bonding layer comprises a dielectric layer and a plurality of conductive features laterally wrapped by the dielectric layer.",
"7. The package structure of claim 1, further comprising:\na plurality of through insulating vias, next to the semiconductor device and penetrating through the insulating encapsulation, wherein the plurality of through insulating vias are electrically connected to the semiconductor device through the redistribution structure.",
"8. A package structure, comprising:\na semiconductor device, comprising:\na first integrated circuit component;\na second integrated circuit component, stacked on and electrically coupled to the first integrated circuit component, wherein the first integrated circuit component is in contact with the second integrated circuit component;\na third integrated circuit component, stacked on and electrically coupled to the second integrated circuit component; and\na dielectric encapsulation, disposed on the second integrated circuit component and laterally encapsulating the third integrated circuit component, wherein in a cross-section of the semiconductor device, a side of the dielectric encapsulation is substantially level with an active surface of the third integrated circuit component;\nan insulating encapsulation, encapsulating the semiconductor device;\na redistribution structure, disposed on the insulating encapsulation and electrically connected to the semiconductor device; and\na plurality of conductive terminals, disposed on and electrically connected to the redistribution structure, wherein the redistribution structure is disposed between the semiconductor device and the plurality of conductive terminals.",
"9. The package structure of claim 8, wherein the second integrated circuit component comprises:\na semiconductor substrate;\na plurality of through semiconductor vias, penetrating through the semiconductor substrate;\na first bonding structure, disposed over a first side of the semiconductor substrate and electrically coupled to the first integrated circuit component;\nan interconnect structure, interposed between the semiconductor substrate and the first bonding structure, the interconnect structure being electrically coupled to the through semiconductor vias and the first bonding structure; and\na second bonding structure, disposed over a second side of the semiconductor substrate and electrically coupled to the third integrated circuit component, wherein the first side is opposite to the second side along a stacking direction of the first integrated circuit component, the second integrated circuit component, and the third integrated circuit component.",
"10. The package structure of claim 8, wherein the third integrated circuit component comprises:\na semiconductor substrate;\na bonding structure, bonded to the second integrated circuit component and comprising a substantially flat bonding surface; and\nan interconnect structure, interposed between the semiconductor substrate and the bonding structure, the interconnect structure being electrically coupled to the bonding structure.",
"11. The package structure of claim 10, wherein the third integrated circuit component further comprises a plurality of through semiconductor vias penetrating through the semiconductor substrate and electrically coupled to the bonding structure, and\nthe semiconductor device further comprises:\na plurality of input/output terminals, disposed on the semiconductor substrate of the third integrated circuit component and electrically coupled to the through semiconductor vias of the third integrated circuit component.",
"12. The package structure of claim 8, wherein the first integrated circuit component comprises:\na semiconductor substrate;\na bonding structure, disposed over the semiconductor substrate and electrically coupled to the second integrated circuit component; and\nan interconnect structure, interposed between the semiconductor substrate and the bonding structure, the interconnect structure being electrically coupled to the bonding structure.",
"13. The package structure of claim 12, wherein the first integrated circuit component further comprises a plurality of through semiconductor vias penetrating through the semiconductor substrate, and the interconnect structure is electrically coupled to the through semiconductor vias and the bonding structure, and\nthe semiconductor device further comprises:\na plurality of input/output terminals, disposed below the semiconductor substrate of the first integrated circuit component and electrically coupled to the through semiconductor vias of the first integrated circuit component.",
"14. The package structure of claim 8, further comprising:\na plurality of through insulating vias, next to the semiconductor device and penetrating through the insulating encapsulation, wherein the plurality of through insulating vias are electrically connected to the semiconductor device through the redistribution structure.",
"15. A package structure, comprising:\na semiconductor device, comprising:\na first integrated circuit component;\na second integrated circuit component, disposed over and electrically coupled to the first integrated circuit component;\na third integrated circuit component, disposed over the first integrated circuit component and electrically coupled to the first integrated circuit component and the second integrated circuit component; and\na dielectric encapsulation, laterally encapsulating the third integrated circuit component, wherein outer sidewalls of the dielectric encapsulation are substantially aligned with a sidewall of the first integrated circuit component and a sidewall of the second integrated circuit component, wherein in a cross-section of the semiconductor device, a side of the dielectric encapsulation is substantially level with an active surface of the second integrated circuit component;\na plurality of through insulating vias, next to the semiconductor device;\nan insulating encapsulation, encapsulating the semiconductor device and the plurality of through insulating vias;\na redistribution structure, disposed on the insulating encapsulation and electrically connected to the semiconductor device and the plurality of through insulating vias, wherein the plurality of through insulating vias are electrically connected to the semiconductor device through the redistribution structure; and\na plurality of conductive terminals, disposed on and electrically connected to the redistribution structure, wherein the redistribution structure is disposed between the semiconductor device and the plurality of conductive terminals.",
"16. The package structure of claim 15, wherein the second integrated circuit component is interposed between the first integrated circuit component and the third integrated circuit component.",
"17. The package structure of claim 15, wherein the third integrated circuit component is interposed between the first integrated circuit component and the second integrated circuit component.",
"18. The package structure of claim 15, further comprising:\na printed circuit board, disposed below the semiconductor device, wherein the print circuit board is electrically coupled to the semiconductor device and the plurality of through insulating vias through the plurality of conductive terminals and the redistribution structure.",
"19. The package structure of claim 15, further comprising:\na sub-package, disposed over the semiconductor device, wherein the sub-package is electrically coupled to the plurality of through insulating vias through a plurality of external terminals therebetween, and the sub-package is electrically coupled to the semiconductor device through the plurality of external terminals, the plurality of through insulating vias, and the redistribution structure.",
"20. The package structure of claim 19, further comprising:\nan underfill, disposed between the sub-package and the semiconductor device, wherein sidewalls of the plurality of external terminals are wrapped around by the underfill, and the underfill further extends onto the insulating encapsulation."
],
[
"1. A package, comprising:\na first die comprising a first capacitor;\na second die comprising a second capacitor, wherein the second die is stacked on the first die, the first capacitor is spatially separated from the second capacitor, and the first capacitor is electrically connected to the second capacitor; and\nan encapsulant laterally encapsulating the second die.",
"2. The package of claim 1, wherein the first die further comprises:\na first interconnection structure, wherein the first capacitor is embedded in the first interconnection structure;\na first bonding layer disposed over the first interconnection structure;\na passivation layer sandwiched between the first interconnection structure and the first bonding layer;\nconductive pads embedded in the passivation layer; and\nbonding vias penetrating through the passivation layer to connect the first bonding layer and the first capacitor.",
"3. The package of claim 2, wherein the first capacitor comprises a bottom metal layer, an insulating layer, and a top metal layer stacked in sequential order, one of the bonding vias is directly in contact with the top metal layer, and another one of the bonding vias is directly in contact with the bottom metal layer.",
"4. The package of claim 3, wherein the first interconnection structure comprises dielectric layers and conductive patterns embedded in the dielectric layers, and a material of the dielectric layers of the first interconnection structure is different from a material of the insulating layer of the first capacitor.",
"5. The package of claim 2, wherein the first capacitor comprises a bottom metal layer, an insulating layer, and a top metal layer stacked in sequential order, the insulating layer and the top metal layer comprise an opening exposing the bottom metal layer, and at least one of the bonding vias extends into the opening to contact the bottom metal layer.",
"6. The package of claim 2, wherein the first die further comprises a third capacitor embedded in the passivation layer, and the third capacitor is electrically connected to the first capacitor and the second capacitor.",
"7. The package of claim 1, further comprising:\na redistribution structure disposed on the second die and the encapsulant; and\nthrough insulating vias (TIV) electrically connecting the first die and the redistribution structure.",
"8. The package of claim 7, wherein the second die further comprises a semiconductor substrate, through semiconductor vias (TSV) penetrating through the semiconductor substrate, and a second interconnection structure disposed on the semiconductor substrate, and the TSVs electrically connect the second interconnection structure and the redistribution structure.",
"9. A package, comprising:\na first die, comprising:\na first interconnection structure; and\na second die stacked on the first die, comprising:\na second interconnection structure;\na passive device, comprising a first MIM structure and a second MIM structure electrically connected to the first MIM structure, wherein the first MIM structure is embedded in the first interconnection structure, the second MIM structure is embedded in the second interconnection structure, and the first MIM structure comprises a bottom metal layer, an insulating layer, and a top metal layer stacked in sequential order; and\nan encapsulant laterally encapsulating the second die.",
"10. The package of claim 9, wherein the first interconnection structure comprises dielectric layers and conductive patterns embedded in the dielectric layers, and a material of the dielectric layers of the first interconnection structure is different from a material of the insulating layer.",
"11. The package of claim 9, wherein the first die further comprises first bonding vias partially embedded in the first interconnection structure, the insulating layer and the top metal layer comprise an opening exposing the bottom metal layer, and at least one of the first bonding vias extends into the opening to contact the bottom metal layer.",
"12. The package of claim 9, further comprising:\na redistribution structure disposed on the second die and the encapsulant; and\nthrough insulating vias (TIV) penetrating through the encapsulant, wherein the TIVs electrically connect the first die and the redistribution structure.",
"13. The package of claim 12, wherein the first die further comprises first bonding vias partially embedded in the first interconnection structure and first bonding pads over the first interconnection structure, the second die further comprises second bonding vias partially embedded in the second interconnection structure and second bonding pads over the second interconnection structure, the first bonding vias are connected to the first bonding pads, the second bonding vias are connected to the second bonding pads, and sidewalls of each first bonding pad are aligned with sidewalls of the corresponding second bonding pad.",
"14. The package of claim 13, wherein the first die further comprises third bonding pads levelled with the first bonding pads, and the TIVs are in direct contact with the third bonding pads.",
"15. A manufacturing method of a package, comprising:\nproviding a wafer substrate having a first interconnection structure, wherein a first capacitor is formed in the first interconnection structure;\nproviding a die having a second interconnection structure, wherein a second capacitor is formed in the second interconnection structure;\nbonding the die to the wafer substrate such that the first capacitor is electrically connected to the second capacitor; and\nlaterally encapsulating the die by an encapsulant.",
"16. The method of claim 15, wherein the first capacitor comprises a bottom metal layer, an insulating layer, and a top metal layer stacked in sequential order, the first interconnection structure comprises dielectric layers and conductive patterns embedded in the dielectric layers, and the bottom metal layer of the first capacitor and one of the conductive patterns are simultaneously formed.",
"17. The method of claim 16, wherein the wafer substrate further comprises bonding vias partially embedded in the first interconnection structure, and providing the wafer substrate further comprises:\nforming an opening in the top metal layer and the insulating layer to expose the bottom metal layer, wherein at least one of the bonding vias extends into the opening to contact the bottom metal layer.",
"18. The method of claim 15, wherein providing the wafer substrate further comprises:\nforming a third capacitor over the first interconnection structure; and\nforming a first passivation layer on the first interconnection structure to cover the third capacitor.",
"19. The method of claim 18, wherein providing the dies further comprises:\nforming a fourth capacitor over the second interconnection structure; and\nforming a second passivation layer on the second interconnection structure to cover the fourth capacitor.",
"20. The method of claim 15, further comprising:\nforming a redistribution structure over the die and the encapsulant; and\nforming through insulating vias (TIV) penetrating through the encapsulant, wherein the TIVs electrically connect the wafer substrate and the redistribution structure."
],
[
"2. A method comprising:\nattaching a first plurality of device dies on a first carrier, wherein the first carrier comprises a blank silicon layer and a surface layer over the blank silicon layer;\nforming gap-filling regions between the first plurality of device dies to form a reconstructed wafer;\nattaching the reconstructed wafer to a second carrier;\nde-bonding the reconstructed wafer from the first carrier;\nbonding a device wafer to the reconstructed wafer, wherein the device wafer comprises:\na first semiconductor substrate; and\na plurality of through-vias in the first semiconductor substrate;\nthinning the first semiconductor substrate to reveal the plurality of through-vias;\nforming electrical connectors on the device wafer; and\nsawing the reconstructed wafer and the device wafer into a plurality of packages.",
"3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first carrier and the second carrier contact opposing surfaces of the reconstructed wafer.",
"4. The method of claim 2, wherein the attaching the first plurality of device dies on the first carrier comprising fusion bonding.",
"5. The method of claim 2, wherein the bonding the device wafer to the reconstructed wafer comprises a bonding process comprises metal-to-metal bonding and fusion bonding.",
"6. The method of claim 2, wherein the forming the gap-filling regions between the first plurality of device dies comprises:\ndepositing a dielectric liner contacting the first plurality of device dies;\ndepositing a dielectric filling material on the dielectric liner; and\nperforming a planarization process on the dielectric liner and the dielectric filling material.",
"7. The method of claim 2, wherein front sides of the first plurality of device dies are attached to the first carrier, and backsides of the plurality of device dies face the second carrier.",
"8. The method of claim 7, wherein the front sides of the first plurality of device dies are revealed after the reconstructed wafer is de-bonded from the first carrier.",
"9. The method of claim 2, wherein the device wafer comprises a second plurality of device dies, each comprising a second semiconductor substrate, and wherein the second semiconductor substrates of the second plurality of device dies are joined together to form a continuous semiconductor substrate.",
"10. The method of claim 2 further comprising, before the sawing, removing the second carrier from the reconstructed wafer.",
"11. The method of claim 10 further comprising, before the reconstructed wafer is attached to the second carrier, forming a dielectric layer on the reconstructed wafer, wherein the reconstructed wafer is attached to the second carrier through the dielectric layer.",
"12. The method of claim 11, wherein during the sawing the reconstructed wafer and the device wafer, the dielectric layer is sawed.",
"13. The method of claim 11 further comprising, before the sawing the reconstructed wafer and the device wafer, removing the dielectric layer.",
"14. A method comprising:\nforming gap-filling regions to fill gaps between a plurality of chips to form a reconstructed wafer;\nattaching the reconstructed wafer to a first carrier;\nafter the reconstructed wafer is attached to the first carrier, revealing front surfaces of the plurality of chips;\nbonding a device wafer to the front surfaces of the plurality of chips;\nthinning a semiconductor substrate of the device wafer to reveal a plurality of through-vias in the device wafer; and\nforming a plurality of electrical connectors electrically connecting to the plurality of through-vias.",
"15. The method of claim 14, wherein the revealing the front surfaces of the plurality of chips comprises detaching a second carrier from the front surfaces of the plurality of chips.",
"16. The method of claim 15 further comprising, before the forming the gap-filling regions, bonding the plurality of chips to the second carrier.",
"17. The method of claim 15, wherein the first carrier is bonded to the plurality of chips through fusion bonding.",
"18. The method of claim 15, wherein the gap-filling regions are formed when the plurality of chips are attached to the second carrier.",
"19. A method comprising:\nbonding a front side of a first wafer to a plurality of chips in a reconstructed wafer, wherein the reconstructed wafer comprises:\nthe plurality of chips;\ngap-filling regions surrounding the plurality of chips; and\na dielectric bond layer contacting the gap-filling regions;\nafter the first wafer is bonded to the plurality of chips, removing a first carrier that is bonded to the plurality of chips;\nthinning a semiconductor substrate of the first wafer to reveal a plurality of through-vias in the first wafer;\nforming a plurality of electrical connectors on a backside of the first wafer, wherein the plurality of electrical connectors are electrically connected to the plurality of chips through the first wafer; and\nsawing the reconstructed wafer and the first wafer to form a plurality of packages.",
"20. The method of claim 19 further comprising, bonding a second wafer to the first wafer, wherein the second wafer is sawed into the plurality of packages.",
"21. The method of claim 19, wherein the gap-filling regions comprises a dielectric liner and a dielectric filling material on the dielectric liner."
],
[
"1. A semiconductor structure, comprising:\na semiconductor substrate comprising a plurality of semiconductor devices therein;\na plurality of interconnecting layers disposed over the semiconductor substrate and electrically coupled to the semiconductor devices;\na first connector disposed over the plurality of interconnecting layers and extending to be in contact with a first level of the plurality of interconnecting layers;\na second connector disposed over the plurality of interconnecting layers and substantially leveled with the first connector, the second connector extending further than the first connector to be in contact with a second level of the plurality of interconnecting layers between the first level of the plurality of interconnecting layers and the semiconductor substrate, and the second connector being thinner than the first connector; and\na through semiconductor via (TSV) penetrating through the semiconductor substrate to be in contact with one of the plurality of interconnecting layers, the TSV being electrically coupled to the semiconductor devices of the semiconductor substrate through the plurality of interconnecting layers, wherein a top surface of the TSV is located between the second level of the plurality of interconnecting layers and the first level of the plurality of interconnecting layers.",
"2. The semiconductor structure of claim 1, further comprising:\na contact pad disposed over the first level of the plurality of interconnecting layers and electrically coupled to the semiconductor devices of the semiconductor substrate through the plurality of interconnecting layers.",
"3. The semiconductor structure of claim 2, further comprising:\na third connector, a top surface of the third connector being substantially leveled with a top surface of the first connector and a top surface of the second connector, and the third connector extending to be in contact with the contact pad.",
"4. The semiconductor structure of claim 3, wherein an aspect ratio of the third connector is less than that of the second connector.",
"5. The semiconductor structure of claim 1, wherein an aspect ratio of the second connector is in a range of about 0.3 to about 20.",
"6. The semiconductor structure of claim 1, further comprising:\na contact pad electrically coupled to the plurality of semiconductor devices through the plurality of interconnecting layers, wherein the contact pad is vertically disposed above a bottom surface of the first connector and the first level of the plurality of interconnecting layers, and the bottom surface of the first connector is located between the contact pad and the first level of the plurality of interconnecting layers.",
"7. The semiconductor structure of claim 1, wherein the through semiconductor via is tapered from the one of the plurality of interconnecting layers to the semiconductor substrate.",
"8. A semiconductor structure, comprising:\na first semiconductor die comprising:\na first semiconductor substrate comprising a plurality of first semiconductor devices therein;\na first bonding connector and a second bonding connector, a ratio of height to width of the first bonding connector being less than that of the second bonding connector;\na plurality of first interconnecting layers disposed over the first semiconductor substrate, and the first bonding connector and the second bonding connector being electrically coupled to the plurality of first semiconductor devices through the plurality of first interconnecting layers; and\na through semiconductor via (TSV) extending from one of the plurality of first interconnecting layers to the first semiconductor substrate, wherein a top surface of the TSV is located between a bottom surface of the first bonding connector and a bottom surface of the second bonding connector; and\na second semiconductor die stacked on and bonded to the first semiconductor die, the second semiconductor die comprising a third bonding connector bonded to the first bonding connector of the first semiconductor die, and a fourth bonding connector bonded to the second bonding connector of the first semiconductor die.",
"9. The semiconductor structure of claim 8, wherein the first bonding connector of the first semiconductor die is substantially leveled with the second bonding connector of the first semiconductor die at a bonding interface between the first semiconductor die and the second semiconductor die.",
"10. The semiconductor structure of claim 9, wherein the first bonding connector and the second bonding connector extend in a thickness direction of the first semiconductor die, and the second bonding connector extends further than the first bonding connector from the bonding interface.",
"11. The semiconductor structure of claim 8, wherein the first bonding connector is disposed over the plurality of first interconnecting layers and extends from a bonding interface between the first semiconductor die and the second semiconductor die to a first level of the plurality of first interconnecting layers.",
"12. The semiconductor structure of claim 11, wherein the second bonding connector of the first semiconductor die is disposed over the plurality of first interconnecting layers and extends from the bonding interface to a second level of the plurality of first interconnecting layers between the first semiconductor substrate and the first level of the plurality of first interconnecting layers.",
"13. The semiconductor structure of claim 8, wherein the first semiconductor die further comprises:\na contact pad disposed over the plurality of first interconnecting layers, wherein the first bonding connector lands on a first level of the plurality of first interconnecting layers, and a bottom surface of the first bonding connector is located between top surfaces of the contact pad and the first level of the plurality of first interconnecting layers.",
"14. The semiconductor structure of claim 8, wherein the first semiconductor die further comprises:\nan external contact pad disposed over the first semiconductor substrate opposite to the plurality of first interconnecting layers and electrically coupled to the through semiconductor via; and\nan external terminal disposed on and electrically coupled to the external contact pad.",
"15. The semiconductor structure of claim 11, wherein the second semiconductor die further comprises:\na second semiconductor substrate comprising a plurality of second semiconductor devices therein; and\na plurality of second interconnecting layers disposed over the second semiconductor substrate and electrically coupled to the second semiconductor devices, wherein the bonding interface between the first semiconductor die and the second semiconductor die is between the second semiconductor substrate of the second semiconductor die and the first level of the plurality of first interconnecting layers of the first semiconductor die.",
"16. The semiconductor structure of claim 15, wherein\nthe second semiconductor substrate of the second semiconductor die and the plurality of first interconnecting layers of the first semiconductor die are located between the plurality of second interconnecting layers of the second semiconductor die and the first semiconductor substrate of the first semiconductor die, and\nthe third bonding connector and the fourth bonding connector of the second semiconductor die penetrate through the second semiconductor substrate to be in contact with one of the plurality of second interconnecting layers.",
"17. A semiconductor structure, comprising:\na first semiconductor die comprising:\na first semiconductor substrate comprising a plurality of first semiconductor devices therein;\na plurality of first interconnecting layers stacked upon the first semiconductor substrate and electrically coupled to the plurality of first semiconductor devices; and\na first bonding connector and a second bonding connector respectively landing on a first level and a second level of the plurality of first interconnecting layers, wherein the second level is between the first level and the first semiconductor substrate, and the second bonding connector is narrower than the first bonding connector; and\na second semiconductor die stacked upon the first semiconductor die and comprising:\na second semiconductor substrate comprising a first side, a second side opposite to the first side and facing the first semiconductor die, a plurality of second semiconductor devices disposed at the first side;\na plurality of second interconnecting layers stacked upon the first semiconductor substrate and electrically coupled to the plurality of second semiconductor devices; and\na first through semiconductor via (TSV) and a second TSV respectively extending from the plurality of second interconnecting layers and passing through the second semiconductor substrate to be in contact with the first bonding connector and the second bonding connector of the first semiconductor die, wherein a top surface of the second TSV is between a top surface of the first TSV and the first side of the second semiconductor substrate, and the second side of the second semiconductor substrate is between a bottom surface of the second TSV and the top surface of the second TSV.",
"18. The semiconductor structure of claim 17, wherein the first semiconductor die further comprises:\na contact pad disposed over the first level of the plurality of first interconnecting layers; and\na third bonding connector comprising a top surface bonded to the first TSV of the second semiconductor die, and a bottom surface landing on the contact pad, wherein the top surface of the third bonding connector is substantially leveled with top surfaces of the first bonding connector and the second bonding connector.",
"19. The semiconductor structure of claim 17, wherein the first TSV and the second TSV are respectively connected to a first level and a second level of the plurality of second interconnecting layers, and the second level is between the first level and the second semiconductor substrate.",
"20. The semiconductor structure of claim 19, wherein:\nthe first semiconductor die further comprises a first bonding dielectric layer disposed on the plurality of first interconnecting layers and laterally covering the first bonding connector and the second bonding connector, and\nthe second semiconductor die further comprises a second bonding dielectric layer disposed on the second side of the second semiconductor substrate and laterally covering the first TSV and the second TSV, and the second bonding dielectric layer being bonded to the first bonding dielectric layer."
],
[
"1. A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, comprising: providing a first wafer including a first semiconductor substrate having a first circuit surface and a first rear surface opposite to the first circuit surface, a first wiring layer provided on the first circuit surface, and a first joining metal provided on the first wiring layer and connected to the first wiring layer; providing a second wafer including a second semiconductor substrate having a second circuit surface and a second rear surface opposite to the second circuit surface, a second wiring layer provided on the second circuit surface, and a second joining metal provided on the second wiring layer and connected to the second wiring layer; bonding the first wafer and the second wafer by joining together the first joining metal and the second joining metal; grinding the first substrate from the first rear surface while the first substrate and the second substrate are bonded together; forming a first through electrode in the first substrate after the first substrate is thinned by grinding, the first through electrode extending to the first wiring layer; grinding the second substrate from the second rear surface while a supporting body is bonded to the first rear surface side of the first substrate on which the first through electrode is formed; forming a second through electrode on the second substrate thinned by grinding, the second through electrode extending to the second wiring layer; removing the supporting body after the second through electrode is formed, and dicing a joined body of the first wafer and the second wafer into a plurality of chip stacked bodies; and stacking the plurality of chip stacked bodies.",
"2. The method of claim 1, further comprising;\nproviding a mounting substrate having a wiring layer on a first surface and a terminal portion, electrically connected to the wiring layer, disposed on a second surface thereof; and\nstacking the plurality of chip stacked bodies on the mounting substrate.",
"3. The method of claim 2, further comprising interposing a logic chip between the plurality of chip stacked bodies and the mounting substrate, the second chip, and the third chip; and\nelectrically connecting the logic chip to the wiring layer and a chip of the chip stacked bodies.",
"4. The method of claim 2, further comprising providing a resin layer between the chips in each of the chip stacked bodies.",
"5. The method of claim 4, further comprising providing a sealing resin between adjacent chip stacked bodies.",
"6. The method of claim 5, wherein an amount of filler in the resin layer between the chips in each chip stacked body is less than an amount of filler in the sealing resin between the adjacent chip stacked bodies.",
"7. The method of claim 2, further comprising bonding a redistribution layer to one of the chips in one of the chip stacked bodies.",
"8. The method of claim 7, wherein the redistribution layer is positioned between the chip stacked bodies and the mounting substrate.",
"9. The method of claim 2, wherein the terminal portion includes external terminals, and\none of the external terminals is provided on the outside of an area at the mounting substrate where the plurality of chip stacked bodies is placed.",
"10. The method of claim 1, further comprising forming a via through the first rear surface of the first semiconductor substrate to reach the first wiring layer of the first semiconductor substrate.",
"11. The method of claim 10, wherein the forming is performed after the grinding the first substrate.",
"12. The method of claim 10, wherein the forming a first through electrode in the first substrate includes forming an insulating film on an inner of the via and forming the first through electrode in the via over the insulating film.",
"13. The method of claim 1, further comprising;\nproviding a redistribution layer; and\nstacking the plurality of chip stacked bodies on the redistribution layer.",
"14. The method of claim 13, further comprising providing external terminals directly connected to the redistribution layer without a mounting substrate.",
"15. The method of claim 14, wherein the external terminals are provided on one surface of the redistribution layer opposite to the other surface of the redistribution layer where the plurality of chip stacked bodies is provided and one of the external terminals is provided on the outside of an area at the redistribution layer where the plurality of chip stacked bodies is placed.",
"16. The method of claim 1, wherein a distance between the first circuit surface of one of the plurality of chip stacked bodies and the second circuit surface of the one of the plurality of chip stacked bodies is less than a distance the first circuit surface of one of the plurality of chip stacked bodies and the second circuit surface of the other one of the plurality of chip stacked bodies.",
"17. The method of claim 16, wherein the stacking includes forming a bump between the one of the plurality of chip stacked bodies and the other one of the plurality of chip stacked bodies.",
"18. The method of claim 17, wherein the bump is a solder ball or a metal bump."
],
[
"1. A microelectronic package, comprising:\na substrate having first and second opposed surfaces and first, second, third, and fourth substrate contacts exposed at the first surface, the first and second surfaces each extending in a first direction and in a second direction transverse thereto;\nfirst, second, third, and fourth microelectronic elements each having memory storage array function, each microelectronic element having a rear face facing the first surface, a front face opposite the first surface, parallel first edges each extending in the first direction and between the front and rear faces, and parallel second edges each extending in the second direction and between the front and rear faces, each microelectronic element having one or more columns of element contacts exposed at the respective front face, each column extending in the first direction along the respective front face;\nconductive structure extending above the front faces electrically connecting the element contacts of the first, second, third, and fourth microelectronic elements with the first, second, third, and fourth substrate contacts, respectively; and\na plurality of terminals exposed at the second surface and electrically connected with the substrate contacts,\nwherein the first, second, third, and fourth microelectronic elements are horizontally spaced apart from one another on the first surface of the substrate such that the front faces of the microelectronic elements are arranged in a single plane parallel to the first surface, and\nwherein the plurality of terminals include first and second groups of data terminals, each of the first and second groups having at least eight data terminals disposed on first and second opposite sides of an axis, respectively, each of the data terminals of the first and second groups being configured to carry data signals for read and write access to random access addressable memory locations of a memory storage array within one or more of the microelectronic elements, and the data terminals of the first group having modulo-X symmetry about the axis with the second group of the data terminals, X being an integer greater than two.",
"2. The microelectronic package as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conductive structure includes wire bonds extending from the element contacts and electrically connected with the first, second, third, and fourth substrate contacts.",
"3. The microelectronic package as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conductive structure includes wire bonds extending from the element contacts of the first, second, third, and fourth microelectronic elements and electrically connected with the respective first, second, third, and fourth substrate contacts.",
"4. The microelectronic package as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the microelectronic elements comprises a lower microelectronic element and a corresponding upper microelectronic element, a rear face of each of the upper microelectronic elements at least partially overlying a front face of the corresponding lower microelectronic element.",
"5. The microelectronic package as claimed in claim 1, wherein each column of element contacts of each of the microelectronic elements is disposed adjacent one of the first edges of the respective microelectronic element.",
"6. The microelectronic package as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more columns of element contacts of each of the microelectronic elements is a first column of contacts of the respective microelectronic element, each of the microelectronic elements further includes a second column of contacts exposed at the front face, and the first and second columns of contacts of each of the microelectronic elements are disposed adjacent opposite ones of the first edges of the respective microelectronic element.",
"7. The microelectronic package as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more columns of element contacts of each of the microelectronic elements is a first column of contacts of the respective microelectronic element, each of the microelectronic elements further includes a second column of contacts exposed at the front face and disposed adjacent one of the second edges of the respective microelectronic element.",
"8. The microelectronic package as claimed in claim 1, wherein the element contacts of each of the microelectronic elements include redistribution contacts exposed at the front face of the respective microelectronic element, each redistribution contact being electrically connected with a contact pad of the respective microelectronic element through at least one of a trace or a via, at least some of the redistribution contacts being displaced from the contact pads of the respective microelectronic element in at least one of the first and second directions along the front face of the microelectronic element.",
"9. The microelectronic package as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the microelectronic elements embodies a greater number of active devices to provide memory storage array function than any other function.",
"10. The microelectronic package as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of terminals is configured to connect the microelectronic package to at least one component external to the microelectronic package.",
"11. The microelectronic package as claimed in claim 1, wherein X is equal to 2 raised to the power of n, n being greater than or equal to 2.",
"12. The microelectronic package as claimed in claim 1, wherein X is equal to N times 8, wherein N is a whole number greater than or equal to one.",
"13. The microelectronic package as claimed in claim 1, further comprising data strobe terminals provided on the first and second sides of the axis, respectively, wherein the signal class assignment of the data strobe terminal on the first side of the axis is symmetric about the axis with the signal class assignment of the data strobe terminal on the second side of the axis.",
"14. The microelectronic package as claimed in claim 1, further comprising data mask terminals provided on the first and second sides of the axis, respectively, wherein the signal class assignment of the data mask terminal on the first side of the axis is symmetric about the axis with the signal class assignment of the data mask terminal on the second side of the axis.",
"15. The microelectronic package as claimed in claim 1, wherein the terminals further include other terminals disposed between the first and second groups of data terminals that are configured to carry signals other than the signals carried by the data terminals.",
"16. The microelectronic package as claimed in claim 15, wherein the other terminals disposed between the first and second groups of data terminals are configured to carry address information usable by circuitry within the microelectronic package to determine an addressable memory location from among all the available addressable memory locations of the memory storage array.",
"17. The microelectronic package as claimed in claim 16, wherein the other terminals disposed between the first and second groups of data terminals are configured to carry all of the address information usable by the circuitry within the microelectronic package to determine the addressable memory location.",
"18. The microelectronic package as claimed in claim 1, wherein the front faces of the microelectronic elements extend parallel to the first surface, one of the first edges of the first microelectronic element is aligned with and adjacent to one of the first edges of the second microelectronic element, one of the second edges of the first microelectronic element is aligned with and adjacent to one of the second edges of the fourth microelectronic element, one of the second edges of the third microelectronic element is aligned with and adjacent to one of the second edges of the second microelectronic element, and one of the first edges of the third microelectronic element is aligned with and adjacent to one of the first edges of the fourth microelectronic element.",
"19. A system comprising a microelectronic package and one or more other electronic components electrically connected to the microelectronic package, the microelectronic package comprising:\na substrate having first and second opposed surfaces and first, second, third, and fourth substrate contacts exposed at the first surface, the first and second surfaces each extending in a first direction and in a second direction transverse thereto;\nfirst, second, third, and fourth microelectronic elements each having memory storage array function, each microelectronic element having a rear face facing the first surface, a front face opposite the first surface, parallel first edges each extending in the first direction and between the front and rear faces, and parallel second edges each extending in the second direction and between the front and rear faces, each microelectronic element having one or more columns of element contacts exposed at the respective front face, each column extending in the first direction along the respective front face;\nconductive structure extending above the front faces electrically connecting the element contacts of the first, second, third, and fourth microelectronic elements with the first, second, third, and fourth substrate contacts, respectively; and\na plurality of terminals exposed at the second surface and electrically connected with the substrate contacts,\nwherein the first, second, third, and fourth microelectronic elements are horizontally spaced apart from one another on the first surface of the substrate such that the front faces of the microelectronic elements are arranged in a single plane parallel to the first surface, and\nwherein the plurality of terminals include first and second groups of data terminals, each of the first and second groups having at least eight data terminals disposed on first and second opposite sides of an axis, respectively, each of the data terminals of the first and second groups being configured to carry data signals for read and write access to random access addressable memory locations of a memory storage array within one or more of the microelectronic elements, and the data terminals of the first group having modulo-X symmetry about the axis with the second group of the data terminals, X being an integer greater than two.",
"20. The system as claimed in claim 19, further comprising a housing, the microelectronic package and the one or more other electronic components being assembled with the housing."
],
[
"1. A memory device, comprising:\na plurality of integrated circuit (IC) chips comprising:\na plurality of memory cores distributed across the plurality of IC chips, each memory core further including a plurality of memory cells; and\na controller coupled to the plurality of memory cores, the controller configured to access the plurality of memory cells of the plurality of memory cores, wherein the controller is distributed across the plurality of IC chips, and comprises at least a channel master circuit of a first IC chip and a channel slave circuit of each of a remainder of the plurality of IC chips;\nwherein the plurality of IC chips are stacked one on top of the other, and the remainder of the plurality of IC chips includes at least two IC chips that are aligned with each other, and wherein the first IC chip is configured to be placed directly on a substrate and physically offset from each of the remainder of the plurality of IC chips in a plane that is substantially parallel to the substrate.",
"2. The memory device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of IC chips are identical to one another.",
"3. The memory device of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of IC chips includes a respective channel master circuit and a respective channel slave circuit, and the respective channel master circuit is coupled to electrostatic discharge protection (ESD) circuitry.",
"4. The memory device of claim 3, wherein each of the plurality of IC chips further comprises:\nselection circuitry configured to select one of the respective channel master circuit and the respective channel slave circuit to control whether the respective IC chip communicates data with local ESD protection.",
"5. The memory device of claim 3, wherein only the ESD circuitry of the first IC chip is enabled, and the ESD circuitry of each of the remainder of the plurality of IC chips is disabled.",
"6. The memory device of claim 3, wherein each of the plurality of IC chips further comprises:\nselection circuitry coupled to the respective channel master circuit and the respective channel slave circuit of the IC chip, where the selection circuitry is configured to select one of the respective channel master circuit and the respective channel slave circuit of the IC chip.",
"7. The memory device of claim 6, wherein the selection circuitry of the first IC chip selects the channel master circuit of the first IC chip.",
"8. The memory device of claim 6, wherein for each of the plurality of IC chips, the selection circuitry is configured to receive an input, and to determine that the respective IC chip is to communicate data using the channel master circuit or the channel slave circuit based on a voltage level of the input.",
"9. The memory device of claim 8, wherein one of the plurality of IC chips is configured to receive the input from an external source or a neighboring IC chip of the plurality of IC chips that is disposed immediately adjacent to the one of the plurality of IC chips.",
"10. The memory device of claim 1, wherein:\nthe channel master circuit of the first IC chip is coupled to two master connection pads that are disposed on opposite sides of a substrate of the first IC chip and aligned with one another.",
"11. The memory device of claim 10, wherein the two master connection pads of the first IC chip are electrically coupled to each other by a first through chip via.",
"12. The memory device of claim 1, wherein:\nthe channel slave circuit of each of the remainder of the plurality of IC chips is coupled to two slave connection pads that are disposed on opposite sides of a substrate of a respective remainder IC chip and aligned with one another.",
"13. The memory device of claim 12, wherein a master connection pad of the first IC chip is aligned with, and electrically coupled to, the two slave connection pads of each of the remainder of the plurality of IC chips in the memory device, allowing the channel master circuit of the first IC chip to electrically couple to the channel slave circuit of each of the remainder of the plurality of IC chips.",
"14. The memory device of claim 12, wherein the two slave connection pads of each of the remainder of the plurality of IC chips are electrically coupled to each other by a second through chip via.",
"15. The memory device of claim 1, wherein each memory core includes one of a DRAM memory core, a flash memory core and a processor array core.",
"16. The memory device of claim 1, wherein the first IC chip is offset from each of the remainder of the plurality of IC chips along two perpendicular axes that are substantially parallel with two distinct planar sides of the plurality of IC chips.",
"17. The memory device of claim 1, wherein the first IC chip is configured to communicate read/write data via the channel master circuit of a first IC chip, and each of the remainder of the plurality of IC chips is configured to communicate read/write data via the channel slave circuit.",
"18. The memory device of claim 1, wherein each of the remainder of the plurality of IC chips includes a respective selection pad, wherein each of the remainder of the plurality of IC chips is configured to, when the respective selection pad is left unconnected, communicate data using the channel slave circuit of the respective IC chip of the remainder the plurality of IC chips."
],
[
"1. A package comprising:\na memory stack attached to a logic device, the memory stack comprising:\na plurality of first memory structures;\na first redistribution layer over and electrically connected to the plurality of first memory structures;\na plurality of second memory structures on the first redistribution layer;\na second redistribution layer over and electrically connected to the plurality of second memory structures; and\na plurality of first metal pillars on the first redistribution layer and adjacent the plurality of second memory structures, the plurality of first metal pillars electrically connecting the first redistribution layer and the second redistribution layer;\nwherein each first memory structure of the plurality of first memory structures comprises:\na memory die comprising first contact pads; and\na peripheral circuitry die comprising second contact pads, wherein the first contact pads of the memory die are bonded to the second contact pads of the peripheral circuitry die.",
"2. The package of claim 1, wherein the memory die is an MRAM memory die.",
"3. The package of claim 1, wherein the peripheral circuitry die has a lateral area that is smaller than a lateral area of the memory die.",
"4. The package of claim 1, wherein each first memory structure of the plurality of first memory structures further comprises a dielectric material surrounding the peripheral circuitry die and a Through-Dielectric Via (TDV) extending through the dielectric material to contact a first contact pad of the memory die.",
"5. The package of claim 1, wherein the plurality of first metal pillars and the plurality of second memory structures are surrounded by and separated by a molding material.",
"6. The package of claim 1, wherein the logic device has a greater lateral width than the memory stack.",
"7. The package of claim 6, further comprising a molding material on the logic device, wherein the molding material extends along sidewalls of the memory stack.",
"8. A package comprising:\na first redistribution layer;\na first memory structure electrically bonded to the first redistribution layer, wherein the first memory structure comprises:\na first memory die comprising first contact pads; and\na first peripheral circuitry die comprising second contact pads, wherein the first contact pads of the first memory die are bonded to the second contact pads of the first peripheral circuitry die;\na logic device bonded to the first redistribution layer, wherein the logic device and the first memory structure are bonded to opposing sides of the first redistribution layer; and\nan underfill between the logic device and the first redistribution layer, wherein the underfill contacts a sidewall of the first redistribution layer.",
"9. The package of claim 8, further comprising a first molding compound over the first redistribution layer and along sidewalls of the first memory structure.",
"10. The package of claim 9, further comprising a second molding compound over the logic device and along sidewalls of the first molding compound.",
"11. The package of claim 8, wherein the first memory die and the first peripheral circuitry die have different widths.",
"12. The package of claim 8, wherein an active side of the logic device faces away from the first redistribution layer and the first memory structure.",
"13. The package of claim 9 further comprising a first through via extending through the first molding compound.",
"14. The package of claim 13, further comprising:\na second redistribution layer over the first memory structure; and\na second memory structure electrically bonded to the second redistribution layer, wherein the second memory structure comprises:\na second memory die comprising third contact pads; and\na second peripheral circuitry die comprising fourth contact pads, wherein the third contact pads of the second memory die are bonded to the fourth contact pads of the second peripheral circuitry die.",
"15. The package of claim 14, wherein the second memory structure is laterally over the first through via.",
"16. A package comprising:\na logic die;\na first redistribution structure bonded to the logic die;\na first set of memory structures on and electrically coupled to the first redistribution structure;\na first molding compound on the first redistribution structure, the first molding compound extending along sidewalls of the first set of memory structures;\na first through via extending through the first molding compound;\na second redistribution structure;\na second set of memory structures on and electrically coupled to the second redistribution structure, the first through via electrically coupling the first redistribution structure to the second redistribution structure, wherein a first memory structure of the second set of memory structures is laterally over the first through via; and\na second molding compound on the second redistribution structure, the second molding compound extending along sidewalls of the second set of memory structures.",
"17. The package of claim 16, wherein the first redistribution structure is bonded to a backside of the logic die.",
"18. The package of claim 16, wherein the first through via is between adjacent ones of the first set of memory structures.",
"19. The package of claim 16, further comprising a third molding compound over the logic die, the third molding compound extending along sidewalls or the first molding compound, the second molding compound, and the second redistribution structure.",
"20. The package of claim 16, further comprising an underfill between the logic die and the first redistribution structure, wherein the underfill extends along a sidewall of the first redistribution structure."
],
[
"1. A microelectronic assembly, comprising:\na first redistribution layer;\na first die above the redistribution layer, the first die having a top side and a bottom side, and a first sidewall and a second sidewall between the top side and the bottom side, the second sidewall laterally opposite the first sidewall, and the first die comprising a plurality of through substrate vias;\na first conductive pillar laterally spaced apart from the first sidewall of the first die;\na second conductive pillar laterally spaced apart from the second sidewall of the first die;\na mold material on the first redistribution layer and laterally adjacent to the first die, the first conductive pillar, and the second conductive pillar, the mold material in contact with the first conductive pillar and the second conductive pillar;\na second redistribution layer having a top surface and a bottom surface, the bottom surface on the first conductive pillar, on the second conductive pillar, on the mold material, and over the first die;\na second die coupled to the top surface of the second redistribution layer, the second die vertically over the first die; and\na third die coupled to the top surface of the second redistribution layer, the third die vertically over the first die, and the third die laterally spaced apart from the second die, wherein the first die electrically couples the second die to the third die.",
"2. The microelectronic assembly of claim 1, wherein the first die comprises silicon.",
"3. The microelectronic assembly of claim 1, wherein the second redistribution layer couples the second die to the first die, and the second redistribution layer couples the third die to the first die.",
"4. The microelectronic assembly of claim 1, wherein the second die is coupled to the first conductive pillar.",
"5. The microelectronic assembly of claim 4, wherein the third die is coupled to the second conductive pillar.",
"6. The microelectronic assembly of claim 1, wherein the second die is vertically over the first conductive pillar.",
"7. The microelectronic assembly of claim 6, wherein the third die is vertically over the second conductive pillar.",
"8. A method of fabricating a microelectronic assembly, the method comprising:\nforming a first package substrate portion;\nproviding a first component above the package substrate portion, the first component having a top side and a bottom side, and a first sidewall and a second sidewall between the top side and the bottom side, the second sidewall laterally opposite the first sidewall, and the first component comprising a plurality of through substrate vias;\nforming a first conductive pillar laterally distanced apart from the first sidewall of the first component;\nforming a second conductive pillar laterally distanced apart from the second sidewall of the first component;\nforming a mold material on the first package substrate portion and laterally adjacent to the first component, the first conductive pillar, and the second conductive pillar, the mold material in contact with the first conductive pillar and the second conductive pillar;\nforming a second package substrate portion having a top surface and a bottom surface, the bottom surface on the first conductive pillar, on the second conductive pillar, on the mold material, and over the first component;\nproviding a second component coupled to the top surface of the second package substrate portion, the second component vertically over the first component; and\nproviding a third component coupled to the top surface of the second package substrate portion, the third component vertically over the first component, and the third component laterally distanced apart from the second component, wherein the first component electrically couples the second component to the third component.",
"9. The method of claim 8, wherein the first component comprises silicon.",
"10. The method of claim 8, wherein the second package substrate portion couples the second component to the first component, and the second package substrate portion couples third component to the first component.",
"11. The method of claim 8, wherein the second component is coupled to the first conductive pillar.",
"12. The method of claim 11, wherein the third component is coupled to the second conductive pillar.",
"13. The method of claim 8, wherein the second component is vertically over the first conductive pillar.",
"14. The method of claim 13, wherein the third component is vertically over the second conductive pillar.",
"15. An electrical device, comprising:\na board; and\na microelectronic assembly coupled to the board, the microelectronic assembly comprising:\na first redistribution layer;\na first die above the redistribution layer, the first die having a top side and a bottom side, and a first sidewall and a second sidewall between the top side and the bottom side, the second sidewall laterally opposite the first sidewall, and the first die comprising a plurality of through substrate vias;\na first conductive pillar laterally spaced apart from the first sidewall of the first die;\na second conductive pillar laterally spaced apart from the second sidewall of the first die;\na mold material on the first redistribution layer and laterally adjacent to the first die, the first conductive pillar, and the second conductive pillar, the mold material in contact with the first conductive pillar and the second conductive pillar;\na second redistribution layer having a top surface and a bottom surface, the bottom surface on the first conductive pillar, on the second conductive pillar, on the mold material, and over the first die;\na second die coupled to the top surface of the second redistribution layer, the second die vertically over the first die; and\na third die coupled to the top surface of the second redistribution layer, the third die vertically over the first die, and the third die laterally spaced apart from the second die, wherein the first die electrically couples the second die to the third die.",
"16. The electrical device of claim 15, further comprising:\na memory coupled to the board.",
"17. The electrical device of claim 15, further comprising:\na processing device coupled to the board.",
"18. The electrical device of claim 15, further comprising:\na communication chip coupled to the board.",
"19. The electrical device of claim 15, further comprising:\na battery coupled to the board.",
"20. The electrical device of claim 15, further comprising:\na display device coupled to the board."
],
[
"1. A method of manufacturing a bonded structure, the method comprising:\nproviding a routing structure having conductors at least partially embedded in a non-conductive material and an upper surface, the upper surface comprising a first conductive pad, a second conductive pad, and a non-conductive region, wherein providing the routing structure comprises forming the routing structure on a carrier;\ndirectly bonding a first die comprising integrated circuitry to the routing structure, the first die having a first bonding surface, the first bonding surface comprising a first conductive bond pad and a first non-conductive material, the first conductive bond pad directly bonded to the first conductive pad without an intervening adhesive, and the first non-conductive material directly bonded to a first portion of the non-conductive region;\nremoving the carrier from the routing structure after directly bonding the first die to the routing structure;\ndirectly bonding a second die comprising integrated circuitry to the routing structure, the second die spaced apart from the first die laterally along the upper surface of the routing structure, the second die electrically connected with the first die through at least the routing structure;\nforming a dielectric layer over at least a portion of the upper surface of the routing structure;\ndisposing an encapsulant over at least a portion of the dielectric layer; and\nproviding a support structure over the encapsulant and the first and second dies.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein forming the dielectric layer comprises forming the dielectric layer along a sidewall of the first die, a portion of the upper surface, and a sidewall of the second die.",
"3. A method of manufacturing a bonded structure, the method comprising:\nproviding an interposer element having an upper surface at a first side and a lower surface at a second side, wherein the upper surface comprises a first conductive pad, a second conductive pad, and a non-conductive region, and wherein the lower surface is supported by a carrier;\ndirectly bonding a first die comprising integrated circuitry to the interposer element, the first die having a first bonding surface, the first bonding surface comprising a first conductive bond pad and a first non-conductive material, the first conductive bond pad directly bonded to the first conductive pad without an intervening adhesive, and the first non-conductive material directly bonded to a first portion of the non-conductive region;\ndirectly bonding a second die comprising integrated circuitry to the interposer element, the second die spaced apart from the first die laterally along the upper surface of the interposer element by a gap, the second die electrically connected with the first die through at least the interposer element;\ndisposing an insulating material over the upper surface of the interposer element to fill the gap;\nplanarizing the insulating material and the first and second dies;\nattaching a support structure over the planarized insulating material and the first and second dies;\nremoving the carrier; and\nattaching the second side of the interposer element to a substrate.",
"4. The method of claim 3, wherein attaching the support structure comprises attaching a silicon wafer over the planarized insulating material and first and second dies.",
"5. The method of claim 3, wherein disposing the insulating material comprises conformally depositing a first layer over the upper surface of the interposer element and the first and second dies.",
"6. The method of claim 5, wherein disposing the insulating material further comprises disposing a second layer over the first layer.",
"7. The method of claim 5, wherein the first layer has a coefficient of thermal expansion less than 10 ppm/° C.",
"8. The method of claim 7, wherein the first layer has a coefficient of thermal expansion less than 6 ppm/° C.",
"9. The method of claim 3, wherein the substrate comprises conductive vias extending through the substrate.",
"10. The method of claim 9, wherein the conductive vias provide electrical connection to the first and second dies through the interposer element.",
"11. The method of claim 3, further comprising, after disposing the insulating material, singulating through the insulating material.",
"12. The method of claim 3, wherein the interposer element comprises a redistribution layer (RDL).",
"13. A method of manufacturing a bonded structure, the method comprising:\nproviding a reconstituted wafer comprising:\na carrier and a routing structure on the carrier, the routing structure comprising a nonconductive material, a plurality of conductive lines in the nonconductive material, and a plurality of conductive vias extending at least partially through the nonconductive material;\na first die hybrid bonded to the routing structure, the first die comprising integrated circuitry;\na second die hybrid bonded to the routing structure, the second die comprising integrated circuitry, the second die electrically connected with the first die through at least the routing structure; and\nan insulating material over the routing structure and in which the first and second dies are at least partially embedded;\nplanarizing the insulating material and the first and second dies;\nattaching a support structure over the planarized insulating material and the first and second dies;\nremoving the carrier; and\nattaching the routing structure to a substrate.",
"14. The method of claim 13, further comprising singulating the reconstituted wafer to form a plurality of reconstituted elements, one of the plurality of reconstituted elements including at least the first die, the second die, and a portion of the routing structure.",
"15. The method of claim 13, wherein attaching the support structure comprises attaching a silicon wafer over the planarized insulating material and the first and second dies.",
"16. The method of claim 13, wherein disposing the insulating material comprises conformally depositing a first layer over the routing structure and the first and second dies.",
"17. The method of claim 16, wherein disposing the insulating material further comprises disposing a second layer over the first layer.",
"18. The method of claim 16, wherein the first layer has a coefficient of thermal expansion less than 10 ppm/° C.",
"19. The method of claim 18, wherein the first layer has a coefficient of thermal expansion less than 6 ppm/° C.",
"20. The method of claim 13, wherein the substrate comprises second conductive vias extending through the substrate.",
"21. The method of claim 1, wherein providing the support structure comprises attaching a semiconductor structure over the encapsulant and the first and second dies.",
"22. The method of claim 1, wherein providing the support structure comprises attaching a silicon wafer over the encapsulant and the first and second dies."
],
[
"1. A bonded structure comprising:\nan interconnect structure having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the first side comprising a first conductive pad, a second conductive pad, and a non-conductive region;\na first die mounted and directly bonded to the first side of the interconnect structure along a bond interface, the first die electrically connected to the first conductive pad of the interconnect structure, the bond interface comprising metal-to-metal direct bonds and dielectric-to-dielectric direct bonds without an intervening adhesive;\na second die mounted to the first side of the interconnect structure, the second die electrically connected to the second conductive pad of the interconnect structure, the second die spaced apart from the first die laterally along the first side of the interconnect structure; and\nan element mounted to the second side of the interconnect structure,\nwherein the first die and the second die are electrically connected by way of at least the interconnect structure and the element.",
"2. The bonded structure of claim 1, wherein the first die comprises a bonding surface, the bonding surface comprising a first conductive bond pad and a first non-conductive material, the first conductive bond pad directly bonded to the first conductive pad without an intervening adhesive, and the first non-conductive material directly bonded to a first portion of the non-conductive region without an intervening adhesive.",
"3. The bonded structure of claim 2, wherein the second die comprises a bonding surface, the bonding surface comprising a second conductive bond pad and a second non-conductive material, the second conductive bond pad directly bonded to the second conductive pad without an intervening adhesive, and the second non-conductive material directly bonded to a second portion of the non-conductive region without an intervening adhesive.",
"4. The bonded structure of claim 1, wherein the element is directly bonded to the second side of the interconnect structure without an intervening adhesive.",
"5. The bonded structure of claim 1, wherein the element comprises a silicon substrate.",
"6. The bonded structure of claim 1, further comprising a first encapsulant disposed over the interconnect structure at least partially between the first die and the second die.",
"7. The bonded structure of claim 1, further comprising a second encapsulant material disposed about the element.",
"8. The bonded structure of claim 7, further comprising a conductive via extending at least through a thickness of the second encapsulant material.",
"9. The bonded structure of claim 8, further comprising a second interconnect structure electrically coupled to the interconnect structure through the via, the element is positioned between the interconnect structure and the second interconnect structure.",
"10. The bonded structure of claim 1, wherein the element comprises a third die.",
"11. The bonded structure of claim 1, wherein the bonded structure is mounted on a system substrate, the element disposed between the system substrate and the interconnect structure.",
"12. The bonded structure of claim 11, wherein the system substrate comprises a printed circuit board.",
"13. The bonded structure of claim 1, wherein the first die comprises a processor die.",
"14. The bonded structure of claim 13, wherein the second die comprises a processor die.",
"15. The bonded structure of claim 1, wherein the interconnect structure comprises a nonconductive material and a plurality of vias to convey signals vertically through the interconnect structure.",
"16. The bonded structure of claim 15, wherein the interconnect structure comprises a plurality of traces to convey signals laterally through the interconnect structure."
],
[
"1. A semiconductor package comprising:\na lower redistribution structure comprising a plurality of lower insulating layers and a plurality of lower redistribution line patterns respectively on at least one of top surfaces and bottom surfaces of the plurality of lower insulating layers;\na plurality of first connection pillars on the lower redistribution structure;\nan interposer apart from the plurality of first connection pillars on the lower redistribution structure and comprising an interposer substrate, a plurality of connection wiring patterns on a top surface of the interposer substrate, and a through electrode interconnecting some others of the plurality of connection wiring patterns to the lower redistribution structure by penetrating the interposer substrate;\nan upper redistribution structure electrically connected to the plurality of connection wiring patterns, the upper redistribution structure comprising at least one upper insulating layer and a plurality of upper redistribution line patterns on a top surface or a bottom surface of the at least one upper insulating layer and connected to the plurality of first connection pillars;\na filling insulating layer between the lower redistribution structure and the upper redistribution structure;\nat least two semiconductor chips on the upper redistribution structure, electrically connected to the upper redistribution structure, and apart from each other; and\na molding member surrounding the at least two semiconductor chips on the upper redistribution structure,\nwherein a thickness of the lower redistribution structure is greater than a thickness of the upper redistribution structure.",
"2. The semiconductor package of claim 1, wherein the lower redistribution structure and the upper redistribution structure each comprise a plurality of layers including circuit wires where the plurality of lower redistribution line patterns and the plurality of upper redistribution line patterns are,\nwherein a number of layers included in the upper redistribution structure is less than a number of layers included in the lower redistribution structure.",
"3. The semiconductor package of claim 1, wherein a height of the plurality of first connection pillars is greater than a height of the interposer.",
"4. The semiconductor package of claim 1, wherein a lowermost portion of the plurality of first connection pillars is at a level lower than a bottom surface of the interposer.",
"5. The semiconductor package of claim 1, wherein the filling insulating layer surrounds the plurality of first connection pillars and the interposer.",
"6. The semiconductor package of claim 5, wherein an uppermost portion of the plurality of first connection pillars, and a top surface of the filling insulating layer are coplanar.",
"7. The semiconductor package of claim 1, further comprising:\na plurality of second connection pillars on at least portions adjacent to two ends of the plurality of connection wiring patterns.",
"8. The semiconductor package of claim 7, wherein a height of the plurality of first connection pillars is greater than a height of the plurality of second connection pillars.",
"9. The semiconductor package of claim 7, wherein an uppermost portion of the plurality of first connection pillars and an uppermost portion of the plurality of second connection pillars are on a same level.",
"10. The semiconductor package of claim 1,\nwherein the at least two semiconductor chips include a first semiconductor chip and a second semiconductor chip,\nwherein the second semiconductor chip includes a stack, and the stack including a plurality of slices, and\nwherein a lowermost slice of the plurality of slices is a buffer chip including a serial-parallel converting circuit, and remaining slices of the plurality of slices are dynamic random access memory (DRAM) semiconductor chips.",
"11. A semiconductor package comprising:\na lower redistribution structure comprising at least one lower insulating layer and at least one lower redistribution line pattern;\na plurality of first connection pillars on the lower redistribution structure;\nan interposer apart from the plurality of first connection pillars on the lower redistribution structure and comprising an interposer substrate, and a plurality of connection wiring patterns on a top surface of the interposer substrate;\nan upper redistribution structure electrically connected to the plurality of connection wiring patterns on the interposer substrate, the upper redistribution structure comprising a plurality of upper insulating layers and a plurality of upper redistribution line patterns;\na filling insulating layer between the lower redistribution structure and the upper redistribution structure;\na first semiconductor chip and a second semiconductor chip on the upper redistribution structure apart from each other and electrically connected to the upper redistribution structure, the second semiconductor chip comprising a stack, and the stack comprising a plurality of slices; and\na molding member surrounding the first semiconductor chip and the second semiconductor chip on the upper redistribution structure,\nwherein a thickness of the lower redistribution line pattern is greater than a thickness of each of the plurality of upper redistribution line pattern.",
"12. The semiconductor package of claim 11, configured to transmit signals between the first semiconductor chip and the second semiconductor chip via the upper redistribution structure and the interposer, and\nconfigured to transmit signals between the first semiconductor chip and the second semiconductor chip, and the lower redistribution structure via the upper redistribution structure, and the plurality of first connection pillars.",
"13. The semiconductor package of claim 11, wherein a minimum pitch of the plurality of upper redistribution line patterns is greater than a minimum pitch of the plurality of connection wiring patterns.",
"14. The semiconductor package of claim 11, wherein a width and a thickness of the plurality of upper redistribution line patterns are greater than a width and a thickness of the plurality of connection wiring patterns.",
"15. The semiconductor package of claim 11, wherein the second semiconductor chip includes a plurality of sub-semiconductor chips,\nwherein the interposer includes a plurality of sub-interposers that overlap a portion of the first semiconductor chip and a portion of each of the plurality of sub-semiconductor chips to electrically interconnect the first semiconductor chip to each of the plurality of sub-semiconductor chips.",
"16. The semiconductor package of claim 11, further comprising:\na heat emitting member contacting a top surface of the first semiconductor chip and the second semiconductor chip.",
"17. The semiconductor package of claim 11, wherein the interposer comprises a first sub-interposer that overlaps a portion of the first semiconductor chip and a portion of the second semiconductor chip to electrically connect the first semiconductor chip to the second semiconductor chip, and a second sub-interposer that overlaps the other portion of the first semiconductor chip and another portion of the second semiconductor chip to electrically connect the first semiconductor chip to the second semiconductor chip.",
"18. The semiconductor package of claim 11, further comprising:\na passive device electrically connected to the lower redistribution structure on the lower redistribution structure.",
"19. The semiconductor package of claim 11, wherein the interposer further comprises a through electrode interconnecting some others of the plurality of connection wiring patterns to the lower redistribution structure by penetrating the interposer substrate.",
"20. The semiconductor package of claim 11, further comprising:\na plurality of second connection pillars on at least portions adjacent to two ends of the plurality of connection wiring patterns,\nwherein an uppermost portion of the plurality of first connection pillars, an uppermost portion of the plurality of second connection pillars, and a top surface of the filling insulating layer are coplanar."
],
[
"1. A semiconductor device, comprising:\na first redistribution structure comprising a build-up redistribution structure comprising a top side, a bottom side, a lateral side between the top side and the bottom side, a first dielectric layer, and a first conductive layer;\na semiconductor die comprising a top side and a bottom side, wherein the bottom side of the semiconductor die faces toward and is coupled to the top side of the build-up redistribution structure, and wherein the bottom side of the semiconductor die comprises a conductive pad that is electrically coupled to the first conductive layer of the build-up redistribution structure;\nan interconnection structure comprising a top side and a bottom side, wherein the bottom side of the interconnection structure is coupled to the top side of the build-up redistribution structure and is electrically coupled to the first conductive layer of the build-up redistribution structure, and wherein the top side of the interconnection structure extends vertically at least as high as the top side of the semiconductor die;\nan encapsulating material on the top side of the build-up redistribution structure, wherein the encapsulating material laterally surrounds the semiconductor die, and wherein the encapsulating material comprises a top side, a bottom side facing the build-up redistribution structure, and a lateral side between the top side and the bottom side of the encapsulating material; and\na second redistribution structure comprising a laminate substrate comprising a top side, a bottom side coupled to the top side of the interconnection structure, a first dielectric layer on the top side of the semiconductor die and on the top side of the encapsulating material, and a first conductive layer that is electrically coupled to the top side of the interconnection structure.",
"2. The semiconductor device of claim 1, wherein the interconnection structure comprises a copper-core solder structure.",
"3. The semiconductor device of claim 1, wherein the interconnection structure comprises an elongated conductive ball.",
"4. The semiconductor device of claim 1, wherein:\nthe interconnection structure comprises a core of a first metal surrounded by a second metal; and\nthe encapsulating material laterally surrounds the core.",
"5. The semiconductor device of claim 1, wherein the top side of the semiconductor die is exposed from the top side of the encapsulating material.",
"6. The semiconductor device of claim 1, wherein the bottom side of the laminate substrate is mechanically attached to the top side of the semiconductor die.",
"7. The semiconductor device of claim 1, wherein the bottom side of the laminate substrate is mechanically attached to the top side of the encapsulating material.",
"8. The semiconductor device of claim 1, wherein:\nthe laminate substrate of the second redistribution structure comprises a lateral side between the top side and the bottom side of the laminate substrate; and\nthe lateral side of the laminate substrate, the lateral side of the encapsulating material, and the lateral side of the build-up redistribution structure are coplanar.",
"9. The semiconductor device of claim 1, wherein the semiconductor die comprises a lateral side between the top side and the bottom side of the semiconductor die.",
"10. A semiconductor device, comprising:\na first redistribution structure comprising a first side, a second side opposite the first side, a lateral side between the first side and the second side, a first dielectric layer, and a first conductive layer;\na semiconductor die comprising a first side, a second side opposite the first side, and a lateral die side between the first side and the second side, wherein the second side of the semiconductor die faces toward and is coupled to the first side of the first redistribution structure;\nan interconnection structure comprising a first side and a second side opposite the first side, wherein the second side of the interconnection structure is coupled to the first side of the first redistribution structure and is electrically coupled to the first conductive layer of the first redistribution structure, and wherein the interconnection structure vertically spans the lateral side of the semiconductor die;\nan encapsulating material on the first side of the first redistribution structure, wherein the encapsulating material laterally surrounds the semiconductor die, and wherein the encapsulating material comprises a first side, a second side opposite the first side and facing the first redistribution structure, and a lateral side between the first side and the second side of the encapsulating material;\na second redistribution structure comprising a first side, a second side opposite the first side and coupled to the first side of the interconnection structure, a lateral side between the first side and the second side of the second redistribution structure, a first dielectric layer, and a first conductive layer that is electrically coupled to the interconnection structure; and\nwherein one of the first redistribution structure and the second redistribution structure comprises a build-up redistribution structure; and\nwherein another of the first redistribution structure and the second redistribution structure comprises a laminate substrate.",
"11. The semiconductor device of claim 10, wherein the second redistribution structure comprises a laminate substrate.",
"12. The semiconductor device of claim 10, wherein the semiconductor die comprises a die pad on the second side of the semiconductor die.",
"13. The semiconductor device of claim 10, wherein the lateral side of the first redistribution structure, the lateral side of the encapsulating material, and the lateral side of the second redistribution structure are coplanar.",
"14. The semiconductor device of claim 10, wherein the interconnection structure comprises a copper-core solder structure.",
"15. The semiconductor device of claim 10, wherein the encapsulating material extends between and contacts the second side of the semiconductor die and the first side of the first redistribution structure.",
"16. The semiconductor device of claim 10, wherein the second side of the second redistribution structure is mechanically attached to the first side of the semiconductor die.",
"17. The semiconductor device of claim 10, wherein the first side of the semiconductor die is exposed from the first side of the encapsulating material.",
"18. A method of making a semiconductor device, the method comprising:\nattaching a semiconductor die to a build-up redistribution structure of a first redistribution structure, wherein the build-up redistribution structure comprises a first side, a second side opposite the first side, a lateral side between the first side and the second side of the build-up redistribution structure, a first dielectric layer, and a first conductive layer, and wherein the semiconductor die comprises a first side, a second side opposite the first side, and a lateral die side between the first side and the second side of the semiconductor die, and wherein the second side of the semiconductor die faces toward and is coupled to the first side of the build-up redistribution structure;\nproviding an interconnection structure on the first side of the build-up redistribution structure, wherein the interconnection structure comprises a first side and a second side opposite the first side, wherein the second side of the interconnection structure is coupled to the first side of the build-up redistribution structure and is electrically coupled to the first conductive layer of the build-up redistribution structure, and wherein the interconnection structure vertically spans the lateral side of the semiconductor die;\napplying an encapsulating material to the first side of the build-up redistribution structure, wherein the encapsulating material laterally surrounds the semiconductor die, and wherein the encapsulating material comprises a first side, a second side opposite the first side and facing the build-up redistribution structure, and a lateral side between the first side and the second side of the encapsulating material; and\nattaching a preformed laminate substrate of a second redistribution structure to the first side of the interconnection structure, wherein the preformed laminate substrate comprises a first side, a second side opposite the first side and coupled to the first side of the interconnection structure, a lateral side between the first side and the second side of the preformed laminate substrate, a first dielectric layer, and a first conductive layer that is electrically coupled to the first side of the interconnection structure.",
"19. The method of claim 18, wherein the lateral side of the preformed laminate substrate, the lateral side of the encapsulating material, and the lateral side of the build-up redistribution structure are coplanar.",
"20. The method of claim 18, wherein the encapsulating material extends between and contacts the second side of the semiconductor die and the first side of the build-up redistribution structure."
],
[
"1. An IC assembly, comprising:\na package substrate having a cavity;\na bridge disposed in the cavity of the package substrate, wherein the bridge comprises a silicon substrate;\na dielectric layer over the bridge;\na first interconnect piece disposed over the bridge and electrically coupled with the bridge, wherein the first interconnect piece is disposed extending in and over the dielectric layer, wherein the first interconnect piece comprises copper;\na first layer on the first interconnect piece, wherein the first layer comprises nickel;\na second interconnect piece disposed over the bridge and electrically coupled with the bridge, wherein the second interconnect piece is disposed extending in and over the dielectric layer, wherein the second interconnect piece comprises copper;\na second layer on the second interconnect piece, wherein the second layer comprises nickel;\na first interconnect structure disposed in the package substrate, wherein the first interconnect structure is laterally spaced from a first side of the bridge, wherein the first interconnect structure extends through the dielectric layer;\na second interconnect structure disposed in the package substrate, wherein the second interconnect structure is laterally spaced from a second side of the bridge, wherein the second interconnect structure extends through the dielectric layer;\na first die electrically coupled with the first interconnect piece and the first interconnect structure; and\na second die electrically coupled with the second interconnect piece and the second interconnect structure.",
"2. The IC assembly of claim 1, wherein the first die is a processor and the second die is a memory.",
"3. The IC assembly of claim 1, wherein the first die is an application specific integrated circuit and the second die is a memory.",
"4. The IC assembly of claim 1, wherein the dielectric layer is in contact with the bridge.",
"5. The IC assembly of claim 1, wherein the first die is disposed over the bridge having a partial lateral overlap, wherein the second die is disposed over the bridge having a partial lateral overlap.",
"6. The IC assembly of claim 1, wherein the bridge is embedded in the cavity of the package substrate.",
"7. The IC assembly of claim 1, wherein the first layer and the second layer are manufacturable at the same time.",
"8. An IC assembly, comprising:\na package substrate;\na bridge within the package substrate, wherein the bridge comprises a silicon substrate;\na dielectric layer over the bridge;\na first interconnect over the bridge and electrically coupled to the bridge, wherein the first interconnect is in and over the dielectric layer, and wherein the first interconnect comprises copper;\na first layer on the first interconnect, wherein the first layer comprises nickel;\na second interconnect over the bridge and electrically coupled to the bridge, wherein the second interconnect is in and over the dielectric layer, and wherein the second interconnect comprises copper;\na second layer on the second interconnect, wherein the second layer comprises nickel;\na first electrical pathway in the package substrate, wherein the first electrical pathway is laterally spaced from a first side of the bridge, and wherein the first electrical pathway extends through the dielectric layer;\na second electrical pathway in the package substrate, wherein the second electrical pathway is laterally spaced from a second side of the bridge, and wherein the second electrical pathway extends through the dielectric layer;\na first die electrically coupled to the first interconnect and to the first electrical pathway; and\na second die electrically coupled to the second interconnect and to the second electrical pathway.",
"9. The IC assembly of claim 8, wherein the first die is a processor and the second die is a memory.",
"10. The IC assembly of claim 8, wherein the first die is an application specific integrated circuit and the second die is a memory.",
"11. The IC assembly of claim 8, wherein the dielectric layer is in contact with the bridge.",
"12. The IC assembly of claim 8, wherein the first die and the bridge have a partial lateral overlap, and wherein the second die and the bridge having a partial lateral overlap.",
"13. The IC assembly of claim 8, wherein the bridge is embedded in the cavity of the package substrate.",
"14. An IC assembly, comprising:\na plurality of metal lands;\nan adhesive layer above the plurality of metal lands, wherein the adhesive layer is vertically over a first portion of the plurality of metal lands;\na bridge on the adhesive layer, wherein the bridge comprises a silicon substrate;\na first dielectric layer laterally adjacent to the adhesive layer and the bridge, the first dielectric layer vertically over a second portion of the plurality of metal lands;\na first electrical pathway in the first dielectric layer, wherein the first electrical pathway is laterally spaced from a first side of the bridge, and wherein the first electrical pathway is coupled to a first one of the second portion of the plurality of metal lands;\na second electrical pathway in the first dielectric layer, wherein the second electrical pathway is laterally spaced from a second side of the bridge, the second side laterally opposite the first side, and wherein the second electrical pathway is coupled to a second one of the second portion of the plurality of metal lands;\na second dielectric layer over the first dielectric layer and over the bridge;\na first interconnect over the bridge and electrically coupled to the bridge, the first interconnect in the second dielectric layer, wherein the first interconnect comprises copper;\na first layer on the first interconnect, wherein the first layer comprises nickel;\na second interconnect over the bridge and electrically coupled to the bridge, the second interconnect in the second dielectric layer, wherein the second interconnect comprises copper;\na second layer on the second interconnect, wherein the second layer comprises nickel;\na first die electrically coupled to the first interconnect and to the first electrical pathway; and\na second die electrically coupled to the second interconnect and to the second electrical pathway.",
"15. The IC assembly of claim 14, further comprising:\na plurality of solder balls beneath the plurality of metal lands, wherein individual ones of the plurality of solder balls are on a corresponding one of the plurality of metal lands.",
"16. The IC assembly of claim 14, wherein the first dielectric layer is in contact with the bridge and with the adhesive layer.",
"17. The IC assembly of claim 14, wherein the first die is a processor and the second die is a memory.",
"18. The IC assembly of claim 14, wherein the first die is an application specific integrated circuit and the second die is a memory.",
"19. The IC assembly of claim 14, wherein the first die and the bridge have a partial lateral overlap, and wherein the second die and the bridge have a partial lateral overlap.",
"20. The IC assembly of claim 14, wherein the bridge is embedded in the cavity of the package substrate."
],
[
"1. A structure comprising:\nan encapsulant;\na photonic die in the encapsulant;\na through-via in the encapsulant;\nan electronic die over and bonding to the photonic die and the through-via;\nredistribution lines underlying the encapsulant, wherein the redistribution lines are electrically connected to the electronic die, and wherein the redistribution lines are electrically coupled to the photonic die through the electronic die and the through-via;\nan optical coupler attached to the photonic die; and\nan optical fiber attached to the optical coupler.",
"2. The structure of claim 1 further comprising a light source over and attached to the photonic die.",
"3. The structure of claim 1 further comprising a device die facing and bonding to the redistribution lines, wherein the device die is in the encapsulant.",
"4. The structure of claim 3, wherein the device die is electrically connected to the electronic die through the redistribution lines and the through-via.",
"5. The structure of claim 3, wherein a first front side of the photonic die and a second front side of the device die face opposite directions.",
"6. The structure of claim 1, wherein the optical coupler is a top coupler over a top surface of the photonic die.",
"7. The structure of claim 1, wherein the optical coupler is an edge coupler attached to an edge of the photonic die.",
"8. The structure of claim 1 further comprising a solder region in physical contact with both of the electronic die and the through-via.",
"9. The structure of claim 1 further comprising:\nan additional through-via in the encapsulant;\nan additional electronic die over and bonding to the photonic die and the additional through-via; and\nan additional device die in the encapsulant, wherein the additional device die is electrically connected to the photonic die through the additional through-via and the additional electronic die.",
"10. A structure comprising:\na dielectric layer;\nredistribution lines comprising portions in the dielectric layer;\nan encapsulant over the dielectric layer and the redistribution lines;\na through-via in the encapsulant and in contact with the dielectric layer and one of the redistribution lines;\na photonic die in the encapsulant;\nan electronic die over the encapsulant, wherein the electronic die is bonded to both of the through-via and the photonic die; and\nan optical coupler overlying and attached to the photonic die.",
"11. The structure of claim 10, wherein the electronic die comprises:\na first semiconductor substrate;\na first circuit at a bottom surface of the first semiconductor substrate; and\na first electrical connector underlying the first semiconductor substrate.",
"12. The structure of claim 11, wherein the photonic die comprises:\na second semiconductor substrate;\na second electrical circuit at a top surface of the second semiconductor substrate; and\na second electrical connector overlying the second semiconductor substrate, wherein the second electrical connector is electrically connected to the first electrical connector.",
"13. The structure of claim 10, wherein the electronic die is electrically coupled to the photonic die, and the electronic die comprises a circuitry for processing electrical signals received from the photonic die.",
"14. The structure of claim 10 further comprising a device die in the encapsulant and bonding to the redistribution lines.",
"15. The structure of claim 14, wherein the device die further comprises an additional semiconductor substrate, wherein a top surface of the additional semiconductor substrate is coplanar with an additional top surface of the encapsulant.",
"16. The structure of claim 10, wherein the optical coupler is attached close to an additional top surface of the photonic die.",
"17. The structure of claim 10, wherein the optical coupler is an edge coupler comprising a portion extending into the photonic die.",
"18. A structure comprising:\na molding compound;\na photonic die in the molding compound, wherein the photonic die comprises:\na semiconductor substrate;\nan optical device over the semiconductor substrate; and\na first electrical connector at a top surface of the photonic die;\na first electronic die over and bonding to the first electrical connector of the photonic die;\na first through-via in the molding compound and bonding to the first electronic die; and\nan optical coupler attached to the photonic die.",
"19. The structure of claim 18, wherein the photonic die further comprising a second electrical connector at the top surface of the photonic die, and the structure further comprises:\na second electronic die over and bonding to the second electrical connector of the photonic die; and\na second through-via in the molding compound and bonding to the second electronic die.",
"20. The structure of claim 18 further comprising:\na device die in the molding compound; and\na redistribution structure underlying and contacting the molding compound, wherein the device die is electrically connected to the photonic die through the first through-via and the first electronic die."
],
[
"1. A multi-chip package comprising:\nan interconnection bridge comprising a silicon substrate, an interconnection scheme over the silicon substrate, a first metal contact at a top of the interconnection bridge and coupling to the interconnection scheme and a second metal contact at the top of the interconnection bridge and coupling to the first metal contact through the interconnection scheme, wherein the interconnection scheme comprises a first interconnection metal layer over the silicon substrate, a second interconnection metal layer over the first interconnection metal layer and silicon substrate, and a first insulating dielectric layer over the silicon substrate and between the first and second interconnection metal layers, wherein the first interconnection metal layer comprises a first copper layer and a first adhesion metal layer at a bottom and sidewall of the first copper layer, wherein the second interconnection metal layer comprises a conductive metal layer and a second adhesion metal layer at a bottom of the conductive metal layer but not at a sidewall of the conductive metal layer, wherein each of the first and second metal contacts comprises a second copper layer and a third adhesion metal layer at a bottom of the second copper layer but not at a sidewall of the second copper layer;\na first polymer layer at a same horizontal level as the interconnection bridge, wherein the interconnection bridge is horizontally between a first portion and a second portion of the first polymer layer;\na first integrated-circuit (IC) chip over the first portion of the first polymer layer, across over a first edge of the interconnection bridge and vertically over the first metal contact;\na second integrated-circuit (IC) chip at a same horizontal level as the first integrated-circuit (IC) chip, over the second portion of the first polymer layer, across over a second edge of the interconnection bridge and vertically over the second metal contact, wherein the second integrated-circuit (IC) chip couples to the first integrated-circuit (IC) chip through the interconnection bridge; and\na plurality of first metal bumps at a bottom of the multi-chip package, wherein each of the plurality of first metal bumps comprises tin.",
"2. The multi-chip package of claim 1, wherein the interconnection scheme further comprises a second insulating dielectric layer at the top of the interconnection bridge, wherein the second copper layer of said each of the first and second metal contacts has a first portion in an opening in the second insulating dielectric layer and a second portion over the opening in the second insulating dielectric layer and over a top surface of the second insulating dielectric cover layer, wherein the second portion of the second copper layer protrudes from the top surface of the second insulating dielectric layer.",
"3. The multi-chip package of claim 2, wherein the third adhesion metal layer of said each of the first and second metal contacts has a third portion and a fourth portion, wherein the third portion is in the opening in the second insulating dielectric layer, on a top surface of the second interconnection metal layer and between the first portion of the second copper layer and the top surface of the second interconnection metal layer, wherein the fourth portion is on the top surface of the second insulating dielectric layer and between the second portion of the second copper layer and the top surface of the second insulating dielectric layer.",
"4. The multi-chip package of claim 1 further comprising a first vertical metal interconnect vertically in the first polymer layer and a first metal bonding joint between the first integrated-circuit (IC) chip and the first vertical metal interconnect, wherein the first integrated-circuit (IC) chip couples to one of the plurality of first metal bumps through, in sequence, the first metal bonding joint and the first vertical metal interconnect.",
"5. The multi-chip package of claim 4, wherein the first vertical metal interconnect comprises a third copper layer.",
"6. The multi-chip package of claim 4 further comprising a second vertical metal interconnect vertically in the first polymer layer and a second metal bonding joint between the second integrated-circuit (IC) chip and the second vertical metal interconnect, wherein the second integrated-circuit (IC) chip couples to one of the plurality of first metal bumps through, in sequence, the second metal bonding joint and the second vertical metal interconnect.",
"7. The multi-chip package of claim 6, wherein each of the first and second metal bonding joints comprises a third copper layer having a thickness between 1 and 60 micrometers.",
"8. The multi-chip package of claim 6, wherein the second integrated circuit (IC) chip comprises a second metal bump at a bottom surface thereof, wherein the second metal bonding joint comprises the second metal bump.",
"9. The multi-chip package of claim 6, wherein each of the first and second metal bonding joints comprises tin.",
"10. The multi-chip package of claim 4, wherein the first integrated circuit (IC) chip comprises a second metal bump at a bottom surface thereof, wherein the first metal bonding joint comprises the second metal bump.",
"11. The multi-chip package of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second metal contacts is a metal pillar.",
"12. The multi-chip package of claim 1 further comprising an underfill having a first portion between the first integrated-circuit (IC) chip and interconnection bridge and a second portion between the second integrated-circuit (IC) chip and interconnection bridge.",
"13. The multi-chip package of claim 1 further comprising a sealing layer over the first polymer layer, at the same horizontal level as the first and second integrated-circuit (IC) chips and covering a sidewall of each of the first and second integrated-circuit (IC) chips.",
"14. The multi-chip package of claim 1, wherein the interconnection scheme comprises a plurality of metal interconnects configured for a data bus between the first and second integrated-circuit (IC) chips.",
"15. The multi-chip package of claim 14, wherein the data bus has a data bit width equal to or greater than 1,024.",
"16. The multi-chip package of claim 1, wherein the first integrated-circuit (IC) chip comprises a first input/output (I/O) circuit therein coupling to the second integrated-circuit (IC) chip through the interconnection bridge and a second input/output (I/O) circuit therein coupling to an external circuit outside the multi-chip package, wherein the first input/output (I/O) circuit has a driver having a driving capability smaller than that of a driver of the second input/output (I/O) circuit.",
"17. The multi-chip package of claim 1, wherein the first and second integrated-circuit (IC) chips have common features of layout, locations and total number of input/output (I/O) pads thereof.",
"18. The multi-chip package of claim 1, wherein the first and second integrated-circuit (IC) chips have a common feature of a power supply voltage thereof.",
"19. The multi-chip package of claim 1, wherein the first integrated-circuit (IC) chip is a field-programmable-grid-array (FPGA) integrated-circuit (IC) chip and the second integrated-circuit (IC) chip is a control chip of a memory module.",
"20. The multi-chip package of claim 1, wherein the first integrated-circuit (IC) chip is a graphic-processing-unit (GPU) integrated-circuit (IC) chip and the second integrated-circuit (IC) chip is a control chip of a memory module.",
"21. The multi-chip package of claim 1, wherein the first integrated-circuit (IC) chip is a logic chip and the second integrated-circuit (IC) chip is a memory chip.",
"22. The multi-chip package of claim 21, wherein the second integrated-circuit (IC) chip is a dynamic-random-access-memory (DRAM) integrated-circuit (IC) chip.",
"23. The multi-chip package of claim 21, wherein the second integrated-circuit (IC) chip comprises a static-random-access-memory (SRAM) circuit.",
"24. The multi-chip package of claim 21, wherein the interconnection scheme comprises a plurality of metal interconnects configured for a data bus between the logic and memory chips, wherein the logic chip couples to the memory chip through the data bus having a data bit width equal to or greater than 512.",
"25. The multi-chip package of claim 1 further comprising a third integrated-circuit (IC) chip over and bonded to the second integrated-circuit (IC) chip.",
"26. The multi-chip package of claim 25, wherein each of the first and second integrated-circuit (IC) chips is a logic chip and the third integrated-circuit (IC) chip is a memory chip.",
"27. The multi-chip package of claim 1 further comprising a first metal bonding joint between the first integrated-circuit (IC) chip and interconnection bridge and a second metal bonding joint between the second integrated-circuit (IC) chip and interconnection bridge, wherein the first metal bonding joint couples the first integrated-circuit (IC) chip to the first metal contact of the interconnection bridge and the second metal bonding joint couples the second integrated-circuit (IC) chip to the second metal contact of the interconnection bridge.",
"28. The multi-chip package of claim 27, wherein the first integrated circuit (IC) chip comprises a second metal bump at a bottom surface thereof, wherein the second integrated circuit (IC) chip comprises a third metal bump at a bottom surface thereof, wherein the first metal bonding joint comprises the second metal bump and the second metal bonding joint comprises the third metal bump.",
"29. The multi-chip package of claim 27, wherein each of the first and second metal bonding joints comprises a third copper layer having a thickness between 1 and 60 micrometers.",
"30. The multi-chip package of claim 27, wherein each of the first and second metal bonding joints comprises tin."
]
] |
the following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 u.s.c. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this office action:
a person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
claim(s) 1-4, 6-15 and 17-20 is/are rejected under 35 u.s.c. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by choi (us 11,515,290, as disclosed in previous oa).
as for claims 1, 14 and 19 choi discloses in fig. 19 and the related text a system on integrated circuit (soic) comprising:
a die stack comprising:
a first semiconductor die 700 comprising a first semiconductor substrate comprising a memory array (col. 4 lines 35-40 of choi teaches the semiconductor die is memory die therefore it is inherent to have a memory array);
a first redistribution layer (rdl) structure 260/150 disposed on a front (upper) surface of the first semiconductor die 700 and electrically connected to the first semiconductor substrate (fig. 18);
a second semiconductor die (left/right 200) (electrically/thermally) bonded to the front surface of the first semiconductor die 700 and comprising a second semiconductor substrate;
a third semiconductor die (right/left 200) bonded to the front surface of the first semiconductor die 700 and comprising a third semiconductor substrate;
a second rdl structure 310 disposed on front surfaces of the second semiconductor die and third semiconductor die and electrically connected to the second semiconductor substrate and third semiconductor substrate (fig. 18);
a fourth semiconductor die (left 400) bonded to the front surfaces of the second semiconductor die and the third semiconductor die, wherein the fourth semiconductor die comprises a fourth semiconductor substrate (fig. 18); and
a through dielectric via (tdv) structure 280 extending between the second semiconductor die and the third semiconductor die (fig. 18), wherein the tdv structure directly 280 is electrically connected to the first rdl structure 260/150 and second rdl structure 310; and
a bonding structure 240/245 bonded directly to the front surface of the second semiconductor die and the front surface of the third semiconductor die (fig. 18),
wherein the second rdl structure 310 comprises a conductive line 240 that is formed within the bonding structure and bonded directly to bonding pads 220 of the second semiconductor die and bonding pads 220 of the third semiconductor die (fig. 18), and
wherein the second semiconductor die and third semiconductor die are disposed in a plane that extends perpendicular to a vertical stacking direction of the die stack (fig. 18); and
a logic die (right 400) bonded to the die stack and comprising a logic die semiconductor substrate comprising logic circuitry 410 (fig. 18).
as for claims 2 and 15, choi discloses the die stack of claim 1/15, wherein:
the second semiconductor die (left 200) comprises a through silicon via (tsv) structure 250 that extends through the second semiconductor substrate (fig. 18), wherein the second semiconductor die (left 200) is electrically connected to the first rdl structure 260/150; and
the third semiconductor die (right 200) is electrically connected to the first semiconductor die 700 by a second connection circuit 230 that includes a conductive line 230 of the second rdl structure, the tsv structure 250 of the second semiconductor die, and a conductive line 260 of the first rdl structure (fig. 18).
as for claim 3, choi discloses the die stack of claim 2, wherein the second connection circuit 230 comprises metal features of the second semiconductor die (col. 5 lines 1-23).
as for claim 4, choi discloses the die stack of claim 2, wherein the third semiconductor die (right 200) is a non-tsv die (fig. 18).
as for claim 6, choi discloses the die stack of claim 2, further comprising a fourth semiconductor die 400 bonded to the front surfaces of the second semiconductor die and the third semiconductor die and comprising a fourth semiconductor substrate (fig. 18).
as for claim 7, choi discloses the die stack of claim 6, wherein the fourth semiconductor die 400 comprises:
a first tsv structure (middle 322) that extends through the fourth semiconductor substrate 310 and is electrically connected to the first semiconductor die 700 by the tdv structure 280;
a second tsv structure (left 322) that extends through the fourth semiconductor substrate 310 and is electrically connected to the second semiconductor die (left/right 200); and
a third tsv structure (right 322) that extends through the fourth semiconductor substrate 310 and is electrically connected to the third semiconductor die (right/left 322).
as for claim 8, choi discloses the die stack of claim 7, except the fourth semiconductor die (left 400) is electrically connected to an external device (right 400) by a metal bump 440.
as for claim 9, choi discloses the die stack of claim 6, wherein:
the first semiconductor die 700, the second semiconductor die (left 200), and the fourth semiconductor die 400 are random access memory dies; and
the third semiconductor die (right 200) has a different function than the first semiconductor die, the second semiconductor die, and the fourth semiconductor die (col. 4 lines 37-46, col. 6 lines 57-65 and col. 18 lines 60-61).
as for claim 10 and 17, choi discloses the die stack of claim 1, wherein:
the second semiconductor die (left 200) comprises a through silicon via (tsv) structure 250 that extends through the second semiconductor substrate 200 and electrically contacts to the first rdl structure 260/150; and
the third semiconductor die (right 200) is electrically connected to the first semiconductor die 700 by a first connection circuit 230 that includes the conductive line 240 of the second rdl structure and the tdv structure 280,
wherein the first semiconductor die 700 is electrically connected to the logic die (right 400) by the tdv structure 280 and tsv 322 of the fourth semiconductor die (fig. 18).
as for claim 11, choi discloses the die stack of claim 10, wherein the third semiconductor die (right 200) is a non-tsv die (fig. 18).
as for claim 12, choi discloses the die stack of claim 11, wherein the first semiconductor die 700 is electrically connected to a fourth semiconductor die 400 by the tdv structure 280 (fig. 18).
as for claim 13, choi discloses the die stack of claim 1, wherein:
the second semiconductor die (left 200) is electrically connected to the first semiconductor die 700 by a first connection circuit 210 that includes the conductive line 240 of the second rdl structure and the tdv structure 280 (fig. 18); and
the third semiconductor die (right 200) is electrically connected to the first semiconductor die 700 by a third connection circuit 210 that includes the conductive line 1240 of the second rdl structure and the tdv structure (fig. 18).
as for claim 18, choi discloses the soic structure of claim 14, wherein the first semiconductor die 700, the second semiconductor die 200, and the fourth semiconductor die 400 each comprise a memory die (col. 4 lines 38-40 and col. 6 lines 60-63].
as for claim 20, elsherbini et al. disclose the soic structure of claim 19, wherein the third semiconductor die (right 200) is electrically connected to the first semiconductor die 700 by the tdv structure 280 (fig. 18).
|
[
"1. An amplifier circuit, comprising:\na first amplifier having a first amplifier input and a first amplifier output;\na transformer including a first transformer component having a first primary winding in series with the first amplifier output and a first secondary winding coupled to the first amplifier input wherein the first primary winding and the first secondary winding are arranged such that a portion of a first magnetic field generated by the first primary winding couples to the first secondary winding through a first magnetically coupled feedback loop, thereby providing first feedback from the first amplifier output to the first amplifier input;\na second amplifier having a second amplifier input and a second amplifier output; and\nwherein the transformer includes a second transformer component having a second primary winding in series with the second amplifier output and a second secondary winding coupled to the second amplifier input wherein the second primary winding and the second secondary winding are arranged such that a portion of a second magnetic field generated by the second primary winding couples to the second secondary winding through a second magnetically coupled feedback loop, thereby providing second feedback from the second amplifier output to the second amplifier input;\nwherein the first primary winding and the second primary winding are configured to provide output current for driving a load impedance included within an output load arrangement connected to the first primary winding and the second primary winding;\nwherein the first primary winding has a first end connected to the first amplifier output and a second end directly connected to a first end of a balun and wherein the second primary winding has a first end connected to the second amplifier output and a second end directly connected to a second end of the balun.",
"2. The amplifier circuit of claim 1 wherein the first amplifier and the second amplifier are implemented in a cascode configuration.",
"3. An amplifier circuit, comprising:\na first amplifier having a first amplifier input and a first amplifier output;\na transformer including a first transformer component having a first primary winding in series with the first amplifier output and a first secondary winding coupled to the first amplifier input wherein the first primary winding and the first secondary winding are arranged such that a portion of a first magnetic field generated by the first primary winding couples to the first secondary winding through a first magnetically coupled feedback loop, thereby providing first feedback from the first amplifier output to the first amplifier input;\na second amplifier having a second amplifier input and a second amplifier output; and\nwherein the transformer includes a second transformer component having a second primary winding in series with the second amplifier output and a second secondary winding coupled to the second amplifier input wherein the second primary winding and the second secondary winding are arranged such that a portion of a second magnetic field generated by the second primary winding couples to the second secondary winding through a second magnetically coupled feedback loop, thereby providing second feedback from the second amplifier output to the second amplifier input;\nwherein the first primary winding and the second primary winding are configured to drive a load included within an output load arrangement connected to the first primary winding and the second primary winding wherein the output load arrangement includes an inductive element having and end connected to the first primary winding;\nwherein the output load arrangement further includes a balun having a first input end directly connected to the first primary winding and a second input end directly connected to the second primary winding and an output connected to the load.",
"4. An amplifier circuit, comprising:\nan amplifier having a differential amplifier input including a first input and a second input and a differential amplifier output including a first output and a second output;\na transformer arrangement including a first transformer configured to establish a first magnetically coupled feedback loop from the first output to the first input and a second transformer configured to establish a second magnetically coupled feedback loop from the second output to the second input;\nwherein the transformer arrangement is configured to provide a current for driving a load included in an output load arrangement including a balun having a first input end directly connected to a primary winding of the first transformer and a second input end directly connected to a primary winding of the second transformer wherein the balun converts the current to an output current and wherein the output current generates power upon reaching the load.",
"5. The amplifier circuit of claim 4 wherein a loop gain of the first magnetically coupled feedback loop is independent of an impedance of the load and is defined at least in part by a coupling factor and turn-ratio of the first transformer.",
"6. The amplifier circuit of claim 4 wherein loop gains of the first magnetically coupled feedback loop and the second magnetically coupled feedback loop automatically increase in response to corresponding increases in a level of an input signal applied to the differential amplifier input so as to maintain a substantially constant level of an output signal produced at the differential amplifier output.",
"7. The amplifier circuit of claim 4 wherein power dissipation of the amplifier remains substantially constant independent of characteristics of an input signal applied to the differential amplifier input.",
"8. The amplifier circuit of claim 4 wherein a current gain of the amplifier circuit is substantially independent of gain characteristics of the amplifier when the transformer arrangement is configured such that loop gains of the first magnetically coupled feedback loop and the second magnetically coupled feedback loop are greater than 10 dB.",
"9. The amplifier circuit of claim 1 wherein loop gains of the first magnetically coupled feedback loop and the second magnetically coupled feedback loop automatically increase in response to corresponding increases in a level of an input signal applied to the differential amplifier input so as to maintain a substantially constant level of an output signal produced at the differential amplifier output.",
"10. The amplifier circuit of claim 1 wherein power dissipation of the amplifier remains substantially constant independent of characteristics of an input signal applied to the first amplifier input and the second amplifier input.",
"11. The amplifier circuit of claim 1 wherein a current gain of the amplifier circuit is substantially independent of gain characteristics of the amplifier when the transformer is configured such that loop gains of the first magnetically coupled feedback loop and the second magnetically coupled feedback loop are greater than 10 dB.",
"12. The amplifier circuit of claim 10 wherein the characteristics include at least one of amplitude and power.",
"13. The amplifier circuit of claim 10 wherein the characteristics include at least one of modulation type and bandwidth.",
"14. The amplifier circuit of claim 7 wherein the characteristics include at least one of amplitude and power.",
"15. The amplifier circuit of claim 7 wherein the characteristics include at least one of modulation type and bandwidth.",
"16. The amplifier circuit of claim 1 wherein power dissipation of the first amplifier and the second amplifier remains substantially constant independent of a level of an output signal produced at the first amplifier output and the second amplifier output.",
"17. The amplifier circuit of claim 4 wherein power dissipation of the amplifier remains substantially constant independent of a level of an output signal produced at the differential amplifier output.",
"18. The amplifier circuit of claim 1 wherein the transformer arrangement is configured such that a degree of coupling between the first primary winding and the first secondary winding and between the second primary winding and the second secondary winding is selected based upon a target current gain of the amplifier circuit.",
"19. The amplifier circuit of claim 8 wherein the current gain of the amplifier circuit depends substantially only on a turn-ratio and a coupling factor of the transformer.",
"20. The amplifier circuit of claim 11 wherein the current gain of the amplifier circuit depends substantially only on a turn-ratio and a coupling factor of the transformer."
] |
US12278599B2
|
US20190015198A1
|
[
"1. An intraocular lens, comprising:\nan annular housing coupled to a first window to form a lensing cavity, wherein two immiscible liquids, including a first liquid and a second liquid, form a meniscus at an immiscibility interface between the first liquid and the second liquid within the lensing cavity when the intraocular lens is implanted into an eye;\na flexible reservoir disposed about at least a portion of a periphery of the annular housing, wherein the flexible reservoir stores a variable portion of the first liquid; and\nat least one channel linking the flexible reservoir to the lensing cavity to permit a transfer of the first liquid between the flexible reservoir and the lensing cavity, wherein a curvature of the meniscus and an optical power of the intraocular lens are adjustable in response to transferring the first liquid through the at least one channel.",
"2. The intraocular lens of claim 1, wherein the flexible reservoir is adapted to cause the first liquid to transfer between the flexible reservoir and the lensing cavity in response to an external force applied to the flexible reservoir.",
"3. The intraocular lens of claim 1, wherein the annular housing includes a pinning structure surrounding the meniscus that pins a perimeter of the meniscus to a fixed position on the annular housing, and wherein at least one opening within the pinning structure forms the at least one channel.",
"4. The intraocular lens of claim 3, wherein the pinning structure comprises an abrupt change in surface energy.",
"5. The intraocular lens of claim 3, wherein a cross-sectional shape of the pinning structure tapers to form a sharp edge that pins the perimeter of the meniscus to the fixed position.",
"6. The intraocular lens of claim 3, wherein an abrupt change in surface roughness of the pinning structure pins the perimeter of the meniscus to the fixed position.",
"7. The intraocular lens of claim 3, wherein the first liquid interfaces with a first side of the pinning structure, and wherein at least a first portion of the first side is treated to attract the first liquid or repel the second liquid.",
"8. The intraocular lens of claim 3, further comprising:\na second window coupled to the annular housing, wherein the meniscus and the lensing cavity are disposed between the first window and the second window.",
"9. The intraocular lens of claim 8, wherein an inner surface of the second window interfaces with the second liquid within the lensing cavity, and wherein the inner surface is treated to attract the second liquid or repel the first liquid.",
"10. The intraocular lens of claim 8, wherein the annular housing further includes a flexible member, wherein the flexible member is at least partially disposed between the second window and the meniscus.",
"11. The intraocular lens of claim 10, wherein the flexible member is a bellows structure surrounding the lensing cavity, and wherein the bellows structure permits a distance between the second window and a perimeter of the meniscus to change in response to the transfer of the first liquid.",
"12. The intraocular lens of claim 8, wherein the second window is flexible, and wherein a shape of the second window changes in response to the transfer of the first liquid.",
"13. The intraocular lens of claim 8, further comprising a baseline lens disposed across at least one of the first window or the second window.",
"14. The intraocular lens of claim 1, wherein a first density of the first liquid is substantially equal to a second density of the second liquid, and wherein a first refractive index of the first liquid is different than a second refractive index of the second liquid.",
"15. The intraocular lens of claim 1, wherein the first liquid comprises water and the second liquid comprises oil.",
"16. The intraocular lens of claim 1, wherein the first liquid has a refractive index that is substantially equal to a vitreous liquid of a human eye.",
"17. An intraocular lens, comprising:\nan annular housing;\nfirst and second windows disposed on opposing sides of the annular housing to define a lensing cavity with the annular housing;\ntwo immiscible liquids, including a first liquid and a second liquid, forming a meniscus at an immiscibility interface between the first liquid and the second liquid disposed within the lensing cavity;\na reservoir for storing a variable portion of the first liquid; and\na channel linking the reservoir to the lensing cavity to permit a transfer of the first liquid between the reservoir and the lensing cavity, wherein a curvature of the meniscus and an optical power of the intraocular lens changes in response to transferring the first liquid.",
"18. The intraocular lens of claim 17, wherein the reservoir comprises a flexible reservoir adapted to cause the first liquid to transfer between the flexible reservoir and the lensing cavity in response to an external force applied to the flexible reservoir.",
"19. The intraocular lens of claim 18, wherein the flexible reservoir forms a ring-shape around the annular housing and wherein the annular housing integrally forms a portion of the flexible reservoir.",
"20. The intraocular lens of claim 17, wherein the annular housing includes a pinning structure surrounding the meniscus that pins a perimeter of the meniscus to a fixed position on the annular housing, and wherein at least one opening within the pinning structure forms at least a portion of the channel.",
"21. The intraocular lens of claim 20, wherein a cross-sectional shape of the pinning structure tapers to form a sharp edge that pins the perimeter of the meniscus to the fixed position.",
"22. The intraocular lens of claim 20, wherein the pinning structure includes an indent surface having an abrupt change in surface roughness of the pinning structure that pins the perimeter of the meniscus to the fixed position."
] |
[
[
"1. A linearizer for reducing nonlinear distortion in radio frequency and microwave systems having one or more fundamental frequencies, comprising:\nat least one complex nonlinear distortion generator (CNDG) directly generating odd-order in-phase and quadrature phases of RF and microwave nonlinear distortion products of the system input signal;\ntunable control means to independently adjust the amplitude of each phase; and\nsummation means to sum said in-phase and quadrature phases of nonlinear RF and microwave distortion products to the system output, whereby the sum of the nonlinear distortion products at the system output is reduced or eliminated by destructive interference while the fundamental frequencies are substantially unaffected;\nwherein said CNDG comprises a plurality of odd-order nonlinear distortion generators (“NDG”) generating the in-phase and quadrature phases of RF and microwave nonlinear distortion products of the system input signal;\nwherein said odd-order nonlinear distortion generators comprise single-ended differential-pair or pseudo-differential-pair transistors driven appreciably into their nonlinear regions; and\nfurther including degeneration means, wherein said nonlinear distortion generators are degenerated with degeneration impedances in quadrature with one another.",
"2. The linearizer of claim 1, wherein each of said degeneration impedances is a circuit device selected from the group consisting of resistor, capacitor, and inductor.",
"3. The linearizer of claim 1, said tunable control means are Gilbert variable gain amplifiers.",
"4. The linearizer of claim 1, further including at least one additional CNDG in different states of fractional nonlinearity for independent control of distortion products of different order.",
"5. The linearizer of claim 1, further including a signal path isolator passing the fundamental power from input to output while attenuating feedback from CNDG output back to its own input.",
"6. A linearizer for reducing nonlinear distortion in radio frequency and microwave systems having one or more fundamental frequencies, comprising:\nat least one complex nonlinear distortion generator (CNDG) directly generating odd-order in-phase and quadrature phases of RF and microwave nonlinear distortion products of the system input signal, said CNDG including a plurality of odd-order nonlinear distortion generators (“NDG”), wherein the amplitude of said in-phase and quadrature phases is independently controlled by the size, degeneration impedance, and bias current of said NDGs;\nsummation means to sum said in-phase and quadrature phases of nonlinear RF and microwave distortion products to the system output, whereby the sum of the nonlinear distortion products at the system output is reduced or eliminated by destructive interference while the fundamental frequencies are substantially unaffected;\nwherein said odd-order nonlinear distortion generators comprise single-ended differential-pair or pseudo-differential-pair transistors driven appreciably into their nonlinear regions; and\nfurther including degeneration means, wherein said nonlinear distortion generators are degenerated with degeneration impedances in quadrature with one another.",
"7. The linearizer of claim 6, wherein each of said degeneration impedances is a circuit device selected from the group consisting of resistor, capacitor, and inductor.",
"8. The linearizer of claim 6, further including at least one additional CNDG in different states of fractional nonlinearity for independent control of distortion products of different order.",
"9. The linearizer of claim 6, further including a signal path isolator passing the fundamental power from input to output while attenuating feedback from CNDG output back to its own input."
],
[
"1. A linearizer circuit comprising:\na divider circuit having an input and first and second outputs;\na first radio frequency (RF) signal path having an input and an output, the input being coupled to the first output of the divider circuit, the first RF signal path comprising a delay line having a predetermined length;\na second RF signal path having an input and an output, the input being coupled to the second output of the divider circuit, the second RF signal path comprising a transistor amplifier consisting of an odd number of gain stages; and\na combiner circuit having a first input, a second input, and an output, the first input of the combiner circuit being coupled to the output of the first RF signal path and the second input of the combiner circuit being coupled to the output of the second RF signal path;\nwherein the linearizer circuit is configured so that the output signals of the first and second RF signal paths undergo a high level of cancellation in the combiner circuit when a small signal is applied to the input of the divider circuit and a lower level of cancellation in the combiner circuit when a larger signal is applied to the input of the divider circuit.",
"2. The linearizer circuit of claim, 1 wherein:\nthe divider circuit is configured to create a nominal 90 degree phase difference between output signals at the first and second outputs thereof; and\nthe combiner circuit is adapted to receive two substantially opposite phase signals at the first and second inputs thereof with an additional nominal 90 degree phase shift and combine the signals while cancelling the 90 degree phase shift.",
"3. The linearizer circuit of claim, 1 wherein the second RF signal path further comprises:\na first variable attenuator coupled between the input of the second RF signal path and an input of the transistor amplifier; and\na second variable attenuator coupled between an output of the transistor amplifier and the output of the second RF signal path.",
"4. The linearizer circuit of claim 3, further comprising:\ncircuitry for adjusting a bias level applied to the transistor amplifier; and\ncircuitry for adjusting an attenuation level of at least one of the first and second variable attenuators.",
"5. The linearizer circuit of claim 4, wherein:\nthe circuitry for adjusting an attenuation level comprises circuitry for adjusting the attenuation level in conjunction with a change in bias voltage level applied to the transistor amplifier.",
"6. The linearizer circuit of claim 4, wherein:\nthe circuitry for adjusting a bias level and the circuitry for adjusting an attenuation level are configured to adjust an output amplitude of the second HF signal path so that it is substantially equal to an output amplitude of the first HF signal path when an input power level of the linearizer circuit is below a threshold value.",
"7. The linearizer circuit of claim 3, wherein:\nat least one of the first and second variable attenuators is provided as an electronically tunable attenuator controllable in conjunction with a change in bias voltage level applied to the transistor amplifier.",
"8. The linearizer circuit of claim 1, wherein:\nat least one of the first and second RF signal paths includes a phase adjuster.",
"9. The linearizer circuit of claim 8, further comprising:\ncircuitry to electronically adjust a phase shift of at least one of the first and second RF signal paths.",
"10. The linearizer circuit of claim 9, wherein:\nthe circuitry to electronically adjust the phase shift of at least one of the first and second RF signal paths is configured to achieve a phase difference between the output signals of the first and second RF signal paths that results in signal cancellation in the combiner circuit.",
"11. The linearizer circuit of claim 1, further comprising:\ncircuitry for electronically adjusting an output amplitude level of at least one of the first and second RF signal paths; and\ncircuitry for electronically adjusting a phase shift of at least one of the first and second RF signal paths.",
"12. The linearizer circuit of claim 11, wherein:\nthe output of the combiner is to be coupled to the input of an RF power amplifier during operation of the linearizer circuit; and\nthe linearizer circuit further comprises a signal processing unit to determine an optimum condition based on an RF output signal of the RF power amplifier and to provide at least one control signal to the circuitry for electronically adjusting an output amplitude level and the circuitry for electronically adjusting a phase shift based on the optimum condition.",
"13. The linearizer circuit of claim 12, wherein;\nthe signal processing unit is configured to receive signals indicative of environmental conditions and to use the signals indicative of environmental conditions to determine the optimum condition.",
"14. A method for use in linearizing operation of an RF power amplifier, comprising:\nsplitting a radio frequency (RF) input signal into first and second RF input signals;\nproviding the first RF input signal to a first RF signal path;\nproviding the second RF input signal to a second, different RF signal path, wherein the second RF signal path includes at least one active amplifier stage and the first RF signal path includes no active amplifier stages;\nproviding a first RF output signal at an output of the first RF signal path to a first input of a combiner;\nproviding a second RF output signal at an output of the second RF signal path to a second input of the combiner;\ncombining the first and second RF output signals in the combiner to generate a combined RF output signal at an output of the combiner, wherein the first and second RF signal paths and the combiner are configured so that combining the first second RF output signals results in a high level of cancellation in the combiner when the RF input signal is a small signal and a lower level of cancellation in the combiner when the RF input signal is a larger signal; and\nproviding the combined RF output signal to the input of an RF power amplifier.",
"15. The method of claim 14, wherein:\nproviding the second RF input signal to the second RF signal path includes providing the second RF input signal to an RF signal path that includes a transistor amplifier having an odd number of active amplifier stages.",
"16. The method of claim 15, wherein:\nproviding the second RF input signal to the second RF signal path includes providing the second RF input signal to an RF signal path that includes a first variable attenuator positioned before the transistor amplifier and a second variable attenuator positioned after the transistor amplifier.",
"17. The method of claim 14, further comprising:\nadjusting at least one of a phase shift and an output amplitude level associated with the first and second RF signal paths in a manner that results in maximal cancellation of the first and second RF output signals in the combiner under small signal conditions.",
"18. The method of claim 17, wherein:\nadjusting is performed under the control of a signal processing device.",
"19. The method of claim 14, wherein:\nsplitting the RF input signal into first and second RF input signals comprises splitting the RF input signal to provide first and second RF input signals with substantially 90 degrees of phase difference between them; and\ncombining the first and second RF output signals comprises combining the signals in a combiner that takes two substantially opposite phase signals with an additional nominal 90 degrees of phase shift and combines them while cancelling the additional nominal 90 degrees of phase shift.",
"20. The method of claim 14, further comprising:\ndetermining an optimum condition based on an RF output signal of the RF power amplifier; and\nelectronically adjusting an attenuation level in at least one of the first RF signal path and the second RF signal path, using control signals, based, at least in part, on the optimum condition.",
"21. The method of claim 20, further comprising:\nelectronically adjusting a phase shift in at least one of the first RF signal path and the second RF signal path, using control signals, based, at least in part, on the optimum condition.",
"22. The method of claim 21, wherein:\nthe optimum condition is a condition that minimizes sideband levels in the RF output signal of the RF power amplifier.",
"23. An amplification system, comprising:\na linearizer circuit comprising:\na divider circuit having an input and first and second outputs;\na first radio frequency (RF) signal path having an input and an output, the input of the first RF signal path being coupled to the first output of the divider circuit, the first RF signal path having a delay line with a delay value configured to equalize delays of the first and second RF signal paths, wherein the first RF signal path is passive;\na second RF signal path having an input and an output, the input of the second RF signal path being coupled to the second output of the divider circuit, wherein the second RF signal path includes an odd number of transistor amplification stages to achieve a 180 degree phase difference between the first and second RF signal paths; and\na combiner circuit coupled to the outputs of the first and second RF signal paths to combine output signals of the first and second RF signal paths to generate an output signal of the linearizer circuit, wherein the linearizer circuit is configured so that the output signals of the first and second RF signal paths undergo a high level of cancellation in the combiner circuit when a small signal is applied to the input of the divider circuit and a lower level of cancellation in the combiner circuit when a large signal is applied to the input of the divider circuit; and\na power amplifier coupled to receive the output signal of the linearizer circuit;\nwherein the power amplifier with the linearizer circuit operates more linearly than the power amplifier operating alone.",
"24. The amplification system of claim 23, wherein:\nthe second RF signal path includes at least one adjustable attenuator.",
"25. The amplification system of claim 24, wherein:\nthe second RF signal path includes at least one adjustable phase shifter.",
"26. The amplification system of claim 24, wherein:\nthe first RF signal path includes at least one adjustable phase shifter.",
"27. The amplification system of claim 23, wherein:\nthe gain versus input power curve of the linearizer circuit substantially complements the gain versus input power curve of the power amplifier to generate relatively linear gain for the amplification system overall."
],
[
"1. A signal extraction circuit comprising:\na distributor which is provided between a connecting portion to an antenna and an output of an amplifier, and which extracts a portion of the output of said amplifier as a feedback signal;\nan irreversible element, provided between said connecting portion and the output of said amplifier, for extracting a reflected signal produced at said connecting portion;\na combining circuit which combines said feedback signal with said reflected signal; and\na vector adjusting circuit which is provided at at least one of a point between said distributor and said combining circuit and a point between said irreversible element and said combining circuit, and which is capable of adjusting at least one of the phase and amplitude of the signal input thereto.",
"2. A signal extraction circuit according to claim 1, wherein said vector adjusting circuit is provided between said irreversible element and said combining circuit.",
"3. A signal extraction circuit according to claim 2, wherein said irreversible element is provided between said connecting portion and said distributor.",
"4. A signal extraction circuit according to claim 3, further comprising a delay adjusting circuit which is provided between said irreversible element and said combining circuit, and which adjusts delay of said extracted reflected signal.",
"5. A signal extraction circuit according to claim 1, wherein said irreversible element is a circulator.",
"6. A distortion-compensated amplifier comprising:\nan amplifier for amplifying a signal;\na distributor, which is provided between a connecting portion to an antenna and an output of said amplifier, and which extracts a portion of the output of said amplifier as a feedback signal;\na predistorter which, based on an input to said amplifier and on said feedback signal, corrects the input to be applied to said amplifier and thereby cancels distortion occurring in said amplifier;\nan irreversible element, provided between said connecting portion and the output of said amplifier, for extracting a reflected signal produced at said connecting portion;\na combining circuit which combines said feedback signal with said reflected signal and thereby generates the feedback signal to be supplied to said predistorter; and\na vector adjusting circuit which is provided at at least one of a point between said distributor and said combining circuit and a point between said irreversible element and said combining circuit, and which is capable of adjusting at least one of the phase and amplitude of the signal input thereto.",
"7. A distortion-compensated amplifier according to claim 6, further comprising:\na quality evaluator which evaluates the quality of the output of said combining circuit; and\nan automatic adjuster which automatically adjusts the phase and amplitude in said vector adjusting circuit, based on a quality evaluation result supplied from said quality evaluator.",
"8. A distortion-compensated amplifier according to claim 7, wherein said quality evaluator includes a Fourier transform for calculating an adjacent channel leakage power ratio in the output of said combining circuit, and\nsaid automatic adjuster automatically adjusts said phase and amplitude so that the adjacent channel leakage power ratio calculated by said quality evaluator becomes a minimum.",
"9. A distortion-compensated amplifier according to claim 8, wherein the adjacent channel leakage power ratio calculated by said quality evaluator is further used for calculation of a correction coefficient in said predistorter, and\nafter said correction coefficient has settled, said automatic adjuster starts the automatic adjustment of said phase and amplitude.",
"10. A signal extraction circuit according to claim 6, wherein said vector adjusting circuit is provided between said irreversible element and said combining circuit.",
"11. A signal extraction circuit according to claim 10, wherein said irreversible element is provided between said connecting portion and said distributor.",
"12. A signal extraction circuit according to claim 11, further comprising a delay adjusting circuit which is provided between said irreversible element and said combining circuit, and which adjusts delay of said extracted reflected signal.",
"13. A distortion-compensated amplifier according to claim 6, wherein said irreversible element is a circulator."
],
[
"1. A method of calibrating a composite digital predistorter (DPD) for an RF power amplifier, the method comprising:\nin a first training session, bypassing the composite DPD and applying a narrowband transmit signal to the RF power amplifier to train a memoryless-linearizing element of the composite DPD;\nin a second training session, bypassing a memory-effects-reducing element of the composite DPD, applying a wideband transmit signal, predistorted by the trained memoryless-linearizing element, to the RF power amplifier to train the memory-effects-reducing element of the composite DPD;\nfor wideband signal transmission, including the trained memory-effects-reducing element cascaded through the trained memoryless-linearizing element for composite predistortion; and\nfor narrowband signal transmission, bypassing the trained memory-effects-reducing element and including the trained memoryless-linearizing element for predistortion.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the memoryless-linearizing element is trained using one of a least-squares (LS) training algorithm and a nonlinear function inversion.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein the memory-effects-reducing element is trained using a least-squares (LS) training algorithm.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein the memoryless-linearizing element further comprises a look-up table (LUT) DPD.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein the memory-effects-reducing element further comprises a memory polynomial (MP) DPD.",
"6. A non-transitory, computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions for providing calibration of a composite digital predistorter (DPD), the instructions when executed by a processor-controlled power amplifier system including a composite DPD cause the processor-controlled system to execute a process comprising:\nin a first training session, bypassing the composite DPD and applying a narrowband transmit signal to the power amplifier system to train a memoryless-linearizing element of the composite DPD;\nin a second training session, bypassing a memory-effects-reducing element of the composite DPD, applying a wideband transmit signal, predistorted by the trained memoryless-linearizing element, to the power amplifier system to train the memory-effects-reducing element of the composite DPD;\nfor wideband signal transmission, including the trained memory-effects-reducing element cascaded through the trained memoryless-linearizing element for composite predistortion; and\nfor narrowband signal transmission, bypassing the trained memory-effects-reducing element and including the trained memoryless-linearizing element for predistortion.",
"7. An RF power amplifier system comprising:\na composite digital predistorter (DPD) to receive a digital input signal, and further comprising a first DPD for correcting RF power amplifier memory effects, driving a second DPD for correcting RF power amplifier memoryless saturation-compression distortion effects;\na digital-to-analog conversion component to receive an output of the composite DPD for modulating an RF carrier frequency;\na non-linear RF power amplifier to receive the modulated RF carrier frequency and to provide an amplified RF output signal; and\na training component to receive the amplified RF output signal and the digital input signal, and during a first training session, receiving a narrow band digital input signal and bypassing the composite DPD for training the second DPD, and during a second training session, bypassing the first DPD, and receiving a wideband digital input signal for training the first DPD.",
"8. The system of claim 7, wherein the first DPD comprises a trainable low-order memory polynomial (MP) DPD having coefficients trained to correct RF power amplifier memory effects.",
"9. The system of claim 7, wherein the second DPD comprises a trainable look-up-table (LUT) DPD having coefficients trained to correct higher-order RF power amplifier memoryless saturation-compression effects.",
"10. The system of claim 7, wherein the first DPD and its coefficients are distinct from the second DPD and its coefficients.",
"11. The system of claim 10, wherein the composite DPD further comprises:\na first multiplexer to receive the digital input signal, an output of the first DPD, and a first control signal; and\na second multiplexer to receive an output of the first multiplexer, an output of the second DPD, and a second control signal, and provide an output of the composite DPD.",
"12. The system of claim 11, further comprising an at least one bypass controlled by at least one of the first and second control signals to bypass both the first DPD and the second DPD so that the digital input signal provides the output of the composite DPD.",
"13. The system of claim 11, further comprising an at least one bypass controlled by at least one of the first and second control signals to bypass the first DPD so that the digital input signal predistorted by the second DPD provides the output of the composite DPD.",
"14. The system of claim 7, wherein the digital-to-analog conversion component further comprises:\na digital-to-analog converter (DAC) to receive the output of the composite DPD;\nan analog filter to receive an output of the DAC; and\na quadrature modulator to receive the output of the analog filter and the RF carrier frequency, for modulating the RF carrier frequency with the output of the analog filter, and for providing the modulated RF carrier frequency.",
"15. The system of claim 7, wherein the training component further comprises:\na loopback attenuator connected to receive and attenuate the amplified RF output signal;\na mixer to receive the attenuated amplified RF output signal and to provide a demodulated analog signal;\nan RX gain block to receive the demodulated analog signal and to adjust its amplitude for further processing;\nan analog-to-digital converter (ADC) to receive the gain-adjusted demodulated analog signal and to produce a digital equivalent of the gain-adjusted demodulated analog signal;\na timing correction block for delaying and synchronizing the digital input signal for comparison with the digital equivalent of the gain-adjusted demodulated analog signal; and\na DPD training block for using an output of the timing correction block and an output of the analog-to-digital converter for training the composite DPD.",
"16. An RF power amplifier predistortion and training sub-system, comprising:\na composite digital predistortion (DPD) means for:\npredistorting a digital input signal using a memory-effects-reducing function having coefficients determined during a memory-effects (ME) training phase to provide a first signal, and\npredistorting the first signal using a memoryless-linearizing function having coefficients determined during a memoryless-linearizing training phase to provide a second signal;\na digital-to-analog conversion and a quadrature modulation means for:\nreceiving the second signal and converting the second signal to an analog signal; and\nusing the analog signal to quadrature-modulate a carrier frequency to provide a modulated RF signal; and\na feedback-adaptive timing correction and training means for:\nreceiving the digital input signal and an RF output signal,\ndelaying the digital input signal for comparison with a demodulated and digitized RF output signal for adaptively determining the coefficients, and\nduring the memoryless-linearizing training phase:\nbypassing the composite DPD means for receiving a narrow band digital input signal as the second signal, and\ntraining the memoryless-linearizing function by determining its coefficients, and\nduring the memory-effects-reducing training phase,\nusing the trained memoryless-linearizing function for predistorting a wide band digital input signal for providing the second signal, and\ntraining the memory-effects-reducing function by determining its coefficients.",
"17. The sub-system of claim 16, implemented as an at least one integrated circuit.",
"18. The sub-system of claim 17, wherein the at least one integrated circuit comprises at least one digital signal processing (DSP) means.",
"19. The sub-system of claim 16, further comprising an RF power amplifier connected to receive the modulated RF signal, and providing the RF output signal.",
"20. The sub-system of claim 16, further comprising an operational phase that selectively bypasses the memory-effects-reducing function when the digital input signal is a narrow band signal, and cascades the memory-effects-reducing function and the memoryless-linearizing function when the digital input signal is a wide band signal.",
"21. A signal processing method, comprising:\ndistorting a digital input signal using a composite digital predistorter (DPD) wherein distorting the digital input signal comprises:\ndistorting the digital input signal using a memory polynomial (MP) DPD if the digital input signal is a wideband digital input signal and correcting power amplifier memory effects where memoryless saturation compression non-linearity has been independently corrected;\nreceiving an output of the MP DPD using a look-up-table (LUT) DPD and independently correcting memoryless saturation compression non-linearity of the power amplifier and providing an output of the composite DPD; and\nbypassing the MP DPD if the digital input signal is a narrow band digital input signal;\nconverting the distorted digital input signal to a distorted, filtered, modulated RF signal using a digital-to-analog converter, filter, quadrature-modulator combination; and\namplifying the distorted, filtered modulated RF signal using an RF power amplifier to provide an amplified RF output signal.",
"22. The signal processing method of claim 21, further comprising using the amplified RF output signal and the digital input signal to train the composite DPD.",
"23. The signal processing method of claim 22, wherein using the amplified RF output signal and the digital input signal to train the composite DPD further comprises:\nattenuating the signal strength of the amplified RF output signal;\nconverting the attenuated amplified RF output signal to a digital feedback signal using a mixer-gain control-analog-to-digital converter combination;\ncomparing the digital feedback signal with a time-corrected distorted digital input signal; and\nusing a result of the comparison for training the composite DPD.",
"24. The signal processing method of claim 23, wherein training the composite DPD further comprises:\nin a first phase, applying a narrow band digital input signal directly to the digital-to-analog converter, filter, quadrature-modulator combination and using a resulting digital feedback signal to train the look-up-table LUT DPD; and\nin a second phase,\napplying a wideband digital input signal directly to the trained LUT DPD whose output is connected to drive the digital-to-analog converter, filter, quadrature-modulator combination and using a resulting digital feedback signal to train the MP DPD.",
"25. A composite digital predistorter (DPD), comprising:\na memory polynomial (MP) digital predistortion means for receiving a digital input signal and for correcting power amplifier memory effects where memoryless saturation compression non-linearity has been independently corrected; and\na look-up-table (LUT) digital predistortion means for receiving an output of the MP digital predistortion means and for independently correcting memoryless saturation compression non-linearity of a power amplifier and providing an output of the composite DPD and\na MP bypass means for bypassing the MP digital predistortion means for use with narrow band digital input signals."
],
[
"1. A method for predistorting an input signal prior to amplification in an RF power amplifier, comprising:\nreceiving in a predistortion system an input signal for an RF amplifier;\nisolating a plurality of sub-band signals, each comprising a portion of said input signal contained in a different predetermined frequency band within a bandwidth of said input signal;\nadaptively determining a set of weights in an adaptive process comprising a closed loop weight-perturbational gradient following algorithm based on an amplified output signal generated by said RF amplifier;\nindependently modifying at least one of an amplitude and a phase of each of said plurality of sub-band signals using said set of weights;\nsumming each of said sub-band signals after said modifying step to obtain a predistorted input signal; and\ncommunicating said predistortion input signal to said RF amplifier.",
"2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising selecting said modifying step to include at least one of a linear correction of each said sub-band signal and a non-linear correction of each said sub-band signal.",
"3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising selecting said modifying step to include a linear correction of each said sub-band signal and a non-linear correction of each said sub-band signal.",
"4. The method according to claim 2, further comprising selecting said non-linear correction to include a pre-distortion of each said sub-band to compensate for at least one of amplitude modulation to amplitude modulation (AM to AM) type amplifier distortion, and amplitude modulation to phase modulation (AM to PM) type distortion, in said RF amplifier.",
"5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising selecting said adaptive process to calculate a first set of said weights for a linear correction of each said sub-band signal, and a second set of said weights for a non-linear correction of each said sub-band signal.",
"6. The method according to claim 1, wherein said modifying step comprises modifying said amplitude and said phase of each of said plurality of sub-band signals.",
"7. The method according to claim 1, wherein said weights are complex weights comprising a real and an imaginary component.",
"8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising selecting said input signal to be an I, Q component signal.",
"9. The method according to claim 1, wherein said isolating step is comprised of selectively shifting a center frequency of each said sub-band signal to coincide with a pass-band of a filter.",
"10. The method according to claim 1, wherein said isolating step includes extracting said sub-band signals using a bank of filters, each comprising a sin(x)/x filter function.",
"11. A system for predistorting an input signal prior to amplification in an RF power amplifier, comprising:\na sub-band isolator comprising a plurality of sub-band channels, each configured for isolating one of a plurality sub-band signals, each said sub-band signal comprising a portion of said input signal contained in a different predetermined frequency band within a bandwidth of said input signal;\neach of said sub-band channels further comprising at least one signal weighting device, each said signal weighting device responsive to an assigned weight for independently modifying at least one of an amplitude and a phase of each of said plurality of sub-band signals;\nan adaptive controller responsive to an error signal for calculating said weights using an adaptive process comprised of a closed loop weight-perturbational gradient following algorithm; and\nsumming means for summing each of said sub-band signals after said modifying step to obtain a predistorted input signal.",
"12. The system according to claim 11, further comprising an adaptive processor configured to calculate said weights for each said signal weighting device for at least one of a linear correction of each said sub-band signal and a non-linear correction of each said sub-band signal.",
"13. The system according to claim 12, wherein at least two signal weighting devices are provided for each said sub-band channel, and further comprising an adaptive processor configured to calculate said weights for each said signal weighting device for a linear correction of each said sub-band signal and a non-linear correction of each said sub-band signal.",
"14. The system according to claim 12, wherein said adaptive processor is configured for determining said set of weights for each said signal weighting device to compensate for at least one of amplitude modulation to amplitude modulation (AM to AM) type amplifier distortion, and amplitude modulation to phase modulation (AM to PM) type distortion.",
"15. The system according to claim 11, wherein said signal weighting device is responsive to said weights for modifying said amplitude and said phase of each of said plurality of sub-band signals.",
"16. The system according to claim 11, wherein said weights are complex weights comprising a real and an imaginary component.",
"17. The system according to claim 11, wherein each of said plurality of sub-band channels comprises a filter having a sin(x)/x filter function for extracting one of said plurality of sub-band signals."
],
[
"1. An apparatus for compensating for distortion over a wideband, the apparatus comprising:\nmeans for receiving an input wideband radio frequency signal;\npredistortion circuitry which includes means for generating a wideband predistortion signal which is a low order polynomial and which compensates for third order and higher order intermodulation distortion products; and\na circuit for applying the wideband predistortion signal to the input wideband radio frequency signal.",
"2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said circuit for applying the wideband predistortion signal comprises:\nmeans for applying the wideband predistortion signal to a multi-tone radio frequency signal.",
"3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the circuit for applying the predistortion signal comprises a quadrature gain phase adjuster.",
"4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the low order polynomial predistortion signal is a third order polynomial according to the following equation: ##EQU5## where r represents a predistorted radio frequency signal, x represents the input radio frequency signal, and C2, C1 and C0 represent adjustable complex control coefficients.",
"5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a controller for adjusting the predistortion signal generated by the predistortion circuitry.",
"6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the intermodulation distortion products are produced by a nonlinear amplifier, and the predistortion signal is applied to the input radio frequency signal prior to amplification in the nonlinear amplifier.",
"7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the controller adjusts the predistortion signal based on a difference between an output of the amplifier and the input radio frequency signal.",
"8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the predistortion circuitry comprises an envelope detector for detecting an envelope of the input radio frequency signal, and wherein the predistortion circuitry generates the predistortion signal based on the detected envelope.",
"9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the predistortion circuitry comprises a variable saturation amplifier for clipping the detected envelope to approximately a hyperbolic tan shape.",
"10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the predistortion circuitry comprises a variable gain amplifier for scaling the clipped envelope.",
"11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said predistortion circuitry comprises:\na predistortion circuit for generating non-zero order terms associated with the low order polynomial predistortion signal; and\na controller for generating a zero order term associated with the low order polynomial predistortion signal.",
"12. A method of compensating for distortion over a wideband, the method comprising the steps of:\nreceiving an input wideband radio frequency signal;\ngenerating a wideband predistortion signal, which is a low order polynomial; and\napplying the wideband, low order polynomial predistortion signal to the input wideband radio frequency signal, wherein the wideband, low order polynomial predistortion signal contains terms that compensate for third order and higher order intermodulation distortion products.",
"13. The method of claim 12, wherein the input radio frequency signal is a multi-tone radio frequency signal.",
"14. The method of claim 11, wherein the low order polynomial predistortion signal is generated according to the following equation: ##EQU6## where r represents a predistorted radio frequency signal, x represents the input radio frequency signal, and C1, C2, and C0 represent adjustable complex control coefficients.",
"15. The method of claim 12, further comprising a step of adjusting the predistortion signal.",
"16. The method of claim 12, wherein the intermodulation distortion products are produced by a nonlinear amplifier, and the predistortion signal is applied to the input radio frequency signal prior to amplification by the nonlinear amplifier.",
"17. The method of claim 16, wherein the predistortion signal is adjusted based on a detected difference between the amplifier output and the input radio frequency signal.",
"18. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of generating the predistortion signal comprises the steps of:\ndetecting an envelope of the input radio frequency signal; and\ngenerating the predistortion signal based on the detected envelope.",
"19. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of generating the predistortion signal comprises a step of clipping the detected envelope to approximately a hyperbolic tan shape.",
"20. The method of claim 19, wherein the step of generating a predistortion signal comprises a step of scaling the detected envelope."
],
[
"1. An amplifying apparatus comprising:\na first amplifier that amplifies an input signal based on a value of a drain voltage and outputs a transmission signal;\na distortion compensator that corrects a power amplitude of the input signal based on a difference in power amplitude between the input signal and the transmission signal outputted from the first amplifier;\na drain voltage controller that generates the drain voltage based on the power amplitude of the input signal to be corrected; and\na drain voltage corrector that corrects the drain voltage based on the difference,\nwherein the drain voltage corrector includes:\nan address generator that outputs a power amplitude value of the input signal,\na calculator that calculates a correction coefficient for correcting the drain voltage based on the difference,\na correction control signal generator that stores the correction coefficient calculated by the calculator in association with the power amplitude value corresponding to the difference obtained at the time of calculation, and outputs the correction coefficient in accordance with the power amplitude value outputted from the address generator, and\na second amplifier that amplifies the correction coefficient outputted from the correction control signal generator and generates a correction value for correcting the drain voltage.",
"2. The amplifying apparatus according to claim 1,\nwherein the drain voltage corrector starts to correct the drain voltage after distortion compensation is performed until the difference becomes smaller than a predetermined value.",
"3. The amplifying apparatus according to claim 1,\nwherein an amplification ratio of the second amplifier is smaller than an amplification ratio of the drain voltage controller."
],
[
"1. A method comprising:\ntaking data representative of accuracy of a current distortion adjustment model associated with a pre-distortion facility for distortion-adjusting a radio frequency signal;\ntaking data representative of accuracy of a candidate distortion adjustment model, the candidate adjustment model being different from the current distortion adjustment model; and\ncomparing the data representative of accuracy of the current model to the data representative of accuracy of the candidate model to determine a distortion adjustment model update action associated with distortion-adjusting the radio frequency signal,\nwherein the data representative of accuracy of the current model represents a comparison of the radio frequency signal input to the pre-distortion facility and the radio frequency output signal from the pre-distortion facility.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the distortion adjustment model update action comprises updating a portion of at least one lookup table.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein the distortion adjustment model update action comprises updating at least a portion of the current distortion adjustment model if the comparison indicates improved pre-distortion facility accuracy if the update occurs.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein the data representative of accuracy of the current model represents a measure of distortion reduction of the radio frequency signal processed with the current distortion adjustment model.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein the data representative of accuracy of the candidate model represents a measure of distortion reduction of a representative signal that is representative of the radio frequency signal when the representative signal is processed with the candidate distortion adjustment model.",
"6. A system comprising:\ndata representative of accuracy of a current distortion adjustment model associated with a pre-distortion facility for distortion-adjusting a radio frequency signal;\ndata representative of accuracy of a candidate distortion adjustment model, the candidate adjustment model being different from the current adjustment model; and\nthe pre-distortion facility for comparing the data representative of accuracy of the current distortion adjustment model to data representative of accuracy of the candidate distortion adjustment model to determine a pre-distortion facility update action,\nwherein the data representative of accuracy of the current distortion adjustment model represents a comparison of the radio frequency signal input to the pre-distortion facility and the radio frequency signal output from the pre-distortion facility.",
"7. The system of claim 6, wherein the update action comprises updating a portion of at least one lookup table.",
"8. The system of claim 6, wherein the update action comprises updating at least a portion of the current distortion adjustment model if the comparison indicates improved pre-distortion facility accuracy if the update occurs.",
"9. The system of claim 6, wherein the data representative of accuracy of the current distortion adjustment model represents a measure of distortion reduction of the radio frequency signal processed with the current distortion adjustment model.",
"10. The system of claim 6, wherein the data representative of accuracy of the candidate distortion adjustment model represents a measure of distortion reduction of a representative signal that is representative of the radio frequency signal when the representative signal is processed with the candidate distortion adjustment model.",
"11. A method comprising:\ntaking data representative of accuracy of a current distortion adjustment model associated with a pre-distortion facility for distortion-adjusting a radio frequency signal;\ntaking data representative of accuracy of a candidate distortion adjustment model; and\ncomparing the data representative of accuracy of the current model to the data representative of accuracy of the candidate model to determine a distortion adjustment model update action associated with distortion-adjusting the radio frequency signal,\nwherein the data representative of accuracy of the current model represents a comparison of the radio frequency signal input to the pre-distortion facility and the radio frequency signal output from the pre-distortion facility."
],
[
"1. A distortion compensation apparatus comprising:\na predistorter which gives an input signal inputted to a power amplifier distortion corresponding to a compensation coefficient;\na first band limiter which\nlimits components in a second frequency band other than a first frequency band of a feedback signal fed back from the power amplifier,\nconverts the components in the second frequency band to signals belonging to the first frequency band, and\ncombines the signals with components in the first frequency band of the feedback signal; and\na learner which updates the compensation coefficient on the basis of the feedback signal combined with the signals.",
"2. The distortion compensation apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising\na second band limiter which\nlimits components in the second frequency band of a reference signal corresponding to the feedback signal and\ndistorts components in the first frequency band of the reference signal according to the limited components in the second frequency band,\nwherein the learner updates the compensation coefficient on the basis of the feedback signal and the distorted reference signal.",
"3. The distortion compensation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first band limiter includes:\na filter which\nallows the components in the first frequency band to pass and\nlimits a pass of the components in the second frequency band; and\na converter which converts the components in the second frequency band to the signals belonging to the first frequency band.",
"4. The distortion compensation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein\nthe first band limiter extracts, from the feedback signal, the components in the first frequency band and the components in the second frequency band.",
"5. A distortion compensation method for compensating distortion caused by a power amplifier, by using a predistorter, the method comprising:\nlimiting components in a second frequency band other than a first frequency band of a feedback signal fed back from the power amplifier,\nconverting the components in the second frequency band to signals belonging to the first frequency band, and\ncombining the signals with components in the first frequency band of the feedback signal; and\nupdating, on the basis of the feedback signal combined with the signals, a compensation coefficient which corresponds to distortion given by the predistorter to an input signal inputted to the power amplifier."
],
[
"1. A power amplifier, comprising:\na first amplification stage configured to amplify a radio frequency (RF) input signal; and\na second amplification stage comprising at least one transistor configured to amplify an output of the first amplification stage and at least one variable capacitor circuit, connected between a gate of the at least one transistor and a first power supply voltage, and configured to have a capacitance that varies in response to amplitude of the output of the first amplification stage to function as a linearizer for the power amplifier.",
"2. The power amplifier of claim 1, wherein each of the at least one variable capacitor circuit comprises:\na diode circuit including a first capacitor and a diode connected in series; and\na second capacitor connected in parallel to the diode circuit.",
"3. The power amplifier of claim 2, wherein the diode circuit further includes a resistor connected in parallel to the diode.",
"4. The power amplifier of claim 1, wherein the at least one transistor includes a first common-gate transistor and a second common-gate transistor connected in cascade to the first common-gate transistor,\nwherein the at least one variable capacitor circuit includes a first variable capacitor circuit connected between the first power supply voltage and the first common-gate transistor and a second variable capacitor circuit connected between the first power supply voltage and the second common-gate transistor,\nwherein the first variable capacitor circuit comprises:\na first diode circuit including a first capacitor and a first diode connected in series; and\na second capacitor connected in parallel to the first diode circuit, and\nwherein the second variable capacitor circuit includes:\na second diode circuit including a third capacitor and a second diode connected in series, and\na fourth capacitor connected in parallel to the second diode circuit.",
"5. The power amplifier of claim 1, wherein an average capacitance of each of the at least one variable capacitor circuit increases in proportion to a duration during which the voltage swing of the gate of the one of the at least one transistor has a voltage higher than a threshold voltage.",
"6. The power amplifier of claim 1, wherein the at least one transistor comprises a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistor (CMOS FET).",
"7. The power amplifier of claim 1, wherein the at least one transistor comprises a common-gate transistor.",
"8. The power amplifier of claim 1, wherein the first amplification stage comprise a common-source transistor between the first power supply voltage and the second amplification stage, and\nwherein the RF input signal is input to a gate of the common-source transistor.",
"9. The power amplifier of claim 8, wherein the common-source transistor comprise a CMOS FET.",
"10. A power amplifier, comprising:\na common-source transistor configured to receive an RF signal via a gate of the common-source transistor;\na first common-gate transistor connected in cascade to the common-source transistor; and\na first variable capacitor circuit connected between a gate of the first common-gate transistor and a ground voltage, a capacitance of the first variable capacitor circuit being controlled to vary, based on a voltage swing of the gate of the first common-gate transistor, to increase linearity of the power amplifier.",
"11. The power amplifier of claim 10, wherein the first variable capacitor circuit comprise:\na diode circuit including a first capacitor and at least one diode connected in series to the first capacitor; and\na second capacitor connected between the gate of the common-gate transistor and the ground voltage and in parallel to the diode circuit.",
"12. The power amplifier of claim 11, wherein the diode circuit includes a resistor connected in parallel to the at least one diode.",
"13. The power amplifier of claim 10, wherein an average capacitance of the first variable capacitor circuit increases in proportion to a duration during which the voltage swing of the gate of the first common-gate transistor has a voltage higher than a threshold voltage.",
"14. The power amplifier of claim 10, wherein each of the common-source transistor and the first common-gate transistor is a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistor (CMOS FET).",
"15. The power amplifier of claim 10, further comprising:\na second common-gate transistor connected in cascade to the first common-gate transistor; and\na second variable capacitor circuit connected between a gate of the second common-gate transistor and the ground voltage, a capacitance of the second variable capacitor circuit being controlled to vary based on a voltage swing of the gate of the second common-gate transistor, to increase the linearity of the power amplifier.",
"16. A power amplifier having a linearizer, comprising:\na first amplification stage comprising a common-source transistor configured to receive an RF signal via a gate of the first amplification stage; and\na second amplification stage comprising a common-gate transistor, connected in cascade to the first amplification stage, and a variable capacitor circuit, connected between the common-gate transistor and a first power supply voltage, the second amplification stage being configured to amplify an output of the first amplification stage,\nwherein the variable capacitor circuit is configured to operate as the linearizer, and comprises:\na diode circuit including a first capacitor and a diode connected in series to the first capacitor; and\na second capacitor connected between a gate of the common-gate transistor and the ground voltage and in parallel to the diode circuit.",
"17. The power amplifier of claim 16, wherein the diode circuit further includes a resistor connected in parallel to the diode.",
"18. The power amplifier of claim 16, wherein the common-source transistor comprises a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistor (CMOS FET)."
],
[
"1. An amplifier circuit comprising:\nan input terminal to which a high frequency signal is input;\nan output terminal configured to output an amplified high frequency signal;\na first transistor having a first source terminal, a first drain terminal, and a first gate terminal, the high frequency signal being input to the first gate terminal via the input terminal;\na second transistor having a second source terminal, a second drain terminal, and a second gate terminal, the high frequency signal being input to the second gate terminal via the input terminal, and the second transistor being coupled in parallel with the first transistor;\na third transistor having a third source terminal coupled to the first drain terminal or the second drain terminal, a third drain terminal configured to output the amplified high frequency signal, and a third gate terminal that is grounded, the third transistor being cascode connected with the first transistor or the second transistor; and\na feedback circuit configured to feed back the high frequency signal output from the second source terminal or the second drain terminal to the second gate terminal,\nwherein a ratio of a gate width of the second transistor W2 to a gate length of the second transistor L2 (W2/L2) is less than a ratio of a gate width of the first transistor W1 to a gate length of the first transistor L1 (W1/L1).",
"2. The amplifier circuit according to claim 1, wherein the feedback circuit is between the second drain terminal and the second gate terminal, and comprises a resistance element coupled in series with a capacitive element.",
"3. The amplifier circuit according to claim 2, wherein, as seen in a Smith chart, an impedance viewed from the second gate terminal of the second transistor and including the feedback circuit is closer to a center of the Smith chart than an impedance viewed from the second gate terminal without the feedback circuit.",
"4. The amplifier circuit according to claim 1, further comprising:\na first inductor in series between the first source terminal of the first transistor and ground; and\na second inductor in series between the second source terminal of the second transistor and ground,\nwherein the feedback circuit comprises the second inductor.",
"5. The amplifier circuit according to claim 4, wherein an inductance value of the second inductor is greater than an inductance value of the first inductor.",
"6. The amplifier circuit according to claim 1, further comprising:\na first inductor in series between the first source terminal of the first transistor and ground; and\na third inductor in series between the second source terminal of the second transistor and the first inductor,\nwherein the feedback circuit comprises the first inductor and the third inductor.",
"7. The amplifier circuit according to claim 6, wherein:\nthe first inductor and the third inductor comprise a wiring winding in one or more planes,\nthe third inductor comprises a first portion of the wiring winding,\nthe first inductor comprises a second portion of the wiring winding,\nthe first portion of the wiring winding does not comprise any of the second portion of the wiring winding.",
"8. The amplifier circuit according to claim 1, further comprising:\na first capacitor in series between the input terminal and the first gate terminal; and\na second capacitor in series between the input terminal and the second gate terminal.",
"9. The amplifier circuit according to claim 1, further comprising:\na switch circuit in a path, the path connecting the input terminal and the second gate terminal, the switch circuit being configured to selectively connect the input terminal and the second gate terminal.",
"10. The amplifier circuit according to claim 1, wherein the first transistor and the second transistor are low noise amplifier elements.",
"11. The amplifier circuit according to claim 1, further comprising:\na bias circuit configured to supply a direct current (DC) bias voltage to the first gate terminal of the first transistor, the second gate terminal of the second transistor, and the third gate terminal of the third transistor; and\na controller configured to control the first transistor and the second transistor to perform an amplification operation on the high frequency signal in an exclusive manner by adjusting the DC bias voltage supplied from the bias circuit in accordance with a power intensity of the high frequency signal input to the input terminal.",
"12. The amplifier circuit according to claim 1, further comprising:\na switch coupled in series between the feedback circuit and the second gate terminal of the second transistor.",
"13. The amplifier circuit according to claim 12, wherein the switch is configured to be in a connected state when the second transistor performs an amplification operation and is configured to be in a disconnected state when the first transistor performs the amplification operation."
],
[
"1. An amplifier comprising:\na field-effect transistor (FET) amplifier and a cascode FET, the cascode FET in series with the FET amplifier, each FET operating with a respective third-order nonlinearity coefficient and a respective linear gain, where each respective ratio of the respective third-order nonlinearity coefficient to the respective linear gain is positive;\nan inductor added at a gate of the cascode FET, the inductor operatively coupled with other components in a circuit resulting in a first equivalent impedance looking into an input of the cascode FET from the FET amplifier, the first equivalent impedance substantially offsetting a distortion output of the FET amplifier based upon the added inductor; and\nthe inductor operatively coupled with the other components in the circuit resulting in a second equivalent impedance looking out of the gate of the cascode FET, the second equivalent impedance substantially offsetting a distortion output of the cascode FET based upon the added inductor.",
"2. The amplifier of claim 1, wherein the FET amplifier and the cascode FET operate in a programmable range of one or more operating frequencies between 0.3 GHz and 6 GHz.",
"3. The amplifier of claim 2, wherein the FET amplifier and the cascode FET each provide amplified output within a selected bandwidth associated with the one or more operating frequencies, the distortion output of the FET amplifier and the distortion output of the cascode FET being substantially offset within the selected bandwidth.",
"4. The amplifier of claim 1, wherein the FET amplifier and the cascode FET operates in at least one of a weak inversion region and a subthreshold region.",
"5. The amplifier of claim 1, wherein the other components include a capacitor connected between the gate of the cascode FET and a drain of the cascode FET, the capacitor adding to a parasitic gate-to-drain capacitance of the cascode FET, the capacitor further substantially offsetting the distortion output of the FET amplifier and the distortion output of the cascode FET.",
"6. The amplifier of claim 5, wherein the first equivalent impedance substantially offsets the distortion output of the FET amplifier based upon the added inductor and the capacitor.",
"7. The amplifier of claim 5, wherein the second equivalent impedance substantially offsets the distortion output of the cascode FET based upon the added inductor and the capacitor.",
"8. The amplifier of claim 5, wherein the capacitor is a programmable variable capacitor.",
"9. The amplifier of claim 1, wherein the distortion output of the FET amplifier is substantially offset by the first impedance, resulting in an improved value of an input third-order intermodulation intercept point (IIP3) of the FET amplifier, and the distortion output of the cascode FET is substantially offset of by the second impedance, resulting in an improved value of an input third-order intermodulation intercept point (IIP3) of the cascode FET.",
"10. The amplifier of claim 9, wherein the improved intermodulation intercept point (IIP3) value is improved by at least 3 dB.",
"11. An amplifier comprising:\na field-effect transistor (FET) amplifier and a cascode FET, the cascode FET in series with the FET amplifier, each FET operating with a respective third-order nonlinearity coefficient and a respective linear gain, where each respective ratio of the respective third-order nonlinearity coefficient to the respective linear gain is positive;\nan inductor added at a gate of the cascode FET, the inductor operatively coupled with other components in a circuit resulting in a first equivalent impedance looking into an input of the cascode FET from the FET amplifier, the first equivalent impedance substantially offsetting a distortion output of the FET amplifier based upon the added inductor; and\na programmable capacitor connected between the gate of the cascode FET and a drain of the cascode FET, the programmable capacitor adding to a parasitic gate-to-drain capacitance of the cascode FET, the programmable capacitor further substantially offsetting the distortion output of the FET amplifier.",
"12. A method of amplifying comprising:\noperating a field-effect transistor (FET) amplifier and a cascode FET, the cascode FET in series with the FET amplifier, and an inductor at a gate of the cascode FET, each FET operating with a respective third-order nonlinearity coefficient and a respective linear gain, where each respective ratio of the respective third-order nonlinearity coefficient to the respective linear gain is positive;\nthe inductor with other components in a circuit resulting in a first equivalent impedance looking into an input of the cascode FET from the FET amplifier, the first equivalent impedance substantially offsetting a distortion output of the FET amplifier based upon the added inductor; and\nthe inductor with the other components in the circuit further resulting in a second equivalent impedance looking out of the gate of the cascode FET, the second equivalent impedance substantially offsetting a distortion output of the cascode FET based upon the added inductor.",
"13. The method of claim 12, wherein the FET amplifier and the cascode FET operate in a programmable range of one or more operating frequencies between 0.3 GHz and 6 GHz.",
"14. The method of claim 13, wherein an output of the FET amplifier and an output of the cascode FET are each amplified within a selected bandwidth associated with the one or more operating frequencies, and the distortion output of the FET amplifier and the distortion output of the cascode FET are substantially offset within the selected bandwidth.",
"15. The method of claim 12, wherein the FET amplifier and the cascode FET operate in at least one of a weak inversion region and a subthreshold region.",
"16. The method of claim 12, wherein the other components include a capacitor connected between the gate of the cascode FET and a drain of the cascode FET, the capacitor adding to a parasitic gate-to-drain capacitance of the cascode FET, the capacitor further substantially offsetting the distortion output of the FET amplifier and the distortion output of the cascode FET.",
"17. The method of claim 16, wherein the first equivalent impedance substantially offsets the distortion output of the FET amplifier based upon the added inductor and the capacitor.",
"18. The method of claim 16, wherein the second equivalent impedance substantially offsets the distortion output of the cascode FET based upon the added inductor and the capacitor.",
"19. The method of claim 16, wherein the capacitor is a programmable variable capacitor.",
"20. The method of claim 12, wherein the distortion output of the FET amplifier is substantially offset by the first impedance, resulting in an improved value of an input third-order intermodulation intercept point (IIP3) of the FET amplifier, and the distortion output of the cascode FET is substantially offset of by the second impedance, resulting in an improved value of an input third-order intermodulation intercept point (IIP3) of the cascode FET.",
"21. The method of claim 20, wherein the improved intermodulation intercept point (IIP3) value is improved by at least 3 dB.",
"22. A method of amplifying comprising:\noperating a field-effect transistor (FET) amplifier and a cascode FET, the cascode FET in series with the FET amplifier, and an inductor at a gate of the cascode FET, each FET operating with a respective third-order nonlinearity coefficient and a respective linear gain, where each respective ratio of the respective third-order nonlinearity coefficient to the respective linear gain is positive;\nthe inductor with other components in a circuit resulting in a first equivalent impedance looking into an input of the cascode FET from the FET amplifier, the first equivalent impedance substantially offsetting a distortion output of the FET amplifier based upon the added inductor; and\na programmable capacitor connected between the gate of the cascode FET and a drain of the cascode FET, the programmable capacitor adding to a parasitic gate-to-drain capacitance of the cascode FET, the programmable capacitor further substantially offsetting the distortion output of the FET amplifier."
],
[
"1. A negative-feedback type ultra-wideband signal amplification circuit having an input/output interface including a signal input port and a signal output port, for amplifying an input signal at the signal input port;\nthe negative-feedback type ultra-wideband signal amplification circuit comprising a first-stage amplification module and a second-stage amplification module. wherein:\nthe first-stage amplification module includes:\na dual-step filtering circuit unit, which is connected between the signal input port and a first node for providing a dual-step filtering function for the input signal;\nan input-side transistor circuit unit, which includes a first transistor and a second transistor, each having a control terminal, a first connecting terminal, and a second connecting terminal; wherein the first transistor has its control terminal connected to the first node, its first connecting terminal connected to a grounding point, and its second connecting terminal connected to the first connecting terminal of the second transistor; and wherein the second transistor has its control terminal connected to a fixed voltage source, its first connecting terminal connected to the second connecting terminal of the first transistor, and its second connecting terminal connected to the a second node;\na first-stage feedback circuit unit, which is connected between the second node and the first node, for providing a feedback path from the second node via the first node to the control terminal of the first transistor; and\na first-stage load circuit unit, which is connected between the second node and a first drive voltage, for providing an enhanced amplification effect to a first-stage output signal at the second node; and wherein:\nthe second-stage amplification module includes:\nan output-side transistor circuit unit, which includes a third transistor having a control terminal electrically coupled to the second node in the first-stage amplification module, a first connecting terminal connected to the signal output port, and a second connecting terminal connected to the grounding point;\na second-stage feedback circuit unit, which is connected between the signal output port and the control terminal of the third transistor, for providing a feedback path from the signal output port to the control terminal of the third transistor; and\na second-stage load circuit unit, which is connected between the signal output port and a second drive voltage, for providing an enhanced amplification effect to a second-stage output signal at the signal output port.",
"2. The negative-feedback type ultra-wideband signal amplification circuit of claim 1, wherein the dual-step filtering circuit unit includes:\na serially-connected LC circuit, which is connected between the signal input port and the first node; and\nan inductive element, which is connected between the first node and a first bias voltage.",
"3. The negative-feedback type ultra-wideband signal amplification circuit of claim 1, wherein the input-side transistor circuit unit is implemented with a PMOS-based circuit architecture.",
"4. The negative-feedback type ultra-wideband signal amplification circuit of claim 1, wherein the input-side transistor circuit unit is implemented with an NMOS-based circuit architecture.",
"5. The negative-feedback type ultra-wideband signal amplification circuit of claim 1, wherein the input-side transistor circuit unit is implemented with a BJT (bipolar junction transistor) based circuit architecture.",
"6. The negative-feedback type ultra-wideband signal amplification circuit of claim 1, wherein the first-stage feedback circuit unit is implemented with an RC (resistance-capacitance) circuit.",
"7. The negative-feedback type ultra-wideband signal amplification circuit of claim 1, wherein the first-stage feedback circuit unit is implemented with an RL (resistance-inductance) circuit.",
"8. The negative-feedback type ultra-wideband signal amplification circuit of claim 1, wherein the first-stage load circuit unit is implemented with an inductive circuit element.",
"9. The negative-feedback type ultra-wideband signal amplification circuit of claim 1, wherein the output-side transistor circuit unit is implemented with an NMOS-based circuit architecture.",
"10. The negative-feedback type ultra-wideband signal amplification circuit of claim 1, wherein the output-side transistor circuit unit is implemented with a PMOS-based circuit architecture.",
"11. The negative-feedback type ultra-wideband signal amplification circuit of claim 1, wherein the output-side transistor circuit unit is implemented with a BJT (bipolar junction transistor) based circuit architecture.",
"12. The negative-feedback type ultra-wideband signal amplification circuit of claim 1, wherein the second-stage feedback circuit unit is implemented with an RC (resistance-capacitance) circuit.",
"13. The negative-feedback type ultra-wideband signal amplification circuit of claim 1, wherein the second-stage feedback circuit unit is implemented with an RL (resistance-inductance) circuit.",
"14. The negative-feedback type ultra-wideband signal amplification circuit of claim 1, wherein the second-stage load circuit unit is implemented with a resistive circuit element.",
"15. The negative-feedback type ultra-wideband signal amplification circuit of claim 1, wherein the output-side transistor circuit unit includes a capacitive circuit element connected to the output of the first-stage amplification module to provide a direct current blocking effect.",
"16. A negative-feedback type ultra-wideband signal amplification circuit with an input/output interface having a signal input port and a signal output port, for amplifying an input signal at the signal input port;\nthe negative-feedback type ultra-wideband signal amplification circuit comprising a first-stage amplification module and a second-stage amplification module; wherein:\nthe first-stage amplification module includes:\na dual-step filtering circuit unit, which includes a serially-connected LC circuit connected between the signal input port and the first node and an inductive element connected between the first node and a first bias voltage;\nan input-side transistor circuit unit, which includes a first transistor and a second transistor, each having a control terminal, a first connecting terminal, and a second connecting terminal; wherein the first transistor has its control terminal connected to the first node, its first connecting terminal connected to a grounding point, and its second connecting terminal connected to the first connecting terminal of the second transistor; and wherein the second transistor has its control terminal connected to a fixed voltage source, its first connecting terminal connected to the second connecting terminal of the first transistor, and its second connecting terminal connected to the a second node;\na first-stage feedback circuit unit, which is connected between the second node and the first node, for providing a feedback path from the second node via the first node to the control terminal of the first transistor; and\na first-stage load circuit unit, which is implemented with an inductive circuit element connected between the second node and a first bias voltage, for providing an enhanced amplification effect to a first-stage output signal at the second node, and wherein:\nthe second-stage amplification module includes:\nan output-side transistor circuit unit, which includes a third transistor having a control terminal electrically coupled to the second node in the first-stage amplification module, a first connecting terminal connected to the signal output port, and a second connecting terminal connected to the grounding point;\na second-stage feedback circuit unit, which is connected between the signal output port and the control terminal of the third transistor, for providing a feedback path from the signal output port to the control terminal of the third transistor; and\na second-stage load circuit unit, which is implemented with a resistive circuit element connected between the signal output port and a second bias voltage, for providing an enhanced amplification effect to a second-stage output signal at the signal output port.",
"17. The negative-feedback type ultra-wideband signal amplification circuit of claim 16, wherein the input-side transistor circuit unit is implemented with a PMOS-based circuit architecture.",
"18. The negative-feedback type ultra-wideband signal amplification circuit of claim 16, wherein the input-side transistor circuit unit is implemented with an NMOS-based circuit architecture.",
"19. The negative-feedback type ultra-wideband signal amplification circuit of claim 16, wherein the input-side transistor circuit unit is implemented with a BJT (bipolar junction transistor) based circuit architecture.",
"20. The negative-feedback type ultra-wideband signal amplification circuit of claim 16, wherein the first-stage feedback circuit unit is implemented with an RC (resistance-capacitance) circuit.",
"21. The negative-feedback type ultra-wideband signal amplification circuit of claim 16, wherein the first-stage feedback circuit unit is implemented with an RL (resistance-inductance) circuit.",
"22. The negative-feedback type ultra-wideband signal amplification circuit of claim 16, wherein the output-side transistor circuit unit is implemented with an NMOS-based circuit architecture.",
"23. The negative-feedback type ultra-wideband signal amplification circuit of claim 16, wherein the output-side transistor circuit unit is implemented with a PMOS-based circuit architecture.",
"24. The negative-feedback type ultra-wideband signal amplification circuit of claim 16, wherein the output-side transistor circuit unit is implemented with a BJT (bipolar junction transistor) based circuit architecture.",
"25. The negative-feedback type ultra-wideband signal amplification circuit of claim 16, wherein the second-stage feedback circuit unit is implemented with an RC (resistance-capacitance) circuit."
],
[
"1. A configurable low noise amplifier circuit, said low noise amplifier circuit being configurable between one of:\na first topology in which said low noise amplifier circuit comprises a degeneration inductance stage whereby said low noise amplifier circuit operates as an inductively degenerated low noise amplifier; and\na second topology in which said low noise amplifier circuit comprises a common-gate low noise amplifier stage whereby said low noise amplifier circuit operates as a common-gate low noise amplifier,\nwherein said common-gate low noise amplifier stage comprises a matching input transistor which acts as an internal input impedance matching component for said second topology, and\nwherein said first topology does not comprise said matching input transistor and requires one or more components external to said low noise amplifier circuit for impedance matching.",
"2. A configurable low noise amplifier circuit according to claim 1, said circuit comprising a switching arrangement, said circuit being configurable between one of said first topology and said second topology via said switching arrangement.",
"3. A configurable low noise amplifier circuit according to claim 2, wherein said switching arrangement comprises:\na topology switching function connected between an output of said degeneration inductance stage and an input of said configurable low noise amplifier circuit,\nwherein said circuit is configurable in said first topology by configuring said topology switching function in an open state, and\nwherein said circuit is configurable in said second topology by configuring said topology switching function in a closed state.",
"4. A configurable low noise amplifier circuit according to claim 3, wherein said topology switching function comprises a switching transistor,\nwherein said switching transistor is configurable in said open state via input of an open state configuration control signal to its input terminal, and\nwherein said switching transistor is configurable in said closed state via input of a closed state configuration control signal to its input terminal.",
"5. A configurable low noise amplifier circuit according to claim 1, wherein said degeneration inductance stage comprises a first input transistor coupled to the input of said configurable low noise amplifier circuit and a degeneration inductor connected between a first output of said first input transistor and ground.",
"6. A configurable low noise amplifier circuit according to claim 5, wherein said degeneration inductance stage comprises a first bias resistor coupled to the input of said first input transistor and a first bias voltage.",
"7. A configurable low noise amplifier circuit according to claim 5, wherein said degeneration inductance stage comprises a first decoupling capacitor connected between the input of said configurable low noise amplifier circuit and the input of said first input transistor.",
"8. A configurable low noise amplifier circuit according to claim 1, wherein said common-gate low noise amplifier stage comprises an inductor operatively coupled to the matching input transistor, and\nwherein said inductor is coupled to a first output of said matching input transistor and ground.",
"9. A configurable low noise amplifier circuit according to claim 8, wherein said common-gate low noise amplifier stage comprises a bias resistor coupled to the input of said matching input transistor and a bias voltage.",
"10. A configurable low noise amplifier circuit according to claim 8, wherein said degeneration inductance stage comprises a first input transistor coupled to the input of said configurable low noise amplifier circuit and a degeneration inductor connected between a first output of said first input transistor and ground, and\nwherein said inductor of said common-gate amplifier stage comprises said degeneration inductor of said degeneration inductance stage, whereby said inductor remains in said circuit in both said first topology and said second topology.",
"11. A configurable low noise amplifier circuit according to claim 6, wherein said circuit comprises a switching arrangement, said circuit being configurable between one of said first topology and said second topology via said switching arrangement, said switching arrangement comprising:\na first bias voltage switching function adapted to set said first bias voltage to either a relatively high or a relatively low bias voltage,\nwherein said configurable low noise amplifier circuit is configurable in said first topology by setting said first bias voltage to a relatively high bias voltage and configurable in said second topology by setting said first bias voltage to a relatively low bias voltage.",
"12. A configurable low noise amplifier circuit according to claim 9, wherein said circuit comprises a switching arrangement, said circuit being configurable between one of said first topology and said second topology via said switching arrangement, said switching arrangement comprising:\na bias voltage switching function adapted to set said bias voltage to either a relatively high or a relatively low bias voltage,\nwherein said configurable low noise amplifier circuit is configurable in said first topology by setting said bias voltage to a relatively low bias voltage and configurable in said second topology by setting said bias voltage to a relatively high bias voltage.",
"13. A configurable low noise amplifier circuit according to claim 1, wherein said circuit comprises a common output terminal at which the output of said configurable low noise amplifier circuit is provided when configured in either said first topology or said second topology.",
"14. A configurable low noise amplifier circuit according to claim 1, said configurable low noise amplifier circuit comprising one or more current cascodes located before the output of the low noise amplifier circuit.",
"15. A configurable low noise amplifier circuit according to claim 6, wherein said common-gate low noise amplifier stage comprises an inductor operatively coupled to the matching input transistor,\nwherein said inductor is coupled to a first output of said matching input transistor and ground,\nwherein said common-gate low noise amplifier stage comprises a second bias resistor coupled to the input of said matching input transistor and a second bias voltage,\nwherein said circuit comprises a switching arrangement, said circuit being configurable between one of said first topology and said second topology via said switching arrangement, said switching arrangement comprising:\na first bias voltage switching function adapted to set said first bias voltage to either a relatively high or a relatively low bias voltage,\na second bias voltage switching function adapted to set said second bias voltage to either a relatively high or a relatively low bias voltage,\nwherein said configurable low noise amplifier circuit is configurable in said first topology by setting said first bias voltage to a relatively high bias voltage and configurable in said second topology by setting said first bias voltage to a relatively low bias voltage, and\nwherein said configurable low noise amplifier circuit is configurable in said first topology by setting said second bias voltage to a relatively low bias voltage and configurable in said second topology by setting said second bias voltage to a relatively high bias voltage.",
"16. A configurable low noise amplifier circuit according to claim 1, said circuit comprising a configurable load connected to the output of said circuit.",
"17. A configurable low noise amplifier circuit according to claim 1, wherein said configurable low noise amplifier circuit comprises a differential amplifier, said stages forming one side of said differential amplifier.",
"18. A radio-frequency semiconductor integrated circuit comprising one or more configurable low noise amplifier circuits according to claim 1.",
"19. A radio-frequency module comprising one or more radio-frequency filter circuits coupled to one or more configurable low noise amplifier circuits according to claim 1.",
"20. A device comprising a configurable low noise amplifier circuit according to claim 1.",
"21. A method of manufacturing a low noise amplifier circuit according to claim 1.",
"22. A method of configuring a low noise amplifier circuit comprising:\nenabling application of a first set of one or more control signals to said circuit to configure said circuit in a first topology in which said low noise amplifier circuit comprises a common-gate low noise amplifier stage which when configured as a degeneration inductance stage, said low noise amplifier circuit operates as an inductively degenerated low noise amplifier;\nenabling application of a second set of one or more control signals to said circuit, different than the first set of one or more control signals, to configure said circuit in a second topology in which said low noise amplifier circuit comprises a common-gate low noise amplifier stage whereby said low noise amplifier circuit operates as a common-gate low noise amplifier; and\nselectively switching between applying the first set of one or more control signals and applying the second set of one or more control signals to said circuit to alternately provide the first topology or the second topology,\nwherein said common gate low noise amplifier stage comprises a matching input transistor which acts as an internal input impedance matching for said second topology, and\nwherein said first topology does not comprise said matching input transistor and requires one or more components external to said low noise amplifier circuit for impedance matching."
],
[
"1. A circuit, comprising:\na transistor stack configured to operate as an amplifier, the transistor stack comprising an input transistor in series connection with at least one transistor, the input transistor configured to receive an input RF signal at a gate of the input transistor;\nwherein the input transistor is a body tied transistor having a body that is coupled to a potential, and\nwherein the at least one transistor is a floating transistor having a body that is not coupled to a potential.",
"2. The circuit according to claim 1, wherein the body of the input transistor is directly connected to a source of the input transistor.",
"3. The circuit according to claim 1, wherein the body of the input transistor is coupled to a source of the input transistor through a resistor.",
"4. The circuit according to claim 1, wherein the body of the input transistor is coupled to a fixed reference potential through an impedance of a corresponding body tie.",
"5. The circuit according to claim 1, wherein the at least one transistor is an output transistor of the amplifier.",
"6. The circuit according to claim 1, wherein the at least one transistor is a transistor different from an output transistor of the amplifier.",
"7. The circuit according to claim 1, further comprising:\none or more additional transistors in series connection with the input transistor and the at least one transistor.",
"8. The circuit according to claim 7, wherein the one or more additional transistors comprise at least one additional body tied transistor having a body that is coupled to a respective potential.",
"9. The circuit according to claim 7, wherein each transistor of the one or more additional transistors is a body tied transistor having a respective body that is coupled to a respective potential.",
"10. The circuit according to claim 9, wherein the respective body of each transistor of the one or more additional transistors is coupled to the respective potential of a respective source.",
"11. The circuit according to claim 7, wherein the one or more additional transistors comprise at least one additional floating transistor having a body that is not coupled to a potential.",
"12. The circuit according to claim 1, further comprising:\na gate capacitor connected between a gate of the floating transistor and a reference ground, the gate capacitor configured to allow a gate voltage of the floating transistor to vary along with an RF signal at a drain of the floating transistor.",
"13. The circuit according to claim 1, wherein a drain of the floating transistor is coupled to a supply voltage that is configured to vary under control of a control signal.",
"14. The circuit according to claim 1, wherein the input transistor and the at least one transistor are metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) field effect transistors (FETs), or complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) field effect transistors (FETs).",
"15. The circuit according to claim 14, wherein the input transistor and the at least one transistor are fabricated using one of: a) silicon-on-insulator (SOI) technology, and b) silicon-on-sapphire technology (SOS).",
"16. The circuit according to claim 14, wherein the input transistor and the at least one transistor are one of: a) N-type transistors, and b) P-type transistors.",
"17. An electronic module comprising the circuit of claim 1.",
"18. An electronic system comprising the electronic module of claim 17, wherein the electronic system comprises one of: a) a television, b) a cellular telephone, c) a personal computer, d) a workstation, e) a radio, f) a video player, g) an audio player, h) a vehicle, i) a medical device, and j) other electronic systems.",
"19. A method for manufacturing a stacked metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) power amplifier, the method comprising:\nproviding a substrate comprising one of: a) silicon-on-insulator substrate, and b) a silicon-on-sapphire substrate; and\nmanufacturing, on the substrate, a transistor stack configured to operate as the MOS power amplifier, the transistor stack comprising an input transistor in series connection with at least one transistor, the input transistor configured to receive an input RF signal at a gate of the input transistor,\nwherein the input transistor is a body tied transistor having a body that is coupled to a potential, and\nwherein the at least one transistor is a floating transistor having a body that is not coupled to a potential."
],
[
"1. A power amplifier amplifying an input signal to generate an output signal, comprising:\na cascode unit comprising:\na cascode stage generating the output signal;\na first input stage in cascode with the cascode stage, having a first signal input to be biased to provide a first amplifier gain; and\na second input stage in cascode with the cascode stage, having a second signal input to be biased to provide a second amplifier gain; and\na bias circuit coupled to the first and the second input stages, comprising:\na first switch coupled to the first input stage, switched to a bias voltage to enable the first input stage; and\na second switch coupled to the second input stage, switched to the bias voltage to enable the second input stage.",
"2. The power amplifier of claim 1, wherein the cascode unit is inductive source degenerated and comprises a source degeneration inductor coupled to the first input stage.",
"3. The power amplifier of claim 1, wherein only one of the first and the second switches is switched on at a time.",
"4. The power amplifier of claim 1, wherein both the first and the second switches are switched on.",
"5. The power amplifier of claim 1, wherein the first switch further switches to the ground to disable the first input stage, and the second switch further switches to the ground to disable the second input stage.",
"6. The power amplifier of claim 1, further comprising:\na first compensation capacitor coupled to the second input stages and the bias circuit, compensating input impedance of the second input stage; and\nwherein the bias circuit further comprises a first compensation switch coupled to the first compensation capacitor and the second input stage, switched on to connect the first compensation capacitor to the second signal input.",
"7. The power amplifier of claim 6, further comprising a second compensation capacitor coupled to the cascode unit and the bias circuit;\nwherein the cascode unit further comprises a third input stage coupled to the first cascode stage in cascode and the second compensation capacitor, having a third signal input to be biased to provide a third amplifier gain; and\nthe bias circuit further comprises:\na fifth switch coupled to the third input stage, switched to the bias voltage to enable the third input stage; and\na second compensation switch coupled to the second compensation capacitor and the third input stage, switched on to connect the second compensation capacitor to the third signal input.",
"8. The power amplifier of claim 1, wherein the first and the second input stages are MOSFET transistors in common-source (CS) configuration, and the cascode stage-is an MOSFET transistor in common-gate (CG) configuration.",
"9. The power amplifier of claim 1, wherein the first and the second input stages are BJT transistors in common-emitter (CE) configuration, and the cascode stage is a BJT transistor in common-base (CB) configuration.",
"10. The power amplifier of claim 1, wherein the input signal comprises a differential signal pair, and the first cascode stage, the first and the second input stages are differential transistor pairs receiving the differential signal pair.",
"11. A method of amplifying an input signal to generate an output signal in a power amplifier comprising a cascode stage, a first input stage in cascode with the cascode stage, a second input stage in cascode with the cascode stage, a first switch, and a second switch, the method comprising:\nthe first switch switching to a bias voltage to enable the first input stage;\nbiasing a first signal input of the first input stage to provide a first amplifier gain;\nthe second switch switching to the bias voltage to enable the second input stage; and\nbiasing a second signal input of the second input stage to provide a second amplifier gain.",
"12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:\nthe first switch switching to the ground to disable the first input stage; and\nthe second switch switching to the ground to disable the second input stage.",
"13. The method of claim 11, wherein the power amplifier further comprises a first compensation capacitor and a first compensation switch, the method further comprising:\nswitching on the first compensation switch to connect the compensation capacitor to the second signal input; and\nthe first compensation capacitor compensating input impedance of the second input stage.",
"14. The method of claim 13, wherein the power amplifier further comprises a third input stage, a second compensation capacitor, a third switch and a second compensation switch, the method further comprising\nthe third switch switching to the bias voltage to enable the third input stage;\nbiasing a third signal input of the third input stage to provide a third amplifier gain;\nswitching on the second compensation switch to connect the compensation capacitor to the third signal input; and\nthe second compensation capacitor compensating input impedance of the third input stage.",
"15. The method of claim 11, wherein the first input stage is a MOSFET transistor in common-source (CS) configuration, and the cascode stage is an MOSFET transistor in common-gate (CG) configuration.",
"16. The method of claim 13, wherein the first input stage is a BJT transistor in common-emitter (CE) configuration, and the cascode stage is a BJT transistor in common-base (GB) configuration.",
"17. The method of claim 13, wherein the input signal comprises a differential signal pair, and the first cascode stage, the first and the second input stages are differential transistor pairs receiving the differential signal pair.",
"18. An integrated circuit amplifying an input signal to generate an output signal, comprising:\nan input matching network, matching the input signal;\na cascode unit coupled to the input matching network, comprising:\na common-gate (CG) stage generating the output signal;\na first common-source (CS) stage in cascode with the CG stage, having a first signal input to be biased to provide a first amplifier gain; and\na second CS stage in cascode with the CG stage, having a second signal input to be biased to provide a second amplifier gain;\na first compensation capacitor coupled to the second CS stage, compensating input impedance of the second CS stage;\na bias circuit coupled to the first and the second CS stages, comprising:\na first switch coupled to the first input stage, switched to a bias voltage to enable the first input stage, switched to the ground to disable the first input stage;\na second switch coupled to the second input stage, switched to the bias voltage to enable the second input stage, switched to the ground to disable the second input stage; and\na first compensation switch coupled to the first compensation capacitor and the second input stage, switched on to connect the first compensation capacitor to the second signal input; and\nan output matching network coupled to the CG stage, matching the output signal.",
"19. The integrated circuit of 18, further comprising a source degeneration inductor coupled to the first and the second CS stages."
],
[
"1. A low-noise amplifier, comprising:\na first transistor configured to amplify an input signal;\na second transistor configured to amplify an output signal of the first transistor; and\na third transistor configured to amplify the output signal of the first transistor,\nwherein a first signal comprising a sum of an output signal of the second transistor and an output signal of the third transistor is output to an output terminal.",
"2. The low-noise amplifier of claim 1, wherein the second transistor forms a cascade structure with the first transistor.",
"3. The low-noise amplifier of claim 1, wherein the third transistor forms a cascode structure with the first transistor.",
"4. The low-noise amplifier of claim 1, wherein:\na drain of the second transistor and a drain of the third transistor are connected to each other at a node, and\nthe first signal is output from the node.",
"5. The low-noise amplifier of claim 4, wherein:\nthe second transistor is configured to have a common-source structure, and the third transistor is configured to have a common-gate structure.",
"6. The low-noise amplifier of claim 5, wherein:\nthe first transistor is configured to have a common-source structure.",
"7. The low-noise amplifier of claim 4, wherein:\nthe output signal of the first transistor is input to a control terminal of the second transistor, and\nthe output signal of the first transistor is input to a source of the third transistor.",
"8. The low-noise amplifier of claim 1, further comprising:\nan input matching network connected to an input terminal to which an input signal is input, and a control terminal of the first transistor, and\nthe input matching network comprises:\nan inductor which has a first terminal connected to the input terminal;\na first capacitor connected between a second terminal of the inductor and the control terminal of the first transistor; and\na second capacitor connected between the control terminal of the first transistor and a source of the first transistor.",
"9. The low-noise amplifier of claim 4, further comprising:\nan RF (Radio Frequency) choke circuit connected between a drain of the first transistor from which the output signal of the first transistor is output, and a source of the second transistor.",
"10. The low-noise amplifier of claim 9, wherein:\nthe RF choke circuit comprises:\nan inductor connected between the drain of the first transistor and the source of the second transistor; and\na capacitor connected between the source of the second transistor and a ground.",
"11. The low-noise amplifier of claim 1, wherein:\na phase for a nonlinear component comprised in the output signal of the second transistor and a phase for a nonlinear component comprised in the output signal of the third transistor are opposite to each other.",
"12. A method, comprising:\namplifying a received Radio Frequency (RF) signal by a first transistor and generating a first amplified signal;\namplifying the first amplified signal with a second transistor to generate a second amplified signal;\namplifying the first amplified signal with a third transistor to generate a third amplified signal; and\ncombining the second amplified signal and the third amplified signal, and outputting the combined signal to an output terminal.",
"13. The method of claim 12, wherein the second transistor is connected to the first transistor with a cascade structure.",
"14. The method of claim 12, wherein the third transistor is connected to the first transistor with a cascode structure.",
"15. The method of claim 12, wherein:\nthe second amplified signal and the third amplified signal are combined at a node where a drain of the second transistor and a drain of the third transistor are connected.",
"16. The method of claim 12, wherein:\na phase for a nonlinear component comprised in the second amplified signal and a phase for a nonlinear component comprised in the third amplified signal are opposite to each other.",
"17. The method of claim 15, wherein:\nthe generating of the second amplified signal comprises:\ninputting the first amplified signal to a control terminal of the second transistor; and\namplifying the first amplified signal to generate the second amplified signal, and outputting the generated second amplified signal to the drain of the second transistor.",
"18. The method of claim 17, wherein:\nthe generating of the third amplified signal comprises:\ninputting the first amplified signal to a source of the third transistor; and\namplifying the first amplified signal to generate the third amplified signal, and outputting the generated third amplified signal to the drain of the third transistor."
],
[
"1. A device, comprising:\nan amplifier; and\na linearizer comprising a first transistor, the first transistor comprising:\na first terminal coupled to an input of the amplifier;\na second terminal configured to receive a DC supply voltage transferred to the second terminal from a DC power supply; and\na control terminal configured to control a current flowing between the first and second terminals and configured to receive a DC bias voltage different from a voltage of the first terminal, wherein the DC bias voltage is selectable from among a plurality of DC bias voltages.",
"2. The device of claim 1, wherein the amplifier comprises a first transistor having a common-channel terminal configuration.",
"3. The device of claim 2, wherein the amplifier further comprises a second transistor having a common-control terminal configuration.",
"4. The device of claim 3, wherein the first and second transistors are field effect transistors (FETs) having common-source and common-gate configurations, respectively.",
"5. The device of claim 1, wherein the linearizer further comprises a second transistor through which the first transistor is coupled to the input of the amplifier, the second transistor comprising:\na first terminal coupled to the input of the amplifier;\na second terminal coupled to the first terminal of the first transistor; and\na control terminal configured to control a current flowing between the first and second terminals and configured to receive a DC bias voltage different from a voltage of the first terminal.",
"6. The device of claim 1, wherein the second terminal is coupled to an output of the amplifier.",
"7. The device, of claim 1, wherein a voltage at the control terminal is either:\ngreater than a voltage at the first terminal by at least a threshold voltage of the first transistor and less than a voltage at the second terminal by at least the threshold voltage; or\nless than a voltage at the first terminal by at least the threshold voltage and greater than a voltage at the second terminal by at least the threshold voltage.",
"8. The device of claim 1, wherein, in response to receiving the DC bias voltage at the control terminal, the first transistor is configured to control an impedance between the first and second terminals.",
"9. The device of claim 1, wherein the second terminal of the first transistor is configured to be AC-coupled and DC-coupled to the DC power supply.",
"10. A device, comprising:\nan amplifier, comprising:\nan input;\nan output; and\na first set of one or more transistors coupled between the input and the output; and\na linearizer, comprising:\na second set of one or more transistors coupled between a DC supply voltage and the input of the amplifier;\nwherein the first set of transistors and the second set of transistors have a same topology; and\nwherein the second set of one or more transistors is configured to receive the DC supply voltage transferred to the second set of one or more transistors from a DC power supply.",
"11. The device of claim 10, wherein the first set of transistors and the second set of transistors each comprise a cascode topology or each comprise a non-cascode topology.",
"12. The device of claim 11, wherein the first set of transistors and the second set of transistors each comprise a cascode topology, and wherein respective first and second transistors of the first set of transistors comprise a common-control terminal and a common-channel terminal configuration.",
"13. The device of claim 12, wherein channels of first and second transistors of the second set of transistors are coupled to one another between the input of the amplifier and the DC supply voltage.",
"14. The device of claim 13, wherein the first and second transistors of the first set of transistors are field effect transistors (FETs) respectively comprising a common-gate and a common-source configuration.",
"15. The device of claim 11, wherein the first set of transistors and the second set of transistors each comprise a non-cascode topology, and wherein a first transistor of the first set of transistors comprises a common-channel terminal configuration.",
"16. The device of claim 15, wherein channel terminals of a first transistor of the second set of transistors are coupled to the DC supply voltage and to the input of the power supply.",
"17. The device of claim 16, wherein the first transistor of the first set of transistors is a field effect transistor (FET) comprising a common-source configuration.",
"18. The device of claim 10, wherein the second set of transistors are coupled between the input and the output of the amplifier.",
"19. The device of claim 10, wherein the second set of one or more transistors is configured to be AC-coupled and DC-coupled to the DC power supply.",
"20. The device of claim 10, wherein the second set of one or more transistors is configured to receive the DC supply voltage at steady-state."
],
[
"1. A high-frequency amplifier, comprising:\na first transistor having a source connected to ground;\na second transistor forming a cascode circuit with the first transistor;\na series circuit connected between a gate of the second transistor and the ground, the series circuit being formed by a first resistive element and a series resonant circuit connected in series with each other; and\na second resistive element connected in parallel to the series circuit,\nwherein, the high-frequency amplifier satisfies 1/gm<R1≦R2<30/gm, provided that resistance values of the first and second resistive elements are R1 and R2, respectively, and a transconductance of the second transistor is gm.",
"2. The high-frequency amplifier according to claim 1, wherein the series resonant circuit is formed by an LC circuit, and the series circuit includes the first resistive element between LC elements.",
"3. The high-frequency amplifier according to claim 1, wherein the series resonant circuit is formed by an LC circuit, and the series circuit includes the first resistive element inserted on a ground side of the LC circuit.",
"4. The high-frequency amplifier according to claim 2, comprising:\na plurality of series circuits each having different LC element values,\nwherein each of the series circuits is connected between the gate of the second transistor and the ground.",
"5. The high-frequency amplifier according to claim 3, comprising:\na plurality of series circuits each having different LC element values,\nwherein each of the series circuits is connected between the gate of the second transistor and the ground.",
"6. A high-frequency amplifier, comprising:\na first transistor having a source connected to ground;\na second transistor forming a cascode circuit with the first transistor;\na series circuit connected between a gate of the second transistor and the ground, the series circuit being formed by a first resistive element and a series resonant circuit connected in series with each other; and\na second resistive element connected in parallel to the series circuit,\nwherein the first transistor is a GaAs MESFET or a GaAs hetero junction FET and the second transistor is a GaN FET.",
"7. The high-frequency amplifier according to claim 6, wherein, the high-frequency amplifier satisfies 1/gm<R1≦R2<30/gm, provided that resistance values of the first and second resistive elements are R1 and R2, respectively, and a transconductance of the second transistor is gm.",
"8. The high-frequency amplifier according to claim 2, wherein the first transistor is a GaAs MESFET or a GaAs hetero junction FET and the second transistor is a GaN FET.",
"9. The high-frequency amplifier according to claim 1, wherein the first transistor is a GaAs MESFET or a GaAs hetero junction FET and the second transistor is a GaN FET.",
"10. A semiconductor device, comprising the high-frequency amplifier according to claim 1.",
"11. A semiconductor device, comprising the high-frequency amplifier according to claim 2.",
"12. A semiconductor device, comprising the high-frequency amplifier according to claim 3.",
"13. A system, comprising two semiconductor devices according to claim 10,\nwherein the system is configured to cause each of the two semiconductor devices to execute a push-pull operation.",
"14. A system, comprising two semiconductor devices according to claim 11,\nwherein the system is configured to cause each of the two semiconductor devices to execute a push-pull operation.",
"15. A system, comprising two semiconductor devices according to claim 12,\nwherein the system is configured to cause each of the two semiconductor devices to execute a push-pull operation.",
"16. The high-frequency amplifier according to claim 1, wherein the series circuit is formed by serially interconnecting an inductance element L, a capacitance element C, and a resistance element R in any predetermined order.",
"17. The high-frequency amplifier according to claim 1, further comprising:\nan input terminal; and\nan output terminal,\nwherein the first transistor comprises a gate, which is connected to the input terminal, and the second transistor comprises a drain, which is connected to the output terminal.",
"18. The high-frequency amplifier according to claim 17, further comprising a third resistive element and a capacitive element serially interconnected between the input terminal and the output terminal, wherein the ground connection of the source of the first transistor occurs via a parallel circuit of a resistive element and a capacitive element."
],
[
"1. A wireless power transmission system, comprising:\na power supply apparatus;\na wireless power transmitter; and\na wireless power repeater comprising a charging container and a repeating part,\nwherein the charging container has a hexahedral box shape,\nwherein the wireless power repeater repeats power between the wireless power transmitter and an electronic device,\nwherein the repeating part comprises first to third repeating coils that are coupled with the wireless power transmitter by resonance,\nwherein each of the first to third repeating coils comprises a conduction line wound repeatedly to have a spiral form,\nwherein the charging container has a bottom and at least three sides and is configured to receive the electronic device,\nwherein the first to third repeating coils are respectively disposed at the at least three sides of the charging container to repeat the power between the wireless power transmitter and the electronic device,\nwherein the at least three sides of the charging container are arranged at an angle of 90 degrees to each other,\nwherein the wireless power transmitter is disposed at the bottom of the charging container to transmit power to the electronic device positioned on the wireless power transmitter,\nwherein the wireless power repeater is configured to transmit power to the electronic device positioned at a place to which the wireless power transmitter cannot transmit power, and\nwherein the wireless power repeater operates alternately sequentially the first to third repeating coils at a predetermined time interval.",
"2. The wireless power transmission system of claim 1, wherein the charging container comprises a printed circuit board (PCB).",
"3. The wireless power transmission system of claim 1, wherein the first repeating coil transmits the power, which has been received therein from the wireless power transmitter, to the electronic device resonance-coupled with the first repeating coil.",
"4. The wireless power transmission system of claim 1, wherein the wireless power repeater alternately operates the first and second repeating coils at the predetermined time interval using a switch.",
"5. A wireless power repeater comprising:\na charging container having a hexahedral box shape, wherein the charging container is configured to receive an electronic device;\na first coil disposed at a first side of the charging container, comprising a first conduction line wound repeatedly, and coupled with a wireless power transmitter by resonance;\na second coil disposed at a second side of the charging container, comprising a second conduction line wound repeatedly, and coupled with the wireless power transmitter by resonance;\na third coil disposed at a third side of the charging container, comprising a third conduction line wound repeatedly, and coupled with the wireless power transmitter by resonance; and\na controller configured to enable current to flow through the first to third coils at a predetermined time interval,\nwherein the three sides of the charging container are arranged at an angle of 90 degrees to each other,\nwherein each coil has a spiral shape, and\nwherein the controller generates a magnetic field by alternately sequentially applying current to the first, second, and third coils at a predetermined time interval.",
"6. The wireless power repeater of claim 5, wherein the charging container comprises a printed circuit board (PCB).",
"7. The wireless power repeater of claim 5, wherein each coil repeats the power between the wireless power transmitter and the electronic device by using resonance.",
"8. The wireless power repeater of claim 5, wherein the first coil is physically separated from the second coil, the second coil is physically separated from the third coil, and the first coil is physically separated from the third coil."
],
[
"1. An inductive power supply with magnetic attraction, said inductive power supply for transferring power wirelessly to a remote device, said inductive power supply comprising:\na primary capable of transferring power wirelessly via an inductive coupling;\na controller for controlling a supply of current to said primary, wherein said current includes direct current and alternating current;\nwherein in response to supplying said alternating current to said primary, said primary transfers power wirelessly to said remote device;\nwherein in response to supplying said direct current to said primary, an attractive force capable of aligning said remote device for more efficient wireless power transfer is produced; and\na frictional material coupled to a first magnet, wherein said direct current supplied to said primary attracts said first magnet and causes said frictional material to retract such that said frictional material is prevented from contacting a surface of the remote device.",
"2. The inductive power supply of claim 1 wherein said direct current supplied to said primary generates a DC magnetic field that interacts with a secondary magnetic material in said remote device.",
"3. The inductive power supply of claim 2 wherein said DC magnetic field has a first magnetic moment and said secondary magnet has a secondary magnetic moment, where said first magnetic moment is aligned in a same direction as said secondary magnetic moment.",
"4. The inductive power supply of claim 2 wherein said secondary magnetic material is a secondary permanent magnet or a secondary magnetic attractor.",
"5. A method for aligning an inductive power supply with an electronic portable device using magnetic attraction comprising the steps of:\nsupplying DC current through a first coil;\nproviding a DC magnetic field that interacts with the DC current through the first coil;\nretracting, in response to the DC current through the first coil, a frictional material coupled to a first magnet such that the frictional material is prevented from contacting an opposing surface; and\naligning the inductive power supply with the electronic portable device for efficient power transfer using the attractive force caused by the interaction of the DC current and the DC magnetic field.",
"6. The method of claim 5 wherein the DC magnetic field is produced from the inductive power supply and the first coil is a secondary inductor in the electronic portable device, and wherein the opposing surface is a surface of the inductive power supply.",
"7. The method of claim 5 wherein the DC magnetic field is produced from the electronic portable device and the first coil is a primary inductor in the inductive power supply, and wherein the opposing surface is a surface of the electronic portable device.",
"8. The method of claim 5 wherein the DC magnetic field is generated by at least one of a magnet and supplying DC current through a second coil.",
"9. A wireless power supply with magnetic attraction comprising:\nan inductive power supply having a primary inductor for transferring power wirelessly to an electronic device having a secondary inductor that receives power from said primary inductor via inductive coupling;\na first DC magnetic field generated by a DC current through a first coil;\na second DC magnetic field, wherein said second DC magnetic field interacts with said DC current through said first coil to cause alignment of said inductive power supply with said electronic device for efficient power transfer; and\na frictional material coupled to a first magnet, wherein said DC current supplied to said first coil attracts said first magnet and causes said frictional material to retract such that said frictional material is prevented from contacting an opposing surface.",
"10. The wireless power supply of claim 9 wherein said first coil is said primary inductor and said first DC magnetic field originates from said inductive power supply, and wherein said opposing surface is a surface of the electronic device.",
"11. The wireless power supply of claim 9 wherein said first coil is said secondary inductor and said first DC magnetic field originates from said electronic device, and wherein said opposing surface is a surface of the inductive power supply.",
"12. The wireless power supply of claim 9 wherein said second DC magnetic field is generated by at least one of a magnet and a DC current supplied to a second coil.",
"13. The wireless power supply of claim 12 wherein said magnet is a permanent magnet or a magnetic attractor.",
"14. The wireless power supply of claim 9 wherein said first DC magnetic field is supplemented with a magnet.",
"15. The wireless power supply of claim 9 further comprising a plurality of primary inductors forming an array.",
"16. The wireless power supply of claim 15 wherein said DC current is supplied to at least one of said plurality of primary inductors to cause alignment of said inductive power supply with said electronic device for efficient power transfer.",
"17. A friction enhancement system for a wireless power system, said wireless power system including a wireless power supply and a portable electronic device capable of receiving wireless power, said wireless power supply having a surface for placing said portable electronic device, said friction enhancement system comprising:\na frictional material selectively moveable between a disengaged position where said portable electronic device is capable of sliding over said surface and an engaged position where said frictional material increases friction between said wireless power supply and said portable electronic device thereby reducing said capability to slide said portable electronic device over said surface; and\na magnet coupled to said frictional material, wherein in a presence of a DC magnetic field, said magnet moves said frictional material from a normal state to an alternate state.",
"18. The friction enhancement system of claim 17 further comprising a dual-use inductive element for use in wireless power transfer and friction enhancement,\nwherein an AC current through said dual-use inductive element generates wireless power transfer between said wireless power supply and said portable electronic device;\nwherein a DC current through said dual-use inductive element produces said DC magnetic field, wherein said normal state is said engaged position, and wherein said magnet moves said frictional material to said disengaged position as said alternate state such that said surface is free from said frictional material.",
"19. The friction enhancement system of claim 17 wherein said normal state is said disengaged position, and wherein in said presence of said DC magnetic field, said magnet moves said frictional material to an engaged position as said alternate state.",
"20. The friction enhancement system of claim 17 further comprising a cavity for use with said disengaged position such that said frictional material enters a retracted position.",
"21. The friction enhancement system of claim 17 wherein said DC magnetic field is produced by a permanent magnet.",
"22. The friction enhancement system of claim 17 further comprising a spring-like element that exerts a force on said frictional material such that said frictional material is urged toward said normal state, wherein said frictional material remains in said normal state in absence of said DC magnetic field.",
"23. The friction enhancement system of claim 17 wherein said magnet is a permanent magnet or a magnetic attractor.",
"24. The friction enhancement system of claim 17 wherein said frictional material moving to an engaged position provides haptic feedback to a user.",
"25. The friction enhancement system of claim 17 wherein said surface has a coefficient of friction with respect to said portable electronic device and said coefficient of friction of said surface increases in response to said frictional material moving to said engaged position."
],
[
"1. A pinless power plug for receiving wireless power from a pinless power jack, the pinless power plug comprising:\nat least one secondary coil for inductively coupling with a primary coil;\na first magnet, having an annular shape, arranged around a perimeter of the at least one secondary coil concentric and non-overlapping with the at least one secondary coil, wherein the first magnet is configured to magnetically couple with a second magnet in the pinless power jack; and\na third magnet spaced away from and outside of the first magnet, wherein the third magnet is configured to magnetically couple with a fourth magnet in the pinless power jack at a particular orientation.",
"2. The pinless power plug of claim 1, wherein the third magnet is configured to limit a rotation of the pinless power plug around a central axis of the pinless power jack.",
"3. The pinless power plug of claim 1, wherein the first magnet is configured to magnetically couple with the second magnet and maintain alignment between the at least one secondary coil and the primary coil.",
"4. The pinless power plug of claim 1, wherein the pinless power plug comprises at least two secondary coils.",
"5. The pinless power plug of claim 1, wherein the first magnet is such that, when magnetically coupled with the second magnet, multiple discrete alignment angles are provided.",
"6. The pinless power plug of claim 1, wherein the first magnet is such that the pinless power plug maintains alignment with the pinless power jack through 360 degrees of rotation about a central axis.",
"7. The pinless power plug of claim 1, wherein the first magnet is arranged to have a configuration such that the first magnet aligns with the second magnet when the pinless power plug is placed on the pinless power jack.",
"8. The pinless power plug of claim 1, wherein the first magnet is a permanent magnet or electromagnet.",
"9. The pinless power plug of claim 1, wherein the primary coil is shielded behind an insulating layer.",
"10. A pinless power jack for transmitting wireless power to a pinless power plug, the pinless power jack comprising:\nat least one primary coil, shielded on a side of an insulating layer, for inductively coupling with a secondary coil associated with the pinless power plug, wherein the secondary coil is on a different side of the insulating layer;\na first magnet, having an annular shape, arranged around a perimeter of the at least one primary coil concentric and non-overlapping with the at least one primary coil, wherein the first magnet is configured to magnetically couple with a second magnet, having an annular shape, in the pinless power plug; and\na third magnet spaced away from and outside of the first magnet, wherein the third magnet is configured to magnetically couple with a fourth magnet in the pinless power plug at a particular orientation.",
"11. The pinless power jack of claim 10, wherein the third magnet is configured to limit a rotation of the pinless power jack around a central axis of the pinless power plug.",
"12. The pinless power jack of claim 10, wherein the first magnet is configured to magnetically couple with the second magnet and maintain alignment between the at least one primary coil and the secondary coil.",
"13. The pinless power jack of claim 10, wherein the pinless power jack comprises at least two primary coils.",
"14. The pinless power jack of claim 10, wherein the first magnet is such that, when magnetically coupled with the second magnet, multiple discrete alignment angles are provided.",
"15. The pinless power jack of claim 10, wherein the first magnet is such that the pinless power jack maintains alignment with the pinless power plug through 360 degrees of rotation about a central axis.",
"16. The pinless power jack of claim 10, wherein the first magnet is arranged to have a configuration such that the first magnet aligns with the second magnet when the pinless power plug is placed on the pinless power jack.",
"17. The pinless power jack of claim 10, wherein the first magnet is a permanent magnet or electromagnet."
],
[
"1. A wireless power transmitter comprising:\na power supply unit for outputting AC power;\na transmission coil for receiving the AC power to generate a time-variable magnetic field using the AC power;\na transmission resonant coil unit for transmitting power received from the transmission coil coupled with the transmission resonant coil;\na repeater resonant unit for transmitting power received from the transmission resonant coil coupled with the repeater resonant unit, wherein the repeater resonant unit includes a plurality of repeater resonant coils having different resonance frequencies from each other; and\na control unit configured to:\nchange a power level of the AC power to a micro power level;\nchange a frequency of the AC power to the each different resonance frequency sequentially in a predetermined period;\ncompare an internal current value with a threshold value for the each different resonance frequency;\ndetermine a first resonance frequency at which the internal current value is not higher than the threshold value, wherein the first resonance frequency corresponds to one of resonance frequencies of the plurality of repeater resonant coils;\nchange the power level of the AC power to a power higher than the micro power level; and\nchange a frequency of the AC power to the first resonance frequency.",
"2. The wireless power transmitter of claim 1, wherein the wireless power transmitter transmits power wirelessly to the wireless power receiver using the AC power having the frequency corresponding to the resonance frequency of the first repeater resonant coil.",
"3. The wireless power transmitter of claim 1, further comprising a detecting unit configured to detect the internal current value of the wireless power transmitter, wherein the detecting unit includes a detecting coil and a current detector.",
"4. The wireless power transmitter of claim 3,\nwherein the detecting coil detects intensity of a magnetic field transmitted from the transmission resonant coil unit,\nwherein the current detector converts a power generated by a magnetic field detected through the detecting coil into an electric current and detects a variation of an amount of current based on a converted electric current.",
"5. The wireless power transmitter of claim 1, wherein each of the repeater resonant coils includes a shielding unit, and\nwherein the shielding unit surrounds an outer side of the repeater resonant coil and is disposed such that an upper side of the shielding unit is located at a position higher than an upper side of the repeater resonant coil.",
"6. A wireless power transmission method, comprising:\nproviding a wireless power transmitter and a wireless power repeater including a plurality of repeater resonant coils, wherein the plurality of repeater resonant coils have different resonance frequencies from each other;\noutputting AC power;\nchanging a power level of the AC power to a micro power level;\nchanging a frequency of the AC power to each resonance frequency sequentially in a predetermined period;\ntransmitting the micro power level having frequencies with a predetermined frequency interval to the wireless power repeater at the predetermined time period;\ndetecting an internal current value of the wireless power transmitter according to the transmitted micro power;\ncomparing the internal current value with a threshold value for the each resonance frequency;\ndetermining a first resonance frequency at which the internal current value is not higher than the threshold value, wherein the first resonance frequency corresponds to one of resonance frequencies of the plurality of repeater resonant coils;\nchanging the power level of the AC power to a power higher than the micro power level;\nchanging a frequency of the AC power to the first resonance frequency; and\ntransmitting the AC power to the wireless power repeater using the first resonance frequency.",
"7. The wireless power transmission method of claim 6, further comprising providing a wireless power receiver, wherein the resonance frequency of the wireless power receiver is set to be equal to the resonance frequency of the wireless power transmitter for the predetermined time period.",
"8. The wireless power transmission method of claim 6, further comprising:\nproviding a wireless power receiver; and\ntransmitting the power to the wireless power receiver through the first repeater resonant coil.",
"9. The wireless power transmitter of claim 1, wherein each of the repeater resonant coils includes an inductor and a capacitor,\nwherein the inductor and the capacitor in each repeater resonant coil have different resonant characteristics."
],
[
"1. An apparatus for wirelessly receiving power, the apparatus comprising\na first conductive structure configured to wirelessly receive power via a magnetic field generated by a transmitter conductive structure having a length greater than a width, the first conductive structure having a length greater than a width, the first conductive structure comprising a first loop and a second loop enclosing a first area and a second area, respectively, the first loop having a first lower surface and the second loop having a second lower surface that are substantially coplanar, the first conductive structure having a first edge and a second edge each intersecting a first geometric line running along the length of the first conductive structure; and\na second conductive structure configured to wirelessly receive power via the magnetic field, the second conductive structure enclosing a third area and having a length greater than a width, the first geometric line running along the length of the second conductive structure,\nthe first geometric line being substantially perpendicular to a second geometric line running along the length of the transmitter conductive structure.",
"2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second conductive structure is positioned such that a center of the third area enclosed by the second conductive structure is positioned substantially over a point between the first loop and the second loop.",
"3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first conductive structure comprises one of:\na first coil wound to enclose the first area and the second area; or\na first and a second coil each enclosing the first area and the second area, respectively,\nand wherein the second conductive structure comprises a third coil wound to enclose the third area.",
"4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first conductive structure and the second conductive structure are positioned to maintain a substantial absence of mutual coupling between the first conductive structure and the second conductive structure.",
"5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the substantial absence of mutual coupling occurs at least in part when a net sum of a magnetic field of the first conductive structure that intersects the second conductive structure is substantially zero.",
"6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second conductive structures collectively have a first center point defined by a first geometric rectangle covering a surface area of the first and second conductive structures, wherein the transmitter conductive structure has a second center point defined by a second geometric rectangle covering a surface area of the transmitter conductive structure, and wherein a set of points, defined by offset distances between the first and second center points, in which an amount of coupling is above a threshold is substantially rectangular, the amount of coupling defined at least in part by a value derived from a first coupling coefficient measuring coupling between the first conductive structure and the transmitter conductive structure and a second coupling coefficient measuring coupling between the second conductive structure and the transmitter conductive structure.",
"7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second conductive structures are configured to be affixed to an electric vehicle, the first geometric line being substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the electric vehicle.",
"8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second conductive structures are tunable and operable at a resonant frequency.",
"9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a receive circuit coupled to the first and second conductive structures and configured to power or charge an electric vehicle based on at least a portion of a combination of the power received via the first and second conductive structures.",
"10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first conductive structure has a substantially horizontally polarized magnetic moment, and wherein the second conductive structure has a substantially vertically polarized moment.",
"11. A method of wirelessly receiving power, the method comprising\nwirelessly receiving power, at a first conductive structure, via a magnetic field generated by a transmitter conductive structure having a length greater than a width, the first conductive structure having a length greater than a width, the first conductive structure comprising a first loop and a second loop enclosing a first area and a second area, respectively, the first loop having a first lower surface and the second loop having a second lower surface that are substantially coplanar, the first conductive structure having a first edge and a second edge each intersecting a first geometric line running along the length of the first conductive structure; and\nwirelessly receiving power, at a second conductive structure, via the magnetic field, the second conductive structure enclosing a third area and having a length greater than a width, the first geometric line running along the length of the second conductive structure,\nthe first geometric line being substantially perpendicular to a second geometric line running along the length of the transmitter conductive structure.",
"12. The method of claim 11, wherein the second conductive structure is positioned such that a center of the third area enclosed by the second conductive structure is positioned substantially over a point between the first loop and the second loop.",
"13. The method of claim 11, wherein the first conductive structure comprises one of:\na first coil wound to enclose the first area and the second area; or\na first and a second coil each enclosing the first area and the second area, respectively,\nand wherein the second conductive structure comprises a third coil wound to enclose the third area.",
"14. The method of claim 11, wherein the first conductive structure and the second conductive structure are positioned to maintain a substantial absence of mutual coupling between the first conductive structure and the second conductive structure.",
"15. The method of claim 14, wherein the substantial absence of mutual coupling occurs at least in part when a net sum of a magnetic field of the first conductive structure that intersects the second conductive structure is substantially zero.",
"16. The method of claim 11, wherein the first and second conductive structures collectively have a first center point defined by a first geometric rectangle covering a surface area of the first and second conductive structures, wherein the transmitter conductive structure has a second center point defined by a second geometric rectangle covering a surface area of the transmitter conductive structure, and wherein a set of points, defined by offset distances between the first and second center points, in which an amount of coupling is above a threshold is substantially rectangular, the amount of coupling defined at least in part by a value derived from a first coupling coefficient measuring coupling between the first conductive structure and the transmitter conductive structure and a second coupling coefficient measuring coupling between the second conductive structure and the transmitter conductive structure.",
"17. The method of claim 11, wherein the first and second conductive structures are configured to be affixed to an electric vehicle, the first geometric line being substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the electric vehicle.",
"18. The method of claim 11, wherein the first and second conductive structures are tunable and operable at a resonant frequency.",
"19. The method of claim 11, further comprising powering or charging an electric vehicle based on at least a portion of a combination of the power received via the first and second conductive structures.",
"20. The method of claim 11, wherein the first conductive structure has a substantially horizontally polarized magnetic moment, and wherein the second conductive structure has a substantially vertically polarized moment.",
"21. An apparatus for wirelessly receiving power, the apparatus comprising\na first means for wirelessly receiving power via a magnetic field generated by a means for generating the magnetic field, the generating means having a length greater than a width, the first receiving means having a length greater than a width, the first receiving means comprising a first loop and a second loop enclosing a first area and a second area, respectively, the first loop having a first lower surface and the second loop having a second lower surface that are substantially coplanar, the first receiving means having a first edge and a second edge each intersecting a first geometric line running along the length of the first receiving means; and\na second means for wirelessly receiving power via the magnetic field, the second receiving means enclosing a third area and having a length greater than a width, the first geometric line running along the length of the second receiving means,\nthe first geometric line being substantially perpendicular to a second geometric line running along the length of the generating means.",
"22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the second receiving means is positioned such that a center of the third area enclosed by the second receiving means is positioned substantially over a point between the first loop and the second loop.",
"23. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the first receiving means comprises one of:\na first coil wound to enclose the first area and the second area; or\na first and a second coil each enclosing the first area and the second area, respectively,\nand wherein the second receiving means comprises a third coil wound to enclose the third area.",
"24. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the first receiving means and the second receiving means are positioned to maintain a substantial absence of mutual coupling between the first receiving means and the second receiving means.",
"25. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the first and second receiving means collectively have a first center point defined by a first geometric rectangle covering a surface area of the first and second receiving means, wherein the generating means has a second center point defined by a second geometric rectangle covering a surface area of the generating means, and wherein a set of points, defined by offset distances between the first and second center points, in which an amount of coupling is above a threshold is substantially rectangular, the amount of coupling defined at least in part by a value derived from a first coupling coefficient measuring coupling between the first receiving means and the generating means and a second coupling coefficient measuring coupling between the second receiving means and the generating means.",
"26. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the first and second receiving means are configured to be affixed to an electric vehicle, the first geometric line being substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the electric vehicle.",
"27. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the first and second receiving means are tunable and operable at a resonant frequency.",
"28. The apparatus of claim 21, further comprising a receive circuit coupled to the first and second receiving means and configured to power or charge an electric vehicle based on at least a portion of a combination of the power received via the first and second receiving means.",
"29. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the first receiving means has a substantially horizontally polarized magnetic moment, and wherein the second receiving means has a substantially vertically polarized moment.",
"30. A system for wirelessly transferring power, the system comprising:\na power supply configured to output a time-varying signal; and\na transmitter conductive structure configured to receive the time-varying signal and to generate a magnetic field for wirelessly transferring power to a receiver device, the transmitter conductive structure having a length greater than a width,\nthe receiver device comprising a first conductive structure configured to wirelessly receive power via the magnetic field, the first conductive structure having a length greater than a width, the first conductive structure comprising a first loop and a second loop enclosing a first area and a second area, respectively, the first loop having a first lower surface and the second loop having a second lower surface that are substantially coplanar, the first conductive structure having a first edge and a second edge each intersecting a first geometric line running along the length of the first conductive structure,\nthe receiver device further comprising a second conductive structure configured to wirelessly receive power via the magnetic field, the second conductive structure enclosing a third area and having a length greater than a width, the first geometric line running along the length of the second conductive structure,\nthe first geometric line being substantially perpendicular to a second geometric line running along the length of the transmitter conductive structure.",
"31. The system of claim 30, wherein the first conductive structure and the second conductive structure of the receiver device are positioned to maintain a substantial absence of mutual coupling between the first conductive structure and the second conductive structure.",
"32. The system of claim 30, wherein the first and second conductive structures collectively have a first center point defined by a first geometric rectangle covering a surface area of the first and second conductive structures, wherein the transmitter conductive structure has a second center point defined by a second geometric rectangle covering a surface area of the transmitter conductive structure, and wherein a set of points, defined by offset distances between the first and second center points, in which an amount of coupling is above a threshold is substantially rectangular, the amount of coupling defined at least in part by a value derived from a first coupling coefficient measuring coupling between the first conductive structure and the transmitter conductive structure and a second coupling coefficient measuring coupling between the second conductive structure and the transmitter conductive structure."
],
[
"1. A wireless power transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit power to a wireless power receiver, the wireless power transmitter comprising:\na first coil configured to generate a first magnetic field for transmitting power via inductive coupling to the wireless power receiver;\na second coil wound around the first coil and configured to generate a second magnetic field vibrating at a resonant frequency for transmitting power via resonant inductive coupling to the wireless power receiver; and\na controller configured to:\ncause transmission of a detection signal comprising a wireless power signal;\ndetermine a wireless power transmission protocol corresponding to inductive coupling or resonant inductive coupling based on a control message response to the detection signal received from the wireless power receiver; and\ncause power to be selectively applied to the first coil or the second coil according to the control message response from the wireless power receiver.",
"2. The wireless power transmitter of claim 1, wherein a Q value of the second coil is in the range of 100 to 200.",
"3. The wireless power transmitter of claim 1, wherein a ratio of an edge impedance real number part to a central impedance real number part of the second coil is greater than 1.2.",
"4. The wireless power transmitter of claim 3, wherein a ratio of an edge impedance imaginary number part to a central impedance imaginary number part of the second coil is smaller than 1.",
"5. The wireless power transmitter of claim 1, wherein the second coil is formed in a flat spiral structure, and an interval of the second coil is non-uniform.",
"6. The wireless power transmitter of claim 5, wherein the interval of the second coil gradually becomes more narrow from an inner circumference toward an outer circumference of the second coil.",
"7. The wireless power transmitter of claim 5, wherein the second coil is formed in a shape in which a single wire of a litz wire or a copper wire is wound from an inner circumference to an outer circumference.",
"8. The wireless power transmitter of claim 1, wherein the first coil is wound into a circular shape, and the second coil is wound into a quadrilateral shape at least part of which is linear.",
"9. The wireless power transmitter of claim 1, wherein a signal transmitted from the wireless power receiver is detected via a first unidirectional communication protocol when the power is transmitted via inductive coupling.",
"10. The wireless power transmitter of claim 1, wherein communication with the wireless power receiver is executed via a bidirectional communication protocol using a channel, other than a power channel, when the power is transmitted via resonant inductive coupling.",
"11. The wireless power transmitter of claim 10, wherein the wireless power transmitter assigns a timeslot and provides an access ID to the wireless power receiver according to the bidirectional communication protocol.",
"12. The wireless power transmitter of claim 11, wherein the timeslot comprises:\nan access timeslot in which the wireless power receiver generates an individual access ID in response to power applied thereto and transmits the generated access ID to the wireless power transmitter; and\nan assigned timeslot in which a plurality of wireless power receivers sequentially transmit responses based on assigned IDs applied from the wireless power transmitter.",
"13. The wireless power transmitter of claim 10, wherein according to the bidirectional communication protocol:\nthe wireless power receiver transmits a response to a request of the wireless power transmitter; or\nthe wireless power receiver omits the request and transmits a response in an assigned timeslot.",
"14. A wireless charging system comprising:\na transmitter configured to transmit power wirelessly and comprising a first coil configured to transmit power via inductive coupling and a second coil configured to transmit power via resonant inductive coupling; and\na receiver configured to wirelessly receive power from the transmitter,\nwherein the transmitter is configured to:\ntransmit a detection signal comprising a wireless power signal;\ndetermine a wireless power transmission protocol between inductive coupling or resonant inductive coupling based on a control message response to the detection signal received from the receiver; and\nselectively apply power to the first coil or the second coil according to the control message response received from the receiver.",
"15. The system of claim 14, wherein the receiver transmits a list of supported communication protocols to the transmitter, and the transmitter transmits to the receiver one or more supported communication protocols of the list which are supported by the transmitter.",
"16. The system of claim 14, wherein:\na signal transmitted from the receiver is detected via a first unidirectional communication protocol when the power is transmitted via inductive coupling, and\ncommunication with the wireless power receiver is executed via a bidirectional communication protocol using a non-power channel when the power is transmitted via resonant inductive coupling.",
"17. The system of claim 16, wherein the transmitter assigns a timeslot and provides an access ID to the receiver in the bidirectional communication protocol.",
"18. The system of claim 14, wherein a Q value of the second coil is in the range of 100 to 200.",
"19. The system of claim 14, wherein the second coil is formed in a flat spiral structure, and an interval of the second coil is non-uniform."
],
[
"21. An inductive power outlet configured to be coupled with at least one secondary inductive coil, the inductive power outlet comprising:\nat least one primary inductive coil inductively coupling at a resonant frequency with the at least one secondary inductive coil and receiving a driving voltage that oscillates at a transmission frequency higher than the resonant frequency; and\na reception circuit detecting control signals originated at the at least one secondary inductive coil, the control signals comprising a set of first signals or a set of second signals,\nwherein the inductive power outlet continually adjusts the driving voltage for regulating power across an electric load based on the detection of the control signals by incrementally increasing the transmission frequency upon receipt of each first signal and incrementally decreasing the transmission frequency upon receipt of each second signal.",
"22. The inductive power outlet of claim 21, wherein the driving voltage is received from a power supply via a driver wired to the at least one primary inductive coil.",
"23. The inductive power outlet of claim 22, wherein the driver comprises a switching unit for intermittently connecting the at least one primary inductive coil to the power supply.",
"24. The inductive power outlet of claim 21, wherein the transmission frequency lies within a range in which induced voltage varies approximately linearly with the resonant frequency.",
"25. The inductive power outlet of claim 21, wherein the control signals are used for transferring one or more feedback signals originated at the at least one secondary inductive coil to the at least one primary inductive coil for regulating power transfer across the coupling.",
"26. The inductive power outlet of claim 25, wherein a driver is configured to adjust the transmission frequency in response to the one or more feedback signals.",
"27. The inductive power outlet of claim 25, wherein the control signals are configured to transfer the set of first signals and the set of second signals.",
"28. The inductive power outlet of claim 25, wherein the one or more feedback signals carries data pertaining to operational parameters of the electric load.",
"29. The inductive power outlet of claim 21, wherein the reception circuit comprises a voltage monitor for monitoring amplitude across the at least one primary inductive coil.",
"30. The inductive power outlet of claim 29, wherein the voltage monitor is configured to detect increases in a primary voltage.",
"31. The inductive power outlet of claim 29, wherein the voltage monitor comprises a voltage peak detector configured to detect increases in a transmission voltage between the at least one primary inductive coil and the at least one secondary inductive coil.",
"32. The inductive power outlet of claim 21, comprising a power converter selected from the group consisting of a transformer, a DC-to-DC converter, an AC-to-DC converter, an AC-to-AC converter, a fly-back transformer, a fly-back converter, a full-bridge converter, a half-bridge converter; a forward converter; and a combination thereof.",
"33. The inductive power outlet of claim 21, wherein the at least one secondary inductive coil is wired to two inputs of a bridge rectifier and the electric load being wired to two outputs of the bridge rectifier.",
"34. The inductive power outlet of claim 21, wherein the inductive power outlet is incorporated into at least one application selected from the group consisting of inductive chargers, inductive power adaptors, power tools, kitchen appliances, bathroom appliances, computers, media players, office equipment, implanted devices, pacemakers, trackers, and RFID tags.",
"35. The inductive power outlet of claim 21, wherein the reception circuit is adapted to detect control signals originated at the at least one secondary inductive coil by connecting at least one electric element to at least one secondary inductive coil so as to increase the resonant frequency.",
"36. The inductive power outlet of claim 21, wherein a resistor of the inductive power outlet draws power during one half of an alternating current (AC) cycle to reduce power loss.",
"37. The inductive power outlet of claim 21, wherein the reception circuit comprises a demodulator configured to produce an output signal.",
"38. The inductive power outlet of claim 21, wherein the reception circuit is configured to receive from a transmission circuit one or more signal pulses or one or more coded signals.",
"39. The inductive power outlet of claim 21, wherein the reception circuit is in communication with a transmission circuit.",
"40. The inductive power outlet of claim 39, wherein a transmission circuit is wired to an input of a bridge rectifier and an output of the bridge rectifier."
],
[
"1. An apparatus for transmitting or receiving wireless power, the apparatus comprising:\na plurality of substantially co-planar coils; and\nwherein the plurality of coils comprise one or more lengths of conducting material, each length of conducting material being electrically connectable at each end to a power source or battery;\nwherein the plurality of coils are wound such that electric current in the lengths of conducting material flows in the same direction in adjacent portions of adjacent coils, and\nwherein two or more of the coils comprise the same at least one of the lengths of conducting material.",
"2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein each coil comprises a spiral winding of each of the lengths of conducting material.",
"3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein each length of conducting material is continuously wound to comprise all of the coils.",
"4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein each length of conducting material comprises:\na first end forming an innermost winding of one of the coils; and\na second end forming an innermost winding of another of the coils.",
"5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein each length of conducting material comprises:\na first end forming an innermost winding of one of the coils; and\na second end forming an outermost winding of another of the coils.",
"6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein each length of conducting material comprises:\na first end forming an outermost winding of one of the coils; and\na second end forming an outermost winding of another of the coils.",
"7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of coils comprise two or more lengths of conducting material.",
"8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the two or more lengths of conducting material are arranged in parallel alignment.",
"9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the apparatus further comprises a switching device operable to connect any number of the two or more lengths of conducting material in parallel to the power source or battery.",
"10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the apparatus further comprises a receiver in communication with the switching device, wherein the receiver is operable to receive a signal and cause the switching device to operate based on the received signal.",
"11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the apparatus further comprises a switching device operable to connect any number of the two or more lengths of conducting material together in series.",
"12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the apparatus further comprises one or more magnetically permeable members magnetically associated with the plurality of coils.",
"13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein one or more of the lengths of conducting material comprise litz wire.",
"14. A method of forming an apparatus for transmitting or receiving wireless power, the method comprising:\nwinding one or more lengths of conducting material in a continuous path to form a plurality of substantially co-planar coils with two or more of the coils comprising the same at least one of the lengths of conducting material.",
"15. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the method comprises:\nwinding a first coil from the innermost winding to the outermost winding; and\nwinding a second coil from the outermost winding to the innermost winding.",
"16. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the method comprises:\nwinding a first coil from the innermost winding to the outermost winding; and\nwinding a second coil from the innermost winding to the outermost winding.",
"17. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the method comprises:\nwinding a first coil from the outermost winding to the innermost winding; and\nwinding a second coil from the innermost winding to the outermost winding.",
"18. The method as claimed in claim 14, further comprising providing one or more magnetically permeable members in magnetic association with the coils.",
"19. A method of operating a first induction coil in a wireless power transfer system, the method comprising:\nreceiving a signal from a second induction coil with which the first induction coil is to transfer power, the signal comprising characteristics of the second induction coil or a device to which the second induction coil is attached;\nselecting a configuration of the first induction coil based on the characteristics of the second induction coil and a desired power transfer between the first and second induction coils; and\naltering the configuration of the first induction coil based on the selected configuration.",
"20. The method as claimed in claim 19, wherein the step of altering the configuration of the first induction coil comprises connecting two or more lengths of conducting material in the first induction coil in parallel and/or in series with each other, a power source, and/or a battery."
],
[
"1. A charger apparatus comprising:\none or more appliances, each appliance being powered by a battery and comprising a secondary coil for generating a current for charging the battery; and\na charger comprising a plurality of primary coil pairs arranged in a circular pattern with coils of each pair positioned opposite each other, each primary coil pair including one or more switches for short circuiting the respective primary coil pair, the circular pattern enclosing the secondary coils of the one or more appliances placed in the charger;\nwherein, when an alternating voltage is provided to the plurality of primary coil pairs, a rotating magnetic field between respective primary coil pairs of the plurality of primary coil pairs is generated thereby inducing current in the secondary coils.",
"2. The charger apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a processor for driving the AC power source, wherein the processor is configured to short circuit at least one of the plurality of primary coil pairs using the corresponding switches, and to supply the alternating voltage to remaining of the plurality of primary coil pairs.",
"3. The charger apparatus of claim 1, further comprising four primary coil pairs.",
"4. The charger apparatus of claim 1, wherein the alternating voltage has a frequency of about 10 kHz or more.",
"5. The charger apparatus of claim 1, wherein the magnetic field is rotated at a frequency that is more than 1000 times below a frequency of the alternating voltage.",
"6. The charger apparatus of claim 1, wherein the alternating voltage is provided at a frequency that substantially corresponds to a resonance frequency of the one or more appliances.",
"7. The charger apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a cover of high magnetic permeability material that encloses the plurality of primary coil pairs.",
"8. A method to inductively provide power to appliances, the method comprising the acts of:\nproviding or more appliances, each appliance being powered by a battery and comprising a secondary coil for generating a current for charging the battery;\narranging a plurality of primary coil pairs in a circular pattern with coils of each pair positioned opposite each other, each primary coil pair including one or more switches for short circuiting the respective primary coil pair, the circular pattern enclosing the secondary coils of the one or more appliances;\nproviding an alternating voltage to the plurality of primary coil pairs; and\ngenerating a rotating magnetic field between respective primary coil pairs of the plurality of primary coil palm thereby inducing current in the secondary coils.",
"9. The method of claim 8, further comprising the acts:\nshort circuiting at least one of the plurality of primary coil pairs; and\nsupplying the alternating voltage to remaining plurality of the primary coil pairs."
],
[
"1. A wireless power transmitter comprising:\na coil and a capacitor configured to transmit wireless power to a wireless power receiver,\nwherein the coil includes a plurality of cells and a core that connects the cells with each other,\nwherein each cell of the plurality of cells is adjacent to at least one other cell of the plurality of cells,\nwherein each of the cells and the core are configured as one conductive wire,\nwherein the plurality of cells comprises a plurality of first cells and a plurality of second cells,\nwherein a direction of a magnetic field formed by each first cell of the plurality of first cells is different from a direction of a magnetic field foimed by each second cell of the plurality of second cells,\nwherein the plurality of first cells and the plurality of second cells are adjacent to each other and connected to each other through the core, and\nwherein the first cells and the second cells are connected to the core in an alternating fashion.",
"2. The wireless power transmitter of claim 1, wherein the magnetic field formed by each first cell is generated in an inflow direction to a center of the first cell, and the magnetic field formed by each second cell is generated in an outflow direction from a center of the second cell.",
"3. The wireless power transmitter of claim 1, wherein the magnetic field generated from each first cell changes a part of the magnetic field generated from each second cell so that an amount of magnetic field that leaks to the outside is minimized.",
"4. The wireless power transmitter of claim 1, wherein the first cells and the second cells are wound in a clockwise direction and a counterclockwise direction, respectively.",
"5. The wireless power transmitter of claim 1, wherein a plane formed by each cell has one of a rectangular shape and a triangular shape.",
"6. The wireless power transmitter of claim 1, wherein each of the cells is formed on a printed circuit board.",
"7. The wireless power transmitter of claim 1, wherein each of the cells is formed by the conductive wire wound at least one time.",
"8. The wireless power transmitter of claim 1, wherein the conductive wire includes copper."
]
] |
the following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 u.s.c. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this office action:
a person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
claims 1-2, 4-10, 12-13 & 15-21 are rejected under 35 u.s.c. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by wu et al. (hereinafter, wu) (cited by applicant, ieee “design and analysis of cmos lnas with transformer feedback for wideband input matching and noise cancellation” of record.
regarding claim 1, wu discloses in fig. 9 an amplifier circuit, comprising: a first amplifier (upper m1) having a first amplifier input (gate of transistor m1) and a first amplifier output (drain terminal of m1); a transformer (upper transformer includes l1 and l2) including a first transformer component (l1-l2) having a first primary winding (upper, l2) in series with the first amplifier output and a first secondary winding (upper, l1) coupled to the first amplifier input (gate of upper m1) wherein the first primary winding (upper l2) and the first secondary winding (upper l2) are arranged such that a portion of a first magnetic field generated by the first primary winding couples to the first secondary winding through a first magnetically coupled feedback loop (consider the upper magnetic coupling element k), thereby providing first feedback from the first amplifier output (drain terminal of upper m1) to the first amplifier input (gate upper of m1); a second amplifier (lower m1) having a second amplifier input (gate of lower m1) and a second amplifier output (drain of lower m1); and wherein the transformer includes a second transformer component (l1-l2) having a second primary winding (lower l2) in series with the second amplifier output (drain of lower m1) and a second secondary winding (lower l1) coupled to the second amplifier input wherein the second primary winding (lower l2) and the second secondary winding (lower l1) are arranged such that a portion of a second magnetic field generated by the second primary winding (lower l2) couples to the second secondary winding (lower l1) through a second magnetically coupled feedback loop (consider the lower magnetic coupling element k), thereby providing second feedback from the second amplifier output (drain of lower m1) to the second amplifier input (gate of lower m1);
wherein the first primary winding (upper l2) and the second primary winding (lower l2) are configured to provide output current to for driving a load impedance included within an output load arrangement (fig. 9, output stage includes inductor l6, output buffer and balun) connected to the first primary (upper l2) winding and the second primary winding (lower l2)
regarding claim 2, wu discloses in fig. 9 wherein the first primary winding (upper l2) has a first end (left terminal between l2) connected to the first amplifier output (upper drain terminal of m1) and a second end (a terminal between l2 and l4) connected to a first end (a terminal ls) of a balun (output buffer & balun) and wherein the second primary winding (lower l2) has a first end (left terminal of lower l2) connected to the second amplifier output (drain of lower m1) and a second end (a terminal between l2 and l4, lower) connected to a second end (lower end terminal of ls) of the balun.
regarding claim 4, wu discloses wherein the first amplifier and the second amplifier are implemented in a cascode configuration (fig. 7, discloses cascode configuration, left, m1 being connected in cascode configuration with transistor mc and right m1 being connected in cascode configuration with transistor mc).
regarding claim 6, wu discloses in fig. 9 further including a balun (see output buffer & balun) having an input (upper terminal of ls) coupled to the first primary winding (upper l2) and the second primary winding (lower l2) and an output coupled to the load (drive any downstream circuit which consider as load, see page 1630, right column, “the load”).
regarding claim 12, wu discloses in fig. 9 wherein loop gains of the first magnetically coupled feedback loop (fig. 9, consider the upper magnetic coupling element k) and the second magnetically coupled feedback loop (consider the lower magnetic coupling element k), automatically increase in response to corresponding increases in a level of an input signal applied to the differential amplifier input so as to maintain a substantially constant level of an output signal produced at the differential amplifier output (differential output out + and out-).
regarding claims 13 & 15-16, wu discloses in fig. 9 wherein power dissipation of the amplifier remains substantially constant independent of characteristics of an input signal applied to the first amplifier input and the second amplifier input; and (claim 15) wherein the characteristics include at least one of amplitude and power (claim 16); and wherein the characteristics include at least one of modulation type and bandwidth (page 1634, right column, in vii section, line 7, states “bandwidth”)
regarding claim 19, wu discloses in fig. 9 wherein power dissipation of the first amplifier (upper m1) and the second amplifier (lower m1) remains substantially constant independent of a level of an output signal produced at the first amplifier output (drain of upper m1) and the second amplifier output (drain of lower m1).
regarding claim 21, wu discloses in fig. 9 wherein the transformer arrangement is configured such that a degree of coupling between the first primary winding (upper l2) and the first secondary winding (upper l1) and between the second primary winding (lower l2) and the second secondary winding (lower l1) which can be selected based upon a target current gain of the amplifier circuit (the relation between magnetic coupling among of the windings of the transformer and current gain of the amplifier circuit, page 1628 and fig. 3(a)).
regarding claims 7 & 20, wu discloses in fig. 9 an amplifier circuit, comprising: an amplifier (transistors m1 & m2) having a differential amplifier input including a first input (upper, gate of m1) and a second input (lower gate m1) and a differential amplifier output including a first output (upper, drain of m1) and a second output (lower, drain of m1); a transformer arrangement including a first transformer (upper, l1 and l2) configured to establish a first magnetically coupled feedback loop (consider upper magnetic coupling element k) from the first output (upper, drain of m1) to the first input (upper, gate of m1) and a second transformer (lower, l1 and l2) configured to establish a second magnetically coupled feedback loop (consider lower magnetic coupling element k) from the second output (right, drain of m1) to the second input (lower, gate of m1); wherein the transformer arrangement is configured to provide a current for driving a load included in an output load arrangement (fig. 9, output stage includes inductor l6, output buffer and balun) including a balun connected to a primary winding of the transformer arrangement wherein the balun converts the current to an output current and wherein the output current generates power upon reaching the load; and (claim 20) wherein power dissipation (see abstract, power dissipation) of the amplifier remains substantially constant independent of a level of an output signal produced at the differential amplifier output
regarding claim 8, wu discloses in fig. 9, wherein a loop gain of the first magnetically coupled feedback loop (page 1626, right column, second paragraph, disclosed feedback loop, gain) is independent of an impedance of the load and is defined at least in part by a coupling factor and turn-ratio of the first transformer (page 1627, left column, paragraph before, “iii. proposed load-isolated” turn ratio n and coupling factor, and also, page 1631, right column, turn ratio and page 1632, before vi section, discloses coupling factor) .
regarding claim 9, wu discloses wherein loop gains of the first magnetically coupled feedback loop (fig. 9, consider upper magnetic coupling element k) and the second magnetically coupled feedback loop (fig. 9, consider lower magnetic coupling element k) automatically increase in response to corresponding increases in a level of an input signal applied to the differential amplifier input (inputs of transistors m1 of fig. 9) so as to maintain a substantially constant level of an output signal produced at the differential amplifier output.
regarding claims 10, 17 & 18, wu discloses wherein power dissipation of the amplifier remains substantially constant independent of characteristics of an input signal (differential signal applied to upper, gate of m1 and lower gate m1) applied to the differential amplifier input; and (claim 17) wherein the characteristics include at least one of amplitude and power; and (claim 18) wherein the characteristics include at least one of modulation type and bandwidth (page 1634, right column, in vii section, line 7, states “bandwidth”).
regarding claim 5, wu discloses in fig. 9 an amplifier circuit, comprising: a first amplifier (upper m1) having a first amplifier input (gate of transistor m1) and a first amplifier output (drain terminal of m1); a transformer (upper transformer includes l1 and l2) including a first transformer component (l1-l2) having a first primary winding (upper, l2) in series with the first amplifier output and a first secondary winding (upper, l1) coupled to the first amplifier input (gate of upper m1) wherein the first primary winding (upper l2) and the first secondary winding (upper l2) are arranged such that a portion of a first magnetic field generated by the first primary winding couples to the first secondary winding through a first magnetically coupled feedback loop (consider the upper magnetic coupling element k), thereby providing first feedback from the first amplifier output (drain terminal of upper m1) to the first amplifier input (gate upper of m1); a second amplifier (lower m1) having a second amplifier input (gate of lower m1) and a second amplifier output (drain of lower m1); and wherein the transformer includes a second transformer component (l1-l2) having a second primary winding (lower l2) in series with the second amplifier output (drain of lower m1) and a second secondary winding (lower l1) coupled to the second amplifier input wherein the second primary winding (lower l2) and the second secondary winding (lower l1) are arranged such that a portion of a second magnetic field generated by the second primary winding (lower l2) couples to the second secondary winding (lower l1) through a second magnetically coupled feedback loop (consider the lower magnetic coupling element k), thereby providing second feedback from the second amplifier output (drain of lower m1) to the second amplifier input (gate of lower m1);
wherein the first primary winding (upper l2) and the second primary winding (lower l2) are configured to drive a load included within an output load arrangement (fig. 9, output stage includes inductor l6, output buffer and balun) connected to the first primary winding (upper l2) and the second primary winding (lower l2) wherein the output load arrangement includes an inductive element (inductor l6 of fig. 9).
|
[
"1. An air freshener for containing an air freshener material, the air freshener comprising:\na canister assembly having an open upper end in communication with a cavity adapted to hold the air freshener material;\na lid coupled to the canister assembly to close at least a portion of the open upper end thereof; and\na plurality of openings in the canister assembly in communication with the cavity and the air freshener material therein;\nwherein a plurality of air flow paths into and out of the cavity are provided for exposure of the air freshener material to a surrounding atmosphere of the air freshener, at least some of the plurality of air flow paths passing through selected ones of the plurality of openings and the open upper end of the canister assembly;\nwherein the canister assembly further comprises:\na canister having a plurality of apertures in a bottom wall of the canister; and\na cup seated within the canister and having a plurality of slots in a bottom wall of the cup;\nwherein the plurality of openings in the canister assembly are formed by combinations of the plurality of apertures and the plurality of slots.",
"2. The air freshener of claim 1 further comprising:\na base supporting the canister assembly, the base having a plurality of holes therein in communication with the plurality of openings in the canister assembly and contributing to forming the plurality of air flow paths.",
"3. The air freshener of claim 1 wherein the canister assembly further comprises:\na central post with the cavity being formed in an annular configuration about the post.",
"4. The air freshener of claim 3 wherein the lid further comprises:\na downwardly directed stem threadably coupled to the central post for adjusting a position of the lid relative to the open upper end of the canister assembly and thereby modifying at least some of the plurality of air flow paths.",
"5. The air freshener of claim 4 wherein the lid has a generally circular shape.",
"6. The air freshener of claim 1 wherein the canister assembly has a generally annular shape.",
"7. The air freshener of claim 1 wherein a first portion of the plurality of air flow paths are directed upwardly through the canister assembly and a second portion of the plurality of air flow paths are directed downwardly through the canister assembly.",
"8. The air freshener of claim 1 further comprising:\na wall bracket mounting assembly to support the air freshener, the wall bracket mounting assembly being adapted for mounting to a wall surface.",
"9. An air freshener for containing an air freshener material, the air freshener comprising:\na generally annular canister assembly having an open upper end in communication with a cavity adapted to hold the air freshener material;\na plurality of openings in the canister assembly in communication with the cavity and the air freshener material therein;\nwherein the canister assembly further comprises a canister having a plurality of apertures in a bottom wall of the canister and a cup seated within the canister and having a plurality of slots in a bottom wall of the cup;\nwherein the plurality of openings in the canister assembly are formed by combinations of the plurality of apertures and the plurality of slots;\na generally circular lid coupled to the canister assembly to close at least a portion of the open upper end thereof;\nwherein the canister assembly further comprises a central post with the cavity being formed in an annular configuration about the post;\nwherein a plurality of air flow paths into and out of the cavity are provided for exposure of the air freshener material to a surrounding atmosphere of the air freshener, at least some of the plurality of air flow paths passing through selected ones of the plurality of openings and the open upper end of the canister assembly; and\na base supporting the canister assembly, the base having a plurality of holes therein in communication with the plurality of openings in the canister assembly and contributing to forming the plurality of air flow paths.",
"10. The air freshener of claim 9 wherein the lid further comprises:\na downwardly directed stem threadably coupled to the central post for adjusting a position of the lid relative to the open upper end of the canister assembly and thereby modifying at least some of the plurality of air flow paths.",
"11. The air freshener of claim 9 wherein a first portion of the plurality of air flow paths are directed upwardly through the canister assembly and a second portion of the plurality of air flow paths are directed downwardly through the canister assembly.",
"12. The air freshener of claim 9 further comprising:\na wall bracket mounting assembly to support the air freshener, the wall bracket mounting assembly being adapted for mounting to a wall surface.",
"13. An air freshener combination comprising:\na canister assembly having an open upper end in communication with a cavity;\nan air freshener material located within the cavity;\na lid coupled to the canister assembly to close at least a portion of the open upper end thereof; and\na plurality of openings in the canister assembly in communication with the cavity and the air freshener material therein;\nwherein a plurality of air flow paths into and out of the cavity are provided for exposure of the air freshener material to a surrounding atmosphere of the air freshener, at least some of the plurality of air flow paths passing through selected ones of the plurality of openings and the open upper end of the canister assembly, wherein a first portion of the plurality of air flow paths are directed upwardly through the canister assembly and a second portion of the plurality of air flow paths are directed downwardly through the canister assembly;\nwherein the canister assembly further comprises:\na canister having a plurality of apertures in a bottom wall of the canister; and\na cup seated within the canister and having a plurality of slots in a bottom wall of the cup;\nwherein the plurality of openings in the canister assembly are formed by combinations of the plurality of apertures and the plurality of slots.",
"14. The air freshener combination of claim 13 further comprising:\na base supporting the canister assembly, the base having a plurality of holes therein in communication with the plurality of openings in the canister assembly and contributing to forming the plurality of air flow paths.",
"15. The air freshener combination of claim 13 wherein the canister assembly further comprises:\na central post with the cavity being formed in an annular configuration about the post;\nwherein the air freshener material is formed in a ring shape surrounding the central post.",
"16. The air freshener combination of claim 15 wherein the lid further comprises:\na downwardly directed stem threadably coupled to the central post for adjusting a position of the lid relative to the open upper end of the canister assembly and thereby modifying at least some of the plurality of air flow paths.",
"17. The air freshener combination of claim 13 wherein the canister assembly has a generally annular shape and the air freshener material is formed in a ring shape.",
"18. The air freshener combination of claim 17 wherein the air freshener material further comprises:\na plurality of spaced beads;\na ring joining the plurality of spaced beads into the ring shape."
] |
US11986576B2
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US20180353636A1
|
[
"1. A system for diffusing one or more volatile compounds carried by a volatile compound mass, the system comprising:\na base carrying a selectively activatable airflow generator and having a base outlet port defined therein;\na resealable pod, including:\na tray and a cover, moveable relative to one another, the tray and the cover collectively defining a containment chamber that contains the volatile compound mass, the containment chamber having an inlet and an outlet, the chamber inlet and outlet being openable and closeable by relative movement of the tray and the cover;\nthe pod being positionable upon the base such that the base outlet port is in fluid communication with the chamber inlet to enable airflow generated by the airflow generator to pass through the base outlet port, through the chamber inlet, through the containment chamber, and through the chamber outlet to thereby diffuse the one or more volatile compounds carried by the volatile compound mass.",
"2. The system of claim 1, wherein the resealable pod further includes a pod inlet channel, in fluid communication with the chamber inlet; and further comprising:\na deflector panel, carried by the pod and being positioned upstream of the chamber inlet, the deflector panel operable to direct airflow traveling through the pod inlet channel through the chamber inlet and into the containment chamber.",
"3. The system of claim 1, wherein the base includes a pod platform operable to receive the pod thereupon, the pod platform circumscribing the base outlet port to thereby direct flow from the base through the base outlet port.",
"4. The system of claim 1, wherein one of the tray and the cover includes a shaft extending at least partially therethrough, the shaft defining a pod inlet channel, the shaft including one or more windows formed therethrough.",
"5. The system of claim 4, wherein an other of the tray and the cover includes a rod, extending into the shaft, the rod including a deflector panel that directs airflow from the pod inlet channel through the windows and into the containment chamber.",
"6. The system of claim 5, wherein the rod is positionable behind the windows to thereby block airflow through the windows.",
"7. The system of claim 1, wherein the cover includes an upper plate, and wherein the tray includes at least one side wall, and wherein the chamber outlet is created when the upper plate moves relative to the at least one side wall.",
"8. The system of claim 1, further comprising:\npod engagement structure coupled to the base; and\nbase engagement structure, coupled to the pod, the base engagement structure operable to move the tray and cover relative to one another when the pod engagement structure is engaged by the base engagement structure;\nthe pod being positionable upon the base such that when the base outlet port is placed in fluid communication with the chamber inlet, the base engagement structure engages the pod engagement structure to move the tray and cover relative to one another to cause the chamber inlet and outlet to open.",
"9. A system for diffusing one or more volatile compounds carried by a volatile compound mass, the system comprising:\na resealable pod, including:\na tray and a cover, moveable relative to one another, the tray and the cover collectively defining a containment chamber that contains the volatile compound mass, the containment chamber having an inlet and an outlet, the chamber inlet and outlet being openable and closeable by relative movement of the tray and the cover;\nthe pod being positionable upon a base carrying a selectively activatable airflow generator such that an outlet port of the base is in fluid communication with the chamber inlet to enable airflow generated by the airflow generator of the base to pass through the base outlet port, through the chamber inlet, through the containment chamber, and through the chamber outlet to thereby diffuse the one or more volatile compounds carried by the volatile compound mass.",
"10. The system of claim 9, further comprising a base carrying a selectively activatable airflow generator and having a base outlet port formed therein.",
"11. The system of claim 10, further comprising a pod inlet channel, in fluid communication with the chamber inlet; and\na deflector panel, positioned upstream of the chamber inlet, the deflector panel operable to change a direction of airflow traveling through the pod inlet channel;\nthe pod being positionable upon the base such that the base outlet port is in fluid communication with the pod inlet channel to enable airflow generated by the airflow generator to pass through the base outlet port, through the pod inlet channel, through the chamber inlet, through the containment chamber, and through the chamber outlet to thereby diffuse the one or more volatile compounds carried by the volatile compound mass.",
"12. The system of claim 10, wherein the base includes a pod platform operable to receive the pod thereupon, the pod platform circumscribing the base outlet port to thereby direct flow from the base through the base outlet port.",
"13. The system of claim 10, wherein one of the tray and the cover includes a shaft extending at least partially therethrough, the shaft defining a pod inlet channel, the shaft including one or more windows formed therethrough.",
"14. The system of claim 13, wherein an other of the tray and the cover includes a rod, extending into the shaft, the rod including a deflector panel that directs airflow from the pod inlet channel through the windows and into the containment chamber.",
"15. The system of claim 14, wherein the rod is positionable behind the windows to thereby block airflow through the windows.",
"16. A system for diffusing one or more volatile compounds carried by a volatile compound mass, the system comprising:\na base carrying a selectively activatable airflow generator and having a base outlet port defined therein;\npod engagement structure coupled to the base;\na resealable pod, including:\na tray and a cover, moveable relative to one another, the tray and the cover collectively defining a containment chamber that contains the volatile compound mass, the containment chamber having an inlet and an outlet, the chamber inlet and outlet being openable and closeable by relative movement of the tray and the cover; and\nbase engagement structure, coupled to the pod, the base engagement structure operable to move the tray and cover relative to one another when the pod engagement structure is engaged by the base engagement structure;\nthe pod being positionable upon the base such that when the base outlet port is placed in fluid communication with the chamber inlet, the base engagement structure engages the pod engagement structure to move the tray and cover relative to one another to cause the chamber inlet and outlet to open.",
"17. The system of claim 16, wherein the base engagement structure extends from the cover of the pod, and wherein the pod engagement structure extends from the base and through the tray of the pod.",
"18. The system of claim 17, wherein the base engagement structure includes one or more sloped prongs extending from the cover, and further comprising one or more notches formed in the tray, the sloped prongs being receivable within the notches to fix a position of the cover relative to the tray.",
"19. The system of claim 17, wherein the pod engagement structure includes one or more sloped walls extending from the base, and wherein movement of ends of the sloped prongs along the sloped walls causes the prongs to be displaceable from the notches to allow the tray to move relative to the cover.",
"20. The system of claim 16, wherein the pod further includes a pod inlet channel, in fluid communication with the chamber inlet; and further comprising:\na deflector panel, carried by the pod and being positioned upstream of the chamber inlet, the deflector panel operable to direct airflow traveling through the pod inlet channel through the chamber inlet and into the containment chamber."
] |
[
[
"1. A multifunctional microwave plasma and ultraviolet light deodorization treatment unit, comprising: a horizontal rectangular box having an elongated body defining a horizontal axis thereof and a channel cavity inside said elongated body, a decomposition device (1), a high frequency plasma electric field (2), a microwave plasma electric field (3), an ultraviolet radiation field (4), a plasma electric field (5), an ozone gas reaction chamber (6), a reaction termination chamber (7) and a gas organization chamber (8) sequentially installed inside said channel cavity of said horizontal rectangular box, and an air pump; wherein said multifunctional microwave plasma and ultraviolet light deodorization treatment unit is arranged to receive odor gas subject to treatment through an odor gas inlet of said decomposition device (1), and the odor gas is guided by said air pump (10) to flow sequentially through said decomposition device (1), said high frequency plasma electric field (2), said microwave plasma electric field (3), said ultraviolet radiation field (4), said plasma electric field (5), said ozone gas reaction chamber (6), said reaction termination chamber (7) and said gas organization chamber (8), and then the odor gas is discharged from said gas organization chamber (8) through a gas exhaust pipe at one end of said gas organization chamber (8), wherein:\nsaid decomposition device (1) comprises activated carbon for adsorption function and a monofluoro atom oxide catalyst arranged for chemical decomposition after ultraviolet radiation;\nsaid high frequency plasma electric field (2) is generated by a high frequency plasma electric field generator;\nsaid microwave plasma electric field (3) is generated by: a casing, a control, a high voltage power supply (39) connected to said control, a magnetron (32) connected to said high voltage power supply (39) and mounted on said casing of said microwave plasma electric field (3), a fixed partition panel (33) inside said casing of said microwave plasma electric field (3), a quartz tube (31) mounted to said fixed partition panel (33), wherein said quartz tube (31) is filled with an inert gas and mercury such that said quartz tube is uniformly discharged in the microwave plasma electric field (3) along its entire length to produce a full-band ultraviolet light at 180˜380 nm and ozone of which the ultraviolet light and ozone are arranged for sterilization; and\nsaid ultraviolet radiation field (4) is generated by: a controller (45), a plurality of ballasts (44) connected in parallel with said controller (45), a plurality of high intensity ultraviolet generator (42) mounted inside a cavity (46) of the high intensity ultraviolet radiation field (4) and connected to said plurality of ballasts (44) respectively such that one said high intensity ultraviolet generator (42) is connected to one said ballast (44).",
"2. The multifunctional microwave plasma and ultraviolet light deodorization treatment unit according to claim 1, wherein said plasma electric field (5) is generated by: a casing (52) having an air inlet (51) and an air outlet (56) at two sides of said casing, an inlet air filter (54) mounted proximal to said air inlet (51), an outlet air filter (57) mounted proximal to said air outlet (56), and a plasma electric field generator (55) mounted inside said casing (52) between said air inlet (51) and said air outlet (56), thereby the odor gas subjected to treatment is guided to flow from said air inlet to pass through said plasma electric field generator so that oscillation in said plasma electric field is achieved;\nsaid ozone gas reaction chamber (6) has an ozone gas reaction cavity and comprises an air compressor (61), an air source gas pipe (62) having one end connected to said compressor and another end connected to a plurality of ozone generators (63) in which said plurality of ozone generators are connected in parallel, an ozone gas pipe (64) having one end connected to said plurality of ozone generators through a gas outlet of each said ozone generator and another end connected through an ozone gas inlet (672) to said ozone gas reaction cavity (67).",
"3. The multifunctional microwave plasma and ultraviolet light deodorization treatment unit according to claim 2, wherein said reaction termination chamber (7) comprises: a reaction termination chamber body (72), a plurality of honeycomb activated carbon filters (73) installed in said reaction termination chamber body (72), wherein said honeycomb activated carbon filter (73) is covered with pure carbon (75), wherein said gas organization chamber (8) comprises a plurality of positive and negative ion generators (83) mounted on a frame (821) inside said reaction termination chamber body (72), thereby the odor gas is guided to flow from said ozone gas reaction chamber (6) to said reaction termination chamber so that the odor gas is stopped from further reactions after passing through said reaction termination chamber, and then the odor gas is guided to flow from said reaction termination chamber to said gas organization chamber (8) for further sterilization and air purification.",
"4. The multifunctional microwave plasma and ultraviolet light deodorization treatment unit according to claim 3, wherein said high frequency plasma electric field generator comprises an integrated circuit IC1 with a model number of 7809 and an integrated circuit IC2 time base circuit with a model number of 555.",
"5. The multifunctional microwave plasma and ultraviolet light deodorization treatment unit according to claim 3, wherein said microwave plasma electric field (3) comprises a voltage power supply in a circuit, which comprises: an integrated circuit IC1 and an integrated circuit IC2.",
"6. The multifunctional microwave plasma and ultraviolet light deodorization treatment unit according to claim 4, wherein said high frequency plasma electric field generator comprises a rectifier QU connected to a voltage regulator of the integrated circuit IC1 with a model number of 7809, wherein the voltage regulator is connected to an input terminal of an inverter of the integrated circuit IC2 time base circuit with the model number of 555, an output terminal of pin 3 of the inverter of IC2 555 time base circuit passes through resistor R5 and capacitor C6 and connects to a base of an amplifier VT1, an output of the amplifier VT1 is connected to transformer T1 to output high frequency voltage.",
"7. The multifunctional microwave plasma and ultraviolet light deodorization treatment unit according to claim 5, wherein said integrated circuit IC1 is a high frequency precision function signal generator of which potentiometer P1 is connected to pin 8 of said integrated circuit IC1, potentiometer P3 is connected to pin 7 of said integrated circuit IC1, potentiometer P2 is connected to pin 10 of said integrated circuit IC1, capacitor C5 is connected to pin 5 of said integrated circuit IC1, pin 19 of said integrated circuit IC1 is connected to diode D1, diode D1 is connected to pin 3 of said integrated circuit IC2, pin 17 is connected to +5V power supply, pin 20 is connected to −5V power supply, pin 15, pin 2, pin 9, pin 11, pin 12, pin 13 are grounded, pin 18 and pin 15 are grounded, pin 3 of said integrated circuit IC1 is connected to the CN3 tactile switch, pin 4 of said integrated circuit IC1 is connected to the tactile switch CN4, an output terminal of diode D1 4148 is connected to pin 3 of amplifier of said integrated circuit IC2, pin 2 of amplifier of said integrated circuit IC2 is connected to resistor R1 and potentiometer P4, pin 1 of amplifier of said integrated circuit IC2 is connected to pin 5 of amplifier of said integrated circuit IC2, pin 6 of amplifier of said integrated circuit IC2 is connected to pin 7 of amplifier of output pin of said integrated circuit IC2, pin 8 of amplifier of said integrated circuit IC2 is connect to the power supply."
],
[
"1. An essential oil atomizer, comprising:\na chassis;\na housing connected to the chassis and defining an atomization chamber, a top opening connected to the atomization chamber, and a lower end connectable to an essential oil bottle;\na pump located in the chassis;\na gas tube connected to the pump;\nan oil nozzle for extracting essential oil from the essential oil bottle, wherein the oil nozzle is located in the housing, and an upper end of the oil nozzle protrudes into the atomization chamber;\na gas nozzle connected to the pump through the gas tube and having an outlet, wherein the outlet of the gas nozzle is located adjacent to the upper end of the oil nozzle;\na filter mounted to the chassis, the filter comprising:\na lower end having an entrance through hole;\nan outer housing wall;\nan inner housing wall, the inner housing wall and the outer housing wall defining a first chamber, the inner housing wall defining a second chamber;\nan upper end having a dispensing opening;\nwherein an airflow path is successively defined through the entrance through hole, the first chamber, the second chamber, and the dispensing opening.",
"2. The essential oil atomizer of claim 1, further comprising an outer cover positioned on the chassis and covering the atomization chamber.",
"3. The essential oil atomizer of claim 2, wherein the outer cover comprises a threaded connection to the chassis.",
"4. The essential oil atomizer of claim 1, wherein the second chamber has a peaked lower surface.",
"5. The essential oil atomizer of claim 1, wherein the dispensing opening opens through a top end of the chassis.",
"6. The essential oil atomizer of claim 1, wherein the airflow path defines at least four changes in direction of airflow through the filter.",
"7. The essential oil atomizer of claim 6, wherein the at least four changes in direction are orthogonal changes in direction.",
"8. The essential oil atomizer of claim 1, wherein the filter is removable from the chassis.",
"9. The essential oil atomizer of claim 1, wherein the dispensing opening opens to the second chamber.",
"10. An essential oil atomizer, comprising:\na chassis;\na housing connected to the chassis and defining an atomization chamber, a top opening connected to the atomization chamber, and a lower end connectable to an essential oil bottle;\na pump located in the chassis;\na gas tube connected to the pump;\nan oil nozzle for extracting essential oil from the essential oil bottle, wherein the oil nozzle is located in the housing, and an upper end of the oil nozzle protrudes into the atomization chamber;\na gas nozzle connected to the pump through the gas tube and having an outlet, wherein the outlet of the gas nozzle is located adjacent to the upper end of the oil nozzle;\na filter system mounted to the chassis, the filter system comprising:\nan upper filter having an upper portion, an upper baffle, and a dispensing opening, the upper baffle extending downward from the upper portion, the dispensing opening being defined in the upper portion;\na lower filter coupled with the upper filter and including a lower baffle and a through hole;\nwherein an airflow path defined from the through hole to the dispensing opening changes direction at least four times through the filter system.",
"11. The essential oil atomizer of claim 10, wherein the airflow path changes direction orthogonally at least four times through the filter system.",
"12. The essential oil atomizer of claim 10, wherein the through hole is defined in an end of the lower filter.",
"13. The essential oil atomizer of claim 10, wherein the dispensing opening is defined vertically through the upper portion.",
"14. The essential oil atomizer of claim 10, wherein the lower filter is removable from the upper filter.",
"15. The essential oil atomizer of claim 10, wherein the lower filter includes a peaked bottom board.",
"16. The essential oil atomizer of claim 10, wherein the upper baffle is substantially cylindrical and the lower baffle is substantially cylindrical.",
"17. An essential oil atomizer, comprising:\na chassis;\na main housing connected to the chassis and defining an atomization chamber, a top opening connected to the atomization chamber, and a lower end connectable to an essential oil bottle;\na pump located in the chassis;\na gas tube connected to the pump;\nan oil nozzle for extracting essential oil from the essential oil bottle, wherein the oil nozzle is located in the main housing, and an upper end of the oil nozzle protrudes into the atomization chamber;\na gas nozzle connected to the pump through the gas tube and having an outlet, wherein the outlet of the gas nozzle is located adjacent to the upper end of the oil nozzle;\na filter mounted to the chassis, the filter comprising:\nan upper filter housing defining a dispensing opening;\na lower filter housing coupled with the upper filter housing and opening to the atomization chamber of the main housing;\nan outer cover coupled with the main housing and covering the atomization chamber, the outer cover having a cover opening connected to the dispensing opening of the upper filter housing.",
"18. The essential oil atomizer of claim 17, wherein an airflow path is defined from the atomization chamber through the lower filter housing and the upper filter housing to the cover opening.",
"19. The essential oil atomizer of claim 18, wherein the airflow path requires at least four sequential and orthogonal changes in direction.",
"20. The essential oil atomizer of claim 17, wherein the upper filter housing and the lower filter housing are disposed on a top surface of the main housing."
],
[
"1. A process for producing a porous carbon material composite, the process comprising:\ncarbonizing a silicon-containing plant-derived material at from 800° C. to 1,400° C. and generating a precursor carbonized material with oxidized silicon compounds;\nreducing the silicon in the precursor carbonized material by treating the carbonized material with a hydrofluoric acid or an alkali and removing the oxidized silicon compounds;\nactivating the precursor carbonized material after reducing the silicon in the precursor carbonized material by subjecting the precursor carbonized material to a steam stream and generating a porous carbon material; and\ncausing a functional material to adhere on the porous carbon material using a complexing treatment in which the porous carbon material is (a) immersed at 25° C. for 24 hours in a 0.5 mol/L aqueous solution of iron chloride, (b) then washed with water and, (c) then subjected to heat treatment at 750° C. for three hours in a nitrogen atmosphere to complete the creation of the porous carbon material composite.",
"2. The process of claim 1, comprising activating the precursor carbonized material by subjecting the precursor carbonized material to the steam stream for at least two hours, the steam being at a temperature of 900 degrees Centigrade.",
"3. The process of claim 1, comprising reducing the silicon in the precursor carbonized material by treating the carbonized material with the hydrofluoric acid.",
"4. The process for producing the porous carbon material composite according to claim 1, wherein:\nthe plant-derived material has a silicon content of 5 wt % or higher;\nthe porous carbon material has a silicon content of 1 wt % or lower; and\nthe porous carbon material composite has a specific surface area of 10 m2/g or greater as determined by the nitrogen BET method and a pore volume of 0.1 cm3/g or greater as determined by the BJH method and the MP method.",
"5. The process of claim 1, wherein:\nthe porous carbonized material has a cumulative pore volume of at least 0.18 cm3/g for pores sized 5 nm or greater,\nthe functional material is in a form of fine particles, thin films, or sea islands,\nthe functional material is dissimilar to the porous carbonized material, and\nthe porous carbonized material does not contain silicon carbide.",
"6. The process of claim 1, wherein the functional material is titanium oxide or zinc oxide.",
"7. The process of claim 1, wherein the functional material is cadmium sulfide, lead sulfide, cadmium selenide, lead selenide, zinc selenide, indium arsenide, gallium arsenide, indium phosphide, gallium phosphide, gallium antimonide, indium antimonide, or lanthanide oxide.",
"8. The process of claim 1, wherein the porous carbonized material has a specific surface area of 50 m2/g or greater as determined by the nitrogen BET method.",
"9. The process of claim 1, wherein the porous carbonized material has a specific surface area of 100 m2/g or greater as determined by the nitrogen BET method.",
"10. The process of claim 1, wherein the porous carbonized material has a specific surface area of 400 m2/g or greater as determined by the nitrogen BET method.",
"11. The process of claim 1, wherein the porous carbonized material has a cumulative pore volume of 0.1 cm3/g or greater as determined by the BJH method and the MP method.",
"12. The process of claim 1, wherein the porous carbonized material has a cumulative pore volume of 0.3 cm3/g or greater as determined by the BJH method and the MP method.",
"13. The process of claim 1, wherein the plant-derived material is rice husk.",
"14. The process of claim 1, wherein the plant-derived material has a silicon content of 5 wt % or greater.",
"15. The process of claim 1, wherein the functional material exhibits surface plasmon absorption or light absorption by a semiconductor.",
"16. The process of claim 1, wherein the functional material is a magnetic material.",
"17. The process of claim 1, wherein the functional material is composed of a noble metal, noble metal alloy, oxide semiconductor or compound semiconductor.",
"18. The process of claim 1, wherein the functional material is composed of a component having a moisturizing effect and/or antioxidant effect."
],
[
"1. A method of using an ionic oxidation refreshing system, the ionic oxidation refreshing system for refreshing an odorized item comprising an enclosure with an airflow system to contact the odorized item on all sides; an ionization system that produces a positively charged ionized ozone gas mixture inside of the enclosure, killing germs, including odor-causing bacteria, viruses, molds, and fungus, and provides the odorized item inside the enclosure with a net positive charge; a filter that neutralizes and filters out any toxic by-products; an electrostatic liquid atomization system that creates a fine mist of a quick-cleaning solution, and, in conjunction with the airflow system, causes solution droplets to penetrate deep into the odorized item and agitate a surface of the odorized item, ensuring the formula is evenly delivered onto the odorized item without over saturating any area, the method comprising:\nproducing an ionized ozone gas mixture inside of the enclosure with the ionization system so that the odorized item inside of the enclosure has a net positive charge;\ndelivering the quick-cleaning solution with the electrostatic liquid atomization system and the airflow system so that the fine mist of the quick-cleaning solution penetrates deep into the odorized item and agitates the surface of the odorized item, ensuring the formula is evenly delivered onto the odorized item without over saturating any area;\nneutralizing and filtering out with the filter any toxic by-products resulting from surface oxidation of the odorized item by the ionized ozone gas mixture, and\ncharging scent molecules with a net negative charge, opposite the net positive surface charge on the odorized item inside of the enclosure, facilitating the adherence of scent molecules to the items inside of the enclosure.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the airflow system includes a plurality of movable high-speed air blades that deliver air blade streams of the fine mist of quick-cleaning solution, the high-speed air blades configured to create surface tension on the odorized item to smooth and stretch out any wrinkles, and the method further comprising delivering air blade streams of the fine mist of quick-cleaning solution, creating surface tension on the odorized item to smooth and stretch out any wrinkles, with the plurality of movable high-speed air blades.",
"3. The method of claim 2, wherein one or more of the plurality of movable high-speed air blades are vertically movable, and the method further comprising vertically moving the plurality of movable high-speed air blades.",
"4. The method of claim 2, wherein the airflow system is configured so that the fine mist of quick-cleaning solution is delivered within the air blade streams, and the method further comprising delivering the fine mist of quick-cleaning solution within the air blade streams with the airflow system.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein the filter is configured to neutralize and filter out any toxic by-products including one or more of ozone, nitric acid, aldehydes, and VOCs resulting from surface oxidation of the odorized item, and charging scent molecules with a net negative charge to adhere to the item inside, and the method further comprising neutralizing and filtering out any toxic by-products including one or more of ozone, nitric acid, aldehydes, and VOCs resulting from surface oxidation of the odorized item, and charging scent molecules with a net negative charge to adhere to the item inside with the filter.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein the filter includes a quick cleaning filter cartridge with an anion diffuser, and filtering out includes filtering out with the quick cleaning filter cartridge with an anion diffuser of the filter any toxic by-products resulting from surface oxidation of the odorized item by the ionized ozone gas mixture.",
"7. The method of claim 6, wherein the quick cleaning filter cartridge includes a catalytic oxidation polymer formula that neutralizes any remaining toxic gases, and the method further comprising neutralizing any remaining toxic gases with the catalytic oxidation polymer formula of the quick cleaning filter cartridge.",
"8. The method of claim 7, wherein the quick cleaning filter cartridge includes an essential oil-based fragrance that releases scent molecules, and the method further comprising releasing scent molecules with the essential oil-based fragrance of the quick cleaning filter cartridge.",
"9. The method of claim 8, wherein the anion diffuser is configured to charge the scent molecules with a net negative charge, to assist in the adherence of the scent molecules to the positively charged items in the enclosure, and the method further comprising charging the scent molecules with a net negative charge, to assist in the adherence of the scent molecules to the positively charged items in the enclosure, with the anion diffused.",
"10. The method of claim 6, wherein the quick cleaning filter cartridge includes a cartridge solution having a polymer oxidation catalyst formula with scrubbing compounds, and the method further comprising using the cartridge solution having a polymer oxidation catalyst formula with scrubbing compounds of the quick cleaning filter cartridge.",
"11. The method of claim 10, wherein the scrubbing compounds include one or more of manganese oxide solutions, salt solutions, sodium bicarbonate solutions, silicon dioxides, hydroxides, and peroxides, and the method further comprising using one or more of manganese oxide solutions, salt solutions, sodium bicarbonate solutions, silicon dioxides, hydroxides, and peroxides as the scrubbing compounds.",
"12. The method of claim 1, further including an ultrasonic hanger configured to agitate the odorized item at a frequency greater than 20 kHz, and the method further comprising agitating the odorized item at a frequency greater than 20 kHz with the ultrasonic hanger.",
"13. The method of claim 1, wherein the airflow system includes a high-speed centrifugal blower that powers the plurality of air blades, which are located in front, behind, and below the odorized item, and the method further comprising powering the plurality of air blades, which are located in front, behind, and below the odorized item, with the high-speed centrifugal blower of the airflow system.",
"14. The method of claim 1, further including an internal camera configured to detect at least one of the odorized item and a material of the odorized item, and the method further comprising detecting at least one of the odorized item and a material of the odorized item with the internal camera.",
"15. The method of claim 1, further including a RFID reader configured to read garment tag care instructions to adjust process parameters, and the method further comprising reading garment tag care instructions to adjust process parameters with the RFID reader.",
"16. The method of claim 1, further including a heater configured to rapidly dry the odorized item, and the method further comprising rapidly drying the odorized item with the heater.",
"17. The method of claim 1, wherein the ionizer includes a catalyzed corona discharge device containing a hybrid generating element comprising of ceramic with a quartz glass glaze coating or comprising of stainless steel with a ruthenium metal paste coating to ionize the air inside of the enclosure, and the method further comprising ionizing the air inside of the enclosure with the catalyzed corona discharge device containing a hybrid generating element comprising of ceramic with a quartz glass glaze coating or comprising of stainless steel with a ruthenium metal paste coating.",
"18. The method of claim 17, wherein the ionizer includes a metal catalyst, the metal catalyst being one of copper, nickel, aluminum, or other metals which have a net positive charge and release cations by oxidation, the metal catalyst also being one of adjacent to the catalyzed corona discharge device and coated on the generating element, creating a high electric flux density of charged ions and free radicals that combine with ozone to potentiate it to ionized ozone gas, with a higher oxidative power, and the method further comprising creating a high electric flux density of charged ions and free radicals that combine with ozone to potentiate it to ionized ozone gas with the metal catalyst, the metal catalyst being one of copper, nickel, aluminum, or other metals which have a net positive charge and release cations by oxidation, the metal catalyst also being one of adjacent to the catalyzed corona discharge device and coated on the generating element.",
"19. The method of claim 1, wherein the airflow system includes a plurality of movable high-speed air blades, and delivering the quick-cleaning solution includes delivering the quick-cleaning solution with the electrostatic liquid atomization system and the plurality of movable high-speed air blades so that surface tension is created on the odorized item to smooth and stretch out any wrinkles."
],
[
"1. A method of inhibiting or reducing production of laundry malodor caused by at least one malodor causing bacteria comprising contacting a fabric or a laundry washing machine with a Bacillus strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50136, which inhibits or reduces production of malodor caused by the at least one malodor causing bacteria.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the method comprises contacting the at least one malodor causing bacteria with the Bacillus strain.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein the method comprises contacting an odor generating compound derived from the at least one malodor causing bacteria with the Bacillus strain.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein the contacting comprises administering the Bacillus strain to a laundry washing machine.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein the contacting is done during a washing process.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein the contacting is done to a new washing machine.",
"7. The method of claim 1, wherein the contacting is done to a washing machine following one or more uses of said washing machine.",
"8. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one malodor causing bacteria is at least one bacterial species selected from the group consisting of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Acinetobacter junii, Bacillus subtilis, Janibacter melois, Sphingobium ummariense, Sphingomonas panni, Sphingomonadaceae sp., Actinobacter tandoii, Junibacter melonis, Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens, Flavobacterium denitrificans, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, Leclercia adecarboxylata, Enterobacter sp., Cronobacter sakazakii, Bacillus megaterium, Sphingobacterium faecium, Enterobacter cloacae, Pseudomonas veronii, Microbacterium luteolum, Morganella morganii, Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas sp., Pseudomonas-marginalis, Citrobacter sp., Escherichia coli strain JCLys5, Roseomonas aquatic, Pseudomonas panipatensis, Brevibacillus subtilis subtilis, Micrococcus luteus, Bacillus pumilus, Ralstonia eutropha, Caulobacter fusiformis, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Rhodococcus opacus, Breviundimonas intermedia, Agrobacterium tumefaciens, and combinations thereof.",
"9. A method of inhibiting the production of laundry malodor caused by a bacterium, comprising contacting a laundry washing machine with a Bacillus strain, in combination with or formulated as a washing product, which inhibits the production of malodor caused by the at least one bacterium that causes laundry malodor; wherein the Bacillus strain is a strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50136; wherein the bacterium is selected from the group consisting of Bacillus subtilis, Sphingobium ummariense, Sphingomonas panni, Sphingomonas ursinicola, Acinetobacter tandoii, Acinetobacter junii, Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens, Janibacter melonis, Pseudomonas sp., Flavobacterium denitrificans, Micrococcus luteus, Bacillus pumilus, Ralstonia eutropha, Caulobacter fusiformis, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Micrococcus luteus, Rhodococcus opacus, Breviundimonas intermedia, Agrobacterium tumefaciens and a combination thereof.",
"10. The method of claim 9, wherein the method comprises contacting the at least one bacterium that causes laundry malodor.",
"11. The method of claim 9, wherein the method comprises contacting an odor generating compound obtained from the at least one bacterium capable of causing odor.",
"12. The method of claim 9, wherein the contacting is done during a washing process.",
"13. The method of claim 9, wherein the contacting is done to a new washing machine.",
"14. The method of claim 9, wherein the contacting is done to a washing machine following one or more uses of said washing machine."
],
[
"1. An electrically heated aerosol-generating system comprising:\na cartridge including,\na storage portion containing an aerosol-forming substrate, and\nan open ended passage extending through the cartridge; and\nan aerosol-generating device including,\na main housing defining a cavity configured to receive at least a portion of the cartridge,\na closure engageable with the main housing,\na heater assembly at least partially in the main housing, the heater assembly including,\nan elongate piercing assembly configured to extend into the open ended passage of the cartridge, the elongate piercing assembly including,\na first hollow shaft portion connected to the main housing,\na second hollow shaft portion connected to the closure, the first hollow shaft portion and the second hollow shaft portion extending along a same longitudinal axis, and the first hollow shaft portion and the second hollow shaft portion being configured to meet at a junction such that the elongate piercing assembly extends along an entire length of the cavity, and\nat least one electric heater fixed to the elongate piercing assembly and configured to heat the aerosol-forming substrate.",
"2. The electrically heated aerosol-generating system of claim 1, wherein the closure comprises:\na mouthpiece including at least one outlet.",
"3. The electrically heated aerosol-generating system of claim 1, wherein the first hollow shaft portion comprises:\na first piercing surface at a distal end thereof, the first piercing surface configured to break through a first frangible seal across a first end of the open ended passage when the cartridge is inserted into the cavity.",
"4. The electrically heated aerosol-generating system of claim 3, wherein the second hollow shaft portion comprises:\na second piercing surface at a distal end thereof, the second piercing surface configured to break through a second frangible seal across a second end of the open ended passage when the closure is engaged with the main housing.",
"5. The electrically heated aerosol-generating system of claim 4, wherein the distal end of the first hollow shaft portion and the distal end of the second hollow shaft portion are each co-operatively shaped such that a seal is formed around the junction.",
"6. The electrically heated aerosol-generating system of claim 5, wherein the distal end of one of the first hollow shaft portion and the second hollow shaft portion has an inwardly tapering outer surface and the distal end of the other one of the first and second hollow shaft portions has an outwardly tapering inner surface.",
"7. The electrically heated aerosol-generating device system of claim 1, wherein the first hollow shaft portion and the second hollow shaft portion are electrically conductive and configured to connect the at least one electric heater to an electrical power supply.",
"8. The electrically heated aerosol-generating device system of claim 1, wherein the heater assembly further comprises:\na plurality of electric heaters, the plurality of electric heaters being fixed to and spaced along a length of the elongate piercing assembly.",
"9. The electrically heated aerosol-generating device system of claim 8, wherein the plurality of electric heaters comprises:\none or more electric heaters fixed to the first hollow shaft portion; and\none or more electric heaters fixed to the second hollow shaft portion.",
"10. The electrically heated aerosol-generating system of claim 8, wherein each of the plurality of electric heaters extend across an internal airflow passage transverse to a longitudinal direction of the elongate piercing assembly.",
"11. The electrically heated aerosol-generating system of claim 8, wherein the first hollow shaft portion, the second hollow shaft portion, or both the first hollow shaft portion and the second hollow shaft portion comprises:\na plurality of apertures in which the plurality of electric heaters are held, the plurality of electric heaters being in fluid communication with the storage portion of a cartridge received in the cavity via the plurality of apertures.",
"12. The electrically heated aerosol-generating system of claim 1, wherein the closure is connectable to the main housing via a screw fitting.",
"13. The electrically heated aerosol-generating system of claim 1, wherein the cartridge further comprises:\na capillary wick in fluid communication with the aerosol-forming substrate.",
"14. The electrically heated aerosol-generating system of claim 1, wherein the cartridge has a hollow, cylindrical shape.",
"15. The electrically heated aerosol-generating system of claim 1, wherein the cartridge further comprises:\nat least one sealing ring at an end thereof.",
"16. The electrically heated aerosol-generating system of claim 1, wherein the at least one electric heater comprises:\na capillary body; and\nat least one heating element arranged on an outer surface of the capillary body.",
"17. The electrically heated aerosol-generating system of claim 16, wherein the at least one heating element comprises a coil of wire."
],
[
"1. A scented article, comprising, at least one olfactory-active composition, a structural component comprising an absorbent matrix material, and a coating composition covering a portion of the structural component, wherein at least one olfactory-active composition is releasably retained in the absorbent matrix material.",
"2. The article of claim 1, wherein the absorbent matrix material is a pulp composition.",
"3. The article of claim 1, wherein the absorbent matrix material is a sheet of porous paper wound about a central axis to form a multilayered paper rod.",
"4. The article of claim 3, wherein the wound paper forms a chamber through the central axis of the rod that is hollow and open at both ends.",
"5. The article of claim 4, wherein the chamber formed along the central axis of the rod is fled with a gel or liquid.",
"6. The article of claim 1, wherein the absorbent matrix material has a void volume of about 1.0% to about 99% of the total volume of the structural component",
"7. The article of claim 5, wherein the gel or liquid comprises at least one olfactory-active composition.",
"8. The article of claim 1, wherein the coating covers more than 50% of the structural component.",
"9. The article of claim 1, wherein the coating covers substantially all of the structural component.",
"10. The article of claim 1, wherein the coating composition comprises a wax, soy wax, paraffin, bees wax, polyethylene wax, microcrystalline wax, waxes that soften or melt at a temperature greater than about 150 F, acrylates, polylactide, polyglycolide or polycaprolactone, or a polyester copolymer selected from poly(lactide/glycolide) acid (PLGA) or poly(lactid-co-.epsilon.-caprolactone) (PLCL), alkyl- or alkoxyalkyl-2-cyanoacrylates such as n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate or 2-methoxybutyl-2-cyanoacrylate, crosslinked cyanoacrylate, polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid, lactic-glycolic acid copolymers, polycaprolactone, lactic acid-caprolactone copolymers, poly-3-hydroxybutyric acid, polyorthoesters, polyalkyl acrylates, copolymers of alkylacrylate and vinyl acetate, polyalkyl methacrylates, and copolymers of alkyl methacrylates and butadiene; and plasticizers such as dioctyl phthalate, dimethyl sebacate, trethyl phosphate, tri (2-ethylhexy) phosphate, tri(p-cresyl)phosphate, glyceryl triacetate, glyceryl tributyrate, diethyl sebacate, dioctyl adipate, isopropyl myristate, butyl stearate, lauric acid, dibutyl phthalate, trioctyl trimellitate, and dioctyl glutarate, Krylon® Triple-Thick crystal clear glaze.",
"11. A method for making a scented article, comprising,\na) adding at least one liquid olfactory-active composition and at least one matrix material or at least one structural component, to a closed container, and in no particular order,\nb) applying a vacuum to the closed container and maintaining the vacuum for a period of time before releasing the vacuum; and\nc) pressurizing the closed container and maintaining the pressure for a period of time before releasing the pressure.",
"12. The method of claim 11, wherein steps b) and c) are repeated at least once.",
"13. The method of claim 11, wherein applying a vacuum comprises a vacuum from about 0.001 mm Hg to about 700 mm Hg.",
"14. The method of claim 11, wherein pressurizing the closed container comprises a pressure from about 10 psi to about 40 psi.",
"15. The method of claim 11 wherein the period of time for the vacuum or the pressure is from 1 minute to 10 hours.",
"16. The method of claim 11, wherein the olfactory-active composition comprises at least one of a fragrance, repellant, odor eliminating compound, aromatherapy compound, natural oil, water-based scent, odor neutralizing compound, or cyclodextrin.",
"17. The method of claim 11, wherein a sufficient amount of an olfactory-active composition comprises an amount that covers substantially all of the at least one structural component.",
"18. The method of claim 11, further comprising\nd) removing the at least one matrix material or at least one structural component from the closed container.",
"19. The method of claim 11, wherein the structural component comprises a sheet of absorbent paper wound about a central axis to form a multilayered paper rod.",
"20. The method of claim 11, wherein the portion of the olfactory-active composition that is absorbed by the structural component is from 2 to 200 mL.",
"21. A method for making a scented article, comprising,\na) adding at least one liquid olfactory-active composition and at least one matrix material or at least one structural component to a closed container, and optionally,\nb) applying a vacuum to the closed container and maintaining the vacuum for a period of time before releasing the vacuum; or\nc) pressurizing the closed container and maintaining a pressure for a period of time before releasing the pressure.",
"22. The method of claim 21, wherein step h) or step c) is repeated at least once.",
"23. The method of claim 21, wherein both steps b) and c) am repeated at least once.",
"24. The method of claim 21, wherein a vacuum is applied.",
"25. The method of claim 21, wherein a pressure is applied.",
"26. The method of claim 21, wherein a vacuum and a pressure are applied.",
"27. The method of claim 21, wherein applying a vacuum comprises a vacuum from about 0.001 mm Hg to about 700 mm Hg.",
"28. The method of claim 21, wherein pressurizing the closed container comprises a pressure from about 10 to about 40 psi.",
"29. The method of claim 21, wherein the period of time for the vacuum or the pressure is from 1 minute to 10 hours.",
"30. The method of claim 21, wherein the olfactory-active composition comprises at least one of a fragrance, repellant, odor eliminating compound, aromatherapy compound, natural oil, water-based scent, odor neutralizing compound, or cyclodextrin.",
"31. The method of claim 21, wherein a sufficient amount of an olfactory-active composition comprises an amount that covers substantially all of the at least one structural component.",
"32. The method of claim 21, further comprising\nf) removing the at least one matrix material or at least one structural component from the closed container.",
"33. The method of claim 21, wherein the structural component comprises a sheet of absorbent paper wound about a central axis to form a multilayered paper rod.",
"34. The method of claim 21, wherein the portion of the olfactory-active composition that is absorbed by the structural component is from 2 to 200 mL.",
"35. A scented article, comprising, at least one olfactory-active composition, a structural component comprising a matrix material of extruded or molded pulp composition, wherein the at least one olfactory-active composition is releasably retained in the absorbent material.",
"36. The article of claim 35, further comprising a coating covering a portion of the structural component.",
"37. The article of claim 35, wherein the pulp composition further comprises nanofibers.",
"38. The article of claim 35, wherein the pulp composition is extruded.",
"39. The article of claim 35, wherein the pulp composition is molded.",
"40. The article of claim 35, wherein the pulp composition further comprises additives."
],
[
"1. An exhaust hood, comprising:\nan exhaust inlet;\na shroud having a lower edge extending in a first direction and being movable;\nthe shroud being configured to define an enclosed space over and adjacent a cooking surface, the enclosed space being in communication with the exhaust inlet;\nthe shroud being movable to a first position providing clearance between the cooking surface and the shroud lower edge and a second position providing less clearance than the clearance provided by the first position;\na first discharge register positioned adjacent the cooking surface, inside of the enclosed space, and configured to emit a vertical jet at said lower edge, the vertical jet aimed upwardly and directed along an inside of the shroud toward a second discharge register, when the shroud is in the second position, said vertical jet being in the enclosed space; and\nthe second discharge register positioned adjacent a top of said shroud and configured to emit at least a horizontal jet at the top of said shroud, the horizontal jet directed along the inside of the shroud toward the first discharge register, when the shroud is in the second position, said horizontal jet being in the enclosed space.",
"2. The exhaust hood of claim 1, further comprising:\na third discharge register positioned above the cooking surface and configured to emit a jet horizontally over the cooking surface toward the lower edge of the shroud, when the shroud is in the second position.",
"3. The exhaust hood of claim 2, wherein\nthe second discharge register is further configured to emit a jet toward the third discharge register.",
"4. The exhaust hood of claim 1, wherein the shroud has a transparent portion.",
"5. The exhaust hood of claim 1, wherein the shroud has a transparent portion and the transparent portion is located such that a standing person can view at least a portion of the cooking surface through the transparent portion when the shroud is in the first position.",
"6. The exhaust hood of claim 1, wherein the shroud has a transparent portion and the transparent portion is located such that a standing person can view at least a portion of the cooking surface through the transparent portion when the shroud is in the first and second positions.",
"7. The exhaust hood of claim 1, wherein said vertical and horizontal jets are composed of conditioned air from an ambient space.",
"8. The exhaust hood of claim 1, further comprising at least one fresh air vent in communication with the enclosed space and configured to form a jet that washes the cooking surface.",
"9. The exhaust hood of claim 1, wherein\nthe second discharge register extends in the first direction along the top of the shroud.",
"10. The exhaust hood of claim 1, wherein\nthe second discharge register is further configured to emit a vertical jet downward toward the cooking surface."
],
[
"1. A method for producing biochar aggregate particles, the method comprising the steps of (i) collecting or producing treated biochar fines less than 1 mm, (ii) adding a binding agent to the treated biochar fines, (iii) forming the treated biochar fines and binding agent into solid aggregate particles, and (iv) drying the solid aggregate particles, wherein the biochar fines are treated by an infiltrate infused into a porous structure of the biochar fines.",
"2. The method of claim 1 where forming the fines and binding agent includes the step of passing the treated biochar fines and binding agent through a processor to create the solid aggregate particles.",
"3. The method of claim 1 where the binding agent is a starch, a clay, a polymer, lignin, cellulose and/or a lipid.",
"4. The method of claim 1 further including the step of adding an additive to the treated biochar fines and binding agent.",
"5. The method of claim 1 further including the step of adding an additive to the treated biochar fines prior to forming the aggregate particles by infusing the additive into the pores of the treated biochar fines.",
"6. The method of claim 4 where the additive includes one or more of the following: a fertilizer, a nutrient, a vitamin, a supplement, a medication, a microbe, a microbial spore, a fungicide, an insecticide, a nematicide, a plant hormone, secondary signal activators or signaling agent.",
"7. The method of claim 5 where the additive includes one or more of the following: a fertilizer, a nutrient, a vitamin, a supplement, a medication, a microbe, a microbial spore, a fungicide, an insecticide, a nematicide, a plant hormone, secondary signal activators or signaling agent.",
"8. The method of claim 1 where the treated biochar fines have been further treated using a vacuum.",
"9. The method of claim 1 where the treated biochar fines have been further treated using ultrasonics.",
"10. The method of claim 1 further including a step of heat activating the solid aggregate particles.",
"11. A method for producing biochar aggregate particles, the method comprising the steps of (i) collecting or producing treated biochar fines less than 1 mm, (ii) adding a binding agent to the treated biochar fines, (iii) forming the treated biochar fines and binding agent into solid aggregate particles, and (iv) activating the binding agent, wherein the biochar fines are treated by an infiltrate infused into a porous structure of the biochar fines.",
"12. The method of claim 11 where the binding agent is activated with heat.",
"13. The method of claim 11 where the binding agent is activated through cooling.",
"14. The method of claim 11 where forming the treated biochar fines and binding agent include the step of passing the treated biochar fines and binding agent through a processor to create the solid aggregate particles.",
"15. The method of claim 11 where the binding agent is a starch, a clay, a polymer, lignin, cellulose and/or a lipid.",
"16. The method of claim 11 further including the step of adding an additive to the treated biochar fines and binding agent.",
"17. The method of claim 11 further including the step of adding an additive to the treated biochar fines prior to forming the aggregate particles by infusing the additive into pores of the treated biochar fines.",
"18. The method of claim 16 where the additive includes one or more of the following: a fertilizer, a nutrient, a vitamin, a supplement, a medication, a microbe, a microbial spore, a fungicide, an insecticide, a nematicide, a plant hormone, secondary signal activators or signaling agent.",
"19. The method of claim 17 where the additive includes one or more of the following: a fertilizer, a nutrient, a vitamin, a supplement, a medication, a microbe, a microbial spore, a fungicide, an insecticide, a nematicide, a plant hormone, secondary signal activators or signaling agent.",
"20. The method of claim 11 where the treated biochars are further treated before forming the treated biochar fines into aggregate particles by using a vacuum.",
"21. The method of claim 11 where the treated biochars are further treated before forming the treated biochar fines into aggregate particles by using ultrasonics.",
"22. A method for producing biochar aggregate particles, the method comprising the steps of (i) collecting or producing treated biochar fines less than 1 mm, (ii) adding a binding agent to the treated biochar fines, (iii) forming the treated biochar fines and binding agent into solid aggregate particles using dehydration, wherein the biochar fines are treated by an infiltrate infused into a porous structure of the biochar fines.",
"23. The method of claim 22 where the binding agent is a starch, a clay, a polymer, lignin, cellulose and/or a lipid.",
"24. The method of claim 22 further including the step of adding an additive to the treated biochar fines.",
"25. The method of claim 24 where the additive includes one or more of the following: a fertilizer, a nutrient, a vitamin, a supplement, a medication, a microbe, a microbial spore, a fungicide, an insecticide, a nematicide, a plant hormone, secondary signal activators or signaling agent.",
"26. A method for producing biochar aggregate particles, the method comprising the steps of (i) collecting or producing biochar fines, (ii) adding a binding agent and a surfactant solution to the biochar fines, and (iii) forming the biochar fines, binding agent and surfactant solution into aggregate particles.",
"27. The method of claim 26 where forming the biochar fines and binding agent includes the step of passing the biochar fines and binding agent through a processor to create the solid aggregate particles.",
"28. The method of claim 26 where the binding agent is a starch, a clay, a polymer, lignin, cellulose and/or a lipid.",
"29. The method of claim 26 further including the step of adding an additive to the biochar fines.",
"30. The method of claim 26 further including the step of adding an additive to the biochar fines prior to forming the aggregate particles by infusing the additive into pores of the biochar fines.",
"31. The method of claim 29 where the additive includes one or more of the following: a fertilizer, a nutrient, a vitamin, a supplement, a medication, a microbe, a microbial spore, a fungicide, an insecticide, a nematicide, a plant hormone, secondary signal activators or signaling agent.",
"32. The method of claim 26 further including the step of heat activating the solid aggregate particles."
],
[
"1. Microcapsules whose shell wall comprises at one surface a melamine resin, at its other surface a (meth)acrylate polymer, and between the two surfaces an intermediate region comprising an interpenetrating network and/or copolymer of melamine resin and (meth)acrylate polymer, wherein the melamine resin is derived from an aqueous phase composition comprising melamine resin wall forming materials and the (meth)acrylic polymer is derived from an oil phase composition comprising (meth)acrylate polymer wall forming materials selected from (A) the combination of (a) at least one oil soluble or dispersible amine (meth)acrylate, (b) at least one oil soluble or dispersible acidic (meth)acrylate or at least one oil soluble or dispersible simple acid or both, and (c) at least one oil soluble or dispersible multifunctional (meth)acrylate monomer or oligomer and/or prepolymers of two or more of the foregoing and (B) the combination of (a) at least one oil soluble or dispersible acidic (meth)acrylate, (b) at least one oil soluble or dispersible simple base, and (c) at least one oil soluble or dispersible multifunctional (meth)acrylate monomer or oligomer and/or prepolymers of two or more of the foregoing.",
"2. The microcapsule of claim 1 wherein the microcapsule has two discrete polymer layers, a melamine layer and a (meth)acrylate polymer layer and wherein the intermediate region comprises the interface between the melamine layer and the (meth)acrylate polymer layer in which chains of the melamine resin and the (meth)acrylate polymer are intertwined with one another and/or are embedded in the other, said microcapsule wall having been formed by either (i) polymerizing the wall forming materials of one phase before polymerizing the wall forming materials of the other phase or (ii) polymerizing the wall forming materials of one phase and initiating polymerization of the wall forming materials of the other phase once polymerization of the first to be initiated wall forming material achieves the formation of a microcapsule wall through which the wall forming materials of the other phase is unable to penetrate.",
"3. The microcapsules of claim 2 wherein initiation of the second to be initiated wall forming material is effected once wall forming materials of that phase is unable to penetrate the shell wall being formed but before polymerization of the first to be initiated wall forming material is completed.",
"4. The microcapsule of claim 1 wherein the shell wall is wholly melamine resin at one surface and wholly (meth)acrylate polymer at the other surface and the intermediary section transitions from the wholly melamine based to the wholly (meth)acrylate polymer through the cross-section of the shell wall, said microcapsule wall having been formed by concurrently forming the capsule wall from both the aqueous phase and the oil phase, with or without a brief delay in the initiation of polymerization of the wall forming materials of one phase relative to the initiation of polymerization of the wall forming materials of the other phase, provided that said delay, if employed, is not so long that the capsule wall being formed of the first to be initiated wall forming material is fully intact and wall forming material of the other phase is unable to penetrate through that capsule wall.",
"5. The microcapsule of claim 4 wherein the polymerization of the wall forming materials in both phases is concurrent.",
"6. The microcapsule of claim 4 wherein the polymerization of the wall forming materials in both phases is staggered.",
"7. The microcapsule of claim 1 wherein the shell wall is wholly melamine resin on one surface and wholly (meth)acrylate polymer on the other surface and the intermediary section transitions from the wholly melamine based to the wholly (meth)acrylate polymer through the cross-section of the shell wall, said microcapsule wall having been formed by forming a seed capsule of the wall forming materials of one phase before initiating polymerization of the wall forming materials of the other phase.",
"8. The microcapsules of claim 1 wherein the (meth)acrylate polymer is the reaction product of (A) (a) at least one oil soluble or dispersible amine (meth)acrylate, (b) at least one oil soluble or dispersible acidic (meth)acrylate, and\n(c) at least one oil soluble or dispersible multifunctional (meth)acrylate monomer or oligomer.",
"9. The microcapsules of claim 1 wherein the (meth)acrylate polymer is the reaction product of (A) (a) at least one oil soluble or dispersible amine (meth)acrylate, (b) at least one oil soluble or dispersible simple acid, and (c) at least one oil soluble or dispersible multifunctional (meth)acrylate monomer or oligomer.",
"10. The microcapsules of claim 1 wherein the (meth)acrylate polymer is the reaction product of (A) (a) at least one oil soluble or dispersible amine (meth)acrylate, (b) the combination of at least one oil soluble or dispersible acidic (meth)acrylate and at least one oil soluble or dispersible simple acid, and (c) at least one oil soluble or dispersible multifunctional (meth)acrylate monomer or oligomer.",
"11. The microcapsules of claim 1 wherein the (meth)acrylate polymer is the reaction product of (B) (a) at least one oil soluble or dispersible acidic (meth)acrylate, (b) at least one oil soluble or dispersible simple base, and (c) at least one oil soluble or dispersible multifunctional (meth)acrylate monomer or oligomer.",
"12. The microcapsules of claim 1 wherein the melamine resin is selected from a melamine-based polyurea, a melamine-formaldehyde resin, a melamine-aldehyde resin, dimethylol melamine urea, methylated dimethylol melamine urea, methylated melamine formaldehyde, methylated methylol melamine, and mixtures of melamine formaldehyde with urea formaldehyde.",
"13. The microcapsules of claim 12 wherein the melamine resin is derived from monomer, oligomers and/or prepolymers of the precursors or building blocks for the melamine resin.",
"14. The microcapsules of claim 1 wherein the aqueous phase composition or the oil phase composition or both have been subjected to a prepolymerization step to form prepolymers of the melamine or the (meth)acrylate, respectively, prior to initiation of the wall forming process.",
"15. The microcapsules of claim 14 wherein the aqueous phase composition has been subjected to a prepolymerization step.",
"16. The microcapsules of claim 14 wherein the aqueous phase composition has been subjected to a prepolymerization step.",
"17. The microcapsules of claim 14 wherein both the aqueous phase composition and the oil phase composition have been subjected to a prepolymerization step.",
"18. The microcapsules of claim 1 wherein the microcapsules have been formed using (meth)acrylate prepolymers.",
"19. The microcapsules of claim 1 wherein the microcapsules have been formed using melamine prepolymers.",
"20. The microcapsules of claim 1 wherein the shell wall of the microcapsule further comprises a polymeric emulsifier originating from the aqueous phase which polymeric emulsifier is entrapped or encased in the shell wall materiel."
],
[
"1. A digital aroma system comprising:\na plurality of fragrance cartridges, each of the fragrance cartridges comprising:\na cartridge having a hollow housing;\na plurality of dry fragrance infused beads that are loose objects within the hollow housing; and\nan inlet and an outlet on a bottom surface of the hollow housing;\na cassette for holding the plurality of fragrance cartridges, the cassette having a manifold with air passages wherein each of the plurality of fragrance cartridges are individually removable from the cassette wherein each of the air passages of the manifold has an air inlet and a scent outlet that are separate flow paths for each of the plurality of fragrance cartridges; and\na processor that selectively controls a plurality of control valves that transmit the dry fragrances from the plurality of fragrance cartridges to the scent outlet of the manifold;\nwherein fresh air is directed through the air inlet of the manifold to one of the fragrance cartridges in the manifold and some of the dry fragrance flows from the one of the plurality of fragrance cartridges flows to the scent outlet of the manifold.",
"2. The digital aroma system of claim 1 further comprising:\na receiver for receiving digital aroma signals coupled to the processor that selectively controls the plurality of control valves that transmit the dry fragrance that has been selected from the plurality of fragrance cartridges to the scent outlet of the manifold;\nwherein the digital aroma signals are transmitted from a computing device and a desired fragrance is selected from a user interface on the computing device.",
"3. The digital aroma system of claim 1 further comprising:\na plurality of fans, wherein each of the plurality of fans is one of the air passages and controlled by the processor to an off setting or an on setting so that air is directed through one of the plurality of fragrance cartridges.",
"4. The digital aroma system of claim 1 further comprising:\na pressurized air source for directing the fresh air through the air inlet of the manifold.",
"5. The digital aroma system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of fragrance cartridges includes a coupling mechanism and a gasket for creating an air seal between each of the plurality of fragrance cartridges and the cassette and each of the plurality of fragrance cartridges are interchangeable on the cassette.",
"6. The digital aroma system of claim 5 wherein the coupling mechanism includes tabs on the fragrance cartridges and tab slots on the cassette.",
"7. The digital aroma system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of fragrance cartridges includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag that identifies a scent of the dry fragrance cartridge, the processor is coupled to an RFID reader which reads the RFID tags of the fragrance cartridges and the digital aroma system includes a visual display for displaying the scent of the dry fragrance cartridge.",
"8. The digital aroma system of claim 1, further comprising:\na plurality of cassettes wherein each of the cassettes holds some of the plurality of fragrance cartridges and the cassettes are physically coupled together.",
"9. The digital aroma system of claim 1, further comprising:\na one way check valve that prevents the backflow of air into the plurality of fragrance cartridges.",
"10. The digital aroma system of claim 1, further comprising:\na plurality of pressure sensors coupled to the processor, wherein when air flows through the fragrance cartridges a pressure differential across the fragrance cartridges is measured by the pressure sensors and the processor emits a valve error signal when the pressure differential across is above a predetermined expected pressure differential range.",
"11. The digital aroma system of claim 1, further comprising:\na plurality of pressure sensors coupled to the processor, wherein when air flows through the fragrance cartridges a pressure differential across the fragrance cartridges is measured by the pressure sensors and the processor emits a fan error signal when the pressure differential across is below a predetermined expected pressure differential range.",
"12. The digital aroma system of claim 1, wherein the processor is coupled to an input for receiving a program for the transmission of the dry fragrance from a remote computing device.",
"13. The digital aroma system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of fragrance cartridges, each comprise a partition mounted within the housing which causes air to flow though the plurality of dry fragrance infused structures within the hollow housing.",
"14. The digital aroma system of claim 1, wherein the manifold is expandable by connecting an additional manifold to create a system that can accommodate additional fragrance cartridges.",
"15. The digital aroma system of claim 1, wherein the fan or the pump pushes the air through the manifold to cause the dry fragrances from the plurality of fragrance cartridges to flow through the scent outlet of the manifold.",
"16. The digital aroma system of claim 1, wherein programmable software is running on the processor to control the flow of air through the manifold, the cassette and the fragrance cartridge to provide a selected fragrance.",
"17. The digital aroma system of claim 1 further comprising:\na solenoid valve that is opened to direct clean air through the manifold to purge the fragrance from the manifold after a dispersion of the dry fragrances from the plurality of fragrance cartridges to the scent outlet of the manifold.",
"18. The digital aroma system of claim 1, further comprising:\na remote computing device running a user interface program wherein the processor is programmed to emit a user specified fragrance at a user specified time with the user interface program.",
"19. The digital aroma system of claim 1, wherein the processor is coupled to a communications network and to a cloud service for remote monitoring that shows changing of the dry fragrances transmitted from the plurality of fragrance cartridges to the scent outlet of the manifold.",
"20. The digital aroma system of claim 1, wherein the processor is connected through communications network to a computer to monitor each the plurality of fragrance cartridges and determine replacement cycles of the fragrance cartridges.",
"21. The digital aroma system of claim 1, wherein the processor can be programmed to change the duration of time that the air flow passes through the plurality of fragrance cartridges to the scent outlet of the manifold.",
"22. The digital aroma system of claim 1, wherein the processor is connected to a communications network to remotely monitor a health status of the digital aroma system.",
"23. The digital aroma system of claim 1, further comprising:\na plurality of cassettes, wherein the plurality of cassettes simultaneously hold 1 to 30 fragrance cartridges."
],
[
"1. A method for controlling composting parameters during the composting process, the method including the steps of providing composting material, adding treated biochar to the composting material to create a mixture and composting the mixture to create a compost.",
"2. The method of claim 1 wherein the treated biochar is inoculated with a thermotolerant endospore forming bacteria before adding it to the composting material.",
"3. The method of claim 1 wherein between 0.1-15% treated biochar on a volume basis is added to the composting material.",
"4. The method of claim 1 wherein between and 1-3% treated biochar on a volume basis is added to the composting material.",
"5. The method of claim 1 where raw biochars are also added to the composting material to create the mixture.",
"6. The method of claim 1 wherein the amount of added treated biochar is 0.1-15% by volume.",
"7. The method of claim 5 wherein the amount of raw and treated biochar added to the composting material together comprise 1-3% by volume of the mixture.",
"8. The method of claim 2 wherein the thermotolerant endospore forming bacteria is a Bacillus ssp. selected from the group consisting of: Bacillus licheniformis; Bacillus szutsauensis; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens; Bacillus subtilis; Bacillus velezensis; and Bacillus pumilus.",
"9. The method of claim 1 wherein the treated biochar is treated by infusing a liquid into the pores of the biochar using positive or negative pressure.",
"10. The method of claim 1 wherein the treated biochar is treated by infusing liquid into the pores of the biochar using a surfactant.",
"11. The method of claim 1 wherein the treated biochar is treated by infusing liquid into the pores of the biochar using an ultrasonic treatment.",
"12. The method of claim 1 wherein the composting parameters are controlled by the addition of the treated biochar to the composting material and where the composting parameters controlled by the treated biochar are selected from the group consisting of: temperature, moisture, acid levels, pH levels, odors, air emissions, and microbial profiles.",
"13. The method of claim 12 wherein the air emissions are selected from the group consisting of: ammonia, volatile organic compounds, and methane.",
"14. The method of claim 1 wherein the treated biochar added to the composting material is biochar mixed with animal bedding.",
"15. The method of claim 1 wherein the treated biochar added to the composting material is a biochar solution.",
"16. A compost created from a composting process, the compost including a mixture of treated biochar and composting material, wherein the treated biochar comprises between 0.1-15% by volume of the compost.",
"17. The compost of claim 16 wherein the treated biochar comprises between 1-3% by volume of the compost.",
"18. The compost of claim 16 wherein the treated biochar is inoculated with a thermotolerant endo spore forming bacteria.",
"19. The compost of claim 16 wherein raw biochar is added to the treated biochar and where the raw and treated biochar together comprise between 1-3% of the compost.",
"20. The compost of claim 18 wherein the thermotolerant endo spore forming bacteria is Bacillus sp. selected from the group consisting of: Bacillus licheniformis; Bacillus szutsauensis; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens; Bacillus subtilis; Bacillus velezensis; and Bacillus pumilus.",
"21. The compost of claim 16 wherein the treated biochar is treated by infusing a liquid into the pores of the biochar using positive or negative pressure.",
"22. The compost of claim 16 wherein the treated biochar is treated by infusing liquid into the pores of the biochar using a surfactant.",
"23. The compost of claim 16 wherein the treated biochar is treated by infusing liquid into the pores of the biochar using an ultrasonic treatment.",
"24. The compost of claim 16 wherein the composting material includes material selected from the group consisting of: wood, green waste, manure, animal bedding, agricultural waste, and food."
],
[
"1. A microcapsule composition comprising a dispersant and microcapsules that contain a single microcapsule core and a single microcapsule wall encapsulating the single microcapsule core,\nwherein the microcapsule core contains an active material and the microcapsule wall is a polymeric network comprising chitosan and tannic acid covalently bonded to a polyisocyanate, and\nwherein the microcapsule wall comprises by weight 20% to 60% of chitosan, 5% to 40% of polyisocyanate, and 20% to 70% of tannic acid, by weight of the microcapsule wall.",
"2. The microcapsule composition of claim 1, wherein the dispersant is present at a level of 0.5% to 6% by weight of the microcapsule composition.",
"3. The microcapsule composition of claim 1, wherein the dispersant is selected from the group consisting of gum arabic, a polyoxyethylated castor oil, an octenyl succinate-modified starch, xanthan gum, a polystyrene sulfonate, a carboxymethyl cellulose salt, polyvinyl alcohol, and combinations thereof.",
"4. The microcapsule composition of claim 1, wherein the microcapsules are further coated with a deposition polymer.",
"5. A consumer product comprising the microcapsule composition of claim 1.",
"6. A method of preparing the microcapsule composition of claim 1, comprising the steps of:\n(a) emulsifying an oil phase comprising a polyisocyanate and an active material with an aqueous phase comprising chitosan and a dispersant thereby forming an oil-in-water emulsion;\n(b) adding tannic acid to the oil-in-water emulsion; and\n(c) applying conditions sufficient to induce formation of a polymeric network comprising chitosan and tannic acid covalently bonded to the polyisocyanate, thereby forming the microcapsule composition,\nwherein the microcapsule composition comprises microcapsules that contain a single microcapsule core and a single microcapsule wall, and\nwherein the microcapsule wall comprises by weight 20% to 60% of chitosan, 5% to 40% of polyisocyanate, and 20% to 70% of tannic acid, by weight of the microcapsule wall.",
"7. The microcapsule composition of claim 1, wherein the active material is selected from the group consisting of a fragrance, cosmetic active, malodor counteractant, and combinations thereof.",
"8. The microcapsule composition of claim 1, wherein the polymeric network further comprises a polyamine selected from the group consisting of a wheat-derived polyamine, a rice-derived polyamine, a branched polyethylenimine, a polypeptide, hexamethylenediamine, ethylenediamine, 1,3-diaminopropane, 1,4-diamino-butane, diethylenetriamine, pentaethylenehexamine, bis(3-aminopropyl)amine, bis(hexamethylene)triamine, tris(2-aminoethyl)amine, triethylene-tetramine, N,N′-bis(3-aminopropyl)-1,3-propanediamine, tetraethylenepentamine, pentaethylenehexamine, gelatin, 1,3-diamino-guanidine, 1,1-dimethylbiguanide, guanidine, arginine, lysine, and ornithine.",
"9. The microcapsule composition of claim 1, wherein the polyisocyanate is a trimer of hexamethylene diisocyanate, a trimer of isophorone diisocyanate, a biuret of hexamethylene diisocyanate, a polyisocyanurate of toluene diisocyanate, a trimethylol propane-adduct of toluene diisocyanate, a trimethylol propane-adduct of xylylene diisocyanate, or a combination thereof."
],
[
"1. A method for preparing an air freshener or disinfectant gel composition that releases the air freshener or disinfectant at a steady rate over a period of at least one month to the surrounding environment, comprising:\npreparing a first component consisting of a silica sol solution, by performing one of the following: hydrolyzing at least one silicon alkoxide by blending with water or an acidic or basic aqueous solvent, preparing a suspension of at least one colloidal silica, or a combination thereof;\nadding at least one water-soluble or water-miscible solvent to the silica sol solution to form a first solution;\nadding a second component to the first solution, the second component being selected from the group consisting of a volatile component, a gaseous disinfectant, and a combination thereof, and mixing to form a second solution, wherein the volatile component is selected from the group consisting of fragrances, deodorizers, essential oils, insect repellants, and combinations thereof;\nadding a base aqueous solvent to the second solution to form a third solution;\ntransferring the third solution to a container and sealing the container to prevent evaporative loss of the second component; and\nfacilitating condensation and solidification of the third solution to form the gel composition in the container,\nwhereby the gel composition is transparent having a light transmittance of at least 80% as measured spectrophotometrically in a range of 500 nm to 800 nm, and has an elasticity allowing more than 25% compression without cracking.",
"2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising adding a botanical or plastic decoration to the container after transferring a part of the third solution to the container.",
"3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising adding an amount of the third solution to the container after adding the botanical or plastic decoration.",
"4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the silica sol solution is prepared by hydrolyzing at least one silicon alkoxide with an acidic aqueous solvent.",
"5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the silica sol solution is prepared at ambient temperature or while heating to about 30-50° C.",
"6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the solution is heated at about 30-50° C. for 1-5 hours.",
"7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the container is a transparent glass or plastic container.",
"8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the container is equipped with electrodes.",
"9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the acidic aqueous solvent is selected from the group consisting of HNO3 solution, HCl solution, citric acid solution, and combinations thereof; and wherein the silicon alkoxide is selected from the group consisting of tetramethyl orthosilicate, tetraethyl orthosilicate, tetrapropyl orthosilicate, and combinations thereof.",
"10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one volatile component is present at about 50 to 70 volume percent of the gel composition.",
"11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one volatile component includes at least one gaseous disinfectant.",
"12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the at least one gaseous disinfectant is present at about 800 ppm to 2000 ppm of the gel composition.",
"13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the silica sol solution is heated.",
"14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the silica sol solution is heated at 50° C. for three hours.",
"15. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one water-soluble or water-miscible solvent is selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerol, dipropylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol methyl ether, isopropyl myristate, diethyl phthalate, glyceryl triacetate, 3-methoxy-3-methyl-1-butanol, benzyl alcohol, ethanol, isopropanol, and combinations thereof.",
"16. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second component includes at least one volatile component selected from the group consisting of sulfur dioxide, iodine, chlorine, ammonia, chlorine dioxide, ginger flower oil, eucalyptus oil, pine tree oil, tea tree oil, lemon oil, and combinations thereof.",
"17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the second component includes at least one volatile component selected from the group consisting of ginger flower oil, eucalyptus oil, pine tree oil, tea tree oil, lemon oil, and combinations thereof.",
"18. The method according to claim 1, further comprising adding a preservative or microbiocide to the gel.",
"19. The method according to claim 1, further comprising equipping the container with electrodes to generate disinfectants via chemical or electrolytic process.",
"20. The method according to claim 1, wherein the base aqueous solvent includes a base selected from the group consisting of NH4OH, NaOH, KOH, an alkaline colloidal silica suspension, and combinations thereof."
],
[
"1. A method for using an antibacterial material, the method comprising:\npreparing the antibacterial material comprising tungsten oxide complex microparticles which contain 50 mass % or more of tungsten oxide, and at least one metal element selected from the group consisting of Ti, Zr, Mn, Fe, Pd, Pt, Cu, Ag, Ce, Zn, and Al in a range of 0.001 mass % or more and 10 mass % or less; and\nusing the antibacterial material in a dark place, wherein:\nthe tungsten oxide complex microparticles have an average primary particle size in a range of 1 nm or more and 200 nm or less, and a BET specific surface area in a range of 4.1 m2/g or more and 820 m2/g or less, and\nthe tungsten oxide complex microparticles have:\nan antibacterial activity value R of 1 or more expressed by the following:\n\nR=log(B 1 /C 1),\nwhere B1 denotes an average value of viable cell count after storing an untreated test piece for 24 hours, and C1 denotes an average value of viable cell count after storing the test piece on which the tungsten oxide complex microparticles are coated for 24 hours, wherein the antibacterial activity value R is determined according to an antibacterial property evaluation test to evaluate viable cell count by inoculating in a test piece, to which the antibacterial microparticles are adhered in a range of 0.02 mg/cm2 or more and 40 mg/cm2 or less, at least one bacterium selected from among Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli, and storing for 24 hours by a method according to Antimicrobial products—Test for antimicrobial activity of JIS-Z-2801 (2000);\nan antibacterial activity value Ro of 2.8 or more expressed by the following:\n\nR D=log(B D /C D,\nwherein BD denotes an average value of viable cell count after storing an untreated test piece in a dark place for 24 hours, and CD denotes an average value of viable cell count after storing the test piece on which the tungsten oxide complex microparticles are coated in a dark place for 24 hours;\nan antibacterial activity value RL6h of 2.5 or more, determined according to the following:\n\nR L6h=log(B L6h /C L6h),\nwhere BL6h denotes an average value of viable cell count after storing an untreated test piece under visible light having a wavelength of 380 nm or more and an illuminance of 6000 lx for six hours, and CL6h denotes an average value of viable cell count after storing the test piece on which the tungsten oxide complex microparticles are coated under the visible light having wavelength of 380 nm or more and an illuminance of 6000 lx for six hours; and\nan antibacterial activity value RL1000 of 4.5 or more, determined according to the following:\n\nR L1000=log(B L1000 /C L1000),\nwhere BL1000 denotes an average value of viable cell count after storing an untreated test piece under visible light having wavelength of 380 nm or more and an illuminance of 1000 lx for 24 hours, and CL1000 denotes an average value of viable cell count after storing the test piece on which the tungsten oxide complex microparticles are coated under the visible light having wavelength of 380 nm or more and an illuminance of 1000 lx for 24 hours;\nthe antibacterial material exhibits antibacterial performance in the dark place; and wherein:\nthe tungsten oxide which constructs the tungsten oxide complex microparticles has a crystalline structure including a mixture of: a monoclinic crystal and a triclinic crystal of tungsten trioxide; the monoclinic crystal and an orthorhombic crystal of tungsten trioxide; the triclinic crystal and the orthorhombic crystal; or the monoclinic crystal, the triclinic crystal, and the orthorhombic crystal; and\nthe tungsten oxide complex microparticles measured by an X-ray diffraction method have a first peak, a second peak, and a third peak in a 2θ range of 22.5 degrees or more and 25 degrees or less, and an intensity ratio (A/D) of a peak A to a peak D and an intensity ratio (B/D) of a peak B to the peak D each are in a range of 0.5 to 2.0, and an intensity ratio (C/D) of a peak C to the peak D is in a range of 0.4 to 2.5,\nwherein the peak A is a peak having a 2θ range of 22.8 to 23.4 degrees, the peak B is a peak having a 2θ range of 23.4 to 23.8 degrees, the peak C is a peak having a 2θ range of 24.0 to 24.25 degrees, and the peak D is a peak having a 28 range of 24.25 to 24.5 degrees, in an X-ray diffraction chart of the tungsten oxide complex microparticles.",
"2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the intensity ratio (A/D) of the peak A to the peak D and the intensity ratio (B/D) of the peak B to the peak D each are in a range of 0.7 to 2.0, and the intensity ratio (C/D) of the peak C to the peak D is in a range of 0.5 to 2.5.",
"3. The method according to claim 1, wherein\nthe crystalline structure of the tungsten oxide comprises the monoclinic crystal, the triclinic crystal, and the orthorhombic crystal.",
"4. The method according to claim 1, wherein\nthe tungsten oxide complex microparticles have an antibacterial activity value RL of 1.0 or more expressed by the following:\n\nR L=log(B L /C L),\nwhere BL denotes an average value of viable cell count after storing an untreated test piece under the visible light having a wavelength of 380 nm and an illuminance of 6000 lx for 24 hours, and CL denotes an average value of viable cell count after storing the test piece on which the tungsten oxide complex microparticles are coated under the visible light having wavelength of 380 nm and illuminance of 6000 lx for 24 hours, as determined by an antibacterial property evaluation test using a white fluorescent lamp and an UV cut filter.",
"5. The method according to claim 1, wherein\nthe tungsten oxide complex contains at least one metal element selected from the group consisting of Cu, Ag and Zn in a range of 0.001 mass % or more and 1 mass % or less.",
"6. The method according to claim 1, wherein:\nthe tungsten oxide complex comprises at least one metal element selected from the group consisting of Ti, Zr, Mn, Fe, Pd, Pt, Cu, Ag, Ce, Zn, and Al in at least one form selected from the group consisting of a single element and a compound.",
"7. The method according to claim 1, wherein\nthe antibacterial material is added to or impregnated into a base member.",
"8. The method according to claim 1, wherein\nthe antibacterial material is added to or impregnated into a film to constitute an antibacterial film.",
"9. The method according to claim 8, wherein\nthe antibacterial film contains an inorganic binder in a range of 5 to 95 mass %."
],
[
"1. A method for incorporating an agent into biochar for use in an animal application, the method comprising the steps of: treating biochar to clean the pores of the biochar of certain residual organic or inorganic compounds unsuitable for animal digestion, and then treating the biochar to introduce an agent into the pores of the biochar, where the agent introduced is beneficial for consumption by animals, and where the agent is infused into the pores of the biochar by adding a surfactant to a liquid solution containing the agent and submerging the biochar in the liquid solution.",
"2. The method of claim 1 where the step of treating biochar to clean the pores of the biochar of certain residual organic or inorganic compounds unsuitable for animal digestion further includes placing the biochar in a tank and then pulling a vacuum on the tank or applying positive pressure on the contents of the tank.",
"3. The method of claim 1 where the agent is one or more of the following: a nutrient, a vitamin, a drug, a microbe, or a supplement.",
"4. The method of claim 1 where the residual organic or inorganic compound is a dioxin.",
"5. The method of claim 4 where the treated biochar has no detectible dioxins unsuitable for animal digestion.",
"6. The method of claim 1 where the treatment of the biochar also adjusts the pH of the biochar to be at a level beneficial for animal consumption.",
"7. A method for incorporating an agent into biochar for use in an animal application, the method comprising the steps of: treating biochar to clean the pores of the biochar of certain dioxins unsuitable for animal digestion, treating the biochar to introduce an agent into the pores of the biochar, where the agent introduced is beneficial for consumption by animals, and where the agent is infused into the pores of the biochar by adding a surfactant to a liquid solution containing the agent and submerging the biochar in the liquid solution in a tank and pulling a vacuum on the tank or applying positive pressure on the contents of the tank.",
"8. The method of claim 7 where the agent is one or more of the following: a nutrient, a vitamin, a drug, a microbe, or a supplement.",
"9. The method of claim 7 where the treated biochar has no detectible dioxins unsuitable for animal digestion.",
"10. The method of claim 7 where the treatment of the biochar also adjusts the pH of the biochar to be at a level beneficial for animal consumption.",
"11. A method for incorporating an agent into biochar for use in an animal application, the method comprising the steps of: treating biochar to clean the pores of the biochar of certain residual organic or inorganic compounds unsuitable for animal digestion by introducing an agent into the pores of the biochar, where the agent introduced is beneficial for consumption by animals, and where the agent is infused into the pores of the biochar by adding a surfactant to a liquid solution containing the agent and submerging the biochar in the liquid solution.",
"12. The method of claim 11 where the step of treating biochar to clean the pores of the biochar of certain residual organic or inorganic compounds unsuitable for animal digestion further includes placing the biochar in a tank and then pulling a vacuum on the tank or applying positive pressure on the contents of the tank.",
"13. The method of claim 11 where the agent is one or more of the following: a nutrient, a vitamin, a drug, a microbe, or a supplement.",
"14. The method of claim 11 where the residual organic or inorganic compound is a dioxin.",
"15. The method of claim 14 where the treated biochar has no detectible dioxins unsuitable for animal digestion.",
"16. The method of claim 11 where the treatment of the biochar also adjusts the pH of the biochar to be at a level beneficial for animal consumption."
],
[
"1. A method of controlling malodors comprising: contacting a situs comprising a malodor and/or a situs that will become malodorous with a rinse-off personal care composition comprising, based on total composition weight,\na) from about 0.001% to about 0.025% of 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 alpha-hexahydro 1, 1, 5, 5-tetramethyl 2H-2, 4 alpha-methanophthalen-8 (5H)-one; and\nb) from about 0% to about 12% of a perfume;\nc) from about 60% to about 95% of an aqueous carrier; and\nd) from about 3% to 30% of a surfactant.",
"2. The method of claim 1 of contacting a situs with a rinse-off personal care composition, wherein said situs is a body or head of hair and said contacting step comprises contacting said body or head of hair with a sufficient amount of the personal care composition to provide said body or hair with a level of the 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 alpha-hexahydro-1, 1, 5, 5-tetramethyl-2H-2, 4 alpha-methanophthalen-8 (5H) of at least 0.0001 mg to about 1 mg per body or head of hair."
],
[
"1. An automated air freshener dispenser, comprising:\nan elongated housing that comprises a cavity for receiving a cartridge comprising an air freshening substance for release, the elongated housing having a first end and an opposed second end;\na centrifugal fan within the housing that induces an airflow through the housing and directs the airflow to an area outside of the air freshener dispenser, such that released air freshening substance is entrained in the airflow directed from the air freshener dispenser;\na motor within the housing for driving the fan;\nat least one sensor; and\na controller within the housing that receives a signal from the at least one sensor and directs operation of the fan in response thereto,\nwherein, relative to the fan, the cavity is disposed closer to the first end of the housing and, relative to the cavity, the fan is disposed closer to the second end of the housing, and\nwherein the housing further comprises an airflow outlet through which the airflow comprising the entrained released air freshening substance is directed from the air freshener dispenser, the airflow outlet being disposed closer to the second end of the housing, relative to the cavity.",
"2. The air freshener dispenser of claim 1, wherein an axis of rotation of the centrifugal fan is positioned outside of the cavity.",
"3. The air freshener dispenser of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor is selected from a group consisting of motion sensors, light sensors, malodor sensors, switches, and combinations thereof.",
"4. The air freshener dispenser of claim 1, wherein the fan is positioned within the housing between the airflow outlet and the cavity.",
"5. The air freshener dispenser of claim 1, wherein:\nthe housing further comprises an air inlet, and\nan airflow path from the air inlet to the airflow outlet is tortuous.",
"6. An automated air freshener dispenser, comprising:\na housing that comprises a cavity for receiving a cartridge comprising an air freshening substance for release;\na fan within the housing that induces an airflow through the housing and directs the airflow to an area outside of the air freshener dispenser, such that released air freshening substance is entrained in the airflow directed from the air freshener dispenser;\na motor within the housing for driving the fan;\nat least one sensor; and\na controller within the housing that receives a signal from the at least one sensor and directs operation of the fan in response thereto,\nwherein an axis of rotation of the fan is positioned outside of the cavity.",
"7. The air freshener dispenser of claim 6, wherein the fan is a centrifugal fan.",
"8. The air freshener dispenser of claim 6, wherein:\nthe housing is an elongated housing having a first end and an opposed second end,\nrelative to the fan, the cavity is disposed closer to the first end of the housing and, relative to the cavity, the fan is disposed closer to the second end of the housing, and\nthe housing further comprises an airflow outlet through which the airflow comprising the entrained released air freshening substance is directed from the air freshener dispenser, the airflow outlet being disposed closer to the second end of the housing, relative to the cavity.",
"9. The air freshener dispenser of claim 8, wherein the fan is positioned within the housing between the airflow outlet and the cavity.",
"10. The air freshener dispenser of claim 8, wherein:\nthe housing further comprises an air inlet, and\nan airflow path from the air inlet to the airflow outlet is tortuous.",
"11. The air freshener dispenser of claim 6, wherein the at least one sensor is selected from a group consisting of motion sensors, light sensors, malodor sensors, switches, and combinations thereof.",
"12. An air freshener cartridge, comprising:\na body that comprises a polymer impregnated with an air freshening substance selected from an odor-combatting composition, a fragrance, and a combination thereof,\nwherein the body has a volume of from about 0.4 in3 (7,000 mm3) to about 2.5 in3 (41,000 mm3) and a surface area of from about 9 in2 (6,000 mm2) to about 40 in2 (26,000 mm2).",
"13. The air freshener cartridge of claim 12, wherein the body has a volume of from about 0.4 in3 (7,000 mm3) to about 1.4 in3 (23,000 mm3).",
"14. The air freshener cartridge of claim 12, wherein the body has a surface area of from about 9 in2 (6,000 mm2) to about 28 in2 (18,000 mm2).",
"15. The air freshener cartridge of claim 12, wherein the body has a weight of from about 6 g to about 20 g.",
"16. The air freshener cartridge of claim 12, wherein the body comprises the air freshening substance in an amount of from about 1 percent by weight to about 75 percent by weight.",
"17. The air freshener cartridge of claim 12, wherein the polymer comprises ethylene-vinyl acetate.",
"18. The air freshener cartridge of claim 12, wherein the body comprises a substrate and a plurality of ribs extending from the substrate and forming airflow channels therebetween.",
"19. The air freshener cartridge of claim 18, wherein:\nthe body comprises airflow channels on a first surface of the cartridge and on a second surface, opposite the first surface, of the cartridge, and\nat least a portion of the airflow channels on the first surface are symmetrically opposed from at least a portion of the airflow channels on the second surface.",
"20. An air freshener system, comprising:\na cartridge comprising a body that comprises a matrix material impregnated with an air freshening substance for release selected from an odor-combatting composition, a fragrance, and a combination thereof, the body comprising a plurality of ribs extending from a substrate and forming airflow channels therebetween;\na housing that comprises a cavity containing the cartridge;\na fan within the housing that induces an airflow through the housing and directs the airflow to an area outside of the housing, such that released air freshening substance is entrained in the airflow directed from the housing;\na motor within the housing for driving the fan;\nat least one sensor; and\na controller within the housing that receives a signal from the at least one sensor and directs operation of the fan in response thereto.",
"21. The air freshener system of claim 20, wherein the body comprises a volume of from about 0.1 in3 (1,600 mm3) to about 2.5 in3 (41,000 mm3) and a surface area of from about 2.0 in2 (1,300 mm2) to about 40 in2 (26,000 mm2).",
"22. The air freshener system of claim 20, wherein:\nthe housing further comprises an air inlet,\nthe cavity and cartridge are sized and shaped such that the cartridge is oriented in the cavity such that the airflow channels of the cartridge are aligned with an airflow path between the air inlet and the fan.",
"23. The air freshener system of claim 20, wherein the cavity has a headspace volume of from about 1 in3 (20,000 mm3) to about 4 in3 (70,000 mm3).",
"24. The air freshener system of claim 20, wherein the housing has a headspace volume of from about 15 in3 (250,000 mm3) to about 45 in3 (740,000 mm3)."
],
[
"1. A scented article comprising,\nan absorbent matrix material wound about a central axis to form a multilayered rod;\nat least one olfactory-active composition releasably retained in the absorbent matrix material;\nat least a portion of an exterior surface of the rod treated with a porosity-altering material;\nwherein the treated exterior surface of the rod has a first porosity, and at least one interior layer of the rod has a second porosity, wherein the second porosity is different from the first porosity;\nwherein the porosity-altering material comprises a dye, pigment, a wax, soy wax, paraffin, bees wax, polyethylene wax, microcrystalline wax, waxes that soften or melt at a temperature greater than about 150 F, acrylates, polylactide, polyglycolide or polycaprolactone, or a polyester copolymer selected from poly(lactide/glycolide) acid (PLGA) or poly(lactid-co-epsilon-caprolact-one) (PLCL), alkyl- or alkoxyalkyl-2-cyanoacrylates, n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate, 2-methoxybutyl-2-cyanoacrylate, crosslinked cyanoacrylate, polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid, lactic-glycolic acid copolymers, polycaprolactone, lactic acid-caprolactone copolymers, poly-3-hydroxybutyric acid, polyorthoesters, polyalkyl acrylates, copolymers of alkylacrylate and vinyl acetate, polyalkyl methacrylates, copolymers of alkyl methacrylates and butadiene; dioctyl phthalate, dimethyl sebacate, trethyl phosphate, tri(2-ethylhexy)phosphate, tri(p-cresyl)phosphate, glyceryl triacetate, glyceryl tributyrate, diethyl sebacate, dioctyl adipate, isopropyl myristate, butyl stearate, lauric acid, dibutyl phthalate, trioctyl trimellitate, dioctyl glutarate, or a starch.",
"2. The scented article of claim 1, wherein the multilayered rod comprises a hollow core.",
"3. The scented article of claim 2, wherein an exposed surface of the hollow core is treated with a porosity-altering material such that a porosity of the treated exposed surface of the hollow core is different from the second porosity of the at least one interior layer.",
"4. The scented article of claim 1, wherein the porosity-altering material is configured to at least partially inhibit release of the at least one olfactory-active composition from the absorbent matrix material.",
"5. The scented article of claim 1, further comprising an engaging means for engaging the scented article with a surface, another article, or another structure.",
"6. The scented article of claim 5, wherein the engaging means comprises a clip, a hook, a circle, a hook and eye means, a string, prongs, a loop, adhesives, a spike, a holder, a vase, a container, and a receptacle.",
"7. The scented article of claim 1, wherein the multilayered rod is a spiral wound multilayered rod.",
"8. A scented article comprising:\nan absorbent matrix material wound about a central axis to form a multilayered rod having a hollow core;\nat least one olfactory-active composition releasably retained in the absorbent matrix material;\nwherein at least a portion of exposed surfaces of the rod are treated with a porosity-altering material;\nwherein a porosity of the treated exposed surfaces of the rod is different from a porosity of at least one non-exposed layer of the rod;\nwherein the porosity-altering material comprises a dye, pigment, a wax, soy wax, paraffin, bees wax, polyethylene wax, microcrystalline wax, waxes that soften or melt at a temperature greater than about 150 F, acrylates, polylactide, polyglycolide or polycaprolactone, or a polyester copolymer selected from poly(lactide/glycolide) acid (PLGA) or poly(lactid-co-epsilon-caprolact-one) (PLCL), alkyl- or alkoxyalkyl-2-cyanoacrylates, n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate, 2-methoxybutyl-2-cyanoacrylate, crosslinked cyanoacrylate, polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid, lactic-glycolic acid copolymers, polycaprolactone, lactic acid-caprolactone copolymers, poly-3-hydroxybutyric acid, polyorthoesters, polyalkyl acrylates, copolymers of alkylacrylate and vinyl acetate, polyalkyl methacrylates, copolymers of alkyl methacrylates and butadiene; dioctyl phthalate, dimethyl sebacate, trethyl phosphate, tri(2-ethylhexy)phosphate, tri(p-cresyl)phosphate, glyceryl triacetate, glyceryl tributyrate, diethyl sebacate, dioctyl adipate, isopropyl myristate, butyl stearate, lauric acid, dibutyl phthalate, trioctyl trimellitate, dioctyl glutarate, or a starch.",
"9. The scented article of claim 8, wherein the porosity-altering material is configured to at least partially inhibit release of the at least one olfactory-active composition from the absorbent matrix material.",
"10. The scented article of claim 8, wherein the multilayered rod is a spiral wound multilayered rod.",
"11. A scented article comprising\nan absorbent matrix material wound about a central axis to form a multilayered rod;\nat least one olfactory-active composition releasably retained in the absorbent matrix material;\na barrier material applied to at least a portion of an exterior surface of the rod;\nwherein the barrier material retards a release of the at least one olfactory-active composition through the exterior surface of the rod; and\nwherein the barrier material comprises a paper wrapping, dye, pigment, a wax, soy wax, paraffin, bees wax, polyethylene wax, microcrystalline wax, waxes that soften or melt at a temperature greater than about 150 F, acrylates, polylactide, polyglycolide or polycaprolactone, or a polyester copolymer selected from poly(lactide/glycolide) acid (PLGA) or poly(lactid-co-epsilon-caprolact-one) (PLCL), alkyl- or alkoxyalkyl-2-cyanoacrylates, n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate, 2-methoxybutyl-2-cyanoacrylate, crosslinked cyanoacrylate, polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid, lactic-glycolic acid copolymers, polycaprolactone, lactic acid-caprolactone copolymers, poly-3-hydroxybutyric acid, polyorthoesters, polyalkyl acrylates, copolymers of alkylacrylate and vinyl acetate, polyalkyl methacrylates, copolymers of alkyl methacrylates and butadiene; dioctyl phthalate, dimethyl sebacate, trethyl phosphate, tri(2-ethylhexy)phosphate, tri(p-cresyl)phosphate, glyceryl triacetate, glyceryl tributyrate, diethyl sebacate, dioctyl adipate, isopropyl myristate, butyl stearate, lauric acid, dibutyl phthalate, trioctyl trimellitate, dioctyl glutarate, or a starch.",
"12. The scented article of claim 11, wherein the multilayered rod comprises a hollow core.",
"13. The scented article of claim 11, further comprising an engaging means for engaging the scented article with a surface, another article, or another structure.",
"14. The scented article of claim 13, wherein the engaging means comprises a clip, a hook, a circle, a hook and eye means, a string, prongs, a loop, adhesives, a spike, a holder, a vase, a container, and a receptacle.",
"15. The scented article of claim 11, wherein the multilayered rod is a spiral wound multilayered rod.",
"16. A scented article comprising\nan absorbent matrix material wound around a central axis using a spiral winding process to form a multilayered rod having a hollow core;\nat least one olfactory-active composition releasably retained in the absorbent matrix material;\nwherein the rod comprises at least one innermost ply, at least one outermost ply, and at least one middle ply, wherein each ply is formed by a complete revolution of the absorbent matrix material around the central axis;\nwherein the at least one innermost ply and/or the at least one outermost ply has a different rate of absorbency than the at least one middle ply.",
"17. The scented article of claim 16, wherein at least some exposed surfaces of the rod are treated with a porosity-altering material.",
"18. The scented article of claim 17, wherein the porosity-altering material is configured to at least partially inhibit release of the at least one olfactory-active composition from the absorbent matrix material.",
"19. The scented article of claim 16, further comprising an engaging means for engaging the scented article with a surface, another article, or another structure.",
"20. The scented article of claim 19, wherein the engaging means comprises a clip, a hook, a circle, a hook and eye means, a string, prongs, a loop, adhesives, a spike, a holder, a vase, a container, and a receptacle."
],
[
"1. An apparatus for delivering a volatile material comprising a delivery engine comprising:\na. a reservoir comprising a volatile material mixture, said mixture comprising a volatile material mixture;\nb. a microporous membrane enclosing said reservoir;\nc. a rupturable substrate enclosing said reservoir;\nd. a rupture element comprising a support structure, said support structure is positioned between said rupturable substrate and said microporous membrane, and\ne. a housing for receiving said delivery engine, wherein the housing comprises a plurality of vents for facilitating the diffusion of volatile materials from the microporous membrane, and\nf. a flow path from the reservoir, through the rupturable substrate, through the rupture element, and to the microporous membrane.",
"2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said delivery engine further comprises a collection basin in fluid communication with said microporous membrane and said reservoir upon rupturing said rupturable substrate.",
"3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said rupture element comprises a compressible flange.",
"4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said compressible flange comprises a distal end and a piercing element, said piercing element positioned on said distal end.",
"5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said rupture element comprises a compression force to breach said rupturable substrate of less than about 15N.",
"6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said microporous membrane comprises an average pore size of about 0.02 microns.",
"7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said microporous membrane comprises an evaporative surface area of about 15 cm2 to about 35 cm2.",
"8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said microporous membrane comprising an average pore size of about 0.01 to about 0.03 microns.",
"9. An apparatus for delivering a volatile material comprising a delivery engine comprising:\na. a liquid reservoir comprising a volatile material mixture, said mixture comprising about 90% to about 100%, by total weight of said mixture, of volatile materials each having a VP at 25° C. of less than about 0.3 torr;\nb. a rupturable substrate secured to said reservoir;\nc. a compressible flange positioned adjacent to said rupturable substrate for rupturing said rupturable substrate;\nd. a collection basin in fluid communication with said liquid reservoir upon rupturing said rupturable substrate;\ne. a microporous, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene membrane enclosing said liquid reservoir, said rupturable substrate, said compressible flange, and said collection basin, wherein said membrane comprises a silica filler, an average pore size of about 0.01 microns to about 0.06 microns, and a thickness of about 0.01 mm to about 1 mm; and\nf. a housing for receiving said delivery engine, wherein the housing comprises a plurality of vents for facilitating the diffusion of volatile materials from the microporous, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene membrane.",
"10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said compressible flange comprises a distal end and a piercing element, said piercing element positioned on said distal end.",
"11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said membrane comprises an evaporative surface area of about 15 cm2 to about 35 cm2.",
"12. An apparatus for delivering a volatile material comprising a delivery engine comprising:\na. a reservoir comprising a volatile material mixture;\nb. a rupturable substrate secured to said reservoir;\nc. a rupture element;\nd. a microporous membrane enclosing said reservoir, said rupturable substrate, and said rupture element;\nwherein said rupturable substrate is position subjacent said rupture element and said rupture element is positioned subjacent said microporous membrane, and wherein, when said rupturable substrate is breached by actuating said rupture element, said volatile material mixture passes transversely through said rupturable substrate and said rupture element and contacts said microporous membrane for diffusion to the atmosphere, and a housing for receiving said delivery engine, wherein the housing comprises a plurality of vents for facilitating the diffusion of volatile materials from the microporous membrane, and a flow path from the reservoir, through the rupturable substrate, through the rupture element, and to the microporous membrane.",
"13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said rupture element comprises a piercing element, wherein when said rupturable substrate is breached by actuating said rupture element, said volatile material mixture passes transversely through said rupturable substrate and said piercing element and contacts said membrane for diffusion to the atmosphere."
],
[
"1. A device comprising:\na housing;\na fan assembly positioned within said housing;\na delivery engine positioned within said housing and downstream of said fan assembly, wherein said delivery engine comprises:\na reservoir containing a liquid volatile composition, and\na microporous membrane in fluid communication with said liquid volatile composition when said delivery engine is activated; and\nwherein said fan assembly is configured to move a volume of air at least partially over said microporous membrane to evaporate said liquid volatile composition into the atmosphere,\nwherein said microporous membrane comprises an evaporative surface area of about 2 cm2 to about 100 cm2.",
"2. The device of claim 1 wherein said microporous membrane comprises an average pore size of about 0.01 to about 0.03 microns.",
"3. The device of claim 1, wherein said microporous membrane comprises an average pore size of about 0.02 microns.",
"4. The device of claim 1, wherein said microporous membrane comprises an evaporative surface area of about 2 cm2 to about 25 cm2.",
"5. The device of claim 1, wherein said liquid volatile composition comprises about 40% to about 100%, by total weight, of volatile materials each having a vapor pressure, at 25° C., of less than about 0.1 torr.",
"6. The device of claim 1, wherein said liquid volatile composition comprises about 50%, by total weight, of volatile materials each having a vapor pressure, at 25° C., of less than about 0.1 torr.",
"7. The device of claim 1, wherein said liquid volatile composition comprises:\na. 0% to about 15%, by total weight, of volatile materials each having a VP at 25° C. of about 0.004 torr to about 0.035 torr;\nb. about 0% to about 25%, by total weight, of volatile materials each having a VP at 25° C. of about 0.1 torr to about 0.325 torr; and\nc. about 65% to about 100%, by total weight, of volatile materials each having a VP at 25° C. of about 0.035 torr to about 0.1 torr.",
"8. The device of claim 1, wherein said liquid volatile composition comprises a viscosity of about 1.0 cP to less than about 15 cP.",
"9. The device of claim 1, wherein said liquid volatile composition comprises a surface tension of about 19 mN/m to less than about 27 mN/m.",
"10. The device of claim 1, wherein said volatile material mixture comprises a perfume material.",
"11. The device of claim 1, wherein said microporous membrane is positioned downstream of said fan assembly and said microporous membrane is spaced at a maximum distance of about 2 cm to about 45 cm from said fan assembly.",
"12. The device of claim 1, wherein said housing comprises an inner wall, wherein said microporous membrane and said inner wall define a gap, said gap is from about 0.5 mm to about 3 mm.",
"13. The device of claim 1, wherein said housing further comprises a plug assembly.",
"14. The device of claim 1, comprising a sensor configured to sense a property of the device and an indicator configured to alert a user of said property.",
"15. A device comprising:\na delivery engine comprising:\na reservoir containing a liquid volatile composition, and\na microporous membrane in fluid communication with said liquid volatile composition when said delivery engine is activated;\nan evaporation assistance element configured to evaporate about 15 mg/hr to about 70 mg/hr of said liquid volatile composition from said microporous membrane into the atmosphere,\nwherein said microporous membrane comprises silica.",
"16. The device of claim 15 wherein said evaporation assistance element is a fan configured to evaporate about 25 mg/hr to about 70 mg/hr of said liquid volatile composition from said microporous membrane into the atmosphere.",
"17. The device of claim 15 wherein said microporous membrane comprises an average pore size of about 0.01 to about 0.03 microns.",
"18. The device of claim 15, wherein said microporous membrane comprises an evaporative surface area of about 2 cm2 to about 25 cm2.",
"19. The device of claim 15, wherein said liquid volatile composition comprises about 40% to about 100%, by total weight, of volatile materials each having a vapor pressure, at 25° C., of less than about 0.1 torr.",
"20. The device of claim 15, wherein said liquid volatile composition comprises about 50%, by total weight, of volatile materials each having a vapor pressure, at 25° C., of less than about 0.1 torr.",
"21. The device of claim 15, wherein said liquid volatile composition comprises a viscosity of about 1.0 cP to less than about 15 cP.",
"22. The device of claim 15, wherein said liquid volatile composition comprises a surface tension of about 19 mN/m to less than about 27 mN/m.",
"23. The device of claim 15, wherein the device comprises a housing, wherein said delivery engine and said evaporative assistance element are position in said housing.",
"24. A device comprising:\na delivery engine comprising:\na reservoir containing a liquid volatile composition, and\na microporous membrane in fluid communication with said liquid volatile composition when said delivery engine is activated, wherein said microporous membrane comprises an evaporation surface area of about 2 cm2 to about 25 cm2; and\nwherein said delivery engine comprises an evaporation rate of about 15 mg/hr to about 70 mg/hr of said liquid volatile composition from said microporous membrane to the atmosphere."
],
[
"1. A vapor dispersing device comprising:\na. a housing with top, bottom, side walls and an interior;\nb. a vent on said housing allowing air flow between said interior and the environment exterior to said housing;\nc. a piston moveable along a path between first and second positions within said housing, said piston comprising a top, bottom and sidewalls;\nd. a porous wick member protruding from the bottom of said piston;\ne. a reservoir positioned within said housing having an opening in registration with said porous wick member;\nf. a volatile liquid contained within said reservoir;\ng. a drive means connected to said piston opposite said porous wick member for repeatedly dipping said porous wick member into said reservoir through said opening;\nh. an electromechanical means connected to said drive means for electromechanically moving said piston along said path within said housing through said drive means; and,\ni. an electrical control means for powering and electronically controlling said electromechanical means.",
"2. The vapor dispersing device of claim 1, wherein said porous wick member is selected from the group consisting of porous plastic, ceramic, graphite and fiber.",
"3. The vapor-dispersing device of claim 1, wherein said opening is fitted with a resealable valve.",
"4. The vapor-dispersing device of claim 3, wherein said resealable valve is a cross-slit silicone elastomeric valve.",
"5. The vapor dispersing device of claim 1, wherein said opening is initially sealed closed with a breakable or removable foil.",
"6. The vapor dispersing device of claim 1, wherein said electromechanical means is an AC or DC electrical motor.",
"7. The vapor dispersing device of claim 6, wherein said drive means further comprises at least one toothed gear.",
"8. The vapor dispersing device of claim 6, wherein said drive means further comprises a hinged arm and rotating cam connected between said motor and said piston.",
"9. The vapor-dispersing device of claim 1, wherein said electromechanical means is selected from the group consisting of a push-type solenoid, pull-type solenoid, and a push/pull-type solenoid.",
"10. The vapor-dispersing device of claim 9, wherein said drive means consists of a metal pin surrounded by a spring, wherein said pin is attached to said piston opposite said porous wick member.",
"11. The vapor dispersing device of claim 1, wherein said electrical control means further includes an electrical cord terminating in a plug having suitable prong configuration for connection to a 110 volt or 220 volt electrical outlet.",
"12. The vapor dispersing device of claim 1, wherein said electrical control means further includes electrical prongs protruding directly from said housing for plugging said device directly into a 120 volt or 220 volt electrical outlet for both support and electrical power.",
"13. The vapor dispersing device of claim 1, wherein said electrical control means further comprises a rectifier.",
"14. The vapor dispersing device of claim 1, wherein said electrical means further comprises at least one battery and a moveable door for accessing said battery.",
"15. The vapor dispersing device of claim 1, wherein said electrical means further comprises an ON/OFF switch.",
"16. The vapor dispersing device of claim 1, wherein said electrical means further comprises a timer circuit programmable by the user.",
"17. The vapor dispersing device of claim 1, wherein said electrical control means further comprises a logic circuit for programming run time and intensity output of the device.",
"18. The vapor-dispersing device of claim 1, wherein said volatile liquid is a blend of synthetic or natural fragrance oils and solvents.",
"19. The vapor-dispersing device of claim 1, wherein said volatile liquid is an insecticide mixture.",
"20. A method for dispensing vapor into the environment comprising the steps of:\na. providing a vapor-dispersing device according to claim 1; and,\nb. interacting with said electrical control means to operate said device."
],
[
"1. A liquid-evaporate delivery device comprising:\n(a) a container containing at least one substance to be evaporated;\n(b) a wick having a first end, a second end and an exterior surface, the first end disposed within the container and the second end and exterior surface disposed exterior to the container;\n(c) an air flow device configured to impart an air flow on the wick; and\n(d) a housing having a helical channel, wherein the housing houses the container, the wick, and the air flow device, wherein the air flow device is configured to impart the air flow within the housing;\nwherein the helical channel circulates the air flow around the exterior surface of the wick.",
"2. The liquid-evaporate delivery device of claim 1, wherein the at least one substance is selected from a fragrance, an essential oil, a malodor control composition, a therapeutic gel, a therapeutic liquid, an insecticide or an insect repellent or pest repellent, or any combination thereof.",
"3. The liquid-evaporate delivery device of claim 1, wherein the at least one substance is a fragrance.",
"4. The liquid-evaporate delivery device of claim 3, wherein the liquid-evaporate delivery device delivers a substantially uniform amount of the fragrance each day over a period of at least 30 days.",
"5. The liquid-evaporate delivery device of claim 1, wherein the air flow device is a fan.",
"6. The liquid-evaporate delivery device of claim 5, wherein the fan is aligned with a central axis of the wick.",
"7. The liquid-evaporate delivery device of claim 1, wherein the air flow is substantially laminar.",
"8. The liquid-evaporate delivery device of claim 1, wherein the wick is selected from a nylon, a linen, a felt, a rayon, a polyamide, a polymer, a polypropylene polymer, a polyethylene polymer, polyester fibers, cellulose acetate fibers, ceramic, sintered glass, glass fibers, a plastic, a cotton, a cellulose or mixtures thereof.",
"9. The liquid-evaporate delivery device of claim 1, wherein the housing further includes at least one baffle the defines the helical channel, wherein the helical channel circulates the air flow around the exterior surface of the wick.",
"10. The liquid-evaporate delivery device of claim 9, wherein a central axis of the wick is concentric with a central axis of the helical channel.",
"11. The liquid-evaporate delivery device of claim 9, wherein the at least one baffle includes a first and a second baffle, wherein the helical channel is provided by the first and second baffles.",
"12. The liquid-evaporate delivery device of claim 1, further comprising a replacement container containing at least one substance to be evaporated, wherein the container is removed from the housing and the replacement container is inserted therein.",
"13. The liquid-evaporate delivery device of claim 1, wherein the at least one substance includes at least one of an essential oil or a major constituent of an essential oil.",
"14. The liquid-evaporate delivery device of claim 1, further comprising a heater element operatively engaged with the container.",
"15. A method of providing fragrance to an air space,comprising:\nproviding a liquid-evaporate delivery device the device including\n(a) a container containing at least one substance to be evaporated,\n(b) a wick having a first end, a second end and an exterior surface, the first end disposed within the container and the second end and exterior surface disposed exterior to the container,\n(c) an air flow device configured to impart an air flow on the wick, and\n(d) a housing to house the container, the wick, and the air flow device, wherein the air flow device is configured to impart the air flow within the housing, the housing having a helical channel; and\nimparting air flow by the air flow device within the housing to rotate the air flow around the exterior surface of the wick via the helical channel.",
"16. A liquid-evaporate delivery device comprising:\n(a) a retention member containing at least one substance to be evaporated;\n(b) an evaporation member operatively engaged with the retention member;\n(c) a fan configured to impart air flow on the evaporation member;\n(d) a housing, wherein the retention member, evaporation member, and fan are disposed within the housing;\nwherein the housing includes at least one baffle that defines a helical channel for directing air flow around an exterior surface of the evaporation member.",
"17. The liquid-evaporate delivery device of claim 16, wherein the at least one substance comprises a liquid, wherein the evaporation member comprises a wick in communication with the liquid disposed in the retention member.",
"18. The liquid-evaporate delivery device of claim 17, wherein the liquid is a fragrance composition.",
"19. The liquid-evaporate delivery device of claim 16, wherein the air flow is substantially laminar.",
"20. A liquid-evaporate delivery device kit comprising\n(a) a bottle containing at least one substance to be evaporated;\n(b) a wick, the wick having a longitudinal axis defined by a lower portion disposed within the bottle and an upper portion protruding from the bottle, the wick configured to draw the substance to be evaporated with the lower portion from the bottle toward the upper portion of the wick;\n(c) a fan having a central axis; and\n(d) a housing includes a helical channel, wherein the housing retains the bottle and the fan;\nwherein the longitudinal axis of the wick is aligned with the central axis of the fan and the helical channel circulates air helically around an exterior surface of the wick.",
"21. The liquid-evaporate delivery device kit of claim 20, wherein the at least one substance is a liquid fragrance composition.",
"22. The liquid-evaporate delivery device kit of claim 21, wherein the liquid-evaporate delivery device delivers a substantially uniform amount of fragrance each day over a period of at least 30 days.",
"23. The liquid-evaporate delivery device kit of claim 20, further comprising a replacement container containing at least one substance to be evaporated."
],
[
"1. A method of dispensing a fragrance having at least one aroma chemical, the method comprising the steps of:\nproviding a frame adapted to be attached to a dispenser for dispensing fluids and a cartridge including a volatile material containing a fragrance comprising at least one aroma chemical, wherein the cartridge is adapted for attachment to the frame;\nnebulizing water to create nebulized water particles;\ndirecting the nebulized water particles at the cartridge; and\nentraining volatile material from the cartridge in at least some of the nebulized water particles upon collision with the cartridge to create volatile material-infused water particles.",
"2. The method of dispensing of claim 1, wherein the frame is attached to a dispenser and, after the nebulized water particles collide with the cartridge, some of the volatile material-infused water particles travel out of the dispenser and other of the volatile material-infused water particles condense on the cartridge and drip into a reservoir of the dispenser.",
"3. The method of dispensing of claim 1, further including the steps of:\nproviding a dispenser including a housing having a reservoir adapted to hold water and a nebulizer in communication with the reservoir and the water within the reservoir;\npositioning the nebulizer within a bottom wall of the reservoir;\nspacing the cartridge from the bottom wall of the reservoir along a longitudinal axis of the dispenser; and\npositioning the cartridge at an angle of between about −15 degrees and about 15 degrees with respect to a horizontal plane that is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis and parallel to the bottom wall of the reservoir.",
"4. The method of dispensing of claim 3, wherein the step of positioning the cartridge includes positioning the cartridge at an angle of between about −5 degrees and about 5 degrees with respect to the horizontal plane that is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis and parallel to the bottom wall of the reservoir.",
"5. The method of dispensing of claim 2, further including the steps of:\nproviding a fragrance with a plurality of aroma chemicals in the volatile material within the cartridge; and\npassively emitting the aroma chemicals having a high volatility and a low solubility.",
"6. The method of dispensing of claim 5, further including the step of:\nnebulizing volatile material-infused water particles having aroma chemicals with a low volatility and a high solubility after the volatile-material infused water particles have returned to the reservoir.",
"7. The method of dispensing of claim 6, wherein aroma chemicals having a low volatility and a low solubility and aroma chemicals having a high volatility and a high solubility are emitted in a manner that creates a least amount of resistance.",
"8. A volatile material dispenser, the dispenser including:\na frame adapted to be attached to a dispenser having an ultrasonic nebulizer for dispensing fluids; and\na cartridge containing a volatile material and adapted to be attached to the frame, wherein the frame is adapted to position the cartridge within the dispenser such that cartridge is in a path of nebulized fluid particles, whereby the cartridge acts as a baffle that filters out larger nebulized fluid particles emitted by the ultrasonic nebulizer.",
"9. The volatile material dispenser of claim 8, further including:\na dispenser including a housing having a reservoir adapted to hold water;\nan ultrasonic nebulizer in communication with the reservoir and the water within the reservoir, wherein the ultrasonic nebulizer is adapted to volatilize and emit the water as nebulized water particles;\nwherein the frame is attached to a portion of the dispenser, the cartridge is attached to the frame, the ultrasonic nebulizer is disposed in a bottom wall of the reservoir, and the water is positioned in the reservoir between the ultrasonic nebulizer and the cartridge.",
"10. The volatile material dispenser of claim 9, wherein the bottom wall of the reservoir and the cartridge are spaced from one another along a longitudinal axis of the dispenser, the bottom wall of the reservoir is generally orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, and the cartridge is disposed at an angle of between about −15 degrees and about 15 degrees with respect to a horizontal plane that is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis and parallel to the bottom wall of the reservoir.",
"11. The volatile material dispenser of claim 10, wherein the cartridge is disposed at an angle of between about −5 degrees and about 5 degrees with respect to the horizontal plane that is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis and parallel to the bottom wall of the reservoir.",
"12. The volatile material dispenser of claim 9, wherein the cartridge includes a container holding the volatile material and a non-porous permeable membrane covering the container and holding the volatile material within the container.",
"13. The volatile material dispensing of claim 12, wherein the cartridge is positioned in the volatile material dispenser with the non-permeable membrane facing the water within the reservoir and further facing the ultrasonic nebulizer.",
"14. The volatile material dispenser of claim 13, wherein the frame includes at least one orienting feature that ensures the cartridge is inserted into the frame with the non-porous permeable membrane facing the water within the reservoir and facing the ultrasonic nebulizer.",
"15. The volatile material dispenser of claim 9, further including a blower for moving volatile material directly from the cartridge and for moving volatile material-infused water particles out of the dispenser.",
"16. The volatile material dispenser of claim 8, wherein the volatile material in the cartridge contains a fragrance comprising at least one aroma chemical.",
"17. The volatile material dispenser of claim 16, wherein the volatile material in the cartridge is free of solvents and surfactants.",
"18. A volatile material dispenser, the dispenser including:\na housing having a reservoir adapted to hold water;\nan ultrasonic nebulizer in communication with the reservoir and the water within the reservoir, wherein the ultrasonic nebulizer is adapted to volatilize and emit the water as nebulized water particles;\na cartridge containing a volatile material and positioned such that nebulized water particles from the ultrasonic nebulizer impinge upon the cartridge and entrain volatile material within the nebulized water particles, wherein the volatile material comprises a fragrance with at least one aroma chemical and the volatile material is free of solvents and surfactants.",
"19. The volatile material dispenser of claim 18, wherein the ultrasonic nebulizer is disposed in a bottom wall of the reservoir, the bottom wall of the reservoir and the cartridge are spaced from one another along a longitudinal axis of the dispenser, the bottom wall of the reservoir is generally orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, and the cartridge is disposed at an angle of between about −15 degrees and about 15 degrees with respect to a horizontal plane that is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis and parallel to the bottom wall of the reservoir.",
"20. The volatile material dispenser of claim 18, wherein the cartridge includes a container holding the volatile material and a non-porous permeable membrane covering the container and holding the volatile material within the container and the cartridge is positioned in the volatile material dispenser with the non-porous permeable membrane facing the water and the ultrasonic nebulizer."
],
[
"1. A device for releasing a volatile substance into an environment in a controlled manner, said device comprising:\nA. a container body having a back wall and sidewalls connected to the back wall, said sidewalls having front edges defining a cavity open at the front of the body, said body composed of a material impermeable to the substance;\nB. a reservoir formed of a porous substance-absorbent material non-reactive with the substance and located in and substantially filling said cavity; and\nC. a panel permeable to the substance, disposed between the front edges of the sidewalls of the body so as to cover said cavity opening, said panel formed of wood and being relatively thin and of uniform thickness, said reservoir in surface contact with said panel;\nwhereby the reservoir may be filled with the volatile substance and, when the device is filled, the substance is absorbed by and permeates through the panel and is released in vapor form into the atmosphere surrounding the device.",
"2. The device of claim 1 wherein said container body is composed of polyethylene resin.",
"3. The device of claim 1 wherein said container body is composed of polypropylene resin.",
"4. The device of claim 1 wherein said reservoir of substance-absorbent material is composed of a natural open cell material.",
"5. The device of claim 1 wherein said reservoir of substance-absorbent material is composed of a synthetic open cell material.",
"6. The device of claim 1 wherein said volatile substance is a fragrant oil.",
"7. The device of claim 1 wherein said volatile substance is a fragrant liquid deodorizer.",
"8. The device of claim 1 wherein said container body and cavity and wood-type panel are rectangular in shape.",
"9. The device of claim 1 further comprising: a ledge surrounding the interior perimeter of the cavity recessed from the plane of the front surface of the body.",
"10. The device of claim 9 wherein the area of the wood-type panel is slightly less than the area of the exterior perimeter of said ledge.",
"11. The device of claim 1 further comprising: means for securing said device to a mounting surface wherein:\nA. said securing means is a fishhook-shaped clip;\nB. said clip is composed of polyethylene or polypropylene resin; and\nC. said clip is attached to the body.",
"12. The device of claim 1 further comprising: means vacuum sealing the device wherein:\nA. said sealing means is skin pack film;\nB. said skin pack film covers the front surface of the container body, preventing the volatile substance from dissipating, and wherein removal of the film from the device triggers volatilization of said substance."
],
[
"1. A decorative luminary, said decorative luminary comprising:\na) a base, said base comprising a light source; and\nb) a disposable shade wherein said shade is impregnated with a composition wherein from about 50% to about 100% is comprised of a volatile composition wherein said volatile composition includes at least one ingredient which has a Kovat's Index from about 600 to about 1800.",
"2. A decorative luminary, said decorative luminary comprising:\na) a base, said base comprising a light source; and\nb) a disposable shade wherein said shade is impregnated with a volatile composition comprising perfume ingredients wherein said perfume ingredients are selected from a first group of ingredients having a boiling point of about 20° C. to about 250° C. and a ClogP value from about −2 to about 3; a second group of ingredients having a boiling point of about 20° C. to about 250° C. and a ClogP value from about 3 to about 9; a third group of ingredients having a boiling point of about 250° C. to about 400° C. and a ClogP value from about −2 to about 3; a fourth group of ingredients having a boiling point of about 250° C. to about 400° C. and a ClogP of about 3 to about 9; or a combination thereof.",
"3. A decorative luminary, said decorative luminary comprising:\na disposable shade wherein said shade includes a volatile composition wherein said volatile composition is about 50% or more depleted from the shade within about twenty-four hours after said shade is exposed to air.",
"4. A composition for a decorative luminary, said composition comprising:\na volatile composition wherein said volatile composition is provided in an amount capable of adding from about 60 milligrams to about 15 grams of said volatile composition to a shade wherein said volatile composition prior to addition to said shade is contained in an ampoule, a pouch, a dropper bottle, a sachet, a spray, a blow-fill seal container, or a combination thereof and wherein said volatile composition has a Kovat's Index of about 600 to about 1800.",
"5. The composition of claim 4 wherein said composition further comprises perfume ingredients wherein said perfume ingredients are selected from: a first group of ingredients having a boiling point of about 20° C. to about 250° C. and a ClogP value from about −2 to about 3; a second group of ingredients having a boiling point of about 20° C. to about 250° C. and a ClogP value from about 3 to about 9; a third group of ingredients having a boiling point of about 250° C. to about 400° C. and a ClogP value from about −2 to about 3; a fourth group of ingredients having a boiling point of about 250° C. to about 400° C. and a ClogP of about 3 to about 9; or a combination thereof."
],
[
"1. A scented picture frame comprising:\na frame having a body comprising a front, a back, a first side, a second side, a top and a bottom;\na face sheet on the front of the frame, a picture window formed in the face sheet;\na spacer sheet adjacent the face sheet and intermediate the front and the back, the spacer sheet having a picture cavity adjacent the picture window, a picture pouch in the picture cavity;\na first scent board having a front, a back and a slot, the slot extending from the front to the back, the first scent board removably attached to the back of the frame; and\na tab on the back of the frame, the tab having a base and a tip, the base on the back of the frame, the tip spaced from the back of the frame, the slot configured to matingly accept the tab, the tab in the slot wherein the first scent board is hanging on the tab intermediate the tip and the base of the tab, the first scent board adjacent the back of the frame.",
"2. The invention of claim 1 wherein the first scent board further comprises a plurality of slots for removably connecting the scent board to the frame.",
"3. The invention of claim 1 further comprising a prop on the frame adapted to hold the frame in a viewable position.",
"4. The invention of claim 1 wherein the frame further comprises a support sheet on the back, the tab integrally formed in the support sheet, the tip die-cut in the support sheet, wherein the tab is folded away from the body to receive the first scent board.",
"5. The invention of claim 1 further comprising a second scent board removably on the frame, the second scent board adjacent the first scent board.",
"6. The invention of claim 1 wherein the frame further comprises a foot extending from the back, the first scent board on the foot",
"7. The invention of clam 6 further comprising a lock on the frame, the lock engaged with the foot, the first scent board further comprising a second slot, the foot in the second slot, the lock in the first slot.",
"8. The invention of claim 7 further comprising a second scent board on the frame, the second scent board having a vertical slot and a horizontal slot, the vertical slot and the horizontal slot adapted to engage the foot and lock whereby the second scent board is removably on the frame adjacent the first scent board.",
"9. The invention of claim 1 further comprising a second scent board, the second scent board comprising a slot, the tab in the second scent board slot to removably hold the second scent board on the frame, the second scent board adjacent the first scent board.",
"10. The invention of claim 9 further comprising a knob on the first scent board the knob bearing against the second scent board, a space intermediate the first scent board and the second scent board.",
"11. A scented picture frame comprising:\na body, the body comprising a front and a back, the back further comprising a support sheet;\na first scent board, the first scent board having a front and a back and a slot, the slot extending from the front of the scent board to the back of the scent board and forming an opening, the front of the first scent board adjacent the back of the body, a scent impregnated in the first scent board;\na sheet holder on the support sheet extending from the back of the body, the sheet holder removably in the slot of the scent board wherein the scent board is removably attached to the body by the sheet holder extending into the slot, the first scent board adjacent to the back of the body.",
"12. The invention of claim 11 wherein the sheet holder comprises a tab, the tab having a base and a tip, the base on the back of the body, the tip spaced from the back, the slot configured to matingly accept the tab, the tab in the slot wherein the first scent board is hanging on the tab intermediate the tip and the base, the first scent board adjacent the back of the body.",
"13. The invention of claim 12 further comprising a second scent board on the tab, the second scent board having a front, a back and a slot extending therethrough, the tab in the slot.",
"14. The invention of claim 12 further comprising a second scent board on the tab wherein the first scent board further comprises a first scent and the second scent board further comprises a second scent.",
"15. The invention of claim 11 wherein the sheet holder further comprises a foot extending from the support sheet, the foot matingly extending into the slot of the first scent board, the foot holding the first scent board adjacent the back of the body.",
"16. The invention of claim 15 wherein the sheet holder further comprises a lock, the lock engaging the foot, the first scent board further comprising a horizontal slot, the horizontal slot adapted to matingly receive the lock wherein the scent board is held adjacent the back of the body.",
"17. The invention of claim 16 further comprising a second scent board on the sheet holder, the second scent board having a front, a back and a plurality of slots extending therethrough, the foot in one of the plurality of slots, the lock in another of the plurality of slots.",
"18. A scented picture frame comprising:\na body having a front, a back, a top and a bottom, a picture window on the front, a prop on the body;\na sheet holder on the back of the body, the sheet holder extending from the back;\na first scent board removably hanging on the sheet holder adjacent the back, the first scent board having a front, a back, and a slot extending from the front of the scent board to the back of the scent board having the sheet holder removably therein.",
"19. The invention of claim 18 wherein the sheet holder further comprises a tab comprising a tip, and a base, the base on the back of the body, the tab holding the tip spaced from the back of the body, the tab in the slot wherein the first scent board is hanging-on the tab intermediate the tip and the base."
],
[
"1. A volatile composition dispenser comprising:\na housing having an aperture and having opposing first and second walls that are joined along their peripheries to one another, wherein said second wall has a plurality of apertures;\na volatile composition cartridge disposed within the housing between said first and second walls; and\na gap, which exists between said volatile composition cartridge and a bottom surface of the housing, wherein said bottom surface is formed from a base portion of one or both of the first and second walls, wherein:\nupon activation, the exposure percentage is from about 40% to about 90%; and\nwherein the gap is from about 0.5 mm to about 8 mm in height.",
"2. The volatile composition dispenser of claim 1, wherein the aperture is disposed near a base portion of the first wall.",
"3. The volatile composition dispenser of claim 1, wherein the individual apertures are radially arranged.",
"4. The volatile composition dispenser of claim 1, wherein the width of the plurality of apertures increases further away from a center of the plurality of apertures.",
"5. The volatile composition dispenser of claim 1, wherein the plurality of apertures comprises a first portion of apertures and second portion of apertures wherein the first portion of apertures is disposed at an angle as compared to a plane formed by the second portion of apertures.",
"6. The volatile composition dispenser of claim 1, wherein the plurality of apertures is symmetrically disposed about a vertical center line.",
"7. The volatile composition dispenser of claim 1, wherein individual apertures of the plurality of apertures have an aspect ratio of at least about 1:2.",
"8. The volatile composition dispenser of claim 1, wherein the first wall and second wall are each curvedly contoured in an elliptical shell form, thereby forming the housing into an elliptical shaped disc.",
"9. The volatile composition dispenser of claim 1, wherein the first wall and the second wall are joined to one another by snap fit connectors.",
"10. A volatile composition dispenser comprising:\na housing having an aperture and having opposing first and second walls that are joined along their peripheries to one another, wherein said second wall has a plurality of apertures;\na volatile composition cartridge comprising a membrane disposed within the housing between said first and second walls, wherein the volatile composition cartridge comprises a front face disposed in a first plane; and\na gap, which exists between said volatile composition cartridge and a bottom surface of the housing, wherein said bottom surface is formed from a base portion of one or both of the first and second walls, wherein:\nthe bottom surface is disposed at a nonright angle compared to the first plane.",
"11. The volatile composition dispenser of claim 10, wherein the gap is from about 0.5 mm to about 8 mm in height.",
"12. The volatile composition dispenser of claim 10, wherein the aperture is disposed near a base portion of the first wall.",
"13. The volatile composition dispenser of claim 10, wherein the individual apertures are radially arranged and the width of the plurality of apertures increases further away from a center of the second wall.",
"14. The volatile composition dispenser of claim 10, wherein the plurality of apertures comprise a first portion of apertures and second portion of apertures wherein the first portion of apertures is disposed at an angle as compared to a plane formed by the second portion of apertures.",
"15. The volatile composition dispenser of claim 10, wherein individual apertures of the plurality of apertures have an aspect ratio of at least about 1:2.",
"16. The volatile composition dispenser of claim 10, wherein the first wall and second wall are each curvedly contoured in an elliptical shell form, thereby forming the housing into an elliptical shaped disc.",
"17. The volatile composition dispenser of claim 10, wherein the first wall and the second wall are joined to one another by snap fit connectors.",
"18. A volatile composition dispenser comprising:\na housing having an aperture and having opposing first and second walls that are joined along their peripheries to one another, wherein said second wall has a plurality of apertures;\na volatile composition cartridge comprising a membrane disposed within the housing between said first and second walls; and\na gap, which exists between said volatile composition cartridge and a bottom surface of the housing, wherein said bottom surface is formed from a base portion of one or both of the first and second walls, wherein:\nthe first wall comprises a window;\nthe volatile composition cartridge comprises a receptacle; and\nthe receptacle nests within the window.",
"19. The volatile composition dispenser of claim 18, wherein a portion of the volatile composition cartridge extends below a bottom of the window.",
"20. The volatile composition dispenser of claim 18, wherein the receptacle holds from about 1 ml to 50 ml of a volatile composition.",
"21. The volatile composition dispenser of claim 18, wherein the receptacle comprises a substantially planar front face.",
"22. The volatile composition dispenser of claim 18, wherein the aperture is disposed near a base portion of the first wall.",
"23. The volatile composition dispenser of claim 18, wherein the individual apertures are radially arranged and the width of the plurality of apertures increases further away from a center of the plurality of apertures.",
"24. The volatile composition dispenser of claim 18, wherein the plurality of apertures comprise a first portion of apertures and second portion of apertures wherein the first portion of apertures is disposed at an angle as compared to a plane formed by the second portion of apertures.",
"25. The volatile composition dispenser of claim 18, wherein individual apertures of the plurality of apertures have an aspect ratio of at least about 1:2.",
"26. The volatile composition dispenser of claim 18, wherein the first wall and second wall are each curvedly contoured in an elliptical shell form, thereby forming the housing into an elliptical shaped disc.",
"27. The volatile composition dispenser of claim 18, wherein the first wall and the second wall are joined to one another by snap fit connectors.",
"28. A volatile composition dispenser comprising:\na housing having opposing first and second walls that are joined along their peripheries to one another, wherein said housing has an elongated aperture and wherein said second wall has a plurality of apertures;\na volatile composition cartridge comprising a membrane disposed within the housing between said first and second walls; and\na gap, which exists between said volatile composition cartridge and a bottom surface of the housing, wherein said bottom surface is formed from a base portion of one or both of the first and second walls, wherein:\nthe elongated aperture cooperates with the plurality of apertures that are within the second wall to provide a chimney stack effect to promote movement of air through the housing.",
"29. The volatile composition dispenser of claim 28, wherein individual apertures of the plurality of apertures have an aspect ratio of at least about 1:2."
],
[
"1. A device for dispensing an active volatile substance into the surrounding atmosphere, provided with means for forced ventilation of an evaporation surface impregnated with the volatile substance, the device comprising:\na reservoir containing the active volatile substance and having an upper part equipped with an opening;\na wick/emanating member assembly comprising an emanating member carrying the evaporation surface and formed of a material capable of being impregnated with the active volatile substance upon activation of the device and of allowing evaporation thereof into air surrounding the device; and a wick member formed of, or carrying, a porous material part capable of being impregnated with the active volatile substance, the wick member being adapted to be lodged in the device through the opening of the reservoir's upper part in a position allowing it to be impregnated with the volatile substance and to be in contact with the emanating member,\nwherein, upon activation of the device, the emanating member and the wick member are lodged in the device in a position allowing the wick member to be in contact with the active volatile substance and to cause the emanating member to be impregnated therewith, and\nwherein the means for forced ventilation of the evaporation surface carried by the emanating member is operatively associated with the wick/emanating member assembly and comprises electrically, battery or solar powered means for providing repeated, rotating movement of at least the emanating member for a determined period of time, relative to the reservoir, with the device being devoid of any moving parts capable of causing forced ventilation other than the emanating member or wick/emanating member assembly.",
"2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a housing assembly covering at least the emanating member, the housing assembly comprising means to allow diffusion of the active volatile into air surrounding the device upon its activation.",
"3. The device of claim 2, further comprising an on/off button or timer accessible to a user from the outside of the device and intended for activating the powered means for causing motion of at least the emanating member.",
"4. The device of claim 2, wherein the housing assembly comprises two vertical elements, an internal part and an external part, both being provided with openings or vents, the two parts being moveably arranged so as to be able to slide relative to each other upon activation of the device, to allow partial or total overlap of the inner and outer vents.",
"5. The device of claim 1, wherein the active volatile substance is a liquid comprising a perfume, a deodorizing substance, an insecticide substance, an insect repellent or attracting substance, an antibacterial or bacteriostatic agent.",
"6. The device of claim 5, wherein the active volatile liquid is a non-aqueous liquid perfuming composition, at least 60% of the total weight of which is formed of ingredients having a vapor pressure comprised between 4 PA and 270 PA at 20° C.",
"7. The device of claim 1, wherein the emanating member has a weight of between 80 and 1000 grams per square meter of evaporative surface, and an absorbency of between 0.01 and 0.1 grams of active volatile liquid composition per square centimeter of evaporative surface.",
"8. The device of claim 7, wherein the emanating or evaporative surface of the emanating member is between 50 cm2 and 400 cm2.",
"9. The device of claim 5, wherein the active volatile liquid further comprises one or more ingredients selected from the group consisting of solvents, thickeners, anti-oxidants, dyes, bittering agents and UV inhibitors.",
"10. A consumer article, comprising the device of claim 1 together with an appropriate packaging.",
"11. The consumer article of claim 10, in the form of an air freshener, a mothproofer, an insecticide or an insect repellent device, or a combination thereof.",
"12. The consumer article of claim 10 wherein separate packaging is provided for the volatile substance reservoir and the wick/emanating member assembly or the packaging includes separate compartments of a single packaging for separating the volatile substance reservoir and the wick/emanating member assembly.",
"13. A device for dispensing an active volatile substance into the surrounding atmosphere, provided with a forced ventilation mechanism for ventilating an evaporation surface impregnated with the volatile substance, the device comprising:\na reservoir containing the active volatile substance and having an upper, part equipped with an opening;\na wick/emanating member assembly comprising an emanating member carrying the evaporation surface and formed of a material capable of being impregnated with the active volatile substance upon activation of the device and of allowing evaporation thereof into air surrounding the device; and a wick member formed of, or carrying, a porous material part capable of being impregnated with the active volatile substance, the wick member being adapted to be lodged in the device through the opening of the reservoir's upper part in a position allowing it to be impregnated with the volatile substance and to be in contact with the emanating member,\nwherein, upon activation of the device, the emanating member and the wick member are lodged in the device in a position allowing the wick member to be in contact with the active volatile substance and to cause the emanating member to be impregnated therewith, and\nwherein the forced ventilation mechanism is operatively associated with the wick/emanating member assembly and is powered electrically, by battery or by solar power and includes a rotor that provides continuous rotation of one of the wick/emanating member assembly or the emanating member for a determined period of time, relative to the reservoir, with the rotation of the emanating member or of the wick/emanating member assembly being the sole moving part of the device for causing the forced ventilation.",
"14. The device of claim 13, which further comprises a housing assembly within which is lodged the wick/emanating member assembly, the housing assembly carrying a solar panel lodged in a housing cap thereof and means allowing connection of the solar panel to a battery intended for powering the rotor connected to at least the emanating member and able to cause rotation thereof.",
"15. The device of claim 13, wherein the wick/emanating member assembly is formed of a single piece, both the wick member and the emanating member being susceptible of being engaged into rotation.",
"16. The device of claim 13, wherein the reservoir carries a cap or lid assembly provided with a supporting shaft on which the emanating member is arranged, the shaft having a hollow cavity for lodging the wick member.",
"17. The device of claim 16, wherein the emanating member is fin-shaped or star-shaped.",
"18. The device of claim 17, wherein the emanating member is star shaped and rotatably mounted on the shaft.",
"19. The device of claim 16, wherein the wick member and the emanating member are coaxially arranged on the shaft, which also supports the rotor member."
]
] |
3. the following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 u.s.c. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this office action:
a person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
4. claims 1, 3-8, 14 and 16-19 are rejected under 35 u.s.c. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by hafer et al., us patent application publication no. 2018/0353636.
as to claim 1, hafer shows several embodiments of an air freshener (see figs. 1-5d) for containing an air freshener material (20), with at least one of the embodiments (see figs. 4a and 4b) of the air freshener comprising: a canister assembly (13b, 15b) having an open upper end (@ 32) in communication with a cavity (region radially inward of the wall defining 13b, and above the lower wall defined by 15b) adapted to hold the air freshener material; a lid (11b) coupled to the canister assembly to close at least a portion of the open upper end thereof (see fig. 4a, as compared to fig. 4b); and a plurality of openings (40) in the canister assembly in communication with the cavity and the air freshener material therein; wherein a plurality of air flow paths into and out of the cavity are provided for exposure of the air freshener material to a surrounding atmosphere of the air freshener, the air freshener material being positioned to intersect at least some of the plurality of air flow paths passing through selected ones of the plurality of openings and the open upper end of the canister assembly (see fig. 4b; and see paragraph [0052]).
as to claim 3, hafer also shows the air freshener further comprising: a base (16; shown in combination with the embodiment of figs. 1 and 2; but also disclosed as intended for use with the other shown embodiments, including that of figs. 4a and 4b) supporting the canister assembly, the base having a plurality of holes (23) therein in communication with the plurality of openings in the canister assembly and contributing to forming the plurality of air flow paths.
as to claim 4, hafer also shows the air freshener wherein the canister assembly further comprises: a central post (38b) with the cavity being formed in an annular configuration about the post.
as to claim 5, hafer also shows the air freshener wherein the lid further comprises: a downwardly directed stem (34b) threadably coupled (66, 68) to the central post for adjusting a position of the lid relative to the open upper end of the canister assembly and thereby modifying at least some of the plurality of air flow paths (see also, paragraph [0046]).
as to claim 6, hafer also shows the air freshener wherein the lid has a generally circular shape (see figs. 4a and 4b, in the context of the views shown in figs. 1 and 2).
as to claim 7, hafer also shows the air freshener wherein the canister assembly has a generally annular shape (see figs. 4a and 4b).
as to claim 8, hafer also shows the air freshener wherein a first portion of the plurality of air flow paths are directed upwardly through the canister assembly and a second portion of the plurality of air flow paths are directed downwardly through the canister assembly. regarding this recitation, while fig. 4b shows arrows indicating at least a plurality of upward flow paths passing through certain ones of the openings and the open upper end of the canister assembly, it is important to note that the “air flow paths” recitations are essentially, at most, functional in nature, as they do not change the structural features of the claimed device in a manner which patentably distinguishes the claim from the prior art of hafer. in essence, upward and downward flow paths exist with the hafer device, regardless of the direction(s) of any existing airflow currents passing through the device. also, it should be noted that if the user of the air freshener device of hafer, as shown in at least figs. 4a and 4b, were to not operate the “airflow generator 22” (as shown in figs. 1 and 2, and which is disclosed as intended for combination with the other shown embodiments), air would flow freely in an infinite number of flow paths in both upward and downward directions through the open upper end of the canister assembly, through the openings (40), and through the openings (23) defined in the “base” element (16).
as to claim 14, hafer shows several embodiments of an air freshener combination (see figs. 1-5d) comprising: a canister assembly (13b, 15b) having an open upper end (@32) in communication with a cavity (region radially inward of the wall defining 13b, and above the lower wall defined by 15b); an air freshener material (20) located within the cavity; a lid (11b) coupled to the canister assembly to close at least a portion of the open upper end thereof (see fig. 4a, as compared to fig. 4b); and a plurality of openings (40) in the canister assembly in communication with the cavity and the air freshener material therein; wherein a plurality of air flow paths into and out of the cavity are provided for exposure of the air freshener material to a surrounding atmosphere of the air freshener, the air freshener material being positioned to intersect at least some of the plurality of air flow paths passing through selected ones of the plurality of openings and the open upper end of the canister assembly (see fig. 4b; and see paragraph [0052]). regarding the recitation, “wherein a first portion of the plurality of air flow paths are directed upwardly through the canister assembly and a second portion of the plurality of air flow paths are directed downwardly through the canister assembly”, while fig. 4b shows arrows indicating at least a plurality of upward flow paths passing through certain ones of the openings and the open upper end of the canister assembly, it is important to note that the “air flow paths” recitations are essentially, at most, functional in nature, as they do not change the structural features of the claimed device in a manner which patentably distinguishes the claim from the prior art of hafer. in essence, upward and downward flow paths exist with the hafer device, regardless of the direction(s) of any existing airflow currents passing through the device. also, it should be noted that if the user of the air freshener device of hafer, as shown in at least figs. 4a and 4b, were to not operate the “airflow generator 22” (as shown in figs. 1 and 2, and which is disclosed as intended for combination with the other shown embodiments), air would flow freely in an infinite number of flow paths in both upward and downward directions through the open upper end of the canister assembly, through the openings (40), and through the openings (23) defined in the “base” element (16).
as to claim 16, hafer also shows the air freshener combination further comprising: a base (16; shown in combination with the embodiment of figs. 1 and 2; but also disclosed as intended for use with the other shown embodiments, including that of figs. 4a and 4b) supporting the canister assembly, the base having a plurality of holes (23) therein in communication with the plurality of openings in the canister assembly and contributing to forming the plurality of air flow paths.
as to claim 17, hafer also shows the air freshener combination wherein the canister assembly further comprises: a central post (38b) with the cavity being formed in an annular configuration about the post; wherein the air freshener material (20) is formed in a ring shape surrounding the central post.
as to claim 18, hafer also shows the air freshener combination wherein the lid further comprises: a downwardly directed stem (34b) threadably coupled (66, 68) to the central post for adjusting a position of the lid relative to the open upper end of the canister assembly and thereby modifying at least some of the plurality of air flow paths (see also, paragraph [0046]).
as to claim 19, hafer also shows the air freshener combination wherein the canister assembly has a generally annular shape and the air freshener material is formed in a ring shape (see figs. 4a and 4b).
|
[
"1. A fiber plug connector configured to be inserted into a receptacle, the fiber plug connector and the receptacle cooperating to define a keying mechanism, the fiber plug connector comprising:\na body extending along a length between a front and a rear, along a width between opposite first and second sides, and along a height between a top and a bottom;\na pin alignment system including either a pair of pins or a pair of holes to receive pins, the pin alignment system recessed inwardly from an exterior of the body;\na ferrule disposed at the front of the body, the ferrule being configured to hold a number of optical fibers;\nan exterior key positioned at the exterior of the body, the exterior key being asymmetrically disposed at the top of the body between the first and second sides, the exterior key having a keying geometry identifying the number of the optical fibers held by the ferrule, the exterior key being disposed at a location offset along the width from a central longitudinal axis, the location also being offset along the width from both the first side of the body and the second side of the body; and\ntactile indicia that correspond to the keying geometry of the exterior key, wherein the tactile indicia is disposed at the rear of the body to enable a user to determine the number of fibers terminated by the fiber plug connector even when the fiber plug connector is received in the receptacle.",
"2. The fiber plug connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the exterior key also indicates a rotational alignment of the fiber plug connector.",
"3. The fiber plug connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fiber plug connector is color coded based on the keying geometry of the exterior key.",
"4. The fiber plug connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fiber plug connector terminates a patchcord.",
"5. The fiber plug connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the exterior key is disposed at the front of the body.",
"6. The fiber plug connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fiber plug connector is an MPO-type connector.",
"7. The fiber plug connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the exterior key extends rearwardly from the front of the body.",
"8. The fiber plug connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the exterior key is a modification to a conventional rotational alignment key of the fiber plug connector.",
"9. A connection system comprising:\na first receptacle defining a first port having opposing flat sides interconnected by opposing curved sides to define an interior of the first port, a first of the flat sides defining a first slot recessed therein, the first slot being disposed symmetrically between the opposing curved sides;\na first MPO plug connector configured to be inserted into the first port of the first receptacle, the first MPO plug connector including a first key configured to fit within the first slot of the first receptacle when the first MPO plug connector is inserted into the first port of the first receptacle, the first MPO plug connector terminating a first number of optical fibers, the first key identifying the first number of optical fibers terminated by the first MPO plug connector;\na second receptacle defining a second port having opposing flat sides interconnected by opposing curved sides to define an interior of the second port, a first of the flat sides of the second port defining a second slot recessed therein, the second slot being disposed asymmetrically between the opposing curved sides; and\na second MPO plug connector configured to be inserted into the second port of the second receptacle, the second MPO plug connector including a second key configured to fit within the second slot of the second receptacle when the second MPO plug connector is inserted into the second port of the second receptacle, wherein the second slot would inhibit insertion of the first MPO plug connector by interaction between the first key and the first flat side of the second port, the second MPO plug connector terminating a second number of optical fibers, the second number of optical fibers being different from the first number of optical fibers, the second key identifying the second number of optical fibers terminated by the second MPO plug connector.",
"10. The connection system of claim 9, wherein the first MPO plug connector is one of a plurality of identical first MPO plug connectors that each terminate the first number of optical fibers; and wherein the second MPO plug connector is one of a plurality of identical second MPO plug connectors that each terminate the second number of optical fibers.",
"11. The connection system of claim 9, wherein the second MPO plug connector includes a third key disposed at an opposite side of the second MPO plug connector from the second key.",
"12. The connection system of claim 9, wherein the second key of the second MPO plug connector serves as a rotational alignment key.",
"13. The connection system of claim 9, wherein the second slot cooperates with a larger slot to define a keyway for the second key of the second MPO plug connector.",
"14. The connection system of claim 9, wherein the second key of the second MPO plug connector is disposed at a top of the second MPO plug connector and asymmetrically located between opposite sides of the second MPO plug connector extending away from the top.",
"15. The connection system of claim 9, wherein the second key extends rearwardly from a front of the second MPO plug connector."
] |
US12153273B2
|
US6304352B1
|
[
"1. Apparatus for connecting an optical transceiver to multimode optical fibre in a multimode optical fibre communications system, the apparatus comprising:\na transmission part adapted for receiving outgoing optical radiation admitted to the apparatus from an optical source of the optical transceiver at a radiation input into a single mode optical fibre of the transmission part and adapted for transmitting said outgoing radiation out into a first multimode optical fibre of the multimode optical fibre communications system after passage through the single mode optical fibre, said single mode optical fibre being of sufficient length such that said outgoing radiation transmitted into said first multimode optical fibre is substantially single mode radiation, and;\na reception part adapted for receiving incoming optical radiation admitted to the apparatus from a second multimode optical fibre of the communications system into a multimode optical fibre of the reception part and adapted for transmitting said incoming radiation into a receiver of the optical transceiver.",
"2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the optical source of the optical transceiver is a laser.",
"3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein outgoing optical radiation is transmitted directly from the single mode optical fibre into the first multimode optical fibre of the multimode optical fibre communications system.",
"4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein a mode conditioning means is provided in the transmission part such that chosen modes of the multimode fibre will be preferentially excited by the outgoing radiation so as to increase the operational bandwidth of the first multimode optical fibre of the communications system.",
"5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said mode conditioning means comprises means to launch the outgoing radiation from the single mode fibre into a launch multimode fibre, such that the outgoing radiation illuminates an end face of the launch multimode fibre away from the axis of the launch multimode fibre.",
"6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said launch multimode fibre is the first multimode fibre of the multimode fibre communications system.",
"7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said launch multimode fibre is comprised within the transmission part.",
"8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the single mode fibre has an internal termination at a first ferrule and the launch multimode fibre has an internal termination at a second ferrule, wherein the illumination of the end face of the launch multimode fibre away from the axis of the launch multimode fibre is achieved by an offset of the second ferrule from the first ferrule.",
"9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the second ferrule and the first ferrule are coaxial, wherein the single mode fibre and the launch multimode fibre are each mounted within the first ferrule and the second ferrule respectively such that the axis of each fibre is offset from the axis of the ferrule, and wherein the first ferrule is rotationally offset from the second ferrule such that the single mode fibre is offset from the launch multimode fibre.",
"10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the multimode optical fibre of the reception part has a core size greater than or equal to the core size of the second multimode fibre.",
"11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising distinguishing means to distinguish connections to the transmission part from connections to the reception part, such that connection between the optical source and the first multimode fibre can only be provided by the transmission part and connection between the optical receiver and the second multimode fibre can only be provided by the reception part.",
"12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the distinguishing means is provided by a keying mechanism at each end of the transmission and reception parts.",
"13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the apparatus is provided in the form of a patchcord.",
"14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the apparatus is provided in the form of a dongle.",
"15. Communications device for use in an multimode fibre optical communications system, comprising an optical transceiver and an apparatus comprising:\na transmission part adapted for receiving outgoing optical radiation admitted to the apparatus from an optical source of the optical transceiver at a radiation input into a single mode optical fibre of the transmission part and adapted for transmitting said outgoing radiation out into a first multimode optical fibre of the multimode optical fibre communications system after passage through the single mode optical fibre, said single mode optical fibre being of sufficient length such that said outgoing radiation transmitted into said first multimode optical fibre is substantially single mode radiation, and;\na reception part adapted for receiving incoming optical radiation admitted to the apparatus from a second multimode optical fibre of the communications system into a multimode optical fibre of the reception part and adapted for transmitting said incoming radiation into a receiver of the optical transceiver.",
"16. Communications device as claimed in claim 15 wherein the optical source is a laser.",
"17. Communications device as claimed in claim 16, wherein outgoing optical radiation is transmitted directly from the single mode optical fibre into the first multimode optical fibre of the multimode optical fibre communications system.",
"18. Communications device as claimed in claim 16, wherein a mode conditioning means is provided in the transmission part such that chosen modes of the multimode fibre will be preferentially excited by the outgoing radiation so as to increase the operational bandwidth of the first multimode optical fibre of the communications system.",
"19. Communications device as claimed in claim 18, wherein said mode conditioning means comprises means to launch the outgoing radiation from the single mode fibre into a launch multimode fibre, such that the outgoing radiation illuminates an end face of the launch multimode fibre away from the axis of the launch mulitmode fibre.",
"20. Communications device as claimed in claim 19, wherein said launch multimode fibre is the first mulitmode fibre of the multimode fibre communications system.",
"21. Communications device as claimed in claim 19, wherein said launch multimode fibre is comprised within the transmission part.",
"22. Communications device as claimed in claim 21, wherein the single mode fibre has an internal termination at a first ferrule and and the launch multimode fibre has an internal termination at a second ferrule wherein the illumination of the end face of the launch multimode fibre away from the axis of the launch multimode fibre is achieved by an offset of the second ferrule from the first ferrule.",
"23. Communications device as claimed in claim 22, wherein the second ferrule and the first ferrule are coaxial, wherein the single mode fibre and the launch multimode fibre are each mounted within the first ferrule and the second ferrule respectively such that the axis of each fibre is often from the axis of the ferrule, and wherein the first ferrule is rotationally offset from the second ferrule such that the single mode fibre is offset from the launch multimode fibre.",
"24. Communications system comprising an optical transceiver and first and second multimode optical fibres for receiving outgoing optical radiation from and supplying incoming optical radiation to the optical transceiver respectively, the optical transceiver and the first and second multimode optical fibres being connected by a connecting apparatus, the connecting apparatus comprising:\na transmission part adapted for receiving outgoing optical radiation admitted to the connecting apparatus from an optical source of the optical transceiver at a radiation input into a single mode optical fibre of the transmission part and adapted for transmitting said outgoing radiation out into the first multimode optical fibre after passage through the single mode optical fibre, said single mode optical fibre being of sufficient length such that said outgoing radiation transmitted into said first multimode optical fibre is substantially single mode radiation, and;\na reception part adapted for receiving incoming optical radiation admitted to the connection apparatus from the second multimode optical fibre into a multimode optical fibre of the reception part and adapted for transmitting said incoming radiation into a receiver of the optical transceiver.",
"25. Communications system as claimed in claim 24, wherein the optical source is a laser.",
"26. Communications system as claimed in claim 25, wherein outgoing optical radiation is transmitted directly from the single mode optical fibre into the first multimode optical fibre.",
"27. Communications system as claimed in claim 25, wherein a mode conditioning means is provided in the transmission part such that chosen modes of the first multimode fibre will be preferentially excited by the outgoing radiation so as to increase the operational bandwidth of the communications system.",
"28. Communications system as claimed in claim 27, wherein said mode conditioning means comprises means to launch the outgoing radiation from the single mode fibre into a launch multimode fibre, such that the outgoing radiation illuminates an end face of the launch multimode fibre away from the axis of the launch mulitmode fibre.",
"29. Communications system as claimed in claim 28, wherein said launch multimode fibre is the first mulitmode fibre.",
"30. Communications system as claimed in claim 28, wherein said launch multimode fibre is comprised within the transmission part.",
"31. Communications system as claimed in claim 30, wherein the single mode fibre has an internal termination at a first ferrule and and the launch multimode fibre has an internal termination at a second ferrule, wherein the illumination of the end face of the launch multimode fibre away from the axis of the launch multimode fibre is achieved by an offset of the second ferrule from the first ferrule.",
"32. Communications system as claimed in claim 31, wherein the second ferrule and the first ferrule are coaxial, wherein the single mode fibre and the launch multimode fibre are each mounted within the first ferrule and the second ferrule respectively such that the axis of each fibre is often from the axis of the ferrule, and wherein the first ferrule is rotationally offset from the second ferrule such that the single mode fibre is offset from the launch multimode fibre.",
"33. Communications system as claimed in claim 24, wherein distinguishing means are provided to ensure optical connection of the optical source to the first multimode optical fibre through the transmission part, and to ensure optical connection of the optical receiver to the second multimode optical fibre through the reception part.",
"34. Communications system as claimed in claim 33, wherein said distinguishing means are keys to determine relative spatial orientations of the optical transceiver and the apparatus, and the apparatus and the first and second multimode optical fibres, respectively, on connection.",
"35. A method for connecting an optical transceiver to multimode optical fibre in a multimode optical fibre communications system, comprising:\nconnecting the optical transceiver to first and second multimode optical fibres of the multimode optical fibre communications system with a connecting apparatus comprising a transmission part adapted for receiving outgoing optical radiation admitted to the apparatus from an optical source of the optical transceiver at a radiation input into a single mode optical fibre of the transmission part and adapted for transmitting said outgoing radiation out into a first multimode optical fibre of the mulitmode optical fibre communications system after passage through the single mode optical fibre, said single mode optical fibre being of sufficient length such that said outgoing radiation transmitted into said first multimodule optical fibre is substantially single mode radiation, and a reception part adapted for receiving incoming optical radiation admitted to the apparatus from a second multimode optical fibre of the communications system into a multimode optical fibre of the reception part and adapted for transmitting said incoming radiation into a receiver of the optical transceiver,\nwherein outgoing radiation is transmitted from an optical source of the optical transceiver through the transmission part of the connecting apparatus to a first multimode fibre of the multimode optical fibre communications system, and incoming radiation is transmitted from a second multimode optical fibre of the multimode optical fibre communications system through the reception part of the connecting apparatus to an optical receiver of the optical transceiver."
] |
[
[
"26. A fiber optic connector assembly, the assembly having a mated configuration and a non-mated configuration, comprising:\na fiber optic socket including first locking features; and\na fiber optic connector having a longitudinal axis extending from a front to a back of the connector, the connector including second locking features, a first housing supporting a ferrule, a second housing that moves axially relative to the first housing, and a strain relief boot;\nwherein in the mated configuration a forward portion of the second housing is housed in the fiber optic socket such that the second locking features lockingly engage the first locking features;\nwherein the second housing is operably coupled to the strain relief boot such that the second housing and the strain relief boot axially move together relative to the first housing;\nwherein the fiber optic connector further includes a flange extending radially away from the longitudinal axis, the flange extending from a rear portion of the strain relief boot; and\nwherein in the mated configuration axial rearward movement of the strain relief boot causes the second housing to engage and flex resilient latch arms disposed in the fiber optic socket to disengage the first locking features from the second locking features.",
"27. The fiber optic connector assembly of claim 26, wherein the flange has a curved outer profile.",
"28. The fiber optic connector assembly of claim 26, wherein the first housing is an inner housing and the second housing is an outer housing.",
"29. The fiber optic connector assembly of claim 26, wherein the second housing and the strain relief boot are portions of an integral single-piece release mechanism.",
"30. The fiber optic connector assembly of claim 26, wherein the strain relief boot is adapted to be flexed away from the longitudinal axis.",
"31. The fiber optic connector assembly of claim 26, wherein the strain relief boot is disposed entirely rearward of the first housing.",
"32. The fiber optic connector assembly of claim 26, wherein the second housing is sleeved over at least a portion of the first housing.",
"33. The fiber optic connector assembly of claim 26, wherein the second locking features are included on the first housing.",
"34. The fiber optic connector assembly of claim 26, wherein the second housing is axially spring loaded.",
"35. The fiber optic connector assembly of claim 26, wherein the first locking features include projections defined by the resilient latch arms.",
"36. The fiber optic connector assembly of claim 26, wherein the second locking features include catches protruding from opposing sides of the first housing and notches positioned rearward of the catches, the notches being configured to receive the projections when the assembly is in the mated configuration.",
"37. The fiber optic connector assembly of claim 26, wherein in the mated configuration axial rearward movement of the strain relief boot causes the outer housing to spread apart the resilient latch arms disposed in the fiber optic socket to disengage the first locking features from the second locking features.",
"38. A fiber optic connector configured to mate with a fiber optic socket having first locking features, the connector comprising:\na longitudinal axis extending from a front to a back of the connector;\nsecond locking features;\na first housing supporting a ferrule;\na second housing that moves axially relative to the first housing;\na strain relief boot; and\na flange extending radially away from the longitudinal axis, the flange extending from a rear portion of the strain relief boot,\nwherein the connector is configured such that when the connector is mated with the fiber optic socket, a forward portion of the second housing is housed in the fiber optic socket such that the second locking features lockingly engage the first locking features;\nwherein the second housing is operably coupled to the strain relief boot such that the second housing and the strain relief boot axially move together relative to the first housing; and\nwherein the connector is configured such that when the connector is mated with the fiber optic socket, axial rearward movement of the strain relief boot causes the second housing to engage and flex resilient latch arms disposed in the socket to disengage the first locking features from the second locking features.",
"39. The fiber optic connector of claim 38, wherein the first housing is an inner housing and the second housing is an outer housing that is sleeved over at least a portion of the inner housing.",
"40. The fiber optic connector assembly of claim 38, wherein the second locking features are included on the first housing.",
"41. A fiber optic connector configured to mate with a fiber optic socket having first locking features, the connector comprising:\na longitudinal axis extending from a front to a back of the connector;\nsecond locking features;\na first housing supporting a ferrule;\na second housing that moves axially relative to the first housing;\na strain relief boot; and\na flange extending radially away from the longitudinal axis, the flange extending from a rear portion of the strain relief boot,\nwherein the connector is configured such that when the connector is mated with the fiber optic socket, a forward portion of the second housing is housed in the fiber optic socket such that the second locking features lockingly engage the first locking features;\nwherein the second housing is operably coupled to the strain relief boot such that the second housing and the strain relief boot axially move together relative to the first housing; and\nwherein the connector is configured such that when the connector is mated with the fiber optic socket, axial rearward movement of the strain relief boot causes the second housing to engage, flex, and spread apart resilient latch arms disposed in the socket to disengage the first locking features from the second locking features.",
"42. The fiber optic connector of claim 41, wherein the first housing is an inner housing and the second housing is an outer housing that is sleeved over at least a portion of the inner housing.",
"43. The fiber optic connector assembly of claim 41, wherein the second locking features are included on the first housing."
],
[
"1. A fiber optic connector assembly comprising:\na fiber optic connector including a fiber alignment ferrule carried by a body and a radial wall extending radially outwardly from the body;\na fiber optic adapter having a length extending between first and second ends, the fiber optic adapter defining a first port at the first end and a second port at the second end, the fiber optic adapter having a peripheral wall around the second port, the peripheral wall defining a slot separate from the second port, the slot providing access to an interior of the second port; and\nan elastic piece sized to extend into the slot to hold the fiber optic connector at the second port, the elastic piece being sized and shaped to clamp on the body of the fiber optic connector so that the radial wall extends between the elastic piece and the first port, the elastic piece having a handle that extends through the slot to an exterior of the fiber optic adapter.",
"2. The fiber optic connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the fiber alignment ferrule has a through hole in which a fiber is received; and\nwherein the body includes a tail seat in which an end of the fiber alignment ferrule is fixed.",
"3. The fiber optic connector assembly according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of positioning slots are formed and evenly arranged in the peripheral wall of the tail seat; wherein at least one positioning key is formed on an inner wall of a housing of the fiber optic adapter; and wherein the positioning key is configured to mate with the positioning slot to adjust an orientation angle of the fiber optic connector.",
"4. The fiber optic connector assembly according to claim 2, wherein the tail seat comprises:\na first end portion adjacent to the fiber alignment ferrule;\na second end portion opposite to the first end portion; and\na middle portion between the first and second end portions,\nwherein the first end portion has a diameter larger than that of other portions of the tail seat, and\nthe elastic piece is clamped on a joint of the middle portion and the first end portion.",
"5. The fiber optic connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the elastic piece exhibits a U-shape and comprises a pair of elastic arms and a connection part connecting the pair of elastic arms.",
"6. The fiber optic connector assembly according to claim 5, wherein the elastic piece is made of a sheet.",
"7. The fiber optic connector assembly according to claim 5, wherein each of the elastic arms comprising:\na base end adjacent to the connection part;\na leg end opposite to the base end; and\na middle part between the base end and the leg end,\nwherein the middle part of the elastic arm has an arc clamping surface adapted to be clamped on the fiber optic connector.",
"8. The fiber optic connector assembly according to claim 7, wherein the middle part of each elastic arm has a width less than that of other parts of the elastic arm to enhance the flexibility of the middle part.",
"9. The fiber optic connector assembly according to claim 7, wherein the base end of each elastic arm is formed with a shoulder extending outward so as to be engaged in the peripheral wall of the adapter at the second port.",
"10. The fiber optic connector assembly according to claim 5, wherein the handle is formed on the connection part to perform an operation of plugging the elastic piece into or out of the peripheral wall of the second port.",
"11. The fiber optic connector assembly according to claim 5, wherein each elastic arm of the elastic piece is formed with a through slot or notch therein to enhance the flexibility of the elastic arm.",
"12. The fiber optic connector assembly according to claim 5, wherein the elastic piece is formed by bending a round bar.",
"13. The fiber optic connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the fiber optic adapter further comprises an alignment sleeve received in a housing of the fiber optic adapter; wherein the fiber alignment ferrule of the fiber optic connector is inserted into the alignment sleeve through the second port to be aligned with and abutted against a fiber alignment ferrule of another fiber optic connector inserted into the alignment sleeve through the first port; and wherein a holder is formed in the housing of the fiber optic adapter to hold the alignment sleeve in the housing.",
"14. The fiber optic connector assembly according to claim 13, wherein an end portion of the holder toward the first port is formed in an expandable structure.",
"15. The fiber optic connector assembly according to claim 13, wherein the second port and the housing of the fiber optic adapter are formed into one piece.",
"16. The fiber optic connector assembly according to claim 13, wherein the second port of the fiber optic adapter is a separate component and removably mounted on the housing of the fiber optic adapter.",
"17. The fiber optic connector assembly according to claim 13, wherein the another fiber optic connector is a LC, a SC, or a FC fiber optic connector.",
"18. The fiber optic connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first port of the fiber optic adapter is an LC, SC, or FC port.",
"19. The fiber optic connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second ports extend inwardly along a depth from the respective end of the fiber optic adapter, the depth of the first port being substantially larger than the depth of the second port.",
"20. The fiber optic connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the elastic piece includes a connection part connecting a pair of elastic arms, wherein the handle is formed on the connection part to perform an operation of plugging the elastic piece into or out of the peripheral wall of the second port, and wherein a base end of each elastic arm is formed with a shoulder extending outward so as to be engaged in the peripheral wall of the adapter at the second port.",
"21. The fiber optic connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the fiber optic adapter also defines a third port at the second end, the fiber optic adapter having another peripheral wall around the third port, the another peripheral wall defining a second slot separate from the third port, the second slot providing access to an interior of the third port; and wherein a second elastic piece is sized to extend into the second slot to hold another fiber optic connector at the third port."
],
[
"1. A system comprising:\na panel comprising a plurality of openings, each of the opening comprising a respective panel contact, wherein the system is configured to selectively couple each panel contact to an RFID reader;\na plurality of optical adapters configured to be inserted into the openings of the panel, wherein each optical adapter comprises:\na body in which at least one connector can be inserted;\nat least one radio frequency identifier (RFID) antenna;\nat least one adapter contact that is electrically connected to the RFID antenna; and\nat least one conductor configured to electrically connect the adapter contact to respective one of respective panel contacts when the optical adapter is inserted into one of the openings of the panel; and\nwherein the system is configured to selectively couple the RFID reader to each of the panel contacts.",
"2. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is configured to selectively couple each panel contact to a controller.",
"3. The system of claim 1, wherein each optical adapter further comprises a visual indicator that is electrically connected to at least one adapter contact, wherein the visual indicator is electrically connected to at least one of: at least one adapter contact that is also electrically connected to the RFID antenna of that optical adapter; and at least one adapter contact that is not also electrically connected to the RFID antenna of that optical adapter.",
"4. The system of claim 3, wherein the visual indicator for each optical adapter comprises at least one light emitting diode.",
"5. The system of claim 3, wherein each optical adapter further comprises a printed circuit board on which the RFID antenna, the visual indicator, and the adapter contact for that optical adapter are mounted.",
"6. The system of claim 3, wherein each optical adapter further comprises a light guide material, wherein each optical adapter is configured to optically couple the light guide material to the visual indicator for that optical adapter so as to provide a visual indication at a point that is remote from the visual indicator.",
"7. The system of claim 1, wherein the RFID antenna for each optical adapter comprises a pair of antenna coils implemented as a common loop; and\nwherein the pair of antenna coils for each optical adapter is configured to read a first RFID tag attached to a first connector inserted into a first side of the optical adapter and to read a second RFID tag attached to a second connector inserted into a second side of the optical adapter.",
"8. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one conductor for each optical adapter is further configured to mechanically hold the optical adapter in the panel when the optical adapter is inserted into the panel.",
"9. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one conductor for each optical adapter comprises a clip.",
"10. The system of claim 9, wherein the clip for each optical adapter comprises a pair of clips.",
"11. The system of claim 1, wherein each optical adapter is configured to be removable and re-insertable into the panel.",
"12. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one conductor for each optical adapter comprises a plurality of contact sections, wherein each of the plurality of contact sections for that optical adapter is configured to touch a corresponding contact on the panel in connection with at least one of: the connector being inserted into that optical adapter, the connector being removed from that optical adapter, and that optical adapter being inserted into the panel.",
"13. The system of claim 1, wherein each optical adapter further comprises a keying arrangement configured to mount the optical adapter to the panel in a particular rotational orientation.",
"14. The system of claim 13, wherein the keying arrangement of each optical adapter comprises a rail that is configured to slide within a respective notch included in the panel.",
"15. The system of claim 1, wherein each optical adapter is keyed to mate with a corresponding connector at a particular rotational orientation.",
"16. The system of claim 15, wherein the body of each optical adapter defines a keyway in order to key the optical adapter to mate with the corresponding connector at the particular rotational orientation.",
"17. A method comprising:\ninserting an optical adapter into an opening of a panel, wherein the optical adapter comprises:\na body in which at least one connector can be inserted;\nat least one radio frequency identifier (RFID) antenna;\nat least one adapter contact that is electrically connected to the RFID antenna; and\nat least one conductor configured to electrically connect the adapter contact to a panel contact on a panel when the optical adapter is inserted into the panel;\nselectively coupling an RFID reader to the RFID antenna; and\nreading the RFID tag associated with the connecter inserted into the body of the optical adapter.",
"18. The method of claim 17, wherein the optical adapter further comprises a visual indicator that is electrically connected to at least one adapter contact of the optical adapter, wherein the visual indicator is electrically connected to at least one of: at least one adapter contact that is also electrically connected to the RFID antenna;\nwherein the method further comprises:\nselectively coupling a controller to the visual indicator via the adapter contact that is electrically connected to the visual indicator; and\nproviding a visual indication at the optical adapter using the visual indicator under the control of the controller.",
"19. The method of claim 18, wherein the optical adapter further comprises a light guide material, wherein the optical adapter is configured to optically couple the light guide material to the visual indicator; and\nwherein providing a visual indication at the optical adapter comprises providing a visual indication at a point that is remote from the visual indicator.",
"20. The method of claim 17, wherein the at least one conductor is further configured to mechanically hold the optical adapter in the panel when the optical adapter is inserted into the panel.",
"21. The method of claim 17, wherein the RFID antenna comprises a pair of antenna coils implemented as a common loop; and\nwherein reading the RFID tag associated with the connecter inserted into the body of the optical adapter comprising:\nreading a first RFID tag attached to a first connector inserted into a first side of the optical adapter; and\nreading a second RFID tag attached to a second connector inserted into a second side of the optical adapter.",
"22. The method of claim 17, further comprising keying the optical adapter so that the optical adapter will be mounted to the panel in a particular rotational orientation;\nwherein inserting the optical adapter into the opening of the panel comprises inserting the optical adapter into the opening of the panel so that the optical adapter is mounted to the panel in the particular rotational orientation.",
"23. The method of claim 17, further comprising keying the optical adapter so that the optical adapter will mate with the connector at a particular rotational orientation.",
"24. The method of claim 17, wherein the at least one conductor comprises a plurality of contact sections, wherein each of the plurality of contact sections is configured to touch a corresponding contact on the panel in connection with at least one of: the corresponding connector being inserted into the optical adapter, the corresponding connector being removed from the optical adapter, and the optical adapter being inserted into the panel.",
"25. A first connector comprising:\na body configured to mate with a second connector attached to the end of a cable;\nat least one radio frequency identifier (RFID) antenna;\nat least one connector contact that is electrically connected to the RFID antenna; and\nat least one conductor configured to electrically connect the connector contact to a panel contact on a panel when the first connector is inserted into the panel.",
"26. The first connector of claim 25, further comprising a visual indicator that is electrically connected to at least one connector contact, wherein the visual indicator is electrically connected to at least one of: at least one connector contact that is also electrically connected to the RFID antenna; and at least one connector contact that is not also electrically connected to the RFID antenna.",
"27. The first connector of claim 26, further comprising a printed circuit board on which the RFID antenna, the visual indicator, and the adapter contact are mounted.",
"28. The first connector of claim 26, further comprising a light guide material, wherein the first connector is configured to optically couple the light guide material to the visual indicator so as to provide a visual indication at a point that is remote from the visual indicator.",
"29. The first connector of claim 26, wherein the visual indicator for each optical adapter comprises at least one light emitting diode.",
"30. The first connector of claim 25, wherein the at least one conductor is further configured to mechanically hold the optical adapter in the panel when the first connector is inserted into the panel.",
"31. The first connector of claim 25, wherein the first connector comprises an optical adapter;\nwherein the RFID antenna comprises a pair of antenna coils implemented as a common loop; and\nwherein the pair of antenna coils is configured to read a first RFID tag attached to a first cable connector inserted into a first side of the optical adapter and to read a second RFID tag attached to a second cable connector inserted into a second side of the optical adapter.",
"32. The first connector of claim 25, wherein the at least one conductor comprises a clip.",
"33. The first connector of claim 32, wherein the clip comprises a pair of clips.",
"34. The first connector of claim 25, wherein the first connector is configured to be removable and re-insertable into the panel.",
"35. The first connector of claim 25, wherein the at least one conductor comprises a plurality of contact sections, wherein each of the plurality of contact sections is configured to touch a corresponding contact on the panel in connection with at least one of: the second connector being mated with the body of the first connector, the second connector being unmated with the first connector, and the first connector being inserted into the panel.",
"36. The first connector of claim 25, further comprising a keying arrangement configured to mount the first connector to the panel in a particular rotational orientation.",
"37. The first connector of claim 36, wherein the keying arrangement comprises a rail that is configured to slide within a notch included in the panel.",
"38. The first connector of claim 25, wherein the first connector is keyed to mate with the second connector at a particular rotational orientation.",
"39. The first connector of claim 38, wherein the body of the first connector defines a keyway in order to key the first connector to mate with second the connector at the particular rotational orientation."
],
[
"1. A fiber optic connector for use with a fiber optic adapter, the fiber optic connector comprising:\na ferrule aligned along a central longitudinal axis;\na connector housing having a length that extends along the longitudinal axis between a front end of the connector housing and a rear end of the connector housing, the front end of the connector housing being defined as a plug portion of the connector housing sized to fit within the fiber optic adapter, the ferrule being positioned at the plug portion and being configured to project forwardly beyond the front end of the connector housing, the ferrule being spring biased in a forward direction relative to the connector housing, the connector housing including a first side and an opposite second side, the first side of the connector housing defining an exterior longitudinally extending keyway for receiving an alignment key corresponding to the fiber optic adapter, the second side of the connector housing including an exterior catch for engaging a retention latch corresponding to the fiber optic adapter, the connector housing also defining an outwardly facing circumferential groove positioned rearward of the exterior catch and the exterior longitudinally extending keyway; and\na sealing member that extends around the central longitudinal axis at a periphery of the connector housing and that is retained in the circumferential groove.",
"2. The fiber optic connector of claim 1, wherein the connector housing includes opposite third and fourth sides that extend between the first and second sides, and wherein the third and fourth sides include latch engagement features configured for engaging latches of an SC fiber optic adapter.",
"3. The fiber optic connector of claim 1, wherein the connector housing includes an exterior shoulder positioned rearward of the circumferential groove, the exterior shoulder including a rearwardly facing surface.",
"4. The fiber optic connector of claim 1, further comprising a cable including at least one strength member adhesively bonded within the rear end of the connector housing.",
"5. The fiber optic connector of claim 4, further comprising a heat shrink tube mounted over the cable and over the rear end of the connector housing.",
"6. The fiber optic connector of claim 5, further comprising a strain relief boot positioned at the rear end of the connector housing."
],
[
"1. A fiber-optic connector comprising:\na connector body including a housing with a top surface and a bottom surface, the top surface and the bottom surface being joined together by two opposing side surfaces of the housing;\nthe housing having a top slot and a bottom slot thereupon along a longitudinal axis, the top slot and the bottom slot being provided on the top surface and the bottom surface, respectively;\na first polarity change element slidably positioned within the top slot; and\na second polarity change element slidably positioned within the bottom slot;\nwherein the first polarity change element is slideable relative to the top slot on the housing and configured to remain within the top slot between a first forward facing surface and a first rearward facing surface on the top surface of the housing, the first forward facing surface and the first rearward facing surface configured to prevent removal of the first polarity change element from the connector housing,\nwherein the second polarity change element is slideable relative to the bottom slot on the housing and configured to remain within the bottom slot between a second forward facing surface and a second rearward facing surface on the bottom surface of the housing, the second forward facing surface and the second rearward facing surface configured to prevent removal of the second polarity change element from the connector housing,\nwherein, in operation, a polarity change of the fiber-optic connector is carried out by sliding the first polarity change element within the top slot toward the first forward facing surface of the housing and retracting the second polarity change element within the bottom slot away from the second forward facing surface of the housing.",
"2. The fiber-optic connector of claim 1, wherein each of the top slot and the bottom slot is an elongate structure.",
"3. The fiber-optic connector of claim 1, wherein the first polarity change element and the second polarity change element each respectively include an exposed key portion and a hidden tongue portion when positioned inside the top slot and the bottom slot, respectively.",
"4. The fiber-optic connector of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a slidable portion having a top passageway to receive at least a portion of the first polarity change element and a bottom passageway to receive at least a portion of the second polarity change element.",
"5. The fiber-optic connector of claim 1, wherein the first polarity change element and the second polarity change element each have a range of motion limited respectively by the first forward facing surface and the first rearward facing surface, and the second forward facing surface and the second rearward facing surface for retention with the connector housing.",
"6. The fiber-optic connector of claim 1, wherein the fiber-optic connector includes two or more optical fibers supported therein.",
"7. The fiber-optic connector of claim 6, wherein in use, the fiber-optic connector includes two optical fibers supported therein, a first of the two optical fibers carrying a transmission signal and a second of the two optical fibers carrying a receiver signal, thereby setting a polarity of the fiber-optic connector.",
"8. The fiber-optic connector of claim 1, wherein the fiber-optic connector is a multi-fiber fiber optic-connector.",
"9. The fiber-optic connector of claim 1, wherein the fiber-optic connector is mateable in a Method A or a Method B polarity configuration.",
"10. The fiber-optic connector of claim 9, wherein the polarity configuration is reversible from the Method A polarity configuration to the Method B polarity configuration or vice versa without removal of the first polarity change element and without removal of the second polarity change element from the connector housing."
],
[
"1. A connector comprising:\n(a) a connector portion including a ferrule and a latch; and\n(b) a boot mounted to the connector portion, the boot movable longitudinally relative to the connector portion, wherein the boot causes movement of the latch as the boot is moved away from the connector portion;\n(c) wherein a front housing of the connector portion can be rotated about a longitudinal axis of the ferrule without rotating the ferrule or the boot, to change the polarity of the connector portion.",
"2. A connector comprising:\n(a) an LC format connector portion including:\ni) a ferrule assembly including a ferrule and a hub mounted together, and a spring, the ferrule assembly including a front sleeve and a rear sleeve, the front and rear sleeves mounted together with an end of the ferrule protruding and the spring located in an interior area biasing the ferrule toward an extended position;\nii) a front housing mounted to the ferrule assembly to form a front of the connector portion, and including a latch, the latch including a distal end, and a proximal end, wherein the latch is pivotable about an intermediate connection portion, wherein the distal end includes a shoulder for mating with a latching shoulder of an adapter;\n(b) a boot mounted to the LC format connector portion, the boot movable longitudinally relative to the LC format connector portion, wherein the boot engages the proximal end of the latch and causes the distal end of the latch to pivot toward the ferrule of the LC format connector portion as the boot is moved away from the LC format connector portion, wherein the boot includes slots on both sides of the boot for receiving the proximal end of the latch, as the LC format connector portion is rotated to change polarity without rotating the boot.",
"3. The connector of claim 2, further comprising a boot return mechanism including a return spring for biasing the boot toward the LC format connector portion.",
"4. The connector of claim 2, wherein the front housing including the latch is a one-piece housing.",
"5. A connector comprising:\n(a) a connector portion including:\ni) a ferrule assembly including a ferrule and a hub mounted together, and a spring, the ferrule assembly including a front sleeve and a rear sleeve, the front and rear sleeves mounted together with an end of the ferrule protruding and the spring located in an interior area biasing the ferrule toward an extended position;\nii) a front housing mounted to the ferrule assembly to form a front of the connector portion, and including a latch, the latch including a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the latch is pivotable about an intermediate connection portion, wherein the distal end includes a shoulder for mating with a latching shoulder of an adapter, wherein the front housing including the latch is a one-piece housing, wherein the front housing including the latch defines an LC connector profile for receipt in an LC adapter;\n(b) a boot mounted to the connector portion, the boot movable longitudinally relative to the connector portion, wherein the boot causes the distal end of the latch to pivot toward the ferrule of the connector portion as the boot is moved away from the connector portion, wherein the connector portion can be rotated about a longitudinal axis of the ferrule without rotating the boot, to change the polarity of the connector portion.",
"6. A connector comprising:\n(a) a connector portion including:\ni) a ferrule assembly including a ferrule and a hub mounted together, and a spring, the ferrule assembly including a front sleeve and a rear sleeve, the front and rear sleeves mounted together with an end of the ferrule protruding and the spring located in an interior area biasing the ferrule toward an extended position;\nii) a front housing mounted to the ferrule assembly to form a front of the connector portion, and including a latch, the latch including a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the latch is pivotable about an intermediate connection portion, wherein the distal end includes a shoulder for mating with a latching shoulder of an adapter;\n(b) a boot mounted to the connector portion, the boot movable longitudinally relative to the connector portion, wherein the boot engages the proximal end of the latch and causes the distal end of the latch to pivot toward the ferrule of the connector portion as the boot is moved away from the connector portion, wherein the boot includes slots on both sides of the boot for receiving the proximal end of the latch, as the connector portion is rotated to change polarity without rotating the boot, and wherein the boot includes ramps for unlatching the latch when the boot is pulled axially away from the connector portion.",
"7. The connector of claim 6, wherein the connector portion defines an LC connector profile for receipt in an LC adapter.",
"8. A connector comprising:\na connector portion including a ferrule and a latch, the latch including a proximal end, wherein the proximal end of the latch is pivotable in an upward direction away from the connector portion; and\na boot including slots for the proximal end of the latch mounted to the connector portion, the boot movable longitudinally relative to the connector portion;\nwherein the boot causes unlatching of the latch as the boot is moved away from the connector portion.",
"9. The connector of claim 8, wherein a front housing of the connector portion can be rotated about its longitudinal axis to change the polarity of the connector portion."
],
[
"1. An opto-electronic contact, comprising:\nan active opto-electronic converter including a converter length extending between opposing first and second ends to define a converter axis and said first end including a ferrule that is configured for removable optical engagement with an opposing contact, the ferrule including a ferrule tip;\na precision alignment sleeve defining a passage for receiving the ferrule such that the ferrule tip is received within the passage; and\na barrel housing defining an interior cavity having an elongated length extending between opposing first and second barrel openings to define an elongation axis and having said opto-electronic converter captured in the interior cavity for external optical engagement of the ferrule to the opposing contact via the first barrel opening for movement of the active opto-electronic converter, including said ferrule and said precision alignment sleeve, relative to the barrel housing such that the converter axis is movable at least lateral to the elongation axis to accommodate mating tolerances responsive to engaging the opposing contact and to protect at least the precision alignment sleeve from damage responsive to the relative movement.",
"2. The opto-electronic contact of claim 1 wherein the opposing contact is one of an opposing opto-electronic contact and an opposing passive fiber optic contact.",
"3. The opto-electronic contact of claim 1 wherein the opto-electronic converter is captured in the barrel housing such that the opto-electronic converter, when unmated to the opposing contact, is not resiliently biased against the barrel housing.",
"4. The opto-electronic contact of claim 1 including an annular support clip that engages an annular inner peripheral sidewall configuration of the barrel housing and an annular outer peripheral sidewall configuration of the opto-electronic converter to limit movement of the opto-electronic converter in the barrel housing to said relative movement such that the opto-electronic converter is retained in the barrel housing.",
"5. The opto-electronic contact of claim 4 wherein the annular support clip is a C-shaped retaining ring.",
"6. The opto-electronic contact of claim 5 wherein said barrel housing defines a barrel housing groove in said inner peripheral sidewall and said outer peripheral sidewall configuration of the opto-electronic converter defines a converter groove to cooperatively seat the annular support clip.",
"7. The opto-electronic contact of claim 1 further comprising an annular support clip that defines a support clip aperture and a support clip outer periphery, and an annular inner peripheral sidewall configuration of the barrel housing is configured to capture the annular support clip outer periphery having the opto-electronic converter slidingly received in the support clip aperture to provide said relative movement.",
"8. The opto-electronic contact of claim 7 wherein the opto-electronic converter defines a pair of confronting annular shoulders between which the annular support clip is slidingly received.",
"9. The opto-electronic contact of claim 8 wherein said opto-electronic converter defines an at least generally cylindrical surface that extends between said confronting annular shoulders and through said support clip aperture such that the support clip slides along said cylindrical surface.",
"10. The opto-electronic contact of claim 9 including a biasing spring having opposing spring ends and defining a spring aperture between the opposing spring ends through which the at least generally cylindrical surface is received such that the opposing spring ends are resiliently captured between one of the annular shoulders and the support clip to at least provide for movement of the opto-electronic converter into the barrel housing along the elongation axis by compressing the biasing spring responsive to engaging the opposing contact.",
"11. The opto-electronic contact of claim 10 wherein the support clip is resiliently seatable against the other one of the annular shoulders by the biasing spring when the contact is disengaged from the opposing contact.",
"12. The opto-electronic contact of claim 10 wherein the biasing spring is a coil spring.",
"13. The opto-electronic contact of claim 1 configured to cooperate with the opposing contact for free space collimated coupling with the opposing contact.",
"14. The opto-electronic contact of claim 1 wherein the barrel housing supports the active opto-electronic converter to engage the opposing contact in a rotationally indexed orientation to provide a predetermined degree of tolerance in an engaged rotational orientation.",
"15. The opto-electronic contact of claim 14 wherein the ferrule includes an angle polished configuration to engage a cooperating angle polished configuration on said opposing contact.",
"16. The opto-electronic contact of claim 14 wherein said barrel housing includes a peripheral outline having a keying arrangement to establish the predetermined degree of tolerance.",
"17. The opto-electronic contact of claim 1, further comprising:\na flexible circuit board assembly having an internal electrical connection end, an external electrical connection end and an elongated length extending therebetween, said internal connection end electrically engaging the active opto-electronic converter and said external connection end arranged proximate to the second barrel opening for external electrical connection to the opto-electronic contact.",
"18. The opto-electronic contact of claim 17 wherein the external connection end is fixedly positioned on the elongation axis at a distance from the second end of the opto-electronic converter that is less than an elongated length of the flexible circuit board and the elongated length is captured within said interior cavity of the barrel housing.",
"19. The opto-electronic contact of claim 17 wherein an intermediate portion of the elongated length of the flexible circuit board assembly is fixedly captured at the second opening of the barrel housing such that the external electrical connection end extends outward from the second opening of the barrel housing as a free end for forming an external electrical interface.",
"20. The opto-electronic contact of claim 1 wherein the barrel housing is at least generally circular in cross section transverse to the elongation axis.",
"21. The opto-electronic contact of claim 1 wherein the barrel housing is at least generally cylindrical.",
"22. The opto-electronic contact of claim 1 wherein the barrel housing is tubular in configuration.",
"23. The opto-electronic contact of claim 1 wherein the first and second barrel openings include a circular periphery.",
"24. The opto-electronic contact of claim 1 wherein the barrel housing is configured to support no more than one opto-electronic converter.",
"25. The opto-electronic contact of claim 1 wherein the precision alignment sleeve includes a split configuration for sliding onto the ferrule.",
"26. The opto-electronic contact of claim 1 further comprising:\nan alignment sleeve retainer cap configured for threadably engaging a first end of the barrel housing surrounding the first barrel opening to capture the precision alignment sleeve on the ferrule within said passage.",
"27. The opto-electronic contact of claim 1 wherein said relative movement includes movement oblique to the elongation axis to accommodate mating tolerances responsive to engaging the opposing contact and to protect at least the precision alignment sleeve from damage responsive to the relative movement.",
"28. The opto-electronic contact of claim 1 wherein said relative movement includes movement along the elongation axis to accommodate mating tolerances responsive to engaging the opposing contact and to protect at least the precision alignment sleeve from damage responsive to the relative movement.",
"29. An opto-electronic contact, comprising:\nan active opto-electronic converter including a converter length extending between opposing first and second ends to define a converter axis and said first end including a ferrule that is configured for removable optical engagement with an opposing contact, the ferrule including a ferrule tip;\na precision alignment sleeve defining a passage for receiving the ferrule such that the ferrule tip is received within the passage; and\na barrel housing defining an interior cavity having an elongated length extending between opposing first and second barrel openings to define an elongation axis and having said opto-electronic converter captured in the interior cavity for external optical engagement of the ferrule to the opposing contact via the first barrel opening for movement of the active opto-electronic converter, including said ferrule and said precision alignment sleeve, relative to the barrel housing such that the converter axis is movable at least along the elongation axis to accommodate mating tolerances responsive to engaging the opposing contact and to protect at least the precision alignment sleeve from damage responsive to the relative movement."
],
[
"1. A fiber optic connector for securing to a fiber optic cable having at least one optical fiber, the fiber optic connector comprising:\na ferrule supporting an end of the at least one optical fiber;\na connector body having a distal end and a proximal end defining a lengthwise axis, the distal end defining a plug portion adapted to be received within a fiber optic adapter, wherein the ferrule is accessible at the distal end and biased therein;\na shroud coupled to the proximal end of the connector body, the shroud extending along the lengthwise axis and includes a first portion separated from a second portion by a transition, the first portion is cylindrical in shape, the second portion includes a grip and is larger than the first portion; and\na boot adapted to receive and provide strain relief to the fiber optic cable.",
"2. The fiber optic connector of claim 1, wherein the shroud further includes a keying indicator proximate the transition.",
"3. The fiber optic connector of claim 2, wherein the keying indicator is a projection.",
"4. The fiber optic connector of claim 1, further comprising a release sleeve that mounts over the distal end of the connector body.",
"5. The fiber optic connector of claim 4, wherein the release sleeve is slidable along the lengthwise axis.",
"6. The fiber optic connector of claim 4, wherein the distal end of the connector body includes exterior shoulders on opposite sides of the connector body and the release sleeve includes corresponding ramp surfaces on opposite sides of the release sleeve, the fiber optic connector being a SC-type connector.",
"7. The fiber optic connector of claim 4, wherein the release sleeve includes a key extending along the lengthwise axis.",
"8. The fiber optic connector of claim 7, wherein the shroud includes a keying indicator axially aligned with the key of the release sleeve.",
"9. The fiber optic connector of claim 4, wherein the release sleeve is a distal portion of the shroud.",
"10. The fiber optic connector of claim 1, wherein the second portion of the shroud is cylindrical in shape and the transition is a radial step.",
"11. The fiber optic connector of claim 1, wherein the boot is disposed at least partially within the second portion of the shroud.",
"12. The fiber optic connector of claim 1, wherein the fiber optic connector is ruggedized.",
"13. A fiber optic connection system comprising:\na structure defining at least one port having an inner surface;\nat least one fiber optic adapter positioned proximate the at least one port; and\na fiber optic connector secured to a fiber optic cable having at least one optical fiber, the fiber optic connector comprising:\na ferrule supporting an end of the at least one optical fiber;\na connector body having a distal end and a proximal end defining a lengthwise axis, the distal end defining a plug portion adapted to be received within a receptacle of the at least one fiber optic adapter, wherein the ferrule is accessible at the distal end and biased therein; and\na shroud coupled to the proximal end of the connector body, the shroud extending along the lengthwise axis and includes a first portion separated from a second portion by a transition, the first portion is cylindrical in shape and receivable within a respective port of the at least one port, the second portion includes a grip and is larger than the first portion; and\na seal disposed between the first portion of the shroud and the inner surface of the respective port.",
"14. The fiber optic connection system of claim 13, wherein the seal is carried by the shroud.",
"15. The fiber optic connection system of claim 13, wherein the fiber optic connector further includes a boot mounted adjacent the proximal end of the connector body and adapted to receive and provide strain relief to the fiber optic cable.",
"16. The fiber optic connection system of claim 13, wherein the shroud further includes a keying indicator configured to be received at least partially within the respective port.",
"17. The fiber optic connection system of claim 16, wherein the keying indicator is configured to ensure that the fiber optic connector is appropriately inserted at the respective port.",
"18. The fiber optic connection system of claim 13, wherein the second portion of the shroud is disposed outside of the respective port when the fiber optic connector is inserted at the respective port.",
"19. The fiber optic connection system of claim 13, wherein the distal end of the connector body extends from the respective port when the fiber optic connector is inserted at the respective port.",
"20. The fiber optic connection system of claim 13, wherein the structure is an environmentally sealed closure."
],
[
"1. A fiber optic adapter for interconnecting two fiber optic connectors in coaxial alignment, each connector including a generally cylindrical ferrule holding an end of an optical fiber, wherein the adapter defines a body that is configured for mating the two fiber optic connectors in coaxial alignment, wherein the body of the fiber optic adapter includes a main body portion with an axial cavity extending between a first opening defined at a first end of the main body portion and a second opening defined at a second end of the main body portion, the first end configured to receive a first fiber optic connector through the first opening and the second end configured to receive a second fiber optic connector through the second opening for mating with the first fiber optic connector;\nthe adapter further including a ferrule alignment structure located within the axial cavity, the ferrule alignment structure including a sleeve mount defining a first end, a second end, and a center portion, wherein the first end of the sleeve mount is positioned toward the first end of the main body portion and the second end of the sleeve mount is positioned toward the second end of the main body portion;\nthe sleeve mount further defining an axial bore that defines a longitudinal axis extending from the first end of the sleeve mount toward the second end of the sleeve mount, the axial bore configured to receive and coaxially align the ferrules of the first and second fiber optic connectors when the connectors are inserted into the adapter, wherein the entirety of the sleeve mount and a majority of the physical parts making up the body of the fiber optic adapter that includes the main body portion are unitarily molded as a single piece, wherein the sleeve mount includes a first portion extending from the center portion of the sleeve mount toward the first end of the sleeve mount and a second portion extending from the center portion of the sleeve mount toward the second end of the sleeve mount, wherein at least one of the first portion and the second portion of the sleeve mount defines an end with an inwardly extending portion for capturing a ferrule-alignment sleeve within the axial bore once the ferrule-alignment sleeve is received within the bore.",
"2. A fiber optic adapter according to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second portions of the sleeve mount defines an end with an inwardly extending portion for capturing the ferrule-alignment sleeve within the axial bore once the ferrule-alignment sleeve is received within the bore.",
"3. A fiber optic adapter according to claim 2, wherein the inwardly extending portion of the first portion is defined by an inwardly extending finger of the first portion that is positioned around the axial bore at a peripherally offset relationship along the longitudinal axis defined by the axial bore with respect to an inwardly extending finger of the second portion that defines the inwardly extending portion of the second portion.",
"4. A fiber optic adapter according to claim 3, wherein each of the first and second portions of the sleeve mount includes three inwardly extending fingers.",
"5. A fiber optic adapter according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first portion and the second portion of the sleeve mount defines flexible arms around the axial bore of the sleeve mount for receiving the ferrule-alignment sleeve, the flexible arms configured to flex out radially when receiving the ferrule-alignment sleeve into the axial bore.",
"6. A fiber optic adapter according to claim 5, wherein the sleeve mount includes at least three of the flexible arms on at least one of the first portion and the second portion of the sleeve mount.",
"7. A fiber optic adapter according to claim 6, wherein the sleeve mount includes at least three of the flexible arms on each of the first portion and the second portion of the sleeve mount.",
"8. A fiber optic adapter according to claim 1, wherein the majority of the physical parts making up the body of the fiber optic adapter that includes the main body portion and the entirety of the sleeve mount are unitarily molded out of a polymer.",
"9. A fiber optic adapter according to claim 1, wherein the axial cavity is defined by a top side wall, a bottom side wall, a right side wall, and a left side wall of the main body portion of the adapter, wherein the fiber optic adapter includes a mounting feature on at least one of the top side wall, the bottom side wall, the right side wall, and the left side wall.",
"10. A fiber optic adapter according to claim 9, wherein the mounting feature is provided in the form of an outwardly protruding mounting tab unitarily molded with at least one of the top side wall, the bottom side wall, the right side wall, and the left side wall.",
"11. A fiber optic adapter according to claim 1, wherein the fiber optic adapter is configured for interconnecting two SC-type fiber connectors in coaxial alignment.",
"12. A fiber optic adapter according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve mount includes two latching hooks extending from the center portion of the sleeve mount toward the first end of the main body portion of the adapter body and two latching hooks extending from the center portion of the sleeve mount toward the second end of the main body portion of the adapter body, wherein the latching hooks extending toward the first end of the main body portion are positioned on opposite sides of the axial bore and are configured to flex toward and away from each other to releasably latch the first fiber optic connector to the adapter, and the latching hooks extending toward the second end of the main body portion are positioned on opposite sides of the axial bore and are configured to flex toward and away from each other to releasably latch the second fiber optic connector to the adapter.",
"13. A fiber optic adapter according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first portion and the second portion of the sleeve mount is configured to flex out radially when receiving the ferrule-alignment sleeve into the axial bore from a respective end of the sleeve mount.",
"14. A fiber optic adapter according to claim 13, wherein both of the first and second portions of the sleeve mount are configured to flex out radially when receiving the ferrule-alignment sleeve into the axial bore from a respective end of the sleeve mount.",
"15. A method of manufacturing a fiber optic adapter for interconnecting two fiber optic connectors in coaxial alignment, each connector including a generally cylindrical ferrule holding an end of an optical fiber, wherein the adapter defines a body that is configured for mating the two fiber optic connectors in coaxial alignment, wherein the body of the fiber optic adapter includes a main body portion with an axial cavity defined by a top side wall, a bottom side wall, a right side wall, and a left side wall, the axial cavity extending between a first opening defined at a first end of the main body portion and a second opening defined at a second end of the main body portion, the first end configured to receive a first fiber optic connector through the first opening, and the second end configured to receive a second fiber optic connector through the second opening for mating with the first fiber optic connector, wherein the adapter also includes a ferrule alignment structure including a sleeve mount for receiving a ferrule-alignment sleeve, the sleeve mount defining a first end, a second end, and a center portion, wherein the first end of the sleeve mount is positioned toward the first end of the main body portion and the second end of the sleeve mount is positioned toward the second end of the main body portion, the sleeve mount defining an axial bore that defines a longitudinal axis extending from the first end of the sleeve mount toward the second end of the sleeve mount, the axial bore configured to receive and coaxially align the ferrules of the fiber optic connectors when the fiber optic connectors are inserted into the adapter, wherein the sleeve mount includes a first portion extending from the center portion of the sleeve mount toward the first end of the sleeve mount and a second portion extending from the center portion of the sleeve mount toward the second end of the sleeve mount, wherein at least one of the first portion and the second portion of the sleeve mount defines an end with an inwardly extending portion for capturing the ferrule-alignment sleeve within the axial bore once the sleeve is received within the bore, the method comprising:\nmolding a majority of the physical parts making up the body of the fiber optic adapter that includes the main body portion and the entirety of the sleeve mount as a unitary structure.",
"16. A method according to claim 15, further comprising using a molding tool for molding the body of the fiber optic adapter that includes the main body portion and the sleeve mount of the fiber optic adapter such that parts of the molding tool are pulled apart from the first and second ends of the main body portion along a direction of the longitudinal axis.",
"17. A method according to claim 15, further comprising inserting the ferrule-alignment sleeve into the axial bore of the sleeve mount from one of the first end and the second end of the sleeve mount.",
"18. A method according to claim 17, wherein the ferrule-alignment sleeve is inserted within the axial bore after the majority of the physical parts making up the body of the fiber optic adapter that includes the main body portion and the entirety of the sleeve mount have been unitarily molded.",
"19. A method according to claim 15, further comprising molding the sleeve mount such that at least one of the first portion and the second portion of the sleeve mount defines flexible arms defined around the axial bore of the sleeve mount for receiving the ferrule-alignment sleeve, the flexible arms configured to flex out radially to receive the ferrule-alignment sleeve into the axial bore after the sleeve mount and the body of the fiber optic adapter that includes the main body portion have been unitarily molded.",
"20. A method according to claim 19, wherein the sleeve mount includes at least three flexible arms.",
"21. A method according to claim 15, wherein the majority of the physical parts making up the body of the fiber optic adapter that includes the main body portion and the entirety of the sleeve mount are unitarily molded out of a polymer.",
"22. A method according to claim 15, wherein the adapter includes a mounting feature on at least one of the top side wall, the bottom side wall, the right side wall, and the left side wall.",
"23. A method according to claim 22, wherein the mounting feature is provided in the form of an outwardly protruding mounting tab unitarily molded with at least one of the top side wall, the bottom side wall, the right side wall, and the left side wall.",
"24. A method according to claim 15, further comprising molding the sleeve mount such that each of the first and second portions of the sleeve mount defines an end with an inwardly extending portion for capturing the ferrule-alignment sleeve within the axial bore once the ferrule-alignment sleeve is received within the bore.",
"25. A method according to claim 24, further comprising molding the sleeve mount such that the inwardly extending portion of the first portion is defined by an inwardly extending finger of the first portion that is positioned around the axial bore at a peripherally offset relationship along the longitudinal axis defined by the axial bore with respect to an inwardly extending finger of the second portion that defines the inwardly extending portion of the second portion.",
"26. A method according to claim 25, further comprising molding three inwardly extending fingers for each of the first portion and the second portion.",
"27. A method according to claim 15, wherein the manufactured fiber optic adapter is configured for interconnecting two SC type fiber connectors in coaxial alignment."
],
[
"1. An optical communications connector, comprising:\nan inner housing surrounding a multi-fiber ferrule, the inner housing having two symmetric recessed features on a top and bottom; and\nan outer housing surrounding the inner housing wherein the outer housing has a polarity tab with an integrated polarity key and a blank tab that does not having an integrated polarity key wherein the polarity tab and blank tab are configured such that each will be inserted into one of the two symmetric recesses of the inner housing and further wherein the outer housing is rotatable around an axial length of the connector to effect a change in polarity.",
"2. The optical communications connector of claim 1, comprising:\na ferrule having retractable alignment pins that are actuable between an extended position and a retracted position.",
"3. The optical communications connector of claim 1, wherein the polarity tab and blank tab have planar protrusions that interact with protrusion retainers integrated into the recessed features to limit movement of the polarity tab and blank tab."
],
[
"1. An apparatus comprising:\na housing extending along a first direction between a top portion and a bottom portion opposite the top portion and along a second direction orthogonal to the first direction between a front housing wall and a back housing wall, the housing comprising:\na splitter compartment disposed in the top portion of the housing;\na fiber bend guide disposed in the splitter compartment, the fiber bend guide defining a circular cross section in a plane defined by the first direction and the second direction; and\na splicer compartment disposed in the bottom portion of the housing;\na separation plate provided between the splitter compartment and splicer compartment along the first direction, the separation plate defined by and between a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, wherein the first surface of the separation plate provides a base plate for the splitter compartment and the second surface of the separation plate provides a base plate for the splicer compartment;\na multiple fiber adapter attached to an exterior of the front housing wall of the housing; and\na multiple fiber connector connected to the multiple fiber adapter and disposed in an interior of the front housing wall of said housing,\nwherein the separation plate comprises a fiber pass through including a plurality of holes, the fiber pass through oriented perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction and tangential to the circular cross section of the fiber bend guide.",
"2. The apparatus in claim 1 further comprising:\nan optical splitter in said splitter compartment of said housing, the optical splitter oriented oblique to the first direction and the second direction and tangential to the circular cross section of the fiber bend guide;\nan optical splice chip holder in said splicer compartment;\nan input fiber optically connected to said optical splitter; and\na plurality of output fibers optically connected to said optical splitter and said multiple fiber connector.",
"3. The apparatus in claim 2, wherein the input fiber passes through between the splitter compartment and the splicer compartment through the fiber pass through.",
"4. The apparatus in claim 1, wherein a longitudinal axis of said splitter that goes through an input end and an output end of said splitter and an axis that goes along a front wall of the apparatus form an angle of between 20 and 70 degrees.",
"5. The apparatus in claim 1, further comprising:\nat least one additional multiple fiber adapter attached to the front housing wall of the housing;\nat least one additional multiple fiber connector connected to said at least one additional multiple fiber adapter;\nat least one additional optical splitter in said splitter compartment of said housing;\nat least one additional input fiber connected to said at least one additional optical splitter;\nand a plurality of output fibers optically connected to said at least one additional optical splitter and said at least one additional multiple fiber connector.",
"7. An apparatus comprising:\na housing defining a first direction, a second direction, and a third direction, the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction being mutually perpendicular, the housing comprising:\na splitter compartment; and\na splicer compartment positioned opposite the splitter compartment along the first direction;\na separation plate extending along the first direction from a first surface to a second surface, the separation plate positioned between the splitter compartment and splicer compartment along the first direction, wherein the first surface of the separation plate provides a base plate for the splitter compartment and the second surface of the separation plate provides a base plate for the splicer compartment;\na fiber bend guide formed on the first surface of the separation plate, the fiber bend guide defining a circular cross section in a plane defined by the first direction and the second direction;\na multiple fiber adapter attached to an exterior of a front housing wall of said housing; and\na multiple fiber connector connected to said multiple fiber adapter and disposed in an interior of the front housing wall of said housing,\nwherein the splitter compartment is disposed in a top portion of the housing and the splicer compartment is disposed in a bottom portion opposite of the top portion of the housing, and\nwherein the separation plate comprises a fiber pass through including a plurality of holes, the fiber pass through oriented perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction and tangential to the circular cross section of the fiber bend guide.",
"9. The apparatus in claim 7 further comprising:\nan optical splitter in said splitter compartment of said housing, the optical splitter oriented oblique to the first direction and the second direction and tangential to the circular cross section of the fiber bend guide;\nan optical splice chip holder in said splicer compartment;\nan input fiber optically connected to said optical splitter; and\na plurality of output fibers optically connected to said optical splitter and said multiple fiber connector."
],
[
"1. A cabling configuration comprising:\na furcation member including a first end and an opposite second end;\na trunk section that extends from the first end of the furcation member;\na first branch section that extends from the second end of the furcation member, the first branch section having a connectorized end that includes a ruggedized fiber optic connector, wherein the first branch section includes a strength layer, and wherein the strength layer is anchored at one end of the first branch section to the furcation member and is anchored at the other end of the first branch section to the ruggedized fiber optic connector;\na second branch section that extends from the second end of the furcation member, the second branch section being configured to transfer electrical power;\nan optical transmission path that extends though the first branch section, the furcation member, and the trunk section; and\na power line that extends through the trunk section, the furcation member, and the second branch section.",
"2. The cabling configuration of claim 1, wherein the optical transmission path includes an optical fiber that is loosely buffered.",
"3. The cabling configuration of claim 2, wherein the optical fiber has an outer diameter of about 250 microns.",
"4. The cabling configuration of claim 1, wherein the optical transmission path includes a first optical fiber section within the trunk section and a second optical fiber section within the first branch section, the first and second optical fiber sections being loosely buffered.",
"5. The cabling configuration of claim 1, wherein the strength layer includes a plurality of aramid yarns.",
"6. The cabling configuration of claim 1, wherein the strength layer includes a fiber glass reinforced rod.",
"7. The cabling configuration of claim 1, further comprising a ground line that extends through the trunk section, the furcation member, and the second branch section.",
"8. The cabling configuration of claim 1, wherein the strength layer includes aramid yarns or a fiber glass reinforced rod.",
"9. The cabling configuration of claim 1, wherein the ruggedized fiber optic connector includes an environmental seal.",
"10. The cabling configuration of claim 1, wherein the ruggedized fiber optic connector includes a threaded fastener.",
"11. The cabling configuration of claim 1, wherein the ruggedized fiber optic connector includes a connector body and a seal mounted about the connector body.",
"12. The cabling configuration of claim 1, wherein the power line is a dedicated power line.",
"13. The cabling configuration of claim 1, wherein the power line does not have a twisted pair configuration.",
"14. The cabling configuration of claim 1, wherein the second branch section is configured to be coupled to a wireless transceiver and the power line is a dedicated power line.",
"15. The cabling configuration of claim 1, wherein the second branch section is configured to transfer power to an active component and the power line is a dedicated power line.",
"16. The cabling configuration of claim 1, wherein the second branch section is coupled to a wireless transceiver and the power line transfers power to the wireless transceiver."
],
[
"1. A telecommunications device comprising:\na re-enterable enclosure including a cable access end;\nan insert unit that can be loaded into the re-enterable enclosure as a unit, the insert unit having a first side and a second side, the insert unit including:\na first sealant containment arrangement that is positioned adjacent the cable access end of the enclosure when the insert unit is positioned within the enclosure, the first sealant containment region including a first cable routing region for routing cables through the cable access end of the enclosure to the first side of the insert unit, and a second sealant containment region including a second cable routing region for routing cables through the cable access end of the enclosure to the second side of the insert unit;\na first cable anchoring location at the first side of the insert unit;\na second cable anchoring location at the second side of the insert unit;\na fiber patching region at the first side of the insert unit, the fiber patching region including either optical splicing locations or demateable optical connection locations;\na fiber loop-storage region at the second side of the insert unit; and\na fiber splicing region layered between the first and second sides of the insert unit.",
"2. The telecommunications device of claim 1, wherein the fiber loop-storage region is provided on a pivotal tray.",
"3. The telecommunications device of claim 1, wherein the fiber patching region includes the demateable optical connection locations.",
"4. The telecommunications device of claim 1, wherein the insert unit includes a sealant containment and cable anchoring frame which includes the first sealant containment arrangement, the first cable anchoring location, and the second cable anchoring location.",
"5. The telecommunications device of claim 4, further comprising an intermediate tray attached to one end of the sealant containment and cable anchoring frame, the intermediate tray including a first side that faces toward the first side of the insert unit and a second side that faces toward the second side of the insert unit.",
"6. The telecommunications device of claim 5, further comprising a fiber optic adapter mounting panel that attaches to the first side of the intermediate tray.",
"7. The telecommunications device of claim 6, wherein the fiber optic adapter mounting panel attaches to the first side of the intermediate tray by a snap-fit connection.",
"8. The telecommunications device of claim 7, further comprising a cover that covers the first side of the intermediate tray.",
"9. The telecommunications device of claim 8, wherein the cover is removable.",
"10. The telecommunications device of claim 8, wherein the adapter mounting panel has a first side that faces toward the first cable anchoring location and a second side that faces away from the first cable anchoring location, wherein the cover includes a first portion that covers a first portion of the intermediate tray positioned at the first side of the adapter mounting panel and a second portion that covers a second portion of the intermediate tray positioned at the second side of the adapter mounting panel, the first portion of the cover aligning with a bottom of the adapter mounting panel and the second portion of the cover extending to a top of the adapter mounting panel.",
"11. The telecommunications device of claim 10, wherein the second portion of the cover is a dome portion.",
"12. The telecommunications device of claim 5, further comprising a splice tray mounted at the second side of the intermediate tray.",
"13. The telecommunications device of claim 12, further comprising a pivotal tray at which the fiber loop-storage storage region of the insert unit is provided, the pivotal tray being movable relative to the sealant containment and cable anchoring frame between a first position wherein the pivotal tray covers a side of the splice tray and a second position wherein the side of the splice tray is accessible from the second side of the insert unit.",
"14. The telecommunications device of claim 13, wherein the pivotal tray is pivotally movable via a pivot interlock including a detent pivot arrangement and a guide pivot arrangement.",
"15. The telecommunications device of claim 1, further comprising a component attached to the insert unit by a mechanical interface having a stop that is positioned in a stop receptacle of a flexible cantilever latch prior to sliding the mechanical interface into a latched position.",
"16. The telecommunications device of claim 1, wherein the first sealant containment arrangement includes a volume compensation plate including tapered projections.",
"17. The telecommunication device of claim 1, further comprising a cable anchor secured to the first or second cable anchoring location by a snap-fit connection.",
"18. The telecommunications device of claim 1, further comprising a cable anchor attachable to the first or second cable anchoring location, the cable anchor comprising:\nan anchor component having a cable strength member clamp at a first end, a retention tab at an opposite second end, and a cable clamp mounting bracket between the first and second ends, the cable clamp mounting bracket including first and second fingers separated by a gap; and\na strap-style cable clamp mounted at the cable clamp mounting bracket.",
"19. The telecommunications device of claim 1, further comprising a cable anchoring system usable at the first or second cable anchoring location, the cable anchoring system comprising:\na section of hook tape including a tape layer and a plurality of mini-hooks integrated with a hook side of the tape layer; and\na strap-style cable clamp for compressing strength members of a fiber optic cable against the hook side of the tape layer.",
"20. The telecommunications device of claim 1, further comprising cable sealing gel contained by the first sealant containment arrangement, wherein the first sealant containment arrangement further comprises a volume compensation plate positioned at an outer boundary of the cable sealing gel, the volume compensation plate defining a plurality of gel receiving openings into which the cable sealing gel flows when the cable sealing gel is pressurized while cabling is present at the first or second cable routing region, wherein at least some of the cable sealing gel extrudes through the gel receiving openings into a region defined between the enclosure and the volume compensation plate.",
"21. The telecommunications device of claim 1, further comprising cable sealing gel contained by the first sealant containment arrangement, wherein the first sealant containment arrangement further comprises a spring plate positioned at an outer boundary of the cable sealing gel that flexes into an open region defined between the enclosure and the spring plate when the cable sealing gel is pressurized while cabling is present at the first or second cable routing region.",
"22. A telecommunications enclosure comprising:\na housing that is elongate along a major axis of the housing, the major axis extending along a length of the housing between first and second opposite ends, the housing including a base and a cover that cooperate to define an interior of the housing, the cover being pivotally connected to the base and being pivotally movable relative to the base between an open position and a closed position, the cover defining a front of the housing and the base defining a rear of the housing;\na sealing arrangement for sealing the housing, the sealing arrangement including a cable sealing arrangement at the first end of the housing, the cable sealing arrangement including a rear gel volume mounted in the base, a front gel volume mounted in the cover, and an intermediate gel volume positioned between the front and rear gel volumes, the cable sealing arrangement including a first cable entry location defined between the rear gel volume and the intermediate gel volume and a second cable entry location defined between the front gel volume and the intermediate gel volume, the sealing arrangement also including a perimeter seal that extends about a perimeter of the housing for sealing between the cover and the base;\na management unit that mounts within the interior of the housing, the management unit being elongate along a major axis that is parallel to the major axis of the housing when the management unit is mounted within the interior of the housing, the major axis of the management unit extending along a length of the management unit between a first end and an opposite second end of the management unit, the first end of the management unit being positioned adjacent to the first end of the housing when the management unit is mounted within the housing, the second end of the management unit being positioned at the second end of the housing when the management unit is mounted within the housing, the management unit including a support infrastructure including a front side and an opposite back side, the support infrastructure including an adapter mounting location and a front cover positioned between the adapter mounting location and the second end of the management unit at a front of the management unit, the management unit also including a rear tray positioned at a rear of the management unit, the rear tray being pivotally coupled to the support infrastructure, the rear tray being pivotally movable about a tray pivot axis that is transverse relative to the major axis of the management unit between an open position and a closed position, the rear tray being located at the second end of the management unit;\nsplice mounting components mounted to the support infrastructure at a location positioned forwardly with respect to the rear tray, the splice mounting components being covered by the rear tray when the rear tray is in the closed position and being accessible from the rear of the management unit when the tray is in the open position;\na bank of adapters mounted at the adapter mounting location, the bank of adapters including first ports that face at least partially toward the first end of the management unit and second ports that face at least partially toward the second end of the management unit, the front cover being configured to block access to the second ports from the front of the management unit;\npre-installed fiber optic connectors loaded into the second ports of the bank of adapters, the pre-installed fiber optic connectors terminating ends of pigtail optical fibers that are routed to the splice mounting location;\nfirst cable anchors provided at the first end of the management unit at the rear of the management unit;\nsecond cable anchors provided at the first end of the management unit at the front of the management unit;\nwherein in use:\na) a pass-through cable is routed through the first cable entry location, is anchored to the rear of the support infrastructure by the first cable anchors, has a portion stored in a cable loop at the rear tray, and includes optical fibers that are accessed from a mid-span location of the pass-through cable within the housing and that are spliced to the pigtail optical fibers at the splice mounting location; and\nb) drop cables are routed through the second cable entry location and anchored to the front of the support infrastructure by the second cable anchors, the drop cables having connectorized ends that plug into the first ports of the fiber optic adapters."
],
[
"1. A communications panel comprising:\na chassis defining an interior cavity, the chassis extending along a width between opposite first and second sides, along a height between a top and a bottom, and along a depth between a front and a rear, the height being transverse to the width and being transverse to the depth;\na drawer that is slidably mounted to the chassis, the drawer being configured to slide along the depth of the chassis between a closed position and an open position, the drawer being disposed within the interior cavity when in the closed position and the drawer extending at least partially out of the interior cavity when in the open position; and\na framework structure carried by the drawer between the closed and open positions, the framework structure carrying a first row of frame pieces and a second row of frame pieces, each of the first and second rows being oriented along the width, the first row of frame pieces being disposed above the second row of frame pieces, each of the frame pieces holding a plurality of optical ports, the frame pieces being slideably mounted to the framework structure.",
"2. The communications panel of claim 1, wherein the frame pieces of the first row are slideably mountable to the framework structure independent of the frame pieces of the second row.",
"3. The communications panel of claim 2, wherein each frame piece of the first row is slideably mountable to the framework structure independent of the other frame pieces of the first row.",
"4. The communications panel of claim 3, wherein each frame piece of the second row is slideably mountable to the framework structure independent of the other frame pieces of the second row.",
"5. The communications panel of claim 1, wherein each frame piece of the first row is slideably mountable to the framework structure independent of the other frame pieces of the first row.",
"6. The communications panel of claim 1, wherein the framework structure is configured to move relative to the drawer.",
"7. The communications panel of claim 6, wherein the framework structure is configured to slide relative to the drawer.",
"8. The communications panel of claim 1, wherein each frame piece is configured to latch to the framework structure.",
"9. The communications panel of claim 1, wherein each frame piece is configured to hold a plurality of optical adapters defining the plurality of optical ports.",
"10. The communications panel of claim 1, wherein a handle extends forwardly of a first of the frame pieces.",
"11. A communications panel comprising:\na chassis defining an interior cavity, the chassis extending along a width between opposite first and second sides, along a height between a top and a bottom, and along a depth between a front and a rear, the height being transverse to the width and being transverse to the depth;\na drawer that is slidably mounted to the chassis, the drawer being configured to slide along the depth of the chassis between a closed position and an open position, the drawer being disposed within the interior cavity when in the closed position and the drawer extending at least partially out of the interior cavity when in the open position;\na framework structure carried by the drawer between the closed and open positions, the framework structure including a plurality of guides; and\na plurality of frame pieces, each frame piece including a pair of rail members configured to be received within a respective pair of the guides.",
"12. The communications panel of claim 11, wherein each frame piece carries a plurality of optical adapters.",
"13. The communications panel of claim 12, wherein the rail members are elongated rail members disposed at opposite sides of the optical adapters from each other.",
"14. The communications panel of claim 11, wherein the rail members and the guides include a stop arrangement that limits the sliding motion of each frame piece.",
"15. The communications panel of claim 14, wherein the stop arrangement includes a projection located on a first of the guides and a detent located on a first of the rail members.",
"16. The communications panel of claim 14, wherein the stop arrangement includes a detent located on a first of the guides and a projection located on a first of the rail members.",
"17. The communications panel of claim 11, wherein each frame piece is separately mountable to the framework structure.",
"18. The communications panel of claim 11, wherein each frame piece is configured to hold a plurality of optical adapters defining a plurality of optical ports.",
"19. The communications panel of claim 11, wherein a first of the frame pieces holds a first row of optical ports and a second row of optical ports, the second row of optical ports being disposed below the first row of optical ports.",
"20. The communications panel of claim 11, wherein a handle extends forwardly of a first of the frame pieces."
],
[
"1. A wall mounted fiber optic enclosure comprising:\na base plate having a first side, an opposite second side, and at least one passage extending through the base plate, the second side of the base plate configured for connection to a wall;\na fanout disposed on the first side of the base plate;\nan adapter module coupled to the first side of the base plate, the adapter module having a first side and a second side;\nat least one bend radius protector disposed on the first side of the base plate;\na cable routed through the at least one passage and terminating at the adapter module while being routed through the fanout; and\nat least one pigtail of the cable extending between the fanout and the adapter module, and disposed on the first side of the base plate, wherein the at least one pigtail has a connectorized end that connects to the first side of the adapter module, wherein the second side of the adapter module is configured to receive a drop cable, and wherein the at least one bend radius protector at least partially defines a bend radius of the cable on the first side of the base plate.",
"2. The wall mounted fiber optic enclosure of claim 1, wherein the adapter module includes a plurality of SC-type adapters.",
"3. The wall mounted fiber optic enclosure of claim 1, wherein the fanout is discrete from the adapter module.",
"4. The wall mounted fiber optic enclosure of claim 1, further comprising at least one second bend radius protector for the drop cable.",
"5. The wall mounted fiber optic enclosure of claim 1, further comprising a cable spool assembly for the first cable.",
"6. The wall mounted fiber optic enclosure of claim 5, wherein the cable spool assembly is disposed on the second side of the base plate.",
"7. The wall mounted fiber optic enclosure of claim 1, further comprising a cover for the first side of the base plate.",
"8. The wall mounted fiber optic enclosure of claim 1, wherein the base plate is substantially rectangular in shape.",
"9. The wall mounted fiber optic enclosure of claim 1, further comprising a strain relief member for the first cable, the strain relief member disposed on the second side of the base plate.",
"10. The wall mounted fiber optic enclosure of claim 1, further comprising the drop cable, wherein the drop cable exits the wall mounted fiber optic enclosure via a side wall and in a direction that is in a plane substantially parallel to the first side of the base plate.",
"11. A wall mounted fiber optic enclosure comprising:\na mounting plate configured for connection to a wall;\na base plate spaced apart from the mounting plate and having a forwardly facing surface;\nan adapter module mounted on the forwardly facing surface of the base plate;\nat least one fiber manager mounted on the forwardly facing surface of the base plate;\na fanout including connectorized pigtails with connectorized ends that plug into a first end of the adapter module;\na multi-fiber cable routed into the fanout and optically connected to the connectorized pigtails; and\na cable spooling region positioned between the mounting plate and the base plate.",
"12. The wall mounted fiber optic enclosure of claim 11, wherein the adapter module is disposed adjacent the fanout.",
"13. The wall mounted fiber optic enclosure of claim 11, wherein the fanout is mounted on the base plate.",
"14. The wall mounted fiber optic enclosure of claim 11, wherein a second end of the adapter module is configured to receive a drop cable.",
"15. The wall mounted fiber optic enclosure of claim 14, wherein the at least one fiber manager includes a plurality of bend radius protectors for the drop cable.",
"16. The wall mounted fiber optic enclosure of claim 11, wherein the cable spooling region includes a cable spool for the multi-fiber cable.",
"17. The wall mounted fiber optic enclosure of claim 11, further comprising a strain relief member for the multi-fiber cable.",
"18. The wall mounted fiber optic enclosure of claim 11, further including a cover configured to house the adapter module and the fanout within an interior region defined by the cover and the base plate.",
"19. The wall mounted fiber optic enclosure of claim 11, wherein the adapter module includes the first end and an opposite second end, the first end and the second end of the adapter module are proximate a slack storage area on the base plate.",
"20. The wall mounted fiber optic enclosure of claim 11, wherein the adapter module includes a plurality of SC-type adapters."
],
[
"1. A cable enclosure assembly comprising:\nan enclosure defining an interior region, the enclosure also defining an opening for accessing the interior region;\na cable spool disposed in the interior region of the enclosure and rotatably engaged with the enclosure; and\nat least one fiber optic adapter disposed on the cable spool so that the at least one fiber optic adapter rotates in unison with the cable spool, the fiber optic adapter being mounted on the cable spool at an outer edge of the cable spool, the cable spool being rotatable relative to the enclosure to a rotational position in which the fiber optic adapter is positioned by the cable spool at the opening with an outer port of the fiber optic adapter being capable of receiving a fiber optic connector from an outside of the enclosure without requiring opening of the enclosure.",
"2. The cable enclosure assembly of claim 1, further comprising a lock for locking the cable spool in the rotational position.",
"3. The cable enclosure assembly of claim 2, wherein the lock is adapted for engagement with the cable spool to prevent rotation of the cable spool relative to the enclosure.",
"4. The cable enclosure assembly of claim 1, wherein the cable spool includes an adapter bulkhead portion, the at least one fiber optic adapter being disposed in the adapter bulkhead portion.",
"5. The cable enclosure assembly of claim 4, further comprising a length of fiber optic cable disposed about a drum of the cable spool, the fiber optic cable including a first end and an oppositely disposed second end, the first end having connectors engaged to a second side of the at least one adapter.",
"6. The cable enclosure assembly of claim 1, wherein the cable spool includes a first flange, an oppositely disposed second flange, and a drum disposed between the first and second flanges, the first and second flanges extending radially outwardly from the drum.",
"7. The cable enclosure assembly of claim 6, wherein the cable spool includes a first flange, an oppositely disposed second flange, and the drum is disposed between the first and second flanges, wherein an adapter bulkhead portion forms a chordal side surface of the second flange.",
"8. The cable enclosure assembly of claim 7, wherein the second flange and the adapter bulkhead portion are integral.",
"9. An optical distribution arrangement comprising:\nan assembly configured to be installed on an optical distribution frame, the assembly including:\na spool;\na multi-fiber optical cable wrapped around the spool, the multi-fiber optical cable including a first cable end and an opposite second cable end, the multi-fiber optical cable also including a first multi-fiber connector at the first cable end and a second multi-fiber connector at the second cable end, wherein the multi-fiber cable can be paid out from the spool by pulling on the second cable end causing rotation of the spool;\na multi-fiber adapter including a first side and an opposite second side;\na third multi-fiber connector that engages with the second side of the multi-fiber adapter;\na plurality of single-fiber adapters;\na plurality of single-fiber connectors that engage with the single-fiber adapters;\na plurality of optical fibers that connect the third multi-fiber connector to the single-fiber connectors;\nwherein after at least a portion of the multi-fiber optical cable has been paid out from the spool, the first multi-fiber connector is engaged with the first side of the multi-fiber adapter to optically connect the first and third multi-fiber connectors.",
"10. The optical distribution arrangement of claim 9, wherein the first, second and third multi-fiber connectors are MPO connectors."
],
[
"1. A fiber optic cassette arrangement comprising:\na body extending along a depth between a front and a rear, extending along a width between opposite first and second sides, and extending along a height between a bottom and an open top, the body defining a retention arrangement at the first side of the body, the bottom of the body defining an external channel extending along the depth of the body, the body defining a first rear port opening disposed at the rear of the body between the bottom channel and the first side of the body and a second rear port opening disposed at the rear of the body between the bottom channel and the second side of the body, and the body defining a plurality of front port openings at the front of the body;\na multi-fiber optical adapter disposed at the first rear port opening; and\na plurality of front optical adapters disposed at the front port openings.",
"2. The fiber optic cassette arrangement of claim 1, wherein the multi-fiber optical adapter is a first multi-fiber optical adapter; and wherein the fiber optic cassette arrangement further comprises a second multi-fiber optical adapter disposed at the second rear port opening.",
"3. The fiber optic cassette arrangement of claim 1, wherein the retention arrangement is configured to secure the fiber optic cassette arrangement to a tray.",
"4. The fiber optic cassette arrangement of claim 1, wherein the retention arrangement is a first retention arrangement; and wherein a second retention arrangement is disposed at the second side of the body.",
"5. The fiber optic cassette arrangement of claim 1, wherein the multi-fiber optical adapter is offset along the width of the body from the front optical adapters.",
"6. The fiber optic cassette arrangement of claim 1, wherein a cover is mounted to the body to close the open top and define an interior.",
"7. The fiber optic cassette arrangement of claim 6, further comprising optical fibers extending between the multi-fiber optical adapter and a first of the front optical adapters.",
"8. The fiber optic cassette arrangement of claim 7, further comprising a cable routing arrangement disposed within the interior at a fiber management region of the body, wherein the optical fibers wind around the cable routing arrangement.",
"9. The fiber optic cassette arrangement of claim 8, wherein the cable routing arrangement includes a spool.",
"10. The fiber optic cassette arrangement of claim 8, wherein a portion of the fiber management region of the body is thinner than a connection region of the body, wherein the front optical adapters are disposed at the connection region.",
"11. The fiber optic cassette arrangement of claim 1, wherein the front optical adapters are separated into a plurality of groups, wherein the groups are spaced apart from each other more than the front optical adapters within each group are spaced.",
"12. The fiber optic cassette arrangement of claim 1, further comprising a circuit board carried by the body.",
"13. The fiber optic cassette arrangement of claim 12, wherein the multi-fiber optical adapter is mounted to the circuit board.",
"14. The fiber optic cassette arrangement of claim 12, wherein the bottom of the body defines an opening in alignment with the circuit board.",
"15. The fiber optic cassette arrangement of claim 14, further comprising a shroud extending downwardly from the opening.",
"16. The fiber optic cassette arrangement of claim 14, wherein the opening is one of a plurality of openings through the bottom of the body in alignment with the circuit board.",
"17. The fiber optic cassette arrangement of claim 14, wherein the opening is spaced from the front optical adapters.",
"18. The fiber optic cassette arrangement of claim 14, wherein the opening is spaced from the multi-fiber optical adapter.",
"19. The fiber optic cassette arrangement of claim 14, wherein the circuit board is a first circuit board; and wherein the fiber optic cassette arrangement comprises a tray on which the fiber optic cassette is mounted, the tray carrying a second circuit board.",
"20. The fiber optic cassette arrangement of claim 19, further comprising electrical contacts extending through the opening between the first and second circuit boards."
],
[
"1. An enclosure system comprising:\na main housing having opposite first and second sidewalls extending between a first end and a second end and between a rear wall and a front to define an interior, the front of the housing defining a front opening providing access to the interior, the second end of the housing defining at least one aperture at which a cable may enter/exit the interior of the main housing; and\na door pivotally mounted to the first sidewall of the main housing to selectively cover the front opening;\na modular plate assembly including:\na mounting plate adapted to mount to the rear wall of the main housing within the interior of the main housing, the mounting plate being configured to extend over a majority of an area of the rear wall when the mounting plate is mounted to the rear wall; and\nat least one telecommunications component coupled to the mounting plate; and\nthe rear wall further defining a plurality of openings configured to align with at least a portion of corresponding openings on the mounting plate, the plurality of openings configured to receive fasteners for securing the mounting plate to the rear wall.",
"2. The enclosure system of claim 1, wherein the first end further includes at least one aperture at which a cable may enter/exit the interior of the main housing.",
"3. The enclosure system of claim 2, wherein the first end defines a top wall and the second end defines a bottom wall.",
"4. The enclosure system of claim 1, wherein the mounting plate is configured to extend along substantially the entire rear wall.",
"5. The enclosure system of claim 1, wherein the second sidewall and the door both include locking flanges configured to be secured together to lock the enclosure system.",
"6. The enclosure system of claim 1, wherein the mounting plate is a first mounting plate and the modular plate assembly further includes a second mounting plate, wherein either the first or second mounting plate is mounted to the rear wall of the enclosure.",
"7. The enclosure system of claim 1, wherein the at least one telecommunications component is a bend radius limiter.",
"8. The enclosure system of claim 1, wherein the at least one telecommunications component is a splice tray.",
"9. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein the at least one telecommunications component is a termination plate.",
"10. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein the at least one telecommunications component is a cable spool arrangement."
],
[
"1. A fiber optic adapter block comprising:\nat least three fiber optic adapters provided in a stacked arrangement extending widthwise in a longitudinal direction, wherein every other adapter of the at least three fiber optic adapters is staggered in a front to back direction with respect to an adjacent adapter such that front ends of the every other adapter of the at least three fiber optic adapters are aligned at a first depth and a front end of the adjacent adapter is at a second depth that is different than the first depth, wherein the at least three adapters of the fiber optic adapter block are integrally formed with a unitary one-piece body of the fiber optic adapter block.",
"2. A fiber optic block according to claim 1, wherein rear ends of the every other adapter of the at least three fiber optic adapters are aligned at a third depth and a rear end of the adjacent adapter is at a fourth depth that is different than the third depth.",
"3. A fiber optic block according to claim 1, wherein the at least three fiber optic adapters are configured for interconnecting LC-type fiber optic connectors.",
"4. A fiber optic block according to claim 3, wherein each fiber optic adapter of the at least three fiber optic adapters defines a duplex LC-type fiber optic adapter for providing a total of at least six connections.",
"5. A fiber optic block according to claim 4, wherein the at least three fiber optic adapters includes at least six duplex LC-type fiber optic adapters for providing a total of at least twelve connections.",
"6. A fiber optic block according to claim 1, wherein the at least three fiber optic adapters includes at least six fiber optic adapters.",
"7. A fiber optic block according to claim 1, wherein the at least three fiber optic adapters are configured for interconnecting SC-type fiber optic connectors."
],
[
"1. An optical fiber distribution element comprising:\na chassis defining an interior;\na tray movable along a front-to-back direction relative to the chassis, wherein the tray is slidably movable from within the chassis to a position at least partially outside the chassis, the tray defining a bottom wall;\na slide mechanism, which connects the movable tray to the chassis, wherein the slide mechanism includes a radius limiter defining a U-shaped cable-management wall which moves with synchronized movement relative to the chassis and the tray during slidable movement of the tray, wherein the entire radius limiter moves linearly along the front-to-back direction relative to both the chassis and the tray during slidable movement of the tray;\nwherein a cable entering or exiting the movable tray follows an S-shaped pathway as the cable extends from an exterior of the movable tray toward the movable radius limiter in a first direction, winds around the U-shaped cable-management wall of the movable radius limiter in a second direction generally opposite the first direction, and is routed back within the tray in a third direction generally opposite the second direction, wherein the first, second, and third directions are generally parallel to a direction taken along the front-to-back direction;\nwherein the tray further includes at least one fixed radius limiter that is molded integrally with the bottom wall of the tray, wherein the at least one fixed radius limiter defines a curved surface for guiding the cable entering or exiting the movable tray.",
"2. The element of claim 1, wherein the tray further includes an array of adapters that are stacked within the tray front to back along a line which is generally parallel to the direction of travel of the movable tray.",
"3. The element of claim 2, wherein the adapters of the array of adapters are removably mounted within the tray.",
"4. The element of claim 2, wherein the array of adapters are generally stacked along a center line bisecting the tray.",
"5. The element of claim 2, wherein the tray includes at least one hingedly mounted frame member which hinges about an axis perpendicular to the direction of travel of the movable tray, wherein the array of adapters are provided on the at least one hingedly mounted frame member.",
"6. The element of claim 5, wherein the tray includes two frame members hingedly mounted for independent movement and the S-shaped pathway includes an upper portion and a lower portion for leading cables to and from the two frame members.",
"7. The element of claim 6, wherein the movable radius limiter of the slide mechanism defines a divider for separating and guiding cables to and/or from the upper portion and the lower portion of the S-shaped pathway.",
"8. The element of claim 1, further comprising a cable mount along a side of the chassis.",
"9. The element of claim 1, further comprising another non-movable cable radius limiter along a side of the chassis.",
"10. The element of claim 1, wherein the tray includes a plurality of fixed radius limiters that are molded integrally with the bottom wall of the tray, wherein each fixed radius limiter defines a curved surface for guiding a cable entering or exiting the movable tray.",
"11. The element of claim 1, wherein the at least one fixed radius limiter includes laterally extending flanges for retaining cabling against the curved surface of the at least one fixed radius limiter.",
"12. The element of claim 10, wherein each of the plurality of fixed radius limiters includes laterally extending flanges for retaining cabling against the curved surfaces of the fixed radius limiters.",
"13. The element of claim 1, wherein the tray defines a pull handle at a front of the tray that is molded integrally with the tray for providing a grip surface to allow the tray to be slidably moved.",
"14. The element of claim 13, wherein the tray defines a pair of pull handles that are molded integrally with the tray for providing grip surfaces, wherein the pull handles are provided at the front of the tray on right and left sides.",
"15. The element of claim 2, wherein the array of adapters that are stacked within the tray defines at least twelve adapters."
],
[
"1. A fiber optic cable assembly, comprising:\na first fiber optic cable including a plurality of optical fibers therein, with at least one optical fiber of the plurality of optical fibers being pre-terminated and branched from the plurality of optical fibers at a cable access point;\na second fiber optic cable including at least one optical fiber therein that is optically connected to the at least one pre-terminated optical fiber; and\na flexible body encapsulating the cable access point.",
"2. The cable assembly of claim 1, wherein the flexible body further encapsulates at least a portion of the second fiber optic cable.",
"3. The cable assembly of claim 1, wherein the second fiber optic cable is a tether and terminates in an optical connection terminal.",
"4. The cable assembly of claim 1, wherein the second fiber optic cable is a tether and terminates in at least one multi-fiber connector.",
"5. A method for manufacturing a fiber optic cable assembly, comprising:\nproviding a fiber optic cable, having a plurality of optical fibers and a protective covering;\nmaking an opening in the protective covering at an access location to access the plurality of optical fibers;\nselecting at least one of the plurality of optical fibers of the fiber optic cable;\nterminating the selected at least one of the plurality of optical fibers of the fiber optic cable;\nrouting the terminated at least one of the plurality of optical fibers through the opening at the access location;\noptically connecting the at least one terminated optical fiber to at least one optical fiber of a second fiber optic cable; and\nencapsulating at least a portion of the access location within a flexible overmolded body.",
"6. The method for manufacturing the cable assembly of claim 5, further comprising encapsulating at least a portion of the second fiber optic cable within the flexible overmolded body.",
"7. The method for manufacturing the cable assembly of claim 5, further comprising:\nsplicing the at least one terminated optical fiber to the at least one optical fiber of the second optical fiber cable at one or more splice points; and\nencapsulating the at least one splice point within the flexible overmolded body.",
"8. The method for manufacturing the cable assembly of claim 5, wherein the plurality of optical fibers of the first fiber optic cable are ribbonized optical fibers.",
"9. A method for manufacturing a fiber optic distribution cable assembly comprising a distribution cable having a plurality of cable optical fibers disposed within a sheath and at least one mid-span access location and a tether having at least one tether optical fiber and a first end attached to the distribution cable at the mid-span access location, comprising:\nremoving a portion of the sheath of the distribution cable at the mid-span access location;\naccessing at least one of the plurality of cable optical fibers through the portion of removed sheath;\nterminating the at least one accessed cable optical fiber;\noptically connecting the at least one terminated cable optical fiber with the at least one tether optical fiber; and\nencapsulating the at least one mid-span access location and a portion of the tether with a flexible overmolded body.",
"10. The cable assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one optical fiber from the first fiber optic cable and the at least one optical fiber from the second fiber optic cable are optically connected at at least one splice point.",
"11. The cable assembly of claim 10, wherein the at least one splice point is located outside of the flexible body.",
"12. The cable assembly of claim 10, further including at least one splice protector operably arranged at the at least one splice point.",
"13. The method for manufacturing a fiber optic distribution cable assembly of claim 9, wherein optically connecting the at least one terminated cable optical fiber includes forming at least one splice point.",
"14. The method for manufacturing a fiber optic distribution cable assembly of claim 9, including:\nreeling and/or installing the assembly; and\nmaintaining the distribution cable with the tether during said reeling and/or installing.",
"15. The method for manufacturing a fiber optic distribution cable assembly of claim 14, including:\ninstalling the assembly; and\nrouting the tether separate from the distribution cable subsequent to said installing."
],
[
"1. A fiber optic cable breakout arrangement comprising:\na main cable;\na branch cable that separates from the main cable, the branch cable including a plurality of pigtails including optical fibers individually connected to separate fiber optic connectors that do not include outer bodies;\nan elongate protective sheath in which the fiber optic connectors of the pigtails are packaged, the sheath being secured to the exterior of the main cable, the sheath having a profile height that extends generally radially outwardly from the main cable between a first convex side and a second concave side, the sheath also having a width, wherein the width is generally transverse relative to the profile height, and wherein the profile height is less than the width.",
"2. The breakout arrangement of claim 1, wherein the sheath has sealed ends.",
"3. The breakout arrangement of claim 1, wherein a fan-out structure is packaged within the sheath, the fan-out structure having a cross-section generally matching a cross-section of the sheath.",
"4. The breakout arrangement of claim 1, wherein the sheath has a kidney-shaped cross-section.",
"5. The breakout arrangement of claim 1, further comprising clips for securing the sheath to the main cable.",
"6. The breakout arrangement of claim 1, wherein the fiber optic connectors include SC connectors.",
"7. The breakout arrangement of claim 1, wherein pairs of the fiber optic connectors are positioned side-by-side within the sheath.",
"8. The breakout arrangement of claim 1, wherein the fiber optic connectors are spaced apart along a length of the sheath.",
"9. The breakout arrangement of claim 1, wherein the sheath has an inner curvature that complements an outer diameter of the main cable.",
"10. The breakout arrangement of claim 1, further comprising first and second end pieces configured to seal opposing ends of the sheath, each end piece being tapered.",
"11. The breakout arrangement of claim 10, wherein the first end piece includes a plug section and a tapered section.",
"12. The breakout arrangement of claim 10, wherein the second end piece includes a retaining closure configured to attach to the exterior of the main cable and to secure the sheath to the main cable.",
"13. The breakout arrangement of claim 12, further comprising a clamp configured to secure the retaining closure to a position on the main cable.",
"14. The breakout arrangement of claim 12, wherein the second end piece further includes a cover configured to attach to the retaining closure.",
"15. A fiber optic cable breakout arrangement comprising:\na main cable;\na branch cable that separates from the main cable at a breakout location, the branch cable including a plurality of pigtails including optical fibers individually connected to separate fiber optic connectors;\nan elongate protective sheath in which the fiber optic connectors of the pigtails are packaged, the sheath being secured to the exterior of the main cable at a location spaced from the breakout location; and\na plurality of clips attached to positions spaced along the main cable, each clip being configured to secure the sheath to the main cable when the sheath is inserted through the clip, and each clip being configured to remain at the respective position on the main cable when the sheath is pulled from the breakout location, wherein the clips include a retaining closure configured to secure the sheath to the main cable, the retaining closure including a sheath stopper against which one end of the sheath abuts when positioned within the retaining closure.",
"16. The breakout arrangement of claim 15, wherein the retaining closure is configured to be held in position to the main cable by a clamp.",
"17. The breakout arrangement of claim 15, wherein the sheath has a convex outer surface and a concave inner surface.",
"18. A method of installing a fiber optic cable breakout arrangement, the method comprising:\nattaching a first end of a branch cable to a main cable at a breakout location, the branch cable including a plurality of pigtails including optical fibers, each optical fiber connected to a fiber optic connector arranged at a second end of the branch cable;\npositioning a breakout enclosure around a portion of the main cable and a portion of the branch cable at the breakout location, wherein the second end of the branch cable extends outwardly from the breakout enclosure;\npackaging the fiber optic connectors within an elongate protective sheath having a width that is greater than a profile height of the elongate protective sheath, the profile height extending generally radially outwardly from the main cable, the width of the elongate protective sheath being generally transverse to the profile height;\nsecuring the elongate protective sheath to the main cable at a location spaced from the breakout enclosure;\ndeploying the main cable at an installation site; and\nremoving the sheath from the fiber optic connectors after deployment.",
"19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:\naccessing the plurality of pigtails within the elongate sheath; and\nassembling outer bodies of the fiber optic connectors over “inner bodies of the fiber optic connectors”.",
"20. The method of claim 18, further comprising:\npulling the branch cable adjacent the breakout location to uncouple the elongate sheath from at least one clip; and\naccessing the elongate sheath, wherein the enclosure remains intact.",
"21. A method of installing a fiber optic cable breakout arrangement, the method comprising:\nattaching a first end of a branch cable to a main cable at a breakout location, the branch cable including a plurality of pigtails including optical fibers, each optical fiber terminated at an interior body of a fiber optic connector at a second end of the branch cable; and\npackaging the interior bodies of the fiber optic connectors terminating the optical fibers within an elongate protective sheath coupled to the main cable, wherein packaging the interior bodies includes packaging the fiber optic connectors without outer bodies.",
"22. A fiber optic cable breakout arrangement comprising:\na main cable;\na branch cable that separates from the main cable, the branch cable including a plurality of pigtails including optical fibers individually connected to separate fiber optic connectors; and\nan elongate protective sheath in which the fiber optic connectors of the pigtails are packaged, the sheath is secured to the exterior of the main cable, the sheath has a convex outer surface and a concave inner surface, the sheath has a width and a profile height, the profile height extends generally radially outwardly from the main cable and the width is generally transverse relative to the profile height, the profile height is less than the width;\nwherein the fiber optic connectors include SC connectors; and\nwherein the SC connectors do not include outer bodies.",
"23. A fiber optic cable breakout arrangement comprising:\na main cable;\na branch cable that separates from the main cable, the branch cable including a plurality of pigtails including optical fibers individually connected to separate fiber optic connectors; and\nan elongate protective sheath in which the fiber optic connectors of the pigtails are packaged, the sheath is secured to the exterior of the main cable, the sheath has a convex outer surface and a concave inner surface, the sheath has a width and a profile height, the profile height extends generally radially outwardly from the main cable and the width is generally transverse relative to the profile height, the profile height is less than the width; and\nfirst and second end pieces configured to seal opposing ends of the sheath, each end piece being tapered, wherein the second end piece includes a retaining closure configured to attach to the exterior of the main cable and to secure the sheath to the main cable.",
"24. The breakout arrangement of claim 23, further comprising a clamp configured to secure the retaining closure to a position on the main cable.",
"25. The breakout arrangement of claim 23, wherein the second end piece further includes a cover configured to attach to the retaining closure.",
"26. A fiber optic cable breakout arrangement comprising:\na main cable;\na branch cable that separates from the main cable at a breakout location, the branch cable including a plurality of pigtails including optical fibers individually connected to separate fiber optic connectors;\nan elongate protective sheath in which the fiber optic connectors of the pigtails are packaged, the sheath is secured to the exterior of the main cable; and\nat least one clip attached to a position on the main cable, each clip is configured to secure the sheath to the main cable when the sheath is inserted through the clip, and each clip is configured to remain at the position on the main cable when the sheath is pulled from the breakout location;\nwherein the at least one clip includes a retaining closure configured to be held in position to the main cable by a clamp.",
"27. A method of installing a fiber optic cable breakout arrangement, the method comprising:\nattaching a branch cable to a main cable at a breakout location, the branch cable including a plurality of pigtails including optical fibers, each optical fiber connected to an interior body of a fiber optic connector;\npackaging the plurality of pigtails and the interior bodies within an elongate protective sheath;\ninserting the elongate sheath through at least one clip, the at least one clip attached to the main cable and configured to secure the elongate sheath to the main cable;\npulling the branch cable at the breakout location to access the elongate sheath;\naccessing the plurality of pigtails within the elongate sheath; and\nassembling outer bodies of the fiber optic connectors over the inner bodies."
],
[
"1. A tap point for connecting a drop cable to a fiber optic distribution cable, comprising:\nat least one optical fiber separated from the distribution cable at the tap point;\nat least one connector terminating the at least one optical fiber; and\nan overmolded body formed over the tap point and around the at least one connector, thereby providing access to the at least one connector without removing the overmolded body.",
"2. The tap point according to claim 1, further comprising a receptacle embedded within the overmold for providing access to the at least one connector.",
"3. The tap point according to claim 1, wherein the overmolded body seals the tap point.",
"4. The tap point according to claim 1, wherein the drop cable terminates in at least one connector.",
"5. The tap point according to claim 1, wherein the drop cable terminates in a connection terminal.",
"6. A tap point for connecting a drop cable to a fiber optic distribution cable, comprising:\nat least one optical fiber separated from the distribution cable at the tap point;\nat least one connector terminating the at least one optical fiber;\na receptacle for maintaining the at least one connector; and\nan overmolded body formed over the tap point and embedding the receptacle within the overmolded body, thereby providing access to the at least one connector without removing the overmolded body.",
"7. The tap point according to claim 6, wherein the overmolded body seals the tap point.",
"8. The tap point according to claim 6, wherein the drop cable terminates in at least one connector.",
"9. The tap point according to claim 6, wherein the drop cable terminates in a connection terminal.",
"10. A tap point for connecting a multi-fiber drop cable to a fiber optic distribution cable, comprising:\na plurality of optical fibers separated from the distribution cable at the tap point;\na multi-fiber connector terminating the plurality of optical fibers;\nan overmolded body formed over the tap point; and\na receptacle embedded in the overmolded body for presenting the multi-fiber connector for connection with the multi-fiber drop cable without removing the overmolded body.",
"11. The tap point according to claim 10, wherein the drop cable terminates in a multi-fiber connector.",
"12. The tap point according to claim 10, wherein the drop cable terminates in a connection terminal.",
"13. The tap point according to claim 10, wherein the overmolded body seals the tap point and covers a portion of the fiber optic distribution cable.",
"14. The tap point according to claim 1, wherein the tap point is located at a mid-span access location of the fiber optic distribution cable.",
"15. The tap point according to claim 6, wherein the tap point is located at a mid-span access location of the fiber optic distribution cable.",
"16. The tap point according to claim 10, wherein the tap point is located at a mid-span access location of the fiber optic distribution cable."
],
[
"37. A hardened fiber optic fan-out arrangement comprising:\na fan-out housing;\nfiber optic pigtails projecting outwardly from the fan-out housing, the fiber optic pigtails having free ends including hardened de-mateable fiber optic connection interfaces; and\na fiber optic feeder cable projecting outwardly from the fan-out housing and being optically continuous with the fiber optic pigtails, and the fiber optic feeder cable having an end opposite the fan-out housing that includes optical fibers that are factory prepared for splicing.",
"38. The hardened fiber optic fan-out arrangement of claim 37, wherein the optical fibers that are factory prepared for splicing are factory stripped, cleaved, and cleaned.",
"39. The hardened fiber optic fan-out arrangement of claim 37, wherein the optical fibers that are factory prepared for splicing are enclosed in removable protective packaging.",
"40. The hardened fiber optic fan-out arrangement of claim 37, wherein the fiber optic feeder cable is coiled about a spool.",
"41. The hardened fiber optic fan-out arrangement of claim 37, wherein the optical fibers that are factory prepared for splicing are factory prepared for single fiber splicing.",
"42. The hardened fiber optic fan-out arrangement of claim 37, wherein the optical fibers that are factory prepared for splicing are factory prepared for mass splicing.",
"43. The hardened fiber optic fan-out arrangement of claim 37, wherein the optical fibers that are factory prepared for splicing are ribbonized for mass fusion splicing.",
"44. The hardened fiber optic fan-out arrangement of claim 37, wherein the hardened fiber optic fan-out arrangement has an in-line configuration in which the fiber optic pigtails and the fiber optic feeder cable project from opposite ends of the fan-out housing.",
"45. The hardened fiber optic fan-out arrangement of claim 37, wherein the fiber optic feeder cable is optically continuous with the fiber optic pigtails without splicing.",
"46. The hardened fiber optic fan-out arrangement of claim 37, wherein the fan-out housing is filled with a filling material that encapsulates at least a portion of the fiber optic feeder cable and at least a portion of the fiber optic pigtails within the fan-out housing.",
"47. The hardened fiber optic fan-out arrangement of claim 37, wherein the fan-out housing includes a mounting feature for securing the fan-out housing to a mounting location.",
"48. The hardened fiber optic fan-out arrangement of claim 37, wherein the hardened de-mateable fiber optic connection interfaces include twist-to-lock connection interfaces.",
"49. The hardened fiber optic fan-out arrangement of claim 48, wherein the twist-to-lock connection interfaces include threads or bayonet style connection interfaces.",
"50. A hardened fiber optic fan-out arrangement comprising:\na fan-out housing;\nfiber optic pigtails projecting outwardly from the fan-out housing, the fiber optic pigtails having free ends including hardened de-mateable fiber optic connection interfaces, the fiber optic pigtails having lengths less than or equal to 3 meters; and\na fiber optic feeder cable projecting outwardly from the fan-out housing and being optically continuous with the fiber optic pigtails, the fiber optic feeder cable having an end opposite the fan-out housing that includes optical fibers that are factory prepared for splicing, and the fiber optic feeder cable having a length greater than or equal to 50 meters.",
"51. The hardened fiber optic fan-out arrangement of claim 50, wherein the fan-out housing has a form factor volume less than or equal to 250 cubic centimeters.",
"52. The hardened fiber optic fan-out arrangement of claim 50, wherein the fan-out housing has a form factor volume less than or equal to 150 cubic centimeters.",
"53. The hardened fiber optic fan-out arrangement of claim 50, wherein the fiber optic feeder cable is coiled about a spool.",
"54. The hardened fiber optic fan-out arrangement of claim 50, wherein the optical fibers that are factory prepared for splicing are factory stripped, cleaved, and cleaned.",
"55. The hardened fiber optic fan-out arrangement of claim 50, wherein the optical fibers that are factory prepared for splicing are enclosed in removable protective packaging.",
"56. The hardened fiber optic fan-out arrangement of claim 50, wherein the hardened de-mateable fiber optic connection interfaces include twist-to-lock connection interfaces."
],
[
"1. A flexible closure being attached to at least one optical fiber cable deployable using cable installation methods:\nthe flexible closure comprising at least one flexible protective body, the flexible protective body being formed of a resilient and flexible material thereby forming a durable and flexible body associated with and encapsulating portions of optical components associated with the flexible closure, the optical components comprising at least one optical fiber in the fiber optic cable and at least one other optical component forming an optical connection with the at least one optical fiber; and\nthe flexible closure being resiliently bendable and twistable in variable directions, and being flexible in response to stresses acting on the flexible closure due to cable installation equipment and maintaining mechanical integrity of the flexible closure protecting the performance on the optical components therein, wherein the flexible closure has an aspect ratio between about 10 and about 30.",
"2. The flexible closure of claim 1, wherein the flexible closure has a bending force ratio from about 1.0 to about 5.0.",
"3. The flexible closure of claim 1, wherein the resilient and flexible material used to form the flexible closure has a modulus of elasticity from about 0.001 CPa to about 3.0 CPa.",
"4. The flexible closure of claim 1, wherein the resilient and flexible material used to form the flexible closure has a Poisson's ratio from about 0.30 to about 0.5.",
"5. The flexible closure of claim 1, wherein further optical components encapsulated by the flexible closure are selected from the group of optical connectors, splices, splitters, couplers, light sources, routers, wireless components and switches.",
"6. A flexible closure assembly, comprising:\nat least one connector port for presenting one or more connectorized optical fibers for optical interconnection with one or more connectorized fiber optic drop cables; and\na flexible overmolded housing being formed of a resilient and flexible material thereby forming a durable and flexible body associated with and encapsulating portions of optical components associated with the flexible overmolded housing, the optical components comprising at least one optical fiber in the fiber optic cable and at least one other optical component forming an optical connection with the at least one optical fiber, wherein the flexible closure has an aspect ratio between about 10 and about 30.",
"7. The flexible closure assembly according to claim 4, wherein the assembly is attached to a fiber optic distribution cable assembly and deployed using conventional cable installation methods, and wherein the assembly has the ability to bend without incurring physical damage to the assembly and optical fibers within, and without significant attenuation in the optical fibers when exposed to conventional installation stresses.",
"8. The flexible closure assembly according to claim 6, wherein the resilient and flexible material used to form the flexible overmolded housing has a modulus of elasticity from about 0.001 CPa to about 3.0 CPa.",
"9. The flexible closure assembly according to claim 6, wherein the resilient and flexible material used to form the flexible overmolded housing results in a Poisson's ratio in the assembly from about 0.30 to about 0.5.",
"10. The flexible closure assembly of claim 6, wherein the flexible closure has a bending force ratio from about 1.0 to about 5.0.",
"11. The flexible closure assembly of claim 6, wherein further optical components encapsulated by the flexible closure are selected from the group of optical connectors, splices, splitters, couplers, light sources, routers, wireless components and switches.",
"12. A flexible fiber optic closure, the flexible closure comprising:\n(a) at least one molded portion, the at least one molded portion being formed of a resilient and flexible material covering and sealing an interconnection of optical components, the optical components comprising at least one optical fiber and at least one other optical component associated therewith; and\n(b) the at least one molded portion being at least an essentially molded, monolithic form, the monolithic form being resiliently bendable and twistable in response to stresses acting on the flexible closure, wherein the flexible closure has an aspect ratio between about 10 and about 30.",
"13. The flexible fiber optic closure according to claim 12, wherein the optical components are selected from the group of optical fibers, optical connectors, splices, splitters, couplers, light sources, routers, wireless components and switches.",
"14. The flexible fiber optic closure according to claim 12, wherein the flexible closure is twistable and bendable into single arcs and combination arcs being U-shapes or S-shapes.",
"15. The flexible fiber optic closure according to claim 12, wherein the flexible closure has a virtual seam.",
"16. The flexible fiber optic closure of claim 12, wherein the flexible closure has a bending force ratio from about 1.0 to about 5.0.",
"17. The flexible fiber optic closure of claim 12, wherein the resilient and flexible material used to form the at least one molded portion has a modulus of elasticity from about 0.001 GPa to about 3.0 CPa.",
"18. The flexible fiber optic closure of claim 12, wherein the resilient and flexible material used to form the at least one molded portion has a Poisson's ratio from about 0.30 to about 0.5."
],
[
"1. A securement system comprising:\na distribution cable including a breakout location protected by an enclosure;\na tether extending from the enclosure and terminating at a connector body, the tether having a length;\nat least one retention arrangement securing the tether to the distribution cable external to the enclosure; and\na release device secured to the distribution cable, the release device extending along at least a portion of the length of tether;\nwherein pulling the release device away from the distribution cable disengages the retention arrangement to free the tether from the distribution cable;\nwherein the at least one retention arrangement comprises a first material wrapped around the distribution cable and the tether cable;\nwherein a first portion of the release device extends along the length of the tether between the first material and the tether and wherein a second portion of the release device loops back along an exterior surface of the first material to form a cutting edge portion of the release device.",
"2. The securement system of claim 1, wherein pulling the second portion of the release device causes the cuffing edge portion to rip the first material along at least a portion of the length of the tether.",
"3. A securement system comprising:\na distribution cable including a breakout location protected by an enclosure;\na tether extending from the enclosure and terminating at a connector body, the tether having a length;\nat least one retention arrangement securing the tether to the distribution cable external to the enclosure; and\na release device secured to the distribution cable, the release device extending along at least a portion of the length of tether;\nwherein pulling the release device away from the distribution cable disengages the retention arrangement to free the tether from the distribution cable;\nwherein the release device extends generally from the enclosure to the connector body of the tether;\nwherein opposite ends of the release device are secured to the distribution cable adjacent the enclosure, and wherein the cutting edge portion is positioned adjacent the tether connector body.",
"4. A securement system comprising:\na distribution cable including a breakout location protected by an enclosure;\na tether extending from the enclosure and terminating at a connector body, the tether having a length;\nat least one retention arrangement securing the tether to the distribution cable external to the enclosure; and\na release device secured to the distribution cable, the release device extending along at least a portion of the length of tether;\nwherein pulling the release device away from the distribution cable disengages the retention arrangement to free the tether from the distribution cable;\na second retention arrangement;\nwherein the at least one retention arrangement comprises a first retention structure;\nwherein the second retention arrangement comprises a plurality of loop structures wrapped around the distribution cable at spaced intervals;\nwherein the release device is looped around the second retention arrangement, wherein pulling the release device breaks the second retention arrangement.",
"5. A securement system comprising:\na distribution cable including a breakout location;\na tether extending a length from the distribution cable at the breakout location to at least one connector;\nfoil wrapped around the distribution cable and the tether to form a foil enclosure, the foil enclosure extending from the breakout location to the at least one connector; and\na wire having a length of about twice the length of the tether cable, the wire including:\na first segment extending within the foil enclosure from a first end coupled to the distribution cable adjacent the breakout location to an intermediate end coupled to the distribution cable adjacent the at least one connector, and\na second segment extending back over at least part of the foil enclosure to a second end of wire, the second end being coupled to the distribution cable and including a ring;\nwherein pulling the ring away from the distribution cable cuts the foil staffing at the at least one connector and moving towards the enclosure.",
"6. A securement system comprising:\na distribution cable including a breakout location;\na tether coupled to the distribution cable at the breakout location, the tether extending a length from the breakout location to a connection end, the connection end including a connector body;\na plurality of strips of tape coupling the tether to the distribution cable at spaced intervals along the distribution cable;\na flexible strand having a first end and a second end, the first end of the flexible strand secured to the distribution cable adjacent the connection end of the tether, the flexible strand being threaded to form a loop around each of the plurality of strips of tape;\na pin coupled to the second end of the flexible strand;\na first series of tie-wraps coupling the pin to the tether; and\na second series of tie-wraps coupling the pin to the distribution cable;\nwherein pulling the flexible strand cuts each of the plurality of strips of tape; and\nwherein continuing to pull the flexible strand draws the pin out of at least one of the first and second series of tie-wraps to release the tether cable from the distribution cable.",
"7. A securement system comprising:\na distribution cable including a breakout location protected by an enclosure;\na tether extending from the enclosure and terminating at a connector body, the tether having a length;\nat least one retention arrangement securing the tether to the distribution cable; and\na release device secured to the distribution cable, the release device extending along at least a portion of the length of tether;\nwherein pulling the release device away from the distribution cable disengages the retention arrangement to free the tether from the distribution cable;\nwherein the at least one retention arrangement comprises a first material wrapped around the distribution cable and the tether cable; and\nwherein a first portion of the release device extends along the length of the tether between the first material and the tether and wherein a second portion of the release device loops back along an exterior surface of the first material to form a cutting edge portion of the release device.",
"8. The securement system of claim 7, wherein pulling the second portion of the release device causes the cutting edge portion to rip the first material along at least a portion of the length of the tether.",
"9. A securement system comprising:\na distribution cable including a breakout location protected by an enclosure;\na tether extending from the enclosure and terminating at a connector body, the tether having a length;\nat least one retention arrangement securing the tether to the distribution cable; and\na release device secured to the distribution cable, the release device extending along at least a portion of the length of tether;\nwherein pulling the release device away from the distribution cable disengages the retention arrangement to free the tether from the distribution cable;\nwherein the release device extends generally from the enclosure to the connector body of the tether; and\nwherein opposite ends of the release device are secured to the distribution cable adjacent the enclosure, and wherein the cutting edge portion is positioned adjacent the tether connector body.",
"10. A securement system comprising:\na distribution cable including a breakout location protected by an enclosure;\na tether extending from the enclosure and terminating at a connector body, the tether having a length;\nat least one retention arrangement securing the tether to the distribution cable; and\na release device secured to the distribution cable, the release device extending along at least a portion of the length of tether;\nwherein pulling the release device away from the distribution cable disengages the retention arrangement to free the tether from the distribution cable;\nwherein the at least one retention arrangement comprises a first retention structure;\nwherein the securement system further comprising a second retention arrangement, wherein the second retention arrangement comprises a plurality of loop structures wrapped around the distribution cable at spaced intervals; and\nwherein the release device is looped around the second retention arrangement, wherein pulling the release device breaks the second retention arrangement."
],
[
"1. A fiber optic distribution cable assembly, comprising:\na fiber optic distribution cable having a jacket defining a cavity therein with an access location defined by a single opening formed in the jacket that extends to the cavity, and a plurality of optical fibers extending through the cavity of the jacket, the plurality of optical fibers comprising a distribution optical fiber that includes a severed optical fiber that extends through and protrudes from the single opening in the jacket at the access location, the distribution optical fiber having an end that would extend to, but not beyond, a cutting location within the cavity of the jacket if inserted through the single opening and into the cavity, the cutting location being spaced apart from the single opening along the distribution cable at a position where the jacket is not breached; and\na demarcation point provided at the access location for generally inhibiting the movement of the distribution optical fiber at or near the access location.",
"2. The fiber optic distribution cable assembly of claim 1, wherein the single opening is a slot.",
"3. The fiber optic distribution cable assembly of claim 2, wherein the slot extends lengthwise along the jacket.",
"4. The fiber optic distribution cable assembly of claim 1, wherein a fusion splice connects an optical fiber pigtail to the distribution optical fiber.",
"5. The fiber optic distribution cable assembly of claim 4, wherein the splice is protected by a splice protector.",
"6. The fiber optic distribution cable assembly of claim 1, wherein the demarcation point comprises a suitable material injected about the distribution optical fiber at the access location.",
"7. The fiber optic distribution cable assembly of claim 6, wherein the suitable material includes a hot melt adhesive or silicone.",
"8. The fiber optic distribution cable assembly of claim 1, further comprising strength members that provide tensile and anti-buckling strength to the distribution cable, wherein the strength members are disposed on opposite sides of the cavity and impart a preferential bend characteristic to the distribution cable.",
"9. The fiber optic distribution cable assembly of claim 8, wherein the strength members are glass-reinforced plastic rods having a round cross-section with a diameter that is less than the height of the cavity.",
"10. The fiber optic distribution cable assembly of claim 7, wherein the distribution cable has a dry construction such that the cable excludes a grease or gel for water-blocking, wherein the distribution cable includes water-swellable components for water-blocking.",
"11. The fiber optic distribution cable assembly of claim 10, wherein the water-swellable components comprise a water-swellable layer of an elongate tape.",
"12. The fiber optic distribution cable assembly of claim 1, wherein the length of the distribution optical fiber protruding from the single opening in the jacket is at least 5/4 times longer than the length of the single opening.",
"13. The fiber optic distribution cable assembly of claim 1, wherein the distribution optical fiber is one of a set of optical fibers protruding from the single opening, and wherein the set of optical fibers are from a fiber optic ribbon having a splittable construction that is carried by the distribution cable and the set of optical fibers are less than all of the optical fibers of the fiber optic ribbon.",
"14. The fiber optic distribution cable assembly of claim 1, wherein the length of the distribution optical fiber protruding from the single opening in the jacket is at least 3/2 times longer than the length of the single opening.",
"15. The fiber optic distribution cable assembly of claim 14, wherein the distribution optical fiber is one of a set of optical fibers protruding from the single opening, and wherein the set of optical fibers are from a fiber optic ribbon having a splittable construction that is carried by the distribution cable and the set of optical fibers are less than all of the optical fibers of the fiber optic ribbon.",
"16. The fiber optic distribution cable assembly of claim 1, wherein the fiber optic distribution cable has a tubeless design such that the cavity immediately surrounds the plurality of optical fibers without intermediate tubes in the cavity surrounding the plurality of optical fibers.",
"17. The fiber optic distribution cable assembly of claim 4, wherein the optical fiber pigtail has a second end with one or more ferrules attached thereto.",
"18. The fiber optic distribution cable assembly of claim 17, wherein each ferrule is a portion of a receptacle or plug.",
"19. The fiber optic distribution cable assembly of claim 17, wherein the ferrule is a multifiber ferrule.",
"20. The fiber optic distribution cable assembly of claim 17, wherein the ferrule is a single fiber ferrule."
],
[
"1. A furcation body for furcating a fiber optic cable, comprising:\na channel forming a passageway extending from a front end to a back end of the furcation body, wherein the channel includes a front section and a back section, the front section includes one or more attachment grooves suitable for securing the furcation body to a portion of the fiber optic cable, and the back section of channel sized for receiving a furcation tube, wherein the back end of the furcation body has an external threaded portion.",
"2. The furcation body of claim 1, wherein the channel has a medial section that includes one or more attachment grooves, wherein the medial section is smaller than the front section of the channel.",
"3. The furcation body of claim 1, further including an extension having an internal threaded portion that cooperates with the external threaded portion on the back end of the furcation body.",
"4. The furcation body of claim 1, wherein the furcation body is a portion of a furcation assembly that includes a fiber optic cable.",
"5. The furcation body of claim 4, wherein the channel has a medial section that includes one or more attachment grooves, wherein the medial section is smaller than the front section of the channel.",
"6. The furcation body of claim 4, wherein the assembly can withstand a pullout force of about 75 Newtons.",
"7. The furcation body of claim 4, wherein the furcation body is attached to the fiber optic cable without the use of an adhesive or crimp.",
"8. The furcation body of claim 4, wherein the assembly includes at least one fiber optic connector.",
"9. The furcation body of claim 4, wherein the fiber optic cable has a non-round cross-section.",
"10. The furcation body of claim 4, wherein the assembly includes one or more furcation tubes.",
"11. The furcation body of claim 1, wherein the furcation body has one or more bores that lead to the channel.",
"12. A furcation body for furcating a fiber optic cable, comprising:\na channel forming a passageway extending from a front end to a back end of the furcation body, wherein the channel includes a front section, a medial section, and a back section, the front section includes one or more attachment grooves suitable for securing the furcation body to a portion of the fiber optic cable, and the medial section being smaller than the front section of the channel and including one or more attachment grooves.",
"13. The furcation body of claim 12, the back end of the furcation body having an external threaded portion.",
"14. The furcation body of claim 13, further including an extension having an internal threaded portion that cooperates with the external threaded portion on the back end of the furcation body.",
"15. The furcation body of claim 12, wherein the furcation body is a portion of a furcation assembly that includes a fiber optic cable.",
"16. The furcation body of claim 15, wherein the furcation body has one or more bores therein for injecting an adhesive into the furcation body.",
"17. The furcation body of claim 15, wherein the assembly can withstand a pullout force of about 75 Newtons.",
"18. The furcation body of claim 15, wherein the furcation body is attached to the fiber optic cable without the use of an adhesive or crimp.",
"19. The furcation body of claim 15, wherein the assembly includes at least one fiber optic connector.",
"20. The furcation body of claim 15, wherein the fiber optic cable has a non-round cross-section.",
"21. The furcation body of claim 15, wherein the assembly includes one or more furcation tubes.",
"22. The furcation body of claim 12, wherein the furcation body has one or more bores that lead to the channel.",
"23. A fiber optic cable assembly, comprising:\na furcation body having a channel forming a passageway extending from a front end to a back end of the furcation body, wherein the channel includes a front section, a medial section, and a back section, the front section includes one or more attachment grooves suitable for securing the furcation body to a portion of the fiber optic cable, and the medial section being smaller than the front section of the channel and including one or more attachment grooves;\na fiber optic cable being attached to the furcation body; and\nat least one fiber optic connector.",
"24. The furcation body of claim 23, wherein the furcation body has one or more bores therein for injecting an adhesive into the furcation body.",
"25. The furcation body of claim 23, wherein the assembly can withstand a pullout force of about 75 Newtons.",
"26. The furcation body of claim 23, wherein the furcation body is attached to the fiber optic cable without the use of an adhesive or crimp.",
"27. The furcation body of claim 23, wherein the fiber optic cable has a non-round cross-section.",
"28. The furcation body of claim 23, wherein the furcation body has one or more bores that lead to the channel."
],
[
"1. A method for manufacturing a fiber optic distribution cable assembly comprising:\naccessing at least one of a plurality of optical fibers of a distribution cable by creating first and second access locations in the distribution cable, the second access location being disposed spaced apart from the first access location along the distribution cable;\nterminating the at least one optical fiber of the distribution cable through the second access location;\nremoving at least a portion of the at least one terminated optical fiber of the distribution cable through the first access location;\ninserting a first end of a tether through the second access location and removing the first end of the tether through the first access location so as to leave a portion of the tether remaining through the second access location, the tether comprising an optical fiber;\noptically connecting the at least one terminated optical fiber of the distribution cable to the optical fiber of the tether; and\ninserting the optically connected optical fiber of the distribution cable and tether through the first access location.",
"2. The method of claim 1, further comprising sealing the first access location.",
"3. The method of claim 1, further comprising strain relieving the tether and distribution cable,",
"4. The method of claim 1, further comprising sealing the second access location around the optical fiber of the distribution cable, the tether, or combinations thereof.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein:\nthe distribution cable comprises an exterior portion including a first generally flat surface and a second generally flat surface, the first surface being generally parallel to the second surface; and\nthe tether comprises an exterior portion including a first generally flat surface and a second generally flat surface, the first surface being generally parallel to the second surface."
],
[
"1. A fiber optic cable transition assembly, comprising:\na fiber optic cable including a plurality of optical fibers;\na plurality of furcation tubes;\na housing extending from a first end of the housing to an opposite second end of the housing along an axis, the housing defining an internal passageway, the fiber optic cable entering the internal passageway through the first end, the plurality of furcation tubes entering the internal passageway through the second end, with the plurality of optical fibers extending within the passageway from an end of the fiber optic cable into the plurality of furcation tubes;\na first plug fully surrounding the fiber optic cable and the axis and positioned in the internal passageway; and\na second plug fully surrounding the plurality of furcation tubes and the axis and positioned in the internal passageway.",
"2. The fiber optic cable transition assembly of claim 1, further comprising:\na first boot fully surrounding the fiber optic cable and the axis and extending through the first end into the internal passageway; and\na second boot fully surrounding the plurality of furcation tubes and extending through the second end into the internal passageway.",
"3. The fiber optic cable transition assembly of claim 2,\nwherein a portion of the first plug is received inside the first boot; and\nwherein a portion of the second plug is received inside the second boot.",
"4. The fiber optic cable transition assembly of claim 3,\nwherein the portion of the first plug is configured to be coupled to the first boot by a snap connection; and\nwherein the portion of the second plug is configured to be coupled to the second boot by a snap connection.",
"5. The fiber optic cable transition assembly of claim 4,\nwherein the first plug is configured to prevent flow of epoxy into the first boot; and\nwherein the second plug is configured to prevent flow of epoxy into the second boot.",
"6. The fiber optic cable transition assembly of claim 1, wherein the housing defines an enclosed epoxy injection port.",
"7. The fiber optic cable transition assembly of claim 6, including a volume of hardened epoxy positioned in the internal passageway.",
"8. The fiber optic cable transition assembly of claim 6, wherein the housing defines an enclosed vent aperture.",
"9. The fiber optic cable transition assembly of claim 8, wherein the housing defines two enclosed epoxy injection ports.",
"10. The fiber optic cable transition assembly of claim 1, wherein the housing is cylindrical.",
"11. The fiber optic cable transition assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the first plug and the second plug includes a pair of sections.",
"12. The fiber optic cable transition assembly of claim 11, wherein each pair of sections are opposingly symmetrical.",
"13. The fiber optic cable transition assembly of claim 11, wherein each pair of sections are secured to each other around the fiber optic cable and around the furcation tubes, respectively, with mounting features.",
"14. The fiber optic cable transition assembly of claim 13, wherein the mounting features include opposing male inserts and female receivers.",
"15. The fiber optic cable transition assembly of claim 1, wherein an outer wall of the housing is thicker at the first end than at the second end.",
"16. The fiber optic cable transition assembly of claim 1, wherein the fiber optic cable and the plurality of furcation tubes include aramid yarn.",
"17. The fiber optic cable transition assembly of claim 1, wherein the internal passageway defines a narrow internal region that engages the first plug.",
"18. A method, comprising:\nassembling a conveyable assembly by:\nproviding the cable transition assembly according to claim 1; and\nconveying the conveyable assembly thorough a cabling conduit by pulling, pushing and/or blowing the conveyable assembly though the cabling conduit."
]
] |
the following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 u.s.c. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this office action:
a person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(b) the invention was patented or described in a printed publication in this or a foreign country or in public use or on sale in this country, more than one year prior to the date of application for patent in the united states.
claims 13, 16-17, 19 and 21-22 are rejected under 35 u.s.c. 102(b) as being anticipated by cunningham et al. (us. pat. 6,304,352) (applicant’s cited).
regarding claim 13, cunningham et al. anticipate a fiber plug connector (104) configured to be inserted into a receptacle (102/106), the plug and receptacle cooperating to define a keying mechanism, the fiber plug connector comprising: a body extending along a length between a front and a rear, along a width between opposite first and second sides, and along a height between a top and a bottom; a pin alignment system including either a pair of pins (133) or a pair of holes (132) to receive pins, the pin alignment system recessed inwardly from an exterior of the body; a ferrule disposed at the front of the body, the ferrule being configured to hold a number of optical fibers; and an exterior key positioned at the exterior of the body, the exterior key being asymmetrically disposed at the top of the body between the first and second sides (e.g. the protrusion keys at each top side end are offset and asymmetrically from each other from one side to other side), the exterior key having a keying geometry identifying the number of the optical fibers (e.g. two optical fibers) held by the ferrule, the exterior key being disposed at a location offset along the width from the central longitudinal axis, the location also being offset along the width from the first side of the body and the second side of the body (e.g. the protrusion keys at each top side end are offset and asymmetrically from each other from one side to other side with respect to the central longitudinal axis) (see fig. 1).
png
media_image1.png
286
490
greyscale
media_image2.png
300
466
reproduced/annotated from us. pat. 6,304,352.
regarding claims 16-17, cunningham et al. further anticipate that the fiber plug connector terminates a patchcord; wherein the fiber plug connector includes tactile indicia that correspond to the keying geometry of the exterior key (see fig. 1).
regarding claims 19 and 21-22, cunningham et al. further anticipate that the exterior key extends rearwardly from the front of the body; wherein the exterior key is a modification to a conventional rotational alignment key of the fiber plug connector (see fig. 1).
|
[
"1. An asphalt shingle designed to be laid up in courses on a roof comprising:\nan upper headlap portion, a lower tab portion, vertically spaced apart upper and lower edges, laterally spaced apart right and left edges, and top and bottom surfaces, having a lateral dimension or width and a vertical dimension or height;\nat least one adhesive strip disposed across the width of the shingle on the top surface thereof; and\na horizontally-oriented marking that extends along an interface between said upper headlap portion and said lower tab portion of said shingle and stretches from said right to left edge thereof, spanning the width of the shingle,\nwherein the lateral dimension of the shingle is greater than the vertical dimension of the shingle,\nwherein said bottom surface is configured to be laid up on the roof facing the roof,\nwherein said tab portion is configured to be substantially weather-exposed when laid up on the roof and wherein said upper headlap portion is configured to be substantially covered by the tab portion of asphalt shingles in a next-overlying course of asphalt shingles when laid up on the roof, and\nwherein said horizontally-oriented marking defines a boundary line between the upper headlap portion and the lower tab portion of the shingle,\nwherein said horizontally-oriented marking is configured to act as a headlap alignment mark and run perpendicularly to a rake of the roof and/or parallel to an eave of the roof following installation of the shingle thereon, defining a position on which the upper edge of an asphalt shingle in a previous course of asphalt shingles abut to establish a headlap,\nwherein said horizontally-oriented marking is configured to remain usable even where the right and left edges of the shingle have been removed, and\nwherein the laterally spaced apart right and left edges are substantially planar in the upper headlap portion of the shingle.",
"2. The asphalt shingle of claim 1 wherein said shingle is a three-tab shingle.",
"3. The asphalt shingle of claim 1 wherein said horizontally-oriented marking comprises gaps therein that each align with cut-outs a cut-out in the lower tab portion of the shingle.",
"4. The asphalt shingle of claim 3 wherein said horizontally-oriented marking is configured to be at least partially exposed to the environment following installation of the shingle and to fade upon weather exposure.",
"5. The asphalt shingle of claim 1 wherein said at least one adhesive strip runs parallel to said upper and lower edges of said shingle.",
"6. The shingle of claim 1 wherein said shingle is structurally weakened along said horizontally-oriented marking such that said shingle may be readily divided along said horizontally-oriented marking and the headlap portion thereof used as a rake or eave starter shingle.",
"7. The shingle of claim 1 wherein horizontally-oriented marking is also marked on the back side of the shingle.",
"8. The shingle of claim 1 further comprising nail placement marks that provide specific nail placement locations.",
"9. The shingle of claim 8 wherein said nail placement marks are positioned on said horizontally-oriented marking.",
"10. The shingle of claim 9 8wherein said nail placement marks are evenly laterally spaced.",
"11. The shingle of claim 8 wherein said nail placement marks comprise dots, indentations, perforations, cuts, and/or lines.",
"12. The shingle of claim 1 wherein said horizontally-oriented marking is positioned above said adhesive strip.",
"13. The shingle of claim 1 wherein said horizontally-oriented marking is positioned on said adhesive strip.",
"14. The shingle of claim 1 wherein said horizontally-oriented marking is positioned below said adhesive strip.",
"15. The shingle of claim 1 further comprising a cut at a proximal and distal end of said horizontally-oriented marking.",
"16. The shingle of claim 1 further comprising at least one additional horizontally-oriented marking, wherein said at least one additional horizontally-oriented marking is configured to act as a headlap alignment mark and run perpendicularly to the rake of the roof and/or parallel to the eave of the roof following installation of the shingle thereon, defining an alternative position on which the upper edge of an asphalt shingle in a previous course of asphalt shingles must abut to establish a second headlap.",
"17. A method of roofing using the shingle of claim 1, the method comprising:\nproviding a shingle in accordance with claim 1;\ndividing the shingle into several, shortened shingles of various widths, creating a book of shingles;\nfixing said shingle to a roof, beginning at a rake edge;\napplying as many shingles as necessary to complete a course of shingles to the roof;\ncutting a final shingle at an opposing rake edge such that it terminates substantially at the opposing rake edge; and\nbeginning a subsequent course of shingles above the previous course of shingles by abutting the upper edge of an asphalt shingle to the horizontally-oriented marking of the shingle used in the previous course,\nwherein at least one of the shortened shingles does not include either a right or left edge of the original shingle.",
"18. The method of claim 17 wherein abutting the upper edge of an asphalt shingle to the horizontally-oriented marking of the shingle used in the previous course comprises aligning the horizontally-oriented marking to the upper edge of an asphalt shingle used in the previous course on an edge thereof, fastening the shingle to the roof at the aligned edge and pivoting the shingle on the fastener until the horizontally-oriented marking is fully aligned with the upper edge of the asphalt shingle of the previous course before fastening the shingle along its length, thereby fixing its position.",
"19. An asphalt shingle designed to be laid up in courses on a roof comprising:\nan upper headlap portion, a lower tab portion, vertically spaced apart upper and lower edges, laterally spaced apart right and left edges, and top and bottom surfaces, having a lateral dimension or width and a vertical dimension or height;\nat least one adhesive strip disposed across the width of the shingle on the top surface thereof; and\na horizontally-oriented marking that extends along an interface between said an upper headlap portion and said a lower tab portion of said shingle and stretches from said a right to left edge thereof, spanning the width of the shingle,\nwherein the lateral dimension of the shingle is greater than the vertical dimension of the shingle,\nwherein said bottom surface is configured to be laid up on the roof facing the roof,\nwherein said tab portion is configured to be substantially weather-exposed when laid up on the roof and wherein said upper headlap portion is configured to be substantially covered by the tab portion of asphalt shingles in a next-overlying course of asphalt shingles when laid up on the roof,\nwherein the shingle is a three-tab shingle, and\nwherein said horizontally-oriented marking is configured to act as a headlap alignment mark and run perpendicularly to a rake of the roof following installation of the shingle thereon, defining a position on which the upper edge of an asphalt shingle in a previous course of asphalt shingles abut to establish a headlap,\nwherein said horizontally-oriented marking is configured to remain usable even where the right and left edges of the shingle have been removed,\nwherein said horizontally-oriented marking defines a boundary line between the upper headlap portion and the lower tab portion of the shingle, and\nwherein the laterally spaced apart right and left edges are substantially planar in the upper headlap portion of the shingle.",
"20. The asphalt shingle of claim 1 further comprising at least one adhesive strip disposed on a top or bottom surface thereof and configured to adhere said shingle to an underlying or overlying course of shingles.",
"21. The asphalt shingle of claim 19 further comprising at least one adhesive strip disposed on a top or bottom surface thereof and configured to adhere said shingle to an underlying or overlying course of shingles.",
"22. The shingle of claim 16 wherein an area of the shingle bounded by said horizontally-oriented marking and an additional horizontally-oriented marking denotes a nailing zone through which fasteners should be inserted.",
"23. The shingle of claim 1 wherein the horizontally-oriented marking is visible across the entire width of the shingle.",
"24. The shingle of claim 19 wherein the horizontally-oriented marking is visible across the entire width of the shingle."
] |
USRE50406E1
|
US7204063B2
|
[
"1. A roofing shingle for a roofing system of multiple overlapping shingles, the shingle being monoplanar and having a weather-resistant exterior face, opposed side edges and a width extending from a butt edge to a top edge, with an exposed portion of the exterior face having a predetermined width of length E extending from the butt edge and, in use, a covered portion extending from the exposed portion, to the top edge,\nwherein the width of the shingle is more than twice the length E of the exposed portion;\nwherein the covered portion of the shingle is provided with an adhesive strip offset from the butt edge by a distance greater than the length E, the adhesive strip being adapted to adhere to an adjacent shingle; and\nwherein the covered portion of the shingle is provided with a continuous sealant band parallel to and offset from the top edge, the band having a width extending between a lower imaginary line located no more than the length 2E from the butt edge of the shingle and an upper imaginary line about ¼ inch from the top edge.",
"2. The shingle of claim 1 wherein the lower imaginary line is located between the length 2E and 2E−1 inch from the butt edge.",
"3. The shingle of claim 1 wherein the width of the shingle is the length 2E, plus Y where Y is 2 inches or less.",
"4. The shingle of claim 3 wherein Y is 1 inch or less.",
"5. The shingle of claim 1 wherein one or more cut-outs extend normal to the butt edge a distance E, thereby defining tabs between the cut-outs.",
"6. The shingle of claim 5 wherein a portion of the sealant band is adapted to be exposed at the apex of said cut-outs of an overlapping shingle.",
"7. The shingle of claim 6 wherein the sealant is erosion resistant.",
"8. The shingle of claim 1 wherein the sealant of the sealant band is a butyl, acrylic, bituminous or modified bituminous composition.",
"9. The shingle of claim 1 wherein the side edges of the shingle have complimentary spacing indicators.",
"10. The shingle of claim 9 wherein spacing indicators are notches or slits.",
"11. The shingle of claim 9 wherein the spacing indicators are offset stepped rectilinear notches.",
"12. The shingle of claim 11 wherein each side edge has two successively inset rectilinear notches, the first notch located a distance equal to said cut-out length from the butt edge, and the second notch inset further than the first notch at a selected distance above the first notch.",
"13. The shingle of claim 10 wherein each side edge has two spacing indicators, the first indicator being a notch located a distance equal to said cut-out length from the butt edge, and the second indicator being a slit positioned at a selected distance from the first indicator.",
"14. The shingle of claim 13 wherein the selected distance is in the range of ½ inch to 1 ½ inch.",
"15. A roofing shingle for a roofing system of multiple overlapping shingles, the shingle being monoplanar and having a weather resistant exterior faces, opposed side edges and a width extending from a butt edge to a top edge, with a covered portion, in use, extending from the top edge and an exposed portion of the exterior face extending from the butt edge, the exposed portion including at least one cut-out having a length extending perpendicularly across the exposed portion, thereby defining two or more tabs;\nwherein the width of the shingle is more than twice said cut-out length; and\nwherein the exterior face of the shingle is provided with an adhesive strip and a sealant band adapted to adhere the shingle to an overlapping shingle, the strip being discontinuous and aligned on the covered portion parallel to the butt edge above an apex of said cut-out, and the sealant band is continuous being positioned at an imaginary line parallel to and twice the cut-out length from the butt edge.",
"16. The shingle of claim 15 wherein the width of the shingle is twice the cut-out length, plus a headlap distance.",
"17. The shingle of claim 16 wherein the headlap distance ranges from ¼ inch to 2 inches.",
"18. The shingle of claim 16 wherein the headlap distance ranges from ¼ inch to ¾ inch.",
"19. The shingle of claim 15 wherein at least a portion of the sealant band is offset toward the butt edge of the shingle from the imaginary line.",
"20. The shingle of claim 19 wherein the sealant band brackets the imaginary line.",
"21. The shingle of claim 19 wherein the sealant band is parallel to but offset from the top edge of the shingle.",
"22. The shingle of claim 21 wherein the width of the sealant band is in the range of ¼ inch to 2 inches.",
"23. The shingle of claim 21 wherein the width of the sealant band is in the range of ½ inch to 1 inch.",
"24. The shingle of claim 15 wherein the sealant is an erosion resistant composition.",
"25. The shingle of claim 24 wherein the sealant is a suitable acrylic, butyl, bitumenous or modified bitumenous composition.",
"26. The shingle of claim 15 wherein the side edges of the shingles have complimentary spacing indicators.",
"27. The shingle of claim 26 wherein spacing indicators are notches or slits.",
"28. The shingle of claim 26 wherein the spacing indicators are offset stepped rectilinear notches.",
"29. The shingle of claim 28 wherein each side edge has two successively inset rectilinear notches, the first notch located a distance equal to said cut-out length from the butt edge, and the second notch inset further than the first notch at a selected distance above the first notch.",
"30. The shingle of claim 27 wherein each side edge has two spacing indicators, the first indicator being a notch located a distance equal to said cut-out length from the butt edge, and the second indicator being a slit positioned at a selected distance from the first indicator.",
"31. The shingle of claim 30 wherein the selected distance is in the range of ½ inch to 1 ½ inches.",
"32. A roofing shingle system comprising multiple overlapping shingles, each shingle having a weather-resistant exposed surface, and a width extending from a butt edge to a top edge and at least one cut-out extending perpendicularly from the butt edge wherein the width of the shingle is at least twice the length of the cut-out,\nwherein a discontinuous adhesive strip on each shingle extends in a line of spaced adhesive elements offset toward the top edge of the shingle from each apex of each cut-out;\nwherein a continuous sealant band on each shingle extends parallel to the top edge of the shingle but offset therefrom, located on an imaginary line at twice the cut-out length from the butt edge of the shingle, the band having a width extending on both sides of said imaginary line; and\nwherein a portion of the sealant band on each shingle is exposed at each apex of each cut-out of the overlying shingle.",
"33. The roofing shingle system of claim 32 wherein the sealant band is at least ¼ inch wide.",
"34. The roofing shingle system of claim 33 wherein the width of the sealant band is between ¼ inch and 1 ½ inches.",
"35. The roofing system of claim 32 wherein the sealant band is offset from the top edge by a distance sufficient to prevent bleeding of the sealant over the top edge.",
"36. The roofing system of claim 35 wherein the distance is in the range of ¼ inch to ⅜ inch.",
"37. A roofing system of multiple associated overlapping shingles, each shingle having a weather resistant exposed surface and having a width extending from a butt edge to a top edge, each shingle having at least one cut-out having a length extending perpendicularly from the butt edge;\nwherein the width of the shingle is twice the length of cut-out, plus a headlamp distance Y where Y is a length of 1 inch or less;\nand further wherein each shingle has a adhesive strip parallel to and offset towards the top edge by a distance greater than the length of the cut-out from the butt edge of the shingle, and a continuous sealant band positioned on an imaginary line parallel to and at a distance twice the length of the cut-out from the butt edge of the shingle.",
"38. The roofing shingle system of claim 37 wherein the sealant band is at least ¼ inch wide.",
"39. The roofing shingle system of claim 38 wherein the width of the sealant band is between ¼ inch and 1 ½ inches.",
"40. The roofing system of claim 37 wherein the sealant band is offset from the top edge by a distance sufficient to prevent bleeding of the sealant over the top edge.",
"41. The roofing system of claim 40 wherein the distance is in the range of ¼ inch to ⅜ inch.",
"42. A method of manufacturing a shingle having a top edge, a butt edge and one or more tabs defined by cut-outs normal to the butt edge and having a length, comprising coating a base member with a granular weather resistant material on the upper surface thereof, applying a discontinuous strip of adhesive to the upper surface, the strip being located a distance greater than the length of the cut-out from the butt edge of the shingle and applying a continuous band of sealant to the upper surface, the band being located a distance generally twice the length of the cut-out from the butt edge of the shingle and offset from the top edge.",
"43. The method of claim 42 wherein the width of the sealant band brackets an imaginary line at a distance twice of the length of the cut-out from the butt edge of the shingle.",
"44. The method of claim 43 wherein the width of the sealant band ranges from ¼ inch to 1 ½ inches.",
"45. The method of claim 42 wherein the offset is at least about ¼ inch."
] |
[
[
"1. A system for supporting roofing members on a roof\nstructure, comprising:\nat least one batten extending along a portion of a roof structure, the batten having receiving portions comprising opposing openings formed through the at least one batten; and\na plurality of hanger devices, the hanger devices having head portions having opposing sides wherein each side is removably secured within a separate opening of the opposing openings of the receiving portions.",
"2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the head portion and the receiving portions have corresponding shapes.",
"3. A system according to claim 1, wherein the head portion is substantially octagonal, and the receiving portion is correspondingly shaped.",
"4. A system according to claim 1, wherein the hanger further includes a short member and a long member extending from the head portion, the short and long members cooperating to permit insertion of the head portion into the receiving portion.",
"5. A system according to claim 4, wherein the long member includes a curved distal end.",
"6. A system according to claim 1, further comprising an interlayment member disposed over the hanger devices.",
"7. A system according to claim 1, wherein the head portion is substantially circular, and the receiving portion is correspondingly shaped.",
"8. A system according to claim 1, wherein the head portion is substantially hexagonal, and the receiving portion is correspondingly shaped.",
"9. A system according to claim 8, wherein at least one of the opposing openings in the receiving portion includes an apex thereof, a portion of the hanger device extending through the apex.",
"10. A system for supporting roofing members on a roof structure, comprising:\nat least one batten extending along a portion of the roof structure, the batten having receiving portions comprising opposing openings formed through the at least one batten;\na plurality of hanger devices, the hanger devices having head portions having opposing sides wherein each side is removably secured within a separate opening of the opposing openings of the receiving portions, each hanger device further having a member extending from the head portion, the member having a curved distal end; and\nan interlayment member disposed under the roofing members and over the hanger devices such that a portion of the interlayment member abuts the distal end of the member.",
"11. A system according to claim 10, wherein the receiving portions and head portions have corresponding shapes.",
"12. A system according to claim 10, wherein the head portion is substantially octagonal, and the receiving portion is correspondingly shaped.",
"13. A system according to claim 10, wherein the member is a long member, and wherein the hanger further includes a short member, the short and long members cooperating to permit insertion of the head portion into the receiving portion.",
"14. A system according to claim 13, wherein the short member is spaced from and substantially parallel to the long member.",
"15. A system according to claim 10, wherein the head portion is substantially circular, and the receiving portion is correspondingly shaped.",
"16. A system according to claim 10, wherein the head portion is substantially hexagonal, and the receiving portion is correspondingly shaped.",
"17. A system according to claim 16, wherein at least one of the opposing openings in the receiving portion includes an apex thereof, a portion of the hanger device extending through the apex.",
"18. A method for assembling roofing members on a roofing structure, comprising:\nsecuring a batten to a roof, the batten having receiving portions comprising opposing openings formed through the at least one batten;\nproviding a plurality of hanger devices, the hanger devices having a head portion having opposing sides, and a member extending from the head portion;\ninserting the opposing sides of the head portions of the hanger devices into the receiving portions wherein each side is removably secured within a separate opening of the opposing openings of the receiving portions; and\ndisposing roofing members over the batten and in engagement with the hanger device extending members.",
"19. A method according to claim 18, further comprising removing a hanger device from a receiving portion, and inserting the hanger device into an adjacent receiving portion."
],
[
"1. A system for supporting roofing members on a roof structure, comprising:\nat least one batten; and\na plurality of hanger devices removably secured to the batten, the hanger devices operable to support roofing members.",
"2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one batten includes a plurality of hanger holders, the hanger holders defining openings for receiving the hanger devices.",
"3. A system according to claim 1, wherein the roofing members are slate members.",
"4. A system according to claim 3, wherein each slate member has a top edge and a bottom edge; and wherein the bottom edge of each of the slate members is supported by one or more hangers.",
"5. A system according to claim 1, wherein the hanger devices are spring tempered.",
"6. A system according to claim 5, wherein each slate member has a top edge and a bottom edge; and wherein the bottom edge of each of the slate members is supported by one or more hangers.",
"7. A system according to claim 6, wherein a bottom portion of each of the hanger devices extends away from the roof to support the bottom edge of one of the slate members, and a top portion of each of the hanger devices securely engages the at least one batten.",
"8. A system according to claim 6, further comprising one or more slate liners, wherein each slate liner is positioned atop the hangers associated with a row of slate members, underlying the slate members of the row.",
"9. A system according to claim 8, wherein a bottom portion of each of the hanger devices extends away from the roof to support the bottom edge of one of the slate members and the slate liner, a top portion of each of the hanger devices securely engages the at least one batten, and a bottom edge of the slate liner is coincident with the bottom edge of the slate members.",
"10. A system according to claim 9, further comprising an underlayment positioned on the roof structure below the battens.",
"11. A system according to claim 9, further comprising a plurality of battens for accommodating a plurality of rows of slate members, wherein the slate members are operatively secured to the roof structure in overlapping rows, wherein the bottom portion of each of the hanger devices of one of the rows extends downward to partially overlap the slate members of the row immediately below.",
"12. A device as in claim 11, wherein the slate liner of one of the rows completely underlies the slate members of the row, and wherein the upper edge of the slate liner extends up beyond the top edge of the slate members of the row.",
"13. A system for attaching slate members to a roof, comprising:\nat least one batten, the batten having a plurality of hanger holders; and\na plurality of hangers removably secured to the at least one batten via the plurality of hanger holders, the hangers being spring tempered to permit positioning of the hangers along the length of the battens.",
"14. A system according to claim 13, wherein the hangers resist lifting forces when attached to the at least one batten.",
"15. A system according to claim 14, wherein each slate member has a top edge and a bottom edge, and wherein the bottom edge of each of the slate members is supported by one or more hangers.",
"16. A system according to claim 15, further comprising one or more slate liners, wherein each slate liner is positioned atop the hangers associated with a row of slate members, underlying the slate members of the row.",
"17. A system according to claim 16, wherein a bottom portion of each hanger extends away from the roof to support the bottom edge of one of the slate members and the slate liner, and a top portion of each hanger securely engages the at least one batten, and the bottom edge of the slate liner is coincident with the bottom edge of the slate members.",
"18. A system according to claim 17, further comprising a plurality of battens for accommodating a plurality of rows of slate members, wherein the slate members are attached to the roof in overlapping rows, wherein the bottom portion of each hanger of one of the rows extends downward to partially overlap the slate members of the row immediately below.",
"19. A system according to claim 18, wherein the slate liner of one of the rows completely underlies the slate members of the row, and wherein the upper edge of the slate liner extends up beyond the top edge of the slate members of the row.",
"20. A method for disposing slate members on a roof structure, comprising:\ndisposing a plurality of battens along a roof structure, the battens having a plurality of hanger holders associated therewith;\nproviding a plurality of hangers; and\ncompressing a portion of each hanger and disposing the portion into a pair of corresponding openings defined by the hanger holders.",
"21. A method according to claim 20, wherein the hangers each comprise a lower hook portion, and wherein the method further comprises disposing slate liners atop the hangers such that a bottom edge of the slate liners abuts the hook portion of the hangers.",
"22. A method according to claim 21, further comprising disposing slate members atop the slate liners such that a bottom edge of the slate members abuts the hook portion of the hangers.",
"23. A method according to claim 20, further comprising the portion of at least one hanger and removing the hanger from the openings defined by the hanger holders.",
"24. A method according to claim 23, further comprising moving the hanger to another location along the batten, compressing the portion of the hanger and disposing the portion into another of a pair of corresponding openings defined by the hanger holders."
],
[
"1. A system of pitched roofing, which comprises:\na sheet material for adhering to a roof deck, which has an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface including a hook and loop fastener;\na plurality of roofing tiles each having a front face and a back face and a length extending from an upper edge to a lower edge, wherein the back face of each tile has opposing side-edge portions;\nhook and loop fasteners adhered to and covering a portion of the back face of each tile including a portion of the opposing side-edge portions;\na plurality of rain diverting devices, each device having one surface made up of a plurality of hook portions and an opposing surface made up of a plurality of portions complementary to the hook portions,\nwherein each rain diverting device is positioned between, extending along at least the entire length of two adjacent tiles, and releasably attached to the hook and loop fasteners located on a side-edge portion of the adjacent tiles and the sheet material, thereby releasably attaching the tiles to each other and to the upper surface of the underlying sheet material,\nwherein each rain diverting device serves to direct rain and snowmelt away from a separation between adjacent tiles and the underlying sheet material and down onto tiles one or more rows below the separation between adjacent tiles.",
"2. The system of roofing of claim 1, wherein the rain diverting device has one surface made up of a plurality of hook portions, and an opposing surface made up of a plurality of loop portions.",
"3. The system of roofing of claim 1, wherein the rain diverting device is a strip-like device that has a thickness of less than or equal to about 3 millimeters, a width ranging from about 5.1 to about 15.2 centimeters, and a length ranging from about 100% to about 120% of the average length of the adjacent tiles.",
"4. The system of roofing of claim 1, wherein the roofing tiles are selected from the group of slabs or shingles made from asphalt, wood, cement, fiber-cement mixtures, concrete, clay or ceramic material, slate or slate substitute, rubber slate, and other hardwearing materials and metal.",
"5. The system of roofing of claim 4, wherein the roofing tiles are selected from the group of slate, slate substitute and rubber slate tiles.",
"6. The system of roofing of claim 1, wherein the upper surface of the sheet material contains a grid pattern for providing a reference for placement of the tiles pressed down upon it.",
"7. The system of roofing of claim 1, wherein the lower surface of the sheet material is adhered to an insulation board, which is adhered to the roof deck.",
"8. The system of roofing of claim 1, wherein the hook and loop fasteners are in the form of strips having a width greater than about 2.54 centimeters.",
"9. The system of roofing of claim 8, wherein the hook and loop fastener strips have a width ranging from about 3.8 to about 6.4 centimeters.",
"10. The system of roofing of claim 1, wherein the hook and loop fasteners have a combined thickness of less than or equal to about 3 millimeters.",
"11. The system of roofing of claim 1, wherein the hook and loop fasteners extend along the width of the tile on the back face at or near uppermost and lowermost edges of the tile.",
"12. The system of roofing of claim 11, wherein hook and loop fasteners also extend along the width of the tile at or near the uppermost edge of the front face.",
"13. The system of roofing of claim 12, wherein the hook and loop fasteners on the upper surface of the sheet material and adhered to the front face of each tile are hook fasteners and the hook and loop fasteners adhered to the back face of each tile are loop fasteners.",
"14. The system of roofing of claim 13, wherein the surface of the rain diverting device made up of a plurality of hook portions is positioned over the back face of each tile, and the surface of the rain diverting device made up of a plurality of portions complementary to the hook portions is positioned over the upper surface of the sheet material.",
"15. The system of roofing of claim 1, wherein the roofing tiles are single lapped with exposed portions of the front face of each tile ranging from about 71 to about 93% of the total area of the front face.",
"16. The system of pitched roofing of claim 1, which further comprises a support disposed in between the upper edge and the lower edge and extending from the back face.",
"17. The system of claim 16, wherein the support comprises a Z-shaped spring having an upper arm adhered to the back face of the tile, and a lower arm.",
"18. The system of claim 17, wherein the lower arm of the Z-shaped spring has a surface made up of a hook and loop fastener complimentary to the hook and loop fastener of the sheet material.",
"19. A method of installing shingles or tiles on a roof, which comprises:\nproviding a sheet material having an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface including a hook and loop fastener;\nsecuring the lower surface of the sheet material to a roof deck;\nproviding a plurality of roofing tiles, each tile having a length extending from an upper edge to a lower edge and a back face with opposing side-edge portions, wherein hook and loop fasteners are adhered to and cover a portion of the back face of each tile including a portion of the opposing side-edge portions;\nproviding a plurality of rain diverting devices, each device having one surface made up of a plurality of hook portions and an opposing surface made up of a plurality of portions complementary to the hook portions,\npositioning each rain diverting device between, extending along at least the entire length of two adjacent tiles, and releasably attaching each device to the hook and loop fasteners located on a side-edge portion of the adjacent tiles and the underlying sheet material, thereby releasably attaching the tiles to each other and to the upper surface of the sheet material,\nwherein each rain diverting device serves to direct rain and snowmelt away from a separation between adjacent tiles and the underlying sheet material and down onto tiles one or more rows below the separation between adjacent tiles.",
"20. A method of using a device having one surface made up of a plurality of hook portions and an opposing surface made up of a plurality of portions complementary to the hook portions to direct rainwater and snowmelt away from an underlying sheet material on a roof deck, which comprises: positioning the device between, extending along at least an entire length of two adjacent tiles, and releasably attaching the device to hook and loop fasteners located on a side-edge portion of the adjacent roofing tiles and an underlying sheet material, thereby releasably attaching the tiles to each other and to the upper surface of the underlying sheet material,\nwherein each rain diverting device serves to direct rain and snowmelt away from a separation between adjacent tiles and the underlying sheet material and down onto tiles one or more rows below the separation between adjacent tiles.",
"21. A system of pitched roofing, which comprises:\na sheet material for adhering to a roof deck, which has an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface including a hook and loop fastener;\na plurality of roofing tiles each having a front face and a back face and a length extending at least from an upper edge to a lower edge, wherein the back face of each tile has opposing side-edge portions;\nhook and loop fasteners adhered to and covering a portion of the back face of each tile including a portion of the opposing side-edge portions;\na plurality of rain diverting devices, each device having one surface made up of a plurality of hook portions and an opposing surface made up of a plurality of portions complementary to the hook portions,\nwherein each rain diverting device is positioned between, extending along at least the entire length of two adjacent tiles, and releasably attached to the hook and loop fasteners located on a side-edge portion of the adjacent tiles and the sheet material, thereby releasably attaching the tiles to each other and to the upper surface of the underlying sheet material,\nwherein each rain diverting device serves to direct rain and snowmelt away from a separation between adjacent tiles and the underlying sheet material and down onto tiles one or more rows below the separation between adjacent tiles,\nwherein the roofing tiles are selected from the group of slate, slate substitute and rubber slate tiles.",
"22. A method of installing shingles or tiles on a roof, which comprises:\nproviding a sheet material having an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface including a hook and loop fastener;\nsecuring the lower surface of the sheet material to a roof deck;\nproviding a plurality of roofing tiles, each tile having a length extending from at least an upper edge to a lower edge and a back face with opposing side-edge portions, wherein hook and loop fasteners are adhered to and cover a portion of the back face of each tile including a portion of the opposing side-edge portions;\nproviding a plurality of rain diverting devices, each device having one surface made up of a plurality of hook portions and an opposing surface made up of a plurality of portions complementary to the hook portions,\npositioning each rain diverting device between, extending along at least the entire length of two adjacent tiles, and releasably attaching each device to the hook and loop fasteners located on a side-edge portion of the adjacent tiles and the underlying sheet material, thereby releasably attaching the tiles to each other and to the upper surface of the sheet material,\nwherein each rain diverting device serves to direct rain and snowmelt away from a separation between adjacent tiles and the underlying sheet material and down onto tiles one or more rows below the separation between adjacent tiles,\nwherein the roofing tiles are selected from the group of slate, slate substitute and rubber slate tiles.",
"23. A method of using a device having one surface made up of a plurality of hook portions and an opposing surface made up of a plurality of portions complementary to the hook portions to direct rainwater and snowmelt away from an underlying sheet material on a roof deck, which comprises: positioning the device between, extending along at least an entire length of two adjacent tiles, and releasably attaching the device to hook and loop fasteners located on a side-edge portion of the adjacent roofing tiles and an underlying sheet material, thereby releasably attaching the tiles to each other and to the upper surface of the underlying sheet material,\nwherein each rain diverting device serves to direct rain and snowmelt away from a separation between adjacent tiles and the underlying sheet material and down onto tiles one or more rows below the separation between adjacent tiles,\nwherein the roofing tiles are selected from the group of slate, slate substitute and rubber slate tiles.",
"24. A system of pitched roofing, which comprises:\na sheet material for adhering to a roof deck, which has an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface including a hook and loop fastener;\na plurality of roofing tiles each having a front face and a back face and a length extending from an upper edge to a lower edge, wherein the back face of each tile has opposing side-edge portions;\nhook and loop fasteners adhered to and covering a portion of the back face of each tile including a portion of the opposing side-edge portions;\na plurality of rain diverting devices, each device having one surface made up of a plurality of hook portions and an opposing surface made up of a plurality of portions complementary to the hook portions,\nwherein each rain diverting device is positioned between, extending along at least the entire length of two adjacent tiles, and releasably attached to the hook and loop fasteners located on a side-edge portion of the adjacent tiles and the sheet material, thereby releasably attaching the tiles to each other and to the upper surface of the underlying sheet material,\nwherein each rain diverting device serves to direct rain and snowmelt away from a separation between adjacent tiles and the underlying sheet material and down onto tiles one or more rows below the separation between adjacent tiles,\nwherein the roofing tiles are selected from the group of slate, slate substitute and rubber slate tiles, and\nwherein the roofing tiles are single lapped with exposed portions of the front face of each tile ranging from about 71 to about 93% of the total area of the front face."
],
[
"1. A roofing panel comprising:\nan upper surface to be exposed to ambience when the roofing panel is installed on a roof;\na forward edge portion;\na rear headlap portion opposite the forward edge portion;\na first end portion extending between the forward edge portion and the headlap portion at a first end of the panel and a second end portion extending between the forward edge portion and the headlap portion at a second end of the panel opposite the first end;\nthe forward edge portion comprising a downwardly extending skirt having a return flange extending from a bottom edge of the skirt;\nthe rear headlap portion comprising an open channel extending at least partially along its length and having a forward wall, a bottom wall, and a back wall, with the forward wall being defined by a downward step between the upper surface and the bottom wall, the open channel being sized to receive the return flange and a portion of the skirt of the forward edge of a like panel to interlock two panels together front-to-back; and\na nailing flange extending rearwardly of the open channel for receiving fasteners attaching the roof panel to a roof deck.",
"2. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a locking tab extending partially across the open channel and being configured to capture the return flange of the like panel.",
"3. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 2 wherein the return flange extends rearwardly from the bottom edge of the skirt.",
"4. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 3 wherein the locking tab extends forwardly from the back wall across a portion of the open channel.",
"5. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 1 wherein the open channel is integrally formed with the roofing panel.",
"6. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 5 wherein the roofing panel is roll formed from a sheet of the roofing panel material having a substantially constant thickness.",
"7. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 1 wherein a portion of the open channel is cut away at the first end of the panel so that the first end may be overlapped by the second end of a like panel to join the panels in end-to-end relationship.",
"8. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 7 further comprising an upturned wall extending along the cut away portion forming a dam to inhibit seepage of water at the tops of two end-to-end overlapping panels.",
"9. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 1 wherein the open channel is upwardly open.",
"10. A roofing panel installation comprising a plurality of the roofing panels of claim 9 installed in courses with the skirts and return flanges of panels in upper courses being interlocked within the upwardly open channels of panels in the next lower course of panels.",
"11. A roofing panel comprising an upper surface, a forward edge portion, a rear edge portion, a first end portion, and a second end portion, the forward edge portion being formed to define a downwardly projecting skirt having a return flange extending at an angle from a lower edge of the skirt, the rear edge portion being formed to define an elongated upwardly open channel having a forward wall, a bottom wall, and a back wall, with the forward wall being defined by a downward step between the upper surface and the bottom wall, the open channel being sized to receive the return flange and at least a portion of the skirt of a like panel for attaching the forward edge portion of the like panel to the rear edge portion of the panel.",
"12. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 11 wherein the return flange extends rearwardly from the skirt.",
"13. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 11 wherein the return flange extends rearwardly and upwardly from the skirt.",
"14. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 11 further comprising a locking tab projecting across a portion of the upwardly open channel.",
"15. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 14 where the locking tab is configured to capture the return flange when the return flange and at least a portion of the skirt are inserted into the upwardly open channel of a like roofing panel.",
"16. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 11 wherein a portion of the upwardly open channel is cut away at the first end of the panel to accommodate end-to-end overlapping of two like panels on a roof.",
"17. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 16 further comprising an upturned wall extending along the rear of the cut away portion forming a dam against water migration.",
"18. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 11 wherein the panel is formed with a textured upwardly facing surface.",
"19. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 18 wherein the upwardly facing surface is textured to mimic a traditional shingle.",
"20. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 19 wherein the traditional shingle is a slate shingle.",
"21. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 19 wherein the traditional shingle is a shake shingle.",
"22. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 19 wherein the traditional shingle is an asphalt shingle.",
"23. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 19 wherein the traditional shingle is a barrel shingle."
],
[
"1. A shingle configured for attachment to a roof, the shingle comprising:\na body comprising a first side and a second side;\nwherein the first side comprises a water diverter tab and an anchor tab opening; and\nwherein the second side comprises an anchor tab and a water diverter tab opening.",
"2. The shingle of claim 1, wherein the water diverter tab comprises: a base; and a lip.",
"3. The shingle of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of braces extending downward from the body.",
"4. The shingle of claim 3, wherein the shingle further comprises a cross-bar extending downward from the body and connecting the plurality of braces.",
"5. The shingle of claim 3, wherein the shingle further comprises a first side wall and wherein the plurality of braces and the first side wall comprise a wedge-shaped portion.",
"6. The shingle of claim 1, further comprising: a first side wall extending downward from the first side and a second side wall extending downward from the second side.",
"7. A method for installing shingles, the method comprising:\nsecuring a first shingle, wherein the first shingle comprises an upper end and a first side comprising an anchor tab and a water diverter tab opening,\nto an underlying surface by inserting at least one fastener through the upper end of the first shingle and at least one fastener through the anchor tab of the first shingle;\ninterlocking a second shingle with the first shingle, wherein the second shingle comprises an upper end, a first side comprising an anchor tab, and a second side comprising a water diverter tab,\nby inserting the water diverter tab of the second shingle through the water diverter tab opening of the first shingle; and\nsecuring the second shingle to the underlying surface by inserting at least one fastener through the upper end of the second shingle and at least one fastener through the anchor tab of the second shingle.",
"8. The method of claim 7, wherein the second side of the shingle further comprises an anchor tab opening, and wherein the interlocking step further comprises nesting the anchor tab of the first shingle in the anchor tab opening of the second shingle."
],
[
"1. A system of roofing, which comprises:\na sheet material for adhering to a roof deck, which has an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface including a hook and loop fastener;\na plurality of roofing tiles each having a width and a front and back face;\na plurality of strips having a width, with hook and loop fasteners on a surface thereof, which are adhered to and extend across at least a portion of the width of each roofing tile, the plurality of strips comprising a strip A on an upper portion of the front face of each roofing tile at a distance from an upper edge thereof, and strips B and C on an upper and on a lower portion of the back face near upper and lower edges thereof;\na plurality of elongate rain diverting devices, each having a front and a back face with a corresponding lower edge, wherein for each elongate rain diverting device, a strip I of hook and loop fasteners, having a width is adhered along the lower edge of the front face of the elongate rain diverting device, and a strip II of hook and loop fasteners, having a width is adhered along the lower edge of the back face of the elongate rain diverting device,\nwherein once roofing tiles of the plurality of rooting tiles are arranged in a course or row on the roof deck and releasably attached to the sheet material by way of the strip B, an elongate rain diverting device of the plurality of elongate rain diverting devices is positioned on the upper portion of the front face of each roofing tile, extending above each roofing tile and onto the sheet material, and across the roof deck, and is releasably attached to each roofing tile by way of the strip II of the elongate rain diverting device being releasably attached to the strip A of each roofing tile,\nwherein as each subsequent row of roofing tiles of the plurality of roofing tiles is arranged on the roof deck, partially overlapping an underlying row with a partially overlying elongate rain diverting device of the plurality of elongate rain diverting devices, each roofing tile in the subsequent row is releasably attached to the elongate rain diverting device by way of the strip C of the roofing tile being releasably attached to the strip I of the elongate rain diverting device and is releasably attached to the sheet material by way of the strip B of the roofing tile being releasably attached to the hook and loop fastener on the upper surface of the sheet material.",
"2. The system of roofing of claim 1, wherein the width of the strips adhered to the elongate rain diverting device approximates the width of the strips adhered to each tile.",
"3. The system of roofing of claim 1, wherein the elongate rain diverting device is made from an ultraviolet-resistant, waterproof, polymeric material.",
"4. The system of roofing of claim 3, wherein the polymeric material is a high-density polyethylene polymeric material.",
"5. The system of roofing of claim 1, wherein the rain diverting device is a rolled sheet-like material having a thickness of less than or equal to about 3 millimeters and a width ranging from about 15 to about 35 centimeters, which extends across all or at least a major portion of the width of the roof deck.",
"6. The system of roofing of claim 1, wherein the roofing tiles are selected from the group of slabs or shingles made from asphalt, wood, cement, fiber-cement mixtures, concrete, clay or ceramic material, slate or slate substitute, rubber slate, and other hardwearing materials and metal.",
"7. The system of roofing of claim 6, wherein the roofing tiles are selected from the group of slate, slate substitute and rubber slate tiles.",
"8. The system of roofing of claim 1, wherein the upper surface of the sheet material contains a grid pattern for providing a reference for placement of the tiles pressed down upon it.",
"9. The system of roofing of claim 1, wherein the lower surface of the sheet material is adhered to an insulation board, which is adhered to the roof deck.",
"10. The system of roofing of claim 1, wherein each strip has a width greater than about 2.54 centimeters.",
"11. The system of roofing of claim 10, wherein each strip has a width ranging from about 3.8 to about 6.4 centimeters.",
"12. The system of roofing of claim 1, wherein each strip has a thickness of less than or equal to about 3 millimeters.",
"13. The system of roofing of claim 1, wherein the hook and loop fasteners on the upper surface of the sheet material are hook fasteners.",
"14. The system of roofing of claim 13, wherein the strip A adhered to the front face of each roofing tile are hook fasteners and the strips B and C adhered to the back face of each roofing tile are loop fasteners.",
"15. The system of roofing of claim 14, wherein the strip I adhered along the lower edge of the front face of the elongate rain diverting device are hook fasteners, and the strip II adhered along the lower edge of the back face of the elongate rain diverting device are loop fasteners.",
"16. The system of roofing of claim 1, wherein the roofing tiles are single lapped with exposed portions of the front face of each tile ranging from about 59 to about 82% of the total area of the front face.",
"17. A method of installing tiles on a roof, which comprises:\nproviding a sheet material having an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface including a hook and loop fastener; securing the lower surface of the sheet material to a roof deck;\nproviding a plurality of roofing tiles, each roofing tile having a width and a front and back face,\nwherein strips of hook and loop fasteners are adhered to and extend across at least a portion of the width of each roofing tile, the strips comprising a strip A on an upper portion of the front face at a distance from an upper edge thereof, and strips B and C on an upper and on a lower portion of the back face near upper and lower edges thereof;\nproviding a plurality of elongate rain diverting devices, each having a front face and a back face with a lower edge, wherein for each elongate rain diverting device, a strip I of hook and loop fasteners, having a width is adhered along the lower edge of the front face of the elongate rain diverting device of the plurality of elongate rain diverting devices, and a strip II of hook and loop fasteners, having a width is adhered along the lower edge of the back face of the elongate rain diverting device,\nwherein, once roofing tiles of the plurality of roofing tiles are arranged in a course or row on the roof deck and adhered to the sheet material by way of the strip B of each roofing tile,\npositioning an elongate rain diverting device of the plurality of elongate rain diverting devices on the upper portion of the front face of each roofing tile, extending above each roofing tile onto the sheet material, adhering the elongate rain diverting device to each roofing tile by way of the strip II of the elongate rain diverting device being releasably attached to the strip A of each roofing tile,\nwherein as each subsequent row of tiles is arranged on the roof deck, partially overlapping an underlying row with an overlying elongate rain diverting device of the plurality of elongate rain diverting devices, releasably attaching each roofing tile to an underlying elongate rain diverting device of the plurality of elongate rain diverting devices by way of the strip C of each roofing tile being releasably attached to the strip I of the underlying elongate rain diverting device, releasably attaching each roofing tile to the sheet material by way of strip B of each roofing tile being releasably attached to the hook and loop fastener on the upper surface of the sheet material, and positioning another elongate rain diverting device of the plurality of elongate rain diverting devices, on the upper portion of the front face of each roofing tile in the subsequent row, extending above each roofing tile onto the sheet material, and across the roof deck, and adhering the elongate rain diverting device to each roofing tile by way of the strip II of the elongate rain diverting device being releasably attached to the strip A of each roofing tile.",
"18. A method of using a plurality of elongate rain diverting devices to direct rainwater and snowmelt away from an underlying sheet material on a roof deck, each elongate rain diverting device having strips of hook and loop fasteners adhered to lower edges of opposing faces, wherein for each row of tiles installed on the roof deck, the method comprises: positioning and releasably attaching the elongate rain diverting device to upper portions of exposed faces of the tiles in the row prior to installation of a subsequent, partially overlying row, the elongate rain diverting device extending above each tile onto the sheet material and across the roof deck, wherein each elongate rain diverting device serves to divert rainwater and snowmelt away from separations between adjacent tiles and the underlying sheet material."
],
[
"1. An elevated retainer for retaining roofing tile against a roofing surface, the elevated retainer comprising:\na retainer head, the retainer head having a base and a top, the base being adapted for placement near the roofing surface so that the base is closer to the roofing surface than the top, the retainer head having a retainer nail channel;\na reinforcing strip that extends from the retainer head, the reinforcing strip being adapted for extending from the retainer head in a direction that is generally parallel to the roofing surface when the base of the retainer head is placed against the roofing surface, the reinforcing strip having a nail slot that extends through the reinforcing strip;\na lug retainer, the lug retainer being a cantilevered section that extends from the base of the retainer head in substantially the same direction as the reinforcing strip, the lug retainer having a lug upper end and a lug lower end, the lug retainer further having a lug hook that is at a distance from the base of the retainer head, so that attachment of the elevated retainer through the use of a nail through the retainer nail channel and into the roofing surface while the reinforcing strip and the lug retainer extend towards from the retainer head towards the lower roofing surface allows the insertion of the roofing tile into the elevated retainer with the lugs of the roofing tile are engaged by the lug retainer while the tile lies between the reinforcing strip and the lug retainer;\nat least one foot comprising a resilient protrusion that extends from the lug retainer towards the reinforcing strip.",
"2. An elevated retainer according to claim 1 wherein said foot is of integral, one-piece construction with the lug retainer.",
"3. An elevated retainer according to claim 2 and further comprising a nail channel comprising an aperture that extends from the top to the bottom of the retainer head.",
"4. An elevated retainer according to claim 3 wherein said retainer head includes a V-shaped leading edge comprising a pair of angled surfaces that extend from top to the bottom of the retainer, and is adapted for diverting a flow of water around the elevated retainer.",
"5. An elevated retainer for retaining roofing tile against a roofing surface that is sloped from an upper roofing surface towards a lower roofing surface, the elevated retainer comprising:\na retainer head, the retainer head having a base and a top, the base being adapted for placement near the roofing surface so that the base is closer to the roofing surface than the top, the retainer head having a retainer nail channel;\na reinforcing strip that extends from the retainer head, the reinforcing strip being adapted for extending from the retainer head in a direction that is generally parallel to the roofing surface when the base of the retainer head is placed against the roofing surface, the reinforcing strip having an aperture therethrough, the aperture defining a nail slot that extends through the reinforcing strip;\na lug retainer, the lug retainer being a cantilevered section that extends from the base of the retainer head in substantially the same direction as the reinforcing strip, the lug retainer having a lug hook comprising a section that is bent up towards the reinforcing strip, the lug hook being at a distance from the base of the retainer head, said lug retainer further comprises a pair of resilient elevated feet that extend from the lug retainer towards the reinforcing strip, the elevated feet comprising a pair of cantilevered projections that are of integral, one-piece construction with the lug retainer and are positioned between the lug hook and the retainer head, so that attachment of the elevated retainer through the use of a nail through the retainer nail channel and into the roofing surface while the reinforcing strip and the lug retainer extend towards from the retainer head towards the lower roofing surface allows the insertion of the roofing tile into the elevated retainer with the lugs of the roofing tile are engaged by the lug retainer while the tile lies between the reinforcing strip and the lug retainer.",
"6. An elevated retainer according to claim 5 and further comprising a nail channel comprising an aperture that extends from the top to the bottom of the retainer head.",
"7. An elevated retainer according to claim 6 wherein said reinforcing strip is tilted towards said lug retainer.",
"8. An elevated retainer according to claim 7 and further comprising a nail channel comprising an aperture that extends from the top to the bottom of the retainer head.",
"9. A method for retaining a roofing tile against a roofing surface that is sloped from an upper roofing surface towards a lower roofing surface, the method comprising:\nproviding a elevated retainer having:\na retainer head, the retainer head having a base and a top, the base being adapted for placement near the roofing surface so that the base is closer to the roofing surface than the top, the retainer head having a retainer nail channel;\na reinforcing strip that extends from the retainer head, the reinforcing strip being adapted for extending from the retainer head in a direction that is generally parallel to the roofing surface when the base of the retainer head is placed against the roofing surface, the reinforcing strip having an aperture therethrough, the aperture defining a nail slot that extends through the reinforcing strip; and\na pair of lug retainers, each of the lug retainer comprising a cantilevered section that extends from the base of the retainer head in substantially the same direction as the reinforcing strip, each of the lug retainers having a lug hook comprising a section that is bent up towards the reinforcing strip, the lug hook being at a distance from the base of the retainer head at least one of said lug retainers further comprising a pair of resilient elevated feet that extend from the lug retainer towards the reinforcing strip, the elevated feet comprising a pair of cantilevered protections that are of integral, one-piece construction with the lug retainer and are positioned between the lug hook and the retainer head;\nfastening the retainer head against the roofing surface by driving a nail through the nail channel such that the base of the head faces the roofing surface, while the lug retainer and the reinforcing strip extend towards the lower roofing surface;\nproviding a roofing tile having a tile upper surface and a tile lower surface, the tile lower surface having a pair of spaced-apart lugs that extend from the tile lower surface, the roofing tile further having a nail hole that extends through the tile from the tile upper surface to the tile lower surface;\ninserting the roofing tile into the elevated retainer such that the lugs of the roofing tile are engaged by the lug retainer while the tile lies between the reinforcing strip and the lug retainer, and such that the retainer nail channel extends over the tile nail hole; and\ninserting a nail through the retainer nail channel and through the tile nail hole and into the roofing surface."
],
[
"1. A weather shield assembly for tile roofs, comprising:\na sheet of water resistant roofing material constructed to extend over a roof;\na water resistant shield strip disposed above said sheet of water resistant roofing material; and\na tile fastener comprising a mounting portion fixed in a first location above both said sheet of water resistant roofing material and said water resistant shield strip and a shank portion extending from said mounting portion into a hook portion, said shank portion having a wing portion extending laterally below each side of said hook portion between said sheet of water resistant roofing material and said water resistant shield strip.",
"2. The weather shield assembly of claim 1, wherein said tile fastener is fixed to said sheet of water resistant roofing material and said water resistant shield strip with a staple.",
"3. A preassembled weather shield assembly for tile roofs, comprising;\na sheet of water resistant roofing material constructed to overlie a roof deck;\na plurality of water resistant shield strips coupled to said sheet of water resistant roofing material;\na plurality of tile fasteners respectively coupled to said plurality water resistant shield strips and to said sheet of water resistant roofing material; and\neach of said plurality of tile fasteners comprising a first fastener portion extending through a first portion of one of said water resistant shield strips and a second fastener portion extending through a second portion of said one of said water resistant shield strips wherein said first fastener portion comprises a shank portion extending on top of said sheet of water resistant roofing material and extending underneath said one of said water resistant shield strips between said first and second portions of said one of said weather resistant shield strips.",
"4. The preassembled weather shield assembly of claim 3, wherein one of said plurality of tile fasteners comprises laterally-extending wing portions extending under one of said plurality of shield strips.",
"5. The preassembled weather shield assembly of claim 3, wherein said second fastener portion comprises a hook portion extending through and projecting above one of said plurality of water resistant shield strips.",
"6. The preassembled weather shield assembly of claim 3, wherein each of said plurality of shield strips is formed with a slit or slot and wherein each of said plurality of fasteners respectively extends through said slit or slot.",
"7. The preassembled weather shield assembly of claim 3, wherein each of said plurality of shield strips is formed with a hole and wherein each of said plurality fasteners extends through said hole."
],
[
"1. A covering assembly for covering a roof or side of a structure comprising an understructure, a plurality of spaced parallel tracks mounted to said understructure, each of said mounting tracks having a base portion secured to said understructure and an intermediate connecting portion extending away from said base portion with an offset portion extending away from said intermediate portion generally parallel to said base portion, said offset portion terminating in a bent end extending toward said base portion, a plurality of covering panels, each of said covering panels having an exposed side and an underside, a resilient clip mounted around said panel and detachably hooked to said offset portion of said track, said clip having a first free end disposed against said exposed side of said panel and a second free end extending around said offset portion of said track, said second free end terminating in a bent portion hooked around said bent end of said offset portion, and said panels being disposed in rows with each of the panels in a respective row detachably mounted to one of said tracks and with said rows of panels overlapping each other.",
"2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said bent end of said offset portion is a barb extending away from said intermediate connecting portion, and said bent portion of said clip is a barb extending toward said intermediate portion.",
"3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said bent end of said offset portion is inclined toward said intermediate portion, and said bent portion of said clip being inclined away from said intermediate portion.",
"4. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said clip includes recessed reinforcing structure.",
"5. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said track includes stiffening structure.",
"6. The assembly of claim 1 wherein a detachable sheath is on said offset portion of said track.",
"7. A covering assembly for covering a roof or side of a structure comprising an understructure, a plurality of rows of elongated pans, a plurality of rows of covering panels, each of said pans having a central portion defined by elongated side edges joined by upper and lower edges, a hook structure extending generally from one of said edges, said hook structure having a first surface extending downwardly away from said central portion and joined to a second surface generally parallel to said central portion disposed directly below and spaced from said central portion, said hook structure thereby including three mounting surfaces comprising said central portion and the downward extension and said second surface, each of said pans being detachably mounted to said understructure by said hook structure being hooked around and against said understructure, adjacent rows of said pans being mounted to overlap each other with said lower edges of one row of said pans overlapping said upper edges of an adjacent lower row of said pans, each of said panels having elongated side edges joined by upper and lower edges, each of said rows of panels comprising adjacent panels having side edges disposed generally against each other to create sets of longitudinal joints at said side edges of adjacent panels, said panels being disposed over said pans and staggered with respect to said pans, each said pans having a front surface and a rear surface, a panel receiving hook on said front surface detachably mounting said panels to said understructure with said pans located at and below each of said joints, each of said joints being at a location between said side edges of said pan, said location of said pan being imperforate, said pans and said panels being compliantly and tightly mounted to said understructure, the undersurface of a pan being in contact with the outer surface of an underlying panel, and said pan being of generally the same length as said panels at said location of said joint to generally prevent flow of water through said joint directly to said understructure.",
"8. The assembly of claim 7 wherein said panel receiving hook is formed by a wire having a hook formation on said front surface of said pan, and said wire extending around to said rear surface of said pan.",
"9. The assembly of claim 8 wherein said wire extends only partially around said rear surface.",
"10. The assembly of claim 8 wherein said pan has corrugations extending from said upper edge to said lower edge to provide guide recesses for placement of said wire.",
"11. The assembly of claim 8 wherein said wire terminates in an upper free end at said rear surface of said pan, and a lower free end at said rear surface of said pan each of said free ends having a downwardly disposed hook.",
"12. The assembly of claim 11 wherein said upper hook and said lower hook are disposed around tracks mounted to said understructure.",
"13. The assembly of claim 11 wherein said upper hook is disposed between said rear surface of said pan and a track mounted to said undersurface.",
"14. The assembly of claim 11 wherein said upper hook is mounted around said understructure.",
"15. The assembly of claim 11 wherein said lower edge of said pan includes a generally L-shaped extension forming a spacing between said rear surface of said pan and the free end of said L-shaped extension, and said spacing being filled by surface to surface contact between said rear surface of said pan and an underlying one of said panels and an underlying one of said pans and an offset portion of a track mounted to said understructure with an overlying panel being mounted against said front surface of said pan.",
"16. The assembly of claim 7 wherein a pair of said hook structures is provided at said lower edge of said pan.",
"17. The assembly of claim 7 wherein said hook structure is located at at least one of said side edges.",
"18. The assembly of claim 7 wherein said hook structure is detachably mounted to said pan.",
"19. A covering assembly for covering a roof or side of a structure comprising an understructure, a plurality of rows of aligned pans, said pans in each of said rows being spaced from each other, each of said pans having an upper head portion and a lower base portion said head portion being fastened to said understructure, a stabilizing member spanning and connecting a pair of lower adjacent pans, said base portion of an upper pan being located between said pair of lower adjacent pans and engaged with said stabilizing member, and hook structure on each of said pans for receiving a panel.",
"20. The assembly of claim 19 wherein each of said pans includes a side wall having a slot, said stabilizing member being a wire, and said wire disposed in said slot.",
"21. The assembly of claim 19 wherein each of said pans has a pair of parallel side walls, each of said side walls having an integral tab, and said integral tab extending to and connected to one of said lower adjacent pans to comprise said stabilizing member.",
"22. The assembly of claim 19 wherein said hook is integral with said pan.",
"23. The assembly of claim 19 including a hold down band for holding said hook against said pan during wind and storm conditions, said hold down band having a cut out, said hook being disposed in said cut out, and said hold down band extending around said base of said pan to the undersurface of said pan.",
"24. A covering assembly for covering a roof or side of a structure comprising an undersurface in the form of a plurality of spaced battens, a plurality of pans, each of said pans having a head end and a base end, each of said pans having an upper surface, said head end terminating in a downwardly extending flange disposed against an upper batten, said base end having integral tabs secured to a lower one of said battens, a hook mounted to said head end, and a panel received in said hook.",
"25. The assembly of claim 24 wherein said integral tabs extend around at least two side walls of said batten.",
"26. A covering assembly for covering a roof or side of a structure in the form of a plurality of spaced battens, a plurality of spaced aligned track segments on each of said battens, each of said track segments having an upper flange which extends away from said batten and terminates in a free end located in an open space between pairs of adjacent battens, each of said track segments having a side wall disposed against a side wall of said batten each of said track segments having a lower base section disposed against and fastened to a second side wall of said batten, and a panel assembly mounted against said upper wall and engaged with said free end of said upper flange.",
"27. The assembly of claim 26 wherein said free end of said upper flange terminates in a hook structure."
],
[
"1. A roofing system, comprising:\nat least one underlayment layer;\nat least two nail fasteners attached to the at least one underlayment layer and into a roof deck, wherein the roof deck is a steep pitch roof deck having a pitch greater than 2 inches of rise to each 12 inches of run and wherein the head of each of the nail fasteners is above and in communication with the at least one underlayment layer and the shaft is driven through the least one underlayment layer and into the roof deck;\nat least one bead of adhesive applied above the underlayment layer in line with the at least two nail fasteners; and\nat least one metal roofing panel placed on the at least one bead of adhesive applied above the underlayment layer, wherein the at least one metal roofing panel is above the at least two nail fasteners and the at least two nail fasteners do not penetrate the at least one metal roofing panel.",
"2. A roofing system as in claim 1, wherein the at least two nail fasteners are according to a nail pattern that is sets of three offset rows that are perpendicular to a side of the roofing surface and applied a predetermined distance on center through the underlayment layer.",
"3. A roofing system as in claim 2, wherein the predetermined distance is six inches on center.",
"4. A roofing system as in claim 2, wherein the nail pattern is repeated a predetermined length on center.",
"5. A roofing system as in claim 4, wherein the nail pattern is repeated a predetermined length of 24 inches on center.",
"6. A roofing system as in claim 1, wherein the at least one underlayment layer is a self-sealing underlayment layer.",
"7. A roofing system as in claim 1, wherein the at least one underlayment layer has on center fastener location markings according to a nail pattern.",
"8. A roofing system as in claim 1, wherein the at least one underlayment layer is positioned overlapping a row that was previously laid down to create as many rows as are needed to entirely cover the roof deck.",
"9. A roofing system as in claim 1, wherein the underlayment layer is a roll applied underlayment layer.",
"10. A roofing system as in claim 1, wherein the nail fasteners are ring shank roofing nails.",
"11. A roofing system as in claim 1, wherein the at least two nail fasteners are fastened into a wood support of the roof deck.",
"12. A roofing system as in claim 1, wherein the at least two fasteners are in withdrawal and also in shear.",
"13. A roofing system as in claim 1, wherein the at least one underlayment layer is an underlayment roll rolled onto a center tube for attachment to a dispensing handle.",
"14. A roofing system as in claim 1, wherein the adhesive is a two-part epoxy.",
"15. A roofing system as in claim 1, wherein the underlayment layer is an adhesive underlayment layer.",
"16. A roofing system as in claim 15, wherein the adhesive underlayment layer is heat assisted.",
"17. A roofing system as in claim 1, further comprising an asphalt impregnated felt paper under the at least one underlayment layer and above the roof deck."
],
[
"1. Bituminous tile with sealing engagement devices delimiting positioning areas of anchoring nails, which is made in such a way as to comprise a layered tile body comprising an upper face and a lower face, a series of flaps arranged in an aligned sequence, after one another, in correspondence of a lower longitudinal portion of the tile body, wherein each flap is separate from an adjacent one by means of a separation cut, characterised in that at least the upper face of the tile body is provided with at least one sealing engagement device comprising at least one nailing area that identifies an insertion area of at least one anchoring nail, wherein the nailing area is circumscribed by a sealing engagement area, said sealing engagement area being made, alternatively or in combination, of adhesive, thermally adhesive or hot melt material, and wherein the sealing engagement area of the sealing engagement device is intended to enable the sealing of the nailing area in which in a laid condition at least one anchoring nail is inserted, while bondingly engaging at least one portion of the bituminous tile that in a laid condition at least partially overlaps the sealing engagement device.",
"2. Bituminous tile with sealing engagement devices delimiting positioning areas of the anchoring nails according to claim 1, wherein the size of the nailing area is smaller than the size of the sealing engagement area.",
"3. Bituminous tile with sealing engagement devices delimiting positioning areas of the anchoring nails according to claim 1, wherein in a laid condition the sealing engagement devices of the bituminous tile overlapping the underlying bituminous tile are positioned in such a way that the anchoring nail that engages by insertion the nailing area also engages by insertion a portion of the tile body of the underlying bituminous tile.",
"4. Bituminous tile with sealing engagement devices delimiting positioning areas of the anchoring nails according to claim 1, wherein the sealing engagement devices are at least placed in correspondence of the separation cuts above them.",
"5. Bituminous tile with sealing engagement devices delimiting positioning areas of the anchoring nails according to claim 1, wherein the sealing engagement area of the sealing engagement device is at least partly protruding with respect to the plane on which the nailing area lies.",
"6. Bituminous tile with sealing engagement devices delimiting positioning areas of the anchoring nails according to claim 1, wherein a left side of the tile body comprises a reference protrusion, said reference protrusion being provided with an upper wall and with a lower wall that are parallel to each other, and a right side of the tile body realizes a series of recesses in such a way as to create a first reference wall and a second reference wall, wherein the first reference wall of the right side of the tile body is on the same axis as the upper wall of the reference protrusion of the left side of the tile body while the second reference wall of the right side of the tile body is on the same axis as the lower wall of the reference protrusion of the left side of the tile body, wherein the assembly consisting of the upper wall and of the lower wall of the reference protrusion of the left side of the tile body and of the first reference wall and of the second reference wall of the right side of the tile body allows to realize a system of reference indices that allow to simplify the relative positioning for laying of each bituminous tile with respect to the adjacent one and to the underlying one in order to carry out a correct alignment and a correct overlapping thereof for laying, wherein the nailing area of each sealing engagement device is positioned on the tile body in such a way as to be placed immediately below the axis joining the first reference wall of the right side and the upper wall of the reference protrusion of the left side of the tile body.",
"7. Bituminous tile with sealing engagement devices delimiting positioning areas of the anchoring nails according to claim 1, wherein in order to highlight the nailing area, a colour of the nailing area of the sealing engagement device is different from a colour of the sealing engagement area.",
"8. Bituminous tile with sealing engagement devices delimiting positioning areas of the anchoring nails according to claim 1, wherein the nailing area of at least one sealing engagement device is made in such a way that it at least partially comprises the material of which the sealing engagement area is made, and wherein the sealing engagement area is at least partly protruding with respect to the nailing area.",
"9. Bituminous tile with sealing engagement devices delimiting positioning areas of the anchoring nails according to claim 1, wherein the nailing area of at least one sealing engagement device is devoid of the material of which the sealing engagement area is made.",
"10. Bituminous tile with sealing engagement devices delimiting positioning areas of the anchoring nails according to claim 1, wherein the sealing engagement area of the sealing engagement devices comprises at least one horizontal band whose dimensions in length are prevailing with respect to the remaining part of the sealing engagement area."
],
[
"1. A shingle blank comprising a substrate coated with an asphalt coating and having an upper surface and a lower surface, the blank including a first prime region and a second prime region, wherein the first prime region is substantially covered by a prime covering having a first overall visual effect and the second prime region is substantially covered by a second prime covering having a second overall visual effect different from the first overall visual effect, with the shingle blank being capable of being divided into individual cap shingles that can be applied to a roof ridge or hip, with the cap shingles including both the first and second prime regions, thereby enabling the cap shingles to be installed in an overlapping manner on the hip or ridge with either the first or the second prime regions being exposed.",
"2. The shingle blank of claim 1 including perforation lines to aid the cutting of the shingle blank into individual cap shingles.",
"3. The shingle blank of claim 1 in which the overall visual effect comprises prime coverings made from prime granules having a difference in color, ΔE, between the first overall visual effect and the second overall visual effect, the difference being less than 25 using CIELAB measurements.",
"4. The shingle blank of claim 1 in which the first overall visual effect comprises first prime granules of a first dark color and the second overall visual effect comprises second prime granules of a second dark color.",
"5. The shingle blank of claim 1 in which the first overall visual effect comprises first prime granules having a frequently used color and the second overall visual effect comprises second prime granules having a seldomly used color.",
"6. The shingle blank of claim 1 including courtesy cuts to aid the cutting of the shingle blank into individual cap shingles.",
"7. The shingle blank of claim 1 in which the colors selected for the first overall visual effect and the second overall visual effect are prime coverings made from prime granules having limited to colors less than or equal to 50 as measured on the CIELAB L* scale.",
"8. The shingle blank of claim 1 wherein the difference between the first overall visual effect and the second overall visual effect is that the second overall visual effect includes a shadow line.",
"9. The shingle blank of claim 1 wherein the first and second prime regions are provided on the upper surface of the shingle blank, said blank further comprising a sealant line is positioned on the upper surface of the shingle blank between the first and second prime regions.",
"10. A method of manufacturing an asphalt-based roofing material, comprising the steps of:\ncoating a substrate with an asphalt coating to form an asphalt coated sheet, the asphalt coated sheet including an upper surface and a lower surface, the substrate configured to include a first prime region and a second prime region;\napplying a first portion of prime granules to the first prime region;\napplying a second portion of prime granules to the second prime region, wherein the overall visual effect of the first prime region is different from the overall visual effect of the second prime region; and\ncutting the coated substrate into shingle blanks.",
"11. The method of claim 10 including adding perforation lines to the coated substrate to facilitate the separation of the shingle blank into cap shingles.",
"12. The method of claim 10 in which the overall visual effect comprises a difference in color, ΔE, between the first overall visual effect and the second overall visual effect, said difference being less than 25 using CIELAB measurements.",
"13. The method of claim 10 in which the first overall visual effect comprises a dark color and the second overall visual effect comprises a dark color.",
"14. The method of claim 10 in which the first overall visual effect comprises a frequently used color and the second overall visual effect comprises a seldomly used color",
"15. The method of claim 10 in which colors selected for the first overall visual effect and the second overall visual effect are limited to colors less than or equal to 50 as measured on the CIELAB L* scale.",
"16. The method of claim 10 including applying a shadow line to at least one of the prime regions.",
"17. A method of installing an asphalt-based hip and ridge roofing material, comprising the steps of:\nproviding an asphalt-based shingle blank, the shingle blank having a substrate coated with an asphalt coating and having an upper surface and a lower surface, the substrate configured to include a first prime region and a second prime region, wherein the first prime region is substantially covered by prime granules having a first overall visual effect and the second prime region is substantially covered by prime granules having a second overall visual effect different from the first overall visual effect, wherein both of the first and second prime regions are configured to be an exposed shingle portion on a hip or a ridge of a roof;\nseparating the shingle blank into individual cap shingles, each cap shingle including both the first and second prime regions;\ndetermining which of the first or second prime regions will be an exposed region of the installed cap shingles; and\ninstalling the cap shingles on the roof.",
"18. The method of claim 17 including trimming the edges of the prime region of the cap shingle that is to be hidden and not exposed.",
"19. The method of claim 17 in which the first overall visual effect is a first dark color and the second overall visual effect is a second dark color.",
"20. The method of claim 17 in which the first overall visual effect is a frequently used color and the second overall visual effect is a seldomly used color",
"21. A shingle blank having an upper surface and a lower surface, the blank configured to include a first prime region and a second prime region, wherein the first prime region has a first overall visual effect and the second prime region has a second overall visual effect different from the first overall visual effect, with the shingle blank being capable of being divided into individual cap shingles for application to a roof ridge or hip, with the cap shingles including both the first and second prime regions, thereby enabling the cap shingles to be installed in an overlapping manner on the hip or ridge with either the first or the second prime colors being exposed.",
"22. The shingle blank of claim 21 in which the shingle blank is a metallic material.",
"23. The shingle blank of claim 21 in which the shingle blank is comprised of a substrate coated with an asphalt coating, with the first prime region being substantially covered by prime granules having the first overall visual effect and the second prime region being substantially covered by prime granules having the second overall visual effect.",
"24. A cap shingle having an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface configured to include a first prime region and a second prime region, wherein the first prime region has a first overall visual effect and the second prime region has a second overall visual effect different from the first overall visual effect, with the cap shingle being configured to be installed in an overlapping manner on a hip or ridge of a roof with either the first or the second prime colors being exposed.",
"25. The cap shingle of claim 24 in which the cap shingle is a metallic material.",
"26. The cap shingle of claim 24 in which the cap shingle is comprised of a substrate coated with an asphalt coating, with the first prime region being substantially covered by prime granules having the first overall visual effect and the second prime region being substantially covered by prime granules having the second overall visual effect."
],
[
"1. A hybrid shingle for cladding a structure comprising a roofing substrate, the hybrid shingle comprising:\na first layer comprising a metallic substrate or a polymeric substrate and at least partially defining a headlap region of the shingle, a buttlap region of the shingle comprising one or more tabs interspersed with inter-tab openings, an outward-facing surface of the first layer, and a substrate-facing surface of the first layer; and\na second layer comprising a base and asphalt, having a smaller area than the first layer, and at least partially defining the buttlap region of the shingle,\nwherein the second layer is fixed to the substrate-facing surface of the first layer and the second layer is from about 2 to about 10 times thicker than the first layer.",
"2. A hybrid shingle according to claim 1, wherein the first layer completely covers the second layer except at the inter-tab openings.",
"3. A hybrid shingle according to claim 1, wherein the first layer comprises a metallic substrate.",
"4. A hybrid shingle according to claim 3, wherein the metallic substrate comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of steel, an alloy, copper, aluminum, and combinations thereof.",
"5. A hybrid shingle according to claim 3, wherein the polymer comprises a thermoplastic polyolefin.",
"6. A hybrid shingle according to claim 1, wherein the first layer comprises a polymeric substrate.",
"7. A hybrid shingle according to claim 1, wherein the outward-facing surface of the first layer is at least partially covered with a material selected from the group consisting of paint, acrylic, epoxy, tar, stones, nano granules, metal flakes, coated mica, a radiant barrier, and combinations thereof.",
"8. A hybrid shingle according to claim 1, wherein the base comprises glass fiber.",
"9. A hybrid shingle according to claim 1, wherein the second layer further comprises an outward-facing surface comprising mineral granules.",
"10. A hybrid shingle according to claim 1, wherein the second layer comprises a colored additive.",
"11. A hybrid shingle according to claim 1, wherein the first layer is thinner than the second layer, lighter than the second layer, or thinner and lighter than the second layer.",
"12. A hybrid shingle according to claim 11, wherein the shingle is thinner than a corresponding non-hybrid shingle, lighter than the corresponding non-hybrid shingle, or thinner and lighter than the corresponding non-hybrid shingle.",
"13. A hybrid shingle according to claim 12, wherein the non-hybrid shingle is an asphalt shingle.",
"14. A hybrid shingle according to claim 1, wherein first layer further comprises a fastener region positioned between the headlap and buttlap regions of the shingle.",
"15. A hybrid roofing system for cladding a structure comprising a roofing substrate, the hybrid roofing system comprising:\na plurality of hybrid shingles each hybrid shingle having a first layer and a second layer, the first layer comprising a metallic substrate or a polymeric substrate and at least partially defining a headlap region of the shingle, a buttlap region of the shingle comprising one or more tabs interspersed with inter-tab openings, an outward-facing surface of the first layer, and a substrate-facing surface of the first layer, the second layer comprising a base and asphalt, having a smaller area than the first layer, and at least partially defining the buttlap region of the shingle; and\nan underlayment, wherein the total thickness of the hybrid shingle is about 128 mils, wherein the thickness of the first layer is about 18 mils, wherein the second layer is fixed to the substrate-facing surface of the first layer, and wherein the second layer is from about 2 to about 10 times thicker than the first layer.",
"16. A hybrid roofing system according to claim 15, wherein the hybrid shingles are arranged in at least a first row and a second row at least partially overlapping the first row.",
"17. A hybrid roofing system according to claim 16, wherein at least a portion of the headlap of the at least one shingle in the second row overlaps at least a portion of the headlap of the at least one shingle in the first row.",
"18. A hybrid roofing system according to claim 17, wherein the first layer comprises a metallic substrate.",
"19. A hybrid roofing system according to claim 18, wherein the metallic substrate comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of steel, an alloy, copper, aluminum, and combinations thereof.",
"20. A hybrid roofing system according to claim 18, wherein the substrate is completely covered by at least one layer of metallic substrate.",
"21. A hybrid roofing system according to claim 16, wherein the first layer completely covers the second layer except at the inter-tab openings.",
"22. A hybrid roofing system according to claim 16, wherein the first layer comprises a metallic substrate.",
"23. A hybrid roofing system according to claim 22, wherein the metallic substrate comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of steel, an alloy, copper, aluminum, and combinations thereof.",
"24. A hybrid roofing system according to claim 16, wherein the first layer comprises a polymeric substrate."
],
[
"1. A method of stimulating the immune system in a patient in need thereof, comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of ITE or a structural analog thereof to the patient, wherein ITE has structural formula 1:",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the ITE structural analog is a compound of structural formula 2:",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein the ITE structural analog is a compound of structural formula 3:",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein the ITE structural analog is a compound of structural formula 4:\nwherein:\nX and Y are independently selected from the group consisting of O (oxygen) and S (sulfur);\nRN is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halo, cyano, formyl, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkanoyl, haloalkanoyl, and a nitrogen protective group;\nR1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halo, hydroxy, thiol, cyano, formyl, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, amino, nitro, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, thioalkoxy, alkanoyl, haloalkanoyl, and carbonyloxy;\nR7 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halo, hydroxy, thiol, cyano, formyl, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, amino, nitro, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, and thioalkoxy; and\nR6 is\nwherein Rg is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halo, cyano, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkenyl, and alkynyl; or\nR6 is\nwherein R9 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halo, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkenyl, and alkynyl; or\nR6 is\nwherein R10 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halo, hydroxy, thiol, cyano, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, and nitro; or\nR6 is\nwherein R11 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halo, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkenyl, and alkynyl.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein the patient has an increased count of cells selected from the group consisting of white blood cells, neutrophils, lymphocytes, and platelets after the administering step.",
"6. The method of claim 1, comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of ITE to the patient.",
"7. The method of claim 6, wherein the patient has an increased count of white blood cells after the administering step.",
"8. The method of claim 6, wherein the patient has an increased count of neutrophils after the administering step.",
"9. The method of claim 6, wherein the patient has an increased count of lymphocytes after the administering step.",
"10. The method of claim 6, wherein the patient has an increased count of platelets after the administering step."
],
[
"1. A roofing component, comprising:\nat least a first layer and a second layer of polyethylene thermoplastic, the first layer having a first color and the second layer having a second color, wherein the roofing component has a first side of the first color and a second side of the second color; and\na UV absorber comprising between approximately 1 and less than 3 wt. % carbon black substantially uniformly mixed with the polyethylene thermoplastic.",
"2. The roofing component of claim 1, wherein the first layer and the second layer of polyethylene thermoplastic comprise a high density polyethylene (HDPE).",
"3. The roofing component of claim 1, wherein the UV absorber comprises between approximately 2 and approximately 2.5 wt. % carbon black.",
"4. The roofing component of claim 1, wherein the roofing component comprises a step flashing with a body comprising:\na length and a width of between about 8 inches and about 12 inches;\na thickness of between about 0.25 mm and about 1.0 mm; and\na fold to form a vertical projecting portion and a horizontal projecting portion, wherein a fold angle between the vertical projecting portion and the horizontal projecting portion is between about 45 degrees and about 135 degrees.",
"5. The roofing component of claim 4, further comprising:\na protrusion formed on the vertical projecting portion, the protrusion extending within an interior of the fold angle.",
"6. The roofing component of claim 1, wherein the roofing component comprises a shingle.",
"7. The roofing component of claim 1, wherein the first layer and the second layer are one of individually extruded and coextruded.",
"8. The roofing component of claim 1, wherein the first color is substantially black and the second color is off-white.",
"9. The roofing component of claim 1, wherein at least one surface of the roofing component has a three-dimensional relief simulating a natural material comprising any one of wood shake, tile, and slate.",
"10. The roofing component of claim 1, wherein at least one surface of the roofing component includes a decoration comprising at least one of an ink and a paint applied to the at least one surface.",
"11. The roofing component of claim 1, wherein at least one surface of the roofing component includes a pigment.",
"12. A step flashing, comprising:\na first layer of a high density polyethylene (HDPE) having a first color; and\na second layer of a HDPE having a second color, wherein the first and second layers include between approximately 1 and less than 3 wt. % carbon black, and wherein the step flashing has a thickness of between about 0.25 mm and about 1.0 mm.",
"13. The step flashing of claim 12, wherein the first color is substantially black and the second color is approximately white.",
"14. The step flashing of claim 12, wherein the carbon black is substantially uniformly mixed with the HDPE of the first and second layers.",
"15. The step flashing of claim 12, wherein the first layer and the second layer are one of individually extruded and coextruded.",
"16. The step flashing of claim 12, wherein the first and second layers include between approximately 2 and approximately 2.5 wt. % carbon black.",
"17. The step flashing of claim 12, wherein at least one surface of the step flashing is decorated with at least one of an ink and a paint."
],
[
"1. A shingle comprising:\na substrate having a first asphalt coating on a top surface of the substrate and a bottom surface of the substrate;\na surface layer of granules embedded in the first asphalt coating on the top surface of the substrate;\na backdust layer of particles embedded in the first asphalt coating on the bottom surface of the substrate;\na sealant layer comprising a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the top surface of the sealant layer abuts the backdust layer; and\na hydrophobic coating disposed on the bottom surface of the sealant layer, wherein the hydrophobic coating comprises a silicone,\nwherein the hydrophobic coating is disposed on the backdust layer and the sealant layer around a perimeter of the shingle,\nwherein the hydrophobic coating extends a distance between about 0.5 inches and about 3 inches from each edge of a lower surface of the shingle.",
"2. The shingle according to claim 1, wherein the hydrophobic coating is disposed on both the backdust layer and the sealant layer.",
"3. The shingle according to claim 1, wherein the hydrophobic coating covers the entire bottom surface of the sealant layer.",
"4. The shingle according to claim 1, wherein the hydrophobic coating covers the entire bottom surface of the substrate.",
"5. The shingle according to claim 1, wherein the hydrophobic coating is disposed on a top surface of the shingle.",
"6. The shingle according to claim 1, wherein a contact angle of the sealant layer with the hydrophobic coating is greater than 70 degrees.",
"7. A method of manufacturing a shingle, the method comprising:\ncoating a substrate with asphalt to form an asphalt coated substrate;\napplying a plurality of granules to a top surface of the asphalt coated substrate;\napplying a backdust material to a bottom surface of the asphalt coated substrate;\napplying a sealant layer to the backdust material, wherein the sealant layer comprises a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the top surface of the sealant layer abuts the backdust material; and\napplying a hydrophobic coating to the bottom surface of the sealant layer, wherein the hydrophobic coating comprises a silicone.",
"8. The method according to claim 7, further comprising applying the hydrophobic coating to at least a portion of the backdust material.",
"9. The method according to claim 7, further comprising applying the hydrophobic coating to an entire bottom surface of the shingle.",
"10. The method according to claim 7, wherein the hydrophobic coating is applied to the entire bottom surface of the sealant layer.",
"11. The method according to claim 7, further comprising applying the hydrophobic coating to at least a portion of the backdust material, wherein the hydrophobic coating is applied to the backdust material and sealant layer around a perimeter of the shingle.",
"12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the hydrophobic coating extends a distance between about 0.5 inches and about 3 inches from each edge of a lower surface of the shingle.",
"13. The method according to claim 7, further comprising applying the hydrophobic coating to a top surface of the shingle.",
"14. The method according to claim 7, wherein a contact angle of the sealant layer with the hydrophobic coating is greater than 70 degrees.",
"15. The method according to claim 7, wherein the hydrophobic coating is applied to the bottom surface of the sealant layer by spraying the hydrophobic coating on the bottom surface of the sealant layer.",
"16. The method according to claim 7, wherein the hydrophobic coating is applied to the bottom surface of the sealant layer by rolling the hydrophobic coating on the bottom surface of the sealant layer."
],
[
"1. A roofing system, comprising:\n(i) a plurality of photovoltaic modules, each of the plurality of photovoltaic modules includes a plurality of photovoltaic cells,\nwherein each of the plurality of photovoltaic cells has one constant photovoltaic cell width; and\n(ii) a plurality of roofing shingles proximate to the plurality of photovoltaic modules,\nwherein at least some of the plurality of roofing shingles having\na top surface,\na bottom surface,\nan exposure zone at a lower end of the top surface and\na headlap zone at an upper end of the top surface,\nwherein a plurality of slots extends from the lower end toward the headlap zone,\nwherein the plurality of slots defines a plurality of tooth portions therebetween,\nwherein a first one of the plurality of tooth portions has a first side that is defined by a first one of the plurality of slots and a second side that is defined by a second one of the plurality of slots that is adjacent to the first one of the plurality of slots,\n wherein the first one of the plurality of tooth portions has a first width that is measured from the first one of the plurality of slots to the second one of the plurality of slots,\n wherein the first width is the photovoltaic cell width,\nwherein a second one of the plurality of tooth portions has a first side that is defined by a third one of the plurality of slots and a second side that is defined by a fourth one of the plurality of slots that is adjacent to the third one of the plurality of slots,\n wherein the second one of the plurality of tooth portions has a second width that is measured from the third one of the plurality of slots to the fourth one of the plurality of slots, and\n wherein the second width is the photovoltaic cell width multiplied by a first positive integer that is greater than 1,\nwherein a third one of the plurality of tooth portions has a first side that is defined by a fifth one of the plurality of slots and a second side that is defined by a sixth one of the plurality of slots that is adjacent to the fifth one of the plurality of slots,\nwherein the third one of the plurality of tooth portions has a third width that is measured from the fifth one of the plurality of slots to the sixth one of the plurality of slots, and\n wherein the third width is the photovoltaic cell width multiplied by a second positive integer that is greater than 1 and different than the first positive integer,\nwherein the roofing shingles do not include a photovoltaic cell.",
"2. The roofing system of claim 1, wherein a fourth one of the plurality of tooth portions has a first side that is defined by a seventh one of the plurality of slots and a second side that is defined by an eighth one of the plurality of slots that is adjacent to the seventh one of the plurality of slots, and wherein the fourth one of the plurality of tooth portions has a fourth width that is measured from the seventh one of the plurality of slots to the eighth one of the plurality of slots, wherein the fourth width is the photovoltaic cell width multiplied by 0.5 and by a third positive integer that is, greater than 1 and different than each of the first positive integer and the second positive integer.",
"3. The roofing system of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second positive integers is selected from the group consisting of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20.",
"4. The roofing system of claim 1, wherein each of the at least some of the roofing shingles comprises thermoplastic olefin, polyvinyl chloride, or asphalt.",
"5. The roofing system of claim 4, wherein the top surface of each of the at least some of the roofing shingles comprises embedded granules.",
"6. The roofing system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of roofing shingles includes a first roofing shingle and a second roofing shingle, wherein an arrangement of the tooth portions of the second roofing shingle is not identical to an arrangement of the tooth portions of the first roofing shingle.",
"7. The roofing system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of roofing shingles includes a first roofing shingle and a second roofing shingle, wherein an arrangement of the tooth portions of the second roofing shingle is identical to an arrangement of the tooth portions of the first roofing shingle.",
"8. The roofing system of claim 1, wherein the third one of the plurality of slots is a same one of the plurality of slots as the second one of the plurality of slots, and wherein the first one of the plurality of tooth portions is adjacent to the second one of the plurality of tooth portions.",
"9. The roofing system of claim 1, further comprising:\na wireway configured to be positioned between a first photovoltaic module of the plurality of photovoltaic modules and a second photovoltaic module of the plurality of photovoltaic modules that is adjacent to the first photovoltaic module,\nwherein the wireway is configured to enclose at least one electrical cable,\nwherein a width of the wireway as measured in a horizontal direction between the first photovoltaic module and the second photovoltaic module is the photovoltaic cell width multiplied by two,\nwherein the wireway includes a dark colored portion and a light colored portion, and\nwherein the light colored portion extends across the wireway in a vertical direction that is perpendicular to the horizontal direction.",
"10. The roofing system of claim 9, wherein the light-colored portion is positioned at an edge of the wireway that is adjacent to the photovoltaic module.",
"11. The roofing system of claim 9, wherein the light-colored portion is positioned halfway intermediate (1) an edge of the wireway that is adjacent to the photovoltaic module and (2) an edge of the wireway that is adjacent to the further photovoltaic module.",
"12. The roofing system of claim 9, wherein the wireway further comprises a further light colored portion extending across a bottom edge of the wireway in the horizontal direction."
],
[
"1. A method, comprising: installing a plurality of photovoltaic shingles in a plurality of rows on a roof deck,\nwherein the photovoltaic shingles are installed on the roof deck in a rectangular array with at least one of the photovoltaic shingles in a first row of the plurality of rows, and at least another one of the photovoltaic shingles in a second row of the plurality of rows, wherein the second row is above the first row; and\ninstalling a first plurality of roofing shingles on the roof deck, wherein the first plurality of roofing shingles comprises a first group of roofing shingles and a second group of roofing shingles,\nwherein the first group of roofing shingles is located on a first side of the rectangular array, wherein the second group of roofing shingles is located on a second side of the rectangular array,\nwherein the first group of roofing shingles comprises:\na first roofing shingle, and a second roofing shingle,\nwherein the second group of roofing shingles comprises: a third roofing shingle, and a fourth roofing shingle,\nwherein the first roofing shingle and the third roofing shingle are installed in the first row,\nwherein the second roofing shingle and the fourth roofing shingle are installed in the second row,\nwherein the first and second roofing shingles are juxtaposed with the first side of the rectangular array,\nwherein the third and fourth roofing shingles are juxtaposed with the second side of the rectangular array,\nwherein a pattern of the first and second roofing shingles is non-symmetric with respect to a pattern of the third and fourth roofing shingles;\nwherein a length of the second roofing shingle is equal to a length of the fourth roofing shingle, wherein a length of the first roofing shingle is greater than the length of the second roofing shingle, and wherein a length of the third roofing shingle is less than the length of the second roofing shingle.",
"2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\ncutting a shingle to form the first roofing shingle and the third roofing shingle.",
"3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\ncutting at least two shingles to form the first, second, third, and fourth roofing shingles.",
"4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\ninstalling a second plurality of roofing shingles either above or below the rectangular array.",
"5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\ninstalling a second plurality of roofing shingles below the rectangular array; and\ninstalling a third plurality of roofing shingles above the rectangular array.",
"6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nobtaining a second plurality of roofing shingles,\nwherein the second plurality of roofing shingles comprises:\na fifth roofing shingle, and\na sixth roofing shingle,\nwherein a length of the fifth roofing shingle is equal to a length of the sixth roofing shingle,\nwherein the fifth roofing shingle is located in the first row and juxtaposed with either the first roofing shingle or the third roofing shingle,\nwherein the sixth roofing shingle is located in the second row and is juxtaposed with either the second roofing shingle or the fourth roofing shingle.",
"7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nobtaining a second plurality of roofing shingles,\nwherein the second plurality of roofing shingles comprises:\na fifth roofing shingle,\na sixth roofing shingle,\na seventh roofing shingle, and\nan eighth roofing shingle,\nwherein lengths of the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth roofing shingles are equal to one another,\nwherein the fifth roofing shingle is located in the first row and juxtaposed with the first roofing shingle,\nwherein the sixth roofing shingle is located in the second row and juxtaposed with the second roofing shingle,\nwherein the seventh roofing shingle is located in the first row and juxtaposed with the third roofing shingle,\nwherein the eighth roofing shingle is located in the second row and juxtaposed with the fourth roofing shingle.",
"8. A system, comprising:\na plurality of photovoltaic shingles positioned in a plurality of rows on a roof deck,\nwherein the photovoltaic shingles are installed on the roof deck in a rectangular array with at least one of the photovoltaic shingles in a first row of the plurality of rows, and at least another one of the photovoltaic shingles in a second row of the plurality of rows,\nwherein the second row is above the first row; and\na first plurality of roofing shingles positioned on the roof deck,\nwherein the first plurality of roofing shingles comprises a first group of roofing shingles and a second group of roofing shingles,\nwherein the first group of roofing shingles is positioned on a first side of the rectangular array, wherein the second group of roofing shingles is positioned on a second side of the rectangular array,\nwherein the first group of roofing shingles comprises:\na first roofing shingle, and a second roofing shingle,\nwherein the second group of roofing shingles comprises:\na third roofing shingle, and a fourth roofing shingle,\nwherein the first roofing shingle and the third roofing shingle are in the first row,\nwherein the second roofing shingle and the fourth roofing shingle are in the second row wherein the first and second roofing shingles are juxtaposed with the first side of the rectangular array,\nwherein the third and fourth roofing shingles are juxtaposed with the second side of the rectangular array, wherein a pattern of the first and second roofing shingles is non-symmetric with respect to a pattern of the third and fourth roofing shingles; and\nwherein a length of the second roofing shingle is equal to a length of the fourth roofing shingle, wherein a length of the first roofing shingle is greater than the length of the second roofing shingle, and wherein a length of the third roofing shingle is less than the length of the second roofing shingle.",
"9. The system of claim 8, wherein at least one shingle is cut to form the first roofing shingle and the third roofing shingle.",
"10. The system of claim 8, wherein at least two shingles are cut to form the first, second, third, and fourth roofing shingles.",
"11. The system of claim 8, further comprising:\na second plurality of roofing shingles positioned either above or below the rectangular array.",
"12. The system of claim 8, further comprising:\na second plurality of roofing shingles positioned below the rectangular array; and\na third plurality of roofing shingles positioned above the rectangular array.",
"13. The system of claim 8, further comprising:\na second plurality of roofing shingles positioned on the roof deck,\nwherein the second plurality of roofing shingles comprises:\na fifth roofing shingle, and\na sixth roofing shingle,\nwherein a length of the fifth roofing shingle is equal to a length of the sixth roofing shingle,\nwherein the fifth roofing shingle is positioned in the first row and juxtaposed with either the first roofing shingle or the third roofing shingle,\nwherein the sixth roofing shingle is positioned in the second row and is juxtaposed with either the second roofing shingle or the fourth roofing shingle.",
"14. The system of claim 8, further comprising:\npositioning a second plurality of roofing shingles on the roof deck,\nwherein the second plurality of roofing shingles comprises:\na fifth roofing shingle,\na sixth roofing shingle,\na seventh roofing shingle, and\nan eighth roofing shingle,\nwherein lengths of the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth roofing shingles are equal to one another,\nwherein the fifth roofing shingle is positioned in the first row and juxtaposed with the first roofing shingle,\nwherein the sixth roofing shingle is positioned in the second row and juxtaposed with the second roofing shingle,\nwherein the seventh roofing shingle is positioned in the first row and juxtaposed with the third roofing shingle, and\nwherein the eighth roofing shingle is positioned in the second row and juxtaposed with the fourth roofing shingle.",
"15. A roofing system, comprising:\na roof deck;\nfirst and second photovoltaic modules, wherein the first and second photovoltaic modules are installed in a rectangular array on the roof deck, with the first photovoltaic module installed in a first row on the roof deck, and the second photovoltaic module installed in a second row on the roof deck,\nwherein the first row is below the second row on the roof deck, first, second, third, and fourth roofing shingles,\nwherein the first roofing shingle is installed in the first row, wherein the first roofing shingle is juxtaposed with a first side of the rectangular array,\nwherein the second roofing shingle is installed in the second row,\nwherein the second roofing shingle is juxtaposed with the first side of the rectangular array,\nwherein the third roofing shingle is installed in the first row,\nwherein the third roofing shingle is juxtaposed with a second side of the rectangular array, wherein the fourth roofing shingle is installed in the second row, wherein the fourth roofing shingle is juxtaposed with the second side of the rectangular array, wherein a pattern of the first and second roofing shingles is non-symmetric with respect to a pattern of the third and fourth roofing shingles;\nwherein a length of the second roofing shingle is equal to a length of the fourth roofing shingle, wherein a length of the first roofing shingle is greater than the length of the second roofing shingle, and wherein a length of the third roofing shingle is less than the length of the second roofing shingle.",
"16. The roofing system of claim 15, further comprising:\na second plurality of roofing shingles positioned either above or below the rectangular array.",
"17. The roofing system of claim 15, further comprising:\nthird and fourth photovoltaic modules,\nwherein the third photovoltaic module is installed in the first row,\nwherein the fourth photovoltaic module is installed in the second row."
],
[
"1. A roofing system, comprising:\na roof deck; and\na first roofing shingle installed on the roof deck, the first roofing shingle comprising:\na first shingle layer;\na second shingle layer,\nwherein the second shingle layer includes a nail zone,\nwherein the nail zone is visibly marked with a fines stripe,\nwherein the nail zone is bounded by at least one paint line,\nwherein the first shingle layer and the second shingle layer overlap to form\na common bond area,\nwherein the nail zone partially overlaps the common bond area,\nand a portion of the nail zone extends past the common bond area;\nan adhesive in the common bond area between the first shingle layer and the second shingle layer; and\na first attachment between the first shingle layer and the second shingle layer,\nwherein the first attachment is in the common bond area,\nwherein the first attachment comprises a first indentation in the first shingle layer.",
"2. The roofing system according to claim 1, wherein the first roofing shingle further comprises:\na second attachment between the first shingle layer and the second shingle layer,\nwherein the second attachment is in the common bond area,\nwherein the second attachment comprises a second indentation in the first shingle layer.",
"3. The roofing system of claim 2, further comprising:\na plurality of fasteners,\nwherein the plurality of fasteners comprises at least a first fastener and a second fastener,\nwherein the first fastener extends through the nail zone and the common bond area,\nthe second fastener extends through the nail zone without extending through the common bond area, and\neach of the first fastener and the second fastener extend through the roof deck, thereby installing the first roofing shingle on the roof deck.",
"4. The roofing system of claim 1, further comprising:\nan underlayment,\nwherein the underlayment is between the roof deck and the first roofing shingle.",
"5. The roofing system of claim 1, wherein the first roofing shingle further comprises at least one sealant line.",
"6. The roofing system of claim 5, wherein the at least one sealant line comprises multiple segments of sealant.",
"7. The roofing system of claim 1, further comprising:\na second roofing shingle installed on the roof deck.",
"8. The roofing system of claim 7, further comprising:\na plurality of fasteners,\nwherein the plurality of fasteners comprises at least a first fastener, a second fastener, and a third fastener,\nwherein the first fastener extends through the nail zone and the common bond area, the second fastener extends through the nail zone without extending through the common bond area, and each of the first fastener and the second fastener extend through the roof deck, thereby installing the first roofing shingle on the roof deck,\nwherein the third fastener installs the second roofing shingle on the roof deck.",
"9. The roofing system of claim 8, wherein at least one of the first fastener, the second fastener, or the third fastener comprises a nail.",
"10. The roofing system of claim 7, further comprising:\nan underlayment installed between at least one of the first roofing shingle and the roof deck, or the second roofing shingle and the roof deck.",
"11. The roofing system of claim 1, wherein the first shingle layer comprise a dragon tooth layer,\nwherein the second shingle layer comprises a backer layer.",
"12. The roofing system of claim 1, wherein the first shingle layer comprises granules.",
"13. The roofing system of claim 12, wherein the second shingle layer comprises granules.",
"14. The roofing system of claim 1, wherein the first shingle layer comprises at least one paint line.",
"15. The roofing system of claim 1, wherein the first roofing shingle comprises a headlap portion,\nwherein the nail zone is within the headlap portion.",
"16. A roofing system, comprising:\na roof deck; and\na plurality of roofing shingles installed on the roof deck,\nwherein the plurality of roofing shingles comprises at least a first roofing shingle,\nwherein each of the roofing shingles comprises:\na first shingle layer;\na second shingle layer,\nwherein the second shingle layer includes a nail zone,\n wherein the nail zone is visibly marked with a fines stripe,\n wherein the nail zone is bounded by at least one paint line,\nwherein the first shingle layer and the second shingle layer overlap to form a common bond area,\nwherein the nail zone partially overlaps the common bond area, and a portion of the nail zone extends past the common bond area,\nwherein at least one of the first shingle layer and the second shingle layer comprises asphalt;\nan adhesive in the common bond area between the first shingle layer and the second shingle layer;\na first attachment between the first shingle layer and the second shingle layer,\nwherein the first attachment is in the common bond area,\nwherein the first attachment comprises a first indentation in the first shingle layer; and\na second attachment between the first shingle layer and the second shingle layer,\nwherein the second attachment is in the common bond area,\nwherein the second attachment comprises a second indentation in the first shingle layer.",
"17. The roofing system according to claim 16, wherein the first roofing shingle further comprises:\na second attachment between the first shingle layer and the second shingle layer,\nwherein the second attachment is in the common bond area,\nwherein the second attachment comprises a second indentation in the first shingle layer.",
"18. The roofing system of claim 17, further comprising:\na plurality of fasteners,\nwherein the plurality of fasteners comprises at least a first fastener and a second fastener,\nwherein the first fastener extends through the nail zone and the common bond area, the second fastener extends through the nail zone without extending through the common bond area, and each of the first fastener and the second fastener extend through the roof deck, thereby installing the first roofing shingle on the roof deck.",
"19. The roofing system of claim 16, further comprising:\nan underlayment, wherein the underlayment is between the roof deck and the first roofing shingle.",
"20. The roofing system of claim 16, wherein the first roofing shingle further comprises at least one sealant line.",
"21. The roofing system of claim 20, wherein the at least one sealant line comprises multiple segments of sealant.",
"22. The roofing system of claim 16, wherein the plurality of roofing shingles comprises at least a second roofing shingle.",
"23. The roofing system of claim 22, further comprising:\na plurality of fasteners,\nwherein the plurality of fasteners comprises at least a first fastener, a second fastener, and a third fastener,\nwherein the first fastener extends through the nail zone and the common bond area, the second fastener extends through the nail zone without extending through the common bond area, and\neach of the first fastener and the second fastener extend through the roof deck, thereby installing the first roofing shingle on the roof deck,\nwherein the third fastener installs the second roofing shingle on the roof deck.",
"24. The roofing system of claim 23, wherein at least one of the first fastener, the second fastener, or the third fastener comprises a nail.",
"25. The roofing system of claim 22, further comprising:\nan underlayment installed between at least one of the first roofing shingle and the roof deck, or the second roofing shingle and the roof deck.",
"26. The roofing system of claim 16, wherein the first shingle layer comprise a dragon tooth layer,\nwherein the second shingle layer comprises a backer layer.",
"27. The roofing system of claim 16, wherein the first shingle layer comprises granules.",
"28. The roofing system of claim 27, wherein the second shingle layer comprises granules.",
"29. The roofing system of claim 16, wherein the first shingle layer comprises at least one paint line.",
"30. The roofing system of claim 16, wherein each of the roofing shingles comprises a headlap portion, wherein the nail zone is within the headlap portion.",
"31. The roofing system according to claim 1, wherein the nail zone is bounded by a pair of paint lines and the fines are located between the pair of paint lines.",
"32. The roofing system according to claim 16, wherein the nail zone is bounded by a pair of paint lines and the fines are located between the pair of paint lines."
],
[
"1. A roofing shingle comprising:\na substrate comprising at least one of a fiberglass, a polyester, or a combination thereof; and\na coating on the substrate,\nwherein the coating comprising:\n5% to 70% by weight of a non-crosslinked thermoplastic polymer, based on a total weight of the coating; and\n10% to 70% by weight of a filler, based on the total weight of the coating,\nwherein the filler comprises at least one of an organic filler, an inorganic mineral filler, or combinations thereof;\n10% to 80% by weight of at least one of an oil, a wax, or any combination thereof, based on the total weight of the coating;\nwherein the coating is free of asphalt;\nwherein the coating does not comprise a foam;\nwherein a thickness of the coating on the substrate is 20 mils to 200 mils.",
"2. The roofing shingle according to claim 1, further comprising granules.",
"3. The roofing shingle according to claim 1, wherein the roofing shingle exhibits an increased solar reflectance as compared to an asphaltic roofing shingle.",
"4. The roofing shingle according to claim 1, wherein the non-crosslinked thermoplastic polymer includes at least one of an amorphous polyolefin, an amorphous polyalpha olefin, a polyolefin elastomer, or any combination thereof.",
"5. The roofing shingle according to claim 1, wherein the non-crosslinked thermoplastic polymer comprises at least one of a polypropylene, a polyethylene, a copolymer of propylene and ethylene, low density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), high density polyethylene (HDPE), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), or any combination thereof.",
"6. The roofing shingle according to claim 1, wherein the non-crosslinked thermoplastic polymer has a Melt Flow Index, in accordance with ISO 1133, of 0.5 g/min to 40 g/min at 190° C./2.16 kg.",
"7. The roofing shingle according to claim 1, wherein the filler is at least one of calcium carbonate, barium sulfate, calcium sulfate, talc, limestone, perlite, silica, fumed silica, precipitated silica, quartz, aluminum trihydrate, magnesium hydroxide, colemanite, titanium dioxide, snow white, fly ash, graphene nanoparticles, carbon black, recycled rubber tires, recycled shingles, recycled thermoplastic resins, basalt, roofing granules, clay, or combinations thereof.",
"8. The roofing shingle according to claim 1, wherein the coating further comprises 5% to 80% by weight of at least one of post-consumer asphalt shingles (PCRAS), post-manufacture shingle waste, recycled asphaltic membranes, polytransoctenamer rubber (TOR), ground tire rubber (GTR), acrylonitrile rubber (NBR), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene rubber (ABS), wood plastic, or any combination thereof, based on the total weight of the coating.",
"9. The roofing shingle according to claim 1, wherein the coating comprises 30% to 80% by weight of at least one of the oil, the wax, or any combination thereof, based on the total weight of the coating.",
"10. The roofing shingle according to claim 1, wherein the coating further comprises at least one of a dye, a pigment, a fire retardant, a UV stabilizer, or a combination thereof.",
"11. The roofing shingle according to claim 1, wherein the non-crosslinked thermoplastic polymer comprises at least one of a copolymer of ethylene and octene, a copolymer of ethylene and hexene, a copolymer of ethylene and butene, isotactic polypropylene (IPP), atactic polypropylene (APP), polyurea, styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene (SEBS) copolymer, styrene-ethylene/propylene-styrene (SEP S) copolymer, styrene-isoprene-styrene block (SIS) copolymer, styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) copolymer, polyisobutylene, polybutadiene, oxidized polyethylene, or any combination thereof.",
"12. The roofing shingle according to claim 1, wherein the coating further comprises polytransoctenamer rubber (TOR).",
"13. The roofing shingle according to claim 1, wherein the coating further comprises 1% to 10% by weight of polytransoctenamer rubber (TOR), based on the total weight of the coating.",
"14. The roofing shingle according to claim 1, wherein the coating comprises 30% to 99% by weight of an oxidized hydrocarbon oil, based on the total weight of the coating.",
"15. The roofing shingle according to claim 1, wherein the non-crosslinked thermoplastic polymer comprises at least one of a vinyl polymer, a polyvinyl ester, or any combination thereof.",
"16. The roofing shingle according to claim 1, wherein the non-crosslinked thermoplastic polymer comprises at least one of ethylene vinyl acetate (EV A), polyvinyl butyral (PVB), recycled polyvinyl butyral (rPVB), polyvinyl acetate (PVAC), poly(vinyl butyrate), poly(vinyl propionate), poly(vinyl formate), copolymers of PVAC, or any combination thereof.",
"17. The roofing shingle according to claim 1, wherein the coating having a viscosity of 3,000 cP to 30,000 cP at 375° F. to 400° F. as measured according to ASTM D 4402."
],
[
"1. A roofing shingle comprising:\na headlap portion, a buttlap portion, a lateral leading edge, and a lateral trailing edge;\nwherein said buttlap portion includes a plurality of buttlap projections extending away from the shingle defining a maximum buttlap width and a plurality of recessed horizontal buttlap portions;\nwherein each of said buttlap projections includes a horizontal edge defining a projected horizontal buttlap portion;\nwherein each said projected horizontal buttlap portion has a primary horizontal breadth at the respective horizontal edge that is about equal for each said projected horizontal buttlap portion, and is about equal to a breadth of at least one of said recessed horizontal buttlap portions;\nwherein said headlap portion includes a plurality of headlap projections extending away from the shingle defining a maximum headlap width and a plurality of recessed horizontal headlap portions;\nwherein each of said headlap projections includes a horizontal edge defining a projected horizontal headlap portion;\nwherein a first of said projected horizontal headlap portions is nearest to the lateral leading edge and has a horizontal breadth at said horizontal edge that is greater than the primary horizontal breadth; and wherein the horizontal breadth of the first of said projected horizontal headlap portions nearest to the lateral leading edge is greater than a breadth at said horizontal edge of at least another of said projected horizontal headlap portions and a breadth of at least one of said recessed horizontal headlap portions and said breadth of said at least another of said projected horizontal headlap portions is about equal to the primary horizontal breadth;\nwherein the maximum headlap width is less than the maximum buttlap width; and\nwherein said headlap portion is surfaced with a first shade of granules and said buttlap portion is surfaced with a second contrasting shade of granules.",
"2. The roofing shingle according to claim 1, wherein the buttlap portion is further surfaced with a third further contrasting shade of granules on the buttlap projections.",
"3. The roofing shingle according to claim 1, wherein the maximum headlap width is approximately 60% of the maximum buttlap width.",
"4. The roofing shingle according to claim 1, wherein the buttlap projections have a height of about 2 inches.",
"5. The roofing shingle according to claim 4, wherein the headlap projections have a height of about 1¾ inches.",
"6. The roofing shingle according to claim 1, wherein the breadth of the first projected horizontal headlap portion nearest to the lateral leading edge is about 125% the primary horizontal breadth.",
"7. The roofing shingle according to claim 1, wherein the primary horizontal breadth is about 6 inches.",
"8. The roofing shingle according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said buttlap projections has a shape that mirrors one of the headlap projections laterally across the shingle.",
"9. The roofing shingle according to claim 1, wherein the shingle is single-layer.",
"10. A roofing system comprising a plurality of the roofing shingle according to claim 1,\nwherein the roofing system comprises a plurality of courses of said shingles, and wherein the lateral trailing edge of a subsequently installed at least one of said shingles in a first course of shingles overlaps the lateral leading edge of an adjacent one of said previously installed shingles in the first course to provide a side-lap region, and wherein the side-lap region forms a part of a partially side-lapped recessed horizontal buttlap portion having a breadth about equal to the primary horizontal breadth;\nand wherein at least one of said shingles in a subsequent course of shingles provides:\n(a) a generally uniform overlap region over the headlap portions of a first adjacent shingle and a second adjacent shingle in the first course; and\n(b) an expanded overlap region over the headlap portion of the second adjacent shingle, wherein the expanded overlap region is due to the increased projection breadth of the first headlap projection nearest to the lateral leading edge of the second adjacent shingle.",
"11. The roofing system according to claim 10, wherein a buttlap projection nearest to the trailing edge of said at least one of said shingles in the subsequent course of shingles overlaps the side-lap region between adjacent shingles in the first course.",
"12. The roofing system according to claim 10, wherein the buttlap portion is further surfaced with a third further contrasting shade of granules on the buttlap projections.",
"13. The roofing system according to claim 10, wherein at least one of said buttlap projections has a shape that mirrors one of the headlap projections laterally across said at least one of said shingles.",
"14. The roofing system according to claim 10, wherein the side-lap region has a breadth of about 3 inches.",
"15. A roofing system comprising:\nsingle-layer shingles in more than one course wherein each of said shingles has a length, a headlap portion, a buttlap portion, a lateral leading edge, and a lateral trailing edge;\nwherein said buttlap portion includes a plurality of buttlap projections extending away from the shingle defining a maximum buttlap width;\nwherein the buttlap projections have a breadth that is about equal for each buttlap projection defining a primary projection breadth opposite a primary horizontal breadth at a horizontal edge;\nwherein said headlap portion includes a plurality of headlap projections extending away from the shingle defining a maximum headlap width;\nwherein a first of said headlap projections nearest to the lateral leading edge has an increased projection breadth that is greater than the primary projection breadth, and the increased projection breadth of the first of said headlap projections nearest to the lateral leading edge is greater than a breadth of at least another of said headlap projections: and wherein said breadth of said at least another of said headlap projections is about equal to the primary projection breadth;\nwherein the maximum headlap width is less than the maximum buttlap width;\nwherein the roofing system comprises a plurality of courses of said shingles, and wherein the lateral trailing edge of a subsequently installed at least one of said shingles in a first course of shingles overlaps the lateral leading edge of an adjacent previously installed one of said shingles in the first course to provide a side-lap region;\nand wherein at least one of said shingles in a subsequent course of shingles provides:\n(a) a generally uniform overlap region over the headlap portions of a first adjacent shingle and a second adjacent shingle in the first course, wherein the generally uniform overlap region has a transverse dimension that varies by less than 10% across the length of shingle in the subsequent course; and\n(b) an expanded overlap region over the headlap portion of the second adjacent shingle, wherein the expanded overlap region is due to the increased projection breadth of the first headlap projection nearest to the lateral leading edge of the second adjacent shingle.",
"16. The roofing system according to claim 15, wherein the buttlap projections and the headlap projections have a trapezoidal shape.",
"17. The roofing system according to claim 16, wherein the buttlap projections have a minimum breadth that extends away from the shingle, and wherein the headlap projections have a minimum breadth that extends away from the shingle.",
"18. The roofing system according to claim 15, wherein a buttlap projection nearest to the trailing edge of the shingle in the subsequent course of shingles overlaps the side-lap region between adjacent shingles in the first course.",
"19. The roofing system according to claim 15, wherein said headlap portion is surfaced with a first shade of granules and said buttlap portion is surfaced with a second contrasting shade of granules.",
"20. The roofing system according to claim 19, wherein the buttlap portion is further surfaced with a third further contrasting shade of granules on the buttlap projections.",
"21. The roofing system according to claim 15, wherein at least one of said buttlap projections has a shape that mirrors one of the headlap projections laterally across the shingle.",
"22. The roofing system according to claim 15, wherein the side-lap region has a breadth of about 3 inches.",
"23. A roofing shingle comprising:\nheadlap portion, a buttlap portion, a lateral leading edge, and a lateral trailing edge;\nwherein said buttlap portion includes a plurality of buttlap projections extending away from the shingle defining a maximum buttlap width and a plurality of recessed horizontal buttlap portions;\nwherein each of said buttlap projections includes a horizontal edge defining a projected horizontal buttlap portion;\nwherein each said projected horizontal buttlap portion has a horizontal buttlap breadth that differs from each other by between 0% and 20%, and differs from a breadth of at least one of said recessed horizontal buttlap portions by between 0% and 20%, and wherein at least one of said projected horizontal buttlap portions has a maximum horizontal buttlap breadth;\nwherein said headlap portion includes a plurality of headlap projections extending away from the shingle defining a maximum headlap width and a plurality of recessed horizontal headlap portions;\nwherein each of said headlap projections includes a horizontal edge defining a projected horizontal headlap portion;\nwherein a first of said projected horizontal headlap portions is nearest to the lateral leading edge and has a maximum horizontal breadth that is greater than the maximum horizontal buttlap breadth, and wherein the maximum horizontal breadth of the first of said projected horizontal headlap portions nearest to the lateral leading edge is greater than a maximum breadth of at least another of said projected horizontal headlap portions and at least one of said recessed horizontal headlap portions has a breadth that differs from the horizontal buttlap breadth of each of the projected horizontal buttlap portions by between 0% and 20%;\nwherein the maximum headlap width is less than the maximum buttlap width; and\nwherein said headlap portion is surfaced with a first shade of granules and said buttlap portion is surfaced with a second contrasting shade of granules."
],
[
"1. A method of forming a laminated starter shingle, the method comprising:\ncoating a continuous sheet of shingle mat with asphalt;\ncutting the coated sheet in a longitudinal direction into a first continuous overlay sheet and a first continuous underlay sheet along a first straight cut line, such that each of the first continuous overlay sheet and the first continuous underlay sheet include parallel upper and lower straight edges defining a uniform height therebetween, wherein the height of the first continuous overlay sheet is greater than the height of the first continuous underlay sheet;\naligning the first continuous underlay sheet beneath the continuous overlay sheet such that the lower straight edge of the first continuous underlay sheet aligns with the lower straight edge of the first continuous overlay sheet;\nlaminating the first continuous underlay sheet below the first continuous overlay sheet to form a first laminated sheet; and\ncutting the first laminated sheet across the height of the first continuous overlay sheet to form a first rectangular starter shingle;\nwherein the first straight cut line defines the upper straight edge of the first continuous overlay sheet.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the height of the first continuous overlay sheet is approximately twice the height of the first continuous underlay sheet.",
"3. The method of claim 1, further comprising applying granules to an upper surface of the coated sheet.",
"4. The method of claim 1, further comprising applying granules to an upper surface of the coated sheet before cutting the coated sheet into the first continuous overlay sheet and the first continuous underlay sheet.",
"5. The method of claim 1, further comprising applying a bead of adhesive to a bottom surface of the first continuous underlay sheet.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first straight cut line defines the upper straight edge of the first continuous overlay sheet.",
"7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first straight cut line defines the lower straight edge of the first continuous underlay sheet.",
"8. A method of forming a laminated starter shingle, the method comprising:\ncoating a continuous sheet of shingle mat with asphalt;\ncutting the coated sheet in a longitudinal direction into a first continuous overlay sheet and a first continuous underlay sheet along a first straight cut line, such that each of the first continuous overlay sheet and the first continuous underlay sheet include parallel upper and lower straight edges defining a uniform height therebetween, wherein the height of the first continuous overlay sheet is greater than the height of the first continuous underlay sheet;\naligning the first continuous underlay sheet beneath the continuous overlay sheet such that the lower straight edge of the first continuous underlay sheet aligns with the lower straight edge of the first continuous overlay sheet;\nlaminating the first continuous underlay sheet below the first continuous overlay sheet to form a first laminated sheet; and\ncutting the first laminated sheet across the height of the first continuous overlay sheet to form a first rectangular starter shingle;\nwherein the first straight cut line defines the lower straight edge of the first continuous underlay sheet.",
"9. The method of claim 8, wherein the height of the first continuous overlay sheet is approximately twice the height of the first continuous underlay sheet.",
"10. The method of claim 8, further comprising applying granules to an upper surface of the coated sheet.",
"11. The method of claim 8, further comprising applying granules to an upper surface of the coated sheet before cutting the coated sheet into the first continuous overlay sheet and the first continuous underlay sheet.",
"12. The method of claim 8, further comprising applying a bead of adhesive to a bottom surface of the first continuous underlay sheet.",
"13. A method of forming a laminated starter shingle, the method comprising:\ncoating a continuous sheet of shingle mat with asphalt;\ncutting the coated sheet in a longitudinal direction into a first continuous overlay sheet and a first continuous underlay sheet along a first straight cut line, such that each of the first continuous overlay sheet and the first continuous underlay sheet include parallel upper and lower straight edges defining a uniform height therebetween, wherein the height of the first continuous overlay sheet is greater than the height of the first continuous underlay sheet;\naligning the first continuous underlay sheet beneath the continuous overlay sheet such that the lower straight edge of the first continuous underlay sheet aligns with the lower straight edge of the first continuous overlay sheet;\nlaminating the first continuous underlay sheet below the first continuous overlay sheet to form a first laminated sheet; and\ncutting the first laminated sheet across the height of the first continuous overlay sheet to form a first rectangular starter shingle;\ncutting the coated sheet in a longitudinal direction into a second continuous overlay sheet and a second continuous underlay sheet along second and third straight cut lines, such that each of the second continuous overlay sheet and the second continuous underlay sheet include parallel upper and lower straight edges defining a uniform height therebetween, wherein the second straight cut line separates the first continuous overlay sheet and the first continuous underlay sheet from the second continuous overlay sheet and the second continuous underlay sheet;\naligning the second continuous underlay sheet beneath the second continuous overlay sheet such that the lower straight edge of the second continuous underlay sheet aligns with the lower straight edge of the second continuous overlay sheet;\nlaminating the second continuous underlay sheet below the second continuous overlay sheet to form a second laminated sheet; and\ncutting the second laminated sheet across the height of the second continuous overlay sheet to form a second rectangular starter shingle;\nwherein the second straight cut line defines the lower straight edge of the first continuous overlay sheet.",
"14. The method of claim 13, wherein the third straight cut line defines the upper straight edge of the second continuous overlay sheet.",
"15. The method of claim 13, wherein the third straight cut line defines the lower straight edge of the second continuous underlay sheet.",
"16. The method of claim 13, wherein the third straight cut line defines the upper straight edge of the second continuous overlay sheet and the lower straight edge of the second continuous underlay sheet.",
"17. The method of claim 13, wherein the second straight cut line defines the lower straight edge of the second continuous overlay sheet.",
"18. The method of claim 13, wherein the second straight cut line defines the lower straight edge of the first continuous overlay sheet and the lower straight edge of the second continuous overlay sheet."
],
[
"1. A roofing panel comprising an upwardly facing side, a downwardly facing side, a field having ends, an upper edge, a lower edge, a first end, and a second end;\nthe field of the roofing panel being ornamented to emulate the appearance of a roofing shingle;\nthe ornamented field extending from the first end of the roofing panel to the second end of the roofing panel with no part of the roofing panel projecting beyond the ends of the field;\na clip extending along the lower edge of the roofing panel projecting downwardly therefrom;\na slot extending along the rear edge of the roofing panel having an upwardly facing elongated opening;\nthe slot being cut short to define a truncated region at the first end of the roofing panel such that the second end of a like panel can be overlapped onto the first end in such a way that the ornamentation on the field of the roofing panel at least partially overlaps the ornamentation on the field of the like roofing panel;\nthe ornamentation on the field of the like roofing panel being configured to prevent water migration through the region of overlap of the roofing panel and the like roofing panel.",
"2. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 1 wherein the field of the roofing panel is coated to resemble a roofing shingle.",
"3. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 2 wherein the field of the roofing panel is embossed to resemble a roofing shingle.",
"4. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 3 wherein the embossing is registered with the coating.",
"5. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 1 wherein the clip is configured to be pressed through the opening of the slot and lock within the slot.",
"6. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a nailing flange projecting rearwardly from the slot for receiving attaching nails in such a way that the nails are covered by a next higher course of roofing panels when the panels are installed on a roof.",
"7. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 3 wherein the embossing is registered with the coating.",
"8. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 1 wherein the field of the roofing panel is covered with a material secured to the roofing panel with adhesive.",
"9. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 8 wherein the material comprises granules.",
"10. A roofing panel comprising a front side facing a front direction, a back side facing a back direction, a substantially rectangular field, an upper edge, a lower edge, a first end having a terminal edge, and a second end having a terminal edge;\nthe field of the roofing panel being ornamented to emulate the appearance of a roofing shingle and extending from the terminal edge of the first end of the roofing panel to the terminal edge of the second end of the roofing panel;\na clip extending along the forward edge of the roofing panel projecting in the back direction therefrom, the clip having an upturned distal edge;\na slot extending along the upper edge of the roofing panel formed by an elongated opening facing in the front direction, the slot being partially closed by an in-turned lip;\nthe slot being cut short to define a truncated region at the first end of the roofing panel such that the second end of a like panel can be overlapped onto the first end in such a way that an upwardly facing slot is defined substantially continuously along the rear edges of the overlapped panels;\npart of the ornamentation on the second end of the like roofing panel overlapping part of the ornamentation on the first end of the roofing panel when the panels are arranged end-to-end;\nthe ornamentation on the first end of the roofing panel including features that form barriers against water migration through the region of overlap of the roofing panel and the like roofing panel.",
"11. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 10 wherein the slot is sized to receive the downwardly projecting clip of a panel in a next higher course of panels in interlocking engagement.",
"12. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 11 wherein the upturned distal edge of the clip snaps beneath the in-turned lip of the slot to lock the lower edge of one panel into the slot along the upper edge of a panel in a next lower course of panels.",
"13. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 10 wherein the field is embossed.",
"14. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 10 wherein the field is printed or painted.",
"15. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 10 wherein the field is textured.",
"16. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 10 wherein the field is at least partially covered with material adhered to the panel.",
"17. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 10 wherein the field is ornamented to emulate a roofing shingle selected from the group consisting essentially of asphalt shingles, cedar shakes, slate shingles, and clay barrel shingles.",
"18. A rectangular metal roofing panel comprising an upwardly facing side, a downwardly facing side, a substantially rectangular field, a leading edge, a trailing edge, a first end, and a second end, a downwardly turned clip extending at least partially along the leading edge of the roofing panel and having an upturned distal edge, and an upwardly open slot extending at least partially along the trailing edge of the roofing panel, the slot being partially occulted by an in-turned flange, the downturned clip and the slot being configured to interlock together with the upturned distal edge of the downturned clip becoming trapped below the in-turned flange when the leading edge of one panel is pressed downwardly onto the trailing edge of a like panel to lock the panels together and form a moisture barrier, the substantially rectangular field extending from a terminal edge of the first end of the panel to a terminal edge of the second end of the panel and being pressed or embossed with features that resemble shingles and wherein at least one of the features forms a water dam adjacent the first end of the panel to prevent water migration beneath the second end of a like panel overlapping the at least one of the features on the first end of the panel.",
"19. A metal roofing panel as claimed in claim 18 wherein the slot is cut short to define a truncated region at the first end of the panel to accommodate the overlapping of the first end by the second end of a like panel arranged in end-to-end relationship so that a substantially continuous slot is formed along the trailing edges of the end-to-end panels.",
"20. A roofing panel comprising an upwardly facing side, a downwardly facing side, a field, an upper edge, a lower edge, a first end having a terminal edge, a second end having a terminal edge, a clip, and a slot;\nthe field of the roofing panel comprising one or more ornamental features that extend from the terminal edge of the first end of the roofing panel to the terminal edge of the second end of the roofing panel;\nthe clip extending along the lower edge of the roofing panel;\nthe slot extending along the rear edge of the roofing panel, the slot being cut short to define a truncated region at the first end of the roofing panel;\nthe first end of the roofing panel being overlappable onto the second end of a like roofing panel in such a way that the one or more ornamental features of the field of the roofing panel at least partially overlaps the one or more ornamental features of the field of a like roofing panel and the overlapped ornamental features on the like roofing panel prevent water migration through the region of overlap.",
"21. The roofing panel of claim 20 wherein the ornamental features comprise embossed raised areas mimicking slates separated by depressed areas mimicking gaps between slates.",
"22. The roofing panel of claim 20 wherein the one or more ornamental features comprise one or more depressed regions and one or more raised regions separated by the one or more depressed regions, and wherein the first end comprises a raised region and the second end comprises a raised region.",
"23. The roofing panel of claim 22 wherein the raised regions comprise at least a first arched region at the first end and a second arched region at the second end."
],
[
"1. A method for making roofing shingles comprising:\nproviding a roofing material having a width less than 48 inches;\ncutting the roofing material longitudinally along three non-straight lines to form four shingles, wherein at least a portion of each said shingle has a width of about twelve inches and wherein two of said four shingles have\na headlap portion including a non-straight longitudinal edge along a side of said shingles defining headlap peaks that extend away from a longitudinal center of said shingles and headlap valleys that extend toward the longitudinal center of said shingles:\nand all four shingles have\na buttlap portion including a plurality of tabs extending from said headlap portion, said tabs spaced apart to define a plurality of openings between said tabs;\nwherein said buttlap portion further includes a non-straight longitudinal edge along a side of said shingles defining buttlap peaks that extend away from the longitudinal center of said shingles and buttlap valleys that extend toward the longitudinal center of said shingles.",
"2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the width of said roofing material is from about 43.5 inches to about 47.625 inches.",
"3. A method for making roofing shingles comprising:\nproviding a roofing material having a width less than 36 inches;\ncutting the roofing material longitudinally along two non-straight lines to form three shingles, wherein at least a portion of each of said shingle has a width of about twelve inches and wherein one of said three shingles has\na headlap portion including a non-straight longitudinal edge along a side of said shingles defining headlap peaks that extend away from a longitudinal center of said shingles and headlap valleys that extend toward the longitudinal center of said shingles;\nand all three shingles have\na buttlap portion including a plurality of tabs extending from said headlap portion, said tabs spaced apart to define a plurality of openings between said tabs;\nwherein said buttlap portion further includes a non-straight longitudinal edge along a side of said shingles defining buttlap peaks that extend away from the longitudinal center of said shingles and buttlap valleys that extend toward the longitudinal center of said shingles.",
"4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the width of said roofing material is from about 33 inches to about 35.75 inches."
],
[
"1. A shingle blank comprising an asphalt coated mat having a cut line formed in the asphalt coated mat;\nwherein the cut line includes a continuous cut portion and a perforated portion; and wherein the perforated portion is structured and configured to facilitate separation of the shingle blank into discrete portions, and wherein the continuous cut portion forms adjacent cut edges on the shingle blank along the continuous cut portion, the edges being in contact prior to separation of the shingle blank into discrete portions.",
"2. The shingle blank according to claim 1, wherein the shingle blank has a length and a width, and wherein the cut line extends substantially across the width of the shingle blank.",
"3. The shingle blank according to claim 2, wherein the cut line extends substantially across the width of the shingle blank between a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge in a direction substantially perpendicular to the length of the shingle blank.",
"4. The shingle blank according to claim 1, wherein the continuous cut portion defines a continuous cut extending through a thickness of the asphalt coated mat.",
"5. The shingle blank according to claim 1, wherein the asphalt coated mat is configured to include a longitudinally extending prime region and a longitudinally extending headlap region.",
"6. The shingle blank according to claim 5, wherein the continuous cut portion of the cut line is formed in the prime region and the perforated portion of the cut line is formed in the headlap region.",
"7. A shingle blank comprising a first shingle blank layer defining a longitudinally extending prime region and a longitudinally extending headlap region;\nwherein at least the prime region includes a second longitudinally extending layer bonded to the first shingle blank layer;\nwherein a cut line is formed in the shingle blank; and\nwherein the cut line includes a continuous cut portion formed in the prime region and a perforated portion formed in the headlap region,\nwherein the perforated portion is structured and configured to facilitate separation of the shingle blank into discrete portions, each of the discrete portions has a headlap region and a prime region with substantially the same length.",
"8. The shingle blank according to claim 7, wherein the first shingle blank layer is an asphalt coated mat.",
"9. The shingle blank according to claim 8, wherein the second longitudinally extending layer is an asphalt coated mat.",
"10. The shingle blank according to claim 7, wherein the shingle blank has a length and a width, and wherein the cut line extends substantially across the width of the shingle blank.",
"11. The shingle blank according to claim 7, wherein the cut line extends substantially across the width of the shingle blank between a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge in a direction substantially perpendicular to the length of the shingle blank.",
"12. The shingle blank according to claim 7, wherein the continuous cut portion defines a continuous cut extending through a thickness of the shingle blank.",
"13. A method of forming a shingle blank comprising forming a cut line in an asphalt coated mat to define a cut shingle blank;\nwherein the cut line includes a continuous cut portion and a perforated portion; and wherein the perforated portion is structured and configured to facilitate separation of the shingle blank into discrete portions, and wherein the continuous cut portion forms adjacent cut edges on the shingle blank along the continuous cut portion, the edges being in contact prior to separation of the shingle blank into discrete portions.",
"14. The method according to claim 13, further including separating the cut shingle blank along the cut line into discrete portions.",
"15. The method according to claim 13, wherein the shingle blank has a length and a width, and wherein the cut line extends substantially across the width of the shingle blank.",
"16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the cut line extends substantially across the width of the shingle blank between a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge in a direction substantially perpendicular to the length of the shingle blank.",
"17. The method according to claim 13, wherein the continuous cut portion defines a continuous cut extending through a thickness of the asphalt coated mat.",
"18. The method according to claim 13, wherein the asphalt coated mat is configured to include a longitudinally extending prime region and a longitudinally extending headlap region.",
"19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the continuous cut portion of the cut line is formed in the prime region and the perforated portion of the cut line is formed in the headlap region.",
"20. A shingle blank comprising:\na sheet including a substrate coated with an asphalt coating, the sheet configured to include a prime region and a headlap region;\na web limited to the prime region;\nat least one perforation line positioned in the headlap region and having a plurality of perforations; and\nat least one continuous cut line extending substantially across the prime region, the at least one continuous cut line being configured to extend through the substrate, the asphalt coating, and the web;\nwherein the at least one perforation line and the at least one continuous cut line are sufficient to facilitate separation of the shingle blank to form a plurality of hip and ridge shingles each having a prime region and a headlap region having substantially the same length.",
"21. The shingle blank of claim 20 in which the shingle blank has a length and wherein the at least one perforation line extends substantially across the headlap region in a direction substantially perpendicular to the length of the shingle blank.",
"22. The shingle blank of claim 20 in which the perforations have a length of about 0.25 inches.",
"23. The shingle blank of claim 20 in which the perforations are spaced apart a distance of about 0.25 inches from edge to edge.",
"24. The shingle blank of claim 20 in which the web has a depth of approximately 0.03125 inches.",
"25. A shingle blank comprising:\na sheet including a substrate coated with an asphalt coating, the sheet configured to include a prime region and a headlap region, the asphalt coating including an upper section and a lower section, the upper section being positioned above the substrate, the lower section being positioned below the substrate;\na web limited to a lower section of the prime region; and\nat least one continuous cut line and at least one perforation line positioned in the shingle blank, the continuous cut line configured to extend through the substrate, the upper and lower sections of the asphalt coating and the web;\nwherein the at least one perforation line has a plurality of perforations sufficient to facilitate separation of the shingle blank to form a plurality of hip and ridge shingles, and wherein the continuous cut line forms adjacent cut edges on the shingle blank along the continuous cut portion, the edges being in contact prior to separation of the shingle blank.",
"26. The shingle blank of claim 25 in which the shingle blank has a length and wherein the at least one perforation line and the at least one continuous cut line combine to extend substantially across the shingle blank in a direction substantially perpendicular to the length of the shingle blank.",
"27. The shingle blank of claim 25 in which the perforations have a length of about 0.25 inches.",
"28. The shingle blank of claim 25 in which the perforations are spaced apart a distance of about 0.25 inches from edge to edge.",
"29. The shingle blank of claim 25 in which the web has a depth of approximately 0.03125 inches."
],
[
"1. A shingle blank comprising:\na substrate coated with an asphalt coating and configured to include a prime region, the asphalt coating including an upper section and a lower section, the upper section being positioned above the substrate, the lower section being positioned below the substrate; and\na web applied to the lower section of the prime region;\nwherein at least one perforation line is positioned in the shingle blank, the at least one perforation line being sufficient to facilitate separation of the shingle blank.",
"2. The shingle blank of claim 1 in which the blank has a length and wherein the at least one perforation line extends substantially across the shingle blank in a direction substantially perpendicular to the length of the shingle blank.",
"3. The shingle blank of claim 1 in which the at least one perforation line includes a plurality of perforations.",
"4. The shingle blank of claim 3 in which the perforations have a length of about 0.25 inches.",
"5. The shingle blank of claim 3 in which the perforations are spaced apart a distance of about 0.25 inches from edge to edge.",
"6. The shingle blank of claim 3 in which the perforations extend through the substrate, the upper and lower sections of the asphalt coating and the web.",
"7. The shingle blank of claim 1 in which the web has a depth of approximately 0.03125 inches.",
"8. A method of manufacturing an asphalt-based roofing material, comprising the steps of:\ncoating a substrate with an asphalt coating to form an asphalt coated sheet, the asphalt coated sheet including an upper section and a lower section;\napplying a surface layer of granules to the upper section of the asphalt coated sheet;\napplying a web to the lower section of the asphalt coated sheet; and\nforming at least one perforation line substantially across the asphalt coated sheet.",
"9. The method of claim 8 in which the shingle blank has a length and wherein the at least one perforation line extends substantially across the shingle blank in a direction substantially perpendicular to the length of the shingle blank.",
"10. The method of claim 9 in which the at least one perforation line includes a plurality of perforations.",
"11. The method of claim 10 in which the perforations have a length of about 0.25 inches.",
"12. The method of claim 10 in which the perforations are spaced apart a distance of about 0.25 inches from edge to edge.",
"13. The method of claim 10 in which the perforations extend through the substrate, the upper and lower sections of the asphalt coated sheet and the web.",
"14. A method of installing an asphalt-based roofing material, comprising the steps of:\nproviding an asphalt-based shingle blank having a substrate coated with an asphalt coating and configured to include an upper section and a lower section, a web is applied to the lower section, wherein at least one perforation line is positioned substantially across the asphalt-based shingle blank;\nforming hip or ridge shingles by separating the shingle blank along the at least one perforation line; and\ninstalling the hip and ridge shingles upon a hip or ridge.",
"15. A shingle blank comprising:\na substrate coated with an asphalt coating and configured to include a prime region, the asphalt coating including an upper section and a lower section, the upper section being positioned above the substrate, the lower section being positioned below the substrate; and\na web applied to the lower section of the prime region;\nwherein at least one notch is positioned in the shingle blank, the at least one notch being sufficient to facilitate separation of the shingle blank.",
"16. The shingle blank of claim 15 in which the shingle blank has a length and wherein the at least one notch extends substantially across the prime region of the shingle blank in a direction substantially perpendicular to the length of the shingle blank.",
"17. The shingle blank of claim 15 in which the at least one notch extends through the substrate, the upper and lower sections of the asphalt coating and the web.",
"18. A shingle blank comprising:\na substrate coated with an asphalt coating and configured to include a prime region, the asphalt coating including an upper section and a lower section, the upper section being positioned above the substrate, the lower section being positioned below the substrate; and\na web applied to the lower section of the prime region;\nwherein at least one courtesy cut is positioned in the shingle blank, the at least one courtesy cut being sufficient to facilitate separation of the shingle blank.",
"19. The shingle blank of claim 18 in which the shingle blank has at least one courtesy cut positioned in the prime regions and at least one courtesy cut positioned in a headlap region.",
"20. The shingle blank of claim 19 in which the at least one courtesy cut positioned in the prime region substantially aligns with the at least one courtesy cut positioned in the headlap region"
],
[
"1. A method for repairing a damaged roofing shingle having a damaged portion, comprising the steps of:\nmanufacturing a plurality of repair swatches, the plurality of repair swatches being manufactured in different sizes, different colors and different shapes;\nallowing a consumer to match one of the plurality of repair swatches to the damaged roofing shingle based on (1) a color of the roofing shingle, (2) a shape of the damaged portion and (3) a size of the damaged portion;\nallowing a consumer to purchase the matched repair swatch; and\nsecuring the matched repair swatch to the damaged roofing shingle so that the repair swatch covers the damaged portion.",
"2. The method of claim 12 wherein the repair swatches include a front face having colored granules and a back face having an adhesive.",
"3. The method of claim 13 wherein the colored granules on the front face match colored granules on the damaged roofing shingle.",
"4. The method of claim 12 wherein the repair swatch is of a size that covers the damaged area of the roofing shingle.",
"5. The method of claim 12 wherein the shape of the repair swatch is one of a square, a rectangular, a circular and a dragon tooth.",
"6. The method of claim 12 wherein the roofing shingle is a laminated roofing shingle.",
"7. The method of claim 13 wherein the adhesive is selected from a group consisting of a rubber polymer-modified asphalt, an acrylic, a polyurethane, a silicone and a rubber polymer.",
"8. A method for repairing a damaged roofing shingle having a damaged portion, comprising the steps of:\nmanufacturing a plurality of repair swatches, the plurality of repair swatches being manufactured in different sizes, different colors and different shapes;\nsecuring one of the plurality of repair swatches to the damaged roofing shingle so that the repair swatch matches the damaged roofing shingle and covers the damaged portion.",
"9. The method of claim 19 further comprising the step of:\nmatching one of the plurality of repair swatches to the damaged roofing shingle based on a color of the roofing shingle.",
"10. The method of claim 19 further comprising the step of:\nmatching one of the plurality of repair swatches to the damaged roofing shingle based on a shape of the damaged portion.",
"11. The method of claim 19 further comprising the step of:\nmatching one of the plurality of repair swatches to the damaged roofing shingle based on a size of the damaged portion.",
"12. The method of claim 22 wherein the repair swatch is of a size that covers the damaged portion of the damaged roofing shingle.",
"13. The method of claim 21 wherein the shape of the repair swatch is one of a square, a rectangular, a circular and a dragon tooth.",
"14. The method of claim 19 wherein the repair swatches include a front face having granules and a back face having an adhesive.",
"15. The method of claim 25 wherein the adhesive is selected from a group consisting of a rubber polymer-modified asphalt, an acrylic, a polyurethane, a silicone and a rubber polymer.",
"16. A method of manufacture, comprising the steps of:\nmanufacturing a plurality of repair swatches, the plurality of repair swatches being manufactured in different sizes, different colors and different shapes, the repair swatches including a front face having granules and a back face having an adhesive, at least one of the plurality of repair swatches matching a particular roofing shingle so that when the repair swatch is secured to the particular roofing shingle it is nearly impossible to tell that the repair swatch was placed on the particular roofing shingle.",
"17. The method of claim 27 wherein the granules on the front face of the repair swatch match granules on a front face of the particular roofing shingle.",
"18. The method of claim 28 wherein the repair swatch is of a size that covers a damaged portion of the particular roofing shingle.",
"19. The method of claim 29 wherein the shape of the repair swatch is one of a square, a rectangular, a circular and a dragon tooth.",
"20. The method of claim 30 wherein the adhesive is selected from a group consisting of a rubber polymer-modified asphalt, an acrylic, a polyurethane, a silicone and a rubber polymer."
],
[
"1. A roofing system comprising:\nsingle-layer shingles having a headlap portion; and a buttlap portion;\nwherein said headlap portion has a maximum headlap width that is less than a maximum buttlap width of said buttlap portion;\nwherein said buttlap portion includes a longitudinal rear edge, a lateral leading edge, a lateral trailing edge, and a non-straight longitudinal front-most edge having a central horizontal portion, a left horizontal portion, a right horizontal portion, a first transition portion, and a second transition portion, wherein the central horizontal portion extends away from the shingle to define a first buttlap width, the left horizontal portion is connected between the lateral trailing edge and the first transition portion, the right horizontal portion is connected between the lateral leading edge and the second transition portion, and the left horizontal portion and the right horizontal portion each extends away from the shingle to define a second buttlap width, and wherein the first transition portion is further connected between the left horizontal portion and the central horizontal portion and the second transition portion is further connected between the central horizontal portion and the right horizontal portion;\nwherein the roofing system comprises a plurality of courses of said shingles, and wherein a trailing lateral edge of a subsequently installed shingle in a first course of shingles overlaps a leading lateral edge of a horizontally adjacent previously installed shingle in the first course to provide a side-lap region; and\nwherein said buttlap portion includes an exposed buttlap portion, and wherein the exposed buttlap portion has a surface area that is greater than the surface area of said headlap portion.",
"2. The roofing system according to claim 1, wherein said headlap portion is surfaced with a first shade of granules and said buttlap portion is surfaced with a second shade of granules.",
"3. The roofing system according to claim 1, wherein said headlap portion includes an exposed headlap portion.",
"4. The roofing system according to claim 1, wherein the maximum headlap width is less than 50% the maximum buttlap width.",
"5. The roofing system according to claim 4, wherein the maximum headlap width is about 33% the maximum buttlap width.",
"6. The roofing system according to claim 1, wherein the first buttlap width is the maximum buttlap width.",
"7. The roofing system according to claim 6, wherein the first buttlap width is about 1″ greater than the second buttlap width.",
"8. The roofing system according to claim 1, wherein the second buttlap width is the maximum buttlap width.",
"9. The roofing system according to claim 8, wherein the first buttlap width is about 1″ less than the second buttlap width.",
"10. The roofing system according to claim 1, wherein said headlap portion includes a non-straight longitudinal rear edge having a central horizontal portion, a left horizontal portion, a right horizontal portion, a first transition portion, and a second transition portion, wherein the central horizontal portion extends away from the shingle to define a first headlap width, the left horizontal portion and right horizontal portion each extends away from the shingle to define a second headlap width, and wherein the first transition portion is situated between the left horizontal portion and the central horizontal portion and the second transition portion is situated between the central horizontal portion and the right horizontal portion.",
"11. The roofing system according to claim 10, wherein the second headlap width is the maximum buttlap width.",
"12. The roofing system according to claim 11, wherein the first headlap width is about 1″ less than the second headlap width.",
"13. The roofing system according to claim 6, wherein said shingles further comprise a first set of alignment notches, wherein a first alignment notch from the first set of alignment notches is situated on the trailing lateral edge of a subsequently installed shingle in a subsequent course of shingles and lines up with a longitudinal rear edge of the headlap portion of a previously installed shingle in the first course of shingles.",
"14. The roofing system according to claim 8, wherein said shingles further comprise a first set of alignment notches, wherein a first alignment notch from the first set of alignment notches is situated on the trailing lateral edge of a subsequently installed shingle in a subsequent course of shingles and lines up with a longitudinal rear edge of the headlap portion of a previously installed shingle in the first course of shingles.",
"15. The roofing system according to claim 13, wherein said shingles further comprise a second set of alignment notches situated on the longitudinal rear edge of the headlap portion, wherein a first alignment notch from the second set of alignment notches lines up with the trailing lateral edge of a subsequently installed shingle in a first course of shingles.",
"16. The roofing system according to claim 1, wherein the non-straight longitudinal front-most edge includes a longitudinal front edge slot opening situated approximately at the longitudinal center of the shingle.",
"17. The roofing system according to claim 1, wherein the shingles further comprise sealant strips on the bottom side of the shingle situated near the non-straight longitudinal front-most edge."
],
[
"1. A two-layer laminated roofing shingle comprising:\n(a) a posterior layer having a posterior upper portion and a posterior buttlap including a plurality of posterior simulated tabs extending from said posterior upper portion, said posterior simulated tabs spaced apart by a plurality of partial slots, and each of said posterior simulated tabs is connected to at least one adjacent posterior simulated tab by a connecting segment;\n(b) an anterior layer having an anterior headlap and an anterior buttlap including one or more anterior tabs extending from said anterior headlap;\nwherein the anterior layer is positioned on the posterior layer in a manner such that each anterior tab is positioned on one of the posterior simulated tabs;\nwherein at least one of the posterior simulated tabs serves as a single-layer simulated tab of the roofing shingle;\nwherein the anterior layer is free of alignment notches positioned on a lower edge of the anterior headlap; and\nwherein at least a portion of the posterior upper portion is positioned under the anterior headlap.",
"2. A two-layer laminated roofing shingle comprising:\n(a) a posterior layer having a posterior upper portion and a posterior buttlap including four posterior simulated tabs extending from said posterior upper portion, said posterior simulated tabs spaced apart by a plurality of partial slots, and each of said posterior simulated tabs is connected to at least one adjacent posterior simulated tab by a connecting segment, and wherein each posterior simulated tab has a posterior simulated tab corner;\n(b) an anterior layer having an anterior headlap, one or more anterior tabs extending therefrom;\nwherein the anterior layer is positioned on the posterior layer in a manner such that each anterior tab is positioned on one of the posterior simulated tabs;\nwherein at least a portion of the posterior upper portion is positioned under the anterior headlap; and\nwherein the posterior simulated tabs are surfaced with a first shade of granules and the connecting segments are surfaced with a second shade of granules that is darker than said first shade of granules.",
"3. The roofing shingle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the connecting segment is located at or near a lower edge of the posterior buttlap.",
"4. The roofing shingle according to claim 3, wherein the connecting segment has a height of about 1 inch.",
"5. The roofing shingle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the portion of the posterior upper portion is positioned under the anterior headlap defines a minimum width of surface contact.",
"6. The roofing shingle according to claim 5, wherein the minimum width of surface contact is about ⅞ inches.",
"7. The roofing shingle according to claim 1, wherein the posterior simulated tabs are surfaced with a first shade of granules and the connecting segments are surfaced with a second shade of granules that is darker than said first shade of granules.",
"8. A roofing system comprising a plurality of courses of shingles according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the shingles are installed on a roof deck in overlapping courses.",
"9. A roofing system comprising a plurality of courses of shingles according to claim 2, wherein the shingles are installed on a roof deck in overlapping courses, wherein first, second, and third adjacent shingles differ from each other based on the position of at least one anterior tab, and wherein the first adjacent shingle and the fourth adjacent shingle in a course are identical based on the positions of the one or more anterior tabs, so that when installed, a pattern of varying anterior tabs is created based on the locations of the anterior tabs.",
"10. A roofing system comprising a plurality of courses of shingles according to claim 2, wherein the shingles are installed on a roof deck in overlapping courses, wherein first, second, third, fourth, and fifth adjacent shingles differ from each other based on the position of at least one anterior tab, and wherein the first adjacent shingle and the sixth adjacent shingle in a course are identical based on the positions of the one or more anterior tabs, so that when installed, a pattern of varying anterior tabs is created based on the locations of the anterior tabs.",
"11. A roofing system comprising a plurality of courses of shingles according to claim 2, wherein the shingles are installed on a roof deck in overlapping courses, wherein first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh adjacent shingles differ from each other based on the position of at least one anterior tab, and wherein the first adjacent shingle and the eighth adjacent shingle in a course are identical based on the positions of the one or more anterior tabs, so that when installed, a pattern of varying anterior tabs is created based on the locations of the anterior tabs.",
"12. The roofing shingle according to claim 2, wherein the anterior headlap comprises one anterior tab extending therefrom.",
"13. The roofing shingle according to claim 2, wherein the anterior headlap comprises two anterior tabs extending therefrom.",
"14. The roofing shingle according to claim 2, wherein the anterior headlap comprises three anterior tabs extending therefrom.",
"15. The roofing shingle according to claim 2, wherein:\nthe at least one anterior tab further comprises granules having the second shade;\nthe posterior layer further comprises a shadow band positioned at an interface between the posterior simulated tabs and the posterior upper portion;\nthe posterior simulated tabs further comprise a shadow tip positioned on a lower edge of the posterior simulated tabs;\nthe shadow tip and shadow band include granules having a third shade that is darker than said first shade of granules of the posterior simulated tabs and the second shade of granules of the at least one anterior tab and the connecting segments.",
"16. The roofing shingle according to claim 2, wherein the at least one anterior tab has a first breadth and the posterior simulated tabs have a second breadth, and wherein the second breadth is greater than the first breadth.",
"17. The roofing shingle according to claim 2, wherein the posterior simulated tabs are separated by partial slots having a breadth of from about ¼″ to about 1 inch.",
"18. The roofing shingle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the at least one anterior tabs is positioned substantially over the center of one of the posterior simulated tabs.",
"19. A roofing system comprising a plurality of courses of shingles according to claim 2, wherein the shingles are installed on a roof deck in overlapping courses, and wherein the anterior headlap of a previously installed shingle is visible through the partial slots of a subsequently installed shingle such that the second shade of granules on the connecting segments of the subsequently installed shingle visually blend in with the partial slots of the subsequently installed shingle to create a visual appearance of continuous slots fully extending to a posterior butt edge of the subsequently installed shingle.",
"20. The roofing shingle according to claim 2, wherein the anterior tabs are surfaced with a third shade of granules having a distinguishable hue or color from the first shade of granules on the posterior simulated tabs and the second shade of granules on the connecting segments."
],
[
"1. A method of forming a laminated roofing shingle comprising:\n(a) providing an indefinite length of asphalt-impregnated, felted material;\n(b) adhering a coating of mineral granules to at least one surface of said felted material;\n(c) cutting said material in a repeating pattern along the longitudinal dimension of said material so as to form an interleaved series of tabs of pairs of overlay members, each said tab, defined by said step of cutting, being of substantially identical shape and the lower edge of each said tab being defined by a smoothly curving negatively contoured edge;\n(d) making pairs of underlay members in a similar manner as above but wherein the lower edges of the underlay members are defined by a substantially continuously curving sinuous cut having a uniform periodic shape and amplitude such that each pair of underlay members thus formed are substantially identical; and\n(e) laminating said underlay members to said overlay members so as to form a series of shingles having substantially the same overall shape, wherein said step of laminating further includes the step of positioning said negatively contoured edge of each said tab directly over a substantially correspondingly curving portion of the lower edge of each said underlay member so as to simulate a series of alternating ridges and valleys of a portion of a tile covered roof.",
"2. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the step of adhering comprises adhering an essentially random series of color drops of said mineral granules each said color drop extending across the width of said felted material;\nand wherein adjacent color drops present contrasting colors with adjacent color drops blending at least to some extent with each other so as to form transition zones therebetween.",
"3. A method as set forth in claim 2 wherein said step of adhering includes the step of alternating said color drops with color drops of a composite of granules having the colors selected from each of said contrasting color drops, said composite granule color drops having a length in the longitudinal direction of said felted material of approximately 5 inches (12.7 cm), said contrasting color drops having a length in the longitudinal dimension of said felted material of approximately 9 inches (22.86 cm).",
"4. A method of forming a laminated roofing shingle comprising:\n(a) providing an indefinite length of asphalt-impregnated, felted material;\n(b) adhering a coating of mineral granules to at least one surface of said felted material;\n(c) cutting said material in a repeating pattern along the longitudinal dimension of said material so as to form an interleaved series of tabs of pairs of overlay members, each said tab, defined by said step of cutting, being of substantially identical shape and the lower edge of each said tab being defined by a smoothly curving negatively contoured edge;\n(d) making pairs of underlay members in a similar manner as above but wherein the lower edges of the underlay members are defined by a substantially continuously curving sinuous cut having a uniform periodic shape and amplitude such that each pair of underlay members thus formed are substantially identical; and\n(e) laminating said underlay members to said overlay members so as to form a series of shingles having substantially the same overall shape, wherein the step of laminating includes the step of positioning said underlay members and said overlay members relative to one another such that the lower edge of each said tab is longitudinally aligned with a corresponding negatively curved portion of the lower edge of said underlay member.",
"5. A method of optically simulating a tile covered roof comprising:\n(a) forming a series of substantially identical shingle overlay members, each said overlay member comprising a series of substantially uniformly shaped tabs, each said tab having a negatively curving contour at the lower edge thereof and each said tab having a width defined by generally straight edges, said straight edges tapering inwardly to a width narrower than the width at said lower edge;\n(b) forming a series of substantially identical underlay members, each underlay member having a lower edge with a substantially continuously curving uniformly periodic undulating contour;\n(c) bonding one of said series of overlay members to one of said series of said underlay members so as to form a shingle of generally rectangular form having a headlap portion and a butt portion, said butt portion comprising a series of uniformly spaced double-thick tab portions with a space between each tab portion defining an exposed portion of said underlay member, the step of bonding further includes the step of positioning said one of said series of overlay members and said one of said series of underlay members relative to one another such that the lower edge of each said tab is longitudinally aligned with a corresponding negatively curved portion of the lower edge of said underlay member;\n(d) repeating the step of bonding to form a plurality of laminated shingles; and\n(e) covering a roof deck with the thus formed laminated shingles by,\n(i) laying said shingles side-by-side in a horizontal course,\n(ii) overlapping said course by a next higher course of shingles such that said headlap portion of each shingle therein is substantially covered by the butt portions of the shingles in said next higher course,\n(iii) vertically aligning the tabs of each shingle with the tabs of the shingles in each succeeding course such that said tabs form vertical lines proceeding up the roof deck and the spaces form lines parallel to the lines of said tabs such that the vertical patterns and curving butt edges of said tabs and spaces optically cooperate to simulate a tile covered roof.",
"6. A method as set forth in claim 5 wherein said underlay members and said overlay members are covered with mineral granules having substantially randomly varying color drop patterns making up said granule covered surface.",
"7. A method as set forth in claim 5 wherein said shingles in said each succeeding course are horizontally offset from the shingles in adjacent courses.",
"8. A method as set forth in claim 4 wherein said lower edge of each said tab and said corresponding negatively curved portion of said lower edge of said underlay member are slightly offset laterally from one another."
]
] |
in the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to aia 35 u.s.c. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-aia 35 u.s.c. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from aia to pre-aia ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
the following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 u.s.c. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this office action:
a person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
ground 2: claim(s) 1, 3, 8, 10-11, 16, 19-20 and 25-26 is/are rejected under 35 u.s.c. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by u.s. patent no. 7,204,063 to kandalgaonkar.
in regard to claims 1 and 19, kandalgaonkar discloses an asphalt shingle designed to be laid up in courses on a roof comprising: an upper headlap portion 12, a lower tab portion 11, vertically spaced apart upper 18 and lower 17 edges, laterally spaced apart right 14 and left 15 edges, and top and bottom surfaces, having a lateral dimension or width and a vertical dimension or height (see fig. 2 and col. 4, lines 45-67); and a horizontally-oriented marking 30, 31 that extends along an interface between said upper headlap portion and said lower tab portion of said shingle and stretches from said right to left edge thereof, spanning the width of the shingle (see fig. 4), wherein the lateral dimension of the shingle is greater than the vertical dimension of the shingle, wherein said bottom surface is configured to be laid up on the roof facing the roof, wherein said tab portion is configured to be substantially weather-exposed when laid up on the roof and wherein said upper headlap portion is configured to be substantially covered by the tab portion of asphalt shingles in a next-overlying course of asphalt shingles when laid up on the roof, and wherein said horizontally-oriented marking is configured to act as a headlap alignment mark and run perpendicularly to a rake of the roof and/or parallel to an eave of the roof following installation of the shingle thereon, defining a position on which the upper edge of an asphalt shingle in a previous course of asphalt shingles abut to establish a headlap (see col. 8, lines 14-29).
in regard to claim 3, kandalgaonkar discloses an asphalt shingle, wherein said horizontally-oriented marking comprises gaps therein that align with cut-outs 13 in the shingle (see fig. 4 and col. 8, lines 14-29).
in regard to claim 8, kandalgaonkar discloses an asphalt shingle, further comprising nail placement marks 13 that provide specific nail placement locations (see col. 5, lines 2-5).
in regard to claim 10, kandalgaonkar discloses an asphalt shingle, wherein said nail placement marks are evenly laterally spaced (see col. 5, lines 2-5).
in regard to claim 11 kandalgaonkar discloses an asphalt shingle, wherein said nail placement marks comprise dots, indentations, perforations, cuts, and/or lines (see figs. 3-4 and col. 5, lines 2-5).
in regard to claim 16, kandalgaonkar discloses an asphalt shingle, further comprising at least one additional horizontally-oriented marking 30,31, wherein said at least one additional horizontally-oriented marking is configured to act as a headlap alignment mark and run perpendicularly to the rake of the roof and/or parallel to the eave of the roof following installation of the shingle thereon, defining an alternative position on which the upper edge of an asphalt shingle in a previous course of asphalt shingles must abut to establish a second headlap (see fig. 4 and col. 8, lines 14-29).
in regard to claims 20 and 25, kandalgaonkar discloses an asphalt shingle, further comprising at least one adhesive strip 20, 22 disposed on a top or bottom surface thereof and configured to adhere said shingle to an underlying or overlying course of shingles (see fig. 2 and col. 4, lines 60-67 and col. 5, lines 28-39).
in regard to claim 26, kandalgaonkar discloses an asphalt shingle, wherein an area of the shingle bounded by said horizontally-oriented marking and an additional horizontally-oriented marking denotes a nailing zone through which fasteners should be inserted (see col. 5, lines 2-5).
ground 3: claim(s) 1, 7, 15 and 19 is/are rejected under 35 u.s.c. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by u.s. patent no. 4,499,702 to turner.
in regard to claims 1 and 19, turner discloses an asphalt shingle designed to be laid up in courses on a roof comprising: an upper headlap portion 10, a lower tab portion a-e, vertically spaced apart upper and lower edges, laterally spaced apart right and left edges, and top and bottom surfaces, having a lateral dimension or width and a vertical dimension or height (see fig. 1); and a horizontally-oriented marking 20, 22 that extends along an interface between said upper headlap portion and said lower tab portion of said shingle and stretches from said right to left edge thereof, spanning the width of the shingle (see fig. 1), wherein the lateral dimension of the shingle is greater than the vertical dimension of the shingle, wherein said bottom surface is configured to be laid up on the roof facing the roof, wherein said tab portion is configured to be substantially weather-exposed when laid up on the roof and wherein said upper headlap portion is configured to be substantially covered by the tab portion of asphalt shingles in a next-overlying course of asphalt shingles when laid up on the roof, and wherein said horizontally-oriented marking is configured to act as a headlap alignment mark and run perpendicularly to a rake of the roof and/or parallel to an eave of the roof following installation of the shingle thereon, defining a position on which the upper edge of an asphalt shingle in a previous course of asphalt shingles abut to establish a headlap (see col. 3, lines 9-19).
in regard to claim 7, turner discloses an asphalt shingle, wherein horizontally- oriented marking is also marked on the back side of the shingle (see fig. 1 and col. 3, lines 9-19).
in regard to claim 15, turner discloses an asphalt shingle, further comprising a cut at a proximal and distal end of said horizontally-oriented marking (see fig. 1 and col. 3, lines 9-19).
ground 4: claim(s) 1, 4, 19-20, 25 and 27-30 is/are rejected under 35 u.s.c. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by u.s. patent no. 6,145,265 to malarkey et al.
in regard to claims 1 and 19, malarkey et al. disclose an asphalt shingle designed to be laid up in courses on a roof comprising: an upper headlap portion 54, a lower tab portion 62, vertically spaced apart upper and lower edges, laterally spaced apart right and left edges, and top and bottom surfaces, having a lateral dimension or width and a vertical dimension or height (see figs. 3-4 and col. 5, lines 16-45); and a horizontally-oriented marking (i.e. paint strip, not shown) that extends along an interface between said upper headlap portion and said lower tab portion of said shingle and stretches from said right to left edge thereof, spanning the width of the shingle (see col. 6, lines 28-36), wherein the lateral dimension of the shingle is greater than the vertical dimension of the shingle, wherein said bottom surface is configured to be laid up on the roof facing the roof, wherein said tab portion is configured to be substantially weather-exposed when laid up on the roof and wherein said upper headlap portion is configured to be substantially covered by the tab portion of asphalt shingles in a next-overlying course of asphalt shingles when laid up on the roof, and wherein said horizontally-oriented marking is configured to act as a headlap alignment mark and run perpendicularly to a rake of the roof and/or parallel to an eave of the roof following installation of the shingle thereon, defining a position on which the upper edge of an asphalt shingle in a previous course of asphalt shingles abut to establish a headlap (see figs. 5-6 and col. 6 lines 37-55).
in regard to claim 4, malarkey et al. disclose an asphalt shingle, wherein the horizontally-oriented marking is configured to fade upon weather exposure (see col. 6, lines 28-36).
in regard to claims 20 and 25, malarkey et al. disclose an asphalt shingle, further comprising at least one adhesive strip 58, 60, 72 disposed on a top or bottom surface thereof and configured to adhere said shingle to an underlying or overlying course of shingles (see figs. 3-6 and col. 5, lines 46-67).
in regard to claims 27-28, malarkey et al. disclose an asphalt shingle, wherein the horizontal alignment marking is visible across the entire width of the shingle (see col. 6, lines 28-36).
in regard to claims 29-30, malarkey et al. disclose an asphalt shingle, wherein the laterally spaced apart right and left edges are substantially planar in the upper headlap portion of the shingle (see figs. 3-6).
|
[
"1. An asphalt shingle designed to be laid up in courses on a roof comprising:\nan upper headlap portion, a lower tab portion, vertically spaced apart upper and lower edges, laterally spaced apart right and left edges, and top and bottom surfaces, having a lateral dimension or width and a vertical dimension or height;\nat least one adhesive strip disposed across the width of the shingle on the top surface thereof; and\na horizontally-oriented marking that extends along an interface between said upper headlap portion and said lower tab portion of said shingle and stretches from said right to left edge thereof, spanning the width of the shingle,\nwherein the lateral dimension of the shingle is greater than the vertical dimension of the shingle,\nwherein said bottom surface is configured to be laid up on the roof facing the roof,\nwherein said tab portion is configured to be substantially weather-exposed when laid up on the roof and wherein said upper headlap portion is configured to be substantially covered by the tab portion of asphalt shingles in a next-overlying course of asphalt shingles when laid up on the roof, and\nwherein said horizontally-oriented marking defines a boundary line between the upper headlap portion and the lower tab portion of the shingle,\nwherein said horizontally-oriented marking is configured to act as a headlap alignment mark and run perpendicularly to a rake of the roof and/or parallel to an eave of the roof following installation of the shingle thereon, defining a position on which the upper edge of an asphalt shingle in a previous course of asphalt shingles abut to establish a headlap,\nwherein said horizontally-oriented marking is configured to remain usable even where the right and left edges of the shingle have been removed, and\nwherein the laterally spaced apart right and left edges are substantially planar in the upper headlap portion of the shingle.",
"2. The asphalt shingle of claim 1 wherein said shingle is a three-tab shingle.",
"3. The asphalt shingle of claim 1 wherein said horizontally-oriented marking comprises gaps therein that each align with cut-outs a cut-out in the lower tab portion of the shingle.",
"4. The asphalt shingle of claim 3 wherein said horizontally-oriented marking is configured to be at least partially exposed to the environment following installation of the shingle and to fade upon weather exposure.",
"5. The asphalt shingle of claim 1 wherein said at least one adhesive strip runs parallel to said upper and lower edges of said shingle.",
"6. The shingle of claim 1 wherein said shingle is structurally weakened along said horizontally-oriented marking such that said shingle may be readily divided along said horizontally-oriented marking and the headlap portion thereof used as a rake or eave starter shingle.",
"7. The shingle of claim 1 wherein horizontally-oriented marking is also marked on the back side of the shingle.",
"8. The shingle of claim 1 further comprising nail placement marks that provide specific nail placement locations.",
"9. The shingle of claim 8 wherein said nail placement marks are positioned on said horizontally-oriented marking.",
"10. The shingle of claim 9 8wherein said nail placement marks are evenly laterally spaced.",
"11. The shingle of claim 8 wherein said nail placement marks comprise dots, indentations, perforations, cuts, and/or lines.",
"12. The shingle of claim 1 wherein said horizontally-oriented marking is positioned above said adhesive strip.",
"13. The shingle of claim 1 wherein said horizontally-oriented marking is positioned on said adhesive strip.",
"14. The shingle of claim 1 wherein said horizontally-oriented marking is positioned below said adhesive strip.",
"15. The shingle of claim 1 further comprising a cut at a proximal and distal end of said horizontally-oriented marking.",
"16. The shingle of claim 1 further comprising at least one additional horizontally-oriented marking, wherein said at least one additional horizontally-oriented marking is configured to act as a headlap alignment mark and run perpendicularly to the rake of the roof and/or parallel to the eave of the roof following installation of the shingle thereon, defining an alternative position on which the upper edge of an asphalt shingle in a previous course of asphalt shingles must abut to establish a second headlap.",
"17. A method of roofing using the shingle of claim 1, the method comprising:\nproviding a shingle in accordance with claim 1;\ndividing the shingle into several, shortened shingles of various widths, creating a book of shingles;\nfixing said shingle to a roof, beginning at a rake edge;\napplying as many shingles as necessary to complete a course of shingles to the roof;\ncutting a final shingle at an opposing rake edge such that it terminates substantially at the opposing rake edge; and\nbeginning a subsequent course of shingles above the previous course of shingles by abutting the upper edge of an asphalt shingle to the horizontally-oriented marking of the shingle used in the previous course,\nwherein at least one of the shortened shingles does not include either a right or left edge of the original shingle.",
"18. The method of claim 17 wherein abutting the upper edge of an asphalt shingle to the horizontally-oriented marking of the shingle used in the previous course comprises aligning the horizontally-oriented marking to the upper edge of an asphalt shingle used in the previous course on an edge thereof, fastening the shingle to the roof at the aligned edge and pivoting the shingle on the fastener until the horizontally-oriented marking is fully aligned with the upper edge of the asphalt shingle of the previous course before fastening the shingle along its length, thereby fixing its position.",
"19. An asphalt shingle designed to be laid up in courses on a roof comprising:\nan upper headlap portion, a lower tab portion, vertically spaced apart upper and lower edges, laterally spaced apart right and left edges, and top and bottom surfaces, having a lateral dimension or width and a vertical dimension or height;\nat least one adhesive strip disposed across the width of the shingle on the top surface thereof; and\na horizontally-oriented marking that extends along an interface between said an upper headlap portion and said a lower tab portion of said shingle and stretches from said a right to left edge thereof, spanning the width of the shingle,\nwherein the lateral dimension of the shingle is greater than the vertical dimension of the shingle,\nwherein said bottom surface is configured to be laid up on the roof facing the roof,\nwherein said tab portion is configured to be substantially weather-exposed when laid up on the roof and wherein said upper headlap portion is configured to be substantially covered by the tab portion of asphalt shingles in a next-overlying course of asphalt shingles when laid up on the roof,\nwherein the shingle is a three-tab shingle, and\nwherein said horizontally-oriented marking is configured to act as a headlap alignment mark and run perpendicularly to a rake of the roof following installation of the shingle thereon, defining a position on which the upper edge of an asphalt shingle in a previous course of asphalt shingles abut to establish a headlap,\nwherein said horizontally-oriented marking is configured to remain usable even where the right and left edges of the shingle have been removed,\nwherein said horizontally-oriented marking defines a boundary line between the upper headlap portion and the lower tab portion of the shingle, and\nwherein the laterally spaced apart right and left edges are substantially planar in the upper headlap portion of the shingle.",
"20. The asphalt shingle of claim 1 further comprising at least one adhesive strip disposed on a top or bottom surface thereof and configured to adhere said shingle to an underlying or overlying course of shingles.",
"21. The asphalt shingle of claim 19 further comprising at least one adhesive strip disposed on a top or bottom surface thereof and configured to adhere said shingle to an underlying or overlying course of shingles.",
"22. The shingle of claim 16 wherein an area of the shingle bounded by said horizontally-oriented marking and an additional horizontally-oriented marking denotes a nailing zone through which fasteners should be inserted.",
"23. The shingle of claim 1 wherein the horizontally-oriented marking is visible across the entire width of the shingle.",
"24. The shingle of claim 19 wherein the horizontally-oriented marking is visible across the entire width of the shingle."
] |
USRE50406E1
|
US4499702A
|
[
"1. A cutting pattern for strip shingles all identical in shape and each having five rectangular tabs of various lengths and widths, each tab having one of three different lengths definable as short, long, and intermediate, one end tab and a middle tab of the five tabs having equal widths, the middle tab being of the long length, said one end tab being of the short length, and a tab between said middle tab and said one end tab being of the intermediate length, the cutting pattern having three lanes of the strip shingles on a sheet of shingle material, the tabs on the shingles in each of two of the lanes extending into abutting relationship with the tabs on the shingles in the other of the two lanes, and the equal-width tabs on each shingle in one of the two lanes respectively abutting the equal-width tabs on a shingle in the other of the two lanes with the middle tab on each shingle abutting the equal-width end tab on the other shingle along the full widths of the tabs.",
"2. A strip shingle having five rectangular tabs of various widths separated by slots of equal widths, two end tabs being partially defined by cut-outs or half-slots each of a width equal to half the width of a slot between two tabs whereby a joint between two shingles defines an equivalent slot, each tab having a nominal width within the range of ten to thirty-five percent, inclusive, of the length of the shingle, and the actual widths of the respective tabs being such that when a plurality of identically shaped shingles are installed on a roof with one-quarter shingle length offsets in the same direction between successive courses,\n(a) the joint between any two shingles in a lower of any two adjacent courses is covered by a tab of a shingle in an upper of the two adjacent courses, the joint-covering tab extending on each side of the joint a nominal distance of at least eight percent of the length of the shingle,\n(b) the center line of any slot of any shingle or of any equivalent slot between two shingles in one of any two adjacent courses is offset a distance of at least five percent of the length of a shingle from the center line of the nearest slot or equivalent slot of shingles in the other of the two adjacent courses,\n(c) the center line of any slot of any shingle or of any equivalent slot between two shingles of any one course is offset a distance of at least two percent of the length of a shingle from the center line of the nearest slot or equivalent slot of shingles in any second course away from the one course, and\n(d) the center line of any slot of any shingle or of any equivalent slot between two shingles of any one course is offset a distance of at least two percent of the length of a shingle from the center line of the nearest slot or equivalent slot of shingles in any third course away from the one course.",
"3. A strip shingle as claimed in claim 2 wherein each tab has one of three different lengths, there being two tabs of one of the lengths, two tabs of another of the lengths, and one tab of the third length.",
"4. A strip shingle as claimed in claim 3 wherein any two tabs of the same length are separated by at least one tab of a different length.",
"5. A roof shingled with a plurality of identically shaped strip shingles and having one-quarter shingle length offsets in the same direction between successive courses, each shingle having five rectangular tabs of various widths separated by slots of equal widths, two end tabs of each shingle being partially defined by cut-outs or half-slots each of a width equal to half the width of a slot between two tabs whereby a joint between two shingles defines an equivalent slot, each tab of a shingle having a nominal width within the range of ten to thirty-five percent, inclusive, of the length of the shingle, and the actual widths of the respective tabs of each shingle being such that\n(a) the joint between any two shingles in a lower of any two adjacent courses is covered by a tab of a shingle in an upper of the two adjacent courses, the joint-covering tab extending on each side of the joint a nominal distance of at least eight percent of the length of the shingle,\n(b) the center line of any slot of any shingle or of any equivalent slot between two shingles in one of any two adjacent courses is offset a distance of at least five percent of the length of a shingle from the center line of the nearest slot or equivalent slot of shingles in the other of the two adjacent courses,\n(c) the center line of any slot of any shingle or of any equivalent slot between two shingles of any one course is offset a distance of at least two percent of the length of a shingle from the center line of the nearest slot or equivalent slot of shingles in any second course away from the one course, and\n(d) the center line of any slot of any shingle or of any equivalent slot between two shingles of any one course is offset a distance of at least two percent of the length of a shingle from the center line of the nearest slot or equivalent slot of shingles in any third course away from the one course.",
"6. A shingled roof as claimed in claim 5 wherein each tab of a shingle has one of three different lengths, there being two tabs of one of the lengths, two tabs of another of the lengths, and one tab of the third length.",
"7. A shingled roof as claimed in claim 6 wherein any two tabs of a shingle having the same length are separated by at least one tab of a different length."
] |
[
[
"1. A system for supporting roofing members on a roof\nstructure, comprising:\nat least one batten extending along a portion of a roof structure, the batten having receiving portions comprising opposing openings formed through the at least one batten; and\na plurality of hanger devices, the hanger devices having head portions having opposing sides wherein each side is removably secured within a separate opening of the opposing openings of the receiving portions.",
"2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the head portion and the receiving portions have corresponding shapes.",
"3. A system according to claim 1, wherein the head portion is substantially octagonal, and the receiving portion is correspondingly shaped.",
"4. A system according to claim 1, wherein the hanger further includes a short member and a long member extending from the head portion, the short and long members cooperating to permit insertion of the head portion into the receiving portion.",
"5. A system according to claim 4, wherein the long member includes a curved distal end.",
"6. A system according to claim 1, further comprising an interlayment member disposed over the hanger devices.",
"7. A system according to claim 1, wherein the head portion is substantially circular, and the receiving portion is correspondingly shaped.",
"8. A system according to claim 1, wherein the head portion is substantially hexagonal, and the receiving portion is correspondingly shaped.",
"9. A system according to claim 8, wherein at least one of the opposing openings in the receiving portion includes an apex thereof, a portion of the hanger device extending through the apex.",
"10. A system for supporting roofing members on a roof structure, comprising:\nat least one batten extending along a portion of the roof structure, the batten having receiving portions comprising opposing openings formed through the at least one batten;\na plurality of hanger devices, the hanger devices having head portions having opposing sides wherein each side is removably secured within a separate opening of the opposing openings of the receiving portions, each hanger device further having a member extending from the head portion, the member having a curved distal end; and\nan interlayment member disposed under the roofing members and over the hanger devices such that a portion of the interlayment member abuts the distal end of the member.",
"11. A system according to claim 10, wherein the receiving portions and head portions have corresponding shapes.",
"12. A system according to claim 10, wherein the head portion is substantially octagonal, and the receiving portion is correspondingly shaped.",
"13. A system according to claim 10, wherein the member is a long member, and wherein the hanger further includes a short member, the short and long members cooperating to permit insertion of the head portion into the receiving portion.",
"14. A system according to claim 13, wherein the short member is spaced from and substantially parallel to the long member.",
"15. A system according to claim 10, wherein the head portion is substantially circular, and the receiving portion is correspondingly shaped.",
"16. A system according to claim 10, wherein the head portion is substantially hexagonal, and the receiving portion is correspondingly shaped.",
"17. A system according to claim 16, wherein at least one of the opposing openings in the receiving portion includes an apex thereof, a portion of the hanger device extending through the apex.",
"18. A method for assembling roofing members on a roofing structure, comprising:\nsecuring a batten to a roof, the batten having receiving portions comprising opposing openings formed through the at least one batten;\nproviding a plurality of hanger devices, the hanger devices having a head portion having opposing sides, and a member extending from the head portion;\ninserting the opposing sides of the head portions of the hanger devices into the receiving portions wherein each side is removably secured within a separate opening of the opposing openings of the receiving portions; and\ndisposing roofing members over the batten and in engagement with the hanger device extending members.",
"19. A method according to claim 18, further comprising removing a hanger device from a receiving portion, and inserting the hanger device into an adjacent receiving portion."
],
[
"1. A system for supporting roofing members on a roof structure, comprising:\nat least one batten; and\na plurality of hanger devices removably secured to the batten, the hanger devices operable to support roofing members.",
"2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one batten includes a plurality of hanger holders, the hanger holders defining openings for receiving the hanger devices.",
"3. A system according to claim 1, wherein the roofing members are slate members.",
"4. A system according to claim 3, wherein each slate member has a top edge and a bottom edge; and wherein the bottom edge of each of the slate members is supported by one or more hangers.",
"5. A system according to claim 1, wherein the hanger devices are spring tempered.",
"6. A system according to claim 5, wherein each slate member has a top edge and a bottom edge; and wherein the bottom edge of each of the slate members is supported by one or more hangers.",
"7. A system according to claim 6, wherein a bottom portion of each of the hanger devices extends away from the roof to support the bottom edge of one of the slate members, and a top portion of each of the hanger devices securely engages the at least one batten.",
"8. A system according to claim 6, further comprising one or more slate liners, wherein each slate liner is positioned atop the hangers associated with a row of slate members, underlying the slate members of the row.",
"9. A system according to claim 8, wherein a bottom portion of each of the hanger devices extends away from the roof to support the bottom edge of one of the slate members and the slate liner, a top portion of each of the hanger devices securely engages the at least one batten, and a bottom edge of the slate liner is coincident with the bottom edge of the slate members.",
"10. A system according to claim 9, further comprising an underlayment positioned on the roof structure below the battens.",
"11. A system according to claim 9, further comprising a plurality of battens for accommodating a plurality of rows of slate members, wherein the slate members are operatively secured to the roof structure in overlapping rows, wherein the bottom portion of each of the hanger devices of one of the rows extends downward to partially overlap the slate members of the row immediately below.",
"12. A device as in claim 11, wherein the slate liner of one of the rows completely underlies the slate members of the row, and wherein the upper edge of the slate liner extends up beyond the top edge of the slate members of the row.",
"13. A system for attaching slate members to a roof, comprising:\nat least one batten, the batten having a plurality of hanger holders; and\na plurality of hangers removably secured to the at least one batten via the plurality of hanger holders, the hangers being spring tempered to permit positioning of the hangers along the length of the battens.",
"14. A system according to claim 13, wherein the hangers resist lifting forces when attached to the at least one batten.",
"15. A system according to claim 14, wherein each slate member has a top edge and a bottom edge, and wherein the bottom edge of each of the slate members is supported by one or more hangers.",
"16. A system according to claim 15, further comprising one or more slate liners, wherein each slate liner is positioned atop the hangers associated with a row of slate members, underlying the slate members of the row.",
"17. A system according to claim 16, wherein a bottom portion of each hanger extends away from the roof to support the bottom edge of one of the slate members and the slate liner, and a top portion of each hanger securely engages the at least one batten, and the bottom edge of the slate liner is coincident with the bottom edge of the slate members.",
"18. A system according to claim 17, further comprising a plurality of battens for accommodating a plurality of rows of slate members, wherein the slate members are attached to the roof in overlapping rows, wherein the bottom portion of each hanger of one of the rows extends downward to partially overlap the slate members of the row immediately below.",
"19. A system according to claim 18, wherein the slate liner of one of the rows completely underlies the slate members of the row, and wherein the upper edge of the slate liner extends up beyond the top edge of the slate members of the row.",
"20. A method for disposing slate members on a roof structure, comprising:\ndisposing a plurality of battens along a roof structure, the battens having a plurality of hanger holders associated therewith;\nproviding a plurality of hangers; and\ncompressing a portion of each hanger and disposing the portion into a pair of corresponding openings defined by the hanger holders.",
"21. A method according to claim 20, wherein the hangers each comprise a lower hook portion, and wherein the method further comprises disposing slate liners atop the hangers such that a bottom edge of the slate liners abuts the hook portion of the hangers.",
"22. A method according to claim 21, further comprising disposing slate members atop the slate liners such that a bottom edge of the slate members abuts the hook portion of the hangers.",
"23. A method according to claim 20, further comprising the portion of at least one hanger and removing the hanger from the openings defined by the hanger holders.",
"24. A method according to claim 23, further comprising moving the hanger to another location along the batten, compressing the portion of the hanger and disposing the portion into another of a pair of corresponding openings defined by the hanger holders."
],
[
"1. A system of pitched roofing, which comprises:\na sheet material for adhering to a roof deck, which has an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface including a hook and loop fastener;\na plurality of roofing tiles each having a front face and a back face and a length extending from an upper edge to a lower edge, wherein the back face of each tile has opposing side-edge portions;\nhook and loop fasteners adhered to and covering a portion of the back face of each tile including a portion of the opposing side-edge portions;\na plurality of rain diverting devices, each device having one surface made up of a plurality of hook portions and an opposing surface made up of a plurality of portions complementary to the hook portions,\nwherein each rain diverting device is positioned between, extending along at least the entire length of two adjacent tiles, and releasably attached to the hook and loop fasteners located on a side-edge portion of the adjacent tiles and the sheet material, thereby releasably attaching the tiles to each other and to the upper surface of the underlying sheet material,\nwherein each rain diverting device serves to direct rain and snowmelt away from a separation between adjacent tiles and the underlying sheet material and down onto tiles one or more rows below the separation between adjacent tiles.",
"2. The system of roofing of claim 1, wherein the rain diverting device has one surface made up of a plurality of hook portions, and an opposing surface made up of a plurality of loop portions.",
"3. The system of roofing of claim 1, wherein the rain diverting device is a strip-like device that has a thickness of less than or equal to about 3 millimeters, a width ranging from about 5.1 to about 15.2 centimeters, and a length ranging from about 100% to about 120% of the average length of the adjacent tiles.",
"4. The system of roofing of claim 1, wherein the roofing tiles are selected from the group of slabs or shingles made from asphalt, wood, cement, fiber-cement mixtures, concrete, clay or ceramic material, slate or slate substitute, rubber slate, and other hardwearing materials and metal.",
"5. The system of roofing of claim 4, wherein the roofing tiles are selected from the group of slate, slate substitute and rubber slate tiles.",
"6. The system of roofing of claim 1, wherein the upper surface of the sheet material contains a grid pattern for providing a reference for placement of the tiles pressed down upon it.",
"7. The system of roofing of claim 1, wherein the lower surface of the sheet material is adhered to an insulation board, which is adhered to the roof deck.",
"8. The system of roofing of claim 1, wherein the hook and loop fasteners are in the form of strips having a width greater than about 2.54 centimeters.",
"9. The system of roofing of claim 8, wherein the hook and loop fastener strips have a width ranging from about 3.8 to about 6.4 centimeters.",
"10. The system of roofing of claim 1, wherein the hook and loop fasteners have a combined thickness of less than or equal to about 3 millimeters.",
"11. The system of roofing of claim 1, wherein the hook and loop fasteners extend along the width of the tile on the back face at or near uppermost and lowermost edges of the tile.",
"12. The system of roofing of claim 11, wherein hook and loop fasteners also extend along the width of the tile at or near the uppermost edge of the front face.",
"13. The system of roofing of claim 12, wherein the hook and loop fasteners on the upper surface of the sheet material and adhered to the front face of each tile are hook fasteners and the hook and loop fasteners adhered to the back face of each tile are loop fasteners.",
"14. The system of roofing of claim 13, wherein the surface of the rain diverting device made up of a plurality of hook portions is positioned over the back face of each tile, and the surface of the rain diverting device made up of a plurality of portions complementary to the hook portions is positioned over the upper surface of the sheet material.",
"15. The system of roofing of claim 1, wherein the roofing tiles are single lapped with exposed portions of the front face of each tile ranging from about 71 to about 93% of the total area of the front face.",
"16. The system of pitched roofing of claim 1, which further comprises a support disposed in between the upper edge and the lower edge and extending from the back face.",
"17. The system of claim 16, wherein the support comprises a Z-shaped spring having an upper arm adhered to the back face of the tile, and a lower arm.",
"18. The system of claim 17, wherein the lower arm of the Z-shaped spring has a surface made up of a hook and loop fastener complimentary to the hook and loop fastener of the sheet material.",
"19. A method of installing shingles or tiles on a roof, which comprises:\nproviding a sheet material having an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface including a hook and loop fastener;\nsecuring the lower surface of the sheet material to a roof deck;\nproviding a plurality of roofing tiles, each tile having a length extending from an upper edge to a lower edge and a back face with opposing side-edge portions, wherein hook and loop fasteners are adhered to and cover a portion of the back face of each tile including a portion of the opposing side-edge portions;\nproviding a plurality of rain diverting devices, each device having one surface made up of a plurality of hook portions and an opposing surface made up of a plurality of portions complementary to the hook portions,\npositioning each rain diverting device between, extending along at least the entire length of two adjacent tiles, and releasably attaching each device to the hook and loop fasteners located on a side-edge portion of the adjacent tiles and the underlying sheet material, thereby releasably attaching the tiles to each other and to the upper surface of the sheet material,\nwherein each rain diverting device serves to direct rain and snowmelt away from a separation between adjacent tiles and the underlying sheet material and down onto tiles one or more rows below the separation between adjacent tiles.",
"20. A method of using a device having one surface made up of a plurality of hook portions and an opposing surface made up of a plurality of portions complementary to the hook portions to direct rainwater and snowmelt away from an underlying sheet material on a roof deck, which comprises: positioning the device between, extending along at least an entire length of two adjacent tiles, and releasably attaching the device to hook and loop fasteners located on a side-edge portion of the adjacent roofing tiles and an underlying sheet material, thereby releasably attaching the tiles to each other and to the upper surface of the underlying sheet material,\nwherein each rain diverting device serves to direct rain and snowmelt away from a separation between adjacent tiles and the underlying sheet material and down onto tiles one or more rows below the separation between adjacent tiles.",
"21. A system of pitched roofing, which comprises:\na sheet material for adhering to a roof deck, which has an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface including a hook and loop fastener;\na plurality of roofing tiles each having a front face and a back face and a length extending at least from an upper edge to a lower edge, wherein the back face of each tile has opposing side-edge portions;\nhook and loop fasteners adhered to and covering a portion of the back face of each tile including a portion of the opposing side-edge portions;\na plurality of rain diverting devices, each device having one surface made up of a plurality of hook portions and an opposing surface made up of a plurality of portions complementary to the hook portions,\nwherein each rain diverting device is positioned between, extending along at least the entire length of two adjacent tiles, and releasably attached to the hook and loop fasteners located on a side-edge portion of the adjacent tiles and the sheet material, thereby releasably attaching the tiles to each other and to the upper surface of the underlying sheet material,\nwherein each rain diverting device serves to direct rain and snowmelt away from a separation between adjacent tiles and the underlying sheet material and down onto tiles one or more rows below the separation between adjacent tiles,\nwherein the roofing tiles are selected from the group of slate, slate substitute and rubber slate tiles.",
"22. A method of installing shingles or tiles on a roof, which comprises:\nproviding a sheet material having an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface including a hook and loop fastener;\nsecuring the lower surface of the sheet material to a roof deck;\nproviding a plurality of roofing tiles, each tile having a length extending from at least an upper edge to a lower edge and a back face with opposing side-edge portions, wherein hook and loop fasteners are adhered to and cover a portion of the back face of each tile including a portion of the opposing side-edge portions;\nproviding a plurality of rain diverting devices, each device having one surface made up of a plurality of hook portions and an opposing surface made up of a plurality of portions complementary to the hook portions,\npositioning each rain diverting device between, extending along at least the entire length of two adjacent tiles, and releasably attaching each device to the hook and loop fasteners located on a side-edge portion of the adjacent tiles and the underlying sheet material, thereby releasably attaching the tiles to each other and to the upper surface of the sheet material,\nwherein each rain diverting device serves to direct rain and snowmelt away from a separation between adjacent tiles and the underlying sheet material and down onto tiles one or more rows below the separation between adjacent tiles,\nwherein the roofing tiles are selected from the group of slate, slate substitute and rubber slate tiles.",
"23. A method of using a device having one surface made up of a plurality of hook portions and an opposing surface made up of a plurality of portions complementary to the hook portions to direct rainwater and snowmelt away from an underlying sheet material on a roof deck, which comprises: positioning the device between, extending along at least an entire length of two adjacent tiles, and releasably attaching the device to hook and loop fasteners located on a side-edge portion of the adjacent roofing tiles and an underlying sheet material, thereby releasably attaching the tiles to each other and to the upper surface of the underlying sheet material,\nwherein each rain diverting device serves to direct rain and snowmelt away from a separation between adjacent tiles and the underlying sheet material and down onto tiles one or more rows below the separation between adjacent tiles,\nwherein the roofing tiles are selected from the group of slate, slate substitute and rubber slate tiles.",
"24. A system of pitched roofing, which comprises:\na sheet material for adhering to a roof deck, which has an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface including a hook and loop fastener;\na plurality of roofing tiles each having a front face and a back face and a length extending from an upper edge to a lower edge, wherein the back face of each tile has opposing side-edge portions;\nhook and loop fasteners adhered to and covering a portion of the back face of each tile including a portion of the opposing side-edge portions;\na plurality of rain diverting devices, each device having one surface made up of a plurality of hook portions and an opposing surface made up of a plurality of portions complementary to the hook portions,\nwherein each rain diverting device is positioned between, extending along at least the entire length of two adjacent tiles, and releasably attached to the hook and loop fasteners located on a side-edge portion of the adjacent tiles and the sheet material, thereby releasably attaching the tiles to each other and to the upper surface of the underlying sheet material,\nwherein each rain diverting device serves to direct rain and snowmelt away from a separation between adjacent tiles and the underlying sheet material and down onto tiles one or more rows below the separation between adjacent tiles,\nwherein the roofing tiles are selected from the group of slate, slate substitute and rubber slate tiles, and\nwherein the roofing tiles are single lapped with exposed portions of the front face of each tile ranging from about 71 to about 93% of the total area of the front face."
],
[
"1. A roofing panel comprising:\nan upper surface to be exposed to ambience when the roofing panel is installed on a roof;\na forward edge portion;\na rear headlap portion opposite the forward edge portion;\na first end portion extending between the forward edge portion and the headlap portion at a first end of the panel and a second end portion extending between the forward edge portion and the headlap portion at a second end of the panel opposite the first end;\nthe forward edge portion comprising a downwardly extending skirt having a return flange extending from a bottom edge of the skirt;\nthe rear headlap portion comprising an open channel extending at least partially along its length and having a forward wall, a bottom wall, and a back wall, with the forward wall being defined by a downward step between the upper surface and the bottom wall, the open channel being sized to receive the return flange and a portion of the skirt of the forward edge of a like panel to interlock two panels together front-to-back; and\na nailing flange extending rearwardly of the open channel for receiving fasteners attaching the roof panel to a roof deck.",
"2. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a locking tab extending partially across the open channel and being configured to capture the return flange of the like panel.",
"3. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 2 wherein the return flange extends rearwardly from the bottom edge of the skirt.",
"4. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 3 wherein the locking tab extends forwardly from the back wall across a portion of the open channel.",
"5. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 1 wherein the open channel is integrally formed with the roofing panel.",
"6. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 5 wherein the roofing panel is roll formed from a sheet of the roofing panel material having a substantially constant thickness.",
"7. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 1 wherein a portion of the open channel is cut away at the first end of the panel so that the first end may be overlapped by the second end of a like panel to join the panels in end-to-end relationship.",
"8. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 7 further comprising an upturned wall extending along the cut away portion forming a dam to inhibit seepage of water at the tops of two end-to-end overlapping panels.",
"9. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 1 wherein the open channel is upwardly open.",
"10. A roofing panel installation comprising a plurality of the roofing panels of claim 9 installed in courses with the skirts and return flanges of panels in upper courses being interlocked within the upwardly open channels of panels in the next lower course of panels.",
"11. A roofing panel comprising an upper surface, a forward edge portion, a rear edge portion, a first end portion, and a second end portion, the forward edge portion being formed to define a downwardly projecting skirt having a return flange extending at an angle from a lower edge of the skirt, the rear edge portion being formed to define an elongated upwardly open channel having a forward wall, a bottom wall, and a back wall, with the forward wall being defined by a downward step between the upper surface and the bottom wall, the open channel being sized to receive the return flange and at least a portion of the skirt of a like panel for attaching the forward edge portion of the like panel to the rear edge portion of the panel.",
"12. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 11 wherein the return flange extends rearwardly from the skirt.",
"13. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 11 wherein the return flange extends rearwardly and upwardly from the skirt.",
"14. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 11 further comprising a locking tab projecting across a portion of the upwardly open channel.",
"15. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 14 where the locking tab is configured to capture the return flange when the return flange and at least a portion of the skirt are inserted into the upwardly open channel of a like roofing panel.",
"16. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 11 wherein a portion of the upwardly open channel is cut away at the first end of the panel to accommodate end-to-end overlapping of two like panels on a roof.",
"17. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 16 further comprising an upturned wall extending along the rear of the cut away portion forming a dam against water migration.",
"18. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 11 wherein the panel is formed with a textured upwardly facing surface.",
"19. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 18 wherein the upwardly facing surface is textured to mimic a traditional shingle.",
"20. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 19 wherein the traditional shingle is a slate shingle.",
"21. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 19 wherein the traditional shingle is a shake shingle.",
"22. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 19 wherein the traditional shingle is an asphalt shingle.",
"23. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 19 wherein the traditional shingle is a barrel shingle."
],
[
"1. A shingle configured for attachment to a roof, the shingle comprising:\na body comprising a first side and a second side;\nwherein the first side comprises a water diverter tab and an anchor tab opening; and\nwherein the second side comprises an anchor tab and a water diverter tab opening.",
"2. The shingle of claim 1, wherein the water diverter tab comprises: a base; and a lip.",
"3. The shingle of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of braces extending downward from the body.",
"4. The shingle of claim 3, wherein the shingle further comprises a cross-bar extending downward from the body and connecting the plurality of braces.",
"5. The shingle of claim 3, wherein the shingle further comprises a first side wall and wherein the plurality of braces and the first side wall comprise a wedge-shaped portion.",
"6. The shingle of claim 1, further comprising: a first side wall extending downward from the first side and a second side wall extending downward from the second side.",
"7. A method for installing shingles, the method comprising:\nsecuring a first shingle, wherein the first shingle comprises an upper end and a first side comprising an anchor tab and a water diverter tab opening,\nto an underlying surface by inserting at least one fastener through the upper end of the first shingle and at least one fastener through the anchor tab of the first shingle;\ninterlocking a second shingle with the first shingle, wherein the second shingle comprises an upper end, a first side comprising an anchor tab, and a second side comprising a water diverter tab,\nby inserting the water diverter tab of the second shingle through the water diverter tab opening of the first shingle; and\nsecuring the second shingle to the underlying surface by inserting at least one fastener through the upper end of the second shingle and at least one fastener through the anchor tab of the second shingle.",
"8. The method of claim 7, wherein the second side of the shingle further comprises an anchor tab opening, and wherein the interlocking step further comprises nesting the anchor tab of the first shingle in the anchor tab opening of the second shingle."
],
[
"1. A system of roofing, which comprises:\na sheet material for adhering to a roof deck, which has an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface including a hook and loop fastener;\na plurality of roofing tiles each having a width and a front and back face;\na plurality of strips having a width, with hook and loop fasteners on a surface thereof, which are adhered to and extend across at least a portion of the width of each roofing tile, the plurality of strips comprising a strip A on an upper portion of the front face of each roofing tile at a distance from an upper edge thereof, and strips B and C on an upper and on a lower portion of the back face near upper and lower edges thereof;\na plurality of elongate rain diverting devices, each having a front and a back face with a corresponding lower edge, wherein for each elongate rain diverting device, a strip I of hook and loop fasteners, having a width is adhered along the lower edge of the front face of the elongate rain diverting device, and a strip II of hook and loop fasteners, having a width is adhered along the lower edge of the back face of the elongate rain diverting device,\nwherein once roofing tiles of the plurality of rooting tiles are arranged in a course or row on the roof deck and releasably attached to the sheet material by way of the strip B, an elongate rain diverting device of the plurality of elongate rain diverting devices is positioned on the upper portion of the front face of each roofing tile, extending above each roofing tile and onto the sheet material, and across the roof deck, and is releasably attached to each roofing tile by way of the strip II of the elongate rain diverting device being releasably attached to the strip A of each roofing tile,\nwherein as each subsequent row of roofing tiles of the plurality of roofing tiles is arranged on the roof deck, partially overlapping an underlying row with a partially overlying elongate rain diverting device of the plurality of elongate rain diverting devices, each roofing tile in the subsequent row is releasably attached to the elongate rain diverting device by way of the strip C of the roofing tile being releasably attached to the strip I of the elongate rain diverting device and is releasably attached to the sheet material by way of the strip B of the roofing tile being releasably attached to the hook and loop fastener on the upper surface of the sheet material.",
"2. The system of roofing of claim 1, wherein the width of the strips adhered to the elongate rain diverting device approximates the width of the strips adhered to each tile.",
"3. The system of roofing of claim 1, wherein the elongate rain diverting device is made from an ultraviolet-resistant, waterproof, polymeric material.",
"4. The system of roofing of claim 3, wherein the polymeric material is a high-density polyethylene polymeric material.",
"5. The system of roofing of claim 1, wherein the rain diverting device is a rolled sheet-like material having a thickness of less than or equal to about 3 millimeters and a width ranging from about 15 to about 35 centimeters, which extends across all or at least a major portion of the width of the roof deck.",
"6. The system of roofing of claim 1, wherein the roofing tiles are selected from the group of slabs or shingles made from asphalt, wood, cement, fiber-cement mixtures, concrete, clay or ceramic material, slate or slate substitute, rubber slate, and other hardwearing materials and metal.",
"7. The system of roofing of claim 6, wherein the roofing tiles are selected from the group of slate, slate substitute and rubber slate tiles.",
"8. The system of roofing of claim 1, wherein the upper surface of the sheet material contains a grid pattern for providing a reference for placement of the tiles pressed down upon it.",
"9. The system of roofing of claim 1, wherein the lower surface of the sheet material is adhered to an insulation board, which is adhered to the roof deck.",
"10. The system of roofing of claim 1, wherein each strip has a width greater than about 2.54 centimeters.",
"11. The system of roofing of claim 10, wherein each strip has a width ranging from about 3.8 to about 6.4 centimeters.",
"12. The system of roofing of claim 1, wherein each strip has a thickness of less than or equal to about 3 millimeters.",
"13. The system of roofing of claim 1, wherein the hook and loop fasteners on the upper surface of the sheet material are hook fasteners.",
"14. The system of roofing of claim 13, wherein the strip A adhered to the front face of each roofing tile are hook fasteners and the strips B and C adhered to the back face of each roofing tile are loop fasteners.",
"15. The system of roofing of claim 14, wherein the strip I adhered along the lower edge of the front face of the elongate rain diverting device are hook fasteners, and the strip II adhered along the lower edge of the back face of the elongate rain diverting device are loop fasteners.",
"16. The system of roofing of claim 1, wherein the roofing tiles are single lapped with exposed portions of the front face of each tile ranging from about 59 to about 82% of the total area of the front face.",
"17. A method of installing tiles on a roof, which comprises:\nproviding a sheet material having an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface including a hook and loop fastener; securing the lower surface of the sheet material to a roof deck;\nproviding a plurality of roofing tiles, each roofing tile having a width and a front and back face,\nwherein strips of hook and loop fasteners are adhered to and extend across at least a portion of the width of each roofing tile, the strips comprising a strip A on an upper portion of the front face at a distance from an upper edge thereof, and strips B and C on an upper and on a lower portion of the back face near upper and lower edges thereof;\nproviding a plurality of elongate rain diverting devices, each having a front face and a back face with a lower edge, wherein for each elongate rain diverting device, a strip I of hook and loop fasteners, having a width is adhered along the lower edge of the front face of the elongate rain diverting device of the plurality of elongate rain diverting devices, and a strip II of hook and loop fasteners, having a width is adhered along the lower edge of the back face of the elongate rain diverting device,\nwherein, once roofing tiles of the plurality of roofing tiles are arranged in a course or row on the roof deck and adhered to the sheet material by way of the strip B of each roofing tile,\npositioning an elongate rain diverting device of the plurality of elongate rain diverting devices on the upper portion of the front face of each roofing tile, extending above each roofing tile onto the sheet material, adhering the elongate rain diverting device to each roofing tile by way of the strip II of the elongate rain diverting device being releasably attached to the strip A of each roofing tile,\nwherein as each subsequent row of tiles is arranged on the roof deck, partially overlapping an underlying row with an overlying elongate rain diverting device of the plurality of elongate rain diverting devices, releasably attaching each roofing tile to an underlying elongate rain diverting device of the plurality of elongate rain diverting devices by way of the strip C of each roofing tile being releasably attached to the strip I of the underlying elongate rain diverting device, releasably attaching each roofing tile to the sheet material by way of strip B of each roofing tile being releasably attached to the hook and loop fastener on the upper surface of the sheet material, and positioning another elongate rain diverting device of the plurality of elongate rain diverting devices, on the upper portion of the front face of each roofing tile in the subsequent row, extending above each roofing tile onto the sheet material, and across the roof deck, and adhering the elongate rain diverting device to each roofing tile by way of the strip II of the elongate rain diverting device being releasably attached to the strip A of each roofing tile.",
"18. A method of using a plurality of elongate rain diverting devices to direct rainwater and snowmelt away from an underlying sheet material on a roof deck, each elongate rain diverting device having strips of hook and loop fasteners adhered to lower edges of opposing faces, wherein for each row of tiles installed on the roof deck, the method comprises: positioning and releasably attaching the elongate rain diverting device to upper portions of exposed faces of the tiles in the row prior to installation of a subsequent, partially overlying row, the elongate rain diverting device extending above each tile onto the sheet material and across the roof deck, wherein each elongate rain diverting device serves to divert rainwater and snowmelt away from separations between adjacent tiles and the underlying sheet material."
],
[
"1. An elevated retainer for retaining roofing tile against a roofing surface, the elevated retainer comprising:\na retainer head, the retainer head having a base and a top, the base being adapted for placement near the roofing surface so that the base is closer to the roofing surface than the top, the retainer head having a retainer nail channel;\na reinforcing strip that extends from the retainer head, the reinforcing strip being adapted for extending from the retainer head in a direction that is generally parallel to the roofing surface when the base of the retainer head is placed against the roofing surface, the reinforcing strip having a nail slot that extends through the reinforcing strip;\na lug retainer, the lug retainer being a cantilevered section that extends from the base of the retainer head in substantially the same direction as the reinforcing strip, the lug retainer having a lug upper end and a lug lower end, the lug retainer further having a lug hook that is at a distance from the base of the retainer head, so that attachment of the elevated retainer through the use of a nail through the retainer nail channel and into the roofing surface while the reinforcing strip and the lug retainer extend towards from the retainer head towards the lower roofing surface allows the insertion of the roofing tile into the elevated retainer with the lugs of the roofing tile are engaged by the lug retainer while the tile lies between the reinforcing strip and the lug retainer;\nat least one foot comprising a resilient protrusion that extends from the lug retainer towards the reinforcing strip.",
"2. An elevated retainer according to claim 1 wherein said foot is of integral, one-piece construction with the lug retainer.",
"3. An elevated retainer according to claim 2 and further comprising a nail channel comprising an aperture that extends from the top to the bottom of the retainer head.",
"4. An elevated retainer according to claim 3 wherein said retainer head includes a V-shaped leading edge comprising a pair of angled surfaces that extend from top to the bottom of the retainer, and is adapted for diverting a flow of water around the elevated retainer.",
"5. An elevated retainer for retaining roofing tile against a roofing surface that is sloped from an upper roofing surface towards a lower roofing surface, the elevated retainer comprising:\na retainer head, the retainer head having a base and a top, the base being adapted for placement near the roofing surface so that the base is closer to the roofing surface than the top, the retainer head having a retainer nail channel;\na reinforcing strip that extends from the retainer head, the reinforcing strip being adapted for extending from the retainer head in a direction that is generally parallel to the roofing surface when the base of the retainer head is placed against the roofing surface, the reinforcing strip having an aperture therethrough, the aperture defining a nail slot that extends through the reinforcing strip;\na lug retainer, the lug retainer being a cantilevered section that extends from the base of the retainer head in substantially the same direction as the reinforcing strip, the lug retainer having a lug hook comprising a section that is bent up towards the reinforcing strip, the lug hook being at a distance from the base of the retainer head, said lug retainer further comprises a pair of resilient elevated feet that extend from the lug retainer towards the reinforcing strip, the elevated feet comprising a pair of cantilevered projections that are of integral, one-piece construction with the lug retainer and are positioned between the lug hook and the retainer head, so that attachment of the elevated retainer through the use of a nail through the retainer nail channel and into the roofing surface while the reinforcing strip and the lug retainer extend towards from the retainer head towards the lower roofing surface allows the insertion of the roofing tile into the elevated retainer with the lugs of the roofing tile are engaged by the lug retainer while the tile lies between the reinforcing strip and the lug retainer.",
"6. An elevated retainer according to claim 5 and further comprising a nail channel comprising an aperture that extends from the top to the bottom of the retainer head.",
"7. An elevated retainer according to claim 6 wherein said reinforcing strip is tilted towards said lug retainer.",
"8. An elevated retainer according to claim 7 and further comprising a nail channel comprising an aperture that extends from the top to the bottom of the retainer head.",
"9. A method for retaining a roofing tile against a roofing surface that is sloped from an upper roofing surface towards a lower roofing surface, the method comprising:\nproviding a elevated retainer having:\na retainer head, the retainer head having a base and a top, the base being adapted for placement near the roofing surface so that the base is closer to the roofing surface than the top, the retainer head having a retainer nail channel;\na reinforcing strip that extends from the retainer head, the reinforcing strip being adapted for extending from the retainer head in a direction that is generally parallel to the roofing surface when the base of the retainer head is placed against the roofing surface, the reinforcing strip having an aperture therethrough, the aperture defining a nail slot that extends through the reinforcing strip; and\na pair of lug retainers, each of the lug retainer comprising a cantilevered section that extends from the base of the retainer head in substantially the same direction as the reinforcing strip, each of the lug retainers having a lug hook comprising a section that is bent up towards the reinforcing strip, the lug hook being at a distance from the base of the retainer head at least one of said lug retainers further comprising a pair of resilient elevated feet that extend from the lug retainer towards the reinforcing strip, the elevated feet comprising a pair of cantilevered protections that are of integral, one-piece construction with the lug retainer and are positioned between the lug hook and the retainer head;\nfastening the retainer head against the roofing surface by driving a nail through the nail channel such that the base of the head faces the roofing surface, while the lug retainer and the reinforcing strip extend towards the lower roofing surface;\nproviding a roofing tile having a tile upper surface and a tile lower surface, the tile lower surface having a pair of spaced-apart lugs that extend from the tile lower surface, the roofing tile further having a nail hole that extends through the tile from the tile upper surface to the tile lower surface;\ninserting the roofing tile into the elevated retainer such that the lugs of the roofing tile are engaged by the lug retainer while the tile lies between the reinforcing strip and the lug retainer, and such that the retainer nail channel extends over the tile nail hole; and\ninserting a nail through the retainer nail channel and through the tile nail hole and into the roofing surface."
],
[
"1. A weather shield assembly for tile roofs, comprising:\na sheet of water resistant roofing material constructed to extend over a roof;\na water resistant shield strip disposed above said sheet of water resistant roofing material; and\na tile fastener comprising a mounting portion fixed in a first location above both said sheet of water resistant roofing material and said water resistant shield strip and a shank portion extending from said mounting portion into a hook portion, said shank portion having a wing portion extending laterally below each side of said hook portion between said sheet of water resistant roofing material and said water resistant shield strip.",
"2. The weather shield assembly of claim 1, wherein said tile fastener is fixed to said sheet of water resistant roofing material and said water resistant shield strip with a staple.",
"3. A preassembled weather shield assembly for tile roofs, comprising;\na sheet of water resistant roofing material constructed to overlie a roof deck;\na plurality of water resistant shield strips coupled to said sheet of water resistant roofing material;\na plurality of tile fasteners respectively coupled to said plurality water resistant shield strips and to said sheet of water resistant roofing material; and\neach of said plurality of tile fasteners comprising a first fastener portion extending through a first portion of one of said water resistant shield strips and a second fastener portion extending through a second portion of said one of said water resistant shield strips wherein said first fastener portion comprises a shank portion extending on top of said sheet of water resistant roofing material and extending underneath said one of said water resistant shield strips between said first and second portions of said one of said weather resistant shield strips.",
"4. The preassembled weather shield assembly of claim 3, wherein one of said plurality of tile fasteners comprises laterally-extending wing portions extending under one of said plurality of shield strips.",
"5. The preassembled weather shield assembly of claim 3, wherein said second fastener portion comprises a hook portion extending through and projecting above one of said plurality of water resistant shield strips.",
"6. The preassembled weather shield assembly of claim 3, wherein each of said plurality of shield strips is formed with a slit or slot and wherein each of said plurality of fasteners respectively extends through said slit or slot.",
"7. The preassembled weather shield assembly of claim 3, wherein each of said plurality of shield strips is formed with a hole and wherein each of said plurality fasteners extends through said hole."
],
[
"1. A covering assembly for covering a roof or side of a structure comprising an understructure, a plurality of spaced parallel tracks mounted to said understructure, each of said mounting tracks having a base portion secured to said understructure and an intermediate connecting portion extending away from said base portion with an offset portion extending away from said intermediate portion generally parallel to said base portion, said offset portion terminating in a bent end extending toward said base portion, a plurality of covering panels, each of said covering panels having an exposed side and an underside, a resilient clip mounted around said panel and detachably hooked to said offset portion of said track, said clip having a first free end disposed against said exposed side of said panel and a second free end extending around said offset portion of said track, said second free end terminating in a bent portion hooked around said bent end of said offset portion, and said panels being disposed in rows with each of the panels in a respective row detachably mounted to one of said tracks and with said rows of panels overlapping each other.",
"2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said bent end of said offset portion is a barb extending away from said intermediate connecting portion, and said bent portion of said clip is a barb extending toward said intermediate portion.",
"3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said bent end of said offset portion is inclined toward said intermediate portion, and said bent portion of said clip being inclined away from said intermediate portion.",
"4. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said clip includes recessed reinforcing structure.",
"5. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said track includes stiffening structure.",
"6. The assembly of claim 1 wherein a detachable sheath is on said offset portion of said track.",
"7. A covering assembly for covering a roof or side of a structure comprising an understructure, a plurality of rows of elongated pans, a plurality of rows of covering panels, each of said pans having a central portion defined by elongated side edges joined by upper and lower edges, a hook structure extending generally from one of said edges, said hook structure having a first surface extending downwardly away from said central portion and joined to a second surface generally parallel to said central portion disposed directly below and spaced from said central portion, said hook structure thereby including three mounting surfaces comprising said central portion and the downward extension and said second surface, each of said pans being detachably mounted to said understructure by said hook structure being hooked around and against said understructure, adjacent rows of said pans being mounted to overlap each other with said lower edges of one row of said pans overlapping said upper edges of an adjacent lower row of said pans, each of said panels having elongated side edges joined by upper and lower edges, each of said rows of panels comprising adjacent panels having side edges disposed generally against each other to create sets of longitudinal joints at said side edges of adjacent panels, said panels being disposed over said pans and staggered with respect to said pans, each said pans having a front surface and a rear surface, a panel receiving hook on said front surface detachably mounting said panels to said understructure with said pans located at and below each of said joints, each of said joints being at a location between said side edges of said pan, said location of said pan being imperforate, said pans and said panels being compliantly and tightly mounted to said understructure, the undersurface of a pan being in contact with the outer surface of an underlying panel, and said pan being of generally the same length as said panels at said location of said joint to generally prevent flow of water through said joint directly to said understructure.",
"8. The assembly of claim 7 wherein said panel receiving hook is formed by a wire having a hook formation on said front surface of said pan, and said wire extending around to said rear surface of said pan.",
"9. The assembly of claim 8 wherein said wire extends only partially around said rear surface.",
"10. The assembly of claim 8 wherein said pan has corrugations extending from said upper edge to said lower edge to provide guide recesses for placement of said wire.",
"11. The assembly of claim 8 wherein said wire terminates in an upper free end at said rear surface of said pan, and a lower free end at said rear surface of said pan each of said free ends having a downwardly disposed hook.",
"12. The assembly of claim 11 wherein said upper hook and said lower hook are disposed around tracks mounted to said understructure.",
"13. The assembly of claim 11 wherein said upper hook is disposed between said rear surface of said pan and a track mounted to said undersurface.",
"14. The assembly of claim 11 wherein said upper hook is mounted around said understructure.",
"15. The assembly of claim 11 wherein said lower edge of said pan includes a generally L-shaped extension forming a spacing between said rear surface of said pan and the free end of said L-shaped extension, and said spacing being filled by surface to surface contact between said rear surface of said pan and an underlying one of said panels and an underlying one of said pans and an offset portion of a track mounted to said understructure with an overlying panel being mounted against said front surface of said pan.",
"16. The assembly of claim 7 wherein a pair of said hook structures is provided at said lower edge of said pan.",
"17. The assembly of claim 7 wherein said hook structure is located at at least one of said side edges.",
"18. The assembly of claim 7 wherein said hook structure is detachably mounted to said pan.",
"19. A covering assembly for covering a roof or side of a structure comprising an understructure, a plurality of rows of aligned pans, said pans in each of said rows being spaced from each other, each of said pans having an upper head portion and a lower base portion said head portion being fastened to said understructure, a stabilizing member spanning and connecting a pair of lower adjacent pans, said base portion of an upper pan being located between said pair of lower adjacent pans and engaged with said stabilizing member, and hook structure on each of said pans for receiving a panel.",
"20. The assembly of claim 19 wherein each of said pans includes a side wall having a slot, said stabilizing member being a wire, and said wire disposed in said slot.",
"21. The assembly of claim 19 wherein each of said pans has a pair of parallel side walls, each of said side walls having an integral tab, and said integral tab extending to and connected to one of said lower adjacent pans to comprise said stabilizing member.",
"22. The assembly of claim 19 wherein said hook is integral with said pan.",
"23. The assembly of claim 19 including a hold down band for holding said hook against said pan during wind and storm conditions, said hold down band having a cut out, said hook being disposed in said cut out, and said hold down band extending around said base of said pan to the undersurface of said pan.",
"24. A covering assembly for covering a roof or side of a structure comprising an undersurface in the form of a plurality of spaced battens, a plurality of pans, each of said pans having a head end and a base end, each of said pans having an upper surface, said head end terminating in a downwardly extending flange disposed against an upper batten, said base end having integral tabs secured to a lower one of said battens, a hook mounted to said head end, and a panel received in said hook.",
"25. The assembly of claim 24 wherein said integral tabs extend around at least two side walls of said batten.",
"26. A covering assembly for covering a roof or side of a structure in the form of a plurality of spaced battens, a plurality of spaced aligned track segments on each of said battens, each of said track segments having an upper flange which extends away from said batten and terminates in a free end located in an open space between pairs of adjacent battens, each of said track segments having a side wall disposed against a side wall of said batten each of said track segments having a lower base section disposed against and fastened to a second side wall of said batten, and a panel assembly mounted against said upper wall and engaged with said free end of said upper flange.",
"27. The assembly of claim 26 wherein said free end of said upper flange terminates in a hook structure."
],
[
"1. A roofing system, comprising:\nat least one underlayment layer;\nat least two nail fasteners attached to the at least one underlayment layer and into a roof deck, wherein the roof deck is a steep pitch roof deck having a pitch greater than 2 inches of rise to each 12 inches of run and wherein the head of each of the nail fasteners is above and in communication with the at least one underlayment layer and the shaft is driven through the least one underlayment layer and into the roof deck;\nat least one bead of adhesive applied above the underlayment layer in line with the at least two nail fasteners; and\nat least one metal roofing panel placed on the at least one bead of adhesive applied above the underlayment layer, wherein the at least one metal roofing panel is above the at least two nail fasteners and the at least two nail fasteners do not penetrate the at least one metal roofing panel.",
"2. A roofing system as in claim 1, wherein the at least two nail fasteners are according to a nail pattern that is sets of three offset rows that are perpendicular to a side of the roofing surface and applied a predetermined distance on center through the underlayment layer.",
"3. A roofing system as in claim 2, wherein the predetermined distance is six inches on center.",
"4. A roofing system as in claim 2, wherein the nail pattern is repeated a predetermined length on center.",
"5. A roofing system as in claim 4, wherein the nail pattern is repeated a predetermined length of 24 inches on center.",
"6. A roofing system as in claim 1, wherein the at least one underlayment layer is a self-sealing underlayment layer.",
"7. A roofing system as in claim 1, wherein the at least one underlayment layer has on center fastener location markings according to a nail pattern.",
"8. A roofing system as in claim 1, wherein the at least one underlayment layer is positioned overlapping a row that was previously laid down to create as many rows as are needed to entirely cover the roof deck.",
"9. A roofing system as in claim 1, wherein the underlayment layer is a roll applied underlayment layer.",
"10. A roofing system as in claim 1, wherein the nail fasteners are ring shank roofing nails.",
"11. A roofing system as in claim 1, wherein the at least two nail fasteners are fastened into a wood support of the roof deck.",
"12. A roofing system as in claim 1, wherein the at least two fasteners are in withdrawal and also in shear.",
"13. A roofing system as in claim 1, wherein the at least one underlayment layer is an underlayment roll rolled onto a center tube for attachment to a dispensing handle.",
"14. A roofing system as in claim 1, wherein the adhesive is a two-part epoxy.",
"15. A roofing system as in claim 1, wherein the underlayment layer is an adhesive underlayment layer.",
"16. A roofing system as in claim 15, wherein the adhesive underlayment layer is heat assisted.",
"17. A roofing system as in claim 1, further comprising an asphalt impregnated felt paper under the at least one underlayment layer and above the roof deck."
],
[
"1. Bituminous tile with sealing engagement devices delimiting positioning areas of anchoring nails, which is made in such a way as to comprise a layered tile body comprising an upper face and a lower face, a series of flaps arranged in an aligned sequence, after one another, in correspondence of a lower longitudinal portion of the tile body, wherein each flap is separate from an adjacent one by means of a separation cut, characterised in that at least the upper face of the tile body is provided with at least one sealing engagement device comprising at least one nailing area that identifies an insertion area of at least one anchoring nail, wherein the nailing area is circumscribed by a sealing engagement area, said sealing engagement area being made, alternatively or in combination, of adhesive, thermally adhesive or hot melt material, and wherein the sealing engagement area of the sealing engagement device is intended to enable the sealing of the nailing area in which in a laid condition at least one anchoring nail is inserted, while bondingly engaging at least one portion of the bituminous tile that in a laid condition at least partially overlaps the sealing engagement device.",
"2. Bituminous tile with sealing engagement devices delimiting positioning areas of the anchoring nails according to claim 1, wherein the size of the nailing area is smaller than the size of the sealing engagement area.",
"3. Bituminous tile with sealing engagement devices delimiting positioning areas of the anchoring nails according to claim 1, wherein in a laid condition the sealing engagement devices of the bituminous tile overlapping the underlying bituminous tile are positioned in such a way that the anchoring nail that engages by insertion the nailing area also engages by insertion a portion of the tile body of the underlying bituminous tile.",
"4. Bituminous tile with sealing engagement devices delimiting positioning areas of the anchoring nails according to claim 1, wherein the sealing engagement devices are at least placed in correspondence of the separation cuts above them.",
"5. Bituminous tile with sealing engagement devices delimiting positioning areas of the anchoring nails according to claim 1, wherein the sealing engagement area of the sealing engagement device is at least partly protruding with respect to the plane on which the nailing area lies.",
"6. Bituminous tile with sealing engagement devices delimiting positioning areas of the anchoring nails according to claim 1, wherein a left side of the tile body comprises a reference protrusion, said reference protrusion being provided with an upper wall and with a lower wall that are parallel to each other, and a right side of the tile body realizes a series of recesses in such a way as to create a first reference wall and a second reference wall, wherein the first reference wall of the right side of the tile body is on the same axis as the upper wall of the reference protrusion of the left side of the tile body while the second reference wall of the right side of the tile body is on the same axis as the lower wall of the reference protrusion of the left side of the tile body, wherein the assembly consisting of the upper wall and of the lower wall of the reference protrusion of the left side of the tile body and of the first reference wall and of the second reference wall of the right side of the tile body allows to realize a system of reference indices that allow to simplify the relative positioning for laying of each bituminous tile with respect to the adjacent one and to the underlying one in order to carry out a correct alignment and a correct overlapping thereof for laying, wherein the nailing area of each sealing engagement device is positioned on the tile body in such a way as to be placed immediately below the axis joining the first reference wall of the right side and the upper wall of the reference protrusion of the left side of the tile body.",
"7. Bituminous tile with sealing engagement devices delimiting positioning areas of the anchoring nails according to claim 1, wherein in order to highlight the nailing area, a colour of the nailing area of the sealing engagement device is different from a colour of the sealing engagement area.",
"8. Bituminous tile with sealing engagement devices delimiting positioning areas of the anchoring nails according to claim 1, wherein the nailing area of at least one sealing engagement device is made in such a way that it at least partially comprises the material of which the sealing engagement area is made, and wherein the sealing engagement area is at least partly protruding with respect to the nailing area.",
"9. Bituminous tile with sealing engagement devices delimiting positioning areas of the anchoring nails according to claim 1, wherein the nailing area of at least one sealing engagement device is devoid of the material of which the sealing engagement area is made.",
"10. Bituminous tile with sealing engagement devices delimiting positioning areas of the anchoring nails according to claim 1, wherein the sealing engagement area of the sealing engagement devices comprises at least one horizontal band whose dimensions in length are prevailing with respect to the remaining part of the sealing engagement area."
],
[
"1. A shingle blank comprising a substrate coated with an asphalt coating and having an upper surface and a lower surface, the blank including a first prime region and a second prime region, wherein the first prime region is substantially covered by a prime covering having a first overall visual effect and the second prime region is substantially covered by a second prime covering having a second overall visual effect different from the first overall visual effect, with the shingle blank being capable of being divided into individual cap shingles that can be applied to a roof ridge or hip, with the cap shingles including both the first and second prime regions, thereby enabling the cap shingles to be installed in an overlapping manner on the hip or ridge with either the first or the second prime regions being exposed.",
"2. The shingle blank of claim 1 including perforation lines to aid the cutting of the shingle blank into individual cap shingles.",
"3. The shingle blank of claim 1 in which the overall visual effect comprises prime coverings made from prime granules having a difference in color, ΔE, between the first overall visual effect and the second overall visual effect, the difference being less than 25 using CIELAB measurements.",
"4. The shingle blank of claim 1 in which the first overall visual effect comprises first prime granules of a first dark color and the second overall visual effect comprises second prime granules of a second dark color.",
"5. The shingle blank of claim 1 in which the first overall visual effect comprises first prime granules having a frequently used color and the second overall visual effect comprises second prime granules having a seldomly used color.",
"6. The shingle blank of claim 1 including courtesy cuts to aid the cutting of the shingle blank into individual cap shingles.",
"7. The shingle blank of claim 1 in which the colors selected for the first overall visual effect and the second overall visual effect are prime coverings made from prime granules having limited to colors less than or equal to 50 as measured on the CIELAB L* scale.",
"8. The shingle blank of claim 1 wherein the difference between the first overall visual effect and the second overall visual effect is that the second overall visual effect includes a shadow line.",
"9. The shingle blank of claim 1 wherein the first and second prime regions are provided on the upper surface of the shingle blank, said blank further comprising a sealant line is positioned on the upper surface of the shingle blank between the first and second prime regions.",
"10. A method of manufacturing an asphalt-based roofing material, comprising the steps of:\ncoating a substrate with an asphalt coating to form an asphalt coated sheet, the asphalt coated sheet including an upper surface and a lower surface, the substrate configured to include a first prime region and a second prime region;\napplying a first portion of prime granules to the first prime region;\napplying a second portion of prime granules to the second prime region, wherein the overall visual effect of the first prime region is different from the overall visual effect of the second prime region; and\ncutting the coated substrate into shingle blanks.",
"11. The method of claim 10 including adding perforation lines to the coated substrate to facilitate the separation of the shingle blank into cap shingles.",
"12. The method of claim 10 in which the overall visual effect comprises a difference in color, ΔE, between the first overall visual effect and the second overall visual effect, said difference being less than 25 using CIELAB measurements.",
"13. The method of claim 10 in which the first overall visual effect comprises a dark color and the second overall visual effect comprises a dark color.",
"14. The method of claim 10 in which the first overall visual effect comprises a frequently used color and the second overall visual effect comprises a seldomly used color",
"15. The method of claim 10 in which colors selected for the first overall visual effect and the second overall visual effect are limited to colors less than or equal to 50 as measured on the CIELAB L* scale.",
"16. The method of claim 10 including applying a shadow line to at least one of the prime regions.",
"17. A method of installing an asphalt-based hip and ridge roofing material, comprising the steps of:\nproviding an asphalt-based shingle blank, the shingle blank having a substrate coated with an asphalt coating and having an upper surface and a lower surface, the substrate configured to include a first prime region and a second prime region, wherein the first prime region is substantially covered by prime granules having a first overall visual effect and the second prime region is substantially covered by prime granules having a second overall visual effect different from the first overall visual effect, wherein both of the first and second prime regions are configured to be an exposed shingle portion on a hip or a ridge of a roof;\nseparating the shingle blank into individual cap shingles, each cap shingle including both the first and second prime regions;\ndetermining which of the first or second prime regions will be an exposed region of the installed cap shingles; and\ninstalling the cap shingles on the roof.",
"18. The method of claim 17 including trimming the edges of the prime region of the cap shingle that is to be hidden and not exposed.",
"19. The method of claim 17 in which the first overall visual effect is a first dark color and the second overall visual effect is a second dark color.",
"20. The method of claim 17 in which the first overall visual effect is a frequently used color and the second overall visual effect is a seldomly used color",
"21. A shingle blank having an upper surface and a lower surface, the blank configured to include a first prime region and a second prime region, wherein the first prime region has a first overall visual effect and the second prime region has a second overall visual effect different from the first overall visual effect, with the shingle blank being capable of being divided into individual cap shingles for application to a roof ridge or hip, with the cap shingles including both the first and second prime regions, thereby enabling the cap shingles to be installed in an overlapping manner on the hip or ridge with either the first or the second prime colors being exposed.",
"22. The shingle blank of claim 21 in which the shingle blank is a metallic material.",
"23. The shingle blank of claim 21 in which the shingle blank is comprised of a substrate coated with an asphalt coating, with the first prime region being substantially covered by prime granules having the first overall visual effect and the second prime region being substantially covered by prime granules having the second overall visual effect.",
"24. A cap shingle having an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface configured to include a first prime region and a second prime region, wherein the first prime region has a first overall visual effect and the second prime region has a second overall visual effect different from the first overall visual effect, with the cap shingle being configured to be installed in an overlapping manner on a hip or ridge of a roof with either the first or the second prime colors being exposed.",
"25. The cap shingle of claim 24 in which the cap shingle is a metallic material.",
"26. The cap shingle of claim 24 in which the cap shingle is comprised of a substrate coated with an asphalt coating, with the first prime region being substantially covered by prime granules having the first overall visual effect and the second prime region being substantially covered by prime granules having the second overall visual effect."
],
[
"1. A hybrid shingle for cladding a structure comprising a roofing substrate, the hybrid shingle comprising:\na first layer comprising a metallic substrate or a polymeric substrate and at least partially defining a headlap region of the shingle, a buttlap region of the shingle comprising one or more tabs interspersed with inter-tab openings, an outward-facing surface of the first layer, and a substrate-facing surface of the first layer; and\na second layer comprising a base and asphalt, having a smaller area than the first layer, and at least partially defining the buttlap region of the shingle,\nwherein the second layer is fixed to the substrate-facing surface of the first layer and the second layer is from about 2 to about 10 times thicker than the first layer.",
"2. A hybrid shingle according to claim 1, wherein the first layer completely covers the second layer except at the inter-tab openings.",
"3. A hybrid shingle according to claim 1, wherein the first layer comprises a metallic substrate.",
"4. A hybrid shingle according to claim 3, wherein the metallic substrate comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of steel, an alloy, copper, aluminum, and combinations thereof.",
"5. A hybrid shingle according to claim 3, wherein the polymer comprises a thermoplastic polyolefin.",
"6. A hybrid shingle according to claim 1, wherein the first layer comprises a polymeric substrate.",
"7. A hybrid shingle according to claim 1, wherein the outward-facing surface of the first layer is at least partially covered with a material selected from the group consisting of paint, acrylic, epoxy, tar, stones, nano granules, metal flakes, coated mica, a radiant barrier, and combinations thereof.",
"8. A hybrid shingle according to claim 1, wherein the base comprises glass fiber.",
"9. A hybrid shingle according to claim 1, wherein the second layer further comprises an outward-facing surface comprising mineral granules.",
"10. A hybrid shingle according to claim 1, wherein the second layer comprises a colored additive.",
"11. A hybrid shingle according to claim 1, wherein the first layer is thinner than the second layer, lighter than the second layer, or thinner and lighter than the second layer.",
"12. A hybrid shingle according to claim 11, wherein the shingle is thinner than a corresponding non-hybrid shingle, lighter than the corresponding non-hybrid shingle, or thinner and lighter than the corresponding non-hybrid shingle.",
"13. A hybrid shingle according to claim 12, wherein the non-hybrid shingle is an asphalt shingle.",
"14. A hybrid shingle according to claim 1, wherein first layer further comprises a fastener region positioned between the headlap and buttlap regions of the shingle.",
"15. A hybrid roofing system for cladding a structure comprising a roofing substrate, the hybrid roofing system comprising:\na plurality of hybrid shingles each hybrid shingle having a first layer and a second layer, the first layer comprising a metallic substrate or a polymeric substrate and at least partially defining a headlap region of the shingle, a buttlap region of the shingle comprising one or more tabs interspersed with inter-tab openings, an outward-facing surface of the first layer, and a substrate-facing surface of the first layer, the second layer comprising a base and asphalt, having a smaller area than the first layer, and at least partially defining the buttlap region of the shingle; and\nan underlayment, wherein the total thickness of the hybrid shingle is about 128 mils, wherein the thickness of the first layer is about 18 mils, wherein the second layer is fixed to the substrate-facing surface of the first layer, and wherein the second layer is from about 2 to about 10 times thicker than the first layer.",
"16. A hybrid roofing system according to claim 15, wherein the hybrid shingles are arranged in at least a first row and a second row at least partially overlapping the first row.",
"17. A hybrid roofing system according to claim 16, wherein at least a portion of the headlap of the at least one shingle in the second row overlaps at least a portion of the headlap of the at least one shingle in the first row.",
"18. A hybrid roofing system according to claim 17, wherein the first layer comprises a metallic substrate.",
"19. A hybrid roofing system according to claim 18, wherein the metallic substrate comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of steel, an alloy, copper, aluminum, and combinations thereof.",
"20. A hybrid roofing system according to claim 18, wherein the substrate is completely covered by at least one layer of metallic substrate.",
"21. A hybrid roofing system according to claim 16, wherein the first layer completely covers the second layer except at the inter-tab openings.",
"22. A hybrid roofing system according to claim 16, wherein the first layer comprises a metallic substrate.",
"23. A hybrid roofing system according to claim 22, wherein the metallic substrate comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of steel, an alloy, copper, aluminum, and combinations thereof.",
"24. A hybrid roofing system according to claim 16, wherein the first layer comprises a polymeric substrate."
],
[
"1. A method of stimulating the immune system in a patient in need thereof, comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of ITE or a structural analog thereof to the patient, wherein ITE has structural formula 1:",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the ITE structural analog is a compound of structural formula 2:",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein the ITE structural analog is a compound of structural formula 3:",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein the ITE structural analog is a compound of structural formula 4:\nwherein:\nX and Y are independently selected from the group consisting of O (oxygen) and S (sulfur);\nRN is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halo, cyano, formyl, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkanoyl, haloalkanoyl, and a nitrogen protective group;\nR1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halo, hydroxy, thiol, cyano, formyl, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, amino, nitro, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, thioalkoxy, alkanoyl, haloalkanoyl, and carbonyloxy;\nR7 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halo, hydroxy, thiol, cyano, formyl, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, amino, nitro, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, and thioalkoxy; and\nR6 is\nwherein Rg is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halo, cyano, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkenyl, and alkynyl; or\nR6 is\nwherein R9 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halo, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkenyl, and alkynyl; or\nR6 is\nwherein R10 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halo, hydroxy, thiol, cyano, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, and nitro; or\nR6 is\nwherein R11 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halo, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkenyl, and alkynyl.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein the patient has an increased count of cells selected from the group consisting of white blood cells, neutrophils, lymphocytes, and platelets after the administering step.",
"6. The method of claim 1, comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of ITE to the patient.",
"7. The method of claim 6, wherein the patient has an increased count of white blood cells after the administering step.",
"8. The method of claim 6, wherein the patient has an increased count of neutrophils after the administering step.",
"9. The method of claim 6, wherein the patient has an increased count of lymphocytes after the administering step.",
"10. The method of claim 6, wherein the patient has an increased count of platelets after the administering step."
],
[
"1. A roofing component, comprising:\nat least a first layer and a second layer of polyethylene thermoplastic, the first layer having a first color and the second layer having a second color, wherein the roofing component has a first side of the first color and a second side of the second color; and\na UV absorber comprising between approximately 1 and less than 3 wt. % carbon black substantially uniformly mixed with the polyethylene thermoplastic.",
"2. The roofing component of claim 1, wherein the first layer and the second layer of polyethylene thermoplastic comprise a high density polyethylene (HDPE).",
"3. The roofing component of claim 1, wherein the UV absorber comprises between approximately 2 and approximately 2.5 wt. % carbon black.",
"4. The roofing component of claim 1, wherein the roofing component comprises a step flashing with a body comprising:\na length and a width of between about 8 inches and about 12 inches;\na thickness of between about 0.25 mm and about 1.0 mm; and\na fold to form a vertical projecting portion and a horizontal projecting portion, wherein a fold angle between the vertical projecting portion and the horizontal projecting portion is between about 45 degrees and about 135 degrees.",
"5. The roofing component of claim 4, further comprising:\na protrusion formed on the vertical projecting portion, the protrusion extending within an interior of the fold angle.",
"6. The roofing component of claim 1, wherein the roofing component comprises a shingle.",
"7. The roofing component of claim 1, wherein the first layer and the second layer are one of individually extruded and coextruded.",
"8. The roofing component of claim 1, wherein the first color is substantially black and the second color is off-white.",
"9. The roofing component of claim 1, wherein at least one surface of the roofing component has a three-dimensional relief simulating a natural material comprising any one of wood shake, tile, and slate.",
"10. The roofing component of claim 1, wherein at least one surface of the roofing component includes a decoration comprising at least one of an ink and a paint applied to the at least one surface.",
"11. The roofing component of claim 1, wherein at least one surface of the roofing component includes a pigment.",
"12. A step flashing, comprising:\na first layer of a high density polyethylene (HDPE) having a first color; and\na second layer of a HDPE having a second color, wherein the first and second layers include between approximately 1 and less than 3 wt. % carbon black, and wherein the step flashing has a thickness of between about 0.25 mm and about 1.0 mm.",
"13. The step flashing of claim 12, wherein the first color is substantially black and the second color is approximately white.",
"14. The step flashing of claim 12, wherein the carbon black is substantially uniformly mixed with the HDPE of the first and second layers.",
"15. The step flashing of claim 12, wherein the first layer and the second layer are one of individually extruded and coextruded.",
"16. The step flashing of claim 12, wherein the first and second layers include between approximately 2 and approximately 2.5 wt. % carbon black.",
"17. The step flashing of claim 12, wherein at least one surface of the step flashing is decorated with at least one of an ink and a paint."
],
[
"1. A shingle comprising:\na substrate having a first asphalt coating on a top surface of the substrate and a bottom surface of the substrate;\na surface layer of granules embedded in the first asphalt coating on the top surface of the substrate;\na backdust layer of particles embedded in the first asphalt coating on the bottom surface of the substrate;\na sealant layer comprising a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the top surface of the sealant layer abuts the backdust layer; and\na hydrophobic coating disposed on the bottom surface of the sealant layer, wherein the hydrophobic coating comprises a silicone,\nwherein the hydrophobic coating is disposed on the backdust layer and the sealant layer around a perimeter of the shingle,\nwherein the hydrophobic coating extends a distance between about 0.5 inches and about 3 inches from each edge of a lower surface of the shingle.",
"2. The shingle according to claim 1, wherein the hydrophobic coating is disposed on both the backdust layer and the sealant layer.",
"3. The shingle according to claim 1, wherein the hydrophobic coating covers the entire bottom surface of the sealant layer.",
"4. The shingle according to claim 1, wherein the hydrophobic coating covers the entire bottom surface of the substrate.",
"5. The shingle according to claim 1, wherein the hydrophobic coating is disposed on a top surface of the shingle.",
"6. The shingle according to claim 1, wherein a contact angle of the sealant layer with the hydrophobic coating is greater than 70 degrees.",
"7. A method of manufacturing a shingle, the method comprising:\ncoating a substrate with asphalt to form an asphalt coated substrate;\napplying a plurality of granules to a top surface of the asphalt coated substrate;\napplying a backdust material to a bottom surface of the asphalt coated substrate;\napplying a sealant layer to the backdust material, wherein the sealant layer comprises a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the top surface of the sealant layer abuts the backdust material; and\napplying a hydrophobic coating to the bottom surface of the sealant layer, wherein the hydrophobic coating comprises a silicone.",
"8. The method according to claim 7, further comprising applying the hydrophobic coating to at least a portion of the backdust material.",
"9. The method according to claim 7, further comprising applying the hydrophobic coating to an entire bottom surface of the shingle.",
"10. The method according to claim 7, wherein the hydrophobic coating is applied to the entire bottom surface of the sealant layer.",
"11. The method according to claim 7, further comprising applying the hydrophobic coating to at least a portion of the backdust material, wherein the hydrophobic coating is applied to the backdust material and sealant layer around a perimeter of the shingle.",
"12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the hydrophobic coating extends a distance between about 0.5 inches and about 3 inches from each edge of a lower surface of the shingle.",
"13. The method according to claim 7, further comprising applying the hydrophobic coating to a top surface of the shingle.",
"14. The method according to claim 7, wherein a contact angle of the sealant layer with the hydrophobic coating is greater than 70 degrees.",
"15. The method according to claim 7, wherein the hydrophobic coating is applied to the bottom surface of the sealant layer by spraying the hydrophobic coating on the bottom surface of the sealant layer.",
"16. The method according to claim 7, wherein the hydrophobic coating is applied to the bottom surface of the sealant layer by rolling the hydrophobic coating on the bottom surface of the sealant layer."
],
[
"1. A roofing system, comprising:\n(i) a plurality of photovoltaic modules, each of the plurality of photovoltaic modules includes a plurality of photovoltaic cells,\nwherein each of the plurality of photovoltaic cells has one constant photovoltaic cell width; and\n(ii) a plurality of roofing shingles proximate to the plurality of photovoltaic modules,\nwherein at least some of the plurality of roofing shingles having\na top surface,\na bottom surface,\nan exposure zone at a lower end of the top surface and\na headlap zone at an upper end of the top surface,\nwherein a plurality of slots extends from the lower end toward the headlap zone,\nwherein the plurality of slots defines a plurality of tooth portions therebetween,\nwherein a first one of the plurality of tooth portions has a first side that is defined by a first one of the plurality of slots and a second side that is defined by a second one of the plurality of slots that is adjacent to the first one of the plurality of slots,\n wherein the first one of the plurality of tooth portions has a first width that is measured from the first one of the plurality of slots to the second one of the plurality of slots,\n wherein the first width is the photovoltaic cell width,\nwherein a second one of the plurality of tooth portions has a first side that is defined by a third one of the plurality of slots and a second side that is defined by a fourth one of the plurality of slots that is adjacent to the third one of the plurality of slots,\n wherein the second one of the plurality of tooth portions has a second width that is measured from the third one of the plurality of slots to the fourth one of the plurality of slots, and\n wherein the second width is the photovoltaic cell width multiplied by a first positive integer that is greater than 1,\nwherein a third one of the plurality of tooth portions has a first side that is defined by a fifth one of the plurality of slots and a second side that is defined by a sixth one of the plurality of slots that is adjacent to the fifth one of the plurality of slots,\nwherein the third one of the plurality of tooth portions has a third width that is measured from the fifth one of the plurality of slots to the sixth one of the plurality of slots, and\n wherein the third width is the photovoltaic cell width multiplied by a second positive integer that is greater than 1 and different than the first positive integer,\nwherein the roofing shingles do not include a photovoltaic cell.",
"2. The roofing system of claim 1, wherein a fourth one of the plurality of tooth portions has a first side that is defined by a seventh one of the plurality of slots and a second side that is defined by an eighth one of the plurality of slots that is adjacent to the seventh one of the plurality of slots, and wherein the fourth one of the plurality of tooth portions has a fourth width that is measured from the seventh one of the plurality of slots to the eighth one of the plurality of slots, wherein the fourth width is the photovoltaic cell width multiplied by 0.5 and by a third positive integer that is, greater than 1 and different than each of the first positive integer and the second positive integer.",
"3. The roofing system of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second positive integers is selected from the group consisting of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20.",
"4. The roofing system of claim 1, wherein each of the at least some of the roofing shingles comprises thermoplastic olefin, polyvinyl chloride, or asphalt.",
"5. The roofing system of claim 4, wherein the top surface of each of the at least some of the roofing shingles comprises embedded granules.",
"6. The roofing system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of roofing shingles includes a first roofing shingle and a second roofing shingle, wherein an arrangement of the tooth portions of the second roofing shingle is not identical to an arrangement of the tooth portions of the first roofing shingle.",
"7. The roofing system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of roofing shingles includes a first roofing shingle and a second roofing shingle, wherein an arrangement of the tooth portions of the second roofing shingle is identical to an arrangement of the tooth portions of the first roofing shingle.",
"8. The roofing system of claim 1, wherein the third one of the plurality of slots is a same one of the plurality of slots as the second one of the plurality of slots, and wherein the first one of the plurality of tooth portions is adjacent to the second one of the plurality of tooth portions.",
"9. The roofing system of claim 1, further comprising:\na wireway configured to be positioned between a first photovoltaic module of the plurality of photovoltaic modules and a second photovoltaic module of the plurality of photovoltaic modules that is adjacent to the first photovoltaic module,\nwherein the wireway is configured to enclose at least one electrical cable,\nwherein a width of the wireway as measured in a horizontal direction between the first photovoltaic module and the second photovoltaic module is the photovoltaic cell width multiplied by two,\nwherein the wireway includes a dark colored portion and a light colored portion, and\nwherein the light colored portion extends across the wireway in a vertical direction that is perpendicular to the horizontal direction.",
"10. The roofing system of claim 9, wherein the light-colored portion is positioned at an edge of the wireway that is adjacent to the photovoltaic module.",
"11. The roofing system of claim 9, wherein the light-colored portion is positioned halfway intermediate (1) an edge of the wireway that is adjacent to the photovoltaic module and (2) an edge of the wireway that is adjacent to the further photovoltaic module.",
"12. The roofing system of claim 9, wherein the wireway further comprises a further light colored portion extending across a bottom edge of the wireway in the horizontal direction."
],
[
"1. A method, comprising: installing a plurality of photovoltaic shingles in a plurality of rows on a roof deck,\nwherein the photovoltaic shingles are installed on the roof deck in a rectangular array with at least one of the photovoltaic shingles in a first row of the plurality of rows, and at least another one of the photovoltaic shingles in a second row of the plurality of rows, wherein the second row is above the first row; and\ninstalling a first plurality of roofing shingles on the roof deck, wherein the first plurality of roofing shingles comprises a first group of roofing shingles and a second group of roofing shingles,\nwherein the first group of roofing shingles is located on a first side of the rectangular array, wherein the second group of roofing shingles is located on a second side of the rectangular array,\nwherein the first group of roofing shingles comprises:\na first roofing shingle, and a second roofing shingle,\nwherein the second group of roofing shingles comprises: a third roofing shingle, and a fourth roofing shingle,\nwherein the first roofing shingle and the third roofing shingle are installed in the first row,\nwherein the second roofing shingle and the fourth roofing shingle are installed in the second row,\nwherein the first and second roofing shingles are juxtaposed with the first side of the rectangular array,\nwherein the third and fourth roofing shingles are juxtaposed with the second side of the rectangular array,\nwherein a pattern of the first and second roofing shingles is non-symmetric with respect to a pattern of the third and fourth roofing shingles;\nwherein a length of the second roofing shingle is equal to a length of the fourth roofing shingle, wherein a length of the first roofing shingle is greater than the length of the second roofing shingle, and wherein a length of the third roofing shingle is less than the length of the second roofing shingle.",
"2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\ncutting a shingle to form the first roofing shingle and the third roofing shingle.",
"3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\ncutting at least two shingles to form the first, second, third, and fourth roofing shingles.",
"4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\ninstalling a second plurality of roofing shingles either above or below the rectangular array.",
"5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\ninstalling a second plurality of roofing shingles below the rectangular array; and\ninstalling a third plurality of roofing shingles above the rectangular array.",
"6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nobtaining a second plurality of roofing shingles,\nwherein the second plurality of roofing shingles comprises:\na fifth roofing shingle, and\na sixth roofing shingle,\nwherein a length of the fifth roofing shingle is equal to a length of the sixth roofing shingle,\nwherein the fifth roofing shingle is located in the first row and juxtaposed with either the first roofing shingle or the third roofing shingle,\nwherein the sixth roofing shingle is located in the second row and is juxtaposed with either the second roofing shingle or the fourth roofing shingle.",
"7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nobtaining a second plurality of roofing shingles,\nwherein the second plurality of roofing shingles comprises:\na fifth roofing shingle,\na sixth roofing shingle,\na seventh roofing shingle, and\nan eighth roofing shingle,\nwherein lengths of the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth roofing shingles are equal to one another,\nwherein the fifth roofing shingle is located in the first row and juxtaposed with the first roofing shingle,\nwherein the sixth roofing shingle is located in the second row and juxtaposed with the second roofing shingle,\nwherein the seventh roofing shingle is located in the first row and juxtaposed with the third roofing shingle,\nwherein the eighth roofing shingle is located in the second row and juxtaposed with the fourth roofing shingle.",
"8. A system, comprising:\na plurality of photovoltaic shingles positioned in a plurality of rows on a roof deck,\nwherein the photovoltaic shingles are installed on the roof deck in a rectangular array with at least one of the photovoltaic shingles in a first row of the plurality of rows, and at least another one of the photovoltaic shingles in a second row of the plurality of rows,\nwherein the second row is above the first row; and\na first plurality of roofing shingles positioned on the roof deck,\nwherein the first plurality of roofing shingles comprises a first group of roofing shingles and a second group of roofing shingles,\nwherein the first group of roofing shingles is positioned on a first side of the rectangular array, wherein the second group of roofing shingles is positioned on a second side of the rectangular array,\nwherein the first group of roofing shingles comprises:\na first roofing shingle, and a second roofing shingle,\nwherein the second group of roofing shingles comprises:\na third roofing shingle, and a fourth roofing shingle,\nwherein the first roofing shingle and the third roofing shingle are in the first row,\nwherein the second roofing shingle and the fourth roofing shingle are in the second row wherein the first and second roofing shingles are juxtaposed with the first side of the rectangular array,\nwherein the third and fourth roofing shingles are juxtaposed with the second side of the rectangular array, wherein a pattern of the first and second roofing shingles is non-symmetric with respect to a pattern of the third and fourth roofing shingles; and\nwherein a length of the second roofing shingle is equal to a length of the fourth roofing shingle, wherein a length of the first roofing shingle is greater than the length of the second roofing shingle, and wherein a length of the third roofing shingle is less than the length of the second roofing shingle.",
"9. The system of claim 8, wherein at least one shingle is cut to form the first roofing shingle and the third roofing shingle.",
"10. The system of claim 8, wherein at least two shingles are cut to form the first, second, third, and fourth roofing shingles.",
"11. The system of claim 8, further comprising:\na second plurality of roofing shingles positioned either above or below the rectangular array.",
"12. The system of claim 8, further comprising:\na second plurality of roofing shingles positioned below the rectangular array; and\na third plurality of roofing shingles positioned above the rectangular array.",
"13. The system of claim 8, further comprising:\na second plurality of roofing shingles positioned on the roof deck,\nwherein the second plurality of roofing shingles comprises:\na fifth roofing shingle, and\na sixth roofing shingle,\nwherein a length of the fifth roofing shingle is equal to a length of the sixth roofing shingle,\nwherein the fifth roofing shingle is positioned in the first row and juxtaposed with either the first roofing shingle or the third roofing shingle,\nwherein the sixth roofing shingle is positioned in the second row and is juxtaposed with either the second roofing shingle or the fourth roofing shingle.",
"14. The system of claim 8, further comprising:\npositioning a second plurality of roofing shingles on the roof deck,\nwherein the second plurality of roofing shingles comprises:\na fifth roofing shingle,\na sixth roofing shingle,\na seventh roofing shingle, and\nan eighth roofing shingle,\nwherein lengths of the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth roofing shingles are equal to one another,\nwherein the fifth roofing shingle is positioned in the first row and juxtaposed with the first roofing shingle,\nwherein the sixth roofing shingle is positioned in the second row and juxtaposed with the second roofing shingle,\nwherein the seventh roofing shingle is positioned in the first row and juxtaposed with the third roofing shingle, and\nwherein the eighth roofing shingle is positioned in the second row and juxtaposed with the fourth roofing shingle.",
"15. A roofing system, comprising:\na roof deck;\nfirst and second photovoltaic modules, wherein the first and second photovoltaic modules are installed in a rectangular array on the roof deck, with the first photovoltaic module installed in a first row on the roof deck, and the second photovoltaic module installed in a second row on the roof deck,\nwherein the first row is below the second row on the roof deck, first, second, third, and fourth roofing shingles,\nwherein the first roofing shingle is installed in the first row, wherein the first roofing shingle is juxtaposed with a first side of the rectangular array,\nwherein the second roofing shingle is installed in the second row,\nwherein the second roofing shingle is juxtaposed with the first side of the rectangular array,\nwherein the third roofing shingle is installed in the first row,\nwherein the third roofing shingle is juxtaposed with a second side of the rectangular array, wherein the fourth roofing shingle is installed in the second row, wherein the fourth roofing shingle is juxtaposed with the second side of the rectangular array, wherein a pattern of the first and second roofing shingles is non-symmetric with respect to a pattern of the third and fourth roofing shingles;\nwherein a length of the second roofing shingle is equal to a length of the fourth roofing shingle, wherein a length of the first roofing shingle is greater than the length of the second roofing shingle, and wherein a length of the third roofing shingle is less than the length of the second roofing shingle.",
"16. The roofing system of claim 15, further comprising:\na second plurality of roofing shingles positioned either above or below the rectangular array.",
"17. The roofing system of claim 15, further comprising:\nthird and fourth photovoltaic modules,\nwherein the third photovoltaic module is installed in the first row,\nwherein the fourth photovoltaic module is installed in the second row."
],
[
"1. A roofing system, comprising:\na roof deck; and\na first roofing shingle installed on the roof deck, the first roofing shingle comprising:\na first shingle layer;\na second shingle layer,\nwherein the second shingle layer includes a nail zone,\nwherein the nail zone is visibly marked with a fines stripe,\nwherein the nail zone is bounded by at least one paint line,\nwherein the first shingle layer and the second shingle layer overlap to form\na common bond area,\nwherein the nail zone partially overlaps the common bond area,\nand a portion of the nail zone extends past the common bond area;\nan adhesive in the common bond area between the first shingle layer and the second shingle layer; and\na first attachment between the first shingle layer and the second shingle layer,\nwherein the first attachment is in the common bond area,\nwherein the first attachment comprises a first indentation in the first shingle layer.",
"2. The roofing system according to claim 1, wherein the first roofing shingle further comprises:\na second attachment between the first shingle layer and the second shingle layer,\nwherein the second attachment is in the common bond area,\nwherein the second attachment comprises a second indentation in the first shingle layer.",
"3. The roofing system of claim 2, further comprising:\na plurality of fasteners,\nwherein the plurality of fasteners comprises at least a first fastener and a second fastener,\nwherein the first fastener extends through the nail zone and the common bond area,\nthe second fastener extends through the nail zone without extending through the common bond area, and\neach of the first fastener and the second fastener extend through the roof deck, thereby installing the first roofing shingle on the roof deck.",
"4. The roofing system of claim 1, further comprising:\nan underlayment,\nwherein the underlayment is between the roof deck and the first roofing shingle.",
"5. The roofing system of claim 1, wherein the first roofing shingle further comprises at least one sealant line.",
"6. The roofing system of claim 5, wherein the at least one sealant line comprises multiple segments of sealant.",
"7. The roofing system of claim 1, further comprising:\na second roofing shingle installed on the roof deck.",
"8. The roofing system of claim 7, further comprising:\na plurality of fasteners,\nwherein the plurality of fasteners comprises at least a first fastener, a second fastener, and a third fastener,\nwherein the first fastener extends through the nail zone and the common bond area, the second fastener extends through the nail zone without extending through the common bond area, and each of the first fastener and the second fastener extend through the roof deck, thereby installing the first roofing shingle on the roof deck,\nwherein the third fastener installs the second roofing shingle on the roof deck.",
"9. The roofing system of claim 8, wherein at least one of the first fastener, the second fastener, or the third fastener comprises a nail.",
"10. The roofing system of claim 7, further comprising:\nan underlayment installed between at least one of the first roofing shingle and the roof deck, or the second roofing shingle and the roof deck.",
"11. The roofing system of claim 1, wherein the first shingle layer comprise a dragon tooth layer,\nwherein the second shingle layer comprises a backer layer.",
"12. The roofing system of claim 1, wherein the first shingle layer comprises granules.",
"13. The roofing system of claim 12, wherein the second shingle layer comprises granules.",
"14. The roofing system of claim 1, wherein the first shingle layer comprises at least one paint line.",
"15. The roofing system of claim 1, wherein the first roofing shingle comprises a headlap portion,\nwherein the nail zone is within the headlap portion.",
"16. A roofing system, comprising:\na roof deck; and\na plurality of roofing shingles installed on the roof deck,\nwherein the plurality of roofing shingles comprises at least a first roofing shingle,\nwherein each of the roofing shingles comprises:\na first shingle layer;\na second shingle layer,\nwherein the second shingle layer includes a nail zone,\n wherein the nail zone is visibly marked with a fines stripe,\n wherein the nail zone is bounded by at least one paint line,\nwherein the first shingle layer and the second shingle layer overlap to form a common bond area,\nwherein the nail zone partially overlaps the common bond area, and a portion of the nail zone extends past the common bond area,\nwherein at least one of the first shingle layer and the second shingle layer comprises asphalt;\nan adhesive in the common bond area between the first shingle layer and the second shingle layer;\na first attachment between the first shingle layer and the second shingle layer,\nwherein the first attachment is in the common bond area,\nwherein the first attachment comprises a first indentation in the first shingle layer; and\na second attachment between the first shingle layer and the second shingle layer,\nwherein the second attachment is in the common bond area,\nwherein the second attachment comprises a second indentation in the first shingle layer.",
"17. The roofing system according to claim 16, wherein the first roofing shingle further comprises:\na second attachment between the first shingle layer and the second shingle layer,\nwherein the second attachment is in the common bond area,\nwherein the second attachment comprises a second indentation in the first shingle layer.",
"18. The roofing system of claim 17, further comprising:\na plurality of fasteners,\nwherein the plurality of fasteners comprises at least a first fastener and a second fastener,\nwherein the first fastener extends through the nail zone and the common bond area, the second fastener extends through the nail zone without extending through the common bond area, and each of the first fastener and the second fastener extend through the roof deck, thereby installing the first roofing shingle on the roof deck.",
"19. The roofing system of claim 16, further comprising:\nan underlayment, wherein the underlayment is between the roof deck and the first roofing shingle.",
"20. The roofing system of claim 16, wherein the first roofing shingle further comprises at least one sealant line.",
"21. The roofing system of claim 20, wherein the at least one sealant line comprises multiple segments of sealant.",
"22. The roofing system of claim 16, wherein the plurality of roofing shingles comprises at least a second roofing shingle.",
"23. The roofing system of claim 22, further comprising:\na plurality of fasteners,\nwherein the plurality of fasteners comprises at least a first fastener, a second fastener, and a third fastener,\nwherein the first fastener extends through the nail zone and the common bond area, the second fastener extends through the nail zone without extending through the common bond area, and\neach of the first fastener and the second fastener extend through the roof deck, thereby installing the first roofing shingle on the roof deck,\nwherein the third fastener installs the second roofing shingle on the roof deck.",
"24. The roofing system of claim 23, wherein at least one of the first fastener, the second fastener, or the third fastener comprises a nail.",
"25. The roofing system of claim 22, further comprising:\nan underlayment installed between at least one of the first roofing shingle and the roof deck, or the second roofing shingle and the roof deck.",
"26. The roofing system of claim 16, wherein the first shingle layer comprise a dragon tooth layer,\nwherein the second shingle layer comprises a backer layer.",
"27. The roofing system of claim 16, wherein the first shingle layer comprises granules.",
"28. The roofing system of claim 27, wherein the second shingle layer comprises granules.",
"29. The roofing system of claim 16, wherein the first shingle layer comprises at least one paint line.",
"30. The roofing system of claim 16, wherein each of the roofing shingles comprises a headlap portion, wherein the nail zone is within the headlap portion.",
"31. The roofing system according to claim 1, wherein the nail zone is bounded by a pair of paint lines and the fines are located between the pair of paint lines.",
"32. The roofing system according to claim 16, wherein the nail zone is bounded by a pair of paint lines and the fines are located between the pair of paint lines."
],
[
"1. A roofing shingle comprising:\na substrate comprising at least one of a fiberglass, a polyester, or a combination thereof; and\na coating on the substrate,\nwherein the coating comprising:\n5% to 70% by weight of a non-crosslinked thermoplastic polymer, based on a total weight of the coating; and\n10% to 70% by weight of a filler, based on the total weight of the coating,\nwherein the filler comprises at least one of an organic filler, an inorganic mineral filler, or combinations thereof;\n10% to 80% by weight of at least one of an oil, a wax, or any combination thereof, based on the total weight of the coating;\nwherein the coating is free of asphalt;\nwherein the coating does not comprise a foam;\nwherein a thickness of the coating on the substrate is 20 mils to 200 mils.",
"2. The roofing shingle according to claim 1, further comprising granules.",
"3. The roofing shingle according to claim 1, wherein the roofing shingle exhibits an increased solar reflectance as compared to an asphaltic roofing shingle.",
"4. The roofing shingle according to claim 1, wherein the non-crosslinked thermoplastic polymer includes at least one of an amorphous polyolefin, an amorphous polyalpha olefin, a polyolefin elastomer, or any combination thereof.",
"5. The roofing shingle according to claim 1, wherein the non-crosslinked thermoplastic polymer comprises at least one of a polypropylene, a polyethylene, a copolymer of propylene and ethylene, low density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), high density polyethylene (HDPE), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), or any combination thereof.",
"6. The roofing shingle according to claim 1, wherein the non-crosslinked thermoplastic polymer has a Melt Flow Index, in accordance with ISO 1133, of 0.5 g/min to 40 g/min at 190° C./2.16 kg.",
"7. The roofing shingle according to claim 1, wherein the filler is at least one of calcium carbonate, barium sulfate, calcium sulfate, talc, limestone, perlite, silica, fumed silica, precipitated silica, quartz, aluminum trihydrate, magnesium hydroxide, colemanite, titanium dioxide, snow white, fly ash, graphene nanoparticles, carbon black, recycled rubber tires, recycled shingles, recycled thermoplastic resins, basalt, roofing granules, clay, or combinations thereof.",
"8. The roofing shingle according to claim 1, wherein the coating further comprises 5% to 80% by weight of at least one of post-consumer asphalt shingles (PCRAS), post-manufacture shingle waste, recycled asphaltic membranes, polytransoctenamer rubber (TOR), ground tire rubber (GTR), acrylonitrile rubber (NBR), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene rubber (ABS), wood plastic, or any combination thereof, based on the total weight of the coating.",
"9. The roofing shingle according to claim 1, wherein the coating comprises 30% to 80% by weight of at least one of the oil, the wax, or any combination thereof, based on the total weight of the coating.",
"10. The roofing shingle according to claim 1, wherein the coating further comprises at least one of a dye, a pigment, a fire retardant, a UV stabilizer, or a combination thereof.",
"11. The roofing shingle according to claim 1, wherein the non-crosslinked thermoplastic polymer comprises at least one of a copolymer of ethylene and octene, a copolymer of ethylene and hexene, a copolymer of ethylene and butene, isotactic polypropylene (IPP), atactic polypropylene (APP), polyurea, styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene (SEBS) copolymer, styrene-ethylene/propylene-styrene (SEP S) copolymer, styrene-isoprene-styrene block (SIS) copolymer, styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) copolymer, polyisobutylene, polybutadiene, oxidized polyethylene, or any combination thereof.",
"12. The roofing shingle according to claim 1, wherein the coating further comprises polytransoctenamer rubber (TOR).",
"13. The roofing shingle according to claim 1, wherein the coating further comprises 1% to 10% by weight of polytransoctenamer rubber (TOR), based on the total weight of the coating.",
"14. The roofing shingle according to claim 1, wherein the coating comprises 30% to 99% by weight of an oxidized hydrocarbon oil, based on the total weight of the coating.",
"15. The roofing shingle according to claim 1, wherein the non-crosslinked thermoplastic polymer comprises at least one of a vinyl polymer, a polyvinyl ester, or any combination thereof.",
"16. The roofing shingle according to claim 1, wherein the non-crosslinked thermoplastic polymer comprises at least one of ethylene vinyl acetate (EV A), polyvinyl butyral (PVB), recycled polyvinyl butyral (rPVB), polyvinyl acetate (PVAC), poly(vinyl butyrate), poly(vinyl propionate), poly(vinyl formate), copolymers of PVAC, or any combination thereof.",
"17. The roofing shingle according to claim 1, wherein the coating having a viscosity of 3,000 cP to 30,000 cP at 375° F. to 400° F. as measured according to ASTM D 4402."
],
[
"1. A roofing shingle comprising:\na headlap portion, a buttlap portion, a lateral leading edge, and a lateral trailing edge;\nwherein said buttlap portion includes a plurality of buttlap projections extending away from the shingle defining a maximum buttlap width and a plurality of recessed horizontal buttlap portions;\nwherein each of said buttlap projections includes a horizontal edge defining a projected horizontal buttlap portion;\nwherein each said projected horizontal buttlap portion has a primary horizontal breadth at the respective horizontal edge that is about equal for each said projected horizontal buttlap portion, and is about equal to a breadth of at least one of said recessed horizontal buttlap portions;\nwherein said headlap portion includes a plurality of headlap projections extending away from the shingle defining a maximum headlap width and a plurality of recessed horizontal headlap portions;\nwherein each of said headlap projections includes a horizontal edge defining a projected horizontal headlap portion;\nwherein a first of said projected horizontal headlap portions is nearest to the lateral leading edge and has a horizontal breadth at said horizontal edge that is greater than the primary horizontal breadth; and wherein the horizontal breadth of the first of said projected horizontal headlap portions nearest to the lateral leading edge is greater than a breadth at said horizontal edge of at least another of said projected horizontal headlap portions and a breadth of at least one of said recessed horizontal headlap portions and said breadth of said at least another of said projected horizontal headlap portions is about equal to the primary horizontal breadth;\nwherein the maximum headlap width is less than the maximum buttlap width; and\nwherein said headlap portion is surfaced with a first shade of granules and said buttlap portion is surfaced with a second contrasting shade of granules.",
"2. The roofing shingle according to claim 1, wherein the buttlap portion is further surfaced with a third further contrasting shade of granules on the buttlap projections.",
"3. The roofing shingle according to claim 1, wherein the maximum headlap width is approximately 60% of the maximum buttlap width.",
"4. The roofing shingle according to claim 1, wherein the buttlap projections have a height of about 2 inches.",
"5. The roofing shingle according to claim 4, wherein the headlap projections have a height of about 1¾ inches.",
"6. The roofing shingle according to claim 1, wherein the breadth of the first projected horizontal headlap portion nearest to the lateral leading edge is about 125% the primary horizontal breadth.",
"7. The roofing shingle according to claim 1, wherein the primary horizontal breadth is about 6 inches.",
"8. The roofing shingle according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said buttlap projections has a shape that mirrors one of the headlap projections laterally across the shingle.",
"9. The roofing shingle according to claim 1, wherein the shingle is single-layer.",
"10. A roofing system comprising a plurality of the roofing shingle according to claim 1,\nwherein the roofing system comprises a plurality of courses of said shingles, and wherein the lateral trailing edge of a subsequently installed at least one of said shingles in a first course of shingles overlaps the lateral leading edge of an adjacent one of said previously installed shingles in the first course to provide a side-lap region, and wherein the side-lap region forms a part of a partially side-lapped recessed horizontal buttlap portion having a breadth about equal to the primary horizontal breadth;\nand wherein at least one of said shingles in a subsequent course of shingles provides:\n(a) a generally uniform overlap region over the headlap portions of a first adjacent shingle and a second adjacent shingle in the first course; and\n(b) an expanded overlap region over the headlap portion of the second adjacent shingle, wherein the expanded overlap region is due to the increased projection breadth of the first headlap projection nearest to the lateral leading edge of the second adjacent shingle.",
"11. The roofing system according to claim 10, wherein a buttlap projection nearest to the trailing edge of said at least one of said shingles in the subsequent course of shingles overlaps the side-lap region between adjacent shingles in the first course.",
"12. The roofing system according to claim 10, wherein the buttlap portion is further surfaced with a third further contrasting shade of granules on the buttlap projections.",
"13. The roofing system according to claim 10, wherein at least one of said buttlap projections has a shape that mirrors one of the headlap projections laterally across said at least one of said shingles.",
"14. The roofing system according to claim 10, wherein the side-lap region has a breadth of about 3 inches.",
"15. A roofing system comprising:\nsingle-layer shingles in more than one course wherein each of said shingles has a length, a headlap portion, a buttlap portion, a lateral leading edge, and a lateral trailing edge;\nwherein said buttlap portion includes a plurality of buttlap projections extending away from the shingle defining a maximum buttlap width;\nwherein the buttlap projections have a breadth that is about equal for each buttlap projection defining a primary projection breadth opposite a primary horizontal breadth at a horizontal edge;\nwherein said headlap portion includes a plurality of headlap projections extending away from the shingle defining a maximum headlap width;\nwherein a first of said headlap projections nearest to the lateral leading edge has an increased projection breadth that is greater than the primary projection breadth, and the increased projection breadth of the first of said headlap projections nearest to the lateral leading edge is greater than a breadth of at least another of said headlap projections: and wherein said breadth of said at least another of said headlap projections is about equal to the primary projection breadth;\nwherein the maximum headlap width is less than the maximum buttlap width;\nwherein the roofing system comprises a plurality of courses of said shingles, and wherein the lateral trailing edge of a subsequently installed at least one of said shingles in a first course of shingles overlaps the lateral leading edge of an adjacent previously installed one of said shingles in the first course to provide a side-lap region;\nand wherein at least one of said shingles in a subsequent course of shingles provides:\n(a) a generally uniform overlap region over the headlap portions of a first adjacent shingle and a second adjacent shingle in the first course, wherein the generally uniform overlap region has a transverse dimension that varies by less than 10% across the length of shingle in the subsequent course; and\n(b) an expanded overlap region over the headlap portion of the second adjacent shingle, wherein the expanded overlap region is due to the increased projection breadth of the first headlap projection nearest to the lateral leading edge of the second adjacent shingle.",
"16. The roofing system according to claim 15, wherein the buttlap projections and the headlap projections have a trapezoidal shape.",
"17. The roofing system according to claim 16, wherein the buttlap projections have a minimum breadth that extends away from the shingle, and wherein the headlap projections have a minimum breadth that extends away from the shingle.",
"18. The roofing system according to claim 15, wherein a buttlap projection nearest to the trailing edge of the shingle in the subsequent course of shingles overlaps the side-lap region between adjacent shingles in the first course.",
"19. The roofing system according to claim 15, wherein said headlap portion is surfaced with a first shade of granules and said buttlap portion is surfaced with a second contrasting shade of granules.",
"20. The roofing system according to claim 19, wherein the buttlap portion is further surfaced with a third further contrasting shade of granules on the buttlap projections.",
"21. The roofing system according to claim 15, wherein at least one of said buttlap projections has a shape that mirrors one of the headlap projections laterally across the shingle.",
"22. The roofing system according to claim 15, wherein the side-lap region has a breadth of about 3 inches.",
"23. A roofing shingle comprising:\nheadlap portion, a buttlap portion, a lateral leading edge, and a lateral trailing edge;\nwherein said buttlap portion includes a plurality of buttlap projections extending away from the shingle defining a maximum buttlap width and a plurality of recessed horizontal buttlap portions;\nwherein each of said buttlap projections includes a horizontal edge defining a projected horizontal buttlap portion;\nwherein each said projected horizontal buttlap portion has a horizontal buttlap breadth that differs from each other by between 0% and 20%, and differs from a breadth of at least one of said recessed horizontal buttlap portions by between 0% and 20%, and wherein at least one of said projected horizontal buttlap portions has a maximum horizontal buttlap breadth;\nwherein said headlap portion includes a plurality of headlap projections extending away from the shingle defining a maximum headlap width and a plurality of recessed horizontal headlap portions;\nwherein each of said headlap projections includes a horizontal edge defining a projected horizontal headlap portion;\nwherein a first of said projected horizontal headlap portions is nearest to the lateral leading edge and has a maximum horizontal breadth that is greater than the maximum horizontal buttlap breadth, and wherein the maximum horizontal breadth of the first of said projected horizontal headlap portions nearest to the lateral leading edge is greater than a maximum breadth of at least another of said projected horizontal headlap portions and at least one of said recessed horizontal headlap portions has a breadth that differs from the horizontal buttlap breadth of each of the projected horizontal buttlap portions by between 0% and 20%;\nwherein the maximum headlap width is less than the maximum buttlap width; and\nwherein said headlap portion is surfaced with a first shade of granules and said buttlap portion is surfaced with a second contrasting shade of granules."
],
[
"1. A method of forming a laminated starter shingle, the method comprising:\ncoating a continuous sheet of shingle mat with asphalt;\ncutting the coated sheet in a longitudinal direction into a first continuous overlay sheet and a first continuous underlay sheet along a first straight cut line, such that each of the first continuous overlay sheet and the first continuous underlay sheet include parallel upper and lower straight edges defining a uniform height therebetween, wherein the height of the first continuous overlay sheet is greater than the height of the first continuous underlay sheet;\naligning the first continuous underlay sheet beneath the continuous overlay sheet such that the lower straight edge of the first continuous underlay sheet aligns with the lower straight edge of the first continuous overlay sheet;\nlaminating the first continuous underlay sheet below the first continuous overlay sheet to form a first laminated sheet; and\ncutting the first laminated sheet across the height of the first continuous overlay sheet to form a first rectangular starter shingle;\nwherein the first straight cut line defines the upper straight edge of the first continuous overlay sheet.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the height of the first continuous overlay sheet is approximately twice the height of the first continuous underlay sheet.",
"3. The method of claim 1, further comprising applying granules to an upper surface of the coated sheet.",
"4. The method of claim 1, further comprising applying granules to an upper surface of the coated sheet before cutting the coated sheet into the first continuous overlay sheet and the first continuous underlay sheet.",
"5. The method of claim 1, further comprising applying a bead of adhesive to a bottom surface of the first continuous underlay sheet.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first straight cut line defines the upper straight edge of the first continuous overlay sheet.",
"7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first straight cut line defines the lower straight edge of the first continuous underlay sheet.",
"8. A method of forming a laminated starter shingle, the method comprising:\ncoating a continuous sheet of shingle mat with asphalt;\ncutting the coated sheet in a longitudinal direction into a first continuous overlay sheet and a first continuous underlay sheet along a first straight cut line, such that each of the first continuous overlay sheet and the first continuous underlay sheet include parallel upper and lower straight edges defining a uniform height therebetween, wherein the height of the first continuous overlay sheet is greater than the height of the first continuous underlay sheet;\naligning the first continuous underlay sheet beneath the continuous overlay sheet such that the lower straight edge of the first continuous underlay sheet aligns with the lower straight edge of the first continuous overlay sheet;\nlaminating the first continuous underlay sheet below the first continuous overlay sheet to form a first laminated sheet; and\ncutting the first laminated sheet across the height of the first continuous overlay sheet to form a first rectangular starter shingle;\nwherein the first straight cut line defines the lower straight edge of the first continuous underlay sheet.",
"9. The method of claim 8, wherein the height of the first continuous overlay sheet is approximately twice the height of the first continuous underlay sheet.",
"10. The method of claim 8, further comprising applying granules to an upper surface of the coated sheet.",
"11. The method of claim 8, further comprising applying granules to an upper surface of the coated sheet before cutting the coated sheet into the first continuous overlay sheet and the first continuous underlay sheet.",
"12. The method of claim 8, further comprising applying a bead of adhesive to a bottom surface of the first continuous underlay sheet.",
"13. A method of forming a laminated starter shingle, the method comprising:\ncoating a continuous sheet of shingle mat with asphalt;\ncutting the coated sheet in a longitudinal direction into a first continuous overlay sheet and a first continuous underlay sheet along a first straight cut line, such that each of the first continuous overlay sheet and the first continuous underlay sheet include parallel upper and lower straight edges defining a uniform height therebetween, wherein the height of the first continuous overlay sheet is greater than the height of the first continuous underlay sheet;\naligning the first continuous underlay sheet beneath the continuous overlay sheet such that the lower straight edge of the first continuous underlay sheet aligns with the lower straight edge of the first continuous overlay sheet;\nlaminating the first continuous underlay sheet below the first continuous overlay sheet to form a first laminated sheet; and\ncutting the first laminated sheet across the height of the first continuous overlay sheet to form a first rectangular starter shingle;\ncutting the coated sheet in a longitudinal direction into a second continuous overlay sheet and a second continuous underlay sheet along second and third straight cut lines, such that each of the second continuous overlay sheet and the second continuous underlay sheet include parallel upper and lower straight edges defining a uniform height therebetween, wherein the second straight cut line separates the first continuous overlay sheet and the first continuous underlay sheet from the second continuous overlay sheet and the second continuous underlay sheet;\naligning the second continuous underlay sheet beneath the second continuous overlay sheet such that the lower straight edge of the second continuous underlay sheet aligns with the lower straight edge of the second continuous overlay sheet;\nlaminating the second continuous underlay sheet below the second continuous overlay sheet to form a second laminated sheet; and\ncutting the second laminated sheet across the height of the second continuous overlay sheet to form a second rectangular starter shingle;\nwherein the second straight cut line defines the lower straight edge of the first continuous overlay sheet.",
"14. The method of claim 13, wherein the third straight cut line defines the upper straight edge of the second continuous overlay sheet.",
"15. The method of claim 13, wherein the third straight cut line defines the lower straight edge of the second continuous underlay sheet.",
"16. The method of claim 13, wherein the third straight cut line defines the upper straight edge of the second continuous overlay sheet and the lower straight edge of the second continuous underlay sheet.",
"17. The method of claim 13, wherein the second straight cut line defines the lower straight edge of the second continuous overlay sheet.",
"18. The method of claim 13, wherein the second straight cut line defines the lower straight edge of the first continuous overlay sheet and the lower straight edge of the second continuous overlay sheet."
],
[
"1. A roofing panel comprising an upwardly facing side, a downwardly facing side, a field having ends, an upper edge, a lower edge, a first end, and a second end;\nthe field of the roofing panel being ornamented to emulate the appearance of a roofing shingle;\nthe ornamented field extending from the first end of the roofing panel to the second end of the roofing panel with no part of the roofing panel projecting beyond the ends of the field;\na clip extending along the lower edge of the roofing panel projecting downwardly therefrom;\na slot extending along the rear edge of the roofing panel having an upwardly facing elongated opening;\nthe slot being cut short to define a truncated region at the first end of the roofing panel such that the second end of a like panel can be overlapped onto the first end in such a way that the ornamentation on the field of the roofing panel at least partially overlaps the ornamentation on the field of the like roofing panel;\nthe ornamentation on the field of the like roofing panel being configured to prevent water migration through the region of overlap of the roofing panel and the like roofing panel.",
"2. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 1 wherein the field of the roofing panel is coated to resemble a roofing shingle.",
"3. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 2 wherein the field of the roofing panel is embossed to resemble a roofing shingle.",
"4. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 3 wherein the embossing is registered with the coating.",
"5. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 1 wherein the clip is configured to be pressed through the opening of the slot and lock within the slot.",
"6. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a nailing flange projecting rearwardly from the slot for receiving attaching nails in such a way that the nails are covered by a next higher course of roofing panels when the panels are installed on a roof.",
"7. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 3 wherein the embossing is registered with the coating.",
"8. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 1 wherein the field of the roofing panel is covered with a material secured to the roofing panel with adhesive.",
"9. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 8 wherein the material comprises granules.",
"10. A roofing panel comprising a front side facing a front direction, a back side facing a back direction, a substantially rectangular field, an upper edge, a lower edge, a first end having a terminal edge, and a second end having a terminal edge;\nthe field of the roofing panel being ornamented to emulate the appearance of a roofing shingle and extending from the terminal edge of the first end of the roofing panel to the terminal edge of the second end of the roofing panel;\na clip extending along the forward edge of the roofing panel projecting in the back direction therefrom, the clip having an upturned distal edge;\na slot extending along the upper edge of the roofing panel formed by an elongated opening facing in the front direction, the slot being partially closed by an in-turned lip;\nthe slot being cut short to define a truncated region at the first end of the roofing panel such that the second end of a like panel can be overlapped onto the first end in such a way that an upwardly facing slot is defined substantially continuously along the rear edges of the overlapped panels;\npart of the ornamentation on the second end of the like roofing panel overlapping part of the ornamentation on the first end of the roofing panel when the panels are arranged end-to-end;\nthe ornamentation on the first end of the roofing panel including features that form barriers against water migration through the region of overlap of the roofing panel and the like roofing panel.",
"11. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 10 wherein the slot is sized to receive the downwardly projecting clip of a panel in a next higher course of panels in interlocking engagement.",
"12. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 11 wherein the upturned distal edge of the clip snaps beneath the in-turned lip of the slot to lock the lower edge of one panel into the slot along the upper edge of a panel in a next lower course of panels.",
"13. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 10 wherein the field is embossed.",
"14. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 10 wherein the field is printed or painted.",
"15. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 10 wherein the field is textured.",
"16. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 10 wherein the field is at least partially covered with material adhered to the panel.",
"17. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 10 wherein the field is ornamented to emulate a roofing shingle selected from the group consisting essentially of asphalt shingles, cedar shakes, slate shingles, and clay barrel shingles.",
"18. A rectangular metal roofing panel comprising an upwardly facing side, a downwardly facing side, a substantially rectangular field, a leading edge, a trailing edge, a first end, and a second end, a downwardly turned clip extending at least partially along the leading edge of the roofing panel and having an upturned distal edge, and an upwardly open slot extending at least partially along the trailing edge of the roofing panel, the slot being partially occulted by an in-turned flange, the downturned clip and the slot being configured to interlock together with the upturned distal edge of the downturned clip becoming trapped below the in-turned flange when the leading edge of one panel is pressed downwardly onto the trailing edge of a like panel to lock the panels together and form a moisture barrier, the substantially rectangular field extending from a terminal edge of the first end of the panel to a terminal edge of the second end of the panel and being pressed or embossed with features that resemble shingles and wherein at least one of the features forms a water dam adjacent the first end of the panel to prevent water migration beneath the second end of a like panel overlapping the at least one of the features on the first end of the panel.",
"19. A metal roofing panel as claimed in claim 18 wherein the slot is cut short to define a truncated region at the first end of the panel to accommodate the overlapping of the first end by the second end of a like panel arranged in end-to-end relationship so that a substantially continuous slot is formed along the trailing edges of the end-to-end panels.",
"20. A roofing panel comprising an upwardly facing side, a downwardly facing side, a field, an upper edge, a lower edge, a first end having a terminal edge, a second end having a terminal edge, a clip, and a slot;\nthe field of the roofing panel comprising one or more ornamental features that extend from the terminal edge of the first end of the roofing panel to the terminal edge of the second end of the roofing panel;\nthe clip extending along the lower edge of the roofing panel;\nthe slot extending along the rear edge of the roofing panel, the slot being cut short to define a truncated region at the first end of the roofing panel;\nthe first end of the roofing panel being overlappable onto the second end of a like roofing panel in such a way that the one or more ornamental features of the field of the roofing panel at least partially overlaps the one or more ornamental features of the field of a like roofing panel and the overlapped ornamental features on the like roofing panel prevent water migration through the region of overlap.",
"21. The roofing panel of claim 20 wherein the ornamental features comprise embossed raised areas mimicking slates separated by depressed areas mimicking gaps between slates.",
"22. The roofing panel of claim 20 wherein the one or more ornamental features comprise one or more depressed regions and one or more raised regions separated by the one or more depressed regions, and wherein the first end comprises a raised region and the second end comprises a raised region.",
"23. The roofing panel of claim 22 wherein the raised regions comprise at least a first arched region at the first end and a second arched region at the second end."
],
[
"1. A method for making roofing shingles comprising:\nproviding a roofing material having a width less than 48 inches;\ncutting the roofing material longitudinally along three non-straight lines to form four shingles, wherein at least a portion of each said shingle has a width of about twelve inches and wherein two of said four shingles have\na headlap portion including a non-straight longitudinal edge along a side of said shingles defining headlap peaks that extend away from a longitudinal center of said shingles and headlap valleys that extend toward the longitudinal center of said shingles:\nand all four shingles have\na buttlap portion including a plurality of tabs extending from said headlap portion, said tabs spaced apart to define a plurality of openings between said tabs;\nwherein said buttlap portion further includes a non-straight longitudinal edge along a side of said shingles defining buttlap peaks that extend away from the longitudinal center of said shingles and buttlap valleys that extend toward the longitudinal center of said shingles.",
"2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the width of said roofing material is from about 43.5 inches to about 47.625 inches.",
"3. A method for making roofing shingles comprising:\nproviding a roofing material having a width less than 36 inches;\ncutting the roofing material longitudinally along two non-straight lines to form three shingles, wherein at least a portion of each of said shingle has a width of about twelve inches and wherein one of said three shingles has\na headlap portion including a non-straight longitudinal edge along a side of said shingles defining headlap peaks that extend away from a longitudinal center of said shingles and headlap valleys that extend toward the longitudinal center of said shingles;\nand all three shingles have\na buttlap portion including a plurality of tabs extending from said headlap portion, said tabs spaced apart to define a plurality of openings between said tabs;\nwherein said buttlap portion further includes a non-straight longitudinal edge along a side of said shingles defining buttlap peaks that extend away from the longitudinal center of said shingles and buttlap valleys that extend toward the longitudinal center of said shingles.",
"4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the width of said roofing material is from about 33 inches to about 35.75 inches."
],
[
"1. A shingle blank comprising an asphalt coated mat having a cut line formed in the asphalt coated mat;\nwherein the cut line includes a continuous cut portion and a perforated portion; and wherein the perforated portion is structured and configured to facilitate separation of the shingle blank into discrete portions, and wherein the continuous cut portion forms adjacent cut edges on the shingle blank along the continuous cut portion, the edges being in contact prior to separation of the shingle blank into discrete portions.",
"2. The shingle blank according to claim 1, wherein the shingle blank has a length and a width, and wherein the cut line extends substantially across the width of the shingle blank.",
"3. The shingle blank according to claim 2, wherein the cut line extends substantially across the width of the shingle blank between a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge in a direction substantially perpendicular to the length of the shingle blank.",
"4. The shingle blank according to claim 1, wherein the continuous cut portion defines a continuous cut extending through a thickness of the asphalt coated mat.",
"5. The shingle blank according to claim 1, wherein the asphalt coated mat is configured to include a longitudinally extending prime region and a longitudinally extending headlap region.",
"6. The shingle blank according to claim 5, wherein the continuous cut portion of the cut line is formed in the prime region and the perforated portion of the cut line is formed in the headlap region.",
"7. A shingle blank comprising a first shingle blank layer defining a longitudinally extending prime region and a longitudinally extending headlap region;\nwherein at least the prime region includes a second longitudinally extending layer bonded to the first shingle blank layer;\nwherein a cut line is formed in the shingle blank; and\nwherein the cut line includes a continuous cut portion formed in the prime region and a perforated portion formed in the headlap region,\nwherein the perforated portion is structured and configured to facilitate separation of the shingle blank into discrete portions, each of the discrete portions has a headlap region and a prime region with substantially the same length.",
"8. The shingle blank according to claim 7, wherein the first shingle blank layer is an asphalt coated mat.",
"9. The shingle blank according to claim 8, wherein the second longitudinally extending layer is an asphalt coated mat.",
"10. The shingle blank according to claim 7, wherein the shingle blank has a length and a width, and wherein the cut line extends substantially across the width of the shingle blank.",
"11. The shingle blank according to claim 7, wherein the cut line extends substantially across the width of the shingle blank between a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge in a direction substantially perpendicular to the length of the shingle blank.",
"12. The shingle blank according to claim 7, wherein the continuous cut portion defines a continuous cut extending through a thickness of the shingle blank.",
"13. A method of forming a shingle blank comprising forming a cut line in an asphalt coated mat to define a cut shingle blank;\nwherein the cut line includes a continuous cut portion and a perforated portion; and wherein the perforated portion is structured and configured to facilitate separation of the shingle blank into discrete portions, and wherein the continuous cut portion forms adjacent cut edges on the shingle blank along the continuous cut portion, the edges being in contact prior to separation of the shingle blank into discrete portions.",
"14. The method according to claim 13, further including separating the cut shingle blank along the cut line into discrete portions.",
"15. The method according to claim 13, wherein the shingle blank has a length and a width, and wherein the cut line extends substantially across the width of the shingle blank.",
"16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the cut line extends substantially across the width of the shingle blank between a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge in a direction substantially perpendicular to the length of the shingle blank.",
"17. The method according to claim 13, wherein the continuous cut portion defines a continuous cut extending through a thickness of the asphalt coated mat.",
"18. The method according to claim 13, wherein the asphalt coated mat is configured to include a longitudinally extending prime region and a longitudinally extending headlap region.",
"19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the continuous cut portion of the cut line is formed in the prime region and the perforated portion of the cut line is formed in the headlap region.",
"20. A shingle blank comprising:\na sheet including a substrate coated with an asphalt coating, the sheet configured to include a prime region and a headlap region;\na web limited to the prime region;\nat least one perforation line positioned in the headlap region and having a plurality of perforations; and\nat least one continuous cut line extending substantially across the prime region, the at least one continuous cut line being configured to extend through the substrate, the asphalt coating, and the web;\nwherein the at least one perforation line and the at least one continuous cut line are sufficient to facilitate separation of the shingle blank to form a plurality of hip and ridge shingles each having a prime region and a headlap region having substantially the same length.",
"21. The shingle blank of claim 20 in which the shingle blank has a length and wherein the at least one perforation line extends substantially across the headlap region in a direction substantially perpendicular to the length of the shingle blank.",
"22. The shingle blank of claim 20 in which the perforations have a length of about 0.25 inches.",
"23. The shingle blank of claim 20 in which the perforations are spaced apart a distance of about 0.25 inches from edge to edge.",
"24. The shingle blank of claim 20 in which the web has a depth of approximately 0.03125 inches.",
"25. A shingle blank comprising:\na sheet including a substrate coated with an asphalt coating, the sheet configured to include a prime region and a headlap region, the asphalt coating including an upper section and a lower section, the upper section being positioned above the substrate, the lower section being positioned below the substrate;\na web limited to a lower section of the prime region; and\nat least one continuous cut line and at least one perforation line positioned in the shingle blank, the continuous cut line configured to extend through the substrate, the upper and lower sections of the asphalt coating and the web;\nwherein the at least one perforation line has a plurality of perforations sufficient to facilitate separation of the shingle blank to form a plurality of hip and ridge shingles, and wherein the continuous cut line forms adjacent cut edges on the shingle blank along the continuous cut portion, the edges being in contact prior to separation of the shingle blank.",
"26. The shingle blank of claim 25 in which the shingle blank has a length and wherein the at least one perforation line and the at least one continuous cut line combine to extend substantially across the shingle blank in a direction substantially perpendicular to the length of the shingle blank.",
"27. The shingle blank of claim 25 in which the perforations have a length of about 0.25 inches.",
"28. The shingle blank of claim 25 in which the perforations are spaced apart a distance of about 0.25 inches from edge to edge.",
"29. The shingle blank of claim 25 in which the web has a depth of approximately 0.03125 inches."
],
[
"1. A shingle blank comprising:\na substrate coated with an asphalt coating and configured to include a prime region, the asphalt coating including an upper section and a lower section, the upper section being positioned above the substrate, the lower section being positioned below the substrate; and\na web applied to the lower section of the prime region;\nwherein at least one perforation line is positioned in the shingle blank, the at least one perforation line being sufficient to facilitate separation of the shingle blank.",
"2. The shingle blank of claim 1 in which the blank has a length and wherein the at least one perforation line extends substantially across the shingle blank in a direction substantially perpendicular to the length of the shingle blank.",
"3. The shingle blank of claim 1 in which the at least one perforation line includes a plurality of perforations.",
"4. The shingle blank of claim 3 in which the perforations have a length of about 0.25 inches.",
"5. The shingle blank of claim 3 in which the perforations are spaced apart a distance of about 0.25 inches from edge to edge.",
"6. The shingle blank of claim 3 in which the perforations extend through the substrate, the upper and lower sections of the asphalt coating and the web.",
"7. The shingle blank of claim 1 in which the web has a depth of approximately 0.03125 inches.",
"8. A method of manufacturing an asphalt-based roofing material, comprising the steps of:\ncoating a substrate with an asphalt coating to form an asphalt coated sheet, the asphalt coated sheet including an upper section and a lower section;\napplying a surface layer of granules to the upper section of the asphalt coated sheet;\napplying a web to the lower section of the asphalt coated sheet; and\nforming at least one perforation line substantially across the asphalt coated sheet.",
"9. The method of claim 8 in which the shingle blank has a length and wherein the at least one perforation line extends substantially across the shingle blank in a direction substantially perpendicular to the length of the shingle blank.",
"10. The method of claim 9 in which the at least one perforation line includes a plurality of perforations.",
"11. The method of claim 10 in which the perforations have a length of about 0.25 inches.",
"12. The method of claim 10 in which the perforations are spaced apart a distance of about 0.25 inches from edge to edge.",
"13. The method of claim 10 in which the perforations extend through the substrate, the upper and lower sections of the asphalt coated sheet and the web.",
"14. A method of installing an asphalt-based roofing material, comprising the steps of:\nproviding an asphalt-based shingle blank having a substrate coated with an asphalt coating and configured to include an upper section and a lower section, a web is applied to the lower section, wherein at least one perforation line is positioned substantially across the asphalt-based shingle blank;\nforming hip or ridge shingles by separating the shingle blank along the at least one perforation line; and\ninstalling the hip and ridge shingles upon a hip or ridge.",
"15. A shingle blank comprising:\na substrate coated with an asphalt coating and configured to include a prime region, the asphalt coating including an upper section and a lower section, the upper section being positioned above the substrate, the lower section being positioned below the substrate; and\na web applied to the lower section of the prime region;\nwherein at least one notch is positioned in the shingle blank, the at least one notch being sufficient to facilitate separation of the shingle blank.",
"16. The shingle blank of claim 15 in which the shingle blank has a length and wherein the at least one notch extends substantially across the prime region of the shingle blank in a direction substantially perpendicular to the length of the shingle blank.",
"17. The shingle blank of claim 15 in which the at least one notch extends through the substrate, the upper and lower sections of the asphalt coating and the web.",
"18. A shingle blank comprising:\na substrate coated with an asphalt coating and configured to include a prime region, the asphalt coating including an upper section and a lower section, the upper section being positioned above the substrate, the lower section being positioned below the substrate; and\na web applied to the lower section of the prime region;\nwherein at least one courtesy cut is positioned in the shingle blank, the at least one courtesy cut being sufficient to facilitate separation of the shingle blank.",
"19. The shingle blank of claim 18 in which the shingle blank has at least one courtesy cut positioned in the prime regions and at least one courtesy cut positioned in a headlap region.",
"20. The shingle blank of claim 19 in which the at least one courtesy cut positioned in the prime region substantially aligns with the at least one courtesy cut positioned in the headlap region"
],
[
"1. A method for repairing a damaged roofing shingle having a damaged portion, comprising the steps of:\nmanufacturing a plurality of repair swatches, the plurality of repair swatches being manufactured in different sizes, different colors and different shapes;\nallowing a consumer to match one of the plurality of repair swatches to the damaged roofing shingle based on (1) a color of the roofing shingle, (2) a shape of the damaged portion and (3) a size of the damaged portion;\nallowing a consumer to purchase the matched repair swatch; and\nsecuring the matched repair swatch to the damaged roofing shingle so that the repair swatch covers the damaged portion.",
"2. The method of claim 12 wherein the repair swatches include a front face having colored granules and a back face having an adhesive.",
"3. The method of claim 13 wherein the colored granules on the front face match colored granules on the damaged roofing shingle.",
"4. The method of claim 12 wherein the repair swatch is of a size that covers the damaged area of the roofing shingle.",
"5. The method of claim 12 wherein the shape of the repair swatch is one of a square, a rectangular, a circular and a dragon tooth.",
"6. The method of claim 12 wherein the roofing shingle is a laminated roofing shingle.",
"7. The method of claim 13 wherein the adhesive is selected from a group consisting of a rubber polymer-modified asphalt, an acrylic, a polyurethane, a silicone and a rubber polymer.",
"8. A method for repairing a damaged roofing shingle having a damaged portion, comprising the steps of:\nmanufacturing a plurality of repair swatches, the plurality of repair swatches being manufactured in different sizes, different colors and different shapes;\nsecuring one of the plurality of repair swatches to the damaged roofing shingle so that the repair swatch matches the damaged roofing shingle and covers the damaged portion.",
"9. The method of claim 19 further comprising the step of:\nmatching one of the plurality of repair swatches to the damaged roofing shingle based on a color of the roofing shingle.",
"10. The method of claim 19 further comprising the step of:\nmatching one of the plurality of repair swatches to the damaged roofing shingle based on a shape of the damaged portion.",
"11. The method of claim 19 further comprising the step of:\nmatching one of the plurality of repair swatches to the damaged roofing shingle based on a size of the damaged portion.",
"12. The method of claim 22 wherein the repair swatch is of a size that covers the damaged portion of the damaged roofing shingle.",
"13. The method of claim 21 wherein the shape of the repair swatch is one of a square, a rectangular, a circular and a dragon tooth.",
"14. The method of claim 19 wherein the repair swatches include a front face having granules and a back face having an adhesive.",
"15. The method of claim 25 wherein the adhesive is selected from a group consisting of a rubber polymer-modified asphalt, an acrylic, a polyurethane, a silicone and a rubber polymer.",
"16. A method of manufacture, comprising the steps of:\nmanufacturing a plurality of repair swatches, the plurality of repair swatches being manufactured in different sizes, different colors and different shapes, the repair swatches including a front face having granules and a back face having an adhesive, at least one of the plurality of repair swatches matching a particular roofing shingle so that when the repair swatch is secured to the particular roofing shingle it is nearly impossible to tell that the repair swatch was placed on the particular roofing shingle.",
"17. The method of claim 27 wherein the granules on the front face of the repair swatch match granules on a front face of the particular roofing shingle.",
"18. The method of claim 28 wherein the repair swatch is of a size that covers a damaged portion of the particular roofing shingle.",
"19. The method of claim 29 wherein the shape of the repair swatch is one of a square, a rectangular, a circular and a dragon tooth.",
"20. The method of claim 30 wherein the adhesive is selected from a group consisting of a rubber polymer-modified asphalt, an acrylic, a polyurethane, a silicone and a rubber polymer."
],
[
"1. A roofing system comprising:\nsingle-layer shingles having a headlap portion; and a buttlap portion;\nwherein said headlap portion has a maximum headlap width that is less than a maximum buttlap width of said buttlap portion;\nwherein said buttlap portion includes a longitudinal rear edge, a lateral leading edge, a lateral trailing edge, and a non-straight longitudinal front-most edge having a central horizontal portion, a left horizontal portion, a right horizontal portion, a first transition portion, and a second transition portion, wherein the central horizontal portion extends away from the shingle to define a first buttlap width, the left horizontal portion is connected between the lateral trailing edge and the first transition portion, the right horizontal portion is connected between the lateral leading edge and the second transition portion, and the left horizontal portion and the right horizontal portion each extends away from the shingle to define a second buttlap width, and wherein the first transition portion is further connected between the left horizontal portion and the central horizontal portion and the second transition portion is further connected between the central horizontal portion and the right horizontal portion;\nwherein the roofing system comprises a plurality of courses of said shingles, and wherein a trailing lateral edge of a subsequently installed shingle in a first course of shingles overlaps a leading lateral edge of a horizontally adjacent previously installed shingle in the first course to provide a side-lap region; and\nwherein said buttlap portion includes an exposed buttlap portion, and wherein the exposed buttlap portion has a surface area that is greater than the surface area of said headlap portion.",
"2. The roofing system according to claim 1, wherein said headlap portion is surfaced with a first shade of granules and said buttlap portion is surfaced with a second shade of granules.",
"3. The roofing system according to claim 1, wherein said headlap portion includes an exposed headlap portion.",
"4. The roofing system according to claim 1, wherein the maximum headlap width is less than 50% the maximum buttlap width.",
"5. The roofing system according to claim 4, wherein the maximum headlap width is about 33% the maximum buttlap width.",
"6. The roofing system according to claim 1, wherein the first buttlap width is the maximum buttlap width.",
"7. The roofing system according to claim 6, wherein the first buttlap width is about 1″ greater than the second buttlap width.",
"8. The roofing system according to claim 1, wherein the second buttlap width is the maximum buttlap width.",
"9. The roofing system according to claim 8, wherein the first buttlap width is about 1″ less than the second buttlap width.",
"10. The roofing system according to claim 1, wherein said headlap portion includes a non-straight longitudinal rear edge having a central horizontal portion, a left horizontal portion, a right horizontal portion, a first transition portion, and a second transition portion, wherein the central horizontal portion extends away from the shingle to define a first headlap width, the left horizontal portion and right horizontal portion each extends away from the shingle to define a second headlap width, and wherein the first transition portion is situated between the left horizontal portion and the central horizontal portion and the second transition portion is situated between the central horizontal portion and the right horizontal portion.",
"11. The roofing system according to claim 10, wherein the second headlap width is the maximum buttlap width.",
"12. The roofing system according to claim 11, wherein the first headlap width is about 1″ less than the second headlap width.",
"13. The roofing system according to claim 6, wherein said shingles further comprise a first set of alignment notches, wherein a first alignment notch from the first set of alignment notches is situated on the trailing lateral edge of a subsequently installed shingle in a subsequent course of shingles and lines up with a longitudinal rear edge of the headlap portion of a previously installed shingle in the first course of shingles.",
"14. The roofing system according to claim 8, wherein said shingles further comprise a first set of alignment notches, wherein a first alignment notch from the first set of alignment notches is situated on the trailing lateral edge of a subsequently installed shingle in a subsequent course of shingles and lines up with a longitudinal rear edge of the headlap portion of a previously installed shingle in the first course of shingles.",
"15. The roofing system according to claim 13, wherein said shingles further comprise a second set of alignment notches situated on the longitudinal rear edge of the headlap portion, wherein a first alignment notch from the second set of alignment notches lines up with the trailing lateral edge of a subsequently installed shingle in a first course of shingles.",
"16. The roofing system according to claim 1, wherein the non-straight longitudinal front-most edge includes a longitudinal front edge slot opening situated approximately at the longitudinal center of the shingle.",
"17. The roofing system according to claim 1, wherein the shingles further comprise sealant strips on the bottom side of the shingle situated near the non-straight longitudinal front-most edge."
],
[
"1. A two-layer laminated roofing shingle comprising:\n(a) a posterior layer having a posterior upper portion and a posterior buttlap including a plurality of posterior simulated tabs extending from said posterior upper portion, said posterior simulated tabs spaced apart by a plurality of partial slots, and each of said posterior simulated tabs is connected to at least one adjacent posterior simulated tab by a connecting segment;\n(b) an anterior layer having an anterior headlap and an anterior buttlap including one or more anterior tabs extending from said anterior headlap;\nwherein the anterior layer is positioned on the posterior layer in a manner such that each anterior tab is positioned on one of the posterior simulated tabs;\nwherein at least one of the posterior simulated tabs serves as a single-layer simulated tab of the roofing shingle;\nwherein the anterior layer is free of alignment notches positioned on a lower edge of the anterior headlap; and\nwherein at least a portion of the posterior upper portion is positioned under the anterior headlap.",
"2. A two-layer laminated roofing shingle comprising:\n(a) a posterior layer having a posterior upper portion and a posterior buttlap including four posterior simulated tabs extending from said posterior upper portion, said posterior simulated tabs spaced apart by a plurality of partial slots, and each of said posterior simulated tabs is connected to at least one adjacent posterior simulated tab by a connecting segment, and wherein each posterior simulated tab has a posterior simulated tab corner;\n(b) an anterior layer having an anterior headlap, one or more anterior tabs extending therefrom;\nwherein the anterior layer is positioned on the posterior layer in a manner such that each anterior tab is positioned on one of the posterior simulated tabs;\nwherein at least a portion of the posterior upper portion is positioned under the anterior headlap; and\nwherein the posterior simulated tabs are surfaced with a first shade of granules and the connecting segments are surfaced with a second shade of granules that is darker than said first shade of granules.",
"3. The roofing shingle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the connecting segment is located at or near a lower edge of the posterior buttlap.",
"4. The roofing shingle according to claim 3, wherein the connecting segment has a height of about 1 inch.",
"5. The roofing shingle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the portion of the posterior upper portion is positioned under the anterior headlap defines a minimum width of surface contact.",
"6. The roofing shingle according to claim 5, wherein the minimum width of surface contact is about ⅞ inches.",
"7. The roofing shingle according to claim 1, wherein the posterior simulated tabs are surfaced with a first shade of granules and the connecting segments are surfaced with a second shade of granules that is darker than said first shade of granules.",
"8. A roofing system comprising a plurality of courses of shingles according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the shingles are installed on a roof deck in overlapping courses.",
"9. A roofing system comprising a plurality of courses of shingles according to claim 2, wherein the shingles are installed on a roof deck in overlapping courses, wherein first, second, and third adjacent shingles differ from each other based on the position of at least one anterior tab, and wherein the first adjacent shingle and the fourth adjacent shingle in a course are identical based on the positions of the one or more anterior tabs, so that when installed, a pattern of varying anterior tabs is created based on the locations of the anterior tabs.",
"10. A roofing system comprising a plurality of courses of shingles according to claim 2, wherein the shingles are installed on a roof deck in overlapping courses, wherein first, second, third, fourth, and fifth adjacent shingles differ from each other based on the position of at least one anterior tab, and wherein the first adjacent shingle and the sixth adjacent shingle in a course are identical based on the positions of the one or more anterior tabs, so that when installed, a pattern of varying anterior tabs is created based on the locations of the anterior tabs.",
"11. A roofing system comprising a plurality of courses of shingles according to claim 2, wherein the shingles are installed on a roof deck in overlapping courses, wherein first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh adjacent shingles differ from each other based on the position of at least one anterior tab, and wherein the first adjacent shingle and the eighth adjacent shingle in a course are identical based on the positions of the one or more anterior tabs, so that when installed, a pattern of varying anterior tabs is created based on the locations of the anterior tabs.",
"12. The roofing shingle according to claim 2, wherein the anterior headlap comprises one anterior tab extending therefrom.",
"13. The roofing shingle according to claim 2, wherein the anterior headlap comprises two anterior tabs extending therefrom.",
"14. The roofing shingle according to claim 2, wherein the anterior headlap comprises three anterior tabs extending therefrom.",
"15. The roofing shingle according to claim 2, wherein:\nthe at least one anterior tab further comprises granules having the second shade;\nthe posterior layer further comprises a shadow band positioned at an interface between the posterior simulated tabs and the posterior upper portion;\nthe posterior simulated tabs further comprise a shadow tip positioned on a lower edge of the posterior simulated tabs;\nthe shadow tip and shadow band include granules having a third shade that is darker than said first shade of granules of the posterior simulated tabs and the second shade of granules of the at least one anterior tab and the connecting segments.",
"16. The roofing shingle according to claim 2, wherein the at least one anterior tab has a first breadth and the posterior simulated tabs have a second breadth, and wherein the second breadth is greater than the first breadth.",
"17. The roofing shingle according to claim 2, wherein the posterior simulated tabs are separated by partial slots having a breadth of from about ¼″ to about 1 inch.",
"18. The roofing shingle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the at least one anterior tabs is positioned substantially over the center of one of the posterior simulated tabs.",
"19. A roofing system comprising a plurality of courses of shingles according to claim 2, wherein the shingles are installed on a roof deck in overlapping courses, and wherein the anterior headlap of a previously installed shingle is visible through the partial slots of a subsequently installed shingle such that the second shade of granules on the connecting segments of the subsequently installed shingle visually blend in with the partial slots of the subsequently installed shingle to create a visual appearance of continuous slots fully extending to a posterior butt edge of the subsequently installed shingle.",
"20. The roofing shingle according to claim 2, wherein the anterior tabs are surfaced with a third shade of granules having a distinguishable hue or color from the first shade of granules on the posterior simulated tabs and the second shade of granules on the connecting segments."
],
[
"1. A method of forming a laminated roofing shingle comprising:\n(a) providing an indefinite length of asphalt-impregnated, felted material;\n(b) adhering a coating of mineral granules to at least one surface of said felted material;\n(c) cutting said material in a repeating pattern along the longitudinal dimension of said material so as to form an interleaved series of tabs of pairs of overlay members, each said tab, defined by said step of cutting, being of substantially identical shape and the lower edge of each said tab being defined by a smoothly curving negatively contoured edge;\n(d) making pairs of underlay members in a similar manner as above but wherein the lower edges of the underlay members are defined by a substantially continuously curving sinuous cut having a uniform periodic shape and amplitude such that each pair of underlay members thus formed are substantially identical; and\n(e) laminating said underlay members to said overlay members so as to form a series of shingles having substantially the same overall shape, wherein said step of laminating further includes the step of positioning said negatively contoured edge of each said tab directly over a substantially correspondingly curving portion of the lower edge of each said underlay member so as to simulate a series of alternating ridges and valleys of a portion of a tile covered roof.",
"2. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the step of adhering comprises adhering an essentially random series of color drops of said mineral granules each said color drop extending across the width of said felted material;\nand wherein adjacent color drops present contrasting colors with adjacent color drops blending at least to some extent with each other so as to form transition zones therebetween.",
"3. A method as set forth in claim 2 wherein said step of adhering includes the step of alternating said color drops with color drops of a composite of granules having the colors selected from each of said contrasting color drops, said composite granule color drops having a length in the longitudinal direction of said felted material of approximately 5 inches (12.7 cm), said contrasting color drops having a length in the longitudinal dimension of said felted material of approximately 9 inches (22.86 cm).",
"4. A method of forming a laminated roofing shingle comprising:\n(a) providing an indefinite length of asphalt-impregnated, felted material;\n(b) adhering a coating of mineral granules to at least one surface of said felted material;\n(c) cutting said material in a repeating pattern along the longitudinal dimension of said material so as to form an interleaved series of tabs of pairs of overlay members, each said tab, defined by said step of cutting, being of substantially identical shape and the lower edge of each said tab being defined by a smoothly curving negatively contoured edge;\n(d) making pairs of underlay members in a similar manner as above but wherein the lower edges of the underlay members are defined by a substantially continuously curving sinuous cut having a uniform periodic shape and amplitude such that each pair of underlay members thus formed are substantially identical; and\n(e) laminating said underlay members to said overlay members so as to form a series of shingles having substantially the same overall shape, wherein the step of laminating includes the step of positioning said underlay members and said overlay members relative to one another such that the lower edge of each said tab is longitudinally aligned with a corresponding negatively curved portion of the lower edge of said underlay member.",
"5. A method of optically simulating a tile covered roof comprising:\n(a) forming a series of substantially identical shingle overlay members, each said overlay member comprising a series of substantially uniformly shaped tabs, each said tab having a negatively curving contour at the lower edge thereof and each said tab having a width defined by generally straight edges, said straight edges tapering inwardly to a width narrower than the width at said lower edge;\n(b) forming a series of substantially identical underlay members, each underlay member having a lower edge with a substantially continuously curving uniformly periodic undulating contour;\n(c) bonding one of said series of overlay members to one of said series of said underlay members so as to form a shingle of generally rectangular form having a headlap portion and a butt portion, said butt portion comprising a series of uniformly spaced double-thick tab portions with a space between each tab portion defining an exposed portion of said underlay member, the step of bonding further includes the step of positioning said one of said series of overlay members and said one of said series of underlay members relative to one another such that the lower edge of each said tab is longitudinally aligned with a corresponding negatively curved portion of the lower edge of said underlay member;\n(d) repeating the step of bonding to form a plurality of laminated shingles; and\n(e) covering a roof deck with the thus formed laminated shingles by,\n(i) laying said shingles side-by-side in a horizontal course,\n(ii) overlapping said course by a next higher course of shingles such that said headlap portion of each shingle therein is substantially covered by the butt portions of the shingles in said next higher course,\n(iii) vertically aligning the tabs of each shingle with the tabs of the shingles in each succeeding course such that said tabs form vertical lines proceeding up the roof deck and the spaces form lines parallel to the lines of said tabs such that the vertical patterns and curving butt edges of said tabs and spaces optically cooperate to simulate a tile covered roof.",
"6. A method as set forth in claim 5 wherein said underlay members and said overlay members are covered with mineral granules having substantially randomly varying color drop patterns making up said granule covered surface.",
"7. A method as set forth in claim 5 wherein said shingles in said each succeeding course are horizontally offset from the shingles in adjacent courses.",
"8. A method as set forth in claim 4 wherein said lower edge of each said tab and said corresponding negatively curved portion of said lower edge of said underlay member are slightly offset laterally from one another."
]
] |
in the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to aia 35 u.s.c. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-aia 35 u.s.c. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from aia to pre-aia ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
the following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 u.s.c. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this office action:
a person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
ground 2: claim(s) 1, 3, 8, 10-11, 16, 19-20 and 25-26 is/are rejected under 35 u.s.c. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by u.s. patent no. 7,204,063 to kandalgaonkar.
in regard to claims 1 and 19, kandalgaonkar discloses an asphalt shingle designed to be laid up in courses on a roof comprising: an upper headlap portion 12, a lower tab portion 11, vertically spaced apart upper 18 and lower 17 edges, laterally spaced apart right 14 and left 15 edges, and top and bottom surfaces, having a lateral dimension or width and a vertical dimension or height (see fig. 2 and col. 4, lines 45-67); and a horizontally-oriented marking 30, 31 that extends along an interface between said upper headlap portion and said lower tab portion of said shingle and stretches from said right to left edge thereof, spanning the width of the shingle (see fig. 4), wherein the lateral dimension of the shingle is greater than the vertical dimension of the shingle, wherein said bottom surface is configured to be laid up on the roof facing the roof, wherein said tab portion is configured to be substantially weather-exposed when laid up on the roof and wherein said upper headlap portion is configured to be substantially covered by the tab portion of asphalt shingles in a next-overlying course of asphalt shingles when laid up on the roof, and wherein said horizontally-oriented marking is configured to act as a headlap alignment mark and run perpendicularly to a rake of the roof and/or parallel to an eave of the roof following installation of the shingle thereon, defining a position on which the upper edge of an asphalt shingle in a previous course of asphalt shingles abut to establish a headlap (see col. 8, lines 14-29).
in regard to claim 3, kandalgaonkar discloses an asphalt shingle, wherein said horizontally-oriented marking comprises gaps therein that align with cut-outs 13 in the shingle (see fig. 4 and col. 8, lines 14-29).
in regard to claim 8, kandalgaonkar discloses an asphalt shingle, further comprising nail placement marks 13 that provide specific nail placement locations (see col. 5, lines 2-5).
in regard to claim 10, kandalgaonkar discloses an asphalt shingle, wherein said nail placement marks are evenly laterally spaced (see col. 5, lines 2-5).
in regard to claim 11 kandalgaonkar discloses an asphalt shingle, wherein said nail placement marks comprise dots, indentations, perforations, cuts, and/or lines (see figs. 3-4 and col. 5, lines 2-5).
in regard to claim 16, kandalgaonkar discloses an asphalt shingle, further comprising at least one additional horizontally-oriented marking 30,31, wherein said at least one additional horizontally-oriented marking is configured to act as a headlap alignment mark and run perpendicularly to the rake of the roof and/or parallel to the eave of the roof following installation of the shingle thereon, defining an alternative position on which the upper edge of an asphalt shingle in a previous course of asphalt shingles must abut to establish a second headlap (see fig. 4 and col. 8, lines 14-29).
in regard to claims 20 and 25, kandalgaonkar discloses an asphalt shingle, further comprising at least one adhesive strip 20, 22 disposed on a top or bottom surface thereof and configured to adhere said shingle to an underlying or overlying course of shingles (see fig. 2 and col. 4, lines 60-67 and col. 5, lines 28-39).
in regard to claim 26, kandalgaonkar discloses an asphalt shingle, wherein an area of the shingle bounded by said horizontally-oriented marking and an additional horizontally-oriented marking denotes a nailing zone through which fasteners should be inserted (see col. 5, lines 2-5).
ground 3: claim(s) 1, 7, 15 and 19 is/are rejected under 35 u.s.c. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by u.s. patent no. 4,499,702 to turner.
in regard to claims 1 and 19, turner discloses an asphalt shingle designed to be laid up in courses on a roof comprising: an upper headlap portion 10, a lower tab portion a-e, vertically spaced apart upper and lower edges, laterally spaced apart right and left edges, and top and bottom surfaces, having a lateral dimension or width and a vertical dimension or height (see fig. 1); and a horizontally-oriented marking 20, 22 that extends along an interface between said upper headlap portion and said lower tab portion of said shingle and stretches from said right to left edge thereof, spanning the width of the shingle (see fig. 1), wherein the lateral dimension of the shingle is greater than the vertical dimension of the shingle, wherein said bottom surface is configured to be laid up on the roof facing the roof, wherein said tab portion is configured to be substantially weather-exposed when laid up on the roof and wherein said upper headlap portion is configured to be substantially covered by the tab portion of asphalt shingles in a next-overlying course of asphalt shingles when laid up on the roof, and wherein said horizontally-oriented marking is configured to act as a headlap alignment mark and run perpendicularly to a rake of the roof and/or parallel to an eave of the roof following installation of the shingle thereon, defining a position on which the upper edge of an asphalt shingle in a previous course of asphalt shingles abut to establish a headlap (see col. 3, lines 9-19).
in regard to claim 7, turner discloses an asphalt shingle, wherein horizontally- oriented marking is also marked on the back side of the shingle (see fig. 1 and col. 3, lines 9-19).
in regard to claim 15, turner discloses an asphalt shingle, further comprising a cut at a proximal and distal end of said horizontally-oriented marking (see fig. 1 and col. 3, lines 9-19).
ground 4: claim(s) 1, 4, 19-20, 25 and 27-30 is/are rejected under 35 u.s.c. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by u.s. patent no. 6,145,265 to malarkey et al.
in regard to claims 1 and 19, malarkey et al. disclose an asphalt shingle designed to be laid up in courses on a roof comprising: an upper headlap portion 54, a lower tab portion 62, vertically spaced apart upper and lower edges, laterally spaced apart right and left edges, and top and bottom surfaces, having a lateral dimension or width and a vertical dimension or height (see figs. 3-4 and col. 5, lines 16-45); and a horizontally-oriented marking (i.e. paint strip, not shown) that extends along an interface between said upper headlap portion and said lower tab portion of said shingle and stretches from said right to left edge thereof, spanning the width of the shingle (see col. 6, lines 28-36), wherein the lateral dimension of the shingle is greater than the vertical dimension of the shingle, wherein said bottom surface is configured to be laid up on the roof facing the roof, wherein said tab portion is configured to be substantially weather-exposed when laid up on the roof and wherein said upper headlap portion is configured to be substantially covered by the tab portion of asphalt shingles in a next-overlying course of asphalt shingles when laid up on the roof, and wherein said horizontally-oriented marking is configured to act as a headlap alignment mark and run perpendicularly to a rake of the roof and/or parallel to an eave of the roof following installation of the shingle thereon, defining a position on which the upper edge of an asphalt shingle in a previous course of asphalt shingles abut to establish a headlap (see figs. 5-6 and col. 6 lines 37-55).
in regard to claim 4, malarkey et al. disclose an asphalt shingle, wherein the horizontally-oriented marking is configured to fade upon weather exposure (see col. 6, lines 28-36).
in regard to claims 20 and 25, malarkey et al. disclose an asphalt shingle, further comprising at least one adhesive strip 58, 60, 72 disposed on a top or bottom surface thereof and configured to adhere said shingle to an underlying or overlying course of shingles (see figs. 3-6 and col. 5, lines 46-67).
in regard to claims 27-28, malarkey et al. disclose an asphalt shingle, wherein the horizontal alignment marking is visible across the entire width of the shingle (see col. 6, lines 28-36).
in regard to claims 29-30, malarkey et al. disclose an asphalt shingle, wherein the laterally spaced apart right and left edges are substantially planar in the upper headlap portion of the shingle (see figs. 3-6).
|
[
"1. An asphalt shingle designed to be laid up in courses on a roof comprising:\nan upper headlap portion, a lower tab portion, vertically spaced apart upper and lower edges, laterally spaced apart right and left edges, and top and bottom surfaces, having a lateral dimension or width and a vertical dimension or height;\nat least one adhesive strip disposed across the width of the shingle on the top surface thereof; and\na horizontally-oriented marking that extends along an interface between said upper headlap portion and said lower tab portion of said shingle and stretches from said right to left edge thereof, spanning the width of the shingle,\nwherein the lateral dimension of the shingle is greater than the vertical dimension of the shingle,\nwherein said bottom surface is configured to be laid up on the roof facing the roof,\nwherein said tab portion is configured to be substantially weather-exposed when laid up on the roof and wherein said upper headlap portion is configured to be substantially covered by the tab portion of asphalt shingles in a next-overlying course of asphalt shingles when laid up on the roof, and\nwherein said horizontally-oriented marking defines a boundary line between the upper headlap portion and the lower tab portion of the shingle,\nwherein said horizontally-oriented marking is configured to act as a headlap alignment mark and run perpendicularly to a rake of the roof and/or parallel to an eave of the roof following installation of the shingle thereon, defining a position on which the upper edge of an asphalt shingle in a previous course of asphalt shingles abut to establish a headlap,\nwherein said horizontally-oriented marking is configured to remain usable even where the right and left edges of the shingle have been removed, and\nwherein the laterally spaced apart right and left edges are substantially planar in the upper headlap portion of the shingle.",
"2. The asphalt shingle of claim 1 wherein said shingle is a three-tab shingle.",
"3. The asphalt shingle of claim 1 wherein said horizontally-oriented marking comprises gaps therein that each align with cut-outs a cut-out in the lower tab portion of the shingle.",
"4. The asphalt shingle of claim 3 wherein said horizontally-oriented marking is configured to be at least partially exposed to the environment following installation of the shingle and to fade upon weather exposure.",
"5. The asphalt shingle of claim 1 wherein said at least one adhesive strip runs parallel to said upper and lower edges of said shingle.",
"6. The shingle of claim 1 wherein said shingle is structurally weakened along said horizontally-oriented marking such that said shingle may be readily divided along said horizontally-oriented marking and the headlap portion thereof used as a rake or eave starter shingle.",
"7. The shingle of claim 1 wherein horizontally-oriented marking is also marked on the back side of the shingle.",
"8. The shingle of claim 1 further comprising nail placement marks that provide specific nail placement locations.",
"9. The shingle of claim 8 wherein said nail placement marks are positioned on said horizontally-oriented marking.",
"10. The shingle of claim 9 8wherein said nail placement marks are evenly laterally spaced.",
"11. The shingle of claim 8 wherein said nail placement marks comprise dots, indentations, perforations, cuts, and/or lines.",
"12. The shingle of claim 1 wherein said horizontally-oriented marking is positioned above said adhesive strip.",
"13. The shingle of claim 1 wherein said horizontally-oriented marking is positioned on said adhesive strip.",
"14. The shingle of claim 1 wherein said horizontally-oriented marking is positioned below said adhesive strip.",
"15. The shingle of claim 1 further comprising a cut at a proximal and distal end of said horizontally-oriented marking.",
"16. The shingle of claim 1 further comprising at least one additional horizontally-oriented marking, wherein said at least one additional horizontally-oriented marking is configured to act as a headlap alignment mark and run perpendicularly to the rake of the roof and/or parallel to the eave of the roof following installation of the shingle thereon, defining an alternative position on which the upper edge of an asphalt shingle in a previous course of asphalt shingles must abut to establish a second headlap.",
"17. A method of roofing using the shingle of claim 1, the method comprising:\nproviding a shingle in accordance with claim 1;\ndividing the shingle into several, shortened shingles of various widths, creating a book of shingles;\nfixing said shingle to a roof, beginning at a rake edge;\napplying as many shingles as necessary to complete a course of shingles to the roof;\ncutting a final shingle at an opposing rake edge such that it terminates substantially at the opposing rake edge; and\nbeginning a subsequent course of shingles above the previous course of shingles by abutting the upper edge of an asphalt shingle to the horizontally-oriented marking of the shingle used in the previous course,\nwherein at least one of the shortened shingles does not include either a right or left edge of the original shingle.",
"18. The method of claim 17 wherein abutting the upper edge of an asphalt shingle to the horizontally-oriented marking of the shingle used in the previous course comprises aligning the horizontally-oriented marking to the upper edge of an asphalt shingle used in the previous course on an edge thereof, fastening the shingle to the roof at the aligned edge and pivoting the shingle on the fastener until the horizontally-oriented marking is fully aligned with the upper edge of the asphalt shingle of the previous course before fastening the shingle along its length, thereby fixing its position.",
"19. An asphalt shingle designed to be laid up in courses on a roof comprising:\nan upper headlap portion, a lower tab portion, vertically spaced apart upper and lower edges, laterally spaced apart right and left edges, and top and bottom surfaces, having a lateral dimension or width and a vertical dimension or height;\nat least one adhesive strip disposed across the width of the shingle on the top surface thereof; and\na horizontally-oriented marking that extends along an interface between said an upper headlap portion and said a lower tab portion of said shingle and stretches from said a right to left edge thereof, spanning the width of the shingle,\nwherein the lateral dimension of the shingle is greater than the vertical dimension of the shingle,\nwherein said bottom surface is configured to be laid up on the roof facing the roof,\nwherein said tab portion is configured to be substantially weather-exposed when laid up on the roof and wherein said upper headlap portion is configured to be substantially covered by the tab portion of asphalt shingles in a next-overlying course of asphalt shingles when laid up on the roof,\nwherein the shingle is a three-tab shingle, and\nwherein said horizontally-oriented marking is configured to act as a headlap alignment mark and run perpendicularly to a rake of the roof following installation of the shingle thereon, defining a position on which the upper edge of an asphalt shingle in a previous course of asphalt shingles abut to establish a headlap,\nwherein said horizontally-oriented marking is configured to remain usable even where the right and left edges of the shingle have been removed,\nwherein said horizontally-oriented marking defines a boundary line between the upper headlap portion and the lower tab portion of the shingle, and\nwherein the laterally spaced apart right and left edges are substantially planar in the upper headlap portion of the shingle.",
"20. The asphalt shingle of claim 1 further comprising at least one adhesive strip disposed on a top or bottom surface thereof and configured to adhere said shingle to an underlying or overlying course of shingles.",
"21. The asphalt shingle of claim 19 further comprising at least one adhesive strip disposed on a top or bottom surface thereof and configured to adhere said shingle to an underlying or overlying course of shingles.",
"22. The shingle of claim 16 wherein an area of the shingle bounded by said horizontally-oriented marking and an additional horizontally-oriented marking denotes a nailing zone through which fasteners should be inserted.",
"23. The shingle of claim 1 wherein the horizontally-oriented marking is visible across the entire width of the shingle.",
"24. The shingle of claim 19 wherein the horizontally-oriented marking is visible across the entire width of the shingle."
] |
USRE50406E1
|
US6145265A
|
[
"1. A laminated roofing shingle, comprising:\na top sheet having first and second longitudinal marginal edges and alternating tabs and cutout portions along the first longitudinal marginal edge,\na backing sheet having first and second longitudinal marginal edges and adhered to the top sheet with the first longitudinal marginal edge of the backing sheet in alignment with the first longitudinal marginal edge of the top sheet, the width of the backing sheet greater than 1/2 the width of the top sheet but less than the width of the top sheet, and the backing sheet having a first longitudinal section with a first thickness and a second longitudinal section with a second thickness, wherein the second thickness is less than the first thickness, and wherein the second longitudinal section extends along the second longitudinal marginal edge of the backing sheet.",
"2. The laminated roofing shingle of claim 1 in which that portion of the backing sheet that extends beyond 1/2 of the width of the top sheet in the direction toward the second longitudinal marginal edge of the top sheet is the second longitudinal section.",
"3. The laminated roofing shingle of claim 1 wherein the cutout portions of the top sheet define a longitudinal headlap margin, and wherein the shingle includes first and second continuous strips of asphalt between the first sheet and the second sheet, each of said strips positioned beyond the headlap margin in the direction toward the second longitudinal edges of the top and backing sheets.",
"4. The laminated roofing shingle of claim 3 in which the first continuous strip of asphalt is between the top and backing sheets and extends along the length of the first longitudinal section of the backing sheet.",
"5. The laminated roofing shingle of claim 3 in which the second continuous strip of asphalt is between the top and backing sheets and extends along the length of the second longitudinal section of the backing sheet.",
"6. The laminated roofing shingle of claim 1 in which the backing sheet and the top sheet each have a first weather-facing surface with granules embedded therein and a second surface opposite said first weather-facing surface, and wherein the first surface of the backing sheet is laminated to the second surface of the top sheet.",
"7. In an essentially rectangular two-layer laminated roofing shingle having a top sheet with first and second longitudinal marginal edges with alternating tabs and cutout portions along the first longitudinal marginal edge, the cutout portions defining a longitudinal headlap margin, and a backing sheet that is narrower than the top sheet and having a first and second longitudinal marginal edge, the backing sheet laminated to the top sheet with the first longitudinal marginal edge of the backing sheet aligned with the first longitudinal marginal edge of the top sheet, the improvement comprising:\nthe backing sheet extending beyond the headlap margin in the direction toward the second longitudinal marginal edge of the top sheet and more than 1/2 the width of the top sheet to define a nail zone between the headlap margin and the second longitudinal marginal edge of the backing sheet, said nail zone comprising a first and second contiguous layer of asphalt coated sheet extending longitudinally along the length of the shingle, the backing sheet including a first longitudinal section having a first thickness and a second longitudinal section having a second thickness that is less thick than the first thickness.",
"8. The laminated roofing shingle of claim 7 in which the first contiguous layer of asphalt coated sheet is the top sheet and the second contiguous layer of asphalt coated sheet is the backing sheet.",
"9. The laminated roofing shingle of claim 8 in which a substantial portion of the second contiguous layer of asphalt coated sheet in the nail zone is the second longitudinal section of the backing sheet.",
"10. The laminated roofing shingle of claim 7 further including a first continuous strip of asphalt extending along the length of the shingle between the top sheet and the backing sheet, and located between the headlap margin and the second longitudinal marginal edge of the backing sheet.",
"11. The laminated roofing shingle of claim 10 further including a second continuous strip of asphalt extending along the length of the shingle between the top sheet and the backing sheets, and located between the first continuous strip of asphalt and the second longitudinal marginal edge of the backing sheet.",
"12. The laminated roofing shingle of claim 9 in which the portion of the backing sheet that extends beyond the longitudinal centerline of the top sheet is the second longitudinal section of the backing sheet.",
"13. A method of manufacturing a laminated roofing shingle, comprising the steps of:\n(a) providing a fibrous roofing mat having a first and second surfaces;\n(b) coating both surfaces of the mat across the entire width thereof with an asphaltic compound to produce a composite sheet;\n(c) removing the asphalt from an outer edge portion of each opposite edge of the first surface to produce an outer edge strip on each opposite edge of said first surface so that the sheet is thinner in said outer edge strips than the rest of the sheet;\n(d) depositing on the first surface of the sheet a granular roofing material;\n(e) cutting a continuous strip from each outer edge of the sheet to produce a pair of backing strips and a center strip, each backing strip having a first outer edge having a first outer edge strip that is less thick than the rest of the backing strip and a second outer edge;\n(f) cutting the center strip into two tabbed strips, each having one first outer edge with alternating tabs and cutout portions;\n(g) shifting said strips along the longitudinal axes thereof to align a backing strip with a tabbed strip such that an outer edge of a backing strip aligns with a first outer edge of a tabbed strip;\n(h) applying adhesive to those portions of the tabbed strip that mate with the backing strip and laminating said aligned strips and cutting the strips into shingles of selected lengths.",
"14. The method of claim 13 in which step (g) includes the step of aligning the backing strip with a tabbed strip such that the second outer edge of the backing strip aligns with the first outer edge of the tabbed strip.",
"15. The method of claim 13 in which the backing strips are sized such that the width of said strips is greater than 1/2 the width of said tabbed strips at the widest point of said tabbed strips.",
"16. The method of claim 13 including the step of applying a first and second continuous strip of asphaltic sealing material to the backing strip prior to laminating said backing strip and said tabbed strip.",
"17. A laminated shingle manufactured according to the method of claim 13.",
"18. A method of manufacturing a laminated roofing shingle, comprising the steps of:\n(a) producing a sheet of roofing material comprising a fibrous mat having a first surface coated with an asphaltic compound and having embedded therein granules, said first surface including outer edge strip portions that are not coated with asphalt or granules, a second surface of said sheet coated with an asphaltic compound over substantially the entire surface thereof, said sheet having a first thickness at such outer edge strip portions and a second thickness at all other portions, said first thickness being thinner than said second thickness;\n(b) cutting a continuous strip from each outer edge of the sheet to produce a pair of backing strips and a center strip, each backing strip having a first outer edge comprising said outer edge strip portions, and a second outer edge opposite said first outer edge;\n(c) cutting the center strip into two tabbed strips, each having one first outer edge with alternating tabs and cutout portions;\n(d) aligning a backing strip with a tabbed strip such that the second outer edge of the backing strip aligns with the first outer edge of a tabbed strip;\n(e) applying adhesive to a selected portion of the strips and laminating the strips together and cutting said laminated strips into shingles of selected lengths.",
"19. The method of claim 18 in which the backing strips are sized such that the width of said strips is greater than 1/2 the width of said tabbed strips at the widest point of said tabbed strips.",
"20. The method of claim 18 including the step of applying a first and second continuous strip of asphaltic sealing material to the backing strip prior to laminating said backing strip and said tabbed strip.",
"21. A laminated shingle manufactured according to the method of claim 18.",
"22. A laminated roofing shingle, comprising:\na top sheet having first and second longitudinal marginal edges and alternating tabs and cutout portions along the first longitudinal marginal edge,\na backing sheet having first and second longitudinal marginal edges and adhered to the top sheet with the first longitudinal marginal edge of the backing sheet in alignment with the first longitudinal marginal edge of the top sheet, the backing sheet having a first longitudinal section with a first thickness and a second longitudinal section with a second thickness, wherein the second thickness is less than the first thickness and the second longitudinal section extends along the second longitudinal marginal edge of the backing sheet.",
"23. The laminated roofing shingle of claim 22 in which the width of the backing sheet is greater than 1/2 the width of the top sheet but less than the width of the top sheet.",
"24. The laminated roofing shingle of claim 23 in which the portion of the backing sheet that extends beyond 1/2 the width of the top sheet in the direction toward the second longitudinal marginal edge of the top sheet is the second longitudinal section.",
"25. The laminated roofing shingle of claim 22 in which the cutout portions of the top sheet define a headlap margin, and wherein the shingle includes first and second continuous strips of asphalt between the first sheet and the second sheet, each of said strips located beyond the headlap margin in the direction toward the second longitudinal edges of the top and backing sheets."
] |
[
[
"1. A system for supporting roofing members on a roof\nstructure, comprising:\nat least one batten extending along a portion of a roof structure, the batten having receiving portions comprising opposing openings formed through the at least one batten; and\na plurality of hanger devices, the hanger devices having head portions having opposing sides wherein each side is removably secured within a separate opening of the opposing openings of the receiving portions.",
"2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the head portion and the receiving portions have corresponding shapes.",
"3. A system according to claim 1, wherein the head portion is substantially octagonal, and the receiving portion is correspondingly shaped.",
"4. A system according to claim 1, wherein the hanger further includes a short member and a long member extending from the head portion, the short and long members cooperating to permit insertion of the head portion into the receiving portion.",
"5. A system according to claim 4, wherein the long member includes a curved distal end.",
"6. A system according to claim 1, further comprising an interlayment member disposed over the hanger devices.",
"7. A system according to claim 1, wherein the head portion is substantially circular, and the receiving portion is correspondingly shaped.",
"8. A system according to claim 1, wherein the head portion is substantially hexagonal, and the receiving portion is correspondingly shaped.",
"9. A system according to claim 8, wherein at least one of the opposing openings in the receiving portion includes an apex thereof, a portion of the hanger device extending through the apex.",
"10. A system for supporting roofing members on a roof structure, comprising:\nat least one batten extending along a portion of the roof structure, the batten having receiving portions comprising opposing openings formed through the at least one batten;\na plurality of hanger devices, the hanger devices having head portions having opposing sides wherein each side is removably secured within a separate opening of the opposing openings of the receiving portions, each hanger device further having a member extending from the head portion, the member having a curved distal end; and\nan interlayment member disposed under the roofing members and over the hanger devices such that a portion of the interlayment member abuts the distal end of the member.",
"11. A system according to claim 10, wherein the receiving portions and head portions have corresponding shapes.",
"12. A system according to claim 10, wherein the head portion is substantially octagonal, and the receiving portion is correspondingly shaped.",
"13. A system according to claim 10, wherein the member is a long member, and wherein the hanger further includes a short member, the short and long members cooperating to permit insertion of the head portion into the receiving portion.",
"14. A system according to claim 13, wherein the short member is spaced from and substantially parallel to the long member.",
"15. A system according to claim 10, wherein the head portion is substantially circular, and the receiving portion is correspondingly shaped.",
"16. A system according to claim 10, wherein the head portion is substantially hexagonal, and the receiving portion is correspondingly shaped.",
"17. A system according to claim 16, wherein at least one of the opposing openings in the receiving portion includes an apex thereof, a portion of the hanger device extending through the apex.",
"18. A method for assembling roofing members on a roofing structure, comprising:\nsecuring a batten to a roof, the batten having receiving portions comprising opposing openings formed through the at least one batten;\nproviding a plurality of hanger devices, the hanger devices having a head portion having opposing sides, and a member extending from the head portion;\ninserting the opposing sides of the head portions of the hanger devices into the receiving portions wherein each side is removably secured within a separate opening of the opposing openings of the receiving portions; and\ndisposing roofing members over the batten and in engagement with the hanger device extending members.",
"19. A method according to claim 18, further comprising removing a hanger device from a receiving portion, and inserting the hanger device into an adjacent receiving portion."
],
[
"1. A system for supporting roofing members on a roof structure, comprising:\nat least one batten; and\na plurality of hanger devices removably secured to the batten, the hanger devices operable to support roofing members.",
"2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one batten includes a plurality of hanger holders, the hanger holders defining openings for receiving the hanger devices.",
"3. A system according to claim 1, wherein the roofing members are slate members.",
"4. A system according to claim 3, wherein each slate member has a top edge and a bottom edge; and wherein the bottom edge of each of the slate members is supported by one or more hangers.",
"5. A system according to claim 1, wherein the hanger devices are spring tempered.",
"6. A system according to claim 5, wherein each slate member has a top edge and a bottom edge; and wherein the bottom edge of each of the slate members is supported by one or more hangers.",
"7. A system according to claim 6, wherein a bottom portion of each of the hanger devices extends away from the roof to support the bottom edge of one of the slate members, and a top portion of each of the hanger devices securely engages the at least one batten.",
"8. A system according to claim 6, further comprising one or more slate liners, wherein each slate liner is positioned atop the hangers associated with a row of slate members, underlying the slate members of the row.",
"9. A system according to claim 8, wherein a bottom portion of each of the hanger devices extends away from the roof to support the bottom edge of one of the slate members and the slate liner, a top portion of each of the hanger devices securely engages the at least one batten, and a bottom edge of the slate liner is coincident with the bottom edge of the slate members.",
"10. A system according to claim 9, further comprising an underlayment positioned on the roof structure below the battens.",
"11. A system according to claim 9, further comprising a plurality of battens for accommodating a plurality of rows of slate members, wherein the slate members are operatively secured to the roof structure in overlapping rows, wherein the bottom portion of each of the hanger devices of one of the rows extends downward to partially overlap the slate members of the row immediately below.",
"12. A device as in claim 11, wherein the slate liner of one of the rows completely underlies the slate members of the row, and wherein the upper edge of the slate liner extends up beyond the top edge of the slate members of the row.",
"13. A system for attaching slate members to a roof, comprising:\nat least one batten, the batten having a plurality of hanger holders; and\na plurality of hangers removably secured to the at least one batten via the plurality of hanger holders, the hangers being spring tempered to permit positioning of the hangers along the length of the battens.",
"14. A system according to claim 13, wherein the hangers resist lifting forces when attached to the at least one batten.",
"15. A system according to claim 14, wherein each slate member has a top edge and a bottom edge, and wherein the bottom edge of each of the slate members is supported by one or more hangers.",
"16. A system according to claim 15, further comprising one or more slate liners, wherein each slate liner is positioned atop the hangers associated with a row of slate members, underlying the slate members of the row.",
"17. A system according to claim 16, wherein a bottom portion of each hanger extends away from the roof to support the bottom edge of one of the slate members and the slate liner, and a top portion of each hanger securely engages the at least one batten, and the bottom edge of the slate liner is coincident with the bottom edge of the slate members.",
"18. A system according to claim 17, further comprising a plurality of battens for accommodating a plurality of rows of slate members, wherein the slate members are attached to the roof in overlapping rows, wherein the bottom portion of each hanger of one of the rows extends downward to partially overlap the slate members of the row immediately below.",
"19. A system according to claim 18, wherein the slate liner of one of the rows completely underlies the slate members of the row, and wherein the upper edge of the slate liner extends up beyond the top edge of the slate members of the row.",
"20. A method for disposing slate members on a roof structure, comprising:\ndisposing a plurality of battens along a roof structure, the battens having a plurality of hanger holders associated therewith;\nproviding a plurality of hangers; and\ncompressing a portion of each hanger and disposing the portion into a pair of corresponding openings defined by the hanger holders.",
"21. A method according to claim 20, wherein the hangers each comprise a lower hook portion, and wherein the method further comprises disposing slate liners atop the hangers such that a bottom edge of the slate liners abuts the hook portion of the hangers.",
"22. A method according to claim 21, further comprising disposing slate members atop the slate liners such that a bottom edge of the slate members abuts the hook portion of the hangers.",
"23. A method according to claim 20, further comprising the portion of at least one hanger and removing the hanger from the openings defined by the hanger holders.",
"24. A method according to claim 23, further comprising moving the hanger to another location along the batten, compressing the portion of the hanger and disposing the portion into another of a pair of corresponding openings defined by the hanger holders."
],
[
"1. A system of pitched roofing, which comprises:\na sheet material for adhering to a roof deck, which has an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface including a hook and loop fastener;\na plurality of roofing tiles each having a front face and a back face and a length extending from an upper edge to a lower edge, wherein the back face of each tile has opposing side-edge portions;\nhook and loop fasteners adhered to and covering a portion of the back face of each tile including a portion of the opposing side-edge portions;\na plurality of rain diverting devices, each device having one surface made up of a plurality of hook portions and an opposing surface made up of a plurality of portions complementary to the hook portions,\nwherein each rain diverting device is positioned between, extending along at least the entire length of two adjacent tiles, and releasably attached to the hook and loop fasteners located on a side-edge portion of the adjacent tiles and the sheet material, thereby releasably attaching the tiles to each other and to the upper surface of the underlying sheet material,\nwherein each rain diverting device serves to direct rain and snowmelt away from a separation between adjacent tiles and the underlying sheet material and down onto tiles one or more rows below the separation between adjacent tiles.",
"2. The system of roofing of claim 1, wherein the rain diverting device has one surface made up of a plurality of hook portions, and an opposing surface made up of a plurality of loop portions.",
"3. The system of roofing of claim 1, wherein the rain diverting device is a strip-like device that has a thickness of less than or equal to about 3 millimeters, a width ranging from about 5.1 to about 15.2 centimeters, and a length ranging from about 100% to about 120% of the average length of the adjacent tiles.",
"4. The system of roofing of claim 1, wherein the roofing tiles are selected from the group of slabs or shingles made from asphalt, wood, cement, fiber-cement mixtures, concrete, clay or ceramic material, slate or slate substitute, rubber slate, and other hardwearing materials and metal.",
"5. The system of roofing of claim 4, wherein the roofing tiles are selected from the group of slate, slate substitute and rubber slate tiles.",
"6. The system of roofing of claim 1, wherein the upper surface of the sheet material contains a grid pattern for providing a reference for placement of the tiles pressed down upon it.",
"7. The system of roofing of claim 1, wherein the lower surface of the sheet material is adhered to an insulation board, which is adhered to the roof deck.",
"8. The system of roofing of claim 1, wherein the hook and loop fasteners are in the form of strips having a width greater than about 2.54 centimeters.",
"9. The system of roofing of claim 8, wherein the hook and loop fastener strips have a width ranging from about 3.8 to about 6.4 centimeters.",
"10. The system of roofing of claim 1, wherein the hook and loop fasteners have a combined thickness of less than or equal to about 3 millimeters.",
"11. The system of roofing of claim 1, wherein the hook and loop fasteners extend along the width of the tile on the back face at or near uppermost and lowermost edges of the tile.",
"12. The system of roofing of claim 11, wherein hook and loop fasteners also extend along the width of the tile at or near the uppermost edge of the front face.",
"13. The system of roofing of claim 12, wherein the hook and loop fasteners on the upper surface of the sheet material and adhered to the front face of each tile are hook fasteners and the hook and loop fasteners adhered to the back face of each tile are loop fasteners.",
"14. The system of roofing of claim 13, wherein the surface of the rain diverting device made up of a plurality of hook portions is positioned over the back face of each tile, and the surface of the rain diverting device made up of a plurality of portions complementary to the hook portions is positioned over the upper surface of the sheet material.",
"15. The system of roofing of claim 1, wherein the roofing tiles are single lapped with exposed portions of the front face of each tile ranging from about 71 to about 93% of the total area of the front face.",
"16. The system of pitched roofing of claim 1, which further comprises a support disposed in between the upper edge and the lower edge and extending from the back face.",
"17. The system of claim 16, wherein the support comprises a Z-shaped spring having an upper arm adhered to the back face of the tile, and a lower arm.",
"18. The system of claim 17, wherein the lower arm of the Z-shaped spring has a surface made up of a hook and loop fastener complimentary to the hook and loop fastener of the sheet material.",
"19. A method of installing shingles or tiles on a roof, which comprises:\nproviding a sheet material having an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface including a hook and loop fastener;\nsecuring the lower surface of the sheet material to a roof deck;\nproviding a plurality of roofing tiles, each tile having a length extending from an upper edge to a lower edge and a back face with opposing side-edge portions, wherein hook and loop fasteners are adhered to and cover a portion of the back face of each tile including a portion of the opposing side-edge portions;\nproviding a plurality of rain diverting devices, each device having one surface made up of a plurality of hook portions and an opposing surface made up of a plurality of portions complementary to the hook portions,\npositioning each rain diverting device between, extending along at least the entire length of two adjacent tiles, and releasably attaching each device to the hook and loop fasteners located on a side-edge portion of the adjacent tiles and the underlying sheet material, thereby releasably attaching the tiles to each other and to the upper surface of the sheet material,\nwherein each rain diverting device serves to direct rain and snowmelt away from a separation between adjacent tiles and the underlying sheet material and down onto tiles one or more rows below the separation between adjacent tiles.",
"20. A method of using a device having one surface made up of a plurality of hook portions and an opposing surface made up of a plurality of portions complementary to the hook portions to direct rainwater and snowmelt away from an underlying sheet material on a roof deck, which comprises: positioning the device between, extending along at least an entire length of two adjacent tiles, and releasably attaching the device to hook and loop fasteners located on a side-edge portion of the adjacent roofing tiles and an underlying sheet material, thereby releasably attaching the tiles to each other and to the upper surface of the underlying sheet material,\nwherein each rain diverting device serves to direct rain and snowmelt away from a separation between adjacent tiles and the underlying sheet material and down onto tiles one or more rows below the separation between adjacent tiles.",
"21. A system of pitched roofing, which comprises:\na sheet material for adhering to a roof deck, which has an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface including a hook and loop fastener;\na plurality of roofing tiles each having a front face and a back face and a length extending at least from an upper edge to a lower edge, wherein the back face of each tile has opposing side-edge portions;\nhook and loop fasteners adhered to and covering a portion of the back face of each tile including a portion of the opposing side-edge portions;\na plurality of rain diverting devices, each device having one surface made up of a plurality of hook portions and an opposing surface made up of a plurality of portions complementary to the hook portions,\nwherein each rain diverting device is positioned between, extending along at least the entire length of two adjacent tiles, and releasably attached to the hook and loop fasteners located on a side-edge portion of the adjacent tiles and the sheet material, thereby releasably attaching the tiles to each other and to the upper surface of the underlying sheet material,\nwherein each rain diverting device serves to direct rain and snowmelt away from a separation between adjacent tiles and the underlying sheet material and down onto tiles one or more rows below the separation between adjacent tiles,\nwherein the roofing tiles are selected from the group of slate, slate substitute and rubber slate tiles.",
"22. A method of installing shingles or tiles on a roof, which comprises:\nproviding a sheet material having an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface including a hook and loop fastener;\nsecuring the lower surface of the sheet material to a roof deck;\nproviding a plurality of roofing tiles, each tile having a length extending from at least an upper edge to a lower edge and a back face with opposing side-edge portions, wherein hook and loop fasteners are adhered to and cover a portion of the back face of each tile including a portion of the opposing side-edge portions;\nproviding a plurality of rain diverting devices, each device having one surface made up of a plurality of hook portions and an opposing surface made up of a plurality of portions complementary to the hook portions,\npositioning each rain diverting device between, extending along at least the entire length of two adjacent tiles, and releasably attaching each device to the hook and loop fasteners located on a side-edge portion of the adjacent tiles and the underlying sheet material, thereby releasably attaching the tiles to each other and to the upper surface of the sheet material,\nwherein each rain diverting device serves to direct rain and snowmelt away from a separation between adjacent tiles and the underlying sheet material and down onto tiles one or more rows below the separation between adjacent tiles,\nwherein the roofing tiles are selected from the group of slate, slate substitute and rubber slate tiles.",
"23. A method of using a device having one surface made up of a plurality of hook portions and an opposing surface made up of a plurality of portions complementary to the hook portions to direct rainwater and snowmelt away from an underlying sheet material on a roof deck, which comprises: positioning the device between, extending along at least an entire length of two adjacent tiles, and releasably attaching the device to hook and loop fasteners located on a side-edge portion of the adjacent roofing tiles and an underlying sheet material, thereby releasably attaching the tiles to each other and to the upper surface of the underlying sheet material,\nwherein each rain diverting device serves to direct rain and snowmelt away from a separation between adjacent tiles and the underlying sheet material and down onto tiles one or more rows below the separation between adjacent tiles,\nwherein the roofing tiles are selected from the group of slate, slate substitute and rubber slate tiles.",
"24. A system of pitched roofing, which comprises:\na sheet material for adhering to a roof deck, which has an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface including a hook and loop fastener;\na plurality of roofing tiles each having a front face and a back face and a length extending from an upper edge to a lower edge, wherein the back face of each tile has opposing side-edge portions;\nhook and loop fasteners adhered to and covering a portion of the back face of each tile including a portion of the opposing side-edge portions;\na plurality of rain diverting devices, each device having one surface made up of a plurality of hook portions and an opposing surface made up of a plurality of portions complementary to the hook portions,\nwherein each rain diverting device is positioned between, extending along at least the entire length of two adjacent tiles, and releasably attached to the hook and loop fasteners located on a side-edge portion of the adjacent tiles and the sheet material, thereby releasably attaching the tiles to each other and to the upper surface of the underlying sheet material,\nwherein each rain diverting device serves to direct rain and snowmelt away from a separation between adjacent tiles and the underlying sheet material and down onto tiles one or more rows below the separation between adjacent tiles,\nwherein the roofing tiles are selected from the group of slate, slate substitute and rubber slate tiles, and\nwherein the roofing tiles are single lapped with exposed portions of the front face of each tile ranging from about 71 to about 93% of the total area of the front face."
],
[
"1. A roofing panel comprising:\nan upper surface to be exposed to ambience when the roofing panel is installed on a roof;\na forward edge portion;\na rear headlap portion opposite the forward edge portion;\na first end portion extending between the forward edge portion and the headlap portion at a first end of the panel and a second end portion extending between the forward edge portion and the headlap portion at a second end of the panel opposite the first end;\nthe forward edge portion comprising a downwardly extending skirt having a return flange extending from a bottom edge of the skirt;\nthe rear headlap portion comprising an open channel extending at least partially along its length and having a forward wall, a bottom wall, and a back wall, with the forward wall being defined by a downward step between the upper surface and the bottom wall, the open channel being sized to receive the return flange and a portion of the skirt of the forward edge of a like panel to interlock two panels together front-to-back; and\na nailing flange extending rearwardly of the open channel for receiving fasteners attaching the roof panel to a roof deck.",
"2. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a locking tab extending partially across the open channel and being configured to capture the return flange of the like panel.",
"3. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 2 wherein the return flange extends rearwardly from the bottom edge of the skirt.",
"4. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 3 wherein the locking tab extends forwardly from the back wall across a portion of the open channel.",
"5. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 1 wherein the open channel is integrally formed with the roofing panel.",
"6. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 5 wherein the roofing panel is roll formed from a sheet of the roofing panel material having a substantially constant thickness.",
"7. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 1 wherein a portion of the open channel is cut away at the first end of the panel so that the first end may be overlapped by the second end of a like panel to join the panels in end-to-end relationship.",
"8. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 7 further comprising an upturned wall extending along the cut away portion forming a dam to inhibit seepage of water at the tops of two end-to-end overlapping panels.",
"9. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 1 wherein the open channel is upwardly open.",
"10. A roofing panel installation comprising a plurality of the roofing panels of claim 9 installed in courses with the skirts and return flanges of panels in upper courses being interlocked within the upwardly open channels of panels in the next lower course of panels.",
"11. A roofing panel comprising an upper surface, a forward edge portion, a rear edge portion, a first end portion, and a second end portion, the forward edge portion being formed to define a downwardly projecting skirt having a return flange extending at an angle from a lower edge of the skirt, the rear edge portion being formed to define an elongated upwardly open channel having a forward wall, a bottom wall, and a back wall, with the forward wall being defined by a downward step between the upper surface and the bottom wall, the open channel being sized to receive the return flange and at least a portion of the skirt of a like panel for attaching the forward edge portion of the like panel to the rear edge portion of the panel.",
"12. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 11 wherein the return flange extends rearwardly from the skirt.",
"13. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 11 wherein the return flange extends rearwardly and upwardly from the skirt.",
"14. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 11 further comprising a locking tab projecting across a portion of the upwardly open channel.",
"15. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 14 where the locking tab is configured to capture the return flange when the return flange and at least a portion of the skirt are inserted into the upwardly open channel of a like roofing panel.",
"16. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 11 wherein a portion of the upwardly open channel is cut away at the first end of the panel to accommodate end-to-end overlapping of two like panels on a roof.",
"17. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 16 further comprising an upturned wall extending along the rear of the cut away portion forming a dam against water migration.",
"18. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 11 wherein the panel is formed with a textured upwardly facing surface.",
"19. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 18 wherein the upwardly facing surface is textured to mimic a traditional shingle.",
"20. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 19 wherein the traditional shingle is a slate shingle.",
"21. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 19 wherein the traditional shingle is a shake shingle.",
"22. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 19 wherein the traditional shingle is an asphalt shingle.",
"23. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 19 wherein the traditional shingle is a barrel shingle."
],
[
"1. A shingle configured for attachment to a roof, the shingle comprising:\na body comprising a first side and a second side;\nwherein the first side comprises a water diverter tab and an anchor tab opening; and\nwherein the second side comprises an anchor tab and a water diverter tab opening.",
"2. The shingle of claim 1, wherein the water diverter tab comprises: a base; and a lip.",
"3. The shingle of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of braces extending downward from the body.",
"4. The shingle of claim 3, wherein the shingle further comprises a cross-bar extending downward from the body and connecting the plurality of braces.",
"5. The shingle of claim 3, wherein the shingle further comprises a first side wall and wherein the plurality of braces and the first side wall comprise a wedge-shaped portion.",
"6. The shingle of claim 1, further comprising: a first side wall extending downward from the first side and a second side wall extending downward from the second side.",
"7. A method for installing shingles, the method comprising:\nsecuring a first shingle, wherein the first shingle comprises an upper end and a first side comprising an anchor tab and a water diverter tab opening,\nto an underlying surface by inserting at least one fastener through the upper end of the first shingle and at least one fastener through the anchor tab of the first shingle;\ninterlocking a second shingle with the first shingle, wherein the second shingle comprises an upper end, a first side comprising an anchor tab, and a second side comprising a water diverter tab,\nby inserting the water diverter tab of the second shingle through the water diverter tab opening of the first shingle; and\nsecuring the second shingle to the underlying surface by inserting at least one fastener through the upper end of the second shingle and at least one fastener through the anchor tab of the second shingle.",
"8. The method of claim 7, wherein the second side of the shingle further comprises an anchor tab opening, and wherein the interlocking step further comprises nesting the anchor tab of the first shingle in the anchor tab opening of the second shingle."
],
[
"1. A system of roofing, which comprises:\na sheet material for adhering to a roof deck, which has an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface including a hook and loop fastener;\na plurality of roofing tiles each having a width and a front and back face;\na plurality of strips having a width, with hook and loop fasteners on a surface thereof, which are adhered to and extend across at least a portion of the width of each roofing tile, the plurality of strips comprising a strip A on an upper portion of the front face of each roofing tile at a distance from an upper edge thereof, and strips B and C on an upper and on a lower portion of the back face near upper and lower edges thereof;\na plurality of elongate rain diverting devices, each having a front and a back face with a corresponding lower edge, wherein for each elongate rain diverting device, a strip I of hook and loop fasteners, having a width is adhered along the lower edge of the front face of the elongate rain diverting device, and a strip II of hook and loop fasteners, having a width is adhered along the lower edge of the back face of the elongate rain diverting device,\nwherein once roofing tiles of the plurality of rooting tiles are arranged in a course or row on the roof deck and releasably attached to the sheet material by way of the strip B, an elongate rain diverting device of the plurality of elongate rain diverting devices is positioned on the upper portion of the front face of each roofing tile, extending above each roofing tile and onto the sheet material, and across the roof deck, and is releasably attached to each roofing tile by way of the strip II of the elongate rain diverting device being releasably attached to the strip A of each roofing tile,\nwherein as each subsequent row of roofing tiles of the plurality of roofing tiles is arranged on the roof deck, partially overlapping an underlying row with a partially overlying elongate rain diverting device of the plurality of elongate rain diverting devices, each roofing tile in the subsequent row is releasably attached to the elongate rain diverting device by way of the strip C of the roofing tile being releasably attached to the strip I of the elongate rain diverting device and is releasably attached to the sheet material by way of the strip B of the roofing tile being releasably attached to the hook and loop fastener on the upper surface of the sheet material.",
"2. The system of roofing of claim 1, wherein the width of the strips adhered to the elongate rain diverting device approximates the width of the strips adhered to each tile.",
"3. The system of roofing of claim 1, wherein the elongate rain diverting device is made from an ultraviolet-resistant, waterproof, polymeric material.",
"4. The system of roofing of claim 3, wherein the polymeric material is a high-density polyethylene polymeric material.",
"5. The system of roofing of claim 1, wherein the rain diverting device is a rolled sheet-like material having a thickness of less than or equal to about 3 millimeters and a width ranging from about 15 to about 35 centimeters, which extends across all or at least a major portion of the width of the roof deck.",
"6. The system of roofing of claim 1, wherein the roofing tiles are selected from the group of slabs or shingles made from asphalt, wood, cement, fiber-cement mixtures, concrete, clay or ceramic material, slate or slate substitute, rubber slate, and other hardwearing materials and metal.",
"7. The system of roofing of claim 6, wherein the roofing tiles are selected from the group of slate, slate substitute and rubber slate tiles.",
"8. The system of roofing of claim 1, wherein the upper surface of the sheet material contains a grid pattern for providing a reference for placement of the tiles pressed down upon it.",
"9. The system of roofing of claim 1, wherein the lower surface of the sheet material is adhered to an insulation board, which is adhered to the roof deck.",
"10. The system of roofing of claim 1, wherein each strip has a width greater than about 2.54 centimeters.",
"11. The system of roofing of claim 10, wherein each strip has a width ranging from about 3.8 to about 6.4 centimeters.",
"12. The system of roofing of claim 1, wherein each strip has a thickness of less than or equal to about 3 millimeters.",
"13. The system of roofing of claim 1, wherein the hook and loop fasteners on the upper surface of the sheet material are hook fasteners.",
"14. The system of roofing of claim 13, wherein the strip A adhered to the front face of each roofing tile are hook fasteners and the strips B and C adhered to the back face of each roofing tile are loop fasteners.",
"15. The system of roofing of claim 14, wherein the strip I adhered along the lower edge of the front face of the elongate rain diverting device are hook fasteners, and the strip II adhered along the lower edge of the back face of the elongate rain diverting device are loop fasteners.",
"16. The system of roofing of claim 1, wherein the roofing tiles are single lapped with exposed portions of the front face of each tile ranging from about 59 to about 82% of the total area of the front face.",
"17. A method of installing tiles on a roof, which comprises:\nproviding a sheet material having an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface including a hook and loop fastener; securing the lower surface of the sheet material to a roof deck;\nproviding a plurality of roofing tiles, each roofing tile having a width and a front and back face,\nwherein strips of hook and loop fasteners are adhered to and extend across at least a portion of the width of each roofing tile, the strips comprising a strip A on an upper portion of the front face at a distance from an upper edge thereof, and strips B and C on an upper and on a lower portion of the back face near upper and lower edges thereof;\nproviding a plurality of elongate rain diverting devices, each having a front face and a back face with a lower edge, wherein for each elongate rain diverting device, a strip I of hook and loop fasteners, having a width is adhered along the lower edge of the front face of the elongate rain diverting device of the plurality of elongate rain diverting devices, and a strip II of hook and loop fasteners, having a width is adhered along the lower edge of the back face of the elongate rain diverting device,\nwherein, once roofing tiles of the plurality of roofing tiles are arranged in a course or row on the roof deck and adhered to the sheet material by way of the strip B of each roofing tile,\npositioning an elongate rain diverting device of the plurality of elongate rain diverting devices on the upper portion of the front face of each roofing tile, extending above each roofing tile onto the sheet material, adhering the elongate rain diverting device to each roofing tile by way of the strip II of the elongate rain diverting device being releasably attached to the strip A of each roofing tile,\nwherein as each subsequent row of tiles is arranged on the roof deck, partially overlapping an underlying row with an overlying elongate rain diverting device of the plurality of elongate rain diverting devices, releasably attaching each roofing tile to an underlying elongate rain diverting device of the plurality of elongate rain diverting devices by way of the strip C of each roofing tile being releasably attached to the strip I of the underlying elongate rain diverting device, releasably attaching each roofing tile to the sheet material by way of strip B of each roofing tile being releasably attached to the hook and loop fastener on the upper surface of the sheet material, and positioning another elongate rain diverting device of the plurality of elongate rain diverting devices, on the upper portion of the front face of each roofing tile in the subsequent row, extending above each roofing tile onto the sheet material, and across the roof deck, and adhering the elongate rain diverting device to each roofing tile by way of the strip II of the elongate rain diverting device being releasably attached to the strip A of each roofing tile.",
"18. A method of using a plurality of elongate rain diverting devices to direct rainwater and snowmelt away from an underlying sheet material on a roof deck, each elongate rain diverting device having strips of hook and loop fasteners adhered to lower edges of opposing faces, wherein for each row of tiles installed on the roof deck, the method comprises: positioning and releasably attaching the elongate rain diverting device to upper portions of exposed faces of the tiles in the row prior to installation of a subsequent, partially overlying row, the elongate rain diverting device extending above each tile onto the sheet material and across the roof deck, wherein each elongate rain diverting device serves to divert rainwater and snowmelt away from separations between adjacent tiles and the underlying sheet material."
],
[
"1. An elevated retainer for retaining roofing tile against a roofing surface, the elevated retainer comprising:\na retainer head, the retainer head having a base and a top, the base being adapted for placement near the roofing surface so that the base is closer to the roofing surface than the top, the retainer head having a retainer nail channel;\na reinforcing strip that extends from the retainer head, the reinforcing strip being adapted for extending from the retainer head in a direction that is generally parallel to the roofing surface when the base of the retainer head is placed against the roofing surface, the reinforcing strip having a nail slot that extends through the reinforcing strip;\na lug retainer, the lug retainer being a cantilevered section that extends from the base of the retainer head in substantially the same direction as the reinforcing strip, the lug retainer having a lug upper end and a lug lower end, the lug retainer further having a lug hook that is at a distance from the base of the retainer head, so that attachment of the elevated retainer through the use of a nail through the retainer nail channel and into the roofing surface while the reinforcing strip and the lug retainer extend towards from the retainer head towards the lower roofing surface allows the insertion of the roofing tile into the elevated retainer with the lugs of the roofing tile are engaged by the lug retainer while the tile lies between the reinforcing strip and the lug retainer;\nat least one foot comprising a resilient protrusion that extends from the lug retainer towards the reinforcing strip.",
"2. An elevated retainer according to claim 1 wherein said foot is of integral, one-piece construction with the lug retainer.",
"3. An elevated retainer according to claim 2 and further comprising a nail channel comprising an aperture that extends from the top to the bottom of the retainer head.",
"4. An elevated retainer according to claim 3 wherein said retainer head includes a V-shaped leading edge comprising a pair of angled surfaces that extend from top to the bottom of the retainer, and is adapted for diverting a flow of water around the elevated retainer.",
"5. An elevated retainer for retaining roofing tile against a roofing surface that is sloped from an upper roofing surface towards a lower roofing surface, the elevated retainer comprising:\na retainer head, the retainer head having a base and a top, the base being adapted for placement near the roofing surface so that the base is closer to the roofing surface than the top, the retainer head having a retainer nail channel;\na reinforcing strip that extends from the retainer head, the reinforcing strip being adapted for extending from the retainer head in a direction that is generally parallel to the roofing surface when the base of the retainer head is placed against the roofing surface, the reinforcing strip having an aperture therethrough, the aperture defining a nail slot that extends through the reinforcing strip;\na lug retainer, the lug retainer being a cantilevered section that extends from the base of the retainer head in substantially the same direction as the reinforcing strip, the lug retainer having a lug hook comprising a section that is bent up towards the reinforcing strip, the lug hook being at a distance from the base of the retainer head, said lug retainer further comprises a pair of resilient elevated feet that extend from the lug retainer towards the reinforcing strip, the elevated feet comprising a pair of cantilevered projections that are of integral, one-piece construction with the lug retainer and are positioned between the lug hook and the retainer head, so that attachment of the elevated retainer through the use of a nail through the retainer nail channel and into the roofing surface while the reinforcing strip and the lug retainer extend towards from the retainer head towards the lower roofing surface allows the insertion of the roofing tile into the elevated retainer with the lugs of the roofing tile are engaged by the lug retainer while the tile lies between the reinforcing strip and the lug retainer.",
"6. An elevated retainer according to claim 5 and further comprising a nail channel comprising an aperture that extends from the top to the bottom of the retainer head.",
"7. An elevated retainer according to claim 6 wherein said reinforcing strip is tilted towards said lug retainer.",
"8. An elevated retainer according to claim 7 and further comprising a nail channel comprising an aperture that extends from the top to the bottom of the retainer head.",
"9. A method for retaining a roofing tile against a roofing surface that is sloped from an upper roofing surface towards a lower roofing surface, the method comprising:\nproviding a elevated retainer having:\na retainer head, the retainer head having a base and a top, the base being adapted for placement near the roofing surface so that the base is closer to the roofing surface than the top, the retainer head having a retainer nail channel;\na reinforcing strip that extends from the retainer head, the reinforcing strip being adapted for extending from the retainer head in a direction that is generally parallel to the roofing surface when the base of the retainer head is placed against the roofing surface, the reinforcing strip having an aperture therethrough, the aperture defining a nail slot that extends through the reinforcing strip; and\na pair of lug retainers, each of the lug retainer comprising a cantilevered section that extends from the base of the retainer head in substantially the same direction as the reinforcing strip, each of the lug retainers having a lug hook comprising a section that is bent up towards the reinforcing strip, the lug hook being at a distance from the base of the retainer head at least one of said lug retainers further comprising a pair of resilient elevated feet that extend from the lug retainer towards the reinforcing strip, the elevated feet comprising a pair of cantilevered protections that are of integral, one-piece construction with the lug retainer and are positioned between the lug hook and the retainer head;\nfastening the retainer head against the roofing surface by driving a nail through the nail channel such that the base of the head faces the roofing surface, while the lug retainer and the reinforcing strip extend towards the lower roofing surface;\nproviding a roofing tile having a tile upper surface and a tile lower surface, the tile lower surface having a pair of spaced-apart lugs that extend from the tile lower surface, the roofing tile further having a nail hole that extends through the tile from the tile upper surface to the tile lower surface;\ninserting the roofing tile into the elevated retainer such that the lugs of the roofing tile are engaged by the lug retainer while the tile lies between the reinforcing strip and the lug retainer, and such that the retainer nail channel extends over the tile nail hole; and\ninserting a nail through the retainer nail channel and through the tile nail hole and into the roofing surface."
],
[
"1. A weather shield assembly for tile roofs, comprising:\na sheet of water resistant roofing material constructed to extend over a roof;\na water resistant shield strip disposed above said sheet of water resistant roofing material; and\na tile fastener comprising a mounting portion fixed in a first location above both said sheet of water resistant roofing material and said water resistant shield strip and a shank portion extending from said mounting portion into a hook portion, said shank portion having a wing portion extending laterally below each side of said hook portion between said sheet of water resistant roofing material and said water resistant shield strip.",
"2. The weather shield assembly of claim 1, wherein said tile fastener is fixed to said sheet of water resistant roofing material and said water resistant shield strip with a staple.",
"3. A preassembled weather shield assembly for tile roofs, comprising;\na sheet of water resistant roofing material constructed to overlie a roof deck;\na plurality of water resistant shield strips coupled to said sheet of water resistant roofing material;\na plurality of tile fasteners respectively coupled to said plurality water resistant shield strips and to said sheet of water resistant roofing material; and\neach of said plurality of tile fasteners comprising a first fastener portion extending through a first portion of one of said water resistant shield strips and a second fastener portion extending through a second portion of said one of said water resistant shield strips wherein said first fastener portion comprises a shank portion extending on top of said sheet of water resistant roofing material and extending underneath said one of said water resistant shield strips between said first and second portions of said one of said weather resistant shield strips.",
"4. The preassembled weather shield assembly of claim 3, wherein one of said plurality of tile fasteners comprises laterally-extending wing portions extending under one of said plurality of shield strips.",
"5. The preassembled weather shield assembly of claim 3, wherein said second fastener portion comprises a hook portion extending through and projecting above one of said plurality of water resistant shield strips.",
"6. The preassembled weather shield assembly of claim 3, wherein each of said plurality of shield strips is formed with a slit or slot and wherein each of said plurality of fasteners respectively extends through said slit or slot.",
"7. The preassembled weather shield assembly of claim 3, wherein each of said plurality of shield strips is formed with a hole and wherein each of said plurality fasteners extends through said hole."
],
[
"1. A covering assembly for covering a roof or side of a structure comprising an understructure, a plurality of spaced parallel tracks mounted to said understructure, each of said mounting tracks having a base portion secured to said understructure and an intermediate connecting portion extending away from said base portion with an offset portion extending away from said intermediate portion generally parallel to said base portion, said offset portion terminating in a bent end extending toward said base portion, a plurality of covering panels, each of said covering panels having an exposed side and an underside, a resilient clip mounted around said panel and detachably hooked to said offset portion of said track, said clip having a first free end disposed against said exposed side of said panel and a second free end extending around said offset portion of said track, said second free end terminating in a bent portion hooked around said bent end of said offset portion, and said panels being disposed in rows with each of the panels in a respective row detachably mounted to one of said tracks and with said rows of panels overlapping each other.",
"2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said bent end of said offset portion is a barb extending away from said intermediate connecting portion, and said bent portion of said clip is a barb extending toward said intermediate portion.",
"3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said bent end of said offset portion is inclined toward said intermediate portion, and said bent portion of said clip being inclined away from said intermediate portion.",
"4. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said clip includes recessed reinforcing structure.",
"5. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said track includes stiffening structure.",
"6. The assembly of claim 1 wherein a detachable sheath is on said offset portion of said track.",
"7. A covering assembly for covering a roof or side of a structure comprising an understructure, a plurality of rows of elongated pans, a plurality of rows of covering panels, each of said pans having a central portion defined by elongated side edges joined by upper and lower edges, a hook structure extending generally from one of said edges, said hook structure having a first surface extending downwardly away from said central portion and joined to a second surface generally parallel to said central portion disposed directly below and spaced from said central portion, said hook structure thereby including three mounting surfaces comprising said central portion and the downward extension and said second surface, each of said pans being detachably mounted to said understructure by said hook structure being hooked around and against said understructure, adjacent rows of said pans being mounted to overlap each other with said lower edges of one row of said pans overlapping said upper edges of an adjacent lower row of said pans, each of said panels having elongated side edges joined by upper and lower edges, each of said rows of panels comprising adjacent panels having side edges disposed generally against each other to create sets of longitudinal joints at said side edges of adjacent panels, said panels being disposed over said pans and staggered with respect to said pans, each said pans having a front surface and a rear surface, a panel receiving hook on said front surface detachably mounting said panels to said understructure with said pans located at and below each of said joints, each of said joints being at a location between said side edges of said pan, said location of said pan being imperforate, said pans and said panels being compliantly and tightly mounted to said understructure, the undersurface of a pan being in contact with the outer surface of an underlying panel, and said pan being of generally the same length as said panels at said location of said joint to generally prevent flow of water through said joint directly to said understructure.",
"8. The assembly of claim 7 wherein said panel receiving hook is formed by a wire having a hook formation on said front surface of said pan, and said wire extending around to said rear surface of said pan.",
"9. The assembly of claim 8 wherein said wire extends only partially around said rear surface.",
"10. The assembly of claim 8 wherein said pan has corrugations extending from said upper edge to said lower edge to provide guide recesses for placement of said wire.",
"11. The assembly of claim 8 wherein said wire terminates in an upper free end at said rear surface of said pan, and a lower free end at said rear surface of said pan each of said free ends having a downwardly disposed hook.",
"12. The assembly of claim 11 wherein said upper hook and said lower hook are disposed around tracks mounted to said understructure.",
"13. The assembly of claim 11 wherein said upper hook is disposed between said rear surface of said pan and a track mounted to said undersurface.",
"14. The assembly of claim 11 wherein said upper hook is mounted around said understructure.",
"15. The assembly of claim 11 wherein said lower edge of said pan includes a generally L-shaped extension forming a spacing between said rear surface of said pan and the free end of said L-shaped extension, and said spacing being filled by surface to surface contact between said rear surface of said pan and an underlying one of said panels and an underlying one of said pans and an offset portion of a track mounted to said understructure with an overlying panel being mounted against said front surface of said pan.",
"16. The assembly of claim 7 wherein a pair of said hook structures is provided at said lower edge of said pan.",
"17. The assembly of claim 7 wherein said hook structure is located at at least one of said side edges.",
"18. The assembly of claim 7 wherein said hook structure is detachably mounted to said pan.",
"19. A covering assembly for covering a roof or side of a structure comprising an understructure, a plurality of rows of aligned pans, said pans in each of said rows being spaced from each other, each of said pans having an upper head portion and a lower base portion said head portion being fastened to said understructure, a stabilizing member spanning and connecting a pair of lower adjacent pans, said base portion of an upper pan being located between said pair of lower adjacent pans and engaged with said stabilizing member, and hook structure on each of said pans for receiving a panel.",
"20. The assembly of claim 19 wherein each of said pans includes a side wall having a slot, said stabilizing member being a wire, and said wire disposed in said slot.",
"21. The assembly of claim 19 wherein each of said pans has a pair of parallel side walls, each of said side walls having an integral tab, and said integral tab extending to and connected to one of said lower adjacent pans to comprise said stabilizing member.",
"22. The assembly of claim 19 wherein said hook is integral with said pan.",
"23. The assembly of claim 19 including a hold down band for holding said hook against said pan during wind and storm conditions, said hold down band having a cut out, said hook being disposed in said cut out, and said hold down band extending around said base of said pan to the undersurface of said pan.",
"24. A covering assembly for covering a roof or side of a structure comprising an undersurface in the form of a plurality of spaced battens, a plurality of pans, each of said pans having a head end and a base end, each of said pans having an upper surface, said head end terminating in a downwardly extending flange disposed against an upper batten, said base end having integral tabs secured to a lower one of said battens, a hook mounted to said head end, and a panel received in said hook.",
"25. The assembly of claim 24 wherein said integral tabs extend around at least two side walls of said batten.",
"26. A covering assembly for covering a roof or side of a structure in the form of a plurality of spaced battens, a plurality of spaced aligned track segments on each of said battens, each of said track segments having an upper flange which extends away from said batten and terminates in a free end located in an open space between pairs of adjacent battens, each of said track segments having a side wall disposed against a side wall of said batten each of said track segments having a lower base section disposed against and fastened to a second side wall of said batten, and a panel assembly mounted against said upper wall and engaged with said free end of said upper flange.",
"27. The assembly of claim 26 wherein said free end of said upper flange terminates in a hook structure."
],
[
"1. A roofing system, comprising:\nat least one underlayment layer;\nat least two nail fasteners attached to the at least one underlayment layer and into a roof deck, wherein the roof deck is a steep pitch roof deck having a pitch greater than 2 inches of rise to each 12 inches of run and wherein the head of each of the nail fasteners is above and in communication with the at least one underlayment layer and the shaft is driven through the least one underlayment layer and into the roof deck;\nat least one bead of adhesive applied above the underlayment layer in line with the at least two nail fasteners; and\nat least one metal roofing panel placed on the at least one bead of adhesive applied above the underlayment layer, wherein the at least one metal roofing panel is above the at least two nail fasteners and the at least two nail fasteners do not penetrate the at least one metal roofing panel.",
"2. A roofing system as in claim 1, wherein the at least two nail fasteners are according to a nail pattern that is sets of three offset rows that are perpendicular to a side of the roofing surface and applied a predetermined distance on center through the underlayment layer.",
"3. A roofing system as in claim 2, wherein the predetermined distance is six inches on center.",
"4. A roofing system as in claim 2, wherein the nail pattern is repeated a predetermined length on center.",
"5. A roofing system as in claim 4, wherein the nail pattern is repeated a predetermined length of 24 inches on center.",
"6. A roofing system as in claim 1, wherein the at least one underlayment layer is a self-sealing underlayment layer.",
"7. A roofing system as in claim 1, wherein the at least one underlayment layer has on center fastener location markings according to a nail pattern.",
"8. A roofing system as in claim 1, wherein the at least one underlayment layer is positioned overlapping a row that was previously laid down to create as many rows as are needed to entirely cover the roof deck.",
"9. A roofing system as in claim 1, wherein the underlayment layer is a roll applied underlayment layer.",
"10. A roofing system as in claim 1, wherein the nail fasteners are ring shank roofing nails.",
"11. A roofing system as in claim 1, wherein the at least two nail fasteners are fastened into a wood support of the roof deck.",
"12. A roofing system as in claim 1, wherein the at least two fasteners are in withdrawal and also in shear.",
"13. A roofing system as in claim 1, wherein the at least one underlayment layer is an underlayment roll rolled onto a center tube for attachment to a dispensing handle.",
"14. A roofing system as in claim 1, wherein the adhesive is a two-part epoxy.",
"15. A roofing system as in claim 1, wherein the underlayment layer is an adhesive underlayment layer.",
"16. A roofing system as in claim 15, wherein the adhesive underlayment layer is heat assisted.",
"17. A roofing system as in claim 1, further comprising an asphalt impregnated felt paper under the at least one underlayment layer and above the roof deck."
],
[
"1. Bituminous tile with sealing engagement devices delimiting positioning areas of anchoring nails, which is made in such a way as to comprise a layered tile body comprising an upper face and a lower face, a series of flaps arranged in an aligned sequence, after one another, in correspondence of a lower longitudinal portion of the tile body, wherein each flap is separate from an adjacent one by means of a separation cut, characterised in that at least the upper face of the tile body is provided with at least one sealing engagement device comprising at least one nailing area that identifies an insertion area of at least one anchoring nail, wherein the nailing area is circumscribed by a sealing engagement area, said sealing engagement area being made, alternatively or in combination, of adhesive, thermally adhesive or hot melt material, and wherein the sealing engagement area of the sealing engagement device is intended to enable the sealing of the nailing area in which in a laid condition at least one anchoring nail is inserted, while bondingly engaging at least one portion of the bituminous tile that in a laid condition at least partially overlaps the sealing engagement device.",
"2. Bituminous tile with sealing engagement devices delimiting positioning areas of the anchoring nails according to claim 1, wherein the size of the nailing area is smaller than the size of the sealing engagement area.",
"3. Bituminous tile with sealing engagement devices delimiting positioning areas of the anchoring nails according to claim 1, wherein in a laid condition the sealing engagement devices of the bituminous tile overlapping the underlying bituminous tile are positioned in such a way that the anchoring nail that engages by insertion the nailing area also engages by insertion a portion of the tile body of the underlying bituminous tile.",
"4. Bituminous tile with sealing engagement devices delimiting positioning areas of the anchoring nails according to claim 1, wherein the sealing engagement devices are at least placed in correspondence of the separation cuts above them.",
"5. Bituminous tile with sealing engagement devices delimiting positioning areas of the anchoring nails according to claim 1, wherein the sealing engagement area of the sealing engagement device is at least partly protruding with respect to the plane on which the nailing area lies.",
"6. Bituminous tile with sealing engagement devices delimiting positioning areas of the anchoring nails according to claim 1, wherein a left side of the tile body comprises a reference protrusion, said reference protrusion being provided with an upper wall and with a lower wall that are parallel to each other, and a right side of the tile body realizes a series of recesses in such a way as to create a first reference wall and a second reference wall, wherein the first reference wall of the right side of the tile body is on the same axis as the upper wall of the reference protrusion of the left side of the tile body while the second reference wall of the right side of the tile body is on the same axis as the lower wall of the reference protrusion of the left side of the tile body, wherein the assembly consisting of the upper wall and of the lower wall of the reference protrusion of the left side of the tile body and of the first reference wall and of the second reference wall of the right side of the tile body allows to realize a system of reference indices that allow to simplify the relative positioning for laying of each bituminous tile with respect to the adjacent one and to the underlying one in order to carry out a correct alignment and a correct overlapping thereof for laying, wherein the nailing area of each sealing engagement device is positioned on the tile body in such a way as to be placed immediately below the axis joining the first reference wall of the right side and the upper wall of the reference protrusion of the left side of the tile body.",
"7. Bituminous tile with sealing engagement devices delimiting positioning areas of the anchoring nails according to claim 1, wherein in order to highlight the nailing area, a colour of the nailing area of the sealing engagement device is different from a colour of the sealing engagement area.",
"8. Bituminous tile with sealing engagement devices delimiting positioning areas of the anchoring nails according to claim 1, wherein the nailing area of at least one sealing engagement device is made in such a way that it at least partially comprises the material of which the sealing engagement area is made, and wherein the sealing engagement area is at least partly protruding with respect to the nailing area.",
"9. Bituminous tile with sealing engagement devices delimiting positioning areas of the anchoring nails according to claim 1, wherein the nailing area of at least one sealing engagement device is devoid of the material of which the sealing engagement area is made.",
"10. Bituminous tile with sealing engagement devices delimiting positioning areas of the anchoring nails according to claim 1, wherein the sealing engagement area of the sealing engagement devices comprises at least one horizontal band whose dimensions in length are prevailing with respect to the remaining part of the sealing engagement area."
],
[
"1. A shingle blank comprising a substrate coated with an asphalt coating and having an upper surface and a lower surface, the blank including a first prime region and a second prime region, wherein the first prime region is substantially covered by a prime covering having a first overall visual effect and the second prime region is substantially covered by a second prime covering having a second overall visual effect different from the first overall visual effect, with the shingle blank being capable of being divided into individual cap shingles that can be applied to a roof ridge or hip, with the cap shingles including both the first and second prime regions, thereby enabling the cap shingles to be installed in an overlapping manner on the hip or ridge with either the first or the second prime regions being exposed.",
"2. The shingle blank of claim 1 including perforation lines to aid the cutting of the shingle blank into individual cap shingles.",
"3. The shingle blank of claim 1 in which the overall visual effect comprises prime coverings made from prime granules having a difference in color, ΔE, between the first overall visual effect and the second overall visual effect, the difference being less than 25 using CIELAB measurements.",
"4. The shingle blank of claim 1 in which the first overall visual effect comprises first prime granules of a first dark color and the second overall visual effect comprises second prime granules of a second dark color.",
"5. The shingle blank of claim 1 in which the first overall visual effect comprises first prime granules having a frequently used color and the second overall visual effect comprises second prime granules having a seldomly used color.",
"6. The shingle blank of claim 1 including courtesy cuts to aid the cutting of the shingle blank into individual cap shingles.",
"7. The shingle blank of claim 1 in which the colors selected for the first overall visual effect and the second overall visual effect are prime coverings made from prime granules having limited to colors less than or equal to 50 as measured on the CIELAB L* scale.",
"8. The shingle blank of claim 1 wherein the difference between the first overall visual effect and the second overall visual effect is that the second overall visual effect includes a shadow line.",
"9. The shingle blank of claim 1 wherein the first and second prime regions are provided on the upper surface of the shingle blank, said blank further comprising a sealant line is positioned on the upper surface of the shingle blank between the first and second prime regions.",
"10. A method of manufacturing an asphalt-based roofing material, comprising the steps of:\ncoating a substrate with an asphalt coating to form an asphalt coated sheet, the asphalt coated sheet including an upper surface and a lower surface, the substrate configured to include a first prime region and a second prime region;\napplying a first portion of prime granules to the first prime region;\napplying a second portion of prime granules to the second prime region, wherein the overall visual effect of the first prime region is different from the overall visual effect of the second prime region; and\ncutting the coated substrate into shingle blanks.",
"11. The method of claim 10 including adding perforation lines to the coated substrate to facilitate the separation of the shingle blank into cap shingles.",
"12. The method of claim 10 in which the overall visual effect comprises a difference in color, ΔE, between the first overall visual effect and the second overall visual effect, said difference being less than 25 using CIELAB measurements.",
"13. The method of claim 10 in which the first overall visual effect comprises a dark color and the second overall visual effect comprises a dark color.",
"14. The method of claim 10 in which the first overall visual effect comprises a frequently used color and the second overall visual effect comprises a seldomly used color",
"15. The method of claim 10 in which colors selected for the first overall visual effect and the second overall visual effect are limited to colors less than or equal to 50 as measured on the CIELAB L* scale.",
"16. The method of claim 10 including applying a shadow line to at least one of the prime regions.",
"17. A method of installing an asphalt-based hip and ridge roofing material, comprising the steps of:\nproviding an asphalt-based shingle blank, the shingle blank having a substrate coated with an asphalt coating and having an upper surface and a lower surface, the substrate configured to include a first prime region and a second prime region, wherein the first prime region is substantially covered by prime granules having a first overall visual effect and the second prime region is substantially covered by prime granules having a second overall visual effect different from the first overall visual effect, wherein both of the first and second prime regions are configured to be an exposed shingle portion on a hip or a ridge of a roof;\nseparating the shingle blank into individual cap shingles, each cap shingle including both the first and second prime regions;\ndetermining which of the first or second prime regions will be an exposed region of the installed cap shingles; and\ninstalling the cap shingles on the roof.",
"18. The method of claim 17 including trimming the edges of the prime region of the cap shingle that is to be hidden and not exposed.",
"19. The method of claim 17 in which the first overall visual effect is a first dark color and the second overall visual effect is a second dark color.",
"20. The method of claim 17 in which the first overall visual effect is a frequently used color and the second overall visual effect is a seldomly used color",
"21. A shingle blank having an upper surface and a lower surface, the blank configured to include a first prime region and a second prime region, wherein the first prime region has a first overall visual effect and the second prime region has a second overall visual effect different from the first overall visual effect, with the shingle blank being capable of being divided into individual cap shingles for application to a roof ridge or hip, with the cap shingles including both the first and second prime regions, thereby enabling the cap shingles to be installed in an overlapping manner on the hip or ridge with either the first or the second prime colors being exposed.",
"22. The shingle blank of claim 21 in which the shingle blank is a metallic material.",
"23. The shingle blank of claim 21 in which the shingle blank is comprised of a substrate coated with an asphalt coating, with the first prime region being substantially covered by prime granules having the first overall visual effect and the second prime region being substantially covered by prime granules having the second overall visual effect.",
"24. A cap shingle having an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface configured to include a first prime region and a second prime region, wherein the first prime region has a first overall visual effect and the second prime region has a second overall visual effect different from the first overall visual effect, with the cap shingle being configured to be installed in an overlapping manner on a hip or ridge of a roof with either the first or the second prime colors being exposed.",
"25. The cap shingle of claim 24 in which the cap shingle is a metallic material.",
"26. The cap shingle of claim 24 in which the cap shingle is comprised of a substrate coated with an asphalt coating, with the first prime region being substantially covered by prime granules having the first overall visual effect and the second prime region being substantially covered by prime granules having the second overall visual effect."
],
[
"1. A hybrid shingle for cladding a structure comprising a roofing substrate, the hybrid shingle comprising:\na first layer comprising a metallic substrate or a polymeric substrate and at least partially defining a headlap region of the shingle, a buttlap region of the shingle comprising one or more tabs interspersed with inter-tab openings, an outward-facing surface of the first layer, and a substrate-facing surface of the first layer; and\na second layer comprising a base and asphalt, having a smaller area than the first layer, and at least partially defining the buttlap region of the shingle,\nwherein the second layer is fixed to the substrate-facing surface of the first layer and the second layer is from about 2 to about 10 times thicker than the first layer.",
"2. A hybrid shingle according to claim 1, wherein the first layer completely covers the second layer except at the inter-tab openings.",
"3. A hybrid shingle according to claim 1, wherein the first layer comprises a metallic substrate.",
"4. A hybrid shingle according to claim 3, wherein the metallic substrate comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of steel, an alloy, copper, aluminum, and combinations thereof.",
"5. A hybrid shingle according to claim 3, wherein the polymer comprises a thermoplastic polyolefin.",
"6. A hybrid shingle according to claim 1, wherein the first layer comprises a polymeric substrate.",
"7. A hybrid shingle according to claim 1, wherein the outward-facing surface of the first layer is at least partially covered with a material selected from the group consisting of paint, acrylic, epoxy, tar, stones, nano granules, metal flakes, coated mica, a radiant barrier, and combinations thereof.",
"8. A hybrid shingle according to claim 1, wherein the base comprises glass fiber.",
"9. A hybrid shingle according to claim 1, wherein the second layer further comprises an outward-facing surface comprising mineral granules.",
"10. A hybrid shingle according to claim 1, wherein the second layer comprises a colored additive.",
"11. A hybrid shingle according to claim 1, wherein the first layer is thinner than the second layer, lighter than the second layer, or thinner and lighter than the second layer.",
"12. A hybrid shingle according to claim 11, wherein the shingle is thinner than a corresponding non-hybrid shingle, lighter than the corresponding non-hybrid shingle, or thinner and lighter than the corresponding non-hybrid shingle.",
"13. A hybrid shingle according to claim 12, wherein the non-hybrid shingle is an asphalt shingle.",
"14. A hybrid shingle according to claim 1, wherein first layer further comprises a fastener region positioned between the headlap and buttlap regions of the shingle.",
"15. A hybrid roofing system for cladding a structure comprising a roofing substrate, the hybrid roofing system comprising:\na plurality of hybrid shingles each hybrid shingle having a first layer and a second layer, the first layer comprising a metallic substrate or a polymeric substrate and at least partially defining a headlap region of the shingle, a buttlap region of the shingle comprising one or more tabs interspersed with inter-tab openings, an outward-facing surface of the first layer, and a substrate-facing surface of the first layer, the second layer comprising a base and asphalt, having a smaller area than the first layer, and at least partially defining the buttlap region of the shingle; and\nan underlayment, wherein the total thickness of the hybrid shingle is about 128 mils, wherein the thickness of the first layer is about 18 mils, wherein the second layer is fixed to the substrate-facing surface of the first layer, and wherein the second layer is from about 2 to about 10 times thicker than the first layer.",
"16. A hybrid roofing system according to claim 15, wherein the hybrid shingles are arranged in at least a first row and a second row at least partially overlapping the first row.",
"17. A hybrid roofing system according to claim 16, wherein at least a portion of the headlap of the at least one shingle in the second row overlaps at least a portion of the headlap of the at least one shingle in the first row.",
"18. A hybrid roofing system according to claim 17, wherein the first layer comprises a metallic substrate.",
"19. A hybrid roofing system according to claim 18, wherein the metallic substrate comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of steel, an alloy, copper, aluminum, and combinations thereof.",
"20. A hybrid roofing system according to claim 18, wherein the substrate is completely covered by at least one layer of metallic substrate.",
"21. A hybrid roofing system according to claim 16, wherein the first layer completely covers the second layer except at the inter-tab openings.",
"22. A hybrid roofing system according to claim 16, wherein the first layer comprises a metallic substrate.",
"23. A hybrid roofing system according to claim 22, wherein the metallic substrate comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of steel, an alloy, copper, aluminum, and combinations thereof.",
"24. A hybrid roofing system according to claim 16, wherein the first layer comprises a polymeric substrate."
],
[
"1. A method of stimulating the immune system in a patient in need thereof, comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of ITE or a structural analog thereof to the patient, wherein ITE has structural formula 1:",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the ITE structural analog is a compound of structural formula 2:",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein the ITE structural analog is a compound of structural formula 3:",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein the ITE structural analog is a compound of structural formula 4:\nwherein:\nX and Y are independently selected from the group consisting of O (oxygen) and S (sulfur);\nRN is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halo, cyano, formyl, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkanoyl, haloalkanoyl, and a nitrogen protective group;\nR1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halo, hydroxy, thiol, cyano, formyl, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, amino, nitro, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, thioalkoxy, alkanoyl, haloalkanoyl, and carbonyloxy;\nR7 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halo, hydroxy, thiol, cyano, formyl, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, amino, nitro, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, and thioalkoxy; and\nR6 is\nwherein Rg is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halo, cyano, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkenyl, and alkynyl; or\nR6 is\nwherein R9 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halo, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkenyl, and alkynyl; or\nR6 is\nwherein R10 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halo, hydroxy, thiol, cyano, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, and nitro; or\nR6 is\nwherein R11 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halo, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkenyl, and alkynyl.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein the patient has an increased count of cells selected from the group consisting of white blood cells, neutrophils, lymphocytes, and platelets after the administering step.",
"6. The method of claim 1, comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of ITE to the patient.",
"7. The method of claim 6, wherein the patient has an increased count of white blood cells after the administering step.",
"8. The method of claim 6, wherein the patient has an increased count of neutrophils after the administering step.",
"9. The method of claim 6, wherein the patient has an increased count of lymphocytes after the administering step.",
"10. The method of claim 6, wherein the patient has an increased count of platelets after the administering step."
],
[
"1. A roofing component, comprising:\nat least a first layer and a second layer of polyethylene thermoplastic, the first layer having a first color and the second layer having a second color, wherein the roofing component has a first side of the first color and a second side of the second color; and\na UV absorber comprising between approximately 1 and less than 3 wt. % carbon black substantially uniformly mixed with the polyethylene thermoplastic.",
"2. The roofing component of claim 1, wherein the first layer and the second layer of polyethylene thermoplastic comprise a high density polyethylene (HDPE).",
"3. The roofing component of claim 1, wherein the UV absorber comprises between approximately 2 and approximately 2.5 wt. % carbon black.",
"4. The roofing component of claim 1, wherein the roofing component comprises a step flashing with a body comprising:\na length and a width of between about 8 inches and about 12 inches;\na thickness of between about 0.25 mm and about 1.0 mm; and\na fold to form a vertical projecting portion and a horizontal projecting portion, wherein a fold angle between the vertical projecting portion and the horizontal projecting portion is between about 45 degrees and about 135 degrees.",
"5. The roofing component of claim 4, further comprising:\na protrusion formed on the vertical projecting portion, the protrusion extending within an interior of the fold angle.",
"6. The roofing component of claim 1, wherein the roofing component comprises a shingle.",
"7. The roofing component of claim 1, wherein the first layer and the second layer are one of individually extruded and coextruded.",
"8. The roofing component of claim 1, wherein the first color is substantially black and the second color is off-white.",
"9. The roofing component of claim 1, wherein at least one surface of the roofing component has a three-dimensional relief simulating a natural material comprising any one of wood shake, tile, and slate.",
"10. The roofing component of claim 1, wherein at least one surface of the roofing component includes a decoration comprising at least one of an ink and a paint applied to the at least one surface.",
"11. The roofing component of claim 1, wherein at least one surface of the roofing component includes a pigment.",
"12. A step flashing, comprising:\na first layer of a high density polyethylene (HDPE) having a first color; and\na second layer of a HDPE having a second color, wherein the first and second layers include between approximately 1 and less than 3 wt. % carbon black, and wherein the step flashing has a thickness of between about 0.25 mm and about 1.0 mm.",
"13. The step flashing of claim 12, wherein the first color is substantially black and the second color is approximately white.",
"14. The step flashing of claim 12, wherein the carbon black is substantially uniformly mixed with the HDPE of the first and second layers.",
"15. The step flashing of claim 12, wherein the first layer and the second layer are one of individually extruded and coextruded.",
"16. The step flashing of claim 12, wherein the first and second layers include between approximately 2 and approximately 2.5 wt. % carbon black.",
"17. The step flashing of claim 12, wherein at least one surface of the step flashing is decorated with at least one of an ink and a paint."
],
[
"1. A shingle comprising:\na substrate having a first asphalt coating on a top surface of the substrate and a bottom surface of the substrate;\na surface layer of granules embedded in the first asphalt coating on the top surface of the substrate;\na backdust layer of particles embedded in the first asphalt coating on the bottom surface of the substrate;\na sealant layer comprising a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the top surface of the sealant layer abuts the backdust layer; and\na hydrophobic coating disposed on the bottom surface of the sealant layer, wherein the hydrophobic coating comprises a silicone,\nwherein the hydrophobic coating is disposed on the backdust layer and the sealant layer around a perimeter of the shingle,\nwherein the hydrophobic coating extends a distance between about 0.5 inches and about 3 inches from each edge of a lower surface of the shingle.",
"2. The shingle according to claim 1, wherein the hydrophobic coating is disposed on both the backdust layer and the sealant layer.",
"3. The shingle according to claim 1, wherein the hydrophobic coating covers the entire bottom surface of the sealant layer.",
"4. The shingle according to claim 1, wherein the hydrophobic coating covers the entire bottom surface of the substrate.",
"5. The shingle according to claim 1, wherein the hydrophobic coating is disposed on a top surface of the shingle.",
"6. The shingle according to claim 1, wherein a contact angle of the sealant layer with the hydrophobic coating is greater than 70 degrees.",
"7. A method of manufacturing a shingle, the method comprising:\ncoating a substrate with asphalt to form an asphalt coated substrate;\napplying a plurality of granules to a top surface of the asphalt coated substrate;\napplying a backdust material to a bottom surface of the asphalt coated substrate;\napplying a sealant layer to the backdust material, wherein the sealant layer comprises a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the top surface of the sealant layer abuts the backdust material; and\napplying a hydrophobic coating to the bottom surface of the sealant layer, wherein the hydrophobic coating comprises a silicone.",
"8. The method according to claim 7, further comprising applying the hydrophobic coating to at least a portion of the backdust material.",
"9. The method according to claim 7, further comprising applying the hydrophobic coating to an entire bottom surface of the shingle.",
"10. The method according to claim 7, wherein the hydrophobic coating is applied to the entire bottom surface of the sealant layer.",
"11. The method according to claim 7, further comprising applying the hydrophobic coating to at least a portion of the backdust material, wherein the hydrophobic coating is applied to the backdust material and sealant layer around a perimeter of the shingle.",
"12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the hydrophobic coating extends a distance between about 0.5 inches and about 3 inches from each edge of a lower surface of the shingle.",
"13. The method according to claim 7, further comprising applying the hydrophobic coating to a top surface of the shingle.",
"14. The method according to claim 7, wherein a contact angle of the sealant layer with the hydrophobic coating is greater than 70 degrees.",
"15. The method according to claim 7, wherein the hydrophobic coating is applied to the bottom surface of the sealant layer by spraying the hydrophobic coating on the bottom surface of the sealant layer.",
"16. The method according to claim 7, wherein the hydrophobic coating is applied to the bottom surface of the sealant layer by rolling the hydrophobic coating on the bottom surface of the sealant layer."
],
[
"1. A roofing system, comprising:\n(i) a plurality of photovoltaic modules, each of the plurality of photovoltaic modules includes a plurality of photovoltaic cells,\nwherein each of the plurality of photovoltaic cells has one constant photovoltaic cell width; and\n(ii) a plurality of roofing shingles proximate to the plurality of photovoltaic modules,\nwherein at least some of the plurality of roofing shingles having\na top surface,\na bottom surface,\nan exposure zone at a lower end of the top surface and\na headlap zone at an upper end of the top surface,\nwherein a plurality of slots extends from the lower end toward the headlap zone,\nwherein the plurality of slots defines a plurality of tooth portions therebetween,\nwherein a first one of the plurality of tooth portions has a first side that is defined by a first one of the plurality of slots and a second side that is defined by a second one of the plurality of slots that is adjacent to the first one of the plurality of slots,\n wherein the first one of the plurality of tooth portions has a first width that is measured from the first one of the plurality of slots to the second one of the plurality of slots,\n wherein the first width is the photovoltaic cell width,\nwherein a second one of the plurality of tooth portions has a first side that is defined by a third one of the plurality of slots and a second side that is defined by a fourth one of the plurality of slots that is adjacent to the third one of the plurality of slots,\n wherein the second one of the plurality of tooth portions has a second width that is measured from the third one of the plurality of slots to the fourth one of the plurality of slots, and\n wherein the second width is the photovoltaic cell width multiplied by a first positive integer that is greater than 1,\nwherein a third one of the plurality of tooth portions has a first side that is defined by a fifth one of the plurality of slots and a second side that is defined by a sixth one of the plurality of slots that is adjacent to the fifth one of the plurality of slots,\nwherein the third one of the plurality of tooth portions has a third width that is measured from the fifth one of the plurality of slots to the sixth one of the plurality of slots, and\n wherein the third width is the photovoltaic cell width multiplied by a second positive integer that is greater than 1 and different than the first positive integer,\nwherein the roofing shingles do not include a photovoltaic cell.",
"2. The roofing system of claim 1, wherein a fourth one of the plurality of tooth portions has a first side that is defined by a seventh one of the plurality of slots and a second side that is defined by an eighth one of the plurality of slots that is adjacent to the seventh one of the plurality of slots, and wherein the fourth one of the plurality of tooth portions has a fourth width that is measured from the seventh one of the plurality of slots to the eighth one of the plurality of slots, wherein the fourth width is the photovoltaic cell width multiplied by 0.5 and by a third positive integer that is, greater than 1 and different than each of the first positive integer and the second positive integer.",
"3. The roofing system of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second positive integers is selected from the group consisting of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20.",
"4. The roofing system of claim 1, wherein each of the at least some of the roofing shingles comprises thermoplastic olefin, polyvinyl chloride, or asphalt.",
"5. The roofing system of claim 4, wherein the top surface of each of the at least some of the roofing shingles comprises embedded granules.",
"6. The roofing system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of roofing shingles includes a first roofing shingle and a second roofing shingle, wherein an arrangement of the tooth portions of the second roofing shingle is not identical to an arrangement of the tooth portions of the first roofing shingle.",
"7. The roofing system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of roofing shingles includes a first roofing shingle and a second roofing shingle, wherein an arrangement of the tooth portions of the second roofing shingle is identical to an arrangement of the tooth portions of the first roofing shingle.",
"8. The roofing system of claim 1, wherein the third one of the plurality of slots is a same one of the plurality of slots as the second one of the plurality of slots, and wherein the first one of the plurality of tooth portions is adjacent to the second one of the plurality of tooth portions.",
"9. The roofing system of claim 1, further comprising:\na wireway configured to be positioned between a first photovoltaic module of the plurality of photovoltaic modules and a second photovoltaic module of the plurality of photovoltaic modules that is adjacent to the first photovoltaic module,\nwherein the wireway is configured to enclose at least one electrical cable,\nwherein a width of the wireway as measured in a horizontal direction between the first photovoltaic module and the second photovoltaic module is the photovoltaic cell width multiplied by two,\nwherein the wireway includes a dark colored portion and a light colored portion, and\nwherein the light colored portion extends across the wireway in a vertical direction that is perpendicular to the horizontal direction.",
"10. The roofing system of claim 9, wherein the light-colored portion is positioned at an edge of the wireway that is adjacent to the photovoltaic module.",
"11. The roofing system of claim 9, wherein the light-colored portion is positioned halfway intermediate (1) an edge of the wireway that is adjacent to the photovoltaic module and (2) an edge of the wireway that is adjacent to the further photovoltaic module.",
"12. The roofing system of claim 9, wherein the wireway further comprises a further light colored portion extending across a bottom edge of the wireway in the horizontal direction."
],
[
"1. A method, comprising: installing a plurality of photovoltaic shingles in a plurality of rows on a roof deck,\nwherein the photovoltaic shingles are installed on the roof deck in a rectangular array with at least one of the photovoltaic shingles in a first row of the plurality of rows, and at least another one of the photovoltaic shingles in a second row of the plurality of rows, wherein the second row is above the first row; and\ninstalling a first plurality of roofing shingles on the roof deck, wherein the first plurality of roofing shingles comprises a first group of roofing shingles and a second group of roofing shingles,\nwherein the first group of roofing shingles is located on a first side of the rectangular array, wherein the second group of roofing shingles is located on a second side of the rectangular array,\nwherein the first group of roofing shingles comprises:\na first roofing shingle, and a second roofing shingle,\nwherein the second group of roofing shingles comprises: a third roofing shingle, and a fourth roofing shingle,\nwherein the first roofing shingle and the third roofing shingle are installed in the first row,\nwherein the second roofing shingle and the fourth roofing shingle are installed in the second row,\nwherein the first and second roofing shingles are juxtaposed with the first side of the rectangular array,\nwherein the third and fourth roofing shingles are juxtaposed with the second side of the rectangular array,\nwherein a pattern of the first and second roofing shingles is non-symmetric with respect to a pattern of the third and fourth roofing shingles;\nwherein a length of the second roofing shingle is equal to a length of the fourth roofing shingle, wherein a length of the first roofing shingle is greater than the length of the second roofing shingle, and wherein a length of the third roofing shingle is less than the length of the second roofing shingle.",
"2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\ncutting a shingle to form the first roofing shingle and the third roofing shingle.",
"3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\ncutting at least two shingles to form the first, second, third, and fourth roofing shingles.",
"4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\ninstalling a second plurality of roofing shingles either above or below the rectangular array.",
"5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\ninstalling a second plurality of roofing shingles below the rectangular array; and\ninstalling a third plurality of roofing shingles above the rectangular array.",
"6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nobtaining a second plurality of roofing shingles,\nwherein the second plurality of roofing shingles comprises:\na fifth roofing shingle, and\na sixth roofing shingle,\nwherein a length of the fifth roofing shingle is equal to a length of the sixth roofing shingle,\nwherein the fifth roofing shingle is located in the first row and juxtaposed with either the first roofing shingle or the third roofing shingle,\nwherein the sixth roofing shingle is located in the second row and is juxtaposed with either the second roofing shingle or the fourth roofing shingle.",
"7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nobtaining a second plurality of roofing shingles,\nwherein the second plurality of roofing shingles comprises:\na fifth roofing shingle,\na sixth roofing shingle,\na seventh roofing shingle, and\nan eighth roofing shingle,\nwherein lengths of the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth roofing shingles are equal to one another,\nwherein the fifth roofing shingle is located in the first row and juxtaposed with the first roofing shingle,\nwherein the sixth roofing shingle is located in the second row and juxtaposed with the second roofing shingle,\nwherein the seventh roofing shingle is located in the first row and juxtaposed with the third roofing shingle,\nwherein the eighth roofing shingle is located in the second row and juxtaposed with the fourth roofing shingle.",
"8. A system, comprising:\na plurality of photovoltaic shingles positioned in a plurality of rows on a roof deck,\nwherein the photovoltaic shingles are installed on the roof deck in a rectangular array with at least one of the photovoltaic shingles in a first row of the plurality of rows, and at least another one of the photovoltaic shingles in a second row of the plurality of rows,\nwherein the second row is above the first row; and\na first plurality of roofing shingles positioned on the roof deck,\nwherein the first plurality of roofing shingles comprises a first group of roofing shingles and a second group of roofing shingles,\nwherein the first group of roofing shingles is positioned on a first side of the rectangular array, wherein the second group of roofing shingles is positioned on a second side of the rectangular array,\nwherein the first group of roofing shingles comprises:\na first roofing shingle, and a second roofing shingle,\nwherein the second group of roofing shingles comprises:\na third roofing shingle, and a fourth roofing shingle,\nwherein the first roofing shingle and the third roofing shingle are in the first row,\nwherein the second roofing shingle and the fourth roofing shingle are in the second row wherein the first and second roofing shingles are juxtaposed with the first side of the rectangular array,\nwherein the third and fourth roofing shingles are juxtaposed with the second side of the rectangular array, wherein a pattern of the first and second roofing shingles is non-symmetric with respect to a pattern of the third and fourth roofing shingles; and\nwherein a length of the second roofing shingle is equal to a length of the fourth roofing shingle, wherein a length of the first roofing shingle is greater than the length of the second roofing shingle, and wherein a length of the third roofing shingle is less than the length of the second roofing shingle.",
"9. The system of claim 8, wherein at least one shingle is cut to form the first roofing shingle and the third roofing shingle.",
"10. The system of claim 8, wherein at least two shingles are cut to form the first, second, third, and fourth roofing shingles.",
"11. The system of claim 8, further comprising:\na second plurality of roofing shingles positioned either above or below the rectangular array.",
"12. The system of claim 8, further comprising:\na second plurality of roofing shingles positioned below the rectangular array; and\na third plurality of roofing shingles positioned above the rectangular array.",
"13. The system of claim 8, further comprising:\na second plurality of roofing shingles positioned on the roof deck,\nwherein the second plurality of roofing shingles comprises:\na fifth roofing shingle, and\na sixth roofing shingle,\nwherein a length of the fifth roofing shingle is equal to a length of the sixth roofing shingle,\nwherein the fifth roofing shingle is positioned in the first row and juxtaposed with either the first roofing shingle or the third roofing shingle,\nwherein the sixth roofing shingle is positioned in the second row and is juxtaposed with either the second roofing shingle or the fourth roofing shingle.",
"14. The system of claim 8, further comprising:\npositioning a second plurality of roofing shingles on the roof deck,\nwherein the second plurality of roofing shingles comprises:\na fifth roofing shingle,\na sixth roofing shingle,\na seventh roofing shingle, and\nan eighth roofing shingle,\nwherein lengths of the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth roofing shingles are equal to one another,\nwherein the fifth roofing shingle is positioned in the first row and juxtaposed with the first roofing shingle,\nwherein the sixth roofing shingle is positioned in the second row and juxtaposed with the second roofing shingle,\nwherein the seventh roofing shingle is positioned in the first row and juxtaposed with the third roofing shingle, and\nwherein the eighth roofing shingle is positioned in the second row and juxtaposed with the fourth roofing shingle.",
"15. A roofing system, comprising:\na roof deck;\nfirst and second photovoltaic modules, wherein the first and second photovoltaic modules are installed in a rectangular array on the roof deck, with the first photovoltaic module installed in a first row on the roof deck, and the second photovoltaic module installed in a second row on the roof deck,\nwherein the first row is below the second row on the roof deck, first, second, third, and fourth roofing shingles,\nwherein the first roofing shingle is installed in the first row, wherein the first roofing shingle is juxtaposed with a first side of the rectangular array,\nwherein the second roofing shingle is installed in the second row,\nwherein the second roofing shingle is juxtaposed with the first side of the rectangular array,\nwherein the third roofing shingle is installed in the first row,\nwherein the third roofing shingle is juxtaposed with a second side of the rectangular array, wherein the fourth roofing shingle is installed in the second row, wherein the fourth roofing shingle is juxtaposed with the second side of the rectangular array, wherein a pattern of the first and second roofing shingles is non-symmetric with respect to a pattern of the third and fourth roofing shingles;\nwherein a length of the second roofing shingle is equal to a length of the fourth roofing shingle, wherein a length of the first roofing shingle is greater than the length of the second roofing shingle, and wherein a length of the third roofing shingle is less than the length of the second roofing shingle.",
"16. The roofing system of claim 15, further comprising:\na second plurality of roofing shingles positioned either above or below the rectangular array.",
"17. The roofing system of claim 15, further comprising:\nthird and fourth photovoltaic modules,\nwherein the third photovoltaic module is installed in the first row,\nwherein the fourth photovoltaic module is installed in the second row."
],
[
"1. A roofing system, comprising:\na roof deck; and\na first roofing shingle installed on the roof deck, the first roofing shingle comprising:\na first shingle layer;\na second shingle layer,\nwherein the second shingle layer includes a nail zone,\nwherein the nail zone is visibly marked with a fines stripe,\nwherein the nail zone is bounded by at least one paint line,\nwherein the first shingle layer and the second shingle layer overlap to form\na common bond area,\nwherein the nail zone partially overlaps the common bond area,\nand a portion of the nail zone extends past the common bond area;\nan adhesive in the common bond area between the first shingle layer and the second shingle layer; and\na first attachment between the first shingle layer and the second shingle layer,\nwherein the first attachment is in the common bond area,\nwherein the first attachment comprises a first indentation in the first shingle layer.",
"2. The roofing system according to claim 1, wherein the first roofing shingle further comprises:\na second attachment between the first shingle layer and the second shingle layer,\nwherein the second attachment is in the common bond area,\nwherein the second attachment comprises a second indentation in the first shingle layer.",
"3. The roofing system of claim 2, further comprising:\na plurality of fasteners,\nwherein the plurality of fasteners comprises at least a first fastener and a second fastener,\nwherein the first fastener extends through the nail zone and the common bond area,\nthe second fastener extends through the nail zone without extending through the common bond area, and\neach of the first fastener and the second fastener extend through the roof deck, thereby installing the first roofing shingle on the roof deck.",
"4. The roofing system of claim 1, further comprising:\nan underlayment,\nwherein the underlayment is between the roof deck and the first roofing shingle.",
"5. The roofing system of claim 1, wherein the first roofing shingle further comprises at least one sealant line.",
"6. The roofing system of claim 5, wherein the at least one sealant line comprises multiple segments of sealant.",
"7. The roofing system of claim 1, further comprising:\na second roofing shingle installed on the roof deck.",
"8. The roofing system of claim 7, further comprising:\na plurality of fasteners,\nwherein the plurality of fasteners comprises at least a first fastener, a second fastener, and a third fastener,\nwherein the first fastener extends through the nail zone and the common bond area, the second fastener extends through the nail zone without extending through the common bond area, and each of the first fastener and the second fastener extend through the roof deck, thereby installing the first roofing shingle on the roof deck,\nwherein the third fastener installs the second roofing shingle on the roof deck.",
"9. The roofing system of claim 8, wherein at least one of the first fastener, the second fastener, or the third fastener comprises a nail.",
"10. The roofing system of claim 7, further comprising:\nan underlayment installed between at least one of the first roofing shingle and the roof deck, or the second roofing shingle and the roof deck.",
"11. The roofing system of claim 1, wherein the first shingle layer comprise a dragon tooth layer,\nwherein the second shingle layer comprises a backer layer.",
"12. The roofing system of claim 1, wherein the first shingle layer comprises granules.",
"13. The roofing system of claim 12, wherein the second shingle layer comprises granules.",
"14. The roofing system of claim 1, wherein the first shingle layer comprises at least one paint line.",
"15. The roofing system of claim 1, wherein the first roofing shingle comprises a headlap portion,\nwherein the nail zone is within the headlap portion.",
"16. A roofing system, comprising:\na roof deck; and\na plurality of roofing shingles installed on the roof deck,\nwherein the plurality of roofing shingles comprises at least a first roofing shingle,\nwherein each of the roofing shingles comprises:\na first shingle layer;\na second shingle layer,\nwherein the second shingle layer includes a nail zone,\n wherein the nail zone is visibly marked with a fines stripe,\n wherein the nail zone is bounded by at least one paint line,\nwherein the first shingle layer and the second shingle layer overlap to form a common bond area,\nwherein the nail zone partially overlaps the common bond area, and a portion of the nail zone extends past the common bond area,\nwherein at least one of the first shingle layer and the second shingle layer comprises asphalt;\nan adhesive in the common bond area between the first shingle layer and the second shingle layer;\na first attachment between the first shingle layer and the second shingle layer,\nwherein the first attachment is in the common bond area,\nwherein the first attachment comprises a first indentation in the first shingle layer; and\na second attachment between the first shingle layer and the second shingle layer,\nwherein the second attachment is in the common bond area,\nwherein the second attachment comprises a second indentation in the first shingle layer.",
"17. The roofing system according to claim 16, wherein the first roofing shingle further comprises:\na second attachment between the first shingle layer and the second shingle layer,\nwherein the second attachment is in the common bond area,\nwherein the second attachment comprises a second indentation in the first shingle layer.",
"18. The roofing system of claim 17, further comprising:\na plurality of fasteners,\nwherein the plurality of fasteners comprises at least a first fastener and a second fastener,\nwherein the first fastener extends through the nail zone and the common bond area, the second fastener extends through the nail zone without extending through the common bond area, and each of the first fastener and the second fastener extend through the roof deck, thereby installing the first roofing shingle on the roof deck.",
"19. The roofing system of claim 16, further comprising:\nan underlayment, wherein the underlayment is between the roof deck and the first roofing shingle.",
"20. The roofing system of claim 16, wherein the first roofing shingle further comprises at least one sealant line.",
"21. The roofing system of claim 20, wherein the at least one sealant line comprises multiple segments of sealant.",
"22. The roofing system of claim 16, wherein the plurality of roofing shingles comprises at least a second roofing shingle.",
"23. The roofing system of claim 22, further comprising:\na plurality of fasteners,\nwherein the plurality of fasteners comprises at least a first fastener, a second fastener, and a third fastener,\nwherein the first fastener extends through the nail zone and the common bond area, the second fastener extends through the nail zone without extending through the common bond area, and\neach of the first fastener and the second fastener extend through the roof deck, thereby installing the first roofing shingle on the roof deck,\nwherein the third fastener installs the second roofing shingle on the roof deck.",
"24. The roofing system of claim 23, wherein at least one of the first fastener, the second fastener, or the third fastener comprises a nail.",
"25. The roofing system of claim 22, further comprising:\nan underlayment installed between at least one of the first roofing shingle and the roof deck, or the second roofing shingle and the roof deck.",
"26. The roofing system of claim 16, wherein the first shingle layer comprise a dragon tooth layer,\nwherein the second shingle layer comprises a backer layer.",
"27. The roofing system of claim 16, wherein the first shingle layer comprises granules.",
"28. The roofing system of claim 27, wherein the second shingle layer comprises granules.",
"29. The roofing system of claim 16, wherein the first shingle layer comprises at least one paint line.",
"30. The roofing system of claim 16, wherein each of the roofing shingles comprises a headlap portion, wherein the nail zone is within the headlap portion.",
"31. The roofing system according to claim 1, wherein the nail zone is bounded by a pair of paint lines and the fines are located between the pair of paint lines.",
"32. The roofing system according to claim 16, wherein the nail zone is bounded by a pair of paint lines and the fines are located between the pair of paint lines."
],
[
"1. A roofing shingle comprising:\na substrate comprising at least one of a fiberglass, a polyester, or a combination thereof; and\na coating on the substrate,\nwherein the coating comprising:\n5% to 70% by weight of a non-crosslinked thermoplastic polymer, based on a total weight of the coating; and\n10% to 70% by weight of a filler, based on the total weight of the coating,\nwherein the filler comprises at least one of an organic filler, an inorganic mineral filler, or combinations thereof;\n10% to 80% by weight of at least one of an oil, a wax, or any combination thereof, based on the total weight of the coating;\nwherein the coating is free of asphalt;\nwherein the coating does not comprise a foam;\nwherein a thickness of the coating on the substrate is 20 mils to 200 mils.",
"2. The roofing shingle according to claim 1, further comprising granules.",
"3. The roofing shingle according to claim 1, wherein the roofing shingle exhibits an increased solar reflectance as compared to an asphaltic roofing shingle.",
"4. The roofing shingle according to claim 1, wherein the non-crosslinked thermoplastic polymer includes at least one of an amorphous polyolefin, an amorphous polyalpha olefin, a polyolefin elastomer, or any combination thereof.",
"5. The roofing shingle according to claim 1, wherein the non-crosslinked thermoplastic polymer comprises at least one of a polypropylene, a polyethylene, a copolymer of propylene and ethylene, low density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), high density polyethylene (HDPE), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), or any combination thereof.",
"6. The roofing shingle according to claim 1, wherein the non-crosslinked thermoplastic polymer has a Melt Flow Index, in accordance with ISO 1133, of 0.5 g/min to 40 g/min at 190° C./2.16 kg.",
"7. The roofing shingle according to claim 1, wherein the filler is at least one of calcium carbonate, barium sulfate, calcium sulfate, talc, limestone, perlite, silica, fumed silica, precipitated silica, quartz, aluminum trihydrate, magnesium hydroxide, colemanite, titanium dioxide, snow white, fly ash, graphene nanoparticles, carbon black, recycled rubber tires, recycled shingles, recycled thermoplastic resins, basalt, roofing granules, clay, or combinations thereof.",
"8. The roofing shingle according to claim 1, wherein the coating further comprises 5% to 80% by weight of at least one of post-consumer asphalt shingles (PCRAS), post-manufacture shingle waste, recycled asphaltic membranes, polytransoctenamer rubber (TOR), ground tire rubber (GTR), acrylonitrile rubber (NBR), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene rubber (ABS), wood plastic, or any combination thereof, based on the total weight of the coating.",
"9. The roofing shingle according to claim 1, wherein the coating comprises 30% to 80% by weight of at least one of the oil, the wax, or any combination thereof, based on the total weight of the coating.",
"10. The roofing shingle according to claim 1, wherein the coating further comprises at least one of a dye, a pigment, a fire retardant, a UV stabilizer, or a combination thereof.",
"11. The roofing shingle according to claim 1, wherein the non-crosslinked thermoplastic polymer comprises at least one of a copolymer of ethylene and octene, a copolymer of ethylene and hexene, a copolymer of ethylene and butene, isotactic polypropylene (IPP), atactic polypropylene (APP), polyurea, styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene (SEBS) copolymer, styrene-ethylene/propylene-styrene (SEP S) copolymer, styrene-isoprene-styrene block (SIS) copolymer, styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) copolymer, polyisobutylene, polybutadiene, oxidized polyethylene, or any combination thereof.",
"12. The roofing shingle according to claim 1, wherein the coating further comprises polytransoctenamer rubber (TOR).",
"13. The roofing shingle according to claim 1, wherein the coating further comprises 1% to 10% by weight of polytransoctenamer rubber (TOR), based on the total weight of the coating.",
"14. The roofing shingle according to claim 1, wherein the coating comprises 30% to 99% by weight of an oxidized hydrocarbon oil, based on the total weight of the coating.",
"15. The roofing shingle according to claim 1, wherein the non-crosslinked thermoplastic polymer comprises at least one of a vinyl polymer, a polyvinyl ester, or any combination thereof.",
"16. The roofing shingle according to claim 1, wherein the non-crosslinked thermoplastic polymer comprises at least one of ethylene vinyl acetate (EV A), polyvinyl butyral (PVB), recycled polyvinyl butyral (rPVB), polyvinyl acetate (PVAC), poly(vinyl butyrate), poly(vinyl propionate), poly(vinyl formate), copolymers of PVAC, or any combination thereof.",
"17. The roofing shingle according to claim 1, wherein the coating having a viscosity of 3,000 cP to 30,000 cP at 375° F. to 400° F. as measured according to ASTM D 4402."
],
[
"1. A roofing shingle comprising:\na headlap portion, a buttlap portion, a lateral leading edge, and a lateral trailing edge;\nwherein said buttlap portion includes a plurality of buttlap projections extending away from the shingle defining a maximum buttlap width and a plurality of recessed horizontal buttlap portions;\nwherein each of said buttlap projections includes a horizontal edge defining a projected horizontal buttlap portion;\nwherein each said projected horizontal buttlap portion has a primary horizontal breadth at the respective horizontal edge that is about equal for each said projected horizontal buttlap portion, and is about equal to a breadth of at least one of said recessed horizontal buttlap portions;\nwherein said headlap portion includes a plurality of headlap projections extending away from the shingle defining a maximum headlap width and a plurality of recessed horizontal headlap portions;\nwherein each of said headlap projections includes a horizontal edge defining a projected horizontal headlap portion;\nwherein a first of said projected horizontal headlap portions is nearest to the lateral leading edge and has a horizontal breadth at said horizontal edge that is greater than the primary horizontal breadth; and wherein the horizontal breadth of the first of said projected horizontal headlap portions nearest to the lateral leading edge is greater than a breadth at said horizontal edge of at least another of said projected horizontal headlap portions and a breadth of at least one of said recessed horizontal headlap portions and said breadth of said at least another of said projected horizontal headlap portions is about equal to the primary horizontal breadth;\nwherein the maximum headlap width is less than the maximum buttlap width; and\nwherein said headlap portion is surfaced with a first shade of granules and said buttlap portion is surfaced with a second contrasting shade of granules.",
"2. The roofing shingle according to claim 1, wherein the buttlap portion is further surfaced with a third further contrasting shade of granules on the buttlap projections.",
"3. The roofing shingle according to claim 1, wherein the maximum headlap width is approximately 60% of the maximum buttlap width.",
"4. The roofing shingle according to claim 1, wherein the buttlap projections have a height of about 2 inches.",
"5. The roofing shingle according to claim 4, wherein the headlap projections have a height of about 1¾ inches.",
"6. The roofing shingle according to claim 1, wherein the breadth of the first projected horizontal headlap portion nearest to the lateral leading edge is about 125% the primary horizontal breadth.",
"7. The roofing shingle according to claim 1, wherein the primary horizontal breadth is about 6 inches.",
"8. The roofing shingle according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said buttlap projections has a shape that mirrors one of the headlap projections laterally across the shingle.",
"9. The roofing shingle according to claim 1, wherein the shingle is single-layer.",
"10. A roofing system comprising a plurality of the roofing shingle according to claim 1,\nwherein the roofing system comprises a plurality of courses of said shingles, and wherein the lateral trailing edge of a subsequently installed at least one of said shingles in a first course of shingles overlaps the lateral leading edge of an adjacent one of said previously installed shingles in the first course to provide a side-lap region, and wherein the side-lap region forms a part of a partially side-lapped recessed horizontal buttlap portion having a breadth about equal to the primary horizontal breadth;\nand wherein at least one of said shingles in a subsequent course of shingles provides:\n(a) a generally uniform overlap region over the headlap portions of a first adjacent shingle and a second adjacent shingle in the first course; and\n(b) an expanded overlap region over the headlap portion of the second adjacent shingle, wherein the expanded overlap region is due to the increased projection breadth of the first headlap projection nearest to the lateral leading edge of the second adjacent shingle.",
"11. The roofing system according to claim 10, wherein a buttlap projection nearest to the trailing edge of said at least one of said shingles in the subsequent course of shingles overlaps the side-lap region between adjacent shingles in the first course.",
"12. The roofing system according to claim 10, wherein the buttlap portion is further surfaced with a third further contrasting shade of granules on the buttlap projections.",
"13. The roofing system according to claim 10, wherein at least one of said buttlap projections has a shape that mirrors one of the headlap projections laterally across said at least one of said shingles.",
"14. The roofing system according to claim 10, wherein the side-lap region has a breadth of about 3 inches.",
"15. A roofing system comprising:\nsingle-layer shingles in more than one course wherein each of said shingles has a length, a headlap portion, a buttlap portion, a lateral leading edge, and a lateral trailing edge;\nwherein said buttlap portion includes a plurality of buttlap projections extending away from the shingle defining a maximum buttlap width;\nwherein the buttlap projections have a breadth that is about equal for each buttlap projection defining a primary projection breadth opposite a primary horizontal breadth at a horizontal edge;\nwherein said headlap portion includes a plurality of headlap projections extending away from the shingle defining a maximum headlap width;\nwherein a first of said headlap projections nearest to the lateral leading edge has an increased projection breadth that is greater than the primary projection breadth, and the increased projection breadth of the first of said headlap projections nearest to the lateral leading edge is greater than a breadth of at least another of said headlap projections: and wherein said breadth of said at least another of said headlap projections is about equal to the primary projection breadth;\nwherein the maximum headlap width is less than the maximum buttlap width;\nwherein the roofing system comprises a plurality of courses of said shingles, and wherein the lateral trailing edge of a subsequently installed at least one of said shingles in a first course of shingles overlaps the lateral leading edge of an adjacent previously installed one of said shingles in the first course to provide a side-lap region;\nand wherein at least one of said shingles in a subsequent course of shingles provides:\n(a) a generally uniform overlap region over the headlap portions of a first adjacent shingle and a second adjacent shingle in the first course, wherein the generally uniform overlap region has a transverse dimension that varies by less than 10% across the length of shingle in the subsequent course; and\n(b) an expanded overlap region over the headlap portion of the second adjacent shingle, wherein the expanded overlap region is due to the increased projection breadth of the first headlap projection nearest to the lateral leading edge of the second adjacent shingle.",
"16. The roofing system according to claim 15, wherein the buttlap projections and the headlap projections have a trapezoidal shape.",
"17. The roofing system according to claim 16, wherein the buttlap projections have a minimum breadth that extends away from the shingle, and wherein the headlap projections have a minimum breadth that extends away from the shingle.",
"18. The roofing system according to claim 15, wherein a buttlap projection nearest to the trailing edge of the shingle in the subsequent course of shingles overlaps the side-lap region between adjacent shingles in the first course.",
"19. The roofing system according to claim 15, wherein said headlap portion is surfaced with a first shade of granules and said buttlap portion is surfaced with a second contrasting shade of granules.",
"20. The roofing system according to claim 19, wherein the buttlap portion is further surfaced with a third further contrasting shade of granules on the buttlap projections.",
"21. The roofing system according to claim 15, wherein at least one of said buttlap projections has a shape that mirrors one of the headlap projections laterally across the shingle.",
"22. The roofing system according to claim 15, wherein the side-lap region has a breadth of about 3 inches.",
"23. A roofing shingle comprising:\nheadlap portion, a buttlap portion, a lateral leading edge, and a lateral trailing edge;\nwherein said buttlap portion includes a plurality of buttlap projections extending away from the shingle defining a maximum buttlap width and a plurality of recessed horizontal buttlap portions;\nwherein each of said buttlap projections includes a horizontal edge defining a projected horizontal buttlap portion;\nwherein each said projected horizontal buttlap portion has a horizontal buttlap breadth that differs from each other by between 0% and 20%, and differs from a breadth of at least one of said recessed horizontal buttlap portions by between 0% and 20%, and wherein at least one of said projected horizontal buttlap portions has a maximum horizontal buttlap breadth;\nwherein said headlap portion includes a plurality of headlap projections extending away from the shingle defining a maximum headlap width and a plurality of recessed horizontal headlap portions;\nwherein each of said headlap projections includes a horizontal edge defining a projected horizontal headlap portion;\nwherein a first of said projected horizontal headlap portions is nearest to the lateral leading edge and has a maximum horizontal breadth that is greater than the maximum horizontal buttlap breadth, and wherein the maximum horizontal breadth of the first of said projected horizontal headlap portions nearest to the lateral leading edge is greater than a maximum breadth of at least another of said projected horizontal headlap portions and at least one of said recessed horizontal headlap portions has a breadth that differs from the horizontal buttlap breadth of each of the projected horizontal buttlap portions by between 0% and 20%;\nwherein the maximum headlap width is less than the maximum buttlap width; and\nwherein said headlap portion is surfaced with a first shade of granules and said buttlap portion is surfaced with a second contrasting shade of granules."
],
[
"1. A method of forming a laminated starter shingle, the method comprising:\ncoating a continuous sheet of shingle mat with asphalt;\ncutting the coated sheet in a longitudinal direction into a first continuous overlay sheet and a first continuous underlay sheet along a first straight cut line, such that each of the first continuous overlay sheet and the first continuous underlay sheet include parallel upper and lower straight edges defining a uniform height therebetween, wherein the height of the first continuous overlay sheet is greater than the height of the first continuous underlay sheet;\naligning the first continuous underlay sheet beneath the continuous overlay sheet such that the lower straight edge of the first continuous underlay sheet aligns with the lower straight edge of the first continuous overlay sheet;\nlaminating the first continuous underlay sheet below the first continuous overlay sheet to form a first laminated sheet; and\ncutting the first laminated sheet across the height of the first continuous overlay sheet to form a first rectangular starter shingle;\nwherein the first straight cut line defines the upper straight edge of the first continuous overlay sheet.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the height of the first continuous overlay sheet is approximately twice the height of the first continuous underlay sheet.",
"3. The method of claim 1, further comprising applying granules to an upper surface of the coated sheet.",
"4. The method of claim 1, further comprising applying granules to an upper surface of the coated sheet before cutting the coated sheet into the first continuous overlay sheet and the first continuous underlay sheet.",
"5. The method of claim 1, further comprising applying a bead of adhesive to a bottom surface of the first continuous underlay sheet.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first straight cut line defines the upper straight edge of the first continuous overlay sheet.",
"7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first straight cut line defines the lower straight edge of the first continuous underlay sheet.",
"8. A method of forming a laminated starter shingle, the method comprising:\ncoating a continuous sheet of shingle mat with asphalt;\ncutting the coated sheet in a longitudinal direction into a first continuous overlay sheet and a first continuous underlay sheet along a first straight cut line, such that each of the first continuous overlay sheet and the first continuous underlay sheet include parallel upper and lower straight edges defining a uniform height therebetween, wherein the height of the first continuous overlay sheet is greater than the height of the first continuous underlay sheet;\naligning the first continuous underlay sheet beneath the continuous overlay sheet such that the lower straight edge of the first continuous underlay sheet aligns with the lower straight edge of the first continuous overlay sheet;\nlaminating the first continuous underlay sheet below the first continuous overlay sheet to form a first laminated sheet; and\ncutting the first laminated sheet across the height of the first continuous overlay sheet to form a first rectangular starter shingle;\nwherein the first straight cut line defines the lower straight edge of the first continuous underlay sheet.",
"9. The method of claim 8, wherein the height of the first continuous overlay sheet is approximately twice the height of the first continuous underlay sheet.",
"10. The method of claim 8, further comprising applying granules to an upper surface of the coated sheet.",
"11. The method of claim 8, further comprising applying granules to an upper surface of the coated sheet before cutting the coated sheet into the first continuous overlay sheet and the first continuous underlay sheet.",
"12. The method of claim 8, further comprising applying a bead of adhesive to a bottom surface of the first continuous underlay sheet.",
"13. A method of forming a laminated starter shingle, the method comprising:\ncoating a continuous sheet of shingle mat with asphalt;\ncutting the coated sheet in a longitudinal direction into a first continuous overlay sheet and a first continuous underlay sheet along a first straight cut line, such that each of the first continuous overlay sheet and the first continuous underlay sheet include parallel upper and lower straight edges defining a uniform height therebetween, wherein the height of the first continuous overlay sheet is greater than the height of the first continuous underlay sheet;\naligning the first continuous underlay sheet beneath the continuous overlay sheet such that the lower straight edge of the first continuous underlay sheet aligns with the lower straight edge of the first continuous overlay sheet;\nlaminating the first continuous underlay sheet below the first continuous overlay sheet to form a first laminated sheet; and\ncutting the first laminated sheet across the height of the first continuous overlay sheet to form a first rectangular starter shingle;\ncutting the coated sheet in a longitudinal direction into a second continuous overlay sheet and a second continuous underlay sheet along second and third straight cut lines, such that each of the second continuous overlay sheet and the second continuous underlay sheet include parallel upper and lower straight edges defining a uniform height therebetween, wherein the second straight cut line separates the first continuous overlay sheet and the first continuous underlay sheet from the second continuous overlay sheet and the second continuous underlay sheet;\naligning the second continuous underlay sheet beneath the second continuous overlay sheet such that the lower straight edge of the second continuous underlay sheet aligns with the lower straight edge of the second continuous overlay sheet;\nlaminating the second continuous underlay sheet below the second continuous overlay sheet to form a second laminated sheet; and\ncutting the second laminated sheet across the height of the second continuous overlay sheet to form a second rectangular starter shingle;\nwherein the second straight cut line defines the lower straight edge of the first continuous overlay sheet.",
"14. The method of claim 13, wherein the third straight cut line defines the upper straight edge of the second continuous overlay sheet.",
"15. The method of claim 13, wherein the third straight cut line defines the lower straight edge of the second continuous underlay sheet.",
"16. The method of claim 13, wherein the third straight cut line defines the upper straight edge of the second continuous overlay sheet and the lower straight edge of the second continuous underlay sheet.",
"17. The method of claim 13, wherein the second straight cut line defines the lower straight edge of the second continuous overlay sheet.",
"18. The method of claim 13, wherein the second straight cut line defines the lower straight edge of the first continuous overlay sheet and the lower straight edge of the second continuous overlay sheet."
],
[
"1. A roofing panel comprising an upwardly facing side, a downwardly facing side, a field having ends, an upper edge, a lower edge, a first end, and a second end;\nthe field of the roofing panel being ornamented to emulate the appearance of a roofing shingle;\nthe ornamented field extending from the first end of the roofing panel to the second end of the roofing panel with no part of the roofing panel projecting beyond the ends of the field;\na clip extending along the lower edge of the roofing panel projecting downwardly therefrom;\na slot extending along the rear edge of the roofing panel having an upwardly facing elongated opening;\nthe slot being cut short to define a truncated region at the first end of the roofing panel such that the second end of a like panel can be overlapped onto the first end in such a way that the ornamentation on the field of the roofing panel at least partially overlaps the ornamentation on the field of the like roofing panel;\nthe ornamentation on the field of the like roofing panel being configured to prevent water migration through the region of overlap of the roofing panel and the like roofing panel.",
"2. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 1 wherein the field of the roofing panel is coated to resemble a roofing shingle.",
"3. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 2 wherein the field of the roofing panel is embossed to resemble a roofing shingle.",
"4. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 3 wherein the embossing is registered with the coating.",
"5. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 1 wherein the clip is configured to be pressed through the opening of the slot and lock within the slot.",
"6. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a nailing flange projecting rearwardly from the slot for receiving attaching nails in such a way that the nails are covered by a next higher course of roofing panels when the panels are installed on a roof.",
"7. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 3 wherein the embossing is registered with the coating.",
"8. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 1 wherein the field of the roofing panel is covered with a material secured to the roofing panel with adhesive.",
"9. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 8 wherein the material comprises granules.",
"10. A roofing panel comprising a front side facing a front direction, a back side facing a back direction, a substantially rectangular field, an upper edge, a lower edge, a first end having a terminal edge, and a second end having a terminal edge;\nthe field of the roofing panel being ornamented to emulate the appearance of a roofing shingle and extending from the terminal edge of the first end of the roofing panel to the terminal edge of the second end of the roofing panel;\na clip extending along the forward edge of the roofing panel projecting in the back direction therefrom, the clip having an upturned distal edge;\na slot extending along the upper edge of the roofing panel formed by an elongated opening facing in the front direction, the slot being partially closed by an in-turned lip;\nthe slot being cut short to define a truncated region at the first end of the roofing panel such that the second end of a like panel can be overlapped onto the first end in such a way that an upwardly facing slot is defined substantially continuously along the rear edges of the overlapped panels;\npart of the ornamentation on the second end of the like roofing panel overlapping part of the ornamentation on the first end of the roofing panel when the panels are arranged end-to-end;\nthe ornamentation on the first end of the roofing panel including features that form barriers against water migration through the region of overlap of the roofing panel and the like roofing panel.",
"11. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 10 wherein the slot is sized to receive the downwardly projecting clip of a panel in a next higher course of panels in interlocking engagement.",
"12. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 11 wherein the upturned distal edge of the clip snaps beneath the in-turned lip of the slot to lock the lower edge of one panel into the slot along the upper edge of a panel in a next lower course of panels.",
"13. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 10 wherein the field is embossed.",
"14. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 10 wherein the field is printed or painted.",
"15. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 10 wherein the field is textured.",
"16. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 10 wherein the field is at least partially covered with material adhered to the panel.",
"17. A roofing panel as claimed in claim 10 wherein the field is ornamented to emulate a roofing shingle selected from the group consisting essentially of asphalt shingles, cedar shakes, slate shingles, and clay barrel shingles.",
"18. A rectangular metal roofing panel comprising an upwardly facing side, a downwardly facing side, a substantially rectangular field, a leading edge, a trailing edge, a first end, and a second end, a downwardly turned clip extending at least partially along the leading edge of the roofing panel and having an upturned distal edge, and an upwardly open slot extending at least partially along the trailing edge of the roofing panel, the slot being partially occulted by an in-turned flange, the downturned clip and the slot being configured to interlock together with the upturned distal edge of the downturned clip becoming trapped below the in-turned flange when the leading edge of one panel is pressed downwardly onto the trailing edge of a like panel to lock the panels together and form a moisture barrier, the substantially rectangular field extending from a terminal edge of the first end of the panel to a terminal edge of the second end of the panel and being pressed or embossed with features that resemble shingles and wherein at least one of the features forms a water dam adjacent the first end of the panel to prevent water migration beneath the second end of a like panel overlapping the at least one of the features on the first end of the panel.",
"19. A metal roofing panel as claimed in claim 18 wherein the slot is cut short to define a truncated region at the first end of the panel to accommodate the overlapping of the first end by the second end of a like panel arranged in end-to-end relationship so that a substantially continuous slot is formed along the trailing edges of the end-to-end panels.",
"20. A roofing panel comprising an upwardly facing side, a downwardly facing side, a field, an upper edge, a lower edge, a first end having a terminal edge, a second end having a terminal edge, a clip, and a slot;\nthe field of the roofing panel comprising one or more ornamental features that extend from the terminal edge of the first end of the roofing panel to the terminal edge of the second end of the roofing panel;\nthe clip extending along the lower edge of the roofing panel;\nthe slot extending along the rear edge of the roofing panel, the slot being cut short to define a truncated region at the first end of the roofing panel;\nthe first end of the roofing panel being overlappable onto the second end of a like roofing panel in such a way that the one or more ornamental features of the field of the roofing panel at least partially overlaps the one or more ornamental features of the field of a like roofing panel and the overlapped ornamental features on the like roofing panel prevent water migration through the region of overlap.",
"21. The roofing panel of claim 20 wherein the ornamental features comprise embossed raised areas mimicking slates separated by depressed areas mimicking gaps between slates.",
"22. The roofing panel of claim 20 wherein the one or more ornamental features comprise one or more depressed regions and one or more raised regions separated by the one or more depressed regions, and wherein the first end comprises a raised region and the second end comprises a raised region.",
"23. The roofing panel of claim 22 wherein the raised regions comprise at least a first arched region at the first end and a second arched region at the second end."
],
[
"1. A method for making roofing shingles comprising:\nproviding a roofing material having a width less than 48 inches;\ncutting the roofing material longitudinally along three non-straight lines to form four shingles, wherein at least a portion of each said shingle has a width of about twelve inches and wherein two of said four shingles have\na headlap portion including a non-straight longitudinal edge along a side of said shingles defining headlap peaks that extend away from a longitudinal center of said shingles and headlap valleys that extend toward the longitudinal center of said shingles:\nand all four shingles have\na buttlap portion including a plurality of tabs extending from said headlap portion, said tabs spaced apart to define a plurality of openings between said tabs;\nwherein said buttlap portion further includes a non-straight longitudinal edge along a side of said shingles defining buttlap peaks that extend away from the longitudinal center of said shingles and buttlap valleys that extend toward the longitudinal center of said shingles.",
"2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the width of said roofing material is from about 43.5 inches to about 47.625 inches.",
"3. A method for making roofing shingles comprising:\nproviding a roofing material having a width less than 36 inches;\ncutting the roofing material longitudinally along two non-straight lines to form three shingles, wherein at least a portion of each of said shingle has a width of about twelve inches and wherein one of said three shingles has\na headlap portion including a non-straight longitudinal edge along a side of said shingles defining headlap peaks that extend away from a longitudinal center of said shingles and headlap valleys that extend toward the longitudinal center of said shingles;\nand all three shingles have\na buttlap portion including a plurality of tabs extending from said headlap portion, said tabs spaced apart to define a plurality of openings between said tabs;\nwherein said buttlap portion further includes a non-straight longitudinal edge along a side of said shingles defining buttlap peaks that extend away from the longitudinal center of said shingles and buttlap valleys that extend toward the longitudinal center of said shingles.",
"4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the width of said roofing material is from about 33 inches to about 35.75 inches."
],
[
"1. A shingle blank comprising an asphalt coated mat having a cut line formed in the asphalt coated mat;\nwherein the cut line includes a continuous cut portion and a perforated portion; and wherein the perforated portion is structured and configured to facilitate separation of the shingle blank into discrete portions, and wherein the continuous cut portion forms adjacent cut edges on the shingle blank along the continuous cut portion, the edges being in contact prior to separation of the shingle blank into discrete portions.",
"2. The shingle blank according to claim 1, wherein the shingle blank has a length and a width, and wherein the cut line extends substantially across the width of the shingle blank.",
"3. The shingle blank according to claim 2, wherein the cut line extends substantially across the width of the shingle blank between a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge in a direction substantially perpendicular to the length of the shingle blank.",
"4. The shingle blank according to claim 1, wherein the continuous cut portion defines a continuous cut extending through a thickness of the asphalt coated mat.",
"5. The shingle blank according to claim 1, wherein the asphalt coated mat is configured to include a longitudinally extending prime region and a longitudinally extending headlap region.",
"6. The shingle blank according to claim 5, wherein the continuous cut portion of the cut line is formed in the prime region and the perforated portion of the cut line is formed in the headlap region.",
"7. A shingle blank comprising a first shingle blank layer defining a longitudinally extending prime region and a longitudinally extending headlap region;\nwherein at least the prime region includes a second longitudinally extending layer bonded to the first shingle blank layer;\nwherein a cut line is formed in the shingle blank; and\nwherein the cut line includes a continuous cut portion formed in the prime region and a perforated portion formed in the headlap region,\nwherein the perforated portion is structured and configured to facilitate separation of the shingle blank into discrete portions, each of the discrete portions has a headlap region and a prime region with substantially the same length.",
"8. The shingle blank according to claim 7, wherein the first shingle blank layer is an asphalt coated mat.",
"9. The shingle blank according to claim 8, wherein the second longitudinally extending layer is an asphalt coated mat.",
"10. The shingle blank according to claim 7, wherein the shingle blank has a length and a width, and wherein the cut line extends substantially across the width of the shingle blank.",
"11. The shingle blank according to claim 7, wherein the cut line extends substantially across the width of the shingle blank between a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge in a direction substantially perpendicular to the length of the shingle blank.",
"12. The shingle blank according to claim 7, wherein the continuous cut portion defines a continuous cut extending through a thickness of the shingle blank.",
"13. A method of forming a shingle blank comprising forming a cut line in an asphalt coated mat to define a cut shingle blank;\nwherein the cut line includes a continuous cut portion and a perforated portion; and wherein the perforated portion is structured and configured to facilitate separation of the shingle blank into discrete portions, and wherein the continuous cut portion forms adjacent cut edges on the shingle blank along the continuous cut portion, the edges being in contact prior to separation of the shingle blank into discrete portions.",
"14. The method according to claim 13, further including separating the cut shingle blank along the cut line into discrete portions.",
"15. The method according to claim 13, wherein the shingle blank has a length and a width, and wherein the cut line extends substantially across the width of the shingle blank.",
"16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the cut line extends substantially across the width of the shingle blank between a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge in a direction substantially perpendicular to the length of the shingle blank.",
"17. The method according to claim 13, wherein the continuous cut portion defines a continuous cut extending through a thickness of the asphalt coated mat.",
"18. The method according to claim 13, wherein the asphalt coated mat is configured to include a longitudinally extending prime region and a longitudinally extending headlap region.",
"19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the continuous cut portion of the cut line is formed in the prime region and the perforated portion of the cut line is formed in the headlap region.",
"20. A shingle blank comprising:\na sheet including a substrate coated with an asphalt coating, the sheet configured to include a prime region and a headlap region;\na web limited to the prime region;\nat least one perforation line positioned in the headlap region and having a plurality of perforations; and\nat least one continuous cut line extending substantially across the prime region, the at least one continuous cut line being configured to extend through the substrate, the asphalt coating, and the web;\nwherein the at least one perforation line and the at least one continuous cut line are sufficient to facilitate separation of the shingle blank to form a plurality of hip and ridge shingles each having a prime region and a headlap region having substantially the same length.",
"21. The shingle blank of claim 20 in which the shingle blank has a length and wherein the at least one perforation line extends substantially across the headlap region in a direction substantially perpendicular to the length of the shingle blank.",
"22. The shingle blank of claim 20 in which the perforations have a length of about 0.25 inches.",
"23. The shingle blank of claim 20 in which the perforations are spaced apart a distance of about 0.25 inches from edge to edge.",
"24. The shingle blank of claim 20 in which the web has a depth of approximately 0.03125 inches.",
"25. A shingle blank comprising:\na sheet including a substrate coated with an asphalt coating, the sheet configured to include a prime region and a headlap region, the asphalt coating including an upper section and a lower section, the upper section being positioned above the substrate, the lower section being positioned below the substrate;\na web limited to a lower section of the prime region; and\nat least one continuous cut line and at least one perforation line positioned in the shingle blank, the continuous cut line configured to extend through the substrate, the upper and lower sections of the asphalt coating and the web;\nwherein the at least one perforation line has a plurality of perforations sufficient to facilitate separation of the shingle blank to form a plurality of hip and ridge shingles, and wherein the continuous cut line forms adjacent cut edges on the shingle blank along the continuous cut portion, the edges being in contact prior to separation of the shingle blank.",
"26. The shingle blank of claim 25 in which the shingle blank has a length and wherein the at least one perforation line and the at least one continuous cut line combine to extend substantially across the shingle blank in a direction substantially perpendicular to the length of the shingle blank.",
"27. The shingle blank of claim 25 in which the perforations have a length of about 0.25 inches.",
"28. The shingle blank of claim 25 in which the perforations are spaced apart a distance of about 0.25 inches from edge to edge.",
"29. The shingle blank of claim 25 in which the web has a depth of approximately 0.03125 inches."
],
[
"1. A shingle blank comprising:\na substrate coated with an asphalt coating and configured to include a prime region, the asphalt coating including an upper section and a lower section, the upper section being positioned above the substrate, the lower section being positioned below the substrate; and\na web applied to the lower section of the prime region;\nwherein at least one perforation line is positioned in the shingle blank, the at least one perforation line being sufficient to facilitate separation of the shingle blank.",
"2. The shingle blank of claim 1 in which the blank has a length and wherein the at least one perforation line extends substantially across the shingle blank in a direction substantially perpendicular to the length of the shingle blank.",
"3. The shingle blank of claim 1 in which the at least one perforation line includes a plurality of perforations.",
"4. The shingle blank of claim 3 in which the perforations have a length of about 0.25 inches.",
"5. The shingle blank of claim 3 in which the perforations are spaced apart a distance of about 0.25 inches from edge to edge.",
"6. The shingle blank of claim 3 in which the perforations extend through the substrate, the upper and lower sections of the asphalt coating and the web.",
"7. The shingle blank of claim 1 in which the web has a depth of approximately 0.03125 inches.",
"8. A method of manufacturing an asphalt-based roofing material, comprising the steps of:\ncoating a substrate with an asphalt coating to form an asphalt coated sheet, the asphalt coated sheet including an upper section and a lower section;\napplying a surface layer of granules to the upper section of the asphalt coated sheet;\napplying a web to the lower section of the asphalt coated sheet; and\nforming at least one perforation line substantially across the asphalt coated sheet.",
"9. The method of claim 8 in which the shingle blank has a length and wherein the at least one perforation line extends substantially across the shingle blank in a direction substantially perpendicular to the length of the shingle blank.",
"10. The method of claim 9 in which the at least one perforation line includes a plurality of perforations.",
"11. The method of claim 10 in which the perforations have a length of about 0.25 inches.",
"12. The method of claim 10 in which the perforations are spaced apart a distance of about 0.25 inches from edge to edge.",
"13. The method of claim 10 in which the perforations extend through the substrate, the upper and lower sections of the asphalt coated sheet and the web.",
"14. A method of installing an asphalt-based roofing material, comprising the steps of:\nproviding an asphalt-based shingle blank having a substrate coated with an asphalt coating and configured to include an upper section and a lower section, a web is applied to the lower section, wherein at least one perforation line is positioned substantially across the asphalt-based shingle blank;\nforming hip or ridge shingles by separating the shingle blank along the at least one perforation line; and\ninstalling the hip and ridge shingles upon a hip or ridge.",
"15. A shingle blank comprising:\na substrate coated with an asphalt coating and configured to include a prime region, the asphalt coating including an upper section and a lower section, the upper section being positioned above the substrate, the lower section being positioned below the substrate; and\na web applied to the lower section of the prime region;\nwherein at least one notch is positioned in the shingle blank, the at least one notch being sufficient to facilitate separation of the shingle blank.",
"16. The shingle blank of claim 15 in which the shingle blank has a length and wherein the at least one notch extends substantially across the prime region of the shingle blank in a direction substantially perpendicular to the length of the shingle blank.",
"17. The shingle blank of claim 15 in which the at least one notch extends through the substrate, the upper and lower sections of the asphalt coating and the web.",
"18. A shingle blank comprising:\na substrate coated with an asphalt coating and configured to include a prime region, the asphalt coating including an upper section and a lower section, the upper section being positioned above the substrate, the lower section being positioned below the substrate; and\na web applied to the lower section of the prime region;\nwherein at least one courtesy cut is positioned in the shingle blank, the at least one courtesy cut being sufficient to facilitate separation of the shingle blank.",
"19. The shingle blank of claim 18 in which the shingle blank has at least one courtesy cut positioned in the prime regions and at least one courtesy cut positioned in a headlap region.",
"20. The shingle blank of claim 19 in which the at least one courtesy cut positioned in the prime region substantially aligns with the at least one courtesy cut positioned in the headlap region"
],
[
"1. A method for repairing a damaged roofing shingle having a damaged portion, comprising the steps of:\nmanufacturing a plurality of repair swatches, the plurality of repair swatches being manufactured in different sizes, different colors and different shapes;\nallowing a consumer to match one of the plurality of repair swatches to the damaged roofing shingle based on (1) a color of the roofing shingle, (2) a shape of the damaged portion and (3) a size of the damaged portion;\nallowing a consumer to purchase the matched repair swatch; and\nsecuring the matched repair swatch to the damaged roofing shingle so that the repair swatch covers the damaged portion.",
"2. The method of claim 12 wherein the repair swatches include a front face having colored granules and a back face having an adhesive.",
"3. The method of claim 13 wherein the colored granules on the front face match colored granules on the damaged roofing shingle.",
"4. The method of claim 12 wherein the repair swatch is of a size that covers the damaged area of the roofing shingle.",
"5. The method of claim 12 wherein the shape of the repair swatch is one of a square, a rectangular, a circular and a dragon tooth.",
"6. The method of claim 12 wherein the roofing shingle is a laminated roofing shingle.",
"7. The method of claim 13 wherein the adhesive is selected from a group consisting of a rubber polymer-modified asphalt, an acrylic, a polyurethane, a silicone and a rubber polymer.",
"8. A method for repairing a damaged roofing shingle having a damaged portion, comprising the steps of:\nmanufacturing a plurality of repair swatches, the plurality of repair swatches being manufactured in different sizes, different colors and different shapes;\nsecuring one of the plurality of repair swatches to the damaged roofing shingle so that the repair swatch matches the damaged roofing shingle and covers the damaged portion.",
"9. The method of claim 19 further comprising the step of:\nmatching one of the plurality of repair swatches to the damaged roofing shingle based on a color of the roofing shingle.",
"10. The method of claim 19 further comprising the step of:\nmatching one of the plurality of repair swatches to the damaged roofing shingle based on a shape of the damaged portion.",
"11. The method of claim 19 further comprising the step of:\nmatching one of the plurality of repair swatches to the damaged roofing shingle based on a size of the damaged portion.",
"12. The method of claim 22 wherein the repair swatch is of a size that covers the damaged portion of the damaged roofing shingle.",
"13. The method of claim 21 wherein the shape of the repair swatch is one of a square, a rectangular, a circular and a dragon tooth.",
"14. The method of claim 19 wherein the repair swatches include a front face having granules and a back face having an adhesive.",
"15. The method of claim 25 wherein the adhesive is selected from a group consisting of a rubber polymer-modified asphalt, an acrylic, a polyurethane, a silicone and a rubber polymer.",
"16. A method of manufacture, comprising the steps of:\nmanufacturing a plurality of repair swatches, the plurality of repair swatches being manufactured in different sizes, different colors and different shapes, the repair swatches including a front face having granules and a back face having an adhesive, at least one of the plurality of repair swatches matching a particular roofing shingle so that when the repair swatch is secured to the particular roofing shingle it is nearly impossible to tell that the repair swatch was placed on the particular roofing shingle.",
"17. The method of claim 27 wherein the granules on the front face of the repair swatch match granules on a front face of the particular roofing shingle.",
"18. The method of claim 28 wherein the repair swatch is of a size that covers a damaged portion of the particular roofing shingle.",
"19. The method of claim 29 wherein the shape of the repair swatch is one of a square, a rectangular, a circular and a dragon tooth.",
"20. The method of claim 30 wherein the adhesive is selected from a group consisting of a rubber polymer-modified asphalt, an acrylic, a polyurethane, a silicone and a rubber polymer."
],
[
"1. A roofing system comprising:\nsingle-layer shingles having a headlap portion; and a buttlap portion;\nwherein said headlap portion has a maximum headlap width that is less than a maximum buttlap width of said buttlap portion;\nwherein said buttlap portion includes a longitudinal rear edge, a lateral leading edge, a lateral trailing edge, and a non-straight longitudinal front-most edge having a central horizontal portion, a left horizontal portion, a right horizontal portion, a first transition portion, and a second transition portion, wherein the central horizontal portion extends away from the shingle to define a first buttlap width, the left horizontal portion is connected between the lateral trailing edge and the first transition portion, the right horizontal portion is connected between the lateral leading edge and the second transition portion, and the left horizontal portion and the right horizontal portion each extends away from the shingle to define a second buttlap width, and wherein the first transition portion is further connected between the left horizontal portion and the central horizontal portion and the second transition portion is further connected between the central horizontal portion and the right horizontal portion;\nwherein the roofing system comprises a plurality of courses of said shingles, and wherein a trailing lateral edge of a subsequently installed shingle in a first course of shingles overlaps a leading lateral edge of a horizontally adjacent previously installed shingle in the first course to provide a side-lap region; and\nwherein said buttlap portion includes an exposed buttlap portion, and wherein the exposed buttlap portion has a surface area that is greater than the surface area of said headlap portion.",
"2. The roofing system according to claim 1, wherein said headlap portion is surfaced with a first shade of granules and said buttlap portion is surfaced with a second shade of granules.",
"3. The roofing system according to claim 1, wherein said headlap portion includes an exposed headlap portion.",
"4. The roofing system according to claim 1, wherein the maximum headlap width is less than 50% the maximum buttlap width.",
"5. The roofing system according to claim 4, wherein the maximum headlap width is about 33% the maximum buttlap width.",
"6. The roofing system according to claim 1, wherein the first buttlap width is the maximum buttlap width.",
"7. The roofing system according to claim 6, wherein the first buttlap width is about 1″ greater than the second buttlap width.",
"8. The roofing system according to claim 1, wherein the second buttlap width is the maximum buttlap width.",
"9. The roofing system according to claim 8, wherein the first buttlap width is about 1″ less than the second buttlap width.",
"10. The roofing system according to claim 1, wherein said headlap portion includes a non-straight longitudinal rear edge having a central horizontal portion, a left horizontal portion, a right horizontal portion, a first transition portion, and a second transition portion, wherein the central horizontal portion extends away from the shingle to define a first headlap width, the left horizontal portion and right horizontal portion each extends away from the shingle to define a second headlap width, and wherein the first transition portion is situated between the left horizontal portion and the central horizontal portion and the second transition portion is situated between the central horizontal portion and the right horizontal portion.",
"11. The roofing system according to claim 10, wherein the second headlap width is the maximum buttlap width.",
"12. The roofing system according to claim 11, wherein the first headlap width is about 1″ less than the second headlap width.",
"13. The roofing system according to claim 6, wherein said shingles further comprise a first set of alignment notches, wherein a first alignment notch from the first set of alignment notches is situated on the trailing lateral edge of a subsequently installed shingle in a subsequent course of shingles and lines up with a longitudinal rear edge of the headlap portion of a previously installed shingle in the first course of shingles.",
"14. The roofing system according to claim 8, wherein said shingles further comprise a first set of alignment notches, wherein a first alignment notch from the first set of alignment notches is situated on the trailing lateral edge of a subsequently installed shingle in a subsequent course of shingles and lines up with a longitudinal rear edge of the headlap portion of a previously installed shingle in the first course of shingles.",
"15. The roofing system according to claim 13, wherein said shingles further comprise a second set of alignment notches situated on the longitudinal rear edge of the headlap portion, wherein a first alignment notch from the second set of alignment notches lines up with the trailing lateral edge of a subsequently installed shingle in a first course of shingles.",
"16. The roofing system according to claim 1, wherein the non-straight longitudinal front-most edge includes a longitudinal front edge slot opening situated approximately at the longitudinal center of the shingle.",
"17. The roofing system according to claim 1, wherein the shingles further comprise sealant strips on the bottom side of the shingle situated near the non-straight longitudinal front-most edge."
],
[
"1. A two-layer laminated roofing shingle comprising:\n(a) a posterior layer having a posterior upper portion and a posterior buttlap including a plurality of posterior simulated tabs extending from said posterior upper portion, said posterior simulated tabs spaced apart by a plurality of partial slots, and each of said posterior simulated tabs is connected to at least one adjacent posterior simulated tab by a connecting segment;\n(b) an anterior layer having an anterior headlap and an anterior buttlap including one or more anterior tabs extending from said anterior headlap;\nwherein the anterior layer is positioned on the posterior layer in a manner such that each anterior tab is positioned on one of the posterior simulated tabs;\nwherein at least one of the posterior simulated tabs serves as a single-layer simulated tab of the roofing shingle;\nwherein the anterior layer is free of alignment notches positioned on a lower edge of the anterior headlap; and\nwherein at least a portion of the posterior upper portion is positioned under the anterior headlap.",
"2. A two-layer laminated roofing shingle comprising:\n(a) a posterior layer having a posterior upper portion and a posterior buttlap including four posterior simulated tabs extending from said posterior upper portion, said posterior simulated tabs spaced apart by a plurality of partial slots, and each of said posterior simulated tabs is connected to at least one adjacent posterior simulated tab by a connecting segment, and wherein each posterior simulated tab has a posterior simulated tab corner;\n(b) an anterior layer having an anterior headlap, one or more anterior tabs extending therefrom;\nwherein the anterior layer is positioned on the posterior layer in a manner such that each anterior tab is positioned on one of the posterior simulated tabs;\nwherein at least a portion of the posterior upper portion is positioned under the anterior headlap; and\nwherein the posterior simulated tabs are surfaced with a first shade of granules and the connecting segments are surfaced with a second shade of granules that is darker than said first shade of granules.",
"3. The roofing shingle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the connecting segment is located at or near a lower edge of the posterior buttlap.",
"4. The roofing shingle according to claim 3, wherein the connecting segment has a height of about 1 inch.",
"5. The roofing shingle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the portion of the posterior upper portion is positioned under the anterior headlap defines a minimum width of surface contact.",
"6. The roofing shingle according to claim 5, wherein the minimum width of surface contact is about ⅞ inches.",
"7. The roofing shingle according to claim 1, wherein the posterior simulated tabs are surfaced with a first shade of granules and the connecting segments are surfaced with a second shade of granules that is darker than said first shade of granules.",
"8. A roofing system comprising a plurality of courses of shingles according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the shingles are installed on a roof deck in overlapping courses.",
"9. A roofing system comprising a plurality of courses of shingles according to claim 2, wherein the shingles are installed on a roof deck in overlapping courses, wherein first, second, and third adjacent shingles differ from each other based on the position of at least one anterior tab, and wherein the first adjacent shingle and the fourth adjacent shingle in a course are identical based on the positions of the one or more anterior tabs, so that when installed, a pattern of varying anterior tabs is created based on the locations of the anterior tabs.",
"10. A roofing system comprising a plurality of courses of shingles according to claim 2, wherein the shingles are installed on a roof deck in overlapping courses, wherein first, second, third, fourth, and fifth adjacent shingles differ from each other based on the position of at least one anterior tab, and wherein the first adjacent shingle and the sixth adjacent shingle in a course are identical based on the positions of the one or more anterior tabs, so that when installed, a pattern of varying anterior tabs is created based on the locations of the anterior tabs.",
"11. A roofing system comprising a plurality of courses of shingles according to claim 2, wherein the shingles are installed on a roof deck in overlapping courses, wherein first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh adjacent shingles differ from each other based on the position of at least one anterior tab, and wherein the first adjacent shingle and the eighth adjacent shingle in a course are identical based on the positions of the one or more anterior tabs, so that when installed, a pattern of varying anterior tabs is created based on the locations of the anterior tabs.",
"12. The roofing shingle according to claim 2, wherein the anterior headlap comprises one anterior tab extending therefrom.",
"13. The roofing shingle according to claim 2, wherein the anterior headlap comprises two anterior tabs extending therefrom.",
"14. The roofing shingle according to claim 2, wherein the anterior headlap comprises three anterior tabs extending therefrom.",
"15. The roofing shingle according to claim 2, wherein:\nthe at least one anterior tab further comprises granules having the second shade;\nthe posterior layer further comprises a shadow band positioned at an interface between the posterior simulated tabs and the posterior upper portion;\nthe posterior simulated tabs further comprise a shadow tip positioned on a lower edge of the posterior simulated tabs;\nthe shadow tip and shadow band include granules having a third shade that is darker than said first shade of granules of the posterior simulated tabs and the second shade of granules of the at least one anterior tab and the connecting segments.",
"16. The roofing shingle according to claim 2, wherein the at least one anterior tab has a first breadth and the posterior simulated tabs have a second breadth, and wherein the second breadth is greater than the first breadth.",
"17. The roofing shingle according to claim 2, wherein the posterior simulated tabs are separated by partial slots having a breadth of from about ¼″ to about 1 inch.",
"18. The roofing shingle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the at least one anterior tabs is positioned substantially over the center of one of the posterior simulated tabs.",
"19. A roofing system comprising a plurality of courses of shingles according to claim 2, wherein the shingles are installed on a roof deck in overlapping courses, and wherein the anterior headlap of a previously installed shingle is visible through the partial slots of a subsequently installed shingle such that the second shade of granules on the connecting segments of the subsequently installed shingle visually blend in with the partial slots of the subsequently installed shingle to create a visual appearance of continuous slots fully extending to a posterior butt edge of the subsequently installed shingle.",
"20. The roofing shingle according to claim 2, wherein the anterior tabs are surfaced with a third shade of granules having a distinguishable hue or color from the first shade of granules on the posterior simulated tabs and the second shade of granules on the connecting segments."
],
[
"1. A method of forming a laminated roofing shingle comprising:\n(a) providing an indefinite length of asphalt-impregnated, felted material;\n(b) adhering a coating of mineral granules to at least one surface of said felted material;\n(c) cutting said material in a repeating pattern along the longitudinal dimension of said material so as to form an interleaved series of tabs of pairs of overlay members, each said tab, defined by said step of cutting, being of substantially identical shape and the lower edge of each said tab being defined by a smoothly curving negatively contoured edge;\n(d) making pairs of underlay members in a similar manner as above but wherein the lower edges of the underlay members are defined by a substantially continuously curving sinuous cut having a uniform periodic shape and amplitude such that each pair of underlay members thus formed are substantially identical; and\n(e) laminating said underlay members to said overlay members so as to form a series of shingles having substantially the same overall shape, wherein said step of laminating further includes the step of positioning said negatively contoured edge of each said tab directly over a substantially correspondingly curving portion of the lower edge of each said underlay member so as to simulate a series of alternating ridges and valleys of a portion of a tile covered roof.",
"2. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the step of adhering comprises adhering an essentially random series of color drops of said mineral granules each said color drop extending across the width of said felted material;\nand wherein adjacent color drops present contrasting colors with adjacent color drops blending at least to some extent with each other so as to form transition zones therebetween.",
"3. A method as set forth in claim 2 wherein said step of adhering includes the step of alternating said color drops with color drops of a composite of granules having the colors selected from each of said contrasting color drops, said composite granule color drops having a length in the longitudinal direction of said felted material of approximately 5 inches (12.7 cm), said contrasting color drops having a length in the longitudinal dimension of said felted material of approximately 9 inches (22.86 cm).",
"4. A method of forming a laminated roofing shingle comprising:\n(a) providing an indefinite length of asphalt-impregnated, felted material;\n(b) adhering a coating of mineral granules to at least one surface of said felted material;\n(c) cutting said material in a repeating pattern along the longitudinal dimension of said material so as to form an interleaved series of tabs of pairs of overlay members, each said tab, defined by said step of cutting, being of substantially identical shape and the lower edge of each said tab being defined by a smoothly curving negatively contoured edge;\n(d) making pairs of underlay members in a similar manner as above but wherein the lower edges of the underlay members are defined by a substantially continuously curving sinuous cut having a uniform periodic shape and amplitude such that each pair of underlay members thus formed are substantially identical; and\n(e) laminating said underlay members to said overlay members so as to form a series of shingles having substantially the same overall shape, wherein the step of laminating includes the step of positioning said underlay members and said overlay members relative to one another such that the lower edge of each said tab is longitudinally aligned with a corresponding negatively curved portion of the lower edge of said underlay member.",
"5. A method of optically simulating a tile covered roof comprising:\n(a) forming a series of substantially identical shingle overlay members, each said overlay member comprising a series of substantially uniformly shaped tabs, each said tab having a negatively curving contour at the lower edge thereof and each said tab having a width defined by generally straight edges, said straight edges tapering inwardly to a width narrower than the width at said lower edge;\n(b) forming a series of substantially identical underlay members, each underlay member having a lower edge with a substantially continuously curving uniformly periodic undulating contour;\n(c) bonding one of said series of overlay members to one of said series of said underlay members so as to form a shingle of generally rectangular form having a headlap portion and a butt portion, said butt portion comprising a series of uniformly spaced double-thick tab portions with a space between each tab portion defining an exposed portion of said underlay member, the step of bonding further includes the step of positioning said one of said series of overlay members and said one of said series of underlay members relative to one another such that the lower edge of each said tab is longitudinally aligned with a corresponding negatively curved portion of the lower edge of said underlay member;\n(d) repeating the step of bonding to form a plurality of laminated shingles; and\n(e) covering a roof deck with the thus formed laminated shingles by,\n(i) laying said shingles side-by-side in a horizontal course,\n(ii) overlapping said course by a next higher course of shingles such that said headlap portion of each shingle therein is substantially covered by the butt portions of the shingles in said next higher course,\n(iii) vertically aligning the tabs of each shingle with the tabs of the shingles in each succeeding course such that said tabs form vertical lines proceeding up the roof deck and the spaces form lines parallel to the lines of said tabs such that the vertical patterns and curving butt edges of said tabs and spaces optically cooperate to simulate a tile covered roof.",
"6. A method as set forth in claim 5 wherein said underlay members and said overlay members are covered with mineral granules having substantially randomly varying color drop patterns making up said granule covered surface.",
"7. A method as set forth in claim 5 wherein said shingles in said each succeeding course are horizontally offset from the shingles in adjacent courses.",
"8. A method as set forth in claim 4 wherein said lower edge of each said tab and said corresponding negatively curved portion of said lower edge of said underlay member are slightly offset laterally from one another."
]
] |
in the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to aia 35 u.s.c. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-aia 35 u.s.c. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from aia to pre-aia ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
the following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 u.s.c. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this office action:
a person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
ground 2: claim(s) 1, 3, 8, 10-11, 16, 19-20 and 25-26 is/are rejected under 35 u.s.c. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by u.s. patent no. 7,204,063 to kandalgaonkar.
in regard to claims 1 and 19, kandalgaonkar discloses an asphalt shingle designed to be laid up in courses on a roof comprising: an upper headlap portion 12, a lower tab portion 11, vertically spaced apart upper 18 and lower 17 edges, laterally spaced apart right 14 and left 15 edges, and top and bottom surfaces, having a lateral dimension or width and a vertical dimension or height (see fig. 2 and col. 4, lines 45-67); and a horizontally-oriented marking 30, 31 that extends along an interface between said upper headlap portion and said lower tab portion of said shingle and stretches from said right to left edge thereof, spanning the width of the shingle (see fig. 4), wherein the lateral dimension of the shingle is greater than the vertical dimension of the shingle, wherein said bottom surface is configured to be laid up on the roof facing the roof, wherein said tab portion is configured to be substantially weather-exposed when laid up on the roof and wherein said upper headlap portion is configured to be substantially covered by the tab portion of asphalt shingles in a next-overlying course of asphalt shingles when laid up on the roof, and wherein said horizontally-oriented marking is configured to act as a headlap alignment mark and run perpendicularly to a rake of the roof and/or parallel to an eave of the roof following installation of the shingle thereon, defining a position on which the upper edge of an asphalt shingle in a previous course of asphalt shingles abut to establish a headlap (see col. 8, lines 14-29).
in regard to claim 3, kandalgaonkar discloses an asphalt shingle, wherein said horizontally-oriented marking comprises gaps therein that align with cut-outs 13 in the shingle (see fig. 4 and col. 8, lines 14-29).
in regard to claim 8, kandalgaonkar discloses an asphalt shingle, further comprising nail placement marks 13 that provide specific nail placement locations (see col. 5, lines 2-5).
in regard to claim 10, kandalgaonkar discloses an asphalt shingle, wherein said nail placement marks are evenly laterally spaced (see col. 5, lines 2-5).
in regard to claim 11 kandalgaonkar discloses an asphalt shingle, wherein said nail placement marks comprise dots, indentations, perforations, cuts, and/or lines (see figs. 3-4 and col. 5, lines 2-5).
in regard to claim 16, kandalgaonkar discloses an asphalt shingle, further comprising at least one additional horizontally-oriented marking 30,31, wherein said at least one additional horizontally-oriented marking is configured to act as a headlap alignment mark and run perpendicularly to the rake of the roof and/or parallel to the eave of the roof following installation of the shingle thereon, defining an alternative position on which the upper edge of an asphalt shingle in a previous course of asphalt shingles must abut to establish a second headlap (see fig. 4 and col. 8, lines 14-29).
in regard to claims 20 and 25, kandalgaonkar discloses an asphalt shingle, further comprising at least one adhesive strip 20, 22 disposed on a top or bottom surface thereof and configured to adhere said shingle to an underlying or overlying course of shingles (see fig. 2 and col. 4, lines 60-67 and col. 5, lines 28-39).
in regard to claim 26, kandalgaonkar discloses an asphalt shingle, wherein an area of the shingle bounded by said horizontally-oriented marking and an additional horizontally-oriented marking denotes a nailing zone through which fasteners should be inserted (see col. 5, lines 2-5).
ground 3: claim(s) 1, 7, 15 and 19 is/are rejected under 35 u.s.c. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by u.s. patent no. 4,499,702 to turner.
in regard to claims 1 and 19, turner discloses an asphalt shingle designed to be laid up in courses on a roof comprising: an upper headlap portion 10, a lower tab portion a-e, vertically spaced apart upper and lower edges, laterally spaced apart right and left edges, and top and bottom surfaces, having a lateral dimension or width and a vertical dimension or height (see fig. 1); and a horizontally-oriented marking 20, 22 that extends along an interface between said upper headlap portion and said lower tab portion of said shingle and stretches from said right to left edge thereof, spanning the width of the shingle (see fig. 1), wherein the lateral dimension of the shingle is greater than the vertical dimension of the shingle, wherein said bottom surface is configured to be laid up on the roof facing the roof, wherein said tab portion is configured to be substantially weather-exposed when laid up on the roof and wherein said upper headlap portion is configured to be substantially covered by the tab portion of asphalt shingles in a next-overlying course of asphalt shingles when laid up on the roof, and wherein said horizontally-oriented marking is configured to act as a headlap alignment mark and run perpendicularly to a rake of the roof and/or parallel to an eave of the roof following installation of the shingle thereon, defining a position on which the upper edge of an asphalt shingle in a previous course of asphalt shingles abut to establish a headlap (see col. 3, lines 9-19).
in regard to claim 7, turner discloses an asphalt shingle, wherein horizontally- oriented marking is also marked on the back side of the shingle (see fig. 1 and col. 3, lines 9-19).
in regard to claim 15, turner discloses an asphalt shingle, further comprising a cut at a proximal and distal end of said horizontally-oriented marking (see fig. 1 and col. 3, lines 9-19).
ground 4: claim(s) 1, 4, 19-20, 25 and 27-30 is/are rejected under 35 u.s.c. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by u.s. patent no. 6,145,265 to malarkey et al.
in regard to claims 1 and 19, malarkey et al. disclose an asphalt shingle designed to be laid up in courses on a roof comprising: an upper headlap portion 54, a lower tab portion 62, vertically spaced apart upper and lower edges, laterally spaced apart right and left edges, and top and bottom surfaces, having a lateral dimension or width and a vertical dimension or height (see figs. 3-4 and col. 5, lines 16-45); and a horizontally-oriented marking (i.e. paint strip, not shown) that extends along an interface between said upper headlap portion and said lower tab portion of said shingle and stretches from said right to left edge thereof, spanning the width of the shingle (see col. 6, lines 28-36), wherein the lateral dimension of the shingle is greater than the vertical dimension of the shingle, wherein said bottom surface is configured to be laid up on the roof facing the roof, wherein said tab portion is configured to be substantially weather-exposed when laid up on the roof and wherein said upper headlap portion is configured to be substantially covered by the tab portion of asphalt shingles in a next-overlying course of asphalt shingles when laid up on the roof, and wherein said horizontally-oriented marking is configured to act as a headlap alignment mark and run perpendicularly to a rake of the roof and/or parallel to an eave of the roof following installation of the shingle thereon, defining a position on which the upper edge of an asphalt shingle in a previous course of asphalt shingles abut to establish a headlap (see figs. 5-6 and col. 6 lines 37-55).
in regard to claim 4, malarkey et al. disclose an asphalt shingle, wherein the horizontally-oriented marking is configured to fade upon weather exposure (see col. 6, lines 28-36).
in regard to claims 20 and 25, malarkey et al. disclose an asphalt shingle, further comprising at least one adhesive strip 58, 60, 72 disposed on a top or bottom surface thereof and configured to adhere said shingle to an underlying or overlying course of shingles (see figs. 3-6 and col. 5, lines 46-67).
in regard to claims 27-28, malarkey et al. disclose an asphalt shingle, wherein the horizontal alignment marking is visible across the entire width of the shingle (see col. 6, lines 28-36).
in regard to claims 29-30, malarkey et al. disclose an asphalt shingle, wherein the laterally spaced apart right and left edges are substantially planar in the upper headlap portion of the shingle (see figs. 3-6).
|
[
"1. An aspiration catheter, comprising:\nan inner liner defining a lumen and having a proximal region and a distal region;\na braid of wires over the inner liner, wherein a deflectable portion of the braid over at least a portion of the distal region of the inner liner is configured to deflect away from a longitudinal axis of the proximal region when the aspiration catheter is unconstrained;\na wire coiled over at least a portion of the distal region of the inner liner; and\nan outer sheath over the braid, the wire, and the inner liner.",
"2. The aspiration catheter of claim 1 wherein the wires in the deflectable portion of the braid is pre-shaped to deflect away from the longitudinal axis.",
"3. The aspiration catheter of claim 1 wherein the deflectable portion of the braid is configured to deflect away from the longitudinal axis to have a bend angle of between about between about 165-195 degrees when the aspiration catheter is unconstrained.",
"4. The aspiration catheter of claim 1 wherein the deflectable portion of the braid is configured to deflect away from the longitudinal axis to have a bend angle of between about 270 degrees when the aspiration catheter is unconstrained.",
"5. The aspiration catheter of claim 1 wherein the lumen has a diameter of 20 French or greater.",
"6. The aspiration catheter of claim 1 wherein the lumen has a diameter of 24 French or greater.",
"7. The aspiration catheter of claim 1 wherein the inner liner is formed from polytetrafluoroethylene material, and wherein the outer sheath is formed from a thermoplastic elastomer material.",
"8. The aspiration catheter of claim 1 wherein the outer sheath has a first hardness over the proximal region of the inner liner, and wherein the outer sheath has a second hardness over the distal region of the inner liner that is less than the first hardness.",
"9. An aspiration catheter, comprising:\na proximal region defining a longitudinal axis;\nan intermediate region extending from the proximal region;\na distal region extending from the intermediate region;\nan inner lining defining a lumen and extending through the proximal region, the intermediate region, and the distal region;\na braid of wires extending over the inner liner and through the proximal region, the intermediate region, and the distal region, wherein a deflectable portion of the braid in the distal region is configured to deflect away from the longitudinal axis when the aspiration catheter is unconstrained;\na wire coiled in the distal region; and\nan outer sheath extending over the braid, the wire, and the inner liner and through the proximal region, the intermediate region, and the distal region.",
"10. The aspiration catheter of claim 9 wherein the deflectable portion of the braid is configured to deflect away from the longitudinal axis to have a bend angle of between about between about 165-195 degrees when the aspiration catheter is unconstrained.",
"11. The aspiration catheter of claim 9 wherein the outer sheath has (a) a first hardness in the proximal region of between about 65 D-75 D, (b) a second hardness in the intermediate region of between about 50 D-60 D, and (c) a third hardness in the distal region of between about 30 D-40 D.",
"12. The aspiration catheter of claim 9 wherein the outer sheath has (a) a first hardness in the proximal region, (b) a second hardness in the intermediate region less than the first hardness, and (c) a third hardness in the distal region less than the second hardness.",
"13. The aspiration catheter of claim 12 wherein (a) the proximal region has a first length, (b) the intermediate region has a second length less than the first length, and (c) the distal region has a third length greater than the second length and less than the first length.",
"14. The aspiration catheter of claim 13 wherein the first length is between about 20.0-28.0 inches, the second length is between about 2.0-3.0 inches, and the third length is between about 11.00-15.00 inches.",
"15. A method of removing clot material from a blood vessel, the method comprising:\nadvancing an aspiration catheter through the blood vessel, wherein the aspiration catheter includes a distal portion and a proximal portion, wherein the distal portion is configured to deflect away from a longitudinal axis of the proximal portion;\npositioning a distal tip of the aspiration catheter proximate the clot material;\nactivating a pressure source coupled to the aspiration catheter via a fluid control device, while the fluid control device is closed, to generate a vacuum in the pressure source; and\nopening the fluid control device to apply the vacuum to the aspiration catheter to thereby aspirate at least a portion of the clot material into the aspiration catheter.",
"16. The method of claim 15 wherein the distal portion of the aspiration catheter is configured to deflect away from the longitudinal axis in a deflection direction, and wherein the method further comprises rotating the aspiration catheter such that the deflection direction is at least partially aligned with a bend in the blood vessel.",
"17. The method of claim 15 wherein the aspiration catheter has a size of 20 French or greater.",
"18. The method of claim 15 wherein the distal portion of the aspiration catheter is configured to deflect away from the longitudinal axis to have a bend angle of between about between about 165-195 degrees when the aspiration catheter is unconstrained.",
"19. The method of claim 15 wherein the distal portion of the aspiration catheter is configured to deflect away from the longitudinal axis to have a bend angle of about 270 degrees when the aspiration catheter is unconstrained.",
"20. The method of claim 15 wherein the distal portion of the aspiration catheter includes—\nan inner liner defining a lumen;\na braid of wires extending over the inner liner;\na wire coiled around the braid; and\nan outer sheath extending over the braid."
] |
US20220151647A1
|
US20190366036A1
|
[
"1. A catheter comprising:\nan elongated body including proximal and distal portions, the distal portion of the elongated body comprising:\nan inner liner;\nat least one support structure positioned over the inner liner;\nan outer jacket positioned over the at least one support structure, wherein the outer jacket tapers radially inward distal of a distal-most part of the at least one support structure to bond to the inner liner; and\na tip jacket positioned over a distal part of the outer jacket and extending beyond a distal-most part of the inner liner and the outer jacket to define a single-layer catheter tip, wherein the tip jacket comprises a material that is the same or a lower durometer than the inner liner and the same or a lower durometer than the outer jacket.",
"2. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the tip jacket comprises a polyurethane, a polyolefin elastomer, a poly(ether-block-amide), or combinations thereof.",
"3. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the tip jacket material has a durometer of 35 D or less.",
"4. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the tip jacket is the only layer for the distal-most 0.3 to 0.8 millimeters of the catheter.",
"5. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the inner liner and the outer jacket extend distally past the distal-most part of the at least one support structure by about 0.2 millimeters to about 0.6 millimeters.",
"6. The catheter of claim 1, further comprising a marker band, wherein the marker band is positioned over the at least one support structure near the distal-most part of the at least one support structure.",
"7. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the at least one support structure comprises at least one of a braid or a coil.",
"8. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the at least one support structure comprises a braid and a coil.",
"9. The catheter of claim 8, wherein the braid is positioned over the coil.",
"10. The catheter of claim 8, wherein the coil is positioned over the braid.",
"11. The catheter of claim 8, further comprising a marker band, wherein the marker band is positioned over one of the braid or the coil near the distal-most part of the one of the braid or the coil, and wherein the other of the braid or the coil ends proximally of a proximal end of the marker band.",
"12. The catheter of claim 11, wherein the other of the braid or the coil ends at least about 0.5 millimeters proximally of the proximal end of the marker band.",
"13. An assembly comprising:\na catheter comprising:\nan elongated body including proximal and distal portions, the distal portion of the elongated body comprising:\nan inner liner;\nat least one support structure positioned over the inner liner;\nan outer jacket positioned over the at least one support structure, wherein the outer jacket tapers radially inward distal of a distal-most part of the at least one support structure to bond to the inner liner; and\na tip jacket positioned over a distal part of the outer jacket and extending beyond a distal-most part of the inner liner and the outer jacket to define a single-layer catheter tip, wherein the tip jacket comprises a material that is the same or a lower durometer than the inner liner and the same or a lower durometer than the outer jacket; and\nan aspiration pump connected to the catheter.",
"14. A catheter comprising:\nan elongated body including proximal and distal portions, the distal portion of the elongated body comprising:\nan inner liner;\na first support structure positioned over the inner liner;\na second support structure positioned over the first support structure;\na distal marker band positioned over a distal part of one of the first support structure or the second support structure, wherein the other of the first support structure or the second support structure ends proximally of a proximal end of the distal marker band; and\nan outer jacket positioned over the first support structure, the second support structure, and the marker band, wherein the outer jacket tapers radially inward distal of a distal-most part of the marker band to bond to the inner liner.",
"15. The catheter of claim 14, wherein the first support structure comprises a coil and the second support structure comprises a braid.",
"16. The catheter of claim 15, wherein a distal end of the braid is proximal to the proximal end of the distal marker band.",
"17. The catheter of claim 15, wherein a distal end of the coil is proximal to the proximal end of the distal marker band.",
"18. The catheter of claim 14, wherein the first support structure comprises a braid and the second support structure comprises a coil.",
"19. The catheter of claim 18, wherein a distal end of the braid is proximal to the proximal end of the distal marker band.",
"20. The catheter of claim 18, wherein a distal end of the coil is proximal to the proximal end of the distal marker band.",
"21. The catheter of claim 14, wherein the other of the first support structure or the second support structure ends at least about 0.5 millimeters proximally of the proximal end of the marker band.",
"22. The catheter of claim 14, wherein the other of the first support structure or the second support structure ends between about 0.5 millimeters and about 5 millimeters proximally of the proximal end of the marker band.",
"23. An assembly comprising:\na catheter comprising:\nan elongated body including proximal and distal portions, the distal portion of the elongated body comprising:\nan inner liner;\na first support structure positioned over the inner liner;\na second support structure positioned over the first support structure;\na distal marker band positioned over a distal part of one of the first support structure or the second support structure, wherein the other of the first support structure or the second support structure ends proximally of a proximal end of the distal marker band; and\nan outer jacket positioned over the first support structure, the second support structure, and the marker band, wherein the outer jacket tapers radially inward distal of a distal-most part of the marker band to bond to the inner liner; and\nan aspiration pump connected to the catheter."
] |
[
[
"1. A system for removing material within a bodily lumen of a patient, comprising:\na pulse generator configured to be located externally to the patient;\na catheter comprising an inner lumen with a distal end and at least one pair of electrodes mounted on an electrode pair housing disposed within the inner lumen of the catheter and spaced proximally from the distal end of the inner lumen of the catheter, wherein the electrode pair housing provides a watertight seal within the inner lumen and wherein the at least one pair of electrodes is in operative wired connection with the pulse generator and is configured to generate arcing between the electrodes of the at least one electrode pair when energized by the pulse generator;\na fluid-fillable and watertight litho-cushion comprising a proximal end sealed to the catheter and in fluid communication with a fluid conduit disposed within the inner lumen of the catheter and a fluid reservoir and in further fluid communication with the portion of the inner lumen of the catheter distal to the electrode pair housing, wherein the litho-cushion is configured to inflate with fluid; and\nat least one forward-focusing reflector adapted to move between an undeployed configuration to a deployed configuration, the at least one forward-focusing reflector extending at least partially distally past the distal end of the inner lumen of the catheter, the at least one forward-focusing reflector in operative connection with the fluid-fillable litho-cushion when deployed and when the litho-cushion is inflated.",
"2. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one forward-focusing reflector comprises a biased expanded configuration.",
"3. The system of claim 2, wherein the at least one forward-focusing reflector comprises a shape memory material.",
"4. The system of claim 2, wherein the at least one forward-focusing reflector comprises a spring-like element that is biased to expand.",
"5. The system of claim 1, further comprising an outer guide catheter with a lumen and wherein the catheter is configured to translate within the outer guide catheter lumen.",
"6. The system of claim 5, wherein the at least one forward-focusing reflector is adapted to deploy when the at least one forward-focusing reflector is translated out of the outer guide catheter lumen.",
"7. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one forward-focusing reflector is attached to an outer surface of the catheter and extends distally past the distal end of the catheter lumen.",
"8. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one forward-focusing reflector is attached to an inner surface of the catheter and extends distally past the distal end of the catheter lumen.",
"9. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one forward-focusing reflector is operatively connected with an outer surface of the litho-cushion.",
"10. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one forward-focusing reflector is operatively connected with an inner surface of the litho-cushion.",
"11. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one forward-focusing reflector is configured to move from the undeployed configuration to the deployed configuration when the litho-cushion is inflated.",
"12. The system of claim 9, wherein the at least one forward-focusing reflector is configured to move from the undeployed configuration to the deployed configuration when the litho-cushion is inflated.",
"13. The system of claim 10, wherein the at least one forward-focusing reflector is configured to move from the undeployed configuration to the deployed configuration when the litho-cushion is inflated.",
"14. The system of claim 1, wherein the litho-cushion is wrapped around an outer surface of the catheter when not inflated.",
"15. The system of claim 1, wherein the litho-cushion is disposed within the inner lumen of catheter when not inflated.",
"16. The system of claim 1, further comprising the fluid conduit extending through the litho-cushion and sealingly attached to a distal portion of the litho-cushion, the fluid conduit comprising a lumen therethrough that is adapted for translation of a guide wire therethrough.",
"17. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one forward-focusing reflector is ellipsoidal or conical.",
"18. The system of claim 1, wherein the electrode pair housing is not translatable within the catheter lumen.",
"19. The system of claim 1, wherein the electrode pair housing is translatable within the catheter lumen.",
"20. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one forward-focusing reflector is configured to be advanced distally to move from the undeployed configuration to the deployed configuration.",
"21. A method for disrupting occlusive material within a blood vessel, comprising:\nproviding the system of claim 1;\ndeploying the fluid-fillable litho-cushion by inflating with fluid;\ndeploying the at least one-forward-focusing reflector;\nactivating the pulse generator and generating an electrical arc between the at least one electrode pair;\ngenerating a shock wave; and\nfocusing the shock wave on the target with the at least one forward-focusing reflector."
],
[
"1. A device for removing obstructing matter from human body, comprising:\nan aspiration catheter having at least one lumen, a distal end to be positioned by the obstructing matter and a proximal end, the aspiration catheter configured for aspiration from the distal end toward the proximal end;\na T-connector attached by a first arm to the proximal end of the aspiration catheter;\na Y-connector attached to a second arm of the T-connector;\na liquid diaphragm pump attached via a side arm of the Y-connector to the second arm of the T-connector, the liquid diaphragm pump applying vacuum to the aspiration catheter, wherein a diaphragm reciprocates within the liquid diaphragm pump at a speed higher than 2000 RPM, wherein the diaphragm has a stroke more than 0.010″, wherein the liquid diaphragm pump produces maximum pressure within less than 15 seconds from activation of the liquid diaphragm pump; and\na syringe attached to a third arm of the T-connector, wherein additional vacuum created by the syringe is applied to the aspiration catheter to increase aspiration pressure into the distal end of the aspiration catheter.",
"2. The device of claim 1, further including a rotational member having a distal end and a proximal end that can be rotated and longitudinally moved back and forth within the aspiration catheter, wherein the distal end of the rotational member has a bent shape, and wherein the rotational member is at least partially positioned within the aspiration catheter.",
"3. A device for removing obstructing matter from human body, comprising:\nan aspiration catheter having at least one lumen, a distal end to be positioned by the obstructing matter and a proximal end, the aspiration catheter configured for aspiration from the distal end toward the proximal end;\na T-connector attached by a first arm to the proximal end of the aspiration catheter;\na Y-connector attached to a second arm of the T-connector;\na liquid diaphragm pump attached via a side arm of the Y-connector to the second arm of the T-connector, wherein the liquid pump produces maximum pressure within less than 15 seconds from activation of the liquid pump: and\na syringe attached to a third arm of the T-connector, the syringe applying vacuum to the aspiration catheter to increase aspiration pressure into the distal end of the aspiration catheter.",
"4. The device of claim 3, further including a rotational member having a distal end and a proximal end that can be rotated and longitudinally moved back and forth within the aspiration catheter, wherein the distal end of the rotational member has a bent shape, and wherein the rotational member is at least partially positioned within the aspiration catheter.",
"5. The device of claim 3, wherein the liquid pump is a membrane pump.",
"6. The device of claim 5, wherein the membrane pump includes a component that reciprocates at a speed between 2000 RPM and 10,000 RPM.",
"7. The device of claim 5, wherein the membrane pump includes a component that reciprocates at a speed between 3000 RPM and 7,500 RPM.",
"8. The device of claim 5, wherein the membrane pump includes a component that reciprocates at a speed between 4000 RPM and 6,000 RPM.",
"9. The device of claim 5, wherein the membrane pump includes a component that reciprocates at a speed of 5000 RPM.",
"10. The device of claim 5, wherein the membrane pump has a stroke between 0.010 inches and 0.100 inches.",
"11. The device of claim 5, wherein the membrane pump has a stroke between 0.020 inches and 0.080 inches.",
"12. The device of claim 5, wherein the membrane pump has a stroke between 0.030 inches and 0.060 inches.",
"13. The device of claim 5, wherein the membrane pump has a stroke of 0.040 inches."
],
[
"1. An ultrasonic thrombus removing system, comprising:\na front sheath tube (1) and a rear sheath tube (5) are independently inserted into a blood vessel (2);\na front blocking balloon (105) is fitted outside a rear end of the front sheath tube (1), and a rear blocking balloon (504) is fitted outside a front end of the rear sheath tube (5), wherein the front blocking balloon (105) and the rear blocking balloon (504) are configured to be placed at both sides of thrombus (3) within the blood vessel (2) respectively;\na breaking cavity (4) formed between the two blocking balloons, wherein the front blocking balloon (105) and the rear blocking balloon (504) expand or contract within the blood vessel (2) by means of squeezing or loosening of an external force so as to block or open front and rear sides of the thrombus (3);\na core tube (502) positioned inside the rear sheath tube (5) penetrating through the rear sheath tube (5) coaxially;\na breaker (501), configured to break the thrombus (3), located at a front end of the core tube (502);\na discharge tube (511), communicated with the core tube (502, located at a rear end of the rear sheath tube (5); and\na liquid supply system (7) configured to supply a thrombus breaking medium to the breaker (501); and\nan ultrasonic excitation system (8) configured to make the thrombus breaking medium supplied by the liquid supply system (7) form a high-speed pulsed jet stream.",
"2. The ultrasonic thrombus removing system of claim 1, wherein, both the front sheath tube (1) and the rear sheath tube (5) comprise an inner tube that is closed at both ends and is hollow inside and an outer tube fitted outside the inner tube, the front blocking balloon (105) and the rear blocking balloon (504) are respectively fitted outside their respective inner tubes, each of the outer tubes comprises a thrombus distal end outer tube and a thrombus proximal end outer tube, and both the front blocking balloon (105) and the rear blocking balloon (504) are fitted outside the inner tubes between the thrombus distal end outer tube and the thrombus proximal end outer tube; a balloon expansion/contraction nut is fitted at the thrombus distal end outer tube, an outer end of the balloon expansion/contraction nut is statically connected with the inner tube, and an inner end of the balloon expansion/contraction nut is fitted with the thrombus distal end outer tube by threads; the front blocking balloon (105) contracts or expands as it is axially compressed or released by the thrombus distal end outer tube.",
"3. The ultrasonic thrombus removing system of claim 2, wherein, two ends of the front blocking balloon (105) are respectively fixedly connected with the thrombus distal end outer tube (104) and the thrombus proximal end outer tube (106) of the front sheath tube (1), and two ends of the rear blocking balloon (504) are respectively fixedly connected with the thrombus proximal end outer tube (503) and the thrombus distal end outer tube (505) of the rear sheath tube (5); frames of the front blocking balloon (105) and the rear blocking balloon (504) are mesh frames (14) that are woven from elastic metal wires, each of the mesh frames (14) is covered with a closed elastic film (15).",
"4. The ultrasonic thrombus removing system of claim 2, wherein, radial clearance is arranged between the core tube (502) and the inner wall of the rear sheath tube (5), several groups of convex ribs (513) are distributed in the inner tube (508) of the rear sheath tube (5), each group of convex ribs (513) comprises three or more convex ribs that are evenly distributed on an inner cylindrical surface of the inner tube (508) and parallel to an axis of the inner tube (508); a through-flow area formed by the convex ribs (513), an outer cylindrical surface of the core tube (502), and the inner cylindrical surface of the inner tube (508) is no smaller than the through-flow area of the core tube (502).",
"5. The ultrasonic thrombus removing system of claim 1, comprising a thrombus crushing medium supply tube, wherein the ultrasonic excitation system (8) comprises an ultrasonic generator (801), an ultrasonic transducer (802), a horn (803), and an oscillation cavity (804) that are sequentially connected, an inlet of the oscillation cavity (804) is connected with the liquid supply system (7), an outlet of the oscillation cavity (804) is connected with the thrombus breaking medium supply tube, and the thrombus crushing medium supply tube is connected with the core tube (502).",
"6. The ultrasonic thrombus removing system of claim 5, wherein, the oscillation cavity (804) is a cavity with a variable cross section, and is composed of a big cylindrical section (8406), a first conical reduced section (8405), a second conical reduced section (8402), a small cylindrical hole section (8403), and a horn nozzle (8404) which are arranged successively from the inlet to the outlet of the oscillation cavity (804), several groups of small through-holes (8401) are distributed in a wall surface of the cavity of the big cylindrical section (8406), each group of small through-holes (8401) is evenly distributed in a circumferential direction of the big cylindrical section (8406), an axes of the small through-holes (8401) are in a spatial helix tangent to an inner cylindrical surface (8406) of an upper oscillation cavity , with a helix angle 13 is 0-90°; a generatrix of the second conical reduced section (8402) is an arc curve; an axial length of the small cylindrical hole section (8403) is greater than an axial length of the second conical reduced section (8402) and an axial length of the horn nozzle (8404), and the axial length of the horn nozzle (8404) is smaller than an axial length of the first conical reduced section (8405).",
"7. The ultrasonic thrombus removing system of claim 5, wherein, the horn (803) is a unidirectional variable diameter shaft, which comprises a big cylindrical section (8301), a conical reduced section (8302) and a small cylindrical section (8303) that are arranged sequentially from outside to inside; a generatrix of the conical reduced section (8302) is a logarithmic curve.",
"8. The ultrasonic thrombus removing system of claim 5, wherein, the thrombus breaking medium is pulsed water, the outlet of the oscillation cavity (804) is connected with a pulsed water supply tube (6), the pulsed water supply tube (6) is connected with the core tube (502), a plurality of jet holes (512) distributed in a front end wall of the core tube (502) are arranged at a front end of the core tube (502), and the plurality of jet holes (512) form the breaker (501), the pulsed water is jetted through the breaker (501) to break the thrombus (3).",
"9. The ultrasonic thrombus removing system of claim 8, wherein, the plurality of jet holes (512) are arranged in a wall surface of the core tube (502) in a way that straight holes and inclined holes are arranged in separate layers in circumferences, axes of the straight holes are perpendicular to the wall surface of the core tube (502), each axis of the inclined holes and an axis of the core tube (502) form an included angle α which is 0-90°, the jet holes (512) are distributed in the wall surface of the core tube (502) at 1-20mm distance from the front end of the core tube (502), and altogether 8-20 layers of jet holes (512) are provided.",
"10. The ultrasonic thrombus removing system of claim 5, wherein, the liquid supply system (7) comprises a liquid supply pump (701) and a pressure/flow controller (702), wherein the liquid supply pump (701) is connected with an input end of the pressure/flow controller (702).",
"11. The ultrasonic thrombus removing system of claim 10, comprising a suction system (10), which comprises a suction pump (1001) and a thrombus fragment suction control device (1002) connected with the discharge tube (511) through a communicating tube (1003).",
"12. The ultrasonic thrombus removing system of claim 11, comprising a thrombus breaking monitoring and control device (11), a breaking zone pressure monitoring device (12), and a X-ray probe (13) arranged outside the breaking cavity (4), wherein the thrombus breaking monitoring and control device (11) is connected with the X-ray probe (13), the breaking zone pressure monitoring device (12) is a micro-pressure sensor, and the breaking zone pressure monitoring device (12) is connected between the pressure/flow controller (702) and a valve body (8407) of the oscillation cavity (804).",
"13. The ultrasonic thrombus removing system of claim 12, comprising a thrombus removing control CPU (9) connected with the ultrasonic generator (801), the thrombus fragment suction control device (1002), the pressure/flow controller (702), the thrombus breaking monitoring and control device (11), and the breaking zone pressure monitoring device (12) respectively."
],
[
"1. A method for treating occlusions in vasculature with a shock wave catheter, comprising:\nadvancing the shock wave catheter to an occlusion in a blood vessel such that a distal end of the shock wave catheter faces the occlusion; and\ngenerating shock waves by a shock wave emitter assembly enclosed within an enclosure proximate to the distal end of the shock wave catheter such that the shock waves propagate in a distal direction out of the distal end of the shock wave catheter to treat the occlusion, wherein generating shock waves by the shock wave emitter assembly comprises generating a first shock wave at a first spark gap between a conductive sheath and a distal face of a first wire and generating a second shock wave at a second spark gap between the conductive sheath and a distal face of a second wire.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the enclosure comprises a balloon and the method comprises advancing the shock wave catheter into the occlusion such that the balloon is at least partially aligned with at least a portion of the occlusion.",
"3. The method of claim 2, comprising expanding the balloon to apply an angioplasty treatment to the at least a portion of the occlusion.",
"4. The method of claim 2, wherein the shock wave emitter assembly is a primary shock wave emitter assembly, and the method comprises generating shock waves from at least one secondary shock wave emitter assembly to treat the at least a portion of the occlusion.",
"5. The method of claim 1, comprising circulating fluid through the enclosure to prevent bubbles from becoming trapped within a distal portion of the shock wave catheter.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein the distal face of the second wire is circumferentially offset from the distal face of the first wire by 180 degrees.",
"7. The method of claim 1, wherein a distal end of the conductive sheath extends distally beyond the distal faces of the first and second wires.",
"8. The method of claim 1, wherein a distal end of the conductive sheath is proximate to the distal faces of the first and second wires.",
"9. The method of claim 1, wherein the enclosure comprises a flexible outer tube.",
"10. The method of claim 1, wherein the shock waves generate 1000 psi to 2000 psi of pressure.",
"11. The method of claim 1, wherein the occlusion comprises a chronic total occlusion or circumferential occlusion.",
"12. The method of claim 1, further comprising, after generating shock waves, further advancing the shock wave catheter and generating additional shock wave by the shock wave emitter assembly.",
"13. The method of claim 1, further comprising circulating a conductive fluid using a fluid pump that is fluidically connected to a fluid return line that extends from a proximal end of the shock wave catheter to the enclosure.",
"14. The method of claim 1, wherein the shock waves break up the occlusion.",
"15. A method for treating occlusions with a shock wave catheter, method comprising:\nadvancing the shock wave catheter to an occlusion in a blood vessel such that a distal end of the shock wave catheter faces the occlusion;\nbreaking apart the occlusion with the shock wave catheter;\nfurther advancing the shock wave catheter in the blood vessel; and\nfurther breaking apart the occlusion by generating shock waves by a shock wave emitter assembly enclosed within an enclosure proximate to the distal end of the shock wave catheter such that the shock waves impinge on the occlusion, wherein generating shock waves by the shock wave emitter assembly comprises generating a first shock wave at a first spark gap between a conductive sheath and a distal face of a first wire and generating a second shock wave at a second spark gap between the conductive sheath and a distal face of a second wire.",
"16. The method of claim 15, wherein the first step of breaking apart the occlusion includes generating shock waves by the shock wave emitter assembly.",
"17. A method for treating occlusions in vasculature with a shock wave catheter, comprising:\nadvancing the shock wave catheter to an occlusion in a blood vessel such that a distal end of the shock wave catheter faces the occlusion; and\ngenerating shock waves by a shock wave emitter assembly enclosed within an enclosure proximate to the distal end of the shock wave catheter such that the shock waves propagate through the enclosure and impinge on the occlusion, wherein generating shock waves by the shock wave emitter assembly comprises generating a first shock wave at a first spark gap between a conductive sheath and a distal face of a first wire and generating a second shock wave at a second spark gap between the conductive sheath and a distal face of a second wire.",
"18. The method of claim 17, comprising circulating fluid through the enclosure to prevent bubbles from becoming trapped within a distal portion of the shock wave catheter.",
"19. The method of claim 17, wherein the shock waves break up the occlusion."
],
[
"1. A system, comprising:\na tubular catheter member having an open distal end and an inner diameter defining a catheter lumen;\na vacuum source operably coupled to the tubular catheter member to impart a vacuum within the catheter lumen to aspirate a thrombus within a vascular lumen;\na rotational drive system;\na flexible shaft having a channel operably coupled to the rotational drive system, the flexible shaft configured for rotational movement in response to a rotational driving force applied to the flexible shaft by the rotational drive system, the flexible shaft at least partially disposed within the tubular catheter member and configured for uncoupled rotational and translational motion therein; and\nan adjustment system configured to move the flexible shaft relative to the tubular catheter member between positions including the flexible shaft being inside, outside, and even with the tubular catheter member.",
"2. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a guidewire member selectively inserted at least partially within the flexible shaft.",
"3. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a sleeve member at least partially disposed over the flexible shaft.",
"4. The system according to claim 3, wherein at least one of the flexible shaft and the sleeve member is operably coupled to a fluid source for delivery of a fluid.",
"5. The system according to claim 1, further comprising:\na guidewire member selectively insertable at least partially within the flexible shaft; and\na sleeve member at least partially disposed over the flexible shaft.",
"6. The system according to claim 5, wherein the flexible shaft, the guidewire member, and the sleeve member are configured to be collectively flexible to permit navigation of the flexible shaft beyond a distal end of the tubular catheter member and to provide scaffolding support for coaxial advancement of the tubular catheter member.",
"7. The system according to claim 5, wherein at least one of the flexible shaft, the guidewire member, and the sleeve member comprises at least one fluoroscopic marker.",
"8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the flexible shaft is configured to be flexible to permit navigation of the flexible shaft beyond a distal end of the tubular catheter member and to provide scaffolding support for coaxial advancement of the tubular catheter member.",
"9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the flexible shaft is actuated by the rotational drive system to facilitate advancement by at least one of oscillation, clockwise rotation, counterclockwise rotation, vibration, and translational motion.",
"10. The system according to claim 1, wherein the rotational drive system is configured to selectively rotate the flexible shaft at a speed between about 10,000 RPM and about 90,000 RPM.",
"11. The system according to claim 1, wherein the rotational drive system is configured to rotate the flexible shaft such that the flexible shaft acts synergistically with the vacuum source to engage the thrombus into the tubular catheter member and create shear stress following an inward spiral path to further aspirate the thrombus.",
"12. The system according to claim 1, wherein the flexible shaft comprises one or more eccentric features on the flexible shaft configured to induce translational motion of the flexible shaft.",
"13. The system according to claim 1, wherein the flexible shaft defines a varying cross-sectional configuration along a length thereof.",
"14. The system according to claim 1, wherein the flexible shaft comprises a thrombectomy enhancement feature selected from the group consisting of cutting geometries, surface features, hydraulic inducing feature, and deployable elements.",
"15. The system according to claim 1, wherein the flexible shaft comprises a friction reducing feature to minimize friction between the flexible shaft and the tubular catheter member.",
"16. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a detection mechanism configured to detect and inform a completeness of a removal of the thrombus by monitoring at least one of: a pressure within at least one of the flexible shaft, the tubular catheter member, and the vacuum source; a torque of the flexible shaft; a force of the flexible shaft; a power draw of the rotational drive system; a power draw of the vacuum pump; an electric current of the rotational drive system; an electric current of the vacuum pump; or an acoustic frequency or magnitude produced by the system.",
"17. A system, comprising:\na tubular catheter member having an open distal end and an inner diameter defining a catheter lumen;\na vacuum source operably coupled to the tubular catheter member to impart a vacuum within the catheter lumen to aspirate a thrombus within a vascular lumen;\na rotational drive system;\na flexible shaft having a channel operably coupled to the rotational drive system, the flexible shaft configured for rotational movement in response to a rotational driving force applied to the flexible shaft by the rotational drive system, the flexible shaft at least partially disposed within the tubular catheter member and configured (1) for rotational motion therein and (2) to define orbital motion in response to a rotational driving force by the rotational drive system that results in formation of hydrodynamic vortices within the catheter lumen, the flexible shaft configured to assume a corkscrew shape in response to the rotational driving force applied by the rotational drive system and the hydrodynamic vortices that further results in orbital movement of the flexible shaft and high frequency excitation of the flexible shaft that induces high frequency, low amplitude vibration of the tubular catheter member.",
"18. The system according to claim 17, wherein the hydrodynamic vortices define a steep pressure gradient obliquely oriented in the catheter lumen and rotating inside the tubular catheter member which generates a torsional indraft pull following a spiral inward pathway to anchor, pull, and fragment the thrombus.",
"19. A system, comprising:\na tubular catheter member having an open distal end and an inner diameter defining a catheter lumen;\na vacuum source operably coupled to the tubular catheter member to impart a vacuum within the catheter lumen to aspirate a thrombus within a vascular lumen;\na rotational drive system; and\na flexible shaft having a channel operably coupled to the rotational drive system, the flexible shaft configured for rotational movement in response to a rotational driving force applied to the flexible shaft by the rotational drive system, the flexible shaft at least partially disposed within the tubular catheter member and configured (1) for rotational motion therein and (2) to define orbital motion in response to a rotational driving force by the rotational drive system that results in formation of hydrodynamic vortices within the catheter lumen that define a steep pressure gradient obliquely oriented in the catheter lumen and rotating inside the tubular catheter member that in turn generates a torsional indraft pull following a spiral inward pathway to anchor, pull, or fragment the thrombus.",
"20. A system, comprising:\na tubular catheter member having an open distal end and an inner diameter defining a catheter lumen;\na vacuum source operably coupled to the tubular catheter member to impart a vacuum within the catheter lumen to aspirate a thrombus within a vascular lumen;\na rotational drive system; and\na flexible shaft having a channel operably coupled to the rotational drive system, the flexible shaft configured for rotational movement in response to a rotational driving force applied to the flexible shaft by the rotational drive system, the flexible shaft at least partially disposed within the tubular catheter member and configured for uncoupled rotational and translational motion therein, the flexible shaft including one or more eccentric features configured to induce translational motion of the flexible shaft.",
"21. The system according to claim 20, further comprising a sleeve member at least partially disposed over the flexible shaft.",
"22. The system according to claim 20, further comprising a guidewire member selectively inserted at least partially within the flexible shaft."
],
[
"1. A system to deliver energy to treat a mobile calculus, the system comprising:\na drill configured to drill a recess into the mobile calculus or a passage through the mobile calculus; and\na transducer configured to be advanced into the recess or the passage and to transmit the energy internal to the mobile calculus to fragment the mobile calculus\nwherein at least a portion of the drill is located at a distal end portion of a delivery member having an elongate shaft that is deliverable to a treatment site through a working channel, and wherein the transducer and the drill are coupled to the elongate shaft with the transducer located proximal of the drill.",
"2. The system of claim 1, wherein the transducer includes an acoustic transducer.",
"3. The system of claim 1, comprising a capture portion configured to constrain movement of at least a portion of the mobile calculus relative to the capture portion.",
"4. The system of claim 3, wherein the capture portion is configured to capture at least a portion of the fragmented mobile calculus to be removed.",
"5. The system of claim 3, wherein the capture portion is located at a distal end portion of the elongate shaft, and wherein the capture portion is configured to be advanced through the working channel and to be deployed distal of the mobile calculus.",
"6. The system of claim 3, wherein the capture portion includes a deformable strut configured to expand into a deployed position.",
"7. The system of claim 3, wherein the capture portion includes a receiving opening configured to receive the mobile calculus.",
"8. The system of claim 3, wherein the capture portion includes a receiving opening and a closure member, and wherein the capture portion is deployable from a compressed state when positioned in the working channel to a receiving state when deployed distally from the working channel, and wherein in the receiving state the capture portion is configured to receive the mobile calculus through the receiving opening, and wherein when the closure member is actuated, the receiving opening deforms to enable the capture portion to constrain the mobile calculus in a captured state.",
"9. The system of claim 1, wherein:\nthe delivery member having the elongate shaft includes a tubular structure including a surface and a fluid delivery channel extending therethrough, the fluid delivery channel in fluid communication with a fluid port in the surface, wherein the fluid port is configured to provide fluid into the recess or the passage to deteriorate the mobile calculus, and wherein the drill and the transducer are coupled to the elongate shaft.",
"10. The system of claim 9, wherein the fluid port includes a plurality of fluid ports that are longitudinally spaced apart along a length of the elongate shaft.",
"11. The system of claim 9, wherein the fluid port includes a plurality of fluid ports that are radially spaced apart around the elongate shaft.",
"12. The system of claim 1, further comprising:\na delivery member having an elongate shaft including a tubular structure and a fluid delivery channel extending therethrough, wherein the drill is located at a distal end of the elongate shaft, and wherein the drill comprises a fluid port that is in fluid communication with the fluid delivery channel, the fluid port configured to supply a fluid to drill the recess or the passage in the mobile calculus.",
"13. A method to treat a mobile calculus in a patient, the method comprising:\ndrilling a hole in the mobile calculus with a drill to create a recess into the mobile calculus or a passage through the mobile calculus, the drill coupled to a distal end portion of an elongate shaft that is deliverable to a treatment site through a working channel;\nadvancing an acoustic transducer into the recess or the passage, the acoustic transducer being coupled to the elongate shaft proximal of the drill; and\nexciting the acoustic transducer to transmit acoustic energy to the mobile calculus to fragment the mobile calculus.",
"14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:\ndeploying a capture portion configured to receive and constrain at least a portion of the mobile calculus.",
"15. The method of claim 13, further comprising:\ndeploying a capture portion including a receiving opening;\nreceiving the mobile calculus into the receiving opening to capture the mobile calculus;\nconstraining movement of the mobile calculus relative to the acoustic transducer; and\nexciting the acoustic transducer.",
"16. The method of claim 13, further comprising:\ncapturing at least portion of the fragmented mobile calculus and removing the mobile calculus from the patient.",
"17. The method of claim 13, further comprising:\nsuctioning a region around at least a portion of the fragmented mobile calculus to move at least a portion of the fragmented mobile calculus into a working channel.",
"18. The method of claim 13, further comprising:\nproviding fluid through a delivery member having a tubular structure including a surface and a fluid delivery channel extending therethrough, the fluid delivery channel in fluid communication with a fluid port in the surface, wherein providing the fluid causes the fluid to be dispensed from the fluid port into the recess or the passage to cause deterioration of the mobile calculus.",
"19. A system to deliver energy to treat a mobile calculus, the system comprising:\na drill configured to drill a recess into the mobile calculus or a passage through the mobile calculus; and\nan energy emitter configured to be advanced into the recess or the passage and to transmit energy internal to the mobile calculus to fragment the mobile calculus\nwherein at least a portion of the drill is located at a distal end portion of a delivery member having an elongate shaft that is deliverable to a treatment site through a working channel, and wherein the energy emitter and the drill are coupled to the elongate shaft with the energy emitter located proximal of the drill.",
"20. The system of claim 19, wherein the energy emitter includes at least one of an acoustic transducer, an optoacoustic transducer, a laser node or a fluid jet.",
"21. The system of claim 19, wherein the energy emitter emits energy in a lateral direction."
],
[
"1. A method for performing balloon angioplasty, the method comprising the steps of:\n(a) inserting a balloon catheter into a target coronary segment partially occluded with plaque, the balloon catheter having a dilation balloon with at least one abrasive structure operably positioned on an exterior of the dilation balloon and a laser light source within the dilation balloon, wherein the at least one abrasive structure comprises a wire abrasive;\n(b) inflating the dilation balloon with a contrast medium;\n(c) vibrating the wire abrasive by emitting 308 nm laser light from the laser light source, thereby creating pressure waves that propagate through the contrast medium and causing the wire abrasive to vibrate; and\nwhereby the inflating and/or inflated dilation balloon crushes softer portions of the plaque and vibrating the wire abrasive abrades relative harder or calcified portions of the plaque.",
"2. The method according to claim 1, wherein step (a) further comprises the steps of:\n(a1) inserting a guide wire into a vasculature system and past the target coronary segment; and\n(a2) translating the balloon catheter over the guide wire to the target coronary segment.",
"3. The method according to claim 2, wherein step (a2) comprises translating the laser light source along with the balloon catheter over the guide wire to the target coronary segment, a distal end of the laser light source terminating in the middle of the dilation balloon.",
"4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the laser light is emitted from the distal end of the laser light source, and wherein the laser light is generated from an excimer laser.",
"5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of assisting the crushing of the softer portions of the plaque by the pressure waves propagating within the dilation balloon.",
"6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the laser light source comprises a laser generator and a laser fiber comprising a proximal end connected to the laser generator and a distal end terminating in the middle of the dilation balloon, wherein step (c) further comprises:\nvibrating the wire abrasive by emitting the 308 nm laser light from the distal end of the laser fiber, thereby creating the pressure waves that propagate through the contrast medium and causing the wire abrasive to vibrate.",
"7. The method according to claim 1, wherein step (b) further inflating the dilation balloon to a pressure ranging between 5 to 10 atmospheres.",
"8. The method according to claim 1, wherein emitting the 308 nm laser light from the laser light source comprises emitting 308 nm laser light pulses.",
"9. A method for performing balloon angioplasty, the method comprising the steps of:\n(a) inserting a balloon catheter into a target coronary segment partially occluded with plaque, the balloon catheter having a dilation balloon with at least one abrasive structure operably positioned on an exterior of the dilation balloon and a laser light source within the dilation balloon, wherein the at least one abrasive structure comprises a wire abrasive;\n(b) inflating the dilation balloon with a contrast medium;\n(c) vibrating the wire abrasive by emitting 308 nm laser light from the laser light source, thereby creating pressure waves that propagate through the contrast medium and causing the wire abrasive to vibrate; and\nwhereby the pressure waves facilitate crushing softer portions of the plaque and vibrating the wire abrasive abrades relative harder or calcified portions of the plaque.",
"10. The method according to claim 9, wherein step (a) further comprises the steps of:\n(a1) inserting a guide wire into a vasculature system and past the target coronary segment; and\n(a2) translating the balloon catheter over the guide wire to the target coronary segment.",
"11. The method according to claim 9, wherein the laser light is emitted from a distal end of the laser light source, and wherein the laser light is generated from an excimer laser.",
"12. The method according to claim 9, wherein the laser light source comprises a laser generator and a laser fiber comprising a proximal end connected to the laser generator and a distal end terminating in the middle of the dilation balloon, wherein step (c) further comprises:\nvibrating the wire abrasive by emitting the 308 nm laser light from the distal end of the laser fiber, thereby creating the pressure waves that propagate through the contrast medium and causing the wire abrasive to vibrate.",
"13. The method according to claim 9, wherein emitting the 308 nm laser light from the laser light source comprises emitting 308 nm laser light pulses.",
"14. The method according to claim 9, wherein the wire abrasive forms a helical pattern.",
"15. A balloon catheter, comprising:\na dilation balloon;\nat least one abrasive structure operably positioned on an exterior of the dilation balloon wherein the at least one abrasive structure comprises a wire abrasive;\na laser light source terminating at a distal end in the interior of the dilation balloon, wherein laser light generated by the laser light source is 308 nm laser; and\na contrast medium for inflating the dilation balloon;\nwhereby, as and/or after the dilation balloon is inflated with the contrast medium, the laser light source transmits the laser light into the contrast medium creating pressure waves that propagate through the contrast medium causing the wire abrasive to vibrate.",
"16. The balloon catheter according to claim 15, wherein the laser light source further comprises:\na laser generator configured to generate the laser light; and\na laser fiber translated along with the dilation balloon to a target coronary segment, the laser fiber comprising a proximal end connected to the laser generator and the distal end of the laser light source.",
"17. The balloon catheter according to claim 16, wherein the laser generator is an excimer laser generator.",
"18. The balloon catheter according to claim 15, wherein the wire abrasive forms a helical pattern.",
"19. A balloon catheter, comprising:\na dilation balloon;\nat least one scoring element operably disposed over exterior of the dilation balloon, wherein the at least one scoring element comprises a wire abrasive;\nan optical fiber having a distal end, wherein the distal end is disposed in the interior of the dilation balloon, wherein the optical fiber emits light having a 308 nm wavelength; and\nwhereby, upon the dilation balloon being inflated with a contrast medium, the optical fiber transmits the light into the contrast medium creating pressure waves that propagate through the contrast medium.",
"20. The balloon catheter according to claim 19, wherein the wire abrasive forms a helical pattern."
],
[
"1. A device for delivering high amplitude and broadband mechanical pulses to treat a lesion present in a blood vessel, comprising:\na catheter body extending between a first proximal end and a first distal end along a longitudinal axis;\nan inflatable balloon secured to the catheter body and being adjustable between an inflated configuration and a deflated configuration, the inflatable balloon being fluidly connectable to a source of fluid for varying a configuration of the balloon; and\nat least one mechanical waveguide extending between a second proximal end operatively connectable to a source of high amplitude and broadband mechanical pulses and a second distal end for propagating the high amplitude and broadband mechanical pulses from the second proximal end to the second distal end, the mechanical waveguide being secured to at least a portion of the catheter body between the first proximal end and the first distal end thereof.",
"2. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one mechanical waveguide is secured to one of an internal face and an external face of the inflatable balloon.",
"3. The device of claim 2, wherein the second distal end of the at least one mechanical waveguide is coplanar with the first distal end of the catheter body when the inflatable balloon is inflated.",
"4. The device of claim 2, wherein the second distal end of the at least one mechanical waveguide projects from the first distal end of the catheter body when the inflatable balloon is inflated.",
"5. The device of claim 2, wherein the second distal end of the at least one mechanical waveguide is located between the proximal and distal ends of the catheter body when the inflatable balloon is inflated.",
"6. The device of claim 2, wherein the at least one mechanical waveguide is movably secured to the one of the internal face and the external face of the inflatable balloon.",
"7. The device of claim 2, further comprising at least one deflector facing the second distal end of a respective one of the at least one mechanical waveguide, and wherein the at least one deflector is adapted to deflect the mechanical pulses radially.",
"8. The device of claim 1, wherein at least a section of the at least one mechanical waveguide is inserted inside the inflatable balloon.",
"9. The device of claim 8, wherein the inflatable balloon comprises an internal wall facing the catheter body and an external wall comprising at least one aperture on a distal face thereof, the at least one mechanical waveguide extending at least partially between the internal and external walls each through a respective one of the at least one aperture.",
"10. The device of claim 9, wherein the internal wall has a substantially circular cross-section shape and the external wall defines at least one protrusion each receiving a respective one of the at least one mechanical waveguide.",
"11. The device of claim 9, wherein the external wall has a substantially circular cross-section shape and the internal wall defines at least one recess each receiving a respective one of the at least one mechanical waveguide.",
"12. The device of claim 8, wherein the catheter body comprises an internal wall and an external wall spaced apart from the internal wall, the at least one mechanical waveguide being inserted between the internal and external walls, the external wall comprising at least one aperture and the at least one mechanical waveguide being inserted into a respective one of the at least one aperture so as to partially extend within the inflatable balloon.",
"13. The device of claim 12, wherein the at least one mechanical waveguide is sealingly inserted into the respective one of the at least one aperture.",
"14. The device of claim 12, wherein the second distal end of the at least one mechanical waveguide is positioned within the inflatable balloon.",
"15. The device of claim 14, further comprising at least one deflector facing the second distal end of a respective one of the at least one mechanical waveguide.",
"16. The device of claim 12, wherein the inflatable balloon comprises at least one hole and the second distal end of the at least one mechanical waveguide is sealingly inserted into a respective one of the at least one hole.",
"17. The device of claim 16, wherein the second distal end of the at least one mechanical waveguide projects outside of the inflatable balloon.",
"18. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one mechanical waveguide comprises a plurality of mechanical waveguides.",
"19. The device of claim 18, wherein the mechanical waveguides are arranged according to at least two rows when the inflatable balloon is in the deflated configuration and according a single row when the inflatable balloon is in the inflated configuration.",
"20. The device of claim 1, further comprising at least one waveguide tube in which a respective one of the at least one mechanical waveguide is inserted.",
"21. The device of claim 1, wherein an external face of the inflatable balloon is coated with one of: a drug, a hydrophilic coating, a hydrophobic coating and a friction reducing coating.",
"22. The device of claim 1, further comprising at least one optical fiber for delivery of laser energy.",
"23. The device of claim 1, wherein a distal tip at the second distal end of the at least one mechanical waveguide is not secured to the catheter body and the inflatable balloon."
],
[
"1. A method of treating calcified lesions in the wall of a vessel comprising the steps of:\nproviding a catheter including a hollow sheath for receiving a guidewire, said catheter including a dilating balloon sealed at the distal end thereof, said dilating balloon being fillable with a liquid, said catheter further including a pair of spaced apart electrodes located within the balloon and outside the hollow sheath;\nadvancing the catheter into the vessel until the balloon is in proximity to the calcified lesion;\ninflating the balloon with the liquid to fix the balloon to the wall of the vessel;\nsupplying a voltage pulse across the electrode pair, the pulse have a duration on the order of microseconds, the voltage pulse having sufficient energy to create a plasma arc across the spaced apart electrodes resulting in the formation of a shock wave that passes through the balloon to the calcified lesion; and\nrepeating the supplying step a plurality of times sufficient to crack the calcified lesion with the shock waves such that the dilating balloon expands the vessel.",
"2. The method of claim 1 wherein said advancing step is performed by advancing the catheter over a guide wire positioned within the hollow sheath.",
"3. The method of claim 1 where the voltage pulse is between 100 and 1,000 volts.",
"4. The method of claim 1 wherein the electrode pair is spaced apart radially.",
"5. The method of claim 1 wherein the electrode pair is spaced apart longitudinally.",
"6. The method of claim 1 wherein cracking of the calcified lesion comprises pulverizing at least a portion of the calcified lesion.",
"7. The method of claim 1 wherein the liquid is conductive.",
"8. The method of claim 1 wherein the liquid is saline.",
"9. The method of claim 1 wherein one electrode in the pair is larger than the other electrode in the pair.",
"10. The method of claim 1 further including a power source for supplying high voltage pulses to the electrodes.",
"11. The method of claim 1 further including sensing reflecting signals to determine the quality of the calcification and/or the quality of the pulverization of the calcified lesion.",
"12. The method of claim 1 wherein said catheter further includes a reflector for directing the angle of the shock waves."
],
[
"48. A device for percutaneous endarterectomy comprising:\na catheter having a lumen;\none or more guidewires for threading through a subintimal space of an artery, wherein the guidewires pass through the lumen of the catheter; and\nan expandable separator device comprising a hollow cylinder folded onto an elongated member, wherein the separator when deployed assumes a cylindrical shape with an overlap of both ends over a slit.",
"49. The device of claim 48 wherein the expansion of the separator device separates a plaque from the arterial wall.",
"50. The device of claim 48 further comprising a cutting tool.",
"51. The device of claim 48 further comprising a grinder mounted on a distal end of the catheter.",
"52. The device of claim 48 further comprising a grinder deployable through the lumen of the catheter.",
"59. A device for inserting one or more guidewires into a subintimal space of an artery comprising:\na catheter having a lumen, a distal end and a tip at the distal end;\na pushing element at the tip of said catheter;\na balloon proximal to said pushing element; and\none or more guidewire catheters adjacent and parallel to said catheter, said guidewire catheter passing over balloon and configured to assume an orientation essentially parallel to longitudinal axis of distal catheter or up to approximately 5 degrees outward of said axis.",
"60. The device of claim 59, wherein said pushing element is a balloon.",
"61. The device of claim 60, wherein said balloon is moveable relative to said catheter.",
"62. The device of claim 59, wherein pushing element comprises an expandable metal element.",
"63. A method for inserting one or more guidewires into subintimal space, comprising identifying a lesion, bringing the device of 59 proximate to lesion, inflating proximal balloon, applying tension by the pushing element, pushing guidewire forward into subintimal space.",
"64. The method of claim 63 further comprising application of suction on the area between the proximal and distal balloon prior to the pushing the guidewire into subintimal space.",
"65. The method of claim 63 further comprising verification of guidewire insertion into subintimal space by use of angiography.",
"66. A method for removal of a plaque comprising inserting one or more guidewires using the device of claim 59 and rotating the one or more guidewires around the plaque, first forward until the one or more guidewires re-enter the lumen and then backwards to remove the plaque.",
"67. The device of claim 48 wherein the expandable separator further comprises an inflatable balloon constructed of multiple longitudinal chambers having a trapezoid cross-section and connected to each other side by side.",
"68. The device of claim 48 wherein the guidewire is configured to extend through a lumen of the artery on the proximal side and distal side of a lesion and is configured to extend through the subintimal space along the length of the lesion.",
"69. The device of claim 48 further comprising one or more markers, the one or more markers configured to ascertain the orientation of the device.",
"70. The device of claim 48 wherein the expandable separator further comprises transverse longitudinal strips, each having a slight curvature, such that when inflated, the device assumes a flat shape with only slight radius of curvature.",
"71. The device of claim 48 wherein the expandable separator further comprises multiple arched wires stemming off both sides of a central longitudinal spine, and a sheath covering the arched wires, wherein the sheath is configured to hold the arched wires flat adjacent to the spine in an undeployed position.",
"72. The device of claim 71 wherein the arched wires are formed of nitinol.",
"73. A method of percutaneous endarterectomy comprising:\n(a) accessing an artery having an atherosclerotic plaque nearby the plaque with a device comprising:\na shaft configured to pass through the lumen of a catheter, having a distal end, and\none or more expandable fingers having a proximal and distal end with the proximal end of the one or more fingers attached to the distal end of the shaft,\nwherein the fingers are configured to remove an atherosclerotic plaque by peeling the plaque at the subintimal space without performing an incision into the subintimal space and without use of a blade,\nwherein the distal end of the expandable fingers when expanded is substantially parallel to the shaft;\n(b) peeling the plaque at the subintimal space without performing an incision into the subintimal space and without use of a blade;\n(c) separating the plaque from the arterial wall around its circumference and along its length;\n(d) cutting the intima connecting the distal part of the plaque to the arterial wall; and\n(e) locally treating the exposed media after cutting by instillation of endothelial progenitor cells, stem cells, other cells or substances."
],
[
"1. An apparatus for forming an intervertebral disc prosthesis in situ, the apparatus comprising:\na mold adapted to be delivered to an intervertebral disc space using minimally invasive techniques through an annulus, the mold having one or more exterior surfaces and one or more interior cavities, at least one of the interior cavities being adapted to receive a curable biomaterial;\nat least first and second lumens fluidly coupled with an interior cavity of the mold, the first lumen adapted to deliver biomaterial, and the second lumen adapted to evacuate fluid from the at least one interior cavity;\na flowable, curable biomaterial deliverable to the mold through at least one lumen;\nat least one biomaterial delivery apparatus adapted to deliver at least one flowable biomaterial to the mold through the at least one lumen while the mold is located in the intervertebral disc space; and\nan endpoint monitor adapted to provide an indication of an endpoint for biomaterial delivery.",
"2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the endpoint monitor comprises an indication of at least one of pressure or volume of the biomaterial.",
"3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the endpoint monitor comprises an indication of volume of biomaterial delivered.",
"4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the biomaterial delivery apparatus comprises a manual dispenser gun and the endpoint monitor comprises a tactile sense from the manual dispenser gun provided during the course of biomaterial delivery.",
"5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the endpoint monitor comprises an indication of distraction of the intervertebral disc space.",
"6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the endpoint monitor comprises an indication of working time needed for polymer injection.",
"7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the mold comprises a porous structure.",
"8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the endpoint monitor comprises an indication of biomaterial flowing through the porous structure.",
"9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the mold comprises a biodegradable material.",
"10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the mold comprises radiopaque portions.",
"11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one lumen comprises radiopaque portions.",
"12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the mold is fabricated from a substantially non-compliant material.",
"13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the mold is fabricated from a substantially compliant material.",
"14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the mold comprises regions with compliant properties and regions with non-compliant properties.",
"15. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the mold is fabricated from a substantially elastic material.",
"16. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the mold is fabricated from a substantially non-elastic material.",
"17. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the mold comprises elastic properties and non-elastic properties at different regions.",
"18. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the mold comprises a reinforcing mesh.",
"19. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the mold comprises a lateral portion that is sufficiently non-compliant, and superior and inferior portions that are sufficiently compliant so as to permit a distraction force generated upon biomaterial delivery to be generally along an axis of the spine.",
"20. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the mold comprises two or more layers of materials having the same or different levels of expandability.",
"21. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the mold comprises a predetermined shape.",
"22. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the filled mold comprises a cross-sectional area substantially larger than an opening formed to deliver the mold through an annulus into an intervertebral disc space using minimally invasive techniques.",
"23. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the expandable mold includes two or more layers formed from materials having different properties.",
"24. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the mold provides an exterior surface adapted to facilitate tissue in-growth.",
"25. The apparatus of claim 1 comprising bioactive agents located in the intervertebral disc space.",
"26. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein the bioactive agents are selected from the group consisting of growth factors, angiogenic factors and immune system suppressors.",
"27. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the biomaterial delivery apparatus delivers the biomaterial at an initial delivery pressure at the mold greater than a subsequent delivery pressure.",
"28. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the flowable biomaterial comprises a plurality of components.",
"29. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the biomaterial comprises a plurality of biomaterial components and the biomaterial delivery apparatus is adapted to mix a plurality of biomaterial components.",
"30. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the biomaterial delivery apparatus permits the mold to be inflated more than or less than the entire volume of a nuclear cavity in the intervertebral disc space.",
"31. The apparatus of claim 1 comprising at least one lumen adapted to deliver a curable biomaterial in the intervertebral disc space outside of the mold.",
"32. The apparatus of claim 31 wherein the biomaterial located in the intervertebral disc space outside of the mold is different from the biomaterial located in the mold.",
"33. The apparatus of claim 31 wherein the biomaterial located in the mold is more flexible than the biomaterial located in the intervertebral disc space outside of the mold.",
"34. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the biomaterial delivery apparatus is adapted to purge a volume of biomaterial prior to delivery to the mold.",
"35. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second lumen extends out of the intervertebral disc space through the annulus.",
"36. The apparatus of claim 1 comprising a valve adapted to control the evacuation of fluid from the at least one interior cavity.",
"37. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the intervertebral disc prosthesis comprises a prosthesis disc nucleus.",
"38. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the intervertebral disc prosthesis comprises a total disc prosthesis.",
"39. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the intervertebral disc prosthesis comprises a combination of nucleus prosthesis and at least a portion annulus prosthesis.",
"40. An apparatus for forming a total disc prosthesis in situ, the apparatus comprising:\na mold adapted to be delivered to an intervertebral disc space, the mold having one or more exterior surfaces and one or more interior cavities, at least one of the interior cavities being adapted to receive a curable biomaterial;\nat least first and second lumens fluidly coupled with an interior cavity of the mold, the first lumen adapted to deliver biomaterial, and the second lumen adapted to evacuate fluid from the at least one interior cavity;\na flowable, curable biomaterial deliverable to the mold through at least one lumen;\nat least one biomaterial delivery apparatus adapted to deliver at least one flowable biomaterial to the mold through the at least one lumen while the mold is located in the intervertebral disc space; and\nan endpoint monitor adapted to provide an indication of an endpoint for biomaterial delivery.",
"41. The apparatus of claim 1 comprising a mesh incorporated into the mold.",
"42. The apparatus of claim 1 comprising a mesh extending around a perimeter of the mold."
],
[
"1. An implantable device comprising a coating, the coating comprising a biodegradable triblock copolymer of the structure A-B-A′,\nwherein:\nthe A and A′ blocks each independently are hard blocks having a Tg or Tm above body temperature;\nthe B block is a soft block having a Tg less than the Tg or Tm of the A and A′ blocks;\nthe A, B and A′ blocks each independently have a polymer number-average molecular weight (Mn) from about 1 kDa to about 500 kDa;\nthe A and A′ blocks may be the same or different; and\nthe B block comprises a polyketal polymer of the structure:\nwherein:\nR1 is a poly(caprolactone) diol or a C2-C24 diol of the structure, —O—R2—, where R2 is an optionally substituted aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, cycloaliphatic, heterocycloaliphatic, aromatic or heteroaromatic group, a residue thereof, or a combination thereof; and\nn is an integer from about 5 to about 5,000.",
"2. The implantable device of claim 1, wherein the tensile modulus of the hard A and A′ blocks independently is greater than about 1,000 MPa, and the tensile modulus of the soft B block is less than about 1,000 MPa.",
"3. The implantable device of claim 1, wherein the weight fraction of the A and A′ blocks is from about 1% to about 99% of the triblock copolymer.",
"4. The implantable device of claim 1, wherein the A, B and A′ blocks each independently comprise a polymer comprising from one to four different types of monomer, wherein each type of monomer has from about 5 to about 5,000 monomer units.",
"5. The implantable device of claim 1, wherein the A and A′ blocks are the same.",
"6. The implantable device of claim 1, wherein the A and A′ blocks are different.",
"7. The implantable device of claim 1, wherein the B block is immiscible with the A and A′ blocks.",
"8. The implantable device of claim 1, further comprising at least one dihydroxyaryl group conjugated to the polymer ends of the triblock copolymer.",
"9. The implantable device of claim 8, wherein the at least one dihydroxyaryl group contains a 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl moiety.",
"10. The implantable device of claim 1, further comprising at least one biocompatible moiety.",
"11. The implantable device of claim 10, wherein the at least one biocompatible moiety is selected from the group consisting of poly(ethylene oxide), polypropylene glycol), poly(tetramethylene glycol), poly(ethylene oxide-co-propylene oxide), ε-caprolactone, β-butyrolactone, δ-valerolactone, glycolide, poly(N-vinyl pyrrolidone), poly(acrylamide methyl propane sulfonic acid) and salts thereof, poly(styrene sulfonate), sulfonated dextran, polyphosphazenes, poly(orthoesters), poly(tyrosine carbonate), sialic acid, hyaluronic acid or derivatives thereof, copolymers of poly(ethylene glycol) with hyaluronic acid or derivatives thereof, heparin, copolymers of polyethylene glycol with heparin, a graft copolymer of poly(L-lysine) and poly(ethylene glycol), and copolymers thereof.",
"12. The implantable device of claim 1, further comprising at least one additional biologically absorbable polymer.",
"13. The implantable device of claim 12, wherein the at least one additional biologically absorbable polymer is selected from the group consisting of poly(hydroxybutyrate), poly(hydroxyvalerate), poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-valerate), poly(caprolactone), poly(lactide-co-glycolide), poly(ethylene-glycol)-block-poly(butyleneterephthalate), poly(ethylene-glycol)-block-poly(butylene terephthalate)-block-poly(ethylene-glycol), poly(butyleneterephthalate)-block-poly(ethylene-glycol)-block poly(butyleneterephthalate), poly(ethylene-glycol)-block-poly(caprolactone), poly(ethylene-glycol)-block-poly(caprolactone)-block-poly(ethylene-glycol), poly(caprolactone)-block-poly(ethylene-glycol)-block-poly(caprolactone), and blends thereof.",
"14. The implantable device of claim 1, further comprising at least one biologically active agent selected from the group consisting of antiproliferative, antineoplastic, antimitotic, anti-inflammatory, antiplatelet, anticoagulant, antifibrin, antithrombin, antibiotic, antiallergic and antioxidant substances.",
"15. The implantable device of claim 14, wherein the at least one biologically active agent is selected from the group consisting of paclitaxel, docetaxel, estradiol, nitric oxide donors, super oxide dismutases, super oxide dismutase mimics, 4-amino-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (4-amino-TEMPO), tacrolimus, dexamethasone, rapamycin, rapamycin derivatives, 40-O-(2-hydroxy)ethyl-rapamycin (everolimus), 40-O-(2-ethoxy)ethyl-rapamycin (biolimus), 40-O-(3-hydroxy)propyl-rapamycin, 40-O-[2-(2-hydroxy)ethoxy]ethyl-rapamycin, 40-O-tetrazole-rapamycin, 40-epi-(N1-tetrazolyl)-rapamycin (zotarolimus), pimecrolimus, imatinib mesylate, midostaurin, clobetasol, progenitor cell-capturing antibodies, prohealing drugs, prodrugs thereof, co-drugs thereof, and combinations thereof.",
"16. The implantable device of claim 1, wherein the coating is of a thickness of ≦about 10 micron and loses about 100% of its mass within about 12 months.",
"17. The implantable device of claim 1, which is a stent.",
"18. The implantable device of claim 14, which is a stent.",
"19. The implantable device of claim 15, which is a stent.",
"20. A method of treating a patient in need of treatment of a disorder, the method comprising implanting in the patient the implantable medical device of claim 1, wherein the disorder is selected from the group consisting of atherosclerosis, thrombosis, restenosis, hemorrhage, vascular dissection, vascular perforation, vascular aneurysm, vulnerable plaque, chronic total occlusion, patent foramen ovale, claudication, anastomotic proliferation of vein and artificial grafts, bile duct obstruction, ureter obstruction, tumor obstruction, and combinations thereof.",
"21. A method of treating a patient in need of treatment of a disorder, the method comprising implanting in the patient the implantable medical device of claim 14, wherein the disorder is selected from the group consisting of atherosclerosis, thrombosis, restenosis, hemorrhage, vascular dissection, vascular perforation, vascular aneurysm, vulnerable plaque, chronic total occlusion, patent foramen ovale, claudication, anastomotic proliferation of vein and artificial grafts, bile duct obstruction, ureter obstruction, tumor obstruction, and combinations thereof.",
"22. The implantable device of claim 14, wherein the at least one biologically active agent is selected from the group consisting of paclitaxel, docetaxel, estradiol, 4-amino-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (4-amino-TEMPO), tacrolimus, dexamethasone, rapamycin, 40-O-(2-hydroxy)ethyl-rapamycin (everolimus), 40-O-(2-ethoxy)ethyl-rapamycin (biolimus), 40-O-(3-hydroxy)propyl-rapamycin, 40-O-[2-(2-hydroxy)ethoxy]ethyl-rapamycin, 40-O-tetrazole-rapamycin, 40-epi-(N1-tetrazolyl)-rapamycin (zotarolimus), pimecrolimus, imatinib mesylate, midostaurin, clobetasol, and combinations thereof."
],
[
"1. A medical device comprising:\nan expandable member having an outer surface; and\na sheath comprising a neckable element having a flattened form along the outer surface of the expandable member, the neckable element being a distinctive layer of material which has a width defined by edges of the distinctive layer of material such that when said distinctive layer of material is helically or circumferentially wrapped around said expandable member in an unexpanded state, the edges of said distinctive layer of material are overlapping or touching one another,\nwherein when said expandable member expands to the expanded state, the expandable member causes the neckable element to lengthen and the width of the distinctive layer to reduce such that the edges of said distinctive layer of material separate from one another, thereby exposing at least a portion of said outer surface.",
"2. The medical device of claim 1, wherein said neckable element comprises a tubular form having a lumen.",
"3. The medical device of claim 2, wherein said tubular form is helically wrapped.",
"4. The medical device of claim 2, further comprising a coating comprising a therapeutic agent disposed within the lumen of said tubular form.",
"5. The medical device of claim 1, further comprising a coating comprising a therapeutic agent disposed around said expandable member.",
"6. The medical device of claim 1, wherein said sheath covers 100% of the outer surface in a collapsed conformation and whereby upon expansion, said sheath covers less than 30% of the outer surface.",
"7. The medical device of claim 1, wherein said sheath covers 100% of the outer surface in a collapsed conformation and whereby upon expansion, said sheath covers less than 20% of the outer surface.",
"8. A method of delivering a therapeutic agent to a desired location within a vessel or an implanted endoprosthesis, comprising:\ninserting a catheter in a vessel, said catheter comprising:\nan expandable member comprising a coating with a therapeutic agent; and\na sheath disposed on said expandable member, wherein said sheath comprises at least one neckable element having a flattened form along the expandable member and comprising a strip of material which has a width defined by edges of the strip material such that when said strip of material is helically or circumferentially wrapped around said expandable member in an unexpanded state, the edges of said strip of material are overlapping or touching one another,\nwherein said coating is disposed interior to the sheath;\nadvancing said catheter to a desired location within said vessel; and\nexpanding the expandable member at the desired location within said vessel such that the expandable member causes said at least one neckable element to lengthen and the width of said strip of material to reduce such that the edges of said strip of material separate from one another, thereby exposing at least a portion of said coating.",
"9. The method of delivering a therapeutic agent of claim 8, wherein said neckable element comprises a tubular form having a lumen.",
"10. The method of delivering a therapeutic agent of claim 9, wherein said tubular form is helically wrapped.",
"11. The method of delivering a therapeutic agent of claim 9, further comprising a second coating disposed within the lumen of said tubular form.",
"12. The method of delivering a therapeutic agent of claim 8, wherein said sheath covers 100% of the coating in a collapsed conformation and whereby upon expansion, said sheath covers less than 30% of the coating.",
"13. The method of delivering a therapeutic agent of claim 8, wherein said sheath covers 100% of the coating in a collapsed conformation and whereby upon expansion, said sheath covers less than 20% of the coating.",
"14. The medical device of claim 1, wherein said sheath comprises ePTFE.",
"15. The medical device of claim 4, wherein said coating comprises at least one compound selected from the group consisting of benzethonium chloride, PEG, poloxamer, sodium salicylate, and hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin.",
"16. The medical device of claim 4, wherein said therapeutic agent is a hydrophilic agent.",
"17. The medical device of claim 4, wherein said therapeutic agent is a hydrophobic agent.",
"18. The medical device of claim 17, wherein hydrophobic agent is selected from the group consisting of taxane domain-binding drugs, such as paclitaxel, and rapamycin.",
"19. The medical device of claim 1, wherein said expandable member further comprises a structural layer.",
"20. The medical device of claim 19, wherein a said coating is disposed on said structural layer."
],
[
"1. A method of making a layered balloon comprising radially expanding, in a mold, a thermoplastic balloon preform and a fluoropolymeric tubular member comprising a porous microstructure, wherein the fluoropolymeric tubular member is disposed about the balloon preform and applying heat to the radially expanded balloon preform and the fluoropolymeric tubular member at a temperature at or above the glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic balloon preform but below the melt temperature of the thermoplastic balloon preform to form a layered balloon body.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the portions of an outermost polymeric layer of the fluoropolymeric tubular member and an underlying layer of the thermoplastic balloon preform within the mold become mechanically adhered while in a radially expanded state.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein the mold has an inner surface that defines one or more recesses and wherein the formed layered balloon body comprises one or more recessed regions on the outer surface formed by a section of the tubular member being forced against a non-recessed section of the inner surface of the mold while in a radially expanded state.",
"4. A method of making a composite balloon comprising radially expanding, in a mold, a thermoplastic balloon preform and applying heat to the radially expanded thermoplastic balloon preform at a temperature at or above the glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic balloon preform but below the melt temperature of the thermoplastic balloon preform to form a balloon body;\nremoving the balloon body from the mold;\nmechanically or manually pleating the balloon body;\nmechanically or manually folding the balloon body to a nominal diameter;\ninserting the balloon body into a fluoropolymeric tubular member comprising a porous microstructure, wherein the fluoropolymeric tubular member is disposed about the balloon body forming a composite structure;\nplacing said composite structure into a mold;\napplying heat and pressure to said composite structure forming a composite balloon;\nremoving said composite balloon from the mold.",
"5. The method of claim 4, wherein the portions of an outermost polymeric layer of the fluoropolymeric tubular member and an underlying layer of the thermoplastic balloon preform within the mold become mechanically adhered while in a radially expanded state.",
"6. The method of claim 4, wherein the balloon body is bonded to a catheter prior to the insertion of the balloon body into a fluoropolymeric tubular member comprising a porous microstructure, wherein the fluoropolymeric tubular member is disposed about the balloon body forming a composite structure.",
"7. The method of claim 4, further comprising applying one or more therapeutic agents to the balloon body prior to mounting on the catheter.",
"8. The method of claim 4, wherein the medical balloon is compliant, semi-compliant, or non-compliant.",
"9. The method of claim 4, wherein radially expanding the thermoplastic balloon preform to form the balloon body comprises radially expanding the thermoplastic balloon preform at a temperature at or above the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the thermoplastic balloon preform.",
"10. The method of claim 4, wherein radially expanding the thermoplastic balloon preform comprises radially expanding the thermoplastic balloon preform at a temperature within 100° C. of the Tg of the thermoplastic balloon preform.",
"11. The method of claim 4, wherein radially expanding the thermoplastic balloon preform to form the balloon body comprises radially expanding the thermoplastic balloon preform with an inflation fluid to a pressure of 10 bar to 60 bar for mold of 4 to 8 mm in diameter.",
"12. The method of claim 4, wherein the fluoropolymeric tubular member is a circumferentially or helically wrapped tube of a polymeric film.",
"13. The method of claim 4, where the fluoropolymeric tubular member is an expanded fluoropolymer.",
"14. An assembly for making a medical balloon comprising a balloon mold defining a chamber; a thermoplastic balloon preform; and\na polymeric tubular member comprising a porous microstructure, wherein the tubular member is disposed about the thermoplastic balloon preform and wherein at least a portion of the polymeric tubular member and the thermoplastic balloon preform are disposed within the chamber; and\nwherein the balloon mold comprises a plurality of relief features such that the medical balloon includes a plurality of recesses and a plurality of protrusions corresponding to the plurality of relief features.",
"15. A method of making a medical device comprising:\nforming a fluoropolymeric tubular member from a fluoropolymeric precursor material having a thickness from 5 to 25 pm and a mass per area from 9 to 11 g/m2;\nblow molding the fluoropolymeric tubular member to form a balloon; and\napplying a coating layer to at least a portion of an outer surface of the balloon to form the medical device,\nwherein the coating comprises a therapeutic agent and an excipient.",
"16. The method of claim 15, wherein the therapeutic agent comprises a radioopaque compound, an anti-thrombotic agent, an anti-inflammatory agent, anti-neoplastic/anti-proliferative/anti-mitotic agent, an anesthetic agent, vascular cell growth promotors, a vascular cell growth inhibitor, a prostacyclin analog, a cholesterol-lowering agent, an angiopoietin, an antimicrobial agent, a cytotoxic agent, a cytostatic agent, a cell proliferation affector, a vasodilating agent, an agent that interferes with endogenous vasoactive mechanisms, an inhibitor of leukocyte recruitment, a cytokine, or a hormone.",
"17. The method of claim 15, wherein the excipient comprises a non-polymeric organic additive comprising 4-aminobenzoic acid, saccharin, ascorbic acid, methyl paraben, caffeine, calcium salicylate, pentetic acid, creatinine, ethylurea, acetaminophen, aspirin, theobromine, tryptophan, succinic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, theophylline, or saccharin sodium.",
"18. The method of claim 15, wherein the outer surface of the balloon is plasma treated.",
"19. The method of claim 15, wherein the outer surface of the balloon is smooth.",
"20. The method of claim 15, wherein the fluoropolymeric tubular member comprises from 1 to 5 layers of the fluoropolymeric precursor material.",
"21. The method of claim 15, wherein the outer surface defines a plurality of recesses and protrusions and wherein the coating layer is applied to the recesses or the protrusions."
],
[
"1. A support catheter for use supporting a liquid core ablation catheter, comprising:\nan inner tubular layer comprising a thin wall liner comprising a low friction material, a base layer of high durometer material disposed over the thin wall liner and an inner lumen with an inner diameter which is configured to accommodate passage of the liquid core ablation catheter;\na braided layer disposed over an outer surface of the inner tubular layer;\nan outer layer covering the braided layer;\na total wall thickness of 0.005 inches or less; and\na torqueability, pushability and kink resistance sufficient to guide the liquid core ablation catheter with a low enough profile to advance through an opening generated by laser ablation of tissue with the liquid core ablation catheter.",
"2. The support catheter of claim 1 wherein the low friction material of the inner tubular layer comprises PTFE, a hybrid of PTFE or other low friction polymer suitable for sterilization.",
"3. The support catheter of claim 1 further comprising at least one radiopaque marker disposed near a distal end of the support catheter to visualize the position of the distal end of the support catheter in a patient's body lumen and a position of the support catheter with respect to the liquid core ablation catheter disposed within the support catheter.",
"4. The support catheter of claim 1 wherein a distal section of the support catheter comprises a straight longitudinal section.",
"5. The support catheter of claim 1 further comprising an angled distal section configured for proper positioning of a distal end of the liquid core ablation catheter disposed within the inner lumen of the inner tubular layer of the support catheter.",
"6. The support catheter of claim 1 further comprising an angled distal section configured to nutate a distal end of the liquid core ablation catheter disposed within and extending distally from the support catheter upon rotation of the support catheter about a longitudinal axis thereof.",
"7. The support catheter of claim 6 wherein the angled distal section has a length of 5 mm to 50 mm.",
"8. The support catheter of claim 6 wherein a discharge axis of the angled distal section forms an angle of 3 degrees to 10 degrees with respect to a longitudinal axis of the support catheter.",
"9. The support catheter of claim 1 wherein a distal section of the support catheter comprises a tapered distal section configured to align a distal end of the liquid core ablation catheter which is disposed within the inner lumen of the inner tubular layer of the support catheter away from a wall of a patient's body lumen.",
"10. The support catheter of claim 1 wherein the low friction material of the thin wall liner comprises polytetrafluoroethylene and the high durometer material of the base layer comprises polyimide.",
"11. The support catheter of claim 1 wherein the inner diameter of the inner lumen of the inner tubular layer is configured to accommodate passage of the liquid core ablation catheter with space therebetween sufficient for saline injection to flush blood and contrast fluid distal of the liquid core ablation catheter distal end.",
"12. A catheter system, comprising:\na liquid core ablation catheter having an outer diameter of 1 mm to 2.5 mm; and\na support catheter for use supporting the liquid core ablation catheter, the support catheter comprising:\nan inner tubular layer comprising a thin wall liner comprising a low friction material, a base layer of high durometer material disposed over the thin wall liner and an inner lumen with an inner diameter which is configured to accommodate passage of the liquid core ablation catheter,\na braided layer disposed over an outer surface of the inner tubular layer,\nan outer layer covering the braided layer,\na total wall thickness of 0.005 inches or less, and\na torqueability, pushability and kink resistance sufficient to guide the liquid core ablation catheter with a low enough profile to advance through an opening generated by laser ablation of tissue with the liquid core ablation catheter.",
"13. The support catheter of claim 1 wherein the low friction material of the thin wall liner comprises polytetrafluoroethylene and the high durometer material of the base layer comprises polyimide.",
"14. The catheter system of claim 12 wherein the inner diameter of the inner lumen of the inner tubular layer is configured to accommodate passage of the liquid core ablation catheter with space therebetween sufficient for saline injection to flush blood and contrast fluid distal of the liquid core ablation catheter distal end."
],
[
"1. A lubricious coating comprising:\na first coated layer comprising a vinyl pyrrolidone polymer and photoreactive groups, wherein the photoreactive groups are pendent from the vinyl pyrrolidone polymer or on a first cross-linking agent comprising at least two photoreactive groups, or both; and\na second coated layer that is a top coating comprising an acrylic acid polymer, wherein the second coated layer is in direct contact with the first coated layer, wherein the first coated layer is between the second coated layer and a substrate surface.",
"2. The coating of claim 1 wherein the second coated layer further comprises an acrylamide polymer comprising at least one photo reactive group.",
"3. The coating of claim 2 wherein the acrylamide polymer comprises acrylamide-, sulfonate-, and alkylene oxide-containing subunits.",
"4. The coating of claim 2, wherein the vinyl pyrrolidone polymer and the acrylamide polymer are present in the coating at a weight ratio in the range of approximately 3:1 to 1:3 (wt./wt.), respectively.",
"5. The coating of claim 2, wherein the acrylic acid polymer and the acrylamide polymer are present in the coating at a weight ratio in the range of approximately 2:1 to 1:2 (wt./wt.), respectively",
"6. The coating of claim 1 comprising a first or second cross-linking reagent, wherein at least one of the first and second cross-linking agent(s) is a compound of formula Photo1-LG-Photo2, wherein Photo1 and Photo2, independently represent at least one photoreactive group and LG represents a linking group comprising at least one silicon or at least one phosphorus atom, there is a covalent linkage between at least one photoreactive group and the linking group, wherein the covalent linkage between at least one photoreactive group and the linking group is interrupted by at least one heteroatom.",
"7. The coating of claim 6 at least one of the first and second cross-linking agents is a compound of formula selected from:\nwherein R1, R2, R8 and R9 are any substitution; R3, R4, R6 and R7 are alkyl, aryl, or a combination thereof; R5 is any substitution; and each X, independently, is O, N, Se, S, or alkyl, or a combination thereof;\nwherein R1 and R5 are any substitution; R2 and R4 can be any substitution, except OH; R3 can be alkyl, aryl, or a combination thereof; and each X, independently, is O, N, Se, S, alkyl or a combination thereof;\nwherein R1, R2, R4 and R5 are any substitution; R3 is any substitution; R6 and R7 arc alkyl, aryl, or a combination thereof; and each X, independently, is O, N, Se, S, alkyl, or a combination thereof; and",
"8. The coating of claim 7 wherein at least one of the first and second cross-linking agent(s) is sodium bis[(4-benzoylphenyl) phosphate.",
"9. The coating of claim 1, wherein the acrylic acid polymer has an average molecular weight of 150 kDa or greater.",
"10. The coating of claim 1, the coating releasing particulates of less than 3,000 particles greater than 10 microns.",
"11. The coating of claim 1, wherein the thickness of the first and second coated layers combined is between about 100 and 1000 nm when dry.",
"12. The coating of claim 1, wherein (a) the coating exhibits a lubricity when wetted of between 0 and 30 grams of force for at least 10 consecutive testing cycles, or wherein (b) the coating exhibits a durability of lubricity such there is less than a 30 percent increase in measured friction between the average of cycles 1-5 of testing and cycles 10-15 of testing, or both (a) and (b).",
"13. The coating of claim 1, wherein the second coated layer is different in composition than the first coated layer.",
"14. The coating of claim 1, wherein the first coated layer does not include the acrylic acid polymer of the second coated layer, and the second coated layer does not include the vinyl pyrrolidone polymer of the first coated layer.",
"15. A medical device comprising the coating of claim 1.",
"16. The medical device of claim 15, wherein the substrate comprises polyamide, polyimide, polyether block amide (PEBAX), polyether ether ketone (PEEK), high density polyethylene (HDPE), polyethylene, polyurethane, or polyethylene vinyl acetate.",
"17. The medical device of claim 15, the medical device comprising a catheter.",
"18. The medical device of claim 15, wherein the catheter is selected from the group consisting of venous access catheters, vascular access catheters, angioplasty catheters, cardiac catheters, balloon catheters, drug infusion catheters, intravenous catheters, stroke therapy catheters, and stent graft catheters.",
"19. A method making a coating on a medical device comprising:\napplying a first coating solution directly or indirectly on a medical device surface, the first coating solution comprising a vinyl pyrrolidone polymer and photoreactive groups, wherein the photoreactive groups are pendent from the vinyl pyrrolidone polymer or present on a first cross-linking agent comprising at least two photoreactive groups; and a first solvent, and drying the first coating solution;\nexposing the first coating solution to actinic radiation to form a first layer;\napplying a second coating solution onto the first layer, the second coating solution comprising an acrylic acid polymer, and a second solvent, and optionally a second cross-linking agent comprising at least two photoreactive groups, and drying the second coating solution: and\nexposing the second coating solution to actinic radiation to form a second layer.",
"20. A method for preparing a coated device comprising extruding a composition comprising vinyl pyrrolidone polymer and a thermoplastic polymer to form an extruded surface and then coating the extruded surface with an acrylic acid polymer."
],
[
"1. An implantable system, comprising:\na substrate having at least one outer surface;\na photopolymerized zwitterionic hydrogel coating covalently bonded to at least a portion of the outer surface, wherein the photopolymerized zwitterionic hydrogel coating comprises zwitterionic monomer units and a crosslinker selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA), poly(ethylene glycol) di(meth)acrylate (PEGD(M)A), propylene glycol diacrylate, bisphenol A ethoxylate diacrylate, N,N′-methylenebis acrylamide, pentaerythritol tetraacrylate, 1,3-butylene glycol dimethacrylate (BGDMA), 1,4-butane diol diacrylate (BDDA), 1,6-hexane diol diacrylate (HDDA), hexanediol dimethacrylate (HDDMA), 1-carboxy-N-methyl-N-di(2-methacryloyloxy-ethyl) methanaminium inner salt (CBMX), neopentylglycol diacrylate (NPGDA), and trimethylolpropane triacrylate (TMPTA), and wherein the photopolymerized zwitterionic hydrogel coating is configured to resist adhesion by biomolecules, cells, tissue or bacteria.",
"2. The implantable system of claim 1, wherein the substrate is a component of a cochlear implant.",
"3. The implantable system of claim 1, wherein the zwitterionic monomer unit contains a phosphoryl choline moiety, a sulfobetaine moiety, a carboxybetaine moiety, or combinations thereof.",
"4. The implantable system of claim 3, wherein the zwitterionic monomer unit is carboxybetaine (meth)acrylate, phosphoryl choline (meth)acrylate, sulfobetaine (meth)acrylate, carboxybetaine (meth)acrylamide, or sulfobetaine (meth)acrylamide.",
"5. The implantable system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the outer surface of the substrate is formed from a polymeric material, and the photopolymerized zwitterionic hydrogel coating is covalently bonded to the polymeric material.",
"6. The implantable system of claim 5, wherein the polymeric material is polydimethyl siloxane.",
"7. The implantable system of claim 1, wherein the at least one outer surface of the substrate has uncoated regions, and the uncoated regions and the photopolymerized zwitterionic hydrogel coating form a micropattern on the outer surface of the substrate.",
"8. The implantable system of claim 7, wherein the micropattern is configured to direct cell growth of one or more of neurite cells, fibroblast cells, or glial cells on the uncoated regions.",
"9. The implantable system of claim 1, wherein the photopolymerized zwitterionic hydrogel coating has a thickness of at least about 100 nm.",
"10. The implantable system of claim 1, wherein the zwitterionic monomer unit comprises carboxybetaine methacrylate (CBMA) or sulfobetaine methacrylate (SBMA).",
"11. The implantable system of claim 1, wherein the photopolymerized zwitterionic hydrogel coating is covalently bonded to the at least one portion of the surface with a first photo initiator and is cross-linked by a second photo initiator.",
"12. The implantable system of claim 11, wherein the first photo initiator and the second photoinitiator are simultaneously photoactivated by a light source.",
"13. A cochlear implant comprising:\na substrate having at least one outer surface;\na photopolymerized zwitterionic hydrogel coating covalently bonded to at least a portion of the outer surface, wherein the photopolymerized zwitterionic hydrogel coating comprises zwitterionic monomer units and a crosslinker selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA), poly(ethylene glycol) di(meth)acrylate (PEGD(M)A), propylene glycol diacrylate, bisphenol A ethoxylate diacrylate, N,N′-methylenebis acrylamide, pentaerythritol tetraacrylate, 1,3-butylene glycol dimethacrylate (BGDMA), 1,4-butane diol diacrylate (BDDA), 1,6-hexane diol diacrylate (HDDA), hexanediol dimethacrylate (HDDMA), 1-carboxy-N-methyl-N-di(2-methacryloyloxy-ethyl) methanaminium inner salt (CBMX), neopentylglycol diacrylate (NPGDA), and trimethylolpropane triacrylate (TMPTA), and wherein the photopolymerized zwitterionic hydrogel coating is configured to resist adhesion by biomolecules, cells, tissue or bacteria.",
"14. The cochlear implant of claim 13, wherein the at least one outer surface of the substrate has uncoated regions, and the uncoated regions and the photopolymerized zwitterionic hydrogel coating form a micropattern on the outer surface of the substrate.",
"15. The cochlear implant of claim 14, wherein the uncoated regions on the outer surface enable patterned regions of fibrosis."
],
[
"1. A composition comprising:\n(a) a compound of Formula (XIII):\nwherein:\nn is 1-10; and\nm is 1-10;\n(b) a solvent;\n(c) a therapeutic agent; and\n(d) a polymerization initiator.",
"2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting of water, acetone, methanol, ethanol, ethyl acetate, dichloromethane, dimethylformamide, methyl acetate, heptane(s), tetrachloroethane, tetrahydrofuran, toluene, trichloroethylene, xylene(s), and any combinations thereof.",
"3. The composition of claim 2, wherein the solvent is acetone or dichloromethane.",
"4. The composition of claim 1, wherein the solvent accounts for at least 50% wt/wt of the composition.",
"5. The composition of claim 1, wherein the compound of Formula (XIII) accounts for 5% to 50% wt/wt of the composition.",
"6. The composition of claim 1, further comprising an additional methacrylate.",
"7. The composition of claim 6, wherein the additional methacrylate is methyl methacrylate.",
"8. The composition of claim 6, wherein the compound of Formula (XIII) and the additional methacrylate are present in a ratio that is between 1:10 and 10:1 by weight.",
"9. The composition of claim 8, wherein the compound of Formula (XIII) and the additional methacrylate are present in a 1:1 ratio.",
"10. A composition comprising:\n(a) a compound of Formula (XIII):\nwherein:\nn is 1-10; and\nm is 1-10;\n(b) a solvent;\n(c) a therapeutic agent; and\n(d) an additional methacrylate;\nwherein the compound of Formula (XIII) and the additional methacrylate together account for 10% or 20% of the composition by weight.",
"11. The composition of claim 1, wherein the polymerization initiator is 2-hydroxy-1-[4-(2-hydroxyethoxy)phenyl]-2-methyl-1-propanone, phenylbis(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl)phosphine oxide, diphenyl(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl)phosphine oxide, or any combinations thereof.",
"12. The composition of claim 1, comprising by weight:\n(a) 0.1% to 50% of the compound of Formula (XIII);\n(b) 50% to 99.9% of the solvent; and\n(c) 0.00% to 10% of the polymerization initiator.",
"13. The composition of claim 1, comprising by weight:\n(a) 1% to 20% of the compound of Formula (XIII);\n(b) 75% to 99.9% of the solvent; and\n(c) 0.01% to 5% of the polymerization initiator.",
"14. The composition of claim 1, comprising by weight:\n(a) 5% to 15% of the compound of Formula (XIII);\n(b) 80% to 95% of the solvent; and\n(c) 0.05% to 1% of the polymerization initiator.",
"15. The composition of claim 1, comprising by weight:\n(a) 9% to 11% of the compound of Formula (XIII);\n(b) 88% to 92% of the solvent; and\n(c) 0.08% to 2% of the polymerization initiator.",
"16. The composition of claim 1, comprising by weight:\n(a) 10% of the compound of Formula (XIII);\n(b) 89% to 90% of the solvent; and\n(c) 0.1% to 1% of the polymerization initiator.",
"17. The composition of claim 1, wherein the therapeutic agent is selected from the group consisting of antiplatelets, antithrombins, cytostatic agents, antiproliferative agents, vasodilators, alkylating agents, antimicrobials, antibiotics, antimitotics, anti-infective agents, antisecretory agents, anti-inflammatory agents, immunosuppressive agents, antimetabolite agents, growth factor antagonists, free radical scavengers, antioxidants, radiotherapeutic agents, anesthetic agents, radiopaque agents, radiolabeled agents, nucleotides, therapeutic cells, proteins, glycoproteins, hormones, odor-emitting agents, anti-stenosis agents, therapeutic isolates, enzymes, monoclonal antibodies, ribonucleases, and any combinations thereof.",
"18. The composition of claim 1, comprising an additional therapeutic agent.",
"19. The composition of claim 1, wherein the compound of Formula (XIII) is"
],
[
"1. A medical device comprising:\nan elongate body comprising an inner liner and a jacket disposed radially outward of the inner liner;\na sensor; and\nan electrically-conductive element comprising a twisted pair cable, the electrically-conductive element disposed helically about the elongate body and electrically coupled to the sensor.",
"2. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the inner liner comprises polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).",
"3. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the elongate body comprises a metal braid.",
"4. The medical device of claim 3, wherein the metal braid comprises stainless steel.",
"5. The medical device of claim 3, wherein the metal braid comprises braided wire having a rectangular cross-section.",
"6. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the electrically-conductive element comprises a wire.",
"7. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a positioning sensor.",
"8. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the elongate body comprises a proximal portion and a distal portion, and wherein the electrically-conductive element extends to the proximal portion.",
"9. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the twisted pair cable comprises a shielded twisted pair cable.",
"10. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the twisted pair cable is disposed directly on the elongate body.",
"11. A medical device comprising:\nan elongate body includes an inner liner and a jacket extending radially outward of the inner liner, wherein the jacket includes an outer surface, a circumferentially-extending first groove in the outer surface, and a longitudinally-extending second groove in the outer surface, wherein the first groove has a first radial depth, the second groove has a second radial depth, and the second radial depth is greater than the first radial depth;\na sensor positioned within the circumferentially-extending first groove; and\nan electrically-conductive element disposed helically about the elongated body and within the longitudinally-extending second groove, the electrically-conductive element comprising a twisted pair cable, the electrically-conductive element electrically coupled to the sensor."
],
[
"1. A medical device, comprising:\nan elongate, flexible portion having a distal end and a proximal end, an outer member having a continuous outer surface over its circumference and length and an inner surface, and an inner member having a continuous outer surface over its circumference and length and an inner surface;\nat least one ionic electroactive polymer actuator, the actuator comprising:\nat least one polymer electrolyte layer secured adjacent to the distal end of the elongate, flexible portion; and\na plurality of electrodes circumferentially distributed about the at least one polymer electrolyte layer; and\na plurality of electrically-conductive conduits, each having a proximal end disposed adjacent to the proximal end of the elongate flexible portion and a distal end coupled to at least one of the plurality of electrodes wherein the conduits extend within the elongate flexible portion between the outer surface of the outer member and the inner surface of the inner member;\nwherein the at least one polymer electrolyte layer deforms asymmetrically in response to the application of an electrical signal through at least one of the plurality of electrically-conductive conduits to at least one of the plurality of electrodes; and\na drive assembly configured to move the medical device lengthwise.",
"2. The medical device of claim 1 wherein the drive assembly includes:\na first rotary drive member with a gripping surface;\nan adjacent second rotary drive member with a gripping surface disposed proximal to the gripping surface of the first rotary drive member; and\nat least one electrically powered motor coupled to controllably rotate at least one of the first rotary drive member and the second rotary drive member;\nwherein the medical device is disposed intermediate of, and engaged by, the gripping surface of the first rotary drive member and the gripping surface of the adjacent second rotary drive member so that rotation of one of the first rotary drive member and the second rotary drive member axially moves the medical device.",
"3. The medical device of claim 2, wherein clockwise rotation of the first rotary drive member and counterclockwise rotation of the adjacent second rotary drive member moves the medical device in a first direction; and counterclockwise rotation of the first rotary drive member and clockwise rotation of the adjacent second rotary drive member moves the medical device in a second direction opposite to the first direction.",
"4. The medical device of claim 2, further comprising a master controller having a manipulatable control member for inputting a bending control signal to the electrical controller to set the charge on the at least one ionic electroactive polymer actuator for providing at least one degree of freedom of bending through the electrical controller, and for inputting advance and retract control signals to the drive assembly for providing one degree of freedom of translation.",
"5. The medical device of claim 4, further comprising an electrical controller provided at the proximal end of the elongate, flexible portion and electrically connected to the electrically-conductive conduits, the electrical controller configured to selectively control the electrical charge on the electrically-conducting conduits and imparted thereby to the plurality of electrodes to manipulate the at least one ionic electroactive polymer actuator of the medical device.",
"6. The medical device of claim 2, further comprising a case that includes:\na first portion having a sealed interior portion containing the first rotary drive member, the second rotary drive member, a proximal port through which the medical device passes, a distal port through which the medical device passes, and an interior cavity for storing windings of the medical device; and\na second portion supporting the motor.",
"7. The medical device of claim 6, wherein the second portion of the case and the first portion of the case are adapted for being coupled one to the other to operatively engage the motor with at least one of the first rotary member and the second rotary member.",
"8. The medical device of claim 1, further comprising a sensing member electrically connected to the plurality of electrodes to sense changes in the electrical signal at each of the plurality of electrodes.",
"9. The medical device of claim 8, further comprising:\na transmitter coupled to the master controller configured to transmit a signal corresponding to the manipulation of the master controller; and\na receiver electrically connected to the drive assembly and the electrical controller configured to receive the signal transmitted by the transmitter to the drive assembly, or the electrical controller, or to the drive assembly and the electrical controller to correspond to the manipulation of the master controller."
],
[
"1. A dual-layer dilatation balloon comprising an inner layer including a polymer selected from the group consisting of a polyester, polyether, polyamide and copolymers thereof, and an outer layer including a polyamide.",
"2. The balloon of claim 1, wherein said inner layer comprises a copolymer of a polyether and polyamide.",
"3. The balloon of claim 2, wherein said inner layer comprises block poly(ether-co-amide).",
"4. The balloon of claim 1, wherein said outer layer comprises a nylon polymer.",
"5. The balloon of claim 4, wherein said nylon polymer is nylon-3, nylon-6, nylon-11, nylon-12, nylon-1/6, nylon-4/6, nylon-6/6 or nylon-6/10.",
"6. The balloon of claim 5, wherein said nylon polymer is nylon 12.",
"7. The balloon of claim 1, wherein said balloon has a hoop strength of about 10,000 to about 60,000 p.s.i.",
"8. The balloon of claim 7, wherein said balloon has a hoop strength of about 20,000 to about 50,000 p.s.i.",
"9. The balloon of claim 1, wherein one or both of said inner and outer layers further comprise a plasticizer.",
"10. The balloon of claim 9, wherein said plasticizer is a carbonamide, sulfonamide, phenolic compound, cyclic ketone, mixture of phenols and esters, sulfonated ester, sulfonated amide, N-alkylarylsulfonamide, phthalate ester, amine, aliphatic diol or phosphite ester of an alcohol.",
"11. The balloon of claim 1, wherein one or both of said inner and outer layers further comprise at least one of a filler, antioxidant, colorant, crosslinking agent, impact strength modifier, drug or biologically active material.",
"12. The balloon of claim 1, further comprising a stent disposed on said balloon.",
"13. The balloon of claim 12, wherein said stent is a drug-eluting stent.",
"14. The balloon of claim 1, having a double wall thickness of about 0.001 to about 0.05 inches and a diameter of about 2 to about 5 mm.",
"15. The balloon of claim 14, wherein the wall thickness of said inner layer is about one quarter to about one third the thickness of said outer layer.",
"16. A balloon dilatation catheter, comprising:\na tubular elongated catheter shaft having proximal and distal portions; and\na dual-layer dilatation balloon disposed on said shaft, said balloon comprising an inner layer including a polymer selected from the group consisting of a polyester, polyether, polyamide and copolymers thereof, and an outer layer including a polyamide.",
"17. The catheter of claim 16, further comprising a stent disposed on said balloon.",
"18. The catheter of claim 17, wherein said inner layer comprises a copolymer of a polyether and polyamide.",
"19. The catheter of claim 18, wherein said inner layer comprises block poly(ether-co-amide).",
"20. The catheter of claim 16, wherein said outer layer comprises a nylon polymer.",
"21. The catheter of claim 20, wherein said nylon polymer is nylon-3, nylon-6, nylon-11, nylon-12, nylon-1/6, nylon-4/6, nylon-6/6 or nylon-6/10.",
"22. The catheter of claim 21, wherein said nylon polymer is nylon 12.",
"23. The catheter of claim 16, wherein said balloon has a hoop strength of about 10,000 to about 60,000 p.s.i.",
"24. The catheter of claim 23, wherein said balloon has a hoop strength of about 20,000 to about 50,000 p.s.i.",
"25. The catheter of claim 16, wherein said balloon has a double wall thickness of about 0.001 to about 0.05 inches and a diameter of about 2 to about 5 mm.",
"26. The catheter of claim 25, wherein the wall thickness of said inner layer is about one quarter to about one third the thickness of said outer layer.",
"27. A process for forming a dual-layer dilatation balloon, comprising:\nforming a dual-layer extrudate having an outer layer including a polyamide and an inner layer including a polymer selected from the group consisting of a polyester, polyether, polyamide and copolymers thereof, and\nforming said dual-layer balloon from said dual-layer extrudate in a balloon forming machine;\nwherein said balloon has a hoop strength of about 10,000 to about 60,000 p.s.i.",
"28. The process of claim 27, wherein said extrudate forming step comprises co-extruding a polyamide and a second polymer selected from the group consisting of a polyester, polyether, polyamide and copolymers thereof.",
"29. The process of claim 27, wherein the thickness of said inner layer is about one quarter to about one third the thickness of said outer layer.",
"30. The process of claim 27, wherein said balloon has a hoop strength of about 20,000 to about 50,000 p.s.i.",
"31. A dual-layer dilatation balloon comprising an inner and outer layer, wherein said inner layer includes polyester-polyamide block copolymer, said outer layer includes a nylon polyamide, and said dual-layer balloon has a hoop strength of about 10,000 to about 60,000 p.s.i.",
"32. The balloon of claim 31, wherein said dual-layer balloon has a hoop strength of about 20,000 to about 50,000 p.s.i.",
"33. The balloon of claim 31, further comprising a stent disposed on said balloon.",
"34. The balloon of claim 31, wherein the wall thickness of said inner layer is about one quarter to about one third the thickness of said outer layer."
],
[
"35. A balloon for a medical device made by a method wherein a tubing of a thermoplastic polymer material is radially expanded under a first elevated pressure at an elevated temperature to form the balloon at a first diameter, the thermoplastic polymer material being a block copolymer material and the method including the further step of annealing the balloon at a second elevated temperature less than the first elevated temperature and a second pressure less than the first elevated pressure for a time sufficient to shrink the formed balloon to a second diameter less than the first diameter, and wherein said annealing step occurs prior to sterilization of the medical device.",
"36. A balloon as in claim 35 having an operating pressure to which the balloon may be safely inflated without bursting of at least 12 atmospheres, a diameter at 3 atmospheres of from about 1.5 to about 6.0 mm and a diameter growth of at least 1.0 mm over the range of 3-12 atm.",
"37. A balloon as in claim 35 having an operating pressure to which the balloon may be safely inflated without bursting of at least 10 atmospheres, a diameter at 3 atmospheres of from about 6 to about 12 mm and a diameter growth of at least 2 mm over the range of 3-10 atm.",
"38. A balloon as in claim 35 having an operating pressure to which the balloon may be safely inflated without bursting of at least 9 atmospheres, a diameter at 3 atmospheres of from about 12 to about 30 mm and a diameter growth of at least 3 mm over the range of 3-9 atm.",
"39. A balloon as in claim 38 wherein said diameter growth is at least 4 mm.",
"40. A balloon as in claim 35 that has been sterilized subsequent to said annealing step.",
"41. A balloon for a medical device having a diameter at 3 atmospheres inflation pressure of at least 5 mm, a burst pressure of at least 9 atmospheres, and a growth rate in the range of 3 atmospheres to burst of at least 4% per atmosphere.",
"42. A balloon as in claim 41 wherein said diameter at 3 atmospheres is from about 6 to about 12 mm, the balloon further characterized by an operating pressure to which the balloon may be safely inflated without bursting of at least 10 atmospheres and a diameter growth of at least 2 mm over the range of 3-10 atmospheres.",
"43. A balloon as in claim 41 wherein said diameter at 3 atmospheres is at least 12 mm and said balloon has a diameter growth of at least 3 mm over the range of 3-9 atmospheres.",
"44. A balloon as in claim 43 wherein said diameter growth over the range of 3-9 atmospheres is at least 4 mm.",
"45. A balloon as in claim 43 wherein said diameter at 3 atmospheres is in the range of about 12 to about 18 mm.",
"46. A balloon is in claim 41 made from thermoplastic polymer material selected from the group consisting of block copolymers, thermoplastic elastomers, polymer blends, random copolymers of rigid and flexible monomers, polyurethanes which have rigid and flexible portions, polyketones, polysulfides and polyamide homopolymers and copolymers.",
"47. A balloon as in claim 41 formed from at least two concentric layers of different thermoplastic polymers.",
"48. A balloon as in claim 41 having a double wall thickness of about 0.00457 inches or less.",
"49. A balloon as in claim 41 wherein said diameter at 3 atmospheres is about in the range of 6-30 mm.",
"50. A balloon as in claim 41 wherein said diameter at 3 atmospheres is about 12 mm or more.",
"51. A catheter for treatment of a gastrointestional lesion comprising a balloon as in claim 41.",
"52. A medical device balloon formed by a method comprising:\nradially expanding tubing of thermoplastic polymer material under elevated blowing pressure greater than 50 psi at an elevated blowing temperature to form the balloon to have a first diameter at 3 atm inflation pressure,\nannealing the formed balloon prior to sterilization of the medical device at an elevated annealing temperature less than or equal to the blowing temperature, and at an annealing pressure which in the range of 0-20 psi, for a time sufficient to shrink the formed balloon to have a second diameter at 3 atm inflation pressure which is less than 90% of the first diameter, and then\npressurizing the balloon in a fixed diameter form, said fixed diameter being greater than said second diameter but no more than 90% of said first diameter, at a pressure above the annealing pressure but no more than 50 psi and a temperature not less than said annealing temperature and not greater than said blowing temperature for a time to provide the balloon with a final diameter at 3 atm inflation pressure which is greater than said second diameter but not more than 90% of said first diameter.",
"53. A medical device balloon as in claim 51 wherein said final diameter is 85% or less of said first diameter.",
"54. A medical device balloon as in claim 51 wherein said final diameter is 65-75% of said first diameter.",
"55. A medical device balloon as in claim 51 wherein the thermoplastic polymer material is a block copolymer, a thermoplastic elastomer, a polymer blend, a random copolymer of rigid and flexible monomers, polyurethanes which have rigid and flexible portions, polyketones, polysulfides or a polyamide homopolymer or copolymer."
],
[
"1. A balloon dilatation catheter comprising:\na) a proximal catheter shaft portion formed at least in part of an extruded engineering thermoplastic polymeric material with a tensile strength greater than 10,000 psi, an elongation greater than 50% and a tensile modulus greater than 300,000 psi, having proximal and distal ends and having a first inner lumen extending therein to the distal end;\nb) a distal catheter shaft portion being more flexible than the proximal catheter shaft portion, having proximal and distal ends and a second inner lumen extending from the proximal end of the distal shaft portion to a location proximal to the distal end of the distal catheter shaft portion and being in fluid communication with the first inner lumen extending within the proximal catheter shaft portion; and\nc) an expandable dilatation balloon on the distal catheter shaft portion having an interior in fluid communication with the second inner lumen extending within the distal shaft portion.",
"2. The balloon dilatation catheter of claim 1 wherein the polymeric material is a linear aromatic polymer.",
"3. The balloon dilatation catheter of claim 2 wherein the linear aromatic polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyetheretherketone, polyetherketone, polyketone, polyethereketoneketone, polyaryletherketone, polysulfone and polyether sulfone.",
"4. The balloon dilatation catheter of claim 1 wherein the polymeric material of the proximal catheter shaft has a tensile strength greater than about 14,000 psi, an elongation greater than about 60% and a tensile modulus greater than about 400,000 psi.",
"5. The balloon dilatation catheter of claim 1 wherein the proximal catheter shaft portion has an outer tubular member and an inner tubular member which is disposed within the outer tubular member and which defines with the outer tubular member the first inner lumen extending therein, at least one of the inner and the outer tubular members being formed of the extruded engineering thermoplastic polymeric material.",
"6. The balloon dilatation catheter of claim 1 wherein the relatively stiff proximal catheter shaft portion includes a relatively flexible distal shaft portion."
],
[
"1. A balloon catheter, comprising:\na shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and an inflation lumen extending therein; and\na balloon on the shaft which has an interior in fluid communication with the inflation lumen, the balloon having an outer layer and an inner layer, the outer layer comprising a first material having a first transition temperature, and the inner layer comprising a second material having a second transition temperature, the second transition temperature being higher than the first transition temperature;\nwherein the balloon is formed by coextruding the first material and the second material into a single piece tubular member and expanding the single piece tubular member in a balloon mold having a surface temperature between the first transition temperature and the second transition temperature.",
"2. The balloon catheter of claim 1 wherein the first transition temperature is a glass transition temperature.",
"3. The balloon catheter of claim 1 wherein the second transition temperature is a melting temperature.",
"4. The balloon catheter of claim 1 wherein the surface temperature of the balloon mold is between 120° C. and 150° C.",
"5. The balloon catheter of claim 1 wherein the surface temperature of the balloon mold thermally relaxes polymer chains in the outer layer from a high axial orientation to an orientation where the axial orientation is reduced.",
"6. The balloon catheter of claim 1 wherein the inner layer and the outer layer comprise layers of the balloon.",
"7. The balloon catheter of claim 1 wherein the outer layer is an amorphous polymer.",
"8. The balloon catheter of claim 1 wherein the inner layer is a semi-crystalline polymer.",
"9. The balloon catheter of claim 1 wherein the inner layer and the outer layer are both made of a polyamide.",
"10. The balloon catheter of claim 9 wherein the polyamide is selected from a group comprising polyamide 12, polyamide 11, polyamide 6, and polyamide 6,6 or copolyamides of polyamide 12, polyamide 11, polyamide 6, and polyamide 6,6.",
"11. The balloon catheter of claim 1 wherein the outer layer is comprised of a copolymer of aliphatic type with aromatic type.",
"12. The balloon catheter of claim 1 wherein the outer layer is comprised of a copolymer of aliphatic type with cycloaliphatic type.",
"13. The balloon catheter of claim 1 wherein the inner layer is comprised of a copolymer of polyamide and polytetramethylene oxide.",
"14. A method for forming a multi-layer balloon catheter comprising:\nproviding shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and an inflation lumen extending therein;\nselecting a first material of an outer layer having a first transition temperature;\nselecting a second material of an inner layer having a second transition temperature;\ncoextruding said first material and said second material into a single piece tubular member;\nexpanding the single piece tubular member in a balloon mold having a surface temperature between the first transition temperature and the second transition temperature to form a balloon with an interior; and\nsecuring the balloon on the shaft with the interior of the balloon in fluid communication with the inflation lumen.",
"15. The method of claim 14 wherein the surface temperature of the balloon mold is between 120° C. and 150° C.",
"16. The method of claim 14 wherein the surface temperature of the balloon mold reorients polymer chains in the outer layer from a high axial orientation to an orientation where the axial orientation is reduced.",
"17. The method of claim 14 wherein the first material is an amorphous polymer having glass transition temperature.",
"18. The method of claim 14 wherein the second material is a semi-crystalline polyamide having melting temperature selected from a group comprising polyamide 12, polyamide 11, polyamide 6, and polyamide 6,6 or copolyamides of polyamide 12, polyamide 11, polyamide 6, and polyamide 6,6.",
"19. The method of claim 14 wherein the outer layer is comprised of a copolymer of aliphatic type with aromatic type.",
"20. The method of claim 14 wherein the outer layer is comprised of a copolymer of aliphatic type with cycloaliphatic type.",
"21. The method of claim 14 wherein the single piece tubular member is expanded in a series of successively larger balloon molds.",
"22. The balloon catheter of claim 1 wherein the balloon is formed with the outer layer having a first degree of axial orientation of polymer strands and the inner layer having a second degree of axial orientation of polymer strands the second degree of axial orientation being greater than the first degree of axial orientation.",
"23. A balloon catheter, comprising:\na shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and an inflation lumen extending therein; and\na balloon on the shaft which has an interior in fluid communication with the inflation lumen, the balloon having an outer layer and an inner layer, the outer layer comprising a first material having a first transition temperature, and the inner layer comprising a second material having a second transition temperature, the second transition temperature being higher than the first transition temperature;\nwherein the balloon is formed by coextruding the first material and the second material into a single piece tubular member and expanding the single piece tubular member in a balloon mold having a surface temperature between the first transition temperature and the second transition temperature, further wherein the balloon is formed with the outer layer having a first degree of axial orientation of polymer strands and the inner layer having a second degree of axial orientation of polymer strands, the second degree of axial orientation being greater than the first degree of axial orientation."
],
[
"1. A balloon for use with a blood vessel-dilating catheter having an inflation lumen and a second lumen, said catheter having a balloon with a proximal end fixed liquid-tightly to an outer surface of said catheter and a distal end fixed liquid-tightly to the distal end of said catheter, wherein the improvement comprises the balloon being fabricated from a biaxially oriented film of an aromatic polyamide or an alloy thereof, said aromatic polyamide having a polymerization degree of approximately 50 to 5,000 and an average molecular weight of approximately 3,000 to 100,000, said balloon having a calculated modulus of elasticity of from 70 to 190 kg/mm.",
"2. The balloon according to claim 1 wherein said aromatic polyamide is a polycondensation product of xylylenediamine with an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid.",
"3. The balloon according to claim 2 wherein said aliphatic dicarboxylic acid is adipic acid.",
"4. The balloon according to claim 1 wherein said aromatic polyamide is a polycondensation product of isophthalic acid and an aliphatic diamine.",
"5. The balloon according to claim 4 wherein said aliphatic diamine is hexamethylenediamine.",
"6. The balloon according to claim 1 wherein said alloy of the aromatic polyamide contains up to 50% by weight of an aliphatic polyamide.",
"7. The balloon according to claim 6 wherein said aliphatic polyamide is at least a member selected from the group consisting of Nylon 6, Nylon 64, Nylon 66, Nylon 610, Nylon 612, Nylon 46, Nylon 9, Nylon 11, Nylon 12, and polyether amide.",
"8. The balloon according to claim 1 wherein said balloon has a burst pressure of at least 10 kg/cm2.",
"9. A blood vessel-dilating catheter comprising an inflation lumen and a second lumen, said catheter having a balloon with a proximal end fixed liquid-tightly to an outer surface of said catheter and a distal end fixed liquid-tightly to the distal end of said catheter, said balloon being fabricated from a biaxially oriented film of an aromatic polyamide or an alloy thereof, said aromatic polyamide having a polymerization degree of approximately 50 to 5,000 and an average molecular weight of approximately 3,000 to 100,000, said balloon having a calculated modulus of elasticity of from 70 to 190 kg/mm."
],
[
"1. A balloon for a medical device, the balloon comprising a biocompatible material including a base resin polymer and at least one additive, the at least one additive totaling 1.0% or less by weight of the base resin polymer.",
"2. The balloon set forth in claim 1, wherein the at least one additive is selected from a group consisting of a thermal stabilizer, a UV stabilizer, a processing aid, and a plasticizer.",
"3. The balloon set forth in claim 2, wherein the base resin polymer comprises nylon 12.",
"4. The balloon set forth in claim 1, wherein the at least one additive comprises a thermal stabilizer and a processing aid.",
"5. The balloon set forth in claim 1, wherein the biocompatible material is free from plasticizers.",
"6. The balloon set forth in claim 1, wherein the at least one additive reduces the bulk modulus of the base resin polymer.",
"7. The balloon set forth in claim 6, wherein the at least one additive is selected from a group consisting of a thermal stabilizer, a UV stabilizer, and a processing aid.",
"8. The balloon set forth in claim 6, wherein the base resin polymer comprises nylon 12.",
"9. The balloon set forth in claim 6, wherein the at least one additive comprises a thermal stabilizer and a processing aid.",
"10. The balloon set forth in claim 6, wherein the biocompatible material is free from plasticizers.",
"11. The balloon set forth in claim 1, wherein the at least one additive comprises a thermal stabilizer and a processing aid, and the biocompatible material is free from plasticizers.",
"12. The balloon set forth in claim 11, wherein the base resin polymer comprises nylon 12.",
"13. The balloon as set forth in claim 1, wherein the at least one additive is targeted to one or more polymer in the base resin polymer.",
"14. The balloon as set forth in claim 1, wherein the balloon is sized and shape for introduction into a blood vessel.",
"15. The balloon as set forth in claim 14, in combination with a catheter secured to the balloon.",
"16. A method of forming a balloon for a medical device, comprising:\nproviding a parison, the parison comprising a biocompatible material including a base resin polymer and at least one additive, the at least one additive totaling 1.0% or less by weight of the base resin polymer,\nblow molding the parison to form the balloon.",
"17. The method of forming a balloon as set forth in claim 16, wherein said providing a parison comprises extruding the parison.",
"18. The method of forming a balloon as set forth in claim 16, wherein the at least one additive is selected from a group consisting of a thermal stabilizer, a UV stabilizer, a processing aid, and a plasticizer.",
"19. The method of forming a balloon as set forth in claim 18, wherein the base resin polymer comprises nylon 12.",
"20. The method of forming a balloon as set forth in claim 16, wherein the at least one additive is targeted to one or more polymer in the base resin polymer."
],
[
"1. An elongated shaft for a catheter, comprising a single layer biaxially oriented nonporous thermoplastic polymer tubular member having a Shore durometer hardness of less than about 75D.",
"2. The elongated shaft for a catheter of claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic polymer has a Shore durometer hardness of between about 55D and about 75D.",
"3. The elongated shaft for a catheter of claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic polymer has a Shore durometer hardness of about 63D.",
"4. The elongated shaft for a catheter of claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic polymer is a polyether block amide.",
"5. The elongated shaft for a catheter of claim 1, wherein the tubular member has a first outer diameter of about 0.0325 to about 0.0335 inches and a first inner diameter of about 0.028 to about 0.029 inches.",
"6. The elongated shaft for a catheter of claim 1, wherein the tubular member has a Gurley bending stiffness of less than about 150 mg.",
"7. The elongated shaft for a catheter of claim 1, wherein the tubular member has a tensile strength of at least about 1 to about 5 lbf.",
"8. The elongated shaft for a catheter of claim 1, wherein the tubular member has a maximum blow-up-ratio and the tubular member is at least 80% of the maximum blow-up-ratio.",
"9. The elongated shaft for a catheter of claim 1, wherein the tubular member has a uniform outer diameter along the entire length of the tubular member.",
"10. The elongated shaft for a catheter of claim 1, wherein the biaxial orientation of the polymer of the tubular member is substantially uniform along the entire length of the tubular member.",
"11. The elongated shaft for a catheter of claim 1, wherein the tubular member has a rupture pressure of at least about 20 to about 50 atm.",
"12. An elongated shaft for a catheter prepared by a process comprising:\nmelt-extruding a thermoplastic polymeric material having a Shore durometer hardness of less than about 75D to form a tube having a lumen, a first inner diameter and a first outer diameter, and cooling the extruded tube to a temperature less than an elevated temperature of the melt-extrusion;\nplacing the extruded tube within a capture member and biaxially orienting the polymeric material of the extruded tube by radially expanding the extruded tube with pressurized media in the tube lumen and axially expanding the extruded tube with a load applied on at least one end of the tube; and\ncooling the expanded tube to room temperature, the cooled, expanded tube being a single layer biaxially oriented nonporous thermoplastic polymer tubular member.",
"13. The elongated shaft for a catheter of claim 12, wherein the extruded tube is heated to the expansion elevated temperature with a heating nozzle traversing along a length of the extruded tube.",
"14. The elongated shaft for a catheter of claim 12, wherein the capture member comprises a metallic tube having a lubricious polymeric inner liner, and the pressurized media is a gas at an elevated pressure sufficient to radially expand the extruded tube into contact with an inner surface of the capture member without increasing an outer diameter of the capture member.",
"15. The elongated shaft for a catheter of claim 14, wherein the capture member has a uniform inner diameter configured to radially restrain the expanding extruded tube at a second outer diameter, such that the second outer diameter is uniform along the length of the expanded tube.",
"16. The elongated shaft for a catheter of claim 12, wherein the extruded tube is cooled to room temperature after extrusion and before the radial and axial expansion of the extruded tube.",
"17. The elongated shaft for a catheter of claim 12, including heat stabilizing the extruded tube before cooling by heating the extruded tube to an elevated temperature sufficient to stabilize the polymeric material of the extruded tube.",
"18. The elongated shaft for a catheter of claim 17, wherein the extruded tube is heat stabilized on a mandrel.",
"19. The elongated shaft for a catheter of claim 17, wherein the polymeric material is a polyether block amide, and the heat stabilization comprises heating the expanded tube at about 100 to about 140° C., for about 10 to about 15 minutes.",
"20. The elongated shaft for a catheter of claim 12, wherein the tubular member is extruded to the first outer diameter of about 0.021 to about 0.023 inches, and the first inner diameter of about 0.004 to about 0.006 inches.",
"21. The elongated shaft for a catheter of claim 12, wherein the tubular member has a Gurley bending stiffness of not greater than about 50 to about 150 mg, a rupture pressure of at least about 20 to about 50 atm, and a tensile strength of at least about 1 to about 5 lbf.",
"22. The elongated shaft for a catheter of claim 12, wherein the thermoplastic polymeric material has a Shore durometer hardness of between about 55D and about 75D.",
"23. The elongated shaft for a catheter of claim 12, wherein the thermoplastic polymeric material has a Shore durometer hardness of about 63D.",
"24. The elongated shaft for a catheter of claim 12, wherein the extruded tube has a maximum blow-up-ratio and the extruded tube is radially expanded to at least 80% of the maximum blow-up-ratio.",
"25. The elongated shaft for a catheter of claim 12, wherein the extruded tube is radially expanded such that the expanded tube has a second inner diameter which is at least about 5 times greater than the first inner diameter of the extruded tube.",
"26. The elongated shaft for a catheter of claim 12, wherein the extruded tube is simultaneously radially and axially expanded.",
"27. The elongated shaft for a catheter of claim 12, wherein the extruded tube is sequentially radially and axially expanded."
],
[
"1. A process for assembling a medical device (110), the medical device (110) comprising a unitarily and continuously formed portion (108) having a varying durometer, and the process comprising:\ncreating an irradiation cross-linkable mixture of a polyamide elastomer and at least one additional cross-linking reactant;\nforming the mixture into a unitarily and continuously formed portion (108),\nplacing a shield (196) of varying density between the unitarily and continuously formed portion (108) and a source of cross-linking irradiation; and\nexposing the unitarily and continuously formed portion (108), at least in part, to cross-linking irradiation,\nwherein forming is carried out so as to yield a unitarily and continuously formed portion (108) comprising at least first and second parts (102 and 104) unitarily and continuously formed with one another, and the exposing step comprises exposing at least one of the first and second parts (102 or 104) to cross-linking irradiation,\nwherein the exposing step comprises exposing a unitarily and continuously formed transition zone (105) between the first and second parts (102 and 104) to a continuously varying amount of cross-linking irradiation.",
"2. A process for assembling a medical device (110), the medical device (110) comprising a unitarily and continuously formed portion (108) having a varying durometer, and the process comprising:\ncreating an irradiation cross-linkable mixture of a polyamide elastomer and at least one additional cross-linking reactant;\nforming the mixture into a unitarily and continuously formed portion (108); and\nexposing the unitarily and continuously formed portion (108), at least in part, to cross-linking irradiation,\nplacing a shield (198) between the unitary and continuously formed portion (108) and a source of cross-linking irradiation, prior to the exposing step, wherein the shield (196) has varying density between the unitarily and continuously formed portion (108) and the source of cross-linking irradiation.",
"3. A process for assembling a medical device (110), the medical device (110) comprising a unitarily and continuously formed portion (108) having a varying durometer, and the process comprising:\ncreating an irradiation cross-linkable mixture of a polyamide elastomer and at least one additional cross-linking reactant;\nforming the mixture into a unitarily and continuously formed portion (108); and\nexposing the unitarily and continuously formed portion (108), at least in part, to cross-linking irradiation, the cross-linking reactant comprising\nan aromatic molecule containing at least two ring substituents, each of the ring substituents having labile hydrogens at a benzylic site therein, selected from the class consisting of 1,3,5 triethyl benzene: 1,2,4 triethyl benzene; and 1,3,5 triisopropyl benzene."
],
[
"1. An elongate, flexible catheter, comprising:\na shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therein, the shaft having an inner layer comprising an amorphous polyamide having a Shore D durometer value of greater than 78, and an outer layer comprising a semi-crystalline polyamide or copolyamide having a Shore D durometer value of less than 76, wherein the outer layer is thinner than the inner layer, the shaft having an increased resistance to kinking as compared to a similar shaft of a single layer of the amorphous polyamide having a Shore D durometer value of greater than 78.",
"2. The elongate, flexible catheter of claim 1 wherein the amorphous polyamide of the inner layer has a glass transition temperature of greater than 100° C.",
"3. The elongate, flexible catheter of claim 1 wherein the polyamide or copolyamide of the outer layer has a glass transition temperature of less than 55° C.",
"4. The elongate, flexible catheter of claim 1 wherein the amorphous polyamide of the inner layer and the polyamide or copolyamide of the outer layer have a common amide block.",
"5. The elongate, flexible catheter of claim 4 wherein the common amide block is selected from a group comprising nylon 12, nylon 11, nylon 6, and nylon 6,6.",
"6. The elongate, flexible catheter of claim 1 wherein the inner polyamide includes a cycloaliphatic segment.",
"7. The elongate, flexible catheter of claim 1 wherein the inner polyamide includes an aliphatic segment.",
"8. The elongate, flexible catheter of claim 1 wherein the inner polyamide includes an aromatic segment.",
"9. The elongate, flexible catheter of claim 1 wherein the inner polyamide comprises at least two segments of a group including aliphatic segments, aromatic segments, and cycloaliphatic segments.",
"10. The elongate, flexible catheter shaft of claim 1 wherein the inner and outer layers are formed by co-extrusion.",
"11. The elongate, flexible catheter shaft of claim 10 wherein the catheter shaft is tapered.",
"12. The elongate, flexible catheter shaft of claim 10 wherein the catheter shaft has a necked diameter portion.",
"13. The elongate, flexible catheter shaft of claim 1 wherein the outer layer is a polymer of nylon or a block copolymer of nylon.",
"14. The elongate, flexible catheter shaft of claim 13 wherein the nylon is nylon 11, nylon 12, nylon 6, nylon 6,6 or nylon 6,12.",
"15. The elongate, flexible catheter shaft of claim 13 wherein the block copolymer is a block copolymer of nylon and polytetramethylene oxide.",
"16. The elongate, flexible catheter shaft of claim 15 wherein the nylon is nylon 11, nylon 12, nylon 6, nylon 6,6 or nylon 6,12.",
"17. The elongate, flexible catheter of claim 1 wherein the outer layer comprises a block copolymer of nylon 12 and polytetramethylene oxide.",
"18. The elongate, flexible catheter of claim 1 wherein the shaft has an enhanced resistance to solvents as compared to a similar shaft of a single layer of the amorphous polyamide having a Shore D durometer value of greater than 78.",
"19. The elongate, flexible catheter of claim 1 wherein the outer layer is thinner than the inner layer along substantially an entire length of the shaft extending from the proximal end to the distal end.",
"20. An elongate, flexible catheter, comprising:\na shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therein, the shaft having an inner layer comprising high density polyethylene and an outer layer comprising a blend of two polymers, including a first polymer being an amorphous nylon having a Shore D durometer value of greater than 78 and a second polymer having a Shore D durometer value of no more than 76, wherein the inner layer is thicker than the outer layer, the shaft having an increased resistance to kinking as compared to a similar shaft having an inner layer of the high density polyethylene and an outer layer of the amorphous nylon having a Shore D durometer value of greater than 78.",
"21. The elongate, flexible catheter of claim 20 further comprising an intermediate layer disposed between the inner layer and the outer layer, the intermediate layer serving as a bonding layer.",
"22. The elongate, flexible catheter of claim 20 wherein the first polymer and the second polymer have a common amide block.",
"23. The elongate, flexible catheter of claim 22 wherein the common amide block is selected from a group comprising nylon 12, nylon 11, nylon 6, and nylon 6,6.",
"24. The elongate, flexible catheter of claim 20 wherein the first polymer includes a cycloaliphatic segment.",
"25. The elongate, flexible catheter of claim 20 wherein the first polymer includes an aliphatic segment.",
"26. The elongate, flexible catheter of claim 20 wherein the first polymer includes an aromatic segment.",
"27. The elongate, flexible catheter of claim 20 wherein the first polymer comprises at least two segments of a group including aliphatic segments, aromatic segments, and cycloaliphatic segments.",
"28. The elongate, flexible catheter of claim 20 wherein the inner layer and outer layer are formed by co-extrusion.",
"29. The elongate, flexible catheter of claim 20 wherein the second polymer is a semi-crystalline polymer of nylon or a block copolymer of nylon.",
"30. The elongate, flexible catheter of claim 29 wherein the nylon is nylon 11, nylon 12, nylon 6, nylon 6,6 or nylon 6,12.",
"31. The elongate, flexible catheter of claim 20 wherein the block copolymer is a block copolymer of nylon and polytetramethylene oxide.",
"32. The elongate, flexible catheter of claim 20 wherein the shaft has an enhanced resistance to solvents as compared to a similar shaft having an inner layer of the high density polyethylene and an outer layer of the amorphous nylon having a Shore D durometer value of greater than 78.",
"33. The elongate, flexible catheter of claim 20 wherein the outer layer is thinner than the inner layer along substantially an entire length of the shaft extending from the proximal end to the distal end."
]
] |
in the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to aia 35 u.s.c. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-aia 35 u.s.c. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from aia to pre-aia ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
the following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 u.s.c. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this office action:
a person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
claim(s) 1 and 7 is/are rejected under 35 u.s.c. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by u.s. publication no. 2019/0366036 to jalgaonkar et al.
regarding claim 1, jalgaonkar et al. discloses an aspiration (paragraph 124) catheter (catheter 10/60, see figs. 1-3) comprising:
an inner liner (inner liner 44/84) defining a lumen (lumen 24/64) and having a proximal region (portion of inner line 44/84 found in proximal portion 17a and region at hub 14) and a distal region (portion of inner line 44/84 found in distal portion 17b);
a braid of wires (braid 38/78, support structure 38/78 is a braid; paragraphs 78 and 101) over the inner liner (inner liner 44/84) (see figs. 2-3), wherein a deflectable portion (portion of braid 38/78 found in distal portion 17b) of the braid (braid 38/78) over at least a portion of the distal region of the inner liner (portion of inner line 44/84 found in distal portion 17b) is configured to deflect away from a longitudinal axis (longitudinal axis 26/66) of the proximal region (portion of inner line 44/84 found in proximal portion 17a and region at hub 14) when the aspiration catheter is unconstrained (see paragraphs 72 and 78);
a wire (coil 36/76; see paragraphs 78 and 117) coiled over at least a portion of the distal region of the inner liner (portion of inner line 44/84 found in distal portion 17b) (see figs. 2-3), wherein the wire (coil 36/76) terminates distal of the proximal region (portion of inner line 44/84 found in proximal portion 17a and region at hub 14) of the inner liner (inner liner 44/84) (the distal end of the wire/coil 36/76 terminates distal of the proximal region of the inner liner (see figs. 2-3)); and
an outer sheath (outer jacket 32/72) over the braid (braid 38/78), the wire (coil 36/76), and the inner liner (inner line 44/84) (see figs. 2-3).
regarding claim 7, jalgaonkar et al. discloses the claimed invention as discussed above concerning claim 1, and jalgaonkar et al. further discloses that the inner liner (inner line 44/84) is formed from polytetrafluoroethylene material (paragraph 75), and wherein the outer sheath (outer jacket 32/72) is formed from a thermoplastic elastomer material (paragraphs 85 and 112).
|
[
"1. An apparatus for depressurizing a pair of accumulators to provide high pressure gas, comprising:\na gas buffer tank in fluid communication with each one of the pair of accumulators for receiving vapor from the pair of accumulators for storage and dispensing the vapor to a condenser, to condense the vapor into a liquid, other than the pair of accumulators and external atmosphere;\na first fluid connection including a first valve assembly interconnecting the gas buffer tank and a first accumulator of the pair of accumulators;\na second fluid connection including a second valve assembly interconnecting the gas buffer tank and a second accumulator of the pair of accumulators;\na receiver tank in fluid connection with the condenser for receiving and storing the liquid until needed by the first accumulator and the second accumulator;\nwherein the first fluid connection with the first valve assembly and the second fluid connection with the second valve assembly are each constructed and arranged to deliver the vapor from a corresponding one of the first accumulator and the second accumulator to the gas buffer tank during alternating intervals.",
"2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the vapor is from a liquid selected from the group consisting of liquid CO2, and liquid nitrogen.",
"3. A method for depressurizing a pair of accumulators for providing high-pressure gas, comprising:\n(a) withdrawing a portion of vapor from a first accumulator of the pair of accumulators to a gas buffer tank;\n(b) equalizing pressures in the first accumulator and the gas buffer tank for temporarily holding the portion of the vapor as an intermediate gas from the first accumulator in the gas buffer tank;\n(c) providing the intermediate gas to a condenser other than the pair of accumulators and atmosphere;\n(d) condensing the intermediate gas into a liquid at the condenser;\n(e) providing a receiver tank in fluid connection with the condenser for receiving and storing the liquid until needed by the first accumulator; and\n(f) returning the liquid to the first accumulator.",
"4. The method of claim 3, further comprising providing high-pressure gas from a second accumulator of the pair of accumulators during steps (a)-(f).",
"5. The method of claim 3, further comprising storing the liquid at the condenser before the returning the liquid to the first accumulator.",
"6. The method of claim 3, wherein the vapor is from a liquid selected from the group consisting of liquid CO2, and liquid nitrogen."
] |
US12158246B2
|
US20050198971A1
|
[
"1. Batch process for producing a pressurized liquid carbon dioxide stream comprising:\ndistilling a feed stream comprising carbon dioxide vapor off a liquid carbon dioxide supply;\nintroducing the carbon dioxide vapor feed stream into at least one purifying filter;\ncondensing the purified feed stream within a condenser to form an intermediate liquid carbon dioxide stream;\nintroducing the intermediate liquid carbon dioxide stream into at least one high-pressure accumulation chamber;\nheating said high pressure accumulation chamber to pressurize the liquid carbon dioxide contained therein to a delivery pressure;\ndelivering a pressurized liquid carbon dioxide stream from the high-pressure accumulation chamber; and,\ndiscontinuing delivery of the pressurized liquid carbon dioxide stream for replenishing the high pressure accumulation chamber.",
"2. The process of claim 1, further comprising venting the high-pressure accumulation chamber to the condenser to facilitate introduction of the intermediate liquid stream into the accumulation chamber.",
"3. The process of claim 1, further comprising passing the pressurized liquid carbon dioxide stream through a particle filter prior to delivery to a cleaning process.",
"4. The process of claim 1, wherein said feed stream is condensed within said condenser through indirect heat exchange with a refrigerant stream.",
"5. The process of claim 1, further comprising accumulating the intermediate liquid carbon dioxide stream in a receiver prior to introduction into the high-pressure accumulation chamber.",
"6. The process of claim 5, wherein the condenser is integral with the receiver.",
"7. The process of claim 1, further comprising detecting when the high-pressure accumulation chamber requires replenishment of liquid carbon dioxide.",
"8. The process of claim 1, wherein the high-pressure accumulation chamber is electrically heated.",
"9. The process of claim 1, wherein the carbon dioxide vapor feed stream is introduced into a coalescing filter.",
"10. The process of claim 1, wherein the carbon dioxide vapor feed stream is introduced into a particle filter."
] |
[
[
"1. A hydrogen-storage alloy, wherein the hydrogen-storage alloy is one or more of rare earth-based AB5 type, zirconium-titanium-based AB2 type, titanium-based AB type, magnesium-based A2B type and vanadium-based solid solution type hydrogen-storage alloys, wherein\nThe molecular formula of the rare earth-based AB5 type hydrogen-storage alloy is: MmNix1Cox2Mnx3Fex4Alx5Snx6, 4.5x1+x2+x3+x4+x5+x65.5, wherein, Mm is Lay1Cey2Ndy3Pry4Yy5, y1+y2+y3+y4+y5=1, wherein, 0.4y10.99 (e.g., 0.4y10.8), 0y20.45 (e.g., 0.1y20.45), 0y30.2 (e.g., 0y30.2), 0y40.05 (e.g., 0y40.05), 0.01y50.1 (e.g., 0.01y50.05), 3x15.45 (e.g., 3x14.9), 0x21.5 (e.g., 0.1x21), 0x30.8 (e.g., 0.1x30.6), 0x40.8 (e.g., 0.1x40.6), 0x50.75 (e.g., 0.05x50.5), 0x60.2; (e.g., 0x60.15);\nThe molecular formula of the zirconium-titanium-based AB2 type hydrogen-storage alloy is AB2, wherein A=Mgx1Cax2Tix3Zrx4Yx5Lax6, x1+x2+x3+x4+x5+x6=0.9-1.1, B=Vy1Cry2Mny3Fey4Coy5Niy6Cuy7, y1+y2+y3+y4+y5+y6+y7=1.9-2.1, 0x10.54 (e.g., 0.01x10.3, 0.01x10.1), 0x20.54 (e.g., 0x20.25), 0.5x31.04 (e.g., 0.6x31), 0.05x40.58 (e.g., 0.1x40.58), 0.01x50.2 (e.g., 0.01x50.05), 0x60.2 (e.g., 0x60.05), 0.05y11.95 (e.g., 0.05y11.8), 0y21.9 (e.g., 0y21.85), 0.05y31.95 (e.g., 0.1y31.95), 0y41.6 (e.g., 0y41.5), 0y50.5 (e.g., 0y50.3), 0.1y60.5 (e.g., 0.1y60.3), 0y70.5 (e.g., 0.1y70.2), preferably, 0.7x3:(x3+x4)0.95, preferably, 1.7y1+y2+y3+y42;\nThe molecular formula of the titanium-based AB type hydrogen-storage alloy is AB, wherein A=Tix1Zrx2Yx3Lax4, x1+x2+x3+x4=0.85-1.1, B=Vy1Cry2Mny3Fey4Coy5Niy6Cuy7, y1+y2+y3+y4+y5+y6+y7=0.95-1.05, 0x11.09 (e.g., 0.9x11.05), 0x21.09 (e.g., 0x20.5), 0.01x30.2 (e.g., 0.01x30.05), 0x40.2 (e.g., 0x40.05), 0.05y10.5 (e.g., 0.05y10.2), 0y20.8 (e.g., 0y20.2), 0y30.8 (e.g., 0.05y30.4, or 0.1y30.4), 0.2y41 (e.g., 0.5y40.9), 0y50.35 (e.g., 0y50.1), 0y60.45 (e.g., 0y60.2), 0y70.3 (e.g., 0y70.2), preferably, x1 and x2 are zero at the same time;\nThe molecular formula of the magnesium-based A2B type hydrogen-storage alloy is A2B, wherein A=Mgx1Cax2Tix3Lax4Yx5, x1+x2+x3+x4+x5=1.9-2.1, B=Cry1Fey2Coy3Niy4Cuy5Moy6; y1+y2+y3+y4+y5+y6=0.9-1.1; wherein, 1.29x12.09 (e.g., 1.7x12.05), 0x20.5 (e.g., 0x20.2), 0x30.8 (e.g., 0x30.5), 0x40.5 (e.g., 0x40.2), 0.01x50.2 (e.g., 0.05x50.1), 0y10.3 (e.g., 0y10.2, 0.05y10.2), 0y20.2 (e.g., 0y20.1), 0y30.6 (e.g., 0y30.5), 0.2y41.1 (e.g., 0.7y41.05), 0y50.5 (e.g., 0y50.4), 0y60.15 (e.g., 0y60.1);\nThe molecular formula of the vanadium-based solid solution type hydrogen-storage alloy is Ax1Bx2, wherein x1+x2=1, wherein A=Tiy1Vy2Zry3Nby4Yy5Lay6Cay7, y1+y2+y3+y4+y5+y6+y7=1, B=Mnz1Fez2Coz3Niz4, z1+z2+z3+z4=1, 0.7x10.95 (e.g., 0.8x10.95, 0.9x10.95), 0.05x20.3 (e.g., 0.05x20.2, 0.05x20.1), 0.40y10.9 (e.g., 0.45y10.9, 0.5y10.8), 0y20.5 (e.g., 0y20.4), 0y30.5 (e.g., 0y30.4), 0y40.55 (e.g., 0y40.4), 0y50.2 (e.g., 0.01y50.2, 0.05y50.2), 0y60.1 (e.g., 0y60.05), 0y70.1 (e.g., 0y70.05), 0z11 (e.g., 0.1z11, 0.2z10.95), 0z20.95 (e.g., 0z20.9), 0z30.3 (e.g., 0z30.2), 0z40.45 (e.g., 0.05z40.45, 0.05z40.3), 0.55z1+z21 (e.g., 0.7z1+z21).",
"2. The hydrogen-storage alloy according to claim 1, wherein the hydrogen-storage alloy is selected from: La0.61Ce0.16Pr4Nd0.19 Ni3.55Co0.75Mn0.4Al0.3, (Ti0.8V0.2)0.95(Fe1)0.05, (Ti0.8Y0.2)0.95(Mn0.95Ni0.05)0.05, (Ti0.4V0.4Y0.2)0.9(Fe0.05Mn0.95)0.1, (Ti0.4V0.4Y0.2)0.9(Fe0.05Mn0.9Ni0.05)0.1, (Ti0.7Nb0.1Y0.2)0.9(Mn1)0.1, (Ti0.7Nb0.1Y0.2)0.9(Mn0.7Ni0.3)0.1, (Ti0.4Zr0.4Y0.2)0.93(Fe0.2Mn0.7Co0.1)0.07, (Ti0.4Zr0.4Y0.2)0.93(Fe0.2Mn0.7Ni0.1)0.07, (Ti0.4V0.4Zr0.2)0.95(Fe0.6Mn0.2Co0.1Ni0.1)0.05, (Ti0.4V0.35Zr0.2Y0.05)0.95(Fe0.6Mn0.2Co0.1Ni0.1)0.05, (Ti0.88Y0.1Ca0.02)0.95(Fe0.3Mn0.6Co0.1)0.05, (Ti0.88Y0.1Ca0.02)0.95(Fe0.3Mn0.6Ni0.1)0.05, (Ti0.7Nb0.1Y0.2)0.8(Mn0.7Ni0.3)0.2, Ti0.64Zr0.45Y0.01VMn0.9Ni0.1, Mg0.01Ti0.93Zr0.15Y0.01VMn0.9Ni0.1, Ti0.55Zr0.48Y0.05La0.02V0.33Cr0.05Mn1.5Fe0.09Ni0.1, Ti0.85Zr0.18Y0.05La0.02V0.23Cr0.05Mn1.5Fe0.09Ni0.1Cu0.1, Ti0.6Zr0.4Y0.05V0.1Mn1.8Ni0.2, Mg0.1Ti0.7Zr0.2Y0.05V0.1Mn1.6Ni0.2Cu0.2, Ca0.01Ti0.9Zr0.05Y0.05V1.2Mn0.6Ni0.3, Ca0.01Ti0.85Zr0.05Y0.05V1.2Mn0.6Ni0.1Cu0.2, TiZr0.05Y0.05V0.1Cr1.4Mn0.2Co0.1Ni0.3, Mg0.1Ti0.8Zr0.15Y0.05V0.1Cr1.4Mn0.2Co0.1Ni0.1Cu0.2, Ti0.5Zr0.55Y0.05V1.79Mn0.1Fe0.01Ni0.2, Ti0.8Zr0.25Y0.05V1.79Mn0.1Fe0.01Ni0.1Cu0.1, Mg0.01Ti0.63Zr0.45Y0.01VMn0.9Ni0.1, Mg1.8Y0.1Ni1, Mg1.8Y0.1Cr0.05Ni1, Mg1.5Ti0.5Y0.05Ni1.1, Mg1.5Ti0.5Y0.05Cr0.1Ni1, Mg2Y0.1Ni0.6Cu0.4, Mg2Y0.1Cr0.05Ni0.6Cu0.4, Mg1.92Y0.08Ni0.95Fe0.05, Mg1.92Y0.08Cr0.2Ni0.75Fe0.05, Mg1.9Y0.1Fe0.1Ni0.8Cu0.1, Mg1.9Y0.1Cr0.1Fe0.1Ni0.7Cu0.1, Mg1.9Y0.1Ni0.8Co0.2, Mg1.9Y0.1Cr0.1 Ni0.8Co0.2, Mg1.8Y0.1La0.1Ni0.9Co0.1, Mg 1.8Y0.1La0.1Cr0.05Ni0.9Co0.1, Mg1.7Ti0.2Y0.1Ni0.7Co0.32, Mg1.7Ti0.2Y0.1Cr0.05Ni0.7Co0.3, TiY0.01V0.1Fe0.7Ni0.2, TiY0.01V0.1Fe0.7Mn0.1Ni0.1, TiY0.02V0.2Fe0.8, TiY0.02V0.2Fe0.7Mn0.1, Ti0.97Y0.03V0.05Cr0.03Fe0.9, Ti0.97Y0.03V0.05Cr0.03Fe0.5Mn0.4, Ti0.9Y0.04V0.15Fe0.9, Ti0.9Y0.04V0.05Fe0.9Mn0.1, Ti0.91Zr0.05Y0.04V0.1Cr0.2Fe0.7, Ti0.91Zr0.05Y0.04V0.1Cr0.2Fe0.6Mn0.1, Ti0.95Y0.05V0.26Fe0.7Cu0.05, Ti0.95Y0.05 V0.05Fe0.7Mn0.21Cu0.05, Ti1.02Y0.03V0.05Fe0.9Ni0.1, Ti1.02Y0.03V0.05Fe0.8Mn0.1Ni0.1, La0.5Ce0.32Nd0.15Pr0.02Y0.01Ni4.4Fe0.55Al0.05, La0.5Ce0.32Nd0.15Pr0.02Y0.01Ni4.4Fe0.6, La0.8Ce0.15Y0.05Ni4Mn0.5Al0.5, La0.8Ce0.15Y0.05Ni4.5Mn0.5, La0.45Ce0.4Nd0.1Pr0.03Y0.02Ni4Co0.8Al0.2, La0.45Ce0.4Nd0.1Pr0.03Y0.02Ni4.2Co0.8, La0.75Ce0.15Nd0.05Pr0.02Y0.03Ni4.7Al0.1Fe0.2, La0.75Ce0.15Nd0.05Pr0.02Y0.03Ni4.8Fe0.2, La0.8Ce0.15Nd0.03Y0.02Ni4.5Co0.3Mn0.1Al0.1, La0.8Ce0.15Nd0.03Y0.02Ni4.5Co0.4Mn0.1, La0.97Y0.03Ni4Co1.",
"3. The process for preparing the hydrogen-storage alloy according to claim 1, wherein the hydrogen-storage alloy is prepared by the following process, which comprises the following steps:\n(1) weighing each of the raw materials of the hydrogen-storage alloy in a way to reach the composition of the hydrogen-storage alloy and mixing the raw materials;\n(2) melting the mixture obtained in step (1) and then annealing;\nWherein the melting is electric furnace melting or induction melting;\nPreferably, the melting condition comprises: it is performed under vacuum or inert atmosphere, the temperature is 1200-3000° C., preferably 1800-2200° C.;\nMore preferably, it is performed under vacuum, and the melting pressure is 1*10−5 to 1*10−3 Pa (absolute pressure), preferably 0.5*10−4 to 5*10−4 Pa (absolute pressure);\nMore preferably, it is performed under inert atmosphere, and the melting pressure is 0.5-1 bar (for example, 0.6-1 bar, 0.7-1 bar) (gauge pressure),\nWherein the annealing condition comprises: it is performed under vacuum or inert atmosphere (e.g., argon atmosphere), the temperature is 500-900° C. (for example 700-1000° C.), the time is 12-360 hours;\nOptionally, the process further comprises cooling the material obtained by annealing in step (2) and then performing a crushing treatment to obtain a product of 10-400 mesh (for example, 20-400 mesh),\nOptionally, the process further comprises subjecting the material obtained by annealing in step (2) to activation treatment; preferably, the condition of the activation treatment comprises: it is performed under vacuum, the temperature is 50-300° C., and the time is 1-10 hours.",
"4. Use of the hydrogen-storage alloy according to claim 1 in the hydrogen-storage process.",
"5. A process for purifying hydrogen gas containing organic substances, comprising: contacting hydrogen gas containing organic substances with a hydrogen-storage alloy, reacting the hydrogen gas with the hydrogen-storage alloy to form a hydrogen-containing alloy, then allowing the hydrogen-containing alloy to release hydrogen gas, and collecting the released hydrogen gas, wherein the hydrogen-storage alloy is the hydrogen-storage alloy according to claim 1."
],
[
"1. A method for controlling pressure inside a cryogen space defined by a storage tank, and delivering fluid from the cryogen space to a use device, the method comprising:\na) determining a pressure inside the cryogen space;\nb) communicating the determined pressure to an electronic controller;\nc) comparing the determined pressure to a target vapor pressure that is variable as a function of operating conditions, including a vapor volume in the cryogen space and a fluid flow demanded by the use device; and\nd) actuating a valve responsive to a determined differential between the determined pressure and the target vapor pressure to adjust a vapor pressure in the cryogen space towards the target vapor pressure.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the vapor volume is determined from a liquid fuel level in the tank.",
"3. The method of claim 1, further comprising adjusting the target vapor pressure based on a predictive operation mode.",
"4. The method of claim 3, wherein the predictive operation mode comprises inputs from one or more of:\na. distance to system refueling,\nb. distance to a geographical location,\nc. distance to system parking,\nd. distance to system shut down, or\ne. distance to high load requirement.",
"5. The method of claim 4, wherein the predictive operation mode further comprises input from one or more of:\na. time to system refueling,\nb. time to a geographical location,\nc. time to system parking,\nd. time to system shut down, or\ne. time to high load requirement.",
"6. The method of claim 3, wherein the predictive operation mode comprises input from one or more of:\na. time to system refueling,\nb. time to a geographical location,\nc. time to system parking,\nd. time to system shut down, or\ne. time to high load requirement.",
"7. The method of claim 1, further comprising adjusting the target vapor pressure based on a learned operator use pattern.",
"8. The method of claim 1, further comprising adjusting the target vapor pressure based on a learned system use pattern.",
"9. The method of claim 1, further comprising adjusting the target vapor pressure based on a user input.",
"10. The method of claim 9, wherein the target vapor pressure value is lowered based on the user input indicating a system shut down, a system servicing, or a refueling.",
"11. The method of claim 1, further comprising adjusting the target vapor pressure based on a geographical location based input.",
"12. The method of claim 11, wherein the target vapor pressure value is raised based on the geographical location based input indicating an imminent incline or other high load condition.",
"13. The method of claim 11, wherein the target vapor pressure value is lowered based on the geographical location based input indicating an imminent decline or other low load condition.",
"14. The method of claim 1, further comprising lowering the target vapor pressure based on a distance to system refueling, system return to home base, system parking, or system shut down.",
"15. The method of claim 1, further comprising lowering the target vapor pressure based on a time to system refueling, system return to home base, system parking, or system shut down.",
"16. The method of claim 1, further comprising raising the target vapor pressure at a distance and/or time to a high load requirement of the use device.",
"17. The method of claim 1, wherein the valve is disposed on a vapor conduit in fluid communication with a vapor portion of the tank and further comprising actuating the valve to an open position or maintaining an open position when the determined differential between the target vapor pressure and the determined pressure is a positive differential.",
"18. The method of claim 1, wherein the valve is disposed on a vapor conduit in fluid communication with a vapor portion of the tank and further comprising actuating the valve to a closed position or maintaining a closed position when the determined differential between the target vapor pressure and the determined pressure is a negative differential, in that the determined pressure is less than the target vapor pressure.",
"19. The method of claim 18, further comprising opening a second valve in fluid communication with a liquefied portion of the tank thereby increasing delivery of fluid to the use device.",
"20. The method of claim 1, wherein the target vapor pressure is a pressure range and further comprising actuating the valve to maintain a pressure value within the range."
],
[
"1. A device for storing and for supplying fluid fuel, comprising:\na reservoir of liquefied hydrogen in equilibrium with gaseous phase of hydrogen;\na filling circuit configured to fill the reservoir;\nat least one tapping circuit configured to tap fluid from the reservoir;\nat least one pressure regulating circuit configured to regulate a pressure in the reservoir; and\na housing, wherein:\nthe filling, tapping and pressure regulating circuits comprise a set of valves arranged in the housing separate from the reservoir;\nthe housing is removably connected to the reservoir via a demountable mechanical coupling system;\nthe tapping, pressure regulating, and filling circuits comprise a set of demountable fluidic connectors located at a junction between the reservoir and the housing and which are configured to allow separation, during demounting of the housing with respect to the reservoir, between portions of said circuits located in the reservoir and portions of said circuits located in the housing; and\nwhen the housing is connected to the reservoir, the housing defines a closed volume filled with an atmosphere predominantly comprising an inert gas.",
"2. The device of claim 1, wherein, when the housing is connected to the reservoir, the closed volume defined by the housing is independent of an internal volume of the reservoir.",
"3. The device of claim 1, wherein each of the valves of the set of valves is an all-or-nothing type valve.",
"4. The device of claim 1, wherein each of the valves of the set of valves is an electrical control type valve.",
"5. The device of claim 1, wherein:\nthe filling circuit comprises a liquid filling pipe provided with an upstream end emerging at a wall of the housing and a downstream end emerging at the wall of the reservoir at a lower end thereof; and\nsaid liquid filling pipe comprises at least one valve located in the housing.",
"6. The device of claim 1, wherein:\nthe tapping circuit comprises a tapping pipe that is provided with a first upstream end emerging at a wall of the reservoir, at a lower end of thereof, and a downstream end emerging at a wall of the housing; and\nsaid tapping pipe further comprises, arranged in series, at least one valve and a heating heat exchanger.",
"7. The device of claim 6, wherein:\nthe tapping circuit comprises a second upstream end emerging at the wall of the reservoir at an upper end thereof; and\nsaid second upstream end is connected to the downstream end via at least one valve and the heating heat exchanger.",
"8. The device of claim 1, wherein:\nthe pressure regulating circuit comprises a pressurization pipe;\nthe pressurization pipe comprises an upstream end emerging at a wall of the reservoir, at a lower end of thereof, and a downstream end emerging at a separate point of the wall of the reservoir at an upper end thereof; and\nsaid pressurization pipe further comprises, arranged in series, at least one valve and a heating heat exchanger.",
"9. The device of claim 1, wherein:\nthe pressure regulating circuit comprises a heating exchanger housed in the reservoir for thermally exchanging with the fuel stored in the reservoir; and\nthe exchanger is fed, via a pipe, with a hot fluid, the hot fluid being liquid fuel that has been tapped from the reservoir and heated after being tapped.",
"10. The device of claim 1, further comprising at least one of a reservoir sensor located in the housing configured to measure the pressure in the reservoir and a fluid sensor located in the housing configured to measure the pressure of the fluid in the housing.",
"11. The device of claim 1, further comprising an electronic data storage and processing component connected to the set of valves, wherein the electronic data storage and processing component is configured to control an opening or closing of the valves.",
"12. The device of claim 1, further comprising a rapid drainage system that comprises a sealed container containing pressurized helium, a component for opening the container, a discharge pipe connecting the container to the storage volume of the reservoir, and a discharge pipe that is provided with at least one valve or a flap for discharging the fluid out of the reservoir.",
"13. The device of claim 1, wherein the inert gas is helium.",
"14. A vehicle comprising the device of claim 1.",
"15. A method for providing a consumer with fuel from a storage and supply device of claim 1, comprising the steps of:\nproviding the device of claim 1;\nwhen the pressure in the reservoir is higher than a first determined threshold, tapping the fuel in gas form from the gas phase of the reservoir; and\nwhen the pressure in the reservoir is lower than a second determined threshold, tapping the fuel in liquid form from the reservoir.",
"16. The method of claim 15, wherein the pressure in the reservoir is increased by withdrawing fuel in liquid form from the liquid phase of the reservoir, heating the withdrawn liquid fuel to provide heated fuel, and reintroducing the heated fuel into the reservoir.",
"17. The method of claim 15, wherein the pressure in the reservoir is increased via a heater located in the reservoir.",
"18. The method of claim 17, wherein the heater is a heat exchanger fed with fuel that has been tapped from the reservoir, heated, and set to exchange heat with the fuel in the reservoir."
],
[
"1. A method of storing a gaseous fluid in liquefied form in a plurality of storage vessels and delivering a gas to an end user, the method comprising:\nstoring gaseous fluid in liquefied form in a primary storage vessel;\nstoring gaseous fluid in liquefied form in a server storage vessel;\nmeasuring a pressure in the server storage vessel;\nwhen the pressure in the server storage vessel is below a low pressure value, pumping fluid from the primary storage vessel, increasing enthalpy of the fluid to transform the fluid into a gaseous state, and then delivering the fluid in the gaseous state to the server storage vessel;\nwhen the pressure in the server storage vessel rises above a high pressure value, stopping pumping of fluid from the primary storage vessel; and\ndelivering the fluid as a gas to the end user through a supply line;\nwherein the low pressure value and high pressure value are set based upon operating conditions.",
"2. The method of claim 1, further comprising delivering gas to the end user based on the operating conditions through either:\na. directing a portion of fluid from a vapor space of the primary storage vessel to a server storage vessel bypass vapor line and increasing enthalpy of the fluid prior to delivering the fluid as a gas to the end user; or\nb. directing liquefied gaseous fluid from the server storage vessel into a supply line and transforming the liquefied gaseous fluid into a gas prior to delivering to the end user.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein the operating conditions include at least one of an end user fluid flow demand, storage vessel liquefied gaseous fluid level, and a measured temperature that correlates to an operational temperature of a first vaporizer.",
"4. The method of claim 1, further comprising delivering fluid from a vapor space of the primary storage vessel to the end user when the primary storage vessel pressure is greater than the high pressure value.",
"5. The method of claim 1, further comprising delivering fluid from a vapor space of the primary storage vessel to the end user when a measured temperature is below a low temperature value.",
"6. The method of claim 1, further comprising directing liquefied gaseous fluid from the server storage vessel to a supply line and transforming the liquefied gaseous fluid to a gas prior to delivering to the end user when the end user fluid flow demand is high.",
"7. The method of claim 2, further comprising directing liquefied gaseous fluid from the server storage vessel to a supply line and transforming the liquefied gaseous fluid to a gas prior to delivering to the end user when the end user fluid flow demand is high.",
"8. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining a liquefied gaseous fluid level in each storage vessel and directing fluid from a highest fluid level storage vessel to the end user until a measured fluid level from the highest fluid level storage vessel is less than a set high vessel level target.",
"9. The method of claim 8, wherein the high vessel level target is set as a function of a second highest storage vessel fluid level.",
"10. The method of claim 2, further comprising determining a liquefied gaseous fluid level in each storage vessel and directing fluid from a highest fluid level storage vessel to the end user until a measured fluid level from the highest fluid level storage vessel is less than a set high vessel level target.",
"11. The method of claim 10, wherein the high vessel level target is set as a function of a second highest storage vessel fluid level.",
"12. The method of claim 2, further comprising opening a bypass vapor line valve when a control system determines a level of liquefied gaseous fluid remaining in a server storage vessel associated with the bypass vapor line valve is below a predetermined level.",
"13. The method of claim 2, further comprising opening a bypass vapor line valve associated with a server storage vessel prior to refueling such that liquefied gaseous fluid remains in said associated server storage vessel.",
"14. The method of claim 8, wherein the high vessel level target is set according to an incremental amount below a fluid level of the next highest storage vessel.",
"15. The method of claim 10, wherein the high vessel level target is set according to an incremental amount below a fluid level of the next highest storage vessel.",
"16. The method of claim 1, wherein the server storage vessel is one of a plurality of server storage vessels.",
"17. The method of claim 16, further comprising determining a liquefied gaseous fluid level in each server storage vessel and closing a shut-off valve associated with a server storage vessel having a lower fluid level than another server storage vessel.",
"18. The method of claim 2, wherein the server storage vessel is one of a plurality of server storage vessels.",
"19. The method of claim 18, further comprising determining a liquefied gaseous fluid level in each server storage vessel and closing a shut-off valve associated with a server storage vessel having a lower fluid level than another server storage vessel."
],
[
"1. A loading and unloading station for simultaneous unloading of a first fluid from at least one storage tank in a vessel and loading of a second fluid into a storage tank of the same vessel, wherein the first fluid comprises liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and the second fluid comprises CO2, the loading and unloading station comprising:\na first connector for fluid connection to the at least one storage tank for unloading the first fluid;\na source of the second fluid;\na second connector for fluidly connecting the source of the second fluid with the at least one storage tank of the vessel for loading the second fluid into the at least one storage tank;\na first thermal linkage between the first fluid being unloaded and the second fluid being loaded that facilitates heat transfer between the first fluid and the second fluid at the loading and unloading station; and\nan expansion device configured to receive at least a portion of the LPG from the at least one storage tank in the vessel, wherein the expansion device is configured to reduce a pressure of the LPG prior to its delivery to an LPG unloading unit.",
"2. The loading and unloading station of claim 1, wherein the first thermal linkage comprises a heat exchanger that transfers coldness of the LPG to the CO2 resulting in cooling of the CO2.",
"3. The loading and unloading station of claim 1, wherein the loading and unloading station further comprises:\na CO2 capture unit configured to capture CO2 produced from a carbon containing source; and\na CO2 liquefaction unit fluidly connected to CO2 capture unit and the source of the second fluid, wherein the CO2 liquefaction unit is configured to receive the captured CO2 from the CO2 capture unit, and to liquefy the captured CO2 to desired storage conditions and transport conditions.",
"4. The loading and unloading station of claim 3, wherein the CO2 capture unit and the CO2 liquefaction unit are a single unit.",
"5. The loading and unloading station of claim 3, wherein the loading and unloading station further comprises:\na hydrogen production unit fluidly connected to the at least one storage tank for unloading the LPG, wherein the hydrogen production unit is configured to receive the LPG from the at least one storage tank for unloading the LPG and utilize the LPG as a feed stream for producing hydrogen.",
"6. The loading and unloading station of claim 5, wherein the CO2 capture unit is operatively connected to the hydrogen production unit, and further configured to capture CO2 from synthetic gas produced in the hydrogen production unit.",
"7. A loading and unloading station for sequentially unloading CO2 from at least one storage tank in a vessel and for loading LPG into a storage tank of the same vessel comprising:\nan LPG production unit;\nan LPG storage unit, the storage unit being in fluid communication with the LPG production unit;\na first connector for fluid connection to the LPG storage unit for loading the LPG into the storage tank of the vessel;\na second connector for unloading CO2 into a CO2 storage unit;\nat least one of: (A) a first thermal linkage that is configured to: transfer coldness from the CO2 to facilitate liquefaction of the LPG through the first thermal linkage that is associated with the LPG production unit and the CO2 storage unit and (B) a second thermal linkage that is configured to maintain temperature of the LPG storage unit through the second thermal linkage;\na CO2 compression unit that compresses the CO2 above a predetermined pressure; and\na supercritical CO2 unit that receives CO2 from the compression unit, whereby a high pressure, cold CO2 stream is put in thermal linkage with at least one of the LPG production unit and the LPG storage unit.",
"8. The loading and unloading station of claim 7, wherein the supercritical CO2 cycle comprises:\nan internal heat exchanger, an external heat exchanger, and a CO2 turbine,\nwherein the internal heat exchanger is configured to heat the high pressure, cold CO2 stream and transfer the high pressure, cold CO2 stream to the external heat exchanger,\nwherein the external heat exchanger is configured to further heat the high pressure, cold CO2 stream to create a high pressure, high temperature CO2 stream, and configured to transfer the high pressure, high temperature CO2 stream to the CO2 turbine, and\nwherein the CO2 turbine is configured to expand the high pressure, high temperature CO2 stream to generate power.",
"9. The loading and unloading station of claim 8, further comprising:\na heat source operatively connected to the external heat exchanger via a heat linkage, wherein the heat source provides the energy for heating the high pressure, cold CO2 stream in the external heat exchanger.",
"10. The loading and unloading station of claim 9, wherein the high pressure, high temperature CO2 stream exiting the external heat exchanger has a temperature in a range of 100° C. to 800° C.",
"11. The loading and unloading station of claim 7, wherein the CO2 compression unit compresses the CO2 to a pressure in the range of 200 to 500 bar.",
"12. A system for simultaneous loading and unloading of CO2 and a liquid hydrocarbon, the system comprising:\na vessel comprising at least one storage tank configured to transfer the CO2 or the liquid hydrocarbon, and configured to load and unload at least one of the liquid hydrocarbon and CO2;\na first station at which the liquid hydrocarbon is produced, wherein the first station comprises:\na liquid hydrocarbon loading unit, a first conduit configured to selectively connect the liquid hydrocarbon loading unit, a CO2 unloading unit, a second conduit configured to selectively connect the CO2 unloading unit to the vessel, and at least one of: (a) a first thermal linkage configured to transfer coldness from the second conduit to the first conduit to facilitate liquefaction of the liquid hydrocarbon and (b) second thermal linkage between the first conduit and second conduit configured to cause condensation of the liquid hydrocarbon in the first conduit,\na CO2 storage unit fluidly connected to the CO2 unloading unit and configured to receive CO2 from the CO2 unloading unit, and\na CO2 compression unit fluidly connected to the CO2 storage unit and configured to receive CO2 from the CO2 unloading unit, wherein the CO2 compression unit is configured to compress CO2 above a predetermined pressure;\na second station at which the CO2 is collected, wherein the second station comprises:\na CO2 loading unit, a third conduit configured to selectively connect the CO2 loading unit to the vessel, a liquid hydrocarbon unloading unit, and a fourth conduit configured to selectively connect the liquid hydrocarbon unloading unit to the vessel,\nwherein, at the first station, the vessel is configured to simultaneously unload CO2 via the CO2 unloading unit and load the liquid hydrocarbon into the at least one storage tank, and at the second station, the vessel is configured to simultaneously unload the liquid hydrocarbon via the liquid hydrocarbon unloading unit and load the CO2 into the at least one storage tank.",
"13. The system of claim 12, wherein the second station further comprises:\na CO2 capture unit configured to capture CO2 produced from a carbon containing source; and\na CO2 liquefaction unit fluidly connected to CO2 loading unit, wherein the CO2 liquefaction unit is configured to receive the captured CO2 from the CO2 capture unit, and to liquefy the captured CO2 to desired storage conditions and transport conditions; and\na third thermal linkage between the CO2 liquefaction unit and the fourth conduit, wherein the third thermal linkage is configured to help the liquefaction of CO2.",
"14. The system of claim 12, further comprising:\na CO2 supercritical cycle fluidly connected to the CO2 compression unit, wherein the CO2 supercritical cycle is configured to receive CO2 from the CO2 compression unit and generate power.",
"15. The system of claim 14, wherein the vessel further comprises:\na boil-off compression unit fluidly connected to the at least one storage tank and configured to receive a boil-off stream from the at least one storage tank comprising CO2 and non-condensable gases, and compress the boil-off stream;\na non-condensable separation unit fluidly connected to the boil-off compression unit and configured to receive the compressed boil-off stream, and separate the non-condensable gases from the CO2; and\na boil-off liquefaction unit fluidly connected to the non-condensable separation unit and configured to receive the separated CO2, liquefy the CO2, and transfer the liquefied CO2 back to the at least one storage tank."
],
[
"1. A method for dispensing a fuel comprising the steps:\nproviding a non-petroleum fuel as a liquefied fuel to a storage tank;\nincreasing pressure of the liquefied fuel to a target pressure using a pump disposed within the storage tank;\nbypassing a first portion of the liquefied fuel from the pump at least partially around a heat exchanger, wherein the first portion of the liquefied fuel comprising liquefied fuel that has been partially vaporized in the heat exchanger;\ndischarging a second portion of the liquefied fuel to a heat exchanger, said heat exchanger configured to warm the second portion of the liquefied fuel; and\ncontrolling a temperature of the liquefied fuel by combining the first portion and the second portion of the liquefied fuel without external refrigeration or a storage subsystem disposed between the pump and the dispenser.",
"2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the storage tank is underground.",
"3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger is a vaporizer configured to heat the liquefied fuel.",
"4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the liquefied fuel is liquid hydrogen or liquified natural gas.",
"5. The method according to claim 1, wherein an inlet of the pump is submerged in the liquefied fuel in the storage tank and disposed substantially at the bottom of said storage tank.",
"6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first portion of the liquefied fuel is provided as a fraction between 5% to 95% of a total of the liquefied fuel from the pump.",
"7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising dispensing the combined first portion and second portion to at least one vehicle, and not comprising a storage subsystem.",
"8. A system for dispensing a fuel to a vehicle comprising:\nat least one storage tank for storing a non-petroleum liquefied fuel;\nat least one pump disposed within the storage tank, said at least one pump configured to provide the liquefied fuel by increasing pressure to a target pressure;\na heat exchanger configured to increase a temperature of the liquefied fuel from the at least one pump, wherein the heat exchanger comprises at least one take-off point, wherein said take-off point is configured to provide liquefied fuel that is at least partially vaporized in the heat exchanger;\na bypass line around the heat exchanger configured to receive a cold stream of the liquefied fuel as a first portion; and\na dispenser comprising a control system for dispensing the liquefied fuel at the target pressure and a target temperature without external refrigeration or a storage subsystem disposed between the pump and the dispenser,\nwherein a second portion of the liquefied fuel is supplied to the heat exchanger to be heated.",
"9. The system according to claim 8, wherein the storage tank is directly buried underground.",
"10. The system according to claim 8, wherein the at least one pump is provided in a pump socket installed in the at least one underground storage tank.",
"11. The system according to claim 8, wherein the at least one pump includes a hydraulic drive system.",
"12. The system according to claim 8, wherein the heat exchanger is a vaporizer.",
"13. The system according to claim 8, further comprising a thermal management system for combining the first portion and the second portion to the target temperature.",
"14. The system according to claim 8, wherein at least two pumps are provided to supply the liquefied fuel to at least two vehicles, and the system does not comprise a storage subsystem."
],
[
"1. A cryogenic energy storage system comprising:\na cryogenic storage tank for storing a cryogen;\na power recovery system including:\na pump in fluid communication with the cryogenic storage tank, wherein the pump is for compressing the cryogen from the storage tank;\na first heat exchanger;\na first expansion turbine;\na first pathway for conveying the compressed cryogen through the first heat exchanger for heating the compressed cryogen;\na second pathway through the first expansion turbine for expanding and converting the heated compressed cryogen into a low pressure exhaust gas for extracting power from the cryogen;\na third pathway for conveying the low pressure exhaust gas through the first heat exchanger for heating the compressed cryogen and cooling the low pressure exhaust gas;\na first thermal store;\na fourth pathway through the first thermal store;\na fifth pathway for conveying the cooled low pressure exhaust gas to the fourth pathway through the first thermal store for use as a first source of a working fluid;\na co-located liquefier including:\na second source of the working fluid;\na second heat exchanger having a length;\na compressor;\nsecond and third expansion turbines;\na phase separator;\na sixth pathway for conveying the working fluid from the first and second sources of the working fluid through the compressor;\na seventh pathway for conveying a first portion of the compressed working fluid through the second expansion turbine and part of the length of the second heat exchanger to the fourth pathway through the first thermal store; and\nan eighth pathway for conveying at least a part of a second portion of the compressed working fluid through the third expansion turbine and part of the length of the second heat exchanger to the phase separator to convert some of the second portion of the working fluid into new cryogen.",
"2. The cryogenic energy storage system of claim 1 further comprising a ninth pathway for conveying the new cryogen to the cryogen storage tank.",
"3. The cryogenic energy storage system of claim 1 further comprising an expansion valve and a tenth pathway connected to the eighth pathway within the second heat exchanger in advance of the third expansion turbine for conveying a part of the second portion of the working fluid through the second heat exchanger and the expansion valve to the phase separator for converting more of the second portion of the working fluid into new cryogen.",
"4. The cryogenic energy storage system of claim 1 in which the phase separator separates liquid and vapor products, and further comprising an eleventh pathway for conveying the vapor product through the second heat exchanger.",
"5. The cryogenic energy storage system of claim 4 in which the eleventh pathway further conveys the vapor product to the compressor for rejoining the working fluid along the seventh and eighth pathways.",
"6. The cryogenic energy storage system of claim 1 in which the power recovery system includes a heater along an extended part of the second pathway for further heating the heated compressed cryogen in advance of the first expansion turbine.",
"7. The cryogenic energy storage system of claim 6 further comprising a second thermal store and a first closed circulation loop for conveying a first heat transfer fluid through the heater and the second thermal store.",
"8. The cryogenic energy storage system of claim 7 in which the co-located liquefier includes an intercooler for capturing heat from compression, and further comprising a second closed circulation loop for conveying a second heat transfer fluid through the intercooler and the second thermal store.",
"9. The cryogenic energy storage system of claim 8 further comprising first and second circulation pumps respectively located along the first and second closed circulation loops.",
"10. The cryogenic energy storage system of claim 8 in which the compressor is a first compressor and further comprising a second compressor that is arranged for compressing ambient gas as the second source of the working fluid and the intercooler is a first intercooler for cooling output from the first compressor and a second intercooler provides for cooling output from the second compressor.",
"11. The cryogenic energy storage system of claim 1 in which the power recovery system includes a third heat exchanger along an extended part of the second pathway between the first expansion turbine and the third pathway.",
"12. The cryogenic energy storage system of claim 11 further comprising a second thermal store and a first closed circulation loop for conveying a first heat transfer fluid through the third heat exchanger and the second thermal store, wherein the third heat exchanger provides for heating the cooled low pressure exhaust from the first expansion turbine and cooling the first heat transfer fluid en route to the second thermal store.",
"13. The cryogenic energy storage system of claim 12 in which the co-located liquefier includes a cooler for cooling the working fluid from the first and second sources of the working fluid prior to their compression, and further comprising a second closed circulation loop for conveying a second heat transfer fluid through the cooler and the second thermal store.",
"14. The cryogenic energy storage system of claim 13 further comprising first and second circulation pumps respectively located along the first and second closed circulation loops.",
"15. The cryogenic energy storage system of claim 13 in which the first and second closed circulation loops are arranged for conveying the first and second heat transfer fluids as gases.",
"16. The cryogenic energy storage system of claim 15 in which the first and second heat transfer fluids comprise one or more of dry air and dry nitrogen.",
"17. The cryogenic energy storage system of claim 13 in which the compressor is a first compressor and further comprising a second compressor that is arranged for compressing ambient gas as the second source of the working fluid and the cooler is a first cooler for cooling input to the first compressor and a second intercooler provides for cooling input to the second compressor.",
"18. The cryogenic energy storage system of claim 1 wherein the first expansion turbine and the first heat exchanger are arranged so that the cooled low pressure exhaust gas along the fifth pathway has a gauge pressure of less than 4 bar.",
"19. The cryogenic energy storage system of claim 1 in which the compressor, the second expansion turbine, and the second heat exchanger are arranged so that the first portion of the working fluid along the seventh pathway between the second heat exchanger and the first thermal store has a gauge pressure of less than 4bar.",
"20. The cryogenic energy storage system of claim 1 in which the compressor is a first compressor and further comprising a second compressor that is arranged for compressing ambient gas as the second source of the working fluid to a gauge pressure of at least 5 bar.",
"21. The cryogenic energy storage system of claim 20 in which the first compressor is arranged to compress the working fluid from the first and second sources to a gauge pressure of at least 25 bar.",
"22. The cryogenic energy storage system of claim 1 in which the second heat exchanger comprises one element of a plurality of elements of a cold box within the co-located liquefier.",
"23. The cryogenic energy storage system of claim 1 in which the cryogen stored in the storage tank is liquid air.",
"24. The cryogenic energy storage system of claim 1 in which the first thermal store has a variable geometry design comprising at least two different thermal masses having different aspect ratios.",
"25. The cryogenic energy storage system of claim 8 in which the second thermal store has a variable geometry design comprising at least two different thermal masses having different aspect ratios.",
"26. The cryogenic energy storage system of claim 1 in which the first thermal store comprises a containment vessel containing a storage media arranged so that the cooled low pressure exhaust gas along the fourth pathway is in direct contact with the storage media."
],
[
"1. A container transportation ship comprising:\na cargo space in which one or more containers are loaded;\na loading/unloading space which an external conveyance directly enters to load/unload the containers, the cargo space and the loading/unloading space being formed on a deck of the container transportation ship; and\na crane moving the containers in longitudinal, transverse, and vertical directions of the container transportation ship to load/unload the containers onto/from the external conveyance having entered the loading/unloading space;\na reclosable door unit opening/closing an entryway through which the external conveyance enters the ship;\na guide unit guiding the external conveyance to the loading/unloading space;\na positioning unit correcting a transverse position of the external conveyance; and\na stop module restricting a position of the external conveyance in a moving direction of the external conveyance.",
"2. The container transportation ship according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the containers loaded in the cargo space is a tank container storing liquefied gas, and the container transportation ship further comprises: a power generation unit generating electricity to be supplied to the ship; and a fuel supply line connected between the power generation unit and at least one of the tank containers to convey liquefied gas fuel from the at least one tank container to the power generation unit, the power generation unit and the fuel supply line being disposed on the deck.",
"3. The container transportation ship according to claim 2, wherein the fuel supply line is connected to at least one of the tank containers loaded in the cargo space, and at least one of the tank containers connected to the fuel supply line belongs to a starboardmost or portmost column of tank containers and a sternmost row of tank containers.",
"4. The container transportation ship according to claim 2, wherein the fuel supply line is detachably connected to the tank containers to be reconnected to another tank container when supply of liquefied gas from one tank container connected to the fuel supply line to the power generation unit is impossible.",
"5. The container transportation ship according to claim 1, wherein the positioning unit further comprises:\na position sensing unit detecting the transverse position of the external conveyance; and\na drive unit transversely moving the external conveyance based on the position of the external conveyance detected by the position sensing unit.",
"6. The container transportation ship according to claim 5, wherein the guide unit comprises:\na pressing unit forcing a pair of guide modules to transversely protrude; and\na support step supporting the pressing unit,\nwherein the pressing unit is coupled at one end thereof to each of the guide modules and is coupled at the other end thereof to the support step to adjust a transverse distance between the pair of guide modules facing each other.",
"7. The container transportation ship according to claim 1, further comprising:\nguide rails formed at respective opposite ends of the ship parallel to the loading/unloading space to guide the crane to move in the longitudinal direction of the ship, the guide rails being formed at an upper end of an outer wall of the ship or on the deck of the ship.",
"8. The container transportation ship according to claim 1, wherein the crane comprises:\na container holder formed corresponding to an upper surface of the container to hold the container;\nright and left columns coupled to guide rails formed at respective opposite ends of the ship, the right and left columns being movable on the guide rails;\na bridge connected between upper ends of the right and left columns to be supported by the right and left columns, the bridge being movable along with the right and left columns;\na horizontally movable part coupled to the bridge to move the container holder between the right and left columns; and\na vertically movable part coupled to the horizontally movable part to vertically move the container holder.",
"9. The container transportation ship according to claim 1, further comprising:\nthe container transportation ship including a barge-type deck and underbody to form a flat hull,\nat least one propeller formed on the underbody to propel the hull;\na power generation unit formed at a stern on the deck to generate electricity to be supplied to the propeller;\na cargo space disposed nearer to a bow on the deck than the power generation unit and allowing one or more tank containers storing liquefied gas to be loaded therein; and\na loading/unloading space disposed nearer to the bow on the deck than the cargo space and allowing an external conveyance to enter to load/unload the tank containers; and\na fuel supply line connected between the power generation unit and at least one of the tank containers to convey liquefied gas fuel from the at least one tank container to the power generation unit.",
"10. The container transportation ship according to claim 9, further comprising:\na pilot house disposed at a right or left of the loading/unloading space to steer the ship.",
"11. The container transportation ship according to claim 9, wherein the power generation unit comprises:\na vaporizer regasifying liquefied gas supplied from the tank container through the fuel supply line; and\na power generation module fueled by liquefied gas regasified by the vaporizer.",
"12. The container transportation ship according to claim 11, wherein the power generation unit is encased.",
"13. The container transportation ship according to claim 9, wherein the power generation unit is isolated from the loading/unloading space by the cargo space."
],
[
"1. A system for determining a fill level of an inner tank of a container including a rigid inner tank and a rigid outer tank, comprising:\na resonator for vibrating an outer surface of the outer tank and inducing a resonance vibration of the outer tank and a resonance vibration of the inner tank;\na vibration detecting device for detecting a data signal indicative of a combined response vibration including the resonance vibration of the outer tank and the resonance vibration of the inner tank;\na data storage medium storing a machine learning algorithm;\na first data processing module for sampling the data signal from the vibration detecting device to provide response data indicative of the combined response vibration; and\na second data processing module inputting the response data into the machine learning algorithm, the machine learning algorithm receiving the response data and outputting a fill level measurement of the inner tank;\nwherein the machine learning algorithm is trained through machine learning, including the process of selecting model inputs and outputs to define an internal structure of the machine learning algorithm, applying a collection of input and output data samples to train the machine learning algorithm, and verifying the accuracy of the machine learning algorithm by applying input data samples and comparing received output values with expected output values.",
"2. The system of claim 1, wherein the resonance frequency of the outer tank is a static resonant frequency and the resonance frequency of the inner tank varies depending on the fill level of the inner tank.",
"3. The system of claim 2, wherein:\nthe data signal includes a resultant beating effect reflected in an amplitude envelope of the combined response vibration; and\nat least one of the first and second data processing modules detects the amplitude envelope of the combined response vibration before further processing the data signal.",
"4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a wireless data transmission device in connection with a remote server, the remote server including the first and second data processing modules and the data storage medium, wherein the wireless data transmission device transmits the data signal to the remote server for processing by the first and second data processing modules.",
"5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a wireless data transmission device in connection with a remote server, the remote server including the second data processing module and the data storage medium, wherein the wireless data transmission device transmits the response signal to the remote server for processing by the second data processing module.",
"6. The system of claim 5, wherein a user can access the remote server via a user computing device.",
"7. The system of claim 5, wherein the remote server collects operational data, including the response data and the corresponding fill level measurements, and uses it to train the machine learning algorithm to improve its accuracy.",
"8. The system of claim 5, the remote server further comprising a data repository for collecting the response data for training the machine learning algorithm.",
"9. The system of claim 1, wherein the machine learning algorithm is a regression neural network model.",
"10. The system of claim 1, wherein control software uses historical usage data and the fill level measurement of the container along with a known quantity of a liquid stored on a liquid delivery truck to optimize delivery routing.",
"11. The system of claim 1, wherein one of the first or second data processors compares the fill level measurement to a historical fill level measurement and identifies a leak in the container.",
"12. The system of claim 1, wherein one of the first or second data processors classifies the data signal as normal or dampened, and the system alerts a user if the data signal is classified as dampened.",
"13. The system of claim 1, wherein the system initiates fill level measurements at a first rate of measurements per day during a first length of time and at a second rate of measurements per day upon expiration of the first length of time.",
"14. A method for training a neural network model to determine a liquid fill level of an inner tank in a container system having an inner tank and an outer tank, the container system having a resonator for vibrating an outer surface of the outer tank, a vibration detecting device, and a processing module for sampling a data signal detected by the vibration detecting device, the data signal including an amplitude envelope signal reflective of a beating effect of the combined response vibration of the static outer tank resonant vibration and the varying inner tank resonant vibration, the method comprising the acts of:\ndefining a number of data inputs for a neural network model;\ncollecting a set of vibration response data including one or more data signals representative of sampled vibration signals each including the amplitude envelope signal, each data signal having a known output representative of a liquid fill level in the inner tank, the set of vibration response data capable of being input into the neural network model;\nselecting an internal structure for the neural network model, the internal structure having one or more hidden layers, each hidden layer having one or more neurons, wherein each neuron in each hidden layer is connected to each neuron in each adjacent hidden layer;\napplying a first portion of the set of vibration response data to the neural network model; and\nverifying the accuracy of the neural network model by applying a second portion of the set of vibration response data to the neural network model and comparing a received output value with an expected output value representative of a container fill level.",
"15. The method of claim 14, wherein operational data, including real-time vibration response data and corresponding fill level measurements, is applied to the neural network model to improve its accuracy.",
"16. A liquid container refill management system for determining a liquid fill level in a container, the container including an inner tank and an outer tank, comprising:\na container fill level indicator capable of detecting a vibration response signal on an outer surface of the container, wherein the vibration response signal includes an amplitude envelope beating effect resulting from an interference between a static resonant vibration of the outer tank and a varying resonant vibration of the inner tank, the amplitude envelope beating effect varying with the liquid fill level of the inner tank;\na wireless transceiver associated with the container fill level indicator and capable of receiving and transmitting the vibration response signal; and\na remote data processor in communication with the wireless transceiver, the remote data processor receiving the vibration response signal and inputting it into a trained machine learning algorithm to determine the liquid fill level in the inner tank;\nwherein the machine learning algorithm is trained using supervised machine learning, including the process of selecting model inputs and outputs to define an internal structure of the machine learning algorithm, applying a collection of input and output data samples to train the machine learning algorithm, and verifying the accuracy of the machine learning algorithm by applying input data samples and comparing received output values with expected output values.",
"17. The system of claim 16, wherein the machine learning algorithm is a regression neural network model.",
"18. The system of claim 16, further comprising a remote server, wherein the remote server collects operational data, including the vibration response signal and the liquid fill level, and uses it to train the machine learning algorithm to improve its accuracy.",
"19. The system of claim 16, wherein control software uses historical usage data and the real-time liquid fill level of the container along with a known quantity of a liquid stored on a liquid delivery truck to optimize delivery routing.",
"20. The system of claim 16, wherein the remote data processor compares the liquid fill level to a historical liquid fill level and identifies a leak in the container.",
"21. The system of claim 16, wherein the remote data processor classifies the data signal as normal or dampened, and the remote data processor alerts a user if the data signal is classified as dampened."
],
[
"1. An apparatus comprising:\na floating liquefaction unit comprising a first docking system;\na floating regasification unit comprising a second docking system; and,\na shuttle vessel comprising a cryogenic storage system and a third docking system, wherein the shuttle vessel may be docked with the liquefaction unit, docked with the gassification unit, or traveling between the liquefaction unit and the regasification unit, and wherein the third docking system is connectable with the first docking system to allow transfer of a liquified liquefied gas from the liquefaction unit into the cryogenic storage system when the vessel is docked with the liquefaction unit, and connectable with the second docking system to allow transfer of a liquefied gas from the cryogenic storage unit to the gasification unit when the vessel is docked with the gassification unit; wherein the cryogenic storage system comprises:\na sealed containment box;\na multiplicity of tanks positioned within the box;\na pump system positioned within the box and in liquid communication with the tanks; and\na vaporizer positioned outside the box and in liquid communication with the pump system.",
"2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the floating liquefaction unit is connected to a gas source, and the floating regasification unit is connected to a gas distribution system.",
"3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the liquefaction unit, the gassification unit, and the vessel are all floating on a body of water.",
"4. A method of transporting a gas, comprising;\n(A) receiving the gas into a floating liquefaction unit,\n(B) liquifying the gas to form a liquefied gas;\n(C) transferring the liquefied gas from the liquefaction unit into a cryogenic storage unit of a marine vessel, wherein the cryogenic storage unit comprises\na sealed containment box;\na multiplicity of tanks positioned within the box;\na pump system positioned within the box and in liquid communication with the tanks; and\na vaporizer positioned outside the box and in liquid communication with the pump system;\n(D) transferring the liquefied gas from the marine vessel into a floating regasification unit; and\n(E) regasifying the liquefied gas into a regasified gas.",
"5. The method of claim 4, wherein the gas of step (A) is from a gas pipeline, a well, mobile vessel, or a storage tank."
],
[
"1. A hydrogen station operation method for replenishing liquid hydrogen into a storage tank, the method comprising:\nproviding a hydrogen station which includes the storage tank which stores the liquid hydrogen; a vaporizer which gasifies the liquid hydrogen supplied from the storage tank; a compressor which increases the pressure of the hydrogen gasified in the vaporizer to a predetermined pressure; a gasification path which gasifies at least a part of the liquid hydrogen flowed out of the storage tank and returns it to the storage tank; a gas delivery path for delivering the gasified hydrogen in the storage tank to a path between the vaporizer and the compressor, or into the vaporizer; and an accumulator which stores the hydrogen gas increased in pressure in the compressor, for filling a tank loading device with the hydrogen gas stored in the accumulator via a dispenser;\ndetermining that the remaining amount of the liquid hydrogen in the storage tank is equal to or less than a first threshold; and\nafter determining that the remaining amount of the liquid hydrogen in the storage tank is equal to or less than the first threshold, reducing the pressure in the storage tank to a pressure suitable for replenishing the liquid hydrogen into the storage tank and reducing a suction pressure of the compressor, by:\nreducing the amount of the liquid hydrogen flowing through the gasification path by a valve arranged in the gasification path,\nreducing the gasification amount of the liquid hydrogen in the storage tank, and\nfurther increasing the amount of hydrogen gas delivered through the gas delivery path from the storage tank by a valve arranged in the gas delivery path.",
"2. The hydrogen station operation method according to claim 1, wherein\nuntil the remaining amount of the liquid hydrogen in the storage tank reaches a second threshold smaller than the first threshold from the first threshold, the pressure in the storage tank is gradually reduced, and\nbased on the fact that the remaining amount of the liquid hydrogen in the storage tank reached the second threshold, replenishment of the liquid hydrogen into the storage tank is started.",
"3. The hydrogen station operation method according to claim 1, wherein the tank loading device is a fuel cell forklift or a fuel cell vehicle.",
"4. The hydrogen station operation method according to claim 3, wherein in the hydrogen station, a plurality of the dispensers are provided so as to be able to fill each of the fuel cell forklift and the fuel cell vehicle with hydrogen gas.",
"5. A hydrogen station comprising:\na storage tank which stores liquid hydrogen;\na vaporizer which gasifies the liquid hydrogen supplied from the storage tank;\na compressor which increases the pressure of the hydrogen gasified in the vaporizer to a predetermined pressure;\na gasification path which gasifies at least a part of the liquid hydrogen flowed out of the storage tank and returns it to the storage tank;\na gasification valve which is arranged in the gasification path and adjusts the amount of the liquid hydrogen flowing through the gasification path;\na gas delivery path for delivering the gasified hydrogen in the storage tank to a path between the vaporizer and the compressor, or into the vaporizer;\nan accumulator which stores the hydrogen gas increased in pressure in the compressor;\na level sensor which detects the remaining amount of the liquid hydrogen in the storage tank; and\na control unit which, when the remaining amount of the liquid hydrogen in the storage tank detected by the liquid amount detection unit becomes equal to or less than a first threshold, reduces the pressure in the storage tank to a pressure suitable for replenishing the liquid hydrogen into the storage tank by controlling the gasification valve so as to reduce the amount of the liquid hydrogen flowing through the gasification path and reduce the gasification amount of the liquid hydrogen in the storage tank, and further controlling a valve arranged in the gas delivery path so as to increase the amount of hydrogen gas delivered through the gas delivery path from the storage tank.",
"6. The hydrogen station according to claim 5, wherein the control unit controls the gasification valve in such a manner that the pressure in the storage tank is gradually reduced until the remaining amount of the liquid hydrogen in the storage tank detected by the liquid amount detection unit reaches a second threshold which is a value smaller than the first threshold and which requires replenishment of the liquid hydrogen from the first threshold.",
"7. The hydrogen station according to claim 5, further comprising a plurality of dispensers for filling tank loading devices with hydrogen gas stored in the accumulator, provided so as to be able to fill each of a fuel cell forklift and a fuel cell vehicle which are the tank loading devices with hydrogen gas."
],
[
"1. A hybrid vehicle comprising:\na liquefied light hydrocarbon or hydrogen fuel system fluidly connected to an energy conversion device selected from the group consisting of internal combustion engines, fuel cells and sterling engines, the liquefied light hydrocarbon or hydrogen fuel system comprising:\na. a fuel tank comprising:\n(i) a chamber containing a liquified fuel selected from the group of light hydrocarbons, hydrogen and mixtures thereof;\n(ii) a buffer space, within the chamber configured to contain a vaporized fuel within the buffer space;\n(iii) a wall with an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein the inner surface is in contact with the chamber and the buffer space;\n(iv) an orifice plate in the buffer space adapted to enable expansion of the vaporized fuel through the orifice plate whereby the pressure and temperature of the vaporized fuel are reduced and provide a cooling effect as the vaporized fuel flows from the buffer space through the orifice plate;\n(v) a fuel coil connected to the orifice plate adapted to provide heat transfer from the fuel tank to the vaporized fuel inside the fuel coil whereby heat is removed by the vaporized fuel flowing through the fuel coil as the orifice plate creates a pressure and temperature differential between the fuel tank and the inside of the fuel coil;\nb. a heat transfer chamber adjacent to the outer surface of the wall wherein the heat transfer chamber is in thermal contact with the outer surface of the wall;\nc. a first fuel line attached to the fuel tank conveying a first fuel vapor from the buffer space wherein an inlet to the first fuel line is connected to an outlet of the fuel coil;\nd. a second fuel line connected to the fuel tank wherein the second fuel line conveys a second fuel vapor from the buffer space;\ne. a first solenoid valve configured to control the flow of the first fuel vapor whereby the amount of cooling from the fuel coil can be controlled;\nf. a second solenoid valve configured to control the flow of the second fuel vapor;\ng. a buffer tank for receiving the first and second fuel vapors;\nh. a pressure sensor for detecting pressure of the first and second fuel vapors in the buffer tank;\ni. a pressure regulator to regulate the flow of combined fuel vapor through a third fuel line, wherein a first end of the third fuel line is connected to the buffer tank and a second end of the third fuel line is connected to an inlet to the pressure regulator, and an outlet of the pressure regulator conveys fuel vapor to the energy conversion device;\nj. a thermal insulation surrounding the fuel tank and the heat transfer chamber.",
"2. The hybrid vehicle of claim 1, wherein the energy conversion device is an internal combustion engine or a Stirling engine and the liquefied fuel is selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, methane, natural gas, ethane, ethylene, propane, propylene, butane, isobutene, isobutene, butylene, and mixtures thereof.",
"3. The hybrid vehicle of claim 1, wherein the liquid fuel is maintained at a pressure between about 15 psi and about 300 psi.",
"4. The hybrid vehicle of claim 1, wherein the fuel tank is spherical, cylindrical with hemispherical ends or toroidal shape.",
"5. The hybrid vehicle of claim 1, wherein the thermal insulation material is selected from a group consisting of supercritical-dried gels, fiberglass, glass wool, wood, cardboard and polystyrene foam.",
"6. The hybrid vehicle of claim 5, wherein the thermal insulation is surrounded by a reflective material or radiation barrier.",
"7. The hybrid vehicle of claim 6, wherein the thermal insulation further comprises an air gap or a vacuum chamber.",
"8. The hybrid vehicle of claim 1, wherein the energy conversion device is an internal combustion engine, the hybrid vehicle further comprising:\na. a generator connected to the internal combustion engine;\nb. a battery connected to the generator through a battery charger system;\nc. an electric motor connected to the battery through a converter\nwherein the internal combustion engine drives the generator that provides electrical energy to charge the battery and drive the electric motor to operably move the hybrid vehicle.",
"9. The hybrid vehicle of claim 1, wherein the inlet of a safety relief valve connects to the buffer tank and the pressure sensor is disposed within the buffer tank.",
"10. The hybrid vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a heating system wherein the heating system comprises:\na. a heat transfer fluid within the heat transfer chamber at a predetermined pressure;\nb. a heat transfer line connected to an outlet of the heat transfer chamber;\nc. a butterfly valve connected to the heat transfer line configured to control the flow of heat transfer fluid through the heat transfer line;\nd. a heat transfer coil within a heat exchanger; wherein an outlet of the butterfly valve connects to an inlet of the heat transfer coil and an outlet to the heat transfer coil connects to an inlet of the heat transfer chamber.",
"11. The hybrid vehicle of claim 10, wherein the heat transfer fluid is selected from the group consisting of air, nitrogen, and helium.",
"12. The hybrid vehicle of claim 10, wherein an outlet of a cooling system for the energy conversion device connects to an inlet of the heat exchanger and wherein an outlet of the heat exchanger connects to an inlet of the cooling system of the energy conversion device.",
"13. The hybrid vehicle of claim 10, wherein a digital control unit is operatively connected to the first and second solenoid valves, the pressure sensor, and the energy conversion device, to selectively start the energy conversion device and allow the energy conversion device to consume fuel vapor and reduce fuel tank pressure.",
"14. The hybrid vehicle of claim 13, wherein the pressure sensor is connected to a signal bus and sends digital or analog signals to the digital control unit.",
"15. The hybrid vehicle of claim 13, wherein the butterfly valve is connected to the digital control unit, and wherein the digital control unit controls the butterfly valve through a solenoid actuator.",
"16. The hybrid vehicle of claim 15, wherein the digital control unit further comprises:\na. a processor in communication with computer-readable media specially programmed with adequate interfaces to receive data signals from and send control signals to various components in the hybrid vehicle;\nb. machine executable instructions stored in the computer-readable media configured to instruct the processor to optimize the operation of the hybrid vehicle according to various criteria selected from the group consisting of energy efficiency, battery life, acceleration performance, emissions reduction, total cost of ownership;\nwherein the digital control units receives digital or analog signals through the signal bus from the pressure sensor, and sends control signals through the signal bus to control the safety relief valve, the first and second solenoid valves, the energy conversion device, and the butterfly valve such that the software program controls each of the said elements.",
"17. A method of using the hybrid vehicle of claim 1, comprising the steps of:\na. setting an upper pressure threshold for the buffer space in the fuel tank;\nb. starting the energy conversion device to consume fuel vapor in the buffer space, when the upper pressure threshold is exceeded;\nc. opening the first solenoid valve so that the first fuel vapor flows from the buffer space to the energy conversion device through the orifice plate and coil producing a cooling effect and reducing tank pressure;\nd. charging a battery of the hybrid vehicle with energy generated by the energy conversion device;\ne. closing the first solenoid valve and shutting down the energy conversion device when the pressure in the buffer space drops below a predetermined level.",
"18. A method of using the hybrid vehicle of claim 10, comprising the steps of:\na. setting a lower pressure threshold for the buffer space;\nb. controlling the butterfly valve to increase the flow rate of heat transfer fluid when the pressure in the buffer space drops below the lower pressure threshold, whereby incremental heat enters the tank, increases fuel evaporation in the tank and increases pressure in the buffer space.",
"19. The hybrid vehicle of claim 1, wherein the energy conversion device is a fuel cell and the liquefied fuel is selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, methanol, and mixtures thereof."
],
[
"1. A method for storing and dispensing hydrogen fuel, the method comprising:\nproviding a supply of liquid hydrogen between 1 bar and 5 bar;\npressuring the liquid hydrogen in at least one vaporizer using a liquid pump and filling the at least one vaporizer to between 20% and 100%, inclusive, of its full volumetric capacity;\nvaporizing the liquid hydrogen to gaseous hydrogen by raising the temperature of the liquid hydrogen to ambient temperature within the at least one vaporizer, the gaseous hydrogen having a pressure of between 200 bar and 1200 bar, inclusive;\ntransferring the gaseous hydrogen to and storing the gaseous hydrogen in a storage system at ambient temperature without use of a compressor, the storage system including a plurality of gas storage tanks forming a cascade system with each of the plurality of gas storage tanks having a different pressure capacity rating and adapted to be independently filled with gaseous hydrogen from the at least one vaporizer,\nwherein the gas storage tank from among the plurality of gas storage tanks having the lowest pressure capacity rating receives boil-off gases from the at least one vaporizer during filling of the at least one vaporizer with liquid hydrogen, and\nwherein the liquid pump pressurizes the liquid hydrogen in the at least one vaporizer to no more than 20% of the pressure capacity rating of the gas storage tank from among of the plurality of gas storage tanks having the highest pressure capacity rating; and\ndispensing the gaseous hydrogen to a vehicle fuel tank serially from the gas storage tank of the plurality of gas storage tanks having the lowest usable pressure first followed by the gas storage tank of the plurality of gas storage tanks having the next lowest useable pressure.",
"2. The method of claim 1 further including pre-cooling the at least one vaporizer with liquid hydrogen to a temperature below ambient temperature.",
"3. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one vaporizer includes a multi-layered sidewall having an inner layer and an outer layer, wherein the inner layer includes a greater coefficient of thermal expansion than a coefficient of thermal expansion of the outer layer.",
"4. The method of claim 3 further including filling the at least one vaporizer with liquid hydrogen such that an air gap develops between the inner layer and the outer layer.",
"5. The method of claim 1 wherein raising the temperature of the liquid hydrogen to ambient temperature is performed with a heat exchange from ambient air.",
"6. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one vaporizer is a plurality of vaporizers coupled in parallel between a cryogenic tank and the storage system.",
"7. A method for storing and dispensing hydrogen fuel, the method comprising:\nproviding a supply of liquid hydrogen between 1 bar and 5 bar;\npre-cooling a vaporizer to a temperature below ambient temperature;\npressuring the supply of liquid hydrogen and filling the vaporizer to between 20% and 100%, inclusive, of its full volumetric capacity;\nvaporizing the supply of liquid hydrogen to gaseous hydrogen by raising the temperature of the supply liquid hydrogen within the vaporizer, the gaseous hydrogen having a pressure of between 200 bar and 1200 bar;\ntransferring the gaseous hydrogen to and storing the gaseous hydrogen in a storage system at ambient temperature without use of a compressor, the storage system including a plurality of gas storage tanks having a different pressure capacity rating and that are adapted to be independently filled with gaseous hydrogen from the vaporizer;\nwherein the step of pressurizing the supply of liquid hydrogen and filling the vaporizer includes pressurizing the supply of liquid hydrogen up to 50 bar above the lowest pressure capacity rating of the plurality of gas storage tanks;\nwherein the gas storage tank from among the plurality of gas storage tanks having the lowest pressure capacity rating receives boil-off gases from the vaporizer during filling of the vaporizer with liquid hydrogen; and\ndispensing the gaseous hydrogen to a vehicle fuel tank serially from the gas storage tank of the plurality of gas storage tanks having the lowest usable pressure first followed by the gas storage tank of the plurality of gas storage tanks having the next lowest useable pressure;\nwherein filling the vaporizer includes pressuring the supply of liquid hydrogen in the vaporizer to no more than 20% of the pressure capacity rating of the gas storage tank from among the plurality of gas storage tanks having the highest pressure capacity rating.",
"8. The method of claim 7 wherein the vaporizer includes a multi-layered sidewall having an inner layer and an outer layer, wherein the inner layer includes a greater coefficient of thermal expansion than a coefficient of thermal expansion of the outer layer.",
"9. The method of claim 8 further including filling the vaporizer with liquid hydrogen such that a vacuum develops between the inner layer and the outer layer.",
"10. The method of claim 7 wherein raising the temperature of the liquid hydrogen to ambient temperature is performed with a heat exchange from ambient air or ambient water.",
"11. The method of claim 7 wherein raising the temperature of the liquid hydrogen to ambient temperature is performed with a fluid having a lower freezing point than water.",
"12. The method of claim 7 wherein the vaporizer is one of a plurality of vaporizers coupled in parallel with each other and are disposed between a cryogenic storage tank and the storage system.",
"13. The method of claim 12 wherein the storage system includes a steel concrete composite vessel including a pre-stressed concrete outer shell.",
"14. The method of claim 7 wherein a liquid pump is adapted to pressurize the supply of liquid hydrogen in the vaporizer to fill the vaporizer to between 20% and 100%, inclusive, of its full volumetric capacity."
],
[
"1. A method of operating a ship having a main compressor, a redundancy compressor, at least one propulsion engine, and a tank containing liquefied gas, the method comprising:\nsupplying, to either or both of the main compressor and the redundancy compressor, boil-off gas (BOG) discharged from the tank via a BOG supply line;\ncompressing at least part of the BOG from the BOG supply line to provide a compressed BOG,\nsplitting the compressed BOG a first flow for consumption at the at least one propulsion engine, a second flow for re-liquefying to return to the tank, and a third flow for cooling the second flow prior to returning to the tank;\nsupplying the first flow of compressed BOG to the at least one propulsion engine of the ship for consumption;\nprocessing the second flow of compressed BOG for liquefying at least part of the second flow to provide a liquefied flow for returning to the tank; and\nprocessing the third flow of compressed BOG, which comprises:\nexpanding the third flow at a first expander,\nsubsequently, at a first heat exchanger, heat-exchanging the third flow with the second flow to cool the second flow, and\nsubsequently, supplying back to either or both of the main compressor and the redundancy compressor,\nwherein the second flow for re-liquefaction depends upon an amount of BOG discharge from the tank and also depends an amount of BOG consumption at the at least one propulsion engine,\nwherein an amount of BOG generation within the tank depends upon a level of the liquefied gas contained in the tank, and the maximum amount of the BOG generation occurs when the liquefied gas is at its maximum level in the tank,\nwherein the ship is designed\nsuch that neither of the main compressor and the redundancy compressor has a capacity to compress the maximum amount of BOG generation, and\nsuch that the main compressor and the redundancy compressor are installed in parallel with each other and, when running, configured to receive at least part of the BOG discharged from the tank and to provide at least part of the compressed BOG,\nsuch that the boil-off gas discharged from the tank is compressed by either or both of the main compressor and the redundancy compressor based on the second flow,\nin which, when the second flow for re-liquefaction exceeds a predetermined value, the redundancy compressor compresses a portion of the boil-off gas discharged from the tank along with the main compressor,\nin which, when the second flow for re-liquefaction does not exceed the predetermined value, the redundancy compressor does not run and the main compressor compresses the boil-off gas discharged from the tank.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the main compressor and the redundancy compressor have the same compressing capacity.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein the main compressor and the redundancy compressor have substantially the same compressing capacity.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first flow of compressed boil-off gas is supplied to the propulsion engine at a pressure level in a range between 10 bar and 100 bar.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein processing the second flow comprises:\nheat-exchanging, at the first heat exchanger, the second flow with the third flow to cool the second flow;\nsubsequently expanding the second flow at a second expander to liquefy the at least part of the second flow;\nsubsequently separating liquid from gas at a separator for providing the liquefied flow and a gaseous flow; and\nsubsequently sending the liquefied flow to the tank and sending the gaseous flow to the boil-off gas supply line for supplying back to either or both of the main compressor and the redundancy compressor.",
"6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:\nprior to cooling the second flow at the first heat exchanger, heat-exchanging the second flow, at a second heat exchanger, with the boil-off gas flowing the boil-off gas supply line."
],
[
"1. A method of delivering cryogen to a cryoprobe, said method comprising the steps of:\nproviding a device containing the cryogen, said device having one or more ports;\nproviding a pump submersed within the cryogen;\nproviding a plurality of pressurized apparatuses within said device and coupled to said pump, each of said plurality of pressurized apparatuses having an immersion heater contained therein, at least one inlet port, and at least one outlet port;\nproviding an instrument outside said device for use in cooling processes, said instrument connected to one or more supply lines which interconnect with said device;\nactivating a first pressurized apparatus of said plurality of pressurized apparatuses to form a first volume of pressurized cryogen;\ndirecting said first volume of pressurized cryogen to said instrument through said one or more supply lines;\ndirecting a second volume of cryogen to a second pressurized apparatus of said plurality of pressurized apparatuses; and\nactivating a third pressurized apparatus of said plurality of pressurized apparatuses to form a third volume of pressurized cryogen wherein the step of directing the first volume of pressurized cryogen to said instrument, the step of directing the second volume of cryogen to the second pressurized apparatus, and the step of activating the third pressurized apparatus to form the third volume of pressurized cryogen are performed simultaneously.",
"2. The method of claim 1, further comprising a step of delivering said first volume of pressurized cryogen to a heat exchanger prior to said step of directing said first volume of pressurized cryogen to said instrument.",
"3. The method of claim 1, further comprising a step of sealing said device to form a closed system.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein said instrument is a cryoprobe utilized in cryotherapeutic procedures.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein said plurality of pressurized apparatuses are arranged in a series of pressurized apparatuses.",
"6. The method of claim 1, further comprising a step of recirculating the cryogen through said device by way of one or more return lines.",
"7. The method of claim 1, further comprising a step of generating the first volume of pressurized cryogen as supercritical cryogen within said first pressurized apparatus.",
"8. The method of claim 1, further comprising directing the third volume of pressurized cryogen to the instrument after the first volume of pressurized cryogen has been directed to the instrument to maintain a continuous flow of pressurized cryogen to the instrument.",
"9. The method of claim 1, further comprising activating the second pressurized apparatus after the second volume of cryogen has been directed to the second pressurized apparatus to form a second volume of pressurized cryogen.",
"10. The method of claim 1, wherein each pressurized apparatus of said plurality of pressurized apparatuses comprises an immersion heater.",
"11. The method of claim 1, further comprising directing said first volume of pressurized cryogen to a subcooling unit prior to directing said first volume of pressurized cryogen to said instrument.",
"12. The method of claim 11, wherein the subcooling unit comprises a linear heat exchanger.",
"13. The method of claim 12, wherein the linear heat exchanger comprises a plurality of baffles projecting into a flow path of the first volume of pressurized cryogen.",
"14. The method of claim 12, wherein the linear heat exchanger comprises an interior central component configured as a spiral to increase a flow path of the first volume of pressurized cryogen in the heat exchanger."
],
[
"1. A laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) device, the device comprising:\na laser projector configured to project a pulsed beam to a target;\na light receiving module configured to receive a target light, wherein the target light includes a light in connection with plasma ablation induced at the target by the pulsed beam;\na spectrometer optically connected to the light receiving module and configured to obtain a spectrum data related to the target light received from the light receiving module, the spectrometer comprising:\na spectral member for separating light received from the light receiving module; and\nsensor arrays configured to detect the separated light from the spectral member in a predetermined wavelength band, wherein the sensor arrays include a plurality of image sensors arranged to measure a plurality of intensities of the separated light corresponding to a plurality of specific wavelength bands included in the predetermined wavelength band,\nwherein the sensor arrays are configured to alternately and repeatably operate 1) a plurality of exposure periods for accumulating electrical energy according to the detected light and 2) a plurality of reset periods for initializing the electrical energy accumulated during the exposure period and the sensor arrays configured to generate the spectrum data related to the detected light in the exposure period,\nwherein the sensor arrays are configured to be set for the exposure period to have a predetermined duration such that the spectrum data related to the target light includes 1) first spectrum information related to the continuum emission having overall intensity values for the predetermined wavelength band and 2) second spectrum information related to the element specific emission having intensity values of one or more spectral peaks within the predetermined wavelength band; and\na controller configured to:\nobtain a plurality of spectrum data corresponding to the plurality of exposure periods of the spectrometer,\nselect a specific exposure period based on an occurrence of the projection of the pulsed beam,\nobtain the target spectrum data of the target light generated in connection with the plasma ablation from the selected specific exposure period, and\nprovide, by using an artificial neural network, diagnostic information on whether the target is related to a disease based on the spectrum data.",
"2. The device according to claim 1, further comprising:\na triggering module configured to transmit a triggering signal to the spectrometer in response to the occurrence of the projection of the pulsed beam, and\nwherein the controller configured to select the specific exposure period based on the triggering signal.",
"3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the triggering module includes a photo diode which outputs the triggering signal when light above a preset intensity is received.",
"4. The device according to claim 2, wherein the controller is further configured to:\nreceive the trigger signal from the triggering module; and\nselect the specific exposure period among the plurality of exposure periods based on the reception time of the triggering signal.",
"5. The device according to claim 2, wherein the triggering module is disposed adjacent to the laser projector for detecting the occurrence of the projection of the pulsed beam.",
"6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the artificial neural network has been trained based on a spectrum data for training which reflects 1) first spectrum information related to the continuum emission having overall intensity values for the predetermined wavelength band and 2) second spectrum information related to the element specific emission having intensity values of one or more spectral peaks within the predetermined wavelength band.",
"7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined duration of the exposure period is set to be longer than 1 ms.",
"8. A method for providing a medical information using a laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) device, the method comprising:\nprojecting, by a laser projector, a pulsed beam to a target;\nseparating, by a spectral member, light generated in connection with a plasma ablation induced at the target by the pulsed beam;\nalternately and continuously repeating, by a sensor array, 1) a plurality of exposure periods for accumulating electrical energy according to received light and 2) a plurality of reset periods for initializing the electrical energy accumulated during the exposure period;\ngenerating, by the sensor array, a plurality of a spectrum data, which is related to the plurality of exposure periods, including a plurality of intensity values of the separated light received from the spectral member in predetermined wavelength band;\nselecting, by a controller, the target specific exposure period among the plurality of the exposure periods; and\nobtaining, by the controller, the spectrum data related to the specific exposure period from the sensor array,\nproviding, by the controller, diagnostic information on whether the target is related to a disease based on the spectrum data by using an artificial neural network, and\nwherein the sensor arrays configured to be set for the exposure period to have a predetermined duration such that the spectrum data includes 1) first spectrum information related to the continuum emission having overall intensity values for the predetermined wavelength band and 2) second spectrum information related to the element specific emission having intensity values of one or more spectral peaks within the predetermined wavelength band.",
"9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:\ngenerating, by a triggering module, a triggering signal in response to an occurrence of the projection of the pulsed beam; and\nwherein the selecting the specific exposure period is further based on the triggering signal.",
"10. The method of claim 9, wherein the triggering module is disposed adjacent to the laser projector for detecting the occurrence of the projection of the pulsed beam.",
"11. The method of claim 9, wherein the triggering module includes a photo diode which outputs the triggering signal when light above a preset intensity is received.",
"12. The method of claim 8, wherein the artificial neural network has been trained based on a spectrum data for training which reflects 1) first spectrum information related to the continuum emission having overall intensity values for the predetermined wavelength band and 2) second spectrum information related to the element specific emission having intensity values of one or more spectral peaks within the predetermined wavelength band.",
"13. The method of claim 8, wherein the predetermined duration of the exposure period is set to be longer than 1 ms.",
"14. The method of claim 8, wherein the disease comprises a skin cancer."
],
[
"1. A dual-use cryogenic storage tank for alternately storing liquefied natural gas (LNG) and liquid nitrogen (LIN), comprising:\na liquid outlet disposed at a low spot in the storage tank and configured to permit liquids to be removed from the storage tank;\none or more nitrogen gas inlet ports disposed at or near a top of the storage tank, the one or more gas inlet ports configured to introduce nitrogen gas into the storage tank as LNG is removed from the storage tank through the liquid outlet;\none or more additional nitrogen gas inlet ports disposed near the bottom of the storage tank and configured to permit additional nitrogen gas to be introduced into the storage tank;\none or more gas outlet ports configured to permit removal of gas from the storage tank as the additional nitrogen gas is introduced into the storage tank; and\none or more liquid inlet ports configured to permit a cryogenic liquid such as LIN to be introduced into the storage tank while the additional nitrogen gas is removed from the storage tank through the one or more gas outlet ports.",
"2. The dual-use cryogenic storage tank of claim 1, wherein the one or more liquid inlet ports are disposed at the bottom of the storage tank.",
"3. The dual-use cryogenic storage tank of claim 1, wherein the nitrogen gas introduced into the storage tank via the one or more nitrogen gas inlet ports is at a temperature of within 5° C. of a normal boiling point of the nitrogen gas.",
"4. The dual-use cryogenic storage tank of claim 1, wherein the nitrogen gas introduced into the storage tank via the one or more additional nitrogen gas inlet ports is at a temperature of within 5° C. of a temperature of the LNG.",
"5. The dual-use cryogenic storage tank of claim 1, wherein the nitrogen gas introduced into the storage tank via the one or more nitrogen gas inlet ports, and the additional nitrogen gas introduced into the storage tank by the one or more additional nitrogen gas inlet ports, are slip streams from a nitrogen liquefaction process.",
"6. The dual-use cryogenic storage tank of claim 1, wherein the dual-use cryogenic storage tank is installed on a transport vessel that travels between an LNG production location and an LNG regasification location, and wherein the LNG stored in the storage tank is produced at the LNG production location.",
"7. The dual-use cryogenic storage tank of claim 1, wherein the low spot is a sump.",
"8. A method for loading liquefied nitrogen (LIN) into the dual-use cryogenic storage tank of claim 1, the tank initially containing liquid natural gas (LNG) and a vapor space above the LNG, the method comprising:\nproviding a first nitrogen gas stream and a second nitrogen gas stream, where the first nitrogen stream has a temperature lower than a temperature of the second nitrogen gas stream;\noffloading the LNG from the storage tank while injecting the first nitrogen gas stream into the vapor space;\npurging the storage tank by injecting the second nitrogen gas stream into the storage tank, to thereby reduce a methane content of the vapor space to less than 5 mol %; and after purging the storage tank, loading the storage tank with LIN.",
"9. A method of purging the dual-use cryogenic storage tank of claim 1, the storage tank initially containing liquid natural gas (LNG) and a vapor space above the LNG, the method comprising:\nproviding a first nitrogen gas stream with a temperature within 20° C. of a normal boiling point of the first nitrogen gas stream;\nproviding a second nitrogen gas stream with a temperature within 20° C. of a temperature of the LNG;\nwherein the first nitrogen gas stream and the second nitrogen gas stream are slip streams from a nitrogen liquefaction process;\noffloading the LNG from the storage tank while injecting the first nitrogen gas stream into the vapor space;\ninjecting the second nitrogen gas stream into the storage tank, to thereby reduce a methane content of the vapor space to less than 5 mol %; and\nafter injecting the second nitrogen gas stream into the storage tank, loading the storage tank with liquid nitrogen (LIN)."
],
[
"1. A method for the capture, utilization and sendout of latent heat in boil-off gas (BOG) onboard a liquefied gas vessel comprising:\nflowing a feed stream of liquefied gas from a cargo tank onboard a liquefied gas vessel to a regasifier;\ndiverting a portion of the liquefied gas feed stream through a cold box as coolant;\nremoving BOG from the cargo tank in a BOG fuel stream, the BOG fuel stream flowing from a compressor to a BOG heater for use as fuel for a power system of the liquefied gas vessel;\ncreating a flow restriction on the BOG fuel stream to cause a portion of the BOG stream to flow through the cold box for recondensation;\nreturning non-condensable gas from the cold box to the BOG fuel stream; and\ncombining recondensed BOG from the cold box and the portion of the liquefied gas feed stream exiting the cold box with the feed stream of liquefied gas flowing to the regasifier.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the liquefied gas is LNG and the regasifier is onboard a deck of the liquefied gas vessel.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein the regasifier is located on a jetty at which the liquefied gas vessel is moored or on another vessel."
],
[
"1. A method of installing a plurality of compressed natural gas (CNG) tanks on a vehicle comprising:\na. providing an apparatus including a frame to house the plurality of CNG tanks;\nb. installing the plurality of CNG tanks in the interior of the apparatus;\nc. installing the apparatus:\non the front face of a body of the vehicle,\nbelow a roofline of the vehicle,\nin a space between a cab and the body of the CNG powered vehicle,\nand attached to a cab protector that prevents falling objects from damaging the cab;\nd. connecting the CNG tanks to an engine of the vehicle; and\ne. electrically connecting the CNG tanks to a controller of the vehicle.",
"2. The method according to claim 1, wherein a substantial portion of the apparatus is located behind the cab of the vehicle.",
"3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the cab protector apparatus is attached to the body of the vehicle.",
"4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of CNG tanks comprises at least three tanks.",
"5. The method of claim 1, further comprising transporting gas from the plurality of CNG tanks to the engine of the vehicle via at least one pipeline.",
"6. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing an electrical connection between the plurality of CNG tanks and a control mechanism of the vehicle.",
"7. The method according to claim 5, wherein the apparatus is installed such that it is located proximate the engine of the vehicle.",
"8. The method according to claim 6, wherein the apparatus is installed such that it is located proximate the controller of the vehicle.",
"9. The method of claim 1, further comprising using a manifold device to transfer natural gas from CNG tanks."
],
[
"1. A method of distributing hydrogen fuel comprising:\n(a) automatically sensing first characteristics associated with a stationary bulk hydrogen storage tank, the first characteristics comprising at least one of: contaminants, refilling cycle life or environmental hazards;\n(b) automatically sensing second characteristics associated with portable distribution hydrogen storage tanks carried by vehicles, the second characteristics comprising at least one of: position, contaminants, refilling cycle life or environmental hazards;\n(c) automatically sensing third characteristics associated with stationary end use hydrogen storage tanks, the third characteristics comprising at least one of: contaminants, refilling cycle or environmental hazards;\n(d) automatically sending a signal to a remote programmable controller based on the sensed first, second and third characteristics; and\n(e) automatically changing distribution of the hydrogen fuel associated with at least one of the storage tanks, controlled by the controller, based on at least some of the sensed characteristics.",
"2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the controller automatically refilling the associated storage tank with the hydrogen fuel.",
"3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the controller automatically stopping filling of the hydrogen fuel to or from the associated storage tank.",
"4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the controller automatically distributing at least one of: the portable distribution hydrogen storage tanks or stationary end use hydrogen storage tanks, from stockpiled regional depots, based on at least one of: automatically sensed use, population growth, power outage or emergency needs.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein at least some of the first, second and third characteristics are sensed with contaminant sensors coupled to the associated tanks.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein at least some of the first, second and third characteristics are sensed with humidity sensors coupled to the associated tanks.",
"7. The method of claim 1, wherein at least some of the first, second and third characteristics are sensed with vacuum sensors coupled to the associated tanks.",
"8. The method of claim 1, wherein at least some of the first, second and third characteristics are sensed with flame or heat sensors coupled to an outside of the associated tanks.",
"9. The method of claim 1, wherein at least some of the first, second and third characteristics are sensed with hydrometer sensors coupled inside of the associated tanks.",
"10. The method of claim 1, wherein at least some of the first, second and third characteristics are sensed with carbon monoxide sensors coupled inside of the associated tanks.",
"11. The method of claim 1, further comprising sending a sensed signal of at least one of: altitude, tilt angle, speed or G-forces, of the distribution tanks, to the controller for automatically tracking the distribution tanks.",
"12. The method of claim 1, further comprising the controller receiving data pertaining to usage, storage and capacity of the hydrogen fuel in the bulk, distribution and end use tanks, which the controller automatically uses to schedule future distribution of additional hydrogen fuel.",
"13. The method of claim 1, further comprising the controller automatically determining timing for maintenance and replacement of the end use tanks.",
"14. The method of claim 1, further comprising the controller automatically transmitting signals to move the distribution vehicles and control outflow/inflow for fuel filling of the tanks.",
"15. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing the hydrogen fuel from at least one of the end use tanks to a fuel cell or an electricity generator.",
"16. The method of claim 1, further comprising using the hydrogen fuel from at least one of the end use tanks to provide temporary electrical power to a waiting aircraft.",
"17. The method of claim 1, further comprising connecting a ground power unit, powered by at least one of the end use tanks, to an aircraft.",
"18. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nat least one of the distribution tanks or end use tanks comprises a preassembled group of elongated tanks with each having parallel centerlines and the sensors coupled thereto;\nautomatically controlling valves associated with each of the elongated tanks of the preassembled group;\ntransmitting a valve control signal from the controller to a microprocessor mounted to the preassembled group;\nthe controller receiving a sensor signal from the microprocessor mounted to the preassembled group;\ncooling the elongated tanks of the preassembled group; and\nsecuring together outer surfaces of the elongated tanks of the preassembled group.",
"19. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nat least one of the distribution tanks or end use tanks comprises a preassembled group of elongated tanks with each having parallel centerlines and the sensors coupled thereto;\nautomatically controlling valves associated with each of the elongated tanks of the preassembled group;\nsecuring together the elongated tanks of the preassembled group with structural spars or brackets extending between outer surfaces thereof in order to space apart the elongated tanks from each other;\nsurrounding the preassembled group with an insulator jacket; and\ncreating a vacuum between the insulator jacket and the elongated tanks therein.",
"20. A method of distributing hydrogen fuel comprising:\n(a) automatically sensing first characteristics associated with a stationary bulk hydrogen storage tank, the first characteristics comprising at least one of: refilling cycle life or environmental hazards;\n(b) automatically sensing second characteristics associated with portable distribution hydrogen storage tanks carried by vehicles, the second characteristics comprising at least one of: position, refilling cycle life or environmental hazards;\n(c) automatically sensing third characteristics associated with stationary end use hydrogen storage tanks, the third characteristics comprising at least one of: refilling cycle or environmental hazards;\n(d) automatically sending a signal to a remote programmable controller based on the sensed first, second and third characteristics;\n(e) changing distribution of the hydrogen fuel associated with at least one of the storage tanks, controlled by the controller, based on at least some of the sensed characteristics; and\n(f) the controller determining desired distribution of at least one of: the portable distribution hydrogen storage tanks or stationary end use hydrogen storage tanks, from stockpiled regional depots, based on at least one of: sensed use, population growth, power outage or emergency needs.",
"21. The method of claim 20, further comprising sending a sensed signal of at least one of: altitude, tilt angle, speed or G-forces, of the distribution tanks, to the controller for automatically tracking the distribution tanks.",
"22. The method of claim 20, further comprising the controller receiving data pertaining to usage, storage and capacity of the hydrogen fuel in the bulk, distribution and end use tanks, which the controller automatically uses to schedule future distribution of additional hydrogen fuel.",
"23. The method of claim 20, further comprising the controller automatically determining timing for maintenance and replacement of the end use tanks.",
"24. The method of claim 20, further comprising the controller automatically transmitting signals to move the distribution vehicles and control outflow/inflow for fuel filling of the tanks.",
"25. The method of claim 20, further comprising providing the hydrogen fuel from at least one of the end use tanks to a fuel cell or an electricity generator.",
"26. The method of claim 20, further comprising using the hydrogen fuel from at least one of the end use tanks to provide temporary electrical power to a waiting aircraft."
],
[
"1. An installation for storing and dispensing liquefied hydrogen, comprising: a source of gaseous hydrogen, a liquefier, and two storage reservoirs for liquid hydrogen at determined respective storage pressures, the liquefier comprising an inlet connected to the source and an outlet connected in parallel, via a set of valves, to a respective inlet of each storage reservoir, the outlet of the liquefier also being connected to a connection end that is adapted and configured to be removably connected to a tank that is to be filled, each storage reservoir comprising a respective liquid withdrawing pipe comprising an end connected to the storage reservoir and at least one other end intended to be connected to the tank that is to be filled, each storage reservoir further comprising a respective gas withdrawing pipe comprising an end connected to the storage reservoir and another end connected to an inlet of the liquefier via a set of valves which is configured to allow gas to be recirculated to the liquefier so that it can be liquefied.",
"2. The installation of claim 1, wherein the two liquid-hydrogen storage reservoirs are kept at distinct determined respective storage pressures.",
"3. The installation of claim 1, wherein further comprising a second liquefier comprising an inlet connected to the source and an outlet connected in parallel, via a set of valves, to a respective inlet of each storage reservoir.",
"4. A method for filling a liquid hydrogen tank using the installation of claim 1, comprising a first step of depressurizing the tank that is to be filled to a pressure below a pressure of one of the two storage reservoirs that has a pressure higher than the other of the two storage reservoirs.",
"5. The method of claim 4, wherein the first depressurization step comprises a transfer of a first quantity of liquid hydrogen into the tank directly from the liquefier.",
"6. The method of claim 4, wherein the first depressurization step comprises a transfer of pressurized gas from the tank to one inlet of the liquefier and/or to one inlet of at least one of the storage reservoirs.",
"7. The method of claim 4, further comprising, simultaneously with the first depressurization step, a step of transferring liquid hydrogen into at least one of the storage reservoirs from the liquefier.",
"8. The method of claim 4, further comprising a step of filling the tank that is to be filled by transferring liquid hydrogen, using a pressure differential, to the tank from the higher pressure storage reservoir.",
"9. The method of claim 8, further comprising, after the filling step, a second step of depressurizing the tank to the pressure of the lower pressure storage reservoir, the second depressurization step involving an equalizing of pressures between the tank and the lower pressure storage reservoir.",
"10. The method of claim 9, further comprising, simultaneously with the second depressurization step, a step of transferring liquid hydrogen from the liquefier to the lower pressure storage reservoir.",
"11. The method of claim 10, further comprising, after the second depressurization step, a step of further depressurizing the tank to a pressure below the pressure of the lower pressure storage reservoir, the further depressurization step comprising a transfer of gas from the tank to an inlet of the liquefier and/or a discharging of gas to the atmosphere and/or a gas collection member.",
"12. The method of claim 8, further comprising, simultaneously with the filling step, a step of transferring gaseous hydrogen from the tank to an inlet of the liquefier where the transferred gaseous hydrogen is liquefied.",
"13. The method of claim 8, further comprising, simultaneously with the filling step, a step of transferring liquid hydrogen from the liquefier to the lower pressure storage reservoir.",
"14. The method of claim 4, wherein the liquid hydrogen tank is a mobile tank of a semitrailer."
],
[
"1. A high-pressure vessel unit comprising:\na box-like case;\na plurality of cylindrical vessels arrayed inside the case, each vessel including an opening at an end portion on one side of the vessel in an axial direction;\na coupling member that connects the openings to couple the plurality of vessels with each other and that includes a flow passage that communicates the insides of the plurality of vessels with each other;\na lead-out pipe that leads out to the outside of the case from the coupling member through a through hole formed in the case, the lead-out pipe being attached with a valve capable of opening and closing the flow passage;\nsecuring members that secure the coupling member to the case; and\na retention mechanism that retains a portion of each of the plurality of vessels at an other side of the end portion in the axial direction such that the portion of each of the plurality of vessels at the other side are movable in the axial direction relative to the case.",
"2. The high-pressure vessel unit according to claim 1, wherein:\nthe coupling member is a first pipe that couples the end portions of the plurality of vessels on the one side in the axial direction with each other;\nend portions of the plural vessels on the other side in the axial direction are coupled to each other by a second pipe; and\nthe retention mechanism retains the second pipe such that the second pipe is movable relative to the case.",
"3. The high-pressure vessel unit according to claim 2, wherein:\nthe retention mechanism includes:\nmounting brackets that are provided on the case and in which first mounting holes are formed,\nmounting pieces that are provided on the second pipe and in which second mounting holes are formed, and\nfastening members that are passed through the first mounting holes and the second mounting holes in a state in which the mounting brackets and the mounting pieces are placed on top with each other and are fastened to each other, and the first mounting holes or the second mounting holes are long holes whose longitudinal direction are aligned with the axial direction of the plurality of vessels.",
"4. The high-pressure vessel unit according to claim 3, wherein the mounting brackets and the mounting pieces are provided between adjacent vessels.",
"5. The high-pressure vessel unit according to claim 1, wherein:\nthe retention mechanism includes support bands that extend in an array direction of the plurality of vessels and bridge the case, and\nthe plurality of vessels are supported by the support bands such that each of the plurality of vessels may freely slide.",
"6. The high-pressure vessel unit according to claim 2, wherein the retention mechanism includes:\npass-through holes formed in a peripheral wall portion of the case that opposes the end portions of the vessels on the other side in the axial direction; and\nprojecting portions that project from the second pipe and are passed through the pass-through holes such that the projecting portions are movable in the axial direction of the vessels.",
"7. The high-pressure vessel unit according to claim 1, wherein the case includes:\na case body equipped with a bottom wall portion and a frame-like peripheral wall portion that is erectly provided on the bottom wall portion and surrounds the periphery of the plurality of vessels; and\na cover member."
],
[
"1. A gas supply system which is to be connected with filling equipment for filling gas into a tank-mounted apparatus, and which is to be connected with a pre-cooling heat exchanger for cooling the gas just before being filled into the tank-mounted apparatus, the pre-cooling heat exchanger connected with the filling equipment, the gas supply system comprising:\na compressor unit including a driver, and a compressor configured to compress the gas by being driven by the driver;\nan accumulator unit connected with the compressor unit, and including a plurality of accumulators and configured to store the gas discharged from the compressor unit, the accumulator unit being connectable with the filling equipment;\na refrigerator to be connected with the pre-cooling heat exchanger, configured to provide the pre-cooling heat exchanger with a cooling medium;\na gas cooler fixedly connected to the compressor of the compressor unit, and configured to perform heat exchange of the gas flowing from the compressor of the compressor unit to the plurality of accumulators with cooling fluid to thereby cool the gas, the gas cooler including a laminated body having a plurality of gas flow paths in which the gas flows, and a plurality of cooling flow paths in which the cooling fluid flows, the plurality of gas flow paths and the plurality of cooling flow paths are alternately laminated on one another, the gas cooler having a size smaller than the compressor unit; and\na rectangular parallelepiped housing configured to house at least a part of the refrigerator, the compressor unit, and the accumulator unit.",
"2. A gas supply system according to claim 1, wherein\nthe accumulator unit is located laterally to the compressor unit, and the part of the refrigerator is located at least either below the accumulator unit or above the compressor unit.",
"3. A gas supply system according to claim 1, wherein\nthe accumulator unit is located above the compressor unit, and the accumulator unit and the compressor unit extend along one side portion of the housing,\na condenser configured to condense the refrigerant compressed by the refrigerant compressor by the flow of air, and\nan expander configured to expand the refrigerant flowing out from the condenser; and\nthe evaporator, the refrigerant compressor and the expander are arranged in the housing and the condenser is arranged on a top portion of the housing.",
"4. A gas supply system according to claim 1, wherein:\nthe accumulator unit is located above a bottom portion of the housing; and\neach of the plurality of accumulators includes a projecting portion projecting from the housing.",
"5. A gas supply system according to claim 4, further comprising a cover member for covering the projecting portions, wherein:\nan upper surface of the cover member is flush with that of the housing.",
"6. A gas supply system according to claim 1, wherein:\nthe plurality of accumulators are arranged in parallel in a horizontal plane.",
"7. A gas supply system according to claim 1, wherein:\nthe accumulator unit further includes connecting portions provided for the respective plurality of accumulators; and\nthe plurality of accumulators are respectively connectable to other accumulators via the connecting portions.",
"8. A gas supply system according to claim 1, further comprising a heat exhauster arranged on a top portion of the housing and configured to cool the cooling fluid by the flow of air.",
"9. A gas supply system according to claim 1, wherein:\nthe refrigerator includes:\nan evaporator configured to cool the cooling medium by evaporating a refrigerant,\na refrigerant compressor configured to compress the refrigerant flowing out from the evaporator.",
"10. A gas supply system according to claim 1, wherein:\nthe plurality of accumulators extend along a side portion of the housing having a surface substantially perpendicular to an arrangement direction in which the compressor unit and the accumulator unit are arranged.",
"11. A gas supply system according to claim 1, wherein:\nthe housing includes a top portion formed with an opening; and\nthe compressor unit is below the opening.",
"12. A gas supply system according to claim 1, wherein:\nthe number of the plurality of accumulators is three; and\none of the three accumulators is connectable with a low-pressure region of a tank in the tank-mounted apparatus, another one is connectable with a medium-pressure region, and the other one is connectable with a high-pressure region when the filling equipment fills the gas into the tank-mounted apparatus.",
"13. A gas supply system according to claim 1, wherein:\nthe compressor unit and the accumulator unit are in a first portion of the housing, and the part of the refrigerator is in a second portion of the housing, the first portion is more resistive to explosion than the second portion;\nfurther comprising a control unit configured to control the compressor unit, the accumulator unit, and the refrigerator.",
"14. A gas supply system according to claim 1, comprising a receiving unit configured to receive the gas to be sucked into the compressor from outside, wherein:\nthe filling equipment is arranged at a side opposite to the receiving unit with respect to the compressor unit in a longitudinal direction of the accumulators.",
"15. A hydrogen station, comprising:\nfilling equipment; and\na gas supply system according to claim 1 configured to supply hydrogen gas to the filling equipment,\nthe filling equipment filling the hydrogen gas into a tank-mounted apparatus.",
"16. A hydrogen station according to claim 15, wherein the filling equipment is arranged adjacent to a side portion of the housing."
],
[
"1. A dispensing apparatus comprising:\na connector including a connector body having a lower portion connectable to a closure of a pressure dispense package, a downwardly extending probe portion, a liquid extraction conduit extending through the connector body and the probe portion and terminating at a lower end of the probe portion, a gas extraction conduit extending through the connector body and the probe portion and terminating at a location above the liquid extraction conduit;\na fitment; and\na fitment adapter received within the fitment and having a cup-shaped outer portion and a male inner portion received in the cup-shaped inner portion, the male inner portion having a gas passage and defining a longitudinal bore extending along a first axis, the longitudinal bore having an upper portion configured to receive the downwardly extending probe portion of the connector and a lower portion configured to receive an upper portion of a dip tub therein, wherein when the downwardly extending probe of the connector is received in the fitment adapter, the gas passage of the fitment adapter is in fluid communication with the gas extraction conduit of the connector.",
"2. The dispensing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the gas passage extends along a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis of the longitudinal bore defined by the inner portion.",
"3. The dispensing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the gas extraction conduit is separate and distinct from the liquid extraction conduit.",
"4. The dispensing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the connector further comprises a gas outlet port in fluid communication with the gas extraction conduit and a liquid outlet port in fluid communication with the liquid extraction conduit.",
"5. The dispending apparatus of claim 1, wherein the connector further comprises a pressurization gas conduit for introducing a pressurization gas through the connector into a space between a liner and an overpack of a pressure dispense package when the connector is coupled to the closure of the pressure dispense package.",
"6. The dispending apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a dip tube inserted into the lower portion of the longitudinal bore defined by the male portion of the fitment adapter."
],
[
"1. A gas filling method for filling a movable body-mounted tank with gas supplied from a compressed gas source by means of a gas refueling system,\nthe gas refueling system including:\nthe compressed gas source,\na pipe connecting the compressed gas source to the movable body-mounted tank,\na control valve, a pressure sensor, and a flow rate sensor which are provided on the pipe, and\na control unit which controls a flow rate of the gas flowing through the pipe by operating the control valve under a predetermined filling condition,\nthe gas filling method comprising:\nacquiring a value of a volume of the tank;\ncalculating a value of a pressure loss parameter having a correlation to a pressure loss caused in the pipe, by using a value which is detected by the pressure sensor when a decrease is caused in the flow rate of the gas in the pipe after start of filling of the gas;\nselecting, by the control unit, a first filling control map from a plurality of preset filling control maps; and\noperating, by the control unit, the control valve under a filling condition defined in the first filling control map selected by the control unit,\nswitching the filling condition to another filling condition which is determined based on the value of the pressure loss parameter so as to continue the filling of the gas,\nwherein the switching the filling condition includes performing switching from the first filling control map selected by the control unit to a second filling control map which is included in the plurality of filling control maps and is determined based on the value of the volume of the tank and the value of the pressure loss parameter.",
"2. The gas filling method according to claim 1, wherein the calculating the value of the pressure loss parameter includes determining the value of the pressure loss parameter according to Formula (1) below,\n𝑘\n0\n=\ndP\nloss\n·\n𝜌\ndm\n2\n\t\n(\n1\n)\nwherein “k0” is the pressure loss parameter, “dPloss” is a pressure difference in the pipe between a pressure before the decrease in the flow rate of the gas and a pressure after the decrease, “ρ” is a density of the gas in the pipe, and “dm” is a mass flow rate of the gas in the pipe.",
"3. The gas filling method according to claim 1, wherein the calculating the value of the pressure loss parameter includes using a value which is detected by the pressure sensor when the flow rate of the gas in the pipe decreases from a value greater than 0 to 0 or to approximately 0 to determine the value of the pressure loss parameter.",
"4. The gas filling method according to claim 2, wherein the calculating the value of the pressure loss parameter includes using a value which is detected by the pressure sensor when the flow rate of the gas in the pipe decreases from a value greater than 0 to 0 or to approximately 0 to determine the value of the pressure loss parameter."
],
[
"1. A gas supplying apparatus provided in premises of a facility that supplies hydrogen gas, the gas supplying apparatus comprising:\na compressor that compresses the hydrogen gas;\na housing that has a compressor space housing the compressor an exhaust port for discharging air in the compressor space to outside, and an intake port to take ambient air into the compressor space;\nan exhaust duct that guides air in the compressor space to outside of the housing through the exhaust port; and\na refrigerator for cooling the hydrogen gas discharged from the compressor and supplied to a dispenser that feeds the hydrogen gas to a tank of a tank mounted device, wherein\nthe housing includes\na perimeter wall surrounding the compressor,\na top wall connected to a top of the perimeter wall,\na partitioning wall that partitions a space surrounded by the perimeter wall and the top wall into the compressor space and a refrigerator space in which the refrigerator is housed,\nan additional exhaust port that is provided separately from the exhaust port and for discharging air in the refrigerator space to outside, and\nan additional intake port that is provided separately from the intake port and for taking in ambient air to the refrigerator space, the additional exhaust port and the additional intake port being provided on a portion of the top wall defining the refrigerator space,\nthe perimeter wall includes access sections that allow an operator to enter inside the perimeter wall,\nthe exhaust port is provided on at least one of the perimeter wall and the top wall, the exhaust port being provided at a location higher than the access sections,\nthe exhaust duct includes a discharge port for discharging air exhausted from the exhaust port to the outside, and includes an air lead-out portion that connects the exhaust port and the discharge port,\nand\nthe discharge port is opened upward in an area overlapping the top wall in an up-and-down direction or opened downward in the area overlapping the top wall in the up-and-down direction.",
"2. The gas supplying apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an intake duct that has a duct inlet and guides ambient air to the compressor space through the intake port, wherein the intake port is provided on at least one of the perimeter wall and the top wall at another location higher than the access sections, and the duct inlet of the intake duct is disposed in the area overlapping the top wall in the up-and-down direction.",
"3. The gas supplying apparatus according to claim 2, wherein\nthe duct inlet is opened downward at a location overlapping the top wall in the up-and-down direction.",
"4. A gas supplying apparatus provided in premises of a facility that supplies hydrogen gas, the gas supplying apparatus comprising:\na compressor that compresses the hydrogen gas;\na housing that has a compressor space housing the compressor and an exhaust port for discharging air in the compressor space to outside;\nan exhaust duct that guides air in the compressor space to outside of the housing through the exhaust port;\na refrigerator for cooling the hydrogen gas that is discharged from the compressor and supplied to a dispenser that feeds the hydrogen gas to a tank of a tank mounted device;\nan additional exhaust duct that is provided separately from the exhaust duct and connected to the housing; and\nan additional intake duct that is provided separately from an intake duct and connected to the housing, wherein\nthe housing includes a perimeter wall surrounding the compressor, and a top wall connected to a top of the perimeter wall,\nthe perimeter wall includes access sections that allow an operator to enter inside the perimeter wall,\nthe exhaust port is provided on at least one of the perimeter wall and the top wall, the exhaust port being provided at a location higher than the access sections,\nthe exhaust duct includes a discharge port for discharging air exhausted from the exhaust port to the outside,\nthe discharge port is opened upward in an area overlapping the top wall in an up-and-down direction or opened downward in the area overlapping the top wall in the up-and-down direction,\nthe housing includes\na partitioning wall that partitions a space surrounded by the perimeter wall and the top wall into the compressor space and a refrigerator space in which the refrigerator is housed,\nan additional exhaust port that is provided separately from the exhaust port and for discharging air in the refrigerator space to outside, and\nan additional intake port that is provided separately from an intake port and for taking in ambient air to the refrigerator space,\nthe additional exhaust port and the additional intake port are provided on a portion of the top wall, the portion defining the refrigerator space,\nthe additional exhaust duct includes an additional discharge port for discharging air exhausted from the additional exhaust port to the outside,\nthe additional discharge port is opened upward in the area overlapping the top wall in the up-and-down direction or opened downward in the area overlapping the top wall in the up-and-down direction,\nthe additional intake duct includes an additional duct inlet, and\nthe additional duct inlet is provided in the area overlapping the top wall in the up-and-down direction.",
"5. The gas supplying apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising\na joint that joins a duct inlet and the additional duct inlet to form a single ambient air intake port.",
"6. The gas supplying apparatus according to claim 4, wherein\nthe exhaust duct, the intake duct, the additional intake duct, and the additional exhaust duct are disposed in line.",
"7. The gas supplying apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising:\na compressor rain guard that is provided in the intake duct to prevent entry of rainwater from a duct inlet toward the intake port; and\na refrigerator rain guard that is provided in the additional intake duct to prevent entry of rainwater from the additional duct inlet toward the additional intake port.",
"8. The gas supplying apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising:\na compressor fan that is provided in the exhaust duct to generate an airflow flowing from the intake port to the exhaust port; and\na refrigerator fan that is provided in the additional exhaust duct to generate an airflow flowing from the additional intake port to the additional exhaust port.",
"9. The gas supplying apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising:\na compressor regulator that is provided in the exhaust duct and downstream of the compressor fan to allow passing of the airflow from the exhaust port to the discharge port and restrict entry of rainwater from the discharge port toward the exhaust port; and\na refrigerator regulator that is provided in the additional exhaust duct and downstream of the refrigerator fan to allow passing of the airflow from the additional exhaust port to the additional discharge port and restrict entry of rainwater from the additional discharge port toward the additional exhaust port.",
"10. A gas supplying apparatus provided in premises of a facility that supplies hydrogen gas, the gas supplying apparatus comprising:\na compressor that compresses hydrogen gas;\na refrigerator for cooling the hydrogen gas that is discharged from the compressor and supplied to a dispenser that feeds the hydrogen gas to a tank of a tank mounted device;\na housing that includes\na partitioning wall that partitions a space surrounded by the housing into a compressor space in which the compressor is housed and a refrigerator space in which the refrigerator is housed,\na top wall on which a first intake port, a first exhaust port, a second intake port, and a second exhaust port are provided, the first intake port being used for taking in ambient air to the compressor space, the first exhaust port being used for discharging air in the compressor space to outside, the second intake port being used for taking in ambient air to the refrigerator space, the second exhaust port being used for discharging air in the refrigerator space to the outside, the second intake port and second exhaust port being provided on a portion of the top wall defining the refrigerator space;\na first intake duct that guides ambient air into the compressor space through the first intake port;\na first exhaust duct that guides air in the compressor space to the outside of the housing through the first exhaust port;\na second intake duct that guides ambient air into the refrigerator space through the second intake port; and\na second exhaust duct that guides air in the refrigerator space to the outside of the housing through the second exhaust port, wherein\nthe first exhaust duct includes an air lead-out portion that extends horizontally along a surface of the top wall,\na compressor fan is disposed in the air lead-out portion so that an airflow generated by the compressor fan flows along the air lead-out portion, and\nthe first intake duct, the first exhaust duct, the second intake duct, and the second exhaust duct are each provided not to laterally extend beyond the top wall.",
"11. The gas supplying apparatus according to claim 10, wherein\nthe first intake duct includes a first duct inlet,\nthe second intake duct includes a second duct inlet, and\nthe first intake duct and the second intake duct are joined such that the first duct inlet and the second duct inlet form a single opening."
],
[
"1. A method of continuously conveying compressed gas to a plurality of vehicles, wherein the plurality of vehicles includes at least a first vehicle having a higher tank pressure and a second vehicle having a lower tank pressure that are simultaneously seeking compressed gas from the same fluidly connected delivery conduit, the method comprising:\ncompressing gas using at least one compressor;\nconveying the compressed gas from the at least one compressor to a backpressure apparatus, wherein the backpressure apparatus is fluidly connected to the at least one compressor;\nconveying a non-bypass fill portion of the compressed gas through the backpressure apparatus as either a direct fill portion, a storage fill portion, or a combination thereof;\ndiverting a bypass fill portion of the compressed gas through a bypass conduit to at least one distributor, wherein the bypass conduit is fluidly connected between the at least one compressor and the backpressure apparatus;\nconveying the bypass fill portion of the compressed gas through the at least one distributor to at least one of the one or more delivery conduits and subsequently to at least the first vehicle having the higher tank pressure; and\nconveying the non-bypass fill portion of the compressed gas through at least one of the one or more the delivery conduits to at least the second vehicle having the lower tank pressure.",
"2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nfluidly connecting a control system between the backpressure apparatus and the at least one distributor, wherein the control system includes a priority panel.",
"3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:\nconveying the non-bypass fill portion of the compressed gas to the control system using the backpressure apparatus, wherein the backpressure apparatus is fluidly connected between the at least one compressor and the control system.",
"4. The method of claim 2, further comprising:\nconveying the storage fill portion of the compressed gas to a storage bank arrangement including one or more storage banks, each storage bank being fluidly connected to the control system; and\nsubsequently conveying the storage fill portion of the compressed gas from the storage bank arrangement to the control system.",
"5. The method of claim 2, wherein the one or more delivery conduits further comprise a low storage bank delivery conduit, a middle storage bank delivery conduit, and at least one high storage bank delivery conduits, each being fluidly connected to the control system.",
"6. The method of claim 2, further comprising:\ncreating a low pressure gas region between the backpressure apparatus and the control system.",
"7. The method of claim 2, wherein the backpressure apparatus creates a high pressure gas region between the backpressure apparatus and the at least one compressor to divert the bypass fill portion of compressed gas to the distributor located fluidly downstream of the control system, so that the bypass fill portion does not enter the control system.",
"8. The method of claim 1, wherein the bypass conduit has first and second ends, the method further comprising:\nfluidly connecting the first end between the at least one compressor and the backpressure apparatus; and\nfluidly connecting the second end to the at least one distributor.",
"9. The method of claim 1, wherein the compressed gas is natural gas or hydrogen.",
"10. The method of claim 1, wherein the backpressure apparatus is selected from the group consisting of a reducing adaptor, a mechanical valve, and a positional valve.",
"11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nfluidly coupling a bypass shutoff to the bypass conduit upstream of the at least one distributor.",
"12. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one distributor includes a T-shaped adaptor, a Y-shaped adaptor, a milled manifold block, or a reducing adaptor having a reduced inner diameter.",
"13. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nsizing an orifice of the at least one distributor to only allow a portion of the compressed gas to pass therethrough, while maintaining a suitable backpressure upstream of the backpressure apparatus so that the non-bypass fill portion of the compressed gas passes through the backpressure apparatus.",
"14. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nfluidly connecting the at least one distributor to a first dispenser using at least one of the one or more delivery conduits to provide compressed gas to the first vehicle having a higher tank pressure;\nfluidly connecting the at least one distributor to a second dispenser using at least one of the one or more delivery conduits to provide compressed gas to the second vehicle having a lower tank pressure than the first vehicle; and\nfluidly connecting the at least one distributor to a third dispenser using at least one of the one or more delivery conduits to provide compressed gas to a third vehicle having a lower tank pressure than the first vehicle.",
"15. The method of claim 14, wherein the first dispenser includes a first distributor, the second dispenser includes a second distributor, and the third dispenser includes a third distributor.",
"16. A method of continuously conveying compressed gas to a plurality of vehicles, wherein the plurality of vehicles includes at least a first vehicle having a higher tank pressure and a second vehicle having a lower tank pressure that are simultaneously seeking compressed gas from the same fluidly connected delivery conduit, the method comprising:\ncompressing gas using at least one compressor;\nconveying the compressed gas from the at least one compressor to a backpressure apparatus, wherein the backpressure apparatus is fluidly connected to the at least one compressor;\nconveying a non-bypass fill portion of the compressed gas through the backpressure apparatus as either a direct fill portion, a storage fill portion, or a combination thereof;\ndiverting a bypass fill portion of the compressed gas through a bypass conduit to at least one distributor, wherein the bypass conduit is fluidly connected at a first end between the at least one compressor and the backpressure apparatus and at the second end to the at least one distributor;\nconveying the non-bypass fill portion of the compressed gas to a control system that includes a priority panel, wherein the control system is fluidly connected between the backpressure apparatus and the at least one distributor;\nconveying the storage fill portion of the compressed gas to and then subsequently from a storage bank arrangement including one or more storage banks, wherein the storage bank arrangement is fluidly connected to the control system;\nconveying the bypass fill portion of the compressed gas through the at least one distributor to at least one of the one or more delivery conduits and subsequently to at least the first vehicle having the higher tank pressure; and\nconveying the non-bypass fill portion of the compressed gas from the control system through at least one of the one or more delivery conduits to the second vehicle having the lower tank pressure.",
"17. The method of claim 16, wherein the backpressure apparatus is selected from the group consisting of a reducing adaptor, a mechanical valve, and a positional valve.",
"18. The method of claim 16, wherein the at least one distributor includes a T-shaped adaptor, a Y-shaped adaptor, a milled manifold block, or a reducing adaptor having a reduced inner diameter to limit the amount of flow therethrough."
],
[
"16. A pressure vessel system for storage of fuel in a motor vehicle, comprising:\na plurality of pressure vessels which are combined in a pressure vessel assembly, wherein the plurality of pressure vessels, in an installed position, are essentially arranged in parallel with one another and wherein the plurality of pressure vessels are mutually fluidically connected by a common fuel line.",
"17. The pressure vessel system according to claim 16, wherein the fuel line is configured in a form of a fuel rail.",
"18. The pressure vessel system according to claim 16, further comprising at least one respective thermally activatable pressure relief device disposed on, or in direct proximity to, each end of the fuel line.",
"19. The pressure vessel system according to claim 16, further comprising a respective thermally activatable pressure relief device disposed at a distal end of the plurality of pressure vessels with respect to the fuel line.",
"20. The pressure vessel system according to claim 16, further comprising a respective thermally activatable pressure relief device disposed only at a distal end of outermost pressure vessels of the plurality of pressure vessels.",
"21. The pressure vessel system according to claim 19, wherein the respective thermally activatable pressure relief device comprises a housing, in or on which, additionally, a temperature sensor is disposed",
"22. The pressure vessel system according to claim 16, wherein only a single temperature sensor is provided on or in the pressure vessel assembly.",
"23. The pressure vessel system according to claim 22, wherein the single temperature sensor: i) is arranged on, or in proximity to, an end of the fuel line, or ii) is arranged at a distal end of a pressure vessel of the plurality of pressure vessels.",
"24. The pressure vessel system according to claim 16, further comprising at least one further pressure vessel for storage of fuel, wherein the at least one further pressure vessel assumes a first fuel storage volume which is greater than a second fuel storage volume of a largest pressure vessel in the pressure vessel assembly by at least a factor of two.",
"25. The pressure vessel system according to claim 16, wherein a volume ratio assumes a value between 0.15 and 1.0 and wherein the volume ratio is a quotient of the first fuel storage volume of the at least one further pressure vessel, as a numerator, to a total fuel storage volume of all of the plurality of pressure vessels in the pressure vessel assembly, as a denominator.",
"26. The pressure vessel system according to claim 16, further comprising an underfloor chassis which is fittable to a vehicle body from below, wherein the pressure vessel assembly and the underfloor chassis are configured such that the pressure vessel assembly is fittable into the underfloor chassis from above and wherein a unit formed by the underfloor chassis and the pressure vessel assembly is fittable to the vehicle body from below.",
"27. The pressure vessel system according to claim 17, wherein proximal ends of the plurality of pressure vessels are configured in a form of fixed bearings, wherein distal ends of the plurality of pressure vessels are configured in a form of floating bearings, and wherein the fuel rail is arranged at the proximal ends.",
"28. The pressure vessel system according to claim 16, further comprising a shut-off valve disposed on the fuel line, wherein the plurality of pressure vessels of the pressure vessel assembly are configured in a form of communicating pipes with no further electrically actuatable shut-off valve.",
"29. The pressure vessel system according to claim 28, wherein, in a housing of the shut-off valve, a pipe rupture protection device is provided and/or a thermally activatable pressure relief device is provided.",
"30. The pressure vessel system according to claim 26, wherein the underfloor chassis is configured to accommodate the pressure vessel assembly, an electrical energy storage apparatus, and at least one further pressure vessel such that the pressure vessel assembly, the electrical energy storage apparatus, and the at least one further pressure vessel is fittable to the motor vehicle in combination with the underfloor chassis."
]
] |
the following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 u.s.c. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this office action:
a person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
claim(s) 1 and 4–8 are rejected under 35 u.s.c. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by leitch et al. (us pgpub 20050198971 a1).
regarding claim 1, leitch discloses an apparatus for depressurizing a pair of accumulators to provide high pressure gas, comprising: a tank (20) in fluid communication with each one of the pair of accumulators (30a/30b) for receiving vapor from the pair of accumulators for storage and dispensing the vapor to a condenser (21) to condense the vapor into a liquid (para. 47) other than the pair of accumulators and external atmosphere (paras. 45–50); a first fluid connection including a first valve assembly (25) interconnecting the tank and a first accumulator (30a) of the pair of accumulators; a second fluid connection including a second valve assembly (52) interconnecting the tank and a second accumulator (30b) of the pair of accumulators; a receiver tank (10) in fluid connection with the condenser for receiving and storing the liquid until needed by the first accumulator and the second accumulator (paras. 46–49); wherein the first fluid connection with the first valve assembly and the second fluid connection with the second valve assembly are each constructed and arranged to deliver the vapor from a corresponding one of the first accumulator and the second accumulator to the tank during alternating intervals (para. 52).
the recitation “for receiving vapor from the pair of accumulators for storage and dispensing the vapor to a condenser to condense the vapor into a liquid other than the pair of accumulators and external atmosphere” is seen as intended use of the accumulators. it has been held that a recitation with respect to the manner in which a claimed apparatus is intended to be employed does not differentiate the claimed apparatus from a prior art apparatus satisfying the claimed structural limitations. (mpep §2114.ii).
the recitation “for receiving and storing the liquid until needed by the first accumulator and the second accumulator” is seen as intended use of the receiver tank. it has been held that a recitation with respect to the manner in which a claimed apparatus is intended to be employed does not differentiate the claimed apparatus from a prior art apparatus satisfying the claimed structural limitations. (mpep §2114.ii).
regarding claim 4, leitch discloses the vapor is from a liquid selected from the group consisting of liquid co2, and liquid nitrogen (para. 46).
regarding claim 5, leitch discloses a method for depressurizing a pair of accumulators for providing high-pressure gas, comprising: (a) withdrawing a portion of vapor from a first accumulator (30a) of the pair of accumulators to a tank (20), paras. 49–50; (b) equalizing pressures in the first accumulator and the tank (para. 44, where pressure relief valves are used to equalize pressure) for temporarily holding the portion of the vapor as an intermediate gas from the first accumulator in the tank (para. 47); (c) providing the intermediate gas to a condenser other than the pair of accumulators and atmosphere (para. 50, where the tank is separate from the accumulators and is thus remote); (d) condensing the intermediate gas into a liquid at the condenser (para. 47); and (e) providing a receiver tank (10) in fluid connection with the condenser for receiving and storing the liquid until needed by the first accumulator and the second accumulator (paras. 46–49); (f) returning the liquid to the first accumulator (para. 50).
regarding claim 6, leitch discloses providing high-pressure gas from a second accumulator (30b) of the pair of accumulators during steps (a) - (f) of claim 5. see the paragraphs referred to in claim 5 as both 30a and 30b are described as performing the same function.
regarding claim 7, leitch discloses storing the liquid at the remote location before the returning the liquid to the first accumulator (para. 47).
regarding claim 8, the structural limitation of the apparatus described in the method is recited in claim(s) 4. accordingly the method steps recited in claim 8 are necessarily those performed when making and/or using the device of leitch.
|
[
"1. An acoustic wave filter comprising:\nan input terminal;\nan output terminal;\na series arm circuit including a first series arm resonator and a second series arm resonator connected in series between the input terminal and the output terminal; and\na parallel arm circuit including at least one parallel arm resonator connected between the series arm circuit and a ground potential; wherein\neach of the first series arm resonator and the second series arm resonator is a surface acoustic wave (SAW) resonator including a piezoelectric substrate and an interdigital transducer (IDT) electrode on the piezoelectric substrate, and has a characteristic that a fractional band width increases with a decrease in a thickness of the piezoelectric substrate, which is normalized with a wavelength of a signal passing through the series arm resonator;\nan anti-resonant frequency of the first series arm resonator is lower than an anti-resonant frequency of the second series arm resonator; and\na wavelength of a signal passing through the first series arm resonator is shorter than a wavelength of a signal passing through the second series arm resonator.",
"2. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein each of the first series arm resonator and the second series arm resonator includes a reflecting layer on a surface of the piezoelectric substrate opposite to a surface on which the IDT electrode is provided.",
"3. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein an electrode finger pitch of the IDT electrode of the first series arm resonator is smaller than an electrode finger pitch of the IDT electrode of the second series arm resonator.",
"4. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of the IDT electrode included in the first series arm resonator is larger than a thickness of the IDT electrode included in the second series arm resonator.",
"5. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the first series arm resonator includes a dielectric film on the IDT electrode.",
"6. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein\nthe first series arm resonator includes a dielectric film on the IDT electrode;\nthe second series arm resonator includes a dielectric film on the IDT electrode; and\na thickness of the dielectric film on the IDT electrode included in the first series arm resonator is larger than a thickness of the dielectric film on the IDT electrode included in the second series arm resonator.",
"7. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein an electrode line width of the IDT electrode included in the first series arm resonator is wider than an electrode line width of the IDT electrode included in the second series arm resonator.",
"8. An acoustic wave filter comprising:\nan input terminal;\nan output terminal;\na series arm circuit which includes a plurality of series arm resonators connected in series between the input terminal and the output terminal; and\na parallel arm circuit which includes at least one parallel arm resonator connected between the series arm circuit and a ground potential; wherein\neach of the plurality of series arm resonators is a surface acoustic wave (SAW) resonator including a piezoelectric substrate and an interdigital transducer (IDT) electrode on the piezoelectric substrate, and has a characteristic that a fractional band width increases with a decrease in a thickness of the piezoelectric substrate which is normalized with a wavelength of a signal passing through the series arm resonator; and\na wavelength of a signal passing through one of the plurality of series arm resonators with a lowest anti-resonant frequency is shorter than wavelengths of signals passing through remaining ones of the plurality of series arm resonators.",
"9. An acoustic wave filter comprising:\nan input terminal;\nan output terminal;\na series arm circuit which includes a plurality of series arm resonators connected in series between the input terminal and the output terminal; and\na parallel arm circuit which includes at least one parallel arm resonator connected between the series arm circuit and a ground potential; wherein\neach of the plurality of series arm resonators is a surface acoustic wave (SAW) resonator including a piezoelectric substrate and an interdigital transducer (IDT) electrode on the piezoelectric substrate;\na thickness of the piezoelectric substrate is less than or equal to about 0.7λ, where λ is a wavelength of a signal passing through the series arm resonator; and\na wavelength of a signal passing through one of the plurality of series arm resonators with a lowest anti-resonant frequency is shorter than wavelengths of signals passing through remaining ones of the plurality of series arm resonators.",
"10. An acoustic wave filter comprising:\nan input terminal;\nan output terminal;\na series arm circuit which includes a first series arm resonator and a second series arm resonator connected in series between the input terminal and the output terminal; and\na parallel arm circuit which includes at least one parallel arm resonator connected between the series arm circuit and a ground potential; wherein\neach of the first series arm resonator and the second series arm resonator is a surface acoustic wave (SAW) resonator including a piezoelectric substrate and an interdigital transducer (IDT) electrode on the piezoelectric substrate;\na thickness of the piezoelectric substrate is less than or equal to about 0.7λ where λ is a wavelength of a signal passing through the series arm resonator;\nan anti-resonant frequency of the first series arm resonator is lower than an anti-resonant frequency of the second series arm resonator; and\na wavelength of a signal passing through the first series arm resonator is shorter than a wavelength of a signal passing through the second series arm resonator.",
"11. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 8, wherein each of the plurality of series arm resonators includes a reflecting layer on a surface of the piezoelectric substrate opposite to a surface on which the IDT electrode is provided.",
"12. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 8, wherein an electrode finger pitch of the IDT electrode of the one of the plurality of series arm resonators with the lowest anti-resonant frequency is shorter than wavelengths of the signals passing through remaining ones of the plurality of series arm resonators.",
"13. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 9, wherein each of the plurality of series arm resonators includes a reflecting layer on a surface of the piezoelectric substrate opposite to a surface on which the IDT electrode is provided.",
"14. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 9, wherein an electrode finger pitch of the IDT electrode of the one of the plurality of series arm resonators with the lowest anti-resonant frequency is shorter than wavelengths of the signals passing through remaining ones of the plurality of series arm resonators.",
"15. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 10, wherein each of the first series arm resonator and the second series arm resonator includes a reflecting layer on a surface of the piezoelectric substrate opposite to a surface on which the IDT electrode is provided.",
"16. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 10, wherein an electrode finger pitch of the IDT electrode of the first series arm resonator is smaller than an electrode finger pitch of the IDT electrode of the second series arm resonator.",
"17. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 10, wherein a thickness of the IDT electrode included in the first series arm resonator is larger than a thickness of the IDT electrode included in the second series arm resonator.",
"18. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 10, wherein the first series arm resonator includes a dielectric film on the IDT electrode.",
"19. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 10, wherein\nthe first series arm resonator includes a dielectric film on the IDT electrode;\nthe second series arm resonator includes a dielectric film on the IDT electrode; and\na thickness of the dielectric film on the IDT electrode included in the first series arm resonator is larger than a thickness of the dielectric film on the IDT electrode included in the second series arm resonator.",
"20. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 10, wherein an electrode line width of the IDT electrode included in the first series arm resonator is wider than an electrode line width of the IDT electrode included in the second series arm resonator."
] |
US20220123733A1
|
US20020021194A1
|
[
"1. A surface acoustic wave filter comprising:\na series resonator group including a plurality of surface acoustic wave electrodes formed on a surface of a piezoelectric substrate and electrically disposed in series between an input terminal and an output terminal; and\na parallel resonator group including a plurality of surface acoustic wave electrodes individually electrically disposed in parallel between an input- or output-terminal of the individual surface acoustic wave electrodes of the series resonator group and a ground electrode,\nwherein a resonant frequency formed by a part of surface acoustic wave electrodes among the surface acoustic wave electrodes of the parallel resonator group is lower than an antiresonant frequency formed by the other surface acoustic wave electrodes of the parallel resonator group and is higher than a resonant frequency formed by the other surface acoustic wave electrodes of the parallel resonator group.",
"2. A surface acoustic wave filter according to claim 1,\nwherein the surface acoustic wave electrode comprises comb electrodes opposed each other to have their electrode fingers interdigitated with each other, and\nwherein the other surface acoustic wave electrodes of the parallel resonator group have a greater pitch of the electrode finger than the part of the surface acoustic wave electrodes of the parallel resonator group.",
"3. A surface acoustic wave filter according to claim 1,\nwherein the surface acoustic wave electrode comprises comb electrodes opposed each other to have their electrode fingers interdigitated with each other, and\nwherein the other surface acoustic wave electrodes of the parallel resonator group have a greater ratio between the pitch and the width of the electrode finger than the part of the surface acoustic wave electrodes of the parallel resonator group.",
"4. A surface acoustic wave filter according to claim 1,\nwherein the surface acoustic wave electrode comprises comb electrodes opposed each other to have their electrode fingers interdigitated with each other, and\nwherein the part of the surface acoustic wave electrodes of the parallel resonator group has a smaller electrode thickness than the other surface acoustic wave electrodes of the parallel resonator group.",
"5. A surface acoustic wave filter comprising:\na series resonator group including a plurality of surface acoustic wave electrodes formed on a surface of a piezoelectric substrate and electrically disposed in series between an input terminal and an output terminal; and\na parallel resonator group including a plurality of surface acoustic wave electrodes individually electrically disposed in parallel between an input- or output-terminal of the individual surface acoustic wave electrodes of the series resonator group and a ground electrode,\nwherein a part of the surface acoustic wave electrodes among the surface acoustic wave electrode of the parallel resonator group has a Q-value deterioration configuration for attaining a deterioration of Q value than the other surface acoustic wave electrodes of the parallel resonator group.",
"6. A surface acoustic wave filter according to claim 5,\nwherein the surface acoustic wave electrode comprises comb electrodes opposed each other to have their electrode fingers interdigitated with each other, and\nwherein the part of the surface acoustic wave electrodes of the parallel resonator group has a smaller number of electrode finger pairs than the other surface acoustic wave electrodes of the parallel resonator group.",
"7. A surface acoustic wave filter according to claim 5,\nwherein the surface acoustic wave electrode comprises comb electrodes opposed each other to have their electrode fingers interdigitated with each other, and\nwherein the part of the surface acoustic wave electrodes of the parallel resonator group has its electrode fingers interdigitated with each other by a smaller overlapping length than the other surface acoustic wave electrodes of the parallel resonator group.",
"8. A surface acoustic wave filter according to claim 5,\nwherein the surface acoustic wave electrode comprises comb electrodes opposed each other to have their electrode fingers interdigitated with each other, and\nwherein the part of the surface acoustic wave electrodes of the parallel resonator group comprises a plurality of sub-electrodes interconnected in series, the sub-electrode comprising comb electrodes.",
"9. A surface acoustic wave filter comprising:\na series resonator group including a plurality of surface acoustic wave electrodes formed on a surface of a piezoelectric substrate and electrically disposed in series between an input terminal and an output terminal; and\na parallel resonator group including a plurality of surface acoustic wave electrodes individually electrically disposed in parallel between an input- or output-terminal of the individual surface acoustic wave electrodes of the series resonator group and a ground electrode,\nwherein a part of the surface acoustic wave electrodes among the surface acoustic wave electrodes of the parallel resonator group has a Q-value deterioration configuration for attaining a deterioration of Q value than the other surface acoustic wave electrodes of the parallel resonator group, and\nwherein a resonant frequency formed by the part number of the surface acoustic wave electrodes out of the surface acoustic wave electrodes of the parallel resonator group is lower than an antiresonant frequency formed by the other surface acoustic wave electrodes of the parallel resonator and is higher than a resonant frequency formed by the other surface acoustic wave electrodes of the parallel resonator group."
] |
[
[
"1. An antenna duplexer comprising:\na first ladder-type acoustic wave filter connected between an antenna terminal and an input terminal and having a first passband in a first frequency band; and\na second ladder-type acoustic wave filter connected between the antenna terminal and an output terminal, the second ladder-type acoustic wave filter having a second passband in a second frequency band higher than the first frequency band, the first and second frequency bands being non-overlapping, the second ladder-type acoustic wave filter including a plurality of series-arm resonators connected in series along a signal path between the antenna terminal and the output terminal, and a plurality of parallel-arm resonators connected between the signal path and a ground, the plurality of parallel-arm resonators including a first parallel-arm resonator and at least one other parallel-arm resonator connected at a position closer to the antenna terminal than the first parallel-arm resonator, the first parallel-arm resonator having an interdigital transducer (IDT) electrode that includes a pair of busbars and a plurality of electrode fingers that extend from the pair of busbars and that interdigitate with each other, the IDT electrode including a constant pitch section in which certain ones of the plurality of electrode fingers are arranged at a substantially constant first pitch, and at least one narrow pitch section in which certain other ones of the plurality of electrode fingers are arranged at a varying pitch that varies between the substantially constant first pitch and a minimum pitch that is narrower than the substantially constant first pitch, the constant pitch section including a first region and a second region, and the at least one narrow pitch second being disposed between the first and second regions of the constant pitch section.",
"2. The antenna duplexer of claim 1 wherein the at least one narrow pitch section includes a first narrow pitch section and a second narrow pitch section spaced apart from one another.",
"3. The antenna duplexer of 2 wherein the pitch of certain other ones of the plurality of electrode fingers in the first narrow pitch section varies linearly between the substantially constant first pitch and a second pitch that is less than the substantially constant first pitch and greater than the minimum pitch.",
"4. A communications device comprising:\nan antenna;\na first ladder-type acoustic wave filter having a first passband in a first frequency band\na transmission circuit configured to input a transmission signal to the antenna via the first ladder-type acoustic wave filter, the first ladder-type acoustic wave filter being connected in series between the transmission circuit and the antenna, the transmission signal having a frequency within the first frequency band;\na reception circuit configured to receive a reception signal from the antenna; and\na second ladder-type acoustic wave filter having a second passband in a second frequency band higher than the first frequency band, the first and second frequency bands being non-overlapping, the second ladder-type acoustic wave filter being connected in series between the antenna and the reception circuit and configured to pass the reception signal from the antenna to the reception circuit, the reception signal having a frequency within the second frequency band, the second ladder-type acoustic wave filter including a plurality of series-arm resonators connected in series along a signal path between the antenna and the reception circuit, and a plurality of parallel-arm resonators connected between the signal path and a ground, the plurality of parallel-arm resonators including a first parallel-arm resonator and at least one other parallel-arm resonator connected at a position closer to the antenna than the first parallel-arm resonator, the first parallel-arm resonator having an interdigital transducer (IDT) electrode that includes a pair of busbars and a plurality of electrode fingers that extend from the pair of busbars and that interdigitate with each other, the IDT electrode including a constant pitch section having first and second portions and in which certain ones of the plurality of electrode fingers are arranged at a substantially constant first pitch, and a plurality of narrow pitch sections in which certain other ones of the plurality of electrode fingers are arranged at a varying pitch that varies between the substantially constant first pitch and a minimum pitch that is narrower than the substantially constant first pitch, the plurality of narrow pitch sections including a first narrow pitch section, a second narrow pitch section spaced apart from the first narrow pitch section, and a third narrow pitch section disposed between the first and second portions of the constant pitch section.",
"5. An antenna duplexer comprising:\na first ladder-type acoustic wave filter connected between an antenna terminal and an input terminal and having a first passband in a first frequency band; and\na second ladder-type acoustic wave filter connected between the antenna terminal and an output terminal, the second ladder-type acoustic wave filter having a second passband in a second frequency band higher than the first frequency band, the first and second frequency bands being non-overlapping, the second ladder-type acoustic wave filter including a plurality of series-arm resonators connected in series along a signal path between the antenna terminal and the output terminal, and a plurality of parallel-arm resonators connected between the signal path and a ground, the plurality of parallel-arm resonators including a first parallel-arm resonator connected at a position farthest from the antenna terminal and closest to the output terminal among the plurality of parallel-arm resonators, the first parallel-arm resonator having a main resonance and a first auxiliary resonance that produce corresponding attenuation poles within the first frequency band, and the first parallel-arm resonator including first and second reflectors and an interdigital transducer (IDT) electrode having pair of busbars, two end portions, and a plurality of electrode fingers that extend from the pair of busbars and that interdigitate with each other, the IDT electrode being positioned between the first and second reflectors and including a constant pitch section in which a pitch of certain ones of the plurality of electrode fingers is substantially constant, and at least one narrow pitch section in which a pitch of certain other ones the plurality of electrode fingers is reduced relative to the constant pitch section, the at least one narrow pitch section being disposed in an intermediate portion between both end portions of the IDT electrode.",
"6. The antenna duplexer of claim 5 wherein the at least one narrow pitch section includes a first narrow pitch section and a second narrow pitch section spaced apart from one another.",
"7. The antenna duplexer of claim 6 wherein the constant pitch section includes a first portion disposed between the first and second narrow pitch regions, a second portion disposed between the first narrow pitch section and the first reflector, and a third portion disposed between the second narrow pitch section and the second reflector.",
"8. The antenna duplexer of claim 7 wherein the pitch of certain other ones of the of the plurality of electrode fingers in the first narrow pitch section varies linearly between the substantially constant pitch and a first local minimum pitch, and the pitch of certain other ones of the plurality of electrode fingers in the second narrow pitch section varies linearly between the substantially constant pitch and a second local minimum pitch that is narrower than the first local minimum pitch.",
"9. The antenna duplexer of claim 6 wherein the first parallel-arm resonator has a second auxiliary resonance that produces an additional attenuation pole within the first frequency band.",
"10. The antenna duplexer of claim 5 wherein the pitch of the plurality of electrode fingers in the at least one narrow pitch section varies smoothly between the substantially constant pitch and a minimum pitch.",
"11. The antenna duplexer of claim 5 wherein the first parallel-arm resonator further has a second auxiliary resonance, and an attenuation pole caused by the second auxiliary resonance is within the first frequency band.",
"12. An antenna duplexer comprising:\na first ladder-type acoustic wave filter connected between an antenna terminal and an input terminal and having a first passband in a first frequency band; and\na second ladder-type acoustic wave filter connected between the antenna terminal and an output terminal, the second ladder-type acoustic wave filter having a second passband in a second frequency band higher than the first frequency band, the first and second frequency bands being non-overlapping, the second ladder-type acoustic wave filter including a plurality of series-arm resonators connected in series along a signal path between the antenna terminal and the output terminal, and a plurality of parallel-arm resonators connected between the signal path and a ground, the plurality of parallel-arm resonators including a first parallel-arm resonator connected at a position farthest from the antenna terminal and closest to the output terminal among the plurality of parallel-arm resonators, the first parallel-arm resonator having a main resonance, a first auxiliary resonance, and a second auxiliary resonance that produce corresponding attenuation poles within the first frequency band.",
"13. The antenna duplexer of claim 12 wherein the first parallel-arm resonator includes first and second reflectors, and an interdigital transducer (IDT) electrode having pair of busbars and a plurality of electrode fingers that extend from the pair of busbars and that interdigitate with each other, the IDT electrode being positioned between the first and second reflectors.",
"14. The antenna duplexer of claim 13 wherein the IDT electrode includes a constant pitch section in which a pitch of the plurality of electrode fingers is substantially constant, and at least one narrow pitch section in which the pitch of the plurality of electrode fingers is reduced relative to the constant pitch section.",
"15. The antenna duplexer of claim 14, wherein the at least one narrow pitch section includes a first narrow pitch section and a second narrow pitch section, the constant pitch section being disposed between the first and second narrow pitch sections.",
"16. The antenna duplexer of claim 15 wherein the at least one narrow pitch section further includes a third narrow pitch section, and the constant pitch section includes a first portion and a second portion, the third narrow pitch section being disposed between the first and second portions of the constant pitch section.",
"17. The antenna duplexer of claim 13 wherein the IDT electrode includes a first section in which a pitch of certain ones of the plurality of electrode fingers varies between a first pitch and a minimum pitch, and second and third sections in which the pitch of the plurality of electrode fingers varies between a second pitch and a third pitch, the second pitch being greater than the first pitch, and the third pitch being less than the first pitch and greater than the minimum pitch.",
"18. The antenna duplexer of claim 17 wherein the first section is disposed between the second and third sections."
],
[
"1. An acoustic wave filter comprising:\na first series-arm resonator and a second series-arm resonator on a path connecting a first terminal and a second terminal; wherein\nthe first series-arm resonator has a lower anti-resonant frequency than any other series-arm resonator included in the acoustic wave filter;\nthe first series-arm resonator and the second series-arm resonator each include an interdigital transducer (IDT) electrode including a pair of comb teeth-shaped electrodes on a substrate including a piezoelectric layer;\nelectrodes of the pair of comb teeth-shaped electrodes of the first series-arm resonator and electrodes of the pair of comb teeth-shaped electrodes of the second series-arm resonator each include electrode fingers and a busbar electrode, the electrode fingers extending in a direction orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to a propagation direction of an acoustic wave, the busbar electrode connecting first ends of the electrode fingers to each other;\na direction in which second ends of the electrode fingers are aligned with each other crosses the propagation direction of the acoustic wave;\nthe electrode fingers of the IDT electrode of the first series-arm resonator and the electrode fingers of the IDT electrode of the second series-arm resonator each include an electrode-finger central portion and a wide portion located at the second end and being wider than the electrode-finger central portion; and\na length of the wide portion of each of the electrode fingers in the first series-arm resonator in the direction in which the electrode fingers extend is greater than a length of the wide portion of each of the electrode fingers in the second series-arm resonator in the direction in which the electrode fingers extend.",
"2. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the length of the wide portion of each of the electrode fingers in the first series-arm resonator is not less than about 0.1λ and not more than about 0.4λ, where λ denotes a wavelength of the acoustic wave.",
"3. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein an intersecting width of the IDT electrode of the first series-arm resonator is not more than about 20λ, where λ denotes a wavelength of the acoustic wave.",
"4. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein\nthe substrate includes:\na piezoelectric layer including two main surfaces, the IDT electrode of each of the first series-arm resonator and the second series-arm resonator being disposed on one of the two main surfaces;\na high-acoustic-velocity support substrate, an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave propagating through the high-acoustic-velocity support substrate being higher than an acoustic wave velocity of an acoustic wave propagating through the piezoelectric layer; and\na low-acoustic-velocity film disposed between the high-acoustic-velocity support substrate and the piezoelectric layer, an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave propagating through the low-acoustic-velocity film being lower than an acoustic velocity of an acoustic wave propagating through the piezoelectric layer.",
"5. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 4, wherein the high-acoustic-velocity support substrate is a silicon substrate having a thickness of about 125 μm.",
"6. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 4, wherein the low-acoustic-velocity film includes silicon dioxide as a main component and has a thickness of about 670 nm.",
"7. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, further comprising a parallel-arm resonator disposed on a path connecting a reference terminal and a node at which the first series-arm resonator and the second series-arm resonator are connected.",
"8. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 7, further comprising a plurality of the parallel-arm resonators.",
"9. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 7, wherein the first series-arm resonator, the second series-arm resonator, and the parallel-arm resonator define a ladder band-pass filter.",
"10. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second series-arm resonators is a surface acoustic wave resonator.",
"11. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second series-arm resonators includes a reflector disposed on both sides of the respective first or second series-arm resonator in the propagation direction.",
"12. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein each of the IDT electrodes of the first and second series-arm resonators includes an adhesive layer on the piezoelectric layer and a main electrode layer on the adhesive layer.",
"13. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 12, wherein the adhesive layer includes Ti as a main component.",
"14. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 12, wherein the main electrode layer includes Al as a main component and a Cu content of about 1%.",
"15. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein each of the IDT electrodes of the first and second series-arm resonators is covered with a protective layer.",
"16. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 15, wherein the protective layer includes silicon dioxide as a main component.",
"17. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric layer is made of a θ°-rotated Y cut X SAW propagation LiTaO3 piezoelectric single crystal.",
"18. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric layer has a thickness of about 600 nm.",
"19. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, further comprising:\na third series-arm resonator disposed on the path, the first series-arm resonator and the third series-arm resonator being connected in series; wherein\nthe third series-arm resonator has a lower anti-resonant frequency than the second series-arm resonator;\nthe third series-arm resonator includes an IDT electrode including a pair of comb teeth-shaped electrodes provided on a substrate including a piezoelectric layer;\nelectrodes of the pair of comb teeth-shaped electrodes of the third series-arm resonator each include electrode fingers and a busbar electrode, the electrode fingers extending in the direction orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the propagation direction of the acoustic wave, the busbar electrode connecting first ends of the electrode fingers to each other;\na direction in which second ends of the electrode fingers are aligned with each other crosses the propagation direction of the acoustic wave;\nthe electrode fingers of the IDT electrode of the third series-arm resonator each include an electrode-finger central portion and a wide portion located at the second end and being wider than the electrode-finger central portion; and\na length of the wide portion of each of the electrode fingers in the third series-arm resonator in the direction in which the electrode fingers extend is greater than the length of the wide portion of each of the electrode fingers in the second series-arm resonator in the direction in which the electrode fingers extend.",
"20. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of the second series-arm resonators."
],
[
"1. A filter comprising:\neach of parallel resonators having first comb electrodes provided on a piezoelectric substrate and a first dielectric film that covers the first comb electrodes; and\neach of series resonators having second comb electrodes provided on the piezoelectric substrate and a second dielectric film that covers the second comb electrodes and is made of a material identical to that of the first dielectric film,\neach of the first dielectric films having a thickness smaller than a thickness of each of the second dielectric films.",
"2. The filter as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a third dielectric film that is provided on the first and second dielectric films,\nthe third dielectric film having an acoustic velocity greater than acoustic velocities of the first and second dielectric films.",
"3. The filter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second dielectric films comprise silicon oxide.",
"4. The filter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric substrate comprises one of lithium niobate and lithium tantalate.",
"5. The filter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second comb electrodes comprise copper.",
"6. A filter comprising:\na first acoustic wave filter having first comb electrodes provided on a piezoelectric substrate and a first dielectric film that covers the first comb electrodes; and\na second acoustic wave filter having second comb electrodes provided on the piezoelectric substrate and a second dielectric film covers the second comb electrodes and is made of a material identical to that of the first dielectric film,\nthe first dielectric film having a thickness smaller than a thickness of the second dielectric film,\nthe first and second acoustic wave filters being connected in series;\nthe first acoustic wave filter being an input side of the filter; and\nthe second acoustic wave filter being an output side of the filter;\nwherein the first and second acoustic wave filter are respectively multimode acoustic wave filters.",
"7. A filter comprising:\na filter acoustic wave filter having first comb electrodes provide on a piezoelectric substrate and a first dielectric film that covers the first comb electrodes; and\na second acoustic wave filter having second comb electrode providing on the piezoelectric substrate and a second dielectric film covers the second comb electrodes and is made of a material identical to that of the first dielectric film,\nthe first dielectric film having a thickness smaller than a thickness of the second dielectric film,\nthe first and second acoustic wave filters being connected in series;\nthe first acoustic wave filter being an input side of the filter;\nthe second acoustic wave filter being an output side of the filter; and\na third dielectric film that is provided on the first an second dielectric films,\nthe third dielectric film having an acoustic velocity greater than acoustic velocities of the first and second dielectric films.",
"8. The filter as claimed in any one of claims 6 or 7, wherein the first and second dielectric films comprise silicon oxide.",
"9. The filter as claimed in any one of claims 6 or 7, wherein the piezoelectric substrate comprises one of lithium niobate and lithium tantalite.",
"10. The filter as claimed in any one of claims 6 or 7, wherein the first and second comb electrode comprise copper.",
"11. A duplexer comprising:\na first acoustic wave filter having first comb electrodes provided on a piezoelectric substrate and a first dielectric film that covers the first comb electrodes; and\na second acoustic wave filter having second comb electrode provided on the piezoelectric substrate and a second dielectric film covers the second comb electrodes and is made of a material identical to that of the first dielectric film,\nthe first dielectric film having a thickness smaller than a thickness of the second dielectric film,\nthe first and second acoustic wave filters being connected at a common terminal;\nthe first acoustic wave filter being a high-frequency-side filter of the duplexer;\nthe second acoustic wave filter being a low frequency-side filter of the duplexer; and\nthe first and second acoustic wave filters being ladder filters.",
"12. The duplexer as claimed in claim 11, further comprises a third dielectric film that is provided on the first and second dielectric films,\nthe third dielectric film having an acoustic velocity greater than acoustic velocity of the first and second dielectric films.",
"13. The duplexer as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first second dielectric films comprise silicon oxide.",
"14. The duplexer as claimed in claim 11, wherein the piezoelectric substrate comprises one of lithium niobate and lithium tantalate.",
"15. The duplexer as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first and second comb electrodes comprise copper."
],
[
"1. An acoustic wave filter device having a ladder circuit configuration comprising:\na plurality of series arm resonators connected in series with one another at a series arm connecting an input terminal and an output terminal;\na parallel arm resonator disposed at a parallel arm connected between the series arm and a ground potential;\na piezoelectric substrate made of a piezoelectric monocrystal; and\nelectrodes provided on the piezoelectric substrate; wherein\nan anti-resonant frequency of at least one of the plurality of series arm resonators is different from that of remaining ones of the plurality of series arm resonators;\none of the plurality of series arm resonators having the lowest anti-resonant frequency has a resonant frequency located in a passband and an electromechanical coupling coefficient k2 less than an average of electromechanical coupling coefficients of all of the plurality of series arm resonators; and\na propagation direction ψ obtained when a crystalline cutting plane of the piezoelectric substrate and an acoustic wave propagation direction are expressed as Euler angles (φ, θ, ψ) is such that an electromechanical coupling coefficient of one of the plurality of series arm resonators having the lowest anti-resonant frequency is less than an average of electromechanical coupling coefficients of all of the plurality of series arm resonators.",
"2. The acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein\na plurality of parallel arm resonators are individually disposed at a plurality of parallel arms;\na resonant frequency of at least one of the plurality of parallel arm resonators is different from that of remaining ones of the plurality of parallel arm resonators; and\none of the plurality of parallel arm resonators having the highest resonant frequency has an anti-resonant frequency located in a passband and an electromechanical coupling coefficient less than an average of electromechanical coupling coefficients of all of the plurality of parallel arm resonators.",
"3. The acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein the acoustic wave filter device is a boundary acoustic wave filter device.",
"4. The acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein the acoustic wave filter device is a surface acoustic wave filter device.",
"5. An acoustic wave filter device comprising:\nat least one series arm resonator arranged to define a series arm between an input terminal and an output terminal;\na plurality of parallel arm resonators that are individually disposed at a plurality of parallel arms connecting the series arm and a ground potential;\na piezoelectric substrate made of a piezoelectric monocrystal; and\nelectrodes provided on the piezoelectric substrate; wherein\na resonant frequency of at least one of the plurality of parallel arm resonators is different from that of remaining ones of the plurality of parallel arm resonators;\none of the plurality of parallel arm resonators having the highest resonant frequency has an anti-resonant frequency located in a passband and an electromechanical coupling coefficient less than an average of electromechanical coupling coefficients of all of the plurality of parallel arm resonators; and\na propagation direction ψ obtained when a crystalline cutting plane of the piezoelectric substrate and an acoustic wave propagation direction are expressed as Euler angles (φ, θ, ψ) is such that an electromechanical coupling coefficient of one of the plurality of parallel arm resonators having the lowest anti-resonant frequency is less than an average of electromechanical coupling coefficients of all of the plurality of parallel arm resonators.",
"6. The acoustic wave filter device according to claim 5, wherein the acoustic wave filter device is a boundary acoustic wave filter device.",
"7. The acoustic wave filter device according to claim 5, wherein the acoustic wave filter device is a surface acoustic wave filter device."
],
[
"1. A surface acoustic wave device comprising:\nan input signal electrode and an output signal electrode to and from which an electric signal is inputted or outputted;\na first surface acoustic wave resonator connected between the input signal electrode and the output signal electrode; and\na second surface acoustic wave resonator including:\na plurality of signal-side terminals having a plurality of comb electrodes and connected to a midpoint between the input signal electrode and the first surface acoustic wave resonator and a midpoint between the output signal electrode and the first surface acoustic wave resonator, and\na ground-side common terminal having a plurality of comb electrodes to form interdigital transducers in cooperation with the comb electrodes of the plurality of signal-side common terminals and connected to a grounding electrode.",
"2. The surface acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the electrode period of the plurality of interdigital transducers forming the second surface acoustic wave resonator is set to be greater than the electrode period of the plurality of interdigital transducers forming the first surface acoustic wave resonator.",
"3. The surface acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein an inductance element is connected between the ground-side common terminal of the second surface acoustic wave resonator and the grounding electrode.",
"4. A surface acoustic wave device comprising:\nan input signal electrode and an output signal electrode to and from which an electric signal is inputted or outputted;\na plurality of first surface acoustic wave resonators connected in series between the input signal electrode and the output signal electrode; and\na second surface acoustic wave resonator including:\na plurality of signal-side terminals having a plurality of comb electrodes,\na first signal-side terminal of the plurality of signal-side terminals connected to a midpoint between the input signal electrode and a first surface acoustic wave resonator of the plurality of first surface acoustic wave resonators, a second signal-side terminal of the plurality of signal side terminals connected to a midpoint between the output signal electrode and a second surface acoustic wave resonator of the of first surface acoustic wave resonators, wherein each of the plurality of signal-side terminals with the exception of the first and the second signal-side terminals is connected to a midpoint between adjacent first surface acoustic wave resonators of the plurality of first surface acoustic wave resonators, and\na ground-side common terminal having a plurality of comb electrodes to form interdigital transducers in cooperation with the comb electrodes of the plurality of signal-side common terminals and connected to a grounding electrode.",
"5. The surface acoustic wave device according to claim 4, wherein the electrode period of the plurality of interdigital transducers forming the second surface acoustic wave resonator is set to be greater than the electrode period of the plurality of interdigital transducers forming the plurality of first surface acoustic wave resonators.",
"6. The surface acoustic wave device according to claim 4, wherein an inductance element is connected between the ground-side common terminal of the second surface acoustic wave resonator and the grounding electrode.",
"7. A branching filter comprising:\nat least two surface acoustic wave devices having mutually different band center frequencies, and at least one of the surface acoustic wave devices comprising:\nan input signal electrode and an output signal electrode to and from which an electric signal is inputted or outputted;\na first surface acoustic wave resonator connected between the input signal electrode and the output signal electrode; and\na second surface acoustic wave resonator including:\na plurality of signal-side terminals having a plurality of comb electrodes and connected to a midpoint between the input signal electrode and the first surface acoustic wave resonator and a midpoint between the output signal electrode and the first surface acoustic wave resonator, and\na ground-side common terminal having a plurality of comb electrodes to form interdigital transducers by the comb electrodes and the comb electrodes of the plurality of signal-side common terminals and connected to a grounding electrode.",
"8. A branching filter comprising:\nat least two surface acoustic wave devices having mutually different band center frequencies, and at least one of the surface acoustic wave devices comprising:\nan input signal electrode and an output signal electrode to and from which an electric signal is inputted or outputted;\na plurality of first surface acoustic wave resonators connected in series between the input signal electrode and the output signal electrode; and\na second surface acoustic wave resonator including:\na plurality of signal-side terminals having a plurality of comb electrodes, a first signal-side terminal of the plurality of signal-side terminals is connected to a midpoint between the input signal electrode and a first surface acoustic wave resonator of the plurality of first surface acoustic wave resonators, a second signal-side terminal of the plurality of signal side terminals is connected to a midpoint between the output signal electrode and a second surface acoustic wave resonator of the plurality of first surface acoustic wave resonators, wherein each of the plurality of signal-side terminals with the exception of the first and the second signal-side terminals is connected to a midpoint between adjacent first surface acoustic wave resonators, and\na ground-side common terminal having a plurality of comb electrodes to form interdigital transducers by the comb electrodes and the comb electrodes of the plurality of signal-side common terminals and connected to a grounding electrode.",
"9. The surface acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein an electrode period of the first interdigital transducers of the second surface acoustic wave resonator is different from an electrode period of the second interdigital transducers of the second surface acoustic wave resonator.",
"10. The surface acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein an electrode period of the first interdigital transducers of the second surface acoustic wave resonator is identical to an electrode period of the second interdigital transducers of the second surface acoustic wave resonator.",
"11. The surface acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein an electrode period of the plurality of interdigital transducers forming the first surface acoustic wave resonator is different from an electrode period of an interdigital transducer forming the second surface acoustic wave resonator.",
"12. The surface acoustic wave device according to claim 4, wherein an electrode period of the first interdigital transducers of the second surface acoustic wave resonator is different from an electrode period of the second interdigital transducers of the second surface acoustic wave resonator.",
"13. The surface acoustic wave device according to claim 4, wherein an electrode period of the first interdigital transducers of the second surface acoustic wave resonator is identical to an electrode period of the second interdigital transducers of the second surface acoustic wave resonator.",
"14. The surface acoustic wave device according to claim 4, wherein an electrode period of the plurality of interdigital transducers forming the first surface acoustic wave resonator is different from an electrode period of an interdigital transducer forming the second surface acoustic wave resonator."
],
[
"1. An acoustic wave resonator comprising:\na piezoelectric body; and\nan IDT electrode on or above the piezoelectric body and including withdrawal weighted portions in each of a plurality of regions in an acoustic wave propagation direction for at least three periods; wherein\na periodicity of the periodic withdrawal weighted portion in at least one of the plurality of regions is different from a periodicity of the periodic withdrawal weighted portion in at least another one of the plurality of regions.",
"2. The acoustic wave resonator according to claim 1, wherein periodicities of the withdrawal weighted portions in the plurality of regions are different from one another.",
"3. The acoustic wave resonator according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the withdrawal weighted portions is asymmetric on respective sides of a center of the IDT electrode in the acoustic wave propagation direction.",
"4. The acoustic wave resonator according to claim 1, wherein the IDT electrode includes a plurality of first electrode fingers and a plurality of second electrode fingers that interdigitate with each other, and at least one of the withdrawal weighted portions includes a wide electrode finger with a larger width-direction dimension than the first electrode fingers in the acoustic wave propagation direction.",
"5. The acoustic wave resonator according to claim 1, wherein the IDT electrode includes a plurality of first electrodes and a plurality of second electrodes that interdigitate with each other, and at least one of the withdrawal weighted portions includes a floating electrode finger provided in at least one of portions in which the first electrode fingers or the second electrode fingers are located, in place of the corresponding first electrode finger or the corresponding second electrode finger.",
"6. The acoustic wave resonator according to claim 1, further comprising reflectors disposed on respective sides of the IDT electrode in the acoustic wave propagation direction.",
"7. The acoustic wave resonator according to claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric body is defined by a piezoelectric plate.",
"8. The acoustic wave resonator according to claim 7, wherein the piezoelectric plate is made of LiNbO3 or LiTaO3.",
"9. The acoustic wave resonator according to claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric body is defined by a piezoelectric film stacked on or above a semiconductor layer or an insulating layer.",
"10. The acoustic wave resonator according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of regions include at least three regions.",
"11. The acoustic wave resonator according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of regions are arranged parallel or substantially parallel to the acoustic wave propagation direction.",
"12. A multiplexer comprising:\na common terminal; and\na plurality of bandpass filters each including one end connected in common to the common terminal; wherein\nat least one of the plurality of bandpass filters has a pass band that is different from pass bands of others of the plurality of bandpass filters;\nthe at least one of the bandpass filters is an acoustic wave filter including a plurality of acoustic wave resonators; and\nat least one of the plurality of acoustic wave resonators is defined by the acoustic wave resonator according to claim 1.",
"13. The multiplexer according to claim 12, wherein the plurality of bandpass filters have pass bands that are different from one another.",
"14. The multiplexer according to claim 12, wherein each of the plurality of bandpass filters is an acoustic wave filter including a plurality of acoustic wave resonators.",
"15. The multiplexer according to claim 12, wherein periodicities of the withdrawal weighted portions in the plurality of regions are different from one another.",
"16. The multiplexer according to claim 12, wherein at least one of the withdrawal weighted portions is asymmetric on respective sides of a center of the IDT electrode in the acoustic wave propagation direction.",
"17. The multiplexer according to claim 12, wherein the IDT electrode includes a plurality of first electrode fingers and a plurality of second electrode fingers that interdigitate with each other, and at least one of the withdrawal weighted portions includes a wide electrode finger with a larger width-direction dimension than the first electrode fingers in the acoustic wave propagation direction.",
"18. The multiplexer according to claim 12, wherein the IDT electrode includes a plurality of first electrodes and a plurality of second electrodes that interdigitate with each other, and at least one of the withdrawal weighted portions includes a floating electrode finger provided in at least one of portions in which the first electrode fingers or the second electrode fingers are located, in place of the corresponding first electrode finger or the corresponding second electrode finger.",
"19. The multiplexer according to claim 12, wherein the piezoelectric body is defined by a piezoelectric film stacked on or above a semiconductor layer or an insulating layer."
],
[
"1. A multiplexer that transmits and receives high-frequency signals via an antenna element, the multiplexer comprising:\na substrate including a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface;\na common connection terminal that is disposed on the first surface of the substrate and that is to be connected to the antenna element; and\nat least three elastic wave filters that are mounted on the second surface of the substrate, that are connected to the common connection terminal, and that have pass bands different from each other; wherein\na first elastic wave filter of the at least three elastic wave filters, which generates a spurious wave at a frequency that is included in a pass band of a second elastic wave filter that is at least one of the elastic wave filters that differs from the first elastic wave filter among the at least three elastic wave filters, is located nearest on the substrate to the common connection terminal among the at least three elastic wave filters.",
"2. The multiplexer according to claim 1, wherein the second elastic wave filter is located nearer on the substrate to the common connection terminal than at least one elastic wave other than the first elastic wave filter and the second elastic wave filter among the at least three elastic wave filters.",
"3. The multiplexer according to claim 1, wherein\nthe substrate includes a plurality of layers; and\na wiring line connecting the first elastic wave filter and the common connection terminal to each other is provided in or on one of the plurality of layers.",
"4. The multiplexer according to claim 1, wherein\nthe first elastic wave filter includes an input terminal, an output terminal, and at least one of a parallel arm resonator unit and a series arm resonator unit, the series arm resonator unit being disposed on a path connecting the input terminal and the output terminal to each other, the parallel arm resonator unit being connected between the path and a reference terminal; and\nat least one of the series arm resonator unit nearest to the common connection terminal and the parallel arm resonator unit nearest to the common connection terminal includes:\nelastic wave resonators that are connected in series; and\na first capacitance element that is connected between at least one of paths connecting the elastic wave resonators to each other and the reference terminal.",
"5. The multiplexer according to claim 1, wherein\nthe first elastic wave filter includes an input terminal, an output terminal, and at least one of a parallel arm resonator unit and a series arm resonator unit, the series arm resonator unit being disposed on a path connecting the input terminal and the output terminal to each other, the parallel arm resonator unit being connected between the path and a reference terminal; and\nat least one of the series arm resonator unit nearest to the common connection terminal and the parallel arm resonator unit nearest to the common connection terminal includes:\nat least one elastic wave resonator; and\na second capacitance element that is connected to the at least one elastic wave resonator in parallel so as to bridge both end portions of the at least one elastic wave resonator.",
"6. The multiplexer according to claim 1, wherein\nthe first elastic wave filter includes a piezoelectric substrate; and\nthe piezoelectric substrate includes:\na piezoelectric film including a surface on which an interdigital transducer electrode is provided;\na high acoustic velocity support substrate through which a bulk wave is propagated at an acoustic velocity higher than an acoustic velocity at which an elastic wave is propagated through the piezoelectric film; and\na low acoustic velocity film that is disposed between the high acoustic velocity support substrate and the piezoelectric film and through which a bulk wave is propagated at an acoustic velocity lower than an acoustic velocity at which a bulk wave is propagated through the piezoelectric film.",
"7. The multiplexer according to claim 6, wherein the first elastic wave filter further includes a protective layer covering the interdigital transducer electrode.",
"8. The multiplexer according to claim 7, wherein the protective layer is defined by a film including silicon dioxide as a main component.",
"9. The multiplexer according to claim 7, wherein the protective layer has a thickness of about 25 nm.",
"10. The multiplexer according to claim 6, wherein the interdigital transducer electrode has a multilayer structure including a close-contact layer and a main electrode layer provided on the close-contact layer.",
"11. The multiplexer according to claim 10, wherein the main electrode layer has a thickness of about 162 nm.",
"12. The multiplexer according to claim 10, wherein the close-contact layer is made of Ti.",
"13. The multiplexer according to claim 10, wherein the close-contact layer has a thickness of about 12 nm.",
"14. The multiplexer according to claim 10, wherein the main electrode layer is made of Al including about 1% of Cu.",
"15. The multiplexer according to claim 1, wherein\nthe first elastic wave filter includes a piezoelectric substrate; and\nthe piezoelectric substrate is made of a LiNbO3 piezoelectric single crystal substrate including a surface on which an interdigital transducer electrode is provided.",
"16. The multiplexer according to claim 1, wherein\nthe multiplexer is a quadplexer including a Band25 duplexer and a Band66 duplexer;\nthe at least three elastic wave filters include a transmission-side filter and a reception-side filter of the Band25 duplexer, and a transmission-side filter and a reception side filter of the Band66 duplexer; and\nthe first elastic wave filter defines the reception-side filter of the Band25 duplexer.",
"17. The multiplexer according to claim 16, further comprising an inductance element connected between the reception-side filter of the Band25 duplexer and the common connection terminal.",
"18. The multiplexer according to claim 16, wherein the transmission-side filter of the Band66 duplexer is an unbalanced-input-unbalanced-output band pass filter."
],
[
"1. An acoustic wave filter comprising:\na piezoelectric substrate;\none or more series resonators that are connected in series between an input terminal and an output terminal and located on the piezoelectric substrate, each of the one or more series resonators including first electrode fingers that are arranged with a first duty ratio and excite an acoustic wave;\none or more parallel resonators that are connected in parallel between the input terminal and the output terminal and located on the piezoelectric substrate, each of the one or more parallel resonators including second electrode fingers that are arranged with a second duty ratio and excite an acoustic wave, the second duty ratio in each of the one or more parallel resonators being less than the first duty ratio in each of the one or more series resonators; and\na dielectric film that has a temperature coefficient of elastic modulus that is opposite in sign to that of the piezoelectric substrate, is located on the piezoelectric substrate so as to cover the first electrode fingers and the second electrode fingers, and has a film thickness greater than those of the first electrode fingers and the second electrode fingers,\nwherein:\neach of the one or more series resonators includes a pair of first comb-shaped electrodes, the first duty ratio is a duty ratio in a first region in which third electrode fingers of one of the pair of first comb-shaped electrodes among the first electrode fingers overlap with fourth electrode fingers of another of the pair of first comb-shaped electrodes among the first electrode fingers, the third electrode fingers and the fourth electrode fingers are alternately arranged in the first region, only a single fourth electrode finger among the fourth electrode fingers is located between adjacent third electrode fingers among the third electrode fingers in the first region, only a single third electrode finger among the third electrode fingers is located between adjacent fourth electrode fingers among the fourth electrode fingers in the first region,\neach of the one or more parallel resonators includes a pair of second comb-shaped electrodes, the second duty ratio is a duty ratio in a second region in which fifth electrode fingers of one of the pair of second comb-shaped electrodes among the second electrode fingers overlap with sixth electrode fingers of another of the pair of second comb-shaped electrodes among the second electrode fingers, the fifth electrode fingers and the sixth electrode fingers are alternately arranged in the second region, only a single sixth electrode finger among the sixth electrode fingers is located between adjacent fifth electrode fingers among the fifth electrode fingers in the second region, only a single fifth electrode finger among the fifth electrode fingers is located between adjacent sixth electrode fingers among the sixth electrode fingers in the second region,\na resonant frequency of each of the one or more parallel resonators is less than a resonant frequency of each of the one or more series resonators,\nan antiresonant frequency of each of the one or more parallel resonators is less than an antiresonant frequency of each of the one or more series resonators,\nno resonator other than the one or more parallel resonators and the one or more series resonators is connected between the input terminal and the output terminal, and\na difference in value between a value, expressed in percentage, of a largest second duty ratio in the one or more parallel resonators and a value, expressed in percentage, of a smallest first duty ratio in the one or more series resonators is 5% or greater.",
"2. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein\nthe one or more series resonators are a plurality of series resonators,\nthe one or more parallel resonators are a plurality of parallel resonators, and\nall of the second duty ratios in the plurality of parallel resonators are less than all of the first duty ratios in the plurality of series resonators.",
"3. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein\nthe difference in value between the value, expressed in percentage, of the largest second duty ratio in the one or more parallel resonators and the value, expressed in percentage, of the smallest first duty ratio in the one or more series resonators is 10% or less.",
"4. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein\na pitch of the first electrode fingers is less than a pitch of the second electrode fingers.",
"5. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein\nthe piezoelectric substrate is a lithium niobate substrate or a lithium tantalate substrate.",
"6. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein\nthe piezoelectric substrate is a lithium niobate substrate and the dielectric film is a silicon oxide film.",
"7. A multiplexer comprising:\nthe acoustic wave filter according to claim 1.",
"8. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein\nthe value, expressed in percentage, of the largest second duty ratio in the one or more parallel resonators is equal to or less than 0.9 times the value, expressed in percentage, of the smallest first duty ratio in the one or more series resonators.",
"9. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the resonant frequency of each of the one or more parallel resonators is lower than a passband of the acoustic wave filter, and the antiresonant frequency of each of the one or more series resonators is higher than the passband.",
"10. An acoustic wave filter comprising:\na piezoelectric substrate;\none or more series resonators that are connected in series between an input terminal and an output terminal and located on the piezoelectric substrate, each of the one or more series resonators including first electrode fingers that are arranged with a first duty ratio and excite an acoustic wave;\none or more parallel resonators that are connected in parallel between the input terminal and the output terminal and located on the piezoelectric substrate, each of the one or more parallel resonators including second electrode fingers that are arranged with a second duty ratio and excite an acoustic wave, the second duty ratio in each of the one or more parallel resonators being less than the first duty ratio in each of the one or more series resonators;\na first dielectric film that has a temperature coefficient of elastic modulus that is opposite in sign to that of the piezoelectric substrate, is located on the piezoelectric substrate so as to cover the first electrode fingers, and has a first film thickness greater than those of the first electrode fingers; and\na second dielectric film that has a temperature coefficient of elastic modulus that is opposite in sign to that of the piezoelectric substrate, is located on the piezoelectric substrate so as to cover the second electrode fingers, and has a second film thickness that is greater than those of the second electrode fingers and is substantially equal to the first film thickness,\nwherein:\neach of the one or more series resonators includes a pair of first comb-shaped electrodes, the first duty ratio is a duty ratio in a first region in which third electrode fingers of one of the pair of first comb-shaped electrodes among the first electrode fingers overlap with fourth electrode fingers of another of the pair of first comb-shaped electrodes among the first electrode fingers, the third electrode fingers and the fourth electrode fingers are alternately arranged in the first region, only a single fourth electrode finger among the fourth electrode fingers is located between adjacent third electrode fingers among the third electrode fingers in the first region, only a single third electrode finger among the third electrode fingers is located between adjacent fourth electrode fingers among the fourth electrode fingers in the first region,\neach of the one or more parallel resonators includes a pair of second comb-shaped electrodes, the second duty ratio is a duty ratio in a second region in which fifth electrode fingers of one of the pair of second comb-shaped electrodes among the second electrode fingers overlap with sixth electrode fingers of another of the pair of second comb-shaped electrodes among the second electrode fingers, the fifth electrode fingers and the sixth electrode fingers are alternately arranged in the second region, only a single sixth electrode finger among the sixth electrode fingers is located between adjacent fifth electrode fingers among the fifth electrode fingers in the second region, only a single fifth electrode finger among the fifth electrode fingers is located between adjacent sixth electrode fingers among the sixth electrode fingers in the second region,\na resonant frequency of each of the one or more parallel resonators is less than a resonant frequency of each of the one or more series resonators,\nan antiresonant frequency of each of the one or more parallel resonators is less than an antiresonant frequency of each of the one or more series resonators,\nno resonator other than the one or more parallel resonators and the one or more series resonators is connected between the input terminal and the output terminal, and\na difference in value between a value, expressed in percentage, of a largest second duty ratio in the one or more parallel resonators and a value, expressed in percentage, of a smallest first duty ratio in the one or more series resonators is 5% or greater.",
"11. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 10, wherein the first dielectric film and the second dielectric film are made of substantially identical materials.",
"12. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 10, wherein\nthe one or more series resonators are a plurality of series resonators,\nthe one or more parallel resonators are a plurality of parallel resonators, and\nall of the second duty ratios in the plurality of parallel resonators are less than all of the first duty ratios in the plurality of series resonators.",
"13. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 10, wherein the difference in value between the value, expressed in percentage, of the largest second duty ratio in the one or more parallel resonators and the value, expressed in percentage, of the smallest first duty ratio in the one or more series resonators is 10% or less.",
"14. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 10, wherein a pitch of the first electrode fingers is less than a pitch of the second electrode fingers.",
"15. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 10, wherein the piezoelectric substrate is a lithium niobate substrate or a lithium tantalate substrate.",
"16. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 10, wherein the piezoelectric substrate is a lithium niobate substrate and the dielectric film is a silicon oxide film.",
"17. A multiplexer comprising:\nthe acoustic wave filter according to claim 10.",
"18. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 10, wherein the value, expressed in percentage, of the largest second duty ratio in the one or more parallel resonators is equal to or less than 0.9 times the value, expressed in percentage, of the smallest first duty ratio in the one or more series resonators.",
"19. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 2, wherein the resonant frequency of each of the one or more parallel resonators is lower than a passband of the acoustic wave filter, and the antiresonant frequency of each of the one or more series resonators is higher than the passband."
],
[
"1. An elastic wave filter device comprising:\na first elastic wave filter and a second elastic wave filter having pass bands different from each other and provided on a piezoelectric substrate; and\na shared terminal, a first terminal, a second terminal, and a plurality of reference terminals provided on the piezoelectric substrate; wherein\nthe first elastic wave filter includes a series resonator connected between the shared terminal and the first terminal and parallel resonators connected between a connection path from the shared terminal to the first terminal and one reference terminal among the plurality of reference terminals;\nthe second elastic wave filter includes parallel resonators connected between a connection path from the shared terminal to the second terminal and another reference terminal among the plurality of reference terminals;\na first reference terminal among the plurality of reference terminals connected to a parallel resonator connected so as to be closest to the first terminal among the parallel resonators included in the first elastic wave filter, and a second reference terminal among the plurality of reference terminals connected to a parallel resonator connected so as to be closest to the second terminal among the parallel resonators included in the second elastic wave filter, are separated from each other on the piezoelectric substrate; and\nthe first reference terminal is provided at a first side of the piezoelectric substrate, and the second reference terminal is provided at a second side of the piezoelectric substrate that is different than the first side of the piezoelectric substrate.",
"2. The elastic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein each of the first reference terminal and the second reference terminal is separated on the piezoelectric substrate from any other reference terminals of the plurality of reference terminals on the piezoelectric substrate.",
"3. The elastic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein\nthe first reference terminal is separated on the piezoelectric substrate from any of the reference terminals connected to the parallel resonators included in the second elastic wave filter; and\nthe second reference terminal is separated on the piezoelectric substrate from any of the reference terminal connected to the parallel resonators included in the first elastic wave filter.",
"4. The elastic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein at least one set of reference terminals among the plurality of reference terminals is shared on the piezoelectric substrate.",
"5. The elastic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein all of the reference terminals other than the first reference terminal and the second reference terminal, among the plurality of reference terminals, are shared on the piezoelectric substrate.",
"6. The elastic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein\nthe first elastic wave filter is a first reception filter that filters a first high-frequency signal input through the shared terminal, in a first pass band and outputs the filtered signal to the first terminal; and\nthe second elastic wave filter is a second reception filter that filters a second high-frequency signal input through the shared terminal, in a second pass band and outputs the filtered signal to the second terminal.",
"7. The elastic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein the first elastic wave filter and the second elastic wave filter are ladder surface acoustic wave filters.",
"8. The elastic wave filter device according to claim 7, wherein each of the first and second ladder surface acoustic wave filters includes an IDT electrode having a multilayer structure including a close contact layer and a main electrode layer.",
"9. The elastic wave filter device according to claim 8, wherein the close contact layer is made of Ti.",
"10. The elastic wave filter device according to claim 8, wherein the main electrode in made of Al including about 1% of Cu.",
"11. The elastic wave filter device according to claim 8, wherein each of the first and second ladder surface acoustic wave filters further includes a protective layer covering the IDT electrode.",
"12. A duplexer comprising the elastic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein\nthe first elastic wave filter is one of a reception filter that filters a high-frequency signal input through the shared terminal, in a first pass band and outputs the filtered signal to the first terminal and a transmission filter that filters a high-frequency signal input through the second terminal, in a second pass band and outputs the filtered signal to the shared terminal; and\nthe second elastic wave filter is the other of the reception filter and the transmission filter.",
"13. The duplexer according to claim 12, wherein each of the first reference terminal and the second reference terminal is separated on the piezoelectric substrate from any other reference terminals of the plurality of reference terminals on the piezoelectric substrate.",
"14. The duplexer according to claim 12, wherein\nthe first reference terminal is separated on the piezoelectric substrate from any of the reference terminals connected to the parallel resonators included in the second elastic wave filter; and\nthe second reference terminal is separated on the piezoelectric substrate from any of the reference terminal connected to the parallel resonators included in the first elastic wave filter.",
"15. The duplexer according to claim 12, wherein at least one set of reference terminals among the plurality of reference terminals is shared on the piezoelectric substrate.",
"16. The duplexer according to claim 12, wherein the reference terminals other than the first reference terminal and the second reference terminal, among the plurality of reference terminals, are shared on the piezoelectric substrate.",
"17. The duplexer according to claim 12, wherein the first elastic wave filter and the second elastic wave filter are ladder surface acoustic wave filters.",
"18. The duplexer according to claim 17, wherein each of the first and second ladder surface acoustic wave filters includes an IDT electrode having a multilayer structure including a close contact layer and a main electrode layer.",
"19. The duplexer according to claim 18, wherein the close contact layer is made of Ti.",
"20. The duplexer according to claim 18, wherein the main electrode in made of Al including about 1% of Cu."
],
[
"1. An acoustic wave filter comprising:\na first input-output terminal and a second input-output terminal;\none or more series arm resonators on a path connecting the first input-output terminal and the second input-output terminal; and\none or more parallel arm resonators between the path and ground; wherein\nthe one or more series arm resonators and the one or more parallel arm resonators are each an acoustic wave resonator including an interdigital transducer electrode provided on a substrate with piezoelectricity;\nthe interdigital transducer electrode includes a pair of comb-shaped electrodes each including a plurality of electrode fingers that extend in a direction crossing a propagation direction of acoustic waves and that are in parallel or substantially in parallel with each other and a busbar electrode that connects one-side ends of electrode fingers of the plurality of electrode fingers to each other; and\nwhen a first electrode finger of the plurality of electrode fingers that is not coupled to either busbar electrode of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes is determined as a first thinned electrode; and when a second electrode finger out the plurality of electrode fingers that has a widest electrode finger width twice or more an average electrode finger width of the electrode fingers excluding the first electrode finger is determined as a second thinned electrode; the interdigital transducer electrode of at least one of the one or more series arm resonators includes the first thinned electrode; and the interdigital transducer electrode of at least one of the one or more parallel arm resonators includes the second thinned electrode.",
"2. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the interdigital transducer electrode of each of the one or more series arm resonators includes the first thinned electrode.",
"3. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the interdigital transducer electrode of each of the one or more parallel arm resonators includes the second thinned electrode.",
"4. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein in the interdigital transducer electrode of each of the one or more series arm resonators, when a proportion of a count of the first thinned electrode to a total count of the plurality of electrode fingers is determined as a first thinning rate of the interdigital transducer electrode, the first thinning rate of the interdigital transducer electrode including the first thinned electrode is about 30% or less.",
"5. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein in the interdigital transducer electrode of each of the one or more parallel arm resonators, when a proportion of a count of the second thinned electrode to a total count of the plurality of electrode fingers is determined as a second thinning rate of the interdigital transducer electrode, the second thinning rate of the interdigital transducer electrode including the second thinned electrode is about 30% or less.",
"6. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the substrate includes a piezoelectric film including one surface on which the interdigital transducer electrode is provided, a high-acoustic-velocity support substrate in which a bulk wave propagates at an acoustic velocity higher than an acoustic velocity of an acoustic wave propagating along the piezoelectric film, and a low-acoustic-velocity film that is positioned between the high-acoustic-velocity support substrate and the piezoelectric film and in which a bulk wave propagates at an acoustic velocity lower than an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave propagating in the piezoelectric film.",
"7. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the one or more series arm resonators include five series arm resonators.",
"8. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the one or more parallel arm resonators include four parallel arm resonators.",
"9. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the interdigital transducer includes a fixing layer and a main electrode layer.",
"10. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 9, wherein the fixing layer is made of Ti.",
"11. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 9, wherein the fixing layer has a thickness of about 12 nm.",
"12. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 9, wherein the main electrode layer is made Al including about 1% Cu.",
"13. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 9, wherein the main electrode layer has a thickness of about 162 nm.",
"14. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the interdigital transducer electrode is covered with a protective layer.",
"15. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 14, wherein the protective layer is defined by a dielectric film mainly including silicon dioxide.",
"16. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 14, wherein the protective layer has a thickness of about 25 nm.",
"17. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein substrate is defined by a piezoelectric film made of a 50° Y-cut X-propagation LiTaO3 piezoelectric single crystal or piezoelectric ceramic.",
"18. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 17, wherein the piezoelectric film has a thickness of about 600 nm."
],
[
"1. A surface acoustic wave filter comprising:\ntwo or more interdigital transducers, provided on a piezoelectric substrate, and arranged in a propagation direction of a surface acoustic wave,\nwherein said two or more interdigital transducers include at least one pair of interdigital transducers arranged adjacent to each other in order to be acoustically coupled to each other, and have different numbers of paired electrode fingers, and\na pitch between each neighboring two of almost all of the electrode fingers included in both of the pair of interdigital transducers are made different from one to another in order that the interdigital transducers should include no primary pitch area.",
"2. The surface acoustic wave filter according to claim 1,\nwherein, in a case where the pitch between each neighboring two of almost all of the electrode fingers included in both of the pair of interdigital transducers are made different from one to another in order that the interdigital transducers should include no primary pitch area, at least one of the interdigital transducer transducers includes at least one pitch-decreasing area in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is progressively decreased, and at least one pitch-increasing area in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is progressively increased.",
"3. The surface acoustic wave filter according to claim 1,\nwherein the surface acoustic wave filter is a longitudinally coupled resonator multi-mode type surface acoustic wave filter,\nsaid two or more interdigital transducers arranged in the propagation direction of the surface acoustic wave include three or more interdigital transducers,\nreflectors are arranged respectively at the two sides of a group consisting of the three or more interdigital transducers, and\na plurality of resonant modes are used in the three or more interdigital transducers.",
"4. The surface acoustic wave filter according to claim 3,\nwherein at least one surface acoustic wave resonator is connected in series to the surface acoustic wave filter.",
"5. The surface acoustic wave filter according to claim 3,\nwherein at least one surface acoustic wave resonator is connected in parallel to the surface acoustic wave filter.",
"6. A surface acoustic wave filter comprising:\nan input terminal which is an unbalanced terminal,\noutput terminals which are balanced terminals,\na pair of surface acoustic wave filters which are made different from each other in the phase of an output signal by substantially 180 degrees and are electrically connected in parallel between the input terminal and the output terminals,\nwherein the surface acoustic wave filter according to claim 1 is used for each of the pair of surface acoustic wave filters.",
"7. The surface acoustic wave filter according to claim 6,\nwherein at least one surface acoustic wave resonator is connected in series to the surface acoustic wave filter.",
"8. The surface acoustic wave filter according to claim 6,\nwherein at least one surface acoustic wave resonator is connected in parallel to the surface acoustic wave filter.",
"9. A surface acoustic wave filter comprising:\ntwo or more interdigital transducers, provided on a piezoelectric substrate, and arranged in a propagation direction of a surface acoustic wave,\nwherein said two or more interdigital transducers include at least one pair of interdigital transducers arranged adjacent to each other in order to be acoustically coupled to each other, and have different numbers of paired electrode fingers,\na pitch between each neighboring two of almost all of the electrode fingers included in one of the pair of interdigital transducers which has the smaller number of paired electrode fingers is made different from one to another in order that the interdigital transducer should include no primary pitch area, the one of the pair of interdigital transducers includes at least one pitch-decreasing area in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is progressively decreased, and at least one pitch-increasing area in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is progressively increased, and\nin each of endmost ones of the two or more interdigital transducers arranged in the propagation direction of the surface acoustic wave, the pitch between the electrode fingers is progressively decreased from its outside to its inside, thereafter is reversely increased and subsequently is decreased again, in its inner end portion.",
"10. A boundary acoustic wave filter comprising:\na piezoelectric substrate;\na non-piezoelectric material arranged in contact with the piezoelectric substrate; and\ntwo or more interdigital transducers, provided on an interface between the piezoelectric substrate and the non-piezoelectric material, and arranged in a propagation direction of boundary acoustic waves,\nwherein said two or more interdigital transducers include at least one pair of interdigital transducers arranged adjacent to each other in order to be acoustically coupled to each other, and have different numbers of paired electrode fingers,\na pitch between each neighboring two of almost all of the electrode fingers included in one of the pair of interdigital transducers which has the smaller number of paired electrode fingers is made different from one to another in order that the interdigital transducer should include no primary pitch area, the one of the pair of interdigital transducers includes at least one pitch-decreasing area in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is progressively decreased, and at least one pitch-increasing area in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is progressively increased, and\nin each of endmost ones of the two or more interdigital transducers arranged in the propagation direction of the surface acoustic wave, the pitch between the electrode fingers is progressively decreased from its outside to its inside, thereafter is reversely increased and subsequently is decreased again, in its inner end portion.",
"11. A surface acoustic wave filter comprising:\nthree or more interdigital transducers, provided on a piezoelectric substrate, and arranged in a propagation direction of a surface acoustic wave,\nwherein said three or more interdigital transducers include at least one pair of interdigital transducers arranged adjacent to each other in order to be acoustically coupled to each other, and have different numbers of paired electrode fingers,\na pitch between each neighboring two of almost all of the electrode fingers included in one of the pair of interdigital transducers which has the smaller number of paired electrode fingers is made different from one to another in order that the interdigital transducer should include no primary pitch area, the one of the pair of interdigital transducers transducer includes at least one pitch-decreasing area in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is progressively decreased, and at least one pitch-increasing area in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is progressively increased, and\namong said three or more interdigital transducers arranged in the propagation direction of the surface acoustic wave, an interdigital transducer interposed between its two neighboring interdigital transducers has a pitch change as a whole in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is larger in its central portion and is decreased gradually toward its two ends, and has an area in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is decreased in a part of its central portion.",
"12. A boundary acoustic wave filter comprising:\na piezoelectric substrate;\na non-piezoelectric material arranged in contact with the piezoelectric substrate; and\nthree or more interdigital transducers, provided on an interface between the piezoelectric substrate and the non-piezoelectric material, and arranged in a propagation direction of boundary acoustic waves,\nwherein said three or more interdigital transducers include at least one pair of interdigital transducers arranged adjacent to each other in order to be acoustically coupled to each other, and have different numbers of paired electrode fingers,\na pitch between each neighboring two of almost all of the electrode fingers included in one of the pair of interdigital transducers which has the smaller number of paired electrode fingers is made different from one to another in order that the interdigital transducer should include no primary pitch area, the one of the pair of interdigital transducers includes at least one pitch-decreasing area in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is progressively decreased, and at least one pitch-increasing area in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is progressively increased, and\namong said three or more interdigital transducers arranged in the propagation direction of the surface acoustic wave, an interdigital transducer interposed between its two neighboring interdigital transducers has a pitch change as a whole in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is larger in its central portion and is decreased gradually toward its two ends, and has an area in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is decreased in a part of its central portion.",
"13. A boundary acoustic wave filter comprising:\na piezoelectric substrate;\na non-piezoelectric material arranged in contact with the piezoelectric substrate; and\ntwo or more interdigital transducers, provided on an interface between the piezoelectric substrate and the non-piezoelectric material, and arranged in a propagation direction of boundary acoustic waves,\nwherein said two or more interdigital transducers include at least one pair of interdigital transducers arranged adjacent to each other in order to be acoustically coupled to each other, and have different numbers of paired electrode fingers, and\na pitch between each neighboring two of almost all of the electrode fingers included in both of the pair of interdigital transducers are made different from one to another in order that the interdigital transducers should include no primary pitch area.",
"14. The boundary acoustic wave filter according to claim 13,\nwherein the boundary acoustic wave filter is a longitudinally coupled resonator multi-mode type boundary acoustic wave filter,\nsaid two or more interdigital transducers arranged in the propagation direction of the surface acoustic wave include three or more interdigital transducers,\nreflectors are arranged respectively at the two sides of a group consisting of the three or more interdigital transducers, and\na plurality of resonant modes are used in the three or more interdigital transducers.",
"15. The boundary acoustic wave filter according to claim 13,\nwherein, in a case where the pitch between each neighboring two of almost all of the electrode fingers included in both of the pair of interdigital transducers are made different from one to another in order that the interdigital transducers should include no primary pitch area, at least one of the interdigital transducers includes at least one pitch-decreasing area in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is progressively decreased, and at least one pitch-increasing area in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is progressively increased.",
"16. A surface acoustic wave filter comprising:\ntwo or more interdigital transducers, provided on a piezoelectric substrate, and arranged in a propagation direction of a surface acoustic wave,\nwherein said two or more interdigital transducers include at least one pair of interdigital transducers arranged adjacent to each other in order to be acoustically coupled to each other, and have different numbers of paired electrode fingers,\na pitch between each neighboring two of almost all of the electrode fingers included in one of the pair of interdigital transducers which has the smaller number of paired electrode fingers is made different from one to another in order that the interdigital transducer should include no primary pitch area,\nthe largest pitch between the electrode fingers in a first one of the pair of interdigital transducers which has the smaller number of paired electrode fingers is smaller than the largest pitch between the electrode fingers in a second one of the pair of interdigital transducers which has the larger number of paired electrode fingers, and\nthe smallest pitch between the electrode fingers in the first one of the pair of interdigital transducers which has the smaller number of paired electrode fingers is larger than the smallest pitch between the electrode fingers in the second one of the pair of interdigital transducers which has the larger number of paired electrode fingers.",
"17. A boundary acoustic wave filter comprising:\na piezoelectric substrate;\na non-piezoelectric material arranged in contact with the piezoelectric substrate; and\ntwo or more interdigital transducers, provided on an interface between the piezoelectric substrate and the non-piezoelectric material, and arranged in a propagation direction of boundary acoustic waves,\nwherein said two or more interdigital transducers include at least one pair of interdigital transducers arranged adjacent to each other in order to be acoustically coupled to each other, and have different numbers of paired electrode fingers,\na pitch between each neighboring two of almost all of the electrode fingers included in one of the pair of interdigital transducers which has the smaller number of paired electrode fingers is made different from one to another in order that the interdigital transducer should include no primary pitch area,\nthe largest pitch between the electrode fingers in a first one of the pair of interdigital transducers which has the smaller number of paired electrode fingers is smaller than the largest pitch between the electrode fingers in a second one of the pair of interdigital transducers which has the larger number of paired electrode fingers, and\nthe smallest pitch between the electrode fingers in the first one of the pair of interdigital transducers which has the smaller number of paired electrode fingers is larger than the smallest pitch between the electrode fingers in the second one of the pair of interdigital transducers which has the larger number of paired electrode fingers."
],
[
"1. An elastic wave device comprising:\na piezoelectric member; and\nat least one IDT electrode; wherein\nsaid at least one IDT electrode has first and second electrode fingers that are arranged next to each other in a propagation direction of elastic waves and are connected to different electric potentials;\na gap is provided external to tip ends of each of the first and second electrode fingers in a longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers;\na projection is provided in at least one of a position on a side edge of the first electrode finger and a position on a side edge of the second electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers, the position on the side edge of the first electrode finger corresponding to that of the gap located external to the tip end of the second electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers, the position on the side edge of the second electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers corresponding to that of the gap located external to the tip end of the first electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers; and\nthe projection projects only in the vicinity of the gap from the side edge of one of the first and second electrode fingers in a direction towards the gag provided at the tip end of another one of the first and second electrode fingers, the side edge from which the projection projects being one of the side edges that faces the gap.",
"2. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the projection projecting only in the vicinity of the gap is tapered toward the tip end of the another one of the first and second electrode fingers.",
"3. The elastic wave device according to claim 2, wherein a distance between a periphery of the first electrode finger and a periphery of the second electrode finger arranged next to the first electrode finger is substantially fixed.",
"4. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the projection is arranged such that an effective propagation distance in a case where an elastic wave propagates through the gaps in an area provided with the first and second electrode fingers is substantially equal to an effective propagation distance in a case where an elastic wave propagates through a section without the gaps in the area provided with the first and second electrode fingers.",
"5. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the projection is provided on each of the first and second electrode fingers.",
"6. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one IDT electrode is crossing width weighted.",
"7. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the elastic wave comprises a surface acoustic wave.",
"8. The elastic wave device according to claim 7, further comprising a medium layer that covers said at least one IDT electrode provided on the piezoelectric substrate, wherein said at least one IDT electrode has a density that is equal to or higher than a density of the piezoelectric substrate and a density of the medium layer, and a ratio of the density of said at least one IDT electrode to the density of the medium layer is higher than about 1.22.",
"9. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the elastic wave comprises a boundary acoustic wave.",
"10. The elastic wave device according to claim 9, further comprising a medium layer that covers said at least one IDT electrode provided on the piezoelectric substrate, wherein said at least one IDT electrode has a density that is equal to or higher than a density of the piezoelectric substrate and a density of the medium layer, and a ratio of the density of said at least one IDT electrode to the density of the medium layer is higher than about 1.22.",
"11. The elastic wave device according to claim 9, further comprising a medium layer stacked on said at least one IDT electrode provided on the piezoelectric substrate so as to cover said at least one IDT electrode, wherein said at least one IDT electrode has a density that is equal to or higher than a density of the piezoelectric substrate and a density of the medium layer, and a ratio of the density of said at least one IDT electrode to one of the higher densities of the piezoelectric substrate and the medium layer is higher than about 1.22.",
"12. An elastic wave device comprising:\na piezoelectric member; and\nat least one IDT electrode; wherein\nsaid at least one IDT electrode has first and second electrode fingers that are arranged next to each other in a propagation direction of elastic waves and are connected to different electric potentials;\na gap is provided external to tip ends of each of the first and second electrode fingers in a longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers;\na projection is provided in at least one of a position on a side edge of the first electrode finger and a position on a side edge of the second electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers, the position on the side edge of the first electrode finger corresponding to that of the gap located external to the tip end of the second electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers, the position on the side edge of the second electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers corresponding to that of the gap located external to the tip end of the first electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers; and\nthe projection has a trapezoid shape in plan view such that a lower base of the trapezoid is defined by the side edge of the electrode finger that is provided with the projection, and wherein an internal angle formed between the lower base and sides of the trapezoid that connect an upper base and the lower base of the trapezoid is about 90° or less.",
"13. The elastic wave device according to claim 12, wherein if the lower base of the projection has a midpoint in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers and the gap at the tip end of the other electrode finger has a center in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers, a position of the midpoint substantially corresponds with a position of the center in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers, and the lower base has a length that is larger than a gap width, the gap width being a dimension of the gap in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers, and wherein the upper base has a length that is smaller than the gap width.",
"14. The elastic wave device according to claim 13, wherein the projection has an isogonal trapezoid shape in plan view.",
"15. The elastic wave device according to claim 12, wherein the projection has a plurality of rounded corner portions.",
"16. The elastic wave device according to claim 12, wherein the projection is provided on each of the first and second electrode fingers.",
"17. The elastic wave device according to claim 12, wherein said at least one IDT electrode is crossing width weighted.",
"18. The elastic wave device according to claim 12, wherein the elastic wave comprises a surface acoustic wave.",
"19. The elastic wave device according to claim 18, further comprising a medium layer that covers said at least one IDT electrode provided on the piezoelectric substrate, wherein said at least one IDT electrode has a density that is equal to or higher than a density of the piezoelectric substrate and a density of the medium layer, and a ratio of the density of said at least one IDT electrode to the density of the medium layer is higher than about 1.22.",
"20. The elastic wave device according to claim 12, wherein the elastic wave comprises a boundary acoustic wave.",
"21. The elastic wave device according to claim 20, further comprising a medium layer that covers said at least one IDT electrode provided on the piezoelectric substrate, wherein said at least one IDT electrode has a density that is equal to or higher than a density of the piezoelectric substrate and a density of the medium layer, and a ratio of the density of said at least one IDT electrode to the density of the medium layer is higher than about 1.22.",
"22. The elastic wave device according to claim 20, further comprising a medium layer stacked on said at least one IDT electrode provided on the piezoelectric substrate so as to cover said at least one IDT electrode, wherein said at least one IDT electrode has a density that is equal to or higher than a density of the piezoelectric substrate and a density of the medium layer, and a ratio of the density of said at least one IDT electrode to one of the higher densities of the piezoelectric substrate and the medium layer is higher than about 1.22.",
"23. An elastic wave device comprising:\na piezoelectric member; and\nat least one IDT electrode; wherein\nsaid at least one IDT electrode has first and second electrode fingers that are arranged next to each other in a propagation direction of elastic waves and are connected to different electric potentials;\na gap is provided external to tip ends of each of the first and second electrode fingers in a longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers;\na projection is provided in at least one of a position on a side edge of the first electrode finger and a position on a side edge of the second electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers, the position on the side edge of the first electrode finger corresponding to that of the gap located external to the tip end of the second electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers, the position on the side edge of the second electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers corresponding to that of the gap located external to the tip end of the first electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers; and\nthe projection has a planar shape that has a bottom side that continues from the side edge of the electrode finger and a peripheral edge that is curved except for the bottom side.",
"24. The elastic wave device according to claim 23, wherein if the bottom side of the projection has a midpoint in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers and the gap is bisected by a line with respect to the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers, a position of the midpoint substantially corresponds with a position of the bisecting line in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers, and the bottom side has a length that is larger than the gap width.",
"25. The elastic wave device according to claim 23, wherein the projection is provided on each of the first and second electrode fingers.",
"26. The elastic wave device according to claim 23, wherein said at least one IDT electrode is crossing width weighted.",
"27. The elastic wave device according to claim 23, wherein the elastic wave comprises a surface acoustic wave.",
"28. The elastic wave device according to claim 27, further comprising a medium layer that covers said at least one IDT electrode provided on the piezoelectric substrate, wherein said at least one IDT electrode has a density that is equal to or higher than a density of the piezoelectric substrate and a density of the medium layer, and a ratio of the density of said at least one IDT electrode to the density of the medium layer is higher than about 1.22.",
"29. The elastic wave device according to claim 23, wherein the elastic wave comprises a boundary acoustic wave.",
"30. The elastic wave device according to claim 29, further comprising a medium layer that covers said at least one IDT electrode provided on the piezoelectric substrate, wherein said at least one IDT electrode has a density that is equal to or higher than a density of the piezoelectric substrate and a density of the medium layer, and a ratio of the density of said at least one IDT electrode to the density of the medium layer is higher than about 1.22.",
"31. The elastic wave device according to claim 29, further comprising a medium layer stacked on said at least one IDT electrode provided on the piezoelectric substrate so as to cover said at least one IDT electrode, wherein said at least one IDT electrode has a density that is equal to or higher than a density of the piezoelectric substrate and a density of the medium layer, and a ratio of the density of said at least one IDT electrode to one of the higher densities of the piezoelectric substrate and the medium layer is higher than about 1.22.",
"32. An elastic wave device comprising:\na piezoelectric member; and\nat least one IDT electrode; wherein\nsaid at least one IDT electrode has first and second electrode fingers that are arranged next to each other in a propagation direction of elastic waves and are connected to different electric potentials;\na gap is provided external to tip ends of each of the first and second electrode fingers in a longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers;\na projection is provided in at least one of a position on a side edge of the first electrode finger and a position on a side edge of the second electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers, the position on the side edge of the first electrode finger corresponding to that of the gap located external to the tip end of the second electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers, the position on the side edge of the second electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers corresponding to that of the gap located external to the tip end of the first electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers; and\nthe projection projects only in the vicinity of the gap from the at least one of the position on the side edge of the first electrode and the position on the side edge of the second electrode finger and is spaced from any other element of the at least one IDT.",
"33. The elastic wave device according to claim 32, wherein the projection is provided on each of the first and second electrode fingers.",
"34. The elastic wave device according to claim 32, wherein said at least one IDT electrode is crossing width weighted.",
"35. The elastic wave device according to claim 32, wherein the elastic wave comprises a surface acoustic wave.",
"36. The elastic wave device according to claim 35, further comprising a medium layer that covers said at least one IDT electrode provided on the piezoelectric substrate, wherein said at least one IDT electrode has a density that is equal to or higher than a density of the piezoelectric substrate and a density of the medium layer, and a ratio of the density of said at least one IDT electrode to the density of the medium layer is higher than about 1.22.",
"37. The elastic wave device according to claim 32, wherein the elastic wave comprises a boundary acoustic wave.",
"38. The elastic wave device according to claim 37, further comprising a medium layer that covers said at least one IDT electrode provided on the piezoelectric substrate, wherein said at least one IDT electrode has a density that is equal to or higher than a density of the piezoelectric substrate and a density of the medium layer, and a ratio of the density of said at least one IDT electrode to the density of the medium layer is higher than about 1.22.",
"39. The elastic wave device according to claim 37, further comprising a medium layer stacked on said at least one IDT electrode provided on the piezoelectric substrate so as to cover said at least one IDT electrode, wherein said at least one IDT electrode has a density that is equal to or higher than a density of the piezoelectric substrate and a density of the medium layer, and a ratio of the density of said at least one IDT electrode to one of the higher densities of the piezoelectric substrate and the medium layer is higher than about 1.22."
],
[
"1. An acoustic wave element comprising:\na piezoelectric material; and\nat least one IDT electrode contacting the piezoelectric material and including a plurality of electrode fingers including first and second electrode fingers that are adjacent to each other in an acoustic wave propagation direction and that connect to different potentials and a first dummy electrode finger that faces the first electrode finger via a gap located on an outer side in an electrode finger length direction of an end of the first electrode finger and that connects to the same potential as the potential connected to the second electrode finger; wherein\nin an area of an IDT electrode crossing region in which the first and second electrode fingers that are adjacent to each other overlap each other in the acoustic wave propagation direction near the gap, a first protrusion is provided in at least one of the first electrode finger and the first dummy electrode finger, the first protrusion protruding in the acoustic wave propagation direction from at least one of side edges of the at least one of the first electrode finger and the first dummy electrode finger so as to define a protrusion portion of the at least one of the first electrode finger and the first dummy electrode finger that has a width in the acoustic wave propagation direction that is greater than a width of the first electrode finger; and\nthe first protrusion is in contact with the gap.",
"2. The acoustic wave element according to claim 1, wherein a second protrusion protruding in the acoustic wave propagation direction is provided on a side edge of at least one of the first and second electrode fingers, the second protrusion being positioned in an area that includes the gap in the electrode finger length direction.",
"3. The acoustic wave element according to claim 2, wherein the second protrusion is arranged so that an effective propagation distance of surface waves propagating through the gap in a portion where the first and second electrode fingers are located and an effective propagation distance of acoustic waves propagating in a portion other than the gap and the first protrusion in the portion where the first and second electrode fingers are provided are substantially equal to each other.",
"4. The acoustic wave element according to claim 2, wherein the second protrusion protrudes from a side edge on the side facing the gap of one of the first and second electrode fingers toward the gap provided at an end of the other of the first and second electrode fingers.",
"5. The acoustic wave element according to claim 4, wherein the second protrusion is also provided in the other of the first and second electrode fingers.",
"6. The acoustic wave element according to claim 2, wherein the first and second protrusions have a trapezoid shape in plan view, a lower base of the trapezoid is a portion of a side edge of the at least one of the first electrode finger and the first dummy electrode finger provided with the first protrusion, and an inner angle defined by the lower base and a side edge connecting an upper base and the lower base of the trapezoid is less than about 90°.",
"7. The acoustic wave element according to claim 6, wherein a position in the electrode finger length direction of a midpoint of the lower base of the second protrusion is substantially equal to a center position in the electrode finger length direction of the gap at the end of the other of the first and second electrode fingers, a length of the lower base is larger than a gap width which is a dimension along the electrode finger length direction of the gap, and a length of the upper base is less than the gap width.",
"8. The acoustic wave element according to claim 6, wherein the first and second protrusions have an equiangular trapezoid shape in plan view.",
"9. The acoustic wave element according to claim 6, wherein the first and second protrusions have a plurality of rounded corner portions.",
"10. The acoustic wave element according to claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric material and the at least one IDT electrode are arranged to generate surface acoustic waves.",
"11. The acoustic wave element according to claim 10, further comprising a medium layer arranged to cover the at least one IDT electrode on the piezoelectric material, wherein a density of the at least one IDT electrode is equal to or higher than a density of the piezoelectric material and a density of the medium layer, and a ratio between the density of the at least one IDT electrode and the density of the medium layer is higher than about 1.22.",
"12. The acoustic wave element according to claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric material and the at least one IDT electrode are arranged to generate boundary acoustic waves.",
"13. The acoustic wave element according to claim 12, wherein a medium layer is laminated to cover the at least one IDT electrode on the piezoelectric material, a density of the at least one IDT electrode is equal to or higher than a density of the piezoelectric material and a density of the medium layer, and a ratio between the density of the at least one IDT electrode and a higher one of the density of the piezoelectric material and the density of the medium layer is higher than about 1.22.",
"14. The acoustic wave element according to claim 1, wherein crossing width weighting is applied to the at least one IDT electrode.",
"15. An acoustic wave element comprising:\na piezoelectric material; and\nat least one IDT electrode contacting the piezoelectric material and including a plurality of electrode fingers including first and second electrode fingers that are adjacent to each other in an acoustic wave propagation direction and that connect to different potentials and a first dummy electrode finger that faces the first electrode finger via a gap located on an outer side in an electrode finger length direction of an end of the first electrode finger and that connects to the same potential as the potential connected to the second electrode finger; wherein\nin an area of an IDT electrode crossing region in which the first and second electrode fingers that are adjacent to each other overlap each other in the acoustic wave propagation direction near the gap, a first protrusion is provided in at least one of the first electrode finger and the first dummy electrode finger, the first protrusion protruding in the acoustic wave propagation direction from at least one of side edges of the at least one of the first electrode finger and the first dummy electrode finger so as to define a protrusion portion of the at least one of the first electrode finger and the first dummy electrode finger that has a width in the acoustic wave propagation direction that is greater than a width of the first electrode finger; and\nthe first protrusion is separated from the gap, and a tapered portion is provided between the first protrusion and the gap, a width of the at least one of the first electrode finger and the first dummy electrode finger provided with the first protrusion being smaller at an end in the tapered portion.",
"16. The acoustic wave element according to claim 15, wherein a side edge portion of the at least one of the first electrode finger and the first dummy electrode finger extending from the first protrusion to the tapered portion has a concave shape.",
"17. The acoustic wave element according to claim 15, wherein a side edge portion of the at least one of the first electrode finger and the first dummy electrode finger extending from the first protrusion to the tapered portion has a convex shape."
],
[
"1. A balanced acoustic wave filter device comprising:\na piezoelectric substrate; and\nfirst and second longitudinally coupled resonator-type acoustic wave filter sections provided on the piezoelectric substrate; wherein\neach of the first and second acoustic wave filter sections includes a plurality of IDTs disposed in a direction in which surface acoustic waves propagate;\none of an input and an output of each of the first and second acoustic wave filter sections is connected to an unbalanced terminal;\nthe other of the input and the output of the first acoustic wave filter section is connected to a first balanced terminal, the other of the input and the output of the second acoustic wave filter section is connected to a second balanced terminal, and the phase of a signal of the other of the input and the output of the first acoustic wave filter section is different from the phase of a signal of the other of the input and the output of the second acoustic wave filter section by 180 degrees;\nin the first acoustic wave filter section, the polarities of electrode fingers that are adjacent to each other in an area in which the IDTs are adjacent to each other in a direction in which acoustic waves propagate are equal to each other;\nin the second acoustic wave filter section, the polarities of electrode fingers that are adjacent to each other in an area in which the IDTs are adjacent to each other are opposite to each other; and\nthe total number of pairs of electrode fingers of the plurality of IDTs in the second acoustic wave filter section is greater than the total number of pairs of electrode fingers of the plurality of IDTs in the first acoustic wave filter section.",
"2. The balanced acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, further comprising:\nat least one third longitudinally coupled resonator-type surface acoustic wave filter section that is connected in a cascade arrangement to the first acoustic wave filter section; and\nat least one fourth longitudinally coupled resonator-type surface acoustic wave filter section that is connected in a cascade arrangement to the second acoustic wave filter section.",
"3. The balanced acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein in the areas in which the IDTs are adjacent to each other, each of the IDTs includes a narrow-pitched electrode finger portion having an electrode finger pitch that is narrower than an electrode finger pitch of the other portions of the corresponding IDT.",
"4. The balanced acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein surface acoustic waves are used as the acoustic waves so as to define a surface acoustic wave filter device.",
"5. The balanced acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein boundary acoustic waves are used as the acoustic waves so as to define a boundary acoustic wave filter device.",
"6. The balanced acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein the total number of pairs of electrode fingers of the plurality of IDTs in the second acoustic wave filter section is greater than the total number of pairs of electrode fingers of the plurality of IDTs in the first acoustic wave filter section by two pairs.",
"7. The balanced acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second acoustic wave filter sections includes three IDTs.",
"8. The balanced acoustic wave filter device according to claim 7, wherein a middle one of the three IDTs of each of the first and second acoustic wave filter sections includes an odd number of electrode fingers.",
"9. The balanced acoustic wave filter device according to claim 7, wherein a middle one of the three IDTs of each of the first and second acoustic wave filter sections includes an even number of electrode fingers.",
"10. The balanced acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the IDTs of the second acoustic wave filter section is series weighted.",
"11. The balanced acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the IDTs of the second acoustic wave filter section is withdrawal weighted.",
"12. The balanced acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the IDTs of the second acoustic wave filter section is apodization weighted.",
"13. The balanced acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second acoustic wave filter sections includes five IDTs.",
"14. The balanced acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second acoustic wave filter sections further includes reflectors arranged to sandwich the plurality of IDTs therebetween in the direction in which surface acoustic waves propagate."
],
[
"1. An elastic wave device comprising:\na piezoelectric film made of LiTaO3; and\nan IDT electrode located on one surface of the piezoelectric film; wherein\nthe IDT electrode includes a plurality of first electrode fingers and a plurality of second electrode fingers that are alternately arranged;\na thickness of the piezoelectric film is about 10λ or less when λ is a wavelength determined by a pitch of the electrode fingers of the IDT electrode; and\na direction of a line connecting distal ends of the plurality of first electrode fingers and a direction of a line connecting distal ends of the second electrode fingers are at an oblique angle ν with respect to a propagation direction ψ of an elastic wave excited by the IDT electrode, the propagation direction ψ being determined by Euler angles (ϕ, θ, ψ) of the LiTaO3, and the oblique angle ν is in a range of about 0.4° or more and about 15° or less.",
"2. An elastic wave device comprising:\na piezoelectric film made of LiTaO3;\na support substrate;\na high acoustic velocity film that is located on the support substrate and in which an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave that propagates through the high acoustic velocity film is higher than an acoustic velocity of an elastic wave that propagates through the piezoelectric film;\na low acoustic velocity film that is stacked on the high acoustic velocity film and in which an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave that propagates through the low acoustic velocity film is lower than an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave that propagates through the piezoelectric film; and\nan IDT electrode located on one surface of the piezoelectric film; wherein\nthe piezoelectric film is stacked on the low acoustic velocity film;\nthe IDT electrode includes a plurality of first electrode fingers and a plurality of second electrode fingers that are alternately arranged;\na thickness of the piezoelectric film is about 10λ or less when λ is a wavelength determined by a pitch of the electrode fingers of the IDT electrode; and\na direction of a line connecting distal ends of the plurality of first electrode fingers and a direction of a line connecting distal ends of the second electrode fingers are at an oblique angle ν with respect to a propagation direction ψ of an elastic wave excited by the IDT electrode, the propagation direction ψ being determined by Euler angles (ϕ, θ, ψ) of the LiTaO3, and the oblique angle ν is in a range of about 0.4° or more and about 15° or less.",
"3. An elastic wave device comprising:\na piezoelectric film made of LiTaO3;\na high acoustic velocity support substrate in which an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave that propagates through the high acoustic velocity support substrate is higher than an acoustic velocity of an elastic wave that propagates through the piezoelectric film;\na low acoustic velocity film that is stacked on the high acoustic velocity support substrate and in which an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave that propagates through the low acoustic velocity film is lower than an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave that propagates through the piezoelectric film; and\nan IDT electrode located on one surface of the piezoelectric film; wherein\nthe piezoelectric film is stacked on the low acoustic velocity film;\nthe IDT electrode includes a plurality of first electrode fingers and a plurality of second electrode fingers that are alternately arranged;\na thickness of the piezoelectric film is about 10λ or less when λ is a wavelength determined by a pitch of the electrode fingers of the IDT electrode; and\na direction of a line connecting distal ends of the plurality of first electrode fingers and a direction of a line connecting distal ends of the second electrode fingers are at an oblique angle ν with respect to a propagation direction ψ of an elastic wave excited by the IDT electrode, the propagation direction ψ being determined by Euler angles (ϕ, θ, ψ) of the LiTaO3, and the oblique angle ν is in a range of about 0.4° or more and about 15° or less.",
"4. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the oblique angle ν is about 10° or less.",
"5. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of the piezoelectric film made of LiTaO3 is more than about 0.2λ when λ is the wavelength determined by the pitch of the electrode fingers of the IDT electrode.",
"6. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein a cut angle of the LiTaO3 is about 30° or more and about 60° or less.",
"7. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein a duty of the IDT electrode is less than about 0.7, and a dimension of the electrode fingers of the IDT electrode in a width direction is about 0.15 μm or more.",
"8. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein\nfirst dummy electrode fingers oppose the distal ends of the first electrode fingers of the IDT electrode with gaps therebetween, and second dummy electrode fingers oppose the distal ends of the second electrode fingers of the IDT electrode with gaps therebetween, the first dummy electrode fingers being connected to a second busbar, the second dummy electrode fingers being connected to a first busbar; and\nwhen a distance from the distal ends of the first and second electrode fingers to proximal ends of the second and first dummy electrode fingers is an offset length L, and a size of the gaps in a direction in which the electrode fingers extend is G, (L−G)≥7.5×λ×tan(ν) is satisfied.",
"9. The elastic wave device according to claim 8, wherein (the offset length L−G)≥11.5×λ×tan(ν) is satisfied.",
"10. The elastic wave device according to claim 9, wherein (the offset length L−G)≥17.5×λ×tan(ν) is satisfied.",
"11. The elastic wave device according to claim 8, wherein the size G of the gaps is more than about 0.1 μm and less than about 0.5 μm.",
"12. The elastic wave device according to claim 8, wherein either or both of the first electrode fingers and the second electrode fingers of the IDT electrode are provided with projecting portions that project outward in a width direction of the electrode fingers from side edges that extend in a direction in which the electrode fingers extend.",
"13. The elastic wave device according to claim 12, wherein the projecting portions are provided on side edge portions of the either or both of the first and second electrode fingers, the side edge portions being continuous to the distal ends of the either or both of the first and second electrode fingers.",
"14. The elastic wave device according to claim 12, wherein either or both of the first and second dummy electrode fingers are provided with the projecting portions.",
"15. The elastic wave device according to claim 12, wherein the projecting portions are provided on the side edges of the electrode fingers that do not extend to the distal ends of the first and second electrode fingers.",
"16. The elastic wave device according to claim 12, wherein the projecting portions have a trapezoidal shape in plan view, and when a length of a bottom side of the trapezoidal shape that is continuous to the corresponding side edge is TW1, and TW1≥0.11735λ is satisfied.",
"17. The elastic wave device according to claim 16, wherein, when a minimum dimension of the projecting portions in a direction along the side edges of the electrode fingers is TW2, and TW2≥0.02915λ is satisfied.",
"18. The elastic wave device according to claim 16, wherein a dimension of the projecting portions in the propagation direction of the elastic wave is TH, and TH≥0.0466λ is satisfied.",
"19. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the IDT electrode is made of Al or an alloy containing Al as a main component, and a film thickness of the IDT electrode is in a range of about 0.08λ or more and about 0.097λ or less.",
"20. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein a film thickness of the IDT electrode is about 0.10λ or more.",
"21. A filter device comprising at least one or more elastic wave devices, each of the at least one or more elastic wave devices being the elastic wave device according to claim 1.",
"22. A filter device comprising a plurality of ±ν elastic wave devices, each of the plurality of ±ν elastic wave devices being the elastic wave device according to claim 1.",
"23. A filter device comprising a plurality of elastic wave devices, each being the elastic wave device according to claim 1.",
"24. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein a film thickness of the IDT electrode is about 400 nm or less."
],
[
"1. A ladder acoustic wave filter device comprising:\nan input end;\nan output end;\na series arm that electrically connects the input end and the output end;\na series arm resonator provided to the series arm and including a series-arm-side IDT electrode;\na parallel arm electrically connected between the series arm and a ground potential; and\na parallel arm resonator provided to the parallel arm and including a parallel-arm-side IDT electrode; wherein\neach of the series-arm-side IDT electrode and the parallel-arm-side IDT electrode includes a pair of comb-shaped electrodes that are interposed between each other, the pair of comb-shaped electrodes each including a busbar and a plurality of electrode fingers extending from the busbar;\nthe series-arm-side IDT electrode is apodization weighted, and the busbars of the series-arm-side IDT electrode are configured so that in an acoustic wave propagation direction, a distance between the busbars in an overlap width direction perpendicular to the acoustic wave propagation direction becomes shorter as an overlap width of the electrode fingers becomes smaller;\neach of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the parallel-arm-side IDT electrode further includes a plurality of dummy electrodes that extends from the busbar and are opposed to the electrode fingers of the other comb-shaped electrode in the overlap width direction, and the parallel-arm-side IDT electrode is an IDT electrode in which the overlap width is constant; and\na region bounded by a first envelope and a second envelope has a hexagonal shape, the first envelope being an imaginary line formed by connecting tips of the electrode fingers of one of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the series-arm-side IDT electrode, the second envelope being an imaginary line formed by connecting tips of the electrode fingers of the other one of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the series-arm-side IDT electrode.",
"2. The ladder acoustic filter device according to claim 1, wherein in each one of the busbar of each of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the series-arm-side IDT electrode, at least a portion of an edge of the busbar of one of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes, which is opposed to the other busbar of one of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes, extends in a direction inclined with respect to the acoustic wave propagation direction.",
"3. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 2, wherein:\nthe ladder acoustic wave filter device includes a plurality of the parallel arm resonators; and\nin all of the plurality of parallel arm resonators, each of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the parallel-arm-side IDT electrode includes the busbar, the plurality of electrode fingers, and the plurality of dummy electrodes.",
"4. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 2, wherein a region bounded by a first envelope and a second envelope has a hexagonal shape, the first envelope being an imaginary line formed by connecting tips of the electrode fingers of one of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the series-arm-side IDT electrode, the second envelope being an imaginary line formed by connecting tips of the electrode fingers of the other comb-shaped electrode of the series-arm-side IDT electrode.",
"5. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 2, wherein:\nthe ladder acoustic wave filter device includes a plurality of the series arm resonators;\nthe series-arm-side IDT electrode is apodization weighted in at least a series arm resonator with a lowest resonant frequency among the plurality of series arm resonators, and the busbars of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the series-arm-side IDT electrode are configured so that in the acoustic wave propagation direction, the distance between the busbars in the overlap width direction perpendicular to the acoustic wave propagation direction becomes shorter as the overlap width of the electrode fingers becomes smaller.",
"6. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 5, wherein:\nthe ladder acoustic wave filter device includes a plurality of the parallel arm resonators; and\nin all of the plurality of parallel arm resonators, each of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the parallel-arm-side IDT electrode includes the busbar, the plurality of electrode fingers, and the plurality of dummy electrodes.",
"7. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 5, wherein a region bounded by a first envelope and a second envelope has a hexagonal shape, the first envelope being an imaginary line formed by connecting tips of the electrode fingers of one of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the series-arm-side IDT electrode, the second envelope being an imaginary line formed by connecting tips of the electrode fingers of the other comb-shaped electrode of the series-arm-side IDT electrode.",
"8. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 5, wherein the series-arm-side IDT electrode apodization weighted in all of the plurality of series arm resonators, and the busbars of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the series-arm-side IDT electrode are configured so that in the acoustic wave propagation direction, the distance between the busbars in the overlap width direction perpendicular to the acoustic wave propagation direction becomes shorter as the overlap width of the electrode fingers becomes smaller.",
"9. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 8, wherein:\nthe ladder acoustic wave filter device includes a plurality of the parallel arm resonators; and\nin all of the plurality of parallel arm resonators, each of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the parallel-arm-side IDT electrode includes the busbar, the plurality of electrode fingers, and the plurality of dummy electrodes.",
"10. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein:\nthe ladder acoustic wave filter device includes a plurality of the series arm resonators;\nthe series-arm-side IDT electrode is apodization weighted in at least a series arm resonator with a lowest resonant frequency among the plurality of series arm resonators, and the busbars of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the series-arm-side IDT electrode are configured so that in the acoustic wave propagation direction, the distance between the busbars in the overlap width direction perpendicular to the acoustic wave propagation direction becomes shorter as the overlap width of the electrode fingers becomes smaller.",
"11. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 10, wherein:\nthe ladder acoustic wave filter device includes a plurality of the parallel arm resonators; and\nin all of the plurality of parallel arm resonators, each of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the parallel-arm-side IDT electrode includes the busbar, the plurality of electrode fingers, and the plurality of dummy electrodes.",
"12. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 10, wherein a region bounded by a first envelope and a second envelope has a hexagonal shape, the first envelope being an imaginary line formed by connecting tips of the electrode fingers of one of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the series-arm-side IDT electrode, the second envelope being an imaginary line formed by connecting tips of the electrode fingers of the other comb-shaped electrode of the series-arm-side IDT electrode.",
"13. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 10, wherein the series-arm-side IDT electrode apodization weighted in all of the plurality of series arm resonators, and the busbars of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the series-arm-side IDT electrode are configured so that in the acoustic wave propagation direction, the distance between the busbars in the overlap width direction perpendicular to the acoustic wave propagation direction becomes shorter as the overlap width of the electrode fingers becomes smaller.",
"14. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 13, wherein:\nthe ladder acoustic wave filter device includes a plurality of the parallel arm resonators; and\nin all of the plurality of parallel arm resonators, each of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the parallel-arm-side IDT electrode includes the busbar, the plurality of electrode fingers, and the plurality of dummy electrodes.",
"15. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 13, wherein a region bounded by a first envelope and a second envelope has a hexagonal shape, the first envelope being an imaginary line formed by connecting tips of the electrode fingers of one of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the series-arm-side IDT electrode, the second envelope being an imaginary line formed by connecting tips of the electrode fingers of the other comb-shaped electrode of the series-arm-side IDT electrode.",
"16. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein:\nthe ladder acoustic wave filter device includes a plurality of the parallel arm resonators; and\nin all of the plurality of parallel arm resonators, each of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the parallel-arm-side IDT electrode includes the busbar, the plurality of electrode fingers, and the plurality of dummy electrodes.",
"17. A branching filter comprising the ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1 defining a transmitting filter device.",
"18. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein the ladder acoustic wave filter device is a ladder surface acoustic wave filter device using a surface acoustic wave.",
"19. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 18, wherein the surface acoustic wave is a leaky surface acoustic wave."
],
[
"1. An elastic wave device comprising:\na piezoelectric substrate having a reciprocal velocity plane which is concave in a propagating direction in which an elastic wave propagates; and\nan elastic wave resonator including a comb-shaped electrode pair which includes a first comb-shaped electrode and a second comb-shaped electrode both provided on the piezoelectric substrate, the first comb-shaped electrode and the second comb-shaped electrode interdigitating with each other, comb-shaped electrode pair being configured to trap energy of the elastic wave therein,\nwherein the first comb-shaped electrode includes a first common electrode and a plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers connected to the first common electrode,\nwherein the second comb-shaped electrode includes a second common electrode and a plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers connected to the second common electrode, the plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers interdigitaing with the plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers, and\nwherein the elastic wave resonator has:\na first region in which the plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers interdigitate with the plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers, and a pitch of the first interdigital electrode fingers and the second interdigital electrode fingers is constant along a direction perpendicular to the propagating direction,\na second region provided between the first region and the first common electrode, and a pitch of the first interdigital electrode fingers and the second interdigital electrode fingers in the second region is wider than the pitch in the first region, and\na third region provided between the first region and the second common electrode, and a pitch of the first interdigital electrode fingers and the second interdigital electrode fingers in the third region is wider than the pitch in the first region.",
"2. The elastic wave device according to claim 1,\nwherein the elastic wave resonator further includes first and second reflecting electrodes disposed on the piezoelectric substrate, the comb-shaped electrode pair being disposed between the first reflecting electrode and the second reflecting electrode,\nwherein each of the first and the second reflecting electrodes includes third and fourth common electrodes and a plurality of reflecting electrode fingers disposed between the third and fourth common electrodes and connected to the third and fourth common electrodes,\nwherein each of the first and the second reflecting electrodes has:\na fourth region in which a pitch of the plurality of reflecting electrode fingers is constant along a direction perpendicular to the propagating direction;\na fifth region provided between the fourth region and the third common electrode, and a pitch of the plurality of reflecting electrode fingers in the fifth region is wider than the pitch in the fourth region; and\na sixth region disposed between the fourth region and the fourth common electrode, and a pitch of the plurality of reflecting electrode fingers in the sixth region is wider than the pitch in the fourth region.",
"3. The elastic wave device according to claim 2, wherein the elastic wave resonator further includes another comb-shaped electrode pair disposed between the first reflecting electrode and the comb-shaped electrode pair, the elastic wave resonator constituting a dual terminal pair resonator.",
"4. The elastic wave device according to claim 3, wherein the another comb-shaped electrode pair has the first region, the second region, and the third region.",
"5. The elastic wave device according to claim 1,\nwherein the first comb-shaped electrode further includes a plurality of first dummy electrode fingers connected to the first common electrode, the plurality of first dummy electrode fingers having tips facing tips of the plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers in extending directions of the plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers across gaps, respectively,\nwherein the second comb-shaped electrode further includes a plurality of second dummy electrode fingers connected to the second common electrode, the plurality of second dummy electrode fingers having tips facing tips of the plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers in extending directions of the plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers via a gap, respectively,\nwherein a pitch of the plurality of first dummy electrode fingers and the plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers is wider than the pitch of the plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers and the plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers in the second region, and\nwherein a pitch of the plurality of second dummy electrode fingers and the plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers is wider than the pitch of the plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers and the plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers in the third region.",
"6. The elastic wave device according to claim 5, wherein a ratio of a width of the plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers, the plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers, the plurality of first dummy electrode fingers, and the plurality of second dummy electrode fingers to the pitch is constant along the direction perpendicular to the propagating direction.",
"7. The elastic wave device according to claim 5, wherein a pitch of the plurality of first dummy electrode fingers and the plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers becomes wider as located away from the second region, and a pitch of the plurality of second dummy electrode fingers and the plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers becomes wider as located away from the third region.",
"8. The elastic wave device according to claim 5,\nwherein each of the plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers and respective one of the plurality of second dummy electrode fingers extend along a line including a plurality of straight lines connected to each other or a smooth curved line, and\nwherein each of the plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers and respective one of the plurality of first dummy electrode fingers extend along a line including a plurality of straight lines connected to each other or a smooth curved line.",
"9. The elastic wave device according to claim 5, wherein a maximum pitch of the plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers and the plurality of first dummy electrode fingers, and a maximum pitch of the plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers and the plurality of second dummy electrode fingers are not smaller than 1.005×P0, where P0 is the pitch in the first region.",
"10. The elastic wave device according to claim 5, wherein a maximum pitch of the plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers and the plurality of first dummy electrode fingers, and a maximum pitch of the plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers and the plurality of second dummy electrode fingers are not greater than 1.020×P0, where P0 is the pitch in the first region.",
"11. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the pitch in the second region and the pitch in the third region become wider as located away from the first region.",
"12. The elastic wave device according to claim 1,\nwherein the plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers extend in the second region along a continuous curve or a line including a plurality of straight lines connected to each other, and\nwherein the plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers extend in the third region along a continuous curve or a line including a plurality of straight lines connected to each other.",
"13. The elastic wave device according to claim 1,\nwherein the plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers extend along a smooth curved line from the second region to the first region, and\nwherein the plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers along a smooth curved line extend from the third region to the first region.",
"14. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein a ratio of each of widths of the plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers and the plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers to the pitch is constant along the direction perpendicular to the propagating direction.",
"15. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the pitch changes along the propagating direction.",
"16. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein a maximum pitch in the second region is not smaller than 1.005×P0, where P0 is the pitch in the first region.",
"17. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein a maximum pitch in the second region is not greater than 1.020×P0, where P0 is the pitch in the first region.",
"18. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein, in a case that the pitch in the first region are λ/2, a width of the second region in the direction perpendicular to the propagating direction is not smaller than λ.",
"19. The elastic wave device according to claim 1,\nwherein the elastic wave resonator is a terminal pair resonator, and\nwherein the elastic wave resonator is connected to a signal path in series or between the signal path and a ground.",
"20. An elastic wave device comprising:\na piezoelectric substrate having a reciprocal velocity plane which is concave in a propagating direction in which an elastic wave propagates; and\nan elastic wave resonator including first and second reflecting electrodes and a comb-shaped electrode pair disposed between the first and second reflecting electrodes, the first and second reflecting electrodes and the comb-shaped electrode pair being disposed on the piezoelectric substrate provided, the elastic wave resonator being configured to trap energy of the elastic wave therein,\nwherein each of the first reflecting electrode and the second reflecting electrode includes a first common electrode, a second common electrode, and a plurality of reflecting electrode fingers disposed between the first and second common electrodes and connected to the first and second common electrodes,\nwherein each of the first reflecting electrode and the second reflecting electrode has:\na first region in which a pitch of the plurality of reflecting electrode fingers is constant along a direction perpendicular to the propagating direction,\na second region provided between the first region and the first common electrode, and a pitch of the plurality of reflecting electrode fingers in the second region is wider than the pitch in the first region, and\na third region disposed between the first region and the second common electrode, and a pitch of the plurality of reflecting electrode fingers in the third region are wider than the pitch in the first region.",
"21. The elastic wave device according to claim 20, wherein the elastic wave resonator further includes another comb-shaped electrode pair disposed between the first reflecting electrode and the comb-shaped electrode pair, the elastic wave resonator constituting a dual terminal pair resonator.",
"22. The elastic wave device according to claim 20, wherein the another comb-shaped electrode pair has the first region and the second region."
],
[
"1. A resonator comprising:\na first comb-shaped electrode formed on a piezoelectric substrate and including a first bus bar, first electrode fingers coupled to the first bus bar and extending in an extension direction, and first dummy electrode fingers coupled to the first bus bar; and\na second comb-shaped electrode formed on the piezoelectric substrate and including a second bus bar, second electrode fingers coupled to the second bus bar, extending in the extension direction, and facing the first dummy electrode fingers through first gaps, and second dummy electrode fingers coupled to the second bus bar and facing the first electrode fingers through second gaps, wherein\nΔD is greater than or equal to 0.5λ and less than or equal to 3.5λ (0.5λ≦ΔD≦3.5λ) where ΔD represents a distance in the extension direction between at least two gaps that are at least adjoining two of the first gaps and/or at least adjoining two of the second gaps, and λ represents a pitch of the first electrode finger and the second electrode finger.",
"2. The resonator according to claim 1, wherein\na duty ratio of electrode fingers and dummy electrode fingers in a first region between the at least two gaps in the extension direction differ from a duty ratio of the first electrode fingers and the second electrode fingers in a second region in which the first electrode fingers overlap with the second electrode fingers in the extension direction, the electrode fingers being the first electrode fingers and/or the second electrode fingers corresponding to the at least two gaps, and the dummy electrode fingers being the first dummy electrode fingers and/or the second dummy electrode fingers corresponding to the at least two gaps.",
"3. The resonator according to claim 2, wherein\nthe duty ratio of the electrode fingers and the dummy electrode fingers is greater than the duty ratio of the first electrode fingers and the second electrode fingers in the second region.",
"4. The resonator according to claim 2, wherein\nthe duty ratio of the electrode fingers and the dummy electrode fingers in third regions corresponding to the at least two gaps in the extension direction differ from the duty ratio of the first electrode fingers and the second electrode fingers in the second region.",
"5. The resonator according to claim 1, further comprising:\nan insulating film located in the at least two gaps.",
"6. The resonator according to claim 1, wherein\nthe at least two gaps are the at least adjoining two of the first gaps and the at least adjoining two of the second gaps.",
"7. The resonator according to claim 1, wherein\nthe first gaps and/or the second gaps are alternately modulated by a distance ΔD.",
"8. A filter comprising:\nthe resonator according to claim 1.",
"9. A duplexer comprising:\na first filter connected between a common terminal and a first terminal; and\na second filter connected between the common terminal and a second terminal, wherein\nat least one the first filter and the second filter is the filter according to claim 8.",
"10. The resonator according to claim 1, wherein\nthe piezoelectric substrate is a lithium tantalate substrate or a lithium niobate substrate.",
"11. A resonator comprising:\na first comb-shaped electrode formed on a piezoelectric substrate and including a first bus bar, first electrode fingers coupled to the first bus bar and extending in an extension direction, and first dummy electrode fingers coupled to the first bus bar; and\na second comb-shaped electrode formed on the piezoelectric substrate and including a second bus bar, second electrode fingers coupled to the second bus bar, extending in the extension direction, and facing the first dummy electrode fingers through first gaps, and second dummy electrode fingers coupled to the second bus bar and facing the first electrode fingers through second gaps, wherein\nΔD is greater than or equal to 1.5λ and less than or equal to 3.0λ (1.5λ≦ΔD≦3.0κ) where ΔD represents a distance in the extension direction between at least two gaps that are at least adjoining two of the first gaps and/or at least adjoining two of the second gaps, and λ represents a pitch of the first electrode finger and the second electrode finger.",
"12. A filter comprising:\nthe resonator according to claim 11.",
"13. A duplexer comprising:\na first filter connected between a common terminal and a first terminal; and\na second filter connected between the common terminal and a second terminal, wherein\nat least one the first filter and the second filter is the filter according to claim 12."
],
[
"1. An acoustic wave device comprising:\na piezoelectric substrate; and\nan interdigital transducer electrode provided on or above the piezoelectric substrate; wherein\nthe interdigital transducer electrode includes a plurality of first electrode fingers and a plurality of second electrode fingers, the plurality of second electrode fingers being connected to an electric potential different from an electric potential connected to the plurality of first electrode fingers;\na direction orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to a direction in which the first electrode fingers and the second electrode fingers extend is an acoustic wave propagation direction;\nthe interdigital transducer electrode includes a first area centrally provided in the acoustic wave propagation direction, second areas provided on one side and another side of the first area in the acoustic wave propagation direction, and third areas provided on a side of each of the second areas opposite to the first area in the acoustic wave propagation direction;\nin the second areas, the first electrode finger and the second electrode finger are alternately arranged in the acoustic wave propagation direction;\nin the first area and the third areas, adjacent electrode fingers in the acoustic wave propagation direction are connected to a same electric potential, or electrode fingers are not connected to any electric potential; and\na total number of the electrode fingers in the first area is an odd number, and in both of the second areas, polarities of the electrode fingers disposed at respective end sections toward the first area are different from one another.",
"2. The acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein in the first area and the third areas, adjacent electrode fingers in the acoustic wave propagation direction are at a same electric potential.",
"3. The acoustic wave device according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the first area or the third areas include a thick electrode finger having a larger width-direction dimension in the acoustic wave propagation direction than a width-direction dimension of the first electrode fingers and the second electrode fingers in the second areas.",
"4. The acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first area or the third areas includes a floating electrode finger that is not connected to any electric potential.",
"5. The acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein in both of the second areas, the electrode fingers disposed at respective end sections toward the first area are connected to different electric potentials.",
"6. A composite filter device comprising:\nn filters, wherein\none-end portions of the n filters are electrically connected in common; and\nat least one of the n filters includes the acoustic wave device according to claim 1.",
"7. A composite filter device comprising:\nn filters; and\nan antenna terminal to which one-end portions of the n filters are electrically connected in common; wherein\nat least one filter of the n filters includes at least one acoustic wave device, and in the at least one filter, the acoustic wave device closest to the antenna terminal is defined by the acoustic wave device according to claim 1.",
"8. The acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein\nfourth areas are provided on outer sides of the third areas in the acoustic wave propagation direction, respectively; and\nin the fourth areas, the first electrode fingers and the second electrode fingers are alternately arranged in the acoustic wave propagation direction.",
"9. The acoustic wave device according to claim 8, wherein a polarity of one of the first and second electrode fingers disposed at an end section of the fourth area toward the third area is different from a polarity of another one of the electrode fingers disposed at an end section of the second area toward the third area.",
"10. An acoustic wave device comprising:\na piezoelectric substrate; and\nan interdigital transducer electrode provided on or above the piezoelectric substrate; wherein\nthe interdigital transducer electrode includes a plurality of first electrode fingers and a plurality of second electrode fingers, the plurality of second electrode fingers being connected to an electric potential different from an electric potential connected to the plurality of first electrode fingers;\na direction orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to a direction in which the first electrode fingers and the second electrode fingers extend is an acoustic wave propagation direction;\nthe interdigital transducer electrode includes a first area centrally provided in the acoustic wave propagation direction, second areas provided on one side and another side of the first area in the acoustic wave propagation direction, and third areas provided on a side of each of the second areas opposite to the first area in the acoustic wave propagation direction;\nin the second areas, the first electrode finger and the second electrode finger are alternately arranged in the acoustic wave propagation direction;\nin the first area and the third areas, adjacent electrode fingers in the acoustic wave propagation direction are connected to a same electric potential, or electrode fingers are not connected to any electric potential; and\na total number of the electrode fingers in the first area is an even number, and in both of the second areas, polarities of the electrode fingers disposed at respective end sections toward the first area are equal to one another.",
"11. The acoustic wave device according to claim 10, wherein in the first area and the third areas, adjacent electrode fingers in the acoustic wave propagation direction are at a same electric potential.",
"12. The acoustic wave device according to claim 11, wherein at least one of the first area or the third areas include a thick electrode finger having a larger width-direction dimension in the acoustic wave propagation direction than a width-direction dimension of the first electrode fingers and the second electrode fingers in the second areas.",
"13. The acoustic wave device according to claim 10, wherein at least one of the first area or the third areas includes a floating electrode finger that is not connected to any electric potential.",
"14. The acoustic wave device according to claim 10, wherein in both of the second areas, the electrode fingers disposed at respective end sections toward the first area are connected to a same electric potential.",
"15. A composite filter device comprising:\nn filters, wherein\none-end portions of the n filters are electrically connected in common; and\nat least one of the n filters includes the acoustic wave device according to claim 10.",
"16. A composite filter device comprising:\nn filters; and\nan antenna terminal to which one-end portions of the n filters are electrically connected in common; wherein\nat least one filter of the n filters includes at least one acoustic wave device, and in the at least one filter, the acoustic wave device closest to the antenna terminal is defined by the acoustic wave device according to claim 10.",
"17. The acoustic wave device according to claim 10, wherein\nfourth areas are provided on outer sides of the third areas in the acoustic wave propagation direction, respectively; and\nin the fourth areas, the first electrode fingers and the second electrode fingers are alternately arranged in the acoustic wave propagation direction.",
"18. The acoustic wave device according to claim 17, wherein a polarity of one of the first and second electrode fingers disposed at an end section of the fourth area toward the third area is different from a polarity of another one of the electrode fingers disposed at an end section of the second area toward the third area."
],
[
"1. An acoustic wave filter comprising:\na surface acoustic wave resonator and a bulk acoustic wave resonator; wherein\nthe surface acoustic wave resonator includes:\na substrate with piezoelectricity; and\nan interdigital transducer (IDT) electrode on the substrate;\nthe IDT electrode includes a pair of comb-shaped electrodes interdigitated with each other, each of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes including a plurality of electrode fingers extending in parallel or substantially in parallel in a direction crossing a surface acoustic wave propagation direction and a busbar electrode connecting the plurality of electrode fingers to each other at one end of each electrode finger of the plurality of electrode fingers; and\nthe bulk acoustic wave resonator includes:\na lower electrode including a portion of the busbar electrode;\na piezoelectric film on the busbar electrode; and\nan upper electrode on the piezoelectric film.",
"2. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric film mainly includes at least one of zinc oxide (ZnO), aluminum nitride (AlN), PZT, potassium niobate (KN), LN, LT, quartz-crystal, or lithium borate (LiBO).",
"3. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 2, wherein the piezoelectric film is a c-axis oriented film including zinc oxide (ZnO) or aluminum nitride (AlN).",
"4. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein, when the substrate is viewed in plan view, the piezoelectric film has a polygonal, a circular, or an oval shape.",
"5. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein\nthe busbar electrode and the lower electrode are coupled to a ground wire; and\nthe upper electrode is coupled to a radio-frequency-signal input-output wire.",
"6. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein\nthe busbar electrode and the lower electrode are coupled to a radio-frequency-signal input-output wire; and\nthe upper electrode is coupled to a ground wire.",
"7. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein\nthe acoustic wave filter includes a plurality of the surface acoustic wave resonators, and the bulk acoustic wave resonator;\nthe plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators determine a pass band of the acoustic wave filter; and\nthe bulk acoustic wave resonator determines an attenuation pole.",
"8. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 7, the acoustic wave filter includes a plurality of the bulk acoustic wave resonators; wherein\nthe plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators include a plurality of IDT electrodes corresponding to the plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators;\nthe plurality of bulk acoustic wave resonators include a first bulk acoustic wave resonator and a second bulk acoustic wave resonator;\nthe first bulk acoustic wave resonator includes a first lower electrode defined by a portion of the busbar electrode of a first IDT electrode of the plurality of IDT electrodes, a first piezoelectric film on the busbar electrode, and a first upper electrode on the first piezoelectric film;\nthe second bulk acoustic wave resonator includes a second lower electrode defined by a portion of the busbar electrode of a second IDT electrode of the plurality of IDT electrodes, a second piezoelectric film on the busbar electrode, and an upper electrode on the second piezoelectric film; and\nthe first piezoelectric film is thinner than the second piezoelectric film, and a frequency at an attenuation pole determined by the first bulk acoustic wave resonator is higher than a frequency at an attenuation pole determined by the second bulk acoustic wave resonator.",
"9. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 7, wherein\nthe plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators define a longitudinally coupled resonator;\nthe longitudinally coupled resonator includes a plurality of IDT electrodes corresponding to the plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators;\nthe plurality of IDT electrodes are adjacent to each other in the surface acoustic wave propagation direction;\nthe bulk acoustic wave resonator includes a lower electrode defined by a portion of the busbar electrode of a first IDT electrode of the plurality of IDT electrodes, a piezoelectric film on the busbar electrode, and an upper electrode on the piezoelectric film; and\nthe upper electrode is coupled to the busbar electrode of a second IDT electrode adjacent to the first IDT electrode.",
"10. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the substrate is a single-crystal piezoelectric substrate.",
"11. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 10, wherein the single-crystal piezoelectric substrate includes at least one of LiNbO3, LiTaO3, or quartz-crystal.",
"12. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the substrate includes a high acoustic velocity support substrate, a low acoustic velocity film, and a piezoelectric film stacked in this order.",
"13. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 12, wherein the high acoustic velocity support substrate includes silicon.",
"14. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 12, wherein the low acoustic velocity film includes silicon dioxide.",
"15. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the IDT electrode includes a fixing layer and a main electrode layer on the fixing layer.",
"16. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 15, wherein the fixing layer includes Ti.",
"17. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 15, wherein the main electrode layer includes Al including about 1% Cu.",
"18. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the IDT electrode includes at least one of Ti, Al, Cu, Pt, Au, Ag, or Pd, or an alloy including at least one of Ti, Al, Cu, Pt, Au, Ag, or Pd."
],
[
"1. A wireless communication device comprising:\nradio frequency front end (RFFE) circuitry comprising:\na power amplifier module including one or more power amplifiers to amplify an outgoing radio frequency (RF) signal; and\na surface acoustic-wave (SAW) device that is coupled with the power amplifier module and that defines a passband having a lower side and an upper side, the SAW device comprising:\na piezoelectric substrate having a surface to support an acoustic wave;\na plurality of resonators on the surface of the piezoelectric substrate, the plurality of resonators including at least a first resonator and a second resonator, wherein the plurality of resonators are formed by a plurality of electrodes, the first resonator has a first duty factor, the second resonator has a second duty factor, the first duty factor is larger than the second duty factor, and the first resonator is a series resonator where a width of individual electrodes of the plurality of electrodes forming the first resonator is larger than a width of individual electrodes of the plurality of electrodes forming the second resonator, wherein the width of the individual electrodes of the plurality of electrodes forming the first resonator and the width of the individual electrodes of the plurality of electrodes forming the second resonator is such that the first duty factor is at least 10% greater than the second duty factor and the plurality of resonators includes a plurality of series resonators and a plurality of shunt resonators arranged in a ladder filter configuration, and the first resonator is one of the plurality of series resonators and the second resonator is one of the plurality of shunt resonators; and\na dielectric layer having a positive thermal coefficient of frequency (TCF) and covering the plurality of resonators, wherein:\nthe dielectric layer has a first thickness that covers the plurality of electrodes forming the first resonator and the dielectric layer has a second thickness that covers the plurality of electrodes forming the second resonator;\na first electrode period is a first physical distance between each of the plurality of electrodes forming the first resonator and a second electrode period is a second physical distance between each of the plurality of electrodes forming the second resonator;\nthe first thickness is a first ratio times the first electrode period;\nthe second thickness is a second ratio times the second electrode period;\nthe first ratio is between 0.65 to 0.85 when the upper side has a steeper transition than the lower side and is less than or equal to 0.5 when the lower side has the steeper transition than the upper side; and\nthe second ratio is less than or equal to 0.50 when the upper side has the steeper transition than the lower side and is between 0.65 to 0.85 when the lower side has the steeper transition than the upper side; wherein one of the upper side and the lower side has a steeper transition than the other of the upper side and the lower side.",
"2. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the dielectric layer is formed of a silicon oxide material, the plurality of electrodes are formed of a material having a density that is greater than a density of aluminum (Al), and the piezoelectric substrate is formed of lithium niobate (LiNbO3) having a cut angle between Y+120 degrees and Y+140 degrees.",
"3. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein individual series resonators of the plurality of series resonators are covered by a first amount of the dielectric layer and individual shunt resonators of the plurality of shunt resonators are covered by a second amount of the dielectric layer.",
"4. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein only a series resonator of the plurality of series resonators having a lower resonance frequency than other ones of the plurality of series resonators is covered by a first amount of the dielectric layer.",
"5. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of electrodes are formed of a material comprising copper (Cu) or an alloy including Cu, and the plurality of electrodes have a third thickness that is between 5% and 15% of the first electrode period and the second electrode period.",
"6. A wireless communication device comprising:\nradio frequency front end (RFFE) circuitry comprising:\na power amplifier module including one or more power amplifiers to amplify an outgoing radio frequency (RF) signal; and\na surface acoustic-wave (SAW) device that is coupled with the power amplifier module and that defines a passband having a lower side and an upper side, the SAW device comprising:\na piezoelectric substrate having a surface to support an acoustic wave;\na plurality of resonators on the surface of the piezoelectric substrate, the plurality of resonators including at least a first resonator and a second resonator, wherein the plurality of resonators are formed by a plurality of electrodes, the first resonator has a first duty factor, the second resonator has a second duty factor, the first duty factor is larger than the second duty factor; and\na dielectric layer having a positive thermal coefficient of frequency (TCF) and covering the plurality of resonators, wherein:\nthe dielectric layer has a first thickness that covers the plurality of electrodes forming the first resonator and the dielectric layer has a second thickness that covers the plurality of electrodes forming the second resonator;\na first electrode period is a first physical distance between each of the plurality of electrodes forming the first resonator and a second electrode period is a second physical distance between each of the plurality of electrodes forming the second resonator;\nthe first thickness is a first ratio times the first electrode period;\nthe second thickness is a second ratio times the second electrode period;\nthe first ratio is between 0.65 to 0.85 when the upper side has a steeper transition than the lower side and is less than or equal to 0.5 when the lower side has the steeper transition than the upper side; and\nthe second ratio is less than or equal to 0.50 when the upper side has the steeper transition than the lower side and is between 0.65 to 0.85 when the lower side has the steeper transition than the upper side; wherein one of the upper side and the lower side has a steeper transition than the other of the upper side and the lower side.",
"7. The wireless communication device of claim 6, wherein the dielectric layer is formed of a silicon oxide material, the plurality of electrodes are formed of a material having a density that is greater than a density of aluminum (Al), and the piezoelectric substrate is formed of lithium niobate (LiNbO3) having a cut angle between Y+120 degrees and Y+140 degrees.",
"8. The wireless communication device of claim 6, wherein the second resonator is a coupled resonator filter and the first resonator is coupled in series with the coupled resonator filter, wherein an amount of the dielectric layer covers an entirety of the coupled resonator filter.",
"9. The wireless communication device of claim 6, wherein the plurality of electrodes are formed of a material comprising copper (Cu) or an alloy including Cu, and the plurality of electrodes have a third thickness that is between 5% and 15% of the first electrode period and the second electrode period."
],
[
"1. A system for search, retrieval, and display of information in an electronic communication network, the system comprising:\none or more hardware-based processors and one or more hardware-based memories storing computer-executable instructions;\na user agent implemented by the computer-executable instructions stored in the one or more hardware-based memories, in the electronic communication network, the user agent having one or more screens, that:\nin response to a first query input, transmits a first search query, receives a first query response document comprising a first set of one or more response snippets, displays the first query response document in a first response document display on the one or more screens;\nin response to a first selection input received within the first response document display wherein the selection input comprises selection of a sourced document, provides a first document display on the one or more screens using a first client content version of the sourced document,\nin response to a second query input transmits a second search query, receives a second query response document comprising a second set of one or more response snippets, displays the second query response document in a second response document display; and\nin response to a second selection input received within the second response document display that comprises selection of the sourced document, provides a second document display on the one or more screens using a second client content version of the sourced document;\nwherein:\nin response to an action set comprising one or more single actions, wherein the single actions comprise the first selection input and zero or more additional inputs permitted according to a set of distinguishing inputs of a first distinguishing context of the first document display, a first partially distinguished word is visibly displayed and partially distinguished in the first document display on the one or more screens, and the first partially distinguished word is in a first matching document snippet of the first client content version that is canonically similar to the first set of one or more response snippets;\na second partially distinguished word is partially distinguished in a second distinguishing context of the second document display and is in a second matching document snippet of the second client content version that is canonically similar to the second set of one or more response snippets;\na first set of cross matching document snippets, consisting of the visible document snippets of the second client content version that are canonically similar to the first set of one or more response snippets, is nonempty and its members are undistinguished in the second distinguishing context;\na second set of cross matching document snippets, consisting of the visible document snippets of the first client content version that are canonically similar to the second set of one or more response snippets, is nonempty and its members are undistinguished in the first distinguishing context; and\nin the first distinguishing context:\nthe text of a matching undistinguished word, which is undistinguished, matches the text of the first partially distinguished word;\na preceding undistinguished word is viewable before the first matching document snippet and is undistinguished; and\na following undistinguished word is viewable after the first matching document snippet and is undistinguished.",
"2. The system of claim 1, wherein:\nin response to the action set comprising the one or more single actions, the first partially distinguished word is in-place partially distinguished in the first document display; and\nthe second partially distinguished word is in-place partially distinguished in the second distinguishing context of the second document display.",
"3. The system of claim 1, wherein:\nthe first client content version of the sourced document is represented in a variant of HTML (Hypertext Markup Language);\na set of zero or more conventional fragment identifier target HTML elements consists of each HTML element of the first client content version such that:\nthe HTML element contains all of the text that:\nis distinguished in the first distinguishing context; and\nis between the preceding undistinguished word and the following undistinguished word;\na target character string is the value of:\na ‘name’ attribute of the HTML element, wherein the HTML element is an HTML anchor element; and/or\nan ‘id’ attribute of the HTML element; and\na fragment identifier string, which matches the target character string, is derived from the first client content version in response to the action set; and\neach member of the set of zero or more conventional fragment identifier target HTML elements contains:\nat least one character of the preceding undistinguished word; and/or\nat least one character of the following undistinguished word.",
"4. The system of claim 1, wherein:\nthe first client content version of the sourced document is represented in a variant of HTML (Hypertext Markup Language); and\nevery HTML element of the first client content version that contains all of the text that:\nis distinguished in the first distinguishing context; and\nis between the preceding undistinguished word and the following undistinguished word;\nalso contains:\nat least one character of the preceding undistinguished word; and/or\nat least one character of the following undistinguished word.",
"5. The system of claim 2, wherein the action set comprises no more than five single actions.",
"6. The system of claim 4, wherein the action set comprises no more than five single actions.",
"7. The system of claim 4, further comprising:\na search engine service in the electronic communication network that:\nin response to receiving the first search query generates the first query response document comprising the first set of one or more response snippets that are constructed using information from a first server content version of the sourced document, and transmits the first query response document; and\nin response to receiving the second search query generates the second query response document comprising the second set of one or more response snippets that are constructed using information from a second server content version of the sourced document, and transmits the second query response document;\nwherein the user agent transmits the first search query and transmits the second search query to the search engine service.",
"8. The system of claim 7, wherein the first server content version is different from the second server content version.",
"9. The system of claim 4, wherein the retrieval of the first client content version of the sourced document is an undistinguished retrieval from the document source.",
"10. The system of claim 4, wherein the text of the first matching document snippet matches the text of one of the snippets of the first set of one or more response snippets.",
"11. A method for search, retrieval, and display of information on a user agent having one or more screens in an electronic communication network, the method comprising:\ntransmitting, in response to a first query input, a first search query from the user agent;\nreceiving a first query response document comprising a first set of one or more response snippets;\ndisplaying the first query response document in a first response document display on the one or more screens;\nselecting a sourced document by receiving a first selection input from within the first response document display;\nin response to the first selection input, providing a first distinguishing context for a first document display of the first client content version of the sourced document on the one or more screens;\ntransmitting, in response to a second query input, a second search query from the user agent;\nreceiving a second query response document comprising a second set of one or more response snippets;\ndisplaying the second query response document in a second response document display on the one or more screens;\nselecting the sourced document by receiving a second selection input from within the second response document display;\nin response to the second selection input, providing a second distinguishing context for a second document display of a second client content version of the sourced document on the one or more screens;\nresponding to an action set comprising one or more single actions, which are the single actions comprised by the first selection input and zero or more single actions comprised by additional inputs permitted according to the set of distinguishing inputs of a first distinguishing context of the first document display;\ndistinguishing partially, in a second distinguishing context of the second document display, of a second partially distinguished word in a second matching document snippet that is canonically similar to the second set of one or more response snippets;\ndisplaying, in the second document display and in a manner that is not distinguishing according to the distinguishing manner of the second distinguishing context, all of the one or more visible document snippets of the second client content version that are canonically similar to the first set of one or more response snippets; and\ndisplaying, in the first document display and in a manner that is not distinguished according to the distinguishing manner of the first distinguishing context:\nall of the one or more visible document snippets of the first client content version that are canonically similar to the second set of one or more response snippets;\na matching undistinguished word having text that matches the text of the first partially distinguished word;\na preceding undistinguished word that appears before the first matching document snippet; and\na following undistinguished word that appears after the first matching document snippet;\nwherein:\nthe responding to the action set comprises distinguishing partially and displaying visibly of a first partially distinguished word, of the first client content version, in the first document display on the one or more screens; and\nthe first partially distinguished word is in a first matching document snippet that is canonically similar to the first set of one or more response snippets.",
"12. The method of claim 11, wherein:\nthe distinguishing partially and displaying visibly of the first partially distinguished word comprises in-place partially distinguishing of the first partially distinguished word; and\nthe distinguishing partially of the second partially distinguished word comprises in-place partially distinguishing of the second partially distinguished word.",
"13. The method of claim 11, wherein:\nthe first client content version of the sourced document is represented in a variant of HTML (Hypertext Markup Language);\na set of zero or more conventional fragment identifier target HTML elements consists of each HTML element of the first client content version such that:\nthe HTML element contains all of the text that:\nis distinguished in the first distinguishing context; and\nis between the preceding undistinguished word and the following undistinguished word;\na target character string is the value of:\na ‘name’ attribute of the HTML element, wherein the HTML element is an HTML anchor element; and/or\nan ‘id’ attribute of the HTML element; and\nthe responding to the action set comprises deriving of a fragment identifier string, which matches the target character string, from the first client content version; and\neach member of the set of zero or more conventional fragment identifier target HTML elements contains:\nat least one character of the preceding undistinguished word; and/or\nat least one character of the following undistinguished word.",
"14. The method of claim 11, wherein:\nthe first client content version of the sourced document is represented in a variant of HTML (Hypertext Markup Language); and\nevery HTML element of the first client content version that contains all of the text that:\nis distinguished in the first distinguishing context; and\nis between the preceding undistinguished word and the following undistinguished word;\nalso contains:\nat least one character of the preceding undistinguished word; and/or\nat least one character of the following undistinguished word.",
"15. The method of claim 12, wherein the action set comprises no more than five single actions.",
"16. The method of claim 14, wherein the action set comprises no more than five single actions.",
"17. The method of claim 14, further comprising:\nreceiving the first search query at a search engine service;\nconstructing, in response to receiving the first search query, the first set of one or more response snippets using information from a first server content version of the sourced document;\ngenerating the first query response document comprising the first set of one or more response snippets;\ntransmitting the second query response document from the search engine service to the user agent;\nreceiving the second search query at the search engine service;\nconstructing, in response to receiving the second search query, the second set of one or more response snippets using information from a second server content version of the sourced document;\ngenerating the second query response document comprising the second set of one or more response snippets; and\ntransmitting the second query response document from the search engine service to the user agent.",
"18. The method of claim 17, wherein the first server content version is different from the second server content version.",
"19. The method of claim 14, wherein retrieving the first server content version of the sourced document accomplishes an undistinguished retrieval from the document source.",
"20. The method of claim 14, wherein the text of the first matching document snippet matches the text of one of the snippets of the first set of one or more response snippets."
],
[
"1. An acoustic resonator device comprising:\nan acoustic resonator chip comprising:\na substrate;\na piezoelectric layer having first and second opposing surfaces and that is above a surface of the substrate, such that a portion of the piezoelectric layer forms a diaphragm spanning a cavity between the piezoelectric layer and the substrate; and\na first conductor pattern on at least one of the first and second surfaces of the piezoelectric layer, the first conductor pattern comprising an interdigitated transducer (IDT) having interleaved fingers on the diaphragm and a first contact pad; and\nan interposer having a planar surface facing the piezoelectric layer and a second conductor pattern with a second contact pad on the planar surface of the interposer,\nwherein at least a portion of the first conductor pattern is bonded to at least a portion of the second conductor pattern to form a seal that couples a perimeter of the piezoelectric layer of the acoustic resonator chip to a perimeter of the interposer.",
"2. The acoustic resonator device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second opposing surfaces of the piezoelectric layer are front and back surfaces, respectively, and the first conductor pattern is on the front surface of the piezoelectric layer.",
"3. The acoustic resonator device according to claim 1, further comprising a cap bonded to a back surface of the substrate.",
"4. The acoustic resonator device according to claim 1, wherein the seal is a hermetic seal that couples the piezoelectric layer to the interposer.",
"5. The acoustic resonator device according to claim 1, wherein the first conductor pattern further comprises a first metal, the second conductor pattern further comprises a second metal, and the seal is the first metal directly bonded to the second metal.",
"6. The acoustic resonator device according to claim 1, wherein the interposer is a printed circuit board that comprises a plurality of vias that connect the second contact pad to a third contact pad on a surface of the interposer opposite the planar surface of the interposer that faces the piezoelectric layer.",
"7. The acoustic resonator device according to claim 1, wherein the interposer further comprises a recess that faces the diaphragm.",
"8. An acoustic resonator device comprising:\na radio frequency filter comprising:\na substrate;\na piezoelectric layer attached to the substrate either directly or via one or more intermediate layers; and\na first conductor pattern on the piezoelectric layer and including an interdigitated transducer (IDT) with interleaved fingers and a first contact pad on the piezoelectric layer opposite the substrate; and\nan interposer having a planar surface facing the piezoelectric layer and a second conductor pattern with a second contact pad on the planar surface of the interposer that faces the piezoelectric layer,\nwherein the first conductor pattern is bonded to the second conductor pattern to form a seal to prevent an intrusion of fluids to an interior of the radio frequency filter, and\nwherein the seal couples a perimeter of the piezoelectric layer to a perimeter of the interposer.",
"9. The acoustic resonator device according to claim 8, wherein the piezoelectric layer comprises front and back surfaces, respectively, and the first conductor pattern is on the front surface of the piezoelectric layer.",
"10. The acoustic resonator device according to claim 8, further comprising a cap bonded to a back surface of the substrate.",
"11. The acoustic resonator device according to claim 8, wherein the first conductor pattern further comprises a first metal, the second conductor pattern further comprises a second metal, and the seal is the first metal directly bonded to the second metal.",
"12. The acoustic resonator device according to claim 8, wherein the interposer is a printed circuit board that comprises a plurality of vias that connect the second contact pad to a third contact pad on a surface of the interposer opposite the planar surface of the interposer that faces the piezoelectric layer.",
"13. The acoustic resonator device according to claim 8, wherein the interposer further comprises a recess that faces the diaphragm.",
"14. An acoustic resonator device comprising:\na substrate;\na piezoelectric layer above the substrate and including a diaphragm that is suspended over a cavity between the piezoelectric layer and the substrate;\na first conductor pattern on the piezoelectric layer and including an interdigitated transducer (IDT) with interleaved fingers on the diaphragm and a first contact pad;\nan interposer having a planar surface facing the piezoelectric layer and a second conductor pattern with a second contact pad on the planar surface of the interposer that face the piezoelectric layer; and\na metal seal formed by the first conductor pattern being bonded to the second conductor pattern and that couples the acoustic resonator chip to the interposer,\nwherein the interposer is a printed circuit board that comprises a plurality of vias that connect the second contact pad to a third contact pad on a surface of the interposer opposite the planar surface of the interposer that faces the piezoelectric layer.",
"15. The acoustic resonator device according to claim 14, wherein the piezoelectric layer comprises front and back surfaces, respectively, and the first conductor pattern is on the front surface of the piezoelectric layer.",
"16. The acoustic resonator device according to claim 14, wherein the metal seal is a hermetic continuous metal seal that couples a perimeter of the piezoelectric layer to a perimeter of the interposer.",
"17. The acoustic resonator device according to claim 14, wherein the first conductor pattern further comprises a first metal, the second conductor pattern further comprises a second metal, and the metal seal is the first conductor bonded to the second conductor.",
"18. The acoustic resonator device according to claim 14, wherein the interposer further comprises a recess that faces the diaphragm."
],
[
"1. An elastic wave device including a piezoelectric film, the elastic wave device comprising:\na high-acoustic-velocity supporting substrate in which an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave propagating therein is higher than an acoustic velocity of an elastic wave propagating in the piezoelectric film;\na low-acoustic-velocity film stacked on the high-acoustic-velocity supporting substrate, in which an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave propagating therein is lower than an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave propagating in the piezoelectric film;\nthe piezoelectric film stacked on the low-acoustic-velocity film; and\nan IDT electrode disposed on a surface of the piezoelectric film; wherein\nthe piezoelectric film is composed of LiNbO3.",
"2. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the low-acoustic-velocity film is composed of silicon oxide or a film containing as a major component silicon oxide.",
"3. The elastic wave device according to claim 2, wherein a thickness of the low-acoustic-velocity film is in a range of about 0.1λ to about 0.5λ, where λ is a wavelength of an elastic wave determined by an electrode period of the IDT electrode.",
"4. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of the piezoelectric film is about 1.5λ or less, where λ is a wavelength of an elastic wave determined by an electrode period of the IDT electrode.",
"5. The elastic wave device according to claim 4, wherein the thickness of the piezoelectric film is in a range of about 0.05λ to about 0.5λ.",
"6. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein a dielectric film is disposed on the piezoelectric film and the IDT electrode.",
"7. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of an adhesion layer, an underlying film, a low-acoustic-velocity layer, and a high-acoustic-velocity layer is disposed in at least one of boundaries between the piezoelectric film, the low-acoustic-velocity film, and high-acoustic-velocity supporting substrate.",
"8. An elastic wave device including a piezoelectric film, the elastic wave device comprising:\na supporting substrate;\na high-acoustic-velocity film disposed on the supporting substrate, in which an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave propagating therein is higher than an acoustic velocity of an elastic wave propagating in the piezoelectric film;\na low-acoustic-velocity film stacked on the high-acoustic-velocity film, in which an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave propagating therein is lower than an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave propagating in the piezoelectric film;\nthe piezoelectric film stacked on the low-acoustic-velocity film; and\nan IDT electrode disposed on a surface of the piezoelectric film; wherein\nthe piezoelectric film is composed of LiNbO3.",
"9. The elastic wave device according to claim 8, wherein the low-acoustic-velocity film is composed of silicon oxide or a film containing as a major component silicon oxide.",
"10. The elastic wave device according to claim 9, wherein a thickness of the low-acoustic-velocity film is in a range of about 0.1λ to about 0.5λ, where λ is a wavelength of an elastic wave determined by an electrode period of the IDT electrode.",
"11. The elastic wave device according to claim 8, wherein a thickness of the piezoelectric film is about 1.5λ or less, where λ is a wavelength of an elastic wave determined by an electrode period of the IDT electrode.",
"12. The elastic wave device according to claim 11, wherein the thickness of the piezoelectric film is in a range of about 0.05λ to about 0.5λ.",
"13. The elastic wave device according to claim 8, wherein a dielectric film is disposed on the piezoelectric film and the IDT electrode.",
"14. The elastic wave device according to claim 8, wherein at least one of an adhesion layer, an underlying film, a low-acoustic-velocity layer, and a high-acoustic-velocity layer is disposed in at least one of boundaries between the piezoelectric film, the low-acoustic-velocity film, the high-acoustic-velocity film, and the supporting substrate."
],
[
"1. A method for fabricating an acoustic wave device, the method comprising:\nproviding or forming a substrate containing 70 mass % or greater of silicon dioxide (SiO2);\nproviding or forming a piezoelectric thin film with LiTaO3 crystal or LiNbO3 crystal on the substrate, Euler angles of the substrate and Euler angles of the piezoelectric thin film selected such that a phase velocity of a surface acoustic wave propagating along the substrate is greater than a phase velocity of the surface acoustic wave propagating along the piezoelectric thin film; and\nimplementing an interdigital transducer electrode to be in contact with the piezoelectric thin film.",
"2. The method of claim 1 further comprising implementing a Si-containing film between the substrate and the piezoelectric thin film.",
"3. The method of claim 2 wherein the Si-containing film contains 30% or greater of SiO2 or SiO, and has a thickness of 0.15 times to 1 times a wavelength of the surface acoustic wave.",
"4. The method of claim 2 wherein the Si-containing film contains 30% or greater of SiO2 or SiO, and has a thickness of 0.3 times to 0.5 times a wavelength of the surface acoustic wave.",
"5. The method of claim 1 wherein the substrate includes a quartz substrate and a phase velocity of the surface acoustic wave to propagate is 4,500 m/s or greater, 4,800 m/s or greater, or 5,000 m/s or greater.",
"6. The method of claim 5 wherein the substrate includes a quartz substrate, and the surface acoustic wave to propagate includes a leaky acoustic wave including primarily a SH component or an S wave having a phase velocity of 4,500 m/s or greater.",
"7. The method of claim 1 further comprising implementing a shunt electrode and/or an insulating boundary film between the substrate and the piezoelectric thin film.",
"8. The method of claim 1 wherein implementing the interdigital transducer electrode results in at least a lower portion of the interdigital transducer electrode being embedded in the piezoelectric thin film and/or at least an upper portion of the interdigital transducer electrode protruding from the piezoelectric thin film.",
"9. The method of claim 1 wherein providing or forming the substrate includes providing or forming a quartz substrate.",
"10. The method of claim 1 wherein the substrate has a shear wave phase velocity of a bulk wave of 3,400 to 4,800 m/s.",
"11. The method of claim 1 wherein the substrate includes an isotropic substrate, and the piezoelectric thin film has a thickness of 0.001 mm or greater and less than 0.01 mm.",
"12. The method of claim 1 wherein the substrate has the surface acoustic wave propagate in 4,500 m/s or greater and has Euler angles of (0°±5°, 70°-165°, 0°±5°), (0°±5°, 95°-155°, 90°±5°), or crystallographically equivalent Euler angles thereof.",
"13. The method of claim 1 wherein the substrate has Euler angles of (0°±5°, 0°-125°, 0°±5°), (0°±5°, 0°-36°, 90°±5°), (0°±5°, 172°-180°, 90°±5°), (0°±5°, 120°-140°, 30°-49°), (0°±5°, 25°-105°, 0°±5°), (0°±5°, 0°-45°, 15°-35°), (0°±5°, 10°-20°, 60°-70°), (0°±5°, 90°-180°, 30°-45°), (0°±5°, 0°±5°, 85°-95°), (90°±5°, 90°±5°, 25°-31°), (0°±5°, 90°±5°, −3° to 3°), or crystallographically equivalent Euler angles thereof.",
"14. The method of claim 1 wherein the substrate has Euler angles of (20°±5°, 120°±10°, 115°±10°), (0°±5°, 90°±5°, 0°±10°), (0°±5°, 90°±5°, 75°±10°), (0°±5°, 0°±5°, 0°±10°), (0°±5°, 0°±5°, 60°±10°), or crystallographically equivalent Euler angles thereof.",
"15. The method of claim 1 wherein the piezoelectric thin film includes LiTaO3 crystal and has Euler angles of (90°±5°, 90°±5°, 33°-55°), (90°±5°, 90°±5°, 125°-155°), or crystallographically equivalent Euler angles thereof.",
"16. The method of claim 1 wherein the piezoelectric thin film includes LiNbO3 crystal and has Euler angles of (90°±5°, 90°±5°, 38°-65°), (90°±5°, 90°±5°, 118°-140°), or crystallographically equivalent Euler angles thereof.",
"17. The method of claim 1 wherein the interdigital transducer electrode has a thickness, in fraction of a wavelength of the surface acoustic wave, of 0.005-0.32, 0.005-0.20, 0.005-0.28, or 0.005-0.20 for a density range, in kg/m3, of 2000-5000, 5001-9500, 9501-15000, or 15001-220000, respectively.",
"18. The method of claim 1 wherein the interdigital transducer electrode has a metalization ratio of 0.15-0.63, 0.15-0.63, 0.15-0.71, or 0.15-0.65 for a density range, in kg/m3, of 2000-5000, 5001-9500, 9501-15000, or 15001-220000, respectively.",
"19. The method of claim 1 further comprising implementing an insulating boundary film between the substrate and the piezoelectric thin film, the boundary film having a thickness that is greater than or equal to 0.34 times a wavelength of the surface acoustic wave.",
"20. The method of claim 1 further comprising implementing an insulating boundary film disposed between the substrate and the piezoelectric thin film, the boundary film having one or more layers, one layer closest to the piezoelectric thin film having a thickness T, in fraction of a wavelength of the surface acoustic wave, of 0<T<=0.5, 0<T<=0.67, 0<T<=3, or 0<T<=0.6 for a shear wave phase velocity Vs, in m/s, of 1500<=Vs<=2200, 2200<Vs<=3400, 3400<Vs<=5900, or 5900<Vs<=13000, respectively.",
"21. The method of claim 1 wherein the surface acoustic wave has a higher order mode, and the interdigital transducer electrode has a thickness, in fraction of a wavelength of the surface acoustic wave, of 0.17-0.8, 0.08-0.44, 0.08-0.43, or 0.06-0.4 for a density range, in kg/m3, of 2000-5000, 5001-9500, 9501-15000, or 15001-220000, respectively.",
"22. The method of claim 1 wherein the surface acoustic wave has a higher order mode, and the piezoelectric thin film has a thickness of 0.35 times to 9.3 times a wavelength of the surface acoustic wave.",
"23. The method of claim 1 wherein the surface acoustic wave includes either or both of a leaky surface acoustic wave and a longitudinal-wave-type leaky surface acoustic wave.",
"24. The method of claim 1 wherein the piezoelectric thin film includes LiNbO3 crystal, and the surface acoustic wave includes a Rayleigh wave."
],
[
"1. An acoustic wave device comprising:\na piezoelectric substrate; and\nan interdigital transducer (IDT) electrode on the piezoelectric substrate; wherein\nthe piezoelectric substrate includes a high acoustic velocity layer, and a piezoelectric layer directly or indirectly above the high acoustic velocity layer;\nan acoustic velocity of a bulk wave that propagates in the high acoustic velocity layer is greater than an acoustic velocity of an acoustic wave that propagates in the piezoelectric layer;\nthe IDT electrode includes:\na first busbar and a second busbar that face each other;\na plurality of first electrode fingers each connected at one end to the first busbar; and\na plurality of second electrode fingers each connected at one end to the second busbar, the plurality of second electrode fingers being interdigitated with the plurality of first electrode fingers;\na first envelope extends in a slanted direction with respect to a direction of acoustic wave propagation, the first envelope being an imaginary line formed by connecting tips of the plurality of first electrode fingers;\na second envelope extends in a slanted direction with respect to the direction of acoustic wave propagation, the second envelope being an imaginary line formed by connecting tips of the plurality of second electrode fingers;\na first dielectric film is located in at least one gap on the piezoelectric substrate, the at least one gap being at least one of a plurality of first gaps and a plurality of second gaps, the plurality of first gaps being located between the plurality of first electrode fingers and the second busbar, the plurality of second gaps being located between the plurality of second electrode fingers and the first busbar;\nthe first dielectric film has a density greater than a density of silicon oxide; and\na second dielectric film extends over the piezoelectric substrate such that the second dielectric film covers the IDT electrode and the first dielectric film.",
"2. The acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the first dielectric film has a density greater than or equal to a density of the IDT electrode.",
"3. The acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein\nthe IDT electrode includes a plurality of first dummy electrode fingers each connected at one end to the first busbar, and a plurality of second dummy electrode fingers each connected at one end to the second busbar; and\neach of the plurality of first gaps is located between a corresponding one of the plurality of first electrode fingers and a corresponding one of the plurality of second dummy electrode fingers; and\neach of the plurality of second gaps is located between a corresponding one of the plurality of second electrode fingers and a corresponding one of the plurality of first dummy electrode fingers.",
"4. The acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the first dielectric film extends across an entirety of the first gap in which the first dielectric film is located, or extends across an entirety of the second gap in which the first dielectric film is located.",
"5. The acoustic wave device according to claim 3, wherein\nthe first dielectric film in the first gap extends across an entirety of the first gap, and extends onto the first electrode finger and onto the second dummy electrode finger; and\nthe first dielectric film in the second gap extends across an entirety of the second gap, and extends onto the second electrode finger and onto the first dummy electrode finger.",
"6. The acoustic wave device according to claim 3, wherein\nthe first dielectric film in the first gap extends across an entirety of the first gap, and extends to an area between the first electrode finger and the piezoelectric substrate and to an area between the second dummy electrode finger and the piezoelectric substrate; and\nthe first dielectric film in the second gap extends across an entirety of the second gap, and extends to an area between the second electrode finger and the piezoelectric substrate and to an area between the first dummy electrode finger and the piezoelectric substrate.",
"7. The acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein\nthe piezoelectric substrate includes a low acoustic velocity film between the high acoustic velocity layer and the piezoelectric layer; and\nan acoustic velocity of a bulk wave that propagates in the low acoustic velocity film is less than an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave that propagates in the piezoelectric layer.",
"8. The acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the high acoustic velocity layer is a high acoustic velocity support substrate.",
"9. The acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein\nthe piezoelectric substrate further includes a support substrate; and\nthe high acoustic velocity layer is a high acoustic velocity film on the support substrate.",
"10. The acoustic wave device according to claim 1, further comprising reflectors on opposite sides of the IDT electrode.",
"11. The acoustic wave device according to claim 7, wherein the low acoustic velocity film includes at least one of silicon oxide, glass, silicon oxynitride, tantalum oxide or a material including as a main component a compound with fluorine, carbon or boron along with silicon oxide.",
"12. The acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the high acoustic velocity layer includes at least one of silicon nitride, lithium tantalate, lithium niobate, quartz, alumina, zirconia, cordierite, mullite, steatite, forsterite, aluminum nitride, aluminum oxide, silicon carbide, silicon oxynitride, a diamond-like carbon, silicone, sapphire, diamond, or magnesia.",
"13. The acoustic wave device according to claim 9, wherein the support substrate includes at least one of silicon, lithium tantalate, lithium niobate, quartz, alumina, magnesia, silicon nitride, aluminum nitride, silicon carbide, zirconia, cordierite, mullite, steatite, forsterite, glass, spinel, aluminum nitride, aluminum oxide, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, diamond-like carbon, silicone, sapphire, diamond, or magnesia.",
"14. The acoustic wave device according to claim 8, wherein the high velocity support substrate includes silicon, aluminum oxide, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, silicone, sapphire, lithium tantalate, lithium niobate, quartz, alumina, zirconia, cordierite, mullite, steatite, forsterite, magnesia, diamond-like carbon, or diamond.",
"15. The acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the second dielectric film includes silicon oxide.",
"16. The acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the second dielectric film is a protective film."
],
[
"1. An acoustic wave device comprising a multi-layer mass loading strip at least partially overlapping edge portions of a plurality of fingers of an interdigital transducer electrode, the multi-layer mass loading strip having a mass sufficient to suppress at least a portion of a transverse mode, the multi-layer mass loading strip including a first layer and a second layer, the first layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip positioned between the second layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip and the interdigital transducer electrode, and the first layer improves crystal orientation of the second layer.",
"2. The acoustic wave device of claim 1 wherein the second layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip has a higher mass than the first layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip.",
"3. The acoustic wave device of claim 1 wherein the second layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip is a conductive strip.",
"4. The acoustic wave device of claim 1 wherein the first layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip includes titanium.",
"5. The acoustic wave device of claim 1 wherein the first layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip is an adhesion layer that improves the crystal orientation of the second layer.",
"6. The acoustic wave device of claim 5 wherein the second layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip includes molybdenum.",
"7. The acoustic wave device of claim 1 wherein the acoustic wave device is configured to generate a surface acoustic wave.",
"8. The acoustic wave device of claim 1 wherein the second layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip has a higher density than a density of the interdigital transducer electrode.",
"9. The acoustic wave device of claim 1 wherein the multi-layer mass loading strip includes a third layer that is an adhesion layer that adheres to a temperature compensation layer.",
"10. The acoustic wave device of claim 1 wherein the first layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip is spaced apart from a piezoelectric layer.",
"11. A method of filtering a radio frequency signal, the method comprising:\nreceiving the radio frequency signal at an input port of an acoustic wave filter that includes an acoustic wave resonator, the acoustic wave resonator including a multi-layer mass loading strip at least partially overlapping edge portions of fingers of an interdigital transducer electrode, the multi-layer mass loading strip including a first layer and a second layer, the first layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip positioned between the second layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip and the interdigital transducer electrode, and the first layer improves crystal orientation of the second layer; and\nfiltering the radio frequency signal with the acoustic wave filter, the filtering including suppressing a transverse mode using the multi-layer mass loading strip of the acoustic wave resonator.",
"12. The method of claim 11 further comprising forming the second layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip with a higher mass than the first layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip.",
"13. The method of claim 11 further comprising forming the second layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip as a conductive strip.",
"14. The method of claim 11 further comprising forming the first layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip to include titanium.",
"15. The method of claim 11 wherein the first layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip improves the crystal orientation of the second layer.",
"16. The method of claim 15 wherein the second layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip includes molybdenum.",
"17. The method of claim 11 wherein the acoustic wave resonator generates a surface acoustic wave.",
"18. The method of claim 11 further comprising forming the second layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip to have a higher density than a density of the interdigital transducer electrode.",
"19. The method of claim 11 further comprising forming a third layer on of the multi-layer mass loading strip that adheres to a temperature compensation layer.",
"20. The method of claim 11 further comprising spacing the first layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip apart from a piezoelectric layer."
],
[
"1. An acoustic resonator device comprising:\na substrate having a surface;\na single-crystal piezoelectric layer having front and back surfaces, the back surface attached to the surface of the substrate either directly or via at least one intermedia layer, with a portion of the single-crystal piezoelectric layer forming a diaphragm over a cavity;\nan interdigital transducer (IDT) at the single-crystal piezoelectric layer such that interleaved fingers of the IDT are at the diaphragm; and\na dielectric layer on one of the front surface and the back surface of the single-crystal piezoelectric layer, with the dielectric layer having a thickness of a half lambda.",
"2. The acoustic resonator device of claim 1, wherein\na thickness ts of the single-crystal piezoelectric layer and a thickness td of the dielectric layer are defined as follows:\n\n2ts=λ0,s, and\n\n0.85λ0,d≤2td≤1.15λ0,d,\nwhere λ0,s is a wavelength of a fundamental shear bulk acoustic wave resonance in the single-crystal piezoelectric layer, and\nλ0,d is a wavelength of a fundamental shear bulk acoustic wave resonance in the dielectric layer.",
"3. The acoustic resonator device of claim 1, wherein the dielectric layer is one or more of SiO2, Si3N4, Al2O3, and AlN.",
"4. The acoustic resonator device of claim 1, wherein:\nthe single-crystal piezoelectric layer is lithium niobate,\nthe dielectric layer is SiO2, and\na thickness ts of the single-crystal piezoelectric layer and a thickness td of the dielectric layer are defined by the relationship: 0.875ts≤td≤1.25ts.",
"5. The acoustic resonator device of claim 4, wherein a temperature coefficient of frequency of the acoustic resonator device is between −32 ppm/C° and −42 ppm/C° at a resonance frequency and between −20 ppm/C° and −36 ppm/C° at an anti-resonance frequency.",
"6. The acoustic resonator device of claim 1, wherein the single-crystal piezoelectric layer and the IDT are configured such that a radio frequency signal applied to the IDT excites a shear primary acoustic mode in the diaphragm.",
"7. A filter device, comprising:\na substrate;\na piezoelectric layer having parallel front and back surfaces and a thickness ts, the back surface attached to the substrate either directly or via at least one intermedia layer;\na conductor pattern at the piezoelectric layer and including a plurality of interdigital transducers (IDTs) of a respective plurality of resonators including a shunt resonator and a series resonator, interleaved fingers of each of the plurality of IDTs at respective portions of the piezoelectric layer over one or more cavities;\na first dielectric layer having a thickness tds deposited over and between the fingers of the series resonator; and\na second dielectric layer having a thickness tdp deposited over and between the fingers of the shunt resonator, wherein\nts, tds, and tdp are related by the equations:\n\n2ts=λ0,s, and\n\n2tds<2tdp\nwhere λ0,s is a wavelength of a fundamental shear bulk acoustic wave resonance in the piezoelectric layer.",
"8. The filter device of claim 7, wherein\n\n0.85λ0,d≤2tds≤2tdp≤1.15λ0,d,\nwhere λ0,d is a wavelength of the fundamental shear bulk acoustic wave resonance in at least one of the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer.",
"9. The filter device of claim 7, wherein the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer are one or more of SiO2, Si3N4, Al2O3, and AlN.",
"10. The filter device of claim 7, wherein the piezoelectric layer and the IDT are configured such that a radio frequency signal applied to the IDT excites a shear primary acoustic mode in at least part of the piezoelectric layer.",
"11. A filter device, comprising:\na substrate;\na piezoelectric layer having parallel front and back surfaces and a thickness ts, the back surface attached to the substrate either directly or via at least one intermedia layer;\na conductor pattern at the piezoelectric layer and including a plurality of interdigital transducers (IDTs) of a respective plurality of resonators including a shunt resonator and a series resonator, interleaved fingers of each of the plurality of IDTs at respective portions of the piezoelectric layer over one or more cavities;\na first SiO2 layer having a thickness tds deposited over and between the fingers of the series resonator; and\na second SiO2 layer having a thickness tdp deposited over and between the fingers of the shunt resonator,\nwherein tds, and tdp are related by the equation:\n\ntds<tdp.",
"12. The filter device of claim 11, wherein tds, and tdp are related by the equation:\n\n0.85ts≤tds≤tdp≤1.25ts.",
"13. The filter device of claim 11, wherein a temperature coefficient of frequency of each of the plurality of resonators is between −20 ppm/C° and −42 ppm/C° at the resonance frequencies and the anti-resonance frequencies of all of the plurality of resonators.",
"14. The filter device of claim 11, wherein the piezoelectric layer and the IDT are configured such that a radio frequency signal applied to the IDT excites a shear primary acoustic mode in at least part of the piezoelectric layer.",
"15. A method of fabricating an acoustic resonator device on a single-crystal piezoelectric layer having parallel front and back surfaces, the back surface attached to a substrate either directly or via at least one intermedia layer, the method comprising:\nforming a cavity in the substrate such that a portion of the single-crystal piezoelectric layer forms a diaphragm over the cavity;\nforming an interdigital transducer (IDT) at the single-crystal piezoelectric layer such that interleaved fingers of the IDT are at the diaphragm; and\nforming a dielectric layer on one of the front surface and the back surface of the single-crystal piezoelectric layer, with the dielectric layer having a thickness of a half lambda.",
"16. The method of claim 15, wherein\na thickness ts of the single-crystal piezoelectric layer and a thickness td of the dielectric layer are defined as follows:\n\n2ts=λ0,s, and\n\n0.85λ0,d≤2td≤1.15λ0,d,\nwhere λ0,s is a wavelength of a fundamental shear bulk acoustic wave resonance in the single-crystal piezoelectric layer, and\nλ0,d is a wavelength of the fundamental shear bulk acoustic wave resonance in the dielectric layer.",
"17. The method of claim 15, wherein forming the dielectric layer further comprises depositing one or more of SiO2, Si3N4, Al2O3, and AlN.",
"18. The method of claim 15, wherein\nthe single-crystal piezoelectric layer is lithium niobate, and\nforming the dielectric layer comprises depositing SiO2 to a thickness td, where td is greater or equal to 0.875ts and less than or equal to 1.25ts, where ts is a thickness of the single-crystal piezoelectric layer.",
"19. The method of claim 15, wherein the single-crystal piezoelectric layer and the IDT configured such that a radio frequency signal applied to the IDT excites a shear primary acoustic mode within the diaphragm."
],
[
"1. A filter assembly comprising:\na first acoustic wave filter coupled to a common node, the first acoustic wave filter including at least a first plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators and at least a first series bulk acoustic wave resonator coupled between the first plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators and the common node; and\na second acoustic wave filter coupled to the common node, the second acoustic wave filter including at least a second plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators that are non-temperature compensated and at least a third plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators that are temperature compensated are coupled between the second plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators and the common node.",
"2. The filter assembly of claim 1 wherein the first series bulk acoustic wave resonator is a film bulk acoustic wave resonator.",
"3. The filter assembly of claim 1 wherein the first and second plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators are on a first die.",
"4. The filter assembly of claim 3 wherein the first series bulk acoustic wave resonator is on a second die.",
"5. The filter assembly of claim 4 wherein the first acoustic wave filter further includes a shunt bulk acoustic wave resonator on the second die.",
"6. The filter assembly of claim 5 wherein the shunt bulk acoustic wave resonator is coupled to an opposite side of the first series bulk acoustic wave resonator than the first plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators.",
"7. The filter assembly of claim 1 wherein the first acoustic wave filter filters a carrier aggregation signal with a first passband and the second acoustic wave filter filters the carrier aggregation signal with a second passband.",
"8. The filter assembly of claim 1 further comprising a third acoustic wave filter coupled to the common node, the third acoustic wave filter including a fourth plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators and a second series bulk acoustic wave resonator coupled between the fourth plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators and the common node.",
"9. The filter assembly of claim 8 further comprising an antenna switch coupled between the common node and an antenna.",
"10. The filter assembly of claim 1 wherein the second plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators have a higher quality factor in a passband of the second acoustic wave filter than the first plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators in a passband of the first acoustic wave filter.",
"11. A method of filtering radio frequency signals, the method comprising: filtering a radio frequency signal with a first acoustic wave filter coupled to a common node, the first acoustic wave filter filters the radio frequency signal with at least a first plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators and a first series bulk acoustic wave resonator coupled between the first plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators and the common node; and\nfiltering the radio frequency signal with a second acoustic wave filter coupled to the common node, the second acoustic wave filter filters the radio frequency signal with a second plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators that are non-temperature compensated and at least a third plurality of acoustic wave resonators that are temperature compensated are coupled between the second plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators and the common node.",
"12. The method of claim 11 wherein the first acoustic wave filter filters a carrier aggregation signal with a first passband and the second acoustic wave filter filters the carrier aggregation signal with a second passband.",
"13. The method of claim 11 wherein the first and second plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators are on a first die.",
"14. The method of claim 13 wherein the first series bulk acoustic wave resonator is on a second die.",
"15. The method of claim 14 wherein the first acoustic wave filter further includes a shunt bulk acoustic wave resonator on the second die.",
"16. The method of claim 11 wherein the first series bulk acoustic wave resonator is a film bulk acoustic wave resonator.",
"17. The method of claim 15 wherein the shunt bulk acoustic wave resonator is coupled to an opposite side of the first series bulk acoustic wave resonator than the first plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators.",
"18. The method of claim 11 wherein a third acoustic wave filter is coupled to the common node, the fourth acoustic wave filter filters the radio frequency signal with at least a fourth plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators and at least a third series bulk acoustic wave resonator coupled between the third plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators and the common node.",
"19. The method of claim 18 further comprising an antenna switch coupled between the common node and an antenna.",
"20. The method of claim 11 wherein the second plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators have a higher quality factor in a passband of the second acoustic wave filter than the first plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators in a passband of the first acoustic wave filter."
]
] |
2. the following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 u.s.c. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this office action:
a person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
claims 1, 3, 8, 12 and 22 are rejected under 35 u.s.c. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by either maehara et al (uspap 2002/0021194) or yata (uspap 2010/0207707).
as to claims 1 and 8, each of maehara et al and yata discloses an acoustic wave filter comprising input and output terminals and series/parallel arm circuits as recited in these two claims (see figure 1 of maehara et al and figure 8 of yata), each forming a surface acoustic wave resonator (note the abstract of maehara et al and paragraph [0004] of yata), each including a piezoelectric substrate (note the abstract of maehara et al and paragraph [0012] of yata) and each including idt electrodes (note idt electrodes 710 in maehara et al and idt’s 16 in yata). as to the limitation set forth on lines 14-17 of claim 1 that a fractional band with increases with a decrease in a thickness of the piezoelectric substrate, which is normalized with a wavelength of a signal passing through the series arm resonators, this will be inherent in both maehara et al and yata, and the same is true for the limitation on the last three lines of claim 1, i.e., inherently in each of these two references, a wavelength of a signal passing through the first series arm resonator will be shorter than a wavelength of a signal passing through the second series arm resonator, the reason being that each of these two references discloses that different ones of the series/parallel resonators have different resonance/anti-resonance frequencies, i.e., as per the limitation set forth on lines 18-20 of claim 1 (note the abstract and paragraphs [0014], [0015], [0020] and [0043] of maehara et al and claim 1 of yata where this limitation is disclosed).
as to claim 3, note that each of maehara et al and yata discloses the claimed finger pitch difference for the purpose of making the resonance/anti-resonance frequencies of the first and second series arm resonators different from each other.
as to claim 12, this limitation will be inherent during the operation of the saw resonators of each of maehara et al and yata.
as to claim 22, note that in both maehara et al and yata the wavelength of a high-frequency signal passing through the idt electrode will inherently correspond to the electrode pitch of the idt electrode.
3. claims 1, 3, 8, 12 and 22 are also rejected under 35 u.s.c. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by any one of selmeier et al (usp 6,351,197), tsutsumi et al (usp 6,903,626) and hara et al (usp 8,552,820).
as to claims 1 and 8, each of these three further references similarly discloses an acoustic wave filter comprising input and output terminals and series/parallel arm circuits as recited in these two claims (see figures 1a through 1j of selmeier et al, figures 3a and 3b of hara et al and figure 1a of tsutsumi et al), each forming a surface acoustic wave resonator (note the abstract of semeier et al, column 3, line 43 of hara et al and the abstract of tsutsumi et al), each including a piezoelectric substrate (note piezoelectric layer s of selmeier et al, piezoelectric layer 1 shown in figures 4a-5b of hara et al and the piezoelectric layer disclosed in the abstract of tsutsumi et al) and each including idt electrodes (note the idt electrode shown in figure 2 in selmeier et al, idt 2 and 3 disclosed by hara et al and the electrode fingers disclosed by tsutsumi et al). as to the limitation on lines 14-17 of claim 1 that a fractional band with increases with a decrease in a thickness of the piezoelectric substrate, which is normalized with a wavelength of a signal passing through the series arm resonators, this will be inherent in each of selmeier et al, hara et al and tsutsumi et al, and the same is true for the limitation on the last three lines of claim 1, i.e., inherently in each of these three references, a wavelength of a signal passing through the first series arm resonator is shorter than a wavelength of a signal passing through the second series arm resonator, the reason being that each of these three references discloses that different ones of the series/parallel resonators have different resonance/anti-resonance frequencies, thus meeting the limitation set forth on lines 18-20 of claim 1 (note column 2, lines 4-18 of selmeier et al, column 1, lines 43-51 of hara et al and the summary of the invention of tsutsumi et al).
as to claim 3, note that each of selmeier et al, hara et al and tsutsumi et al discloses the claimed finger pitch difference for the purpose of making the resonance/anti-resonance frequencies of the first and second series arm resonators different from each other.
as to claim 12, this limitation will be inherent during the operation of the saw resonators of each of selmeier et al, hara et al and tsutsumi et al.
as to claim 22, note that in each of selmeier et al, hara et al and tsutsumi et al the wavelength of a high-frequency signal passing through the idt electrode inherently corresponds to the electrode pitch of the idt electrode.
|
[
"1. An acoustic wave filter comprising:\nan input terminal;\nan output terminal;\na series arm circuit including a first series arm resonator and a second series arm resonator connected in series between the input terminal and the output terminal; and\na parallel arm circuit including at least one parallel arm resonator connected between the series arm circuit and a ground potential; wherein\neach of the first series arm resonator and the second series arm resonator is a surface acoustic wave (SAW) resonator including a piezoelectric substrate and an interdigital transducer (IDT) electrode on the piezoelectric substrate, and has a characteristic that a fractional band width increases with a decrease in a thickness of the piezoelectric substrate, which is normalized with a wavelength of a signal passing through the series arm resonator;\nan anti-resonant frequency of the first series arm resonator is lower than an anti-resonant frequency of the second series arm resonator; and\na wavelength of a signal passing through the first series arm resonator is shorter than a wavelength of a signal passing through the second series arm resonator.",
"2. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein each of the first series arm resonator and the second series arm resonator includes a reflecting layer on a surface of the piezoelectric substrate opposite to a surface on which the IDT electrode is provided.",
"3. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein an electrode finger pitch of the IDT electrode of the first series arm resonator is smaller than an electrode finger pitch of the IDT electrode of the second series arm resonator.",
"4. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of the IDT electrode included in the first series arm resonator is larger than a thickness of the IDT electrode included in the second series arm resonator.",
"5. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the first series arm resonator includes a dielectric film on the IDT electrode.",
"6. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein\nthe first series arm resonator includes a dielectric film on the IDT electrode;\nthe second series arm resonator includes a dielectric film on the IDT electrode; and\na thickness of the dielectric film on the IDT electrode included in the first series arm resonator is larger than a thickness of the dielectric film on the IDT electrode included in the second series arm resonator.",
"7. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein an electrode line width of the IDT electrode included in the first series arm resonator is wider than an electrode line width of the IDT electrode included in the second series arm resonator.",
"8. An acoustic wave filter comprising:\nan input terminal;\nan output terminal;\na series arm circuit which includes a plurality of series arm resonators connected in series between the input terminal and the output terminal; and\na parallel arm circuit which includes at least one parallel arm resonator connected between the series arm circuit and a ground potential; wherein\neach of the plurality of series arm resonators is a surface acoustic wave (SAW) resonator including a piezoelectric substrate and an interdigital transducer (IDT) electrode on the piezoelectric substrate, and has a characteristic that a fractional band width increases with a decrease in a thickness of the piezoelectric substrate which is normalized with a wavelength of a signal passing through the series arm resonator; and\na wavelength of a signal passing through one of the plurality of series arm resonators with a lowest anti-resonant frequency is shorter than wavelengths of signals passing through remaining ones of the plurality of series arm resonators.",
"9. An acoustic wave filter comprising:\nan input terminal;\nan output terminal;\na series arm circuit which includes a plurality of series arm resonators connected in series between the input terminal and the output terminal; and\na parallel arm circuit which includes at least one parallel arm resonator connected between the series arm circuit and a ground potential; wherein\neach of the plurality of series arm resonators is a surface acoustic wave (SAW) resonator including a piezoelectric substrate and an interdigital transducer (IDT) electrode on the piezoelectric substrate;\na thickness of the piezoelectric substrate is less than or equal to about 0.7λ, where λ is a wavelength of a signal passing through the series arm resonator; and\na wavelength of a signal passing through one of the plurality of series arm resonators with a lowest anti-resonant frequency is shorter than wavelengths of signals passing through remaining ones of the plurality of series arm resonators.",
"10. An acoustic wave filter comprising:\nan input terminal;\nan output terminal;\na series arm circuit which includes a first series arm resonator and a second series arm resonator connected in series between the input terminal and the output terminal; and\na parallel arm circuit which includes at least one parallel arm resonator connected between the series arm circuit and a ground potential; wherein\neach of the first series arm resonator and the second series arm resonator is a surface acoustic wave (SAW) resonator including a piezoelectric substrate and an interdigital transducer (IDT) electrode on the piezoelectric substrate;\na thickness of the piezoelectric substrate is less than or equal to about 0.7λ where λ is a wavelength of a signal passing through the series arm resonator;\nan anti-resonant frequency of the first series arm resonator is lower than an anti-resonant frequency of the second series arm resonator; and\na wavelength of a signal passing through the first series arm resonator is shorter than a wavelength of a signal passing through the second series arm resonator.",
"11. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 8, wherein each of the plurality of series arm resonators includes a reflecting layer on a surface of the piezoelectric substrate opposite to a surface on which the IDT electrode is provided.",
"12. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 8, wherein an electrode finger pitch of the IDT electrode of the one of the plurality of series arm resonators with the lowest anti-resonant frequency is shorter than wavelengths of the signals passing through remaining ones of the plurality of series arm resonators.",
"13. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 9, wherein each of the plurality of series arm resonators includes a reflecting layer on a surface of the piezoelectric substrate opposite to a surface on which the IDT electrode is provided.",
"14. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 9, wherein an electrode finger pitch of the IDT electrode of the one of the plurality of series arm resonators with the lowest anti-resonant frequency is shorter than wavelengths of the signals passing through remaining ones of the plurality of series arm resonators.",
"15. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 10, wherein each of the first series arm resonator and the second series arm resonator includes a reflecting layer on a surface of the piezoelectric substrate opposite to a surface on which the IDT electrode is provided.",
"16. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 10, wherein an electrode finger pitch of the IDT electrode of the first series arm resonator is smaller than an electrode finger pitch of the IDT electrode of the second series arm resonator.",
"17. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 10, wherein a thickness of the IDT electrode included in the first series arm resonator is larger than a thickness of the IDT electrode included in the second series arm resonator.",
"18. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 10, wherein the first series arm resonator includes a dielectric film on the IDT electrode.",
"19. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 10, wherein\nthe first series arm resonator includes a dielectric film on the IDT electrode;\nthe second series arm resonator includes a dielectric film on the IDT electrode; and\na thickness of the dielectric film on the IDT electrode included in the first series arm resonator is larger than a thickness of the dielectric film on the IDT electrode included in the second series arm resonator.",
"20. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 10, wherein an electrode line width of the IDT electrode included in the first series arm resonator is wider than an electrode line width of the IDT electrode included in the second series arm resonator."
] |
US20220123733A1
|
US20100207707A1
|
[
"1. An acoustic wave filter device having a ladder circuit configuration comprising:\na plurality of series arm resonators connected in series with one another at a series arm connecting an input terminal and an output terminal; and\na parallel arm resonator disposed at a parallel arm connected between the series arm and a ground potential; wherein\nan anti-resonant frequency of at least one of the plurality of series arm resonators is different from that of remaining ones of the plurality of series arm resonators; and\none of the plurality of series arm resonators having the lowest anti-resonant frequency has a resonant frequency located in a passband and an electromechanical coupling coefficient k2 less than an average of electromechanical coupling coefficients of all of the plurality of series arm resonators.",
"2. The acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein\na plurality of parallel arm resonators are individually disposed at a plurality of parallel arms;\na resonant frequency of at least one of the plurality of parallel arm resonators is different from that of remaining ones of the plurality of parallel arm resonators; and\none of the plurality of parallel arm resonators having the highest resonant frequency has an anti-resonant frequency located in a passband and an electromechanical coupling coefficient less than an average of electromechanical coupling coefficients of all of the plurality of parallel arm resonators.",
"3. The acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, further comprising:\na piezoelectric substrate made of a piezoelectric monocrystal; and\nelectrodes provided on the piezoelectric substrate; wherein\na propagation direction ψ obtained when a crystalline cutting plane of the piezoelectric substrate and an acoustic wave propagation direction are expressed as Euler angles (φ, θ, ψ) is such that an electromechanical coupling coefficient of one of the plurality of series arm resonators having the lowest anti-resonant frequency is less than an average of electromechanical coupling coefficients of all of the plurality of series arm resonators.",
"4. An acoustic wave filter device comprising:\nat least one series arm resonator arranged to define a series arm between an input terminal and an output terminal; and\na plurality of parallel arm resonators that are individually disposed at a plurality of parallel arms connecting the series arm and a ground potential; wherein\na resonant frequency of at least one of the plurality of parallel arm resonators is different from that of remaining ones of the plurality of parallel arm resonators; and\none of the plurality of parallel arm resonators having the highest resonant frequency has an anti-resonant frequency located in a passband and an electromechanical coupling coefficient less than an average of electromechanical coupling coefficients of all of the plurality of parallel arm resonators.",
"5. The acoustic wave filter device according to claim 4, further comprising:\na piezoelectric substrate made of a piezoelectric monocrystal; and\nelectrodes provided on the piezoelectric substrate; wherein\na propagation direction ψ obtained when a crystalline cutting plane of the piezoelectric substrate and an acoustic wave propagation direction are expressed as Euler angles (φ, θ, ψ) is such that an electromechanical coupling coefficient of one of the plurality of parallel arm resonators having the lowest anti-resonant frequency is less than an average of electromechanical coupling coefficients of all of the plurality of parallel arm resonators.",
"6. The acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein the acoustic wave filter device is a boundary acoustic wave filter device.",
"7. The acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein the acoustic wave filter device is a surface acoustic wave filter device.",
"8. The acoustic wave filter device according to claim 4, wherein the acoustic wave filter device is a boundary acoustic wave filter device.",
"9. The acoustic wave filter device according to claim 4, wherein the acoustic wave filter device is a surface acoustic wave filter device."
] |
[
[
"1. An antenna duplexer comprising:\na first ladder-type acoustic wave filter connected between an antenna terminal and an input terminal and having a first passband in a first frequency band; and\na second ladder-type acoustic wave filter connected between the antenna terminal and an output terminal, the second ladder-type acoustic wave filter having a second passband in a second frequency band higher than the first frequency band, the first and second frequency bands being non-overlapping, the second ladder-type acoustic wave filter including a plurality of series-arm resonators connected in series along a signal path between the antenna terminal and the output terminal, and a plurality of parallel-arm resonators connected between the signal path and a ground, the plurality of parallel-arm resonators including a first parallel-arm resonator and at least one other parallel-arm resonator connected at a position closer to the antenna terminal than the first parallel-arm resonator, the first parallel-arm resonator having an interdigital transducer (IDT) electrode that includes a pair of busbars and a plurality of electrode fingers that extend from the pair of busbars and that interdigitate with each other, the IDT electrode including a constant pitch section in which certain ones of the plurality of electrode fingers are arranged at a substantially constant first pitch, and at least one narrow pitch section in which certain other ones of the plurality of electrode fingers are arranged at a varying pitch that varies between the substantially constant first pitch and a minimum pitch that is narrower than the substantially constant first pitch, the constant pitch section including a first region and a second region, and the at least one narrow pitch second being disposed between the first and second regions of the constant pitch section.",
"2. The antenna duplexer of claim 1 wherein the at least one narrow pitch section includes a first narrow pitch section and a second narrow pitch section spaced apart from one another.",
"3. The antenna duplexer of 2 wherein the pitch of certain other ones of the plurality of electrode fingers in the first narrow pitch section varies linearly between the substantially constant first pitch and a second pitch that is less than the substantially constant first pitch and greater than the minimum pitch.",
"4. A communications device comprising:\nan antenna;\na first ladder-type acoustic wave filter having a first passband in a first frequency band\na transmission circuit configured to input a transmission signal to the antenna via the first ladder-type acoustic wave filter, the first ladder-type acoustic wave filter being connected in series between the transmission circuit and the antenna, the transmission signal having a frequency within the first frequency band;\na reception circuit configured to receive a reception signal from the antenna; and\na second ladder-type acoustic wave filter having a second passband in a second frequency band higher than the first frequency band, the first and second frequency bands being non-overlapping, the second ladder-type acoustic wave filter being connected in series between the antenna and the reception circuit and configured to pass the reception signal from the antenna to the reception circuit, the reception signal having a frequency within the second frequency band, the second ladder-type acoustic wave filter including a plurality of series-arm resonators connected in series along a signal path between the antenna and the reception circuit, and a plurality of parallel-arm resonators connected between the signal path and a ground, the plurality of parallel-arm resonators including a first parallel-arm resonator and at least one other parallel-arm resonator connected at a position closer to the antenna than the first parallel-arm resonator, the first parallel-arm resonator having an interdigital transducer (IDT) electrode that includes a pair of busbars and a plurality of electrode fingers that extend from the pair of busbars and that interdigitate with each other, the IDT electrode including a constant pitch section having first and second portions and in which certain ones of the plurality of electrode fingers are arranged at a substantially constant first pitch, and a plurality of narrow pitch sections in which certain other ones of the plurality of electrode fingers are arranged at a varying pitch that varies between the substantially constant first pitch and a minimum pitch that is narrower than the substantially constant first pitch, the plurality of narrow pitch sections including a first narrow pitch section, a second narrow pitch section spaced apart from the first narrow pitch section, and a third narrow pitch section disposed between the first and second portions of the constant pitch section.",
"5. An antenna duplexer comprising:\na first ladder-type acoustic wave filter connected between an antenna terminal and an input terminal and having a first passband in a first frequency band; and\na second ladder-type acoustic wave filter connected between the antenna terminal and an output terminal, the second ladder-type acoustic wave filter having a second passband in a second frequency band higher than the first frequency band, the first and second frequency bands being non-overlapping, the second ladder-type acoustic wave filter including a plurality of series-arm resonators connected in series along a signal path between the antenna terminal and the output terminal, and a plurality of parallel-arm resonators connected between the signal path and a ground, the plurality of parallel-arm resonators including a first parallel-arm resonator connected at a position farthest from the antenna terminal and closest to the output terminal among the plurality of parallel-arm resonators, the first parallel-arm resonator having a main resonance and a first auxiliary resonance that produce corresponding attenuation poles within the first frequency band, and the first parallel-arm resonator including first and second reflectors and an interdigital transducer (IDT) electrode having pair of busbars, two end portions, and a plurality of electrode fingers that extend from the pair of busbars and that interdigitate with each other, the IDT electrode being positioned between the first and second reflectors and including a constant pitch section in which a pitch of certain ones of the plurality of electrode fingers is substantially constant, and at least one narrow pitch section in which a pitch of certain other ones the plurality of electrode fingers is reduced relative to the constant pitch section, the at least one narrow pitch section being disposed in an intermediate portion between both end portions of the IDT electrode.",
"6. The antenna duplexer of claim 5 wherein the at least one narrow pitch section includes a first narrow pitch section and a second narrow pitch section spaced apart from one another.",
"7. The antenna duplexer of claim 6 wherein the constant pitch section includes a first portion disposed between the first and second narrow pitch regions, a second portion disposed between the first narrow pitch section and the first reflector, and a third portion disposed between the second narrow pitch section and the second reflector.",
"8. The antenna duplexer of claim 7 wherein the pitch of certain other ones of the of the plurality of electrode fingers in the first narrow pitch section varies linearly between the substantially constant pitch and a first local minimum pitch, and the pitch of certain other ones of the plurality of electrode fingers in the second narrow pitch section varies linearly between the substantially constant pitch and a second local minimum pitch that is narrower than the first local minimum pitch.",
"9. The antenna duplexer of claim 6 wherein the first parallel-arm resonator has a second auxiliary resonance that produces an additional attenuation pole within the first frequency band.",
"10. The antenna duplexer of claim 5 wherein the pitch of the plurality of electrode fingers in the at least one narrow pitch section varies smoothly between the substantially constant pitch and a minimum pitch.",
"11. The antenna duplexer of claim 5 wherein the first parallel-arm resonator further has a second auxiliary resonance, and an attenuation pole caused by the second auxiliary resonance is within the first frequency band.",
"12. An antenna duplexer comprising:\na first ladder-type acoustic wave filter connected between an antenna terminal and an input terminal and having a first passband in a first frequency band; and\na second ladder-type acoustic wave filter connected between the antenna terminal and an output terminal, the second ladder-type acoustic wave filter having a second passband in a second frequency band higher than the first frequency band, the first and second frequency bands being non-overlapping, the second ladder-type acoustic wave filter including a plurality of series-arm resonators connected in series along a signal path between the antenna terminal and the output terminal, and a plurality of parallel-arm resonators connected between the signal path and a ground, the plurality of parallel-arm resonators including a first parallel-arm resonator connected at a position farthest from the antenna terminal and closest to the output terminal among the plurality of parallel-arm resonators, the first parallel-arm resonator having a main resonance, a first auxiliary resonance, and a second auxiliary resonance that produce corresponding attenuation poles within the first frequency band.",
"13. The antenna duplexer of claim 12 wherein the first parallel-arm resonator includes first and second reflectors, and an interdigital transducer (IDT) electrode having pair of busbars and a plurality of electrode fingers that extend from the pair of busbars and that interdigitate with each other, the IDT electrode being positioned between the first and second reflectors.",
"14. The antenna duplexer of claim 13 wherein the IDT electrode includes a constant pitch section in which a pitch of the plurality of electrode fingers is substantially constant, and at least one narrow pitch section in which the pitch of the plurality of electrode fingers is reduced relative to the constant pitch section.",
"15. The antenna duplexer of claim 14, wherein the at least one narrow pitch section includes a first narrow pitch section and a second narrow pitch section, the constant pitch section being disposed between the first and second narrow pitch sections.",
"16. The antenna duplexer of claim 15 wherein the at least one narrow pitch section further includes a third narrow pitch section, and the constant pitch section includes a first portion and a second portion, the third narrow pitch section being disposed between the first and second portions of the constant pitch section.",
"17. The antenna duplexer of claim 13 wherein the IDT electrode includes a first section in which a pitch of certain ones of the plurality of electrode fingers varies between a first pitch and a minimum pitch, and second and third sections in which the pitch of the plurality of electrode fingers varies between a second pitch and a third pitch, the second pitch being greater than the first pitch, and the third pitch being less than the first pitch and greater than the minimum pitch.",
"18. The antenna duplexer of claim 17 wherein the first section is disposed between the second and third sections."
],
[
"1. An acoustic wave filter comprising:\na first series-arm resonator and a second series-arm resonator on a path connecting a first terminal and a second terminal; wherein\nthe first series-arm resonator has a lower anti-resonant frequency than any other series-arm resonator included in the acoustic wave filter;\nthe first series-arm resonator and the second series-arm resonator each include an interdigital transducer (IDT) electrode including a pair of comb teeth-shaped electrodes on a substrate including a piezoelectric layer;\nelectrodes of the pair of comb teeth-shaped electrodes of the first series-arm resonator and electrodes of the pair of comb teeth-shaped electrodes of the second series-arm resonator each include electrode fingers and a busbar electrode, the electrode fingers extending in a direction orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to a propagation direction of an acoustic wave, the busbar electrode connecting first ends of the electrode fingers to each other;\na direction in which second ends of the electrode fingers are aligned with each other crosses the propagation direction of the acoustic wave;\nthe electrode fingers of the IDT electrode of the first series-arm resonator and the electrode fingers of the IDT electrode of the second series-arm resonator each include an electrode-finger central portion and a wide portion located at the second end and being wider than the electrode-finger central portion; and\na length of the wide portion of each of the electrode fingers in the first series-arm resonator in the direction in which the electrode fingers extend is greater than a length of the wide portion of each of the electrode fingers in the second series-arm resonator in the direction in which the electrode fingers extend.",
"2. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the length of the wide portion of each of the electrode fingers in the first series-arm resonator is not less than about 0.1λ and not more than about 0.4λ, where λ denotes a wavelength of the acoustic wave.",
"3. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein an intersecting width of the IDT electrode of the first series-arm resonator is not more than about 20λ, where λ denotes a wavelength of the acoustic wave.",
"4. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein\nthe substrate includes:\na piezoelectric layer including two main surfaces, the IDT electrode of each of the first series-arm resonator and the second series-arm resonator being disposed on one of the two main surfaces;\na high-acoustic-velocity support substrate, an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave propagating through the high-acoustic-velocity support substrate being higher than an acoustic wave velocity of an acoustic wave propagating through the piezoelectric layer; and\na low-acoustic-velocity film disposed between the high-acoustic-velocity support substrate and the piezoelectric layer, an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave propagating through the low-acoustic-velocity film being lower than an acoustic velocity of an acoustic wave propagating through the piezoelectric layer.",
"5. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 4, wherein the high-acoustic-velocity support substrate is a silicon substrate having a thickness of about 125 μm.",
"6. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 4, wherein the low-acoustic-velocity film includes silicon dioxide as a main component and has a thickness of about 670 nm.",
"7. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, further comprising a parallel-arm resonator disposed on a path connecting a reference terminal and a node at which the first series-arm resonator and the second series-arm resonator are connected.",
"8. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 7, further comprising a plurality of the parallel-arm resonators.",
"9. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 7, wherein the first series-arm resonator, the second series-arm resonator, and the parallel-arm resonator define a ladder band-pass filter.",
"10. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second series-arm resonators is a surface acoustic wave resonator.",
"11. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second series-arm resonators includes a reflector disposed on both sides of the respective first or second series-arm resonator in the propagation direction.",
"12. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein each of the IDT electrodes of the first and second series-arm resonators includes an adhesive layer on the piezoelectric layer and a main electrode layer on the adhesive layer.",
"13. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 12, wherein the adhesive layer includes Ti as a main component.",
"14. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 12, wherein the main electrode layer includes Al as a main component and a Cu content of about 1%.",
"15. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein each of the IDT electrodes of the first and second series-arm resonators is covered with a protective layer.",
"16. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 15, wherein the protective layer includes silicon dioxide as a main component.",
"17. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric layer is made of a θ°-rotated Y cut X SAW propagation LiTaO3 piezoelectric single crystal.",
"18. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric layer has a thickness of about 600 nm.",
"19. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, further comprising:\na third series-arm resonator disposed on the path, the first series-arm resonator and the third series-arm resonator being connected in series; wherein\nthe third series-arm resonator has a lower anti-resonant frequency than the second series-arm resonator;\nthe third series-arm resonator includes an IDT electrode including a pair of comb teeth-shaped electrodes provided on a substrate including a piezoelectric layer;\nelectrodes of the pair of comb teeth-shaped electrodes of the third series-arm resonator each include electrode fingers and a busbar electrode, the electrode fingers extending in the direction orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the propagation direction of the acoustic wave, the busbar electrode connecting first ends of the electrode fingers to each other;\na direction in which second ends of the electrode fingers are aligned with each other crosses the propagation direction of the acoustic wave;\nthe electrode fingers of the IDT electrode of the third series-arm resonator each include an electrode-finger central portion and a wide portion located at the second end and being wider than the electrode-finger central portion; and\na length of the wide portion of each of the electrode fingers in the third series-arm resonator in the direction in which the electrode fingers extend is greater than the length of the wide portion of each of the electrode fingers in the second series-arm resonator in the direction in which the electrode fingers extend.",
"20. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of the second series-arm resonators."
],
[
"1. A filter comprising:\neach of parallel resonators having first comb electrodes provided on a piezoelectric substrate and a first dielectric film that covers the first comb electrodes; and\neach of series resonators having second comb electrodes provided on the piezoelectric substrate and a second dielectric film that covers the second comb electrodes and is made of a material identical to that of the first dielectric film,\neach of the first dielectric films having a thickness smaller than a thickness of each of the second dielectric films.",
"2. The filter as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a third dielectric film that is provided on the first and second dielectric films,\nthe third dielectric film having an acoustic velocity greater than acoustic velocities of the first and second dielectric films.",
"3. The filter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second dielectric films comprise silicon oxide.",
"4. The filter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric substrate comprises one of lithium niobate and lithium tantalate.",
"5. The filter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second comb electrodes comprise copper.",
"6. A filter comprising:\na first acoustic wave filter having first comb electrodes provided on a piezoelectric substrate and a first dielectric film that covers the first comb electrodes; and\na second acoustic wave filter having second comb electrodes provided on the piezoelectric substrate and a second dielectric film covers the second comb electrodes and is made of a material identical to that of the first dielectric film,\nthe first dielectric film having a thickness smaller than a thickness of the second dielectric film,\nthe first and second acoustic wave filters being connected in series;\nthe first acoustic wave filter being an input side of the filter; and\nthe second acoustic wave filter being an output side of the filter;\nwherein the first and second acoustic wave filter are respectively multimode acoustic wave filters.",
"7. A filter comprising:\na filter acoustic wave filter having first comb electrodes provide on a piezoelectric substrate and a first dielectric film that covers the first comb electrodes; and\na second acoustic wave filter having second comb electrode providing on the piezoelectric substrate and a second dielectric film covers the second comb electrodes and is made of a material identical to that of the first dielectric film,\nthe first dielectric film having a thickness smaller than a thickness of the second dielectric film,\nthe first and second acoustic wave filters being connected in series;\nthe first acoustic wave filter being an input side of the filter;\nthe second acoustic wave filter being an output side of the filter; and\na third dielectric film that is provided on the first an second dielectric films,\nthe third dielectric film having an acoustic velocity greater than acoustic velocities of the first and second dielectric films.",
"8. The filter as claimed in any one of claims 6 or 7, wherein the first and second dielectric films comprise silicon oxide.",
"9. The filter as claimed in any one of claims 6 or 7, wherein the piezoelectric substrate comprises one of lithium niobate and lithium tantalite.",
"10. The filter as claimed in any one of claims 6 or 7, wherein the first and second comb electrode comprise copper.",
"11. A duplexer comprising:\na first acoustic wave filter having first comb electrodes provided on a piezoelectric substrate and a first dielectric film that covers the first comb electrodes; and\na second acoustic wave filter having second comb electrode provided on the piezoelectric substrate and a second dielectric film covers the second comb electrodes and is made of a material identical to that of the first dielectric film,\nthe first dielectric film having a thickness smaller than a thickness of the second dielectric film,\nthe first and second acoustic wave filters being connected at a common terminal;\nthe first acoustic wave filter being a high-frequency-side filter of the duplexer;\nthe second acoustic wave filter being a low frequency-side filter of the duplexer; and\nthe first and second acoustic wave filters being ladder filters.",
"12. The duplexer as claimed in claim 11, further comprises a third dielectric film that is provided on the first and second dielectric films,\nthe third dielectric film having an acoustic velocity greater than acoustic velocity of the first and second dielectric films.",
"13. The duplexer as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first second dielectric films comprise silicon oxide.",
"14. The duplexer as claimed in claim 11, wherein the piezoelectric substrate comprises one of lithium niobate and lithium tantalate.",
"15. The duplexer as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first and second comb electrodes comprise copper."
],
[
"1. An acoustic wave filter device having a ladder circuit configuration comprising:\na plurality of series arm resonators connected in series with one another at a series arm connecting an input terminal and an output terminal;\na parallel arm resonator disposed at a parallel arm connected between the series arm and a ground potential;\na piezoelectric substrate made of a piezoelectric monocrystal; and\nelectrodes provided on the piezoelectric substrate; wherein\nan anti-resonant frequency of at least one of the plurality of series arm resonators is different from that of remaining ones of the plurality of series arm resonators;\none of the plurality of series arm resonators having the lowest anti-resonant frequency has a resonant frequency located in a passband and an electromechanical coupling coefficient k2 less than an average of electromechanical coupling coefficients of all of the plurality of series arm resonators; and\na propagation direction ψ obtained when a crystalline cutting plane of the piezoelectric substrate and an acoustic wave propagation direction are expressed as Euler angles (φ, θ, ψ) is such that an electromechanical coupling coefficient of one of the plurality of series arm resonators having the lowest anti-resonant frequency is less than an average of electromechanical coupling coefficients of all of the plurality of series arm resonators.",
"2. The acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein\na plurality of parallel arm resonators are individually disposed at a plurality of parallel arms;\na resonant frequency of at least one of the plurality of parallel arm resonators is different from that of remaining ones of the plurality of parallel arm resonators; and\none of the plurality of parallel arm resonators having the highest resonant frequency has an anti-resonant frequency located in a passband and an electromechanical coupling coefficient less than an average of electromechanical coupling coefficients of all of the plurality of parallel arm resonators.",
"3. The acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein the acoustic wave filter device is a boundary acoustic wave filter device.",
"4. The acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein the acoustic wave filter device is a surface acoustic wave filter device.",
"5. An acoustic wave filter device comprising:\nat least one series arm resonator arranged to define a series arm between an input terminal and an output terminal;\na plurality of parallel arm resonators that are individually disposed at a plurality of parallel arms connecting the series arm and a ground potential;\na piezoelectric substrate made of a piezoelectric monocrystal; and\nelectrodes provided on the piezoelectric substrate; wherein\na resonant frequency of at least one of the plurality of parallel arm resonators is different from that of remaining ones of the plurality of parallel arm resonators;\none of the plurality of parallel arm resonators having the highest resonant frequency has an anti-resonant frequency located in a passband and an electromechanical coupling coefficient less than an average of electromechanical coupling coefficients of all of the plurality of parallel arm resonators; and\na propagation direction ψ obtained when a crystalline cutting plane of the piezoelectric substrate and an acoustic wave propagation direction are expressed as Euler angles (φ, θ, ψ) is such that an electromechanical coupling coefficient of one of the plurality of parallel arm resonators having the lowest anti-resonant frequency is less than an average of electromechanical coupling coefficients of all of the plurality of parallel arm resonators.",
"6. The acoustic wave filter device according to claim 5, wherein the acoustic wave filter device is a boundary acoustic wave filter device.",
"7. The acoustic wave filter device according to claim 5, wherein the acoustic wave filter device is a surface acoustic wave filter device."
],
[
"1. A surface acoustic wave device comprising:\nan input signal electrode and an output signal electrode to and from which an electric signal is inputted or outputted;\na first surface acoustic wave resonator connected between the input signal electrode and the output signal electrode; and\na second surface acoustic wave resonator including:\na plurality of signal-side terminals having a plurality of comb electrodes and connected to a midpoint between the input signal electrode and the first surface acoustic wave resonator and a midpoint between the output signal electrode and the first surface acoustic wave resonator, and\na ground-side common terminal having a plurality of comb electrodes to form interdigital transducers in cooperation with the comb electrodes of the plurality of signal-side common terminals and connected to a grounding electrode.",
"2. The surface acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the electrode period of the plurality of interdigital transducers forming the second surface acoustic wave resonator is set to be greater than the electrode period of the plurality of interdigital transducers forming the first surface acoustic wave resonator.",
"3. The surface acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein an inductance element is connected between the ground-side common terminal of the second surface acoustic wave resonator and the grounding electrode.",
"4. A surface acoustic wave device comprising:\nan input signal electrode and an output signal electrode to and from which an electric signal is inputted or outputted;\na plurality of first surface acoustic wave resonators connected in series between the input signal electrode and the output signal electrode; and\na second surface acoustic wave resonator including:\na plurality of signal-side terminals having a plurality of comb electrodes,\na first signal-side terminal of the plurality of signal-side terminals connected to a midpoint between the input signal electrode and a first surface acoustic wave resonator of the plurality of first surface acoustic wave resonators, a second signal-side terminal of the plurality of signal side terminals connected to a midpoint between the output signal electrode and a second surface acoustic wave resonator of the of first surface acoustic wave resonators, wherein each of the plurality of signal-side terminals with the exception of the first and the second signal-side terminals is connected to a midpoint between adjacent first surface acoustic wave resonators of the plurality of first surface acoustic wave resonators, and\na ground-side common terminal having a plurality of comb electrodes to form interdigital transducers in cooperation with the comb electrodes of the plurality of signal-side common terminals and connected to a grounding electrode.",
"5. The surface acoustic wave device according to claim 4, wherein the electrode period of the plurality of interdigital transducers forming the second surface acoustic wave resonator is set to be greater than the electrode period of the plurality of interdigital transducers forming the plurality of first surface acoustic wave resonators.",
"6. The surface acoustic wave device according to claim 4, wherein an inductance element is connected between the ground-side common terminal of the second surface acoustic wave resonator and the grounding electrode.",
"7. A branching filter comprising:\nat least two surface acoustic wave devices having mutually different band center frequencies, and at least one of the surface acoustic wave devices comprising:\nan input signal electrode and an output signal electrode to and from which an electric signal is inputted or outputted;\na first surface acoustic wave resonator connected between the input signal electrode and the output signal electrode; and\na second surface acoustic wave resonator including:\na plurality of signal-side terminals having a plurality of comb electrodes and connected to a midpoint between the input signal electrode and the first surface acoustic wave resonator and a midpoint between the output signal electrode and the first surface acoustic wave resonator, and\na ground-side common terminal having a plurality of comb electrodes to form interdigital transducers by the comb electrodes and the comb electrodes of the plurality of signal-side common terminals and connected to a grounding electrode.",
"8. A branching filter comprising:\nat least two surface acoustic wave devices having mutually different band center frequencies, and at least one of the surface acoustic wave devices comprising:\nan input signal electrode and an output signal electrode to and from which an electric signal is inputted or outputted;\na plurality of first surface acoustic wave resonators connected in series between the input signal electrode and the output signal electrode; and\na second surface acoustic wave resonator including:\na plurality of signal-side terminals having a plurality of comb electrodes, a first signal-side terminal of the plurality of signal-side terminals is connected to a midpoint between the input signal electrode and a first surface acoustic wave resonator of the plurality of first surface acoustic wave resonators, a second signal-side terminal of the plurality of signal side terminals is connected to a midpoint between the output signal electrode and a second surface acoustic wave resonator of the plurality of first surface acoustic wave resonators, wherein each of the plurality of signal-side terminals with the exception of the first and the second signal-side terminals is connected to a midpoint between adjacent first surface acoustic wave resonators, and\na ground-side common terminal having a plurality of comb electrodes to form interdigital transducers by the comb electrodes and the comb electrodes of the plurality of signal-side common terminals and connected to a grounding electrode.",
"9. The surface acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein an electrode period of the first interdigital transducers of the second surface acoustic wave resonator is different from an electrode period of the second interdigital transducers of the second surface acoustic wave resonator.",
"10. The surface acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein an electrode period of the first interdigital transducers of the second surface acoustic wave resonator is identical to an electrode period of the second interdigital transducers of the second surface acoustic wave resonator.",
"11. The surface acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein an electrode period of the plurality of interdigital transducers forming the first surface acoustic wave resonator is different from an electrode period of an interdigital transducer forming the second surface acoustic wave resonator.",
"12. The surface acoustic wave device according to claim 4, wherein an electrode period of the first interdigital transducers of the second surface acoustic wave resonator is different from an electrode period of the second interdigital transducers of the second surface acoustic wave resonator.",
"13. The surface acoustic wave device according to claim 4, wherein an electrode period of the first interdigital transducers of the second surface acoustic wave resonator is identical to an electrode period of the second interdigital transducers of the second surface acoustic wave resonator.",
"14. The surface acoustic wave device according to claim 4, wherein an electrode period of the plurality of interdigital transducers forming the first surface acoustic wave resonator is different from an electrode period of an interdigital transducer forming the second surface acoustic wave resonator."
],
[
"1. An acoustic wave resonator comprising:\na piezoelectric body; and\nan IDT electrode on or above the piezoelectric body and including withdrawal weighted portions in each of a plurality of regions in an acoustic wave propagation direction for at least three periods; wherein\na periodicity of the periodic withdrawal weighted portion in at least one of the plurality of regions is different from a periodicity of the periodic withdrawal weighted portion in at least another one of the plurality of regions.",
"2. The acoustic wave resonator according to claim 1, wherein periodicities of the withdrawal weighted portions in the plurality of regions are different from one another.",
"3. The acoustic wave resonator according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the withdrawal weighted portions is asymmetric on respective sides of a center of the IDT electrode in the acoustic wave propagation direction.",
"4. The acoustic wave resonator according to claim 1, wherein the IDT electrode includes a plurality of first electrode fingers and a plurality of second electrode fingers that interdigitate with each other, and at least one of the withdrawal weighted portions includes a wide electrode finger with a larger width-direction dimension than the first electrode fingers in the acoustic wave propagation direction.",
"5. The acoustic wave resonator according to claim 1, wherein the IDT electrode includes a plurality of first electrodes and a plurality of second electrodes that interdigitate with each other, and at least one of the withdrawal weighted portions includes a floating electrode finger provided in at least one of portions in which the first electrode fingers or the second electrode fingers are located, in place of the corresponding first electrode finger or the corresponding second electrode finger.",
"6. The acoustic wave resonator according to claim 1, further comprising reflectors disposed on respective sides of the IDT electrode in the acoustic wave propagation direction.",
"7. The acoustic wave resonator according to claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric body is defined by a piezoelectric plate.",
"8. The acoustic wave resonator according to claim 7, wherein the piezoelectric plate is made of LiNbO3 or LiTaO3.",
"9. The acoustic wave resonator according to claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric body is defined by a piezoelectric film stacked on or above a semiconductor layer or an insulating layer.",
"10. The acoustic wave resonator according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of regions include at least three regions.",
"11. The acoustic wave resonator according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of regions are arranged parallel or substantially parallel to the acoustic wave propagation direction.",
"12. A multiplexer comprising:\na common terminal; and\na plurality of bandpass filters each including one end connected in common to the common terminal; wherein\nat least one of the plurality of bandpass filters has a pass band that is different from pass bands of others of the plurality of bandpass filters;\nthe at least one of the bandpass filters is an acoustic wave filter including a plurality of acoustic wave resonators; and\nat least one of the plurality of acoustic wave resonators is defined by the acoustic wave resonator according to claim 1.",
"13. The multiplexer according to claim 12, wherein the plurality of bandpass filters have pass bands that are different from one another.",
"14. The multiplexer according to claim 12, wherein each of the plurality of bandpass filters is an acoustic wave filter including a plurality of acoustic wave resonators.",
"15. The multiplexer according to claim 12, wherein periodicities of the withdrawal weighted portions in the plurality of regions are different from one another.",
"16. The multiplexer according to claim 12, wherein at least one of the withdrawal weighted portions is asymmetric on respective sides of a center of the IDT electrode in the acoustic wave propagation direction.",
"17. The multiplexer according to claim 12, wherein the IDT electrode includes a plurality of first electrode fingers and a plurality of second electrode fingers that interdigitate with each other, and at least one of the withdrawal weighted portions includes a wide electrode finger with a larger width-direction dimension than the first electrode fingers in the acoustic wave propagation direction.",
"18. The multiplexer according to claim 12, wherein the IDT electrode includes a plurality of first electrodes and a plurality of second electrodes that interdigitate with each other, and at least one of the withdrawal weighted portions includes a floating electrode finger provided in at least one of portions in which the first electrode fingers or the second electrode fingers are located, in place of the corresponding first electrode finger or the corresponding second electrode finger.",
"19. The multiplexer according to claim 12, wherein the piezoelectric body is defined by a piezoelectric film stacked on or above a semiconductor layer or an insulating layer."
],
[
"1. A multiplexer that transmits and receives high-frequency signals via an antenna element, the multiplexer comprising:\na substrate including a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface;\na common connection terminal that is disposed on the first surface of the substrate and that is to be connected to the antenna element; and\nat least three elastic wave filters that are mounted on the second surface of the substrate, that are connected to the common connection terminal, and that have pass bands different from each other; wherein\na first elastic wave filter of the at least three elastic wave filters, which generates a spurious wave at a frequency that is included in a pass band of a second elastic wave filter that is at least one of the elastic wave filters that differs from the first elastic wave filter among the at least three elastic wave filters, is located nearest on the substrate to the common connection terminal among the at least three elastic wave filters.",
"2. The multiplexer according to claim 1, wherein the second elastic wave filter is located nearer on the substrate to the common connection terminal than at least one elastic wave other than the first elastic wave filter and the second elastic wave filter among the at least three elastic wave filters.",
"3. The multiplexer according to claim 1, wherein\nthe substrate includes a plurality of layers; and\na wiring line connecting the first elastic wave filter and the common connection terminal to each other is provided in or on one of the plurality of layers.",
"4. The multiplexer according to claim 1, wherein\nthe first elastic wave filter includes an input terminal, an output terminal, and at least one of a parallel arm resonator unit and a series arm resonator unit, the series arm resonator unit being disposed on a path connecting the input terminal and the output terminal to each other, the parallel arm resonator unit being connected between the path and a reference terminal; and\nat least one of the series arm resonator unit nearest to the common connection terminal and the parallel arm resonator unit nearest to the common connection terminal includes:\nelastic wave resonators that are connected in series; and\na first capacitance element that is connected between at least one of paths connecting the elastic wave resonators to each other and the reference terminal.",
"5. The multiplexer according to claim 1, wherein\nthe first elastic wave filter includes an input terminal, an output terminal, and at least one of a parallel arm resonator unit and a series arm resonator unit, the series arm resonator unit being disposed on a path connecting the input terminal and the output terminal to each other, the parallel arm resonator unit being connected between the path and a reference terminal; and\nat least one of the series arm resonator unit nearest to the common connection terminal and the parallel arm resonator unit nearest to the common connection terminal includes:\nat least one elastic wave resonator; and\na second capacitance element that is connected to the at least one elastic wave resonator in parallel so as to bridge both end portions of the at least one elastic wave resonator.",
"6. The multiplexer according to claim 1, wherein\nthe first elastic wave filter includes a piezoelectric substrate; and\nthe piezoelectric substrate includes:\na piezoelectric film including a surface on which an interdigital transducer electrode is provided;\na high acoustic velocity support substrate through which a bulk wave is propagated at an acoustic velocity higher than an acoustic velocity at which an elastic wave is propagated through the piezoelectric film; and\na low acoustic velocity film that is disposed between the high acoustic velocity support substrate and the piezoelectric film and through which a bulk wave is propagated at an acoustic velocity lower than an acoustic velocity at which a bulk wave is propagated through the piezoelectric film.",
"7. The multiplexer according to claim 6, wherein the first elastic wave filter further includes a protective layer covering the interdigital transducer electrode.",
"8. The multiplexer according to claim 7, wherein the protective layer is defined by a film including silicon dioxide as a main component.",
"9. The multiplexer according to claim 7, wherein the protective layer has a thickness of about 25 nm.",
"10. The multiplexer according to claim 6, wherein the interdigital transducer electrode has a multilayer structure including a close-contact layer and a main electrode layer provided on the close-contact layer.",
"11. The multiplexer according to claim 10, wherein the main electrode layer has a thickness of about 162 nm.",
"12. The multiplexer according to claim 10, wherein the close-contact layer is made of Ti.",
"13. The multiplexer according to claim 10, wherein the close-contact layer has a thickness of about 12 nm.",
"14. The multiplexer according to claim 10, wherein the main electrode layer is made of Al including about 1% of Cu.",
"15. The multiplexer according to claim 1, wherein\nthe first elastic wave filter includes a piezoelectric substrate; and\nthe piezoelectric substrate is made of a LiNbO3 piezoelectric single crystal substrate including a surface on which an interdigital transducer electrode is provided.",
"16. The multiplexer according to claim 1, wherein\nthe multiplexer is a quadplexer including a Band25 duplexer and a Band66 duplexer;\nthe at least three elastic wave filters include a transmission-side filter and a reception-side filter of the Band25 duplexer, and a transmission-side filter and a reception side filter of the Band66 duplexer; and\nthe first elastic wave filter defines the reception-side filter of the Band25 duplexer.",
"17. The multiplexer according to claim 16, further comprising an inductance element connected between the reception-side filter of the Band25 duplexer and the common connection terminal.",
"18. The multiplexer according to claim 16, wherein the transmission-side filter of the Band66 duplexer is an unbalanced-input-unbalanced-output band pass filter."
],
[
"1. An acoustic wave filter comprising:\na piezoelectric substrate;\none or more series resonators that are connected in series between an input terminal and an output terminal and located on the piezoelectric substrate, each of the one or more series resonators including first electrode fingers that are arranged with a first duty ratio and excite an acoustic wave;\none or more parallel resonators that are connected in parallel between the input terminal and the output terminal and located on the piezoelectric substrate, each of the one or more parallel resonators including second electrode fingers that are arranged with a second duty ratio and excite an acoustic wave, the second duty ratio in each of the one or more parallel resonators being less than the first duty ratio in each of the one or more series resonators; and\na dielectric film that has a temperature coefficient of elastic modulus that is opposite in sign to that of the piezoelectric substrate, is located on the piezoelectric substrate so as to cover the first electrode fingers and the second electrode fingers, and has a film thickness greater than those of the first electrode fingers and the second electrode fingers,\nwherein:\neach of the one or more series resonators includes a pair of first comb-shaped electrodes, the first duty ratio is a duty ratio in a first region in which third electrode fingers of one of the pair of first comb-shaped electrodes among the first electrode fingers overlap with fourth electrode fingers of another of the pair of first comb-shaped electrodes among the first electrode fingers, the third electrode fingers and the fourth electrode fingers are alternately arranged in the first region, only a single fourth electrode finger among the fourth electrode fingers is located between adjacent third electrode fingers among the third electrode fingers in the first region, only a single third electrode finger among the third electrode fingers is located between adjacent fourth electrode fingers among the fourth electrode fingers in the first region,\neach of the one or more parallel resonators includes a pair of second comb-shaped electrodes, the second duty ratio is a duty ratio in a second region in which fifth electrode fingers of one of the pair of second comb-shaped electrodes among the second electrode fingers overlap with sixth electrode fingers of another of the pair of second comb-shaped electrodes among the second electrode fingers, the fifth electrode fingers and the sixth electrode fingers are alternately arranged in the second region, only a single sixth electrode finger among the sixth electrode fingers is located between adjacent fifth electrode fingers among the fifth electrode fingers in the second region, only a single fifth electrode finger among the fifth electrode fingers is located between adjacent sixth electrode fingers among the sixth electrode fingers in the second region,\na resonant frequency of each of the one or more parallel resonators is less than a resonant frequency of each of the one or more series resonators,\nan antiresonant frequency of each of the one or more parallel resonators is less than an antiresonant frequency of each of the one or more series resonators,\nno resonator other than the one or more parallel resonators and the one or more series resonators is connected between the input terminal and the output terminal, and\na difference in value between a value, expressed in percentage, of a largest second duty ratio in the one or more parallel resonators and a value, expressed in percentage, of a smallest first duty ratio in the one or more series resonators is 5% or greater.",
"2. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein\nthe one or more series resonators are a plurality of series resonators,\nthe one or more parallel resonators are a plurality of parallel resonators, and\nall of the second duty ratios in the plurality of parallel resonators are less than all of the first duty ratios in the plurality of series resonators.",
"3. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein\nthe difference in value between the value, expressed in percentage, of the largest second duty ratio in the one or more parallel resonators and the value, expressed in percentage, of the smallest first duty ratio in the one or more series resonators is 10% or less.",
"4. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein\na pitch of the first electrode fingers is less than a pitch of the second electrode fingers.",
"5. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein\nthe piezoelectric substrate is a lithium niobate substrate or a lithium tantalate substrate.",
"6. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein\nthe piezoelectric substrate is a lithium niobate substrate and the dielectric film is a silicon oxide film.",
"7. A multiplexer comprising:\nthe acoustic wave filter according to claim 1.",
"8. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein\nthe value, expressed in percentage, of the largest second duty ratio in the one or more parallel resonators is equal to or less than 0.9 times the value, expressed in percentage, of the smallest first duty ratio in the one or more series resonators.",
"9. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the resonant frequency of each of the one or more parallel resonators is lower than a passband of the acoustic wave filter, and the antiresonant frequency of each of the one or more series resonators is higher than the passband.",
"10. An acoustic wave filter comprising:\na piezoelectric substrate;\none or more series resonators that are connected in series between an input terminal and an output terminal and located on the piezoelectric substrate, each of the one or more series resonators including first electrode fingers that are arranged with a first duty ratio and excite an acoustic wave;\none or more parallel resonators that are connected in parallel between the input terminal and the output terminal and located on the piezoelectric substrate, each of the one or more parallel resonators including second electrode fingers that are arranged with a second duty ratio and excite an acoustic wave, the second duty ratio in each of the one or more parallel resonators being less than the first duty ratio in each of the one or more series resonators;\na first dielectric film that has a temperature coefficient of elastic modulus that is opposite in sign to that of the piezoelectric substrate, is located on the piezoelectric substrate so as to cover the first electrode fingers, and has a first film thickness greater than those of the first electrode fingers; and\na second dielectric film that has a temperature coefficient of elastic modulus that is opposite in sign to that of the piezoelectric substrate, is located on the piezoelectric substrate so as to cover the second electrode fingers, and has a second film thickness that is greater than those of the second electrode fingers and is substantially equal to the first film thickness,\nwherein:\neach of the one or more series resonators includes a pair of first comb-shaped electrodes, the first duty ratio is a duty ratio in a first region in which third electrode fingers of one of the pair of first comb-shaped electrodes among the first electrode fingers overlap with fourth electrode fingers of another of the pair of first comb-shaped electrodes among the first electrode fingers, the third electrode fingers and the fourth electrode fingers are alternately arranged in the first region, only a single fourth electrode finger among the fourth electrode fingers is located between adjacent third electrode fingers among the third electrode fingers in the first region, only a single third electrode finger among the third electrode fingers is located between adjacent fourth electrode fingers among the fourth electrode fingers in the first region,\neach of the one or more parallel resonators includes a pair of second comb-shaped electrodes, the second duty ratio is a duty ratio in a second region in which fifth electrode fingers of one of the pair of second comb-shaped electrodes among the second electrode fingers overlap with sixth electrode fingers of another of the pair of second comb-shaped electrodes among the second electrode fingers, the fifth electrode fingers and the sixth electrode fingers are alternately arranged in the second region, only a single sixth electrode finger among the sixth electrode fingers is located between adjacent fifth electrode fingers among the fifth electrode fingers in the second region, only a single fifth electrode finger among the fifth electrode fingers is located between adjacent sixth electrode fingers among the sixth electrode fingers in the second region,\na resonant frequency of each of the one or more parallel resonators is less than a resonant frequency of each of the one or more series resonators,\nan antiresonant frequency of each of the one or more parallel resonators is less than an antiresonant frequency of each of the one or more series resonators,\nno resonator other than the one or more parallel resonators and the one or more series resonators is connected between the input terminal and the output terminal, and\na difference in value between a value, expressed in percentage, of a largest second duty ratio in the one or more parallel resonators and a value, expressed in percentage, of a smallest first duty ratio in the one or more series resonators is 5% or greater.",
"11. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 10, wherein the first dielectric film and the second dielectric film are made of substantially identical materials.",
"12. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 10, wherein\nthe one or more series resonators are a plurality of series resonators,\nthe one or more parallel resonators are a plurality of parallel resonators, and\nall of the second duty ratios in the plurality of parallel resonators are less than all of the first duty ratios in the plurality of series resonators.",
"13. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 10, wherein the difference in value between the value, expressed in percentage, of the largest second duty ratio in the one or more parallel resonators and the value, expressed in percentage, of the smallest first duty ratio in the one or more series resonators is 10% or less.",
"14. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 10, wherein a pitch of the first electrode fingers is less than a pitch of the second electrode fingers.",
"15. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 10, wherein the piezoelectric substrate is a lithium niobate substrate or a lithium tantalate substrate.",
"16. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 10, wherein the piezoelectric substrate is a lithium niobate substrate and the dielectric film is a silicon oxide film.",
"17. A multiplexer comprising:\nthe acoustic wave filter according to claim 10.",
"18. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 10, wherein the value, expressed in percentage, of the largest second duty ratio in the one or more parallel resonators is equal to or less than 0.9 times the value, expressed in percentage, of the smallest first duty ratio in the one or more series resonators.",
"19. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 2, wherein the resonant frequency of each of the one or more parallel resonators is lower than a passband of the acoustic wave filter, and the antiresonant frequency of each of the one or more series resonators is higher than the passband."
],
[
"1. An elastic wave filter device comprising:\na first elastic wave filter and a second elastic wave filter having pass bands different from each other and provided on a piezoelectric substrate; and\na shared terminal, a first terminal, a second terminal, and a plurality of reference terminals provided on the piezoelectric substrate; wherein\nthe first elastic wave filter includes a series resonator connected between the shared terminal and the first terminal and parallel resonators connected between a connection path from the shared terminal to the first terminal and one reference terminal among the plurality of reference terminals;\nthe second elastic wave filter includes parallel resonators connected between a connection path from the shared terminal to the second terminal and another reference terminal among the plurality of reference terminals;\na first reference terminal among the plurality of reference terminals connected to a parallel resonator connected so as to be closest to the first terminal among the parallel resonators included in the first elastic wave filter, and a second reference terminal among the plurality of reference terminals connected to a parallel resonator connected so as to be closest to the second terminal among the parallel resonators included in the second elastic wave filter, are separated from each other on the piezoelectric substrate; and\nthe first reference terminal is provided at a first side of the piezoelectric substrate, and the second reference terminal is provided at a second side of the piezoelectric substrate that is different than the first side of the piezoelectric substrate.",
"2. The elastic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein each of the first reference terminal and the second reference terminal is separated on the piezoelectric substrate from any other reference terminals of the plurality of reference terminals on the piezoelectric substrate.",
"3. The elastic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein\nthe first reference terminal is separated on the piezoelectric substrate from any of the reference terminals connected to the parallel resonators included in the second elastic wave filter; and\nthe second reference terminal is separated on the piezoelectric substrate from any of the reference terminal connected to the parallel resonators included in the first elastic wave filter.",
"4. The elastic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein at least one set of reference terminals among the plurality of reference terminals is shared on the piezoelectric substrate.",
"5. The elastic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein all of the reference terminals other than the first reference terminal and the second reference terminal, among the plurality of reference terminals, are shared on the piezoelectric substrate.",
"6. The elastic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein\nthe first elastic wave filter is a first reception filter that filters a first high-frequency signal input through the shared terminal, in a first pass band and outputs the filtered signal to the first terminal; and\nthe second elastic wave filter is a second reception filter that filters a second high-frequency signal input through the shared terminal, in a second pass band and outputs the filtered signal to the second terminal.",
"7. The elastic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein the first elastic wave filter and the second elastic wave filter are ladder surface acoustic wave filters.",
"8. The elastic wave filter device according to claim 7, wherein each of the first and second ladder surface acoustic wave filters includes an IDT electrode having a multilayer structure including a close contact layer and a main electrode layer.",
"9. The elastic wave filter device according to claim 8, wherein the close contact layer is made of Ti.",
"10. The elastic wave filter device according to claim 8, wherein the main electrode in made of Al including about 1% of Cu.",
"11. The elastic wave filter device according to claim 8, wherein each of the first and second ladder surface acoustic wave filters further includes a protective layer covering the IDT electrode.",
"12. A duplexer comprising the elastic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein\nthe first elastic wave filter is one of a reception filter that filters a high-frequency signal input through the shared terminal, in a first pass band and outputs the filtered signal to the first terminal and a transmission filter that filters a high-frequency signal input through the second terminal, in a second pass band and outputs the filtered signal to the shared terminal; and\nthe second elastic wave filter is the other of the reception filter and the transmission filter.",
"13. The duplexer according to claim 12, wherein each of the first reference terminal and the second reference terminal is separated on the piezoelectric substrate from any other reference terminals of the plurality of reference terminals on the piezoelectric substrate.",
"14. The duplexer according to claim 12, wherein\nthe first reference terminal is separated on the piezoelectric substrate from any of the reference terminals connected to the parallel resonators included in the second elastic wave filter; and\nthe second reference terminal is separated on the piezoelectric substrate from any of the reference terminal connected to the parallel resonators included in the first elastic wave filter.",
"15. The duplexer according to claim 12, wherein at least one set of reference terminals among the plurality of reference terminals is shared on the piezoelectric substrate.",
"16. The duplexer according to claim 12, wherein the reference terminals other than the first reference terminal and the second reference terminal, among the plurality of reference terminals, are shared on the piezoelectric substrate.",
"17. The duplexer according to claim 12, wherein the first elastic wave filter and the second elastic wave filter are ladder surface acoustic wave filters.",
"18. The duplexer according to claim 17, wherein each of the first and second ladder surface acoustic wave filters includes an IDT electrode having a multilayer structure including a close contact layer and a main electrode layer.",
"19. The duplexer according to claim 18, wherein the close contact layer is made of Ti.",
"20. The duplexer according to claim 18, wherein the main electrode in made of Al including about 1% of Cu."
],
[
"1. An acoustic wave filter comprising:\na first input-output terminal and a second input-output terminal;\none or more series arm resonators on a path connecting the first input-output terminal and the second input-output terminal; and\none or more parallel arm resonators between the path and ground; wherein\nthe one or more series arm resonators and the one or more parallel arm resonators are each an acoustic wave resonator including an interdigital transducer electrode provided on a substrate with piezoelectricity;\nthe interdigital transducer electrode includes a pair of comb-shaped electrodes each including a plurality of electrode fingers that extend in a direction crossing a propagation direction of acoustic waves and that are in parallel or substantially in parallel with each other and a busbar electrode that connects one-side ends of electrode fingers of the plurality of electrode fingers to each other; and\nwhen a first electrode finger of the plurality of electrode fingers that is not coupled to either busbar electrode of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes is determined as a first thinned electrode; and when a second electrode finger out the plurality of electrode fingers that has a widest electrode finger width twice or more an average electrode finger width of the electrode fingers excluding the first electrode finger is determined as a second thinned electrode; the interdigital transducer electrode of at least one of the one or more series arm resonators includes the first thinned electrode; and the interdigital transducer electrode of at least one of the one or more parallel arm resonators includes the second thinned electrode.",
"2. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the interdigital transducer electrode of each of the one or more series arm resonators includes the first thinned electrode.",
"3. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the interdigital transducer electrode of each of the one or more parallel arm resonators includes the second thinned electrode.",
"4. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein in the interdigital transducer electrode of each of the one or more series arm resonators, when a proportion of a count of the first thinned electrode to a total count of the plurality of electrode fingers is determined as a first thinning rate of the interdigital transducer electrode, the first thinning rate of the interdigital transducer electrode including the first thinned electrode is about 30% or less.",
"5. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein in the interdigital transducer electrode of each of the one or more parallel arm resonators, when a proportion of a count of the second thinned electrode to a total count of the plurality of electrode fingers is determined as a second thinning rate of the interdigital transducer electrode, the second thinning rate of the interdigital transducer electrode including the second thinned electrode is about 30% or less.",
"6. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the substrate includes a piezoelectric film including one surface on which the interdigital transducer electrode is provided, a high-acoustic-velocity support substrate in which a bulk wave propagates at an acoustic velocity higher than an acoustic velocity of an acoustic wave propagating along the piezoelectric film, and a low-acoustic-velocity film that is positioned between the high-acoustic-velocity support substrate and the piezoelectric film and in which a bulk wave propagates at an acoustic velocity lower than an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave propagating in the piezoelectric film.",
"7. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the one or more series arm resonators include five series arm resonators.",
"8. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the one or more parallel arm resonators include four parallel arm resonators.",
"9. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the interdigital transducer includes a fixing layer and a main electrode layer.",
"10. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 9, wherein the fixing layer is made of Ti.",
"11. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 9, wherein the fixing layer has a thickness of about 12 nm.",
"12. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 9, wherein the main electrode layer is made Al including about 1% Cu.",
"13. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 9, wherein the main electrode layer has a thickness of about 162 nm.",
"14. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the interdigital transducer electrode is covered with a protective layer.",
"15. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 14, wherein the protective layer is defined by a dielectric film mainly including silicon dioxide.",
"16. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 14, wherein the protective layer has a thickness of about 25 nm.",
"17. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein substrate is defined by a piezoelectric film made of a 50° Y-cut X-propagation LiTaO3 piezoelectric single crystal or piezoelectric ceramic.",
"18. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 17, wherein the piezoelectric film has a thickness of about 600 nm."
],
[
"1. A surface acoustic wave filter comprising:\ntwo or more interdigital transducers, provided on a piezoelectric substrate, and arranged in a propagation direction of a surface acoustic wave,\nwherein said two or more interdigital transducers include at least one pair of interdigital transducers arranged adjacent to each other in order to be acoustically coupled to each other, and have different numbers of paired electrode fingers, and\na pitch between each neighboring two of almost all of the electrode fingers included in both of the pair of interdigital transducers are made different from one to another in order that the interdigital transducers should include no primary pitch area.",
"2. The surface acoustic wave filter according to claim 1,\nwherein, in a case where the pitch between each neighboring two of almost all of the electrode fingers included in both of the pair of interdigital transducers are made different from one to another in order that the interdigital transducers should include no primary pitch area, at least one of the interdigital transducer transducers includes at least one pitch-decreasing area in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is progressively decreased, and at least one pitch-increasing area in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is progressively increased.",
"3. The surface acoustic wave filter according to claim 1,\nwherein the surface acoustic wave filter is a longitudinally coupled resonator multi-mode type surface acoustic wave filter,\nsaid two or more interdigital transducers arranged in the propagation direction of the surface acoustic wave include three or more interdigital transducers,\nreflectors are arranged respectively at the two sides of a group consisting of the three or more interdigital transducers, and\na plurality of resonant modes are used in the three or more interdigital transducers.",
"4. The surface acoustic wave filter according to claim 3,\nwherein at least one surface acoustic wave resonator is connected in series to the surface acoustic wave filter.",
"5. The surface acoustic wave filter according to claim 3,\nwherein at least one surface acoustic wave resonator is connected in parallel to the surface acoustic wave filter.",
"6. A surface acoustic wave filter comprising:\nan input terminal which is an unbalanced terminal,\noutput terminals which are balanced terminals,\na pair of surface acoustic wave filters which are made different from each other in the phase of an output signal by substantially 180 degrees and are electrically connected in parallel between the input terminal and the output terminals,\nwherein the surface acoustic wave filter according to claim 1 is used for each of the pair of surface acoustic wave filters.",
"7. The surface acoustic wave filter according to claim 6,\nwherein at least one surface acoustic wave resonator is connected in series to the surface acoustic wave filter.",
"8. The surface acoustic wave filter according to claim 6,\nwherein at least one surface acoustic wave resonator is connected in parallel to the surface acoustic wave filter.",
"9. A surface acoustic wave filter comprising:\ntwo or more interdigital transducers, provided on a piezoelectric substrate, and arranged in a propagation direction of a surface acoustic wave,\nwherein said two or more interdigital transducers include at least one pair of interdigital transducers arranged adjacent to each other in order to be acoustically coupled to each other, and have different numbers of paired electrode fingers,\na pitch between each neighboring two of almost all of the electrode fingers included in one of the pair of interdigital transducers which has the smaller number of paired electrode fingers is made different from one to another in order that the interdigital transducer should include no primary pitch area, the one of the pair of interdigital transducers includes at least one pitch-decreasing area in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is progressively decreased, and at least one pitch-increasing area in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is progressively increased, and\nin each of endmost ones of the two or more interdigital transducers arranged in the propagation direction of the surface acoustic wave, the pitch between the electrode fingers is progressively decreased from its outside to its inside, thereafter is reversely increased and subsequently is decreased again, in its inner end portion.",
"10. A boundary acoustic wave filter comprising:\na piezoelectric substrate;\na non-piezoelectric material arranged in contact with the piezoelectric substrate; and\ntwo or more interdigital transducers, provided on an interface between the piezoelectric substrate and the non-piezoelectric material, and arranged in a propagation direction of boundary acoustic waves,\nwherein said two or more interdigital transducers include at least one pair of interdigital transducers arranged adjacent to each other in order to be acoustically coupled to each other, and have different numbers of paired electrode fingers,\na pitch between each neighboring two of almost all of the electrode fingers included in one of the pair of interdigital transducers which has the smaller number of paired electrode fingers is made different from one to another in order that the interdigital transducer should include no primary pitch area, the one of the pair of interdigital transducers includes at least one pitch-decreasing area in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is progressively decreased, and at least one pitch-increasing area in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is progressively increased, and\nin each of endmost ones of the two or more interdigital transducers arranged in the propagation direction of the surface acoustic wave, the pitch between the electrode fingers is progressively decreased from its outside to its inside, thereafter is reversely increased and subsequently is decreased again, in its inner end portion.",
"11. A surface acoustic wave filter comprising:\nthree or more interdigital transducers, provided on a piezoelectric substrate, and arranged in a propagation direction of a surface acoustic wave,\nwherein said three or more interdigital transducers include at least one pair of interdigital transducers arranged adjacent to each other in order to be acoustically coupled to each other, and have different numbers of paired electrode fingers,\na pitch between each neighboring two of almost all of the electrode fingers included in one of the pair of interdigital transducers which has the smaller number of paired electrode fingers is made different from one to another in order that the interdigital transducer should include no primary pitch area, the one of the pair of interdigital transducers transducer includes at least one pitch-decreasing area in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is progressively decreased, and at least one pitch-increasing area in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is progressively increased, and\namong said three or more interdigital transducers arranged in the propagation direction of the surface acoustic wave, an interdigital transducer interposed between its two neighboring interdigital transducers has a pitch change as a whole in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is larger in its central portion and is decreased gradually toward its two ends, and has an area in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is decreased in a part of its central portion.",
"12. A boundary acoustic wave filter comprising:\na piezoelectric substrate;\na non-piezoelectric material arranged in contact with the piezoelectric substrate; and\nthree or more interdigital transducers, provided on an interface between the piezoelectric substrate and the non-piezoelectric material, and arranged in a propagation direction of boundary acoustic waves,\nwherein said three or more interdigital transducers include at least one pair of interdigital transducers arranged adjacent to each other in order to be acoustically coupled to each other, and have different numbers of paired electrode fingers,\na pitch between each neighboring two of almost all of the electrode fingers included in one of the pair of interdigital transducers which has the smaller number of paired electrode fingers is made different from one to another in order that the interdigital transducer should include no primary pitch area, the one of the pair of interdigital transducers includes at least one pitch-decreasing area in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is progressively decreased, and at least one pitch-increasing area in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is progressively increased, and\namong said three or more interdigital transducers arranged in the propagation direction of the surface acoustic wave, an interdigital transducer interposed between its two neighboring interdigital transducers has a pitch change as a whole in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is larger in its central portion and is decreased gradually toward its two ends, and has an area in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is decreased in a part of its central portion.",
"13. A boundary acoustic wave filter comprising:\na piezoelectric substrate;\na non-piezoelectric material arranged in contact with the piezoelectric substrate; and\ntwo or more interdigital transducers, provided on an interface between the piezoelectric substrate and the non-piezoelectric material, and arranged in a propagation direction of boundary acoustic waves,\nwherein said two or more interdigital transducers include at least one pair of interdigital transducers arranged adjacent to each other in order to be acoustically coupled to each other, and have different numbers of paired electrode fingers, and\na pitch between each neighboring two of almost all of the electrode fingers included in both of the pair of interdigital transducers are made different from one to another in order that the interdigital transducers should include no primary pitch area.",
"14. The boundary acoustic wave filter according to claim 13,\nwherein the boundary acoustic wave filter is a longitudinally coupled resonator multi-mode type boundary acoustic wave filter,\nsaid two or more interdigital transducers arranged in the propagation direction of the surface acoustic wave include three or more interdigital transducers,\nreflectors are arranged respectively at the two sides of a group consisting of the three or more interdigital transducers, and\na plurality of resonant modes are used in the three or more interdigital transducers.",
"15. The boundary acoustic wave filter according to claim 13,\nwherein, in a case where the pitch between each neighboring two of almost all of the electrode fingers included in both of the pair of interdigital transducers are made different from one to another in order that the interdigital transducers should include no primary pitch area, at least one of the interdigital transducers includes at least one pitch-decreasing area in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is progressively decreased, and at least one pitch-increasing area in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is progressively increased.",
"16. A surface acoustic wave filter comprising:\ntwo or more interdigital transducers, provided on a piezoelectric substrate, and arranged in a propagation direction of a surface acoustic wave,\nwherein said two or more interdigital transducers include at least one pair of interdigital transducers arranged adjacent to each other in order to be acoustically coupled to each other, and have different numbers of paired electrode fingers,\na pitch between each neighboring two of almost all of the electrode fingers included in one of the pair of interdigital transducers which has the smaller number of paired electrode fingers is made different from one to another in order that the interdigital transducer should include no primary pitch area,\nthe largest pitch between the electrode fingers in a first one of the pair of interdigital transducers which has the smaller number of paired electrode fingers is smaller than the largest pitch between the electrode fingers in a second one of the pair of interdigital transducers which has the larger number of paired electrode fingers, and\nthe smallest pitch between the electrode fingers in the first one of the pair of interdigital transducers which has the smaller number of paired electrode fingers is larger than the smallest pitch between the electrode fingers in the second one of the pair of interdigital transducers which has the larger number of paired electrode fingers.",
"17. A boundary acoustic wave filter comprising:\na piezoelectric substrate;\na non-piezoelectric material arranged in contact with the piezoelectric substrate; and\ntwo or more interdigital transducers, provided on an interface between the piezoelectric substrate and the non-piezoelectric material, and arranged in a propagation direction of boundary acoustic waves,\nwherein said two or more interdigital transducers include at least one pair of interdigital transducers arranged adjacent to each other in order to be acoustically coupled to each other, and have different numbers of paired electrode fingers,\na pitch between each neighboring two of almost all of the electrode fingers included in one of the pair of interdigital transducers which has the smaller number of paired electrode fingers is made different from one to another in order that the interdigital transducer should include no primary pitch area,\nthe largest pitch between the electrode fingers in a first one of the pair of interdigital transducers which has the smaller number of paired electrode fingers is smaller than the largest pitch between the electrode fingers in a second one of the pair of interdigital transducers which has the larger number of paired electrode fingers, and\nthe smallest pitch between the electrode fingers in the first one of the pair of interdigital transducers which has the smaller number of paired electrode fingers is larger than the smallest pitch between the electrode fingers in the second one of the pair of interdigital transducers which has the larger number of paired electrode fingers."
],
[
"1. An elastic wave device comprising:\na piezoelectric member; and\nat least one IDT electrode; wherein\nsaid at least one IDT electrode has first and second electrode fingers that are arranged next to each other in a propagation direction of elastic waves and are connected to different electric potentials;\na gap is provided external to tip ends of each of the first and second electrode fingers in a longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers;\na projection is provided in at least one of a position on a side edge of the first electrode finger and a position on a side edge of the second electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers, the position on the side edge of the first electrode finger corresponding to that of the gap located external to the tip end of the second electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers, the position on the side edge of the second electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers corresponding to that of the gap located external to the tip end of the first electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers; and\nthe projection projects only in the vicinity of the gap from the side edge of one of the first and second electrode fingers in a direction towards the gag provided at the tip end of another one of the first and second electrode fingers, the side edge from which the projection projects being one of the side edges that faces the gap.",
"2. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the projection projecting only in the vicinity of the gap is tapered toward the tip end of the another one of the first and second electrode fingers.",
"3. The elastic wave device according to claim 2, wherein a distance between a periphery of the first electrode finger and a periphery of the second electrode finger arranged next to the first electrode finger is substantially fixed.",
"4. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the projection is arranged such that an effective propagation distance in a case where an elastic wave propagates through the gaps in an area provided with the first and second electrode fingers is substantially equal to an effective propagation distance in a case where an elastic wave propagates through a section without the gaps in the area provided with the first and second electrode fingers.",
"5. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the projection is provided on each of the first and second electrode fingers.",
"6. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one IDT electrode is crossing width weighted.",
"7. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the elastic wave comprises a surface acoustic wave.",
"8. The elastic wave device according to claim 7, further comprising a medium layer that covers said at least one IDT electrode provided on the piezoelectric substrate, wherein said at least one IDT electrode has a density that is equal to or higher than a density of the piezoelectric substrate and a density of the medium layer, and a ratio of the density of said at least one IDT electrode to the density of the medium layer is higher than about 1.22.",
"9. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the elastic wave comprises a boundary acoustic wave.",
"10. The elastic wave device according to claim 9, further comprising a medium layer that covers said at least one IDT electrode provided on the piezoelectric substrate, wherein said at least one IDT electrode has a density that is equal to or higher than a density of the piezoelectric substrate and a density of the medium layer, and a ratio of the density of said at least one IDT electrode to the density of the medium layer is higher than about 1.22.",
"11. The elastic wave device according to claim 9, further comprising a medium layer stacked on said at least one IDT electrode provided on the piezoelectric substrate so as to cover said at least one IDT electrode, wherein said at least one IDT electrode has a density that is equal to or higher than a density of the piezoelectric substrate and a density of the medium layer, and a ratio of the density of said at least one IDT electrode to one of the higher densities of the piezoelectric substrate and the medium layer is higher than about 1.22.",
"12. An elastic wave device comprising:\na piezoelectric member; and\nat least one IDT electrode; wherein\nsaid at least one IDT electrode has first and second electrode fingers that are arranged next to each other in a propagation direction of elastic waves and are connected to different electric potentials;\na gap is provided external to tip ends of each of the first and second electrode fingers in a longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers;\na projection is provided in at least one of a position on a side edge of the first electrode finger and a position on a side edge of the second electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers, the position on the side edge of the first electrode finger corresponding to that of the gap located external to the tip end of the second electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers, the position on the side edge of the second electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers corresponding to that of the gap located external to the tip end of the first electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers; and\nthe projection has a trapezoid shape in plan view such that a lower base of the trapezoid is defined by the side edge of the electrode finger that is provided with the projection, and wherein an internal angle formed between the lower base and sides of the trapezoid that connect an upper base and the lower base of the trapezoid is about 90° or less.",
"13. The elastic wave device according to claim 12, wherein if the lower base of the projection has a midpoint in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers and the gap at the tip end of the other electrode finger has a center in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers, a position of the midpoint substantially corresponds with a position of the center in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers, and the lower base has a length that is larger than a gap width, the gap width being a dimension of the gap in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers, and wherein the upper base has a length that is smaller than the gap width.",
"14. The elastic wave device according to claim 13, wherein the projection has an isogonal trapezoid shape in plan view.",
"15. The elastic wave device according to claim 12, wherein the projection has a plurality of rounded corner portions.",
"16. The elastic wave device according to claim 12, wherein the projection is provided on each of the first and second electrode fingers.",
"17. The elastic wave device according to claim 12, wherein said at least one IDT electrode is crossing width weighted.",
"18. The elastic wave device according to claim 12, wherein the elastic wave comprises a surface acoustic wave.",
"19. The elastic wave device according to claim 18, further comprising a medium layer that covers said at least one IDT electrode provided on the piezoelectric substrate, wherein said at least one IDT electrode has a density that is equal to or higher than a density of the piezoelectric substrate and a density of the medium layer, and a ratio of the density of said at least one IDT electrode to the density of the medium layer is higher than about 1.22.",
"20. The elastic wave device according to claim 12, wherein the elastic wave comprises a boundary acoustic wave.",
"21. The elastic wave device according to claim 20, further comprising a medium layer that covers said at least one IDT electrode provided on the piezoelectric substrate, wherein said at least one IDT electrode has a density that is equal to or higher than a density of the piezoelectric substrate and a density of the medium layer, and a ratio of the density of said at least one IDT electrode to the density of the medium layer is higher than about 1.22.",
"22. The elastic wave device according to claim 20, further comprising a medium layer stacked on said at least one IDT electrode provided on the piezoelectric substrate so as to cover said at least one IDT electrode, wherein said at least one IDT electrode has a density that is equal to or higher than a density of the piezoelectric substrate and a density of the medium layer, and a ratio of the density of said at least one IDT electrode to one of the higher densities of the piezoelectric substrate and the medium layer is higher than about 1.22.",
"23. An elastic wave device comprising:\na piezoelectric member; and\nat least one IDT electrode; wherein\nsaid at least one IDT electrode has first and second electrode fingers that are arranged next to each other in a propagation direction of elastic waves and are connected to different electric potentials;\na gap is provided external to tip ends of each of the first and second electrode fingers in a longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers;\na projection is provided in at least one of a position on a side edge of the first electrode finger and a position on a side edge of the second electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers, the position on the side edge of the first electrode finger corresponding to that of the gap located external to the tip end of the second electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers, the position on the side edge of the second electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers corresponding to that of the gap located external to the tip end of the first electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers; and\nthe projection has a planar shape that has a bottom side that continues from the side edge of the electrode finger and a peripheral edge that is curved except for the bottom side.",
"24. The elastic wave device according to claim 23, wherein if the bottom side of the projection has a midpoint in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers and the gap is bisected by a line with respect to the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers, a position of the midpoint substantially corresponds with a position of the bisecting line in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers, and the bottom side has a length that is larger than the gap width.",
"25. The elastic wave device according to claim 23, wherein the projection is provided on each of the first and second electrode fingers.",
"26. The elastic wave device according to claim 23, wherein said at least one IDT electrode is crossing width weighted.",
"27. The elastic wave device according to claim 23, wherein the elastic wave comprises a surface acoustic wave.",
"28. The elastic wave device according to claim 27, further comprising a medium layer that covers said at least one IDT electrode provided on the piezoelectric substrate, wherein said at least one IDT electrode has a density that is equal to or higher than a density of the piezoelectric substrate and a density of the medium layer, and a ratio of the density of said at least one IDT electrode to the density of the medium layer is higher than about 1.22.",
"29. The elastic wave device according to claim 23, wherein the elastic wave comprises a boundary acoustic wave.",
"30. The elastic wave device according to claim 29, further comprising a medium layer that covers said at least one IDT electrode provided on the piezoelectric substrate, wherein said at least one IDT electrode has a density that is equal to or higher than a density of the piezoelectric substrate and a density of the medium layer, and a ratio of the density of said at least one IDT electrode to the density of the medium layer is higher than about 1.22.",
"31. The elastic wave device according to claim 29, further comprising a medium layer stacked on said at least one IDT electrode provided on the piezoelectric substrate so as to cover said at least one IDT electrode, wherein said at least one IDT electrode has a density that is equal to or higher than a density of the piezoelectric substrate and a density of the medium layer, and a ratio of the density of said at least one IDT electrode to one of the higher densities of the piezoelectric substrate and the medium layer is higher than about 1.22.",
"32. An elastic wave device comprising:\na piezoelectric member; and\nat least one IDT electrode; wherein\nsaid at least one IDT electrode has first and second electrode fingers that are arranged next to each other in a propagation direction of elastic waves and are connected to different electric potentials;\na gap is provided external to tip ends of each of the first and second electrode fingers in a longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers;\na projection is provided in at least one of a position on a side edge of the first electrode finger and a position on a side edge of the second electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers, the position on the side edge of the first electrode finger corresponding to that of the gap located external to the tip end of the second electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers, the position on the side edge of the second electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers corresponding to that of the gap located external to the tip end of the first electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers; and\nthe projection projects only in the vicinity of the gap from the at least one of the position on the side edge of the first electrode and the position on the side edge of the second electrode finger and is spaced from any other element of the at least one IDT.",
"33. The elastic wave device according to claim 32, wherein the projection is provided on each of the first and second electrode fingers.",
"34. The elastic wave device according to claim 32, wherein said at least one IDT electrode is crossing width weighted.",
"35. The elastic wave device according to claim 32, wherein the elastic wave comprises a surface acoustic wave.",
"36. The elastic wave device according to claim 35, further comprising a medium layer that covers said at least one IDT electrode provided on the piezoelectric substrate, wherein said at least one IDT electrode has a density that is equal to or higher than a density of the piezoelectric substrate and a density of the medium layer, and a ratio of the density of said at least one IDT electrode to the density of the medium layer is higher than about 1.22.",
"37. The elastic wave device according to claim 32, wherein the elastic wave comprises a boundary acoustic wave.",
"38. The elastic wave device according to claim 37, further comprising a medium layer that covers said at least one IDT electrode provided on the piezoelectric substrate, wherein said at least one IDT electrode has a density that is equal to or higher than a density of the piezoelectric substrate and a density of the medium layer, and a ratio of the density of said at least one IDT electrode to the density of the medium layer is higher than about 1.22.",
"39. The elastic wave device according to claim 37, further comprising a medium layer stacked on said at least one IDT electrode provided on the piezoelectric substrate so as to cover said at least one IDT electrode, wherein said at least one IDT electrode has a density that is equal to or higher than a density of the piezoelectric substrate and a density of the medium layer, and a ratio of the density of said at least one IDT electrode to one of the higher densities of the piezoelectric substrate and the medium layer is higher than about 1.22."
],
[
"1. An acoustic wave element comprising:\na piezoelectric material; and\nat least one IDT electrode contacting the piezoelectric material and including a plurality of electrode fingers including first and second electrode fingers that are adjacent to each other in an acoustic wave propagation direction and that connect to different potentials and a first dummy electrode finger that faces the first electrode finger via a gap located on an outer side in an electrode finger length direction of an end of the first electrode finger and that connects to the same potential as the potential connected to the second electrode finger; wherein\nin an area of an IDT electrode crossing region in which the first and second electrode fingers that are adjacent to each other overlap each other in the acoustic wave propagation direction near the gap, a first protrusion is provided in at least one of the first electrode finger and the first dummy electrode finger, the first protrusion protruding in the acoustic wave propagation direction from at least one of side edges of the at least one of the first electrode finger and the first dummy electrode finger so as to define a protrusion portion of the at least one of the first electrode finger and the first dummy electrode finger that has a width in the acoustic wave propagation direction that is greater than a width of the first electrode finger; and\nthe first protrusion is in contact with the gap.",
"2. The acoustic wave element according to claim 1, wherein a second protrusion protruding in the acoustic wave propagation direction is provided on a side edge of at least one of the first and second electrode fingers, the second protrusion being positioned in an area that includes the gap in the electrode finger length direction.",
"3. The acoustic wave element according to claim 2, wherein the second protrusion is arranged so that an effective propagation distance of surface waves propagating through the gap in a portion where the first and second electrode fingers are located and an effective propagation distance of acoustic waves propagating in a portion other than the gap and the first protrusion in the portion where the first and second electrode fingers are provided are substantially equal to each other.",
"4. The acoustic wave element according to claim 2, wherein the second protrusion protrudes from a side edge on the side facing the gap of one of the first and second electrode fingers toward the gap provided at an end of the other of the first and second electrode fingers.",
"5. The acoustic wave element according to claim 4, wherein the second protrusion is also provided in the other of the first and second electrode fingers.",
"6. The acoustic wave element according to claim 2, wherein the first and second protrusions have a trapezoid shape in plan view, a lower base of the trapezoid is a portion of a side edge of the at least one of the first electrode finger and the first dummy electrode finger provided with the first protrusion, and an inner angle defined by the lower base and a side edge connecting an upper base and the lower base of the trapezoid is less than about 90°.",
"7. The acoustic wave element according to claim 6, wherein a position in the electrode finger length direction of a midpoint of the lower base of the second protrusion is substantially equal to a center position in the electrode finger length direction of the gap at the end of the other of the first and second electrode fingers, a length of the lower base is larger than a gap width which is a dimension along the electrode finger length direction of the gap, and a length of the upper base is less than the gap width.",
"8. The acoustic wave element according to claim 6, wherein the first and second protrusions have an equiangular trapezoid shape in plan view.",
"9. The acoustic wave element according to claim 6, wherein the first and second protrusions have a plurality of rounded corner portions.",
"10. The acoustic wave element according to claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric material and the at least one IDT electrode are arranged to generate surface acoustic waves.",
"11. The acoustic wave element according to claim 10, further comprising a medium layer arranged to cover the at least one IDT electrode on the piezoelectric material, wherein a density of the at least one IDT electrode is equal to or higher than a density of the piezoelectric material and a density of the medium layer, and a ratio between the density of the at least one IDT electrode and the density of the medium layer is higher than about 1.22.",
"12. The acoustic wave element according to claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric material and the at least one IDT electrode are arranged to generate boundary acoustic waves.",
"13. The acoustic wave element according to claim 12, wherein a medium layer is laminated to cover the at least one IDT electrode on the piezoelectric material, a density of the at least one IDT electrode is equal to or higher than a density of the piezoelectric material and a density of the medium layer, and a ratio between the density of the at least one IDT electrode and a higher one of the density of the piezoelectric material and the density of the medium layer is higher than about 1.22.",
"14. The acoustic wave element according to claim 1, wherein crossing width weighting is applied to the at least one IDT electrode.",
"15. An acoustic wave element comprising:\na piezoelectric material; and\nat least one IDT electrode contacting the piezoelectric material and including a plurality of electrode fingers including first and second electrode fingers that are adjacent to each other in an acoustic wave propagation direction and that connect to different potentials and a first dummy electrode finger that faces the first electrode finger via a gap located on an outer side in an electrode finger length direction of an end of the first electrode finger and that connects to the same potential as the potential connected to the second electrode finger; wherein\nin an area of an IDT electrode crossing region in which the first and second electrode fingers that are adjacent to each other overlap each other in the acoustic wave propagation direction near the gap, a first protrusion is provided in at least one of the first electrode finger and the first dummy electrode finger, the first protrusion protruding in the acoustic wave propagation direction from at least one of side edges of the at least one of the first electrode finger and the first dummy electrode finger so as to define a protrusion portion of the at least one of the first electrode finger and the first dummy electrode finger that has a width in the acoustic wave propagation direction that is greater than a width of the first electrode finger; and\nthe first protrusion is separated from the gap, and a tapered portion is provided between the first protrusion and the gap, a width of the at least one of the first electrode finger and the first dummy electrode finger provided with the first protrusion being smaller at an end in the tapered portion.",
"16. The acoustic wave element according to claim 15, wherein a side edge portion of the at least one of the first electrode finger and the first dummy electrode finger extending from the first protrusion to the tapered portion has a concave shape.",
"17. The acoustic wave element according to claim 15, wherein a side edge portion of the at least one of the first electrode finger and the first dummy electrode finger extending from the first protrusion to the tapered portion has a convex shape."
],
[
"1. A balanced acoustic wave filter device comprising:\na piezoelectric substrate; and\nfirst and second longitudinally coupled resonator-type acoustic wave filter sections provided on the piezoelectric substrate; wherein\neach of the first and second acoustic wave filter sections includes a plurality of IDTs disposed in a direction in which surface acoustic waves propagate;\none of an input and an output of each of the first and second acoustic wave filter sections is connected to an unbalanced terminal;\nthe other of the input and the output of the first acoustic wave filter section is connected to a first balanced terminal, the other of the input and the output of the second acoustic wave filter section is connected to a second balanced terminal, and the phase of a signal of the other of the input and the output of the first acoustic wave filter section is different from the phase of a signal of the other of the input and the output of the second acoustic wave filter section by 180 degrees;\nin the first acoustic wave filter section, the polarities of electrode fingers that are adjacent to each other in an area in which the IDTs are adjacent to each other in a direction in which acoustic waves propagate are equal to each other;\nin the second acoustic wave filter section, the polarities of electrode fingers that are adjacent to each other in an area in which the IDTs are adjacent to each other are opposite to each other; and\nthe total number of pairs of electrode fingers of the plurality of IDTs in the second acoustic wave filter section is greater than the total number of pairs of electrode fingers of the plurality of IDTs in the first acoustic wave filter section.",
"2. The balanced acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, further comprising:\nat least one third longitudinally coupled resonator-type surface acoustic wave filter section that is connected in a cascade arrangement to the first acoustic wave filter section; and\nat least one fourth longitudinally coupled resonator-type surface acoustic wave filter section that is connected in a cascade arrangement to the second acoustic wave filter section.",
"3. The balanced acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein in the areas in which the IDTs are adjacent to each other, each of the IDTs includes a narrow-pitched electrode finger portion having an electrode finger pitch that is narrower than an electrode finger pitch of the other portions of the corresponding IDT.",
"4. The balanced acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein surface acoustic waves are used as the acoustic waves so as to define a surface acoustic wave filter device.",
"5. The balanced acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein boundary acoustic waves are used as the acoustic waves so as to define a boundary acoustic wave filter device.",
"6. The balanced acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein the total number of pairs of electrode fingers of the plurality of IDTs in the second acoustic wave filter section is greater than the total number of pairs of electrode fingers of the plurality of IDTs in the first acoustic wave filter section by two pairs.",
"7. The balanced acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second acoustic wave filter sections includes three IDTs.",
"8. The balanced acoustic wave filter device according to claim 7, wherein a middle one of the three IDTs of each of the first and second acoustic wave filter sections includes an odd number of electrode fingers.",
"9. The balanced acoustic wave filter device according to claim 7, wherein a middle one of the three IDTs of each of the first and second acoustic wave filter sections includes an even number of electrode fingers.",
"10. The balanced acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the IDTs of the second acoustic wave filter section is series weighted.",
"11. The balanced acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the IDTs of the second acoustic wave filter section is withdrawal weighted.",
"12. The balanced acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the IDTs of the second acoustic wave filter section is apodization weighted.",
"13. The balanced acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second acoustic wave filter sections includes five IDTs.",
"14. The balanced acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second acoustic wave filter sections further includes reflectors arranged to sandwich the plurality of IDTs therebetween in the direction in which surface acoustic waves propagate."
],
[
"1. An elastic wave device comprising:\na piezoelectric film made of LiTaO3; and\nan IDT electrode located on one surface of the piezoelectric film; wherein\nthe IDT electrode includes a plurality of first electrode fingers and a plurality of second electrode fingers that are alternately arranged;\na thickness of the piezoelectric film is about 10λ or less when λ is a wavelength determined by a pitch of the electrode fingers of the IDT electrode; and\na direction of a line connecting distal ends of the plurality of first electrode fingers and a direction of a line connecting distal ends of the second electrode fingers are at an oblique angle ν with respect to a propagation direction ψ of an elastic wave excited by the IDT electrode, the propagation direction ψ being determined by Euler angles (ϕ, θ, ψ) of the LiTaO3, and the oblique angle ν is in a range of about 0.4° or more and about 15° or less.",
"2. An elastic wave device comprising:\na piezoelectric film made of LiTaO3;\na support substrate;\na high acoustic velocity film that is located on the support substrate and in which an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave that propagates through the high acoustic velocity film is higher than an acoustic velocity of an elastic wave that propagates through the piezoelectric film;\na low acoustic velocity film that is stacked on the high acoustic velocity film and in which an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave that propagates through the low acoustic velocity film is lower than an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave that propagates through the piezoelectric film; and\nan IDT electrode located on one surface of the piezoelectric film; wherein\nthe piezoelectric film is stacked on the low acoustic velocity film;\nthe IDT electrode includes a plurality of first electrode fingers and a plurality of second electrode fingers that are alternately arranged;\na thickness of the piezoelectric film is about 10λ or less when λ is a wavelength determined by a pitch of the electrode fingers of the IDT electrode; and\na direction of a line connecting distal ends of the plurality of first electrode fingers and a direction of a line connecting distal ends of the second electrode fingers are at an oblique angle ν with respect to a propagation direction ψ of an elastic wave excited by the IDT electrode, the propagation direction ψ being determined by Euler angles (ϕ, θ, ψ) of the LiTaO3, and the oblique angle ν is in a range of about 0.4° or more and about 15° or less.",
"3. An elastic wave device comprising:\na piezoelectric film made of LiTaO3;\na high acoustic velocity support substrate in which an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave that propagates through the high acoustic velocity support substrate is higher than an acoustic velocity of an elastic wave that propagates through the piezoelectric film;\na low acoustic velocity film that is stacked on the high acoustic velocity support substrate and in which an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave that propagates through the low acoustic velocity film is lower than an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave that propagates through the piezoelectric film; and\nan IDT electrode located on one surface of the piezoelectric film; wherein\nthe piezoelectric film is stacked on the low acoustic velocity film;\nthe IDT electrode includes a plurality of first electrode fingers and a plurality of second electrode fingers that are alternately arranged;\na thickness of the piezoelectric film is about 10λ or less when λ is a wavelength determined by a pitch of the electrode fingers of the IDT electrode; and\na direction of a line connecting distal ends of the plurality of first electrode fingers and a direction of a line connecting distal ends of the second electrode fingers are at an oblique angle ν with respect to a propagation direction ψ of an elastic wave excited by the IDT electrode, the propagation direction ψ being determined by Euler angles (ϕ, θ, ψ) of the LiTaO3, and the oblique angle ν is in a range of about 0.4° or more and about 15° or less.",
"4. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the oblique angle ν is about 10° or less.",
"5. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of the piezoelectric film made of LiTaO3 is more than about 0.2λ when λ is the wavelength determined by the pitch of the electrode fingers of the IDT electrode.",
"6. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein a cut angle of the LiTaO3 is about 30° or more and about 60° or less.",
"7. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein a duty of the IDT electrode is less than about 0.7, and a dimension of the electrode fingers of the IDT electrode in a width direction is about 0.15 μm or more.",
"8. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein\nfirst dummy electrode fingers oppose the distal ends of the first electrode fingers of the IDT electrode with gaps therebetween, and second dummy electrode fingers oppose the distal ends of the second electrode fingers of the IDT electrode with gaps therebetween, the first dummy electrode fingers being connected to a second busbar, the second dummy electrode fingers being connected to a first busbar; and\nwhen a distance from the distal ends of the first and second electrode fingers to proximal ends of the second and first dummy electrode fingers is an offset length L, and a size of the gaps in a direction in which the electrode fingers extend is G, (L−G)≥7.5×λ×tan(ν) is satisfied.",
"9. The elastic wave device according to claim 8, wherein (the offset length L−G)≥11.5×λ×tan(ν) is satisfied.",
"10. The elastic wave device according to claim 9, wherein (the offset length L−G)≥17.5×λ×tan(ν) is satisfied.",
"11. The elastic wave device according to claim 8, wherein the size G of the gaps is more than about 0.1 μm and less than about 0.5 μm.",
"12. The elastic wave device according to claim 8, wherein either or both of the first electrode fingers and the second electrode fingers of the IDT electrode are provided with projecting portions that project outward in a width direction of the electrode fingers from side edges that extend in a direction in which the electrode fingers extend.",
"13. The elastic wave device according to claim 12, wherein the projecting portions are provided on side edge portions of the either or both of the first and second electrode fingers, the side edge portions being continuous to the distal ends of the either or both of the first and second electrode fingers.",
"14. The elastic wave device according to claim 12, wherein either or both of the first and second dummy electrode fingers are provided with the projecting portions.",
"15. The elastic wave device according to claim 12, wherein the projecting portions are provided on the side edges of the electrode fingers that do not extend to the distal ends of the first and second electrode fingers.",
"16. The elastic wave device according to claim 12, wherein the projecting portions have a trapezoidal shape in plan view, and when a length of a bottom side of the trapezoidal shape that is continuous to the corresponding side edge is TW1, and TW1≥0.11735λ is satisfied.",
"17. The elastic wave device according to claim 16, wherein, when a minimum dimension of the projecting portions in a direction along the side edges of the electrode fingers is TW2, and TW2≥0.02915λ is satisfied.",
"18. The elastic wave device according to claim 16, wherein a dimension of the projecting portions in the propagation direction of the elastic wave is TH, and TH≥0.0466λ is satisfied.",
"19. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the IDT electrode is made of Al or an alloy containing Al as a main component, and a film thickness of the IDT electrode is in a range of about 0.08λ or more and about 0.097λ or less.",
"20. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein a film thickness of the IDT electrode is about 0.10λ or more.",
"21. A filter device comprising at least one or more elastic wave devices, each of the at least one or more elastic wave devices being the elastic wave device according to claim 1.",
"22. A filter device comprising a plurality of ±ν elastic wave devices, each of the plurality of ±ν elastic wave devices being the elastic wave device according to claim 1.",
"23. A filter device comprising a plurality of elastic wave devices, each being the elastic wave device according to claim 1.",
"24. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein a film thickness of the IDT electrode is about 400 nm or less."
],
[
"1. A ladder acoustic wave filter device comprising:\nan input end;\nan output end;\na series arm that electrically connects the input end and the output end;\na series arm resonator provided to the series arm and including a series-arm-side IDT electrode;\na parallel arm electrically connected between the series arm and a ground potential; and\na parallel arm resonator provided to the parallel arm and including a parallel-arm-side IDT electrode; wherein\neach of the series-arm-side IDT electrode and the parallel-arm-side IDT electrode includes a pair of comb-shaped electrodes that are interposed between each other, the pair of comb-shaped electrodes each including a busbar and a plurality of electrode fingers extending from the busbar;\nthe series-arm-side IDT electrode is apodization weighted, and the busbars of the series-arm-side IDT electrode are configured so that in an acoustic wave propagation direction, a distance between the busbars in an overlap width direction perpendicular to the acoustic wave propagation direction becomes shorter as an overlap width of the electrode fingers becomes smaller;\neach of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the parallel-arm-side IDT electrode further includes a plurality of dummy electrodes that extends from the busbar and are opposed to the electrode fingers of the other comb-shaped electrode in the overlap width direction, and the parallel-arm-side IDT electrode is an IDT electrode in which the overlap width is constant; and\na region bounded by a first envelope and a second envelope has a hexagonal shape, the first envelope being an imaginary line formed by connecting tips of the electrode fingers of one of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the series-arm-side IDT electrode, the second envelope being an imaginary line formed by connecting tips of the electrode fingers of the other one of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the series-arm-side IDT electrode.",
"2. The ladder acoustic filter device according to claim 1, wherein in each one of the busbar of each of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the series-arm-side IDT electrode, at least a portion of an edge of the busbar of one of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes, which is opposed to the other busbar of one of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes, extends in a direction inclined with respect to the acoustic wave propagation direction.",
"3. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 2, wherein:\nthe ladder acoustic wave filter device includes a plurality of the parallel arm resonators; and\nin all of the plurality of parallel arm resonators, each of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the parallel-arm-side IDT electrode includes the busbar, the plurality of electrode fingers, and the plurality of dummy electrodes.",
"4. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 2, wherein a region bounded by a first envelope and a second envelope has a hexagonal shape, the first envelope being an imaginary line formed by connecting tips of the electrode fingers of one of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the series-arm-side IDT electrode, the second envelope being an imaginary line formed by connecting tips of the electrode fingers of the other comb-shaped electrode of the series-arm-side IDT electrode.",
"5. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 2, wherein:\nthe ladder acoustic wave filter device includes a plurality of the series arm resonators;\nthe series-arm-side IDT electrode is apodization weighted in at least a series arm resonator with a lowest resonant frequency among the plurality of series arm resonators, and the busbars of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the series-arm-side IDT electrode are configured so that in the acoustic wave propagation direction, the distance between the busbars in the overlap width direction perpendicular to the acoustic wave propagation direction becomes shorter as the overlap width of the electrode fingers becomes smaller.",
"6. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 5, wherein:\nthe ladder acoustic wave filter device includes a plurality of the parallel arm resonators; and\nin all of the plurality of parallel arm resonators, each of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the parallel-arm-side IDT electrode includes the busbar, the plurality of electrode fingers, and the plurality of dummy electrodes.",
"7. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 5, wherein a region bounded by a first envelope and a second envelope has a hexagonal shape, the first envelope being an imaginary line formed by connecting tips of the electrode fingers of one of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the series-arm-side IDT electrode, the second envelope being an imaginary line formed by connecting tips of the electrode fingers of the other comb-shaped electrode of the series-arm-side IDT electrode.",
"8. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 5, wherein the series-arm-side IDT electrode apodization weighted in all of the plurality of series arm resonators, and the busbars of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the series-arm-side IDT electrode are configured so that in the acoustic wave propagation direction, the distance between the busbars in the overlap width direction perpendicular to the acoustic wave propagation direction becomes shorter as the overlap width of the electrode fingers becomes smaller.",
"9. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 8, wherein:\nthe ladder acoustic wave filter device includes a plurality of the parallel arm resonators; and\nin all of the plurality of parallel arm resonators, each of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the parallel-arm-side IDT electrode includes the busbar, the plurality of electrode fingers, and the plurality of dummy electrodes.",
"10. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein:\nthe ladder acoustic wave filter device includes a plurality of the series arm resonators;\nthe series-arm-side IDT electrode is apodization weighted in at least a series arm resonator with a lowest resonant frequency among the plurality of series arm resonators, and the busbars of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the series-arm-side IDT electrode are configured so that in the acoustic wave propagation direction, the distance between the busbars in the overlap width direction perpendicular to the acoustic wave propagation direction becomes shorter as the overlap width of the electrode fingers becomes smaller.",
"11. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 10, wherein:\nthe ladder acoustic wave filter device includes a plurality of the parallel arm resonators; and\nin all of the plurality of parallel arm resonators, each of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the parallel-arm-side IDT electrode includes the busbar, the plurality of electrode fingers, and the plurality of dummy electrodes.",
"12. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 10, wherein a region bounded by a first envelope and a second envelope has a hexagonal shape, the first envelope being an imaginary line formed by connecting tips of the electrode fingers of one of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the series-arm-side IDT electrode, the second envelope being an imaginary line formed by connecting tips of the electrode fingers of the other comb-shaped electrode of the series-arm-side IDT electrode.",
"13. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 10, wherein the series-arm-side IDT electrode apodization weighted in all of the plurality of series arm resonators, and the busbars of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the series-arm-side IDT electrode are configured so that in the acoustic wave propagation direction, the distance between the busbars in the overlap width direction perpendicular to the acoustic wave propagation direction becomes shorter as the overlap width of the electrode fingers becomes smaller.",
"14. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 13, wherein:\nthe ladder acoustic wave filter device includes a plurality of the parallel arm resonators; and\nin all of the plurality of parallel arm resonators, each of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the parallel-arm-side IDT electrode includes the busbar, the plurality of electrode fingers, and the plurality of dummy electrodes.",
"15. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 13, wherein a region bounded by a first envelope and a second envelope has a hexagonal shape, the first envelope being an imaginary line formed by connecting tips of the electrode fingers of one of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the series-arm-side IDT electrode, the second envelope being an imaginary line formed by connecting tips of the electrode fingers of the other comb-shaped electrode of the series-arm-side IDT electrode.",
"16. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein:\nthe ladder acoustic wave filter device includes a plurality of the parallel arm resonators; and\nin all of the plurality of parallel arm resonators, each of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the parallel-arm-side IDT electrode includes the busbar, the plurality of electrode fingers, and the plurality of dummy electrodes.",
"17. A branching filter comprising the ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1 defining a transmitting filter device.",
"18. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein the ladder acoustic wave filter device is a ladder surface acoustic wave filter device using a surface acoustic wave.",
"19. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 18, wherein the surface acoustic wave is a leaky surface acoustic wave."
],
[
"1. An elastic wave device comprising:\na piezoelectric substrate having a reciprocal velocity plane which is concave in a propagating direction in which an elastic wave propagates; and\nan elastic wave resonator including a comb-shaped electrode pair which includes a first comb-shaped electrode and a second comb-shaped electrode both provided on the piezoelectric substrate, the first comb-shaped electrode and the second comb-shaped electrode interdigitating with each other, comb-shaped electrode pair being configured to trap energy of the elastic wave therein,\nwherein the first comb-shaped electrode includes a first common electrode and a plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers connected to the first common electrode,\nwherein the second comb-shaped electrode includes a second common electrode and a plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers connected to the second common electrode, the plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers interdigitaing with the plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers, and\nwherein the elastic wave resonator has:\na first region in which the plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers interdigitate with the plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers, and a pitch of the first interdigital electrode fingers and the second interdigital electrode fingers is constant along a direction perpendicular to the propagating direction,\na second region provided between the first region and the first common electrode, and a pitch of the first interdigital electrode fingers and the second interdigital electrode fingers in the second region is wider than the pitch in the first region, and\na third region provided between the first region and the second common electrode, and a pitch of the first interdigital electrode fingers and the second interdigital electrode fingers in the third region is wider than the pitch in the first region.",
"2. The elastic wave device according to claim 1,\nwherein the elastic wave resonator further includes first and second reflecting electrodes disposed on the piezoelectric substrate, the comb-shaped electrode pair being disposed between the first reflecting electrode and the second reflecting electrode,\nwherein each of the first and the second reflecting electrodes includes third and fourth common electrodes and a plurality of reflecting electrode fingers disposed between the third and fourth common electrodes and connected to the third and fourth common electrodes,\nwherein each of the first and the second reflecting electrodes has:\na fourth region in which a pitch of the plurality of reflecting electrode fingers is constant along a direction perpendicular to the propagating direction;\na fifth region provided between the fourth region and the third common electrode, and a pitch of the plurality of reflecting electrode fingers in the fifth region is wider than the pitch in the fourth region; and\na sixth region disposed between the fourth region and the fourth common electrode, and a pitch of the plurality of reflecting electrode fingers in the sixth region is wider than the pitch in the fourth region.",
"3. The elastic wave device according to claim 2, wherein the elastic wave resonator further includes another comb-shaped electrode pair disposed between the first reflecting electrode and the comb-shaped electrode pair, the elastic wave resonator constituting a dual terminal pair resonator.",
"4. The elastic wave device according to claim 3, wherein the another comb-shaped electrode pair has the first region, the second region, and the third region.",
"5. The elastic wave device according to claim 1,\nwherein the first comb-shaped electrode further includes a plurality of first dummy electrode fingers connected to the first common electrode, the plurality of first dummy electrode fingers having tips facing tips of the plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers in extending directions of the plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers across gaps, respectively,\nwherein the second comb-shaped electrode further includes a plurality of second dummy electrode fingers connected to the second common electrode, the plurality of second dummy electrode fingers having tips facing tips of the plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers in extending directions of the plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers via a gap, respectively,\nwherein a pitch of the plurality of first dummy electrode fingers and the plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers is wider than the pitch of the plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers and the plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers in the second region, and\nwherein a pitch of the plurality of second dummy electrode fingers and the plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers is wider than the pitch of the plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers and the plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers in the third region.",
"6. The elastic wave device according to claim 5, wherein a ratio of a width of the plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers, the plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers, the plurality of first dummy electrode fingers, and the plurality of second dummy electrode fingers to the pitch is constant along the direction perpendicular to the propagating direction.",
"7. The elastic wave device according to claim 5, wherein a pitch of the plurality of first dummy electrode fingers and the plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers becomes wider as located away from the second region, and a pitch of the plurality of second dummy electrode fingers and the plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers becomes wider as located away from the third region.",
"8. The elastic wave device according to claim 5,\nwherein each of the plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers and respective one of the plurality of second dummy electrode fingers extend along a line including a plurality of straight lines connected to each other or a smooth curved line, and\nwherein each of the plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers and respective one of the plurality of first dummy electrode fingers extend along a line including a plurality of straight lines connected to each other or a smooth curved line.",
"9. The elastic wave device according to claim 5, wherein a maximum pitch of the plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers and the plurality of first dummy electrode fingers, and a maximum pitch of the plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers and the plurality of second dummy electrode fingers are not smaller than 1.005×P0, where P0 is the pitch in the first region.",
"10. The elastic wave device according to claim 5, wherein a maximum pitch of the plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers and the plurality of first dummy electrode fingers, and a maximum pitch of the plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers and the plurality of second dummy electrode fingers are not greater than 1.020×P0, where P0 is the pitch in the first region.",
"11. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the pitch in the second region and the pitch in the third region become wider as located away from the first region.",
"12. The elastic wave device according to claim 1,\nwherein the plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers extend in the second region along a continuous curve or a line including a plurality of straight lines connected to each other, and\nwherein the plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers extend in the third region along a continuous curve or a line including a plurality of straight lines connected to each other.",
"13. The elastic wave device according to claim 1,\nwherein the plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers extend along a smooth curved line from the second region to the first region, and\nwherein the plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers along a smooth curved line extend from the third region to the first region.",
"14. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein a ratio of each of widths of the plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers and the plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers to the pitch is constant along the direction perpendicular to the propagating direction.",
"15. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the pitch changes along the propagating direction.",
"16. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein a maximum pitch in the second region is not smaller than 1.005×P0, where P0 is the pitch in the first region.",
"17. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein a maximum pitch in the second region is not greater than 1.020×P0, where P0 is the pitch in the first region.",
"18. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein, in a case that the pitch in the first region are λ/2, a width of the second region in the direction perpendicular to the propagating direction is not smaller than λ.",
"19. The elastic wave device according to claim 1,\nwherein the elastic wave resonator is a terminal pair resonator, and\nwherein the elastic wave resonator is connected to a signal path in series or between the signal path and a ground.",
"20. An elastic wave device comprising:\na piezoelectric substrate having a reciprocal velocity plane which is concave in a propagating direction in which an elastic wave propagates; and\nan elastic wave resonator including first and second reflecting electrodes and a comb-shaped electrode pair disposed between the first and second reflecting electrodes, the first and second reflecting electrodes and the comb-shaped electrode pair being disposed on the piezoelectric substrate provided, the elastic wave resonator being configured to trap energy of the elastic wave therein,\nwherein each of the first reflecting electrode and the second reflecting electrode includes a first common electrode, a second common electrode, and a plurality of reflecting electrode fingers disposed between the first and second common electrodes and connected to the first and second common electrodes,\nwherein each of the first reflecting electrode and the second reflecting electrode has:\na first region in which a pitch of the plurality of reflecting electrode fingers is constant along a direction perpendicular to the propagating direction,\na second region provided between the first region and the first common electrode, and a pitch of the plurality of reflecting electrode fingers in the second region is wider than the pitch in the first region, and\na third region disposed between the first region and the second common electrode, and a pitch of the plurality of reflecting electrode fingers in the third region are wider than the pitch in the first region.",
"21. The elastic wave device according to claim 20, wherein the elastic wave resonator further includes another comb-shaped electrode pair disposed between the first reflecting electrode and the comb-shaped electrode pair, the elastic wave resonator constituting a dual terminal pair resonator.",
"22. The elastic wave device according to claim 20, wherein the another comb-shaped electrode pair has the first region and the second region."
],
[
"1. A resonator comprising:\na first comb-shaped electrode formed on a piezoelectric substrate and including a first bus bar, first electrode fingers coupled to the first bus bar and extending in an extension direction, and first dummy electrode fingers coupled to the first bus bar; and\na second comb-shaped electrode formed on the piezoelectric substrate and including a second bus bar, second electrode fingers coupled to the second bus bar, extending in the extension direction, and facing the first dummy electrode fingers through first gaps, and second dummy electrode fingers coupled to the second bus bar and facing the first electrode fingers through second gaps, wherein\nΔD is greater than or equal to 0.5λ and less than or equal to 3.5λ (0.5λ≦ΔD≦3.5λ) where ΔD represents a distance in the extension direction between at least two gaps that are at least adjoining two of the first gaps and/or at least adjoining two of the second gaps, and λ represents a pitch of the first electrode finger and the second electrode finger.",
"2. The resonator according to claim 1, wherein\na duty ratio of electrode fingers and dummy electrode fingers in a first region between the at least two gaps in the extension direction differ from a duty ratio of the first electrode fingers and the second electrode fingers in a second region in which the first electrode fingers overlap with the second electrode fingers in the extension direction, the electrode fingers being the first electrode fingers and/or the second electrode fingers corresponding to the at least two gaps, and the dummy electrode fingers being the first dummy electrode fingers and/or the second dummy electrode fingers corresponding to the at least two gaps.",
"3. The resonator according to claim 2, wherein\nthe duty ratio of the electrode fingers and the dummy electrode fingers is greater than the duty ratio of the first electrode fingers and the second electrode fingers in the second region.",
"4. The resonator according to claim 2, wherein\nthe duty ratio of the electrode fingers and the dummy electrode fingers in third regions corresponding to the at least two gaps in the extension direction differ from the duty ratio of the first electrode fingers and the second electrode fingers in the second region.",
"5. The resonator according to claim 1, further comprising:\nan insulating film located in the at least two gaps.",
"6. The resonator according to claim 1, wherein\nthe at least two gaps are the at least adjoining two of the first gaps and the at least adjoining two of the second gaps.",
"7. The resonator according to claim 1, wherein\nthe first gaps and/or the second gaps are alternately modulated by a distance ΔD.",
"8. A filter comprising:\nthe resonator according to claim 1.",
"9. A duplexer comprising:\na first filter connected between a common terminal and a first terminal; and\na second filter connected between the common terminal and a second terminal, wherein\nat least one the first filter and the second filter is the filter according to claim 8.",
"10. The resonator according to claim 1, wherein\nthe piezoelectric substrate is a lithium tantalate substrate or a lithium niobate substrate.",
"11. A resonator comprising:\na first comb-shaped electrode formed on a piezoelectric substrate and including a first bus bar, first electrode fingers coupled to the first bus bar and extending in an extension direction, and first dummy electrode fingers coupled to the first bus bar; and\na second comb-shaped electrode formed on the piezoelectric substrate and including a second bus bar, second electrode fingers coupled to the second bus bar, extending in the extension direction, and facing the first dummy electrode fingers through first gaps, and second dummy electrode fingers coupled to the second bus bar and facing the first electrode fingers through second gaps, wherein\nΔD is greater than or equal to 1.5λ and less than or equal to 3.0λ (1.5λ≦ΔD≦3.0κ) where ΔD represents a distance in the extension direction between at least two gaps that are at least adjoining two of the first gaps and/or at least adjoining two of the second gaps, and λ represents a pitch of the first electrode finger and the second electrode finger.",
"12. A filter comprising:\nthe resonator according to claim 11.",
"13. A duplexer comprising:\na first filter connected between a common terminal and a first terminal; and\na second filter connected between the common terminal and a second terminal, wherein\nat least one the first filter and the second filter is the filter according to claim 12."
],
[
"1. An acoustic wave device comprising:\na piezoelectric substrate; and\nan interdigital transducer electrode provided on or above the piezoelectric substrate; wherein\nthe interdigital transducer electrode includes a plurality of first electrode fingers and a plurality of second electrode fingers, the plurality of second electrode fingers being connected to an electric potential different from an electric potential connected to the plurality of first electrode fingers;\na direction orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to a direction in which the first electrode fingers and the second electrode fingers extend is an acoustic wave propagation direction;\nthe interdigital transducer electrode includes a first area centrally provided in the acoustic wave propagation direction, second areas provided on one side and another side of the first area in the acoustic wave propagation direction, and third areas provided on a side of each of the second areas opposite to the first area in the acoustic wave propagation direction;\nin the second areas, the first electrode finger and the second electrode finger are alternately arranged in the acoustic wave propagation direction;\nin the first area and the third areas, adjacent electrode fingers in the acoustic wave propagation direction are connected to a same electric potential, or electrode fingers are not connected to any electric potential; and\na total number of the electrode fingers in the first area is an odd number, and in both of the second areas, polarities of the electrode fingers disposed at respective end sections toward the first area are different from one another.",
"2. The acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein in the first area and the third areas, adjacent electrode fingers in the acoustic wave propagation direction are at a same electric potential.",
"3. The acoustic wave device according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the first area or the third areas include a thick electrode finger having a larger width-direction dimension in the acoustic wave propagation direction than a width-direction dimension of the first electrode fingers and the second electrode fingers in the second areas.",
"4. The acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first area or the third areas includes a floating electrode finger that is not connected to any electric potential.",
"5. The acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein in both of the second areas, the electrode fingers disposed at respective end sections toward the first area are connected to different electric potentials.",
"6. A composite filter device comprising:\nn filters, wherein\none-end portions of the n filters are electrically connected in common; and\nat least one of the n filters includes the acoustic wave device according to claim 1.",
"7. A composite filter device comprising:\nn filters; and\nan antenna terminal to which one-end portions of the n filters are electrically connected in common; wherein\nat least one filter of the n filters includes at least one acoustic wave device, and in the at least one filter, the acoustic wave device closest to the antenna terminal is defined by the acoustic wave device according to claim 1.",
"8. The acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein\nfourth areas are provided on outer sides of the third areas in the acoustic wave propagation direction, respectively; and\nin the fourth areas, the first electrode fingers and the second electrode fingers are alternately arranged in the acoustic wave propagation direction.",
"9. The acoustic wave device according to claim 8, wherein a polarity of one of the first and second electrode fingers disposed at an end section of the fourth area toward the third area is different from a polarity of another one of the electrode fingers disposed at an end section of the second area toward the third area.",
"10. An acoustic wave device comprising:\na piezoelectric substrate; and\nan interdigital transducer electrode provided on or above the piezoelectric substrate; wherein\nthe interdigital transducer electrode includes a plurality of first electrode fingers and a plurality of second electrode fingers, the plurality of second electrode fingers being connected to an electric potential different from an electric potential connected to the plurality of first electrode fingers;\na direction orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to a direction in which the first electrode fingers and the second electrode fingers extend is an acoustic wave propagation direction;\nthe interdigital transducer electrode includes a first area centrally provided in the acoustic wave propagation direction, second areas provided on one side and another side of the first area in the acoustic wave propagation direction, and third areas provided on a side of each of the second areas opposite to the first area in the acoustic wave propagation direction;\nin the second areas, the first electrode finger and the second electrode finger are alternately arranged in the acoustic wave propagation direction;\nin the first area and the third areas, adjacent electrode fingers in the acoustic wave propagation direction are connected to a same electric potential, or electrode fingers are not connected to any electric potential; and\na total number of the electrode fingers in the first area is an even number, and in both of the second areas, polarities of the electrode fingers disposed at respective end sections toward the first area are equal to one another.",
"11. The acoustic wave device according to claim 10, wherein in the first area and the third areas, adjacent electrode fingers in the acoustic wave propagation direction are at a same electric potential.",
"12. The acoustic wave device according to claim 11, wherein at least one of the first area or the third areas include a thick electrode finger having a larger width-direction dimension in the acoustic wave propagation direction than a width-direction dimension of the first electrode fingers and the second electrode fingers in the second areas.",
"13. The acoustic wave device according to claim 10, wherein at least one of the first area or the third areas includes a floating electrode finger that is not connected to any electric potential.",
"14. The acoustic wave device according to claim 10, wherein in both of the second areas, the electrode fingers disposed at respective end sections toward the first area are connected to a same electric potential.",
"15. A composite filter device comprising:\nn filters, wherein\none-end portions of the n filters are electrically connected in common; and\nat least one of the n filters includes the acoustic wave device according to claim 10.",
"16. A composite filter device comprising:\nn filters; and\nan antenna terminal to which one-end portions of the n filters are electrically connected in common; wherein\nat least one filter of the n filters includes at least one acoustic wave device, and in the at least one filter, the acoustic wave device closest to the antenna terminal is defined by the acoustic wave device according to claim 10.",
"17. The acoustic wave device according to claim 10, wherein\nfourth areas are provided on outer sides of the third areas in the acoustic wave propagation direction, respectively; and\nin the fourth areas, the first electrode fingers and the second electrode fingers are alternately arranged in the acoustic wave propagation direction.",
"18. The acoustic wave device according to claim 17, wherein a polarity of one of the first and second electrode fingers disposed at an end section of the fourth area toward the third area is different from a polarity of another one of the electrode fingers disposed at an end section of the second area toward the third area."
],
[
"1. An acoustic wave filter comprising:\na surface acoustic wave resonator and a bulk acoustic wave resonator; wherein\nthe surface acoustic wave resonator includes:\na substrate with piezoelectricity; and\nan interdigital transducer (IDT) electrode on the substrate;\nthe IDT electrode includes a pair of comb-shaped electrodes interdigitated with each other, each of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes including a plurality of electrode fingers extending in parallel or substantially in parallel in a direction crossing a surface acoustic wave propagation direction and a busbar electrode connecting the plurality of electrode fingers to each other at one end of each electrode finger of the plurality of electrode fingers; and\nthe bulk acoustic wave resonator includes:\na lower electrode including a portion of the busbar electrode;\na piezoelectric film on the busbar electrode; and\nan upper electrode on the piezoelectric film.",
"2. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric film mainly includes at least one of zinc oxide (ZnO), aluminum nitride (AlN), PZT, potassium niobate (KN), LN, LT, quartz-crystal, or lithium borate (LiBO).",
"3. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 2, wherein the piezoelectric film is a c-axis oriented film including zinc oxide (ZnO) or aluminum nitride (AlN).",
"4. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein, when the substrate is viewed in plan view, the piezoelectric film has a polygonal, a circular, or an oval shape.",
"5. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein\nthe busbar electrode and the lower electrode are coupled to a ground wire; and\nthe upper electrode is coupled to a radio-frequency-signal input-output wire.",
"6. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein\nthe busbar electrode and the lower electrode are coupled to a radio-frequency-signal input-output wire; and\nthe upper electrode is coupled to a ground wire.",
"7. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein\nthe acoustic wave filter includes a plurality of the surface acoustic wave resonators, and the bulk acoustic wave resonator;\nthe plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators determine a pass band of the acoustic wave filter; and\nthe bulk acoustic wave resonator determines an attenuation pole.",
"8. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 7, the acoustic wave filter includes a plurality of the bulk acoustic wave resonators; wherein\nthe plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators include a plurality of IDT electrodes corresponding to the plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators;\nthe plurality of bulk acoustic wave resonators include a first bulk acoustic wave resonator and a second bulk acoustic wave resonator;\nthe first bulk acoustic wave resonator includes a first lower electrode defined by a portion of the busbar electrode of a first IDT electrode of the plurality of IDT electrodes, a first piezoelectric film on the busbar electrode, and a first upper electrode on the first piezoelectric film;\nthe second bulk acoustic wave resonator includes a second lower electrode defined by a portion of the busbar electrode of a second IDT electrode of the plurality of IDT electrodes, a second piezoelectric film on the busbar electrode, and an upper electrode on the second piezoelectric film; and\nthe first piezoelectric film is thinner than the second piezoelectric film, and a frequency at an attenuation pole determined by the first bulk acoustic wave resonator is higher than a frequency at an attenuation pole determined by the second bulk acoustic wave resonator.",
"9. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 7, wherein\nthe plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators define a longitudinally coupled resonator;\nthe longitudinally coupled resonator includes a plurality of IDT electrodes corresponding to the plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators;\nthe plurality of IDT electrodes are adjacent to each other in the surface acoustic wave propagation direction;\nthe bulk acoustic wave resonator includes a lower electrode defined by a portion of the busbar electrode of a first IDT electrode of the plurality of IDT electrodes, a piezoelectric film on the busbar electrode, and an upper electrode on the piezoelectric film; and\nthe upper electrode is coupled to the busbar electrode of a second IDT electrode adjacent to the first IDT electrode.",
"10. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the substrate is a single-crystal piezoelectric substrate.",
"11. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 10, wherein the single-crystal piezoelectric substrate includes at least one of LiNbO3, LiTaO3, or quartz-crystal.",
"12. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the substrate includes a high acoustic velocity support substrate, a low acoustic velocity film, and a piezoelectric film stacked in this order.",
"13. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 12, wherein the high acoustic velocity support substrate includes silicon.",
"14. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 12, wherein the low acoustic velocity film includes silicon dioxide.",
"15. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the IDT electrode includes a fixing layer and a main electrode layer on the fixing layer.",
"16. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 15, wherein the fixing layer includes Ti.",
"17. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 15, wherein the main electrode layer includes Al including about 1% Cu.",
"18. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the IDT electrode includes at least one of Ti, Al, Cu, Pt, Au, Ag, or Pd, or an alloy including at least one of Ti, Al, Cu, Pt, Au, Ag, or Pd."
],
[
"1. A wireless communication device comprising:\nradio frequency front end (RFFE) circuitry comprising:\na power amplifier module including one or more power amplifiers to amplify an outgoing radio frequency (RF) signal; and\na surface acoustic-wave (SAW) device that is coupled with the power amplifier module and that defines a passband having a lower side and an upper side, the SAW device comprising:\na piezoelectric substrate having a surface to support an acoustic wave;\na plurality of resonators on the surface of the piezoelectric substrate, the plurality of resonators including at least a first resonator and a second resonator, wherein the plurality of resonators are formed by a plurality of electrodes, the first resonator has a first duty factor, the second resonator has a second duty factor, the first duty factor is larger than the second duty factor, and the first resonator is a series resonator where a width of individual electrodes of the plurality of electrodes forming the first resonator is larger than a width of individual electrodes of the plurality of electrodes forming the second resonator, wherein the width of the individual electrodes of the plurality of electrodes forming the first resonator and the width of the individual electrodes of the plurality of electrodes forming the second resonator is such that the first duty factor is at least 10% greater than the second duty factor and the plurality of resonators includes a plurality of series resonators and a plurality of shunt resonators arranged in a ladder filter configuration, and the first resonator is one of the plurality of series resonators and the second resonator is one of the plurality of shunt resonators; and\na dielectric layer having a positive thermal coefficient of frequency (TCF) and covering the plurality of resonators, wherein:\nthe dielectric layer has a first thickness that covers the plurality of electrodes forming the first resonator and the dielectric layer has a second thickness that covers the plurality of electrodes forming the second resonator;\na first electrode period is a first physical distance between each of the plurality of electrodes forming the first resonator and a second electrode period is a second physical distance between each of the plurality of electrodes forming the second resonator;\nthe first thickness is a first ratio times the first electrode period;\nthe second thickness is a second ratio times the second electrode period;\nthe first ratio is between 0.65 to 0.85 when the upper side has a steeper transition than the lower side and is less than or equal to 0.5 when the lower side has the steeper transition than the upper side; and\nthe second ratio is less than or equal to 0.50 when the upper side has the steeper transition than the lower side and is between 0.65 to 0.85 when the lower side has the steeper transition than the upper side; wherein one of the upper side and the lower side has a steeper transition than the other of the upper side and the lower side.",
"2. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the dielectric layer is formed of a silicon oxide material, the plurality of electrodes are formed of a material having a density that is greater than a density of aluminum (Al), and the piezoelectric substrate is formed of lithium niobate (LiNbO3) having a cut angle between Y+120 degrees and Y+140 degrees.",
"3. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein individual series resonators of the plurality of series resonators are covered by a first amount of the dielectric layer and individual shunt resonators of the plurality of shunt resonators are covered by a second amount of the dielectric layer.",
"4. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein only a series resonator of the plurality of series resonators having a lower resonance frequency than other ones of the plurality of series resonators is covered by a first amount of the dielectric layer.",
"5. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of electrodes are formed of a material comprising copper (Cu) or an alloy including Cu, and the plurality of electrodes have a third thickness that is between 5% and 15% of the first electrode period and the second electrode period.",
"6. A wireless communication device comprising:\nradio frequency front end (RFFE) circuitry comprising:\na power amplifier module including one or more power amplifiers to amplify an outgoing radio frequency (RF) signal; and\na surface acoustic-wave (SAW) device that is coupled with the power amplifier module and that defines a passband having a lower side and an upper side, the SAW device comprising:\na piezoelectric substrate having a surface to support an acoustic wave;\na plurality of resonators on the surface of the piezoelectric substrate, the plurality of resonators including at least a first resonator and a second resonator, wherein the plurality of resonators are formed by a plurality of electrodes, the first resonator has a first duty factor, the second resonator has a second duty factor, the first duty factor is larger than the second duty factor; and\na dielectric layer having a positive thermal coefficient of frequency (TCF) and covering the plurality of resonators, wherein:\nthe dielectric layer has a first thickness that covers the plurality of electrodes forming the first resonator and the dielectric layer has a second thickness that covers the plurality of electrodes forming the second resonator;\na first electrode period is a first physical distance between each of the plurality of electrodes forming the first resonator and a second electrode period is a second physical distance between each of the plurality of electrodes forming the second resonator;\nthe first thickness is a first ratio times the first electrode period;\nthe second thickness is a second ratio times the second electrode period;\nthe first ratio is between 0.65 to 0.85 when the upper side has a steeper transition than the lower side and is less than or equal to 0.5 when the lower side has the steeper transition than the upper side; and\nthe second ratio is less than or equal to 0.50 when the upper side has the steeper transition than the lower side and is between 0.65 to 0.85 when the lower side has the steeper transition than the upper side; wherein one of the upper side and the lower side has a steeper transition than the other of the upper side and the lower side.",
"7. The wireless communication device of claim 6, wherein the dielectric layer is formed of a silicon oxide material, the plurality of electrodes are formed of a material having a density that is greater than a density of aluminum (Al), and the piezoelectric substrate is formed of lithium niobate (LiNbO3) having a cut angle between Y+120 degrees and Y+140 degrees.",
"8. The wireless communication device of claim 6, wherein the second resonator is a coupled resonator filter and the first resonator is coupled in series with the coupled resonator filter, wherein an amount of the dielectric layer covers an entirety of the coupled resonator filter.",
"9. The wireless communication device of claim 6, wherein the plurality of electrodes are formed of a material comprising copper (Cu) or an alloy including Cu, and the plurality of electrodes have a third thickness that is between 5% and 15% of the first electrode period and the second electrode period."
],
[
"1. A system for search, retrieval, and display of information in an electronic communication network, the system comprising:\none or more hardware-based processors and one or more hardware-based memories storing computer-executable instructions;\na user agent implemented by the computer-executable instructions stored in the one or more hardware-based memories, in the electronic communication network, the user agent having one or more screens, that:\nin response to a first query input, transmits a first search query, receives a first query response document comprising a first set of one or more response snippets, displays the first query response document in a first response document display on the one or more screens;\nin response to a first selection input received within the first response document display wherein the selection input comprises selection of a sourced document, provides a first document display on the one or more screens using a first client content version of the sourced document,\nin response to a second query input transmits a second search query, receives a second query response document comprising a second set of one or more response snippets, displays the second query response document in a second response document display; and\nin response to a second selection input received within the second response document display that comprises selection of the sourced document, provides a second document display on the one or more screens using a second client content version of the sourced document;\nwherein:\nin response to an action set comprising one or more single actions, wherein the single actions comprise the first selection input and zero or more additional inputs permitted according to a set of distinguishing inputs of a first distinguishing context of the first document display, a first partially distinguished word is visibly displayed and partially distinguished in the first document display on the one or more screens, and the first partially distinguished word is in a first matching document snippet of the first client content version that is canonically similar to the first set of one or more response snippets;\na second partially distinguished word is partially distinguished in a second distinguishing context of the second document display and is in a second matching document snippet of the second client content version that is canonically similar to the second set of one or more response snippets;\na first set of cross matching document snippets, consisting of the visible document snippets of the second client content version that are canonically similar to the first set of one or more response snippets, is nonempty and its members are undistinguished in the second distinguishing context;\na second set of cross matching document snippets, consisting of the visible document snippets of the first client content version that are canonically similar to the second set of one or more response snippets, is nonempty and its members are undistinguished in the first distinguishing context; and\nin the first distinguishing context:\nthe text of a matching undistinguished word, which is undistinguished, matches the text of the first partially distinguished word;\na preceding undistinguished word is viewable before the first matching document snippet and is undistinguished; and\na following undistinguished word is viewable after the first matching document snippet and is undistinguished.",
"2. The system of claim 1, wherein:\nin response to the action set comprising the one or more single actions, the first partially distinguished word is in-place partially distinguished in the first document display; and\nthe second partially distinguished word is in-place partially distinguished in the second distinguishing context of the second document display.",
"3. The system of claim 1, wherein:\nthe first client content version of the sourced document is represented in a variant of HTML (Hypertext Markup Language);\na set of zero or more conventional fragment identifier target HTML elements consists of each HTML element of the first client content version such that:\nthe HTML element contains all of the text that:\nis distinguished in the first distinguishing context; and\nis between the preceding undistinguished word and the following undistinguished word;\na target character string is the value of:\na ‘name’ attribute of the HTML element, wherein the HTML element is an HTML anchor element; and/or\nan ‘id’ attribute of the HTML element; and\na fragment identifier string, which matches the target character string, is derived from the first client content version in response to the action set; and\neach member of the set of zero or more conventional fragment identifier target HTML elements contains:\nat least one character of the preceding undistinguished word; and/or\nat least one character of the following undistinguished word.",
"4. The system of claim 1, wherein:\nthe first client content version of the sourced document is represented in a variant of HTML (Hypertext Markup Language); and\nevery HTML element of the first client content version that contains all of the text that:\nis distinguished in the first distinguishing context; and\nis between the preceding undistinguished word and the following undistinguished word;\nalso contains:\nat least one character of the preceding undistinguished word; and/or\nat least one character of the following undistinguished word.",
"5. The system of claim 2, wherein the action set comprises no more than five single actions.",
"6. The system of claim 4, wherein the action set comprises no more than five single actions.",
"7. The system of claim 4, further comprising:\na search engine service in the electronic communication network that:\nin response to receiving the first search query generates the first query response document comprising the first set of one or more response snippets that are constructed using information from a first server content version of the sourced document, and transmits the first query response document; and\nin response to receiving the second search query generates the second query response document comprising the second set of one or more response snippets that are constructed using information from a second server content version of the sourced document, and transmits the second query response document;\nwherein the user agent transmits the first search query and transmits the second search query to the search engine service.",
"8. The system of claim 7, wherein the first server content version is different from the second server content version.",
"9. The system of claim 4, wherein the retrieval of the first client content version of the sourced document is an undistinguished retrieval from the document source.",
"10. The system of claim 4, wherein the text of the first matching document snippet matches the text of one of the snippets of the first set of one or more response snippets.",
"11. A method for search, retrieval, and display of information on a user agent having one or more screens in an electronic communication network, the method comprising:\ntransmitting, in response to a first query input, a first search query from the user agent;\nreceiving a first query response document comprising a first set of one or more response snippets;\ndisplaying the first query response document in a first response document display on the one or more screens;\nselecting a sourced document by receiving a first selection input from within the first response document display;\nin response to the first selection input, providing a first distinguishing context for a first document display of the first client content version of the sourced document on the one or more screens;\ntransmitting, in response to a second query input, a second search query from the user agent;\nreceiving a second query response document comprising a second set of one or more response snippets;\ndisplaying the second query response document in a second response document display on the one or more screens;\nselecting the sourced document by receiving a second selection input from within the second response document display;\nin response to the second selection input, providing a second distinguishing context for a second document display of a second client content version of the sourced document on the one or more screens;\nresponding to an action set comprising one or more single actions, which are the single actions comprised by the first selection input and zero or more single actions comprised by additional inputs permitted according to the set of distinguishing inputs of a first distinguishing context of the first document display;\ndistinguishing partially, in a second distinguishing context of the second document display, of a second partially distinguished word in a second matching document snippet that is canonically similar to the second set of one or more response snippets;\ndisplaying, in the second document display and in a manner that is not distinguishing according to the distinguishing manner of the second distinguishing context, all of the one or more visible document snippets of the second client content version that are canonically similar to the first set of one or more response snippets; and\ndisplaying, in the first document display and in a manner that is not distinguished according to the distinguishing manner of the first distinguishing context:\nall of the one or more visible document snippets of the first client content version that are canonically similar to the second set of one or more response snippets;\na matching undistinguished word having text that matches the text of the first partially distinguished word;\na preceding undistinguished word that appears before the first matching document snippet; and\na following undistinguished word that appears after the first matching document snippet;\nwherein:\nthe responding to the action set comprises distinguishing partially and displaying visibly of a first partially distinguished word, of the first client content version, in the first document display on the one or more screens; and\nthe first partially distinguished word is in a first matching document snippet that is canonically similar to the first set of one or more response snippets.",
"12. The method of claim 11, wherein:\nthe distinguishing partially and displaying visibly of the first partially distinguished word comprises in-place partially distinguishing of the first partially distinguished word; and\nthe distinguishing partially of the second partially distinguished word comprises in-place partially distinguishing of the second partially distinguished word.",
"13. The method of claim 11, wherein:\nthe first client content version of the sourced document is represented in a variant of HTML (Hypertext Markup Language);\na set of zero or more conventional fragment identifier target HTML elements consists of each HTML element of the first client content version such that:\nthe HTML element contains all of the text that:\nis distinguished in the first distinguishing context; and\nis between the preceding undistinguished word and the following undistinguished word;\na target character string is the value of:\na ‘name’ attribute of the HTML element, wherein the HTML element is an HTML anchor element; and/or\nan ‘id’ attribute of the HTML element; and\nthe responding to the action set comprises deriving of a fragment identifier string, which matches the target character string, from the first client content version; and\neach member of the set of zero or more conventional fragment identifier target HTML elements contains:\nat least one character of the preceding undistinguished word; and/or\nat least one character of the following undistinguished word.",
"14. The method of claim 11, wherein:\nthe first client content version of the sourced document is represented in a variant of HTML (Hypertext Markup Language); and\nevery HTML element of the first client content version that contains all of the text that:\nis distinguished in the first distinguishing context; and\nis between the preceding undistinguished word and the following undistinguished word;\nalso contains:\nat least one character of the preceding undistinguished word; and/or\nat least one character of the following undistinguished word.",
"15. The method of claim 12, wherein the action set comprises no more than five single actions.",
"16. The method of claim 14, wherein the action set comprises no more than five single actions.",
"17. The method of claim 14, further comprising:\nreceiving the first search query at a search engine service;\nconstructing, in response to receiving the first search query, the first set of one or more response snippets using information from a first server content version of the sourced document;\ngenerating the first query response document comprising the first set of one or more response snippets;\ntransmitting the second query response document from the search engine service to the user agent;\nreceiving the second search query at the search engine service;\nconstructing, in response to receiving the second search query, the second set of one or more response snippets using information from a second server content version of the sourced document;\ngenerating the second query response document comprising the second set of one or more response snippets; and\ntransmitting the second query response document from the search engine service to the user agent.",
"18. The method of claim 17, wherein the first server content version is different from the second server content version.",
"19. The method of claim 14, wherein retrieving the first server content version of the sourced document accomplishes an undistinguished retrieval from the document source.",
"20. The method of claim 14, wherein the text of the first matching document snippet matches the text of one of the snippets of the first set of one or more response snippets."
],
[
"1. An acoustic resonator device comprising:\nan acoustic resonator chip comprising:\na substrate;\na piezoelectric layer having first and second opposing surfaces and that is above a surface of the substrate, such that a portion of the piezoelectric layer forms a diaphragm spanning a cavity between the piezoelectric layer and the substrate; and\na first conductor pattern on at least one of the first and second surfaces of the piezoelectric layer, the first conductor pattern comprising an interdigitated transducer (IDT) having interleaved fingers on the diaphragm and a first contact pad; and\nan interposer having a planar surface facing the piezoelectric layer and a second conductor pattern with a second contact pad on the planar surface of the interposer,\nwherein at least a portion of the first conductor pattern is bonded to at least a portion of the second conductor pattern to form a seal that couples a perimeter of the piezoelectric layer of the acoustic resonator chip to a perimeter of the interposer.",
"2. The acoustic resonator device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second opposing surfaces of the piezoelectric layer are front and back surfaces, respectively, and the first conductor pattern is on the front surface of the piezoelectric layer.",
"3. The acoustic resonator device according to claim 1, further comprising a cap bonded to a back surface of the substrate.",
"4. The acoustic resonator device according to claim 1, wherein the seal is a hermetic seal that couples the piezoelectric layer to the interposer.",
"5. The acoustic resonator device according to claim 1, wherein the first conductor pattern further comprises a first metal, the second conductor pattern further comprises a second metal, and the seal is the first metal directly bonded to the second metal.",
"6. The acoustic resonator device according to claim 1, wherein the interposer is a printed circuit board that comprises a plurality of vias that connect the second contact pad to a third contact pad on a surface of the interposer opposite the planar surface of the interposer that faces the piezoelectric layer.",
"7. The acoustic resonator device according to claim 1, wherein the interposer further comprises a recess that faces the diaphragm.",
"8. An acoustic resonator device comprising:\na radio frequency filter comprising:\na substrate;\na piezoelectric layer attached to the substrate either directly or via one or more intermediate layers; and\na first conductor pattern on the piezoelectric layer and including an interdigitated transducer (IDT) with interleaved fingers and a first contact pad on the piezoelectric layer opposite the substrate; and\nan interposer having a planar surface facing the piezoelectric layer and a second conductor pattern with a second contact pad on the planar surface of the interposer that faces the piezoelectric layer,\nwherein the first conductor pattern is bonded to the second conductor pattern to form a seal to prevent an intrusion of fluids to an interior of the radio frequency filter, and\nwherein the seal couples a perimeter of the piezoelectric layer to a perimeter of the interposer.",
"9. The acoustic resonator device according to claim 8, wherein the piezoelectric layer comprises front and back surfaces, respectively, and the first conductor pattern is on the front surface of the piezoelectric layer.",
"10. The acoustic resonator device according to claim 8, further comprising a cap bonded to a back surface of the substrate.",
"11. The acoustic resonator device according to claim 8, wherein the first conductor pattern further comprises a first metal, the second conductor pattern further comprises a second metal, and the seal is the first metal directly bonded to the second metal.",
"12. The acoustic resonator device according to claim 8, wherein the interposer is a printed circuit board that comprises a plurality of vias that connect the second contact pad to a third contact pad on a surface of the interposer opposite the planar surface of the interposer that faces the piezoelectric layer.",
"13. The acoustic resonator device according to claim 8, wherein the interposer further comprises a recess that faces the diaphragm.",
"14. An acoustic resonator device comprising:\na substrate;\na piezoelectric layer above the substrate and including a diaphragm that is suspended over a cavity between the piezoelectric layer and the substrate;\na first conductor pattern on the piezoelectric layer and including an interdigitated transducer (IDT) with interleaved fingers on the diaphragm and a first contact pad;\nan interposer having a planar surface facing the piezoelectric layer and a second conductor pattern with a second contact pad on the planar surface of the interposer that face the piezoelectric layer; and\na metal seal formed by the first conductor pattern being bonded to the second conductor pattern and that couples the acoustic resonator chip to the interposer,\nwherein the interposer is a printed circuit board that comprises a plurality of vias that connect the second contact pad to a third contact pad on a surface of the interposer opposite the planar surface of the interposer that faces the piezoelectric layer.",
"15. The acoustic resonator device according to claim 14, wherein the piezoelectric layer comprises front and back surfaces, respectively, and the first conductor pattern is on the front surface of the piezoelectric layer.",
"16. The acoustic resonator device according to claim 14, wherein the metal seal is a hermetic continuous metal seal that couples a perimeter of the piezoelectric layer to a perimeter of the interposer.",
"17. The acoustic resonator device according to claim 14, wherein the first conductor pattern further comprises a first metal, the second conductor pattern further comprises a second metal, and the metal seal is the first conductor bonded to the second conductor.",
"18. The acoustic resonator device according to claim 14, wherein the interposer further comprises a recess that faces the diaphragm."
],
[
"1. An elastic wave device including a piezoelectric film, the elastic wave device comprising:\na high-acoustic-velocity supporting substrate in which an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave propagating therein is higher than an acoustic velocity of an elastic wave propagating in the piezoelectric film;\na low-acoustic-velocity film stacked on the high-acoustic-velocity supporting substrate, in which an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave propagating therein is lower than an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave propagating in the piezoelectric film;\nthe piezoelectric film stacked on the low-acoustic-velocity film; and\nan IDT electrode disposed on a surface of the piezoelectric film; wherein\nthe piezoelectric film is composed of LiNbO3.",
"2. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the low-acoustic-velocity film is composed of silicon oxide or a film containing as a major component silicon oxide.",
"3. The elastic wave device according to claim 2, wherein a thickness of the low-acoustic-velocity film is in a range of about 0.1λ to about 0.5λ, where λ is a wavelength of an elastic wave determined by an electrode period of the IDT electrode.",
"4. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of the piezoelectric film is about 1.5λ or less, where λ is a wavelength of an elastic wave determined by an electrode period of the IDT electrode.",
"5. The elastic wave device according to claim 4, wherein the thickness of the piezoelectric film is in a range of about 0.05λ to about 0.5λ.",
"6. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein a dielectric film is disposed on the piezoelectric film and the IDT electrode.",
"7. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of an adhesion layer, an underlying film, a low-acoustic-velocity layer, and a high-acoustic-velocity layer is disposed in at least one of boundaries between the piezoelectric film, the low-acoustic-velocity film, and high-acoustic-velocity supporting substrate.",
"8. An elastic wave device including a piezoelectric film, the elastic wave device comprising:\na supporting substrate;\na high-acoustic-velocity film disposed on the supporting substrate, in which an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave propagating therein is higher than an acoustic velocity of an elastic wave propagating in the piezoelectric film;\na low-acoustic-velocity film stacked on the high-acoustic-velocity film, in which an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave propagating therein is lower than an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave propagating in the piezoelectric film;\nthe piezoelectric film stacked on the low-acoustic-velocity film; and\nan IDT electrode disposed on a surface of the piezoelectric film; wherein\nthe piezoelectric film is composed of LiNbO3.",
"9. The elastic wave device according to claim 8, wherein the low-acoustic-velocity film is composed of silicon oxide or a film containing as a major component silicon oxide.",
"10. The elastic wave device according to claim 9, wherein a thickness of the low-acoustic-velocity film is in a range of about 0.1λ to about 0.5λ, where λ is a wavelength of an elastic wave determined by an electrode period of the IDT electrode.",
"11. The elastic wave device according to claim 8, wherein a thickness of the piezoelectric film is about 1.5λ or less, where λ is a wavelength of an elastic wave determined by an electrode period of the IDT electrode.",
"12. The elastic wave device according to claim 11, wherein the thickness of the piezoelectric film is in a range of about 0.05λ to about 0.5λ.",
"13. The elastic wave device according to claim 8, wherein a dielectric film is disposed on the piezoelectric film and the IDT electrode.",
"14. The elastic wave device according to claim 8, wherein at least one of an adhesion layer, an underlying film, a low-acoustic-velocity layer, and a high-acoustic-velocity layer is disposed in at least one of boundaries between the piezoelectric film, the low-acoustic-velocity film, the high-acoustic-velocity film, and the supporting substrate."
],
[
"1. A method for fabricating an acoustic wave device, the method comprising:\nproviding or forming a substrate containing 70 mass % or greater of silicon dioxide (SiO2);\nproviding or forming a piezoelectric thin film with LiTaO3 crystal or LiNbO3 crystal on the substrate, Euler angles of the substrate and Euler angles of the piezoelectric thin film selected such that a phase velocity of a surface acoustic wave propagating along the substrate is greater than a phase velocity of the surface acoustic wave propagating along the piezoelectric thin film; and\nimplementing an interdigital transducer electrode to be in contact with the piezoelectric thin film.",
"2. The method of claim 1 further comprising implementing a Si-containing film between the substrate and the piezoelectric thin film.",
"3. The method of claim 2 wherein the Si-containing film contains 30% or greater of SiO2 or SiO, and has a thickness of 0.15 times to 1 times a wavelength of the surface acoustic wave.",
"4. The method of claim 2 wherein the Si-containing film contains 30% or greater of SiO2 or SiO, and has a thickness of 0.3 times to 0.5 times a wavelength of the surface acoustic wave.",
"5. The method of claim 1 wherein the substrate includes a quartz substrate and a phase velocity of the surface acoustic wave to propagate is 4,500 m/s or greater, 4,800 m/s or greater, or 5,000 m/s or greater.",
"6. The method of claim 5 wherein the substrate includes a quartz substrate, and the surface acoustic wave to propagate includes a leaky acoustic wave including primarily a SH component or an S wave having a phase velocity of 4,500 m/s or greater.",
"7. The method of claim 1 further comprising implementing a shunt electrode and/or an insulating boundary film between the substrate and the piezoelectric thin film.",
"8. The method of claim 1 wherein implementing the interdigital transducer electrode results in at least a lower portion of the interdigital transducer electrode being embedded in the piezoelectric thin film and/or at least an upper portion of the interdigital transducer electrode protruding from the piezoelectric thin film.",
"9. The method of claim 1 wherein providing or forming the substrate includes providing or forming a quartz substrate.",
"10. The method of claim 1 wherein the substrate has a shear wave phase velocity of a bulk wave of 3,400 to 4,800 m/s.",
"11. The method of claim 1 wherein the substrate includes an isotropic substrate, and the piezoelectric thin film has a thickness of 0.001 mm or greater and less than 0.01 mm.",
"12. The method of claim 1 wherein the substrate has the surface acoustic wave propagate in 4,500 m/s or greater and has Euler angles of (0°±5°, 70°-165°, 0°±5°), (0°±5°, 95°-155°, 90°±5°), or crystallographically equivalent Euler angles thereof.",
"13. The method of claim 1 wherein the substrate has Euler angles of (0°±5°, 0°-125°, 0°±5°), (0°±5°, 0°-36°, 90°±5°), (0°±5°, 172°-180°, 90°±5°), (0°±5°, 120°-140°, 30°-49°), (0°±5°, 25°-105°, 0°±5°), (0°±5°, 0°-45°, 15°-35°), (0°±5°, 10°-20°, 60°-70°), (0°±5°, 90°-180°, 30°-45°), (0°±5°, 0°±5°, 85°-95°), (90°±5°, 90°±5°, 25°-31°), (0°±5°, 90°±5°, −3° to 3°), or crystallographically equivalent Euler angles thereof.",
"14. The method of claim 1 wherein the substrate has Euler angles of (20°±5°, 120°±10°, 115°±10°), (0°±5°, 90°±5°, 0°±10°), (0°±5°, 90°±5°, 75°±10°), (0°±5°, 0°±5°, 0°±10°), (0°±5°, 0°±5°, 60°±10°), or crystallographically equivalent Euler angles thereof.",
"15. The method of claim 1 wherein the piezoelectric thin film includes LiTaO3 crystal and has Euler angles of (90°±5°, 90°±5°, 33°-55°), (90°±5°, 90°±5°, 125°-155°), or crystallographically equivalent Euler angles thereof.",
"16. The method of claim 1 wherein the piezoelectric thin film includes LiNbO3 crystal and has Euler angles of (90°±5°, 90°±5°, 38°-65°), (90°±5°, 90°±5°, 118°-140°), or crystallographically equivalent Euler angles thereof.",
"17. The method of claim 1 wherein the interdigital transducer electrode has a thickness, in fraction of a wavelength of the surface acoustic wave, of 0.005-0.32, 0.005-0.20, 0.005-0.28, or 0.005-0.20 for a density range, in kg/m3, of 2000-5000, 5001-9500, 9501-15000, or 15001-220000, respectively.",
"18. The method of claim 1 wherein the interdigital transducer electrode has a metalization ratio of 0.15-0.63, 0.15-0.63, 0.15-0.71, or 0.15-0.65 for a density range, in kg/m3, of 2000-5000, 5001-9500, 9501-15000, or 15001-220000, respectively.",
"19. The method of claim 1 further comprising implementing an insulating boundary film between the substrate and the piezoelectric thin film, the boundary film having a thickness that is greater than or equal to 0.34 times a wavelength of the surface acoustic wave.",
"20. The method of claim 1 further comprising implementing an insulating boundary film disposed between the substrate and the piezoelectric thin film, the boundary film having one or more layers, one layer closest to the piezoelectric thin film having a thickness T, in fraction of a wavelength of the surface acoustic wave, of 0<T<=0.5, 0<T<=0.67, 0<T<=3, or 0<T<=0.6 for a shear wave phase velocity Vs, in m/s, of 1500<=Vs<=2200, 2200<Vs<=3400, 3400<Vs<=5900, or 5900<Vs<=13000, respectively.",
"21. The method of claim 1 wherein the surface acoustic wave has a higher order mode, and the interdigital transducer electrode has a thickness, in fraction of a wavelength of the surface acoustic wave, of 0.17-0.8, 0.08-0.44, 0.08-0.43, or 0.06-0.4 for a density range, in kg/m3, of 2000-5000, 5001-9500, 9501-15000, or 15001-220000, respectively.",
"22. The method of claim 1 wherein the surface acoustic wave has a higher order mode, and the piezoelectric thin film has a thickness of 0.35 times to 9.3 times a wavelength of the surface acoustic wave.",
"23. The method of claim 1 wherein the surface acoustic wave includes either or both of a leaky surface acoustic wave and a longitudinal-wave-type leaky surface acoustic wave.",
"24. The method of claim 1 wherein the piezoelectric thin film includes LiNbO3 crystal, and the surface acoustic wave includes a Rayleigh wave."
],
[
"1. An acoustic wave device comprising:\na piezoelectric substrate; and\nan interdigital transducer (IDT) electrode on the piezoelectric substrate; wherein\nthe piezoelectric substrate includes a high acoustic velocity layer, and a piezoelectric layer directly or indirectly above the high acoustic velocity layer;\nan acoustic velocity of a bulk wave that propagates in the high acoustic velocity layer is greater than an acoustic velocity of an acoustic wave that propagates in the piezoelectric layer;\nthe IDT electrode includes:\na first busbar and a second busbar that face each other;\na plurality of first electrode fingers each connected at one end to the first busbar; and\na plurality of second electrode fingers each connected at one end to the second busbar, the plurality of second electrode fingers being interdigitated with the plurality of first electrode fingers;\na first envelope extends in a slanted direction with respect to a direction of acoustic wave propagation, the first envelope being an imaginary line formed by connecting tips of the plurality of first electrode fingers;\na second envelope extends in a slanted direction with respect to the direction of acoustic wave propagation, the second envelope being an imaginary line formed by connecting tips of the plurality of second electrode fingers;\na first dielectric film is located in at least one gap on the piezoelectric substrate, the at least one gap being at least one of a plurality of first gaps and a plurality of second gaps, the plurality of first gaps being located between the plurality of first electrode fingers and the second busbar, the plurality of second gaps being located between the plurality of second electrode fingers and the first busbar;\nthe first dielectric film has a density greater than a density of silicon oxide; and\na second dielectric film extends over the piezoelectric substrate such that the second dielectric film covers the IDT electrode and the first dielectric film.",
"2. The acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the first dielectric film has a density greater than or equal to a density of the IDT electrode.",
"3. The acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein\nthe IDT electrode includes a plurality of first dummy electrode fingers each connected at one end to the first busbar, and a plurality of second dummy electrode fingers each connected at one end to the second busbar; and\neach of the plurality of first gaps is located between a corresponding one of the plurality of first electrode fingers and a corresponding one of the plurality of second dummy electrode fingers; and\neach of the plurality of second gaps is located between a corresponding one of the plurality of second electrode fingers and a corresponding one of the plurality of first dummy electrode fingers.",
"4. The acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the first dielectric film extends across an entirety of the first gap in which the first dielectric film is located, or extends across an entirety of the second gap in which the first dielectric film is located.",
"5. The acoustic wave device according to claim 3, wherein\nthe first dielectric film in the first gap extends across an entirety of the first gap, and extends onto the first electrode finger and onto the second dummy electrode finger; and\nthe first dielectric film in the second gap extends across an entirety of the second gap, and extends onto the second electrode finger and onto the first dummy electrode finger.",
"6. The acoustic wave device according to claim 3, wherein\nthe first dielectric film in the first gap extends across an entirety of the first gap, and extends to an area between the first electrode finger and the piezoelectric substrate and to an area between the second dummy electrode finger and the piezoelectric substrate; and\nthe first dielectric film in the second gap extends across an entirety of the second gap, and extends to an area between the second electrode finger and the piezoelectric substrate and to an area between the first dummy electrode finger and the piezoelectric substrate.",
"7. The acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein\nthe piezoelectric substrate includes a low acoustic velocity film between the high acoustic velocity layer and the piezoelectric layer; and\nan acoustic velocity of a bulk wave that propagates in the low acoustic velocity film is less than an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave that propagates in the piezoelectric layer.",
"8. The acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the high acoustic velocity layer is a high acoustic velocity support substrate.",
"9. The acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein\nthe piezoelectric substrate further includes a support substrate; and\nthe high acoustic velocity layer is a high acoustic velocity film on the support substrate.",
"10. The acoustic wave device according to claim 1, further comprising reflectors on opposite sides of the IDT electrode.",
"11. The acoustic wave device according to claim 7, wherein the low acoustic velocity film includes at least one of silicon oxide, glass, silicon oxynitride, tantalum oxide or a material including as a main component a compound with fluorine, carbon or boron along with silicon oxide.",
"12. The acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the high acoustic velocity layer includes at least one of silicon nitride, lithium tantalate, lithium niobate, quartz, alumina, zirconia, cordierite, mullite, steatite, forsterite, aluminum nitride, aluminum oxide, silicon carbide, silicon oxynitride, a diamond-like carbon, silicone, sapphire, diamond, or magnesia.",
"13. The acoustic wave device according to claim 9, wherein the support substrate includes at least one of silicon, lithium tantalate, lithium niobate, quartz, alumina, magnesia, silicon nitride, aluminum nitride, silicon carbide, zirconia, cordierite, mullite, steatite, forsterite, glass, spinel, aluminum nitride, aluminum oxide, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, diamond-like carbon, silicone, sapphire, diamond, or magnesia.",
"14. The acoustic wave device according to claim 8, wherein the high velocity support substrate includes silicon, aluminum oxide, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, silicone, sapphire, lithium tantalate, lithium niobate, quartz, alumina, zirconia, cordierite, mullite, steatite, forsterite, magnesia, diamond-like carbon, or diamond.",
"15. The acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the second dielectric film includes silicon oxide.",
"16. The acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the second dielectric film is a protective film."
],
[
"1. An acoustic wave device comprising a multi-layer mass loading strip at least partially overlapping edge portions of a plurality of fingers of an interdigital transducer electrode, the multi-layer mass loading strip having a mass sufficient to suppress at least a portion of a transverse mode, the multi-layer mass loading strip including a first layer and a second layer, the first layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip positioned between the second layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip and the interdigital transducer electrode, and the first layer improves crystal orientation of the second layer.",
"2. The acoustic wave device of claim 1 wherein the second layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip has a higher mass than the first layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip.",
"3. The acoustic wave device of claim 1 wherein the second layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip is a conductive strip.",
"4. The acoustic wave device of claim 1 wherein the first layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip includes titanium.",
"5. The acoustic wave device of claim 1 wherein the first layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip is an adhesion layer that improves the crystal orientation of the second layer.",
"6. The acoustic wave device of claim 5 wherein the second layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip includes molybdenum.",
"7. The acoustic wave device of claim 1 wherein the acoustic wave device is configured to generate a surface acoustic wave.",
"8. The acoustic wave device of claim 1 wherein the second layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip has a higher density than a density of the interdigital transducer electrode.",
"9. The acoustic wave device of claim 1 wherein the multi-layer mass loading strip includes a third layer that is an adhesion layer that adheres to a temperature compensation layer.",
"10. The acoustic wave device of claim 1 wherein the first layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip is spaced apart from a piezoelectric layer.",
"11. A method of filtering a radio frequency signal, the method comprising:\nreceiving the radio frequency signal at an input port of an acoustic wave filter that includes an acoustic wave resonator, the acoustic wave resonator including a multi-layer mass loading strip at least partially overlapping edge portions of fingers of an interdigital transducer electrode, the multi-layer mass loading strip including a first layer and a second layer, the first layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip positioned between the second layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip and the interdigital transducer electrode, and the first layer improves crystal orientation of the second layer; and\nfiltering the radio frequency signal with the acoustic wave filter, the filtering including suppressing a transverse mode using the multi-layer mass loading strip of the acoustic wave resonator.",
"12. The method of claim 11 further comprising forming the second layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip with a higher mass than the first layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip.",
"13. The method of claim 11 further comprising forming the second layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip as a conductive strip.",
"14. The method of claim 11 further comprising forming the first layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip to include titanium.",
"15. The method of claim 11 wherein the first layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip improves the crystal orientation of the second layer.",
"16. The method of claim 15 wherein the second layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip includes molybdenum.",
"17. The method of claim 11 wherein the acoustic wave resonator generates a surface acoustic wave.",
"18. The method of claim 11 further comprising forming the second layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip to have a higher density than a density of the interdigital transducer electrode.",
"19. The method of claim 11 further comprising forming a third layer on of the multi-layer mass loading strip that adheres to a temperature compensation layer.",
"20. The method of claim 11 further comprising spacing the first layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip apart from a piezoelectric layer."
],
[
"1. An acoustic resonator device comprising:\na substrate having a surface;\na single-crystal piezoelectric layer having front and back surfaces, the back surface attached to the surface of the substrate either directly or via at least one intermedia layer, with a portion of the single-crystal piezoelectric layer forming a diaphragm over a cavity;\nan interdigital transducer (IDT) at the single-crystal piezoelectric layer such that interleaved fingers of the IDT are at the diaphragm; and\na dielectric layer on one of the front surface and the back surface of the single-crystal piezoelectric layer, with the dielectric layer having a thickness of a half lambda.",
"2. The acoustic resonator device of claim 1, wherein\na thickness ts of the single-crystal piezoelectric layer and a thickness td of the dielectric layer are defined as follows:\n\n2ts=λ0,s, and\n\n0.85λ0,d≤2td≤1.15λ0,d,\nwhere λ0,s is a wavelength of a fundamental shear bulk acoustic wave resonance in the single-crystal piezoelectric layer, and\nλ0,d is a wavelength of a fundamental shear bulk acoustic wave resonance in the dielectric layer.",
"3. The acoustic resonator device of claim 1, wherein the dielectric layer is one or more of SiO2, Si3N4, Al2O3, and AlN.",
"4. The acoustic resonator device of claim 1, wherein:\nthe single-crystal piezoelectric layer is lithium niobate,\nthe dielectric layer is SiO2, and\na thickness ts of the single-crystal piezoelectric layer and a thickness td of the dielectric layer are defined by the relationship: 0.875ts≤td≤1.25ts.",
"5. The acoustic resonator device of claim 4, wherein a temperature coefficient of frequency of the acoustic resonator device is between −32 ppm/C° and −42 ppm/C° at a resonance frequency and between −20 ppm/C° and −36 ppm/C° at an anti-resonance frequency.",
"6. The acoustic resonator device of claim 1, wherein the single-crystal piezoelectric layer and the IDT are configured such that a radio frequency signal applied to the IDT excites a shear primary acoustic mode in the diaphragm.",
"7. A filter device, comprising:\na substrate;\na piezoelectric layer having parallel front and back surfaces and a thickness ts, the back surface attached to the substrate either directly or via at least one intermedia layer;\na conductor pattern at the piezoelectric layer and including a plurality of interdigital transducers (IDTs) of a respective plurality of resonators including a shunt resonator and a series resonator, interleaved fingers of each of the plurality of IDTs at respective portions of the piezoelectric layer over one or more cavities;\na first dielectric layer having a thickness tds deposited over and between the fingers of the series resonator; and\na second dielectric layer having a thickness tdp deposited over and between the fingers of the shunt resonator, wherein\nts, tds, and tdp are related by the equations:\n\n2ts=λ0,s, and\n\n2tds<2tdp\nwhere λ0,s is a wavelength of a fundamental shear bulk acoustic wave resonance in the piezoelectric layer.",
"8. The filter device of claim 7, wherein\n\n0.85λ0,d≤2tds≤2tdp≤1.15λ0,d,\nwhere λ0,d is a wavelength of the fundamental shear bulk acoustic wave resonance in at least one of the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer.",
"9. The filter device of claim 7, wherein the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer are one or more of SiO2, Si3N4, Al2O3, and AlN.",
"10. The filter device of claim 7, wherein the piezoelectric layer and the IDT are configured such that a radio frequency signal applied to the IDT excites a shear primary acoustic mode in at least part of the piezoelectric layer.",
"11. A filter device, comprising:\na substrate;\na piezoelectric layer having parallel front and back surfaces and a thickness ts, the back surface attached to the substrate either directly or via at least one intermedia layer;\na conductor pattern at the piezoelectric layer and including a plurality of interdigital transducers (IDTs) of a respective plurality of resonators including a shunt resonator and a series resonator, interleaved fingers of each of the plurality of IDTs at respective portions of the piezoelectric layer over one or more cavities;\na first SiO2 layer having a thickness tds deposited over and between the fingers of the series resonator; and\na second SiO2 layer having a thickness tdp deposited over and between the fingers of the shunt resonator,\nwherein tds, and tdp are related by the equation:\n\ntds<tdp.",
"12. The filter device of claim 11, wherein tds, and tdp are related by the equation:\n\n0.85ts≤tds≤tdp≤1.25ts.",
"13. The filter device of claim 11, wherein a temperature coefficient of frequency of each of the plurality of resonators is between −20 ppm/C° and −42 ppm/C° at the resonance frequencies and the anti-resonance frequencies of all of the plurality of resonators.",
"14. The filter device of claim 11, wherein the piezoelectric layer and the IDT are configured such that a radio frequency signal applied to the IDT excites a shear primary acoustic mode in at least part of the piezoelectric layer.",
"15. A method of fabricating an acoustic resonator device on a single-crystal piezoelectric layer having parallel front and back surfaces, the back surface attached to a substrate either directly or via at least one intermedia layer, the method comprising:\nforming a cavity in the substrate such that a portion of the single-crystal piezoelectric layer forms a diaphragm over the cavity;\nforming an interdigital transducer (IDT) at the single-crystal piezoelectric layer such that interleaved fingers of the IDT are at the diaphragm; and\nforming a dielectric layer on one of the front surface and the back surface of the single-crystal piezoelectric layer, with the dielectric layer having a thickness of a half lambda.",
"16. The method of claim 15, wherein\na thickness ts of the single-crystal piezoelectric layer and a thickness td of the dielectric layer are defined as follows:\n\n2ts=λ0,s, and\n\n0.85λ0,d≤2td≤1.15λ0,d,\nwhere λ0,s is a wavelength of a fundamental shear bulk acoustic wave resonance in the single-crystal piezoelectric layer, and\nλ0,d is a wavelength of the fundamental shear bulk acoustic wave resonance in the dielectric layer.",
"17. The method of claim 15, wherein forming the dielectric layer further comprises depositing one or more of SiO2, Si3N4, Al2O3, and AlN.",
"18. The method of claim 15, wherein\nthe single-crystal piezoelectric layer is lithium niobate, and\nforming the dielectric layer comprises depositing SiO2 to a thickness td, where td is greater or equal to 0.875ts and less than or equal to 1.25ts, where ts is a thickness of the single-crystal piezoelectric layer.",
"19. The method of claim 15, wherein the single-crystal piezoelectric layer and the IDT configured such that a radio frequency signal applied to the IDT excites a shear primary acoustic mode within the diaphragm."
],
[
"1. A filter assembly comprising:\na first acoustic wave filter coupled to a common node, the first acoustic wave filter including at least a first plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators and at least a first series bulk acoustic wave resonator coupled between the first plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators and the common node; and\na second acoustic wave filter coupled to the common node, the second acoustic wave filter including at least a second plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators that are non-temperature compensated and at least a third plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators that are temperature compensated are coupled between the second plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators and the common node.",
"2. The filter assembly of claim 1 wherein the first series bulk acoustic wave resonator is a film bulk acoustic wave resonator.",
"3. The filter assembly of claim 1 wherein the first and second plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators are on a first die.",
"4. The filter assembly of claim 3 wherein the first series bulk acoustic wave resonator is on a second die.",
"5. The filter assembly of claim 4 wherein the first acoustic wave filter further includes a shunt bulk acoustic wave resonator on the second die.",
"6. The filter assembly of claim 5 wherein the shunt bulk acoustic wave resonator is coupled to an opposite side of the first series bulk acoustic wave resonator than the first plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators.",
"7. The filter assembly of claim 1 wherein the first acoustic wave filter filters a carrier aggregation signal with a first passband and the second acoustic wave filter filters the carrier aggregation signal with a second passband.",
"8. The filter assembly of claim 1 further comprising a third acoustic wave filter coupled to the common node, the third acoustic wave filter including a fourth plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators and a second series bulk acoustic wave resonator coupled between the fourth plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators and the common node.",
"9. The filter assembly of claim 8 further comprising an antenna switch coupled between the common node and an antenna.",
"10. The filter assembly of claim 1 wherein the second plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators have a higher quality factor in a passband of the second acoustic wave filter than the first plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators in a passband of the first acoustic wave filter.",
"11. A method of filtering radio frequency signals, the method comprising: filtering a radio frequency signal with a first acoustic wave filter coupled to a common node, the first acoustic wave filter filters the radio frequency signal with at least a first plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators and a first series bulk acoustic wave resonator coupled between the first plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators and the common node; and\nfiltering the radio frequency signal with a second acoustic wave filter coupled to the common node, the second acoustic wave filter filters the radio frequency signal with a second plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators that are non-temperature compensated and at least a third plurality of acoustic wave resonators that are temperature compensated are coupled between the second plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators and the common node.",
"12. The method of claim 11 wherein the first acoustic wave filter filters a carrier aggregation signal with a first passband and the second acoustic wave filter filters the carrier aggregation signal with a second passband.",
"13. The method of claim 11 wherein the first and second plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators are on a first die.",
"14. The method of claim 13 wherein the first series bulk acoustic wave resonator is on a second die.",
"15. The method of claim 14 wherein the first acoustic wave filter further includes a shunt bulk acoustic wave resonator on the second die.",
"16. The method of claim 11 wherein the first series bulk acoustic wave resonator is a film bulk acoustic wave resonator.",
"17. The method of claim 15 wherein the shunt bulk acoustic wave resonator is coupled to an opposite side of the first series bulk acoustic wave resonator than the first plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators.",
"18. The method of claim 11 wherein a third acoustic wave filter is coupled to the common node, the fourth acoustic wave filter filters the radio frequency signal with at least a fourth plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators and at least a third series bulk acoustic wave resonator coupled between the third plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators and the common node.",
"19. The method of claim 18 further comprising an antenna switch coupled between the common node and an antenna.",
"20. The method of claim 11 wherein the second plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators have a higher quality factor in a passband of the second acoustic wave filter than the first plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators in a passband of the first acoustic wave filter."
]
] |
2. the following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 u.s.c. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this office action:
a person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
claims 1, 3, 8, 12 and 22 are rejected under 35 u.s.c. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by either maehara et al (uspap 2002/0021194) or yata (uspap 2010/0207707).
as to claims 1 and 8, each of maehara et al and yata discloses an acoustic wave filter comprising input and output terminals and series/parallel arm circuits as recited in these two claims (see figure 1 of maehara et al and figure 8 of yata), each forming a surface acoustic wave resonator (note the abstract of maehara et al and paragraph [0004] of yata), each including a piezoelectric substrate (note the abstract of maehara et al and paragraph [0012] of yata) and each including idt electrodes (note idt electrodes 710 in maehara et al and idt’s 16 in yata). as to the limitation set forth on lines 14-17 of claim 1 that a fractional band with increases with a decrease in a thickness of the piezoelectric substrate, which is normalized with a wavelength of a signal passing through the series arm resonators, this will be inherent in both maehara et al and yata, and the same is true for the limitation on the last three lines of claim 1, i.e., inherently in each of these two references, a wavelength of a signal passing through the first series arm resonator will be shorter than a wavelength of a signal passing through the second series arm resonator, the reason being that each of these two references discloses that different ones of the series/parallel resonators have different resonance/anti-resonance frequencies, i.e., as per the limitation set forth on lines 18-20 of claim 1 (note the abstract and paragraphs [0014], [0015], [0020] and [0043] of maehara et al and claim 1 of yata where this limitation is disclosed).
as to claim 3, note that each of maehara et al and yata discloses the claimed finger pitch difference for the purpose of making the resonance/anti-resonance frequencies of the first and second series arm resonators different from each other.
as to claim 12, this limitation will be inherent during the operation of the saw resonators of each of maehara et al and yata.
as to claim 22, note that in both maehara et al and yata the wavelength of a high-frequency signal passing through the idt electrode will inherently correspond to the electrode pitch of the idt electrode.
3. claims 1, 3, 8, 12 and 22 are also rejected under 35 u.s.c. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by any one of selmeier et al (usp 6,351,197), tsutsumi et al (usp 6,903,626) and hara et al (usp 8,552,820).
as to claims 1 and 8, each of these three further references similarly discloses an acoustic wave filter comprising input and output terminals and series/parallel arm circuits as recited in these two claims (see figures 1a through 1j of selmeier et al, figures 3a and 3b of hara et al and figure 1a of tsutsumi et al), each forming a surface acoustic wave resonator (note the abstract of semeier et al, column 3, line 43 of hara et al and the abstract of tsutsumi et al), each including a piezoelectric substrate (note piezoelectric layer s of selmeier et al, piezoelectric layer 1 shown in figures 4a-5b of hara et al and the piezoelectric layer disclosed in the abstract of tsutsumi et al) and each including idt electrodes (note the idt electrode shown in figure 2 in selmeier et al, idt 2 and 3 disclosed by hara et al and the electrode fingers disclosed by tsutsumi et al). as to the limitation on lines 14-17 of claim 1 that a fractional band with increases with a decrease in a thickness of the piezoelectric substrate, which is normalized with a wavelength of a signal passing through the series arm resonators, this will be inherent in each of selmeier et al, hara et al and tsutsumi et al, and the same is true for the limitation on the last three lines of claim 1, i.e., inherently in each of these three references, a wavelength of a signal passing through the first series arm resonator is shorter than a wavelength of a signal passing through the second series arm resonator, the reason being that each of these three references discloses that different ones of the series/parallel resonators have different resonance/anti-resonance frequencies, thus meeting the limitation set forth on lines 18-20 of claim 1 (note column 2, lines 4-18 of selmeier et al, column 1, lines 43-51 of hara et al and the summary of the invention of tsutsumi et al).
as to claim 3, note that each of selmeier et al, hara et al and tsutsumi et al discloses the claimed finger pitch difference for the purpose of making the resonance/anti-resonance frequencies of the first and second series arm resonators different from each other.
as to claim 12, this limitation will be inherent during the operation of the saw resonators of each of selmeier et al, hara et al and tsutsumi et al.
as to claim 22, note that in each of selmeier et al, hara et al and tsutsumi et al the wavelength of a high-frequency signal passing through the idt electrode inherently corresponds to the electrode pitch of the idt electrode.
|
[
"1. An acoustic wave filter comprising:\nan input terminal;\nan output terminal;\na series arm circuit including a first series arm resonator and a second series arm resonator connected in series between the input terminal and the output terminal; and\na parallel arm circuit including at least one parallel arm resonator connected between the series arm circuit and a ground potential; wherein\neach of the first series arm resonator and the second series arm resonator is a surface acoustic wave (SAW) resonator including a piezoelectric substrate and an interdigital transducer (IDT) electrode on the piezoelectric substrate, and has a characteristic that a fractional band width increases with a decrease in a thickness of the piezoelectric substrate, which is normalized with a wavelength of a signal passing through the series arm resonator;\nan anti-resonant frequency of the first series arm resonator is lower than an anti-resonant frequency of the second series arm resonator; and\na wavelength of a signal passing through the first series arm resonator is shorter than a wavelength of a signal passing through the second series arm resonator.",
"2. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein each of the first series arm resonator and the second series arm resonator includes a reflecting layer on a surface of the piezoelectric substrate opposite to a surface on which the IDT electrode is provided.",
"3. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein an electrode finger pitch of the IDT electrode of the first series arm resonator is smaller than an electrode finger pitch of the IDT electrode of the second series arm resonator.",
"4. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of the IDT electrode included in the first series arm resonator is larger than a thickness of the IDT electrode included in the second series arm resonator.",
"5. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the first series arm resonator includes a dielectric film on the IDT electrode.",
"6. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein\nthe first series arm resonator includes a dielectric film on the IDT electrode;\nthe second series arm resonator includes a dielectric film on the IDT electrode; and\na thickness of the dielectric film on the IDT electrode included in the first series arm resonator is larger than a thickness of the dielectric film on the IDT electrode included in the second series arm resonator.",
"7. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein an electrode line width of the IDT electrode included in the first series arm resonator is wider than an electrode line width of the IDT electrode included in the second series arm resonator.",
"8. An acoustic wave filter comprising:\nan input terminal;\nan output terminal;\na series arm circuit which includes a plurality of series arm resonators connected in series between the input terminal and the output terminal; and\na parallel arm circuit which includes at least one parallel arm resonator connected between the series arm circuit and a ground potential; wherein\neach of the plurality of series arm resonators is a surface acoustic wave (SAW) resonator including a piezoelectric substrate and an interdigital transducer (IDT) electrode on the piezoelectric substrate, and has a characteristic that a fractional band width increases with a decrease in a thickness of the piezoelectric substrate which is normalized with a wavelength of a signal passing through the series arm resonator; and\na wavelength of a signal passing through one of the plurality of series arm resonators with a lowest anti-resonant frequency is shorter than wavelengths of signals passing through remaining ones of the plurality of series arm resonators.",
"9. An acoustic wave filter comprising:\nan input terminal;\nan output terminal;\na series arm circuit which includes a plurality of series arm resonators connected in series between the input terminal and the output terminal; and\na parallel arm circuit which includes at least one parallel arm resonator connected between the series arm circuit and a ground potential; wherein\neach of the plurality of series arm resonators is a surface acoustic wave (SAW) resonator including a piezoelectric substrate and an interdigital transducer (IDT) electrode on the piezoelectric substrate;\na thickness of the piezoelectric substrate is less than or equal to about 0.7λ, where λ is a wavelength of a signal passing through the series arm resonator; and\na wavelength of a signal passing through one of the plurality of series arm resonators with a lowest anti-resonant frequency is shorter than wavelengths of signals passing through remaining ones of the plurality of series arm resonators.",
"10. An acoustic wave filter comprising:\nan input terminal;\nan output terminal;\na series arm circuit which includes a first series arm resonator and a second series arm resonator connected in series between the input terminal and the output terminal; and\na parallel arm circuit which includes at least one parallel arm resonator connected between the series arm circuit and a ground potential; wherein\neach of the first series arm resonator and the second series arm resonator is a surface acoustic wave (SAW) resonator including a piezoelectric substrate and an interdigital transducer (IDT) electrode on the piezoelectric substrate;\na thickness of the piezoelectric substrate is less than or equal to about 0.7λ where λ is a wavelength of a signal passing through the series arm resonator;\nan anti-resonant frequency of the first series arm resonator is lower than an anti-resonant frequency of the second series arm resonator; and\na wavelength of a signal passing through the first series arm resonator is shorter than a wavelength of a signal passing through the second series arm resonator.",
"11. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 8, wherein each of the plurality of series arm resonators includes a reflecting layer on a surface of the piezoelectric substrate opposite to a surface on which the IDT electrode is provided.",
"12. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 8, wherein an electrode finger pitch of the IDT electrode of the one of the plurality of series arm resonators with the lowest anti-resonant frequency is shorter than wavelengths of the signals passing through remaining ones of the plurality of series arm resonators.",
"13. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 9, wherein each of the plurality of series arm resonators includes a reflecting layer on a surface of the piezoelectric substrate opposite to a surface on which the IDT electrode is provided.",
"14. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 9, wherein an electrode finger pitch of the IDT electrode of the one of the plurality of series arm resonators with the lowest anti-resonant frequency is shorter than wavelengths of the signals passing through remaining ones of the plurality of series arm resonators.",
"15. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 10, wherein each of the first series arm resonator and the second series arm resonator includes a reflecting layer on a surface of the piezoelectric substrate opposite to a surface on which the IDT electrode is provided.",
"16. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 10, wherein an electrode finger pitch of the IDT electrode of the first series arm resonator is smaller than an electrode finger pitch of the IDT electrode of the second series arm resonator.",
"17. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 10, wherein a thickness of the IDT electrode included in the first series arm resonator is larger than a thickness of the IDT electrode included in the second series arm resonator.",
"18. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 10, wherein the first series arm resonator includes a dielectric film on the IDT electrode.",
"19. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 10, wherein\nthe first series arm resonator includes a dielectric film on the IDT electrode;\nthe second series arm resonator includes a dielectric film on the IDT electrode; and\na thickness of the dielectric film on the IDT electrode included in the first series arm resonator is larger than a thickness of the dielectric film on the IDT electrode included in the second series arm resonator.",
"20. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 10, wherein an electrode line width of the IDT electrode included in the first series arm resonator is wider than an electrode line width of the IDT electrode included in the second series arm resonator."
] |
US20220123733A1
|
US6351197B1
|
[
"1. A surface acoustic wave filter, comprising:\na substrate having mutually parallel tracks for surface acoustic waves;\nat least three resonators in said tracks, each of said resonators having reflectors, an interdigital transducer disposed between two of said reflectors, a pair of electrical connections, and a plurality of electrode fingers disposed at a finger periodicity;\nsaid resonators including a first type of resonator connected in series through said connections and a second type of resonator connected in parallel with said first type of resonator; and\nsaid resonators including n series-connected resonators Rs 1, . . . Rsx, . . . Rsn having a different finger periodicity ps 1, . . . psx, . . . psn of said electrode fingers in said interdigital transducers, wherein n and x are integers, n≧3 and 1<x<n, and a resonator with a smallest finger periodicity disposed on an inside, so that for at least one value of x: psx<ps 1<psn.",
"2. The SAW filter according to claim 1, wherein:\nsaid resonators include a resonator having a greatest finger periodicity disposed on an outside.",
"3. The SAW filter according to claim 1, including:\nfour basic members, one of said basic members having a series-connected resonator and a parallel-connected resonator, one of said resonators belonging to up to two of said basic members; and\nps 2<ps 1=ps 3<ps 4 or ps 3<ps 1=ps 2<ps 4, for said finger periodicity of said electrode fingers of said series resonators.",
"4. The SAW filter according to claim 1, wherein said finger periodicity of said interdigital transducers has a discrepancy of 0.1-3% from a standard finger periodicity corresponding to a mid-frequency of a pass band of the SAW filter.",
"5. The SAW filter according to claim 1, wherein said resonators include r series resonators having a standard finger periodicity, and s series resonators having a finger periodicity differing from said standard finger periodicity, wherein: s/r≦2.",
"6. The SAW filter according to claim 1, including basic members each having a series-connected resonator and an associated parallel-connected resonator, said series-connected resonator of at least one of said basic members having a resonant frequency equal to an antiresonant frequency of said associated parallel resonator.",
"7. The SAW filter according to claim 1, including basic members each having a series-connected resonator and an associated parallel-connected resonator, said series-connected resonator of at least one of said basic members having a resonant frequency greater than an antiresonant frequency of said associated parallel resonator.",
"8. The SAW filter according to claim 1, including a SAW filter surface and a metallization on said surface, said resonators having steady-state capacitances, said steady-state capacitance of at least one parallel resonator being influenced deliberately by a physically close configuration of said metallization on said surface, and said metallization forming a capacitance with parts or supply lines of said parallel resonator to produce a desired ratio to said steady-state capacitance of said series resonator.",
"9. The SAW filter according to claim 1, including a SAW filter surface and a metallization on said surface, said metallization having a ratio η formed from a quotient b/P of a width b of said fingers of said interdigital transducers and a period P of said fingers of said interdigital transducers, wherein η=0.6 to 0.8."
] |
[
[
"1. An antenna duplexer comprising:\na first ladder-type acoustic wave filter connected between an antenna terminal and an input terminal and having a first passband in a first frequency band; and\na second ladder-type acoustic wave filter connected between the antenna terminal and an output terminal, the second ladder-type acoustic wave filter having a second passband in a second frequency band higher than the first frequency band, the first and second frequency bands being non-overlapping, the second ladder-type acoustic wave filter including a plurality of series-arm resonators connected in series along a signal path between the antenna terminal and the output terminal, and a plurality of parallel-arm resonators connected between the signal path and a ground, the plurality of parallel-arm resonators including a first parallel-arm resonator and at least one other parallel-arm resonator connected at a position closer to the antenna terminal than the first parallel-arm resonator, the first parallel-arm resonator having an interdigital transducer (IDT) electrode that includes a pair of busbars and a plurality of electrode fingers that extend from the pair of busbars and that interdigitate with each other, the IDT electrode including a constant pitch section in which certain ones of the plurality of electrode fingers are arranged at a substantially constant first pitch, and at least one narrow pitch section in which certain other ones of the plurality of electrode fingers are arranged at a varying pitch that varies between the substantially constant first pitch and a minimum pitch that is narrower than the substantially constant first pitch, the constant pitch section including a first region and a second region, and the at least one narrow pitch second being disposed between the first and second regions of the constant pitch section.",
"2. The antenna duplexer of claim 1 wherein the at least one narrow pitch section includes a first narrow pitch section and a second narrow pitch section spaced apart from one another.",
"3. The antenna duplexer of 2 wherein the pitch of certain other ones of the plurality of electrode fingers in the first narrow pitch section varies linearly between the substantially constant first pitch and a second pitch that is less than the substantially constant first pitch and greater than the minimum pitch.",
"4. A communications device comprising:\nan antenna;\na first ladder-type acoustic wave filter having a first passband in a first frequency band\na transmission circuit configured to input a transmission signal to the antenna via the first ladder-type acoustic wave filter, the first ladder-type acoustic wave filter being connected in series between the transmission circuit and the antenna, the transmission signal having a frequency within the first frequency band;\na reception circuit configured to receive a reception signal from the antenna; and\na second ladder-type acoustic wave filter having a second passband in a second frequency band higher than the first frequency band, the first and second frequency bands being non-overlapping, the second ladder-type acoustic wave filter being connected in series between the antenna and the reception circuit and configured to pass the reception signal from the antenna to the reception circuit, the reception signal having a frequency within the second frequency band, the second ladder-type acoustic wave filter including a plurality of series-arm resonators connected in series along a signal path between the antenna and the reception circuit, and a plurality of parallel-arm resonators connected between the signal path and a ground, the plurality of parallel-arm resonators including a first parallel-arm resonator and at least one other parallel-arm resonator connected at a position closer to the antenna than the first parallel-arm resonator, the first parallel-arm resonator having an interdigital transducer (IDT) electrode that includes a pair of busbars and a plurality of electrode fingers that extend from the pair of busbars and that interdigitate with each other, the IDT electrode including a constant pitch section having first and second portions and in which certain ones of the plurality of electrode fingers are arranged at a substantially constant first pitch, and a plurality of narrow pitch sections in which certain other ones of the plurality of electrode fingers are arranged at a varying pitch that varies between the substantially constant first pitch and a minimum pitch that is narrower than the substantially constant first pitch, the plurality of narrow pitch sections including a first narrow pitch section, a second narrow pitch section spaced apart from the first narrow pitch section, and a third narrow pitch section disposed between the first and second portions of the constant pitch section.",
"5. An antenna duplexer comprising:\na first ladder-type acoustic wave filter connected between an antenna terminal and an input terminal and having a first passband in a first frequency band; and\na second ladder-type acoustic wave filter connected between the antenna terminal and an output terminal, the second ladder-type acoustic wave filter having a second passband in a second frequency band higher than the first frequency band, the first and second frequency bands being non-overlapping, the second ladder-type acoustic wave filter including a plurality of series-arm resonators connected in series along a signal path between the antenna terminal and the output terminal, and a plurality of parallel-arm resonators connected between the signal path and a ground, the plurality of parallel-arm resonators including a first parallel-arm resonator connected at a position farthest from the antenna terminal and closest to the output terminal among the plurality of parallel-arm resonators, the first parallel-arm resonator having a main resonance and a first auxiliary resonance that produce corresponding attenuation poles within the first frequency band, and the first parallel-arm resonator including first and second reflectors and an interdigital transducer (IDT) electrode having pair of busbars, two end portions, and a plurality of electrode fingers that extend from the pair of busbars and that interdigitate with each other, the IDT electrode being positioned between the first and second reflectors and including a constant pitch section in which a pitch of certain ones of the plurality of electrode fingers is substantially constant, and at least one narrow pitch section in which a pitch of certain other ones the plurality of electrode fingers is reduced relative to the constant pitch section, the at least one narrow pitch section being disposed in an intermediate portion between both end portions of the IDT electrode.",
"6. The antenna duplexer of claim 5 wherein the at least one narrow pitch section includes a first narrow pitch section and a second narrow pitch section spaced apart from one another.",
"7. The antenna duplexer of claim 6 wherein the constant pitch section includes a first portion disposed between the first and second narrow pitch regions, a second portion disposed between the first narrow pitch section and the first reflector, and a third portion disposed between the second narrow pitch section and the second reflector.",
"8. The antenna duplexer of claim 7 wherein the pitch of certain other ones of the of the plurality of electrode fingers in the first narrow pitch section varies linearly between the substantially constant pitch and a first local minimum pitch, and the pitch of certain other ones of the plurality of electrode fingers in the second narrow pitch section varies linearly between the substantially constant pitch and a second local minimum pitch that is narrower than the first local minimum pitch.",
"9. The antenna duplexer of claim 6 wherein the first parallel-arm resonator has a second auxiliary resonance that produces an additional attenuation pole within the first frequency band.",
"10. The antenna duplexer of claim 5 wherein the pitch of the plurality of electrode fingers in the at least one narrow pitch section varies smoothly between the substantially constant pitch and a minimum pitch.",
"11. The antenna duplexer of claim 5 wherein the first parallel-arm resonator further has a second auxiliary resonance, and an attenuation pole caused by the second auxiliary resonance is within the first frequency band.",
"12. An antenna duplexer comprising:\na first ladder-type acoustic wave filter connected between an antenna terminal and an input terminal and having a first passband in a first frequency band; and\na second ladder-type acoustic wave filter connected between the antenna terminal and an output terminal, the second ladder-type acoustic wave filter having a second passband in a second frequency band higher than the first frequency band, the first and second frequency bands being non-overlapping, the second ladder-type acoustic wave filter including a plurality of series-arm resonators connected in series along a signal path between the antenna terminal and the output terminal, and a plurality of parallel-arm resonators connected between the signal path and a ground, the plurality of parallel-arm resonators including a first parallel-arm resonator connected at a position farthest from the antenna terminal and closest to the output terminal among the plurality of parallel-arm resonators, the first parallel-arm resonator having a main resonance, a first auxiliary resonance, and a second auxiliary resonance that produce corresponding attenuation poles within the first frequency band.",
"13. The antenna duplexer of claim 12 wherein the first parallel-arm resonator includes first and second reflectors, and an interdigital transducer (IDT) electrode having pair of busbars and a plurality of electrode fingers that extend from the pair of busbars and that interdigitate with each other, the IDT electrode being positioned between the first and second reflectors.",
"14. The antenna duplexer of claim 13 wherein the IDT electrode includes a constant pitch section in which a pitch of the plurality of electrode fingers is substantially constant, and at least one narrow pitch section in which the pitch of the plurality of electrode fingers is reduced relative to the constant pitch section.",
"15. The antenna duplexer of claim 14, wherein the at least one narrow pitch section includes a first narrow pitch section and a second narrow pitch section, the constant pitch section being disposed between the first and second narrow pitch sections.",
"16. The antenna duplexer of claim 15 wherein the at least one narrow pitch section further includes a third narrow pitch section, and the constant pitch section includes a first portion and a second portion, the third narrow pitch section being disposed between the first and second portions of the constant pitch section.",
"17. The antenna duplexer of claim 13 wherein the IDT electrode includes a first section in which a pitch of certain ones of the plurality of electrode fingers varies between a first pitch and a minimum pitch, and second and third sections in which the pitch of the plurality of electrode fingers varies between a second pitch and a third pitch, the second pitch being greater than the first pitch, and the third pitch being less than the first pitch and greater than the minimum pitch.",
"18. The antenna duplexer of claim 17 wherein the first section is disposed between the second and third sections."
],
[
"1. An acoustic wave filter comprising:\na first series-arm resonator and a second series-arm resonator on a path connecting a first terminal and a second terminal; wherein\nthe first series-arm resonator has a lower anti-resonant frequency than any other series-arm resonator included in the acoustic wave filter;\nthe first series-arm resonator and the second series-arm resonator each include an interdigital transducer (IDT) electrode including a pair of comb teeth-shaped electrodes on a substrate including a piezoelectric layer;\nelectrodes of the pair of comb teeth-shaped electrodes of the first series-arm resonator and electrodes of the pair of comb teeth-shaped electrodes of the second series-arm resonator each include electrode fingers and a busbar electrode, the electrode fingers extending in a direction orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to a propagation direction of an acoustic wave, the busbar electrode connecting first ends of the electrode fingers to each other;\na direction in which second ends of the electrode fingers are aligned with each other crosses the propagation direction of the acoustic wave;\nthe electrode fingers of the IDT electrode of the first series-arm resonator and the electrode fingers of the IDT electrode of the second series-arm resonator each include an electrode-finger central portion and a wide portion located at the second end and being wider than the electrode-finger central portion; and\na length of the wide portion of each of the electrode fingers in the first series-arm resonator in the direction in which the electrode fingers extend is greater than a length of the wide portion of each of the electrode fingers in the second series-arm resonator in the direction in which the electrode fingers extend.",
"2. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the length of the wide portion of each of the electrode fingers in the first series-arm resonator is not less than about 0.1λ and not more than about 0.4λ, where λ denotes a wavelength of the acoustic wave.",
"3. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein an intersecting width of the IDT electrode of the first series-arm resonator is not more than about 20λ, where λ denotes a wavelength of the acoustic wave.",
"4. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein\nthe substrate includes:\na piezoelectric layer including two main surfaces, the IDT electrode of each of the first series-arm resonator and the second series-arm resonator being disposed on one of the two main surfaces;\na high-acoustic-velocity support substrate, an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave propagating through the high-acoustic-velocity support substrate being higher than an acoustic wave velocity of an acoustic wave propagating through the piezoelectric layer; and\na low-acoustic-velocity film disposed between the high-acoustic-velocity support substrate and the piezoelectric layer, an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave propagating through the low-acoustic-velocity film being lower than an acoustic velocity of an acoustic wave propagating through the piezoelectric layer.",
"5. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 4, wherein the high-acoustic-velocity support substrate is a silicon substrate having a thickness of about 125 μm.",
"6. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 4, wherein the low-acoustic-velocity film includes silicon dioxide as a main component and has a thickness of about 670 nm.",
"7. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, further comprising a parallel-arm resonator disposed on a path connecting a reference terminal and a node at which the first series-arm resonator and the second series-arm resonator are connected.",
"8. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 7, further comprising a plurality of the parallel-arm resonators.",
"9. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 7, wherein the first series-arm resonator, the second series-arm resonator, and the parallel-arm resonator define a ladder band-pass filter.",
"10. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second series-arm resonators is a surface acoustic wave resonator.",
"11. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second series-arm resonators includes a reflector disposed on both sides of the respective first or second series-arm resonator in the propagation direction.",
"12. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein each of the IDT electrodes of the first and second series-arm resonators includes an adhesive layer on the piezoelectric layer and a main electrode layer on the adhesive layer.",
"13. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 12, wherein the adhesive layer includes Ti as a main component.",
"14. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 12, wherein the main electrode layer includes Al as a main component and a Cu content of about 1%.",
"15. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein each of the IDT electrodes of the first and second series-arm resonators is covered with a protective layer.",
"16. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 15, wherein the protective layer includes silicon dioxide as a main component.",
"17. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric layer is made of a θ°-rotated Y cut X SAW propagation LiTaO3 piezoelectric single crystal.",
"18. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric layer has a thickness of about 600 nm.",
"19. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, further comprising:\na third series-arm resonator disposed on the path, the first series-arm resonator and the third series-arm resonator being connected in series; wherein\nthe third series-arm resonator has a lower anti-resonant frequency than the second series-arm resonator;\nthe third series-arm resonator includes an IDT electrode including a pair of comb teeth-shaped electrodes provided on a substrate including a piezoelectric layer;\nelectrodes of the pair of comb teeth-shaped electrodes of the third series-arm resonator each include electrode fingers and a busbar electrode, the electrode fingers extending in the direction orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the propagation direction of the acoustic wave, the busbar electrode connecting first ends of the electrode fingers to each other;\na direction in which second ends of the electrode fingers are aligned with each other crosses the propagation direction of the acoustic wave;\nthe electrode fingers of the IDT electrode of the third series-arm resonator each include an electrode-finger central portion and a wide portion located at the second end and being wider than the electrode-finger central portion; and\na length of the wide portion of each of the electrode fingers in the third series-arm resonator in the direction in which the electrode fingers extend is greater than the length of the wide portion of each of the electrode fingers in the second series-arm resonator in the direction in which the electrode fingers extend.",
"20. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of the second series-arm resonators."
],
[
"1. A filter comprising:\neach of parallel resonators having first comb electrodes provided on a piezoelectric substrate and a first dielectric film that covers the first comb electrodes; and\neach of series resonators having second comb electrodes provided on the piezoelectric substrate and a second dielectric film that covers the second comb electrodes and is made of a material identical to that of the first dielectric film,\neach of the first dielectric films having a thickness smaller than a thickness of each of the second dielectric films.",
"2. The filter as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a third dielectric film that is provided on the first and second dielectric films,\nthe third dielectric film having an acoustic velocity greater than acoustic velocities of the first and second dielectric films.",
"3. The filter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second dielectric films comprise silicon oxide.",
"4. The filter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric substrate comprises one of lithium niobate and lithium tantalate.",
"5. The filter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second comb electrodes comprise copper.",
"6. A filter comprising:\na first acoustic wave filter having first comb electrodes provided on a piezoelectric substrate and a first dielectric film that covers the first comb electrodes; and\na second acoustic wave filter having second comb electrodes provided on the piezoelectric substrate and a second dielectric film covers the second comb electrodes and is made of a material identical to that of the first dielectric film,\nthe first dielectric film having a thickness smaller than a thickness of the second dielectric film,\nthe first and second acoustic wave filters being connected in series;\nthe first acoustic wave filter being an input side of the filter; and\nthe second acoustic wave filter being an output side of the filter;\nwherein the first and second acoustic wave filter are respectively multimode acoustic wave filters.",
"7. A filter comprising:\na filter acoustic wave filter having first comb electrodes provide on a piezoelectric substrate and a first dielectric film that covers the first comb electrodes; and\na second acoustic wave filter having second comb electrode providing on the piezoelectric substrate and a second dielectric film covers the second comb electrodes and is made of a material identical to that of the first dielectric film,\nthe first dielectric film having a thickness smaller than a thickness of the second dielectric film,\nthe first and second acoustic wave filters being connected in series;\nthe first acoustic wave filter being an input side of the filter;\nthe second acoustic wave filter being an output side of the filter; and\na third dielectric film that is provided on the first an second dielectric films,\nthe third dielectric film having an acoustic velocity greater than acoustic velocities of the first and second dielectric films.",
"8. The filter as claimed in any one of claims 6 or 7, wherein the first and second dielectric films comprise silicon oxide.",
"9. The filter as claimed in any one of claims 6 or 7, wherein the piezoelectric substrate comprises one of lithium niobate and lithium tantalite.",
"10. The filter as claimed in any one of claims 6 or 7, wherein the first and second comb electrode comprise copper.",
"11. A duplexer comprising:\na first acoustic wave filter having first comb electrodes provided on a piezoelectric substrate and a first dielectric film that covers the first comb electrodes; and\na second acoustic wave filter having second comb electrode provided on the piezoelectric substrate and a second dielectric film covers the second comb electrodes and is made of a material identical to that of the first dielectric film,\nthe first dielectric film having a thickness smaller than a thickness of the second dielectric film,\nthe first and second acoustic wave filters being connected at a common terminal;\nthe first acoustic wave filter being a high-frequency-side filter of the duplexer;\nthe second acoustic wave filter being a low frequency-side filter of the duplexer; and\nthe first and second acoustic wave filters being ladder filters.",
"12. The duplexer as claimed in claim 11, further comprises a third dielectric film that is provided on the first and second dielectric films,\nthe third dielectric film having an acoustic velocity greater than acoustic velocity of the first and second dielectric films.",
"13. The duplexer as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first second dielectric films comprise silicon oxide.",
"14. The duplexer as claimed in claim 11, wherein the piezoelectric substrate comprises one of lithium niobate and lithium tantalate.",
"15. The duplexer as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first and second comb electrodes comprise copper."
],
[
"1. An acoustic wave filter device having a ladder circuit configuration comprising:\na plurality of series arm resonators connected in series with one another at a series arm connecting an input terminal and an output terminal;\na parallel arm resonator disposed at a parallel arm connected between the series arm and a ground potential;\na piezoelectric substrate made of a piezoelectric monocrystal; and\nelectrodes provided on the piezoelectric substrate; wherein\nan anti-resonant frequency of at least one of the plurality of series arm resonators is different from that of remaining ones of the plurality of series arm resonators;\none of the plurality of series arm resonators having the lowest anti-resonant frequency has a resonant frequency located in a passband and an electromechanical coupling coefficient k2 less than an average of electromechanical coupling coefficients of all of the plurality of series arm resonators; and\na propagation direction ψ obtained when a crystalline cutting plane of the piezoelectric substrate and an acoustic wave propagation direction are expressed as Euler angles (φ, θ, ψ) is such that an electromechanical coupling coefficient of one of the plurality of series arm resonators having the lowest anti-resonant frequency is less than an average of electromechanical coupling coefficients of all of the plurality of series arm resonators.",
"2. The acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein\na plurality of parallel arm resonators are individually disposed at a plurality of parallel arms;\na resonant frequency of at least one of the plurality of parallel arm resonators is different from that of remaining ones of the plurality of parallel arm resonators; and\none of the plurality of parallel arm resonators having the highest resonant frequency has an anti-resonant frequency located in a passband and an electromechanical coupling coefficient less than an average of electromechanical coupling coefficients of all of the plurality of parallel arm resonators.",
"3. The acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein the acoustic wave filter device is a boundary acoustic wave filter device.",
"4. The acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein the acoustic wave filter device is a surface acoustic wave filter device.",
"5. An acoustic wave filter device comprising:\nat least one series arm resonator arranged to define a series arm between an input terminal and an output terminal;\na plurality of parallel arm resonators that are individually disposed at a plurality of parallel arms connecting the series arm and a ground potential;\na piezoelectric substrate made of a piezoelectric monocrystal; and\nelectrodes provided on the piezoelectric substrate; wherein\na resonant frequency of at least one of the plurality of parallel arm resonators is different from that of remaining ones of the plurality of parallel arm resonators;\none of the plurality of parallel arm resonators having the highest resonant frequency has an anti-resonant frequency located in a passband and an electromechanical coupling coefficient less than an average of electromechanical coupling coefficients of all of the plurality of parallel arm resonators; and\na propagation direction ψ obtained when a crystalline cutting plane of the piezoelectric substrate and an acoustic wave propagation direction are expressed as Euler angles (φ, θ, ψ) is such that an electromechanical coupling coefficient of one of the plurality of parallel arm resonators having the lowest anti-resonant frequency is less than an average of electromechanical coupling coefficients of all of the plurality of parallel arm resonators.",
"6. The acoustic wave filter device according to claim 5, wherein the acoustic wave filter device is a boundary acoustic wave filter device.",
"7. The acoustic wave filter device according to claim 5, wherein the acoustic wave filter device is a surface acoustic wave filter device."
],
[
"1. A surface acoustic wave device comprising:\nan input signal electrode and an output signal electrode to and from which an electric signal is inputted or outputted;\na first surface acoustic wave resonator connected between the input signal electrode and the output signal electrode; and\na second surface acoustic wave resonator including:\na plurality of signal-side terminals having a plurality of comb electrodes and connected to a midpoint between the input signal electrode and the first surface acoustic wave resonator and a midpoint between the output signal electrode and the first surface acoustic wave resonator, and\na ground-side common terminal having a plurality of comb electrodes to form interdigital transducers in cooperation with the comb electrodes of the plurality of signal-side common terminals and connected to a grounding electrode.",
"2. The surface acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the electrode period of the plurality of interdigital transducers forming the second surface acoustic wave resonator is set to be greater than the electrode period of the plurality of interdigital transducers forming the first surface acoustic wave resonator.",
"3. The surface acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein an inductance element is connected between the ground-side common terminal of the second surface acoustic wave resonator and the grounding electrode.",
"4. A surface acoustic wave device comprising:\nan input signal electrode and an output signal electrode to and from which an electric signal is inputted or outputted;\na plurality of first surface acoustic wave resonators connected in series between the input signal electrode and the output signal electrode; and\na second surface acoustic wave resonator including:\na plurality of signal-side terminals having a plurality of comb electrodes,\na first signal-side terminal of the plurality of signal-side terminals connected to a midpoint between the input signal electrode and a first surface acoustic wave resonator of the plurality of first surface acoustic wave resonators, a second signal-side terminal of the plurality of signal side terminals connected to a midpoint between the output signal electrode and a second surface acoustic wave resonator of the of first surface acoustic wave resonators, wherein each of the plurality of signal-side terminals with the exception of the first and the second signal-side terminals is connected to a midpoint between adjacent first surface acoustic wave resonators of the plurality of first surface acoustic wave resonators, and\na ground-side common terminal having a plurality of comb electrodes to form interdigital transducers in cooperation with the comb electrodes of the plurality of signal-side common terminals and connected to a grounding electrode.",
"5. The surface acoustic wave device according to claim 4, wherein the electrode period of the plurality of interdigital transducers forming the second surface acoustic wave resonator is set to be greater than the electrode period of the plurality of interdigital transducers forming the plurality of first surface acoustic wave resonators.",
"6. The surface acoustic wave device according to claim 4, wherein an inductance element is connected between the ground-side common terminal of the second surface acoustic wave resonator and the grounding electrode.",
"7. A branching filter comprising:\nat least two surface acoustic wave devices having mutually different band center frequencies, and at least one of the surface acoustic wave devices comprising:\nan input signal electrode and an output signal electrode to and from which an electric signal is inputted or outputted;\na first surface acoustic wave resonator connected between the input signal electrode and the output signal electrode; and\na second surface acoustic wave resonator including:\na plurality of signal-side terminals having a plurality of comb electrodes and connected to a midpoint between the input signal electrode and the first surface acoustic wave resonator and a midpoint between the output signal electrode and the first surface acoustic wave resonator, and\na ground-side common terminal having a plurality of comb electrodes to form interdigital transducers by the comb electrodes and the comb electrodes of the plurality of signal-side common terminals and connected to a grounding electrode.",
"8. A branching filter comprising:\nat least two surface acoustic wave devices having mutually different band center frequencies, and at least one of the surface acoustic wave devices comprising:\nan input signal electrode and an output signal electrode to and from which an electric signal is inputted or outputted;\na plurality of first surface acoustic wave resonators connected in series between the input signal electrode and the output signal electrode; and\na second surface acoustic wave resonator including:\na plurality of signal-side terminals having a plurality of comb electrodes, a first signal-side terminal of the plurality of signal-side terminals is connected to a midpoint between the input signal electrode and a first surface acoustic wave resonator of the plurality of first surface acoustic wave resonators, a second signal-side terminal of the plurality of signal side terminals is connected to a midpoint between the output signal electrode and a second surface acoustic wave resonator of the plurality of first surface acoustic wave resonators, wherein each of the plurality of signal-side terminals with the exception of the first and the second signal-side terminals is connected to a midpoint between adjacent first surface acoustic wave resonators, and\na ground-side common terminal having a plurality of comb electrodes to form interdigital transducers by the comb electrodes and the comb electrodes of the plurality of signal-side common terminals and connected to a grounding electrode.",
"9. The surface acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein an electrode period of the first interdigital transducers of the second surface acoustic wave resonator is different from an electrode period of the second interdigital transducers of the second surface acoustic wave resonator.",
"10. The surface acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein an electrode period of the first interdigital transducers of the second surface acoustic wave resonator is identical to an electrode period of the second interdigital transducers of the second surface acoustic wave resonator.",
"11. The surface acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein an electrode period of the plurality of interdigital transducers forming the first surface acoustic wave resonator is different from an electrode period of an interdigital transducer forming the second surface acoustic wave resonator.",
"12. The surface acoustic wave device according to claim 4, wherein an electrode period of the first interdigital transducers of the second surface acoustic wave resonator is different from an electrode period of the second interdigital transducers of the second surface acoustic wave resonator.",
"13. The surface acoustic wave device according to claim 4, wherein an electrode period of the first interdigital transducers of the second surface acoustic wave resonator is identical to an electrode period of the second interdigital transducers of the second surface acoustic wave resonator.",
"14. The surface acoustic wave device according to claim 4, wherein an electrode period of the plurality of interdigital transducers forming the first surface acoustic wave resonator is different from an electrode period of an interdigital transducer forming the second surface acoustic wave resonator."
],
[
"1. An acoustic wave resonator comprising:\na piezoelectric body; and\nan IDT electrode on or above the piezoelectric body and including withdrawal weighted portions in each of a plurality of regions in an acoustic wave propagation direction for at least three periods; wherein\na periodicity of the periodic withdrawal weighted portion in at least one of the plurality of regions is different from a periodicity of the periodic withdrawal weighted portion in at least another one of the plurality of regions.",
"2. The acoustic wave resonator according to claim 1, wherein periodicities of the withdrawal weighted portions in the plurality of regions are different from one another.",
"3. The acoustic wave resonator according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the withdrawal weighted portions is asymmetric on respective sides of a center of the IDT electrode in the acoustic wave propagation direction.",
"4. The acoustic wave resonator according to claim 1, wherein the IDT electrode includes a plurality of first electrode fingers and a plurality of second electrode fingers that interdigitate with each other, and at least one of the withdrawal weighted portions includes a wide electrode finger with a larger width-direction dimension than the first electrode fingers in the acoustic wave propagation direction.",
"5. The acoustic wave resonator according to claim 1, wherein the IDT electrode includes a plurality of first electrodes and a plurality of second electrodes that interdigitate with each other, and at least one of the withdrawal weighted portions includes a floating electrode finger provided in at least one of portions in which the first electrode fingers or the second electrode fingers are located, in place of the corresponding first electrode finger or the corresponding second electrode finger.",
"6. The acoustic wave resonator according to claim 1, further comprising reflectors disposed on respective sides of the IDT electrode in the acoustic wave propagation direction.",
"7. The acoustic wave resonator according to claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric body is defined by a piezoelectric plate.",
"8. The acoustic wave resonator according to claim 7, wherein the piezoelectric plate is made of LiNbO3 or LiTaO3.",
"9. The acoustic wave resonator according to claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric body is defined by a piezoelectric film stacked on or above a semiconductor layer or an insulating layer.",
"10. The acoustic wave resonator according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of regions include at least three regions.",
"11. The acoustic wave resonator according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of regions are arranged parallel or substantially parallel to the acoustic wave propagation direction.",
"12. A multiplexer comprising:\na common terminal; and\na plurality of bandpass filters each including one end connected in common to the common terminal; wherein\nat least one of the plurality of bandpass filters has a pass band that is different from pass bands of others of the plurality of bandpass filters;\nthe at least one of the bandpass filters is an acoustic wave filter including a plurality of acoustic wave resonators; and\nat least one of the plurality of acoustic wave resonators is defined by the acoustic wave resonator according to claim 1.",
"13. The multiplexer according to claim 12, wherein the plurality of bandpass filters have pass bands that are different from one another.",
"14. The multiplexer according to claim 12, wherein each of the plurality of bandpass filters is an acoustic wave filter including a plurality of acoustic wave resonators.",
"15. The multiplexer according to claim 12, wherein periodicities of the withdrawal weighted portions in the plurality of regions are different from one another.",
"16. The multiplexer according to claim 12, wherein at least one of the withdrawal weighted portions is asymmetric on respective sides of a center of the IDT electrode in the acoustic wave propagation direction.",
"17. The multiplexer according to claim 12, wherein the IDT electrode includes a plurality of first electrode fingers and a plurality of second electrode fingers that interdigitate with each other, and at least one of the withdrawal weighted portions includes a wide electrode finger with a larger width-direction dimension than the first electrode fingers in the acoustic wave propagation direction.",
"18. The multiplexer according to claim 12, wherein the IDT electrode includes a plurality of first electrodes and a plurality of second electrodes that interdigitate with each other, and at least one of the withdrawal weighted portions includes a floating electrode finger provided in at least one of portions in which the first electrode fingers or the second electrode fingers are located, in place of the corresponding first electrode finger or the corresponding second electrode finger.",
"19. The multiplexer according to claim 12, wherein the piezoelectric body is defined by a piezoelectric film stacked on or above a semiconductor layer or an insulating layer."
],
[
"1. A multiplexer that transmits and receives high-frequency signals via an antenna element, the multiplexer comprising:\na substrate including a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface;\na common connection terminal that is disposed on the first surface of the substrate and that is to be connected to the antenna element; and\nat least three elastic wave filters that are mounted on the second surface of the substrate, that are connected to the common connection terminal, and that have pass bands different from each other; wherein\na first elastic wave filter of the at least three elastic wave filters, which generates a spurious wave at a frequency that is included in a pass band of a second elastic wave filter that is at least one of the elastic wave filters that differs from the first elastic wave filter among the at least three elastic wave filters, is located nearest on the substrate to the common connection terminal among the at least three elastic wave filters.",
"2. The multiplexer according to claim 1, wherein the second elastic wave filter is located nearer on the substrate to the common connection terminal than at least one elastic wave other than the first elastic wave filter and the second elastic wave filter among the at least three elastic wave filters.",
"3. The multiplexer according to claim 1, wherein\nthe substrate includes a plurality of layers; and\na wiring line connecting the first elastic wave filter and the common connection terminal to each other is provided in or on one of the plurality of layers.",
"4. The multiplexer according to claim 1, wherein\nthe first elastic wave filter includes an input terminal, an output terminal, and at least one of a parallel arm resonator unit and a series arm resonator unit, the series arm resonator unit being disposed on a path connecting the input terminal and the output terminal to each other, the parallel arm resonator unit being connected between the path and a reference terminal; and\nat least one of the series arm resonator unit nearest to the common connection terminal and the parallel arm resonator unit nearest to the common connection terminal includes:\nelastic wave resonators that are connected in series; and\na first capacitance element that is connected between at least one of paths connecting the elastic wave resonators to each other and the reference terminal.",
"5. The multiplexer according to claim 1, wherein\nthe first elastic wave filter includes an input terminal, an output terminal, and at least one of a parallel arm resonator unit and a series arm resonator unit, the series arm resonator unit being disposed on a path connecting the input terminal and the output terminal to each other, the parallel arm resonator unit being connected between the path and a reference terminal; and\nat least one of the series arm resonator unit nearest to the common connection terminal and the parallel arm resonator unit nearest to the common connection terminal includes:\nat least one elastic wave resonator; and\na second capacitance element that is connected to the at least one elastic wave resonator in parallel so as to bridge both end portions of the at least one elastic wave resonator.",
"6. The multiplexer according to claim 1, wherein\nthe first elastic wave filter includes a piezoelectric substrate; and\nthe piezoelectric substrate includes:\na piezoelectric film including a surface on which an interdigital transducer electrode is provided;\na high acoustic velocity support substrate through which a bulk wave is propagated at an acoustic velocity higher than an acoustic velocity at which an elastic wave is propagated through the piezoelectric film; and\na low acoustic velocity film that is disposed between the high acoustic velocity support substrate and the piezoelectric film and through which a bulk wave is propagated at an acoustic velocity lower than an acoustic velocity at which a bulk wave is propagated through the piezoelectric film.",
"7. The multiplexer according to claim 6, wherein the first elastic wave filter further includes a protective layer covering the interdigital transducer electrode.",
"8. The multiplexer according to claim 7, wherein the protective layer is defined by a film including silicon dioxide as a main component.",
"9. The multiplexer according to claim 7, wherein the protective layer has a thickness of about 25 nm.",
"10. The multiplexer according to claim 6, wherein the interdigital transducer electrode has a multilayer structure including a close-contact layer and a main electrode layer provided on the close-contact layer.",
"11. The multiplexer according to claim 10, wherein the main electrode layer has a thickness of about 162 nm.",
"12. The multiplexer according to claim 10, wherein the close-contact layer is made of Ti.",
"13. The multiplexer according to claim 10, wherein the close-contact layer has a thickness of about 12 nm.",
"14. The multiplexer according to claim 10, wherein the main electrode layer is made of Al including about 1% of Cu.",
"15. The multiplexer according to claim 1, wherein\nthe first elastic wave filter includes a piezoelectric substrate; and\nthe piezoelectric substrate is made of a LiNbO3 piezoelectric single crystal substrate including a surface on which an interdigital transducer electrode is provided.",
"16. The multiplexer according to claim 1, wherein\nthe multiplexer is a quadplexer including a Band25 duplexer and a Band66 duplexer;\nthe at least three elastic wave filters include a transmission-side filter and a reception-side filter of the Band25 duplexer, and a transmission-side filter and a reception side filter of the Band66 duplexer; and\nthe first elastic wave filter defines the reception-side filter of the Band25 duplexer.",
"17. The multiplexer according to claim 16, further comprising an inductance element connected between the reception-side filter of the Band25 duplexer and the common connection terminal.",
"18. The multiplexer according to claim 16, wherein the transmission-side filter of the Band66 duplexer is an unbalanced-input-unbalanced-output band pass filter."
],
[
"1. An acoustic wave filter comprising:\na piezoelectric substrate;\none or more series resonators that are connected in series between an input terminal and an output terminal and located on the piezoelectric substrate, each of the one or more series resonators including first electrode fingers that are arranged with a first duty ratio and excite an acoustic wave;\none or more parallel resonators that are connected in parallel between the input terminal and the output terminal and located on the piezoelectric substrate, each of the one or more parallel resonators including second electrode fingers that are arranged with a second duty ratio and excite an acoustic wave, the second duty ratio in each of the one or more parallel resonators being less than the first duty ratio in each of the one or more series resonators; and\na dielectric film that has a temperature coefficient of elastic modulus that is opposite in sign to that of the piezoelectric substrate, is located on the piezoelectric substrate so as to cover the first electrode fingers and the second electrode fingers, and has a film thickness greater than those of the first electrode fingers and the second electrode fingers,\nwherein:\neach of the one or more series resonators includes a pair of first comb-shaped electrodes, the first duty ratio is a duty ratio in a first region in which third electrode fingers of one of the pair of first comb-shaped electrodes among the first electrode fingers overlap with fourth electrode fingers of another of the pair of first comb-shaped electrodes among the first electrode fingers, the third electrode fingers and the fourth electrode fingers are alternately arranged in the first region, only a single fourth electrode finger among the fourth electrode fingers is located between adjacent third electrode fingers among the third electrode fingers in the first region, only a single third electrode finger among the third electrode fingers is located between adjacent fourth electrode fingers among the fourth electrode fingers in the first region,\neach of the one or more parallel resonators includes a pair of second comb-shaped electrodes, the second duty ratio is a duty ratio in a second region in which fifth electrode fingers of one of the pair of second comb-shaped electrodes among the second electrode fingers overlap with sixth electrode fingers of another of the pair of second comb-shaped electrodes among the second electrode fingers, the fifth electrode fingers and the sixth electrode fingers are alternately arranged in the second region, only a single sixth electrode finger among the sixth electrode fingers is located between adjacent fifth electrode fingers among the fifth electrode fingers in the second region, only a single fifth electrode finger among the fifth electrode fingers is located between adjacent sixth electrode fingers among the sixth electrode fingers in the second region,\na resonant frequency of each of the one or more parallel resonators is less than a resonant frequency of each of the one or more series resonators,\nan antiresonant frequency of each of the one or more parallel resonators is less than an antiresonant frequency of each of the one or more series resonators,\nno resonator other than the one or more parallel resonators and the one or more series resonators is connected between the input terminal and the output terminal, and\na difference in value between a value, expressed in percentage, of a largest second duty ratio in the one or more parallel resonators and a value, expressed in percentage, of a smallest first duty ratio in the one or more series resonators is 5% or greater.",
"2. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein\nthe one or more series resonators are a plurality of series resonators,\nthe one or more parallel resonators are a plurality of parallel resonators, and\nall of the second duty ratios in the plurality of parallel resonators are less than all of the first duty ratios in the plurality of series resonators.",
"3. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein\nthe difference in value between the value, expressed in percentage, of the largest second duty ratio in the one or more parallel resonators and the value, expressed in percentage, of the smallest first duty ratio in the one or more series resonators is 10% or less.",
"4. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein\na pitch of the first electrode fingers is less than a pitch of the second electrode fingers.",
"5. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein\nthe piezoelectric substrate is a lithium niobate substrate or a lithium tantalate substrate.",
"6. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein\nthe piezoelectric substrate is a lithium niobate substrate and the dielectric film is a silicon oxide film.",
"7. A multiplexer comprising:\nthe acoustic wave filter according to claim 1.",
"8. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein\nthe value, expressed in percentage, of the largest second duty ratio in the one or more parallel resonators is equal to or less than 0.9 times the value, expressed in percentage, of the smallest first duty ratio in the one or more series resonators.",
"9. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the resonant frequency of each of the one or more parallel resonators is lower than a passband of the acoustic wave filter, and the antiresonant frequency of each of the one or more series resonators is higher than the passband.",
"10. An acoustic wave filter comprising:\na piezoelectric substrate;\none or more series resonators that are connected in series between an input terminal and an output terminal and located on the piezoelectric substrate, each of the one or more series resonators including first electrode fingers that are arranged with a first duty ratio and excite an acoustic wave;\none or more parallel resonators that are connected in parallel between the input terminal and the output terminal and located on the piezoelectric substrate, each of the one or more parallel resonators including second electrode fingers that are arranged with a second duty ratio and excite an acoustic wave, the second duty ratio in each of the one or more parallel resonators being less than the first duty ratio in each of the one or more series resonators;\na first dielectric film that has a temperature coefficient of elastic modulus that is opposite in sign to that of the piezoelectric substrate, is located on the piezoelectric substrate so as to cover the first electrode fingers, and has a first film thickness greater than those of the first electrode fingers; and\na second dielectric film that has a temperature coefficient of elastic modulus that is opposite in sign to that of the piezoelectric substrate, is located on the piezoelectric substrate so as to cover the second electrode fingers, and has a second film thickness that is greater than those of the second electrode fingers and is substantially equal to the first film thickness,\nwherein:\neach of the one or more series resonators includes a pair of first comb-shaped electrodes, the first duty ratio is a duty ratio in a first region in which third electrode fingers of one of the pair of first comb-shaped electrodes among the first electrode fingers overlap with fourth electrode fingers of another of the pair of first comb-shaped electrodes among the first electrode fingers, the third electrode fingers and the fourth electrode fingers are alternately arranged in the first region, only a single fourth electrode finger among the fourth electrode fingers is located between adjacent third electrode fingers among the third electrode fingers in the first region, only a single third electrode finger among the third electrode fingers is located between adjacent fourth electrode fingers among the fourth electrode fingers in the first region,\neach of the one or more parallel resonators includes a pair of second comb-shaped electrodes, the second duty ratio is a duty ratio in a second region in which fifth electrode fingers of one of the pair of second comb-shaped electrodes among the second electrode fingers overlap with sixth electrode fingers of another of the pair of second comb-shaped electrodes among the second electrode fingers, the fifth electrode fingers and the sixth electrode fingers are alternately arranged in the second region, only a single sixth electrode finger among the sixth electrode fingers is located between adjacent fifth electrode fingers among the fifth electrode fingers in the second region, only a single fifth electrode finger among the fifth electrode fingers is located between adjacent sixth electrode fingers among the sixth electrode fingers in the second region,\na resonant frequency of each of the one or more parallel resonators is less than a resonant frequency of each of the one or more series resonators,\nan antiresonant frequency of each of the one or more parallel resonators is less than an antiresonant frequency of each of the one or more series resonators,\nno resonator other than the one or more parallel resonators and the one or more series resonators is connected between the input terminal and the output terminal, and\na difference in value between a value, expressed in percentage, of a largest second duty ratio in the one or more parallel resonators and a value, expressed in percentage, of a smallest first duty ratio in the one or more series resonators is 5% or greater.",
"11. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 10, wherein the first dielectric film and the second dielectric film are made of substantially identical materials.",
"12. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 10, wherein\nthe one or more series resonators are a plurality of series resonators,\nthe one or more parallel resonators are a plurality of parallel resonators, and\nall of the second duty ratios in the plurality of parallel resonators are less than all of the first duty ratios in the plurality of series resonators.",
"13. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 10, wherein the difference in value between the value, expressed in percentage, of the largest second duty ratio in the one or more parallel resonators and the value, expressed in percentage, of the smallest first duty ratio in the one or more series resonators is 10% or less.",
"14. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 10, wherein a pitch of the first electrode fingers is less than a pitch of the second electrode fingers.",
"15. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 10, wherein the piezoelectric substrate is a lithium niobate substrate or a lithium tantalate substrate.",
"16. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 10, wherein the piezoelectric substrate is a lithium niobate substrate and the dielectric film is a silicon oxide film.",
"17. A multiplexer comprising:\nthe acoustic wave filter according to claim 10.",
"18. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 10, wherein the value, expressed in percentage, of the largest second duty ratio in the one or more parallel resonators is equal to or less than 0.9 times the value, expressed in percentage, of the smallest first duty ratio in the one or more series resonators.",
"19. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 2, wherein the resonant frequency of each of the one or more parallel resonators is lower than a passband of the acoustic wave filter, and the antiresonant frequency of each of the one or more series resonators is higher than the passband."
],
[
"1. An elastic wave filter device comprising:\na first elastic wave filter and a second elastic wave filter having pass bands different from each other and provided on a piezoelectric substrate; and\na shared terminal, a first terminal, a second terminal, and a plurality of reference terminals provided on the piezoelectric substrate; wherein\nthe first elastic wave filter includes a series resonator connected between the shared terminal and the first terminal and parallel resonators connected between a connection path from the shared terminal to the first terminal and one reference terminal among the plurality of reference terminals;\nthe second elastic wave filter includes parallel resonators connected between a connection path from the shared terminal to the second terminal and another reference terminal among the plurality of reference terminals;\na first reference terminal among the plurality of reference terminals connected to a parallel resonator connected so as to be closest to the first terminal among the parallel resonators included in the first elastic wave filter, and a second reference terminal among the plurality of reference terminals connected to a parallel resonator connected so as to be closest to the second terminal among the parallel resonators included in the second elastic wave filter, are separated from each other on the piezoelectric substrate; and\nthe first reference terminal is provided at a first side of the piezoelectric substrate, and the second reference terminal is provided at a second side of the piezoelectric substrate that is different than the first side of the piezoelectric substrate.",
"2. The elastic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein each of the first reference terminal and the second reference terminal is separated on the piezoelectric substrate from any other reference terminals of the plurality of reference terminals on the piezoelectric substrate.",
"3. The elastic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein\nthe first reference terminal is separated on the piezoelectric substrate from any of the reference terminals connected to the parallel resonators included in the second elastic wave filter; and\nthe second reference terminal is separated on the piezoelectric substrate from any of the reference terminal connected to the parallel resonators included in the first elastic wave filter.",
"4. The elastic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein at least one set of reference terminals among the plurality of reference terminals is shared on the piezoelectric substrate.",
"5. The elastic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein all of the reference terminals other than the first reference terminal and the second reference terminal, among the plurality of reference terminals, are shared on the piezoelectric substrate.",
"6. The elastic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein\nthe first elastic wave filter is a first reception filter that filters a first high-frequency signal input through the shared terminal, in a first pass band and outputs the filtered signal to the first terminal; and\nthe second elastic wave filter is a second reception filter that filters a second high-frequency signal input through the shared terminal, in a second pass band and outputs the filtered signal to the second terminal.",
"7. The elastic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein the first elastic wave filter and the second elastic wave filter are ladder surface acoustic wave filters.",
"8. The elastic wave filter device according to claim 7, wherein each of the first and second ladder surface acoustic wave filters includes an IDT electrode having a multilayer structure including a close contact layer and a main electrode layer.",
"9. The elastic wave filter device according to claim 8, wherein the close contact layer is made of Ti.",
"10. The elastic wave filter device according to claim 8, wherein the main electrode in made of Al including about 1% of Cu.",
"11. The elastic wave filter device according to claim 8, wherein each of the first and second ladder surface acoustic wave filters further includes a protective layer covering the IDT electrode.",
"12. A duplexer comprising the elastic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein\nthe first elastic wave filter is one of a reception filter that filters a high-frequency signal input through the shared terminal, in a first pass band and outputs the filtered signal to the first terminal and a transmission filter that filters a high-frequency signal input through the second terminal, in a second pass band and outputs the filtered signal to the shared terminal; and\nthe second elastic wave filter is the other of the reception filter and the transmission filter.",
"13. The duplexer according to claim 12, wherein each of the first reference terminal and the second reference terminal is separated on the piezoelectric substrate from any other reference terminals of the plurality of reference terminals on the piezoelectric substrate.",
"14. The duplexer according to claim 12, wherein\nthe first reference terminal is separated on the piezoelectric substrate from any of the reference terminals connected to the parallel resonators included in the second elastic wave filter; and\nthe second reference terminal is separated on the piezoelectric substrate from any of the reference terminal connected to the parallel resonators included in the first elastic wave filter.",
"15. The duplexer according to claim 12, wherein at least one set of reference terminals among the plurality of reference terminals is shared on the piezoelectric substrate.",
"16. The duplexer according to claim 12, wherein the reference terminals other than the first reference terminal and the second reference terminal, among the plurality of reference terminals, are shared on the piezoelectric substrate.",
"17. The duplexer according to claim 12, wherein the first elastic wave filter and the second elastic wave filter are ladder surface acoustic wave filters.",
"18. The duplexer according to claim 17, wherein each of the first and second ladder surface acoustic wave filters includes an IDT electrode having a multilayer structure including a close contact layer and a main electrode layer.",
"19. The duplexer according to claim 18, wherein the close contact layer is made of Ti.",
"20. The duplexer according to claim 18, wherein the main electrode in made of Al including about 1% of Cu."
],
[
"1. An acoustic wave filter comprising:\na first input-output terminal and a second input-output terminal;\none or more series arm resonators on a path connecting the first input-output terminal and the second input-output terminal; and\none or more parallel arm resonators between the path and ground; wherein\nthe one or more series arm resonators and the one or more parallel arm resonators are each an acoustic wave resonator including an interdigital transducer electrode provided on a substrate with piezoelectricity;\nthe interdigital transducer electrode includes a pair of comb-shaped electrodes each including a plurality of electrode fingers that extend in a direction crossing a propagation direction of acoustic waves and that are in parallel or substantially in parallel with each other and a busbar electrode that connects one-side ends of electrode fingers of the plurality of electrode fingers to each other; and\nwhen a first electrode finger of the plurality of electrode fingers that is not coupled to either busbar electrode of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes is determined as a first thinned electrode; and when a second electrode finger out the plurality of electrode fingers that has a widest electrode finger width twice or more an average electrode finger width of the electrode fingers excluding the first electrode finger is determined as a second thinned electrode; the interdigital transducer electrode of at least one of the one or more series arm resonators includes the first thinned electrode; and the interdigital transducer electrode of at least one of the one or more parallel arm resonators includes the second thinned electrode.",
"2. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the interdigital transducer electrode of each of the one or more series arm resonators includes the first thinned electrode.",
"3. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the interdigital transducer electrode of each of the one or more parallel arm resonators includes the second thinned electrode.",
"4. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein in the interdigital transducer electrode of each of the one or more series arm resonators, when a proportion of a count of the first thinned electrode to a total count of the plurality of electrode fingers is determined as a first thinning rate of the interdigital transducer electrode, the first thinning rate of the interdigital transducer electrode including the first thinned electrode is about 30% or less.",
"5. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein in the interdigital transducer electrode of each of the one or more parallel arm resonators, when a proportion of a count of the second thinned electrode to a total count of the plurality of electrode fingers is determined as a second thinning rate of the interdigital transducer electrode, the second thinning rate of the interdigital transducer electrode including the second thinned electrode is about 30% or less.",
"6. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the substrate includes a piezoelectric film including one surface on which the interdigital transducer electrode is provided, a high-acoustic-velocity support substrate in which a bulk wave propagates at an acoustic velocity higher than an acoustic velocity of an acoustic wave propagating along the piezoelectric film, and a low-acoustic-velocity film that is positioned between the high-acoustic-velocity support substrate and the piezoelectric film and in which a bulk wave propagates at an acoustic velocity lower than an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave propagating in the piezoelectric film.",
"7. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the one or more series arm resonators include five series arm resonators.",
"8. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the one or more parallel arm resonators include four parallel arm resonators.",
"9. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the interdigital transducer includes a fixing layer and a main electrode layer.",
"10. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 9, wherein the fixing layer is made of Ti.",
"11. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 9, wherein the fixing layer has a thickness of about 12 nm.",
"12. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 9, wherein the main electrode layer is made Al including about 1% Cu.",
"13. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 9, wherein the main electrode layer has a thickness of about 162 nm.",
"14. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the interdigital transducer electrode is covered with a protective layer.",
"15. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 14, wherein the protective layer is defined by a dielectric film mainly including silicon dioxide.",
"16. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 14, wherein the protective layer has a thickness of about 25 nm.",
"17. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein substrate is defined by a piezoelectric film made of a 50° Y-cut X-propagation LiTaO3 piezoelectric single crystal or piezoelectric ceramic.",
"18. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 17, wherein the piezoelectric film has a thickness of about 600 nm."
],
[
"1. A surface acoustic wave filter comprising:\ntwo or more interdigital transducers, provided on a piezoelectric substrate, and arranged in a propagation direction of a surface acoustic wave,\nwherein said two or more interdigital transducers include at least one pair of interdigital transducers arranged adjacent to each other in order to be acoustically coupled to each other, and have different numbers of paired electrode fingers, and\na pitch between each neighboring two of almost all of the electrode fingers included in both of the pair of interdigital transducers are made different from one to another in order that the interdigital transducers should include no primary pitch area.",
"2. The surface acoustic wave filter according to claim 1,\nwherein, in a case where the pitch between each neighboring two of almost all of the electrode fingers included in both of the pair of interdigital transducers are made different from one to another in order that the interdigital transducers should include no primary pitch area, at least one of the interdigital transducer transducers includes at least one pitch-decreasing area in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is progressively decreased, and at least one pitch-increasing area in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is progressively increased.",
"3. The surface acoustic wave filter according to claim 1,\nwherein the surface acoustic wave filter is a longitudinally coupled resonator multi-mode type surface acoustic wave filter,\nsaid two or more interdigital transducers arranged in the propagation direction of the surface acoustic wave include three or more interdigital transducers,\nreflectors are arranged respectively at the two sides of a group consisting of the three or more interdigital transducers, and\na plurality of resonant modes are used in the three or more interdigital transducers.",
"4. The surface acoustic wave filter according to claim 3,\nwherein at least one surface acoustic wave resonator is connected in series to the surface acoustic wave filter.",
"5. The surface acoustic wave filter according to claim 3,\nwherein at least one surface acoustic wave resonator is connected in parallel to the surface acoustic wave filter.",
"6. A surface acoustic wave filter comprising:\nan input terminal which is an unbalanced terminal,\noutput terminals which are balanced terminals,\na pair of surface acoustic wave filters which are made different from each other in the phase of an output signal by substantially 180 degrees and are electrically connected in parallel between the input terminal and the output terminals,\nwherein the surface acoustic wave filter according to claim 1 is used for each of the pair of surface acoustic wave filters.",
"7. The surface acoustic wave filter according to claim 6,\nwherein at least one surface acoustic wave resonator is connected in series to the surface acoustic wave filter.",
"8. The surface acoustic wave filter according to claim 6,\nwherein at least one surface acoustic wave resonator is connected in parallel to the surface acoustic wave filter.",
"9. A surface acoustic wave filter comprising:\ntwo or more interdigital transducers, provided on a piezoelectric substrate, and arranged in a propagation direction of a surface acoustic wave,\nwherein said two or more interdigital transducers include at least one pair of interdigital transducers arranged adjacent to each other in order to be acoustically coupled to each other, and have different numbers of paired electrode fingers,\na pitch between each neighboring two of almost all of the electrode fingers included in one of the pair of interdigital transducers which has the smaller number of paired electrode fingers is made different from one to another in order that the interdigital transducer should include no primary pitch area, the one of the pair of interdigital transducers includes at least one pitch-decreasing area in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is progressively decreased, and at least one pitch-increasing area in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is progressively increased, and\nin each of endmost ones of the two or more interdigital transducers arranged in the propagation direction of the surface acoustic wave, the pitch between the electrode fingers is progressively decreased from its outside to its inside, thereafter is reversely increased and subsequently is decreased again, in its inner end portion.",
"10. A boundary acoustic wave filter comprising:\na piezoelectric substrate;\na non-piezoelectric material arranged in contact with the piezoelectric substrate; and\ntwo or more interdigital transducers, provided on an interface between the piezoelectric substrate and the non-piezoelectric material, and arranged in a propagation direction of boundary acoustic waves,\nwherein said two or more interdigital transducers include at least one pair of interdigital transducers arranged adjacent to each other in order to be acoustically coupled to each other, and have different numbers of paired electrode fingers,\na pitch between each neighboring two of almost all of the electrode fingers included in one of the pair of interdigital transducers which has the smaller number of paired electrode fingers is made different from one to another in order that the interdigital transducer should include no primary pitch area, the one of the pair of interdigital transducers includes at least one pitch-decreasing area in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is progressively decreased, and at least one pitch-increasing area in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is progressively increased, and\nin each of endmost ones of the two or more interdigital transducers arranged in the propagation direction of the surface acoustic wave, the pitch between the electrode fingers is progressively decreased from its outside to its inside, thereafter is reversely increased and subsequently is decreased again, in its inner end portion.",
"11. A surface acoustic wave filter comprising:\nthree or more interdigital transducers, provided on a piezoelectric substrate, and arranged in a propagation direction of a surface acoustic wave,\nwherein said three or more interdigital transducers include at least one pair of interdigital transducers arranged adjacent to each other in order to be acoustically coupled to each other, and have different numbers of paired electrode fingers,\na pitch between each neighboring two of almost all of the electrode fingers included in one of the pair of interdigital transducers which has the smaller number of paired electrode fingers is made different from one to another in order that the interdigital transducer should include no primary pitch area, the one of the pair of interdigital transducers transducer includes at least one pitch-decreasing area in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is progressively decreased, and at least one pitch-increasing area in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is progressively increased, and\namong said three or more interdigital transducers arranged in the propagation direction of the surface acoustic wave, an interdigital transducer interposed between its two neighboring interdigital transducers has a pitch change as a whole in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is larger in its central portion and is decreased gradually toward its two ends, and has an area in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is decreased in a part of its central portion.",
"12. A boundary acoustic wave filter comprising:\na piezoelectric substrate;\na non-piezoelectric material arranged in contact with the piezoelectric substrate; and\nthree or more interdigital transducers, provided on an interface between the piezoelectric substrate and the non-piezoelectric material, and arranged in a propagation direction of boundary acoustic waves,\nwherein said three or more interdigital transducers include at least one pair of interdigital transducers arranged adjacent to each other in order to be acoustically coupled to each other, and have different numbers of paired electrode fingers,\na pitch between each neighboring two of almost all of the electrode fingers included in one of the pair of interdigital transducers which has the smaller number of paired electrode fingers is made different from one to another in order that the interdigital transducer should include no primary pitch area, the one of the pair of interdigital transducers includes at least one pitch-decreasing area in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is progressively decreased, and at least one pitch-increasing area in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is progressively increased, and\namong said three or more interdigital transducers arranged in the propagation direction of the surface acoustic wave, an interdigital transducer interposed between its two neighboring interdigital transducers has a pitch change as a whole in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is larger in its central portion and is decreased gradually toward its two ends, and has an area in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is decreased in a part of its central portion.",
"13. A boundary acoustic wave filter comprising:\na piezoelectric substrate;\na non-piezoelectric material arranged in contact with the piezoelectric substrate; and\ntwo or more interdigital transducers, provided on an interface between the piezoelectric substrate and the non-piezoelectric material, and arranged in a propagation direction of boundary acoustic waves,\nwherein said two or more interdigital transducers include at least one pair of interdigital transducers arranged adjacent to each other in order to be acoustically coupled to each other, and have different numbers of paired electrode fingers, and\na pitch between each neighboring two of almost all of the electrode fingers included in both of the pair of interdigital transducers are made different from one to another in order that the interdigital transducers should include no primary pitch area.",
"14. The boundary acoustic wave filter according to claim 13,\nwherein the boundary acoustic wave filter is a longitudinally coupled resonator multi-mode type boundary acoustic wave filter,\nsaid two or more interdigital transducers arranged in the propagation direction of the surface acoustic wave include three or more interdigital transducers,\nreflectors are arranged respectively at the two sides of a group consisting of the three or more interdigital transducers, and\na plurality of resonant modes are used in the three or more interdigital transducers.",
"15. The boundary acoustic wave filter according to claim 13,\nwherein, in a case where the pitch between each neighboring two of almost all of the electrode fingers included in both of the pair of interdigital transducers are made different from one to another in order that the interdigital transducers should include no primary pitch area, at least one of the interdigital transducers includes at least one pitch-decreasing area in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is progressively decreased, and at least one pitch-increasing area in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is progressively increased.",
"16. A surface acoustic wave filter comprising:\ntwo or more interdigital transducers, provided on a piezoelectric substrate, and arranged in a propagation direction of a surface acoustic wave,\nwherein said two or more interdigital transducers include at least one pair of interdigital transducers arranged adjacent to each other in order to be acoustically coupled to each other, and have different numbers of paired electrode fingers,\na pitch between each neighboring two of almost all of the electrode fingers included in one of the pair of interdigital transducers which has the smaller number of paired electrode fingers is made different from one to another in order that the interdigital transducer should include no primary pitch area,\nthe largest pitch between the electrode fingers in a first one of the pair of interdigital transducers which has the smaller number of paired electrode fingers is smaller than the largest pitch between the electrode fingers in a second one of the pair of interdigital transducers which has the larger number of paired electrode fingers, and\nthe smallest pitch between the electrode fingers in the first one of the pair of interdigital transducers which has the smaller number of paired electrode fingers is larger than the smallest pitch between the electrode fingers in the second one of the pair of interdigital transducers which has the larger number of paired electrode fingers.",
"17. A boundary acoustic wave filter comprising:\na piezoelectric substrate;\na non-piezoelectric material arranged in contact with the piezoelectric substrate; and\ntwo or more interdigital transducers, provided on an interface between the piezoelectric substrate and the non-piezoelectric material, and arranged in a propagation direction of boundary acoustic waves,\nwherein said two or more interdigital transducers include at least one pair of interdigital transducers arranged adjacent to each other in order to be acoustically coupled to each other, and have different numbers of paired electrode fingers,\na pitch between each neighboring two of almost all of the electrode fingers included in one of the pair of interdigital transducers which has the smaller number of paired electrode fingers is made different from one to another in order that the interdigital transducer should include no primary pitch area,\nthe largest pitch between the electrode fingers in a first one of the pair of interdigital transducers which has the smaller number of paired electrode fingers is smaller than the largest pitch between the electrode fingers in a second one of the pair of interdigital transducers which has the larger number of paired electrode fingers, and\nthe smallest pitch between the electrode fingers in the first one of the pair of interdigital transducers which has the smaller number of paired electrode fingers is larger than the smallest pitch between the electrode fingers in the second one of the pair of interdigital transducers which has the larger number of paired electrode fingers."
],
[
"1. An elastic wave device comprising:\na piezoelectric member; and\nat least one IDT electrode; wherein\nsaid at least one IDT electrode has first and second electrode fingers that are arranged next to each other in a propagation direction of elastic waves and are connected to different electric potentials;\na gap is provided external to tip ends of each of the first and second electrode fingers in a longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers;\na projection is provided in at least one of a position on a side edge of the first electrode finger and a position on a side edge of the second electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers, the position on the side edge of the first electrode finger corresponding to that of the gap located external to the tip end of the second electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers, the position on the side edge of the second electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers corresponding to that of the gap located external to the tip end of the first electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers; and\nthe projection projects only in the vicinity of the gap from the side edge of one of the first and second electrode fingers in a direction towards the gag provided at the tip end of another one of the first and second electrode fingers, the side edge from which the projection projects being one of the side edges that faces the gap.",
"2. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the projection projecting only in the vicinity of the gap is tapered toward the tip end of the another one of the first and second electrode fingers.",
"3. The elastic wave device according to claim 2, wherein a distance between a periphery of the first electrode finger and a periphery of the second electrode finger arranged next to the first electrode finger is substantially fixed.",
"4. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the projection is arranged such that an effective propagation distance in a case where an elastic wave propagates through the gaps in an area provided with the first and second electrode fingers is substantially equal to an effective propagation distance in a case where an elastic wave propagates through a section without the gaps in the area provided with the first and second electrode fingers.",
"5. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the projection is provided on each of the first and second electrode fingers.",
"6. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one IDT electrode is crossing width weighted.",
"7. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the elastic wave comprises a surface acoustic wave.",
"8. The elastic wave device according to claim 7, further comprising a medium layer that covers said at least one IDT electrode provided on the piezoelectric substrate, wherein said at least one IDT electrode has a density that is equal to or higher than a density of the piezoelectric substrate and a density of the medium layer, and a ratio of the density of said at least one IDT electrode to the density of the medium layer is higher than about 1.22.",
"9. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the elastic wave comprises a boundary acoustic wave.",
"10. The elastic wave device according to claim 9, further comprising a medium layer that covers said at least one IDT electrode provided on the piezoelectric substrate, wherein said at least one IDT electrode has a density that is equal to or higher than a density of the piezoelectric substrate and a density of the medium layer, and a ratio of the density of said at least one IDT electrode to the density of the medium layer is higher than about 1.22.",
"11. The elastic wave device according to claim 9, further comprising a medium layer stacked on said at least one IDT electrode provided on the piezoelectric substrate so as to cover said at least one IDT electrode, wherein said at least one IDT electrode has a density that is equal to or higher than a density of the piezoelectric substrate and a density of the medium layer, and a ratio of the density of said at least one IDT electrode to one of the higher densities of the piezoelectric substrate and the medium layer is higher than about 1.22.",
"12. An elastic wave device comprising:\na piezoelectric member; and\nat least one IDT electrode; wherein\nsaid at least one IDT electrode has first and second electrode fingers that are arranged next to each other in a propagation direction of elastic waves and are connected to different electric potentials;\na gap is provided external to tip ends of each of the first and second electrode fingers in a longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers;\na projection is provided in at least one of a position on a side edge of the first electrode finger and a position on a side edge of the second electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers, the position on the side edge of the first electrode finger corresponding to that of the gap located external to the tip end of the second electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers, the position on the side edge of the second electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers corresponding to that of the gap located external to the tip end of the first electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers; and\nthe projection has a trapezoid shape in plan view such that a lower base of the trapezoid is defined by the side edge of the electrode finger that is provided with the projection, and wherein an internal angle formed between the lower base and sides of the trapezoid that connect an upper base and the lower base of the trapezoid is about 90° or less.",
"13. The elastic wave device according to claim 12, wherein if the lower base of the projection has a midpoint in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers and the gap at the tip end of the other electrode finger has a center in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers, a position of the midpoint substantially corresponds with a position of the center in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers, and the lower base has a length that is larger than a gap width, the gap width being a dimension of the gap in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers, and wherein the upper base has a length that is smaller than the gap width.",
"14. The elastic wave device according to claim 13, wherein the projection has an isogonal trapezoid shape in plan view.",
"15. The elastic wave device according to claim 12, wherein the projection has a plurality of rounded corner portions.",
"16. The elastic wave device according to claim 12, wherein the projection is provided on each of the first and second electrode fingers.",
"17. The elastic wave device according to claim 12, wherein said at least one IDT electrode is crossing width weighted.",
"18. The elastic wave device according to claim 12, wherein the elastic wave comprises a surface acoustic wave.",
"19. The elastic wave device according to claim 18, further comprising a medium layer that covers said at least one IDT electrode provided on the piezoelectric substrate, wherein said at least one IDT electrode has a density that is equal to or higher than a density of the piezoelectric substrate and a density of the medium layer, and a ratio of the density of said at least one IDT electrode to the density of the medium layer is higher than about 1.22.",
"20. The elastic wave device according to claim 12, wherein the elastic wave comprises a boundary acoustic wave.",
"21. The elastic wave device according to claim 20, further comprising a medium layer that covers said at least one IDT electrode provided on the piezoelectric substrate, wherein said at least one IDT electrode has a density that is equal to or higher than a density of the piezoelectric substrate and a density of the medium layer, and a ratio of the density of said at least one IDT electrode to the density of the medium layer is higher than about 1.22.",
"22. The elastic wave device according to claim 20, further comprising a medium layer stacked on said at least one IDT electrode provided on the piezoelectric substrate so as to cover said at least one IDT electrode, wherein said at least one IDT electrode has a density that is equal to or higher than a density of the piezoelectric substrate and a density of the medium layer, and a ratio of the density of said at least one IDT electrode to one of the higher densities of the piezoelectric substrate and the medium layer is higher than about 1.22.",
"23. An elastic wave device comprising:\na piezoelectric member; and\nat least one IDT electrode; wherein\nsaid at least one IDT electrode has first and second electrode fingers that are arranged next to each other in a propagation direction of elastic waves and are connected to different electric potentials;\na gap is provided external to tip ends of each of the first and second electrode fingers in a longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers;\na projection is provided in at least one of a position on a side edge of the first electrode finger and a position on a side edge of the second electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers, the position on the side edge of the first electrode finger corresponding to that of the gap located external to the tip end of the second electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers, the position on the side edge of the second electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers corresponding to that of the gap located external to the tip end of the first electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers; and\nthe projection has a planar shape that has a bottom side that continues from the side edge of the electrode finger and a peripheral edge that is curved except for the bottom side.",
"24. The elastic wave device according to claim 23, wherein if the bottom side of the projection has a midpoint in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers and the gap is bisected by a line with respect to the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers, a position of the midpoint substantially corresponds with a position of the bisecting line in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers, and the bottom side has a length that is larger than the gap width.",
"25. The elastic wave device according to claim 23, wherein the projection is provided on each of the first and second electrode fingers.",
"26. The elastic wave device according to claim 23, wherein said at least one IDT electrode is crossing width weighted.",
"27. The elastic wave device according to claim 23, wherein the elastic wave comprises a surface acoustic wave.",
"28. The elastic wave device according to claim 27, further comprising a medium layer that covers said at least one IDT electrode provided on the piezoelectric substrate, wherein said at least one IDT electrode has a density that is equal to or higher than a density of the piezoelectric substrate and a density of the medium layer, and a ratio of the density of said at least one IDT electrode to the density of the medium layer is higher than about 1.22.",
"29. The elastic wave device according to claim 23, wherein the elastic wave comprises a boundary acoustic wave.",
"30. The elastic wave device according to claim 29, further comprising a medium layer that covers said at least one IDT electrode provided on the piezoelectric substrate, wherein said at least one IDT electrode has a density that is equal to or higher than a density of the piezoelectric substrate and a density of the medium layer, and a ratio of the density of said at least one IDT electrode to the density of the medium layer is higher than about 1.22.",
"31. The elastic wave device according to claim 29, further comprising a medium layer stacked on said at least one IDT electrode provided on the piezoelectric substrate so as to cover said at least one IDT electrode, wherein said at least one IDT electrode has a density that is equal to or higher than a density of the piezoelectric substrate and a density of the medium layer, and a ratio of the density of said at least one IDT electrode to one of the higher densities of the piezoelectric substrate and the medium layer is higher than about 1.22.",
"32. An elastic wave device comprising:\na piezoelectric member; and\nat least one IDT electrode; wherein\nsaid at least one IDT electrode has first and second electrode fingers that are arranged next to each other in a propagation direction of elastic waves and are connected to different electric potentials;\na gap is provided external to tip ends of each of the first and second electrode fingers in a longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers;\na projection is provided in at least one of a position on a side edge of the first electrode finger and a position on a side edge of the second electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers, the position on the side edge of the first electrode finger corresponding to that of the gap located external to the tip end of the second electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers, the position on the side edge of the second electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers corresponding to that of the gap located external to the tip end of the first electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers; and\nthe projection projects only in the vicinity of the gap from the at least one of the position on the side edge of the first electrode and the position on the side edge of the second electrode finger and is spaced from any other element of the at least one IDT.",
"33. The elastic wave device according to claim 32, wherein the projection is provided on each of the first and second electrode fingers.",
"34. The elastic wave device according to claim 32, wherein said at least one IDT electrode is crossing width weighted.",
"35. The elastic wave device according to claim 32, wherein the elastic wave comprises a surface acoustic wave.",
"36. The elastic wave device according to claim 35, further comprising a medium layer that covers said at least one IDT electrode provided on the piezoelectric substrate, wherein said at least one IDT electrode has a density that is equal to or higher than a density of the piezoelectric substrate and a density of the medium layer, and a ratio of the density of said at least one IDT electrode to the density of the medium layer is higher than about 1.22.",
"37. The elastic wave device according to claim 32, wherein the elastic wave comprises a boundary acoustic wave.",
"38. The elastic wave device according to claim 37, further comprising a medium layer that covers said at least one IDT electrode provided on the piezoelectric substrate, wherein said at least one IDT electrode has a density that is equal to or higher than a density of the piezoelectric substrate and a density of the medium layer, and a ratio of the density of said at least one IDT electrode to the density of the medium layer is higher than about 1.22.",
"39. The elastic wave device according to claim 37, further comprising a medium layer stacked on said at least one IDT electrode provided on the piezoelectric substrate so as to cover said at least one IDT electrode, wherein said at least one IDT electrode has a density that is equal to or higher than a density of the piezoelectric substrate and a density of the medium layer, and a ratio of the density of said at least one IDT electrode to one of the higher densities of the piezoelectric substrate and the medium layer is higher than about 1.22."
],
[
"1. An acoustic wave element comprising:\na piezoelectric material; and\nat least one IDT electrode contacting the piezoelectric material and including a plurality of electrode fingers including first and second electrode fingers that are adjacent to each other in an acoustic wave propagation direction and that connect to different potentials and a first dummy electrode finger that faces the first electrode finger via a gap located on an outer side in an electrode finger length direction of an end of the first electrode finger and that connects to the same potential as the potential connected to the second electrode finger; wherein\nin an area of an IDT electrode crossing region in which the first and second electrode fingers that are adjacent to each other overlap each other in the acoustic wave propagation direction near the gap, a first protrusion is provided in at least one of the first electrode finger and the first dummy electrode finger, the first protrusion protruding in the acoustic wave propagation direction from at least one of side edges of the at least one of the first electrode finger and the first dummy electrode finger so as to define a protrusion portion of the at least one of the first electrode finger and the first dummy electrode finger that has a width in the acoustic wave propagation direction that is greater than a width of the first electrode finger; and\nthe first protrusion is in contact with the gap.",
"2. The acoustic wave element according to claim 1, wherein a second protrusion protruding in the acoustic wave propagation direction is provided on a side edge of at least one of the first and second electrode fingers, the second protrusion being positioned in an area that includes the gap in the electrode finger length direction.",
"3. The acoustic wave element according to claim 2, wherein the second protrusion is arranged so that an effective propagation distance of surface waves propagating through the gap in a portion where the first and second electrode fingers are located and an effective propagation distance of acoustic waves propagating in a portion other than the gap and the first protrusion in the portion where the first and second electrode fingers are provided are substantially equal to each other.",
"4. The acoustic wave element according to claim 2, wherein the second protrusion protrudes from a side edge on the side facing the gap of one of the first and second electrode fingers toward the gap provided at an end of the other of the first and second electrode fingers.",
"5. The acoustic wave element according to claim 4, wherein the second protrusion is also provided in the other of the first and second electrode fingers.",
"6. The acoustic wave element according to claim 2, wherein the first and second protrusions have a trapezoid shape in plan view, a lower base of the trapezoid is a portion of a side edge of the at least one of the first electrode finger and the first dummy electrode finger provided with the first protrusion, and an inner angle defined by the lower base and a side edge connecting an upper base and the lower base of the trapezoid is less than about 90°.",
"7. The acoustic wave element according to claim 6, wherein a position in the electrode finger length direction of a midpoint of the lower base of the second protrusion is substantially equal to a center position in the electrode finger length direction of the gap at the end of the other of the first and second electrode fingers, a length of the lower base is larger than a gap width which is a dimension along the electrode finger length direction of the gap, and a length of the upper base is less than the gap width.",
"8. The acoustic wave element according to claim 6, wherein the first and second protrusions have an equiangular trapezoid shape in plan view.",
"9. The acoustic wave element according to claim 6, wherein the first and second protrusions have a plurality of rounded corner portions.",
"10. The acoustic wave element according to claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric material and the at least one IDT electrode are arranged to generate surface acoustic waves.",
"11. The acoustic wave element according to claim 10, further comprising a medium layer arranged to cover the at least one IDT electrode on the piezoelectric material, wherein a density of the at least one IDT electrode is equal to or higher than a density of the piezoelectric material and a density of the medium layer, and a ratio between the density of the at least one IDT electrode and the density of the medium layer is higher than about 1.22.",
"12. The acoustic wave element according to claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric material and the at least one IDT electrode are arranged to generate boundary acoustic waves.",
"13. The acoustic wave element according to claim 12, wherein a medium layer is laminated to cover the at least one IDT electrode on the piezoelectric material, a density of the at least one IDT electrode is equal to or higher than a density of the piezoelectric material and a density of the medium layer, and a ratio between the density of the at least one IDT electrode and a higher one of the density of the piezoelectric material and the density of the medium layer is higher than about 1.22.",
"14. The acoustic wave element according to claim 1, wherein crossing width weighting is applied to the at least one IDT electrode.",
"15. An acoustic wave element comprising:\na piezoelectric material; and\nat least one IDT electrode contacting the piezoelectric material and including a plurality of electrode fingers including first and second electrode fingers that are adjacent to each other in an acoustic wave propagation direction and that connect to different potentials and a first dummy electrode finger that faces the first electrode finger via a gap located on an outer side in an electrode finger length direction of an end of the first electrode finger and that connects to the same potential as the potential connected to the second electrode finger; wherein\nin an area of an IDT electrode crossing region in which the first and second electrode fingers that are adjacent to each other overlap each other in the acoustic wave propagation direction near the gap, a first protrusion is provided in at least one of the first electrode finger and the first dummy electrode finger, the first protrusion protruding in the acoustic wave propagation direction from at least one of side edges of the at least one of the first electrode finger and the first dummy electrode finger so as to define a protrusion portion of the at least one of the first electrode finger and the first dummy electrode finger that has a width in the acoustic wave propagation direction that is greater than a width of the first electrode finger; and\nthe first protrusion is separated from the gap, and a tapered portion is provided between the first protrusion and the gap, a width of the at least one of the first electrode finger and the first dummy electrode finger provided with the first protrusion being smaller at an end in the tapered portion.",
"16. The acoustic wave element according to claim 15, wherein a side edge portion of the at least one of the first electrode finger and the first dummy electrode finger extending from the first protrusion to the tapered portion has a concave shape.",
"17. The acoustic wave element according to claim 15, wherein a side edge portion of the at least one of the first electrode finger and the first dummy electrode finger extending from the first protrusion to the tapered portion has a convex shape."
],
[
"1. A balanced acoustic wave filter device comprising:\na piezoelectric substrate; and\nfirst and second longitudinally coupled resonator-type acoustic wave filter sections provided on the piezoelectric substrate; wherein\neach of the first and second acoustic wave filter sections includes a plurality of IDTs disposed in a direction in which surface acoustic waves propagate;\none of an input and an output of each of the first and second acoustic wave filter sections is connected to an unbalanced terminal;\nthe other of the input and the output of the first acoustic wave filter section is connected to a first balanced terminal, the other of the input and the output of the second acoustic wave filter section is connected to a second balanced terminal, and the phase of a signal of the other of the input and the output of the first acoustic wave filter section is different from the phase of a signal of the other of the input and the output of the second acoustic wave filter section by 180 degrees;\nin the first acoustic wave filter section, the polarities of electrode fingers that are adjacent to each other in an area in which the IDTs are adjacent to each other in a direction in which acoustic waves propagate are equal to each other;\nin the second acoustic wave filter section, the polarities of electrode fingers that are adjacent to each other in an area in which the IDTs are adjacent to each other are opposite to each other; and\nthe total number of pairs of electrode fingers of the plurality of IDTs in the second acoustic wave filter section is greater than the total number of pairs of electrode fingers of the plurality of IDTs in the first acoustic wave filter section.",
"2. The balanced acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, further comprising:\nat least one third longitudinally coupled resonator-type surface acoustic wave filter section that is connected in a cascade arrangement to the first acoustic wave filter section; and\nat least one fourth longitudinally coupled resonator-type surface acoustic wave filter section that is connected in a cascade arrangement to the second acoustic wave filter section.",
"3. The balanced acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein in the areas in which the IDTs are adjacent to each other, each of the IDTs includes a narrow-pitched electrode finger portion having an electrode finger pitch that is narrower than an electrode finger pitch of the other portions of the corresponding IDT.",
"4. The balanced acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein surface acoustic waves are used as the acoustic waves so as to define a surface acoustic wave filter device.",
"5. The balanced acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein boundary acoustic waves are used as the acoustic waves so as to define a boundary acoustic wave filter device.",
"6. The balanced acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein the total number of pairs of electrode fingers of the plurality of IDTs in the second acoustic wave filter section is greater than the total number of pairs of electrode fingers of the plurality of IDTs in the first acoustic wave filter section by two pairs.",
"7. The balanced acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second acoustic wave filter sections includes three IDTs.",
"8. The balanced acoustic wave filter device according to claim 7, wherein a middle one of the three IDTs of each of the first and second acoustic wave filter sections includes an odd number of electrode fingers.",
"9. The balanced acoustic wave filter device according to claim 7, wherein a middle one of the three IDTs of each of the first and second acoustic wave filter sections includes an even number of electrode fingers.",
"10. The balanced acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the IDTs of the second acoustic wave filter section is series weighted.",
"11. The balanced acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the IDTs of the second acoustic wave filter section is withdrawal weighted.",
"12. The balanced acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the IDTs of the second acoustic wave filter section is apodization weighted.",
"13. The balanced acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second acoustic wave filter sections includes five IDTs.",
"14. The balanced acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second acoustic wave filter sections further includes reflectors arranged to sandwich the plurality of IDTs therebetween in the direction in which surface acoustic waves propagate."
],
[
"1. An elastic wave device comprising:\na piezoelectric film made of LiTaO3; and\nan IDT electrode located on one surface of the piezoelectric film; wherein\nthe IDT electrode includes a plurality of first electrode fingers and a plurality of second electrode fingers that are alternately arranged;\na thickness of the piezoelectric film is about 10λ or less when λ is a wavelength determined by a pitch of the electrode fingers of the IDT electrode; and\na direction of a line connecting distal ends of the plurality of first electrode fingers and a direction of a line connecting distal ends of the second electrode fingers are at an oblique angle ν with respect to a propagation direction ψ of an elastic wave excited by the IDT electrode, the propagation direction ψ being determined by Euler angles (ϕ, θ, ψ) of the LiTaO3, and the oblique angle ν is in a range of about 0.4° or more and about 15° or less.",
"2. An elastic wave device comprising:\na piezoelectric film made of LiTaO3;\na support substrate;\na high acoustic velocity film that is located on the support substrate and in which an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave that propagates through the high acoustic velocity film is higher than an acoustic velocity of an elastic wave that propagates through the piezoelectric film;\na low acoustic velocity film that is stacked on the high acoustic velocity film and in which an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave that propagates through the low acoustic velocity film is lower than an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave that propagates through the piezoelectric film; and\nan IDT electrode located on one surface of the piezoelectric film; wherein\nthe piezoelectric film is stacked on the low acoustic velocity film;\nthe IDT electrode includes a plurality of first electrode fingers and a plurality of second electrode fingers that are alternately arranged;\na thickness of the piezoelectric film is about 10λ or less when λ is a wavelength determined by a pitch of the electrode fingers of the IDT electrode; and\na direction of a line connecting distal ends of the plurality of first electrode fingers and a direction of a line connecting distal ends of the second electrode fingers are at an oblique angle ν with respect to a propagation direction ψ of an elastic wave excited by the IDT electrode, the propagation direction ψ being determined by Euler angles (ϕ, θ, ψ) of the LiTaO3, and the oblique angle ν is in a range of about 0.4° or more and about 15° or less.",
"3. An elastic wave device comprising:\na piezoelectric film made of LiTaO3;\na high acoustic velocity support substrate in which an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave that propagates through the high acoustic velocity support substrate is higher than an acoustic velocity of an elastic wave that propagates through the piezoelectric film;\na low acoustic velocity film that is stacked on the high acoustic velocity support substrate and in which an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave that propagates through the low acoustic velocity film is lower than an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave that propagates through the piezoelectric film; and\nan IDT electrode located on one surface of the piezoelectric film; wherein\nthe piezoelectric film is stacked on the low acoustic velocity film;\nthe IDT electrode includes a plurality of first electrode fingers and a plurality of second electrode fingers that are alternately arranged;\na thickness of the piezoelectric film is about 10λ or less when λ is a wavelength determined by a pitch of the electrode fingers of the IDT electrode; and\na direction of a line connecting distal ends of the plurality of first electrode fingers and a direction of a line connecting distal ends of the second electrode fingers are at an oblique angle ν with respect to a propagation direction ψ of an elastic wave excited by the IDT electrode, the propagation direction ψ being determined by Euler angles (ϕ, θ, ψ) of the LiTaO3, and the oblique angle ν is in a range of about 0.4° or more and about 15° or less.",
"4. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the oblique angle ν is about 10° or less.",
"5. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of the piezoelectric film made of LiTaO3 is more than about 0.2λ when λ is the wavelength determined by the pitch of the electrode fingers of the IDT electrode.",
"6. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein a cut angle of the LiTaO3 is about 30° or more and about 60° or less.",
"7. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein a duty of the IDT electrode is less than about 0.7, and a dimension of the electrode fingers of the IDT electrode in a width direction is about 0.15 μm or more.",
"8. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein\nfirst dummy electrode fingers oppose the distal ends of the first electrode fingers of the IDT electrode with gaps therebetween, and second dummy electrode fingers oppose the distal ends of the second electrode fingers of the IDT electrode with gaps therebetween, the first dummy electrode fingers being connected to a second busbar, the second dummy electrode fingers being connected to a first busbar; and\nwhen a distance from the distal ends of the first and second electrode fingers to proximal ends of the second and first dummy electrode fingers is an offset length L, and a size of the gaps in a direction in which the electrode fingers extend is G, (L−G)≥7.5×λ×tan(ν) is satisfied.",
"9. The elastic wave device according to claim 8, wherein (the offset length L−G)≥11.5×λ×tan(ν) is satisfied.",
"10. The elastic wave device according to claim 9, wherein (the offset length L−G)≥17.5×λ×tan(ν) is satisfied.",
"11. The elastic wave device according to claim 8, wherein the size G of the gaps is more than about 0.1 μm and less than about 0.5 μm.",
"12. The elastic wave device according to claim 8, wherein either or both of the first electrode fingers and the second electrode fingers of the IDT electrode are provided with projecting portions that project outward in a width direction of the electrode fingers from side edges that extend in a direction in which the electrode fingers extend.",
"13. The elastic wave device according to claim 12, wherein the projecting portions are provided on side edge portions of the either or both of the first and second electrode fingers, the side edge portions being continuous to the distal ends of the either or both of the first and second electrode fingers.",
"14. The elastic wave device according to claim 12, wherein either or both of the first and second dummy electrode fingers are provided with the projecting portions.",
"15. The elastic wave device according to claim 12, wherein the projecting portions are provided on the side edges of the electrode fingers that do not extend to the distal ends of the first and second electrode fingers.",
"16. The elastic wave device according to claim 12, wherein the projecting portions have a trapezoidal shape in plan view, and when a length of a bottom side of the trapezoidal shape that is continuous to the corresponding side edge is TW1, and TW1≥0.11735λ is satisfied.",
"17. The elastic wave device according to claim 16, wherein, when a minimum dimension of the projecting portions in a direction along the side edges of the electrode fingers is TW2, and TW2≥0.02915λ is satisfied.",
"18. The elastic wave device according to claim 16, wherein a dimension of the projecting portions in the propagation direction of the elastic wave is TH, and TH≥0.0466λ is satisfied.",
"19. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the IDT electrode is made of Al or an alloy containing Al as a main component, and a film thickness of the IDT electrode is in a range of about 0.08λ or more and about 0.097λ or less.",
"20. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein a film thickness of the IDT electrode is about 0.10λ or more.",
"21. A filter device comprising at least one or more elastic wave devices, each of the at least one or more elastic wave devices being the elastic wave device according to claim 1.",
"22. A filter device comprising a plurality of ±ν elastic wave devices, each of the plurality of ±ν elastic wave devices being the elastic wave device according to claim 1.",
"23. A filter device comprising a plurality of elastic wave devices, each being the elastic wave device according to claim 1.",
"24. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein a film thickness of the IDT electrode is about 400 nm or less."
],
[
"1. A ladder acoustic wave filter device comprising:\nan input end;\nan output end;\na series arm that electrically connects the input end and the output end;\na series arm resonator provided to the series arm and including a series-arm-side IDT electrode;\na parallel arm electrically connected between the series arm and a ground potential; and\na parallel arm resonator provided to the parallel arm and including a parallel-arm-side IDT electrode; wherein\neach of the series-arm-side IDT electrode and the parallel-arm-side IDT electrode includes a pair of comb-shaped electrodes that are interposed between each other, the pair of comb-shaped electrodes each including a busbar and a plurality of electrode fingers extending from the busbar;\nthe series-arm-side IDT electrode is apodization weighted, and the busbars of the series-arm-side IDT electrode are configured so that in an acoustic wave propagation direction, a distance between the busbars in an overlap width direction perpendicular to the acoustic wave propagation direction becomes shorter as an overlap width of the electrode fingers becomes smaller;\neach of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the parallel-arm-side IDT electrode further includes a plurality of dummy electrodes that extends from the busbar and are opposed to the electrode fingers of the other comb-shaped electrode in the overlap width direction, and the parallel-arm-side IDT electrode is an IDT electrode in which the overlap width is constant; and\na region bounded by a first envelope and a second envelope has a hexagonal shape, the first envelope being an imaginary line formed by connecting tips of the electrode fingers of one of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the series-arm-side IDT electrode, the second envelope being an imaginary line formed by connecting tips of the electrode fingers of the other one of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the series-arm-side IDT electrode.",
"2. The ladder acoustic filter device according to claim 1, wherein in each one of the busbar of each of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the series-arm-side IDT electrode, at least a portion of an edge of the busbar of one of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes, which is opposed to the other busbar of one of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes, extends in a direction inclined with respect to the acoustic wave propagation direction.",
"3. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 2, wherein:\nthe ladder acoustic wave filter device includes a plurality of the parallel arm resonators; and\nin all of the plurality of parallel arm resonators, each of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the parallel-arm-side IDT electrode includes the busbar, the plurality of electrode fingers, and the plurality of dummy electrodes.",
"4. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 2, wherein a region bounded by a first envelope and a second envelope has a hexagonal shape, the first envelope being an imaginary line formed by connecting tips of the electrode fingers of one of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the series-arm-side IDT electrode, the second envelope being an imaginary line formed by connecting tips of the electrode fingers of the other comb-shaped electrode of the series-arm-side IDT electrode.",
"5. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 2, wherein:\nthe ladder acoustic wave filter device includes a plurality of the series arm resonators;\nthe series-arm-side IDT electrode is apodization weighted in at least a series arm resonator with a lowest resonant frequency among the plurality of series arm resonators, and the busbars of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the series-arm-side IDT electrode are configured so that in the acoustic wave propagation direction, the distance between the busbars in the overlap width direction perpendicular to the acoustic wave propagation direction becomes shorter as the overlap width of the electrode fingers becomes smaller.",
"6. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 5, wherein:\nthe ladder acoustic wave filter device includes a plurality of the parallel arm resonators; and\nin all of the plurality of parallel arm resonators, each of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the parallel-arm-side IDT electrode includes the busbar, the plurality of electrode fingers, and the plurality of dummy electrodes.",
"7. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 5, wherein a region bounded by a first envelope and a second envelope has a hexagonal shape, the first envelope being an imaginary line formed by connecting tips of the electrode fingers of one of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the series-arm-side IDT electrode, the second envelope being an imaginary line formed by connecting tips of the electrode fingers of the other comb-shaped electrode of the series-arm-side IDT electrode.",
"8. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 5, wherein the series-arm-side IDT electrode apodization weighted in all of the plurality of series arm resonators, and the busbars of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the series-arm-side IDT electrode are configured so that in the acoustic wave propagation direction, the distance between the busbars in the overlap width direction perpendicular to the acoustic wave propagation direction becomes shorter as the overlap width of the electrode fingers becomes smaller.",
"9. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 8, wherein:\nthe ladder acoustic wave filter device includes a plurality of the parallel arm resonators; and\nin all of the plurality of parallel arm resonators, each of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the parallel-arm-side IDT electrode includes the busbar, the plurality of electrode fingers, and the plurality of dummy electrodes.",
"10. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein:\nthe ladder acoustic wave filter device includes a plurality of the series arm resonators;\nthe series-arm-side IDT electrode is apodization weighted in at least a series arm resonator with a lowest resonant frequency among the plurality of series arm resonators, and the busbars of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the series-arm-side IDT electrode are configured so that in the acoustic wave propagation direction, the distance between the busbars in the overlap width direction perpendicular to the acoustic wave propagation direction becomes shorter as the overlap width of the electrode fingers becomes smaller.",
"11. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 10, wherein:\nthe ladder acoustic wave filter device includes a plurality of the parallel arm resonators; and\nin all of the plurality of parallel arm resonators, each of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the parallel-arm-side IDT electrode includes the busbar, the plurality of electrode fingers, and the plurality of dummy electrodes.",
"12. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 10, wherein a region bounded by a first envelope and a second envelope has a hexagonal shape, the first envelope being an imaginary line formed by connecting tips of the electrode fingers of one of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the series-arm-side IDT electrode, the second envelope being an imaginary line formed by connecting tips of the electrode fingers of the other comb-shaped electrode of the series-arm-side IDT electrode.",
"13. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 10, wherein the series-arm-side IDT electrode apodization weighted in all of the plurality of series arm resonators, and the busbars of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the series-arm-side IDT electrode are configured so that in the acoustic wave propagation direction, the distance between the busbars in the overlap width direction perpendicular to the acoustic wave propagation direction becomes shorter as the overlap width of the electrode fingers becomes smaller.",
"14. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 13, wherein:\nthe ladder acoustic wave filter device includes a plurality of the parallel arm resonators; and\nin all of the plurality of parallel arm resonators, each of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the parallel-arm-side IDT electrode includes the busbar, the plurality of electrode fingers, and the plurality of dummy electrodes.",
"15. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 13, wherein a region bounded by a first envelope and a second envelope has a hexagonal shape, the first envelope being an imaginary line formed by connecting tips of the electrode fingers of one of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the series-arm-side IDT electrode, the second envelope being an imaginary line formed by connecting tips of the electrode fingers of the other comb-shaped electrode of the series-arm-side IDT electrode.",
"16. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein:\nthe ladder acoustic wave filter device includes a plurality of the parallel arm resonators; and\nin all of the plurality of parallel arm resonators, each of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the parallel-arm-side IDT electrode includes the busbar, the plurality of electrode fingers, and the plurality of dummy electrodes.",
"17. A branching filter comprising the ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1 defining a transmitting filter device.",
"18. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein the ladder acoustic wave filter device is a ladder surface acoustic wave filter device using a surface acoustic wave.",
"19. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 18, wherein the surface acoustic wave is a leaky surface acoustic wave."
],
[
"1. An elastic wave device comprising:\na piezoelectric substrate having a reciprocal velocity plane which is concave in a propagating direction in which an elastic wave propagates; and\nan elastic wave resonator including a comb-shaped electrode pair which includes a first comb-shaped electrode and a second comb-shaped electrode both provided on the piezoelectric substrate, the first comb-shaped electrode and the second comb-shaped electrode interdigitating with each other, comb-shaped electrode pair being configured to trap energy of the elastic wave therein,\nwherein the first comb-shaped electrode includes a first common electrode and a plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers connected to the first common electrode,\nwherein the second comb-shaped electrode includes a second common electrode and a plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers connected to the second common electrode, the plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers interdigitaing with the plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers, and\nwherein the elastic wave resonator has:\na first region in which the plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers interdigitate with the plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers, and a pitch of the first interdigital electrode fingers and the second interdigital electrode fingers is constant along a direction perpendicular to the propagating direction,\na second region provided between the first region and the first common electrode, and a pitch of the first interdigital electrode fingers and the second interdigital electrode fingers in the second region is wider than the pitch in the first region, and\na third region provided between the first region and the second common electrode, and a pitch of the first interdigital electrode fingers and the second interdigital electrode fingers in the third region is wider than the pitch in the first region.",
"2. The elastic wave device according to claim 1,\nwherein the elastic wave resonator further includes first and second reflecting electrodes disposed on the piezoelectric substrate, the comb-shaped electrode pair being disposed between the first reflecting electrode and the second reflecting electrode,\nwherein each of the first and the second reflecting electrodes includes third and fourth common electrodes and a plurality of reflecting electrode fingers disposed between the third and fourth common electrodes and connected to the third and fourth common electrodes,\nwherein each of the first and the second reflecting electrodes has:\na fourth region in which a pitch of the plurality of reflecting electrode fingers is constant along a direction perpendicular to the propagating direction;\na fifth region provided between the fourth region and the third common electrode, and a pitch of the plurality of reflecting electrode fingers in the fifth region is wider than the pitch in the fourth region; and\na sixth region disposed between the fourth region and the fourth common electrode, and a pitch of the plurality of reflecting electrode fingers in the sixth region is wider than the pitch in the fourth region.",
"3. The elastic wave device according to claim 2, wherein the elastic wave resonator further includes another comb-shaped electrode pair disposed between the first reflecting electrode and the comb-shaped electrode pair, the elastic wave resonator constituting a dual terminal pair resonator.",
"4. The elastic wave device according to claim 3, wherein the another comb-shaped electrode pair has the first region, the second region, and the third region.",
"5. The elastic wave device according to claim 1,\nwherein the first comb-shaped electrode further includes a plurality of first dummy electrode fingers connected to the first common electrode, the plurality of first dummy electrode fingers having tips facing tips of the plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers in extending directions of the plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers across gaps, respectively,\nwherein the second comb-shaped electrode further includes a plurality of second dummy electrode fingers connected to the second common electrode, the plurality of second dummy electrode fingers having tips facing tips of the plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers in extending directions of the plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers via a gap, respectively,\nwherein a pitch of the plurality of first dummy electrode fingers and the plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers is wider than the pitch of the plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers and the plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers in the second region, and\nwherein a pitch of the plurality of second dummy electrode fingers and the plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers is wider than the pitch of the plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers and the plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers in the third region.",
"6. The elastic wave device according to claim 5, wherein a ratio of a width of the plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers, the plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers, the plurality of first dummy electrode fingers, and the plurality of second dummy electrode fingers to the pitch is constant along the direction perpendicular to the propagating direction.",
"7. The elastic wave device according to claim 5, wherein a pitch of the plurality of first dummy electrode fingers and the plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers becomes wider as located away from the second region, and a pitch of the plurality of second dummy electrode fingers and the plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers becomes wider as located away from the third region.",
"8. The elastic wave device according to claim 5,\nwherein each of the plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers and respective one of the plurality of second dummy electrode fingers extend along a line including a plurality of straight lines connected to each other or a smooth curved line, and\nwherein each of the plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers and respective one of the plurality of first dummy electrode fingers extend along a line including a plurality of straight lines connected to each other or a smooth curved line.",
"9. The elastic wave device according to claim 5, wherein a maximum pitch of the plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers and the plurality of first dummy electrode fingers, and a maximum pitch of the plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers and the plurality of second dummy electrode fingers are not smaller than 1.005×P0, where P0 is the pitch in the first region.",
"10. The elastic wave device according to claim 5, wherein a maximum pitch of the plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers and the plurality of first dummy electrode fingers, and a maximum pitch of the plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers and the plurality of second dummy electrode fingers are not greater than 1.020×P0, where P0 is the pitch in the first region.",
"11. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the pitch in the second region and the pitch in the third region become wider as located away from the first region.",
"12. The elastic wave device according to claim 1,\nwherein the plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers extend in the second region along a continuous curve or a line including a plurality of straight lines connected to each other, and\nwherein the plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers extend in the third region along a continuous curve or a line including a plurality of straight lines connected to each other.",
"13. The elastic wave device according to claim 1,\nwherein the plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers extend along a smooth curved line from the second region to the first region, and\nwherein the plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers along a smooth curved line extend from the third region to the first region.",
"14. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein a ratio of each of widths of the plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers and the plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers to the pitch is constant along the direction perpendicular to the propagating direction.",
"15. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the pitch changes along the propagating direction.",
"16. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein a maximum pitch in the second region is not smaller than 1.005×P0, where P0 is the pitch in the first region.",
"17. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein a maximum pitch in the second region is not greater than 1.020×P0, where P0 is the pitch in the first region.",
"18. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein, in a case that the pitch in the first region are λ/2, a width of the second region in the direction perpendicular to the propagating direction is not smaller than λ.",
"19. The elastic wave device according to claim 1,\nwherein the elastic wave resonator is a terminal pair resonator, and\nwherein the elastic wave resonator is connected to a signal path in series or between the signal path and a ground.",
"20. An elastic wave device comprising:\na piezoelectric substrate having a reciprocal velocity plane which is concave in a propagating direction in which an elastic wave propagates; and\nan elastic wave resonator including first and second reflecting electrodes and a comb-shaped electrode pair disposed between the first and second reflecting electrodes, the first and second reflecting electrodes and the comb-shaped electrode pair being disposed on the piezoelectric substrate provided, the elastic wave resonator being configured to trap energy of the elastic wave therein,\nwherein each of the first reflecting electrode and the second reflecting electrode includes a first common electrode, a second common electrode, and a plurality of reflecting electrode fingers disposed between the first and second common electrodes and connected to the first and second common electrodes,\nwherein each of the first reflecting electrode and the second reflecting electrode has:\na first region in which a pitch of the plurality of reflecting electrode fingers is constant along a direction perpendicular to the propagating direction,\na second region provided between the first region and the first common electrode, and a pitch of the plurality of reflecting electrode fingers in the second region is wider than the pitch in the first region, and\na third region disposed between the first region and the second common electrode, and a pitch of the plurality of reflecting electrode fingers in the third region are wider than the pitch in the first region.",
"21. The elastic wave device according to claim 20, wherein the elastic wave resonator further includes another comb-shaped electrode pair disposed between the first reflecting electrode and the comb-shaped electrode pair, the elastic wave resonator constituting a dual terminal pair resonator.",
"22. The elastic wave device according to claim 20, wherein the another comb-shaped electrode pair has the first region and the second region."
],
[
"1. A resonator comprising:\na first comb-shaped electrode formed on a piezoelectric substrate and including a first bus bar, first electrode fingers coupled to the first bus bar and extending in an extension direction, and first dummy electrode fingers coupled to the first bus bar; and\na second comb-shaped electrode formed on the piezoelectric substrate and including a second bus bar, second electrode fingers coupled to the second bus bar, extending in the extension direction, and facing the first dummy electrode fingers through first gaps, and second dummy electrode fingers coupled to the second bus bar and facing the first electrode fingers through second gaps, wherein\nΔD is greater than or equal to 0.5λ and less than or equal to 3.5λ (0.5λ≦ΔD≦3.5λ) where ΔD represents a distance in the extension direction between at least two gaps that are at least adjoining two of the first gaps and/or at least adjoining two of the second gaps, and λ represents a pitch of the first electrode finger and the second electrode finger.",
"2. The resonator according to claim 1, wherein\na duty ratio of electrode fingers and dummy electrode fingers in a first region between the at least two gaps in the extension direction differ from a duty ratio of the first electrode fingers and the second electrode fingers in a second region in which the first electrode fingers overlap with the second electrode fingers in the extension direction, the electrode fingers being the first electrode fingers and/or the second electrode fingers corresponding to the at least two gaps, and the dummy electrode fingers being the first dummy electrode fingers and/or the second dummy electrode fingers corresponding to the at least two gaps.",
"3. The resonator according to claim 2, wherein\nthe duty ratio of the electrode fingers and the dummy electrode fingers is greater than the duty ratio of the first electrode fingers and the second electrode fingers in the second region.",
"4. The resonator according to claim 2, wherein\nthe duty ratio of the electrode fingers and the dummy electrode fingers in third regions corresponding to the at least two gaps in the extension direction differ from the duty ratio of the first electrode fingers and the second electrode fingers in the second region.",
"5. The resonator according to claim 1, further comprising:\nan insulating film located in the at least two gaps.",
"6. The resonator according to claim 1, wherein\nthe at least two gaps are the at least adjoining two of the first gaps and the at least adjoining two of the second gaps.",
"7. The resonator according to claim 1, wherein\nthe first gaps and/or the second gaps are alternately modulated by a distance ΔD.",
"8. A filter comprising:\nthe resonator according to claim 1.",
"9. A duplexer comprising:\na first filter connected between a common terminal and a first terminal; and\na second filter connected between the common terminal and a second terminal, wherein\nat least one the first filter and the second filter is the filter according to claim 8.",
"10. The resonator according to claim 1, wherein\nthe piezoelectric substrate is a lithium tantalate substrate or a lithium niobate substrate.",
"11. A resonator comprising:\na first comb-shaped electrode formed on a piezoelectric substrate and including a first bus bar, first electrode fingers coupled to the first bus bar and extending in an extension direction, and first dummy electrode fingers coupled to the first bus bar; and\na second comb-shaped electrode formed on the piezoelectric substrate and including a second bus bar, second electrode fingers coupled to the second bus bar, extending in the extension direction, and facing the first dummy electrode fingers through first gaps, and second dummy electrode fingers coupled to the second bus bar and facing the first electrode fingers through second gaps, wherein\nΔD is greater than or equal to 1.5λ and less than or equal to 3.0λ (1.5λ≦ΔD≦3.0κ) where ΔD represents a distance in the extension direction between at least two gaps that are at least adjoining two of the first gaps and/or at least adjoining two of the second gaps, and λ represents a pitch of the first electrode finger and the second electrode finger.",
"12. A filter comprising:\nthe resonator according to claim 11.",
"13. A duplexer comprising:\na first filter connected between a common terminal and a first terminal; and\na second filter connected between the common terminal and a second terminal, wherein\nat least one the first filter and the second filter is the filter according to claim 12."
],
[
"1. An acoustic wave device comprising:\na piezoelectric substrate; and\nan interdigital transducer electrode provided on or above the piezoelectric substrate; wherein\nthe interdigital transducer electrode includes a plurality of first electrode fingers and a plurality of second electrode fingers, the plurality of second electrode fingers being connected to an electric potential different from an electric potential connected to the plurality of first electrode fingers;\na direction orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to a direction in which the first electrode fingers and the second electrode fingers extend is an acoustic wave propagation direction;\nthe interdigital transducer electrode includes a first area centrally provided in the acoustic wave propagation direction, second areas provided on one side and another side of the first area in the acoustic wave propagation direction, and third areas provided on a side of each of the second areas opposite to the first area in the acoustic wave propagation direction;\nin the second areas, the first electrode finger and the second electrode finger are alternately arranged in the acoustic wave propagation direction;\nin the first area and the third areas, adjacent electrode fingers in the acoustic wave propagation direction are connected to a same electric potential, or electrode fingers are not connected to any electric potential; and\na total number of the electrode fingers in the first area is an odd number, and in both of the second areas, polarities of the electrode fingers disposed at respective end sections toward the first area are different from one another.",
"2. The acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein in the first area and the third areas, adjacent electrode fingers in the acoustic wave propagation direction are at a same electric potential.",
"3. The acoustic wave device according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the first area or the third areas include a thick electrode finger having a larger width-direction dimension in the acoustic wave propagation direction than a width-direction dimension of the first electrode fingers and the second electrode fingers in the second areas.",
"4. The acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first area or the third areas includes a floating electrode finger that is not connected to any electric potential.",
"5. The acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein in both of the second areas, the electrode fingers disposed at respective end sections toward the first area are connected to different electric potentials.",
"6. A composite filter device comprising:\nn filters, wherein\none-end portions of the n filters are electrically connected in common; and\nat least one of the n filters includes the acoustic wave device according to claim 1.",
"7. A composite filter device comprising:\nn filters; and\nan antenna terminal to which one-end portions of the n filters are electrically connected in common; wherein\nat least one filter of the n filters includes at least one acoustic wave device, and in the at least one filter, the acoustic wave device closest to the antenna terminal is defined by the acoustic wave device according to claim 1.",
"8. The acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein\nfourth areas are provided on outer sides of the third areas in the acoustic wave propagation direction, respectively; and\nin the fourth areas, the first electrode fingers and the second electrode fingers are alternately arranged in the acoustic wave propagation direction.",
"9. The acoustic wave device according to claim 8, wherein a polarity of one of the first and second electrode fingers disposed at an end section of the fourth area toward the third area is different from a polarity of another one of the electrode fingers disposed at an end section of the second area toward the third area.",
"10. An acoustic wave device comprising:\na piezoelectric substrate; and\nan interdigital transducer electrode provided on or above the piezoelectric substrate; wherein\nthe interdigital transducer electrode includes a plurality of first electrode fingers and a plurality of second electrode fingers, the plurality of second electrode fingers being connected to an electric potential different from an electric potential connected to the plurality of first electrode fingers;\na direction orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to a direction in which the first electrode fingers and the second electrode fingers extend is an acoustic wave propagation direction;\nthe interdigital transducer electrode includes a first area centrally provided in the acoustic wave propagation direction, second areas provided on one side and another side of the first area in the acoustic wave propagation direction, and third areas provided on a side of each of the second areas opposite to the first area in the acoustic wave propagation direction;\nin the second areas, the first electrode finger and the second electrode finger are alternately arranged in the acoustic wave propagation direction;\nin the first area and the third areas, adjacent electrode fingers in the acoustic wave propagation direction are connected to a same electric potential, or electrode fingers are not connected to any electric potential; and\na total number of the electrode fingers in the first area is an even number, and in both of the second areas, polarities of the electrode fingers disposed at respective end sections toward the first area are equal to one another.",
"11. The acoustic wave device according to claim 10, wherein in the first area and the third areas, adjacent electrode fingers in the acoustic wave propagation direction are at a same electric potential.",
"12. The acoustic wave device according to claim 11, wherein at least one of the first area or the third areas include a thick electrode finger having a larger width-direction dimension in the acoustic wave propagation direction than a width-direction dimension of the first electrode fingers and the second electrode fingers in the second areas.",
"13. The acoustic wave device according to claim 10, wherein at least one of the first area or the third areas includes a floating electrode finger that is not connected to any electric potential.",
"14. The acoustic wave device according to claim 10, wherein in both of the second areas, the electrode fingers disposed at respective end sections toward the first area are connected to a same electric potential.",
"15. A composite filter device comprising:\nn filters, wherein\none-end portions of the n filters are electrically connected in common; and\nat least one of the n filters includes the acoustic wave device according to claim 10.",
"16. A composite filter device comprising:\nn filters; and\nan antenna terminal to which one-end portions of the n filters are electrically connected in common; wherein\nat least one filter of the n filters includes at least one acoustic wave device, and in the at least one filter, the acoustic wave device closest to the antenna terminal is defined by the acoustic wave device according to claim 10.",
"17. The acoustic wave device according to claim 10, wherein\nfourth areas are provided on outer sides of the third areas in the acoustic wave propagation direction, respectively; and\nin the fourth areas, the first electrode fingers and the second electrode fingers are alternately arranged in the acoustic wave propagation direction.",
"18. The acoustic wave device according to claim 17, wherein a polarity of one of the first and second electrode fingers disposed at an end section of the fourth area toward the third area is different from a polarity of another one of the electrode fingers disposed at an end section of the second area toward the third area."
],
[
"1. An acoustic wave filter comprising:\na surface acoustic wave resonator and a bulk acoustic wave resonator; wherein\nthe surface acoustic wave resonator includes:\na substrate with piezoelectricity; and\nan interdigital transducer (IDT) electrode on the substrate;\nthe IDT electrode includes a pair of comb-shaped electrodes interdigitated with each other, each of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes including a plurality of electrode fingers extending in parallel or substantially in parallel in a direction crossing a surface acoustic wave propagation direction and a busbar electrode connecting the plurality of electrode fingers to each other at one end of each electrode finger of the plurality of electrode fingers; and\nthe bulk acoustic wave resonator includes:\na lower electrode including a portion of the busbar electrode;\na piezoelectric film on the busbar electrode; and\nan upper electrode on the piezoelectric film.",
"2. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric film mainly includes at least one of zinc oxide (ZnO), aluminum nitride (AlN), PZT, potassium niobate (KN), LN, LT, quartz-crystal, or lithium borate (LiBO).",
"3. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 2, wherein the piezoelectric film is a c-axis oriented film including zinc oxide (ZnO) or aluminum nitride (AlN).",
"4. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein, when the substrate is viewed in plan view, the piezoelectric film has a polygonal, a circular, or an oval shape.",
"5. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein\nthe busbar electrode and the lower electrode are coupled to a ground wire; and\nthe upper electrode is coupled to a radio-frequency-signal input-output wire.",
"6. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein\nthe busbar electrode and the lower electrode are coupled to a radio-frequency-signal input-output wire; and\nthe upper electrode is coupled to a ground wire.",
"7. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein\nthe acoustic wave filter includes a plurality of the surface acoustic wave resonators, and the bulk acoustic wave resonator;\nthe plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators determine a pass band of the acoustic wave filter; and\nthe bulk acoustic wave resonator determines an attenuation pole.",
"8. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 7, the acoustic wave filter includes a plurality of the bulk acoustic wave resonators; wherein\nthe plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators include a plurality of IDT electrodes corresponding to the plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators;\nthe plurality of bulk acoustic wave resonators include a first bulk acoustic wave resonator and a second bulk acoustic wave resonator;\nthe first bulk acoustic wave resonator includes a first lower electrode defined by a portion of the busbar electrode of a first IDT electrode of the plurality of IDT electrodes, a first piezoelectric film on the busbar electrode, and a first upper electrode on the first piezoelectric film;\nthe second bulk acoustic wave resonator includes a second lower electrode defined by a portion of the busbar electrode of a second IDT electrode of the plurality of IDT electrodes, a second piezoelectric film on the busbar electrode, and an upper electrode on the second piezoelectric film; and\nthe first piezoelectric film is thinner than the second piezoelectric film, and a frequency at an attenuation pole determined by the first bulk acoustic wave resonator is higher than a frequency at an attenuation pole determined by the second bulk acoustic wave resonator.",
"9. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 7, wherein\nthe plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators define a longitudinally coupled resonator;\nthe longitudinally coupled resonator includes a plurality of IDT electrodes corresponding to the plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators;\nthe plurality of IDT electrodes are adjacent to each other in the surface acoustic wave propagation direction;\nthe bulk acoustic wave resonator includes a lower electrode defined by a portion of the busbar electrode of a first IDT electrode of the plurality of IDT electrodes, a piezoelectric film on the busbar electrode, and an upper electrode on the piezoelectric film; and\nthe upper electrode is coupled to the busbar electrode of a second IDT electrode adjacent to the first IDT electrode.",
"10. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the substrate is a single-crystal piezoelectric substrate.",
"11. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 10, wherein the single-crystal piezoelectric substrate includes at least one of LiNbO3, LiTaO3, or quartz-crystal.",
"12. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the substrate includes a high acoustic velocity support substrate, a low acoustic velocity film, and a piezoelectric film stacked in this order.",
"13. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 12, wherein the high acoustic velocity support substrate includes silicon.",
"14. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 12, wherein the low acoustic velocity film includes silicon dioxide.",
"15. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the IDT electrode includes a fixing layer and a main electrode layer on the fixing layer.",
"16. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 15, wherein the fixing layer includes Ti.",
"17. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 15, wherein the main electrode layer includes Al including about 1% Cu.",
"18. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the IDT electrode includes at least one of Ti, Al, Cu, Pt, Au, Ag, or Pd, or an alloy including at least one of Ti, Al, Cu, Pt, Au, Ag, or Pd."
],
[
"1. A wireless communication device comprising:\nradio frequency front end (RFFE) circuitry comprising:\na power amplifier module including one or more power amplifiers to amplify an outgoing radio frequency (RF) signal; and\na surface acoustic-wave (SAW) device that is coupled with the power amplifier module and that defines a passband having a lower side and an upper side, the SAW device comprising:\na piezoelectric substrate having a surface to support an acoustic wave;\na plurality of resonators on the surface of the piezoelectric substrate, the plurality of resonators including at least a first resonator and a second resonator, wherein the plurality of resonators are formed by a plurality of electrodes, the first resonator has a first duty factor, the second resonator has a second duty factor, the first duty factor is larger than the second duty factor, and the first resonator is a series resonator where a width of individual electrodes of the plurality of electrodes forming the first resonator is larger than a width of individual electrodes of the plurality of electrodes forming the second resonator, wherein the width of the individual electrodes of the plurality of electrodes forming the first resonator and the width of the individual electrodes of the plurality of electrodes forming the second resonator is such that the first duty factor is at least 10% greater than the second duty factor and the plurality of resonators includes a plurality of series resonators and a plurality of shunt resonators arranged in a ladder filter configuration, and the first resonator is one of the plurality of series resonators and the second resonator is one of the plurality of shunt resonators; and\na dielectric layer having a positive thermal coefficient of frequency (TCF) and covering the plurality of resonators, wherein:\nthe dielectric layer has a first thickness that covers the plurality of electrodes forming the first resonator and the dielectric layer has a second thickness that covers the plurality of electrodes forming the second resonator;\na first electrode period is a first physical distance between each of the plurality of electrodes forming the first resonator and a second electrode period is a second physical distance between each of the plurality of electrodes forming the second resonator;\nthe first thickness is a first ratio times the first electrode period;\nthe second thickness is a second ratio times the second electrode period;\nthe first ratio is between 0.65 to 0.85 when the upper side has a steeper transition than the lower side and is less than or equal to 0.5 when the lower side has the steeper transition than the upper side; and\nthe second ratio is less than or equal to 0.50 when the upper side has the steeper transition than the lower side and is between 0.65 to 0.85 when the lower side has the steeper transition than the upper side; wherein one of the upper side and the lower side has a steeper transition than the other of the upper side and the lower side.",
"2. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the dielectric layer is formed of a silicon oxide material, the plurality of electrodes are formed of a material having a density that is greater than a density of aluminum (Al), and the piezoelectric substrate is formed of lithium niobate (LiNbO3) having a cut angle between Y+120 degrees and Y+140 degrees.",
"3. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein individual series resonators of the plurality of series resonators are covered by a first amount of the dielectric layer and individual shunt resonators of the plurality of shunt resonators are covered by a second amount of the dielectric layer.",
"4. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein only a series resonator of the plurality of series resonators having a lower resonance frequency than other ones of the plurality of series resonators is covered by a first amount of the dielectric layer.",
"5. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of electrodes are formed of a material comprising copper (Cu) or an alloy including Cu, and the plurality of electrodes have a third thickness that is between 5% and 15% of the first electrode period and the second electrode period.",
"6. A wireless communication device comprising:\nradio frequency front end (RFFE) circuitry comprising:\na power amplifier module including one or more power amplifiers to amplify an outgoing radio frequency (RF) signal; and\na surface acoustic-wave (SAW) device that is coupled with the power amplifier module and that defines a passband having a lower side and an upper side, the SAW device comprising:\na piezoelectric substrate having a surface to support an acoustic wave;\na plurality of resonators on the surface of the piezoelectric substrate, the plurality of resonators including at least a first resonator and a second resonator, wherein the plurality of resonators are formed by a plurality of electrodes, the first resonator has a first duty factor, the second resonator has a second duty factor, the first duty factor is larger than the second duty factor; and\na dielectric layer having a positive thermal coefficient of frequency (TCF) and covering the plurality of resonators, wherein:\nthe dielectric layer has a first thickness that covers the plurality of electrodes forming the first resonator and the dielectric layer has a second thickness that covers the plurality of electrodes forming the second resonator;\na first electrode period is a first physical distance between each of the plurality of electrodes forming the first resonator and a second electrode period is a second physical distance between each of the plurality of electrodes forming the second resonator;\nthe first thickness is a first ratio times the first electrode period;\nthe second thickness is a second ratio times the second electrode period;\nthe first ratio is between 0.65 to 0.85 when the upper side has a steeper transition than the lower side and is less than or equal to 0.5 when the lower side has the steeper transition than the upper side; and\nthe second ratio is less than or equal to 0.50 when the upper side has the steeper transition than the lower side and is between 0.65 to 0.85 when the lower side has the steeper transition than the upper side; wherein one of the upper side and the lower side has a steeper transition than the other of the upper side and the lower side.",
"7. The wireless communication device of claim 6, wherein the dielectric layer is formed of a silicon oxide material, the plurality of electrodes are formed of a material having a density that is greater than a density of aluminum (Al), and the piezoelectric substrate is formed of lithium niobate (LiNbO3) having a cut angle between Y+120 degrees and Y+140 degrees.",
"8. The wireless communication device of claim 6, wherein the second resonator is a coupled resonator filter and the first resonator is coupled in series with the coupled resonator filter, wherein an amount of the dielectric layer covers an entirety of the coupled resonator filter.",
"9. The wireless communication device of claim 6, wherein the plurality of electrodes are formed of a material comprising copper (Cu) or an alloy including Cu, and the plurality of electrodes have a third thickness that is between 5% and 15% of the first electrode period and the second electrode period."
],
[
"1. A system for search, retrieval, and display of information in an electronic communication network, the system comprising:\none or more hardware-based processors and one or more hardware-based memories storing computer-executable instructions;\na user agent implemented by the computer-executable instructions stored in the one or more hardware-based memories, in the electronic communication network, the user agent having one or more screens, that:\nin response to a first query input, transmits a first search query, receives a first query response document comprising a first set of one or more response snippets, displays the first query response document in a first response document display on the one or more screens;\nin response to a first selection input received within the first response document display wherein the selection input comprises selection of a sourced document, provides a first document display on the one or more screens using a first client content version of the sourced document,\nin response to a second query input transmits a second search query, receives a second query response document comprising a second set of one or more response snippets, displays the second query response document in a second response document display; and\nin response to a second selection input received within the second response document display that comprises selection of the sourced document, provides a second document display on the one or more screens using a second client content version of the sourced document;\nwherein:\nin response to an action set comprising one or more single actions, wherein the single actions comprise the first selection input and zero or more additional inputs permitted according to a set of distinguishing inputs of a first distinguishing context of the first document display, a first partially distinguished word is visibly displayed and partially distinguished in the first document display on the one or more screens, and the first partially distinguished word is in a first matching document snippet of the first client content version that is canonically similar to the first set of one or more response snippets;\na second partially distinguished word is partially distinguished in a second distinguishing context of the second document display and is in a second matching document snippet of the second client content version that is canonically similar to the second set of one or more response snippets;\na first set of cross matching document snippets, consisting of the visible document snippets of the second client content version that are canonically similar to the first set of one or more response snippets, is nonempty and its members are undistinguished in the second distinguishing context;\na second set of cross matching document snippets, consisting of the visible document snippets of the first client content version that are canonically similar to the second set of one or more response snippets, is nonempty and its members are undistinguished in the first distinguishing context; and\nin the first distinguishing context:\nthe text of a matching undistinguished word, which is undistinguished, matches the text of the first partially distinguished word;\na preceding undistinguished word is viewable before the first matching document snippet and is undistinguished; and\na following undistinguished word is viewable after the first matching document snippet and is undistinguished.",
"2. The system of claim 1, wherein:\nin response to the action set comprising the one or more single actions, the first partially distinguished word is in-place partially distinguished in the first document display; and\nthe second partially distinguished word is in-place partially distinguished in the second distinguishing context of the second document display.",
"3. The system of claim 1, wherein:\nthe first client content version of the sourced document is represented in a variant of HTML (Hypertext Markup Language);\na set of zero or more conventional fragment identifier target HTML elements consists of each HTML element of the first client content version such that:\nthe HTML element contains all of the text that:\nis distinguished in the first distinguishing context; and\nis between the preceding undistinguished word and the following undistinguished word;\na target character string is the value of:\na ‘name’ attribute of the HTML element, wherein the HTML element is an HTML anchor element; and/or\nan ‘id’ attribute of the HTML element; and\na fragment identifier string, which matches the target character string, is derived from the first client content version in response to the action set; and\neach member of the set of zero or more conventional fragment identifier target HTML elements contains:\nat least one character of the preceding undistinguished word; and/or\nat least one character of the following undistinguished word.",
"4. The system of claim 1, wherein:\nthe first client content version of the sourced document is represented in a variant of HTML (Hypertext Markup Language); and\nevery HTML element of the first client content version that contains all of the text that:\nis distinguished in the first distinguishing context; and\nis between the preceding undistinguished word and the following undistinguished word;\nalso contains:\nat least one character of the preceding undistinguished word; and/or\nat least one character of the following undistinguished word.",
"5. The system of claim 2, wherein the action set comprises no more than five single actions.",
"6. The system of claim 4, wherein the action set comprises no more than five single actions.",
"7. The system of claim 4, further comprising:\na search engine service in the electronic communication network that:\nin response to receiving the first search query generates the first query response document comprising the first set of one or more response snippets that are constructed using information from a first server content version of the sourced document, and transmits the first query response document; and\nin response to receiving the second search query generates the second query response document comprising the second set of one or more response snippets that are constructed using information from a second server content version of the sourced document, and transmits the second query response document;\nwherein the user agent transmits the first search query and transmits the second search query to the search engine service.",
"8. The system of claim 7, wherein the first server content version is different from the second server content version.",
"9. The system of claim 4, wherein the retrieval of the first client content version of the sourced document is an undistinguished retrieval from the document source.",
"10. The system of claim 4, wherein the text of the first matching document snippet matches the text of one of the snippets of the first set of one or more response snippets.",
"11. A method for search, retrieval, and display of information on a user agent having one or more screens in an electronic communication network, the method comprising:\ntransmitting, in response to a first query input, a first search query from the user agent;\nreceiving a first query response document comprising a first set of one or more response snippets;\ndisplaying the first query response document in a first response document display on the one or more screens;\nselecting a sourced document by receiving a first selection input from within the first response document display;\nin response to the first selection input, providing a first distinguishing context for a first document display of the first client content version of the sourced document on the one or more screens;\ntransmitting, in response to a second query input, a second search query from the user agent;\nreceiving a second query response document comprising a second set of one or more response snippets;\ndisplaying the second query response document in a second response document display on the one or more screens;\nselecting the sourced document by receiving a second selection input from within the second response document display;\nin response to the second selection input, providing a second distinguishing context for a second document display of a second client content version of the sourced document on the one or more screens;\nresponding to an action set comprising one or more single actions, which are the single actions comprised by the first selection input and zero or more single actions comprised by additional inputs permitted according to the set of distinguishing inputs of a first distinguishing context of the first document display;\ndistinguishing partially, in a second distinguishing context of the second document display, of a second partially distinguished word in a second matching document snippet that is canonically similar to the second set of one or more response snippets;\ndisplaying, in the second document display and in a manner that is not distinguishing according to the distinguishing manner of the second distinguishing context, all of the one or more visible document snippets of the second client content version that are canonically similar to the first set of one or more response snippets; and\ndisplaying, in the first document display and in a manner that is not distinguished according to the distinguishing manner of the first distinguishing context:\nall of the one or more visible document snippets of the first client content version that are canonically similar to the second set of one or more response snippets;\na matching undistinguished word having text that matches the text of the first partially distinguished word;\na preceding undistinguished word that appears before the first matching document snippet; and\na following undistinguished word that appears after the first matching document snippet;\nwherein:\nthe responding to the action set comprises distinguishing partially and displaying visibly of a first partially distinguished word, of the first client content version, in the first document display on the one or more screens; and\nthe first partially distinguished word is in a first matching document snippet that is canonically similar to the first set of one or more response snippets.",
"12. The method of claim 11, wherein:\nthe distinguishing partially and displaying visibly of the first partially distinguished word comprises in-place partially distinguishing of the first partially distinguished word; and\nthe distinguishing partially of the second partially distinguished word comprises in-place partially distinguishing of the second partially distinguished word.",
"13. The method of claim 11, wherein:\nthe first client content version of the sourced document is represented in a variant of HTML (Hypertext Markup Language);\na set of zero or more conventional fragment identifier target HTML elements consists of each HTML element of the first client content version such that:\nthe HTML element contains all of the text that:\nis distinguished in the first distinguishing context; and\nis between the preceding undistinguished word and the following undistinguished word;\na target character string is the value of:\na ‘name’ attribute of the HTML element, wherein the HTML element is an HTML anchor element; and/or\nan ‘id’ attribute of the HTML element; and\nthe responding to the action set comprises deriving of a fragment identifier string, which matches the target character string, from the first client content version; and\neach member of the set of zero or more conventional fragment identifier target HTML elements contains:\nat least one character of the preceding undistinguished word; and/or\nat least one character of the following undistinguished word.",
"14. The method of claim 11, wherein:\nthe first client content version of the sourced document is represented in a variant of HTML (Hypertext Markup Language); and\nevery HTML element of the first client content version that contains all of the text that:\nis distinguished in the first distinguishing context; and\nis between the preceding undistinguished word and the following undistinguished word;\nalso contains:\nat least one character of the preceding undistinguished word; and/or\nat least one character of the following undistinguished word.",
"15. The method of claim 12, wherein the action set comprises no more than five single actions.",
"16. The method of claim 14, wherein the action set comprises no more than five single actions.",
"17. The method of claim 14, further comprising:\nreceiving the first search query at a search engine service;\nconstructing, in response to receiving the first search query, the first set of one or more response snippets using information from a first server content version of the sourced document;\ngenerating the first query response document comprising the first set of one or more response snippets;\ntransmitting the second query response document from the search engine service to the user agent;\nreceiving the second search query at the search engine service;\nconstructing, in response to receiving the second search query, the second set of one or more response snippets using information from a second server content version of the sourced document;\ngenerating the second query response document comprising the second set of one or more response snippets; and\ntransmitting the second query response document from the search engine service to the user agent.",
"18. The method of claim 17, wherein the first server content version is different from the second server content version.",
"19. The method of claim 14, wherein retrieving the first server content version of the sourced document accomplishes an undistinguished retrieval from the document source.",
"20. The method of claim 14, wherein the text of the first matching document snippet matches the text of one of the snippets of the first set of one or more response snippets."
],
[
"1. An acoustic resonator device comprising:\nan acoustic resonator chip comprising:\na substrate;\na piezoelectric layer having first and second opposing surfaces and that is above a surface of the substrate, such that a portion of the piezoelectric layer forms a diaphragm spanning a cavity between the piezoelectric layer and the substrate; and\na first conductor pattern on at least one of the first and second surfaces of the piezoelectric layer, the first conductor pattern comprising an interdigitated transducer (IDT) having interleaved fingers on the diaphragm and a first contact pad; and\nan interposer having a planar surface facing the piezoelectric layer and a second conductor pattern with a second contact pad on the planar surface of the interposer,\nwherein at least a portion of the first conductor pattern is bonded to at least a portion of the second conductor pattern to form a seal that couples a perimeter of the piezoelectric layer of the acoustic resonator chip to a perimeter of the interposer.",
"2. The acoustic resonator device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second opposing surfaces of the piezoelectric layer are front and back surfaces, respectively, and the first conductor pattern is on the front surface of the piezoelectric layer.",
"3. The acoustic resonator device according to claim 1, further comprising a cap bonded to a back surface of the substrate.",
"4. The acoustic resonator device according to claim 1, wherein the seal is a hermetic seal that couples the piezoelectric layer to the interposer.",
"5. The acoustic resonator device according to claim 1, wherein the first conductor pattern further comprises a first metal, the second conductor pattern further comprises a second metal, and the seal is the first metal directly bonded to the second metal.",
"6. The acoustic resonator device according to claim 1, wherein the interposer is a printed circuit board that comprises a plurality of vias that connect the second contact pad to a third contact pad on a surface of the interposer opposite the planar surface of the interposer that faces the piezoelectric layer.",
"7. The acoustic resonator device according to claim 1, wherein the interposer further comprises a recess that faces the diaphragm.",
"8. An acoustic resonator device comprising:\na radio frequency filter comprising:\na substrate;\na piezoelectric layer attached to the substrate either directly or via one or more intermediate layers; and\na first conductor pattern on the piezoelectric layer and including an interdigitated transducer (IDT) with interleaved fingers and a first contact pad on the piezoelectric layer opposite the substrate; and\nan interposer having a planar surface facing the piezoelectric layer and a second conductor pattern with a second contact pad on the planar surface of the interposer that faces the piezoelectric layer,\nwherein the first conductor pattern is bonded to the second conductor pattern to form a seal to prevent an intrusion of fluids to an interior of the radio frequency filter, and\nwherein the seal couples a perimeter of the piezoelectric layer to a perimeter of the interposer.",
"9. The acoustic resonator device according to claim 8, wherein the piezoelectric layer comprises front and back surfaces, respectively, and the first conductor pattern is on the front surface of the piezoelectric layer.",
"10. The acoustic resonator device according to claim 8, further comprising a cap bonded to a back surface of the substrate.",
"11. The acoustic resonator device according to claim 8, wherein the first conductor pattern further comprises a first metal, the second conductor pattern further comprises a second metal, and the seal is the first metal directly bonded to the second metal.",
"12. The acoustic resonator device according to claim 8, wherein the interposer is a printed circuit board that comprises a plurality of vias that connect the second contact pad to a third contact pad on a surface of the interposer opposite the planar surface of the interposer that faces the piezoelectric layer.",
"13. The acoustic resonator device according to claim 8, wherein the interposer further comprises a recess that faces the diaphragm.",
"14. An acoustic resonator device comprising:\na substrate;\na piezoelectric layer above the substrate and including a diaphragm that is suspended over a cavity between the piezoelectric layer and the substrate;\na first conductor pattern on the piezoelectric layer and including an interdigitated transducer (IDT) with interleaved fingers on the diaphragm and a first contact pad;\nan interposer having a planar surface facing the piezoelectric layer and a second conductor pattern with a second contact pad on the planar surface of the interposer that face the piezoelectric layer; and\na metal seal formed by the first conductor pattern being bonded to the second conductor pattern and that couples the acoustic resonator chip to the interposer,\nwherein the interposer is a printed circuit board that comprises a plurality of vias that connect the second contact pad to a third contact pad on a surface of the interposer opposite the planar surface of the interposer that faces the piezoelectric layer.",
"15. The acoustic resonator device according to claim 14, wherein the piezoelectric layer comprises front and back surfaces, respectively, and the first conductor pattern is on the front surface of the piezoelectric layer.",
"16. The acoustic resonator device according to claim 14, wherein the metal seal is a hermetic continuous metal seal that couples a perimeter of the piezoelectric layer to a perimeter of the interposer.",
"17. The acoustic resonator device according to claim 14, wherein the first conductor pattern further comprises a first metal, the second conductor pattern further comprises a second metal, and the metal seal is the first conductor bonded to the second conductor.",
"18. The acoustic resonator device according to claim 14, wherein the interposer further comprises a recess that faces the diaphragm."
],
[
"1. An elastic wave device including a piezoelectric film, the elastic wave device comprising:\na high-acoustic-velocity supporting substrate in which an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave propagating therein is higher than an acoustic velocity of an elastic wave propagating in the piezoelectric film;\na low-acoustic-velocity film stacked on the high-acoustic-velocity supporting substrate, in which an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave propagating therein is lower than an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave propagating in the piezoelectric film;\nthe piezoelectric film stacked on the low-acoustic-velocity film; and\nan IDT electrode disposed on a surface of the piezoelectric film; wherein\nthe piezoelectric film is composed of LiNbO3.",
"2. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the low-acoustic-velocity film is composed of silicon oxide or a film containing as a major component silicon oxide.",
"3. The elastic wave device according to claim 2, wherein a thickness of the low-acoustic-velocity film is in a range of about 0.1λ to about 0.5λ, where λ is a wavelength of an elastic wave determined by an electrode period of the IDT electrode.",
"4. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of the piezoelectric film is about 1.5λ or less, where λ is a wavelength of an elastic wave determined by an electrode period of the IDT electrode.",
"5. The elastic wave device according to claim 4, wherein the thickness of the piezoelectric film is in a range of about 0.05λ to about 0.5λ.",
"6. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein a dielectric film is disposed on the piezoelectric film and the IDT electrode.",
"7. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of an adhesion layer, an underlying film, a low-acoustic-velocity layer, and a high-acoustic-velocity layer is disposed in at least one of boundaries between the piezoelectric film, the low-acoustic-velocity film, and high-acoustic-velocity supporting substrate.",
"8. An elastic wave device including a piezoelectric film, the elastic wave device comprising:\na supporting substrate;\na high-acoustic-velocity film disposed on the supporting substrate, in which an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave propagating therein is higher than an acoustic velocity of an elastic wave propagating in the piezoelectric film;\na low-acoustic-velocity film stacked on the high-acoustic-velocity film, in which an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave propagating therein is lower than an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave propagating in the piezoelectric film;\nthe piezoelectric film stacked on the low-acoustic-velocity film; and\nan IDT electrode disposed on a surface of the piezoelectric film; wherein\nthe piezoelectric film is composed of LiNbO3.",
"9. The elastic wave device according to claim 8, wherein the low-acoustic-velocity film is composed of silicon oxide or a film containing as a major component silicon oxide.",
"10. The elastic wave device according to claim 9, wherein a thickness of the low-acoustic-velocity film is in a range of about 0.1λ to about 0.5λ, where λ is a wavelength of an elastic wave determined by an electrode period of the IDT electrode.",
"11. The elastic wave device according to claim 8, wherein a thickness of the piezoelectric film is about 1.5λ or less, where λ is a wavelength of an elastic wave determined by an electrode period of the IDT electrode.",
"12. The elastic wave device according to claim 11, wherein the thickness of the piezoelectric film is in a range of about 0.05λ to about 0.5λ.",
"13. The elastic wave device according to claim 8, wherein a dielectric film is disposed on the piezoelectric film and the IDT electrode.",
"14. The elastic wave device according to claim 8, wherein at least one of an adhesion layer, an underlying film, a low-acoustic-velocity layer, and a high-acoustic-velocity layer is disposed in at least one of boundaries between the piezoelectric film, the low-acoustic-velocity film, the high-acoustic-velocity film, and the supporting substrate."
],
[
"1. A method for fabricating an acoustic wave device, the method comprising:\nproviding or forming a substrate containing 70 mass % or greater of silicon dioxide (SiO2);\nproviding or forming a piezoelectric thin film with LiTaO3 crystal or LiNbO3 crystal on the substrate, Euler angles of the substrate and Euler angles of the piezoelectric thin film selected such that a phase velocity of a surface acoustic wave propagating along the substrate is greater than a phase velocity of the surface acoustic wave propagating along the piezoelectric thin film; and\nimplementing an interdigital transducer electrode to be in contact with the piezoelectric thin film.",
"2. The method of claim 1 further comprising implementing a Si-containing film between the substrate and the piezoelectric thin film.",
"3. The method of claim 2 wherein the Si-containing film contains 30% or greater of SiO2 or SiO, and has a thickness of 0.15 times to 1 times a wavelength of the surface acoustic wave.",
"4. The method of claim 2 wherein the Si-containing film contains 30% or greater of SiO2 or SiO, and has a thickness of 0.3 times to 0.5 times a wavelength of the surface acoustic wave.",
"5. The method of claim 1 wherein the substrate includes a quartz substrate and a phase velocity of the surface acoustic wave to propagate is 4,500 m/s or greater, 4,800 m/s or greater, or 5,000 m/s or greater.",
"6. The method of claim 5 wherein the substrate includes a quartz substrate, and the surface acoustic wave to propagate includes a leaky acoustic wave including primarily a SH component or an S wave having a phase velocity of 4,500 m/s or greater.",
"7. The method of claim 1 further comprising implementing a shunt electrode and/or an insulating boundary film between the substrate and the piezoelectric thin film.",
"8. The method of claim 1 wherein implementing the interdigital transducer electrode results in at least a lower portion of the interdigital transducer electrode being embedded in the piezoelectric thin film and/or at least an upper portion of the interdigital transducer electrode protruding from the piezoelectric thin film.",
"9. The method of claim 1 wherein providing or forming the substrate includes providing or forming a quartz substrate.",
"10. The method of claim 1 wherein the substrate has a shear wave phase velocity of a bulk wave of 3,400 to 4,800 m/s.",
"11. The method of claim 1 wherein the substrate includes an isotropic substrate, and the piezoelectric thin film has a thickness of 0.001 mm or greater and less than 0.01 mm.",
"12. The method of claim 1 wherein the substrate has the surface acoustic wave propagate in 4,500 m/s or greater and has Euler angles of (0°±5°, 70°-165°, 0°±5°), (0°±5°, 95°-155°, 90°±5°), or crystallographically equivalent Euler angles thereof.",
"13. The method of claim 1 wherein the substrate has Euler angles of (0°±5°, 0°-125°, 0°±5°), (0°±5°, 0°-36°, 90°±5°), (0°±5°, 172°-180°, 90°±5°), (0°±5°, 120°-140°, 30°-49°), (0°±5°, 25°-105°, 0°±5°), (0°±5°, 0°-45°, 15°-35°), (0°±5°, 10°-20°, 60°-70°), (0°±5°, 90°-180°, 30°-45°), (0°±5°, 0°±5°, 85°-95°), (90°±5°, 90°±5°, 25°-31°), (0°±5°, 90°±5°, −3° to 3°), or crystallographically equivalent Euler angles thereof.",
"14. The method of claim 1 wherein the substrate has Euler angles of (20°±5°, 120°±10°, 115°±10°), (0°±5°, 90°±5°, 0°±10°), (0°±5°, 90°±5°, 75°±10°), (0°±5°, 0°±5°, 0°±10°), (0°±5°, 0°±5°, 60°±10°), or crystallographically equivalent Euler angles thereof.",
"15. The method of claim 1 wherein the piezoelectric thin film includes LiTaO3 crystal and has Euler angles of (90°±5°, 90°±5°, 33°-55°), (90°±5°, 90°±5°, 125°-155°), or crystallographically equivalent Euler angles thereof.",
"16. The method of claim 1 wherein the piezoelectric thin film includes LiNbO3 crystal and has Euler angles of (90°±5°, 90°±5°, 38°-65°), (90°±5°, 90°±5°, 118°-140°), or crystallographically equivalent Euler angles thereof.",
"17. The method of claim 1 wherein the interdigital transducer electrode has a thickness, in fraction of a wavelength of the surface acoustic wave, of 0.005-0.32, 0.005-0.20, 0.005-0.28, or 0.005-0.20 for a density range, in kg/m3, of 2000-5000, 5001-9500, 9501-15000, or 15001-220000, respectively.",
"18. The method of claim 1 wherein the interdigital transducer electrode has a metalization ratio of 0.15-0.63, 0.15-0.63, 0.15-0.71, or 0.15-0.65 for a density range, in kg/m3, of 2000-5000, 5001-9500, 9501-15000, or 15001-220000, respectively.",
"19. The method of claim 1 further comprising implementing an insulating boundary film between the substrate and the piezoelectric thin film, the boundary film having a thickness that is greater than or equal to 0.34 times a wavelength of the surface acoustic wave.",
"20. The method of claim 1 further comprising implementing an insulating boundary film disposed between the substrate and the piezoelectric thin film, the boundary film having one or more layers, one layer closest to the piezoelectric thin film having a thickness T, in fraction of a wavelength of the surface acoustic wave, of 0<T<=0.5, 0<T<=0.67, 0<T<=3, or 0<T<=0.6 for a shear wave phase velocity Vs, in m/s, of 1500<=Vs<=2200, 2200<Vs<=3400, 3400<Vs<=5900, or 5900<Vs<=13000, respectively.",
"21. The method of claim 1 wherein the surface acoustic wave has a higher order mode, and the interdigital transducer electrode has a thickness, in fraction of a wavelength of the surface acoustic wave, of 0.17-0.8, 0.08-0.44, 0.08-0.43, or 0.06-0.4 for a density range, in kg/m3, of 2000-5000, 5001-9500, 9501-15000, or 15001-220000, respectively.",
"22. The method of claim 1 wherein the surface acoustic wave has a higher order mode, and the piezoelectric thin film has a thickness of 0.35 times to 9.3 times a wavelength of the surface acoustic wave.",
"23. The method of claim 1 wherein the surface acoustic wave includes either or both of a leaky surface acoustic wave and a longitudinal-wave-type leaky surface acoustic wave.",
"24. The method of claim 1 wherein the piezoelectric thin film includes LiNbO3 crystal, and the surface acoustic wave includes a Rayleigh wave."
],
[
"1. An acoustic wave device comprising:\na piezoelectric substrate; and\nan interdigital transducer (IDT) electrode on the piezoelectric substrate; wherein\nthe piezoelectric substrate includes a high acoustic velocity layer, and a piezoelectric layer directly or indirectly above the high acoustic velocity layer;\nan acoustic velocity of a bulk wave that propagates in the high acoustic velocity layer is greater than an acoustic velocity of an acoustic wave that propagates in the piezoelectric layer;\nthe IDT electrode includes:\na first busbar and a second busbar that face each other;\na plurality of first electrode fingers each connected at one end to the first busbar; and\na plurality of second electrode fingers each connected at one end to the second busbar, the plurality of second electrode fingers being interdigitated with the plurality of first electrode fingers;\na first envelope extends in a slanted direction with respect to a direction of acoustic wave propagation, the first envelope being an imaginary line formed by connecting tips of the plurality of first electrode fingers;\na second envelope extends in a slanted direction with respect to the direction of acoustic wave propagation, the second envelope being an imaginary line formed by connecting tips of the plurality of second electrode fingers;\na first dielectric film is located in at least one gap on the piezoelectric substrate, the at least one gap being at least one of a plurality of first gaps and a plurality of second gaps, the plurality of first gaps being located between the plurality of first electrode fingers and the second busbar, the plurality of second gaps being located between the plurality of second electrode fingers and the first busbar;\nthe first dielectric film has a density greater than a density of silicon oxide; and\na second dielectric film extends over the piezoelectric substrate such that the second dielectric film covers the IDT electrode and the first dielectric film.",
"2. The acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the first dielectric film has a density greater than or equal to a density of the IDT electrode.",
"3. The acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein\nthe IDT electrode includes a plurality of first dummy electrode fingers each connected at one end to the first busbar, and a plurality of second dummy electrode fingers each connected at one end to the second busbar; and\neach of the plurality of first gaps is located between a corresponding one of the plurality of first electrode fingers and a corresponding one of the plurality of second dummy electrode fingers; and\neach of the plurality of second gaps is located between a corresponding one of the plurality of second electrode fingers and a corresponding one of the plurality of first dummy electrode fingers.",
"4. The acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the first dielectric film extends across an entirety of the first gap in which the first dielectric film is located, or extends across an entirety of the second gap in which the first dielectric film is located.",
"5. The acoustic wave device according to claim 3, wherein\nthe first dielectric film in the first gap extends across an entirety of the first gap, and extends onto the first electrode finger and onto the second dummy electrode finger; and\nthe first dielectric film in the second gap extends across an entirety of the second gap, and extends onto the second electrode finger and onto the first dummy electrode finger.",
"6. The acoustic wave device according to claim 3, wherein\nthe first dielectric film in the first gap extends across an entirety of the first gap, and extends to an area between the first electrode finger and the piezoelectric substrate and to an area between the second dummy electrode finger and the piezoelectric substrate; and\nthe first dielectric film in the second gap extends across an entirety of the second gap, and extends to an area between the second electrode finger and the piezoelectric substrate and to an area between the first dummy electrode finger and the piezoelectric substrate.",
"7. The acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein\nthe piezoelectric substrate includes a low acoustic velocity film between the high acoustic velocity layer and the piezoelectric layer; and\nan acoustic velocity of a bulk wave that propagates in the low acoustic velocity film is less than an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave that propagates in the piezoelectric layer.",
"8. The acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the high acoustic velocity layer is a high acoustic velocity support substrate.",
"9. The acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein\nthe piezoelectric substrate further includes a support substrate; and\nthe high acoustic velocity layer is a high acoustic velocity film on the support substrate.",
"10. The acoustic wave device according to claim 1, further comprising reflectors on opposite sides of the IDT electrode.",
"11. The acoustic wave device according to claim 7, wherein the low acoustic velocity film includes at least one of silicon oxide, glass, silicon oxynitride, tantalum oxide or a material including as a main component a compound with fluorine, carbon or boron along with silicon oxide.",
"12. The acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the high acoustic velocity layer includes at least one of silicon nitride, lithium tantalate, lithium niobate, quartz, alumina, zirconia, cordierite, mullite, steatite, forsterite, aluminum nitride, aluminum oxide, silicon carbide, silicon oxynitride, a diamond-like carbon, silicone, sapphire, diamond, or magnesia.",
"13. The acoustic wave device according to claim 9, wherein the support substrate includes at least one of silicon, lithium tantalate, lithium niobate, quartz, alumina, magnesia, silicon nitride, aluminum nitride, silicon carbide, zirconia, cordierite, mullite, steatite, forsterite, glass, spinel, aluminum nitride, aluminum oxide, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, diamond-like carbon, silicone, sapphire, diamond, or magnesia.",
"14. The acoustic wave device according to claim 8, wherein the high velocity support substrate includes silicon, aluminum oxide, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, silicone, sapphire, lithium tantalate, lithium niobate, quartz, alumina, zirconia, cordierite, mullite, steatite, forsterite, magnesia, diamond-like carbon, or diamond.",
"15. The acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the second dielectric film includes silicon oxide.",
"16. The acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the second dielectric film is a protective film."
],
[
"1. An acoustic wave device comprising a multi-layer mass loading strip at least partially overlapping edge portions of a plurality of fingers of an interdigital transducer electrode, the multi-layer mass loading strip having a mass sufficient to suppress at least a portion of a transverse mode, the multi-layer mass loading strip including a first layer and a second layer, the first layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip positioned between the second layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip and the interdigital transducer electrode, and the first layer improves crystal orientation of the second layer.",
"2. The acoustic wave device of claim 1 wherein the second layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip has a higher mass than the first layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip.",
"3. The acoustic wave device of claim 1 wherein the second layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip is a conductive strip.",
"4. The acoustic wave device of claim 1 wherein the first layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip includes titanium.",
"5. The acoustic wave device of claim 1 wherein the first layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip is an adhesion layer that improves the crystal orientation of the second layer.",
"6. The acoustic wave device of claim 5 wherein the second layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip includes molybdenum.",
"7. The acoustic wave device of claim 1 wherein the acoustic wave device is configured to generate a surface acoustic wave.",
"8. The acoustic wave device of claim 1 wherein the second layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip has a higher density than a density of the interdigital transducer electrode.",
"9. The acoustic wave device of claim 1 wherein the multi-layer mass loading strip includes a third layer that is an adhesion layer that adheres to a temperature compensation layer.",
"10. The acoustic wave device of claim 1 wherein the first layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip is spaced apart from a piezoelectric layer.",
"11. A method of filtering a radio frequency signal, the method comprising:\nreceiving the radio frequency signal at an input port of an acoustic wave filter that includes an acoustic wave resonator, the acoustic wave resonator including a multi-layer mass loading strip at least partially overlapping edge portions of fingers of an interdigital transducer electrode, the multi-layer mass loading strip including a first layer and a second layer, the first layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip positioned between the second layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip and the interdigital transducer electrode, and the first layer improves crystal orientation of the second layer; and\nfiltering the radio frequency signal with the acoustic wave filter, the filtering including suppressing a transverse mode using the multi-layer mass loading strip of the acoustic wave resonator.",
"12. The method of claim 11 further comprising forming the second layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip with a higher mass than the first layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip.",
"13. The method of claim 11 further comprising forming the second layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip as a conductive strip.",
"14. The method of claim 11 further comprising forming the first layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip to include titanium.",
"15. The method of claim 11 wherein the first layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip improves the crystal orientation of the second layer.",
"16. The method of claim 15 wherein the second layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip includes molybdenum.",
"17. The method of claim 11 wherein the acoustic wave resonator generates a surface acoustic wave.",
"18. The method of claim 11 further comprising forming the second layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip to have a higher density than a density of the interdigital transducer electrode.",
"19. The method of claim 11 further comprising forming a third layer on of the multi-layer mass loading strip that adheres to a temperature compensation layer.",
"20. The method of claim 11 further comprising spacing the first layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip apart from a piezoelectric layer."
],
[
"1. An acoustic resonator device comprising:\na substrate having a surface;\na single-crystal piezoelectric layer having front and back surfaces, the back surface attached to the surface of the substrate either directly or via at least one intermedia layer, with a portion of the single-crystal piezoelectric layer forming a diaphragm over a cavity;\nan interdigital transducer (IDT) at the single-crystal piezoelectric layer such that interleaved fingers of the IDT are at the diaphragm; and\na dielectric layer on one of the front surface and the back surface of the single-crystal piezoelectric layer, with the dielectric layer having a thickness of a half lambda.",
"2. The acoustic resonator device of claim 1, wherein\na thickness ts of the single-crystal piezoelectric layer and a thickness td of the dielectric layer are defined as follows:\n\n2ts=λ0,s, and\n\n0.85λ0,d≤2td≤1.15λ0,d,\nwhere λ0,s is a wavelength of a fundamental shear bulk acoustic wave resonance in the single-crystal piezoelectric layer, and\nλ0,d is a wavelength of a fundamental shear bulk acoustic wave resonance in the dielectric layer.",
"3. The acoustic resonator device of claim 1, wherein the dielectric layer is one or more of SiO2, Si3N4, Al2O3, and AlN.",
"4. The acoustic resonator device of claim 1, wherein:\nthe single-crystal piezoelectric layer is lithium niobate,\nthe dielectric layer is SiO2, and\na thickness ts of the single-crystal piezoelectric layer and a thickness td of the dielectric layer are defined by the relationship: 0.875ts≤td≤1.25ts.",
"5. The acoustic resonator device of claim 4, wherein a temperature coefficient of frequency of the acoustic resonator device is between −32 ppm/C° and −42 ppm/C° at a resonance frequency and between −20 ppm/C° and −36 ppm/C° at an anti-resonance frequency.",
"6. The acoustic resonator device of claim 1, wherein the single-crystal piezoelectric layer and the IDT are configured such that a radio frequency signal applied to the IDT excites a shear primary acoustic mode in the diaphragm.",
"7. A filter device, comprising:\na substrate;\na piezoelectric layer having parallel front and back surfaces and a thickness ts, the back surface attached to the substrate either directly or via at least one intermedia layer;\na conductor pattern at the piezoelectric layer and including a plurality of interdigital transducers (IDTs) of a respective plurality of resonators including a shunt resonator and a series resonator, interleaved fingers of each of the plurality of IDTs at respective portions of the piezoelectric layer over one or more cavities;\na first dielectric layer having a thickness tds deposited over and between the fingers of the series resonator; and\na second dielectric layer having a thickness tdp deposited over and between the fingers of the shunt resonator, wherein\nts, tds, and tdp are related by the equations:\n\n2ts=λ0,s, and\n\n2tds<2tdp\nwhere λ0,s is a wavelength of a fundamental shear bulk acoustic wave resonance in the piezoelectric layer.",
"8. The filter device of claim 7, wherein\n\n0.85λ0,d≤2tds≤2tdp≤1.15λ0,d,\nwhere λ0,d is a wavelength of the fundamental shear bulk acoustic wave resonance in at least one of the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer.",
"9. The filter device of claim 7, wherein the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer are one or more of SiO2, Si3N4, Al2O3, and AlN.",
"10. The filter device of claim 7, wherein the piezoelectric layer and the IDT are configured such that a radio frequency signal applied to the IDT excites a shear primary acoustic mode in at least part of the piezoelectric layer.",
"11. A filter device, comprising:\na substrate;\na piezoelectric layer having parallel front and back surfaces and a thickness ts, the back surface attached to the substrate either directly or via at least one intermedia layer;\na conductor pattern at the piezoelectric layer and including a plurality of interdigital transducers (IDTs) of a respective plurality of resonators including a shunt resonator and a series resonator, interleaved fingers of each of the plurality of IDTs at respective portions of the piezoelectric layer over one or more cavities;\na first SiO2 layer having a thickness tds deposited over and between the fingers of the series resonator; and\na second SiO2 layer having a thickness tdp deposited over and between the fingers of the shunt resonator,\nwherein tds, and tdp are related by the equation:\n\ntds<tdp.",
"12. The filter device of claim 11, wherein tds, and tdp are related by the equation:\n\n0.85ts≤tds≤tdp≤1.25ts.",
"13. The filter device of claim 11, wherein a temperature coefficient of frequency of each of the plurality of resonators is between −20 ppm/C° and −42 ppm/C° at the resonance frequencies and the anti-resonance frequencies of all of the plurality of resonators.",
"14. The filter device of claim 11, wherein the piezoelectric layer and the IDT are configured such that a radio frequency signal applied to the IDT excites a shear primary acoustic mode in at least part of the piezoelectric layer.",
"15. A method of fabricating an acoustic resonator device on a single-crystal piezoelectric layer having parallel front and back surfaces, the back surface attached to a substrate either directly or via at least one intermedia layer, the method comprising:\nforming a cavity in the substrate such that a portion of the single-crystal piezoelectric layer forms a diaphragm over the cavity;\nforming an interdigital transducer (IDT) at the single-crystal piezoelectric layer such that interleaved fingers of the IDT are at the diaphragm; and\nforming a dielectric layer on one of the front surface and the back surface of the single-crystal piezoelectric layer, with the dielectric layer having a thickness of a half lambda.",
"16. The method of claim 15, wherein\na thickness ts of the single-crystal piezoelectric layer and a thickness td of the dielectric layer are defined as follows:\n\n2ts=λ0,s, and\n\n0.85λ0,d≤2td≤1.15λ0,d,\nwhere λ0,s is a wavelength of a fundamental shear bulk acoustic wave resonance in the single-crystal piezoelectric layer, and\nλ0,d is a wavelength of the fundamental shear bulk acoustic wave resonance in the dielectric layer.",
"17. The method of claim 15, wherein forming the dielectric layer further comprises depositing one or more of SiO2, Si3N4, Al2O3, and AlN.",
"18. The method of claim 15, wherein\nthe single-crystal piezoelectric layer is lithium niobate, and\nforming the dielectric layer comprises depositing SiO2 to a thickness td, where td is greater or equal to 0.875ts and less than or equal to 1.25ts, where ts is a thickness of the single-crystal piezoelectric layer.",
"19. The method of claim 15, wherein the single-crystal piezoelectric layer and the IDT configured such that a radio frequency signal applied to the IDT excites a shear primary acoustic mode within the diaphragm."
],
[
"1. A filter assembly comprising:\na first acoustic wave filter coupled to a common node, the first acoustic wave filter including at least a first plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators and at least a first series bulk acoustic wave resonator coupled between the first plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators and the common node; and\na second acoustic wave filter coupled to the common node, the second acoustic wave filter including at least a second plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators that are non-temperature compensated and at least a third plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators that are temperature compensated are coupled between the second plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators and the common node.",
"2. The filter assembly of claim 1 wherein the first series bulk acoustic wave resonator is a film bulk acoustic wave resonator.",
"3. The filter assembly of claim 1 wherein the first and second plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators are on a first die.",
"4. The filter assembly of claim 3 wherein the first series bulk acoustic wave resonator is on a second die.",
"5. The filter assembly of claim 4 wherein the first acoustic wave filter further includes a shunt bulk acoustic wave resonator on the second die.",
"6. The filter assembly of claim 5 wherein the shunt bulk acoustic wave resonator is coupled to an opposite side of the first series bulk acoustic wave resonator than the first plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators.",
"7. The filter assembly of claim 1 wherein the first acoustic wave filter filters a carrier aggregation signal with a first passband and the second acoustic wave filter filters the carrier aggregation signal with a second passband.",
"8. The filter assembly of claim 1 further comprising a third acoustic wave filter coupled to the common node, the third acoustic wave filter including a fourth plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators and a second series bulk acoustic wave resonator coupled between the fourth plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators and the common node.",
"9. The filter assembly of claim 8 further comprising an antenna switch coupled between the common node and an antenna.",
"10. The filter assembly of claim 1 wherein the second plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators have a higher quality factor in a passband of the second acoustic wave filter than the first plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators in a passband of the first acoustic wave filter.",
"11. A method of filtering radio frequency signals, the method comprising: filtering a radio frequency signal with a first acoustic wave filter coupled to a common node, the first acoustic wave filter filters the radio frequency signal with at least a first plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators and a first series bulk acoustic wave resonator coupled between the first plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators and the common node; and\nfiltering the radio frequency signal with a second acoustic wave filter coupled to the common node, the second acoustic wave filter filters the radio frequency signal with a second plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators that are non-temperature compensated and at least a third plurality of acoustic wave resonators that are temperature compensated are coupled between the second plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators and the common node.",
"12. The method of claim 11 wherein the first acoustic wave filter filters a carrier aggregation signal with a first passband and the second acoustic wave filter filters the carrier aggregation signal with a second passband.",
"13. The method of claim 11 wherein the first and second plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators are on a first die.",
"14. The method of claim 13 wherein the first series bulk acoustic wave resonator is on a second die.",
"15. The method of claim 14 wherein the first acoustic wave filter further includes a shunt bulk acoustic wave resonator on the second die.",
"16. The method of claim 11 wherein the first series bulk acoustic wave resonator is a film bulk acoustic wave resonator.",
"17. The method of claim 15 wherein the shunt bulk acoustic wave resonator is coupled to an opposite side of the first series bulk acoustic wave resonator than the first plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators.",
"18. The method of claim 11 wherein a third acoustic wave filter is coupled to the common node, the fourth acoustic wave filter filters the radio frequency signal with at least a fourth plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators and at least a third series bulk acoustic wave resonator coupled between the third plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators and the common node.",
"19. The method of claim 18 further comprising an antenna switch coupled between the common node and an antenna.",
"20. The method of claim 11 wherein the second plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators have a higher quality factor in a passband of the second acoustic wave filter than the first plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators in a passband of the first acoustic wave filter."
]
] |
2. the following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 u.s.c. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this office action:
a person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
claims 1, 3, 8, 12 and 22 are rejected under 35 u.s.c. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by either maehara et al (uspap 2002/0021194) or yata (uspap 2010/0207707).
as to claims 1 and 8, each of maehara et al and yata discloses an acoustic wave filter comprising input and output terminals and series/parallel arm circuits as recited in these two claims (see figure 1 of maehara et al and figure 8 of yata), each forming a surface acoustic wave resonator (note the abstract of maehara et al and paragraph [0004] of yata), each including a piezoelectric substrate (note the abstract of maehara et al and paragraph [0012] of yata) and each including idt electrodes (note idt electrodes 710 in maehara et al and idt’s 16 in yata). as to the limitation set forth on lines 14-17 of claim 1 that a fractional band with increases with a decrease in a thickness of the piezoelectric substrate, which is normalized with a wavelength of a signal passing through the series arm resonators, this will be inherent in both maehara et al and yata, and the same is true for the limitation on the last three lines of claim 1, i.e., inherently in each of these two references, a wavelength of a signal passing through the first series arm resonator will be shorter than a wavelength of a signal passing through the second series arm resonator, the reason being that each of these two references discloses that different ones of the series/parallel resonators have different resonance/anti-resonance frequencies, i.e., as per the limitation set forth on lines 18-20 of claim 1 (note the abstract and paragraphs [0014], [0015], [0020] and [0043] of maehara et al and claim 1 of yata where this limitation is disclosed).
as to claim 3, note that each of maehara et al and yata discloses the claimed finger pitch difference for the purpose of making the resonance/anti-resonance frequencies of the first and second series arm resonators different from each other.
as to claim 12, this limitation will be inherent during the operation of the saw resonators of each of maehara et al and yata.
as to claim 22, note that in both maehara et al and yata the wavelength of a high-frequency signal passing through the idt electrode will inherently correspond to the electrode pitch of the idt electrode.
3. claims 1, 3, 8, 12 and 22 are also rejected under 35 u.s.c. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by any one of selmeier et al (usp 6,351,197), tsutsumi et al (usp 6,903,626) and hara et al (usp 8,552,820).
as to claims 1 and 8, each of these three further references similarly discloses an acoustic wave filter comprising input and output terminals and series/parallel arm circuits as recited in these two claims (see figures 1a through 1j of selmeier et al, figures 3a and 3b of hara et al and figure 1a of tsutsumi et al), each forming a surface acoustic wave resonator (note the abstract of semeier et al, column 3, line 43 of hara et al and the abstract of tsutsumi et al), each including a piezoelectric substrate (note piezoelectric layer s of selmeier et al, piezoelectric layer 1 shown in figures 4a-5b of hara et al and the piezoelectric layer disclosed in the abstract of tsutsumi et al) and each including idt electrodes (note the idt electrode shown in figure 2 in selmeier et al, idt 2 and 3 disclosed by hara et al and the electrode fingers disclosed by tsutsumi et al). as to the limitation on lines 14-17 of claim 1 that a fractional band with increases with a decrease in a thickness of the piezoelectric substrate, which is normalized with a wavelength of a signal passing through the series arm resonators, this will be inherent in each of selmeier et al, hara et al and tsutsumi et al, and the same is true for the limitation on the last three lines of claim 1, i.e., inherently in each of these three references, a wavelength of a signal passing through the first series arm resonator is shorter than a wavelength of a signal passing through the second series arm resonator, the reason being that each of these three references discloses that different ones of the series/parallel resonators have different resonance/anti-resonance frequencies, thus meeting the limitation set forth on lines 18-20 of claim 1 (note column 2, lines 4-18 of selmeier et al, column 1, lines 43-51 of hara et al and the summary of the invention of tsutsumi et al).
as to claim 3, note that each of selmeier et al, hara et al and tsutsumi et al discloses the claimed finger pitch difference for the purpose of making the resonance/anti-resonance frequencies of the first and second series arm resonators different from each other.
as to claim 12, this limitation will be inherent during the operation of the saw resonators of each of selmeier et al, hara et al and tsutsumi et al.
as to claim 22, note that in each of selmeier et al, hara et al and tsutsumi et al the wavelength of a high-frequency signal passing through the idt electrode inherently corresponds to the electrode pitch of the idt electrode.
|
[
"1. An acoustic wave filter comprising:\nan input terminal;\nan output terminal;\na series arm circuit including a first series arm resonator and a second series arm resonator connected in series between the input terminal and the output terminal; and\na parallel arm circuit including at least one parallel arm resonator connected between the series arm circuit and a ground potential; wherein\neach of the first series arm resonator and the second series arm resonator is a surface acoustic wave (SAW) resonator including a piezoelectric substrate and an interdigital transducer (IDT) electrode on the piezoelectric substrate, and has a characteristic that a fractional band width increases with a decrease in a thickness of the piezoelectric substrate, which is normalized with a wavelength of a signal passing through the series arm resonator;\nan anti-resonant frequency of the first series arm resonator is lower than an anti-resonant frequency of the second series arm resonator; and\na wavelength of a signal passing through the first series arm resonator is shorter than a wavelength of a signal passing through the second series arm resonator.",
"2. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein each of the first series arm resonator and the second series arm resonator includes a reflecting layer on a surface of the piezoelectric substrate opposite to a surface on which the IDT electrode is provided.",
"3. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein an electrode finger pitch of the IDT electrode of the first series arm resonator is smaller than an electrode finger pitch of the IDT electrode of the second series arm resonator.",
"4. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of the IDT electrode included in the first series arm resonator is larger than a thickness of the IDT electrode included in the second series arm resonator.",
"5. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the first series arm resonator includes a dielectric film on the IDT electrode.",
"6. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein\nthe first series arm resonator includes a dielectric film on the IDT electrode;\nthe second series arm resonator includes a dielectric film on the IDT electrode; and\na thickness of the dielectric film on the IDT electrode included in the first series arm resonator is larger than a thickness of the dielectric film on the IDT electrode included in the second series arm resonator.",
"7. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein an electrode line width of the IDT electrode included in the first series arm resonator is wider than an electrode line width of the IDT electrode included in the second series arm resonator.",
"8. An acoustic wave filter comprising:\nan input terminal;\nan output terminal;\na series arm circuit which includes a plurality of series arm resonators connected in series between the input terminal and the output terminal; and\na parallel arm circuit which includes at least one parallel arm resonator connected between the series arm circuit and a ground potential; wherein\neach of the plurality of series arm resonators is a surface acoustic wave (SAW) resonator including a piezoelectric substrate and an interdigital transducer (IDT) electrode on the piezoelectric substrate, and has a characteristic that a fractional band width increases with a decrease in a thickness of the piezoelectric substrate which is normalized with a wavelength of a signal passing through the series arm resonator; and\na wavelength of a signal passing through one of the plurality of series arm resonators with a lowest anti-resonant frequency is shorter than wavelengths of signals passing through remaining ones of the plurality of series arm resonators.",
"9. An acoustic wave filter comprising:\nan input terminal;\nan output terminal;\na series arm circuit which includes a plurality of series arm resonators connected in series between the input terminal and the output terminal; and\na parallel arm circuit which includes at least one parallel arm resonator connected between the series arm circuit and a ground potential; wherein\neach of the plurality of series arm resonators is a surface acoustic wave (SAW) resonator including a piezoelectric substrate and an interdigital transducer (IDT) electrode on the piezoelectric substrate;\na thickness of the piezoelectric substrate is less than or equal to about 0.7λ, where λ is a wavelength of a signal passing through the series arm resonator; and\na wavelength of a signal passing through one of the plurality of series arm resonators with a lowest anti-resonant frequency is shorter than wavelengths of signals passing through remaining ones of the plurality of series arm resonators.",
"10. An acoustic wave filter comprising:\nan input terminal;\nan output terminal;\na series arm circuit which includes a first series arm resonator and a second series arm resonator connected in series between the input terminal and the output terminal; and\na parallel arm circuit which includes at least one parallel arm resonator connected between the series arm circuit and a ground potential; wherein\neach of the first series arm resonator and the second series arm resonator is a surface acoustic wave (SAW) resonator including a piezoelectric substrate and an interdigital transducer (IDT) electrode on the piezoelectric substrate;\na thickness of the piezoelectric substrate is less than or equal to about 0.7λ where λ is a wavelength of a signal passing through the series arm resonator;\nan anti-resonant frequency of the first series arm resonator is lower than an anti-resonant frequency of the second series arm resonator; and\na wavelength of a signal passing through the first series arm resonator is shorter than a wavelength of a signal passing through the second series arm resonator.",
"11. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 8, wherein each of the plurality of series arm resonators includes a reflecting layer on a surface of the piezoelectric substrate opposite to a surface on which the IDT electrode is provided.",
"12. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 8, wherein an electrode finger pitch of the IDT electrode of the one of the plurality of series arm resonators with the lowest anti-resonant frequency is shorter than wavelengths of the signals passing through remaining ones of the plurality of series arm resonators.",
"13. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 9, wherein each of the plurality of series arm resonators includes a reflecting layer on a surface of the piezoelectric substrate opposite to a surface on which the IDT electrode is provided.",
"14. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 9, wherein an electrode finger pitch of the IDT electrode of the one of the plurality of series arm resonators with the lowest anti-resonant frequency is shorter than wavelengths of the signals passing through remaining ones of the plurality of series arm resonators.",
"15. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 10, wherein each of the first series arm resonator and the second series arm resonator includes a reflecting layer on a surface of the piezoelectric substrate opposite to a surface on which the IDT electrode is provided.",
"16. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 10, wherein an electrode finger pitch of the IDT electrode of the first series arm resonator is smaller than an electrode finger pitch of the IDT electrode of the second series arm resonator.",
"17. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 10, wherein a thickness of the IDT electrode included in the first series arm resonator is larger than a thickness of the IDT electrode included in the second series arm resonator.",
"18. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 10, wherein the first series arm resonator includes a dielectric film on the IDT electrode.",
"19. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 10, wherein\nthe first series arm resonator includes a dielectric film on the IDT electrode;\nthe second series arm resonator includes a dielectric film on the IDT electrode; and\na thickness of the dielectric film on the IDT electrode included in the first series arm resonator is larger than a thickness of the dielectric film on the IDT electrode included in the second series arm resonator.",
"20. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 10, wherein an electrode line width of the IDT electrode included in the first series arm resonator is wider than an electrode line width of the IDT electrode included in the second series arm resonator."
] |
US20220123733A1
|
TW201224112A
|
[
"1. A light conversion layer for obtaining light having a color rendering index (CRI) of at least 80, comprising: at least one sublayer, and an organic disc combination comprising at least one yellow A green luminescent dye that exhibits an intrinsic emission below 5 10 nm and/or an emission below 530 nm after self-absorption. 2. The light conversion layer of claim 1, wherein the yellow-green luminescent dye exhibits intrinsic emission in the range of 450 nm to 5 10 nm, or 470 nm to 5 10 nm. 3. The light conversion layer of claim 1 or 2, wherein the yellow-green luminescent dye has an intrinsic absorption peak in the range of 43 0 nm to 480 nm. 4. The light converting layer of claim 1 or 2, further comprising at least one red luminescent dye and/or at least one orange luminescent dye. 5. The light conversion layer of claim 4, wherein the red luminescent dye has an intrinsic emission in the range of 550 nm to 700 nm. 6. The light conversion layer of claim 4, wherein the orange luminescent dye has an intrinsic emission in the range of 510 nm to 650 nm. 7. The light conversion layer of claim 4, wherein the yellow-green luminescent dye-based light-filling material Lumogen® F Yellow 083 (BASF), BASF thermoplastic plastic F 084 green gold (CAS accession number: 2744-50-5), or Solvent Yellow 98 (CAS Accession No.: 12671-74-8); Red Luminescent Dye Phosphor Lumogen® F Red 305 (BASF), Lumogen® F Pink 285 (BASF), or Lumogen® F Red 300 158389.doc 201224112 (BASF), and the orange luminescent dye is a compound of Lumogen® F Orange 240 (BASF), Lumogen® F Yellow 170 (8 8 3?), or the following formula (?2〇卩1): 8. The light conversion layer of claim 4, wherein the yellow-green, red, and orange luminescent dyes are incorporated into a single sub-layer. 9. The light conversion layer of claim 4, wherein the yellow-green, red, and orange luminescent dyes are incorporated into separate sub-layers. 10. The light conversion layer of claim 4, wherein the (3) green luminescent dye is incorporated into the first sub-layer and the red and orange luminescent dyes are incorporated into the second sub-layer, or the yellow-green luminescent dye and the red The luminescent dye is incorporated into the first sub-layer and the orange luminescent dye is incorporated into the second sub-layer, or the yellow-green luminescent dye and the orange luminescent dye are incorporated into the first sub-layer and the red luminescent dye is incorporated into the second sub-layer in. 11. The light converting layer of claim 8 wherein the relative amount of weight of the dye ranges from 1 for the yellow-green luminescent dye, 0 to 0.4 for the orange luminescent dye and for the red luminescent dye Preferably, it is 丨, preferably 丨 for the yellow-green luminescent dye, U 0.3 for the orange luminescent dye and 0.05 to 0.2 for the red luminescent dye 158389.doc 201224112. At least one of the sub-layers such as §Hai includes scattering particles. Wherein the sub-layers comprise poly(mercaptopropene 12. The light-converting layer of claim 8 or in a separate sub-layer. 13. The light conversion layer of acid vinegar of claim 8) (PMMA), poly-pair Ethylene diacetate (ρΕΤ), copolymer of ρΕτ, polyethylene naphthalate (ΡΕΝ), poly(methyl propyl ketone) polystyrene, polycarbonate, polyfluorene oxide, polyoxyl Alkane, and / or acrylate polymers. 14. The light conversion layer of claim 1 or 2, wherein the light conversion layer is disposed on the diffuser. 15. A light-emitting device comprising the light-converting layer of any one of claims 14 to 16. 16. The light-emitting device of claim 15, comprising an emission wavelength range of 4 〇〇 nm to 500 nm, A source of blue light from 420 nm to 480 nm, more preferably 44〇11111 to 460 nm. 17. A method for manufacturing a light emitting device according to claim 15 or 16, comprising: providing a light source; and arranging a light conversion layer according to any one of claims 1 to 14 to receive light emitted from the light source At least part of it. 158389.doc"
] |
[
[
"1. An antenna duplexer comprising:\na first ladder-type acoustic wave filter connected between an antenna terminal and an input terminal and having a first passband in a first frequency band; and\na second ladder-type acoustic wave filter connected between the antenna terminal and an output terminal, the second ladder-type acoustic wave filter having a second passband in a second frequency band higher than the first frequency band, the first and second frequency bands being non-overlapping, the second ladder-type acoustic wave filter including a plurality of series-arm resonators connected in series along a signal path between the antenna terminal and the output terminal, and a plurality of parallel-arm resonators connected between the signal path and a ground, the plurality of parallel-arm resonators including a first parallel-arm resonator and at least one other parallel-arm resonator connected at a position closer to the antenna terminal than the first parallel-arm resonator, the first parallel-arm resonator having an interdigital transducer (IDT) electrode that includes a pair of busbars and a plurality of electrode fingers that extend from the pair of busbars and that interdigitate with each other, the IDT electrode including a constant pitch section in which certain ones of the plurality of electrode fingers are arranged at a substantially constant first pitch, and at least one narrow pitch section in which certain other ones of the plurality of electrode fingers are arranged at a varying pitch that varies between the substantially constant first pitch and a minimum pitch that is narrower than the substantially constant first pitch, the constant pitch section including a first region and a second region, and the at least one narrow pitch second being disposed between the first and second regions of the constant pitch section.",
"2. The antenna duplexer of claim 1 wherein the at least one narrow pitch section includes a first narrow pitch section and a second narrow pitch section spaced apart from one another.",
"3. The antenna duplexer of 2 wherein the pitch of certain other ones of the plurality of electrode fingers in the first narrow pitch section varies linearly between the substantially constant first pitch and a second pitch that is less than the substantially constant first pitch and greater than the minimum pitch.",
"4. A communications device comprising:\nan antenna;\na first ladder-type acoustic wave filter having a first passband in a first frequency band\na transmission circuit configured to input a transmission signal to the antenna via the first ladder-type acoustic wave filter, the first ladder-type acoustic wave filter being connected in series between the transmission circuit and the antenna, the transmission signal having a frequency within the first frequency band;\na reception circuit configured to receive a reception signal from the antenna; and\na second ladder-type acoustic wave filter having a second passband in a second frequency band higher than the first frequency band, the first and second frequency bands being non-overlapping, the second ladder-type acoustic wave filter being connected in series between the antenna and the reception circuit and configured to pass the reception signal from the antenna to the reception circuit, the reception signal having a frequency within the second frequency band, the second ladder-type acoustic wave filter including a plurality of series-arm resonators connected in series along a signal path between the antenna and the reception circuit, and a plurality of parallel-arm resonators connected between the signal path and a ground, the plurality of parallel-arm resonators including a first parallel-arm resonator and at least one other parallel-arm resonator connected at a position closer to the antenna than the first parallel-arm resonator, the first parallel-arm resonator having an interdigital transducer (IDT) electrode that includes a pair of busbars and a plurality of electrode fingers that extend from the pair of busbars and that interdigitate with each other, the IDT electrode including a constant pitch section having first and second portions and in which certain ones of the plurality of electrode fingers are arranged at a substantially constant first pitch, and a plurality of narrow pitch sections in which certain other ones of the plurality of electrode fingers are arranged at a varying pitch that varies between the substantially constant first pitch and a minimum pitch that is narrower than the substantially constant first pitch, the plurality of narrow pitch sections including a first narrow pitch section, a second narrow pitch section spaced apart from the first narrow pitch section, and a third narrow pitch section disposed between the first and second portions of the constant pitch section.",
"5. An antenna duplexer comprising:\na first ladder-type acoustic wave filter connected between an antenna terminal and an input terminal and having a first passband in a first frequency band; and\na second ladder-type acoustic wave filter connected between the antenna terminal and an output terminal, the second ladder-type acoustic wave filter having a second passband in a second frequency band higher than the first frequency band, the first and second frequency bands being non-overlapping, the second ladder-type acoustic wave filter including a plurality of series-arm resonators connected in series along a signal path between the antenna terminal and the output terminal, and a plurality of parallel-arm resonators connected between the signal path and a ground, the plurality of parallel-arm resonators including a first parallel-arm resonator connected at a position farthest from the antenna terminal and closest to the output terminal among the plurality of parallel-arm resonators, the first parallel-arm resonator having a main resonance and a first auxiliary resonance that produce corresponding attenuation poles within the first frequency band, and the first parallel-arm resonator including first and second reflectors and an interdigital transducer (IDT) electrode having pair of busbars, two end portions, and a plurality of electrode fingers that extend from the pair of busbars and that interdigitate with each other, the IDT electrode being positioned between the first and second reflectors and including a constant pitch section in which a pitch of certain ones of the plurality of electrode fingers is substantially constant, and at least one narrow pitch section in which a pitch of certain other ones the plurality of electrode fingers is reduced relative to the constant pitch section, the at least one narrow pitch section being disposed in an intermediate portion between both end portions of the IDT electrode.",
"6. The antenna duplexer of claim 5 wherein the at least one narrow pitch section includes a first narrow pitch section and a second narrow pitch section spaced apart from one another.",
"7. The antenna duplexer of claim 6 wherein the constant pitch section includes a first portion disposed between the first and second narrow pitch regions, a second portion disposed between the first narrow pitch section and the first reflector, and a third portion disposed between the second narrow pitch section and the second reflector.",
"8. The antenna duplexer of claim 7 wherein the pitch of certain other ones of the of the plurality of electrode fingers in the first narrow pitch section varies linearly between the substantially constant pitch and a first local minimum pitch, and the pitch of certain other ones of the plurality of electrode fingers in the second narrow pitch section varies linearly between the substantially constant pitch and a second local minimum pitch that is narrower than the first local minimum pitch.",
"9. The antenna duplexer of claim 6 wherein the first parallel-arm resonator has a second auxiliary resonance that produces an additional attenuation pole within the first frequency band.",
"10. The antenna duplexer of claim 5 wherein the pitch of the plurality of electrode fingers in the at least one narrow pitch section varies smoothly between the substantially constant pitch and a minimum pitch.",
"11. The antenna duplexer of claim 5 wherein the first parallel-arm resonator further has a second auxiliary resonance, and an attenuation pole caused by the second auxiliary resonance is within the first frequency band.",
"12. An antenna duplexer comprising:\na first ladder-type acoustic wave filter connected between an antenna terminal and an input terminal and having a first passband in a first frequency band; and\na second ladder-type acoustic wave filter connected between the antenna terminal and an output terminal, the second ladder-type acoustic wave filter having a second passband in a second frequency band higher than the first frequency band, the first and second frequency bands being non-overlapping, the second ladder-type acoustic wave filter including a plurality of series-arm resonators connected in series along a signal path between the antenna terminal and the output terminal, and a plurality of parallel-arm resonators connected between the signal path and a ground, the plurality of parallel-arm resonators including a first parallel-arm resonator connected at a position farthest from the antenna terminal and closest to the output terminal among the plurality of parallel-arm resonators, the first parallel-arm resonator having a main resonance, a first auxiliary resonance, and a second auxiliary resonance that produce corresponding attenuation poles within the first frequency band.",
"13. The antenna duplexer of claim 12 wherein the first parallel-arm resonator includes first and second reflectors, and an interdigital transducer (IDT) electrode having pair of busbars and a plurality of electrode fingers that extend from the pair of busbars and that interdigitate with each other, the IDT electrode being positioned between the first and second reflectors.",
"14. The antenna duplexer of claim 13 wherein the IDT electrode includes a constant pitch section in which a pitch of the plurality of electrode fingers is substantially constant, and at least one narrow pitch section in which the pitch of the plurality of electrode fingers is reduced relative to the constant pitch section.",
"15. The antenna duplexer of claim 14, wherein the at least one narrow pitch section includes a first narrow pitch section and a second narrow pitch section, the constant pitch section being disposed between the first and second narrow pitch sections.",
"16. The antenna duplexer of claim 15 wherein the at least one narrow pitch section further includes a third narrow pitch section, and the constant pitch section includes a first portion and a second portion, the third narrow pitch section being disposed between the first and second portions of the constant pitch section.",
"17. The antenna duplexer of claim 13 wherein the IDT electrode includes a first section in which a pitch of certain ones of the plurality of electrode fingers varies between a first pitch and a minimum pitch, and second and third sections in which the pitch of the plurality of electrode fingers varies between a second pitch and a third pitch, the second pitch being greater than the first pitch, and the third pitch being less than the first pitch and greater than the minimum pitch.",
"18. The antenna duplexer of claim 17 wherein the first section is disposed between the second and third sections."
],
[
"1. An acoustic wave filter comprising:\na first series-arm resonator and a second series-arm resonator on a path connecting a first terminal and a second terminal; wherein\nthe first series-arm resonator has a lower anti-resonant frequency than any other series-arm resonator included in the acoustic wave filter;\nthe first series-arm resonator and the second series-arm resonator each include an interdigital transducer (IDT) electrode including a pair of comb teeth-shaped electrodes on a substrate including a piezoelectric layer;\nelectrodes of the pair of comb teeth-shaped electrodes of the first series-arm resonator and electrodes of the pair of comb teeth-shaped electrodes of the second series-arm resonator each include electrode fingers and a busbar electrode, the electrode fingers extending in a direction orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to a propagation direction of an acoustic wave, the busbar electrode connecting first ends of the electrode fingers to each other;\na direction in which second ends of the electrode fingers are aligned with each other crosses the propagation direction of the acoustic wave;\nthe electrode fingers of the IDT electrode of the first series-arm resonator and the electrode fingers of the IDT electrode of the second series-arm resonator each include an electrode-finger central portion and a wide portion located at the second end and being wider than the electrode-finger central portion; and\na length of the wide portion of each of the electrode fingers in the first series-arm resonator in the direction in which the electrode fingers extend is greater than a length of the wide portion of each of the electrode fingers in the second series-arm resonator in the direction in which the electrode fingers extend.",
"2. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the length of the wide portion of each of the electrode fingers in the first series-arm resonator is not less than about 0.1λ and not more than about 0.4λ, where λ denotes a wavelength of the acoustic wave.",
"3. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein an intersecting width of the IDT electrode of the first series-arm resonator is not more than about 20λ, where λ denotes a wavelength of the acoustic wave.",
"4. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein\nthe substrate includes:\na piezoelectric layer including two main surfaces, the IDT electrode of each of the first series-arm resonator and the second series-arm resonator being disposed on one of the two main surfaces;\na high-acoustic-velocity support substrate, an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave propagating through the high-acoustic-velocity support substrate being higher than an acoustic wave velocity of an acoustic wave propagating through the piezoelectric layer; and\na low-acoustic-velocity film disposed between the high-acoustic-velocity support substrate and the piezoelectric layer, an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave propagating through the low-acoustic-velocity film being lower than an acoustic velocity of an acoustic wave propagating through the piezoelectric layer.",
"5. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 4, wherein the high-acoustic-velocity support substrate is a silicon substrate having a thickness of about 125 μm.",
"6. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 4, wherein the low-acoustic-velocity film includes silicon dioxide as a main component and has a thickness of about 670 nm.",
"7. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, further comprising a parallel-arm resonator disposed on a path connecting a reference terminal and a node at which the first series-arm resonator and the second series-arm resonator are connected.",
"8. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 7, further comprising a plurality of the parallel-arm resonators.",
"9. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 7, wherein the first series-arm resonator, the second series-arm resonator, and the parallel-arm resonator define a ladder band-pass filter.",
"10. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second series-arm resonators is a surface acoustic wave resonator.",
"11. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second series-arm resonators includes a reflector disposed on both sides of the respective first or second series-arm resonator in the propagation direction.",
"12. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein each of the IDT electrodes of the first and second series-arm resonators includes an adhesive layer on the piezoelectric layer and a main electrode layer on the adhesive layer.",
"13. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 12, wherein the adhesive layer includes Ti as a main component.",
"14. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 12, wherein the main electrode layer includes Al as a main component and a Cu content of about 1%.",
"15. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein each of the IDT electrodes of the first and second series-arm resonators is covered with a protective layer.",
"16. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 15, wherein the protective layer includes silicon dioxide as a main component.",
"17. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric layer is made of a θ°-rotated Y cut X SAW propagation LiTaO3 piezoelectric single crystal.",
"18. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric layer has a thickness of about 600 nm.",
"19. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, further comprising:\na third series-arm resonator disposed on the path, the first series-arm resonator and the third series-arm resonator being connected in series; wherein\nthe third series-arm resonator has a lower anti-resonant frequency than the second series-arm resonator;\nthe third series-arm resonator includes an IDT electrode including a pair of comb teeth-shaped electrodes provided on a substrate including a piezoelectric layer;\nelectrodes of the pair of comb teeth-shaped electrodes of the third series-arm resonator each include electrode fingers and a busbar electrode, the electrode fingers extending in the direction orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the propagation direction of the acoustic wave, the busbar electrode connecting first ends of the electrode fingers to each other;\na direction in which second ends of the electrode fingers are aligned with each other crosses the propagation direction of the acoustic wave;\nthe electrode fingers of the IDT electrode of the third series-arm resonator each include an electrode-finger central portion and a wide portion located at the second end and being wider than the electrode-finger central portion; and\na length of the wide portion of each of the electrode fingers in the third series-arm resonator in the direction in which the electrode fingers extend is greater than the length of the wide portion of each of the electrode fingers in the second series-arm resonator in the direction in which the electrode fingers extend.",
"20. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of the second series-arm resonators."
],
[
"1. A filter comprising:\neach of parallel resonators having first comb electrodes provided on a piezoelectric substrate and a first dielectric film that covers the first comb electrodes; and\neach of series resonators having second comb electrodes provided on the piezoelectric substrate and a second dielectric film that covers the second comb electrodes and is made of a material identical to that of the first dielectric film,\neach of the first dielectric films having a thickness smaller than a thickness of each of the second dielectric films.",
"2. The filter as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a third dielectric film that is provided on the first and second dielectric films,\nthe third dielectric film having an acoustic velocity greater than acoustic velocities of the first and second dielectric films.",
"3. The filter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second dielectric films comprise silicon oxide.",
"4. The filter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric substrate comprises one of lithium niobate and lithium tantalate.",
"5. The filter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second comb electrodes comprise copper.",
"6. A filter comprising:\na first acoustic wave filter having first comb electrodes provided on a piezoelectric substrate and a first dielectric film that covers the first comb electrodes; and\na second acoustic wave filter having second comb electrodes provided on the piezoelectric substrate and a second dielectric film covers the second comb electrodes and is made of a material identical to that of the first dielectric film,\nthe first dielectric film having a thickness smaller than a thickness of the second dielectric film,\nthe first and second acoustic wave filters being connected in series;\nthe first acoustic wave filter being an input side of the filter; and\nthe second acoustic wave filter being an output side of the filter;\nwherein the first and second acoustic wave filter are respectively multimode acoustic wave filters.",
"7. A filter comprising:\na filter acoustic wave filter having first comb electrodes provide on a piezoelectric substrate and a first dielectric film that covers the first comb electrodes; and\na second acoustic wave filter having second comb electrode providing on the piezoelectric substrate and a second dielectric film covers the second comb electrodes and is made of a material identical to that of the first dielectric film,\nthe first dielectric film having a thickness smaller than a thickness of the second dielectric film,\nthe first and second acoustic wave filters being connected in series;\nthe first acoustic wave filter being an input side of the filter;\nthe second acoustic wave filter being an output side of the filter; and\na third dielectric film that is provided on the first an second dielectric films,\nthe third dielectric film having an acoustic velocity greater than acoustic velocities of the first and second dielectric films.",
"8. The filter as claimed in any one of claims 6 or 7, wherein the first and second dielectric films comprise silicon oxide.",
"9. The filter as claimed in any one of claims 6 or 7, wherein the piezoelectric substrate comprises one of lithium niobate and lithium tantalite.",
"10. The filter as claimed in any one of claims 6 or 7, wherein the first and second comb electrode comprise copper.",
"11. A duplexer comprising:\na first acoustic wave filter having first comb electrodes provided on a piezoelectric substrate and a first dielectric film that covers the first comb electrodes; and\na second acoustic wave filter having second comb electrode provided on the piezoelectric substrate and a second dielectric film covers the second comb electrodes and is made of a material identical to that of the first dielectric film,\nthe first dielectric film having a thickness smaller than a thickness of the second dielectric film,\nthe first and second acoustic wave filters being connected at a common terminal;\nthe first acoustic wave filter being a high-frequency-side filter of the duplexer;\nthe second acoustic wave filter being a low frequency-side filter of the duplexer; and\nthe first and second acoustic wave filters being ladder filters.",
"12. The duplexer as claimed in claim 11, further comprises a third dielectric film that is provided on the first and second dielectric films,\nthe third dielectric film having an acoustic velocity greater than acoustic velocity of the first and second dielectric films.",
"13. The duplexer as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first second dielectric films comprise silicon oxide.",
"14. The duplexer as claimed in claim 11, wherein the piezoelectric substrate comprises one of lithium niobate and lithium tantalate.",
"15. The duplexer as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first and second comb electrodes comprise copper."
],
[
"1. An acoustic wave filter device having a ladder circuit configuration comprising:\na plurality of series arm resonators connected in series with one another at a series arm connecting an input terminal and an output terminal;\na parallel arm resonator disposed at a parallel arm connected between the series arm and a ground potential;\na piezoelectric substrate made of a piezoelectric monocrystal; and\nelectrodes provided on the piezoelectric substrate; wherein\nan anti-resonant frequency of at least one of the plurality of series arm resonators is different from that of remaining ones of the plurality of series arm resonators;\none of the plurality of series arm resonators having the lowest anti-resonant frequency has a resonant frequency located in a passband and an electromechanical coupling coefficient k2 less than an average of electromechanical coupling coefficients of all of the plurality of series arm resonators; and\na propagation direction ψ obtained when a crystalline cutting plane of the piezoelectric substrate and an acoustic wave propagation direction are expressed as Euler angles (φ, θ, ψ) is such that an electromechanical coupling coefficient of one of the plurality of series arm resonators having the lowest anti-resonant frequency is less than an average of electromechanical coupling coefficients of all of the plurality of series arm resonators.",
"2. The acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein\na plurality of parallel arm resonators are individually disposed at a plurality of parallel arms;\na resonant frequency of at least one of the plurality of parallel arm resonators is different from that of remaining ones of the plurality of parallel arm resonators; and\none of the plurality of parallel arm resonators having the highest resonant frequency has an anti-resonant frequency located in a passband and an electromechanical coupling coefficient less than an average of electromechanical coupling coefficients of all of the plurality of parallel arm resonators.",
"3. The acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein the acoustic wave filter device is a boundary acoustic wave filter device.",
"4. The acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein the acoustic wave filter device is a surface acoustic wave filter device.",
"5. An acoustic wave filter device comprising:\nat least one series arm resonator arranged to define a series arm between an input terminal and an output terminal;\na plurality of parallel arm resonators that are individually disposed at a plurality of parallel arms connecting the series arm and a ground potential;\na piezoelectric substrate made of a piezoelectric monocrystal; and\nelectrodes provided on the piezoelectric substrate; wherein\na resonant frequency of at least one of the plurality of parallel arm resonators is different from that of remaining ones of the plurality of parallel arm resonators;\none of the plurality of parallel arm resonators having the highest resonant frequency has an anti-resonant frequency located in a passband and an electromechanical coupling coefficient less than an average of electromechanical coupling coefficients of all of the plurality of parallel arm resonators; and\na propagation direction ψ obtained when a crystalline cutting plane of the piezoelectric substrate and an acoustic wave propagation direction are expressed as Euler angles (φ, θ, ψ) is such that an electromechanical coupling coefficient of one of the plurality of parallel arm resonators having the lowest anti-resonant frequency is less than an average of electromechanical coupling coefficients of all of the plurality of parallel arm resonators.",
"6. The acoustic wave filter device according to claim 5, wherein the acoustic wave filter device is a boundary acoustic wave filter device.",
"7. The acoustic wave filter device according to claim 5, wherein the acoustic wave filter device is a surface acoustic wave filter device."
],
[
"1. A surface acoustic wave device comprising:\nan input signal electrode and an output signal electrode to and from which an electric signal is inputted or outputted;\na first surface acoustic wave resonator connected between the input signal electrode and the output signal electrode; and\na second surface acoustic wave resonator including:\na plurality of signal-side terminals having a plurality of comb electrodes and connected to a midpoint between the input signal electrode and the first surface acoustic wave resonator and a midpoint between the output signal electrode and the first surface acoustic wave resonator, and\na ground-side common terminal having a plurality of comb electrodes to form interdigital transducers in cooperation with the comb electrodes of the plurality of signal-side common terminals and connected to a grounding electrode.",
"2. The surface acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the electrode period of the plurality of interdigital transducers forming the second surface acoustic wave resonator is set to be greater than the electrode period of the plurality of interdigital transducers forming the first surface acoustic wave resonator.",
"3. The surface acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein an inductance element is connected between the ground-side common terminal of the second surface acoustic wave resonator and the grounding electrode.",
"4. A surface acoustic wave device comprising:\nan input signal electrode and an output signal electrode to and from which an electric signal is inputted or outputted;\na plurality of first surface acoustic wave resonators connected in series between the input signal electrode and the output signal electrode; and\na second surface acoustic wave resonator including:\na plurality of signal-side terminals having a plurality of comb electrodes,\na first signal-side terminal of the plurality of signal-side terminals connected to a midpoint between the input signal electrode and a first surface acoustic wave resonator of the plurality of first surface acoustic wave resonators, a second signal-side terminal of the plurality of signal side terminals connected to a midpoint between the output signal electrode and a second surface acoustic wave resonator of the of first surface acoustic wave resonators, wherein each of the plurality of signal-side terminals with the exception of the first and the second signal-side terminals is connected to a midpoint between adjacent first surface acoustic wave resonators of the plurality of first surface acoustic wave resonators, and\na ground-side common terminal having a plurality of comb electrodes to form interdigital transducers in cooperation with the comb electrodes of the plurality of signal-side common terminals and connected to a grounding electrode.",
"5. The surface acoustic wave device according to claim 4, wherein the electrode period of the plurality of interdigital transducers forming the second surface acoustic wave resonator is set to be greater than the electrode period of the plurality of interdigital transducers forming the plurality of first surface acoustic wave resonators.",
"6. The surface acoustic wave device according to claim 4, wherein an inductance element is connected between the ground-side common terminal of the second surface acoustic wave resonator and the grounding electrode.",
"7. A branching filter comprising:\nat least two surface acoustic wave devices having mutually different band center frequencies, and at least one of the surface acoustic wave devices comprising:\nan input signal electrode and an output signal electrode to and from which an electric signal is inputted or outputted;\na first surface acoustic wave resonator connected between the input signal electrode and the output signal electrode; and\na second surface acoustic wave resonator including:\na plurality of signal-side terminals having a plurality of comb electrodes and connected to a midpoint between the input signal electrode and the first surface acoustic wave resonator and a midpoint between the output signal electrode and the first surface acoustic wave resonator, and\na ground-side common terminal having a plurality of comb electrodes to form interdigital transducers by the comb electrodes and the comb electrodes of the plurality of signal-side common terminals and connected to a grounding electrode.",
"8. A branching filter comprising:\nat least two surface acoustic wave devices having mutually different band center frequencies, and at least one of the surface acoustic wave devices comprising:\nan input signal electrode and an output signal electrode to and from which an electric signal is inputted or outputted;\na plurality of first surface acoustic wave resonators connected in series between the input signal electrode and the output signal electrode; and\na second surface acoustic wave resonator including:\na plurality of signal-side terminals having a plurality of comb electrodes, a first signal-side terminal of the plurality of signal-side terminals is connected to a midpoint between the input signal electrode and a first surface acoustic wave resonator of the plurality of first surface acoustic wave resonators, a second signal-side terminal of the plurality of signal side terminals is connected to a midpoint between the output signal electrode and a second surface acoustic wave resonator of the plurality of first surface acoustic wave resonators, wherein each of the plurality of signal-side terminals with the exception of the first and the second signal-side terminals is connected to a midpoint between adjacent first surface acoustic wave resonators, and\na ground-side common terminal having a plurality of comb electrodes to form interdigital transducers by the comb electrodes and the comb electrodes of the plurality of signal-side common terminals and connected to a grounding electrode.",
"9. The surface acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein an electrode period of the first interdigital transducers of the second surface acoustic wave resonator is different from an electrode period of the second interdigital transducers of the second surface acoustic wave resonator.",
"10. The surface acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein an electrode period of the first interdigital transducers of the second surface acoustic wave resonator is identical to an electrode period of the second interdigital transducers of the second surface acoustic wave resonator.",
"11. The surface acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein an electrode period of the plurality of interdigital transducers forming the first surface acoustic wave resonator is different from an electrode period of an interdigital transducer forming the second surface acoustic wave resonator.",
"12. The surface acoustic wave device according to claim 4, wherein an electrode period of the first interdigital transducers of the second surface acoustic wave resonator is different from an electrode period of the second interdigital transducers of the second surface acoustic wave resonator.",
"13. The surface acoustic wave device according to claim 4, wherein an electrode period of the first interdigital transducers of the second surface acoustic wave resonator is identical to an electrode period of the second interdigital transducers of the second surface acoustic wave resonator.",
"14. The surface acoustic wave device according to claim 4, wherein an electrode period of the plurality of interdigital transducers forming the first surface acoustic wave resonator is different from an electrode period of an interdigital transducer forming the second surface acoustic wave resonator."
],
[
"1. An acoustic wave resonator comprising:\na piezoelectric body; and\nan IDT electrode on or above the piezoelectric body and including withdrawal weighted portions in each of a plurality of regions in an acoustic wave propagation direction for at least three periods; wherein\na periodicity of the periodic withdrawal weighted portion in at least one of the plurality of regions is different from a periodicity of the periodic withdrawal weighted portion in at least another one of the plurality of regions.",
"2. The acoustic wave resonator according to claim 1, wherein periodicities of the withdrawal weighted portions in the plurality of regions are different from one another.",
"3. The acoustic wave resonator according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the withdrawal weighted portions is asymmetric on respective sides of a center of the IDT electrode in the acoustic wave propagation direction.",
"4. The acoustic wave resonator according to claim 1, wherein the IDT electrode includes a plurality of first electrode fingers and a plurality of second electrode fingers that interdigitate with each other, and at least one of the withdrawal weighted portions includes a wide electrode finger with a larger width-direction dimension than the first electrode fingers in the acoustic wave propagation direction.",
"5. The acoustic wave resonator according to claim 1, wherein the IDT electrode includes a plurality of first electrodes and a plurality of second electrodes that interdigitate with each other, and at least one of the withdrawal weighted portions includes a floating electrode finger provided in at least one of portions in which the first electrode fingers or the second electrode fingers are located, in place of the corresponding first electrode finger or the corresponding second electrode finger.",
"6. The acoustic wave resonator according to claim 1, further comprising reflectors disposed on respective sides of the IDT electrode in the acoustic wave propagation direction.",
"7. The acoustic wave resonator according to claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric body is defined by a piezoelectric plate.",
"8. The acoustic wave resonator according to claim 7, wherein the piezoelectric plate is made of LiNbO3 or LiTaO3.",
"9. The acoustic wave resonator according to claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric body is defined by a piezoelectric film stacked on or above a semiconductor layer or an insulating layer.",
"10. The acoustic wave resonator according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of regions include at least three regions.",
"11. The acoustic wave resonator according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of regions are arranged parallel or substantially parallel to the acoustic wave propagation direction.",
"12. A multiplexer comprising:\na common terminal; and\na plurality of bandpass filters each including one end connected in common to the common terminal; wherein\nat least one of the plurality of bandpass filters has a pass band that is different from pass bands of others of the plurality of bandpass filters;\nthe at least one of the bandpass filters is an acoustic wave filter including a plurality of acoustic wave resonators; and\nat least one of the plurality of acoustic wave resonators is defined by the acoustic wave resonator according to claim 1.",
"13. The multiplexer according to claim 12, wherein the plurality of bandpass filters have pass bands that are different from one another.",
"14. The multiplexer according to claim 12, wherein each of the plurality of bandpass filters is an acoustic wave filter including a plurality of acoustic wave resonators.",
"15. The multiplexer according to claim 12, wherein periodicities of the withdrawal weighted portions in the plurality of regions are different from one another.",
"16. The multiplexer according to claim 12, wherein at least one of the withdrawal weighted portions is asymmetric on respective sides of a center of the IDT electrode in the acoustic wave propagation direction.",
"17. The multiplexer according to claim 12, wherein the IDT electrode includes a plurality of first electrode fingers and a plurality of second electrode fingers that interdigitate with each other, and at least one of the withdrawal weighted portions includes a wide electrode finger with a larger width-direction dimension than the first electrode fingers in the acoustic wave propagation direction.",
"18. The multiplexer according to claim 12, wherein the IDT electrode includes a plurality of first electrodes and a plurality of second electrodes that interdigitate with each other, and at least one of the withdrawal weighted portions includes a floating electrode finger provided in at least one of portions in which the first electrode fingers or the second electrode fingers are located, in place of the corresponding first electrode finger or the corresponding second electrode finger.",
"19. The multiplexer according to claim 12, wherein the piezoelectric body is defined by a piezoelectric film stacked on or above a semiconductor layer or an insulating layer."
],
[
"1. A multiplexer that transmits and receives high-frequency signals via an antenna element, the multiplexer comprising:\na substrate including a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface;\na common connection terminal that is disposed on the first surface of the substrate and that is to be connected to the antenna element; and\nat least three elastic wave filters that are mounted on the second surface of the substrate, that are connected to the common connection terminal, and that have pass bands different from each other; wherein\na first elastic wave filter of the at least three elastic wave filters, which generates a spurious wave at a frequency that is included in a pass band of a second elastic wave filter that is at least one of the elastic wave filters that differs from the first elastic wave filter among the at least three elastic wave filters, is located nearest on the substrate to the common connection terminal among the at least three elastic wave filters.",
"2. The multiplexer according to claim 1, wherein the second elastic wave filter is located nearer on the substrate to the common connection terminal than at least one elastic wave other than the first elastic wave filter and the second elastic wave filter among the at least three elastic wave filters.",
"3. The multiplexer according to claim 1, wherein\nthe substrate includes a plurality of layers; and\na wiring line connecting the first elastic wave filter and the common connection terminal to each other is provided in or on one of the plurality of layers.",
"4. The multiplexer according to claim 1, wherein\nthe first elastic wave filter includes an input terminal, an output terminal, and at least one of a parallel arm resonator unit and a series arm resonator unit, the series arm resonator unit being disposed on a path connecting the input terminal and the output terminal to each other, the parallel arm resonator unit being connected between the path and a reference terminal; and\nat least one of the series arm resonator unit nearest to the common connection terminal and the parallel arm resonator unit nearest to the common connection terminal includes:\nelastic wave resonators that are connected in series; and\na first capacitance element that is connected between at least one of paths connecting the elastic wave resonators to each other and the reference terminal.",
"5. The multiplexer according to claim 1, wherein\nthe first elastic wave filter includes an input terminal, an output terminal, and at least one of a parallel arm resonator unit and a series arm resonator unit, the series arm resonator unit being disposed on a path connecting the input terminal and the output terminal to each other, the parallel arm resonator unit being connected between the path and a reference terminal; and\nat least one of the series arm resonator unit nearest to the common connection terminal and the parallel arm resonator unit nearest to the common connection terminal includes:\nat least one elastic wave resonator; and\na second capacitance element that is connected to the at least one elastic wave resonator in parallel so as to bridge both end portions of the at least one elastic wave resonator.",
"6. The multiplexer according to claim 1, wherein\nthe first elastic wave filter includes a piezoelectric substrate; and\nthe piezoelectric substrate includes:\na piezoelectric film including a surface on which an interdigital transducer electrode is provided;\na high acoustic velocity support substrate through which a bulk wave is propagated at an acoustic velocity higher than an acoustic velocity at which an elastic wave is propagated through the piezoelectric film; and\na low acoustic velocity film that is disposed between the high acoustic velocity support substrate and the piezoelectric film and through which a bulk wave is propagated at an acoustic velocity lower than an acoustic velocity at which a bulk wave is propagated through the piezoelectric film.",
"7. The multiplexer according to claim 6, wherein the first elastic wave filter further includes a protective layer covering the interdigital transducer electrode.",
"8. The multiplexer according to claim 7, wherein the protective layer is defined by a film including silicon dioxide as a main component.",
"9. The multiplexer according to claim 7, wherein the protective layer has a thickness of about 25 nm.",
"10. The multiplexer according to claim 6, wherein the interdigital transducer electrode has a multilayer structure including a close-contact layer and a main electrode layer provided on the close-contact layer.",
"11. The multiplexer according to claim 10, wherein the main electrode layer has a thickness of about 162 nm.",
"12. The multiplexer according to claim 10, wherein the close-contact layer is made of Ti.",
"13. The multiplexer according to claim 10, wherein the close-contact layer has a thickness of about 12 nm.",
"14. The multiplexer according to claim 10, wherein the main electrode layer is made of Al including about 1% of Cu.",
"15. The multiplexer according to claim 1, wherein\nthe first elastic wave filter includes a piezoelectric substrate; and\nthe piezoelectric substrate is made of a LiNbO3 piezoelectric single crystal substrate including a surface on which an interdigital transducer electrode is provided.",
"16. The multiplexer according to claim 1, wherein\nthe multiplexer is a quadplexer including a Band25 duplexer and a Band66 duplexer;\nthe at least three elastic wave filters include a transmission-side filter and a reception-side filter of the Band25 duplexer, and a transmission-side filter and a reception side filter of the Band66 duplexer; and\nthe first elastic wave filter defines the reception-side filter of the Band25 duplexer.",
"17. The multiplexer according to claim 16, further comprising an inductance element connected between the reception-side filter of the Band25 duplexer and the common connection terminal.",
"18. The multiplexer according to claim 16, wherein the transmission-side filter of the Band66 duplexer is an unbalanced-input-unbalanced-output band pass filter."
],
[
"1. An acoustic wave filter comprising:\na piezoelectric substrate;\none or more series resonators that are connected in series between an input terminal and an output terminal and located on the piezoelectric substrate, each of the one or more series resonators including first electrode fingers that are arranged with a first duty ratio and excite an acoustic wave;\none or more parallel resonators that are connected in parallel between the input terminal and the output terminal and located on the piezoelectric substrate, each of the one or more parallel resonators including second electrode fingers that are arranged with a second duty ratio and excite an acoustic wave, the second duty ratio in each of the one or more parallel resonators being less than the first duty ratio in each of the one or more series resonators; and\na dielectric film that has a temperature coefficient of elastic modulus that is opposite in sign to that of the piezoelectric substrate, is located on the piezoelectric substrate so as to cover the first electrode fingers and the second electrode fingers, and has a film thickness greater than those of the first electrode fingers and the second electrode fingers,\nwherein:\neach of the one or more series resonators includes a pair of first comb-shaped electrodes, the first duty ratio is a duty ratio in a first region in which third electrode fingers of one of the pair of first comb-shaped electrodes among the first electrode fingers overlap with fourth electrode fingers of another of the pair of first comb-shaped electrodes among the first electrode fingers, the third electrode fingers and the fourth electrode fingers are alternately arranged in the first region, only a single fourth electrode finger among the fourth electrode fingers is located between adjacent third electrode fingers among the third electrode fingers in the first region, only a single third electrode finger among the third electrode fingers is located between adjacent fourth electrode fingers among the fourth electrode fingers in the first region,\neach of the one or more parallel resonators includes a pair of second comb-shaped electrodes, the second duty ratio is a duty ratio in a second region in which fifth electrode fingers of one of the pair of second comb-shaped electrodes among the second electrode fingers overlap with sixth electrode fingers of another of the pair of second comb-shaped electrodes among the second electrode fingers, the fifth electrode fingers and the sixth electrode fingers are alternately arranged in the second region, only a single sixth electrode finger among the sixth electrode fingers is located between adjacent fifth electrode fingers among the fifth electrode fingers in the second region, only a single fifth electrode finger among the fifth electrode fingers is located between adjacent sixth electrode fingers among the sixth electrode fingers in the second region,\na resonant frequency of each of the one or more parallel resonators is less than a resonant frequency of each of the one or more series resonators,\nan antiresonant frequency of each of the one or more parallel resonators is less than an antiresonant frequency of each of the one or more series resonators,\nno resonator other than the one or more parallel resonators and the one or more series resonators is connected between the input terminal and the output terminal, and\na difference in value between a value, expressed in percentage, of a largest second duty ratio in the one or more parallel resonators and a value, expressed in percentage, of a smallest first duty ratio in the one or more series resonators is 5% or greater.",
"2. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein\nthe one or more series resonators are a plurality of series resonators,\nthe one or more parallel resonators are a plurality of parallel resonators, and\nall of the second duty ratios in the plurality of parallel resonators are less than all of the first duty ratios in the plurality of series resonators.",
"3. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein\nthe difference in value between the value, expressed in percentage, of the largest second duty ratio in the one or more parallel resonators and the value, expressed in percentage, of the smallest first duty ratio in the one or more series resonators is 10% or less.",
"4. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein\na pitch of the first electrode fingers is less than a pitch of the second electrode fingers.",
"5. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein\nthe piezoelectric substrate is a lithium niobate substrate or a lithium tantalate substrate.",
"6. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein\nthe piezoelectric substrate is a lithium niobate substrate and the dielectric film is a silicon oxide film.",
"7. A multiplexer comprising:\nthe acoustic wave filter according to claim 1.",
"8. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein\nthe value, expressed in percentage, of the largest second duty ratio in the one or more parallel resonators is equal to or less than 0.9 times the value, expressed in percentage, of the smallest first duty ratio in the one or more series resonators.",
"9. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the resonant frequency of each of the one or more parallel resonators is lower than a passband of the acoustic wave filter, and the antiresonant frequency of each of the one or more series resonators is higher than the passband.",
"10. An acoustic wave filter comprising:\na piezoelectric substrate;\none or more series resonators that are connected in series between an input terminal and an output terminal and located on the piezoelectric substrate, each of the one or more series resonators including first electrode fingers that are arranged with a first duty ratio and excite an acoustic wave;\none or more parallel resonators that are connected in parallel between the input terminal and the output terminal and located on the piezoelectric substrate, each of the one or more parallel resonators including second electrode fingers that are arranged with a second duty ratio and excite an acoustic wave, the second duty ratio in each of the one or more parallel resonators being less than the first duty ratio in each of the one or more series resonators;\na first dielectric film that has a temperature coefficient of elastic modulus that is opposite in sign to that of the piezoelectric substrate, is located on the piezoelectric substrate so as to cover the first electrode fingers, and has a first film thickness greater than those of the first electrode fingers; and\na second dielectric film that has a temperature coefficient of elastic modulus that is opposite in sign to that of the piezoelectric substrate, is located on the piezoelectric substrate so as to cover the second electrode fingers, and has a second film thickness that is greater than those of the second electrode fingers and is substantially equal to the first film thickness,\nwherein:\neach of the one or more series resonators includes a pair of first comb-shaped electrodes, the first duty ratio is a duty ratio in a first region in which third electrode fingers of one of the pair of first comb-shaped electrodes among the first electrode fingers overlap with fourth electrode fingers of another of the pair of first comb-shaped electrodes among the first electrode fingers, the third electrode fingers and the fourth electrode fingers are alternately arranged in the first region, only a single fourth electrode finger among the fourth electrode fingers is located between adjacent third electrode fingers among the third electrode fingers in the first region, only a single third electrode finger among the third electrode fingers is located between adjacent fourth electrode fingers among the fourth electrode fingers in the first region,\neach of the one or more parallel resonators includes a pair of second comb-shaped electrodes, the second duty ratio is a duty ratio in a second region in which fifth electrode fingers of one of the pair of second comb-shaped electrodes among the second electrode fingers overlap with sixth electrode fingers of another of the pair of second comb-shaped electrodes among the second electrode fingers, the fifth electrode fingers and the sixth electrode fingers are alternately arranged in the second region, only a single sixth electrode finger among the sixth electrode fingers is located between adjacent fifth electrode fingers among the fifth electrode fingers in the second region, only a single fifth electrode finger among the fifth electrode fingers is located between adjacent sixth electrode fingers among the sixth electrode fingers in the second region,\na resonant frequency of each of the one or more parallel resonators is less than a resonant frequency of each of the one or more series resonators,\nan antiresonant frequency of each of the one or more parallel resonators is less than an antiresonant frequency of each of the one or more series resonators,\nno resonator other than the one or more parallel resonators and the one or more series resonators is connected between the input terminal and the output terminal, and\na difference in value between a value, expressed in percentage, of a largest second duty ratio in the one or more parallel resonators and a value, expressed in percentage, of a smallest first duty ratio in the one or more series resonators is 5% or greater.",
"11. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 10, wherein the first dielectric film and the second dielectric film are made of substantially identical materials.",
"12. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 10, wherein\nthe one or more series resonators are a plurality of series resonators,\nthe one or more parallel resonators are a plurality of parallel resonators, and\nall of the second duty ratios in the plurality of parallel resonators are less than all of the first duty ratios in the plurality of series resonators.",
"13. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 10, wherein the difference in value between the value, expressed in percentage, of the largest second duty ratio in the one or more parallel resonators and the value, expressed in percentage, of the smallest first duty ratio in the one or more series resonators is 10% or less.",
"14. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 10, wherein a pitch of the first electrode fingers is less than a pitch of the second electrode fingers.",
"15. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 10, wherein the piezoelectric substrate is a lithium niobate substrate or a lithium tantalate substrate.",
"16. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 10, wherein the piezoelectric substrate is a lithium niobate substrate and the dielectric film is a silicon oxide film.",
"17. A multiplexer comprising:\nthe acoustic wave filter according to claim 10.",
"18. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 10, wherein the value, expressed in percentage, of the largest second duty ratio in the one or more parallel resonators is equal to or less than 0.9 times the value, expressed in percentage, of the smallest first duty ratio in the one or more series resonators.",
"19. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 2, wherein the resonant frequency of each of the one or more parallel resonators is lower than a passband of the acoustic wave filter, and the antiresonant frequency of each of the one or more series resonators is higher than the passband."
],
[
"1. An elastic wave filter device comprising:\na first elastic wave filter and a second elastic wave filter having pass bands different from each other and provided on a piezoelectric substrate; and\na shared terminal, a first terminal, a second terminal, and a plurality of reference terminals provided on the piezoelectric substrate; wherein\nthe first elastic wave filter includes a series resonator connected between the shared terminal and the first terminal and parallel resonators connected between a connection path from the shared terminal to the first terminal and one reference terminal among the plurality of reference terminals;\nthe second elastic wave filter includes parallel resonators connected between a connection path from the shared terminal to the second terminal and another reference terminal among the plurality of reference terminals;\na first reference terminal among the plurality of reference terminals connected to a parallel resonator connected so as to be closest to the first terminal among the parallel resonators included in the first elastic wave filter, and a second reference terminal among the plurality of reference terminals connected to a parallel resonator connected so as to be closest to the second terminal among the parallel resonators included in the second elastic wave filter, are separated from each other on the piezoelectric substrate; and\nthe first reference terminal is provided at a first side of the piezoelectric substrate, and the second reference terminal is provided at a second side of the piezoelectric substrate that is different than the first side of the piezoelectric substrate.",
"2. The elastic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein each of the first reference terminal and the second reference terminal is separated on the piezoelectric substrate from any other reference terminals of the plurality of reference terminals on the piezoelectric substrate.",
"3. The elastic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein\nthe first reference terminal is separated on the piezoelectric substrate from any of the reference terminals connected to the parallel resonators included in the second elastic wave filter; and\nthe second reference terminal is separated on the piezoelectric substrate from any of the reference terminal connected to the parallel resonators included in the first elastic wave filter.",
"4. The elastic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein at least one set of reference terminals among the plurality of reference terminals is shared on the piezoelectric substrate.",
"5. The elastic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein all of the reference terminals other than the first reference terminal and the second reference terminal, among the plurality of reference terminals, are shared on the piezoelectric substrate.",
"6. The elastic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein\nthe first elastic wave filter is a first reception filter that filters a first high-frequency signal input through the shared terminal, in a first pass band and outputs the filtered signal to the first terminal; and\nthe second elastic wave filter is a second reception filter that filters a second high-frequency signal input through the shared terminal, in a second pass band and outputs the filtered signal to the second terminal.",
"7. The elastic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein the first elastic wave filter and the second elastic wave filter are ladder surface acoustic wave filters.",
"8. The elastic wave filter device according to claim 7, wherein each of the first and second ladder surface acoustic wave filters includes an IDT electrode having a multilayer structure including a close contact layer and a main electrode layer.",
"9. The elastic wave filter device according to claim 8, wherein the close contact layer is made of Ti.",
"10. The elastic wave filter device according to claim 8, wherein the main electrode in made of Al including about 1% of Cu.",
"11. The elastic wave filter device according to claim 8, wherein each of the first and second ladder surface acoustic wave filters further includes a protective layer covering the IDT electrode.",
"12. A duplexer comprising the elastic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein\nthe first elastic wave filter is one of a reception filter that filters a high-frequency signal input through the shared terminal, in a first pass band and outputs the filtered signal to the first terminal and a transmission filter that filters a high-frequency signal input through the second terminal, in a second pass band and outputs the filtered signal to the shared terminal; and\nthe second elastic wave filter is the other of the reception filter and the transmission filter.",
"13. The duplexer according to claim 12, wherein each of the first reference terminal and the second reference terminal is separated on the piezoelectric substrate from any other reference terminals of the plurality of reference terminals on the piezoelectric substrate.",
"14. The duplexer according to claim 12, wherein\nthe first reference terminal is separated on the piezoelectric substrate from any of the reference terminals connected to the parallel resonators included in the second elastic wave filter; and\nthe second reference terminal is separated on the piezoelectric substrate from any of the reference terminal connected to the parallel resonators included in the first elastic wave filter.",
"15. The duplexer according to claim 12, wherein at least one set of reference terminals among the plurality of reference terminals is shared on the piezoelectric substrate.",
"16. The duplexer according to claim 12, wherein the reference terminals other than the first reference terminal and the second reference terminal, among the plurality of reference terminals, are shared on the piezoelectric substrate.",
"17. The duplexer according to claim 12, wherein the first elastic wave filter and the second elastic wave filter are ladder surface acoustic wave filters.",
"18. The duplexer according to claim 17, wherein each of the first and second ladder surface acoustic wave filters includes an IDT electrode having a multilayer structure including a close contact layer and a main electrode layer.",
"19. The duplexer according to claim 18, wherein the close contact layer is made of Ti.",
"20. The duplexer according to claim 18, wherein the main electrode in made of Al including about 1% of Cu."
],
[
"1. An acoustic wave filter comprising:\na first input-output terminal and a second input-output terminal;\none or more series arm resonators on a path connecting the first input-output terminal and the second input-output terminal; and\none or more parallel arm resonators between the path and ground; wherein\nthe one or more series arm resonators and the one or more parallel arm resonators are each an acoustic wave resonator including an interdigital transducer electrode provided on a substrate with piezoelectricity;\nthe interdigital transducer electrode includes a pair of comb-shaped electrodes each including a plurality of electrode fingers that extend in a direction crossing a propagation direction of acoustic waves and that are in parallel or substantially in parallel with each other and a busbar electrode that connects one-side ends of electrode fingers of the plurality of electrode fingers to each other; and\nwhen a first electrode finger of the plurality of electrode fingers that is not coupled to either busbar electrode of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes is determined as a first thinned electrode; and when a second electrode finger out the plurality of electrode fingers that has a widest electrode finger width twice or more an average electrode finger width of the electrode fingers excluding the first electrode finger is determined as a second thinned electrode; the interdigital transducer electrode of at least one of the one or more series arm resonators includes the first thinned electrode; and the interdigital transducer electrode of at least one of the one or more parallel arm resonators includes the second thinned electrode.",
"2. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the interdigital transducer electrode of each of the one or more series arm resonators includes the first thinned electrode.",
"3. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the interdigital transducer electrode of each of the one or more parallel arm resonators includes the second thinned electrode.",
"4. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein in the interdigital transducer electrode of each of the one or more series arm resonators, when a proportion of a count of the first thinned electrode to a total count of the plurality of electrode fingers is determined as a first thinning rate of the interdigital transducer electrode, the first thinning rate of the interdigital transducer electrode including the first thinned electrode is about 30% or less.",
"5. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein in the interdigital transducer electrode of each of the one or more parallel arm resonators, when a proportion of a count of the second thinned electrode to a total count of the plurality of electrode fingers is determined as a second thinning rate of the interdigital transducer electrode, the second thinning rate of the interdigital transducer electrode including the second thinned electrode is about 30% or less.",
"6. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the substrate includes a piezoelectric film including one surface on which the interdigital transducer electrode is provided, a high-acoustic-velocity support substrate in which a bulk wave propagates at an acoustic velocity higher than an acoustic velocity of an acoustic wave propagating along the piezoelectric film, and a low-acoustic-velocity film that is positioned between the high-acoustic-velocity support substrate and the piezoelectric film and in which a bulk wave propagates at an acoustic velocity lower than an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave propagating in the piezoelectric film.",
"7. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the one or more series arm resonators include five series arm resonators.",
"8. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the one or more parallel arm resonators include four parallel arm resonators.",
"9. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the interdigital transducer includes a fixing layer and a main electrode layer.",
"10. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 9, wherein the fixing layer is made of Ti.",
"11. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 9, wherein the fixing layer has a thickness of about 12 nm.",
"12. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 9, wherein the main electrode layer is made Al including about 1% Cu.",
"13. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 9, wherein the main electrode layer has a thickness of about 162 nm.",
"14. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the interdigital transducer electrode is covered with a protective layer.",
"15. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 14, wherein the protective layer is defined by a dielectric film mainly including silicon dioxide.",
"16. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 14, wherein the protective layer has a thickness of about 25 nm.",
"17. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein substrate is defined by a piezoelectric film made of a 50° Y-cut X-propagation LiTaO3 piezoelectric single crystal or piezoelectric ceramic.",
"18. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 17, wherein the piezoelectric film has a thickness of about 600 nm."
],
[
"1. A surface acoustic wave filter comprising:\ntwo or more interdigital transducers, provided on a piezoelectric substrate, and arranged in a propagation direction of a surface acoustic wave,\nwherein said two or more interdigital transducers include at least one pair of interdigital transducers arranged adjacent to each other in order to be acoustically coupled to each other, and have different numbers of paired electrode fingers, and\na pitch between each neighboring two of almost all of the electrode fingers included in both of the pair of interdigital transducers are made different from one to another in order that the interdigital transducers should include no primary pitch area.",
"2. The surface acoustic wave filter according to claim 1,\nwherein, in a case where the pitch between each neighboring two of almost all of the electrode fingers included in both of the pair of interdigital transducers are made different from one to another in order that the interdigital transducers should include no primary pitch area, at least one of the interdigital transducer transducers includes at least one pitch-decreasing area in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is progressively decreased, and at least one pitch-increasing area in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is progressively increased.",
"3. The surface acoustic wave filter according to claim 1,\nwherein the surface acoustic wave filter is a longitudinally coupled resonator multi-mode type surface acoustic wave filter,\nsaid two or more interdigital transducers arranged in the propagation direction of the surface acoustic wave include three or more interdigital transducers,\nreflectors are arranged respectively at the two sides of a group consisting of the three or more interdigital transducers, and\na plurality of resonant modes are used in the three or more interdigital transducers.",
"4. The surface acoustic wave filter according to claim 3,\nwherein at least one surface acoustic wave resonator is connected in series to the surface acoustic wave filter.",
"5. The surface acoustic wave filter according to claim 3,\nwherein at least one surface acoustic wave resonator is connected in parallel to the surface acoustic wave filter.",
"6. A surface acoustic wave filter comprising:\nan input terminal which is an unbalanced terminal,\noutput terminals which are balanced terminals,\na pair of surface acoustic wave filters which are made different from each other in the phase of an output signal by substantially 180 degrees and are electrically connected in parallel between the input terminal and the output terminals,\nwherein the surface acoustic wave filter according to claim 1 is used for each of the pair of surface acoustic wave filters.",
"7. The surface acoustic wave filter according to claim 6,\nwherein at least one surface acoustic wave resonator is connected in series to the surface acoustic wave filter.",
"8. The surface acoustic wave filter according to claim 6,\nwherein at least one surface acoustic wave resonator is connected in parallel to the surface acoustic wave filter.",
"9. A surface acoustic wave filter comprising:\ntwo or more interdigital transducers, provided on a piezoelectric substrate, and arranged in a propagation direction of a surface acoustic wave,\nwherein said two or more interdigital transducers include at least one pair of interdigital transducers arranged adjacent to each other in order to be acoustically coupled to each other, and have different numbers of paired electrode fingers,\na pitch between each neighboring two of almost all of the electrode fingers included in one of the pair of interdigital transducers which has the smaller number of paired electrode fingers is made different from one to another in order that the interdigital transducer should include no primary pitch area, the one of the pair of interdigital transducers includes at least one pitch-decreasing area in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is progressively decreased, and at least one pitch-increasing area in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is progressively increased, and\nin each of endmost ones of the two or more interdigital transducers arranged in the propagation direction of the surface acoustic wave, the pitch between the electrode fingers is progressively decreased from its outside to its inside, thereafter is reversely increased and subsequently is decreased again, in its inner end portion.",
"10. A boundary acoustic wave filter comprising:\na piezoelectric substrate;\na non-piezoelectric material arranged in contact with the piezoelectric substrate; and\ntwo or more interdigital transducers, provided on an interface between the piezoelectric substrate and the non-piezoelectric material, and arranged in a propagation direction of boundary acoustic waves,\nwherein said two or more interdigital transducers include at least one pair of interdigital transducers arranged adjacent to each other in order to be acoustically coupled to each other, and have different numbers of paired electrode fingers,\na pitch between each neighboring two of almost all of the electrode fingers included in one of the pair of interdigital transducers which has the smaller number of paired electrode fingers is made different from one to another in order that the interdigital transducer should include no primary pitch area, the one of the pair of interdigital transducers includes at least one pitch-decreasing area in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is progressively decreased, and at least one pitch-increasing area in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is progressively increased, and\nin each of endmost ones of the two or more interdigital transducers arranged in the propagation direction of the surface acoustic wave, the pitch between the electrode fingers is progressively decreased from its outside to its inside, thereafter is reversely increased and subsequently is decreased again, in its inner end portion.",
"11. A surface acoustic wave filter comprising:\nthree or more interdigital transducers, provided on a piezoelectric substrate, and arranged in a propagation direction of a surface acoustic wave,\nwherein said three or more interdigital transducers include at least one pair of interdigital transducers arranged adjacent to each other in order to be acoustically coupled to each other, and have different numbers of paired electrode fingers,\na pitch between each neighboring two of almost all of the electrode fingers included in one of the pair of interdigital transducers which has the smaller number of paired electrode fingers is made different from one to another in order that the interdigital transducer should include no primary pitch area, the one of the pair of interdigital transducers transducer includes at least one pitch-decreasing area in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is progressively decreased, and at least one pitch-increasing area in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is progressively increased, and\namong said three or more interdigital transducers arranged in the propagation direction of the surface acoustic wave, an interdigital transducer interposed between its two neighboring interdigital transducers has a pitch change as a whole in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is larger in its central portion and is decreased gradually toward its two ends, and has an area in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is decreased in a part of its central portion.",
"12. A boundary acoustic wave filter comprising:\na piezoelectric substrate;\na non-piezoelectric material arranged in contact with the piezoelectric substrate; and\nthree or more interdigital transducers, provided on an interface between the piezoelectric substrate and the non-piezoelectric material, and arranged in a propagation direction of boundary acoustic waves,\nwherein said three or more interdigital transducers include at least one pair of interdigital transducers arranged adjacent to each other in order to be acoustically coupled to each other, and have different numbers of paired electrode fingers,\na pitch between each neighboring two of almost all of the electrode fingers included in one of the pair of interdigital transducers which has the smaller number of paired electrode fingers is made different from one to another in order that the interdigital transducer should include no primary pitch area, the one of the pair of interdigital transducers includes at least one pitch-decreasing area in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is progressively decreased, and at least one pitch-increasing area in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is progressively increased, and\namong said three or more interdigital transducers arranged in the propagation direction of the surface acoustic wave, an interdigital transducer interposed between its two neighboring interdigital transducers has a pitch change as a whole in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is larger in its central portion and is decreased gradually toward its two ends, and has an area in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is decreased in a part of its central portion.",
"13. A boundary acoustic wave filter comprising:\na piezoelectric substrate;\na non-piezoelectric material arranged in contact with the piezoelectric substrate; and\ntwo or more interdigital transducers, provided on an interface between the piezoelectric substrate and the non-piezoelectric material, and arranged in a propagation direction of boundary acoustic waves,\nwherein said two or more interdigital transducers include at least one pair of interdigital transducers arranged adjacent to each other in order to be acoustically coupled to each other, and have different numbers of paired electrode fingers, and\na pitch between each neighboring two of almost all of the electrode fingers included in both of the pair of interdigital transducers are made different from one to another in order that the interdigital transducers should include no primary pitch area.",
"14. The boundary acoustic wave filter according to claim 13,\nwherein the boundary acoustic wave filter is a longitudinally coupled resonator multi-mode type boundary acoustic wave filter,\nsaid two or more interdigital transducers arranged in the propagation direction of the surface acoustic wave include three or more interdigital transducers,\nreflectors are arranged respectively at the two sides of a group consisting of the three or more interdigital transducers, and\na plurality of resonant modes are used in the three or more interdigital transducers.",
"15. The boundary acoustic wave filter according to claim 13,\nwherein, in a case where the pitch between each neighboring two of almost all of the electrode fingers included in both of the pair of interdigital transducers are made different from one to another in order that the interdigital transducers should include no primary pitch area, at least one of the interdigital transducers includes at least one pitch-decreasing area in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is progressively decreased, and at least one pitch-increasing area in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is progressively increased.",
"16. A surface acoustic wave filter comprising:\ntwo or more interdigital transducers, provided on a piezoelectric substrate, and arranged in a propagation direction of a surface acoustic wave,\nwherein said two or more interdigital transducers include at least one pair of interdigital transducers arranged adjacent to each other in order to be acoustically coupled to each other, and have different numbers of paired electrode fingers,\na pitch between each neighboring two of almost all of the electrode fingers included in one of the pair of interdigital transducers which has the smaller number of paired electrode fingers is made different from one to another in order that the interdigital transducer should include no primary pitch area,\nthe largest pitch between the electrode fingers in a first one of the pair of interdigital transducers which has the smaller number of paired electrode fingers is smaller than the largest pitch between the electrode fingers in a second one of the pair of interdigital transducers which has the larger number of paired electrode fingers, and\nthe smallest pitch between the electrode fingers in the first one of the pair of interdigital transducers which has the smaller number of paired electrode fingers is larger than the smallest pitch between the electrode fingers in the second one of the pair of interdigital transducers which has the larger number of paired electrode fingers.",
"17. A boundary acoustic wave filter comprising:\na piezoelectric substrate;\na non-piezoelectric material arranged in contact with the piezoelectric substrate; and\ntwo or more interdigital transducers, provided on an interface between the piezoelectric substrate and the non-piezoelectric material, and arranged in a propagation direction of boundary acoustic waves,\nwherein said two or more interdigital transducers include at least one pair of interdigital transducers arranged adjacent to each other in order to be acoustically coupled to each other, and have different numbers of paired electrode fingers,\na pitch between each neighboring two of almost all of the electrode fingers included in one of the pair of interdigital transducers which has the smaller number of paired electrode fingers is made different from one to another in order that the interdigital transducer should include no primary pitch area,\nthe largest pitch between the electrode fingers in a first one of the pair of interdigital transducers which has the smaller number of paired electrode fingers is smaller than the largest pitch between the electrode fingers in a second one of the pair of interdigital transducers which has the larger number of paired electrode fingers, and\nthe smallest pitch between the electrode fingers in the first one of the pair of interdigital transducers which has the smaller number of paired electrode fingers is larger than the smallest pitch between the electrode fingers in the second one of the pair of interdigital transducers which has the larger number of paired electrode fingers."
],
[
"1. An elastic wave device comprising:\na piezoelectric member; and\nat least one IDT electrode; wherein\nsaid at least one IDT electrode has first and second electrode fingers that are arranged next to each other in a propagation direction of elastic waves and are connected to different electric potentials;\na gap is provided external to tip ends of each of the first and second electrode fingers in a longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers;\na projection is provided in at least one of a position on a side edge of the first electrode finger and a position on a side edge of the second electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers, the position on the side edge of the first electrode finger corresponding to that of the gap located external to the tip end of the second electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers, the position on the side edge of the second electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers corresponding to that of the gap located external to the tip end of the first electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers; and\nthe projection projects only in the vicinity of the gap from the side edge of one of the first and second electrode fingers in a direction towards the gag provided at the tip end of another one of the first and second electrode fingers, the side edge from which the projection projects being one of the side edges that faces the gap.",
"2. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the projection projecting only in the vicinity of the gap is tapered toward the tip end of the another one of the first and second electrode fingers.",
"3. The elastic wave device according to claim 2, wherein a distance between a periphery of the first electrode finger and a periphery of the second electrode finger arranged next to the first electrode finger is substantially fixed.",
"4. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the projection is arranged such that an effective propagation distance in a case where an elastic wave propagates through the gaps in an area provided with the first and second electrode fingers is substantially equal to an effective propagation distance in a case where an elastic wave propagates through a section without the gaps in the area provided with the first and second electrode fingers.",
"5. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the projection is provided on each of the first and second electrode fingers.",
"6. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one IDT electrode is crossing width weighted.",
"7. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the elastic wave comprises a surface acoustic wave.",
"8. The elastic wave device according to claim 7, further comprising a medium layer that covers said at least one IDT electrode provided on the piezoelectric substrate, wherein said at least one IDT electrode has a density that is equal to or higher than a density of the piezoelectric substrate and a density of the medium layer, and a ratio of the density of said at least one IDT electrode to the density of the medium layer is higher than about 1.22.",
"9. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the elastic wave comprises a boundary acoustic wave.",
"10. The elastic wave device according to claim 9, further comprising a medium layer that covers said at least one IDT electrode provided on the piezoelectric substrate, wherein said at least one IDT electrode has a density that is equal to or higher than a density of the piezoelectric substrate and a density of the medium layer, and a ratio of the density of said at least one IDT electrode to the density of the medium layer is higher than about 1.22.",
"11. The elastic wave device according to claim 9, further comprising a medium layer stacked on said at least one IDT electrode provided on the piezoelectric substrate so as to cover said at least one IDT electrode, wherein said at least one IDT electrode has a density that is equal to or higher than a density of the piezoelectric substrate and a density of the medium layer, and a ratio of the density of said at least one IDT electrode to one of the higher densities of the piezoelectric substrate and the medium layer is higher than about 1.22.",
"12. An elastic wave device comprising:\na piezoelectric member; and\nat least one IDT electrode; wherein\nsaid at least one IDT electrode has first and second electrode fingers that are arranged next to each other in a propagation direction of elastic waves and are connected to different electric potentials;\na gap is provided external to tip ends of each of the first and second electrode fingers in a longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers;\na projection is provided in at least one of a position on a side edge of the first electrode finger and a position on a side edge of the second electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers, the position on the side edge of the first electrode finger corresponding to that of the gap located external to the tip end of the second electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers, the position on the side edge of the second electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers corresponding to that of the gap located external to the tip end of the first electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers; and\nthe projection has a trapezoid shape in plan view such that a lower base of the trapezoid is defined by the side edge of the electrode finger that is provided with the projection, and wherein an internal angle formed between the lower base and sides of the trapezoid that connect an upper base and the lower base of the trapezoid is about 90° or less.",
"13. The elastic wave device according to claim 12, wherein if the lower base of the projection has a midpoint in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers and the gap at the tip end of the other electrode finger has a center in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers, a position of the midpoint substantially corresponds with a position of the center in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers, and the lower base has a length that is larger than a gap width, the gap width being a dimension of the gap in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers, and wherein the upper base has a length that is smaller than the gap width.",
"14. The elastic wave device according to claim 13, wherein the projection has an isogonal trapezoid shape in plan view.",
"15. The elastic wave device according to claim 12, wherein the projection has a plurality of rounded corner portions.",
"16. The elastic wave device according to claim 12, wherein the projection is provided on each of the first and second electrode fingers.",
"17. The elastic wave device according to claim 12, wherein said at least one IDT electrode is crossing width weighted.",
"18. The elastic wave device according to claim 12, wherein the elastic wave comprises a surface acoustic wave.",
"19. The elastic wave device according to claim 18, further comprising a medium layer that covers said at least one IDT electrode provided on the piezoelectric substrate, wherein said at least one IDT electrode has a density that is equal to or higher than a density of the piezoelectric substrate and a density of the medium layer, and a ratio of the density of said at least one IDT electrode to the density of the medium layer is higher than about 1.22.",
"20. The elastic wave device according to claim 12, wherein the elastic wave comprises a boundary acoustic wave.",
"21. The elastic wave device according to claim 20, further comprising a medium layer that covers said at least one IDT electrode provided on the piezoelectric substrate, wherein said at least one IDT electrode has a density that is equal to or higher than a density of the piezoelectric substrate and a density of the medium layer, and a ratio of the density of said at least one IDT electrode to the density of the medium layer is higher than about 1.22.",
"22. The elastic wave device according to claim 20, further comprising a medium layer stacked on said at least one IDT electrode provided on the piezoelectric substrate so as to cover said at least one IDT electrode, wherein said at least one IDT electrode has a density that is equal to or higher than a density of the piezoelectric substrate and a density of the medium layer, and a ratio of the density of said at least one IDT electrode to one of the higher densities of the piezoelectric substrate and the medium layer is higher than about 1.22.",
"23. An elastic wave device comprising:\na piezoelectric member; and\nat least one IDT electrode; wherein\nsaid at least one IDT electrode has first and second electrode fingers that are arranged next to each other in a propagation direction of elastic waves and are connected to different electric potentials;\na gap is provided external to tip ends of each of the first and second electrode fingers in a longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers;\na projection is provided in at least one of a position on a side edge of the first electrode finger and a position on a side edge of the second electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers, the position on the side edge of the first electrode finger corresponding to that of the gap located external to the tip end of the second electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers, the position on the side edge of the second electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers corresponding to that of the gap located external to the tip end of the first electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers; and\nthe projection has a planar shape that has a bottom side that continues from the side edge of the electrode finger and a peripheral edge that is curved except for the bottom side.",
"24. The elastic wave device according to claim 23, wherein if the bottom side of the projection has a midpoint in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers and the gap is bisected by a line with respect to the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers, a position of the midpoint substantially corresponds with a position of the bisecting line in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers, and the bottom side has a length that is larger than the gap width.",
"25. The elastic wave device according to claim 23, wherein the projection is provided on each of the first and second electrode fingers.",
"26. The elastic wave device according to claim 23, wherein said at least one IDT electrode is crossing width weighted.",
"27. The elastic wave device according to claim 23, wherein the elastic wave comprises a surface acoustic wave.",
"28. The elastic wave device according to claim 27, further comprising a medium layer that covers said at least one IDT electrode provided on the piezoelectric substrate, wherein said at least one IDT electrode has a density that is equal to or higher than a density of the piezoelectric substrate and a density of the medium layer, and a ratio of the density of said at least one IDT electrode to the density of the medium layer is higher than about 1.22.",
"29. The elastic wave device according to claim 23, wherein the elastic wave comprises a boundary acoustic wave.",
"30. The elastic wave device according to claim 29, further comprising a medium layer that covers said at least one IDT electrode provided on the piezoelectric substrate, wherein said at least one IDT electrode has a density that is equal to or higher than a density of the piezoelectric substrate and a density of the medium layer, and a ratio of the density of said at least one IDT electrode to the density of the medium layer is higher than about 1.22.",
"31. The elastic wave device according to claim 29, further comprising a medium layer stacked on said at least one IDT electrode provided on the piezoelectric substrate so as to cover said at least one IDT electrode, wherein said at least one IDT electrode has a density that is equal to or higher than a density of the piezoelectric substrate and a density of the medium layer, and a ratio of the density of said at least one IDT electrode to one of the higher densities of the piezoelectric substrate and the medium layer is higher than about 1.22.",
"32. An elastic wave device comprising:\na piezoelectric member; and\nat least one IDT electrode; wherein\nsaid at least one IDT electrode has first and second electrode fingers that are arranged next to each other in a propagation direction of elastic waves and are connected to different electric potentials;\na gap is provided external to tip ends of each of the first and second electrode fingers in a longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers;\na projection is provided in at least one of a position on a side edge of the first electrode finger and a position on a side edge of the second electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers, the position on the side edge of the first electrode finger corresponding to that of the gap located external to the tip end of the second electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers, the position on the side edge of the second electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers corresponding to that of the gap located external to the tip end of the first electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers; and\nthe projection projects only in the vicinity of the gap from the at least one of the position on the side edge of the first electrode and the position on the side edge of the second electrode finger and is spaced from any other element of the at least one IDT.",
"33. The elastic wave device according to claim 32, wherein the projection is provided on each of the first and second electrode fingers.",
"34. The elastic wave device according to claim 32, wherein said at least one IDT electrode is crossing width weighted.",
"35. The elastic wave device according to claim 32, wherein the elastic wave comprises a surface acoustic wave.",
"36. The elastic wave device according to claim 35, further comprising a medium layer that covers said at least one IDT electrode provided on the piezoelectric substrate, wherein said at least one IDT electrode has a density that is equal to or higher than a density of the piezoelectric substrate and a density of the medium layer, and a ratio of the density of said at least one IDT electrode to the density of the medium layer is higher than about 1.22.",
"37. The elastic wave device according to claim 32, wherein the elastic wave comprises a boundary acoustic wave.",
"38. The elastic wave device according to claim 37, further comprising a medium layer that covers said at least one IDT electrode provided on the piezoelectric substrate, wherein said at least one IDT electrode has a density that is equal to or higher than a density of the piezoelectric substrate and a density of the medium layer, and a ratio of the density of said at least one IDT electrode to the density of the medium layer is higher than about 1.22.",
"39. The elastic wave device according to claim 37, further comprising a medium layer stacked on said at least one IDT electrode provided on the piezoelectric substrate so as to cover said at least one IDT electrode, wherein said at least one IDT electrode has a density that is equal to or higher than a density of the piezoelectric substrate and a density of the medium layer, and a ratio of the density of said at least one IDT electrode to one of the higher densities of the piezoelectric substrate and the medium layer is higher than about 1.22."
],
[
"1. An acoustic wave element comprising:\na piezoelectric material; and\nat least one IDT electrode contacting the piezoelectric material and including a plurality of electrode fingers including first and second electrode fingers that are adjacent to each other in an acoustic wave propagation direction and that connect to different potentials and a first dummy electrode finger that faces the first electrode finger via a gap located on an outer side in an electrode finger length direction of an end of the first electrode finger and that connects to the same potential as the potential connected to the second electrode finger; wherein\nin an area of an IDT electrode crossing region in which the first and second electrode fingers that are adjacent to each other overlap each other in the acoustic wave propagation direction near the gap, a first protrusion is provided in at least one of the first electrode finger and the first dummy electrode finger, the first protrusion protruding in the acoustic wave propagation direction from at least one of side edges of the at least one of the first electrode finger and the first dummy electrode finger so as to define a protrusion portion of the at least one of the first electrode finger and the first dummy electrode finger that has a width in the acoustic wave propagation direction that is greater than a width of the first electrode finger; and\nthe first protrusion is in contact with the gap.",
"2. The acoustic wave element according to claim 1, wherein a second protrusion protruding in the acoustic wave propagation direction is provided on a side edge of at least one of the first and second electrode fingers, the second protrusion being positioned in an area that includes the gap in the electrode finger length direction.",
"3. The acoustic wave element according to claim 2, wherein the second protrusion is arranged so that an effective propagation distance of surface waves propagating through the gap in a portion where the first and second electrode fingers are located and an effective propagation distance of acoustic waves propagating in a portion other than the gap and the first protrusion in the portion where the first and second electrode fingers are provided are substantially equal to each other.",
"4. The acoustic wave element according to claim 2, wherein the second protrusion protrudes from a side edge on the side facing the gap of one of the first and second electrode fingers toward the gap provided at an end of the other of the first and second electrode fingers.",
"5. The acoustic wave element according to claim 4, wherein the second protrusion is also provided in the other of the first and second electrode fingers.",
"6. The acoustic wave element according to claim 2, wherein the first and second protrusions have a trapezoid shape in plan view, a lower base of the trapezoid is a portion of a side edge of the at least one of the first electrode finger and the first dummy electrode finger provided with the first protrusion, and an inner angle defined by the lower base and a side edge connecting an upper base and the lower base of the trapezoid is less than about 90°.",
"7. The acoustic wave element according to claim 6, wherein a position in the electrode finger length direction of a midpoint of the lower base of the second protrusion is substantially equal to a center position in the electrode finger length direction of the gap at the end of the other of the first and second electrode fingers, a length of the lower base is larger than a gap width which is a dimension along the electrode finger length direction of the gap, and a length of the upper base is less than the gap width.",
"8. The acoustic wave element according to claim 6, wherein the first and second protrusions have an equiangular trapezoid shape in plan view.",
"9. The acoustic wave element according to claim 6, wherein the first and second protrusions have a plurality of rounded corner portions.",
"10. The acoustic wave element according to claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric material and the at least one IDT electrode are arranged to generate surface acoustic waves.",
"11. The acoustic wave element according to claim 10, further comprising a medium layer arranged to cover the at least one IDT electrode on the piezoelectric material, wherein a density of the at least one IDT electrode is equal to or higher than a density of the piezoelectric material and a density of the medium layer, and a ratio between the density of the at least one IDT electrode and the density of the medium layer is higher than about 1.22.",
"12. The acoustic wave element according to claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric material and the at least one IDT electrode are arranged to generate boundary acoustic waves.",
"13. The acoustic wave element according to claim 12, wherein a medium layer is laminated to cover the at least one IDT electrode on the piezoelectric material, a density of the at least one IDT electrode is equal to or higher than a density of the piezoelectric material and a density of the medium layer, and a ratio between the density of the at least one IDT electrode and a higher one of the density of the piezoelectric material and the density of the medium layer is higher than about 1.22.",
"14. The acoustic wave element according to claim 1, wherein crossing width weighting is applied to the at least one IDT electrode.",
"15. An acoustic wave element comprising:\na piezoelectric material; and\nat least one IDT electrode contacting the piezoelectric material and including a plurality of electrode fingers including first and second electrode fingers that are adjacent to each other in an acoustic wave propagation direction and that connect to different potentials and a first dummy electrode finger that faces the first electrode finger via a gap located on an outer side in an electrode finger length direction of an end of the first electrode finger and that connects to the same potential as the potential connected to the second electrode finger; wherein\nin an area of an IDT electrode crossing region in which the first and second electrode fingers that are adjacent to each other overlap each other in the acoustic wave propagation direction near the gap, a first protrusion is provided in at least one of the first electrode finger and the first dummy electrode finger, the first protrusion protruding in the acoustic wave propagation direction from at least one of side edges of the at least one of the first electrode finger and the first dummy electrode finger so as to define a protrusion portion of the at least one of the first electrode finger and the first dummy electrode finger that has a width in the acoustic wave propagation direction that is greater than a width of the first electrode finger; and\nthe first protrusion is separated from the gap, and a tapered portion is provided between the first protrusion and the gap, a width of the at least one of the first electrode finger and the first dummy electrode finger provided with the first protrusion being smaller at an end in the tapered portion.",
"16. The acoustic wave element according to claim 15, wherein a side edge portion of the at least one of the first electrode finger and the first dummy electrode finger extending from the first protrusion to the tapered portion has a concave shape.",
"17. The acoustic wave element according to claim 15, wherein a side edge portion of the at least one of the first electrode finger and the first dummy electrode finger extending from the first protrusion to the tapered portion has a convex shape."
],
[
"1. A balanced acoustic wave filter device comprising:\na piezoelectric substrate; and\nfirst and second longitudinally coupled resonator-type acoustic wave filter sections provided on the piezoelectric substrate; wherein\neach of the first and second acoustic wave filter sections includes a plurality of IDTs disposed in a direction in which surface acoustic waves propagate;\none of an input and an output of each of the first and second acoustic wave filter sections is connected to an unbalanced terminal;\nthe other of the input and the output of the first acoustic wave filter section is connected to a first balanced terminal, the other of the input and the output of the second acoustic wave filter section is connected to a second balanced terminal, and the phase of a signal of the other of the input and the output of the first acoustic wave filter section is different from the phase of a signal of the other of the input and the output of the second acoustic wave filter section by 180 degrees;\nin the first acoustic wave filter section, the polarities of electrode fingers that are adjacent to each other in an area in which the IDTs are adjacent to each other in a direction in which acoustic waves propagate are equal to each other;\nin the second acoustic wave filter section, the polarities of electrode fingers that are adjacent to each other in an area in which the IDTs are adjacent to each other are opposite to each other; and\nthe total number of pairs of electrode fingers of the plurality of IDTs in the second acoustic wave filter section is greater than the total number of pairs of electrode fingers of the plurality of IDTs in the first acoustic wave filter section.",
"2. The balanced acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, further comprising:\nat least one third longitudinally coupled resonator-type surface acoustic wave filter section that is connected in a cascade arrangement to the first acoustic wave filter section; and\nat least one fourth longitudinally coupled resonator-type surface acoustic wave filter section that is connected in a cascade arrangement to the second acoustic wave filter section.",
"3. The balanced acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein in the areas in which the IDTs are adjacent to each other, each of the IDTs includes a narrow-pitched electrode finger portion having an electrode finger pitch that is narrower than an electrode finger pitch of the other portions of the corresponding IDT.",
"4. The balanced acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein surface acoustic waves are used as the acoustic waves so as to define a surface acoustic wave filter device.",
"5. The balanced acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein boundary acoustic waves are used as the acoustic waves so as to define a boundary acoustic wave filter device.",
"6. The balanced acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein the total number of pairs of electrode fingers of the plurality of IDTs in the second acoustic wave filter section is greater than the total number of pairs of electrode fingers of the plurality of IDTs in the first acoustic wave filter section by two pairs.",
"7. The balanced acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second acoustic wave filter sections includes three IDTs.",
"8. The balanced acoustic wave filter device according to claim 7, wherein a middle one of the three IDTs of each of the first and second acoustic wave filter sections includes an odd number of electrode fingers.",
"9. The balanced acoustic wave filter device according to claim 7, wherein a middle one of the three IDTs of each of the first and second acoustic wave filter sections includes an even number of electrode fingers.",
"10. The balanced acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the IDTs of the second acoustic wave filter section is series weighted.",
"11. The balanced acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the IDTs of the second acoustic wave filter section is withdrawal weighted.",
"12. The balanced acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the IDTs of the second acoustic wave filter section is apodization weighted.",
"13. The balanced acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second acoustic wave filter sections includes five IDTs.",
"14. The balanced acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second acoustic wave filter sections further includes reflectors arranged to sandwich the plurality of IDTs therebetween in the direction in which surface acoustic waves propagate."
],
[
"1. An elastic wave device comprising:\na piezoelectric film made of LiTaO3; and\nan IDT electrode located on one surface of the piezoelectric film; wherein\nthe IDT electrode includes a plurality of first electrode fingers and a plurality of second electrode fingers that are alternately arranged;\na thickness of the piezoelectric film is about 10λ or less when λ is a wavelength determined by a pitch of the electrode fingers of the IDT electrode; and\na direction of a line connecting distal ends of the plurality of first electrode fingers and a direction of a line connecting distal ends of the second electrode fingers are at an oblique angle ν with respect to a propagation direction ψ of an elastic wave excited by the IDT electrode, the propagation direction ψ being determined by Euler angles (ϕ, θ, ψ) of the LiTaO3, and the oblique angle ν is in a range of about 0.4° or more and about 15° or less.",
"2. An elastic wave device comprising:\na piezoelectric film made of LiTaO3;\na support substrate;\na high acoustic velocity film that is located on the support substrate and in which an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave that propagates through the high acoustic velocity film is higher than an acoustic velocity of an elastic wave that propagates through the piezoelectric film;\na low acoustic velocity film that is stacked on the high acoustic velocity film and in which an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave that propagates through the low acoustic velocity film is lower than an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave that propagates through the piezoelectric film; and\nan IDT electrode located on one surface of the piezoelectric film; wherein\nthe piezoelectric film is stacked on the low acoustic velocity film;\nthe IDT electrode includes a plurality of first electrode fingers and a plurality of second electrode fingers that are alternately arranged;\na thickness of the piezoelectric film is about 10λ or less when λ is a wavelength determined by a pitch of the electrode fingers of the IDT electrode; and\na direction of a line connecting distal ends of the plurality of first electrode fingers and a direction of a line connecting distal ends of the second electrode fingers are at an oblique angle ν with respect to a propagation direction ψ of an elastic wave excited by the IDT electrode, the propagation direction ψ being determined by Euler angles (ϕ, θ, ψ) of the LiTaO3, and the oblique angle ν is in a range of about 0.4° or more and about 15° or less.",
"3. An elastic wave device comprising:\na piezoelectric film made of LiTaO3;\na high acoustic velocity support substrate in which an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave that propagates through the high acoustic velocity support substrate is higher than an acoustic velocity of an elastic wave that propagates through the piezoelectric film;\na low acoustic velocity film that is stacked on the high acoustic velocity support substrate and in which an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave that propagates through the low acoustic velocity film is lower than an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave that propagates through the piezoelectric film; and\nan IDT electrode located on one surface of the piezoelectric film; wherein\nthe piezoelectric film is stacked on the low acoustic velocity film;\nthe IDT electrode includes a plurality of first electrode fingers and a plurality of second electrode fingers that are alternately arranged;\na thickness of the piezoelectric film is about 10λ or less when λ is a wavelength determined by a pitch of the electrode fingers of the IDT electrode; and\na direction of a line connecting distal ends of the plurality of first electrode fingers and a direction of a line connecting distal ends of the second electrode fingers are at an oblique angle ν with respect to a propagation direction ψ of an elastic wave excited by the IDT electrode, the propagation direction ψ being determined by Euler angles (ϕ, θ, ψ) of the LiTaO3, and the oblique angle ν is in a range of about 0.4° or more and about 15° or less.",
"4. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the oblique angle ν is about 10° or less.",
"5. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of the piezoelectric film made of LiTaO3 is more than about 0.2λ when λ is the wavelength determined by the pitch of the electrode fingers of the IDT electrode.",
"6. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein a cut angle of the LiTaO3 is about 30° or more and about 60° or less.",
"7. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein a duty of the IDT electrode is less than about 0.7, and a dimension of the electrode fingers of the IDT electrode in a width direction is about 0.15 μm or more.",
"8. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein\nfirst dummy electrode fingers oppose the distal ends of the first electrode fingers of the IDT electrode with gaps therebetween, and second dummy electrode fingers oppose the distal ends of the second electrode fingers of the IDT electrode with gaps therebetween, the first dummy electrode fingers being connected to a second busbar, the second dummy electrode fingers being connected to a first busbar; and\nwhen a distance from the distal ends of the first and second electrode fingers to proximal ends of the second and first dummy electrode fingers is an offset length L, and a size of the gaps in a direction in which the electrode fingers extend is G, (L−G)≥7.5×λ×tan(ν) is satisfied.",
"9. The elastic wave device according to claim 8, wherein (the offset length L−G)≥11.5×λ×tan(ν) is satisfied.",
"10. The elastic wave device according to claim 9, wherein (the offset length L−G)≥17.5×λ×tan(ν) is satisfied.",
"11. The elastic wave device according to claim 8, wherein the size G of the gaps is more than about 0.1 μm and less than about 0.5 μm.",
"12. The elastic wave device according to claim 8, wherein either or both of the first electrode fingers and the second electrode fingers of the IDT electrode are provided with projecting portions that project outward in a width direction of the electrode fingers from side edges that extend in a direction in which the electrode fingers extend.",
"13. The elastic wave device according to claim 12, wherein the projecting portions are provided on side edge portions of the either or both of the first and second electrode fingers, the side edge portions being continuous to the distal ends of the either or both of the first and second electrode fingers.",
"14. The elastic wave device according to claim 12, wherein either or both of the first and second dummy electrode fingers are provided with the projecting portions.",
"15. The elastic wave device according to claim 12, wherein the projecting portions are provided on the side edges of the electrode fingers that do not extend to the distal ends of the first and second electrode fingers.",
"16. The elastic wave device according to claim 12, wherein the projecting portions have a trapezoidal shape in plan view, and when a length of a bottom side of the trapezoidal shape that is continuous to the corresponding side edge is TW1, and TW1≥0.11735λ is satisfied.",
"17. The elastic wave device according to claim 16, wherein, when a minimum dimension of the projecting portions in a direction along the side edges of the electrode fingers is TW2, and TW2≥0.02915λ is satisfied.",
"18. The elastic wave device according to claim 16, wherein a dimension of the projecting portions in the propagation direction of the elastic wave is TH, and TH≥0.0466λ is satisfied.",
"19. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the IDT electrode is made of Al or an alloy containing Al as a main component, and a film thickness of the IDT electrode is in a range of about 0.08λ or more and about 0.097λ or less.",
"20. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein a film thickness of the IDT electrode is about 0.10λ or more.",
"21. A filter device comprising at least one or more elastic wave devices, each of the at least one or more elastic wave devices being the elastic wave device according to claim 1.",
"22. A filter device comprising a plurality of ±ν elastic wave devices, each of the plurality of ±ν elastic wave devices being the elastic wave device according to claim 1.",
"23. A filter device comprising a plurality of elastic wave devices, each being the elastic wave device according to claim 1.",
"24. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein a film thickness of the IDT electrode is about 400 nm or less."
],
[
"1. A ladder acoustic wave filter device comprising:\nan input end;\nan output end;\na series arm that electrically connects the input end and the output end;\na series arm resonator provided to the series arm and including a series-arm-side IDT electrode;\na parallel arm electrically connected between the series arm and a ground potential; and\na parallel arm resonator provided to the parallel arm and including a parallel-arm-side IDT electrode; wherein\neach of the series-arm-side IDT electrode and the parallel-arm-side IDT electrode includes a pair of comb-shaped electrodes that are interposed between each other, the pair of comb-shaped electrodes each including a busbar and a plurality of electrode fingers extending from the busbar;\nthe series-arm-side IDT electrode is apodization weighted, and the busbars of the series-arm-side IDT electrode are configured so that in an acoustic wave propagation direction, a distance between the busbars in an overlap width direction perpendicular to the acoustic wave propagation direction becomes shorter as an overlap width of the electrode fingers becomes smaller;\neach of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the parallel-arm-side IDT electrode further includes a plurality of dummy electrodes that extends from the busbar and are opposed to the electrode fingers of the other comb-shaped electrode in the overlap width direction, and the parallel-arm-side IDT electrode is an IDT electrode in which the overlap width is constant; and\na region bounded by a first envelope and a second envelope has a hexagonal shape, the first envelope being an imaginary line formed by connecting tips of the electrode fingers of one of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the series-arm-side IDT electrode, the second envelope being an imaginary line formed by connecting tips of the electrode fingers of the other one of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the series-arm-side IDT electrode.",
"2. The ladder acoustic filter device according to claim 1, wherein in each one of the busbar of each of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the series-arm-side IDT electrode, at least a portion of an edge of the busbar of one of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes, which is opposed to the other busbar of one of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes, extends in a direction inclined with respect to the acoustic wave propagation direction.",
"3. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 2, wherein:\nthe ladder acoustic wave filter device includes a plurality of the parallel arm resonators; and\nin all of the plurality of parallel arm resonators, each of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the parallel-arm-side IDT electrode includes the busbar, the plurality of electrode fingers, and the plurality of dummy electrodes.",
"4. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 2, wherein a region bounded by a first envelope and a second envelope has a hexagonal shape, the first envelope being an imaginary line formed by connecting tips of the electrode fingers of one of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the series-arm-side IDT electrode, the second envelope being an imaginary line formed by connecting tips of the electrode fingers of the other comb-shaped electrode of the series-arm-side IDT electrode.",
"5. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 2, wherein:\nthe ladder acoustic wave filter device includes a plurality of the series arm resonators;\nthe series-arm-side IDT electrode is apodization weighted in at least a series arm resonator with a lowest resonant frequency among the plurality of series arm resonators, and the busbars of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the series-arm-side IDT electrode are configured so that in the acoustic wave propagation direction, the distance between the busbars in the overlap width direction perpendicular to the acoustic wave propagation direction becomes shorter as the overlap width of the electrode fingers becomes smaller.",
"6. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 5, wherein:\nthe ladder acoustic wave filter device includes a plurality of the parallel arm resonators; and\nin all of the plurality of parallel arm resonators, each of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the parallel-arm-side IDT electrode includes the busbar, the plurality of electrode fingers, and the plurality of dummy electrodes.",
"7. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 5, wherein a region bounded by a first envelope and a second envelope has a hexagonal shape, the first envelope being an imaginary line formed by connecting tips of the electrode fingers of one of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the series-arm-side IDT electrode, the second envelope being an imaginary line formed by connecting tips of the electrode fingers of the other comb-shaped electrode of the series-arm-side IDT electrode.",
"8. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 5, wherein the series-arm-side IDT electrode apodization weighted in all of the plurality of series arm resonators, and the busbars of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the series-arm-side IDT electrode are configured so that in the acoustic wave propagation direction, the distance between the busbars in the overlap width direction perpendicular to the acoustic wave propagation direction becomes shorter as the overlap width of the electrode fingers becomes smaller.",
"9. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 8, wherein:\nthe ladder acoustic wave filter device includes a plurality of the parallel arm resonators; and\nin all of the plurality of parallel arm resonators, each of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the parallel-arm-side IDT electrode includes the busbar, the plurality of electrode fingers, and the plurality of dummy electrodes.",
"10. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein:\nthe ladder acoustic wave filter device includes a plurality of the series arm resonators;\nthe series-arm-side IDT electrode is apodization weighted in at least a series arm resonator with a lowest resonant frequency among the plurality of series arm resonators, and the busbars of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the series-arm-side IDT electrode are configured so that in the acoustic wave propagation direction, the distance between the busbars in the overlap width direction perpendicular to the acoustic wave propagation direction becomes shorter as the overlap width of the electrode fingers becomes smaller.",
"11. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 10, wherein:\nthe ladder acoustic wave filter device includes a plurality of the parallel arm resonators; and\nin all of the plurality of parallel arm resonators, each of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the parallel-arm-side IDT electrode includes the busbar, the plurality of electrode fingers, and the plurality of dummy electrodes.",
"12. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 10, wherein a region bounded by a first envelope and a second envelope has a hexagonal shape, the first envelope being an imaginary line formed by connecting tips of the electrode fingers of one of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the series-arm-side IDT electrode, the second envelope being an imaginary line formed by connecting tips of the electrode fingers of the other comb-shaped electrode of the series-arm-side IDT electrode.",
"13. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 10, wherein the series-arm-side IDT electrode apodization weighted in all of the plurality of series arm resonators, and the busbars of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the series-arm-side IDT electrode are configured so that in the acoustic wave propagation direction, the distance between the busbars in the overlap width direction perpendicular to the acoustic wave propagation direction becomes shorter as the overlap width of the electrode fingers becomes smaller.",
"14. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 13, wherein:\nthe ladder acoustic wave filter device includes a plurality of the parallel arm resonators; and\nin all of the plurality of parallel arm resonators, each of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the parallel-arm-side IDT electrode includes the busbar, the plurality of electrode fingers, and the plurality of dummy electrodes.",
"15. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 13, wherein a region bounded by a first envelope and a second envelope has a hexagonal shape, the first envelope being an imaginary line formed by connecting tips of the electrode fingers of one of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the series-arm-side IDT electrode, the second envelope being an imaginary line formed by connecting tips of the electrode fingers of the other comb-shaped electrode of the series-arm-side IDT electrode.",
"16. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein:\nthe ladder acoustic wave filter device includes a plurality of the parallel arm resonators; and\nin all of the plurality of parallel arm resonators, each of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the parallel-arm-side IDT electrode includes the busbar, the plurality of electrode fingers, and the plurality of dummy electrodes.",
"17. A branching filter comprising the ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1 defining a transmitting filter device.",
"18. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein the ladder acoustic wave filter device is a ladder surface acoustic wave filter device using a surface acoustic wave.",
"19. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 18, wherein the surface acoustic wave is a leaky surface acoustic wave."
],
[
"1. An elastic wave device comprising:\na piezoelectric substrate having a reciprocal velocity plane which is concave in a propagating direction in which an elastic wave propagates; and\nan elastic wave resonator including a comb-shaped electrode pair which includes a first comb-shaped electrode and a second comb-shaped electrode both provided on the piezoelectric substrate, the first comb-shaped electrode and the second comb-shaped electrode interdigitating with each other, comb-shaped electrode pair being configured to trap energy of the elastic wave therein,\nwherein the first comb-shaped electrode includes a first common electrode and a plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers connected to the first common electrode,\nwherein the second comb-shaped electrode includes a second common electrode and a plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers connected to the second common electrode, the plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers interdigitaing with the plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers, and\nwherein the elastic wave resonator has:\na first region in which the plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers interdigitate with the plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers, and a pitch of the first interdigital electrode fingers and the second interdigital electrode fingers is constant along a direction perpendicular to the propagating direction,\na second region provided between the first region and the first common electrode, and a pitch of the first interdigital electrode fingers and the second interdigital electrode fingers in the second region is wider than the pitch in the first region, and\na third region provided between the first region and the second common electrode, and a pitch of the first interdigital electrode fingers and the second interdigital electrode fingers in the third region is wider than the pitch in the first region.",
"2. The elastic wave device according to claim 1,\nwherein the elastic wave resonator further includes first and second reflecting electrodes disposed on the piezoelectric substrate, the comb-shaped electrode pair being disposed between the first reflecting electrode and the second reflecting electrode,\nwherein each of the first and the second reflecting electrodes includes third and fourth common electrodes and a plurality of reflecting electrode fingers disposed between the third and fourth common electrodes and connected to the third and fourth common electrodes,\nwherein each of the first and the second reflecting electrodes has:\na fourth region in which a pitch of the plurality of reflecting electrode fingers is constant along a direction perpendicular to the propagating direction;\na fifth region provided between the fourth region and the third common electrode, and a pitch of the plurality of reflecting electrode fingers in the fifth region is wider than the pitch in the fourth region; and\na sixth region disposed between the fourth region and the fourth common electrode, and a pitch of the plurality of reflecting electrode fingers in the sixth region is wider than the pitch in the fourth region.",
"3. The elastic wave device according to claim 2, wherein the elastic wave resonator further includes another comb-shaped electrode pair disposed between the first reflecting electrode and the comb-shaped electrode pair, the elastic wave resonator constituting a dual terminal pair resonator.",
"4. The elastic wave device according to claim 3, wherein the another comb-shaped electrode pair has the first region, the second region, and the third region.",
"5. The elastic wave device according to claim 1,\nwherein the first comb-shaped electrode further includes a plurality of first dummy electrode fingers connected to the first common electrode, the plurality of first dummy electrode fingers having tips facing tips of the plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers in extending directions of the plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers across gaps, respectively,\nwherein the second comb-shaped electrode further includes a plurality of second dummy electrode fingers connected to the second common electrode, the plurality of second dummy electrode fingers having tips facing tips of the plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers in extending directions of the plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers via a gap, respectively,\nwherein a pitch of the plurality of first dummy electrode fingers and the plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers is wider than the pitch of the plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers and the plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers in the second region, and\nwherein a pitch of the plurality of second dummy electrode fingers and the plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers is wider than the pitch of the plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers and the plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers in the third region.",
"6. The elastic wave device according to claim 5, wherein a ratio of a width of the plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers, the plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers, the plurality of first dummy electrode fingers, and the plurality of second dummy electrode fingers to the pitch is constant along the direction perpendicular to the propagating direction.",
"7. The elastic wave device according to claim 5, wherein a pitch of the plurality of first dummy electrode fingers and the plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers becomes wider as located away from the second region, and a pitch of the plurality of second dummy electrode fingers and the plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers becomes wider as located away from the third region.",
"8. The elastic wave device according to claim 5,\nwherein each of the plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers and respective one of the plurality of second dummy electrode fingers extend along a line including a plurality of straight lines connected to each other or a smooth curved line, and\nwherein each of the plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers and respective one of the plurality of first dummy electrode fingers extend along a line including a plurality of straight lines connected to each other or a smooth curved line.",
"9. The elastic wave device according to claim 5, wherein a maximum pitch of the plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers and the plurality of first dummy electrode fingers, and a maximum pitch of the plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers and the plurality of second dummy electrode fingers are not smaller than 1.005×P0, where P0 is the pitch in the first region.",
"10. The elastic wave device according to claim 5, wherein a maximum pitch of the plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers and the plurality of first dummy electrode fingers, and a maximum pitch of the plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers and the plurality of second dummy electrode fingers are not greater than 1.020×P0, where P0 is the pitch in the first region.",
"11. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the pitch in the second region and the pitch in the third region become wider as located away from the first region.",
"12. The elastic wave device according to claim 1,\nwherein the plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers extend in the second region along a continuous curve or a line including a plurality of straight lines connected to each other, and\nwherein the plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers extend in the third region along a continuous curve or a line including a plurality of straight lines connected to each other.",
"13. The elastic wave device according to claim 1,\nwherein the plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers extend along a smooth curved line from the second region to the first region, and\nwherein the plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers along a smooth curved line extend from the third region to the first region.",
"14. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein a ratio of each of widths of the plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers and the plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers to the pitch is constant along the direction perpendicular to the propagating direction.",
"15. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the pitch changes along the propagating direction.",
"16. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein a maximum pitch in the second region is not smaller than 1.005×P0, where P0 is the pitch in the first region.",
"17. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein a maximum pitch in the second region is not greater than 1.020×P0, where P0 is the pitch in the first region.",
"18. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein, in a case that the pitch in the first region are λ/2, a width of the second region in the direction perpendicular to the propagating direction is not smaller than λ.",
"19. The elastic wave device according to claim 1,\nwherein the elastic wave resonator is a terminal pair resonator, and\nwherein the elastic wave resonator is connected to a signal path in series or between the signal path and a ground.",
"20. An elastic wave device comprising:\na piezoelectric substrate having a reciprocal velocity plane which is concave in a propagating direction in which an elastic wave propagates; and\nan elastic wave resonator including first and second reflecting electrodes and a comb-shaped electrode pair disposed between the first and second reflecting electrodes, the first and second reflecting electrodes and the comb-shaped electrode pair being disposed on the piezoelectric substrate provided, the elastic wave resonator being configured to trap energy of the elastic wave therein,\nwherein each of the first reflecting electrode and the second reflecting electrode includes a first common electrode, a second common electrode, and a plurality of reflecting electrode fingers disposed between the first and second common electrodes and connected to the first and second common electrodes,\nwherein each of the first reflecting electrode and the second reflecting electrode has:\na first region in which a pitch of the plurality of reflecting electrode fingers is constant along a direction perpendicular to the propagating direction,\na second region provided between the first region and the first common electrode, and a pitch of the plurality of reflecting electrode fingers in the second region is wider than the pitch in the first region, and\na third region disposed between the first region and the second common electrode, and a pitch of the plurality of reflecting electrode fingers in the third region are wider than the pitch in the first region.",
"21. The elastic wave device according to claim 20, wherein the elastic wave resonator further includes another comb-shaped electrode pair disposed between the first reflecting electrode and the comb-shaped electrode pair, the elastic wave resonator constituting a dual terminal pair resonator.",
"22. The elastic wave device according to claim 20, wherein the another comb-shaped electrode pair has the first region and the second region."
],
[
"1. A resonator comprising:\na first comb-shaped electrode formed on a piezoelectric substrate and including a first bus bar, first electrode fingers coupled to the first bus bar and extending in an extension direction, and first dummy electrode fingers coupled to the first bus bar; and\na second comb-shaped electrode formed on the piezoelectric substrate and including a second bus bar, second electrode fingers coupled to the second bus bar, extending in the extension direction, and facing the first dummy electrode fingers through first gaps, and second dummy electrode fingers coupled to the second bus bar and facing the first electrode fingers through second gaps, wherein\nΔD is greater than or equal to 0.5λ and less than or equal to 3.5λ (0.5λ≦ΔD≦3.5λ) where ΔD represents a distance in the extension direction between at least two gaps that are at least adjoining two of the first gaps and/or at least adjoining two of the second gaps, and λ represents a pitch of the first electrode finger and the second electrode finger.",
"2. The resonator according to claim 1, wherein\na duty ratio of electrode fingers and dummy electrode fingers in a first region between the at least two gaps in the extension direction differ from a duty ratio of the first electrode fingers and the second electrode fingers in a second region in which the first electrode fingers overlap with the second electrode fingers in the extension direction, the electrode fingers being the first electrode fingers and/or the second electrode fingers corresponding to the at least two gaps, and the dummy electrode fingers being the first dummy electrode fingers and/or the second dummy electrode fingers corresponding to the at least two gaps.",
"3. The resonator according to claim 2, wherein\nthe duty ratio of the electrode fingers and the dummy electrode fingers is greater than the duty ratio of the first electrode fingers and the second electrode fingers in the second region.",
"4. The resonator according to claim 2, wherein\nthe duty ratio of the electrode fingers and the dummy electrode fingers in third regions corresponding to the at least two gaps in the extension direction differ from the duty ratio of the first electrode fingers and the second electrode fingers in the second region.",
"5. The resonator according to claim 1, further comprising:\nan insulating film located in the at least two gaps.",
"6. The resonator according to claim 1, wherein\nthe at least two gaps are the at least adjoining two of the first gaps and the at least adjoining two of the second gaps.",
"7. The resonator according to claim 1, wherein\nthe first gaps and/or the second gaps are alternately modulated by a distance ΔD.",
"8. A filter comprising:\nthe resonator according to claim 1.",
"9. A duplexer comprising:\na first filter connected between a common terminal and a first terminal; and\na second filter connected between the common terminal and a second terminal, wherein\nat least one the first filter and the second filter is the filter according to claim 8.",
"10. The resonator according to claim 1, wherein\nthe piezoelectric substrate is a lithium tantalate substrate or a lithium niobate substrate.",
"11. A resonator comprising:\na first comb-shaped electrode formed on a piezoelectric substrate and including a first bus bar, first electrode fingers coupled to the first bus bar and extending in an extension direction, and first dummy electrode fingers coupled to the first bus bar; and\na second comb-shaped electrode formed on the piezoelectric substrate and including a second bus bar, second electrode fingers coupled to the second bus bar, extending in the extension direction, and facing the first dummy electrode fingers through first gaps, and second dummy electrode fingers coupled to the second bus bar and facing the first electrode fingers through second gaps, wherein\nΔD is greater than or equal to 1.5λ and less than or equal to 3.0λ (1.5λ≦ΔD≦3.0κ) where ΔD represents a distance in the extension direction between at least two gaps that are at least adjoining two of the first gaps and/or at least adjoining two of the second gaps, and λ represents a pitch of the first electrode finger and the second electrode finger.",
"12. A filter comprising:\nthe resonator according to claim 11.",
"13. A duplexer comprising:\na first filter connected between a common terminal and a first terminal; and\na second filter connected between the common terminal and a second terminal, wherein\nat least one the first filter and the second filter is the filter according to claim 12."
],
[
"1. An acoustic wave device comprising:\na piezoelectric substrate; and\nan interdigital transducer electrode provided on or above the piezoelectric substrate; wherein\nthe interdigital transducer electrode includes a plurality of first electrode fingers and a plurality of second electrode fingers, the plurality of second electrode fingers being connected to an electric potential different from an electric potential connected to the plurality of first electrode fingers;\na direction orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to a direction in which the first electrode fingers and the second electrode fingers extend is an acoustic wave propagation direction;\nthe interdigital transducer electrode includes a first area centrally provided in the acoustic wave propagation direction, second areas provided on one side and another side of the first area in the acoustic wave propagation direction, and third areas provided on a side of each of the second areas opposite to the first area in the acoustic wave propagation direction;\nin the second areas, the first electrode finger and the second electrode finger are alternately arranged in the acoustic wave propagation direction;\nin the first area and the third areas, adjacent electrode fingers in the acoustic wave propagation direction are connected to a same electric potential, or electrode fingers are not connected to any electric potential; and\na total number of the electrode fingers in the first area is an odd number, and in both of the second areas, polarities of the electrode fingers disposed at respective end sections toward the first area are different from one another.",
"2. The acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein in the first area and the third areas, adjacent electrode fingers in the acoustic wave propagation direction are at a same electric potential.",
"3. The acoustic wave device according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the first area or the third areas include a thick electrode finger having a larger width-direction dimension in the acoustic wave propagation direction than a width-direction dimension of the first electrode fingers and the second electrode fingers in the second areas.",
"4. The acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first area or the third areas includes a floating electrode finger that is not connected to any electric potential.",
"5. The acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein in both of the second areas, the electrode fingers disposed at respective end sections toward the first area are connected to different electric potentials.",
"6. A composite filter device comprising:\nn filters, wherein\none-end portions of the n filters are electrically connected in common; and\nat least one of the n filters includes the acoustic wave device according to claim 1.",
"7. A composite filter device comprising:\nn filters; and\nan antenna terminal to which one-end portions of the n filters are electrically connected in common; wherein\nat least one filter of the n filters includes at least one acoustic wave device, and in the at least one filter, the acoustic wave device closest to the antenna terminal is defined by the acoustic wave device according to claim 1.",
"8. The acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein\nfourth areas are provided on outer sides of the third areas in the acoustic wave propagation direction, respectively; and\nin the fourth areas, the first electrode fingers and the second electrode fingers are alternately arranged in the acoustic wave propagation direction.",
"9. The acoustic wave device according to claim 8, wherein a polarity of one of the first and second electrode fingers disposed at an end section of the fourth area toward the third area is different from a polarity of another one of the electrode fingers disposed at an end section of the second area toward the third area.",
"10. An acoustic wave device comprising:\na piezoelectric substrate; and\nan interdigital transducer electrode provided on or above the piezoelectric substrate; wherein\nthe interdigital transducer electrode includes a plurality of first electrode fingers and a plurality of second electrode fingers, the plurality of second electrode fingers being connected to an electric potential different from an electric potential connected to the plurality of first electrode fingers;\na direction orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to a direction in which the first electrode fingers and the second electrode fingers extend is an acoustic wave propagation direction;\nthe interdigital transducer electrode includes a first area centrally provided in the acoustic wave propagation direction, second areas provided on one side and another side of the first area in the acoustic wave propagation direction, and third areas provided on a side of each of the second areas opposite to the first area in the acoustic wave propagation direction;\nin the second areas, the first electrode finger and the second electrode finger are alternately arranged in the acoustic wave propagation direction;\nin the first area and the third areas, adjacent electrode fingers in the acoustic wave propagation direction are connected to a same electric potential, or electrode fingers are not connected to any electric potential; and\na total number of the electrode fingers in the first area is an even number, and in both of the second areas, polarities of the electrode fingers disposed at respective end sections toward the first area are equal to one another.",
"11. The acoustic wave device according to claim 10, wherein in the first area and the third areas, adjacent electrode fingers in the acoustic wave propagation direction are at a same electric potential.",
"12. The acoustic wave device according to claim 11, wherein at least one of the first area or the third areas include a thick electrode finger having a larger width-direction dimension in the acoustic wave propagation direction than a width-direction dimension of the first electrode fingers and the second electrode fingers in the second areas.",
"13. The acoustic wave device according to claim 10, wherein at least one of the first area or the third areas includes a floating electrode finger that is not connected to any electric potential.",
"14. The acoustic wave device according to claim 10, wherein in both of the second areas, the electrode fingers disposed at respective end sections toward the first area are connected to a same electric potential.",
"15. A composite filter device comprising:\nn filters, wherein\none-end portions of the n filters are electrically connected in common; and\nat least one of the n filters includes the acoustic wave device according to claim 10.",
"16. A composite filter device comprising:\nn filters; and\nan antenna terminal to which one-end portions of the n filters are electrically connected in common; wherein\nat least one filter of the n filters includes at least one acoustic wave device, and in the at least one filter, the acoustic wave device closest to the antenna terminal is defined by the acoustic wave device according to claim 10.",
"17. The acoustic wave device according to claim 10, wherein\nfourth areas are provided on outer sides of the third areas in the acoustic wave propagation direction, respectively; and\nin the fourth areas, the first electrode fingers and the second electrode fingers are alternately arranged in the acoustic wave propagation direction.",
"18. The acoustic wave device according to claim 17, wherein a polarity of one of the first and second electrode fingers disposed at an end section of the fourth area toward the third area is different from a polarity of another one of the electrode fingers disposed at an end section of the second area toward the third area."
],
[
"1. An acoustic wave filter comprising:\na surface acoustic wave resonator and a bulk acoustic wave resonator; wherein\nthe surface acoustic wave resonator includes:\na substrate with piezoelectricity; and\nan interdigital transducer (IDT) electrode on the substrate;\nthe IDT electrode includes a pair of comb-shaped electrodes interdigitated with each other, each of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes including a plurality of electrode fingers extending in parallel or substantially in parallel in a direction crossing a surface acoustic wave propagation direction and a busbar electrode connecting the plurality of electrode fingers to each other at one end of each electrode finger of the plurality of electrode fingers; and\nthe bulk acoustic wave resonator includes:\na lower electrode including a portion of the busbar electrode;\na piezoelectric film on the busbar electrode; and\nan upper electrode on the piezoelectric film.",
"2. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric film mainly includes at least one of zinc oxide (ZnO), aluminum nitride (AlN), PZT, potassium niobate (KN), LN, LT, quartz-crystal, or lithium borate (LiBO).",
"3. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 2, wherein the piezoelectric film is a c-axis oriented film including zinc oxide (ZnO) or aluminum nitride (AlN).",
"4. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein, when the substrate is viewed in plan view, the piezoelectric film has a polygonal, a circular, or an oval shape.",
"5. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein\nthe busbar electrode and the lower electrode are coupled to a ground wire; and\nthe upper electrode is coupled to a radio-frequency-signal input-output wire.",
"6. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein\nthe busbar electrode and the lower electrode are coupled to a radio-frequency-signal input-output wire; and\nthe upper electrode is coupled to a ground wire.",
"7. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein\nthe acoustic wave filter includes a plurality of the surface acoustic wave resonators, and the bulk acoustic wave resonator;\nthe plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators determine a pass band of the acoustic wave filter; and\nthe bulk acoustic wave resonator determines an attenuation pole.",
"8. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 7, the acoustic wave filter includes a plurality of the bulk acoustic wave resonators; wherein\nthe plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators include a plurality of IDT electrodes corresponding to the plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators;\nthe plurality of bulk acoustic wave resonators include a first bulk acoustic wave resonator and a second bulk acoustic wave resonator;\nthe first bulk acoustic wave resonator includes a first lower electrode defined by a portion of the busbar electrode of a first IDT electrode of the plurality of IDT electrodes, a first piezoelectric film on the busbar electrode, and a first upper electrode on the first piezoelectric film;\nthe second bulk acoustic wave resonator includes a second lower electrode defined by a portion of the busbar electrode of a second IDT electrode of the plurality of IDT electrodes, a second piezoelectric film on the busbar electrode, and an upper electrode on the second piezoelectric film; and\nthe first piezoelectric film is thinner than the second piezoelectric film, and a frequency at an attenuation pole determined by the first bulk acoustic wave resonator is higher than a frequency at an attenuation pole determined by the second bulk acoustic wave resonator.",
"9. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 7, wherein\nthe plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators define a longitudinally coupled resonator;\nthe longitudinally coupled resonator includes a plurality of IDT electrodes corresponding to the plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators;\nthe plurality of IDT electrodes are adjacent to each other in the surface acoustic wave propagation direction;\nthe bulk acoustic wave resonator includes a lower electrode defined by a portion of the busbar electrode of a first IDT electrode of the plurality of IDT electrodes, a piezoelectric film on the busbar electrode, and an upper electrode on the piezoelectric film; and\nthe upper electrode is coupled to the busbar electrode of a second IDT electrode adjacent to the first IDT electrode.",
"10. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the substrate is a single-crystal piezoelectric substrate.",
"11. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 10, wherein the single-crystal piezoelectric substrate includes at least one of LiNbO3, LiTaO3, or quartz-crystal.",
"12. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the substrate includes a high acoustic velocity support substrate, a low acoustic velocity film, and a piezoelectric film stacked in this order.",
"13. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 12, wherein the high acoustic velocity support substrate includes silicon.",
"14. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 12, wherein the low acoustic velocity film includes silicon dioxide.",
"15. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the IDT electrode includes a fixing layer and a main electrode layer on the fixing layer.",
"16. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 15, wherein the fixing layer includes Ti.",
"17. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 15, wherein the main electrode layer includes Al including about 1% Cu.",
"18. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the IDT electrode includes at least one of Ti, Al, Cu, Pt, Au, Ag, or Pd, or an alloy including at least one of Ti, Al, Cu, Pt, Au, Ag, or Pd."
],
[
"1. A wireless communication device comprising:\nradio frequency front end (RFFE) circuitry comprising:\na power amplifier module including one or more power amplifiers to amplify an outgoing radio frequency (RF) signal; and\na surface acoustic-wave (SAW) device that is coupled with the power amplifier module and that defines a passband having a lower side and an upper side, the SAW device comprising:\na piezoelectric substrate having a surface to support an acoustic wave;\na plurality of resonators on the surface of the piezoelectric substrate, the plurality of resonators including at least a first resonator and a second resonator, wherein the plurality of resonators are formed by a plurality of electrodes, the first resonator has a first duty factor, the second resonator has a second duty factor, the first duty factor is larger than the second duty factor, and the first resonator is a series resonator where a width of individual electrodes of the plurality of electrodes forming the first resonator is larger than a width of individual electrodes of the plurality of electrodes forming the second resonator, wherein the width of the individual electrodes of the plurality of electrodes forming the first resonator and the width of the individual electrodes of the plurality of electrodes forming the second resonator is such that the first duty factor is at least 10% greater than the second duty factor and the plurality of resonators includes a plurality of series resonators and a plurality of shunt resonators arranged in a ladder filter configuration, and the first resonator is one of the plurality of series resonators and the second resonator is one of the plurality of shunt resonators; and\na dielectric layer having a positive thermal coefficient of frequency (TCF) and covering the plurality of resonators, wherein:\nthe dielectric layer has a first thickness that covers the plurality of electrodes forming the first resonator and the dielectric layer has a second thickness that covers the plurality of electrodes forming the second resonator;\na first electrode period is a first physical distance between each of the plurality of electrodes forming the first resonator and a second electrode period is a second physical distance between each of the plurality of electrodes forming the second resonator;\nthe first thickness is a first ratio times the first electrode period;\nthe second thickness is a second ratio times the second electrode period;\nthe first ratio is between 0.65 to 0.85 when the upper side has a steeper transition than the lower side and is less than or equal to 0.5 when the lower side has the steeper transition than the upper side; and\nthe second ratio is less than or equal to 0.50 when the upper side has the steeper transition than the lower side and is between 0.65 to 0.85 when the lower side has the steeper transition than the upper side; wherein one of the upper side and the lower side has a steeper transition than the other of the upper side and the lower side.",
"2. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the dielectric layer is formed of a silicon oxide material, the plurality of electrodes are formed of a material having a density that is greater than a density of aluminum (Al), and the piezoelectric substrate is formed of lithium niobate (LiNbO3) having a cut angle between Y+120 degrees and Y+140 degrees.",
"3. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein individual series resonators of the plurality of series resonators are covered by a first amount of the dielectric layer and individual shunt resonators of the plurality of shunt resonators are covered by a second amount of the dielectric layer.",
"4. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein only a series resonator of the plurality of series resonators having a lower resonance frequency than other ones of the plurality of series resonators is covered by a first amount of the dielectric layer.",
"5. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of electrodes are formed of a material comprising copper (Cu) or an alloy including Cu, and the plurality of electrodes have a third thickness that is between 5% and 15% of the first electrode period and the second electrode period.",
"6. A wireless communication device comprising:\nradio frequency front end (RFFE) circuitry comprising:\na power amplifier module including one or more power amplifiers to amplify an outgoing radio frequency (RF) signal; and\na surface acoustic-wave (SAW) device that is coupled with the power amplifier module and that defines a passband having a lower side and an upper side, the SAW device comprising:\na piezoelectric substrate having a surface to support an acoustic wave;\na plurality of resonators on the surface of the piezoelectric substrate, the plurality of resonators including at least a first resonator and a second resonator, wherein the plurality of resonators are formed by a plurality of electrodes, the first resonator has a first duty factor, the second resonator has a second duty factor, the first duty factor is larger than the second duty factor; and\na dielectric layer having a positive thermal coefficient of frequency (TCF) and covering the plurality of resonators, wherein:\nthe dielectric layer has a first thickness that covers the plurality of electrodes forming the first resonator and the dielectric layer has a second thickness that covers the plurality of electrodes forming the second resonator;\na first electrode period is a first physical distance between each of the plurality of electrodes forming the first resonator and a second electrode period is a second physical distance between each of the plurality of electrodes forming the second resonator;\nthe first thickness is a first ratio times the first electrode period;\nthe second thickness is a second ratio times the second electrode period;\nthe first ratio is between 0.65 to 0.85 when the upper side has a steeper transition than the lower side and is less than or equal to 0.5 when the lower side has the steeper transition than the upper side; and\nthe second ratio is less than or equal to 0.50 when the upper side has the steeper transition than the lower side and is between 0.65 to 0.85 when the lower side has the steeper transition than the upper side; wherein one of the upper side and the lower side has a steeper transition than the other of the upper side and the lower side.",
"7. The wireless communication device of claim 6, wherein the dielectric layer is formed of a silicon oxide material, the plurality of electrodes are formed of a material having a density that is greater than a density of aluminum (Al), and the piezoelectric substrate is formed of lithium niobate (LiNbO3) having a cut angle between Y+120 degrees and Y+140 degrees.",
"8. The wireless communication device of claim 6, wherein the second resonator is a coupled resonator filter and the first resonator is coupled in series with the coupled resonator filter, wherein an amount of the dielectric layer covers an entirety of the coupled resonator filter.",
"9. The wireless communication device of claim 6, wherein the plurality of electrodes are formed of a material comprising copper (Cu) or an alloy including Cu, and the plurality of electrodes have a third thickness that is between 5% and 15% of the first electrode period and the second electrode period."
],
[
"1. A system for search, retrieval, and display of information in an electronic communication network, the system comprising:\none or more hardware-based processors and one or more hardware-based memories storing computer-executable instructions;\na user agent implemented by the computer-executable instructions stored in the one or more hardware-based memories, in the electronic communication network, the user agent having one or more screens, that:\nin response to a first query input, transmits a first search query, receives a first query response document comprising a first set of one or more response snippets, displays the first query response document in a first response document display on the one or more screens;\nin response to a first selection input received within the first response document display wherein the selection input comprises selection of a sourced document, provides a first document display on the one or more screens using a first client content version of the sourced document,\nin response to a second query input transmits a second search query, receives a second query response document comprising a second set of one or more response snippets, displays the second query response document in a second response document display; and\nin response to a second selection input received within the second response document display that comprises selection of the sourced document, provides a second document display on the one or more screens using a second client content version of the sourced document;\nwherein:\nin response to an action set comprising one or more single actions, wherein the single actions comprise the first selection input and zero or more additional inputs permitted according to a set of distinguishing inputs of a first distinguishing context of the first document display, a first partially distinguished word is visibly displayed and partially distinguished in the first document display on the one or more screens, and the first partially distinguished word is in a first matching document snippet of the first client content version that is canonically similar to the first set of one or more response snippets;\na second partially distinguished word is partially distinguished in a second distinguishing context of the second document display and is in a second matching document snippet of the second client content version that is canonically similar to the second set of one or more response snippets;\na first set of cross matching document snippets, consisting of the visible document snippets of the second client content version that are canonically similar to the first set of one or more response snippets, is nonempty and its members are undistinguished in the second distinguishing context;\na second set of cross matching document snippets, consisting of the visible document snippets of the first client content version that are canonically similar to the second set of one or more response snippets, is nonempty and its members are undistinguished in the first distinguishing context; and\nin the first distinguishing context:\nthe text of a matching undistinguished word, which is undistinguished, matches the text of the first partially distinguished word;\na preceding undistinguished word is viewable before the first matching document snippet and is undistinguished; and\na following undistinguished word is viewable after the first matching document snippet and is undistinguished.",
"2. The system of claim 1, wherein:\nin response to the action set comprising the one or more single actions, the first partially distinguished word is in-place partially distinguished in the first document display; and\nthe second partially distinguished word is in-place partially distinguished in the second distinguishing context of the second document display.",
"3. The system of claim 1, wherein:\nthe first client content version of the sourced document is represented in a variant of HTML (Hypertext Markup Language);\na set of zero or more conventional fragment identifier target HTML elements consists of each HTML element of the first client content version such that:\nthe HTML element contains all of the text that:\nis distinguished in the first distinguishing context; and\nis between the preceding undistinguished word and the following undistinguished word;\na target character string is the value of:\na ‘name’ attribute of the HTML element, wherein the HTML element is an HTML anchor element; and/or\nan ‘id’ attribute of the HTML element; and\na fragment identifier string, which matches the target character string, is derived from the first client content version in response to the action set; and\neach member of the set of zero or more conventional fragment identifier target HTML elements contains:\nat least one character of the preceding undistinguished word; and/or\nat least one character of the following undistinguished word.",
"4. The system of claim 1, wherein:\nthe first client content version of the sourced document is represented in a variant of HTML (Hypertext Markup Language); and\nevery HTML element of the first client content version that contains all of the text that:\nis distinguished in the first distinguishing context; and\nis between the preceding undistinguished word and the following undistinguished word;\nalso contains:\nat least one character of the preceding undistinguished word; and/or\nat least one character of the following undistinguished word.",
"5. The system of claim 2, wherein the action set comprises no more than five single actions.",
"6. The system of claim 4, wherein the action set comprises no more than five single actions.",
"7. The system of claim 4, further comprising:\na search engine service in the electronic communication network that:\nin response to receiving the first search query generates the first query response document comprising the first set of one or more response snippets that are constructed using information from a first server content version of the sourced document, and transmits the first query response document; and\nin response to receiving the second search query generates the second query response document comprising the second set of one or more response snippets that are constructed using information from a second server content version of the sourced document, and transmits the second query response document;\nwherein the user agent transmits the first search query and transmits the second search query to the search engine service.",
"8. The system of claim 7, wherein the first server content version is different from the second server content version.",
"9. The system of claim 4, wherein the retrieval of the first client content version of the sourced document is an undistinguished retrieval from the document source.",
"10. The system of claim 4, wherein the text of the first matching document snippet matches the text of one of the snippets of the first set of one or more response snippets.",
"11. A method for search, retrieval, and display of information on a user agent having one or more screens in an electronic communication network, the method comprising:\ntransmitting, in response to a first query input, a first search query from the user agent;\nreceiving a first query response document comprising a first set of one or more response snippets;\ndisplaying the first query response document in a first response document display on the one or more screens;\nselecting a sourced document by receiving a first selection input from within the first response document display;\nin response to the first selection input, providing a first distinguishing context for a first document display of the first client content version of the sourced document on the one or more screens;\ntransmitting, in response to a second query input, a second search query from the user agent;\nreceiving a second query response document comprising a second set of one or more response snippets;\ndisplaying the second query response document in a second response document display on the one or more screens;\nselecting the sourced document by receiving a second selection input from within the second response document display;\nin response to the second selection input, providing a second distinguishing context for a second document display of a second client content version of the sourced document on the one or more screens;\nresponding to an action set comprising one or more single actions, which are the single actions comprised by the first selection input and zero or more single actions comprised by additional inputs permitted according to the set of distinguishing inputs of a first distinguishing context of the first document display;\ndistinguishing partially, in a second distinguishing context of the second document display, of a second partially distinguished word in a second matching document snippet that is canonically similar to the second set of one or more response snippets;\ndisplaying, in the second document display and in a manner that is not distinguishing according to the distinguishing manner of the second distinguishing context, all of the one or more visible document snippets of the second client content version that are canonically similar to the first set of one or more response snippets; and\ndisplaying, in the first document display and in a manner that is not distinguished according to the distinguishing manner of the first distinguishing context:\nall of the one or more visible document snippets of the first client content version that are canonically similar to the second set of one or more response snippets;\na matching undistinguished word having text that matches the text of the first partially distinguished word;\na preceding undistinguished word that appears before the first matching document snippet; and\na following undistinguished word that appears after the first matching document snippet;\nwherein:\nthe responding to the action set comprises distinguishing partially and displaying visibly of a first partially distinguished word, of the first client content version, in the first document display on the one or more screens; and\nthe first partially distinguished word is in a first matching document snippet that is canonically similar to the first set of one or more response snippets.",
"12. The method of claim 11, wherein:\nthe distinguishing partially and displaying visibly of the first partially distinguished word comprises in-place partially distinguishing of the first partially distinguished word; and\nthe distinguishing partially of the second partially distinguished word comprises in-place partially distinguishing of the second partially distinguished word.",
"13. The method of claim 11, wherein:\nthe first client content version of the sourced document is represented in a variant of HTML (Hypertext Markup Language);\na set of zero or more conventional fragment identifier target HTML elements consists of each HTML element of the first client content version such that:\nthe HTML element contains all of the text that:\nis distinguished in the first distinguishing context; and\nis between the preceding undistinguished word and the following undistinguished word;\na target character string is the value of:\na ‘name’ attribute of the HTML element, wherein the HTML element is an HTML anchor element; and/or\nan ‘id’ attribute of the HTML element; and\nthe responding to the action set comprises deriving of a fragment identifier string, which matches the target character string, from the first client content version; and\neach member of the set of zero or more conventional fragment identifier target HTML elements contains:\nat least one character of the preceding undistinguished word; and/or\nat least one character of the following undistinguished word.",
"14. The method of claim 11, wherein:\nthe first client content version of the sourced document is represented in a variant of HTML (Hypertext Markup Language); and\nevery HTML element of the first client content version that contains all of the text that:\nis distinguished in the first distinguishing context; and\nis between the preceding undistinguished word and the following undistinguished word;\nalso contains:\nat least one character of the preceding undistinguished word; and/or\nat least one character of the following undistinguished word.",
"15. The method of claim 12, wherein the action set comprises no more than five single actions.",
"16. The method of claim 14, wherein the action set comprises no more than five single actions.",
"17. The method of claim 14, further comprising:\nreceiving the first search query at a search engine service;\nconstructing, in response to receiving the first search query, the first set of one or more response snippets using information from a first server content version of the sourced document;\ngenerating the first query response document comprising the first set of one or more response snippets;\ntransmitting the second query response document from the search engine service to the user agent;\nreceiving the second search query at the search engine service;\nconstructing, in response to receiving the second search query, the second set of one or more response snippets using information from a second server content version of the sourced document;\ngenerating the second query response document comprising the second set of one or more response snippets; and\ntransmitting the second query response document from the search engine service to the user agent.",
"18. The method of claim 17, wherein the first server content version is different from the second server content version.",
"19. The method of claim 14, wherein retrieving the first server content version of the sourced document accomplishes an undistinguished retrieval from the document source.",
"20. The method of claim 14, wherein the text of the first matching document snippet matches the text of one of the snippets of the first set of one or more response snippets."
],
[
"1. An acoustic resonator device comprising:\nan acoustic resonator chip comprising:\na substrate;\na piezoelectric layer having first and second opposing surfaces and that is above a surface of the substrate, such that a portion of the piezoelectric layer forms a diaphragm spanning a cavity between the piezoelectric layer and the substrate; and\na first conductor pattern on at least one of the first and second surfaces of the piezoelectric layer, the first conductor pattern comprising an interdigitated transducer (IDT) having interleaved fingers on the diaphragm and a first contact pad; and\nan interposer having a planar surface facing the piezoelectric layer and a second conductor pattern with a second contact pad on the planar surface of the interposer,\nwherein at least a portion of the first conductor pattern is bonded to at least a portion of the second conductor pattern to form a seal that couples a perimeter of the piezoelectric layer of the acoustic resonator chip to a perimeter of the interposer.",
"2. The acoustic resonator device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second opposing surfaces of the piezoelectric layer are front and back surfaces, respectively, and the first conductor pattern is on the front surface of the piezoelectric layer.",
"3. The acoustic resonator device according to claim 1, further comprising a cap bonded to a back surface of the substrate.",
"4. The acoustic resonator device according to claim 1, wherein the seal is a hermetic seal that couples the piezoelectric layer to the interposer.",
"5. The acoustic resonator device according to claim 1, wherein the first conductor pattern further comprises a first metal, the second conductor pattern further comprises a second metal, and the seal is the first metal directly bonded to the second metal.",
"6. The acoustic resonator device according to claim 1, wherein the interposer is a printed circuit board that comprises a plurality of vias that connect the second contact pad to a third contact pad on a surface of the interposer opposite the planar surface of the interposer that faces the piezoelectric layer.",
"7. The acoustic resonator device according to claim 1, wherein the interposer further comprises a recess that faces the diaphragm.",
"8. An acoustic resonator device comprising:\na radio frequency filter comprising:\na substrate;\na piezoelectric layer attached to the substrate either directly or via one or more intermediate layers; and\na first conductor pattern on the piezoelectric layer and including an interdigitated transducer (IDT) with interleaved fingers and a first contact pad on the piezoelectric layer opposite the substrate; and\nan interposer having a planar surface facing the piezoelectric layer and a second conductor pattern with a second contact pad on the planar surface of the interposer that faces the piezoelectric layer,\nwherein the first conductor pattern is bonded to the second conductor pattern to form a seal to prevent an intrusion of fluids to an interior of the radio frequency filter, and\nwherein the seal couples a perimeter of the piezoelectric layer to a perimeter of the interposer.",
"9. The acoustic resonator device according to claim 8, wherein the piezoelectric layer comprises front and back surfaces, respectively, and the first conductor pattern is on the front surface of the piezoelectric layer.",
"10. The acoustic resonator device according to claim 8, further comprising a cap bonded to a back surface of the substrate.",
"11. The acoustic resonator device according to claim 8, wherein the first conductor pattern further comprises a first metal, the second conductor pattern further comprises a second metal, and the seal is the first metal directly bonded to the second metal.",
"12. The acoustic resonator device according to claim 8, wherein the interposer is a printed circuit board that comprises a plurality of vias that connect the second contact pad to a third contact pad on a surface of the interposer opposite the planar surface of the interposer that faces the piezoelectric layer.",
"13. The acoustic resonator device according to claim 8, wherein the interposer further comprises a recess that faces the diaphragm.",
"14. An acoustic resonator device comprising:\na substrate;\na piezoelectric layer above the substrate and including a diaphragm that is suspended over a cavity between the piezoelectric layer and the substrate;\na first conductor pattern on the piezoelectric layer and including an interdigitated transducer (IDT) with interleaved fingers on the diaphragm and a first contact pad;\nan interposer having a planar surface facing the piezoelectric layer and a second conductor pattern with a second contact pad on the planar surface of the interposer that face the piezoelectric layer; and\na metal seal formed by the first conductor pattern being bonded to the second conductor pattern and that couples the acoustic resonator chip to the interposer,\nwherein the interposer is a printed circuit board that comprises a plurality of vias that connect the second contact pad to a third contact pad on a surface of the interposer opposite the planar surface of the interposer that faces the piezoelectric layer.",
"15. The acoustic resonator device according to claim 14, wherein the piezoelectric layer comprises front and back surfaces, respectively, and the first conductor pattern is on the front surface of the piezoelectric layer.",
"16. The acoustic resonator device according to claim 14, wherein the metal seal is a hermetic continuous metal seal that couples a perimeter of the piezoelectric layer to a perimeter of the interposer.",
"17. The acoustic resonator device according to claim 14, wherein the first conductor pattern further comprises a first metal, the second conductor pattern further comprises a second metal, and the metal seal is the first conductor bonded to the second conductor.",
"18. The acoustic resonator device according to claim 14, wherein the interposer further comprises a recess that faces the diaphragm."
],
[
"1. An elastic wave device including a piezoelectric film, the elastic wave device comprising:\na high-acoustic-velocity supporting substrate in which an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave propagating therein is higher than an acoustic velocity of an elastic wave propagating in the piezoelectric film;\na low-acoustic-velocity film stacked on the high-acoustic-velocity supporting substrate, in which an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave propagating therein is lower than an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave propagating in the piezoelectric film;\nthe piezoelectric film stacked on the low-acoustic-velocity film; and\nan IDT electrode disposed on a surface of the piezoelectric film; wherein\nthe piezoelectric film is composed of LiNbO3.",
"2. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the low-acoustic-velocity film is composed of silicon oxide or a film containing as a major component silicon oxide.",
"3. The elastic wave device according to claim 2, wherein a thickness of the low-acoustic-velocity film is in a range of about 0.1λ to about 0.5λ, where λ is a wavelength of an elastic wave determined by an electrode period of the IDT electrode.",
"4. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of the piezoelectric film is about 1.5λ or less, where λ is a wavelength of an elastic wave determined by an electrode period of the IDT electrode.",
"5. The elastic wave device according to claim 4, wherein the thickness of the piezoelectric film is in a range of about 0.05λ to about 0.5λ.",
"6. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein a dielectric film is disposed on the piezoelectric film and the IDT electrode.",
"7. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of an adhesion layer, an underlying film, a low-acoustic-velocity layer, and a high-acoustic-velocity layer is disposed in at least one of boundaries between the piezoelectric film, the low-acoustic-velocity film, and high-acoustic-velocity supporting substrate.",
"8. An elastic wave device including a piezoelectric film, the elastic wave device comprising:\na supporting substrate;\na high-acoustic-velocity film disposed on the supporting substrate, in which an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave propagating therein is higher than an acoustic velocity of an elastic wave propagating in the piezoelectric film;\na low-acoustic-velocity film stacked on the high-acoustic-velocity film, in which an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave propagating therein is lower than an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave propagating in the piezoelectric film;\nthe piezoelectric film stacked on the low-acoustic-velocity film; and\nan IDT electrode disposed on a surface of the piezoelectric film; wherein\nthe piezoelectric film is composed of LiNbO3.",
"9. The elastic wave device according to claim 8, wherein the low-acoustic-velocity film is composed of silicon oxide or a film containing as a major component silicon oxide.",
"10. The elastic wave device according to claim 9, wherein a thickness of the low-acoustic-velocity film is in a range of about 0.1λ to about 0.5λ, where λ is a wavelength of an elastic wave determined by an electrode period of the IDT electrode.",
"11. The elastic wave device according to claim 8, wherein a thickness of the piezoelectric film is about 1.5λ or less, where λ is a wavelength of an elastic wave determined by an electrode period of the IDT electrode.",
"12. The elastic wave device according to claim 11, wherein the thickness of the piezoelectric film is in a range of about 0.05λ to about 0.5λ.",
"13. The elastic wave device according to claim 8, wherein a dielectric film is disposed on the piezoelectric film and the IDT electrode.",
"14. The elastic wave device according to claim 8, wherein at least one of an adhesion layer, an underlying film, a low-acoustic-velocity layer, and a high-acoustic-velocity layer is disposed in at least one of boundaries between the piezoelectric film, the low-acoustic-velocity film, the high-acoustic-velocity film, and the supporting substrate."
],
[
"1. A method for fabricating an acoustic wave device, the method comprising:\nproviding or forming a substrate containing 70 mass % or greater of silicon dioxide (SiO2);\nproviding or forming a piezoelectric thin film with LiTaO3 crystal or LiNbO3 crystal on the substrate, Euler angles of the substrate and Euler angles of the piezoelectric thin film selected such that a phase velocity of a surface acoustic wave propagating along the substrate is greater than a phase velocity of the surface acoustic wave propagating along the piezoelectric thin film; and\nimplementing an interdigital transducer electrode to be in contact with the piezoelectric thin film.",
"2. The method of claim 1 further comprising implementing a Si-containing film between the substrate and the piezoelectric thin film.",
"3. The method of claim 2 wherein the Si-containing film contains 30% or greater of SiO2 or SiO, and has a thickness of 0.15 times to 1 times a wavelength of the surface acoustic wave.",
"4. The method of claim 2 wherein the Si-containing film contains 30% or greater of SiO2 or SiO, and has a thickness of 0.3 times to 0.5 times a wavelength of the surface acoustic wave.",
"5. The method of claim 1 wherein the substrate includes a quartz substrate and a phase velocity of the surface acoustic wave to propagate is 4,500 m/s or greater, 4,800 m/s or greater, or 5,000 m/s or greater.",
"6. The method of claim 5 wherein the substrate includes a quartz substrate, and the surface acoustic wave to propagate includes a leaky acoustic wave including primarily a SH component or an S wave having a phase velocity of 4,500 m/s or greater.",
"7. The method of claim 1 further comprising implementing a shunt electrode and/or an insulating boundary film between the substrate and the piezoelectric thin film.",
"8. The method of claim 1 wherein implementing the interdigital transducer electrode results in at least a lower portion of the interdigital transducer electrode being embedded in the piezoelectric thin film and/or at least an upper portion of the interdigital transducer electrode protruding from the piezoelectric thin film.",
"9. The method of claim 1 wherein providing or forming the substrate includes providing or forming a quartz substrate.",
"10. The method of claim 1 wherein the substrate has a shear wave phase velocity of a bulk wave of 3,400 to 4,800 m/s.",
"11. The method of claim 1 wherein the substrate includes an isotropic substrate, and the piezoelectric thin film has a thickness of 0.001 mm or greater and less than 0.01 mm.",
"12. The method of claim 1 wherein the substrate has the surface acoustic wave propagate in 4,500 m/s or greater and has Euler angles of (0°±5°, 70°-165°, 0°±5°), (0°±5°, 95°-155°, 90°±5°), or crystallographically equivalent Euler angles thereof.",
"13. The method of claim 1 wherein the substrate has Euler angles of (0°±5°, 0°-125°, 0°±5°), (0°±5°, 0°-36°, 90°±5°), (0°±5°, 172°-180°, 90°±5°), (0°±5°, 120°-140°, 30°-49°), (0°±5°, 25°-105°, 0°±5°), (0°±5°, 0°-45°, 15°-35°), (0°±5°, 10°-20°, 60°-70°), (0°±5°, 90°-180°, 30°-45°), (0°±5°, 0°±5°, 85°-95°), (90°±5°, 90°±5°, 25°-31°), (0°±5°, 90°±5°, −3° to 3°), or crystallographically equivalent Euler angles thereof.",
"14. The method of claim 1 wherein the substrate has Euler angles of (20°±5°, 120°±10°, 115°±10°), (0°±5°, 90°±5°, 0°±10°), (0°±5°, 90°±5°, 75°±10°), (0°±5°, 0°±5°, 0°±10°), (0°±5°, 0°±5°, 60°±10°), or crystallographically equivalent Euler angles thereof.",
"15. The method of claim 1 wherein the piezoelectric thin film includes LiTaO3 crystal and has Euler angles of (90°±5°, 90°±5°, 33°-55°), (90°±5°, 90°±5°, 125°-155°), or crystallographically equivalent Euler angles thereof.",
"16. The method of claim 1 wherein the piezoelectric thin film includes LiNbO3 crystal and has Euler angles of (90°±5°, 90°±5°, 38°-65°), (90°±5°, 90°±5°, 118°-140°), or crystallographically equivalent Euler angles thereof.",
"17. The method of claim 1 wherein the interdigital transducer electrode has a thickness, in fraction of a wavelength of the surface acoustic wave, of 0.005-0.32, 0.005-0.20, 0.005-0.28, or 0.005-0.20 for a density range, in kg/m3, of 2000-5000, 5001-9500, 9501-15000, or 15001-220000, respectively.",
"18. The method of claim 1 wherein the interdigital transducer electrode has a metalization ratio of 0.15-0.63, 0.15-0.63, 0.15-0.71, or 0.15-0.65 for a density range, in kg/m3, of 2000-5000, 5001-9500, 9501-15000, or 15001-220000, respectively.",
"19. The method of claim 1 further comprising implementing an insulating boundary film between the substrate and the piezoelectric thin film, the boundary film having a thickness that is greater than or equal to 0.34 times a wavelength of the surface acoustic wave.",
"20. The method of claim 1 further comprising implementing an insulating boundary film disposed between the substrate and the piezoelectric thin film, the boundary film having one or more layers, one layer closest to the piezoelectric thin film having a thickness T, in fraction of a wavelength of the surface acoustic wave, of 0<T<=0.5, 0<T<=0.67, 0<T<=3, or 0<T<=0.6 for a shear wave phase velocity Vs, in m/s, of 1500<=Vs<=2200, 2200<Vs<=3400, 3400<Vs<=5900, or 5900<Vs<=13000, respectively.",
"21. The method of claim 1 wherein the surface acoustic wave has a higher order mode, and the interdigital transducer electrode has a thickness, in fraction of a wavelength of the surface acoustic wave, of 0.17-0.8, 0.08-0.44, 0.08-0.43, or 0.06-0.4 for a density range, in kg/m3, of 2000-5000, 5001-9500, 9501-15000, or 15001-220000, respectively.",
"22. The method of claim 1 wherein the surface acoustic wave has a higher order mode, and the piezoelectric thin film has a thickness of 0.35 times to 9.3 times a wavelength of the surface acoustic wave.",
"23. The method of claim 1 wherein the surface acoustic wave includes either or both of a leaky surface acoustic wave and a longitudinal-wave-type leaky surface acoustic wave.",
"24. The method of claim 1 wherein the piezoelectric thin film includes LiNbO3 crystal, and the surface acoustic wave includes a Rayleigh wave."
],
[
"1. An acoustic wave device comprising:\na piezoelectric substrate; and\nan interdigital transducer (IDT) electrode on the piezoelectric substrate; wherein\nthe piezoelectric substrate includes a high acoustic velocity layer, and a piezoelectric layer directly or indirectly above the high acoustic velocity layer;\nan acoustic velocity of a bulk wave that propagates in the high acoustic velocity layer is greater than an acoustic velocity of an acoustic wave that propagates in the piezoelectric layer;\nthe IDT electrode includes:\na first busbar and a second busbar that face each other;\na plurality of first electrode fingers each connected at one end to the first busbar; and\na plurality of second electrode fingers each connected at one end to the second busbar, the plurality of second electrode fingers being interdigitated with the plurality of first electrode fingers;\na first envelope extends in a slanted direction with respect to a direction of acoustic wave propagation, the first envelope being an imaginary line formed by connecting tips of the plurality of first electrode fingers;\na second envelope extends in a slanted direction with respect to the direction of acoustic wave propagation, the second envelope being an imaginary line formed by connecting tips of the plurality of second electrode fingers;\na first dielectric film is located in at least one gap on the piezoelectric substrate, the at least one gap being at least one of a plurality of first gaps and a plurality of second gaps, the plurality of first gaps being located between the plurality of first electrode fingers and the second busbar, the plurality of second gaps being located between the plurality of second electrode fingers and the first busbar;\nthe first dielectric film has a density greater than a density of silicon oxide; and\na second dielectric film extends over the piezoelectric substrate such that the second dielectric film covers the IDT electrode and the first dielectric film.",
"2. The acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the first dielectric film has a density greater than or equal to a density of the IDT electrode.",
"3. The acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein\nthe IDT electrode includes a plurality of first dummy electrode fingers each connected at one end to the first busbar, and a plurality of second dummy electrode fingers each connected at one end to the second busbar; and\neach of the plurality of first gaps is located between a corresponding one of the plurality of first electrode fingers and a corresponding one of the plurality of second dummy electrode fingers; and\neach of the plurality of second gaps is located between a corresponding one of the plurality of second electrode fingers and a corresponding one of the plurality of first dummy electrode fingers.",
"4. The acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the first dielectric film extends across an entirety of the first gap in which the first dielectric film is located, or extends across an entirety of the second gap in which the first dielectric film is located.",
"5. The acoustic wave device according to claim 3, wherein\nthe first dielectric film in the first gap extends across an entirety of the first gap, and extends onto the first electrode finger and onto the second dummy electrode finger; and\nthe first dielectric film in the second gap extends across an entirety of the second gap, and extends onto the second electrode finger and onto the first dummy electrode finger.",
"6. The acoustic wave device according to claim 3, wherein\nthe first dielectric film in the first gap extends across an entirety of the first gap, and extends to an area between the first electrode finger and the piezoelectric substrate and to an area between the second dummy electrode finger and the piezoelectric substrate; and\nthe first dielectric film in the second gap extends across an entirety of the second gap, and extends to an area between the second electrode finger and the piezoelectric substrate and to an area between the first dummy electrode finger and the piezoelectric substrate.",
"7. The acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein\nthe piezoelectric substrate includes a low acoustic velocity film between the high acoustic velocity layer and the piezoelectric layer; and\nan acoustic velocity of a bulk wave that propagates in the low acoustic velocity film is less than an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave that propagates in the piezoelectric layer.",
"8. The acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the high acoustic velocity layer is a high acoustic velocity support substrate.",
"9. The acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein\nthe piezoelectric substrate further includes a support substrate; and\nthe high acoustic velocity layer is a high acoustic velocity film on the support substrate.",
"10. The acoustic wave device according to claim 1, further comprising reflectors on opposite sides of the IDT electrode.",
"11. The acoustic wave device according to claim 7, wherein the low acoustic velocity film includes at least one of silicon oxide, glass, silicon oxynitride, tantalum oxide or a material including as a main component a compound with fluorine, carbon or boron along with silicon oxide.",
"12. The acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the high acoustic velocity layer includes at least one of silicon nitride, lithium tantalate, lithium niobate, quartz, alumina, zirconia, cordierite, mullite, steatite, forsterite, aluminum nitride, aluminum oxide, silicon carbide, silicon oxynitride, a diamond-like carbon, silicone, sapphire, diamond, or magnesia.",
"13. The acoustic wave device according to claim 9, wherein the support substrate includes at least one of silicon, lithium tantalate, lithium niobate, quartz, alumina, magnesia, silicon nitride, aluminum nitride, silicon carbide, zirconia, cordierite, mullite, steatite, forsterite, glass, spinel, aluminum nitride, aluminum oxide, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, diamond-like carbon, silicone, sapphire, diamond, or magnesia.",
"14. The acoustic wave device according to claim 8, wherein the high velocity support substrate includes silicon, aluminum oxide, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, silicone, sapphire, lithium tantalate, lithium niobate, quartz, alumina, zirconia, cordierite, mullite, steatite, forsterite, magnesia, diamond-like carbon, or diamond.",
"15. The acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the second dielectric film includes silicon oxide.",
"16. The acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the second dielectric film is a protective film."
],
[
"1. An acoustic wave device comprising a multi-layer mass loading strip at least partially overlapping edge portions of a plurality of fingers of an interdigital transducer electrode, the multi-layer mass loading strip having a mass sufficient to suppress at least a portion of a transverse mode, the multi-layer mass loading strip including a first layer and a second layer, the first layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip positioned between the second layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip and the interdigital transducer electrode, and the first layer improves crystal orientation of the second layer.",
"2. The acoustic wave device of claim 1 wherein the second layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip has a higher mass than the first layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip.",
"3. The acoustic wave device of claim 1 wherein the second layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip is a conductive strip.",
"4. The acoustic wave device of claim 1 wherein the first layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip includes titanium.",
"5. The acoustic wave device of claim 1 wherein the first layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip is an adhesion layer that improves the crystal orientation of the second layer.",
"6. The acoustic wave device of claim 5 wherein the second layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip includes molybdenum.",
"7. The acoustic wave device of claim 1 wherein the acoustic wave device is configured to generate a surface acoustic wave.",
"8. The acoustic wave device of claim 1 wherein the second layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip has a higher density than a density of the interdigital transducer electrode.",
"9. The acoustic wave device of claim 1 wherein the multi-layer mass loading strip includes a third layer that is an adhesion layer that adheres to a temperature compensation layer.",
"10. The acoustic wave device of claim 1 wherein the first layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip is spaced apart from a piezoelectric layer.",
"11. A method of filtering a radio frequency signal, the method comprising:\nreceiving the radio frequency signal at an input port of an acoustic wave filter that includes an acoustic wave resonator, the acoustic wave resonator including a multi-layer mass loading strip at least partially overlapping edge portions of fingers of an interdigital transducer electrode, the multi-layer mass loading strip including a first layer and a second layer, the first layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip positioned between the second layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip and the interdigital transducer electrode, and the first layer improves crystal orientation of the second layer; and\nfiltering the radio frequency signal with the acoustic wave filter, the filtering including suppressing a transverse mode using the multi-layer mass loading strip of the acoustic wave resonator.",
"12. The method of claim 11 further comprising forming the second layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip with a higher mass than the first layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip.",
"13. The method of claim 11 further comprising forming the second layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip as a conductive strip.",
"14. The method of claim 11 further comprising forming the first layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip to include titanium.",
"15. The method of claim 11 wherein the first layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip improves the crystal orientation of the second layer.",
"16. The method of claim 15 wherein the second layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip includes molybdenum.",
"17. The method of claim 11 wherein the acoustic wave resonator generates a surface acoustic wave.",
"18. The method of claim 11 further comprising forming the second layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip to have a higher density than a density of the interdigital transducer electrode.",
"19. The method of claim 11 further comprising forming a third layer on of the multi-layer mass loading strip that adheres to a temperature compensation layer.",
"20. The method of claim 11 further comprising spacing the first layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip apart from a piezoelectric layer."
],
[
"1. An acoustic resonator device comprising:\na substrate having a surface;\na single-crystal piezoelectric layer having front and back surfaces, the back surface attached to the surface of the substrate either directly or via at least one intermedia layer, with a portion of the single-crystal piezoelectric layer forming a diaphragm over a cavity;\nan interdigital transducer (IDT) at the single-crystal piezoelectric layer such that interleaved fingers of the IDT are at the diaphragm; and\na dielectric layer on one of the front surface and the back surface of the single-crystal piezoelectric layer, with the dielectric layer having a thickness of a half lambda.",
"2. The acoustic resonator device of claim 1, wherein\na thickness ts of the single-crystal piezoelectric layer and a thickness td of the dielectric layer are defined as follows:\n\n2ts=λ0,s, and\n\n0.85λ0,d≤2td≤1.15λ0,d,\nwhere λ0,s is a wavelength of a fundamental shear bulk acoustic wave resonance in the single-crystal piezoelectric layer, and\nλ0,d is a wavelength of a fundamental shear bulk acoustic wave resonance in the dielectric layer.",
"3. The acoustic resonator device of claim 1, wherein the dielectric layer is one or more of SiO2, Si3N4, Al2O3, and AlN.",
"4. The acoustic resonator device of claim 1, wherein:\nthe single-crystal piezoelectric layer is lithium niobate,\nthe dielectric layer is SiO2, and\na thickness ts of the single-crystal piezoelectric layer and a thickness td of the dielectric layer are defined by the relationship: 0.875ts≤td≤1.25ts.",
"5. The acoustic resonator device of claim 4, wherein a temperature coefficient of frequency of the acoustic resonator device is between −32 ppm/C° and −42 ppm/C° at a resonance frequency and between −20 ppm/C° and −36 ppm/C° at an anti-resonance frequency.",
"6. The acoustic resonator device of claim 1, wherein the single-crystal piezoelectric layer and the IDT are configured such that a radio frequency signal applied to the IDT excites a shear primary acoustic mode in the diaphragm.",
"7. A filter device, comprising:\na substrate;\na piezoelectric layer having parallel front and back surfaces and a thickness ts, the back surface attached to the substrate either directly or via at least one intermedia layer;\na conductor pattern at the piezoelectric layer and including a plurality of interdigital transducers (IDTs) of a respective plurality of resonators including a shunt resonator and a series resonator, interleaved fingers of each of the plurality of IDTs at respective portions of the piezoelectric layer over one or more cavities;\na first dielectric layer having a thickness tds deposited over and between the fingers of the series resonator; and\na second dielectric layer having a thickness tdp deposited over and between the fingers of the shunt resonator, wherein\nts, tds, and tdp are related by the equations:\n\n2ts=λ0,s, and\n\n2tds<2tdp\nwhere λ0,s is a wavelength of a fundamental shear bulk acoustic wave resonance in the piezoelectric layer.",
"8. The filter device of claim 7, wherein\n\n0.85λ0,d≤2tds≤2tdp≤1.15λ0,d,\nwhere λ0,d is a wavelength of the fundamental shear bulk acoustic wave resonance in at least one of the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer.",
"9. The filter device of claim 7, wherein the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer are one or more of SiO2, Si3N4, Al2O3, and AlN.",
"10. The filter device of claim 7, wherein the piezoelectric layer and the IDT are configured such that a radio frequency signal applied to the IDT excites a shear primary acoustic mode in at least part of the piezoelectric layer.",
"11. A filter device, comprising:\na substrate;\na piezoelectric layer having parallel front and back surfaces and a thickness ts, the back surface attached to the substrate either directly or via at least one intermedia layer;\na conductor pattern at the piezoelectric layer and including a plurality of interdigital transducers (IDTs) of a respective plurality of resonators including a shunt resonator and a series resonator, interleaved fingers of each of the plurality of IDTs at respective portions of the piezoelectric layer over one or more cavities;\na first SiO2 layer having a thickness tds deposited over and between the fingers of the series resonator; and\na second SiO2 layer having a thickness tdp deposited over and between the fingers of the shunt resonator,\nwherein tds, and tdp are related by the equation:\n\ntds<tdp.",
"12. The filter device of claim 11, wherein tds, and tdp are related by the equation:\n\n0.85ts≤tds≤tdp≤1.25ts.",
"13. The filter device of claim 11, wherein a temperature coefficient of frequency of each of the plurality of resonators is between −20 ppm/C° and −42 ppm/C° at the resonance frequencies and the anti-resonance frequencies of all of the plurality of resonators.",
"14. The filter device of claim 11, wherein the piezoelectric layer and the IDT are configured such that a radio frequency signal applied to the IDT excites a shear primary acoustic mode in at least part of the piezoelectric layer.",
"15. A method of fabricating an acoustic resonator device on a single-crystal piezoelectric layer having parallel front and back surfaces, the back surface attached to a substrate either directly or via at least one intermedia layer, the method comprising:\nforming a cavity in the substrate such that a portion of the single-crystal piezoelectric layer forms a diaphragm over the cavity;\nforming an interdigital transducer (IDT) at the single-crystal piezoelectric layer such that interleaved fingers of the IDT are at the diaphragm; and\nforming a dielectric layer on one of the front surface and the back surface of the single-crystal piezoelectric layer, with the dielectric layer having a thickness of a half lambda.",
"16. The method of claim 15, wherein\na thickness ts of the single-crystal piezoelectric layer and a thickness td of the dielectric layer are defined as follows:\n\n2ts=λ0,s, and\n\n0.85λ0,d≤2td≤1.15λ0,d,\nwhere λ0,s is a wavelength of a fundamental shear bulk acoustic wave resonance in the single-crystal piezoelectric layer, and\nλ0,d is a wavelength of the fundamental shear bulk acoustic wave resonance in the dielectric layer.",
"17. The method of claim 15, wherein forming the dielectric layer further comprises depositing one or more of SiO2, Si3N4, Al2O3, and AlN.",
"18. The method of claim 15, wherein\nthe single-crystal piezoelectric layer is lithium niobate, and\nforming the dielectric layer comprises depositing SiO2 to a thickness td, where td is greater or equal to 0.875ts and less than or equal to 1.25ts, where ts is a thickness of the single-crystal piezoelectric layer.",
"19. The method of claim 15, wherein the single-crystal piezoelectric layer and the IDT configured such that a radio frequency signal applied to the IDT excites a shear primary acoustic mode within the diaphragm."
],
[
"1. A filter assembly comprising:\na first acoustic wave filter coupled to a common node, the first acoustic wave filter including at least a first plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators and at least a first series bulk acoustic wave resonator coupled between the first plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators and the common node; and\na second acoustic wave filter coupled to the common node, the second acoustic wave filter including at least a second plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators that are non-temperature compensated and at least a third plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators that are temperature compensated are coupled between the second plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators and the common node.",
"2. The filter assembly of claim 1 wherein the first series bulk acoustic wave resonator is a film bulk acoustic wave resonator.",
"3. The filter assembly of claim 1 wherein the first and second plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators are on a first die.",
"4. The filter assembly of claim 3 wherein the first series bulk acoustic wave resonator is on a second die.",
"5. The filter assembly of claim 4 wherein the first acoustic wave filter further includes a shunt bulk acoustic wave resonator on the second die.",
"6. The filter assembly of claim 5 wherein the shunt bulk acoustic wave resonator is coupled to an opposite side of the first series bulk acoustic wave resonator than the first plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators.",
"7. The filter assembly of claim 1 wherein the first acoustic wave filter filters a carrier aggregation signal with a first passband and the second acoustic wave filter filters the carrier aggregation signal with a second passband.",
"8. The filter assembly of claim 1 further comprising a third acoustic wave filter coupled to the common node, the third acoustic wave filter including a fourth plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators and a second series bulk acoustic wave resonator coupled between the fourth plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators and the common node.",
"9. The filter assembly of claim 8 further comprising an antenna switch coupled between the common node and an antenna.",
"10. The filter assembly of claim 1 wherein the second plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators have a higher quality factor in a passband of the second acoustic wave filter than the first plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators in a passband of the first acoustic wave filter.",
"11. A method of filtering radio frequency signals, the method comprising: filtering a radio frequency signal with a first acoustic wave filter coupled to a common node, the first acoustic wave filter filters the radio frequency signal with at least a first plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators and a first series bulk acoustic wave resonator coupled between the first plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators and the common node; and\nfiltering the radio frequency signal with a second acoustic wave filter coupled to the common node, the second acoustic wave filter filters the radio frequency signal with a second plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators that are non-temperature compensated and at least a third plurality of acoustic wave resonators that are temperature compensated are coupled between the second plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators and the common node.",
"12. The method of claim 11 wherein the first acoustic wave filter filters a carrier aggregation signal with a first passband and the second acoustic wave filter filters the carrier aggregation signal with a second passband.",
"13. The method of claim 11 wherein the first and second plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators are on a first die.",
"14. The method of claim 13 wherein the first series bulk acoustic wave resonator is on a second die.",
"15. The method of claim 14 wherein the first acoustic wave filter further includes a shunt bulk acoustic wave resonator on the second die.",
"16. The method of claim 11 wherein the first series bulk acoustic wave resonator is a film bulk acoustic wave resonator.",
"17. The method of claim 15 wherein the shunt bulk acoustic wave resonator is coupled to an opposite side of the first series bulk acoustic wave resonator than the first plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators.",
"18. The method of claim 11 wherein a third acoustic wave filter is coupled to the common node, the fourth acoustic wave filter filters the radio frequency signal with at least a fourth plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators and at least a third series bulk acoustic wave resonator coupled between the third plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators and the common node.",
"19. The method of claim 18 further comprising an antenna switch coupled between the common node and an antenna.",
"20. The method of claim 11 wherein the second plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators have a higher quality factor in a passband of the second acoustic wave filter than the first plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators in a passband of the first acoustic wave filter."
]
] |
2. the following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 u.s.c. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this office action:
a person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
claims 1, 3, 8, 12 and 22 are rejected under 35 u.s.c. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by either maehara et al (uspap 2002/0021194) or yata (uspap 2010/0207707).
as to claims 1 and 8, each of maehara et al and yata discloses an acoustic wave filter comprising input and output terminals and series/parallel arm circuits as recited in these two claims (see figure 1 of maehara et al and figure 8 of yata), each forming a surface acoustic wave resonator (note the abstract of maehara et al and paragraph [0004] of yata), each including a piezoelectric substrate (note the abstract of maehara et al and paragraph [0012] of yata) and each including idt electrodes (note idt electrodes 710 in maehara et al and idt’s 16 in yata). as to the limitation set forth on lines 14-17 of claim 1 that a fractional band with increases with a decrease in a thickness of the piezoelectric substrate, which is normalized with a wavelength of a signal passing through the series arm resonators, this will be inherent in both maehara et al and yata, and the same is true for the limitation on the last three lines of claim 1, i.e., inherently in each of these two references, a wavelength of a signal passing through the first series arm resonator will be shorter than a wavelength of a signal passing through the second series arm resonator, the reason being that each of these two references discloses that different ones of the series/parallel resonators have different resonance/anti-resonance frequencies, i.e., as per the limitation set forth on lines 18-20 of claim 1 (note the abstract and paragraphs [0014], [0015], [0020] and [0043] of maehara et al and claim 1 of yata where this limitation is disclosed).
as to claim 3, note that each of maehara et al and yata discloses the claimed finger pitch difference for the purpose of making the resonance/anti-resonance frequencies of the first and second series arm resonators different from each other.
as to claim 12, this limitation will be inherent during the operation of the saw resonators of each of maehara et al and yata.
as to claim 22, note that in both maehara et al and yata the wavelength of a high-frequency signal passing through the idt electrode will inherently correspond to the electrode pitch of the idt electrode.
3. claims 1, 3, 8, 12 and 22 are also rejected under 35 u.s.c. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by any one of selmeier et al (usp 6,351,197), tsutsumi et al (usp 6,903,626) and hara et al (usp 8,552,820).
as to claims 1 and 8, each of these three further references similarly discloses an acoustic wave filter comprising input and output terminals and series/parallel arm circuits as recited in these two claims (see figures 1a through 1j of selmeier et al, figures 3a and 3b of hara et al and figure 1a of tsutsumi et al), each forming a surface acoustic wave resonator (note the abstract of semeier et al, column 3, line 43 of hara et al and the abstract of tsutsumi et al), each including a piezoelectric substrate (note piezoelectric layer s of selmeier et al, piezoelectric layer 1 shown in figures 4a-5b of hara et al and the piezoelectric layer disclosed in the abstract of tsutsumi et al) and each including idt electrodes (note the idt electrode shown in figure 2 in selmeier et al, idt 2 and 3 disclosed by hara et al and the electrode fingers disclosed by tsutsumi et al). as to the limitation on lines 14-17 of claim 1 that a fractional band with increases with a decrease in a thickness of the piezoelectric substrate, which is normalized with a wavelength of a signal passing through the series arm resonators, this will be inherent in each of selmeier et al, hara et al and tsutsumi et al, and the same is true for the limitation on the last three lines of claim 1, i.e., inherently in each of these three references, a wavelength of a signal passing through the first series arm resonator is shorter than a wavelength of a signal passing through the second series arm resonator, the reason being that each of these three references discloses that different ones of the series/parallel resonators have different resonance/anti-resonance frequencies, thus meeting the limitation set forth on lines 18-20 of claim 1 (note column 2, lines 4-18 of selmeier et al, column 1, lines 43-51 of hara et al and the summary of the invention of tsutsumi et al).
as to claim 3, note that each of selmeier et al, hara et al and tsutsumi et al discloses the claimed finger pitch difference for the purpose of making the resonance/anti-resonance frequencies of the first and second series arm resonators different from each other.
as to claim 12, this limitation will be inherent during the operation of the saw resonators of each of selmeier et al, hara et al and tsutsumi et al.
as to claim 22, note that in each of selmeier et al, hara et al and tsutsumi et al the wavelength of a high-frequency signal passing through the idt electrode inherently corresponds to the electrode pitch of the idt electrode.
|
[
"1. An acoustic wave filter comprising:\nan input terminal;\nan output terminal;\na series arm circuit including a first series arm resonator and a second series arm resonator connected in series between the input terminal and the output terminal; and\na parallel arm circuit including at least one parallel arm resonator connected between the series arm circuit and a ground potential; wherein\neach of the first series arm resonator and the second series arm resonator is a surface acoustic wave (SAW) resonator including a piezoelectric substrate and an interdigital transducer (IDT) electrode on the piezoelectric substrate, and has a characteristic that a fractional band width increases with a decrease in a thickness of the piezoelectric substrate, which is normalized with a wavelength of a signal passing through the series arm resonator;\nan anti-resonant frequency of the first series arm resonator is lower than an anti-resonant frequency of the second series arm resonator; and\na wavelength of a signal passing through the first series arm resonator is shorter than a wavelength of a signal passing through the second series arm resonator.",
"2. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein each of the first series arm resonator and the second series arm resonator includes a reflecting layer on a surface of the piezoelectric substrate opposite to a surface on which the IDT electrode is provided.",
"3. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein an electrode finger pitch of the IDT electrode of the first series arm resonator is smaller than an electrode finger pitch of the IDT electrode of the second series arm resonator.",
"4. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of the IDT electrode included in the first series arm resonator is larger than a thickness of the IDT electrode included in the second series arm resonator.",
"5. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the first series arm resonator includes a dielectric film on the IDT electrode.",
"6. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein\nthe first series arm resonator includes a dielectric film on the IDT electrode;\nthe second series arm resonator includes a dielectric film on the IDT electrode; and\na thickness of the dielectric film on the IDT electrode included in the first series arm resonator is larger than a thickness of the dielectric film on the IDT electrode included in the second series arm resonator.",
"7. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein an electrode line width of the IDT electrode included in the first series arm resonator is wider than an electrode line width of the IDT electrode included in the second series arm resonator.",
"8. An acoustic wave filter comprising:\nan input terminal;\nan output terminal;\na series arm circuit which includes a plurality of series arm resonators connected in series between the input terminal and the output terminal; and\na parallel arm circuit which includes at least one parallel arm resonator connected between the series arm circuit and a ground potential; wherein\neach of the plurality of series arm resonators is a surface acoustic wave (SAW) resonator including a piezoelectric substrate and an interdigital transducer (IDT) electrode on the piezoelectric substrate, and has a characteristic that a fractional band width increases with a decrease in a thickness of the piezoelectric substrate which is normalized with a wavelength of a signal passing through the series arm resonator; and\na wavelength of a signal passing through one of the plurality of series arm resonators with a lowest anti-resonant frequency is shorter than wavelengths of signals passing through remaining ones of the plurality of series arm resonators.",
"9. An acoustic wave filter comprising:\nan input terminal;\nan output terminal;\na series arm circuit which includes a plurality of series arm resonators connected in series between the input terminal and the output terminal; and\na parallel arm circuit which includes at least one parallel arm resonator connected between the series arm circuit and a ground potential; wherein\neach of the plurality of series arm resonators is a surface acoustic wave (SAW) resonator including a piezoelectric substrate and an interdigital transducer (IDT) electrode on the piezoelectric substrate;\na thickness of the piezoelectric substrate is less than or equal to about 0.7λ, where λ is a wavelength of a signal passing through the series arm resonator; and\na wavelength of a signal passing through one of the plurality of series arm resonators with a lowest anti-resonant frequency is shorter than wavelengths of signals passing through remaining ones of the plurality of series arm resonators.",
"10. An acoustic wave filter comprising:\nan input terminal;\nan output terminal;\na series arm circuit which includes a first series arm resonator and a second series arm resonator connected in series between the input terminal and the output terminal; and\na parallel arm circuit which includes at least one parallel arm resonator connected between the series arm circuit and a ground potential; wherein\neach of the first series arm resonator and the second series arm resonator is a surface acoustic wave (SAW) resonator including a piezoelectric substrate and an interdigital transducer (IDT) electrode on the piezoelectric substrate;\na thickness of the piezoelectric substrate is less than or equal to about 0.7λ where λ is a wavelength of a signal passing through the series arm resonator;\nan anti-resonant frequency of the first series arm resonator is lower than an anti-resonant frequency of the second series arm resonator; and\na wavelength of a signal passing through the first series arm resonator is shorter than a wavelength of a signal passing through the second series arm resonator.",
"11. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 8, wherein each of the plurality of series arm resonators includes a reflecting layer on a surface of the piezoelectric substrate opposite to a surface on which the IDT electrode is provided.",
"12. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 8, wherein an electrode finger pitch of the IDT electrode of the one of the plurality of series arm resonators with the lowest anti-resonant frequency is shorter than wavelengths of the signals passing through remaining ones of the plurality of series arm resonators.",
"13. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 9, wherein each of the plurality of series arm resonators includes a reflecting layer on a surface of the piezoelectric substrate opposite to a surface on which the IDT electrode is provided.",
"14. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 9, wherein an electrode finger pitch of the IDT electrode of the one of the plurality of series arm resonators with the lowest anti-resonant frequency is shorter than wavelengths of the signals passing through remaining ones of the plurality of series arm resonators.",
"15. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 10, wherein each of the first series arm resonator and the second series arm resonator includes a reflecting layer on a surface of the piezoelectric substrate opposite to a surface on which the IDT electrode is provided.",
"16. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 10, wherein an electrode finger pitch of the IDT electrode of the first series arm resonator is smaller than an electrode finger pitch of the IDT electrode of the second series arm resonator.",
"17. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 10, wherein a thickness of the IDT electrode included in the first series arm resonator is larger than a thickness of the IDT electrode included in the second series arm resonator.",
"18. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 10, wherein the first series arm resonator includes a dielectric film on the IDT electrode.",
"19. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 10, wherein\nthe first series arm resonator includes a dielectric film on the IDT electrode;\nthe second series arm resonator includes a dielectric film on the IDT electrode; and\na thickness of the dielectric film on the IDT electrode included in the first series arm resonator is larger than a thickness of the dielectric film on the IDT electrode included in the second series arm resonator.",
"20. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 10, wherein an electrode line width of the IDT electrode included in the first series arm resonator is wider than an electrode line width of the IDT electrode included in the second series arm resonator."
] |
US20220123733A1
|
US8552820B2
|
[
"1. A filter having at least one series resonator and parallel resonators,\nthe at least one series resonator and the parallel resonators including excitation electrodes and reflectors,\nthe parallel resonators having different resonance frequencies, and\nat least one of the parallel resonators other than the parallel resonator having the highest resonance frequency being configured to have a pitch of reflectors that is smaller than that of excitation electrodes,\nwherein in at least one of the parallel resonators configured so that the pitch of the reflectors is smaller than that of the excitation electrodes, a lower-end frequency of a rejection band of a reflector of said at least one of the parallel resonators is arranged between a resonance point of said at least one of the parallel resonators and an anti-resonance point of the parallel resonator having the highest resonance frequency.",
"2. The filter according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the parallel resonators configured so that the pitch of the reflectors is smaller than that of the excitation electrodes has a smallest electrostatic capacitance among the parallel resonators.",
"3. A filter having at least one series resonator and parallel resonators,\nthe at least one series resonator and the parallel resonators including excitation electrodes and reflectors,\nthe parallel resonators having different resonance frequencies, and\nat least one of the parallel resonators other than the parallel resonator having the highest resonance frequency being configured so that a ratio (Pref/Varef) of a pitch Prefof the reflectors to a velocity Varefof an acoustic wave propagated through the reflectors is smaller than a ratio (Pres/Vares) of a pitch Presof the excitation electrodes to a velocity Varesof an acoustic wave propagated through the excitation electrodes,\nwherein in at least one of the parallel resonators configured so that the ratio (Pref/Varef) is smaller than the ratio (Pres/Vares), a lower-end frequency of a rejection band of a reflector of said at least one of the parallel resonators is arranged between a resonance point of said at least one of the parallel resonators and an anti-resonance point of the parallel resonator having the highest resonance frequency.",
"4. The filter according to claim 3, wherein at least one of the parallel resonators configured so that the ratio (Pref/Varef) is smaller than the ratio (Pres/Vares) has a smallest electrostatic capacitance among the parallel resonators.",
"5. A filter having series resonators and at least one parallel resonator,\nthe series resonators and the at least one parallel resonator including excitation electrodes and reflectors,\nthe series resonators having different anti-resonance frequencies, and\nat least one of the series resonators other than the series resonator having the lowest anti-resonance frequency being configured to have a pitch of the reflectors larger than that of the excitation electrodes,\nwherein in at least one of the series resonators configured so that the pitch of the reflectors is larger than that of the excitation electrodes, an upper-end frequency of a rejection band of a reflector of said at least one of the series resonators is arranged between an anti-resonance point of said at least one of the series resonators and a resonance point of the series resonator having the lowest anti-resonance frequency.",
"6. The filter according to claim 5, wherein at least one of the series resonators configured so that the pitch of the reflectors is larger than that of the excitation electrodes has a smallest electrostatic capacitance among the series resonators.",
"7. A filter having series resonators and at least one parallel resonator,\nthe series resonators and the at least one parallel resonator including excitation electrodes and reflectors,\nthe series resonators having different anti-resonance frequencies, and\nat least one of the series resonators other than the series resonator having the lowest anti-resonance frequency being configured so that a ratio (Pref/Varef) of a pitch Prefof the reflectors to a velocity Varefof an acoustic wave propagated through the reflectors is larger than a ratio (Pres/Vares) of a pitch Presof the excitation electrodes to a velocity Varesof an acoustic wave propagated through the excitation electrodes,\nwherein in at least one of the series resonators configured so that the ratio (Pref/Varef) is larger than the ratio (Pres/Vares), an upper-end frequency of a rejection band of a reflector of said at least one of the series resonators is arranged between an anti-resonance point of said at least one of the series resonators and a resonance point of the series resonator having the lowest anti-resonance frequency.",
"8. The filter according to claim 7, wherein at least one of the series resonators configured so that the ratio (Pref/Varef) is larger than the ratio (Pres/Vares) has a smallest electrostatic capacitance among the series resonators."
] |
[
[
"1. An antenna duplexer comprising:\na first ladder-type acoustic wave filter connected between an antenna terminal and an input terminal and having a first passband in a first frequency band; and\na second ladder-type acoustic wave filter connected between the antenna terminal and an output terminal, the second ladder-type acoustic wave filter having a second passband in a second frequency band higher than the first frequency band, the first and second frequency bands being non-overlapping, the second ladder-type acoustic wave filter including a plurality of series-arm resonators connected in series along a signal path between the antenna terminal and the output terminal, and a plurality of parallel-arm resonators connected between the signal path and a ground, the plurality of parallel-arm resonators including a first parallel-arm resonator and at least one other parallel-arm resonator connected at a position closer to the antenna terminal than the first parallel-arm resonator, the first parallel-arm resonator having an interdigital transducer (IDT) electrode that includes a pair of busbars and a plurality of electrode fingers that extend from the pair of busbars and that interdigitate with each other, the IDT electrode including a constant pitch section in which certain ones of the plurality of electrode fingers are arranged at a substantially constant first pitch, and at least one narrow pitch section in which certain other ones of the plurality of electrode fingers are arranged at a varying pitch that varies between the substantially constant first pitch and a minimum pitch that is narrower than the substantially constant first pitch, the constant pitch section including a first region and a second region, and the at least one narrow pitch second being disposed between the first and second regions of the constant pitch section.",
"2. The antenna duplexer of claim 1 wherein the at least one narrow pitch section includes a first narrow pitch section and a second narrow pitch section spaced apart from one another.",
"3. The antenna duplexer of 2 wherein the pitch of certain other ones of the plurality of electrode fingers in the first narrow pitch section varies linearly between the substantially constant first pitch and a second pitch that is less than the substantially constant first pitch and greater than the minimum pitch.",
"4. A communications device comprising:\nan antenna;\na first ladder-type acoustic wave filter having a first passband in a first frequency band\na transmission circuit configured to input a transmission signal to the antenna via the first ladder-type acoustic wave filter, the first ladder-type acoustic wave filter being connected in series between the transmission circuit and the antenna, the transmission signal having a frequency within the first frequency band;\na reception circuit configured to receive a reception signal from the antenna; and\na second ladder-type acoustic wave filter having a second passband in a second frequency band higher than the first frequency band, the first and second frequency bands being non-overlapping, the second ladder-type acoustic wave filter being connected in series between the antenna and the reception circuit and configured to pass the reception signal from the antenna to the reception circuit, the reception signal having a frequency within the second frequency band, the second ladder-type acoustic wave filter including a plurality of series-arm resonators connected in series along a signal path between the antenna and the reception circuit, and a plurality of parallel-arm resonators connected between the signal path and a ground, the plurality of parallel-arm resonators including a first parallel-arm resonator and at least one other parallel-arm resonator connected at a position closer to the antenna than the first parallel-arm resonator, the first parallel-arm resonator having an interdigital transducer (IDT) electrode that includes a pair of busbars and a plurality of electrode fingers that extend from the pair of busbars and that interdigitate with each other, the IDT electrode including a constant pitch section having first and second portions and in which certain ones of the plurality of electrode fingers are arranged at a substantially constant first pitch, and a plurality of narrow pitch sections in which certain other ones of the plurality of electrode fingers are arranged at a varying pitch that varies between the substantially constant first pitch and a minimum pitch that is narrower than the substantially constant first pitch, the plurality of narrow pitch sections including a first narrow pitch section, a second narrow pitch section spaced apart from the first narrow pitch section, and a third narrow pitch section disposed between the first and second portions of the constant pitch section.",
"5. An antenna duplexer comprising:\na first ladder-type acoustic wave filter connected between an antenna terminal and an input terminal and having a first passband in a first frequency band; and\na second ladder-type acoustic wave filter connected between the antenna terminal and an output terminal, the second ladder-type acoustic wave filter having a second passband in a second frequency band higher than the first frequency band, the first and second frequency bands being non-overlapping, the second ladder-type acoustic wave filter including a plurality of series-arm resonators connected in series along a signal path between the antenna terminal and the output terminal, and a plurality of parallel-arm resonators connected between the signal path and a ground, the plurality of parallel-arm resonators including a first parallel-arm resonator connected at a position farthest from the antenna terminal and closest to the output terminal among the plurality of parallel-arm resonators, the first parallel-arm resonator having a main resonance and a first auxiliary resonance that produce corresponding attenuation poles within the first frequency band, and the first parallel-arm resonator including first and second reflectors and an interdigital transducer (IDT) electrode having pair of busbars, two end portions, and a plurality of electrode fingers that extend from the pair of busbars and that interdigitate with each other, the IDT electrode being positioned between the first and second reflectors and including a constant pitch section in which a pitch of certain ones of the plurality of electrode fingers is substantially constant, and at least one narrow pitch section in which a pitch of certain other ones the plurality of electrode fingers is reduced relative to the constant pitch section, the at least one narrow pitch section being disposed in an intermediate portion between both end portions of the IDT electrode.",
"6. The antenna duplexer of claim 5 wherein the at least one narrow pitch section includes a first narrow pitch section and a second narrow pitch section spaced apart from one another.",
"7. The antenna duplexer of claim 6 wherein the constant pitch section includes a first portion disposed between the first and second narrow pitch regions, a second portion disposed between the first narrow pitch section and the first reflector, and a third portion disposed between the second narrow pitch section and the second reflector.",
"8. The antenna duplexer of claim 7 wherein the pitch of certain other ones of the of the plurality of electrode fingers in the first narrow pitch section varies linearly between the substantially constant pitch and a first local minimum pitch, and the pitch of certain other ones of the plurality of electrode fingers in the second narrow pitch section varies linearly between the substantially constant pitch and a second local minimum pitch that is narrower than the first local minimum pitch.",
"9. The antenna duplexer of claim 6 wherein the first parallel-arm resonator has a second auxiliary resonance that produces an additional attenuation pole within the first frequency band.",
"10. The antenna duplexer of claim 5 wherein the pitch of the plurality of electrode fingers in the at least one narrow pitch section varies smoothly between the substantially constant pitch and a minimum pitch.",
"11. The antenna duplexer of claim 5 wherein the first parallel-arm resonator further has a second auxiliary resonance, and an attenuation pole caused by the second auxiliary resonance is within the first frequency band.",
"12. An antenna duplexer comprising:\na first ladder-type acoustic wave filter connected between an antenna terminal and an input terminal and having a first passband in a first frequency band; and\na second ladder-type acoustic wave filter connected between the antenna terminal and an output terminal, the second ladder-type acoustic wave filter having a second passband in a second frequency band higher than the first frequency band, the first and second frequency bands being non-overlapping, the second ladder-type acoustic wave filter including a plurality of series-arm resonators connected in series along a signal path between the antenna terminal and the output terminal, and a plurality of parallel-arm resonators connected between the signal path and a ground, the plurality of parallel-arm resonators including a first parallel-arm resonator connected at a position farthest from the antenna terminal and closest to the output terminal among the plurality of parallel-arm resonators, the first parallel-arm resonator having a main resonance, a first auxiliary resonance, and a second auxiliary resonance that produce corresponding attenuation poles within the first frequency band.",
"13. The antenna duplexer of claim 12 wherein the first parallel-arm resonator includes first and second reflectors, and an interdigital transducer (IDT) electrode having pair of busbars and a plurality of electrode fingers that extend from the pair of busbars and that interdigitate with each other, the IDT electrode being positioned between the first and second reflectors.",
"14. The antenna duplexer of claim 13 wherein the IDT electrode includes a constant pitch section in which a pitch of the plurality of electrode fingers is substantially constant, and at least one narrow pitch section in which the pitch of the plurality of electrode fingers is reduced relative to the constant pitch section.",
"15. The antenna duplexer of claim 14, wherein the at least one narrow pitch section includes a first narrow pitch section and a second narrow pitch section, the constant pitch section being disposed between the first and second narrow pitch sections.",
"16. The antenna duplexer of claim 15 wherein the at least one narrow pitch section further includes a third narrow pitch section, and the constant pitch section includes a first portion and a second portion, the third narrow pitch section being disposed between the first and second portions of the constant pitch section.",
"17. The antenna duplexer of claim 13 wherein the IDT electrode includes a first section in which a pitch of certain ones of the plurality of electrode fingers varies between a first pitch and a minimum pitch, and second and third sections in which the pitch of the plurality of electrode fingers varies between a second pitch and a third pitch, the second pitch being greater than the first pitch, and the third pitch being less than the first pitch and greater than the minimum pitch.",
"18. The antenna duplexer of claim 17 wherein the first section is disposed between the second and third sections."
],
[
"1. An acoustic wave filter comprising:\na first series-arm resonator and a second series-arm resonator on a path connecting a first terminal and a second terminal; wherein\nthe first series-arm resonator has a lower anti-resonant frequency than any other series-arm resonator included in the acoustic wave filter;\nthe first series-arm resonator and the second series-arm resonator each include an interdigital transducer (IDT) electrode including a pair of comb teeth-shaped electrodes on a substrate including a piezoelectric layer;\nelectrodes of the pair of comb teeth-shaped electrodes of the first series-arm resonator and electrodes of the pair of comb teeth-shaped electrodes of the second series-arm resonator each include electrode fingers and a busbar electrode, the electrode fingers extending in a direction orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to a propagation direction of an acoustic wave, the busbar electrode connecting first ends of the electrode fingers to each other;\na direction in which second ends of the electrode fingers are aligned with each other crosses the propagation direction of the acoustic wave;\nthe electrode fingers of the IDT electrode of the first series-arm resonator and the electrode fingers of the IDT electrode of the second series-arm resonator each include an electrode-finger central portion and a wide portion located at the second end and being wider than the electrode-finger central portion; and\na length of the wide portion of each of the electrode fingers in the first series-arm resonator in the direction in which the electrode fingers extend is greater than a length of the wide portion of each of the electrode fingers in the second series-arm resonator in the direction in which the electrode fingers extend.",
"2. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the length of the wide portion of each of the electrode fingers in the first series-arm resonator is not less than about 0.1λ and not more than about 0.4λ, where λ denotes a wavelength of the acoustic wave.",
"3. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein an intersecting width of the IDT electrode of the first series-arm resonator is not more than about 20λ, where λ denotes a wavelength of the acoustic wave.",
"4. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein\nthe substrate includes:\na piezoelectric layer including two main surfaces, the IDT electrode of each of the first series-arm resonator and the second series-arm resonator being disposed on one of the two main surfaces;\na high-acoustic-velocity support substrate, an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave propagating through the high-acoustic-velocity support substrate being higher than an acoustic wave velocity of an acoustic wave propagating through the piezoelectric layer; and\na low-acoustic-velocity film disposed between the high-acoustic-velocity support substrate and the piezoelectric layer, an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave propagating through the low-acoustic-velocity film being lower than an acoustic velocity of an acoustic wave propagating through the piezoelectric layer.",
"5. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 4, wherein the high-acoustic-velocity support substrate is a silicon substrate having a thickness of about 125 μm.",
"6. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 4, wherein the low-acoustic-velocity film includes silicon dioxide as a main component and has a thickness of about 670 nm.",
"7. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, further comprising a parallel-arm resonator disposed on a path connecting a reference terminal and a node at which the first series-arm resonator and the second series-arm resonator are connected.",
"8. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 7, further comprising a plurality of the parallel-arm resonators.",
"9. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 7, wherein the first series-arm resonator, the second series-arm resonator, and the parallel-arm resonator define a ladder band-pass filter.",
"10. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second series-arm resonators is a surface acoustic wave resonator.",
"11. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second series-arm resonators includes a reflector disposed on both sides of the respective first or second series-arm resonator in the propagation direction.",
"12. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein each of the IDT electrodes of the first and second series-arm resonators includes an adhesive layer on the piezoelectric layer and a main electrode layer on the adhesive layer.",
"13. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 12, wherein the adhesive layer includes Ti as a main component.",
"14. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 12, wherein the main electrode layer includes Al as a main component and a Cu content of about 1%.",
"15. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein each of the IDT electrodes of the first and second series-arm resonators is covered with a protective layer.",
"16. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 15, wherein the protective layer includes silicon dioxide as a main component.",
"17. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric layer is made of a θ°-rotated Y cut X SAW propagation LiTaO3 piezoelectric single crystal.",
"18. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric layer has a thickness of about 600 nm.",
"19. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, further comprising:\na third series-arm resonator disposed on the path, the first series-arm resonator and the third series-arm resonator being connected in series; wherein\nthe third series-arm resonator has a lower anti-resonant frequency than the second series-arm resonator;\nthe third series-arm resonator includes an IDT electrode including a pair of comb teeth-shaped electrodes provided on a substrate including a piezoelectric layer;\nelectrodes of the pair of comb teeth-shaped electrodes of the third series-arm resonator each include electrode fingers and a busbar electrode, the electrode fingers extending in the direction orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the propagation direction of the acoustic wave, the busbar electrode connecting first ends of the electrode fingers to each other;\na direction in which second ends of the electrode fingers are aligned with each other crosses the propagation direction of the acoustic wave;\nthe electrode fingers of the IDT electrode of the third series-arm resonator each include an electrode-finger central portion and a wide portion located at the second end and being wider than the electrode-finger central portion; and\na length of the wide portion of each of the electrode fingers in the third series-arm resonator in the direction in which the electrode fingers extend is greater than the length of the wide portion of each of the electrode fingers in the second series-arm resonator in the direction in which the electrode fingers extend.",
"20. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of the second series-arm resonators."
],
[
"1. A filter comprising:\neach of parallel resonators having first comb electrodes provided on a piezoelectric substrate and a first dielectric film that covers the first comb electrodes; and\neach of series resonators having second comb electrodes provided on the piezoelectric substrate and a second dielectric film that covers the second comb electrodes and is made of a material identical to that of the first dielectric film,\neach of the first dielectric films having a thickness smaller than a thickness of each of the second dielectric films.",
"2. The filter as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a third dielectric film that is provided on the first and second dielectric films,\nthe third dielectric film having an acoustic velocity greater than acoustic velocities of the first and second dielectric films.",
"3. The filter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second dielectric films comprise silicon oxide.",
"4. The filter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric substrate comprises one of lithium niobate and lithium tantalate.",
"5. The filter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second comb electrodes comprise copper.",
"6. A filter comprising:\na first acoustic wave filter having first comb electrodes provided on a piezoelectric substrate and a first dielectric film that covers the first comb electrodes; and\na second acoustic wave filter having second comb electrodes provided on the piezoelectric substrate and a second dielectric film covers the second comb electrodes and is made of a material identical to that of the first dielectric film,\nthe first dielectric film having a thickness smaller than a thickness of the second dielectric film,\nthe first and second acoustic wave filters being connected in series;\nthe first acoustic wave filter being an input side of the filter; and\nthe second acoustic wave filter being an output side of the filter;\nwherein the first and second acoustic wave filter are respectively multimode acoustic wave filters.",
"7. A filter comprising:\na filter acoustic wave filter having first comb electrodes provide on a piezoelectric substrate and a first dielectric film that covers the first comb electrodes; and\na second acoustic wave filter having second comb electrode providing on the piezoelectric substrate and a second dielectric film covers the second comb electrodes and is made of a material identical to that of the first dielectric film,\nthe first dielectric film having a thickness smaller than a thickness of the second dielectric film,\nthe first and second acoustic wave filters being connected in series;\nthe first acoustic wave filter being an input side of the filter;\nthe second acoustic wave filter being an output side of the filter; and\na third dielectric film that is provided on the first an second dielectric films,\nthe third dielectric film having an acoustic velocity greater than acoustic velocities of the first and second dielectric films.",
"8. The filter as claimed in any one of claims 6 or 7, wherein the first and second dielectric films comprise silicon oxide.",
"9. The filter as claimed in any one of claims 6 or 7, wherein the piezoelectric substrate comprises one of lithium niobate and lithium tantalite.",
"10. The filter as claimed in any one of claims 6 or 7, wherein the first and second comb electrode comprise copper.",
"11. A duplexer comprising:\na first acoustic wave filter having first comb electrodes provided on a piezoelectric substrate and a first dielectric film that covers the first comb electrodes; and\na second acoustic wave filter having second comb electrode provided on the piezoelectric substrate and a second dielectric film covers the second comb electrodes and is made of a material identical to that of the first dielectric film,\nthe first dielectric film having a thickness smaller than a thickness of the second dielectric film,\nthe first and second acoustic wave filters being connected at a common terminal;\nthe first acoustic wave filter being a high-frequency-side filter of the duplexer;\nthe second acoustic wave filter being a low frequency-side filter of the duplexer; and\nthe first and second acoustic wave filters being ladder filters.",
"12. The duplexer as claimed in claim 11, further comprises a third dielectric film that is provided on the first and second dielectric films,\nthe third dielectric film having an acoustic velocity greater than acoustic velocity of the first and second dielectric films.",
"13. The duplexer as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first second dielectric films comprise silicon oxide.",
"14. The duplexer as claimed in claim 11, wherein the piezoelectric substrate comprises one of lithium niobate and lithium tantalate.",
"15. The duplexer as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first and second comb electrodes comprise copper."
],
[
"1. An acoustic wave filter device having a ladder circuit configuration comprising:\na plurality of series arm resonators connected in series with one another at a series arm connecting an input terminal and an output terminal;\na parallel arm resonator disposed at a parallel arm connected between the series arm and a ground potential;\na piezoelectric substrate made of a piezoelectric monocrystal; and\nelectrodes provided on the piezoelectric substrate; wherein\nan anti-resonant frequency of at least one of the plurality of series arm resonators is different from that of remaining ones of the plurality of series arm resonators;\none of the plurality of series arm resonators having the lowest anti-resonant frequency has a resonant frequency located in a passband and an electromechanical coupling coefficient k2 less than an average of electromechanical coupling coefficients of all of the plurality of series arm resonators; and\na propagation direction ψ obtained when a crystalline cutting plane of the piezoelectric substrate and an acoustic wave propagation direction are expressed as Euler angles (φ, θ, ψ) is such that an electromechanical coupling coefficient of one of the plurality of series arm resonators having the lowest anti-resonant frequency is less than an average of electromechanical coupling coefficients of all of the plurality of series arm resonators.",
"2. The acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein\na plurality of parallel arm resonators are individually disposed at a plurality of parallel arms;\na resonant frequency of at least one of the plurality of parallel arm resonators is different from that of remaining ones of the plurality of parallel arm resonators; and\none of the plurality of parallel arm resonators having the highest resonant frequency has an anti-resonant frequency located in a passband and an electromechanical coupling coefficient less than an average of electromechanical coupling coefficients of all of the plurality of parallel arm resonators.",
"3. The acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein the acoustic wave filter device is a boundary acoustic wave filter device.",
"4. The acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein the acoustic wave filter device is a surface acoustic wave filter device.",
"5. An acoustic wave filter device comprising:\nat least one series arm resonator arranged to define a series arm between an input terminal and an output terminal;\na plurality of parallel arm resonators that are individually disposed at a plurality of parallel arms connecting the series arm and a ground potential;\na piezoelectric substrate made of a piezoelectric monocrystal; and\nelectrodes provided on the piezoelectric substrate; wherein\na resonant frequency of at least one of the plurality of parallel arm resonators is different from that of remaining ones of the plurality of parallel arm resonators;\none of the plurality of parallel arm resonators having the highest resonant frequency has an anti-resonant frequency located in a passband and an electromechanical coupling coefficient less than an average of electromechanical coupling coefficients of all of the plurality of parallel arm resonators; and\na propagation direction ψ obtained when a crystalline cutting plane of the piezoelectric substrate and an acoustic wave propagation direction are expressed as Euler angles (φ, θ, ψ) is such that an electromechanical coupling coefficient of one of the plurality of parallel arm resonators having the lowest anti-resonant frequency is less than an average of electromechanical coupling coefficients of all of the plurality of parallel arm resonators.",
"6. The acoustic wave filter device according to claim 5, wherein the acoustic wave filter device is a boundary acoustic wave filter device.",
"7. The acoustic wave filter device according to claim 5, wherein the acoustic wave filter device is a surface acoustic wave filter device."
],
[
"1. A surface acoustic wave device comprising:\nan input signal electrode and an output signal electrode to and from which an electric signal is inputted or outputted;\na first surface acoustic wave resonator connected between the input signal electrode and the output signal electrode; and\na second surface acoustic wave resonator including:\na plurality of signal-side terminals having a plurality of comb electrodes and connected to a midpoint between the input signal electrode and the first surface acoustic wave resonator and a midpoint between the output signal electrode and the first surface acoustic wave resonator, and\na ground-side common terminal having a plurality of comb electrodes to form interdigital transducers in cooperation with the comb electrodes of the plurality of signal-side common terminals and connected to a grounding electrode.",
"2. The surface acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the electrode period of the plurality of interdigital transducers forming the second surface acoustic wave resonator is set to be greater than the electrode period of the plurality of interdigital transducers forming the first surface acoustic wave resonator.",
"3. The surface acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein an inductance element is connected between the ground-side common terminal of the second surface acoustic wave resonator and the grounding electrode.",
"4. A surface acoustic wave device comprising:\nan input signal electrode and an output signal electrode to and from which an electric signal is inputted or outputted;\na plurality of first surface acoustic wave resonators connected in series between the input signal electrode and the output signal electrode; and\na second surface acoustic wave resonator including:\na plurality of signal-side terminals having a plurality of comb electrodes,\na first signal-side terminal of the plurality of signal-side terminals connected to a midpoint between the input signal electrode and a first surface acoustic wave resonator of the plurality of first surface acoustic wave resonators, a second signal-side terminal of the plurality of signal side terminals connected to a midpoint between the output signal electrode and a second surface acoustic wave resonator of the of first surface acoustic wave resonators, wherein each of the plurality of signal-side terminals with the exception of the first and the second signal-side terminals is connected to a midpoint between adjacent first surface acoustic wave resonators of the plurality of first surface acoustic wave resonators, and\na ground-side common terminal having a plurality of comb electrodes to form interdigital transducers in cooperation with the comb electrodes of the plurality of signal-side common terminals and connected to a grounding electrode.",
"5. The surface acoustic wave device according to claim 4, wherein the electrode period of the plurality of interdigital transducers forming the second surface acoustic wave resonator is set to be greater than the electrode period of the plurality of interdigital transducers forming the plurality of first surface acoustic wave resonators.",
"6. The surface acoustic wave device according to claim 4, wherein an inductance element is connected between the ground-side common terminal of the second surface acoustic wave resonator and the grounding electrode.",
"7. A branching filter comprising:\nat least two surface acoustic wave devices having mutually different band center frequencies, and at least one of the surface acoustic wave devices comprising:\nan input signal electrode and an output signal electrode to and from which an electric signal is inputted or outputted;\na first surface acoustic wave resonator connected between the input signal electrode and the output signal electrode; and\na second surface acoustic wave resonator including:\na plurality of signal-side terminals having a plurality of comb electrodes and connected to a midpoint between the input signal electrode and the first surface acoustic wave resonator and a midpoint between the output signal electrode and the first surface acoustic wave resonator, and\na ground-side common terminal having a plurality of comb electrodes to form interdigital transducers by the comb electrodes and the comb electrodes of the plurality of signal-side common terminals and connected to a grounding electrode.",
"8. A branching filter comprising:\nat least two surface acoustic wave devices having mutually different band center frequencies, and at least one of the surface acoustic wave devices comprising:\nan input signal electrode and an output signal electrode to and from which an electric signal is inputted or outputted;\na plurality of first surface acoustic wave resonators connected in series between the input signal electrode and the output signal electrode; and\na second surface acoustic wave resonator including:\na plurality of signal-side terminals having a plurality of comb electrodes, a first signal-side terminal of the plurality of signal-side terminals is connected to a midpoint between the input signal electrode and a first surface acoustic wave resonator of the plurality of first surface acoustic wave resonators, a second signal-side terminal of the plurality of signal side terminals is connected to a midpoint between the output signal electrode and a second surface acoustic wave resonator of the plurality of first surface acoustic wave resonators, wherein each of the plurality of signal-side terminals with the exception of the first and the second signal-side terminals is connected to a midpoint between adjacent first surface acoustic wave resonators, and\na ground-side common terminal having a plurality of comb electrodes to form interdigital transducers by the comb electrodes and the comb electrodes of the plurality of signal-side common terminals and connected to a grounding electrode.",
"9. The surface acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein an electrode period of the first interdigital transducers of the second surface acoustic wave resonator is different from an electrode period of the second interdigital transducers of the second surface acoustic wave resonator.",
"10. The surface acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein an electrode period of the first interdigital transducers of the second surface acoustic wave resonator is identical to an electrode period of the second interdigital transducers of the second surface acoustic wave resonator.",
"11. The surface acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein an electrode period of the plurality of interdigital transducers forming the first surface acoustic wave resonator is different from an electrode period of an interdigital transducer forming the second surface acoustic wave resonator.",
"12. The surface acoustic wave device according to claim 4, wherein an electrode period of the first interdigital transducers of the second surface acoustic wave resonator is different from an electrode period of the second interdigital transducers of the second surface acoustic wave resonator.",
"13. The surface acoustic wave device according to claim 4, wherein an electrode period of the first interdigital transducers of the second surface acoustic wave resonator is identical to an electrode period of the second interdigital transducers of the second surface acoustic wave resonator.",
"14. The surface acoustic wave device according to claim 4, wherein an electrode period of the plurality of interdigital transducers forming the first surface acoustic wave resonator is different from an electrode period of an interdigital transducer forming the second surface acoustic wave resonator."
],
[
"1. An acoustic wave resonator comprising:\na piezoelectric body; and\nan IDT electrode on or above the piezoelectric body and including withdrawal weighted portions in each of a plurality of regions in an acoustic wave propagation direction for at least three periods; wherein\na periodicity of the periodic withdrawal weighted portion in at least one of the plurality of regions is different from a periodicity of the periodic withdrawal weighted portion in at least another one of the plurality of regions.",
"2. The acoustic wave resonator according to claim 1, wherein periodicities of the withdrawal weighted portions in the plurality of regions are different from one another.",
"3. The acoustic wave resonator according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the withdrawal weighted portions is asymmetric on respective sides of a center of the IDT electrode in the acoustic wave propagation direction.",
"4. The acoustic wave resonator according to claim 1, wherein the IDT electrode includes a plurality of first electrode fingers and a plurality of second electrode fingers that interdigitate with each other, and at least one of the withdrawal weighted portions includes a wide electrode finger with a larger width-direction dimension than the first electrode fingers in the acoustic wave propagation direction.",
"5. The acoustic wave resonator according to claim 1, wherein the IDT electrode includes a plurality of first electrodes and a plurality of second electrodes that interdigitate with each other, and at least one of the withdrawal weighted portions includes a floating electrode finger provided in at least one of portions in which the first electrode fingers or the second electrode fingers are located, in place of the corresponding first electrode finger or the corresponding second electrode finger.",
"6. The acoustic wave resonator according to claim 1, further comprising reflectors disposed on respective sides of the IDT electrode in the acoustic wave propagation direction.",
"7. The acoustic wave resonator according to claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric body is defined by a piezoelectric plate.",
"8. The acoustic wave resonator according to claim 7, wherein the piezoelectric plate is made of LiNbO3 or LiTaO3.",
"9. The acoustic wave resonator according to claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric body is defined by a piezoelectric film stacked on or above a semiconductor layer or an insulating layer.",
"10. The acoustic wave resonator according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of regions include at least three regions.",
"11. The acoustic wave resonator according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of regions are arranged parallel or substantially parallel to the acoustic wave propagation direction.",
"12. A multiplexer comprising:\na common terminal; and\na plurality of bandpass filters each including one end connected in common to the common terminal; wherein\nat least one of the plurality of bandpass filters has a pass band that is different from pass bands of others of the plurality of bandpass filters;\nthe at least one of the bandpass filters is an acoustic wave filter including a plurality of acoustic wave resonators; and\nat least one of the plurality of acoustic wave resonators is defined by the acoustic wave resonator according to claim 1.",
"13. The multiplexer according to claim 12, wherein the plurality of bandpass filters have pass bands that are different from one another.",
"14. The multiplexer according to claim 12, wherein each of the plurality of bandpass filters is an acoustic wave filter including a plurality of acoustic wave resonators.",
"15. The multiplexer according to claim 12, wherein periodicities of the withdrawal weighted portions in the plurality of regions are different from one another.",
"16. The multiplexer according to claim 12, wherein at least one of the withdrawal weighted portions is asymmetric on respective sides of a center of the IDT electrode in the acoustic wave propagation direction.",
"17. The multiplexer according to claim 12, wherein the IDT electrode includes a plurality of first electrode fingers and a plurality of second electrode fingers that interdigitate with each other, and at least one of the withdrawal weighted portions includes a wide electrode finger with a larger width-direction dimension than the first electrode fingers in the acoustic wave propagation direction.",
"18. The multiplexer according to claim 12, wherein the IDT electrode includes a plurality of first electrodes and a plurality of second electrodes that interdigitate with each other, and at least one of the withdrawal weighted portions includes a floating electrode finger provided in at least one of portions in which the first electrode fingers or the second electrode fingers are located, in place of the corresponding first electrode finger or the corresponding second electrode finger.",
"19. The multiplexer according to claim 12, wherein the piezoelectric body is defined by a piezoelectric film stacked on or above a semiconductor layer or an insulating layer."
],
[
"1. A multiplexer that transmits and receives high-frequency signals via an antenna element, the multiplexer comprising:\na substrate including a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface;\na common connection terminal that is disposed on the first surface of the substrate and that is to be connected to the antenna element; and\nat least three elastic wave filters that are mounted on the second surface of the substrate, that are connected to the common connection terminal, and that have pass bands different from each other; wherein\na first elastic wave filter of the at least three elastic wave filters, which generates a spurious wave at a frequency that is included in a pass band of a second elastic wave filter that is at least one of the elastic wave filters that differs from the first elastic wave filter among the at least three elastic wave filters, is located nearest on the substrate to the common connection terminal among the at least three elastic wave filters.",
"2. The multiplexer according to claim 1, wherein the second elastic wave filter is located nearer on the substrate to the common connection terminal than at least one elastic wave other than the first elastic wave filter and the second elastic wave filter among the at least three elastic wave filters.",
"3. The multiplexer according to claim 1, wherein\nthe substrate includes a plurality of layers; and\na wiring line connecting the first elastic wave filter and the common connection terminal to each other is provided in or on one of the plurality of layers.",
"4. The multiplexer according to claim 1, wherein\nthe first elastic wave filter includes an input terminal, an output terminal, and at least one of a parallel arm resonator unit and a series arm resonator unit, the series arm resonator unit being disposed on a path connecting the input terminal and the output terminal to each other, the parallel arm resonator unit being connected between the path and a reference terminal; and\nat least one of the series arm resonator unit nearest to the common connection terminal and the parallel arm resonator unit nearest to the common connection terminal includes:\nelastic wave resonators that are connected in series; and\na first capacitance element that is connected between at least one of paths connecting the elastic wave resonators to each other and the reference terminal.",
"5. The multiplexer according to claim 1, wherein\nthe first elastic wave filter includes an input terminal, an output terminal, and at least one of a parallel arm resonator unit and a series arm resonator unit, the series arm resonator unit being disposed on a path connecting the input terminal and the output terminal to each other, the parallel arm resonator unit being connected between the path and a reference terminal; and\nat least one of the series arm resonator unit nearest to the common connection terminal and the parallel arm resonator unit nearest to the common connection terminal includes:\nat least one elastic wave resonator; and\na second capacitance element that is connected to the at least one elastic wave resonator in parallel so as to bridge both end portions of the at least one elastic wave resonator.",
"6. The multiplexer according to claim 1, wherein\nthe first elastic wave filter includes a piezoelectric substrate; and\nthe piezoelectric substrate includes:\na piezoelectric film including a surface on which an interdigital transducer electrode is provided;\na high acoustic velocity support substrate through which a bulk wave is propagated at an acoustic velocity higher than an acoustic velocity at which an elastic wave is propagated through the piezoelectric film; and\na low acoustic velocity film that is disposed between the high acoustic velocity support substrate and the piezoelectric film and through which a bulk wave is propagated at an acoustic velocity lower than an acoustic velocity at which a bulk wave is propagated through the piezoelectric film.",
"7. The multiplexer according to claim 6, wherein the first elastic wave filter further includes a protective layer covering the interdigital transducer electrode.",
"8. The multiplexer according to claim 7, wherein the protective layer is defined by a film including silicon dioxide as a main component.",
"9. The multiplexer according to claim 7, wherein the protective layer has a thickness of about 25 nm.",
"10. The multiplexer according to claim 6, wherein the interdigital transducer electrode has a multilayer structure including a close-contact layer and a main electrode layer provided on the close-contact layer.",
"11. The multiplexer according to claim 10, wherein the main electrode layer has a thickness of about 162 nm.",
"12. The multiplexer according to claim 10, wherein the close-contact layer is made of Ti.",
"13. The multiplexer according to claim 10, wherein the close-contact layer has a thickness of about 12 nm.",
"14. The multiplexer according to claim 10, wherein the main electrode layer is made of Al including about 1% of Cu.",
"15. The multiplexer according to claim 1, wherein\nthe first elastic wave filter includes a piezoelectric substrate; and\nthe piezoelectric substrate is made of a LiNbO3 piezoelectric single crystal substrate including a surface on which an interdigital transducer electrode is provided.",
"16. The multiplexer according to claim 1, wherein\nthe multiplexer is a quadplexer including a Band25 duplexer and a Band66 duplexer;\nthe at least three elastic wave filters include a transmission-side filter and a reception-side filter of the Band25 duplexer, and a transmission-side filter and a reception side filter of the Band66 duplexer; and\nthe first elastic wave filter defines the reception-side filter of the Band25 duplexer.",
"17. The multiplexer according to claim 16, further comprising an inductance element connected between the reception-side filter of the Band25 duplexer and the common connection terminal.",
"18. The multiplexer according to claim 16, wherein the transmission-side filter of the Band66 duplexer is an unbalanced-input-unbalanced-output band pass filter."
],
[
"1. An acoustic wave filter comprising:\na piezoelectric substrate;\none or more series resonators that are connected in series between an input terminal and an output terminal and located on the piezoelectric substrate, each of the one or more series resonators including first electrode fingers that are arranged with a first duty ratio and excite an acoustic wave;\none or more parallel resonators that are connected in parallel between the input terminal and the output terminal and located on the piezoelectric substrate, each of the one or more parallel resonators including second electrode fingers that are arranged with a second duty ratio and excite an acoustic wave, the second duty ratio in each of the one or more parallel resonators being less than the first duty ratio in each of the one or more series resonators; and\na dielectric film that has a temperature coefficient of elastic modulus that is opposite in sign to that of the piezoelectric substrate, is located on the piezoelectric substrate so as to cover the first electrode fingers and the second electrode fingers, and has a film thickness greater than those of the first electrode fingers and the second electrode fingers,\nwherein:\neach of the one or more series resonators includes a pair of first comb-shaped electrodes, the first duty ratio is a duty ratio in a first region in which third electrode fingers of one of the pair of first comb-shaped electrodes among the first electrode fingers overlap with fourth electrode fingers of another of the pair of first comb-shaped electrodes among the first electrode fingers, the third electrode fingers and the fourth electrode fingers are alternately arranged in the first region, only a single fourth electrode finger among the fourth electrode fingers is located between adjacent third electrode fingers among the third electrode fingers in the first region, only a single third electrode finger among the third electrode fingers is located between adjacent fourth electrode fingers among the fourth electrode fingers in the first region,\neach of the one or more parallel resonators includes a pair of second comb-shaped electrodes, the second duty ratio is a duty ratio in a second region in which fifth electrode fingers of one of the pair of second comb-shaped electrodes among the second electrode fingers overlap with sixth electrode fingers of another of the pair of second comb-shaped electrodes among the second electrode fingers, the fifth electrode fingers and the sixth electrode fingers are alternately arranged in the second region, only a single sixth electrode finger among the sixth electrode fingers is located between adjacent fifth electrode fingers among the fifth electrode fingers in the second region, only a single fifth electrode finger among the fifth electrode fingers is located between adjacent sixth electrode fingers among the sixth electrode fingers in the second region,\na resonant frequency of each of the one or more parallel resonators is less than a resonant frequency of each of the one or more series resonators,\nan antiresonant frequency of each of the one or more parallel resonators is less than an antiresonant frequency of each of the one or more series resonators,\nno resonator other than the one or more parallel resonators and the one or more series resonators is connected between the input terminal and the output terminal, and\na difference in value between a value, expressed in percentage, of a largest second duty ratio in the one or more parallel resonators and a value, expressed in percentage, of a smallest first duty ratio in the one or more series resonators is 5% or greater.",
"2. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein\nthe one or more series resonators are a plurality of series resonators,\nthe one or more parallel resonators are a plurality of parallel resonators, and\nall of the second duty ratios in the plurality of parallel resonators are less than all of the first duty ratios in the plurality of series resonators.",
"3. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein\nthe difference in value between the value, expressed in percentage, of the largest second duty ratio in the one or more parallel resonators and the value, expressed in percentage, of the smallest first duty ratio in the one or more series resonators is 10% or less.",
"4. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein\na pitch of the first electrode fingers is less than a pitch of the second electrode fingers.",
"5. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein\nthe piezoelectric substrate is a lithium niobate substrate or a lithium tantalate substrate.",
"6. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein\nthe piezoelectric substrate is a lithium niobate substrate and the dielectric film is a silicon oxide film.",
"7. A multiplexer comprising:\nthe acoustic wave filter according to claim 1.",
"8. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein\nthe value, expressed in percentage, of the largest second duty ratio in the one or more parallel resonators is equal to or less than 0.9 times the value, expressed in percentage, of the smallest first duty ratio in the one or more series resonators.",
"9. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the resonant frequency of each of the one or more parallel resonators is lower than a passband of the acoustic wave filter, and the antiresonant frequency of each of the one or more series resonators is higher than the passband.",
"10. An acoustic wave filter comprising:\na piezoelectric substrate;\none or more series resonators that are connected in series between an input terminal and an output terminal and located on the piezoelectric substrate, each of the one or more series resonators including first electrode fingers that are arranged with a first duty ratio and excite an acoustic wave;\none or more parallel resonators that are connected in parallel between the input terminal and the output terminal and located on the piezoelectric substrate, each of the one or more parallel resonators including second electrode fingers that are arranged with a second duty ratio and excite an acoustic wave, the second duty ratio in each of the one or more parallel resonators being less than the first duty ratio in each of the one or more series resonators;\na first dielectric film that has a temperature coefficient of elastic modulus that is opposite in sign to that of the piezoelectric substrate, is located on the piezoelectric substrate so as to cover the first electrode fingers, and has a first film thickness greater than those of the first electrode fingers; and\na second dielectric film that has a temperature coefficient of elastic modulus that is opposite in sign to that of the piezoelectric substrate, is located on the piezoelectric substrate so as to cover the second electrode fingers, and has a second film thickness that is greater than those of the second electrode fingers and is substantially equal to the first film thickness,\nwherein:\neach of the one or more series resonators includes a pair of first comb-shaped electrodes, the first duty ratio is a duty ratio in a first region in which third electrode fingers of one of the pair of first comb-shaped electrodes among the first electrode fingers overlap with fourth electrode fingers of another of the pair of first comb-shaped electrodes among the first electrode fingers, the third electrode fingers and the fourth electrode fingers are alternately arranged in the first region, only a single fourth electrode finger among the fourth electrode fingers is located between adjacent third electrode fingers among the third electrode fingers in the first region, only a single third electrode finger among the third electrode fingers is located between adjacent fourth electrode fingers among the fourth electrode fingers in the first region,\neach of the one or more parallel resonators includes a pair of second comb-shaped electrodes, the second duty ratio is a duty ratio in a second region in which fifth electrode fingers of one of the pair of second comb-shaped electrodes among the second electrode fingers overlap with sixth electrode fingers of another of the pair of second comb-shaped electrodes among the second electrode fingers, the fifth electrode fingers and the sixth electrode fingers are alternately arranged in the second region, only a single sixth electrode finger among the sixth electrode fingers is located between adjacent fifth electrode fingers among the fifth electrode fingers in the second region, only a single fifth electrode finger among the fifth electrode fingers is located between adjacent sixth electrode fingers among the sixth electrode fingers in the second region,\na resonant frequency of each of the one or more parallel resonators is less than a resonant frequency of each of the one or more series resonators,\nan antiresonant frequency of each of the one or more parallel resonators is less than an antiresonant frequency of each of the one or more series resonators,\nno resonator other than the one or more parallel resonators and the one or more series resonators is connected between the input terminal and the output terminal, and\na difference in value between a value, expressed in percentage, of a largest second duty ratio in the one or more parallel resonators and a value, expressed in percentage, of a smallest first duty ratio in the one or more series resonators is 5% or greater.",
"11. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 10, wherein the first dielectric film and the second dielectric film are made of substantially identical materials.",
"12. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 10, wherein\nthe one or more series resonators are a plurality of series resonators,\nthe one or more parallel resonators are a plurality of parallel resonators, and\nall of the second duty ratios in the plurality of parallel resonators are less than all of the first duty ratios in the plurality of series resonators.",
"13. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 10, wherein the difference in value between the value, expressed in percentage, of the largest second duty ratio in the one or more parallel resonators and the value, expressed in percentage, of the smallest first duty ratio in the one or more series resonators is 10% or less.",
"14. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 10, wherein a pitch of the first electrode fingers is less than a pitch of the second electrode fingers.",
"15. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 10, wherein the piezoelectric substrate is a lithium niobate substrate or a lithium tantalate substrate.",
"16. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 10, wherein the piezoelectric substrate is a lithium niobate substrate and the dielectric film is a silicon oxide film.",
"17. A multiplexer comprising:\nthe acoustic wave filter according to claim 10.",
"18. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 10, wherein the value, expressed in percentage, of the largest second duty ratio in the one or more parallel resonators is equal to or less than 0.9 times the value, expressed in percentage, of the smallest first duty ratio in the one or more series resonators.",
"19. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 2, wherein the resonant frequency of each of the one or more parallel resonators is lower than a passband of the acoustic wave filter, and the antiresonant frequency of each of the one or more series resonators is higher than the passband."
],
[
"1. An elastic wave filter device comprising:\na first elastic wave filter and a second elastic wave filter having pass bands different from each other and provided on a piezoelectric substrate; and\na shared terminal, a first terminal, a second terminal, and a plurality of reference terminals provided on the piezoelectric substrate; wherein\nthe first elastic wave filter includes a series resonator connected between the shared terminal and the first terminal and parallel resonators connected between a connection path from the shared terminal to the first terminal and one reference terminal among the plurality of reference terminals;\nthe second elastic wave filter includes parallel resonators connected between a connection path from the shared terminal to the second terminal and another reference terminal among the plurality of reference terminals;\na first reference terminal among the plurality of reference terminals connected to a parallel resonator connected so as to be closest to the first terminal among the parallel resonators included in the first elastic wave filter, and a second reference terminal among the plurality of reference terminals connected to a parallel resonator connected so as to be closest to the second terminal among the parallel resonators included in the second elastic wave filter, are separated from each other on the piezoelectric substrate; and\nthe first reference terminal is provided at a first side of the piezoelectric substrate, and the second reference terminal is provided at a second side of the piezoelectric substrate that is different than the first side of the piezoelectric substrate.",
"2. The elastic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein each of the first reference terminal and the second reference terminal is separated on the piezoelectric substrate from any other reference terminals of the plurality of reference terminals on the piezoelectric substrate.",
"3. The elastic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein\nthe first reference terminal is separated on the piezoelectric substrate from any of the reference terminals connected to the parallel resonators included in the second elastic wave filter; and\nthe second reference terminal is separated on the piezoelectric substrate from any of the reference terminal connected to the parallel resonators included in the first elastic wave filter.",
"4. The elastic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein at least one set of reference terminals among the plurality of reference terminals is shared on the piezoelectric substrate.",
"5. The elastic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein all of the reference terminals other than the first reference terminal and the second reference terminal, among the plurality of reference terminals, are shared on the piezoelectric substrate.",
"6. The elastic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein\nthe first elastic wave filter is a first reception filter that filters a first high-frequency signal input through the shared terminal, in a first pass band and outputs the filtered signal to the first terminal; and\nthe second elastic wave filter is a second reception filter that filters a second high-frequency signal input through the shared terminal, in a second pass band and outputs the filtered signal to the second terminal.",
"7. The elastic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein the first elastic wave filter and the second elastic wave filter are ladder surface acoustic wave filters.",
"8. The elastic wave filter device according to claim 7, wherein each of the first and second ladder surface acoustic wave filters includes an IDT electrode having a multilayer structure including a close contact layer and a main electrode layer.",
"9. The elastic wave filter device according to claim 8, wherein the close contact layer is made of Ti.",
"10. The elastic wave filter device according to claim 8, wherein the main electrode in made of Al including about 1% of Cu.",
"11. The elastic wave filter device according to claim 8, wherein each of the first and second ladder surface acoustic wave filters further includes a protective layer covering the IDT electrode.",
"12. A duplexer comprising the elastic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein\nthe first elastic wave filter is one of a reception filter that filters a high-frequency signal input through the shared terminal, in a first pass band and outputs the filtered signal to the first terminal and a transmission filter that filters a high-frequency signal input through the second terminal, in a second pass band and outputs the filtered signal to the shared terminal; and\nthe second elastic wave filter is the other of the reception filter and the transmission filter.",
"13. The duplexer according to claim 12, wherein each of the first reference terminal and the second reference terminal is separated on the piezoelectric substrate from any other reference terminals of the plurality of reference terminals on the piezoelectric substrate.",
"14. The duplexer according to claim 12, wherein\nthe first reference terminal is separated on the piezoelectric substrate from any of the reference terminals connected to the parallel resonators included in the second elastic wave filter; and\nthe second reference terminal is separated on the piezoelectric substrate from any of the reference terminal connected to the parallel resonators included in the first elastic wave filter.",
"15. The duplexer according to claim 12, wherein at least one set of reference terminals among the plurality of reference terminals is shared on the piezoelectric substrate.",
"16. The duplexer according to claim 12, wherein the reference terminals other than the first reference terminal and the second reference terminal, among the plurality of reference terminals, are shared on the piezoelectric substrate.",
"17. The duplexer according to claim 12, wherein the first elastic wave filter and the second elastic wave filter are ladder surface acoustic wave filters.",
"18. The duplexer according to claim 17, wherein each of the first and second ladder surface acoustic wave filters includes an IDT electrode having a multilayer structure including a close contact layer and a main electrode layer.",
"19. The duplexer according to claim 18, wherein the close contact layer is made of Ti.",
"20. The duplexer according to claim 18, wherein the main electrode in made of Al including about 1% of Cu."
],
[
"1. An acoustic wave filter comprising:\na first input-output terminal and a second input-output terminal;\none or more series arm resonators on a path connecting the first input-output terminal and the second input-output terminal; and\none or more parallel arm resonators between the path and ground; wherein\nthe one or more series arm resonators and the one or more parallel arm resonators are each an acoustic wave resonator including an interdigital transducer electrode provided on a substrate with piezoelectricity;\nthe interdigital transducer electrode includes a pair of comb-shaped electrodes each including a plurality of electrode fingers that extend in a direction crossing a propagation direction of acoustic waves and that are in parallel or substantially in parallel with each other and a busbar electrode that connects one-side ends of electrode fingers of the plurality of electrode fingers to each other; and\nwhen a first electrode finger of the plurality of electrode fingers that is not coupled to either busbar electrode of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes is determined as a first thinned electrode; and when a second electrode finger out the plurality of electrode fingers that has a widest electrode finger width twice or more an average electrode finger width of the electrode fingers excluding the first electrode finger is determined as a second thinned electrode; the interdigital transducer electrode of at least one of the one or more series arm resonators includes the first thinned electrode; and the interdigital transducer electrode of at least one of the one or more parallel arm resonators includes the second thinned electrode.",
"2. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the interdigital transducer electrode of each of the one or more series arm resonators includes the first thinned electrode.",
"3. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the interdigital transducer electrode of each of the one or more parallel arm resonators includes the second thinned electrode.",
"4. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein in the interdigital transducer electrode of each of the one or more series arm resonators, when a proportion of a count of the first thinned electrode to a total count of the plurality of electrode fingers is determined as a first thinning rate of the interdigital transducer electrode, the first thinning rate of the interdigital transducer electrode including the first thinned electrode is about 30% or less.",
"5. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein in the interdigital transducer electrode of each of the one or more parallel arm resonators, when a proportion of a count of the second thinned electrode to a total count of the plurality of electrode fingers is determined as a second thinning rate of the interdigital transducer electrode, the second thinning rate of the interdigital transducer electrode including the second thinned electrode is about 30% or less.",
"6. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the substrate includes a piezoelectric film including one surface on which the interdigital transducer electrode is provided, a high-acoustic-velocity support substrate in which a bulk wave propagates at an acoustic velocity higher than an acoustic velocity of an acoustic wave propagating along the piezoelectric film, and a low-acoustic-velocity film that is positioned between the high-acoustic-velocity support substrate and the piezoelectric film and in which a bulk wave propagates at an acoustic velocity lower than an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave propagating in the piezoelectric film.",
"7. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the one or more series arm resonators include five series arm resonators.",
"8. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the one or more parallel arm resonators include four parallel arm resonators.",
"9. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the interdigital transducer includes a fixing layer and a main electrode layer.",
"10. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 9, wherein the fixing layer is made of Ti.",
"11. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 9, wherein the fixing layer has a thickness of about 12 nm.",
"12. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 9, wherein the main electrode layer is made Al including about 1% Cu.",
"13. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 9, wherein the main electrode layer has a thickness of about 162 nm.",
"14. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the interdigital transducer electrode is covered with a protective layer.",
"15. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 14, wherein the protective layer is defined by a dielectric film mainly including silicon dioxide.",
"16. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 14, wherein the protective layer has a thickness of about 25 nm.",
"17. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein substrate is defined by a piezoelectric film made of a 50° Y-cut X-propagation LiTaO3 piezoelectric single crystal or piezoelectric ceramic.",
"18. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 17, wherein the piezoelectric film has a thickness of about 600 nm."
],
[
"1. A surface acoustic wave filter comprising:\ntwo or more interdigital transducers, provided on a piezoelectric substrate, and arranged in a propagation direction of a surface acoustic wave,\nwherein said two or more interdigital transducers include at least one pair of interdigital transducers arranged adjacent to each other in order to be acoustically coupled to each other, and have different numbers of paired electrode fingers, and\na pitch between each neighboring two of almost all of the electrode fingers included in both of the pair of interdigital transducers are made different from one to another in order that the interdigital transducers should include no primary pitch area.",
"2. The surface acoustic wave filter according to claim 1,\nwherein, in a case where the pitch between each neighboring two of almost all of the electrode fingers included in both of the pair of interdigital transducers are made different from one to another in order that the interdigital transducers should include no primary pitch area, at least one of the interdigital transducer transducers includes at least one pitch-decreasing area in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is progressively decreased, and at least one pitch-increasing area in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is progressively increased.",
"3. The surface acoustic wave filter according to claim 1,\nwherein the surface acoustic wave filter is a longitudinally coupled resonator multi-mode type surface acoustic wave filter,\nsaid two or more interdigital transducers arranged in the propagation direction of the surface acoustic wave include three or more interdigital transducers,\nreflectors are arranged respectively at the two sides of a group consisting of the three or more interdigital transducers, and\na plurality of resonant modes are used in the three or more interdigital transducers.",
"4. The surface acoustic wave filter according to claim 3,\nwherein at least one surface acoustic wave resonator is connected in series to the surface acoustic wave filter.",
"5. The surface acoustic wave filter according to claim 3,\nwherein at least one surface acoustic wave resonator is connected in parallel to the surface acoustic wave filter.",
"6. A surface acoustic wave filter comprising:\nan input terminal which is an unbalanced terminal,\noutput terminals which are balanced terminals,\na pair of surface acoustic wave filters which are made different from each other in the phase of an output signal by substantially 180 degrees and are electrically connected in parallel between the input terminal and the output terminals,\nwherein the surface acoustic wave filter according to claim 1 is used for each of the pair of surface acoustic wave filters.",
"7. The surface acoustic wave filter according to claim 6,\nwherein at least one surface acoustic wave resonator is connected in series to the surface acoustic wave filter.",
"8. The surface acoustic wave filter according to claim 6,\nwherein at least one surface acoustic wave resonator is connected in parallel to the surface acoustic wave filter.",
"9. A surface acoustic wave filter comprising:\ntwo or more interdigital transducers, provided on a piezoelectric substrate, and arranged in a propagation direction of a surface acoustic wave,\nwherein said two or more interdigital transducers include at least one pair of interdigital transducers arranged adjacent to each other in order to be acoustically coupled to each other, and have different numbers of paired electrode fingers,\na pitch between each neighboring two of almost all of the electrode fingers included in one of the pair of interdigital transducers which has the smaller number of paired electrode fingers is made different from one to another in order that the interdigital transducer should include no primary pitch area, the one of the pair of interdigital transducers includes at least one pitch-decreasing area in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is progressively decreased, and at least one pitch-increasing area in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is progressively increased, and\nin each of endmost ones of the two or more interdigital transducers arranged in the propagation direction of the surface acoustic wave, the pitch between the electrode fingers is progressively decreased from its outside to its inside, thereafter is reversely increased and subsequently is decreased again, in its inner end portion.",
"10. A boundary acoustic wave filter comprising:\na piezoelectric substrate;\na non-piezoelectric material arranged in contact with the piezoelectric substrate; and\ntwo or more interdigital transducers, provided on an interface between the piezoelectric substrate and the non-piezoelectric material, and arranged in a propagation direction of boundary acoustic waves,\nwherein said two or more interdigital transducers include at least one pair of interdigital transducers arranged adjacent to each other in order to be acoustically coupled to each other, and have different numbers of paired electrode fingers,\na pitch between each neighboring two of almost all of the electrode fingers included in one of the pair of interdigital transducers which has the smaller number of paired electrode fingers is made different from one to another in order that the interdigital transducer should include no primary pitch area, the one of the pair of interdigital transducers includes at least one pitch-decreasing area in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is progressively decreased, and at least one pitch-increasing area in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is progressively increased, and\nin each of endmost ones of the two or more interdigital transducers arranged in the propagation direction of the surface acoustic wave, the pitch between the electrode fingers is progressively decreased from its outside to its inside, thereafter is reversely increased and subsequently is decreased again, in its inner end portion.",
"11. A surface acoustic wave filter comprising:\nthree or more interdigital transducers, provided on a piezoelectric substrate, and arranged in a propagation direction of a surface acoustic wave,\nwherein said three or more interdigital transducers include at least one pair of interdigital transducers arranged adjacent to each other in order to be acoustically coupled to each other, and have different numbers of paired electrode fingers,\na pitch between each neighboring two of almost all of the electrode fingers included in one of the pair of interdigital transducers which has the smaller number of paired electrode fingers is made different from one to another in order that the interdigital transducer should include no primary pitch area, the one of the pair of interdigital transducers transducer includes at least one pitch-decreasing area in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is progressively decreased, and at least one pitch-increasing area in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is progressively increased, and\namong said three or more interdigital transducers arranged in the propagation direction of the surface acoustic wave, an interdigital transducer interposed between its two neighboring interdigital transducers has a pitch change as a whole in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is larger in its central portion and is decreased gradually toward its two ends, and has an area in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is decreased in a part of its central portion.",
"12. A boundary acoustic wave filter comprising:\na piezoelectric substrate;\na non-piezoelectric material arranged in contact with the piezoelectric substrate; and\nthree or more interdigital transducers, provided on an interface between the piezoelectric substrate and the non-piezoelectric material, and arranged in a propagation direction of boundary acoustic waves,\nwherein said three or more interdigital transducers include at least one pair of interdigital transducers arranged adjacent to each other in order to be acoustically coupled to each other, and have different numbers of paired electrode fingers,\na pitch between each neighboring two of almost all of the electrode fingers included in one of the pair of interdigital transducers which has the smaller number of paired electrode fingers is made different from one to another in order that the interdigital transducer should include no primary pitch area, the one of the pair of interdigital transducers includes at least one pitch-decreasing area in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is progressively decreased, and at least one pitch-increasing area in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is progressively increased, and\namong said three or more interdigital transducers arranged in the propagation direction of the surface acoustic wave, an interdigital transducer interposed between its two neighboring interdigital transducers has a pitch change as a whole in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is larger in its central portion and is decreased gradually toward its two ends, and has an area in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is decreased in a part of its central portion.",
"13. A boundary acoustic wave filter comprising:\na piezoelectric substrate;\na non-piezoelectric material arranged in contact with the piezoelectric substrate; and\ntwo or more interdigital transducers, provided on an interface between the piezoelectric substrate and the non-piezoelectric material, and arranged in a propagation direction of boundary acoustic waves,\nwherein said two or more interdigital transducers include at least one pair of interdigital transducers arranged adjacent to each other in order to be acoustically coupled to each other, and have different numbers of paired electrode fingers, and\na pitch between each neighboring two of almost all of the electrode fingers included in both of the pair of interdigital transducers are made different from one to another in order that the interdigital transducers should include no primary pitch area.",
"14. The boundary acoustic wave filter according to claim 13,\nwherein the boundary acoustic wave filter is a longitudinally coupled resonator multi-mode type boundary acoustic wave filter,\nsaid two or more interdigital transducers arranged in the propagation direction of the surface acoustic wave include three or more interdigital transducers,\nreflectors are arranged respectively at the two sides of a group consisting of the three or more interdigital transducers, and\na plurality of resonant modes are used in the three or more interdigital transducers.",
"15. The boundary acoustic wave filter according to claim 13,\nwherein, in a case where the pitch between each neighboring two of almost all of the electrode fingers included in both of the pair of interdigital transducers are made different from one to another in order that the interdigital transducers should include no primary pitch area, at least one of the interdigital transducers includes at least one pitch-decreasing area in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is progressively decreased, and at least one pitch-increasing area in which the pitch between the electrode fingers is progressively increased.",
"16. A surface acoustic wave filter comprising:\ntwo or more interdigital transducers, provided on a piezoelectric substrate, and arranged in a propagation direction of a surface acoustic wave,\nwherein said two or more interdigital transducers include at least one pair of interdigital transducers arranged adjacent to each other in order to be acoustically coupled to each other, and have different numbers of paired electrode fingers,\na pitch between each neighboring two of almost all of the electrode fingers included in one of the pair of interdigital transducers which has the smaller number of paired electrode fingers is made different from one to another in order that the interdigital transducer should include no primary pitch area,\nthe largest pitch between the electrode fingers in a first one of the pair of interdigital transducers which has the smaller number of paired electrode fingers is smaller than the largest pitch between the electrode fingers in a second one of the pair of interdigital transducers which has the larger number of paired electrode fingers, and\nthe smallest pitch between the electrode fingers in the first one of the pair of interdigital transducers which has the smaller number of paired electrode fingers is larger than the smallest pitch between the electrode fingers in the second one of the pair of interdigital transducers which has the larger number of paired electrode fingers.",
"17. A boundary acoustic wave filter comprising:\na piezoelectric substrate;\na non-piezoelectric material arranged in contact with the piezoelectric substrate; and\ntwo or more interdigital transducers, provided on an interface between the piezoelectric substrate and the non-piezoelectric material, and arranged in a propagation direction of boundary acoustic waves,\nwherein said two or more interdigital transducers include at least one pair of interdigital transducers arranged adjacent to each other in order to be acoustically coupled to each other, and have different numbers of paired electrode fingers,\na pitch between each neighboring two of almost all of the electrode fingers included in one of the pair of interdigital transducers which has the smaller number of paired electrode fingers is made different from one to another in order that the interdigital transducer should include no primary pitch area,\nthe largest pitch between the electrode fingers in a first one of the pair of interdigital transducers which has the smaller number of paired electrode fingers is smaller than the largest pitch between the electrode fingers in a second one of the pair of interdigital transducers which has the larger number of paired electrode fingers, and\nthe smallest pitch between the electrode fingers in the first one of the pair of interdigital transducers which has the smaller number of paired electrode fingers is larger than the smallest pitch between the electrode fingers in the second one of the pair of interdigital transducers which has the larger number of paired electrode fingers."
],
[
"1. An elastic wave device comprising:\na piezoelectric member; and\nat least one IDT electrode; wherein\nsaid at least one IDT electrode has first and second electrode fingers that are arranged next to each other in a propagation direction of elastic waves and are connected to different electric potentials;\na gap is provided external to tip ends of each of the first and second electrode fingers in a longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers;\na projection is provided in at least one of a position on a side edge of the first electrode finger and a position on a side edge of the second electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers, the position on the side edge of the first electrode finger corresponding to that of the gap located external to the tip end of the second electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers, the position on the side edge of the second electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers corresponding to that of the gap located external to the tip end of the first electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers; and\nthe projection projects only in the vicinity of the gap from the side edge of one of the first and second electrode fingers in a direction towards the gag provided at the tip end of another one of the first and second electrode fingers, the side edge from which the projection projects being one of the side edges that faces the gap.",
"2. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the projection projecting only in the vicinity of the gap is tapered toward the tip end of the another one of the first and second electrode fingers.",
"3. The elastic wave device according to claim 2, wherein a distance between a periphery of the first electrode finger and a periphery of the second electrode finger arranged next to the first electrode finger is substantially fixed.",
"4. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the projection is arranged such that an effective propagation distance in a case where an elastic wave propagates through the gaps in an area provided with the first and second electrode fingers is substantially equal to an effective propagation distance in a case where an elastic wave propagates through a section without the gaps in the area provided with the first and second electrode fingers.",
"5. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the projection is provided on each of the first and second electrode fingers.",
"6. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one IDT electrode is crossing width weighted.",
"7. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the elastic wave comprises a surface acoustic wave.",
"8. The elastic wave device according to claim 7, further comprising a medium layer that covers said at least one IDT electrode provided on the piezoelectric substrate, wherein said at least one IDT electrode has a density that is equal to or higher than a density of the piezoelectric substrate and a density of the medium layer, and a ratio of the density of said at least one IDT electrode to the density of the medium layer is higher than about 1.22.",
"9. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the elastic wave comprises a boundary acoustic wave.",
"10. The elastic wave device according to claim 9, further comprising a medium layer that covers said at least one IDT electrode provided on the piezoelectric substrate, wherein said at least one IDT electrode has a density that is equal to or higher than a density of the piezoelectric substrate and a density of the medium layer, and a ratio of the density of said at least one IDT electrode to the density of the medium layer is higher than about 1.22.",
"11. The elastic wave device according to claim 9, further comprising a medium layer stacked on said at least one IDT electrode provided on the piezoelectric substrate so as to cover said at least one IDT electrode, wherein said at least one IDT electrode has a density that is equal to or higher than a density of the piezoelectric substrate and a density of the medium layer, and a ratio of the density of said at least one IDT electrode to one of the higher densities of the piezoelectric substrate and the medium layer is higher than about 1.22.",
"12. An elastic wave device comprising:\na piezoelectric member; and\nat least one IDT electrode; wherein\nsaid at least one IDT electrode has first and second electrode fingers that are arranged next to each other in a propagation direction of elastic waves and are connected to different electric potentials;\na gap is provided external to tip ends of each of the first and second electrode fingers in a longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers;\na projection is provided in at least one of a position on a side edge of the first electrode finger and a position on a side edge of the second electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers, the position on the side edge of the first electrode finger corresponding to that of the gap located external to the tip end of the second electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers, the position on the side edge of the second electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers corresponding to that of the gap located external to the tip end of the first electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers; and\nthe projection has a trapezoid shape in plan view such that a lower base of the trapezoid is defined by the side edge of the electrode finger that is provided with the projection, and wherein an internal angle formed between the lower base and sides of the trapezoid that connect an upper base and the lower base of the trapezoid is about 90° or less.",
"13. The elastic wave device according to claim 12, wherein if the lower base of the projection has a midpoint in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers and the gap at the tip end of the other electrode finger has a center in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers, a position of the midpoint substantially corresponds with a position of the center in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers, and the lower base has a length that is larger than a gap width, the gap width being a dimension of the gap in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers, and wherein the upper base has a length that is smaller than the gap width.",
"14. The elastic wave device according to claim 13, wherein the projection has an isogonal trapezoid shape in plan view.",
"15. The elastic wave device according to claim 12, wherein the projection has a plurality of rounded corner portions.",
"16. The elastic wave device according to claim 12, wherein the projection is provided on each of the first and second electrode fingers.",
"17. The elastic wave device according to claim 12, wherein said at least one IDT electrode is crossing width weighted.",
"18. The elastic wave device according to claim 12, wherein the elastic wave comprises a surface acoustic wave.",
"19. The elastic wave device according to claim 18, further comprising a medium layer that covers said at least one IDT electrode provided on the piezoelectric substrate, wherein said at least one IDT electrode has a density that is equal to or higher than a density of the piezoelectric substrate and a density of the medium layer, and a ratio of the density of said at least one IDT electrode to the density of the medium layer is higher than about 1.22.",
"20. The elastic wave device according to claim 12, wherein the elastic wave comprises a boundary acoustic wave.",
"21. The elastic wave device according to claim 20, further comprising a medium layer that covers said at least one IDT electrode provided on the piezoelectric substrate, wherein said at least one IDT electrode has a density that is equal to or higher than a density of the piezoelectric substrate and a density of the medium layer, and a ratio of the density of said at least one IDT electrode to the density of the medium layer is higher than about 1.22.",
"22. The elastic wave device according to claim 20, further comprising a medium layer stacked on said at least one IDT electrode provided on the piezoelectric substrate so as to cover said at least one IDT electrode, wherein said at least one IDT electrode has a density that is equal to or higher than a density of the piezoelectric substrate and a density of the medium layer, and a ratio of the density of said at least one IDT electrode to one of the higher densities of the piezoelectric substrate and the medium layer is higher than about 1.22.",
"23. An elastic wave device comprising:\na piezoelectric member; and\nat least one IDT electrode; wherein\nsaid at least one IDT electrode has first and second electrode fingers that are arranged next to each other in a propagation direction of elastic waves and are connected to different electric potentials;\na gap is provided external to tip ends of each of the first and second electrode fingers in a longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers;\na projection is provided in at least one of a position on a side edge of the first electrode finger and a position on a side edge of the second electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers, the position on the side edge of the first electrode finger corresponding to that of the gap located external to the tip end of the second electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers, the position on the side edge of the second electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers corresponding to that of the gap located external to the tip end of the first electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers; and\nthe projection has a planar shape that has a bottom side that continues from the side edge of the electrode finger and a peripheral edge that is curved except for the bottom side.",
"24. The elastic wave device according to claim 23, wherein if the bottom side of the projection has a midpoint in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers and the gap is bisected by a line with respect to the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers, a position of the midpoint substantially corresponds with a position of the bisecting line in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers, and the bottom side has a length that is larger than the gap width.",
"25. The elastic wave device according to claim 23, wherein the projection is provided on each of the first and second electrode fingers.",
"26. The elastic wave device according to claim 23, wherein said at least one IDT electrode is crossing width weighted.",
"27. The elastic wave device according to claim 23, wherein the elastic wave comprises a surface acoustic wave.",
"28. The elastic wave device according to claim 27, further comprising a medium layer that covers said at least one IDT electrode provided on the piezoelectric substrate, wherein said at least one IDT electrode has a density that is equal to or higher than a density of the piezoelectric substrate and a density of the medium layer, and a ratio of the density of said at least one IDT electrode to the density of the medium layer is higher than about 1.22.",
"29. The elastic wave device according to claim 23, wherein the elastic wave comprises a boundary acoustic wave.",
"30. The elastic wave device according to claim 29, further comprising a medium layer that covers said at least one IDT electrode provided on the piezoelectric substrate, wherein said at least one IDT electrode has a density that is equal to or higher than a density of the piezoelectric substrate and a density of the medium layer, and a ratio of the density of said at least one IDT electrode to the density of the medium layer is higher than about 1.22.",
"31. The elastic wave device according to claim 29, further comprising a medium layer stacked on said at least one IDT electrode provided on the piezoelectric substrate so as to cover said at least one IDT electrode, wherein said at least one IDT electrode has a density that is equal to or higher than a density of the piezoelectric substrate and a density of the medium layer, and a ratio of the density of said at least one IDT electrode to one of the higher densities of the piezoelectric substrate and the medium layer is higher than about 1.22.",
"32. An elastic wave device comprising:\na piezoelectric member; and\nat least one IDT electrode; wherein\nsaid at least one IDT electrode has first and second electrode fingers that are arranged next to each other in a propagation direction of elastic waves and are connected to different electric potentials;\na gap is provided external to tip ends of each of the first and second electrode fingers in a longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers;\na projection is provided in at least one of a position on a side edge of the first electrode finger and a position on a side edge of the second electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers, the position on the side edge of the first electrode finger corresponding to that of the gap located external to the tip end of the second electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers, the position on the side edge of the second electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers corresponding to that of the gap located external to the tip end of the first electrode finger in the longitudinal direction of the electrode fingers; and\nthe projection projects only in the vicinity of the gap from the at least one of the position on the side edge of the first electrode and the position on the side edge of the second electrode finger and is spaced from any other element of the at least one IDT.",
"33. The elastic wave device according to claim 32, wherein the projection is provided on each of the first and second electrode fingers.",
"34. The elastic wave device according to claim 32, wherein said at least one IDT electrode is crossing width weighted.",
"35. The elastic wave device according to claim 32, wherein the elastic wave comprises a surface acoustic wave.",
"36. The elastic wave device according to claim 35, further comprising a medium layer that covers said at least one IDT electrode provided on the piezoelectric substrate, wherein said at least one IDT electrode has a density that is equal to or higher than a density of the piezoelectric substrate and a density of the medium layer, and a ratio of the density of said at least one IDT electrode to the density of the medium layer is higher than about 1.22.",
"37. The elastic wave device according to claim 32, wherein the elastic wave comprises a boundary acoustic wave.",
"38. The elastic wave device according to claim 37, further comprising a medium layer that covers said at least one IDT electrode provided on the piezoelectric substrate, wherein said at least one IDT electrode has a density that is equal to or higher than a density of the piezoelectric substrate and a density of the medium layer, and a ratio of the density of said at least one IDT electrode to the density of the medium layer is higher than about 1.22.",
"39. The elastic wave device according to claim 37, further comprising a medium layer stacked on said at least one IDT electrode provided on the piezoelectric substrate so as to cover said at least one IDT electrode, wherein said at least one IDT electrode has a density that is equal to or higher than a density of the piezoelectric substrate and a density of the medium layer, and a ratio of the density of said at least one IDT electrode to one of the higher densities of the piezoelectric substrate and the medium layer is higher than about 1.22."
],
[
"1. An acoustic wave element comprising:\na piezoelectric material; and\nat least one IDT electrode contacting the piezoelectric material and including a plurality of electrode fingers including first and second electrode fingers that are adjacent to each other in an acoustic wave propagation direction and that connect to different potentials and a first dummy electrode finger that faces the first electrode finger via a gap located on an outer side in an electrode finger length direction of an end of the first electrode finger and that connects to the same potential as the potential connected to the second electrode finger; wherein\nin an area of an IDT electrode crossing region in which the first and second electrode fingers that are adjacent to each other overlap each other in the acoustic wave propagation direction near the gap, a first protrusion is provided in at least one of the first electrode finger and the first dummy electrode finger, the first protrusion protruding in the acoustic wave propagation direction from at least one of side edges of the at least one of the first electrode finger and the first dummy electrode finger so as to define a protrusion portion of the at least one of the first electrode finger and the first dummy electrode finger that has a width in the acoustic wave propagation direction that is greater than a width of the first electrode finger; and\nthe first protrusion is in contact with the gap.",
"2. The acoustic wave element according to claim 1, wherein a second protrusion protruding in the acoustic wave propagation direction is provided on a side edge of at least one of the first and second electrode fingers, the second protrusion being positioned in an area that includes the gap in the electrode finger length direction.",
"3. The acoustic wave element according to claim 2, wherein the second protrusion is arranged so that an effective propagation distance of surface waves propagating through the gap in a portion where the first and second electrode fingers are located and an effective propagation distance of acoustic waves propagating in a portion other than the gap and the first protrusion in the portion where the first and second electrode fingers are provided are substantially equal to each other.",
"4. The acoustic wave element according to claim 2, wherein the second protrusion protrudes from a side edge on the side facing the gap of one of the first and second electrode fingers toward the gap provided at an end of the other of the first and second electrode fingers.",
"5. The acoustic wave element according to claim 4, wherein the second protrusion is also provided in the other of the first and second electrode fingers.",
"6. The acoustic wave element according to claim 2, wherein the first and second protrusions have a trapezoid shape in plan view, a lower base of the trapezoid is a portion of a side edge of the at least one of the first electrode finger and the first dummy electrode finger provided with the first protrusion, and an inner angle defined by the lower base and a side edge connecting an upper base and the lower base of the trapezoid is less than about 90°.",
"7. The acoustic wave element according to claim 6, wherein a position in the electrode finger length direction of a midpoint of the lower base of the second protrusion is substantially equal to a center position in the electrode finger length direction of the gap at the end of the other of the first and second electrode fingers, a length of the lower base is larger than a gap width which is a dimension along the electrode finger length direction of the gap, and a length of the upper base is less than the gap width.",
"8. The acoustic wave element according to claim 6, wherein the first and second protrusions have an equiangular trapezoid shape in plan view.",
"9. The acoustic wave element according to claim 6, wherein the first and second protrusions have a plurality of rounded corner portions.",
"10. The acoustic wave element according to claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric material and the at least one IDT electrode are arranged to generate surface acoustic waves.",
"11. The acoustic wave element according to claim 10, further comprising a medium layer arranged to cover the at least one IDT electrode on the piezoelectric material, wherein a density of the at least one IDT electrode is equal to or higher than a density of the piezoelectric material and a density of the medium layer, and a ratio between the density of the at least one IDT electrode and the density of the medium layer is higher than about 1.22.",
"12. The acoustic wave element according to claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric material and the at least one IDT electrode are arranged to generate boundary acoustic waves.",
"13. The acoustic wave element according to claim 12, wherein a medium layer is laminated to cover the at least one IDT electrode on the piezoelectric material, a density of the at least one IDT electrode is equal to or higher than a density of the piezoelectric material and a density of the medium layer, and a ratio between the density of the at least one IDT electrode and a higher one of the density of the piezoelectric material and the density of the medium layer is higher than about 1.22.",
"14. The acoustic wave element according to claim 1, wherein crossing width weighting is applied to the at least one IDT electrode.",
"15. An acoustic wave element comprising:\na piezoelectric material; and\nat least one IDT electrode contacting the piezoelectric material and including a plurality of electrode fingers including first and second electrode fingers that are adjacent to each other in an acoustic wave propagation direction and that connect to different potentials and a first dummy electrode finger that faces the first electrode finger via a gap located on an outer side in an electrode finger length direction of an end of the first electrode finger and that connects to the same potential as the potential connected to the second electrode finger; wherein\nin an area of an IDT electrode crossing region in which the first and second electrode fingers that are adjacent to each other overlap each other in the acoustic wave propagation direction near the gap, a first protrusion is provided in at least one of the first electrode finger and the first dummy electrode finger, the first protrusion protruding in the acoustic wave propagation direction from at least one of side edges of the at least one of the first electrode finger and the first dummy electrode finger so as to define a protrusion portion of the at least one of the first electrode finger and the first dummy electrode finger that has a width in the acoustic wave propagation direction that is greater than a width of the first electrode finger; and\nthe first protrusion is separated from the gap, and a tapered portion is provided between the first protrusion and the gap, a width of the at least one of the first electrode finger and the first dummy electrode finger provided with the first protrusion being smaller at an end in the tapered portion.",
"16. The acoustic wave element according to claim 15, wherein a side edge portion of the at least one of the first electrode finger and the first dummy electrode finger extending from the first protrusion to the tapered portion has a concave shape.",
"17. The acoustic wave element according to claim 15, wherein a side edge portion of the at least one of the first electrode finger and the first dummy electrode finger extending from the first protrusion to the tapered portion has a convex shape."
],
[
"1. A balanced acoustic wave filter device comprising:\na piezoelectric substrate; and\nfirst and second longitudinally coupled resonator-type acoustic wave filter sections provided on the piezoelectric substrate; wherein\neach of the first and second acoustic wave filter sections includes a plurality of IDTs disposed in a direction in which surface acoustic waves propagate;\none of an input and an output of each of the first and second acoustic wave filter sections is connected to an unbalanced terminal;\nthe other of the input and the output of the first acoustic wave filter section is connected to a first balanced terminal, the other of the input and the output of the second acoustic wave filter section is connected to a second balanced terminal, and the phase of a signal of the other of the input and the output of the first acoustic wave filter section is different from the phase of a signal of the other of the input and the output of the second acoustic wave filter section by 180 degrees;\nin the first acoustic wave filter section, the polarities of electrode fingers that are adjacent to each other in an area in which the IDTs are adjacent to each other in a direction in which acoustic waves propagate are equal to each other;\nin the second acoustic wave filter section, the polarities of electrode fingers that are adjacent to each other in an area in which the IDTs are adjacent to each other are opposite to each other; and\nthe total number of pairs of electrode fingers of the plurality of IDTs in the second acoustic wave filter section is greater than the total number of pairs of electrode fingers of the plurality of IDTs in the first acoustic wave filter section.",
"2. The balanced acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, further comprising:\nat least one third longitudinally coupled resonator-type surface acoustic wave filter section that is connected in a cascade arrangement to the first acoustic wave filter section; and\nat least one fourth longitudinally coupled resonator-type surface acoustic wave filter section that is connected in a cascade arrangement to the second acoustic wave filter section.",
"3. The balanced acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein in the areas in which the IDTs are adjacent to each other, each of the IDTs includes a narrow-pitched electrode finger portion having an electrode finger pitch that is narrower than an electrode finger pitch of the other portions of the corresponding IDT.",
"4. The balanced acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein surface acoustic waves are used as the acoustic waves so as to define a surface acoustic wave filter device.",
"5. The balanced acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein boundary acoustic waves are used as the acoustic waves so as to define a boundary acoustic wave filter device.",
"6. The balanced acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein the total number of pairs of electrode fingers of the plurality of IDTs in the second acoustic wave filter section is greater than the total number of pairs of electrode fingers of the plurality of IDTs in the first acoustic wave filter section by two pairs.",
"7. The balanced acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second acoustic wave filter sections includes three IDTs.",
"8. The balanced acoustic wave filter device according to claim 7, wherein a middle one of the three IDTs of each of the first and second acoustic wave filter sections includes an odd number of electrode fingers.",
"9. The balanced acoustic wave filter device according to claim 7, wherein a middle one of the three IDTs of each of the first and second acoustic wave filter sections includes an even number of electrode fingers.",
"10. The balanced acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the IDTs of the second acoustic wave filter section is series weighted.",
"11. The balanced acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the IDTs of the second acoustic wave filter section is withdrawal weighted.",
"12. The balanced acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the IDTs of the second acoustic wave filter section is apodization weighted.",
"13. The balanced acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second acoustic wave filter sections includes five IDTs.",
"14. The balanced acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second acoustic wave filter sections further includes reflectors arranged to sandwich the plurality of IDTs therebetween in the direction in which surface acoustic waves propagate."
],
[
"1. An elastic wave device comprising:\na piezoelectric film made of LiTaO3; and\nan IDT electrode located on one surface of the piezoelectric film; wherein\nthe IDT electrode includes a plurality of first electrode fingers and a plurality of second electrode fingers that are alternately arranged;\na thickness of the piezoelectric film is about 10λ or less when λ is a wavelength determined by a pitch of the electrode fingers of the IDT electrode; and\na direction of a line connecting distal ends of the plurality of first electrode fingers and a direction of a line connecting distal ends of the second electrode fingers are at an oblique angle ν with respect to a propagation direction ψ of an elastic wave excited by the IDT electrode, the propagation direction ψ being determined by Euler angles (ϕ, θ, ψ) of the LiTaO3, and the oblique angle ν is in a range of about 0.4° or more and about 15° or less.",
"2. An elastic wave device comprising:\na piezoelectric film made of LiTaO3;\na support substrate;\na high acoustic velocity film that is located on the support substrate and in which an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave that propagates through the high acoustic velocity film is higher than an acoustic velocity of an elastic wave that propagates through the piezoelectric film;\na low acoustic velocity film that is stacked on the high acoustic velocity film and in which an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave that propagates through the low acoustic velocity film is lower than an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave that propagates through the piezoelectric film; and\nan IDT electrode located on one surface of the piezoelectric film; wherein\nthe piezoelectric film is stacked on the low acoustic velocity film;\nthe IDT electrode includes a plurality of first electrode fingers and a plurality of second electrode fingers that are alternately arranged;\na thickness of the piezoelectric film is about 10λ or less when λ is a wavelength determined by a pitch of the electrode fingers of the IDT electrode; and\na direction of a line connecting distal ends of the plurality of first electrode fingers and a direction of a line connecting distal ends of the second electrode fingers are at an oblique angle ν with respect to a propagation direction ψ of an elastic wave excited by the IDT electrode, the propagation direction ψ being determined by Euler angles (ϕ, θ, ψ) of the LiTaO3, and the oblique angle ν is in a range of about 0.4° or more and about 15° or less.",
"3. An elastic wave device comprising:\na piezoelectric film made of LiTaO3;\na high acoustic velocity support substrate in which an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave that propagates through the high acoustic velocity support substrate is higher than an acoustic velocity of an elastic wave that propagates through the piezoelectric film;\na low acoustic velocity film that is stacked on the high acoustic velocity support substrate and in which an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave that propagates through the low acoustic velocity film is lower than an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave that propagates through the piezoelectric film; and\nan IDT electrode located on one surface of the piezoelectric film; wherein\nthe piezoelectric film is stacked on the low acoustic velocity film;\nthe IDT electrode includes a plurality of first electrode fingers and a plurality of second electrode fingers that are alternately arranged;\na thickness of the piezoelectric film is about 10λ or less when λ is a wavelength determined by a pitch of the electrode fingers of the IDT electrode; and\na direction of a line connecting distal ends of the plurality of first electrode fingers and a direction of a line connecting distal ends of the second electrode fingers are at an oblique angle ν with respect to a propagation direction ψ of an elastic wave excited by the IDT electrode, the propagation direction ψ being determined by Euler angles (ϕ, θ, ψ) of the LiTaO3, and the oblique angle ν is in a range of about 0.4° or more and about 15° or less.",
"4. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the oblique angle ν is about 10° or less.",
"5. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of the piezoelectric film made of LiTaO3 is more than about 0.2λ when λ is the wavelength determined by the pitch of the electrode fingers of the IDT electrode.",
"6. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein a cut angle of the LiTaO3 is about 30° or more and about 60° or less.",
"7. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein a duty of the IDT electrode is less than about 0.7, and a dimension of the electrode fingers of the IDT electrode in a width direction is about 0.15 μm or more.",
"8. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein\nfirst dummy electrode fingers oppose the distal ends of the first electrode fingers of the IDT electrode with gaps therebetween, and second dummy electrode fingers oppose the distal ends of the second electrode fingers of the IDT electrode with gaps therebetween, the first dummy electrode fingers being connected to a second busbar, the second dummy electrode fingers being connected to a first busbar; and\nwhen a distance from the distal ends of the first and second electrode fingers to proximal ends of the second and first dummy electrode fingers is an offset length L, and a size of the gaps in a direction in which the electrode fingers extend is G, (L−G)≥7.5×λ×tan(ν) is satisfied.",
"9. The elastic wave device according to claim 8, wherein (the offset length L−G)≥11.5×λ×tan(ν) is satisfied.",
"10. The elastic wave device according to claim 9, wherein (the offset length L−G)≥17.5×λ×tan(ν) is satisfied.",
"11. The elastic wave device according to claim 8, wherein the size G of the gaps is more than about 0.1 μm and less than about 0.5 μm.",
"12. The elastic wave device according to claim 8, wherein either or both of the first electrode fingers and the second electrode fingers of the IDT electrode are provided with projecting portions that project outward in a width direction of the electrode fingers from side edges that extend in a direction in which the electrode fingers extend.",
"13. The elastic wave device according to claim 12, wherein the projecting portions are provided on side edge portions of the either or both of the first and second electrode fingers, the side edge portions being continuous to the distal ends of the either or both of the first and second electrode fingers.",
"14. The elastic wave device according to claim 12, wherein either or both of the first and second dummy electrode fingers are provided with the projecting portions.",
"15. The elastic wave device according to claim 12, wherein the projecting portions are provided on the side edges of the electrode fingers that do not extend to the distal ends of the first and second electrode fingers.",
"16. The elastic wave device according to claim 12, wherein the projecting portions have a trapezoidal shape in plan view, and when a length of a bottom side of the trapezoidal shape that is continuous to the corresponding side edge is TW1, and TW1≥0.11735λ is satisfied.",
"17. The elastic wave device according to claim 16, wherein, when a minimum dimension of the projecting portions in a direction along the side edges of the electrode fingers is TW2, and TW2≥0.02915λ is satisfied.",
"18. The elastic wave device according to claim 16, wherein a dimension of the projecting portions in the propagation direction of the elastic wave is TH, and TH≥0.0466λ is satisfied.",
"19. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the IDT electrode is made of Al or an alloy containing Al as a main component, and a film thickness of the IDT electrode is in a range of about 0.08λ or more and about 0.097λ or less.",
"20. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein a film thickness of the IDT electrode is about 0.10λ or more.",
"21. A filter device comprising at least one or more elastic wave devices, each of the at least one or more elastic wave devices being the elastic wave device according to claim 1.",
"22. A filter device comprising a plurality of ±ν elastic wave devices, each of the plurality of ±ν elastic wave devices being the elastic wave device according to claim 1.",
"23. A filter device comprising a plurality of elastic wave devices, each being the elastic wave device according to claim 1.",
"24. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein a film thickness of the IDT electrode is about 400 nm or less."
],
[
"1. A ladder acoustic wave filter device comprising:\nan input end;\nan output end;\na series arm that electrically connects the input end and the output end;\na series arm resonator provided to the series arm and including a series-arm-side IDT electrode;\na parallel arm electrically connected between the series arm and a ground potential; and\na parallel arm resonator provided to the parallel arm and including a parallel-arm-side IDT electrode; wherein\neach of the series-arm-side IDT electrode and the parallel-arm-side IDT electrode includes a pair of comb-shaped electrodes that are interposed between each other, the pair of comb-shaped electrodes each including a busbar and a plurality of electrode fingers extending from the busbar;\nthe series-arm-side IDT electrode is apodization weighted, and the busbars of the series-arm-side IDT electrode are configured so that in an acoustic wave propagation direction, a distance between the busbars in an overlap width direction perpendicular to the acoustic wave propagation direction becomes shorter as an overlap width of the electrode fingers becomes smaller;\neach of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the parallel-arm-side IDT electrode further includes a plurality of dummy electrodes that extends from the busbar and are opposed to the electrode fingers of the other comb-shaped electrode in the overlap width direction, and the parallel-arm-side IDT electrode is an IDT electrode in which the overlap width is constant; and\na region bounded by a first envelope and a second envelope has a hexagonal shape, the first envelope being an imaginary line formed by connecting tips of the electrode fingers of one of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the series-arm-side IDT electrode, the second envelope being an imaginary line formed by connecting tips of the electrode fingers of the other one of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the series-arm-side IDT electrode.",
"2. The ladder acoustic filter device according to claim 1, wherein in each one of the busbar of each of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the series-arm-side IDT electrode, at least a portion of an edge of the busbar of one of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes, which is opposed to the other busbar of one of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes, extends in a direction inclined with respect to the acoustic wave propagation direction.",
"3. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 2, wherein:\nthe ladder acoustic wave filter device includes a plurality of the parallel arm resonators; and\nin all of the plurality of parallel arm resonators, each of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the parallel-arm-side IDT electrode includes the busbar, the plurality of electrode fingers, and the plurality of dummy electrodes.",
"4. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 2, wherein a region bounded by a first envelope and a second envelope has a hexagonal shape, the first envelope being an imaginary line formed by connecting tips of the electrode fingers of one of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the series-arm-side IDT electrode, the second envelope being an imaginary line formed by connecting tips of the electrode fingers of the other comb-shaped electrode of the series-arm-side IDT electrode.",
"5. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 2, wherein:\nthe ladder acoustic wave filter device includes a plurality of the series arm resonators;\nthe series-arm-side IDT electrode is apodization weighted in at least a series arm resonator with a lowest resonant frequency among the plurality of series arm resonators, and the busbars of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the series-arm-side IDT electrode are configured so that in the acoustic wave propagation direction, the distance between the busbars in the overlap width direction perpendicular to the acoustic wave propagation direction becomes shorter as the overlap width of the electrode fingers becomes smaller.",
"6. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 5, wherein:\nthe ladder acoustic wave filter device includes a plurality of the parallel arm resonators; and\nin all of the plurality of parallel arm resonators, each of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the parallel-arm-side IDT electrode includes the busbar, the plurality of electrode fingers, and the plurality of dummy electrodes.",
"7. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 5, wherein a region bounded by a first envelope and a second envelope has a hexagonal shape, the first envelope being an imaginary line formed by connecting tips of the electrode fingers of one of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the series-arm-side IDT electrode, the second envelope being an imaginary line formed by connecting tips of the electrode fingers of the other comb-shaped electrode of the series-arm-side IDT electrode.",
"8. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 5, wherein the series-arm-side IDT electrode apodization weighted in all of the plurality of series arm resonators, and the busbars of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the series-arm-side IDT electrode are configured so that in the acoustic wave propagation direction, the distance between the busbars in the overlap width direction perpendicular to the acoustic wave propagation direction becomes shorter as the overlap width of the electrode fingers becomes smaller.",
"9. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 8, wherein:\nthe ladder acoustic wave filter device includes a plurality of the parallel arm resonators; and\nin all of the plurality of parallel arm resonators, each of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the parallel-arm-side IDT electrode includes the busbar, the plurality of electrode fingers, and the plurality of dummy electrodes.",
"10. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein:\nthe ladder acoustic wave filter device includes a plurality of the series arm resonators;\nthe series-arm-side IDT electrode is apodization weighted in at least a series arm resonator with a lowest resonant frequency among the plurality of series arm resonators, and the busbars of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the series-arm-side IDT electrode are configured so that in the acoustic wave propagation direction, the distance between the busbars in the overlap width direction perpendicular to the acoustic wave propagation direction becomes shorter as the overlap width of the electrode fingers becomes smaller.",
"11. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 10, wherein:\nthe ladder acoustic wave filter device includes a plurality of the parallel arm resonators; and\nin all of the plurality of parallel arm resonators, each of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the parallel-arm-side IDT electrode includes the busbar, the plurality of electrode fingers, and the plurality of dummy electrodes.",
"12. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 10, wherein a region bounded by a first envelope and a second envelope has a hexagonal shape, the first envelope being an imaginary line formed by connecting tips of the electrode fingers of one of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the series-arm-side IDT electrode, the second envelope being an imaginary line formed by connecting tips of the electrode fingers of the other comb-shaped electrode of the series-arm-side IDT electrode.",
"13. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 10, wherein the series-arm-side IDT electrode apodization weighted in all of the plurality of series arm resonators, and the busbars of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the series-arm-side IDT electrode are configured so that in the acoustic wave propagation direction, the distance between the busbars in the overlap width direction perpendicular to the acoustic wave propagation direction becomes shorter as the overlap width of the electrode fingers becomes smaller.",
"14. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 13, wherein:\nthe ladder acoustic wave filter device includes a plurality of the parallel arm resonators; and\nin all of the plurality of parallel arm resonators, each of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the parallel-arm-side IDT electrode includes the busbar, the plurality of electrode fingers, and the plurality of dummy electrodes.",
"15. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 13, wherein a region bounded by a first envelope and a second envelope has a hexagonal shape, the first envelope being an imaginary line formed by connecting tips of the electrode fingers of one of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the series-arm-side IDT electrode, the second envelope being an imaginary line formed by connecting tips of the electrode fingers of the other comb-shaped electrode of the series-arm-side IDT electrode.",
"16. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein:\nthe ladder acoustic wave filter device includes a plurality of the parallel arm resonators; and\nin all of the plurality of parallel arm resonators, each of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes of the parallel-arm-side IDT electrode includes the busbar, the plurality of electrode fingers, and the plurality of dummy electrodes.",
"17. A branching filter comprising the ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1 defining a transmitting filter device.",
"18. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 1, wherein the ladder acoustic wave filter device is a ladder surface acoustic wave filter device using a surface acoustic wave.",
"19. The ladder acoustic wave filter device according to claim 18, wherein the surface acoustic wave is a leaky surface acoustic wave."
],
[
"1. An elastic wave device comprising:\na piezoelectric substrate having a reciprocal velocity plane which is concave in a propagating direction in which an elastic wave propagates; and\nan elastic wave resonator including a comb-shaped electrode pair which includes a first comb-shaped electrode and a second comb-shaped electrode both provided on the piezoelectric substrate, the first comb-shaped electrode and the second comb-shaped electrode interdigitating with each other, comb-shaped electrode pair being configured to trap energy of the elastic wave therein,\nwherein the first comb-shaped electrode includes a first common electrode and a plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers connected to the first common electrode,\nwherein the second comb-shaped electrode includes a second common electrode and a plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers connected to the second common electrode, the plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers interdigitaing with the plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers, and\nwherein the elastic wave resonator has:\na first region in which the plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers interdigitate with the plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers, and a pitch of the first interdigital electrode fingers and the second interdigital electrode fingers is constant along a direction perpendicular to the propagating direction,\na second region provided between the first region and the first common electrode, and a pitch of the first interdigital electrode fingers and the second interdigital electrode fingers in the second region is wider than the pitch in the first region, and\na third region provided between the first region and the second common electrode, and a pitch of the first interdigital electrode fingers and the second interdigital electrode fingers in the third region is wider than the pitch in the first region.",
"2. The elastic wave device according to claim 1,\nwherein the elastic wave resonator further includes first and second reflecting electrodes disposed on the piezoelectric substrate, the comb-shaped electrode pair being disposed between the first reflecting electrode and the second reflecting electrode,\nwherein each of the first and the second reflecting electrodes includes third and fourth common electrodes and a plurality of reflecting electrode fingers disposed between the third and fourth common electrodes and connected to the third and fourth common electrodes,\nwherein each of the first and the second reflecting electrodes has:\na fourth region in which a pitch of the plurality of reflecting electrode fingers is constant along a direction perpendicular to the propagating direction;\na fifth region provided between the fourth region and the third common electrode, and a pitch of the plurality of reflecting electrode fingers in the fifth region is wider than the pitch in the fourth region; and\na sixth region disposed between the fourth region and the fourth common electrode, and a pitch of the plurality of reflecting electrode fingers in the sixth region is wider than the pitch in the fourth region.",
"3. The elastic wave device according to claim 2, wherein the elastic wave resonator further includes another comb-shaped electrode pair disposed between the first reflecting electrode and the comb-shaped electrode pair, the elastic wave resonator constituting a dual terminal pair resonator.",
"4. The elastic wave device according to claim 3, wherein the another comb-shaped electrode pair has the first region, the second region, and the third region.",
"5. The elastic wave device according to claim 1,\nwherein the first comb-shaped electrode further includes a plurality of first dummy electrode fingers connected to the first common electrode, the plurality of first dummy electrode fingers having tips facing tips of the plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers in extending directions of the plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers across gaps, respectively,\nwherein the second comb-shaped electrode further includes a plurality of second dummy electrode fingers connected to the second common electrode, the plurality of second dummy electrode fingers having tips facing tips of the plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers in extending directions of the plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers via a gap, respectively,\nwherein a pitch of the plurality of first dummy electrode fingers and the plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers is wider than the pitch of the plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers and the plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers in the second region, and\nwherein a pitch of the plurality of second dummy electrode fingers and the plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers is wider than the pitch of the plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers and the plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers in the third region.",
"6. The elastic wave device according to claim 5, wherein a ratio of a width of the plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers, the plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers, the plurality of first dummy electrode fingers, and the plurality of second dummy electrode fingers to the pitch is constant along the direction perpendicular to the propagating direction.",
"7. The elastic wave device according to claim 5, wherein a pitch of the plurality of first dummy electrode fingers and the plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers becomes wider as located away from the second region, and a pitch of the plurality of second dummy electrode fingers and the plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers becomes wider as located away from the third region.",
"8. The elastic wave device according to claim 5,\nwherein each of the plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers and respective one of the plurality of second dummy electrode fingers extend along a line including a plurality of straight lines connected to each other or a smooth curved line, and\nwherein each of the plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers and respective one of the plurality of first dummy electrode fingers extend along a line including a plurality of straight lines connected to each other or a smooth curved line.",
"9. The elastic wave device according to claim 5, wherein a maximum pitch of the plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers and the plurality of first dummy electrode fingers, and a maximum pitch of the plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers and the plurality of second dummy electrode fingers are not smaller than 1.005×P0, where P0 is the pitch in the first region.",
"10. The elastic wave device according to claim 5, wherein a maximum pitch of the plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers and the plurality of first dummy electrode fingers, and a maximum pitch of the plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers and the plurality of second dummy electrode fingers are not greater than 1.020×P0, where P0 is the pitch in the first region.",
"11. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the pitch in the second region and the pitch in the third region become wider as located away from the first region.",
"12. The elastic wave device according to claim 1,\nwherein the plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers extend in the second region along a continuous curve or a line including a plurality of straight lines connected to each other, and\nwherein the plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers extend in the third region along a continuous curve or a line including a plurality of straight lines connected to each other.",
"13. The elastic wave device according to claim 1,\nwherein the plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers extend along a smooth curved line from the second region to the first region, and\nwherein the plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers along a smooth curved line extend from the third region to the first region.",
"14. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein a ratio of each of widths of the plurality of first interdigital electrode fingers and the plurality of second interdigital electrode fingers to the pitch is constant along the direction perpendicular to the propagating direction.",
"15. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the pitch changes along the propagating direction.",
"16. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein a maximum pitch in the second region is not smaller than 1.005×P0, where P0 is the pitch in the first region.",
"17. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein a maximum pitch in the second region is not greater than 1.020×P0, where P0 is the pitch in the first region.",
"18. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein, in a case that the pitch in the first region are λ/2, a width of the second region in the direction perpendicular to the propagating direction is not smaller than λ.",
"19. The elastic wave device according to claim 1,\nwherein the elastic wave resonator is a terminal pair resonator, and\nwherein the elastic wave resonator is connected to a signal path in series or between the signal path and a ground.",
"20. An elastic wave device comprising:\na piezoelectric substrate having a reciprocal velocity plane which is concave in a propagating direction in which an elastic wave propagates; and\nan elastic wave resonator including first and second reflecting electrodes and a comb-shaped electrode pair disposed between the first and second reflecting electrodes, the first and second reflecting electrodes and the comb-shaped electrode pair being disposed on the piezoelectric substrate provided, the elastic wave resonator being configured to trap energy of the elastic wave therein,\nwherein each of the first reflecting electrode and the second reflecting electrode includes a first common electrode, a second common electrode, and a plurality of reflecting electrode fingers disposed between the first and second common electrodes and connected to the first and second common electrodes,\nwherein each of the first reflecting electrode and the second reflecting electrode has:\na first region in which a pitch of the plurality of reflecting electrode fingers is constant along a direction perpendicular to the propagating direction,\na second region provided between the first region and the first common electrode, and a pitch of the plurality of reflecting electrode fingers in the second region is wider than the pitch in the first region, and\na third region disposed between the first region and the second common electrode, and a pitch of the plurality of reflecting electrode fingers in the third region are wider than the pitch in the first region.",
"21. The elastic wave device according to claim 20, wherein the elastic wave resonator further includes another comb-shaped electrode pair disposed between the first reflecting electrode and the comb-shaped electrode pair, the elastic wave resonator constituting a dual terminal pair resonator.",
"22. The elastic wave device according to claim 20, wherein the another comb-shaped electrode pair has the first region and the second region."
],
[
"1. A resonator comprising:\na first comb-shaped electrode formed on a piezoelectric substrate and including a first bus bar, first electrode fingers coupled to the first bus bar and extending in an extension direction, and first dummy electrode fingers coupled to the first bus bar; and\na second comb-shaped electrode formed on the piezoelectric substrate and including a second bus bar, second electrode fingers coupled to the second bus bar, extending in the extension direction, and facing the first dummy electrode fingers through first gaps, and second dummy electrode fingers coupled to the second bus bar and facing the first electrode fingers through second gaps, wherein\nΔD is greater than or equal to 0.5λ and less than or equal to 3.5λ (0.5λ≦ΔD≦3.5λ) where ΔD represents a distance in the extension direction between at least two gaps that are at least adjoining two of the first gaps and/or at least adjoining two of the second gaps, and λ represents a pitch of the first electrode finger and the second electrode finger.",
"2. The resonator according to claim 1, wherein\na duty ratio of electrode fingers and dummy electrode fingers in a first region between the at least two gaps in the extension direction differ from a duty ratio of the first electrode fingers and the second electrode fingers in a second region in which the first electrode fingers overlap with the second electrode fingers in the extension direction, the electrode fingers being the first electrode fingers and/or the second electrode fingers corresponding to the at least two gaps, and the dummy electrode fingers being the first dummy electrode fingers and/or the second dummy electrode fingers corresponding to the at least two gaps.",
"3. The resonator according to claim 2, wherein\nthe duty ratio of the electrode fingers and the dummy electrode fingers is greater than the duty ratio of the first electrode fingers and the second electrode fingers in the second region.",
"4. The resonator according to claim 2, wherein\nthe duty ratio of the electrode fingers and the dummy electrode fingers in third regions corresponding to the at least two gaps in the extension direction differ from the duty ratio of the first electrode fingers and the second electrode fingers in the second region.",
"5. The resonator according to claim 1, further comprising:\nan insulating film located in the at least two gaps.",
"6. The resonator according to claim 1, wherein\nthe at least two gaps are the at least adjoining two of the first gaps and the at least adjoining two of the second gaps.",
"7. The resonator according to claim 1, wherein\nthe first gaps and/or the second gaps are alternately modulated by a distance ΔD.",
"8. A filter comprising:\nthe resonator according to claim 1.",
"9. A duplexer comprising:\na first filter connected between a common terminal and a first terminal; and\na second filter connected between the common terminal and a second terminal, wherein\nat least one the first filter and the second filter is the filter according to claim 8.",
"10. The resonator according to claim 1, wherein\nthe piezoelectric substrate is a lithium tantalate substrate or a lithium niobate substrate.",
"11. A resonator comprising:\na first comb-shaped electrode formed on a piezoelectric substrate and including a first bus bar, first electrode fingers coupled to the first bus bar and extending in an extension direction, and first dummy electrode fingers coupled to the first bus bar; and\na second comb-shaped electrode formed on the piezoelectric substrate and including a second bus bar, second electrode fingers coupled to the second bus bar, extending in the extension direction, and facing the first dummy electrode fingers through first gaps, and second dummy electrode fingers coupled to the second bus bar and facing the first electrode fingers through second gaps, wherein\nΔD is greater than or equal to 1.5λ and less than or equal to 3.0λ (1.5λ≦ΔD≦3.0κ) where ΔD represents a distance in the extension direction between at least two gaps that are at least adjoining two of the first gaps and/or at least adjoining two of the second gaps, and λ represents a pitch of the first electrode finger and the second electrode finger.",
"12. A filter comprising:\nthe resonator according to claim 11.",
"13. A duplexer comprising:\na first filter connected between a common terminal and a first terminal; and\na second filter connected between the common terminal and a second terminal, wherein\nat least one the first filter and the second filter is the filter according to claim 12."
],
[
"1. An acoustic wave device comprising:\na piezoelectric substrate; and\nan interdigital transducer electrode provided on or above the piezoelectric substrate; wherein\nthe interdigital transducer electrode includes a plurality of first electrode fingers and a plurality of second electrode fingers, the plurality of second electrode fingers being connected to an electric potential different from an electric potential connected to the plurality of first electrode fingers;\na direction orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to a direction in which the first electrode fingers and the second electrode fingers extend is an acoustic wave propagation direction;\nthe interdigital transducer electrode includes a first area centrally provided in the acoustic wave propagation direction, second areas provided on one side and another side of the first area in the acoustic wave propagation direction, and third areas provided on a side of each of the second areas opposite to the first area in the acoustic wave propagation direction;\nin the second areas, the first electrode finger and the second electrode finger are alternately arranged in the acoustic wave propagation direction;\nin the first area and the third areas, adjacent electrode fingers in the acoustic wave propagation direction are connected to a same electric potential, or electrode fingers are not connected to any electric potential; and\na total number of the electrode fingers in the first area is an odd number, and in both of the second areas, polarities of the electrode fingers disposed at respective end sections toward the first area are different from one another.",
"2. The acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein in the first area and the third areas, adjacent electrode fingers in the acoustic wave propagation direction are at a same electric potential.",
"3. The acoustic wave device according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the first area or the third areas include a thick electrode finger having a larger width-direction dimension in the acoustic wave propagation direction than a width-direction dimension of the first electrode fingers and the second electrode fingers in the second areas.",
"4. The acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first area or the third areas includes a floating electrode finger that is not connected to any electric potential.",
"5. The acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein in both of the second areas, the electrode fingers disposed at respective end sections toward the first area are connected to different electric potentials.",
"6. A composite filter device comprising:\nn filters, wherein\none-end portions of the n filters are electrically connected in common; and\nat least one of the n filters includes the acoustic wave device according to claim 1.",
"7. A composite filter device comprising:\nn filters; and\nan antenna terminal to which one-end portions of the n filters are electrically connected in common; wherein\nat least one filter of the n filters includes at least one acoustic wave device, and in the at least one filter, the acoustic wave device closest to the antenna terminal is defined by the acoustic wave device according to claim 1.",
"8. The acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein\nfourth areas are provided on outer sides of the third areas in the acoustic wave propagation direction, respectively; and\nin the fourth areas, the first electrode fingers and the second electrode fingers are alternately arranged in the acoustic wave propagation direction.",
"9. The acoustic wave device according to claim 8, wherein a polarity of one of the first and second electrode fingers disposed at an end section of the fourth area toward the third area is different from a polarity of another one of the electrode fingers disposed at an end section of the second area toward the third area.",
"10. An acoustic wave device comprising:\na piezoelectric substrate; and\nan interdigital transducer electrode provided on or above the piezoelectric substrate; wherein\nthe interdigital transducer electrode includes a plurality of first electrode fingers and a plurality of second electrode fingers, the plurality of second electrode fingers being connected to an electric potential different from an electric potential connected to the plurality of first electrode fingers;\na direction orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to a direction in which the first electrode fingers and the second electrode fingers extend is an acoustic wave propagation direction;\nthe interdigital transducer electrode includes a first area centrally provided in the acoustic wave propagation direction, second areas provided on one side and another side of the first area in the acoustic wave propagation direction, and third areas provided on a side of each of the second areas opposite to the first area in the acoustic wave propagation direction;\nin the second areas, the first electrode finger and the second electrode finger are alternately arranged in the acoustic wave propagation direction;\nin the first area and the third areas, adjacent electrode fingers in the acoustic wave propagation direction are connected to a same electric potential, or electrode fingers are not connected to any electric potential; and\na total number of the electrode fingers in the first area is an even number, and in both of the second areas, polarities of the electrode fingers disposed at respective end sections toward the first area are equal to one another.",
"11. The acoustic wave device according to claim 10, wherein in the first area and the third areas, adjacent electrode fingers in the acoustic wave propagation direction are at a same electric potential.",
"12. The acoustic wave device according to claim 11, wherein at least one of the first area or the third areas include a thick electrode finger having a larger width-direction dimension in the acoustic wave propagation direction than a width-direction dimension of the first electrode fingers and the second electrode fingers in the second areas.",
"13. The acoustic wave device according to claim 10, wherein at least one of the first area or the third areas includes a floating electrode finger that is not connected to any electric potential.",
"14. The acoustic wave device according to claim 10, wherein in both of the second areas, the electrode fingers disposed at respective end sections toward the first area are connected to a same electric potential.",
"15. A composite filter device comprising:\nn filters, wherein\none-end portions of the n filters are electrically connected in common; and\nat least one of the n filters includes the acoustic wave device according to claim 10.",
"16. A composite filter device comprising:\nn filters; and\nan antenna terminal to which one-end portions of the n filters are electrically connected in common; wherein\nat least one filter of the n filters includes at least one acoustic wave device, and in the at least one filter, the acoustic wave device closest to the antenna terminal is defined by the acoustic wave device according to claim 10.",
"17. The acoustic wave device according to claim 10, wherein\nfourth areas are provided on outer sides of the third areas in the acoustic wave propagation direction, respectively; and\nin the fourth areas, the first electrode fingers and the second electrode fingers are alternately arranged in the acoustic wave propagation direction.",
"18. The acoustic wave device according to claim 17, wherein a polarity of one of the first and second electrode fingers disposed at an end section of the fourth area toward the third area is different from a polarity of another one of the electrode fingers disposed at an end section of the second area toward the third area."
],
[
"1. An acoustic wave filter comprising:\na surface acoustic wave resonator and a bulk acoustic wave resonator; wherein\nthe surface acoustic wave resonator includes:\na substrate with piezoelectricity; and\nan interdigital transducer (IDT) electrode on the substrate;\nthe IDT electrode includes a pair of comb-shaped electrodes interdigitated with each other, each of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes including a plurality of electrode fingers extending in parallel or substantially in parallel in a direction crossing a surface acoustic wave propagation direction and a busbar electrode connecting the plurality of electrode fingers to each other at one end of each electrode finger of the plurality of electrode fingers; and\nthe bulk acoustic wave resonator includes:\na lower electrode including a portion of the busbar electrode;\na piezoelectric film on the busbar electrode; and\nan upper electrode on the piezoelectric film.",
"2. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric film mainly includes at least one of zinc oxide (ZnO), aluminum nitride (AlN), PZT, potassium niobate (KN), LN, LT, quartz-crystal, or lithium borate (LiBO).",
"3. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 2, wherein the piezoelectric film is a c-axis oriented film including zinc oxide (ZnO) or aluminum nitride (AlN).",
"4. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein, when the substrate is viewed in plan view, the piezoelectric film has a polygonal, a circular, or an oval shape.",
"5. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein\nthe busbar electrode and the lower electrode are coupled to a ground wire; and\nthe upper electrode is coupled to a radio-frequency-signal input-output wire.",
"6. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein\nthe busbar electrode and the lower electrode are coupled to a radio-frequency-signal input-output wire; and\nthe upper electrode is coupled to a ground wire.",
"7. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein\nthe acoustic wave filter includes a plurality of the surface acoustic wave resonators, and the bulk acoustic wave resonator;\nthe plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators determine a pass band of the acoustic wave filter; and\nthe bulk acoustic wave resonator determines an attenuation pole.",
"8. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 7, the acoustic wave filter includes a plurality of the bulk acoustic wave resonators; wherein\nthe plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators include a plurality of IDT electrodes corresponding to the plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators;\nthe plurality of bulk acoustic wave resonators include a first bulk acoustic wave resonator and a second bulk acoustic wave resonator;\nthe first bulk acoustic wave resonator includes a first lower electrode defined by a portion of the busbar electrode of a first IDT electrode of the plurality of IDT electrodes, a first piezoelectric film on the busbar electrode, and a first upper electrode on the first piezoelectric film;\nthe second bulk acoustic wave resonator includes a second lower electrode defined by a portion of the busbar electrode of a second IDT electrode of the plurality of IDT electrodes, a second piezoelectric film on the busbar electrode, and an upper electrode on the second piezoelectric film; and\nthe first piezoelectric film is thinner than the second piezoelectric film, and a frequency at an attenuation pole determined by the first bulk acoustic wave resonator is higher than a frequency at an attenuation pole determined by the second bulk acoustic wave resonator.",
"9. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 7, wherein\nthe plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators define a longitudinally coupled resonator;\nthe longitudinally coupled resonator includes a plurality of IDT electrodes corresponding to the plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators;\nthe plurality of IDT electrodes are adjacent to each other in the surface acoustic wave propagation direction;\nthe bulk acoustic wave resonator includes a lower electrode defined by a portion of the busbar electrode of a first IDT electrode of the plurality of IDT electrodes, a piezoelectric film on the busbar electrode, and an upper electrode on the piezoelectric film; and\nthe upper electrode is coupled to the busbar electrode of a second IDT electrode adjacent to the first IDT electrode.",
"10. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the substrate is a single-crystal piezoelectric substrate.",
"11. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 10, wherein the single-crystal piezoelectric substrate includes at least one of LiNbO3, LiTaO3, or quartz-crystal.",
"12. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the substrate includes a high acoustic velocity support substrate, a low acoustic velocity film, and a piezoelectric film stacked in this order.",
"13. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 12, wherein the high acoustic velocity support substrate includes silicon.",
"14. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 12, wherein the low acoustic velocity film includes silicon dioxide.",
"15. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the IDT electrode includes a fixing layer and a main electrode layer on the fixing layer.",
"16. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 15, wherein the fixing layer includes Ti.",
"17. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 15, wherein the main electrode layer includes Al including about 1% Cu.",
"18. The acoustic wave filter according to claim 1, wherein the IDT electrode includes at least one of Ti, Al, Cu, Pt, Au, Ag, or Pd, or an alloy including at least one of Ti, Al, Cu, Pt, Au, Ag, or Pd."
],
[
"1. A wireless communication device comprising:\nradio frequency front end (RFFE) circuitry comprising:\na power amplifier module including one or more power amplifiers to amplify an outgoing radio frequency (RF) signal; and\na surface acoustic-wave (SAW) device that is coupled with the power amplifier module and that defines a passband having a lower side and an upper side, the SAW device comprising:\na piezoelectric substrate having a surface to support an acoustic wave;\na plurality of resonators on the surface of the piezoelectric substrate, the plurality of resonators including at least a first resonator and a second resonator, wherein the plurality of resonators are formed by a plurality of electrodes, the first resonator has a first duty factor, the second resonator has a second duty factor, the first duty factor is larger than the second duty factor, and the first resonator is a series resonator where a width of individual electrodes of the plurality of electrodes forming the first resonator is larger than a width of individual electrodes of the plurality of electrodes forming the second resonator, wherein the width of the individual electrodes of the plurality of electrodes forming the first resonator and the width of the individual electrodes of the plurality of electrodes forming the second resonator is such that the first duty factor is at least 10% greater than the second duty factor and the plurality of resonators includes a plurality of series resonators and a plurality of shunt resonators arranged in a ladder filter configuration, and the first resonator is one of the plurality of series resonators and the second resonator is one of the plurality of shunt resonators; and\na dielectric layer having a positive thermal coefficient of frequency (TCF) and covering the plurality of resonators, wherein:\nthe dielectric layer has a first thickness that covers the plurality of electrodes forming the first resonator and the dielectric layer has a second thickness that covers the plurality of electrodes forming the second resonator;\na first electrode period is a first physical distance between each of the plurality of electrodes forming the first resonator and a second electrode period is a second physical distance between each of the plurality of electrodes forming the second resonator;\nthe first thickness is a first ratio times the first electrode period;\nthe second thickness is a second ratio times the second electrode period;\nthe first ratio is between 0.65 to 0.85 when the upper side has a steeper transition than the lower side and is less than or equal to 0.5 when the lower side has the steeper transition than the upper side; and\nthe second ratio is less than or equal to 0.50 when the upper side has the steeper transition than the lower side and is between 0.65 to 0.85 when the lower side has the steeper transition than the upper side; wherein one of the upper side and the lower side has a steeper transition than the other of the upper side and the lower side.",
"2. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the dielectric layer is formed of a silicon oxide material, the plurality of electrodes are formed of a material having a density that is greater than a density of aluminum (Al), and the piezoelectric substrate is formed of lithium niobate (LiNbO3) having a cut angle between Y+120 degrees and Y+140 degrees.",
"3. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein individual series resonators of the plurality of series resonators are covered by a first amount of the dielectric layer and individual shunt resonators of the plurality of shunt resonators are covered by a second amount of the dielectric layer.",
"4. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein only a series resonator of the plurality of series resonators having a lower resonance frequency than other ones of the plurality of series resonators is covered by a first amount of the dielectric layer.",
"5. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of electrodes are formed of a material comprising copper (Cu) or an alloy including Cu, and the plurality of electrodes have a third thickness that is between 5% and 15% of the first electrode period and the second electrode period.",
"6. A wireless communication device comprising:\nradio frequency front end (RFFE) circuitry comprising:\na power amplifier module including one or more power amplifiers to amplify an outgoing radio frequency (RF) signal; and\na surface acoustic-wave (SAW) device that is coupled with the power amplifier module and that defines a passband having a lower side and an upper side, the SAW device comprising:\na piezoelectric substrate having a surface to support an acoustic wave;\na plurality of resonators on the surface of the piezoelectric substrate, the plurality of resonators including at least a first resonator and a second resonator, wherein the plurality of resonators are formed by a plurality of electrodes, the first resonator has a first duty factor, the second resonator has a second duty factor, the first duty factor is larger than the second duty factor; and\na dielectric layer having a positive thermal coefficient of frequency (TCF) and covering the plurality of resonators, wherein:\nthe dielectric layer has a first thickness that covers the plurality of electrodes forming the first resonator and the dielectric layer has a second thickness that covers the plurality of electrodes forming the second resonator;\na first electrode period is a first physical distance between each of the plurality of electrodes forming the first resonator and a second electrode period is a second physical distance between each of the plurality of electrodes forming the second resonator;\nthe first thickness is a first ratio times the first electrode period;\nthe second thickness is a second ratio times the second electrode period;\nthe first ratio is between 0.65 to 0.85 when the upper side has a steeper transition than the lower side and is less than or equal to 0.5 when the lower side has the steeper transition than the upper side; and\nthe second ratio is less than or equal to 0.50 when the upper side has the steeper transition than the lower side and is between 0.65 to 0.85 when the lower side has the steeper transition than the upper side; wherein one of the upper side and the lower side has a steeper transition than the other of the upper side and the lower side.",
"7. The wireless communication device of claim 6, wherein the dielectric layer is formed of a silicon oxide material, the plurality of electrodes are formed of a material having a density that is greater than a density of aluminum (Al), and the piezoelectric substrate is formed of lithium niobate (LiNbO3) having a cut angle between Y+120 degrees and Y+140 degrees.",
"8. The wireless communication device of claim 6, wherein the second resonator is a coupled resonator filter and the first resonator is coupled in series with the coupled resonator filter, wherein an amount of the dielectric layer covers an entirety of the coupled resonator filter.",
"9. The wireless communication device of claim 6, wherein the plurality of electrodes are formed of a material comprising copper (Cu) or an alloy including Cu, and the plurality of electrodes have a third thickness that is between 5% and 15% of the first electrode period and the second electrode period."
],
[
"1. A system for search, retrieval, and display of information in an electronic communication network, the system comprising:\none or more hardware-based processors and one or more hardware-based memories storing computer-executable instructions;\na user agent implemented by the computer-executable instructions stored in the one or more hardware-based memories, in the electronic communication network, the user agent having one or more screens, that:\nin response to a first query input, transmits a first search query, receives a first query response document comprising a first set of one or more response snippets, displays the first query response document in a first response document display on the one or more screens;\nin response to a first selection input received within the first response document display wherein the selection input comprises selection of a sourced document, provides a first document display on the one or more screens using a first client content version of the sourced document,\nin response to a second query input transmits a second search query, receives a second query response document comprising a second set of one or more response snippets, displays the second query response document in a second response document display; and\nin response to a second selection input received within the second response document display that comprises selection of the sourced document, provides a second document display on the one or more screens using a second client content version of the sourced document;\nwherein:\nin response to an action set comprising one or more single actions, wherein the single actions comprise the first selection input and zero or more additional inputs permitted according to a set of distinguishing inputs of a first distinguishing context of the first document display, a first partially distinguished word is visibly displayed and partially distinguished in the first document display on the one or more screens, and the first partially distinguished word is in a first matching document snippet of the first client content version that is canonically similar to the first set of one or more response snippets;\na second partially distinguished word is partially distinguished in a second distinguishing context of the second document display and is in a second matching document snippet of the second client content version that is canonically similar to the second set of one or more response snippets;\na first set of cross matching document snippets, consisting of the visible document snippets of the second client content version that are canonically similar to the first set of one or more response snippets, is nonempty and its members are undistinguished in the second distinguishing context;\na second set of cross matching document snippets, consisting of the visible document snippets of the first client content version that are canonically similar to the second set of one or more response snippets, is nonempty and its members are undistinguished in the first distinguishing context; and\nin the first distinguishing context:\nthe text of a matching undistinguished word, which is undistinguished, matches the text of the first partially distinguished word;\na preceding undistinguished word is viewable before the first matching document snippet and is undistinguished; and\na following undistinguished word is viewable after the first matching document snippet and is undistinguished.",
"2. The system of claim 1, wherein:\nin response to the action set comprising the one or more single actions, the first partially distinguished word is in-place partially distinguished in the first document display; and\nthe second partially distinguished word is in-place partially distinguished in the second distinguishing context of the second document display.",
"3. The system of claim 1, wherein:\nthe first client content version of the sourced document is represented in a variant of HTML (Hypertext Markup Language);\na set of zero or more conventional fragment identifier target HTML elements consists of each HTML element of the first client content version such that:\nthe HTML element contains all of the text that:\nis distinguished in the first distinguishing context; and\nis between the preceding undistinguished word and the following undistinguished word;\na target character string is the value of:\na ‘name’ attribute of the HTML element, wherein the HTML element is an HTML anchor element; and/or\nan ‘id’ attribute of the HTML element; and\na fragment identifier string, which matches the target character string, is derived from the first client content version in response to the action set; and\neach member of the set of zero or more conventional fragment identifier target HTML elements contains:\nat least one character of the preceding undistinguished word; and/or\nat least one character of the following undistinguished word.",
"4. The system of claim 1, wherein:\nthe first client content version of the sourced document is represented in a variant of HTML (Hypertext Markup Language); and\nevery HTML element of the first client content version that contains all of the text that:\nis distinguished in the first distinguishing context; and\nis between the preceding undistinguished word and the following undistinguished word;\nalso contains:\nat least one character of the preceding undistinguished word; and/or\nat least one character of the following undistinguished word.",
"5. The system of claim 2, wherein the action set comprises no more than five single actions.",
"6. The system of claim 4, wherein the action set comprises no more than five single actions.",
"7. The system of claim 4, further comprising:\na search engine service in the electronic communication network that:\nin response to receiving the first search query generates the first query response document comprising the first set of one or more response snippets that are constructed using information from a first server content version of the sourced document, and transmits the first query response document; and\nin response to receiving the second search query generates the second query response document comprising the second set of one or more response snippets that are constructed using information from a second server content version of the sourced document, and transmits the second query response document;\nwherein the user agent transmits the first search query and transmits the second search query to the search engine service.",
"8. The system of claim 7, wherein the first server content version is different from the second server content version.",
"9. The system of claim 4, wherein the retrieval of the first client content version of the sourced document is an undistinguished retrieval from the document source.",
"10. The system of claim 4, wherein the text of the first matching document snippet matches the text of one of the snippets of the first set of one or more response snippets.",
"11. A method for search, retrieval, and display of information on a user agent having one or more screens in an electronic communication network, the method comprising:\ntransmitting, in response to a first query input, a first search query from the user agent;\nreceiving a first query response document comprising a first set of one or more response snippets;\ndisplaying the first query response document in a first response document display on the one or more screens;\nselecting a sourced document by receiving a first selection input from within the first response document display;\nin response to the first selection input, providing a first distinguishing context for a first document display of the first client content version of the sourced document on the one or more screens;\ntransmitting, in response to a second query input, a second search query from the user agent;\nreceiving a second query response document comprising a second set of one or more response snippets;\ndisplaying the second query response document in a second response document display on the one or more screens;\nselecting the sourced document by receiving a second selection input from within the second response document display;\nin response to the second selection input, providing a second distinguishing context for a second document display of a second client content version of the sourced document on the one or more screens;\nresponding to an action set comprising one or more single actions, which are the single actions comprised by the first selection input and zero or more single actions comprised by additional inputs permitted according to the set of distinguishing inputs of a first distinguishing context of the first document display;\ndistinguishing partially, in a second distinguishing context of the second document display, of a second partially distinguished word in a second matching document snippet that is canonically similar to the second set of one or more response snippets;\ndisplaying, in the second document display and in a manner that is not distinguishing according to the distinguishing manner of the second distinguishing context, all of the one or more visible document snippets of the second client content version that are canonically similar to the first set of one or more response snippets; and\ndisplaying, in the first document display and in a manner that is not distinguished according to the distinguishing manner of the first distinguishing context:\nall of the one or more visible document snippets of the first client content version that are canonically similar to the second set of one or more response snippets;\na matching undistinguished word having text that matches the text of the first partially distinguished word;\na preceding undistinguished word that appears before the first matching document snippet; and\na following undistinguished word that appears after the first matching document snippet;\nwherein:\nthe responding to the action set comprises distinguishing partially and displaying visibly of a first partially distinguished word, of the first client content version, in the first document display on the one or more screens; and\nthe first partially distinguished word is in a first matching document snippet that is canonically similar to the first set of one or more response snippets.",
"12. The method of claim 11, wherein:\nthe distinguishing partially and displaying visibly of the first partially distinguished word comprises in-place partially distinguishing of the first partially distinguished word; and\nthe distinguishing partially of the second partially distinguished word comprises in-place partially distinguishing of the second partially distinguished word.",
"13. The method of claim 11, wherein:\nthe first client content version of the sourced document is represented in a variant of HTML (Hypertext Markup Language);\na set of zero or more conventional fragment identifier target HTML elements consists of each HTML element of the first client content version such that:\nthe HTML element contains all of the text that:\nis distinguished in the first distinguishing context; and\nis between the preceding undistinguished word and the following undistinguished word;\na target character string is the value of:\na ‘name’ attribute of the HTML element, wherein the HTML element is an HTML anchor element; and/or\nan ‘id’ attribute of the HTML element; and\nthe responding to the action set comprises deriving of a fragment identifier string, which matches the target character string, from the first client content version; and\neach member of the set of zero or more conventional fragment identifier target HTML elements contains:\nat least one character of the preceding undistinguished word; and/or\nat least one character of the following undistinguished word.",
"14. The method of claim 11, wherein:\nthe first client content version of the sourced document is represented in a variant of HTML (Hypertext Markup Language); and\nevery HTML element of the first client content version that contains all of the text that:\nis distinguished in the first distinguishing context; and\nis between the preceding undistinguished word and the following undistinguished word;\nalso contains:\nat least one character of the preceding undistinguished word; and/or\nat least one character of the following undistinguished word.",
"15. The method of claim 12, wherein the action set comprises no more than five single actions.",
"16. The method of claim 14, wherein the action set comprises no more than five single actions.",
"17. The method of claim 14, further comprising:\nreceiving the first search query at a search engine service;\nconstructing, in response to receiving the first search query, the first set of one or more response snippets using information from a first server content version of the sourced document;\ngenerating the first query response document comprising the first set of one or more response snippets;\ntransmitting the second query response document from the search engine service to the user agent;\nreceiving the second search query at the search engine service;\nconstructing, in response to receiving the second search query, the second set of one or more response snippets using information from a second server content version of the sourced document;\ngenerating the second query response document comprising the second set of one or more response snippets; and\ntransmitting the second query response document from the search engine service to the user agent.",
"18. The method of claim 17, wherein the first server content version is different from the second server content version.",
"19. The method of claim 14, wherein retrieving the first server content version of the sourced document accomplishes an undistinguished retrieval from the document source.",
"20. The method of claim 14, wherein the text of the first matching document snippet matches the text of one of the snippets of the first set of one or more response snippets."
],
[
"1. An acoustic resonator device comprising:\nan acoustic resonator chip comprising:\na substrate;\na piezoelectric layer having first and second opposing surfaces and that is above a surface of the substrate, such that a portion of the piezoelectric layer forms a diaphragm spanning a cavity between the piezoelectric layer and the substrate; and\na first conductor pattern on at least one of the first and second surfaces of the piezoelectric layer, the first conductor pattern comprising an interdigitated transducer (IDT) having interleaved fingers on the diaphragm and a first contact pad; and\nan interposer having a planar surface facing the piezoelectric layer and a second conductor pattern with a second contact pad on the planar surface of the interposer,\nwherein at least a portion of the first conductor pattern is bonded to at least a portion of the second conductor pattern to form a seal that couples a perimeter of the piezoelectric layer of the acoustic resonator chip to a perimeter of the interposer.",
"2. The acoustic resonator device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second opposing surfaces of the piezoelectric layer are front and back surfaces, respectively, and the first conductor pattern is on the front surface of the piezoelectric layer.",
"3. The acoustic resonator device according to claim 1, further comprising a cap bonded to a back surface of the substrate.",
"4. The acoustic resonator device according to claim 1, wherein the seal is a hermetic seal that couples the piezoelectric layer to the interposer.",
"5. The acoustic resonator device according to claim 1, wherein the first conductor pattern further comprises a first metal, the second conductor pattern further comprises a second metal, and the seal is the first metal directly bonded to the second metal.",
"6. The acoustic resonator device according to claim 1, wherein the interposer is a printed circuit board that comprises a plurality of vias that connect the second contact pad to a third contact pad on a surface of the interposer opposite the planar surface of the interposer that faces the piezoelectric layer.",
"7. The acoustic resonator device according to claim 1, wherein the interposer further comprises a recess that faces the diaphragm.",
"8. An acoustic resonator device comprising:\na radio frequency filter comprising:\na substrate;\na piezoelectric layer attached to the substrate either directly or via one or more intermediate layers; and\na first conductor pattern on the piezoelectric layer and including an interdigitated transducer (IDT) with interleaved fingers and a first contact pad on the piezoelectric layer opposite the substrate; and\nan interposer having a planar surface facing the piezoelectric layer and a second conductor pattern with a second contact pad on the planar surface of the interposer that faces the piezoelectric layer,\nwherein the first conductor pattern is bonded to the second conductor pattern to form a seal to prevent an intrusion of fluids to an interior of the radio frequency filter, and\nwherein the seal couples a perimeter of the piezoelectric layer to a perimeter of the interposer.",
"9. The acoustic resonator device according to claim 8, wherein the piezoelectric layer comprises front and back surfaces, respectively, and the first conductor pattern is on the front surface of the piezoelectric layer.",
"10. The acoustic resonator device according to claim 8, further comprising a cap bonded to a back surface of the substrate.",
"11. The acoustic resonator device according to claim 8, wherein the first conductor pattern further comprises a first metal, the second conductor pattern further comprises a second metal, and the seal is the first metal directly bonded to the second metal.",
"12. The acoustic resonator device according to claim 8, wherein the interposer is a printed circuit board that comprises a plurality of vias that connect the second contact pad to a third contact pad on a surface of the interposer opposite the planar surface of the interposer that faces the piezoelectric layer.",
"13. The acoustic resonator device according to claim 8, wherein the interposer further comprises a recess that faces the diaphragm.",
"14. An acoustic resonator device comprising:\na substrate;\na piezoelectric layer above the substrate and including a diaphragm that is suspended over a cavity between the piezoelectric layer and the substrate;\na first conductor pattern on the piezoelectric layer and including an interdigitated transducer (IDT) with interleaved fingers on the diaphragm and a first contact pad;\nan interposer having a planar surface facing the piezoelectric layer and a second conductor pattern with a second contact pad on the planar surface of the interposer that face the piezoelectric layer; and\na metal seal formed by the first conductor pattern being bonded to the second conductor pattern and that couples the acoustic resonator chip to the interposer,\nwherein the interposer is a printed circuit board that comprises a plurality of vias that connect the second contact pad to a third contact pad on a surface of the interposer opposite the planar surface of the interposer that faces the piezoelectric layer.",
"15. The acoustic resonator device according to claim 14, wherein the piezoelectric layer comprises front and back surfaces, respectively, and the first conductor pattern is on the front surface of the piezoelectric layer.",
"16. The acoustic resonator device according to claim 14, wherein the metal seal is a hermetic continuous metal seal that couples a perimeter of the piezoelectric layer to a perimeter of the interposer.",
"17. The acoustic resonator device according to claim 14, wherein the first conductor pattern further comprises a first metal, the second conductor pattern further comprises a second metal, and the metal seal is the first conductor bonded to the second conductor.",
"18. The acoustic resonator device according to claim 14, wherein the interposer further comprises a recess that faces the diaphragm."
],
[
"1. An elastic wave device including a piezoelectric film, the elastic wave device comprising:\na high-acoustic-velocity supporting substrate in which an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave propagating therein is higher than an acoustic velocity of an elastic wave propagating in the piezoelectric film;\na low-acoustic-velocity film stacked on the high-acoustic-velocity supporting substrate, in which an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave propagating therein is lower than an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave propagating in the piezoelectric film;\nthe piezoelectric film stacked on the low-acoustic-velocity film; and\nan IDT electrode disposed on a surface of the piezoelectric film; wherein\nthe piezoelectric film is composed of LiNbO3.",
"2. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the low-acoustic-velocity film is composed of silicon oxide or a film containing as a major component silicon oxide.",
"3. The elastic wave device according to claim 2, wherein a thickness of the low-acoustic-velocity film is in a range of about 0.1λ to about 0.5λ, where λ is a wavelength of an elastic wave determined by an electrode period of the IDT electrode.",
"4. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of the piezoelectric film is about 1.5λ or less, where λ is a wavelength of an elastic wave determined by an electrode period of the IDT electrode.",
"5. The elastic wave device according to claim 4, wherein the thickness of the piezoelectric film is in a range of about 0.05λ to about 0.5λ.",
"6. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein a dielectric film is disposed on the piezoelectric film and the IDT electrode.",
"7. The elastic wave device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of an adhesion layer, an underlying film, a low-acoustic-velocity layer, and a high-acoustic-velocity layer is disposed in at least one of boundaries between the piezoelectric film, the low-acoustic-velocity film, and high-acoustic-velocity supporting substrate.",
"8. An elastic wave device including a piezoelectric film, the elastic wave device comprising:\na supporting substrate;\na high-acoustic-velocity film disposed on the supporting substrate, in which an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave propagating therein is higher than an acoustic velocity of an elastic wave propagating in the piezoelectric film;\na low-acoustic-velocity film stacked on the high-acoustic-velocity film, in which an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave propagating therein is lower than an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave propagating in the piezoelectric film;\nthe piezoelectric film stacked on the low-acoustic-velocity film; and\nan IDT electrode disposed on a surface of the piezoelectric film; wherein\nthe piezoelectric film is composed of LiNbO3.",
"9. The elastic wave device according to claim 8, wherein the low-acoustic-velocity film is composed of silicon oxide or a film containing as a major component silicon oxide.",
"10. The elastic wave device according to claim 9, wherein a thickness of the low-acoustic-velocity film is in a range of about 0.1λ to about 0.5λ, where λ is a wavelength of an elastic wave determined by an electrode period of the IDT electrode.",
"11. The elastic wave device according to claim 8, wherein a thickness of the piezoelectric film is about 1.5λ or less, where λ is a wavelength of an elastic wave determined by an electrode period of the IDT electrode.",
"12. The elastic wave device according to claim 11, wherein the thickness of the piezoelectric film is in a range of about 0.05λ to about 0.5λ.",
"13. The elastic wave device according to claim 8, wherein a dielectric film is disposed on the piezoelectric film and the IDT electrode.",
"14. The elastic wave device according to claim 8, wherein at least one of an adhesion layer, an underlying film, a low-acoustic-velocity layer, and a high-acoustic-velocity layer is disposed in at least one of boundaries between the piezoelectric film, the low-acoustic-velocity film, the high-acoustic-velocity film, and the supporting substrate."
],
[
"1. A method for fabricating an acoustic wave device, the method comprising:\nproviding or forming a substrate containing 70 mass % or greater of silicon dioxide (SiO2);\nproviding or forming a piezoelectric thin film with LiTaO3 crystal or LiNbO3 crystal on the substrate, Euler angles of the substrate and Euler angles of the piezoelectric thin film selected such that a phase velocity of a surface acoustic wave propagating along the substrate is greater than a phase velocity of the surface acoustic wave propagating along the piezoelectric thin film; and\nimplementing an interdigital transducer electrode to be in contact with the piezoelectric thin film.",
"2. The method of claim 1 further comprising implementing a Si-containing film between the substrate and the piezoelectric thin film.",
"3. The method of claim 2 wherein the Si-containing film contains 30% or greater of SiO2 or SiO, and has a thickness of 0.15 times to 1 times a wavelength of the surface acoustic wave.",
"4. The method of claim 2 wherein the Si-containing film contains 30% or greater of SiO2 or SiO, and has a thickness of 0.3 times to 0.5 times a wavelength of the surface acoustic wave.",
"5. The method of claim 1 wherein the substrate includes a quartz substrate and a phase velocity of the surface acoustic wave to propagate is 4,500 m/s or greater, 4,800 m/s or greater, or 5,000 m/s or greater.",
"6. The method of claim 5 wherein the substrate includes a quartz substrate, and the surface acoustic wave to propagate includes a leaky acoustic wave including primarily a SH component or an S wave having a phase velocity of 4,500 m/s or greater.",
"7. The method of claim 1 further comprising implementing a shunt electrode and/or an insulating boundary film between the substrate and the piezoelectric thin film.",
"8. The method of claim 1 wherein implementing the interdigital transducer electrode results in at least a lower portion of the interdigital transducer electrode being embedded in the piezoelectric thin film and/or at least an upper portion of the interdigital transducer electrode protruding from the piezoelectric thin film.",
"9. The method of claim 1 wherein providing or forming the substrate includes providing or forming a quartz substrate.",
"10. The method of claim 1 wherein the substrate has a shear wave phase velocity of a bulk wave of 3,400 to 4,800 m/s.",
"11. The method of claim 1 wherein the substrate includes an isotropic substrate, and the piezoelectric thin film has a thickness of 0.001 mm or greater and less than 0.01 mm.",
"12. The method of claim 1 wherein the substrate has the surface acoustic wave propagate in 4,500 m/s or greater and has Euler angles of (0°±5°, 70°-165°, 0°±5°), (0°±5°, 95°-155°, 90°±5°), or crystallographically equivalent Euler angles thereof.",
"13. The method of claim 1 wherein the substrate has Euler angles of (0°±5°, 0°-125°, 0°±5°), (0°±5°, 0°-36°, 90°±5°), (0°±5°, 172°-180°, 90°±5°), (0°±5°, 120°-140°, 30°-49°), (0°±5°, 25°-105°, 0°±5°), (0°±5°, 0°-45°, 15°-35°), (0°±5°, 10°-20°, 60°-70°), (0°±5°, 90°-180°, 30°-45°), (0°±5°, 0°±5°, 85°-95°), (90°±5°, 90°±5°, 25°-31°), (0°±5°, 90°±5°, −3° to 3°), or crystallographically equivalent Euler angles thereof.",
"14. The method of claim 1 wherein the substrate has Euler angles of (20°±5°, 120°±10°, 115°±10°), (0°±5°, 90°±5°, 0°±10°), (0°±5°, 90°±5°, 75°±10°), (0°±5°, 0°±5°, 0°±10°), (0°±5°, 0°±5°, 60°±10°), or crystallographically equivalent Euler angles thereof.",
"15. The method of claim 1 wherein the piezoelectric thin film includes LiTaO3 crystal and has Euler angles of (90°±5°, 90°±5°, 33°-55°), (90°±5°, 90°±5°, 125°-155°), or crystallographically equivalent Euler angles thereof.",
"16. The method of claim 1 wherein the piezoelectric thin film includes LiNbO3 crystal and has Euler angles of (90°±5°, 90°±5°, 38°-65°), (90°±5°, 90°±5°, 118°-140°), or crystallographically equivalent Euler angles thereof.",
"17. The method of claim 1 wherein the interdigital transducer electrode has a thickness, in fraction of a wavelength of the surface acoustic wave, of 0.005-0.32, 0.005-0.20, 0.005-0.28, or 0.005-0.20 for a density range, in kg/m3, of 2000-5000, 5001-9500, 9501-15000, or 15001-220000, respectively.",
"18. The method of claim 1 wherein the interdigital transducer electrode has a metalization ratio of 0.15-0.63, 0.15-0.63, 0.15-0.71, or 0.15-0.65 for a density range, in kg/m3, of 2000-5000, 5001-9500, 9501-15000, or 15001-220000, respectively.",
"19. The method of claim 1 further comprising implementing an insulating boundary film between the substrate and the piezoelectric thin film, the boundary film having a thickness that is greater than or equal to 0.34 times a wavelength of the surface acoustic wave.",
"20. The method of claim 1 further comprising implementing an insulating boundary film disposed between the substrate and the piezoelectric thin film, the boundary film having one or more layers, one layer closest to the piezoelectric thin film having a thickness T, in fraction of a wavelength of the surface acoustic wave, of 0<T<=0.5, 0<T<=0.67, 0<T<=3, or 0<T<=0.6 for a shear wave phase velocity Vs, in m/s, of 1500<=Vs<=2200, 2200<Vs<=3400, 3400<Vs<=5900, or 5900<Vs<=13000, respectively.",
"21. The method of claim 1 wherein the surface acoustic wave has a higher order mode, and the interdigital transducer electrode has a thickness, in fraction of a wavelength of the surface acoustic wave, of 0.17-0.8, 0.08-0.44, 0.08-0.43, or 0.06-0.4 for a density range, in kg/m3, of 2000-5000, 5001-9500, 9501-15000, or 15001-220000, respectively.",
"22. The method of claim 1 wherein the surface acoustic wave has a higher order mode, and the piezoelectric thin film has a thickness of 0.35 times to 9.3 times a wavelength of the surface acoustic wave.",
"23. The method of claim 1 wherein the surface acoustic wave includes either or both of a leaky surface acoustic wave and a longitudinal-wave-type leaky surface acoustic wave.",
"24. The method of claim 1 wherein the piezoelectric thin film includes LiNbO3 crystal, and the surface acoustic wave includes a Rayleigh wave."
],
[
"1. An acoustic wave device comprising:\na piezoelectric substrate; and\nan interdigital transducer (IDT) electrode on the piezoelectric substrate; wherein\nthe piezoelectric substrate includes a high acoustic velocity layer, and a piezoelectric layer directly or indirectly above the high acoustic velocity layer;\nan acoustic velocity of a bulk wave that propagates in the high acoustic velocity layer is greater than an acoustic velocity of an acoustic wave that propagates in the piezoelectric layer;\nthe IDT electrode includes:\na first busbar and a second busbar that face each other;\na plurality of first electrode fingers each connected at one end to the first busbar; and\na plurality of second electrode fingers each connected at one end to the second busbar, the plurality of second electrode fingers being interdigitated with the plurality of first electrode fingers;\na first envelope extends in a slanted direction with respect to a direction of acoustic wave propagation, the first envelope being an imaginary line formed by connecting tips of the plurality of first electrode fingers;\na second envelope extends in a slanted direction with respect to the direction of acoustic wave propagation, the second envelope being an imaginary line formed by connecting tips of the plurality of second electrode fingers;\na first dielectric film is located in at least one gap on the piezoelectric substrate, the at least one gap being at least one of a plurality of first gaps and a plurality of second gaps, the plurality of first gaps being located between the plurality of first electrode fingers and the second busbar, the plurality of second gaps being located between the plurality of second electrode fingers and the first busbar;\nthe first dielectric film has a density greater than a density of silicon oxide; and\na second dielectric film extends over the piezoelectric substrate such that the second dielectric film covers the IDT electrode and the first dielectric film.",
"2. The acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the first dielectric film has a density greater than or equal to a density of the IDT electrode.",
"3. The acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein\nthe IDT electrode includes a plurality of first dummy electrode fingers each connected at one end to the first busbar, and a plurality of second dummy electrode fingers each connected at one end to the second busbar; and\neach of the plurality of first gaps is located between a corresponding one of the plurality of first electrode fingers and a corresponding one of the plurality of second dummy electrode fingers; and\neach of the plurality of second gaps is located between a corresponding one of the plurality of second electrode fingers and a corresponding one of the plurality of first dummy electrode fingers.",
"4. The acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the first dielectric film extends across an entirety of the first gap in which the first dielectric film is located, or extends across an entirety of the second gap in which the first dielectric film is located.",
"5. The acoustic wave device according to claim 3, wherein\nthe first dielectric film in the first gap extends across an entirety of the first gap, and extends onto the first electrode finger and onto the second dummy electrode finger; and\nthe first dielectric film in the second gap extends across an entirety of the second gap, and extends onto the second electrode finger and onto the first dummy electrode finger.",
"6. The acoustic wave device according to claim 3, wherein\nthe first dielectric film in the first gap extends across an entirety of the first gap, and extends to an area between the first electrode finger and the piezoelectric substrate and to an area between the second dummy electrode finger and the piezoelectric substrate; and\nthe first dielectric film in the second gap extends across an entirety of the second gap, and extends to an area between the second electrode finger and the piezoelectric substrate and to an area between the first dummy electrode finger and the piezoelectric substrate.",
"7. The acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein\nthe piezoelectric substrate includes a low acoustic velocity film between the high acoustic velocity layer and the piezoelectric layer; and\nan acoustic velocity of a bulk wave that propagates in the low acoustic velocity film is less than an acoustic velocity of a bulk wave that propagates in the piezoelectric layer.",
"8. The acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the high acoustic velocity layer is a high acoustic velocity support substrate.",
"9. The acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein\nthe piezoelectric substrate further includes a support substrate; and\nthe high acoustic velocity layer is a high acoustic velocity film on the support substrate.",
"10. The acoustic wave device according to claim 1, further comprising reflectors on opposite sides of the IDT electrode.",
"11. The acoustic wave device according to claim 7, wherein the low acoustic velocity film includes at least one of silicon oxide, glass, silicon oxynitride, tantalum oxide or a material including as a main component a compound with fluorine, carbon or boron along with silicon oxide.",
"12. The acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the high acoustic velocity layer includes at least one of silicon nitride, lithium tantalate, lithium niobate, quartz, alumina, zirconia, cordierite, mullite, steatite, forsterite, aluminum nitride, aluminum oxide, silicon carbide, silicon oxynitride, a diamond-like carbon, silicone, sapphire, diamond, or magnesia.",
"13. The acoustic wave device according to claim 9, wherein the support substrate includes at least one of silicon, lithium tantalate, lithium niobate, quartz, alumina, magnesia, silicon nitride, aluminum nitride, silicon carbide, zirconia, cordierite, mullite, steatite, forsterite, glass, spinel, aluminum nitride, aluminum oxide, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, diamond-like carbon, silicone, sapphire, diamond, or magnesia.",
"14. The acoustic wave device according to claim 8, wherein the high velocity support substrate includes silicon, aluminum oxide, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, silicone, sapphire, lithium tantalate, lithium niobate, quartz, alumina, zirconia, cordierite, mullite, steatite, forsterite, magnesia, diamond-like carbon, or diamond.",
"15. The acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the second dielectric film includes silicon oxide.",
"16. The acoustic wave device according to claim 1, wherein the second dielectric film is a protective film."
],
[
"1. An acoustic wave device comprising a multi-layer mass loading strip at least partially overlapping edge portions of a plurality of fingers of an interdigital transducer electrode, the multi-layer mass loading strip having a mass sufficient to suppress at least a portion of a transverse mode, the multi-layer mass loading strip including a first layer and a second layer, the first layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip positioned between the second layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip and the interdigital transducer electrode, and the first layer improves crystal orientation of the second layer.",
"2. The acoustic wave device of claim 1 wherein the second layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip has a higher mass than the first layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip.",
"3. The acoustic wave device of claim 1 wherein the second layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip is a conductive strip.",
"4. The acoustic wave device of claim 1 wherein the first layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip includes titanium.",
"5. The acoustic wave device of claim 1 wherein the first layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip is an adhesion layer that improves the crystal orientation of the second layer.",
"6. The acoustic wave device of claim 5 wherein the second layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip includes molybdenum.",
"7. The acoustic wave device of claim 1 wherein the acoustic wave device is configured to generate a surface acoustic wave.",
"8. The acoustic wave device of claim 1 wherein the second layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip has a higher density than a density of the interdigital transducer electrode.",
"9. The acoustic wave device of claim 1 wherein the multi-layer mass loading strip includes a third layer that is an adhesion layer that adheres to a temperature compensation layer.",
"10. The acoustic wave device of claim 1 wherein the first layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip is spaced apart from a piezoelectric layer.",
"11. A method of filtering a radio frequency signal, the method comprising:\nreceiving the radio frequency signal at an input port of an acoustic wave filter that includes an acoustic wave resonator, the acoustic wave resonator including a multi-layer mass loading strip at least partially overlapping edge portions of fingers of an interdigital transducer electrode, the multi-layer mass loading strip including a first layer and a second layer, the first layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip positioned between the second layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip and the interdigital transducer electrode, and the first layer improves crystal orientation of the second layer; and\nfiltering the radio frequency signal with the acoustic wave filter, the filtering including suppressing a transverse mode using the multi-layer mass loading strip of the acoustic wave resonator.",
"12. The method of claim 11 further comprising forming the second layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip with a higher mass than the first layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip.",
"13. The method of claim 11 further comprising forming the second layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip as a conductive strip.",
"14. The method of claim 11 further comprising forming the first layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip to include titanium.",
"15. The method of claim 11 wherein the first layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip improves the crystal orientation of the second layer.",
"16. The method of claim 15 wherein the second layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip includes molybdenum.",
"17. The method of claim 11 wherein the acoustic wave resonator generates a surface acoustic wave.",
"18. The method of claim 11 further comprising forming the second layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip to have a higher density than a density of the interdigital transducer electrode.",
"19. The method of claim 11 further comprising forming a third layer on of the multi-layer mass loading strip that adheres to a temperature compensation layer.",
"20. The method of claim 11 further comprising spacing the first layer of the multi-layer mass loading strip apart from a piezoelectric layer."
],
[
"1. An acoustic resonator device comprising:\na substrate having a surface;\na single-crystal piezoelectric layer having front and back surfaces, the back surface attached to the surface of the substrate either directly or via at least one intermedia layer, with a portion of the single-crystal piezoelectric layer forming a diaphragm over a cavity;\nan interdigital transducer (IDT) at the single-crystal piezoelectric layer such that interleaved fingers of the IDT are at the diaphragm; and\na dielectric layer on one of the front surface and the back surface of the single-crystal piezoelectric layer, with the dielectric layer having a thickness of a half lambda.",
"2. The acoustic resonator device of claim 1, wherein\na thickness ts of the single-crystal piezoelectric layer and a thickness td of the dielectric layer are defined as follows:\n\n2ts=λ0,s, and\n\n0.85λ0,d≤2td≤1.15λ0,d,\nwhere λ0,s is a wavelength of a fundamental shear bulk acoustic wave resonance in the single-crystal piezoelectric layer, and\nλ0,d is a wavelength of a fundamental shear bulk acoustic wave resonance in the dielectric layer.",
"3. The acoustic resonator device of claim 1, wherein the dielectric layer is one or more of SiO2, Si3N4, Al2O3, and AlN.",
"4. The acoustic resonator device of claim 1, wherein:\nthe single-crystal piezoelectric layer is lithium niobate,\nthe dielectric layer is SiO2, and\na thickness ts of the single-crystal piezoelectric layer and a thickness td of the dielectric layer are defined by the relationship: 0.875ts≤td≤1.25ts.",
"5. The acoustic resonator device of claim 4, wherein a temperature coefficient of frequency of the acoustic resonator device is between −32 ppm/C° and −42 ppm/C° at a resonance frequency and between −20 ppm/C° and −36 ppm/C° at an anti-resonance frequency.",
"6. The acoustic resonator device of claim 1, wherein the single-crystal piezoelectric layer and the IDT are configured such that a radio frequency signal applied to the IDT excites a shear primary acoustic mode in the diaphragm.",
"7. A filter device, comprising:\na substrate;\na piezoelectric layer having parallel front and back surfaces and a thickness ts, the back surface attached to the substrate either directly or via at least one intermedia layer;\na conductor pattern at the piezoelectric layer and including a plurality of interdigital transducers (IDTs) of a respective plurality of resonators including a shunt resonator and a series resonator, interleaved fingers of each of the plurality of IDTs at respective portions of the piezoelectric layer over one or more cavities;\na first dielectric layer having a thickness tds deposited over and between the fingers of the series resonator; and\na second dielectric layer having a thickness tdp deposited over and between the fingers of the shunt resonator, wherein\nts, tds, and tdp are related by the equations:\n\n2ts=λ0,s, and\n\n2tds<2tdp\nwhere λ0,s is a wavelength of a fundamental shear bulk acoustic wave resonance in the piezoelectric layer.",
"8. The filter device of claim 7, wherein\n\n0.85λ0,d≤2tds≤2tdp≤1.15λ0,d,\nwhere λ0,d is a wavelength of the fundamental shear bulk acoustic wave resonance in at least one of the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer.",
"9. The filter device of claim 7, wherein the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer are one or more of SiO2, Si3N4, Al2O3, and AlN.",
"10. The filter device of claim 7, wherein the piezoelectric layer and the IDT are configured such that a radio frequency signal applied to the IDT excites a shear primary acoustic mode in at least part of the piezoelectric layer.",
"11. A filter device, comprising:\na substrate;\na piezoelectric layer having parallel front and back surfaces and a thickness ts, the back surface attached to the substrate either directly or via at least one intermedia layer;\na conductor pattern at the piezoelectric layer and including a plurality of interdigital transducers (IDTs) of a respective plurality of resonators including a shunt resonator and a series resonator, interleaved fingers of each of the plurality of IDTs at respective portions of the piezoelectric layer over one or more cavities;\na first SiO2 layer having a thickness tds deposited over and between the fingers of the series resonator; and\na second SiO2 layer having a thickness tdp deposited over and between the fingers of the shunt resonator,\nwherein tds, and tdp are related by the equation:\n\ntds<tdp.",
"12. The filter device of claim 11, wherein tds, and tdp are related by the equation:\n\n0.85ts≤tds≤tdp≤1.25ts.",
"13. The filter device of claim 11, wherein a temperature coefficient of frequency of each of the plurality of resonators is between −20 ppm/C° and −42 ppm/C° at the resonance frequencies and the anti-resonance frequencies of all of the plurality of resonators.",
"14. The filter device of claim 11, wherein the piezoelectric layer and the IDT are configured such that a radio frequency signal applied to the IDT excites a shear primary acoustic mode in at least part of the piezoelectric layer.",
"15. A method of fabricating an acoustic resonator device on a single-crystal piezoelectric layer having parallel front and back surfaces, the back surface attached to a substrate either directly or via at least one intermedia layer, the method comprising:\nforming a cavity in the substrate such that a portion of the single-crystal piezoelectric layer forms a diaphragm over the cavity;\nforming an interdigital transducer (IDT) at the single-crystal piezoelectric layer such that interleaved fingers of the IDT are at the diaphragm; and\nforming a dielectric layer on one of the front surface and the back surface of the single-crystal piezoelectric layer, with the dielectric layer having a thickness of a half lambda.",
"16. The method of claim 15, wherein\na thickness ts of the single-crystal piezoelectric layer and a thickness td of the dielectric layer are defined as follows:\n\n2ts=λ0,s, and\n\n0.85λ0,d≤2td≤1.15λ0,d,\nwhere λ0,s is a wavelength of a fundamental shear bulk acoustic wave resonance in the single-crystal piezoelectric layer, and\nλ0,d is a wavelength of the fundamental shear bulk acoustic wave resonance in the dielectric layer.",
"17. The method of claim 15, wherein forming the dielectric layer further comprises depositing one or more of SiO2, Si3N4, Al2O3, and AlN.",
"18. The method of claim 15, wherein\nthe single-crystal piezoelectric layer is lithium niobate, and\nforming the dielectric layer comprises depositing SiO2 to a thickness td, where td is greater or equal to 0.875ts and less than or equal to 1.25ts, where ts is a thickness of the single-crystal piezoelectric layer.",
"19. The method of claim 15, wherein the single-crystal piezoelectric layer and the IDT configured such that a radio frequency signal applied to the IDT excites a shear primary acoustic mode within the diaphragm."
],
[
"1. A filter assembly comprising:\na first acoustic wave filter coupled to a common node, the first acoustic wave filter including at least a first plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators and at least a first series bulk acoustic wave resonator coupled between the first plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators and the common node; and\na second acoustic wave filter coupled to the common node, the second acoustic wave filter including at least a second plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators that are non-temperature compensated and at least a third plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators that are temperature compensated are coupled between the second plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators and the common node.",
"2. The filter assembly of claim 1 wherein the first series bulk acoustic wave resonator is a film bulk acoustic wave resonator.",
"3. The filter assembly of claim 1 wherein the first and second plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators are on a first die.",
"4. The filter assembly of claim 3 wherein the first series bulk acoustic wave resonator is on a second die.",
"5. The filter assembly of claim 4 wherein the first acoustic wave filter further includes a shunt bulk acoustic wave resonator on the second die.",
"6. The filter assembly of claim 5 wherein the shunt bulk acoustic wave resonator is coupled to an opposite side of the first series bulk acoustic wave resonator than the first plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators.",
"7. The filter assembly of claim 1 wherein the first acoustic wave filter filters a carrier aggregation signal with a first passband and the second acoustic wave filter filters the carrier aggregation signal with a second passband.",
"8. The filter assembly of claim 1 further comprising a third acoustic wave filter coupled to the common node, the third acoustic wave filter including a fourth plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators and a second series bulk acoustic wave resonator coupled between the fourth plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators and the common node.",
"9. The filter assembly of claim 8 further comprising an antenna switch coupled between the common node and an antenna.",
"10. The filter assembly of claim 1 wherein the second plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators have a higher quality factor in a passband of the second acoustic wave filter than the first plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators in a passband of the first acoustic wave filter.",
"11. A method of filtering radio frequency signals, the method comprising: filtering a radio frequency signal with a first acoustic wave filter coupled to a common node, the first acoustic wave filter filters the radio frequency signal with at least a first plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators and a first series bulk acoustic wave resonator coupled between the first plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators and the common node; and\nfiltering the radio frequency signal with a second acoustic wave filter coupled to the common node, the second acoustic wave filter filters the radio frequency signal with a second plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators that are non-temperature compensated and at least a third plurality of acoustic wave resonators that are temperature compensated are coupled between the second plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators and the common node.",
"12. The method of claim 11 wherein the first acoustic wave filter filters a carrier aggregation signal with a first passband and the second acoustic wave filter filters the carrier aggregation signal with a second passband.",
"13. The method of claim 11 wherein the first and second plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators are on a first die.",
"14. The method of claim 13 wherein the first series bulk acoustic wave resonator is on a second die.",
"15. The method of claim 14 wherein the first acoustic wave filter further includes a shunt bulk acoustic wave resonator on the second die.",
"16. The method of claim 11 wherein the first series bulk acoustic wave resonator is a film bulk acoustic wave resonator.",
"17. The method of claim 15 wherein the shunt bulk acoustic wave resonator is coupled to an opposite side of the first series bulk acoustic wave resonator than the first plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators.",
"18. The method of claim 11 wherein a third acoustic wave filter is coupled to the common node, the fourth acoustic wave filter filters the radio frequency signal with at least a fourth plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators and at least a third series bulk acoustic wave resonator coupled between the third plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators and the common node.",
"19. The method of claim 18 further comprising an antenna switch coupled between the common node and an antenna.",
"20. The method of claim 11 wherein the second plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators have a higher quality factor in a passband of the second acoustic wave filter than the first plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators in a passband of the first acoustic wave filter."
]
] |
2. the following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 u.s.c. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this office action:
a person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
claims 1, 3, 8, 12 and 22 are rejected under 35 u.s.c. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by either maehara et al (uspap 2002/0021194) or yata (uspap 2010/0207707).
as to claims 1 and 8, each of maehara et al and yata discloses an acoustic wave filter comprising input and output terminals and series/parallel arm circuits as recited in these two claims (see figure 1 of maehara et al and figure 8 of yata), each forming a surface acoustic wave resonator (note the abstract of maehara et al and paragraph [0004] of yata), each including a piezoelectric substrate (note the abstract of maehara et al and paragraph [0012] of yata) and each including idt electrodes (note idt electrodes 710 in maehara et al and idt’s 16 in yata). as to the limitation set forth on lines 14-17 of claim 1 that a fractional band with increases with a decrease in a thickness of the piezoelectric substrate, which is normalized with a wavelength of a signal passing through the series arm resonators, this will be inherent in both maehara et al and yata, and the same is true for the limitation on the last three lines of claim 1, i.e., inherently in each of these two references, a wavelength of a signal passing through the first series arm resonator will be shorter than a wavelength of a signal passing through the second series arm resonator, the reason being that each of these two references discloses that different ones of the series/parallel resonators have different resonance/anti-resonance frequencies, i.e., as per the limitation set forth on lines 18-20 of claim 1 (note the abstract and paragraphs [0014], [0015], [0020] and [0043] of maehara et al and claim 1 of yata where this limitation is disclosed).
as to claim 3, note that each of maehara et al and yata discloses the claimed finger pitch difference for the purpose of making the resonance/anti-resonance frequencies of the first and second series arm resonators different from each other.
as to claim 12, this limitation will be inherent during the operation of the saw resonators of each of maehara et al and yata.
as to claim 22, note that in both maehara et al and yata the wavelength of a high-frequency signal passing through the idt electrode will inherently correspond to the electrode pitch of the idt electrode.
3. claims 1, 3, 8, 12 and 22 are also rejected under 35 u.s.c. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by any one of selmeier et al (usp 6,351,197), tsutsumi et al (usp 6,903,626) and hara et al (usp 8,552,820).
as to claims 1 and 8, each of these three further references similarly discloses an acoustic wave filter comprising input and output terminals and series/parallel arm circuits as recited in these two claims (see figures 1a through 1j of selmeier et al, figures 3a and 3b of hara et al and figure 1a of tsutsumi et al), each forming a surface acoustic wave resonator (note the abstract of semeier et al, column 3, line 43 of hara et al and the abstract of tsutsumi et al), each including a piezoelectric substrate (note piezoelectric layer s of selmeier et al, piezoelectric layer 1 shown in figures 4a-5b of hara et al and the piezoelectric layer disclosed in the abstract of tsutsumi et al) and each including idt electrodes (note the idt electrode shown in figure 2 in selmeier et al, idt 2 and 3 disclosed by hara et al and the electrode fingers disclosed by tsutsumi et al). as to the limitation on lines 14-17 of claim 1 that a fractional band with increases with a decrease in a thickness of the piezoelectric substrate, which is normalized with a wavelength of a signal passing through the series arm resonators, this will be inherent in each of selmeier et al, hara et al and tsutsumi et al, and the same is true for the limitation on the last three lines of claim 1, i.e., inherently in each of these three references, a wavelength of a signal passing through the first series arm resonator is shorter than a wavelength of a signal passing through the second series arm resonator, the reason being that each of these three references discloses that different ones of the series/parallel resonators have different resonance/anti-resonance frequencies, thus meeting the limitation set forth on lines 18-20 of claim 1 (note column 2, lines 4-18 of selmeier et al, column 1, lines 43-51 of hara et al and the summary of the invention of tsutsumi et al).
as to claim 3, note that each of selmeier et al, hara et al and tsutsumi et al discloses the claimed finger pitch difference for the purpose of making the resonance/anti-resonance frequencies of the first and second series arm resonators different from each other.
as to claim 12, this limitation will be inherent during the operation of the saw resonators of each of selmeier et al, hara et al and tsutsumi et al.
as to claim 22, note that in each of selmeier et al, hara et al and tsutsumi et al the wavelength of a high-frequency signal passing through the idt electrode inherently corresponds to the electrode pitch of the idt electrode.
|
[
"1. A voltage converter, comprising:\na) an input end configured to receive an input voltage;\nb) an output end configured to generate an output voltage;\nc) N switched capacitor circuits sequentially coupled in series between the input end and the output end, wherein N is a positive integer greater than or equal to 2;\nd) wherein each switched capacitor circuit comprises a switch circuit and a flying capacitor, and at least the flying capacitor of an i-th switched capacitor circuit is configured as an output capacitor of an (i−1)-th switched capacitor circuit, wherein i is a positive integer that is greater than or equal to 2 and less than or equal to N;\ne) a first energy storage element coupled to the output end; and\nf) wherein the switch circuit of the (i−1)-th switched capacitor circuit comprises three first power switches, wherein the first and second first power switches are sequentially connected in series between a high potential terminal and a low potential terminal of an input end of the (i−1)-th switched capacitor circuit, wherein one terminal of the third first power switch is coupled to the high potential terminal of the input end of the (i−1)-th switched capacitor circuit, and the other terminal of the third first power switch is coupled to one terminal of the flying capacitor of the (i−1)-th switched capacitor circuit, the other terminal of the flying capacitor of the (i−1)-th switched capacitor circuit is coupled to a common terminal of the first and second first power switches, and wherein the high potential terminal the output end of the (i−1)-th switched capacitor circuit is configured as a common terminal of the flying capacitor of the (i−1)-th switched capacitor circuit and the third first power switch.",
"2. The voltage converter according to claim 1, wherein in each switching cycle, N switched capacitor circuits operate in a switched capacitor mode in sequence.",
"3. The voltage converter according to claim 2, wherein in each switching cycle, the first to the N-th switched capacitor circuits operate in a switched capacitor mode in sequence.",
"4. The voltage converter according to claim 2, wherein in each switching cycle, the N-th to the first switched capacitor circuits operate in a switched capacitor mode in sequence.",
"5. The voltage converter according to claim 1, wherein by controlling the switching states of the power switches of the switch circuit in each switched capacitor circuit, the ratio of the output voltage to the input voltage is 1/2N or 2N.",
"6. The voltage converter according to claim 1, wherein the switch circuit of the N-th switched capacitor circuit comprises four second power switches, wherein:\na) the first and second second power switches are sequentially connected in series between the high potential terminal and the low potential terminal of the input end of the N-th switched capacitor circuit;\nb) the third and the fourth second power switches are sequentially connected in series between the high potential terminal of the input end of the N-th switched capacitor circuit and the high potential terminal of the output end; and\nc) the flying capacitor of the N-th switched capacitor circuit is coupled to between a common terminal of the first and second power switches and a common terminal of the third and fourth second power switches.",
"7. The voltage converter according to claim 6, wherein when N=2:\na) the switching states of the first first power switch are complementary to the switching states of the second and third first power switches, and during a conduction period of the first first power switch; and\nb) the switching states of the first and fourth second power switches are complementary to the switching states of the second and third second power switches.",
"8. The voltage converter according to claim 7, wherein the switching states of the second and third first power switches are the same, and the switching states of the first first power switch are complementary to that of the second and third first power switches.",
"9. The voltage converter according to claim 7, wherein the switching states of the first and fourth second power switches are the same, and the switching states of the second and third second power switches are the same, and the switching states of the first and fourth first power switches are complementary to the switching states of the second and third first power switches.",
"10. The voltage converter according to claim 6, wherein when N=2:\na) the switching states of the first first power switch are complementary to the switching states of the second and third first power switches in the p-th switched capacitor circuit;\nb) during a conduction period of the first first power switch in the p-th switched capacitor circuit, the switching states of the first first power switch are complementary to the switching states of the second and third first power switches in the (p+1)-th switched capacitor circuit;\nc) during a conduction period of the first first power switch in the (N−1)-th switched capacitor circuit, the switching states of the first and fourth second power switches in the N-th switched capacitor circuit are complementary to the switching states of the second and third second power switches in the N-th switched capacitor circuit; and\nd) wherein 1≤p≤N−2.",
"11. The voltage converter according to claim 10, wherein the switching states of the second and third first power switches are the same, and the switching states of the first first power switch are complementary to that of the second and third first power switches.",
"12. The voltage converter according to claim 10, wherein the switching states of the first and fourth second power switches are the same, and the switching states of the second and third second power switches are the same, and the switching states of the first and fourth first power switches are complementary to the switching states of the second and third first power switches.",
"13. The voltage converter according to claim 1, wherein low potential terminals of the output end and the input end of the switched capacitor circuit are all ground potential terminals.",
"14. The voltage converter according to claim 1, wherein the switch circuit of the (i−1)-th switched capacitor circuit multiplexes all power switches in the switch circuit of the i-th switched capacitor circuit."
] |
US12143014B2
|
US10468965B2
|
[
"1. A method for controlling a DC-DC converter, wherein the DC-DC converter comprises:\nfirst and second input terminals and first and second output terminals, wherein the second input terminal and the second output terminal are connected together as a common terminal;\na first four switch (4S) stage comprising first, second, third, and fourth switches electrically connected together in series, wherein a first 4S stage input point is an input terminal of the first switch, a first 4S stage common point is an output terminal of the fourth switch, and a first 4S stage output point is between the second and third switches;\na first capacitor connected in parallel with the second and third switches;\nwherein the first 4S stage input point is connected to the first input terminal of the DC-DC converter and the first 4S stage common point is connected to the common terminal;\na first three switch (3S) stage having a first 3S stage input point connected to the first 4S stage output point, a first 3S stage output point, and a first 3S stage common point connected to the common terminal;\nwherein the first 3S stage comprises fifth, sixth, and seventh switches electrically connected together in series between the first 3S stage input point and the first 3S stage common point;\nwherein the fifth switch is connected between the first 3S stage input point and the first 3S stage output point;\nwherein the sixth and seventh switches are electrically connected together in series between the first 3S stage output point and the first 3S stage common point;\na second capacitor connected in parallel with the fifth and sixth switches;\na first inductor connected between the first 3S stage output point and the first output terminal; and\na third capacitor connected across the first and second output terminals;\nwherein the method comprises:\nturning on the first and third switches for a first 25% of a switching cycle;\nturning on the second and fourth switches for a second 25% of the switching cycle;\nturning on the fifth and seventh switches for a first 50% of the switching cycle;\nturning on the sixth switch for a second 50% of the switching cycle;\nwherein an output DC voltage of the DC-DC converter is 0.25 times an input DC voltage of the DC-DC converter; and\nwherein a voltage across the first inductor is substantially zero volts.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the DC-DC converter comprises:\nan eighth switch connected between the first 4S stage output point and the first 3S stage input point;\nwherein the method comprises:\nturning on the first and third switches for a first 25% of a first switching cycle at a first switching frequency;\nturning on the second and fourth switches for a second 25% of the first switching cycle at the first switching frequency;\nturning on the eighth and sixth switches for a first 50% of a first switching cycle at a second switching frequency;\nturning on the fifth and seventh switches for a second 50% of the first switching cycle at the second switching frequency;\nwherein an output DC voltage of the DC-DC converter is 0.25 times an input DC voltage of the DC-DC converter; and\nwherein a voltage across the first inductor is substantially zero volts and a voltage across the second inductor is substantially zero volts.",
"3. The method of claim 2, wherein:\nthe first switching frequency and the second switching frequency are different; or\nthe first switching frequency and the second switching frequency are the same and a phase of the first stage and a phase of the second stage are different, or\nthe first switching frequency and the second switching frequency are the same and a phase of the first stage and a phase of the second stage are the same.",
"4. The method of claim 2, further comprising controlling a dead time of the first to eighth switches;\nwherein a duration of the dead time is less than 200 nanoseconds.",
"5. The method of claim 1, further comprising controlling a dead time of the first to seventh switches;\nwherein a duration of the dead time is less than 200 nanoseconds.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein the DC-DC converter comprises a second 3S stage connected between the first 3S stage output point and the first inductor;\nwherein the second 3S stage comprises ninth, tenth, and eleventh switches electrically connected together in series across the sixth and seventh switches;\na fourth capacitor connected in parallel with the tenth and eleventh switches;\nwherein the first terminal of the first inductor is connected between the ninth and tenth switches and the second terminal of the first inductor is connected to the first output terminal; and\nthe second capacitor is connected across the first and second output terminals;\nwherein the method comprises:\nturning on the first and third switches for a first 12.5% of a switching cycle;\nturning on the second and fourth switches for a second 12.5% of the switching cycle;\nturning on the fifth and seventh switches for a first 25% of the switching cycle;\nturning on the sixth switch for a second 25% of the switching cycle;\nturning on the ninth and tenth switches for a first 50% of the switching cycle;\nturning on the eleventh switch for a second 50% of the switching cycle;\nwherein an output DC voltage of the DC-DC converter is 0.125 times an input DC voltage of the DC-DC converter; and\nwherein a voltage across the first inductor is substantially zero volts.",
"7. The method of claim 6, further comprising controlling a dead time of the switches.",
"8. The method of claim 7, wherein the duration of the dead time is less than 200 nanoseconds.",
"9. A DC-DC converter, comprising:\na first input terminal adapted to receive an input DC voltage;\na common terminal;\na first four switch (4S) stage comprising:\nfirst, second, third, and fourth switches electrically connected together in series, wherein a first 4S stage input point is an input terminal of the first switch, a first 4S stage common point is an output terminal of the fourth switch, and a first 4S stage output point is between the second and third switches;\na first capacitor connected in parallel with the series-connected second and third switches;\nwherein the first 4S stage input point is connected to the first input terminal of the DC-DC converter and the first 4S stage common point is connected to the common terminal;\na first three switch (3S) stage having a first 3S stage input point connected to the first 4S stage output point, a first 3S stage output point, and a first 3S stage common point connected to the common terminal;\nwherein the first 3S stage comprises fifth, sixth, and seventh switches electrically connected together in series between the first 3S stage input point and the first 3S stage common point;\nwherein the fifth switch is connected between the first 3S stage input point and the first 3S stage output point;\nwherein the sixth and seventh switches are electrically connected together in series between the first 3S stage output point and the first 3S stage common point;\na second capacitor connected in parallel with the fifth and sixth switches;\nan output circuit connected to the first 3S stage output point, comprising a series inductor, a parallel capacitor, and a first output terminal adapted to output a DC voltage; and\na controller that controls the first 4S stage switches such that the first and third switches are switched on and off together, the second and fourth switches are switched on and off together, the first and third switches are not on when the second and fourth switches are on, and the duty cycle of the switches is 25% or less;\nwherein the controller controls the first 3S stage switches such that the fifth and seventh switches are switched on and off together, the sixth switch is switched on and off, the fifth and seventh switches are not on when the sixth switch is on, and the duty cycle of the first 3S stage switches is 50%;\nwherein an output DC voltage is 0.25 times the input DC voltage.",
"10. The DC-DC converter of claim 9, wherein the DC-DC converter comprises:\nan eighth switch connected between the first 4S stage output point and the first 3S stage input point;\nwherein the controller controls the switches such that:\nthe first and third switches are switched on and off together for a first 25% of a first switching cycle at a first switching frequency;\nthe second and fourth switches are switched on and off together for a second 25% of the first switching cycle at the first switching frequency;\nthe eighth and sixth switches are switched on and off together for a first 50% of a first switching cycle at a second switching frequency; and\nthe fifth and seventh switches are switched on and off together for a second 50% of the first switching cycle at the second switching frequency;\nwherein an output DC voltage of the DC-DC converter is 0.25 times an input DC voltage of the DC-DC converter; and\nwherein a voltage across the series inductor is substantially zero volts.",
"11. The DC-DC converter of claim 9, comprising a second 3S stage;\nwherein the first and second 3S stages are cascaded by connecting the first 3S stage output point to a second 3S stage input point;\nwherein the first 3S stage input point is connected to the first 4S stage output point, and a second 3S stage output point is connected to the output circuit;\nwherein the controller controls the first 4S stage switches such that the duty cycle is 12.5%; and\nwherein the controller controls the first 3S stage such that the duty cycle is 25%;\nwherein the controller controls the second 3S stage such that the duty cycle is 50%;\nwherein an output DC voltage is 0.125 times the input DC voltage.",
"12. The DC-DC converter of claim 9, comprising three or more 3S stages;\nwherein the three or more 3S stages are cascaded by connecting the first 3S stage output point to a second 3S stage input point, connecting a second 3S stage output point to a third 3S stage input point, and continuing to a final 3S stage;\nwherein the first 3S stage input point is connected to the first 4S stage output point, and a final 3S stage output point is connected to the output circuit;\nwherein a total number of stages is N;\nwherein the controller controls switches of the Nth stage such that the duty cycle is 50%, and controls the switches of each preceding stage such that the duty cycle decreases by half for each preceding stage;\nwherein the output DC voltage is equal to the input DC voltage divided by 2N.",
"13. The DC-DC converter of claim 9, wherein the controller further comprises a dead time control circuit, wherein the controller controls duration of the dead time to be less than 200 nanoseconds."
] |
[
[
"1. A power converter for recieving energy from a piezo energy harvesting system coupled to a vibration source, comprising:\n(a) an active rectifier receiving an output voltage and output current representing energy harvested from the vibration source including first and second switches coupled in series between a harvester output conductor and a first reference voltage, third and fourth switches coupled in series between the harvester output conductor and the first reference voltage, a first comparator for controlling the third and fourth switches, and a second comparator for controlling the first and second switches, a first terminal of the piezo harvester being coupled to a junction between the first and second switches and a first input of the first comparator, and a second terminal of the piezo harvester being coupled to a junction between the third and fourth switches and a first input of the second comparator, wherein the first and second comparators control the rectifying of the harvester output current to charge a capacitance coupled between the harvester output conductor and the first reference voltage, and wherein the first and second comparators also generate output signals indicative of direction reversals of the output current of the piezo harvester;\n(b) a DC-DC converter having a first input coupled to the harvester output conductor, a second input coupled to the first reference voltage, and an output for supplying current to a battery, the DC-DC converter including an inductor coupled to the harvester output conductor, a fifth switch coupled to the inductor, and a rectifying device coupled to the inductor;\n(c) a third comparator for comparing a voltage on the harvester output conductor with a second reference voltage to determine when to stop discharge of the capacitance into the inductor; and\n(d) enable circuitry coupled to the outputs of the first and second comparators, respectively, for both starting the discharge of the capacitance into the inductor and causing switching operation of the fifth switch to steer current in the inductor into the battery in response to each direction reversal to substantially eliminate waste of power for recharging the capacitance of the piezo harvester, wherein the enable circuitry operates as a state machine having a first state in which an enable signal generated by the enable circuitry is at a logical “1” level to enable the DC-DC converter and a second state wherein the enable signal is at a logical “0” level to disable the DC-DC converter, wherein the enable logic circuit switches from the first state to the second state in response to an output of the third comparator going from a “1” level to a “0” level, and wherein the enable logic circuit switches from the second state to the first state in response to either the output of the first comparator going from a “1” level to a “0” level or the output of the second comparator going from a “1” level to a “0” level.",
"2. The power converter of claim 1 including PWM (pulse width modulation) circuitry coupled between the output of the enable circuitry and a control terminal of the fifth switch.",
"3. The power converter of claim 1 wherein each of the first and second comparators has a second input coupled to the first reference voltage.",
"4. The power converter of claim 1 wherein the second reference voltage is greater than the first reference voltage.",
"5. The power converter of claim 1 wherein the frequency of the vibration source is less than approximately 2 kHz.",
"6. The power converter of claim 2 wherein the PWM circuitry causes the fifth switch to switch at a frequency of several megahertz.",
"7. The power converter of claim 6 wherein the PWM circuitry causes the fifth switch to switch at a frequency of several megahertz when the output of the enable circuitry is at a “1” level, and wherein the PWM circuitry keeps the fifth switch open when the output of the enable circuitry is at a “0” level.",
"8. The power converter of claim 7 wherein the DC-DC converter is enabled for intervals which are less than approximately 100 microseconds.",
"9. The power converter of claim 1 wherein the rectifying device is a synchronous rectifier.",
"10. The power converter of claim 1 wherein the DC-DC converter includes one of the group consisting of a boost converter, a buck converter, and a buck-boost converter.",
"11. The power converter of claim 1 wherein the first comparator switches from a “1” state to a “0” state in response to a magnitude of the output current falling below a predetermined low value when the output current flows in a first direction, and wherein the second comparator switches from a “1” state to a “0” state in response to a magnitude of the output current falling below the predetermined low value when the output current flows in a second direction.",
"12. A power converter for efficiently transferring harvested vibration energy to an energy storage device including:\n(a) an active rectifier couplable to an AC output voltage and AC output current for rectifying the AC output voltage and AC output current to produce a harvested DC output voltage and a harvested DC output current;\n(b) a DC-DC converter for conducting the harvested DC output current into a capacitance to charge the capacitance until the harvested DC output voltage reaches a level at which a direction of the AC output current reverses;\n(c) a comparator for detecting the direction reversal;\n(d) an enable circuit for enabling the DC-DC converter in response to the detecting to cause discharging of the capacitance into an inductor of the DC-DC converter in response to the direction reversal; and\n(e) a disable circuit for disabling the DC-DC converter in response to a comparison of the harvested DC output voltage with a reference voltage wherein the harvested DC output voltage is less than the reference voltage, wherein the comparator for detecting reversal comprises a comparator for comparing a voltage generated by a harvester with a reference voltage to determine when to stop discharge of the capacitance into an inductor."
],
[
"1. A system for providing AC power to a power grid from a plurality of individual DC power sources each having a DC power output port, comprising:\na) a plurality of power inverters, each of said power inverters being connected to one DC power source, and having an AC power input port and an AC power output port;\nb) said AC power output port of each inverter being connected in a daisy chain to the AC power input port of the next inverter, except for the AC power input port of the first inverter being left open, and the AC power output port of the last inverter being connected to a power service panel of the power grid;\nc) each of said power inverters including:\ni) a main DC-DC boost converter arranged to convert the voltage of said DC power source to a higher DC voltage suitable for inversion;\nii) a backup DC-DC boost converter arranged to convert the voltage of said DC power source to a higher DC voltage suitable for inversion;\niii) a DC input channel selector constructed and arranged to connect the main DC-DC boost converter to said DC power source when the main DC-DC boost converter is working and connect the backup DC-DC boost converter to the DC power source when the main DC-DC boost converter is not working;\niv) a DC power combiner connected to said main DC-DC boost converter and said backup DC-DC boost converter;\nv) a DC-AC inverter connected to said DC power combiner and arranged to invert the DC power to AC power with voltage higher than an external AC power voltage from the power grid;\nvi) an internal AC powerline that combines the generated AC power with the external AC power from the power grid;\nvii) a load interface circuit connected to said DC-AC inverter and to said internal AC powerline, said load interface circuit being arranged to filter high-frequency components out of the said DC-AC inverter's AC output;\nviii) an MFA microcontroller connected to said main DC-DC boost converter, backup DC-DC boost converter, DC input channel selector, DC-AC inverter, load interface circuit, line sensing circuit, and powerline Modem, said microcontroller arranged to monitor the DC boost voltage, control the DC-DC boost converters, perform maximum power point tracking (MITT), perform DC-AC inversion and AC power synchronization, monitor AC current and voltage for generated power amount and status, perform powerline communications, perform logic controls such as AC powerline switching and isolation, and perform redundancy functions;\nix) a powerline modem connected to said microcontroller and said internal AC powerline through an interface circuitry for transmitting and receiving performance data between said microcontroller and said power grid;\nx) a line sensing circuit connected to said internal AC powerline and said microcontroller for detecting the phase and zero-crossing point of the incoming AC power from the power grid;\nxi) a solid state switch connected to said internal AC powerline and external AC powerline, and arranged to disconnect said internal AC powerline from the AC grid during the non-generation time; and\nxii) a power supply connected to said DC power combiner and arranged to supply DC power to the electronic components of said power inverter.",
"2. A system for providing AC power to a power grid from a plurality of individual DC power sources each having a DC power output port, comprising:\na) a plurality of power inverters, each of said power inverters being connected to m DC power sources, where m is an integer greater than or equal to two, and having an AC power input port and an AC power output port;\nb) said AC power output port of each inverter being connected in a daisy chain to the AC power input port of the next inverter, except for the AC power input port of the first inverter being left open, and the AC power output port of the last inverter being connected to a power service panel of the power grid;\nc) each of said power inverters including:\ni) m main DC-DC boost converters, each arranged to convert the voltage of a corresponding power source to a higher DC voltage suitable for inversion;\nii) m backup DC-DC boost converters, each arranged to convert the voltage of said corresponding power source to a higher DC voltage suitable for inversion;\niii) m DC input channel selectors, each constructed and arranged to connect its corresponding main DC-DC boost converter to said corresponding DC power source when the corresponding main DC-DC boost converter is working and connect the corresponding backup DC-DC boost converter to the DC power source when the corresponding main DC-DC boost converter is not working;\niv) a DC power combiner connected to said main DC-DC boost converters and said backup DC-DC boost converters;\nv) a DC-AC inverter connected to said DC power combiner and arranged to invert the DC power to AC power with voltage higher than an external AC power voltage from the power grid;\nvi) an internal AC powerline that combines the generated AC power with the external AC power from the power grid;\nvii) a load interface circuit connected to said DC-AC inverter and to said internal AC powerline, said load interface circuit being arranged to filter high-frequency components out of the said DC-AC inverter's AC output;\nviii) an MFA microcontroller connected to said main DC-DC boost converters, backup DC-DC boost converters, DC input channel selectors, DC-AC inverter, and load interface circuit, said microcontroller arranged to monitor the DC boost voltage, control the DC-DC boost converters, perform maximum power point tracking (MPPT), perform DC-AC inversion and AC power synchronization, monitor AC current and voltage for generated power amount and status, perform powerline communications, perform logic controls such as AC powerline switching and isolation, and perform redundancy functions;\nix) a powerline modem connected to said microcontroller and said internal AC powerline through an interface circuitry for transmitting and receiving performance data between said microcontroller and said power grid;\nx) a line sensing circuit connected to said internal AC powerline and said microcontroller for detecting the phase and zero-crossing point of the incoming AC power from the power grid;\nxi) a solid state switch connected to said internal AC powerline and external AC powerline, and arranged to disconnect said internal AC powerline from the AC grid during the non-generation time; and\nxii) a power supply connected to said DC power combiner and arranged to supply DC power to the electronic components of said power inverter.",
"3. The system of claim 2, in which the output of each of said power inverters is single-phase AC or three-phase AC.",
"4. The system of claim 2, in which said MFA microcontroller includes Model-Free Adaptive (MFA) controllers which control the DC-DC boost converters, and MFA optimizers which provide maximum power point tracking (MPPT) to allow the power inverter to achieve optimal power production.",
"5. A redundant DC-to-AC power inverter, comprising:\na) one AC power output port arranged to supply AC power to the AC power grid;\nb) at least one main DC-DC boost converter and a corresponding backup DC-DC boost converter arranged to convert the voltage of a DC power source to a higher DC voltage suitable for inversion;\nc) for each main DC-DC boost converter and its corresponding backup DC-DC boost converter, a DC input channel selector constructed and arranged to connect the main DC-DC boost converter to said DC power source when the main DC-DC boost converter is working and connect the corresponding backup DC-DC boost converter to said DC power source when the main DC-DC boost converter is not working;\nd) a DC power combiner connected to all main DC-DC boost converters and backup DC-DC boost converters;\ne) a DC-AC inverter connected to said DC power combiner and arranged to invert the DC power to AC power with voltage higher than an external AC power voltage from the power grid;\nf) an internal AC powerline that combines the generated AC power with the external AC power from the power grid;\ng) a load interface circuit connected to said DC-AC inverter and to said internal AC powerline, said load interface circuit being arranged to filter high-frequency components out of the said DC-AC inverter's AC output;\nh) an MFA microcontroller connected to said main and backup DC-DC boost converters, DC input channel selector, DC-AC inverter, and load interface circuit, said microcontroller arranged to monitor the DC boost voltage, control the DC-DC boost converters, perform maximum power point tracking (MPPT), perform DC-AC inversion and AC power synchronization, monitor AC current and voltage for generated power amount and status, perform powerline communications, perform logic controls such as AC powerline switching and isolation, and perform redundancy functions;\ni) a powerline modem connected to said microcontroller and said internal AC powerline through an interface circuitry for transmitting and receiving performance data between said microcontroller and said power grid;\nj) a line sensing circuit connected to said internal AC powerline and said microcontroller for detecting the phase and zero-crossing point of the incoming AC power from the power grid;\nk) a solid state switch connected to said internal AC powerline and external AC powerline, and arranged to disconnect said internal AC powerline from the AC grid during the non-generation time; and\nl) a power supply connected to said DC power combiner and arranged to supply DC power to the electronic components of said power inverter.",
"6. A triple-redundant DC-to-AC power inverter, comprising:\na) one AC power output port arranged to supply AC power to the AC power grid;\nb) at least one main DC-DC boost converter, a corresponding first-tier backup DC-DC boost converter, and a corresponding second-tier backup DC-DC boost converter arranged to convert the voltage of a DC power source to a higher DC voltage suitable for inversion;\nc) for each main DC-DC boost converter and its corresponding first-tier and second-tier backup DC-DC boost converters, a DC input channel selector constructed and arranged to connect the main DC-DC boost converter to said DC power source when the main DC-DC boost converter is working, connect the corresponding first-tier backup DC-DC boost converter to said DC power source when the main DC-DC boost converter is not working, and connect the corresponding second-tier backup DC-DC boost converter to said DC power source when the main DC-DC boost converter and the corresponding first-tier backup DC-DC boost converter are not working;\nd) a DC power combiner connected to all main DC-DC boost converters and all first-tier and second-tier backup DC-DC boost converters;\ne) a DC-AC inverter connected to said DC power combiner and arranged to invert the DC power to AC power with voltage higher than an external AC power voltage from the power grid;\nf) an internal AC powerline that combines the generated AC power with the external AC power from the power grid;\ng) a load interface circuit connected to said DC-AC inverter and to said internal AC powerline, said load interface circuit being arranged to filter high-frequency components out of the said DC-AC inverter's AC output;\nh) an MFA microcontroller connected to said main and backup DC-DC boost converters, DC input channel selector, DC-AC inverter, and load interface circuit, said microcontroller arranged to monitor the DC boost voltage, control the DC-DC boost converters, perform maximum power point tracking (MPPT), perform DC-AC inversion and AC power synchronization, monitor AC current and voltage for generated power amount and status, perform powerline communications, perform logic controls such as AC powerline switching and isolation, and perform redundancy functions;\ni) a powerline modem connected to said microcontroller and said internal AC powerline through an interface circuitry for transmitting and receiving performance data between said microcontroller and said power grid;\nj) a line sensing circuit connected to said internal AC powerline and said microcontroller for detecting the phase and zero-crossing point of the incoming AC power from the power grid;\nk) a solid state switch connected to said internal AC powerline and external AC powerline, and arranged to disconnect said internal AC powerline from the AC grid during the non-generation time; and\nl) a power supply connected to said DC power combiner and arranged to supply DC power to the electronic components of said power inverter.",
"7. A quadruple-redundant DC-to-AC power inverter, comprising:\na) one AC power output port arranged to supply AC power to the AC power grid;\nb) at least one main DC-DC boost converter, a corresponding first-tier backup DC-DC boost converter, a corresponding second-tier backup DC-DC boost converter, and a corresponding third-tier backup DC-DC boost converter arranged to convert the voltage of a DC power source to a higher DC voltage suitable for inversion;\nc) for each main DC-DC boost converter and its corresponding first-tier, second-tier, and third-tier backup DC-DC boost converters, a DC input channel selector constructed and arranged to connect the main DC-DC boost converter to said DC power source when the main DC-DC boost converter is working; connect the corresponding first-tier backup DC-DC boost converter to said DC power source when the main DC-DC boost converter is not working; connect the corresponding second-tier backup DC-DC boost converter to said DC power source when the main DC-DC boost converter and the corresponding first-tier backup DC-DC boost converter are not working; and connect the corresponding third-tier backup DC-DC boost converter to said DC power source when the main DC-DC boost converter and the corresponding first-tier and corresponding second-tier backup DC-DC boost converters are not working;\nd) a DC power combiner connected to all main DC-DC boost converters and all first-tier, second-tier and third-tier backup DC-DC boost converters;\ne) a DC-AC inverter connected to said DC power combiner and arranged to invert the DC power to AC power with voltage higher than an external AC power voltage from the power grid;\nf) an internal AC powerline that combines the generated AC power with the external AC power from the power grid;\ng) a load interface circuit connected to said DC-AC inverter and to said internal AC powerline, said load interface circuit being arranged to filter high-frequency components out of the said DC-AC inverter's AC output;\nh) an MFA microcontroller connected to said main and backup DC-DC boost converters, DC input channel selector, DC-AC inverter, and load interface circuit, said microcontroller arranged to monitor the DC boost voltage, control the DC-DC boost converters, perform maximum power point tracking (MPPT), perform DC-AC inversion and AC power synchronization, monitor AC current and voltage for generated power amount and status, perform powerline communications, perform logic controls such as AC powerline switching and isolation, and perform redundancy functions;\ni) a powerline modem connected to said microcontroller and said internal AC powerline through an interface circuitry for transmitting and receiving performance data between said microcontroller and said power grid;\nj) a line sensing circuit connected to said internal AC powerline and said microcontroller for detecting the phase and zero-crossing point of the incoming AC power from the power grid;\nk) a solid state switch connected to said internal AC powerline and external AC powerline, and arranged to disconnect said internal AC powerline from the AC grid during the non-generation time; and\nl) a power supply connected to said DC power combiner and arranged to supply DC power to the electronic components of said power inverter.",
"8. The inverter of claim 5, in which the output of said inverter is single-phase AC or three-phase AC.",
"9. The inverter of claim 5, in which said MFA microcontroller includes Model-Free Adaptive (MFA) controllers which control the DC-DC boost converters, and MFA optimizers which provide maximum power point tracking (MPPT) to allow the power inverter to achieve optimal power production.",
"10. A scalable DC to AC power inversion system for providing AC power to a power grid from a plurality of individual DC power sources each having a DC power output port, comprising:\na) a plurality of power inverters, each of said power inverters having an AC input port, an AC output port, a main DC-DC boost converter, at least one backup DC-DC boost converter, a DC input channel selector constructed and arranged to connect the main DC-DC boost converter to a DC power source when the main DC-DC boost converter is working and connect the backup DC-DC boost converter to the DC power source when the main DC-DC boost converter is not working, and a DC power combiner connected to said main DC-DC boost converter and said backup DC-DC boost converter;\nb) said AC power output port of each inverter being connected in a daisy chain to the AC power input port of the next inverter, except for the AC power input port of the first inverter being left open, and the AC power output port of the last inverter being connected to a power service panel of the power grid; and\nc) whereby said system is incrementally scalable by adding or subtracting DC power sources and daisy-chained inverters.",
"11. The system of claim 10, in which the output of each of said power inverters is single-phase AC or three-phase AC.",
"12. The system of claim 10, wherein each of the said power inverters comprises:\na) one AC power output port arranged to supply AC power to the AC power grid;\nb) at least one main DC-DC boost converter and a corresponding backup DC-DC boost converter arranged to convert the voltage of a DC power source to a higher DC voltage suitable for inversion;\nc) for each main DC-DC boost converter and its corresponding backup DC-DC boost converter, a DC input channel selector constructed and arranged to connect the main DC-DC boost converter to said DC power source when the main DC-DC boost converter is working and connect the corresponding backup DC-DC boost converter to said DC power source when the main DC-DC boost converter is not working;\nd) a DC power combiner connected to all main DC-DC boost converters and backup DC-DC boost converters;\ne) a DC-AC inverter connected to said DC power combiner and arranged to invert the DC power to AC power with voltage higher than an external AC power voltage from the power grid;\nf) an internal AC powerline that combines the generated AC power with the external AC power from the power grid;\ng) a load interface circuit connected to said DC-AC inverter and to said internal AC powerline, said load interface circuit being arranged to filter high-frequency components out of the said DC-AC inverter's AC output;\nh) an MFA microcontroller connected to said main and backup DC-DC boost converters, DC input channel selector, DC-AC inverter, and load interface circuit, said microcontroller arranged to monitor the DC boost voltage, control the DC-DC boost converters, perform maximum power point tracking (MPPT), perform DC-AC inversion and AC power synchronization, monitor AC current and voltage for generated power amount and status, perform powerline communications, perform logic controls such as AC powerline switching and isolation, and perform redundancy functions;\ni) a powerline modem connected to said microcontroller and said internal AC powerline through an interface circuitry for transmitting and receiving performance data between said microcontroller and said power grid;\nj) a line sensing circuit connected to said internal AC powerline and said microcontroller for detecting the phase and zero-crossing point of the incoming AC power from the power grid;\nk) a solid state switch connected to said internal AC powerline and external AC powerline, and arranged to disconnect said internal AC powerline from the AC grid during the non-generation time; and\nl) a power supply connected to said DC power combiner and arranged to supply DC power to the electronic components of said power inverter.",
"13. A method of making a DC to AC power conversion system incrementally scalable, comprising:\na) providing a plurality of DC power sources and a plurality of DC to AC power inverters, said inverters each having an AC input port, an AC output port, a main DC-DC boost converter, at least one backup DC-DC boost converter, a DC input channel selector constructed and arranged to connect the main DC-DC boost converter to a DC power source when the main DC-DC boost converter is working and connect the backup DC-DC boost converter to the DC power source when the main DC-DC boost converter is not working, and a DC power combiner connected to said main DC-DC boost converter and said backup DC-DC boost converter;\nb) connecting at least one of said DC power sources, respectively, to at least one of said DC to AC power inverters; and\nc) producing AC power.",
"14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:\na) daisy-chaining at least two of said inverters, said AC power output port of each inverter being connected in a daisy chain to the AC power input port of the next inverter, except for the AC power input port of the first inverter being left open, and the AC power output port of the last inverter being connected to a power service panel of the power grid; and\nb) producing a total AC power that is the summation of the AC power supplied by each said inverter.",
"15. The method of claim 13, in which the output of each of said power inverters is single-phase AC or three-phase AC.",
"16. The method of claim 13, wherein each of the said power inverters further comprises:\na) one AC power output port arranged to supply AC power to the AC power grid;\nb) at least one main DC-DC boost converter and a corresponding backup DC-DC boost converter arranged to convert the voltage of a DC power source to a higher DC voltage suitable for inversion;\nc) for each main DC-DC boost converter and its corresponding backup DC-DC boost converter, a DC input channel selector constructed and arranged to connect the main DC-DC boost converter to said DC power source when the main DC-DC boost converter is working and connect the corresponding backup DC-DC boost converter to said DC power source when the main DC-DC boost converter is not working;\nd) a DC power combiner connected to all main DC-DC boost converters and backup DC-DC boost converters;\ne) a DC-AC inverter connected to said DC power combiner and arranged to invert the DC power to AC power with voltage higher than an external AC power voltage from the power grid;\nf) an internal AC powerline that combines the generated AC power with the external AC power from the power grid;\ng) a load interface circuit connected to said DC-AC inverter and to said internal AC powerline, said load interface circuit being arranged to filter high-frequency components out of the said DC-AC inverter's AC output;\nh) an MFA microcontroller connected to said main and backup DC-DC boost converters, DC input channel selector, DC-AC inverter, and load interface circuit, said microcontroller arranged to monitor the DC boost voltage, control the DC-DC boost converters, perform maximum power point tracking (MPPT), perform DC-AC inversion and AC power synchronization, monitor AC current and voltage for generated power amount and status, perform powerline communications, perform logic controls such as AC powerline switching and isolation, and perform redundancy functions;\ni) a powerline modem connected to said microcontroller and said internal AC powerline through an interface circuitry for transmitting and receiving performance data between said microcontroller and said power grid;\nj) a line sensing circuit connected to said internal AC powerline and said microcontroller for detecting the phase and zero-crossing point of the incoming AC power from the power grid;\nk) a solid state switch connected to said internal AC powerline and external AC powerline, and arranged to disconnect said internal AC powerline from the AC grid during the non-generation time; and\nl) a power supply connected to said DC power combiner and arranged to supply DC power to the electronic components of said power inverter.",
"17. The inverter of claim 5, in which the said MFA microcontroller is programmed with a main program to iteratively:\na) turn on and off the inverter's generation circuit based on the DC power source input and conditions of the inverter and AC powerline;\nb) calculate the inverter's power statistics such as the amount of power generated during a certain period of time;\nc) perform diagnostics for the inverter's status and operation;\nd) run redundancy routine for every input channel;\ne) set the inverter's unit address;\nf) perform powerline communications; and\ng) respond to queries from data gathering or acquisition devices to report the power statistics.",
"18. The inverter of claim 5, in which said MFA microcontroller is further programmed with a redundancy routine to iteratively:\na) monitor said DC-DC boost converter;\nb) check the status of said DC-DC boost converter based on the monitoring and a set of test criteria;\nc) if the DC-DC boost converter is found to be bad, disconnect DC power to the bad converter by sending proper commands to the input channel selector;\nd) disable the bad unit from a converter list saved in a database;\ne) activate the next available backup DC-DC boost converter from the converter list;\nf) connect DC power to the selected DC-DC boost converter by sending proper commands to the input channel selector; and\ng) save and report the DC-DC boost converter redundancy status."
],
[
"1. A system for providing power, comprising:\na controller to generate one or more control signals;\na switched capacitor network comprising:\na switched capacitor network first terminal that has a first voltage,\na switched capacitor network second terminal that has a second voltage,\na switched capacitor negative terminal,\na first plurality of switches,\na second plurality of switches, and\na first plurality of capacitors,\nwherein the first plurality of switches and the second plurality of switches implement an at least one or more switching pattern based, at least in part, on the one or more control signals, the at least one or more switching pattern to transition the switched capacitor network between at least two states; and\na switching regulator comprising:\na switching regulator first terminal that has the first voltage, a switching regulator second terminal that has a third voltage, and a switching regulator negative terminal,\nwherein the switching regulator second terminal is coupled to the switched capacitor network negative terminal such that the switched capacitor network negative terminal has the third voltage.",
"2. The system of claim 1, wherein the switching regulator comprises at least one of the following: a buck converter, a boost converter, a buck-boost converter, a forward converter, a full bridge converter, a half-bridge converter, a multi-level converter, a resonant converter, a cuk converter, a SEPIC converter, a zeta converter, or a linear regulator.",
"3. The system of claim 1, wherein the switched capacitor network comprises a cascade multiplier.",
"4. The system of claim 3, wherein the cascade multiplier comprises an asymmetric step-up full-wave cascade multiplier.",
"5. The system of claim 3, wherein the cascade multiplier comprises a reconfigurable dual-phase asymmetric step-up cascade multiplier.",
"6. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one or more switching patterns correspond to at least two particular switch configurations of the first plurality of switches and the second plurality of switches.",
"7. The system of claim 1, wherein the switching regulator is configured to facilitate an adiabatic charge transfer between two or more capacitors of the first plurality of capacitors.",
"8. The system of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of switches and the second plurality of switches are in opposite states.",
"9. The system of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of switches and the second plurality of switches are in opposite states besides during a dead-time interval where both the first plurality of switches and the second plurality of switches are open.",
"10. The system of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of capacitors are flying capacitors.",
"11. The system of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of capacitors are pump capacitors.",
"12. A system for providing power, comprising:\na controller to control a switched capacitor network and a switching regulator, wherein\nthe controller controls a switched capacitor network comprising:\na switched capacitor network first terminal that has a first voltage,\na switched capacitor network second terminal that has a second voltage,\na switched capacitor negative terminal,\na first plurality of switches,\na second plurality of switches, and\na first plurality of capacitors;\nwherein the controller controls a switching regulator comprising:\na switching regulator first terminal that has the first voltage,\na switching regulator second terminal that has a third voltage, and\na switching regulator negative terminal;\nwherein the controller controls the first plurality of switches and the second plurality of switches to switch between an at least one or more switching pattern based, at least in part, on a one or more control signal provided by the controller, the at least one or more switching pattern to transition the switched capacitor network between at least two states; and\nwherein the switching regulator second terminal is coupled to the switched capacitor network negative terminal such that the switched capacitor network negative terminal has the third voltage.",
"13. The system of claim 12, wherein the switching regulator comprises at least one of the following: a buck converter, a boost converter, a buck-boost converter, a forward converter, a full bridge converter, a half-bridge converter, a multi-level converter, a resonant converter, a cuk converter, a SEPIC converter, a zeta converter, or a linear regulator.",
"14. The system of claim 12, wherein the switched capacitor network comprises a cascade multiplier.",
"15. The system of claim 14, wherein the cascade multiplier comprises an asymmetric step-up full-wave cascade multiplier.",
"16. The system of claim 14, wherein the cascade multiplier comprises a reconfigurable dual-phase asymmetric step-up cascade multiplier.",
"17. The system of claim 12, wherein the at least one or more switching patterns correspond to a particular switch configuration of the first plurality of switches and the second plurality of switches.",
"18. The system of claim 12, wherein the switching regulator is configured to facilitate an adiabatic charge transfer between two or more capacitors of the first plurality of capacitors.",
"19. The system of claim 12, wherein the first plurality of switches and the second plurality of switches are in opposite states.",
"20. The system of claim 12, wherein the first plurality of switches and the second plurality of switches are in opposite states besides during a dead-time interval where both the first plurality of switches and the second plurality of switches are open.",
"21. The system of claim 12, wherein the first plurality of capacitors are flying capacitors.",
"22. The system of claim 12, wherein the first plurality of capacitors are pump capacitors."
],
[
"1. A static synchronous compensator for an Information Technology (IT) electrical load, comprising:\na two-stage direct current (DC)-DC converter coupled to an energy storage device;\na multi-level inverter coupled to the two-stage DC-DC converter and configured to output a medium alternating current (AC) inverter voltage; and\na controller configured to control the medium AC inverter voltage of the multi-level inverter to generate or absorb reactive power such that a power factor is substantially one between a utility supply and a transformer, the controller further configured to charge or discharge the energy storage device by adjusting the angle of the medium AC inverter voltage with respect to a medium AC grid voltage,\nwherein a negative terminal of the energy storage device, a negative terminal of the two-stage DC-DC converter, and a negative terminal of the multi-level inverter are electrically coupled to a common negative bus.",
"2. A compensator comprising:\na two-stage direct current (DC)-DC converter coupled to an energy storage device, wherein when the energy storage device is discharged, the two-stage DC-DC converter steps up a voltage, and when the energy storage device is charged, the two-stage DC-DC converter steps down the voltage;\na multi-level inverter coupled to the two-stage DC-DC converter, wherein the multi-level inverter outputs an alternating current (AC) voltage; and\na controller coupled to the multi-level inverter, wherein the controller controls the AC voltage to generate or absorb reactive power such that a power factor is substantially one between a utility supply and a transformer.",
"3. The compensator according to claim 2, wherein the AC voltage is between about 3.3 kV and about 18 kV.",
"4. The compensator according to claim 2, wherein the two-stage DC-DC converter includes a first stage that generates a first DC voltage and a second stage that generates a second DC voltage greater than the first DC voltage.",
"5. The compensator according to claim 4, wherein a positive terminal of the second stage of the two-stage DC-DC converter and a positive terminal of the multi-level inverter are electrically coupled to a common positive bus.",
"6. The compensator according to claim 4, wherein the first stage includes two levels and the second stage includes more than two levels.",
"7. The compensator according to claim 6, wherein the second stage includes three levels or five levels.",
"8. The compensator according to claim 6, wherein the two-stage DC-DC converter includes switches that define the levels of the first and second stages and capacitors coupled together in a flying capacitor topology having a common negative bus.",
"9. The compensator according to claim 6, wherein the AC voltage is a three-phase AC voltage,\nwherein the multi-level inverter includes three sets of switches,\nwherein each set of switches corresponds to one of the three phases of the three-phase AC voltage, and\nwherein each set of switches is arranged in a diode-clamped multi-level topology.",
"10. The compensator according to claim 4, wherein the multi-level inverter converts the second DC voltage into a third voltage that is an AC voltage less than the second DC voltage.",
"11. The compensator according to claim 4, further comprising a DC-DC converter controller that controls the first stage with pulse width modulation control signals and controls the second stage in a flying mode configuration with fixed duty cycle control signals,\nwherein the DC-DC controller controls the multi-level inverter using space vector PWM control signals so as to perform neutral point voltage balancing.",
"12. The compensator according to claim 2, wherein the two-stage DC-DC converter allows a flow of active and reactive power in a first direction from the energy storage device to the multi-level inverter and in a second direction from the multi-level inverter to the energy storage device.",
"13. The compensator according to claim 2, wherein the energy storage device is a low voltage energy storage device.",
"14. The compensator according to claim 13, wherein the low voltage is between about 700 V and about 1200 V.",
"15. The compensator according to claim 2, wherein the energy storage device is a battery, an ultra-capacitor, or a battery and an ultra-capacitor electrically coupled to one another.",
"16. The compensator according to claim 2, wherein the multi-level inverter includes more than two levels.",
"17. A method comprising:\nreceiving a first direct current (DC) voltage from an energy storage device;\nconverting the first DC voltage into a second DC voltage;\ngenerating an alternating current (AC) inverter voltage from the second DC voltage, wherein the AC inverter voltage is a voltage less than the second DC voltage;\nproviding the AC inverter voltage to a point between a utility supply and a transformer; and\ncontrolling the AC inverter voltage to generate or absorb reactive power.",
"18. The method according to claim 17, further comprising:\nmeasuring an AC grid voltage and an AC grid current;\ncalculating a phase angle between the AC grid voltage and the AC grid current;\ncalculating reactive power based on the phase angle, the AC grid voltage, and the AC grid current;\ndetermining whether the AC grid current is leading or lagging the AC grid voltage;\nwhen the AC grid current is lagging the AC grid voltage, generating the reactive power by adjusting the AC inverter voltage so that the AC inverter voltage is greater than the AC grid voltage; and\nwhen the AC grid current is leading the AC grid voltage, absorbing the reactive power by adjusting the AC inverter voltage so that the AC inverter voltage is less than the AC grid voltage.",
"19. The method according to claim 17, further comprising:\nmeasuring an AC grid voltage, an AC grid current, and a phase angle between the AC grid voltage and the AC grid current;\ncalculating a power factor based on the phase angle;\ncalculating active power demand based on the AC grid voltage, the AC grid current, and the power factor;\ndetermining whether to charge or discharge the energy storage device based on the active power demand;\ncharging the energy storage device by adjusting the angle of the AC inverter voltage so that the AC inverter voltage lags the AC grid voltage; and\ndischarging the energy storage device by adjusting the angle of the AC inverter voltage so that the AC inverter voltage leads the AC grid voltage."
],
[
"1. A power converter comprising:\na first switching capacitor network having a first input node and a first output node, the first switching capacitor network comprising a first capacitor and a plurality of switches coupled to the first capacitor, and configured to switch between switch configurations at one or more switching frequencies so as to convert a first voltage regulated by a first regulating circuit to a second voltage;\na second regulating circuit having a second input node and a second output node, the second regulating circuit being coupled to the first switching capacitor network and comprising one or more inductors and one or more switches connected to the one or more inductors, wherein the one or more switches are controllable to switch between switch configurations;\nwherein the first switching capacitor network is a two-phase switching capacitor network comprising a first path and a second path in parallel for respective flows of current, and a first current in the first path and a second current in the second path are out of phase.",
"2. The power converter of claim 1, wherein the first switching capacitor network and the second regulating circuit form a loop to regulate an output voltage outputted to one or more loads.",
"3. The power converter of claim 2, wherein the loop comprises a control circuit configured to provide a linear-voltage mode control to compare the output voltage with a reference voltage to regulate the output voltage.",
"4. The power converter of claim 2, wherein the loop comprises a hysteretic control circuit configured to switch between two states based upon a hysteresis band.",
"5. The power converter of claim 2, wherein the loop comprises a control circuit configured to provide a peak current-mode control.",
"6. The power converter of claim 1, wherein the first switching capacitor network and the second regulating circuit form a loop to regulate the first voltage received by the first switching capacitor network.",
"7. The power converter of claim 1, wherein the first input node and the second input node are coupled to the first regulating circuit, and the first output node and the second output node are coupled to one or more loads.",
"8. The power converter of claim 1, wherein in the first switching capacitor network, power is able to flow from the first input node to the first output node and from the first output node to the first input node.",
"9. The power converter of claim 8, wherein in the second regulating circuit, power is able to flow from the second input node to the second output node and from the second output node to the second input node.",
"10. The power converter of claim 1, wherein the second regulating circuit comprises a buck/boost converter or a buck converter.",
"11. The power converter of claim 1, wherein the first switching capacitor network is a step-down series-parallel switched capacitor converter.",
"12. A power converter comprising:\na first switching capacitor network having a first input node and a first output node, the first switching capacitor network comprising a first capacitor and a plurality of switches coupled to the first capacitor, and configured to switch between configurations at one or more switching frequencies so as to convert a first voltage regulated by a first regulating circuit to a second voltage;\na second regulating circuit having a second input node and a second output node, the second regulating circuit being coupled to the first switching capacitor network and comprising one or more inductors and one or more switches connected to the one or more inductors, wherein the one or more switches are controllable to switch between configurations;\nwherein in the first switching capacitor network, power is able to flow from the first input node to the first output node and from the first output node to the first input node.",
"13. The power converter of 12, wherein in the second regulating circuit power is able to flow from the second input node to the second output node and from the second output node to the second input node.",
"14. The power converter of claim 12, wherein the first switching capacitor network and the second regulating circuit form a regulation loop to regulate an output voltage outputted to one or more loads.",
"15. The power converter of claim 12, wherein the first input node and the second input node are coupled to the first regulating circuit, and the first output node and the second output node are coupled to one or more loads.",
"16. The power converter of claim 12, wherein the second regulating circuit comprises a buck/boost converter or a buck converter.",
"17. The power converter of claim 12, wherein the first switching capacitor network is a switched capacitor converter with a conversion ratio of 2:1.",
"18. An apparatus, comprising:\na plurality of first switches to be coupled to a first capacitor to form a first switching capacitor network, the first switching capacitor network having a first input node and a first output node, and configured to switch between switch configurations at one or more switching frequencies so as to convert a first voltage regulated by a first regulating circuit to a second voltage to a load; and\none or more second switches to be coupled to one or more inductors to form a second regulating circuit, the second regulating circuit having a second input node and a second output node, and being coupled to the first switching capacitor network,\nwherein the one or more second switches are controllable to switch between switch configurations;\nwherein the first input node and the second input node are coupled to the first regulating circuit, and the first output node and the second output node are coupled to one or more loads.",
"19. The power converter of claim 18, wherein the first switching capacitor network and the second regulating circuit form a regulation loop to regulate an output voltage outputted to the one or more loads.",
"20. The power converter of claim 18, wherein the second regulating circuit comprises a buck/boost converter or a buck converter.",
"21. The power converter of claim 18, wherein the first switching capacitor network is a step-down series-parallel switched capacitor converter.",
"22. The power converter of claim 18, wherein the first switching capacitor network is a switched capacitor converter with a conversion ratio of 2:1.",
"23. The power converter of claim 18, wherein the second regulating circuit and the first switching capacitor network operate at different switching frequencies.",
"24. The power converter of claim 18, wherein the first regulating circuit is within an AC-DC converter circuit.",
"25. The power converter of claim 18, wherein the first regulating circuit is an isolated converter circuit.",
"26. The power converter of claim 18, wherein the first input node and the second input node are configured to receive the first voltage, and the first output node and the second output node are configured to provide power to the one or more loads."
],
[
"1. A system for wirelessly providing AC power to a vehicle or an energy storage system, the vehicle being an electric vehicle, a plug-in electric or a hybrid electric vehicle, the energy storage including a stationary or mobile energy storage element, the vehicle and the energy storage system including a battery, the system comprising:\nan off-board module including:\nan AC-to-AC bidirectional converter configured to receive a grid-voltage signal that is single phase, the AC-to-AC bidirectional converter configured to convert the grid-voltage signal to a modulated high-frequency voltage signal, wherein the modulated high-frequency voltage signal includes a high-frequency carrier signal having an envelope corresponding to the grid-voltage signal that is single phase or three-phase, wherein the AC-to-AC bidirectional converter includes two half bridges connected to single-phase active phases in a common point and configured such that, (i) during a positive cycle, a first one of the half bridges switches on-and-off the grid-voltage signal, while a second one of the half bridges does not switch, and (ii) during a negative cycle, the second one of the half bridges switches on-and-off the grid-voltage signal, while the first one of the half bridges does not switch, whereby the two half bridges chop the grid-voltage signal at a carrier frequency of the high-frequency carrier signal and produce the modulated high-frequency voltage signal, and\na transmitter including a primary coil, the transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit the modulated high-frequency voltage signal to the vehicle or energy storage battery;\nan on-board module including:\na receiver including a pick-up coil, the receiver configured to\nreceive the modulated high-frequency voltage signal when the primary coil and the pick-up coil are disposed adjacent to each other, and\nprovide the modulated high-frequency voltage signal as AC power; and\nan on-board AC charger configured to receive the AC power from the receiver, the AC power from the receiver being the modulated high-frequency voltage signal, the on-board AC charger configured to convert the AC power to DC power, and charge the battery with the DC power.",
"2. The system of claim 1, wherein the carrier frequency is in a range of that any switching power electronics device can operate within.",
"3. The system of claim 1, wherein the AC-to-AC bidirectional converter includes coupling capacitors connected across the two half bridges, respectively.",
"4. The system of claim 3, wherein the coupling capacitors have a capacitance in a range of 1 nF-20 μF.",
"5. The system of claim 1, wherein the off-board module includes a pre-stage filter configured to filter the received grid-voltage signal.",
"6. The system of claim 1, wherein the grid-voltage signal has a frequency of 50 Hz or 60 Hz and a RMS in a range of 110V-208V-220V-240V-480V-13.8 kV."
],
[
"1. A high power density power circuit to convert an input voltage to a regulated output voltage, the high power density power circuit comprising:\na first capacitor, a second capacitor, and an inductor to be coupled to the first and second capacitor via a shared node; and\na plurality of switches to alternately arrange the inductor and the first capacitor and second capacitor into a first configuration or a second configuration, the first and the second configurations to include the shared node,\nwherein, in the first configuration, the second capacitor is to discharge at a rate that is based at least in part on the inductor, and\nwherein, in the second configuration, the first capacitor is to discharge at a rate that is based at least in part on the inductor.",
"2. The high power density power circuit of claim 1, further comprising one or more base transistors of a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) process.",
"3. The high power density power circuit of claim 1, wherein the regulated output voltage is to provide an output signal to an electrical load comprising at least one of: an actual load, an input impedance of a converter, or any combination thereof.",
"4. The high power density circuit of claim 1, wherein:\nin the first configuration, the first capacitor is to charge at a rate that is based at least in part on the inductor, and\nin the second configuration, the second capacitor is to charge at a rate that is based at least in part on the inductor.",
"5. The high power density circuit of claim 1, further comprising a controller to control the plurality of switches.",
"6. The high power density circuit of claim 5, wherein the controller operates the plurality of switches at a switching frequency of 1 MHz.",
"7. The high power density circuit of claim 5, wherein the controller uses a clock to generate a switching frequency at which to operate the plurality of switches.",
"8. An apparatus for power conversion, the apparatus comprising:\na controller; and\na transformation stage, wherein:\nthe controller is to:\nreceive at least one of a reference voltage, an input voltage, or an output voltage;\nprovide to a predetermined path a control signal that controls operation of the transformation stage; and\nfacilitate soft switching; and\nthe transformation stage is to receive the input voltage and, based on the control signal, provide a transformed voltage at one or more terminals.",
"9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the predetermined path includes the transformation stage.",
"10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the transformation stage comprises:\na first set of switches and a second set of switches,\nwherein the first set of switches and the second set of switches are to operate at one or more switching frequencies to alternately charge or discharge a plurality of capacitors to facilitate a capacitive energy transfer via soft switching the first set of switches and the second set of switches.",
"11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the controller provides one or more control signals to the first set of switches and the second set of switches based, at least in part, on at least one of the input voltage, the output voltage, the reference voltage, or the transformed voltage.",
"12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the input voltage maintains a particular voltage range.",
"13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the transformed voltage maintains a particular voltage range.",
"14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the transformation stage implements a particular conversion ratio.",
"15. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein:\nthe transformation stage implements a particular conversion ratio determined, at least in part, by a number of capacitors in the transformation stage.",
"16. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the transformation stage is a switched-capacitor converter.",
"17. An apparatus for power conversion, the apparatus comprising:\na plurality of switches to facilitate operation of a switched-capacitor converter, the plurality of switches to switch between a first state and a second state to transition the switched-capacitor converter between a first configuration and a second configuration; and\na controller, wherein the controller is to alternate switching the plurality of switches in accordance with one or more switching frequencies to transfer energy from an input port to an output port,\nwherein a switching frequency of the one or more switching frequencies facilitates soft switching of at least one of the plurality of switches.",
"18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the controller is to:\ngenerate a control signal based, at least in part, on at least one of a reference voltage or a transformed voltage; and\nprovide the control signal to a predetermined path to control the switched-capacitor converter.",
"19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the controller is to:\ngenerate a control signal based, at least in part, on at least one of an input voltage or an output voltage; and\nprovide the control signal to a predetermined path to control the switched-capacitor converter.",
"20. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein a transformed voltage is provided by the switched-capacitor converter.",
"21. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising a resonant converter.",
"22. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the controller is capable to operate at a switching frequency of 1 MHz.",
"23. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the controller uses a clock to generate the one or more switching frequencies.",
"24. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the controller is to alternate switching the plurality of switches between the first state and the second state based at least in part on an input voltage.",
"25. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein:\nthe switched-capacitor converter includes at least a first capacitor and a second capacitor; and\nthe controller is to alternate switching the plurality of switches such that a voltage on the first capacitor and a voltage on the second capacitor remain within a hysteresis band.",
"26. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the controller is to alternate switching the plurality of switches such that a transformed voltage provided by the switched-capacitor converter is maintained within a range of voltages."
],
[
"1. An apparatus for power conversion, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of switches configured to facilitate operation of a switched-capacitor converter, the plurality of switches being configured to switch between a first state and a second state to transition a switched-capacitor network of the switched-capacitor converter between a first switch arrangement and a second switch arrangement, wherein the plurality of switches comprises one or more phase switches and one or more stack switches; a controller configured to receive one or more feedback signals from one or more terminals of the switched-capacitor converter, the one or more feedback signals being indicative of the operation of the switched-capacitor converter; and a first die and a second die configured according to a first configuration or a second configuration, wherein, in the first configuration, the one or more phase switches are on the first die and the one or more stack switches are on the second die, and in the second configuration, the controller is on the first die and a particular switch of the plurality of switches is on the second die.",
"2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of switches are controllable to switch between the first state and the second state at a switching frequency to facilitate zero current switching (ZCS) of one or more switches of the plurality of switches.",
"3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to output one or more control signals to open the plurality of switches during a dead-time interval of the switched-capacitor network.",
"4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller comprises a first feedback loop to output a first control signal for controlling an intermediate voltage.",
"5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the one or more feedback signals comprise a first feedback signal indicative of the intermediate voltage and a second feedback signal indicative of an input voltage, and the controller is configured to output the first control signal according to the first feedback signal and the second feedback signal.",
"6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the controller comprises a second feedback loop to output a second control signal for controlling an output voltage, and the second feedback loop is coupled to the first feedback loop.",
"7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the second control signal is configured to serve as a gate drive to drive a gate terminal of a transistor in a regulating circuit connected to the switched-capacitor network.",
"8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the one or more feedback signals further comprise a third feedback signal indicative of the output voltage, and the controller is configured to control the output voltage according to the third feedback signal and a reference signal.",
"9. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the first feedback loop and the second feedback loop are on the same die.",
"10. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the first feedback loop and the second feedback loop are on different dies.",
"11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an inductor connected to the switched-capacitor network, wherein the inductor sustains a peak-to-peak voltage ripple and supports an inductor current flowing through the inductor in operation at a particular switching frequency, the inductor current defining an average inductor current.",
"12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the inductor current is a rectified sinusoidal current.",
"13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein an inductance of the inductor is proportional to a value selected by dividing the peak-to-peak voltage ripple by a product of the average inductor current and a switching frequency.",
"14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein a constant of proportionality by which the value is multiplied to obtain the inductance is 13/24.",
"15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the particular switch comprises at least one phase switch or at least one stack switch.",
"16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the switched-capacitor network further comprises: a first controller, a second controller, and an inter-controller commissure, wherein in the first configuration, the first controller is configured to control the one or more phase switches on the first die, wherein the second controller is configured to control the one or more stack switches on the second die, wherein the inter-controller commissure provides a link between the first controller and the second controller to permit operation of the one or more phase switches on the first die that depends at least in part on operation of the one or more stack switches on the second die, and to permit operation of the one or more stack switches on the second die that depends at least in part on operation of the one or more phase switches on the first die.",
"17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the first controller is on the first die and wherein the second controller is on the second die, and wherein the inter-controller commissure extends between the first die and the second die.",
"18. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising a third die and a fourth die, wherein the first controller is on the third die and wherein the second controller is on the fourth die, and wherein the inter-controller commissure extends between the third die and the fourth die.",
"19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the switched-capacitor converter is a two-phase converter, wherein the apparatus further comprises a third die and a fourth die, wherein the one or more stack switches comprise a first set of stack switches and a second set of stack switches, each of which is associated with one phase of the two-phase converter, wherein the first set of stack switches is on the second die and the second set of stack switches is on the fourth die, wherein the one or more phase switches comprise a first set of phase switches and a second set of phase switches, each of which is associated with one phase of the two-phase converter, and wherein the first set of phase switches is on the first die and the second set of phase switches is on the third die."
],
[
"1. A power converter, comprising:\na switching network comprising a plurality of switches being switched to transition between a first configuration, during which charge accumulates in at least one capacitor at a first rate, and a second configuration, during which charge is depleted from the at least one capacitor at a second rate; and\na first regulating circuit and a second regulating circuit coupled to the switching network, wherein the first regulating circuit and the second regulating circuit comprise coupled inductors, wherein a coupling factor of the coupled inductors shared by the first regulating circuit and the second regulating circuit is set to reduce a ripple current through the coupled inductors.",
"2. The power converter of claim 1, wherein the switching network comprises a first switching network and a second switching network, the power converter further comprising:\na third regulating circuit to regulate the first switching network and the second switching network, wherein the first switching network and the second switching network are in parallel and operate out of phase.",
"3. The power converter of claim 2, wherein the third regulating circuit comprises a first inductor and a second inductor that are coupled to each other.",
"4. The power converter of claim 2, wherein the third regulating circuit comprises a first inductor and a second inductor that share the same inductor core.",
"5. The power converter of claim 2, wherein an output terminal of the third regulating circuit is coupled to an input terminal of the switching network.",
"6. The power converter of claim 2, wherein an input terminal of the first regulating circuit is coupled to the first switching network via a first output terminal of the switching network, and an input terminal of the second regulating circuit is coupled to the second switching network via a second output terminal of the switching network.",
"7. The power converter of claim 1, wherein the first rate and the second rate are constrained by the coupled inductors.",
"8. An apparatus for processing electric power, comprising:\na switching network comprising a plurality of switches being switched to transition between a first configuration, during which charge accumulates in at least one capacitor, and a second configuration, during which charge is depleted from the at least one capacitor;\na first regulating circuit coupled to the switching network, the first regulating circuit comprising a first inductor; and\na second regulating circuit coupled to the switching network, the second regulating circuit comprising a second inductor, wherein an inductor core is shared by the first inductor and the second inductor.",
"9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein a coupling factor of the first inductor and the second inductor is set to reduce a ripple current through the first inductor and the second inductor.",
"10. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising:\na third regulating circuit to regulate, at least in part, a first switching network and a second switching network in parallel that operate out of phase, wherein the first regulating circuit is coupled to the first switching network and the second regulating circuit is coupled to the second switching network.",
"11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the third regulating circuit comprises a third inductor and a fourth inductor coupled to each other.",
"12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the third regulating circuit comprises a third inductor and a fourth inductor that share a common inductor core.",
"13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein an input terminal of the first regulating circuit is coupled to the first switching network via a first output terminal of the switching network, and an input terminal of the second regulating circuit is coupled to the second switching network via a second output terminal of the switching network.",
"14. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the switching network has a first switching frequency, and the first regulating circuit and the second regulating circuit have a second switching frequency different from the first switching frequency.",
"15. An apparatus, comprising:\na switching network comprising a plurality of switches being switched to transition between a first configuration, during which charge accumulates in at least one capacitor, and a second configuration, during which charge is depleted from the at least one capacitor; and\na regulating circuit coupled to the switching network, wherein the regulating circuit comprises a first inductor and a second inductor being coupled inductors magnetically coupled to each other via mutual inductance, and the regulating circuit is a multi-phase regulating circuit.",
"16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein an output terminal of the switching network is coupled to an input terminal of the multi-phase regulating circuit.",
"17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein a coupling factor of the coupled first and second inductors is set to reduce a ripple current through the first and second inductors.",
"18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the charge accumulates in the at least one capacitor at a first rate in the first configuration, and the charge is depleted from the at least one capacitor at a second rate in the second configuration, and the first and second rates are constrained by the coupled first and second inductors.",
"19. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the switching network has a first switching frequency, and the regulating circuit has a second switching frequency different from the first switching frequency.",
"20. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the switching network and the regulating circuit form a step-down converter."
],
[
"1. A method for controlling a solid-state transformer having an uninterrupted operation ability under an Alternating Current (AC)/Direct Current (DC) fault, wherein the solid-state transformer comprises a hybrid Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC), a plurality of isolated dual-active-bridge (DAB) converters and a three-phase full-bridge pulse width modulation (PWM) inverter, wherein bridge arms of the hybrid MMC comprise half-bridge submodules and full-bridge submodules, the half-bridge submodules and the full-bridge submodules are connected with input ends of the plurality of DAB converters via capacitors included in the half-bridge submodules and the full-bridge submodules, output ends of the plurality of DAB converters are connected in parallel to form a low-voltage DC bus, and the three-phase full-bridge PWM inverter is connected to the low-voltage DC bus; wherein\nthe hybrid MMC is provided with a medium-voltage DC port and a medium-voltage AC port, wherein the medium-voltage AC port is connectable with a medium-voltage AC distribution grid, and the medium-voltage DC port is connectable with a medium-voltage DC distribution grid;\nthe low-voltage DC bus formed by connecting the output ends of the plurality of DAB converters in parallel forms a low-voltage DC port, and the low-voltage DC port is connectable with a low-voltage DC distribution grid; and\nthe low-voltage DC bus forms a low-voltage AC port via the three-phase full-bridge PWM inverter, and the low-voltage AC port is connectable with a low-voltage AC distribution grid;\nwherein when a short-circuit fault occurs in the medium-voltage DC distribution grid connected to the medium-voltage DC port of the hybrid MMC of the solid-stage transformer, the solid-state transformer has a DC fault current blocking ability and blocks a DC fault current by changing a control strategy to keep a voltage of the medium-voltage DC port at zero while keeping the medium-voltage AC port, the low-voltage DC port, and the low-voltage AC port operate normally, and the solid-state transformer performs a process of uninterrupted control of the medium-voltage DC port under the short-circuit fault;\nwherein the process of uninterrupted control of the medium-voltage DC port under the short-circuit fault comprises:\nfirstly, in order to avoid influences of operation of the solid-state transformer by the short-circuit fault occurring to the medium-voltage DC port of the hybrid MMC of the solid-state transformer, a modulation voltage of the medium-voltage DC port is kept at a low voltage, so that a sum of modulation voltage values of an upper bridge arm and a lower bridge arm of the bridge arms of the hybrid MMC is set at the low voltage, and the low voltage of the medium-voltage DC port is selectively reduced to zero under a limit condition for supporting short-circuit tolerance of the medium-voltage DC port;\nsecondly, in order to ensure the normal operation of the medium-voltage AC port, a voltage of the medium-voltage AC port is maintained to be equal to an AC modulation voltage, so that for at least a phase A, modulation voltages of the upper and lower bridge arms satisfy the following conditions:\n \n{\n𝑢\nap\n=\n-\n𝑈\n𝑚\n\nsin\n\n(\n𝜔\n\n𝑡\n)\n\n\n𝑢\nan\n=\n𝑈\n𝑚\n\nsin\n\n(\n𝜔\n\n𝑡\n)\nwherein uap and uan are the modulation voltages of the upper and low bridge arms respectively, Um is a voltage amplitude at the medium-voltage AC port, and wt is the phase of the phase A; and\nfinally, in order to ensure the normal operation of the low-voltage DC port and the low-voltage AC port, active power of the low-voltage DC port and the low-voltage AC port is made equally and stably transmitted to the plurality of DAB converters via the hybrid MMC, and an analysis is implemented on currents of the upper bridge arm and the lower bridge arm of the bridge arms of the hybrid MMC and switching functions of the half-bridge submodules and the full-bridge submodules, so that for at least the phase A, the currents of the upper bridge arm and the lower bridge arm are respectively expressed as:\n \n{\n𝐼\n𝑎\n\n𝑝\n=\n-\n1\n2\n\n𝐼\n𝑎\n\n(\n𝑡\n)\n=\n-\n1\n2\n\n𝐼\n𝑚\n\nsin\n\n(\n𝜔\n\n\n𝑡\n+\n𝜑\n)\n\n\n𝐼\n𝑎\n\n𝑛\n=\n+\n1\n2\n\n𝐼\n𝑎\n\n(\n𝑡\n)\n=\n+\n1\n2\n\n𝐼\n𝑚\n\nsin\n\n(\n𝜔\n\n\n𝑡\n+\n𝜑\n)\nwherein Iap and Ian are the current of the upper and lower bridge arms of the hybrid MMC for the phase A, Ia(t) is the current of the medium-voltage AC port for the phase A, Im is a current amplitude of the phase A, and φ is a power factor angle;\nwherein for at least the phase A, a voltage of the upper bridge arm comprises a half-bridge submodule valve section and a full-bridge submodule valve section, so that in order to achieve equalized transmission of low-voltage DC power, separate modulation strategies are adopted for the half-bridge submodules and the full-bridge submodules, and expressions of the modulation voltages are shown as follows:\n \n{\n𝑢\napHB\n=\n𝑈\n1\n-\n𝑦\n1\n\n𝑈\n𝑚\n\nsin\n\n(\n𝜔\n\n𝑡\n)\n\n\n𝑢\napFB\n=\n-\n𝑈\n1\n-\n𝑦\n2\n\n𝑈\n𝑚\n\nsin\n\n(\n𝜔\n\n𝑡\n)\n\n\n𝑦\n1\n+\n𝑦\n2\n=\n1\nwherein uapHB and uapFB are the modulation voltages of the half-bridge submodules and the full-bridge submodules respectively; U1, y1 and y2 are modulation command coefficients and are set according to system operation characteristics; in order to ensure that the voltages are varied within voltage variation ranges of the half-bridge submodule valve section and the full-bridge submodule valve section, values of the U1, y1 and y2 satisfy the following conditions:\n \n{\n0\n≤\n𝑢\napHB\n≤\n𝑛\n\n𝑈\n𝑐\n\n\n-\nnU\n𝑐\n≤\n𝑢\napFB\n≤\n𝑛\n\n𝑈\n𝑐\nwherein n is a number of the half-bridge submodules and the full-bridge submodules comprised in the half-bridge submodule valve section and the full-bridge submodule valve section, and Uc is a rated voltage of the full-bridge submodules and the half-bridge submodules;\nwherein S is average switching functions of the half-bridge submodules and the full-bridge submodules are respectively obtained as follows:\n \n{\n𝑆\n𝑎\n\n𝑝\n\n𝐻\n\n𝐵\n=\n𝑈\n1\n-\n𝑦\n1\n\n𝑈\n𝑚\n\nsin\n\n(\n𝜔\n\n\n𝑡\n)\n𝑛\n\n𝑈\n𝑐\n\n\n𝑆\n𝑎\n\n𝑝\n\n𝐹\n\n𝐵\n=\n-\n𝑈\n1\n-\n𝑦\n2\n\n𝑈\n𝑚\n\nsin\n\n(\n𝜔\n\n\n𝑡\n)\n𝑛\n\n𝑈\n𝑐\nwherein a current flowing into the medium-voltage DC port and the low-voltage DC port of the half-bridge submodules and the full-bridge submodules is expressed as:\n \n{\n𝑖\n𝑆\n\n𝑀\n\n𝑎\n\n𝑝\n\n𝐻\n\n𝐵\n=\n𝑆\n𝑎\n\n𝑝\n\n𝐻\n\n𝐵\n\n𝐼\n𝑎\n\n𝑝\n=\n𝑈\n𝑚\n\n𝐼\n𝑚\n\n𝑦\n1\n\ncos\n\n\n𝜑\n4\n\n𝑛\n\n𝑈\n𝑐\n-\n\n\n𝑈\n1\n\n𝐼\n𝑚\n\nsin\n\n(\n𝜔\n\n\n𝑡\n+\n𝜑\n)\n2\n\n𝑛\n\n𝑈\n𝑐\n-\n𝑈\n𝑚\n\n𝐼\n𝑚\n\n𝑦\n1\n\ncos\n\n(\n2\n\n𝜔\n\n\n𝑡\n+\n𝜑\n)\n4\n\n𝑛\n\n𝑈\n𝑐\n\n\n𝑖\n𝑆\n\n𝑀\n\n𝑎\n\n𝑝\n\n𝐹\n\n𝐵\n=\n𝑆\n𝑎\n\n𝑝\n\n𝐹\n\n𝐵\n\n𝐼\n𝑎\n\n𝑝\n=\n𝑈\n𝑚\n\n𝐼\n𝑚\n\n𝑦\n2\n\ncos\n\n\n𝜑\n4\n\n𝑛\n\n𝑈\n𝑐\n+\n\n\n𝑈\n1\n\n𝐼\n𝑚\n\nsin\n\n(\n𝜔\n\n\n𝑡\n+\n𝜑\n)\n2\n\n𝑛\n\n𝑈\n𝑐\n-\n𝑈\n𝑚\n\n𝐼\n𝑚\n\n𝑦\n2\n\ncos\n\n(\n2\n\n𝜔\n\n\n𝑡\n+\n𝜑\n)\n4\n\n𝑛\n\n𝑈\n𝑐\nwherein iSMapHB and iSMapFB are the currents at the medium-voltage DC port and the low-voltage DC port of the half-bridge submodules and the full-bridge submodules respectively,\n𝑈\n𝑚\n\n𝐼\n𝑚\n\n𝑦\n1\n\ncos\n\n\n𝜑\n4\n\n𝑛\n\n𝑈\n𝑐\nand\n𝑈\n𝑚\n\n𝐼\n𝑚\n\n𝑦\n2\n\ncos\n\n\n𝜑\n4\n\n𝑛\n\n𝑈\n𝑐\nare DC components and flow into the low-voltage DC port via a later-stage DAB converter of the plurality of DAB converters to generate active power; and other components are AC components acting on the capacitors included in the half-bridge submodules and the full-bridge submodules to generate voltage fluctuation of the capacitors, which does not affect power transmission at the low-voltage DC port and the low-voltage AC port, and power transmission from one single half-bridge submodule of the half-bridge submodules and one single full-bridge submodule of the full-bridge submodules to the plurality of DAB converters is expressed as follows:\n \n{\n𝑃\n𝐷\n\n𝐴\n\n𝐵\n\n𝑎\n\n𝑝\n\n𝐻\n\n𝐵\n=\n𝑈\n𝑚\n\n𝐼\n𝑚\n\n𝑦\n1\n\ncos\n\n\n𝜑\n4\n\n𝑛\n\n\n𝑃\n𝐷\n\n𝐴\n\n𝐵\n\n𝑎\n\n𝑝\n\n𝐹\n\n𝐵\n=\n𝑈\n𝑚\n\n𝐼\n𝑚\n\n𝑦\n2\n\ncos\n\n\n𝜑\n4\n\n𝑛\nwherein PDABapHB and PDABapFB are power transmitting from the one single half-bridge submodule and the one single full-bridge submodule to the plurality of DAB converters, and wherein through calculation and analysis, equalized and stable transmission of the active power at the low-voltage DC port in an uninterrupted operation state is achieved by selecting the modulation command coefficients for the modulation voltages of the half-bridge submodules and the full-bridge submodules.",
"2. The method according to claim 1, wherein when a short-circuit fault occurs in one of the medium-voltage AC distribution grid, the medium-voltage DC distribution grid, the low-voltage AC distribution grid, and the low-voltage DC distribution grid that are respectively connected to the medium-voltage AC port, the medium-voltage DC port, the low-voltage AC port, and the low-voltage DC port of the hybrid MMC of the solid-state transformer, by locking the port connected to the one of the medium-voltage AC distribution grid, the medium-voltage DC distribution grid, the low-voltage AC distribution grid, and the low-voltage DC distribution grid in which the short-circuit fault occurs, operation of remaining ports of the hybrid MMC of the solid-state transformer is prevented from being affected, so that power supply reliability of an AC/DC hybrid distribution grid including the medium-voltage AC distribution grid, the medium-voltage DC distribution grid, the low-voltage AC distribution grid, and the low-voltage DC distribution grid is improved.",
"3. The method according to claim 1, wherein when the medium-voltage DC distribution grid, the medium-voltage AC distribution grid, the low-voltage DC distribution grid, and the low-voltage AC distribution grid that are respectively connected to the medium-voltage DC port, the medium-voltage AC port, the low-voltage DC port, and the low-voltage AC port are all in stable operation, the solid-stage transformer is in a normal operation condition, and energy flow among the medium-voltage DC port, the medium-voltage AC port, the low-voltage DC port, and the low-voltage AC port is controlled to maintain the stable operation of the medium-voltage DC distribution grid, the medium-voltage AC distribution grid, the low-voltage DC distribution grid, and the low-voltage AC distribution grid; wherein\nthe low-voltage DC bus is connected with a DC side of the three-phase full-bridge PWM inverter, and an AC side of the three-phase full-bridge PWM inverter is connected with the low-voltage AC distribution grid;\nthe hybrid MMC controls a reactive power of the AC side of the three-phase full-bridge PWM inverter and maintains a voltage of the medium-voltage DC port to be stable by adopting DC voltage-reactive power double loop control; loop current suppression and voltage balance of the capacitors of the half-bridge submodules and the full-bridge submodules are achieved by additional duty ratio control in a modulation voltage;\nthe plurality of DAB converter control the active power of a phase shifting angle so as to maintain the low-voltage DC bus to be stable; and wherein\nthe three-phase full-bridge PWM inverter maintains a voltage of the low-voltage AC port to be stable by constant AC voltage control.",
"4. The method according to claim 1, wherein when the short-circuit fault occurs in the medium-voltage DC distribution grid connected to the medium-voltage DC port of the hybrid MMC of the solid-stage transformer, the hybrid MMC controls a reactive power of an AC side of the three-phase full-bridge PWM inverter and maintains voltages of the capacitors included in the half-bridge submodules and the full-bridge submodules of the hybrid MMC to be constant by adopting total capacitor voltage-reactive power double loop control, so that rapid input of the solid-state transformer after the fault is cleared is facilitated.",
"5. The method according to claim 4 wherein when the short-circuit fault occurs in the medium-voltage DC distribution grid connected to the medium-voltage DC port of the hybrid MMC of the solid-stage transformer, and the low-voltage DC bus is connected with a DC side of a three-phase full-bridge PWM inverter, and an AC side of the three-phase full-bridge PWM inverter is connected with the low-voltage AC distribution grid, the full-bridge submodule valve section and the half-bridge submodule valve section of the hybrid MMC respectively adopt separate modulation strategies so that cooperative work of the half-bridge submodules and the full-bridge submodules and the equalized transmission of the active power at the low-voltage DC port of among the plurality of DAB converters are achieved; wherein\nloop current suppression and the voltage balance of the capacitors included in the half-bridge submodules and the full-bridge submodules are achieved by additional duty ratio control in a modulation voltage;\nthe plurality of DAB converters control the active power of a phase shifting angle so as to maintain the low-voltage DC bus to be stable;\nthe three-phase full-bridge PWM inverter maintains a voltage of the low-voltage AC port to be stable by constant AC voltage control; and wherein\nuninterrupted operation of the medium-voltage AC port, the low-voltage AC port, and the low-voltage DC port under the fault of the medium-voltage DC port is achieved.",
"6. The method according to claim 1, wherein when a short-circuit fault occurs in the medium-voltage AC distribution grid connected to the medium-voltage AC port of the solid-state transformer, a circuit breaker at the medium-voltage AC port blocks a fault current and isolates the medium-voltage AC fault port that is in fault, and a control strategy is changed to keep the medium-voltage DC port, the low-voltage AC port, and the low-voltage DC port operate normally; wherein\nthe low-voltage DC bus is connected with a DC side of the three-phase full-bridge PWM inverter, and an AC side of the three-phase full-bridge PWM inverter is connected with the low-voltage AC distribution grid;\nthe hybrid MMC adopts total capacitor voltage control to maintain the voltages of the capacitors included in the half-bridge submodules and the full-bridge submodules of the hybrid MMC to be balanced;\nthe plurality of DAB converters control the active power of a phase shifting angle so as to maintain the voltage of the low-voltage DC bus to be stable; and wherein the three-phase full-bridge PWM inverter maintains a voltage of the low-voltage AC port to be stable by constant AC voltage control.",
"7. The method according to claim 1, wherein when a short-circuit fault occurs in the low-voltage DC distribution grid connected to the low-voltage DC port of the solid-state transformer, a control strategy is changed to lock the plurality of DAB converters and the three-phase full-bridge PWM inverter, isolate the low-voltage DC port that is in fault and keep the medium-voltage AC port and the medium-voltage DC port operate normally, wherein the low-voltage DC bus is connected with a DC side of the three-phase full-bridge PWM inverter, and an AC side of the three-phase full-bridge PWM inverter is connected with the low-voltage AC distribution grid; wherein\nthe hybrid MMC controls the reactive power of the AC side of the three-phase full-bridge PWM inverter and maintains the voltage of the medium-voltage DC port to be stable by adopting DC voltage-reactive power double loop control; and wherein\nloop current suppression and the voltage balance of the capacitors included in the half-bridge submodules and the full-bridge submodules are achieved by additional duty ratio control in a modulation voltage.",
"8. The method according to claim 1, wherein when a short-circuit fault occurs in the low-voltage AC distribution grid connected to the low-voltage AC port of the solid-state transformer, a control strategy is changed to lock the three-phase full-bridge PWM inverter, isolate the low-voltage AC port that is in fault and keep to the medium-voltage AC port, the medium-voltage DC port, and the low-voltage DC port operate normally; wherein\nthe low-voltage DC bus is connected with a DC side of the three-phase full-bridge PWM inverter, and an AC side of the three-phase full-bridge PWM inverter is connected with the low-voltage AC distribution grid;\nthe hybrid MMC controls the reactive power of the AC side of the three-phase full-bridge PWM inverter and maintains the voltage of the medium-voltage DC port to be stable by adopting DC voltage-reactive power double loop control;\nloop current suppression and the voltage balance of the capacitors included in the half-bridge submodules and the full-bridge submodules are achieved by additional duty ratio control in a modulation voltage; and wherein\nthe plurality of DAB converters control the active power of a phase shifting angle so as to maintain the low-voltage DC bus to be stable."
],
[
"1. A power interface system for reducing power variations, comprising:\none or more control circuits configured to control a plurality of switching regulators operating at different frequencies to provide a shared output power at an output terminal to a load, wherein each of the one or more control circuits is configured to:\nreceive a power variation signal resulting from a power variation in the shared output power of the plurality of switching regulators;\nseparate a respective frequency component from multiple frequency components of the power variation signal; and\ncontrol, based on the respective frequency component, a respective switching regulator of the plurality of switching regulators to source current to, or sink current from the the output terminal until the shared output power reaches a threshold level.",
"2. The power interface system of claim 1, wherein the one or more control circuits comprise a first control circuit and a second control circuit, the second control circuit being configured to control a first switching regulator of the plurality of switching regulators based on a first frequency component separated from the multiple frequency components, and the second control circuit being configured to control a second switching regulator of the plurality of switching regulators based on a second frequency component separated from the multiple frequency components, the second frequency component having a higher frequency than the first frequency component.",
"3. The power interface system of claim 2, wherein the second switching regulator is configured to operate according to a higher switching frequency than the first switching regulator, and\nwherein the second control circuit is configured to, in response to receiving the power variation signal indicative of an increase in load current, control the second switching regulator to source additional current to the output terminal according to the higher frequency of the second frequency component until a total output current associated with the shared output power reaches the threshold level.",
"4. The power interface system of claim 3, wherein the second control circuit being configured to control the second switching regulator to source the additional current to the output terminal comprises the second control circuit being configured to cause the second switching regulator to operate with an increased duty cycle to increase sourced high frequency current to the output terminal.",
"5. The power interface system of claim 4, wherein the sourced high frequency current comprises a non-zero average low frequency current or direct current.",
"6. The power interface system of claim 3, wherein the first control circuit is configured to, in response to receiving the power variation signal indicative of the increase in load current, cause the first switching regulator to operate with an increased duty cycle to source a lower frequency current to the output terminal according to a frequency of the first frequency component until the total output current associated with the shared output power reaches the threshold level.",
"7. The power interface system of claim 2, wherein the second switching regulator is configured to operate according to a higher switching frequency than the first switching regulator, and\nwherein the second control circuit is configured to, in response to receiving the power variation signal indicative of a decrease in load current, control the second switching regulator to sink a first current portion from the output terminal to a ground according to the higher frequency of the second frequency component until a total output current associated with the shared output power reaches the threshold level.",
"8. The power interface system of claim 7, wherein the first control circuit is configured to, in response to receiving the power variation signal indicative of the decrease in load current, cause the first switching regulator to operate with a decreased duty cycle and sink a second current portion from the output terminal to the ground according to a frequency of the first frequency component until the total output current associated with the shared output power reaches the threshold level.",
"9. The power interface system of claim 2, further comprising:\na high pass filter configured to filter out the first frequency component of the power variation signal to provide the second frequency component to the second control circuit, which employs the second frequency component to activate or drive the second switching regulator.",
"10. The power interface system of claim 2, further comprising:\na low pass filter configured to filter out the second frequency component of the power variation signal to provide the first frequency component to the first control circuit, which employs the first frequency component to activate or drive the first switching regulator.",
"11. The power interface system of claim 2, wherein the first switching regulator receives a first power input and the second switching regulator receives a second power input different than the first power input.",
"12. The power interface system of claim 11, wherein the first power input is received from a first power source, and wherein the second power input is received from a bias supply, and wherein the bias supply is connected to the first power source.",
"13. The power interface system of claim 11, wherein the first power input is received from a first power source, and wherein the second power input is received from a second power source different than the first power source.",
"14. The power interface system of claim 2, wherein the first switching regulator and the second switching regulator are connected to a common power input.",
"15. A method for reducing power variations, comprising:\nreceiving a power variation signal resulting from a power variation in a shared output power at an output terminal produced by a plurality of switching regulators;\nseparating the power variation signal into multiple different frequency components; and\ncontrolling, for each respective frequency component of the different frequency components, a respective switching regulator of the plurality of switching regulators to source current to, or sink current from the output terminal based on the respective frequency component until the shared output power reaches a threshold.",
"16. The method of claim 15, wherein the power variation signal is separated into a lower frequency component and a higher frequency component having a higher frequency than the higher frequency component, the method further comprising:\ncontrolling, in response to the power variation signal being indicative of an increase in a load current, a first switching regulator to source additional current to the output terminal according to a frequency of the higher frequency component until a total output current associated with the shared output power reaches the threshold.",
"17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:\ncontrolling, in response to the power variation signal being indicative of the increase in the load current, a second switching regulator to source additional current to the output terminal according to a frequency of the lower frequency component until a total output current associated with the shared output power reaches the threshold.",
"18. The method of claim 15, wherein the power variation signal is separated into a lower frequency component and a higher frequency component having a higher frequency than the higher frequency component, the method further comprising:\ncontrolling, in response to the power variation signal being indicative of a decrease in load current, a first switching regulator to sink a first current portion from the output terminal to a frequency of the higher frequency component until a total output current associated with the shared output power reaches the threshold.",
"19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:\ncontrolling, in response to the power variation signal being indicative of the decrease in the load current, a second switching regulator to sink a second current portion from the output terminal according to a frequency of the lower frequency component until a total output current associated with the shared output power reaches the threshold.",
"20. A control circuit configured to control respective switching regulator of a plurality of switching regulators operating at different frequencies to provide a shared output power at an output terminal, wherein the control circuit is configured to:\nreceive a power variation signal resulting from a power variation in the shared output power of the plurality of switching regulators;\nseparate a first frequency component from multiple frequency components of the power variation signal; and\ncontrol, based on the first frequency component, the respective switching regulator of the plurality of switching regulators to source or sink current from the output terminal until the shared output power reaches a threshold.",
"21. The control circuit of claim 20, wherein the first frequency component has a higher frequency than a second frequency component of the multiple frequency components, wherein the control circuit is further configured to:\ncontrol, in response to the power variation signal being indicative of an increase in a load current, the respective switching regulator to source additional current to the output terminal according to higher frequency of the first frequency component until a total output current associated with the shared output power reaches the threshold.",
"22. The control circuit of claim 20, wherein the first frequency component has a lower frequency than a second frequency component of the multiple frequency components, wherein the control circuit is further configured to:\ncontrol, in response to the power variation signal being indicative of an increase in a load current, the respective switching regulator to source additional current to the output terminal according to the lower frequency of the first frequency component until a total output current associated with the shared output power reaches the threshold.",
"23. The control circuit of claim 20, wherein the first frequency component has a higher frequency than a second frequency component of the multiple frequency components, wherein the control circuit is further configured to:\ncontrolling, in response to the power variation signal being indicative of a decrease in load current, the respective switching regulator to sink a first current portion from the output terminal according to the higher frequency of the first frequency component until a total output current associated with the shared output power reaches the threshold.",
"24. The control circuit of claim 20, wherein the first frequency component has a lower frequency than a second frequency component of the multiple frequency components, wherein the control circuit is further configured to:\ncontrolling, in response to the power variation signal being indicative of a decrease in load current, the respective switching regulator to sink a first current portion from the output terminal according to the lower frequency of the first frequency component until a total output current associated with the shared output power reaches the threshold.",
"25. A power interface system for reducing power variations, the power interface system comprising:\na first switching regulator connected between a first input terminal and a shared output terminal connected to a load;\na second switching regulator operating at a different frequency than the first switching regulator and connected between a second input terminal and the shared output terminal, wherein power received at the second input terminal is different than power received at the first input terminal; and\none or more control circuits configured to control the first and second switching regulators to provide a shared output power at the shared output terminal to the load, the one or more control circuits configured to:\nreceive a feedback signal from the shared output terminal;\ncontrol, based on frequency components of the feedback signal, the first and the second switching regulators to source current to, or sink current from the shared output terminal until the shared output power reaches a threshold level.",
"26. The system of claim 25, wherein the first input terminal receives power from a power source, and wherein the second input terminal receives power from a bias supply connected to receive power from the power source.",
"27. The system of claim 25, wherein the first input terminal receives power from a first power source, and wherein the second input terminal receives power from a second power source different than the first power source.",
"28. A method for reducing power variations, comprising:\nreceiving a feedback signal from an output terminal, the output terminal connected to receive a shared output power produced by first and second switching regulators, the first switching regulator connected to receive a first input power and the second switching regulator connected to receive a second input power different than the first input power;\nseparating the feedback signal into first and second frequency components; and\ncontrolling, for the first and the second frequency components, the first and second switching regulators, respectively, to source current to, or sink current from the output terminal until the shared output power reaches a threshold.",
"29. The method of claim 28, wherein the first input power is received from a first power source and the second input power is received from a second power source different than the first power source.",
"30. The method of claim 29, wherein the first input power is received from a power source, the second input power is received from a bias supply connected to receive power from the power source."
],
[
"1. An integrated circuit, comprising:\na DC-DC converter circuit to control an output voltage signal, the DC-DC converter circuit including:\na first switching device coupled between a DC input node and a switching node, the first switching device operative according to a first switching control signal, and\na second switching device coupled between the switching node and a constant voltage node, the second switching device operative according to a second switching control signal;\nan active shunt circuit including a shunt circuit input coupled to the DC input node, and a shunt circuit output, the active shunt circuit operative according to a shunt circuit switching control signal to provide a shunt circuit output voltage signal to the shunt circuit output at a shunt circuit voltage level less than the input voltage; and\na detector circuit including an input coupled to the DC input node, and an output to provide a mode control signal in a first state when an input voltage of the DC input node is less than a threshold voltage, the output operative to provide the mode control signal in a different second state when the input voltage of the DC input node is greater than the threshold voltage;\na switching control circuit operative in a first mode when the mode control signal is in the first state to provide the first and second switching control signals to operate the first and second switching devices to regulate the output voltage signal according to a feedback signal, the switching control circuit operative in a second mode when the mode control signal is in the second state to provide the first switching control signal to turn off the first switching device, and to provide the second switching control signal and the shunt circuit switching control signal to operate the active shunt circuit and the second switching device to control the output voltage signal.",
"2. The integrated circuit of claim 1, wherein the switching control circuit is operative in the second mode to provide the shunt circuit switching control signal to control the shunt circuit voltage level at approximately half the input voltage.",
"3. The integrated circuit of claim 1, wherein the switching control circuit is operative in the second mode to provide the shunt circuit switching control signal to control the shunt circuit voltage level at a voltage less than a rated blocking voltage of the second switching device.",
"4. The integrated circuit of claim 3, wherein the threshold voltage is less than a rated blocking voltage of the second switching device.",
"5. The integrated circuit of claim 1, wherein the threshold voltage is less than a rated blocking voltage of the second switching device.",
"6. The integrated circuit of claim 1,\nwherein the active shunt circuit includes:\na first transistor coupled between the DC input node and a first internal node, the first transistor operative according to a first shunt circuit switching control signal,\na second transistor coupled between the first internal node and the shunt circuit output, the second transistor operative according to a second shunt circuit switching control signal,\na third transistor coupled between the shunt circuit output and a second internal node, the third transistor operative according to a third shunt circuit switching control signal,\na fourth transistor coupled between the second internal node and the constant voltage node, the fourth transistor operative according to a fourth shunt circuit switching control signal, and\na capacitor coupled between the first and second internal nodes; and\nwherein the switching control circuit is operative in the first mode to provide the shunt circuit switching control signals to turn off the first, second, third and fourth transistors, and wherein the switching control circuit is operative in the second mode to provide the shunt circuit switching control signals to provide the shunt circuit output voltage signal at the shunt circuit output at the shunt circuit voltage level less than the input voltage.",
"7. The integrated circuit of claim 6,\nwherein the switching control circuit is operative in the second mode to provide the shunt circuit switching control signals in a repeating sequence of a first phase, a second phase, and a third phase;\nwherein the switching control circuit provides the shunt circuit switching control signals in the first phase to turn on the first and third transistors and turn off the second and fourth transistors to charge the capacitor through the shunt circuit output;\nwherein the switching control circuit provides the shunt circuit switching control signals in the second phase to turn off the first, second, third and fourth transistors; and\nwherein the switching control circuit provides the shunt circuit switching control signals in the third phase to turn off the first and third transistors and turn on the second and fourth transistors to discharge the capacitor through the shunt circuit output.",
"8. The integrated circuit of claim 6, further comprising a third switching device coupled between the shunt circuit output and the switching node, the third switching device operative according to a third switching control signal;\nwherein the switching control circuit is operative in the first mode to provide the third switching control signal to turn off the third switching device; and\nwherein the switching control circuit is operative in the second mode to provide the second and third switching control signals to control the output voltage signal.",
"9. The integrated circuit of claim 8, wherein the active shunt circuit includes a second capacitor coupled between the shunt circuit output and the constant voltage node.",
"10. The integrated circuit of claim 8,\nwherein the switching control circuit is operative in the second mode to provide the shunt circuit switching control signals in a repeating sequence of a first phase and a second phase;\nwherein the switching control circuit provides the shunt circuit switching control signals in the first phase to turn on the first and third transistors and turn off the second and fourth transistors to charge the capacitor through the shunt circuit output; and\nwherein the switching control circuit provides the shunt circuit switching control signals in the second phase to turn off the first and third transistors and turn on the second and fourth transistors to discharge the capacitor through the shunt circuit output.",
"11. The integrated circuit of claim 10, wherein the switching control circuit is operative in the second mode to provide the second and third switching control signals as alternating pulse width modulated signals to control the output voltage signal.",
"12. The integrated circuit of claim 1, wherein the DC-DC converter circuit is a buck converter to control the output voltage signal.",
"13. The integrated circuit of claim 1, wherein the DC-DC converter circuit is a three level converter.",
"14. The integrated circuit of claim 1, further comprising a second DC-DC converter circuit to control a second output voltage signal, the second DC-DC converter circuit including:\na third switching device coupled between a DC input node and a switching node, the first switching device operative according to a first switching control signal, and\na second switching device coupled between the switching node and a constant voltage node, the second switching device operative according to a second switching control signal.",
"15. The integrated circuit of claim 1, further comprising a second DC-DC converter circuit to control the output voltage signal, the second DC-DC converter circuit including:\na third switching device coupled between the DC input node and a second switching node, the third switching device operative according to a third switching control signal from the switching control circuit, and\na fourth switching device coupled between the second switching node and the constant voltage node, the fourth switching device operative according to a fourth switching control signal;\nwherein the switching control circuit is operative in the first mode to provide the first, second, third and fourth switching control signals to operate the first, second, third and fourth switching devices to regulate the output voltage signal according to the feedback signal; and\nwherein the switching control circuit is operative in the second mode to provide the first switching control signal to turn off the first switching device, to provide the third switching control signal to turn off the third switching device, and to provide the second switching control signal, the fourth switching control signal and the shunt circuit switching control signal to operate the active shunt circuit, the second switching device, and the fourth switching device to control the output voltage signal.",
"16. A power conversion system, comprising:\na DC-DC converter circuit, including:\na DC input node to receive a DC input voltage;\nan output node to provide an output voltage signal;\na first switching device coupled between the DC input node and the switching node, the first switching device operative according to a first switching control signal, and\na second switching device coupled between the switching node and a constant voltage node, the second switching device operative according to a second switching control signal;\na switching control circuit operative in a first mode when the DC input voltage is less than a threshold voltage to provide the first and second switching control signals to operate the first and second switching devices to regulate the output voltage signal, the switching control circuit operative in a second mode when the DC input voltage is greater than the threshold voltage to provide the first switching control signal to turn off the first switching device; and\nan active shunt circuit including a capacitor and a plurality of transistors operative according to at least one shunt circuit switching control signal to provide a shunt circuit output voltage signal to a shunt circuit output at a shunt circuit voltage level less than the DC input voltage in the second mode;\nwherein the switching control circuit is operative in the second mode to provide the second switching control signal and the shunt circuit switching control signal to control the output voltage signal.",
"17. The power conversion system of claim 16, wherein the active shunt circuit includes:\na first transistor coupled between the DC input node and a first internal node, the first transistor operative according to a first shunt circuit switching control signal,\na second transistor coupled between the first internal node and the shunt circuit output, the second transistor operative according to a second shunt circuit switching control signal,\na third transistor coupled between the shunt circuit output and a second internal node, the third transistor operative according to a third shunt circuit switching control signal, and\na fourth transistor coupled between the second internal node and the constant voltage node, the fourth transistor operative according to a fourth shunt circuit switching control signal;\nwherein the capacitor is coupled between the first and second internal nodes;\nwherein the switching control circuit is operative in the first mode to provide the shunt circuit switching control signals to turn off the first, second, third and fourth transistors;\nwherein the switching control circuit is operative in the second mode to provide the shunt circuit switching control signals in a repeating sequence of a first phase, a second phase, and a third phase, the repeating sequence including providing the shunt circuit switching control signals in the first phase to turn on the first and third transistors and turn off the second and fourth transistors to charge the capacitor through the shunt circuit output, providing the shunt circuit switching control signals in the second phase to turn off the first, second, third and fourth transistors, and providing the shunt circuit switching control signals in the third phase to turn off the first and third transistors and turn on the second and fourth transistors to discharge the capacitor through the shunt circuit output.",
"18. The power conversion system of claim 16, further comprising a third switching device coupled between the shunt circuit output and the switching node, the third switching device operative according to a third switching control signal;\nwherein the active shunt circuit includes:\na first transistor coupled between the DC input node and a first internal node, the first transistor operative according to a first shunt circuit switching control signal,\na second transistor coupled between the first internal node and the shunt circuit output, the second transistor operative according to a second shunt circuit switching control signal,\na third transistor coupled between the shunt circuit output and a second internal node, the third transistor operative according to a third shunt circuit switching control signal,\na fourth transistor coupled between the second internal node and the constant voltage node, the fourth transistor operative according to a fourth shunt circuit switching control signal, and\nwherein the capacitor is coupled between the first and second internal nodes;\nwherein the switching control circuit is operative in the first mode to provide the third switching control signal to turn off the third switching device; and\nwherein the switching control circuit is operative in the second mode to provide the second and third switching control signals to control the output voltage signal.",
"19. The power conversion system of claim 16, wherein the switching control circuit is operative in the second mode to provide the shunt circuit switching control signal to control the shunt circuit voltage level at approximately half the input voltage; and wherein the threshold voltage is less than a rated blocking voltage of the second switching device.",
"20. A power supply circuit to provide a DC output voltage signal, comprising: a high side switching device coupled between a DC input node and a switching node, the switching node connected to an output inductor to provide the DC output voltage signal at an output node; a low side switching device coupled between the switching node and a constant voltage node; a control circuit operative when a DC input voltage at the DC input node is less than a threshold voltage to operate the first and second switching devices in alternating fashion to regulate the DC output voltage signal; and a second supply circuit coupled to receive the DC input voltage, the second supply circuit including a capacitor and a plurality of transistors selectively operative to provide a voltage signal at a level less than the DC input voltage at the DC input node; the control circuit operative when the DC input voltage is greater than the threshold voltage to turn off the high side switching device, and to operate the low side switching device and at least one of the plurality of transistors of a shunt circuit to provide to control the DC output voltage signal.",
"21. The power supply circuit of claim 20, wherein the control circuit is operative when the DC input voltage is greater than the threshold voltage to cause the second supply circuit to provide the voltage signal at a voltage less than a rated blocking voltage of the low side switching device.",
"22. The power supply circuit of claim 20, wherein the threshold voltage is less than a rated blocking voltage of the low side switching device."
],
[
"1. A voltage converter comprising\na plurality of selective conduction devices connected to each other in series at respective nodes to form a series connection, at least two of said plurality of selective conduction devices being controllable switches,\nat least one capacitor connected between two of said respective nodes connecting said plurality of selective conduction devices to each other,\na voltage source connected to two of said respective nodes at respective ends of said series connection, and\nmeans for controlling said controllable switches to conduct in mutually exclusive groups to define two different conduction paths, each of said two different conduction paths including a conduction path through said at least one capacitor, whereby said combination of said at least one capacitor and said plurality of said selective conduction devices functions substantially as a capacitive voltage divider to reduce a voltage provided by said voltage source or as a voltage multiplier to increase a voltage supplied by said voltage source.",
"2. The voltage converter as recited in claim 1, further comprising\nat least one additional capacitor connected to an output connection of said voltage converter, said at least one capacitor being connected in series with said at least one additional capacitor in one of said two different conduction paths and in parallel with said at least one additional capacitor in another of said two different conduction paths.",
"3. The voltage converter as recited in claim 1 wherein said means for controlling said controllable switches operates said controllable switches with a 50% duty cycle.",
"4. The voltage converter as recited in claim 1, further comprising\nan inductor connected in series with an output connection of said voltage converter.",
"5. The voltage converter as recited in claim 4, further comprising\na filter capacitor connected in parallel with an output of said voltage converter.",
"6. The voltage converter as recited in claim 1, further comprising\na filter capacitor connected in parallel with an output of said voltage converter.",
"7. The voltage converter as recited in claim 1, wherein said plurality of selective conduction devices comprise four selective conduction devices.",
"8. The voltage converter as recited in claim 1, wherein said plurality of selective conduction devices include diodes.",
"9. The voltage converter as recited in claim 1, further comprising\na further plurality of selective conduction devices connected to each other in series at respective nodes and in parallel with said plurality of selective conduction devices, at least two of said further plurality of selective conduction devices being controllable switches,\nat least one further capacitor connected between two of said respective nodes of said further plurality of selective conduction devices,\na voltage source connected to two of said respective nodes, and\nmeans for controlling said controllable switches of said further plurality of selective conduction devices to conduct in a mutually exclusive manner and complementary to said controllable switches of said plurality of selective conduction devices to define two further different conduction paths, each of said two different conduction paths including a conduction path through said at least one further capacitor.",
"10. The voltage converter as recited in claim 9, further comprising voltage sharing means connected between said at least one capacitor and said at least one further capacitor.",
"11. The voltage converter as recited in claim 10, wherein said voltage sharing means includes resistors.",
"12. The voltage converter as recited in claim 10, wherein said voltage sharing means includes coupled inductors.",
"13. The voltage converter as recited in claim 9, wherein said plurality of selective conduction devices include diodes.",
"14. A voltage converter, comprising:\na) a set of four switches Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4, connected in series, and connected, in order, across a voltage input;\nb) a capacitor connected in parallel with a middle pair Q2, Q3, of the four switches;\nc) a pair of storage capacitors connected in series with each other, and connected in parallel with the set of four switches, and wherein a midpoint of the storage capacitor pair is connected to a switch midpoint node connecting switches Q2 and Q3; and\nd) a gate driver for operating switches Q1, Q3, in a manner complementary to switches Q2 Q4;\nwhereby an output voltage is provided across switches Q3 and Q4.",
"15. The voltage converter of claim 14, further comprising an output inductor connected to a switch midpoint, and connected to a voltage output.",
"16. A voltage converter, comprising:\na) a first set of four switches Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4, connected in series;\nb) a middle capacitor connected in parallel with a middle pair Q2, Q3, of the first set of four switches;\nc) a second set of four switches Q5, Q6, Q7, Q8, connected in series, wherein the first set and second set are connected in parallel, and connected across a voltage input or output;\nd) a second capacitor connected in parallel with a middle pair Q6, Q7, of the second set of four switches;\ne) a gate driver for operating switches Q1, Q3, in a complementary manner compared to switches Q2, Q4, and for operating switches Q5, Q7, in a complementary manner compared to switches Q6, Q8;\nwherein an output voltage, or input voltage, is provided across switches Q3 and Q4, and across switches Q7 and Q8.",
"17. The voltage converter of claim 16 further comprising an output inductor connected to the voltage output.",
"18. The voltage converter as recited in claim 16 wherein said voltage converter is a step down voltage converter.",
"19. The voltage converter as recited in claim 16 wherein said voltage converter is a step up voltage converter."
],
[
"1. A hysteretic controller coupled to a first inductor and a second inductor, the first inductor is coupled to a secondary side of a transformer included in a power converter, the second inductor is coupled to the secondary side of the transformer and the hysteretic controller includes:\na hysteretic comparator including a first input, a second input, and an output, the first input configured to receive a sensed current from the first inductor and the second inductor, the second input configured to receive a differential voltage representing a potential difference between an output voltage of the power converter and a reference voltage;\na pulse sequencer coupled to the output of the hysteretic comparator; and\na dead-time generation circuit configured to provide a first on-time signal to a first switch coupled to a primary side of the transformer and a second on-time signal to a second switch coupled to the secondary side of the transformer, the first and second on-time signals based on a pulse signal received from the pulse sequencer.",
"2. The hysteretic controller of claim 1, wherein the power converter is a half-bridge converter.",
"3. The hysteretic controller of claim 1, wherein the hysteretic controller includes a differential amplifier having a first input coupled to the output voltage of the power converter, a second input coupled to receive the reference voltage, and an output coupled to the hysteretic comparator to provide the differential voltage.",
"4. The hysteretic controller of claim 1, wherein the first input of the hysteretic comparator is configured as a negative input terminal, and the second input of the hysteretic comparator is configured as a positive input terminal.",
"5. The hysteretic controller of claim 1, wherein the hysteretic controller includes a compensation circuit coupled to the second input of the hysteretic comparator.",
"6. The hysteretic controller of claim 1, wherein the first switch and the second switch are field effect transistors (FET).",
"7. The hysteretic controller of claim 6, wherein the FET is an enhancement mode FET.",
"8. The hysteretic controller of claim 1, wherein the first switch and the second switch are gallium nitride (GaN) devices.",
"9. A hysteretic controller coupled to a primary side of a transformer and a secondary side of the transformer, wherein the transformer is included in a power converter and the hysteretic controller includes:\na hysteretic comparator including a first input, a second input, and an output, the first input coupled to the secondary side of the transformer and configured to receive a sensed first inductor current and a sensed second inductor current, the second input configured to receive a differential voltage representing a potential difference between an output voltage of the power converter and a reference voltage;\na pulse sequencer coupled to the output of the hysteretic comparator; and\na dead-time generation circuit configured to provide a first on-time signal to a first switch coupled to the primary side of the transformer and provide a second on-time signal to a second switch coupled to the secondary side of the transformer, the first and second on-time signals based on a pulse signal received from the pulse sequencer.",
"10. The hysteretic controller of claim 9, wherein the power converter is a half-bridge converter.",
"11. The hysteretic controller of claim 9, wherein the hysteretic controller includes a differential amplifier having a first input coupled to the output voltage of the power converter, a second input coupled to receive the reference voltage, and an output coupled to the hysteretic comparator to provide the differential voltage.",
"12. The hysteretic controller of claim 9, wherein the first input of the hysteretic comparator is configured as a negative input terminal, and the second input of the hysteretic comparator is configured as a positive input terminal.",
"13. The hysteretic controller of claim 9, wherein the hysteretic controller includes a compensation circuit coupled to the second input of the hysteretic comparator.",
"14. The hysteretic controller of claim 9, wherein the first switch and the second switch are field effect transistors (FET).",
"15. The hysteretic controller of claim 14, wherein the FET is an enhancement mode FET.",
"16. The hysteretic controller of claim 9, wherein the first switch and the second switch are gallium nitride (GaN) devices."
],
[
"1. A multiphase DC-DC converter comprising:\na coupled inductor that includes first and second inductors coupled together;\na first phase including first high side and low side switches connected to the first inductor;\na second phase including second high side and low side switches connected to the second inductor;\na third switch connected across bulk and source terminals of the second low side switch;\na fourth switch connected across bulk terminal of the second low side switch and a voltage source; and\na controller that:\ndrives the first and second high side switches and the first and second low side switches to operate the multiphase DC-DC converter in discontinuous conduction mode; and\nturns off the third switch and turns on the fourth switch in response to the first high side switch being turned on,\nwherein a body diode of the second low side switch does not conduct.",
"2. The multiphase DC-DC converter of claim 1 wherein the voltage source supplies a voltage of the same polarity as the type of a dopant used for the switches.",
"3. The multiphase DC-DC converter of claim 1 wherein in each of the first and second phases, in response to the switches using N type dopant, the voltage source supplies a negative voltage that is more negative than a lowest voltage at a switching node to prevent body diodes of the first and second low side switches from conducting.",
"4. The multiphase DC-DC converter of claim 1 wherein each of the first and second phases includes a level shifter that converts a first control signal from the controller from a first supply rail to a second supply rail comprising a voltage lower than a switching node voltage and that outputs a second control signal to drive the first or second low side switch, wherein body diodes of the first and second low side switches do not conduct irrespective of strength of coupling between the first inductor and the second inductor.",
"5. The multiphase DC-DC converter of claim 1 wherein in response to the controller operating the multiphase DC-DC converter in continuous conduction mode, the controller turns on the third switch and turns off the fourth switch.",
"6. The multiphase DC-DC converter of claim 1 wherein in response to the controller operating the multiphase DC-DC converter in skip mode where the second low side switch is turned on when the first high side switch is turned on, the controller turns off the third switch and turns on the fourth switch."
],
[
"1. A single inductor multiple-output DC-DC converter comprising:\nan inductor coupled to a first input switch and a second input switch to convert energy from supply source, wherein the first input switch is coupled to an input supply node, and the second input switch is coupled to ground, the first and the second switches controlling current through the inductor;\na plurality of output switches, each output switch coupled to a common inductor node and to a corresponding output supply node, each of the output supply node having a voltage converted from an input voltage received at the input supply node;\na freewheel switch coupled between the common inductor node and ground;\na control circuit receiving a sensed inductor current and a plurality of feedback signals indicating error signals between output voltages on the corresponding plurality of output supply nodes and their corresponding reference voltages, the control circuit being configured to control timing and charging current of the inductor through activating one of the input switches and discharging of the inductor through activating one of the output switches sequentially;\nwherein the first input switch and the first output switch are triggered by an oscillator in the control circuit for performing a constant frequency operation;\nwherein a control signal of the first input switch is response to the plurality of feedback signals and the sensed inductor current, and the second input switch having a control signal is a non-overlap signal with the control signal of the first input switch;\nwherein the plurality of output switches, each of the output switch is response to their corresponding output voltage, reference voltage and sensed inductor current; and\nwherein the plurality of output switches are turned on sequentially, the last output switch to be turned on having the remained time period after all the other output switches turned on sequentially.",
"2. The single inductor multiple-output DC-DC converter of claim 1, wherein the last output supply node enters pulse skipping mode at light load, control signal of the corresponding output switch is skipped and the freewheel switch is turned on for the remained time period.",
"3. The single inductor multiple-output DC-DC converter of claim 2, wherein the inductor current can be discharged to a zero current at a phase where the corresponding output switch of the supply node entering pulse skipping mode is skipped before a new clock cycle.",
"4. The single inductor multiple-output DC-DC converter of claim 3, wherein one of the plurality the output switches corresponding to one of the plurality of output supply nodes having a highest voltage is configured to have a body diode, its anode is connected to the common inductor node and its cathode is connected to the corresponding output supply node, wherein the remaining output switches are configured to in a way such that no any body diode of the output switch can be turned on for both voltage at the common inductor node is higher or lower than the output voltages of the corresponding remaining output switches.",
"5. The single inductor multiple-output DC-DC converter of claim 4, wherein one of the output supply node having the highest voltage enters pulse skipping mode at light load, an output switch corresponding to one of the output supply node having the second highest voltage is configured to having a body diode, its anode connects to the common inductor node and its cathode connects to the output supply node having the second highest voltage, wherein the remaining output switches are configured in a way such that no any body diode of the output switch can be turned on for both voltage at the common inductor node is higher or lower than output voltages of the corresponding remaining output switches.",
"6. The single inductor multiple-output DC-DC converter of claim 5, wherein a portion of the plurality of output supply nodes having voltages from highest to lowest among them enter pulse skipping mode at light load, an output switch corresponding to one of the output supply node having the second highest voltage excluding the portion of the plurality of output supply nodes is configured to having a body diode, its anode connects to the common inductor node and its cathode connects to the output supply node having the second highest voltage excluding the portion of the plurality of output supply nodes, wherein the remaining output switches are configured in a way such that no any body diode of the output switch can be turned on for both voltage at the common inductor node is higher or lower than output voltages of the corresponding remaining output switches.",
"7. The single inductor multiple-output DC-DC converter of claim 1, wherein the control circuit further comprises:\nan energy distributing unit configured to measuring the energy required by all the outputs by comparing the reference voltage at each output; and\nan energy generating unit configured to extracting energy from the input, to ensure no total voltage error through the feedback signals.",
"8. The single inductor multiple-output DC-DC converter of claim 1, wherein the highest voltage output switch comprises a diode.",
"9. The single inductor multiple-output DC-DC converter of claim 1, wherein the highest voltage output switch comprises a synchronous rectifier.",
"10. The single inductor multiple-output DC-DC converter of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of output switches comprises two MOS transistor coupled in a back-to-back arrangement or a MOS transistor with a dynamic body bias circuit.",
"11. The single inductor multiple-output DC-DC converter of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of error amplifiers (EAs), each of the error amplifier being respectively placed in the feedback loops coupled to the corresponding output supply node to sense their voltage level and each of them having a reference voltage to individually control their error.",
"12. The single inductor multiple-output DC-DC converter of claim 11, wherein error amplifier is an operational transconductance amplifier (OTA).",
"13. The single inductor multiple-output DC-DC converter of claim 1, wherein the oscillator in the control circuit generates constant frequency PWM gate control signals for controlling the turning on/off periods of the input and output switches."
],
[
"1. A Switch Mode Power Supply (SMPS) system, comprising:\na SMPS, comprising a high-side (HS) switch and a low-side (LS) switch coupled in series and an output filter including an inductor and a capacitor coupled to a switch node formed by the HS and LS switches, wherein an inductor current is supplied by the inductor to a load; and\nan inductor current sensing device coupled across the LS switch, the inductor current sensing device having a first input configured to receive a node signal indicating a voltage level at the switch node, a second input configured to receive an input voltage VIN of the system and a third input configured to receive an output voltage VOUT of the system, wherein the inductor current sensing device is configured to obtain a first constant DC slope information, a second constant DC slope information and a valley current information based on the first input, second and third inputs, and generate an output signal based on the first constant DC slope information, the second constant DC slope information and the valley current information, wherein the output signal has a triangular waveform including a rising slope and a falling slope proportional to rising and falling slopes of the inductor current.",
"2. The system of claim 1, wherein the inductor current sensing device includes:\na current sensing circuit configured to generate a sensed current based on the node signal, wherein the sensed current includes a first current slope and a minimum current value,\na slope sensing circuit coupled to the current sensing circuit, the slope sensing circuit having a first input configured to receive the sensed current from the current sensing circuit, wherein the slope sensing circuit is configured to convert the first current slope in the sensed current into the first constant DC slope information;\nan operator circuit coupled to the slope sensing circuit, the operator circuit having a first input configured to receive the first constant DC slope information from the slope sensing circuit, a second input configured to receive the input voltage VIN and a third input to receive the output voltage VOUT, wherein the operator circuit is configured to generate the second constant DC slope information based on the first, second and third inputs; and\na current slope synthesis circuit coupled to the operator circuit and the slope sensing circuit, the current slope synthesis circuit having a first input configured to receive the first constant DC slope information, a second input configured to receive the second constant DC slope information and a third input configured to receive a control signal, wherein the current slope synthesis circuit is configured to generate a synthesis signal by integrating the first and second constant DC slope information according to the control signal, wherein the synthesis signal has a triangular waveform including a rising slope when the control signal is in a first state and a falling slope when the control signal is in a second state opposite to the first state, wherein the rising and falling slopes of the synthesis signal are respectively proportional to rising and falling slopes of the inductor current.",
"3. The system of claim 2, further comprising a valley current sensing circuit coupled to the current sensing circuit, the valley current sensing circuit having a first input configured to receive the sensed current from the current sensing circuit, wherein the valley current sensing circuit is configured to convert the minimum current value in the sensed current into the valley current information.",
"4. The system of claim 3, wherein the slope sensing circuit and valley current sensing circuit each has a sample and hold circuit.",
"5. The system of claim 2, further comprising a summation circuit coupled to the current slope synthesis circuit and the valley current sensing circuit, wherein the summation circuit is configured to generate a combined signal by combining the synthesis signal and the valley current information.",
"6. The system of claim 5, further comprising a buffer driver coupled to the summation circuit, wherein the buffer driver is configured to drive the combined signal from the summation circuit and generate the output signal.",
"7. The system of claim 2, wherein the operator circuit is configured to generate the second constant DC slope information by multiplying the first constant DC slope information with ((VIN−VOUT)/VOUT).",
"8. An inductor current sensing device for detecting an inductor current in a Switch Mode Power Supply (SMPS), wherein the SMPS has a high-side (HS) switch and a low-side (LS) switch coupled in series and an output filter including an inductor and a capacitor coupled to a switch node formed by the HS and LS switches, wherein an inductor current is supplied by the inductor to a load, the inductor current sensing device comprising:\na current sensing circuit coupled across the LS switch, the current sensing circuit configured to sense a current across the LS switch and generate a sensed current, wherein the sensed current includes a first current slope and a minimum current value,\na slope sensing circuit coupled to the current sensing circuit, the slope sensing circuit having a first input configured to receive the sensed current from the current sensing circuit, wherein the slope sensing circuit is configured to convert the first current slope in the sensed current into a first constant DC slope information;\nan operator circuit coupled to the slope sensing circuit, the operator circuit having a first input configured to receive the first constant DC slope information from the slope sensing circuit, a second input configured to receive an input voltage VIN of the SMPS and a third input to receive an output voltage VOUT of the SMPS, wherein the operator circuit is configured to generate a second constant DC slope information based on the first, second and third inputs; and\na current slope synthesis circuit coupled to the operator circuit and the slope sensing circuit, the current slope synthesis circuit having a first input configured to receive the first constant DC slope information, a second input configured to receive the second constant DC slope information and a third input configured to receive a control signal, wherein the current slope synthesis circuit is configured to generate a synthesis signal by integrating the first and second constant DC slope information according to the control signal, wherein the synthesis signal has a triangular waveform including a rising slope when the control signal is in a first state and a falling slope when the control signal is in a second state opposite to the first state, wherein the rising and falling slopes of the synthesis signal are respectively proportional to rising and falling slopes of the inductor current.",
"9. The device of claim 8, further comprising a valley current sensing circuit coupled to the current sensing circuit, the valley current sensing circuit having a first input configured to receive the sensed current from the current sensing circuit, wherein the valley current sensing circuit is configured to convert the minimum current value in the sensed current into the valley current information.",
"10. The device of claim 9, wherein the slope sensing circuit and valley current sensing circuit each has a sample and hold circuit.",
"11. The device of claim 9, further comprising a summation circuit coupled to the current slope synthesis circuit and the valley current sensing circuit, wherein the summation circuit is configured to generate a combined signal by combining the synthesis signal and the valley current information.",
"12. The device of claim 11, further comprising a buffer driver coupled to the summation circuit, wherein the buffer driver is configured to drive the combined signal form the summation circuit and generate an output signal, wherein the output signal has a triangular waveform including a rising slope and a falling slope proportional to the rising and falling slopes of the inductor current.",
"13. The system of claim 8, wherein the operator circuit is configured to generate the second constant DC slope information by multiplying the first constant DC slope information with ((VIN−VOUT)/VOUT).",
"14. A method for sensing an inductor current in a Switch Mode Power Supply (SMPS), wherein the SMPS has a high-side (HS) switch and a low-side (LS) switch coupled in series and an output filter including an inductor and a capacitor coupled to a switch node formed by the HS and LS switches, wherein an inductor current is supplied by the inductor to a load, the method comprising:\ngenerating a sensed current by sensing a current across the LS switch, wherein the sensed current includes a first current slope and a minimum current value;\nconverting the first current slope in the sensed current into a first constant DC slope information;\ngenerating a second constant DC slope information based on the first constant DC slope information, an input voltage VIN of the SMPS and an output voltage VOUT of the SNIPS; and\ngenerating a synthesis signal by integrating the first and second constant DC slope information according to a control signal, wherein the synthesis signal has a triangular waveform including a rising slope when the control signal is in a first state and a falling slope when the control signal is in a second state opposite to the first state, wherein the rising and falling slopes of the synthesis signal are respectively proportional to rising and falling slopes of the inductor current.",
"15. The method of claim 14, further comprising converting the minimum current value in the sensed current into the valley current information.",
"16. The method of claim 15, wherein converting the minimum current value in the sensed current into the valley current information includes sampling and held the minimum current value according to a triggering signal.",
"17. The method of claim 14, wherein converting the first current slope in the sensed current into the first constant DC slope information includes sampling and held the first current slope according to a triggering signal.",
"18. The method of claim 15, further comprising generating a combined signal by combining the synthesis signal and the valley current information.",
"19. The method of claim 14, wherein generating the second constant DC slope information includes multiplying the first constant DC slope information with ((VIN−VOUT)/VOUT).",
"20. A slope sensing device for sensing a slope of an input signal and providing an output signal proportional to the input signal, the slope sensing device comprising:\na differentiator having an input configured to receive an input signal having a triangular waveform with at least one slope, wherein the differentiator is configured to generate a differentiated signal by differentiating the input signal using a first capacitor and;\na sample and hold circuit having a first input configured to receive the differentiated signal and a second input to receive a triggering signal, wherein the sample and hold circuit is configured to convert the differentiated signal into a constant DC slope information by sampling and held the differentiated signal when the triggering signal is on; and\nan integrator having an input configured to receive the constant DC slope information, wherein the integrator is configured to generate an output signal having a waveform proportional to the waveform of the input signal by using a second capacitor.",
"21. The device of claim 20, wherein the differentiator includes a transconductance amplifier.",
"22. The device of claim 20, wherein the integrator is configured to generate an output signal by charging or discharging the second capacitor according to the constant DC slope information.",
"23. The device of claim 20, further comprising an operator circuit coupled to the sample and hold circuit, the operator circuit is configured to generate a second constant DC slope information based on the constant DC slope information.",
"24. The device of claim 23, wherein the integrator has a second input configured to receive the second constant DC slope, wherein the integrator is configured to generate the output signal by using the second capacitor to integrate the constant DC slope information and second constant DC slope information.",
"25. The device of claim 24, wherein the integrator includes two switches controlled by a control signal, wherein a first switch is turned on and a second switch is turned off when the control signal is in a first state, wherein the first switch is turned off and the second switch is turned on when the control signal is in a second state opposite to the first state, wherein the second capacitor is discharged according to the constant DC slope information when the control signal is in the first state, and the second capacitor is charged according to the second constant DC slope according to the second constant DC slope information when the control signal is in the second state.",
"26. The device of claim 20, further comprising a second differentiator to generate a second differentiated signal using the first capacitor, and a second sample and hold circuit to convert the second differentiated signal into a second constant DC slope information.",
"27. The device of claim 26, wherein the integrator has a second input configured to receive the second constant DC slope, wherein the integrator is configured to generate the output signal by using the second capacitor to integrate the constant DC slope information and second constant DC slope information.",
"28. The device of claim 27 wherein the integrator includes two switches controlled by a control signal, wherein a first switch is turned on and a second switch is turned off when the control signal is in a first state, wherein the first switch is turned off and the second switch is turned on when the control signal is in a second state opposite to the first state, wherein the second capacitor is discharged according to the constant DC slope information when the control signal is in the first state, and the second capacitor is charged according to the second constant DC slope according to the second constant DC slope information when the control signal is in the second state.",
"29. A method for sensing a slope of an input signal and providing an output signal proportional to the input signal, the method comprising:\ndifferentiating an input signal having a triangular waveform with at least one slope by using a first capacitor to generate a differentiated signal;\nconverting the differentiated signal into a constant DC slope information by sampling and held the differentiated signal when a triggering signal is on;\ngenerating an output signal by using a second capacitor to integrate the constant DC slope information, wherein the output signal having a waveform proportional to the waveform of the input signal.",
"30. The method of claim 29, wherein generating the output signal includes charging or discharging the second capacitor according to the constant DC slope.",
"31. The method of claim 29, further comprising generating a second constant DC slope information based on the constant DC slope information.",
"32. The method of claim 31, wherein generating the output signal by using the second capacitor includes discharging the second capacitor according to the constant DC slope information when a control signal is in a first state, and charging the second capacitor according to the second constant DC slope information when the control signal is in a second state opposite to the first state.",
"33. The method of claim 29, further comprising generating a second differentiated signal using the first capacitor, and converting the second differentiated signal into a second constant DC slope information.",
"34. The method of claim 33, wherein generating the output signal using the second capacitor includes discharging the second capacitor according to the constant DC slope information when a control signal is in a first state, and charging the second capacitor according to the second constant DC slope information when the control signal is in a second state opposite to the first state."
],
[
"1. A power converter, comprising:\na) a plurality of circuit modules coupled in parallel between a first port and a second port, wherein each of the plurality of circuit modules comprises a switching power stage circuit having a first magnetic element coupled between a switch node of the switching power stage circuit and a first terminal of the second port, at least one switch group having first and second transistors and being coupled in series between a first terminal of the first port and a first terminal of the switching power stage circuit, and at least one first energy storage capacitor for providing energy to a load of the power converter; and\nb) a plurality of second energy storage capacitors configured to periodically store energy and release energy to corresponding first energy storage capacitors, wherein the plurality of second energy storage capacitors comprises a first type of second energy storage capacitors, each of the first type of second energy storage capacitors having a first terminal coupled to an intermediate node of the first and second transistors in a corresponding one of the switch groups, and a second terminal coupled to a switch node of the switching power stage circuit in a previous circuit module for the current circuit module.",
"2. The power converter of claim 1, wherein each of the at least one switch group corresponds to one first energy storage capacitor and one second energy storage capacitor.",
"3. The power converter of claim 1, wherein the first port and the second port are respectively coupled in parallel with a filter capacitor.",
"4. The power converter of claim 1, wherein the first port is one of an input port and an output port of the power converter, and the second port is the other of the input port and the output port.",
"5. The power converter of claim 1, wherein a ratio of an output voltage to an input voltage of the power converter is D/N, where D is a duty cycle of the switching power stage circuit, and N is a number of the circuit modules that is an integer greater than one.",
"6. The power converter of claim 1, wherein each of the at least one first energy storage capacitor is coupled between a first-type node of a corresponding one of the switch groups and a reference ground, and the reference ground is configured as second terminals of the first port and the second port.",
"7. The power converter of claim 6, wherein the switching power stage circuit comprises: third and fourth transistors coupled between the first terminal of the switching power stage circuit and the reference ground, and an intermediate node of the third and fourth transistors is configured as the switch node.",
"8. The power converter of claim 7, wherein driving signals of the third transistors in each circuit module are the same with each other.",
"9. The power converter of claim 7, wherein driving signals of the first and second transistors in each switch group do not overlap each other, driving signals of the third and fourth transistors in each switching power stage circuit do not overlap each other, and a conduction time of the second transistor in each switch group is not greater than a conduction time of a corresponding fourth transistor.",
"10. The power converter of claim 1, wherein the plurality of second energy storage capacitors comprises a second type of second energy storage capacitors, each of the second type of second energy storage capacitors having a first terminal coupled to an intermediate node of the first and second transistors in a corresponding one of the switch groups and a second terminal coupled to a switch node of the switching power stage circuit in a current circuit module.",
"11. The power converter of claim 10, wherein the second terminal of the first type of the second energy storage capacitor coupled to an intermediate node of an i-th switch group is coupled to the switch node of the switching power stage circuit in the previous circuit module, and i is configured as an odd number, wherein a first switch group is connected to the first terminal of the switching power stage circuit.",
"12. The power converter of claim 10, wherein the second terminal of the second type of the second energy storage capacitor coupled to an intermediate node of a j-th switch group is coupled to the switch node of the switching power stage circuit in the current circuit module, and j is configured as an even number, wherein a first switch group is connected to the first terminal of the switching power stage circuit.",
"13. The power converter of claim 1, wherein during a first operation stage, an input voltage of the power converter and the at least one first energy storage capacitor provide energy to a load of the power converter.",
"14. The power converter of claim 13, wherein the at least one switch group comprises one switch group, and during the first operation stage, the input voltage and the first energy storage capacitor provide energy to the load.",
"15. The power converter of claim 13, wherein the at least one switch group comprises a plurality of switch groups, and during the first operation stage, the input voltage, part of the first energy storage capacitors in a current circuit module and part of the first energy storage capacitors in a previous circuit module provide energy to the load.",
"16. The power converter of claim 1, wherein the second energy storage capacitors that are coupled to a switch node of the same switching power stage circuit by a terminal thereof store energy during a first operation stage of the switching power stage circuit, and release energy to corresponding first energy storage capacitors during a second operation stage.",
"17. The power converter of claim 16, wherein the corresponding first energy storage capacitor is coupled to a first terminal of a corresponding one of the second energy storage capacitors via a corresponding second transistor.",
"18. The power converter of claim 16, wherein driving signals of the third transistors in each circuit module are phase-shifted by a predetermined angle and have the same period and duty cycle.",
"19. The power converter of claim 18, wherein the predetermined angle is configured as 360°/N, and N is an integer greater than one."
],
[
"1. A circuit for generating an output voltage using an input voltage, the circuit comprising:\na first power converter circuit controlled according to a first Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) signal to produce the output voltage using the input voltage;\na feedback circuit to produce a feedback signal according to a voltage value of the output voltage;\nan error amplifier to produce an error signal according to a difference of a reference voltage and the feedback signal;\na first threshold generator circuit to produce a first threshold signal according to a sum of the error signal and a threshold voltage value, the threshold voltage value being determined using one of a value of the output voltage and a value of a switched node signal;\na first PWM circuit comprising:\na first comparator to compare a first Current Sense and Ramp (CSR) signal and the first threshold signal; and\na first CSR circuit comprising:\na first programmable current source to generate a first ramp current according to the first PWM signal and one of the input voltage and the switched node signal; and\na first current sense circuit to generate a first current sense signal having a value corresponding to a current of the first power converter circuit,\nwherein the first CSR signal is generated using the first ramp current and the first current sense signal.",
"2. The circuit of claim 1, the PWM circuit further comprising:\na second comparator to compare the CSR signal and the error signal; and\na Set-Reset Flip-Flop (SRFF) having a set input coupled to an output of the second comparator and a reset input coupled to the output of the first comparator,\nwherein the PWM signal is generated according to an output of SRFF.",
"3. The circuit of claim 1, the first threshold generator circuit comprising:\nan adaptive current source circuit generating an adaptive current according to the output voltage; and\na resistor having a first terminal receiving the adaptive current and a second terminal coupled to the error signal,\nwherein the first threshold signal corresponds to sum of a voltage drop across the resistor and a value of the error signal.",
"4. The circuit of claim 1, the first threshold generator circuit comprising:\na filter circuit to generate an output approximation signal using the switched node signal;\nan adaptive current source circuit to generate an adaptive current according to the output approximation signal; and\na resistor having a first terminal receiving the adaptive current and a second terminal coupled to the error voltage,\nwherein the first threshold signal corresponds to sum of a voltage drop across the resistor and a value of the error signal.",
"5. The circuit of claim 1, the first threshold generator circuit comprising:\nan adaptive current source circuit to generate an adaptive current according to the output voltage;\na resistor having a first terminal receiving the adaptive current and a second terminal coupled to the error voltage; and\na switch coupled between the threshold signal and the error signal and controlled using the PWM signal,\nwherein the threshold signal corresponds to a voltage value of the first terminal of the resistor.",
"6. The circuit of claim 1, further comprising:\na second power converter circuit controlled according to a second Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) signal to produce the output voltage using the input voltage;\na phase sequencing circuit to assert one of a plurality of phase select signals according to assertions of the first and second PWM signals;\nthe first PWM circuit further comprising wherein the first PWM signal is generated according a first phase select signal of the plurality of phase select signals;\na second PWM circuit comprising:\na second comparator to compare a second CSR signal and a second threshold signal, wherein the second PWM signal is generated according to the output of the second comparator and a second phase select signal of the plurality of phase select signals; and\na second CSR circuit comprising:\na second programmable current source to generate a second ramp current according to the second PWM signal and one of the input voltage and the switched node signal; and\na second current sense circuit to generate a second current sense signal according to a current of the second power converter circuit,\nwherein the second CSR signal is generated using the second ramp current and the second current sense signal.",
"7. The circuit of claim 6, further comprising:\na first module, the first module comprising:\na first phase enable latch,\nthe feedback circuit,\nthe error amplifier,\nthe first threshold generator circuit,\nthe first PWM circuit, and\nthe first CSR circuit; and\na second module, the second module comprising:\na second phase enable latch,\na second threshold generator circuit to produce the second threshold signal according to the error signal and the output voltage,\nthe second PWM circuit, wherein the second comparator operates to compare the second CSR signal and the second threshold signal, and\nthe second CSR circuit;\nwherein the phase sequencing circuit comprises a daisy-chain circuit, the daisy-chain circuit comprising:\nthe first phase enable latch of the first module, and\nthe second phase enable latch of in the second module.",
"8. The circuit of claim 1, wherein the first CSR circuit comprises:\na first switch to couple the first ramp current to the first CSR signal in response to the PWM signal being asserted; and\na second switch to couple the first current sense signal to the first CSR signal when the PWM signal is de-asserted.",
"9. A circuit for generating an output voltage from an input voltage, the circuit comprising:\na Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) controller to:\ninitiate a PWM pulse on a PWM signal according to a first comparison, the first comparison using a Current Sense and Ramp (CSR) signal and an error signal;\nend the PWM pulse on the PWM signal according to a second comparison, the second comparison using the CSR signal and a threshold signal; and\na threshold signal generation circuit to generate the threshold signal by summing a threshold voltage value and the error signal, the value of the threshold voltage value corresponding to a value of the output voltage,\nwherein the CSR signal is generated using a current sense signal and a ramp signal,\nwherein a value of the current sense signal corresponds to a current of a power converter circuit controlled using the PWM signal, and\nwherein the error signal is generated, using an error amplifier, according to the output voltage and a reference voltage.",
"10. The circuit of claim 9, wherein the threshold signal generation circuit comprises:\nan adaptive current source circuit to generate a current according to the output voltage; and\na resistor having a first terminal coupled to the adaptive current source circuit,\nwherein the threshold voltage value corresponds to a voltage drop across the resistor.",
"11. The circuit of claim 10, further comprising:\na comparator to generate the PWM pulse, the comparator having a negative input coupled to the CSR signal and a positive input couple to the first terminal of the resistor; and\na switch coupled between the first terminal of the resistor and the error signal,\nwherein the comparator performs the first comparison when the switch is turned on, and\nwherein the comparator performs the second comparison when the switch is turned off.",
"12. The circuit of claim 9, further comprising:\na first comparator to perform the first comparison and having a positive input coupled to the error signal; and\na second comparator to perform the second comparison and having a positive input couple to the CSR signal and a negative input coupled to the threshold signal.",
"13. The circuit of claim 12, further comprising:\na summing circuit to generate an output having a value equal to a sum of a value of the CSR signal and a value of a common ramp signal,\nwherein a negative input of the first comparator is coupled to the output of the summing circuit.",
"14. The circuit of claim 9, wherein the circuit is a module of a plurality of substantially identical modules,\nwherein the plurality of substantially identical modules includes a module configured to operate as a master module,\nwherein the module configured to operate as the master module generates an error signal used by each module of the plurality of substantially identical modules, and\nwherein a clock input of each module of the plurality of substantially identical modules is respectively connected to a clock output of another module of the plurality of substantially identical modules to sequentially activate each of the plurality of substantially identical modules.",
"15. The circuit of claim 9, further comprising a CSR generator circuit, the CSR generator circuit to:\ngenerate the ramp signal having a value that changes at a rate according to the input voltage or at a rate according to a switched node signal from a driven terminal of an inductor;\nwhen the PWM pulse is not on the PWM signal, generate the CSR signal according to the current sense signal; and\nwhen the PWM pulse is on the PWM signal, generate the CSR signal according to the ramp signal and the value of the current sense signal at time corresponding to the initiation of the PWM pulse.",
"16. A method for controlling, using one or more pulsed signals, a power converter to generate an output voltage from an input voltage, the method comprising:\ngenerating an error signal according to the output voltage and a reference voltage;\ngenerating a Current Sense and Ramp (CSR) signal using a current sense signal and a ramp signal;\ngenerating a threshold voltage value corresponding to the output voltage;\ngenerating a threshold signal by summing the threshold voltage value and a value of the error signal;\nperforming a first comparison of the CSR signal and the error signal;\ninitiating a pulse on a first pulsed signal of the one or more pulsed signals in response to a result of the first comparison;\nperforming a second comparison of the CSR signal and the threshold signal; and\nending the pulse on the first pulsed signal in response to a result of the second comparison,\nwherein a value of the current sense signal corresponds to a current of the power converter.",
"17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:\ngenerating the CSR signal having a reset value corresponding to the value of the current sense signal and a post-reset rate of increase according to the input voltage.",
"18. The method of claim 16, further comprising:\nsequentially asserting exactly one of a plurality of phase select signals according to pulses on the one or more pulsed signals; and\ninitiating a pulse on a first pulsed signal of the one or more pulsed signals in response to a result of the first comparison when a first phase select signal of the plurality of phase select signals is asserted."
],
[
"1. A converter operable to convert an input voltage at an input node to an output voltage at an output node by switching on and off a transistor at a switching frequency, the converter comprising:\nan error amplifier circuit having a first input coupled to a reference voltage, a second input coupled to the output node through a resistive divider, a first output operable to output a control current and a second output operable to output a current equivalent to the control current;\na peak current comparator circuit having a first input coupled to the second output of the error amplifier circuit, a second input and an output, the second input of the peak current comparator is adapted to be coupled to the input node through an inductor;\nan off-time timer circuit having an input coupled to the first output of the error amplifier circuit and having an output, the off-time timer circuit operable to set the switching frequency based on the control current; and\na control circuit having a first input coupled to the output of the peak current comparator circuit, a second input coupled to the output of the off-time timer circuit and an output coupled to a control terminal of the transistor.",
"2. The converter of claim 1, wherein the converter is operable to operate in a mode of operation selected from the group consisting of: continuous conduction mode (CCM), discontinuous conduction mode (DCM), pulse frequency mode (PFM) and pulse width modulation mode (PWM).",
"3. The converter of claim 2, wherein the converter is operable to switch from one mode operation to another mode of operation.",
"4. The converter of claim 3, wherein the converter is operable to reduce voltage ripple on the output voltage during a transition from one mode of operation to another mode of operation.",
"5. The converter of claim 1, wherein the output current is modulated from a valley current value to a peak current value at the switching frequency.",
"6. The converter of claim 5, wherein the peak current comparator circuit is operable to set the peak current value based on the control current.",
"7. The converter of claim 1, wherein the error amplifier circuit includes:\nan error amplifier having inputs coupled to the first and second inputs of the error amplifier circuit and an output;\na first transistor having a first current terminal coupled to a supply voltage, a second current terminal coupled to the output of the error amplifier and a control terminal coupled to the second current terminal, the first transistor having a transistor current equivalent to the control current;\na second transistor having a first current terminal coupled to the supply voltage, a second current terminal coupled the input of the off-time timer circuit and a control terminal coupled to the control terminal of the first transistor, the first transistor and the second transistor form a first current mirror; and\na third transistor having a first current terminal coupled to the supply voltage, a second current terminal coupled the first input of the peak comparator circuit and a control terminal coupled to the control terminal of the first transistor, the first transistor and the third transistor form a second current mirror.",
"8. The converter of claim 7, wherein a current from the first current terminal to the second current terminal of the second transistor is equivalent to the control current and a current from the first current terminal to the second current terminal of the third transistor is equivalent to the control current.",
"9. A control circuit operable to switch a transistor on and off at a switching frequency to convert an input voltage at an input node to an output voltage at an output node, the control circuit comprising:\nan error amplifier circuit operable to generate a control current and having a first output operable to output a first output current and having a second output operable to output a second output current, the first output current and the second output current are equivalent to the control current;\na peak current comparator circuit having a first input coupled to the second output of the error amplifier circuit, a second input and an output, the second input is adapted to be coupled to the input node through an inductor;\nan off-time timer circuit having an input coupled to the first output of the error amplifier circuit and an output, the off-time timer circuit operable to set the switching frequency based on the control current; and\na control circuit having a first input coupled to the output of the peak current comparator circuit, a second input coupled to the output of the off-time timer circuit and an output coupled to a control terminal of the transistor.",
"10. The control circuit of claim 9, wherein, based on control signals from the control circuit, the converter is operable to operate in a mode of operation selected from the group consisting of: continuous conduction mode (CCM), discontinuous conduction mode (DCM), pulse frequency mode (PFM) and pulse width modulation mode (PWM).",
"11. The control circuit of claim 10, wherein the converter is operable to switch from a first mode operation to a second mode of operation.",
"12. The control circuit of claim 11, wherein current through the inductor is modulated from a valley current value to a peak current value at the switching frequency.",
"13. The control circuit of claim 12, wherein during the first mode of operation the switching frequency is fixed and the peak current value is variable.",
"14. The control circuit of claim 12, wherein during the second mode of operation the switching frequency is variable and the peak current value is fixed.",
"15. The control circuit of claim 12, wherein the converter is operable to operate in a transition mode of operation after the first mode of operation and before the second mode of operation, and the switching frequency and the peak current value are variable during the transition mode of operation.",
"16. The control circuit of claim 9, wherein current through the inductor is modulated from a valley current value to a peak current value at the switching frequency.",
"17. The control circuit of claim 16, wherein the peak current comparator circuit is operable to set the peak current value based on the control current.",
"18. A method of operating a converter operable to convert an input voltage at an input node to an output voltage at an output node, the method comprising the steps of:\nswitching a transistor on and off during a heavy load period at a fixed switching frequency to provide pulses of current to the load and varying a maximum current per pulse of current;\nswitching the transistor on and off during a light load period at a fixed maximum current per pulse of current and varying the switching frequency; and\nswitching the transistor on and off during a period between the heavy load period and the light load period by varying the switching frequency and the maximum current per pulse of current.",
"19. The method of claim 18, wherein the maximum current per pulse of current is IPEAK.",
"20. The method of claim 18, where in switching frequency is FSW."
],
[
"1. A charge pump system circuit to generate an output voltage, including:\na plurality of N output generation stages, each having a first branch receiving a first clock signal and providing a first output and a second branch receiving a second clock signal and providing a second output, wherein the first and second clock signals are non-overlapping;\na corresponding plurality of N gate stages, each having a first branch receiving the first clock signal and providing a first output and a second branch receiving the second clock signal and providing a second output, wherein the output generation stages and the corresponding gate stages have the same structure; and\na corresponding plurality of N first transistors and a corresponding plurality N second transistors,\nwherein the output generation stages are connected in series with the first and second output of each of the output generation stages except the last in the series respectively connected through the corresponding first and second transistors to provide the input for the next output generation stage, the first and second outputs of the last in the series of output generation stages respectively connected through the corresponding first and second transistors to provide the output voltage of the charge pump, and\nwherein the gate stages are connected in series with the first and second output of each of the gate stages except the last in the series connected through a corresponding diode to provide the input for the next gate stage, the first and second outputs of each of the gate stages respectively connected to the control gate the correspond first and second transistors, and the first and second outputs of the last in the series being respectively connected to only the control gate the correspond first and second transistor, whereby the number of output generation stages active in boosting the output is automatically adjusted based upon said output of the charge pump.",
"2. The charge pump system circuit of claim 1, wherein the first and second branches of each of the output generation stages and the gate stages respectively include a first and a second capacitor, the first clock signal being supplied to a plate of the first capacitor and the second clock signal being supplied to a plate of the second capacitor.",
"3. The charge pump system circuit of claim 1, wherein circuit elements of the output generation stages are sized differently than the corresponding elements in the gate stages.",
"4. The charge pump system circuit of claim 1, wherein the stages have a voltage doubler-type of structure.",
"5. The charge pump system circuit of claim 4, wherein, for each of said stages, the first branch comprises:\na first transistor connected between an input voltage and a first output node from which the first output is provided, wherein a plate of the first capacitor not connected to receive the first clock signal is connected to the first output node; and\nwherein the second branch comprises:\na second transistor connected between the input voltage and a second output node from which the second output is provided, wherein a plate of the second capacitor not connected to receive the second clock signal is connected to the second output node,\nwherein the gate of the first transistor is connected to the second output node and the gate of the second transistor is connected to the first output node.",
"6. The charge pump system circuit of claim 5, wherein the first and second transistors of the gate stages are sized smaller than the first and second transistors of the corresponding output generation stages.",
"7. The charge pump system circuit of claim 1, further comprising:\nregulation circuitry connected to receive the output of the charge pump and to regulate the operation of the output generation stages based upon said output of the charge pump.",
"8. The charge pump system of claim 7, further comprising clock generation circuitry connected to the output generation stages to supply thereto a clock signal, the clock generation circuitry further connected to the regulation circuitry to receive a control signal derived from the output of the charge pump by the regulation circuitry, whereby the operation of the output generation stages are regulated.",
"9. The charge pump system of claim 8, where the clock generation circuitry varies the frequency of the clock signal in response to the control signal.",
"10. The charge pump system of claim 8, where the clock generation circuitry varies the amplitude of the clock signal in response to the control signal.",
"11. The charge pump system of claim 7, wherein the regulation circuitry regulates the operation of the output generation stages by varying an input voltage level of the first of the output generation stages in response to the output of the charge pump.",
"12. The charge pump system of claim 7, wherein the regulation circuitry regulates the gate stages independently of the output generation stages.",
"13. The charge pump system of claim 7, wherein the regulation circuitry regulates the gate stages in the same manner as the output generation stages.",
"14. A charge pump system circuit to generate an output, including:\na plurality of N output generation stages;\na corresponding plurality of N gate stages, wherein the output generation stages and the corresponding gate stages have the same structure;\na corresponding plurality of N switches, wherein the output generation stages are connected in series with an output of each of the output generation stages except the last in the series being connected through the corresponding switch to provide an input for the next output generation stage, the output of the last in the series of output being connected through the corresponding switch to provide the output of the charge pump, and wherein the gate stages are connected in series with an output of each of the gate stages respectively connected to the control the corresponding switch, the output of the last gate stage in the series being only connected to drive the corresponding switch; and\nregulation circuitry connected to receive the output of the charge pump and to regulate the operation of the output generation stages based upon said output of the charge pump,\nwherein the number of output generation stages active in boosting the output is automatically adjusted based upon said output of the charge pump without being directly set by the regulation circuitry.",
"15. The charge pump system of claim 14, further comprising clock generation circuitry connected to the output generation stages to supply thereto a clock signal, the clock generation circuitry further connected to the regulation circuitry to receive a control signal derived from the output of the charge pump by the regulation circuitry, whereby the operation of the output generation stages are regulated.",
"16. The charge pump system of claim 15, where the clock generation circuitry varies the frequency of the clock signal in response to the control signal.",
"17. The charge pump system of claim 15, where the clock generation circuitry varies the amplitude of the clock signal in response to the control signal.",
"18. The charge pump system of claim 14, wherein the regulation circuitry regulates the operation of the output generation stages by varying an input voltage level of the first of the output generation stages in response to the output of the charge pump.",
"19. The charge pump system of claim 14, wherein the regulation circuitry regulates the gate stages independently of the output generation stages.",
"20. The charge pump system of claim 14, wherein the regulation circuitry regulates the gate stages in the same manner as the output generation stages."
],
[
"1. A multiple output charge pump comprising:\na first flying capacitor;\na second flying capacitor;\na first output node to provide a first voltage;\na second output node, distinct from the first output node, to provide a second voltage different than the first voltage; and\na switching network configured to provide a first mode of operation in which the first and second flying capacitors are connected in one of in series with one another between an input voltage and ground or in parallel with one another between the input voltage and ground, a second mode of operation in which the first and second flying capacitors are connected in parallel with one another between ground and the second output node, and a third mode of operation.",
"2. The multiple output charge pump of claim 1 further comprising:\na first output capacitor coupled between the first output node and ground; and\na second output capacitor coupled between the second output node and ground.",
"3. The multiple output charge pump of claim 2 wherein for the first mode of operation the first and second flying capacitors are connected in series between the input voltage and ground.",
"4. The multiple output charge pump of claim 3 wherein for the third mode of operation the first and second flying capacitors are connected in parallel with one another between the input voltage and the first output node.",
"5. The multiple output charge pump of claim 4 wherein for the second mode of operation the second output capacitor is charged to a voltage of −0.5 times the input voltage, and for the third mode of operation the first output capacitor is charged to a voltage of 1.5 times the input voltage.",
"6. The multiple output charge pump of claim 5 wherein the first and second flying capacitors each includes a positive electrode and a negative electrode and the switching network includes:\na first MOSFET connected between the positive electrode of the first flying capacitor and the input voltage;\na second MOSFET connected between the negative electrode of the second flying capacitor and ground;\na third MOSFET connected between the positive electrode of the first flying capacitor and the first output node;\na fourth MOSFET connected between the negative electrode of the second flying capacitor and the second output node; and\na fifth MOSFET connected between the negative electrode of the first flying capacitor and the positive electrode of the second flying capacitor.",
"7. The multiple output charge pump of claim 4 wherein for the second mode of operation the second output capacitor is charged to a voltage of 0.5 times the input voltage, and for the third mode of operation the first output capacitor is charged to a voltage of 1.5 times the input voltage.",
"8. The multiple output charge pump of claim 7 wherein the first and second flying capacitors each includes a positive electrode and a negative electrode and the switching network includes:\na first MOSFET connected between the positive electrode of the first flying capacitor and the input voltage;\na second MOSFET connected between the negative electrode of the second flying capacitor and ground;\na third MOSFET connected between the positive electrode of the first flying capacitor and the first output node;\na fourth MOSFET connected between the positive electrode of the second flying capacitor and the second output node; and\na fifth MOSFET connected between the negative electrode of the first flying capacitor and the positive electrode of the second flying capacitor.",
"9. The multiple output charge pump of claim 8 wherein the switching network further includes:\na sixth MOSFET connected between the positive electrode of the first flying capacitor and the second output node; and\na seventh MOSFET connected between the positive electrode of the second flying capacitor and the first output node.",
"10. The multiple output charge pump of claim 9 wherein the third and seventh MOSFETs each includes a drain-to-source P-N diode having a cathode connected to the first output node, and the fourth and sixth MOSFETs each includes a respective body bias generator to eliminate any source-to-drain parasitic diode conduction between a source and a drain of the fourth MOSFET and the sixth MOSFET, respectively.",
"11. The multiple output charge pump of claim 3 wherein for the third mode of operation the first and second flying capacitors are connected in series with one another between ground and the first output node.",
"12. The multiple output charge pump of claim 11 wherein for the second mode of operation the second output capacitor is charged to a voltage of −0.5 times the input voltage, and for the third mode of operation the first output capacitor is charged to a voltage of −1 times the input voltage.",
"13. The multiple output charge pump of claim 12 wherein the first and second flying capacitors each includes a positive electrode and a negative electrode and the switching network includes:\na first MOSFET connected between the positive electrode of the first flying capacitor and the input voltage;\na second MOSFET connected between the negative electrode of the second flying capacitor and ground;\na third MOSFET connected between the negative electrode of the first flying capacitor and the first output node;\na fourth MOSFET connected between the negative electrode of the second flying capacitor and the second output node; and\na fifth MOSFET connected between the negative electrode of the first flying capacitor and the positive electrode of the second flying capacitor.",
"14. The multiple output charge pump of claim 13 wherein the switching network further includes:\na sixth MOSFET connected between the negative electrode of the second flying capacitor and the first output node.",
"15. The multiple output charge pump of claim 14 where the fourth MOSFET includes a drain-to-source P-N diode having a cathode connected to the negative terminal of the second flying electrode and an anode connected to the second output node, and the third and sixth MOSFETs each includes a respective body bias generator to eliminate any source-to-drain parasitic diode conduction between a source and a drain of the third MOSFET and the sixth MOSFET, respectively.",
"16. The multiple output charge pump of claim 2 wherein for the first mode of operation the first and second flying capacitors are connected in parallel with one another between the input voltage and ground.",
"17. The multiple output charge pump of claim 16 wherein for the third mode of operation the first and second flying capacitors are connected in series with one another between ground and the first output node.",
"18. The multiple output charge pump of claim 17 wherein for the second mode of operation the second output capacitor is charged to a voltage of −1 times the input voltage, and for the third mode of operation the first output capacitor is charged to a voltage of −2 times the input voltage.",
"19. The multiple output charge pump of claim 18 wherein the first and second flying capacitors each includes a positive electrode and a negative electrode and the switching network includes:\na first MOSFET connected between the negative electrode of the first flying capacitor and the input voltage;\na second MOSFET connected between the negative electrode of the second flying capacitor and ground;\na third MOSFET connected between the negative electrode of the first flying capacitor and the first output node;\na fourth MOSFET connected between the negative electrode of the second flying capacitor and the second output node; and\na fifth MOSFET connected between the negative electrode of the first flying capacitor and the positive electrode of the second flying capacitor.",
"20. The multiple output charge pump of claim 19 wherein the switching network further includes a sixth MOSFET connected between the negative electrode of the second flying capacitor and the first output node.",
"21. The multiple output charge pump of claim 20 wherein the fourth MOSFET includes a drain-to-source P-N diode having a cathode connected to the negative electrode of the second flying capacitor and an anode connected to the second output node, and the third and sixth MOSFETs each includes a respective body bias generator to eliminate any source-to-drain parasitic diode conduction between a source and a drain of the third MOSFET and the sixth MOSFET, respectively.",
"22. A method of operating a multiple output charge pump that includes a first flying capacitor, a second flying capacitor, a first output, a second output, and a switching network, the method comprising:\nconfiguring the switching network to operate the charge pump in a first mode in which the first and second flying capacitors are connected in one of in series with one another between and input voltage and ground or in parallel with one another between the input voltage and ground:\nconfiguring the switching network to operate the charge pump in a second mode in which the first and second flying capacitors are connected in parallel with one another between ground and one of the first output and the second output; and\nconfiguring the switching network to operate the charge pump in a third mode in which the first and second flying capacitors are connected in one of in parallel with one another between the input voltage and the other of the first output and the second output or in series with one another between ground and the other of the first output and the second output."
],
[
"1. In a charge pump circuit having one or more stages each having an input and an output, a method of generating an output voltage for the charge pump circuit, comprising:\nreceiving as the input of a first of said stages an input signal based on a clock signal;\nreceiving as the input of each stage after the first the output of the preceding stage; and\nsupplying the output of the last of said stages as the output voltage of the charge pump circuit,\nwherein each of the stages includes a capacitor element having first and second plates and the method further comprises:\nalternately operating each of the stages in a first phase and a second phase, the first phase including:\nregulating of a charge level on the second plate by a regulating voltage; and\nconnecting the first plate to an external voltage supply, wherein the connecting the first plate to the external voltage supply comprises connecting the first plate to the external voltage supply by a switch controlled by a boosted version of the clock signal; and\nthe second phase including:\nconnecting the first plate to supply the stage's output; and\nconnecting the second plate to receive the stage's input.",
"2. The method of claim 1 the first phase further comprising:\nconnecting the first plate to an external voltage supply.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein said regulating of the charge level on the second plate by the regulating voltage includes connecting the second plate to a low voltage level of an integrated circuit upon which the charge pump circuit is formed through a resistance controlled by the regulating voltage.",
"4. The method of claim 3, wherein the resistance controlled by the regulating voltage includes a transistor having a gate connected to the regulating voltage.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein the charge pump circuit is formed as peripheral circuitry on a memory circuit including an array of memory cells, the method further comprising:\nproviding the output voltage of the charge pump as an operation voltage for use in the memory array."
],
[
"1. A charge pump circuit to generate an output voltage, including:\na plurality of capacitors, each having a first plate and a second plate;\nswitching circuitry, whereby the capacitors are alternately connectable in a first phase, in which the first plate of each of the capacitors is connected to receive a regulator voltage and the second plate of each of the capacitors is connected to ground, and in a second phase, in which the capacitors are connected in series such that for each capacitor after the first in the series the second plate is connected to the first plate of the preceding capacitor in the series and the first plate of the last capacitor in the series is connected to supply the output voltage of the charge pump circuit; and\nregulation circuitry connectable to receive a reference voltage and the output voltage from charge pump and to generate from the reference voltage said regulator voltage, wherein the regulator voltage value is responsive to the value of the output voltage.",
"2. The charge pump circuit of claim 1, wherein, during the second phase, the second plate of the first capacitor in the series is connected by the switching circuitry to receive a voltage from a voltage supply.",
"3. The charge pump circuit of claim 1, wherein, during the second phase, the second plate of the first capacitor in the series is connected by the switching circuitry to receive the regulator voltage.",
"4. The charge pump circuit of claim 1, wherein the charge pump circuit is formed on a non-volatile memory circuit as a peripheral circuitry element.",
"5. A method of generating an output voltage, comprising:\nproviding a plurality of capacitors, each having a first plate and a second plate;\nalternately connecting the capacitors in a first phase and a second phase, where the first phase includes:\nconnecting the first plate of each of the capacitors to receive a regulator voltage; and\nconnecting the second plate of each of the capacitors to ground;\nand the second phase includes:\nconnecting the capacitors in series such that for each capacitor after the first in the series the second plate is connected to the first plate of the preceding capacitor in the series; and\nsupplying the output voltage from the first plate of the last capacitor in the series;\ngenerating said regulation voltage from a reference voltage wherein the regulator voltage value is responsive to the value of the output voltage.",
"6. The method of claims 5, the second phase further comprising:\nconnecting the first capacitor in the series to receive a voltage from a voltage supply.",
"7. The method of claims 5, the second phase further comprising:\nconnecting the first capacitor in the series to receive the regulator voltage."
],
[
"1. A charge pump circuit, with transistors of the MOSFET type each having source, drain and gate, being driven by a first set of control clock signals and a second set of control clock signals, comprising:\na first circuit part with first through third transistors driven by said first set of control clock signals;\na second circuit part with fourth through sixth transistors driven by said second set of control clock signals, both of said circuit parts together making up a first circuit stage of said charge pump circuit;\nthe first circuit part comprising a first input and a first output terminal having their respective voltages at said terminals, also comprising said first transistor connecting said first input and output terminals, said second transistor linked between said first input terminal and the gate of said first transistor thus defining a first node including said gate, its own gate however tied to a second node which itself is connecting to said sixth transistor and a third transistor connected with its gate to said first node and itself connecting again to said first input terminal and leading to another node within the second circuit part later on introduced and named as fourth node, the second circuit part comprising a second input and a second output terminal having their respective voltages at said terminals, also comprising said fourth transistor connecting said second input and output terminals, said fifth transistor linked between said second input terminal and the gate of said fourth transistor thus defining a third node including said gate, its own gate however tied to a fourth node which itself is connecting to said third transistor within the first circuit part, and said sixth transistor connected with its gate to said third node and itself connecting again to said second input terminal and leading to said second node within the first circuit part; and\nwherein the transistors are implemented as isolated MOSFET components within an Integrated Circuit (IC) realization of said charge pump circuit implementing each transistor structure as completely buried within their own bulk regions enclosed in an isolated well separated from its substrate thus allowing to electrically isolate all bulk regions for each component from the potential of the substrate of the IC realization of said charge pump circuit by using separate bulk and substrate electrodes connected to said bulk regions and said substrate respectively and whereto first and second predetermined voltage levels are respectively defined as reference values, such that the gate oxide stress for the buried MOSFET transistors is relaxed during operation.",
"2. The circuit according to claim 1, wherein the third transistor is fully turned on to charge the gate of the fifth transistor to the first predetermined voltage level.",
"3. The circuit according to claim 1, wherein the charge pump circuit is operated by the first and second sets of control clock signals such that when the second transistor is fully turned on the first transistor is partially turned on.",
"4. The circuit according to claim 1, wherein the charge pump circuit is operated by the first and second sets of control clock signals such that when the fourth transistor is fully turned on the sixth transistor is fully turned on.",
"5. The circuit according to claim 4, wherein the sixth transistor is fully turned on to charge the gate of the second transistor to the second predetermined voltage level.",
"6. The circuit according to claim 4, wherein the charge pump circuit is operated by the first and second sets of control clock signals such that when the fifth transistor is fully turned on the fourth transistor is partially turned on.",
"7. The circuit according to claim 1, wherein the first set of control clock signals includes a first clock signal, a second clock signal, and a third clock signal coupled to the first circuit part respectively by a first capacitor, a second capacitor, and a third capacitor, and the second set of control clock signals includes a fourth clock signal, a fifth clock signal, and a sixth clock signal coupled to the second circuit part respectively by a fourth capacitor, a fifth capacitor, and a sixth capacitor, both sets of control clock signals are periodic signals and are distinct from each other also by individual phase differences between corresponding clock signals.",
"8. The circuit according to claim 7, wherein the first capacitor is connected to the first transistor at said first output terminal, and the fourth capacitor is connected to the fourth transistor at said second output terminal.",
"9. The circuit according to claim 8, further comprising:\na third circuit part with seventh through ninth transistors driven by said second set of control clock signals;\na fourth circuit part with tenth through twelfth transistors driven by said first set of control clock signals, both of said circuit parts together making up a second circuit stage of said charge pump circuit;\nthe third circuit part comprising a third input and a third output terminal having their respective voltages at said terminals, also comprising said seventh transistor connecting said third input and output terminals, said eighth transistor between said third input terminal and the gate of said seventh transistor thus defining a fifth node including said gate, its own gate however tied to a sixth node which itself is connecting to said twelfth transistor and said ninth transistor with its gate connected to said fifth node and itself connecting again to said third input terminal and leading to another node within the fourth circuit part later on introduced and named as eighth node, the fourth circuit part comprising a fourth input and a fourth output terminal having their respective voltages at said terminals, also comprising said tenth transistor connecting said fourth input and output terminals, said eleventh transistor between said fourth input terminal and the gate of said tenth transistor thus defining a seventh node including said gate, its own gate however tied to an eighth node which itself is connecting to said ninth transistor within the third circuit part and said twelfth transistor with its gate connected to said seventh node and itself connecting again to said fourth input terminal and leading to said sixth node within the third circuit part;\nwhereby the third circuit part is coupled to the first circuit part by connecting said third input terminal to said first output terminal, and the fourth circuit part is coupled to the second circuit part by connecting said fourth input terminal to said second output terminal thus cascading the first circuit stage to the second circuit stage of the charge pump circuit; and\nwherein the bulk region of each transistor implemented as said isolated MOSFET component of the third circuit part is driven by the voltage at said second input terminal, and the bulk region of each transistor implemented as said isolated MOSFET component of the fourth circuit stage is driven by the voltage at said first input terminal.",
"10. The circuit according to claim 7, wherein the bulk region of each transistor implemented as said isolated MOSFET component of the first circuit part is driven by the first clock signal, and the bulk region of each transistor implemented as said isolated MOSFET component of the second circuit part is driven by the fourth clock signal.",
"11. The circuit according to claim 7, wherein the phase difference between said first clock signal and said fourth clock signal is corresponding to a half period of the first clock signal, the phase difference between the second clock signal and the fifth clock signal is corresponding to a half period of the second clock signal, and the phase difference between said third clock signal and said sixth clock signal is corresponding to a half period of the third clock signal.",
"12. The circuit according to claim 7, wherein each of the first to the sixth capacitors is a transistor-type capacitor.",
"13. The circuit according to claim 1, wherein each transistor of the first circuit stage and the second circuit stage is an N-type transistor.",
"14. The circuit according to claim 1, wherein each transistor of the first circuit stage and the second circuit stage is a P-type transistor.",
"15. The circuit according to claim 1, wherein the charge pump circuit is operated by the first and second sets of control clock signals such that when the first transistor is fully turned on the third transistor is fully turned on.",
"16. The circuit according to claim 1, wherein all the transistors implemented as isolated MOSFET components are realized in triple well technology.",
"17. A circuit, realizing a Charge Pump (CP) for high voltage generation consisting of a basic circuit structure arranged in a, versus an imaginary, that is virtual middle axis of symmetry, fundamentally symmetrical configuration and being controlled by a set of three multiphase pairs of control clock signals either as a first pair of complementary signals or as second and third pairs of signals each member signal of which is shifted by one half clock cycle versus its other member signal, comprising:\nan input stage;\nan output stage;\none or more of twin circuit block stages, each stage of an essential four-pole or two-port character i.e. each stage made up of a pair of circuit blocks each having an input terminal and an output terminal, apart from having two additional pairs of auxiliary terminals for each of said twin circuit blocks, which themselves are built as symmetrical items mirrored to each other, each of identical structure and layout and each consisting of the same number and kind of components, therefore said input stage, said twin circuit block stages made up of a pair of circuit blocks, and said output stage thus forming an entity of multiple stages of at least three;\none pair of parallel virtual i.e. imaginary axes intended for arranging connection points of according input and output terminals as real connections between said input stage, one or more of said twin circuit blocks and said output stage and arranged symmetrically in parallel to said virtual middle axis of symmetry located in the middle between said pair of imaginary axes for connection points; and\nthus creating a consecutive series of numbers of pairs of connection points as main nodes being situated on said pair of imaginary axes for connection points and arranged in such a way, that always each pair of main nodes is allotted to a connection of said output terminals of the preceding stage or circuit blocks and said input terminals of the subsequent stage or circuit blocks each part of said entity of input stage, one or more twin circuit block stages, and output stage for all feasible pairs of input and output terminal connections respectively and located on said pair of imaginary axes for connection points.",
"18. The circuit according to claim 17 wherein each of said pair of main nodes is made up of two nodes each being coupled to a capacitor configured MOSFET connected to said node with one side and fed on its other side by one, from stage to stage alternating part of said first pair of control clock signals via said capacitors respectively thus using them as coupling capacitors.",
"19. The circuit according to claim 17 wherein said input stage is an initial precharge stage.",
"20. The circuit according to claim 19 whereby said initial precharge stage comprises four MOSFET components, a pair of two input terminals, a pair of two auxiliary input terminals, a pair of two output terminals, and a supply voltage terminal fed by a supply voltage.",
"21. The circuit according to claim 20 wherein said supply voltage is a positive voltage.",
"22. The circuit according to claim 20 wherein said supply voltage is a negative voltage.",
"23. The circuit according to claim 20 wherein said supply voltage is the ground voltage.",
"24. The circuit according to claim 20 wherein said MOSFET components are of the NMOS type.",
"25. The circuit according to claim 20 wherein said MOSFET components are of the PMOS type.",
"26. The circuit according to claim 20 wherein said four MOSFET components are arranged as two pairs, the first pair of which being MOS transistors configured as diodes both connecting with its anodes to said supply voltage terminal and with its cathodes each to one of said input terminals respectively and the second pair of which being MOS transistors operating as switches both connecting with its drains to said supply voltage terminal and each with its sources separately to one of said output terminals correspondingly, their gates being connected respectively to one of said auxiliary input terminals each.",
"27. The circuit according to claim 20 wherein said two input terminals connect to said two output terminals each respectively and at the same time also to said first pair of main nodes respectively.",
"28. The circuit according to claim 17 wherein, in case of using multiple twin circuit block stages, said twin circuit block stages operate as general CP-stages and comprise as said circuit blocks two Charge Transfer Switch (CTS) devices, arranged as a symmetrical pair of identically structured CTS-devices consisting of internal nodes, MOSFETs, and terminals, whereby each CTS-device has the same number and kind of components and where both CTS-devices are symmetrically arranged as mirrored twins signifying that one CTS-device can be topologically mirrored to the other and vice-versa and whereby said twin circuit block stages operating as general CP-stages further comprise, corresponding to each of its CTS-devices respectively one pair of two input terminals, one pair of two output terminals, and also comprise said two additional pairs of auxiliary terminals for each of said twin circuit blocks which are now specified more exactly as two pairs of two pump terminals coupled to corresponding auxiliary pump nodes as well as two pairs of cross-over terminals.",
"29. The circuit according to claim 28 realizing each of said CTS-devices used in said general CP-stages, comprising:\na first FET, a second FET, and a third FET each having gate, source and drain;\nan input terminal connected to the drains of all said three FETs;\nan output terminal connected to the source of said first FET;\na first cross-over terminal;\na second crossover terminal connecting to the source of said second FET;\na first pump terminal connecting to the source of said third FET as well as to the gates of said first FET and said second FET; and\na second pump terminal connecting to said first crossover terminal as well as to the gate of said third FET.",
"30. The circuit according to claim 28 wherein each of said twin circuit block stages are operating as general CP-stages and each comprising said two pairs of two pump terminals connecting with said pump terminals to corresponding pairs of multiphase control clock signals via coupling capacitors thus realizing two pairs of auxiliary pump nodes related to each CP-stage whereby said corresponding pairs of multiphase control clock signals are taken respectively from said set of multiphase control signals in such a way, that for odd numbered CP-stages these are pairs of direct control signals, and for even numbered CP-stages these are control signals shifted by one half clock cycle compared to the direct control signals.",
"31. The circuit according to claim 28 whereby each CTS-device exhibits six terminals, one input terminal, one output terminal, two pump terminals as well as a first cross-over terminal and a second cross-over terminal and both of said CTS circuit blocks are conjoined in such a way, that they are cross-over connected by their respective cross-over terminals which means that a first cross-over terminal from one CTS-device is connected to a second cross-over terminal from the other CTS-device respectively.",
"32. The circuit according to claim 28 whereby a first general CP-stage is being connected with its pair of input terminals to the first pair of said main nodes and with its pair of output terminals to the second pair of said main nodes, each respectively and whereby said pairs of pump terminals connect to said corresponding auxiliary pump nodes respectively.",
"33. The circuit according to claim 32 whereby a second general CP-stage is being connected with its pair of input terminals to the second pair of said main nodes and with its pair of output terminals to the third pair of said main nodes, each respectively and whereby said pairs of pump terminals connect to said corresponding auxiliary pump nodes respectively.",
"34. The circuit according to claim 33 whereby a third general CP-stage is being connected with its pair of input terminals to the third pair of said main nodes and with its pair of output terminals to the fourth pair of said main nodes, each respectively and whereby said pairs of pump terminals connect to said corresponding auxiliary pump nodes respectively.",
"35. The circuit according to claim 28 wherein an arbitrary number of general CP-stages are being connected serially to said pairs of main nodes, which signifies that their pairs of input terminals connect to one pair of said main nodes and their pairs of output terminals connect to the following pair of said main nodes, each respectively and whereby said pairs of pump terminals connect to said corresponding auxiliary pump nodes respectively.",
"36. The circuit according to claim 28 whereby a last general CP-stage is being connected with its pair of input terminals to the last existent pair of said main nodes and with its pair of output terminals to said pair of input terminals of said output stage, each respectively and whereby said pairs of pump terminals connect to said corresponding auxiliary pump nodes respectively depending on its odd or even numbering count.",
"37. The circuit according to claim 17 wherein said output stage comprises two input terminals and an output voltage terminal.",
"38. The circuit according to claim 37 whereby said output stage further comprises a load capacitor connected between said output voltage terminal and ground.",
"39. The circuit according to claim 37 whereby said two input terminals of said output stage are both connected directly to said output voltage terminal of said output stage.",
"40. The circuit according to claim 37 whereby said two input terminals of said output stage both connect individually but respectively to said pair of output terminals of the last CP-stage located on said pair of imaginary axes for connection points comprising all feasible pairs of input and output terminal connections respectively.",
"41. The circuit according to claim 17 manufactured as Integrated Circuit (IC) in monolithic MOS technology.",
"42. The circuit according to claim 17 manufactured as Integrated Circuit (IC) in MOS technology using a triple-well process.",
"43. The circuit according to claim 42 comprising only PMOS components.",
"44. The circuit according to claim 42 comprising only NMOS components.",
"45. The circuit according to claim 29 wherein said CTS devices used in said general CP-stages comprise FETs consisting of MOS transistors fabricated in triple well technology, each endowed with a separate bulk voltage connection terminal for each MOSFET and each such bulk voltage connection terminal able to be separately used in order to set the related bulk potential.",
"46. The circuit according to claim 45, in case of an implementation with more than two of said general CP-stages, where each of said separate bulk voltage connection terminals of said MOS transistors for every CTS device of each CP-stage is commonly connected to anteceding main nodes in such a way that alternately CTS devices located above said virtual middle line are connecting their bulk voltage connection terminals to anteceding main nodes located below said virtual middle line and vice-versa, starting out with even numbered stage two as first CP-stage, followed by odd-numbered CP-stage three, now connecting said bulk voltage connection terminals of its CTS device located below said virtual middle line to anteceding main node located above said virtual middle line and vice-versa and so on, thus establishing a leap-frog bulk potential tracking method, whereby the odd-numbered CP-stage one, not having any anteceding main node connects said separate bulk voltage connection terminals of said MOS transistors directly with said first pair of complementary multiphase control signals.",
"47. A method for implementing a Charge Pump (CP) Circuit for high voltage generation devices with multiphase control clock signals and with multiple CP-stages implemented as MOS transistor components and realized as an Integrated Circuit (IC) fabricated in MOS technology, comprising the steps of:\nproviding a basic circuit structure built up as a series connection of an initial stage and one or more following twin circuit block stages operating as CP-stages, each stage of an essential four-pole or two-port character wherein each stage has a pair of input terminals and a pair of output terminals, apart from additional pairs of auxiliary and pump signal terminals for each of the twin circuit blocks;\narranging said basic circuit structure in a, versus a virtual middle line, fundamentally symmetrical configuration exhibiting two parallel rails of virtual connection lines each endowed with a consecutive series of pairs of main nodes whereby all upper parts of said pairs located above said virtual middle line are designated as A-parts, all lower parts located below said virtual middle line as B-parts;\ndefining “connect directly” as connecting A-part items to A-part items and B-part items to B-part items as well as “connect cross-over”as connecting A-part items to B-part items and vice-versa; and translating this terminology also to other possible actions;\nfurnishing a set of three pairs of multiphase control clock signals, whereby direct A-part signals are shifted by one half clock cycle compared to B-part signals or vice-versa by designation and each pair is individually named as primary, secondary and tertiary;\nproviding for each of said main nodes a corresponding coupling capacitor realized as MOSFET in capacitor configuration and fed by associated primary control clock signals out of said set;\nproviding for auxiliary nodes connecting to each of said auxiliary and said pump signal terminals another corresponding coupling capacitor realized as MOSFET in capacitor configuration and fed by associated secondary and tertiary control clock signals out of said set;\nproviding as twin circuit block stage a general symmetrically cross-over connected Charge Pump (CP)-stage made up of a pair of symmetrically arranged Charge Transfer Switch (CTS) circuit blocks, also named A-part and B-part CTS blocks, whereby these A-part and B-part blocks are identical in structure and assembly of components only differing in their layouts which are mirrored to each other, thus both also designated commonly as CTS parts;\nproviding as said CTS circuit block an assembly of three MOSFETs, having one input terminal, one output terminal, a pair of auxiliary terminals named first and second, and another pair of pump signal terminals named first and second and all terminals named additionally as CTS part related;\nconnecting cross-over said pairs of first and second auxiliary terminals of each of said pair of CTS circuit blocks thus making up a symmetrically cross-over connected CP-stage in such a way, that first A-part auxiliary terminal links to second B-part auxiliary terminal and vice-versa;\nconnecting said pairs of input and output terminals of said general symmetrically cross-over connected CP-stages to said consecutive series of main nodes on each virtual connection line in such a way, that a real serial connection of all of said CP-stages is guaranteed according to their four-pole or two-port character; one main node on each A- and B-part rail arranged as consecutive pairs connects to said pair of input terminals from one CP-stage respectively and the next main node on each A- and B-part rail connects to said pair of output terminals belonging together to said one CP-stage respectively, in order to now guarantee a serial connection of CP-stages also said pair of input terminals of the following CP-stage is connecting to this same pair of main nodes (to A- and B-part main nodes respectively) and so on for all following stages and main node connections; and\nfeeding said two pairs of auxiliary nodes connecting to said pump signal terminals by pairs of secondary and tertiary control clock signals respectively.",
"48. The method according to claim 47 comprising additional steps for optimizations concerning the reduction of power consumption and transfer losses during charge transfer, as well as maximizing the conversion efficiency by choosing a six part segmentation for said three pairs of multiphase control signals defining time segments T1 to T6, and by choosing the specification of the related control signal transition voltage window limits adapted to its desired output voltage generated in such a way, that the highest voltage available in an external system serves as upper limit when generating a high positive voltage and the lowest voltage available in an external system serves as lower limit when generating a high negative voltage.",
"49. The method according to claim 47 where the step of providing as said CTS circuit block an assembly of three MOSFETs, having one input terminal, one output terminal, a pair of auxiliary terminals named first and second, and another pair of pump signal terminals named first and second and all terminals named additionally as CTS part related, comprises MOSFETs consisting of MOS transistors fabricated in triple well technology, each endowed with a separate bulk voltage connection terminal and each terminal separately added to the number of auxiliary terminals of said CTS circuit blocks.",
"50. The method according to claim 49, in case of an implementation with more than two of said CP-stages, where each of said separate bulk voltage connection terminals of said MOS transistors for every CTS block of each CP-stage are commonly connected to anteceding main nodes in such a way that A-part and B-part CTS blocks are alternately connecting to B-part and A-part anteceding main nodes and vice-versa, starting out with even numbered stage two as first CP-stage, followed by odd-numbered CP-stage three and so on, thus establishing said leap-frog bulk potential tracking method, whereby the odd-numbered CP-stage one, not having any anteceding main node connects said separate bulk voltage connection terminals of said MOS transistors to the respective primary pair of multiphase control signals directly, observing directly also the A and B-part CTS block relations."
],
[
"1. A voltage multiplier circuit, comprising:\na first multi-stage charge pump for boosting non-overlapping first and second clock input signals in voltage to first and second target voltages at first and second nodes, respectively; and\na pass gate circuit comprising a first complementary switch pair circuit for conducting charge current from the first node to an output node, and a second complementary switch pair circuit for conducting charge current from the second node to the output node, where each of the first and second complementary switch pair circuits comprises a first MOS transistor of a first conductivity type that is coupled in series with a second MOS transistor of a second opposite conductivity type, where the first and second MOS transistors are separately gated to prevent current backflow from the output node.",
"2. The voltage multiplier circuit of claim 1, where the first multi-stage charge pump comprises:\na clock driver stage for boosting the non-overlapping first and second clock input signals in voltage to first and second boosted clock signals at first and second internal nodes, respectively; and\na power driver stage coupled to be driven by the clock driver stage for generating the first and second target voltages at the first and second nodes, respectively.",
"3. The voltage multiplier circuit of claim 2, where the clock driver stage comprises a first pair of symmetrical Nakagome inverters coupled receive the non-overlapping first and second clock input signals and to generate therefrom the first and second boosted clock signals.",
"4. The voltage multiplier circuit of claim 3, where the power driver stage comprises a second pair of symmetrical Nakagome inverters coupled receive the non-overlapping first and second clock input signals and to generate therefrom the first and second target voltages at the first and second nodes.",
"5. The voltage multiplier circuit of claim 1, where the first complementary switch pair circuit comprises a first PMOS transistor coupled in series between the first node and a first NMOS transistor, where the first PMOS transistor is gated by the second target voltage at the second node and where the first NMOS transistor is gated by a boosted version of the first clock input signal.",
"6. The voltage multiplier circuit of claim 5, where the second complementary switch pair circuit comprises a second PMOS transistor coupled in series between the second node and a second NMOS transistor, where the second PMOS transistor is gated by the first target voltage at the first node and where the second NMOS transistor is gated by a boosted version of the second clock input signal.",
"7. The voltage multiplier circuit of claim 1, further comprising:\na first biasing PMOS transistor for boosting the first target voltage to a boosted auxiliary voltage under control of the second target voltage, and\na second biasing PMOS transistor for boosting the second target voltage to the boosted auxiliary voltage under control of the first target voltage.",
"8. The voltage multiplier circuit of claim 7, where the boosted auxiliary voltage is coupled to provide well bias for the first biasing PMOS transistor, the second biasing PMOS transistor and each PMOS transistor in the first and second complementary switch pair circuits.",
"9. The voltage multiplier circuit of claim 1, further comprising a third boosting stage for boosting non-overlapping first and second clock input signals in voltage to third and fourth boosted clock signals at third and fourth nodes, respectively, where the third and fourth boosted clock signals are elevated in voltage with respect to the first and second target voltages and are provided to drive the NMOS transistors in the first and second complementary switch pair circuits, respectively.",
"10. The voltage multiplier circuit of claim 1, further comprising a boost switch circuit coupled to power the voltage multiplier circuit, where the boost switch circuit comprises:\na second multi-stage charge pump for boosting non-overlapping first and second clock input signals in voltage to third and fourth target voltages at third and fourth nodes, respectively; and\na second pass gate circuit comprising a third complementary switch pair circuit for conducting charge current from the third node to a supply voltage for the first multi-stage charge pump, and a fourth complementary switch pair circuit for conducting charge current from the fourth node to the supply voltage for the first multi-stage charge pump, where each of the third and fourth complementary switch pair circuits comprises a series-coupled PMOS transistor and NMOS transistor which are separately gated to prevent current backflow from the first multi-stage charge pump.",
"11. The voltage multiplier circuit of claim 10, where the third complementary switch pair circuit comprises a first PMOS transistor coupled in series between the third node and a first NMOS transistor, where the first PMOS transistor is gated by the fourth target voltage at the fourth node and where the first NMOS transistor is gated by a boosted version of the first clock input signal provided by the first multi-stage charge pump.",
"12. The voltage multiplier circuit of claim 11, where the fourth complementary switch pair circuit comprises a first PMOS transistor coupled in series between the fourth node and a first NMOS transistor, where the first PMOS transistor is gated by the third target voltage at the third node and where the first NMOS transistor is gated by a boosted version of the first clock input signal provided by the first multi-stage charge pump.",
"13. The voltage multiplier circuit of claim 10, further comprising a last boosting stage for boosting non-overlapping first and second clock input signals in voltage to third and fourth boosted clock signals at third and fourth nodes, respectively, where the third and fourth boosted clock signals are elevated in voltage with respect to the first and second target voltages and are applied, respectively, to gate the NMOS transistors of the first and second complementary switch pair circuits in the pass gate circuit.",
"14. A voltage multiplier, comprising:\na voltage source for providing an input voltage;\na signal source for providing non-overlapping first and second clock input signals;\na first multi-stage charge pump for boosting the non-overlapping first and second clock input signals in voltage to first and second target voltages at first and second nodes, respectively;\na first complementary switch pair circuit for conducting charge current from the first node to an output node comprising a first P-channel transistor having a gate, drain and source and a first N-channel transistor having a gate, drain and source, the gate of the first P-channel transistor being connected to the second node of the first multi-stage charge pump and the gate of the first N-channel transistor being connected to a boosted version of the first clock input signal, whereby the first P-channel transistor and first N-channel transistor are separately gated to prevent current backflow from the output node to the first node; and\na second complementary switch pair circuit for conducting charge current from the second node to the output node comprising a second P-channel transistor having a gate, drain and source and a second N-channel transistor having a gate, drain and source, the gate of the second P-channel transistor being connected to the first node of the first multi-stage charge pump and the gate of the second N-channel transistor being connected to a boosted version of the second clock input signal, whereby the second P-channel transistor and second N-channel transistor are separately gated to prevent current backflow from the output node to the second node.",
"15. The voltage multiplier of claim 14, further comprising:\na first biasing P-channel transistor for connecting the first target voltage to a boosted auxiliary voltage under control of the second target voltage, and\na second biasing P-channel transistor for boosting the second target voltage to the boosted auxiliary voltage under control of the first target voltage,\nwhere the boosted auxiliary voltage is connected to bias one or more well regions of the first and second P-channel transistors.",
"16. The voltage multiplier of claim 14, where the voltage source comprises a boost switch circuit comprising:\na second multi-stage charge pump for boosting the non-overlapping first and second clock input signals in voltage to third and fourth target voltages at third and fourth nodes, respectively; and\na pass gate circuit comprising a third complementary switch pair circuit for conducting charge current from the third node to a supply voltage for the first multi-stage charge pump, and a fourth complementary switch pair circuit for conducting charge current from the fourth node to the supply voltage for the first multi-stage charge pump, where each of the third and fourth complementary switch pair circuits comprises a series-coupled P-channel transistor and N-channel transistor which are separately gated to prevent current backflow from the first multi-stage charge pump.",
"17. The voltage multiplier of claim 16, where the third complementary switch pair circuit comprises a first P-channel transistor coupled in series between the third node and a first N-channel transistor, where the first P-channel transistor is gated by the fourth target voltage at the fourth node and where the first N-channel transistor is gated by a boosted version of the first clock input signal provided by the first multi-stage charge pump, and where the fourth complementary switch pair circuit comprises a second P-channel transistor coupled in series between the fourth node and a second N-channel transistor, where the second P-channel transistor is gated by the third target voltage at the third node and where the second N-channel transistor is gated by a boosted version of the first clock input signal provided by the first multi-stage charge pump.",
"18. A voltage doubler circuit, comprising:\na first multi-stage charge pump for receiving an input voltage and non-overlapping first and second clock input signals, and generating therefrom a first boosted output voltage at a first internal node and a second boosted output voltage at a second internal node, where the first and second boosted output voltages are substantially twice as large as the input voltage; and\na pass gate circuit comprising first and second complementary switch pair circuits for conducting charge current from the first internal node and the second internal node, respectively, to an output node,\nwhere the first complementary switch pair circuit comprises a first PMOS transistor and a first NMOS transistor coupled in series between the first internal node and the output node, where the first PMOS transistor is gated by the second boosted output voltage at the second internal node and where the first NMOS transistor is gated by a boosted version of the first clock input signal, and\nwhere the second complementary switch pair circuit comprises a second PMOS transistor and a second NMOS transistor coupled in series between the second internal node and the output node, where the second PMOS transistor is gated by the first boosted output voltage at the first internal node and where the second NMOS transistor is gated by a boosted version of the second clock input signal.",
"19. The voltage doubler circuit of claim 18, further comprising a final boosting stage for boosting the non-overlapping first and second clock input signals in voltage to first and second boosted clock signals at third and fourth nodes, respectively, where the first and second boosted clock signals are elevated in voltage with respect to the first and second boosted output voltages and are applied, respectively, to gate the NMOS transistors of the first and second complementary switch pair circuits in the pass gate circuit.",
"20. The voltage doubler circuit of claim 18, where the pass gate circuit further comprises:\na first biasing PMOS transistor for connecting the first internal node to a boosted auxiliary voltage under control of the second boosted output voltage at a second internal node, and\na second biasing PMOS transistor for connecting the second internal node to a boosted auxiliary voltage under control of the first boosted output voltage at a first internal node,\nwhere the boosted auxiliary voltage is connected to bias one or more well regions of the first and second PMOS transistors in the pass gate circuit."
],
[
"1. A charge pump system for supplying an output voltage to a load, comprising:\na regulation circuit connected to receive the output voltage and derive an enable signal therefrom;\na plurality of charge pump circuits connected in parallel to supply the output voltage, each of the charge pump circuits further connected to receive a clock signal and the enable signal; and\none or more delay circuit elements, where a corresponding one or more, but less than all, of the charge pump circuits are connectable to receive the enable signal delayed by the corresponding delay circuit element.",
"2. The charge pump system of claim 1, wherein all of the charge pump circuits are similarly constructed.",
"3. The charge pump system of claim 1, wherein a first of the charge pump circuits receives a non-delayed version of the enable signal and remaining ones of said plurality of charge pump circuits receive a delayed version of the enable signal, each of the delayed versions being delayed by the corresponding delay circuit element by a differing amount.",
"4. The charge pump system of claim 1, wherein the charge pump system operates in a regulation mode and in a recovery mode, said delay circuit elements delaying the enable signals only in the regulation mode.",
"5. The charge pump system of claim 1, wherein said load includes cells of a non-volatile memory.",
"6. A method of supplying an output voltage to a load, comprising:\nproviding a plurality of charge pump circuits connected in parallel to supply the output voltage;\nreceiving at each of the charge pump circuits a clock signal;\nreceiving the output voltage at a regulation circuit;\nderiving at the regulation circuit an enable signal from the output voltage;\nproviding the enable signal to each of the charge pump circuits; and\ndelaying the enable signal provided to one or more, but less than all, of the charge pump circuits.",
"7. The method of claim 6, wherein all of the charge pump circuits are similarly constructed.",
"8. The method of claim 6, wherein the plurality of charge pump circuits includes three or more charge pump circuits,\nwherein providing the enable signal to each of the charge pump circuits includes receiving a non-delayed version of the enable signal at a first of the charge pump circuits, and\nwherein delaying the enable signal includes delaying each of the delayed enable signals by a differing amount.",
"9. The method of claim 6, wherein the charge pump system operates in a regulation mode and in a recovery mode, said delay circuit elements delaying the enable signals only in the regulation mode.",
"10. The method of claim 6, wherein said load includes cells of a non-volatile memory."
],
[
"1. A charge pump system comprising:\na charge pump, the charge pump including:\na first stage having first and second legs, the first leg having:\na first capacitor connected between a first internal node and a first clock signal;\na first transistor connected between the first internal node and the first stage's input voltage; and\na first switch, whereby a first output node is connected to ground when a third clock signal is asserted and connected to the first internal node when the third clock signal is de-asserted; and\nthe second leg having;\na second capacitor connected between a second internal node and a second clock signal;\na second transistor connected between the second internal node and the first stage's input voltage; and\na second switch, whereby a second output node is connected to ground when a fourth clock signal is asserted and connected to the second internal node when the fourth clock signal is de-asserted,\nwherein the gate of the first transistor is connected to the second internal node and the gate of the second transistor is connected to the first internal node;\na first load capacitance connected between the first output node and ground; and\na second load capacitance connected between the second output node and ground; and\nclock generating circuitry that provides the first, second, third and fourth clock signal, wherein the first and second clock signal are non-overlapping such that when the first clock signal is high the second clock signal is low, and when the second clock signal is high the first clock signal is low,\nwherein the third clock signal is de-asserted while the second clock signal is high and reasserted before the second clock signal goes high, and\nwherein the fourth clock signal is de-asserted while the first clock signal is high and reasserted before the first clock signal goes high.",
"2. The charge pump system of claim 1, wherein the third clock signal is reasserted after the first clock signal goes low and wherein the fourth clock signal is reasserted after the second clock signal goes low.",
"3. The charge pump system of claim 1, wherein the third clock signal is high when asserted and low when de-asserted and wherein the fourth clock signal is high when asserted and low when de-asserted.",
"4. The charge pump system of claim 1, further including one or more additional stages, each with first and second legs through which the first and second output nodes are respectively connected to the first and second load capacitances.",
"5. The charge pump system of claim 1, further including one or more additional stages from which the first stage's input voltage is supplied.",
"6. The charge pump system of claim 1, wherein the first switch includes:\na PMOS transistor connected between first output node and the first internal node and having a gate connected to third clock signal; and\nan NMOS transistor connected between the first output node and ground and having a gate connected to third clock signal; and\nwherein the second switch includes:\na PMOS transistor connected between second output node and the second internal node and having a gate connected to fourth clock signal; and\nan NMOS transistor connected between the second output node and ground and having a gate connected to fourth clock signal.",
"7. A method of operating a charge pump, the charge pump including a first stage comprising: a first leg having a first capacitor with a first plate connected to a first internal node, a first transistor connected between the first internal node and the first stage's input voltage, and a first output node; a second leg having a second capacitor with a second plate connected to a second internal node, a second transistor connected between the second internal node and the second stage's input voltage, and a second output node, wherein the gate of the first transistor is connected to the second internal node and the gate of the second transistor is connected to the first internal node; a first load capacitance connected between the first output node and ground; and a second load capacitance connected between the second output node and ground, the method comprising:\ngenerating and supplying a first clock signal at a second plate of the first capacitor;\ngenerating and supplying a second clock signal at a second plate of the second capacitor, wherein the first and second clock signal are non-overlapping such that when the first clock signal is high the second clock signal is low, and when the second clock signal is high the first clock signal is low;\ngenerating a third clock, wherein the third clock signal is de-asserted while the second clock signal is high and reasserted before the second clock signal goes high;\nconnecting the first output node to ground when the third clock signal is asserted and to the first internal node when the third clock signal is de-asserted;\ngenerating a fourth clock signal, wherein the fourth clock signal is de-asserted while the first clock signal is high and reasserted before the first clock signal goes high; and\nconnecting the second output node to ground when the fourth clock signal is asserted and to the second internal node when the fourth clock signal is de-asserted.",
"8. The method of claim 7, wherein the third clock signal is reasserted after the first clock signal goes low and wherein the fourth clock signal is reasserted after the second clock signal goes low.",
"9. The method of claim 7, wherein the third clock signal is high when asserted and low when de-asserted and wherein the fourth clock signal is high when asserted and low when de-asserted.",
"10. The method of claim 7, wherein the charge pump further includes one or more additional stages, each with first and second legs through which the first and second output nodes are respectively connected to the first and second load capacitances.",
"11. The method of claim 7, wherein the charge pump further includes one or more additional stages from which the first stage's input voltage is supplied.",
"12. The method of claim 7, wherein the first leg further includes:\na PMOS transistor connected between first output node and the first internal node and having a gate connected to receive the third clock signal; and\nan NMOS transistor connected between the first output node and ground and having a gate connected to receive the third clock signal; and\nwherein the second leg further includes:\na PMOS transistor connected between second output node and the second internal node and having a gate connected to receive the fourth clock signal; and\nan NMOS transistor connected between the second output node and ground and having a gate connected to receive the fourth clock signal."
],
[
"1. A charge pump network for converting a first voltage to a second voltage with reduced noise distribution and reduced output ripples, said charge pump network comprising:\nat least one input clock,\ndelay means coupled to said input clock, said delay means generating a plurality of non-overlapping staggered delayed clocks from said input clock with a predetermined delay between each of said staggered delay clocks such that a first staggered delayed clock is delayed to form a second staggered delayed clock;\nclock divider means coupled to receive said plurality of non-overlapping staggered delayed clocks, said clock driver means generating a switching clock for each of said plurality of staggered delayed clocks, each of said switching clocks having a higher current capability than the corresponding staggered delayed clock from said plurality of staggered delay clocks;\na multiple staged charge pump coupled to receive said plurality of switching clocks from said clock driver means, each stage of said multiple staged charge pump having multiple series connected in parallel, each series having a plurality of diode-connected n-channel MOSFETs, the first n-channel MOSFET in each series being coupled to said first voltage, each of the remainder of said n-channel MOSFETs in each series being coupled to a capacitor at its gate, each series having its adjoining n-channel MOSFETs driven by different switching clocks from said clock driver means such that no two adjoining n-channel MOSFETs are driven at the same time;\nsecond voltage means coupled to the last n-channel MOSFET in each series of said multiple-series charge pumps for generating said second voltage from combining all of said series after said first voltage is switch-regulated through said multiple staged charge pump; and\ninverter means coupled to said input clock for generating a complementary input clock from said input clock, said complementary input clock to be driven by said clock driver means to generate complementary phases of switching clocks from said non-overlapping staggered delayed clocks.",
"2. A charge pump network according to claim 1,\nwherein said at least one input clock comprises a plurality of input clocks.",
"3. A charge pump network according to claim 1, wherein said clock driver means comprises a plurality of driver circuits for converting a first clock into a second clock having higher drive capability, said first clock being from said plurality of non-overlapping staggered delayed clocks, each of said driver circuits comprising:\na native threshold n-channel MOSFET with its gate coupled to a power supply, its drain coupled to said first clock;\na first n-channel MOSFET with its gate coupled to the source of said native threshold n-channel MOSFET, its drain coupled to said power supply;\na capacitor coupled to the gate of said first n-channel MOSFET and to a delayed version of said first clock; and\na second n-channel MOSFET with its gate coupled to receive a complement of said first clock, its drain coupled to the source of said first n-channel MOSFET to form an output node such that a second clock at said output node is pulled to said power supply by said delayed version of said first clock pumping said capacitor after said first clock turns high.",
"4. A charge pump network according to claim 3, further comprising a plurality of complementary driver circuits for generating a complement of said second clock, each of said complementary driver circuits comprising:\na native threshold n-channel MOSFET with its gate coupled to said power supply, its drain coupled to the complement of said first clock;\na first n-channel MOSFET with its gate coupled to the source of said native threshold n-channel MOSFET, its drain coupled to said power supply;\na capacitor coupled to the gate of said first n-channel MOSFET and to a delayed version of the complement of said first clock; and\na second n-channel MOSFET with its gate coupled to receive said first clock, its drain coupled to the source of said first n-channel MOSFET to form an output node such that the complement of said second clock at said output node is pulled to said power supply by said delayed version of the complement of said first clock pumping said capacitor after the complement of said first clock turns high.",
"5. A charge pump network according to claim 2, wherein said delay means comprises a plurality of CMOS inverters for converting each said input clock into said plurality of staggered delayed clocks by successively delaying said input clock with a predetermined delay to generate an output to be applied to said clock driver means.",
"6. A multiple-series charge pump comprising a plurality of series charge pumps, said multiple-series charge pump for converting a first voltage to a second voltage with reduced noise distribution and capacitor short tolerance, each of said series charge pumps comprising:\na plurality of diode-connected NMOSFETs connected in series, the first NMOSFET in the series being coupled to said first voltage and the last NMOSFET in said series being coupled to said second voltage, each of the remaining NMOSFETs in said series being coupled at its gate to a capacitor, wherein each of said capacitors can be sized to generate a different loadline characteristic for said multiple series charge pump, said series having its adjoining NMOSFETs driven by different such that no two adjoining NMOSFETs are driven at the same time;\na series resistor coupled between said first NMOSFET and its adjoining NMOSFET to limit return current to a predetermined level and to provide a voltage drop from said first voltage across said series resister;\nclocking means coupled to said multiple series charge pump for providing said different clocks, said clocking means having all NMOSFET buffers to guard against return current latch-up; and\na clock pass gate coupled to the last NMOSFET of last NMOSFET when tapping off from the second to last NMOSFET of said series to form an output for a third voltage, said third voltage being lower than said second voltage, wherein said third voltage generates higher current than said second voltage.",
"7. A multiple series charge pump according to claim 6, wherein said multiple series charge pump is operated in pairs such that said clocking means generates balanced clock loadings with non-overlapping phases and such that any capacitor short is limited to a single clock pair.",
"8. A charge pump network for converting a first voltage to a second voltage with reduced noise distribution and reduced output ripples, said charge pump network comprising:\nan oscillator means for generating a plurality of input clocks, each of said plurality of input clocks staggered in time with respect to each other;\ndelay means coupled to receive one input clock of said plurality of input clocks, said delay means for generating a plurality of non-overlapping staggered delayed clocks from said one input clock with a predetermined delay between each of said staggered delayed clocks such that a first staggered delayed clock is delayed to form a second staggered delayed clock;\nclock driver means coupled to receive said plurality of non-overlapping staggered delayed clocks, said clock driver means for generating a switching clock for each of said plurality of staggered delayed clocks, each of said switching clocks having a higher current capability than the corresponding staggered delayed clock from said plurality of staggered delayed clocks;\na multiple staged charge pump coupled to receive said plurality of switching clocks from said clock driver means, each stage of said multiple staged charge pump having multiple series connected in parallel, each series having a plurality of diode-connected n-channel MOSFETs, the first n-channel MOSFET in each series being coupled to said first voltage, each of the remainder of said n-channel MOSFETs in each series being coupled to a capacitor at its gate, each series of said each stage having its adjoining n-channel MOSFETs driven by different switching clocks from said clock driver means such that no two adjoining n-channel MOSFETs are driven at the same time; and\nsecond voltage means coupled to the last n-channel MOSFET in each series of said multiple-series charge pump for generating said second voltage from combining all of said series after said first voltage is switch-regulated through said multiple staged charge pump.",
"9. A charge pump network as described in claim 8 and further comprising inverter means coupled to said one input clock for generating a complementary input clock from said one input clock, said complementary input clock to be driven by said clock driver means to generate complementary phases of switching clocks from said non-overlapping staggered delayed clocks.",
"10. A charge pump network as described in claim 9 wherein said oscillator means is a ring oscillator means.",
"11. A charge pump network as described in claim 9 wherein said clock driver means comprises a plurality of driver circuits for converting a first clock into a second clock having higher drive capability, said first clock being from said plurality of non-overlapping staggered delayed clocks, each of said driver circuits comprising:\na native threshold n-channel MOSFET with its gate coupled to a power supply, its drain coupled to said first clock;\na first n-channel MOSFET with its gate coupled to the source of said native threshold n-channel MOSFET, its drain coupled to said power supply;\na capacitor coupled to the gate of said first n-channel MOSFET and to a delayed version of said first clock; and\na second n-channel MOSFET with its gate coupled to receive a complement of said first clock, its drain coupled to the source of said first n-channel MOSFET to form an output node such that a second clock at said output node is pulled to said power supply by said delayed version of said first clock pumping said capacitor after said first clock turns high.",
"12. A charge pump network as described in claim 9 and further comprising a plurality of complementary driver circuits for generating a complement of said second clock, each of said complementary driver circuits comprising:\na native threshold n-channel MOSFET with its gate coupled to said power supply, its drain coupled to the complement of said first clock;\na first n-channel MOSFET with its gate coupled to the source of said native threshold n-channel MOSFET, its drain coupled to said power supply;\na capacitor coupled to the gate of said first n-channel MOSFET and to a delayed version of the complement of said first clock; and\na second n-channel MOSFET with its gate coupled to receive said first clock, its drain coupled to the source of said first n-channel MOSFET to form an output node such that the complement of said second clock at said output node is pulled to said power supply by said delayed version of the complement of said first clock pumping said capacitor after the complement of said first clock turns high.",
"13. A charge pump network as described in claim 9 wherein said delay means comprises a plurality of CMOS inverters for converting each input clock of said plurality of input clocks into said plurality of staggered delayed clocks by successively delaying said each input clock with a predetermined delay to generate an output to be applied to said clock driver means."
],
[
"1. A method of generating a voltage, comprising:\nproviding a supply voltage VCC;\nproviding a clock signal having individual clock cycles; adding VCC and VCC to produce a first voltage signal substantially equaling 2*VCC;\nadding VCC to the first voltage signal to produce a second voltage signal substantially equaling 3*VCC; and\ndoubling the second voltage signal to produce a third voltage signal substantially equaling 6*VCC in response to a clock cycle.",
"2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\ndoubling the third voltage signal to produce a fourth voltage signal substantially equaling 12*VCC in response to a clock cycle.",
"3. A charge pump, comprising:\na first voltage adder stage receiving an input voltage VCC, the first voltage adder stage operable to provide, in response to a clock signal having a first and a second phase, a first and a second voltage signal, the first voltage signal being substantially equal to 2*VCC during the first phase of the clock signal and VCC during the second phase of the clock signal, the second voltage signal being complementary to the first voltage signal; and\na second voltage adder stage receiving the input voltage VCC and the first and second voltage signals, the second voltage adder stage operable to provide, in response to the clock signal, a third and a fourth voltage signal, the third voltage signal being substantially equal to 3*VCC during the first phase of the clock signal and VCC during the second phase of the clock signal, the fourth voltage signal being complementary to the third voltage signal.",
"4. The charge pump of claim 3, further comprising:\none or more voltage adder stages, the nth voltage adder stage for an integer n>2 receiving the input voltage VCC and the (2*n−3)th and (2*n−2)th voltage signals, and being operable to provide, in response to the clock signal, a (2*n−1 )th and a (2*n)th voltage signal, the (2*n−1)th voltage signal being substantially equal to (n+1)*VCC during the first phase of the clock signal and VCC during the second phase of the clock signal, the (2*n)th voltage signal being complementary to the (2*n−1)th voltage signal.",
"5. The charge pump of claim 3, further comprising:\na plurality of voltage doubler stages, a first voltage doubler stage in the plurality receiving the third and fourth voltage signals and providing a fifth and sixth voltage signal to a second voltage doubler stage in the plurality and so on, wherein a kth voltage doubler stage for an integer k greater than 0 receives the (2*k+1)th and the (2*k+2)th voltage signals, the kth voltage doubler stage operable to provide, in response to the clock signal, the (2*k+3)th and the (2*k+4)th voltage signals, the (2*k+3)th voltage signal being substantially equal to 3*2k*VCC during the first phase of the clock signal and 3*2(k−1)*VCC during the second phase of the clock signal, the (2*k+4)th voltage signal being complementary to the (2*k+3)th voltage signal.",
"6. The charge pump of claim 3, wherein the first voltage adder stage includes a first capacitor, the charge pump being configured, in response to the clock signal, to charge the first capacitor in parallel with the input voltage VCC during the second phase of the clock signal and to couple the charged first capacitor in series with the input voltage VCC during the first phase of the clock signal such that the first capacitor may provide the first voltage signal.",
"7. The charge pump of claim 6, wherein the first voltage adder stage includes a second capacitor, the charge pump being configured, in response to the clock signal, to charge the second capacitor in parallel with the input voltage VCC during the first phase of the clock signal and to couple the charged second capacitor in series with the input voltage VCC during the second phase of the clock signal such that the second capacitor may provide the second voltage signal.",
"8. The charge pump of claim 7, wherein the second voltage adder stage includes a third capacitor, the charge pump being configured, in response to the clock signal, to charge the third capacitor in parallel with the input voltage VCC during the second phase of the clock signal and to couple the charged third capacitor in series with the first voltage signal during the first phase of the clock signal such that the third capacitor may provide the third voltage signal.",
"9. The charge pump of claim 8, wherein the second voltage adder stage includes a fourth capacitor, the charge pump being configured, in response to the clock signal, to charge the fourth capacitor in parallel with the input voltage VCC during the first phase of the clock signal and to couple the charged fourth capacitor in series with the second voltage signal during the second phase of the clock signal such that the fourth capacitor may provide the fourth voltage signal.",
"10. A method of generating a voltage signal from an input voltage VCC, comprising:\nproviding a clock signal;\nadding the input voltage VCC responsive to the clock signal to generate a first voltage signal substantially equal to 2*VCC during a first phase of the clock signal and VCC during a second phase of the clock signal;\nadding the input voltage VCC to the first voltage signal responsive to the clock signal to generate a second voltage signal substantially equal to 3*VCC during the first phase of the clock signal and VCC during the second phase of the clock signal.",
"11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:\ndoubling the second voltage signal responsive to the clock signal to generate a third voltage signal substantially equal to 6*VCC during the first phase of the clock signal and 3*VCC during the second phase of the clock signal.",
"12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:\ndoubling the third voltage signal responsive to the clock signal to generate a fourth voltage signal substantially equal to 12*VCC during the first phase of the clock signal and 6*VCC during the second phase of the clock signal.",
"13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:\nadding the input voltage VCC responsive to the clock signal to generate a fifth voltage signal substantially equal to 2*VCC during the second phase of the clock signal and VCC during the first phase of the clock signal; and\nadding the input voltage VCC to the fifth voltage signal responsive to the clock signal to generate a sixth voltage signal substantially equal to 3*VCC during the second phase of the clock signal and VCC during the first phase of the clock signal.",
"14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:\ndoubling the sixth voltage signal responsive to the clock signal to generate a seventh voltage signal substantially equal to 6*VCC during the second phase of the clock signal and 3*VCC during the first phase of the clock signal.",
"15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:\ndoubling the seventh voltage signal responsive to the clock signal to generate an eighth voltage signal substantially equal to 12*VCC during the second phase of the clock signal and 6*VCC during the first phase of the clock signal.",
"16. A charge pump, comprising:\na first capacitor;\na first circuit for successively charging the first capacitor to an input voltage VCC and serializing the charged capacitor with the input voltage VCC, the first capacitor thereby providing a first voltage signal alternating substantially between VCC and 2*VCC;\na second capacitor;\na second circuit for successively charging the second capacitor to VCC and serializing the charged second capacitor with the input voltage 2*VCC using the first voltage signal when it equals 2*VCC, the second capacitor thereby providing a second voltage signal alternating substantially between 3*VCC and VCC; and\na third circuit for multiplying the second voltage signal to provide a third voltage signal alternating substantially between 6*VCC and 3*VCC.",
"17. The charge pump of claim 16, wherein the first circuit is responsive to a clock signal such that the first voltage signal substantially equals 2*VCC during a first phase of the clock signal and VCC during a second phase of the clock signal.",
"18. The charge pump of claim 17, wherein the second circuit is responsive to the clock signal such that the second voltage signal substantially equals 3*VCC during the first phase of the clock signal and VCC during the second phase of the clock signal.",
"19. A charge pump that has a first charge pump stage and a plurality of subsequent charge pump stages connected in series, comprising:\na first charge pump stage having at least one capacitor having a first dielectric layer, the capacitor being configured so that the voltage across the first dielectric layer does not exceed the input voltage of the charge pump;\na second charge pump stage that receives a first input from the first charge pump stage, having at least one capacitor having a second dielectric layer, the capacitor being configured so that the voltage across the second dielectric layer does not exceed the input voltage of the charge pump; and\na third charge pump stage that receives a second input from the second charge pump stage and provides an output that is twice the second input.",
"20. The charge pump of claim 19 wherein the first dielectric layer has a breakdown voltage that is less than a maximum voltage output of the first charge pump stage.",
"21. A charge pump comprising:\na plurality of charge pump stages, at least two stages being additive stages that individually produce an output voltage that is the sum of an input voltage and a supply voltage; and\nat least one stage being a doubling stage that produces an output voltage that is twice an input voltage."
]
] |
in the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to aia 35 u.s.c. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-aia 35 u.s.c. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from aia to pre-aia ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
the following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 u.s.c. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this office action:
a person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
claim(s) 1, 7-9 and 28 is/are rejected under 35 u.s.c. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by liu et al. (us patent 10468965). regarding claim 1, liu et al. discloses (see fig. 2a) a voltage converter, comprising: a) an input end configured to receive an input voltage (input connected vin); b) an output end configured to generate an output voltage (output connected to load); c) n switched capacitor circuits (4s cell and 3s cells), sequentially coupled in series between the input end and the output end (see series connection of cells between input and output ends), wherein n is a positive integer greater than or equal to 2 (plurality of cells); d) wherein each switched capacitor circuit comprises a switch circuit (see switches in each cell) and a flying capacitor (see flying capacitor in each cell), and at least the flying capacitor of an i-th switched capacitor circuit is configured as an output capacitor of an (i-1)-th switched capacitor circuit (see connection of each flying capacitor of each cell), wherein i is a positive integer that is greater than or equal to 2 and less than or equal to n (the flying capacitors and the number of cells are the same); and e) a first energy storage element coupled to the output end (co connection to output end), wherein the switch circuit of the (i-1)-th switched capacitor circuit multiplexes all power switches in the switch circuit of the i-th switched capacitor circuit (see fig. 9, which shows that all of the switches are off). regarding claim 7, liu et al. discloses (see fig. 6-9) that in each switching cycle, n switched capacitor circuits operate in a switched capacitor mode in sequence (see different states of switches in 4s cell and 3s cell). regarding claim 8, liu et al. discloses (see fig. 6-9) that in each switching cycle, the first to the n-th switched capacitor circuits operate in a switched capacitor mode in sequence (see different states of switches in 4s cell and 3s cell). regarding claim 9, liu et al. discloses (see fig. 6-9) that in each switching cycle, the n-th to the first switched capacitor circuits operate in a switched capacitor mode in sequence (see different states of switches in 4s cell and 3s cell). regarding claim 28, as best understood, liu et al. discloses (see fig. 6-9) that low potential terminals of the output end, the input end, an input end and an output end of the switched capacitor circuit are all ground potential terminals (see low potential terminals of the switched capacitor circuit connected to ground rail, see column 7 line 30-34).
|
[
"1. A user equipment (UE), comprising:\na transceiver configured to connect to a first next generation Node B (gNB) of a 5G new radio (NR) network; and\na baseband processor configured to:\nreceive a handover command from the first gNB via one of a Layer 1 signaling or Layer 2 signaling that instructs the UE to perform a handover procedure to handover to a second gNB, and\nconduct the handover procedure with the second gNB for the UE to connect to the second gNB.",
"2. The UE of claim 1, wherein the Layer 1 signaling or Layer 2 signaling comprises one of a Medium Access Control (MAC) Control Element (CE) or a Downlink Control Information (DCI) message.",
"3. The UE of claim 1, wherein the handover command comprises an identification of a Transmission and Configuration Indication (TCI) state that is associated with the second gNB.",
"4. The UE of claim 3, further comprising:\na memory configured to store a relationship between the second gNB and the identified TCI state and further store relationships between the identified TCI state and parameters to perform the handover procedure.",
"5. The UE of claim 1, wherein the handover procedure includes performing a Random Access Channel (RACH) procedure between the UE and the second gNB.",
"6. The UE of claim 5, wherein the UE is informed, by the first gNB, of a Physical RACH (PRACH) resource on which to perform the RACH procedure prior to receiving the handover command.",
"7. The UE of claim 6, wherein the attempts a contention-free RACH procedure on the identified PRACH resource.",
"8. The UE of claim 5, wherein the handover command comprises an identification of a Transmission and Configuration Indication (TCI) state that is associated with the second gNB and wherein the UE includes synchronization signal block (SSB) and PRACH resources corresponding to the identified TCI state, wherein the baseband processor performs a contention based RACH procedure on one of the PRACH resources corresponding to the identified TCI state.",
"9. The UE of claim 1, wherein the handover procedure includes performing Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) messaging between the UE and the second gNB.",
"10. The UE of claim 9, wherein a PUSCH resource to perform the PUSCH messaging is one of (i) related to a Transmission and Configuration Indication (TCI) state indicated in the handover command, or (ii) signaled to the UE from the first gNB.",
"11. The UE of claim 9, wherein the baseband processor is configured to determine a timing advance (TA) for a PUSCH resource.",
"12. The UE of claim 11, wherein the TA is determined based on at least one of (i) a predetermined value, (ii) information received from the first gNB, or (iii) measurements of a Channel State Indication-Reference Signal (CSI-RS).",
"13. A computer readable storage medium comprising a set of instructions, which when executed by a processor cause the processor to perform operations comprising:\nreceiving a handover command from a first next generation Node B (gNB) of a 5G new radio (NR) network via one of a Layer 1 signaling or Layer 2 signaling, the handover instructing a user equipment (UE) to perform a handover procedure to handover to a second gNB; and\nconducting the handover procedure with the second gNB.",
"14. The computer readable storage medium of claim 13, wherein the handover procedure includes performing a Random Access Channel (RACH) procedure between the UE and the second gNB.",
"15. The computer readable storage medium of claim 14, wherein the operations further comprise:\nreceiving, from the first gNB and prior to receiving the handover command, an indication of a Physical RACH (PRACH) resource on which to perform the RACH procedure; and\nattempting a contention-free RACH procedure with the second gNB on the identified PRACH resource.",
"16. The computer readable storage medium of claim 13, wherein the handover procedure includes performing Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) messaging between the UE and the second gNB, wherein a PUSCH resource to perform the PUSCH messaging is one of (i) related to a Transmission and Configuration Indication (TCI) state indicated in the handover command, or (ii) signaled to the UE from the first gNB.",
"17. A first next generation Node B (gNB) of a 5G new radio (NR) network, comprising:\na transceiver configured to connect to a user equipment (UE);\na baseband processor configured to instruct the UE to perform a handover procedure from the first gNB to a second gNB based on a handover command that is transmitted from the first gNB via one of a Layer 1 signaling or Layer 2 signaling, wherein the handover command comprises an identification of a Transmission and Configuration Indication (TCI) state that is associated with the second gNB.",
"18. The gNB of claim 17, wherein the Layer 1 signaling or Layer 2 signaling comprises one of a Medium Access Control (MAC) Control Element (CE) or a Downlink Control Information (DCI) message.",
"19. The gNB of claim 17, wherein the baseband processor informs the UE of a Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) resource on which to perform a RACH procedure for the handover procedure.",
"20. The gNB of claim 17, wherein the baseband processor informs the UE of a Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) resource to perform PUSCH messaging for the handover procedure, wherein the baseband processor informs the UE via one of a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) message or a Downlink Control Information (DCI) message."
] |
US20220312286A1
|
US20210195513A1
|
[
"1. A method for wireless communication at a radio access network (RAN) entity in a communication system supporting inter-cell mobility, the method comprising:\nreceiving a measurement report from at least one user equipment (UE);\ndetermining reference information based on the measurement report;\nselecting at least one cell to serve the at least one UE based on the reference information and a serving cell configuration of the RAN entity; and\ntransmitting one of layer 1 (L1) or layer 2 (L2) signaling to the at least one UE to identify the selected at least one cell.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one cell comprises at least one of a cell site, a serving cell, or a cell assigned with a physical cell ID (PCI).",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein the serving cell configuration of the RAN entity comprises using a single PCI of one or more PCIs, the single PCI associated with a plurality of cell sites, including the at least one cell site, and the method further comprises:\ntransmitting a different set of reference signal IDs for each of the plurality of cell sites.",
"4. The method of claim 3, where the reference signal IDs each comprise at least one of a synchronization signal block (SSB) ID, a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), or a positioning reference signal (PRS).",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein the serving cell configuration of the RAN entity comprises each serving cell configured to have a plurality of PCIs configured for each serving cell in the communication system and configured to transmit a full set of reference signal IDs, and the method further comprises:\nidentifying through transmitting the L1 or L2 signaling at least one physical cell site, or a corresponding PCI or reference signal (RS) associated with the at least one cell site that serves the at least one UE.",
"6. The method of claim 5, wherein the serving cell configuration of the RAN entity comprises a plurality of cell sites including the at least one cell site, and further comprises a plurality of PCIs including the one or more PCIs, each PCI of the plurality of PCIs corresponding to a different cell site of the plurality of cell sites, and the method further comprising:\ntransmitting, from each of the plurality of cell sites, a plurality of reference signal IDs, each reference signal ID of the plurality of reference signal IDs corresponding to a respective one of the plurality of cell sites;\nwherein the receiving the measurement report comprises receiving different uplink reference signals at respective cell sites of the plurality of cell sites;\nwherein determining the reference information comprises determining the reference information corresponding to each of the plurality of cell sites, based on the different uplink reference signals received at the respective cell sites; and\nwherein the selecting comprises selecting which cell site of the plurality of cell sites will serve the at least one UE.",
"7. The method of claim 1, wherein the serving cell configuration of the RAN entity comprises a single PCI from one or more PCIs, and the method further comprises:\ntransmitting a serving cell ID signal for the selected at least one cell.",
"8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nconfiguring the cell site having a plurality of remote radio heads (RRHs) or at least one cell associated with a plurality of PCIs to transmit a set of synchronization signal block (SSB) IDs (SSB IDs);\nselecting a respective frequency location in transmission resources for each RRH in the plurality of RRHs or the at least one cell associated with the plurality of PCIs in which to transmit the corresponding set of SSBs IDs for serving the at least one UE; and\ntransmitting each respective frequency location for each RRH in the plurality of RRHs or the at least one cell associated with the PCI in the plurality PCIs to the at least one UE with one of the L1 or L2 signaling.",
"9. The method of claim 7, further comprising:\ntransmitting at least one index via the L1 or L2 signaling, wherein the at least one index indicates at least one selected SSB frequency location.",
"10. The method of claim 8, further comprising:\nselecting the respective frequency location for each RRH or the at least one cell associated with the PCI based on an SSB frequency raster, wherein each respective frequency location is set to one of a plurality of frequency locations on the SSB raster.",
"11. The method of claim 8, further comprising:\nselecting the respective frequency location for each RRH or the at least one cell associated with the PCI based on an SSB frequency raster, wherein at least one respective frequency locations is set to one of a plurality of frequency locations on the SSB raster and at least one other respective frequency location is set to a frequency location that is off of the SSB raster.",
"12. The method of claim 8, further comprising:\nselecting the respective frequency location for each RRH or the at least one cell associated with the PCI based on an SSB frequency raster, wherein each respective frequency location is set to a frequency location that is off of the SSB raster.",
"13. The method of claim 8, further comprising:\ntransmitting the set of SSB IDs with one RRH of the plurality of RRHs or at least one cell associated with the PCI of the plurality PCIs at a frequency location that is on an SSB frequency raster during a period of initial access of the serving cell by the at least one UE, wherein the set of SSB IDs is a full set of SSB IDs on the SSB frequency raster; and\npermitting transmission of the set of SSB IDs using one or more of the plurality of RRHs or one or more cells associated with the plurality of PCIs after the period of initial access using frequency locations at least one of on or off the SSB frequency raster.",
"14. The method of claim 8, further comprising:\ntransmitting a respective subset of the set of SSB IDs with a corresponding one RRH the plurality of RRHs or one cell associated with a PCI of the plurality of PCIs at respective frequency locations that are on an SSB frequency raster during a period of initial access of the serving cell by the at least one UE, wherein the totality of the respective subsets comprises a full set of SSB IDs on the SSB frequency raster; and\npermitting transmission of the set of SSB IDs using one or more of the plurality of RRHs or one or more cells associated with a PCI of the plurality of PCIs after the period of initial access using frequency locations at least one of on or off the SSB frequency raster.",
"15. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nconfiguring a handover (HO) command for the at least one UE that is being served by a source cell to handover to a target cell, wherein the HO command includes a cell match indication that indicates whether a target cell configuration of the target cell is the same as a source cell configuration of the source cell; and\ntransmitting the HO command to the at least one UE for handover of the at least one UE to the target cell, wherein the HO command is one of the L1 or L2 signaling.",
"16. The method of claim 1, wherein the measurement report comprises one of a reference signal receive power (RSRP) measurement signal, a signal-to-interference-and-noise ratio (SINR) measurement signal, or a reference signal received quality (RSRQ) measurement signal.",
"17. The method of claim 1, wherein the L1 signaling comprises at least downlink control information (DCI) and the L2 signaling comprises at least one MAC control element (MAC-CE).",
"18. A method for wireless communication at a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system supporting inter-cell mobility, the method comprising:\ntransmitting an uplink reference signal to a radio access network (RAN) entity that includes at least one of power and signal measurements;\nreceiving one of layer 1 (L1) or layer 2 (L2) signaling from the RAN entity that identifies one or more selected serving cells to serve the UE based on the transmitted uplink reference signal; and\nselecting one or more serving cells during inter-cell mobility operations based on the received L1 or L2 layer signaling.",
"19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:\nthe UE configured to operate according to at least one of a plurality of operation modes of the communication system, the operation modes comprising one of:\n(1) each serving cell in the communication system having one PCI and a plurality of physical cell sites, wherein each physical cell site is configured to transmit a different set of cell-defining reference signals and the L1 or L2 layer signaling configured to select a physical cell site to serve the UE based on the uplink reference signal;\n(2) each serving cell in the communication system having a plurality of PCIs and a plurality of physical cell sites, wherein each physical cell site is configured to utilize a PCI of the plurality of PCIs and is configured to transmit a full set of cell-defining reference signals and the L1 or L2 layer signaling configured to select a physical cell site to serve the UE based on the uplink reference signal for each PCI reported by the uplink reference signal; or\n(3) each serving cell in the communication system having one PCI, wherein the L1 or L2 layer signaling is configured to select a serving cell of the one or more serving cells or a serving cell ID corresponding to the selected serving cell based on the uplink reference signal for each PCI reported by the uplink reference signal.",
"20. The method of claim 18,\nwherein the L1 or L2 controls include at least one of one of downlink control information (DCI) or MAC control elements (MAC-CEs); and\nwherein the uplink reference signal comprises one of a reference signal receive power (RSRP) measurement signal, a signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR) measurement signal, or a reference signal received quality (RSRQ) measurement signal.",
"21. The method of claim 18, further comprising:\nreceiving a transmission including a set of synchronization signal block (SSB) IDs (SSB IDs) from one of a plurality of remote radio heads (RRH) or from at least one cell associated with one of a plurality of physical cell IDs (PCIs) in the at least one serving cell, wherein the SSB ID's are selectively located at respective frequency locations for each RRH in the plurality of RRHs or each cell associated with the plurality of PCIs and respective frequency locations are selectively located with the use of layer 1 (L1) or layer 2 (L2) signaling; and\nperforming wireless transmissions between the UE and the at least one serving cell using the received set of SSB IDs.",
"22. The method of claim 21, further comprising:\nreceiving in the transmission at least one index via the L1 or L2 controls, wherein the at least one index indicates at least one selected SSB frequency location.",
"23. The method of claim 21, wherein selectively locating the SSB IDs in the respective frequency location for each RRH or each cell associated with a PCI is based on an SSB frequency raster, wherein each respective frequency location is set to one of a plurality of frequency locations on the SSB raster.",
"24. The method of claim 21, wherein selectively locating the SSB IDs in the respective frequency location for each RRH or each cell associated with a PCI is based on an SSB frequency raster, wherein at least one respective frequency locations is set to one of a plurality of frequency locations on the SSB raster and at least one other respective frequency location is set to a frequency location that is off of the SSB raster.",
"25. The method of claim 21, wherein selectively locating the SSB IDs in the respective frequency location for each RRH or each cell associated with a PCI is based on an SSB frequency raster, wherein each respective frequency location is set to a frequency location that is off of the SSB raster.",
"26. The method of claim 21, further comprising:\nreceiving the set of SSB IDs with one RRH of the plurality of RRHs or one cell associated with a PCI of the plurality PCIs at a frequency location that is on an SSB frequency raster during a period of initial access of the serving cell by the at least one UE, wherein the set of SSB IDs is a full set of SSB IDs on the SSB frequency raster, wherein transmission of the set of SSB IDs is permitted based on one or more of the plurality of RRHs or PCIs after the period of initial access using frequency locations at least one of on or off the SSB frequency raster.",
"27. The method of claim 18, further comprising:\nreceiving a handover (HO) command in a user equipment (UE) from a source cell to handover to a target cell, wherein the HO command includes a cell match indication that indicates whether a target cell configuration of the target cell is the same as a source cell configuration of the source cell; and\nhanding over to the target cell in the UE based on the HO command including using a portion of the source cell configuration that matches the target cell configuration for communication with the target cell, wherein the HO command is one of a layer 1 (L1) or layer 2 (L2) signal.",
"28. The method of claim 27, further comprising:\nthe HO command configured to include information concerning a portion of the target cell configuration that is different between the source cell configuration and the target cell configuration;\ndetermining whether the cell match indication indicates a difference between the source cell configuration and the target cell configuration; and\nhanding over to the target cell using at least the portion of the target cell configuration that is different and a portion of the source cell configuration that is the same between the source cell configuration and the target cell configuration when the difference is indicated.",
"29. A radio access network (RAN) entity configured for wireless communication, comprising:\na processor;\na transceiver communicatively coupled to the processor; and\na memory communicatively coupled to the processor,\nwherein the processor and memory are configured to:\nreceive a measurement report from at least one user equipment (UE) via the transceiver;\ndetermine reference information based on the measurement report;\nselect at least one cell to serve the at least one UE based on the reference information and a serving cell configuration of the RAN entity; and\ntransmit one of layer 1 (L1) or layer 2 (L2) signaling via the transceiver to the at least one UE to identify the selected at least one cell.",
"30. A user equipment (UE) configured for wireless communication, comprising:\na processor;\na transceiver communicatively coupled to the processor; and\na memory communicatively coupled to the processor,\nwherein the processor and memory are configured to:\ntransmit an uplink reference signal to a radio access network (RAN) entity that includes at least one of power and signal measurements;\nreceive one of layer 1 (L1) or layer 2 (L2) signaling from the RAN entity that identifies one or more selected serving cells to serve the UE based on the transmitted uplink reference signal; and\nselect one or more serving cells during inter-cell mobility operations based on the received L1 or L2 layer signaling."
] |
[
[
"1. A method, comprising:\nreceiving, by an apparatus, a message from a primary base station to instruct the apparatus to communicate with the primary base station based on one or more radio access bearers released by a secondary base station, the message comprising identifiers of the one or more radio access bearers; and\ncommunicating, by the apparatus, with the primary base station based on the one or more radio access bearers;\nwherein the one or more radio access bearers comprise at least one radio access bearer between the secondary base station and the apparatus before being released by the secondary base station.",
"2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the one or more radio access bearers released by the secondary base station comprise the one or more radio access bearers handed over from the secondary base station to the primary base station.",
"3. A method comprising:\nsending, by an apparatus, a message instructing a secondary base station to release all radio access bearers, the message comprising identifiers of the all radio access bearers;\nsending, by an apparatus, data of the all radio access bearers to a terminal; and\ninstructing, by the apparatus, the terminal to acquire the data of the all radio access bearers from the apparatus.",
"4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the instructing the secondary base station to release all radio access bearers comprises instructing the secondary base station to hand over all radio access bearers to the apparatus.",
"5. An apparatus, comprising:\nat least one processor configured to:\nreceive a message from a primary base station to instruct the apparatus to communicate with the primary base station based on one or more radio access bearers released by a secondary base station, the message comprising identifiers of the one or more radio access bearers; and\ncommunicate with the primary base station based on the one or more radio access bearers; and\na memory coupled to the at least one processor;\nthe one or more radio access bearers comprise at least one radio access bearer between the secondary base station and the apparatus before being released by the secondary base station.",
"6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the one or more radio access bearers released by the secondary base station comprise the one or more radio access bearers handed over from the secondary base station to the primary base station.",
"7. An apparatus comprising:\nat least one processor configured to:\nsend a message instructing a secondary base station to release all radio access bearers, the message comprising identifiers of the all radio access bearers; and\nsend data of the all radio access bearers to a terminal,\ninstruct the terminal to acquire the data of the all radio access bearers from the apparatus; and\na memory coupled to the at least one processor.",
"8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the instructing the secondary base station to release all radio access bearers comprises instructing the secondary base station to hand over all radio access bearers to the apparatus.",
"9. A method comprising:\nreceiving, by an apparatus, a message from a primary base station instructing the apparatus to release one or more radio access bearers, the message comprising one or more identifiers of the one or more radio access bearers; and\nforwarding, by the apparatus, data of the one or more radio access bearers to the primary base station;\nwherein the one or more radio access bearers comprise at least one radio access bearer between a terminal and the apparatus before being released by the apparatus.",
"10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the instructing the apparatus to release one or more radio access bearers comprises instructing the apparatus to hand over the one or more radio access bearers from the apparatus to the primary base station.",
"11. A system comprising:\na primary base station configured to:\nsend a message instructing a secondary base station to release one or more radio access bearer, the message comprising identifiers of the one or more radio access bearers; and\nsend data of the one or more radio access bearer to a terminal;\na secondary base station configured to:\nrelease the one or more radio access bearers according to the message; and\nforward data of the one or more radio access bearers to the primary base station;\nwherein the one or more radio access bearers comprise at least one radio access bearer between the terminal and the secondary base station before being released by the secondary base station.",
"12. The system according to claim 11, wherein the releasing step comprises:\nhanding over the one or more radio access bearers from the secondary base station to the primary base station.",
"13. An apparatus comprising:\nat least one processor configured to:\nreceive a message from a primary base station instructing the apparatus to release one or more radio access bearers, the message comprising one or more identifiers of the one or more radio access bearers; and\nforward data of the one or more radio access bearers to the primary base station; and\na memory coupled to the at least one processor;\nwherein the one or more radio access bearers comprise at least one radio access bearer between a terminal and the apparatus before being released by the apparatus.",
"14. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the instructing the apparatus to release one or more radio access bearers comprises instructing the apparatus to hand over the one or more radio access bearers from the apparatus to the primary base station."
],
[
"1. A handover method, comprising:\nobtaining first indication information from a candidate relay by a terminal;\ntransmitting the first indication information by the terminal to a source network device to which a source cell belongs, wherein, the first indication information comprises information about candidate cells and/or candidate relays of the terminal.",
"2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first indication information comprises at least one of following:\nPublic Land Mobile Network (PLMN) identification information corresponding to a candidate cell to which the candidate relay belongs;\ncell identification information corresponding to the candidate cell to which the candidate relay belongs;\naccess mode indication information of accessing the candidate cell by the terminal;\nassociation relation indication information between the candidate relay and the candidate cell;\nassociation relation indication information between a candidate relay link and the candidate cell;\na channel quality measurement result of a Uu interface of the candidate relay;\na channel quality measurement result of a sidelink interface between the candidate relay and the terminal;\nidentification information of the candidate relay;\nidentification information of the candidate relay link;\nmoving speed indication information of the candidate relay;\nelectricity quantity indication information of the candidate relay;\nindication information of a service that the candidate relay is capable of serving.",
"3. The method according to claim 1, wherein a quantity of candidate relays is N, and N is an integer greater than or equal to 1.",
"5. The method according to claim 1, wherein obtaining the first indication information from the candidate relay by the terminal comprises at least one of following:\nobtaining the first indication information by the terminal through a relay discovery related message broadcast by the candidate relay on a sidelink interface;\nobtaining the first indication information by the terminal through a sidelink interface Radio Resource Control (PC5-RRC) message, wherein the terminal establishes a sidelink interface unicast connection with the candidate relay.",
"6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:\ntransmitting second indication information by the terminal to the source network device to which the source cell belongs, wherein the second indication information comprises at least one of following:\na channel quality measurement result of a sidelink interface between the terminal and a source relay;\nmoving speed indication information of the source relay;\nelectricity quantity indication information of the source relay.",
"7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first indication information is configured to assist the source network device in determining a first target cell and/or a first target relay to which the terminal hands over, the method further comprises:\nobtaining a Radio Resource Control (RRC) reconfiguration message by the terminal;\ndetermining a second target cell and/or a second target relay by the terminal according to the RRC reconfiguration message, and transmitting an RRC reconfiguration complete message to a network device to which the second target cell belongs, or transmitting, through the second target relay, an RRC reconfiguration complete message to a network device to which the second target cell belongs.",
"8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the RRC reconfiguration message comprises at least one of the following:\nidentification information of the second target relay;\nidentification information of a second target relay link;\nmapping relationship between a sidelink interface Radio Link Control (RLC) channel between the terminal and the second target relay and a second target relay Uu interface RLC channel.",
"9. The method according to claim 1, wherein transmitting the first indication information by the terminal to the source network device to which the source cell belongs comprises:\ntransmitting, by the terminal through a Uu interface, the first indication information to the source network device to which the source cell belongs, or transmitting, by the terminal through the source relay, the first indication information to the source network device to which the source cell belongs.",
"10. A handover method, comprising:\nreceiving, by a network device, first indication information transmitted by a terminal, wherein the network device is a source network device to which a source cell belongs, the first indication information comprises information about candidate cells and/or candidate relays of the terminal;\nperforming a handover decision according to the first indication information by the network device, and determining a first target cell and/or a first target relay to which the terminal is to hand over.",
"11. The method according to claim 10, further comprising:\ntransmitting, by the network device, a handover request message to a network device to which the first target cell belongs;\nreceiving, by the network device, a handover request acknowledge message, wherein the handover request message and/or the handover request acknowledge message comprise at least one of following:\nidentification information of the terminal;\nidentification information of the first target relay;\nidentification information of a first target relay link.",
"12. The method according to claim 10, wherein the first indication information comprises at least one of following:\nPublic Land Mobile Network (PLMN) identification information corresponding to a candidate cell to which a candidate relay belongs;\ncell identification information corresponding to a candidate cell to which the candidate relay belongs;\naccess mode indication information of accessing the candidate cell by the terminal;\nassociation relation indication information between the candidate relay and the candidate cell;\nassociation relation indication information between a candidate relay link and the candidate cell;\na channel quality measurement result of a Uu interface of the candidate relay;\na channel quality measurement result of a sidelink interface between the candidate relay and the terminal;\nidentification information of the candidate relay;\nidentification information of a candidate relay link;\nmoving speed indication information of the candidate relay;\nelectricity quantity indication information of the candidate relay;\nindication information of a service that the candidate relay is capable of serving.",
"13. The method according to claim 10, further comprising:\nreceiving, by the network device, second indication information transmitted by the terminal, wherein the second indication information comprises at least one of following:\na channel quality measurement result of a sidelink interface between the terminal and a source relay;\nmoving speed indication information of the source relay;\npower quantity indication information of the source relay.",
"14. The method according to claim 10, further comprising:\ntransmitting a Radio Resource Control (RRC) reconfiguration message by the network device to the terminal through a Uu interface or a source relay.",
"16. The method according to claim 10, wherein receiving, by the network device, the first indication information transmitted by the terminal comprises:\nreceiving, by the network device, through a Uu interface, the first indication information transmitted by the terminal, or receiving, through a source relay, the first indication information transmitted by the terminal.",
"17. A handover method, the method comprising:\ntransmitting first indication information by a relay to a terminal, wherein the relay is a candidate relay for handover of the terminal, the first indication information comprises information about candidate cells and/or candidate relays of the terminal.",
"19. The method according to claim 17, wherein transmitting the first indication information by the relay to the terminal comprises at least one of following:\nbroadcasting a relay discovery related message in a sidelink interface by the relay, wherein the relay discovery related message carries the first indication information;\ntransmitting the first indication information by the relay through a sidelink interface Radio Resource Control (PC5-RRC) message, wherein the terminal establishes a sidelink interface unicast connection with the candidate relay.",
"20. The method according to claim 17, further comprising:\nreceiving by the relay, mapping relationship between a sidelink interface Radio Link Control (RLC) channel between the terminal and the first target relay and a first target relay Uu interface RLC channel.",
"21. A terminal, comprising a transceiver, a memory, a processor and a computer program stored on the memory and executable on the processor, wherein when the processor executes the computer program, the processor implements the steps of the handover method according to claim 1.",
"30. A network device, the network device being a source network device to which a source cell belongs, the network device comprising a transceiver, a memory, a processor and a computer program stored on the memory and executable on the processor, wherein, when the processor executes the computer program, the processor implements the steps of the handover method according to claim 10.",
"37. A relay, the relay being a candidate relay for handover of a terminal, the relay comprising a transceiver, a memory, a processor and a computer program stored on the memory and executable on the processor, wherein, when the processor executes the computer program, the processor implements the steps of the handover method according to claim 17."
],
[
"1. A method implemented in a wireless device (WD), configured to communicate with a source network node and a target network node, the method comprising:\nreceiving at least one radio resource control (RRC) reconfiguration message, the at least one RRC reconfiguration message including a conditional reconfiguration prepared by the target network node and an indication that the WD is to perform a mobility procedure from a source cell supported by the source network node to a target cell supported by the target network node;\nattempting to access the target cell according to the indicated mobility procedure;\nwhen the attempt to access the target cell succeeds, then performing a cell change according to the indicated mobility procedure; and\nwhen an attempt to access the target cell fails, performing a cell change to a target candidate cell selected associated with the conditional reconfiguration from one of a first set of candidate cells associated with the source network node supporting the source cell.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein\neach selected candidate cell is associated with a respective conditional reconfiguration and the target network node.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein\neach selected candidate cell being associated with a respective conditional reconfiguration and the source network node supporting the source cell.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein the conditional reconfiguration and the indication to perform the mobility procedure are both included in a same RRC reconfiguration message.",
"5. The method of claim 4, wherein an explicit indication indicates to the WD to perform the conditional reconfiguration comprised in the same RRC reconfiguration message only after accessing the target cell according to the mobility procedure indicated in the same RRC reconfiguration message.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein the conditional reconfiguration and the indication to perform the mobility procedure are prohibited from being in a same RRC reconfiguration message.",
"7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nwhen the conditional reconfiguration and the indication to perform the mobility procedure are included in a same RRC reconfiguration message, performing an RRC re-establishment procedure, instead of the indicated mobility procedure and the conditional reconfiguration.",
"8. The method of claim 1, wherein the mobility procedure is a handover of the WD from the source cell to the target cell.",
"9. The method of claim 1, wherein the mobility procedure corresponds to request to at least one of add and change a primary secondary cell, PScell, for the WD.",
"10. The method of claim 1, wherein the indication to perform the mobility procedure includes one of a reconfiguration with sync field and a mobility control information field comprised in the at least one RRC reconfiguration message.",
"11. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving signaling indicating to one of add, modify and release the conditional reconfiguration of the target candidate cell prepared by the target network node.",
"12. The method of claim 1, wherein the conditional reconfiguration associated with the target candidate cell includes a trigger condition configuration, the trigger condition configuration including a set of pointers to at least one measurement identifier, and each measurement identifier of the at least one measurement identifier is associated with at least one trigger condition and an RRC reconfiguration.",
"13. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\ndetermining to not transmit a RRC reconfiguration complete message based at least in part on a presence of the conditional reconfiguration associated with the target candidate cell in the at least one RRC reconfiguration message.",
"14. A method implemented in a target network node, the method comprising:\nreceiving a request to perform a mobility procedure for a wireless device (WD) from a source cell supported by a source network node to a target cell supported by the target network node, the request including a current configuration for the WD in the source cell;\nupon receiving the request, determining to prepare a conditional reconfiguration for the WD; and\ntransmitting the conditional reconfiguration and a radio resource control (RRC) reconfiguration for the WD, the RRC reconfiguration being associated with the requested mobility procedure from the source cell supported by the source network node to the target cell supported by the target network node;\nwhen an attempt to access the target cell succeeds, performing a cell change according to the requested mobility procedure; and\nwhen the attempt to access the target cell fails, transmitting an explicit indication to select the target candidate cell associated with the conditional reconfiguration from one of a first set of candidate cells associated with the source network node supporting the source cell.",
"15. A wireless device (WD) configured to communicate with a source network node and a target network node, the WD comprising processing circuitry, the processing circuitry configured to cause the WD to:\nreceive at least one radio resource control (RRC) reconfiguration message, the at least one RRC reconfiguration message including a conditional reconfiguration prepared by the target network node and an indication that the WD is to perform a mobility procedure from a source cell supported by the source network node to a target cell supported by the target network node;\nattempting to access the target cell according to the indicated mobility procedure;\nwhen the attempt to access the target cell succeeds, then performing a cell change according to the indicated mobility procedure; and\nwhen an attempt to access the target cell fails, performing a cell change to a target candidate cell selected associated with the conditional reconfiguration from one of a first set of candidate cells associated with the source network node supporting the source cell.",
"16. A target network node, the target network node comprising processing circuitry, the processing circuitry configured to cause the target network node to:\nreceive a request to perform a mobility procedure for a wireless device (WD) from a source cell supported by a source network node to a target cell supported by the target network node, the request including a current configuration for the WD in the source cell;\nupon receiving the request, determine to prepare a conditional reconfiguration for the WD; and\ntransmit the conditional reconfiguration and a radio resource control (RRC) reconfiguration for the WD, the RRC reconfiguration being associated with the requested mobility procedure from the source cell supported by the source network node to the target cell supported by the target network node;\nwhen an attempt to access the target cell succeeds, perform a cell change according to the requested mobility procedure; and\nwhen the attempt to access the target cell fails, transmit an explicit indication to select the target candidate cell associated with the conditional reconfiguration from one of a first set of candidate cells associated with the source network node supporting the source cell."
],
[
"1. An electronic device comprising a circuit configured to:\nserve a terminal device in a carrier aggregation manner through a plurality of cells;\nreceive from the terminal device measurement reports for a plurality of neighbor cells;\ndetermine, based on the measurement reports, a destination base station to which the terminal device is to be handed over;\nselect one or more candidate cells to be accessed for the terminal device from all cells belonging to the destination base station in the plurality of neighbor cells; and\nsend to the terminal device, a radio resource control (RRC) connection reconfigure message carrying mobility control information which contains information of one or more cells of the cells belonging to the destination base station to be accessed, in order to hand over the terminal device to the destination base station,\nwherein, the terminal device establishes an access to all cells, of the one or more cells of the cells belonging to the destination base station to be accessed, at a time after being handed over, and enters a carrier aggregation mode immediately upon establishing the access to the all cells, of the one or more cells of the cells belonging to the destination base station to be accessed.",
"2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the selected one or more cells comprise:\na subset of cells belonging to the destination base station that are selected by the circuit based on a selection criteria when all cells belonging to the destination base station are in the same frequency band, or\nall cells belonging to the destination base station when all cells belonging to the destination base station are not in the same frequency band.",
"3. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the circuit is configured to use one cell, of the one or more cells belonging to the destination base station to be accessed, as a primary cell to be accessed when the one or more cells to be accessed are in different frequency bands, and contain only information of the primary cell to be accessed in the RRC connection reconfigure message, so that the terminal device enters a single cell mode after being handed over.",
"4. The electronic device according to claim 3, wherein the primary cell to be accessed is a cell, of the one or more cells belonging to the destination base station to be accessed, having a best performance among the one or more cells to be accessed.",
"5. The electronic device according to claim 3, wherein the primary cell to be accessed is the cell, of the one or more cells belonging to the destination base station to be accessed, whose frequency is the same as that of a currently serving cell of the terminal device among the one or more cells to be accessed.",
"6. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein based on the one or more cells to be accessed being in the same frequency band, the circuit is configured to include information of the one or more cells to be accessed in a handover request, and send the handover request to the destination base station for access control estimation.",
"7. The electronic device according to claim 3, wherein the circuit is further configured to include only the information of the primary cell to be accessed in a handover request, and send the handover request to the destination base station for access control estimation.",
"8. The electronic device according to claim 7, wherein the electronic device is implemented as a base station.",
"9. An electronic device comprising a circuit configured to:\nconnect with a base station through a plurality of cells for carrier aggregation communication;\nperform a measurement on a plurality of neighbor cells based on a configuration of the base station;\ngenerate a measurement report based on the measurement;\nsend the measurement report to the base station,\nwherein the base station determines a destination base station to which the electronic device is to be handed over based on the measurement report, and the base station selects one or more candidate cells to be accessed for the terminal device from all cells belonging to the destination base station in the plurality of neighbor cells; and\nreceive, from the base station, a radio resource control (RRC) connection reconfigure message carrying mobility control information which contains information of one or more cells of the cells belonging to the destination base station to be accessed, in order to hand over to the destination base station,\nwherein, the electronic device establishes an access to all cells, of the one or more cells of the cells belonging to the destination base station to be accessed, at a time after being handed over, and enters a carrier aggregation mode immediately upon establishing the access to the all cells, of the one or more cells of the cells belonging to the destination base station to be accessed.",
"10. The electronic device according to claim 9, wherein the selected one or more cells comprise:\na subset of cells belonging to the destination base station that are selected by the circuit based on a selection criteria when all cells belonging to the destination base station are in the same frequency band, or\nall cells belonging to the destination base station when all cells belonging to the destination base station are not in the same frequency band.",
"11. The electronic device according to claim 9, wherein the RRC connection reconfigure message contains only information of one cell, of the one or more cells belonging to the destination base station to be accessed, to be used as a primary cell is received from the base station, when the one or more cells to be accessed are in different frequency bands, so that the electronic device enters a single cell mode after being handed over.",
"12. The electronic device according to claim 11, wherein the primary cell to be accessed is a cell, of the one or more cells belonging to the destination base station to be accessed, having a best performance among the one or more cells to be accessed.",
"13. The electronic device according to claim 11, wherein the primary cell to be accessed is the cell, of the one or more cells belonging to the destination base station to be accessed, whose frequency is the same as that of a currently serving cell of the terminal device among the one or more cells to be accessed.",
"14. The electronic device according to claim 13, wherein the electronic device is implemented as a terminal.",
"15. A communication method performed by a base station, comprising:\nserving a terminal device in a carrier aggregation manner through a plurality of cells;\nreceiving from the terminal device measurement reports for a plurality of neighbor cells;\ndetermining, based on the measurement reports, a destination base station to which the terminal device is to be handed over;\nselecting one or more candidate cells to be accessed for the terminal device from all cells belonging to the destination base station in the plurality of neighbor cells; and\nsending to the terminal device a radio resource control (RRC) connection reconfigure message carrying mobility control information which contains information of one or more cells of the cells belonging to the destination base station to be accessed, in order to hand over the terminal device to the destination base station,\nwherein, the terminal device establishes an access to all cells, of the one or more cells of the cells belonging to the destination base station to be accessed, at a time after being handed over, and enters a carrier aggregation mode immediately upon establishing the access to the all cells, of the one or more cells of the cells belonging to the destination base station to be accessed.",
"16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the selected one or more cells comprise:\na subset of cells belonging to the destination base station that are selected by the circuit based on a selection criteria when all cells belonging to the destination base station are in the same frequency band, or\nall cells belonging to the destination base station when all cells belonging to the destination base station are not in the same frequency band.",
"17. The method according to claim 15, wherein the method further comprises using one cell, of the one or more cells belonging to the destination base station to be accessed, as a primary cell to be accessed when the one or more cells to be accessed are in different frequency bands, and containing only information of the primary cell to be accessed in the RRC connection reconfigure message, so that the terminal device enters a single cell mode after being handed over.",
"18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the primary cell to be accessed is a cell, of the one or more cells belonging to the destination base station to be accessed, having a best performance among the one or more cells to be accessed."
],
[
"1. A handover method performed by a UE, the method comprising:\nreceiving, by the UE, a handover command from a source eNB;\ndeciding, by the UE, a time point of a handover execution while maintaining a connection to the source eNB; and\nexecuting, by the UE, a handover based on the time point decided by the UE without any handover timing information from the source eNB,\nwherein the executing the handover comprises:\nperforming a random access procedure with a target eNB when a handover that does not perform the random access procedure is not configured;\ncontinuing to receive data from the source eNB after successfully completing the random access procedure;\ntransmitting a handover complete to the target eNB; and\nstopping receiving data from the source eNB after transmitting the handover complete.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the executing the handover further comprises:\ndisconnecting the connection to the source eNB after transmitting the handover complete.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein the executing the handover further comprises transmitting a handover indication message to the source eNB to notify the handover execution before performing the random access procedure.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein the executing the handover further comprises transmitting a handover indication message to the source eNB to notify the handover execution after transmitting the handover complete.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein the stopping receiving the data from the source eNB includes stopping receiving the data from the source eNB in response to a predetermined message transmitted to the source eNB after transmitting the handover complete.",
"6. A handover method performed by an eNB, the method comprising:\ntransmitting a handover command to a UE;\ndeciding a time point of a handover by the UE, the handover being executed based on a time point of a handover execution decided by the UE without any handover timing information from the eNB;\ncontinuing to transmit data to the UE after the UE successfully completes a random access procedure with a target eNB when a handover that does not perform the random access procedure is not configured;\nstopping transmitting data to the UE after the UE transmits a handover complete to the target eNB;\ndisconnecting a connection to the UE after the UE transmits the handover complete to the target eNB; and\nforwarding data to the target eNB.",
"7. The method of claim 6, wherein the stopping transmitting the data includes stopping transmitting the data to the UE in response to a predetermined message after the UE transmits the handover complete.",
"8. The method of claim 6, wherein the disconnecting the connection to the UE includes disconnecting the connection to the UE after the UE transmits the handover complete.",
"9. The method of claim 6, further comprising receiving a handover indication message for notifying the handover execution form the UE before the UE performs the random access procedure.",
"10. The method of claim 6, further comprising receiving a handover indication message for notifying the handover execution form the UE after the UE transmits the handover complete.",
"11. A handover method performed by a UE, the method comprising:\nreceiving, by the UE, a SeNB change command from a master eNB;\ndeciding, by the UE, a time point of a SeNB change execution while maintaining a connection to a source SeNB; and\nexecuting, by the UE, the SeNB change based on the time point decided by the UE without any SeNB change timing information from the master SeNB.",
"12. The method of claim 11, wherein the executing the SeNB change comprises:\ndisconnecting a connection to the source SeNB based on the time point of the SeNB change execution; and\naccessing a target SeNB.",
"13. The method of claim 12,\nwherein the executing the SeNB change further comprises transmitting a SeNB change indication message to the source SeNB at the time point of the SeNB change execution, and\nwherein the UE disconnects the connection to the source SeNB after receiving an acknowledgement (ACK) on the SeNB change indication message from the source SeNB.",
"14. The method of claim 12,\nwherein the executing the SeNB change comprises transmitting a SeNB change indication message to the source SeNB at the time point of the SeNB change execution, and\nwherein the UE disconnects the connection to the source SeNB regardless of a response to the SeNB change indication message from the source SeNB.",
"15. The method of claim 12, wherein the UE disconnects the connection to the source SeNB at the time point of the SeNB change immediately.",
"16. The method of claim 11, wherein the executing the SeNB change comprises:\naccessing a target SeNB at the time point of the SeNB change execution; and\ndisconnecting a connection to the source SeNB.",
"17. The method of claim 16, further comprising transmitting to the source SeNB a data forwarding request message for requesting data forwarding to the target SeNB.",
"18. A handover method performed by a SeNB, the method comprising:\ndeciding a time point of a SeNB change by a UE, the SeNB change being executed based on a time point of a SeNB change execution decided by the UE without any SeNB change timing information from the SeNB;\ndisconnecting a connection to the UE at the time point of the SeNB change; and\nforwarding data to a target SeNB.",
"19. The method of claim 18, wherein the deciding the time point of the SeNB change comprises:\nreceiving a SeNB change indication message from the UE; and\ndetermining that a time point at which an ACK on the SeNB change indication message is transmitted is the time point of the SeNB change.",
"20. The method of claim 18, wherein the deciding the time point of the SeNB change comprises estimating the time point of the SeNB change by the UE.",
"21. The method of claim 18, wherein the SeNB transmits data to the UE while forwarding same data to the target SeNB.",
"22. The method of claim 18, further comprising transmitting a downlink sequence number status transfer message and an uplink sequence number status transfer message to the target SeNB."
],
[
"1. An integrated circuit configured to control operation of a communication apparatus, the integrated circuit comprising:\nreception circuitry, which, in operation, receives a measurement report from a terminal apparatus,\nwherein the measurement report is created by the terminal apparatus when an occurrence of an event is detected by the terminal apparatus in a cell, among multiple cells including serving cells and non-serving cells, wherein the serving cells are aggregately used by the terminal apparatus to communicate with the communication apparatus on serving frequencies, and the non-serving cells are not presently used by the terminal apparatus to communicate with the communication apparatus, and\nwherein the measurement report indicates radio conditions of the serving cells and the non-serving cells, and the reported radio conditions include radio conditions of a best non-serving cell which is selected from the non-serving cells based on reference signal received power (RSRP) on one of the serving frequencies; and\ntransmission circuitry, which is coupled to the reception circuitry and which, in operation, transmits a handover command to the terminal apparatus when the communication apparatus makes a handover decision based on the received measurement report.",
"2. The integrated circuit according to the claim 1,\nwherein the measurement report includes a list of the best non-serving cells in order of decreasing RSRP.",
"3. The integrated circuit according to claim 1, wherein a policy for deciding the multiple cells, for which radio conditions are measured, is set in the terminal apparatus.",
"4. The integrated circuit according to claim 1,\nwherein the best non-serving cell is a cell determined to have a higher RSRP than a reference RSRP.",
"5. The integrated circuit according to claim 1,\nwherein the measurement report includes radio conditions of the serving cells on the serving frequencies.",
"6. The integrated circuit according to claim 5,\nwherein the radio conditions of the serving cells and of the best non-serving cell are combined in one measurement report.",
"7. The integrated circuit according to claim 1,\nwherein the serving frequencies include a primary frequency and a secondary frequency, and\nwherein the measurement report includes: a) radio conditions of a cell on the primary frequency, or b) radio conditions of a cell on the primary frequency and of a cell on the secondary frequency.",
"8. An integrated circuit, which is configured to control a process of a communication apparatus, wherein the process includes:\nreceiving a measurement report from a terminal apparatus,\nwherein the measurement report is created by the terminal apparatus when an occurrence of an event is detected by the terminal apparatus in a cell, among multiple cells including serving cells and non-serving cells, wherein the serving cells are aggregately used by the terminal apparatus to communicate with the communication apparatus on serving frequencies, and the non-serving cells are not presently used by the terminal apparatus to communicate with the communication apparatus, and\nwherein the measurement report indicates radio conditions of the serving cells and the non-serving cells, and the reported radio conditions include radio conditions of a best non-serving cell which is selected from the non-serving cells based on reference signal received power (RSRP) on one of the serving frequencies; and\ntransmitting a handover command to the terminal apparatus when the communication apparatus makes a handover decision based on the received measurement report.",
"9. The integrated circuit according to the claim 8,\nwherein the measurement report includes a list of the best non-serving cells in order of decreasing RSRP.",
"10. The integrated circuit according to claim 8, wherein a policy for deciding the multiple cells, for which radio conditions are measured, is set in the terminal apparatus.",
"11. The integrated circuit according to claim 8,\nwherein the best non-serving cell is a cell determined to have a higher RSRP than a reference RSRP.",
"12. The integrated circuit according to claim 8,\nwherein the measurement report includes radio conditions of the serving cells on the serving frequencies.",
"13. The integrated circuit according to claim 12,\nwherein the radio conditions of the serving cells and of the best non-serving cell are combined in one measurement report.",
"14. The integrated circuit according to claim 8,\nwherein the serving frequencies include a primary frequency and a secondary frequency, and\nwherein the measurement report includes: a) radio conditions of a cell on the primary frequency, or b) radio conditions of a cell on the primary frequency and of a cell on the secondary frequency."
],
[
"1. A method performed by a User Equipment (UE) for handling Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) Service Data Units (SDUs) when performing a Dual Active Protocol Stack (DAPS) handover of at least one radio bearer from a source access node to a target access node in a wireless communications network, the method comprising the UE:\nobtaining a trigger to perform the handover of the at least one radio bearer from the source access node to the target access node;\nestablishing a radio connection for the at least one radio bearer with the target access node;\nswitching an uplink (UL) transmission of PDCP SDUs from the source access node to the target access node over the established radio connection;\ntransmitting a first PDCP status report before releasing a radio connection with the source access node;\nreleasing the radio connection with the source access node; and\nafter releasing the radio connection with the source access node, transmitting a second PDCP status report to the target access node for each radio bearer of the at least one radio bearer, which respective second PDCP status report comprises a bitmap field wherein bits in the bitmap field indicate whether a PDCP SDU is received by the UE.",
"2. The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving, from the target access node, a message triggering the release of the radio connection with the source access node, wherein the message triggering the release of the radio connection is a Radio Resource Control (RRC) Connection Reconfiguration message and/or an RRC Reconfiguration message.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein the second PDCP status report is transmitted:\nmultiplexed with a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message;\nin a message multiplexed with an RRC response message of a RRC “Release source cell” message, or inside this RRC response message;\nin an RRC response message of an RRC “Release source cell” message multiplexed with an RRC Connection Reconfiguration Complete message;\nin an RRC Reconfiguration Complete message;\nin a PDCP Control Protocol Data Unit (PDU) message;\nin a Handover Completed Control PDU message; or\ntogether with a first transmitted UL data packet to the target access node.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein the second PDCP status report is transmitted to the target access node for each Radio Link Control-Acknowledged Mode (RLC-AM) bearer configured to the UE.",
"5. A method performed by a target access node for handling Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) Service Data Units (SDUs) during a Dual Active Protocol Stack (DAPS) handover of at least one radio bearer of a User Equipment (UE) from a source access node to the target access node in a wireless communications network, the method comprising the target access node:\nreceiving, from the source access node, an indication that the handover of the at least one radio bearer of the UE is being performed;\nreceiving, from the source access node, forwarded PDCP SDUs;\nreceiving a first PDCP status report before receiving an indication from the UE that the UE has released a radio connection with the source access node;\nreceiving, from the UE, the indication that the UE has released the radio connection with the source access node and a second PDCP status report for each radio bearer of the at least one radio bearer, which respective second PDCP status report comprises a bitmap field wherein bits in the bitmap field indicate whether a PDCP SDU is received by the UE; and\ndiscarding, based on the received second PDCP status report, PDCP SDUs received from the source access node to avoid forwarding duplicated PDCP SDUs to the UE.",
"6. The method of claim 5 further comprising transmitting, to the UE, a message triggering the release of the radio connection with the source access node, wherein the message is a Radio Resource Control (RRC) Connection Reconfiguration message and/or an RRC Reconfiguration message.",
"7. The method of claim 5, wherein the second PDCP status report is received:\nas multiplexed with a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message;\nin a message multiplexed with an RRC response message of an RRC “Release source cell” message, or inside this RRC response message;\nin an RRC response message of an RRC “Release source cell” message multiplexed with an RRC Connection Reconfiguration Complete message;\nin an RRC Reconfiguration Complete message;\nin a PDCP Control Protocol Data Unit (PDU) message;\nin a Handover Completed Control PDU message; or\ntogether with a first transmitted UL data packet to the target access node.",
"8. The method of claim 5, wherein the second PDCP status report is received for each Radio Link Control-Acknowledged Mode (RLC-AM) bearer configured to the UE.",
"9. A User Equipment (UE) configured to handle Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) Service Data Units (SDUs) when performing a Dual Active Protocol Stack (DAPS) handover of at least one radio bearer from a source access node to a target access node in a wireless communications network; the UE comprising:\nprocessing circuitry; and\nmemory containing instructions executable by the processing circuitry whereby the UE is operative to:\nobtain a trigger to perform the handover of the at least one radio bearer from the source access node to the target access node;\nestablish a radio connection for the at least one radio bearer with the target access node;\nswitch an uplink (UL) transmission of PDCP SDUs from the source access node to the target access node over the established radio connection;\ntransmit a first PDCP status report before a radio connection with the source access node is released;\nrelease the radio connection with the source access node; and\nafter releasing the radio connection with the source access node, transmit a second PDCP status report to the target access node for each radio bearer of the at least one radio bearer, which respective second PDCP status report comprises a bitmap field wherein bits in the bitmap field indicate whether a PDCP SDU is received by the UE.",
"10. The UE of claim 9:\nwherein the instructions are such that the UE is operative to receive, from the target access node, a message triggering the release of the radio connection with the source access node; and\nwherein the message triggering the release of the radio connection is a Radio Resource Control (RRC) Connection Reconfiguration message and/or an RRC Reconfiguration message.",
"11. The UE of claim 9, wherein the second PDCP status report is transmitted:\nmultiplexed with a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message;\nin a message multiplexed with an RRC response message of a RRC “Release source cell” message, or inside this RRC response message;\nin an RRC response message of an RRC “Release source cell” message multiplexed with an RRC Connection Reconfiguration Complete message;\nin an RRC Reconfiguration Complete message;\nin a PDCP Control Protocol Data Unit (PDU) message;\nin a Handover Completed Control PDU message; or\ntogether with a first transmitted UL data packet to the target access node.",
"12. The UE of claim 9, wherein the second PDCP status report is transmitted to the target access node for each Radio Link Control-Acknowledged Mode (RLC-AM) bearer configured to the UE.",
"13. A target access node configured to handle Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) Service Data Units (SDUs) during a Dual Active Protocol Stack (DAPS) handover of at least one radio bearer of a User Equipment (UE) from a source access node to the target access node in a wireless communications network; the target access comprising:\nprocessing circuitry;\nmemory containing instructions executable by the processing circuitry whereby the target access node is operative to:\nreceive, from the source access node, an indication that the handover of the at least one radio bearer of the UE is being performed;\nreceive, from the source access node, forwarded PDCP SDUs;\nreceive a first PDCP status report before receiving an indication that the UE has released a radio connection with the source access node;\nreceive, from the UE, the indication that the UE has released the radio connection with the source access node and a second PDCP status report for each radio bearer of the at least one radio bearer, which respective second PDCP status report comprises a bitmap field wherein bits in the bitmap field indicate whether a PDCP SDU is received by the UE; and\ndiscard PDCP SDUs received from the source access node based on the received second PDCP status report to avoid forwarding duplicated PDCP SDUs to the UE.",
"14. The target access node of claim 13:\nwherein the instructions are such that the target access nodes is operative to transmit, to the UE, a message to trigger the release of the radio connection with the source access node; and\nwherein the message is a Radio Resource Control (RRC) Connection Reconfiguration message or an RRC Reconfiguration message.",
"15. The target access node of claim 13, wherein the second PDCP status report is received:\nas multiplexed with an Radio Resource Control (RRC) message;\nin a message multiplexed with an RRC response message of an RRC “Release source cell” message, or inside this RRC response message;\nin an RRC response message of an RRC “Release source cell” message multiplexed with an RRC Connection Reconfiguration Complete message;\nin an RRC Reconfiguration Complete message;\nin a PDCP Control Protocol Data Unit (PDU) message;\nin a Handover Completed Control PDU message; or\ntogether with a first transmitted UL data packet to the target access node.",
"16. The target access node of claim 13, wherein the second PDCP status report is received for each Radio Link Control-Acknowledged Mode (RLC-AM) bearer configured to the UE.",
"17. A non-transitory computer readable recording medium storing a computer program product for controlling a User Equipment (UE) for handling Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) Service Data Units (SDUs) when performing a Dual Active Protocol Stack (DAPS) handover of at least one radio bearer from a source access node to a target access node in a wireless communications network; the computer program product comprising program instructions which, when run on processing circuitry of the UE, causes the UE to:\nobtain a trigger to perform the handover of the at least one radio bearer from the source access node to the target access node;\nestablish a radio connection for the at least one radio bearer with the target access node;\nswitch an uplink (UL) transmission of PDCP SDUs from the source access node to the target access node over the established radio connection;\ntransmit a first PDCP status report before releasing a radio connection with the source access node;\nrelease the radio connection with the source access node; and\nafter releasing the radio connection with the source access node, transmit a second PDCP status report to the target access node for each radio bearer of the at least one radio bearer, which respective second PDCP status report comprises a bitmap field wherein bits in the bitmap indicate whether a PDCP SDU is received by the UE.",
"18. A non-transitory computer readable recording medium storing a computer program product for controlling a target access node for handling Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) Service Data Units (SDUs) during a Dual Active Protocol Stack (DAPS) handover of at least one radio bearer of a User Equipment (UE) from a source access node to the target access node in a wireless communications network; the computer program product comprising program instructions which, when run on processing circuitry of the target access node, causes the target access node to:\nreceive, from the source access node, an indication that the handover of the at least one radio bearer of the UE is being performed;\nreceive, from the source access node, forwarded PDCP SDUs;\nreceive a first PDCP status report before receiving an indication that the UE has released a radio connection with the source access node;\nreceive, from the UE, the indication that the UE has released the radio connection with the source access node and a second PDCP status report for each radio bearer of the at least one radio bearer, which respective second PDCP status report comprises a bitmap field wherein bits in the bitmap field indicate whether a PDCP SDU is received by the UE; and\ndiscard, based on the received second PDCP status report, PDCP SDUs received from the source access node to avoid forwarding duplicated PDCP SDUs to the UE."
],
[
"1. An electronic device at network side, comprising\ncircuitry configured to\nacquire a performance measurement report of one or more neighbor cells from a terminal device that is served by the electronic device;\ndetermine a target base station for the terminal device, from one or more candidate base stations corresponding to the one or more neighbor cells, based on the performance measurement report;\nselect one or more cells to be accessed by the terminal device from cells corresponding to the target base station; and\ndetermine configuration information, corresponding to the selected one or more cells to be accessed by the terminal device, for use by the terminal device,\nwherein the determination of the target base station precedes selection of the cells to be accessed by the terminal device, and the determination of the target base station is based on a carrier aggregation capability of each of the candidate base stations.",
"2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the circuitry is configured to packetized the configuration information of the one or more cells to be accessed by the terminal device in a request to the target base station for requesting acknowledgement from the target base station.",
"3. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the circuitry is configured to initiate an RRC connection reconfiguration of the one or more cells to be accessed by the terminal device after acquiring the acknowledgement from the target base station.",
"4. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the circuitry is configured to determine the capability of carrier aggregation of the candidate base stations based on at least one factor of distribution of frequency band of carriers of respective candidate base station and number of cells of respective candidate base station.",
"5. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device serves as a base station for the terminal device.",
"6. A communication method by an electronic device at network side, comprising\nacquiring a performance measurement report of one or more neighbor cells from a terminal device that is served by the electronic device;\ndetermining a target base station for the terminal device from one or more candidate base stations corresponding to the one or more neighbor cells based on the performance measurement report;\nselecting one or more cells to be accessed by the terminal device from cells corresponding to the target base station;\ndetermining configuration information, corresponding to the selected one or more cells to be accessed by the terminal device, for use by the terminal device,\nwherein the determination of target base station precedes selection of cells to be accessed by the terminal device, and the determination of target base station is based on capability of carrier aggregation of the candidate base stations.",
"7. The communication method by the electronic device according to claim 6, wherein the method comprises packeting the configuration information of the one or more cells to be accessed by the terminal device in a request to the target base station for requesting acknowledgement from the target base station.",
"8. The communication method by the electronic device according to claim 7, wherein the method comprises initiating an RRC connection reconfiguration of the one or more cells to be accessed by the terminal device after acquiring the acknowledgement from the target base station.",
"9. The communication method by the electronic device according to claim 6, wherein the method comprises determining the capability of carrier aggregation of the candidate base stations based on at least one factor of distribution of frequency band of carriers of respective candidate base station and number of cells of respective candidate base station.",
"10. The communication method by the electronic device according to claim 6, wherein the electronic device serves as a base station for the terminal device.",
"11. A terminal device, comprising\ncircuitry configured to\ngenerate a performance measurement report of one or more neighbor cells for transmission to a base station serving the terminal device; and\naccess one or more cells of a target base station based on configuration information of the one or more cells received from the base station,\nwherein the target base station is selected from one or more candidate base stations corresponding to the one or more neighbor cells based on the performance measurement report, and\nthe one or more cells of the target base station are selected from cells of the target base station,\nwherein the determination of the target base station precedes selection of the one or more cells, and the determination of target base station is based on a carrier aggregation capability of each of the candidate base stations.",
"12. The electronic device according to claim 11, wherein the configuration information of the one or more cells is packetized in a request to the target base station for requesting acknowledgement from the target base station.",
"13. The electronic device according to claim 12, wherein the circuitry is configured to conduct an RRC connection reconfiguration of the one or more cells according to an RRC connection reconfiguration message from the base station after the acknowledgement from the target base station is acquired.",
"14. The electronic device according to claim 11, wherein the capability of carrier aggregation of the candidate base stations is determined based on at least one factor of distribution of frequency band of carriers of respective candidate base station and number of cells of respective candidate base station.",
"15. A communication method performed by a terminal device, comprising\ngenerating a performance measurement report of one or more neighbor cells for transmission to a base station serving the terminal device; and\naccessing one or more cells of a target base station based on configuration information of the one or more cells received from the base station,\nwherein the target base station is selected from one or more candidate base stations corresponding to the one or more neighbor cells based on the performance measurement report, and\nthe one or more cells of the target base station are selected from cells of the target base station,\nwherein the determination of the target base station precedes selection of the one or more cells, and the determination of target base station is based on a carrier aggregation capability of each of the candidate base stations.",
"16. The communication method by the electronic device according to claim 15, wherein the configuration information of the one or more cells is packetized in a request to the target base station for requesting acknowledgement from the target base station.",
"17. The communication method by the electronic device according to claim 16, wherein the method comprises conducting an RRC connection reconfiguration of the one or more cells according to an RRC connection reconfiguration message from the base station after the acknowledgement from the target base station is acquired.",
"18. The communication method by the electronic device according to claim 15, wherein the capability of carrier aggregation of the candidate base stations is determined based on at least one factor of distribution of frequency band of carriers of respective candidate base station and number of cells of respective candidate base station."
],
[
"1. A method of controlling a handover procedure of a user terminal from a source master base station to a target master base station, the user terminal being connected to the source master base station and a secondary base station in accordance with a dual connectivity scheme, the method comprising:\ntransmitting, by the source master base station, a handover request to the target master base station;\nreceiving, by the source master base station, a handover request response including information indicating that the secondary base station is kept, from the target master base station; and\nafter receiving the handover request response, performing a direct data forwarding from the source master base station to the secondary base station in a case where a bearer of the user terminal is changed from an MCG (Master Cell Group) bearer to an SCG (Secondary Cell Group) bearer, wherein the MCG bearer is established via the source master base station, and the SCG bearer is established via the secondary base station, wherein\nthe source master base station and the secondary base station are connected to the user terminal in accordance with a dual connectivity scheme,\nthe source master base station transmits/receives user data to/from the user terminal,\nthe direct data forwarding includes forwarding buffered data from the source master base station to the secondary base station without passing through the target master base station,\nthe buffered data is buffered in the source master base station,\nthe MCG is a plurality of cells belonging to a mater base station, and\nthe SCG is a plurality of cells belonging to a secondary base station.",
"2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising\ntransmitting a secondary base station release request from the source master base station to the secondary base station in response to receiving the handover request response including the information indicating that the secondary base station is kept.",
"3. A base station that functions as a source master base station during a handover procedure of a user terminal from the source master base station to a target master base station, the user terminal being connected to the source master base station and a secondary base station in accordance with a dual connectivity scheme, the base station comprising:\na transmitter configured to transmit a handover request to the target master base station;\na receiver configured to receive a handover request response including information indicating that the secondary base station is kept, from the target master base station; and\na controller configured to perform a direct data forwarding from the source master base station to the secondary base station in a case where a bearer of the user terminal is changed from an MCG (Master Cell Group) bearer to an SCG (Secondary Cell Group) bearer after receiving the handover request response, wherein the MCG bearer is established via the source master base station, and the SCG bearer is established via the secondary base station, wherein\nthe source master base station and the secondary base station are connected to the user terminal in accordance with a dual connectivity scheme,\nthe source master base station transmits/receives user data to/from the user terminal,\nthe direct data forwarding includes forwarding buffered data from the source master base station to the secondary base station without passing through the target master base station,\nthe buffered data is buffered in the source master base station,\nthe MCG is a plurality of cells belonging to a mater base station, and\nthe SCG is a plurality of cells belonging to a secondary base station."
],
[
"1. A connection management method for mobile device group, applied to a mobile device group, the mobile device group including a plurality of mobile devices, one of the mobile devices set to a leader mode as a leader, each of the other mobile devices set to a follower mode as a follower, the leader and each of the followers connected by device to device (D2D) connection, the connection management method comprising:\nreceiving, by the leader, a measurement control from a first base station;\nacquiring, by the leader, a first leader signal quality corresponding to the first base station and a second leader signal quality corresponding to a second base station in response to the measurement control;\ntransmitting, by the leader, the measurement control to the followers;\nfor each of the followers of the mobile device group, acquiring, by each of the followers, a first follower signal quality corresponding to the first base station, a second follower signal quality corresponding to the second base station and a sidelink signal quality corresponding to the leader in response to the measurement control;\nsending, by each of the followers, the first follower signal quality, the second follower signal quality and the sidelink signal quality to the leader;\nsending, by the leader, the first leader signal quality, the second leader signal quality, the first follower signal qualities, the second follower signal qualities and the sidelink signal qualities to the first base station;\ndetermining, by the first base station, whether to perform a handover according to the first leader signal quality, the second leader signal quality, the first follower signal qualities, the second follower signal qualities and the sidelink signal qualities;\ndetermining, by the first base station, whether to perform a joint handover procedure according to the first leader signal quality, the second leader signal quality, the first follower signal qualities, the second follower signal qualities and the sidelink signal qualities to cause the mobile device group to handover from the first base station to the second base station when the first base station determines to perform the handover;\ndetermining whether to perform a leader swap procedure according to the first leader signal quality; and\nperforming the leader swap procedure when the leader swap procedure is determined to be performed,\nwherein the leader swap procedure comprises:\nselecting at least one of candidate from the followers according to the first follower signal qualities;\nacquiring, by each of the at least one candidate, a candidate sidelink measurement report, and sending the candidate sidelink measurement report to the leader;\nselecting, by the leader or the first base station, a successor from the at least one candidate according to the at least one candidate sidelink measurement report, and sending a result of successor selection to the followers by the leader; and\nsetting the leader to the follower mode as the follower, and setting the mobile device which is selected as the successor to the leader mode as the leader.",
"2. The connection management method according to claim 1, wherein when the first leader signal quality is lower than a first threshold, the second leader signal quality is higher than or equal to a second threshold, the second follower signal qualities are higher than or equal to a third threshold, and the sidelink signal qualities are higher than or equal to a fourth threshold, the joint handover procedure is performed.",
"3. The connection management method according to claim 1, wherein the joint handover procedure comprises:\nnotifying, by the leader, the followers to perform the handover;\nresponding, by the followers, to the leader for confirming to perform the handover;\nestablishing, by the leader, a connection with the second base station; and\nupdating, by the second base station, a D2D information corresponding to the mobile device group.",
"4. The connection management method according to claim 1, wherein when the joint handover procedure is not performed, the leader swap procedure further comprises:\nupdating, by the first base station, a D2D information corresponding to the mobile device group.",
"5. A connection management method for mobile device group, applied to a mobile device group, the mobile device group including a plurality of mobile devices, one of the mobile devices set to a leader mode as a leader, each of the other mobile devices set to a follower mode as a follower, the leader and each of the followers connected by device to device (D2D) connection, the connection management method comprising:\nreceiving, by the leader, a measurement control from a first base station;\nacquiring, by the leader, a first leader signal quality corresponding to the first base station and a second leader signal quality corresponding to a second base station in response to the measurement control;\ntransmitting, by the leader, the measurement control to the followers;\nfor each of the followers of the mobile device group, acquiring, by each of the followers, a first follower signal quality corresponding to the first base station, a second follower signal quality corresponding to the second base station and a sidelink signal quality corresponding to the leader in response to the measurement control;\nsending, by each of the followers, the first follower signal quality, the second follower signal quality and the sidelink signal quality to the leader;\nsending, by the leader, the first leader signal quality, the second leader signal quality, the first follower signal qualities, the second follower signal qualities and the sidelink signal qualities to the first base station;\ndetermining, by the first base station, whether to perform a handover according to the first leader signal quality, the second leader signal quality, the first follower signal qualities, the second follower signal qualities and the sidelink signal qualities; and\ndetermining, by the first base station, whether to perform a half handover procedure according to the first leader signal quality, the second leader signal quality, the first follower signal qualities, the second follower signal qualities and the sidelink signal qualities to cause the mobile device group to handover from the first base station to the second base station when the first base station determines to perform the handover, wherein:\nwhen the first leader signal quality is lower than a first threshold, the second leader signal quality is higher than or equal to a second threshold, the second follower signal qualities are higher than or equal to a third threshold, at least one of the first follower signal qualities is higher than or equal to a fourth threshold, and at least one of the sidelink signal qualities is lower than a fifth threshold, the half handover procedure is performed, and the at least one follower, having the at least one first follower signal quality which is higher than or equal to the fourth threshold and having the at least one sidelink signal quality which is lower than the fifth threshold, enters a half mode and is configured as at least one half mode follower; or\nwhen the first leader signal quality is lower than the first threshold, the second leader signal quality is higher than or equal to the second threshold, at least one of the second follower signal qualities is lower than the third threshold, and at least one of the first follower signal qualities is higher than or equal to the fourth threshold, the half handover procedure is performed, and the at least one follower, having the at least one second follower signal threshold which is lower than the third threshold and having the at least one first follower signal quality which is higher than or equal to the fourth threshold, enters a half mode and is configured as the at least one half mode follower.",
"6. The connection management method according to claim 5, wherein the half handover procedure comprises:\nnotifying, by the leader, the followers to perform the handover;\nresponding, by the followers which does not enter the half mode, to the leader for confirming to perform the handover;\nthe at least one half mode follower entering a measurement phase;\nestablishing, by the leader, a connection with the second base station;\ndetermining, by the at least one half mode follower, whether a preset condition is satisfied according to a measurement phase result acquired during the measurement phase;\nnotifying, by the at least one half mode follower, the leader to perform the handover when the preset condition is satisfied, and the leader responding to the at least one half mode follower which satisfies the preset condition for confirming to perform the handover; and\nupdating, by the second base station, a D2D information corresponding to the mobile device group.",
"7. The connection management method according to claim 6, further comprising:\nwhen at least one of the at least one half mode follower which does not satisfy the preset condition, the leader releasing the at least one half mode follower which does not satisfy the preset condition from the mobile device group; and\nthe at least one half mode follower which does not satisfy the preset condition acquiring a communication resource from the first base station.",
"8. A connection management method for mobile device group, applied to a mobile device group, the mobile device group including a plurality of mobile devices, one of the mobile devices set to a leader mode as a leader, each of the other mobile devices set to a follower mode as a follower, the leader and each of the followers connected by device to device (D2D) connection, the connection management method comprising:\nreceiving, by the leader, a measurement control from a first base station;\nacquiring, by the leader, a first leader signal quality corresponding to the first base station and a second leader signal quality corresponding to a second base station in response to the measurement control;\ntransmitting, by the leader, the measurement control to the followers;\nfor each of the followers of the mobile device group, acquiring, by each of the followers, a first follower signal quality corresponding to the first base station, a second follower signal quality corresponding to the second base station and a sidelink signal quality corresponding to the leader in response to the measurement control;\nsending, by each of the followers, the first follower signal quality, the second follower signal quality and the sidelink signal quality to the leader;\nsending, by the leader, the first leader signal quality, the second leader signal quality, the first follower signal qualities, the second follower signal qualities and the sidelink signal qualities to the first base station;\ndetermining, by the first base station, whether to perform a handover according to the first leader signal quality, the second leader signal quality, the first follower signal qualities, the second follower signal qualities and the sidelink signal qualities;\ndetermining, by the first base station, whether to perform a half handover procedure according to the first leader signal quality, the second leader signal quality, the first follower signal qualities, the second follower signal qualities and the sidelink signal qualities to cause the mobile device group to handover from the first base station to the second base station when the first base station determines to perform the handover;\ndetermining whether to perform a leader swap procedure according to the first leader signal quality; and\nperforming the leader swap procedure when the leader swap procedure is determined to be performed,\nwherein the leader swap procedure comprises:\nselecting at least one of candidate from the followers according to the first follower signal qualities;\nacquiring, by each of the at least one candidate, a candidate sidelink measurement report, and sending the candidate sidelink measurement report to the leader;\nselecting, by the leader or the first base station, a successor from the at least one candidate according to the at least one candidate sidelink measurement report, and sending a result of successor selection to the followers by the leader; and\nsetting the leader to the follower mode as the follower, and setting the mobile device which is selected as the successor to the leader mode as the leader.",
"9. The connection management method according to claim 8, wherein when the half handover procedure is not performed, the leader swap procedure further comprises:\nupdating, by the first base station, a D2D information corresponding to the mobile device group."
],
[
"1. A method performed by a terminal in a communication system, the method comprising:\nreceiving, from a source base station, configuration information for a handover to a target base station, the configuration information including information on a first type random access procedure and a second type random access procedure;\nidentifying a type of random access procedure as the first type random access procedure, in response to a reference signal received power (RSRP) being above a threshold, wherein the threshold is included in a system information block;\nperforming the first type random access procedure with the target base station;\nstoring uplink message size information associated with the performed first type random access procedure for a random access (RA) report; and\ntransmitting the RA report including the uplink message size information associated with the performed first type random access procedure stored for the RA report, in response to a request to report the RA report.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the uplink message size information associated with the performed first type random access procedure for the RA report includes a size of message A (Msg A) for the first type random access.",
"3. The method of claim 1, further comprising performing the second type random access procedure in response to the first type random access procedure being identified as not completed,\nwherein the configuration information further includes a maximum number of preamble transmissions for the first type random access procedure, and\nwherein the first type random access procedure is identified as not completed in response to a number of preamble transmission being above the maximum number.",
"4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nstoring information on the performed first type random access procedure for a radio link failure (RLF) report, based on detection of an RLF associated with the first type random access procedure; and\ntransmitting the RLF report including the information on the performed first type random access procedure stored for the RLF report, in response to a request to report the RLF report.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein the configuration information further includes random access parameters for each of the first type random access procedure and the second type random access procedure, and\nwherein the random access parameters include:\na preamble index,\na synchronization signal/physical broadcast channel (SS/PBCH) block index,\na random access occasion,\na physical random access channel (PRACH) mask index, and\na number of SS/PBCH blocks per the random access occasion.",
"6. A method performed by a target base station in a communication system, the method comprising:\nreceiving, from a source base station, a message requesting a handover from the source base station to the target base station;\ntransmitting, to the source base station, configuration information including information on a first type random access procedure and a second type random access procedure;\nperforming the first type random access procedure with a terminal based on a reference signal received power (RSRP) being above a threshold, the threshold being included in a system information block; and\nreceiving, from the terminal, a random access (RA) report including uplink message size information associated with the performed first type random access procedure, in response to a request to report the RA report,\nwherein the configuration information is transmitted from the source base station to the terminal.",
"7. The method of claim 6, wherein the second type random access procedure is performed by the terminal, in response to the first type random access procedure being identified as not completed,\nwherein the configuration information further includes a maximum number of preamble transmissions for the first type random access procedure, and\nwherein the first type random access procedure is identified as not completed in response to a number of preamble transmission being above the maximum number.",
"8. The method of claim 6, wherein the configuration information further includes random access parameters for each of the first type random access procedure and the second type random access procedure, and\nwherein the random access parameters include:\na preamble index,\na synchronization signal/physical broadcast channel (SS/PBCH) block index,\na random access occasion,\na physical random access channel (PRACH) mask index, and\na number of SS/PBCH blocks per the random access occasion.",
"9. A method performed by a source base station in a communication system, the method comprising:\ntransmitting, to a target base station, a message requesting a handover from the source base station to the target base station;\nreceiving, from the target base station, configuration information including information on a first type random access procedure and a second type random access procedure; and\ntransmitting, to a terminal, the configuration information,\nwherein a type of random access procedure associated with the terminal and the target base station is a first type random access procedure based on a reference signal received power (RSRP) being above a threshold, the threshold being included in a system information block, and\nwherein uplink message size information associated with the performed first type random access procedure is stored in the terminal for a random access (RA) report, and transmitted by the terminal in response to a request to report the RA report.",
"10. The method of claim 9, wherein the second type random access procedure is performed by the terminal, in response to the first type random access procedure being identified as not completed,\nwherein the configuration information further includes a maximum number of preamble transmissions for the first type random access procedure, and\nwherein the first type random access procedure is identified as not completed in response to a number of preamble transmission being above the maximum number.",
"11. A terminal in a communication system, the terminal comprising:\na transceiver; and\na controller configured to:\nreceive, from a source base station, configuration information for a handover to a target base station, the configuration information including information on a first type random access procedure and a second type random access procedure,\nidentify a type of random access procedure as the first type random access procedure, in response to a reference signal received power (RSRP) being above a threshold, wherein the threshold is included in a system information block, and\nperform the first type random access procedure with the target base station,\nstore uplink message size information associated with the performed first type random access procedure for a random access (RA) report, and\ntransmit the RA report including the uplink message size information associated with the performed first type random access procedure stored for the PA report, in response to a request to report the RA report.",
"12. The terminal of claim 11, wherein the uplink message size information associated with the performed first type random access procedure for the RA report includes a size of message A (Msg A) for the first type random access.",
"13. The terminal of claim 11, wherein the controller is further configured to perform the second type random access procedure in response to the first type random access procedure being identified as not completed,\nwherein the configuration information further includes a maximum number of preamble transmissions for the first type random access procedure, and\nwherein the first type random access procedure is identified as not completed in response to a number of preamble transmission being above the maximum number.",
"14. The terminal of claim 11, wherein the controller is further configured to:\nstore information on the performed first type random access procedure for a radio link failure (RLF) report, based on detection of an RLF associated with the first type random access procedure, and\ntransmit the RLF report including the information on the performed first type random access procedure stored for the RLF report, in response to a request to report the RLF report.",
"15. The terminal of claim 11, wherein the configuration information further includes random access parameters for each of the first type random access procedure and the second type random access procedure, and\nwherein the random access parameters include:\na preamble index,\na synchronization signal/physical broadcast channel (SS/PBCH) block index,\na random access occasion,\na physical random access channel (PRACH) mask index, and\na number of SS/PBCH blocks per the random access occasion.",
"16. A target base station in a communication system, the target base station comprising:\na transceiver; and\na controller configured to:\nreceive, from a source base station, a message requesting a handover from the source base station to the target base station,\ntransmit, to the source base station, configuration information including information on a first type random access procedure and a second type random access procedure,\nperform the first type random access procedure with a terminal, based on a reference signal received power (RSRP) being above a threshold, the threshold being included in a system information block, and\nreceive, from the terminal, a random access (RA) report including uplink message size information associated with the performed first type random access procedure, in response to a request to report the RA report,\nwherein the configuration information is transmitted from the source base station to the terminal.",
"17. The target base station of claim 16, wherein the second type random access procedure is performed by the terminal, in response to the first type random access procedure being identified as not completed,\nwherein the configuration information further includes a maximum number of preamble transmissions for the first type random access procedure, and\nwherein the first type random access procedure is identified as not completed in response to a number of preamble transmission being above the maximum number.",
"18. The target base station of claim 16, wherein the configuration information further includes random access parameters for each of the first type random access procedure and the second type random access procedure, and\nwherein the random access parameters include:\na preamble index,\na synchronization signal/physical broadcast channel (SS/PBCH) block index,\na random access occasion,\na physical random access channel (PRACH) mask index, and\na number of SS/PBCH blocks per the random access occasion.",
"19. A source base station in a communication system, the source base station comprising:\na transceiver; and\na controller configured to:\ntransmit, to a target base station, a message requesting a handover from the source base station to the target base station,\nreceive, from the target base station, configuration information including information on a first type random access procedure and a second type random access procedure, and\ntransmit, to a terminal, the configuration information,\nwherein a type of random access procedure associated with the terminal and the target base station is a first type random access procedure based on a reference signal received power (RSRP) being above a threshold, the threshold being included in a system information block, and\nwherein uplink message size information associated with the performed first type random access procedure is stored in the terminal for a random access (RA) report, and transmitted by the terminal in response to a request to report the RA report.",
"20. The source base station of claim 19, wherein the second type random access procedure is performed by the terminal, in response to the first type random access procedure being identified as not completed,\nwherein the configuration information further includes a maximum number of preamble transmissions for the first type random access procedure, and\nwherein the first type random access procedure is identified as not completed in response to a number of preamble transmission being above the maximum number."
],
[
"1. A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) comprising:\na processor configured to:\ndetermine a plurality of physical cell identities (PCIs) that each correspond to a cell within a plurality of cells that are within a wireless communication network;\nfor each cell of the plurality of cells, determine at least a frequency shift associated with a positioning reference signal pattern, for the cell, based on the physical cell identity of the cell;\nperform observed time distance of arrival (OTDOA) measurements in accordance with the positioning reference signal patterns for each of the plurality of cells; and\nsend a measurement report to a network node based on the OTDOA measurements; and\na receiver configured to receive communications from the wireless communications network.",
"2. The WTRU of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to receive a neighbor cell list (NCL) comprising the PCIs for each of the plurality of cells.",
"3. The WTRU of claim 1, wherein the frequency shift for each of the plurality of cells is determined based on the function PPI=PCI mod N2, where PPI represents the frequency shift of the cell, PCI represents the physical cell identity of the cell, and N2 represents the number of shift steps for positioning reference signals.",
"4. The WTRU of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to receive assistance information for the OTDO measurements.",
"5. The WTRU of claim 2, where in the processor is further configured to select a first group of cells in the NCL and to determine the frequency shift associated with the positioning reference signal patterns for each cell in the first group of cells.",
"6. The WTRU of claim 1, further comprising a memory and wherein the processor is further configured to store in the memory each of the positioning reference signal patterns with a mapping to one of the plurality of physical cell identifies.",
"7. The WTRU of claim 6, wherein the mapping is stored in the memory in a table format.",
"8. The WTRU of claim 6, where in the mapping is predefined.",
"9. The WTRU of claim 6, where in the processor is further configured to determine each of the positioning reference signal patterns by comparing each of the plurality of cell identities to the mapping stored in memory.",
"10. The WTRU of claim 9, wherein the processor is further configured to correlate a received signal with the mapping and determine whether the correlation was satisfactory by comparing the correlation to a threshold.",
"11. A method of using a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) comprising:\ndetermining a plurality of physical cell identities (PCIs) that each correspond to a cell within a plurality of cells that are within a wireless communication network;\nfor each cell of the plurality of cells, determining at least a frequency shift associated with a positioning reference signal pattern, for the cell, based on the physical cell identity of the cell;\nperforming observed time distance of arrival (OTDOA) measurements in accordance with the positioning reference signal patterns for each of the plurality of cells; and\nsending a measurement report to a network node based on the OTDOA measurements.",
"12. The method of claim 11, further comprising the WTRU receiving a neighbor cell list (NCL) comprising the PCIs for each of the plurality of cells.",
"13. The method of claim 11, wherein the WTRU determines the frequency shift for each of the plurality of cells based on the function PPI=PCI mod N2, where PPI represents the frequency shift of the cell, PCI represents the physical cell identity of the cell, and N2 represents the number of shift steps for positioning reference signals.",
"14. The method of claim 11, further comprising the WTRU receiving assistance information for the OTDO measurements.",
"15. The method of claim 12, further comprising the WTRU selecting a first group of cells in the NCL and determining the frequency shift associated with the positioning reference signal patterns for each cell in the first group of cells.",
"16. The method of claim 11, further comprising the WTRU storing in memory each of the positioning reference signal patterns with a mapping to one of the plurality of physical cell identifies.",
"17. The method of claim 16, wherein storing comprises storing the WTRU mapping each of the positioning reference signal patterns in the memory in a table format.",
"18. The method of claim 16, wherein the mapping is predefined.",
"19. The method of claim 16, further comprising the WTRU determining each of the positioning reference signal patterns by comparing each of the plurality of cell identities to the mapping stored in memory.",
"20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the WTRU correlating a received signal with the mapping and determining whether the correlation was satisfactory by comparing the correlation to a threshold."
],
[
"1. A wireless device comprising:\none or more processors; and\nmemory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the wireless device to:\ntransmit, to a first base station, a measurement report of a cell of a second base station;\nreceive, from the first base station, an indication of a conditional handover to the cell of the second base station,\nwherein the indication comprises:\na cell identifier of the cell of the second base station; and\nat least one handover execution condition; and\nwherein the at least one handover execution condition comprises:\na reference signal received power;\na reference signal received quality;\na first time value indicating a time offset for a decision of a handover execution; or\na second time value indicating a time duration when a command of the conditional handover is valid;\ndetermine to execute the conditional handover based on the at least one handover execution condition received from the first base station being met by the cell of the second base station;\ntransmit, based on the wireless device determining that the at least one handover execution condition is met by the cell of the second base station, a random access preamble via the cell of the second base station; and\nreceive, from the second base station via the cell, at least one of:\nan acknowledgement of a reception of the random access preamble; or\na resource grant for further uplink communication.",
"2. The wireless device of claim 1, wherein the first base station suspends transmitting one or more downlink packets to the wireless device via a radio interface in response to receiving a notification of the conditional handover.",
"3. The wireless device of claim 1,\nwherein the instructions further cause the wireless device to transmit, to the first base station and in response to the determining, a radio resource control message.",
"4. The wireless device of claim 1, wherein the instructions further cause the wireless device to transmit, to the first base station and in response to the determining,\na medium access control control element.",
"5. The wireless device of claim 1, wherein the measurement report comprises a measurement result of the cell of the second base station, wherein the measurement result comprises at least one of:\na reference signal received power; or\na reference signal received quality.",
"6. The wireless device of claim 5,\nwherein the instructions further cause the wireless device to transmit, to the first base station and in response to the determining, a physical layer control indication.",
"7. The wireless device of claim 5,\nwherein the instructions further cause the wireless device to transmit, to the first base station and in response to the determining, a second random access preamble associated with a command of the conditional handover.",
"8. A first base station comprising:\none or more processors; and\nmemory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the first base station to:\nreceive, from a wireless device, a measurement report of a cell of a second base station;\ntransmit, to the wireless device, an indication of a conditional handover to the cell of the second base station,\nwherein the indication comprises:\na cell identifier of the cell of the second base station; and\nat least one handover execution condition; and\nwherein the at least one handover execution condition comprises:\na reference signal received power;\na reference signal received quality;\na first time value indicating a time offset for a decision of a handover execution; or\na second time value indicating a time duration when a command of the conditional handover is valid; and\nreceive a notification of the conditional handover indicating that the wireless device executes the conditional handover via the cell of the second base station; and\nsuspend transmitting to the wireless device in response to receiving the notification of the conditional handover.",
"9. The first base station of claim 8, wherein the instructions further cause the first base station to receive, from the wireless device, a radio resource control message.",
"10. The first base station of claim 8,\nwherein the instructions further cause the first base station to receive, from the wireless device, a physical layer control indication.",
"11. The first base station of claim 8, wherein the instructions further cause the first base station to receive, from the wireless device,\na medium access control control element.",
"12. The first base station of claim 8, wherein the measurement report comprises a measurement result of the cell of the second base station, wherein the measurement result comprises at least one of:\na reference signal received power; or\na reference signal received quality.",
"13. The first base station of claim 12, wherein the instructions further cause the first base station to:\ntransmit, to the second base station, a first message indicating a handover request for the wireless device based on the measurement result; and\nreceive, from the second base station and in response to the first message, a second message indicating a handover request acknowledge for the handover request.",
"14. The first base station of claim 12,\nwherein the instructions further cause the first base station to receive, from the wireless device, a second random access preamble associated with a command of the conditional handover.",
"15. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions that,\nwhen executed by one or more processors of a wireless device, cause the wireless device to:\ntransmit, to a first base station, a measurement report of a cell of a second base station;\nreceive, from the first base station, an indication of a conditional handover to the cell of the second base station, wherein the indication comprises:\na cell identifier of the cell of the second base station; and\nat least one handover execution condition; and\nwherein the at least one handover execution condition comprises:\n a reference signal received power;\n a reference signal received quality;\n a first time value indicating a time offset for a decision of a handover execution; or\n a second time value indicating a time duration when a command of the conditional handover is valid;\ndetermine to execute the conditional handover based on the at least one handover execution condition received from the first base station being met by the cell of the second base station;\ntransmit, based on the wireless device determining that the at least one handover execution condition is met by the cell of the second base station, a random access preamble via the cell of the second base station; and\nreceive, from the second base station via the cell, at least one of:\nan acknowledgement of a reception of the random access preamble; or\na resource grant for further uplink communication.",
"16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the first base station suspends transmitting one or more downlink packets to the wireless device via a radio interface in response to receiving a notification of the conditional handover.",
"17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15,\nwherein the instructions further cause the wireless device to transmit, to the first base station and in response to the determining, a physical layer control indication.",
"18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the instructions further cause the wireless device to transmit, to the first base station and in response to the determining, at least one of:\na medium access control control element; or\na radio resource control message.",
"19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the measurement report comprises a measurement result of the cell of the second base station, wherein the measurement result comprises at least one of:\na reference signal received power; or\na reference signal received quality.",
"20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 19,\nwherein the instructions further cause the wireless device to transmit, to the first base station and in response to the determining, a second random access preamble associated with a command of the conditional handover."
],
[
"1. A scheduled entity comprising:\ntransceiver;\nmemory comprising first instructions; and\none or more processors configured to execute the first instructions and cause the scheduled entity to:\nreceive, via the transceiver, a communication, wherein the communication comprises a configuration of a plurality of candidate cells that are configured for inter-cell mobility effected by at least one of Layer 1 (L1) signaling or Layer 2 (L2) signaling;\nreport, via the transceiver and via at least one of the L1 signaling or the L2 signaling, first measurements about the plurality of candidate cells, the first measurements comprising L1 metrics measured independent of Layer 3 averaging;\nreceive, via the transceiver, second instructions subsequent to the reporting of the first measurements, the second instructions comprising instructions for selecting or deselecting a candidate cell among the plurality of candidate cells;\nselect the candidate cell among the plurality of candidate cells based on the second instructions; and\nconnect, via the transceiver, with the selected candidate cell by using at least one of the L1 signaling or the L2 signaling.",
"2. The scheduled entity of claim 1, wherein the L1 metrics comprise at least one of a reference signal receive power (RSRP), a signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR), or a reference signal received quality (RSRQ).",
"3. The scheduled entity of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to cause the scheduled entity to:\nderive Layer 3 (L3) measurements associated with the plurality of candidate cells by averaging the first measurements over a period of time;\nreport the L3 measurements; and\nreceive, via the transceiver, third instructions subsequent to the reporting of the L3 measurements, the third instructions comprising at least one of:\ninstructions to remove a candidate cell from the plurality of candidate cells; or\ninstructions to add a candidate cell to the plurality of candidate cells.",
"4. The scheduled entity of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to cause the scheduled entity to:\nreceive, via the transceiver, a downlink control information (DCI) or a medium access control (MAC) control element, including the instructions for selecting or deselecting the candidate cell among the plurality of candidate cells.",
"5. The scheduled entity of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to cause the scheduled entity to:\nreceive, via the transceiver, scheduling information;\nmeasure a propagation delay of the one or more of the plurality of candidate cells, the measurement being based on the scheduling information; and\nupdate an uplink timing advance based on the propagation delay.",
"6. The scheduled entity of claim 5, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to cause the scheduled entity to:\nreceive, via the transceiver, a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) order, wherein the PDCCH order is configured to cause the scheduled entity to measure the UL TA.",
"7. The scheduled entity of claim 1, wherein at least one of the L1 signaling or the L2 signaling is configured to effect the inter-cell mobility independent of signaling in a layer above the L2.",
"8. The scheduled entity of claim 1, wherein the configuration of each of the plurality of candidate cells comprises at least one of a physical layer cell identifier (PCI), a synchronization signal block (SSB) configuration, or a measurement configuration.",
"9. The scheduled entity of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are configured to:\nreceive, via the transceiver, a pre-configured cell configuration prior to reporting the first measurements; and\nconnect, via the transceiver, the scheduled entity with the selected candidate cell using the pre-configured cell configuration.",
"10. The scheduled entity of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:\nperform Layer 3 (L3) measurements on a non-candidate cell not included in the plurality of candidate cells;\nreport, via the transceiver, the L3 measurements; and\nadd the non-candidate cell to the plurality of candidate cells based on instructions received subsequent to reporting the L3 measurements.",
"11. A method of wireless communication at a scheduled entity, comprising:\nreceiving a communication, wherein the communication comprises a configuration of a plurality of candidate cells that are configured for inter-cell mobility effected by at least one of Layer 1 (L1) signaling or Layer 2 (L2) signaling;\nreporting, via at least one of the L1 signaling or the L2 signaling, first measurements about the plurality of candidate cells, the first measurements comprising L1 metrics measured independent of Layer 3 averaging;\nreceiving first instructions subsequent to the reporting of the first measurements, the first instructions comprising instructions for selecting or deselecting a candidate cell among the plurality of candidate cells;\nselecting the candidate cell among the plurality of candidate cells based on the first instructions; and\nconnecting with the selected candidate cell by using at least one of the L1 signaling or the L2 signaling.",
"12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:\nderiving Layer 3 (L3) measurements associated with the plurality of candidate cells by averaging the first measurements over a period of time;\nreporting the L3 measurements; and\nreceiving second instructions subsequent to reporting the L3 measurements, the second instructions comprising at least one of:\ninstructions to remove a candidate cell from the plurality of candidate cells; or\ninstructions to add a candidate cell to the plurality of candidate cells.",
"13. A scheduling entity comprising:\na transceiver;\nmemory comprising first instructions; and\none or more processors configured to execute the first instructions and cause the scheduling entity to:\ntransmit, via the transceiver, a communication, wherein the communication comprises a configuration of a plurality of candidate cells that are configured for inter-cell mobility effected by at least one of Layer 1 (L1) signaling or Layer 2 (L2) signaling;\nreceive, via the transceiver and via at least one of the L1 signaling or the L2 signaling, first measurements about the plurality of candidate cells from a scheduled entity via at least one of the L1 signaling or the L2 signaling, the first measurements comprising L1 metrics measured independent of Layer 3 averaging; and\ntransmit, via the transceiver and to the scheduled entity, second instructions subsequent to receiving the first measurements, the second instructions comprising instructions for selecting or deselecting a candidate cell among the plurality of candidate cells.",
"14. The scheduling entity of claim 13, wherein the L1 metrics comprise at least one of a reference signal receive power (RSRP), a signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR), or a reference signal received quality (RSRQ).",
"15. The scheduling entity of claim 13, wherein the configuration of each of the plurality of candidate cells comprises at least one of a physical layer cell identifier (PCI), a synchronization signal block (SSB) configuration, or a measurement configuration.",
"16. The scheduling entity of claim 13, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to cause the scheduling entity to:\nreceive, via the transceiver, Layer 3 (L3) measurements associated with the plurality of candidate cells, the L3 measurements derived from averaging the first measurements over a period of time; and\ntransmit, via the transceiver, third instructions to the scheduled entity subsequent to receiving the L3 measurements,\nwherein the third instructions comprise at least one of:\ninstructions to remove a candidate cell from the plurality of candidate cells; or\ninstructions to add a candidate cell to the plurality of candidate cells.",
"17. The scheduling entity of claim 13, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to cause the scheduling entity to:\ntransmit, via the transceiver, a downlink control information (DCI) or a medium access control (MAC) control element, including the instructions for selecting or deselecting the candidate cell among the plurality of candidate cells.",
"18. The scheduling entity of claim 13, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to cause the scheduling entity to:\ntransmit, via the transceiver, third instructions to the scheduled entity to measure and update an uplink (UL) timing advance (TA) of one or more of the plurality of candidate cells based on at least one of the L1 signaling or the L2 signaling.",
"19. The scheduling entity of claim 18, wherein the third instructions comprise scheduling information that schedules the scheduled entity to measure and update the UL TA of the one or more plurality of candidate cells.",
"20. The scheduling entity of claim 13, wherein at least one of the L1 signaling or the L2 signaling is configured to effect the inter-cell mobility independent of signaling in a layer above the L2."
],
[
"1. A target master node (MN) for performing an inter-MN handover without a change of a secondary node (SN), the target MN comprising:\na transceiver; and\na controller coupled with the transceiver and configured to control to:\nreceive, from a source MN, a handover request message, wherein the handover request message comprises an identity (ID) of a user equipment (UE) allocated at the SN and an ID of the SN,\nsend, to the SN, a request message associated with the SN including the ID of the UE allocated at the SN and an ID of the UE allocated at the target MN,\nreceive, from the SN, a request acknowledge message for the request message,\nsend, to the source MN, a handover request acknowledge message including information indicating that a UE context in the SN is kept,\nsend, to the SN, a configuration completion message,\nsend, to a mobility management related entity, a path switch request message, and\nreceive, from the mobility management related entity, a path switch request acknowledge message,\nwherein the ID of the UE allocated at the SN is application protocol ID of the UE over an interface between the source MN and the SN.",
"2. The target MN according to claim 1,\nwherein the configuration completion message comprises:\nan ID of the UE allocated at the target MN, and\nthe ID of the UE allocated at the SN, and\nwherein the ID of the UE allocated at the target MN is application protocol ID of the UE over an interface between the target MN and the SN.",
"3. The target MN according to claim 1,\nwherein the request message further includes a key associated with security, and\nwherein the ID of the UE allocated at the target MN is application protocol ID of the UE over an interface between the target MN and the SN.",
"4. The target MN according to claim 1, wherein the handover request message comprises an ID of the mobility management related entity.",
"5. The target MN according to claim 1, wherein whether to keep the UE context in the SN is determined by the target MN.",
"6. A source master node (MN) for performing an inter-MN handover without a change of a secondary node (SN), the source MN comprising:\na transceiver; and\na controller coupled with the transceiver and configured to control to:\nsend, to a target MN, a handover request message, wherein the handover request message comprises an identity (ID) of a user equipment (UE) allocated at the SN and an ID of the SN,\nreceive, from the target MN, a handover request acknowledge message including information indicating that a UE context in the SN is kept, and\nsend, to the UE, a radio resource control (RRC) reconfiguration message for handover to the target MN,\nwherein the ID of the UE allocated at the SN is application protocol ID of the UE over an interface between the source MN and the SN.",
"7. The source MN according to claim 6,\nwherein handover request acknowledge message further includes the ID of the UE allocated at the SN and the ID of the UE allocated at the target MN, and\nwherein the ID of the UE allocated at the target MN is application protocol ID of the UE over an interface between the target MN and the SN.",
"8. The source MN according to claim 6, wherein the handover request message comprises an ID of a mobility management related entity.",
"9. The source MN according to claim 6, wherein whether to keep the UE context in the SN is determined by the target MN.",
"10. A method of a source master node (MN) for performing an inter-MN handover without a change of a secondary node (SN), the method comprising:\nsending, to a target MN, a handover request message, wherein the handover request message comprises an identity (ID) of a user equipment (UE) allocated at the SN and an ID of the SN;\nreceiving, from the target MN, a handover request acknowledge message including information indicating that a UE context in the SN is kept; and\nsending, to the UE, a radio resource control (RRC) reconfiguration message for handover to the target MN,\nwherein the ID of the UE allocated at the SN is application protocol ID of the UE over an interface between the source MN and the SN.",
"11. The method according to claim 10,\nwherein handover request acknowledge message further includes the ID of the UE allocated at the SN and the ID of the UE allocated at the target MN, and\nwherein the ID of the UE allocated at the target MN is application protocol ID of the UE over an interface between the target MN and the SN.",
"12. The method according to claim 10, wherein the handover request message comprises an ID of a mobility management related entity.",
"13. The method according to claim 10, wherein whether to keep the UE context in the SN is determined by the target MN."
],
[
"1. A host computer configured to operate in a communication system to provide an over-the-top (OTT) service to a wireless device, the host computer comprising:\nprocessing circuitry configured to initiate transmission of user data toward the wireless device via one or more network nodes of a cellular network;\na network interface configured to transmit the user data to the wireless device via the cellular network wherein the one or more network nodes of the cellular network comprises at least a first network node and a second network node, the second network node initially transmitting data to the wireless device, the second network node has network node processing circuitry configured to:\ntransmit the user data to the wireless device for the OTT service; and\ntransmit to the wireless device a handover message, the handover message comprising a plurality of suitability thresholds for use by the wireless device in selecting a particular one of a plurality of beams to initiate handover to the first network node, wherein the plurality of suitability thresholds comprises a first suitability threshold and a second suitability threshold;\nwherein the first network node receives, from the wireless device, a random access preamble transmitted on a second beam of the plurality of beams wherein the second beam was selected after the wireless device did not receive a response from the first network node to a random access preamble transmitted on a first beam;\nwherein the first beam was selected based on a comparison of the plurality of beams to the first suitability threshold and the second beam was selected based on a comparison of the plurality of beams to the second suitability threshold; and\nwherein the first network node transmits the user data to the wireless device for the OTT service after the wireless device successfully transmits a random access preamble to the first network node.",
"2. The host computer of the claim 1, wherein:\nthe processing circuitry of the host computer is configured to execute a host application that provides the user data; and\nthe wireless device comprises wireless device processing circuitry configured to execute a client application associated with the host application to receive the transmission of user data from the host computer.",
"3. The host computer of the claim 1, wherein the network node processing circuitry is operable to execute instructions to cause the second network node to:\nprior to transmitting the handover message comprising the plurality of suitability thresholds:\nreceive a measurement reporting parameter associated with the wireless device; and\ndetermine the plurality of suitability thresholds based on the measurement reporting parameter associated with the wireless device.",
"4. The host computer of claim 1, wherein:\neach of the plurality of suitability thresholds is associated with a different one of a plurality of reference signals.",
"5. The host computer of claim 1, wherein:\nthe first suitability threshold is for synchronization signal block (SSB) based handover, and\nthe second suitability threshold is for channel state information-reference signal (CSI-RS) based handover.",
"6. The host computer of claim 1, wherein:\nthe first suitability threshold is associated with an initial preamble transmission,\nthe second suitability threshold is associated with a preamble retransmission, and\nthe second suitability threshold is lower than the first suitability threshold.",
"7. A method implemented by a host computer operating in a communication system to provide an over-the-top (OTT) service) to a user equipment (wireless device), the method comprising:\ninitiating, by processing circuitry of the host computer, a transmission to carrying user data associated with the OTT service to a wireless device via a cellular network comprising at least a first network node and a second network node, the second network node initially transmitting data to the wireless device, the second network node:\ntransmitting the user data to the wireless device for the OTT service; and\ntransmitting to the wireless device a handover message, the handover message comprising a plurality of suitability thresholds for use by the wireless device in selecting a particular one of a plurality of beams to initiate handover to the first network node, wherein the plurality of suitability thresholds comprises a first suitability threshold and a second suitability threshold;\nwherein the first network node receives, from the wireless device, a random access preamble transmitted on a second beam of the plurality of beams wherein the second beam was selected after the wireless device did not receive a response from the first network node to a random access preamble transmitted on a first beam;\nwherein the first beam was selected based on a comparison of the plurality of beams to the first suitability threshold and the second beam was selected based on a comparison of the plurality of beams to the second suitability threshold; and\nwherein the first network node transmits the user data to the wireless device for the OTT service after the wireless device successfully transmits a random access preamble to the first network node.",
"8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:\nat the host computer, executing a host application associated with a client application executing on the wireless device to receive the user data from the wireless device.",
"9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:\nat the host computer, transmitting input data to the client application executing on the wireless device, wherein the user data is provided by the client application in response to the input data from the host application.",
"10. The method of claim 7, wherein the second network node performs operations comprising:\nprior to transmitting the handover message comprising the plurality of suitability thresholds:\nreceiving a measurement reporting parameter associated with the wireless device; and\ndetermining the at least one suitability threshold based on the measurement reporting parameter associated with the wireless device.",
"11. A communication system operable to enable provision of an over-the-top (OTT) service, the communication system comprising:\na host computer configured to operate in a communication system to provide an over-the-top (OTT) service to a wireless device, the host computer comprising:\nprocessing circuitry configured to initiate transmission of user data toward the wireless device via one or more network nodes of a cellular network;\na network interface configured to transmit the user data to the wireless device via the cellular network wherein the one or more network nodes of the cellular network comprises at least a first network node and a second network node, the second network node initially transmitting data to the wireless device, the second network node is configured to:\ntransmit the user data to the wireless device for the OTT service; and\ntransmit to the wireless device a handover message, the handover message comprising a plurality of suitability thresholds for use by the wireless device in selecting a particular one of a plurality of beams to initiate handover to the first network node, wherein the plurality of suitability thresholds comprises a first suitability threshold and a second suitability threshold;\nwherein the first network node receives, from the wireless device, a random access preamble transmitted on a second beam of the plurality of beams wherein the second beam was selected after the wireless device did not receive a response from the first network node to a random access preamble transmitted on a first beam:\nwherein the first beam was selected based on a comparison of the plurality of beams to the first suitability threshold and the second beam was selected based on a comparison of the plurality of beams to the second suitability threshold; and\nwherein the first network node transmits the user data to the wireless device for the OTT service after the wireless device successfully transmits a random access preamble to the first network node.",
"12. The communication system of claim 11, further including the first network node and the second network node.",
"13. The communication system of claim 11, further including the wireless device, wherein the wireless device is configured to communicate with the first and second network nodes.",
"14. The communication system of claim 11, wherein:\nthe processing circuitry of the host computer is configured to execute a host application, thereby providing the user data, the host application associated with a client application operable on the wireless device.",
"15. The communication system of claim 11, wherein the processing circuitry is operable to execute instructions to cause the first network node to:\nprior to transmitting the handover message comprising the at least one suitability threshold to the second network node:\nreceive a measurement reporting parameter associated with the wireless device from the second network node; and\ndetermine the at least one suitability threshold based on the measurement reporting parameter associated with the wireless device.",
"16. The communication system of claim 11, wherein the processing circuitry is operable to execute instructions to cause the first network node to:\nprior to transmitting the handover message comprising the at least one suitability threshold to the second network node:\ntransmit a message that includes the at least one suitability threshold for use by the second network node in determining a measurement reporting parameter for the wireless device."
],
[
"1. A method for a base station, the method comprising:\ngenerating, for transmission to a user equipment (UE), a Radio Resource Control (RRC) Connection Setup message when the UE is in an RRC Idle Mode or an RRC Connection Reconfiguration message when the UE is in an RRC Connected Mode, the RRC Connection Setup or Reconfiguration message comprising a discontinuous reception (DRX) configuration, the DRX configuration comprising:\na plurality of timers that indicate timing for the UE to monitor for a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), timing before the UE enters an idle state, and timing for downlink retransmission and a long DRX cycle start offset that provides a timing to enable transmission of a Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) for Time Division Duplexing (TDD), wherein the long DRX cycle start offset is 70 ms, and\na short DRX cycle timer that specifies a number of consecutive subframes that the UE is to follow a short DRX cycle; and\ngenerating, for transmission to the UE based on the DRX configuration, a control signal that indicates data for the UE, the control signal in a PDCCH of the short DRX cycle or a subsequent long DRX cycle.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the control signal is in one of subframes of an active time and subframes after the active time in at least one of an on duration of the short DRX cycle and an on duration of the long DRX cycle, the active time comprising a time while one of the timers is operating.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein the DRX configuration indicates to restart an inactivity timer of the plurality of timers following successful decoding of a PDCCH for a first transmission of data and not for a retransmission of the data.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein the PDCCH is an enhanced PDCCH (ePDCCH), and wherein the control signal is generated after an active time for a number of subframes determined based on ePDCCH processing time of the UE.",
"5. A base station, comprising:\na memory; and\nprocessing circuitry in communication with the memory and configured to:\ngenerate, for transmission to a user equipment (UE), a Radio Resource Control (RRC) Connection Setup message when the UE is in an RRC Idle Mode or an RRC Connection Reconfiguration message when the UE is in an RRC Connected Mode, the RRC Connection Setup or Reconfiguration message comprising a discontinuous reception (DRX) configuration, the DRX configuration comprising:\na plurality of timers that indicate timing for the UE to monitor for a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), timing before the UE enters an idle state, and timing for downlink retransmission and a long DRX cycle start offset that provides a timing to enable transmission of a Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) for Time Division Duplexing (TDD), wherein the long DRX cycle start offset is 70 ms, and\na short DRX cycle timer that specifies a number of consecutive subframes that the UE is to follow a short DRX cycle; and\ngenerate, for transmission to the UE based on the DRX configuration, a control signal that indicates data for the UE, the control signal in a PDCCH of the short DRX cycle or a subsequent long DRX cycle.",
"6. The base station of claim 5, wherein the control signal is in one of subframes of an active time and subframes after the active time in at least one of an on duration of the short DRX cycle and an on duration of the long DRX cycle, the active time comprising a time while one of the timers is operating.",
"7. The base station of claim 5, wherein the DRX configuration indicates to restart an inactivity timer of the plurality of timers following successful decoding of a PDCCH for a first transmission of data and not for a retransmission of the data.",
"8. The base station of claim 5, wherein the PDCCH is an enhanced PDCCH (ePDCCH), and wherein the control signal is generated after an active time for a number of subframes determined based on ePDCCH processing time of the UE.",
"9. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that stores instructions for execution by one or more processors of a base station, the one or more processors to configure the base station to:\ngenerate, for transmission to a user equipment (UE), a Radio Resource Control (RRC) Connection Setup message when the UE is in an RRC Idle Mode or an RRC Connection Reconfiguration message when the UE is in an RRC Connected Mode, the RRC Connection Setup or Reconfiguration message comprising a discontinuous reception (DRX) configuration, the DRX configuration comprising:\na plurality of timers that indicate timing for the UE to monitor for a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), timing before the UE enters an idle state, and timing for downlink retransmission and a long DRX cycle start offset that provides a timing to enable transmission of a Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) for Time Division Duplexing (TDD), wherein the long DRX cycle start offset is 70 ms, and\na short DRX cycle timer that specifies a number of consecutive subframes that the UE is to follow a short DRX cycle; and\ngenerate, for transmission to the UE based on the DRX configuration, a control signal that indicates data for the UE, the control signal in a PDCCH of the short DRX cycle or a subsequent long DRX cycle.",
"10. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein the control signal is in one of subframes of an active time and subframes after the active time in at least one of an on duration of the short DRX cycle and an on duration of the long DRX cycle, the active time comprising a time while one of the timers is operating.",
"11. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein the DRX configuration indicates to restart an inactivity timer of the plurality of timers following successful decoding of a PDCCH for a first transmission of data and not for a retransmission of the data.",
"12. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein the PDCCH is an enhanced PDCCH (ePDCCH), and wherein the control signal is generated after an active time for a number of subframes determined based on ePDCCH processing time of the UE."
],
[
"1. An access device, comprising:\nat least one hardware processor; and\na non-transitory computer-readable storage medium coupled to the at least one hardware processor and storing programming instructions for execution by the at least one hardware processor, wherein the programming instructions, when executed, cause the at least one hardware processor to perform operations comprising:\nreceiving, at the access device from a user equipment (UE), a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection setup complete message;\nforwarding a portion of the RRC connection setup complete message from the access device to a network node supporting mobility management, the portion including a service request message carried by the RRC connection setup complete message; and\nreceiving, at the access device from the network node, a context setup message, wherein the context setup message identifies an area in which the UE is registered.",
"2. The access device of claim 1, wherein the service request message is a Non-Access Stratum (NAS) Extended Service Request message.",
"3. The access device of claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise:\nselecting a circuit switched network cell belonging to the area identified by the context setup message; and\ninstructing the UE to transfer to the selected circuit switched network cell.",
"4. The access device of claim 3, wherein the selected circuit switched network cell is a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE) Radio Access Network (GERAN) cell.",
"5. The access device of claim 1, wherein the context setup message comprises an indication that circuit switched fallback has been triggered.",
"6. The access device of claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise sending a signaling message to the UE, wherein the signaling message configures the UE to measure at least one circuit switched network cell.",
"7. The access device of claim 6, wherein the operations further comprise, in response to the signaling message, receiving a measurement report indicating measurement information of at least one circuit switched network cell.",
"8. The access device of claim 1, wherein the access device is a Long Term Evolution (LTE) access device.",
"9. A method, comprising:\nreceiving, at an access device and from a user equipment (UE), a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection setup complete message;\nforwarding a portion of the RRC connection setup message from the access device to a network node supporting mobility management, the portion including a service request message carried by the RRC connection setup complete message; and\nreceiving, at the access device from the network node, a context setup message, wherein the context setup message identifies an area in which the UE is registered.",
"10. The method of claim 9, wherein the service request message is a Non-Access Stratum (NAS) Extended Service Request message.",
"11. The method of claim 9, further comprising:\nselecting a circuit switched network cell belonging to the area identified by the context setup message; and\ninstructing the UE to transfer to the selected circuit switched network cell.",
"12. The method of claim 11, wherein the selected circuit switched network cell is a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE) Radio Access Network (GERAN) cell.",
"13. The method of claim 9, wherein the context setup message comprises an indication that circuit switched fallback has been triggered.",
"14. The method of claim 9, further comprising:\nsending a signaling message to the UE, wherein the signaling message configures the UE to measure at least one circuit switched network cell.",
"15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:\nin response to the signaling message, receiving a measurement report indicating measurement information of at least one circuit switched network cell.",
"16. The method of claim 9, wherein the access device is a Long Term Evolution (LTE) access device.",
"17. A user equipment (UE), comprising:\nat least one hardware processor; and\na non-transitory computer-readable storage medium coupled to the at least one hardware processor and storing programming instructions for execution by the at least one hardware processor, wherein the programming instructions, when executed, cause the at least one hardware processor to perform operations comprising:\nsending, from the UE to an access device, a first signaling message, wherein the first signaling message includes a second signaling message comprising a service request, wherein the second signaling message is sent to the access device for forwarding to a network node supporting mobility management; and\nreceiving, at the UE from the access device, a third signaling message indicating that the UE is to handover from an Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) cell to a cell associated with a different radio access network for circuit switched fallback, wherein the cell associated with the different radio access network is in an area that the UE is registered in.",
"18. The UE of claim 17, wherein the first signaling message comprises a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message and the second signaling message comprises a Non-Access Stratum (NAS) message.",
"19. The UE of claim 18, wherein the cell associated with the different radio access network comprises a Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN) cell."
],
[
"1. A method applied in a terminal, comprising:\nreceiving a first message from a first network device to which a source cell of the terminal belongs, wherein the first message comprises first indication information, the first indication information indicating to the terminal to maintain data transmission with the first network device until second indication information for releasing the source cell is received by the terminal, and the first message indicating to the terminal to hand over to a target cell, wherein the target cell belongs to a second network device;\nestablishing a media access control (MAC) entity and a radio link control (RLC) entity that correspond to the second network device, wherein a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) entity corresponding to the second network device and a PDCP entity corresponding to the first network device are a same PDCP entity, and wherein the same PDCP entity is configured with a first security key corresponding to the first network device and a second security key corresponding to the second network device;\nmaintaining, according to the first message, the data transmission with the first network device until releasing the source cell; and\nby use of the same PDCP entity, communicating with the first network device using the first security key corresponding to the first network device, and communicating with the second network device using the second security key corresponding to the second network device.",
"2. The method according to claim 1, wherein a second message is sent to the second network device indicating completion of handover of the terminal.",
"3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising:\nafter the second message is sent to the second network device,\nreceiving the second indication information from the second network device; and\nreleasing, according to the second indication information, a protocol stack corresponding to the source cell.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein the PDCP entity corresponding to the second network device and the PDCP entity corresponding to the first network device are the same PDCP entity for data encryption/decryption and integrity protection.",
"5. A method comprising:\ngenerating, by a first network device to which a source cell of a terminal belongs, a first message, wherein the first message comprises first indication information, the first indication information indicating to the terminal to maintain data transmission with the first network device until second indication information for releasing the source cell is received by the terminal, and the first message indicating to the terminal to hand over to a target cell, wherein the target cell belongs to a second network device; and\nsending, by the first network device, the first message to the terminal,\nwherein the terminal establishes a media access control (MAC) entity and a radio link control (RLC) entity that correspond to the second network device, wherein a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) entity corresponding to the second network device and a PDCP entity corresponding to the first network device are a same PDCP entity, and wherein the same PDCP entity is configured with a first security key corresponding to the first network device and a second security key corresponding to the second network device.",
"6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the method further comprises:\nbefore sending, by the first network device, the first message to the terminal,\nsending, by the first network device, a second message to the second network device, the second message indicating that the terminal maintains, in a handover process, the data transmission with the first network device until releasing the source cell.",
"7. The method according to claim 5, further comprising:\nsending, by the second network device, the second indication information to the terminal to indicate the terminal to release a protocol stack corresponding to the source cell.",
"8. The method of claim 5, wherein the PDCP entity corresponding to the second network device and the PDCP entity corresponding to the first network device are the same PDCP entity for data encryption/decryption and integrity protection.",
"9. A communications apparatus comprising:\nat least one processor and a non-transitory memory, wherein the at least one processor is coupled to the non-transitory memory storing a computer program or instructions, and the at least one processor is configured to execute the computer program or the instructions in the non-transitory memory, to cause the communications apparatus to:\nreceive a first message from a first network device to which a source cell of the communications apparatus belongs, wherein the first message comprises first indication information, the first indication information indicating to the communications apparatus to maintain data transmission with the first network device until second indication information for releasing the source cell is received by the communications apparatus, and the first message indicating the communications apparatus to hand over to a target cell, wherein the target cell belongs to a second network device;\nestablish a media access control (MAC) entity and a radio link control (RLC) entity that correspond to the second network device, wherein a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) entity corresponding to the second network device and a PDCP entity corresponding to the first network device are a same PDCP entity, and wherein the same PDCP entity is configured with a first security key corresponding to the first network device and a second security key corresponding to the second network device;\nmaintain, according to the first message, the data transmission with the first network device until releasing the source cell is received by the communications apparatus; and\nby use of the same PDCP entity, communicate with the first network device using the first security key corresponding to the first network device, and communicate with the second network device using the second security key corresponding to the second network device.",
"10. The communications apparatus according to claim 9, wherein a second message is sent to the second network device indicating completion of handover of the communications apparatus.",
"11. The communications apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the communications apparatus is further caused to:\nreceive the second indication information from the second network device; and\nrelease, according to the second indication information, a protocol stack corresponding to the source cell.",
"12. The communications apparatus of claim 9, wherein the PDCP entity corresponding to the second network device and the PDCP entity corresponding to the first network device are the same PDCP entity for data encryption/decryption and integrity protection."
],
[
"1. A method performed by a network in a wireless communication system, the method comprising:\ntransmitting a radio resource control (RRC) message to a wireless device, wherein the RRC message comprising an identifier of a radio bearer, and information requesting the wireless device to perform a first operation regarding an RLC entity and a second operation regarding an PDCP entity;\nwherein the first operation is for an RLC reestablishment of the radio bearer, the first operation comprising (i) stopping and resetting RLC-related timers, and (ii) resetting RLC-related state variables to their initial values; and\nwherein the second operation comprises one of (i) retransmission of PDCP data units for which successful delivery has not been confirmed, or (ii) transmission of a PDCP status report, for the radio bearer without a PDCP-related security key change.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the information regarding the PDCP entity is different from information regarding an PDCP reestablishment procedure.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein the network comprises a master base station and a secondary base station.",
"4. The method of claim 3, wherein the radio bearer corresponds to a first type radio bearer, the first type radio bearer being served by both the master base station and the secondary base station.",
"5. The method of claim 3, wherein the radio bearer corresponds to a second type radio bearer, the second type radio bearer being served by either the master base station or the secondary base station.",
"6. An apparatus in a wireless communication system, the apparatus comprising:\nat least one radio frequency (RF) module;\nat least one processor; and\nat least one computer memory operably connectable to the at least one processor and storing instructions that, when executed, cause the at least one processor to perform operations comprising:\ntransmitting a radio resource control (RRC) message to a wireless device, wherein the RRC message comprising an identifier of a radio bearer, and information requesting the wireless device to perform a first operation regarding an RLC entity and a second operation regarding an PDCP entity;\nwherein the first operation is for an RLC reestablishment of the radio bearer performing (i) stopping and resetting RLC-related timers, and (ii) resetting RLC-related state variables to their initial values;\nwherein the second operation comprises one of (i) retransmission of PDCP data units for which successful delivery has not been confirmed, or (ii) transmission of a PDCP status report, for the radio bearer without a PDCP-related security key change.",
"7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the information regarding the PDCP entity is different from information regarding an PDCP reestablishment procedure.",
"8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the apparatus is one or more of a master base station and a secondary base station.",
"9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the radio bearer corresponds to a first type radio bearer, the first type radio bearer being served by both the master base station and the secondary base station.",
"10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the radio bearer corresponds to a second type radio bearer, the second type radio bearer being served by either the master base station or the secondary base station.",
"11. A method performed by a wireless device in a wireless communication system, the method comprising:\nreceiving a radio resource control (RRC) message comprising an identifier of a radio bearer, and information requesting the wireless device to perform a first operation regarding an RLC entity and a second operation regarding an PDCP entity;\nbased on the information regarding the RLC entity of the RRC message, performing the first operation as an RLC reestablishment for the radio bearer, wherein the RLC reestablishment comprises (i) stopping and resetting RLC-related timers, and (ii) resetting RLC-related state variables to their initial values; and\nbased on the information regarding the PDCP entity of the RRC message, performing the second operation comprising one of (i) retransmission of PDCP data units for which successful delivery has not been confirmed, or (ii) transmission of a PDCP status report, for the radio bearer without a PDCP-related security key change.",
"12. The method of claim 11, wherein the information regarding the PDCP entity is different from information regarding an PDCP reestablishment procedure.",
"13. The method of claim 12, wherein the PDCP reestablishment procedure comprises the PDCP-related security key change.",
"14. The method of claim 13, wherein the PDCP-related security key change comprises configuring, relative to before performing the PDCP reestablishment procedure, a new PDCP-related security key.",
"15. The method of claim 11, wherein the PDCP-related security key is related to integrity protection and/or ciphering.",
"16. An apparatus in a wireless communication system, the apparatus comprising:\nat least one radio frequency (RF) module;\nat least one processor; and\nat least one computer memory operably connectable to the at least one processor and storing instructions that, when executed, cause the at least one processor to perform operations comprising:\nreceiving a radio resource control (RRC) message comprising an identifier of a radio bearer and information requesting the apparatus to perform a first operation regarding an RLC entity and a second operation regarding an PDCP entity;\nbased on the information regarding the RLC entity of the RRC message, performing the first operation as an RLC reestablishment for the radio bearer, wherein the RLC reestablishment comprises (i) stopping and resetting RLC-related timers, and (ii) resetting RLC-related state variables to their initial values; and\nbased on the information regarding the PDCP entity of the RRC message, performing the second operation comprising one of (i) retransmission of PDCP data units for which successful delivery has not been confirmed, or (ii) transmission of a PDCP status report for the radio bearer without a PDCP-related security key change.",
"17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the information regarding the PDCP entity is different from information regarding an PDCP reestablishment procedure.",
"18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the PDCP reestablishment procedure comprises the PDCP-related security key change.",
"19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the PDCP-related security key change comprises configuring, relative to before performing the PDCP reestablishment procedure, a new PDCP-related security key.",
"20. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the PDCP-related security key is related to integrity protection and/or ciphering."
],
[
"1. A communication method, wherein the method comprises:\nreceiving, by a terminal device, a broadcast message, wherein the broadcast message comprises a first parameter and a second parameter that are for a first cell, wherein the first parameter is used to determine a minimum receive level value required by the first cell when the terminal device supports supplementary uplink (SUL) carrier transmission, and wherein the second parameter is used to determine a minimum receive level value required by the first cell when the terminal device does not support SUL carrier transmission; and\nperforming, by the terminal device, cell selection or cell reselection based on the first parameter when the terminal device supports SUL carrier transmission; or\nperforming, by the terminal device, cell selection or cell reselection based on the second parameter when the terminal device does not support SUL carrier transmission.",
"2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the performing, by the terminal device, cell selection or cell reselection based on the first parameter when the terminal device supports SUL carrier transmission comprises:\ndetermining, based on the first parameter, whether to camp on the first cell, or whether to reselect to the first cell.",
"3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the performing, by the terminal device, cell selection or cell reselection based on the second parameter when the terminal device does not support SUL carrier transmission comprises:\ndetermining, based on the second parameter, whether to camp on the first cell, or whether to reselect to the first cell.",
"4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the determining, based on the first parameter, whether to camp on the first cell, or whether to reselect to the first cell comprises:\ndetermining, based on Srxlev_1, whether to camp on the first cell, or whether to reselect to the first cell, wherein the Srxlev_1=Qrxlevmeas−(Qrxlevmin−Qrxlevminoffset−Offset_1)−Pcompensation, wherein the Qrxlevmeas is a received signal strength value measured by the terminal device and the received signal strength value is measured reference signal receiving power (RSRP), wherein the Qrxlevmin is indicated by the first parameter, wherein the QrxlevminOffset is a parameter that has an offset to Qrxlevmin, wherein the Offset_1 is an offset value and the offset value is set by a network device based on a capability of the terminal device or a configuration of the network device, wherein the Pcompensation is a larger value in (PEMAX−PUMAX) or 0, wherein PEMAX is maximum allowed transmit power, and wherein PUMAX refers to maximum output power.",
"5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first cell is a serving cell or a neighboring cell of the terminal device.",
"6. The method according to claim 1, wherein a value of the first parameter is less than a value of the second parameter.",
"7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:\ndetermining, based on the broadcast message by the terminal device, that a frequency band of the first cell comprises an SUL frequency band.",
"8. A communication method, wherein the method comprises:\nsending, by a network device, a broadcast message to a terminal device, wherein the broadcast message comprises a first parameter and a second parameter that are for a first cell, wherein the first parameter is used to determine a minimum receive level value required by the first cell when the terminal device supports supplementary uplink (SUL) carrier transmission, and wherein the second parameter is used to determine a minimum receive level value required by the first cell when the terminal device does not support SUL carrier transmission.",
"9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the first cell is a serving cell or a neighboring cell of the terminal device.",
"10. The method according to claim 8, wherein a value of the first parameter is less than a value of the second parameter.",
"11. A apparatus, comprising:\na memory, configured to store a computer program; and\nat least one processor, wherein the computer program stored in the memory, when executed by the at least one processor, enables the apparatus to perform:\nreceiving a broadcast message, wherein the broadcast message comprises a first parameter and a second parameter that are for a first cell, wherein the first parameter is used to determine a minimum receive level value required by the first cell when the apparatus supports supplementary uplink (SUL) carrier transmission, and wherein the second parameter is used to determine a minimum receive level value required by the first cell when the apparatus does not support SUL carrier transmission; and\nperforming cell selection or cell reselection based on the first parameter when the apparatus supports SUL carrier transmission; or\nperforming cell selection or cell reselection based on the second parameter when the apparatus does not support SUL carrier transmission.",
"12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the performing cell selection or cell reselection based on the first parameter when the apparatus supports SUL carrier transmission comprises:\ndetermining, based on the first parameter, whether to camp on the first cell, or whether to reselect to the first cell.",
"13. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the performing cell selection or cell reselection based on the second parameter when the apparatus does not support SUL carrier transmission comprises:\ndetermining, based on the second parameter, whether to camp on the first cell, or whether to reselect to the first cell.",
"14. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the determining, based on the second parameter, whether to camp on the first cell, or whether to reselect to the first cell comprises:\ndetermining, based on Srxlev, whether to camp on the first cell, or whether to reselect to the first cell, wherein the Srxlev_1=Qrxlevmeas−(Qrxlevmin−Qrxlevminoffset−Offset_1)−Pcompensation, wherein the Qrxlevmeas is a received signal strength value measured by the apparatus and the received signal strength value is measured reference signal receiving power (RSRP), wherein the Qrxlevmin is indicated by the second parameter, wherein the QrxlevminOffset is a parameter that has an offset to Qrxlevmin, wherein the Offset_1 is an offset value and the offset value is set by a network device based on a capability of the apparatus or a configuration of the network device, wherein the Pcompensation is a larger value in (PEMAX−PUMAX) or 0, wherein PEMAX is maximum allowed transmit power, and wherein PUMAX refers to maximum output power.",
"15. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the first cell is a serving cell or a neighboring cell of the apparatus.",
"16. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein a value of the first parameter is less than a value of the second parameter.",
"17. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the computer program enables the apparatus to further perform:\ndetermining, based on the broadcast message, that a frequency band of the first cell comprises an SUL frequency band.",
"18. A apparatus, comprising:\na memory, configured to store a computer program; and\nat least one processor, wherein the computer program stored in the memory, when executed by the at least one processor, enables the apparatus to perform:\nsending a broadcast message to a terminal device, wherein the broadcast message comprises a first parameter and a second parameter that are for a first cell, wherein the first parameter is used to determine a minimum receive level value required by the first cell when the terminal device supports supplementary uplink (SUL) carrier transmission, and wherein the second parameter is used to determine a minimum receive level value required by the first cell when the terminal device does not support SUL carrier transmission.",
"19. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the first cell is a serving cell or a neighboring cell of the terminal device.",
"20. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein a value of the first parameter is less than a value of the second parameter."
],
[
"16. A method performed by a terminal in a wireless communication system, the method comprising:\nreceiving, from a source base station, a radio resource control (RRC) message for a dual active protocol stack (DAPS) handover;\nestablishing a target medium access control (MAC) entity, based on receiving the RRC message;\ntransmitting, to a target base station, a preamble for random access;\nreceiving a random access response message, from the target base station, in response to transmitting the preamble;\nselecting, at the target MAC entity, only a logical channel related to the DAPS handover among at least one logical channel, for uplink transmission corresponding to the random access response message; and\ntransmitting data corresponding to the selected logical channel to the target base station.",
"17. The method of claim 16, wherein the random access is related to contention-based random access (CBRA).",
"18. The method of claim 16, wherein the logical channel related to the DAPS handover is selected before a completion of the random access.",
"19. The method of claim 16,\nwherein the RRC message contains indication information indicating at least one bearer as a DAPS bearer,\nwherein the logical channel related to the DAPS handover corresponds to the at least one bearer indicated as the DAPS bearer, and\nwherein among the at least one logical channel, a logical channel corresponding to a bearer not indicated as the DAPS bearer is not selected as the logical channel for the uplink transmission.",
"20. A method performed by a target base station in a wireless communication system, the method comprising:\ntransmitting, to a source base station, a command message related to a dual active protocol stack (DAPS) handover for a terminal;\nreceiving, from the terminal, a preamble for random access, based on transmitting the command message;\ntransmitting, to the terminal, a random access response message in response to the preamble; and\nreceiving, from the terminal, data corresponding to a logical channel,\nwherein the logical channel is selected only from a logical channel related to the DAPS handover among at least one logical channel, for uplink transmission corresponding to the random access response message.",
"21. The method of claim 20, wherein the random access is related to contention-based random access (CBRA).",
"22. The method of claim 20,\nwherein the command message contains indication information indicating at least one bearer as a DAPS bearer, and\nwherein the logical channel related to the DAPS handover corresponds to the at least one bearer indicated as the DAPS bearer.",
"23. The method of claim 22, wherein among the at least one logical channel, a logical channel corresponding to a bearer not indicated as the DAPS bearer is not selected as the logical channel for the uplink transmission.",
"24. A terminal in a wireless communication system, the terminal comprising:\na transceiver; and\na controller configured to:\nreceive, from a source base station, a radio resource control (RRC) message for a dual active protocol stack (DAPS) handover,\nestablish a target medium access control (MAC) entity, based on receiving the RRC message,\ntransmit, to a target base station, a preamble for random access,\nreceive a random access response message, from the target base station, in response to transmitting the preamble,\nselect, at the target MAC entity, only a logical channel related to the DAPS handover among at least one logical channel, for uplink transmission corresponding to the random access response message, and\ntransmit data corresponding to the selected logical channel to the target base station.",
"25. The terminal of claim 24, wherein the random access is related to contention-based random access (CBRA).",
"26. The terminal of claim 24, wherein the logical channel related to the DAPS handover is selected before a completion of the random access.",
"27. The terminal of claim 24,\nwherein the RRC message contains indication information indicating at least one bearer as a DAPS bearer,\nwherein the logical channel related to the DAPS handover corresponds to the at least one bearer indicated as the DAPS bearer, and\nwherein among the at least one logical channel, a logical channel corresponding to a bearer not indicated as the DAPS bearer is not selected as the logical channel for the uplink transmission.",
"28. A target base station in a wireless communication system, the target base station comprising:\na transceiver; and\na controller configured to:\ntransmit, to a source base station, a command message related to a dual active protocol stack (DAPS) handover for a terminal,\nreceive, from the terminal, a preamble for random access, based on transmitting the command message,\ntransmit, to the terminal, a random access response message in response to the preamble, and\nreceive, from the terminal, data corresponding to a logical channel,\nwherein the logical channel is selected only from a logical channel related to the DAPS handover among at least one logical channel, for uplink transmission corresponding to the random access response message.",
"29. The target base station of claim 28, wherein the random access is related to contention-based random access (CBRA).",
"30. The target base station of claim 28,\nwherein the command message contains indication information indicating at least one bearer as a DAPS bearer,\nwherein the logical channel related to the DAPS handover corresponds to the at least one bearer indicated as the DAPS bearer, and\nwherein among the at least one logical channel, a logical channel corresponding to a bearer not indicated as the DAPS bearer is not selected as the logical channel for the uplink transmission."
],
[
"1. A communication apparatus, comprising:\ncircuitry configured to:\nreceive switching information from a first base station apparatus, wherein\nthe switching information is used for a handover from the first base station apparatus to a second base station apparatus to be a switching destination candidate;\ndetermine whether to execute the handover based on a radio quality between the communication apparatus and the first base station apparatus after the reception of the switching information;\nexecute the handover from the first base station apparatus to the second base station apparatus based on the switching information and the determination to execute the handover; and\nexecute connection to the second base station apparatus using a radio resource, wherein\nthe switching information includes resource information related to the radio resource.",
"2. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein\nthe circuitry is further configured to execute the connection to the second base station apparatus using a dedicated radio resource, and\nthe resource information includes information regarding the dedicated radio resource that is exclusively assigned to the communication apparatus from the first base station apparatus.",
"3. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein\nthe switching information further includes trigger information, and\nthe circuitry is further configured to determine whether to execute the handover based on the trigger information.",
"4. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the circuitry is further configured to:\nreceive the switching information regarding each of a plurality of base station apparatuses to be switching destination candidates; and\nexecute the connection to the second base station apparatus selected from the plurality of the base station apparatuses based on the switching information and the determination to execute the handover.",
"5. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein\nthe switching information further includes update information related to an update condition of the switching information, and\nthe circuitry is further configured to update the switching information to new switching information received from the first base station apparatus upon satisfaction of the update condition.",
"6. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the circuitry is further configured to:\nreceive, from the first base station apparatus, first switching information used for switching the connection to the second base station apparatus, and\nreceive, from the first base station apparatus, second switching information used for switching the connection to a third base station apparatus to be the switching destination candidate subsequent to the connection with the second base station apparatus.",
"7. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the circuitry is further configured to:\nmeasure the radio quality between the communication apparatus and the first base station apparatus after the reception of the switching information, and\ndetermine whether to execute the handover based on the radio quality between the communication apparatus and the first base station apparatus after the measurement of the radio quality.",
"8. A first base station apparatus, comprising:\ncircuitry configured to:\nacquire switching information that includes information used by a communication apparatus for a handover from the first base station apparatus to a second base station apparatus to be a switching destination candidate; and\ntransmit the switching information to the communication apparatus, wherein\nthe switching information is used by the communication apparatus to determine whether to execute the handover based on a radio quality between the communication apparatus and the first base station apparatus after the acquisition of the switching information, and\nthe switching information includes resource information related to a radio resource that is used for connection to the second base station apparatus by the communication apparatus.",
"9. A communication method, comprising:\nin a communication apparatus:\nreceiving switching information from a first base station apparatus, wherein\nthe switching information is used for a handover from the first base station apparatus to a second base station apparatus to be a switching destination candidate;\ndetermining whether to execute the handover based on a radio quality between the communication apparatus and the first base station apparatus after the reception of the switching information;\nexecuting the handover from the first base station apparatus to the second base station apparatus based on the switching information and the determination to execute the handover; and\nexecuting connection to the second base station apparatus using a radio resource, wherein\nthe switching information includes resource information related to the radio resource.",
"10. A communication method, comprising:\nin a first base station apparatus:\nacquiring switching information that includes information used by a communication apparatus for a handover from the first base station apparatus to a second base station apparatus to be a switching destination candidate; and\ntransmitting the switching information to the communication apparatus, wherein\nthe switching information is used by the communication apparatus to determine whether to execute the handover based on a radio quality between the communication apparatus and the first base station apparatus after the acquisition of the switching information, and\nthe switching information includes resource information related to a radio resource that is used for connection to the second base station apparatus by the communication apparatus.",
"11. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions which, when executed by a communication apparatus, cause the communication apparatus to execute operations, the operations comprising:\nreceiving switching information from a first base station apparatus, wherein\nthe switching information is used for a handover from the first base station apparatus to a second base station apparatus to be a switching destination candidate;\ndetermining whether to execute the handover based on a radio quality between the communication apparatus and the first base station apparatus after the reception of the switching information;\nexecuting the handover from the first base station apparatus to the second base station apparatus based on the switching information and the determination to execute the handover; and\nexecuting connection to the second base station apparatus using a radio resource, wherein\nthe switching information includes resource information related to the radio resource.",
"12. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions which, when executed by a first base station apparatus, cause the first base station apparatus to execute operations, the operations comprising:\nacquiring switching information that includes information used by a communication apparatus for a handover from the first base station apparatus to a second base station apparatus to be a switching destination candidate; and\ntransmitting the switching information to the communication apparatus, wherein\nthe switching information is used by the communication apparatus to determine whether to execute the handover based on a radio quality between the communication apparatus and the first base station apparatus after the acquisition of the switching information, and\nthe switching information includes resource information related to a radio resource that is used for connection to the second base station apparatus by the communication apparatus.",
"13. A communication system, comprising:\na communication apparatus that is connected to a first base station apparatus of a plurality of base station apparatuses, wherein\nthe first base station apparatus is configured to:\nacquire switching information that includes information used by the communication apparatus for a handover from the first base station apparatus to a second base station apparatus of the plurality of base station apparatuses to be a switching destination candidate; and\ntransmit the switching information to the communication apparatus, and the communication apparatus is configured to:\nreceive the switching information from the first base station apparatus,\nwherein the switching information is used for the handover from the first base station apparatus to the second base station apparatus;\ndetermine whether to execute the handover based on a radio quality between the communication apparatus and the first base station apparatus after the reception of the switching information;\nexecute the handover from the first base station apparatus to the second base station apparatus based on the switching information and the determination to execute the handover; and\nexecute connection to the second base station apparatus using a radio resource, wherein the switching information includes resource information related to the radio resource."
],
[
"1. A method comprising:\nreceiving, by a wireless device from a base station, configuration parameters indicating:\npower control parameters; and\ndownlink reference signals;\nselecting a power control parameter, from the power control parameters, associated with a downlink reference signal with a highest radio link quality of the downlink reference signals; and\ntransmitting, with an uplink transmission power determined based on the power control parameter, an uplink transport block via a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH).",
"2. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining, based on the uplink transmission power and a ramping power value, a second uplink transmission power for the PUSCH of a cell.",
"3. The method of claim 2, further comprising retransmitting, with the second uplink transmission power, the uplink transport block via the PUSCH.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein the selecting the power control parameter is based on one or more measurements of a reference signal received power (RSRP) of the downlink reference signals.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein the selecting the power control parameter is based on one or more measurements of a signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR) of the downlink reference signals.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein the power control parameters comprise one or more of:\nan identifier of a pathloss reference signal;\nan identifier of a p0 and alpha set; or\na closed loop power control index.",
"7. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving, from the base station, a radio resource control reconfiguration message to configure radio resources of the PUSCH.",
"8. A wireless device comprising:\none or more processors; and\nmemory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the wireless device to:\nreceive, from a base station, configuration parameters indicating:\npower control parameters; and\ndownlink reference signals;\nselect a power control parameter, from the power control parameters, associated with a downlink reference signal with a highest radio link quality of the downlink reference signals; and\ntransmit, with an uplink transmission power determined based on the power control parameter, an uplink transport block via a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH).",
"9. The wireless device of claim 8, wherein the instructions further cause the wireless device to determine, based on the uplink transmission power and a ramping power value, a second uplink transmission power for the PUSCH of a cell.",
"10. The wireless device of claim 9, wherein the instructions further cause the wireless device to retransmit, with the second uplink transmission power, the uplink transport block via the PUSCH.",
"11. The wireless device of claim 8, wherein selecting the power control parameter is based on one or more measurements of a reference signal received power (RSRP) of the downlink reference signals.",
"12. The wireless device of claim 8, wherein selecting the power control parameter is based on one or more measurements of a signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR) of the downlink reference signals.",
"13. The wireless device of claim 8, wherein the power control parameters comprise one or more of:\nan identifier of a pathloss reference signal;\nan identifier of a p0 and alpha set; or\na closed loop power control index.",
"14. The wireless device of claim 8, wherein the instructions further cause the wireless device to receive, from the base station, a radio resource control reconfiguration message to configure radio resources of the PUSCH.",
"15. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a wireless device, cause the wireless device to:\nreceive, from a base station, configuration parameters indicating:\npower control parameters; and\ndownlink reference signals;\nselect a power control parameter, from the power control parameters, associated with a downlink reference signal with a highest radio link quality of the downlink reference signals; and\ntransmit, with an uplink transmission power determined based on the power control parameter, an uplink transport block via a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH).",
"16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the instructions further cause the wireless device to determine, based on the uplink transmission power and a ramping power value, a second uplink transmission power for the PUSCH of a cell.",
"17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein the instructions further cause the wireless device to retransmit, with the second uplink transmission power, the uplink transport block via the PUSCH.",
"18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein selecting the power control parameter is based on one or more measurements of a reference signal received power (RSRP) of the downlink reference signals.",
"19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein selecting the power control parameter is based on one or more measurements of a signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR) of the downlink reference signals.",
"20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the power control parameters comprise one or more of:\nan identifier of a pathloss reference signal;\nan identifier of a p0 and alpha set; or\na closed loop power control index."
],
[
"1. A user equipment configured to perform dual connectivity with a first base station acting as a master base station and a second base station acting as a secondary base station, the user equipment comprising:\na processor and a memory coupled to the processor, the processor is configured to:\ntransmit to the master base station, capability information indicating that the user equipment supports a function of skipping a random access procedure;\nreceive from the master base station, a message instructing the user equipment to change the secondary base station from the second base station to a third base station, the message including information indicating that random access procedure for the third base station is skipped, the information including an uplink grant indicating uplink radio resources allocated by the third base station, a timing advance (TA) value to be applied to an uplink transmission to the third base station, and;\ntransmit the uplink transmission to the third base station by using the uplink radio resources indicated by the uplink grant.",
"2. An apparatus for controlling a user equipment configured to perform dual connectivity with a first base station acting as a master base station and a second base station acting as a secondary base station, the apparatus comprising:\na processor and a memory coupled to the processor, the processor is configured to:\ntransmit to the master base station, capability information indicating that the user equipment supports a function of skipping a random access procedure;\nreceive from the master base station, a message instructing the user equipment to change the secondary base station from the second base station to a third base station, the message including information indicating that random access procedure for the third base station is skipped, the information including an uplink grant indicating uplink radio resources allocated by the third base station, a timing advance (TA) value to be applied to an uplink transmission to the third base station, and;\ntransmit the uplink transmission to the third base station by using the uplink radio resources indicated by the uplink grant.",
"3. A method comprising:\nperforming by a user equipment, dual connectivity with a first base station acting as a master base station and a second base station acting as a secondary base station;\ntransmitting by the user equipment, to the master base station, capability information indicating that the user equipment supports a function of skipping a random access procedure;\nreceiving by the user equipment, from the master base station, a message instructing the user equipment to change the secondary base station from the second base station to a third base station, the message including information indicating that random access procedure for the third base station is skipped, the information including an uplink grant indicating uplink radio resources allocated by the third base station, a timing advance (TA) value to be applied to an uplink transmission to the third base station, and;\ntransmit by the user equipment, the uplink transmission to the third base station by using the uplink radio resources indicated by the uplink grant."
],
[
"1. A user equipment (UE) comprising:\na receiver, which in operation, receives, from a source base station of a source radio cell, a common timing advance value for a target radio cell, the UE being connected to the source radio cell and being involved in a handover procedure to hand over the UE from the source radio cell to the target radio cell, wherein the common timing advance value is received from the source base station in a first message of the handover procedure, wherein the first message of the handover procedure further comprises a timing indication for transmitting a second message from the UE to the target base station,\na processor, which in operation,\ndetermines a first uplink timing of uplink transmissions to the target base station with respect to downlink transmissions from the target base station, based on the received common timing advance value and the timing indication, and\na transmitter, which in operation, transmits a second message of the handover procedure to the target base station based on the determined first uplink timing,\nthe processor, when in operation, determines a UE-specific timing advance value, specific to the UE and the target radio cell, to be used by the UE for performing uplink transmissions in the target radio cell, wherein the UE-specific timing advance value for the UE and the target radio cell is determined as:\n\nCTA source+ITA_source−CTA_target−2(T2−T1)+Off_target−Off source,\nwherein CTA source is a common timing advance value of the source radio cell, ITA source is a UE-specific timing advance value for the UE and the source radio cell, CTA target is the received common timing advance value of the target radio cell, (T2-T1) is a downlink propagation time difference between the source base station and the target base station, Off target is a time offset between downlink and uplink delay in the target radio cell and is obtained by the UE from the first message and Off source is the time offset between the downlink and uplink delay in the source radio cell.",
"2. The UE according to claim 1, wherein the processor, when in operation, determines second uplink timings for transmitting messages of a random access procedure to the target base station, based on the common timing advance value and not based on the UE-specific timing advance value, and\nwherein the processor, when in operation, determines third uplink timings for transmitting uplink data to the target base station, based on the common timing advance value and the UE-specific timing advance value.",
"3. The UE according to claim 1, wherein the receiver, when in operation, receives a third message of the handover procedure from the target base station, comprising information on the UE-specific timing advance value for the UE and the target radio cell, and the processor determines the UE-specific timing advance value for the UE and the target radio cell from the received information on the UE-specific timing advance value.",
"4. The UE according to claim 1, wherein the processor, when in operation, determines the UE-specific timing advance value for the UE and the target radio cell\nbefore determining the first uplink timing of uplink transmissions to the target base station, and the determining of the first uplink timing is further based on the calculated UE-specific timing advance value.",
"5. The UE according to claim 4, wherein when the downlink propagation delay between the UE and the source base station is not the same as the uplink propagation delay between the UE and the source base station.",
"6. The UE according to claim 1, wherein the UE is equipped with Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) circuitry, which in operation, determines a total timing advance value of the target radio cell, and\nwherein determining the UE-specific timing advance value for the UE and the target radio cell is based on the total timing advance value for the target radio cell and the received common timing advance value for the target radio cell, wherein the UE-specific timing advance value for the target radio cell is the total timing advance value for the target radio cell minus the received common timing advance value for the target radio cell.",
"7. The UE according to claim 6, wherein the processor determines whether determining the total timing advance value of the target radio cell using the GNSS circuitry is possible,\nand if not possible, the processor determines to not determine the UE-specific timing advance value for the target radio cell based on the total timing advance value of the target radio cell using the GNSS circuitry, but to determine the UE-specific timing advance value of the target radio cell.",
"8. The UE according to claim 1, wherein the common timing advance value for the target radio cell is common to all UEs in the target radio cell and is calculated with respect to a reference point in the target radio cell, and a common timing advance value for the source radio cell is common to all UEs in the source radio cell and is calculated with respect to a reference point in the source radio cell and\nwherein the UE-specific timing advance value for the UE and the target radio cell and is based on a location of the UE in the target radio cell, and a UE-specific timing advance value for the UE and the source radio cell and is based on a location of the UE in source radio cell.",
"9. The UE according to claim 1, wherein the processor, when in operation, determines that the first message of the handover procedure instructs the UE to participate in the handover without performing a random access procedure with the target base station,\nwherein the processor determines to perform a handover without performing the random access procedure when the first message comprises the timing indication.",
"10. The UE according to claim 1, wherein the first message of the handover procedure, comprising the common timing advance value of the target cell and the timing indication, is a handover command message of the handover procedure, wherein the handover command message instructs the UE how to reconfigure a radio resource configuration of the UE in order to establish a connection to the target radio cell,\nwherein the second message of the handover procedure is an RRCReconfigurationComplete message, indicating to the target base station that the radio resource reconfiguration of the UE for establishing the connection of the UE to the target base station is complete.",
"11. The UE according to claim 1, wherein the UE is connected via a source satellite to the source base station that is terrestrial, wherein the common timing advance value of the source radio cell takes into account a first delay experienced by communication when being transmitted from the source satellite and the source base station located on the ground and takes into account a second delay experienced by communication when being processed in the source satellite.",
"12. A system, comprising:\na base station including:\na transmitter, which in operation, transmits to a user equipment (UE) a common timing advance value for a target radio cell, the UE being connected to a radio cell of the base station, and wherein the base station, as a source base station, is involved in a handover procedure to hand over the UE from the radio cell, as a source radio cell, to the target radio cell, wherein the common timing advance value is transmitted by the base station, as the source base station, in a first message of the handover procedure, wherein the first message of the handover procedure further comprises a timing indication for transmitting a second message from the UE to the target base station; and\nthe UE including:\na processor, when in operation, determines a UE-specific timing advance value, specific to the UE and the target radio cell, to be used by the UE for performing uplink transmissions in the target radio cell, wherein the UE-specific timing advance value for the UE and the target radio cell is determined as:\n\nITA_target=CTA source+ITA_source−CTA_target−2(T2−T1)+Off_target−Off source,\nwherein CTA source is a common timing advance value of the source radio cell, ITA source is a UE-specific timing advance value for the UE and the source radio cell, CTA target is the common timing advance value of the target radio cell, (T2-T1) is a downlink propagation time difference between the source base station and the target base station, Off target is a time offset between downlink and uplink delay in the target radio cell and is obtained by the UE from the first message and Off source is the time offset between the downlink and uplink delay in the source radio cell.",
"13. The system according to claim 12, wherein the base station further comprises a processor, which in operation, determines the common timing advance value for the target radio cell and determines the timing indication for transmitting the second message from the UE to the target base station,\nwherein the base station comprises a receiver, which in operation, receives, from the target base station of the target radio cell, information on the common timing advance value for the target radio cell and information on the timing indication for transmitting the second message from the UE to the target base station.",
"14. The system according to claim 12, wherein the base station, as a target base station, is involved in another handover procedure to handover another UE from another source radio cell to the radio cell, as the target radio cell, wherein the base station, as the target base station, comprises the transmitter, which in operation, transmits a common timing advance value of the radio cell of the base station, to the another source radio base station controlling the another source radio cell, in a first message of the another handover procedure, wherein the first message of the another handover procedure comprises a timing indication for transmitting another message from the another UE to the base station, and\nwherein the base station, as the target base station, comprises a receiver, which in operation, receives from the another UE the other message of the another handover procedure, transmitted based on the common timing advance value of the radio cell and the timing indication for transmitting the other message.",
"15. A method comprising the following steps performed by a user equipment (UE):\nreceiving, from a source base station of a source radio cell, a common timing advance value for a target radio cell, the UE being connected to the source radio cell and being involved in a handover procedure to hand over the UE from the source radio cell to the target radio cell, wherein the common timing advance value is received from the source base station in a first message of the handover procedure, wherein the first message of the handover procedure further comprises a timing indication for transmitting a second message from the UE to the target base station,\ndetermining a first uplink timing of uplink transmissions to the target base station with respect to downlink transmissions from the target base station, based on the received common timing advance value and the timing indication,\ntransmitting a second message of the handover procedure to the target base station based on the determined uplink timing, and\ndetermining a UE-specific timing advance value, specific to the UE and the target radio cell, to be used by the UE for performing uplink transmissions in the target radio cell, wherein the UE-specific timing advance value for the UE and the target radio cell is determined as:\n\nCTA source+ITA source−CTA target−2(T2−T1)+Off target−Off source,\nwherein CTA source is a common timing advance value of the source radio cell, ITA source is a UE-specific timing advance value for the UE and the source radio cell, CTA target is the received common timing advance value of the target radio cell, (T2-T1) is a downlink propagation time difference between the source base station and the target base station, Off target is a time offset between downlink and uplink delay in the target radio cell and is obtained by the UE from the first message and Off source is the time offset between the downlink and uplink delay in the source radio cell."
],
[
"1. A method by a source base station for providing handover (HO) of a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system, the method comprising:\nreceiving, from the UE, a measurement report message including signal quality measurement information;\ndetermining a handover of the UE based on the measurement report message;\nbased on the determination, transmitting, to a target base station, a handover request message including first information associated with a RACHless HO operation for the UE;\nreceiving, from the target base station, a handover request acknowledge message including second information associated with the RACHless HO operation for the UE; and\ntransmitting, to the UE, a radio resource control (RRC) connection reconfiguration (RRCConnectionReconfiguration) message including the RACHless HO operation,\nwherein an RACHless HO operation indicates a random access (RA) procedure without transmitting an RA preamble to the target base station by the UE.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the RRCConnectionReconfiguration message includes mobility control information for access of the target base station.",
"3. The method of claim 2, wherein the mobility control information includes a frequency, and channel for the target base station.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein an uplink grant message for RACHless HO operation of the UE is transmitted by the target base station.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first information associated with the RACHless HO operation includes information indicating that the UE supports the RACHless HO operation.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein the second information associated with the RACHless HO operation includes information for synchronization between the UE and the target base station.",
"7. A method by a target base station for providing handover of a user equipment (UE) from a source base station in a wireless communication system, the method comprising:\nreceiving, from the source base station, a handover request message including first information associated with a RACHless HO operation request for the UE;\ntransmitting, to the source base station, a handover request acknowledge message including second information associated with a RACHless HO operation for the UE; and\ntransmitting, to the UE, an uplink grant message for the RACHless HO operation of the UE,\nwherein an RACHless HO operation indicates a random access (RA) procedure without transmitting an RA preamble by the UE.",
"8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:\nreceiving, from the UE, a RRC connection reconfiguration complete message for conforming the handover.",
"9. The method of claim 7, wherein the first information associated with the RACHless HO operation includes information indicating that the UE supports the RACHless HO operation.",
"10. The method of claim 7, wherein the second information associated with the RACHless HO operation includes information for synchronization between the UE and the target base station.",
"11. The method of claim 7, further comprising:\nreceiving, from the UE, measurement information for a beam of the target base station; and\ncommunicating with the UE based on the measurement information.",
"12. A handover (HO) method at a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system, the method comprising:\ntransmitting, to a source base station, a measurement report message including signal quality measurement information;\nreceiving, from the source base station, a radio resource control (RRC) connection reconfiguration (RRCConnectionReconfiguration) message including information associated with a RACHless HO operation; and\nreceiving, from a target base station, an uplink grant message for the RACHless HO operation,\nwherein an RACHless HO operation indicates a random access (RA) procedure without transmitting an RA preamble by the UE.",
"13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:\ntransmitting, to the target base station, a RRC connection reconfiguration complete message for conforming the handover.",
"14. The method of claim 12, wherein the information associated with a RACHless HO operation includes information for synchronization between the UE and the target base station.",
"15. The method of claim 12, further comprising:\ntransmitting, to the target base station, measurement information for a beam of the target base station; and\ncommunicating with the target base station based on the measurement information.",
"16. A source base station for providing handover (HO) of a user equipment (UE) to a target base station in a wireless communication system, the source base station comprising:\na communication circuit configured to communicate with the UE and the target base station; and\na controller configured to:\nreceive, from the UE, a measurement report message including signal quality measurement information,\ndetermine a handover of the UE based on the measurement report message,\nbased on the determination, transmit, to the target base station, a handover request message including an first information associated with a RACHless HO operation request for the UE,\nreceive, from the target base station, a handover request acknowledge message including second information associated with the RACHless HO operation for the UE; and\ntransmit, to the UE, a radio resource control (RRC) connection reconfiguration (RRCConnectionReconfiguration) message including the RACHless HO operation,\nwherein an RACHless HO operation indicates a random access (RA) procedure without transmitting an RA preamble to the target base station by the UE.",
"17. The source base station of claim 16, wherein the RRCConnectionReconfiguration message includes mobility control information for access of the target base station.",
"18. The source base station of claim 17, wherein the mobility control information includes a frequency, and channel for the target base station.",
"19. The source base station of claim 16, wherein the first information associated with the RACHless HO operation includes information indicating that the UE supports the RACHless HO operation.",
"20. The source base station of claim 16, wherein the second information associated with the RACHless HO operation includes information for synchronization between the UE and the target base station.",
"21. The source base station of claim 16, wherein an uplink grant message for RACHless HO operation of the UE is transmitted by the target base station.",
"22. A target base station for providing handover (HO) of a user equipment (UE) form a source base station in a wireless communication system, the target base station comprising:\na communication circuit configured to communicate with the UE and the target base station; and\na controller configured to:\nreceive, from the source base station, a handover request message including first information associated with a RACHless HO operation request for the UE,\ntransmit, to the source base station, a handover request acknowledge message including second information associated with a RACHless HO operation for the UE, and\ntransmit, to the UE, an uplink grant message for the RACHless HO operation of the UE,\nwherein an RACHless HO operation indicates a random access (RA) procedure without transmitting an RA preamble by the UE.",
"23. The target base station of claim 22, wherein the controller is further configured to receive, from the UE, a RRC connection reconfiguration complete message for conforming the handover.",
"24. The target base station of claim 22, wherein the first information associated with the RACHless HO operation includes information indicating that the UE supports the RACHless HO operation.",
"25. The target base station of claim 22, wherein the second information associated with the RACHless HO operation includes information for synchronization between the UE and the target base station.",
"26. The target base station of claim 22, herein the controller is further configured to:\nreceive, from the UE, measurement information for a beam of the target base station, and\ncommunicate with the UE based on the measurement information.",
"27. A user equipment (UE) for handover in a wireless communication system, the UE comprising:\na communication circuit configured to communicate with a base station; and\na controller configured to control the communication circuit to:\ntransmit, to a source base station, a measurement report message including signal quality measurement information,\nreceive, from the source base station, a radio resource control (RRC) connection reconfiguration (RRCConnectionReconfiguration) message including a RACHless operation information, and\nreceive, from a target base station, an uplink grant message,\nwherein the RACHless operation indicates a random access (RA) procedure without transmitting an RA preamble by the UE.",
"28. The UE of claim 27, wherein the controller is further configured to transmit, to the target base station, a RRC connection reconfiguration complete message for conforming the handover.",
"29. The UE of claim 27, wherein the information associated with a RACHless HO operation includes information for synchronization between the UE and the target base station.",
"30. The UE of claim 27, wherein the controller is further configured to:\ntransmit, to the target base station, measurement information for a beam of the target base station, and\ncommunicate with the target base station based on the measurement information."
],
[
"1. A method of a User Equipment (UE), comprising:\nreceiving, in a first cell, a signal to configure the UE to perform a Random Access Channel-less (RACH-less) handover to a second cell, wherein:\nthe signal comprises a candidate list of beams for Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) monitoring in the second cell; and\nthe signal is indicative of a first beam of the candidate list of beams; and\nmonitoring, in the second cell, a PDCCH on the first beam indicated in the signal received in the first cell before receiving a Medium Access Control (MAC) Control Element (CE) assigning a second beam for PDCCH monitoring in the second cell.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the signal is a Radio Resource Control (RRC) reconfiguration message.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein the signal configures at least one of RACH-less, RACH-skip or RACH-skipSCG.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein the candidate list of beams is a Transmission Configuration Indicator (TCI) states PDCCH list.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first beam or the second beam is a TCI state.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein the MAC CE is an indication of a TCI state for UE-specific PDCCH.",
"7. The method of claim 1, wherein the MAC CE comprises information of at least one of a serving cell identification, a bandwidth part (BWP) identification, a control resource set (CORESET) identification or a TCI state identification.",
"8. A method of a User Equipment (UE), comprising:\nreceiving a first Medium Access Control (MAC) Control Element (CE) assigning a first beam for Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) monitoring in a first cell;\nmonitoring, in the first cell, a first PDCCH on the first beam assigned for PDCCH monitoring in the first cell based upon the first MAC CE; and\nmonitoring, in a second cell, a second PDCCH on the first beam assigned for PDCCH monitoring in the first cell based upon the first MAC CE before receiving a second MAC CE assigning a second beam for PDCCH monitoring in the second cell.",
"9. The method of claim 8, wherein at least one of the first MAC CE or the second MAC CE is an indication of a TCI state for UE-specific PDCCH.",
"10. The method of claim 8, wherein the first MAC CE is received via at least one of the first cell, the second cell or a different cell.",
"11. The method of claim 8, wherein the second MAC CE is received via at least one of the first cell, the second cell or a different cell.",
"12. The method of claim 8, wherein at least one of the first MAC CE or the second MAC CE comprises information of at least one of a serving cell identification, a bandwidth part (BWP) identification, a control resource set (CORESET) identification or a TCI state identification.",
"13. The method of claim 8, further comprising:\nreceiving, in the first cell, a signal to configure the UE to perform a Random Access Channel-less (RACH-less) handover to the second cell, wherein the signal is a Radio Resource Control (RRC) reconfiguration message.",
"14. The method of claim 13, wherein the signal configures at least one of RACH-less, RACH-skip or RACH-skipSCG.",
"15. A method of a User Equipment (UE), comprising:\nreceiving, in a first cell, a signal to configure the UE to perform a Random Access Channel-less (RACH-less) handover to a second cell, wherein:\nthe signal comprises an uplink (UL) grant and an association between the UL grant and a downlink (DL) signal; and\nmonitoring, in the second cell, a PDCCH on a beam associated with the DL signal associated with the UL grant in the signal received in the first cell.",
"16. The method of claim 15, wherein the signal is a Radio Resource Control (RRC) reconfiguration message.",
"17. The method of claim 15, wherein the signal configures at least one of RACH-less, RACH-skip or RACH-skipSCG.",
"18. The method of claim 15, wherein the UL grant is at least one of a periodic UL grant or a pre-allocated UL grant.",
"19. The method of claim 15, wherein the UL grant is used in the second cell.",
"20. The method of claim 15, wherein the DL signal is at least one of a Synchronization Signal Block (SSB) or a Channel State Information based Reference Signal (CSI-RS)."
],
[
"1. A method for random-access channel (RACH)-less mobility from a source base station to a target base station, the method comprising:\nreceiving, by a user equipment (UE) from the source base station, a beam information message comprising beam associated information, the beam associated information indicating a plurality of beam identifiers (IDs) corresponding to a plurality of beams in the target base station, a plurality of default timing advance (TA) groups, and a plurality of additional related configuration sets, wherein each default TA group of the plurality of default TA groups is associated with a beam of the plurality of beams in the target base station and an additional related configuration set of the plurality of the additional related configuration sets; and\ntransmitting, to the target base station without performing random access by the UE to the target base station, an uplink (UL) transmission with a TA adjustment based on a target beam of the plurality of beams in which the UE is located and a first additional related configuration set of the plurality of additional related configuration sets, wherein the TA adjustment is based on a first default TA of a first default TA group associated with the target beam, and wherein the first additional related configuration set is associated with the first default TA.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first default TA group associated with the target beam comprises a set of default TAs, and each one of the set of the default TAs corresponds to a beam in the source base station, the method further comprising:\ndetermining, by the UE, the first default TA based on the target beam and a source beam in the source base station in which the UE is located and connected with the source base station.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first default TA is the only TA in the first default TA group.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein TAs in the plurality of default TA groups are obtained by the target base station by collecting previous TAs used in previous successful handovers.",
"5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nselecting, by the UE, the target beam from one or more candidate beams for access; and\ndetermining, by the UE, the first default TA for RACH-less access in the target beam based on a beam ID associated with the target beam and the beam associated information in the beam information message.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein the beam information message is transmitted based on RRC signaling or layer one (L1) signaling.",
"7. The method of claim 1, wherein the beam information message comprises one of an RRC connection reconfiguration message configured as a handover (HO) command, or a PSCell activation message.",
"8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first additional related configuration set comprises at least one of:\na cyclic prefix (CP) configuration, a UL transmission power configuration, a time-frequency UL transmission resource configuration, one or more demodulation reference signal (DMRS) configurations, or one or more modulation coding scheme (MCS) configurations.",
"9. The method of claim 1, wherein a beam ID of the plurality of beam IDs is one of a SSB ID, or a channel state information (CSI)-reference signal (RS) ID.",
"10. A method for random-access channel (RACH)-less mobility from a source base station to a target base station, the method comprising:\ntransmitting, by the target base station to the source base station, beam associated information, the beam associated information indicating a plurality of beam identifiers (IDs) corresponding to a plurality of beams in the target base station, a plurality of default timing advance (TA) groups, and a plurality of additional related configuration sets, wherein each default TA group of the plurality of default TA groups is associated with a beam of the plurality of beams in the target base station and an additional related configuration set of the plurality of the additional related configuration sets; and\nreceiving, by the target base station from a user equipment (UE) without performing random access by the UE, an uplink (UL) transmission with a TA adjustment based on a target beam of the plurality of beams in which the UE is located and a first additional related configuration set of the plurality of additional related configuration sets, wherein the TA adjustment is based on a first default TA of a first default TA group associated with the target beam, and wherein the first additional related configuration set is associated with the first default TA.",
"11. The method of claim 10, wherein the first default TA group associated with the target beam comprises a set of default TAs, and each one of the set of the default TAs corresponds to a beam in the source base station, and wherein the first default TA is determined based on the target beam and a source beam in the source base station in which the UE is located and connected with the source base station.",
"12. The method of claim 10, wherein the first default TA is the only TA in the first default TA group.",
"13. The method of claim 10, wherein TAs in the plurality of default TA groups are obtained by the target base station by collecting previous TAs used in previous successful handovers.",
"14. The method of claim 10, wherein the UE selects the target beam from one or more candidate beams for access and determines a default TA for RACH-less access in the target beam based on a beam ID associated with the target beam and the beam associated information in a beam information message transmitted from the source base station to the UE.",
"15. The method of claim 10, wherein a beam information message is transmitted from the source base station to the UE in one of a handover (HO) request acknowledgement message or a PSCell addition acknowledgement message to the source base station.",
"16. The method of claim 10, wherein the first additional related configuration set comprises at least one of:\na cyclic prefix (CP) configuration, a UL transmission power configuration, a time-frequency UL transmission resource configuration, one or more demodulation reference signal (DMRS) configurations, or one or more modulation coding scheme (MCS) configurations.",
"17. The method of claim 10, wherein a beam ID of the plurality of beam IDs is one of a SSB ID, or a channel state information (CSI)-reference signal (RS) ID.",
"18. A method for random-access channel (RACH)-less mobility from a source base station to a target base station, the method comprising:\nreceiving, by the source base station from the target base station, beam associated information, the beam associated information indicating a plurality of beam identifiers (IDs) corresponding to a plurality of beams in the target base station, a plurality of default timing advance (TA) groups, and a plurality of additional related configuration sets, wherein each default TA group of the plurality of default TA groups is associated with a beam of the plurality of beams in the target base station and an additional related configuration set of the plurality of the additional related configuration sets; and\ntransmitting, by the source base station to a user equipment (UE), a beam information message comprising the beam associated information, wherein the UE, without performing random access, transmits to the target base station, an uplink (UL) transmission with a TA adjustment based on a target beam of the plurality of beams in which the UE is located and a first additional related configuration set of the plurality of additional related configuration sets, wherein the TA adjustment is based on a first default TA of a first default TA group associated with the target beam, and wherein the first additional related configuration set is associated with the first default TA.",
"19. The method of claim 18, wherein the first default TA group associated with the target beam comprises a set of default TAs, and each one of the set of the default TAs corresponds to a beam in the source base station, and wherein the first default TA is determined based on the target beam and a source beam in the source base station in which the UE is located and connected with the source base station.",
"20. The method of claim 18, wherein the first default TA is the only TA in the first default TA group.",
"21. The method of claim 18, wherein TAs in the plurality of default TA groups are obtained by the target base station by collecting previous TAs used in previous successful handovers.",
"22. The method of claim 18, wherein the UE selects the target beam from one or more candidate beams for access and determines a default TA for RACH-less access in the target beam based on a beam ID associated with the target beam and the beam associated information in the beam information message.",
"23. The method of claim 18, wherein the beam information message is transmitted based on RRC signaling or layer one (L1) signaling.",
"24. The method of claim 18, wherein the beam information message comprises in one of an RRC connection reconfiguration message configured as a handover (HO) command, or a PSCell activation message.",
"25. The method of claim 18, wherein the first additional related configuration set comprises at least one of:\na cyclic prefix (CP) configuration, a UL transmission power configuration, a time-frequency UL transmission resource configuration, one or more demodulation reference signal (DMRS) configurations, or one or more modulation coding scheme (MCS) configurations.",
"26. The method of claim 18, wherein a beam ID of the plurality of beam IDs is one of a SSB ID, or a channel state information (CSI)-reference signal (RS) ID.",
"27. The method of claim 18, wherein the beam information message is received by the source base station in one of a handover (HO) request acknowledgement message or a PSCell addition acknowledgement message.",
"28. A user equipment (UE), comprising:\na processor; and\na non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing programming for execution by the processor, the programming comprising instructions for:\nreceiving, from a source base station, a beam information message comprising beam associated information, the beam associated information indicating a plurality of beam identifiers (IDs) corresponding to a plurality of beams in a target base station, a plurality of default timing advance (TA) groups, and a plurality of additional related configuration sets, wherein each default TA group of the plurality of default TA groups is associated with a beam of the plurality of beams in the target base station and an additional related configuration set of the plurality of the additional related configuration sets; and\ntransmitting, without performing random access by the UE to the target base station, an uplink (UL) transmission with a TA adjustment based on a target beam of the plurality of beams in which the UE is located and a first additional related configuration set of the plurality of additional related configuration sets, wherein the TA adjustment is based on a first default TA of a first default TA group associated with the target beam, and wherein the first additional related configuration set is associated with the first default TA.",
"29. The UE of claim 28, wherein the first default TA group associated with the target beam comprises a set of default TAs, and each one of the set of the default TAs corresponds to a beam in the source base station, the programming further comprising instructions for:\ndetermining the first default TA based on the target beam and a source beam in the source base station in which the UE is located and connected with the source base station.",
"30. The UE of claim 28, wherein the first default TA is the only TA in the first default TA group.",
"31. The UE of claim 28, wherein TAs in the plurality of default TA groups are obtained by the target base station by collecting previous TAs used in previous successful handovers.",
"32. The UE of claim 28, the programming further comprising instructions for:\nselecting the target beam from one or more candidate beams for access; and\ndetermining a default TA for RACH-less access in the target beam based on a beam ID associated with the target beam and the beam associated information in the beam information message.",
"33. The UE of claim 28, wherein the beam information message is transmitted based on RRC signaling or layer one (L1) signaling.",
"34. The UE of claim 28, wherein the beam information message comprises one of an RRC connection reconfiguration message configured as a handover (HO) command, or a PSCell activation message.",
"35. The UE of claim 28, wherein the first additional related configuration set comprises at least one of:\na cyclic prefix (CP) configuration, a UL transmission power configuration, a time-frequency UL transmission resource configuration, one or more demodulation reference signal (DMRS) configurations, or one or more modulation coding scheme (MCS) configurations.",
"36. The UE of claim 28, wherein a beam ID of the plurality of beam IDs is one of a SSB ID, or a channel state information (CSI)-reference signal (RS) ID.",
"37. A target base station, comprising:\na processor; and\na non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing programming for execution by the processor, the programming comprising instructions for:\ntransmitting, to a source base station, beam associated information, the beam associated information indicating a plurality of beam identifiers (IDs) corresponding to a plurality of beams in the target base station, a plurality of default timing advance (TA) groups, and a plurality of additional related configuration sets, wherein each default TA group of the plurality of default TA groups is associated with a beam of the plurality of beams in the target base station and an additional related configuration set of the plurality of the additional related configuration sets; and\nreceiving, from a user equipment (UE) without performing random access by the UE, an uplink (UL) transmission with a TA adjustment based on a target beam of the plurality of beams in which the UE is located and a first additional related configuration set of the plurality of additional related configuration sets, wherein the TA adjustment is based on a first default TA of a first default TA group associated with the target beam, and wherein the first additional related configuration set is associated with the first default TA.",
"38. The target base station of claim 37, wherein the first default TA group associated with the target beam comprises a set of default TAs, and each one of the set of the default TAs corresponds to a beam in the source base station, and wherein the first default TA is determined based on the target beam and a source beam in the source base station in which the UE is located and connected with the source base station.",
"39. The target base station of claim 37, wherein the first default TA is the only TA in the first default TA group.",
"40. The target base station of claim 37, wherein TAs in the plurality of default TA groups are obtained by the target base station by collecting previous TAs used in previous successful handovers.",
"41. The target base station of claim 37, wherein the UE selects the target beam from one or more candidate beams for access and determines a default TA for RACH-less access in the target beam based on a beam ID associated with the target beam and the beam associated information in a beam information message transmitted from the source base station to the UE.",
"42. The target base station of claim 37, wherein a beam information message is transmitted from the source base station to the UE in one of a handover (HO) request acknowledgement message or a PSCell addition acknowledgement message to the source base station.",
"43. The target base station of claim 37, wherein the first additional related configuration set comprises at least one of:\na cyclic prefix (CP) configuration, a UL transmission power configuration, a time-frequency UL transmission resource configuration, one or more demodulation reference signal (DMRS) configurations, or one or more modulation coding scheme (MCS) configurations.",
"44. The target base station of claim 37, wherein a beam ID of the plurality of beam IDs is one of a SSB ID, or a channel state information (CSI)-reference signal (RS) ID.",
"45. A source base station, comprising:\na processor; and\na non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing programming for execution by the processor, the programming comprising instructions for:\nreceiving, from a target base station, beam associated information, the beam associated information indicating a plurality of beam identifiers (IDs) corresponding to a plurality of beams in the target base station, a plurality of default timing advance (TA) groups, and a plurality of additional related configuration sets, wherein each default TA group of the plurality of default TA groups is associated with a beam of the plurality of beams in the target base station and an additional related configuration set of the plurality of the additional related configuration sets; and\ntransmitting, to a user equipment (UE), a beam information message comprising the beam associated information, wherein the UE, without performing random access, transmits to the target base station, an uplink (UL) transmission with a TA adjustment based on a target beam of the plurality of beams in which the UE is located and a first additional related configuration set of the plurality of additional related configuration sets, wherein the TA adjustment is based on a first default TA of a first default TA group associated with the target beam, and wherein the first additional related configuration set is associated with the first default TA.",
"46. The source base station of claim 45, wherein the first default TA group associated with the target beam comprises a set of default TAs, and each one of the set of the default TAs corresponds to a beam in the source base station, and wherein the first default TA is determined based on the target beam and a source beam in the source base station in which the UE is located and connected with the source base station.",
"47. The source base station of claim 45, wherein the first default TA is the only TA in the first default TA group.",
"48. The source base station of claim 45, wherein TAs in the plurality of default TA groups are obtained by the target base station by collecting previous TAs used in previous successful handovers.",
"49. The source base station of claim 45, wherein the UE selects the target beam from one or more candidate beams for access and determines a default TA for RACH-less access in the target beam based on a beam ID associated with the target beam and the beam associated information in the beam information message.",
"50. The source base station of claim 45, wherein the beam information message is transmitted based on RRC signaling or layer one (L1) signaling.",
"51. The source base station of claim 45, wherein the beam information message comprises in one of an RRC connection reconfiguration message configured as a handover (HO) command, or a PSCell activation message.",
"52. The source base station of claim 45, wherein the first additional related configuration set comprises at least one of:\na cyclic prefix (CP) configuration, a UL transmission power configuration, a time-frequency UL transmission resource configuration, one or more demodulation reference signal (DMRS) configurations, or one or more modulation coding scheme (MCS) configurations.",
"53. The source base station of claim 45, wherein a beam ID of the plurality of beam IDs is one of a SSB ID, or a channel state information (CSI)-reference signal (RS) ID.",
"54. The source base station of claim 45, wherein the beam information message is received by the source base station in one of a handover (HO) request acknowledgement message or a PSCell addition acknowledgement message.",
"55. A method for random-access channel (RACH)-less mobility from a source base station to a target base station, the method comprising:\ntransmitting, by a user equipment (UE), a UE uplink (UL) reference signal;\nreceiving, by the UE from the target base station, a beam information message comprising beam associated information, the beam associated information indicating a beam identifier (ID) corresponding to a target beam in the target base station, a real-time timing advance (TA) associated with the target beam, and an additional related configuration set, wherein the real-time TA is determined by the target base station based on the UE UL reference signal, and wherein the additional related configuration set is associated with the real-time TA; and\ntransmitting, to the target base station without performing random access by the UE to the target base station, a UL transmission with a TA adjustment based on the target beam in which the UE is located and the additional related configuration set in the beam associated information, wherein the TA adjustment is based on the real-time TA associated with the target beam assigned by the target base station to the UE.",
"56. The method of claim 55, wherein the UE UL reference signal is transmitted to the source base station and listened to by the target base station with configuration of the UE UL reference signal being pre-informed to the target base station.",
"57. The method of claim 55, wherein the beam information message is transmitted based on RRC signaling or layer one (L1) signaling.",
"58. The method of claim 55, wherein the beam information message comprises one of an RRC connection reconfiguration message configured as a handover (HO) command, or a PSCell activation message.",
"59. The method of claim 55, wherein the additional related configuration set comprises at least one of:\na cyclic prefix (CP) configuration, a UL transmission power configuration, a time-frequency UL transmission resource configuration, one or more demodulation reference signal (DMRS) configurations, or one or more modulation coding scheme (MCS) configurations.",
"60. The method of claim 55, wherein the beam ID is one of a SSB ID, or a channel state information (CSI)-reference signal (RS) ID.",
"61. A method for random-access channel (RACH)-less mobility from a source base station to a target base station, the method comprising:\nreceiving, by the target base station from a user equipment (UE), a UE uplink (UL) reference signal;\ntransmitting, by the target base station to the UE, a beam information message comprising beam associated information, the beam associated information indicating a beam identifier (ID) corresponding to a target beam in the target base station, a real-time timing advance (TA) associated with the target beam, and an additional related configuration set, wherein the real-time TA is determined by the target base station based on the UE UL reference signal, and wherein the additional related configuration set is associated with the real-time TA; and\nreceiving, by the target base station from the UE without performing random access by the UE, a UL transmission with a TA adjustment based on the target beam in which the UE is located and the additional related configuration set in the beam associated information, wherein the TA adjustment is based on the real-time TA associated with the target beam assigned by the target base station to the UE.",
"62. The method of claim 61, wherein the UE UL reference signal is transmitted to the source base station and listened to by the target base station with configuration of the UE UL reference signal being pre-informed to the target base station.",
"63. The method of claim 61, wherein the beam information message is transmitted based on RRC signaling or layer one (L1) signaling.",
"64. The method of claim 61, wherein the beam information message comprises one of an RRC connection reconfiguration message configured as a handover (HO) command, or a PSCell activation message.",
"65. The method of claim 61, wherein the additional related configuration set comprises:\na cyclic prefix (CP) configuration, a UL transmission power configuration, a time-frequency UL transmission resource configuration, one or more demodulation reference signal (DMRS) configurations, or one or more modulation coding scheme (MCS) configurations.",
"66. The method of claim 61, wherein the beam ID is one of a SSB ID, or a channel state information (CSI)-reference signal (RS) ID.",
"67. A user equipment (UE), comprising:\na processor; and\na non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing programming for execution by the processor, the programming comprising instructions for:\ntransmitting UE uplink (UL) a reference signal;\nreceiving, from a target base station, a beam information message comprising beam associated information, the beam associated information indicating a beam identifier (ID) corresponding to a target beam in the target base station, a real-time timing advance (TA) associated with the target beam, and an additional related configuration set, wherein the real-time TA is determined by the target base station based on the UE UL reference signal, and wherein the additional related configuration set is associated with the real-time TA; and\ntransmitting, to the target base station without performing random access by the UE to the target base station, a UL transmission with a TA adjustment based on the target beam in which the UE is located and the additional related configuration set in the beam associated information, wherein the TA adjustment is based on the real-time TA associated with the target beam assigned by the target base station to the UE.",
"68. The UE of claim 67, wherein the UE UL reference signal is transmitted to a source base station and listened to by the target base station with configuration of the UE UL reference signal being pre-informed to the target base station.",
"69. The UE of claim 67, wherein the beam information message is transmitted based on RRC signaling or layer one (L1) signaling.",
"70. The UE of claim 67, wherein the beam information message comprises one of an RRC connection reconfiguration message configured as a handover (HO) command, or a PSCell activation message.",
"71. The UE of claim 67, wherein the additional related configuration set comprises at least one of:\na cyclic prefix (CP) configuration, a UL transmission power configuration, a time-frequency UL transmission resource configuration, one or more demodulation reference signal (DMRS) configurations, or one or more modulation coding scheme (MCS) configurations.",
"72. The UE of claim 67, wherein the beam ID is one of a SSB ID, or a channel state information (CSI)-reference signal (RS) ID.",
"73. A target base station, comprising:\na processor; and\na non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing programming for execution by the processor, the programming comprising instructions for:\nreceiving, from a user equipment (UE), a UE uplink (UL) reference signal;\ntransmitting, to the UE, a beam information message comprising beam associated information, the beam associated information indicating a beam identifier (ID) corresponding to a target beam in the target base station, a real-time timing advance (TA) associated with the target beam, and an additional related configuration set, wherein the real-time TA is determined by the target base station based on the UE UL reference signal, and wherein the additional related configuration set is associated with the real-time TA; and\nreceiving, from the UE without performing random access by the UE, a UL transmission with a TA adjustment based on the target beam in which the UE is located and the additional related configuration set in the beam associated information, wherein the TA adjustment is based on the real-time TA associated with the target beam assigned by the target base station to the UE.",
"74. The target base station of claim 73, wherein the UE UL reference signal is transmitted to a source base station and listened to by the target base station with configuration of the UE UL reference signal being pre-informed to the target base station.",
"75. The target base station of claim 73, wherein the beam information message is transmitted based on RRC signaling or layer one (L1) signaling.",
"76. The target base station of claim 73, wherein the beam information message comprises one of an RRC connection reconfiguration message configured as a handover (HO) command, or a PSCell activation message.",
"77. The target base station of claim 73, wherein the additional related configuration set comprises at least one of:\na cyclic prefix (CP) configuration, a UL transmission power configuration, a time-frequency UL transmission resource configuration, one or more demodulation reference signal (DMRS) configurations, or one or more modulation coding scheme (MCS) configurations.",
"78. The target base station of claim 73, wherein the beam ID is one of a SSB ID, or a channel state information (CSI)-reference signal (RS) ID."
],
[
"1. A user equipment (UE) for receiving a radio resource control (RRC) message, comprising:\na processor; and\nmemory in electronic communication with the processor, wherein instructions stored in the memory are executable to:\nreceive, from a base station, an RRC connection reconfiguration message including secondary cell group (SCG) configuration parameters for SCG configuration applied to a SCG, wherein the SCG configuration parameters include a radio link control (RLC) configuration,\nwherein an RLC entity in the UE is established for the SCG according to the SCG configuration parameters including the RLC configuration, a first Medium Access Control (MAC) entity in the UE is mapped to a master cell group (MCG), and a second MAC entity in the UE is mapped to the SCG,\nthe MCG comprises a primary cell and no, one or more secondary cell(s) and the SCG comprises a specific cell and no, one or more secondary cell(s), and\na random access procedure is performed by the UE on the specific cell upon an addition of SCG and the specific cell is different from the secondary cell.",
"2. A base station for transmitting a radio resource control (RRC) message, comprising:\na processor; and\nmemory in electronic communication with the processor, wherein instructions stored in the memory are executable to:\ntransmit, to a user equipment (UE), an RRC connection reconfiguration message including secondary cell group (SCG) configuration parameters for SCG configuration applied to a SCG, wherein the SCG configuration parameters include a radio link control (RLC) configuration,\nwherein an RLC entity in the UE is established for the SCG according to the SCG configuration parameters including the RLC configuration, a first Medium Access Control (MAC) entity in the UE is mapped to a master cell group (MCG), and a second MAC entity in the UE is mapped to the SCG,\nthe MCG comprises a primary cell and no, one or more secondary cell(s) and the SCG comprises a specific cell and no, one or more secondary cell(s), and\na random access procedure is performed by the UE on the specific cell upon an addition of SCG and the specific cell is different from the secondary cell.",
"3. A method by a user equipment (UE) for receiving a radio resource control (RRC) message, comprising:\nreceiving, from a base station, an RRC connection reconfiguration message including secondary cell group (SCG) configuration parameters for SCG configuration applied to a SCG, wherein the SCG configuration parameters include a radio link control (RLC) configuration,\nwherein an RLC entity in the UE is established for the SCG according to the SCG configuration parameters including the RLC configuration, a first Medium Access Control (MAC) entity in the UE is mapped to a master cell group (MCG), and a second MAC entity in the UE is mapped to the SCG,\nthe MCG comprises a primary cell and no, one or more secondary cell(s) and the SCG comprises a specific cell and no, one or more secondary cell(s), and\na random access procedure is performed by the UE on the specific cell upon an addition of SCG and the specific cell is different from the secondary cell.",
"4. A method by a base station for transmitting a radio resource control (RRC) message, comprising:\ntransmitting, to a user equipment (UE), an RRC connection reconfiguration message including secondary cell group (SCG) configuration parameters for SCG configuration applied to a SCG, wherein the SCG configuration parameters include a radio link control (RLC) configuration,\nwherein an RLC entity in the UE is established for the SCG according to the SCG configuration parameters including the RLC configuration, a first Medium Access Control (MAC) entity in the UE is mapped to a master cell group (MCG), and a second MAC entity in the UE is mapped to the SCG,\nthe MCG comprises a primary cell and no, one or more secondary cell(s) and the SCG comprises a specific cell and no, one or more secondary cell(s), and\na random access procedure is performed by the UE on the specific cell upon an addition of SCG and the specific cell is different from the secondary cell."
]
] |
in the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to aia 35 u.s.c. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-aia 35 u.s.c. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
the following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 u.s.c. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this office action:
a person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
(a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
claim(s) 13 is/are rejected under 35 u.s.c. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by zhang et al. (us 2021/0195513 a1).
regarding claim 13, zhang discloses a non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising a set of instructions, which when executed by a processor cause the processor to perform operations comprising (fig. 9: computer-readable medium 906), comprising:
receiving a handover command from a first next generation node b (gnb) of a 5g new radio (nr) network via one of a layer 1 signaling or layer 2 signaling, the handover instructing the ue to perform a handover procedure to handover to a second gnb (fig. 12, [0140]: the ue receives a handover command from a source gnb. the handover command is a l1 or l2 signaling and includes indication of a target gnb for the ue to perform handover. fig. 1, [0034]-[0035]: the gnb is part of ran 104 that operates under 5g nr), and
conducting the handover procedure with the second gnb (fig. 12, [0141]: the ue switches to the target gnb and sends a handover complete signal 1218).
|
[
"1. A woven textile sleeve for routing and protecting elongate members, comprising:\nan elongate wall configured to bound a cavity extending a longitudinal central axis of the sleeve, said wall being woven with warp yarns extending parallel to said central longitudinal axis and fill yarns extending transversely to said warp yarns, said warp yarns being woven as discrete bundles of yarn filaments, wherein each said discrete bundle of yarn filaments includes a plurality of yarn filaments arranged in side-by-side abutting relation with one another, with said yarn filaments in each discrete bundle extending over and under the same said fill yarns with one another.",
"2. The textile sleeve of claim 1, wherein each said bundle of yarn filaments extends over a single fill yarn and under a single fill yarn in repetition.",
"3. The textile sleeve of claim 1, wherein said fill yarns include monofilaments and multifilaments that alternate with one another along the longitudinal central axis.",
"4. The textile sleeve of claim 1, wherein said wall has opposite edges biased into overlapping relation with one another by at least some of said fill yarns being heat-set.",
"5. The textile sleeve of claim 1, wherein at least some of said bundles include monofilaments.",
"6. The textile sleeve of claim 5, wherein at least some of said bundles include multifilaments.",
"7. The textile sleeve of claim 6, wherein at least some of said bundles include only monofilaments and wherein at least some of said bundles include only multifilaments.",
"8. The textile sleeve of claim 6, wherein at least some of said bundles include monofilaments and multifilaments.",
"9. The textile sleeve of claim 8, wherein each of said bundles include monofilaments and multifilaments.",
"10. The textile sleeve of claim 5, wherein each of said bundles include only monofilaments.",
"11. The textile sleeve of claim 5, wherein said monofilaments have a larger diameter relative to the fill yarns.",
"12. The textile sleeve of claim 5, wherein at least one of said monofilaments within at least one of said discrete bundles has a larger diameter from other ones of said yarn filaments within said at least one of said discrete bundles.",
"13. The textile sleeve of claim 1, wherein at least one yarn filament within at least one of said discrete bundles of warp yarns is a different type of material from other ones of said yarn filaments within said at least one of said discrete bundles.",
"14. The textile sleeve of claim 1, wherein at least one yarn filament within at least one of said discrete bundles of warp yarns has a different diameter and is formed of a different type of material from other ones of said yarn filaments within said at least one of said discrete bundles.",
"15. The textile sleeve of claim 1, wherein at least some of said bundles include multifilaments.",
"16. The textile sleeve of claim 15, wherein at least some of said bundles include only multifilaments.",
"17. The textile sleeve of claim 16, wherein each of said bundles include only multifilaments.",
"18. A woven textile sleeve for routing and protecting elongate members, comprising:\nan elongate wall configured to bound a cavity extending a longitudinal central axis of the sleeve, said wall being woven with warp yarns extending parallel to said central longitudinal axis and fill yarns extending transversely to said warp yarns, said warp yarns being woven as discrete bundles of monofilaments, wherein each said discrete bundle of monofilaments includes a plurality of monofilaments arranged in side-by-side abutting relation with one another, with said monofilaments in each discrete bundle extending over and under the same said fill yarns with one another, and said fill yarns being woven as monofilaments and multifilaments;\nwherein each said bundle of monofilaments extends over a single fill yarn and under a single fill yarn in repetition;\nwherein said fill yarn monofilaments and said fill yarn multifilaments alternate with one another along the longitudinal central axis; and\nwherein said wall has opposite edges biased into overlapping relation with one another by at least some of said fill monofilaments being heat-set.",
"19. A method of constructing a textile sleeve, comprising:\nweaving an elongate wall configured to bound a central cavity extending parallel to a central longitudinal axis of the sleeve with the wall having warp yarns extending parallel to the central longitudinal axis and fill yarns extending transverse to the warp yarns;\nweaving the warp yarns in discrete bundles of yarns, each of the bundles having a plurality of yarn filaments arranged in side-by-side abutting relation with one another, with the yarn filaments in each discrete bundle extending over and under the same fill yarns with one another; and\nweaving the fill yarns including monofilaments and multifilaments.",
"20. The method of claim 19, further including weaving each the bundles including monofilaments.",
"21. The method of claim 20, further including providing at least one monofilament within each of the discrete bundles having a larger diameter from other ones of the yarn filaments within the discrete bundles.",
"22. The method of claim 20, further including weaving each said bundles including multifilaments.",
"23. The method of claim 22, further including weaving each of the monofilaments in the bundles being in side-by-side relation with one of the multifilaments in in the bundles."
] |
US20220186408A1
|
US20150337465A1
|
[
"1. A woven textile sleeve for routing and protecting elongate members, comprising:\nan elongate wall having opposite edges extending parallel to a longitudinal central axis of the sleeve, said wall being woven with warp yarns extending parallel to said central longitudinal axis and fill yarns extending transversely to said warp yarns, said warp yarns being woven as discrete bundles of warp yarns, wherein each said discrete bundle includes a plurality of warp yarns arranged in side-by-side abutting relation with one another, with said warp yarns in each discrete bundle extending over and under the same said fill yarns with one another.",
"2. The textile sleeve of claim 1 wherein each said discrete bundle extends over a single fill yarn and under a single fill yarn in repetition.",
"3. The textile sleeve of claim 1 wherein each said bundle extends over a plurality of said fill yarns and under a plurality of said fill yarns in repetition.",
"4. The textile sleeve of claim 3 wherein each said bundle extends over a pair of said fill yarns and under a pair of said fill yarns in repetition.",
"5. The textile sleeve of claim 1 wherein said opposite edges are biased into overlapping relation with one another by said fill yarns.",
"6. The textile sleeve of claim 1 wherein at least some of said warp yarns are provided as multifilament yarns.",
"7. The textile sleeve of claim 6 wherein each of said warp yarns is provided as a multifilament yarn.",
"8. The textile sleeve of claim 7 wherein each of said fill yarns is provided as a monofilament yarn.",
"9. The textile sleeve of claim 6 wherein at least some of said warp yarns are provided as monofilament yarns.",
"10. The textile sleeve of claim 1 wherein each said warp yarns is provided as a monofilament yarn.",
"11. A method of constructing a textile sleeve, comprising:\nweaving an elongate wall having opposite edges extending parallel to a central longitudinal axis of the sleeve with the wall being having warp yarns extending parallel to the central longitudinal axis and fill yarns extending transverse to the warp yarns; and\nweaving the warp yarns in discrete bundles of yarns, each of the bundles having warp yarns arranged in side-by-side abutting relation with one another, with the warp yarns in each discrete bundle extending over and under the same fill yarns with one another.",
"12. The method of claim 11 further including weaving the bundles over and under a single fill yarn.",
"13. The method of claim 11 further including weaving the bundles over a plurality of fill yarns to form outwardly facing floats.",
"14. The method of claim 11 further including heat-setting at least some of the fill yarns to bias the opposite edges into overlapping relation with one another.",
"15. The method of claim 11 further including providing at least some of the warp yarns as multifilament yarns.",
"16. The method of claim 15 further including providing the fill yarns as multifilament yarns.",
"17. The method of claim 15 further including providing the fill yarns as monofilament yarns.",
"18. The method of claim 15 further including providing at least some of the warp yarns as monofilament yarns.",
"19. The method of claim 18 further including forming each of the discrete bundles including multifilament and monofilament yarns.",
"20. The method of claim 11 further including weaving the warp yarns and the fill yarns in a basket weave pattern."
] |
[
[
"1. A stitched double layer composite hose, comprising:\na fabric pipe layer;\nan inner surface composite colloid material layer; and\nan outer surface composite colloid material layer, wherein the fabric pipe layer comprises an outer layer, an inner layer and stitching wefts;\nthe inner layer comprises inner layer warps and inner layer wefts; the outer layer comprises outer layer warps and outer layer wefts; the stitching wefts interweave with the outer layer warps and the inner layer warps for conjoining the inner layer and the outer layer together;\nwherein the inner layer warps comprise a first warp, a second warp and a third warp in a first row; the inner layer wefts comprise a first weft, a second weft, and a third weft; the first warp, the second warp and the third warp interweave with the first weft, the second weft and the third weft;\nwherein the outer layer warps comprise a fourth warp, a fifth warp and a sixth warp in a second row parallel to the second row; the outer layer wefts comprise a fourth weft, a fifth weft and a sixth weft; and the fourth warp, the fifth warp and the sixth warp interweave with the fourth weft, the fifth weft and the sixth weft; and\nwherein the stitching wefts comprise a seventh weft, an eighth weft and a ninth weft; the seventh weft is woven below the fifth warp and above the third warp; the eighth weft is woven above the first warp and below the sixth warp; and the ninth weft is woven below the fourth warp, and above the second warp.",
"2. The stitched double layer composite hose as recited in claim 1, wherein the warps and wefts are made of fiber threads.",
"3. The stitched double layer composite hose, as recited in claim 1, wherein the first weft is woven below both the first warp and the second warp, and then above the third warp; the second weft is woven above the first warp and below both the second warp and the third warp; and wherein the third weft is woven below the first warp, above the second warp and below the third warp.",
"4. The stitched double layer composite hose, as recited in claim 3, wherein the fourth weft is woven below the fourth warp, and then above the fifth warp and the sixth warp; the fifth weft is woven above the fourth warp, below the fifth warp and then above the sixth warp; and the sixth weft is woven above the fourth warp and then the fifth warp and below the sixth warp."
],
[
"1. A method of manufacturing a 3D fabric of strands for forming an occluder, wherein said method comprises:\nintertwining a first length of said strands to form a first portion of a primary 3D fabric structure;\ninterrupting said intertwining to form a plurality of non-intertwined strand loops of a secondary 3D fabric structure; and\nintertwining a second length of said strands to form a second portion of the primary 3D fabric structure after said interrupting.",
"2. The method of claim 1, comprising:\nconnecting a first end of a strand to a bobbin of a round braiding machine with a plurality of bobbins and a second end of said strand to a diametrically opposing bobbin of said round braiding machine for a plurality of strands and arranging middle sections of said plurality of strands in a fixed sequence over a braiding head in a crisscrossed manner;\nstarting a braiding procedure;\nhalting said braiding procedure;\nplacing a crown-shaped holder for holding a plurality of strand loops at said braiding head;\nbending remaining strand sections individually in said middle sections in order to form strand loops; introducing said remaining strand sections into a space between said braiding head and said crown-shaped holder from below;\nplacing said strand loops over pins of said crown-shaped holder;\nrouting said strand ends to said bobbins;\nattaching said strand ends to said bobbins;\nplacing a ring on top of said crown-shaped holder for fixation of said strand loops;\ncontinuing said braiding procedure until an intended strand length has been braided;\ndetaching said strand ends from said bobbins;\nattaching said strand ends to said ring with fixation means;\ntreating said braided material, said ring and said crown-shaped holder thermally for shaping of said occluder;\nwelding said strand ends together, by at least partly melting a length of said plurality of strands to form a defined ball pivot.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein forming said strand loops comprises forming said strand loops into a substantially non-planar three-dimensional shape, bent out of a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said occluder.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein said strand loops comprises strand loops of different sizes and shapes, and/or wherein said strand loops are arranged equidistantly around a perimeter of said secondary 3D fabric structure.",
"5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nintertwining, braiding, knitting or weaving together said strands to form a body mesh of strands comprising a plurality of adjacent cells delimited by said strands; and\napplying a polymer to at least part of an external surface of said body mesh, wherein said polymer is applied to said body mesh by dipping, spraying, electro-spinning, electro-spraying or Nano-spinning.",
"6. The method of claim 5, wherein said polymer is applied to said body mesh by dipping said body mesh into a solution of a specific viscosity so that a non-fibrous coating is applied and affixed to an external surface of said body mesh.",
"7. The method of claim 5, wherein said polymer is applied to said body mesh by spraying said body mesh with a spray having a specific viscosity so that a non-fibrous coating is applied and affixed to an external surface of said body mesh.",
"8. An occluder comprising;\na primary structure having a first portion and a second portion of a plurality of strands intertwined to form a braided material, wherein the first portion is separate from the second portion; and\na secondary structure having a plurality of non-intertwined strand loops formed of said plurality of strands, the plurality of non-intertwined strand loops positioned between said first portion and said second portion of said primary structure.",
"9. The occluder of claim 8, wherein said occlude is a left aurical appendix occlude and said braided material is shapeable as a frustum of a hollow cone-shaped cylinder and wherein said plurality of non-intertwined strand loops surround a rim of said hollow cone-shaped cylinder and are extendable outwardly from said hollow cone-shaped cylinder substantially perpendicularly to a center axis of said hollow cone-shaped cylinder.",
"10. The occluder of claim 9, wherein said plurality of non-intertwined strand loops are arranged in one or two rows all along said rim.",
"11. The occluder of claim 10, further comprising at least one membrane or coating for improved occlusion.",
"12. The occluder of claim 11, wherein said at least one membrane or coating is made of a biocompatible material.",
"13. The occluder of claim 9, further comprising:\na coupling, formable as a ball pivot.",
"14. The occluder of claim 13, wherein said coupling is formed as a ball pivot by welding ends of said strands together.",
"15. The occluder of claim 13, wherein a proximal side of said braided material is shapeable as a concave shape to assure a sinking of the coupling when said occluder is compressed.",
"16. The occluder of claim 8, wherein said braided material comprises:\na plurality of adjacent cells delimited by said plurality of strands,\nsaid body mesh having an external surface, and\na coating covering said external surface for at least partly restricting a fluid flow through a structural tissue defect.",
"17. The occluder of claim 16, wherein said coating is provided with perforations or microperforations for enabling an initial controllable fluid retention.",
"18. The occluder of claim 17, wherein a first area of said coating corresponding to a first area of said occlude is provided with perforations of a larger size than perforations of a second area of said coating corresponding to a second area of said occluder so that the inflow to different areas is controlled or wherein a first area of said coating corresponding to a first area of said occluder is provided with a higher number of perforations than a second area of said coating, corresponding to a second area of said occluder so that the inflow to different areas is controlled.",
"19. The occluder of claim 18, wherein said coating covers substantially a full diameter of both ends of said occluder.",
"20. The occluder of claim 18, wherein said coating covers substantially a full expanded diameter of said occluder and/or wherein said coating covers substantially a full length of said occluder.",
"21. The occluder of claim 18, wherein said coating only covers a portion of a full expanded diameter of said occluder and/or wherein said coating only covers a portion of a full length of said occluder.",
"22. The occluder according to claim 16, wherein said coating is arranged so as to obtain an inflow of blood, into the inner of said occluder in an expanded shape, from a distal end of said occluder for enhancing integration of said occluder with surrounding blood upon clotting thereof.",
"23. The occluder according to claim 16, wherein said coating is applied to said occluder, while said occluder is in an expanded shape.",
"24. The occluder according to claim 16, wherein said coating is applied to said occluder, while said occluder is in a contracted shape.",
"25. The occluder according to claim 16, wherein said occluder is covered with said coating so that a pattern of covered cells is established for efficient control of a desired flow pattern upon implantation.",
"26. The occluder of claim 16, wherein said coating is made of a material consisting of Polyurethane (PU), Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or Expanded Polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE).",
"27. A kit for manufacturing an occluder with the method of claim 1, comprising:\na plurality of strands for braiding;\na braiding cylinder with a braiding head of an appropriate diameter, adaptable to a braiding machine;\na crown-shaped holder having a plurality of pins for holding a plurality of strand loops; and\na ring having holes corresponding to the plurality of pins of the holder for fixation of said strand loops."
],
[
"6. A method for manufacturing an implant for medical use, comprising:\nproviding a plurality of carriers, each carrier having a single strand composed of at least a first material;\nproviding at least one carrier having a multi-strand of radiopaque material, the multi-strand having at least two side-by-side filaments of radiopaque material that lie substantially contiguous to each other over substantially the entire length of the multi-strand; and",
"7. The method of claim 6 wherein the carrier having the multi-strand is substantially the same as the carriers for the single strands.",
"8. The method of claim 7 wherein each of the side-by-side filaments of the multi-strand is a monofilament of radiopaque material.",
"9. The method of claim 8 wherein forming the body includes establishing a first spacing pattern and a first wall thickness, and each multi-strand joins in the first spacing pattern without substantial deviation from that pattern and without substantially altering the first wall thickness.",
"10. The method of claim 9 wherein the first spacing pattern is one of an open braid pattern and an open weave pattern.",
"11. The method of claim 9 wherein at least one multi-strand carrier is utilized for every dozen single-strand carriers.",
"12. A method of retro-fitting an implant forming machine having a plurality of carriers, each carrier designed to carry a single strand composed of at least one of a first material and a radiopaque material, comprising: selecting at least one of the plurality of carriers, each carrier designed to carry a single strand, and loading the selected carrier with a multi-strand of radiopaque material, the multi-strand consisting of two side-by-side filaments of radiopaque material that lie substantially contiguous to each other over substantially the entire length of the multi-strand; and forming a body for the implant utilizing both the single strands and the multi-strand.",
"13. The method of claim 12 wherein each of the side-by-side filaments of the multi-strand is a monofilament of radiopaque material.",
"14. The method of claim 13 wherein forming the body includes establishing a first spacing pattern and a first wall thickness, and each multi-strand joins in the first spacing pattern without substantial deviation from that pattern and without substantially altering the first wall thickness.",
"15. The method of claim 14 wherein the first spacing pattern is one of an open braid pattern and an open weave pattern.",
"16. The method of claim 14 wherein at least one multi-strand carrier is utilized for every dozen single-strand carriers.",
"17. The method of claim 15 wherein the machine has at least 42 carriers, and at least 6 of the carriers are loaded with the multi-strands of radiopaque material."
],
[
"1. A one-piece-vamp manufacture method comprising the following steps:\n(1) weaving preparation: arranging different required raw material color yarn, hot melt silk and stretch yarn at a main color opening yarn feeding orifice, a match color opening yarn feeding orifice and a stretch yarn feeding orifice according to vamp patterns and process requirements, loading written program into a vamp machine, and inputting parameters corresponding to the vamp patterns and process requirements;\n(2) weaving U shape tube fabric: one side of the U shape tube fabric being an outer vamp, the other side being an inner vamp, both the outer vamp and the inner vamp being of a tube shape, a turn in the middle of the U shape tube fabric being a shoe opening part where the inner vamp and the outer vamp intersect; the vamp machine weaving in an order of a starting opening, an outer toe cap, an outer shoe body, an outer heel, an outer shoe opening to an inner shoe opening, an inner heel, an inner shoe body, an inner toe cap, during the course of weaving, achieving technical effects of local jacquard and local texturing at portions of the outer vamp;\n(3) stitching an inner toe seam: grasping the woven U shape tube fabric to a stitching device by an automatic robot arm, locating an inner toe opening at a needle position of the stitching device, performing aligned automatic stitching along the inner toe opening to form the inner toe seam;\n(4) stitching the outer toe seam: sucking the U shape tube fabric to an outlet opening through a suction pipe, taking the U shape tube fabric where the inner toe seam has already been stitched from the outlet opening, stitching the outer toe seam;\n(5) forming a one-piece-vamp semifinished product: overlapping the inner vamp and the outer vamp by extending the inner vamp into the tube of the outer vamp in the shoe opening part, forming a two-layer one-piece-vamp semifinished product; and\n(6) performing reshaping, setting and shape fixing on the vamp: putting the one-piece-vamp semifinished product on a shoe tree, using steam to perform scalding, making adjustment to the vamp and patterns for position alignment during the course of scalding, melting the hot melt silk to adhere the inner and outer vamps to each other as one piece, taking the shoe tree out after cooling, and forming the one-piece-vamp.",
"2. The one-piece-vamp manufacture method according to claim 1, wherein: said vamp machine is equipped with 1 main color opening, the main color opening is equipped with 8 main color opening yarn feeding orifices, and the hot melt silk is fed by at least one of the main color opening yarn feeding orifices, said vamp machine is equipped with 6 match color openings, each match color opening is equipped with 3 match color opening yarn feeding orifices and 1 stretch yarn feeding orifice.",
"3. The one-piece-vamp manufacture method according to claim 2, wherein: said 8 main color opening, yarn feeding orifices are used for inner yarn feeding, outer yarn feeding, inner hot melt silk, outer hot melt silk, inner heel yarn feeding and hot melt silk, outer heel yarn feeding and hot melt silk, starting opening yarn feeding, and scrap yarn feeding, respectively, and according to a main color of the inner outer vamp and the process requirements, 4-8 main color opening yarn feeding orifices are chosen for yarn feeding.",
"4. The one-piece-vamp manufacture method according to claim 1 wherein: an outer shoe shaft and an inner shoe shaft are provided between said outer heel and outer shoe opening, and between the inner shoe opening and the inner heel, respectively, in said step (2), and when the U shape tube fabric is woven, said stretch yarn feeding orifice cooperates with the main color opening yarn feeding orifice, so as to allow the inner and outer shoe openings and the inner and outer shoe shafts to be textured and woven.",
"5. The one-piece-vamp manufacture method according to claim 1, wherein: in said step (3), the U shape tube fabric is grasped and rotated to the stitching device muzzle bell by the automatic robot arm, said U shape tube fabric being located by a sewing needle disc and pushed straight by a top shaft, so that the inner toe seam is located at the sewing needle position of the stitching device.",
"6. The one-piece-vamp manufacture method according, to claim 1, wherein: in said step (4), a seam disc machine is used to perform manual stitching on the outer toe seam, and a starting opening yarn and a scrap thread at the starting opening are subsequently manually removed.",
"7. The one-piece-vamp manufacture method according to claim 1, wherein: in said step (6), 100° C. to 120° C. steam is used to perform scalding, and a transparent alignment plate is used to make fine manual adjustments to the vamp and patterns for position alignment during, the course of scalding."
],
[
"1. A docking device comprising:\na hollow cylindrical body portion having an internal surface and an outer surface;\nwherein:\nthe hollow cylindrical body portion is formed of a three-dimensional (3D) woven fabric comprising a multilayer weave structure including a set of warp yarns of a first type of fiber, a set of weft yarns of a second type of fiber, and a set of through-the-thickness binding yarns of a third type of fiber;\nthe first type of fiber comprises a first one of a group of different fibers consisting of shape memory metal, low-melt thermoplastic polymer or resin, and high-tenacity biocompatible material;\nthe second type of fiber comprises a second different one of the group; and\nthe third type of fiber comprises a third different one of the group.",
"2. The docking device of claim 1, wherein the 3D woven fabric has an orthogonal weave structure.",
"3. The docking device of claim 2, wherein:\nthe warp yarns are arranged in a fabric length direction;\nthe weft yarns are filing fibers inserted between length layers of the warp yarns; and\nthe through-the-thickness binding yarns interconnect layers of the weft yarns.",
"4. The docking device of claim 3, wherein:\nthe first type of fiber is the high-tenacity biocompatible material;\nthe second type of fiber is the shape memory metal; and\nthe third type of fiber is the low-melt thermoplastic polymer or resin.",
"5. The docking device of claim 4, wherein:\nthe high-tenacity biocompatible material comprises polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and is configured to provide durability and promote tissue growth for the 3D woven fabric;\nthe shape memory metal comprises nickel titanium alloy; and\nthe low-melt thermoplastic polymer or resin comprises nylon and is configured to fuse woven layers of the 3D woven fabric together.",
"6. The docking device of claim 1, wherein:\nthe warp yarns are interlaced with layers of the weft yarns in in-plane principal directions; and\nthe through-the-thickness binding yarns are interlaced with layers of the warp yarns in out-of-plane principal directions.",
"7. The docking device of claim 6, wherein:\nthe first type of fiber is the shape memory metal;\nthe second type of fiber is the low-melt thermoplastic polymer or resin; and\nthe third type of fiber is the high-tenacity biocompatible material.",
"8. The docking device of claim 6, wherein:\nthe first type of fiber is the high-tenacity biocompatible material;\nthe second type of fiber is the shape memory metal; and\nthe third type of fiber is the low-melt thermoplastic polymer or resin.",
"9. The docking device of claim 1, wherein the 3D woven fabric has an angle-interlock weave structure.",
"10. The docking device of claim 9, wherein:\nthe weft yarns comprise straight weft wadding yarns; and\nthe through-the-thickness binding yarns comprise bias weft yarns that weave with the warp yarns in a diagonal direction in a thickness of the 3D woven fabric.",
"11. The docking device of claim 10, wherein:\nthe first type of fiber is the shape memory metal;\nthe second type of fiber is the low-melt thermoplastic polymer or resin type of fiber; and\nthe third type of fiber is the high-tenacity biocompatible material.",
"12. The docking device of claim 10, wherein:\nthe first type of fiber is the high-tenacity biocompatible material;\nthe second type of fiber is the shape memory metal; and\nthe third type of fiber is the low-melt thermoplastic polymer or resin.",
"13. The docking device of claim 1, further comprising:\nan elongate filler structure wrapped at least partially around a circumference of the outer surface of the hollow cylindrical body portion; and\na tubular woven fabric disposed around the elongate filler structure over a length of the elongate filler structure.",
"14. The docking device of claim 13, wherein:\nthe elongate filler structure comprises foam; and\nthe tubular woven fabric is less porous than the elongate filler structure.",
"15. The docking device of claim 13, wherein the tubular woven fabric is attached to the outer surface of the hollow cylindrical body portion.",
"16. The docking device of claim 13, further comprising a ring formed of the 3D woven fabric at an axial end of the hollow cylindrical body portion, wherein the tubular woven fabric is attached to the hollow cylindrical body portion adjacent to the ring.",
"17. The docking device of claim 14, wherein the foam is one of the group consisting of polymeric foam, polyurethane foam, polyvinyl chloride foam, polyimide foam, and microcellular foam.",
"18. The docking device of claim 13, wherein the elongate filler structure comprises silicone.",
"19. The docking device of claim 13, wherein ends of the elongate filler structure are exposed past ends of the tubular woven fabric.",
"20. The docking device of claim 1, wherein the high-tenacity biocompatible material comprises polyethylene terephthalate (PET).",
"21. The docking device of claim 1, wherein the shape memory metal comprises nickel titanium alloy.",
"22. The docking device of claim 1, wherein the low-melt thermoplastic polymer or resin comprises nylon."
],
[
"1. A medical fabric comprising multifilament yarns with a total fineness of 7 to 80 dtex as warp yarns and weft yarns, wherein a single filament fineness of at least one multifilament yarn among the warp yarns and the weft yarns is 0.5 dtex or less, a twist coefficient A of the weft yarns is 50 to 1000, a thickness of the medical fabric is 10 to 90 μm, a water permeability before and after needle puncture of the medical fabric is 300 cc/min/cm2 or less, a twist coefficient of the warp yarns is 75 to 10000, and a warp/weft twist coefficient ratio B between the warp yarns and the weft yarns is 3.6 to 20.",
"2. The medical fabric according to claim 1, wherein a degree of weft yarn overlap (WW) of the weft yarns is 1.0 to 1.5.",
"3. The medical fabric according to claim 1, wherein a warp yarn crimp angle of the warp yarns is 20 degrees or smaller.",
"4. The medical fabric according to claim 1, wherein intra-yarn single filament fineness ratios S for both the warp yarns and the weft yarns are 2 or less.",
"5. The medical fabric according to claim 1, wherein a ratio of a diameter in the horizontal direction (Dh) to a diameter in the vertical direction (Dv) in the weft yarn cross section of the woven fabric is 1.5<Dh/Dv<10.",
"6. The medical fabric according to claim 1, wherein a sum of a cover factor (CFw) of the warp yarns and a cover factor (CFf) of the weft yarns (CFw+CFf) is 1600 to 2400.",
"7. A tubular seamless fabric comprising a medical fabric according to claim 1.",
"8. A stent graft comprising the tubular seamless fabric according to claim 7.",
"9. A catheter in which a stent graft according to claim 8 is inserted.",
"10. A stent delivery device comprising a stent graft according to claim 8 as a component thereof.",
"11. The tubular seamless fabric according to claim 7, wherein the tubular seamless fabric has a large diameter portion and a branched portion, wherein partial fabric texture at a boundary portion between the large diameter portion and the branched portion is constituted by a single texture and has a burst strength of 100 N or larger.",
"12. The tubular seamless fabric according to claim 11, wherein a number of warps constituting the single texture is 2 to 32.",
"13. A method for producing a tubular seamless fabric according to claim 11, comprising the step of performing weaving in a loom provided with a shuttle having the weft yarns wound on a bobbin.",
"14. A stent graft comprising a medical fabric according to claim 1.",
"15. A catheter in which a stent graft according to claim 14 is inserted.",
"16. A stent delivery device comprising a stent graft according to claim 14 as a component thereof.",
"17. The medical fabric according to claim 1, wherein the warp/weft twist coefficient ratio B between the warp yarns and the weft yarns is 4.6 to 20.",
"18. The medical fabric according to claim 1, wherein the warp/weft twist coefficient ratio B between the warp yarns and the weft yarns is 5.2 to 20.",
"19. The medical fabric according to claim 1, wherein the warp/weft twist coefficient ratio B between the warp yarns and the weft yarns is 6.7 to 20.",
"20. A tubular seamless fabric comprising\na medical fabric including multifilament yarns with a total fineness of 7 to 80 dtex as warp yarns and weft yarns,\nwherein a single filament fineness of at least one multifilament yarn among the warp yarns and the weft yarns is 0.5 dtex or less,\nwherein a twist coefficient A of the weft yarns is 50 to 2000,\nwherein a thickness of the medical fabric is 10 to 90 μm,\nwherein a water permeability before and after needle puncture of the medical fabric is 300 cc/min/cm2 or less,\nwherein the tubular seamless fabric has a large diameter portion and a branched portion,\nwherein partial fabric texture at a boundary portion between the large diameter portion and the branched portion is constituted by a single texture and has a burst strength of 100 N or larger, and\nwherein a number of warps constituting the single texture is 2 to 32."
],
[
"1. A method of making a stent comprising:\ndisposing a plurality of fibers in an extruder for forming a structure;\nconveying a matrix polymer into the extruder, the fibers comprising a material having a melting temperature greater than a melting temperature of the matrix polymer,\nwherein the material of the fibers comprises a polymer which is biodegradable,\nwherein the matrix polymer is biodegradable and is different from the fiber polymer,\nwherein the matrix polymer has a lower modulus than the fiber polymer and the matrix polymer has a glass transition temperature (Tg) below body temperature,\nwherein a degradation rate of the matrix polymer is lower than a degradation rate of the fiber polymer;\nforming the structure with the extruder at a temperature greater than the melting temperature of the matrix polymer and less than the melting temperature of the material, wherein at least some of the fibers becoming embedded within the matrix polymer; and\nfabricating a stent from the structure.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the material of the fibers comprises a radiopaque material.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein disposing the plurality of fibers in the extruder comprises disposing the fibers around a mandrel.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein disposing the plurality of fibers in the extruder comprises disposing the fibers in the extruder in a random or substantially random fashion.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein the structure comprises a tube, and wherein fabricating a stent comprises forming a pattern in the tube comprising a plurality of interconnecting structural elements.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein the structure comprises a tube, and further comprising radially deforming the formed tube to increase circumferential strength and rigidity of the tube.",
"7. The method of claim 1, wherein the matrix polymer comprises poly (ε-caprolactone) and the fiber polymer comprises poly(L-lactide) or polyglycolide."
],
[
"1. A seamless tubular medical high density woven fabric, satisfying the following requirements (1) to (8):\n(1) both warp yarn and weft yarn are synthetic multifilament fibers having a total fineness of not more than 60 dtex;\n(2) the weft yarn has a monofilament fineness of not more than 0.5 dtex;\n(3) the tubular woven fabric includes a two-weft insertion woven structure in a region of at least 10 mm in the longitudinal direction from one end of the tubular woven fabric;\n(4) the woven fabric has a cover factor of 1600 to 2400; and\n(5) the woven fabric has a thickness of not more than 110 μm.",
"2. The medical high density woven fabric according to claim 1, wherein the weft yarn is a synthetic polyester multifilament fiber having a monofilament fineness of not more than 0.2 dtex."
],
[
"1. A biocompatible woven fabric suitable for an implantable medical device comprising shape memory element strands and textile strands aligned in a first direction interlaced with textile strands aligned in a second direction, where at least one of the shape memory element strands aligned in the first direction has at least one float over at least five textile strands aligned in the second direction and at least one float under at least five textile strands aligned in the second direction, wherein the biocompatible woven fabric is adapted to be placed in a vessel and has low porosity and low permeability.",
"2. The biocompatible woven fabric of claim 1, where the textile strands comprise a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyurethane, polytetrafluoroethylene, and combinations thereof.",
"3. The woven fabric of claim 1, where the textile strands have a denier between 0.1 denier to 200 denier.",
"4. The biocompatible woven fabric of claim 1, where the shape memory element strands are selected from the group consisting of a shape memory polymer, a shape memory metal, and combinations thereof.",
"5. The biocompatible woven fabric of claim 1, where the shape memory element strands comprise superelastic nitinol wire.",
"6. The biocompatible woven fabric of claim 5, where the superelastic nitinol wire has a diameter between 70 μm to 125 μm.",
"7. The biocompatible woven fabric of claim 1, where the shape memory element strands in the first direction have at least one float of between six to twelve textile strands in the second direction.",
"8. The biocompatible woven fabric of claim 1, where the fabric comprises a primary weave selected from the group consisting of a plain weave, a basket weave, a rep weave, a rib weave, a twill weave, a leno weave, a mock lena weave, a satin weave, a double weave, or a variation thereof.",
"9. The biocompatible woven fabric of claim 1, where the fabric comprises a tubular double weave.",
"10. The biocompatible woven fabric of claim 1, further comprising any two or more of the following:\ntextile strands comprising a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyurethane, polyletrafluoroethylene, and combinations thereof;\ntextile strands comprising a denier between 0.1 denier to 200 denier;\nshape memory element strands selected from the group consisting of a shape memory polymer, a shape memory metal, and combinations thereof;\nshape memory element strands comprising superelastic nitinol wire having a diameter between 70 μm to about 125 μm;\nshape memory element strands in the first direction having at least one float of between six to twelve textile strands in the second direction; and\na primary weave selected from the group consisting of a plain weave, a basket weave, a rep weave, a rib weave, a twill weave, a leno weave, a mock lena weave, a satin weave, a double weave, or a variation thereof.",
"11. A biocompatible woven tubular stent-graft comprising shape memory element strands aligned in a first direction and polyester strands aligned in the first direction interlaced with textile strands aligned in a second direction; and\na primary weave comprising a tubular double weave;\nwhere at least one of the shape memory element strands has at least one float over at least five textile strands aligned in the second direction and at least one float under at least five textile strands aligned in the second direction, wherein the biocompatible woven tubular stent graft is adapted to be placed in a vessel and has low porosity and low permeability.",
"12. The biocompatible woven tubular stent-graft of claim 11, the shape memory element strands comprising a superelastic nitinol wire having a diameter between 70 μm to 125 μm and the textile strands comprising polyester having a denier between microdenier to 200 denier.",
"13. A biocompatible woven fabric suitable for an implantable medical device comprising shape memory element strands and textile strands aligned in a first direction interlaced with textile strands aligned in a second direction, where at least one of the shape memory element strands aligned in the first direction has at least one float over at least five textile strands aligned in the second direction, and at least one float under at least five textile strands aligned in the second direction, wherein the biocompatible woven fabric is adapted to be placed in the vessel and has low porosity and low permeability, and wherein the shape memory element strands consist of superelastic nitinol.",
"14. The biocompatible woven fabric of claim 11, wherein some of shape memory strands are arranged radially in a series about the stent graft at at least one end of the stent graft such that the density of shape memory strands at the at least one end of the stent graft is greater than along a length of the stent graft."
],
[
"1. An implantable medical prosthesis comprising:\na woven base comprising base warp yarns interwoven with weft yarn passes, the woven base at least partially forming smaller and larger diameter portions of the prosthesis; and\none or more velour yarns forming part of both the smaller and larger diameter portions;\nin at least a portion of the larger diameter portion at least one of the one or more velour yarns incorporated into the woven base and exhibiting a weave pattern consistent with the woven base.",
"2. The implantable medical prosthesis of claim 1, wherein within the smaller diameter portion, the at least one of the one or more velour yarns is not incorporated into the woven base and does not exhibit a weave pattern consistent with the woven base.",
"3. The implantable medical prosthesis of claim 1, wherein a spacing between the base warp yarns is maintained approximately the same in the smaller and larger diameter portions without adding additional warp yarns to the larger diameter portion beyond that in the smaller diameter portion.",
"4. The implantable medical prosthesis of claim 1, wherein an increase in diameter of the prosthesis going from the smaller diameter portion to the larger diameter is effected by increasing spacing between the base warp yarns during weaving of the prosthesis.",
"5. The implantable medical prosthesis of claim 1, wherein the spacing between the base warp yarns in the larger diameter portion is made smaller without reducing a diameter of the larger diameter portion by at least one of the one or more velour yarns incorporated into the woven base of the larger diameter portion.",
"6. The implantable medical prosthesis of claim 1, wherein the prosthesis is a generally tubular graft and the larger diameter portion lies within a portion of the graft varying in diameter along a longitudinal axis of the graft and the smaller diameter portion lies within a portion of the graft having a generally uniform diameter.",
"7. The implantable medical prosthesis of claim, wherein the prosthesis is a generally tubular graft and the larger and smaller diameter portions lie within a portion of the prosthesis in diameter along a longitudinal axis of the graft.",
"8. The implantable medical prosthesis of claim 1, wherein in at least a portion of the smaller diameter portion the one or more velour yarns exhibit a float that is entirely absent or smaller in the larger diameter portion.",
"9. The implantable medical prosthesis of claim 1, wherein a spacing between the base warp yarns in the smaller diameter portion is within 30% of the size of the spacing in the larger diameter portion, more preferably within 20% of the size of the spacing in the larger diameter portion, and most preferably within 10% of the size of the spacing in the larger diameter portion.",
"10. The implantable medical prosthesis of claim 1, wherein a quantity of the base warp yarns and velour yarns is the same in the larger diameter portion as the smaller diameter portion, and wherein the base warp yarns and the velour warp yarns are continuously woven between the smaller diameter portion and the larger diameter portion.",
"11. The implantable medical prosthesis of claim 1, wherein the prosthesis comprises a secondary woven layer disposed over at least one of the smaller and larger diameter portions, and wherein a portion of a yarn forming the secondary layer is incorporated into the base layer of the larger portion.",
"12. An implantable medical prosthesis comprising:\na woven structure comprising warp yarns interwoven with weft passes, all or a portion of the warp yarns together with the weft passes form a woven base of the woven structure;\na first portion of the woven structure is woven with a first set of the warp yarns, a first subset of the first set of the warp yarns interwoven with the weft passes forms the woven base in the first portion, two of the warp yarns in the first subset in the first portion are spaced apart from each other a first distance along a surface of the prosthesis, the first distance is greater than any spacing between any other pair of warp yarns in the first subset in the first portion along the surface of the prosthesis;\na second portion of the woven structure is woven with the first set of the warp yarns, a second subset of the first set of the warp yarns interwoven with the weft passes forms the woven base in the second portion, two of the warp yarns in the first subset in the second portion are spaced apart from each other a second distance along the surface of the prosthesis, the second distance is greater than any spacing between any other pair of warp yarns in the first subset in the second portion along the surface of the prosthesis;\nwherein the second distance is greater than the first distance, and the number of warp yarns in the first subset is smaller than the number of warp yarns in the second subset.",
"13. The implantable medical prosthesis of claim 12, wherein the portion of the warp yarns interwoven with the weft passes and disposed in the woven base are arranged in a base weave pattern, and another portion of the warp yarns not disposed in the woven base are velour warp yarns.",
"14. The implantable medical prosthesis of claim 12, wherein the prosthesis is a generally tubular graft, the first portion having a first diameter along a longitudinal axis of the graft, the second portion having a second diameter along the longitudinal axis larger than the first diameter.",
"15. The implantable medical prosthesis of claim 12, wherein in the first portion of warp yarns not in the first subset forming the woven base exhibit a float that is entirely absent or smaller in the second portion.",
"16. The implantable medical prosthesis of claim 12, further comprising a first end and a second end, and wherein essentially all the warp yarns are continuously woven between the first and second ends.",
"17. The implantable medical prosthesis of claim 12, wherein the prosthesis comprises a secondary woven structure disposed over at least one of the first and second portions, wherein a portion of a yarn forming the secondary woven structure is incorporated into the woven base of the secondary portion."
],
[
"1. A textile electromagnetic protection sheath, comprising:\nconductive filaments extending in a first direction corresponding to a longitudinal direction of the sheath between opposite ends of the sheath, the conductive filaments being formed from wires such that the conductive filaments protect against external electromagnetic signals; and\nnon-conductive filaments interlaced with the conductive filaments,\nwherein the sheath is a thermoformed, self-closing longitudinally slit sheath having opposite overlapping longitudinal edges overlapping one another at an overlapped region,\nwherein the non-conductive filaments extend substantially transversely to the conductive filaments between the opposite longitudinal edges and include at least one previously heat-treated and thermoformed thread such that the sheath is a self-closing longitudinally slit, deformed sheath having the overlapping longitudinal edges, the at least one thermoformed thread having a diameter greater than a diameter of the conductive filaments, and\nwherein the longitudinal edges are configured to be separated at a region at which the opposite longitudinal edges overlap one another.",
"2. The electromagnetic protection sheath according to claim 1, wherein the sheath is a longitudinally slit sheath having a shape memory.",
"3. The electromagnetic protection sheath according to claim 1, wherein the sheath is a tubular sheath.",
"4. The electromagnetic protection sheath according to claim 1, wherein the sheath is woven, the conductive filaments constituting warp threads and the non-conductive filaments constituting weft threads.",
"5. The electromagnetic protection sheath according to claim 1, wherein the non-conductive filaments are a polyphenylenesulfide thread.",
"6. The electromagnetic protection sheath according to claim 1, wherein the non-conductive filaments are mineral fibers, glass fibers or synthetic fibers selected from the group consisting of polyester, polyphenylenesulfide, polyetheretherketone, polyamide, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethyleneimine, polyetherketone, polyetherketoneketone, meta-aramide and polytetrafluoroethylene.",
"7. The electromagnetic protection sheath according to claim 1, wherein the conductive filaments are not electrically connected together by interlaced filaments.",
"8. The electromagnetic protection sheath according to claim 1, wherein the thermoformed thread is formed from at least one selected from the group consisting of polyester, polyphenylenesulfide, polyetheretherketone, polyamide, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethyleneimine, polyetherketone, polyetherketoneketone, and polytetrafluoroethylene.",
"9. The textile electromagnetic protection sheath according to claim 1, wherein the sheath is configured with a longitudinal opening defined therethrough in a state in which the sheath is closed, the sheath being configured to receive a cable within the longitudinal opening, and\nthe sheath is configured to electromagnetically protect the cable when the cable is disposed within the longitudinal opening.",
"10. The textile electromagnetic protection sheath according to claim 1, wherein at least some of the conductive filaments are discrete bundles of braided wires.",
"11. The textile electromagnetic protection sheath according to claim 1, wherein the conductive filaments are copper.",
"12. A textile electromagnetic protection sheath, consisting essentially of:\nconductive filaments extending in a first direction corresponding to a longitudinal direction of the sheath between opposite ends of the sheath, the conductive filaments being formed from wires such that the conductive filaments protect against external electromagnetic signals; and\npreviously heat-treated and thermoformed non-conductive filaments interlaced with the conductive filaments, the thermoformed non-conductive filaments extending between opposite longitudinal edges of the sheath such that the conductive filaments are thereby mutually insulated from each other,\nwherein the non-conductive filaments have a diameter greater than a diameter of the conductive filaments so that wear of the sheath by rubbing or abrasion is limited to the non-conductive filaments,\nwherein the sheath is a thermoformed, self-closing longitudinally slit sheath having opposite overlapping longitudinal edges overlapping one another at an overlapped region, and\nwherein the longitudinal edges are configured to be separated at a region at which the opposite longitudinal edges overlap one another.",
"13. The textile electromagnetic protection sheath according to claim 12, wherein the sheath is woven, the conductive filaments constituting warp threads extending along the longitudinal direction and the non-conductive filaments constituting weft threads extending transversely to the longitudinal direction.",
"14. The textile electromagnetic protection sheath according to claim 12, wherein at least some of the conductive filaments are discrete bundles of braided wires.",
"15. The textile electromagnetic protection sheath according to claim 14, wherein the conductive filaments are copper.",
"16. A textile electromagnetic protection sheath, comprising:\nconductive wire filaments extending along a longitudinal direction of the sheath between opposite ends of the sheath; and\nat least one non-conductive filament extending between opposite longitudinal edges of the sheath in substantially transverse relation to the conductive wire filaments in interlaced relation with the conductive wire filaments, the at least one non-conductive filament including at least one thermoformed filament that automatically biases the opposite longitudinal edges into overlapping relation with one another such that the sheath is tubular and self-closing, wherein the longitudinal edges are separable from one another for adding and viewing a cable to be shielded, with the at least one thermoformed filament having a diameter greater than a diameter of the conductive wire filaments.",
"17. The textile electromagnetic protection sheath according to claim 16, wherein at least some of the conductive wire filaments are discrete bundles of conductive wire filaments.",
"18. The textile electromagnetic protection sheath according to claim 17, wherein the conductive wire filaments within the discrete bundles are braided.",
"19. The textile electromagnetic protection sheath according to claim 17, wherein the discrete bundles of conductive wire filaments and the at least one non-conductive filament are woven together.",
"20. The textile electromagnetic protection sheath according to claim 17, wherein the discrete bundles of conductive wire filaments are not electrically connected together."
],
[
"1. A method for forming a rigid cable harness comprising:\nproviding a single, continuous curable sleeve comprising a curable compound, an adhesive, and a backing; wherein the curable sleeve has a longitudinal direction; wherein the curable compound comprises a polymer forming a continuous phase and a reactive resin forming a discontinuous phase in the uncured state of the curable compound; wherein the curable compound further comprises at least one of a curing agent, an initiator, or an accelerator; wherein the curable compound is disposed on the adhesive in the longitudinal direction, wherein the curable compound is disposed on the backing in the longitudinal direction; placing a plurality of cables on the sleeve in the longitudinal direction;\nwrapping the curable sleeve around the placed plurality of cables to form a cable harness, wherein the wrapping comprises wrapping the plurality of cables with the curable sleeve in the longitudinal direction such that the curable compound and the adhesive are disposed around the cables in the longitudinal direction;\npositioning the cable harness into a desired shape; and\ncuring the curable compound of the cable harness to form the rigid cable harness, wherein the rigid cable harness has the desired shape, wherein the desired shape comprises as least one bend and wherein the curable sleeve is continuous around said bend.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the curing the curable compound further comprises applying radiant energy selected from the group consisting of heat, ultraviolet radiation, infrared radiation, magnetic induction, and any combination thereof.",
"3. The method of claim 2, wherein the degree of rigidity of the rigid cable harness is selected by choosing the duration, temperature, or source of radiant energy to cure the curable compound.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein the curable compound is covered with a covering during the placing of the plurality of cables on the curable sleeve; wherein the plurality of cables does not contact the curable compound.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein the rigid cable harness comprises an exterior and an interior; wherein the exterior of the rigid cable harness does not comprise the curable compound; wherein the curable compound and the adhesive do not substantially extrude out of the interior of the rigid cable harness or substantially contact the exterior of the rigid cable harness.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein the reactive resin comprises between about 1 wt. % to about 85 wt. % of the curable compound.",
"7. The method of claim 1, wherein the reactive resin is present in a homogenous solution with the polymer forming the continuous phase.",
"8. The method of claim 1, wherein the polymer forming the continuous phase comprises an elastomer or a thermoplastic.",
"9. The method of claim 1, wherein the reactive resin comprises an epoxide, a polyester, a polyether, a polyurethane, a phenolic resin, a cresol-based polymer, a novolak-based polymer, a polysulphide, or an acrylic polymer.",
"10. The method of claim 1, wherein the degree of rigidity of the rigid cable harness is selected by choosing the concentration and species of the reactive resin.",
"11. The method of claim 1, wherein the backing comprises a textile material selected from the group consisting of cloths, scrims, tapes, braids, tufted textiles, felts, woven fabrics, woven or knitted spacer fabrics with lamination, knitted fabrics, nonwovens, and any combinations thereof.",
"12. A method for cabling a structure comprising:\nproviding a cable harness comprising:\na single, continuous curable sleeve comprising a curable compound, an adhesive, and a backing; wherein the curable sleeve has a longitudinal direction; wherein the curable compound comprises a polymer forming a continuous phase and a reactive resin forming a discontinuous phase in the uncured state of the curable compound; wherein the curable compound further comprises at least one of a curing agent, an initiator, or an accelerator; wherein the curable compound is disposed on the adhesive in the longitudinal direction, wherein the curable compound is disposed on the backing in the longitudinal direction; and\na plurality of cables placed on the interior of the curable sleeve in the longitudinal direction and wrapped by the curable sleeve in the longitudinal direction such that the curable compound and the adhesive are disposed around the cables in the longitudinal direction;\npositioning the cable harness into a desired shape;\ncuring the curable compound of the cable harness to form a rigid cable harness, wherein the rigid cable harness has the desired shape, wherein the degree of rigidity of the rigid cable harness is selected by choosing the duration, temperature, or source of radiant energy to cure the curable compound, wherein the desired shape comprises as least one bend and wherein the curable sleeve is continuous around said bend; and\nplacing the rigid cable harness on the interior of the structure.",
"13. The method of claim 12, wherein the curable compound is covered with a covering during the placing of the plurality of cables on the curable sleeve in the longitudinal direction; wherein the plurality of cables does not contact the curable compound.",
"14. The method of claim 12, wherein the rigid cable harness comprises an exterior and an interior; wherein the exterior of the rigid cable harness does not comprise the curable compound; wherein the curable compound and the adhesive do not substantially extrude out of the interior of the rigid cable harness or substantially contact the exterior of the rigid cable harness.",
"15. The method of claim 12, wherein the reactive resin is present in a homogenous solution with the polymer forming the continuous phase.",
"16. The method of claim 12, wherein the polymer forming the continuous phase comprises an elastomer or a thermoplastic.",
"17. The method of claim 12, wherein the reactive resin comprises an epoxide, a polyester, a polyether, a polyurethane, a phenolic resin, a cresol-based polymer, a novolak-based polymer, a polysulphide, or an acrylic polymer.",
"18. The method of claim 12, wherein the backing comprises a textile material selected from the group consisting of cloths, scrims, tapes, braids, tufted textiles, felts, woven fabrics, woven or knitted spacer fabrics with lamination, knitted fabrics, nonwovens, and any combinations thereof."
],
[
"1. A woven fabric comprising an alternating pattern containing first weave zones and partial float weave zones, wherein the woven fabric comprises:\na plurality warp yarns arranged into groupings of warp yarns, wherein each grouping contains between 2 and 10 warp yarns; and,\na plurality of picks of weft yarns;\nwherein in each first weave zone the picks of weft yarns comprise a repeating first weft pattern of at least one monofilament yarn and at least one single-inserted multifilament yarn, wherein within the first weave zones each warp yarn passes successively over and under alternating picks of weft yarns forming a plain weave,\nwherein in each partial float zone the picks of weft yarns within the partial float weave zone comprise a repeating second weft pattern of at least one monofilament yarn and at least one single-inserted multifilament yarn,\nwherein only a portion of the warp yarns within at least a portion of the warp groupings float over 3 weft yarns including floating over at least one single-inserted multifilament weft yarn in at least a portion of weft pattern repeats, and wherein outside of the floats the non-floating warp yarns pass successively over and under alternating picks of weft yarns.",
"2. The woven fabric of claim 1, wherein the repeating pattern of the zones in the woven fabric consists of an alternating pattern of first weave zones and partial float weave zones.",
"3. The woven fabric of claim 1, wherein the repeating pattern of zones comprises first weave zones, partial float weave zones, and second weave zones.",
"4. The woven fabric of claim 1, wherein the weft yarns in the woven fabric comprise a repeating pattern of at least one monofilament yarn and at least one single-inserted multifilament yarn throughout the entire fabric.",
"5. The woven fabric of claim 1, wherein the warp yarns are monofilament yarns.",
"6. The woven fabric of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the yarns in the woven fabric comprise a UV stabilizer.",
"7. The woven fabric of claim 1, wherein the woven fabric is a narrow woven tape have a width of less than about 2 inches.",
"8. An innerduct for a cable comprising one or more strip-shaped lengths of woven textile fabric configured to create a flexible, longitudinal compartment for enveloping a cable, wherein the woven fabric comprises a plurality warp yarns and a plurality of picks of weft yarns, wherein the weft yarns comprise a repeating first weft pattern of at least one monofilament yarn and at least one single-inserted multifilament yarn, wherein the woven fabric comprises an alternating pattern containing first weave zones and partial float weave zones,\nwherein in the first weave zones, the warp yarns pass successively over and under each adjacent weft yarn forming a plain weave,\nwherein in the partial float zones, at least a portion of the warp yarns float over some adjacent weft yarns including floating over at least one single-inserted multifilament weft yarn in at least a portion of first weft pattern repeats, and wherein outside of the floats the non-floating warp yarns pass successively over and under alternating picks of weft yarns.",
"9. The innerduct of claim 8, wherein the woven fabric comprises an alternating pattern containing first weave zones, second weave zones, partial float weave zones.",
"10. The woven fabric of claim 8, wherein the repeating pattern of the zones in the woven fabric consists of an alternating pattern of first weave zones and partial float weave zones.",
"11. The woven fabric of claim 8, wherein the warp yarns are monofilament yarns.",
"12. The woven fabric of claim 8, wherein at least a portion of the yarns in the woven fabric comprise a UV stabilizer.",
"13. An innerduct for a cable comprising one or more strip-shaped lengths of woven textile fabric configured to create a flexible, longitudinal compartment for enveloping a cable, wherein the textile fabric comprises:\na plurality warp yarns arranged into groupings of warp yarns, wherein each grouping contains between 2 and 10 warp yarns; and,\na plurality of picks of weft yarns;\nwherein in each first weave zone the picks of weft yarns comprise a repeating first weft pattern of at least one monofilament yarn and at least one single-inserted multifilament yarn, wherein within the first weave zones each warp yarn passes successively over and under alternating picks of weft yarns forming a plain weave,\nwherein in each partial float zone the picks of weft yarns within the partial float weave zone comprise a repeating second weft pattern of at least one monofilament yarn and at least one single-inserted multifilament yarn,\nwherein only a portion of the warp yarns within at least a portion of the warp groupings float over 3 weft yarns including floating over at least one single-inserted multifilament weft yarn in at least a portion of weft pattern repeats, and wherein outside of the floats the non-floating warp yarns pass successively over and under alternating picks of weft yarns, and wherein the repeating pattern of the zones in the woven fabric consists of an alternating pattern of first weave zones and partial float weave zones.",
"14. The woven fabric of claim 13, wherein the weft yarns in the woven fabric comprise a repeating pattern of at least one monofilament yarn and at least one single-inserted multifilament yarn throughout the entire fabric.",
"15. The woven fabric of claim 13, wherein the warp yarns are monofilament yarns.",
"16. The woven fabric of claim 13, wherein at least a portion of the yarns in the woven fabric comprise a UV stabilizer.",
"17. The woven fabric of claim 13, wherein the repeating pattern of the zones in the woven fabric consists of an alternating pattern of first weave zones and partial float weave zones.",
"18. An apparatus comprising:\na conduit;\nan innerduct positioned inside the conduit, the innerduct comprising at least one strip-shaped panel of woven textile material folded about a centrally located longitudinal axis and adjoined along the longitudinal edge portions to define at least one longitudinal channel that is configured to enclose and carry a cable, wherein said woven textile material comprises:\na plurality warp yarns arranged into groupings of warp yarns, wherein each grouping contains between 2 and 10 warp yarns; and,\na plurality of picks of weft yarns;\nwherein in each first weave zone the picks of weft yarns comprise a repeating first weft pattern of at least one monofilament yarn and at least one single-inserted multifilament yarn, wherein within the first weave zones each warp yarn passes successively over and under alternating picks of weft yarns forming a plain weave,\nwherein in each partial float zone the picks of weft yarns within the partial float weave zone comprise a repeating second weft pattern of at least one monofilament yarn and at least one single-inserted multifilament yarn,\nwherein only a portion of the warp yarns within at least a portion of the warp groupings float over 3 weft yarns including floating over at least one single-inserted multifilament weft yarn in at least a portion of weft pattern repeats, and wherein outside of the floats the non-floating warp yarns pass successively over and under alternating picks of weft yarns.",
"19. The woven fabric of claim 18, wherein the weft yarns in comprise a repeating pattern of at least one monofilament yarn and at least one single-inserted multifilament yarn throughout the entire fabric.",
"20. The woven fabric of claim 18, wherein the warp yarns are monofilament yarns.",
"21. The woven fabric of claim 18, wherein at least a portion of the yarns in the woven fabric comprise a UV stabilizer.",
"22. The woven fabric of claim 18, wherein the repeating pattern of the zones in the woven fabric consists of an alternating pattern of first weave zones and partial float weave zones."
],
[
"1. A method of constructing a wrappable textile sleeve, comprising:\nweaving an elongate wall from at least one lengthwise extending warp yarn extending along a longitudinal axis of the sleeve between opposite ends and a plurality of circumferentially extending weft yarns extending circumferentially between opposite overlapping edges; and\nforming a plurality of discrete circumferentially extending annular bands extending between the opposite edges with the weft yarns during the weaving process with each of the bands being formed including a plurality of the weft yarns, with adjacent bands being formed with weft yarns having different diameters from one another, wherein the adjacent bands are formed including weft yarns having a diameter ratio of about 1:3.",
"2. The method of claim 1 further including forming the bands with the smaller diameter weft yarns having an increased axially extending width relative to the bands with the larger diameter weft yarns.",
"3. The method of claim 1 further including forming alternating bands spaced axially from one another by intervening bands, and forming the alternating bands having weft yarns with substantially the same diameter as one another and forming the intervening bands having weft yarns of a different diameter from the alternating bands.",
"4. The method of claim 3 further including forming the alternating bands entirely from weft yarns having a larger diameter relative to the weft yarns forming the intervening bands.",
"5. The method of claim 1 further including weaving the wall having a plain weave.",
"6. The method of claim 1 further including bonding an outer layer to an outer surface of the wall.",
"7. The method of claim 1 further including heat-setting at least some of the weft yarns to bias the opposite edges into overlapping relation with one another.",
"8. The method of claim 6 further including providing the outer layer as a layer of foil."
],
[
"1. A tubular textile sleeve for protecting elongate members, comprising:\nan elongate wall bounding an internal cavity sized for receipt of the elongate members therein, said wall extending along a longitudinal axis of said textile sleeve, said wall having warp yarns including warp multifilament yarns and warp monofilament yarns extending generally parallel to said longitudinal axis and fill yarns including fill multifilament yarns and fill monofilament yarns extending generally transversely to said warp yarns, said warp multifilament yarns being provided in greater number than said warp monofilament yarns.",
"2. The tubular textile sleeve of claim 1 wherein each of said fill multifilament yarns is inserted in abutment with one of said fill monofilament yarns to form dual inserted pairs of fill multifilament and monofilament yarns, each of said dual inserted pairs being spaced axially from one another.",
"3. The tubular textile sleeve of claim 1 wherein about 2 warp multifilament yarns are provided for every 1 warp monofilament yarn.",
"4. The tubular textile sleeve of claim 1 wherein said warp multifilament yarns and said warp monofilament yarns are woven in a balanced twill weave.",
"5. The tubular textile sleeve of claim 1 wherein said wall is a closed, circumferentially continuous wall.",
"6. The tubular textile sleeve of claim 1 wherein said wall is an open wall having a slit provided by opposite edges extending along a longitudinal axis of said sleeve.",
"7. The tubular textile sleeve of claim 6 wherein said fill monofilament yarns are heat-set into a self-biased curled configuration to bring said opposite edges in overlapping relation with one another.",
"8. A method of constructing a tubular textile sleeve for protecting elongate members, comprising:\nweaving multifilament yarns and monofilaments yarns with one another with a plurality of said multifilament yarns and said monofilament yarns providing warp yarns extending along a length of the sleeve and a plurality of said multifilament yarns and said monofilament yarns providing fill yarns extending about a circumference of the sleeve.",
"9. The method of claim 8 further including inserting the fill yarns in pairs of monofilament and multifilament yarns.",
"10. The method of claim 8 further including weaving the warp multifilament yarns in increased number relative to the warp monofilament yarns.",
"11. The method of claim 8 further including weaving the warp yarns in a twill pattern.",
"12. The method of claim 8 further including weaving the warp yarns in a warp-faced pattern."
],
[
"1. A textile fabric for routing and protecting an electrical member against electromagnetic interference, comprising:\nan elongate wall constructed from lengthwise extending warp yarns woven with widthwise extending weft yarns, at least some of said warp yarns being electrically conductive and having a first diameter and said weft yarns having a second diameter, said second diameter being at least 25 percent less than said first diameter.",
"2. The textile fabric of claim 1 wherein a plurality of said weft yarns are heat-settable polymeric yarn.",
"3. The textile fabric of claim 2 wherein said plurality of heat-settable polymeric yarns are heat-set to bias said wall into a self-wrapping configuration about a longitudinal central axis.",
"4. The textile fabric of claim 3 wherein said wall has opposite lengthwise extending edges that are biased in overlapping relation with one another by said heat-set yarns to provide a generally tubular cavity in which the member is received.",
"5. The textile fabric of claim 2 wherein a plurality of said warp yarns include a conductive wire extending about a non-conductive yarn.",
"6. The textile fabric of claim 1 wherein said warp yarns are woven to skip over at least 3 of said weft yarns.",
"7. The textile fabric of claim 6 wherein said warp yarns are woven in a satin weave.",
"8. The textile fabric of claim 6 wherein said satin weave is an 8 harness satin weave.",
"9. A woven textile sleeve for protecting an electrical member contained therein against EMI, comprising:\nan elongate wall having opposite edges wrappable in overlapping relation with one another to form an enclosed cavity extending along a central axis between opposite ends, said wall having warp yarns extending generally parallel to said central axis woven with weft yarns extending transversely to said warp yarns, at least some of said warp yarns being electrically conductive and having a first diameter and said weft yarns having a second diameter, said second diameter being at least 25 percent less than said first diameter.",
"10. The woven textile sleeve of claim 9 wherein at least some of said weft yarns are heat-set to bias said opposite edges into overlapping relation with one another.",
"11. The woven textile sleeve of claim 9 wherein said wall is woven having a satin weave.",
"12. The woven textile sleeve of claim 9 wherein said conductive warp yarns include a conductive wire extending about a non-conductive yarn.",
"13. A method of constructing a fabric for protecting an electrical member against electromagnetic interference, comprising:\nforming an elongate wall by weaving lengthwise extending warp yarns with widthwise extending weft yarns, with at least some of the warp yarns being electrically conductive and having a first diameter and with the weft yarns having a second diameter that is at least 25 percent less than the first diameter.",
"14. The method of claim 13 further including weaving the wall having a satin weave pattern.",
"15. A method of constructing a textile sleeve for protecting an electrical member contained therein against EMI, comprising:\nforming an elongate wall having opposite edges extending along a central axis between opposite ends by weaving warp yarns extending generally parallel to the central axis woven with weft yarns extending transversely to the warp yarns, with at least some of the warp yarns being electrically conductive and having a first diameter and the weft yarns having a second diameter being at least 25 percent less than the first diameter; and\nwrapping the wall to bring the opposite edges in overlapping relation with one another.",
"16. The method of claim 15 further including heat-setting at least some of the weft yarns to bias the opposite edges in overlapping relation with one another.",
"17. The method of claim 15 further including weaving the wall having a satin weave pattern."
],
[
"1. A textile sleeve for protecting elongate members, comprising:\na substrate having filamentary members interlaced with one another, at least some of said filamentary members being monofilaments having a core of heat-settable polymeric material and an outer sheath of heat-fusible polymeric material, at least some of said outer sheaths being heat-fused to other ones of said filamentary members; and\nfurther comprising a non-woven material heat-fused to said substrate by melted portions of said heat-fusible polymeric material and a reflective material heat-fused to said substrate by melted portions of said heat-fusible polymeric material, wherein said non-woven material forms an inner surface of said sleeve and said reflective material forms an outer surface of said sleeve.",
"2. The sleeve of claim 1 wherein said filamentary members are braided.",
"3. The sleeve of claim 1 wherein said cores are heat-set to form a biased shape of said sleeve.",
"4. The sleeve of claim 1 wherein said sleeve has a wall with opposite edges extending along a length of said sleeve, said cores being heat-set to bias said edges in overlapping relation to one another.",
"5. The sleeve of claim 4 further comprising a metal foil strip adhered to one of said edges and having release paper covering an adhesive for attachment of the other of said edges to form a circumferentially continuous metal foil outer layer.",
"6. The textile material of claim 5 further comprising a metal drain wire arranged in conductive electrical communication with said metal foil outer layer."
],
[
"1. An innerduct for a cable, comprising one or more strip-shaped lengths of woven textile fabric configured to create a flexible, longitudinal compartment for enveloping a cable, wherein the woven textile fabric is in a plain weave construction and comprises:\na plurality of warp yarns, wherein the warp yarns are monofilament warp yarns, and wherein the warp yarns have a warp crimp of less than 5%, as measured by ASTM D3883-Standard Test Method for Yarn Crimp and Yarn Take-Up in Woven Fabrics; and,\na plurality of filling yarns interwoven with the warp yarns, wherein the filling yarns consist of a repeating pattern of picks of monofilament yarns and multiple-inserted multifilament yarns, wherein the multifilament yarns contain between 30 and 110 individual filaments, wherein the arrangement of monofilament yarns to multiple-inserted multifilament yarns is selected from the group consisting of 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 2:3, 3:4, and 3:5, wherein at least one-fourth of the picks of the filling yarns are multiple-inserted multifilament yarns, and wherein the multiple-inserted multifilament yarns pass successively over and under every warp yarn together.",
"2. The innerduct of claim 1, wherein the filling comprises from 14 to 22 picks per inch and the warp comprises from 25 to 75 ends per inch of polyester, monofilament yarn.",
"3. The innerduct of claim 1, wherein the multiple-inserted multifilament yarns are textured, polyester, multifilament yarns.",
"4. The innerduct of claim 1, wherein the one or more strip-shaped lengths of woven textile fabric are configured to create at least two flexible, longitudinal compartments for enveloping cables, and each of the compartments contains a pull line.",
"5. The innerduct of claim 1, wherein the innerduct is configured from a single, strip-shaped length of woven textile fabric folded to create a unitary structure having one or more flexible, longitudinal compartments, with each of the compartments configured for enveloping a cable, and wherein the textile fabric has side edges, which are folded over and sewn together.",
"6. The innerduct of claim 1, wherein the multiple-inserted multifilament yarns are double-inserted multifilament yarns.",
"7. An apparatus comprising:\n(a) a conduit;\n(b) one or more strip-shaped lengths of woven textile fabric configured to create a flexible, longitudinal compartment for enveloping a cable, wherein the woven textile fabric is in a plain weave construction and comprises:\na plurality of warp yarns, wherein the warp yarns are monofilament warp yarns, and wherein the warp yarns have a warp crimp of less than 5%, as measured by ASTM D3883-Standard Test Method for Yarn Crimp and Yarn Take-Up in Woven Fabrics; and,\na plurality of filling yarns interwoven with the warp yarns, wherein the filling yarns consist of a repeating pattern of picks of monofilament yarns and multiple-inserted multifilament yarns, wherein the multifilament yarns contain between 30 and 11 individual filaments, wherein the arrangement of monofilament yarns to multiple inserted multifilament yarns is selected from the group consisting of 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 2:3, 3:4, and 3:5 wherein at least one-fourth of the picks of the filling yarns are multiple-inserted multifilament yarns, and wherein the multiple-inserted multifilament yarns pass successively over and under every warp yarn together; and\n(c) a cable positioned in the longitudinal compartment.",
"8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the one or more strip-shaped lengths of woven textile fabric are configured to create at least two flexible, longitudinal compartments for enveloping cables.",
"9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the multiple-inserted multifilament yarns are double-inserted multifilament yarns."
],
[
"1. A wrappable textile sleeve, comprising:\nan elongate, generally circular cylindrical wall extending along a longitudinal axis between opposite ends with lengthwise extending edges extending along said longitudinal axis between said opposite ends, said wall being woven from lengthwise extending warp yarns and circumferentially extending weft yarns with at least some of said weft yarns being heat-set to impart a self curling bias on said wall to bring said edges into overlapping relation with one another; and\nsaid weft yarns forming a plurality of discrete annular bands including a plurality of first bands and a plurality of second bands, said first and second bands extending circumferentially about said longitudinal axis in alternating generally circular cylindrical relation with one another, each of said discrete bands including a plurality of said weft yarns with adjacent bands having different picks-per-inch from one another, said first bands having a plurality of said weft yarns spaced axially from one another to define a first pick density extending axially along said longitudinal axis a first distance extending the full length of said first bands and having a first picks-per-inch and said second bands having a plurality of said weft yarns spaced axially from one another to define a second pick density, different from said first pick density of said first bands, extending axially along said longitudinal axis a second distance extending the full length of said second bands and having a second picks-per-inch, said first picks-per-inch being less than said second picks-per-inch to provide said first bands with an increased axial flexibility relative to said second bands to facilitate bending said elongate wall around corners.",
"2. The wrappable textile sleeve of claim 1 wherein every other band has substantially the same picks-per-inch.",
"3. The wrappable textile sleeve of claim 1 wherein said second bands include said heat-set weft yarns and said first bands being free of said heat-set weft yarns.",
"4. The wrappable textile sleeve of claim 1 wherein said adjacent bands have different picks-per-inch of said heat-set weft yarns.",
"5. The wrappable textile sleeve of claim 1 wherein at least some of said warp yarns are multifilaments.",
"6. The wrappable textile sleeve of claim 5 wherein said heat-set weft yarns are monofilaments.",
"7. The wrappable textile sleeve of claim 1 wherein every other one of said bands extend axially over substantially the same axial length.",
"8. A method of constructing a wrappable textile sleeve, comprising:\nweaving an elongate, generally circular cylindrical wall having opposite ends with opposite edges extending lengthwise along a longitudinal axis between the ends with warp yarns extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis between the opposite ends and weft yarns extending generally transversely to the longitudinal axis between the opposite edges;\nforming a plurality of annular bands extending between the opposite edges with the weft yarns, said bands including a plurality of first bands and a plurality of second bands alternating in generally circular cylindrical relation with one another, said first and second bands each including a plurality of the weft yarns and having different picks-per-inch from one another, said first bands having a plurality of said weft yarns each spaced axially from one another to define a first pick density extending axially along the longitudinal axis a first distance extending the full length of said first bands and having a first picks-per-inch inch and said second bands having a plurality of said weft yarns each spaced axially from one another to define a second pick density, different from said first pick density of said first bands, extending axially along the longitudinal axis a second distance extending the full length of said second bands and having a second picks-per-inch inch, said first picks-per-inch being less than said second picks-per-inch to provide said first bands with an increased axial flexibility relative to said second bands to facilitate bending said elongate wall around corners; and\nheat-setting at least some of the weft yarns to impart a bias on the wall to bring the opposite edges into overlapping relation with one another.",
"9. The method of claim 8 further including weaving every other band having substantially the same picks-per-inch.",
"10. The method of claim 8 further including heat-setting weft yarns in every other band such that the second bands include heat-set weft yarns and the first bands remain free of heat-set weft yarns.",
"11. The method of claim 8 further including providing at least some of the warp yarns as multifilaments.",
"12. The method of claim 11 further including providing the heat-set weft yarns as monofilaments.",
"13. The method of claim 8 further including weaving every other one of the bands having substantially the same axially extending length.",
"14. A wrappable textile sleeve, comprising:\nan elongate, generally circular cylindrical wall extending along a longitudinal axis between opposite ends with lengthwise extending edges extending along said longitudinal axis between said opposite ends, said wall being woven from lengthwise extending warp yarns and circumferentially extending weft yarns with at least some of said weft yarns being heat-set to impart a self curling bias on said wall to bring said edges into overlapping relation with one another; and\nsaid weft yarns forming a plurality of discrete annular bands including a plurality of first bands and a plurality of second bands, said first and second bands extending circumferentially about said longitudinal axis in alternating, generally circular cylindrical relation with one another, each of said discrete bands including a plurality of said weft yarns with adjacent bands having different picks-per-inch from one another defined by said weft yarns in each of said discrete annular bands being woven in side-by-side, axially spaced relation from one another.",
"15. The wrappable textile sleeve of claim 14 wherein said first bands extend axially along said longitudinal axis a first distance and have a first picks-per-inch and said second bands extend axially along said longitudinal axis a second distance and have a second picks-per-inch, said first distance being substantially equal to said second distance and said first picks-per-inch being less than said second picks-per-inch.",
"16. The wrappable textile sleeve of claim 14 wherein said first bands extend axially along said longitudinal axis a first distance and have a first picks-per-inch and said second bands extend axially along said longitudinal axis a second distance and have a second picks-per-inch, said first distance being less than said second distance and said first picks-per-inch being less than said second picks-per-inch.",
"17. The wrappable textile sleeve of claim 1 wherein said first distance is less than said second distance.",
"18. The method of claim 8 further including weaving the first distance being less than the second distance.",
"19. The wrappable textile sleeve of claim 1 further including discrete annular third bands extending circumferentially about said longitudinal axis, said first, second and third bands extending in alternating generally circular cylindrical relation with one another, said third bands having a third picks-per-inch, said second picks-per-inch being less than said third picks-per-inch to provide said second bands with an increased axial flexibility relative to said third bands."
],
[
"1. Apparatus comprising:\na conduit;\na flexible structure positioned inside said conduit, said flexible structure comprising woven textile material adjoined in such a way as to define at least two longitudinal channels that are configured to enclose and carry a cable, said flexible structure being formed to be resiliently biased toward an open configuration and to be readily collapsible in a transverse direction and further being comprised of warp yarns that provide said woven textile material with a first crimp recovery angle and fill yarns that provide said woven textile material with a second crimp recovery angle;\nmeans for pulling a cable into said structure; and\nat least one cable positioned inside one of said longitudinal channels.",
"2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said pulling means is selected from the group consisting of tape and rope.",
"3. The apparatus set forth in claim 2, wherein said woven textile material and said pulling means have respective values of elongation percentage that are substantially equal for a given tensile load.",
"4. The apparatus set forth in claim 3, wherein said elongation percentages are less than about 75 percent at peak tensile load.",
"5. The apparatus set forth in claim 4, wherein said elongation percentages are about 50 percent at peak tensile load.",
"6. The apparatus set forth in claim 1, wherein said yarns have a denier in the range of 200–1000 denier.",
"7. The apparatus set forth in claim 1, wherein said flexible structure is formed from a plurality of strip-shaped layers that are joined along their longitudinal edge portions to form said longitudinal channels.",
"8. The apparatus set forth in claim 1, wherein said flexible structure is formed from a single sheet of said textile material.",
"9. The apparatus set forth in claim 1, wherein said cable has an outer plastic sheath material and said flexible structure is comprised of yarns having a melting temperature not lower than the melting temperature of the plastic sheath material of said cable.",
"10. The apparatus set forth in claim 1, wherein the width of said flexible structure is less than the inner diameter of said conduit.",
"11. The apparatus set forth in claim 1, wherein said longitudinal channels are defined by stitching along the length thereof.",
"12. The apparatus set forth in claim 1, wherein at least two flexible structures are positioned in said conduit.",
"13. The apparatus set forth in claim 1, wherein at least two cables are positioned in said longitudinal channels of said flexible structure.",
"14. The apparatus set forth in claim 1, wherein said flexible structure comprises polyester warp yarns and nylon fill yarns."
],
[
"1. A wire harness comprising:\na first wire that is passed through a pipe having shielding properties, the first wire is a high voltage wire without shielding properties; and\na second wire that runs along the pipe and is not passed through a pipe, the second wire is a low voltage wire with shape retaining properties.",
"2. The wire harness according to claim 1, wherein the second wire includes:\na single single-core conductor; and\nan insulating coating that covers the single-core conductor.",
"3. The wire harness according to claim 2, wherein the single-core conductor is a pipe member.",
"4. The wire harness according to claim 2, wherein the single-core conductor is a solid rod-shaped member.",
"5. The wire harness according to claim 1, wherein an outside diameter of the second wire is smaller than an outside diameter of the pipe."
],
[
"1. An insulation for use with a cable configured to carry at least one of electrical power and communication data, the insulation comprising:\na foamed polymeric material comprising a plurality of cellular structures, each comprising a maximum diameter in a range of about 0.0005 inches to about 0.003 inches,\nwherein the foamed polymeric material comprises at least one of engineered resin, polyphenylenesulfide (PPS), polyetherimide (PEI), polysulfone (PSU), polyphenylsulfone (PPSU), polyethersulfone (PES/PESU), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyaryl etherketone (PAEK), polyetherketoneketone (PEKK), polyetherketone (PEK), polyolefins, polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), cyclic olefin copolymer (COC), polycarbonate (PC), polyphenylene ether (PPE), liquid crystal polymer (LCP), and combinations thereof,\nwherein the foamed polymeric material comprises a foaming level ranging from about 20% to about 60%, about 20% to about 70%, or about 30% to about 60%,\nwherein the foamed polymeric material comprises a chemically foamed material, foamed using talc or a talc derivative, and\nwherein at least about 60%, at least about 70%, or at least about 80% of the cellular structure comprises closed cells.",
"2. The insulation of claim 1, further comprising a solid polymeric material, wherein the solid polymeric material comprises a non-halogenated polymer.",
"3. The insulation of claim 1, wherein the insulation has a thickness ranging from about 0.005 inches to about 0.009 inches.",
"4. The insulation of claim 1, wherein the insulation comprises two or more layers of materials.",
"5. The insulation of claim 4, wherein at least one layer of the two or more layers of materials comprises at least one of a polymeric material comprising a fluoropolymer, a foamed polymeric material, a non-halogenated polymer, a flame retardant material, a smoke suppressant additive, a solid polymeric material, and a solid structure.",
"6. The insulation of claim 5, wherein the fluoropolymer comprises at least one of polytetrafluoroethylene-perfluoromethylvinylether (MFA), fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), perfluoroalkoxy (PFA), polyvinyl fluoride (PVF), ethylene tetrafluoroethylene, poly(ethylene-co-tetrafluoroethylene), ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene (ECTFE), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), and a combination thereof.",
"7. The insulation of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of cellular structures comprises a size ranging from about 0.0005 inches to about 0.003 inches.",
"8. A cable jacket configured to surround internal elements of a cable configured to carry at least one of electrical power and communications data, the cable jacket comprising:\na foamed polymeric material comprising a plurality of cellular structures, each comprising a maximum diameter in a range of about 0.0005 inches to about 0.003 inches;\nwherein the foamed polymeric material comprises at least one of engineered resin, polyphenylenesulfide (PPS), polyetherimide (PEI), polysulfone (PSU), polyphenylsulfone (PPSU), polyethersulfone (PES/PESU), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyaryl etherketone (PAEK), polyetherketoneketone (PEKK), polyetherketone (PEK), polyolefins, polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), cyclic olefin copolymer (COC), polycarbonate (PC), polyphenylene ether (PPE), liquid crystal polymer (LCP), and combinations thereof,\nwherein the foamed polymeric material comprises a foaming level ranging from about 20% to about 60%, about 20% to about 70%, or about 30% to about 60%,\nwherein the foamed polymeric material comprises a chemically foamed material, foamed using talc or a talc derivative, and\nwherein at least about 60%, at least about 70%, or at least about 80% of the cellular structure comprises closed cells.",
"9. The cable jacket of claim 8, wherein the cable jacket comprises an internal diameter equal to or less than about 0.4 inches.",
"10. The cable jacket of claim 8, wherein the cable jacket comprises an internal diameter ranging from about 0.24 inches to about 0.32 inches or from about 0.24 inches to about 0.27 inches.",
"11. The cable jacket of claim 8, wherein the cable jacket comprises a thickness ranging from about 0.005 inches to about 0.015 inches or about 0.007 inches to about 0.010 inches.",
"12. A cable comprising:\none or more transmission media configured to carry at least one of electrical power and communications data;\nan insulation material configured to at least partially cover at least one transmission medium from among one or more transmission media; and\na jacket surrounding the one or more transmission media and the insulation material;\nwherein at least one of the insulation and the jacket comprises a foamed polymeric material comprising at least one of engineered resin, polyphenylenesulfide (PPS), polyetherimide (PEI), polysulfone (PSU), polyphenylsulfone (PPSU), polyethersulfone (PES/PESU), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyaryl etherketone (PAEK), polyetherketoneketone (PEKK), polyetherketone (PEK), polyolefins, polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), cyclic olefin copolymer (COC), polycarbonate (PC), polyphenylene ether (PPE), liquid crystal polymer (LCP), and combinations thereof, and\nwherein, the foamed polymeric material further comprising a plurality of cellular structures, each comprising a maximum diameter of about 0.0005 inches to about 0.003 inches,\nwherein the foamed polymeric material comprises a foaming level ranging from about 20% to about 60%, about 20% to about 70%, or about 30% to about 60%,\nwherein the foamed polymeric material comprises a chemically foamed material, foamed using talc or a talc derivative, and\nwherein at least about 60%, at least about 70%, or at least about 80% of the cellular structure comprises closed cells.",
"13. The cable of claim 12, wherein at least one of said transmission media comprises at least one electrical conductor capable of carrying both data and electrical power.",
"14. The cable of claim 13, wherein said at least one electrical conductor is capable of carrying electrical power in a range of about 1 watt to about 30 watts.",
"15. The cable of claim 13, wherein said at least one electrical conductor is capable of carrying an electrical current in a range of about 1 milliamp to about 2 amperes.",
"16. The cable of claim 12, wherein two or more of said transmission media are capable of carrying collectively electrical power in a range of about 1 watt to about 300 watts.",
"17. The cable of claim 12, further comprising a separator providing a plurality of channels for receiving said one or more transmission media.",
"18. The cable of claim 15, wherein said separator comprises a foamed polymeric material comprising a non-halogenated polymer.",
"19. The cable of claim 15, wherein said separator comprises a central channel.",
"20. The cable of claim 17, further comprising at least one optical fiber disposed in said central channel of the separator."
],
[
"1. A method of forming an energy dissipative tube, the method comprising:\nextruding a resin layer over an outer surface of corrugated stainless steel tubing; and\nimpregnating the resin layer with metal particles.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the metal particles include copper.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein the metal particles include aluminum.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein the metal particles include one or more metal selected from the group consisting of: gold, silver, and nickel.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein the resin layer includes a fire retardant.",
"6. The method of claim 5, wherein the resin layer includes between about 20% to 60% magnesium hydroxide, aluminum trihydrate, or halogenated fire retardants by weight.",
"7. A method of forming an energy dissipative tube, the method comprising:\nextruding a resin layer comprising a fire retardant over an outer surface of corrugated stainless steel tubing; and\nimpregnating the resin layer with metal particles.",
"8. A method of forming an energy dissipative tube, the method comprising:\nextruding a resin layer comprising between about 20% to 60% magnesium hydroxide, aluminum trihydrate, or halogenated fire retardants by weight over an outer surface of corrugated stainless steel tubing; and\nimpregnating the resin layer with metal particles selected from the group consisting of: copper, aluminum, gold, silver, and nickel."
],
[
"1. A method for mounting a television comprising:\nproviding a pole;\nproviding a mounting bracket;\nproviding a cover;\nplacing an end of said pole on a floor of a structure;\nusing said mounting bracket, mounting said pole to a wall of said structure at a distance from said wall;\nmounting a television to said pole;\nattaching said cover to said pole in such a manner so as to create an enclosed space defined by said cover forming at least one side and said wall forming at least one side, said enclosed space configured to accept a plurality of cables from said mounted television.",
"2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nproviding a second mounting bracket;\nusing said second mounting bracket, securing said pole to said wall.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein said pole further comprises a shelf attached thereto.",
"4. The method of claim 3, wherein said shelf can be mounted at a plurality of locations on said pole.",
"5. The method of claim 3, further comprising:\na second cover;\nat a position between said shelf and said television mount, attaching said second cover to said pole in such a manner so as to create a second enclosed space defined by said second cover forming at least one side and said wall forming at least one side, said second enclosed space configured to accept a plurality of cables from said mounted television.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein said attaching step further comprises attaching said cover to said elongated pole without the use of tools.",
"7. The method of claim 6, wherein said attaching step comprises snapping said cover onto said pole.",
"8. The method of claim 1, wherein said pole comprises at least two sections.",
"9. The system of claim 8, wherein at least one of said at least two sections rotates about an axis parallel to said elongated pole relative to a second of said at least two sections."
],
[
"1. A cable waterproof structure, comprising:\na cable comprising a plurality of insulated wires and a sheath covering the plurality of insulated wires collectively;\na heat shrinkable tube with adhesive that comprises adhesive inside, and is provided and shrunk so as to cover an end of the sheath and a circumference of the plurality of insulated wires extended from the end of the sheath; and\na fixing heat shrinkable tube that comprises no adhesive inside, and is provided and shrunk so as to cover a part of the heat shrinkable tube with adhesive that covers the sheath and a circumference of the sheath extended from the heat shrinkable tube with adhesive,\nwherein a shrinkage start temperature of the fixing heat shrinkable tube is higher than a shrinkage start temperature of the heat shrinkable tube with adhesive.",
"2. The cable waterproof structure according to claim 1, wherein the fixing heat shrinkable tube comprises a material harder than the sheath.",
"3. The cable waterproof structure according to claim 1,\nwherein a length along a cable longitudinal direction of a non-overlap part between the fixing heat shrinkable tube and the heat shrinkable tube with adhesive is not less than 1 mm and not more than 12 mm, and\nwherein an overlap length along the cable longitudinal direction between the heat shrinkable tube with adhesive and the fixing heat shrinkable tube is not less than 1 mm and not more than 12 mm.",
"4. A wire harness, comprising:\na cable comprising a plurality of insulated wires and a sheath covering the plurality of insulated wires collectively;\na heat shrinkable tube with adhesive that comprises adhesive inside, and is provided and shrunk so as to cover an end of the sheath and a circumference of the plurality of insulated wires extended from the end of the sheath; and\na fixing heat shrinkable tube that comprises no adhesive inside, and is provided and shrunk so as to cover a part of the heat shrinkable tube with adhesive that covers the sheath and a circumference of the sheath extended from the heat shrinkable tube with adhesive,\nwherein a shrinkage start temperature of the fixing heat shrinkable tube is higher than a shrinkage start temperature of the heat shrinkable tube with adhesive.",
"5. The wire harness according to claim 4, wherein the fixing heat shrinkable tube comprises a material harder than the sheath.",
"6. The wire harness according to claim 4,\nwherein a length along the cable longitudinal direction of a non-overlap part between the fixing heat shrinkable tube and the heat shrinkable tube with adhesive is not less than 1 mm and not more than 12 mm, and\nwherein an overlap length along the cable longitudinal direction between the heat shrinkable tube with adhesive and the fixing heat shrinkable tube is not less than 1 mm and not more than 12 mm.",
"7. The wire harness according to claim 4,\nwherein the plurality of insulated wires is separated at a heat shrinkable tube with adhesive side opposite to the fixing heat shrinkable tube, and\nwherein the wire harness comprises a separated part housing covering a separated part that separates the plurality of insulated wires, and a part of the heat shrinkable tube with adhesive.",
"8. A wire harness, comprising:\na cable comprising a plurality of insulated wires and a sheath covering the plurality of insulated wires collectively;\na heat shrinkable tube with adhesive that comprises adhesive inside, and is provided and shrunk so as to cover an end of the sheath and a circumference of the plurality of insulated wires extended from the end of the sheath; and\na fixing heat shrinkable tube that comprises no adhesive inside, and is provided and shrunk so as to cover a part of the heat shrinkable tube with adhesive that covers the sheath and a circumference of the sheath extended from the heat shrinkable tube with adhesive,\nwherein a shrinkage start temperature of the fixing heat shrinkable tube is higher than a shrinkage start temperature of the heat shrinkable tube with adhesive,\nwherein the plurality of insulated wires is separated at a heat shrinkable tube with adhesive side opposite to the fixing heat shrinkable tube,\nwherein the wire harness comprises a separated part housing covering a separated part that separates the plurality of insulated wires, and a part of the heat shrinkable tube with adhesive,\nwherein the separated part housing comprises a resin mold, and\nwherein the separated part housing fails to cover the fixing heat shrinkable tube.",
"9. A wire harness, comprising:\na cable comprising a plurality of insulated wires and a sheath covering the plurality of insulated wires collectively;\na heat shrinkable tube with adhesive that comprises adhesive inside, and is provided and shrunk so as to cover an end of the sheath and a circumference of the plurality of insulated wires extended from the end of the sheath; and\na fixing heat shrinkable tube that comprises no adhesive inside, and is provided and shrunk so as to cover a part of the heat shrinkable tube with adhesive that covers the sheath and a circumference of the sheath extended from the heat shrinkable tube with adhesive,\nwherein a shrinkage start temperature of the fixing heat shrinkable tube is higher than a shrinkage start temperature of the heat shrinkable tube with adhesive,\nwherein the plurality of insulated wires is separated at a heat shrinkable tube with adhesive side opposite to the fixing heat shrinkable tube,\nwherein the wire harness comprises a separated part housing covering a separated part that separates the plurality of insulated wires, and a part of the heat shrinkable tube with adhesive, and\nwherein the separated part housing collectively comprises a main body covering the separated part and a part of the heat shrinkable tube with adhesive, a protruded wire protector that covers each extended part of the insulated wires extended from the main body respectively, or covers a circumference of the extended part of the plurality of insulated wires collectively."
],
[
"1. An indefectible cable, comprising a cable jacket (1) with cable cores (4) arranged in an inner cavity thereof, characterized in that an outer wall of the cable jacket (1) is sleeved by a metal ring (2); both ends of the cable jacket (1) are fixedly connected with an anti-extrusion device (3) respectively, through which the cable cores (4) are led out from through-holes; the anti-extrusion device (3) has a metal housing (14), the inside of the metal housing (14) is a plastic lining (13); an asbestos gauze (12) is arranged between the plastic lining (13) and the metal housing (14); the cable cores (4) are located in an inner cavity of the plastic lining (13); multiple cable cores (4) are interconnected through buffer devices; the buffer device comprises two sets of buffer rods (6) which are jointed with two sets of adjacent cable cores (4) by hinges (5); both sets of the buffer rods (6) are hinged mutually; the buffer rod (6) is provided with a buffer slot (7), and ends of a spring piece (11) punch through the buffer slot (7); limit blocks (9) are integrated with the ends of the buffer slot (7); a buffer slider (10) is fixed on the limit block (9); and the buffer slider (10) moves in a buffer slide way (8), and the buffer slide way (8) is located in the buffer rod (6).",
"2. The indefectible cable of claim 1, characterized in that the buffer slot (7) is located in the middle of the buffer rod (6).",
"3. The indefectible cable of claim 1, characterized in that the anti-extrusion device (3) is arranged on both ends of the cable core (4) respectively.",
"4. A process for manufacturing the indefectible cable of claim 1, characterized in that the process comprises the following steps:\nS1: manufacturing a cable core (4): drawing several metallic conductors into wires at a high temperature to form metal wires, and wrapping 3 to 6 metal wires into a strand to form the cable core (4);\nS2: molding a cable jacket (1): placing the middle section of the cable core (4) in a mold 1, pouring a plastic cement into the mold 1, placing the mold 1 into a mold box, setting the temperature mode of the mold box to gradient cooling, and separating the molded cable jacket (1) from the mold 1;\nS3: manufacturing an anti-extrusion device (3): pouring a metallic solution into a mold 2, cooling the mold 2 with the metallic solution for a period of time until a metal housing (14) is formed, obtaining a plastic lining (13) after compression molding of a plastic raw material, making diameter of the plastic lining (13) less than that of the metal housing (14), filling the space between the metal housing (14) and the plastic lining (13) with an asbestos gauze (12), and welding annular spacing rings on an internal wall of the plastic lining (13) in an annular manner;\nS4: fixing the anti-extrusion device (3): welding the manufactured anti-extrusion device (3) on an external wall of the cable jacket (1);\nS5: limiting the cable cores (4): manually passing the cable cores (4) through the corresponding spacing rings; and\nS6: manufacturing a buffer device: punching a top of a buffer rod (6) to form a concave buffer slot (7) by a punching machine, punching a buffer slide way (8) in the buffer rod (6) by the punching machine with the diameter of the buffer slide way (8) less than that of the buffer slot (7), welding a hinge (5) on the external wall of the cable cores (4), hinging the other end of the hinge (5) to the buffer rod (6), and manually hinging both sets of the buffer rods (6) to obtain the buffer device.",
"5. The process for manufacturing the indefectible cable of claim 4, characterized in that the changes in temperature are 5° C., 10° C. and 13° C. respectively in the step S2.",
"6. The process for manufacturing the indefectible cable of claim 4, characterized in that the metallic solution is cooled for 1-2 hours in the mold 2 in the Step S3.",
"7. The process for manufacturing the indefectible cable of claim 4, characterized in that both the mold 1 and the mold 2 are in hollow cylindrical structure, and inner diameter of the mold 1 equals outer diameter of the mold 2."
],
[
"1. A method for forming a rigid cable harness comprising:\nproviding a curable sleeve comprising a curable compound, an adhesive, and a backing; wherein the curable compound is thermally vulcanizable, meltable, and comprises a polybutadiene-polyurethane and ground sulfur; wherein the curable compound further comprises at least one additional component selected from the group consisting of vulcanization accelerator, filler, epoxy resin, tackifier resin, bitumen, plasticizer, and any combination thereof; wherein the curable sleeve has a longitudinal direction;\nplacing a plurality of cables on the sleeve in the longitudinal direction;\nwrapping the curable sleeve around the placed plurality of cables to form a cable harness, wherein the wrapping comprises wrapping the plurality of cables with the curable sleeve in the longitudinal direction;\npositioning the cable harness into a desired shape; and\ncuring the curable compound of the cable harness to form the rigid cable harness, wherein the rigid cable harness has the desired shape.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the curing the curable compound further comprises applying radiant energy selected from the group consisting of heat, ultraviolet radiation, infrared radiation, magnetic induction, and any combination thereof.",
"3. The method of claim 2, wherein the degree of rigidity of the rigid cable harness is selected by choosing the duration, temperature, or source of radiant energy to cure the curable compound.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein the curable compound is covered with a covering during the placing of the plurality of cables on the curable sleeve; wherein the plurality of cables does not contact the curable compound.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein the rigid cable harness comprises an exterior and an interior; wherein the exterior of the rigid cable harness does not comprise the curable compound; wherein the curable compound and the adhesive do not substantially extrude out of the interior of the rigid cable harness or substantially contact the exterior of the rigid cable harness.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein the polybutadiene-polyurethane is the meltable reaction product of a polyaddition reaction of at least one at least doubly hydroxyl-functionalized polybutadiene or polybutadiene derivative and at least one diisocyanate.",
"7. The method of claim 1, wherein the degree of rigidity of the rigid cable harness is selected by choosing the concentration of the ground sulfur.",
"8. The method of claim 1, wherein the curable compound comprises a polymer forming a continuous phase and a reactive resin forming a discontinuous phase in the uncured state of the curable compound; wherein the curable compound further comprises at least one of a curing agent, an initiator, or an accelerator.",
"9. The method of claim 8, wherein the degree of rigidity of the rigid cable harness is selected by choosing the concentration and species of the reactive resin.",
"10. The method of claim 1, wherein the backing comprises a textile material selected from the group consisting of cloths, scrims, tapes, braids, tufted textiles, felts, woven fabrics, woven or knitted spacer fabrics with lamination, knitted fabrics, nonwovens, and any combinations thereof.",
"11. A method for cabling a structure comprising:\nproviding a cable harness comprising:\na curable sleeve comprising a curable compound, an adhesive, and a backing; wherein the curable compound is thermally vulcanizable, meltable, and comprises a polybutadiene-polyurethane and around sulfur; wherein the curable compound further comprises at least one additional component selected from the group consisting of vulcanization accelerator, filler, epoxy resin, tackifier resin, bitumen, plasticizer, and any combination thereof; wherein the curable sleeve has a longitudinal direction; and\na plurality of cables placed on the interior of the curable sleeve in the longitudinal direction and wrapped by the curable sleeve in the longitudinal direction;\npositioning the cable harness into a desired shape;\ncuring the curable compound of the cable harness to form a rigid cable harness, wherein the rigid cable harness has the desired shape, wherein the degree of rigidity of the rigid cable harness is selected by choosing the duration, temperature, or source of radiant energy to cure the curable compound; and\nplacing the rigid cable harness on the interior of the structure.",
"12. The method of claim 11, wherein the curable compound is covered with a covering during the placing of the plurality of cables on the curable sleeve in the longitudinal direction; wherein the plurality of cables does not contact the curable compound.",
"13. The method of claim 11, wherein the rigid cable harness comprises an exterior and an interior; wherein the exterior of the rigid cable harness does not comprise the curable compound; wherein the curable compound and the adhesive does not substantially extrude out of the interior of the rigid cable harness or substantially contact the exterior of the rigid cable harness.",
"14. The method of claim 11, wherein the polybutadiene-polyurethane is the meltable reaction product of a polyaddition reaction of at least one at least doubly hydroxyl-functionalized polybutadiene or polybutadiene derivative and at least one diisocyanate.",
"15. The method of claim 11, wherein the curable compound comprises a polymer forming a continuous phase and a reactive resin forming a discontinuous phase in the uncured state of the curable compound; wherein the curable compound further comprises at least one of a curing agent, an initiator, or an accelerator.",
"16. The method of claim 11, wherein the backing comprises a textile material selected from the group consisting of cloths, scrims, tapes, braids, tufted textiles, felts, woven fabrics, woven or knitted spacer fabrics with lamination, knitted fabrics, nonwovens, and any combinations thereof."
],
[
"1. A hollow cover boot formed of an elastomeric material, the cover boot comprising, in merging succession:\na cable collar;\na transition section;\na main section;\nan interconnection section; and\na neck;\nwherein the main section has an inner diameter greater than an inner diameter of the cable collar, the neck has an inner diameter less than the inner diameter of the interconnection section; and the cable collar is oriented approximately 90 degrees from the neck; and\nwherein a grip member extends from at least one of the main section and the interconnection section; and\nwherein the transition section tapers between the main section and the cable collar.",
"2. The cover boot defined in claim 1, wherein the at least two fins project from the cable collar.",
"3. The cover boot defined in claim 1, wherein the cover boot is formed of rubber.",
"4. The cover boot defined in claim 1, wherein the interconnection section has an inner diameter greater than the inner diameter of the main section.",
"5. The cover boot defined in claim 1, further comprising at least two flanges projecting from the neck.",
"6. The cover boot defined in claim 5, wherein the grip member extends from both the main section and the interconnection section.",
"7. The cover boot defined in claim 1, wherein the two flanges are positioned on opposite sides of the neck."
],
[
"1. A branching structure for connecting a branch harness to a main line harness, wherein the branch harness includes a plurality of branch lines and the main line harness includes a plurality of main lines arranged in parallel to each other and each made of a wiring member including a bar conductor, the branching structure comprising:\nconnection terminals configured to electrically connect the branch lines to the main lines respectively;\na terminal block on which the connection terminals are supported; and\nfasteners that respectively fasten the connection terminals onto the terminal block, wherein:\neach of the connection terminals has a belt-shaped wound portion to be wound around a corresponding one of the main lines, and\nthe wound portion is fastened by a corresponding one of the fasteners so that both ends of the wound portion come closer to each other and a center portion of the wound portion tightens around the main line so as to be brought into surface contact with the bar conductor of the main line.",
"2. A wire harness comprising:\ncontrol boxes each of which comprises a control portion and the branching structure according to claim 1;\na main line harness including a power line having a prescribed current capacity and routed on a vehicle body; and\na branch harness configured to be connected to an accessory of a vehicle, wherein:\nthe control part of each of the control boxes distributes power of the power line supplied to the main line harness to the branch harness connected to the main line harness,\nthe control boxes are dispersedly disposed along the main line harness, and\neach of the control boxes connects the branch harness to the main line harness by using a corresponding one of the branching structures."
],
[
"1. An electric wire holder for holding electric wires connected to terminal fittings at end portions of the wires, the holder comprising:\na first holding piece configured to hold the portion of the electric wires that is drawn out from a shielding pipe and to fix a draw-out position of the terminal fittings;\nan attaching portion that is formed in a cylindrical shape configured to fit and lock into the shielding pipe, the attaching portion comprising a main portion and at least one flexible locking portion disposed on the main portion; and\na covering portion that projects outward in a radial direction from an open end of the attaching portion in a flange shape and that is configured to cover an edge of the shielding pipe, the covering portion being formed in a first region other than a region where the at least one flexible locking portion is disposed on the main portion, wherein both sides of the at least one locking portion have axially extending slits thereby, and the first region is not axially-aligned with the axially extending slits disposed on the main portion.",
"2. The electric wire holder according to claim 1, wherein the first holding piece extends in a direction in which the electric wires are drawn out, and is configured to be wound with a tape together with the electric wires, the first holding piece being formed such that a root side of the first holding piece is thicker than a front end side of the first holding piece.",
"3. The electric wire holder according to claim 1, wherein the first holding piece is disposed at a position displaced from a position where the attaching portion is locked into the shielding pipe in a circumferential direction.",
"4. The holder according to claim 1, wherein the first holding piece comprises a projecting portion for preventing a tape from being displaced, the projection portion being formed on at least one end portion, with respect to a longitudinal direction, of the first holding piece.",
"5. The holder according to claim 1, wherein the first holding piece comprises an outer surface configured to prevent a displacement of a tape in a longitudinal direction.",
"6. The holder according to claim 5, wherein the outer surface slopes up toward one end side.",
"7. The holder according to claim 1, further comprising a second holding piece.",
"8. The holder according to claim 7, wherein the first holding piece and second holding piece are disposed in positions directly facing one another.",
"9. The holder according to claim 1, further comprising an expanding slot formed by cutting the main portion at one position in an axial direction.",
"10. The holder according to claim 1, wherein the at least one flexible locking portion comprises a locking piece configured to lock into a mounting hole disposed in the shielding pipe.",
"11. The holder according to claim 1, wherein the first holding piece is displaced from the at least one flexible locking portion by about 90°.",
"12. The electric wire holder according to claim 1, wherein the covering portion projects outward in the radial direction from directly contacting the open end of the main portion in the flange shape and is configured to directly cover the edge of the shielding pipe.",
"13. An electric wire holder for holding electric wires connected to terminal fittings at end portions of the wires, the holder comprising:\na first holding piece configured to hold the portion of the electric wires that is drawn out from a shielding pipe and to fix a draw-out position of the terminal fittings;\nan attaching portion that is formed in a cylindrical shape configured to fit and lock into the shielding pipe, the attaching portion comprising a main portion and at least one flexible locking portion disposed on the main portion; and\na covering portion that projects outward in a radial direction from an open end of the attaching portion in a flange shape and that is configured to cover an edge of the shielding pipe, the covering portion being formed in a first region other than a region where the at least one flexible locking portion is disposed on the main portion and formed so as to not overlap axially or circumferentially with the at least one flexible locking portion, wherein both sides of the at least one locking portion have axially extending slits thereby, and the first region is not axially-aligned with the axially extending slits disposed on the main portion.",
"14. An electric wire holder for holding electric wires connected to terminal fittings at end portions of the wires, the holder comprising:\na first holding piece configured to hold the portion of the electric wires that is drawn out from a shielding pipe and to fix a draw-out position of the terminal fittings;\nan attaching portion that is formed in a cylindrical shape configured to fit and lock into the shielding pipe, the attaching portion comprising a main portion including a body portion extending axially and at least one flexible locking portion extending axially and disposed circumferentially adjacent to the body portion; and\na covering portion that projects outward in a radial direction from an open end of the attaching portion in a flange shape and that is configured to cover an edge of the shielding pipe, the covering portion being formed in a first region other than a region where the at least one flexible locking portion is disposed on the main portion, wherein both sides of the at least one locking portion have axially extending slits thereby, and the first region is not axially-aligned with the axially extending slits disposed on the main portion.",
"15. The electric wire holder according to claim 14, wherein the axially extending slits separate the at least one flexible locking portion from the body portion."
]
] |
in the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to aia 35 u.s.c. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-aia 35 u.s.c. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from aia to pre-aia ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
the following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 u.s.c. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this office action:
a person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
claim(s) 18-20, 22 and 23 is/are rejected under 35 u.s.c. 102a(1) as being anticipated by us 2015/0337465 (woodruff et al.).
regarding claim 18 ‘465 discloses: regarding instant claim 18, ‘465 discloses in its claim 1 near verbatim language to instant claim 18.
‘465’s claim 1 and 18 discloses, “a woven textile sleeve for routing and protecting elongate members, comprising:
an elongate wall having opposite edges extending parallel to a longitudinal central axis of the sleeve, (inherently ‘configured to bound a cavity extending in a longitudinal central axis of sleeve’), said wall being woven with warp yarns extending parallel to said central longitudinal axis and fill yarns extending transversely to said warp yarns, said warp yarns being woven as discrete bundles of warp yarns (inherently disclosing “filaments”), wherein each said discrete bundle includes a plurality of warp yarns (i.e. “filaments”) arranged in side-by-side abutting relation with one another, with said warp yarns in each discrete bundle extending over and under the same said fill yarns with one another.”. fully disclosing relevant portions of claim 18.
‘465’s claim 1 further discloses, “wherein each said discrete bundle extends over a single fill yarn and under a single fill yarn in repetition”; verbatim to instant claim 2, fully disclosing claim 2 and relevant portions of claim 18.
‘465 further discloses: said fill yarns include monofilaments and multifilaments that alternate with one another along the longitudinal central axis (par. 39 states, “the fill yarns 24 can be provided as any suitable monofilament and/or multifilament material…”; the ‘and’ embodiment disclosed inherently would include monofilament and multifilaments that are inherently in an alternating arrangement along the longitudinal central axis as claimed; the existence of both monofilament and multifilament in the bundle inherently will result in “alternate” arrangement); fully disclosing claim 2 and relevant portions of claim 18.
‘465 further discloses: said wall has opposite edges biased into overlapping relation with one another by at least some of said fill yarns being heat-set (par. 36, ‘465 states, “the fill yarns 24 can be provided, at least in part, as heat-settable yarns, if desired, such that upon heat-setting the fill yarns 24 while a curled or wrapped configuration, the wall 12 is biased to self-curl the opposite edges 16, 17 into overlapping relation with one another. the bias is imparted by heat-setting the fill yarns 24, such as heat-settable monofilament or multifilament yarns, into their curled configuration about the central longitudinal axis 18.”); fully disclosing claim 4 and relevant portions of claim 18.
‘465 further discloses in par. 38, “the discrete warp yarn bundles 22 can be formed of any suitable monofilament and/or multifilament yarns…”.
this statement discloses warp bundles include monofilament fully disclosing warp bundles that are monofilament per relevant portions of claim 18.
regarding claim 19, ‘465 discloses: a method of constructing a textile sleeve (fig. 1 textile sleeve shown inherently required a method of construction), comprising: weaving an elongate wall configured to bound a central cavity extending parallel to a central longitudinal axis of the sleeve with the wall having warp yarns extending parallel to the central longitudinal axis and fill yarns extending transverse to the warp yarns (longitudinal/cylindrical shape and wall shown clearly fig 1 and warps 22 and wefts 24 shown in fig. 2);
weaving the warp yarns in discrete bundles of yarns, each of the bundles having a plurality of yarn filaments arranged in side-by-side abutting relation with one another (warp bundles 23 shown in fig. 2), with the yarn filaments in each discrete bundle extending over and under the same fill yarns with one another (shown clearly in fig. 2); and
weaving the fill yarns including monofilaments and multifilaments (par. 39 states, “the fill yarns 24 can be provided as any suitable monofilament and/or multifilament material…”; fully disclosing fill yarns as monofilament and multifilament).
‘465 further discloses: said fill yarns include monofilaments and multifilaments that alternate with one another along the longitudinal central axis (par. 39 states, “the fill yarns 24 can be provided as any suitable monofilament and/or multifilament material…”; the ‘and’ embodiment disclosed inherently would include monofilament and multifilaments that are inherently in an alternating arrangement along the longitudinal central axis as claimed; the existence of both monofilament and multifilament in the bundle inherently will result in “alternate” arrangement); fully disclosing claim 19.
regarding claims 20 and 22, ‘465 discloses in par. 38, “the discrete warp yarn bundles 22 can be formed of any suitable monofilament and/or multifilament yarns…”; fully disclosing warp bundles including monofilaments per claim 20 and multifilament per claim 22.
claim 23 is the inherent arrangement of any warp bundles that include monofilament and multifilament (refer to warp bundles shown in fig. 2).
|
[
"1. A blister packaging container comprising:\na container part for accommodating contents therein;\na shoulder part fixedly inserted into the inlet of the container part; and\na fliptop cap comprising a cap body connected integrally with the shoulder part and having a discharge hole adapted to discharge the contents therefrom and a cap cover foldably connected to the cap body through a cap hinge and having an opening and closing protrusion 3M inserted into the discharge hole to seal the discharge hole.",
"2. The blister packaging container according to claim 1, wherein the fliptop cap comprises a locking portion protruding from the inner peripheral surface of the discharge hole to compressingly fix the opening and closing protrusion thereto.",
"3. The blister packaging container according to claim 2, wherein the fliptop cap comprises a guide portion formed on one end of the discharge hole into which the opening and closing protrusion is inserted in such a manner as to be enlarged in diameter toward the discharging direction of the contents, and the opening and closing protrusion is enlargedly formed in diameter toward the discharging direction of the contents in the state of being inserted into the discharge hole.",
"4. The blister packaging container according to claim 3, wherein the opening and closing protrusion has a maximum diameter portion smaller than a maximum diameter portion of the guide portion and larger than a minimum diameter portion of the guide portion.",
"5. The blister packaging container according to claim 1, wherein the cap body comprises a stepped portion formed steppedly on the edge periphery of one surface where the discharge hole is formed, and the cap cover comprises a concave portion concavely formed at the inner surface thereof, so that the stepped portion of the cap body is fittedly inserted into the concave portion of the cap cover.",
"6. The blister packaging container according to claim 1, further comprising:\na packaging part extended from the inlet of the container part to sealingly accommodate the fliptop cap therein; and\na cut-off line formed on a connection portion between the container part and the packaging part.",
"7. The blister packaging container according to claim 6, wherein the packaging part comprises an accommodation portion in which the cap hinge is accommodated, and the accommodation portion protrudes outwardly from a given portion of the packaging part.",
"8. The blister packaging container according to claim 7, wherein the cap hinge comprises a first connection portion connected to the cap body, a second connection portion connected to the cap cover, and a folding portion connecting the first connection portion and the second connection portion, the first connection portion and the second connection portion being folded to each other around the folding portion and being tapered toward the folding portion, so that in a state where the inner surface of the first connection portion comes into contact with the inner surface of the second connection portion, the inner surface of the first connection portion is parallel to the inner surface of the second connection portion, and the outer surface of the first connection portion is formed as a first inclined surface that is slant from the inner surface of the first connection portion, while the outer surface of the second connection portion that is slant from the inner surface of the second connection portion."
] |
US20220242624A1
|
US8801284B2
|
[
"1. A fluid dispenser comprising:\na flexible pouch that comprises two flexible sheets that define between them a fluid reservoir and an opening; and\na stopper-and-dispenser member that is mounted in stationary, permanent, and leaktight manner in the opening of the pouch, the stopper member including a body that defines a dispenser orifice, an outlet channel that connects the reservoir to the dispenser orifice, and two sealing zones, respectively, to connect the stopper member to the two flexible sheets of the pouch;\nthe stopper-and-dispenser member further includes a lid for closing the dispenser orifice, the lid being hinged on the body in such a manner as to pivot between a closed position and an open position,\nwherein the lid is provided with a first-use safety element that is initially connected to the lid before the stopper member is opened for the first time, and that is separated from the lid while the stopper member is being opened for the first time, the safety element being sealed to the pouch while the stopper member is being sealed in the opening of the pouch.",
"2. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the body forms two tapering side edges, the lid comprising a bottom edge face, the first-use safety element extending from the bottom edge face substantially parallel to one of two tapering side edges.",
"3. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the body defines an internal edge face that is arranged inside the reservoir, and an external edge face, the outlet channel extending from the internal edge face to the external edge face in which the dispenser orifice is formed, the sealing zones extending between the two edge faces, the lid being hinged on the external edge face, the external edge face including two longitudinal side edges that are joined together at two opposite ends.",
"4. The dispenser according to claim 3, wherein, the lid is hinged at one of the two opposite ends.",
"5. The dispenser according to claim 3, wherein the lid is hinged at one of two longitudinal side edges.",
"6. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein a flap is attached to the pouch and extends above the lid in such a manner as to prevent said lid from pivoting from its closed position.",
"7. The dispenser according to claim 6, wherein the flap is attached to the pouch on either side of the stopper member and includes a notch in which the lid is arranged.",
"8. The dispenser according to claim 6, wherein the lid pivots in a plane, the flap extending in said plane above the lid preventing the lid from pivoting, the flap being movable out from the plane so as to release the lid, the flap being hinged on the pouch and being formed by the two flexible sheets connected together.",
"9. The dispenser according to claim 6, wherein the flap includes a suspension slot for hanging the dispenser on a pin of a presentation display.",
"10. The dispenser according to claim 1, presenting a configuration that is generally flat, in such a manner as to occupy a plane.",
"11. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the safety element is sealed between the two flexible sheets of the pouch.",
"12. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the safety element is a tab and extends between the two flexible sheets of the pouch.",
"13. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the safety element extends between the lid and the two flexible sheets without being attached to the body.",
"14. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the safety element forms a rupture zone at a first end in contact with the lid.",
"15. The dispenser according to claim 14, wherein the rupture zone is formed by a frustoconical breakable connection at the first end of the safety element.",
"16. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the safety element remains attached to the pouch once the lid has been opened."
] |
[
[
"1. A closure comprising a base and a lid, the base and lid being joined by a double hinge arrangement so that the lid is movable between a closed position and an open position by means of the double hinge arrangement, the double hinge arrangement comprising a first hinge, a second hinge, and an intermediate panel, the first hinge being connected to the base and the intermediate panel, and the second hinge being connected to the lid and the intermediate panel, and wherein the intermediate panel is provided with a depending tongue and the base is provided with an upstanding tongue such that when the lid is moved to the open position the depending tongue and the upstanding tongue snap past each other to retain the lid in the open position and such that the lid will not return to the closed position without deliberate user action, the closure further comprising a tamper-evident member which is visible prior to first opening of the closure in use, wherein upon the first opening of the closure the tamper-evident member becomes at least partly hidden from view, whereby to indicate the closure has been opened at least once, wherein the tamper-evident member is in the form of a first ring and a second ring connected together by frangible connections, and in which the closure comprises a spout and the tamper-evident member masks at least part of the spout, the lid and the spout or base including projections which engage with corresponding projections on the tamper-evident member such that on the first opening of the closure, the tamper-evident member is pulled apart so that the first ring is pulled by the lid and the second ring is pulled by the base or spout, the frangible connections break such that the tamper-evident member splits into two parts, and the second ring falls into a pocket or void provided in the base so as to become at least partly hidden from view and/or to at least partly reveal at least part of the spout.",
"2. The closure as claimed in claim 1, in which the depending tongue and the upstanding tongue are resilient.",
"3. The closure as claimed in claim 1, in which a lateral extent of the first hinge is greater than a lateral extent of the second hinge.",
"4. The closure as claimed in claim 1, in which the intermediate panel is a generally truncated triangular shape.",
"5. The closure as claimed in claim 1, in which the first and/or second hinge is a butterfly hinge.",
"6. The closure as claimed in claim 1, in which the first and/or second hinge is a living hinge.",
"7. The closure as claimed in claim 1, in which the second hinge is curved or linear.",
"8. The closure as claimed in claim 1, in which the first hinge comprises two or more mutually spaced links.",
"9. The closure as claimed in claim 1, in which the spout forms part of the base.",
"10. The closure as claimed in claim 1, in which the spout is formed separately from the base.",
"11. The closure as claimed in claim 1, in which the depending tongue and the upstanding tongue co-operate to cause the lid to be held in the open position.",
"12. A closure comprising a base and a lid, the base and lid being joined by a double hinge arrangement so that the lid is movable between a closed position and an open position by means of the double hinge arrangement, the double hinge arrangement comprising a first hinge, a second hinge, and an intermediate panel, the first hinge being connected to the base and the intermediate panel, and the second hinge being connected to the lid and the intermediate panel, and wherein the intermediate panel is provided with a depending tongue and the base is provided with an upstanding tongue such that when the lid is moved to the open position the depending tongue and the upstanding tongue snap past each other to retain the lid in the open position and such that the lid will not return to the closed position without deliberate user action, in which the upstanding tongue is provided on the base for engaging the intermediate panel so as to hold the lid in the open position and/or in which the depending tongue is provided on the intermediate panel for engaging the base so as to hold the lid in the open position."
],
[
"1. A dispensing closure for a container that has an opening to the container interior where a fluent substance may be stored, said dispensing closure comprising:\n(A) a body for extending from said container at said container opening, said body including a spout that has a dispensing passage extending through said spout; and\n(B) a lid for movement between (1) a closed position occluding said spout dispensing passage, and (2) an open position exposing said spout dispensing passage, said lid having (1) a top end defining an inside surface, (2) a spud having a hollow interior and projecting from said lid inside surface for entering said spout dispensing passage when said lid is in said closed position, and (3) a rim proximate said spud extending from at least one of said spud and said lid inside surface, said rim also extending laterally toward, and exposed to, said hollow interior, said rim extending only partially circumferentially to define a discontinuous configuration which is laterally open.",
"2. The dispensing closure in accordance with claim 1 in which\nsaid closure is adapted for attachment to a container that has a container opening to said container interior;\nsaid closure is initially separate from, but releasably or non-releasably attachable to, said container around said container opening; and\nsaid closure body spout dispensing passage communicates with said container opening when said closure body is attached to said container.",
"3. The dispensing closure in accordance with claim 1 in which\nsaid spud sealingly engages an inner surface of said spout dispensing passage.",
"4. The dispensing closure in accordance with claim 3 in which\nsaid inner surface of said spout dispensing passage comprises a sealing bead, against which said spud sealingly engages.",
"5. The dispensing closure in accordance with claim 1 in which\nsaid rim is a spud rim unitary with said spud and extending laterally from said spud.",
"6. The dispensing closure in accordance with claim 5 further comprising\na lid rim located within said hollow interior of said spud and extending laterally toward the center of said hollow interior of said spud.",
"7. The dispensing closure in accordance with claim 6 in which\nsaid lid rim curves laterally toward the center of said hollow interior of said spud.",
"8. The dispensing closure in accordance with claim 6 in which\nsaid lid has a top end defining an inside surface; and\nsaid lid rim projects from said inside surface of said lid.",
"9. The dispensing closure in accordance with claim 1 in which said rim is a lid rim located within said hollow interior of said spud, extending laterally toward the center of said hollow interior of said spud.",
"10. The dispensing closure in accordance with claim 9 in which\nsaid lid rim curves laterally toward the center of said hollow interior of said spud.",
"11. The dispensing closure in accordance with claim 9 in which\nsaid lid has a top end defining an inside surface; and\nsaid lid rim projects from said inside surface of said lid.",
"12. The dispensing closure in accordance with claim 11 in which\nsaid lid rim is proximate to and uniformly spaced from a portion of the inner surface of said spud.",
"13. The dispensing closure in accordance with claim 11 in which\nsaid lid is attached to said body via a hinge; and\nsaid lid rim is proximate to and uniformly spaced from a portion of the inner surface of said spud which is oriented towards said hinge."
],
[
"1. A closure comprising\na. an upper wall defining an opening;\nb. a cylindrical snap-on pipe depending from the upper wall and extending axially to a bottom end,\nc. the cylindrical snap-on pipe including at least one resistance recess at the bottom end thereof;\nd. the cylindrical snap-on pipe further including at least one thread on a wall thereof;\ne. the cylindrical snap-on pipe defining opposing first and second walls of the resistance recess;\nf. and\nthe bottom end of the cylindrical snap-on pipe being shaped to include a guidance recess for lowering the cylindrical snap-on pipe thread relative to a container neck, the closure being configured such that the guidance recess includes a first guidance recess wall with an upward gradient and a second guidance recess wall having a downward gradient whereby in a closure opening direction of rotation the first guidance recess wall permits the cylindrical snap-on pipe axially to be lowered toward the container neck having a forcing element and the second wall being consistent with the closure cylindrical snap-on pipe being raised relative to the container and the thread maintains its axial position relative to a thread on a bottle neck to which the closure is being applied when the forcing element contacts a resistance recess wall at least until the forcing element reaches a position beneath the second guidance recess wall.",
"2. The closure according to claim 1 further including a closing cover for closing the opening, the closing cover being hingedly attached to a closure base of the closure.",
"3. The closure according is claim 1 wherein in the direction of rotation to unscrew the closure, after encountering the resistance recess the forcing element encounters the first guidance recess wall and then the second guidance recess wall.",
"4. The closure according to claim 1 wherein when the forcing element reaches a position below the first guidance recess wall the cylindrical snap-on pipe thread and the container thread maintain their relative axial positions with the container thread above the snap on pipe thread.",
"5. A container comprising a combined closure and bottle, which includes a closure and a bottle having a bottle neck and at least one forcing element,\nI. the closure including\na) an upper wall defining an opening;\nb) a cylindrical snap-on pipe depending from the upper wall and extending axially to a bottom end,\nc) the cylindrical snap-on pipe including at least one resistance recess therein extending to the bottom end;\nd) the cylindrical snap-on pipe further including one or more threads on a wall thereof;\ne) the cylindrical snap-on pipe defining opposing first and second walls of the resistance recess; and\nf) the bottom end of the cylindrical snap-on pipe being shaped to include a guidance recess for lowering and raising the cylindrical snap-on pipe thread or threads relative to the bottle neck,\nII. the bottle neck having a thread or threads,\nat least one bottle forcing element being adapted to be at least part received within the resistance recess of the closure cylindrical snap-on pipe, wherein the guidance recess includes a first wall with an upward gradient and a second wall having a downward gradient whereby in a closure opening direction of rotation the first guidance recess wall permits the cylindrical snap-on pipe axially to be lowered toward the forcing element and the second guidance recess wall being consistent with the closure cylindrical snap-on pipe being raised relative to the closing element, the snap-on pipe thread and the bottle neck thread maintaining their relative axial positions with the bottle neck thread above the snap on pipe thread when the forcing element contacts a resistance recess wall in the unscrewing direction at least until the forcing element reaches a position beneath the second guidance recess wall.",
"6. The container according to claim 5 wherein after the forcing element reaches a position below the second guidance recess wall the cylindrical snap-on pipe thread passes axially over the bottle thread with the addition of axial force.",
"7. The closure according to claim 1 wherein the distance between the resistance recess and the guidance recess in the unscrewing direction is at least 2 mm.",
"8. The closure according to claim 7 wherein the distance between the resistance recess and the guidance recess in the unscrewing direction is from 2 mm up to 5 mm.",
"9. The closure according to claim 8 wherein the distance between the resistance recess and the guidance recess in the unscrewing direction is from 2 mm up to 4 mm.",
"10. The closure according to claim 1 wherein the first guidance recess wall has a gradient of from 90 to 135 degrees.",
"11. The closure according to claim 1 wherein the snap on pipe thread is on an internal wall and the second guidance recess wall has a gradient of from 0 to 10 degrees.",
"12. A closure comprising\na. an upper wall defining an opening;\nb. a cylindrical snap-on pipe depending from the upper wall and extending axially to a bottom end,\nc. the cylindrical snap-on pipe including at least one resistance recess at the bottom end thereof;\nd. the cylindrical snap-on pipe further including at least one thread on an inner wall thereof;\ne. the cylindrical snap-on pipe defining opposing first and second walls of the resistance recess; and\nf. the bottom end of the cylindrical snap-on pipe being shaped to include a guidance recess for lowering the cylindrical snap-on pipe thread relative to a container neck, the closure being made of a flexible material.",
"13. The combined closure and bottle according to claim 5 wherein the one or more snap-on pipe threads are on an inner wall thereof and the bottle neck thread or threads are external."
],
[
"1. A cap assembly comprising:\na unitary molded body comprising:\na top surface and a bottom surface,\nan opening between the top surface and the bottom surface, with an inner surface of the body surrounding the opening,\na membrane engaging flange formed in the inner surface of the body between the top surface and the bottom surface;\na recessed circumferential channel formed on the inner surface between the membrane engaging flange and the top surface;\na sealing membrane having a perimeter portion and a portion inside the perimeter portion, comprising:\na body engagement flange on the perimeter of the sealing membrane, the body engagement flange comprising an upper ring surface and a lower base surface,\na side wall emanating from the body engagement flange and extending away from the top surface and toward a membrane base surface; and\nthe membrane base surface including a pierceable surface inside the perimeter of the sealing membrane, with the pierceable surface being disposed on an opposite side of the body engagement flange from the top surface, and proximate the bottom surface; and\na retaining ring separate from the unitary molded body, the retaining ring having an outside perimeter and a lower side, comprising:\na body engaging tab on the outside perimeter of the retaining ring,\na sealing membrane engagement surface on the lower side of the retaining ring, and\nan inner wall structure on an inside perimeter of the retaining ring, the inner wall structure comprising a protective flange that slopes radially inwardly and downwardly away from the top surface, which inner wall structure extends radially inwardly beyond the body engagement flange so as to overlie a portion of the side wall of the sealing membrane, while being spaced apart from the sealing membrane when the pierceable surface is in a closed configuration;\nwherein:\nthe sealing membrane is disposed within the opening such that the lower base surface of the body engagement flange of the sealing membrane engages with the membrane engaging flange of the body; and\nthe retaining ring is disposed within the opening such that the sealing membrane engagement surface of the retaining ring engages with the upper ring surface of the body engagement flange of the membrane, and the body engaging tab of the retaining ring engages with the circumferential channel on the inner surface of the body; and\nan inner circumferential flange and an outer circumferential flange, both concentric to each other and extending downward away from the top surface of the body, the inner circumferential flange having an outward surface opposite the inner surface of the of the opening of the body and the outer circumferential flange having an inward surface spaced apart from the outward surface of the inner circumferential flange, and both the inward surface of the outer circumferential flange and the outward surface of the inner circumferential flange facing each other, concentric to each other and axially spaced apart from each other so that the inward surface is facing inwardly toward the outward surface, whereby the inward surface and the outward surface form a spout engagement channel therebetween that opens toward the bottom surface and terminates short of the top surface, and which spout engagement channel is substantially cylindrical.",
"2. The cap assembly of claim 1, the pierceable surface of the sealing membrane comprising:\na slit having sides structurally configured to open when pierced by a probe or tube inserted into the opening and extended through the slit, the sides of the slit sealingly engaging with the probe or tube while it is extended through the slit, and the sides of the slit sealingly engaging with each other when the probe or tube is removed from the slit.",
"3. The cap assembly of claim 1, the body further comprising:\nan upper guide wall formed on the inner surface between the top surface and the recessed circumferential channel, the upper guide wall sloping downward with respect to the top surface and inward with respect to the opening.",
"4. The cap assembly of claim 1, the body further comprising:\na lower guide wall formed on the inner surface between the membrane engaging flange and the bottom surface, the lower guide wall sloping downward with respect the top surface and inward with respect to the opening.",
"5. The cap assembly of claim 1, wherein:\nthe upper surface of the membrane engaging flange slopes upward with respect to the bottom surface and inward with respect to the opening; and\nthe lower base surface of the body engagement flange slopes downward with respect to the bottom surface and outward with respect to the pierceable surface."
],
[
"1. A closure for closing an opening defined by a finish of a container, the closure comprising:\na main body;\na tamper band connected to the main body by a plurality of bridges; and\na hinge configured to permit the main body to pivot relative to the tamper band; and\na locking structure extending across the hinge, the locking structure configured to maintain the main body in an open, upright position once the main body has been pivoted open at the hinge;\nwherein the locking structure includes an oscillating wavy pattern axially located around an entire interior of the closure such that orientation for a scoring mechanism is not necessary and the closure can be scored anywhere rotationally to provide the hinge as a double acting hinge.",
"2. The closure of claim 1, wherein the tamper band includes a flexible, interior ring having a plurality of clips, the clips configured to cooperate with a tamper bead of the finish of the container to retain the tamper band to the closure subsequent to the main body being unscrewed from the finish.",
"3. The closure of claim 1, wherein the tamper band includes a flexible, interior ring having a continuous clip extending about the ring, the continuous clip configured to cooperate with a tamper bead of the finish of the container to retain the tamper band to the closure subsequent to the main body being unscrewed from the finish.",
"4. The closure of claim 1, wherein the hinge is at the main body.",
"5. The closure of claim 1, wherein the hinge is a living hinge.",
"6. The closure of claim 1, wherein the locking structure is on one of an interior or an exterior of the closure.",
"7. The closure of claim 1, wherein the locking structure is configured to lock in two locations.",
"8. The closure of claim 1, wherein the closure has a diameter of one of the following: 24 mm, 26 mm, 28 mm, 33 mm, 38 mm, and 43 mm.",
"9. The closure of claim 1, wherein the container is configured to retain one of the following: water, mineral water, light carbonation, carbonated soft drinks, juice, nitrogen dosed, and a hot-fill product.",
"10. The closure of claim 1, wherein the closure includes at least one of polypropylene, polyethylene, thermoplastic, and polymer.",
"11. The closure of claim 1, wherein closure threads of the closure and finish threads of the finish are configured to permit pivoting of the main body relative to the tamper band at the hinge after the closure has been rotated a predetermined amount.",
"12. The closure of claim 1, wherein the plurality of bridges are injection molded.",
"13. The closure of claim 1, wherein the plurality of bridges are scored.",
"14. The closure of claim 1, wherein with the closure secured to the finish of the container, subsequent to rotation of the closure a predetermined distance such that closure threads of the closure are clear of finish threads of the finish, the hinge is configured to permit pivoting of the main body relative to the tamper band to open the opening defined by the finish.",
"15. The closure of claim 11, wherein the predetermined amount is 30°.",
"16. The closure of claim 11, wherein the predetermined amount is within a range of 20° to 180°.",
"17. The closure of claim 11, wherein the closure is configured such that rotation of the closure the predetermined amount draws the main body and the tamper band apart to break the plurality of bridges.",
"18. The closure of claim 1, further comprising a thumb tab at an external surface of the main body configured to facilitate thumb actuation of the main body relative to the tamper band about the hinge.",
"19. The closure of claim 1, further comprising an internal flange extending from an inner surface of the main body, the internal flange position to contact an inner diameter of the finish to form a seal therebetween."
],
[
"1. A closure for a container, comprising:\na base configured to be attached to a mouth of the container;\na cap comprising a top member and a body member extending from the top member; and\na connecting member comprising a strip of resilient material extending between and connecting the base and the cap,\nsaid the cap being mobile between a first, closed position wherein the cap is disposed upon the base, and a second, opened position wherein the cap is detached from the base, in which the body member comprises a recess with a first side opening on an edge of the body member opposite the top member, and the connecting member is fastened along a first hinge to a second side of the recess opposite the first side, and in which when the cap is disposed in the first, closed position, the connecting member is accommodated in the recess such that the connecting member lies substantially flush with an exterior surface of the body member; and when the cap is disposed in the second, opened position, the connecting member is rotated through at least 90° about the first hinge;\nthe connecting member comprises a plurality of intermediate hinges providing rotation of the connecting member over a deflection of at least 270°; and\nthe plurality of intermediate hinges are configured in progressively increasing rigidity from the cap to the base.",
"2. The closure according to claim 1, wherein the second side of the recess is closer to the top member than to the first side of the recess.",
"3. The closure according to claim 1, wherein the connecting member is fastened along a second hinge to the base, such that when the cap is disposed in the second, opened position, the connecting member is rotated through at least 90° about the second hinge.",
"4. The closure according to claim 3, wherein the hinges are configured such that the second hinge is the most rigid, the intermediate hinges decrease in rigidity progressing from the base to the cap, and the first hinge is the least rigid.",
"5. The closure according to claim 1, wherein the recess in the body member of the cap comprises a notch.",
"6. The closure according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the hinges is formed by a localized reduction in the thickness of the connecting member.",
"7. The closure according to claim 6, wherein at each of the hinges the strip of resilient material has a thickness of between 0.15 and 0.30 millimeters.",
"8. The closure according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the hinges is a butterfly hinge.",
"9. The closure according to claim 8, wherein the at least one butterfly hinge has a vertex angle between 15° and 20°.",
"10. The closure according to claim 1, wherein the connecting member is bistably mobile between the first, closed position and the second, opened position.",
"11. The closure according to claim 1, wherein the closure is fabricated from a component selected from the group consisting of poly-ethylene terephthalate, low- or high-density polyethylene, polypropylene, and vinyl resin.",
"12. The closure according to claim 1, wherein the connecting member is formed integrally with the base and the cap.",
"13. A container comprising a closure comprising\na base configured to be attached to a mouth of the container,\na cap comprising a top member and a body member extending from the top member, and\na connecting member comprising a strip of resilient material extending between and connecting the base and the cap, the cap being mobile between a first, closed position wherein the cap is disposed upon the base, and a second, opened position wherein the cap is detached from the base, in which the body member comprises a recess with a first side opening on an edge of the body member opposite the top member, and the connecting member is fastened along a first hinge to a second side of the recess opposite the first side, and in which when the cap is disposed in the first, closed position, the connecting member is accommodated in the recess such that the connecting member lies substantially flush with an exterior surface of the body member; and when the cap is disposed in the second, opened position, the connecting member is rotated through at least 90° about the first hinge,\nthe connecting member comprises a plurality of intermediate hinges providing rotation of the connecting member over a deflection of at least 270°, and\nthe plurality of intermediate hinges are configured in progressively increasing rigidity from the cap to the base."
],
[
"1. A method of making a packaging container for bulk solids, said method comprising:\nassembling a container wall to a container bottom to form a container body, the container wall extending from the container bottom to a container opening in a height direction of said container, said container wall having wall portions and curved corner portions, said container wall and said container bottom delimiting an inner space in said container;\nattaching a first sealing membrane to an inner surface of said container wall so as to form a roof over a first inner compartment in said inner space, said first sealing membrane being peelable or tearable via a gripping member of said first sealing membrane such that at least a portion of said first sealing membrane can be removed from said container body to provide access to said first inner compartment;\nattaching a second sealing membrane to said inner surface of said container wall between said first sealing membrane and an edge of said container opening, said first sealing membrane forming a floor of a second inner compartment in said inner space and said second sealing membrane forming a roof over said second inner compartment, said second sealing membrane being peelable or tearable via a gripping member of said second sealing membrane such that at least a portion of said second sealing membrane can be removed from said container body to provide access to said second inner compartment; and\naffixing a rim and a lid to the container body such that the rim is affixed to said container body along said edge of said container opening and the lid is arranged to engage with said rim to form a closure on said packaging container.",
"2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising attaching one or more additional sealing membranes to said inner surface so as to divide said inner space into three or more inner compartments, said inner compartments being in addition to said first and second inner compartments being delimited in said height direction of said container by peelable or tearable sealing membranes, and wherein an uppermost one of the one or more additional sealing membranes is located closest to said container opening and forms a roof over a corresponding uppermost inner compartment located closest to said container opening.",
"3. The method according to claim 2, attaching said sealing membranes is performed such that a distance between said first and second sealing membranes in said height direction of said packaging container is different from a distance between the remaining sealing membranes, thus forming at least two differently sized inner compartments.",
"4. The method according to claim 1, wherein attaching said sealing membranes is performed such that they are arranged equidistantly from each other in said height direction of said packaging container, thus forming equally sized inner compartments.",
"5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the container bottom forms a floor of the first compartment and attaching said sealing membranes is performed such that a distance between said first and second sealing membranes in said height direction of said packaging container is different from the distance between the container bottom and first sealing membrane, thus forming differently sized first and second inner inner compartments.",
"6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first and second peelable or tearable sealing membranes are peelable sealing membranes.",
"7. The method according to claim 1, wherein said container wall portions consist of a front wall portion, a rear wall portion and two side wall portions, said wall portions being connected at container body edge portions.",
"8. The method according to claim 1, wherein said curved corner portions have a radius of curvature of from 15 mm -100 mm.",
"9. The method according to claim 1, wherein said rim and said lid are formed together such that they are connected by an integral hinge.",
"10. The method according to claim 1, wherein said rim and said lid are formed separately and connected via a hinge.",
"11. The method according to claim 1, further comprising attaching a non-removable inner sealing membrane between the first and second peelable or tearable sealing membranes.",
"12. The method according to claim 1, further comprising packaging a first bulk solid within said first inner compartment, and a second bulk solid within said second inner compartment, the first bulk solid being different from the second bulk solid.",
"13. The method according to claim 1, further comprising packaging tobacco in said first and second inner compartments.",
"14. The method of claim 1, wherein attaching the first and second sealing membranes to the inner surface of the container wall includes gluing or welding the first and second sealing membranes to the inner surface of the container wall to form respective joints therebetween.",
"15. The method according to claim 1, wherein attaching the first sealing membrane to the inner surface of the container wall includes joining the first sealing membrane to the inner surface via a gastight seal.",
"16. The method of claim 15, wherein the first sealing membrane is a gastight membrane.",
"17. The method of claim 15, wherein attaching the second sealing membrane to the inner surface wall includes joining the second sealing membrane to the inner surface via a gastight seal.",
"18. The method of claim 17, wherein the second sealing membrane is a gastight membrane.",
"19. The method of claim 1, wherein the container body is made out of paperboard material.",
"20. The method of claim 19, wherein the first and second membranes are each made from aluminium foil, silicon-coated paper, plastic film, or laminates thereof."
],
[
"1. A discharge container comprising:\na double-walled container body including (i) an inner layer body which defines a containment space that contains a content containing some solid content and is deformable in a volume-reducing manner, and (ii) an outer layer body surrounding the inner layer body;\na discharge cap having a discharge outlet through which the content is discharged, the discharge cap being attached to a mouth of the double-walled container body; and\na check valve structure which is disposed inside the discharge cap and allows a flow of the content from the containment space toward the discharge outlet and prevents backflow from the discharge outlet toward the containment space,\nwherein the check valve structure is provided as a valve member that has a tubular partition wall defining a flow path of the content from the containment space toward the discharge outlet and a valve body which is provided on the tubular partition wall with a hinge portion and has a single swing structure swung on the hinge portion,\nthe valve member is retained inside the discharge cap by a valve retaining member having a partition wall portion that covers an upper opening of the inner layer body and a retainer tube hanging down from an inner peripheral edge of the partition wall portion,\nthe tubular partition wall extends upward from an inside of the retainer tube, and a vertical length of the tubular partition wall is longer than a maximum diameter of the single swing structure, and\nthe content has a viscosity such that, in a state in which the solid content prevents the valve body from achieving a completely closed state of the valve structure after discharge of a first portion of the content, a second portion of the content remains in a space inside the tubular partition wall that serves as a liquid reservoir space, the second portion of the content forming a liquid seal that restricts ambient air from reaching a third portion of the content that remains in the containment space.",
"2. The discharge container according to claim 1, wherein the viscosity of the content is 100 mPa·s or more.",
"3. The discharge container according to claim 2, wherein a diameter of a piece of the solid content contained in the content is less than 1.5 mm.",
"4. The discharge container according to claim 1, wherein a diameter of a piece of the solid content contained in the content is less than 1.5 mm.",
"5. The discharge container according to claim 1, further comprising a projection integrally provided at a central portion of an upper surface of the valve body, the projection adding to rigidity of the valve body.",
"6. The discharge container according to claim 1, wherein the inner layer body is formed of ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer, nylon or polypropylene.",
"7. The discharge container according to claim 1, wherein the inner layer body is sandwiched between the outer layer body and the valve retaining member.",
"8. A discharge container comprising:\na double-walled container body including an inner layer body which defines a containment space for a content and is deformable in a volume-reducing manner and an outer layer body surrounding the inner layer body, the inner layer body being formed of ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer, nylon or polypropylene;\na discharge cap having a discharge outlet through which the content is discharged, the discharge cap being attached to a mouth of the double-walled container body; and\na check valve structure which is disposed inside the discharge cap and allows a flow of the content from the containment space toward the discharge outlet and restricts backflow from the discharge outlet toward the containment space,\nwherein the check valve structure is provided as a valve member that has a tubular partition wall defining a flow path of the content from the containment space toward the discharge outlet and a valve body which is provided on the tubular partition wall with a hinge portion and has a single swing structure swung on the hinge portion,\nthe valve member is retained inside the discharge cap by a valve retaining member having a partition wall portion that covers an upper opening of the inner layer body and a retainer tube hanging down from an inner peripheral edge of the partition wall portion,\nthe tubular partition wall extends upward from an inside of the retainer tube, and a vertical length of the tubular partition wall is longer than a maximum diameter of the single swing structure, and\nspace inside the tubular partition wall above the valve body serves as a liquid reservoir space where part of remaining content is stored after the discharge of the content.",
"9. The discharge container according to claim 8, wherein the inner layer body is sandwiched between the outer layer body and the valve retaining member.",
"10. A discharge container comprising:\na double-walled container body including an inner layer body which defines a containment space for a content and is deformable in a volume-reducing manner and an outer layer body surrounding the inner layer body;\na discharge cap having a discharge outlet through which the content is discharged, the discharge cap being attached to a mouth of the double-walled container body; and\na check valve structure which is disposed inside the discharge cap and allows a flow of the content from the containment space toward the discharge outlet and restricts backflow from the discharge outlet toward the containment space,\nwherein the check valve structure is provided as a valve member that has a tubular partition wall defining a flow path of the content from the containment space toward the discharge outlet and a valve body which is provided on the tubular partition wall with a hinge portion and has a single swing structure swung on the hinge portion,\nthe valve member is retained inside the discharge cap by a valve retaining member having a partition wall portion that covers an upper opening of the inner layer body and a retainer tube hanging down from an inner peripheral edge of the partition wall portion,\nthe tubular partition wall extends upward from an inside of the retainer tube,\na vertical length of the tubular partition wall is longer than a maximum diameter of the single swing structure,\nthe tubular partition wall, the valve body and the hinge portion are formed together as a single piece from a same material, and\nspace inside the tubular partition wall above the valve body serves as a liquid reservoir space where part of remaining content is stored after the discharge of the content.",
"11. The discharge container according to claim 10, wherein the inner layer body is sandwiched between the outer layer body and the valve retaining member."
],
[
"1. A dispensing bottle comprising:\na container body having a neck with threads thereon;\na cap having a base and a flip-top lid,\nthe flip-top lid being movable between a closed first position to an open second position, and\nthe base having an inner skirt with base threads disposed thereon, the base threads configured to engage the threads on the neck, a central portion having an opening therein aligned with an internal shaft, the opening permitting fluid to egress therethrough when the opening is unobstructed, and an internal annular attachment skirt extending from the central portion and having an angled tip and a protrusion to form a ridge,\na disk having a body, an annular wall extending therefrom and one or more openings therethrough, the annular wall having an angled tip on an end thereof, the annular wall having a protrusion to form a ridge, the disk attached to an interior of the base by interengagement of the ridge of the disk and the ridge of the internal annular attachment skirt; and\na mixing chamber defined by the disk, the central portion, the internal annular attachment skirt, and the internal shaft, wherein multiple fluid channels are formed by the internal shaft and the disk.",
"2. The dispensing bottle of claim 1 wherein the internal shaft terminates at a non-planar end surface.",
"3. The dispensing bottle of claim 1 wherein the one or more openings of the disk comprises partial annular slots disposed in the disk.",
"4. The dispensing bottle of claim 3 wherein the disk further comprises flanges extending from the disk toward the central portion of the base.",
"5. The dispensing bottle of claim 4 wherein the partial annular slots comprise a plurality of large partial annular slots and a plurality of small partial annular slots wherein one of the flanges are disposed between each of the large and small partial annular slots.",
"6. The dispensing bottle of claim 3 wherein the one or more openings of the disk further includes one or more pinholes.",
"7. The dispensing bottle of claim 1 wherein the flip-top lid further comprises a projection that blocks the opening of the base inhibiting egress of a fluid disposed in the dispensing bottle.",
"8. The dispensing bottle of claim 1 wherein the interengagement of the angled tip of the disk and the angled tip of the internal annular attachment skirt includes a surface of the ridge of the disk contacting a surface of the ridge of the internal annular attachment skirt.",
"9. The dispensing bottle of claim 1 wherein the central portion forming the opening includes an inwardly projecting blade on an interior of the central portion.",
"10. The dispensing bottle of claim 1 wherein the central portion has an external central depression with a sloping wall toward the opening of the central portion.",
"11. The dispensing bottle of claim 1 wherein the body of the disk has a stepped configuration.",
"12. A closure cap for a container, the closure cap comprising:\na base and a flip-top lid,\nthe flip-top lid being movable between a closed first position to an open second position, and\nthe base having an inner skirt with base threads disposed thereon, the base threads configured to engage threads on a bottle neck, a central portion having an opening therein aligned with an internal shaft, the opening permitting fluid to egress therethrough when the opening is unobstructed, and an internal annular attachment skirt extending from the central portion and having an angled tip and a protrusion to form a ridge,\na disk having a body, an annular wall extending therefrom and one or more openings therethrough, the annular wall having an angled tip on an end thereof, the annular wall having a protrusion to form a ridge, the disk attached to an interior of the base by interengagement of the ridge of the disk and the ridge of the internal annular attachment skirt; and\na mixing chamber defined by the disk, the central portion, the internal annular attachment skirt, and the internal shaft, wherein multiple fluid channels are formed by the internal shaft and the disk.",
"13. The closure cap of claim 12 wherein the internal shaft terminates a non-planar end surface.",
"14. A closure cap for a container, the closure cap comprising:\na base having an outer skirt, an inner skirt with internal threads therein, a central portion with an opening therethrough and an internal shaft, and an internal annular attachment skirt extending from the central portion, an end of the attachment skirt opposite the central portion having attachment geometry;\na flip-top lid hingedly connected to the base; and\na disk having a body, an annular wall with securement geometry complementary to the attachment geometry of the attachment skirt, and one or more openings in the body of the disk, the disk being formed of a single, rigid material; and\na mixing chamber defined by the disk, the central portion of the base, the internal annular attachment skirt, and the internal shaft, wherein multiple fluid channels are formed by the internal shaft and the disk.",
"15. The closure cap of claim 14 wherein the internal shaft terminates at a non-planar end surface.",
"16. The closure cap of claim of claim 14 wherein the one or more openings of the disk include a plurality of partial annular openings.",
"17. The closure cap of claim 16 wherein the disk further comprises flanges extending from the disk toward the central portion of the base.",
"18. The closure cap of claim 17 wherein the plurality of partial annular openings comprises a plurality of large partial annular slots and a plurality of small partial annular slots and wherein one of the flanges are disposed between one of the large partial annular slots and one of the small partial annular slots.",
"19. The closure cap of claim 14 wherein the securement geometry comprises an angled tip and a protrusion forming a ridge and the attachment geometry comprises an angled tip of the attachment wall and a protrusion to form a ridge.",
"20. The closure cap of claim 14 wherein the central portion forming the opening includes an inwardly projecting blade on an interior of the central portion.",
"21. The closure cap of claim 14 wherein the central portion has an external central depression with a sloping wall toward the opening of the central portion.",
"22. The closure cap of claim 14 wherein the body of the disk has a stepped configuration.",
"23. A dispensing bottle comprising:\na container body having a neck with threads thereon;\na cap having a base and a flip-top lid;\nthe base having an outer skirt, an inner skirt with internal threads therein, a central portion with an opening therethrough and an internal shaft, and an internal annular attachment skirt extending from the central portion, an end of the attachment skirt opposite the central portion having attachment geometry;\nthe flip-top lid hingedly connected to the base; and\na disk having a body, an annular wall with securement geometry complementary to the attachment geometry of the attachment skirt, and one or more openings in the body of the disk, the disk being formed of a single, rigid material; and\na mixing chamber defined by the disk, the central portion of the base, the internal annular attachment skirt, and the internal shaft, wherein multiple fluid channels are formed by the internal shaft and the disk.",
"24. The dispensing bottle of claim 23 wherein the internal shaft terminates at a non-planar end surface."
],
[
"1. A tamper-evident closure for a container, the closure comprising a base attachable to a container neck, the base comprising a sidewall having a tamper-evident drop band encircling the container neck, the band including an abutment for engaging the container neck to cause the band to break away from the sidewall during removal of the sidewall from the neck once fitted and to remain encircling the container neck, the band further comprising an extension against which the sidewall pushes during subsequent reapplication of the sidewall so as to push the band away and thereby maintain a gap between the sidewall and band only at a first portion of the band, the extension extends along a radial segment that defines only a portion of a circumference of the band and corresponds to the first portion of the band, such that during reapplication of the sidewall after the band is broken away only the first portion of the band is pushed away from the base such that the band is orientated at an oblique angle at the first portion of the band so as to provide evidence of tampering.",
"2. A closure as claimed in claim 1, in which, in use, in an unopened position the extension is arranged between the sidewall and a container neck abutment bead against which the band abutment bears upon opening.",
"3. A closure as claimed in claim 1, in which the sidewall comprises an internal bead for pushing the extension in the reapplied position.",
"4. A closure as claimed in claim 3, in which part of the extension is initially located above the bead and is pulled down over the bead upon removal of the closure, and thereafter cannot pass back over the bead.",
"5. A closure as claimed in claim 3, in which the internal bead is continuous or discontinuous.",
"6. A closure as claimed in claim 1, in which the extension comprises one or a plurality of flaps.",
"7. A closure as claimed in claim 1, in which the band is pushed so that it pressed against a container neck transfer bead.",
"8. A closure as claimed in claim 1, in which the band is frangibly connected to a free end of the sidewall.",
"9. A closure as claimed in claim 1, in which the drop band comprises a folded flap including the abutment and the extension.",
"10. A closure as claimed in claim 9, in which the band is formed with the flap in an unfolded position.",
"11. A closure as claimed in claim 1, in which the closure further comprises a lid which is hingedly connected to the base.",
"12. A closure as claimed in claim 1, in which the base comprises a spout.",
"13. A closure as claimed in claim 12, in which the spout comprises a self-closing valve.",
"14. A closure as claimed in claim 1, in which the base is screw threadable onto a neck.",
"15. A closure as claimed in claim 1, in which the band comprises anti-rotation means for improving breakage.",
"16. A flip-top sportscap for a container neck, the sportscap comprising a screw-threaded base and a lid joined by a hinge, the base comprising a sidewall at a free end of which a tamper-evident drop-band encircling the container neck is frangibly connected, the drop band comprising a folded flap having a part which engages a container neck in use and causes the band to break away from the sidewall during unscrewing of the base and to remain encircling the container neck, the flap further comprising an extended free end and the sidewall comprising an abutment bead, the bead abutting against the free end of the band to push the band away from the free end of the sidewall during rescrewing of the base onto the neck and thereby maintain a gap between the sidewall and the band only at a first portion of the band, in which the extended free end of the folded flap extends along a radial segment that defines only a portion of a circumference of the band and corresponds to the first portion of the band, such that during reapplication of the sidewall after the band is broken away only the first portion of the band is pushed away from the base such that the band is orientated at an oblique angle at the first portion of the band so as to provide evidence of tampering.",
"17. A container fitted with a closure as claimed in claim 1.",
"18. A closure as claimed in claim 1, in which the base is formed as a cap.",
"19. A closure as claimed in claim 1, in which the closure includes a lid and a base, the lid being connected to the base by a hinge.",
"20. A closure as claimed in claim 12, in which the spout is formed separately of the base.",
"21. A closure as claimed in claim 12, in which the spout is provided as an integral part of the base."
],
[
"1. A closure, comprising:\na base;\na lid; and\na hinge arrangement joining the base and the lid so that the lid is movable between a closed position and an open position,\nthe hinge arrangement comprising a main hinge, an auxiliary hinge, and a hinge panel which links the hinges,\nthe main hinge being connected to the base and the hinge panel, and the auxiliary hinge being connected to the lid and the hinge panel,\nwherein\na lateral extent of the main hinge is greater than a lateral extent of the auxiliary hinge, whereby to provide resistance to damage from twisting and pulling in use,\nthe hinge panel is a generally truncated triangular hinge panel positioned between the main hinge and the auxiliary hinge,\nthe lid comprises a top plate and a side wall, and\nthe auxiliary hinge is located in a region of an intersection between the top plate and the side wall.",
"2. The closure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the main hinge is a butterfly hinge.",
"3. The closure as claimed in claim 2, wherein the main hinge comprises a pair of spaced trapezoidal links which link the base to the hinge panel.",
"4. The closure as claimed m claim 3, wherein the trapezoidal links are spaced apart from each other.",
"5. The closure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the auxiliary hinge is a living hinge.",
"6. The closure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the main hinge and the auxiliary hinge operate independently.",
"7. The closure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the main hinge and/or the auxiliary hinge is linear.",
"8. The closure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lid moves through at least 180° between the closed and open positions.",
"9. The closure as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a tamper-evident member which is visible prior to first opening of the closure in use, wherein upon first opening of the closure the tamper-evident member becomes at least partly hidden from view, whereby to indicate the closure has been opened at least once.",
"10. The closure as claimed in claim 9, wherein the tamper-evident member includes two rings, and at least one frangible connection connecting the two rings together.",
"11. The closure as claimed in claim 10, further comprising a spout, wherein the tamper-evident member masks at least part of the spout, the lid and the spout or the base include projections which engage with corresponding projections on the tamper-evident member such that on first opening of the closure the tamper-evident member is pulled apart so that one ring is pulled by the lid and the other ring is pulled by the base or the spout, the at least one frangible connection breaks such that the tamper-evident member splits into two parts, a lower of the rings falls into a pocket or void provided in the base so as to become at least partly hidden from view and/or to at least partly reveal at least part of the spout.",
"12. The closure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lid is configured to be twisted up to 180 degrees without breaking the hinge arrangement.",
"13. The closure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hinge panel forms part of the side wall of the lid and is separated therefrom to allow hinging movement.",
"14. The closure as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a spout.",
"15. The closure as claimed in claim 14, wherein the spout forms part of the base, or the spout is formed separately from the base and the lid.",
"16. The closure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the main hinge is located at a first end of the generally truncated triangular hinge panel, and wherein the auxiliary hinge is located at a second end of the generally truncated triangular hinge panel, the second end being opposite the first end, and the second end being narrower than the first end.",
"17. A closure, comprising:\na base;\na lid;\na dispensing spout; and\na hinge arrangement joining the base and the lid so that the lid is movable between a closed position and an open position,\nthe hinge arrangement comprising a main hinge, an auxiliary hinge, and a hinge panel,\nthe hinge panel having a wider end and a narrower end,\nthe main hinge being connected to the base and to the wider end of the hinge panel,\nthe auxiliary hinge being connected to the lid and to the narrower end of the hinge panel,\nwherein the lid comprises a top plate and a side wall, and the auxiliary hinge is located in a region of an intersection between the top plate and the side wall.",
"18. A flip-top dispensing closure, comprising:\na base;\na lid;\na spout; and\na double hinge arrangement joining the base and the lid so that the lid is movable between a closed position and an open position,\nthe double hinge arrangement comprising:\na first hinge connected to the base,\na second hinge connected to the lid, wherein the first hinge is wider than the second hinge, and\na generally truncated triangular hinge panel positioned between the first hinge and the second hinge, the generally truncated triangular hinge panel connecting the first hinge to the second hinge,\nwherein the lid comprises a top plate and a side wall, and the auxiliary hinge is located in a region of an intersection between the top plate and the side wall.",
"19. The closure as claimed in claim 18, wherein\nthe spout is formed separately from the base and the lid, and\nthe closure further comprises a tamper-evident member for indicating whether the lid has been opened."
],
[
"1. A dispensing closure for a container, comprising:\na closure body including an upper wall having a dispensing orifice, said closure body further including an upper peripheral skirt depending from said upper wall, a closure deck depending from the upper peripheral skirt, and a lower peripheral skirt depending from said closure deck, said lower peripheral skirt having a diameter larger than said upper peripheral skirt, said lower peripheral skirt being configured to be mounted on a container;\na cap having an upper wall and a wall flange depending from said upper wall;\na hinge body;\na first living hinge joining a first end of said hinge body to said lower peripheral skirt, said hinge body being hingeably movable from an open position to a closed position in facing mating relation with said upper peripheral skirt, said hinge body and said upper peripheral skirt including interfitting mating formations to secure said hinge body in facing mating relation with said upper peripheral skirt;\na second living hinge joining a second end of said hinge body to said cap, said cap being hingeably movable from an open position to a closed position overlying said upper wall of said closure body;\na latch bump on said closure deck adjacent to said hinge; and\na latch bead on the upper wall of said cap.",
"2. The article of claim 1, further comprising:\na thumb catch extending from the wall flange of the cap and on the opposite side of the cap from the hinge.",
"3. The article of claim 1, further comprising:\na lug extending from the wall flange of the cap and contacting the upper peripheral skirt for providing a snap-action to the movement of the cap from the open to the closed position.",
"4. The article of claim 1, further comprising:\nscrew threads on an inside portion of the lower peripheral skirt configured to mount onto a container.",
"5. The article of claim 1, further comprising:\nsealing means for sealing the dispensing orifice.",
"6. The article of claim 5, wherein the sealing means is a sealing wall depending from the upper wall of the cap and configured to encircle and seal the dispensing orifice in a tight sealing engagement.",
"7. The article of claim 1, further comprising:\nflow restriction means depending from the upper wall of the closure body and encircling the dispensing orifice.",
"8. The article of claim 7, wherein said flow restrictions means comprises:\na tubular wall depending downwardly from the upper of the closure body and encircling the dispensing orifice; and\na bottom wall extending from the tubular wall forming an offset opening.",
"9. The article of claim 1, further comprising:\na surface forming a window through the said hinge body;\nsaid latch bump protruding through said window when said hinge body is in the closed position.",
"10. A dispensing closure for a container, comprising:\na closure body including an upper wall having a dispensing orifice, said closure body further including an upper peripheral skirt depending from said upper wall, a closure deck depending from the upper peripheral skirt, and a lower peripheral skirt depending from said closure deck, said lower peripheral skirt having a diameter larger than said upper peripheral skirt, said lower peripheral skirt being configured to be mounted on a container;\na cap having an upper wall and a wall flange depending from said upper wall;\na hinge body;\na first living hinge joining a first end of said hinge body to said lower peripheral skirt, said hinge body being hingeably movable from an open position to a closed position in facing mating relation with said upper peripheral skirt, said hinge body and said upper peripheral skirt including interfitting mating formations to secure said hinge body in facing mating relation with said upper peripheral skirt;\na second living hinge joining a second end of said hinge body to said cap, said cap being hingeably movable from an open position to a closed position overlying said upper wall of said closure body;\na latch bump on said hinge and adjacent to said closure deck; and\na latch bead on the upper wall of said cap.",
"11. The article of claim 10, further comprising:\na thumb catch extending from the wall flange of the cap and on the opposite side of the cap from the hinge.",
"12. The article of claim 10, further comprising:\na lug extending from the wall flange of the cap and contacting the upper peripheral skirt for providing a snap-action to the movement of the cap from the open to the closed position.",
"13. The article of claim 10, further comprising:\nscrew threads on an inside portion of the lower peripheral skirt configured to mount onto a container.",
"14. The article of claim 10, further comprising:\nsealing means for sealing the dispensing orifice.",
"15. The article of claim 14, wherein the sealing means is a sealing wall depending from the upper wall of the cap and configured to encircle and seal the dispensing orifice in a tight sealing engagement.",
"16. The article of claim 10, further comprising:\nflow restriction means depending from the upper wall of the closure body and encircling the dispensing orifice.",
"17. The article of claim 16, wherein said flow restrictions means comprises:\na tubular wall depending downwardly from the upper of the closure body and encircling the dispensing orifice; and\na bottom wall extending from the tubular wall forming an offset opening."
],
[
"1. A closure for a container that has an opening to the container interior where a product may be stored, said closure comprising:\n(A) a body that is either (a) a separate structure for being attached to said container at said opening or (b) a structure formed as a unitary portion of said container at said opening, said body having at least one dispensing orifice for communicating with said container opening;\n(B) a lid that (1) is connected to said body with a hinge and movable between (i) a closed position occluding said dispensing orifice, and (ii) an open position spaced from said dispensing orifice, and (2) has a lifting region against which a force can be applied by the user to lift said lid away from said closed position;\n(C) a tamper-evident tab that has a proximal end frangibly connected to said lid with a frangible junction; and\n(D) a pressing member that (1) is connected to said body in an initial unactuated configuration, and (2) can be subsequently pressed laterally inwardly to (i) deform to an actuated configuration, and (ii) force said tamper-evident tab laterally inwardly a distance sufficient to break said frangible junction to separate said tamper-evident tab from said lid; and wherein\na first receiver is defined on one of said tamper-evident tab and said pressing member;\na first connector is defined on the other of said tamper-evident tab and said pressing member for being received in said first receiver to establish a non-releasable arrangement between said tamper-evident tab and said pressing member when said lid is initially moved to said closed position for the first time;\na second receiver is defined on said body; and\na second connector is defined on said first connector for being received by said second receiver when said pressing member is pressed laterally inwardly from said unactuated configuration to said actuated configuration to establish a non-releasable arrangement between said pressing member and said second receiver while said pressing member is in said actuated configuration to indicate that said tamper-evident tab has been broken.",
"2. The closure in accordance with claim 1 in which\nsaid first receiver includes a slot that is (1) defined in said tab, and (2) open downwardly to the distal end of said tab when said lid is in said closed position on the closure body on top of an upright container wherein part of said slot defines an increased width recess at a location upwardly from the distal end of said tab;\nsaid pressing member includes a post that (1) extends laterally inwardly, (2) includes (a) a shank defining said first connector for being received in a non-releasable arrangement in said tab slot when said lid is initially moved to said closed position for the first time and forces said tab onto said post shank so as to position said shank in said increased width recess of said tab slot, and (b) a head that (i) is located adjacent the distal end of said post shank, and (ii) includes an enlarged retention portion that together with said shank defines said second connector; and\nsaid second receiver includes a retention wall that is located on said body and that defines an aperture for accommodating the forcing of said post head enlarged retention portion therethrough when a user presses said pressing member laterally inwardly from said initial unactuated configuration to said actuated configuration so as to (a) separate said tamper-evident tab from said lid by breaking said frangible junction to thereby permit lifting of said lid to said open position, and (b) move said post to locate said post head enlarged retention portion laterally inwardly beyond said retention wall aperture to establish a non-releasable arrangement with said retention wall.",
"3. The closure in accordance with claim 2 in which\nsaid closure body includes (1) an exterior skirt, and (2) an interior collar for engaging an upper end of said container around said container opening; and\nsaid retention wall is laterally exterior of said closure body interior collar and is concave as viewed from the exterior of said closure body.",
"4. The closure in accordance with claim 3 in which said pressing member is located laterally outwardly of said retention wall and is connected to said closure body exterior skirt along two vertical side edges of said pressing member wherein each said connection of said pressing member along one of said vertical side edges to said closure body exterior skirt is defined by a reduced cross-sectional thickness of material.",
"5. The closure in accordance with claim 4 in which said pressing member has (1) an initial convex shape in said initial unactuated configuration as viewed from the exterior of said closure body, and (2) a concave shape in said actuated configuration when viewed from the exterior of said closure body.",
"6. The closure in accordance with claim 2 in which\nsaid enlarged retention portion of said pressing member post head includes a pair of outwardly extending barbs which together define said enlarged retention portion and which each decreases in size toward the distal end of said post; and\nsaid retention wall is sufficiently resilient so as to temporarily, elastically deform to accommodate passage of said pressing member post head enlarged retention portion through said aperture.",
"7. The closure in accordance with claim 2 in which\nthe width of said slot decreases from the distal end of said tamper-evident tab to a minimum width leading to said increased width recess; and\nsaid post shank includes a generally rectangular portion which (1) has a thickness greater than said tab slot minimum width, and (2) can be received in said increased width recess of said tab slot when said tab is forced downwardly against said post shank rectangular portion whereby said tab is sufficiently resilient so as to be temporarily, elastically deformed to temporarily increase said minimum width of said slot so that said post shank rectangular portion is received in said increased width recess of said slot after which said tab assumes a less deformed configuration to create a non-releasable arrangement.",
"8. The closure in accordance with claim 1 in which said closure is a separately manufactured component that can be subsequently attached to said container around said opening of said container.",
"9. The closure in accordance with claim 1 in which said pressing member is configured to\n(1) undergo elastic deformation from a convex shape to a concave shape when pressed by the user laterally inwardly toward said actuated configuration, and\n(2) be free to return to said initial unactuated configuration if the user releases the pressing force on said pressing member prior to said pressing member elastically deforming out of said convex shape.",
"10. A closure for a container that has an opening to the container interior where a product may be stored, said closure comprising:\n(A) a body that is either (a) a separate structure for being attached to said container at said opening or (b) a structure formed as a unitary portion of said container at said opening, said body dispensing having at least one dispensing orifice for communicating with said container opening;\n(B) a lid that (1) is connected with a hinge to said body and movable between (i) a closed position occluding said dispensing orifice, and (ii) an open position spaced from said dispensing orifice, and (2) has a lifting region against which a force can be applied by the user to lift said lid away from said closed position;\n(C) a tamper-evident tab that (1) has a proximal end frangibly connected to said lid with a frangible junction, and (2) defines a slot that is open downwardly to the distal end of said tab when said lid is in said closed position on the closure body on top of an upright container wherein part of said slot defines an increased width recess at a location upwardly from the distal end of said tab; and\n(D) a pressing member that (1) is connected to said body in an initial unactuated configuration, (2) can be subsequently pressed laterally inwardly to (i) deform to an actuated configuration, and (ii) force said tamper-evident tab laterally inwardly a distance sufficient to break said frangible junction to separate said tamper-evident tab from said lid, and (3) has a laterally inwardly projecting post that includes (a) a shank for being received in a non-releasable arrangement in said tab slot when said lid is initially moved to said closed position for the first time and forces said tab onto said post shank so as to position said post shank in said increased width recess of said tab slot, and (b) a head that (i) is located adjacent the distal end of said post shank, and (ii) includes an enlarged retention portion; and\nwherein said body further includes a retention wall defining an aperture for accommodating the forcing of said post head enlarged retention portion therethrough when a user presses said pressing member laterally inwardly from said initial unactuated configuration to said actuated configuration so as to (a) separate said tamper-evident tab from said lid by breaking said frangible junction to thereby permit lifting of said lid to said open position, and (b) move said post to locate said post head enlarged retention portion laterally inwardly beyond said retention wall aperture to establish a non-releasable arrangement with said retention wall while said pressing member is in said actuated configuration to indicate that said tab has been broken from said lid.",
"11. The closure in accordance with claim 10 in which said closure is a separately manufactured component that can be subsequently attached to said container around said opening of said container.",
"12. The closure in accordance with claim 10 in which\nsaid closure body includes (1) an exterior skirt, and (2) an interior collar for engaging an upper end of said container around said container opening;\nsaid retention wall is laterally exterior of said closure body interior collar and is concave as viewed from the exterior of said closure body;\nsaid pressing member is located laterally outwardly of said retention wall and is connected to said closure body skirt along two vertical side edges of said pressing member wherein each said connection of said pressing member along one of said vertical side edges to said closure body skirt is defined by a reduced cross-sectional thickness of material;\nsaid pressing member has (1) an initial convex shape in said initial unactuated configuration as viewed from the exterior of said closure body, and (2) a concave shape in said actuated configuration when viewed from the exterior of said closure body;\nsaid pressing member is configured to\n(1) undergo elastic deformation from a convex shape to a concave shape when pressed by the user laterally inwardly toward said actuated configuration, and\n(2) be free to return to said initial unactuated configuration if the user releases the pressing force on said pressing member prior to said pressing member (150) elastically deforming out of said convex shape;\nsaid enlarged retention portion of said pressing member post head includes a pair of outwardly extending barbs which together define said enlarged retention portion and which each decreases in size toward the distal end of said post; and\nsaid retention wall is sufficiently resilient so as to temporarily, elastically deform to accommodate passage of said pressing member post head enlarged retention portion through said aperture.",
"13. The closure in accordance with claim 10 in which said frangible junction connecting said tamper-evident tab to said lid is defined by a reduced cross-sectional thickness of material.",
"14. The closure in accordance with claim 10 in which said lifting region of said lid is located generally 180 degrees from said hinge that connects said lid to said body.",
"15. The closure in accordance with claim 10 in which\nthe width of said slot decreases from the distal end of said tamper-evident tab to a minimum width leading to said increased width recess; and\nsaid post shank includes a generally rectangular portion which (1) has a thickness greater than said tab slot minimum width, and (2) can be received in said increased width recess of said tab slot when said tab is forced downwardly against said post shank rectangular portion whereby said tab is sufficiently resilient so as to be temporarily, elastically deformed to temporarily increase said minimum width of said slot so that said post shank rectangular portion is received in said increased width recess of said slot after which said tab assumes a less deformed configuration to create a non-releasable arrangement."
],
[
"1. A hinged closure for a container, particularly a drinking bottle, comprising:\na lower part and an upper part;\na hinge section, by means of which the upper part can be pivoted from a first position to a second position, in which the upper part is pivoted away from the lower part by an opening angle; and\na retaining device, comprising a first retaining section and a second retaining section, both being detachably connected when the upper part is moved into said second position,\nwherein said first retaining section is situated on the lower part and comprises a protruding section and said second retaining section is situated on the upper part and comprises an engaging section, said protruding section having a length extending longitudinally in a vertical direction along an outer surface of said lower part and a width extending horizontally along the outer surface of said lower part, said protruding section and said engaging section being shaped to engage each other, and said length being greater than said width of said protruding section,\nsaid engaging section being configured as a pocket section in the upper part, wherein said pocket section extends from an exterior wall of the upper part into an interior space defined by the closure,\nsaid pocket section being defined by a surrounding wall and extending to a bottom edge of the upper part such that the bottom edge of the wall defining the pocket section rests on a top wall of said lower part when the closure is closed, resulting in an outward sealing of the upper part's interior by the surrounding wall.",
"2. The hinged closure according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said retaining sections cause a resistance of the upper part to move back from said second position into said first position.",
"3. The hinged closure according to claim 1, wherein said first retaining section and said second retaining section are designed to achieve a lock connection and wherein particularly said first and said second retaining sections each comprise a lock section.",
"4. The hinged closure according to claim 1, wherein said first and said second retaining sections are designed to achieve a form-fit connection.",
"5. The hinged closure according to claim 1, wherein said second retaining section and said engaging section are shaped to engage through a lock connection.",
"6. The hinged closure according to claim 1, wherein said first retaining section is located on a first wall of the lower part and said second retaining section is located on a second wall of the upper part.",
"7. The hinged closure according to claim 6, wherein said engaging section is located in said first or said second wall.",
"8. The hinged closure according to claim 1, wherein said second retaining section is at least partly elastically deformable.",
"9. The hinged closure according to claim 6, wherein the lower part defines a normal and wherein said first wall is inclined as compared to the lower part's normal by a first inclination angle α1 and said second wall of the upper part is inclined as compared to the lower part's normal by a second inclination angle α2.",
"10. The hinged closure according to claim 9, wherein said first inclination angle α1 and said second inclination angle α2 belong to a group of angles comprising the ranges 0 to 90°, 0 to 45°, 0 to 30°, 5 to 30°, 10 to 25°, 10 to 20°, 10 to 15°, 15 to 20°.",
"11. The hinged closure according to claim 1, wherein an opening angle in said second position belongs to a group of angles comprising the ranges 90 to 270°, 100 to 235°, 150 to 230°, 170 to 225°, 180 to 225°.",
"12. The hinged closure according to claim 1, wherein said lower part comprises an aperture area with an outlet port leading thereto, wherein the aperture area is formed as a hollow nozzle extending upwards from a sealing wall.",
"13. The hinged closure according to claim 1, wherein said upper part is designed as a flap-lid to cover an outlet port in the lower part.",
"14. The hinged closure according to claim 1, wherein the lower part comprises a drinking nozzle with an outlet port located therein.",
"15. The hinged closure according to claim 1, wherein the upper part is designed to seal an outlet port in the lower part fluid-proof.",
"16. The hinged closure according to claim 1, further comprising a tamper evidence device.",
"17. The hinged closure according to claim 16, wherein said tamper evidence device comprises a snatch belt designed to be fixed to the container and to be connected to the lower part by bond bridges shaped as predetermined breaking zones.",
"18. The hinged closure according to claim 16, wherein said tamper evidence device comprises a tearing strap connected to the upper or lower part by bond bridges shaped as predetermined breaking zones.",
"19. The hinged closure according to claim 17, wherein said snatch belt is designed to be detachably connected to the container.",
"20. The hinged closure according to claim 18, wherein the tamper evidence device comprises a protruding section designed to engage with said tearing strap.",
"21. A container, particularly a drinking bottle, equipped with a hinged closure according to claim 1."
],
[
"1. A dispensing closure, comprising:\na closure body;\na cap hingedly connected to said closure body;\na first living hinge joining said closure body to said cap;\na second living hinge joining said closure body to said cap;\na latch recess defined within the closure body and positioned between the first living hinge and the second living hinge; and\na latch protrusion on the cap positioned respectively above said latch recess in a closed position of said closure cap, and said latch protrusion and said latch recess defining interfitting mating formations which engage to secure said cap to said closure body when the cap is in an open position.",
"2. The dispensing closure of claim 1, wherein said first and second living hinges are positioned inwardly towards a center axis of the closure body and within an outer periphery of said cap.",
"3. The dispensing closure of claim 1, wherein cap is pivoted approximately 30 degrees below said closure body to engage said latch protrusion with said latch recess.",
"4. The dispensing closure of claim 1, wherein a portion of the closure cap is recessed for attaching said latch protrusion.",
"5. The dispensing closure of claim 1, wherein an inner surface of said closure cap is interfittingly mated with an outer surface of said closure body.",
"6. The dispensing closure of claim 1, wherein the closure body includes a\na first upper wall having a dispensing orifice, said closure body further includes an upper peripheral skirt depending from said upper wall, a closure deck depending from the upper peripheral skirt, a second upper wall depending from said closure deck.",
"7. The dispensing closure of claim 6, wherein the closure body includes\na first and second lower peripheral skirt depending from said closure deck, said second lower peripheral skirt respectively positioned below said second upper wall and being configured to be mounted on a container, said first lower peripheral skirt having a diameter larger than said upper peripheral skirt and said second lower peripheral skirt.",
"8. The dispensing closure of claim 1, wherein the closure cap has an upper wall and a wall flange depending from said upper wall.",
"9. The dispensing closure of claim 7, further comprising:\na flow conduit depending from the upper wall of the closure body and positioned above and below the dispensing orifice, said lower portion of said flow conduit including an inner flow conduit wall depending downwardly from the closure deck.",
"10. The dispensing closure of claim 7, wherein said first living hinge joins said wall flange to a top portion of said first lower peripheral skirt.",
"11. The dispensing closure of claim 7, wherein said second living hinge joining said wall flange to the top portion of said first lower peripheral skirt, said cap being movable from an open position to a closed position overlying said closure deck of said closure body.",
"12. The dispensing closure of claim 7, wherein a latch recess defined within said first lower peripheral skirt positioned between said first and second living hinge.",
"13. The dispensing closure of claim 7, wherein a latch protrusion on the wall flange of said cap positioned respectively positioned above said latch recess defined within said first lower peripheral skirt in a closed position of said closure cap.",
"14. A dispensing closure, comprising:\na closure body having a closure deck with a dispensing orifice, a lower peripheral skirt depending from the closure deck, said lower peripheral skirt is configured to be mounted on a container;\na cap having an upper wall and a wall flange depending from said upper wall;\na hinge structure joining said wall flange to said lower peripheral skirt;\na latch recess defined within said lower peripheral skirt; and\na latch protrusion on the wall flange of said cap positioned respectively positioned above said latch recess in a closed position of said closure cap, and said latch protrusion and said latch recess defining interfitting mating formations which engage to secure said cap to said closure body when closure cap is in an open position.",
"15. The dispensing closure of claim 14, wherein said hinge structure is a first and second living hinge, said first and second living hinges are positioned inwardly towards a center axis of the closure body and within an outer periphery of said cap.",
"16. The dispensing closure of claim 14, wherein cap is pivoted approximately 30 degrees below said closure body to engage said latch protrusion within said latch recess.",
"17. The dispensing closure of claim 14, wherein a portion of the closure cap is recessed for attaching said latch protrusion.",
"18. The dispensing closure of claim 14, wherein an inner surface of said closure cap is interfittingly mated with an outer surface of said closure body.",
"19. The dispensing closure of claim 14, wherein the closure body includes an upper wall having a dispensing orifice.",
"20. The dispensing closure of claim 19, wherein the closure body further includes an upper peripheral skirt depending from the upper wall, said closure deck depending from the upper peripheral skirt.",
"21. The dispensing closure of claim 19, wherein the closure body includes a first upper wall and a second upper wall, said first upper wall having a dispensing orifice, said second upper wall depending from said closure deck.",
"22. The dispensing closure of claim 21, wherein the closure body includes a first and second lower peripheral skirt depending from said closure deck, said second lower peripheral skirt respectively positioned below said second upper wall, said second lower peripheral skirt being configured to mount to a container, said first lower peripheral skirt having a diameter larger than said upper peripheral skirt and said second lower peripheral skirt.",
"23. The dispensing closure of claim 21, further comprising:\na flow conduit depending from the first upper wall of the closure body and positioned above and below the dispensing orifice, said lower portion of said flow conduit including an inner flow conduit wall depending downwardly from the closure deck.",
"24. The dispensing closure of claim 14, wherein the latch recess and the latch protrusion are positioned within an outer periphery of the closure cap.",
"25. A dispensing closure, comprising:\na closure body having a closure deck with a dispensing orifice, a lower peripheral skirt depending from the closure deck, said lower peripheral skirt having an inner surface configured to be mounted to a container, said lower peripheral skirt defining a horizontal ledge;\na cap hingedly connected to said closure body, said cap having a wall flange;\na hinge structure for connecting the closure body to the cap;\na latch recess defined within said horizontal ledge, said latch recess defining a generally u-shaped, concave formation, the latch recess positioned adjacent said double hinge; and\na latch protrusion depending from the cap and positioned respectively above said latch recess when closure cap is in closed position, and said latch protrusion defining a generally inverted u-shaped convex mating formation, and said latch recess and latch protrusion defining interfitting mating formations which engage to secure said cap to said closure body when closure cap is in an open position."
],
[
"1. A dispensing closure for a cylindrical container comprising:\na cylindrical cap attached to said container;\na circular lid hinged to said cap for opening and closing said cap;\na circular web having a plurality of apertures upwardly facing from said cap toward said lid;\na two-component seal, one component being a male member ring extending downwardly from an underside of said lid inwardly of its outer circumstance, and one component being a female member seat encircling said web;\nwhereby depressing said lid encloses said male member ring onto said female member seat; and\nwhereby said circular lid consists of an integral, single piece construction including first and second flaps hinged to opposing sides of an included third flap operative to hinge said circular lid to said cap in opening and closing said cap and with said first and second flaps being individually and independently operable and closable with respect to said third flap.",
"2. The dispensing closure of claim 1, also including a pair of finger detents on said cylindrical cap to respectively open each of said first and second flaps by an upwards pushing movement.",
"3. The dispensing closure of claim 2, additionally including a third finger detent on said cylindrical cap to open said third flap by an upwards pushing movement.",
"4. The dispensing closure of claim 2 wherein said web includes a first aperture overlain by one of said first and second flaps when closed, and a plurality of smaller apertures overlain by said other of said first and second flaps when closed.",
"5. The dispensing closure of claim 4, also including a two-component lock, one component being a male member projection downwardly extending from an underside of said third flap of said lid and one component being a female member well within said web oriented to receive said male member projection, whereby depressing said third flap positions said male member projection within said female member well.",
"6. The dispensing closure of claim 5, also including a locking ring within said female member well to envelop said male member projection securing it into position.",
"7. The dispensing closure of claim 5 wherein said cylindrical cap is detachably attached to said container.",
"8. The dispensing closure of claim 5, also including a second two-component lock, one component being a second male member projection downwardly extending from an underside of said second flap and one component being a second female member well within said plurality of smaller apertures, whereby depressing said second flap positions said second male member projection within said second female member well.",
"9. The dispensing closure of claim 8, additionally including a third two-component lock, one component being a third male member projection downwardly extending from an underside of said first flap and one component being an edge surface of said first aperture, whereby depressing said first flap positions said third male member projection against said edge surface of said first aperture.",
"10. The dispensing closure of claim 8, additionally including a third finger detent on said cylindrical cap to open said third flap by an upwards pushing movement.",
"11. The dispensing closure of claim 9, also including a locking ring within said first female member well to envelop said first male member projection securing it into position.",
"12. A dispensing closure for a cylindrical container comprising:\na cylindrical cap attached to said container;\na circular lid hinged to said cap;\na circular web having a plurality of apertures upwardly facing from said cap toward said lid;\na two-component seal, one component being a male member ring extending downwardly from an underside of said lid inwardly of its outer circumstance, and one component being a female member seat encircling said web;\nwhereby depressing said lid encloses said male member ring onto said female member seat; and\nwhereby said circular lid includes first and second flaps hinged to opposing sides of an included, third flap and openable and closable with respect thereto;\nalso including a pair of finger detents on said cylindrical cap to respectively open each of said first and second flaps by an upwards pushing movement;\nwherein said web includes a first aperture overlain by one of said first and second flaps when closed, and a plurality of smaller apertures overlain by said other of said first and second flaps when closed;\nalso including a two-component lock, one component being a male member projection downwardly extending from an underside of said third flap of, said lid and one component being a female member well within said web oriented to receive said male member projection, whereby depressing said third flap positions said male member projection within said female member well;\nalso including a locking ring within said female member well to envelop said male member projection securing it into position.",
"13. A dispensing closure for a cylindrical container comprising:\na cylindrical cap attached to said container;\na circular lid hinged to said cap;\na circular web having a plurality of apertures upwardly facing from said cap toward said lid;\na two-component seal, one component being a male member ring extending downwardly from an underside of said lid inwardly of its outer circumstance, and one component being a female member seat encircling said web;\nwhereby depressing said lid encloses said male member ring onto said female member seat; and\nwhereby said circular lid includes first and second flaps hinged to opposing sides of an included third flap and openable and closable with respect thereto;\nalso including a pair of finger detents on said cylindrical cap to respectively open each of said first and second flaps by an upwards pushing movement;\nwherein said web includes a first aperture overlain by one of said first and second flaps when closed, and a plurality of smaller apertures overlain by said other of said first and second flaps when closed;\nalso including a two-component lock, one component being a male member projection downwardly extending from an underside of said third flap of said lid and one component being a female member well within said web oriented to receive said male member projection, whereby, depressing said third flap positions said male member projection within said female member well;\nalso including a second two-component lock, one component being a second male member projection downwardly extending from an underside of said second flap and one component being a second female member well within said plurality of smaller apertures, whereby depressing said second flap positions said second male member projection within said second female member well;\nadditionally including a third two-component lock, one component being a third male member projection downwardly extending from an underside of said first flap and one component being an edge surface of said first aperture, whereby depressing said first flap positions said third male member projection against said edge surface of said first aperture;\nalso including a locking ring within said first female member well to envelop said first male member projection securing it into position."
],
[
"1. A spooning closure for a container comprising a top, a skirt, and a first and second locking means,\nthe top including a fixed portion and a spooning lid pivotally hinged to the fixed portion, said spooning lid adapted to pivot from a closed position to an open dispensing position,\nsaid skirt being connected to said fixed portion, and bounding said spooning lid when in the closed position,\nsaid first locking means adapted to releasably lock said spooning lid in a closed position,\nsaid second locking means adapted to releasably lock said spooning lid in an open dispensing position,\nsaid second locking means comprises a tongue extending from said spooning lid and a locking slot formed on the top side of said skirt adjacent said fixed portion, said locking slot being sized to receive and frictionally engage said tongue.",
"2. The spooning closure of claim 1 wherein said locking slot is defined by a pair of flexible cantilevers.",
"3. The spooning closure of claim 2 wherein said flexible cantilevers are undercut from about 3° to about 10° and biased towards the center of said locking slot and wherein the distance between said cantilever inner surfaces at their upper ends is less than the width of said tongue.",
"4. The spooning closure of claim 1 wherein said locking slot is a pair of spaced apart extensions formed on said top wall fixed portion said tongue being positioned and sized to frictionally fit between said extensions when said spooning lid is pivoted to a desired open locked position.",
"5. The spooning closure of claim 4 wherein said extensions comprise inner surfaces undercut from about 3° to about 10° with the tops of said extension inner surfaces being spaced apart less than the width of said tongue, the first locking means includes a second locking means structure and has a latch projection extending in an arcuate direction on a bottom side of the spooning lid and a resilient cantilever extending in an arcuate direction adjacent an internal perimeter of said skirt, said latch extending at an acute angle from said bottom side toward a periphery of said spooning lid, and said cantilever being adapted to engage said latch projection and releasably lock said spooning lid in a closed position.",
"6. The spooning closure of claim 5 wherein a notch forms said cantilever and said cantilever is integral with an inner sealing ring which extends circumferentially around an inner sealing rim of the closure and said cantilever defines at least a portion of a spooning opening.",
"7. The spooning closure of claim 6 wherein said cantilever extends downward at an angle of from about 0° to about 15° measured from a vertical direction.",
"8. The spooning closure of claim 7 wherein said latch locking projection has an arc equal to or less than an arc of said tongue.",
"9. The spooning closure of claim 8 wherein said cantilever has a notch separating it from an end of said sealing ring and said notch has one side extending downward at an angle of from about 0° to about 30° measured from a vertical axis and an other side extending downward at an angle of from about 0° to about 60°.",
"10. The spooning closure of claim 6 wherein said notch is substantially rectangular in shape.",
"11. The spooning closure of claim 6 wherein said notch is substantially triangular in shape.",
"12. The spooning closure of claim 11 wherein the outer side of said triangular notch extends at an angle of from about 30° to about 60° measured from a horizontal direction and an inner side of said triangular notch extends at an angle of from about 0° to about 15° measured from a vertical direction.",
"13. The spooning closure of claim 2 wherein said closure is a one-piece molded plastic closure cap.",
"14. A spooning closure for a container comprising a circular top, a skirt, and a first and second locking means,\nsaid circular top including a substantially semicircular fixed portion and a substantially semicircular spooning lid pivotally hinged to the fixed portion, said spooning lid adapted to pivot from a closed position to an open dispensing position,\nsaid skirt being connected to said fixed portion, and bounding said spooning lid when in the closed position,\nsaid first locking means adapted to releasably lock said spooning lid in a closed position,\nsaid second lock adapted to releasably lock said spooning lid in an open dispensing position,\nwherein said spooning lid includes a reinforcing web on a bottom side thereof, said web having at least one arcuate locking projecting wall, at least one longitudinal wall and at least two non-longitudinal walls intersecting said longitudinal wall and connected to said locking projection wall.",
"15. The spooning closure of claim 14 wherein two web walls extend on a diagonal from said hinge to said latch projection and one web wall extends parallel to said hinge and two arcuate walls extending from said latch projection to said hinge.",
"16. A one-piece container closure having a top, a spooning opening defined in a portion of said top, a spooning lid pivotally hinged to said top and adapted to close said spooning opening, a releasable lock means to releasably hold said spooning lid in a closed position and an arcuate seal latch projection extending at an acute angle from a bottom surface of the spooning lid, wherein said accurate seal latch projection has an attached arcuate first end and a second arcuate free end, said spooning opening being positioned relative to said arcuate projection such that said second free end is larger than the opening, said opening being at least partially defined by a flexible cantilever extending downwardly from said top, said cantilever and said projection each extending in an arc substantially equal to an arc of the opening.",
"17. The one-piece container closure of claim 16 wherein said seal latch projection acute angle is from about 40° to about 60° and said spooning lid has a reinforcing web on the bottom surface thereof with said reinforcing web having at least one longitudinal reinforcing rib extending substantially parallel to said spooning lid hinge, said longitudinal rib extending at an acute angle of from 40° to about 60° from said bottom surface, at least one reinforcing rib extending perpendicular to and intersecting said longitudinal rib and being attached to said arcuate projection, and at least two non-longitudinal ribs intersecting said longitudinal rib and being attached to said arcuate projection.",
"18. The one-piece container closure of claim 17 wherein a notch forms said cantilever and said cantilever is integral with an inner sealing ring which extends circumferentially around an inner sealing rim of the closure and said cantilever defines at least a portion of a spooning opening.",
"19. The one-piece container closure of claim 18 wherein said cantilever extends downward at an angle of from about 0° to about 15° measured from a vertical direction.",
"20. The one-piece container closure of claim 19 wherein said notch is substantially rectangular in shape.",
"21. The one-piece container closure of claim 19 wherein said notch is substantially triangular in shape.",
"22. The one-piece container closure of claim 21 wherein said triangular notch comprises an outer side extending at an angle of from about 30° to about 60° measured from a horizontal direction and an inner side extending at an angle of from about 0° to about 15° measured from said vertical direction."
],
[
"1. In a container including a closure member adapted to close said container in a closed position of said closure member, said closure member in said closed position having an outer surface facing away from said container and an inner surface facing toward said container, the improvement comprising:\n(a) a kicker latch including a latch wall connected to means on said container to enable pivotal movement of said kicker latch relative to said container;\n(b) a latch tab extending from said latch wall toward said closure member and positioned to engage said outer surface of said closure member in said closed position to retain said closure member in said closed position;\n(c) a kicker lever extending from said latch wall toward said closure member in spaced relation to said latch tab and positioned to engage said inner surface of said closure member in said closed position; and\n(d) said kicker latch, upon being pivoted away from said closure member, withdrawing said latch tab from retaining said closure member in said closed position and revolving said kicker lever to urge said closure member away from said closed position.",
"2. A container as set forth in claim 1 wherein said closure member is a spout connected to means on said container to enable movement between an open position and said closed position, said spout having a spout passage formed therethrough and having an outer end, and said latch including:\n(a) spout plug means formed on said latch wall between said latch tab and said kicker lever, said plug means being sized and positioned to close said spout passage at said outer end in said closed position of said spout.",
"3. A container as set forth in claim 2 wherein:\n(a) said spout is elongated and has opposite sides; and\n(b) grip beads are formed along said opposite sides of said spout and facilitate gripping said spout to move same to said open position.",
"4. A container as set forth in claim 1 wherein said closure member is a spout connected to means on said container to enable movement between an open position and said closed position, said spout having a spout passage formed therethrough and having an inner end, and including:\n(a) inner seal means positioned at said inner end of said spout, said inner seal means closing said spout passage at said inner end upon said spout being placed in said closed position.",
"5. A container as set forth in claim 1 wherein:\n(a) said container includes means forming a peripheral wall;\n(b) an opening is formed in said peripheral wall and defined by opening edges;\n(c) said kicker latch is positioned in said opening;\n(d) said latch wall has latch edges facing toward said opening edges; and\n(e) snap means are formed on at least one of said opening edges and said latch edges, said snap means retaining said kicker latch in a position to retain said closure member in said closed position thereof.",
"6. A container as set forth in claim 1 wherein:\n(a) said container closure member is a container lid which is separable from said container; and\n(b) said container has opposite sides; said kicker latch is a first kicker latch and including a second kicker latch; one of said kicker latches being positioned on each of said opposite sides respectively to engage said lid and retain said lid in said closed position.",
"7. A container cap comprising:\n(a) a cap housing including container engaging means to engage said cap housing with a container;\n(b) a closure member connected to said cap housing and movable between an open position enabling access to contents of a container with which said housing is engaged and a closed position preventing access to said contents, said closure member having an outer surface facing away from said housing in said closed position and an inner surface facing generally toward said housing in said closed position;\n(c) a kicker latch including a latch wall connected to said housing to enable pivotal movement of said kicker latch relative to said housing;\n(d) a latch tab extending from said latch wall toward said closure member and positioned to engage said outer surface of said closure member in said closed position to retain said closure member in said closed position;\n(e) a kicker lever extending from said latch wall toward said closure member in spaced relation to said latch tab and positioned to engage said inner surface of said closure member in said closed position; and\n(f) said kicker latch, upon being pivoted away from said closure member, withdrawing said latch tab from retaining said closure member in said closed position and revolving said kicker lever to urge said closure member away from said closed position.",
"8. A cap as set forth in claim 7 wherein:\n(a) said kicker latch and said kicker lever are so configured and positioned that said kicker latch remains in an outwardly pivoted position after said closure member is opened thereby and said kicker lever is engaged by said closure member upon pivoting said closure member to said closed position whereby said kicker latch is pivoted toward said cap to position said latch tab in a position retaining said closure member in said closed position.",
"9. A cap as set forth in claim 7 wherein:\n(a) said cap is formed as a single piece by molding.",
"10. A cap as set forth in claim 7 wherein:\n(a) said cap is formed as a single piece by coreless injection molding.",
"11. A cap as set forth in claim 7 wherein said closure member includes:\n(a) a spout connected to said housing to enable movement between said open position and said closed position.",
"12. A cap as set forth in claim 11 wherein:\n(a) said kicker latch and said spout are so adapted that said spout is in a downwardly angled orientation from outer end to inner end in said closed position with said cap in an upright position whereby any liquid within said spout is urged to drain therefrom in said closed position.",
"13. A cap as set forth in claim 11 wherein:\n(a) said kicker latch is resiliently urged toward said closure member;\n(b) said spout has catch means formed in an outer end thereof whereby, upon pivoting said kicker latch away from said cap, said spout is urged away from said closed position and said kicker latch is resiliently urged to cause said latch tab to engage said catch means and retain said spout in an intermediate position between closed and open; and\n(c) said kicker latch is pivoted farther away from said cap to release said latch tab from said catch means and said spout is grasped to move said spout to a fully open position.",
"14. A cap as set forth in claim 13 wherein:\n(a) said latch tab and said catch means cooperate to seal said spout in said intermediate position.",
"15. A cap as set forth in claim 7 wherein said closure member is a spout connected to said housing to enable movement between said open position and said closed position, said spout having a spout passage formed therethrough and having an outer end, and said latch including:\n(a) spout plug means formed on said latch wall between said latch tab and said kicker lever, said plug means being sized and positioned to close said spout passage in said closed position of said spout.",
"16. A cap as set forth in claim 15 and including:\n(a) inner seal means positioned at an inner end of said spout opposite from said outer end, said inner seal means closing said spout passage at said inner end upon said spout being placed in said closed position.",
"17. A cap as set forth in claim 15 wherein:\n(a) said spout is elongated and has opposite sides; and\n(b) grip beads are formed along said opposite sides of said spout and facilitate gripping said spout to move same to said open position.",
"18. A cap as set forth in claim 7 wherein:\n(a) said housing includes means forming a peripheral wall;\n(b) an opening is formed in said peripheral wall and defined by opening edges;\n(c) said kicker latch is positioned in said opening;\n(d) said latch wall has latch edges facing toward said opening edges; and\n(e) snap means are formed on at least one of said opening edges and said latch edges, said snap means retaining said kicker latch in a position to retain said closure member in said closed position thereof.",
"19. A cap as set forth in claim 7 wherein:\n(a) said cap includes a depending cylindrical wall having a cylindrical axis and having said container engaging means formed thereon;\n(b) a transverse wall closes said cylindrical wall;\n(c) stub spout means extends parallel to said cylindrical axis from said transverse wall and forms spout passage means through said transverse wall;\n(d) said closure member includes a lid connected to said cylindrical wall by lid hinge means whereby said lid is in covering relation to said cylindrical wall in said closed position; and\n(e) said kicker latch is hingedly connected to said cylindrical wall in diametric opposition to said lid hinge means.",
"20. A cap as set forth in claim 19 and including:\n(a) spout plug means formed on a surface of said lid which faces said cylindrical wall in said closed position of said lid, said plug means being positioned to be sealingly received in an outer end of said spout passage means in said closed position of said lid.",
"21. A cap as set forth in claim 7 wherein:\n(a) said cap housing forms a wide mouth opening; and\n(b) said closure member closes said opening in said closed position.",
"22. A cap as set forth in claim 21 and including:\n(a) seal means formed on at least one of said cap housing or said closure member which fluidically seals said opening in said closed position.",
"23. A cap as set forth in claim 22 wherein said seal means includes:\n(a) a seal groove formed on the periphery about one of said housing opening or said closure member; and\n(b) a seal bead formed on the periphery about the other of said housing opening or said closure member, said seal groove and said seal bead being cooperatively sized and shaped whereby said seal bead is received in said seal groove in said closed position of said closure member.",
"24. A cap as set forth in claim 22 wherein said seal means includes:\n(a) a peripheral rim depending from an inner surface of said closure member which is sized and shaped to be sealingly received in said housing opening in said closed position of said closure member.",
"25. A cap as set forth in claim 21 wherein:\n(a) said housing includes an upstanding security rim extending about said housing opening which is sized and shaped to receive said closure member flushly therewithin in said closed position of said closure member.",
"26. A cap as set forth in claim 7 wherein:\n(a) said kicker latch is resiliently urged toward said closure member; and\n(b) said closure member and said latch tab have cooperating cam surfaces formed respectively thereon whereby, upon pivoting said kicker latch away from said closure member and urging same away from said closed position, the latch tab cam surface engages the closure member cam surface and urges said closure member back toward said closed position if said kicker latch is released prior to grasping said closure member and moving same a sufficient degree away from said closed position."
],
[
"1. A spooning closure for a container comprising a top, a skirt, and a locking means,\nsaid top including a fixed portion and a spooning lid pivotally hinged to the fixed portion, said spooning lid adapted to pivot from a closed position to an open dispensing position,\nsaid skirt being connected to said fixed portion and bounding said spooning lid when in the closed position, said skirt and fixed portion defining a spooning opening adapted to be covered when said spooning lid is in the closed position, and\nsaid locking means comprising a tongue extending from the spooning lid and a locking slot formed on the top side of the skirt adjacent said fixed portion, said locking slot being sized to receive and frictionally engage said tongue to releasably lock said spooning lid in a closed position, and\nsaid locking slot is defined by a pair of flexible cantilevers.",
"2. The spooning closure of claim 1 wherein said flexible cantilevers are undercut from about 3° to about 10° and biased towards the center of said locking slot and wherein the distance between said cantilever inner surfaces at their upper ends is less than the width of said tongue.",
"3. A spooning closure for a container comprising a top, a skirt, and a locking means,\nsaid top including a fixed portion and a spooning lid pivotally hinged to the fixed portion, said spooning lid adapted to pivot from a closed position to an open dispensing position,\nsaid skirt being connected to said fixed portion and bounding said spooning lid when in the closed position, said skirt and fixed portion defining a spooning opening adapted to be covered when said spooning lid is in the closed position, and\nsaid locking means comprising a tongue extending from the spooning lid and a locking slot formed on the top side of the skirt adjacent said fixed portion, said locking slot being sized to receive and frictionally engage said tongue to releasably lock said spooning lid in a closed position,\nwherein said locking slot is a pair of spaced apart extensions formed on said top wall fixed portion, said tongue being positioned and sized to frictionally fit between said extensions when said spooning lid is pivoted to said closed position, said extensions comprise inner surfaces undercut from about 3° to about 10° with the tops of said extension inner surfaces being spaced apart less than the width of said tongue, the first locking means includes a second locking means structure and has a latch projection extending in an arcuate direction on a bottom side of the spooning lid and a resilient cantilever extending in an arcuate direction adjacent an internal perimeter of the skirt, said latch extending at an acute angle from the bottom side toward a periphery of said spooning lid, and said cantilever being adapted to engage the latch projection and releasably lock the spooning lid in a closed position.",
"4. The spooning closure of claim 3 wherein a notch forms the cantilever and said cantilever is integral with an inner sealing ring which extends circumferentially around an inner sealing rim of said closure and said cantilever defines at least a portion of a spooning opening.",
"5. The spooning closure of claim 4 wherein said cantilever extends downward at an angle of from about 0° to about 15° measured from the vertical direction.",
"6. The spooning closure of claim 5 wherein said latch locking projection has an arc equal to or less than an arc of said tongue.",
"7. The spooning closure of claim 6 wherein said cantilever has a notch separating it from an end of said sealing ring and said notch has one side extending downward at an angle of from about 0° to about 30° measured from a vertical axis and an other side extending downward at an angle of from about 0° to about 60°.",
"8. The spooning closure of claim 4 wherein said notch is substantially rectangular in shape.",
"9. The spooning closure of claim 4 wherein said notch is substantially triangular in shape.",
"10. The spooning closure of claim 4 wherein the outer side of said triangular notch extends at an angle of from about 30° to about 60° measured from a horizontal direction and an inner side of said triangular notch extends at an angle of from about 0° to about 15° measured from the vertical direction.",
"11. The spooning closure of claim 1 wherein said spooning lid includes a reinforcing web on a bottom side thereof, said web having at least one arcuate locking projecting wall, at least one longitudinal wall and at least two non-longitudinal walls intersecting said longitudinal wall and connected to said locking projection wall.",
"12. The spooning closure of claim 11 wherein two web walls extend on a diagonal from said hinge to said latch projection and one web wall extends parallel to said hinge, and two arcuate walls extend from said latch to said hinge.",
"13. The spooning closure of claim 1 wherein said closure is a one-piece molded plastic closure cap.",
"14. A one-piece container closure having a top, a spooning opening defined in a portion of said top, a spooning lid pivotally hinged to said top and adapted to close said spooning opening, a releasable lock means to releasably hold said spooning lid in a closed position, and an arcuate seal latch projection extending at an acute angle from a bottom surface of the spooning lid, wherein said arcuate latch projection has an attached arcuate first end and a second arcuate free end, said spooning opening being positioned relative to said arcuate projection such that said second free end is larger than the opening, said opening being at least partially defined by a flexible cantilever extending downwardly from said top, said cantilever and said projection each extending in an arc substantially equal to the arc of the opening.",
"15. The one-piece container closure of claim 14 wherein said seal latch projection acute angle is from about 40° to about 60° and said spooning lid has a reinforcing web on the bottom surface thereof with said reinforcing web having at least one longitudinal reinforcing rib extending substantially parallel to said spooning lid hinge, said longitudinal rib extending at an acute angle of from 40° to about 60° from said underside, at least one reinforcing rib extending perpendicular to and intersecting said longitudinal rib and being attached to said arcuate projection, and at least two non-longitudinal ribs intersecting said longitudinal rib and being attached to said arcuate projection.",
"16. The one-piece container closure of claim 15 wherein a notch forms said cantilever and said cantilever is integral with an inner sealing ring which extends circumferentially around an inner sealing rim of said closure and said cantilever defines at least a portion of a spooning opening.",
"17. The one-piece container closure of claim 16 wherein said cantilever extends downward at an angle of from about 0° to about 15° measured from the vertical direction.",
"18. The one-piece container closure of claim 17 wherein said notch is substantially rectangular in shape.",
"19. The one-piece container closure of claim 18 wherein said notch is substantially triangular in shape.",
"20. The one-piece container closure of claim 19 wherein said triangular notch comprises an outer side extending at an angle of from about 30° to about 60° measured from the horizontal direction and an inner side extending at an angle of from about 0° to about 15° measured from said vertical direction.",
"21. A spooning closure for a container comprising a top, a skirt, and a locking means,\nsaid top including a fixed portion and a spooning lid pivotally hinged to the fixed portion, said spooning lid adapted to pivot from a closed position to an open dispensing position,\nsaid skirt being connected to said fixed portion and bounding said spooning lid when in the closed position, said skirt and fixed portion defining a spooning opening adapted to be covered when said spooning lid is in the closed position, and\nsaid locking means comprising a tongue extending from the spooning lid and a locking slot formed on the top side of the skirt adjacent said fixed portion, said locking slot being sized to receive and frictionally engage said tongue to releasably lock said spooning lid in a closed position,\nsaid locking slot is a pair of spaced apart cantilevers formed on said top fixed portion, said tongue being positioned and sized to frictionally fit between said cantilevers when said spooning lid is pivoted to said closed position."
],
[
"1. A closure (20, 20A) for a container that has an opening to the container interior wherein contents may be stored, said closure (20, 20A) comprising:\n(A) a body (30, 30A) that is either (a) a separate structure for being attached to said container at said opening, or (b) a structure formed as a unitary portion of said container at said opening, and wherein\nsaid closure body (30, 30A) has a deck (40) defining (i) a pour aperture (50) that can communicate with said container opening and that can accommodate pouring out of the contents through said pour aperture (50), and (ii) at least one vent aperture (60) that can communicate with said container opening and that can accommodate the in-venting of ambient atmosphere through said at least one vent aperture (60) into said container, and\nsaid closure body (30, 30A) has a pour spout (70) projecting outwardly from said deck (40) and extending at least partway around said pour aperture (50); and\n(B) a lid (32, 32A) for accommodating movement relative to said closure body (30, 30A) between (a) a closed position sealing against said closure body (30, 30A) to prevent flow of the contents outwardly of said closure body (30, 30A), and (b) an open position permitting flow of the contents outwardly of said closure body (30, 30A); and\nwherein said closure (20, 20A) is characterized in that said pour aperture (50) is elongate with its length oriented along a central axis line (A) that bisects said closure body (30) and said pour aperture (50);\nsaid pour aperture (50) has an arcuate narrow end (52′);\nsaid pour aperture (50) has a wide end (52″) that\n(i) is wider than said narrow end (52′), and\n(ii) is located closer to said at least one vent aperture (60) than is said narrow end (52′);\nsaid at least one vent aperture (60) has a maximum width as measured along a line perpendicular to said closure body central axis line (A), and said maximum width of said at least one vent aperture (60) is greater than the width of at least a portion of said pour aperture (50) as said pour aperture width is measured along a line perpendicular to said closure body central axis line (A); and\nsaid length of said pour aperture (50) is at least three time greater than the maximum width of said pour aperture (50) as the pour aperture maximum width is measured along a line perpendicular to said closure body central axis line (A).",
"2. The closure (20, 20A) in accordance with claim 1 in which the width of said pour aperture (50) continuously increases over a major portion of the length of the pour aperture (50) along said central axis line (A).",
"3. The closure (20, 20A) in accordance with claim 1 in which said wide end (52″) of said pour aperture (50) is arcuate.",
"4. The closure (20, 20A) in accordance with claim 1 in which\nsaid closure (20, 20A) includes a hinge (36) connecting said closure body (30) and lid (32); and\nsaid central axis line (A) bisects said closure body (30), hinge (36), and lid (32).",
"5. The closure (20, 20A) in accordance with claim 1 in which in which said at least one vent aperture (60) is circular and is spaced away from the nearest portion of said pour aperture (50) by an amount that is less than the diameter of said at least one vent aperture (60).",
"6. The closure (20, 20A) in accordance with claim 1 in which\nsaid at least one vent aperture (60) is further defined by a downwardly extending vent tube (62) which projects downwardly from said deck (40);\nsaid at least one vent aperture (60) is circular;\nsaid vent tube (62) is cylindrical; and\nsaid at least one vent aperture tube (62) extends below said deck (40) by a distance which is greater than the diameter of the said at least one vent aperture (60).",
"7. The closure (20, 20A) in accordance with claim 1 in which said closure body (30) further includes a pour spout (70) that extends at least partway around said pour aperture (50).",
"8. The closure (20, 20A) in accordance with claim 7 in which\nsaid pour spout (70) extends completely around said pour aperture (50) and said at least one vent aperture (60); and\nsaid lid (32) includes a spud (94) for being received inside of, and sealingly engaged with, said spout (70) when said lid (32) is closed."
],
[
"28. A blister package for a contact lens, the blister package comprising:\na body, the body comprising a handle, a well connected to the handle, and a body top surface, the well having a perimeter and an inner sidewall defining a bottom surface;\na flexible top contacting the body top surface around the perimeter of, and closing, the well, the flexible top having a peel tab and being peelable away from the body to open the well; and\na deformable slider comprising a lens support, wherein the deformable slider is a unitary or multi-layer sheet of material and disposed between the body and the flexible top, the lens support is disposed in the well and adjacent the bottom surface, and the deformable slider is configured such that, by pulling the deformable slider, the lens support is lifted away from the bottom surface, wherein the blister package is configured such that, by peeling the flexible top away from the body, the deformable slider is pulled taut and the lens support is lifted away from the bottom surface.",
"29. The blister package of claim 28, wherein the deformable slider is connected to both the flexible top and the lens support.",
"30. The blister package of claim 28, wherein the deformable slider further comprises a hinge, wherein the hinge is connected to both the flexible top and the lens support.",
"31. The blister package of claim 30, wherein the blister package is configured such that, by peeling the flexible top away from the body, the hinge is pulled taut causing the lens support to be lifted away from the bottom surface.",
"32. The blister package of claim 31, wherein the peel tab of the flexible top contacts the body on a first side of the well, the hinge is connected to the flexible top adjacent a second side of the well, the second side is opposite the first side, and the blister package is configured such that, by peeling the flexible top away from the body, the well is exposed prior to the hinge being pulled taut and pulling the flexible top in a direction from the first side to the second side causes the lens support to be lifted away from the bottom surface.",
"33. The blister package of claim 28, wherein the deformable slider is separate from the flexible top and peeling the flexible top away from the body exposes the deformable slider.",
"34. The blister package of claim 28, wherein the lens support has a circular shape and a diameter and comprises a compressible foam material.",
"35. The blister package of claim 28, wherein the deformable slider comprises a foil material.",
"36. The blister package of claim 28, wherein each of the flexible top and the deformable slider independently comprises a foil material.",
"37. The blister package of claim 28, further comprising a contact lens in the well and supported by the lens support.",
"38. A method comprising:\nplacing a contact lens into a well of a blister package, on top of a lens support of a deformable slider, the blister package comprising a body having a handle, a well connected to the handle, and a body top surface, the well having a perimeter and an inner sidewall defining a bottom surface; and\nsealing a flexible top to the body top surface to seal the well with the contact lens therein on top of the lens support, the sealing comprising sealing the flexible top such that the flexible top contacts the body top surface around the perimeter of the well and closes the well, the flexible top having a peel tab and being peelable away from the body to open the well,\nwherein the lens support is disposed in the well and adjacent the bottom surface, and the deformable slider is configured such that, by pulling the deformable slider, the lens support is lifted away from the bottom surface.",
"39. The method of claim 38, wherein the deformable slider further comprises a hinge, the hinge is connected to the both the lens support and to the flexible top, and the method further comprises pulling the pull tab to (1) peel the flexible top away from the body top surface, (2) open the well, (3) pull taut the hinge, and (4) lift the lens support away from the bottom surface.",
"40. The method of claim 38, further comprising:\nopening the blister package by peeling away the flexible top; and\npulling taut the deformable slider to lift the lens support.",
"41. The method of claim 38, wherein the deformable slider is connected to the flexible top, and the method further comprises pulling the pull tab to peel away the flexible top from the body top surface and lift the lens support away from the bottom surface."
],
[
"15. A method of opening a blister package, the blister package comprising a body and a double layer foil component, wherein\nthe body comprises a handle, a bowl, and a body top surface, the bowl being recessed from the body top surface, the handle extending away from the bowl and terminating at a distal end, and the body top surface defining a bowl perimeter sealing surface, and\nthe double layer foil component comprises a sheet of material folded upon itself and defining a seal, a flap, and a fold, the seal and the flap intersecting at the fold, wherein the seal contacts the bowl perimeter sealing surface around the perimeter of the bowl and seals the bowl, the flap is configured to be pulled away from the seal to form a pull tab, and the pull tab is configured to be pulled so that the seal can be separated from the bowl perimeter sealing surface and the bowl can be opened,\nthe method comprising:\npulling the flap toward the handle to form a pull tab extending from the body top surface; and\nthen pulling the pull tab away from the handle to separate the seal from the bowl perimeter sealing surface.",
"16. The method of claim 15, further comprising first holding the handle between a thumb and a finger of a first hand, wherein the pulling the flap comprises grabbing the flap with a thumb and finger of a second hand.",
"17. A blister package for a contact lens, the blister package comprising:\na body, the body comprising a handle, a bowl, and a body top surface, wherein the bowl has a depth, is recessed from the body top surface, and has a top opening, the body comprises a double wall of a foil material defining a sidewall and bottom of the bowl such that the bottom of the bowl is double-walled, the handle extends away from the bowl and terminates at a distal end, and the body top surface defines a perimeter sealing surface surrounding the top opening of the bowl; and\na seal contacting the perimeter sealing surface and sealing the bowl.",
"18. The blister package of claim 17, where the seal comprises a double layer foil component comprising a sheet of material folded upon itself and defining a seal portion, a flap, and a fold, the seal portion and the flap intersecting at the fold, wherein the seal portion contacts the perimeter sealing surface around the perimeter of the bowl and seals the top opening of the bowl, the flap is configured to be pulled away from the seal to form a pull tab, and the pull tab is configured to be pulled so that the seal portion can be separated from the perimeter sealing surface and the bowl can be opened.",
"19. The blister package of claim 18, wherein the entire seal portion is adhered to the body top surface, except for in an area above the bowl, and the fold contacts the body between the bowl and the distal end of the handle.",
"20. The blister package of claim 17, wherein the entire body comprises a double layer of foil material including an inner layer and an outer layer, the inner layer defining the bowl and having a top surface that defines an inner surface of the bowl, the outer layer comprising strengthening ribs and defining a bowl support indentation for receiving the bowl formed of the inner layer.",
"21. A method of forming a blister package, the blister package comprising a body and a seal, wherein\nthe body comprises a handle, a bowl, and a body top surface, the bowl having a depth, being recessed from the body top surface, and having a top opening, the body comprising a double wall of a foil material defining a sidewall and a bottom of the bowl such that the bottom of the bowl is double-walled, the handle extending away from the bowl and terminating at a distal end, and the body top surface defining a perimeter sealing surface surrounding the top opening of the bowl, and the method comprises:\nplacing a contact lens and contact lens solution in the bowl; and\nsealing the seal against the perimeter sealing surface to seal the bowl.",
"22. The method of claim 21, further comprising forming the body from a single piece of material, the forming comprising\nforming the inner body layer comprises forming the bowl in a first section of the single piece of material,\nforming the outer body layer comprises forming the bowl support indentation in a second section of the single piece of material, adjacent to the first section, and\nfolding the first section against the second section at a fold formed at an intersection between the first section and the second section, such that (1) the bowl formed in the inner body layer is received in the bowl support indentation of the outer body layer, and (2) together the inner body layer and outer body layer form a double-walled body including the double-walled bowl.",
"23. The method of claim 21, further comprising peeling the seal away from the perimeter sealing surface to open the bowl.",
"24. The blister package of claim 17, wherein the blister package further comprises a contact lens and contact lens solution in the bowl.",
"25. The blister package of claim 17, wherein the entire body comprises a double layer of foil material including an inner layer and an outer layer, the inner layer defining the bowl and having a top surface that defines an inner surface of the bowl, the outer layer comprising channels, grooves, ridges, or other strengthening features and defining a bowl support indentation for receiving the bowl formed of the inner layer.",
"26. The method of claim 21, wherein the body comprises a double wall of a foil material defining a sidewall and a bottom of the bowl such that the bottom of the bowl is double-walled."
],
[
"24. A package for a medical device or delivery system, comprising:\n(a) a first member, wherein the first member is substantially planar;\n(b) a second member comprising at least one cavity for receiving a medical device or delivery system, wherein the first and second members are opposable such that the first member covers at least the cavity of the second member;\n(c) a peripheral seal member positioned between the first member and the second member for sealing the first member to the second member at a periphery of either or both of the first member or the second member;\n(d) at least one opening formed in at least one of the first or second members;\n(e) a microbial-resistant barrier covering the at least one opening; and\n(f) a sealable member positioned between the first member and the second member and that adheres the first and second members together at a position between the at least one opening and the cavity such that when the first and second members are adhered by the sealable member the cavity is no longer in communication with the at least one opening.",
"25. The package of claim 24, wherein the barrier is formed of material selected from an antimicrobial material and a microbial impervious material.",
"26. The package of claim 25, wherein the antimicrobial material or microbial impervious material is comprised of polyolefin fibers.",
"27. The package of claim 26, wherein the polyolefin is selected from polyethylene or polypropylene.",
"28. The package of claim 26, wherein the polyolefin fibers are nonwoven.",
"29. The package of claim 24, wherein the at least one opening is formed in the first member and the barrier is attached to the first member covering the at least one opening.",
"30. The package of claim 29, further comprising a barrier seal positioned between the first member and the barrier to secure the barrier to the first member.",
"31. The package of claim 24, wherein the at least one opening is formed in the second member and the barrier is attached to the second member covering the at least one opening.",
"32. The package of claim 31, further comprising a barrier seal positioned between the second member and the barrier to secure the barrier to the second member.",
"33. The package of claim 32, wherein the barrier seal is formed of an adhesive coating.",
"34. The package of claim 24, wherein the barrier is a breathable barrier.",
"35. The package of claim 24, wherein at least one of the first member or the second member is formed of a material selected from a gas impermeable polymer and a metal foil.",
"36. The package of claim 35, wherein the metal foil is selected from an aluminum foil and a stainless steel foil.",
"37. The package of claim 24, wherein the at least one of the peripheral seal member and the sealable member is formed of an adhesive coating.",
"38. The package of claim 37, wherein the adhesive coating is selected from a heat sealable adhesive coating and a pressure sealable adhesive coating.",
"39. The package of claim 24, further including a desiccant.",
"40. The package of claim 24, wherein the cavity has a shape selected from rectangular, square, polygonal, oval, or circular.",
"41. The package of claim 24, wherein the sealable member intersects the peripheral seal at two sides of the periphery of the first and second members.",
"42. The package of claim 24, wherein the first and second members are formed of a single planar substrate and wherein the substrate is foldable along an axis between the first and second members such that the first member covers at least the cavity of the second member when the members are opposed.",
"43. A method of preparing an aseptic package containing a medical device or delivery system, comprising:\n(a) placing the medical device or delivery system in a cavity of a package comprising:\n(i) a first substantially planar member;\n(ii) a second substantially planar member comprising the cavity, wherein the first and second planar members are opposable such that the first planar member covers at least the cavity of the second planar member;\n(iii) a first seal positioned between the first planar member and the second planar member at a periphery of either or both of the first planar member or the second planar member;\n(iv) at least one opening formed in at least one of the first or second planar members;\n(v) a microbial-resistant barrier covering the at least one opening; and\n(vi) a second sealable member;\n(b) sealing the first substantially planar member to the second substantially planar member at the first seal;\n(c) hermetically sealing the sealed package; and\n(d) sealing the first planar member to the second planar member at the second seal such that the cavity is no longer in communication with the at least one opening.",
"44. The method of claim 43, further comprising removing the portion of the sealed first and second planar members containing the at least one opening.",
"45. The method of claim 43, wherein hermetically sealing includes a process selected from at least one of vacuum drying, nitrogen purging, heat drying, and terminal sterilization.",
"46. The method of claim 43, further comprising sterilizing the package after the first sealing step.",
"47. The method of claim 43, wherein the sterilizing step is selected from at least one of ethylene oxide sterilization, gamma electron-beam sterilization, and low temperature oxidative sterilization."
],
[
"1. An assembly for packaging and disposing of a needle structure, said assembly comprising:\na housing including at least one containment structure dimensioned and configured to contain a needle therein,\nsaid at least one containment structure comprising a base and a needle retaining segment,\na hinge attached to and movably interconnecting said base and said needle retaining segment between a closed orientation and an open orientation,\nsaid needle retaining segment comprising a compartment dimensioned and structured to removably retain the needle therein, concurrent to said open orientation,\nsaid compartment comprising a closed configuration at least partially defined by a side wall disposed in surrounding, enclosing relation to an interior of said compartment,\nsaid hinge including a biased construction structured to normally bias said housing in said open orientation,\nsaid open orientation comprising said needle retaining segment separated from said base and extending outwardly therefrom in a predetermined angular relation thereto,\nsaid base comprising a chamber formed therein; said closed orientation at least partially defined by said compartment disposed within said chamber, and\nsaid chamber is dimensioned and configured to enclose at least a majority of said compartment and the needle contained within said compartment, concurrent to said closed orientation.",
"2. The assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said predetermined angular relation comprises said needle retaining segment disposed outwardly from and connected to said base at an acute angle.",
"3. The assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said hinge comprises a living hinge integrally connected to said base and said needle retaining segment.",
"4. An assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said hinge is disposed at one end of said housing, and extending in transverse relation to a length of said base and said needle retaining segment.",
"5. The assembly as recited in claim 4 wherein said needle retaining segment comprises a compartment including an access opening disposed at one end thereof opposite to said hinge.",
"6. The assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said compartment is disposed and structured to segregate the needle disposed therein, from an interior of said chamber, concurrent to said closed orientation.",
"7. The assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said housing comprises, a closure structured to removably secure said base and said needle retaining segment in said closed orientation; said closure comprising a first closure segment and a second closure segment respectively connected to and movable with said base and said needle retaining segment.",
"8. The assembly as recited in claim 7 wherein each of said first and second closure segments comprises a flange extending outwardly from a corresponding one of said base and said needle retaining segment; said flanges removably secured in confronting relation to one another, concurrent to said closed orientation.",
"9. An assembly for packaging and disposing of a needle structure, said assembly comprising:\na housing including at least one containment structure dimensioned and configured to contain a needle therein,\nsaid at least one containment structure comprising a base and a needle retaining segment,\nsaid housing including a hinge movably interconnecting said base and said needle retaining segment between a closed orientation and an open orientation,\nsaid needle retaining segment comprising a compartment dimensioned and structured to removably contain the needle therein,\nsaid compartment comprising a closed configuration defined by a side wall disposed in surrounding, enclosing relation to an interior of said compartment,\nsaid base comprising a chamber formed therein; said closed orientation comprising said compartment enclosed in its entirety within said chamber,\nsaid hinge having a biased construction, extending transversely to a length of said housing, and structured to normally bias said housing in said open orientation, and\nsaid open orientation comprising at least a majority of a length of said needle retaining segment and said compartment disposed in outwardly spaced relation from one another in a needle accessible, predetermined angular orientation.",
"10. The assembly as recited in claim 9 wherein said predetermined angular relation comprises said needle retaining segment and said compartment disposed outwardly from said base at an acute angle.",
"11. The assembly as recited in claim 9 wherein said compartment comprises an access opening defined by an open end thereof disposed opposite to said hinge; said access opening dimensioned to allow passage therethrough into and out od said compartment.",
"12. The assembly as recited in claim 9 wherein said compartment is disposed and structured to segregate the needle disposed therein, from an interior of said chamber, concurrent to said closed orientation.",
"13. The assembly as recited in claim 9 further comprising a closure structured to removably secure said housing in said closed orientation; said closure comprising a first closure segment and a second closure segment each fixedly connected and movable with a different one of said base and said needle retaining segment.",
"14. The assembly as recited in claim 13 wherein each of said first and second closure segments comprises a flange extending outwardly from a corresponding one of said base and said needle retaining segment; at least two closure members each disposed on a different one of said flanges; said at least two closure members cooperatively disposed and structured to removably secure said flanges in confronting relation to one another, concurrent to said closed orientation.",
"15. The assembly as recited in claim 9 wherein said hinge is disposed at one end of said housing, in transverse relation to a length of said at least one containment structure."
],
[
"1. A package containing an ophthalmic lens in solution comprising:\na blister bowl, an ophthalmic lens and a pharmaceutical agent;\nsaid blister bowl with said pharmaceutical agent heated to an elevated temperature above room temperature;\na cover covering said blister bowl;\nwherein said blister bowl comprises a material that absorbs less than about 16% of said pharmaceutical agent; and\nwherein the material of the blister bowl is polyetherimide.",
"2. The package of claim 1 wherein the cover comprises an adhesive laminate, comprising an inner layer.",
"3. The package of claim 1 wherein said blister bowl comprises a material that absorbs less than about 10% of said pharmaceutical agent.",
"4. The package of claim 1 wherein said polyetherimide has a glass transition temperature of greater than about 220° C.",
"5. The package of claim 1 wherein said blister bowl comprises a material that absorbs between less than about 8% and about 3% of said pharmaceutical agents.",
"6. The package of claim 1 further comprising that the pharmaceutical agent is ketotifen fumarate or one of its salts.",
"7. A package containing an ophthalmic lens in solution comprising:\na blister bowl, an ophthalmic lens and a pharmaceutical agent;\nsaid blister bowl with said pharmaceutical agent heated to an elevated temperature at or above 124 C;\na cover covering said blister bowl;\nwherein said blister bowl comprises a material that absorbs less than about 16% of said pharmaceutical agent; and\nwherein the material of the blister bowl is polyetherimide.",
"8. The package of claim 7 wherein the cover comprises an adhesive laminate, comprising an inner layer.",
"9. The package of claim 7 wherein said blister bowl comprises a material that absorbs less than about 10% of said pharmaceutical agent.",
"10. The package of claim 7 wherein said polyetherimide has a glass transition temperature of greater than about 220° C.",
"11. The package of claim 7 wherein said blister bowl comprises a material that absorbs between less than about 8% and about 3% of said pharmaceutical agents.",
"12. The package of claim 7 further comprising that the pharmaceutical agent is ketotifen fumarate or one of its salts."
],
[
"1. A paper-industry article for making an outer skeleton (3) to be coupled to an inner layer (9) of thermoplastic material for making a container (2), wherein the paper-industry article (1) is obtained from the transformation of paper or cardboard into a product, wherein the container (2) comprises a bottom wall (6), a plurality of lateral walls (5) which are connected at the bottom to the bottom wall (6), and an annular perimetric flange (4) which extends outward from an upper edge of the lateral walls (5), in the container (2) the outer skeleton (3) being configured to be arranged at the perimetric flange (4), at the lateral walls (5) and at the bottom wall (6), the paper-industry article (1) comprising:\na continuous annular frame (7) configured to constitute the outer skeleton (3) of the container (2) at the perimetric flange (4) of the container (2); and\na plurality of wings (10) which extend starting from the continuous annular frame (7), each of the wings (10) being configured to constitute the outer skeleton (3) at one of the lateral walls (5) of the container (2), and at least one of the wings (10) also being configured to constitute the outer skeleton (3) also at the bottom wall (6) of the container (2).",
"2. The paper-industry article according to claim 1 wherein the paper-industry article (1) extends mainly parallel to a main plane of extension of the continuous annular frame (7).",
"3. The paper-industry article according to claim 2 wherein the continuous annular frame (7) is at least partly superposed on one or more of said wings (10) and/or wherein at least some of said wings (10) are partly superposed on each other.",
"4. The paper-industry article according to claim 2 wherein the paper-industry article (1), observed perpendicularly to the main plane of extension, has an outer profile defined by an outer portion of the continuous annular frame (7).",
"5. The paper-industry article according to claim 4 wherein said wings (10) extend at least partly from the continuous annular frame (7) inward and wherein each wing (10) is at least partly superposed on at least one of the other wings (10).",
"6. The paper-industry article according to claim 1 wherein the continuous annular frame (7) has a continuous upper surface (8) suitable for in use being coupled to the inner layer (9) of thermoplastic material of the container (2).",
"7. The paper-industry article according to claim 1 comprising at least one main sheet (13) which has an annular portion (15) which defines at least one continuous upper surface (8) of the continuous annular frame (7), wherein the annular portion (15) is also at least partly superposed on one or more of said wings (10).",
"8. The paper-industry article according to claim 4 wherein the continuous annular frame (7) has a continuous upper surface (8) suitable for in use being coupled to the inner layer (9) of thermoplastic material of the container (2).",
"9. The paper-industry article according to claim 4 comprising at least one main sheet (13) which has an annular portion (15) which defines at least one continuous upper surface (8) of the continuous annular frame (7), wherein the annular portion (15) is also at least partly superposed on one or more of said wings (10).",
"10. The paper-industry article according to claim 2 wherein said continuous annular frame (7) has an inner edge (16) and an outer edge (17), wherein the continuous annular frame (7) and at least one of said wings (10) are constituted of a single sheet of material, and wherein, alternatively, if observed perpendicularly to the main plane of extension:\nsaid at least one of said wings (10) extends inside the continuous annular frame (7) starting from the inner edge (16) of the continuous annular frame (7); or\nsaid at least one of said wings (10) extends starting from the outer edge (17) of the continuous annular frame (7), is folded under the continuous annular frame (7) around the outer edge (17) and the rest of it extends inside the continuous annular frame (7).",
"11. The paper-industry article according to claim 1 comprising a number of wings (10) equal to a number of lateral walls (5) of the container (2), and/or wherein each wing (10) comprises a main portion (11) shaped in such a way as to completely define the outer skeleton (3) at one of the lateral walls (5), and/or wherein each wing (10) has an additional portion (12) shaped in such a way as to partly define the outer skeleton (3) at the bottom wall (6).",
"12. The paper-industry article according to claim 1 wherein the paper-industry article (1) is made cardboard- or paperboard-based, and/or wherein the paper-industry article (1) has fold lines at connection zones between its operating portions intended to constitute the outer skeleton (3) respectively at the perimetric flange (4), at each of the lateral walls (5) and at the bottom wall (6), and/or wherein the paper-industry article (1) has one or more holes and/or one or more slits and/or one or more outlines, which are suitable for in use allowing the passage of air between an upper part of it and a lower part.",
"13. The paper-industry article according to claim 4 comprising a number of wings (10) equal to a number of lateral walls (5) of the container (2), and/or wherein each wing (10) comprises a main portion (11) shaped in such a way as to completely define the outer skeleton (3) at one of the lateral walls (5), and/or wherein each wing (10) has an additional portion (12) shaped in such a way as to partly define the outer skeleton (3) at the bottom wall (6).",
"14. The paper-industry article according to claim 4 wherein the paper-industry article (1) is made cardboard- or paperboard-based, and/or wherein the paper-industry article (1) has fold lines at connection zones between its operating portions intended to constitute the outer skeleton (3) respectively at the perimetric flange (4), at each of the lateral walls (5) and at the bottom wall (6), and/or wherein the paper-industry article (1) has one or more holes and/or one or more slits and/or one or more outlines, which are suitable for in use allowing the passage of air between an upper part of it and a lower part.",
"15. Use of a paper-industry article according to claim 1 for making a container (2) comprising an outer skeleton (3) and an inner layer (9) of thermoplastic material coupled to the outer skeleton (3), comprising the operating steps of:\n(a) taking the paper-industry article (1);\n(b) making the outer skeleton (3) using the paper-industry article (1);\n(c) thermoforming the inner layer (9) of thermoplastic material directly on the outer skeleton (3), thereby fixing it to the outer skeleton.",
"16. The use according to claim 15 wherein the step of making the outer skeleton (3) comprises the step of inserting the paper-industry article (1) into a female mould (19) of a thermoforming device (20), and the step of covering at least partly the lateral surfaces (22) and the bottom surface of the female mould (19) with the wings (10), and wherein the step of thermoforming the layer of thermoplastic material is carried out using the thermoforming device (20) into which the paper-industry article (1) has been inserted.",
"17. The use according to claim 16 wherein the step of covering with the wings (10) at least partly the lateral surfaces (22) and the bottom surface of the female mould (19), comprises the step of pushing the wings (10) against the female mould (19) by inserting a male-shaped shaping unit (25) into the female mould (19)."
],
[
"1. A recloseable package for holding one or more articles, the package being repeatedly configurable between a closed position and an open position, the package comprising:\na backing card having a front surface, two side edges and a bend line, the bend line dividing the backing card into a card upper portion and a card lower portion, the bend line defining an axis of rotation, the backing card defining a first plane when the package is in the closed position; and\na one piece blister adhered to the backing card and comprising a blister body and a flange extending laterally away from a periphery of the blister body, the flange having a width and terminating in a flange edge, the blister having a planar cutline located entirely within a second plane perpendicular to and intersecting the first plane at the bend line when the package is in the closed position, the cutline extending substantially continuously across the blister body, the cutline dividing the blister into a blister upper portion and a blister lower portion; the flange comprising a flange upper portion extending laterally from the blister upper portion and a flange lower portion extending laterally from the blister lower portion, the blister and the backing card defining an interior for holding the one or more articles, the flange comprising a formed hinge located on either lateral side of the blister body, each formed hinge comprising a three-dimensional contoured body extending longitudinally the width of the flange and tapering from a first end located at the flange edge to a second end located at the blister sidewall, the blister upper portion and the blister lower portion being connected at the formed hinges in both the closed and open configurations; wherein\nin the closed position, the blister upper portion is adhered to the card upper portion, the blister lower portion is adhered to the card lower portion, and the lower edge of the blister upper portion and the top edge of the blister lower portion abut along the cutline; and\nin the open position, the backing card remains intact but is in the bent position, the blister upper portion remains adhered to the card upper portion, the blister lower portion remains adhered to the card lower portion, and the lower edge of the blister upper portion and the top edge of the blister lower portion are spaced apart to allow access to the one or more articles.",
"2. The package of claim 1 wherein:\nthe blister body comprises a front face having side edges and sidewalls extending rearwardly from the side edges and terminating at the body periphery, a top wall extending rearwardly from a top edge of the front face to the body periphery, and a bottom wall extending rearwardly from a bottom edge of the front face to the body periphery.",
"3. The package of claim 1 wherein:\nthe package has an unopened configuration in which the body comprises small discontinuities along the cutline where the blister upper portion and the blister lower portion are connected to each other.",
"4. The package of claim 2 wherein:\nthe body front face comprises a first area and a domed area relatively farther from the backing card than the first area.",
"5. The package of claim 4 wherein:\nthe domed area straddles the cutline.",
"6. The package of claim 1 wherein, when the package is in the open configuration, the one or more articles are held within a portion of the interior space defined by the backing card and the blister lower portion.",
"7. The package of claim 1 wherein:\neach formed hinge further comprises two longitudinal edges coincident with the flange, the two longitudinal edges converging in the direction of the body sidewall."
],
[
"1. A blister package for a contact lens, the blister package comprising:\na body having a top surface and comprising a handle and a body dome connected to the handle, the body dome having a convex sidewall and an opposite concave sidewall; and\na seal attached to the top surface of the body, the seal having a seal top surface and comprising a seal dome having an outer convex sidewall and an inner concave sidewall, the seal sealing a volume between the convex sidewall of the body dome and the inner concave sidewall of the seal dome, the seal dome intersecting the seal top surface at an intersection, the seal dome having a diameter or other maximum dimension at the intersection, the handle having a body through-hole, the seal having a seal through-hole aligned with and a same size as the body through-hole, and the body through-hole and the seal through-hole having a through-hole diameter or other maximum dimension for at least partially accommodating the outer convex sidewall of the seal dome to permit stacking of a plurality of blister packages, wherein\nthe outer convex sidewall of the seal dome defines a blister package dome.",
"2. The blister package of claim 1, further comprising a contact lens having a concave surface positioned on the convex sidewall of the body dome.",
"3. The blister package of claim 1, wherein the through-hole diameter or other maximum dimension is the same size as the diameter or other maximum dimension of the blister package dome at the intersection.",
"4. The blister package of claim 1, wherein the diameter or other maximum dimension at the intersection forms a maximum dimension of the blister package dome, and the through-hole diameter or other maximum dimension is at least as large as the maximum dimension of the blister package dome.",
"5. The blister package of claim 1, wherein the body through-hole and the seal through-hole are circular through-holes, the circular through-holes having a diameter, the blister package dome has a diameter at the intersection, and the diameter of the circular through-holes is large enough to at least partially accommodate the blister package dome.",
"6. The blister package of claim 5, wherein the diameter of the circular through-holes is at least 50% of the diameter at the intersection.",
"7. The blister package of claim 1, wherein the seal comprises a tab extending into the seal through-hole.",
"8. The blister package of claim 7, further comprising a contact lens enclosed within the volume, and wherein the tab is marked with indicia pertaining to a prescription of the contact lens.",
"9. The blister package of claim 1, wherein the seal dome is reinforced with a layer of plastic material.",
"10. The blister package of claim 1, wherein the body comprises a plastic material and the seal comprises a plastic material.",
"11. A stack of blister packages, each blister package of the stack comprising a blister package of claim 1, wherein the body through-hole and the seal through-hole of a first of the blister packages is placed on, and at least partially around, the blister package dome of a second, adjacent, blister package of the blister packages of the stack.",
"12. The stack of blister packages of claim 11, and a container, wherein each of the blister packages has an outer circumference, the outer circumferences all have the same profile, the container has an inner circumference having a profile, and the outer circumference profiles are complementary to the profile of the inner circumference.",
"13. The stack of blister packages of claim 11, wherein adjacent blister packages of the stack are connected to one another along an edge of each such that the stack comprises a zig-zag configuration.",
"14. The blister package of claim 1, wherein the body comprises a foil material and the seal comprises a foil material.",
"15. The blister package of claim 1, wherein the body and the seal comprise foil material and the body dome is reinforced with a double layer of foil."
],
[
"1. A packaged food product comprising:\na container, wherein the container includes:\na rim;\nat least one wall extending away from the rim, wherein the at least one wall defines a storage area; and\na tool portion integral with and fixed relative to the rim, and, as packaged, extending from the rim beyond and externally away from the at least one wall and including at least one tine extending from a distal end of the tool portion; and\na food product, being a wet cat food or a wet dog food, retained within the storage area and in contact with the at least one wall, wherein the at least one wall is configured to be readily deformable by a hand of a user to reduce a volume of the storage area, and the packaged food product is configured such that reducing the volume of the storage area causes the food product to exit the storage area, with the at least one tine being configured for use in breaking up the food product after the food product is removed from the storage area.",
"2. The packaged food product of claim 1, wherein the at least one wall has a first thickness, the rim has a second thickness, and the second thickness is greater than the first thickness.",
"3. The packaged food product of claim 2, wherein the at least one wall constitutes a blow-molded wall which is integral with both the rim and the tool portion.",
"4. The packaged food product of claim 1, wherein the at least one wall includes a bottom wall and at least one sidewall, and the bottom wall and the at least one sidewall together define the storage area, with the at least one sidewall tapering inward from the rim.",
"5. The packaged food product of claim 4, wherein the at least one sidewall is tiered.",
"6. The packaged food product of claim 1, wherein the tool portion extends from the rim beyond the at least one wall by at least 1 centimeter.",
"7. The packaged food product of claim 6, wherein the tool portion of the rim extends beyond the at least one wall by at least 2 centimeters.",
"8. The packaged food product of claim 1, wherein the tool portion of the rim includes at least two spaced tines extending from the distal end.",
"9. The packaged food product of claim 1, wherein the container further includes a lid in contact with the rim, with the lid sealing the storage area.",
"10. The packaged food product of claim 1, wherein the container constitutes a first container, and the food product constitutes a first food product, the packaged food product further comprising a second container detachably connected to the first container and a second food product retained within the second container.",
"11. The packaged food product of claim 1, wherein the tine is at least partly defined by multiple straight edges.",
"12. The packaged food product of claim 11, wherein the tine is further at least partly defined by rounded corners connecting respective ones of the multiple straight edges.",
"13. The packaged food product of claim 1, wherein the rim includes a recessed region configured to be used for gripping the container while using the at least one tine for breaking up the food product after the food product is removed from the storage area.",
"14. The packaged food product of claim 4, wherein the at least one sidewall includes a protrusion configured to be used for gripping the container during dispensing of the food product.",
"15. The packaged food product of claim 9, wherein the lid is further in direct contact with the tool portion.",
"16. The packaged food product of claim 8, wherein each of the at least two spaced tines extending from the distal end is at least partly defined by two substantially parallel edges."
],
[
"1. A combination comprising a packaging and an injection device (6, 92), the packaging comprising:\na compartment (32) forming a recess configured to house the injection device therein, the compartment extending in a longitudinal direction, a depth direction, and having a variable lateral width to accommodate the injection device;\na first sidewall (54) extending in the depth direction and longitudinal direction contiguous a portion of the compartment;\na lip (56) adjoining the first sidewall and said portion of the compartment; and\na first channel (50) comprising a base (52) adjoining the first sidewall (54) and a second sidewall (55),\nwherein the first and second sidewalls are arranged within a field of the lateral width of the compartment,\nwherein the injection device has an axial length extending along a longitudinal axis and comprises a component having a lateral thickness extending in a lateral direction relative to the longitudinal axis, and\nwherein the lip is arranged at a height (h) from a base of said portion of the compartment, wherein the height (h) is in the range of from 30% to 70% of the lateral thickness of said component of the injection device such that the lip and first sidewall prevent a user from gripping said component of the injection device at said portion of the compartment when the injection device is housed in the compartment, the axial length of the injection device extending along the longitudinal direction of the compartment and the lateral thickness of the component extending in the depth direction of the compartment when the injection device is housed in the compartment.",
"2. The combination of claim 1, wherein a corresponding first sidewall and lip are arranged on an opposed side of the compartment.",
"3. The combination of claim 1, wherein corresponding first (50) and second (51) channels are arranged on opposed sides of the compartment.",
"4. The combination of claim 1, wherein the base (52) of a channel (50, 51) forms at least part of a foot (62) for abutting a support surface for supporting the packaging.",
"5. The combination of claim 1, wherein the base of the first channel and the base of the second channel are interconnected by an interconnecting region (58) to form a foot (62),\nwherein said bases and interconnecting region form a continuously planar region, the planar region overlapping and extending from an end of a housed injection device.",
"6. The combination of claim 1, wherein the first sidewall extends in the longitudinal direction between two laterally extending portions of the compartment.",
"7. The combination of claim 1, wherein at least two discrete first side walls extend contiguous a side of the compartment.",
"8. The combination of claim 7, wherein first sidewalls are arranged to prevent gripping of first (60A) and second ends (60B) of a housed injection device.",
"9. The combination of claim 2, wherein the first sidewalls each comprise an inclined planar portion extending along inclined planes (61) that intersect at an apex (63), whereby the injection device when housed in the compartment is within the bounds of the inclined planes (61).",
"10. The combination of claim 1, wherein the height (h) of the lip is in the range of from 40% to 60% of the first lateral thickness of said component of the injection device.",
"11. The combination of claim 1, wherein the component of the injection device is part of a barrel (8), a flange (14), a plunger rod (16), an actuation portion (20), a delivery member (22) or a protective cap (24).",
"12. A combination comprising a packaging and an injection device, the packaging comprising:\na compartment (32) forming a recess configured to house the injection device therein, the compartment extending in a longitudinal direction, a depth direction, and having a variable lateral width to accommodate the injection device;\na first sidewall (54) extending in the depth direction and longitudinal direction contiguous a portion of the compartment;\na lip (56) adjoining the first sidewall and said portion of the compartment; and\na first channel (50) comprising a base (52) adjoining the first sidewall (54) and a second sidewall (55),\nwherein the first and second sidewalls are arranged within a field of the lateral width of the compartment,\nwherein the lip is arranged at a height (h) from a base of said portion of the compartment, such that the lip and first sidewall prevent a user from gripping a component of the injection device at said portion of the compartment,\nwherein the compartment is arranged as part of a tray portion (26), the packaging comprising a lid portion (66) to close the compartment in a closed position, the lid portion comprising first (100A) and second recesses (100B) defining associated first and second protrusions, the protrusions being arranged in the closed position to extend on either side of a portion of the compartment, and\nthe first and second recesses of the lid portion defining a lid gripping portion therebetween for user gripping of the lid.",
"13. The combination of claim 12, wherein the component of the injection device is part of a barrel (8), a flange (14), a plunger rod (16), an actuation portion (20), a delivery member (22) or a protective cap (24)."
]
] |
in the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to aia 35 u.s.c. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-aia 35 u.s.c. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from aia to pre-aia ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
the following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 u.s.c. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this office action:
a person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
claims 1, 6 and 7 are rejected under 35 u.s.c. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by croibier et al. (us 8,801,284).
regarding claim 1, croibier discloses a blister packaging container 1 including: a container part 10 for accommodating contents therein (see fig. 1); a shoulder part 3 fixedly inserted into the inlet of the container part 10 (see figs. 2a and 2b, and col. 4, lines 35-37); and a fliptop cap comprising a cap body 32 and a cap cover 4 (see fig. 2b and col. 4, lines 44-46), wherein the cap body 32 is foldably (hinged) connected to the cap cover 4 (see figs. 2a and 2b), and wherein the cap body 32 is integrally connected with the shoulder part 3 and includes a discharge hole 34 to discharge the contents from the container part (see fig. 2b), and the cap cover 4 includes an opening and closing protrusion (pin) for insertion into the discharge hole 34 to seal the discharge hole (see fig. 2b and col. 4, lines 55-56).
regarding claim 6, croibier discloses a packaging part 15 extended from the inlet of the container part 10 to sealingly accommodate the fliptop cap therein (see figs. 1 and 4a, and col. 5, lines 61-65); and a cut-off line 16 formed on a connection portion between the container part 10 and the packaging part 15 (see figs. 1, 3a and 3b).
regarding claim 7, croibier discloses wherein the packaging part comprises an accommodation portion (notch 17, 17) in which the cap hinge 43 is accommodated (see figs. 1 and 4a), and the accommodation portion (notched portion) protrudes outwardly from a given portion (i.e. central portion) of the packaging part (see figs. 1 and 4a).
|
[
"1. A pipe branch structure comprising:\na main pipe; and\na plurality of branch couplings disposed one-to-one, at a plurality of branch positions set between both axial direction ends of the main pipe,\na cross hole being formed at each of the branch positions of the main pipe,\neach branch coupling including a tubular section attached to an outer periphery of the main pipe, a branch section formed with a passage in communication with an inside of the tubular section and configured to connect to a branch pipe, and a seal member configured to seal between the main pipe and the tubular section, the tubular section being attached to the outer periphery of the main pipe in a state in which the cross hole and the passage in the branch section are in communication with each other.",
"2. The pipe branch structure of claim 1, wherein a plurality of cross holes are formed spaced apart around a circumferential direction of the main pipe at one of the plurality of branch positions of the main pipe.",
"3. The pipe branch structure of claim 1, wherein:\nthe seal member is ring shaped, and is housed in a ring-shaped seal groove formed at an inner peripheral face of the tubular section; and\nthe cross hole includes an increasing-diameter portion with a diameter that increases on progression toward the outer periphery of the main pipe.",
"4. The pipe branch structure of claim 3, wherein a decreasing-diameter portion with an outer diameter that decreases on progression toward a leading end is formed at an axial direction end portion of the main pipe.",
"5. The pipe branch structure of claim 1, wherein an inner diameter of the tubular section is larger at an opening side of the passage formed in the tubular section than at both axial direction end portion sides of the tubular section.",
"6. The pipe branch structure of claim 5, wherein a ring-shaped communication groove is formed at an inner peripheral face of the tubular section, and an opening of the passage is formed at a bottom face of the communication groove.",
"7. The pipe branch structure of claim 2, wherein:\nthe seal member is ring shaped, and is housed in a ring-shaped seal groove formed at an inner peripheral face of the tubular section; and\nthe cross hole includes an increasing-diameter portion with a diameter that increases on progression toward the outer periphery of the main pipe.",
"8. The pipe branch structure of claim 7, wherein a decreasing-diameter portion with an outer diameter that decreases on progression toward a leading end is formed at an axial direction end portion of the main pipe.",
"9. The pipe branch structure of claim 2, wherein an inner diameter of the tubular section is larger at an opening side of the passage formed in the tubular section than at both axial direction end portion sides of the tubular section.",
"10. The pipe branch structure of claim 9, wherein a ring-shaped communication groove is formed at an inner peripheral face of the tubular section, and an opening of the passage is formed at a bottom face of the communication groove.",
"11. The pipe branch structure of claim 3, wherein an inner diameter of the tubular section is larger at an opening side of the passage formed in the tubular section than at both axial direction end portion sides of the tubular section.",
"12. The pipe branch structure of claim 11, wherein a ring-shaped communication groove is formed at an inner peripheral face of the tubular section, and an opening of the passage is formed at a bottom face of the communication groove.",
"13. The pipe branch structure of claim 4, wherein an inner diameter of the tubular section is larger at an opening side of the passage formed in the tubular section than at both axial direction end portion sides of the tubular section.",
"14. The pipe branch structure of claim 13, wherein a ring-shaped communication groove is formed at an inner peripheral face of the tubular section, and an opening of the passage is formed at a bottom face of the communication groove.",
"15. The pipe branch structure of claim 7, wherein an inner diameter of the tubular section is larger at an opening side of the passage formed in the tubular section than at both axial direction end portion sides of the tubular section.",
"16. The pipe branch structure of claim 15, wherein a ring-shaped communication groove is formed at an inner peripheral face of the tubular section, and an opening of the passage is formed at a bottom face of the communication groove.",
"17. The pipe branch structure of claim 8, wherein an inner diameter of the tubular section is larger at an opening side of the passage formed in the tubular section than at both axial direction end portion sides of the tubular section.",
"18. The pipe branch structure of claim 17, wherein a ring-shaped communication groove is formed at an inner peripheral face of the tubular section, and an opening of the passage is formed at a bottom face of the communication groove."
] |
US20220275897A1
|
KR20170037212A
|
[
"8. The method of claim 7,\nA connecting tube having a second flange formed to be able to abut the first flange;\nA seal configured to allow relative rotation between the branch tube and the coupling tube while sealing the first flange and the second flange and to seal between the first flange and the second flange; And\nAn elastic body part which is opened at one side to be opened by an external force and elastically disengaged so as to be brought into contact with the outer circumferential surface of the branch tube and the connection tube; and a second flange which restrains the first flange and the second flange, And a swivel stopper formed on the elastic body portion so as to limit a spread between the first flange and the second flange.",
"9. The method of claim 8,\nThe sealing portion\nAn elongated insert formed integrally with the second flange and adapted to be inserted into the first flange; And\nAnd an O-ring fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the extension insertion portion.",
"9. The method of claim 8,\nWherein the elastic body portion is integrally formed by a band-shaped metal.",
"11. The method of claim 10,\nThe elastic body portion\nA band portion formed in an arcuate shape so as to cover the branch tube and the connection tube, and having one side opened;\nA hinge-like portion bent at at least one position of the band portion so as to increase a deflection angle due to an external force of the band portion; And\nAnd a guide portion formed at both open ends of the band portion.",
"9. The method of claim 8,\nIn the quick clamp,\nFurther comprising a reinforcing feature formed to reinforce the resilient body portion so as to support a pressure in a direction in which the first flange and the second flange extend.\nThe method according to claim 1,\nA first branched branch pipe unit disposed at an outer side of the supply pipe and having one end inserted into a first main branch pipe unit of the first branch pipe unit which is one of the plurality of branch pipe unit, Further comprising a jointing tube formed to be insertable into the second main tube portion of the unit."
] |
[
[
"1. In a sprayer having a boom frame, a spray assembly mounted to the boom frame comprising:\nat least one feed pipe operationally coupled to a spray material supply;\nat least one spray pipe having a unitary tubular body including an internal passageway extending along a first axis between opposite ends, the tubular body having at least one facial feed opening formed in the tubular body between the ends and opening about a second axis at an inclined angle to the first axis and having at least one facial nozzle opening formed in the tubular body between the ends; and\nat least one saddle fitting mounted to the tubular body of the at least one spray pipe and to the at least one feed pipe, the at least one saddle fitting defining a first passageway extending along the first axis and receiving the tubular body and including a saddle fitting opening defining a second passageway extending along the second axis, wherein the saddle fitting opening is in registration with the at least one facial feed opening and is configured to transfer spray material from the at least one feed pipe;\nat least one nozzle coupled to the tubular body of the at least one spray pipe at the at least one facial nozzle opening and in communication with the first and second passageways, and\nan aspirator at least in part received within and extending into an open end of the tubular body of the at least one spray pipe.",
"2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one nozzle is mounted to the tubular body of the at least one spray pipe at the at least one facial nozzle opening, wherein the at least one facial nozzle opening opens about a third axis having an angular position about the first axis dependent upon an angular position of the second axis.",
"3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein there are a plurality of nozzles mounted to the tubular body of the at least one spray pipe at a plurality of facial nozzle openings in the tubular body spaced apart along the first axis.",
"4. The assembly of claim 1, further including a connector pipe extending along the second axis and coupled to the at least one feed pipe and the tubular body of the at least one spray pipe.",
"5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the aspirator has an elongated body disposed within the tubular body of the at least one spray pipe and a head extending outside of the tubular body of the at least one spray pipe, and\nwherein the head has a facial opening in communication with an internal passageway located within the elongated body and extending from the head and through the elongated body.",
"6. The assembly of claim 5, wherein the internal passageway has a converging section narrowing in a direction toward the head of the aspirator, wherein the converging section is located within the elongated body.",
"7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the internal passageway follows a bend such that an end section of the internal passageway leading from the facial opening in the head extends at an angle to the converging section.",
"8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one saddle fitting is split in along the first axis so that the first passageway is defined by a first fitting part that couples to a second fitting part, wherein one of the first fitting part and the second fitting part includes a pipe section defining the saddle fitting opening, the pipe section configured to extend into the at least one facial feed opening.",
"9. The assembly of claim 1, further including at least one seal disposed about the at least one facial feed opening between the at least one saddle fitting and the tubular body of the at least one spray pipe.",
"10. A sprayer, comprising:\na boom frame;\nat least one spray assembly mounted to the boom frame, including:\nat least one feed pipe operationally coupled to a spray material supply;\nat least one spray pipe having a unitary tubular body including an internal passageway extending along a first axis between opposite ends, the tubular body having at least one facial feed opening formed in the tubular body between the ends and opening about a second axis at an inclined angle to the first axis and having at least one facial nozzle opening formed in the tubular body between the ends;\nat least one saddle fitting mounted to the tubular body of the at least one spray pipe and to the at least one feed pipe, the at least one saddle fitting defining a first passageway extending along the first axis and receiving the tubular body and including a saddle fitting opening defining a second passageway extending along the second axis, wherein the saddle fitting opening is in registration with the at least one facial feed opening and is configured to transfer spray material from the at least one feed pipe;\nat least one nozzle coupled to the tubular body of the at least one spray pipe at the at least one facial nozzle opening and in communication with the first and second passageways; and\nan aspirator at least in part received within and extending into an open end of the tubular body of the at least one spray pipe.",
"11. The sprayer of claim 10, wherein the tubular body of the at least one spray pipe has a plurality of facial nozzle openings that each open about a third axis having an angular position about the first axis dependent upon an angular position of the second axis.",
"12. The sprayer of claim 11, wherein there are a plurality of nozzles mounted to the tubular body of the at least one spray pipe at the plurality of facial nozzle openings in the tubular body spaced apart along the first axis.",
"13. The sprayer of claim 10, wherein the aspirator has an elongated body disposed within the tubular body and a head extending outside of the tubular body, and\nwherein the head has a facial opening in communication with an internal passageway extending from the head and through the elongated body.",
"14. The sprayer of claim 13, wherein the internal passageway has a converging section narrowing in a direction toward the head of the aspirator, wherein the converging section is located within the elongated section.",
"15. The sprayer of claim 10, wherein the at least one saddle fitting is split along the first axis so that each first passageway is defined by a first fitting part that couples to a second fitting part, wherein one of the first fitting part and the second fitting part includes a pipe section defining the saddle fitting opening, the pipe section configured to extend into the at least one facial feed opening.",
"16. The sprayer of claim 10, wherein each spray assembly further includes at least one seal disposed about the at least one facial feed opening between the at least one saddle fitting and the tubular body of the at least one spray pipe.",
"17. The sprayer of claim 10, wherein each spray assembly further includes a A connector pipe extending along the second axis and coupled to the at least one feed pipe and the tubular body of the at least one spray pipe.",
"18. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the internal passageway extends from the aspirator facial opening, through the head of the aspirator, and through the aspirator body and each of the at least one facial feed opening and the at least one facial nozzle opening are formed in an arcuate, circumferential face of the unitary tubular body."
],
[
"2. A localized product injection interface comprising:\nan interface body configured for coupling with a boom tube, the interface body configured to mix a carrier fluid and an injection product to form an agricultural product and provide the agricultural product for spray application, the interface body houses:\na carrier fluid fitting configured to couple with a carrier fluid passage of the boom tube;\nan injection product fitting configured to couple with an injection product passage of the boom tube;\nan injection control valve in communication with the injection product fitting, the injection control valve is configured to control an injection flow rate of the injection product; and\na mixing chamber in communication with the carrier fluid fitting and the injection control valve, the mixing chamber is configured to mix the injection product at the injection flow rate with the carrier fluid from the carrier fluid fitting in the interface body and provide the agricultural product; and\na nozzle assembly in communication with the mixing chamber, and the nozzle assembly is configured to spray the agricultural product.",
"3. The localized product injection interface of claim 2 comprising a control unit in communication with the injection control valve, and the control unit is configured to control concentration of the injection product in the carrier fluid with control of the injection flow rate by the injection control valve.",
"4. The localized product injection interface of claim 3, comprising a carrier control valve in communication with the carrier fluid fitting and the mixing chamber, and the control unit is in communication with the carrier control valve; and the\ncontrol unit is configured to control a carrier flow rate of the carrier fluid with the carrier control valve.",
"5. The localized product injection interface of claim 3 comprising one or more sensors configured to measure characteristics of one or more of the injection product or the carrier fluid, the one or more sensors in communication with the control unit.",
"6. The localized product injection interface of claim 5, wherein the one or more sensors include one or more of flow meters or pressure transducers coupled with one or more of the injection product fitting or the carrier fluid fitting.",
"7. The localized product injection interface of claim 3 comprising a concentration sensor proximate to the nozzle assembly, the concentration sensor configured to measure concentration of the injection product in the agricultural product.",
"8. The localized product injection interface of claim 2, wherein the interface body is configured for:\ndownstream coupling with a carrier fluid system and at least one injection product system; and\nlocal coupling upstream relative to the nozzle assembly.",
"9. The localized product injection interface of claim 2, wherein the mixing chamber is interposed between the nozzle assembly and each of the carrier fluid fitting and the injection product fitting.",
"10. The localized product injection interface of claim 2, wherein the interface body includes an interface clamp configured to:\nclose around the boom tube;\ninterfit the carrier fluid fitting with the carrier fluid passage; and\ninterfit the injection product fitting with the injection product passage.",
"11. The localized product injection interface of claim 10, wherein the interface body includes an input face having the carrier fluid fitting and the injection product fitting extending along the input face; and wherein closing of the interface clamp is configured to interfit the carrier fluid fitting and the injection product fitting along the interface clamp with the carrier fluid passage and the injection product passage, respectively.",
"12. A localized product injection interface comprising:\nan interface body configured for coupling with a boom tube, the interface body configured to mix a carrier fluid and an injection product to form an agricultural product and provide the agricultural product for spray application, the interface body houses:\na carrier fluid fitting configured to couple with a carrier fluid passage of the boom tube;\nan injection product fitting configured to couple with an injection product passage of the boom tube;\nan injection control valve in communication with the injection product fitting, the injection control valve is configured to control an injection flow rate of the injection product;\na carrier control valve in communication with the carrier fluid fitting, and the carrier control valve is configured to control a carrier flow rate of the carrier fluid; and\na mixing chamber in communication with the carrier control valve and the injection control valve, the mixing chamber is configured to mix the injection product at the injection flow rate with the carrier fluid at the carrier flow rate in the interface body and provide the agricultural product;\na control unit in communication with the injection control valve and the carrier control valve, the control unit is configured to control each of the injection flow rate and the carrier fluid control rate; and\na nozzle assembly in communication with the mixing chamber, and the nozzle assembly is configured to spray the agricultural product.",
"13. The localized product injection interface of claim 12 comprising one or more sensors configured to measure characteristics of one or more of the injection product or the carrier fluid, the one or more sensors in communication with the control unit.",
"14. The localized product injection interface of claim 13, wherein the one or more sensors include one or more of flow meters or pressure transducers coupled with one or more of the injection product fitting or the carrier fluid fitting.",
"15. The localized product injection interface of claim 12 comprising a concentration sensor proximate to the nozzle assembly, the concentration sensor configured to measure concentration of the injection product in the agricultural product.",
"16. The localized product injection interface of 15, wherein the control unit is configured to control the injection flow rate of the injection control valve based on the measured concentration of the injection product.",
"17. The localized product injection interface of claim 12, wherein the injection product fitting includes at least first and second injection product fittings configured to couple with first and second injection product passages of the injection product passage; and\nthe injection control valve includes a first injection control valve in communication with the first injection product fitting and a second injection control valve in communication with the second injection product fitting.",
"18. The localized product injection interface of claim 17, wherein the control unit is in communication with each of the first and second injection control valves, and the control unit is configured to control each of first and second injection flow rates.",
"19. The localized product injection interface of claim 18 comprising the injection product, and the injection product includes first and second injection products that are different.",
"20. The localized product injection interface of claim 12, wherein the mixing chamber is interposed between the nozzle assembly and each of the carrier fluid fitting and the injection product fitting.",
"21. The localized product injection interface of claim 12, wherein the interface body includes an interface clamp configured to:\nclose around the boom tube;\ninterfit the carrier fluid fitting with the carrier fluid passage; and\ninterfit the injection product fitting with the injection product passage.",
"22. The localized product injection interface of claim 12, wherein the interface body includes an input face having the carrier fluid fitting and the injection product fitting extending along the input face; and wherein closing of the interface clamp is configured to interfit the carrier fluid fitting and the injection product fitting along the interface clamp with the carrier fluid passage and the injection product passage, respectively."
],
[
"1. A method of adapting a nozzle assembly to a first fluid pipe or a second fluid pipe, the nozzle assembly comprising a lower clamp, a first upper clamp, a second upper clamp, a seal, an adapter and a stem, the method comprising:\nselecting one of the first upper clamp shaped to at least conform to and engaged with the first fluid pipe and the second upper clamp shaped to at least conform to the second fluid pipe;\nselecting the adapter, the seal and the lower clamp, wherein the adapter includes a lower surface shaped complementary to, and mounted in engagement with, a clamping surface of the lower clamp; wherein the seal being received on the stem and separable from the adapter; inserting the stem into a receiver positioned in the lower clamp, wherein the stem includes an interior rib oriented in a direction of travel of the nozzle assembly during a spraying operation; and coupling the first upper clamp and the lower clamp with the first fluid pipe or coupling the second upper clamp and the adapter and lower clamp with the second fluid pipe, wherein a diameter of the second fluid pipe is smaller than a diameter of the first fluid pipe.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein a clamping surface of the first upper clamp in contact with the first fluid pipe has a radius of curvature substantially the same as the clamping surface of the lower clamp in contact with the first fluid pipe.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein a clamping surface of the second upper clamp in contact with the second fluid pipe has a radius of curvature substantially the same as a clamping surface of the adapter in contact with the second fluid pipe.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein the nozzle assembly further comprises the seal positioned between the stem and the first fluid pipe or the second fluid pipe.",
"5. A method of adapting a nozzle assembly from a first fluid pipe to a second fluid pipe, the first fluid pipe having a larger diameter than the second fluid pipe, the nozzle assembly comprising a lower clamp, a first upper clamp, and a stem positioned in a receiver located in the lower clamp, the method comprising:\na) decoupling the first upper clamp from the lower clamp, the first upper clamp and the lower clamp configured for cooperatively engaging the first fluid pipe;\nb) removing the lower clamp from the first fluid pipe, which includes removing the stem from a fluid outlet of the first fluid pipe and removing the stem from the receiver of the lower clamp;\nc) inserting an adapter into the lower clamp, inserting a second stem in the adapter, and orienting an interior rib of the second stem in the direction of travel of the nozzle assembly during a spraying operation, wherein the adapter is configured for cooperatively engaging the second fluid pipe;\nd) coupling the lower clamp to the second fluid pipe including inserting the second stem into a fluid outlet of the second fluid pipe; and\ne) coupling a second upper clamp in place of the first upper clamp, the second upper clamp configured for cooperatively engaging the second fluid pipe and the lower clamp.",
"6. The method of claim 5, further comprising inserting the second stem into the receiver through the adapter.",
"7. The method of claim 5, wherein a clamping surface of the first upper clamp in contact with the first fluid pipe has a radius of curvature substantially the same as a clamping surface of the lower clamp in contact with the first fluid pipe.",
"8. The method of claim 5, wherein a clamping surface of the second upper clamp in contact with the second fluid pipe has a radius of curvature substantially the same as a clamping surface of the adapter in contact with the second fluid pipe.",
"9. The method of claim 5, wherein the nozzle assembly further comprises a seal positioned between the stem and the first fluid pipe.",
"10. The method of claim 5, including inserting an end section of the second stem into a fluid outlet of the second fluid pipe having a pre-selected diameter.",
"11. A method of adapting a nozzle assembly to a first fluid pipe or a second fluid pipe, the nozzle assembly comprising a lower clamp, a first upper clamp, a second upper clamp, a seal an adapter and a stem, the method comprising:\nselecting one of the first upper clamp shaped to at least conform to and engaged with the first fluid pipe and the second upper clamp shaped to at least conform to the second fluid pipe;\nselecting the adapter, the seal and the lower clamp, wherein the adapter includes a lower surface shaped complementary to, and mounted in engagement with, a clamping surface of the lower clamp, the seal being received on the stem and separable from the adapter and the stem includes an interior rib oriented in a direction of travel of the nozzle assembly during a spraying operation; and\ncoupling the first upper clamp and the lower clamp with the first fluid pipe or coupling the second upper clamp and the adapter and lower clamp with the second fluid pipe, wherein a diameter of the second fluid pipe is smaller than a diameter of the first fluid pipe."
],
[
"1. An o-ring-less low profile fitting assembly, comprising:\nan o-ring-less low profile fitting having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end of said o-ring-less low profile fitting has a rim, wherein said rim is deformable, wherein said o-ring-less low profile fitting is made of a single piece of material; and\na low profile locking nut pressing down said o-ring-less low profile fitting into a recess area inside a receiving hole machined out of a manifold and deforming said rim of said first end to complete a seal between said o-ring-less low profile fitting and said manifold, wherein said first end of said o-ring-less low profile fitting is structured to mate with said recess area inside said receiving hole, wherein said manifold is made of a first material, wherein said o-ring-less low profile fitting is made of a second material, wherein said second material has higher compressibility than said first material, wherein said low profile locking nut has a first end, a second end, and a male threaded portion, and wherein said male threaded portion of said low profile locking nut is structured to mate with a female threaded portion of said receiving hole.",
"2. The o-ring-less low profile fitting assembly of claim 1, wherein said first end of said o-ring-less low profile fitting has a fitting seal surface structured to mate with a receiving seal surface of said receiving hole.",
"3. The o-ring-less low profile fitting assembly of claim 2, wherein said o-ring-less low profile fitting further comprises a thru hole, wherein said fitting seal surface is defined by a first diameter of said rim and a second diameter of said thru hole and wherein said fitting seal surface slopes from said rim to said thru hole.",
"4. The o-ring-less low profile fitting assembly of claim 3, wherein said fitting seal surface has a plurality of points interfacing said thru hole and wherein said plurality of points are structured to touch said manifold before a portion of said rim touches said manifold.",
"5. The o-ring-less low profile fitting assembly of claim 1, wherein said second end of said o-ring-less low profile fitting is structured for receiving or fitting into a tubular connection.",
"6. The o-ring-less low profile fitting assembly of claim 5, wherein said tubular connection is a fluid connection or a filter connection.",
"7. The o-ring-less low profile fitting assembly of claim 1, wherein said o-ring-less low profile fitting has a first protuberance and a second protuberance.",
"8. The o-ring-less low profile fitting assembly of claim 7, wherein a difference between diameters of said first protuberance and said second protuberance allows said low profile locking nut to slide over said second protuberance and be stopped by said first protuberance.",
"9. The o-ring-less low profile fitting assembly of claim 1, wherein said first end of said low profile locking nut has a flat surface with one or more holes.",
"10. The o-ring-less low profile fitting assembly of claim 1, wherein said second end of said low profile locking nut has two different inner diameters and a stopper inside said second end, and wherein said stopper is defined by said two different inner diameters for catching a protuberance of said o-ring-less low profile fitting.",
"11. An o-ring-less low profile fitting, comprising:\na thru hole;\na first end having\na rim having a first inner diameter, wherein said rim is deformable and wherein said thru hole has a second inner diameter;\na fitting seal surface defined by said first inner diameter of said rim and said second diameter of said thru hole, wherein said fitting seal surface slopes from said rim to said thru hole; and\na first protuberance supporting said fitting seal surface and having a first outer diameter;\na second protuberance supporting said second end and having a second outer diameter, wherein said second outer diameter is structured to pass through a bore of a low profile locking nut and wherein said first-protuberance is structured to abut a portion of said low profile locking nut.",
"12. The o-ring-less low profile fitting of claim 11, wherein said rim has a higher compressibility than said low profile locking nut.",
"13. The o-ring-less low profile fitting of claim 11, wherein said first end is structured to mate with a bottom portion of a receiving hole machined out of a manifold having a lower compressibility than said o-ring-less low profile fitting.",
"14. The o-ring-less low profile fitting of claim 13, wherein said fitting seal surface is structured to mate with a receiving seal surface inside said receiving hole, and wherein pressing down said fitting seal surface of said o-ring-less low profile fitting causes the fitting seal surface to mate with said receiving seal surface inside said receiving hole and deforms said rim of said first end to fill gaps at said bottom portion of said receiving hole and completes a seal between said o-ring-less low profile fitting and said manifold.",
"15. The o-ring-less low profile fitting of claim 14, wherein said fitting seal surface has a plurality of points interfacing said thru hole and wherein said plurality of points are structured to touch said manifold before a portion of said rim touches said manifold.",
"16. The o-ring-less low profile fitting of claim 13, wherein said second end is structured for receiving or fitting into a tubular connection.",
"17. The o-ring-less low profile fitting of claim 16, wherein said tubular connection is a fluid connection or a filter connection.",
"18. The o-ring-less low profile fitting of claim 13, wherein said o-ring-less low profile fitting is made of a single piece of material."
],
[
"1. A system comprising:\na plurality of fluid pipe lengths in flow communication formed from a CPVC composition;\na first type of mechanical fixture, wherein the first type of mechanical fixture comprises a coupling device operative to sealingly engage at least one pair of the plurality of pipe lengths in close end to end relationship without the use of solvent cement; and\nwherein the coupling device includes a resilient annular seal comprised of a material chemically compatible with the CPVC composition, and wherein each of the pipe lengths of the at least one pair includes a continuous annular groove formed in the pipe wall at a predetermined distance from an end thereof, wherein the portion of the pipe wall on each pipe length between the pipe end and the groove comprises a sealing surface, and wherein the resilient annular seal is engaged with the sealing surfaces of the one pair of grooved pipe lengths; and\nwherein the coupling device comprises:\na pair of coupling segments, wherein each coupling segment comprises an arcuate body having a first end, a second end, an interior concave surface extending between the first end and the second end, and a longitudinal channel extending along the concave surface; and\nat least one mechanical fastener operative to detachably connect the pair of coupling segments;\nwherein when the coupling device is assembled, the resilient annular seal extends within the longitudinal channel of each segment;\na second type of mechanical fixture, wherein the second type of mechanical fixture comprises a branching device operative to sealingly engage a main pipe length and a branch pipe length in close perpendicular relationship at a branch location without the use of solvent cement, wherein the pipe wall of the main pipe length includes an orifice therethrough at the branch location; and\nwherein the branching device includes a resilient sealing member comprised of a material chemically compatible with the CPVC composition, and wherein a sealing surface of the resilient sealing member is engaged with the main pipe length in a sealing area immediately about the orifice.",
"2. The system of claim 1 wherein the branching device includes:\nopposed first and second arcuate sections defining a cylindrical space therebetween embracing the pipe wall of the main pipe length, the first arcuate section including a concave saddle surface generally corresponding to the outer circumference of the main pipe length, a branch pipe opening dimensioned to overlay the orifice, a spigot wall surrounding the branch pipe opening wherein the spigot wall includes a contoured lip, and a sealing recess encircling the spigot wall wherein the sealing recess is open at the saddle surface; and\nat least one mechanical fastener operative to detachably connect the opposed arcuate sections;\nwherein the resilient sealing member is seated within the sealing recess.",
"3. The system of claim 2 wherein the resilient sealing member includes at least one key projection and the sealing recess includes at least one cooperating key recess operative to orient the resilient sealing member within the sealing recess.",
"4. The system of claim 3 wherein each arcuate segment of the coupling device includes limiting surfaces operative as a compression-limiting mechanism to prevent over-compression of each of the pair of CPVC pipe lengths.",
"5. The system of claim 4 wherein the first and second arcuate sections of the branching device include limiting surfaces operative as a compression-limiting mechanism to prevent over-compression of the CPVC main pipe length.",
"6. The system of claim 5 wherein, when assembled, the coupling device and the at least one pair of pipe lengths comprise a first pipe fitting assembly, wherein the first pipe fitting assembly is operative to pass a first predetermined testing protocol.",
"7. The system of claim 6 wherein, when assembled, the branching device, the main pipe length, and the branch pipe length comprise a second pipe fitting assembly, wherein the second pipe fitting assembly is operative to pass a second predetermined testing protocol.",
"8. The system of claim 7 wherein the plurality of fluid pipe lengths includes at least one vertical riser formed of CPVC composition, and wherein the system further comprises:\na third type of mechanical fixture, wherein the third type of mechanical fixture comprises a support device operative to supportingly engage the at least one vertical riser, wherein the support device comprises a pair of substantially identical band elements, wherein each band element includes an arcuate section operative to embrace the wall of the riser throughout nearly 180 E, a flange having a generally planar flange surface having an opening therethrough for reception of a mechanical fastener extending from a first end of the arcuate section, and an arm extension disposed at the other end of the arcuate section, the arm extension including an opening therethrough for reception of another mechanical fastener, wherein, when assembled, the flange surface and the arm extension of opposed band elements are operative as a compression-limiting mechanism to prevent compression of the CPVC riser beyond predetermined compression limits.",
"9. The system of claim 8 wherein the vertical riser pipe length has a diameter of between about 2 inches and about 4 inches.",
"10. The system of claim 9 wherein the second arcuate section of the branching device is substantially similar in construction to the first arcuate section, wherein the branch device is operative to sealingly engage the main pipe length and a second branch pipe length in close perpendicular relationship at a second branch location, wherein the pipe wall of the main pipe length includes a second orifice therethrough at the second branch location diametrically opposed to the first branch location.",
"11. The system of claim 10 operative under a continuous pressure of at least about 375 psig @ 150° F. for 1000 hours without fluid leakage.",
"12. The system of claim 11 further comprising:\na plurality of fire sprinkler heads in flow communication with the plurality of fluid pipe lengths.",
"13. A method comprising:\na) forming a system of pipe lengths in flow communication, wherein the pipe lengths are formed of a CPVC composition, including:\ni) reversibly sealingly engaging at least one pair of pipe lengths in close end to end relationship with a first type of mechanical fixture without the use of solvent cement; and\nii) reversibly sealingly engaging at least one main pipe length comprising a CPVC composition in close perpendicular relationship with at least one branch pipe length at a branch location with a second type of mechanical fixture without the use of solvent cement; and\nb) subjecting at least one first pipe fitting assembly comprising the at least one pair of pipe lengths and the first type of mechanical fixture to a first predetermined testing protocol: and\nc) subjecting at least a second pipe fitting assembly comprising the at least one main pipe length, the at least one branch pipe, and the second type of mechanical fixture to a second predetermined testing protocol.",
"14. The method of claim 13 wherein in (a)(i) sealingly engaging the at least one pair of pipe lengths includes:\nforming a continuous annular groove in a pipe wall of each of the pipe lengths a predetermined distance from a respective end thereof, wherein a portion of the pipe wall on each pipe length between the pipe end and the groove comprises a sealing surface;\npositioning a resilient annular seal onto the sealing surfaces of one adjacent pair of grooved pipe lengths, wherein the resilient annular seal comprises material chemically compatible with the CPVC composition; and\npositioning a pair of coupling segments about the resilient annular seal such that the seal is seated in a longitudinal channel of each coupling segment.",
"15. The method of claim 14 wherein in (a)(ii) sealingly engaging the at least one main pipe length with the branch pipe length includes:\nforming an orifice in the main pipe length at the branch location;\nembracing the pipe wall of the main pipe length at the branch location with a branching device, wherein the branching device includes:\na first arcuate section, wherein the first arcuate section includes a concave saddle surface generally corresponding to the outer circumference of the main pipe length, a branch pipe opening dimensioned to extend in the orifice, a spigot wall surrounding the branch pipe opening wherein the spigot wall terminates inwardly at a contoured lip generally corresponding to the saddle surface contour, and a sealing recess encircling the spigot wall wherein the sealing recess is open at the saddle wall and terminates in the direction of the branch pipe;\na second arcuate section having a surface operative to embrace the main pipe length;\na resilient sealing member positioned in the sealing recess, wherein the sealing member is annularly engaged with the pipe length about the orifice, and wherein the resilient sealing member is chemically compatible with the CPVC piping; and\nat least one mechanical fastener operative to engage the first arcuate section with the second arcuate section; and\nreceiving a branch pipe length in the branch pipe opening.",
"16. The method of claim 15 wherein in (a) forming the system of pipe lengths further comprises:\niii) supporting a vertical riser formed of a CPVC composition with a third type of mechanical fixture, wherein the vertical riser is in flow communication with the at least one main pipe length.",
"17. A method comprising:\na) taking a region of a fire sprinkler system off-line, wherein the fire sprinkler system comprises a network of existing pipe lengths comprising CPVC;\nb) modifying the fire sprinkler system by connecting at least one additional pipe length comprising CPVC in flow communication with at least a portion of an existing pipe length using at least one mechanical fixture; wherein modifying the fire sprinkler system includes replacing a section of the existing pipe length by:\n(b)(i) square cutting the existing pipe length to remove the section to be replaced and to provide at least a first pipe end;\n(b)(ii) cutting an annular groove in the pipe wall of the existing pipe length a predetermined distance form the pipe end;\n(b)(iii) providing a second pipe length having an annular groove in the pipe wall a predetermined distance from an end thereof;\n(b)(iv) sealingly engaging the existing pipe length and the second pipe length in close end to end relationship with the at least one mechanical fixture, wherein the at least one mechanical fixture is a coupling device; and further modifying the fire sprinkler system by providing a branch pipe line by:\n(b)(v) cutting an orifice in a main pipe length at a branch location;\n(b)(vi) encasing the main pipe length with the at least one mechanical fixture at the branch location, wherein the mechanical fixture is a branching device operative to sealingly engage the main pipe length about the orifice; and\n(b)(vii) receiving a branch pipe length into an outlet opening in the mechanical branching fixture, wherein the branch pipe length is disposed substantially perpendicularly to the main pipe length; and\nc) returning the region of the fire sprinkler system to an on-line condition."
],
[
"1. A mechanical branch outlet comprising:\na housing defining:\nan outer surface;\nan inner surface; and\nan outlet bore extending between the outer surface and the inner surface; and\nan insert configured to be formed from a tubular member defining a first end and a second end, the tubular member defining a constant wall thickness from the first end to the second end, the insert defining:\na wall defining a thickness equal to the wall thickness of the tubular member;\nan axis;\na rim extending radially outward from the wall with respect to the axis, the rim being a flange;\na first end extending from the rim in a first axial direction aligned with the axis; and\na second end extending from the rim in a second axial direction opposite from the first axial direction; the first end received fully within the outlet bore of the housing; the outlet bore of the housing configured to slidably receive the second end and retain the first end, an outer diameter of the rim being greater than an outer diameter of the second end.",
"2. The mechanical branch outlet of claim 1, further comprising a gasket defining an inner bore defining an inner diameter, the inner diameter sized to receive the first end of the insert.",
"3. The mechanical branch outlet of claim 1, further comprising a gasket comprising a first sealing leg and a second sealing leg, the first sealing leg positioned to contact a pipe when the housing is installed on the pipe and the second sealing leg contacting the insert.",
"4. The mechanical branch outlet of claim 3, wherein the gasket defines a pocket between the first sealing leg and the second sealing leg, the pocket facing radially inward with respect to the axis of the insert.",
"5. The mechanical branch outlet of claim 1, further comprising a gasket, the rim of the insert positioned between the housing and the gasket.",
"6. The mechanical branch outlet of claim 1, wherein the rim is integral with a material of the insert.",
"7. The mechanical branch outlet of claim 1, wherein a thickness of material forming the rim is equal to a wall thickness of the wall of the insert.",
"8. The mechanical branch outlet of claim 7, wherein a thickness of the rim is equal to the wall thickness of the wall of the insert.",
"9. The mechanical branch outlet of claim 1, wherein the outer diameter of the rim is greater than a maximum outer diameter of each of the first end and the second end of the insert.",
"10. The mechanical branch outlet of claim 1, wherein the insert is formed from copper.",
"11. The mechanical branch outlet of claim 1, wherein the second end is folded back over itself and extends towards the first end in an axial direction with respect to the axis of the insert.",
"12. A method for assembling the mechanical branch outlet of claim 1 to a pipe, the method comprising connecting a piping system element to the insert with a crimped joint.",
"13. A method for assembling the mechanical branch outlet of claim 1 to a pipe, the method comprising:\nassembling a gasket to the pipe between the housing and the pipe by contacting a first sealing leg of the gasket with an outer surface of the pipe; and\ncontacting a second sealing leg of the gasket with an outer surface of the insert of the mechanical branch outlet.",
"14. A pipe system comprising:\na mechanical branch outlet comprising:\na housing defining:\nan outer surface;\nan inner surface; and\nan outlet bore extending between the outer surface and the inner surface;\nan insert defining:\na wall;\nan axis;\na rim extending radially outward from the wall with respect to the axis, the rim being a flange;\na first end extending from the rim in a first axial direction aligned with the axis; and\na second end extending from the rim in a second axial direction opposite from the first axial direction; the first end received fully within the outlet bore of the housing; the outlet bore of the housing configured to slidably receive the second end and retain the first end, an outer diameter of the rim being greater than an outer diameter of the second end; and\na gasket received within the housing and about the insert, the gasket comprising a first sealing leg in contact with an outer surface of the pipe and a second sealing leg in contact with an outer surface of the insert, the gasket defining a pocket between the first sealing leg and the second sealing leg, the pocket configured to receive a fluid contained within the pipe system; and\na pipe, the pipe defining a transverse bore in an outer wall of the pipe, the transverse bore sized to receive the first end of the insert, the mechanical branch outlet being assembled to the pipe.",
"15. The pipe system of claim 14, wherein the insert extends from the pipe at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the pipe that is equal to 90 degrees.",
"16. The pipe system of claim 14, further comprising a gasket positioned between the housing and the pipe, a curvature of a lower surface of the gasket matches a curvature of the pipe.",
"17. The pipe system of claim 14, wherein the housing of the mechanical branch outlet is isolated from a fluid path defined through the pipe and through the insert when the pipe system is in an assembled state.",
"18. The pipe system of claim 14, wherein the pocket faces radially inward with respect to the axis of the insert.",
"19. The pipe system of claim 14, wherein the insert extends through the outlet bore of the housing, the pipe system further comprising a piping system element, the piping system element secured to the insert with a crimped joint.",
"20. A method for manufacturing a mechanical branch outlet, the method comprising:\nforming a housing defining:\nan outer surface;\nan inner surface; and\nan outlet bore extending between the outer surface and the inner surface; and\nforming an insert from a tubular member defining a first end and a second end, the tubular member defining a constant wall thickness from the first end to the second end, the insert defining:\na wall defining a thickness equal to the wall thickness of the tubular member;\nan axis;\na rim extending radially outward from the wall with respect to the axis, the rim being a flange;\na first end extending from the rim in a first axial direction aligned with the axis; and\na second end extending from the rim in a second axial direction opposite from the first axial direction; the first end received fully within the outlet bore of the housing; the outlet bore of the housing configured to slidably receive the second end and retain the first end, an outer diameter of the rim being greater than an outer diameter of the second end.",
"21. The method of claim 20, wherein forming the insert comprises mechanically deforming material forming the rim of the insert.",
"22. The method of claim 20, wherein forming the insert comprises heating at least a portion of the tubular member from which the rim is formed.",
"23. The method of claim 20, wherein forming the insert comprises:\nfolding the second end of the tubular member back over itself; and\nextends the second end towards the first end in an axial direction with respect to the axis of the insert."
],
[
"1. A snap fitting for use in plumbing to provide for installation of the additional line extending from the cylindrical pipe without cutting completely through the cross section of the cylindrical pipe, the snap fitting comprising:\na main body formed of plastic and shaped to extend partially around an exterior wall of the cylindrical pipe to snap over the cylindrical pipe;\na connector integral with the main body of the snap fitting for the additional line extending from the cylindrical pipe and extending from an interior side of the cylindrical pipe to allow the snap fitting to be snapped in place over a hole in the cylindrical pipe with the connector aligned with the hole in the cylindrical pipe and such that the edges of the hole are covered by the connector and an interior wall of the connector extends continuously downward from a top end of the connector into the hole past the exterior wall of the cylindrical pipe and the inner wall of the connector terminates in flush alignment with the interior side of the cylindrical pipe.",
"2. The snap fitting of claim 1 wherein the connector is a wye connector.",
"3. The snap fitting of claim 1 wherein the main body is sized and shaped to extend over at least 50 percent of the cylindrical pipe.",
"4. The snap fitting of claim 1 further comprising solvent on the main body for attaching the snap fitting to the cylindrical pipe.",
"5. The snap fitting of claim 1 further comprising glue on the main body for attaching the snap fitting to the cylindrical pipe.",
"6. The snap fitting of claim 1 further comprising a bonding agent on the main body for attaching the snap fitting to the cylindrical pipe.",
"7. The snap fitting of claim 1 wherein the plastic comprises polyvinylchloride.",
"8. The snap fitting of claim 1 wherein the interior wall of the main body and a wall of the cylindrical pipe have a same thickness.",
"9. A system comprising:\na cylindrical pipe;\na snap fitting for use in plumbing to provide for installation of the additional line extending from the cylindrical pipe without cutting completely through the cross section of the cylindrical pipe, the snap fitting comprising:\na main body formed of plastic and shaped to extend partially around an exterior wall of the cylindrical pipe to snap over the cylindrical pipe;\na connector integral with the main body of the snap fitting for the additional line extending from the cylindrical pipe and extending from an interior side of the cylindrical pipe to allow the snap fitting to be snapped in place over a hole in the cylindrical pipe with the connector aligned with the hole in the cylindrical pipe and such that the edges of the hole are covered by the connector and an interior wall of the connector extends continuously downward from a top end of the connector into the hole past the exterior wall of the cylindrical pipe and the inner wall of the connector terminates in flush alignment with the interior side of the cylindrical pipe.",
"10. The system of claim 9 wherein the connector is a wye connector.",
"11. The system of claim 9 wherein the main body of the snap fitting is sized and shaped to extend over at least 50 percent of the cylindrical pipe.",
"12. The system of claim 9 further comprising solvent on the main body for attaching the snap fitting to the cylindrical pipe.",
"13. The system of claim 9 further comprising glue on the main body for attaching the snap fitting to the cylindrical pipe.",
"14. The system of claim 9 further comprising a bonding agent on the main body for attaching the snap fitting to the cylindrical pipe.",
"15. The system of claim 9 wherein the plastic comprises polyvinylchloride.",
"16. The system claim 9 wherein the interior wall of the main body and a wall of the cylindrical pipe have a same thickness."
],
[
"1. A through-hull fitting comprising:\nan elongated body including a plurality of gear racks and a radially extending stop, the stop extending radially outwardly beyond the gear racks, the body defining a water conduit therethrough; and\na nut fitted over said elongated body and having a plurality of pawls and a radially extending stop, the stop extending radially outwardly beyond the pawls, each pawl engaging one of said gear racks, said elongated body and said nut being keyed to one another to prevent relative rotation therebetween, said elongated body and said nut being physically separate elements.",
"2. The through-hull fitting of claim 1 wherein:\nsaid elongated body includes at least four of said gear racks; and\nsaid nut includes at least four pawls.",
"3. The through-hull fitting of claim 2 wherein:\nsaid gear racks include a first set of opposing gear racks and a second set of opposing gear racks; and\nsaid pawls include a first set of opposing pawls and a second set of opposing pawls.",
"4. The boat assembly of claim 2 wherein:\nsaid gear racks include a first set of opposing gear racks and a second set of opposing gear racks; and\nsaid pawls include a first set of opposing pawls and a second set of opposing pawls.",
"5. The boat assembly of claim 1 wherein:\nsaid elongated body includes at least four of said gear racks; and\nsaid nut includes at least four pawls.",
"6. A boat assembly comprising:\na hull having a first side and a second side and defining a hole therethrough; and\na through-hull fitting in turn comprising:\nan elongated body including a plurality of gear racks and a radially extending stop, the stop extending radially outwardly beyond the gear racks, the body defining a water conduit therethrough; and\na nut fitted over said elongated body and having a plurality of pawls and a radially extending stop, the stop extending radially outwardly beyond the pawls and engaging the second side of the hull, each pawl engaging one of said gear racks, said elongated body and said nut being keyed to one another to prevent relative rotation therebetween, said elongated body and said nut being physically separate elements."
],
[
"1. A press-in connecting piece for connecting a branch pipe to a pipe in the region of a branch opening,\ncomprising a pipe adapter having an inner opening, and\na press-in nozzle having a pipe socket,\nwherein the pipe adapter has a sealing surface for resting on and defining a seal with an outer wall of the pipe,\nwherein the pipe socket has a tapered end portion remote from the pipe adapter,\nwherein the pipe socket has a cylindrical portion, and\nwherein the pipe socket is configured such that the tapered end portion is configured to be beaded by folding over inwards toward a central longitudinal axis of the pipe socket in a region between the tapered end potion and the cylindrical portion and subsequently radially widened by means of a tensile force acting on the end portion in a direction of the pipe adapter, and the press-in nozzle and the pipe adapter are drawn against the pipe.",
"2. The press-in connecting piece according to claim 1, wherein the pipe adapter and the press-in nozzle are formed in one piece.",
"3. The press-in connecting piece according to claim 1, wherein\nthe pipe adapter and the press-in nozzle are configured in two pieces,\nthe press-in nozzle has a flange and\nthe pipe adapter has a contact surface which is adapted to the flange of the press-in nozzle and is arranged opposite the sealing surface.",
"4. The press-in connecting piece according to claim 1, wherein the tapered end portion of the pipe socket is at least partly conical.",
"5. The press-in connecting piece according to claim 1, wherein the pipe socket has a plurality of openings in a region of the tapered end portion.",
"6. The press-in connecting piece according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of openings extend in a longitudinal direction into both a region of the cylindrical portion of the pipe socket and the region of the tapered end portion.",
"7. The press-in connecting piece according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of openings extend in a longitudinal direction.",
"8. A system comprising a press-in connecting piece according to claim 1 and a tool for fastening a press-in connecting piece on a pipe,\nwherein the tool has a draw mandrel which has a shank and a forming portion with a greater external diameter than the shank, and\nwherein the external diameter is smaller than the internal diameter of the pipe socket of the press-in nozzle.",
"9. The system according to claim 8,\nwherein a shoulder for resting on the tapered end portion of the press-in nozzle is arranged between the shank and the forming portion.",
"10. The system according to claim 8,\nwherein a guide adapter, connectable to the press-in nozzle, having an inner guide surface is provided to guide the draw mandrel.",
"11. The system according to claim 8,\nwherein a clamping sleeve is provided for pushing over the draw mandrel, and\non the end remote from the forming portion, the draw mandrel has an external thread to screw thereon a threaded nut.",
"12. The system according to claim 11,\nwherein the clamping sleeve has an external thread to screw thereon a threaded nut."
],
[
"1. A fitting for use in making a fluid connection with a pipe, the fitting comprising:\na saddle adapted to couple the fitting to the pipe, the saddle including a body and first and second arms configured to extend at least partly around the pipe when coupling the fitting to the pipe; and\na tap member adapted to insert at least partly into the pipe when the saddle couples the fitting to the pipe, to thereby establish the fluid connection between the fitting and the pipe, the tap member including at least one support arm configured to moveably couple the tap member to the saddle such that the first and second arms of the saddle can be extended at least partly around the pipe prior to inserting the tap member at least partly into the pipe.",
"2. The fitting of claim 1, wherein the saddle defines at least one slot, the at least one support arm of the tap member configured to extend through the at least one slot to thereby moveably couple the tap member to the saddle.",
"3. The fitting of claim 2, wherein the at least one slot of the saddle includes two slots and wherein the at least one support arm of the tap member includes two support arms.",
"4. The fitting of claim 3, wherein each support arm of the tap member includes a ledge at an end portion of the support arm to inhibit removal of the support arm from the corresponding slot of the saddle and to thereby maintain coupling of the tap member to the saddle.",
"5. The fitting of claim 2, wherein the saddle includes a lock portion adjacent the at least one slot, and the at least one support arm of the tap member is configured to rotate between a lock position where the at least one support arm contacts the lock portion of the saddle to inhibit movement of the tap member relative to the saddle for facilitating coupling the saddle to the pipe via downward pressure exerted on the tap member, and a coupling position where the at least one support arm does not contact the lock portion, thereby allowing the tap member to move relative to the saddle for facilitating inserting the tap member at least partly into the pipe.",
"6. The fitting of claim 1, wherein the tap is configured to press-fit into the pipe, without threading the tap relative to the saddle, for establishing the fluid connection between the fitting and the pipe.",
"7. The fitting of claim 1, wherein the tap member includes a tap configured to pierce the pipe; and\nwherein the saddle further defines a central opening for receiving the tap when the tap member is inserted at least partly into the pipe.",
"8. The fitting of claim 7, wherein the tap includes at last one tab located along the tap and configured to inhibit movement of the tap out of the pipe after the tap pierces the pipe.",
"9. The fitting of claim 8, wherein the tab is configured to extend past a pierced portion of the pipe after the tap pierces the pipe.",
"10. The fitting of claim 7, wherein the tap member includes at least one clasp adapted to couple the tap member to the saddle to inhibit movement of the tap out of the pipe after the tap pierces the pipe.",
"11. The fitting of claim 10, wherein the at least one clasp extends from a portion of the at least one support arm.",
"12. A snap clip for coupling a connector to a fitting in an irrigation system, the snap clip comprising:\na first wall portion having an outer threaded surface and an inner non-threaded surface;\na second wall portion opposite the first wall portion, the second wall portion having an outer threaded surface and an inner non-threaded surface; and\na bridge member coupling the first wall portion to the second wall portion, the bridge member separating the outer threaded surface of the first wall portion form the outer threaded surface of the second wall portion.",
"13. The snap clip of claim 12, wherein the bridge member, the first wall portion and the second wall portion define an arc; and\nwherein the bridge member is flexible to allow compression of the bridge member such that the first wall portion and the second wall portion may be pressed towards one another, whereby the snap clip may be inserted into a threaded opening of the fitting and then expanded outwards into the threaded opening of the fitting to couple the snap clip to the threaded opening.",
"14. The snap clip of claim 13, wherein the first wall portion and the second wall portion each include a stop surface lip extending away from the respective wall portion at an upper end of the snap clip, thereby providing a stop surface for contacting an end portion of the threaded opening of the fitting to facilitate a predetermined depth of the snap clip extending into the threaded opening of the fitting.",
"15. The snap clip of claim 12, wherein the first wall portion, the second wall portion and the bridge member are integral, and each wall portion includes at least three external male threads",
"16. The snap clip of claim 12, wherein the snap clip is integrally formed at an end of one of an irrigation fitting and an irrigation connector.",
"17. A method of using a snap clip to couple a connector to a fitting for use in making a fluid connection with a pipe, the snap clip including at least one wall portion having an external threaded surface and an internal non-threaded surface, the method comprising:\ninstalling the snap clip to one of a threaded opening of the fitting or a protrusion of the connector to create a threaded coupling of the snap clip to the opening of the fitting or the protrusion of the connector; and\nafter such installation, inserting the protrusion of the connector into the opening of the fitting to create a friction fit, via the snap clip, between the protrusion of the connector and the opening of the fitting.",
"18. The method of claim 17, wherein installing the snap clip includes inserting the snap clip into the threaded opening of the fitting; and\nwherein inserting the snap clip into the threaded opening of the fitting includes:\ncompressing the snap clip such that an outer diameter of the external threaded surface of the snap clip is less than an inner diameter of the threaded opening of the fitting to facilitate insertion of the snap clip into the opening of the fitting without rotation of the snap clip; and\nreleasing the snap clip such that the external threaded surface expands to contact the threaded opening of the fitting to create the threaded coupling of the snap clip to the opening of the fitting.",
"19. The method of claim 18, wherein the snap clip includes a stop surface lip at one end of the snap clip; and\nwherein inserting the snap clip includes inserting the snap clip into the opening of the fitting until the stop surface lip contacts an end of the opening of the fitting, thereby facilitating insertion of the snap clip into the opening of the fitting at a fixed depth.",
"20. The method of claim 17, wherein the protrusion of the connector defines a ledge, and wherein installing he snap clip includes inserting the protrusion of the connector into the snap clip and moving the ledge past the snap clip so the ledge inhibits removal of the snap clip from the protrusion of the connector."
],
[
"1. A pipe coupling comprising:\nan annular clamp having an opening at at least one end of its axial length for inserting therein a pipe, said annular clamp comprising two clamp members and a tightening element arranged to fasten and tighten said clamp members towards each other in a direction transverse to an axial length of said annular clamp so as to apply a radially-inward clamping force on a pipe inserted in said opening;\nan annular seal disposed in said annular clamp for sealing around the pipe inserted in said opening; and\na mechanical fastener that comprises a threaded shaft with a washer flange, said washer flange having a lower rim, said threaded shaft having opposing ends that extend from opposite sides of said washer flange, wherein both of said ends of said threaded shaft accept nuts, and wherein when nuts are tightened on both ends of said threaded shaft, said lower rim bites into said annular seal.",
"2. The pipe coupling according to claim 1, wherein said mechanical fastener is made of a non-metal.",
"3. The pipe coupling according to claim 1, wherein said mechanical fastener is made of a plastic.",
"4. The pipe coupling according to claim 1, wherein said mechanical fastener comprises a wrench protrusion that extends from a face of said washer flange.",
"5. The pipe coupling according to claim 1, wherein said threaded shaft extends from opposite sides of said washer flange.",
"6. A pipe coupling comprising:\nan annular clamp having an opening at at least one end of its axial length for inserting therein a pipe, said annular clamp comprising two clamp members and a tightening element arranged to fasten and tighten said clamp members towards each other in a direction transverse to an axial length of said annular clamp so as to apply a radially-inward clamping force on a pipe inserted in said opening;\nan annular seal disposed in said annular clamp for sealing around the pipe inserted in said opening; and\na mechanical fastener that comprises a threaded shaft with a washer flange, said washer flange having a lower rim, said threaded shaft having a first end that extends from a first side of said washer flange, said first end of said threaded shaft accepting a nut, and said threaded shaft having a second end that comprises a wrench protrusion that extends from a second side of said washer flange opposite to said first side of said washer flange, and wherein said wrench protrusion has a tapped hole formed therein."
],
[
"1. An outlet fitting for a conduit opening of a pressurized fluid-carrying cylindrical conduit including an outer wall having an outer surface annularly circular and longitudinally straight near the conduit opening, the outlet fitting comprising:\na coupler comprising:\nan aft section configured to be inserted into the conduit opening, the aft section having an inner surface, an outer surface, and a distal end, a portion of the inner surface decreasing in diameter away from the distal end;\na forward section extending from the aft section and having an inner surface and an outer surface, the forward section being configured to connect a fluid emitter to the coupler,\nthe inner surfaces of the aft section and forward section forming a fluid passageway extending through the coupler; and\na radially extending flange bisecting the aft and forward sections, the flange including a conduit-facing surface having no curvature in a first direction and a constant curvature in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction such that an entirety of the conduit-facing surface is configured to abut the outer surface of the conduit near the conduit opening; and\na plug configured to be at least partially positioned in the aft section of the coupler, the plug having an aft end and a forward end, the plug comprising:\na frusto-conical shaped outer surface widening in diameter towards the aft end; and\na central aperture extending through the plug from the aft end to the forward end for allowing fluid to pass therethrough,\nthe plug being configured to be drawn into the aft section of the coupler so as to radially expand the aft section such that at least a portion of the outer surface of the aft section secures the coupler in the conduit opening and creates a seal between the coupler and the conduit, wherein the outer surface of the aft section includes a radially extending lip configured to positively secure the coupler in the conduit opening when the aft section is radially expanded, the coupler including the radially extending lip being monolithic.",
"2. The outlet fitting of claim 1, the inner surface of the aft section having helical threading and the frusto-conical shaped outer surface of the plug having helical threading configured to engage the helical threading of the inner surface of the aft section, the central aperture of the plug being configured to be rotationally engaged by a tool such that the plug is drawn towards the forward section of the coupler.",
"3. The outlet fitting of claim 2, wherein the central aperture is a laterally elongated slot.",
"4. The outlet fitting of claim 1, wherein the plug is configured to allow fluid to pass only through the central aperture.",
"5. The outlet fitting of claim 1, wherein the outer surface of the aft section is circular.",
"6. The outlet fitting of claim 1, further comprising a gasket positioned annularly around the outer surface of the aft section and configured to engage the conduit near the conduit opening when the plug is drawn into the aft section of the coupler so as to form the seal between the coupler and the conduit.",
"7. The outlet fitting of claim 6, wherein the outer surface of the aft section includes an annular groove configured to receive the gasket therein.",
"8. The outlet fitting of claim 1, wherein the inner surface of the forward section includes helical threading for connecting the fluid emitter to the conduit.",
"9. The outlet fitting of claim 1, wherein the seal is configured to withstand 120 pounds per square inch of pressure.",
"10. An outlet fitting for a conduit opening of a pressurized fluid-carrying cylindrical conduit including an outer wall having an outer surface, the outer surface being annularly circular and longitudinally straight near the conduit opening, the outlet fitting comprising:\na coupler comprising:\nan aft section configured to be inserted into the conduit opening, the aft section having an inner surface, an outer surface, and a distal end, a portion of the inner surface having helical threading and decreasing in diameter away from the distal end, the outer surface including a groove and a radially extending lip, the coupler including the radially extending lip being monolithic;\na forward section extending from the aft section, the forward section being configured to connect a fluid emitter to the coupler, the inner surfaces of the aft section and forward section forming a fluid passageway extending through the coupler; and\na radially extending flange bisecting the aft section and forward section, the flange including a conduit-facing surface having no curvature in a first direction and a constant curvature in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction such that an entirety of the conduit-facing surface is configured to abut the outer surface of the conduit near the conduit opening;\na plug configured to be at least partially positioned in the aft section of the coupler, the plug having an aft end and a forward end, the plug comprising:\na frusto-conical shaped outer surface widening in diameter towards the aft end, the frusto-conical shaped outer surface including helical threading configured to engage the helical threading of the inner surface of the aft end of the coupler; and\na laterally elongated central aperture extending through the plug from the aft end to the forward end for allowing fluid to pass only through the central aperture; and\na gasket positioned annularly around the outer surface of the aft section and configured to engage the outer wall of the conduit, the radially extending lip retaining the gasket in the groove,\nthe plug being configured to be drawn into the aft section of the coupler when a tool rotates the plug via the central aperture so as to radially expand the aft section such that the radially extending lip positively secures the coupler in the conduit opening and urges the gasket against the conduit so as to create a seal between the coupler and the conduit."
],
[
"1. A pipe coupling comprising:\nan annular seal disposed in an annular clamp housing, an aperture being formed through a side wall of said annular seal and said annular clamp housing;\na pressing ring secured to and pressed against said annular seal and a side wall of said annular clamp housing with a mechanical fastener, so as to create a water-tight junction between said annular seal and said annular clamp housing, wherein said mechanical fastener passes into said pressing ring, said annular seal, and said side wall of said annular clamp housing.",
"2. The pipe coupling according to claim 1, further comprising a branch element secured to said annular clamp housing which is not coaxial with an axial length of said annular seal.",
"3. The pipe coupling according to claim 1, wherein said pressing ring has an axial contour shaped as a segment of a cylinder to match the side wall of said annular clamp housing.",
"4. The pipe coupling according to claim 1, wherein said pressing ring is formed with one or more curved depressions.",
"5. The pipe coupling according to claim 1, wherein said annular seal comprises end rings at opposite ends of an axial length thereof, wherein said end rings are thicker than the axial length of said annular seal between said end rings.",
"6. The pipe coupling according to claim 1, wherein said mechanical fastener comprises a threaded shaft with a washer flange, said washer flange having a lower rim and said threaded shaft extending from opposite sides of said washer flange, wherein when nuts are tightened on both ends of said threaded shaft, said lower rim bites into said annular seal.",
"7. The pipe coupling according to claim 6, wherein said mechanical fastener comprises a wrench protrusion that extends from a face of said washer flange.",
"8. The pipe coupling according to claim 1, further comprising a second seal pressing device that comprises winged extensions installed with another mechanical fastener to said annular clamp housing, said second seal pressing device pressing against axial edges of said annular seal.",
"9. The pipe coupling according to claim 1, wherein said annular seal is located between said pressing ring and said side wall of said annular clamp housing."
],
[
"1. A fitting for establishing a fluid-tight connection with a main having a circular opening, said fitting comprising an elongated tubular member having a flow passage therethrough, the exterior surface of said tubular member being threaded and having a threaded nut engaged thereon, said tubular member having a first exterior diameter over at least a major portion of its length and a second exterior diameter that is reduced relative to said first exterior diameter and located at one end portion of said tubular member, said one end portion of said tubular member having an interiorly threaded collar element attached thereto, said collar element having substantially parallel inner and outer surfaces extending generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of said tubular member and defining radially extending generally oppositely disposed ears, the distance between the extremities of said ears being greater than the diameter of said opening, the surfaces of said ears between said inner and outer surfaces of said collar element being rounded and tapered inwardly from said inner surface to said outer surface whereby the insertion of said one end of said tubular member into said opening is permitted by inserting one ear through the opening with the longitudinal axis of said tubular member disposed at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of said main and then rotating said tubular member to a position where its longitudinal axis is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said main so as to move the other ear through said opening, said tubular member having a deformable annular gasket disposed thereabout between said nut and said collar element and a centering ring disposed between said gasket and said collar element, said gasket and said centering ring being movable longitudinally of said tubular member, said centering ring having substantially parallel opposite sides so that, when said nut presses said gasket against said main, said ring will be in engagement with a portion of said inner surface of said ears and will prevent extrusion of said gasket into said main, the radial thickness of said ring being substantially equal to the difference between the radius of said opening and half of said first exterior diameter of said tubular member, said collar element having an annular neck portion extending from said inner surface thereof, the exterior diameter of said neck portion being substantially equal to said first exterior diameter of said tubular member so that the interior surface of said centering ring will engage the exterior surface of said neck portion whereby, when said ring is disposed in said opening between the wall of said opening and said neck portion of said collar element, said tubular member will be disposed substantially concentrically of said opening.",
"1. A fitting for establishing a fluid-tight connection with a main having a circular opening, said fitting comprising an elongated tubular member having a flow passage therethrough, the exterior surface of said tubular member being threaded and having a threaded nut engaged thereon, said tubular member having a first exterior diameter over at least a major portion of its length and a second exterior diameter that is reduced relative to said first exterior diameter and located at one end portion of said tubular member, said one end portion of said tubular member having an interiorly threaded collar element attached thereto, said collar element having substantially parallel inner and outer surfaces extending generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of said tubular member and defining radially extending generally oppositely disposed ears, the distance between the extremities of said ears being greater than the diameter of said opening, the surfaces of said ears between said inner and outer surfaces of said collar element being rounded and tapered inwardly from said inner surface to said outer surface whereby the insertion of said one end of said tubular member into said opening is permitted by inserting one ear through the opening with the longitudinal axis of said tubular member disposed at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of said main and then rotating said tubular member to a position where its longitudinal axis is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said main so as to move the other ear through said opening, said tubular member having a deformable annular gasket disposed thereabout between said nut and said collar element and a centering ring disposed between said gasket and said collar element, said gasket and said centering ring being movable longitudinally of said tubular member, said centering ring having substantially parallel opposite sides so that, when said nut presses said gasket against said main, said ring will be in engagement with a portion of said inner surface of said ears and will prevent extrusion of said gasket into said main, the radial thickness of said ring being substantially equal to the difference between the radius of said opening and half of said first exterior diameter of said tubular member, said collar element having an annular neck portion extending from said inner surface thereof, the exterior diameter of said neck portion being substantially equal to said first exterior diameter of said tubular member so that the interior surface of said centering ring will engage the exterior surface of said neck portion whereby, when said ring is disposed in said opening between the wall of said opening and said neck portion of said collar element, said tubular member will be disposed substantially concentrically of said opening.",
"2. The fitting as claimed in claim 11 wherein said annular gasket is provided with an annular neck portion extending longitudinally of said tubular member on the side of said gasket facing said centering ring and a body portion of dimensions sufficient to overlap said opening in said main, the radial thickness of said neck portion being substantially equal to the said radial thickness of said centering ring when said gasket is in an undeformed state so that said neck portion of said gasket will be inserted into and occupy the radial space between the wall of said opening and the exterior threaded surface of said tubular member when said nut is moved toward said collar to deform said gasket.",
"3. The fitting as claimed in claim 2 wherein an annular deformable gasket retainer is disposed about said tubular member between said nut and said gasket partially enclosing said gasket, said retainer having a first annular surface portion extending radially outwardly from said tubular member, a second annular surface portion tapering outwardly in the direction of said end of saId tubular member and at an angle with respect to said first surface portion and a third annular surface portion tapering inwardly from said second surface portion toward said tubular member to form a housing for said gasket, the enclosed surface portions of said gasket being shaped complementarily to the interior of said housing so that when said nut is moved to seal said gasket, against said main, said third annular surface of said retainer will engage the exterior surface of said main and upon tightening of said nut against said first annular surface, said third surface will be moved inwardly toward said tubular member to press said gasket against said tubular member.",
"4. The fitting as claimed in claim 1 wherein said collar element is secured to said threaded portion by soldering.",
"5. The fitting as claimed in claim 1 wherein the initial threads on the interior of said collar element are deformed subsequent to the positioning of said collar element on said one end of said tubular member to securely retain said collar element on said one end of said tubular member.",
"6. The fitting as claimed in claim 1 wherein the axial thickness of said centering ring is less than the thickness of said opening in said main."
],
[
"1. A pipe joining device for forming a junction in pressurised pipes between a first pipe and a branch pipe, the pipe joining device comprising a substantially rigid body at least in part of thermoplastic, the body including a first pipe sealing portion adapted to form a seal with the first pipe and a branch pipe sealing portion adapted to form a seal with the branch pipe.",
"2. A pipe joining device according to claim 1, in which the pipe joining device is adapted to be inserted into the branch pipe from within the main, first pipe.",
"3. A pipe joining device according to claim 1, in which the first pipe sealing portion is adapted to form a seal with a thermoplastics liner that lines the inside wall of the first pipe.",
"4. A pipe joining device according to claim 1, in which the first pipe sealing portion is adapted to be welded to the main, first pipe to form the seal with the first pipe.",
"5. A pipe joining device according to claim 1, in which the pipe joining device is adapted to be used with first pipes having a thermoplastic component.",
"6. A pipe joining device according to claim 1, in which the branch pipe sealing portion comprises a sealing element mounted to the body.",
"7. A pipe joining device according to claim 6, in which the branch pipe sealing portion comprises a groove in the body having the sealing element mounted therein.",
"8. A pipe joining device according to claim 1, in which the sealing element comprises a silicone bead that is adapted to expand on contact with water to establish a seal between the pipe joining device and the branch pipe.",
"9. A pipe joining device according to claim 1, in which the branch pipe sealing portion is adapted to form a seal with the branch pipe as it is pushed in to the branch pipe.",
"10. A pipe joining device according to claim 1, in which the body comprises a tubular portion having a substantially radially outwardly extending flange portion, the tubular portion including the branch pipe sealing portion and the flange portion including the first pipe sealing portion.",
"11. A pipe joining device according to claim 10, in which the flange portion tapers in thickness as it extends outwardly from the tubular portion.",
"12. A pipe joining device according to claim 10, in which the flange portion comprises a ring shaped member having a surface that is cylindrically curved such that is complimentary to a cylindrically curved inside surface of the first pipe.",
"13. A pipe joining device according to claim 1, in which the first pipe sealing portion is annular and approximately 5 mm wide.",
"14. A method of forming a junction between a branch pipe and a rehabilitated first pipe that is lined with a layer of thermoplastics using a pipe joining device in a system subject to pressure, the pipe joining device comprising a body at least in part of thermoplastic, the body including a first pipe sealing portion and a branch pipe sealing portion, the method comprising the steps of;\na) inserting the branch pipe sealing portion into the branch pipe from the main pipe;\nb) establishing a seal between the branch pipe sealing portion and the branch pipe;\nc) abutting the first pipe sealing portion against the layer of thermoplastics of the first pipe;\nd) establishing a seal between the first pipe sealing portion and the first pipe.",
"15. A method according to claim 14, in which step d is achieved by welding the first pipe sealing portion to the layer of thermoplastics that lines the inside wall of the first pipe.",
"16. A method according to claim 14, in which step b is achieved by a sealing element mounted to the branch pipe sealing portion.",
"17. A method according to claim 16, in which the sealing element is arranged such that step b comprises establishing a seal when the branch pipe sealing portion is inserted into the branch pipe by interference between the pipe sealing portion and an inner wall of the branch pipe.",
"18. A method according to claim 14, in which the method includes the step of determining the size of the branch pipe and selecting a pipe joining device that is dimensioned to form a seal with the branch pipe as it is inserted into the branch pipe.",
"19. A method according to claim 14, in which the method includes the step of cutting a hole through the layer of thermoplastics to provide access to the branch pipe.",
"20. A method according to claim 14, in which the method includes the step of pressurising the system containing the junction formed by the pipe joining device."
],
[
"1. A corrugated pipe junction, comprising:\na corrugated pipe including a pipe wall having an inner pipe wall and an outer pipe wall, the outer pipe wall having a plurality of peaks and a plurality of valleys disposed between the plurality of peaks, and an opening extending through the pipe wall;\na hub and sleeve assembly received within the opening of the pipe wall, the hub and sleeve assembly including a hub received within the sleeve such that at least a portion of the outer surface of the hub is in contact with an inner surface of the sleeve; and\nwherein when the hub and sleeve assembly is received within the opening of the pipe wall, a compressive seal is formed between the hub and sleeve assembly and the inner pipe wall such that the hub and sleeve assembly is sealingly engaged with the inner pipe wall around an entire circumference of the hub and sleeve assembly.",
"2. The corrugated pipe junction of claim 1, wherein the sleeve comprises a proximal end opposite a distal end and wherein the sleeve further includes at least one stop feature extending from the distal end and configured for receiving a portion of the hub.",
"3. The corrugated pipe junction of claim 2, wherein the at least one stop feature for receiving the portion of the hub has a generally planar profile.",
"4. The corrugated pipe junction of claim 1, wherein the sleeve comprises at least one pipe stop feature defined by an outer radial stop and an inner radial stop configured for receiving at least a portion of the inner pipe wall between the outer radial stop and the inner radial stop.",
"5. The corrugated pipe junction of claim 3, wherein when the inner pipe wall is received with an opening defined between the outer radial stop and the inner radial stop, a gap extends longitudinally between at least one of the outer radial stop and the inner radial stop and the inner pipe wall of the corrugated pipe.",
"6. The corrugated pipe junction of claim 5, wherein the compressive seal is defined at an interface between a radial inner surface of the opening between the inner radial stop and the outer radial stop and a radial outward surface of the inner pipe wall to form an annular seal around an entire circumference of the hub and sleeve assembly.",
"7. The corrugated pipe junction of claim 6, wherein the sleeve has a body defined by a first thickness at a proximal portion of the sleeve and defined by a second thickness at a distal portion of the sleeve.",
"8. The corrugated pipe junction of claim 7, wherein the distal portion of the sleeve comprises a region of increased thickness and includes at least a transition region from the first thickness to the second thickness.",
"9. A hub and sleeve assembly for forming a junction with a corrugated pipe, the corrugated pipe having a pipe wall defined by an inner pipe wall and an outer pipe wall, the outer pipe wall having a plurality of peaks and a plurality of valleys disposed between the plurality of peaks, the hub and sleeve assembly comprising:\na sleeve defined by an outer body extending along a longitudinal axis between a proximal end and a distal end, the sleeve having at least one pipe stop feature extending from an outer surface of the cylindrical outer body, the at least one pipe stop feature defined by an inner radial stop spaced from an outer radial stop by an opening configured for receiving a portion of the inner pipe wall;\na hub received within the sleeve and defined by an outer body; and\nwherein the cylindrical body of the sleeve is defined by a wall thickness having a nominal thickness at a proximal end and a thickness value at the distal end that is greater than the nominal thickness such that a portion of the cylindrical body defines a region of increased thickness.",
"10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein when the inner pipe wall is received within the pipe stop feature, there remains a longitudinal spacing between the inner pipe wall and at least one of the outer radial stop and the inner radial stop.",
"11. The assembly of claim 10, wherein the outer radial stop and the inner radial stop secures the axial position of the hub and sleeve assembly relative to the corrugated pipe such that the hub and sleeve assembly retains engagement with the inner pipe wall.",
"12. The assembly of claim 10, wherein when the inner pipe wall is received between the outer radial stop and the inner radial stop, a radial outward surface of the inner pipe wall is in direct compressive abutment with a radial inward surface of the opening between the inner radial stop and the outer radial stop, and wherein the abutment is at a position that is laterally aligned with a portion of the sleeve defined by the second wall thickness.",
"13. The assembly of claim 10, wherein the direct compressive abutment between the inner pipe wall and the sleeve defines a compressive seal between the corrugated pipe and the hub and sleeve assembly.",
"14. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the at least one hub stop feature includes a first hub stop feature and a second hub stop feature arranged generally opposite to the first hub feature, and each hub stop feature is defined by a rectangular planar surface for receiving the hub.",
"15. A method of forming a junction between a hub and sleeve assembly and a corrugated pipe, the corrugated pipe having a pipe wall including an inner pipe wall and an outer pipe wall, the outer pipe wall including a plurality of peaks and a plurality of valleys disposed between the plurality of peaks, the method comprising:\ninserting a sleeve of the hub and sleeve assembly through an opening of the pipe wall of the corrugated pipe to engage the inner pipe wall of the corrugated pipe with a portion of at least one pipe stop feature extending from the sleeve, the sleeve defined by a first end and a second end and an outer body extending therebetween, the outer body having a nominal thickness and a region of increased thickness that is defined by a value larger than a value of the nominal thickness; and\ninserting a hub of the hub and sleeve assembly within the sleeve until a bottom edge of the hub engages with at least one hub stop feature extending from a bottom surface of the sleeve such that a portion of the hub is compressed against the region of increased thickness and laterally aligned with the portion of the sleeve that is engaged with the inner pipe wall, such that a compressive seal is formed between the corrugated pipe and the hub and sleeve assembly around an entire circumference of the hub and sleeve assembly.",
"16. The method of claim 15, wherein the at least one pipe stop feature of the sleeve is defined by an inner radial stop and an outer radial stop extending from an outer surface of the sleeve and an opening arranged between the inner radial stop and the outer radial stop, and wherein the step of engaging at least one stop pipe feature of the sleeve with the corrugated pipe includes receiving a portion of the inner pipe wall between the inner radial stop and the outer radial stop such that a radial inner surface of the opening of the at least one pipe stop feature is in direct abutment with the outer radial surface of the inner pipe wall.",
"17. The method of claim 16, wherein the compressive seal is formed between the radial inner surface of the opening of the at least one pipe stop feature and the outer radial surface of the inner pipe wall.",
"18. The method of claim 15, wherein the at least one hub stop feature includes a planar, rectangular surface extending from the second end of the sleeve.",
"19. The method of claim 16, further including tightening a clamp arranged around an outer body of the sleeve to secure the engagement between the sleeve and the hub.",
"20. The method of claim 15, further including inserting an additional pipe into a proximal end of the hub."
],
[
"1. A tight-seal piping assembly, comprising:\na fitting body extending from a first fitting end to a second fitting end and comprising:\nan outer surface extending from the first fitting end to the second fitting end;\nan inner surface opposite the outer surface and defining a central axis and an interior channel, the inner surface comprising a first threading, a second threading, and an inner flange defining a seal stop surface; and\na seal received within the interior channel and abutting the seal stop surface; and\na piping component comprising a piping end defining a pipe engagement surface, a threaded outer surface, and a piping shoulder on the outer surface.",
"2. The tight-seal piping assembly of claim 1, wherein the first threading and the second threading on the inner surface are each spaced axially and extend in a straight direction perpendicular to the central axis.",
"3. The tight-seal piping assembly of claim 1, wherein the threaded outer surface of the piping component comprises straight threads.",
"4. The tight-seal piping assembly of claim 1, wherein the piping end of the piping component defines a first acute angle that compresses the seal, and the piping shoulder of the piping component touches the first fitting end of the fitting body.",
"5. The tight-seal piping assembly of claim 1, wherein the piping component is a first piping component, and further comprising a second piping component comprising a second piping end defining a pipe engagement surface, a threaded outer surface, and a piping shoulder on the outer surface.",
"6. The tight-seal piping assembly of claim 5, wherein the seal is a first seal, the first piping component defines a first acute angle that compresses the first seal, and the second piping component defines a second acute angle that compresses a second seal between the second piping end and the inner surface of the inner flange on the fitting body.",
"7. The tight-seal piping assembly of claim 1, wherein the outer surface of the piping component defines external threading proximate to the piping shoulder, and the fitting body touches the piping shoulder of the piping component.",
"8. The tight-seal piping assembly of claim 7, wherein the external threading defines straight threading extending in a direction perpendicular to the central axis of the fitting body.",
"9. The tight-seal piping assembly of claim 7, wherein the piping component further comprises an inner piping surface and defines an inward taper defined from the threaded outer surface to the inner piping surface of the piping component.",
"10. A tight-seal piping assembly comprising:\na fitting defining a fitting channel and a fitting inner surface comprising a first seal stop surface and a second seal stop surface, the fitting comprising:\na first seal received within the fitting channel and compressed against the first seal stop surface; and\na second seal received within the fitting channel and compressed against the second seal stop surface;\na first piping component defining a first piping end and an outer piping surface comprising a first piping shoulder, the first piping shoulder abutting the fitting when the first piping end compresses the first seal; and\na second piping component defining a second piping end and an outer piping surface comprising a second piping shoulder, the second piping shoulder abutting the fitting when the second piping end compresses the second seal.",
"11. The tight-seal piping assembly of claim 10, wherein an axis is defined through the fitting channel, the fitting defines an inner flange extending radially inward toward the axis from the fitting inner surface, the inner flange defines the first seal stop surface and the second seal stop surface, each oriented about perpendicular to the axis.",
"12. The tight-seal piping assembly of claim 10, wherein the first seal defines a first seal wall and the second seal defines a second seal wall opposite the first seal wall;\nthe first seal wall abuts the first seal stop surface, and the first piping end of the first piping component engages the first seal wall; and\nthe second seal wall abuts the second seal stop surface and the second piping end of the second piping component engages the second seal wall.",
"13. The tight-seal piping assembly of claim 10, wherein the fitting inner surface defines:\na first seal groove defining a first cylindrical groove surface between the first seal stop surface and internal threading, the first cylindrical groove surface defining the first seal groove within the fitting channel, the first seal received within the first seal groove; and\na second seal groove defining a second cylindrical groove surface between the second seal stop surface and internal threading, the second cylindrical groove surface defining the second seal groove within the fitting channel, the second seal received within the second seal groove.",
"14. The tight-seal piping assembly of claim 10, wherein at least one of the first piping component and the second piping component is an elbow.",
"15. The tight-seal piping assembly of claim 10, wherein the fitting, the first piping component, and the second piping component comprise straight threading.",
"16. The tight-seal piping assembly of claim 15, wherein the first piping end compresses at a first acute angle and compresses at a second acute angle the first seal at the first acute angle, and the second piping end compresses the second seal at the second acute angle.",
"17. A method of joining a piping assembly, the method comprising:\ninserting a piping end of a piping component within an interior channel of a fitting body;\nengaging the fitting body by rotating the piping component relative to the fitting body to advance the piping end of the piping component through the interior channel; and\ncreating a fluid-tight seal between the fitting body and the piping component by compressing a seal between a seal stop surface of the fitting body and the piping end.",
"18. The method of claim 17, wherein:\nthe seal defines a seal wall; and\ncompressing the seal between the seal stop surface and the piping end of the piping component comprises engaging the seal wall at an angle with the piping end of the piping component.",
"19. The method of claim 17, further comprising abutting a piping shoulder of the piping component against a fitting end of the fitting body.",
"20. The method of claim 17, wherein:\nthe fitting body defines a seal groove between internal threading and the seal stop surface and the seal is received within the seal groove; and\ncompressing the seal between the seal stop surface and the piping end of the piping component comprises expanding the seal radially within the seal groove."
],
[
"1. A collar, comprising:\nan inner surface, an outer surface, a top surface and a bottom surface;\nsaid top surface having defined therein a top channel;\na top o-ring for disposition within said top channel;\nsaid top channel offset medially towards said inner surface;\nsaid bottom surface having defined therein a bottom channel;\nwherein said outer surface is angled outwardly to extend said top surface, thereby forming a band surface;\nan upper band disposed on said band surface, said upper band having an upper band outer surface which is knurled to act as a hand grip;\nsaid bottom channel offset medially towards said outer surface, and,\na bottom o-ring for disposition within said bottom channel.",
"2. The collar of claim 1, wherein said upper band inner surface is shaped to conform to a nut portion separating a pipe connection end and a tank connection end of a filtration system."
],
[
"1. A reducer seal assembly for providing a fluid-tight through-wall fitting between a fluid impervious wall and a conduit passing through the wall, said assembly comprising:\na) a substantially rigid supporting sleeve means including an externally threaded hollow portion, said hollow portion having a first open end and a second open end said first end adapted for engaging a wall surrounding an opening and said second end being sized to pass through the opening;\nb) said supporting sleeve means having a lip means for preventing passage of said sleeve means through the wall opening extending substantially perpendicularly outwardly from said first end of said supporting sleeve means;\nc) a resilient member formed about said lip means forming a wall-engaging fluid-tight surface and extending through the hollow portion and beyond said second end to form a clamping band for engaging the through-wall conduit; and,\nd) a threaded fastening means sized for threadably engaging said externally threaded hollow portion.",
"2. The reducer seal assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein:\na) said supporting sleeve means is tubular.",
"3. The reducer seal assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein:\na) said lip means extends entirely about the circumference of said first end and is completely covered by said resilient member.",
"4. The reducer seal assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein:\na) said resilient member is formed of polyetherurethane.",
"5. The reducer seal assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein:\na) said resilient member extends beyond said second end and has a reduced diameter beyond said second end.",
"6. The reducer seal assembly as set forth in claim 5, wherein:\na) said resilient member includes a recess for receiving a hose clamp surrounding said reduced diameter.",
"7. The reducer seal assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein:\na) said first open end is of a diameter to receive a secondary containment pipe.\nb) said second open end is of a smaller diameter than said first open end.",
"8. The reducer seal assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein:\na) said resilient member forms a concave surface to conform to a convex wall.",
"9. The reducer seal assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein:\na) said supporting sleeve means and said threaded fastening means are formed of polypropylene."
],
[
"1. A wave guide assembly for a control and diagnostic system for a machine, the wave guide assembly comprising:\na housing defining an exterior surface and an internal cavity extending between distal ends, the internal cavity including a cross-section defining a wave guide for providing a pathway for wave form signal communication between the distal ends, at least one open conduit providing a space for routing conductors through the housing, and a fluid passage separate from the wave guide.",
"2. The wave guide assembly as recited in claim 1, including an end fitting attached to each end of the housing, the end fitting including a flared tube tapering outward to an attachment flange.",
"3. The wave guide assembly as recited in claim 2, including a coupling for branching the wave guide and fluid passage into two separate paths extending in different directions, the coupling including three ends with a wave guide passage and a fluid coupling passage extending to each of the three ends.",
"4. The wave guide assembly as recited in claim 3, including a seal plate attached between the end fitting and the coupling, the seal plate including a wave guide opening corresponding to the wave guide, a fluid opening corresponding to the fluid passage and seals surrounding the fluid opening.",
"5. The wave guide assembly as recited in claim 4, including an alignment pin corresponding with an alignment opening for aligning the wave guide, at least one open conduit and fluid passage between the housing, seal plate, end fitting and coupling.",
"6. The wave guide assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the wave guide comprises a rectangular passage in cross-section centered within the internal cavity, wherein the rectangular passage defines a size corresponding with a desired frequency range of a wave form signal.",
"7. The wave guide assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a tube with a circular cross-section and the wave guide is centered within the cross-section.",
"8. The wave guide assembly as recited in claim 3, wherein the fluid passage comprises a first fluid passage and a second fluid passage disposed on opposite sides of the wave guide.",
"9. The wave guide assembly as recited in claim 8, wherein the coupling includes a first fluid coupling passage aligning with the first fluid passage and a second fluid coupling passage aligning with the second fluid passage and each of the first fluid coupling passage and the second fluid coupling passage extends to each of the three ends of the coupling.",
"10. The wave guide assembly as recited in claim 9, wherein the coupling includes a conductor assembly branching a conductor between each of the three ends.",
"11. A control and diagnostic system for a machine comprising:\na main transceiver mounted proximate the machine, the transceiver generating and receiving radio frequency waves corresponding to information for control and monitoring of engine operation;\na wave guide assembly in communication with the main transceiver, the wave guide assembly including a housing defining an internal cavity and an end fitting attached to each end of the housing, the internal cavity including a wave guide defining a transmission path for a wave form signal communicated with the main transceiver and a fluid passage separate from the wave guide defining a flow path for fluid;\na fluid source in communication with the fluid passage of the wave guide assembly; and\nat least one remote transceiver attached to an end of the wave guide assembly and in communication with the main transceiver through a wave form signal communicated through the wave guide; and\nat least one fluid device in fluid communication with the fluid passage defined within the wave guide assembly.",
"12. The control and diagnostic system as recited in claim 11, wherein the wave guide assembly comprises a tubular housing defining a circular cross-section, the wave guide defining a rectangular passage centered within the circular cross-section and the at least one fluid passage comprises a first fluid passage and a second fluid passage defined on opposite sides of the wave guide.",
"13. The control and diagnostic system as recited in claim 12, including a coupling for branching the wave guide and fluid passages into two separate paths extending in different directions, the coupling including three ends with a wave guide passage and a fluid coupling passage extending to each of the three ends.",
"14. The control and diagnostic system as recited in claim 13, including a seal plate attached between the end fitting and the coupling, the seal plate including a wave guide opening corresponding to the wave guide, a fluid opening corresponding to the fluid passage and seals surrounding the fluid opening.",
"15. The control and diagnostic system as recited in claim 14 wherein wave guide comprises a rectangular cross-section that defines a size corresponding with a desired frequency range of a wave form signal.",
"16. A gas turbine engine comprising:\na control and diagnostic system including:\na main transceiver mounted proximate the gas turbine engine, the transceiver generating and receiving radio frequency waves corresponding to information for control and monitoring of engine operation;\na wave guide assembly in communication with the main transceiver, the wave guide assembly comprising a housing defining an internal cavity and an end fitting attached to each end of the housing, the internal cavity including a wave guide defining a transmission path for a wave form signal communicated with the main transceiver and a fluid passage separate from the wave guide defining a flow path for fluid;\na fluid source in communication with the fluid passage of the wave guide assembly; and\nat least one remote transceiver attached to an end of the wave guide assembly and in communication with the main transceiver through a wave form signal communicated through the wave guide; and\nat least one fluid device in fluid communication with the fluid passage defined within the wave guide assembly.",
"17. The gas turbine engine as recited in claim 16, wherein the wave guide assembly comprises a tubular housing defining a circular cross-section, the wave guide defining a rectangular passage centered within the circular cross-section and the at least one fluid passage comprises a first fluid passage and a second fluid passage defined on opposite sides of the wave guide.",
"18. The gas turbine engine as recited in claim 17, including a coupling for branching the wave guide and fluid passages into two separate paths extending in different directions, the coupling including three ends with a wave guide passage and a fluid coupling passage extending to each of the three ends.",
"19. The gas turbine engine as recited in claim 18, including a seal plate attached between the end fitting and the coupling, the seal plate including a wave guide opening corresponding to the wave guide, a fluid opening corresponding to the fluid passage and seals surrounding the fluid opening.",
"20. The gas turbine engine as recited in claim 19 wherein wave guide comprises a rectangular cross-section that defines a size corresponding with a desired frequency range of a wave form signal."
],
[
"1. A fluid connection comprising:\na. a plurality of flexible polymeric tubes;\nb. an integral fluid connector coupled to and in fluid communication with each of the plurality of tubes, wherein the fluid connector is covalently bonded to the tubes,\nc. a shell disposed over and encapsulating the fluid connector, wherein the fluid connection has a working pressure of at least about 120 psi, wherein the shell is overmolded over the fluid connector such that the fluid connector is essentially encapsulated by the shell.",
"2. The fluid connection of claim 1, wherein the polymeric tubes have an aseptic inner cavity, the fluid connector has an aseptic inner cavity, the inner cavity of the polymeric tubes is in fluid communication with the inner cavity of the fluid connector, and the shell is composed of a material which is non-autoclavable.",
"3. The fluid connection of claim 1, wherein a coupling of the fluid connector with the plurality of tubes is the first point of failure in the working pressure of the fluid connection before addition of the shell, and wherein after addition of the shell disposed over and encapsulating the fluid connector, the coupling of the fluid connector with the plurality of tubes is not the first point of failure in the working pressure of the fluid transfer assembly.",
"4. The fluid connection of claim 1, wherein at least one of the tubes comprises a biopharmaceutical tube.",
"5. The fluid connection of claim 1, wherein at least one of the tubes comprises a thermoplastic elastomer.",
"6. The fluid connection of claim 1, wherein at least one of the tubes comprises a reinforced silicone tube.",
"7. The fluid connection of claim 1, wherein the fluid connector is integral with the tubes.",
"8. The fluid connection of claim 1, wherein the fluid connector has a shape of a tee, wye, elbow, cross joint, or straight connector.",
"9. The fluid connection of claim 1, wherein the outer surface of fluid connector comprises one or more surface features comprising a protrusion, a depression, a groove, a channel, or combinations thereof.",
"10. The fluid connection of claim 1, wherein the shell comprises a polypropylene.",
"11. The fluid connection of claim 1, wherein the shell is monolithic.",
"12. The fluid connection of claim 1, wherein the shell has a hardness greater than the hardness of the fluid connector and the hardness of the tubing.",
"13. The fluid connection of claim 1, wherein the shell is composed of a material that is incompatible with the tubing and the fluid connector.",
"14. A fluid transfer assembly comprising one or more of the fluid connections according to claim 1.",
"15. An autoclavable biopharmaceutical fluid connection comprising:\na. a plurality of silicone reinforced tubes;\nb. an integral silicone fluid connecter coupled to the plurality of tubes such that there is an essentially seamless transition between the inner cavity of the plurality of tubes and the fluid connector, and wherein the fluid connector is covalently bonded to the tubes; and\nc. a polypropylene shell disposed over and encapsulating fluid connector, wherein the fluid connection has a working pressure of at least about 120 psi.",
"16. A method of forming a fluid connection, the method comprising:\na. providing a plurality of tubes;\nb. integrally forming a fluid connector about the plurality of tubes, wherein the fluid connector is covalently bonded to the tubes;\nc. forming a shell over and encapsulating the fluid connector, wherein the fluid connection has a working pressure of at least about 120 psi, wherein forming a shell comprises overmolding the shell over the fluid connector such that the fluid connector is essentially encapsulated by the shell.",
"17. The method of claim 16, wherein forming a fluid connector comprises overmolding the fluid connector about the tubes."
],
[
"1. A method for forming tubing assembly comprising:\nselecting a fitting having first end and a second end, a first flange closer to the first end than the second end, a second flange closer to the second end than the first end, and a locating feature;\ninserting the first end into a first tubing until said first tubing abuts said first flange;\ninserting the second end into a second tubing until said second tubing abuts said second flange;\nplacing said fitting with tubings into a mold aligning said locating feature with a locating feature within the mold; and\nmolding a first overmold over the first tubing and over the fitting; and\nmolding a second overmold over the second tubing and over the fitting.",
"2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said first and second flanges are different portions of the same flange.",
"3. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the locating feature of the fitting is a projection and wherein the locating feature within the mold is a depression, and wherein aligning comprises placing the projection into the depression.",
"4. The method as recited in claim 3, wherein the depression is complementary to the projection.",
"5. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the locating feature within the mold is complementary to the locating feature of the fitting.",
"6. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein molding a first overmold comprises injection molding the first overmold and molding the second overmold comprises injection molding the second overmold.",
"7. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein molding a first overmold comprises forming the first overmold to have a permanent, or a significantly permanent, thermal bond between the first overmold and the first tubing and the first overmold and the fitting, and wherein molding a second overmold comprises forming the second overmold to have a permanent, or a significantly permanent, thermal bond between the second overmold and the second tubing and the second overmold and the fitting.",
"8. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein molding a first overmold comprises melting at least an outer surface portion of the first tubing, and wherein molding second overmold comprises melting at least an outer surface portion of the second tubing.",
"9. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein molding a first overmold comprises melting at least an outer surface portion of the fitting, and wherein molding second overmold comprises melting at least another outer surface portion of the fitting.",
"10. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein molding a first overmold further comprises melting at least an outer surface portion of the first tubing, and wherein molding second overmold further comprises melting at least an outer surface portion of the second tubing.",
"11. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the fitting is a rigid fitting.",
"12. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein the fitting comprises a material selected from the group of materials consisting of polypropylene, polyethylene, or thermoplastic elastomers.",
"13. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein each of the first and second tubings comprises a thermoplastic elastomer.",
"14. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein each of the first and second tubings comprises a thermoplastic elastomer."
],
[
"1. A connector comprising:\na connecting body having a fluid passage that extends at least part way therethrough;\na seal ring configured to provide a seal with an outer portion of a fluid tube;\na cartridge located near the connecting body, the cartridge having a hollow portion therethrough;\na grab part having one or more teeth that are configured to retain the fluid tube, the grab part being located between the cartridge and the seal ring;\na demount part being movable within the hollow portion of the cartridge and configured to move the one or more teeth to a position to allow the fluid tube to be released; and\na sleeve body having an outer surface that extends from a first end to an opposite, second end of the sleeve body, the sleeve body covering at least part of the cartridge and the connecting body;\nwherein at least one latch is positioned within an aperture on the outer surface of the sleeve body between the first and second ends, and at least one mating catch is located on the connecting body for engagement with the at least one latch to connect the sleeve body to the connecting body and assist in restraining movement of the cartridge.",
"2. The connector of claim 1, wherein the at least one latch includes a plurality of latches defined by cutouts on the outer surface of the sleeve and the at least one catch includes a plurality of catches on the connecting body.",
"3. The connector of claim 1, wherein the at least one latch is configured to rotate about a sidewall connected thereto in order to engage with the at least one catch.",
"4. The connector of claim 3, wherein the at least one latch includes one or more protrusions extending from the sidewall.",
"5. The connector of claim 1, wherein the at least one latch is configured to move in a direction away from and towards the at least one catch in order to engage the at least one catch.",
"6. The connector of claim 1, wherein the at least one latch extends transversely from a sidewall connected thereto.",
"7. The connector of claim 6, wherein the at least one latch extends in a direction of 5 degrees transversely to the sidewall.",
"8. The connector of claim 1, wherein engagement of the at least one catch with the at least one latch assists in preventing rotation of the sleeve relative to the connecting body.",
"9. The connector of claim 1, wherein the demount part remains out of engagement with the one or more teeth, and thereby does not allow the fluid tube to be released, even when an external force is applied over a distance from at least the demount part to the cartridge.",
"10. The connector of claim 9, wherein the external force is provided on a free end of the demount part.",
"11. The connector of claim 9, wherein an end of the demount part end is proximal to an end of the cartridge.",
"12. The connector of claim 1, wherein a protecting ring is configured to assist in protecting the seal ring.",
"13. The connector of claim 12, wherein the protecting ring includes a stop that assists in ensuring the seal ring is captured in a space where retention of the seal ring is suitable.",
"14. The connector of claim 12, wherein the protecting ring includes a protrusion that assists in supporting the fluid tube.",
"15. A connector assembly comprising:\na connecting body having a fluid passage that extends at least part way therethrough;\none connector as claimed in claim 1 as a first connector including the connecting body; and\nanother connector as claimed in claim 1 as a second connector including the connecting body.",
"16. A connector comprising:\na connecting body having a fluid passage that extends at least part way therethrough;\na seal ring configured to provide a seal with an outer portion of a fluid tube;\na cartridge located near the connecting body, the cartridge having a hollow portion therethrough;\na grab part having one or more teeth that are configured to retain the fluid tube, the grab part being located between the cartridge and the seal ring;\na demount part being movable within the hollow portion of the cartridge and configured to move the one or more teeth to a position to allow the fluid tube to be released; and\na sleeve body having an outer surface that extends from a first end to an opposite, second end of the sleeve body, the sleeve body covering at least part of the cartridge and the connecting body, wherein at least one latch is positioned within an aperture on the outer surface of the sleeve body between the first and second ends, and at least one mating catch is located on the connecting body for engagement with the at least one latch to provide a connection therebetween;\nwherein the demount part is structured such that when an external force is applied over a distance from at least a free end of the demount part to the cartridge, the demount part does not move to a position that engages with the one or more teeth to allow the fluid tube to be released.",
"17. A kit for connecting two fluid tubes, the kit comprising:\na plurality of connectors as claimed in claim 1; and\na fluid tube.",
"18. The kit of claim 17, wherein the seal ring is configured to move about 2 to 5 mm along a recess between a protecting ring and an inwardly extending shoulder on the connecting body.",
"19. The kit of claim 17, wherein the connecting body comprises one of a straight-line connector, a T connector, a Y-connector, an elbow connector, a blind end connector, or a connector changing diameter.",
"20. A connector for a fluid tube having an outer diameter, the connector having proximal and distal ends and extending along a longitudinal axis, the connector comprising:\na connector body having a fluid passage extending at least part way through the connector body and a tube stop to limit passage of the fluid tube through the connector body;\na sealing ring encircling the longitudinal axis and having an internal diameter to provide a fluid tight seal with the fluid tube when the fluid tube passes through the sealing ring;\na protecting ring encircling the longitudinal axis, the sealing ring located between a shoulder on the connector body and the protecting ring;\na cartridge part encircling the longitudinal axis and holding the protecting ring against the connector body;\na grab ring having a plurality of teeth encircling the longitudinal axis and extending inward and toward the connector body a distance sufficient to grab the fluid tube during use, the grab ring held between the cartridge part and the protecting ring;\na demount ring encircling the longitudinal axis and held between a shoulder on the cartridge part and the grab ring, the demount ring being axially movable a distance sufficient to push the plurality of teeth outward and release the fluid tube; and\na tubular sleeve having an outer surface that extends from a first end to an opposite, second end, the tubular sleeve encircling the cartridge part and the protecting ring and part of the connector body, the tubular sleeve having a resiliently flexible latch positioned within an aperture on the outer surface thereof between the first and second ends for latching the tubular sleeve to the connector body, holding the cartridge part against the protecting ring, and holding the protecting ring against the connector body, the sleeve having a proximal end with a sleeve opening through which the fluid tube passes."
],
[
"1. A method for using a pre-assembled coupling assembly, the method comprising:\nproviding a pipe fitting comprising a raised lip, a sealing surface, and a groove, the pipe fitting defining an inner end and an outer end, the pipe fitting defining an axis;\naxially inserting the inner end of the pipe fitting into a gasket comprising a center ridge, wherein:\nthe sealing surface of the pipe fitting is within the gasket and is positioned radially outward from the groove of the pipe fitting;\nthe raised lip of the pipe fitting extends radially outward from the sealing surface and into the center ridge of the gasket; and\nthe sealing surface of the pipe fitting is defined between the groove and the raised lip of the pipe fitting; and\nassembling a housing around the gasket, the housing defining a gasket groove to receive the gasket, and the raised lip of the pipe fitting compressing the center ridge of the gasket within the gasket groove of the housing, the housing and the gasket being retained on the inner end of the pipe fitting when the coupling is in a relaxed position.",
"2. The method of claim 1, further comprising positioning a sealing ridge of the gasket axially between the inner end and the outer end.",
"3. The method of claim 1, further comprising stretching a sealing ridge of the gasket over the raised lip of the pipe fitting, the raised lip defined between the inner end and the outer end.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein assembling the housing around the gasket comprises fastening at least one segment around the gasket, the at least one segment defining the gasket groove, the gasket seated within the gasket groove.",
"5. The method of claim 1, further comprising inserting an end of a pipe into the coupling.",
"6. The method of claim 1, further comprising engaging an inner rim of the gasket with the groove of the pipe fitting.",
"7. The method of claim 1, wherein a diameter of the sealing ridge of the gasket is greater than a diameter of the sealing surface of the pipe fitting and less than a diameter of the raised lip.",
"8. The method of claim 7, wherein the sealing surface is closer to the sealing ridge of the gasket when the gasket is in a relaxed position than the sealing surface is to a sealing portion of the pipe fitting.",
"9. The method of claim 1, wherein the center ridge of the gasket further comprises a pair of ribs extending radially inward from the center ridge of the gasket.",
"10. The method of claim 9, wherein the gasket further comprises a pair of sealing channels defined between each sealing ridge and the pair of ribs on the center ridge when the raised lip compresses the pair of ribs.",
"11. The method of claim 9, wherein the pipe fitting is a first pipe fitting, and the method further comprises axially inserting a second pipe fitting into the housing comprising the gasket.",
"12. The method of claim 11, wherein a second raised lip on the second pipe fitting is inserted into a coupling bore of the first pipe fitting within the housing, and the raised lip of the first pipe fitting compresses the center ridge of the gasket within the gasket groove of the housing."
],
[
"1. A coupling for attachment to a conduit having an insertion end, an outer surface of the insertion end of the conduit being smooth and free of grooves, flanges and beads, said coupling comprising: a first member having an exterior surface and an interior surface, the interior surface of the first member defining a first passageway through the first member, the first passageway extending from an entry end to a proximal end of the first member, wherein the exterior surface of the first member defines a first outer perimeter surface that is cylindrical in shape, a second outer perimeter surface that is cylindrical in shape and radially offset inwardly with respect to the first outer perimeter surface, and an energy director at least partially intermediate the first outer perimeter surface and the second outer perimeter surface; a second member having an exterior surface and an interior surface, the interior surface of the second member defining a second passageway through the second member, the second passageway extending from an attachment end to an opposite end of the second member, wherein the interior surface of the second member defines a first recessed region having a first width, and a second recessed region having a second width, the first width being greater than the second width, wherein the interior surface of the second member defines a first ledge intermediate the first recessed region and the second recessed region, wherein the first outer perimeter surface of the first member is in spin weld engagement with at least a portion of the interior surface of the second member defining the first recessed region, the energy director of the first member is in spin weld engagement with at least a portion of the first ledge of the second member, and the second outer perimeter surface of the first member is in spin weld engagement with at least a portion of the interior surface of the second member defining the second recessed region, wherein, prior to spin weld engagement with the at least a portion of the first ledge of the second member, the energy director comprises a curved extension with a radially inward disposed face, and following the spin weld engagement with the at least a portion of the first ledge of the second member, the energy director is fused with the at least a portion of the first ledge of the second member; the interior surface of the second member defining another ledge, the another ledge comprising a raised inner lip and a recessed outer portion, the raised inner lip being closer to the attachment end of the second member than the recessed outer portion, the recessed outer portion comprising an arcuate surface having an arcuate, side cross-sectional shape; a gripping ring having an inner edge defining a series of teeth, the gripping ring being disposed at least partially within the second recessed region; a support ring being disposed at least partially within the second recessed region; and an O-ring disposed intermediate the another ledge and the support ring, wherein each of the first and second members is made from one or more polymers, and wherein the coupling has a burst pressure of at least 700 pounds per square inch (PSI).",
"2. The coupling of claim 1, wherein a combination of the first and second members define a cavity for receiving flash weld deposits generated during creation of the spin weld engagement of the first member to the second member.",
"3. The coupling of claim 2, wherein at least a portion of the first member is disposed within the second recessed region.",
"4. The coupling of claim 1, wherein the gripping ring comprises an outer body having a body width and wherein a proximal face of the support ring further comprises a face width, wherein the face width is less than the body width.",
"5. The coupling of claim 4, wherein the face width is less than one-half of the body width.",
"6. The coupling of claim 4, wherein the face width is less than one-quarter of the body width.",
"7. The coupling of claim 4, wherein the face width is less than one-eighth of the body width.",
"8. The coupling of claim 1, wherein the exterior surface of the first member comprises a beveled edge extending radially inward from the second outer perimeter surface, the beveled edge extending away from the interior surface of the second member.",
"9. The coupling of claim 8, wherein the beveled edge is disposed within the second recessed region of the second member.",
"10. The coupling of claim 1, wherein the coupling has a burst pressure of at least 800 pounds per square inch (PSI).",
"11. A coupling for attachment to a conduit having an insertion end, an outer surface of the insertion end of the conduit being smooth and free of grooves, flanges and beads, said coupling comprising: a first member having an exterior surface and an interior surface, the interior surface of the first member defining a first passageway through the first member, the first passageway extending from an entry end to a proximal end of the first member, wherein the exterior surface of the first member defines a first outer perimeter surface that is cylindrical in shape, a second outer perimeter surface that is cylindrical in shape and radially offset inwardly with respect to the first outer perimeter surface, and an energy director at least partially intermediate the first outer perimeter surface and the second outer perimeter surface; a second member having an exterior surface and an interior surface, the interior surface of the second member defining a second passageway through the second member, the second passageway extending from an attachment end to an opposite end of the second member, wherein the interior surface of the second member defines a first recessed region having a first width, and a second recessed region having a second width, the first width being greater than the second width, wherein the interior surface of the second member defines a first ledge intermediate the first recessed region and the second recessed region, wherein the first outer perimeter surface of the first member is in spin weld engagement with at least a portion of the interior surface of the second member defining the first recessed region, the energy director of the first member is in spin weld engagement with at least a portion of the first ledge of the second member, and the second outer perimeter surface of the first member is in spin weld engagement with at least a portion of the interior surface of the second member defining the second recessed region, wherein, prior to spin weld engagement with the at least a portion of the first ledge of the second member, the energy director comprises a curved extension with a radially inward disposed face, and following the spin weld engagement with the at least a portion of the first ledge of the second member, the energy director is fused with the at least a portion of the first ledge of the second member; a gripping ring having an inner edge defining a series of teeth, the gripping ring being disposed at least partially within the second recessed region; a support ring being disposed at least partially within the second recessed region; and a seal disposed intermediate the another ledge and the support ring, wherein each of the first and second members is made from one or more polymers.",
"12. The coupling of claim 11, wherein the interior surface of the first member defines a plurality of tool receiving recesses.",
"13. The coupling of claim 11, wherein the gripping ring comprises an outer body having a body width and wherein a proximal face of the support ring further comprises a face width, wherein the face width is less than one-half of the body width.",
"14. The coupling of claim 13, wherein the face width is less than one-quarter of the body width.",
"15. The coupling of claim 13, wherein the face width is less than one-eighth of the body width.",
"16. The coupling of claim 11, wherein the exterior surface of the first member comprises a beveled edge adjacent to the second outer perimeter surface, the beveled edge extending inwardly away from the interior surface of the second member.",
"17. The coupling of claim 11, wherein the support ring comprises an inward ledged recess sized to mate with a ledge defined by the interior surface of the second member.",
"18. A method of manufacturing the coupling of claim 1, the method comprising: positioning the O-ring adjacent to the another ledge; positioning the support ring at least partially within the second recessed region of the second member adjacent to the O-ring; positioning the gripping ring adjacent to the support ring such that an outer body of the gripping ring abuts a proximal face of the support ring; and securing the first member to the second member utilizing a spin welding technique such that the first member securely retains the O-ring, the support ring, and the gripping ring within the second member.",
"19. The method of claim 18 further comprising: positioning at least a portion of the first member within the first recessed region and the second recessed region defined by the second member while the first member is secured to the second member utilizing the spin welding technique.",
"20. A coupling for attachment to a conduit having an insertion end, an outer surface of the insertion end of the conduit being smooth and free of grooves, flanges and beads, said coupling comprising: a first member having an exterior surface and an interior surface, the interior surface of the first member defining a first passageway through the first member, the first passageway extending from an entry end to a proximal end of the first member, wherein the exterior surface of the first member defines a first outer perimeter surface that is cylindrical in shape, a second outer perimeter surface that is cylindrical in shape and radially offset inwardly with respect to the first outer perimeter surface, and an energy director at least partially intermediate the first outer perimeter surface and the second outer perimeter surface; a second member coupled to the first member, the second member having an exterior surface and an interior surface, the interior surface of the second member defining a second passageway through the second member, the second passageway extending from an attachment end to an opposite end of the second member, wherein the interior surface of the second member defines a first recessed region having a first width, and second recessed region having a second width, the first width being greater than the second width, wherein the interior surface of the second member defines a first ledge intermediate the first recessed region and the second recessed region, wherein the first outer perimeter surface of the first member is in spin weld engagement with at least a portion of the interior surface of the second member defining the first recessed region, the energy director of the first member is in spin weld engagement with at least a portion of the first ledge of the second member, and the second outer perimeter surface of the first member is in spin weld engagement with at least a portion of the interior surface of the second member defining the second recessed region, wherein, prior to spin weld engagement with the at least a portion of the first ledge of the second member, the energy director comprises a curved extension with a radially inward disposed face, and following the spin weld engagement with the at least a portion of the first ledge of the second member, the energy director is fused with the at least a portion of the first ledge of the second member, the interior surface of the second member defining another ledge, the another ledge comprising a raised inner lip and a recessed outer portion, the raised inner lip being closer to the attachment end of the second member than the recessed outer portion, the recessed outer portion comprising an arcuate surface having an arcuate, side cross-sectional shape; a gripping ring having an inner edge defining a series of teeth, the gripping ring being disposed at least partially within the second recessed region; a support ring being disposed at least partially within the second recessed region; and a seal disposed intermediate the another ledge and the support ring, wherein each of the first and second members is made from one or more polymers."
],
[
"1. A method of manufacturing a fluid end comprising a main block and a flange, the main block having a first and a second surface, the first surface being the surface of the main block nearer the flange and the second surface being the surface of the main block away from the flange, wherein the fluid end has assembly and non-assembly surfaces, wherein a first direction is defined extending between the block and the flange, and a second direction is defined extending perpendicularly to the first direction, the method comprising the steps of:\na. forging of an ingot into a billet using open die method;\nb. forging the billet in a closed die by providing blows in multiple steps to form the flange and the main block with the first surface and the second surface and produce a near net shaped fluid end in as-forged condition, wherein a neck is formed between the flange and the main block in the first direction, and wherein the flange extends outwardly from the neck in the second direction;\nc. rough machining a portion of at least one of the first surface and the second surface of the main block of the near net shaped fluid end to form rough machined surfaces while leaving another portion of the same of the at least one of the first surface and the second surface having the portion that was rough machined in as-forged condition to produce a rough machined near net shaped fluid end;\nd. providing heat treatment to the rough machined near net shaped fluid end to produce a heat treated rough machined near net shaped fluid end;\ne. providing further semi-finish or partial or rough machining to the rough machined surfaces of the heat treated rough machined near net shaped fluid end to produce further machined surfaces while leaving the another portion of the at least one of the first surface and the second surface in as-forged condition;\nf. drilling the fluid end to create internal pathways therethrough; and\ng. providing finish machining to the further machined surfaces to produce the assembly surfaces of the fluid end, wherein the another portion constitute the non-assembly surfaces.",
"2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the multiple steps of providing blows further comprise the steps of:\na. heating the billet to forging temperature and providing a first set of blows among the blows to produce a first-heated finisher in the closed die;\nb. if required, heating the first-heated finisher further and providing a second set of blows among the blows by placing the first-heated finisher in the closed die to produce a second-heated finisher;\nwherein either the first-heated finisher, or in the case step b is executed, the second-heated finisher produces the near-net shape fluid end, ready to be machined.",
"3. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the closed die comprises die horns and is constructed to cause the near net shaped fluid end to have continuous grain flow lines along contours thereof.",
"4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the portion having the rough machining is on both the first surface and the second surface of the main block, and wherein the another portion in as-forged condition is left on both the first surface and the second surface of the main block.",
"5. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein a third portion having rough machining is also on the flange, and wherein a fourth portion in as-forged condition is also left on the flange.",
"6. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein a fifth portion having the rough machining is also on a neck between the flange and the main block, and wherein a sixth portion in as-forged condition is also left on the neck."
],
[
"1. A flowline junction fitting adapted for use in a high-pressure frac system, said junction fitting comprising:\n(a) a fitting body having a primary bore, at least four secondary bores, and a tertiary bore, said bores being adapted to conduct fluid through said fitting body;\n(b) said primary bore extending axially through said body between first and second primary union faces adapted for connection to flowline components by a flange union;\n(c) said secondary bores extending through said body from secondary union faces to intersections with said primary bore, said secondary union faces being adapted for connection to flowline components by flange unions;\n(d) said tertiary bore extending through said body from a tertiary union face to an intersection with said primary bore, said tertiary union face being adapted for connection to a flowline component by a flange union;\n(e) wherein said tertiary bore intersects with said primary bore at an angle of approximately 90°; and\n(f) wherein said secondary union face of at least one of said secondary bores extends in a first plane and said secondary union face of another one of said secondary bores extends in a second plane; and\n(g) wherein said tertiary union face of said tertiary bore extends in a third plane.",
"2. The flowline fitting of claim 1, wherein said intersections of said secondary bores and said primary bore are offset axially from said intersection between said tertiary bore and said primary bore.",
"3. The flowline fitting of claim 1, wherein said secondary bores are symmetrically arranged on either side of an axis of said tertiary bore.",
"4. The flowline fitting of claim 1, wherein at least two said secondary union faces are disposed on a first planar surface on said body and at least two said secondary union faces are disposed on a second planar surface on said body.",
"5. The flowline fitting of claim 4, wherein said first and second planar surfaces extend generally perpendicular to each other.",
"6. The flowline fitting of claim 1, wherein said body is cylindrical.",
"7. The flowline fitting of claim 1, wherein said secondary bores intersect with said primary bore at an interior angle of about 45°.",
"8. The flowline fitting of claim 1, wherein said secondary bores intersect with said primary bore at an interior angle of from about 15° to about 60°.",
"9. The flowline fitting of claim 1, wherein said flowline fitting comprises a quaternary bore extending through said body to an intersection with said primary bore, said quaternary bore being adapted to receive a removable wear plug.",
"10. The flowline fitting of claim 9, wherein said quaternary bore extends from a quaternary union face and said plug is adapted for assembly to said flowline fitting by a flange union.",
"11. The flowline fitting of claim 9, wherein the intersection of said quaternary bore and said primary bore is opposite said intersection of said tertiary bore and said primary bore.",
"12. A frac system comprising a flowline fitting of claim 9, said flowline fitting being assembled into said frac system by flange unions, wherein an upstream component is connected to said flowline component at said tertiary union face and downstream components are connected to said flowline component at said secondary union faces.",
"13. The frac system of claim 12, wherein said wear plug is connected to said flowline fitting by a flange union at a quaternary union face of said quaternary bore.",
"14. A frac system comprising a flowline fitting of claim 1, said flowline fitting being assembled into said frac system by flange unions, wherein an upstream component is connected to said flowline component at said tertiary union face and downstream components are connected to said flowline component at said secondary union faces.",
"15. A frac system comprising a flowline fitting of claim 1, said flowline fitting being assembled into said frac system by flange unions, wherein upstream components are connected to said flowline component at said secondary union faces and a downstream component is connected to said flowline component at said tertiary union face.",
"16. A flowline junction fitting adapted for use in a high-pressure frac system, said junction fitting comprising:\n(a) a fitting body having a primary bore and at least four secondary bores, said bores being adapted to conduct fluid through said fitting body;\n(b) said primary bore extending axially through said body between first and second primary union faces adapted for connection to a first flowline component by a flange union;\n(c) said secondary bores extending through said body from secondary union faces to intersections with said primary bore, said secondary union faces being adapted for connection to second flowline components by flange unions;\n(d) wherein said secondary union face of two of said secondary bores extend in first set of parallel planes and said secondary union face of the other two said secondary bores extend in a second set of parallel planes;\n(e) wherein said intersections between said secondary bores and said primary bore have an interior angle of substantially less than 90°.",
"17. The flowline fitting of claim 16, wherein said secondary union faces are at least partially recessed into said body.",
"18. The flowline fitting of claim 16, wherein a first set of said secondary union faces are substantially parallel to each other and a second set of said secondary union faces are substantially parallel to each other.",
"19. The flowline fitting of claim 16, wherein said body is cylindrical.",
"20. The flowline fitting of claim 16, wherein said secondary bores intersect with said primary bore at an interior angle of about 45°.",
"21. The flowline fitting of claim 16, wherein said secondary bores intersect with said primary bore at an interior angle of from about 15° to about 60°.",
"22. A frac system comprising a flowline fitting of claim 16 assembled into said frac system by flange unions, wherein upstream components are connected to said flowline fitting at said secondary union faces and a downstream component is connected to said first primary union face.",
"23. A frac system comprising a flowline fitting of claim 16 assembled into said frac system by flange unions, wherein an upstream component is connected to said flowline fitting at said first primary union face and downstream components are connected to said flowline fitting at said secondary union faces."
],
[
"1. A fitting for connecting at least two pipe elements together, said fitting comprising:\nfirst and second housing portions attached to one another and defining at least first and second receptacles wherein said first receptacle is not coaxially aligned with said second receptacle, said first and second receptacles respectively defining first and second openings for receiving said pipe elements, a radially projecting arcuate key being positioned on each said housing portion, each said key comprising first and second notches at opposite ends, said keys surrounding said first and second openings, said housing portions further defining a fluid path extending between said first and second receptacles;\na first seal positioned within said first receptacle and surrounding said first opening;\na second seal positioned within said second receptacle and surrounding said second opening;\na tube extending within said fitting between said first and second seals;\na plurality of adjustable fasteners attaching said first and second housing portions to one another, said housing portions being supported in spaced apart relation sufficient to permit said pipe elements to be inserted into said receptacles while said housing portions are attached to one another, said fasteners being adjustably tightenable so as to draw said housing portions toward one another and bring said keys into engagement with said pipe elements so as to affix said pipe elements together.",
"2. The fitting according to claim 1, wherein said first receptacle surrounds a first axis oriented coaxially with said first opening and said second receptacle surrounds a second axis oriented coaxially with said second opening, said first and second axes being angularly oriented with respect to one another.",
"3. The fitting according to claim 2, wherein said first and second axes have an orientation angle from about 90° to about 174° with respect to one another.",
"4. The fitting according to claim 1, wherein said first and second housing portions further define a third receptacle, said third receptacle defining a third opening for receiving one of said pipe elements, said housing portions further defining said fluid path to extend between said first, second and third receptacles.",
"5. The fitting according to claim 4, wherein said first receptacle surrounds a first axis oriented coaxially with said first opening, said second receptacle surrounds a second axis oriented coaxially with said second opening, and said third receptacle surrounds a third axis oriented coaxially with said third opening, said first and third axes being co-linear with one another, said second axis being angularly oriented with respect to said first and third axes.",
"6. The fitting according to claim 5, wherein said first and second axes have an orientation angle from about 30° to about 150° with respect to one another.",
"7. The fitting according to claim 4, further comprising:\na third seal positioned within said third receptacle and surrounding said third opening;\nsaid tube extending within said fitting between said first, second and third seals.",
"8. The fitting according to claim 7, wherein said tube is integrally formed with said first, second and third seals.",
"9. The fitting according to claim 7, wherein said seals sealingly engage said tube when said seals are compressed between said first and second housing portions.",
"10. The fitting according to claim 7, wherein said first and second housing portions are supported in said spaced relation by contact with said first, second and third seals.",
"11. The fitting according to claim 10, wherein said first, second and third seals have an outer circumference sized to support said housing portions in said spaced apart relation sufficient to permit said pipe elements to be inserted into said receptacles.",
"12. The fitting according to claim 10, wherein said first, second and third seals each have at least one projection extending radially outwardly therefrom, said at least one projection on each of said seals engaging one of said first and second housing portions and thereby supporting said housing portions in said spaced apart relation sufficient to permit said pipe elements to be inserted into said receptacles.",
"13. The fitting according to claim 12, wherein said at least one projection on each of said first and second seals comprises an arch extending outwardly from each of said first, second and third seals.",
"14. The fitting according to claim 12, wherein at least one of said receptacles comprises a recess positioned on an inner surface thereof for receiving said at least one projection extending from one of said first, second and third seals.",
"15. The fitting according to claim 1, further comprising:\na plurality of lugs extending from each of said first and second housing portions, each of said lugs defining a hole for receiving one of said fasteners.",
"16. The fitting according to claim 1, wherein said seals sealingly engage said tube when said seals are compressed between said first and second housing portions.",
"17. The fitting according to claim 1, wherein said first and second housing portions are supported in said spaced relation by contact with said first and second seals.",
"18. The fitting according to claim 17, wherein said first and second seals have an outer circumference sized to support said housing portions in said spaced apart relation sufficient to permit said pipe elements to be inserted into said receptacles.",
"19. The fitting according to claim 17, wherein said first and second seals each have at least one projection extending radially outwardly therefrom, said at least one projection on each of said seals engaging one of said first and second housing portions and thereby supporting said housing portions in said spaced apart relation sufficient to permit said pipe elements to be inserted into said receptacles.",
"20. The fitting according to claim 19, wherein said at least one projection on each of said first and second seals comprises an arch extending outwardly from each of said first and second seals.",
"21. The fitting according to claim 19, wherein at least one of said receptacles comprises a recess positioned on an inner surface thereof for receiving said at least one projection extending from one of said first and second seals.",
"22. The fitting according to claim 1, wherein said tube is integrally formed with said first and second seals.",
"23. In combination, at least two pipe elements and a fitting for connecting said at least two pipe elements together, said fitting comprising:\nfirst and second housing portions attached to one another and defining at least first and second receptacles wherein said first receptacle is not coaxially aligned with said second receptacle, said first and second receptacles respectively defining first and second openings for receiving said pipe elements, a radially projecting arcuate key being positioned on each said housing portion, each said key comprising first and second notches at opposite ends, said keys surrounding said first and second openings, said housing portions further defining a fluid path extending between said first and second receptacles;\na first seal positioned within said first receptacle and surrounding said first opening;\na second seal positioned within said second receptacle and surrounding said second opening;\na tube extending within said fitting between said first and second seals;\na plurality of adjustable fasteners attaching said first and second housing portions to one another, said housing portions being supported in spaced apart relation sufficient to permit said pipe elements to be inserted into said receptacles while said housing portions are attached to one another, said fasteners being adjustably tightenable so as to draw said housing portions toward one another and bring said keys into engagement with said pipe elements so as to affix said pipe elements together.",
"24. The combination according to claim 23, wherein at least one of said pipe elements comprises a circumferential groove positioned at one end thereof, and said fitting comprises arcuate keys positioned on at least one of said receptacles, said arcuate keys projecting toward said at least one pipe element and engaging said circumferential groove when said receptacles engage said pipe elements.",
"25. The combination according to claim 23, wherein said first and second housing portions further define a third receptacle, said third receptacle defining a third opening for receiving one of said pipe elements, said housing portions further defining said fluid path to extend between said first, second and third receptacles.",
"26. The combination according to claim 25, wherein said first receptacle surrounds a first axis oriented coaxially with said first opening, said second receptacle surrounds a second axis oriented coaxially with said second opening, and said third receptacle surrounds a third axis oriented coaxially with said third opening, said first and third axes being co-linear with one another, said second axis being angularly oriented with respect to said first and third axes."
],
[
"1. A discharge manifold for a modular multiplex pump, comprising:\na monolithic, first tee fitting coupled to a discharge port of a first module of the pump by an externally threaded collar that is threaded into engagement with the first module such that a lower neck portion of the first tee fitting is disposed within the discharge port of the first module;\na monolithic cross fitting coupled to a discharge port of a second module of the pump by an externally threaded collar that is threaded into engagement with the second module such that a lower neck portion of the cross fitting is disposed within the discharge port of the second module, the cross fitting also coupled to the first tee fitting; and\na monolithic, second tee fitting coupled to a discharge port of a third module of the pump by an externally threaded collar that is threaded into engagement with the third module such that a lower neck portion of the second tee fitting is disposed within the discharge port of the third module, wherein the second tee fitting is coupled to the cross fitting on a side opposite from the first tee fitting, wherein the first tee fitting, the cross fitting, and the second tee fitting form a flow bore of the discharge manifold, and wherein split rings and snap rings secure the lower neck portions of the fittings to the collars.",
"2. The manifold of claim 1, wherein fluid is pumped from at least one of the first, second, and third modules to the flow bore of the discharge manifold during a discharge stroke of the pump.",
"3. The manifold of claim 2, wherein the cross fitting includes a threaded top port.",
"4. The manifold of claim 3, wherein the first and second tee fittings are threadedly coupled to the cross fitting by wing nuts.",
"5. The manifold of claim 4, wherein the fittings are formed from 1502 iron.",
"6. The manifold of claim 1, wherein the modules are forced together using a compression clamp disposed entirely external to the modules, and having clamp plates and clamp fasteners coupled to the clamp plates.",
"7. The manifold of claim 1, wherein the discharge ports comprise manifold bores that are in fluid communication with discharge bores of the modules.",
"8. The manifold of claim 1, wherein the upper ends of the collars include tool insertion bores formed about the outer circumference.",
"9. The manifold of claim 1, wherein the split rings include an outer shoulder that contacts an inner shoulder of the collars.",
"10. The manifold of claim 9, wherein the lower neck portions of the fittings include an outer shoulder that contacts the bottom ends of the split rings.",
"11. A discharge manifold for a modular multiplex pump, comprising:\na monolithic, first tee fitting coupled to a discharge port of a first module of the pump by an externally threaded collar that is threaded into engagement with the first module such that a lower neck portion of the first tee fitting is disposed within the discharge port of the first module;\na monolithic cross fitting coupled to a discharge port of a second module of the pump by an externally threaded collar that is threaded into engagement with the second module such that a lower neck portion of the cross fitting is disposed within the discharge port of the second module, the cross fitting also coupled to the first tee fitting, and wherein the cross fitting includes a threaded top port; and\na monolithic, second tee fitting coupled to a discharge port of a third module of the pump by an externally threaded collar that is threaded into engagement with the third module such that a lower neck portion of the second tee fitting is disposed within the discharge port of the third module, wherein the second tee fitting is coupled to the cross fitting on a side opposite from the first tee fitting, wherein the first tee fitting, the cross fitting, and the second tee fitting form a flow bore of the discharge manifold, wherein fluid is pumped from at least one of the first, second, and third modules to the flow bore of the discharge manifold during a discharge stroke of the pump, and wherein the first and second tee fittings are threadedly coupled to the cross fitting by wing nuts.",
"12. The manifold of claim 11, wherein the fittings are formed from 1502 iron.",
"13. A discharge manifold for a modular multiplex pump, comprising:\na monolithic, first tee fitting coupled to a discharge port of a first module of the pump by an externally threaded collar that is threaded into engagement with the first module such that a lower neck portion of the first tee fitting is disposed within the discharge port of the first module;\na monolithic cross fitting coupled to a discharge port of a second module of the pump by an externally threaded collar that is threaded into engagement with the second module such that a lower neck portion of the cross fitting is disposed within the discharge port of the second module, the cross fitting also coupled to the first tee fitting; and\na monolithic, second tee fitting coupled to a discharge port of a third module of the pump by an externally threaded collar that is threaded into engagement with the third module such that a lower neck portion of the second tee fitting is disposed within the discharge port of the third module, wherein the second tee fitting is coupled to the cross fitting on a side opposite from the first tee fitting, wherein the first tee fitting, the cross fitting, and the second tee fitting form a flow bore of the discharge manifold, and wherein the upper ends of the collars include tool insertion bores formed about the outer circumference."
]
] |
in the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to aia 35 u.s.c. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-aia 35 u.s.c. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from aia to pre-aia ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
the following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 u.s.c. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this office action:
a person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
claim(s) 1-3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 are rejected under 35 u.s.c. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by gim (kr-20170037212).
claim 1, gim discloses:
a pipe branch structure comprising:
a main pipe (120, fig. 3); and
a plurality of branch couplings (see fig. 3, where there are a plurality of branch couplings) disposed one-to-one, at a plurality of branch positions set between both axial direction ends of the main pipe,
a cross-hole (121, fig. 3) being formed at each of the branch positions of the main pipe,
each branch coupling including
a tubular section (body of 110) attached to an outer periphery of the main pipe (see fig. 3),
a branch section (115, fig. 5) formed with a passage (see fig. 5, where there are two different diameters in the passage) in communication with an inside of the tubular section (see fig. 5) and configured to connect to a branch pipe (see fig. 5, where the passage is configured to connect to a branch pipe), and
a seal member (118, fig. 4) configured to seal between the main pipe and the tubular section,
the tubular section being attached to the outer periphery of the main pipe in a state in which the main pipe is movable in an axial direction of the main pipe (compare figs. 2 and 3, where the main pipe is movable within the tubular section) and in a state in which the cross hole and the passage in the branch section are in communication with each other (see fig. 4).
claim 2, gim discloses:
the pipe branch structure of claim 1, wherein a plurality of cross holes (see fig. 4) are formed spaced apart around a circumferential direction of the main pipe at one of the plurality of branch positions of the main pipe.
claims 3 and 7, gim discloses:
the pipe branch structure of claims 1 and 2, wherein:
the seal member is ring shaped (see fig. 4, where the seal member appears to be an o-ring), and is housed in a ring-shaped seal groove (see near element 118 which is housed in a groove) formed at an inner peripheral face of the tubular section (see fig. 4); and
the cross hole includes an increasing-diameter portion (see annotated fig. 4 below) with a diameter that increases on progression toward the outer periphery of the main pipe.
png
media_image1.png
814
1159
greyscale
claims 9, 11, and 15, gim discloses:
the pipe branch structure of claims 2, 3, and 7, wherein an inner diameter of the tubular section is larger at an opening side of the passage formed in the tubular section than at both axial direction end portion sides of the tubular section (see fig. 3, where an inner diameter of the tubular section is larger than a diameter at either end of the tubular sections beyond the seal).
|
[
"1. A closure cap for sealing an outlet end of a barrel of a medicament container, the outlet end having a radially widened rim and the outlet end being sealable by an elastomeric seal, wherein the elastomeric seal comprises a flange portion configured to abut in a longitudinal direction with the outlet end, the closure cap comprising:\na cap body comprising a retainer portion, a fastening portion, and an outer flange portion,\nwherein the retainer portion is configured to engage with the elastomeric seal,\nwherein the fastening portion comprises a resiliently and radially deformable fastener comprising a snap feature configured to releasably engage with the radially widened rim of the outlet end,\nwherein a longitudinal distance between the retainer portion and the snap feature is sized to receive the radially widened rim of the outlet end and the flange portion of the elastomeric seal between the retainer portion and the snap feature,\nwherein the outer flange portion protrudes radially outwardly from at least one of the retainer portion or the fastening portion,\nwherein the outer flange portion comprises a lower gripping surface facing towards the fastening portion, and\nwherein the outer flange portion comprises an outer rim protruding in the longitudinal direction from the lower gripping surface.",
"2. The closure cap according to claim 1, wherein the longitudinal distance between the retainer portion and the snap feature is less than or equal to a sum of a longitudinal extension of the radially widened rim of the outlet end and a longitudinal thickness of the flange portion of the elastomeric seal.",
"3. The closure cap according to claim 1, wherein the cap body comprises a lid portion and a sidewall, the lid portion and the sidewall forming a cup-shaped receptacle configured to receive the radially widened rim of the outlet end and the flange portion of the elastomeric seal, wherein the retainer portion at least partially forms the lid portion, and wherein the fastening portion and the fastener are integrated into the sidewall.",
"4. The closure cap according to claim 3, wherein the snap feature comprises a protrusion protruding from an inside surface of the sidewall.",
"5. The closure cap according to claim 3, wherein the sidewall is of a tubular shape and wherein the snap feature comprises a radially inwardly protruding rim.",
"6. The closure cap according to claim 3, wherein a longitudinal thickness of the lid portion in a radial center of the lid portion is larger than a longitudinal thickness of the lid portion at a radial distance from the radial center of the lid portion.",
"7. The closure cap according to claim 1, wherein the snap feature is located at or near a free end of the fastening portion, the free end facing away from the retainer portion, and wherein the snap feature comprises a lead-in chamfer to engage with at least one of the flange portion of the elastomeric seal or the radially widened rim of the outlet end.",
"8. The closure cap according to claim 1, wherein the retainer portion and the fastening portion are integrally formed and wherein the cap body is made of a polymeric material or is made of a plastic material.",
"9. The closure cap according to claim 1, wherein the outer flange portion comprises a number of radially extending struts extending from the fastening portion to the outer rim.",
"10. The closure cap according to claim 1, wherein the fastening portion comprises a tamper evident seal, the tamper evident seal comprises a frangible section, the frangible section comprising at least a first frangible segment and a second frangible segment, wherein the first frangible segment and the second frangible segment are interconnected by a frangible connector.",
"11. A medicament container comprising:\na barrel comprising an outlet end, wherein the outlet end has a radially widened rim,\nan elastomeric seal configured to seal the outlet end and comprising a flange portion to abut in a longitudinal direction with the outlet end, and\na closure cap, comprising:\na cap body comprising a retainer portion, a fastening portion, and an outer flange portion,\nwherein the retainer portion is engaged with the elastomeric seal,\nwherein the fastening portion comprises a resiliently and radially deformable fastener comprising a snap feature releasably engaged with the radially widened rim of the outlet end to keep the elastomeric seal in position on the outlet end,\nwherein a longitudinal distance between the retainer portion and the snap feature is sized to receive the radially widened rim of the outlet end and the flange portion of the elastomeric seal between the retainer portion and the snap feature,\nwherein the outer flange portion protrudes radially outwardly from at least one of the retainer portion or the fastening portion,\nwherein the outer flange portion comprises a lower gripping surface facing towards the fastening portion, and\nwherein the outer flange portion comprises an outer rim protruding in the longitudinal direction from the lower gripping surface.",
"12. The medicament container according to claim 11, wherein a medicament is arranged inside the barrel.",
"13. The medicament container according to claim 11, wherein the barrel comprises at least one through opening in a region offset from the outlet end.",
"14. The medicament container according to claim 11, wherein the cap body comprises a lid portion and a sidewall, the lid portion and the sidewall forming a cup-shaped receptacle in which the radially widened rim of the outlet end and the flange portion of the elastomeric seal is received, wherein the retainer portion at least partially forms the lid portion, and wherein the fastening portion and the fastener are integrated into the sidewall.",
"15. The medicament container according to claim 14, wherein the snap feature comprises a protrusion protruding from an inside surface of the sidewall.",
"16. The medicament container according to claim 11, wherein the snap feature is located at or near a free end of the fastening portion, the free end facing away from the retainer portion, and wherein the snap feature comprises a lead-in chamfer to engage with at least one of the flange portion of the elastomeric seal or the radially widened rim of the outlet end.",
"17. The medicament container according to claim 11, wherein the fastening portion comprises a tamper evident seal, the tamper evident seal comprises a frangible section, the frangible section comprising at least a first frangible segment and a second frangible segment, wherein the first frangible segment and the second frangible segment are interconnected by a frangible connector.",
"18. A closure cap for sealing an outlet end of a barrel of a medicament container, the outlet end having a radially widened rim and the outlet end being sealable by an elastomeric seal, wherein the elastomeric seal comprises a flange portion configured to abut in a longitudinal direction with the outlet end, the closure cap comprising:\na cap body comprising a lid portion and a sidewall, the lid portion forming a cup-shaped receptacle configured to receive the radially widened rim of the outlet end and the flange portion of the elastomeric seal,\nwherein the lid portion is configured to engage with the elastomeric seal,\nwherein the sidewall comprises a resiliently and radially deformable fastener comprising a snap feature configured to releasably engage with the radially widened rim of the outlet end, and\nwherein a longitudinal distance between the lid portion and the snap feature is sized to receive the radially widened rim of the outlet end and the flange portion of the elastomeric seal between the lid portion and the snap feature, and\nwherein a longitudinal thickness of the lid portion in a radial center of the lid portion is larger than a longitudinal thickness of the lid portion at a radial distance from the radial center of the lid portion."
] |
US12115128B2
|
US20080000870A1
|
[
"1. A flask stopper, comprising, in combination:\na plug with resilient means for adjustment to the inner face of the neck of a flask and an upper surface for stoppering the opening or mouth of the flask;\nmeans for defining a position for pre-stoppering of the flask, before the stoppered position, in which the resilient adjustment means are not fully inside the neck of the flask;\na protector joined to the plug which comprises a lateral wall, said lateral wall having on its inner face a projection for engagement with an annular protuberance located on the outer surface of the mouth of the container in the aforesaid stoppered position;\nthe aforesaid protector having an extension starting from the aforesaid projection to form, together with a transition zone between the neck and the main body of the flask, in the pre-stoppered position, a labyrinth closure with respect to the particles in suspension in the air surrounding the flask.",
"2. A stopper according to claim 1, wherein the length of the extension of the lateral wall of the protector, from the upper point of the projection to its free end, is equal to or greater than the travel of the stopper between the stoppered position and the pre-stoppered position.",
"3. A stopper according to claim 1, wherein the aforesaid extension is cylindrical in shape on the outside.",
"4. A stopper according to claim 1, wherein the aforesaid extension is conical in shape on the outside.",
"5. A stopper according to claim 1 wherein the aforesaid extension has a conical section with a cylindrical free end zone.",
"6. A stopper according to claim 1, further comprising a pull-off upper enclosure.",
"7. A stopper according to claim 1, wherein the protector has an upper lid with a window which gives access to the plug.",
"8. A stopper according to claim 1, wherein the plug is made of rubber.",
"9. A stopper according to claim 1, wherein the protector is made of synthetic material.",
"10. A stopper according to claim 1, wherein the means for defining a pre-stoppering position comprises a stepped contour on the plug.",
"11. A stopper according to claim 1, wherein the plug, in the pre-stoppered position, forms a labyrinth closure together with the inner face of the annular rim of the mouth of the flask.",
"12. A stopper according to claim 1, wherein the plug has a groove which, in the pre-stoppered position, permits the passage and emergence of vapor from inside the flask.",
"13. The use of a stopper according to claim 1 in a method of sterile measured filling of flasks of pharmaceutical products.",
"14. The use according to claim 13, wherein the method of sterile measured filling comprises the following steps:\nplacing the stopper on the flask, in the pre-stoppered position;\nsterilisation in an autoclave;\nmeasured filling of the pharmaceutical product into the flask;\nclosing the flask with the stopper, as far as its stoppered position.",
"15. The use according to claim 14, in which sterilisation takes place with the stopper on the flask, in its pre-stoppered position.",
"16. The use according to claim 13, wherein the flask is a vial for pharmaceutical products for intravenous administration.",
"17. The use according to claim 14, further comprising a cooling step between the sterilisation in an autoclave and the measured filling of the product."
] |
[
[
"1. A closure cap for a container for receiving medical liquids having a cover portion and a rim portion, comprising:\nan injection part for the injection of a medical liquid being arranged in the cover portion; wherein the injection part comprises:\nan injection outward-pointing portion for connection having a conical recess to receive the conical tip of a needleless injection syringe while forming a seal against it, wherein the injection outward-pointing portion for connection is sealed off by a break-off part which is connected to a top end of the injection outward-pointing portion for connection via an annular zone for fracture, the break-off part having a lateral tab for gripping which extends to the rim portion of the closure cap, and\nan injection inward-pointing closing-off portion which has a self-sealing membrane to close off the conical recess in the portion for connection, wherein the self-healing membrane is slit;\nand\na withdrawal part to allow a medical liquid to be withdrawn, wherein the withdrawal part comprises:\na withdrawal outward-pointing portion for connection having a recess for receiving a spike, and\na withdrawal inward-pointing closing-off portion which has a piercable membrane for closing off the recess in the withdrawal outward-pointing connection, the closing-off portion being closed off by a break-off part which is connected to the a top end of the withdrawal outward-pointing portion for connection via an annular zone for fracture, the break-off part having a lateral tab for gripping which extends to the rim portion of the closure cap.",
"2. A closure cap according to claim 1, wherein the self-sealing membrane is inserted in the recess of the inward-pointing closing-off portion of the injection part by a snap fit.",
"3. A closure cap according to claim 2, wherein the inward-pointing closing-off portion of the injection part has an inwardly projecting rim which fixes the self-sealing membrane in place in the recess in the closing-off portion of the injection part by a clamping action.",
"4. A closure cap according to claim 1, wherein the inward-pointing closing-off portion of the injection part is configured to compress the self-sealing membrane in the axial direction in the recess of the injection part when the conical tip of an injection syringe is inserted, to thereby cause the membrane to be opened.",
"5. A closure cap according to claim 1, wherein the recess in the inward-pointing closing-off portion has a first cylindrical section which merges with the cover portion and a second cylindrical section which follows on from the first cylindrical section and which is of a larger inside diameter than the first cylindrical section.",
"6. A closure cap according to claim 5, wherein the self-sealing membrane has an annular section which is arranged in the second cylindrical section of the recess of the injection part, and a dished section which follows on from the annular section by way of a central web and which is arranged in the first cylindrical section.",
"7. A closure cap according to claim 6, wherein the dished section of the self-sealing membrane has a bowl-like depression.",
"8. A closure cap according to claim 1, wherein the outward-pointing connection portion of the injection part has an outside thread.",
"9. A closure cap according to claim 1, wherein the outward-pointing connection portion is sealed off by a break-off part which is connected to one end of the connection portion via an annular fracture zone.",
"10. A closure cap according to claim 1, wherein the piercable membrane in the withdrawal part is inserted in the recess of the withdrawal outward-pointing connection portion by a snap fit.",
"11. A closure cap according to claim 10, wherein the closing-off portion of the withdrawal part has an inwardly projecting rim which fixes the piercable membrane in place in the recess of the outward-pointing connection portion by a clamping action.",
"12. A closure cap of claim 1, wherein the closure cap is a blow-fill-seal (BFS) container."
],
[
"1. A patient push adapter for a closed fluid transfer system, the patient push adapter comprising:\na body portion having a male stem disposed at a first end thereof and a patient push adapter luer connector at a second end thereof, wherein the male stem defines a lumen extending therethrough and wherein the patient push adapter luer connector is in fluid communication with the lumen of the male stem;\na pair of opposed guide pins extending radially outward from the male stem;\na pair of opposed guide surfaces extending radially outward from the male stem at a location proximal of the guide pins and being in registration with the guide pins; and\na seal extending across the lumen of the male stem;\nwherein the patient push adapter is configured to move a syringe adapter from a closed state to an open state, the syringe adapter including:\na housing defining an open distal end and an open proximal end, the housing defining a pair of opposed longitudinally extending slots opening from the open distal end of the housing, the housing including a pair of opposed longitudinally extending ribs projecting from an inner surface thereof;\na base supported in the open proximal end of the housing and including the syringe adapter luer connector;\na collar slidably and rotatably supported in the housing, the collar defining a longitudinal opening therethrough, the collar defining a pair of opposed L-shaped tracks formed in an outer surface thereof and configured to receive a respective longitudinally extending rib therein, the collar defines a pair of opposed helical tracks opening from a distal surface of the collar, the opposed helical tracks being aligned with a respective slot of the housing when the collar is in a distal-most position;\na shuttle slidably extending through longitudinal opening of the collar, the shuttle defining a shuttle lumen extending longitudinally therethrough;\na barrel supported on and extending over a distal end of the shuttle, the barrel defining a central opening aligned with the shuttle lumen; and\na biasing member interposed between the collar and the shuttle for urging the collar away from the shuttle;\na syringe first adapter seal being interposed between the shuttle and the barrel, wherein the syringe first adapter seal extends across the shuttle lumen and the central opening of the barrel; and\na needle defining a lumen therethrough, the needle having a proximal end supported in the base such that the lumen of the needle is in fluid communication with the luer connector, the needle having a sharpened distal tip disposed within the lumen of the shuttle when the shuttle is in a distal-most position;\nwherein the patient push adapter moves the syringe adapter from the closed state to the open state upon:\ninserting the guide pins of the male stem of the patient push adapter into the respective slots of the housing of the syringe adapter, whereby the seal of the patient push adapter abuts the seal of the syringe adapter;\nadvancing the male stem of the patient push adapter into the open distal end of the housing such that the guide pins enter into the respective helical track of the collar to (1) rotate the collar relative to the housing of the syringe adapter and (2) align the ribs of the housing with a through portion of the collar; and\nfurther advancing the male stem of the patient push adapter into the open distal end of the housing causing the collar to move proximally which causes the shuttle to move proximally until the tip of the needle penetrates through the abutting seals, whereby the syringe adapter is in the open state and fluidly interconnects the syringe with the patient push adapter.",
"2. The patient push adapter according to claim 1, wherein when a syringe is connected to the syringe adapter, and when the syringe adapter is connected to the patient push adapter, the tip of the needle of the syringe adapter penetrates the abutting seals of the syringe adapter and the patient push adapter and when the patient push adapter is connected to the I.V. set, the syringe is in closed fluid communication with the I.V. set.",
"3. The patient push adapter according to claim 2, wherein each seal is made from polyisoprene."
],
[
"1. A system configured to withdraw medical fluid from a sealed vial, the system comprising:\na housing member comprising a piercing member and a medical connector interface;\nan extractor channel comprising a proximal extractor aperture and a distal extractor aperture, the extractor channel allowing fluid communication between the sealed vial and the medical connector interface;\na reservoir configured to contain regulating fluid;\na regulator channel comprising a proximal regulator aperture and a distal regulator aperture, the regulator channel allowing fluid communication between the reservoir and the sealed vial, the regulator channel allowing the regulating fluid to be withdrawn from or injected into the reservoir; and\na filter in fluid communication with the regulator channel such that the regulating fluid passes through the filter;\nwherein the housing member further comprises a proximal extension and a cap connector, wherein the piercing member extends distally from a central portion of the cap connector, and the proximal extension extends proximally from the central portion of the cap connector.",
"2. The system of claim 1, wherein the distal extractor aperture allows fluid communication between the extractor channel and the sealed vial, and wherein the proximal extractor aperture allows fluid communication between the extractor channel and the medical connector interface.",
"3. The system of claim 1, wherein the distal extractor aperture permits withdrawal of fluid from the vial through the extractor channel when the system is coupled with the sealed vial.",
"4. The system of claim 1, wherein the piercing member defines the distal extractor aperture.",
"5. The system of claim 1, wherein the piercing member defines the distal regulator aperture.",
"6. The system of claim 1, wherein the piercing member defines an outer boundary of the extractor channel.",
"7. The system of claim 1, wherein the piercing member defines an outer boundary of the regulator channel.",
"8. The system of claim 1, wherein the distal regulator aperture is located within the sealed vial when the system is coupled with the sealed vial.",
"9. The system of claim 1, wherein the distal regulator aperture allows fluid communication between the regulator channel and the sealed vial, and wherein the proximal regulator aperture allows fluid communication between the regulator channel and the reservoir.",
"10. The system of claim 1, wherein the filter is a hydrophobic filter.",
"11. The system of claim 1, wherein the distal extractor aperture is located adjacent an interior surface of the septum when the system is coupled with the sealed vial.",
"12. The system of claim 1, wherein the system further comprises a casing member defining a cavity for housing the reservoir.",
"13. The system of claim 1, wherein the filter is positioned between the reservoir and the distal regulator aperture.",
"14. The system of claim 1, wherein the filter filters the regulating fluid traveling through the regulator channel between the vial and the reservoir.",
"15. The system of claim 1, wherein the regulating fluid is drawn into the vial when fluid is withdrawn from the vial.",
"16. The system of claim 1, wherein the proximal extension defines an outer boundary for the extractor channel.",
"17. The system of claim 1, wherein the proximal extension defines an outer boundary for the regulator channel.",
"18. The system of claim 1, wherein the proximal extension defines the proximal extractor aperture.",
"19. The system of claim 1, wherein the proximal extension defines the proximal regulator aperture."
],
[
"1. A medicine storage system comprising:\nan insulated container having an opening;\na first lid configured to cover the opening;\na phase change system located inside the insulated container and comprising a first phase change material having a first melting temperature greater than 40 degrees Fahrenheit and less than 74 degrees Fahrenheit, and a second phase change material having a second melting temperature greater than 74 degrees Fahrenheit and less than 100 degrees Fahrenheit;\na medicine storage area located inside the insulated container; and\na first retention member located inside the insulated container and configured to prevent the phase change system from blocking access to the medicine storage area, wherein the storage system is configured to provide access for inserting a medicine through the opening and into the medicine storage area.",
"2. The storage system of claim 1, wherein the phase change system comprises a first tube having the first phase change material and a second tube having the second phase change material.",
"3. The storage system of claim 2, wherein the insulated container comprises a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal portion being located farther from the opening than the proximal portion, wherein the first retention member is located inside the insulated container in the distal portion, wherein the first retention member comprises a protrusion between the first tube and the second tube.",
"4. The storage system of claim 3, wherein the first retention member comprises a cavity, the insulated container comprises a central axis that passes through the cavity, the cavity comprises a portion of the medicine storage area, the protrusion of the first retention member is oriented radially outward relative to the central axis, the first tube is oriented within 30 degrees of parallel to the central axis, and the second tube is oriented within 30 degrees of parallel to the first tube.",
"5. The storage system of claim 3, further comprising a second retention member located inside the insulated container and configured to prevent the phase change system from blocking access to the medicine storage area,\nwherein the insulated container comprises a central axis, the second retention member is located inside the insulated container in the proximal portion, and the first and second retention members hold the first and second tubes within 30 degrees of parallel to the central axis.",
"6. The storage system of claim 2, wherein the insulated container comprises a central axis, the storage system further comprising a plurality of tubes comprising the first tube and the second tube, wherein the plurality of tubes are spaced around an outer perimeter of the medicine storage area such that the plurality of tubes are located radially outward, relative to the central axis, from the medicine storage area.",
"7. The storage system of claim 6, wherein the first retention member secures the plurality of tubes radially outward from the medicine storage area and radially inward from an inner wall of a vacuum chamber that insulates the insulated container,\nwherein the first retention member comprises a cavity, the central axis of the insulated container passes through the cavity, the cavity comprises a portion of the medicine storage area, the first tube is oriented within 30 degrees of parallel to the central axis, and the second tube is oriented within 30 degrees of parallel to the first tube.",
"8. The storage system of claim 7, wherein the first retention member comprises a protrusion oriented radially outward relative to the central axis, wherein the protrusion is located between the first tube and the second tube.",
"9. The storage system of claim 7, wherein the first retention member comprises a first wall located between the inner wall and the first tube, and the first retention member comprises a second wall located between the first tube and the medicine storage area.",
"10. The storage system of claim 7, wherein the first retention member comprises a first hoop and a second hoop, wherein the first tube is located at least partially in the first hoop, and the second tube is located at least partially in the second hoop.",
"11. The storage system of claim 7, wherein the first retention member comprises a maximum diameter measured radially outward relative to the central axis, the opening comprises a minimum diameter measured radially outward relative to the central axis, the maximum diameter of the first retention member being larger than the minimum diameter of the opening, the first retention member is configured to change shape in a reversible manner to reduce the maximum diameter to enable inserting the first retention member through the opening, and the first retention member is configured to return to a shape having the maximum diameter after the first retention member has passed through the opening.",
"12. The storage system of claim 6, wherein the first tube comprises a first cylindrical portion at least partially filled with the first phase change material, the second tube comprises a second cylindrical portion at least partially filled with the second phase change material, the first tube is oriented parallel to the central axis, and the second tube is oriented parallel to the central axis.",
"13. The storage system of claim 6, wherein the first tube comprises a maximum thickness measured in a direction radially outward from the central axis of the insulated container, and the first tube comprises a maximum width measured perpendicular to the maximum thickness and perpendicular to the central axis, the maximum width being at least two times larger than the maximum thickness.",
"14. The storage system of claim 6, wherein the first tube comprises at least one of fins, valleys, and detents configured increase a surface area of the first tube to promote heat transfer, and wherein the first retention member comprises ventilation channels configured to enable airflow between the medicine storage area and the phase change system.",
"15. The storage system of claim 2, further comprising the medicine located in the medicine storage area, wherein the insulated container comprises a first central axis, the first tube comprises a second central axis, and the second tube comprises a third central axis,\nthe first retention member orients the second and third central axes within 30 degrees of parallel to the first central axis of the insulated container, and\nthe second and third central axes are located radially outward relative to the first central axis of the insulated container.",
"16. The storage system of claim 15, wherein the first tube comprises a cross section that is perpendicular to the second central axis, the cross section having three outermost points that form a triangle, wherein walls of the first tube that connect the three outermost points are at least one of straight and curved.",
"17. The storage system of claim 1, wherein the phase change system comprises a first container having the first phase change material and a second container having the second phase change material,\nwherein the first retention member comprises a tube located inside the insulated container such that the tube is in fluid communication with the opening, wherein the storage system is configured to enable inserting the medicine through the opening and into the tube, the tube extending from a distal portion of the insulated container to a proximal portion of the insulated container,\nwherein the first and second containers are located between an inner wall of the insulated container and an outer wall of the tube,\nthe storage system further comprising a plurality of containers at least partially filled with at least one of the first phase change material and the second phase change material, wherein the plurality of containers are not coupled to each other such that the plurality of containers are movable within an area between the inner wall of the insulated container and the outer wall of the tube.",
"18. A medicine storage system comprising:\nan insulated container;\na medicine storage area located inside the insulated container;\na phase change system located inside the insulated container, wherein the phase change system comprises a first phase change material and a second phase change material, the first phase change material having a first melting temperature greater than 40 degrees Fahrenheit and less than 74 degrees Fahrenheit, and the second phase change material having a second melting temperature greater than 74 degrees Fahrenheit and less than 100 degrees Fahrenheit; and\na thermometer configured to measure a temperature of an interior area of the insulated container.",
"19. The storage system of claim 18,\nfurther comprising a computing system having a speaker, wherein the computing system is configured to emit an audio indicator in response to the temperature falling below a predetermined minimum temperature threshold.",
"20. The storage system of claim 18, further comprising an opening configured to provide access to the medicine storage area and a lid configured to cover the opening, wherein the lid comprises the thermometer and a display configured to show the temperature.",
"21. The storage system of claim 18, further comprising a wireless communication system communicatively coupled with a remote computing device.",
"22. The storage system of claim 21, further comprising a first wireless communication sent from the medicine storage system to the remote computing device in response to the temperature of the interior area falling below a predetermined minimum temperature threshold.",
"23. The storage system of claim 22, further comprising a second wireless communication sent from the medicine storage system to the remote computing device in response to the temperature of the interior area rising above a predetermined maximum temperature threshold.",
"24. The storage system of claim 21, further comprising a first wireless communication sent from the medicine storage system to the remote computing device in response to at least one of falling below a first predetermined amount of time until the temperature is predicted to fall below a predetermined minimum temperature threshold and falling below a second predetermined amount of time until the temperature is predicted to rise above a predetermined maximum temperature threshold.",
"25. The storage system of claim 18, further comprising a computing system having at least one of a light, an electronic display, and a mechanical display, wherein the computing system is configured to emit a visual indicator in response to at least one of the temperature falling below a predetermined minimum temperature threshold, the temperature rising above a predetermined maximum temperature threshold, falling below a first predetermined amount of time until the temperature is predicted to fall below the predetermined minimum temperature threshold, and falling below a second predetermined amount of time until the temperature is predicted to rise above the predetermined maximum temperature threshold.",
"26. The storage system of claim 20, wherein the lid comprises an inward portion and an outward portion, the inward portion being located closer to the medicine storage area than the outward portion, and wherein a portion of the thermometer is coupled to the inward portion of the lid such that the portion of the thermometer is configured to sense the temperature of the interior area.",
"27. The storage system of claim 26, wherein the display is located on an outward facing side of the lid such that the display is configured to show the temperature when the lid is screwed onto the insulated container.",
"28. The storage system of claim 20, wherein the thermometer and the display are electrically coupled to a computing system configured to enable the storage system to measure the temperature and show the temperature on the display.",
"29. The storage system of claim 28, wherein the computing system comprises a wireless communication system configured to be communicatively coupled with a remote computing device to send the temperature to the remote computing device.",
"30. A medicine storage system comprising:\nan insulated container;\na medicine storage area located inside the insulated container; and\na phase change system located inside the insulated container, wherein the phase change system comprises a first tube having a first phase change material and a second tube having a second phase change material, the first phase change material having a first melting temperature greater than 40 degrees Fahrenheit and less than 74 degrees Fahrenheit, and the second phase change material having a second melting temperature greater than 74 degrees Fahrenheit and less than 100 degrees Fahrenheit.",
"31. The storage system of claim 30, wherein the insulated container comprises a central axis, the first tube is oriented within 30 degrees of parallel to the central axis, and the second tube is oriented within 30 degrees of parallel to the first tube.",
"32. The storage system of claim 30, further comprising medicine located in the medicine storage area, wherein the first tube is located outside of the second tube, the second tube is located outside of the first tube, and the first tube comprises a first central axis that runs through at least a majority of a phase change material chamber of the first tube."
],
[
"1. A method comprising the following steps:\nfilling a sealed, empty device defining a chamber sealed with respect to ambient atmosphere and a penetrable portion in fluid communication with the chamber, wherein the filling step comprises:\npenetrating the penetrable portion with a filling or injection member coupled in fluid communication with a source of a substance;\nintroducing the substance through the filling or injection member and into the chamber of the device;\nwithdrawing the filling or injection member from the penetrable portion; and\ncovering the penetrated portion with a covering portion such that the covering portion is attached to the device and engaging the covering portion against the penetrable portion one or more of (a) at the penetration aperture; (b) contiguous to the penetration aperture; or (c) directly adjacent to the penetration aperture around an entirety of the penetration aperture, and thereby one or more of (i) hermetically sealing the penetrated portion from the ambient atmosphere; (ii) hermetically sealing the substance within the chamber; or (iii) forming a gas-tight seal between the ambient atmosphere and the chamber.",
"2. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the penetrable portion is defined by an elastomeric portion sufficiently resilient to close upon itself after withdrawal of the filling or injection member to thereby maintain the device in a sealed condition between the withdrawing and covering steps.",
"3. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising the step of introducing substance through a first fluid passageway of the filling or injection member, and allowing fluid to flow out of the chamber of the device through a second fluid passageway upon introducing substance from the first fluid passageway into the chamber.",
"4. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the filling or injection member comprises a needle.",
"5. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the device is a vial and the penetrable portion is defined by a resealable stopper.",
"6. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the substance comprises one or more of a liquid or a medicament.",
"7. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the covering portion comprises one or more of (i) a cover; or (ii) a cover layer.",
"8. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the penetrable portion is resealable by applying radiation or energy thereto, and further comprising the step of applying radiation or energy thereto.",
"9. A method as defined in claim 8, wherein the step of applying radiation or energy comprises applying laser radiation or energy.",
"10. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the penetrable portion comprises a base portion comprising a first material compatible with the substance and defining a substance-exposed surface in fluid communication with the chamber, and further comprising the step of providing a resealing portion overlying the base portion comprising a second material that upon the transmitting of radiation or energy thereto one or more of (i) hermetically seals the penetrated portion from the ambient atmosphere; (ii) hermetically seals the substance within the chamber, or (iii) forms a gas-tight seal between the ambient atmosphere and the chamber.",
"11. A method as defined in claim 10, wherein the first material is substantially infusible by the radiation or energy.",
"12. A method as defined in claim 10, further comprising the step of transmitting radiation or energy to the resealing portion.",
"13. A method as defined in claim 10, wherein the step of transmitting radiation or energy comprises transmitting laser radiation or energy.",
"14. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the covering step further comprises one or more of (i) compressing the penetrable portion or (ii) forming an interference fit with the penetrable portion.",
"15. A method as defined in claim 14, wherein the penetrable portion is defined by an elastomeric portion sufficiently resilient to close upon itself after withdrawal of the filling member to thereby maintain the device in a sealed condition prior to covering the penetrated portion with the covering portion.",
"16. A method as defined in claim 8, wherein the penetrable portion includes a body defining a predetermined wall thickness that substantially absorbs laser radiation or energy at a predetermined wavelength and power and substantially prevents the passage of the radiation or energy therethrough, and a penetrable region that is penetrable with the filling or injection member and that defines a predetermined color and opacity that substantially absorbs the laser radiation or energy at the predetermined wavelength and power to hermetically seal an aperture therein formed by the filling or injection member, and the method further comprises the following steps:\napplying laser radiation or energy from a laser source at the predetermined wavelength and power to the penetrable region of the body;\nsubstantially absorbing within the penetrable region of the body the laser radiation or energy at the predetermined wavelength and power and substantially preventing the passage of the radiation or energy through the predetermined wall thickness of the body; and\nhermetically sealing the aperture in the penetrable region of the body with the laser radiation or energy within a predetermined time period.",
"17. A method as defined in claim 16, further comprising the step of using the body to insulate the substance in the chamber from the laser radiation or energy applied by the laser source to avoid damage to the substance in the chamber."
],
[
"1. A child-resistant container comprising:\na container base comprising a closed bottom end, an open top end, a radially-extending flange disposed on an outer surface of the container base, and first and second cap engagement elements disposed on the outer surface of the container base; and\na container cap comprising one or more base engagement elements on an interior surface of the container cap, wherein each of the one or more base engagement elements are configured to engage and reversibly couple to the first and second cap engagement elements of the container base,\nwherein each of the one or more the base engagement elements of the container cap comprises an upper row of ridges and a lower row of ridges, and wherein the upper row and the lower row of ridges are configured to engage with the radially-extending flange, the first cap engagement element, the second cap engagement element, or a combination thereof, and\nwherein the first and second cap engagement elements of the container base each further comprises a raised surface to receive and engage with the base engagement element, wherein the raised surface is substantially parallel to the flange.",
"2. The child-resistant container of claim 1, wherein the first and second cap engagement elements are disposed opposite each other and between the open top end and the flange.",
"3. The child-resistant container of claim 2, wherein the first and second cap engagement elements of the container base each further comprises:\na plurality of ridges disposed between the raised surface and the flange; and\nat least one groove between the plurality of ridges, wherein the at least one groove is configured to receive a ridge from the lower row of ridges.",
"4. The child-resistant container of claim 3, wherein engagement of the container base with the container cap enables the one or more base engagement elements to lockably secure with the first and second cap engagement elements to substantially provide a child resistant container when in a closed configuration.",
"5. The child-resistant container of claim 4, wherein the container base further comprises one or more anti-rotation locks symmetrically disposed on the outer surface radially between the first cap engagement element and the second cap engagement element.",
"6. The child-resistant container of claim 5, further comprising a grip marking disposed on the outer surface just below the radial flange on the same side of the cap engagement elements of the container base.",
"7. The child-resistant container of claim 5, wherein the container cap comprises 4 base engagement elements.",
"8. The child-resistant container of claim 1, wherein the container cap further comprises an elevated portion at a top end of the cap; and wherein the container base further comprises a receiving portion defined by a recessed floor of the base; wherein the elevated portion of the cap is adapted to engage the receiving portion of the container base so the child-resistant container can stack on another child-resistant container.",
"9. The child-resistant container of claim 8, wherein the receiving portion comprises a plurality of stacking elements disposed along an outer edge of the receiving portion.",
"10. The child-resistant container of claim 1, wherein the container base, the container cap or both comprise a polymer.",
"11. The child-resistant container of claim 10, wherein the polymer comprises polypropylene, polypropylene copolymer, ultra-clarified polypropylene, colored polypropylene, PET, PETE, polycarbonate, polystyrene, or a combination thereof.",
"12. The child-resistant container of claim 10, wherein the container cap further comprises an annular sealing ring positioned on an inner surface of the top end of the cap.",
"13. The child-resistant container of claim 12, wherein the container is substantially air-tight, liquid-tight, light resistant, temperature resistant, moisture resistant, bacterial resistant, tamper resistant, or a combination thereof.",
"14. A method of applying a child-resistant closure on a container, the method comprising:\nproviding a child-resistant container comprising a container base and a container cap;\nwherein the container base comprises a closed bottom end, an open top end, a radially-extending flange disposed on an outer surface of the container base, a first cap engagement element, and a second cap engagement element,\nwherein the first and second cap engagement elements are disposed on the outer surface of the container base;\nwherein the container cap comprises one or more base engagement elements on an interior surface of the cap, each of the one or more base engagement elements are configured to engage and reversibly couple to the at least one cap engagement element of the base;\nsliding the container cap over the open end of the container base, wherein the first and second cap engagement elements engage with and couple to the one or more base engagement elements;\nwherein each of the one or more the base engagement elements of the container cap comprises an upper row of ridges and a lower row of ridges, and wherein the upper row and the lower row of ridges are configured to engage with the radially-extending flange, the first cap engagement element, the second cap engagement element, or a combination thereof, and\nwherein the first and second cap engagement elements of the container base each further comprises a raised surface to receive and engage with the base engagement element, wherein the raised surface is substantially parallel to the flange.",
"15. The method of claim 14, wherein the first and second cap engagement elements are disposed opposite each other and between the open top end and the flange.",
"16. The method of claim 15, wherein the first and second cap engagement elements of the container base each further comprises:\na plurality of ridges disposed between the raised surface and the flange; and\nat least one groove between the plurality of ridges, wherein the at least one groove is configured to receive a ridge from the lower row of ridges.",
"17. The method of claim 16, wherein sliding the container cap over the open end of the container base enables the lower row of ridges to slide over and couple with the raised surface of the cap engagement element, and wherein a ridge from the lower row of ridges is received within the at least one groove on the container base.",
"18. The method of claim 17, further comprising removing the container cap by simultaneously applying about 2 to about 6 pounds of external compression force to opposite sides of the container base and pulling the container cap off of the container base."
],
[
"1. A filling aid comprising:\na filling syringe holder attached to a locking portion, the filling syringe holder comprising:\na filling needle cradle portion having a tongue feature; and\na needle housing portion having a starting position and a filling position,\nwherein a groove feature configured to accommodate the tongue feature, and\nwherein the locking portion interacts with the filling syringe holder wherein when the locking portion moves from a locked position to an unlocked position the needle housing portion moves from the starting position to the filling position.",
"2. The filling aid of claim 1, wherein the filling needle cradle portion further comprising a frame portion whereby the frame portion maintains a filling syringe in fixed relation with the filling syringe holder.",
"3. The filling aid of claim 1, wherein the filling syringe holder further comprising grips.",
"4. The filling aid of claim 3, wherein the grips comprising gripping features.",
"5. The filling aid of claim 1, wherein when the locking portion attaches to a filling aid base the locking portion moves from the locked position to the unlocked position.",
"6. The filling aid of claim 5, wherein when the locking portion moves from the locked position to the unlocked position, the filling syringe holder slides towards the filling aid base.",
"7. The filling aid of claim 1, wherein the filling needle cradle portion further comprising filling needle cradle ribs which capture a filling syringe and maintain the filling syringe in an attached position with respect to the filling needle cradle.",
"8. The filling aid of claim 1, wherein the filling needle cradle portion further comprising a stop feature that limits the distance the filling syringe may travel within the filling needle cradle portion.",
"9. The filling aid of claim 1, wherein the frame portion comprising a half moon portion that accommodates a sliding portion of a filling syringe and provides a stop for the filling syringe.",
"10. The filling aid of claim 1, further comprising a second tongue and a second groove for receiving the second tongue.",
"11. The filling aid of claim 1, wherein the locking portion further comprising a filling syringe support that maintains the position of the filling syringe with respect to the filling aid.",
"12. A system for filling a reservoir comprising:\na disposable housing assembly comprising a reservoir;\na fill adapter for releasably engaging the disposable housing assembly; and\na filling aid configured to releasably engage the fill adapter, the filling aid comprising:\na filling syringe holder attached to a locking portion, the filling syringe holder comprising:\na filling needle cradle portion having a tongue feature; and\na needle housing portion having a starting position and a filling position,\nwherein a groove feature configured to accommodate the tongue feature, and\nwherein the locking portion interacts with the filling syringe holder wherein when the locking portion moves from a locked position to an unlocked position the needle housing portion moves from the starting position to the filling position.",
"13. The system of claim 12, wherein the filling needle cradle portion further comprising a frame portion whereby the frame portion maintains a filling syringe in fixed relation with the filling syringe holder.",
"14. The system of claim 12, wherein the locking portion comprising a locking feature, wherein when the locking feature attaches to a filling aid base the locking feature moves from the locked position to the unlocked position.",
"15. The system of claim 14, wherein when the locking feature moves from the locked position to the unlocked position, the filling syringe holder slides towards the filling aid base.",
"16. The system of claim 12, wherein the filling needle cradle portion further comprising filling needle cradle ribs which capture a filling syringe and maintain the filling syringe in an attached position with respect to the filling needle cradle.",
"17. The system of claim 12, wherein the filling needle cradle portion further comprising a stop feature that limits the distance the filling syringe may travel within the filling needle cradle portion.",
"18. The system of claim 12, further comprising a filling syringe."
],
[
"1. A fluid transfer lid comprising:\na circular top panel;\na female enteral-only coupling comprising a length and extending longitudinally along a first axis from the circular top panel in a first direction, the first coupling comprising a lumen extending axially along the first axis therethrough;\nan attachment collar extending in a second direction from the circular top panel, an internal circumferential face thereof being threaded to releasably engage corresponding threads of a container;\na first tether;\nan adapter tethered to the attachment collar by the first tether, the adapter comprising a male ISO 80369-3 compatible coupling and a male enteral-only coupling axially aligned and oppositely extending from a central flange member, wherein the male enteral-only coupling of the adapter is configured to mate with the female enteral-only coupling;\na second tether; and\na closure tethered to the adapter by the second tether.",
"2. The fluid transfer lid of claim 1, wherein the first tether and the second tether each extend from the central flange member.",
"3. The fluid transfer lid of claim 1, wherein the closure is adapted to seal with the male ISO 80369-3 compatible coupling of the adapter."
],
[
"1. An enteral feeding connector assembly comprising:\na male enteral feeding connector comprising a tube-attaching portion defining a rear end, a coupling-attaching portion defining a front end, and a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough from the rear end to the front end, the tube-attaching portion is configured to sealingly attach to a tube, the coupling-attaching portion comprising an outer housing defining an access opening at the front end and a male plug extending within the access opening, the male plug comprising an outer surface, the outer housing defining an inner surface comprising a threaded fastener, the coupling-attaching portion comprising a pair of supports fixedly connecting the outer housing relative to the male plug to define an annular space therebetween, the outer housing comprising at least one port configured to provide fluid communication and drainage between the annular space and external to the annular space; and\na female enteral feeding connector comprising a coupling-attaching portion comprising an outer surface with a threaded fastener, and a receptacle defined by an inner surface;\nwherein the male enteral feeding connector and the female enteral feeding connector are configured to be disconnectably matable together to form a fluid seal between the male plug outer surface and the receptacle inner surface to allow fluid conveyance therebetween, and to couple the outer housing inner surface threaded fastener with the outer surface threaded fastener.",
"2. The enteral feeding connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the male plug extends to a distal end outside the outer housing.",
"3. The enteral feeding connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the spaced apart connecting supports comprise handles configured to manipulate rotational movement of the male plug about an axis with respect to the female enteral feeding connector.",
"4. The enteral feeding connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the male plug and the outer housing are formed as one piece of material.",
"5. The enteral feeding connector assembly of claim 1, wherein outer housing is concentrically oriented around the male plug.",
"6. The enteral feeding connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one port comprises a pair of openings.",
"7. The enteral feeding connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one port comprises two curved slots.",
"8. A male enteral feeding connector comprising:\na tube-attaching portion defining a rear end, a coupling-attaching portion defining a front end, and a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough from the rear end to the front end, the tube-attaching portion is configured to sealingly attach to a tube, the coupling-attaching portion comprising an outer housing defining an access opening at the front end and a male plug extending within the access opening, the male plug comprising an outer surface, the outer housing defining an inner surface comprising a threaded fastener, the coupling-attaching portion comprising a pair of supports fixedly connecting the outer housing relative to the male plug to define an annular space therebetween, the outer housing comprising at least one port configured to provide fluid communication and drainage between the annular space and external to the annular space."
],
[
"1. A cap and container assembly comprising:\na container having a base and a side wall extending upwardly from the base, the base and the side wall defining an interior, and the side wall defining an opening leading to the interior, two spacers located on opposite sides of the container, each spacer including a button, each spacer protruding outwardly from the sidewall of the container such that the button of the respective spacer is spaced-apart from the sidewall of the container by a gap or void; and\na cap pivotally affixed to the container by a hinge, the cap being configured to pivot between an opened position in which the opening is exposed, and a closed position in which the cap covers the opening, the cap comprising a top wall and a skirt extending downwardly therefrom, the skirt extending around an entire perimeter of the top wall, two openings located on opposite sides of the skirt of the cap, each opening being configured to align with and retain one of the buttons when the cap is in the closed position, when the cap is in the closed position a free edge of the skirt sits on an upper surface of the base of the container,\nwherein each button is configured to be depressed inwardly so as to disengage from the respective opening, thereby enabling a user to pivot the cap from the closed position to the opened position, and\nwherein no portion of each spacer extends above the opening leading to the interior of the container.",
"2. The cap and container assembly of claim 1, wherein the spacers are configured to release from a locked position upon sufficient simultaneous inwardly directed forces applied to both spacers so as to disengage the respective buttons from the respective openings, thereby enabling the user to pivot the cap from the closed position to the opened position.",
"3. The cap and container assembly of claim 2, wherein the spacers are formed of a material having a sufficient degree of stiffness and resiliency so as to bias the spacers to the locked position such that the spacers can only be moved inwardly upon application of sufficient force.",
"4. The cap and container assembly of claim 1, wherein the assembly is made from polypropylene.",
"5. The cap and container assembly of claim 1, wherein a moisture-tight seal is formed between the container and cap when the cap is in the closed position.",
"6. The cap and container assembly of claim 1, wherein one end of the hinge is integrally formed with the container and another end of the hinge is integrally formed with the cap.",
"7. The cap and container assembly of claim 1, wherein each button engages a portion of an outer periphery of one of the openings to maintain the cap in the closed position.",
"8. The cap and container assembly of claim 1, wherein each opening is located entirely within the skirt of the cap.",
"9. A cap and container assembly comprising:\na container having a base and a side wall extending upwardly from the base, the base and the side wall defining an interior, and the side wall defining an opening leading to the interior, two spacers located on opposite sides of the container, each spacer including a button, each spacer protruding outwardly from the sidewall of the container such that the button of the respective spacer is spaced-apart from the sidewall of the container by a gap or void; and\na cap pivotally affixed to the container by a hinge, the cap being configured to pivot between an opened position in which the opening is exposed, and a closed position in which the cap covers the opening, the cap comprising a top wall and a skirt extending downwardly therefrom, the skirt extending around an entire perimeter of the top wall, two openings located on opposite sides of the skirt of the cap, each opening being configured to align with and retain one of the buttons when the cap is in the closed position, when the cap is in the closed position a free edge of the skirt sits on an upper surface of the base of the container,\nwherein each button is configured to be depressed inwardly so as to disengage from the respective opening, thereby enabling a user to pivot the cap from the closed position to the opened position,\nwherein the assembly has a height, a width, and a length, and wherein the height is less than the width and the length.",
"10. A method of opening a cap with respect to a container, the container having a base and a side wall extending upwardly from the base, the base and the side wall defining an interior, and the side wan defining an opening leading to the interior, the cap pivotally affixed to the container by a hinge, two spacers being located on opposite sides of the container, each spacer including a button, each spacer protruding outwardly from-the side wall of the container such that the button of the respective spacer is spaced-apart from the sidewall of the container by a gap or void, the cap being configured to pivot between an opened position in which the opening is exposed, and a closed position in which the cap covers the opening, the cap comprising a top wall and a skirt extending downwardly therefrom, the skirt extending around an entire perimeter of the top wall, when the cap is in the closed position a free edge of the skirt sits on an upper surface of the base of the container, two openings being located on opposite sides of the skirt of the cap, each opening being configured to align with and retain one of the buttons when the cap is in the closed position, the method comprising:\napplying inward radial pressure on each button sufficient to inwardly move each button so as to displace each button from one of the openings; and\napplying upward pressure to the cap to pivot the cap from the closed position to the open position,\nwherein no portion of each spacer extends above the opening leading to the interior of the container.",
"11. The method of claim 10, wherein upon release of the inward radial pressure on each button, each button automatically returns to a fully extended position.",
"12. The method of claim 10, wherein the container is made from polypropylene.",
"13. The method of claim 10, wherein the spacers are formed of a material having a sufficient degree of stiffness and resiliency so as to bias the spacers to a locked position such that the spacers can only be moved inwardly upon application of sufficient force.",
"14. The method of claim 10, wherein a moisture-tight seal is formed between the container and cap when the cap is in the closed position.",
"15. The method of claim 10, wherein one end of the hinge is integrally formed with the container and another end of the hinge is integrally formed with the cap.",
"16. The method of claim 10, wherein each button engages a portion of an outer periphery of one of the openings to maintain the cap in the closed position.",
"17. The method of claim 10, wherein placement of the buttons on opposite sides of the container allows a user to open the cap using a single hand by simultaneously depressing the buttons using the thumb and forefinger.",
"18. The method of claim 10, wherein each opening is located entirely within the skirt of the cap.",
"19. A method of opening a cap with respect to a container, the container having a base and a side wall extending upwardly from the base, the base and the side wall defining an interior, and the side wan defining an opening leading to the interior, the cap pivotally affixed to the container by a hinge, two spacers being located on opposite sides of the container, each spacer including a button, each spacer protruding outwardly from the side wall of the container such that the button of the respective spacer is spaced-apart from the sidewall of the container by a gap or void, the cap being configured to pivot between an opened position in which the opening is exposed, and a closed position in which the cap covers the opening, the cap comprising a top wall and a skirt extending downwardly therefrom, the skirt extending around an entire perimeter of the top wall, when the cap is in the closed position a free edge of the skirt sits on an upper surface of the base of the container, two openings being located on opposite sides of the skirt of the cap, each opening being configured to align with and retain one of the buttons when the cap is in the closed position, the method comprising:\napplying inward radial pressure on each button sufficient to inwardly move each button so as to displace each button from one of the openings; and\napplying upward pressure to the cap to pivot the cap from the closed position to the open position,\nwherein the container has a height, a width, and a length, and wherein the height is less than the width and the length."
],
[
"1. A female connection member for a system for medical fluid administration,\nthe female connection member defining a sheath for receiving a distal portion of a male connection member, a distal end of the sheath being spanned by a septum having a central region and a peripheral region, in which the central region of the septum is formed from material having a substantially greater thickness than a peripheral region of the septum surrounding the central region,\nthe female connection member being configured to receive a male connection member having a body comprising a distal portion terminating in a distal end and a proximal portion terminating in a proximal end, a lumen being defined through the body for the passage of liquid from the distal end to the proximal end, in which the distal end of the male connection member comprises means for rupturing the peripheral region of the septum when the male connection member is received in the female connection member to form a connection,\nin which the female connection member comprises a retaining means for retaining the central region of the septum after the peripheral region of the septum has been ruptured by receiving the male connection member, and\nthe female connection member defines a keyway for receiving a key extending from the distal portion of the male connection member, such that the female connection member can only receive the distal portion of the male connection member to form a connection when the key is aligned with the keyway.",
"2. A female connection member according to claim 1, in which the central region of the septum is formed from material having a thickness that is between 1.5 and 400 times thicker than material forming the peripheral region of the septum surrounding the central region.",
"3. A female connection member according to claim 1, in which the material forming the central region has a thickness of between 1 mm and 3 mm.",
"4. A female connection member according to claim 1, in which the distal end of the sheath is substantially circular in cross-section and has an internal diameter of between 8 mm and 15 mm.",
"5. A female connection member according to claim 1, in which the retaining means comprises a portion of material configured to connect the female connection member with the central region of the septum after the peripheral region of the septum has been ruptured.",
"6. A female connection member according to claim 1, in which the retaining means forms a hinge.",
"7. A female connection member according to claim 1, in which the retaining means comprises a portion of material extending radially between the distal end of the sheath and the central region of the septum, optionally in which the retaining means comprises a lug, flange or tab which projects longitudinally from the distal end of the sheath and in which the portion of material extends radially from the lug, flange or tab to connect with the central region of the septum.",
"8. A female connection member according to claim 1, in which the female connection member is configured to be disrupted over a portion of the circumference of the peripheral region so that the remaining non-ruptured portion of the peripheral region acts to retain the central portion of the septum, while still allowing a fluidic connection to be formed.",
"9. A female connection member according to claim 1, in which the keyway extends circumferentially around the female connection member for allowing the male connection member, when received in the female connection member, to rotate relative to the female connection member, the key extending from a distal portion of the male connection member interfering with the female connection member to restrict the rotation to a predetermined angle.",
"10. A female connection member according to claim 1, comprising a substantially annular flange extending radially outwards from the sheath enabling the female connection member to span an opening in a medical fluid container.",
"11. A female connection member according to claim 1, in which the female connection member forms an access port into a medical fluid container.",
"12. A female connection member for a system for medical fluid administration,\nthe female connection member defining a sheath for receiving a distal portion of a male connection member, a distal end of the sheath being spanned by a septum having a central region and a peripheral region, in which the central region of the septum is formed from material having a substantially greater thickness than a peripheral region of the septum surrounding the central region,\nthe female connection member being configured to receive a male connection member having a body comprising a distal portion terminating in a distal end and a proximal portion terminating in a proximal end, a lumen being defined through the body for the passage of liquid from the distal end to the proximal end, in which the distal end of the male connection member comprises means for rupturing the peripheral region of the septum when the male connection member is received in the female connection member to form a connection,\nin which the female connection member comprises a retaining means for retaining the central region of the septum after the peripheral region of the septum has been ruptured by receiving the male connection member, and\nthe peripheral region of the septum does not form a complete ring around the central region, but extends around the central region sufficiently to result in a catastrophic failure around the periphery of the septum in preference to a puncture through the central region of the septum."
],
[
"1. A connector device for establishing fluid communication between a liquid container having sidewalls and a drug vial having a neck with a closure therein, the connector comprising:\na piercing member having a first end and a second end and a central fluid pathway, the piercing member being mounted to the liquid container and having fluid accessing portions hermetically sealed from an outside environment;\na vial receiving chamber associated with the piercing member and being dimensioned to connect to the vial and wherein the vial may be selectively attached to the device without piercing the closure of the vial and without breaching the hermetic seal of the fluid accessing portions of the piercing member;\nmeans for connecting the vial receiving chamber to the liquid container; and\nwherein the device is movable from an inactivated position where the piercing member is outside the sidewalls and no fluid flows between the liquid container and the drug vial, to an activated position wherein fluid flows through the fluid pathway between the liquid container and the drug vial, the device being movable from the inactivated position to the activated position by a force applied to the device outside the liquid container.",
"2. The device of claim 1 wherein the means for connecting the vial receiving chamber to the liquid container comprises:\na first sleeve and a second sleeve mounted for translational motion with respect to one another, the first sleeve being connected to the liquid container and the second sleeve being connected to the vial receiving chamber.",
"3. The device of claim 2 wherein the first sleeve is mounted within the second sleeve.",
"4. The device of claim 3 wherein the second sleeve slidably mounts the piercing member for translational motion.",
"5. The device of claim 4 wherein the second sleeve has an inner surface and the piercing member is capable of sliding on the inner surface.",
"6. The device of claim 5 wherein a hub mounts the piercing member inside the second sleeve.",
"7. The device of claim 2 further comprising means disposed between the first sleeve member and the second sleeve member for sealing the first sleeve member and the second sleeve member.",
"8. The device of claim 1 wherein the means for connecting the vial receiving chamber to the liquid container comprises:\na flexible sleeve having a first end and a second end and defining a central passageway;\nthe piercing member being positioned within the passageway; and\nthe sleeve being slidable with respect to the piercing member from the inactivated position to the activated position wherein the sleeve slides along the piercing member and folds upon itself, the piercing member piercing a closure of the vial establishing fluid communication between the liquid container and the vial.",
"9. The device of claim 8 wherein the sleeve has a first section and a second section, the first section having a greater diameter than the second section, wherein when the sleeve moves from the inactivated position to the activated position, the second section slides along the piercing member and the first section folds upon the second section.",
"10. The device of claim 8 wherein the vial receiving chamber comprises a base connected to a wall portion, the wall portion having a plurality of fingers inwardly spaced from the wall portion and adapted to cooperatively receive the vial, the base being connected to the sleeve.",
"11. The device of claim 10 further comprising a sealing member positioned between a bottom portion of each finger and the base.",
"12. The device of claim 11 wherein the sealing member is a pierceable septum.",
"13. The device of claim 12 wherein the septum comprises a disk, the piercing member passes through the disk when the sleeve is moved from the inactivated position to the activated position.",
"14. The device of claim 13 wherein the disk further has a generally centrally disposed annular ring extending axially from the disk, the annular ring being dimensioned to fit over a closure of the container.",
"15. The device of claim 12 wherein the septum is capable of deforming to accommodate dimensional variations in a height of the closure of the vial.",
"16. The device of claim 8 wherein the piercing member has a radial slot spaced from the fluid flow passage allowing contents of the liquid container to pass through the radial slot and into contact with an inner surface of the sleeve.",
"17. A connector device for establishing fluid communication between a liquid container and a vial container comprising:\na first sleeve and a second sleeve mounted for translational movement with respect to one another and define a central channel therein, the first sleeve and the second sleeve each having an inner surface, the second sleeve is adapted to attach to the vial and, the first sleeve is mounted within the second sleeve and adapted to attach to the liquid container;\na piercing member having opposed piercing ends, the piercing member being mounted in the central channel;\nmeans for hermetically sealing the piercing ends when the device is connected to the first container and the second container;\na vial receiving chamber on the second sleeve and being dimensioned to connect to the vial and wherein the vial may be selectively attached to the device without piercing the closure of the vial and without breaching the hermetic seal of the piercing ends; and\nthe first sleeve and the second sleeve are capable of being moved from an inactivated position where fluid cannot flow through the device to an activated position where fluid can flow through the device, the device is capable of being moved from the inactivated position to the activated position by applying a force to the device outside the first container and the second container.",
"18. The device of claim 17 wherein the means for hermetically sealing comprises a sealing member disposed between the first sleeve and the second sleeve.",
"19. The device of claim 18 wherein the sealing member is mounted on the first member and slides along the inner surface of the second sleeve.",
"20. The device of claim 19 wherein the means for sealing further comprises a septum mounted within the vial receiving chamber to seal the second sleeve.",
"21. The device of claim 20 further comprising means for venting the device when the device is moved from the inactivated position to the activated position.",
"22. The device of claim 21 wherein the means for venting comprises an increased inner diameter portion of the second sleeve proximate a distal end of the second sleeve and upon which the sealing member does not seal.",
"23. The device of claim 19 further comprising means for supporting the piercing member within the central channel.",
"24. The device of claim 23 wherein the means for supporting comprises a hub mounting the piercing member, a portion of the hub slides on the inner surface of the second sleeve.",
"25. The device of claim 24 wherein the hub mounts the piercing member along a generally central portion of the piercing member.",
"26. The device of claim 24 wherein the means for mounting the piercing member further comprises a guide within the first sleeve that supports a portion of the piercing member.",
"27. The device of claim 26 wherein the guide is positioned adjacent the liquid container.",
"28. The device of claim 26 further comprising a disk positioned between the liquid container and the guide.",
"29. The device of claim 28 wherein when the device is in the activated position the piercing member punctures the septum.",
"30. The device of claim 29 wherein the device is capable of being positioned between an activated position and a deactivated position wherein in the deactivated position the first end of the piercing member is pulled out of the disk and guide.",
"31. The device of claim 17 wherein the means for hermetically sealing comprises a first means for sealing the first sleeve and a second means for sealing the second sleeve.",
"32. The device of claim 31 wherein the first sealing means comprises an annular gasket positioned in the first sleeve.",
"33. The device of claim 32 wherein the annular gasket supports a portion of the piercing member.",
"34. The device of claim 33 wherein the piercing member travels a distance when the device is moved from the inactivated position to the activated position and wherein the annular gasket has a length that is greater than the distance.",
"35. The device of claim 34 wherein the annular gasket has an X-shaped cross section.",
"36. The device of claim 33 wherein the means for sealing the second sleeve comprises a septum.",
"37. The device of claim 36 wherein the septum is positioned within the vial receiving chamber.",
"38. The device of claim 37 wherein the septum has a generally disk shaped portion.",
"39. The device of claim 38 wherein the septum further comprises a sheath extending axially away from the septum and is dimensioned to fit over one of the piercing ends of the piercing member.",
"40. The device of claim 39 wherein the sheath has an enlarged distal end that is dimensioned to fit over a portion of a hub that mounts the piercing member.",
"41. A connector device for establishing fluid communication between a liquid container and vial container comprising:\na sleeve defining a central channel therein for enabling fluid flow therethrough, the sleeve having an inner surface,\na piercing member having opposed piercing ends, the piercing member being mounted in the central channel;\nmeans for hermetically sealing the piercing ends when the device is connected to the first container and the second container;\na vial receiving chamber on the sleeve and being adapted to connect to the vial and wherein the vial may be selectively attached to the device without piercing the closure of the vial and without breaching the hermetic seal of the piercing ends; and\nthe sleeve being movable from an inactivated position where fluid cannot flow through the device to an activated position where fluid can flow through the device, the device is capable of being moved from the inactivated position to the activated position by applying a force to the device outside of the first container.",
"42. A connector device for establishing fluid communication between a liquid container and vial container comprising:\na sleeve defining a central channel therein, the sleeve having an inner surface,\na piercing member having opposed piercing ends, the piercing member being mounted in the central channel;\na hub connected to the piercing member slidable within the passageway along the inner surface of the sleeve;\nmeans for hermetically sealing the piercing ends when the device is connected to the first container and the second container;\na vial receiving chamber on the sleeve and being adapted to connect to the vial and wherein the vial may be selectively attached to the device without piercing the closure of the vial and without breaching the hermetic seal of the piercing ends; and\nthe sleeve being movable from an inactivated position where fluid cannot flow through the device to an activated position where fluid can flow through the device, the device is capable of being moved from the inactivated position to the activated position by applying a force to the device outside of the first container.",
"43. A connector device for establishing fluid communication between a liquid container having a port tube and a vial container comprising:\na sleeve defining a central channel therein, the sleeve having an inner surface,\na piercing member having opposed piercing ends, the piercing member being mounted in the central channel;\nmeans for hermetically sealing the piercing ends when the device is connected to the first container and the second container;\na port adaptor positioned on one end of the sleeve, the port adaptor adapted to be fixedly attached to the port tube;\na vial receiving chamber on the other end of the sleeve and being adapted to connect to the vial and wherein the vial may be selectively attached to the device without piercing the closure of the vial and without breaching the hermetic seal of the piercing ends; and,\nthe sleeve being movable from an inactivated position where fluid cannot flow through the device to an activated position where fluid can flow through the device.",
"44. A connector device for establishing fluid communication between a liquid container and vial container comprising:\na sleeve defining a central channel therein, the sleeve having an inner surface,\na piercing member being mounted in the central channel, the piercing member having a first end and an opposed second end;\nmeans for hermetically sealing the first end of the piercing member when the device is connected to the first container and a septum positioned within a vial receiving chamber for sealing the second piercing end of the piercing member, the septum having a ridge;\na vial receiving chamber on the sleeve and being adapted to connect to the vial and wherein the vial may be selectively attached to the device without piercing the closure of the vial and without breaching the hermetic seal of the second end; and,\nthe sleeve being movable from an inactivated position where fluid cannot flow through the device to an activated position where fluid can flow through the device."
],
[
"1. A connector device for establishing fluid communication between a first container and a second container comprising:\na sleeve assembly having a first end and a second end and a cylindrical sidewall, the sidewall having an inner surface and a protuberance integrally formed on the inner surface;\na first attaching member connected to the first end of the sleeve assembly and adapted to attach to the first container;\na second attaching member connected to the second end of the sleeve assembly and adapted to attach to the second container;\na piercing member positioned within the sleeve assembly for providing a fluid flow path from the first container to the second container, the piercing member moveable from a first position in the inactivated position to a second position in the activated position wherein the piercing member moves past the protuberance, the protuberance configured to contact the piercing member to prevent movement of the piercing member back to the first position.",
"2. The device of claim 1 wherein the sleeve assembly comprises a first sleeve and a second sleeve mounted for translational motion with respect to one another, the first sleeve being connected to the first attaching member and the second sleeve being connected to the second attaching member, the protuberance positioned on the inner surface of the sidewall of the second sleeve.",
"3. The device of claim 1 wherein the sleeve assembly has a protrusion on the inner surface at the first end, the first attaching member comprises a port connector having a port snap connected to a port sleeve, the port snap having a flange extending from an outer surface, the port connector being connected to the first end of the sleeve assembly wherein the flange engages the protrusion, the port sleeve adapted to attach to the first container.",
"4. The device of claim 3 wherein the port sleeve has a membrane at one end.",
"5. The device of claim 3 further comprising a sealing member positioned at the first end of the sleeve assembly adjacent the port snap.",
"6. The device of claim 1 wherein the second attaching member comprises a gripper assembly attached to the second end of the sleeve assembly, the gripper assembly having a base and an annular wall portion extending from the base and a plurality of fingers circumjacent the wall portion, the fingers being circumferentially spaced defining a vial receiving chamber adapted to receive the vial, wherein one finger has a tab adapted to engage an underside of the neck and one finger has a standing rib adapted to engage a side portion of the vial closure.",
"7. The device of claim 6 wherein the gripper assembly further has a first annular rim extending from the base and a second annular rim extending collectively from the fingers and in spaced relation to the first annular rim.",
"8. The device of claim 7 further comprising a septum having a disk having opposing first and second surfaces, the first surface having a first annular groove receiving the first annular rim, the second surface having a second annular groove receiving the second annular rim.",
"9. The device of claim 8 wherein the second surface of the septum further has an annular ridge having a sidewall tapering axially-outwardly, so that the annular ridge is capable of forming a fluid tight seal with the vial when the vial is received by the fingers of the gripper assembly.",
"10. The device of claim 8 wherein the disk has a center hub having a generally thickened cross-section.",
"11. The device of claim 6 wherein the wall portion has a lip at a peripheral end, the device further comprising an end cap releasably secured to the gripper assembly and cooperating with the lip.",
"12. The connector device of claim 1 wherein the piercing member has a first end and a second end and further comprising means for independently hermetically sealing the first and second ends of the piercing member.",
"13. The device of claim 1 further comprising a septum positioned over the second end of the sleeve assembly, the septum having a center hub having a generally thickened cross-section.",
"14. The device of claim 1 further comprising a tamper evident strip positioned around the sleeve assembly.",
"15. The device of claim 1 wherein the sleeve assembly is movable from the inactivated position to the activated position by a force generally applied to the device outside the first container.",
"16. The device of claim 1 wherein the sleeve assembly has a projection that maintains the piercing member in the first position when the device is in the inactivated position.",
"17. The device of claim 1, wherein the piercing member includes an extended diameter portion, the protuberance preventing, via contact with the extended diameter portion, movement of the piercing member back to the first position.",
"18. A connector device for establishing fluid communication between a first container and a second container comprising:\na first cylindrical sleeve member having a first end and a second end;\na first attaching member on the first end of the first sleeve cylindrical member and adapted to attach to the first container;\na second cylindrical sleeve member having a first end and a second end, the second sleeve member being associated with the first cylindrical sleeve member and is movable axially with respect thereto from an inactivated position to an activated position, the second cylindrical sleeve member having a protuberance integrally formed on an inner surface of the second cylindrical sleeve member;\na second attaching member on the second end of the second cylindrical sleeve member and adapted to attach the second cylindrical sleeve member to the second container;\na piercing member positioned within the second cylindrical sleeve member for providing a fluid flow path between the first container and the second container, the piercing member moveable from a first position in the inactivated position to a second position in the activated position wherein the piercing member contacts and moves past the protuberance, the protuberance configured to contact the piercing member to prevent movement of the piercing member back to the first position.",
"19. The device of claim 18, wherein the piercing member includes a hub, wherein the hub of the piercing member contacts and moves past the protuberance."
],
[
"1. A reconstitution device including a housing that maintains alignment and constrains motion of several internal components, the internal components comprising:\na first container defining a first internal volume;\na second container defining a second internal volume;\na transfer set assembly with an upper spike and lower spike defining a flowpath therethrough, the upper spike oriented in the housing toward a first opening of the first container and the lower spike oriented in the housing toward a second opening of the second container, wherein the transfer set assembly is fixedly engaged to the housing; and\na triggering mechanism, configured to:\nin an unactivated state, maintain separation of the first volume of the first container with the flowpath and the second volume of the second container with the flowpath, respectively, and\nin an activated state, enable first spiking of the first container by the upper spike of the transfer set assembly to establish communication between the first volume and the flowpath, and after the first spiking, enable second spiking of the second container with the lower spike of the transfer set assembly to establish communication between the second volume and the flowpath, thereby establishing a flow path between the first volume and the second volume via the transfer set assembly, wherein:\nduring the first spiking in the activated state, the first container shifts with respect to the housing toward: (i) the transfer set assembly, (ii) the triggering mechanism, and (iii) the second container, and\nduring the second spiking in the activated state, the second container and the triggering mechanism together shift with respect to the housing toward: (i) the transfer set assembly and (ii) the first container.",
"2. The reconstitution device of claim 1, wherein the triggering mechanism is movable relative to the housing.",
"3. The reconstitution device of claim 1, wherein the second container and the triggering mechanism are engaged such that the second contained is generally maintained in a fixed relation relative to the triggering mechanism during the second spiking.",
"4. The reconstitution device of claim 1, wherein the triggering mechanism is configured to engage the housing to prevent movement of the triggering mechanism until the communication between the first volume and the flowpath is established.",
"5. The reconstitution device of claim 4, wherein the first container is configured to cause the triggering mechanism to be disengaged from the housing so that the triggering mechanism is free to move relative to the housing upon establishment of the communication between the first volume and the flow path.",
"6. The reconstitution device of claim 1, wherein an upper boot fits over at least a portion of the upper spike of the transfer set assembly and a lower boot fits over at least a portion of the lower spike of the transfer set assembly.",
"7. The reconstitution device of claim 6, wherein the upper boot and the lower boot are made of an elastomeric material.",
"8. The reconstitution device of claim 6, wherein the lower boot fits onto the lower spike to provide a barrier to leakage of fluid from the flow path.",
"9. The reconstitution device of claim 6, wherein the upper boot fits onto the upper spike and the lower boot fits onto the lower spike so that the fluid path remains sterile.",
"10. The reconstitution device of claim 6, wherein in the unactivated state, the upper boot is positioned to create a gap between the upper boot and the first container, and the lower boot is positioned to create a gap between the lower boot and the second container.",
"11. The reconstitution device of claim 1, wherein the housing maintains its shape in the unactivated state and in the activated state.",
"12. A reconstitution assembly for reconstituting a medication contained in a first container with a diluents contained in a second container, the first container including a first penetrable seal cap and the second container including a second penetrable seal cap, the assembly comprising:\n(a) a housing forming a passageway, at least a portion of the first container disposed within the passageway, the housing moveably retaining the first container in an first resting position, at least a portion of the second container disposed in the passageway;\n(b) a transfer set assembly attached to the housing and positioned between the first container and the second container, the transfer set assembly including a first spike extending toward the first penetrable seal cap and a second spike extending toward the second penetrable seal cap, the assembly forming a flow path extending through at least a portion of the first spike and a portion of the second spike; and\n(c) a triggering mechanism configured to, in a second resting position, engage the second container and engage the housing thereby maintaining the second container in an unspiked position, wherein during an activation, the first container: (i) moves to a first activated position with at least a portion of the first spike penetrating the first penetrable seal cap, and (ii) causes the triggering mechanism to disengage with the housing allowing the second container to move toward the second spike such that the second spike pierces the second penetrable seal cap in a second activated position.",
"13. The assembly of claim 12, wherein a flow path is established between the first container and the second container via the transfer set assembly when the first container is in the first activated position and the second container is in the second activated position.",
"14. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the transfer set assembly forms an access pathway and an exterior portion of the transfer set assembly extends through the housing to form a withdrawal port for access by a user, the access pathway providing fluid communication between the withdrawal port and a portion of the second spike.",
"15. The assembly of claim 14, wherein the access pathway is formed to provide fluid communication between the second container and the withdrawal port when the second container is in the second activated position.",
"16. The assembly of claim 14, wherein the withdrawal port includes a filter configured to prevent unmixed medication from being withdrawn.",
"17. The assembly of claim 15, wherein the access pathway includes a check valve.",
"18. The assembly of claim 15, wherein the check valve is operable to allow one-way withdrawal of fluid upon engagement of a syringe or male luer with the withdrawal port.",
"19. The assembly of claim 15, wherein the check valve prevents misuse of the assembly by preventing air or fluid from being injected into the access pathway.",
"20. The assembly of claim 12, wherein the housing maintains its shape during the first resting position, the second resting position, the first activated position and the second activated position."
],
[
"1. An apparatus comprising:\na closure cap for a container for receiving a liquid for enteral nutrition, said closure cap including:\na rim part having a shape adapted to fit onto the top of the container;\na cover part having a first end attached to the rim part;\na withdrawal part for the withdrawal of a liquid, said withdrawal part attached to a second end of the cover part and having:\na connecting part with an annular body for receiving and holding a spike of a flexible line of a transfer device; and\na closing-off part attached to the second end of the cover part;\na pierceable self-sealing slit membrane disposed within the closing-off part at the second end of the cover part,\nwherein said annular body is connected to a top edge of said connecting part and extends inwards into said connecting part in such a way that, when the self-sealing slit membrane is punctured by the spike, the closure cap is sealed off not only by the self-sealing slit membrane but also by the annular body; and\nwherein the annular body is spaced from the self-sealing slit membrane by a distance such that, during penetration of the self-sealing slit membrane by the spike, the annular body surrounds said spike and makes a seal by surrounding said spike.",
"2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said annular body is connected to the top edge of said connecting part in such a way that a transverse section of said closure cap along a plane that intersects both the connecting part and the annular body shows a narrow gap formed between the inner wall of said connecting part and the outer wall of said annular body.",
"3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said annular body, which surrounds said spike and makes a seal as it does so, has a square-cornered cross-section.",
"4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said connecting part has a cylindrical portion that extends outwards from said cover part.",
"5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said annular body, which surrounds said spike and makes a seal as it does so, is connected to the top edge of said cylindrical portion of said connecting part.",
"6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said cylindrical portion of said connecting part is provided with an outside thread.",
"7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said connecting part is closed off by a break-off part or twist-off part that is connected to the top edge of said connecting part by an annular zone for fracture.",
"8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said break-off part comprises a central disc-like portion including wings for gripping, wherein said wings project sideways from said disc-like portion.",
"9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said wings for gripping extend as far as said cover part of the closure cap.",
"10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said closing-off part comprises a cylindrical portion that extends inwards from the interior of an inner portion of said cover part, said pierceable self-sealing slit membrane being seated in said cylindrical portion of said closing-off part.",
"11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the bottom rim of said cylindrical portion of said closing-off part further comprises a beaded-over rim extending toward the second end of the cover part, the beaded-over rim fitting under an outer portion of said pierceable self-sealing slit membrane.",
"12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said cover part has an outer portion with which an inner portion merges via an outwardly curved portion, wherein said cylindrical portion of said closing-off part connects to said inner portion of said cover part.",
"13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said closure cap is a one-piece injection molded piece.",
"14. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a container, wherein said container comprises a BFS bottle, and wherein said closure cap is a closure cap for said container.",
"15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said rim part has a bottom bulged edge, wherein the bottom bulged edge has an underside, wherein a groove in said underside extends around in a circle, whereby the closure cap is adapted to fit onto the top of the bottle via the top edge of the neck of the bottle fitting into the groove in the bulged edge of the closure cap.",
"16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said rim part is cylindrical.",
"17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said closure cap is welded to said container.",
"18. An apparatus for receiving a spike that is connected to a flexible line that leads to a transfer device thereby enabling said spike to tap liquid enteral solution through a top of a container containing said liquid enteral solution, said apparatus comprising a cap, said cap comprising\na rim,\na cover, and\na withdrawal-part,\nwherein said rim fits said top,\nwherein said cover comprises first and second ends,\nwherein said rim and said first end are attached,\nwherein said withdrawal part and said second end are attached,\nwherein said withdrawal part comprises a connecting part and a closing-off part,\nwherein said second end and said closing-off part are attached,\nwherein said connecting part comprises a top edge and a first seal,\nwherein said closing-off part comprises a second seal,\nwherein said second seal is disposed at said second end,\nwherein said second seal comprises a membrane,\nwherein said membrane comprises a slit,\nwherein said slit is sized to accommodate said spike,\nwherein upon withdrawal of said spike from said slit said slit re-forms a seal,\nwherein said first seal comprises a body having a wall that forms a hole,\nwherein said hole is sized to form a seal when said spike passes through said hole,\nwherein said body is connected to said top edge,\nwherein said body extends inward into said connecting part by a distance,\nwherein said distance is selected such at least one of said first and second seals is in a sealing state regardless of a location of said spike.",
"19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said sealing body comprises four walls that define an outer surface thereof, said four walls meeting to form four rounded corners.",
"20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said sealing body comprises an outer surface, wherein said connecting part comprises an inner surface, and wherein a gap exists between said outer surface and said inner surface.",
"21. The apparatus of claim 18,\nwherein said connecting part comprises a cylindrical portion having a first end and a second end,\nwherein said sealing body comprises a first end and a second end,\nwherein said first end of said cylindrical portion is disposed at said cover,\nwherein said second end of said cylindrical portion is disposed at said first end of said sealing body, and\nwherein said second end of said sealing body is closer to said cover than said first end of said sealing body."
],
[
"1. A connector device for establishing fluid communication between a first container and a second container comprising:\na sleeve having a first end and a second end;\na piercing member connected to the first end of the sleeve and adapted to be connected to the first container, the piercing member positioned within the sleeve and providing a fluid flow passage from the first container to the second container;\na cup assembly connected to the second end of the sleeve, the cup assembly adapted to be attached to the second container; and\nthe sleeve being slidable with respect to the piercing member from an inactivated position to an activated position wherein the sleeve slides along the piercing member and folds upon itself, the piercing member piercing a closure of the second container establishing fluid communication between the first container and the second container.",
"2. The device of claim 1 wherein the sleeve has a first section and a second section, the first section having a greater diameter than the second section, wherein when the sleeve moves from the inactivated position to the activated position, the second section slides along the piercing member and the first section folds upon the second section.",
"3. The device of claim 1 wherein the cup assembly comprises a base connected to a wall portion, the wall portion having a plurality of fingers inwardly spaced from the wall portion and adapted to cooperatively receive the second container, the base being connected to the sleeve.",
"4. The device of claim 3 further comprising a sealing member positioned between a bottom portion of each finger and the base.",
"5. The device of claim 4 wherein the sealing member is a pierceable septum.",
"6. The device of claim 5 wherein the septum comprises a disk, the piercing member passes through the disk when the sleeve is moved from the inactivated position to the activated position.",
"7. The device of claim 6 wherein the disk further has a generally centrally disposed annular ring extending axially from the disk, the annular ring being dimensioned to fit over a closure of the second container.",
"8. The device of claim 5 wherein the septum is capable of deforming to accommodate dimensional variations in a height of a closure of the second container.",
"9. The device of claim 1 wherein the piercing member has a radial slot spaced from the fluid flow passage allowing contents of the first container to pass through the radial slot and into contact with an inner surface of the sleeve.",
"10. The device of claim 1 wherein the sleeve has a first section and a second section, the first section having a greater diameter than the second section, and wherein the contents of the first container pass through the radial slot and into contact with an inner surface of the sleeve at the first section.",
"11. The device of claim 1 wherein the sleeve has a first end having an annular slot, the piercing member including a collar having an annular ridge, the collar connected to the sleeve wherein the annular slot receives the annular ridge, the collar adapted to be attached to the first container.",
"12. The device of claim 1 wherein the sleeve has a second end sealed by a membrane, the membrane positioned between the piercing member and the cup assembly and being pierced by the piercing member when the sleeve is moved from the inactivated position to the activated position.",
"13. The device of claim 1 further comprising a seal material releasably secured to the cup assembly.",
"14. The device of claim 13 wherein the seal material is selected from the group consisting of a foil, a polymeric material and a paper.",
"15. A connector device for establishing fluid communication between a first container and a second container comprising:\na sleeve having a first end and a second end;\na piercing member connected to the first end of the sleeve and adapted to be connected to the first container, the piercing member positioned within the sleeve and providing a fluid flow passage from the first container to the second container, the piercing member further having a radial slot allowing contents of the first container to pass through the radial slot and into contact with an inner surface of the sleeve;\na cup assembly connected to the second end of the sleeve, the cup assembly adapted to be attached to the second container; and\nthe sleeve being slidable with respect to the piercing member from an inactivated position to an activated position wherein the sleeve slides along the piercing member and folds upon itself, the piercing member piercing a closure of the second container establishing fluid communication between the first container and the second container.",
"16. The device of claim 15 wherein the sleeve has a first section and a second section, the first section having a greater diameter than the second section wherein a pocket is maintained between the piercing member and the first section, and wherein the contents of the first container pass through the radial slot and into the pocket.",
"17. A connector device for establishing fluid communication between a first container and a second container comprising:\na sleeve having a first end and a second end;\na piercing member connected to the first end of the sleeve and adapted to be connected to the first container, the piercing member positioned within the sleeve and providing a fluid flow passage from the first container to the second container;\na cup assembly having a base connected to a wall portion, the wall portion having a plurality of fingers inwardly spaced from the wall portion and adapted to cooperatively receive the second container, the base being connected to the second end of the sleeve; and\nthe sleeve being slidable with respect to the piercing member from an inactivated position to an activated position wherein the sleeve slides along the piercing member and folds upon itself, the piercing member piercing a closure of the second container establishing fluid communication between the first container and the second container.",
"18. The device of claim 17 further comprising a sealing member positioned between a bottom portion of each finger and the base.",
"19. The device of claim 18 wherein the sealing member is a pierceable septum.",
"20. The device of claim 19 wherein the septum comprises a disk having a central opening that receives the piercing member when the sleeve is moved from the inactivated position to the activated position.",
"21. The device of claim 20 wherein the disk further has a centrally disposed annular ring extending axially from the disk, the annular ring being dimensioned to fit over a closure of the second container.",
"22. The device of claim 19 wherein the septum is capable of deforming to accommodate dimensional variations in a height of a closure of the second container.",
"23. A connector device for establishing fluid communication between a first container and a second container comprising:\na sleeve having a first end and a second end, the first end having an annular slot, the second end sealed by a membrane;\na collar having an annular ridge, the collar connected to the sleeve wherein the annular slot receives the annular ridge, the collar adapted to be attached to the first container;\na piercing member supported by the collar and positioned within the sleeve and the collar, the piercing member providing a fluid flow passage from the first container to the second container;\na cup assembly connected to the second end of the sleeve, the cup assembly supporting a pierceable septum, the cup assembly adapted to be attached to the second container; and\nthe piercing member being slideable with respect to the sleeve from an inactivated position to an activated position wherein the sleeve moves along the piercing member folding upon itself, the piercing member piercing the membrane, septum and closure of a second container establishing fluid communication between the first container and the second container.",
"24. A connector device for establishing fluid communication between a flexible solution container and a drug vial comprising:\na sleeve having a first section and a second section, the first section having a greater diameter than the second section, the second section being sealed by a membrane and the first section having an annular slot;\na collar having an opening and an annular ridge around the opening, the collar being connected to the sleeve wherein the annular slot receives the annular ridge, the collar attached to the flexible solution container;\na piercing member having a blunt end and another end having a sharp point, the piercing member positioned within the sleeve wherein the blunt end is positioned in the collar opening and the sharp point is positioned adjacent the membrane, the second section being in surface-to-surface contact with the piercing member, the piercing member providing a fluid flow path from the flexible container to the drug vial;\na cup assembly having a base connected to a wall portion, the base connected to the second section of the sleeve, the wall portion having a plurality of segmented fingers inwardly spaced from the wall portion and adapted to attach to the drug vial;\na pierceable septum supported between a bottom portion of the fingers and the base, the septum having a central opening; and\nthe sleeve movable from an inactivated position to an activated position by applying a force to move the drug vial toward the piercing member wherein the second section of the sleeve moves along the piercing member and the first section folds over the second section, the piercing member piercing the membrane, passing through the central opening of the septum and piercing a closure of the drug vial thereby establishing fluid communication between the first container and the second container."
],
[
"1. A closure cap for receptacles for receiving medical liquids, said closure cap comprising: a withdraw part for withdrawing the medical liquid using a spike,\nwherein the withdrawal part has\nan outwardly directed connector part, with a recess for receiving the spike, and\nan inwardly directed closure part, in which a self-sealing membrane is arranged with which the recess of the withdrawal part is closed, and\na first injection part separate from the withdrawal part and designed for injecting an additive into the medical liquid using a needleless injection syringe,\nwherein the first injection part has an outwardly directed connector part, with a recess for receiving the conical stem of the syringe, and an inwardly directed closure part, in which a self-sealing membrane is arranged with which the recess of the first injection part is closed,\nwherein the closure cap has a second injection part separate from the first injection part and designed for injecting an additive into the medical liquid using an injection syringe that has a needle,\nwherein the second injection part has an inwardly directed closure part, with a recess in which a self-sealing membrane is arranged with which the recess of the closure part is closed\nwherein the closure cap has a lid having an inner portion and an outer portion protruding outward from the inner portion and\nwherein the first and second injection parts and the withdrawal part are arranged lying next to one another in a row on the outer portion of the lid part.",
"2. The closure cap as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connector part of the first injection part has an outer thread.",
"3. The closure cap as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connector part of the first injection part is closed with a break-off part, which is attached to the connector part of the first injection part via an annular break zone.",
"4. The closure cap as claimed in claim 3, wherein the break-off part comprises a lateral grip tab that comprises a first portion that extends across the outer portion of the lid part.",
"5. The closure cap as claimed in claim 4, wherein the lateral grip tab further comprises a second portion distal to the first portion, the second portion extending in a direction perpendicular to the first portion.",
"6. The closure cap as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second injection part has an outwardly directed annular shoulder, which is closed with a break-off part attached to the annular shoulder of the second injection part via an annular break zone.",
"7. The closure cap as claimed in claim 6, wherein the break-off part of the second injection part has a lateral grip tab, which extends across the outer portion of the lid part.",
"8. The closure cap as claimed in claim 7, wherein the lateral grip tab further comprises a second portion distal to the first portion, the second portion extending in a direction perpendicular to the first portion.",
"9. The closure cap as claimed in claim 1, wherein the closure part of the first injection part and/or the closure part of the second injection part and/or the closure part of the withdrawal part has an inwardly projecting edge, which fixes and clamps the self-sealing membrane of the closure part of the first and second injection parts and of the withdrawal part in the recess.",
"10. The closure cap as claimed in claim 1, wherein the recess of the first and second injection parts in each case has a first cylindrical upper portion and, adjoining the first cylindrical portion, a second cylindrical lower portion, wherein the second cylindrical portion has a greater diameter than the first cylindrical portion.",
"11. The closure cap as claimed in claim 10, wherein the self-sealing membrane of the first injection part has an annular lower portion, which is arranged in the second cylindrical portion of the recess, and a plate-shaped upper portion, which adjoins the annular portion via a central web and is arranged in the first cylindrical portion.",
"12. The closure cap as claimed in claim 1, wherein the self-sealing membrane of the first injection part has a cup-shaped depression.",
"13. The closure cap as claimed in claim 1, wherein the self-sealing membrane of the withdrawal part has an outer annular upper portion, to which a plate-shaped lower portion is adjoined via a central web, wherein the outer annular portion of the membrane is held with a clamping action.",
"14. The closure cap as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connector part of the withdrawal part is closed with a break-off part, which is attached to the connector part of the withdrawal part via an annular break-off zone.",
"15. The closure cap as claimed in claim 14, wherein the break-off part of the withdrawal part has a lateral grip tab, which extends across the outer portion of the lid part.",
"16. The closure cap of claim 1, wherein the first injection part is disposed between the second injection part and the withdrawal part.",
"17. The closure cap as claimed in claim 1, wherein the closure cap comprises at most one withdrawal part.",
"18. A receptacle for receiving medical liquids, including infusion or transfusion solutions or liquids for enteral nutrition, the receptacle comprising:\na bottle; and\na closure cap with a withdrawal part for withdrawing the medical liquid using a spike,\nwherein the withdrawal part has an outwardly directed connector part, with a recess for receiving the spike, and an inwardly directed closure part, in which a self-sealing membrane is arranged with which the recess of the withdrawal part is closed, and a first injection part separate from the withdrawal part and designed for injecting an additive into the medical liquid using a needleless injection syringe,\nwherein the first injection part has an outwardly directed connector part, with a recess for receiving the conical stem of the syringe, and an inwardly directed closure part, in which a self-sealing membrane is arranged with which the recess of the first injection part is closed,\nwherein the closure cap has a second injection part separate from the first injection part and designed for injecting an additive into the medical liquid using an injection syringe that has a needle,\nwherein the second injection part has an inwardly directed closure part, with a recess in which a self-sealing membrane is arranged with which the recess of the closure part is closed\nwherein the closure cap has a lid part,\nwherein the lid part has an inner portion and an outer portion protruding outward from the inner portion and\nwherein the first and second injection parts and the withdrawal part are arranged lying next to one another in a row on the outer portion of the lid part.",
"19. An apparatus comprising a closure cap for closing a receptacle that contains a liquid, wherein said closure cap comprises\na withdrawal part, a first injection part, a second injection part, and a lid part,\nwherein the withdrawal part is configured to permit withdrawal of said liquid using a spike,\nwherein the withdrawal part comprises\nan outwardly directed connector part, an inwardly directed closure part, recess, and a self-sealing membrane,\nwherein the recess is disposed in the outwardly directed connector part,\nwherein the recess is configured for receiving the spike,\nwherein the membrane is arranged in the inwardly directed closure part, and\nwherein the membrane closes the recess,\nwherein the first injection part is configured to receive, from a needleless injection syringe having a conical stem, an injection of an additive into the medical liquid,\nwherein the first injection part comprises an outwardly directed connector part, a recess, an inwardly directed closure part, and a self-sealing membrane,\nwherein the recess is disposed in the first injection part,\nwherein the recess is configured for receiving the conical stem of the syringe,\nwherein the self-sealing membrane is arranged in the inwardly directed closure part,\nwherein the membrane closes the recess of the first injection part,\nwherein the second injection part is configured to receive, from an injection syringe that has a needle, an injection of an additive into the liquid,\nwherein the second injection part comprises an inwardly directed closure part, a recess, and a self-sealing membrane,\nwherein the recess is disposed in the inwardly directed closure part,\nwherein the self-sealing membrane is disposed in the recess,\nand wherein the membrane closes the recess,\nwherein the lid part comprises an inner portion, an outer portion, and a row,\nwherein the outer portion protrudes outward from the inner portion,\nwherein the row is on the outer portion,\nwherein the first injection part, the second injection part, and the withdrawal part lie next to one another along the row,\nwherein the withdrawal part, the first injection part, and the second injection part are all separate from each other, and\nwherein the liquid is selected from the group consisting of a medical liquid, an infusion solution, a transfusion solution, and an enteral feeding solution."
],
[
"1. A device for reconstituting an active ingredient in the form of sterile powder, comprising:\na vial containing said active ingredient as sterile powder having a mouth, a neck and a pierceable closing member which closes the mouth; an annular step being present between the mouth and the neck;\na flexible bag containing a sterile liquid;\na connecting component fixed to the vial and to the flexible bag;\nan axially perforated spike, constrained to the connecting component and adapted to pierce the closing member, said axially perforated spike comprising a tip, facing towards the closing member, and a head opposite to the tip, said axially perforated spike being inserted in a hole of the connecting component,\na pierceable membrane sealing the hole of the connecting component;\na sealing member sealing the closing member at the mouth and being anchored to said annular step, said sealing member having an open central portion and being arranged so as to leave a central portion of the closing member uncovered;\nan elastomeric sealing ring arranged between the connecting component and the closing member of the vial and in contact with the sealing member, with at least a portion of the sealing ring being received in an annular groove provided on the connecting component,\nwherein there is provided a hermetically sealed, empty sterile chamber, delimited by the closing member, by the connecting component and by the elastomeric sealing ring, the hermetically sealed sterile chamber delimited at a top thereof by the pierceable sealing membrane and by the connecting component, laterally by the elastomeric sealing ring, and at a bottom thereof by a part of an upper side of the sealing member and by the uncovered central portion of the closing member;\nwherein the connecting component is provided with a plurality of coupling teeth which fix the connecting component to the vial, the coupling teeth being in abutment against the portion of the sealing member that covers said annular step of the vial so that the elastomeric sealing ring is subjected to compression, so as to ensure hermetic sealing of the sterile chamber;\nwherein the axially perforated spike is adapted to slide from a rest position inside the flexible bag to a working position, piercing the pierceable sealing membrane before crossing the hermetically sealed sterile chamber and piercing the closing member when a pressure is exerted on the head with at least one finger of a hand, allowing the passage of the sterile liquid from the flexible bag to the vial, and of the reconstituted active ingredient from the vial to the flexible bag,\nwhereby the active ingredient is reconstituted in sterile conditions.",
"2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the connecting component is provided with a tubular collar arranged inside the flexible bag, and wherein the axially perforated spike is at least partially inserted into the tubular collar.",
"3. A device according to claim 1, wherein said head of the axially perforated spike is larger than the rest of the axially perforated spike.",
"4. A device according to claim 1, wherein the axially perforated spike is provided with first coupling means and the connecting component is provided with second coupling means constrained to the first coupling means in said rest position, so as to prevent undesired axial slidings of the axially perforated spike.",
"5. A device according to claim 1, wherein the connecting component is welded to the flexible bag.",
"6. A device according to claim 1, wherein the connecting component comprises an elongated gripping portion, whereby the axially perforated spike is adapted to be pushed towards the vial applying a force thereon with a finger of the a hand and simultaneously gripping the elongated gripping portion with two other fingers of the hand.",
"7. A device according to claim 1, wherein the connecting component comprises an annular projection in contact with a lateral surface of the sealing member.",
"8. A device according to claim 1, comprising one or more ports for the administration of the reconstituted active ingredient.",
"9. A process for obtaining a device according to claim 1, comprising the steps of:\na) sterilizing the vial and the flexible bag, provided with the connecting component, by exposure to UV rays;\nb) assembling the vial to the connecting component of the flexible bag in a sterile environment, defining the hermetically sealed sterile chamber delimited by the closing member of the vial, by the connecting component and by the sealing ring.",
"10. A process for obtaining a device according to claim 1, comprising the steps of:\na) fixing the flexible bag to the connecting component;\nb) fixing the vial to the connecting component, defining a chamber delimited by the closing member of the vial, by the connecting component and by the elastomeric sealing ring,\nc) sterilizing the chamber by means of electron beam sterilization to obtain said hermetically sealed sterile chamber."
],
[
"1. A system comprising:\na cap for a medical fluid container; and\nan attachment part,\nthe cap comprising at least a first port for providing a fluid connection between the fluid container and a device,\nthe device being configured for withdrawing fluid from the fluid container and/or for supplying fluid into the fluid container,\nthe first port comprising a first septum and a connection structure,\nthe attachment part comprising a hollow spike and a joining structure in fluid communication with the hollow spike,\nthe joining structure being configured to connect the device to the fluid container,\nthe connection structure configured to be connected to a complementary connection structure of the attachment part in a releasable or non-releasable manner such that the hollow spike pierces the first septum.",
"2. The systemSystem according to claim 1, wherein the connection structure comprises a cone.",
"3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the connection structure comprises a threaded structure and/or an engagement structure configured to become engaged or to be engaged with a complementary threaded structure or a complementary engagement structure, respectively, of the attachment part in order to connect the connection structure to the attachment part.",
"4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the cap further comprises a second port and the second port comprises a second septum.",
"5. The systemSystem according to claim 1, wherein a through fluid channel extends from a distal end of the hollow spike to the joining structure.",
"6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the joining structure comprises a cone.",
"7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the joining structure comprises a thread.",
"8. The systemSystem according to claim 1, wherein the connection structure comprises a valve.",
"11. A medical fluid container comprising:\nthe system according to claim 4; and\na hollow body.",
"12. The medical fluid container according to claim 11, wherein:\nthe hollow body is sealed in a fluid-tight manner, and/or\nthe hollow body is collapsible.",
"13. The medical fluid container according to claim 11, wherein the hollow body is a hollow plastic body.",
"15. The medical fluid container according to claim 11, wherein the cap is formed by injection molding onto a portion of the hollow body.",
"16. The medical fluid container according to claim 11, wherein the cap is configured and arranged on the hollow body such that the hollow spike pierces the first septum and a portion of a wall of the hollow body when the attachment part is connected to the connection structure.",
"17. The medical fluid container according to claim 16, wherein at least one of the first port and the second port is sealed in a sterile manner.",
"18. A method for manufacturing a fluid container comprising the steps of:\nproviding a hollow body; and\nforming a cap onto a region of the hollow body by injection molding,\nthe cap comprising at least a first port for providing a fluid connection between the fluid container and a device for withdrawing fluid from the fluid container and/or for supplying fluid into the fluid container,\nthe first port comprising a first septum and a connection structure.",
"19. The system according claim 8, wherein the valve is configured as a slit valve.",
"20. The medical fluid container according to claim 13, wherein at least the wall of the hollow body is formed of polyethylene,.",
"21. The medical fluid container according to claim 15, wherein at least one of the first septum and the second septum is formed by injection moulding onto the portion of the hollow body.",
"22. The medical fluid container according to claim 21, wherein the cap and at least one of the first septum and the second septum are formed by two-component injection molding.",
"23. The method according to claim 18, further comprising the step of forming at least one of the first septum and the second septum by injection molding.",
"24. The method according to claim 18, wherein the step of providing the hollow body comprises producing a fluid-filled and fluid-tightly closed hollow body by a blow-fill-seal technique.",
"25. The system according to claim 3,\nwherein the cap further comprises a second port,\nwherein the second port comprises a septum,\nwherein the joining structure comprises a cone, and\nwherein the connection structure comprises a valve.",
"26. The medical fluid container according to claim 11,\nwherein the hollow body is a hollow plastic body,\nwherein the hollow body is sealed in a fluid-tight manner,\nwherein the hollow body is collapsible, and\nwherein the cap is configured and arranged on the hollow body such that the hollow spike pierces the first septum of the first port and a portion of a wall of the hollow body when the attachment part is connected to the connection structure."
],
[
"1. A vial access device comprising:\na housing having first and second connectors, the first connector configured to be secured to a first container, the second connector configured to be secured to a second container;\na spike member extending from the housing and having a proximal end and a distal end, the spike member defining a vent lumen and a fluid lumen spaced from the vent lumen, each of the vent lumen and the fluid lumen having a distal opening, wherein a shape defined by a circumference of the spike member is only symmetric about one axis at a position between the proximal end of the spike member and the distal opening of the fluid lumen, wherein the circumference of the spike member varies in size and shape between the proximal end of the spike member and the distal opening of the fluid lumen.",
"2. The vial access device of claim 1, wherein the circumference of the spike member is substantially oval-shaped.",
"3. The vial access device of claim 1, wherein the distal openings of the vent lumen and the fluid lumen are each defined by a top edge and a bottom edge spaced axially from the top edge, outer portions of the top edges of the vent lumen and the fluid lumen are smooth and configured to substantially prevent coring of a stopper when penetrating the stopper with the spike member.",
"4. The vial access device of claim 3, wherein the top edges of the vent lumen and the fluid lumen are chamfered.",
"5. The vial access device of claim 1, wherein the spike member comprises a ring extending radially outward from the spike member, wherein the ring is configured to engage a portion of a stopper upon penetrating the stopper with the spike member, and wherein a circumference of a portion of the spike member that is positioned distally of the ring is larger than a circumference of a portion of the spike member that is positioned adjacent to the distal openings of the vent and fluid lumens.",
"6. The vial access device of claim 1, wherein the distal opening of the vent lumen is axially spaced from the distal opening of the fluid lumen, the vent lumen positioned closer to the distal end of the spike member than the fluid lumen.",
"7. The vial access device of claim 1, wherein the distal end of the spike member is pointed and configured to pierce a stopper.",
"8. The vial access device of claim 7, wherein the distal opening of the fluid lumen extends in a longitudinal direction of the spike member.",
"9. The vial access device of claim 1, further comprising a lubricant coating positioned on the spike member.",
"10. The vial access device of claim 9, wherein the lubricant coating is positioned adjacent to the distal end of the spike member.",
"11. The vial access device of claim 1, further comprising a pressure equalization chamber in fluid communication with the vent lumen.",
"12. The vial access device of claim 1, further comprising a pierceable membrane positioned adjacent to the first connector, the pierceable membrane covering a proximal opening of the fluid lumen.",
"13. The vial access device of claim 1, wherein the first connector comprises a neck portion of the housing defining an opening that is configured to receive a corresponding connector of a syringe adapter.",
"14. The vial access device of claim 1, wherein the second connector comprises a plurality of hook elements configured to engage a medical vial and secure the vial access device to the medical vial.",
"15. The vial access device of claim 1, wherein a cross-section transverse to a longitudinal axis of the spike member includes a y-axis and an x-axis, wherein a dimension of the spike member along the x-axis adjacent to the fluid lumen is larger than a dimension of the spike member along the x-axis adjacent to the vent lumen.",
"16. A vial access device comprising:\na housing having first and second connectors, the first connector configured to be secured to a first container, the second connector configured to be secured to a second container;\na spike member extending from the housing and having a proximal end and a distal end, the spike member defining a vent lumen and a fluid lumen spaced from the vent lumen, each of the vent lumen and the fluid lumen having a distal opening, wherein the distal openings of the vent lumen and the fluid lumen are each defined by a top edge and a bottom edge spaced axially from the top edge, wherein the spike member comprises a ring spaced and extending radially outward from the circumference of the spike member, and wherein the ring is configured to rest within a seal of the second container upon insertion of the spike member into the second container.",
"17. The vial access device of claim 16, wherein an outer portion of the top edges of the vent lumen and the fluid lumen are smooth and configured to substantially prevent coring of a stopper when penetrating the stopper with the spike member, and wherein the top edges of the vent lumen and the fluid lumen are chamfered.",
"18. The vial access device of claim 16, wherein the distal opening of the vent lumen is axially spaced from the distal opening of the fluid lumen, the vent lumen positioned closer to the distal end of the spike member than the fluid lumen.",
"19. The vial access device of claim 18, wherein the distal end of the spike member is pointed and configured to pierce a stopper, and wherein the distal opening of the fluid lumen extends in a longitudinal direction of the spike member.",
"20. A drug transfer system comprising:\na syringe adapter configured to be secured to a first container;\na vial access device comprising:\na housing having first and second connectors, the first connector configured to be secured to the syringe adapter, the second connector configured to be secured to a second container;\na spike member extending from the housing and having a proximal end and a distal end, the spike member defining a vent lumen and a fluid lumen spaced from the vent lumen, each of the vent lumen and the fluid lumen having a distal opening, wherein a shape defined by a circumference of the spike member is only symmetric about one axis at a position between the proximal end of the spike member and the distal opening of the fluid lumen, wherein the circumference of the spike member varies in size and shape between the proximal end of the spike member and the distal opening of the fluid lumen.",
"21. The drug transfer system of claim 20, wherein the spike member comprises a ring extending radially outward from the spike member, wherein the ring is configured to engage a portion of a stopper upon penetrating the stopper with the spike member, and wherein a circumference of a portion of the spike member that is positioned distally of the ring is larger than a circumference of a portion of the spike member that is positioned adjacent to the distal openings of the vent and fluid lumens."
],
[
"1. A method for capping plural pharmaceutical vials in a lyophilization process with a plurality of closures, each of said vials including an interior in which a lyophilizable pharmaceutical is located, each of said vials having an opening to said interior thereof and a flanged neck surrounding said opening, said flanged neck having an undersurface, said method comprising:\nproviding a plurality of said vials in a spaced array in a tray, said tray having a flange;\nproviding a plurality of closures in respective recesses in a cover member, said recesses being in an array corresponding to said spaced array of said tray, each of said closures comprising a respective elastomeric stopper and a retainer member;\ndisposing said cover member with said closures over said vials in said tray, whereupon each of said closures is located on the neck of its associated vial so that a portion of said stopper closes, but does not seal, said opening of said vial;\nsecuring a waterproof/breathable membrane to said peripheral flange of said tray, to enclose said cover member and said vials with their respective closures within said tray to thereby form a unit for processing;\nplacing said unit in a freeze drying chamber to lyophilize the contents of said vials, whereupon moisture is extracted from within said vials and passes through said membrane out of said unit;\nthereafter applying a force to said cover member of said unit to apply said force to said closures within said tray to cause each of said retainer members to snap-fit on said flanged neck of its associated vial so that portions of the associated stopper seal said opening in the associated vial; and\nremoving said unit vials from the freeze drying chamber.",
"2. The method of claim 1 wherein each of said retainer members comprises a top wall and a peripheral sidewall, said sidewall comprising plural resilient fingers located about the periphery of said sidewall, said fingers of said retainer member being arranged to flex over said flanged neck of said vial when said force is applied to said closures, whereupon said fingers then snap into engagement with the undersurface of the flanged neck of said vial and with portions of said top wall of said retainer member in engagement with portions of said stopper to hold said stopper in place on said vial to seal said opening in said vial.",
"3. The method of claim 2 wherein each of said retainer members comprises a top wall and a peripheral sidewall, said sidewall having plural slots enabling moisture from within said vials to pass therethrough during the lyophilization of the contents of said vials.",
"4. The method of claim 3 wherein said plural slots are located between adjacent fingers of said sidewall.",
"5. The method of claim 1 wherein said vials are taken to a location for further processing.",
"6. The method of claim 5 wherein said further processing comprises securing a locking member over the closures to form a permanent seal for said vials.",
"7. The method of claim 1 wherein said membrane comprises Gore-tex® fabric.",
"8. The method of claim 1 wherein said cover member includes a V-shaped outer edge which is disposed on a portion of said tray and which collapses when said force is applied to said cover member.",
"9. The method of claim 1 comprising stacking plural of said units within said freeze drying chamber.",
"10. The method of claim 9 comprising applying a force to said stacked units at one time whereupon a force is applied to the cover member of each of said stacked units."
],
[
"1. A penetrable screw cap comprising:\na generally cylindrical core structure configured to be screwed onto an open-ended vessel, the core structure being a molded plastic formed to have an opening extending therethrough; and\nfirst and second disk-shaped, frangible seals affixed to the core structure, wherein the second seal is being axially aligned with and positioned below the first seal in a spaced-apart relationship, and,\nwherein the second seal is constructed and arranged to provide a barrier to the passage of a fluid through the opening formed in the core structure,\nwherein the cap is capable of being penetrated by a plastic pipette tip, and\nwherein the first and second seals are constructed and arranged so that air passageways are formed between a plastic pipette tip and the first and second seals when the pipette tip penetrates the first and second seals, thereby permitting air to be vented through the cap.",
"2. The cap of claim 1, wherein the core structure comprises an inwardly extending ledge, and wherein the second seal is affixed to a surface of the ledge.",
"3. The cap of claim 2, wherein the ledge comprises a depending skirt.",
"4. The cap of claim 3, wherein the second seal is affixed to a bottom surface of the skirt.",
"5. The cap of claim 2, wherein the first seal is affixed to a top surface of the core structure.",
"6. The cap of claim 1, wherein the first seal is modified to facilitate penetration of the first seal by a plastic pipette tip, and wherein the modification reduces the tensile strength of the first seal.",
"7. The cap of claim 6, wherein the first seal is modified to include perforations that facilitate penetration of the first seal by a plastic pipette tip.",
"8. The cap of claim 1 further comprising a filter interposed between the first and second seals.",
"9. The cap of claim 8, wherein the filter is comprised of a resilient material.",
"10. The cap of claim 8, wherein the filter is gas permeable.",
"11. The cap of claim 10, wherein the filter is constructed and arranged to trap an aerosol and/or bubbles.",
"12. The cap of claim 1, wherein the cap does not include a filter interposed between the first and second seals.",
"13. The cap of claim 1, wherein the first and second seals tear when penetrated by a plastic pipette tip, thereby forming air passageways between the pipette tip and the first and second seals.",
"14. A collection device closed system comprising the cap of claim 1 screwed onto an open end of a fluid-holding vessel, thereby providing a substantially leak-proof seal between the cap and the vessel.",
"15. A method for removing a fluid substance from the collection device closed system of claim 14, the method comprising the steps of:\n(a) penetrating the first and second seals of the cap with a plastic pipette tip, thereby forming air passageways between the pipette tip and the first and second seals;\n(b) venting air from the vessel through the air passageways;\n(b)(c) drawing a fluid substance contained in the vessel into the pipette tip; and\n(c)(d) removing the pipette tip from the collection devicecap.",
"16. The method of claim 15, wherein the core structure comprises an inwardly extending ledge, and wherein the second seal is affixed to a surface of the ledge.",
"17. The method of claim 16, wherein the ledge comprises a depending skirt.",
"18. The method of claim 17, wherein the second seal is affixed to a bottom surface of the skirt.",
"19. The method of claim 16, wherein the first seal is affixed to a top surface of the core structure.",
"20. The method of claim 15 further comprising a filter interposed between the first and second seals.",
"21. The method of claim 20, wherein the filter is comprised of a resilient material.",
"22. The method of claim 20, wherein the filter is gas permeable.",
"23. The method of claim 22, wherein the filter is constructed and arranged to trap an aerosol and/or bubbles.",
"24. The method of claim 15, wherein the cap does not include a filter interposed between the first and second seals.",
"25. The method of claim 15, wherein the first and second seals are torn in step (a), thereby forming the air passageways between the pipette tip and the first and second seals.",
"26. The method of claim 15, wherein the collection device closed system contains a specimen-retrieval device within an interior space of the collection device closed system.",
"27. The method of claim 15 further comprising, after step (c) (d), the step of amplifying a target nucleic acid sequence present in the fluid substance removed from the collection device closed system in step (c) (d).",
"28. The method of claim 15, wherein the second seal is welded to the core structure.",
"29. The method of claim 15, wherein the second seal is affixed to the core structure with an adhesive.",
"30. The cap of claim 1, wherein the second seal is welded to the core structure.",
"31. The cap of claim 1, wherein the second seal is affixed to the core structure with an adhesive.",
"32. The cap of claim 1, wherein the second seal comprises a foil layer.",
"33. The cap of claim 32, wherein the foil layer is an aluminum foil.",
"34. The cap of claim 32, wherein the second seal further comprises a heat seal layer and a brittle layer.",
"35. The cap of claim 32, wherein the first and second seals tear when penetrated by a plastic pipette tip, thereby forming air passageways between the pipette tip and the first and second seals.",
"36. The cap of claim 32 further comprising a filter interposed between the first and second seals.",
"37. The cap of claim 32, wherein the cap does not include a filter interposed between the first and second seals.",
"38. The cap of claim 1, wherein the first seal comprises score lines.",
"39. The cap of claim 38, wherein the second seal comprises a foil layer.",
"40. The cap of claim 39, wherein the foil layer is an aluminum foil.",
"41. The cap of claim 39, wherein the second seal further comprises a heat seal layer and a brittle layer.",
"42. The cap of claim 39, wherein the first and second seals tear when penetrated by a plastic pipette tip, thereby forming air passageways between the pipette tip and the first and second seals.",
"43. The cap of claim 39 further comprising a filter interposed between the first and second seals.",
"44. The cap of claim 39, wherein the cap does not include a filter interposed between the first and second seals.",
"45. The method of claim 15, wherein the second seal comprises a foil layer.",
"46. The method of claim 45, wherein the foil layer is an aluminum foil.",
"47. The method of claim 45, wherein the second seal further comprises a heat seal layer and a brittle layer.",
"48. The method of claim 45, wherein the first and second seals are torn in step (a), thereby forming the air passageways between the pipette tip and the first and second seals.",
"49. The method of claim 45 further corn risin a filter interposed between the first and second seals.",
"50. The method of claim 45, wherein the cap does not include a filter interposed between the first and second seals.",
"51. The method of claim 15, wherein the first seal comprises score lines.",
"52. The method of claim 51, wherein the second seal comprises a foil layer.",
"53. The method of claim 52, wherein the second seal comprises an aluminum foil layer.",
"54. The method of claim 52, wherein the second seal further comprises a heat seal layer and a brittle layer.",
"55. The method of claim 52, wherein the first and second seals are torn in step (a), thereby forming the air passageways between the pipette tip and the first and second seals.",
"56. The method of claim 52 further comprising a filter interposed between the first and second seals.",
"57. The method of claim 52, wherein the cap does not include a filter interposed between the first and second seals."
],
[
"1. An oral care implement comprising:\na head having a face with a tuft hole therein;\na plurality of bristles disposed within the tuft hole and arranged in a bristle tuft that extends from the face of the head, the bristle tuft comprising a first subset of the bristles and a second subset of the bristles;\nwherein each of the bristles comprises a longitudinal axis and a transverse cross-sectional profile having a major axis and a minor axis, the major axes of the bristles being longer than the minor axes of the bristles;\nwherein the major axes of the bristles of the first subset are non-parallel to the major axes of the bristles of the second subset; and\nwherein the bristle tuft comprises columns of the bristles consisting of the first subset of bristles and columns of the bristles consisting of the second subset of bristles.",
"2. The oral care implement according to claim 1 wherein the first and second subsets of the bristles are arranged in an alternating configuration of columns or rows.",
"3. The oral care implement according to claim 1 wherein the transverse cross-sectional profile of each of the bristles is selected from the group consisting of a diamond, a rectangle, and an oval.",
"4. The oral care implement according to claim 1 wherein a free end of each of the bristles deflects a first distance from the longitudinal axis when a transverse force is applied to the free end of the bristle in a direction parallel to the minor axis, and wherein the free end of each of the bristles deflects a second distance from the longitudinal axis when the transverse force is applied to the free end of the bristle in a direction parallel to the major axis, the second distance being less than the first distance.",
"5. The oral care implement according to claim 1 wherein the bristles of the first subset are aligned along a first axis and wherein the bristles of the second subset are aligned along a second axis that is parallel to and spaced apart from the first axis, and wherein the major axes of the bristles of the first subset are perpendicular to the major axes of the bristles of the second subset.",
"6. The oral care implement according to claim 1 wherein the transverse cross-sectional profile of the bristles of the first subset has a first shape, and wherein the transverse cross-sectional profile of the bristles of the second subset has a second shape that is different than the first shape.",
"7. The oral care implement according to claim 1 wherein the tuft hole has a non-oval transverse cross-sectional profile.",
"8. The oral care implement according to claim 1 wherein the bristles of the first subset have major axes that extend substantially parallel to one another and to a longitudinal axis of the head and the bristles of the second subset have major axes that extend substantially parallel to one another and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the head, and wherein the major axes of each of the bristles of the first subset are perpendicular to the major axes of each of the bristles of the second subset.",
"9. The oral care implement according to claim 1 wherein each column consisting of the first subset of bristles is immediately adjacent to one of the columns consisting of the second subset of bristles.",
"10. The oral care implement according to claim 1 wherein the major axes of the bristles of the first subset are perpendicular to the major axes of the bristles of the second subset.",
"11. The oral care implement according to claim 10 wherein the plurality of bristles of the bristle tuft consists of the first and second subsets of the bristles.",
"12. The oral care implement according to claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of bristles of the bristle tuft is either parallel to or perpendicular to each of the other of the plurality of bristles of the bristle tuft.",
"13. An oral care implement comprising:\na head having a face with a tuft hole therein;\na plurality of bristles disposed within the tuft hole and arranged in a bristle tuft that extends from the face of the head, the bristle tuft comprising a first subset of bristles and a second subset of bristles;\nwherein each of the first and second subsets of bristles comprises a longitudinal axis and a transverse cross-sectional profile having a major axis and a minor axis, the major axes of the first and second subsets of bristles being longer than the minor axes of the first and second subsets of bristles;\nwherein the major axes of the first subset of bristles is perpendicular to the major axes of the second subset of bristles; and\nwherein the bristle tuft comprises columns of the bristles consisting of the first subset of bristles and columns of the bristles consisting of the second subset of bristles."
],
[
"21. A method for penetrating a pierceable cap comprising:\ninserting a sample transfer device through an access port in a shell, wherein the shell is attached to a sample vessel;\nadvancing the transfer device towards an openable portion disposed on a surface of an elastomeric seal;\npuncturing the openable portion with the transfer device to access a sample contained within the sample vessel, wherein the seal is configured with a radial portion and at least two ribs extending radially inward and axially downward from the radial portion, wherein downward is toward an interior of the vessel.",
"22. The method of claim 21, wherein the shell is elastomeric.",
"23. The method of claim 21, wherein the openable portion is a slitted portion and the transfer device is guided to the slitted portion by the at least two ribs.",
"24. The method of claim 21, wherein the inserting and advancing of the transfer device is performed by an automated system.",
"25. The method of claim 24, wherein the automated system is a robot.",
"26. The method of claim 21, wherein the inserting and advancing of the transfer device is performed manually.",
"27. The method of claim 21 wherein the openable portion that is selected from the group consisting of a tearable slitted portion or an unjoined slit.",
"30. The method of claim 21, wherein the access port includes a first cavity.",
"31. The method of claim 30, wherein the shell comprises a skirt portion extending from the access port to a distal end of the shell, the skirt being dimensioned to define a second cavity that receives the sample vessel.",
"32. The method of claim 31, wherein the elastomeric seal comprises an annular ring positioned in a transition between the first cavity and the second cavity, wherein the radial portion is at least partially interposed between the transition and the sample vessel."
],
[
"1. A liquid storage and delivery mechanism, comprising:\nshells that include corresponding reservoirs to hold individual quantities of liquid, the shells including discharge ends, the discharge ends covered with closure lids to seal the corresponding reservoirs;\na shell management module comprising a base with a platform, the platform including shell retention chambers to receive corresponding shells, the shell retention chambers arranged in a predetermined pattern on the platform, the shell retention chambers to orient the shells along an actuation direction;\npiercers for the closure lids; and\nwherein the shells are to move, along the actuation direction within the shell retention chambers, between a non-actuated position, and an actuated position in which the piercers pierce the closure lids.",
"2. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein at least one of the shells comprises a body with a continuous closed side and top wall that surrounds the reservoir, the body having an opening only at the discharge end.",
"3. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein at least one of the shells comprises an elongated body with opposite first and second ends, the second end corresponding to the discharge end, the first end exposed from the platform and having an opening therein.",
"4. The mechanism of claim 1, further comprising:\na flow control plate that includes the piercers arranged in a pattern that matches the predetermined pattern of the shell retention chambers on the platform, the flow control plate including air vents provided in a bottom of the flow control plate; and\na cover that includes an array of openings formed therein and caps that are removably retained within the openings, wherein the caps are to detach from the openings in the cover when an actuating force is applied to the corresponding cap, the caps maintaining a sealed relation with the filling ends of the corresponding shells as the actuating force drives the caps and corresponding shells from the non-actuated position to the actuated position.",
"5. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein the base includes latch arms located proximate to the shell retention chambers, the latch arms to maintain the shells in the non-actuated position and wherein the shells including first ends that include fill ports that open to the reservoirs in order to receive the corresponding quantity of liquid, wherein the first ends include an outer perimeter with a tapered barrel, the barrels terminating at the fill ports, the fill ports including a detent that is positioned to provide a tool interference feature.",
"6. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein the base includes extensions that project downward from the platform toward a fluidics mating surface to define the shell retention chambers, the shells at least partially projecting beyond the extensions when moved in the actuation direction to the actuated position.",
"7. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein the base includes latching arms located proximate to the shell retention chambers and wherein the shells include an intermediate depression formed on a body of the corresponding shells, the latching arms to engage the depressions to retain the shells in the non-actuated position.",
"8. The mechanism of claim 1, further comprising a flow control plate that includes the piercers arranged in a pattern that matches the predetermined pattern of the shell retention chambers on the platform, the piercers to puncture the corresponding closure lids when the corresponding shells are moved in the actuation direction to the actuated position.",
"9. The mechanism of claim 8, wherein the flow control plate includes control plate extensions surrounding the corresponding piercers, the control plate extensions arranged to align with the shell retention chambers.",
"10. A fluidics system, comprising:\nshells that include corresponding reservoirs to hold individual quantities of liquid, the shells including filling ends and discharge ends, the filling ends including fill ports that open to the reservoirs in order to receive the corresponding quantity of liquid;\na shell management module comprising a cover and a platform, the platform including shell retention chambers to receive corresponding shells, the shell retention chambers arranged in a predetermined pattern on the platform, the shell retention chambers to orient the shells with the fill ports exposed from the platform, the cover to be mounted onto the platform to close the fill ports;\na flow control plate that includes piercers arranged in a pattern that matches the predetermined pattern of the shell retention chambers on the platform;\nan actuator mechanism movable relative to the shell management module; and\na controller to execute program instructions to direct the actuator mechanism to apply a valve pumping action to move the shells between non-actuated and actuated positions relative to the flow control plate, the piercers to puncture the corresponding shells when the shells are in the actuated position and to direct liquid from the reservoirs to a fluidics system.",
"11. The system of claim 10, wherein the base comprises an upper platform and a fluidics mating surface, the upper platform including shell retention chambers to receive the shells when the shells are inserted in a loading direction through the upper platform toward the fluidics mating surface.",
"12. The system of claim 10, wherein the controller is to manage the actuating member to selectively move a group of the shells jointly and simultaneously from the non-actuated position to the actuated position.",
"13. The system of claim 10, wherein the controller is to direct the actuator mechanism to selectively move an individual one of the shells from a non-actuated position to an actuated position at which a first droplet is displaced from the reservoir during a first droplet operation."
],
[
"1. An apparatus comprising:\na first portion including a storage chamber therein adapted for storing substance, wherein the first portion defines an axis; and\na one-way valve defining an axis oriented at an angle to the axis of the first portion and connected or connectible in fluid communication with substance from the storage chamber, and including a valve seat and a valve portion overlying the valve seat, wherein the valve portion defines a dimension that is less than a dimension of the valve seat to form an interference fit with the valve seat in at least one location where the valve portion overlies the valve seat, the valve portion and the valve seat define a normally closed valve seam therebetween, and the valve portion is movable between (i) a normally closed position with the valve portion engaging the valve seat, and (ii) an open position with at least a portion of the valve portion spaced away from the valve seat to allow passage of substance from the storage chamber through the valve seam, wherein in the normally closed and open positions the one-way valve prevents ingress of bacteria or other contaminants into the apparatus through the valve seam.",
"2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the storage chamber defines a variable volume storage chamber.",
"3. An apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein the first portion includes a relatively rigid container and the storage chamber includes a flexible pouch or bladder.",
"4. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising a pump operatively coupled between the storage chamber and the one-way valve and configured to pump substance from the storage chamber and through the one-way valve.",
"5. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein one or more of (i) the valve portion and valve seat define a decreasing degree of interference therebetween in a direction from an upstream end toward a downstream end of the valve seam, (ii) the valve portion defines a decreasing radial thickness when moving in a direction from an upstream end toward a downstream end of the valve seam, or (iii) the valve portion and valve seat define a configuration such that an energy required to open respective segments in the valve portion progressively decreases in a direction from an upstream end toward a downstream end of the valve seam.",
"6. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising a penetrable and resealable portion that is penetrable by a filling or injection member for introducing substance therethrough and into the storage chamber and resealable for hermetically resealing a resultant penetration aperture therein.",
"7. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the valve seam defines a non-annular valve seam.",
"8. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the first portion integrally includes the valve seat, and the apparatus further comprises a second portion that integrally includes the valve portion, wherein the first portion and the second portion are fixedly secured together.",
"9. An apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein the first portion and the second portion are fixedly secured together by a snap connection.",
"10. An apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein the first portion and the second portion define a compression chamber therebetween, defining a pump configured to pump substance from the storage chamber and through the one-way valve.",
"11. An apparatus comprising:\na first portion including an integral valve seat and a storage chamber within the first portion adapted for storing substance; and\na second portion including an integral valve portion;\nwherein the first and second portions are engaged with each other, the valve portion engages the valve seat to define a normally closed non-annular valve seam therebetween to define a one-way valve connected or connectible in fluid communication with substance from the storage chamber, the valve portion defines a dimension that is less than a dimension of the valve seat to form an interference fit with the valve seat in at least one location where the valve portion engages the valve seat, the valve portion is movable between (i) a normally closed position with the valve portion engaging the valve seat, and (ii) an open position with at least a portion of the valve portion spaced away from the valve seat to allow passage of substance from the storage chamber through the valve seam, wherein in the normally closed and open positions the one-way valve prevents ingress of bacteria or other contaminants into the apparatus through the valve seam.",
"12. An apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein the storage chamber defines a variable volume storage chamber.",
"13. An apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein the first portion includes a relatively rigid container and the storage chamber includes a flexible pouch or bladder.",
"14. An apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein one or more of (i) the valve portion and valve seat define a decreasing degree of interference therebetween in a direction from an upstream end toward a downstream end of the valve seam, (ii) the valve portion defines a decreasing radial thickness when moving in a direction from an upstream end toward a downstream end of the valve seam, or (iii) the valve portion and valve seat define a configuration such that an energy required to open respective segments in the valve portion progressively decreases in a direction from an upstream end toward a downstream end of the valve seam.",
"15. An apparatus as defined in claim 11, further comprising a penetrable and resealable portion that is penetrable by a filling or injection member for introducing substance therethrough and into the storage chamber and resealable for hermetically resealing a resultant penetration aperture therein.",
"16. An apparatus as defined in claim 15, wherein the penetrable and resealable portion is defined by the second portion.",
"17. An apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein the first portion and the second portion are fixedly secured together by a snap connection.",
"18. An apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein the first portion and the second portion define a compression chamber therebetween, defining a pump configured to pump substance from the storage chamber and through the one-way valve."
],
[
"1. A container system, comprising:\na container,\na container cap, comprising:\na cap body comprising a septum, a first side, and a second side opposite the first side, wherein:\nthe first side of the cap body comprises a container coupling element; and\nthe second side of the cap body comprises a keying element comprising at least one annular ring protruding from the second side of the cap body and defining a first space between the annular ring and the septum, and a second space between the annular ring and an outer perimeter of the cap body, wherein the at least one annular ring is disposed concentrically around the septum, and\na device comprising a keying element comprising at least one annular groove or well adapted to mate with the at least one annular ring protruding from the second side of the cap body.",
"2. The container system of claim 1, wherein the keying element of the cap body comprises a second annular ring.",
"3. The container system of claim 2, wherein the second annular ring is disposed between the septum and the outer perimeter of the cap body.",
"4. The container system of claim 2, wherein the second annular ring is disposed at the outer perimeter of the cap body.",
"5. The container system of claim 2, wherein the first annular ring and the second annular ring have different heights.",
"6. The container system of claim 2, wherein the first annular ring and the second annular ring have different thicknesses.",
"7. The container system of claim 2, wherein the keying element of the cap body comprises a third annular ring.",
"8. The container system of claim 7, wherein the third annular ring is disposed between the septum and the outer perimeter of the cap body.",
"9. The container system of claim 7, wherein each of the first, second, and third annular rings have different heights.",
"10. The container system of claim 7, wherein at least two of the first, second, and third annular rings have equal heights.",
"11. The container system of claim 7, wherein each of the first, second, and third annular rings have different thicknesses.",
"12. The container system of claim 7, wherein at least two of the first, second, and third annular rings have equal thicknesses.",
"13. The container system of claim 1, wherein the septum comprises a first material and the at least one annular ring comprises a second material, wherein the first material is different from the second material."
],
[
"1. A system comprising:\na cap comprising an opening; and\na septum configured to engage with the cap, the septum comprising:\nan annular shaped first portion having a first width, wherein the first portion comprises a rounded-wall portion;\na second portion having a second width smaller than the first width, the second portion being sized and shaped to be received by the opening of the cap;\na third portion adjacent the second portion, the third portion having a third width larger than the first width and the second width, wherein the third portion has a constant circumferential width from a top surface to a bottom surface of the third portion, wherein the bottom surface has a constant horizontal plane across the circumferential width of the third portion; and\nan inert coating disposed on the bottom surface of the third portion defining a terminal end of the septum.",
"2. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first width or the third width is larger than a width of the opening of the cap.",
"3. The system of claim 1, wherein the second portion is between the first portion and the third portion.",
"4. The system of claim 1, wherein the second portion has a thickness substantially equal to or greater than a thickness of the cap.",
"5. The system of claim 1, wherein at least the first portion, the second portion, or the third portion comprises an elastomeric material.",
"6. The system of claim 5, wherein the elastomeric material comprises silicone.",
"7. The system of claim 1, wherein the inert coating comprises polytetrafluoroethylene, polypropylene, biaxially-oriented polypropylene, high density polyethylene, or fluorinated ethylene-propylene.",
"8. The system of claim 1, wherein the first width is larger than a width of the opening of the cap, and the first portion is resiliently deformable having the rounded wall portion to be passable through the opening of the cap.",
"9. The system of claim 1, wherein at least the first portion, the second portion, or the third portion have a thickness that is at least partially hollow.",
"10. The system of claim 1, further comprising a vessel configured to engage with the cap.",
"11. The system of claim 10, wherein the septum is configured for puncture for fluid movement through the septum and to the vessel, from the vessel, or combination thereof.",
"12. The system of claim 10, wherein the vessel has an inner surface and the septum is sized and shaped to contact and to seal the inner surface when the vessel and the cap are engaged.",
"13. The system of claim 12, wherein the inner surface of the vessel has a contour that substantially matches the outer contour of the third portion to form the seal when the vessel and the cap are engaged.",
"14. The system of claim 12, wherein the vessel has a lip having an upper surface, and the third portion of the septum includes a portion that compresses against the lip when the vessel and the cap are engaged.",
"15. The system of claim 14, wherein the third portion of the septum includes a horizontal lower surface sized and shaped to compress against the upper surface of the lip of the vessel and form the seal.",
"16. The system of claim 1, wherein the second and third portions are annular in shape.",
"17. A method of inserting the elastomeric septum of claim 1 into a cap opening, the method comprising:\ndeflecting the walls of the annular shaped portion of the septum inwardly to allow the portion to pass through the cap opening;\npressing the annular shaped portion of the septum through the cap opening; and\nallowing the annular shaped portion to expand back to its original shape after passing through the cap opening.",
"18. The method of claim 17, wherein the third portion of the septum provides a stop to prevent pressing the septum completely through the cap opening.",
"19. A system comprising:\na cap comprising an opening;\na septum configured to engage with the cap, the septum comprising:\nan annular shaped first portion having a first width, wherein the first portion comprises a rounded-wall portion;\na second portion having a second width smaller than the first width, the second portion being sized and shaped to be received by the opening of the cap;\na third portion adjacent the second portion, the third portion having a third width larger than the first width and the second width, wherein the third portion has a constant circumferential width from a top surface to a top surface to a bottom surface of the third portion, wherein the bottom surface has a constant horizontal plane across the circumferential width of the third portion; and\nan inert coating disposed on the bottom surface of the third portion defining a terminal end of the septum; and\na vessel configured to engage with the cap, wherein the septum is configured for puncture for fluid movement through the septum and to the vessel, from the vessel, or combination thereof.",
"20. The system of claim 19, wherein the vessel has an inner surface and the septum is sized and shaped to contact and to seal the inner surface when the vessel and the cap are engaged."
],
[
"1. A receptacle for minimizing evaporation of a fluid, comprising:\na single-piece body comprising a chamber containing a fluid and having a chamber opening;\na fluid-tight seal affixed to a surface of the body, the surface of the body defining the chamber opening, wherein the fluid-tight seal covers the chamber opening and is frangible;\na penetrable septum covering the chamber opening and the fluid-tight seal, the septum comprising at least one slit forming flaps; and\na lid comprising a cover that defines an opening axially aligned with the chamber opening, wherein the opening is sized to permit the passage of a fluid retrieval device therethrough, and wherein the lid is coupled to the body such that at least a portion of the septum is disposed between the lid and the fluid-tight seal.",
"2. The receptacle of claim 1, wherein the chamber containing fluid is the only chamber of the single-piece body containing the fluid.",
"3. A method of transferring a fluid, the method comprising the steps of:\ninserting a fluid retrieval device into the chamber of the receptacle of claim 1, the fluid retrieval device being affixed to or a component of a fluid transfer mechanism, wherein the inserting the fluid retrieval device into the chamber comprises:\npassing the fluid retrieval device through the opening and the penetrable septum covering the chamber opening of the chamber, and\npenetrating the fluid-tight seal covering the chamber opening;\naspirating some or all of the fluid contained in the chamber with the fluid retrieval device; and\nwithdrawing the fluid retrieval device from the chamber and the septum such that the septum substantially covers the chamber opening.",
"4. A receptacle for minimizing evaporation of a fluid, comprising:\na single-piece body comprising:\na first chamber having a first chamber volume and a first chamber opening, the first chamber containing a first portion of a fluid,\na second chamber having a second chamber volume, a second chamber opening separate from the first chamber opening, the second chamber containing a second portion of the fluid,\na first conduit configured to allow fluid communication between the first chamber and the second chamber,\na second conduit configured to allow fluid communication between the first chamber and the second chamber, and comprising:\na first conduit portion that opens to the first chamber and has a first width dimension, and\na second conduit portion that opens to the second chamber and has a second width dimension greater than the first width dimension; and\none or more fluid-tight seals affixed to a surface of the body, the surface of the body defining the first and second chamber openings, wherein at least a portion of the one or more fluid-tight seals covers the first chamber opening and is frangible.",
"5. The receptacle of claim 4, wherein the first and second conduit portions define a recess in the surface of the body.",
"6. The receptacle of claim 5, wherein the recess is a slot extending between the first chamber and the second chamber.",
"7. The receptacle of claim 6, wherein a conduit bottom surface defining bottoms of each of the first, second, and third conduit portions slants downward as the conduit bottom surface extends from the first conduit portion to second conduit portion.",
"8. The receptacle of claim 7, wherein the conduit bottom surface slants downward at an angle in a range from about 20 degrees to about 40 degrees relative to a horizontal plane.",
"9. The receptacle of claim 8, wherein the angle is about 30 degrees.",
"10. The receptacle of claim 4, wherein the second conduit further comprises a third conduit portion between the first conduit portion and the second conduit portion, and wherein the third conduit portion has a third width dimension that increases as the third conduit portion extends from the first conduit portion to the second conduit portion.",
"11. The receptacle of claim 4, wherein:\nthe first conduit portion has a first height dimension; and\nthe second conduit portion has a second height dimension greater than the first height dimension.",
"12. The receptacle of claim 4, wherein the second conduit comprises:\na first conduit opening adjacent the first chamber having a first conduit opening width dimension and a first conduit opening height dimension, and\na second conduit opening adjacent the second chamber having a second conduit opening width dimension greater than the first conduit opening width dimension, and a second conduit opening height dimension greater than the first conduit opening height dimension.",
"13. The receptacle of claim 12, wherein the first conduit opening height dimension is in a range from about 16.0 mm to about 24.0 mm.",
"14. The receptacle of claim 12, wherein:\nthe first conduit opening width dimension is in a range from about 2.5 mm to about 4.0 mm; and\nthe second conduit opening width dimension is in a range from about 6.0 mm to about 7.5 mm.",
"15. The receptacle of claim 4, wherein the first conduit comprises:\na third conduit opening adjacent the first chamber having a third conduit opening width dimension and a third conduit opening height dimension, and\na fourth conduit opening adjacent the second chamber having a fourth conduit opening width dimension greater than the third conduit opening width dimension, and a fourth conduit opening height dimension greater than the third conduit opening height dimension.",
"16. The receptacle of claim 15, wherein:\nthe third conduit opening width dimension is in a range from about 5.0 mm to about 6.0 mm; and\nthe fourth conduit opening width dimension is in a range from about 5.5 mm to about 6.5 mm.",
"17. The receptacle of claim 15, wherein:\nthe third conduit opening height dimension is in a range from about 2.2 mm to about 3.3 mm; and\nthe fourth conduit opening height dimension is in a range from about 3.0 mm to about 4.0 mm.",
"18. The receptacle of claim 4, wherein the second conduit is on a side of the single-piece body opposite of the first conduit, and adjacent to the one or more fluid-tight seals.",
"19. The receptacle of claim 4, wherein the body further comprises a lid having an opening axially aligned with the first chamber opening and coupled to the body such that at least a portion of the septum is disposed between the lid and the one or more fluid-tight seals.",
"20. The receptacle of claim 4, wherein the septum comprises at least one slit forming flaps.",
"21. The receptacle of claim 4, further comprising a penetrable septum covering the first chamber opening and the portion of the one or more fluid-tight seals.",
"22. The receptacle of claim 4, wherein a conduit bottom surface defining the bottom of the first conduit is contiguous with a first chamber bottom surface defining the first chamber and a second chamber bottom surface defining the second chamber.",
"23. A method of transferring a fluid, the method comprising the steps of:\ninserting a fluid retrieval device into the first chamber of the receptacle of claim 4, the fluid retrieval device being affixed to or a component of a fluid transfer mechanism, wherein the inserting the fluid retrieval device into the first chamber comprises penetrating the one or more fluid-tight seals covering the first chamber opening; and\naspirating some or all of the fluid contained in the first chamber with the fluid retrieval device."
],
[
"1. A packaging system comprising:\na container having a closed end, an open end, a longitudinal axis running through the closed end and the open end, and an outer surface;\na closure assembly fitted to the open end of the container and having an access port, the closure assembly including a valve disposed over the open end;\na detachable cap disposed over the access port; and\na label disposed about the container, wherein\nthe label has a first region having an angle relative to the longitudinal axis between 20 and 80 degrees, the first region including a name of an injectable drug product, and\na second region having an angle relative to the longitudinal axis between 20 and 80 degrees, the second region including a concentration of the injectable drug product, whereby the said first and second regions are angled such as to lie in planes that make non-zero as well as non-right angles with the longitudinal axis.",
"2. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein the first region of the label and the second region of the label are set off from each other by one or more of: (i) a color of the first region; (ii) a color of characters conveying the name of the injectable drug product; (iii) a font type of the characters conveying the name of the injectable drug product; and/or (iv) a font size of the characters conveying the name of the injectable drug product.",
"3. The packaging system of claim 2, wherein the first and second regions of the label have a background of a color that contrasts with the remainder of the label.",
"4. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein the valve is a layer of material has opposing first and second surfaces, the layer configured to be puncturable by a needle.",
"5. The packaging system of claim 4, wherein the layer is configured to reseal after being punctured by the needle when the needle is removed from the valve.",
"6. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein the injectable drug product is one of heparin, fentanyl, irinotecan, midazolam, and ondansetron.",
"7. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein the angle of the first region is configured such that the first region extends less than 180 degrees about a periphery of the container.",
"8. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein the angle of the second region is configured such that the first region extends less than 180 degrees about a periphery of the container.",
"9. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein the first region is sized and shaped such that the first region extends less than 180 degrees about a periphery of the container.",
"10. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein the second region is sized and shaped such that the second region extends less than 180 degrees about a periphery of the container.",
"11. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein the label has a top edge and a bottom edge, the bottom edge spaced apart from a lower edge of the closed end of the container.",
"12. The packaging system of claim 10, wherein the top edge is spaced apart from an upper edge of the detachable cap.",
"13. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein the label has a top edge and a bottom edge, and wherein at least one of (i) the bottom edge is aligned with the closed end of the drug container and (ii) the bottom edge is aligned with an upper edge of the cap.",
"14. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the angle of the first region and the angle of the second region is between 20 and 35 degrees.",
"15. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the angle of the first region and the angle of the second region is between 20 and 26 degrees.",
"16. A system for labeling a drug container, the system comprising:\na drug container containing an injectable drug, the drug container comprising:\na closed end,\nan open end,\na longitudinal axis running through the closed end and the open end, and\nan outer surface; and\na label disposed about the drug container, the label comprising:\na background section,\na drug name section visually set off from the background section, the drug name section including characters conveying a name of the injectable drug, the drug name section and the characters conveying the name of the injectable drug angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the drug container such that the characters conveying the name of the injectable drug are neither perpendicular to nor parallel with the longitudinal axis, and\na concentration section visually set off from the background section, the concentration section including characters conveying a concentration of the injectable drug, the concentration section and the characters conveying the concentration of the injectable drug also angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the drug container,\nwherein the drug name section and the concentration section are each angled so as to lie in planes that make non-zero and non-right angles with the longitudinal axis, and\nwherein the drug name section is sized and shaped such that the drug name section extends less than 180 degrees about a periphery of the drug container.",
"17. The system of claim 16, wherein the drug name section is set off from the background section by the color of the drug name section.",
"18. The system of claim 16, wherein the label includes a boundary portion between a first portion and a second portion and the second portion extending at least partially between the boundary and a cap disposed over an access port defined by a closure assembly.",
"19. The system of claim 16, wherein the injectable drug product is wherein the injectable drug product is one of heparin, fentanyl, irinotecan, midazolam, and ondansetron.",
"20. The system of claim 16, wherein the system includes a cap disposed over an access port defined by a closure assembly, wherein the label has a top edge and a bottom edge, and wherein the bottom edge spaced apart from a lower edge of the closed end of the container.",
"21. The system of claim 20, wherein the top edge is spaced apart from an upper edge of the detachable cap.",
"22. The system of claim 16, wherein the system includes a cap disposed over an access port defined by a closure assembly, and wherein the label has a top edge and a bottom edge, and wherein at least one of (i) the bottom edge is aligned with the closed end of the drug container and (ii) the bottom edge is aligned with an upper edge of the cap.",
"23. The system of claim 16, wherein at least one of the drug named section and the concentration section are angled between 20 and 35 degrees.",
"24. The system of claim 16, wherein at least one of the drug named section and the concentration section are angled between 20 and 26 degrees."
]
] |
the following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 u.s.c. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this office action:
a person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
claim(s) 16-20, 22-23, 25, 28-29 and 31-33 are rejected under 35 u.s.c. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by lopez alvarez et al. us 2008/0000870 a1, herein after referred to as lopez.
regarding claim 16 lopez discloses a closure cap (2 stopper, figs. 1-7) for sealing an outlet end (top of 1) of a barrel of a medicament container (1 vial), the outlet end having a radially widened rim (14 annular protuberance, fig. 3) and the outlet end being sealable by an elastomeric seal (24 plug, paragraph [0037] line 2), wherein the elastomeric seal comprises a flange portion (21 upper wall, figs. 3-6) configured to abut in a longitudinal direction with the outlet end (figs. 3-6), the closure cap comprising:
a cap body comprising a retainer portion (27 upper lid), a fastening portion (23 lateral wall), and an outer flange portion (500 fig. 8 shown below annotated fig.3),
wherein the retainer portion (27) is configured to engage with the elastomeric seal (24),
wherein the fastening portion (23) comprises a resiliently and radially deformable fastener comprising a snap feature (26 projection) configured to releasably engage with the radially widened rim (14) of the outlet end (paragraph [0038] lines 4-9),
wherein a longitudinal distance between the retainer portion (27) and the snap feature (26) is sized to receive the radially widened rim (14) of the outlet end and the flange portion (21) of the elastomeric seal (24) between the retainer portion and the snap feature (figs. 2-6), and
wherein the outer flange portion (500 fig. 8) protrudes radially outwardly from at least one of the retainer portion or the fastening portion (extends radially outwardly of both the retainer portion 27 and fastening portion 23).
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regarding claim 17 lopez discloses the closure cap according to claim 16 and further discloses wherein the longitudinal distance between the retainer portion (27) and the snap feature (26) is less than or equal to a sum of a longitudinal extension of the radially widened rim (14) of the outlet end and a longitudinal thickness of the flange portion (21) of the elastomeric seal (figs. 2-6).
regarding claim 18 lopez discloses the closure cap according to claim 16 and further discloses wherein the cap body comprises a lid portion (27) and a sidewall (23), the lid portion and the sidewall forming a cup-shaped receptacle configured to receive the radially widened rim of the outlet end and the flange portion of the elastomeric seal (figs. 2-6), wherein the retainer portion at least partially forms the lid portion, and wherein the fastening portion and the fastener are integrated into the sidewall (figs. 2-6).
regarding claim 19 lopez discloses the closure cap according to claim 18 and further discloses wherein the snap feature (26) comprises a protrusion protruding from an inside surface of the sidewall (figs. 2-6).
regarding claim 20 lopez discloses the closure cap according to claim 18 and further discloses wherein the sidewall (23) is of a tubular shape (round lid) and wherein the snap feature comprises a radially inwardly protruding rim (26 projection inwardly around the sidewall circumference, paragraph [0038] lines 9-11).
regarding claim 22 lopez discloses the closure cap according to claim 16 and further discloses wherein the snap feature (26) is located at or near a free end (shown at 25, fig. 6) of the fastening portion (23), the free end facing away from the retainer portion (27), and wherein the snap feature (26) comprises a lead-in chamfer (change in thickness between the labels 25 and 26, fig. 6) to engage with at least one of the flange portion (21) of the elastomeric seal (24) or the radially widened rim (14) of the outlet end (engages via the snap feature).
regarding claim 23 lopez discloses the closure cap according to claim 16 and further discloses wherein the retainer portion (27) and the fastening portion (23) are integrally formed (figs. 2-6) and wherein the cap body is made of a polymeric material or is made of a plastic material (paragraph [0038], lines 1-6).
regarding claim 25 lopez discloses the closure cap according to claim 16 and further discloses wherein the outer flange portion (500) comprises a lower gripping surface (501, fig. 8) facing towards the fastening portion (figs. 2-6).
regarding claim 28 lopez discloses a medicament container (figs. 1-7) comprising:
a barrel (1 vial) comprising an outlet end (upper end), wherein the outlet end has a radially widened rim (14),
an elastomeric seal (24) configured to seal the outlet end (figs. 2-6) and comprising a flange portion (21) to abut in a longitudinal direction with the outlet end (figs. 2-6), and
a closure cap, comprising: a cap body comprising a retainer portion (27), a fastening portion (23), and an outer flange portion (500 fig. 8),
wherein the retainer portion (27) is engaged with the elastomeric seal (24, figs. 2-6),
wherein the fastening portion (23) comprises a resiliently and radially deformable fastener comprising a snap feature (26) releasably engaged with the radially widened rim (14) of the outlet end to keep the elastomeric seal (24) in position on the outlet end,
wherein a longitudinal distance between the retainer portion (27) and the snap feature (26) is sized to receive the radially widened rim of the outlet end and the flange portion of the elastomeric seal between the retainer portion and the snap feature (figs. 2-6) and,
regarding claim 29 lopez discloses a medicament container according to claim 28 and further discloses wherein a medicament is arranged inside the barrel (paragraph [0003]).
regarding claim 31 lopez discloses a medicament container according to claim 28 and further discloses wherein the cap body comprises a lid portion (27) and a sidewall (23), the lid portion (27) and the sidewall (23) forming a cup-shaped receptacle in which the radially widened rim (14) of the outlet end and the flange portion (21) of the elastomeric seal is received (figs. 2-6), wherein the retainer portion at least partially forms the lid portion, and wherein the fastening portion and the fastener are integrated into the sidewall (figs. 2-6).
regarding claim 32 lopez discloses a medicament container according to claim 31 and further discloses wherein the snap feature comprises a protrusion (26) protruding from an inside surface of the sidewall (23, figs. 2-6).
regarding claim 33 lopez discloses a medicament container according to claim 28 and further discloses wherein the snap feature (26) is located at or near a free end (shown at 25, fig. 6) of the fastening portion (23), the free end facing away from the retainer portion (27), and wherein the snap feature (26) comprises a lead-in chamfer (change in thickness between the labels 25 and 26, fig. 6) to engage with at least one of the flange portion (21) of the elastomeric seal (24) or the radially widened rim (14) of the outlet end (engages via the snap feature).
|
[
"1. A method for equipping a mounting plate with equipping components of a switchgear and/or control system, the method comprising the steps:\nReading planning data of a switchgear and/or control system into an automatic equipping machine, which has a equipping robot;\nExtracting position data of at least one equipping component to be mounted on the mounting plate and/or at least one machining position of the mounting plate from the planning data;\nDetecting a spatial orientation and/or a position of the mounting plate with an image processing system of the equipping robot;\nAssigning the position data to at least one position on the mounting plate; and\nExecuting at least one processing or equipping step linked to the position on the mounting plate via the planning data at the position on the mounting plate with the equipping robot,\nwherein the detecting comprises detecting an orientation and/or a position of at least one borehole, at least one borehole pattern, or at least one breakout in the mounting plate and matching at least one orientation and/or position detected thereby with a target specification extracted from the planning data.\nwherein at least one borehole, at least one borehole pattern, or at least one breakout is introduced into the mounting plate with the equipping robot if at least one missing borehole, a missing borehole pattern, or a missing breakout has been detected during the matching deviating from the target specification.",
"4. The method according to claim 1, comprising the insertion of at least one borehole, at least one borehole pattern, or at least one knockout into the mounting plate with the equipping robot, for which purpose the equipping robot uses a gripper on its end effector to remove a tool device from a reference position associated with the mounting plate.",
"5. The method according to claim 4, in which the equipping robot feeds the tool device removed from the reference position to a position on the mounting plate to which at least one machining step is assigned via the planning data, preferably the insertion of at least one borehole, at least one borehole pattern, or at least one cutout into the mounting plate, and in which the equipping robot executes the at least one machining step with the tool device.",
"6. The method according to claim 1, comprising extracting a bill of materials of equipping components from the planning data and providing at least one of the equipping components included in the bill of materials at a component feeder arranged in the access area of the equipping robot.",
"7. The method according to claim 6, comprising picking up the equipping component from the access area with a gripper at the end effector of the equipping robot and marking the picked-up equipping component with a unique marking extracted from the planning data, preferably from the parts list.",
"8. The method of claim 6, wherein providing at least one of the equipping components included in the bill of materials comprises providing a plurality of identical equipping components, a single one of which is picked up by the equipping robot and marked with a unique identifier.",
"9. The method of claim 7, wherein the labeling comprises placing the equipping component on a labeling unit with the equipping robot and optically readably labeling the equipping component with the labeling unit, and after the labeling, picking up the equipping component again from the labeling unit with the equipping robot.",
"10. Method according to claim 7, in which the equipping component is placed on the mounting plate by the equipping robot after being provided, picked up and marked, for which purpose position data associated with the equipping component are extracted from the planning data via the unique marking.",
"11. The method according to claim 10, in which the equipping component is released by the gripper at the end effector of the equipping robot after equipping, whereupon the equipping robot uses the gripper to pick up a tool device, such as an electrically driven screwdriver or a riveting tool, from a device pick-up position, in that the equipping robot grips the tool device with the gripper or picks it up via a changing system, such as a quick-change coupling, and feeds it to at least one fastening position on the mounting plate, for which purpose mounting position data assigned to the equipping component are extracted from the planning data.",
"12. The method according to claim 6, wherein providing at least one of the equipping components included in the bill of materials comprises providing a mounting rail that is removed from the component feeder by the equipping robot, placed at a mounting position on the mounting plate, and mounted at the mounting position on the mounting plate, wherein subsequently at least one further equipping component contained in the parts list is removed from the component feed by the equipping robot and mounted on the mounting rail mounted on the mounting plate, preferably snapped onto the mounting rail.",
"13. The method according to claim 12, wherein further mounting position data associated with the further equipping component is extracted from the planning data specifying a mounting position of the further equipping component along the mounting rail, wherein for mounting the further equipping component on the mounting rail, movement data associated with the equipping component is extracted from the planning data, by means of which movement data a mounting movement to be executed by the equipping robot for mounting the further equipping component on the mounting rail is specified.",
"14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the equipping component is provided as bar stock or continuous stock, the method comprising cutting the equipping component to length, for which purpose length data for a equipping component to be mounted on the mounting plate are extracted from the planning data, and wherein the equipping component, after being cut to length, is made available at a component feeder, which is arranged in the access area of the equipping robot, for removal by the equipping robot.",
"15. The method according to claim 1, in which, after the execution of the at least one machining or equipping step and a related quality inspection, a result of the quality inspection is stored in the planning data and is unambiguously assigned to the equipping component or the machining position via the position data of the planning data.",
"16. The method according to claim 1, in which all method steps relating to the removal by the equipping robot are carried out during the entire method with the same end effector and gripper of the equipping robot, for which purpose two mutually adjustable gripper jaws, preferably two plate-shaped gripper jaws which are linearly adjustable relative to one another, clamp the respective element to be removed by adjusting the gripper jaws, and for which purpose the element to be removed engages with an adapter in a gripping region of the gripper jaws which are adjustable relative to one another."
] |
US20220281116A1
|
EP2431172B1
|
[
"Heater box module for manufacturing compound safety glass, with an upper heater box (1), from which heat is discharged by means of upper infrared emitters (17a, 17b, 17c) and hot air is discharged by means of an upper circulating-air system (11, 12, 13, 19) into another heating zone (D1) for the purpose of heating a glass batch (G) conveyed through a glass run-through zone (D), the upper circulating-air system having\na) an upper tuyère connection piece (18), via which hot air is blown directly onto a top side (G1) of the glass batch (G), and\nb) upper suction-extraction means (12, 12a-12d) for returning the hot air directly from the top side (G1) of the glass batch (G) into the upper circulating-air system (11, 12, 13, 19).",
"Heater box module according to Claim 1, the upper tuyère connection piece (18) having upper hot-air supply ducts (13, 14, 15) arranged between the upper infrared emitters (17a, 17b, 17c) and possessing slit tuyères (13b) directed onto the top side (G1) of the glass batch (G).",
"Heater box module according to Claim 2, the upper hot-air supply ducts (13, 14, 15) which possess the slit tuyères (13b) being arranged next to one another in parallel and, distributed over the top side (G1) of the glass batch (G), in the upper heating zone (D1).",
"Heater box module according to Claim 2 or 3, the upper hot-air supply ducts (13, 14, 15) which possess the slit tuyères (13b) extending over the entire width of the upper heating zone (D1).",
"Heater box module according to one of the preceding claims, the upper suction-extraction means (12, 12a-12d) of the upper circulating-air system (11, 12, 13, 19) having upper suction-extraction slots (12c, 12d), and a suction-extraction slot (12c, 12d) being arranged in each case directly above an upper infrared emitter (17b, 17c).",
"Heater box module according to one of the preceding claims, the distance (W) of the upper circulating-air system (11, 12, 13, 19) and of the upper infrared emitters (17a, 17b, 17c) from the top side (G1) of the glass batch (G) being capable of being set by means for adjusting the height of, in particular, the upper heater box (1).",
"Heater box module according to one of the preceding claims, the flow velocity of the hot air in the upper circulating-air system (11, 12, 13, 19) being capable of being set such that the volume flow of hot air directed onto the top side (G1) of the glass batch (G) via the upper tuyère connection piece (18) assumes a stipulated value.",
"Heater box module according to one of the preceding claims, with a lower heater box (2), from which heat is discharged by means of lower infrared emitters (27a, 27b, 27c) and hot air is discharged by means of a lower circulating-air system (21, 22, 23, 29) into a lower heating zone (D2) for the purpose of heating the glass batch, the lower circulating-air system having\na) a lower tuyère connection piece (28), via which hot air is blown directly onto an underside (G2) of the glass batch (G), and\nb) lower suction-extraction means (22, 22a-22b) for returning the hot air directly from the underside (G2) of the glass batch (G) into the lower circulating-air system (21, 22, 23, 29).",
"Heater box module according to Claim 8, the lower tuyère connection piece (28) having lower hot-air supply ducts (23, 24, 25) arranged between the lower infrared emitters (27a, 27b, 27c) and possessing slit tuyères (23b, 23c) directed onto the underside (G2) of the glass batch (G).",
"Heater box module according to Claim 9, the lower hot-air supply ducts (23, 24, 25) which possess the slit tuyères (23b, 23c) being arranged next to one another in parallel and, distributed over the underside (G2) of the glass batch (G), in the lower heating zone (D2).",
"Heater box module according to Claim 9 or 10, the lower hot-air supply ducts (23, 24, 25) which possess the slit tuyères (23b, 23c) extending over the entire width of the lower heating zone (D2).",
"Heater box module according to one of Claims 9, 10 or 11, with transport rollers (R) in the lower heater box (2) for conveying the glass batch (G),\na) the lower hot-air supply ducts (23, 24, 25) being in each case arranged below a transport roller (R), and\nb) in each case having a pair of slit tuyères (23b, 23c) which are directed laterally upwards onto the underside (G2) of the glass batch (G) on both sides of the transport roller (R) lying above them.",
"Heater box module according to one of Claims 8 to 12, the lower suction-extraction means (22, 22a-22b) of the lower circulating-air system (21, 22, 23, 29) having lower suction-extraction slots (22a, 22b), and a suction-extraction slot (22a, 22b) being in each case arranged directly below a lower infrared emitter (27b, 27c).",
"Heater box module according to one of Claims 8 to 13, the flow velocity of the hot air in the lower circulating-air system (21, 22, 23, 29) being capable of being set such that the volume flow of hot air directed onto the underside (G2) of the glass batch (G) via the lower tuyère connection piece (28) assumes a stipulated value."
] |
[
[
"1. A method comprising:\ndetermining two or more potential grasp points on a physical object corresponding to points at which a gripper attached to a robotic manipulator is operable to grip the physical object;\nbefore grasping the physical object, determining a planned motion path for the gripper to follow in order to move the physical object to a drop-off location for the physical object;\nselecting, based on the determined planned motion path, a first grasp point on the physical object from among the two or more potential grasp points; and\nproviding instructions to cause the robotic manipulator to grip the physical object at the selected first grasp point on the physical object with the gripper and move the physical object through the determined planned motion path to the drop-off location.",
"2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nreceiving at least one sensor scan of the physical object, wherein determining the two or more potential grasp points on the physical object is based at least in part on the at least one sensor scan of the physical object.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the two or more potential grasp points comprises identifying two or more flat areas on the physical object and determining that the identified two or more flat areas are each a potential grasp point.",
"4. The method of claim 3, wherein the gripper uses suction to grip objects, and wherein the identified two or more flat areas are each larger in area than a gripping surface of the gripper.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein the selected first grasp point comprises a first point on a first surface of the physical object and a second point on a second surface of the physical object, wherein the first and second surfaces have opposite surface orientations, and wherein the gripper comprises a two finger gripper configured to clamp onto the identified first and second points.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein selecting the first grasp point comprises:\ndetermining that the robotic manipulator moving along the planned motion path after grasping the physical object at a second grasp point from among the two or more potential grasp points is expected to result in a collision of the robotic manipulator with an obstructing object.",
"7. The method of claim 1, wherein selecting the first grasp point comprises:\ndetermining that the robotic manipulator dropping off the physical object at the drop-off location while gripping the physical object at a second grasp point from among the two or more potential grasp points is expected to result in a collision between the physical object and an obstructing object positioned at the drop-off location.",
"8. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the planned motion path for the gripper comprises determining a sequence of joint angles for the robotic manipulator that minimizes a cost function, wherein the cost function comprises a plurality of weighted criterion associated with different characteristics of the planned motion path.",
"9. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the planned motion path for the gripper comprises determining a sequence of cartesian coordinates for the physical object that minimizes a cost function, wherein the cost function comprises a plurality of weighted criterion associated with different characteristics of the planned motion path.",
"10. The method of claim 1, wherein selecting the first grasp point from among the two or more potential grasp points comprises minimizing a cost function, wherein the cost function comprises a plurality of weighted criterion associated with different characteristics of the first grasp point.",
"11. The method of claim 1, wherein selecting the first grasp point from among the two or more potential grasp points comprises minimizing a cost function, wherein the cost function comprises:\na plurality of weighted criterion associated with different characteristics of a pose of the robotic manipulator at the first grasp point; and\na plurality of weighted criterion associated with different characteristics of a pose of the robotic manipulator at the drop-off location.",
"12. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nstoring information, in a memory storage, comprising: (i) the selected first grasp point, (ii) the determined planned motion path, and (iii) a performance evaluation of the selected first grasp point based on the movement of the physical object to the drop-off location.",
"13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:\nusing the stored information to determine other grasp points for the robotic manipulator to use in picking up additional physical objects from a physical environment.",
"14. The method of claim 12, further comprising:\nproviding the stored information to a second robotic manipulator to determine grasp points for the second robotic manipulator to use to pick up physical objects from a physical environment.",
"15. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\ndetermining one or more adjacent physical objects in contact with the physical object; and\nproviding instructions to cause the robotic manipulator to create space between the physical object and the one or more adjacent physical objects by using the gripper to cause the physical object to alternately move in at least two opposing directions prior to moving the physical object through the determined planned motion path.",
"16. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nidentifying a fiducial mark at a particular point on a virtual object representative of the physical object, wherein the fiducial mark indicates a reference point for gripping the physical object; and\ndetermining a point on the physical object corresponding to the fiducial mark as one of the two or more potential grasp points.",
"17. A system comprising:\na robotic manipulator;\na gripper attached to the robotic manipulator; and\na control system configured to:\ndetermine two or more potential grasp points on a physical object corresponding to points at which the gripper attached to the robotic manipulator is operable to grip the physical object;\nbefore grasping the physical object, determine a planned motion path for the gripper to follow in order to move the physical object to a drop-off location for the physical object;\nselect, based on the determined planned motion path, a first grasp point on the physical object from among the two or more potential grasp points; and\nprovide instructions to cause the robotic manipulator to grip the physical object at the selected first grasp point on the physical object with the gripper and move the physical object through the determined planned motion path to the drop-off location.",
"18. The system of claim 17, wherein the control system is further configured to determine, before selecting the first grasp point, that the robotic manipulator moving along the planned motion path after grasping the physical object at a second grasp point from among the two or more potential grasp points is expected to result in a collision of the robotic manipulator with an obstructing object.",
"19. A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored therein instructions, that when executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to perform functions comprising:\ndetermining two or more potential grasp points on a physical object corresponding to points at which a gripper attached to a robotic manipulator is operable to grip the physical object;\nbefore grasping the physical object, determining a planned motion path for the gripper to follow in order to move the physical object to a drop-off location for the physical object;\nselecting, based on the determined planned motion path, a first grasp point on the physical object from among the two or more potential grasp points; and\nproviding instructions to cause the robotic manipulator to grip the physical object at the selected first grasp point on the physical object with the gripper and move the physical object through the determined planned motion path to the drop-off location.",
"20. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 19, wherein selecting the first grasp point comprises:\ndetermining that the robotic manipulator moving along the planned motion path after grasping the physical object at a second grasp point from among the two or more potential grasp points is expected to result in a collision of the robotic manipulator with an obstructing object."
],
[
"1. An absolute robot-assisted positioning method for initialising a facility, comprising at least one robot, at least one measuring system, and at least one computer, and for optimising an assembly task, which is determined by theoretically defined steps, by means of the at least one robot, wherein:\nin a first step, a program comprising the theoretically defined steps for the assembly task is inputted into a memory element of the computer which is connected to the robot;\nin a second step, individual processing steps are derived by a computational unit of the computer from the program, for the robot, for executing the assembly task;\nin a third step, the program is transmitted to the robot and stored in a memory unit specific to the robot;\nin a fourth step, the robot automatically performs one processing step at a time, under the control of the program, and the measurement system monitors each of the processing steps performed by the robot and transmits the measurement data for each processing step to the computer;\nwherein the captured measurement data for each processing step are stored in the computer and compared by a computational unit with the data of the program, stored in the memory element, of the theoretically defined steps of the assembly task; and\nin a fifth step, the program for the assembly task is optimised by the computational unit on the basis of the data measured by the measurement system and is stored as a separate program, and optimised processing steps are derived from the optimised program and transmitted to the robot for the next assembly task.",
"2. A facility for performing the method according to claim 1, wherein the facility comprises:\na. at least one robot or at least two robots which collaborate with each other to perform the assembly task;\nb. at least one measurement system which monitors the parameters of the robot;\nc. at least one computer; and\nd. at least one sensor;\ne. wherein the computer comprises at least a memory unit, a computational unit, a transmission interface and a communications interface and is designed to:\nstore a program which describes the theoretically defined assembly task,\nderive mutually adjusted processing steps or subroutines from the program by means of the computational unit using a predetermined algorithm, wherein each subroutine relates to mutually adjusted processing steps for exactly one robot,\ntransmit the program to the robot or robots via the transmission interface,\nmonitor the robot or robots, the measurement system and the sensors via the communications interface in order to execute the assembly task,\nreceive measurement data of the measurement system via the communications interface and store them for documentation purposes, and\ncompare said received measurement data with the predetermined data and, if there are any deviations above a predetermined threshold value, decide whether to discontinue or halt the assembly task immediately or at a later time.",
"3. The facility according to claim 2, wherein the computer is also designed to determine new nominal values for the program/subroutines from the detected deviations and to integrate them into the program/subroutines.",
"4. The facility according to claim 2, wherein the computer separately stores the data for each derived processing step of the program/subroutines, such that it is possible to subsequently reconstruct when and how a processing step in the program/subroutine has been modified.",
"5. The facility according to claim 2, wherein when creating the program, virtual operatives are defined at particular points which are critical to the method, such that the computational unit can specifically compare these operatives with the results of the measurement system.",
"6. The facility according to claim 2, wherein the operatives are expedients for fulfilling one or more of the tasks, wherein the one or more tasks are defined as synchronisation tasks, wherein the synchronisation tasks further comprise calibrating, regulating, monitoring and process control, documentation, status management and configuration.",
"7. The facility according to claim 2, wherein the robots comprise one or more interfaces, and changes to the robot movements can be made by means of the computer via the interfaces.",
"8. The facility according to claim 2, wherein the program is created by means of textual, CAD-assisted programming, or textual and CAD-assisted programming and can be modified even while the facility is in operation, without thereby altering the theoretically defined assembly task.",
"9. The facility according to claim 2, wherein the robots and the at least one measurement system form a network of individual systems which communicate with each other.",
"10. The facility according to claim 2, wherein in order to monitor the robot movements, one or more measurement systems are implemented in the facility which take measurements by means of rotary theodolites or indoor GPS, a multitude of cameras for observing markers, laser trackers with or without orientation receivers, or laser radar.",
"11. The method according to claim 1, wherein when defining the theoretical steps, virtual operatives are used which calibrate the data measured by the measurement system to the theoretical program data, wherein deviations, detected by the virtual operatives, between the data represented by the operatives and the measurement data are captured and stored by the computer.",
"12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the robot or robots and the measurement system form a network of individual systems which communicate with each other, using which autonomous partial aspects of the actual assembly task and, when all the partial aspects interact, the actual assembly task as a whole are solved optimally within the meaning of the theoretically defined assembly task.",
"13. The method according to claim 1, wherein machine errors and process errors, in particular when initialising an assembly facility, are separately ascertained and reconstructibly stored and therefore documented using the method.",
"14. The method according to claim 1, wherein ribs are automatically connected to a large-area flexible structure using the method, wherein the structure is a part of a large-volume sub-assembly.",
"15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the sub-assembly is an aircraft fuselage, the structure is a part of the outer shell of an aircraft, and the rib is a stringer.",
"16. The use of the method according to claim 14 as part of a facility for connecting a large-area flexible structure, which is a part of a large-volume sub-assembly, to a reinforcement element.",
"17. The use of the method according to claim 16, wherein the large-volume sub-assembly is an aircraft fuselage, the large-area flexible structure is a part of the outer shell of an aircraft, and the reinforcement element is a rib or stringer.",
"18. An absolute robot-assisted positioning method for initialising a facility, comprising at least two robots, at least one measuring system, and at least one computer for optimising an assembly task, which is determined by theoretically defined steps, by means of the at least two robots collaborating with each other, wherein:\nin a first step, a program comprising the theoretically defined steps for the assembly task is inputted into a memory element of the computer which is connected to the robots;\nin a second step, subroutines for executing mutually adjusted individual processing steps of the assembly task are derived by a computational unit of the computer from the program, for each individual robot;\nin a third step, the subroutines are transmitted to the robots and preferably stored in a memory unit specific to the robots;\nin a fourth step, the robots perform automatically one processing step at a time, under the control of the subroutines, and the measurement system monitors each of the processing steps performed by each robot and transmits the measurement data for each processing step to the computer;\nthe captured measurement data for each processing step are stored in the computer and compared by a computational unit with the data of the program, stored in the memory element, of the theoretically defined steps of the assembly task;\nand in a fifth step, the program for the assembly task is optimised by the computational unit on the basis of the data measured by the measurement system and is stored as a separate program, and optimised subroutines are derived from the optimised program and transmitted to the robots for the next assembly task."
],
[
"1. A method for handling piece goods (2) moved in at least two parallel rows (1) in a transport direction (TR) for forming a palletizable layer or partial layer, the layer comprising a plurality of piece goods (2), comprising:\nseizing at least two piece goods (2) transported beside each other in parallel rows (1) orthogonal to the transport direction (TR) together in a clamping and/or force-locking and/or form-locking manner,\nspatially separating the seized at least two piece goods (2) from the at least two parallel rows (1); and\ntransferring the at least two seized piece goods (2) into a specified relative target position (P1, P2) and/or target alignment in relation to subsequent piece goods (2); and\nin a subsequent step, seizing at least one piece good (2) from one of the at least two parallel rows (1) in a clamping and/or force-locking and/or form-locking manner, spatially separating the seized at least one piece good (2) from the row (1), and transferring the at least one piece good (2) into a specified relative target position (P1, P2) and/or target alignment in relation to subsequent piece goods (2).",
"2. The method of claim 1, further comprising transporting the piece goods (2) in the at least two parallel rows (1) are largely without gaps between one another.",
"3. The method of claim 2, further comprising feeding the piece goods (2) into each of the at least two parallel rows (1), in the transport direction (TR), without gaps between one another or with minimal gaps between one another as a closed formation.",
"4. The method of claim 2, further comprising forming groups (7) of one or more piece goods (2) within at least one of the at least two parallel rows (1), wherein the groups (7) are spaced from one another in a transport direction (TR) by defined gaps (L), wherein the defined gaps (L) between successive groups (7) are the same or different.",
"5. The method of claim 4, wherein the formed groups (7) in each of the at least two parallel rows (1) correspond to each other.",
"6. The method of claim 5, wherein individual piece goods (2) and/or groups (7) of piece goods (2) of the at least two directly adjacent parallel rows (1) are jointly seized, spatially separated and brought into a defined relative target position (P1, P2) and/or target alignment relative to subsequent piece goods (2), wherein the individual piece goods (2) and/or groups (7) of piece goods (2) within each row (1) are correspondingly separated by a gap (L) from the subsequent piece goods within the respective row (1).",
"7. The method of claim 6, wherein the transferring step comprises: rotating the seized piece goods (2) moving the seized piece goods (2) in alignment relative to the subsequent piece goods (2) in the transport direction (TR), or moving the seized piece goods (2) with a lateral offset with respect to the subsequent piece goods (2).",
"8. An apparatus (10) for handling piece goods (2) moved in at least two parallel rows (1), the apparatus (10) comprising:\nat least one manipulator (5) for seizing piece goods (2); and\nat least one transport device (3) that transports piece goods (2) arranged in at least two parallel rows (1) in a transport direction (TR) into a seizing range (4) of the at least one manipulator (5),\nwherein the at least one manipulator (5) seizes at least two piece goods (2) transported beside each other in parallel rows (1) orthogonal to the transport direction (TR) in a clamping and/or force-locking and/or form-locking manner, and separates and transfers the at least two piece goods (2) from the at least two parallel rows (1) to a target position (P1, P2) and/or target alignment; and\nwherein the at least one manipulator (5) seizes at least one piece good (2) from one of the at least two parallel rows (1) in a clamping and/or force-locking and/or form-locking manner, and separates and transfers the at least one piece good (2) to a target position (P1, P2) and/or target alignment.",
"9. The apparatus (10) of claim 8, wherein the at least one manipulator (5) seizes at least one foremost piece good (2) from the at least two parallel rows (1).",
"10. The apparatus (10) of claim 8, wherein the manipulator (5) comprises at least two clamping elements and/or gripping elements (52) that are adjustable relative to one another, wherein in a first working position the clamping elements and/or gripping elements (52) are arranged or can be arranged parallel to the transport direction (TR).",
"11. The apparatus (10) claim 8, further comprising at least one grouping belt (18), wherein the at least one grouping belt (18) forms defined gaps (L) between the piece goods (2) supplied in at least two parallel rows (1) and the subsequent piece goods (2) and/or forms defined gaps (L) between groups (7) comprising at least two piece goods (2) each and the subsequent piece goods (2).",
"12. The apparatus (10) of claim 11, wherein in a second working position, the clamping elements and/or gripping elements (52) are arranged or can be arranged perpendicular to the transport direction (TR).",
"13. The apparatus (10) of claim 12, wherein one of the clamping elements and/or gripping elements (52) is positioned in the transport direction (TR) behind the at least one piece good (2) to be separated or the group (7) of piece goods (2) to be separated, and within a gap (L) between the at least one piece good (2) to be separated or the group (7) to be separated and the subsequent piece goods (2), and wherein the other clamping element and/or gripping element (52) is arranged in the transport direction (TR) in front of the at least one piece good (2) to be separated or the group (7) to be separated.",
"14. A conveying, processing, and/or packaging facility for piece goods (2) comprising:\nan apparatus (10) for handling piece goods (2) moved in at least two parallel rows (1), the apparatus (10) comprising:\nat least one manipulator (5) for seizing piece goods (2); and\nat least one transport device (3) that transports piece goods (2) arranged in at least two parallel rows (1) in a transport direction (TR) into a seizing range (4) of the at least one manipulator (5),\nwherein the at least one manipulator (5) seizes at least two piece goods (2) transported beside each other in parallel rows (1) orthogonal to the transport direction (TR) in a clamping and/or force-locking and/or form-locking manner, and separates and transfers the at least two piece goods (2) from the at least two parallel rows (1) to a target position (P1, P2) and/or target alignment; and\nwherein the at least one manipulator (5) seizes at least one piece good (2) in a clamping and/or force-locking and/or form-locking manner, and separates and transfers the at least one piece good (2) to a target position (P1, P2) and/or target alignment."
],
[
"1. A method, comprising:\ndetermining, based on visual data received from a plurality of cameras, a set of one or more potentially graspable features for one or more objects present in a workspace area;\ndetermining for each of at least a subset of the one or more potentially graspable features one or more corresponding grasp strategies to grasp a feature with a robotic arm and end effector;\ndetermining with respect to each of a least a subset of said one or more corresponding grasp strategies a score associated with a probability of a successful grasp of a corresponding feature;\nselecting to grasp a first feature of the one or more potentially graspable features using a selected grasp strategy based at least in part on a corresponding score associated with the selected grasp strategy with respect to the first feature; and\ncontrolling the robotic arm and end effector to attempt to grasp the first feature using the selected grasp strategy, wherein grasping the first feature using the selected grasp strategy comprises:\ndetermining whether a grasp of the first feature is successful, wherein in response to a determination that the grasp of the first feature is determined not to be successful, iteratively re-attempting to grasp the first feature using the selected grasp strategy or implementing a different grasp strategy to grasp the first feature until a threshold number of attempts to grasp the first feature have been attempted; and\nin response to the threshold number of attempts having been attempted, selecting a second feature of the one or more potentially graspable features to grasp.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the visual data received from the plurality of cameras includes point cloud data.",
"3. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining boundary information associated with the one or more objects based on the visual data received from the plurality of cameras.",
"4. The method of claim 3, wherein the selected grasp strategy is selected based in part on the determined boundary information associated with the one or more objects.",
"5. The method of claim 1, further comprising segmenting one of the one or more objects into a plurality of shapes.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first feature has a highest score associated with the probability of the successful grasp of the corresponding feature.",
"7. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of cameras is dynamically moving.",
"8. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of cameras is at a fixed location.",
"9. The method of claim 1, wherein in response to a determination that the grasp of the second feature is determined to be successful, an object associated with the second feature is moved to a drop off area.",
"10. The method of claim 1, wherein the visual data received from the plurality of cameras is used to determine negative space information associated with the one or more objects.",
"11. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more potentially graspable features includes a handle, a protrusion, or a void.",
"12. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\ndetecting a human in the workspace area; and\nselecting a third feature associated with a second object based on whether the human is located in a same zone as the first feature associated with a first object.",
"13. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\ndetecting a human in the workspace area; and\nstopping operation of the robotic arm in the event the human is detected in a same zone as the first feature associated with an object.",
"14. The method of claim 1, further comprising moving an object associated with the first feature to a drop off area.",
"15. The method of claim 14, further comprising determining whether the object has been dropped.",
"16. The method of claim 1, further comprising placing an object associated with the first feature in a drop off area.",
"17. The method of claim 1, further comprising recalibrating a robotic system associated with the robotic arm and the end effector based on whether a miscalibration condition has occurred.",
"18. The method of claim 1, further comprising updating an operation of a robotic system associated with the robotic arm and the end effector based on whether a new object is detected in the workspace area.",
"19. A non-transitory computer storage readable medium and comprising instructions for:\ndetermining, based on visual data received from a plurality of cameras, a set of one or more potentially graspable features for one or more objects present in a workspace area;\ndetermining for each of at least a subset of the one or more potentially graspable features one or more corresponding grasp strategies to grasp a feature with a robotic arm and end effector;\ndetermining with respect to each of a least a subset of said one or more corresponding grasp strategies a score associated with a probability of a successful grasp of a corresponding feature;\nselecting to grasp a first feature of the one or more potentially graspable features using a selected grasp strategy based at least in part on a corresponding score associated with the selected grasp strategy with respect to the first feature; and\ncontrolling the robotic arm and the end effector to attempt to grasp the first feature using the selected grasp strategy, wherein grasping the first feature using the selected grasp strategy comprises:\ndetermining whether a grasp of the first feature is successful, wherein in response to a determination that the grasp of the first feature is determined not to be successful, iteratively re-attempting to grasp the first feature using the selected grasp strategy or implementing a different grasp strategy to grasp the first feature until a threshold number of attempts to grasp the first feature have been attempted; and\nin response to the threshold number of attempts having been attempted, selecting a second feature of the one or more potentially graspable features to grasp.",
"20. A system, comprising:\na communication interface; and\na processor coupled to the communication interface and configured to:\ndetermine, based on visual data received from a plurality of cameras, a set of one or more potentially graspable features for one or more objects present in a workspace area;\ndetermine for each of at least a subset of the one or more potentially graspable features one or more corresponding grasp strategies to grasp a feature with a robotic arm and end effector;\ndetermine with respect to each of a least a subset of said one or more corresponding grasp strategies a score associated with a probability of a successful grasp of a corresponding feature;\nselect to grasp a first feature of the one or more potentially graspable features using a selected grasp strategy based at least in part on a corresponding score associated with the selected grasp strategy with respect to the first feature; and\ncontrol the robotic arm and end effector to attempt to grasp the first feature using the selected grasp strategy, wherein grasping the first feature using the selected grasp strategy comprises:\ndetermining whether a grasp of the first feature is successful, wherein in response to a determination that the grasp of the first feature is determined not to be successful, iteratively re-attempting to grasp the first feature using the selected grasp strategy or implementing a different grasp strategy to grasp the first feature until a threshold number of attempts to grasp the first feature have been attempted; and\nin response to the threshold number of attempts having been attempted, selecting a second feature of the one or more potentially graspable features to grasp."
],
[
"1. A machine configured to assemble sections of a fuselage, wherein the machine comprises:\na holding cell;\nwork cells, wherein each work cell in the work cells comprises, respectively, a utility fixture configured to electrically and physically accept an autonomous couple from a drivable tower that comprises a top platform and a bottom platform, wherein the top platform is configured to support a passenger floor internal robotic device and rise above the bottom platform, configured to support a cargo floor internal robotic device, by a distance equal to a height of a passenger floor above a cargo floor in a fuselage section of the sections of the fuselage;\nan assembly fixture that comprises a number of drivable cradle fixtures, wherein each drivable cradle fixture in the drivable cradle fixtures, respectively comprise:\na base;\na number of retaining structures configured to retain and support the fuselage section, wherein the number of retaining structures each comprise, respectively, a radius of curvature equivalent to a radius of curvature of a keel panel of the fuselage section; and\nan interface configured to couple physically and electrically to:\nthe drivable tower; or\nanother drivable cradle fixture in the number of drivable cradle fixtures; and\nan autonomous panel joining system configured to join a plurality of panels together on the assembly fixture, wherein the autonomous panel joining system comprises:\nan external mobile platform configured to support an external robotic device configured to associate with the passenger floor internal robotic device; and\na second external mobile platform configured to support a second external robotic device configured to associate with the cargo floor internal robotic device.",
"2. The machine of claim 1, wherein the drivable tower is further configured to couple at least one of an air or a hydraulic supply from the utility fixture.",
"3. The machine of claim 2, wherein the drivable tower is an autonomously drivable tower and wherein the number of drivable cradle fixtures is a number of autonomously drivable cradle fixtures.",
"4. The machine of claim 3, wherein the utility fixture is further configured to supply: communications, hydraulic fluid, water, and air.",
"5. The machine of claim 3, wherein the autonomous panel joining system comprises a number of drivable internal mobile platforms located on the autonomously drivable tower.",
"6. The machine of claim 3, wherein the external mobile platform configured to support an external robotic device configured to associate with the passenger floor internal robotic device is further configured to autonomously couple to the assembly fixture.",
"7. The machine of claim 2, wherein the drivable tower comprises a ramp configured to provide access to the bottom platform from a work cell in the work cells.",
"8. The machine of claim 2, further comprising an autonomous vehicle capable of autonomously driving the drivable tower between the holding cell and the work cells.",
"9. The machine of claim 1, further comprising:\na sensor located in a work cell of the work cells and configured to track and position the drivable tower and each drivable cradle fixture in the number of drivable cradle fixtures; and\nan autonomous vehicle integrally associated with the drivable tower.",
"10. The machine of claim 1, wherein each retaining structure in the number of retaining structures is associated with, respectively, the base of the drivable cradle fixture.",
"11. The machine of claim 10, wherein each of the number of retaining structures is 4."
],
[
"1. A method for operating a robotic system, the method comprising:\nin response to detecting at least one error based on conditions at a start location or at a task location, identifying a packaging condition that poses a risk of collision between a robotic unit of the robotic system and an object at the task location; and\nbased at least in part on the identified packaging condition, adjusting an approach path of the robotic system for placing a target object at the task location, adjusting a placement plan for placing objects at the task location by updating a placement location specified by the placement plan for the target object at the task location, or a combination thereof.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein:\nthe packaging condition includes a placement area at the task location differing from an expected placement area; and\nthe method further comprises determining an extent to which the placement plan is affected by the packaging condition.",
"3. The method of claim 2, wherein determining the extent to which the placement plan is affected includes (i) overlaying a three-dimensional (3D) packing plan corresponding to the placement plan over destination data corresponding to the task location and (ii) identifying affected objects in the 3D packing plan.",
"4. The method of claim 2, wherein determining the extent to which the placement plan is affected includes identifying approach paths corresponding to the placement plan that intersect with the object at the task location.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein adjusting the approach path includes adjusting the approach path for placing the target object at the placement location specified by the placement plan such that the robotic unit avoids colliding with the object at the task location.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein updating the placement location includes dynamically deriving a new placement location for the target object, wherein dynamically deriving the new placement location includes:\nderiving a candidate position for the target object at the task location; and\nvalidating the candidate position according to one or more placement constraints.",
"7. The method of claim 1, wherein adjusting the approach path or adjusting the placement plan includes placing the target object at another location different from the task location.",
"8. The method of claim 7, wherein adjusting the approach path or adjusting the placement plan further includes placing subsequent objects arriving at the start location at the other location.",
"9. The method of claim 8, wherein adjusting the approach path or adjusting the placement plan further includes:\nidentifying a package set including the target object and the subsequent objects;\naccessing or adjusting previously determined package groupings; and\nrederiving the placement plan for placing the target object and the subsequent objects at the task location.",
"10. The method of claim 1, wherein:\nthe packaging condition includes a placement area at the task location differing from an expected placement area; and\nadjusting the approach path or adjusting the placement plan further includes rederiving at least part of the placement plan using the placement area as an updated placement surface.",
"11. The method of claim 1, further comprising repositioning, based at least in part on the identified packaging condition, one or more previously placed objects at the task location.",
"12. The method of claim 1, further comprising dynamically generating, based at least in part on the identified packaging condition, a discretized model for the target object.",
"13. The method of claim 1, further comprising updating, based at least in part on the identified packaging condition, a master list of previously placed objects at the task location to exclude a missing object at the task location.",
"14. The method of claim 1, further comprising updating, based at least in part on the identified packaging condition, a master list of previously placed objects at the task location to include an unexpected object at the task location.",
"15. The method of claim 1, further comprising alerting an operator of the packaging condition.",
"16. The method of claim 1, wherein the packaging condition includes:\nan unexpected placement error representing a first previously placed object having moved, shifted, or fallen at the task location;\na placement area error representing a second previously placed object placed at a wrong location or a wrong orientation at the task location; or\na combination thereof.",
"17. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one error represents a disparity between source sensor data captured by a sensor at the start location and data corresponding to expected conditions at the start location.",
"18. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one error represents a disparity between destination sensor data captured by a sensor at the task location and data corresponding to expected packaging conditions at the task location.",
"19. A robotic system, comprising:\nat least one processor; and\nat least one memory device connected to the at least one processor and having stored thereon instructions executable by the at least one processor to:\nin response to detecting at least one error based on conditions at a start location or at a task location, identify a packaging condition that poses a risk of collision between a robotic unit of the robotic system and an object at the task location; and\nbased at least in part on the identified packaging condition, adjust an approach path of the robotic system for placing a target object at the task location, adjust a placement plan for placing objects at the task location by updating a placement location specified by the placement plan for the target object at the task location, or a combination thereof.",
"20. A tangible, non-transient computer-readable medium having processor instructions stored thereon that, when executed by a robotic system via one or more processors thereof, cause the robotic system to perform a method, the instructions comprising:\ninstructions to, in response to detecting at least one error based on conditions at a start location or at a task location, identify a packaging condition that poses a risk of collision between a robotic unit of the robotic system and an object at the task location; and\ninstructions to, based at least in part on the identified packaging condition, adjust an approach path of the robotic system for placing a target object at the task location, adjust a placement plan for placing objects at the task location by updating a placement location specified by the placement plan for the target object at the task location, or a combination thereof."
],
[
"1. A robot device comprising:\na base; and\na movable arm, operably coupled to the base, with a picking mechanism in one end thereof,\nwherein the robot device is configured to move a storage item between a first location and a second location by means of the picking mechanism, and\nwherein the first location is the location of a first storage bin stored at a top level or a level directly below the top level in a storage grid.",
"2. The robot device according to claim 1, wherein the robot device is provided in communication with a vehicle control system controlling vehicles on the storage grid, in order to avoid collision between vehicles and the robot device.",
"3. The robot device according to claim 1, wherein the base is supported by an iron girder or supporting beam above the storage grid.",
"4. The robot device according to claim 1, wherein the movable arm comprises:\na first arm section connected to the base; and\na second arm section connected to the first arm section via a pivotal joint,\nwherein the one end with the picking mechanism is an end of the second arm section distal to the pivotal joint.",
"5. The robot device according to claim 4, further comprising a storage control and communication system configured to:\ncontrol the robot device to move a product item from at least one first storage bin of the storage item in a first robot arm reachable area of the storage grid to at least one second storage bin placed in a second robot arm reachable area outside of the storage grid.",
"6. The robot device according to claim 1, wherein the second location is the location of a second storage bin arranged on a conveyor system arranged adjacent to the storage grid.",
"7. The robot device according to claim 6, wherein the robot device is configured to move the first storage bin and the second storage bin by way of the picking mechanism.",
"8. A method comprising:\nmoving a storage item between a first location and a second location with a picking mechanism of a robot device,\nwherein the picking mechanism is at one end of a movable arm operably coupled to a base of the robot device, and\nwherein the first location is the location of a first storage bin stored at a top level or a level directly below the top level in a storage grid.",
"9. The method according to claim 8, further comprising:\nfixing the base about an iron girder or supporting beam above the storage grid.",
"10. The method according to claim 8, further comprising:\nsliding the base about an iron girder or supporting beam above the storage grid.",
"11. The method according to claim 8, further comprising:\nfilling, with the picking mechanism of the robot device, a storage bin with the storage item.",
"12. The method according to claim 8, further comprising:\npivoting a second arm section of the movable arm about a first arm section of the movable arm with a pivotal joint,\nwherein the first arm section is connected to the base, and\nwherein the one end with the picking mechanism is an end of the second arm section distal to the pivotal joint.",
"13. The method according to claim 12, further comprising:\nmoving, with the picking mechanism of the robot device, a product item of the storage item from at least one first storage bin in a first robot arm reachable area of the storage grid to at least one second storage bin placed in a second robot arm reachable area outside of the storage grid.",
"14. The method according to claim 8, further comprising:\ncommunicating with the robot device via a vehicle control system controlling vehicles on [a] the storage grid to avoid collision between a vehicle and the robot device.",
"15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising:\ndefining a time slot for a vehicle movement of the vehicle within an area close to the robot device;\nwherein in the time slot, instructing the robot device to move the movable arm to a position away from the vehicle movement."
],
[
"1. A material handling system for delivering items to storage locations and retrieving items from storage locations, comprising:\na first storage rack having a plurality of storage locations;\na second storage rack having a plurality of storage locations, wherein the first storage rack is spaced apart from the first storage rack to provide an aisle between the first and second storage racks;\na plurality of delivery vehicles wherein each vehicle has a length and a width and each vehicle comprises:\na horizontal drive system operable to drive the vehicle along a horizontal surface;\na vertical drive operable to drive the vehicle vertically; and\na transfer mechanism operable to transfer an item between the vehicle and one of the storage locations;\na track positioned in the aisle wherein the vertical drive is configured to cooperate with the track to drive the vehicle vertically upwardly;\nwherein each of the first and second storage racks comprise a pair of vertical aisle posts adjacent the aisle and a pair of remote vertical posts spaced apart from the aisle posts a distance sufficient to allow the delivery vehicles to rotate while the delivery vehicles are under the first and second storage racks.",
"2. The material handling system of claim 1 comprising a central controller comprising a microprocessor programmed to provide control signals to control the delivery vehicles to perform the steps of:\ncontrolling the horizontal drive of a first of the vehicles to drive the first vehicle along a horizontal surface under the first storage rack;\nturning the vehicle under the first rack;\ndriving the first vehicle into the aisle;\ncontrolling the vertical drive of the first vehicle to climb the track;\nactuating the transfer mechanism to transfer the item between the first vehicle and one of the storage locations;\ncontrolling the vertical drive of the first vehicle to move down the track to the horizontal surface after the step of actuating the transfer mechanism;\ndriving the first vehicle out of the aisle after the step of controlling the vertical drive of the first vehicle to move down the track.",
"3. The material handling system of claim 2 wherein the central controller is programmed to provide control signals to control the delivery vehicles to perform the step of driving the first vehicle under the first rack or the second rack after the step of driving out of the aisle.",
"4. The material handling system of claim 3 wherein the central controller is programmed to provide control signals to control the delivery vehicles to perform the step of turning the first vehicle under the first rack or the second rack after the step of driving the first vehicle out of the aisle.",
"5. The material handling system of claim 4 wherein the central controller is programmed to provide control signals to control the delivery vehicles so that the step of turning the first vehicle under the first or second rack comprises the step of turning the first vehicle between the pair of aisle posts and the set of remote posts.",
"6. The material handling system of claim 1 wherein the horizontal drive is configured to turn the vehicle under the first rack by rotating the vehicle about a vertical axis that extends through the vehicle.",
"7. The system of claim 2 wherein the vertical drive comprises a plurality of rotatable elements that each rotate about a horizontal axis and wherein the horizontal drive comprises a plurality of rotatable elements that each rotate about a horizontal axis transverse the axes of rotation of the vertical drive elements.",
"8. The system of claim 1 wherein the vehicles have a first width extending from a first side of the vehicle to a second side of the vehicle and wherein the vertical drive of the vehicle projects outwardly from the first side and the second side so that the vehicle has a second width corresponding to the distance between outer edges of the vertical drive so that the second width is greater than the first width and wherein the aisle posts are spaced apart a distance greater than the first width and less than the second width.",
"9. The system of claim 8 wherein the track comprises drive elements configured to cooperate with the vertical drive so that rotating the vertical drive about a horizontal axis operates to drive the vehicle upwardly along the track.",
"10. The system of claim 9 wherein the track comprises a lower section and an upper section wherein the drive elements are spaced apart further in the lower section then the upper section to provide gaps in the lower section.",
"11. The system of claim 10 wherein the gaps are configured to facilitate the vertical drive passing through the gaps without contacting the lower section when the vehicle is driven past the lower section."
],
[
"1. A robotic system, comprising:\na communication interface; and\na processor coupled to the communication interface and configured to:\nreceive via the communication interface data associated with a plurality of items to be stacked on or in a destination location, wherein the data associated with the plurality of items enables a first attribute associated with an item of the plurality of items to be identified;\ndetermine a corresponding model for each of the plurality of items, wherein the processor is configured to determine that an item-specific model does not exist for the item and in response to a determination that the item-specific model does not exist for the item, determine whether an attribute-based model exists for the item, wherein the attribute-based model for the item is determined based in part on the first attribute associated with the item;\nin response to a determination that the attribute-based model exists for the item, generate based at least in part on the received data a plan to stack the items on or in the destination location based on the corresponding determined models for each of the plurality of items, wherein the plan includes a corresponding grasp strategy to pick and place each of the items based on the data associated with the plurality of items, wherein the corresponding grasp strategy to pick and place the item is based on the attribute-based model; and\nimplement the plan at least in part by controlling a robotic arm to pick up the items and stack them on or in the destination location according to the plan.",
"2. The robotic system of claim 1, wherein the destination location comprises a pallet, box, or other receptacle.",
"3. The robotic system of claim 1, wherein the data associated with the plurality of items includes sensor data for at least a subset of the items.",
"4. The robotic system of claim 3, wherein the sensor data includes one or more of image data, weight data, force data, size data, dimension data.",
"5. The robotic system of claim 1, wherein the data associated with the plurality of items includes one or both of item and item type data for at least a subset of the items.",
"6. The robotic system of claim 5, wherein the one or both of item and item type data includes optical or other scanner output.",
"7. The robotic system of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to generate the plan at least in part by determining for each of at least a subset of items a corresponding model for the item and to use the model to determine the plan with respect to the item.",
"8. The robotic system of claim 7, wherein the processor is further configured to detect a new item type or item attribute and to generate and store data updating a library of item models to reflect the new item type or the item attribute.",
"9. The robotic system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to use the robotic arm to determine an attribute of at least a subset of the items.",
"10. The robotic system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to monitor a stability associated with the at least one of the plurality of stacked items using one or more first order sensors or one or more second order sensors.",
"11. The robotic system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to:\nmonitor a stability associated with the at least one of the plurality of stacked items; and\ncause a wrap of a portion of the plurality of stacked items in response to determining that the at least one of the plurality of stacked items is unstable.",
"12. The robotic system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to:\nmonitor a stability associated with the plurality of stacked items; and\ncause a wrap of an unwrapped portion of the plurality of stacked items.",
"13. The robotic system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to detect that the item being moved to the destination location on or in a receptacle has encountered an obstacle and to adjust a trajectory of the item to go along or around the obstacle.",
"14. The robotic system of claim 1, wherein in response to a determination that the attribute-based model does not exist for the item, the processor is configured to trigger human intervention to manually input the corresponding grasp strategy.",
"15. The robotic system of claim 1, wherein in response to a determination that the attribute-based model does not exist for the item, the processor is configured to trigger human intervention to input an item identification.",
"16. The robotic system of claim 1, wherein in response to a determination that the attribute-based model does not exist for the item, the processor is configured to trigger human intervention to complete some or all of the plan.",
"17. The robotic system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to determine whether processing the item has generated additional or new information about the item and/or item type.",
"18. The robotic system of claim 17, wherein the processor is further configured to update the corresponding model for the item and/or item type in response to a determination that processing the item has generated additional or new information about the item and/or item type.",
"19. A method to control a robot, comprising:\nreceiving via a communication interface data associated with a plurality of items to be stacked on or in a destination location, wherein the data associated with the plurality of items enables a first attribute associated with an item of the plurality of items to be identified;\ndetermining by a processor a corresponding model for each of the plurality of items, wherein determining the corresponding model for each of the plurality of items includes determining that an item-specific model does not exist for the item and in response to determining that the item-specific model does not exist for the item, determining that whether an attribute-based model exists for the item, wherein the attribute-based model for the item is determined based in part on the first attribute associated with the item;\nin response to a determination that the attribute-based model exists for the item, using the processor to generate based at least in part on the received data a plan to stack the items on or in the destination location based on the corresponding determined models for each of the plurality of items, wherein the plan includes a corresponding grasp strategy to pick and place each of the items based on the data associated with the plurality of items, wherein the corresponding grasp strategy to pick and place the item is based on the attribute-based model; and\nusing the processor to implement the plan at least in part by controlling a robotic arm of the robot to pick up the items and stack them on or in the destination location according to the plan.",
"20. A computer program product to control a robot, the computer program product being embodied in a non-transitory computer readable medium and comprising computer instructions for:\nreceiving data associated with a plurality of items to be stacked on or in a destination location, wherein the data associated with the plurality of items enables a first attribute associated with an item of the plurality of items to be identified;\ndetermining a corresponding model for each of the plurality of items, wherein determining the corresponding model for each of the plurality of items includes determining that an item-specific model does not exist for the item and in response to determining that the item-specific model does not exist for the item, determining whether an attribute-based model exists for the item, wherein the attribute-based model for the item is determined based in part on the first attribute associated with the item;\nin response to a determination that the attribute-based model exists for the item, generating based at least in part on the received data a plan to stack the items on or in the destination location based on the corresponding determined models for each of the plurality of items, wherein the plan includes a corresponding grasp strategy to pick and place each of the items based on the data associated with the plurality of items, wherein the corresponding grasp strategy to pick and place the item is based on the attribute-based model; and\nimplementing the plan at least in part by controlling a robotic arm of the robot to pick up the items and stack them on or in the destination location according to the plan."
],
[
"1. A method for automatically building a pallet load of pallet load article units onto a pallet support, the method comprising:\ndefining, with a frame, a pallet building base for the pallet support;\ntransporting and placing the pallet load article units, with at least one articulated robot connected to the frame, serially onto the pallet support so as to build the pallet load on the pallet building base;\ncontrolling, with a controller operably connected to the at least one articulated robot, articulated robot motion, relative to the pallet building base, and effecting therewith the building of a pallet load build corresponding to the pallet load;\ngenerating, with at least one three-dimensional, time of flight camera, three-dimensional imaging of the pallet load build on the pallet support on the pallet building base, wherein the at least one three-dimensional camera is communicably coupled to the controller;\nregistering with the controller, from the three-dimensional camera, real time three-dimensional imaging data embodying different corresponding three-dimensional images of each different one of the pallet load article units, of the pallet load build, and\ndetermining, with the controller in real time, from the corresponding real time three-dimensional imaging data, a build pallet load variance with respect to a predetermined reference, the build pallet load variance including identifying at least one of a presence of an extraneous object in the pallet load build and of a mispresence of at least one pallet load article unit from the pallet load build; and\ngenerating, with the controller, in real time an articulated robot motion signal dependent on at least one of the real time determined build pallet load variance, the articulated robot motion signal being generated in real time so as to be performed in real time by the articulated robot building the pallet load build substantially coincident with the imaging of the pallet load build by the articulated robot, wherein the pallet load build is substantially continuously built by substantially continuous placement of serially consecutive pallet load article units, wherein the consecutive pallet load article units are placed at least one of immediately prior and immediately after the imaging of the pallet load build showing the determined build pallet load variance.",
"2. The method of claim 1, further comprising three-dimensional imaging, with the at least one three-dimensional camera, of the pallet support on the pallet building base and of the pallet load build on the pallet support with the at least one articulated robot effecting substantially continuous pick/place cycles from an input station and placing each of the pallet load article units building the pallet load on the pallet building base.",
"3. The method of claim 1, further comprising three-dimensional imaging, with the at least one three-dimensional camera, of each respective pallet load article unit substantially coincident with placement of the respective pallet load article unit by the at least one articulated robot effecting substantially continuous pick/place cycles from an input station and placing the pallet load article unit building the pallet load build substantially continuously.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one articulated robot motion signal generated by the controller is a stop motion signal along a pick/place path of the at least one articulated robot, a slow motion signal along the pick/place path of the at least one articulated robot, or a move to a safe position along safe stop path of the at least one articulated robot, different from the pick/place path.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one articulated robot motion signal generated by the controller is a place position signal setting a place position of at least another pallet load article unit.",
"6. The method of claim 5, wherein the predetermined reference includes a predetermined pallet support inspection reference defining a predetermined t support structure reference characteristic.",
"7. The method of claim 6, wherein the determined build pallet load variance includes a pallet support variance that is a difference determined by the controller between the predetermined pallet support structure reference characteristic and a characteristic of the pallet support, imaged by the at least one three-dimensional camera, corresponding thereto resolved in real time by the controller from the three-dimensional imaging data.",
"8. The method of claim 1, further comprising one or more of:\ncomparing, with the controller, the determined build pallet load variance with a predetermined threshold for at least one predetermined pallet support structure reference characteristic,\ngenerating an articulated robot motion signal commanding articulated robot stop, and\nchanging one or more of an articulated robot motion path and an articulated robot trajectory if the determined build pallet load variance is greater than the predetermined threshold, and if the determined build pallet load variance is less than the predetermined threshold, generating an article unit place position signal identifying placement of at least another pallet load article unit building the pallet load build to the at least one articulated robot.",
"9. The method of claim 1, further comprising setting, with the controller, a pallet support base datum of the pallet support, imaged by the at least one three-dimensional camera, from the pallet support variance, which pallet support base datum resolves local base surface variance at each different article unit place location on the pallet support, and defines a real time local article unit position base reference for articulated robot placement of the at least one article unit of a base article unit layer of the pallet load build.",
"10. The method of claim 9, wherein the pallet support base datum defines base planarity of the pallet support, and the method further comprises sending, with the controller, a signal information to a user, with describing base planarity characteristic, to enable selection of the at least one pallet load article unit of the base layer, from a number of different size pallet load article units of the pallet load, and of a corresponding placement location on the pallet support so as to form the base layer based on base planarity.",
"11. The method of claim 10, wherein the base planarity characteristic information describes planarity variance for a corresponding area of the base datum in real time, and the method further comprises identifying with the controller, from the different size pallet load article units of the pallet load, one or more pallet load article units sized so as to seat stably on the corresponding area so as to form the base layer.",
"12. The method of claim 9, wherein the pallet support base datum defines base planarity of the pallet support, and the method further comprises selecting, with the controller, the at least one pallet load article unit of the base layer, from a number of different size pallet load article units of the pallet load, and a corresponding placement location on the pallet support so as to form the base layer based on base planarity.",
"13. The method of claim 9, further comprising determining, with the controller in real from time, the real time three-dimensional data imaging and substantially coincident with setting of the pallet support base datum, lateral bounds of the pallet support base datum, wherein at least one of the lateral bounds forms a lateral reference datum defining lateral position and orientation of the pallet load build on the pallet load base datum, and forming a reference frame for placement position of at least one pallet load article unit with the at least one articulated robot building the pallet load build.",
"14. The method of claim 1, wherein the predetermined reference includes a predetermined reference position of the at least one pallet load article unit in a predetermined reference pallet load build corresponding to the building pallet load build on the pallet support.",
"15. The method of claim 1, wherein the build pallet load variance includes an article unit variance that is a difference determined by the controller between a position, resolved in real time by the controller from the three-dimensional imaging data, of the at least one pallet load article unit in the pallet load build and the predetermined reference position of the at least one pallet load article unit.",
"16. A method for user-automatic cooperative building of a pallet load of pallet load article units onto a pallet support, the method comprising:\ndefining, with a frame, a pallet building base for the pallet support;\ntransporting and placing, with at least one robot connected to the frame, the pallet load article units serially onto the pallet support so as to build the pallet load on the pallet building base;\ncontrolling, with a controller operably connected to the at least one robot, robot motion, relative to the pallet building base, and effecting therewith the building of the pallet load, and signaling, with a user interface coupled to the controller, a user for cooperation with the at least one robot effecting building of the pallet load;\ngenerating, with at least one three-dimensional, time of flight camera, three-dimensional imaging of the pallet load build on the pallet support on the pallet building base, wherein the at least one three-dimensional camera is communicably coupled to the controller;\nregistering with the controller, from the at least one three-dimensional camera, real time three-dimensional imaging data embodying different corresponding three-dimensional images of each different one of the pallet load article units, of the pallet load build, and\ndetermining with the controller, in real time, from the corresponding real time three-dimensional imaging data, a build pallet load variance with respect to a predetermined reference, the build pallet load variance being determinative of at least one of an extraneous presence, of an extraneous object in the pallet load build, and of a mispresence of at least one article unit from the pallet load build; and\ngenerating, with the controller, in real time a robot motion signal and a user cooperation signal, both dependent on at least one of the real time determined build pallet load variance, the robot motion signal being generated in real time so as to be performed in real time by the robot building the pallet load build substantially coincident with the imaging of the pallet load build by the robot, wherein the pallet load build is built by substantially continuous placement of serially consecutive pallet load article units, wherein the consecutive pallet load article units are placed immediately prior or immediately after the imaging of the pallet load build showing the determined build pallet load variance, wherein\nthe user cooperation signal defines to the user a deviant condition of the pallet load build and a cooperative action of the user so as to resolve the deviant condition depending on the determined at least one extraneous presence and mispresence.",
"17. The method of claim 16, wherein the robot motion signal generated by the controller is a stop motion signal along a pick/place path of the robot, a slow motion signal along the pick/place path of the robot, or a move to a safe position along safe stop path of the robot, different from the pick/place path.",
"18. The method of claim 16, wherein the user cooperation signal informs the user of different types of user cooperative action resolving the deviant condition depending on the determined at least one extraneous presence and mispresence.",
"19. The method of claim 16, further comprising one or more of:\ncomparing, with the controller, the determined build pallet load variance with a predetermined threshold for at least one predetermined pallet support structure reference characteristic,\ngenerating an articulated robot motion signal commanding articulated robot stop, and\nchanging one or more of an articulated robot motion path and an articulated robot trajectory if the determined build pallet load variance is greater than the predetermined threshold, and if the determined build pallet load variance is less than the predetermined threshold, generating an article unit place position signal identifying placement of at least another pallet load article unit building the pallet load build to the at least one articulated robot.",
"20. The method of claim 16, further comprising setting, with the controller, a pallet support base datum of the pallet support, imaged by the at least one three-dimensional camera, from the pallet support variance, which pallet support base datum resolves local base surface variance at each different article unit place location on the pallet support, and defines a real time local article unit position base reference for articulated robot placement of the at least one article unit of a base article unit layer of the pallet load build.",
"21. A pallet load builder for automatically building pallet load article units onto a pallet support, the pallet load builder comprising:\na frame defining a pallet building base for the pallet support;\nat least one articulated robot connected to the frame and configured for transporting and placing the pallet load article units serially onto the pallet support so as to build the pallet load on the pallet building base;\na controller configured to effect the serially loading of the pallet load article units onto the pallet support so as to build the pallet load, wherein the controller effects generation, with at least one three-dimensional, time of flight camera, of three-dimensional imaging of the pallet load build on the pallet support on the pallet building base and registration of real time three-dimensional imaging data embodying different corresponding three-dimensional images of each different one of the pallet load article units, of the pallet load build, so as to determine, in real time, from the corresponding real time three-dimensional imaging data, a build pallet load variance with respect to a predetermined reference, the build pallet load variance including identifying at least one of a presence of an extraneous object in the pallet load build and of a mispresence of at least one pallet load article unit from the pallet load build, and\nwherein the controller generates, in real time, an articulated robot motion signal dependent on at least one of the real time determined build pallet load variance, the articulated robot motion signal being generated in real time so as to be performed in real time by the articulated robot building the pallet load build substantially coincident with the imaging of the pallet load build by the articulated robot, wherein the pallet load build is substantially continuously built by substantially continuous placement of serially consecutive pallet load article units, wherein the consecutive pallet load article units are placed at least one of immediately prior and immediately after the imaging of the pallet load build showing the determined build pallet load variance.",
"22. The pallet load builder of claim 21, wherein the at least one three-dimensional camera is configured to three-dimensional image the pallet support on the pallet building base and of the pallet load build on the pallet support with the at least one articulated robot effecting substantially continuous pick/place cycles from an input station and placing each of the pallet load article units building the pallet load on the pallet building base.",
"23. The pallet load builder of claim 21, wherein the at least one three-dimensional camera is configured to three-dimensional image each respective pallet load article unit substantially coincident with placement of the respective pallet load article unit by the at least one articulated robot effecting substantially continuous pick/place cycles from an input station and placing the pallet load article unit building the pallet load build substantially continuously.",
"24. The pallet load builder of claim 21, wherein the at least one articulated robot motion signal generated by the controller is a stop motion signal along a pick/place path of the at least one articulated robot, a slow motion signal along the pick/place path of the at least one articulated robot, or a move to a safe position along safe stop path of the at least one articulated robot, different from the pick/place path.",
"25. The pallet load builder of claim 21, wherein the at least one articulated robot motion signal generated by the controller is a place position signal setting a place position of at least another pallet load article unit.",
"26. The pallet load builder of claim 25, wherein the predetermined reference includes a predetermined pallet support inspection reference defining a predetermined pallet support structure reference characteristic.",
"27. The pallet load builder of claim 26, wherein the determined build pallet load variance includes a pallet support variance that is a difference determined by the controller between the predetermined pallet support structure reference characteristic and a characteristic of the pallet support, imaged by the at least one three-dimensional camera, corresponding thereto resolved in real time by the controller from the three-dimensional imaging data.",
"28. The pallet load builder of claim 21, wherein the controller is further configured to one or more of:\ncompare the determined build pallet load variance with a predetermined threshold for at predetermined pallet support structure reference characteristic,\ngenerate an articulated robot motion signal commanding articulated robot stop, and\nchange one or more of an articulated robot motion path and an articulated robot trajectory if the determined build pallet load variance is greater than the predetermined threshold, and if the determined build pallet load variance is less than the predetermined threshold, generating an article unit place position signal identifying placement of at least another pallet load article unit building the pallet load build to the at least one articulated robot.",
"29. The pallet load builder of claim 21, wherein the controller is configured to set a pallet support base datum of the pallet support, imaged by the at least one three-dimensional camera, from the pallet support variance, which pallet support base datum resolves local base surface variance at each different article unit place location on the pallet support, and defines a real time local article unit position base reference for articulated robot placement of the at least one article unit of a base article unit layer of the pallet load build.",
"30. The pallet load builder of claim 29, wherein the pallet support base datum defines base planarity of the pallet support, and the controller is configured to send a signal to a user, with information describing base planarity characteristic, to enable selection of the at least one pallet load article unit of the base layer, from a number of different size pallet load article units of the pallet load, and of a corresponding placement location on the pallet support so as to form the base layer based on base planarity.",
"31. The pallet load builder of claim 30, wherein the base planarity characteristic information describes planarity variance for a corresponding area of the base datum in real time, and the controller is configured to identify, from the different size pallet load article units of the pallet load, one or more pallet load article units sized so as to seat stably on the corresponding area so as to form the base layer.",
"32. The pallet load builder of claim 29, wherein the pallet support base datum defines base planarity of the pallet support, and the controller is configured to select the at least one pallet load article unit of the base layer, from a number of different size pallet load article units of the pallet load, and a corresponding placement location on the pallet support so as to form the base layer based on base planarity.",
"33. The pallet load builder of claim 29, wherein the controller is configured to determine, in real time, from the real time three-dimensional imaging data and substantially coincident with setting of the pallet support base datum, lateral bounds of the pallet support base datum, wherein at least one of the lateral bounds forms a lateral reference datum defining lateral position and orientation of the pallet load build on the pallet load base datum, and forming a reference frame for placement position of at least one pallet load article unit with the at least one articulated robot building the pallet load build.",
"34. The pallet load builder of claim 21, wherein the predetermined reference includes a predetermined reference position of the at least one pallet load article unit in a predetermined reference pallet load build corresponding to the building pallet load build on the pallet support.",
"35. The pallet load builder of claim 21, wherein the build pallet load variance includes an article unit variance that is a difference determined by the controller between a position, resolved in real time by the controller from the three-dimensional imaging data, of the at least one pallet load article unit in the pallet load build and the predetermined reference position of the at least one pallet load article unit.",
"36. A pallet load builder for user-automatic cooperative building of pallet load article units onto a pallet support, the pallet load builder comprising:\na frame defining a pallet building base for the pallet support;\nat least one robot connected to the frame and configured to transport and place the pallet load article units serially onto the pallet support so as to build the pallet load on the pallet building base; and\na controller configured to control the at least one robot and robot motion and effect therewith the serially loading of the pallet load, and signal, with a user interface coupled to the controller, a user for cooperation with the at least one robot effecting building of the pallet load,\nwherein the controller is further configured to generate, with at least one three-dimensional, time of flight camera, three-dimensional imaging of the pallet load build on the pallet support on the pallet building base, wherein the at least one three-dimensional camera is communicably coupled to the controller, register, from the at least one three-dimensional camera, real time three-dimensional imaging data embodying different corresponding three-dimensional images of each different one of the pallet load article units, of the pallet load build, and determine, in real time, from the corresponding real time three-dimensional imaging data, a build pallet load variance with respect to a predetermined reference, the build pallet load variance being determinative of at least one of an extraneous presence, of an extraneous object in the pallet load build, and of a mispresence of at least one article unit from the pallet load build, and\nwherein the controller generates, in real time a robot motion signal and a user cooperation signal, both dependent on at least one of the real time determined build pallet load variance, the robot motion signal being generated in real time so as to be performed in real time by the robot building the pallet load build substantially coincident with the imaging of the pallet load build by the robot, wherein the pallet load build is built by substantially continuous placement of serially consecutive pallet load article units, wherein the consecutive pallet load article units are placed immediately prior or immediately after the imaging of the pallet load build showing the determined build pallet load variance, wherein\nthe user cooperation signal defines to the user a deviant condition of the pallet load build and a cooperative action of the user so as to resolve the deviant condition depending on the determined at least one extraneous presence and mispresence.",
"37. The pallet load builder of claim 36, wherein the robot motion signal generated by the controller is a stop motion signal along a pick/place path of the robot, a slow motion signal along the pick/place path of the robot, or a move to a safe position along safe stop path of the robot, different from the pick/place path.",
"38. The pallet load builder of claim 36, wherein the user cooperation signal informs the user of different types of user cooperative action resolving the deviant condition depending on the determined at least one extraneous presence and mispresence.",
"39. The pallet load builder of claim 36, wherein the controller is configured to one or more of:\ncompare the determined build pallet load variance with a predetermined threshold for at least one predetermined pallet support structure reference characteristic,\ngenerate an articulated robot motion signal commanding articulated robot stop, and\nchange one or more of an articulated robot motion path and an articulated robot trajectory if the determined build pallet load variance is greater than the predetermined threshold, and if the determined build pallet load variance is less than the predetermined threshold, generating an article unit place position signal identifying placement of at least another pallet load article unit building the pallet load build to the at least one articulated robot.",
"40. The pallet load builder of claim 36, wherein the controller is configured to set a pallet support base datum of the pallet support, imaged by the at least one three-dimensional camera, from the pallet support variance, which pallet support base datum resolves local base surface variance at each different article unit place location on the pallet support, and defines a real time local article unit position base reference for articulated robot placement of the at least one article unit of a base article unit layer of the pallet load build."
],
[
"1. A method comprising:\npresenting, by a user interface of a user terminal remote from an autonomous mobile robot, first imagery captured by the robot during navigation through a home comprising a plurality of rooms before a plurality of room identity markers are assigned to the plurality of rooms, the first imagery representing at least a portion of a first room of the plurality of rooms;\ncombining two or more of a plurality of room identities identified by the robot during the navigation through the home;\nafter presenting the first imagery, assigning a first of the plurality of room identity markers to the first room based on a first user selection of the first of the plurality of room identity markers using the user interface;\npresenting, by the user interface, second imagery captured by the robot during the navigation through the home, the second imagery representing at least a portion of a second room of the plurality of rooms;\nafter presenting the second imagery, assigning a second of the plurality of room identity markers to the second room based on a second user selection of the second of the plurality of room identity markers using the user interface; and\npresenting, by the user interface, the assigned first of the plurality of room identity markers and the assigned second of the plurality of room identity markers on a map of the home.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein combining the two or more of the plurality of room identities comprises combining the two or more of the plurality of room identities in response to receiving a user request to combine the two or more of the plurality of room identities.",
"3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nreceiving a user selection of an object in the home; and\ncausing the robot to move toward a location of the object in response to the user selection.",
"4. The method of claim 3, further comprising, after the robot has moved toward the location of the object, presenting imagery captured by the robot, the imagery representing the object.",
"5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\ncausing the robot to move toward a location of an object in response to a user command; and\npresenting information indicative of a status of the object, the status being detected by the robot.",
"6. The method of claim 5, wherein the object is a door, and the status corresponds to a state of a lock of the door.",
"7. The method of claim 1, further comprising presenting, by the user interface, locations of objects or persons on the map, the objects or persons being identified by the robot.",
"8. The method of claim 1, further comprising causing data indicative of assignment of the first of the plurality of room identity markers and assignment of the second of the plurality of room identity markers to be stored on a remote server.",
"9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\ncausing the robot to navigate to the first room associated with the assigned first of the plurality of room identity markers in response to a user selection of the assigned first of the plurality of room identity markers on the map; and\nreceiving imagery of the first room captured by the robot after the robot arrives in the first room.",
"10. The method of claim 9, wherein receiving the imagery of the first room comprises wirelessly receiving the imagery of the first room from the robot.",
"11. The method of claim 1, further comprising presenting a location of a dock or a charger for the robot on the map.",
"12. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\npresenting third imagery captured by the robot, the third imagery representing at least a portion of a room;\nreceiving a user selection of a floor location represented in the third imagery; and\ncausing the robot to move to the floor location in response to receiving the user selection.",
"13. The method of claim 1, further comprising presenting, by the user interface, a video stream captured by the robot as the robot navigates through the home.",
"14. The method of claim 1, further comprising presenting a location and a status of the robot on the map.",
"15. The method of claim 1, wherein the user terminal comprises a mobile phone.",
"16. The method of claim 1, further comprising causing the robot to move in a direction based on a user selection of a navigational button.",
"17. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of room identity markers each comprises an icon or text indicative of a type or a function of a room.",
"18. The method of claim 1, wherein combining the two or more of the plurality of rooms identified by the robot during the navigation through the home comprises combining the two or more of the plurality of rooms identified by the robot during the navigation through the home when a quantity of the plurality of room identities is greater than a quantity of the plurality of rooms in the home.",
"19. The method of claim 1, wherein combining the two or more of the plurality of rooms identified by the robot during the navigation through the home comprises combining the two or more of the plurality of rooms identified by the robot during the navigation through the home when a quantity of the plurality of room identities is greater than a quantity of a plurality of assigned room identity markers of the plurality of room identity markers, the plurality of assigned room identity markers comprising the assigned first of the plurality of room identity markers and the assigned second of the plurality of the room identity markers."
],
[
"1. A surgical system, comprising:\na first surgical tool;\na second surgical tool different than the second surgical tool;\na processor; and\na memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing program instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:\nretrieve a first data set from the first surgical tool;\nanonymize the first data set;\nretrieve a second data set from the second surgical tool;\nanonymize the second data set;\npair the anonymized first data set and second data set; and\nevaluate an aspect of the surgical procedure comprising the first surgical tool and the second surgical tool based on the anonymized paired first data set and second data set.",
"2. The surgical system of claim 1, wherein evaluating the aspect of the surgical procedure comprises determining a success rate of the surgical procedure.",
"3. The surgical system of claim 1, wherein the first surgical tool comprises a surgical instrument.",
"4. The surgical system of claim 3, wherein the second surgical tool comprises an imaging device.",
"5. The surgical system of claim 4, wherein the first data set is associated with a surgical procedure comprising the surgical instrument.",
"6. The surgical system of claim 5, wherein the second data set is associated with an outcome of the surgical procedure.",
"7. The surgical system of claim 3, wherein evaluating the aspect of the surgical procedure comprises assessing a setting of the surgical instrument.",
"8. The surgical system of claim 1, wherein anonymizing the first data set comprises stripping patient identification information from the first data set.",
"9. A surgical system, comprising:\na first surgical tool;\na second surgical tool different than the second surgical tool; and\na surgical hub, comprising a processor and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing program instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:\nretrieve a first data set from the first surgical tool;\nanonymize the first data set;\nretrieve a second data set from the second surgical tool;\nanonymize the second data set;\nassociate the first data set and the second data set with a key; and\npresent the first data set and the second data after anonymization and association with key.",
"10. The surgical system of claim 9, wherein presenting the first data set and the second data set comprises displaying at least a portion of the first data set and the second data set on a monitor.",
"11. The surgical system of claim 9, wherein presenting the first data set and the second data comprises a remote transmission of at least a portion of the first data set and the second data set.",
"12. The surgical system of claim 9, wherein the first surgical tool comprises a surgical instrument.",
"13. The surgical system of claim 12, wherein the second surgical tool comprises an imaging device.",
"14. The surgical system of claim 13, wherein the first data set is associated with a surgical procedure comprising the surgical instrument.",
"15. The surgical system of claim 14, wherein the second data set is associated with an outcome of the surgical procedure.",
"16. The surgical system of claim 9, wherein anonymizing the first data set comprises stripping patient identification information from the first data set.",
"17. The surgical system of claim 9, wherein the key comprises a time stamp.",
"18. A surgical system, comprising:\na first modular device; and\na surgical hub, comprising a control circuit configured to:\nreceive first perioperative data from a second modular device;\nanonymize the first perioperative data;\nreceives second perioperative data from a third modular device;\nanonymize the second perioperative data; and\nadjust at least one setting of the first modular device based on contextual information derived from the anonymized first and second perioperative data.",
"19. The surgical system of claim 18, wherein anonymizing the first perioperative data comprises stripping patient identification information from the first perioperative data."
],
[
"1. A surgical system, comprising:\nan end effector, comprising:\na first jaw;\na second jaw, wherein the first jaw is rotatable relative to the second jaw between an open position and a closed position to capture tissue therebetween; and\nan electrode configured to conduct a sub-therapeutic RF current to the tissue;\na control circuit operably coupled to the electrode, wherein the control circuit is configured to measure impedance of the tissue over time based on the sub-therapeutic RF current;\na closure member configured to move the first jaw towards the second jaw at a closure rate based on the impedance of the tissue; and\na firing member configured to move within the end effector towards a fired position at a firing rate based on the impedance of the tissue.",
"2. The surgical system of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is configured to determine compression of the tissue over time based on the impedance of the tissue over time.",
"3. The surgical system of claim 2, wherein the control circuit is configured to determine abnormalities of the tissue based on the compression of the tissue over time.",
"4. The surgical system of claim 1, wherein the closure member comprises a closure tube.",
"5. The surgical system of claim 1, wherein the electrode comprises a first electrode, wherein the first electrode is positioned on the first jaw, wherein the surgical system further comprises a second electrode positioned on the second jaw, wherein the second electrode is configured to provide a sub-therapeutic RF current to the tissue.",
"6. The surgical system of claim 1, wherein the first jaw comprises an anvil, and wherein the second jaw comprises a staple cartridge including staples removably stored therein.",
"7. The surgical system of claim 6, wherein the firing member is configured to deploy the staples from the staple cartridge.",
"8. The surgical system of claim 1, wherein the first jaw comprises a first sealing electrode, and wherein the second jaw comprises a second sealing electrode, and wherein the first sealing electrode and the second sealing electrode are configured to conduct RF energy to the tissue.",
"9. The surgical system of claim 8, wherein the firing member comprises a knife.",
"10. The surgical system of claim 8, further comprising an RF energy source configured to provide the RF energy to the first sealing electrode and the second sealing electrode.",
"11. A surgical system, comprising:\nan end effector, comprising:\nan anvil;\na staple cartridge comprising staples removably stored therein, wherein the anvil is rotatable relative to the staple cartridge between an open position and a closed position to capture tissue therebetween; and\nan electrode configured to conduct a sub-therapeutic RF current to the tissue;\na control circuit operably coupled to the electrode, wherein the control circuit is configured to measure impedance of the tissue over time based on the sub-therapeutic RF current;\na closure tube configured to move the anvil towards the staple cartridge at a closure rate based on the impedance of the tissue; and\na firing member configured to move within the end effector towards a fired position to deploy the staples from the staple cartridge at a firing rate based on the impedance of the tissue.",
"12. The surgical system of claim 11, wherein the control circuit is configured to determine compression of the tissue over time based on the impedance of the tissue over time.",
"13. The surgical system of claim 12, wherein the control circuit is configured to determine abnormalities of the tissue based on the compression of the tissue over time.",
"14. The surgical system of claim 11, wherein the electrode is positioned on the anvil.",
"15. The surgical system of claim 11, wherein the electrode is positioned on the staple cartridge.",
"16. A surgical system, comprising:\nan end effector, comprising:\na first jaw comprising a first sealing electrode;\na second jaw comprising a second sealing electrode, wherein the first jaw is rotatable relative to the second jaw between an open position and a closed position to capture tissue therebetween, and wherein the first sealing electrode and the second sealing electrode are configured to conduct RF energy to the tissue; and\na sub-therapeutic RF electrode configured to conduct a sub-therapeutic RF current to the tissue;\na control circuit operably coupled to the sub-therapeutic RF electrode, wherein the control circuit is configured to measure impedance of the tissue over time based on the sub-therapeutic RF current;\na closure tube configured to move the first jaw towards the second jaw at a closure rate based on the impedance of the tissue; and\na knife configured to move within the end effector towards a fired position at a firing rate based on the impedance of the tissue.",
"17. The surgical system of claim 16, wherein the control circuit is configured to determine compression of the tissue over time based on the impedance of the tissue over time.",
"18. The surgical system of claim 17, wherein the control circuit is configured to determine abnormalities of the tissue based on the compression of the tissue over time.",
"19. The surgical system of claim 16, further comprising an RF energy source configured to provide the RF energy to the first sealing electrode and the second sealing electrode.",
"20. The surgical system of claim 16, wherein the sub-therapeutic RF electrode comprises a first sub-therapeutic RF electrode, wherein the first sub-therapeutic RF electrode is positioned on the first jaw, wherein the surgical system further comprises a second sub-therapeutic RF electrode positioned on the second jaw, wherein the second sub-therapeutic RF electrode is configured to provide a sub-therapeutic RF current to the tissue.",
"21. A surgical system, comprising:\nan end effector, comprising:\na first jaw;\na second jaw, wherein the first jaw and the second jaw are configurable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, and wherein the first jaw and the second jaw are configured to capture tissue therebetween in the closed configuration; and\nan electrode configured to conduct a sub-therapeutic RF current to the tissue;\na control circuit operably coupled to the electrode, wherein the control circuit is configured to measure impedance of the tissue based on the sub-therapeutic RF current; and\na closure member configured to transition the first jaw and the second jaw toward the closed configuration at a closure rate based on the impedance of the tissue.",
"22. The surgical system of claim 21, wherein the closure member comprises a closure tube.",
"23. The surgical system of claim 21, wherein the control circuit is configured to determine compression of the tissue based on the impedance of the tissue.",
"24. The surgical system of claim 23, wherein the control circuit is configured to determine abnormalities of the tissue based on the compression of the tissue.",
"25. The surgical system of claim 21, wherein the electrode comprises a first electrode, wherein the first electrode is positioned on the first jaw, wherein the surgical system further comprises a second electrode positioned on the second jaw, wherein the second electrode is configured to provide a sub-therapeutic RF current to the tissue.",
"26. The surgical system of claim 21, wherein the first jaw comprises an anvil, and wherein the second jaw comprises a staple cartridge including staples removably stored therein.",
"27. The surgical system of claim 21, wherein the first jaw comprises a first sealing electrode, and wherein the second jaw comprises a second sealing electrode, and wherein the first sealing electrode and the second sealing electrode are configured to conduct RF energy to the tissue.",
"28. The surgical system of claim 27, further comprising an RF energy source configured to provide the RF energy to the first sealing electrode and the second sealing electrode.",
"29. A surgical system, comprising:\nan end effector, comprising:\na first jaw;\na second jaw, wherein the first jaw and the second jaw are configurable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, and wherein the first jaw and the second jaw are configured to capture tissue therebetween in the closed configuration; and\nan electrode configured to conduct a sub-therapeutic RF current to the tissue;\na control circuit operably coupled to the electrode, wherein the control circuit is configured to measure impedance of the tissue based on the sub-therapeutic RF current; and\na firing member configured to move within the end effector at a firing rate based on the impedance of the tissue.",
"30. The surgical system of claim 29, wherein the firing member comprises a knife.",
"31. The surgical system of claim 29, wherein the control circuit is configured to determine compression of the tissue over time based on the impedance of the tissue over time.",
"32. The surgical system of claim 31, wherein the control circuit is configured to determine abnormalities of the tissue based on the compression of the tissue over time.",
"33. The surgical system of claim 29, wherein the electrode comprises a first electrode, wherein the first electrode is positioned on the first jaw, wherein the surgical system further comprises a second electrode positioned on the second jaw, wherein the second electrode is configured to provide a sub-therapeutic RF current to the tissue.",
"34. The surgical system of claim 29, wherein the first jaw comprises an anvil, and wherein the second jaw comprises a staple cartridge including staples removably stored therein.",
"35. The surgical system of claim 34, wherein the firing member is configured to deploy the staples from the staple cartridge.",
"36. The surgical system of claim 29, wherein the first jaw comprises a first sealing electrode, and wherein the second jaw comprises a second sealing electrode, and wherein the first sealing electrode and the second sealing electrode are configured to conduct RF energy to the tissue.",
"37. The surgical system of claim 36, further comprising an RF energy source configured to provide the RF energy to the first sealing electrode and the second sealing electrode."
],
[
"1. A surgical system, comprising:\nsurgical hubs configured to be communicatively coupled to surgical instruments in surgical procedures; and\na cloud computing system, comprising:\nan input/output interface configured for receiving raw data from the surgical hubs, wherein the raw data are generated from operation of the surgical instruments in the surgical procedures; and\na data collection and aggregation module configured to:\nidentify trends in the raw data;\ngenerate metadata based on the trends;\naggregate raw data into data sets based on a predetermined classification system; and\nstore aggregated data sets in a database.",
"2. The surgical system of claim 1, wherein the data collection and aggregation module is configured to remove redundant data from the raw data.",
"3. The surgical system of claim 1, wherein the classification system is a binary classification system.",
"4. The surgical system of claim 3, wherein the binary classification system comprises a bleeding event and a non-bleeding event.",
"5. The surgical system of claim 3, wherein the binary classification system comprises a desirable event and an undesirable event.",
"6. The surgical system of claim 3, wherein the binary classification system comprises a successful firing of a surgical stapler and an unsuccessful firing of the surgical stapler.",
"7. The surgical system of claim 1, wherein the cloud computing system further comprises a resource optimization module configured to analyze the aggregated data sets to optimize the operation of the surgical instruments.",
"8. The surgical system of claim 1, wherein the cloud computing system further comprises a patient outcome analysis module configured to evaluate outcomes of the surgical procedures against operational parameters of the surgical instruments.",
"9. The surgical system of claim 1, wherein the cloud computing system further comprises a data sorting and prioritization module.",
"10. The surgical system of claim 9, wherein the data sorting and prioritization module is configured to assign a priority to an analysis of the aggregated data sets.",
"11. The surgical system of claim 9, wherein the data sorting and prioritization module is configured to prioritize aggregation of a subset of the raw data based on a detected criticality.",
"12. A cloud computing system for use with surgical hubs communicatively coupled to surgical instruments in surgical procedures, the cloud computing system comprising:\nan input/output interface configured for receiving raw data from the surgical hubs, wherein the raw data are generated from operation of the surgical instruments in the surgical procedures; and\na data collection and aggregation module configured to:\nidentify patterns in the raw data;\ngenerate metadata based on the patterns;\naggregate raw data into data sets based on a predetermined classification system; and\nstore aggregated data sets in a database.",
"13. The surgical system of claim 12, wherein the data collection and aggregation module is configured to remove redundant data from the raw data.",
"14. The surgical system of claim 12, wherein the classification system is a binary classification system.",
"15. The surgical system of claim 14, wherein the binary classification system comprises a bleeding event and a non-bleeding event.",
"16. The surgical system of claim 14, wherein the binary classification system comprises a desirable event and an undesirable event.",
"17. The surgical system of claim 14, wherein the binary classification system comprises a successful firing of a surgical stapler and an unsecsseful firing of the surgical stapler.",
"18. The surgical system of claim 12, wherein the cloud computing system further comprises a resource optimization module configured to analyze the aggregated data sets to optimize the operation of the surgical instruments.",
"19. The surgical system of claim 12, wherein the cloud computing system further comprises a data sorting and prioritization module.",
"20. The surgical system of claim 19, wherein the data sorting and prioritization module is configured to prioritize aggregation of a subset of the raw data based on a detected criticality."
],
[
"1. A surgical system configured to improve surgical outcomes for a procedure performed on a patient in an operating room of a medical network, the surgical system comprising:\na medical record database configured to store a plurality of surgical outcomes associated with historical procedures performed throughout the medical network;\na plurality of surgical hubs distributed across the medical network, wherein the plurality of surgical hubs is communicably coupled to the medical record database and configured to be coupled to a plurality of surgical instruments, wherein a first surgical hub of the plurality of surgical hubs is configured to be communicably coupled to a first surgical instrument of the plurality of surgical instruments, and wherein the first surgical instrument is configured to generate perioperative data during the procedure; and\na cloud-based analytics subsystem communicably coupled to the medical record database and the plurality of surgical hubs, wherein the cloud-based analytics subsystem comprises a control circuit configured to:\nreceive a signal comprising the perioperative data generated by the surgical instrument from the first surgical hub of the plurality of surgical hubs;\nautonomously infer a surgical context based, at least in part, on the received signal comprising the perioperative data generated by the surgical instrument;\ncorrelate the determined surgical context to the plurality of surgical outcomes stored in the medical record database;\nidentify a pattern associated with the determined surgical context and the plurality of surgical outcomes based, at least in part, on the correlation; and\ngenerate a control program update for the procedure, at least in part, on the identified pattern, wherein the control program update is intended to improve a surgical outcome of the procedure.",
"2. The system of claim 1, wherein the medical record database is further configured to store contextual metadata associated with historical procedures performed throughout the medical network, and wherein the control circuit is further configured to correlate the determined surgical context to the contextual metadata stored in the medical record database.",
"3. The system of claim 2, wherein the contextual metadata comprises a historical procedure time, a historical procedure type, an historical procedural outcome, a historical procedure cost, or a resource date of acquisition, or combinations thereof.",
"4. The system of claim 3, wherein the control circuit is further configured to generate a resource recommendation based, at least in part, on the correlation of the determined surgical context to the contextual metadata stored in the medical record database, and wherein the control program update comprises the resource recommendation",
"5. The system of claim 4, wherein the resource recommendation comprises a cartridge type, a cartridge color, an adjunct resource usage, or a recommendation to utilize a robotic instrument, or combinations thereof.",
"6. The system of claim 5, wherein the control circuit is configured to generate the control program update and the resource recommendation based, at least in part, on a machine learning algorithm.",
"7. The system of claim 6, wherein the machine learning algorithm is an artificial neural network.",
"8. The system of claim 2, wherein the medical network comprises a plurality of facilities, wherein the plurality of surgical hubs is distributed throughout the plurality of facilities, and wherein the contextual metadata stored by the medical record database was automatically generated by the plurality of surgical hubs upon operation of the plurality of surgical instruments during a plurality of historical procedures.",
"9. The system of claim 8, wherein a subset of the plurality of surgical instruments are surgical staplers, and wherein the contextual metadata was automatically generated upon firing the subset of the plurality of surgical instruments that are surgical staplers during the plurality of historical procedures.",
"10. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of surgical outcomes comprises a bleeding event or a successful wound closure.",
"11. The system of claim 1, wherein the perioperative data comprises a force to fire, a force to close, a power algorithm, a tissue property, a tissue gap, or a closure rate, or combinations thereof.",
"12. The system of claim 11, wherein the control program update comprises a control setting for the first surgical instrument during the procedure, wherein the control setting comprises at least one of an improved force to fire, an improved force to close, an improved power algorithm, and an improved closure rate, or combinations thereof.",
"13. A cloud-based analytics system configured to improve surgical outcomes for a procedure performed on a patient in an operating room of a medical network, wherein the cloud-based analytics system is configured to be coupled to a medical record database configured to store a plurality of surgical outcomes associated with historical procedures performed throughout the medical network, and a plurality of surgical hubs distributed across the medical network, wherein the plurality of surgical hubs, wherein a first surgical hub of the plurality of surgical hubs is configured to be communicably coupled to a surgical instrument configured to generate perioperative data during the procedure, and wherein the cloud-based analytics system comprises a control circuit configured to:\nreceive a signal comprising the perioperative data generated by the surgical instrument from the first surgical hub of the plurality of surgical hubs;\nautonomously infer a surgical context based, at least in part, on the received signal comprising the perioperative data generated by the surgical instrument;\ncorrelate the determined surgical context to the plurality of surgical outcomes stored in the medical record database;\nidentify a pattern associated with the determined surgical context and the plurality of surgical outcomes based, at least in part, on the correlation; and\ngenerate a control program update for the procedure, at least in part, on the identified pattern, wherein the control program update is intended to improve a surgical outcome of the procedure.",
"14. The system of claim 13, wherein the medical record database is further configured to store contextual metadata associated with historical procedures performed throughout the medical network, and wherein the control circuit is further configured to correlate the determined surgical context to the contextual metadata stored in the medical record database.",
"15. The system of claim 14, wherein the contextual metadata comprises a historical procedure time, a historical procedure type, an historical procedural outcome, a historical procedure cost, or a resource date of acquisition, or combinations thereof.",
"16. The system of claim 15, wherein the control circuit is further configured to generate a resource recommendation based, at least in part, on the correlation of the determined surgical context to the contextual metadata stored in the medical record database, and wherein the control program update comprises the resource recommendation",
"17. The system of claim 16, wherein the resource recommendation comprises a cartridge type, a cartridge color, an adjunct resource usage, or a recommendation to utilize a robotic instrument, or combinations thereof.",
"18. A method of improving surgical outcomes for a procedure performed on a patient in a first operating room of a medical network,\nreceiving a signal comprising perioperative data generated by a surgical instrument coupled to a first surgical hub of a plurality of surgical hubs;\ninferring a surgical context based, at least in part, on the received signal comprising the perioperative data generated by the surgical instrument;\ncorrelating the determined surgical context to a plurality of surgical outcomes stored in a medical record database;\nidentifying a pattern associated with the determined surgical context and the plurality of surgical outcomes based, at least in part, on the correlation; and\ngenerating a control program update for the procedure, at least in part, on the identified pattern, wherein the control program update is intended to improve a surgical outcome of the procedure.",
"19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:\ncorrelating the determined surgical context to contextual metadata stored in the medical record database, wherein the contextual metadata comprises a historical procedure time, a historical procedure type, an historical procedural outcome, a historical procedure cost, or a resource date of acquisition, or combinations thereof; and\ngenerating a resource recommendation based, at least in part, on the correlation of the determined surgical context to the contextual metadata stored in the medical record database, and wherein the control program update comprises the resource recommendation.",
"20. The method of claim 19, wherein generating the control program update and the resource recommendation is based, at least in part, on a machine learning algorithm."
],
[
"1. A method, comprising:\ncollecting a first set of data by a first robotic hub;\nstoring the first set of data in a first memory of the first robotic hub;\nwirelessly communicating the first set of data to a primary server at a first time;\ncollecting a second set of data by a second robotic hub;\nstoring the second set of data in a second memory of the second robotic hub;\nwirelessly communicating the second set of data to the primary server at a second time;\nprioritizing the first set of data and the second set of data within a queue in the primary server, wherein the queue is configured to order sequential analysis of the first set of data and the second set of data based on a prioritization protocol, wherein the prioritization protocol prioritizes a set of data based on a time the set of data is communicated to the primary server;\nanalyzing the first set of data and the second set of data for a priority event; and\nreprioritizing the second set of data over the first set of data when a priority event is detected within the second set of data even if the first set of data was communicated to the primary server before the second set of data.",
"2. The method of claim 1, further comprising storing the first set of data and the second set of data within the primary server for output to an external server.",
"3. The method of claim 2, further comprising exporting the first set of data and the second set of data to the external server based on the prioritization protocol.",
"4. The method of claim 1, further comprising deleting the first set of data from the first memory upon communication of the first set of data to the primary server.",
"5. The method of claim 1, further comprising securing, by server-level equipment at the primary server, the first set of data and the second set of data.",
"6. The method of claim 1, further comprising inputting the first set of data and the second set of data into an electronic medical records database of the primary server.",
"7. The method of claim 1, further comprising identifying trends in a surgical procedure, by the primary server, based on data comprising the first set of data and the second set of data.",
"8. The method of claim 1, further comprising analyzing, by the primary server, institutional data for a surgical procedure based on data originating within an institutional data barrier.",
"9. A method, comprising:\ncollecting a first set of data by a first surgical hub;\nstoring the first set of data temporarily in a first memory of the first surgical hub;\ncommunicating the first set of data to a primary server;\ncollecting a second set of data by a second surgical hub;\nstoring the second set of data temporarily in a second memory of the second surgical hub;\ncommunicating the second set of data to the primary server;\nprioritizing the first set of data and the second set of data within a queue in the primary server, wherein the queue is configured to order sequential analysis of the first set of data and the second set of data based on a prioritization protocol, wherein the prioritization protocol prioritizes a set of data based on a time the set of data is communicated to the primary server;\nanalyzing the first set of data and the second set of data for abnormal data; and\nreprioritizing the second set of data over the first set of data when the second set of data comprises abnormal data even if the second set of data was received after the first set of data.",
"10. The method of claim 9, further comprising storing the first set of data and the second set of data within the primary server for output to an external server.",
"11. The method of claim 10, further comprising exporting the first set of data and the second set of data to the external server based on the prioritization protocol.",
"12. The method of claim 9, further comprising deleting the first set of data from the first memory of the first surgical hub upon communication of the first set of data to the primary server.",
"13. A method, comprising:\ncollecting a first set of data by a first robotic hub during a first surgical procedure;\nstoring the first set of data in a first memory of the first robotic hub;\ncommunicating the first set of data to a primary server;\ncollecting a second set of data by a second robotic hub during a second surgical procedure;\nstoring the second set of data in a second memory of the second robotic hub;\ncommunicating the second set of data to the primary server;\nprioritizing the first set of data and the second set of data within a data export queue in the primary server based on a prioritization protocol;\nsequentially exporting the first set of data and the second set of data from the data export queue to an external server based on the prioritization protocol, wherein the prioritization protocol prioritizes the export of a set of data based on a time the set of data is communicated to the primary server;\nexporting the first set of data before exporting the second set of data based on the prioritization protocol when the first set of data is communicated to the primary server before the second set of data is communicated to the primary server;\ndetecting abnormal data within the first set of data and the second set of data; and\nreprioritizing the second set of data over the first set of data when abnormal data is detected within the second set of data even if the second set of data was communicated to the primary server after the first set of data.",
"14. The method of claim 13, further comprising deleting the first set of data from the first memory upon communication of the first set of data to the primary server."
],
[
"1. An apparatus comprising:\na memory device non-transitorily storing program instructions; and\na processor coupled to a display device, an image capture device, and the memory device, the processor configured to execute the program instructions to:\ncause images captured by the image capture device to be displayed in a viewing area on the display device;\ndetermine a position of a tool in a reference frame of the image capture device, wherein the tool has a shaft and an end effector including opposing members coupled to the shaft;\ndetermine a position to display a non-depictive symbol for the tool in a boundary area circumscribing the viewing area on the display device so as to indicate a direction of the determined position of the tool relative to a field of view of the image capture device, by determining a trajectory of the tool from current and past positions of the tool and by determining where an extrapolation of the trajectory enters the field of view of the image capture device, wherein the non-depictive symbol for the tool does not resemble the end effector of the tool in appearance, and wherein the position of the non-depictive symbol for the tool in the boundary area does not indicate a distance of the tool from the field of view of the image capture device; and\ncause the non-depictive symbol for the tool to be displayed at the determined position in the boundary area while images that were captured by the image capture device are restricted to being displayed in the viewing area on the display device.",
"2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to execute the program instructions to:\ncause the non-depictive symbol for the tool to be displayed at the determined position in the boundary area so that the non-depictive symbol for the tool provides information identifying one of: the tool or a manipulator used for moving the tool.",
"3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the processor is further configured to execute the program instructions to:\ncause the non-depictive symbol for the tool to be displayed at the determined position in the boundary area so that the non-depictive symbol for the tool is marked with one of: a color that is uniquely associated with the manipulator or a number that is uniquely associated with the manipulator.",
"4. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the processor is further configured to execute the program instructions to:\ndetermine the position of the tool by using kinematics for the manipulator.",
"5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to execute the program instructions to:\ncause the non-depictive symbol for the tool to be displayed at the determined position in the boundary area by:\ndetermining a distance of a position of a reference point on the tool from a position of a reference point in the field of view of the image capture device; and\ncausing the non-depictive symbol for the tool to be displayed so that its size indicates the distance.",
"6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to execute the program instructions to:\ncause the non-depictive symbol for the tool to be displayed at the determined position in the boundary area by:\ndetermining a distance of a position of a reference point on the tool from a position of a reference point in the field of view of the image capture device; and\ncausing the non-depictive symbol for the tool to be displayed so that its color indicates the distance.",
"7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the processor is further configured to execute the program instructions to:\ncause the non-depictive symbol for the tool to be displayed in the boundary area so that intensity of the color of the non-depictive symbol for the tool indicates the distance.",
"8. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the processor is further configured to execute the program instructions to:\ncause the non-depictive symbol for the tool to be displayed in the boundary area so that the color of the non-depictive symbol for the tool relative to a color spectrum indicates the distance.",
"9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to execute the program instructions to:\ncause the non-depictive symbol for the tool to be displayed at the determined position in the boundary area by:\ndetermining a distance of a position of a reference point on the tool from a position of a reference point in the field of view of the image capture device; and\ncausing the non-depictive symbol for the tool to be displayed so that a frequency of blinking of the non-depictive symbol for the tool indicates the distance.",
"10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to execute the program instructions to:\ncause the non-depictive symbol for the tool to be displayed at the determined position in the boundary area by:\ndetermining a distance of a position of a reference point on the tool from a position of a reference point in the field of view of the image capture device; and\ncausing the non-depictive symbol for the tool to be displayed so that a frequency of oscillation of the non-depictive symbol for the tool about the determined position in the boundary area indicates the distance.",
"11. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to execute the program instructions to:\ncause the non-depictive symbol for the tool to be displayed at the determined position in the boundary area by:\ndetermining a distance of a position of a reference point on the tool from a position of a reference point in the field of view of the image capture device; and\ncausing the non-depictive symbol for the tool to be displayed so that the distance is indicated by overlaying a distance number over the non-depictive symbol for the tool.",
"12. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to execute the program instructions to:\ndetermine the position of the tool by determining a position and an orientation of the end effector of the tool, and\ncause the non-depictive symbol for the tool to be displayed at the determined position in the boundary area by causing an orientation indicator to be displayed over the non-depictive symbol for the tool such that the orientation indicator is oriented so as to indicate the orientation of the end effector.",
"13. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to execute the program instructions to:\ndetermine an orientation of an axis that extends along a length of a shaft of the tool, and\ncause the non-depictive symbol for the tool to be displayed at the determined position in the boundary area by causing an orientation indicator to be displayed over the non-depictive symbol for the tool such that the orientation indicator is oriented so as to indicate the orientation of the axis."
],
[
"1. A system, comprising:\na remote server configured to couple to a plurality of surgical hubs that are used with surgical systems in surgical procedures performed in operating rooms, each surgical hub comprising a hub processor and a hub memory storing a control program executable by the surgical hub to effect a surgical step for a type of surgical procedure, the remote server comprising:\na control circuit comprising a server processor and a server memory, wherein the server memory stores instructions that, when executed by the server processor, cause the control circuit to:\ncommunicably couple the remote server to the plurality of surgical hubs;\nreceive perioperative data from the plurality of surgical hubs for a plurality of surgical procedures of the type of surgical procedure, wherein the perioperative data comprises preoperative data, intraoperative data, or postoperative data, or combinations thereof;\nreceive surgical outcome data from the plurality of surgical hubs related to the plurality of surgical procedures of the type of surgical procedure;\naggregate the perioperative data and the surgical outcome data into aggregate medical resource data for the type of surgical procedure, wherein the aggregate medical resource data comprises a positive outcome distribution for a surgical parameter and a negative outcome distribution of the surgical parameter;\nanalyze the positive outcome distribution and the negative outcome distribution to determine a threshold value for the surgical parameter corresponding to an outcome objective for a desired surgical outcome for the type of surgical procedure;\ngenerate, automatically, an update to the control program based on determining the value for the surgical parameter corresponding to the outcome objective for the type of surgical procedure exceeding an update condition threshold;\ntransmit, automatically, the update to the control program to the plurality of surgical hubs; and\noverwrite at least a portion of the control program stored in the hub memory of each surgical hub, wherein the updated control program is executable by the surgical hub to modify the surgical step for the type of surgical procedure.",
"2. The system of claim 1, wherein the preoperative data comprises patient-specific information or operating theater-specific information, or a combination thereof.",
"3. The system of claim 2, wherein the operating theater-specific information comprises geographic information, hospital location, operating theater location, operative staff performing a surgical procedure, a responsible surgeon, a number and type of modular devices and/or other surgical equipment anticipated to be used in the surgical procedure, patient identification information, or the type of procedure being performed, or combinations thereof.",
"4. The system of claim 1, wherein the intraoperative data comprises modular device utilization, operating parameter data of the modular devices, unexpected modular device utilization, adjunctive therapies administered to a patient, utilization of equipment other than the modular devices, detectable misuse of a modular device, detectable off-label use of a modular device, or surgical step outcome data, or combinations thereof.",
"5. The system of claim 1, wherein the postoperative data comprises data for a patient leaving an operating theater or not, data for the patient being sent for nonstandard postoperative care or not, a postoperative patient evaluation relating to the surgical procedure, data related to postoperative complications, a patient's length of stay in a medical facility after the procedure, or procedural outcome data, or combinations thereof.",
"6. The system of claim 1, wherein the update condition threshold comprises a threshold number of surgical hubs exhibiting an operational behavior.",
"7. The system of claim 1, wherein the update condition threshold comprises a rate of positive procedural outcomes correlated to an operational behavior exceeding the threshold value.",
"8. The system of claim 1, wherein the update to the control program comprises the plurality of surgical hubs being configured to provide warnings, recommendations, or feedback to a user, or combinations thereof.",
"9. The system of claim 1, wherein the update to the control program comprises changing one or more functions of the plurality of surgical hubs from being manually controllable to being controlled by the control program of the plurality of surgical hubs.",
"10. A system, comprising:\na remote server configured to couple to a plurality of surgical hubs that are used with surgical systems in surgical procedures performed in operating rooms, each surgical hub comprising a hub processor and a hub memory storing a control program executable by the surgical hub to effect a surgical step for a type of surgical procedure, the remote server comprising:\na server processor and a server memory, wherein the server memory stores instructions that, when executed by the server processor, cause the remote server to:\ncommunicably couple the remote server to a first plurality of surgical hubs;\ncommunicably couple the remote server to a second plurality of surgical hubs;\nreceive first perioperative data from the first plurality of surgical hubs for a first plurality of surgical procedures of the type of surgical procedure, wherein the first perioperative data comprises first preoperative data, first intraoperative data, or first postoperative data, or combinations thereof;\nreceive first surgical outcome data from the first plurality of surgical hubs related to the first plurality of surgical procedures of the type of surgical procedure;\naggregate the first perioperative data and the first surgical outcome data into aggregate medical resource data for the type of surgical procedure, wherein the aggregate medical resource data comprises a first positive outcome distribution for a surgical parameter and a first negative outcome distribution for the surgical parameter;\nreceive second perioperative data from the second plurality of surgical hubs for a second plurality of surgical procedures of the type of surgical procedure, wherein the second perioperative data comprises second preoperative data, second intraoperative data, or second postoperative data, or combinations thereof;\nreceive second surgical outcome data from the second plurality of surgical hubs related to the second plurality of surgical procedures of the type of surgical procedure;\naggregate the second perioperative data and the second surgical outcome data into the aggregate medical resource data for the type of surgical procedure, wherein the aggregate medical resource data comprises a second positive outcome distribution for the surgical parameter and a second negative outcome distribution for the surgical parameter;\nanalyze the second positive outcome distribution and the second negative outcome distribution to determine a threshold value for the surgical parameter corresponding to an outcome objective for a desired surgical outcome for the type of surgical procedure;\ngenerate, automatically, an update to the control program executed by the first plurality of surgical hubs based on determining the threshold value for the surgical parameter corresponding to the outcome objective for the type of surgical procedure exceeding an update condition threshold, wherein the update to the control program comprises an adjustment to the threshold value for the surgical parameter for the first plurality of surgical hubs;\ntransmit, automatically, the update to the control program to the first plurality of surgical hubs; and\noverwrite at least a portion of the control program stored in the hub memory of each surgical hub of the first plurality of surgical hubs, wherein the updated control program is executable by each surgical hub of the first plurality of surgical hubs to modify the surgical step for the type of surgical procedure.",
"11. The system of claim 10, wherein the preoperative data comprises patient-specific information or operating theater-specific information, or a combination thereof, wherein the intraoperative data comprises modular device utilization, operating parameter data of the modular devices, unexpected modular device utilization, adjunctive therapies administered to the patient, utilization of equipment other than the modular devices, detectable misuse of a modular device, detectable off-label use of a modular device, or surgical step outcome data, or combinations thereof, and wherein the postoperative data comprises data for the patient leaving the operating theater or not, data for the patient being sent for nonstandard postoperative care or not, a postoperative patient evaluation relating to the surgical procedure, data related to postoperative complications, a patient's length of stay in a medical facility after the procedure, or procedural outcome data, or combinations thereof.",
"12. The system of claim 11, wherein the operating theater-specific information comprises geographic information, hospital location, operating theater location, operative staff performing the surgical procedure, a responsible surgeon, a number and type of modular devices and/or other surgical equipment anticipated to be used in the surgical procedure, patient identification information, or the type of procedure being performed, or combinations thereof.",
"13. The system of claim 10, wherein the update condition comprises a threshold number of surgical hubs exhibiting an operational behavior.",
"14. The system of claim 10, wherein the update condition comprises a rate of positive procedural outcomes correlated to an operational behavior exceeding a threshold value.",
"15. The system of claim 10, wherein the update to the control program comprises the first plurality of surgical hubs being configured to provide warnings, recommendations, or feedback to a user, or combinations thereof.",
"16. The system of claim 10, wherein the update to the control program comprises changing one or more functions of the first plurality of surgical hubs from being manually controllable to being controlled by the control program of the first plurality of surgical hubs.",
"17. A system, comprising:\na surgical hub for use with a surgical system in a surgical procedure performed in an operating room, the surgical hub comprising:\na control circuit comprising a processor and a memory, wherein the memory stores instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the control circuit to:\ncommunicably couple the control circuit to a surgical device in the operating room;\ncommunicably couple the control circuit to a remote server;\nreceive data from the surgical device during the surgical procedure, wherein the surgical procedure is of a type of surgical procedure;\ntransmit, automatically, first perioperative data and first surgical outcome data of the surgical procedure to the remote server, wherein the perioperative data comprises an intraoperative wait time parameter;\nanalyze, by the remote server, the perioperative data and the surgical outcome data from a plurality of surgical hubs to generate a positive outcome distribution for the intraoperative wait time parameter and a negative outcome distribution of the intraoperative wait time parameter;\ndetermine, by the remote server, a threshold value for the intraoperative wait time parameter corresponding to an outcome objective for a desired surgical outcome for the type of surgical procedure based on a divergence between the negative outcome distribution and the positive outcome distribution for the intraoperative wait time parameter; and\nreceive, automatically, a control program update from the remote server, wherein the control program update is based on the threshold value for the intraoperative wait time parameter of the type of surgical procedure corresponding to an outcome objective for a desired surgical outcome for the type of surgical procedure; and\noverwrite at least a portion of a control program stored in the memory, and wherein the updated control program is executable by the processor to modify the intraoperative wait time parameter for a surgical step for the type of surgical procedure.",
"18. The system of claim 17, wherein the control program update further comprises changing a function of the surgical hub from being manually controllable to being controlled by the control program of the surgical hub.",
"19. The system of claim 17, wherein the control program further update comprises providing a warning, recommendation, or feedback to a user, or combinations thereof."
],
[
"1. A method for controlling an operation of an ultrasonic blade of an ultrasonic electromechanical system, the method comprising:\nproviding an ultrasonic electromechanical system comprising an ultrasonic transducer coupled to an ultrasonic blade via an ultrasonic waveguide;\napplying, by an energy source, a power level to the ultrasonic transducer;\ndetermining, by a control circuit coupled to a memory, a mechanical property of the ultrasonic electromechanical system;\ncomparing, by the control circuit, the mechanical property with a reference mechanical property stored in the memory; and\nadjusting, by the control circuit, the power level applied to the ultrasonic transducer based on the comparison of the mechanical property with the reference mechanical property.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein determining, by a control circuit, a mechanical property of the ultrasonic electromechanical system comprises determining, by the control circuit, a resonant frequency of the ultrasonic blade.",
"3. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining, by the control circuit, a temperature of the ultrasonic blade.",
"4. The method of claim 3, wherein determining, by the control circuit, a temperature of the ultrasonic blade comprises determining, by the control circuit, the temperature of the ultrasonic blade based on a resonant frequency of the ultrasonic blade.",
"5. The method of claim 3, wherein determining, by the control circuit, a temperature of the ultrasonic blade comprises measuring, by the control circuit, a phase angle φ between a voltage signal Vg(t) and a current signal Ig(t) applied to the ultrasonic transducer by the energy source.",
"6. The method of claim 3, wherein determining, by the control circuit, a temperature of the ultrasonic blade comprises measuring, by the control circuit, an impedance Zg(t) equal to a ratio of a voltage signal Vg(t) to a current signal Ig(t) applied to the ultrasonic transducer by the energy source.",
"7. A method for determining a characteristic of an ultrasonic blade of an ultrasonic electromechanical system, the method comprising:\nproviding an ultrasonic electromechanical system comprising an ultrasonic transducer coupled to an ultrasonic blade via an ultrasonic waveguide;\napplying, by an energy source, a power level to the ultrasonic transducer; and\ndetermining, by a control circuit coupled to a memory, the characteristic of the ultrasonic blade.",
"8. The method of claim 7, wherein determining, by a control circuit coupled to a memory, the characteristic of the ultrasonic blade comprises determining, by the control circuit coupled to the memory, a temperature of the ultrasonic blade.",
"9. The method of claim 8, wherein determining, by the control circuit coupled to the memory, a temperature of the ultrasonic blade comprises:\ndetermining, by the control circuit, a resonant frequency of the ultrasonic blade; and\ncomparing, by the control circuit, the resonant frequency of the ultrasonic blade to a reference resonant frequency stored in the memory of the control circuit.",
"10. The method of claim 8, wherein determining, by the control circuit coupled to the memory, a temperature of the ultrasonic blade comprises measuring, by the control circuit, a phase angle φ between a voltage signal Vg(t) and a current signal Ig(t) applied to the ultrasonic transducer by the energy source.",
"11. The method of claim 8, wherein determining, by the control circuit coupled to the memory, a temperature of the ultrasonic blade comprises measuring, by the control circuit, an impedance Zg(t) equal to a ratio of a voltage signal Vg(t) to a current signal Ig(t) applied to the ultrasonic transducer by the energy source.",
"12. The method of claim 8, further comprising generating, by the control circuit, a temperature estimator and state space model of the temperature of the ultrasonic blade as a function of a resonant frequency of the ultrasonic electromechanical system based on a set of non-linear state space equations.",
"13. The method of claim 12, wherein generating, by the control circuit, a state space model of the temperature of the ultrasonic blade based on a set of non-linear state space equations comprises generating, by the control circuit, a state space model defined by:\n[\n𝐹\n.\n𝑛\n\n\n𝑇\n.\n]\n=\n𝑓\n\n(\n𝑡\n,\n𝑇\n\n(\n𝑡\n)\n,\n𝐹\n𝑛\n(\n𝑡\n)\n,\n𝐸\n\n(\n𝑡\n)\n)\n \n𝑦\n.\n=\nℎ\n\n(\n𝑡\n,\n𝑇\n\n(\n𝑡\n)\n,\n𝐹\n𝑛\n(\n𝑡\n)\n,\n𝐸\n\n(\n𝑡\n)\n)\n.",
"14. The method of claim 12, further comprising applying, by the control circuit, a Kalman filter to improve the temperature estimator and state space model.",
"15. The method of claim 14, wherein applying, by the control circuit, a Kalman filter to improve the temperature estimator and state space model comprises applying, by the control circuit, a Kalman filter having a state variance of a state estimator of the Kalman filter defined by:\n\n(σk −)2=σk-1 2+σP k 2 and\na gain K of the Kalman filter is defined by:\n𝐾\n=\n(\n𝜎\n𝑘\n-\n)\n2\n(\n𝜎\n𝑘\n-\n)\n2\n+\n𝜎\n𝑚\n2\n.",
"16. A method of determining a functional status of an ultrasonic electromechanical system, the method comprising:\nproviding an ultrasonic electromechanical system comprising an ultrasonic transducer coupled to an ultrasonic blade via an ultrasonic waveguide;\napplying, by an energy source, a power level to the ultrasonic transducer; and\ndetermining, by a control circuit coupled to a memory, the functional status of the ultrasonic blade.",
"17. The method of claim 16, wherein determining, by a control circuit coupled to a memory, the functional status of the ultrasonic blade comprises determining, by the control circuit coupled to the memory, an instability of the ultrasonic blade.",
"18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:\ndetermining, by the control circuit, a temperature of the ultrasonic blade; and\ncomparing, by the control circuit, the temperature of the ultrasonic blade to an ultrasonic blade instability trigger point threshold.",
"19. The method of claim 16, wherein determining, by a control circuit coupled to a memory, the functional status of the ultrasonic blade comprises determining, by the control circuit coupled to the memory, an initial temperature of the ultrasonic blade.",
"20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:\nmeasuring, by the control circuit, a resonant frequency of the ultrasonic blade prior to applying, by the energy source, the power level to the ultrasonic transducer;\ncomparing, by the control circuit, the measured resonant frequency to a baseline resonant frequency; and\ndetermining, by the control circuit, the initial temperature of the ultrasonic blade based on the comparison of the measured resonant frequency with the baseline resonant frequency."
],
[
"1. A method for inserting at least one connecting element into a workpiece using a tool comprising at least one tool element, whereby prior to joining and connecting the connecting element with the workpiece, the tool is aligned exactly in relation to the workpiece by at least one pilot, centering element, or pilot and centering element, acting on a centering area of the workpiece by a relative movement between the tool element and the workpiece.",
"2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one tool element is aligned by radial movement relative to a tool axis (WA, WA1) in relation to the clamped workpiece.",
"3. The method for inserting at least one connecting element into a workpiece using a tool comprising at least one tool element, in which prior to joining and connecting of the connecting element with the workpiece, the connecting element is aligned exactly in relation to the workpiece by at least one pilot, centering element, or pilot and centering device, acting on a centering area of the workpiece by relative movement between the connecting element and the workpiece, wherein the tool element is moved radially relative to a tool axis (WA, WA1) in relation to the clamped workpiece during alignment of the connecting element.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein the alignment is achieved by the at least one pilot, centering pin, or pilot and centering pin, engaging in at least one opening of the workpiece.",
"5. The method of claim 4, wherein a centering opening of the workpiece engaging with the at least one pilot and/or centering pin is a joining opening for the connecting element.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one centering area in the workpiece is provided to a side of the area of the workpiece provided for anchoring of the connecting element.",
"7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the at least one centering area is provided to the side of a joining opening (5) for the connecting element.",
"8. The method according to claim 2, wherein the tool element that is radially movable relative to the tool axis (WA) is a die.",
"9. The method of claim 1, wherein the respective connecting element, during joining, is guided on a guide element aligned by the at least one pilot, centering element, or pilot and centering element, relative to the workpiece and is held on the tool element aligned by the at least one pilot, and/or centering element or pilot and centering element.",
"10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the guide element of the pilot or centering pin that aligns the tool element relative to the workpiece is an additional pilot or centering pin.",
"11. The method according to claim 9, wherein the connecting element is held floating on the additional tool element.",
"12. The method of claim 1, wherein the connecting element is a nut, selected from a press nut or a self-piercing nut.",
"13. The method of claim 1, wherein the connecting element is a bolt.",
"14. The method of claim 1, wherein the connecting element is a rivet, a blind rivet, or a rivet nut.",
"15. A device for inserting at least one connecting element into a workpiece with at least one tool comprising at least one tool element, having at least one pilot, centering element, or pilot and centering element, acting on a centering area of the workpiece, with which exact alignment of the tool in relation to the workpiece is achieved by a relative movement between the tool element and the workpiece.",
"16. A device according to claim 15, wherein the at least one tool element can be moved radially relative to its tool axis (WA, WA1) for alignment.",
"17. A device for inserting at least one connecting element into a workpiece using a tool comprising at least one tool element, with at least one pilot, centering element, or pilot and centering element acting on a centering area of the workpiece, with which the connecting element is aligned exactly in relation to the workpiece by relative movement between the connecting element and the workpiece prior to joining and connecting of the connecting element with the workpiece, whereby the tool element can be moved radially relative to its tool axis (WA, WA1) in relation to the clamped workpiece during alignment of the connecting element.",
"18. The device according to claim 15, wherein the at least one pilot or centering element is a pilot or centering pin engaging in one opening of the workpiece.",
"19. The device according to claim 18, wherein the centering opening of the workpiece engaging with the at least one pilot or centering pin is a joining opening for the connecting element.",
"20. The device according to claim 15, wherein the at least one centering area in the workpiece is provided to a side of the area of the workpiece provided for anchoring of the connecting element.",
"21. The device according to claim 20, wherein the at least one centering area is provided to a side of a joining opening for the connecting element.",
"22. The device according to claim 15, wherein the tool element that is radially movable relative to the tool axis (WA) is a die.",
"23. Device according to claim 15, further comprising a guide element, which is aligned by the at least one pilot, centering element, or pilot and centering element relative to the workpiece and on which the respective connecting element is held during joining.",
"24. The device according to claim 23, wherein the guide element that aligns the tool element relative to the workpiece is a pilot or centering pin or an additional pilot or centering pin.",
"25. The device according to claim 15, wherein the connecting element is held floating on an additional tool element."
],
[
"1. A method of attaching a fastener to a plastically deformable panel, said fastener including a body portion and a self-piercing and riveting annular wall extending from said body portion, said annular wall having an outer surface, an inner surface, a free open end portion and a piercing surface adjacent said inner wall surface and free end portion, said annular wall free end portion having an arcuate annular surface at said outer surface, the method comprising:\n(a) locating said fastener opposite said panel with said annular wall free end portion facing said panel and a die member located on the opposite side of said panel, said die member having an annular concave die cavity surrounding a projecting central die portion which is coaxially aligned with and telescopically receivable within said fastener annular wall opening;\n(b) engaging said panel with said fastener annular wall free end, said fastener arcuate surface deforming said panel into said annular concave die cavity;\n(c) said annular wall piercing surface piercing a slug from said panel and said central die portion receiving, supporting and centering said panel slug and carrying said slug into said annular wall opening;\n(d) plastically deforming said annular wall free end radially outwardly in said concave annular die cavity, forming said annular wall free end into an annular bead comprising a generally U-shaped channel in cross-section, said channel opening toward said fastener body portion and the pierced edge of said panel; and,\n(e) plastically deforming said pierced panel edge against said annular wall outer surface into said generally U-shaped channel, forming a mechanical interlock between said self-piercing and riveting annular wall and said panel.",
"2. The method of attaching a fastener to a panel as defined in claim 1, including piercing a panel slug from said panel having a width greater than the internal diameter of said annular wall opening and forcing said slug into said opening in engagement with said inner annular wall surface.",
"3. The method of attaching a fastener to a panel as defined in claim 2, including supporting said panel slug on said central die portion in binding engagement with said internal annular wall surface during said deformation of said annular wall free end, said panel slug supporting said annular wall and preventing collapse of said annular wall during said radial outward deformation.",
"4. The method of attaching a fastener to a panel as defined in claim 3, characterized in that the free end of said projecting central die portion is conical, having a relatively sharp apex, the method including deforming and doming said panel slug on said conical die surface free end, thereby centering and retaining said panel slug within said annular wall opening.",
"5. The method of attaching a fastener to a panel as defined in claim 1, characterized in that said fastener annular wall piercing surface is an angled annular chamfer face in the opening of said annular wall free end portion, the method including piercing a panel slug having a diameter greater than the internal diameter of said annular wall opening, then supporting said panel slug on said central die member portion in said annular wall opening generally at the point of the greatest internal stress resulting from said radial deformation of said annular wall.",
"6. The method of attaching a fastener to a panel as defined in claim 1, characterized in that said fastener body portion includes a base portion having a side surface and a bottom surface joined by an arcuate surface, said annular wall integrally joined to said base portion bottom surface spaced inwardly from said side surface, the method including driving said fastener base portion into said panel following piercing a slug from said panel, then simultaneously deforming said annular wall free end radially outwardly into said generally U-shaped channel and deforming the panel portion adjacent said pierced panel edge by counter rotating said panel portion within said fastener annular wall channel into a mechanical interlock wherein said panel portion substantially fills said fastener channel portion.",
"7. The method of attaching a fastener to a panel as defined in claim 1, including driving the panel portion adjacent said pierced panel edge into said annular wall U-shaped channel, deforming the free end of said pierced panel edge into said U-shaped channel, and forming a reinforcing enlarged annular bead on said pierced panel edge enclosed within and contacting the inner surface of said U-shaped channel.",
"8. The method of attaching a fastener to a panel as defined in claim 7, characterized in that said fastener includes a head portion having a radial flange extending outwardly generally perpendicular to and adjacent to said annular wall, the method including driving said fastener flange portion into said panel, thereby recessing said fastener in said panel and driving said pierced panel edge into said U-shaped channel of said annular wall.",
"9. The method of attaching a fastener to a panel as defined in claim 1, wherein said fastener is a female fastener having a bore, the method including driving said panel slug out of said annular wall opening after completion of the fastener and panel assembly.",
"10. The method of attaching a fastener to a panel as defined in claim 1, characterized in that said die member includes a plurality of flats defined on the outer surface of said concave die cavity, the method including deforming the panel adjacent said pierced panel edge radially inwardly by said die member flats providing anti-rotation means preventing rotation of said fastener relative to said panel following installation.",
"11. A method of attaching a fastener to a plastically deformable panel, said fastener including a body portion and a self-piercing and riveting annular wall extending from said body portion, said annular wall having an outer surface, an inner surface defining an opening and a free end portion, said annular wall having a piercing surface adjacent said inner surface spaced from the distal end of said free end portion, the method comprising:\n(a) locating said fastener opposite said panel with said annular wall free end portion facing said panel and a die member located on the opposite side of said panel, said die member having a concave die cavity surrounding a projecting central die portion, said central die portion having a generally conical free end portion coaxially aligned with and telescopically receivable within said fastener annular wall opening;\n(b) engaging said fastener annular wall free end portion against said panel and deforming said panel against said central die conical free end portion;\n(c) piercing a slug from said panel with said annular wall piercing surface, and said slug having a diameter greater than said fastener annular wall opening;\n(d) forcing said panel slug into said annular wall opening in firm engagement with said inner surface; and\n(e) plastically deforming said fastener annular wall free end portion radially outwardly in said die cavity and plastically deforming the pierced edge of said panel against said annular wall outer surface into engagement with the deformed end of said annular wall free end portion, thereby forming a mechanical interlock between said self-piercing and riveting annular wall and said pierced panel edge.",
"12. The method of attaching a fastener to a panel as defined in claim 11, characterized in that said fastener piercing surface is an annular chamfer face defining an outwardly inclined angle in said annular wall opening at said free end portion, the method including piercing a slug from said panel with said annular chamfer face, said slug having a diameter greater than said fastener annular wall opening.",
"13. The method of attaching a fastener to a panel as defined in claim 11, including deforming said fastener annular wall free end portion in said concave die cavity radially outwardly into a U-shaped channel in cross-section opening toward said fastener body portion and deforming said pierced panel edge into said U-shaped channel thereby forming said mechanical interlock.",
"14. The method of attaching a fastener to a panel as defined in claim 13, including driving said pierced panel edge into said U-shaped channel and deforming the free end of said pierced panel edge in said U-shaped channel and forming a reinforcing enlarged annular bead on said pierced panel edge.",
"15. A method of attaching a fastener to a metal panel, said fastener including a body portion and a self-piercing and riveting annular wall extending from said body portion, said annular wall having an outer surface, an inner surface, a free open end portion, and a piercing surface adjacent said free end portion and said inner surface, the method comprising:\n(a) locating said fastener opposite said panel with said annulas wall free end portion facing said panel and a die member located on the opposite side of said panel;\n(b) piercing a slug from said panel with said annular wall piercing surface;\n(c) said die member carrying said pierced panel slug into said annular wall opening;\n(d) plastically deforming said annular wall free end portion radially outwardly into a generally U-shaped channel with said channel opening toward said body portion and the pierced edge of said panel;\n(e) plastically deforming said pierced panel edge against said annular wall outer surface into said U-shaped channel, driving said pierced panel edge into said U-shaped channel, and plastically deforming the free end of said panel pierced edge and forming a reinforcing enlarged annular bead on said pierced panel edge enclosed within and contacting the inner surface of said U-shaped channel, thereby forming a reinforcing mechanical interlock between said self-piercing and riveting annular wall and said panel.",
"16. The method of attaching a fastener to a panel as defined in claim 15, characterized in that said annular wall piercing surface being spaced from said free end portion, said method including piercing a panel slug having a diameter greater than the internal diameter of said annular wall opening and forcing said slug into said opening in binding engagement with said internal surface, said panel slug supporting said inner wall surface and preventing collapse of said annular wall during deformation of said annular wall free end portion.",
"17. The method of attaching a fastener to a panel as defined in claim 16, characterized in that said die member includes a projecting central die portion coaxially aligned with and telescopically receivable within said annular wall opening, the free end of said central projecting die portion including a central conical surface having a relatively sharp apex, the method including deforming and doming said panel on said central conical surface free end, then piercing said panel and carrying said pierced panel slug into said annular wall opening in engagement with said inner surface, said relatively sharp central conical surface of said die member centering and retaining said panel slug in said annular wall opening.",
"18. The method of attaching a fastener to a panel as defined in claim 15, characterized in that said fastener body portion includes a radial flange extending outwardly generally perpendicular to said annular wall, said method including driving said flange portion into said panel, thereby recessing said fastener in said panel and driving said pierced panel edge free end into said U-shaped channel of said annular wall.",
"19. The method of attaching a fastener to a panel as defined in claim 15, chatacterized in that said fastener comprises a nut, said fastener body portion including a bore coaxially aligned with said annular wall, the method including driving said pierced panel slug out of said annular wall opening by driving a punch through said bore after completion of the nut and panel installation.",
"20. The method of attaching a fastener to a panel as defined in claim 15, characterized in that said fastener is a stud and said body portion includes an elongated shank portion having a longitudinal axis generally coaxilally aligned with said annular wall, and said body portion including a radial flange located between said shank portion and said annular wall, the method including driving said radial flange to pierce a slug from said panel with said piercing surface.",
"21. A method of attaching a nut fastener to a metal panel, said nut fastener having a body portion including a nut bore and a self-piercing and riveting annular wall projecting from said body portion, said annular wall having an opening through the free end portion generally coaxially aligned with said nut bore, the method comprising:\n(a) locating said nut fastener opposite said panel with said annular wall free end portion facing said panel and a die member located on the opposite side of said panel, said die member having an annular die cavity and a projecting central die portion coaxially aligned with and telescopically receivable within said annular wall opening;\n(b) piercing a slug from said panel with said annular wall free end portion and receiving and supporting said panel slug on said projecting central die portion;\n(c) displacing said panel slug into said annular wall opening and retaining said slug on said projecting central die portion in said opening;\n(d) plastically deforming said annular wall free end portion radially outwardly in said annular die cavity and plastically deforming the pierced edge of said panel into a mechanical interlock with said deformed annular wall free end; and,\n(e) punching said panel slug out of said annular wall opening.",
"22. The method of attaching a nut fastener to a panel as defined in claim 21, including deforming said annular wall free end into a generally U-shaped channel in cross-section with said channel opening toward said body portion and the pierced edge of said panel, and deforming said pierced panel edge against the outer surface of said annular wall into said U-shaped channel, thereby forming said mechanical interlock between said annular wall and said panel.",
"23. The method of attaching a nut fastener to a panel as defined in claim 22, including driving said pierced panel edge into said U-shaped channel, deforming the free end of said pierced panel edge in said U-shaped channel and forming a reinforcing enlarged annular bead on said pierced panel edge.",
"24. The method of attaching a nut fastener to a panel as defined in claim 21, wherein said nut fastener is driven towards said panel by a second die member including a driving member engaging said nut fastener body portion and said second die member having a bore telescopically aligned with said nut fastener bore and said second die member including a punch which is telescopically receivable through said second die member bore and said nut fastener bore, the method including telescopically driving said punch through said nut fastener bore, and driving said panel slug out of said annular wall opening after completion of said nut fastener and panel installation assembly.",
"25. A method of attaching a self-fastening member to a plastically deformable panel, said self-fastening member including a base portion having a side surface and a bottom surface, an annular wall integrally joined to said base portion bottom surface spaced inwardly from said base portion side surface, and said annular wall having a free open end portion, the method comprising:\n(a) locating said self-fastening member opposite said panel with said annular wall free end portion facing said panel and a die member located opposite said panel, said die member having an annular die cavity surrounding a central projecting die portion and said die member having a relatively flat panel supporting shoulder on opposite sides of said die cavity, the free end of said central die portion coaxially aligned with and telescopically receivable in said self-fastening member annular wall free open end portion and said central die portion free end spaced below the plane of said die member shoulder, said central die portion having a relatively smooth arcuate concave outer die surface extending through the bottom surface of said die cavity, and the outer surface of said annular die cavity including an inwardly inclined die surface extending from adjacent said shoulder into said die cavity and terminating in an annular lip spaced above said die cavity bottom surface;\n(b) supporting said panel on said die member shoulder in fixed relation; and,\n(c) relatively moving said self-fastening member and said die member toward each other to perform the following method steps in a continuous operation;\n(1) engaging said panel with said self-fastening member annular wall free end and piercing said fastener free end through said panel and plastically deforming said panel into said annular die cavity,\n(2) telescopically disposing said central die portion into said annular wall free open end portion through an opening pierced in said panel,\n(3) plastically deforming said self-fastening member annular wall free end radially outwardly against said die member central portion arcuate concave outer die surface, and plastically deforming the panel portion adjacent said opening into said die cavity against the outer surface of said annular wall, and\n(4) plastically deforming said self-fastening member annular wall free end radially outwardly into a U-shaped channel in cross-section opening toward said member base portion through said die cavity bottom surface and simultaneously driving said self-fastening member base portion into said panel and counter rotating said panel portion in the developing U-shaped channel of said annular wall free end, forming a mechanical interlock between said annular wall and said panel portion.",
"26. The method of attaching a self-fastening member to a panel as defined in claim 25, characterized in that said self-fastening member annular wall free open end includes a piercing surface, the method including piercing a slug from said panel, thereby forming said panel opening, and displacing said pierced panel slug into said annular wall opening on said die member central portion, as the members move together, locating said panel slug at generally the point of greatest stress as said annular wall is deformed radially outwardly.",
"27. The method of attaching a self-fastening member to a panel as defined in claim 26, characterized in that said piercing surface is an annular chamfer face defined at an outwardly inclined angle to the inner surface of said annular wall free end, the method including piercing a slug from said panel having a diameter greater than the internal diameter of said annular wall and forcing said slug into said annular wall open free end in binding engagement with said annular wall inner surface."
],
[
"1. A method of attaching a self-attaching fastener to a panel, comprising the following steps:\nforming a self-attaching fastener including a central fastener portion and an integral tubular barrel portion having a free open end;\nreceiving the free open end of said tubular barrel portion through an opening in a panel; and\ndriving said free open end of said tubular barrel portion against a substantially planar die face, deforming an end portion radially inwardly and buckling said tubular barrel portion, thereby forming an inwardly opening annular channel, then collapsing an intermediate portion over said radially deformed end portion, forming a crease by collapsing said annular channel, flattening said end portion, substantially thickening said tubular barrel portion and forming an annular surface engaging and supporting said panel surrounding said opening.",
"2. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein said method includes deforming said end portion of said tubular barrel portion inwardly against a central die post of the die, and wherein said inwardly opening annular channel is U-shaped.",
"3. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein said method includes forming the self-attaching fastener including a radial flange portion integral with and adjacent to the tubular barrel portion and the tubular barrel portion including a polygonal outer surface spaced from the radial flange portion, driving the polygonal outer surface of the tubular barrel portion into the panel opening preventing rotation of the self-attaching fastener relative to the panel.",
"4. The method as defined in claim 3, wherein the method further includes driving the radial flange portion against the panel.",
"5. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the method further includes entrapping the panel between a radial flange portion of the self-attaching fastener and the deformed tubular barrel portion."
],
[
"1. A method of manufacturing an assembly, the method comprising the steps of:\nloading a workpiece into a securing station having a gun in a home position, the gun is configured to secure a component to the workpiece in a securing position during a securing operation, the gun misaligned with the workpiece in the home position;\nadvancing at least one of first and second members of the gun to engage the workpiece, the at least one of the first and second members having a locating pin;\ncausing a force on one side of the locating pin in response to the advancing step and any misalignment with the locating pin and a hole or attribute of the workpiece;\nurging the gun to float relative to the workpiece to the securing position in response to the force on the one side of the locating pin; and\nsecuring a component to the workpiece at the securing station in the securing position.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the component is a fastener, the securing station is a welding station, the component is a fastener, and the securing step includes welding the fastener to the workpiece.",
"3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first member is a first electrode, and the second member is a second electrode movable between electrode retracted and electrode advanced positions, and the locating pin is provided on the second electrode, wherein the locating pin is movable between pin advanced and pin retracted positions with the second electrode in the electrode advanced position.",
"4. The method of claim 3, comprising a step of evaluating the second electrode and locating pin positions to identify, contain, and remediate workpiece and operating fault conditions.",
"5. The method of claim 4, comprising a step of referencing a schedule of parameters corresponding to a number of assembly configurations.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein the loading step includes the step of transferring the workpiece with a robot to the securing station with the securing station in the home position, and the urging step includes releasing the gun from the home position subsequent to performing the step of robotically transferring the workpiece.",
"7. The method of claim 6, wherein the workpiece is held by the robot during the securing step.",
"8. The method of claim 6, comprising the step of unloading the workpiece with the robot subsequent to the securing step, and comprising the step of relocating the securing station to the home position subsequent to the securing step.",
"9. The method of claim 6, comprising the step of picking up the part off of a drag conveyor prior to the loading step.",
"10. The method of claim 1, comprising a step of moving the gun to the home position.",
"11. The method of claim 10, comprising a step of locking the gun in the home position, the locking step performed prior to the causing step.",
"12. The method of claim 1, wherein the urging step includes floating the gun in a plane in X- and Y-directions."
],
[
"1. An apparatus for attaching a female fastener element to a plastically deformable metal panel, said fastener element including a body portion having a central bore therethrough and an annular riveting portion integral with said body portion having an opening therethrough coaxially aligned with said body portion bore, and said riveting portion having a free annular end portion, said apparatus comprising:\na die member having a projecting central die post having a central bore, a concave annular die cavity generally surrounding said central die post and said die bore and a panel support surface generally surrounding said die cavity;\nan installation head including a reciprocal punch coaxially aligned with said die bore, said punch including a free end having a diameter less than said die bore and a conical outer surface having a minor diameter adjacent said punch free end and a major diameter remote from said minor diameter, said installation head reciprocating said punch through said bore of said fastener element to pierce a slug from a panel supported on said die member support surface to form a panel opening, then driving said conical surface punch through said panel opening, said punch conical outer surface thereby enlarging said panel opening, said punch traveling from a first punch position to a second punch position, said installation head substantially simultaneously driving said free end of said fastener element riveting portion against said panel adjacent said panel hole to further enlarge said panel opening and deform a panel portion into said die cavity to form a mechanical interlock between said panel portion and said fastener element riveting portion, said major diameter of said punch conical surface being spaced from said projecting die post throughout the length of travel of said punch.",
"2. The apparatus for attaching a female fastener element to a metal panel as defined in claim 1, wherein said conical surface of said punch has a major diameter greater than said fastener element bore, said installation head driving said punch conical surface through said fastener element bore until said punch conical outer surface in said fastener element bore is nearly equal to, but less than said fastener element bore, then said installation head withdrawing said punch from said fastener element bore to install another female fastener element.",
"3. The apparatus for attaching a female fastener element to a metal panel as defined in claim 1, wherein said projecting die post of said die member includes a free end spaced below the plane of said panel support surface and said die post having an outer surface blending into said die cavity and forming an inner surface of said die cavity, said installation head reciprocal punch first deforming said panel to engage said die post free end, then piercing said slug from said panel.",
"4. The apparatus for attaching a female fastener element to a metal panel as defined in claim 3, wherein said die post outer surface has an outer diameter generally equal to an inner diameter of said riveting portion, said installation head driving said fastener element riveting portion against said die post outer surface thereby deforming said riveting portion free end radially outwardly into said concave die thereby forming an annular U-shaped end portion which receives said panel portion adjacent said panel opening and forming said mechanical interlock between said fastener element riveting portion and said panel portion.",
"5. The apparatus for attaching a female fastener element to a metal panel as defined in claim 1, wherein said die bore has a diameter generally equal to, but greater than the diameter of said conical surface of said punch when said mechanical interlock is formed between said fastener element and said panel.",
"6. The apparatus for attaching a fastener element to a metal panel as defined in claim 1, wherein said punch free end includes a portion having a cylindrical outer surface.",
"7. An apparatus for attaching a female fastener element to a plastically deformable metal panel, said fastener element including a body portion having a central bore therethrough and an annular riveting portion integral with said body portion having an opening therethrough coaxially aligned with said body portion bore, and said riveting portion having a free annular end portion, said apparatus including:\na die member having a projecting central die post having a central bore, an annular concave die cavity having a relatively smooth generally arcuate concave die surface surrounding said projecting die post and said die bore, a panel supporting surface generally surrounding said die cavity and said projecting die post adjacent to and surrounding said die bore having a free end spaced below the plane of said panel supporting surface and an outer surface forming an inner surface of said die cavity; and\nan installation head including a reciprocal punch coaxially aligned with said die bore, said punch having a free end receivable in said die bore and a conical outer surface having a minor diameter adjacent said punch free end and a major diameter remote from said minor diameter, said installation head reciprocating said punch conical surface through said bore of said fastener element to deform a panel received on said die member panel supporting surface against said die post free end, then said punch piercing a slug from said panel and forming a panel opening, then said installation head driving said punch conical surface through said panel opening thereby enlarging said panel opening, said punch traveling from a first punch position to a second punch position, and said installation head then driving said free end of said riveting portion of said fastener element against said panel adjacent said panel opening, enlarging said opening and deforming a panel portion into said die cavity, said installation head then driving said riveting portion of said fastener element into said die cavity to form a mechanical interlock between said fastener element riveting portion and said panel portion, said installation head then withdrawing said punch for installation of another fastener element, said major diameter of said punch conical surface being spaced from said central die post throughout the length of travel of said punch.",
"8. The apparatus for attaching a female fastener element to a metal panel as defined in claim 7, wherein said punch along said conical outer surface has a major diameter greater than said bore of a female fastener element, said installation head driving said punch into said fastener element bore until the diameter of said punch along said conical outer surface in said fastener element bore is nearly equal to, but less than the diameter of said fastener element bore, then said installation head withdrawing said punch.",
"9. The apparatus for attaching a female fastener element to a metal panel as defined in claim 7, wherein the diameter of said punch along said conical outer surface is nearly equal to, but less than the diameter of said central die bore in said die bore when said mechanical interlock is formed between said fastener element and said panel.",
"10. The apparatus for attaching a female fastener element to a metal panel as defined in claim 7, wherein said installation head includes a plunger having a bore configured to receive said punch therethrough, said plunger having an annular free end configured to receive said body portion of a fastener element, said installation head first driving said punch through said bore of a fastener element against a panel supported on said die panel supporting surface, then said installation apparatus driving said plunger against said body portion of said fastener element to drive said riveting portion free end of said fastener element against said panel adjacent a hole formed in said panel.",
"11. The apparatus for attaching a female fastener element to a metal panel as defined in claim 10, wherein said die member die cavity and die post are spring biased within an opening in said die member and said panel supporting surface is located on a separate portion surrounding said opening.",
"12. The apparatus for attaching a female fastener element to a metal panel as defined in claim 7, wherein said punch includes a cylindrical outer surface at said free end and said conical outer surface extends from said cylindrical surface.",
"13. An apparatus for attaching a female fastener element to a plastically deformable metal panel, said fastener element including a body portion having a central bore therethrough and an annular riveting portion integral with said body portion having an opening therethrough coaxially aligned with said body portion bore, and said riveting portion having a free annular end portion, said apparatus comprising:\na die member having a projecting central die post having a central bore, an annular concave die cavity having a relatively smooth arcuate concave die surface surrounding said die post and said die bore and a panel supporting surface generally surrounding said die cavity;\nan installation head, including a reciprocal punch coaxially aligned with said die bore having a free end receivable in said die bore and a conical outer surface having a minor diameter extending from adjacent said punch free end and a major diameter remote from said minor diameter, a reciprocal plunger having a bore receiving said punch therethrough and said plunger having a free end including a generally flat annular end surface receiving said body portion of said fastener element, said installation head first reciprocating said punch through said bore of a fastener element to pierce a slug from a panel supported on said die member panel supporting surface forming a panel opening, then driving said punch conical surface through said panel opening, said punch conical outer surface thereby enlarging said panel opening, said punch traveling from a first punch position to a second punch position, and said installation apparatus substantially simultaneously driving said plunger against said body portion of said fastener element thereby driving said free end of said riveting portion of said fastener against said panel adjacent said panel opening and deforming a portion of said panel into said die cavity and forming a mechanical interlock between said fastener element riveting portion and said panel portion, said major diameter of said punch conical surface being spaced from said central die post throughout the length of travel of said punch.",
"14. The installation apparatus for attaching a female fastener element to a metal panel as defined in claim 13, wherein said punch along said conical outer surface has a major diameter greater than said fastener element bore, said installation head driving said punch conical surface through said fastener element bore until said punch along said conical surface in said fastener bore is nearly equal to, but less than the internal diameter of said fastener element bore.",
"15. The installation apparatus for attaching a female fastener element to a metal panel as defined in claim 13, wherein said die post has a free end spaced below the plane of said panel supporting surface and an outer surface blending into said arcuate concave die surface, said installation head driving said punch against a panel supported on said panel supporting surface of said die member against said die post free end, then said punch piercing a slug from said panel.",
"16. The apparatus for attaching a female fastener element to a metal panel as defined in claim 15, wherein said installation head drives said punch conical surface through said panel opening to receive said conical surface in said panel opening and substantially simultaneously driving said plunger free end against said body portion of said fastener element to enlarge said panel opening and receive said die post free end through said opening.",
"17. The apparatus for attaching a female fastener element to a metal panel as defined in claim 16, wherein a diameter of said die post conical outer surface is generally equal to a diameter of said annular riveting portion of said fastener element, said plunger driving an inner surface of said riveting portion against said outer surface of said die post, deforming said riveting portion radially outwardly against said arcuate concave die surface thereby forming a U-shaped end portion on said riveting portion which receives said panel portion and forming said mechanical interlock between said riveting portion of said fastener element and said panel portion."
],
[
"1. An installation apparatus installing self-attaching stud fasteners in a panel, said installation apparatus including an installation head having a plunger reciprocable in a plunger passage to install said fasteners in a panel supported opposite said plunger passage and a transfer means transferring fasteners from a source of fasteners to said installation head, said stud fasteners each including an elongated shank portion and a tubular riveting wall portion generally coaxially aligned with said shank portion having an internal diameter greater than the diameter of said shank portion, said transfer means including a flexible tube communicating with said source of fasteners and said tube including a stack of fasteners each having said elongated shank portion received in the adjacent fastener tubular wall portion, and said stack of fasteners being flexible for receipt through said flexible tube.",
"2. The installation apparatus as defined in claim 1, characterized in that said apparatus includes a pneumatic transfer means communicating with said flexible tube injecting gas under pressure into said tube and transferring said stud fasteners through said tube.",
"3. An installation apparatus for installing self-attaching elements in a panel, each self-attaching element including an annular barrel portion at one end and a generally coaxially extending portion including a free opposite end, said installation apparatus including a base member and a relatively movable spaced nose member, said nose member including a first passage receiving said self-attaching elements and communicating with a transverse plunger passage, a plunger having a free end movable with said base member and telescopically receivable through said plunger passage for driving one of said self-attaching elements therethrough into a panel located opposite said plunger passage, said plunger passage terminating in a conical exit passage, said conical exit passage comprising expandable radially inwardly biased members defining a generally continuous conical internal surface coaxially aligned with said plunger including a major diameter adjacent said plunger greater than the maximum diameter of said self-attaching elements and a minor diameter adjacent the outlet of said conical passage smaller than said maximum element diameter, said conical passage receiving said barrel portion end of said self-attaching elements from said first passage and said conical surface centering and supporting said self-attaching elements for installation in a panel by said plunger, said plunger having a bore in said free end configured to receive and align said free end of said self-attaching elements in said plunger passage, and upon receipt of a self-attaching element in said plunger conical exit passage said nose member movable relative to said plunger passage to first receive said self-attaching element free end in said plunger bore assuring accurate orientation and alignment of a self-attaching element ready for installation, and actuating means actuating said apparatus to relatively move said plunger through said plunger passage and said oriented self-attaching element through said plunger passage conical exit passage installing said self-attaching element in a panel.",
"4. The installation apparatus as defined in claim 3, characterized in that said first passage defines an obtuse angle with said plunger passage wherein said self-attaching elements drop into said plunger passage from said first passage and said apparatus includes a transfer means transferring said self-attaching elements one at a time through said first passage into said conical exit passage and into aligning engagement with said conical surface with said self-attaching elements generally oriented for installation and said annular barrel portion received and oriented in said conical surface.",
"5. The installation apparatus as defined in claim 3, characterized in that said conical exit passage is composed of at least two spring biased members, each spring biased member having mating concave conical surface segments defining in combination said internal conical surface and said plunger adapted to drive said oriented self-attaching elements against said conical surfaces, spreading said spring biased members and installing said self-attaching element in a panel located opposite said plunger passage.",
"6. The installation apparatus as defined in claim 3, characterized in that said base member is attached to a movable platten of a press and said base and nose members operably interconnected by a piston means, said piston means adapted to move said nose member relative to said base member to receive said self-attaching element free end in said plunger bore and said actuating means then operating said press to close the space between said members and drive said plunger through said plunger passage to install a self-attaching element in a panel located opposite said plunger passage.",
"7. The installation apparatus as defined in claim 3, characterized in that said apparatus includes a sensing means extending through said plunger bore to engage said self-attaching element free end and sense the location of a self-attaching element properly oriented in said conical surface, said sensing means operably connected to said actuating means to relatively move said plunger through said plunger passage when a self-attaching element is properly oriented in said conical surface as determined by said sensing means.",
"8. An installation apparatus for installing self-attaching elements in a panel, each of said self-attaching elements including a body portion, an annular barrel portion at one end and a coaxially aligned stud portion adjacent the opposite end having a free end, said installation apparatus including a plunger passage and a plunger having a free end telescopically movable through said plunger passage for driving one of said self-attaching elements therethrough into a panel located opposite said plunger passage, said plunger passage terminating in a generally conical exit passage, said conical exit passage comprising expandable radially inwardly biased members defining a generally continuous conical internal surface coaxially aligned with said plunger including a major diameter adjacent said plunger greater than the maximum diameter of said self-attaching elements and a minor diameter adjacent the outlet of said conical passage less than said maximum element diameter, said conical passage receiving said barrel portion end of said self-attaching elements and said conical surface centering and supporting said self-attaching elements for installation in a panel by said plunger, said plunger having a bore in said free end configured to receive said free end of said self-attaching element stud portion, and upon receipt of a self-attaching element in said conical passage, said plunger movable relative to said conical passage to receive said self-attaching element stud portion free end in said plunger bore assuring accurate orientation of a self-attaching element ready for installation, and actuating means then actuating said apparatus to relatively move said plunger through said plunger passage and said oriented self-attaching element through said conical passage installing said oriented self-attaching element in a panel.",
"9. The installation apparatus as defined in claim 8, characterized in that said installation apparatus includes a sensing means located in said plunger bore for engaging said element free end and operably connected to said actuating means, said sensing means sensing the location of a self-attaching element in said plunger bore and initiating said actuating means to move said plunger means through said plunger passage to install said self-attaching element only when a self-attaching element is properly oriented in said conical surface.",
"10. The installation apparatus defined in claim 8 characterized in that said conical passage is composed of at least two spring biased members, each spring biased member having mating concave generally conical surfaces defining in combination said conical surface and normally supporting one of said self-attaching elements and said plunger adapted to drive said oriented self-attaching element annular barrel portion against said conical surfaces, spreading said spring biased members and installing said fastener in a panel located opposite said plunger passage."
],
[
"1. A method of attaching a female element to a panel, said female element having a body portion an annular barrel portion extending from said body portion having a free open end, and a bore extending through said body portion in generally coaxial alignment with the opening in said barrel portion, said method comprising the following steps performed in a continuous sequence:\n(a) locating said female element adjacent a panel with said barrel portion free end facing said panel;\n(b) biasing said female element barrel portion free end against said panel, preloading said panel;\n(c) piercing a slug from said panel with a punch disposed through said body portion bore and said annular barrel protion opening while the panel portion adjacent the pierced panel opening remains under load;\n(d) driving said female element barrel portion free end into said panel and through said pierced panel opening; and\n(e) deforming said barrel portion free end radially outwardly forming a U-shaped portion in cross section and disposing said panel portion adjacent said pierced panel opening into said U-shaped portion in mechanical interlocking relation.",
"2. The method of attaching a female element to a panel as defined in claim 1, characterized in that the internal diameter of said female element body portion bore is less than the internal diameter of said barrel portion opening, said punch telescopically received through said body portion bore, said punch piercing a slug from said panel with said pierced panel opening having a diameter less than the internal diameter of said barrel portion, said method then comprising driving said barrel portion free end against said panel portion adjacent said pierced panel opening, entrapping said panel portion beneath said barrel portion free end, thinning said panel portion, then driving said barrel portion free end through said pierced panel opening.",
"3. The method of attaching a female element to a panel as defined in claim 1, characterized in that said female element body portion having an external dimension greater than the exteral dimension of said barrel portion, said body portion having an annular bottom wall adjacent said barrel portion facing said panel, said body portion bottom wall including a plurality of projecting ribs, said method including deforming said barrel portion free end into a hook-shaped end portion opening toward said body portion, driving said ribs into said panel portion following receipt of said panel portion in said barrel hook-shaped end portion, and then driving said body portion bottom wall into said panel portion, increasing said mechanical interlock.",
"4. A method of attaching a female element to a plastically deformable panel, said female element having a body portion, an annular plastically deformable barrel portion extending from said body portion having a free opened end, and a bore extending through said body portion communicating with the opening through said barrel portion, the internal diameter of said body portion bore being less than said barrel portion opening, said method comprising the following steps performed in a continuous operation:\n(a) locating said female element adjacent a panel with said barrel portion free end facing said panel and a die member located on the opposite side of said panel, said die member having an annular die cavity surrounding a central projecting die portion having a central aperture therethrough coaxially aligned with said female element body portion bore and barrel portion opening;\n(b) piercing a slug from said panel with a punch disposed through said body portion bore and said annular barrel portion opening, said punch then extending into said die member central portion aperture, removing said panel slug from the assembly;\n(c) driving said female element barrel portion free end against the panel portion adjacent the pierced panel opening, deforming said panel portion into said die cavity; and\n(d) continuing to drive said female element barrel portion free end through said pierced panel opening and against the bottom wall of said die cavity, plastically deforming said barrel portion free end into a U-shaped end portion in cross-section, simultaneously driving said panel portion into said barrel portion U-shaped end portion, plastically deforming and increasing the thickness of said panel portion to substantially conform to and substantially fill said U-shaped barrel portion, and simultaneously deforming and interlocking said barrel portion free end with said thickened panel portion forming a mechanical interlock.",
"5. The method of attaching a female element to a panel as defined in claim 4, characterized in that said die member includes a panel supporting shoulder on opposed sides of said die cavity and said central projecting die portion is spaced below the plane of said panel supporting shoulder, said method including first deforming said panel into said die cavity to engage said central die portion, then piercing a slug from said panel with said punch.",
"6. The method of attaching a female element to a panel as defined in claim 4, including biasing said female element barrel portion free end against said panel, preloading said panel, prior to piercing a slug from said panel and piercing a slug from said panel while said panel portion remains under load.",
"7. The method of attaching a female element to a panel as defined in claim 4, wherein said method includes entrapping said panel portion beneath said barrel portion free end, thinning said panel, then driving said barrel portion free end through said pierced panel opening.",
"8. The method of attaching a female element to a panel as defined in claim 4, characterized in that said female element body portion having an external diameter greater than the external diameter of said barrel portion, said body portion having an annular bottom wall adjacent said barrel portion facing said panel, said body portion bottom wall including a plurality of projecting ribs, said method including driving said ribs into said panel portion following receipt of said panel portion in said barrel portion hook-shaped end portion and then driving said body portion bottom wall into said panel portion, thereby increasing said mechanical interlock.",
"9. The method of attaching a female element to a panel as defined in claim 4, wherein said panel portion is initially drawn into said die member cavity entrapped beneath said barrel portion free end, following piercing of said panel by said punch.",
"10. A method of attaching a female element to a plastically deformable panel, said female element including a body portion and an annular plastically deformable barrel portion extending from said body portion having a free open end, said body portion having a bore extending therethrough coaxially aligned and communicating with the opening through said annular barrel portion, said method comprising the following steps performed in a continuous operation:\n(a) locating said female element adjacent a panel with said barrel portion free end facing said panel;\n(b) piercing a slug from said panel and forming a pierced panel opening coaxially aligned with said female element body portion bore and barrel portion opening;\n(c) driving said female element barrel portion through said pierced panel opening;\n(d) plastically deforming the panel portion adjacent said pierced panel opening against said free end and the exterior surface of said annular barrel portion, drawing a tubular panel portion from the plane of said panel into said annular die cavity;\n(e) deforming said female element barrel portion free end radially outwardly; and\n(f) deforming said female element barrel portion free end toward said body portion into a U-shaped annular channel opening toward said body portion, simultaneously driving said panel portion into the developing U-shaped barrel portion channel, plastically deforming said panel portion in said U-shaped channel and increasing the thickness of an end of said drawn panel portion and deforming said barrel portion free end against said enlarged panel portion forming a secure mechanical interlock between said panel and said female element.",
"11. The method of attaching a female element to a panel as defined in claim 10, wherein said method includes piercing a slug from said panel by disposing a punch through said body portion bore and barrel portion opening, then driving said barrel portion free end against said panel portion and through said pierced panel opening.",
"12. A method of attaching a self-fastening element to a generally planar plastically deformable panel in a die member, said self-fastening element having a body portion and an integral annular barrel portion having a free open end portion, said body portion hving a side surface and a bottom surface and said annular barrel portion integrally joined to said body portion bottom surface spaced inwardly from said side surface, said die member having an annular die cavity including an arcuate concave annular die cavity surface and a central projecting die portion telescopically and closely receivable in said self-fastening element annular barrel portion, said panel including a generally circular opening having an internal diameter less than the external diameter of said self-fastening annular barrel portion, the method comprising the following steps performed in a continuous operation:\n(a) driving said self-fastening element barrel portion free end against said panel and through said panel opening plastically deforming the panel portion adjacent said panel opening into said annular die cavity and disposing said self-fastening element annular wall around said die member central projecting die portion;\n(b) plastically deforming said self-fastening element annular barrel portion free end radially outwardly into a U-shaped channel in cross section opening toward said body portion against said arcuate concave annular die cavity surface; and\n(c) simultaneously driving said self-fastening elment body portion bottom surface into said panel adjacent said panel portion, driving said panel portion into the developing U-shaped portion of said barrel portion free end and against the bottom surface of said U-shaped channel plastically deforming and increasing the thickness of said panel portion in said U-shaped channel, and deforming said barrel portion free end against said thickened panel portion forming a secure mechanical interlock between said self-fastening element annular barrel portion free end and said panel portion.",
"13. The method of attaching a self-fastening element as defined in claim 12, wherein said self-fastening element is a female element having a bore extending through said body portion coaxially aligned with the opening through said annular barrel portion, the method including driving a punch through said self-fastening element body portion bore and barrel portion, said punch piercing a slug from said panel and forming said panel opening, then driving said self-fastening barrel portion free end through said panel opening.",
"14. A method of attaching a self-fastening element to a plastically deformable panel in a die member, said self-fastening element having a body portion and an annular barrel portion having a free open end portion, said annular barrel portion having an inner surface terminating in an annular outwardly angled chamfer surface at said free open end portion, said die member having a panel supporting surface on at least opposed sides of an annular concave die cavity configured to receive said self-fastening element annular barrel portion and a central die portion projecting from said concave die cavity telescopically receivable in said annular barrel portion free open end portion, said central die portion having an outer surface configured to be closely received in said barrel portion, said central die portion having a free end spaced below said panel supporting surface within said annular die cavity, the method comprising the following steps performed in sequence:\n(a) supporting a plastically deformable panel on said die member panel supporting surface and locating said self-fastening element opposite said panel with said annular portion free end facing said panel generally concentrically aligned with said die member central portion;\n(b) driving said self-fastening elmement barrel free end, drawing said panel into said annular die cavity against said die member central portion free end, pre-loading said panel;\n(c) piercing a slug from said panel and forming a pierced panel opening coaxially aligned with said annular barrel portion having an inside diameter less than the external dimension of said central projecting die portion outer surface;\n(d) driving said self-fastening element free end against said panel, drawing, rolling and thinning the panel portion adjacent said pierced panel opening between said barrel portion annular chamfer surface and said die member central portion outer surface; and\n(e) driving said barrel portion free end through said pierced panel opening into said annular die cavity, telescopically receiving said die member central portion in said annular barrel portion free end, and plastically deforming said barrel portion annular free end radially outwardly and forming a mechanical interlock with said panel portion.",
"15. The method of attaching a self-fastening element as defined in claim 14, wherein said method includes driving said annular barrel portion free end against a smooth concave bottom surface of said annular die cavity, plastically deforming said free end into a U-shaped channel in cross-section and simultaneously driving said panel portion into the developing U-shaped channel to substantially fill said channel and form a secure mechanical interlock."
],
[
"1. A die set assembly for attaching a fastener to a plastically deformable panel, comprising: a self-attaching fastener and an opposed piercing die member, said fastener having a body portion and an annular self-piercing and riveting annular wall extending from said body portion, said annular wall having an outer surface, an inner surface, a free end portion having an opening therethrough and a piercing surface adjacent said free end and said inner wall, said die member including an annular die cavity surrounding a projecting central die portion and a panel supporting shoulder on at least two sides of said die cavity, the free end of said projecting die portion having a central conical surface facing said annular wall opening and a piercing surface surrounding said conical surface at the outer edge of said projecting die portion free end, said die member piercing surface of the same general configuration and generally mating with said fastener annular wall piercing surface, said projecting die portion free end coaxially aligned with and telescopically receivable within said annular wall opening, said annular die cavity having an inclined die surface adjacent said die piercing edge which receives said fastener annular wall free end portion inner surface spaced from the bottom of said cavity, a second die member for moving said self-attaching fastener relative to said die member to pierce a slug from a panel supported on said die shoulder between said mating piercing surfaces and said panel slug being received, supported and aligned on said conical surface of said projecting die portion in said annular wall opening, and said annular die cavity deforming said fastener annular wall free end radially outwardly, forming a mechanical interlock with the pierced edge of said panel.",
"2. The die set assembly, as defined in claim 1, characterized in that said central projecting die portion is integral with said die member and said conical surface is spaced below the plane of said shoulder, such that said panel is first deformed from the plane of said shoulder into engagement with said conical die surface and domed prior to piercing a slug from said panel.",
"3. The die set assembly, as defined in claim 2, characterized in that the outer surface of said annular wall free end is arcuate to deform said panel into said die opening without piercing, until said piercing surfaces mate.",
"4. The die set assembly, as defined in claim 1, characterized in that said annular fastener wall piercing surface is an annular chamfer at the opening of said annular wall free end portion defined at an outwardly inclined angle to the longitudinal axis of said annular wall, such that the slug pierced from said panel has a greater diameter than the internal diameter of said annular wall opening.",
"5. The die set assembly, as defined in claim 1, characterized in that said annular wall opening has a bottom wall spaced from said fastener annular wall free end and said die member conical surface is adapted to deform said panel slug against said bottom wall to securely retain said slug in said opening.",
"6. The die set assembly, as defined in claim 5, characterized in that said bottom wall is conical and convex to deform said panel slug radially outwardly into firm binding engagement with said annular wall inner surface.",
"7. The die set assembly, as defined in claim 1, characterized in that said die member projecting portion free end includes a flat annular surface surrounding said conical surface and said die member piercing surface is a sharp edge defined by the outer edge of said flat annular surface and said inclined inner surface of said annular die cavity which are generally at right angles.",
"8. The die set assembly, as defined in claim 1, wherein said second die member includes a shoulder engaging said fastener body and moveable relative to said piercing die member to drive said fastener into engagement with said panel.",
"9. The die set assembly, as defined in claim 8, characterized in that said fastener comprises a nut having a bore through said body portion generally coaxially aligned with said annular wall and said second die member includes a bore coaxially aligned with said nut bore, and said second die member including a punch telescopically receivable through said nut and second die member bore to punch said panel slug out of said annular wall opening after completion of the assembly.",
"10. A die set assembly including a die member for securing a self-attaching fastener to a plastically deformable panel, said fastener having a body portion and a self-piercing and riveting annular wall projecting from said body portion including a piercing surface adjacent an inner surface of said annular wall, said die member comprising a body portion having an annular concave die cavity surrounding a central die portion projecting from said die cavity and a panel supporting shoulder located on at least two sides of said die set assembly including a die cavity, the free end of said central die portion including a central conical die surface and a relatively sharp piercing edge surrounding said conical die surface at the outer edge of said central die portion free end, said piercing die edge adapted to generally mate with said fastener piercing surface to pierce a slug from a panel supported on said die shoulder, and said shoulder blending into said annular concave die cavity in an inclined surface for receiving the panel as the panel is deformed into said die cavity during installation and a second member for moving said self attaching fastener relative to said die member to pierce a slug from a panel supported on said die shoulder, and to deform said fastener annular wall free end radially outwardly by contact with said annular die cavity to form a mechanical interlock with a pierced edge of said panel.",
"11. The die member as defined in claim 10, characterized in that said central die portion free end includes a generally flat annular surface surrounding said conical surface and said die member piercing edge is defined by the outer edge of said annular surface and the generally perpendicular inner surface of said annular die cavity.",
"12. The die member as defined in claim 10, characterized in that said central die portion is integral with said die member body portion and said concial die surface is spaced below said shoulder, such that the panel is first deformed from the plane of said shoulder into engagement with said conical die surface prior to piercing a slug from said panel.",
"13. The die member as defined in claim 12, characterized in that said annular concave die cavity is semi-toroidal having a smooth arcuate surface on said central die portion for receiving the free end of said annular wall and deforming the annular wall radially outwardly to form a mechanical interlock between the pierced edge of said panel and the deformed end of said annular fastener wall."
],
[
"1. A method of feeding nuts through a nut feed passage, each of said nuts including a body portion having an end face and a bore extending through said body portion through said end face, said method comprising the following steps:\nforming a nut feed groove in said end face of said nut on opposed sides of said bore extending generally perpendicular to an axis of said bore;\nlocating an end portion of a reciprocable nut feed pawl located in said feed passage in said nut feed groove; and\nreciprocating said nut feed pawl to feed said nut through said nut feed passage.",
"2. The method of feeding nuts as defined in claim 1, wherein said method includes forming said nut feed groove in said end face through an axis of said bore, thereby forming separate nut feed grooves on opposed sides of said bore, each having an open inner end opening into said bore.",
"3. The method of feeding nuts as defined in claim 1, wherein said method includes forming a channel-shaped nut feed groove in said end face having a bottom wall and opposed side walls.",
"4. The method of feeding nuts as defined in claim 1, wherein said method includes forming a counterbore in said end face coaxially aligned with said bore and said groove extending through said axis of said bore, thereby forming nut feed grooves on opposed sides of said bore, and locating said end portion of said reciprocable feed pawl having a semicircular portion in said counterbore and radial portions in said nut feed grooves.",
"5. The method of feeding nuts as defined in claim 4, wherein said method includes forming channel-shaped nut feed grooves on opposed sides of said bore, each having a bottom wall and opposed side walls extending generally perpendicular to said end face and engaging an end portion of said nut feed pawl against one of said side walls.",
"6. The method of feeding nuts as defined in claim 5, wherein said method includes locating radial portions of said reciprocable feed pawl in said grooves having a width less than a width of said grooves measured between said side walls and engaging one of said side walls.",
"7. The method of feeding nuts as defined in claim 1, wherein said method includes forming linear wire grooves in said end face of said nut on opposed sides of said nut feed groove extending generally perpendicular to said nut feed groove and locating frangible wires in said linear wire grooves interconnecting said nut to adjacent nuts in a continuous strip.",
"8. A method of feeding nuts through a nut feed passage, each of said nuts including a body portion having an end face and a bore extending through said body portion through said end face, said method comprising the following steps:\nforming channel-shaped nut feed grooves in said end face of said nuts on opposed sides of said bore having an axis intersecting said bore;\nlocating end portions of a reciprocable feed pawl in said channel-shaped feed grooves; and\nreciprocating said feed pawl to feed said nuts through said feed passage.",
"9. The method of feeding nuts as defined in claim 8, wherein said method includes forming said channel-shaped nut feed grooves in said end face of said nuts each having a bottom wall and opposed side walls extending generally perpendicular to said end face of said nut.",
"10. The method of feeding nuts as defined in claim 8, wherein said method includes forming linear wire grooves in said end face of said nuts on opposed sides of said channel-shaped nut feed grooves extending perpendicular to said nut feed grooves and locating frangible wires in said linear wire grooves interconnecting said nuts in a continuous strip.",
"11. The method of feeding nuts as defined in claim 8, wherein said method includes forming a counterbore in said end face of said nut coaxially aligned with said bore having a diameter greater than said bore, and locating said end portion of said feed pawl having a central semicircular portion received in said counterbore and radial portions received in said channel-shaped nut feed grooves.",
"12. The method of feeding nuts as defined in claim 11, wherein said method includes forming said channel-shaped nut feed grooves in said end face of said nuts having a width measured between said side walls less than a width of said radial portions of said end portion of said feed pawl.",
"13. The method of feeding nuts as defined in claim 1 1, wherein said method includes forming said counterbore in said end face having a cylindrical outer surface.",
"14. The method of feeding nuts as defined in claim 11, wherein said method includes forming said channel-shaped nut feed grooves with each groove extending perpendicular to said bore, each having an inner portion communicating with said counterbore.",
"15. A method of feeding nuts through a nut feed passage, each of said nuts including a body portion having an end face and a bore extending through said body portion through said end face, said method comprising the following steps:\nforming a counterbore through said end face of said nuts coaxially aligned with said bore having a diameter greater than said bore and radial nut feed grooves having an inner portion communicating with said counterbore;\nforming a reciprocable nut feed pawl having an end portion including an arcuate central portion configured to be received in said counterbore and radial portions configured to be received in said radial nut feed grooves;\nreceiving said nuts in said nut feed passage with said end face opposite said end portion of said reciprocable nut feed pawl;\nreceiving said arcuate portion in said counterbore and said radial portions in said radial nut feed grooves of one of said nuts; and\nreciprocating said reciprocable nut feed pawl to feed said one of said nuts through said nut feed passage.",
"16. The method of feeding nuts as defined in claim 15, wherein said method includes forming channel-shaped radial nut feed grooves in said end face of said nuts each having a bottom wall and opposed planar side faces and forming said radial portions of said end portion of said reciprocable nut feed pawl having planar end faces adapted to engage one of said planar side faces of said radial nut feed grooves.",
"17. The method of feeding nuts as defined in claim 15, wherein said method includes forming said counterbore having a cylindrical outer surface coaxially aligned with said bore and forming said arcuate central portion of said end portion of said reciprocable nut feed pawl having a cylindrical surface adapted to be received in said cylindrical outer surface of said counterbore.",
"18. The method of feeding nuts as defined in claim 17, wherein said method includes forming a chamfered arcuate end surface on said cylindrical surface of said end portion of said reciprocable nut feed pawl.",
"19. The method of feeding nuts as defined in claim 15, wherein said method includes forming linear wire grooves in said end face of said nuts on opposed sides of said radial nut feed grooves extending generally perpendicular to said nut feed grooves and locating frangible wires in said linear wire grooves interconnecting said nuts in a continuous strip, whereby said method includes reciprocating said reciprocable nut feed pawl to feed a plurality of said nuts through said nut feed passage.",
"20. A reciprocable nut feed pawl for feeding nuts through a nut feed passage, said nut feed pawl having an end portion including a generally semicircular central portion and radial portions extending from a midportion of said generally semicircular portion each having a planar drive face intersecting said generally semicircular central portion.",
"21. The reciprocable nut feed pawl as defined in claim 20, wherein said generally semicircular central portion has a cylindrical outer surface.",
"22. The reciprocable nut feed pawl as defined in claim 20, wherein said generally cylindrical outer surface defines an arc of less than 150 degrees.",
"23. The reciprocable nut feed pawl as defined in claim 20, wherein said end portion of said reciprocable nut feed pawl includes a planar back face.",
"24. The reciprocable nut feed pawl as defined in claim 23, wherein said planar back face is inclined relative to an axis of said generally semicircular portion from an end of said end portion.",
"25. The reciprocable nut feed pawl as defined in claim 24, wherein said back face is inclined relative to a tangent of said generally semicircular surface at an angle of between 20 and 60 degrees.",
"26. The reciprocable nut feed pawl as defined in claim 20, wherein said end portion of said reciprocable nut feed pawl includes an inclined back face inclined relative to an axis of said generally semicircular central portion and an arcuate end surface blending into said inclined back face.",
"27. The reciprocable nut feed pawl as defined in claim 20, wherein said generally semicircular central portion of said end portion of said reciprocable nut feed pawl includes an arcuate chamfered end surface.",
"28. A reciprocable nut feed pawl for feeding nuts through a nut feed passage, said reciprocable nut feed pawl having an end portion including a nut engaging face having a generally cylindrical surface defining an arc of less than 180 degrees and radial portions extending radially from said generally cylindrical surface each having a planar drive face intersecting said generally cylindrical surface.",
"29. The reciprocable nut feed pawl as defined in claim 28, wherein said cylindrical surface defines an arc of less than 150 degrees.",
"30. The reciprocable nut feed pawl as defined in claim 28, wherein said end portion of said reciprocable nut feed pawl includes an inclined planar back face.",
"31. The reciprocable nut feed pawl as defined in claim 28, wherein said end portion of said reciprocable nut feed pawl includes an inclined back face inclined relative to an axis of said generally cylindrical surface at an angle of between 20 and 60 degrees.",
"32. The reciprocable nut feed pawl as defined in claim 31, wherein said end portion of said reciprocable nut feed pawl includes an arcuate end face blending into said inclined back face."
]
] |
the text of those sections of title 35, u.s. code not included in this action can be found in a prior office action.
claim(s) 1, 4 – 8, 10, 11, 15, and 16 are rejected under 35 u.s.c. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by fujita (european patent application number ep 2431172 a1).
as to claim 1, fujita teaches a method for equipping a mounting plate with equipping components of a control system (abstract), the method comprising the steps of: reading planning data of a control system by an automatic equipping machine, which has an equipping robot (figures 1 - 3, element 10 being the ‘automatic equipping machine,’ element 20 being the ‘equipping robot,’ and element 83t being the ‘planning data’; paragraphs 14 – 15 and 22); extracting position data of at least one equipping component, comprising a bar stock, to be mounted on the mounting plate (figures 1 – 3, elements p and 55 being the ‘equipping component’; paragraphs 22 – 25); detecting a position of the mounting plate with an image processing system, comprising a camera, of the equipping robot (figures 1 - 3, elements 51 and 60 being the ‘mounting plate’ and element 24 being the ‘image processing system’ and ‘camera’; paragraphs 15 and 22), wherein the detecting comprises a position of a borehole in the mounting plate and matching at least one position detected thereby with a target specification extracted from the planning data (figure 2, element 52 being the ‘borehole’; paragraphs 22 – 25).
regarding the limitation introducing a borehole, borehole pattern, or breakout into the mount plate if the borehole, borehole pattern, or breakout is missing. because fujita teaches the borehole being present (paragraphs 22 – 25), the limitation of ‘introducing’ is not required to show anticipation.
as to claims 4 and 5 each further define the step of ‘introducing the borehole, borehole pattern, or breakout.’ as explained above, because fujita teaches the borehole being present (paragraphs 22 – 25), the limitation of ‘introducing’ is not required to show anticipation.
as to claim 6, fujita further teaches extracting a bill of materials of the equipping components from the planning data and providing at least one of the equipping components included in the bill of materials at a component feeder arranged in an access area of the equipping robot (figure 1, element 60 being the ‘access area’ and element 83t being the ‘bill of materials’; paragraphs 15 and 19).
as to claim 7, fujita further teaches picking up the equipping component from the access area with a gripper on an end effector of the equipping robot and marking the picked-up equipping component with a unique identifier extracted from the bill of materials (figures 1 - 3, elements 22 and 23 being the ‘gripper’ and ‘end effector’ and elements 58 and 74 being the ‘unique identifier; paragraphs 15 and 17 – 18).
as to claim 8, fujita further teaches that providing at least one of the equipping component included in the bill of materials comprises providing a plurality of identical equipping components, a single one of which is picked up by the equipping robot and marked with the unique identifier (paragraphs 15 and 19).
as to claim 10, fujita teaches that the equipping component is placed on the mounting plate by the equipping robot after being provided, picked up and marked, for which purpose position data associated with the equipping component are extracted from the planning data via the unique marking (paragraphs 15 – 19).
as to claim 11, fujita teaches that the equipping component is released by the gripper of the end effector of the equipping robot after equipping, whereupon the equipping robot uses the gripper to pick up a tool device from a device pick-up position, in that the equipping robot grips the tool device with the gripper (figure 4, elements 23 being the ‘tool device’; paragraph 20).
as to claim 15, as best understood by the examiner, this limitation further defines the ‘machining step’ recited in claim 5. as explained above the ‘machining step’ of claim 5 is only performed when the borehole, borehole pattern, or breakout in the mount plate is missing. because fujita teaches the borehole being present (paragraphs 22 – 25), the limitation of ‘introducing’ is not required to show anticipation.
as to claim 16, as best understood by the examiner, this limitation further defines the ‘removal step’ recited in claim 4. as explained above the ‘removal step’ of claim 4 is only performed when the borehole, borehole pattern, or breakout in the mount plate is missing. because fujita teaches the borehole being present (paragraphs 22 – 25), the limitation of ‘introducing’ is not required to show anticipation.
|
[
"1. An implant guide device, comprising:\na base;\na first arm coupled to a first end of the base;\na second arm coupled to a second end of the base; and\na targeting arm hingedly coupled to the first arm and the second arm.",
"2. The implant guide device of claim 1, wherein the base comprises:\nan aperture configured to receive an implant; and\nwherein the implant includes a nail system to be inserted into a patient's lower extremity.",
"3. The implant guide device of claim 2, wherein the aperture is further configured to receive a portion of a mounting system, the mounting system being coupled to the implant.",
"4. The implant guide device of claim 1, wherein the first arm comprises:\na retention mechanism;\none or more through holes associated with the lock, each through hole of the one or more through holes configured to engage an accessory; and\nwherein the accessory facilitates inserting a fastener into a patient's lower extremity.",
"5. The implant guide device of claim 1, wherein the targeting arm comprises:\na lock configured to fixate a position of the targeting arm.",
"6. The implant guide device of claim 1, wherein the targeting arm comprises:\none or more inlays configured to provide a visual trajectory of an accessory to be inserted into the implant guide device; and\nwherein the one or more inlays are embedded in a crevice of a side support of the targeting arm.",
"7. The implant guide device of claim 1, wherein the targeting arm is configured to provide elevated support to a patient's lower extremity.",
"8. The implant guide device of claim 1, wherein the targeting arm comprises:\none or more orientation markings; and\nwherein the one or more orientation markings are configured to align with one or more corresponding side support orientation markings, the side support orientation markings being located on at least one of the first arm and the second arm.",
"9. An implant guide system, comprising:\nan implant guide device, comprising:\na base;\na first arm coupled to a first end of the base;\na second arm coupled to a second end of the base; and\na targeting arm hingedly coupled to the first arm and the second arm;\na mounting system traversing an aperture of the base; and\nan implant coupled to the mounting system.",
"10. The implant guide system of claim 9, wherein the base comprises:\nan aperture configured to receive an implant; and\nwherein the implant includes a nail system to be inserted into a patient's lower extremity.",
"11. The implant guide system of claim 10, wherein the aperture is further configured to receive a portion of a mounting system, the mounting system being coupled to the implant.",
"12. The implant guide system of claim 9, wherein the first arm comprises:\na lock;\none or more through holes associated with the lock, wherein each through hole of the one or more through holes are configured to engage an accessory; and\nwherein the accessory facilitates inserting a fastener into a patient's lower extremity.",
"13. The implant guide system of claim 9, wherein the targeting arm comprises:\na lock configured to fixate a position of the targeting arm;\none or more inlays configured to provide a visual trajectory of an accessory to be inserted into the implant guide device; and\nwherein the one or more inlays are embedded in a crevice of a side support of the targeting arm.",
"14. The implant guide system of claim 9, wherein the targeting arm is configured to provide elevated support to a patient's lower extremity.",
"15. The implant guide system of claim 9, wherein the targeting arm comprises:\none or more orientation markings; and\nwherein the one or more orientation markings are configured to align with one or more corresponding side support orientation markings, the side support orientation markings being located on at least one of the first arm and the second arm.",
"16. The implant guide system of claim 9, further comprising:\na targeting guide assembly;\nwherein the targeting guide assembly comprises:\na guide arm;\na drill guide tube;\na guide pin;\nan alignment fin; and\na drill pin.",
"17. A surgical method, comprising:\nselecting an implant guide system of claim 1;\ncoupling an implant to a mounting system of the implant guide system;\npositioning an implant guide device of the implant guide system for desired implant orientation;\ninserting the implant into a lower extremity of a patient using the implant guide system;\ninserting at least one fastener into the patient's lower extremity and through the implant using the implant guide system;\nreleasing the implant inside the lower extremity of the patient by removing the implant guide device and the mounting system;\ninserting a tensioning fastener onto the implant; and\nclosing the patient's incisions.",
"18. The surgical method of claim 17, wherein the positioning an implant guide device of the implant guide system for desired implant orientation further comprises:\npositioning a patient's lower extremity;\nexposing the patient's tibiotalar joint;\nexposing the patient's subtalar joint;\npreparing the patient's ankle joint; and\nfixating, temporarily, the patient's ankle.",
"19. The surgical method of claim 18, wherein the inserting the implant into a lower extremity of a patient using the implant guide system further comprises:\nforming a canal in the patient's lower extremity; and\ninserting the implant into the canal.",
"20. The surgical method of claim 18, wherein the inserting the at least one fastener into the patient's lower extremity and through the implant using the implant guide system further comprises:\ninserting a first fastener into the patient's tibia;\ninserting a second fastener into the patient's calcaneus; and\ninserting a third fastener into the patient's talocalcaneal joint."
] |
US20220192687A1
|
US20150305791A1
|
[
"1. An aiming device system configured to align at least one guide sleeve to a first distal hole of an intramedullary nail, the aiming device system comprising:\nan aiming arm configured to be operatively coupled to the intramedullary nail, the aiming arm defining a sliding support that is elongate along a first direction; and\nan aiming guide including a guide body that defines at least a first bone anchor guide that is configured to retain a first guide sleeve, the aiming guide further including an attachment mechanism that is configured to mate with the sliding support to thereby attach the guide body to the aiming arm such that the guide body is (i) selectably movable along the sliding support along the first direction, and (ii) selectably rotatable relative to the aiming arm about a guide body axis that is perpendicular to the first direction,\nwherein when the first bone anchor guide retains the first guide sleeve, at least one of the selectable movement and selectable rotation of the guide body at least partially aligns the first guide sleeve with the first distal hole of the intramedullary nail.",
"2. The aiming device system of claim 1, wherein (i) the sliding support is a slot that is elongate along the first direction, (ii) the attachment mechanism includes a pin that extends out from the guide body such that the pin defines the guide body axis, and (iii) the pin is configured to be received by the slot such that the pin is slidable within the slot.",
"3. The aiming device system of claim 2, wherein (i) the guide body defines a curved slot and (ii) the attachment mechanism further includes first and second aiming guide attachment members, the first aiming guide attachment member being configured to extend through the slot of the aiming arm and through the curved slot of the guide body, and the second aiming guide attachment member being configured to mate with the first aiming guide attachment member to thereby attach the guide body to the aiming arm.",
"4. The aiming device system of claim 3, wherein the curved slot is curved such that the pin is at a center of the curve.",
"5. The aiming device system of claim 3, wherein (i) the first aiming guide attachment member is a screw that defines a flattened surface and the second aiming guide attachment member is a knob that threadedly receives the screw such that rotation of the knob about the screw in a first rotational direction fixes the position of the guide body relative to the aiming arm and rotation of the knob in a second rotational direction that is opposite the first rotational direction loosens the screw so as to allow the guide body to move relative to the aiming arm, and (ii) the flattened surface is received into the slot of the aiming arm and abuts the aiming arm such that the screw is rotatably fixed relative to the aiming arm when the screw is received by the slot.",
"6. The aiming device system of claim 1, further comprising a pivot link that is configured to be coupled to a proximal aiming arm that holds the intramedullary nail, wherein the aiming arm is coupled to the pivot link such that aiming arm is pivotable relative to the pivot link about an arm axis.",
"7. The aiming device system of claim 6, further comprising a proximal aiming arm wherein the intramedullary nail is configured to be coupled to the proximal aiming arm via an insertion handle.",
"8. The aiming device system of claim 6, wherein (i) the aiming arm includes a threaded bore and (ii) the pivot link includes an adjustment knob that defines a threaded shaft that is configured to mate with the threaded bore such that rotation of the adjustment knob causes the aiming arm to incrementally pivot about the arm axis.",
"9. The aiming device system of claim 8, wherein the pivot link defines an elongate slot and further includes a locking pin that is configured to extend into the slot and couple to the adjustment knob to thereby couple the aiming arm to the pivot link.",
"10. The aiming device system of claim 8, wherein at least one of the selectable movement, selectable rotation of the guide body, and incremental pivoting of aiming arm aligns the first bone anchor guide with the first distal hole of the intramedullary nail.",
"11. The aiming device system of claim 8, wherein the threaded shaft includes a ball at its end and the aiming arm defines a socket that receives the ball.",
"12. The aiming device system of claim 1, wherein (i) the guide body defines a second bone anchor guide that is configured to retain a second guide sleeve that is configured to align with a second distal hole of the intramedullary nail and (ii) the aiming device system further comprising the first and second guide sleeves, each of the first and second guide sleeves including a respective bore that is configured to receive a bone anchor and guide the bone anchor to a respective one of the first and second distal holes.",
"13. The aiming device system of claim 12, further comprising a magnetic probe and a sensor unit, the magnetic probe having a magnet that is configured to extend into the intramedullary nail, the sensor unit being configured to be retained by the second bone anchor guide prior to the bone anchor guide retaining the second guide sleeve, wherein alignment of the sensor unit and magnet aligns the first bone anchor guide with the first distal hole of the intramedullary nail.",
"14. The aiming device system of claim 13, wherein the magnetic probe further has an elongate shaft that extends from the magnet, the system further comprising a probe retention member that includes an elongate body and a coupler, the probe retention member defining a bore that extends through the elongate body and coupler, the bore being configured to receive the elongate shaft such that the probe retention member is slidable along the elongate shaft toward the magnet.",
"15. The aiming device system of claim 12, wherein the coupler includes an actuator and a compressible portion, and the actuator is configured to compress the compressible portion against the elongate shaft to thereby fix the probe retention member to the magnetic probe.",
"16. The aiming device system of claim 15, wherein the actuator comprises a rotatable knob threadable onto the compressible portion, so as to compress compressible segments about the elongate shaft to thereby fix the probe retention member to the magnetic probe.",
"17. The aiming device system of claim 15, wherein the actuator comprises a spring clip that includes a coil spring and a pair of handles that are movable so as to widen a channel defined by the coil spring such that the channel receives the compressible portion, wherein releasing the handles causes the coil spring to compress about the compressible portion to thereby fix the probe retention member to the magnetic probe.",
"18. An aiming arm configured to movable support an aiming guide for alignment with a bone anchor hole of an intramedullary nail, the aiming arm comprising:\nan elongate body, an elongate slot that extends through the elongate body, and an aperture that extends through the elongate body at an end of the elongate body,\nwherein the slot is configured to receive a pin of the aiming guide such that the aiming guide is translatable along the elongate slot and pivotable with respect to the aiming arm within the slot, and the aperture is configured to receive a pin that further extends through a pivot link, such that the aiming arm is pivotable about the pin with respect to the pivot link, and thus with respect to an insertion handle that supports the intramedullary nail."
] |
[
[
"1. A method for spinal rod placement in spinal fusion and/or spinal deformity correction surgery, comprising:\ndisplaying, by a see-through optical head mounted display, a virtual implant component,\nwherein the virtual implant component is a three-dimensional digital representation corresponding to at least one portion of a physical implant component, a placement indicator of the physical implant component, or a combination thereof,\nwherein the physical implant component is a physical spinal rod,\nwherein the virtual implant component is a virtual spinal rod,\nwherein the virtual spinal rod has a desired shape, and\nchanging the shape of the physical spinal rod to match the desired shape of the virtual spinal rod.",
"2. The method of claim 1, comprising displaying the virtual spinal rod, by the see-through optical head mounted display to compare the shape of the physical spinal rod with the desired shape of the virtual spinal rod, wherein the physical spinal rod is visible directly through the see-through optical head mounted display.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein the physical screw is a pedicle screw.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein the desired shape of the virtual spinal rod comprises a length, dimension, size, width, diameter, contour or combination thereof and/or wherein the shape of the physical spinal rod comprises a length, dimension, size, width, diameter, contour or combination thereof.",
"5. The method of claim 4, wherein changing the shape of the physical spinal rod comprises changing the length of the physical spinal rod, or wherein changing the shape of the physical spinal rod comprises changing the contour of the physical spinal rod, or wherein changing the shape of the physical spinal rod comprises changing the length and contour of the physical spinal rod.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein the method comprises using a bender for changing the shape of the physical rod.",
"7. The method of claim 6, wherein the bender is a French bender.",
"8. The method of claim 1, comprising determining one or more coordinates of a spine of a patient, one or more instrument, one or more tool, the physical spinal rod, the one or more physical screws, one or more vertebra, the see-through optical head mounted display or combination thereof, and/or tracking the spine of the patient spine, the one or more instrument, the one or more tool, the physical spinal rod, the one or more physical screws, the one or more vertebra, the see-through optical head mounted display or combination thereof using at least one inertial measurement unit, camera, 3D scanner, or combination thereof.",
"9. The method of claim 8, further comprising tracking, using the at least one inertial measurement unit, camera, 3D scanner a spinal rod template, a rod gripper, a rod inserter, a rod bender, a cage or a combination thereof.",
"10. The method of claim 8, wherein the at least one camera, 3D scanner, or camera and 3D scanner is integrated or attached to the see through optical head mounted display, or wherein the at least one camera, 3D scanner, or camera and 3D scanner is separate from the see-through optical head mounted display.",
"11. The method of claim 8, comprising tracking one or more markers by the at least one camera, 3D scanner, or camera and 3D scanner, wherein the one or more markers are attached to the spine of the patient, the one or more instrument, the one or more tool, the physical spinal rod, the one or more physical screws, the one or more vertebra, the see through optical head mounted display or combination thereof.",
"12. The method of claim 11, wherein the one or more markers comprise at least one optical marker, infrared marker, RF marker, active marker, passive marker, LED or combination thereof.",
"13. The method of claim 9, comprising tracking one or more markers by the at least one camera, 3D scanner, or camera and 3D scanner, wherein the one or more markers are attached to the spinal rod template, the rod gripper, the rod inserter, the rod bender the cage or combination thereof.",
"14. The method of claim 8, wherein the one or more tool comprises a pointer.",
"15. The method of claim 14, wherein the method comprises determining the one or more coordinates of the one or more physical screws intra-operatively using the pointer, and/or wherein the method comprises determining a location, orientation, or location and orientation of the one or more physical screws using the pointer.",
"16. The method of claim 1, comprising determining a predetermined start point, one or more predetermined intermediate point, a predetermined end point, a predetermined contour, a predetermined path or combination thereof for the virtual spinal rod, the physical spinal rod, or the virtual spinal rod and the physical spinal rod based on one or more coordinates of the one or more physical screws and/or based on a location, orientation, or location and orientation of the one or more physical screws.",
"17. The method of claim 16, comprising displaying, by the see-through optical head mounted display, the predetermined start point, one or more predetermined intermediate point, predetermined end point, predetermined contour, predetermined path or combination thereof for the virtual spinal rod superimposed onto the one or more physical screws.",
"18. The method of claim 16, comprising computing a spline curve between the predetermined start point, one or more predetermined intermediate point, and predetermined end point, and/or smoothing the predetermined path for the virtual spinal rod, the physical spinal rod, or the virtual spinal rod and the physical spinal rod.",
"19. The method of claim 1, comprising displaying, by the see-through optical head mounted display, the virtual spinal rod coinciding with, parallel with, aligned with, tangent with, and/or superimposed with at least a portion of, an axis of, or a portion and an axis of at least one or more virtual screws, at least one of the one or more physical screws or a combination thereof.",
"20. The method of claim 1, comprising displaying one or more virtual screws; and positioning, orienting, or positioning and orienting the one or more virtual screws to coincide with, be parallel with, be aligned with, be tangent with, and/or be superimposed with at least a portion of the virtual spinal rod.",
"21. The method of claim 19, wherein a position, orientation, or position and orientation of the one or more virtual screws, the one or more physical screws or a combination thereof determine a predetermined start point, a predetermined intermediate point, a predetermined end point or a combination thereof.",
"22. The method of claim 21, comprising determining a predetermined contour, a predetermined path or a combination thereof for the virtual spinal rod, the physical spinal rod, or the virtual spinal rod and the physical spinal rod using the predetermined start point, the predetermined intermediate point, predetermined end point or combination thereof.",
"23. The method of claim 1, comprising one or more libraries of physical spinal rods, rod templates, rod inserters, rod grippers, benders or a combination thereof, and/or one or more libraries of virtual spinal rods, rod templates, rod inserters, rod grippers, benders or a combination thereof.",
"24. The method of claim 1, comprising performing a deformity correction using the one or more physical screw and physical spinal rod, wherein the deformity correction is a correction of a kyphosis, a lordosis, a scoliosis, a sagittal deformity, a coronal deformity, a rotational deformity, a fracture deformity or a combination thereof.",
"25. The method of claim 1, comprising identifying a desired position, orientation, or position and orientation for the virtual spinal rod, or identifying a desired position, orientation, or position and orientation for the physical spinal rod, or identifying a desired position, orientation, or position and orientation for the virtual spinal rod and the physical spinal rod.",
"26. The method of claim 16, comprising determining the one or more coordinates of the one or more physical screws using a pointer or based on a virtual surgical plan.",
"27. The method of claim 1, comprising displaying, by the see-through optical head mounted display, a virtual spinal screw, wherein the virtual spinal screw comprises a virtual screw head, a virtual rod receptacle, a virtual rod receiving mechanism, a virtual rod holding mechanism, a virtual rod attachment mechanism or a combination thereof.",
"28. The method of claim 27, comprising displaying, by the see-through optical head mounted display, the virtual spinal rod superimposed onto at least a portion of the physical spinal rod.",
"29. The method of claim 28, comprising aligning at least a portion of the physical and/or virtual spinal rod with the virtual spinal screw, the virtual screw head, the virtual rod receptacle, the virtual rod receiving mechanism, the virtual rod holding mechanism, the virtual rod attachment mechanism or a combination thereof, and/or superimposing the at least portion of the physical and/or virtual spinal rod onto the virtual spinal screw, the virtual screw head, the virtual rod receptacle, the virtual rod receiving mechanism, the virtual rod holding mechanism, the virtual rod attachment mechanism or a combination thereof.",
"30. The method of claim 1, the method comprising attaching the physical spinal rod to one or more physical screws."
],
[
"1. An orthopedic surgical instrument for transferring a center location of a patient's tibia to the patient's talus during a total ankle arthroplasty procedure, comprising:\na first lever,\na second lever pivotally coupled to the first lever,\nan upper handle secured to a proximal end of the first lever,\na lower handle secured to a proximal end of the second lever,\na tibial trial component secured to a distal end of the first lever, and\nan indenting spike secured to a distal end of the second lever.",
"2. The orthopedic surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein movement of the first handle and the second handle toward one another causes movement of the indenting spike in the inferior direction.",
"3. The orthopedic surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the tibial trial component includes:\na platform having a superior surface and an inferior surface, and\na stem secured to, and extending superiorly away from, the superior surface of the platform.",
"4. The orthopedic surgical instrument of claim 3, wherein:\nthe platform has a slot formed therein, the slot extending through the platform from the superior surface to the inferior surface thereof, and\nthe indenting spike extends through the slot of the platform.",
"5. The orthopedic surgical instrument of claim 4, wherein:\na superior end of the indenting spike is secured to the distal end of the second lever, the superior end of the indenting spike being positioned superiorly of the platform of the tibial trial component, and\nan inferior end of the indenting spike has a pointed tip formed therein, the inferior end of the indenting spike being positioned inferiorly of the platform of the tibial trial component.",
"6. The orthopedic surgical instrument of claim 3, wherein:\nthe stem of the tibial trial component has an elongated groove formed therein, the elongated groove extending in the superior/inferior direction, and\nthe indenting spike being positioned in the elongated groove so as to move within the elongated groove in the superior/inferior direction.",
"7. The orthopedic surgical instrument of claim 1, further comprising an alignment guide secured to the first lever, the alignment guide being configured to receive a guide pin.",
"8. A method of performing a total ankle arthroplasty procedure on a tibia and talus of a patient, comprising:\ninserting a center-transfer instrument such that a tibial trial component of the center-transfer instrument is received into a surgically-prepared cavity in the distal end of tibia of the patient, and\nmoving a first handle and a second handle of the center-transfer handle relative one another so as to urge an indenting spike of the center-transfer handle into a surgically-prepared superior surface of the talus of the patient so as to form an indentation therein.",
"9. The method of claim 8, wherein moving the first handle and the second handle of the center-transfer handle relative one another comprises moving the first handle and the second handle of the center-transfer handle toward one another.",
"10. The method of claim 8, wherein:\nthe tibial trial component includes (i) a platform having a superior surface and an inferior surface, and (ii) a stem secured to, and extending superiorly away from, the superior surface of the platform, and\ninserting the center-transfer instrument comprises inserting the center-transfer instrument such that (i) the inferior surface of the platform is positioned on a surgically-prepared superior surface of the talus of the patient, and (ii) the stem is positioned in a surgically-prepared slot formed in the distal end of the tibia of the patient and extending in the superior/inferior direction.",
"11. The method of claim 8, further comprising:\ninserting a locating pin formed in a posterior cutting block into the indention formed in the surgically-prepared superior surface of the talus of the patient, and\nadvancing a bone saw blade along a cutting guide surface of the posterior cutting block so as to cut a surgically-prepared posterior flat in the talus of the patient.",
"12. The method of claim 8, further comprising:\nattaching an anterior cutting block to the posterior cutting block, and\nadvancing a cutting burr along a cutting guide surface of the anterior cutting block so as to cut a surgically-prepared anterior flat in the talus of the patient.",
"13. The method of claim 12, wherein attaching the anterior cutting block to the posterior cutting block comprises attaching the anterior cutting block to the posterior cutting block without removal of the posterior cutting block from the talus of the patient.",
"14. The method of claim 12, further comprising:\nremoving the anterior cutting block from the posterior cutting block,\nattaching a fin cutting block to the posterior cutting block, and\nadvancing a cutting burr along a cutting guide surface of the fin cutting block so as to cut a number of fin slots in the surgically-prepared anterior flat in the talus of the patient.",
"15. The method of claim 14, wherein attaching the fin cutting block to the posterior cutting block comprises attaching the fin cutting block to the posterior cutting block without removal of the posterior cutting block from the talus of the patient.",
"16. The method of claim 14, further comprising:\nattaching a sulcus cutting block to the surgically-prepared talus of the patient, the sulcus cutting block having (i) a pair of parallel guide rails, (ii) a sled captured within the guide rails, and (iii) a burr secured to the sled, the burr being free to rotate relative to the sled, and\noperating the burr while moving the sled along the captured guide rails so as to cut a sulcus into the surgically-prepared posterior flat, superior flat, and anterior flat of the talus of the patient so as to create finished surgically-prepared talar surface.",
"17. The method of claim 16, further comprising implanting a talar component into the finished surgically-prepared talar surface."
],
[
"1. A surgical method, comprising:\nobtaining a bone fusion system comprising:\na guide pin; and\na fastener;\ninserting the guide pin into two bones, the guide pin having at least one radiolucent radial marking;\nimaging the two bones and the guide pin;\nanalyzing the position of the at least one radiolucent radial marking of the guide pin relative to the two bones;\nselecting the fastener;\ninserting a drill over the guide pin;\ndrilling at least one opening through at least one of the two bones; and\ninserting the fastener into the at least one opening.",
"2. The surgical method of claim 1, wherein the guide pin further comprises:\nan exterior surface with at least one cutting end; and\nwherein the at least one radiolucent radial marking is proximal to the at least one cutting end; and\nwherein the fastener comprises:\na head portion with a superior end and an inferior end; and\na shaft portion with a smooth end and a threaded end, the smooth end of the shaft portion configured to join to the inferior end of the head portion.",
"3. The surgical method of claim 1, wherein the drill is configured to slidingly engage the exterior surface of the guide pin to drill the opening.",
"4. The surgical method of claim 1, wherein selecting the fastener comprises:\ndetermining a thread length of the fastener based on the position of the at least one radiolucent radial marking relative to a space between two bones.",
"5. The surgical method of claim 4, wherein selecting the fastener further comprises:\ndetermining an overall fastener length using a depth gauge to measure the portion of the guide pin extending out of a screw entry point.",
"6. The surgical method of claim 5, wherein selecting the fastener comprises using the determined thread length and overall fastener length.",
"7. The surgical method of claim 1, further comprising:\ninserting the fastener over the guide pin.",
"8. The surgical method of claim 4, wherein the at least one radiolucent radial marking includes a first radial marking configured to correspond to a first thread length of the fastener, and a second radial marking configured to correspond to a second thread length of the fastener.",
"9. The surgical method of claim 8, wherein selecting the fastener comprises:\nselecting the fastener with a thread length corresponding to the at least one radiolucent radial marking that is positioned within a second bone of the two bones and positioned closest to the space between the two bones.",
"10. A method of use, comprising:\nobtaining a bone fusion system comprising:\na guide pin, the guide pin having:\nan exterior surface with a first end and a second end;\na cutting edge on at least the first end; and\nat least two radiolucent radial markings positioned between the first end and a midpoint of the exterior surface, wherein the at least two radiolucent radial markings comprises:\na first radiolucent radial marking positioned a first distance from the cutting edge; and\na second radiolucent radial marking positioned a second distance from the cutting edge;\nwherein the first radiolucent radial marking is positioned nearest the cutting edge, and the second radiolucent radial marking is positioned furthest from the cutting edge; and\nwherein the at least two radiolucent radial markings comprise:\na center section with a first end and a second end extending a distance therebetween, wherein the distance defines a width;\na first beveled portion extending from the exterior surface of the guide pin to the first end of the center section; and\na second beveled portion extending from the exterior surface of the guide pin to the second end of the center section; and\na bone screw;\ninserting the guide pin into at least two bones;\nimaging the at least two bones and the inserted guide pin;\nmeasuring the position of the guide pin;\nselecting a bone screw;\npreparing a hole that extends straight through the at least two bones; and\ninserting the bone screw into the hole.",
"11. The method of use of claim 10, wherein the cutting edge of the guide pin further comprises a pointed tip, wherein the pointed tip is configured to be inserted into the at least two bones.",
"12. The method of use of claim 10, wherein preparing the hole comprises:\nselecting a drill bit; and\nplacing the drill bit over the guide pin.",
"13. The method of use of claim 12, wherein preparing the hole further comprises drilling a hole through the at least two bones.",
"14. The method of use of claim 10, wherein selecting the bone screw comprises:\ndetermining a thread length of the bone screw, wherein the thread length is determined by the position of the first radiolucent radial marking or the second radiolucent radial marking.",
"15. The method of use of claim 14, wherein determining a thread length further comprises:\nmeasuring a distance from the pointed tip to the first radiolucent radial marking or the second radiolucent radial marking that is located within a second bone of the at least two bones, and is positioned closest to a space between the at least two bones."
],
[
"1. An implant comprising:\na body portion;\na first arm having a first length extending away from the body portion in a first direction along a first axis toward a proximal end of the implant;\na second arm having a second length extending away from the body portion in a second direction along the first axis, wherein the first direction is opposite the second direction and the first and second arms are each symmetrical about the first axis;\na third arm extending laterally away from the body portion along a second axis orthogonal to the first axis at a position between the first arm and the second arm, wherein the third arm has a third length along the second axis that is its longest dimension, and wherein the third arm is curved towards the proximal end of the implant as the third arm extends away from the body portion such that an end of the third arm points toward the proximal end, and wherein the first length is longer than each of the second and third lengths; and\nan extension member extending away from a bottom surface of the third arm, wherein the extension member comprises a hole extending through the extension member in a direction substantially parallel to the first and second arms, wherein an outer surface of the extension member is rounded, wherein the extension member has a first taper in a dorsal-plantar direction and a second taper in a medial-lateral direction.",
"2. The implant of claim 1, wherein the implant further comprises:\nat least one first fastener hole extending through the first arm from a top surface to a bottom surface of the implant;\nat least one second fastener hole extending through the second arm from the top surface to the bottom surface of the implant; and\nat least one third fastener hole extending through the third arm from the top surface to the bottom surface of the implant.",
"3. The implant of claim 1, wherein the implant further comprises:\na hole extending through the first arm from a top surface to a bottom surface of the implant.",
"4. The implant of claim 3, wherein the hole of the implant is configured to receive at least one guide wire."
],
[
"1. A method comprising:\nplacing a target pin in a part of a metatarsal;\nperforming an osteotomy of the metatarsal to form a distal metatarsal part and a proximal metatarsal part;\nrepositioning the distal metatarsal part with the target pin;\npositioning a targeting device on the target pin;\naligning the target pin with the targeting device using a visible mark;\nselecting another attachment hole of the targeting device that receives a second guide wire depending on a desired distance between the first guide wire and the second guide wire;\ninserting the first guide wire and the second guide wire through an attachment hole and the another attachment hole, respectively, of the targeting device and into the metatarsal; and\nscrewing a first cannulated fixation screw and a second cannulated fixation screw into the metatarsal by using the first guide wire and the second guide wire, respectively.",
"2. The method as recited in claim 1, including inserting a hook of a hook sleeve assembly intramedullary into the proximal bone part of the bone.",
"3. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein placing the target pin includes inserting the target pin through a cannulated fixation screw of the hook sleeve assembly.",
"4. A method comprising:\nplacing a target pin in a part of a bone;\nperforming an osteotomy of the bone to form a distal bone part and a proximal bone part;\nrepositioning the distal bone part with the target pin;\npositioning a targeting device on the target pin;\ninserting a first guide wire through an attachment hole of the targeting device into the bone; and\nscrewing a first cannulated fixation screw into the bone by using the first guide wire.",
"5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the bone is a metatarsal bone.",
"6. The method according to claim 4, including selecting another attachment hole of the targeting device that receives a second guide wire depending on a desired distance between the first guide wire and the second guide wire.",
"7. The method according to claim 6, including inserting the second guide wire in the another attachment hole of the targeting device into the bone.",
"8. The method according to claim 7, including screwing a second cannulated fixation screw into the bone by using the second guide wire.",
"9. The method according to claim 6, wherein no sidewalls are located between the first attachment hole and the another attachment hole.",
"10. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein there are a plurality of the another attachment hole.",
"11. The method according to claim 4, including aligning the target pin relative to the targeting device using a visible mark.",
"12. The method as recited in claim 4, including adjusting an extension that receives the target pin to change an angle between the target pin and the first guide wire.",
"13. The method as recited in claim 4, including inserting a hook of a hook sleeve assembly intramedullary into the proximal bone part of the bone.",
"14. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein placing the target pin in the part of the bone includes inserting the target pin through a cannulated fixation screw of the hook sleeve assembly.",
"15. The method as recited in claim 4, wherein placing the target pin in the part of the bone includes receiving the target pin in a target guide of the targeting device.",
"16. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein the first attachment hole is most distal to the target guide and another attachment hole is most proximal to the target guide, wherein inserting the first guide wire includes inserting the first guide wire in the first attachment hole of the targeting device.",
"17. The method as recited in claim 16, including inserting the second guide wire in the another attachment hole of the targeting device into the bone.",
"18. The method as recited in claim 4, wherein the first cannulated fixation screw is a non-compressive cannulated fixation screw."
],
[
"1. A plate for bone fixation comprising:\na first end providing a cutting edge;\na tapered end which tapers from a lateral edge of the plate with a distal edge having a larger thickness to allow for a proximal portion of the plate to be driven into a bone;\na bottom surface configured for contact with a bone;\na top surface spaced-apart from the bottom surface, wherein an open-ended passageway communicates between the top surface and the bottom surface, the open-ended passageway being defined in offset relation to at least one of the top surface and the bottom surface, with a portion of the top surface circumferentially adjacent a top open-end of the passageway that is configured to receive a head of a screw within an angle of rotation of up to 20°; and\na shroud extending outward from the top surface at an oblique angle and covering at least a portion of the top open-end, the shroud adapted to be interposed between a tissue and the head of the screw so as to prevent tissue irritation and provide compression to the bone.",
"2. The plate of claim 1, further comprising a compression slot passageway communicating between the top surface to the bottom surface.",
"3. The plate of claim 1, wherein an axis of the passageway forms an angle of between 25° and 35° with the top surface.",
"4. A plate for bone fixation comprising:\na bottom surface configured for contact with a bone;\na top surface arranged in spaced-relation to the bottom surface, wherein a first open-ended passageway is defined between the top surface and the bottom surface having a passageway axis and being sized to permit a screw to be inserted therethrough with an angle between a screw axis and the passageway axis to allow for a rotation of the screw about the passageway axis, the passageway configured to enclose a head of the screw wherein the passageway axis forms an angle with respect to the bottom surface between 10° and 45°; and\nan arcuate shroud projecting outwardly from the top surface at an oblique angle and covering at least a portion of an open-end of the passageway, the shroud adapted to be interposed between a tissue and the head of the screw.",
"5. The plate of claim 4, wherein the angle of the passageway axis with respect to the bottom surface is between 15° and 40°.",
"6. The plate of claim 4, the angle of the passageway axis with respect to the bottom surface is between 25° and 35°.",
"7. The plate of claim 4, further comprising a second open-ended passageway is defined through the plate that communicates between the top surface and the bottom surface.",
"8. The plate of claim 4, further comprising a tapered crescent-shaped cutting edge.",
"9. A plate system for use in associated bone comprising:\na screw having distal threads and a head having a surface without external threads;\na plate having a bottom surface configured for contact with a bone and a top surface with an open-ended passageway communicating between the top surface and the bottom surface, the open-ended passageway being defined in offset relation to at least one of the top surface and the bottom surface, with a portion of the top surface circumferentially adjacent a top open-end that is configured to receive the head of the screw at an angle wherein the passageway is shaped so as to permit the screw to be inserted therethrough with an angle between a screw axis and a passageway axis of up to 20°; and\na shroud projecting outwardly from the top surface covering at least a portion of the top open-end, the shroud adapted to minimize interaction between a tissue and the head of the screw.",
"10. The plate of claim 9, wherein the plate has a distal edge of the plate provides a shoulder so as to allow for a proximal portion of the plate to be driven into a bone.",
"11. The plate of claim 9, wherein an axis of the passageway forms an angle of between 10° and 45° with the top surface.",
"12. The plate of claim 9, wherein an axis of the passageway forms an angle of between 25° and 35° with the top surface.",
"13. The plate of claim 9, wherein a straight taper cutting edge is formed at an first end.",
"14. A plate system comprising:\na locking screw having distal threads and a head having external threads;\na non-locking screw having distal threads and a head having a rounded rear Shoulder surface; and\na plate having a top surface and a bottom surface that is configured to be in contact with the bone, the plate having a first tab and a second tab aligned along a longitudinal axis of the plate and joined by a middle section defining a first hole in communication with the bottom surface; wherein the first tab terminates in a cutting edge configured to cut bone upon application of a driving force to the plate; wherein the second tab includes a locking screw hole, wherein the first hole defines a screw hole axis that forms an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the plate, the first hole permitting variation of an axis of a screw when rotated about the axis of the first hole; and a shroud which is formed on and raised above the top surface of the plate in order to sufficiently support the screw when it is received in the first hole and to shroud the head of the non-locking screw so as to minimize the possibility of tissue irritation from the head of the non-locking screw.",
"15. The plate system as set forth in claim 14, wherein the screw axis of the non-locking screw within the first screw hole can be varied with respect to the screw hole axis by up to 15° of conical rotation.",
"16. The plate system as set forth in claim 14, wherein the shroud forms a portion of a cylinder.",
"17. The plate system as set forth in claim 14, wherein the system further includes a drill guide which interacts with the second hole to allow a pilot hole to be drilled in the associated bone at a desired angle.",
"18. The plate system as set forth in claim 17, further including a plate driver which includes a recess into which the plate is configured to be seated for insertion of the plate into the associated bone.",
"19. The plate system as set forth in claim 18, wherein the plate driver further includes a handle having a longitudinal axis that projects in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the plate when the plate is seated in the recess.",
"20. The plate system as set forth in claim 19, wherein the plate driver further includes a plate holder portion which includes the recess and which is attached to the handle such that when the plate is seated in the recess, the longitudinal axis of the plate is offset by a distance from the longitudinal axis of the handle.",
"21. The plate system as set forth in claim 14, further including a drill and a drill guide, wherein the drill guide can be mounted from the plate driver to guide placement of the drill to drill an opening into the associated bone for the first hole of the plate."
],
[
"1. A system, comprising:\na locator device having a body extending from an inferior portion to a superior portion and having a first side and an opposed second side, the first side including a first surface that is configured to conform to a foreign object disposed in a body of a patient based on preoperative imaging of the patient, the inferior portion of the body defining a first pair of holes and a tab projecting outwardly from the second side, the tab defining a tab-hole arranged in a superior-inferior orientation, the superior portion of the body defining a second pair of holes such that the tab-hole is perpendicularly aligned with at least one of the first pair of holes and the second pair of holes, wherein the body is sized and configured to extend across a joint such that the first pair of holes is configured to guide a first pair of elongate devices into a first bone of the joint, and the second pair of holes is configured to guide a second pair of elongate devices into a second bone of the joint, and wherein a radiopaque object is positioned in the tab-hole and forms a gunsight with least one of the first pair of holes and the second pair of holes; and\na first guide defining at least one hole sized and configured to receive a first elongate device therein for locating the first guide relative to the foreign object.",
"2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first side includes a second surface that is complementary to at least one of the first bone and a first cartilaginous surface of the patient.",
"3. The system of claim 2, wherein the first side of the body of the locator device includes a third surface that is complementary to at least one of the second bone or a second cartilaginous surface of the patient.",
"4. The system of claim 1, wherein the first bone and the second bone together define at least a portion of the joint such that the body of the locator device is sized and configured to extend across at least the portion of the joint.",
"5. The system of claim 1, wherein the body of the locator device defines a third pair of holes disposed at a distance from the first pair of holes, the third pair of holes positioned relative to the body of the locator device to facilitate insertion of a third pair of elongate devices at a predetermined location in at least one of the second bone, a second cartilaginous surface, or the foreign object.",
"6. The system of claim 5, further comprising a second guide defining a fourth pair of holes that are sized and configured to receive the second pair of elongate devices for locating the second guide relative to at least one of the second bone, the second cartilaginous surface, or the foreign object.",
"7. The system of claim 5, wherein the third pair of holes are defined by the inferior portion of the body of the locator device.",
"8. The system of claim 7, wherein the body of the locator device defines an opening located between the first pair of holes and the third pair of holes.",
"9. The system of claim 2, wherein the tab-hole is sized and configured to receive a k-wire.",
"10. A method, comprising:\npreoperatively imaging a joint of a patient's anatomy;\nestablishing access to the joint of the patient;\nproviding a surgical locator device having a body extending from an inferior portion to a superior portion and having a first side and an opposed second side, the first side including a first surface that is configured to conform to a foreign object disposed in a body of the patient based on preoperative imaging of the patient, the inferior portion of the body defining a first pair of holes and a tab projecting outwardly from the second side, the tab defining a tab-hole arranged in a superior-inferior orientation, the superior portion of the body defining a second pair of holes such that the tab-hole is perpendicularly aligned with at least one of the first pair of holes and the second pair of holes, wherein the body is sized and configured to extend across the joint such that the first pair of holes is configured to guide a first pair of elongate devices into a first bone of the joint, and the second pair of holes is configured to guide a second pair of elongate devices into a second bone of the joint, and wherein a radiopaque object is positioned in the tab-hole and forms a gunsight with least one of the first pair of holes and the second pair of holes;\nconfirming alignment of the inferior portion and the superior portions by checking the gunsight; and\nplacing the surgical locator device in contact with the joint such that the first surface of the surgical locator device contacts at least a portion of the foreign object disposed within the patient, such that the first surface of the surgical locator device is complementary to the portion of the foreign object based on preoperative imaging of the patient.",
"11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:\ninserting a first pin into a first hole defined by the surgical locator device;\nremoving the surgical locator device from its engagement with the joint of the patient; and\nsliding a second surgical device along the first pin to locate the second surgical device relative to the joint of the patient.",
"12. The method of claim 11, wherein placing the surgical locator device in contact with the joint includes:\nplacing a second surface of the surgical locator device in contact with at least one of a portion of the first bone or a first cartilaginous surface, the second surface of the surgical locator device being complementary to the at least one of the portion of the first bone or the first cartilaginous surface based on preoperative imaging of the patient; and\nplacing a third surface of the surgical locator device in contact with at least one of a portion of the second bone or a second cartilaginous surface, the third surface of the surgical locator device being complementary to at least one of the portion of the second bone or the second cartilaginous surface based on preoperative imaging of the patient.",
"13. A locator device, comprising:\na body extending from an inferior portion to a superior portion and having a first side and an opposed second side, the first side including a first surface that is configured to conform to a foreign object disposed in a body of a patient based on preoperative imaging of the patient, the inferior portion of the body defining a first pair of holes and a tab projecting outwardly from the second side, the tab defining a tab-hole arranged in a superior-inferior orientation, the superior portion of the body defining a second pair of holes such that the tab-hole is perpendicularly aligned with at least one of the first pair of holes and the second pair of holes, wherein the body is sized and configured to extend across a joint such that the first pair of holes is configured to guide a first pair of elongate devices into a first bone of the joint, and the second pair of holes is configured to guide a second pair of elongate devices into a second bone of the joint, and wherein a radiopaque object is positioned in the tab-hole and forms a gunsight with least one of the first pair of holes and the second pair of holes.",
"14. The locator device of claim 13, wherein the first side includes a second surface that is complementary to at least one of the first bone and a first cartilaginous surface of the patient.",
"15. The locator device of claim 14, wherein the first side of the body of the locator device includes a third surface that is complementary to at least one of the second bone or a second cartilaginous surface of the patient.",
"16. The locator device of claim 13, wherein the first bone and the second bone together define at least a portion of the joint such that the body of the locator device is sized and configured to extend across at least the portion of the joint.",
"17. The locator device of claim 13, wherein the body of the locator device defines a third pair of holes disposed at a distance from the first pair of holes, the third pair of holes positioned relative to the body of the locator device to facilitate insertion of a third pair of elongate devices at a predetermined location in at least one of the second bone, a second cartilaginous surface, or the foreign object.",
"18. The locator device of claim 17, further comprising a second guide defining a fourth pair of holes that are sized and configured to receive the second pair of elongate devices for locating the second guide relative to at least one of the second bone, the second cartilaginous surface, or the foreign object.",
"19. The locator device of claim 17, wherein the third pair of holes are defined by the inferior portion of the body of the locator device.",
"20. The locator device of claim 19, wherein the body of the locator device defines an opening located between the first pair of holes and the third pair of holes."
],
[
"1. A surgical instrument comprising:\n(a) a first assembly having a first radio-opaque marker configured to indicate a profile that corresponds to an outline shape of a first portion of an intramedullary implant when the intramedullary implant is positioned in a bone;\n(b) a second assembly having a second radio-opaque marker configured to indicate a profile that corresponds to an outline shape of a second portion of the intramedullary implant so that an alignment adjustment of the intramedullary implant can be performed relative to at least one of two different planes; and\n(c) a third radio-opaque marker forming an alignment feature for the surgical instrument, wherein\nthe alignment feature comprises a peg with a ring configured to circumscribe the peg upon alignment of the surgical instrument and an intramedullary canal of the bone to provide a fluoroscopic representation of an aligned planar view for the surgical instrument,\nthe first radio-opaque marker includes two first elongate radio-opaque markers each extending along a first and a second longitudinal axis, respectively, that are not parallel and not orthogonal to each other, wherein the two first elongate radio-opaque markers are configured to indicate the profile of the first portion of the intramedullary implant by longitudinally extending along opposite sides of the intramedullary implant when the instrument and the two first elongate radio-opaque markers are overlaid over the bone and the intramedullary implant positioned in the bone, and\nthe second radio-opaque marker includes two second elongate radio-opaque markers each extending along longitudinal axes that are parallel to each other, wherein the two second elongate radio-opaque markers are configured to indicate the profile of the second portion of the intramedullary implant by longitudinally extending along the opposite sides of the intramedullary implant when the instrument and the two second elongate radio-opaque markers are overlaid over the bone and the intramedullary implant positioned in the bone.",
"2. The surgical instrument of claim 1 wherein the first portion or the second portion of the intramedullary implant is a stem configured to be positioned in the bone and at least one of the first and second radio-opaque markers is arranged in aligned correspondence with a portion of the stem.",
"3. The surgical instrument of claim 1 wherein the second assembly further defines a hole for attaching an extra-medullary alignment rod.",
"4. The surgical instrument of claim 1 further comprising a lateral segment adaptable to attach an additional first assembly and an additional second assembly to the instrument, the additional first and second assemblies providing a profile of the implant in a plane different than the at least one of two different planes.",
"5. The surgical instrument of claim 1 further comprising a resection guide.",
"6. The surgical instrument of claim 1 further comprising a drill guide.",
"7. The surgical instrument of claim 1 wherein the bone is selected from the group consisting of a tibia, femur, humerus, radius, ulna, vertebrae, and fibula.",
"8. The surgical instrument of claim 1 wherein a first of the two different planes is a coronal plane and a second of the two different planes is a sagittal plane.",
"9. An instrument, comprising:\na body formed from a radiolucent material:\na first set of elongate radio-opaque markers located within the body, with at least one of the first set of elongate radio-opaque markers oriented along a first axis and at least a second one of the first set of elongate radio-opaque markers oriented along a second axis, the first and second axes being substantially parallel to one another, such that the first set of elongate radio-opaque markers are configured to collectively define a position and orientation corresponding to an outline shape of a first portion of an orthopedic implant when the orthopedic implant is positioned in a bone in accordance with a preoperative assessment, with the at least one and the at least a second one of the first set of elongate radio-opaque markers configured to longitudinally extend along opposite sides of the orthopedic implant when the instrument and the first set of elongate radio-opaque markers are overlaid over the bone and the orthopedic implant positioned in the bone;\na second set of elongate radio-opaque markers located within the body, with at least one of the second set of elongate radio-opaque markers oriented along a third axis and at least a second one of the second set of elongate radio-opaque markers oriented along a fourth axis, such that the second set of elongate radio-opaque markers are configured to collectively define a position and orientation corresponding to an outline shape of a second portion of the orthopedic implant when the orthopedic implant is positioned in the bone in accordance with the preoperative assessment, with the at least one and the at least a second one of the second set of elongate radio-opaque markers configured to longitudinally extend along the opposite sides of the orthopedic implant when the instrument and the second set of elongate radio-opaque markers are overlaid over the bone and the orthopedic implant positioned in the bone; and\na third set of radio-opaque markers forming an alignment feature for the instrument, wherein\nthe alignment feature comprises a peg with a ring configured to circumscribe the peg whereupon alignment of the instrument and an intramedullary canal of the bone provides a fluoroscopic representation of an aligned planar view for the instrument, and\nthe third axis is not parallel to the first axis and the fourth axis and not orthogonal to the fourth axis.",
"10. The instrument of claim 9 wherein at least one of the first portion and the second portion of the orthopedic implant is a stem configured to be located in the intramedullary canal and at least one of the first and the second sets of elongate radio-opaque markers is arranged in aligned correspondence with a portion of the stem.",
"11. The instrument of claim 9 wherein the body defines a hole for attaching an extra-medullary alignment rod.",
"12. The instrument of claim 9 further comprising a lateral segment adaptable to attach an additional first set of elongate radio-opaque markers and an additional second set of elongate radio-opaque markers to the instrument, the additional first and second sets of elongate radio-opaque markers providing a profile of the implant in a plane distinct from at least one of two different planes.",
"13. The instrument of claim 12 wherein a first of the two different planes is a coronal plane and a second of the two different planes is a sagittal plane.",
"14. A surgical system comprising:\nan implant;\nan instrument having a body formed from a radiolucent material;\na first set of elongate radio-opaque markers located within the body, with at least one of the first set of elongate radio-opaque markers oriented along a first longitudinal axis and at least a second one of the first set of elongate radio-opaque markers oriented along a second longitudinal axis, the first and second longitudinal axes being substantially parallel to one another, such that the first set of elongate radio-opaque markers are configured to collectively define a position and orientation corresponding to an outline shape of a first portion of the implant when the implant is positioned in a bone in accordance with a preoperative assessment, with the at least one and the at least a second one of the first set of elongate radio-opaque markers configured to longitudinally extend along opposite sides of the implant when the instrument and the first set of elongate radio-opaque markers are overlaid over the bone and the implant positioned in the bone;\na second set of elongate radio-opaque markers located within the body, with at least one of the second set of elongate radio-opaque markers oriented along a third longitudinal axis and at least a second one of the second set of elongate radio-opaque markers oriented along a fourth longitudinal axis, such that the second set of elongate radio-opaque markers are configured to collectively define a position and orientation corresponding to an outline shape of a second portion of the implant when the implant is positioned in the bone in accordance with the preoperative assessment, with the at least one and the at least a second one of the second set of elongate radio-opaque markers configured to longitudinally extend along the opposite sides of the implant when the instrument and the second set of elongate radio-opaque markers are overlaid over the bone and the implant positioned in the bone;\na first assembly having a third set of radio-opaque markers configured to indicate a profile of a third portion of the implant when the implant is positioned in the bone in accordance with the preoperative assessment;\na second assembly having a fourth set of radio-opaque markers configured to indicate a profile of a fourth portion of the implant so that an alignment adjustment of the implant can be performed relative to at least one of two different planes; and\na circular marker forming an alignment feature for the instrument, wherein the alignment feature comprises a peg with a ring configured to circumscribe the peg whereupon alignment of the instrument and the implant will provide a fluoroscopic representation of an aligned planar view for the instrument, wherein\nthe third longitudinal axis is not parallel to the first longitudinal axis and the fourth longitudinal axis and not orthogonal to the fourth longitudinal axis."
],
[
"1. A bone plate, comprising:\na body including a first end, a second end, a top surface, and a bottom surface;\na plurality of lobes extending from the body;\na plurality of screw holes extending through the body between the top surface and the bottom surface, wherein each lobe of the plurality of lobes comprises a screw hole of the plurality of screw holes, wherein each screw hole extends through each lobe;\na groove inset into only the top surface of the bone plate and extending across the bone plate perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the bone plate;\nat least one alignment hole positioned along the body;\nat least one opening positioned along the longitudinal axis of the bone plate and extending from the top surface through the bone plate to the bottom surface; and\nat least one slot positioned along the longitudinal axis of the bone plate, wherein the at least one slot comprises:\na first pair of slots extending through the bone plate, wherein the first pair of slots comprises:\na first slot; and\na second slot positioned spaced apart from and parallel to the first slot, and wherein the first slot is offset along the longitudinal axis from the second slot; and\na second pair of slots extending through the bone plate and spaced apart from the first pair of slots, wherein the second pair of slots comprises:\na third slot; and\na fourth slot positioned spaced apart from and parallel to the third slot, and wherein the third slot is offset along the longitudinal axis from the fourth slot;\nwherein the first pair of slots is positioned between a first opening of the at least one opening and a second opening of the at least one opening and the second pair of slots is positioned between the second opening and a second end of the bone plate.",
"2. The bone plate of claim 1, wherein the top surface is positioned substantially opposite the bone plate from the bottom surface.",
"3. The bone plate of claim 1, wherein the first end is positioned substantially opposite the bone plate from the second end.",
"4. The bone plate of claim 1, wherein the at least one opening comprises a first opening and a second opening.",
"5. The bone plate of claim 4, wherein the first opening and the second opening are the same size.",
"6. The bone plate of claim 4, wherein the first opening is larger than the second opening.",
"7. The bone plate of claim 4, wherein the second opening is larger than the first opening.",
"8. The bone plate of claim 4, wherein the first opening and the second opening are sized and positioned on the bone plate to facilitate viewing of an external surface of a bone through the first opening and the second opening.",
"9. The bone plate of claim 4, wherein the bone plate further comprises a third opening, wherein the third opening is larger than the first opening and the second opening.",
"10. The bone plate of claim 1, wherein the bone plate is curved in a transverse plane of the bone plate, wherein the curvature of the bone plate is configured to match a curvature of one or more bones.",
"11. The bone plate of claim 10, wherein the bone plate is curved such that a top surface of the bone plate has a convex geometry and a bottom surface of the bone plate has a concave geometry.",
"12. The bone plate of claim 1, wherein the at least one alignment hole is configured to receive one or more alignment components to facilitate positioning of the bone plate.",
"13. The bone plate of claim 1, wherein the at least one alignment hole is positioned generally centered on the body of the bone plate.",
"14. The bone plate of claim 1, wherein the at least one alignment hole is positioned generally at the first end of the bone plate.",
"15. The bone plate of claim 1, wherein the at least one alignment hole is a first alignment hole and a second alignment hole, wherein the first alignment hole and the second alignment hole are positioned adjacent the first end of the body of the bone plate.",
"16. A bone plate, comprising:\na body including a first end opposite a second end and a top surface opposite a bottom surface;\na plurality of lobes extending from the body;\na plurality of screw holes extending through the body between the top surface and the bottom surface, wherein each lobe of the plurality of lobes comprises a screw hole of the plurality of screw holes, wherein each screw hole extends through each lobe; and\na plurality of openings disposed along a longitudinal axis extending along a length of the body and extending from the top surface through the body to the bottom surface;\na curvature along a length of the plate such that the top surface comprises a first radius of curvature and the bottom surface comprises a second radius of curvature, wherein the first radius of curvature is greater than the second radius of curvature;\na groove inset into only the top surface extending across the body of the plate along the first radius of curvature; and\na plurality of slots positioned along the longitudinal axis of the body, wherein the plurality of slots comprises:\na first pair of slots extending through the body, wherein the first pair of slots comprises:\na first slot; and\na second slot positioned spaced apart from and parallel to the first slot, and wherein the first slot is offset along the longitudinal axis from the second slot; and\na second pair of slots extending through the body and spaced apart from the first pair of slots, wherein the second pair of slots comprises:\na third slot; and\na fourth slot positioned spaced apart from and parallel to the third slot, and wherein the third slot is offset along the longitudinal axis from the fourth slot;\nwherein the first pair of slots is positioned between a first opening of the plurality of openings and a second opening of the plurality of openings and the second pair of slots is positioned between the second opening and a second end of the body."
],
[
"1. A cut guide, comprising:\na base portion, comprising:\na first side positioned substantially opposite the base portion from a second side;\na first end positioned substantially opposite the base portion from a second end;\na top surface positioned substantially opposite the base portion from a bottom surface; and\nat least one slot disposed between the first and second ends of the base portion and extending at least partially between the first side and the second side of the base, wherein the slot provides fluid communication between the top and bottom surfaces of the base;\nat least one opening extending therethrough; and\nan extension member extending downward from the bottom surface of the base, wherein the at least one opening extends into at least a portion of the extension member.",
"2. The cut guide of claim 1, wherein the at least one slot comprises at least one first slot and at least one second slot.",
"3. The cut guide of claim 2, wherein the extension member is positioned at least partially between the at least one first slot and the at least one second slot.",
"4. The cut guide of claim 3, wherein the extension member extends from the bottom surface of the base portion at a substantially orthogonal angle relative to the bottom surface of the base portion.",
"5. The cut guide of claim 4, wherein the at least one first slot is positioned in a first plane and the at least one second slot is positioned in a second plane, wherein the first and second planes form an oblique angle.",
"6. The cut guide of claim 5, wherein the at least one opening provides fluid communication between the top and bottom surfaces of the base portion.",
"7. The cut guide of claim 6, wherein the cut guide further comprises a first arm extending from the first end of the base portion.",
"8. The cut guide of claim 7, wherein the first arm forms a substantially orthogonal angle with the first end of the base portion.",
"9. The cut guide of claim 8, wherein the first arm comprises a first opening extending therethrough from a top surface through to a bottom surface thereof.",
"10. The cut guide of claim 9, wherein the first opening is positioned at a terminal end of the first arm.",
"11. The cut guide of claim 10, wherein the cut guide further comprises a second arm extending from the second end of the base portion.",
"12. The cut guide of claim 11, wherein the second arm forms a substantially orthogonal angle with the second end of the base portion.",
"13. The cut guide of claim 12, wherein the second arm comprises a second opening extending therethrough from a top surface through to a bottom surface thereof.",
"14. The cut guide of claim 13, wherein the second opening is positioned at a terminal end of the second arm.",
"15. The cut guide of claim 1, wherein the top surface comprises a first portion and a second portion.",
"16. The cut guide of claim 15, wherein the first portion is positioned in a plane which is substantial parallel to a plane of the bottom surface, and the second portion is positioned in a plane which is substantially oblique to that of the first portion and the bottom surface.",
"17. The cut guide of claim 16, wherein at least a portion of the at least one slot is positioned in the first portion of the top surface and the second portion of the top surface.",
"18. A cut guide, comprising:\na base portion, comprising:\na first end positioned substantially opposite the base portion from a second end;\na top surface positioned substantially opposite the base portion from a bottom surface, comprising:\na first portion positioned in a first plane; and\na second portion positioned in a second plane, wherein the second plane is substantially oblique to the first plane;\nat least one slot disposed between the first and second ends of the base portion, wherein the at least one slot provides fluid communication between the top and bottom surfaces of the base, wherein at least a portion of the at least one slot is positioned in the first portion and the second portion of the top surface; and\nat least one opening extending through the base portion; and\nan extension member extending downward from the bottom surface of the base, wherein the at least one opening extends into at least a portion of the extension member.",
"19. The cut guide of claim 18, wherein the at least one slot comprises a first slot and a second slot, wherein the first and second slots are positioned in planes which form an oblique angle with one another.",
"20. A cut guide, comprising:\na base portion, comprising:\na first side positioned substantially opposite the base portion from a second side, wherein the first and second sides are substantially parallel to one another;\na first end positioned substantially opposite the base portion from a second end;\na top surface positioned substantially opposite the base portion from a bottom surface, comprising:\na first portion positioned in a first plane; and\na second portion positioned in a second plane, wherein the second plane is substantially oblique to the first plane;\nat least one slot disposed between the first and second ends of the base portion, wherein the at least one slot provides fluid communication between the top and bottom surfaces of the base, wherein at least a portion of the at least one slot is positioned in the first portion and the second portion of the top surface; and\nat least one opening extending from the top surface through to the bottom surface;\nan extension member extending downward from the bottom surface of the base, wherein the at least one opening extends into at least a portion of the extension member;\na first arm extending from the first end of the base portion at a substantially orthogonal angle, comprising:\nan opening positioned at a terminal end of the first arm and extending from a top surface of the first arm through to a bottom surface of the first arm; and\na second arm extending from the second end of the base portion, comprising:\nan opening positioned at a terminal end of the second arm and extending from a top surface of the second arm through to a bottom surface of the second arm."
],
[
"1. A method for placing an implant on a patient during a robotic surgical procedure, said method comprising the steps of:\ntracking the patient during the robotic surgical procedure with a navigation system as the patient moves during the robotic surgical procedure with two or more locating devices coupled to the patient and providing optical feedback to the navigation system so as to determine a position of the patient;\ncommunicating information as to the position of the patient from the navigation system to a robotic system so as to guide movement of a cutting tool of the robotic system relative to the patient to remove material from the patient with the cutting tool such that a cut surface is created to receive the implant; and\nrobotically placing the implant on the patient using the information as to the position of the patient from the navigation system.",
"2. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein robotically placing the implant includes robotically placing the implant on the patient with cement being located between the implant and the cut surface to secure the implant to the patient.",
"3. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein tracking the patient during the surgery includes tracking a bone of the patient with the two or more locating devices attached to the bone.",
"4. The method as set forth in claim 3 wherein robotically placing the implant on the patient includes robotically placing the implant on the bone.",
"5. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein robotically placing the implant on the patient includes robotically placing the implant on a bone of the patient."
],
[
"1. A surgical system for preparing bone comprising:\na reaming guide assembly including:\na trial stem having a proximal end and a longitudinal axis, the trial stem configured to fit into an intramedullary canal in the bone, and\na guide tube assembly having a guide tube coupled to the proximal end of the trial stem such that a longitudinal axis of the guide tube is angled with respect to the longitudinal axis of the trial stem; and\na cannulated reamer assembly for shaping a bone cavity, the cannulated reamer assembly having a proximal end, a reaming head coupled at a distal end and a cannulation extending through the reaming head and distal end thereof,\nwherein a longitudinal axis of the cannulated reamer assembly is angled with respect to the longitudinal axis of the trial stem when at least a portion of the guide tube is housed within the cannulation of the cannulated reamer assembly, and\nwherein the cannulated reamer assembly is both rotatable about and slidable along the guide tube during operation.",
"2. The surgical system of claim 1, wherein the proximal end of the cannulated reamer assembly is configured to engage a torque applying device.",
"3. The surgical system of claim 1, wherein the cannulated reamer assembly further comprises a quick connect mechanism having a ball detent engaged to a distal end of a reamer shaft, the ball detent selectively engaging a notch in a proximally protruding extension of the reaming head in order to couple the reamer shaft to the reamer head.",
"4. The surgical system of claim 1, wherein the reaming guide assembly further comprises a handle assembly for manipulating the reaming guide assembly, the handle assembly coupled to the proximal end of the trial stem such that a surgeon can manipulate the reaming guide assembly while the trial stem is located in the intramedullary canal.",
"5. The surgical system of claim 4, further comprising an insertion/removal tool for efficient removal of the reaming guide assembly from the bone canal, the insertion/removal tool having a distal end configured for selective engagement to the proximal end of the trial stem.",
"6. The surgical system of claim 4, wherein the guide tube assembly and the handle assembly are fixed with respect to each other and are rotatably mounted to the proximal end of the trial stem such that a surgeon may rotate the guide tube assembly and the handle assembly about the longitudinal axis of the trial stem while the guide tube assembly and the handle assembly partially reside within a central pocket in the bone.",
"7. The surgical system of claim 6, further comprising a tibial implant for implantation into the bone cavity prepared by the reaming guide and cannulated reamer assemblies, the tibial implant being shaped to match contours of the bone cavity and having a central opening defined therethrough, wherein the central opening is configured to permit the passage of the trial stem or a stem boss of a tibial baseplate into the intramedullary canal.",
"8. The surgical system of claim 7, wherein the shape of the tibial implant includes at least two outer surfaces being blended tapered conical surfaces that substantially match the contours of the bone cavity.",
"9. The surgical system of claim 8, wherein the tibial implant further comprises a proximal surface, a lateral wall, a medial wall and a fin clearance for positional adjustment of the tibial baseplate, the fin clearance defines a groove that extends from the lateral wall through the medial wall and extends through the proximal surface.",
"10. The surgical system of claim 6, further comprising a femoral implant for implantation into the bone cavity, the femoral implant being shaped to match contours of the bone cavity and having a central opening defined therethrough, wherein the central opening is configured to permit the passage of a femoral stem into the intramedullary canal.",
"11. The surgical system of claim 10, wherein the shape of the femoral implant includes at least two outer surfaces being tapered conical surfaces that substantially match the contours of the bone cavity.",
"12. The surgical system of claim 11, wherein the femoral implant further comprises a posterior wall, an anterior wall and a first and second clearance space, wherein the first clearance space defines a recess in the posterior wall shaped to accommodate a femoral cam box, wherein the second clearance space defines a cut in anterior wall shaped to accommodate an anterior chamfer of a femoral implant.",
"13. A surgical method for preparing bone comprising the steps of:\nplacing a reaming guide assembly at least partially into an already formed intramedullary canal and central pocket that is in fluid communication with the intramedullary canal, the reaming guide assembly comprising a trial stem and guide tube assembly, the trial stem having a proximal end configured to be received in the intramedullary canal, the guide tube assembly having a guide tube coupled to the proximal end of the trial stem such that a longitudinal axis of the guide tube is angled with respect to a longitudinal axis of the trial stem;\ncoupling a cannulated reamer assembly to the guide tube assembly such that the proximal end of the guide tube assembly is housed within a cannulation of the cannulated reamer assembly and the reaming head contacts bone at a first position; and\ndriving the cannulated reamer along the guide tube to a predetermined depth into the bone, thereby forming a first reamed bone cavity adjacent to the central pocket.",
"14. The method of claim 13, wherein the reaming guide assembly further comprises a handle assembly, the handle assembly being fixed at the proximal end of the trial stem such that the handle assembly at least partially resides in the central pocket when the trial stem is fully seated in the intramedullary canal.",
"15. The method of claim 13, wherein the guide tube assembly is rotatably mounted to the proximal end of the trial stem such that the guide tube assembly can be rotated about the trial stem from the first position to a second position.",
"16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of rotating the handle assembly and guide tube assembly to the second position while partially residing within the central pocket.",
"17. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of reaming bone at the second position with the cannulated reamer assembly placed over the guide tube assembly, thereby forming a second reamed bone cavity adjacent to the central pocket.",
"18. A method for preparing bone to receive a revision prosthesis comprising the steps of:\nreaming the bone generally along an intramedullary canal with an intramedullary reamer having a proximal end;\nplacing a cannulated reamer assembly having a reaming head over the proximal end of the intramedullary reamer such that the reaming head contacts the bone;\ndriving the cannulated reamer into bone to a predetermined depth, thereby forming a central bone pocket;\nremoving the intramedullary reamer and cannulated reamer assembly from the intramedullary canal and central bone pocket;\nplacing a reaming guide assembly at least partially into the intramedullary canal and central bone pocket; wherein the reaming guide assembly comprises a trial stem, a guide tube assembly, and a handle assembly, the trial stem having a proximal end and being configured to fit into the intramedullary canal, the guide tube assembly having a proximal end and distal end that is rotatably fixed to the proximal end of the trial stem at an oblique angle such that the guide tube assembly at least partially resides in the central bone pocket when the trial stem is fully seated in the intramedullary canal, the handle assembly being fixed at the proximal end of the trial stem such that the handle assembly at least partially resides in the central bone pocket when the trial stem is fully seated in the intramedullary canal;\nplacing the cannulated reamer assembly over the proximal end of the guide tube assembly such that the reaming head contacts bone at a first position; and\ndriving the cannulated reamer into bone to a predetermined depth, thereby forming a first bone cavity adjacent to the central bone pocket.",
"19. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of rotating the handle assembly and guide tube assembly with respect to the trial stem while partially residing within the central pocket to a second position.",
"20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of reaming bone at the second position with the cannulated reamer assembly placed over the guide tube assembly, thereby forming a second bone cavity adjacent to the central pocket.",
"21. The method of claim 13, further comprising:\ndisengaging a pin located at a distal end of the guide tube assembly from a first notch disposed at a first location about the trial stem;\nrotating the guide tube assembly about the trial stem; and\nengaging the pin with a second notch disposed at a second location about the trial stem.",
"22. A method of implanting a tibial prosthesis in a total knee revision arthroplasty, comprising:\nremoving a previously implanted tibial prosthesis from a proximal end of a tibia; and\nimplanting a void filler into the proximal end of the tibia, the proximal end of the tibia having a bone void previously formed by a surgical instrument so as to form a central pocket and lateral and medial pockets blended into the central pocket, the central pocket and lateral and medial pockets having been formed to correspond to a geometry of the void filler so that when the void filler is implanted, a central body of the void filler is received in the central pocket, lateral and medial members of the void filler are respectively received in the lateral and medial pockets, and an opening extending entirely through the central body of the void filler communicates with an intramedullary canal of the tibia, wherein the central body and lateral and medial members each have a curved outer surface that extends about a respective longitudinal axis, the curved outer surface of each of the lateral and medial members tapering inwardly from a proximal end of the void filler to a distal end thereof, the lateral member being integrated into the central body such that the curved outer surfaces of the lateral member and the central body meet at an interface between the lateral member and central body, the interface forms an indented groove that extends in a proximal-distal direction along an entire length of the interface.",
"23. The method of claim 22, further comprising connecting the void filler to a baseplate component, wherein the void filler is constructed separately from the baseplate component.",
"24. The method of claim 23, wherein connecting the void filler to the baseplate component includes inserting a stem boss of the baseplate component into the opening extending through the central body of the void filler.",
"25. The method of claim 23, wherein connecting the void filler to the baseplate component includes inserting a tibial stem through the opening of the central body of the void filler.",
"26. The method of claim 25, further comprises implanting the baseplate component onto the proximal end of the tibia such that the tibial stem extends from the opening of the central body and into the intramedullary canal and such that the baseplate component engages a proximal end of the void filler.",
"27. A method of implanting a tibial prosthesis in a total knee revision arthroplasty, comprising:\nremoving a previously implanted tibial prosthesis from a tibia;\nforming a bone void in the tibia at a proximal end thereof so as to form a central portion and adjacent offset portions of the bone void, the offset portions joining the central portion and tapering inwardly from the proximal end of the tibia toward a distal end thereof, wherein forming at least one of the offset portions of the void includes moving a cutting tool axially along a longitudinal axis into the bone and removing the cutting tool from the bone by moving the cutting tool along the same longitudinal axis, the cutting tool being constrained to movement along the longitudinal axis; and\nimplanting a void filler and a revision tibial prosthesis onto the proximal end of the tibia such that a central body and adjacent offset members of the void filler are respectively and conformingly disposed in the central and offset portions of the bone void, and such that a stem of the revision tibial prosthesis extends through an opening of the central body and a baseplate component of the revision tibial prosthesis is positioned adjacent a proximal end of the void filler and the proximal end of the tibia, wherein the offset members of the void filler and the central body each define a longitudinal axis about which a respective curved exterior surface thereof extends, the longitudinal axes of the offset members and void filler being offset in a lateral-medial direction.",
"28. The method of claim 27, further comprising mechanically locking the void filler to the revision tibial prosthesis.",
"29. The method of claim 27, further comprising inserting bone cement into a gap between the void filler and the tibial prosthesis so as to connect the void filler to the tibial prosthesis.",
"30. The method of claim 27, further comprising:\ninserting a stem boss of the baseplate component of the tibial prosthesis into the opening of the central body, and\nengaging a proximal end of the void filler with the tibial baseplate.",
"31. The method of claim 27, wherein forming the bone void is performed by an instrument having bone cutting surfaces that correspond to the central body and offset members of the void filler so that a peripheral geometry of the void filler matches surfaces in the tibia created by the instrument.",
"32. The method of claim 31, wherein the instrument is a reamer assembly.",
"33. The method of claim 27, wherein the offset members are conically tapered and have a taper greater than a taper of the central portion."
],
[
"1. A surgical instrument for making femoral resections for seating a femoral implant on a distal femur, the instrument configured for orientation relative to an intramedullary rod extending from an intramedullary canal of the femur, comprising:\na medial distal cut guide having a cut guide portion, said cut guide portion having a cut slot therein for use in resecting a medial distal condyle of the femur,\na medial distal cut paddle supporting said medial distal cut guide, said medial distal cut paddle configured to mount on the intramedullary rod, said medial distal cut paddle and said medial distal cut guide configured to orient said medial distal cut slot substantially along an anterior-medial slope of the medial distal condyle when said medial distal cut paddle is mounted on the intramedullary rod to thereby define an anterior-medial approach for making a medial distal resection of the medial distal condyle.",
"2. The instrument of claim 1, wherein said cut guide has a curved profile, said curved profile generally tracking the anterior-medial slope of the medial distal condyle.",
"3. The instrument of claim 1, wherein said distal medial cut guide has a stem portion, said stem portion including an offset portion, said medial distal cut paddle including a platform, said platform having a distal medial cut guide bore configured to closely receive the stem portion of the medial distal cut guide in a sliding engagement to thereby allow for selective positioning of the cut guide portion relative to the distal end of the femur, and said stem portion of said distal medial cut guide disposed in said distal medial cut guide bore of said platform such that said medial distal cut guide is offset proximally from said platform via said offset portion of said stem portion.",
"4. The instrument of claim 3, wherein said platform has a flat profile on at least a proximal side thereof for positioning said platform against the medial distal condyle prior to resection of the medial distal condyle.",
"5. The instrument of claim 1, further comprising said medial distal cut guide having one or more fixation bores on a proximal side of the cut guide portion for use in fixing the cut guide portion on the femur.",
"6. The instrument of claim 1, wherein cut guide portion of said medial distal cut guide is slidingly engaged to said stem to thereby allow selective positioning of said cut slot along a range of anterior-medial approaches, and a means for selectively locking said cut guide portion on said stem.",
"7. The instrument of claim 1, wherein said medial distal cut guide is universal."
],
[
"1. A fixation guide device for positioning and inserting an intramedullary nail, comprising:\na frame including a first end and a second end, wherein the frame comprises:\nat least one drill hole; and\na first arm, comprising:\na first opening;\na second opening below and spaced apart from the first opening; and\na nail attachment apparatus extending away from the first arm and aligned with the second opening;\na compression device removably coupled to the first end of the frame, wherein the compression device comprises:\na compression member, wherein the compression member comprises:\na base with a top end and a bottom end;\na protrusion positioned near the bottom end;\na first opening positioned near the top end; and\na second opening positioned near the bottom end and extending through the base and the protrusion, wherein the second opening slidingly couples to the nail attachment apparatus of the first arm of the frame;\na bolt with a first end and a second end; and\na knob, wherein the knob comprises:\na first opening for receiving the bolt\na second opening relatively perpendicular to the first opening and extending into the first opening for receiving a fastener; and\na plurality of ridges on an exterior surface of the knob;\nwherein the bolt rotatably engages the compression member at the first end and is secured to the knob at the second end, and the bolt extends though and rotatably couples to the first opening in the first arm of the frame; and\nwherein the intramedullary nail is secured to the nail attachment apparatus of the frame.",
"2. The fixation guide device of claim 1, wherein the nail attachment apparatus comprises:\na first nail attachment segment extending away from the first arm a first distance; and\na second nail attachment segment extending away from the first arm a second distance, wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance.",
"3. The fixation guide device of claim 2, wherein the intramedullary nail comprises:\na body with a first end and a second end;\nat least two openings positioned oblique to a longitudinal axis of the body between the first end and the second end; and\na fastening end with at least one opening extending from the second end into the body along the longitudinal axis of the body.",
"4. The fixation guide device of claim 3, wherein the at least two openings comprises:\nthree first openings; and\na second elongated opening.",
"5. The fixation guide device of claim 3, wherein the fastening end further comprises:\na first fastening segment extending away from the body a first distance and shaped to engage the second nail attachment segment; and\na second fastening segment extending away from the body a second distance and shaped to engage the first nail attachment segment, wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance.",
"6. The fixation guide device of claim 3, wherein the body of the intramedullary nail, further comprises:\na fastening end at the first end of the body with an insertion opening extending from the\nfirst end into the body along a longitudinal axis of the body; and\na closed end at the second end of the body.",
"7. The fixation guide device of claim 6, wherein the fastening end, further comprises:\na first fastening segment extending away from the body a first distance;\na second fastening segment extending away from the body a second distance, wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance; and\nan engagement opening extending from the first end through the body to an exterior surface and wherein a portion of the engagement opening overlaps with the insertion opening.",
"8. The fixation guide device of claim 6, wherein the at least two openings comprises four openings extending through the body on independent planes and angularly spaced apart.",
"9. The fixation guide device of claim 8, wherein the at least two openings comprises:\nthree first openings; and\na second elongated opening.",
"10. The fixation guide device of claim 9, wherein the insertion opening of the fastening end engages the second elongated opening.",
"11. The fixation guide device of claim 10, further comprising:\na plurality of fasteners, wherein two fasteners of the plurality of fasteners engage the at least two openings of the body.",
"12. The fixation guide device of claim 11, further comprising:\na cam member sized to engage the insertion opening and the second elongated opening to translate a fastener of the plurality of fasteners inserted through the second elongated opening along the second elongated opening.",
"13. The fixation guide device of claim 1, wherein the protrusion of the compression member is angled.",
"14. The fixation guide device of claim 1, wherein the frame, further comprises:\na second arm positioned generally between the first end and the second end of the frame, and wherein the first arm is positioned at the first end of the frame.",
"15. The fixation guide device of claim 14, wherein the at least one drill hole of the frame comprises:\na first drill hole near the first end of the frame;\na second drill hole positioned between the first end and the second end of the frame;\na third drill hole positioned near the first end of the frame; and\na fourth drill hole positioned on the second arm.",
"16. The fixation guide device of claim 1, wherein the frame, further comprises:\nan outward extending wing at the first end of the frame, and wherein the first arm is positioned at the second end of the frame.",
"17. The fixation guide device of claim 1, further comprising:\nat least one drill sleeve removably inserted into the at least one drill hole of the frame.",
"18. The fixation guide device of claim 1, wherein the intramedullary nail is configured for insertion through a joint and the joint is selected from a group consisting of a tarsal-metatarsal joint and a metatarsal-phalangeal joint.",
"19. The fixation guide device of claim 1, wherein the\nprotrusion extends away from the base at the bottom end.",
"20. The fixation guide device of claim 1, wherein the bolt comprises:\na first end with a plurality of threads extending along the first end for engaging the first opening;\na second end with a smooth exterior surface and an opening extending relatively perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the bolt for aligning with the second opening of the knob to receive the fastener to couple the bolt and the knob; and\na stop member positioned between the first end and the second end.",
"21. A method of inserting an intramedullary nail into two bones for fixation of the two bones, comprising:\ncreating an incision near the two bones;\npreparing the two bones for fixation;\nsecuring an alignment guide to the two bones to position a guidewire across the two bones;\ndrilling over the guidewire to create a cavity for the intramedullary nail that passes through the two bones, wherein the intramedullary nail includes a securing screw hole at a first end of the intramedullary nail and at least two peg holes;\nobtaining the fixation guide device of claim 1, wherein the frame includes at least two drill holes;\nattaching the intramedullary nail to the compression device of the fixation guide device;\ninserting the intramedullary nail into the cavity;\ninserting a drill sleeve into a first drill hole at a second end of the fixation guide device and drilling a first opening that aligns with a first peg hole in the second end of the intramedullary nail;\ninserting a first peg into the first opening and through the first peg hole;\nusing the first peg and compression device to compress the two bones;\ninserting the drill sleeve into a second drill hole at a first end of the fixation guide device and drilling a second opening that mates with a second peg hole in the first end of the intramedullary nail;\ninserting a second peg into the second opening and through the second peg hole to secure the two bones in compression;\ndetaching the intramedullary nail from the fixation guide and removing the fixation guide device;\ninserting a locking screw into the securing screw hole; and\nclosing the incision.",
"22. The method of claim 21, further comprising:\ninserting the drill sleeve into a third drill hole at the second end of the fixation guide device and drilling a third opening that aligns with a third peg hole;\ninserting a third peg into the third opening and through the third peg hole to secure the two bones in compression; and\nverifying the stability and position using fluoroscopy.",
"23. The method of claim 22, further comprising:\ninserting the drill sleeve into a fourth drill hole at the first end of the fixation guide device and drilling a fourth opening that aligns with a fourth peg hole;\ninserting a fourth peg into the fourth opening and through the fourth peg hole to secure the two bones in compression; and\nverifying the stability and position using fluoroscopy.",
"24. The method of claim 23, wherein the two bones are a joint and the joint is selected from a tarsal-metatarsal joint and a metatarsal-phalangeal joint.",
"25. A fixation guide device for positioning and inserting an intramedullary nail, comprising:\na frame including a first end and a second end, wherein the frame comprises:\nat least one drill hole; and\na first arm, comprising:\na first opening;\na second opening below and spaced apart from the first opening; and\na nail attachment apparatus extending away from the first arm, aligned with the second opening, and configured to couple to the intramedullary nail;\na compression device removably coupled to the first end of the frame, wherein the compression device comprises:\na compression member, wherein the compression member comprises:\na base with a top end and a bottom end;\na protrusion positioned near the bottom end;\na first opening positioned near the top end; and\na second opening positioned near the bottom end and extending through the base and the protrusion, wherein the second opening slidingly couples to the nail attachment apparatus of the first arm of the frame;\na bolt with a first end and a second end; and\na knob, wherein the knob comprises:\na first opening for receiving the bolt;\nwherein the bolt rotatably engages the first opening of the compression member at the first end and is secured to the knob at the second end, and the bolt extends though and rotatably couples to the first opening in the first arm of the frame.",
"26. The fixation guide device of claim 25, wherein the nail attachment apparatus comprises:\na first nail attachment segment extending away from the first arm a first distance; and\na second nail attachment segment extending away from the first arm a second distance, wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance.",
"27. The fixation guide device of claim 25, wherein the protrusion of the compression member is angled.",
"28. The fixation guide device of claim 25, wherein the frame, further comprises:\na second arm positioned generally between the first end and the second end of the frame, and wherein the first arm is positioned at the first end of the frame; and\nan outward extending wing at the first end of the frame, and wherein the first arm is positioned at the second end of the frame.",
"29. The fixation guide device of claim 28, wherein the at least one drill hole of the frame comprises:\na first drill hole near the first end of the frame;\na second drill hole positioned between the first end and the second end of the frame;\na third drill hole positioned near the first end of the frame; and\na fourth drill hole positioned on the second arm."
],
[
"1. A fixation component for a bone-supporting component of a bone implant comprising:\na head portion, and a body including a core, said body comprising a threaded bone engaging distal end; said distal end comprising a recess defining a cutting portion for cutting a thread into the bone;\nwherein said body is formed of a fiber-reinforced polymer composite; and\nan insert formed of a hard material, said insert located within said recess, said insert defining a planar portion covering said cutting portion.",
"2. The fixation component according to claim 1, wherein said planar portion is backed at least in part by said body, said planar portion extending in a radially outwards direction relative to a longitudinal axis of said body, said planar portion facing a direction that corresponds with a notional helical axis created when said fixation component is threaded into the bone.",
"3. The fixation component according to claim 1, wherein said insert is made of a material with higher hardness than that of the rest of the fixation component to enhance self-tapping capability.",
"4. The fixation component according to claim 1, wherein said insert is made of a material with higher hardness than that of a cortical bone.",
"5. The fixation component according to claim 1, wherein said insert is made of ceramic material.",
"6. The fixation component according to claim 1, wherein said insert is made of metal.",
"7. The fixation component according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of inserts at a distal end of the component.",
"8. The fixation component according to claim 1, wherein said insert is attached to said distal end of the component using adhesion.",
"9. The fixation component according to claim 1, wherein said insert is attached to said distal end of the component using a geometric connection.",
"10. The fixation component according to claim 1, wherein said fixation component is a bone screw.",
"11. The fixation component according to claim 10, wherein said insert is shaped according to a thread of said screw.",
"12. The fixation component according to claim 10, wherein at least a part of said planar portion covers a cutting edge of said screw.",
"13. The fixation component according to claim 1, wherein said insert strengthens at least a portion of said component.",
"14. The fixation component according to claim 3, wherein said insert is made of ceramic material.",
"15. The fixation component according to claim 2, wherein said planar portion of said insert abuts against said fiber-reinforced polymer composite body of said fixation component.",
"16. The fixation component according to claim 1, wherein said planar portion of said insert is thick enough to strengthen said cutting portion.",
"17. The fixation component according to claim 1, wherein said core of said fixation component is surrounded by a sleeve.",
"18. A method for installing a fixation component for fixating a bone supporting component, comprising:\npositioning a fixation component such as to anchor a bone supporting component to a bone;\ndriving said fixation component into said bone by forming a thread using at least a portion of a planar portion of an insert located within a recess that defines a cutting portion, said recess located at a distal end of a body of said fixation component, said planar portion of said insert covering said cutting portion.",
"19. The method according to claim 18, wherein said fixation component is passed through a passage in said bone supporting component.",
"20. The method according to claim 18, wherein said driving of said fixation component into the bone is assisted by drilling.",
"21. The fixation component according to claim 1, wherein said body is threaded at least at its distal portion, and wherein said insert leads said thread of said body into the bone when cutting a thread in the bone.",
"22. The fixation component according to claim 1, wherein said insert is connected to said body by a non-circular geometric connection.",
"23. The fixation component according to claim 1, wherein said fiber-reinforced polymer composite comprises carbon fibers.",
"24. The fixation component according to claim 1, wherein said insert covers only a portion of said distal end."
],
[
"1. A computer-based system for selecting prostheses for an arthroplasty of a hip joint of a subject, the system comprising:\none or more processors; and\nmemory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations, the operations comprising:\nreceiving image data of a femur of the subject;\nstoring the image data in a database in the computer-based system;\nidentifying, on a touchscreen display, landmarks of the hip joint to identify a mechanical axis and a femoral axis of the femur;\ncalculating a valgus angle between the mechanical axis and the femoral axis;\ncalculating a possible range of motion of the femur;\ninteractively determining, with a user or a surgeon, a final valgus angle that can be incorporated into a treatment plan;\ninteractively determining, with the user or the surgeon, a desired post-implantation range of motion of the femur;\ndetermining a first range of appropriate sizes for an acetabular prosthesis;\nselecting a first size for the acetabular prosthesis from a first plurality of discrete sizes stored in the database, the first size being within the first range of appropriate sizes;\ndetermining a second range of appropriate sizes for a femoral head prosthesis;\nselecting a second size for the femoral head prosthesis from a second plurality of discrete sizes stored in the database, the second size being within the second range of appropriate sizes;\ndetermining a third range of appropriate sizes for a femoral stem prosthesis,\nselecting a third size for the femoral stem prosthesis from a third plurality of discrete sizes stored in the database, the third size being within the third range of appropriate sizes, the first, second, and third ranges of appropriate sizes configured to achieve the final valgus angle and the desired post-implantation range of motion of the femur;\ncalculating a resulting valgus angle and a resulting range of motion of the femur based on the first size, the second size, and the third size;\nstoring the resulting valgus angle and the resulting range of motion of the femur in the computer-based system as computed values of final valgus angle and post-implantation range of motion of the femur;\ndetermining that implantation in the subject of an acetabular prosthesis having the first size, implantation in the subject of a femoral head prosthesis having the second size, and implantation in the subject of a femoral stem prosthesis having the third size would achieve the final valgus angle and the desired post-implantation range of motion of the femur;\ndisplaying, on the touchscreen display, data representing the first size, the second size, and the third size;\ndetermining a position and an orientation of the femur relative to a pelvis of the subject to achieve the final valgus angle and the desired post-implantation range of motion of the femur, and\ndisplaying the determined position and the determined orientation of the femur relative to the pelvis on the touchscreen display.",
"2. The system of claim 1, wherein the image data includes at least one of:\na three-dimensional magnetic resonance image of the femur,\na three-dimensional computer tomography image of the femur, or\na two-dimensional x-ray image of the femur.",
"3. The system of claim 2, wherein:\nthe image data includes a selectable number of two-dimensional x-ray images of the femur, and\nthe selectable number of two-dimensional x-ray images of the femur includes at least one of an anterior-to-posterior x-ray two-dimensional image or a medial-to-lateral two-dimensional x-ray image.",
"4. The system of claim 3, wherein the image data includes a plurality of two-dimensional x-ray images of the femur.",
"5. The system of claim 4, wherein the operations further comprise:\ngenerating a three-dimensional reconstruction of the femur based on the plurality of two-dimensional x-ray images of the femur.",
"6. The system of claim 5, wherein the operations further comprise:\ndisplaying a visual illustration of the three-dimensional reconstruction of the femur on the touchscreen display,\nwherein data representing the desired post-implantation range of motion of the femur are superimposed on the visual illustration of the three-dimensional reconstruction of the femur.",
"7. The system of claim 5, wherein the operations further comprise:\nbased on the three-dimensional reconstruction of the femur, automatically selecting at least one of the first size, the second size, or the third size.",
"8. The system of claim 2, wherein the operations further comprise:\nobtaining the two-dimensional x-ray images from a fluoroscopy system.",
"9. A computer-implemented method for selecting prostheses for an arthroplasty of a hip joint of a subject, the method comprising:\nreceiving image data of a femur of the subject;\nstoring the image data in a database in a computer;\nidentifying, on a touchscreen display, landmarks of the hip joint to identify a mechanical axis and a femoral axis of the femur;\ncalculating a valgus angle between the mechanical axis and the femoral axis;\ncalculating a possible range of motion of the femur;\ninteractively determining, with a user or a surgeon, a final valgus angle that can be incorporated into a treatment plan;\ninteractively determining, with the user or the surgeon, a desired post-implantation range of motion of the femur;\ndetermining a first range of appropriate sizes for an acetabular prosthesis;\nselecting a first size for the acetabular prosthesis from a first plurality of discrete sizes stored in the database, the first size being within the first range of appropriate sizes;\ndetermining a second range of appropriate sizes for a femoral head prosthesis;\nselecting a second size for the femoral head prosthesis from a second plurality of discrete sizes stored in the database, the second size being within the second range of appropriate sizes;\ndetermining a third range of appropriate sizes for a femoral stem prosthesis,\nselecting a third size for the femoral stem prosthesis from a third plurality of discrete sizes stored in the database, the third size being within the third range of appropriate sizes, the first, second, and third ranges of appropriate sizes configured to achieve the final valgus angle and the desired post-implantation range of motion of the femur;\ncalculating a resulting valgus angle and a resulting range of motion of the femur based on the first size, the second size, and the third size;\nstoring the resulting valgus angle and the resulting range of motion of the femur in the computer as computed values of final valgus angle and post-implantation range of motion of the femur;\ndetermining that implantation in the subject of an acetabular prosthesis having the first size, implantation in the subject of a femoral head prosthesis having the second size, and implantation in the subject of a femoral stem prosthesis having the third size would achieve the final valgus angle and the desired post-implantation range of motion of the femur;\ndisplaying, on the touchscreen display, data representing the first size, the second size, and the third size;\ndetermining a position and an orientation of the femur relative to a pelvis of the subject to achieve the final valgus angle and the desired post-implantation range of motion of the femur; and\ndisplaying the determined position and the determined orientation of the femur relative to the pelvis on the touchscreen display.",
"10. The method of claim 9, wherein the image data includes at least one of:\na three-dimensional magnetic resonance image of the femur,\na three-dimensional computer tomography image of the femur, or\na two-dimensional x-ray image of the femur.",
"11. The method of claim 10, wherein:\nthe image data includes a selectable number of two-dimensional x-ray images of the femur, and\nthe selectable number of two-dimensional x-ray images of the femur includes at least one of an anterior-to-posterior x-ray two-dimensional image or a medial-to-lateral two-dimensional x-ray image.",
"12. The method of claim 11, wherein the image data includes a plurality of two-dimensional x-ray images of the femur.",
"13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:\ngenerating a three-dimensional reconstruction of the femur based on the plurality of two-dimensional x-ray images of the femur.",
"14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:\ndisplaying a visual illustration of the three-dimensional reconstruction of the femur on the touchscreen display,\nwherein data representing the desired post-implantation range of motion of the femur are superimposed on the visual illustration of the three-dimensional reconstruction of the femur.",
"15. The method of claim 13, further comprising:\nbased on the three-dimensional reconstruction of the femur, automatically selecting at least one of the first size, the second size, or the third size.",
"16. The method of claim 10, further comprising:\nobtaining the two-dimensional x-ray images from a fluoroscopy system."
],
[
"1. An assembly for bone fusion, comprising:\na first member comprising a first elongated body extending from a first end to a second end along a first longitudinal axis, wherein the first member comprises a shaft portion having an external surface and a head portion having an exterior surface, said first member further comprising a first thread having a first thread height extending radially outward from the external surface of said shaft portion;\na second member comprising a second elongated body extending from a first end to a second end along a second longitudinal axis, wherein the second member comprises a shaft having an external surface, said second member further comprising a first thread having a first thread height extending radially outward from the external surface of said shaft;\na third member comprising a third elongated body extending along a straight line from a first end to a second end along a third longitudinal axis, wherein the third member comprises a first aperture at a terminal end of the first end of the third elongated body, and a first bore extending along a first bore axis from the first aperture to a second aperture on an exterior surface of the third member, wherein the first bore comprises an interior surface at the first aperture, wherein there are no threads adjacent to the second aperture on the exterior surface of the third member, and wherein the third longitudinal axis and the first bore axis define a first angle,\nwherein the third member further comprises a third aperture on the exterior surface of the third member, and a second bore extending along a second bore axis from the third aperture to a fourth aperture on an exterior surface of the third member, wherein the third longitudinal axis and the second bore axis define a second angle,\nwherein the first member couples to the third member by inserting the first end of the first member into the first aperture, through the first bore, and out of the second aperture,\nwherein the second member couples to the third member by inserting the first end of the second member into the third aperture, through the second bore, and out of the fourth aperture,\nwherein the first angle is in the range of about 0 degrees to about 90 degrees,\nwherein the second angle is in the range of about 0 degrees to about 90 degrees, and\nwherein the second bore axis is substantially perpendicular to the third longitudinal axis.",
"2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the head portion of the first member resides at least partially within the first bore.",
"3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the exterior surface of the head portion of the first member abuts the interior surface of the first bore at the first aperture.",
"4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the head portion of the first member comprises a torque transmitting aperture.",
"5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first aperture of the third member is aligned on the first bore axis.",
"6. The assembly of claim 5, wherein the head portion of the first member resides at least partially within the first bore.",
"7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the exterior surface of the head portion of the first member abuts the interior surface of the first bore at the first aperture.",
"8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the head portion of the first member is tapered.",
"9. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first bore axis and the second bore axis intersect outside the third member.",
"10. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first end of the first member includes a self-tapping edge for removing bone material.",
"11. The assembly of claim 10, wherein the first end of the second member includes a self-tapping edge for removing bone material.",
"12. An assembly for bone fusion, comprising:\na first member comprising a first elongated body extending from a first end to a second end along a first longitudinal axis, wherein the first member comprises a shaft portion having an external surface and a head portion having an exterior surface, said first member further comprising a first thread having a first thread height extending radially outward from the external surface of said shaft portion;\na second member comprising a second elongated body extending from a first end to a second end along a second longitudinal axis, wherein the second member comprises a shaft having an external surface, said second member further comprising a first thread having a first thread height extending radially outward from the external surface of said shaft;\na third member comprising a third elongated body extending along a straight line from a first end to a second end along a third longitudinal axis, wherein the third member comprises a first aperture at a terminal end of the first end of the third elongated body, and a first bore extending along a first bore axis from the first aperture to a second aperture on an exterior surface of the third member, wherein the first bore comprises an interior surface at the first aperture, wherein there are no threads adjacent to the second aperture on the exterior surface of the third member, and wherein the third longitudinal axis and the first bore axis define a first angle,\nwherein the third member further comprises a third aperture on the exterior surface of the third member, and a second bore extending along a second bore axis from the third aperture to a fourth aperture on an exterior surface of the third member, wherein the third longitudinal axis and the second bore axis define a second angle,\nwherein the first member couples to the third member by inserting the first end of the first member into the first aperture, through the first bore, and out of the second aperture,\nwherein the second member couples to the third member by inserting the first end of the second member into the third aperture, through the second bore, and out of the fourth aperture,\nwherein the second angle is in the range of about 0 degrees to about 90 degrees, and\nwherein the second bore axis is substantially perpendicular to the third longitudinal axis.",
"13. The assembly of claim 12, wherein the head portion of the first member resides at least partially within the first bore.",
"14. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the head portion of the first member is tapered.",
"15. The assembly of claim 12, wherein the head portion of the first member is tapered."
],
[
"1. A system for forming an intramedullary channel in a bone, the system comprising:\na guide;\na guide mount configured to retain the guide;\nan adapter bar configured to couple to the guide mount that includes a body having a first extension defining a first hole and a second extension defining a second hole wherein the first hole and the second hole are rearranged in the body to receive first rod and the second rod, respectively; and\na tool comprising:\na base plate defining a hole sized and configured to receive a surgical instrument;\na first rod extending from a lateral side of the base plate; and\na second rod extending from a medial side of the base plate;\nwherein the first rod and the second rod couple the tool to the adapter bar to align the hole of the base plate and the guide.",
"2. The system of claim 1, wherein the guide mount includes a threaded hole and the adapter bar includes a screw hole such that the drill mount can be coupled to the adapter bar with a screw.",
"3. The system of claim 2, wherein the drill guide mount and the adapter bar are further coupled by at least one dowel.",
"4. The system of claim 1, wherein the guide comprises a first portion defining an aperture and a second portion larger than the first portion, the second portion having a conical shape that intersects and communicates with the aperture such that a drill or reamer may be received through the guide.",
"5. The system of claim 4, wherein the guide mount includes an anti-rotation feature and the first portion of the guide engages the anti-rotation feature so as to align the guide with the guide mount.",
"6. The system of claim 1, wherein the tool comprises at least two bars extending from the lateral side of the base plate to the medial side of the base plate.",
"7. The system of claim 6, wherein the base plate includes at least two bars extending from the lateral side of the base plate to the medial side of the base plate.",
"8. The system of claim 1, wherein the adapter bar slidably engages the first rod and the second rod.",
"9. A method for forming a channel in a bone comprising:\nresecting a joint space;\npositioning a guide and guide mount in the resected joint space;\ncoupling an adapter bar to a tool wherein the adapter bar provides a first extension that includes a first hole and a second extension that includes a second hole, wherein the first hole and the second hole are configured to receive a first rod and a second rod, respectively, so that by aligning the first and second holes of the adapter bar with the first and second rods of the tool, the tool including a hole sized and configured to receive a surgical instrument;\ninserting a screw into a threaded hole in the guide mount; and\nforming the channel by inserting a drill through the hole in the tool and the guide mount.",
"10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:\nmoving the adapter bar slidably along the rods to align holes in the adapter bar with holes in the guide mount; and\ninserting dowels into the holes in the adapter bar and the holes in the guide mount.",
"11. The method of claim 10, wherein the tool comprises:\na plate comprising with at least two bars extending from a lateral side of the plate to a medial side of the plate, one of the at least two bars defining a hole sized and configured to receive the surgical instrument;\na first rod extending from the lateral side of the plate; and\na second rod extending from the medial side of the plate.",
"12. The method of claim 10, wherein the adapter bar further comprises:\na body extending with a first extension, the first extension including a first hole and a second extension including a second hole;\nwherein the first hole and the second hole are configured to receive the first rod and the second rod, respectively.",
"13. The method of claim 10, wherein the tool comprises at least two bars extending from a lateral side of the plate to the medial side of base plate.",
"14. The method of claim 13, wherein the plate includes three bars extending from the lateral side to the medial side of the plate.",
"15. The method of claim 12, wherein the guide comprises:\na first portion that defines an aperture and a second portion that is larger c than the first portion, the second portion having a conical shape that intersects and communicates with the aperture such that at least one of drill and reamer may be received through the guide.",
"16. The method of claim 10, wherein the guide mount includes an anti-rotation feature that engages at least the guide."
],
[
"1. A bone plate, comprising:\na body including a first end, a second end, a top surface, and a bottom surface;\na plurality of lobes extending from the body;\na plurality of screw holes extending through the body between the top surface and the bottom surface, wherein each lobe of the plurality of lobes comprises a screw hole of the plurality of screw holes, wherein each screw hole extends through each lobe;\nat least one alignment hole positioned along the body;\na groove inset into the top surface of the bone plate, the groove extending across the bone plate perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the bone plate;\nat least one opening positioned along the longitudinal axis of the bone plate and extending from the top surface through the bone plate to the bottom surface;\nat least one slot positioned along the longitudinal axis of the bone plate, wherein the at least one slot comprises:\na first pair of slots extending through the bone plate, wherein the first pair of slots comprises:\na first slot; and\na second slot positioned spaced apart from and parallel to the first slot, and wherein the first slot is offset along the longitudinal axis from the second slot; and\na second pair of slots extending through the bone plate and spaced apart from the first pair of slots, wherein the second pair of slots comprises:\na third slot; and\na fourth slot positioned spaced apart from and parallel to the third slot, and\nwherein the third slot is offset along the longitudinal axis from the fourth slot, and\nwherein the first pair of slots is positioned between a first opening of the at least one opening and a second opening of the at least one opening and the second pair of slots is positioned between the second opening and a second end of the bone plate.",
"2. The bone plate of claim 1, wherein the top surface is positioned substantially opposite the bone plate from the bottom surface.",
"3. The bone plate of claim 1, wherein the first end is positioned substantially opposite the bone plate from the second end.",
"4. The bone plate of claim 1, wherein the at least one opening comprises a first opening and a second opening.",
"5. The bone plate of claim 4, wherein the first opening and the second opening are the same size.",
"6. The bone plate of claim 4, wherein the first opening is larger than the second opening.",
"7. The bone plate of claim 4, wherein the second opening is larger than the first opening.",
"8. The bone plate of claim 4, wherein the first opening and the second opening are sized and positioned on the bone plate to facilitate viewing of an external surface of a bone through the first opening and the second opening.",
"9. The bone plate of claim 4, wherein the bone plate further comprises a third opening, wherein the third opening is larger than the first opening and the second opening.",
"10. The bone plate of claim 1, wherein the bone plate is curved in a transverse plane of the bone plate, wherein the curvature of the bone plate is configured to match a curvature of one or more bones.",
"11. The bone plate of claim 10, wherein the bone plate is curved such that a top surface of the bone plate has a convex geometry and a bottom surface of the bone plate has a concave geometry.",
"12. The bone plate of claim 1, wherein the at least one alignment hole is configured to receive one or more alignment components to facilitate positioning of the bone plate.",
"13. The bone plate of claim 1, wherein the at least one alignment hole is positioned generally centered on the body of the bone plate.",
"14. The bone plate of claim 1, wherein the at least one alignment hole is positioned generally at the first end of the bone plate.",
"15. The bone plate of claim 1, wherein the at least one alignment hole is a first alignment hole and a second alignment hole, wherein the first alignment hole and the second alignment hole are positioned adjacent the first end of the body of the bone plate.",
"16. A bone plate, comprising:\na body including a first end opposite a second end and a top surface opposite a bottom surface;\na plurality of lobes extending from the body;\na plurality of screw holes extending through the body between the top surface and the bottom surface, wherein each lobe of the plurality of lobes comprises a screw hole of the plurality of screw holes, wherein each screw hole extends through each lobe; and\na plurality of openings disposed along a longitudinal axis extending along a length of the body; and\na curvature along a length of the plate such that the top surface comprises a first radius of curvature and the bottom surface comprises a second radius of curvature, wherein the first radius of curvature is greater than the second radius of curvature; and\nwherein a first pair of slots is positioned between a first opening of the plurality of openings and a second opening of the plurality of openings and wherein a second pair of slots is positioned between the second opening and a second end of the bone plate."
],
[
"1. An apparatus for locating and stabilizing an orthopedic intramedullary nail having a longitudinal axis and inserted longitudinally within the medullary cavity of a fractured long bone in an animal extremity, said apparatus comprising:\na. an intramedullary nail having a longitudinal axis, and a plurality of target apertures therein disposed about said longitudinal axis, a portion of said apertures above a fracture in said bone and a portion of said apertures below a fracture in said bone, each of said apertures having a predetermined cross-sectional geometry;\nb. a removable handle for inserting and removing the nail;\nc. an adjustable jig removably secured to said handle comprising a proximal target arm having a plurality of apertures therein adapted to align with a plurality of apertures in a distal arm, said proximal target arm and said distal target arm adjustable relative to one another along said longitudinal axis;\nd. apparatus to drill apertures through the near cortex and the far cortex of said bone on both sides of a target aperture in said nail such that said apertures in the cortex of said bone are aligned with target apertures in said nail and apertures in said jig; and\ne. a slot finder inserted through said aperture in the near cortex of said bone and adapted to engage said target aperture, said slot finder having a cross-sectional geometry substantially identical to the cross-sectional geometry of said target apertures in said nail, such that the slot finder securely engages the target aperture in said nail, in a manner that limits the rotational movement of the slot finder when engaged with said target aperture.",
"2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said jig comprises a cannula adapted to be secured to said bone.",
"3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said jig comprises a drill guide adapted to be disposed within said cannula.",
"4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said jig comprises a drill and a first larger drill bit adapted to be disposed through said drill guide such that said larger drill bit drills a first larger aperture in the near cortex of said bone.",
"5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said slot finder comprises a leading end having a cross-sectional geometry substantially identical to the cross-sectional geometry of said target apertures.",
"6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein when said leading end of said slot finder is inserted within said target aperture, the rotational movement of said slot finder is less than approximately 20° degrees.",
"7. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said slot finder further comprises a bearing surface adapted to engage the exterior surface of said nail.",
"8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said jig comprises a drill guide and a second smaller drill bit adapted to be disposed through said first larger aperture in said cortex and a target aperture in said nail, and to drill a second smaller aperture in said far cortex.",
"9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein a screw is inserted through said first larger aperture in said cortex, through the target aperture, and through said second smaller aperture in said cortex.",
"10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said screw is provided with a first larger threaded portion for securement in said first larger aperture in said near cortex, and a second smaller threaded portion for securement in said second smaller aperture in said far cortex.",
"11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus further comprises a device to remove said nail from said bone, comprising:\na. an elongate shaft;\nb. a threaded portion of said shaft adapted to engage a mating threaded portion of said nail;\nc. a cap at an end of said shaft proximal from said threaded portion; and\nd. a weight slidably engaged along said shaft.",
"12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said intramedullary nail further comprises a plurality of longitudinally oriented fins at a distal end of said nail.",
"13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said intramedullary nail further comprises a plurality of longitudinally oriented fins at a distal end of said nail."
],
[
"1. An apparatus for locating and stabilizing an orthopedic intrarmedullary nail having a longitudinal axis and inserted longitudinally within the medullary cavity of a fractured long bone in an animal extremity, said apparatus comprising:\na. an intramedullary nail having a longitudinal axis, and a plurality of target apertures therein disposed about said longitudinal axis, a portion of said apertures above a fracture in said bone and a portion of said apertures below a fracture in said bone, each of said apertures having a predetermined cross-sectional geometry;\nb. a removable handle for inserting and removing the nail;\nc. an adjustable jig removably secured to said handle and having a plurality of apertures therein adapted to align along the longitudinal axis of said nail with the target apertures in said nail;\nd. apparatus to drill apertures through the near cortex and the far cortex of said bone on both sides of a target aperture in said nail such that apertures in the cortex of said bone are aligned with target apertures in said nail and apertures in said jig; and\ne. apparatus inserted through said aperture in the near cortex of said bone and adapted to engage said target aperture, said apparatus having a similar cross-sectional geometry to the cross-sectional geometry of the nail.",
"2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said jig comprises a proximal target arm adjustably secured to a distal target arm.",
"3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said jig comprises a cannula adapted to be secured to said bone.",
"4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said jig comprises a drill guide adapted to be disposed within said cannula.",
"5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said jig comprises a drill and a first larger drill bit adapted to be disposed through said drill guide such that said larger drill bit drills a first larger aperture in the near cortex of said bone.",
"6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said jig comprises a slot finder to enable location of the target aperture in said nail through said first larger aperture.",
"7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said jig comprises a drill guide and a second smaller drill bit adapted to be disposed through said first larger aperture in said cortex and a target aperture in said nail, and to drill a second smaller aperture in said far cortex.",
"8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein a screw is inserted through said first larger aperture in said cortex, through the target aperture, and through said second smaller aperture in said cortex.",
"9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said screw is provided with a first larger threaded portion for securement in said first larger aperture in said near cortex, and a second smaller threaded portion for securement in said second smaller aperture in said far cortex.",
"10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus further comprises a device to remove said nail from said bone, comprising:\na. an elongate shaft;\nb. a threaded portion of said shaft adapted to engage a mating threaded portion of said nail;\nc. a cap at an end of said shaft proximal from said threaded portion; and\nd. a weight slidably engaged along said shaft.",
"11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said intramedullary nail further comprises a plurality of longitudinally oriented fins at a distal end of said nail.",
"12. An intramedullary nail for insertion in a long bone in an animal to aid in fixation of a fracture therein, said nail having a longitudinal axis, and a plurality of target apertures therein disposed about said longitudinal axis, a portion of said apertures above a fracture in said bone and a portion of said apertures below a fracture in said bone, said nail having a plurality of longitudinally oriented fins at a distal end of said nail."
],
[
"1. A system comprising:\nan elongate body comprising at least a first aperture, a second aperture and a third aperture, the elongate body sized to be inserted within a fibula;\na first fastener configured to be inserted through the first aperture in a lateral-medial direction;\na second fastener configured to be inserted through the second aperture, the second aperture angled from the first aperture by angle alpha;\na third fastener configured to be inserted through the third aperture, the third aperture angled from the first aperture by angle beta, the third fastener having a longer length than the first fastener and the second fastener;\nan actuator configured to actuate a portion of the elongate body to grip an intramedullary canal of the fibula; and\na screw clip configured to surround a portion of the first fastener, the second fastener, or the third fastener.",
"2. The system of claim 1, wherein angle alpha is between 40 and 80 degrees.",
"3. The system of claim 1, wherein angle beta is between 5 and 45degrees.",
"4. The system of claim 1, wherein the first aperture is oblong, wherein the first fastener is configured to translate within the first aperture toward the actuator.",
"5. The system of claim 1, wherein the portion comprises between one and six members configured to deflect towards the intramedullary canal.",
"6. The system of claim 1, wherein the first fastener and the second fastener are sized to be contained within the fibula.",
"7. The system of claim 1, wherein the third fastener is sized to extend into the tibia.",
"8. The system of claim 1, wherein the third fastener is a screw or suture fixation device.",
"9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a tool comprising at least a fourth aperture aligned with the first aperture, a fifth aperture aligned with the second aperture and a sixth aperture aligned with the third aperture.",
"10. The system of claim 9, wherein the tool is configured to facilitate translation of the first fastener within the first aperture to reduce a distance between a first bone segment and a second bone segment.",
"11. The system of claim 1, further comprising a reamer comprising a shank and a cutting head, the reamer having a smaller shank than the cutting head to increase flexibility.",
"12. A system comprising:\nan elongate body comprising at least a first aperture, a second aperture and a third aperture, the elongate body sized to be inserted within a fibula;\na first fastener configured to be inserted through the first aperture in a lateral-medial direction;\na second fastener configured to be inserted through the second aperture, the second aperture angled from the first aperture by angle alpha;\na third fastener configured to be inserted through the third aperture, the third aperture angled from the first aperture by angle beta, the third fastener having a longer length than the first fastener and the second fastener; and\nan actuator configured to actuate a portion of the elongate body to grip an intramedullary canal of the fibula;\na screw clip configured to surround a portion of the first fastener, the second fastener, or the third fastener, wherein the system is configured such that as a fastener is driven into a bone, the head of the fastener tilts the screw clip away from the bone.",
"13. A system comprising:\nan elongate body comprising at least a first aperture and a second aperture, the elongate body sized to be inserted within a fibula, the elongate body comprising a distal end and a proximal end;\na first fastener configured to be inserted through the first aperture, wherein the first fastener is configured to be inserted into the first aperture near the proximal end of the elongate body and wherein the first fastener is configured to be translated toward the distal end of the elongate body while within the first aperture;\na second fastener configured to be inserted through the second aperture, the second fastener angled from the first fastener by angle alpha when the first fastener is inserted through the first aperture and the second fastener is inserted through the second aperture; and\na portion of the elongate body configured to grip an intramedullary canal of the fibula;\nwherein the system comprises a third fastener, wherein the third fastener is configured for syndesmosis fixation; and\na screw clip configured to surround a portion of the first fastener, the second fastener, or the third fastener.",
"14. The system of claim 13, wherein the third fastener is angled from the first fastener by angle beta, wherein angle beta is between 5 and 45 degrees.",
"15. The system of claim 13, wherein angle alpha is between 40 and 80 degrees.",
"16. The system of claim 13, further comprising an actuator configured to actuate the portion of the elongate body configured to grip the intramedullary canal."
],
[
"1. A method for locating holes for distal locking of an implanted intramedullary nail, comprising the steps of:\nimplanting into a bone an intramedullary nail having a proximal end, a distal end, and a distal locking hole;\nconnecting the proximal end of the intramedullary nail to a proximal end of an aiming arm, the aiming arm having an elongated body constructed substantially of radiolucent material and having a transverse hole extending therethrough;\npositioning an X ray source such that an X ray beam emitted therefrom is coplanar with a plane including a central axis of a transverse hole of the aiming arm by aligning a first radiopaque marker positioned on a portion of the front surface of the aiming arm with a second radiopaque marker positioned on a portion of the back surface of the aiming arm, the first radiopaque marker having a different shape than the second radiopaque marker;\ndetermining based on an X ray snap shot a lateral misalignment between the transverse hole and the distal locking hole; and\ninserting into the aiming arm an insert having an offset transverse hole laterally offset from a longitudinal axis of the aiming arm such that the offset transverse hole aligns with the distal locking hole.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the aiming arm is connected to the intramedullary nail before the intramedullary nail is implanted in the patient.",
"3. The method of claim 2, wherein the aiming arm is adjusted with respect to the intramedullary nail until the axis of the transverse hole aligns with an axis of the distal locking hole.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first radiopaque marker is a circle and the second radiopaque marker is a line.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein the second radiopaque marker is a circle and the first radiopaque marker is a line.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first radiopaque marker includes three circles and the second radiopaque marker includes a straight line.",
"7. The method of claim 1, wherein the intramedullary nail is releasably connected to the aiming arm.",
"8. A method for locating holes for distal locking of an implanted intramedullary nail, comprising the steps of:\nimplanting into a bone an intramedullary nail having a proximal end, a distal end, and a distal locking hole;\nconnecting the proximal end of the intramedullary nail to a proximal end of an aiming arm, the aiming arm having an elongated body constructed substantially of radiolucent material and having a transverse hole extending therethrough;\npositioning an X ray source such that an X ray beam extending therefrom is coplanar with a plane including a central axis of the transverse hole of the aiming arm and a longitudinal axis of the intramedullary nail prior to any distortion caused by insertion of the nail into bone by aligning a first radiopaque marker positioned on a portion of the front surface with a second radiopaque marker positioned on a portion of the back surface, the first radiopaque marker having a different shape than the second radiopaque marker;\ndetermining based on an X ray snap shot a lateral misalignment between the transverse hole and the distal locking hole; and\ninserting into the aiming arm an insert having an offset transverse hole laterally offset from a longitudinal axis of the aiming arm such that the offset transverse hole aligns with the distal locking hole.",
"9. The method of claim 8, wherein the aiming arm is connected to the intramedullary nail before the intramedullary nail is implanted in the patient.",
"10. The method of claim 8, wherein the first radiopaque marker is a circle and the second radiopaque marker is a line.",
"11. The method of claim 8, wherein the second radiopaque marker is a circle and the first radiopaque marker is a line.",
"12. The method of claim 8, wherein the first radiopaque marker includes three circles and the second radiopaque marker includes a straight line."
],
[
"1. A device for guiding implantation of an intramedullary nail, comprising:\na guide frame including a base frame member and an adjustable frame member coupled to the base frame member, wherein the adjustable frame member is configured to translate relative to the base frame member along a longitudinal direction;\nan insertion handle configured to carry the intramedullary nail, the insertion handle configured to mount to the adjustable frame member;\na drill guide attachable to the base frame member, the drill guide configured to carry one or more guide sleeves for alignment with locking holes extending through the intramedullary nail;\na first reference member extending from one of the base frame member and the adjustable frame member, the first reference member having a first contact portion configured to contact a select exterior location of a limb of a patient; and\na second reference member extending from the other of the base frame member and the adjustable frame member, the second reference member having a second contact portion configured to contact a second select exterior location of the limb, wherein at least one of the first and second reference members is configured such that a relative position between the respective contact portion and the base frame member or the adjustable frame member from which it extends is adjustable;\nwherein the base frame member and the adjustable frame member are each elongate along a longitudinal axis oriented along the longitudinal direction, and the guide frame defines a central reference plane that extends along the longitudinal axis and a central axis of the intramedullary nail when the insertion handle carries the intramedullary nail and is mounted to the adjustable frame member;\nwherein the drill guide defines guide channels configured to receive the one or more guide sleeves, wherein a first subset of the guide channels on a first side of the central reference plane are symmetrical with a second subset of the guide channels on a second side of the central reference plane;\nwherein the base frame member has a first end and a second end spaced from the first end along the longitudinal direction, the base frame member has a base structure at the second end, and the base structure defines a receptacle configured to receive a foot of the patient;\nwherein the base structure has a first side and a second side spaced from each other along a lateral direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and orthogonal to the central reference plane, and the second reference member is configured to be selectively mounted to 1) one of the first and second sides of the base structure in a first mode of operation, in which the device is engaged with the limb, the limb being a first limb, and 2) the other of the first and second sides of the base structure in a second mode of operation, in which the device is engaged with a second limb of the patient, wherein the first and second limbs have contralateral symmetry with each other; and\nwherein the base structure has a first receiving formation at the first side and a second receiving formation at the second side, and the second reference member is carried by a positioning assembly that comprises:\na mounting formation configured to mount to 1) one of the first and second receiving formations in the first mode of operation, and 2) the other of the first and second receiving formations in the second mode of operation;\nan arm having an anterior end and a posterior end opposite the anterior end, the arm extending from the mounting formation along a third direction having at least a directional component along a transverse direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal and lateral directions, wherein a relative position between the arm and the mounting formation is adjustable along the third direction; and\na carrier attachable to the arm, the carrier spaced from the mounting formation along the third direction, the carrier configured to carry the second reference member such that the second reference member extends along a fourth direction having at least a directional component along the lateral direction, wherein the positioning assembly is configured such that, in the first mode of operation, the second contact portion is configured to contact the second select exterior location of the first limb, and in the second mode of operation, the second contact portion is configured to contact a second select exterior location of the second limb, wherein the second select exterior locations of the first and second limbs are substantial contralateral anatomical counterparts of each other.",
"2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a position adjustment mechanism connected to the base frame member and the adjustable frame member, wherein the position adjustment mechanism includes a clamp member configured to iterate between a locked configuration, in which the base frame member and the adjustable frame member are rigidly fixed to each other, and an unlocked configuration, wherein the adjustable frame member is translatable relative to the base frame member along the longitudinal direction.",
"3. The device of claim 2, wherein the base frame member defines a channel elongated along the longitudinal direction, the adjustable frame member is received within the channel, and the channel and the adjustable frame member have complimentary shapes configured to guide translation of the adjustable frame member along the longitudinal direction.",
"4. The device of claim 3, wherein:\nthe channel extends from a first channel end to a second channel end spaced from each other along the longitudinal direction;\nthe base frame member has a first translation stop member at the first channel end; and\nthe device further comprises a second translation stop member extending within the channel and located adjacent the second channel end, wherein the second translation stop member is adjustable along the longitudinal direction to adjust a range of translation of the adjustable frame member relative to the base frame member along the longitudinal direction.",
"5. The device of claim 4, wherein the second translation stop member has a stop surface positioned within the channel and a contact surface positioned within the receptacle, wherein the stop surface defines a minimum of the range of translation, and the second translation stop member is configured to be adjusted along the longitudinal direction until the contact surface contacts a portion of the foot positioned in the receptacle.",
"6. The device of claim 1, wherein the positioning assembly further comprises first and second adjustment mechanisms each coupled to the mounting formation, the first adjustment mechanism is configured for adjusting the relative position between the arm and the mounting formation along the third direction, and the second adjustment mechanism comprises a pivot joint configured for adjusting the relative position between the arm and the mounting formation about a pivot axis oriented along the lateral direction.",
"7. The device of claim 6, wherein the positioning assembly further comprises: a third adjustment mechanism carried by the arm, wherein the third adjustment mechanism is configured for adjusting a relative position between the second reference member and the carrier along the fourth direction; and a fourth adjustment mechanism carried by the arm, wherein the fourth adjustment mechanism includes the carrier and is configured for adjusting the relative position between the second reference member and the arm about an additional pivot axis oriented along a fifth direction perpendicular to the third and fourth directions.",
"8. The device of claim 1, further comprising a third reference member extending from the adjustable frame member, the third reference member having a third contact portion, wherein the third reference member is rotatable about a pivot axis extending along the central reference plane such that, in the first mode of operation, the third contact portion is configured to contact a third select exterior location of the first limb, and in the second mode of operation, the third contact portion is configured to contact a third select exterior location of the second limb, wherein the third select exterior locations of the first and second limbs are substantial contralateral anatomical counterparts of each other.",
"9. The device of claim 8, wherein the third reference member is elongate along a central axis, the third reference member including:\na first body that extends from the first reference member along the central axis of the third reference member;\na second body coupled to the first body and movable relative to the first body along the central axis of the third reference member, wherein the third contact portion is defined by the second body, and the third select exterior locations of the first and second limbs are proximally spaced from the first select exterior locations thereof such that the first and third select exterior locations collectively indicate a degree of flexion or extension of a distal portion of each limb relative to a respective proximal portion of each limb about a joint intermediate the first and third select exterior locations; and\na position adjustment mechanism that is configured to iterate between a locked configuration, in which the first and second bodies are rigidly fixed to each other, and an unlocked configuration, in which the second body is outwardly movable from the first body along the central axis of the third reference member."
],
[
"1. A bone fixation device comprising:\nan elongate body having a longitudinal axis and a flexible-to-rigid portion having a first state in which at least a portion of the body is flexible and a second state in which the body is generally rigid;\na first actuatable bone engaging gripper disposed on the elongate body;\na second actuatable bone engaging gripper disposed on the elongate body distal from the first gripper;\na hub coupled to a proximal end of the elongate body; and\nan actuator operably connected to at least one of the first and the second grippers to actuate the gripper from a disengaged configuration to an engaged configuration, the first and the second grippers each having at least one bendable member, the member pivoting away from the longitudinal axis of the elongate body when the gripper is actuated, the actuator also being operably connected to the elongate body to change the elongate body from its flexible state to its rigid state,\nwherein the actuator comprises an actuator head comprising a ramped surface, wherein the actuator head is slideably disposed on an interior of the at least one of the first and the second grippers, the actuator head configured to outwardly actuate the at least one of the first and the second grippers away from the longitudinal axis;\na second actuator, thereby allowing each of the two grippers to be independently actuated.",
"2. The bone fixation device of claim 1, wherein the flexible-to-rigid portion of the elongate body is disposed at a location on the elongate body distal to the first gripper and proximal to the second gripper.",
"3. The bone fixation device of claim 2 wherein the hub is straight.",
"4. The bone fixation device of claim 2 wherein the hub is curved.",
"5. The bone fixation device of claim 2 wherein the actuator and the second actuator are connected to actuate both grippers from a disengaged configuration to an engaged configuration.",
"6. A surgical kit comprising:\nthe bone fixation device of claim 1; and\nan alignment tool configured to couple to the hub, the tool further configured to align with a portion of the device to form at least one screw hole into the portion of the device.",
"7. The surgical kit of claim 6 wherein the alignment tool is configured to align with at least the hub of the device to form a screw hole in the hub.",
"8. The surgical kit of claim 6 wherein the alignment tool is configured to align with at least the flexible-to-rigid portion of the device to form a screw hole in that portion.",
"9. The bone fixation device of claim 1, wherein the flexible-to-rigid portion of the elongate body is disposed at a location on the elongate body distal to both the first and the second grippers.",
"10. The bone fixation device of claim 9 wherein the hub is straight.",
"11. The bone fixation device of claim 9 wherein the hub is curved.",
"12. A surgical kit comprising:\nthe bone fixation device of claim 9; and\nan alignment tool configured to couple to the hub, the tool further configured to align with a portion of the device to form at least one screw hole into the portion of the device.",
"13. The surgical kit of claim 12 wherein the alignment tool is configured to align with at least the hub of the device to form a screw hole in the hub.",
"14. The surgical kit of claim 12 wherein the alignment tool is configured to align with at least the flexible-to-rigid portion of the device to form a screw hole in that portion.",
"15. A bone fixation device comprising:\na generally tubular body having a circumferential surface, an inner lumen, and a wall extending therebetween, and an actuatable bone engaging gripper disposed on the wall, the body being sized to fit within an intramedullary space within a bone, the body having a longitudinal axis;\nthe gripper having at least one bendable member, the member pivoting away from the longitudinal axis of the tubular body when the gripper is actuated,\nan actuator operably connected to the gripper to actuate the gripper from a disengaged configuration to an engaged configuration,\nwherein the actuator comprises an actuator head comprising a ramped surface, wherein the actuator head is slideably disposed in the inner lumen, the actuator head configured to outwardly actuate the gripper away from the longitudinal axis,\na helical slit through the body wall extending around the circumferential surface and axially along at least a portion of the body; and\na compression mechanism configured to apply an axial compression to the body to move the slit towards a closed position, thereby transforming the body from a generally flexible state to a generally rigid state,\nwherein the helical slit forms multiple pairs of mating features, each pair having a proximally projecting member and a distally projecting member, the proximally projecting member having a ramped surface on its proximally facing end of sufficient angle to cause the proximally projecting member to move in a first generally transverse direction when under axial compression, the distally projecting member having a ramped surface on its distally facing end of sufficient angle to cause the distally projecting member to move in a second generally transverse direction generally opposite the first direction when under axial compression such that the projecting members of a pair move toward each other when under axial compression.",
"16. The bone fixation device of claim 15 wherein at least one of the projecting members of a pair comprises a laterally projecting keying feature that interengage with a keying feature of the opposite member of the pair when the members of the pair move toward each other.",
"17. The bone fixation device of claim 15 wherein at least one of the projecting members of a pair comprises a plurality of laterally projecting keying features that interengage with keying features of the opposite member of the pair when the members of the pair move toward each other.",
"18. The bone fixation device of claim 15 wherein each of the projecting members of a pair has a plurality of laterally projecting keying features that interengage with the keying features of the opposite member of the pair when the members of the pair move toward each other.",
"19. The bone fixation device of claim 17 wherein at least one of the plurality of laterally projecting keying features is nested on another of the laterally projecting keying features.",
"20. The bone fixation device of claim 15 further comprising at least two pairs of mating features located within one revolution of the helical slit.",
"21. The bone fixation device of claim 15 further comprising at least five pairs of mating features located within one revolution of the helical slit."
],
[
"1. A surgical system comprising:\nan orthopaedic insert having at least one predrilled hole for attaching said insert to a bone;\na drill guiding plate carried by a robot which is mounted in a fixed position relative to said bone, said guiding plate having at least one hole to enable guiding a drill into said bone and through said at least one predrilled hole; and\na control system which utilizes data from at least one image generated during said surgery to instruct said robot to align the axis of said at least one hole defined by said drill guiding plate essentially colinearly with the axis of said at least one predrilled hole defined by said insert.",
"2. A surgical system according to claim 1 wherein said drill guiding plate comprises a plurality of fiducial markers disposed in a predetermined pattern, to enable said robot to align said drill guiding plate into a fronto-parallel orientation in said at least one image.",
"3. A surgical system according to claim 1, wherein said at least one image is generated at an alignment such that said at least one target hole has a minimum elliptic shape in said at least one image.",
"4. A surgical system according to claim 1, and wherein said at least one image is generated at an alignment such that said at least one predrilled hole is imaged in a fronto-parallel orientation.",
"5. A surgical system according to claim 1, and wherein said at least one image is generated at an alignment such that said at least one predrilled hole has a minimum elliptic shape in said at least one image.",
"6. A surgical system according to claim 1 and wherein said control system aligns said guiding plate by utilizing data from only one image of said imaging system.",
"7. A surgical system according to claim 1 and wherein said robot is mounted either directly on said bone or is attached to said insert associated with said bone.",
"8. A surgical system according to claim 1 and wherein said robot maintains its position relative to said bone such that tracking of said bone position or immobilization of said bone is obviated.",
"9. A surgical system according to claim 1 and wherein said bone is a long bone, and said orthopaedic insert is an intramedullary nail, and said at least one predrilled hole is a distal locking hole.",
"10. A surgical system according to claim 9 and wherein said robot is attached either directly to said bone or to the proximal end of said intramedullary nail.",
"11. A surgical system according to claim 1 and wherein said orthopaedic insert is an externally attached connector plate, and said at least one predrilled hole is a connecting hole.",
"12. A surgical system according to claim 11 and wherein said bone is a femur, and said connector plate is a percutaneous compression plate, and said connecting hole accommodates a screw for connecting said plate to the shaft of said femur or a fractured head of said femur to its shaft.",
"13. A surgical system comprising:\nan orthopaedic insert having at least one predrilled hole for attaching said insert to a bone;\na drill guiding plate having a plurality of fiducial markers disposed in a predetermined pattern, and attached to a robot which is mounted in a fixed position relative to said bone, said guiding plate having at least one hole for guiding a drill into said bone and through said at least one predrilled hole; and\na control system which utilizes data obtained from the positions of at least some of said plurality of fiducial markers in at least one image generated during said surgery, to instruct said robot to align said drill guiding plate in a fronto-parallel orientation.",
"14. A surgical system according to claim 13, and wherein said at least one image is generated at an alignment such that said at least one predrilled hole is imaged in a fronto-parallel orientation.",
"15. A surgical system according to claim 13, wherein said control system is further configured to utilize data obtained from said at least one image to instruct said robot to align the axis of said at least one hole defined by said drill guiding plate essentially colinearly with the axis of said at least one predrilled hole defined by said insert.",
"16. A surgical system according to claim 13, wherein said at least one image is generated at an alignment such that said at least one predrilled hole has a minimum elliptic shape in said at least one image.",
"17. A surgical system according to claim 13, wherein said at least one image is generated at an alignment such that said at least one target hole has a minimum elliptic shape in said at least one image.",
"18. A surgical system according to claim 13, wherein said robot is mounted either directly on said bone or is attached to said insert associated with said bone.",
"19. A surgical system according to claim 13 and wherein said robot maintains its position relative to said bone such that tracking of said bone position or immobilization of said bone is obviated.",
"20. A surgical system according to claim 13, wherein said control system is further configured to utilize data obtained from said at least one image to instruct said robot to translate said target guide laterally so that the positions in said at least one image of the axes of at least one hole for guiding a drill and of at least one predrilled hole coincide."
],
[
"1. An implantable bone fixation device comprising:\nan elongate body having a flexible state and a rigid state;\nwherein the flexible state comprises any of the group of bending, stretching, and deforming a material of the elongate body,\nwherein the rigid state comprises limiting any of the group of bending, stretching, and deforming the material of the elongate body,\na tubular hub connected to a proximal end of the elongated body, the tubular hub comprising an outer surface and an inner surface of a tubular wall, the tubular wall comprising an array of pilot holes over a portion of the outer surface, each of the pilot holes being configured to expand upon receipt of a fastener there-through, wherein the hub comprises a mesh structure forming the array of pilot holes; and\nan actuator operably connected to the elongate body for changing the body from the flexible state to the rigid state,\nwherein a first position of the actuator places the elongate body in the flexible state and a second position of the actuator places the elongate body in the rigid state.",
"2. The implantable bone fixation device of claim 1, wherein the tubular hub comprises at least two layers, each layer comprising an array of slots, wherein the slots of the layers overlap to form the array of pilot holes in the tubular hub.",
"3. The implantable bone fixation device of claim 2, wherein each layer comprises a separately formed tubular hub.",
"4. The implantable bone fixation device of claim 2, wherein said slots are longitudinally formed.",
"5. The implantable bone fixation device of claim 2, wherein said slots are spirally formed.",
"6. The implantable bone fixation device of claim 1, wherein at least one pilot hole expands upon receipt of said fastener to a diameter of 2.7 mm.",
"7. The implantable bone fixation device of claim 1, wherein the tubular hub is rigid.",
"8. The implantable bone fixation device of claim 1, wherein at least one pilot hole is elongated to form a slot.",
"9. An implantable bone fixation device comprising:\nan elongate body having a flexible state and a rigid state;\nwherein the flexible state comprises any of the group of bending, stretching, and deforming a material of the elongate body,\na hub connected to a proximal end of the elongated body, the hub comprising a wall with an outer surface and an inner surface, the outer surface with a round cross-sectional shape, the inner surface with a round cross-sectional shape, the wall comprising a plurality of apertures over at least a portion of the outer surface;\nwherein the hub comprises a mesh structure forming the plurality of apertures; and\nan actuator operably connected to the elongate body for changing the body from the flexible state to the rigid state;\nwherein the plurality of apertures are configured to deform and to hold a fastener connected to the hub.",
"10. The implantable bone fixation device of claim 9, wherein the mesh structure comprises a plurality of diamond shaped apertures.",
"11. The implantable bone fixation device of claim 9, wherein at least one aperture expands upon receipt of said fastener to a diameter of 2.7 mm.",
"12. The implantable bone fixation device of claim 9, wherein the hub is rigid.",
"13. The implantable bone fixation device of claim 9, wherein the hub comprises at least two layers, each layer comprising a plurality of apertures.",
"14. The implantable bone fixation device of claim 13, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of apertures in a second layer of the hub overlap a portion of the plurality of apertures in a first layer of the hub.",
"15. The implantable bone fixation device of claim 14, wherein at least one aperture forms a pilot hole in the hub."
],
[
"1. A hand tool comprising:\na hand-holdable body;\na tool member coupled to the body;\na field generator coupled to the body, the field generator operable to emit a field for detection by a sensor of a position-sensing system, the field permitting determination of the position of the sensor relative to the field generator; and\na correction unit configured to correct a position of the sensor based at least in part on the determined position of the sensor relative to an axis of the tool member and a fixed point on the tool member to which the field generator has a known spatial relationship;\nwherein the tool member has an axis of rotation and the coupling is configured to permit rotation of the field generator about the axis of rotation of the tool member, wherein the field generator is coupled to the body by an adjustable coupling permitting the field generator to be moved relative to the body, wherein the coupling is configured to maintain a fixed radial spacing of the field generator to the axis of rotation of the tool member and the tool comprises a plurality of mounting couplings and the field generator is detachably affixable to each of the plurality of mounting couplings.",
"2. A hand tool according to claim 1, wherein the tool member has an axis of rotation and the plurality of mounting couplings are angularly spaced apart around the axis of rotation.",
"3. A hand tool according to claim 2, wherein the mounting locations are on a circle centered on the axis of rotation.",
"4. A hand tool according to claim 1, wherein the field generator is supported on a navigation unit that is detachably coupled to the body, the navigation unit comprises a bushing, and the tool member passes through the bushing.",
"5. A hand tool according to claim 4, wherein the field generator is supported on a navigation unit that is detachably coupled to the body, the navigation unit comprises a rotatable shaft coupled to be turned by the motor, and the tool member is coupled to the rotatable shaft.",
"6. A hand tool according to claim 5, wherein the field generator is supported on a navigation unit that is detachably coupled to the body the navigation unit comprises a drill chuck and the body comprises a drill motor attachable to drive the drill chuck.",
"7. A hand tool according to claim 6, further comprising a display targeting information from a navigation system, wherein the display is coupled to the body via a display coupling, the display coupling allowing for pivotal motion relative to an axis of the tool.",
"8. A hand tool according to claim 7, further comprising an inclinometer coupled to the display, the inclinometer providing an output signal indicating an inclination of the display.",
"9. A hand tool according to claim 8, wherein the inclinometer comprises an accelerometer.",
"10. A hand tool according to claim 8, wherein an orientation of content displayed on the display is controlled based on the on the output signal from the inclinometer.",
"11. A hand tool according to claim 10, further comprising an encoder configured provide an output signal indicative of an angular position of the display relative to the body.",
"12. A hand tool according to claim 11, wherein an orientation of content displayed on the display is controlled based on the on the output signal from the encoder.",
"13. A hand tool according to claim 1, further comprising a reference sensor, the reference sensor operable to receive the field emitted by the field generator and to output a signal indicative of a position of the reference sensor relative to the field generator, wherein the reference sensor is one of affixed to and housed within a housing of the field generator.",
"14. A hand tool according to claim 13, further comprising a plurality of reference sensors one of affixed to and housed within the tool.",
"15. A hand tool according to claim 1, further comprising a registration tool having a member projecting along a registration axis wherein the registration tool is adapted to be temporarily coupled to the tool member such that the registration axis is held in a predetermined spatial relationship relative to an axis of the tool member.",
"16. The hand tool according to claim 15, wherein the member of the registration tool is configured to be temporarily coupled to a target feature of a component such that the registration axis is held in the first predetermined spatial relationship relative to an axis of the target feature.",
"17. The hand tool according to claim 15, wherein the member of the registration tool comprises a tip portion that is compressible to fit snugly into target features of a plurality of different sizes.",
"18. The hand tool of claim 15, wherein the member of the registration tool comprises at least one resiliently elastic element.",
"19. The hand tool of claim 15, wherein the member of the registration tool is coaxial with the tool member when the registration tool is coupled to the tool member."
],
[
"1. In combination, an intramedullary de-rotation fixation nail for insertion in the femoral bone, and an external targeting guide arm for inserting the intramedullary de-rotation fixation nail into the femoral bone and adjusting the rotational position of the intramedullary de-rotation fixation nail to rotatably correct a deformity in the femoral bone, the combination including;\nthe intramedullary de-rotation fixation nail having a distal component, a proximal component, and a connection bolt for securing the proximal component to the distal component, the distal component and the proximal component being rotatably adjustable to one another, the distal component having a plurality of holes for receiving screws to lock the distal component to a distal portion of the femoral bone distal of an osteotomy line, and the proximal component defining an inner channel extending therethrough, the proximal component having an inner grooved slot at a proximal end, and the connection bolt being inserted into and partially through the inner channel in the proximal component, the connection bolt further being in threaded connection with the distal component to threadingly secure the distal component and the proximal component to one another; and\nthe external targeting guide arm being mounted to the proximal component at the inner grooved slot, the external targeting guide arm further having a distal end including a de-rotation measurement guide, a de-rotation gauge, and a k-wire to measure the degree of rotation applied between a proximal portion of the femoral bone proximal of the osteotomy line and the distal portion of the femoral bone distal of the osteotomy line, the de-rotation measurement guide being mounted at the distal end of the external targeting guide arm, the k-wire extending through the de-rotation measurement guide and having an end that is configured to be secured into the distal portion of the femoral bone to accurately determine the rotational position thereof, the de-rotation gauge is also secured to the distal end of the external targeting guide arm and is oriented substantially perpendicular to the k-wire such that the position of the k-wire along the de-rotation gauge accurately displays the degree of rotation between the distal component and the proximal component in order to surgically correct a deformity in the femoral bone.",
"2. The combination of claim 1 wherein the proximal component has a square-shaped cross-section to increase the rotational stability of the proximal component that is configured to be secured within an upper fragment of the femoral bone.",
"3. The combination of claim 1 including a nail end cap secured onto the proximal component to close off the inner channel to prevent bone tissue from filling the inner channel."
]
] |
the following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 u.s.c. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this office action:
a person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
(a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
claims 1-3, 5, 8, 9-11 and 15 are rejected under 35 u.s.c. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by purohit (us patent no. 2015/0305791 a1).
regarding claim 1, purohit teaches an implant guide device (fig 3, para. 0038, intramedullary nail insertion system 110), comprising:
a base (insertion handle 114 and portion of aiming device system 118; see annotated figure 3);
a first arm (portion of proximal aiming arm 119; see annotated figure 3) coupled to a first end of the base (see annotated figure 3);
a second arm (portion of proximal aiming arm 119; see annotated figure 3) coupled to a second end of the base (see annotated figure 3); and
a targeting arm hingedly coupled to the first arm at a first coupling point and the second arm at a second coupling point (figs 5-8b, para. 0052-0055, aiming device system 118 including pivot link 210 and distal aiming arm 214; aiming arm 214 is linked to the first arm through fixation element 232 connecting the base member 228 of the pivot link 210, serving as the first coupling point; the hole in the first arm where fixation element 232 goes can be seen in figure 9c, and the aiming device system is further connected to the second arm through the first arm and through the base, serving as the second coupling point, as the claim does not require that the first and second coupling points are different points nor does it require direct coupling of the first or second arms to the targeting arm).
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regarding claim 2, purohit teaches the implant guide device of claim 1, wherein the base comprises:
an aperture configured to receive an implant (figs 4a-4b, para. 0044, handle 114 has an aperture configured to receive the nail 30 and the probe 130; see annotated figure 3, as the actual aperture is not numerated); and
wherein the implant includes a nail system to be inserted into a patient's lower extremity (para. 0035, figs 1-2b, nail 30 is configured to be placed in the medullary canal 23 of the long bone 20, of a patient’s lower extremity).
regarding claim 3, purohit teaches the implant guide device of claim 2, wherein the aperture is further configured to receive a portion of a mounting system, the mounting system being coupled to the implant (aperture of handle 114 receives probe 130, coupled to the nail 30).
regarding claim 5, purohit teaches the implant guide device of claim 1, wherein the targeting arm comprises:
a lock configured to fixate a position of the targeting arm (figs 5-6, para. 0056, pin 270).
regarding claim 8, purohit teaches the implant guide device of claim 1, wherein the targeting arm comprises:
one or more orientation markings (fig 6, aperture 248 of base member 228 of the pivot link 210 serves as an orientation marking during assembly of the device); and
wherein the one or more orientation markings are configured to align with one or more corresponding side support orientation markings, the side support orientation markings being located on at least one of the first arm and the second arm (see annotated figure 9c; aperture 248 is configured to align with the side support orientation marking of the first arm).
media_image2.png
452
683
regarding claim 9, purohit teaches an implant guide system, comprising:
an implant guide device (fig 3, para. 0038, intramedullary nail insertion system 110), comprising:
a targeting arm hingedly coupled to the first arm at a first coupling point and the second arm at a second coupling point (figs 5-8b, para. 0052-0055, aiming device system 118 including pivot link 210 and distal aiming arm 214; aiming arm 214 is linked to the first arm through fixation element 232 connecting the base member 228 of the pivot link 210, serving as the first coupling point; the hole in the first arm where fixation element 232 goes can be seen in figure 9c, and the aiming device system is further connected to the second arm through the first arm and through the base, serving as the second coupling point, as the claim does not require that the first and second coupling points are different points nor does it require direct coupling of the first or second arms to the targeting arm);
a mounting system traversing an aperture of the base (figs 4a-4b, para. 0044, handle 114 has an aperture that receives probe 130, coupled to the nail 30; see annotated figure 3, as the actual aperture is not numerated); and
an implant coupled to the mounting system (handle 114 has an aperture configured to receive the nail 30 and the probe 130).
regarding claim 10, purohit teaches the implant guide system of claim 9, wherein the base comprises:
the aperture configured to receive the implant (figs 4a-4b, para. 0044, handle 114 has an aperture configured to receive the nail 30 and the probe 130; see annotated figure 3, as the actual aperture is not numerated); and
regarding claim 11, purohit teaches the implant guide system of claim 10, wherein the aperture is further configured to receive a portion of the mounting system, the mounting system being coupled to the implant (aperture of handle 114 receives probe 130, coupled to the nail 30).
regarding claim 15, purohit teaches the implant guide system of claim 9, wherein the targeting arm comprises:
|
[
"1. A method for treating a retinal degenerative disease, the method comprising administering human neural crest-derived nasal inferior turbinate stem cells to a subject in need thereof.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the retinal degenerative disease is one or more selected from the group consisting of retinitis pigmentosa, vitelliform macular dystrophy, Stargardt disease, X-linked retinoschisis, cone dystrophy, age-related macular degeneration, myopic choroidal neovascularization, and Behcet's uveitis.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein the human neural crest-derived nasal inferior turbinate stem cells are differentiated into rod photoreceptor cells among photoreceptor cells.",
"4. The method of claim 3, wherein the differentiated rod photoreceptor cells express rhodopsin.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein the human neural crest-derived nasal inferior turbinate stem cells are subretinally or intravitreally injected.",
"6. A method for treating a retinal degenerative disease, the method comprising administering a cellular therapeutic agent, wherein the cellular therapeutic agent comprises human neural crest-derived nasal inferior turbinate stem cells as an active ingredient to a subject in need thereof.",
"7. The method of claim 6, wherein the retinal degenerative disease is one or more selected from the group consisting of retinitis pigmentosa, vitelliform macular dystrophy, Stargardt disease, X-linked retinoschisis, cone dystrophy, age-related macular degeneration, myopic choroidal neovascularization, and Behcet's uveitis.",
"8. The method of claim 6, wherein the human neural crest-derived nasal inferior turbinate stem cells are differentiated into rod photoreceptor cells among photoreceptor cells.",
"9. The method of claim 8, wherein the differentiated rod photoreceptor cells express rhodopsin.",
"10. The method of claim 6, wherein the cellular therapeutic agent is subretinally or intravitreally injected.",
"11. A method for treating a retinal degenerative disease, the method comprising administering a quasi-drug composition, wherein the quasi-drug comprises human neural crest-derived nasal inferior turbinate stem cells as an active ingredient to a subject in need thereof.",
"12. The method of claim 11, wherein the retinal degenerative disease is one or more selected from the group consisting of retinitis pigmentosa, vitelliform macular dystrophy, Stargardt disease, X-linked retinoschisis, cone dystrophy, age-related macular degeneration, myopic choroidal neovascularization, and Behcet's uveitis.",
"13. The method of claim 11, wherein the human neural crest-derived nasal inferior turbinate stem cells are differentiated into rod photoreceptor cells among photoreceptor cells.",
"14. The method of claim 13, wherein the differentiated rod photoreceptor cells express rhodopsin.",
"15. The method of claim 11, wherein the composition is subretinally or intravitreally injected."
] |
US20220339199A1
|
US20190010455A1
|
[
"27. A method of differentiating pluripotent stem cells isolated from adult periodontal ligament to neural progenitor cells or neural cells comprising:\nincubating said pluripotent stem cells in a culture media comprising epidermal growth factor (EGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) for a period of time, wherein a plurality of said pluripotent stem cells are differentiated into neural progenitor cells or neural cells at the end of the period of time.",
"28. The method of claim 27, wherein EGF is present in the media at a concentration of about 25 ng/ml to about 150 ng/ml.",
"29. The method of claim 28, wherein EGF is present in the media at a concentration of about 50 ng/ml.",
"30. The method of claim 27, wherein bFGF is present in the media at a concentration of about 25 ng/ml to about 150 ng/ml.",
"31. The method of claim 30, wherein bFGF is present in the media at a concentration of about 50 ng/ml.",
"32. The method of claim 27, wherein the period of time is about 4 to about 12 days.",
"33. The method of claim 32, wherein the period of time is about 8 days.",
"34. The method of claim 27, wherein a plurality of the neural progenitor cells or neural cells express one or more markers selected from nestin, tubulin (TUBB3), neurofilament medium (NEFM), SOX1, synaptophysin, and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP).",
"35. The method of claim 27, wherein a plurality of the neural progenitor cells or neural cells exhibit a voltage-gated sodium current and/or a delayed, rectifying potassium current.",
"36. The method of claim 27, wherein the neural cells are neurons and/or glia.",
"37. The method of claim 27, wherein the pluripotent stem cells are human pluripotent stem cells."
] |
[
[
"1. Micro- and/or nanoparticles formed of polymeric conjugates defined by one of the following formulae\n\n(A-X)m—Y—((Z)o—(X)p-(A)q)n\nwherein\nA represents, independently for each occurrence, a HIF-1 inhibitor;\nX represents, independently for each occurrence, a hydrophobic polymer segment;\nY is absent, or represents a branch point;\nZ represents, independently for each occurrence, a hydrophilic polymer segment; and\no is 1;\np and q are independently 0 or 1;\nm is an integer between one and twenty; and\nn is an integer between one and twenty.",
"2. The micro- and/or nanoparticles of claim 1, wherein A is an anthracycline.",
"3. The micro- and/or nanoparticles of claim 1, wherein Z is selected from the group consisting of a poly(alkylene glycol), a polysaccharide, poly(vinyl alcohol), polypyrrolidone, a polyoxyethylene block copolymer (PLURONIC®), and copolymers thereof.",
"4. The micro- and/or nanoparticles of claim 3, wherein Z for each occurrence comprises polyethylene glycol.",
"5. The micro- and/or nanoparticles of claim 1, wherein X is biodegradable.",
"6. The micro- and/or nanoparticles of claim 5, wherein X is selected from the group consisting of polyesters, polycaprolactone, polyanhydrides, and copolymers thereof.",
"7. The micro- and/or nanoparticles of claim 6, wherein X comprises a polyanhydride.",
"8. The micro- and/or nanoparticles of claim 7, wherein X comprises polysebacic anhydride.",
"9. The micro- and/or nanoparticles of claim 7, wherein X comprises 1,6 bis(p-carboxyphenoxy)hexane (CPH) or a combination of poly-CPH (PCPH) and polysebacic anhydride.",
"10. The micro- and/or nanoparticles of claim 1, wherein Y is from one of the following:",
"11. The micro- and/or nanoparticles of claim 10, wherein Y is from citric acid.",
"12. The micro- and/or nanoparticles of claim 1, defined by the following formula\n\nA-X—Y\nZ)n\nwherein\nA represents, independently for each occurrence, a HIF-1 inhibitor;\nX represents, a hydrophobic polymer segment;\nY represents a branch point;\nZ represents, independently for each occurrence, a hydrophilic polymer segment; and\nn is an integer between one and ten or two and ten.",
"13. The micro- and/or nanoparticles of claim 12, wherein A is an anthracycline.",
"14. The micro- and/or nanoparticles of claim 12, wherein Z is selected from the group consisting of a poly(alkylene glycol), a polysaccharide, poly(vinyl alcohol), polypyrrolidone, a polyoxyethylene block copolymer, and copolymers thereof.",
"15. The micro- and/or nanoparticles of claim 14, wherein Z for each occurrence comprises polyethylene glycol.",
"16. The micro- and/or nanoparticles of claim 12, wherein X is biodegradable.",
"17. The micro- and/or nanoparticles of claim 16, wherein X is selected from the group consisting of polyesters, polycaprolactone, polyanhydrides, and copolymers thereof.",
"18. The micro- and/or nanoparticles of claim 17, wherein X comprises a polyanhydride.",
"19. The micro- and/or nanoparticles of claim 18, wherein X comprises polysebacic anhydride.",
"20. The micro- and/or nanoparticles of claim 17, wherein X comprises 1,6 bis(p-carboxyphenoxy)hexane (CPH) or a combination of CPH and polysebacic anhydride.",
"21. The micro- and/or nanoparticles of claim 12, wherein n is between 2 and 6.",
"22. The micro- and/or nanoparticles of claim 21, wherein n is 3.",
"23. The micro- and/or nanoparticles of claim 12, wherein Y is from one of the following:",
"24. The micro- and/or nanoparticles of claim 23, wherein Y is from citric acid.",
"25. The micro- and/or nanoparticles of claim 1, wherein the polymeric conjugate is defined by Formula I\nwherein\nA is a HIF-1 inhibitor;\nL represents, independently for each occurrence, an ether, thioether, secondary amine, tertiary amine, secondary amide, tertiary amide, secondary carbamate, tertiary carbamate, urea, sulfinyl group, or sulfonyl group;\nPEG represents a polyethylene glycol chain; and\nX represents a hydrophobic polymer segment.",
"26. The micro- and/or nanoparticles of claim 25, wherein X is biodegradable.",
"27. The micro- and/or nanoparticles of claim 25, wherein X is selected from the group consisting of polyesters, polycaprolactone, polyanhydrides, and copolymers thereof.",
"28. The micro- and/or nanoparticles of claim 27, wherein X comprises a polyanhydride.",
"29. The micro- and/or nanoparticles of claim 28, wherein X comprises polysebacic anhydride.",
"30. The micro- and/or nanoparticles of claim 26, wherein X comprises 1,6 bis(p-carboxyphenoxy)hexane (CPH) or a combination of CPH and polysebacic anhydride.",
"31. The micro- and/or nanoparticles of claim 25, wherein one or more of L are amides or esters.",
"32. The micro- and/or nanoparticles of claim 31, wherein A is an anthracycline.",
"33. The micro- and/or nanoparticles of claim 1, wherein the polymeric conjugate is defined by Formula IA\nwherein\nA is a HIF-1 inhibitor;\nD represents, independently for each occurrence, O or NH;\nPEG represents a polyethylene glycol chain; and\nX represents a hydrophobic polymer segment.",
"34. The micro- and/or nanoparticles of claim 33, wherein A is an anthracycline.",
"35. The micro- and/or nanoparticles of claim 33, wherein X is biodegradable.",
"36. The micro- and/or nanoparticles of claim 35, wherein X comprises a polyanhydride.",
"37. The micro- and/or nanoparticles of claim 36, wherein X comprises polysebacic anhydride.",
"38. The micro- and/or nanoparticles of claim 36, wherein X comprises 1,6 bis(p-carboxyphenoxy)hexane (CPH) or a combination of CPH and polysebacic anhydride.",
"39. A formulation comprising the micro- and/or nanoparticles of claim 1 in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.",
"40. A formulation comprising the micro- and/or nanoparticles of claim 12.",
"41. A formulation comprising the micro- and/or nanoparticles of claim 25.",
"42. The formulation of claim 39, comprising a conjugate defined by the following formula\n\nA-X\nwherein\nA is a HIF-1 inhibitor; and\nX is a hydrophobic polymer segment.",
"43. The formulation of claim 42, wherein A is an anthracycline.",
"44. The formulation of claim 42, wherein X comprises a polyanhydride.",
"45. The formulation of claim 44, wherein X comprises polysebacic anhydride.",
"46. The conjugate of claim 44, wherein X comprises 1,6 bis(p-carboxyphenoxy)hexane (CPH) or a combination of CPH and polysebacic anhydride.",
"47. A method of treating a disease or disorder involving aberrant vascularization, comprising administering to a patient in need thereof the formulation of claim 39, in a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.",
"48. A method of treating an intraocular neovascular disease or disorder of the eye comprising administering to the eye of a patient in need thereof the formulation of claim 39, in an excipient, pharmaceutically acceptable for administration to the eye.",
"49. The method of claim 48, wherein the intraocular neovascular disease or disorder is selected from the group consisting of age-related macular degeneration associated with choroidal neovascularization, proliferative diabetic retinopathy, proliferative vitreoretinopathy, retinopathy of prematurity, pathological myopia, von Hippel-Lindau disease, presumed ocular histoplasmosis syndrome (POHS), branch retinal vein occlusion, central retinal vein occlusion, branch retinal artery occlusion, central retinal artery occlusion, neovascularization associated with a tumor, neovascularization associated with an ocular wound, retinal neovascularization, corneal graft rejection, complications from surgery that cause neovascularization, complications from injury that cause neovascularization, and combinations thereof.",
"50. The method of claim 49, wherein the disease or disorder is wet age-related macular degeneration.",
"51. The method of claim 49, wherein the disease or disorder involves choroidal neovascularization.",
"52. The method of claim 51, wherein the formulation provides an effective amount of one or more HIF-1 inhibitors to decrease the area of choroidal neovascularization, as measured by fluorescein angiography, by at least 15%.",
"53. The method of claim 49, wherein the disease or disorder involves retinal neovascularization.",
"54. The method of claim 53, wherein the formulation provides an effective amount of one or more HIF-1 inhibitors to decrease the area of retinal neovascularization, as measured by fluorescein angiography, by at least 15%."
],
[
"1. A compound comprising a structural analogue to psilocin, norpsilocin, psilocybin, baeocystin, norbaeocystin or N,N-dimethyltryptamine, according to formula I:\nwherein\nR1 and R2 are, independently, hydrogen, deuterium, C1-C8 alkyl, C2-C8 alkenyl, C2-C8 alkynyl, C3-C8 cycloalkyl (independently or ring close with the nitrogen), C3-C8 cycloalkenyl (independently or ring close with the nitrogen), aryl or heterocyclyl, optionally substituted at one or more positions by deuterium, halogen, alkyl, alkyl ester, hydroxy, alkoxy, carboxy, formyl, aryl, aryloxy, heterocyclyl, amino, alkylamino, arylamido, alkylamido, thiol, thioalkyl, thioaryl, alkylsulfonyl, alkylcarbamoyl, arylcarbamoyl, nitro, cyano, or nitrate;\nR3 is hydrogen, deuterium, C1-C8 alkyl, C2-C8 alkenyl, C2-C8 alkynyl, C3-C8 cycloalkyl, C3-C8 cycloalkenyl, aryl or heterocyclyl, optionally substituted at one or more positions by deuterium, halogen, alkyl, alkyl ester, hydroxy, alkoxy, carboxy, formyl, aryl, aryloxy, heterocyclyl, amino, alkylamino, arylamido, alkylamido, thiol, thioalkyl, thioaryl, alkylsulfonyl, alkylcarbamoyl, arylcarbamoyl, nitro, cyano, or nitrate; or R3 is selected from the group consisting of halogen, alkyl ester, hydroxy, alkoxy, carboxy, formyl, aryloxy, amino, alkylamino, arylamido, alkylamido, thiol, thioalkyl, thioaryl, alkylsulfonyl, alkylcarbamoyl, arylcarbamoyl, nitro, cyano, and nitrate;\nR4 is hydrogen, deuterium, C1-C8 alkyl, C2-C8 alkenyl, C2-C8 alkynyl, C3-C8 cycloalkyl, C3-C8 cycloalkenyl, aryl or heterocyclyl, any of which are optionally substituted at one or more positions by deuterium, halogen, alkyl, alkyl ester, hydroxy, alkoxy, carboxy, formyl, aryl, aryloxy, heterocyclyl, amino, alkylamino, arylamido, alkylamido, thiol, thioalkyl, thioaryl, alkylsulfonyl, alkylcarbamoyl, arylcarbamoyl, nitro, cyano, or nitrate; or R4 is selected from the group consisting of alkyl ester, formyl, hydroxy, arylamido, alkylamido, alkylcarbamoyl, arylcarbamoyl, amino, alkylsulfonyl, and alkylamino;\nR5 represents 1-3 substituents selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, deuterium, halogen, C1-C8 alkyl, C2-C8 alkenyl, C2-C8 alkynyl, C3-C8 cycloalkyl, C3-C8 cycloalkenyl, aryl or heterocyclyl, optionally substituted at one or more positions by deuterium, halogen, alkyl, alkyl ester, hydroxy, alkoxy, carboxy, formyl, aryl, aryloxy, heterocyclyl, amino, alkylamino, arylamido, alkylamido, thiol, thioalkyl, thioaryl, alkylsulfonyl, alkylcarbamoyl, arylcarbamoyl, nitro, cyano, or nitrate;\nR6 is hydrogen, deuterium, C1-C8 alkyl, C2-C8 alkenyl, C2-C8 alkynyl, C3-C8 cycloalkyl, C3-C8 cycloalkenyl, aryl or heterocyclyl any of which are optionally substituted at one or more positions by deuterium, halogen, alkyl, alkyl ester, hydroxy, alkoxy, carboxy, formyl, aryl, aryloxy, heterocyclyl, amino, alkylamino, arylamido, alkylamido, thiol, thioalkyl, thioaryl, alkylsulfonyl, alkylcarbamoyl, arylcarbamoyl, nitro, cyano, or nitrate; or R6 is selected from the group consisting of halogen, alkyl ester, hydroxy, alkoxy, carboxy, formyl, aryloxy, amino, alkylamino, arylamido, alkylamido, thiol, thioalkyl, thioaryl, alkylsulfonyl, alkylcarbamoyl, arylcarbamoyl, nitro, cyano, nitrate, —OP(O)(OH)2, —OC(O)R7, —OSO2OH, —OC(O)NHR7, —OC(O)NR7R8 and —SONH; and\nn is 1 to 5.",
"2. A compound comprising a structural analogue to 2,5-Dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine, according to formula II:\nwherein\nA is C1-C6 alkylene, C2-C6 alkenylene, or C2-C6 alkynylene;\nR1 and R2 are, independently, hydrogen, deuterium, C1-C8 alkyl, C2-C8 alkenyl, C2-C8 alkynyl, C3-C8 cycloalkyl (independently or ring close with the nitrogen), C3-C8 cycloalkenyl (independently or ring close with the nitrogen), aryl or heterocyclyl, optionally substituted at one or more positions by deuterium, halogen, alkyl, alkyl ester, hydroxy, alkoxy, carboxy, formyl, aryl, aryloxy, heterocyclyl, amino, alkylamino, arylamido, alkylamido, thiol, thioalkyl, thioaryl, alkylsulfonyl, alkylcarbamoyl, arylcarbamoyl, nitro, cyano, or nitrate;\nR3 is hydrogen, deuterium, C1-C8 alkyl, C2-C8 alkenyl, C2-C8 alkynyl, C3-C8 cycloalkyl, C3-C8 cycloalkenyl, aryl or heterocyclyl, optionally substituted at one or more positions by deuterium, halogen, alkyl, alkyl ester, hydroxy, alkoxy, carboxy, formyl, aryl, aryloxy, heterocyclyl, amino, alkylamino, arylamido, alkylamido, thiol, thioalkyl, thioaryl, alkylsulfonyl, alkylcarbamoyl, arylcarbamoyl, nitro, cyano, or nitrate; or R3 is selected from the group consisting of halogen, alkyl ester, hydroxy, alkoxy, carboxy, formyl, aryloxy, amino, alkylamino, arylamido, alkylamido, thiol, thioalkyl, thioaryl, alkylsulfonyl, alkylcarbamoyl, arylcarbamoyl, nitro, cyano, and nitrate;\nR4 and R5 are, independently, hydrogen, C1-C8 alkyl, C2-C8 alkenyl, C2-C8 alkynyl, C3-C8 cycloalkyl, C3-C8 cycloalkenyl, aryl or heterocyclyl, optionally substituted at one or more positions by deuterium, halogen, alkyl, alkyl ester, hydroxy, alkoxy, carboxy, formyl, aryl, aryloxy, heterocyclyl, amino, alkylamino, arylamido, alkylamido, thiol, thioalkyl, thioaryl, alkylsulfonyl, alkylcarbamoyl, arylcarbamoyl, nitro, cyano, or nitrate; or R4 and R5 are, independently, selected from the group consisting of alkyl ester, alkylsulfonyl, alkylcarbamoyl, arylcarbamoyl, and nitrate; and\nR6 represents 1-3 substituents selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, deuterium, halogen, C1-C8 alkyl, C2-C8 alkenyl, C2-C8 alkynyl, C3-C8 cycloalkyl, C3-C8 cycloalkenyl, aryl or heterocyclyl, optionally substituted at one or more positions by deuterium, halogen, alkyl, alkyl ester, hydroxy, alkoxy, carboxy, formyl, aryl, aryloxy, heterocyclyl, amino, alkylamino, arylamido, alkylamido, thiol, thioalkyl, thioaryl, alkylsulfonyl, alkylcarbamoyl, arylcarbamoyl, nitro, cyano, or nitrate.",
"3. A compound comprising a structural analogue to Lysergic acid diethylamide, according to formula III:\nwherein\nR1 and R2 are, independently, hydrogen, deuterium, C1-C8 alkyl, C2-C8 alkenyl, C2-C8 alkynyl, C3-C8 cycloalkyl (independently or ring close with the nitrogen), C3-C8 cycloalkenyl (independently or ring close with the nitrogen), aryl or heterocyclyl, optionally substituted at one or more positions by deuterium, halogen, alkyl, alkyl ester, hydroxy, alkoxy, carboxy, formyl, aryl, aryloxy, heterocyclyl, amino, alkylamino, arylamido, alkylamido, thiol, thioalkyl, thioaryl, alkylsulfonyl, alkylcarbamoyl, arylcarbamoyl, nitro, cyano, or nitrate;\nR3 is hydrogen, deuterium, C1-C8 alkyl, C2-C8 alkenyl, C2-C8 alkynyl, C3-C8 cycloalkyl, C3-C8 cycloalkenyl, aryl or heterocyclyl, optionally substituted at one or more positions by deuterium, halogen, alkyl, alkyl ester, hydroxy, alkoxy, carboxy, formyl, aryl, aryloxy, heterocyclyl, amino, alkylamino, arylamido, alkylamido, thiol, thioalkyl, thioaryl, alkylsulfonyl, alkylcarbamoyl, arylcarbamoyl, nitro, cyano, or nitrate; or R3 is selected from the group consisting of halogen, alkyl ester, hydroxy, alkoxy, carboxy, formyl, aryloxy, amino, alkylamino, arylamido, alkylamido, thiol, thioalkyl, thioaryl, alkylsulfonyl, alkylcarbamoyl, arylcarbamoyl, nitro, cyano, and nitrate;\nR4 and R7 are, independently, hydrogen, deuterium, C1-C8 alkyl, C2-C8 alkenyl, C2-C8 alkynyl, C3-C8 cycloalkyl, C3-C8 cycloalkenyl, aryl or heterocyclyl, optionally substituted at one or more positions by deuterium, halogen, alkyl, alkyl ester, hydroxy, alkoxy, carboxy, formyl, aryl, aryloxy, heterocyclyl, amino, alkylamino, arylamido, alkylamido, thiol, thioalkyl, thioaryl, alkylsulfonyl, alkylcarbamoyl, arylcarbamoyl, nitro, cyano, or nitrate;\nR5 and R6 are, independently, hydrogen, deuterium, C1-C8 alkyl, C2-C8 alkenyl, C2-C8 alkynyl, C3-C8 cycloalkyl, C3-C8 cycloalkenyl, aryl or heterocyclyl, optionally substituted at one or more positions by deuterium, halogen, alkyl, alkyl ester, hydroxy, alkoxy, carboxy, formyl, aryl, aryloxy, heterocyclyl, amino, alkylamino, arylamido, alkylamido, thiol, thioalkyl, thioaryl, alkylsulfonyl, alkylcarbamoyl, arylcarbamoyl, nitro, cyano, or nitrate; or R5 and R6 are, independently, selected from the group consisting of halogen, alkyl ester, hydroxy, alkoxy, carboxy, formyl, aryloxy, amino, alkylamino, arylamido, alkylamido, thiol, thioalkyl, thioaryl, alkylsulfonyl, alkylcarbamoyl, arylcarbamoyl, nitro, cyano, and nitrate; and\nR8 represents 1-3 substituents selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, deuterium, halogen, C1-C8 alkyl, C2-C8 alkenyl, C2-C8 alkynyl, C3-C8 cycloalkyl, C3-C8 cycloalkenyl, aryl or heterocyclyl, optionally substituted at one or more positions by deuterium, halogen, alkyl, alkyl ester, hydroxy, alkoxy, carboxy, formyl, aryl, aryloxy, heterocyclyl, amino, alkylamino, arylamido, alkylamido, thiol, thioalkyl, thioaryl, alkylsulfonyl, alkylcarbamoyl, arylcarbamoyl, nitro, cyano, or nitrate.",
"4. A compound comprising a structural analogue to ibogaine, according to formula IV:\nwherein\nR1 is deuterium, C1-C8 alkyl, C2-C8 alkenyl, C2-C8 alkynyl, C3-C8 cycloalkyl, C3-C8 cycloalkenyl, aryl or heterocyclyl, optionally substituted at one or more positions by deuterium, halogen, alkyl, alkyl ester, hydroxy, alkoxy, carboxy, formyl, aryl, aryloxy, heterocyclyl, amino, alkylamino, arylamido, alkylamido, thiol, thioalkyl, thioaryl, alkylsulfonyl, alkylcarbamoyl, arylcarbamoyl, nitro, cyano, or nitrate;\nR2 is hydrogen, deuterium, C1-C8 alkyl, C2-C8 alkenyl, C2-C8 alkynyl, C3-C8 cycloalkyl, C3-C8 cycloalkenyl, aryl or heterocyclyl, optionally substituted at one or more positions by deuterium, halogen, alkyl, alkyl ester, hydroxy, alkoxy, carboxy, formyl, aryl, aryloxy, heterocyclyl, amino, alkylamino, arylamido, alkylamido, thiol, thioalkyl, thioaryl, alkylsulfonyl, alkylcarbamoyl, arylcarbamoyl, nitro, cyano, or nitrate; or R2 is selected from the group consisting of halogen, alkyl ester, hydroxy, alkoxy, carboxy, formyl, aryloxy, amino, alkylamino, arylamido, alkylamido, thiol, thioalkyl, thioaryl, alkylsulfonyl, alkylcarbamoyl, arylcarbamoyl, nitro, cyano, and nitrate;\nR3 is hydrogen, C1-C8 alkyl, C2-C8 alkenyl, C2-C8 alkynyl, C3-C8 cycloalkyl, C3-C8 cycloalkenyl, aryl or heterocyclyl, optionally substituted at one or more positions by deuterium, halogen, alkyl, alkyl ester, hydroxy, alkoxy, carboxy, formyl, aryl, aryloxy, heterocyclyl, amino, alkylamino, arylamido, alkylamido, thiol, thioalkyl, thioaryl, alkylsulfonyl, alkylcarbamoyl, arylcarbamoyl, nitro, cyano, or nitrate; or R3 is selected from the group consisting of alkyl ester, alkylsulfonyl, alkylcarbamoyl, arylcarbamoyl, and nitrate; and\nR4 represents 1-3 substituents selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, deuterium, halogen, C1-C8 alkyl, C2-C8 alkenyl, C2-C8 alkynyl, C3-C8 cycloalkyl, C3-C8 cycloalkenyl, aryl or heterocyclyl, optionally substituted at one or more positions by deuterium, halogen, alkyl, alkyl ester, hydroxy, alkoxy, carboxy, formyl, aryl, aryloxy, heterocyclyl, amino, alkylamino, arylamido, alkylamido, thiol, thioalkyl, thioaryl, alkylsulfonyl, alkylcarbamoyl, arylcarbamoyl, nitro, cyano, or nitrate.",
"5. A method for preventing or treating diseases and conditions or improving functions in patients or subjects, the method comprising:\nadministration of a compound of any of claims 1-4 at doses, dosages, posology, or formulations devoid of clinically meaningful psychedelic or psychotomimetic actions or effects, and having clinical effects comparable to those exerted by human plasma psilocin Cmax of 4 ng/ml or less, or human 5-HT2A CNS receptor occupancy of 50% or less, or PD effects comparable to those exerted by human plasma psilocin Tmax in excess of 60 minutes.",
"6. The method of claim 5, wherein said clinical effects are comparable to those exerted by human plasma psilocin Cmax of 2 ng/ml or less or 5-HT2A human CNS receptor occupancy of 40% or less.",
"7. The method of claim 5, wherein said clinical effects are comparable to those exerted by human plasma psilocin Cmax of 1 ng/ml or less or 5-HT2A human CNS receptor occupancy of 30% or less.",
"8. The method of claim 5, wherein said PD effects are comparable to those exerted by human plasma psilocin Tmax in excess of 120 minutes.",
"9. The method of claim 5, wherein said PD effects are comparable to those exerted by human plasma psilocin Tmax in excess of 180 minutes.",
"10. The method of claim 5, wherein the administering of the compound occurs under conditions that may modulate NMDARs and their subunits in addition to modulate 5-HT2A receptors.",
"11. The method of claim 5, wherein the administering of the compound may provide excitotoxicity protection.",
"12. The method of claim 5, wherein the administering of the compound may modulate neurogenesis.",
"13. The method of claim 5, wherein the administering of the compound occurs under conditions effective for the substance to exert neuroplastogen effects, including modulation of neural plasticity.",
"14. The method of claim 5, wherein the administration of the compound is repeated over days or months or is chronic.",
"15. The method of claim 5, wherein the administration of the compound is intermittent and occurs every second day, every third day or every other week or every 2 weeks or every other month.",
"16. A method for preventing or treating diseases and conditions or improving functions in patients or subjects, the method comprising:\nadministration of a 5-HT2A agonist substance at doses, dosages, posology, or formulations devoid of clinically meaningful psychedelic or psychotomimetic actions or effects, and having clinical effects comparable to those exerted by human plasma psilocin Cmax of 4 ng/ml or less, or human 5-HT2A CNS receptor occupancy of 50% or less, or PD effects comparable to those exerted by human plasma psilocin Tmax in excess of 60 minutes.",
"17. The method of claim 16, wherein said clinical effects are comparable to those exerted by human plasma psilocin Cmax of 2 ng/ml or less or 5-HT2A human CNS receptor occupancy of 40% or less.",
"18. The method of claim 16, wherein said clinical effects are comparable to those exerted by human plasma psilocin Cmax of 1 ng/ml or less or 5-HT2A human CNS receptor occupancy of 30% or less",
"19. The method of claim 16, wherein said PD effects are comparable to those exerted by human plasma psilocin Tmax in excess of 120 minutes.",
"20. The method of claim 16, wherein said PD effects are comparable to those exerted by human plasma psilocin Tmax in excess of 180 minutes.",
"21. The method of claim 16, wherein the administering of the 5-HT2A agonist substance occurs under conditions that may modulate NMDARs and their subunits in addition to modulate 5-HT2A receptors.",
"22. The method of claim 16, wherein the administering of the 5-HT2A agonist substance may provide excitotoxicity protection.",
"23. The method of claim 16, wherein the administering of the 5-HT2A agonist substance may modulate neurogenesis.",
"24. The method of claim 16, wherein the administering of the 5-HT2A agonist substance occurs under conditions effective for the substance to exert neuroplastogen effects, including modulation of neural plasticity.",
"25. The method of claim 16, wherein the administration of the 5-HT2A agonist substance is repeated over days or months or is chronic.",
"26. The method of claim 16, wherein the administration of the 5-HT2A agonist substance is intermittent and occurs every second day, every third day or every other week or every 2 weeks or every other month.",
"27. The method of claim 16, wherein the method includes the treatment of the metabolic syndrome and its complications.",
"28. The method of claim 16, wherein the method includes the treatment of impaired glucose tolerance, diabetes and their complication.",
"29. The method of claim 16, wherein the method includes the treatment of NAFL, NAFLD, NASH and their complications.",
"30. The method of claim 16, wherein the method includes the treatment of obesity and its complications.",
"31. The method of claim 16, wherein the method includes the treatment of vision impairment and visual loss including macular degeneration and retinopathies.",
"32. The method of claim 16, wherein the method includes the treatment of neurological diseases, including neurodevelopmental diseases and neurodegenerative diseases that may benefit from modulation of neural plasticity, including: Neurological diseases and their symptoms and signs that may respond to neuroplastogen drugs and SMSNs include: Alzheimer's disease; presenile dementia; senile dementia; vascular dementia; Lewy body dementia; cognitive impairment, including mild cognitive impairment associated with aging and with chronic disease and its treatment, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy and radiotherapy, Parkinson's disease and Parkinsonian related disorders including but not limited to Parkinson dementia; disorders associated with accumulation of beta amyloid protein (including but not limited to cerebrovascular amyloid angiopathy, posterior cortical atrophy); disorders associated with accumulation or disruption of tau protein and its metabolites including but not limited to frontotemporal dementia and its variants, frontal variant, primary progressive aphasias (semantic dementia and progressive non fluent aphasia), corticobasal degeneration, supranuclear palsy; epilepsy; NS trauma; NS infections; NS inflammation, including inflammation from autoimmune disorders, including NMDAR encephalitis, and cytopathology from toxins, (including microbial toxins, heavy metals, and pesticides etc.); stroke; multiple sclerosis; Huntington's disease; mitochondrial disorders; Fragile X syndrome; Angelman syndrome; hereditary ataxias; neuro-otological and eye movement disorders; neurodegenerative diseases of the retina like glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration; amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; tardive dyskinesias; hyperkinetic disorders; attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and attention deficit disorders; restless leg syndrome; Tourette's syndrome; schizophrenia; autism spectrum disorders; tuberous sclerosis; Rett syndrome; cerebral palsy; disorders of the reward system including eating disorders [including anorexia nervosa (“AN”) and bulimia nervosa (“BN”); and binge eating disorder (“BED”), trichotillomania, dermotillomania, nail biting; migraine; fibromyalgia; and peripheral neuropathy of any etiology. Symptoms or manifestations of nervous system disorders that may be treated or prevented by neuroplastogen substances and drugs include: a decline, impairment, or abnormality in cognitive abilities including executive function, attention, cognitive speed, memory, language functions (speech, comprehension, reading and writing), orientation in space and time, praxis, ability to perform actions, ability to recognize faces or objects, concentration, and alertness; abnormal movements including akathisia, bradykinesia, tics, myoclonus, dyskinesias, including dyskinesias relate to Huntington's disease, levodopa induced dyskinesias and neuroleptic induced dyskinesias, dystonias, tremors, including essential tremor, and restless leg syndrome; parasomnias, insomnia, disturbed sleep pattern; psychosis; delirium; agitation; headache; motor weakness, spasticity, impaired physical endurance; sensory impairment, including impairment of vision and visual field defects, smell, taste, hearing and balance, and dysesthesias; dysautonomia; and ataxia, impairment of balance or coordination, tinnitus, neuro-otological and eye movement impairments, neurological symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, including delirium, headache, tremors, hallucinations, hypertension.",
"33. The method of claim 16, wherein the method includes the treatment of psychiatric diseases as defined by DMS5 and ICD11 that may benefit from modulation of neural plasticity, including Schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders, Bipolar and related disorders, Depressive disorders, Anxiety disorders, Obsessive-compulsive and related disorders, Trauma- and stressor-related disorders, Dissociative disorders, Somatic symptom and related disorders, Feeding and eating disorders, Elimination disorders, Sleep-wake disorders, Sexual dysfunctions, Gender dysphoria, Disruptive, impulse-control, and conduct disorders, Substance-related and addictive disorders, Neurocognitive disorders, Personality disorders, Paraphilic disorders.",
"34. The method of claim 16, wherein the method includes the treatment of systemic inflammatory states and autoimmune disorders.",
"35. The method of claim 16, wherein the method includes the treatment of aging, senescence and associated deficits, including osteoporosis.",
"36. The method of claim 16, wherein the method includes the treatment of dry eye syndrome.",
"37. The method of claim 16, wherein the method includes the treatment of restless leg syndrome.",
"38. The method of claim 16, wherein the function is chosen from visual, auditory, sense of balance, olfactory, gustatory.",
"39. The method of claim 16, where the substance is psilocybin, psilocin, norpsilocin, baeocystin, nor-baeocystin or a mixture thereof.",
"40. The method of claim 16, where the substance is a modified release formulation of psilocybin, psilocin, norpsilocin, baeocystin, nor-baeocystin or a mixture thereof.",
"41. The method of claim 16, where the drug is a combination of at least two drugs, the first drug chosen among 5-HT2A agonists, including psilocybin or psilocin or norpsilocin or baeocystin or norbaeocystin at doses of 0.01-24 mg and the second drug chosen among an open-channel low-affinity uncompetitive NMDAR antagonist, including dextromethorphan, dextromethadone, ketamine and its isomers, memantine, amantadine, noribogaine at doses of 0.01-50 mg; wherein the administering of the combination substance provides synergistic effects and or improved safety over the administration of either substance alone.",
"42. The method of claim 16, further comprising administration of the compound of claims 1-4 or the 5-HT2A agonist substance in combination with magnesium and or zinc and or lithium and salts thereof; wherein the administering of the combination substance provides synergistic effects and or improved safety over the administration of either substance alone.",
"43. The method of claim 16, the method comprising daily oral administration psilocybin and or psilocin and or baeocystin containing fungi and or extracts thereof.",
"44. A method for preventing and treating diseases and conditions in a subject, the method comprising administering a 5-HT2A agonist derivative, including carbamate derivatives, fluoro-derivatives and including nitro-derivatives and their deuterated versions including deuterated carbamate derivatives, deuterated fluoro-derivatives and including nitro-derivatives and deuterated fluoro-nitroderivatives, including compounds of any of claims 1-4.",
"45. The method of claim 5, wherein the substance is coated with an emetic drug to lower the abuse potential of the substance.",
"46. The method of claim 5, wherein the administering of substance is performed orally, buccally, sublingually, rectally, vaginally, nasally, via aerosol, trans-dermally, trans-mucosal, parenterally (e.g., intravenous, intradermal, subcutaneous, and intramuscular injection), epidurally, intrathecally, intra-auricularly, intraocularly, including implanted depot formulations, or topically, including creams, lotions, gels and ointments for the skin or for the eyes and eye drops.",
"47. The method of claim 5, wherein the method includes the treatment of the metabolic syndrome and its complications.",
"48. The method of claim 5, wherein the method includes the treatment of impaired glucose tolerance, diabetes and their complication.",
"49. The method of claim 5, wherein the method includes the treatment of NAFL, NAFLD, NASH and their complications.",
"50. The method of claim 5, wherein the method includes the treatment of obesity and its complications.",
"51. The method of claim 5, wherein the method includes the treatment of vision impairment and visual loss including macular degeneration and retinopathies.",
"52. The method of claim 5, wherein the method includes the treatment of neurological diseases, including neurodevelopmental diseases and neurodegenerative diseases that may benefit from modulation of neural plasticity, including: Neurological diseases and their symptoms and signs that may respond to neuroplastogen drugs and SMSNs include: Alzheimer's disease; presenile dementia; senile dementia; vascular dementia; Lewy body dementia; cognitive impairment, including mild cognitive impairment associated with aging and with chronic disease and its treatment, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy and radiotherapy, Parkinson's disease and Parkinsonian related disorders including but not limited to Parkinson dementia; disorders associated with accumulation of beta amyloid protein (including but not limited to cerebrovascular amyloid angiopathy, posterior cortical atrophy); disorders associated with accumulation or disruption of tau protein and its metabolites including but not limited to frontotemporal dementia and its variants, frontal variant, primary progressive aphasias (semantic dementia and progressive non fluent aphasia), corticobasal degeneration, supranuclear palsy; epilepsy; NS trauma; NS infections; NS inflammation, including inflammation from autoimmune disorders, including NMDAR encephalitis, and cytopathology from toxins, (including microbial toxins, heavy metals, and pesticides etc.); stroke; multiple sclerosis; Huntington's disease; mitochondrial disorders; Fragile X syndrome; Angelman syndrome; hereditary ataxias; neuro-otological and eye movement disorders; neurodegenerative diseases of the retina like glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration; amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; tardive dyskinesias; hyperkinetic disorders; attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and attention deficit disorders; restless leg syndrome; Tourette's syndrome; schizophrenia; autism spectrum disorders; tuberous sclerosis; Rett syndrome; cerebral palsy; disorders of the reward system including eating disorders [including anorexia nervosa (“AN”) and bulimia nervosa (“BN”); and binge eating disorder (“BED”), trichotillomania, dermotillomania, nail biting; migraine; fibromyalgia; and peripheral neuropathy of any etiology. Symptoms or manifestations of nervous system disorders that may be treated or prevented by neuroplastogen substances and drugs include: a decline, impairment, or abnormality in cognitive abilities including executive function, attention, cognitive speed, memory, language functions (speech, comprehension, reading and writing), orientation in space and time, praxis, ability to perform actions, ability to recognize faces or objects, concentration, and alertness; abnormal movements including akathisia, bradykinesia, tics, myoclonus, dyskinesias, including dyskinesias relate to Huntington's disease, levodopa induced dyskinesias and neuroleptic induced dyskinesias, dystonias, tremors, including essential tremor, and restless leg syndrome; parasomnias, insomnia, disturbed sleep pattern; psychosis; delirium; agitation; headache; motor weakness, spasticity, impaired physical endurance; sensory impairment, including impairment of vision and visual field defects, smell, taste, hearing and balance, and dysesthesias; dysautonomia; and ataxia, impairment of balance or coordination, tinnitus, neuro-otological and eye movement impairments, neurological symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, including delirium, headache, tremors, hallucinations, hypertension.",
"53. The method of claim 5, wherein the method includes the treatment of psychiatric diseases as defined by DMS5 and ICD11 that may benefit from modulation of neural plasticity, including Schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders, Bipolar and related disorders, Depressive disorders, Anxiety disorders, Obsessive-compulsive and related disorders, Trauma- and stressor-related disorders, Dissociative disorders, Somatic symptom and related disorders, Feeding and eating disorders, Elimination disorders, Sleep-wake disorders, Sexual dysfunctions, Gender dysphoria, Disruptive, impulse-control, and conduct disorders, Substance-related and addictive disorders, Neurocognitive disorders, Personality disorders, Paraphilic disorders.",
"54. The method of claim 5, wherein the method includes the treatment of systemic inflammatory states and autoimmune disorders.",
"55. The method of claim 5, wherein the method includes the treatment of aging, senescence and associated deficits, including osteoporosis.",
"56. The method of claim 5, wherein the method includes the treatment of dry eye syndrome.",
"57. The method of claim 5, wherein the method includes the treatment of restless leg syndrome.",
"58. The method of claim 5, wherein the function is chosen from visual, auditory, sense of balance, olfactory, gustatory.",
"59. The method of claim 5, where the substance is psilocybin, psilocin, norpsilocin, baeocystin, nor-baeocystin or a mixture thereof.",
"60. The method of claim 5, where the drug is a combination of at least two drugs, the first drug chosen among 5-HT2A agonists, including psilocybin or psilocin or norpsilocin or baeocystin or norbaeocystin at doses of 0.01-24 mg and the second drug chosen among an open-channel low-affinity uncompetitive NMDAR antagonist, including dextromethorphan, dextromethadone, ketamine and its isomers, memantine, amantadine, noribogaine at doses of 0.01-50 mg;\nwherein the administering of the combination substance provides synergistic effects and or improved safety over the administration of either substance alone.",
"61. The method of claim 5, further comprising administration of the compound or the 5-HT2A agonist substance in combination with magnesium and or zinc and or lithium and salts thereof;\nwherein the administering of the combination substance provides synergistic effects and or improved safety over the administration of either substance alone.",
"62. The method of claim 5, the method comprising daily oral administration psilocybin and or psilocin and or baeocystin containing fungi and or extracts thereof."
],
[
"1. A stabilized ophthalmic composition for treating pre-myopia, myopia, or progression of myopia, comprising from about 0,001 wt % to about 0.05 wt % of atropine or atropine sulfate and deuterated water, wherein the stabilized ophthalmic composition further comprises a buffering agent at a pD from about 4.2 to about 7.9, wherein the buffering agent comprises a citrate buffering agent, an acetate buffering agent, or a combination thereof.",
"2. The stabilized ophthalmic composition of claim 1, wherein the buffering agent has a pD from about 4.2 to about 6.8.",
"3. The stabilized ophthalmic composition of claim 1, further comprising noratropine, atropine-N-oxide, tropine, tropic acid, hyoscine, scopolamine, tropicamide, cyclopentolate, pirenzepine, homatropine, or a combination thereof.",
"4. The stabilized ophthalmic composition of claim 1, wherein the atropine or atropine sulfate is present in the composition at a concentration of from about 0.001 wt % to about 0.03 wt %.",
"5. The stabilized ophthalmic composition of claim 1, wherein the atropine or atropine sulfate is present in the composition at a concentration of from about 0.001 wt % to about 0.02 wt %.",
"6. The stabilized ophthalmic composition of claim 1, wherein the atropine or atropine sulfate is present in the composition at a concentration of from about 0,001 wt % to about 0.01 wt %.",
"7. The stabilized ophthalmic composition of claim 1, wherein the buffering agent further comprises a carbonate buffering agent, an organic buffering agent, an amino acid buffering agent, or a combination thereof.",
"8. The stabilized ophthalmic composition of claim 1, wherein the stabilized ophthalmic composition further comprises a tonicity adjusting agent.",
"9. The stabilized ophthalmic composition of claim 8, wherein the tonicity adjusting agent comprises a halide salt of a monovalent cation.",
"10. The stabilized ophthalmic composition of claim 1, further comprising an ophthalmically acceptable viscosity agent.",
"11. The stabilized ophthalmic composition of claim 10, wherein the ophthalmically acceptable viscosity agent comprises hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, or hydroxypropylmethyl-cellulose (HPMC).",
"12. The stabilized ophthalmic composition of claim 1, further comprising a preservative.",
"13. The stabilized ophthalmic composition of claim 12, wherein a concentration of the preservative is from about 0.0001% to about 1%.",
"14. The stabilized ophthalmic composition of claim 12, wherein the preservative is selected from benzalkonium chloride, certrimonium, sodium perborate, stabilized oxychloro complex, polyquaternium-1, chlorobutanol, edetate di sodium, polydexamethylene biguanide, or combinations thereof.",
"15. The stabilized ophthalmic composition of claim 1, wherein the stabilized ophthalmic composition is essentially free of procaine and benactyzine, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.",
"16. A method of treating the pre-myopia, myopia or progression of myopia in an individual in need thereof, comprising administering to an eye of the individual an effective amount of the stabilized ophthalmic composition of claim 1.",
"17. The method of claim 16, wherein the stabilized ophthalmic composition is administered topically.",
"18. The method of claim 16, wherein the stabilized ophthalmic composition is administered by instillation.",
"19. The method of claim 16, wherein the stabilized ophthalmic composition is administered through an eye drop bottle containing the stabilized ophthalmic composition.",
"20. A stabilized ophthalmic composition for treating pre-myopia, myopia, or progression of myopia, comprising from about 0,001 wt % to about 0.05 wt % of atropine or atropine sulfate and deuterated water, wherein the stabilized ophthalmic composition further comprises a buffering agent at a pD from about 4.2 to about 7.9, wherein the buffering agent consists essentially of citrate buffering agent, an acetate buffering agent, or a combination thereof."
],
[
"1. A humanized antibody that binds complement C1s protein and comprises:\na light chain variable region that comprises a CDR-L1 amino acid sequence set forth as SEQ ID NO: 32, a CDR-L2 amino acid sequence set forth as SEQ ID NO: 33, and a CDR-L3 amino acid sequence set forth as SEQ ID NO: 3;\na heavy chain variable region that comprises a CDR-H1 amino acid sequence set forth as SEQ ID NO: 34, a CDR-H2 amino acid sequence set forth as SEQ ID NO: 35, and a CDR-H3 amino acid sequence set forth as SEQ ID NO: 36; and\na human IgG4 constant region, wherein the human IgG4 constant region comprises a S241P substitution (by Kabat numbering) and an L235 E substitution (by EU numbering).",
"2. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the humanized antibody of claim 1 and a pharmaceutically-acceptable excipient.",
"3. A method comprising administering to an individual a humanized antibody that binds complement C1s protein and comprises:\na light chain variable region that comprises a CDR-L1 amino acid sequence set forth as SEQ ID NO: 32, a CDR-L2 amino acid sequence set forth as SEQ ID NO: 33, and a CDR-L3 amino acid sequence set forth as SEQ ID NO: 3;\na heavy chain variable region that comprises a CDR-H1 amino acid sequence set forth as SEQ ID NO: 34, a CDR-H2 amino acid sequence set forth as SEQ ID NO: 35, and a CDR-H3 amino acid sequence set forth as SEQ ID NO: 36; and\na human IgG4 constant region, wherein the human IgG4 constant region comprises a S241P substitution (by Kabat numbering) and an L235 E substitution (by EU numbering),\nwherein the individual has a complement-mediated disease.",
"4. The method of claim 3, wherein the complement-mediated disease is cold-agglutinin disease.",
"5. A method of treating a complement-mediated disease in an individual, the method comprising administering to the individual a humanized antibody in an amount effective to treat the complement-mediated disease, wherein the humanized antibody binds complement C1s protein and comprises:\na light chain variable region that comprises a CDR-L1 amino acid sequence set forth as SEQ ID NO: 32, a CDR-L2 amino acid sequence set forth as SEQ ID NO: 33, and a CDR-L3 amino acid sequence set forth as SEQ ID NO: 3;\na heavy chain variable region that comprises a CDR-H1 amino acid sequence set forth as SEQ ID NO: 34, a CDR-H2 amino acid sequence set forth as SEQ ID NO: 35, and a CDR-H3 amino acid sequence set forth as SEQ ID NO: 36; and\na human IgG4 constant region, wherein the human IgG4 constant region comprises a S241P substitution (by Kabat numbering) and an L235 E substitution (by EU numbering).",
"6. The method of claim 5, wherein the complement-mediated disease is cold-agglutinin disease.",
"7. A nucleic acid encoding the light chain variable region of the humanized antibody of claim 1.",
"8. An expression vector comprising the nucleic acid of claim 7.",
"9. A nucleic acid encoding the heavy chain variable region of the humanized antibody of claim 1 or the heavy chain variable region and the human IgG4 constant region of the humanized antibody of claim 1.",
"10. An expression vector comprising the nucleic acid of claim 9.",
"11. A composition comprising nucleic acids encoding the light chain variable region, the heavy chain variable region, and the human IgG4 constant region of claim 1.",
"12. A host cell comprising:\na nucleic acid encoding the light chain variable region and a nucleic acid encoding the heavy chain variable region of the humanized antibody of claim 1.",
"13. A method comprising culturing the host cell of claim 12."
],
[
"1. A method of treating macular edema or age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in a human subject in need thereof, comprising, non-surgically administering an effective amount of a drug formulation comprising dexamethasone to the suprachoroidal space (SCS) of the eye of the human subject via a microneedle, wherein the human subject was previously treated with an anti-inflammatory drug.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the macular edema is diabetic macular edema (DME).",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein the human subject has AMD.",
"4. The method of claim 3, wherein the AMD is dry AMD.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein upon administration of the drug formulation to the SCS, the drug formulation flows away from the insertion site and is substantially localized to the posterior segment of the eye.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein a dosage or volume of the drug formulation-sufficient to elicit a therapeutic response when administered to the SCS is less than the dosage or volume of the drug formulation sufficient to elicit a therapeutic response when administered intravitreally, intracamerally, topically, parenterally or orally.",
"7. The method of claim 1, wherein the administering results in decreased ocular inflammation.",
"8. The method of claim 1, wherein the microneedle is inserted into the sclera without penetrating across the sclera.",
"9. The method of claim 1, wherein the microneedle is inserted into the sclera without penetrating through the choroid.",
"10. The method of claim 1, wherein the non-surgically administering includes conveying the effective amount of the drug formulation to the SCS via a microneedle having a length of from about 500 μm to about 1500 μm.",
"11. The method of claim 1, wherein the drug formulation comprises a suspension of microparticles or nanoparticles.",
"12. The method of claim 11, wherein the microparticles have a D50 of 2 μm or less.",
"13. The method of claim 1, wherein the administering comprises positioning the needle perpendicular, or at an angle from about 80° to about 100° to the ocular surface of the eye.",
"14. The method of claim 1, wherein the administration provides extended release of the drug.",
"15. The method of claim 1, wherein the administering of the drug formulation to the SCS is monitored by an image-guided feedback method.",
"16. The method of claim 1, the effective amount of the drug formulation is present in a volume of about 10 μL to about 200 μL.",
"17. The method of claim 16, wherein the effective amount of the drug formulation is present in a volume of about 50 μL to about 150 μL.",
"18. The method of claim 1, wherein the anti-inflammatory drug is a VEGF antagonist.",
"19. The method of claim 18, wherein the VEGF antagonist is an anti-VEGF antibody.",
"20. The method of claim 19, wherein the anti-VEGF antibody is selected from the group consisting of aflibercept, bevacizumab, ranibizumab, vandetanib, cabozantinib, ponatinib, ziv-aflibercept, lapatinib, sunitinib, sorafenib, plitidepsin, regorafenib, verteporfin, bucillamine, axitinib, pazopanib, fluocinolone acetonide, nintedanib, AL8326, 2C3 antibody, AT001 antibody, XtendVEGF antibody, HuMax-VEGF antibody, R3 antibody, AT001/r84 antibody, HyBEV, ANG3070, APX003 antibody, APX004 antibody, ponatinib, BDM-E, VGX100 antibody, VGX200, VGX300, COSMIX, DLX903/1008 antibody, ENMD2076, INDUS815C, R84 antibody, KD019, NM3, MGCD265, MG516, MP0260, NT503, anti-DLL4/VEGF bispecific antibody, PAN90806, Palomid 529, BD0801 antibody, XV615, lucitanib, motesanib diphosphate, AAV2-sFLT01, soluble Flt1 receptor, cediranib, AV-951, Volasertib, CEP11981, KH903, lenvatinib, lenvatinib mesylate, terameprocol, PF00337210,PRS050, SP01, carboxyamidotriazole orotate, hydroxychloroquine, linifanib, ALG1001,AGN150998, MP0112, AMG386, AVA101, BMS690514, KH902, golvatinib (E7050), dovitinib lactate (TKI258, CHIR258), ORA101, ORA102, Axitinib, PTC299, pegaptanib sodium, troponin, EG3306, vatalanib, Bmab 100, GSK2136773, Anti-VEGFR Alterase, Avila, CEP7055, CLT009, ESBA903, GW654652, HMPL010, GEM220, HYB676, JNJ17029259, TAK593, Nova21012, Nova21013, CP564959, AG028262, AG13958, CVX241, SU14813, PRS055, PG501, PG545, PTI101, TG100948, ICS283, XL647, enzastaurin hydrochloride, BC194, COT601M06.1, COT604M06.2, Mabion VEGF, Apatinib and AL3818.",
"21. The method of claim 1, wherein the anti-inflammatory drug is a steroid.",
"22. The method of claim 1, wherein the human patient was not properly responsive to the previous treatment.",
"23. The method of claim 1, wherein the microneedle comprises a microcannula."
],
[
"1. A method for reducing tissue damage associated with an ophthalmic procedure in a subject, comprising administering an antisense compound to the eye of said subject in conjunction with said procedure in an amount sufficient to inhibit the expression of a connexin protein in the eye or in cells associated with the eye of said subject, wherein said antisense compound comprises a nucleobase sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 4-11.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein said antisense compound is administered by local or topical administration.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein said antisense compound is administered by direct application in a surgical wound.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein said antisense compound is administered by intraocular injection.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein said antisense compound is used in combination with a second compound useful for reducing tissue damage or promoting healing.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein said second compound is a growth factor or cytokine.",
"7. The method of claim 6, wherein said second compound is selected from a growth factor, cytokine, or the like, including but not limited to FGF, NGF, NT3, PDGF, TGF, VEGF, BDGF, EGF, KGF, integrins, interleukins, plasmin, and semaphorins.",
"8. The method of claim 1, wherein said antisense compound is targeted towards connexin 26, 37, 30 and/or 31.1."
],
[
"1. A cell population comprising mammalian retinal progenitor cells, wherein the mammalian retinal progenitor cells express one or more markers selected from the group consisting of nestin, Sox2, Ki-67, MHC Class I, and Fas/CD95, wherein nestin is expressed by greater than 90% of the cells in the population, wherein Sox2 is expressed by greater than 80% of the cells in the population, wherein Ki-67 is expressed by % greater than 30% of the cells in the population, wherein MHC Class I is expressed by greater than 70% of the cells in the population, and wherein Fas/CD95 is expressed by greater than 30% of the cells in the population.",
"2. The cell population of claim 1, wherein the cells are derived from a human.",
"3. The cell population of claim 1, wherein the cells in the population further express one or more markers selected from the group consisting of vimentin, CD9, CD81, AQP4, CXCR4, CD15/LeX/SSEA1, GD2 ganglioside, CD133, p3-tubulin, MAP2, GFAP, OPN/SPP1, PTN, KDR, and TEK.",
"4. The cell population of claim 1, wherein the cells are derived from a non-human mammal.",
"5. A method for isolating a population of mammalian retinal progenitor cells comprising:\nharvesting mammalian fetal retinal tissue at a stage after which the retina is formed but before photoreceptor outer segments are fully formed throughout the retina and before retinal vascularization substantially completed or completed;\ndissociating the harvested tissues to generate a dissociated suspension of cells and cell clusters; and\nculturing the dissociated suspension for about 10-30 passages, wherein the mammalian retinal progenitor cells express one or more markers selected from the group consisting of nestin, Sox2, Ki-67, MHC Class I, and Fas/CD95, wherein nestin is expressed by greater than 90% of the cells in the population, wherein Sox2 is expressed by greater than 80% of the cells in the population, wherein Ki-67 is expressed by greater than 30% of the cells in the population, wherein MHC Class I is expressed by greater than 70% of the cells in the population, and wherein Fas/CD95 is expressed by greater than 30% of the cells in the population.",
"6. The method of claim 5, wherein the tissues are harvested from a human.",
"7. The method of claim 5, wherein the tissues are harvested from a human fetal retina at a gestational age between about 12 weeks to about 28 weeks, or from postnatal or neonatal retina.",
"8. The method of claim 5, wherein the tissues are harvested from a non-human fetal retina at a gestational age between about 3 weeks to about 11 weeks, or from postnatal or neonatal retina.",
"9. The method of claim 5, wherein the cells are cultured at atmospheric oxygen levels.",
"10. The method of claim 5, wherein the cells are cultured at oxygen levels between about 0.5% to about 7%.",
"11. The method of claim 5, wherein the cells are cultured in serum-free or reduced serum cell culture media.",
"12. The method of claim 5, wherein the cells in the population further express one or more markers selected from the group consisting of vimentin, CD9, CD81, AQP4, CXCR4, CD15/LeX/SSEAI, GD2 ganglioside, CD 133, β3-tubulin, MAP2, GFAP, OPN/SPP1, PTN, KDR, and TEK.",
"13. A method for treating a retinal disease or condition in a subject in need thereof comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of a composition comprising mammalian retinal progenitor cells, wherein the mammalian retinal progenitor cells express one or more markers selected from the group consisting of nestin, Sox2, Ki-67, MHC Class I, and Fas/CD95, wherein nestin is expressed by greater than 90% of the cells in the population, wherein Sox2 is expressed by greater than 80% of the cells in the population, wherein Ki-67 is expressed by greater than 30% of the cells in the population, wherein MHC Class I is expressed by greater than 70% of the cells in the population, and wherein Fas/CD95 is expressed by greater than 30% of the cells in the population, thereby treating the retinal disease or condition.",
"14. The method of claim 13, wherein the subject is a human.",
"15. The method of claim 13, wherein the composition is formulated for injection into a vitreous cavity or a subretinal space of the subject.",
"16. The method of claim 13, wherein the retinal disease or condition comprises retinitis pigmentosa (RP), Leber's congenital amaurosis (LCA), Stargardt disease, Usher's syndrome, choroideremia, a rod-cone or cone-rod dystrophy, a ciliopathy, a mitochondrial disorder, progressive retinal atrophy, a degenerative retinal disease, age related macular degeneration (AMD), wet AMD, dry AMD, geographic atrophy, a familial or acquired maculopathy, a retinal photoreceptor disease, a retinal pigment epithelial-based disease, diabetic retinopathy, cystoid macular edema, uveitis, retinal detachment, traumatic retinal injury, iatrogenic retinal injury, macular holes, macular telangiectasia, a ganglion cell disease, an optic nerve cell disease, glaucoma, optic neuropathy, ischemic retinal disease, retinopathy of prematurity, retinal vascular occlusion, familial macroaneurysm, a retinal vascular disease, an ocular vascular diseases, a vascular disease, or ischemic optic neuropathy.",
"17. The method of claim 13, wherein the cells in the composition further express one or more markers selected from the group consisting of vimentin, CD9, CD81, AQP4, CXCR4, CD15/LeX/SSEA1, GD2 ganglioside, CD133, p3-tubulin, MAP2, GFAP, OPN/SPP1, PTN, KDR, and TEK.",
"18. The method of claim 5, wherein the tissues are harvested from a non-human mammal.",
"19. The method of claim 13, wherein the subject is a non-human mammal.",
"20. The method of claim 11, wherein the cells are cultured in serum-free or reduced serum cell culture media comprising vitamin C and albumin.",
"21. The method of claim 13, further comprising measuring changes in vision in the subject."
],
[
"1. A composition for treatment of an ocular condition, comprising a muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M3 agonist and at least one of the following:\nan alpha-stimulant agonist having an imidazoline group; or\na non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent (NSAID) having COX-2 selectivity;\nwherein the ocular condition comprises presbyopia, mild hyperopia, irregular astigmatism, hyperopic accommodative esotropia, or glaucoma.",
"2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises:\nfrom about 0.01% to about 4% w/w muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M3 agonist; and\nfrom about 0.01% to about 0.5% w/w alpha-stimulant agonist having an imidazoline group or about 0.01% to about 2% NSAID having COX-2 selectivity, or both.",
"5. The composition of claim 1, wherein the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M3 agonist comprises acetylcholine, bethanechol, carbachol, oxotremorine, pilocarpidine, or pilocarpine.",
"8. The composition of claim 1, wherein the alpha-stimulant agonist comprises oxymetazoline, naphazoline, tetrahydrozoline, tramazoline, or xylometazoline.",
"12. The composition of claim 1, wherein the NSAID having COX-2 selectivity comprises meloxicam, celecoxib, rofecoxib, valdecoxib, parecoxib, etoricoxib, nimesulide, etodolac or nabumetone.",
"14. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition further comprises an ophthalmically acceptable carrier.",
"15. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition further comprises a cyclodextrin or derivative thereof to enhance ocular penetration of the composition.",
"16. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition is in the form of an eye drop, suspension, gel, ointment, injectable solution, or spray.",
"22. A method of potentiating or enhancing interventions that retard, reverse, or modify the aging process of the crystalline lens and its surrounding tissues, in a subject, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a composition according to claim 1.",
"23. The method of claim 22, wherein administering comprises administering the composition to an eye of the subject.",
"24. The method of claim 23, wherein the composition is administered to only one eye of the subject.",
"25. The method of claim 24, wherein the composition increases refractive power of an eye of the subject by up to about 4.0 diopters.",
"26. The method of claim 25, wherein the subject is human.",
"27. A method of treating an ocular condition in a subject, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a composition according to claim 1.",
"28. The method of claim 27 wherein the ocular condition is selected from presbyopia, mild hyperopia, irregular astigmatism, hyperopic accommodative esotropia, or glaucoma.",
"29. The method of claim 27 wherein the ocular condition could alternatively be corrected with eye glasses having about +0.5 D to about +1.0 D lenses and wherein the therapeutically effective amount comprises from about 0.3% to about 1.0% pilocarpine.",
"30. The method of claim 27 wherein the ocular condition could alternatively be corrected with eye glasses having about +1.0 D to about +1.5 D lenses and wherein the therapeutically effective amount comprises from about 0.8% to about 1.6% pilocarpine.",
"31. The method of claim 27 wherein the ocular condition could alternatively be corrected with eye glasses having about +1.5 D to about +2.0 D lenses and wherein the therapeutically effective amount comprises from about 1.4% to about 2.2% pilocarpine."
],
[
"1. A low temperature process for making an intraocular implant, the process comprising the steps of:\n(a) combining a cyclic lipid therapeutic agent and a polymer to form a mixture;\n(b) heating the mixture to a temperature between about 50° C. and about 80° C., and;\n(c) extruding the heated mixture, thereby making an implant suitable for intraocular use.",
"2. The process of claim 1, wherein the cyclic lipid therapeutic agent is selected from the group consisting of prostaglandins, prostaglandin analogs, and mixtures thereof.",
"3. The process of claim 1 wherein the cyclic lipid therapeutic agent is selected from the group consisting of bimatoprost, bimatoprost analogs, latanoprost, latanoprost analogs, travoprost, travoprost analogs, unoprostone, unoprostone analogs, prostaglandin E1 and prostaglandin E1 analogs, prostaglandin E2 and prostaglandin E2 analogs, and mixtures thereof.",
"4. The process of claim 3 wherein the cyclic lipid therapeutic agent is selected from the group consisting of bimatoprost, bimatoprost analogs, and mixtures thereof.",
"5. The process of claim 1 wherein the polymer is a biodegradable polymer.",
"6. The process of claim 5 wherein the biodegradable polymer is selected from the group consisting of polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid, polylactide-co-glycolide, and copolymers thereof.",
"7. The process of claim 1 wherein the polymer comprises from about 30% to about 95% by weight of the implant.",
"8. The process of claim 1 wherein the cyclic lipid therapeutic agent comprises from about 5% to about 70% by weight of the implant.",
"11. The implant made by the process of claim 1.",
"12. A process for making an intraocular implant, the process comprising the steps of:\n(a) combining:\n(i) a cyclic lipid therapeutic agent;\n(ii) a first biodegradable polymer, and;\n(iii) a second biodegradable polymer to form a mixture,\nwherein;\n(α) the first biodegradable polymer and the second biodegradable polymer are different polymers;\n(β) the solubilities of the cyclic lipid therapeutic agent, the first biodegradable polymer, and the second biodegradable polymer are substantially similar, and;\n(γ) the melt temperature of the second biodegradable polymer is lower than the melt transition temperature of the first biodegradable polymer,\n(b) heating the mixture to the lower melt temperature of the second biodegradable polymer, so that the second biodegradable polymer can function as a solvent for the cyclic lipid therapeutic agent and for the first biodegradable polymer, wherein the melt temperature of the second biodegradable polymer is lower than the temperature at which the cyclic lipid therapeutic agent exhibits a substantial loss of potency, and;\n(c) extruding the heated mixture, thereby making an implant suitable for intraocular use.",
"13. The process of claim 12, wherein the cyclic lipid therapeutic agent component is selected from the group consisting of prostaglandins, prostaglandin analogs, and mixtures thereof.",
"14. The process of claim 12 wherein the cyclic lipid therapeutic agent is selected from the group consisting of bimatoprost, bimatoprost analogs, and mixtures thereof.",
"15. The process of claim 12 wherein the first biodegradable polymer is selected from the group consisting of polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid, polylactide-co-glycolide, and copolymers thereof.",
"16. The process of claim 12 wherein the second biodegradable polymer is selected from the group consisting of decafluorobutane, poly(isobutylene), poly(hexamethylene adipamide), polypropylene, polyethylene, and polyethylene glycol.",
"17. The process of claim 12 wherein the solubilities of the cyclic lipid therapeutic agent, the first biodegradable polymer, and the second biodegradable polymer are all within about Mpa1/2 of each other.",
"18. The process of claim 12 wherein the solubilities of the cyclic lipid therapeutic agent, the first biodegradable polymer, and the second biodegradable polymer are all within about 15 to 30 Mpa1/2.",
"19. The process of claim 12 wherein the first polymer comprises from about 30% to about 90% by weight of the implant; the second polymer comprises from about 50% to about 30% by weight of the implant; and the cyclic lipid therapeutic agent comprises from about 5% to about 30% by weight of the implant.",
"22. A process for making an intraocular implant, the process comprising the steps of:\n(a) combining:\n(i) a prostaglandin analog, wherein the prostaglandin analog comprises from about 5% to about 30% by weight of the implant;\n(ii) a poly(lactide-co-glycolide) copolymer, wherein the poly(lactide-co-glycolide) comprises from about 30% to about 90% by weight of the implant; and\n(iii) a second biodegradable polymer to form a mixture, wherein the second biodegradable polymer comprises from about 5% to about 40% by weight of the implant, and\nwherein;\n(α) the poly(lactide-co-glycolide) copolymer and the second biodegradable polymer are different polymers;\n(β) the solubilities of the prostaglandin analog, the poly(lactide-co-glycolide) copolymer, and the second biodegradable polymer are all within about 10 Mpa1/2 of each other, and;\n(γ) the melt temperature of the second biodegradable polymer is lower than the melting point of the a poly(lactide-co-glycolide) copolymer,\n(b) heating the mixture to the lower melt temperature of the second biodegradable polymer, so that the second biodegradable polymer can function as a solvent for the prostaglandin analog and for the a poly(lactide-co-glycolide) copolymer, and; (c) extruding the heated mixture, thereby making an implant suitable for intraocular use, wherein the prostaglandin analog released from the implant has a potency of at least about 50%.",
"23. A method for treating an ocular condition, the method comprising the step of intraocular administration of the implant made by the process of claim 1.",
"24. The method of claim 23, wherein the intraocular administration is selected from a location selected from the group consisting of the anterior chamber, the posterior chamber, the vitreous cavity, the choroid, the suprachoroidal space, the subretinal space, the conjunctiva, the subconjunctival space, the episcleral space, the intracorneal space, the epicorneal space, the sclera, the pars plana, surgically-induced avascular regions, the macula, the retina and sub-tenon locations"
],
[
"1. A method for treating an ophthalmic disease or disorder associated with neovascularization in the eye of a patient comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising a compound, or stereoisomer, N-oxide or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, having the structure:\nwherein the ophthalmic disease or disorder associated with neovascularization is neovascular age-related macular degeneration; and\nwherein the composition is administered as a daily dose of about 2 mg; about 5 mg; about 7 mg; or about 10 mg.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition is administered to the patient orally.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein treatment results in improvement of central vision in the patient.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises (R)-3-amino-1-(3-(cyclohexylmethoxy)phenyl)propan-1-ol hydrochloride."
],
[
"15. An implant comprising living cells collected from the choroid plexus of a porcine, and encapsulated within a biocompatible capsule, at least some of which cells are choroid epithelial cells, the implant secreting at least one product that has a beneficial effect when transplanted into the brain of a recipient mammal suffering from stroke.",
"16. The implant of claim 15, wherein the biocompatible capsule has at least one inner layer that is effective to serve as a physical substrate for the living cells.",
"17. The implant of claim 16, wherein the at least one inner layer comprises a laminin.",
"18. The implant of claim 15, wherein the living cells are comprised within a globular containment that provides orientation and support for the cells.",
"19. The implant of claim 15, wherein the living cells are comprised within a tubular containment that provides orientation and support for the cells.",
"20. The implant of claim 15, wherein the at least one product is secreted into at least one region of the brain.",
"21. The implant of claim 15, wherein the living cells are obtained from the choroid plexus of a fetal or neonatal porcine.",
"22. The implant of claim 15, wherein at least some of the living cells have undergone a modification to increase the production of the at least one product that has a beneficial effect when transplanted into the brain of a recipient mammal suffering from stroke.",
"23. The implant of claim 15, wherein the biocompatible capsule comprises alginate.",
"24. The implant of claim 15, wherein the wall of the capsule is at least partially composed of a semi-permeable membrane that admits metabolites for sustaining the cells, and when implanted in the brain of a recipient mammal suffering from stroke allows an effective amount of one or more expressed products to exit from the implant.",
"25. The implant of claim 15, wherein the recipient mammal is human.",
"26. An implant comprising living neonatal- or fetal-derived porcine choroid epithelial cells encapsulated within a biocompatible capsule, the wall of which capsule is at least partially composed of a semi-permeable membrane that admits metabolites for sustaining the cells, and that when implanted within the brain of a recipient mammal suffering from stroke allows an effective amount of one or more expressed products to exit from the implant and access at least one region of the brain to produce a beneficial effect on the mammal.",
"27. The implant of claim 26, wherein the biocompatible capsule comprises alginate.",
"28. An anti-stroke implant comprising biocompatible capsules encapsulating living porcine choroid epithelial cells, which when implanted into the brain of a recipient mammal suffering from stroke, is configured to secrete an effective amount of at least one anti-stroke product adapted to prevent, treat, or manage stroke in the mammal.",
"29. A method of treating, or managing one or more symptoms of stroke in a mammal in need thereof, comprising implanting into the brain of the mammal an implant comprising biocompatible capsules that encapsulate living porcine choroid epithelial cells, which are adapted and configured to secrete an amount of at least one anti-stroke compound effective to treat, or to manage the one or more symptoms of stroke in the mammal.",
"30. The method of claim 29, wherein the encapsulated living porcine cells are obtained from the choroid plexus of a fetal or a neonatal porcine.",
"31. A method of preventing stroke in a mammal, comprising: implanting into the brain of the mammal an implant comprising biocompatible capsules that encapsulate living porcine choroid epithelial cells, which are adapted and configured to secrete at least one anti-stroke compound in an amount and time effective to prevent stroke in the mammal."
],
[
"1. An implant comprising living cells collected from the choroid plexus of a mammal, at least some of which cells are choroid epithelial cells, said implant being capable of secreting at least one product, having a beneficial effect on a neurological disease when transplanted into a recipient mammal suffering from said neurological disease.",
"2. The implant of claim 1, wherein the living cells are encapsulated within a biocompatible capsule, the wall of which is at least partially composed of a semipermeable membrane capable of admitting metabolites for sustaining the cells, capable of blocking access by factors of the immune system of the recipient mammal, and capable of allowing an effective amount of one or more expressed products to exit from the implant.",
"3. The implant of claim 2, wherein the biocompatible capsule has an inner layer including an effective amount of a laminin; the laminin serving as a physical substrate for the living cells thereby providing orientation and support for the cells.",
"4. The implant of claim 3, wherein the biocompatible capsule comprises a globular containment means capable of holding living cells.",
"5. The implant of claim 3, wherein the biocompatible capsule comprises a tubular containment means capable of holding living cells; the implant being capable of placement within a ventricle of the brain of the recipient mammal, so that the products expressed from the implant may access at least some regions of the central nervous system.",
"6. The implant of claim 1, wherein the living cells are taken from the choroid plexus of a fetal or neonatal mammal.",
"7. The implant of claim 1, wherein said living cells are obtained from the choroid plexus of a neonatal porcine.",
"8. The implant of claim 6, wherein at least some living cells have undergone subsequent modification in order to increase the production of at least one product capable of having a beneficial effect on a neurological disease.",
"9. A method of treating a neurological disorder in a mammal in need thereof comprising implanting in or near the brain of said mammal an implant of claim 1.",
"10. The method of claim 9, wherein said implant comprises living cells obtained from the choroid plexus of a neonatal porcine.",
"11. The method of claim 9, wherein the neurological disorder is selected from the group consisting of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, Huntington's disease, stroke, motor neuron disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), multiple sclerosis, aging, vascular disease, Menkes Kinky Hair Syndrome, Wilson's disease, trauma or injury and damage to the nervous system.",
"12. The method of claim 11, wherein the neurological disorder is Huntington's disease.",
"13. The method of claim 11, wherein the neurological disorder is a stroke.",
"14. The method of claim 11, wherein the neurological disorder is amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).",
"15. The method of claim 11, wherein the neurological disorder is Parkinson's disease.",
"16. A use of live mammalian choroid plexus cells in the manufacture of an implant for treating or preventing a neurological disorder in a mammal.",
"17. The use of claim 16, wherein the neurological disorder is selected from the group consisting of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, Huntington's disease, stroke, motor neuron disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), multiple sclerosis, aging, vascular disease, Menkes Kinky Hair Syndrome, Wilson's disease, trauma or injury and damage to the nervous system.",
"18. The use of claim 16, wherein said live cells are obtained from the choroid plexus of a neonatal porcine.",
"19. Isolated mammalian choroid plexus cells for use in the implant of claim 1.",
"20. Isolated mammalian neonatal choroid plexus cells for use in the implant of claim 1."
],
[
"1. A method for treating a side effect resulting from the application of laser therapy in the treatment of an eye disorder comprising:\na. treating an eye disorder in a patient with a laser, wherein said treating produces a side effect in the eye of said patient; and\nb. administering a therapeutic amount of stem cells to said patient, wherein said administering treats said side effect.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein said eye disorder is selected from the group consisting diabetic retinopathy, macular edema, age-related macular degeneration, retinal tears, retinal holes, retinal detachment, retinal vein occlusion, dot and blot hemorrhages, microaneurysms, exudates, glaucoma, vitreous hemorrhage, inflammatory optic neuropathies, post-cataract complications, endophthalmitis, infectious diseases, ocular ischemia syndrome, peripheral retinal degenerations, toxic retinopathies, tumors, choroidal tumors, choroidal disorders, vitreous disorders and traumatic injury.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein said side effect is selected from the group consisting of vision impairment, destruction of retinal tissue and bleeding.",
"4. The method of claim 3, wherein said vision impairment is selected from the group consisting of blindness, lost or decreased peripheral vision, lost or decreased night vision, lost or decreased.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein said stem cells are selected from the group consisting of mesenchymal cells, neural stem cells, bulbus olfactorious cells, olfactory ensheathing cells and combinations thereof.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein said stem cells are administered according to a route selected from intravitreally, retrobulbarly, intravenously, suprachoroidally, and combinations thereof.",
"7. The method of claim 5, wherein said mesenchymal cells are derived from a source selected from bone marrow, adipose, peripheral blood, umbilical cord blood, umbilical cord, dermis, Wharton's jelly, hair follicle, periosteum, muscle tissue, uterine endometrium, amniotic fluid, tooth pulp, and combinations thereof.",
"8. The method of claim 1, wherein said laser therapy comprises photocoagulation.",
"9. The method of claim 8, wherein said photocoagulation is selected from the group consisting of focal photocoagulation, pan-retinal photocoagulation, and combinations thereof.",
"10. A method for treating a side effect resulting from photocoagulation therapy of an eye disorder, comprising:\na. administering photocoagulation therapy in the treatment of an eye disorder in a patient, wherein said photocoagulation therapy produces a side effect;\nb. administering to said patient an amount of stem cells sufficient to treat said side effect.",
"11. The method of claim 10, wherein said eye disorder is selected from the group consisting of diabetic retinopathy, macular edema, age-related macular degeneration, retinal tears, retinal holes, retinal detachment, retinal vein occlusion, dot and blot hemorrhages, microaneurysms, exudates, glaucoma, vitreous hemorrhage, inflammatory optic neuropathies, post-cataract complications, endophthalmitis, infectious diseases, ocular ischemia syndrome, peripheral retinal degenerations, toxic retinopathies, tumors, choroidal tumors, choroidal disorders, vitreous disorders and traumatic injury.",
"12. The method of claim 10, wherein said stem cells are selected from the group consisting of mesenchymal cells, neural stem cells, bulbus olfactorious cells, olfactory ensheathing cells and combinations thereof.",
"13. The method of claim 10, wherein said stem cells are administered according to a route selected from intravitreally, retrobulbarly, intravenously, suprachoroidally, and combinations thereof.",
"14. The method of claim 12, wherein said mesenchymal cells are derived from a source selected from bone marrow, adipose, peripheral blood, umbilical cord blood, umbilical cord, dermis, Wharton's jelly, hair follicle, periosteum, muscle tissue, uterine endometrium, amniotic fluid, tooth pulp, and combinations thereof.",
"15. The method of claim 10, wherein said photocoagulation is selected from the group consisting of focal photocoagulation, pan-retinal photocoagulation, and combinations thereof."
],
[
"1. A kit comprising a first active fraction of conditioned media and a second active fraction of conditioned media, wherein the first active fraction and the second active fraction are prepared by a method comprising the steps of:\n(a) culturing cells capable of generating extracellular matrix on a base matrix in a media for culturing said cells;\n(b) harvesting an unfractionated conditioned media from said cells, wherein the source of said cells is selected from the group consisting of corneal endothelial cells and retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells;\n(c) separating said first active fraction and said second active fraction from said unfractionated conditioned media by a first centrifugal filtration and a second centrifugal filtration, wherein said first centrifugal filtration uses a 50 kDa molecular weight cutoff filter for said first active fraction and said second centrifugal filtration uses a <3 kDa molecular weight cutoff filter for said second active fraction, and wherein said first centrifugal filtration is applied directly to said unfractionated conditioned media and said second centrifugal filtration is applied to either one of (i) directly to said unfractionated conditioned media or (ii) to said first active fraction; and\n(d) collecting said first active fraction and said second active fraction,\nwherein the kit does not comprise unfractionated conditioned media.",
"2. The kit of claim 1, wherein the first active fraction comprises Gas6.",
"3. The kit of claim 1, wherein the first active fraction further comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and wherein the second active fraction further comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.",
"4. The kit of claim 1, wherein said kit further comprises instructions for growing said source of cells on said base matrix.",
"5. The kit of claim 1, wherein the source of said cells is corneal endothelial cells.",
"6. The kit of claim 5, wherein the corneal endothelial cells are bovine corneal endothelial cells (BCE).",
"7. The kit of claim 1, wherein said first active fraction undergoes an additional centrifugal filtration, wherein said additional centrifugal filtration uses a 10 kDa molecular weight cutoff filter.",
"8. The kit of claim 1, further comprising (e) combining said first active fraction is combined with said second active fraction.",
"9. The kit of claim 7, further comprising (e) combining said first active fraction is combined with said second active fraction."
],
[
"1. A method for treating an ischemic stroke in a patient comprising:\na. intrathecally administering to the patient a therapeutic amount of neural stem cells; and\nb. intravenously administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of mesenchymal stem cells;\nwherein the neural stem cells have been exposed to reduced oxygen tension and the mesenchymal stem cells have been grown under reduced oxygen tension for a plurality of passages.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the neural stem cells and the mesenchymal stem cells are cultured in a culture medium comprising serum.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein the mesenchymal stem cells are grown under reduced oxygen tension for four passages."
],
[
"1. A method of regenerating tissue in a subject comprising steps of:\na) providing a subject who has sustained tissue damage, loss, or degeneration; and\nb) administering to the subject an acellular bioabsorbable tissue regeneration matrix at or in proximity to the site of the tissue damage, loss, or degeneration;\nwherein the acellular bioabsorbable tissue regeneration matrix initiates, increases, supports, and/or directs tissue regeneration at the site of tissue damage, loss, or degeneration in the subject;\nwherein the acellular bioabsorbable tissue regeneration matrix is derived from blood or bone marrow and comprises aggregates of spherical structures with a diameter of approximately at least 100 nm, wherein the overall protein content of the matrix is at least 1%, and wherein the matrix lacks substantial metabolic activity as compared to that initially present in the blood or bone marrow from which it was produced.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the subject is a human.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein the subject is an animal.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein the acellular bioabsorbable tissue regeneration matrix further comprises a therapeutic agent.",
"5. The method of claim 4, wherein the therapeutic agent is distributed heterogeneously within the acellular bioabsorbable tissue regeneration matrix.",
"6. The method of claim 4, wherein the therapeutic agent is distributed homogeneously within the acellular bioabsorbable tissue regeneration matrix.",
"7. The method of claim 1, wherein the acellular bioabsorbable tissue regeneration matrix comprises two or more therapeutic agents.",
"8. The method of claim 4, wherein the therapeutic agent is selected from the group consisting of: proteins, peptides, drugs, cytokines, extracellular matrix molecules, growth factors, and combinations thereof.",
"9. The method of claim 4, wherein the acellular bioabsorbable tissue regeneration matrix increases the magnitude of one or more beneficial effects of the therapeutic agent.",
"10. The method of claim 4, wherein the acellular bioabsorbable tissue regeneration matrix prolongs one or more beneficial effects of the therapeutic agent by slowly releasing the therapeutic agent over time in the subject.",
"11. The method of claim 4, wherein the acellular bioabsorbable tissue regeneration matrix protects one or more beneficial effects of the therapeutic agent from substantially decreasing over time.",
"12. The method of claim 1, wherein the damaged or degenerated tissue is selected from the group consisting of: muscle tissue, connective tissue, epithelial tissue, nerve tissue, and combinations thereof.",
"13. The method of claim 1, wherein the damaged or degenerated tissue is selected from the group consisting of:\ntissue of an organ system selected from the group consisting of the following systems: cardiovascular, digestive, endocrine, excretory, immune, integumentary, lymphatic, muscular, nervous, reproductive, respiratory, skeletal, and combinations thereof;\ntissue of the central nervous system; placental tissue; umbilical cord tissue;\nand combinations thereof.",
"14. The method of claim 13, wherein the damaged or degenerated tissue is tissue of the central nervous system.",
"15. The method of claim 13, wherein the bioabsorbable tissue regeneration matrix stimulates recruitment of neuroprogenitor cells to the site of tissue damage, loss, or degeneration; stimulates proliferation of neuroprogenitor cells; and/or stimulates recruitment of Von Willebrand factor-positive cells to the site of tissue damage, loss, or degeneration.",
"16. The method of claim 13, wherein the neurotrophic activity of the damaged or degenerated central nervous system tissue is increased in response to administering the acellular bioabsorbable tissue regeneration matrix at or near the site of the damaged or degenerated tissue.",
"17. The method of claim 16, wherein the increased neurotrophic activity is characterized by an increase in the expression of a neurotrophic gene selected from the group consisting of: FGF-9, Netrin-1, NT-3, NCAM-1, GAP-43, Neuregulin, and combinations thereof.",
"18. The method of claim 1, further comprising administering cells at or near the site of the damaged or degenerated tissue and/or seeding or mixing the acellular bioabsorbable tissue regeneration matrix with cells.",
"19. The method of claim 18, wherein the cells are cells selected from the group consisting of: stem cells, progenitor cells, somatic cells, embryonic stem cells, neural stem cells, neuroprogenitor cells, neurons, glial cells, and combinations thereof.",
"20. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of administering comprises an administration route selected from the group consisting of: injection, surgical implantation, delivery via a catheter, placement at or in proximity to the site of the tissue damage, loss or degeneration, and combinations thereof.",
"21. The method of claim 1, wherein the bioabsorbable tissue regeneration matrix causes a cell to dedifferentiate into a cell that can give rise to one or more different cell types.",
"22. The method of claim 21, wherein the dedifferentiated cell is a macrophage expressing Von Willebrand factor that is capable of supporting new blood vessel formation and/or growth of new tissue.",
"23. The method of claim 1, wherein the aggregates of spherical structures are 100 nm-4 microns in diameter.",
"24. The method of claim 1, wherein the matrix is in solid or semi-solid form, in the form of a three-dimensional matrix or in the form of a suspension.",
"25. The method of claim 24, wherein the matrix has adhesive properties.",
"26. The method of claim 1, wherein the matrix is autologous.",
"27. The method of claim 1, wherein the matrix reduces or inhibits scar formation at the site of tissue damage, loss, or degeneration in the subject.",
"28. The method of claim 1, wherein the matrix promotes new blood vessel formation at the site of tissue damage, loss, or degeneration in the subject.",
"29. The method of claim 1, wherein the matrix promotes wound healing in the subject.",
"30. The method of claim 1, wherein the matrix promotes cell growth, cell proliferation, cell specialization, and/or cell elongation in the subject.",
"31. The method of claim 1, wherein the matrix restores functionality of the damaged tissue or an organ comprising the damaged tissue.",
"32. The method of claim 1, wherein administration of the matrix results in formation of new nerve and/or CNS tissue.",
"33. The method of claim 1, wherein the matrix allows cells to attach, proliferate and/or differentiate on or around the matrix and/or the matrix serves as a scaffold for cells.",
"34. The method of claim 1, wherein the matrix stimulates genes associated with cell adhesion, cell survival, cell patterning, and/or cell connectivity.",
"35. The method of claim 1, wherein the matrix reduces lesion size or number and/or inhibits formation of glial scars."
],
[
"1. A spherical or non-spherical microcapsule comprising at least one surface coating and one core, wherein the at least one surface coating comprises cross-linked polymers, and wherein the core comprises cross-linked polymers and cells capable of expressing and secreting a fusion peptide comprising SEQ ID NO: 10 or a peptide having an identity of at least 95% with SEQ ID NO: 10 or SEQ ID NO: 6 or a peptide having an identity of at least 95% with SEQ ID NO: 6, and wherein the cells contained in the core of the spherical microcapsule are selected from human mesenchymal stem cells, differentiated cells derived from human mesenchymal stem cells, including osteoblasts, chondrocytes, fat cells (adipocytes), or neuron-like cells including brain cells.",
"2. The spherical or non-spherical microcapsule according to claim 1, wherein the cross-linked polymer of the core and/or the at least one surface coating comprises biopolymers.",
"3. The spherical or non-spherical microcapsule according to claim 1, wherein the cross-linked polymer of the core and/or the at least one surface coating comprises an alginate.",
"4. The spherical or non-spherical microcapsule according to claim 1, wherein the cross-linked polymer of the core and/or the at least one surface coating comprises a chemically identical polymer in identical or differing concentrations, wherein the polymers further may have different molecular weights and/or may he cross-linked differently.",
"5. The spherical or non-spherical microcapsule according to claim 1, wherein the core has a diameter of about 20 to about 2000 μm and wherein the at least one surface coating has a thickness of about 10 to about 2000 μm.",
"6. The spherical or non-spherical microcapsule according to claim 1, wherein the microcapsule comprises 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more surface coatings.",
"7. The spherical or non-spherical microcapsule according to claim 1, wherein the microcapsule comprises an additional external surface coating consisting of polycations.",
"8. The spherical or non-spherical microcapsule according to claim 7, wherein the additional external surface coating consists of Poly-L-Lysine.",
"9. The spherical or non-spherical microcapsule according to claim 1, wherein the cells contained in the core of the spherical microcapsule are selected (in vitro) from human mesenchymal stem cells, wherein the cells differentiate in vitro or in vivo into fat cells (adipocytes), suitable for transplantation into fat tissue.",
"10. A phaanaceutical composition comprising a spherical or non-spherical microcapsule according to claim 1 and optionally a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.",
"11. The spherical or non-spherical microcapsule according to claim 1, secreting a fusion peptide consisting of SEQ ID NO: 10 and SED ID NO: 6 or a peptide having an identity of at least 95% with SEQ ID NO: 10 or SEQ ID NO: 6."
],
[
"1. An implant, for implantation into the brain of a recipient mammal, having Huntington's chorea, said implant comprising a population of living non-human choroid epithelial cells that are encapsulated within a biocompatible capsule, the wall of said capsule at least partially composed of a semi-permeable membrane, wherein said membrane admits metabolites for sustaining said cells and permits a therapeutically-effective amount of one or more factors selected from the group consisting of IGF, TGF-a, RA, NGF, VEG and FGF to exit from said implant into said brain.",
"15. The implant of claim 1, wherein said non-human choroid epithelial cells express at least one neurotransmitter.",
"16. The implant of claim 15, wherein said neurotransmitter comprises dopamine.",
"17. The implant of claim 1, wherein said non-human choroid epithelial cells express at least one product that modulates the response of at least some cells of the central nervous system of said recipient mammal to at least one neurotransmitter.",
"18. The implant of claim 17, wherein the modulation of said response is mediated by enhancing the binding of said neurotransmitter to its receptor.",
"19. The implant of claim 18, wherein said neurotransmitter comprises dopamine.",
"20. The implant of claim 1, wherein said non-human choroid epithelial cells express at least one factor that supports the growth of at least some cells of the central nervous system.",
"21. The implant of claim 1, wherein said biocompatible capsule comprises at least one inner layer that comprises laminin; said laminin serving as a substrate for said non-human choroid epithelial cells.",
"22. The implant of claim 1, wherein said biocompatible capsule further comprises at least one globular containment means for holding a portion of said non-human choroid epithelial cells.",
"23. The implant of claim 1, wherein said biocompatible capsule further comprises at least one tubular containment means for holding a portion of said non-human choroid epithelial cells.",
"24. The implant of claim 1, wherein said recipient mammal is human.",
"25. The implant of claim 1, wherein said non-human choroid epithelial cells are obtained from the choroids plexus of a fetal or neonatal non-human mammal.",
"26. The implant of claim 1, wherein said non-human choroid epithelial cells are porcine.",
"27. The implant of claim 1, wherein said membrane further blocks access to said implant by factors of the immune system of said recipient mammal.",
"28. The implant of claim 17, wherein said biocompatible capsule comprises alginate.",
"29. An implant, for implantation into the brain of a recipient human having Huntington's chorea, said implant comprising a population of living porcine choroid epithelial cells encapsulated within a biocompatible capsule that comprises alginate, wherein the wall of said biocompatible capsule comprises a semi-permeable membrane that admits metabolites for sustaining said cells, blocks access to said implant by factors of the immune system of said recipient human, and permits a therapeutically-effective amount of one or more factors selected from the group consisting of IGF, TGF-α, RA, NGF, VEG and FGF to exit from said implant into said brain for a time sufficient to treat Huntington's chorea.",
"30. An implant, for implantation into the brain of a recipient human having Huntington's chorea, said implant comprising a population of living porcine choroid epithelial cells that are encapsulated within a biocompatible capsule, comprising alginate, wherein the wall of said capsule at least partially comprises a semi-permeable membrane that admits metabolites for sustaining said cells, blocks access to said implant by factors of the immune system of said recipient human, and permits a therapeutically-effective amount of one or more factors selected from the group consisting of IGF, TGF-α, RA, NGF, VEG and FGF to exit from said implant into said ventricle for a time sufficient to treat said Huntington's chorea.",
"31. A kit comprising, in suitable container means, the implant of claim 1 or claim 29, and a liquid medium that maintains said implant in a living condition for a period of time."
],
[
"41. A method for treating or ameliorating a demyelinating disease in a mammal, comprising administering to the mammal an effective amount of granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), wherein the demyelinating disease in the mammal is multiple sclerosis.",
"42. The method of claim 41, wherein the granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is administered into a ventricle in the brain of the mammal.",
"43. The method of claim 42, wherein the granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is administered into the lateral ventricle of the mammal.",
"44. The method of claim 41, wherein the granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is administered systemically to the mammal.",
"45. The method of claim 41, wherein the mammal is human."
],
[
"1. An osteoinductive composition comprising: at least partially demineralized cancellous bone, the at least partially demineralized cancellous bone having been treated with collagenase to digest or modify a percentage of collagen fibers of said partially demineralized cancellous bone and to increase the osteoinductive activity of the bone; wherein the at least partially demineralized cancellous bone exhibits increased osteoinductive activity when compared to untreated at least partially demineralized cancellous bone.",
"2. The osteoinductive composition of claim 1, wherein the composition has a histologic osteoinductivity score of at least 1 on a 4 point scale.",
"3. The osteoinductive composition of claim 1, wherein the composition induces bone formation in higher order species.",
"4. The osteoinductive composition of claim 1, wherein the composition exhibits a solid structure at room temperature and substantially liquefies when implanted in a body.",
"5. The osteoinductive composition of claim 1, wherein the composition has enhanced solubility when compared to solubility of untreated at least partially demineralized bone matrix.",
"6. The osteoinductive composition of claim 1, wherein trabecular structure of the treated at least partially demineralized cancellous bone is compacted when compared to trabecular structure of untreated at least partially demineralized cancellous bone.",
"7. The osteoinductive composition of claim 1, wherein the at least partially demineralized cancellous bone exhibits a trabecular density that is increased when compared to untreated at least partially demineralized cancellous bone.",
"8. The osteoinductive composition of claim 1, wherein collagen of the treated at least partially demineralized cancellous bone is disrupted when compared to collagen of untreated at least partially demineralized cancellous bone.",
"9. The osteoinductive composition of claim 1, wherein a portion of collagen present in the treated at least partially demineralized cancellous bone is present as collagen fragments.",
"10. The osteoinductive composition of claim 1, wherein the at least partially demineralized cancellous bone is compacted and wherein the composition retains its shape in water for a predetermined period of time.",
"11. The osteoinductive composition of claim 1, wherein the at least partially demineralized cancellous bone is particulated and reformed into an implant.",
"12. The osteoinductive composition of claim 11, wherein the implant further comprises a carrier.",
"13. The osteoinductive composition of claim 12, wherein the carrier is a polymer and wherein the cancellous bone is treated after blending with the polymer.",
"14. The osteoinductive composition of claim 1, further comprising at least partially demineralized cortical bone that has been treated to increase the osteoinductive activity of the bone.",
"15. The osteoinductive composition of claim 1, further comprising at least partially demineralized corticocancellous bone that has been treated to increase the osteoinductive activity of the bone.",
"16. The osteoinductive composition of claim 1, further comprising a bioactive agent.",
"17. The osteoinductive composition of claim 1, wherein native inductive materials of the at least partially demineralized bone matrix are substantially exposed.",
"18. The osteoinductive composition of claim 1, further comprising at least one inductive material.",
"19. The osteoinductive composition of claim 1, wherein at least 25% of the collagen fibers of the treated at least partially demineralized cancellous bone are digested or modified when compared to collagen of untreated at least partially demineralized cancellous bone, and the partially demineralized cancellous bone having been treated with lithium chloride to form compacted partially demineralized cancellous bone."
],
[
"1. A composition comprising mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) derived from synovial tissues and umbilical cord tissues and wherein:\nthe MSCs are autologous and/or allogeneic mesenchymal stem/stromal cells;\nthe MSCs are obtained from adult, neonatal and/or foetal tissues;\nthe MSCs are integral and viable mesenchymal stem/stromal cells.",
"2. A composition according to claim 2 wherein the MSCs consist of MSCs derived from synovial tissues and umbilical cord tissues.",
"3. A composition according to any of the claims 1 or 2 wherein the MSCs are derived from the synovial membrane lining a mammal's metacarpophalangeal joint and/or from the Wharton's Jelly of the umbilical cord.",
"4. A composition according to any of the claims 1 to 3 wherein the MSCs are obtained from mammals, preferably from human, canine or equine cell-lines or tissues.",
"5. A composition according to any of the claims 1 to 4 further comprising paracrine factors obtained from growth media where MSCs have been cultured or are from blood derivatives, preferably from the umbilical cord blood plasma.",
"6. A composition according to claim 5 wherein the paracrine factors are selected from one or more of:\nHGF in an amount of 10-250 pg/mL, preferably of 50-200 pg/mL, more preferably 75-150 pg/mL, even more preferably 100 pg/mL;\nEGF in an amount of 10-250 pg/mL, preferably of 15-150 pg/mL, more preferably 25-100 pg/mL, even more preferably of 35-75 pg/mL, preferably of 50 pg/mL;\nKGF in an amount of 10-250 pg/mL, preferably of 15-150 pg/mL, more preferably 25-100 pg/mL, even more preferably of 35-75 pg/mL, preferably of 50 pg/mL;\nTGFβ-1 in an amount of 0.5-10.0 ng/mL, preferably of 1.0-7.5 ng/mL, more preferably of 2.5-5.0 ng/mL;\nTGFβ-2 in an amount of 0.5-10.0 ng/mL, preferably of 0.75-7.5 ng/mL, more preferably of 1.0-2.5 ng/mL;\nTGFβ-3 in an amount of 10-250 pg/mL, preferably of 50-200 pg/mL, more preferably of 100-150 pg/mL;\nG-CSF in an amount of 10-250 pg/mL, preferably of 25-150 pg/mL, more preferably of 50-100 pg/mL;\nVEGF-A in an amount of 10-250 pg/mL, preferably of 25-150 pg/mL, more preferably of 50-100 pg/mL;\nFGF2 in an amount of 10-250 pg/mL, preferably 25-150 pg/mL, more preferably of 50-100 pg/mL;\nLIF in an amount of 1.0-250 pg/mL, preferably of 10-150, more preferably 50-100 pg/mL;\nIL-8 in an amount of 10-250 pg/mL, preferably 20-150 pg/mL, more preferably 40-100 pg/mL;\nEotaxin-1 in an amount of 10-250 pg/mL, preferably of 50-200 pg/mL, more preferably 100-125 pg/mL;\nMCP-1 in an amount of 0.5-10.0 ng/mL, preferably of 0.75-7.5, more preferably of 1.0-5.0 ng/mL);\nPDGF-BB in an amount of 0.5-10.0 ng/mL, preferably of 1.0-7.0 ng/mL, more preferably 2.5-5.0 ng/mL;\nCCL5 in an amount of 0.5-10.0 ng/mL, preferably of 1.0-7.5, ng/mL more preferably of 3.0-5.0 ng/mL; and\nsCD40L in an amount of 0.5-10.0 ng/mL, preferably of 1.0-7.5 ng/mL, more preferably of 2.0-40 ng/mL.",
"7. A composition comprising MSCs as described in any of the claims 1 to 6 for use as a medicament in humans or animals.",
"8. A composition according to claim 7 for use as a medicament to treat a musculoskeletal condition in humans or animals.",
"9. A composition according to claim 8 for use as a medicament to treat an osteoarthritis condition or any other condition etiologic to osteoarthritis in humans or animals.",
"10. A composition according to claim 8 for use as a medicament to treat a tendinopathy condition or any other condition etiologic to tendinopathy in humans or animals.",
"11. A method of treatment of a musculoskeletal condition, an osteoarthritis condition or any other condition etiologic to osteoarthritis, and/or a tendinopathy condition or any other condition etiologic to tendinopathy in humans or animals by using a composition as described in any of the claims 1 to 6.",
"12. A method of treatment according to claim 11 wherein the MSCs are autologous MSCs.",
"13. A process for obtaining a composition as described in any of the claims 1 to 6, comprising the following steps:\na) Providing a mammal body tissue producing mesenchymal stem/stromal cells;\nb) Isolation of MSC cells;\nc) Culturing the MSC cells of (b) by expansion and multiplication protocols;\nd) Freezing and thawing the MSC cells of (c);\ne) Formulating a composition comprising the MSC cells of (d)."
],
[
"1. A flexible cryopreserved partially digested cartilage material comprising non-cultured cartilage isolated from a subject, wherein:\nthe material comprises an extracellular matrix, growth factors, and chondrocytes,\nwherein the extracellular matrix, growth factors, and chondrocytes were embedded in the material when it was isolated from the subject, and\nwherein at least 70% of the chondrocytes are viable; and\nthe material has a first circular-shaped surface, an opposing second circular-shaped surface, and a thickness of 0.2 millimeters (mm) to 2 mm,\nwherein the first circular-shaped surface has an array of cavities capable of facilitating migration of the chondrocytes,\nwherein, after cryopreserving, the material retains the structural and functional properties of natural cartilage,\nwherein digestion of the material is limited to an amount that preserves the viability of the chondrocytes and/or the structural and functional properties of natural cartilage, and\nwherein digestion is performed in a manner that retains interaction between the extracellular matrix and the chondrocytes.",
"2. The flexible cryopreserved cartilage material of claim 1, wherein the growth factors comprise basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1).",
"3. The flexible cryopreserved cartilage material of claim 2, wherein the growth factors further comprise bone morphogenic protein 2 (BMP-2).",
"4. The flexible cryopreserved cartilage material of claim 3, wherein the growth factors further comprise insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and bone morphogenic protein 7 (BMP-7).",
"5. The flexible cryopreserved cartilage material of claim 1, wherein the extracellular matrix comprises collagen fibrils that include type II collagen.",
"6. The flexible cryopreserved cartilage material of claim 1, wherein the cartilage is hyaline cartilage.",
"7. The flexible cryopreserved cartilage material of claim 1, wherein the array of cavities is arranged in a grid pattern.",
"8. The flexible cryopreserved cartilage material of claim 1, wherein the second circular-shaped surface does not have an array of cavities capable of facilitating migration of the viable chondrocytes.",
"9. The flexible cryopreserved cartilage material of claim 1, wherein the material is flexible such that it capable of being, rolled, folded, or bent without breaking.",
"10. The flexible cryopreserved cartilage material of claim 1, wherein the cartilage material comprises a radial layer, a transitional layer, and a tangential layer.",
"11. The flexible cryopreserved cartilage material of claim 1, wherein the material is disk-shaped.",
"12. The flexible cryopreserved cartilage material of claim 11, wherein the material has a diameter of 10 millimeters (mm) to 20 millimeters (mm).",
"13. The flexible cryopreserved cartilage material of claim 11, wherein the material has a diameter of 20 millimeters (mm).",
"14. The flexible cryopreserved cartilage material of claim 1, wherein the material is comprised within a cryopreservation medium.",
"15. The flexible cryopreserved cartilage material of claim 1, wherein at least 80% of the chondrocytes are viable.",
"16. The flexible cryopreserved cartilage material of claim 1, wherein the flexible cryopreserved cartilage material is stored at a temperature of 0° C. to 10° C.",
"17. The flexible cryopreserved cartilage material of claim 1, wherein the flexible cryopreserved cartilage material is stored at a temperature of −75° C. to −85° C.",
"18. A method of administering a flexible cryopreserved cartilage material of claim 1 to a person, the method comprising administering the cartilage material to the person.",
"19. The method of claim 18, wherein the cartilage material is thawed prior to administering the cartilage material to the person.",
"20. The method of claim 19, wherein the thawed cartilage material has a temperature of about 37° C.",
"21. The method of claim 18, wherein the cartilage material is administered arthroscopically to the person.",
"22. The method of claim 18, wherein injured cartilage is removed from the person and replaced with the cartilage material.",
"23. The method of claim 22, wherein the injured cartilage is articular cartilage.",
"24. The method of claim 22, wherein the removed injured cartilage is disc-shaped, and wherein the cartilage material is disc-shaped.",
"25. The method of claim 18, wherein the cartilage material promotes chondrogenesis in the person.",
"26. The method of claim 18, wherein the array of cavities on the first circular-shaped surface is arranged in a grid pattern."
],
[
"1. A method of promoting osteogenic differentiation efficiency of a stem cell or inducing chondrogenic differentiation of a stem cell, comprising treating the stem cell with a culture solution of chicken bone marrow-derived osteochondroprogenitor cells.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the chicken is a starter chick.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein the culture solution of chicken bone marrow-derived osteochondroprogenitor cells is a culture concentrate.",
"4. The method of claim 1, further comprising treating the stem cell with an osteogenic differentiation inducer.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein the stem cell is a mesenchymal stem cell.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein the treatment of the stem cell with a culture solution of chicken bone marrow-derived osteochondroprogenitor cells is performed by culturing the stem cell in a medium comprising the culture solution of chicken bone marrow-derived osteochondroprogenitor cells.",
"7. A method of preventing or treating a bone disease, cartilage damage, or a cartilage defect disease comprising administering to a subject in need thereof, a composition comprising a culture solution or culture concentrate of chicken bone marrow-derived osteochondroprogenitor cells as an active ingredient.",
"8. A method of preventing or treating cartilage damage or cartilage defect disease comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a composition comprising a stem cell as an active ingredient, wherein the stem cell is induced in differentiation by the method of claim 1.",
"9. A method of preventing or treating cartilage damage or a cartilage defect disease comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a composition comprising a differentiated chondrocyte as an active ingredient, wherein the differentiation is by the method of claim 1."
],
[
"1. A meniscus repair composition comprising:\na) from about 10 percent to about 50 percent by weight of allograft meniscus particles having an average particle size of from about 10 μm to about 500 μm;\nb) a carrier selected from the group consisting of: sodium hyaluronate, gelatin, collagen, chitosan, alginate, polyethylene glycol, glycerin, carboxymethylcellulose, dextrose, blood derivatives, aqueous solutions thereof, and mixtures thereof; and\nc) a curing agent, wherein the curing agent may be the carrier where the carrier is cross-linkable;\nwherein the composition, when administered to a knee meniscus injury and cured, will not flow away from the injury, and wherein the composition is non-adhering to the injury after it is cured.",
"2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition is an injectable paste.",
"3. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition is a putty.",
"4. The composition of claim 1, further comprising a growth factor.",
"5. The composition of claim 4, wherein the growth factor is an allogenic growth factor.",
"6. The composition of claim 4, wherein the growth factor is an autologous growth factor.",
"7. The composition of claim 4, wherein the growth factor comprises one or more of TGF-β, VEGF, BMP-2, IGF-1, Nell-1, and TP 508.",
"8. The composition of claim 1, further comprising mesenchymal stem cells.",
"9. The composition of claim 1, wherein the curing agent is a UV curing agent and is initially intimately mixed with the composition, wherein upon exposure to UV radiation the composition will cure at least at the site of the UV exposure.",
"10. The composition of claim 1, wherein the curing agent is a chemical curing agent and is contained separate from the composition, wherein the chemical curing agent is intimately mixed with the composition at the time that the composition is administered.",
"11. A shaped meniscal implant produced by a method comprising the steps of:\nintroducing the composition of claim 1 into a mold;\ncuring the composition; and\nremoving the cured composition from the mold.",
"12. A shaped meniscal implant produced by a method comprising the steps of:\nintroducing the composition of claim 1 into a mold wherein the carrier is selected from the group consisting of: gelatin, collagen, and a mixture thereof;\nlyophilizing the composition; and\nremoving the lyophilized composition from the mold.",
"13. A shaped meniscal implant produced by a method comprising the steps:\nintroducing the composition of claim 1 into a matrix selected from the group consisting of: tendon, dermis, and demineralized cancellous bone; and\ncuring the composition.",
"14. A meniscal implant assembly comprising:\nthe shaped meniscal implant of claim 11, wherein the shape is a crescent shape; and\na supporting intra-tibial load bearing plate affixed to the shaped meniscal implant.",
"15. The meniscal implant assembly of claim 14, wherein the supporting intra-tibial load bearing plate comprises allograft bone.",
"16. The meniscal implant assembly of claim 14, wherein the supporting intra-tibial load bearing plate comprises a ceramic material.",
"17. The meniscal implant assembly of claim 16, wherein the ceramic material is selected from the group consisting of: tricalcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, calcium hydroxyapatite, sea coral, and aluminosilicate bioglass.",
"18. The meniscal implant assembly of claim 14, wherein the supporting intra-tibial load bearing plate comprises titanium metal.",
"19. The meniscal implant assembly of claim 14, wherein the supporting intra-tibial load bearing plate comprises demineralized bone.",
"20. The meniscal implant assembly of claim 14, wherein the supporting intra-tibial load bearing plate is affixed to the shaped meniscal implant by a means selected from the group consisting of: glue, dovetail slots, or mating appendages.",
"21. A method for repairing a knee meniscus injury, comprising administering a composition according to claim 1 proximal to the injury.",
"22. The method of claim 21, comprising administering the composition to the injury.",
"23. The method of claim 21, wherein the composition facilitates the growth of new meniscus tissue at the meniscus injury after administering the composition to the meniscus injury."
],
[
"1. A method of preparing an implantable composition for aiding tissue regeneration, the method comprising:\nobtaining intervertebral disc from a human subject;\nwashing the intervertebral disc with a phosphate buffered saline solution containing antibiotics; and\nmilling the intervertebral disc into particles to form the implantable composition.",
"2. The method of claim 1, further comprising rinsing the particles with saline.",
"3. The method of claim 1, further comprising combining the particles with a cryoprotectant to form a mixture, and freezing the mixture at a temperature of from −80° C. to −180° C.",
"4. The method of claim 3, further comprising thawing the mixture and decanting the cryoprotectant before use.",
"5. The method of claim 1, further comprising combining the particles with a carrier solution containing one or more of hyaluronic acid (HA), collagen, aggrecan, chondroitin sulfate, and polyethylene glycol (PEG).",
"6. The method of claim 1, further comprising culturing the particles in a medium to obtain particles with proliferated cells.",
"7. The method of claim 1, further comprising treating the particles with an enzyme.",
"8. A method of promoting bone or treating degenerated disc in a mammal, the method comprising:\nproviding a composition of allograft particles derived from human intervertebral disc comprising native collagen, native proteoglycan, and native viable cells; and\nadministering the composition into a target repair site to facilitate repair or regeneration of tissue at the target repair site.",
"9. The method of claim 8, wherein the target repair site is an injury or defect in the spine and the tissue being regenerated is disc or bone.",
"10. The method of claim 8, wherein the native viable cells comprise chondrocytic cells, notochordal cells, nucleus pulposus stem/progenitor cells, fibrocytic cells, or a combination thereof.",
"11. The method of claim 81, wherein the native collagen includes collagen I, collagen II, or both.",
"12. The method of claim 8, wherein the intervertebral disc includes nucleus pulposus, annulus fibrosus, or both.",
"13. The method of claim 8, wherein the particles have a particle size ranging from about 250 microns to about 3 mm.",
"14. The method of claim 8, further comprising a cryoprotectant.",
"15. The method of claim 8, further comprising a carrier solution.",
"16. The method of claim 15, wherein the carrier solution includes one or more of hyaluronic acid (HA), collagen, aggrecan, chondroitin sulfate, and polyethylene glycol (PEG)."
],
[
"1. A composition for promoting growth and strengthening of bone comprising a mixture of a chitosan or chitosan derivative, cancellous bone, and demineralized bone matrix; wherein the chitosan derivative is imidazolyl chitosan or methylpyrrolidoninone chitosan.",
"2. A composition of claim 1, wherein the demineralized bone matrix is present at 10%; the cancellous bone is present at 10%; and the composition comprises a gel material constituted 3% (w/v) of the chitosan or the chitosan derivative.",
"3. A composition of claim 1, wherein the demineralized bone matrix is present at 20%; the cancellous bone is present at 20%; and the composition comprises a gel material constituted 3% (w/v) of the chitosan or the chitosan derivative.",
"4. A composition of claim 1, wherein the demineralized bone matrix is present at 10%; the cancellous bone is present at 30%; and the composition comprises a gel material constituted 3% (w/v) of the chitosan or the chitosan derivative.",
"5. A method of inducing bone formation in a vertebrate comprising applying a composition of claim 1 to a site in the vertebrate where bone formation is desired.",
"6. The method of claim 5, wherein the site is the junction of an allograft or autograft and a bone.",
"7. The method of claim 5, wherein the site is the junction of a bone and a bone prosthesis.",
"8. The method of claim 5, wherein the site is a fracture.",
"9. A composition for promoting growth and strengthening of bone comprising a mixture of alginate, calcium, cancellous bone, and demineralized bone matrix.",
"10. A composition of claim 9, wherein the demineralized bone matrix is present at 10%; the cancellous bone is present at 30%; and the composition comprises a gel material constituted 3% (w/v) of the alginate.",
"11. A composition of claim 9, wherein the demineralized bone matrix is present at 20%; the cancellous bone is present at 20%; and the composition comprises a gel material constituted 3% (w/v) of the alginate.",
"12. A composition of claim 9, wherein the demineralized bone matrix is present at 10%; the cancellous bone is present at 10%; and the composition comprises a gel material constituted 3% (w/v) of the alginate.",
"13. A composition, comprising:\n(a) one or more angiogenesis-stimulating materials;\n(b) an osteoinductive material;\n(c) a scaffolding material comprising cancellous bone; and\n(d) a gel material.",
"14. The composition of claim 13 wherein the gel material comprises alginate.",
"15. The composition of claim 14, also comprising calcium chloride or tricalcium phosphate.",
"16. The composition of claim 13 wherein the gel material comprises chitosan, imidazolyl chitosan or methylpyrrolidoninone chitosan.",
"17. The composition of claim 13, wherein the osteoinductive material comprises demineralized bone matrix.",
"18. The composition of claim 13, wherein the osteoinductive material comprises a bone morphogenic protein."
],
[
"1. A method of generating cartilage in vivo in a skeletal joint comprising,\ncryopreserving a combination including amniotic fluid cells and a ground placental membrane material in a cryopreservative solution containing 5% to 10% by volume dimethyl sulfoxide and 15% to 25% by volume protein with a balance of crystalloids,\nforming a preparation from the combination, the preparation including the amniotic fluid cells and the placental membrane material, and\napplying the preparation to a cartilage defect preparation to generate hyaline cartilage within the skeletal joint in vivo.",
"2. The method according to claim 1 comprising adding to the preparation a processed cartilage selected from the group consisting of a ground cartilage, a minced cartilage, a cartilage paste and combinations thereof.",
"3. The method according to claim 2 wherein the processed cartilage is selected from the group consisting of an autograft cartilage, an allograft cartilage and combinations thereof.",
"4. The method according to claim 1 comprising adding to the preparation hyaluronic acid, saline or a combination thereof.",
"5. The method according to claim 1 wherein the ground placental membrane material exhibits an average particle size of less than 0.1 mm.",
"6. The method according to claim 1 wherein the preparation includes the minced placental membrane and the minced placental membrane exhibits an average particle size within a range of 0.1 mm to 3 mm.",
"7. The method according to claim 1 wherein the placental membrane material includes amnion tissue containing organized amniotic extracellular matrix (ECM), amniotic tissue cells and growth factors contained within the ECM and amniotic tissue cells.",
"8. The method according to claim 7 wherein the ECM includes amnion-derived collagen, fibronectin, laminin, proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans.",
"9. The method according to claim 8 wherein the amnion-derived collagen is derived from an epithelium layer, a basement membrane layer, a compact layer, a fibroblast layer, an intermediate layer and a spongy layer of the amnion tissue.",
"10. The method according to claim 1 wherein the preparation is injected into the cartilage defect.",
"11. The method according to claim 1 wherein the preparation is introduced to the cartilage defect using a minimally invasive procedure or through an arthroscopic cannula.",
"12. The method according to claim 1 wherein the preparation is injected into a joint capsule of the skeletal joint after a marrow stimulation procedure has been performed for stimulating the development of a reparative cartilage in the skeletal joint.",
"13. The method according to claim 12 further comprising, following injecting the preparation into the joint capsule, evaluating the amount of in vivo cartilage generation within the skeletal joint, and based thereon, determining whether additional injections of the preparation into the joint capsule are desired for accomplishing a desired amount of in vivo cartilage generation within the skeletal joint.",
"14. The method according to claim 1 comprising adding to the preparation a biocompatible glue.",
"15. The method according to claim 1 wherein the cartilage defect is a hyaline articular cartilage defect.",
"16. The method according to claim 1 further comprising causing blood to accumulate within the cartilage defect.",
"17. The method according to claim 16 wherein the blood forms a clot within the cartilage defect.",
"18. The method according to claim 16 wherein the blood originates from subchondral bone located adjacent to the cartilage defect.",
"19. The method according to claim 16 wherein the preparation is introduced to the cartilage defect following accumulation of the blood within the cartilage defect.",
"20. The method according to claim 1 further comprising performing a marrow stimulation technique in the skeletal joint.",
"21. The method according to claim 1 wherein the cartilage defect is a meniscus cartilage defect.",
"22. The method according to claim 1 wherein the preparation excludes in vitro cultured cells.",
"23. The method according to claim 1 wherein the preparation excludes in vitro cultured chondrocytes.",
"24. The method according to claim 1 wherein the preparation promotes the regeneration of cartilage in the cartilage defect in the absence of in vitro cultured cells.",
"25. The method according to claim 1 further comprising removing diseased cartilage from the skeletal joint thereby forming a void into which the preparation is introduced.",
"26. The method according to claim 25 wherein substantially all of a healthy cartilage in the skeletal joint remains in the skeletal joint after the diseased cartilage is removed.",
"27. The method according to claim 1 wherein the preparation excludes a synthetic matrix material.",
"28. The method according to claim 1 wherein the preparation is substantially free of chondrocytes immediately prior to introduction to the cartilage defect.",
"29. The method according to claim 1 wherein a plurality of cells contained within and native to the placental membrane material chondrogenically differentiate in vivo within the cartilage defect.",
"30. The method according to claim 29 wherein the plurality of cells include mesenchymal cells.",
"31. The method according to claim 1 wherein the cartilage defect is an intervertebral disc defect.",
"32. The method of claim 1 comprising cryopreserving the combination.",
"33. The method of claim 1 comprising cryopreserving the combination in a solution containing dimethyl sulfoxide.",
"34. The method of claim 1 comprising cryopreserving the combination in a solution containing approximately 5% to 10% by volume dimethyl sulfoxide.",
"35. The method of claim 1, wherein the cryopreservative solution contains 10% by volume dimethyl sulfoxide.",
"36. The method of claim 1 wherein the amniotic fluid cells are viable.",
"37. The method of claim 1 comprising in vivo chondrogenic differentiation of the amniotic fluid cells."
],
[
"1. A method of supplementing hyaluronic acid to a user, comprising:\nhydrolyzing an animal product to produce a composition containing hydrolyzed type II collagen having an average molecular weight of between about 50 and about 10,000 daltons;\ndetermining that the composition contains at least 10% hyaluronic acid; and\nproviding the composition, or a supplement comprising the composition, to the user.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of hydrolyzing further comprises hydrolyzing the animal product such that the composition contains at least 20% chondroitin sulfate.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of hydrolyzing an animal product comprises using a chicken sternum as the animal product.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of hydrolyzing an animal product comprises using a portion of a bird as the animal product.",
"5. The method of claim 4, wherein the bird is a chicken.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein the animal product comprises at least one of hyaline and articular cartilage.",
"7. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of hydrolyzing comprises using tissue of at least one of a cow, a pig and a shark.",
"8. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of hydrolyzing comprises heat hydrolyzing the composition.",
"9. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of hydrolyzing comprises enzymatically hydrolyzing the composition.",
"10. The method of claim 1, further comprising at least partially dehydrating the supplement including the composition.",
"11. The method of claim 1, further comprising spray drying the supplement including the composition.",
"12. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of packaging the supplement including the composition to provide between 300 mg and 1000 mg per tablet or capsule, inclusive.",
"13. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of formulating the supplement including the composition into 500 mg per tablets or capsules.",
"14. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of packaging the supplement including the composition to provide between 500 mg and 5,000 mg per day, inclusive.",
"15. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of packaging the supplement including the composition as dispersible powder, a granule, an aqueous suspension, an oil suspension, an emulsion, a soft capsule, a syrup or an elixir."
],
[
"1. A method of treating an intervertebral disc of a subject comprising:\nadministering a therapeutic amount of a pharmaceutical composition to the intervertebral disc of the subject, wherein\nthe pharmaceutical composition comprises a discogenic cell population discogenic cell population derived from mammalian nucleus pulposus disc tissue, and\nthe discogenic cell population has been passaged at least one time in an anchorage dependent culture, and transferred to and maintained in-vitro in anchorage independent culture comprising a culture receptacle comprising a low adhesion coating, wherein the cell population, after seven days in anchorage independent culture, expresses at least 2-fold more aggrecan gene and collagen 2 gene than a population of nucleus pulposus cells derived from mammalian disc tissue grown in anchorage dependent culture, and wherein less than about 40% of the cell population expresses the cell surface markers CD24 and CD105.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the anchorage independent culture comprises a media comprising one or more additives selected from EGF, bFGF, and serum.",
"3. The method of claim 2, wherein expression of the aggrecan gene and collagen 2 gene is at least 5-fold greater than the same genes expressed in a population of nucleus pulposus cells derived from mammalian disc tissue grown in anchorage dependent culture.",
"4. The method of claim 3, wherein greater than 70% or less than 40% the population further produces one or more cell surface markers selected from the group comprising CD34, CD44, CD73, CD90, CD166, Stro-1, HIF1, nestin, CK8, and HLA proteins, and one or more genes or gene products selected from the group comprising GAPDH, SDHA, HPRT1, B2M, Sox9, Col1, nestin, CK8, Sox1, CD44, ALPI, and PPARG.",
"5. The method of claim 2, wherein the administration is into the intervertebral disc's nucleus pulposus.",
"6. The method of claim 5, wherein a needle is inserted into the nucleus pulposus.",
"7. The method of claim 6, wherein the discogenic population is frozen before administration.",
"8. The method of claim 2, wherein the discogenic population is frozen after growth in the anchorage dependent culture and before growth in the anchorage independent culture.",
"9. A method of treating a subject having a condition associated with an intervertebral disc, comprising:\nplacing a pharmaceutical composition comprising a discogenic cell population into a syringe;\ninserting a needle of the syringe into the intervertebral disc;\ninjecting the pharmaceutical composition into the intervertebral disc; and\nallowing the intervertebral disc height index to increase, wherein\nthe discogenic cell population is derived from mammalian nucleus pulposus disc tissue, wherein the discogenic cell population has been passaged at least one time in an anchorage dependent culture, and transferred to and maintained in-vitro in anchorage independent culture comprising a culture receptacle comprising a low adhesion coating, wherein the cell population, after seven days in anchorage independent culture, expresses at least 2-fold more aggrecan gene and collagen 2 gene than a population of nucleus pulposus cells derived from mammalian disc tissue grown in anchorage dependent culture, and wherein less than about 40% of the cell population expresses the cell surface markers CD24 and CD105, and\nthe condition is selected from the group consisting of degenerative disc disease, herniated disc, and injured disc.",
"10. The method of claim 9, wherein the anchorage independent culture comprises a media comprising one or more additives selected from EGF, bFGF, and serum.",
"11. The method of claim 10, wherein expression of the aggrecan gene and collagen 2 gene is at least 5-fold greater than the same genes expressed in a population of nucleus pulposus cells derived from mammalian disc tissue grown in anchorage dependent culture.",
"12. The method of claim 10, wherein greater than 70% or less than 40% the population further produces one or more cell surface markers selected from the group comprising CD34, CD44, CD73, CD90, CD166, Stro-1, HIF1, nestin, CK8, and HLA proteins, and one or more genes or gene products selected from the group comprising GAPDH, SDHA, HPRT1, B2M, Sox9, Col1, nestin, CK8, Sox1, CD44, ALPI, and PPARG.",
"13. The method of claim 10, wherein the administration is into the intervertebral disc's nucleus pulposus.",
"14. The method of claim 13, wherein the discogenic population is frozen before administration.",
"15. The method of claim 10, wherein the discogenic population is frozen after growth in the anchorage dependent culture and before growth in the anchorage independent culture.",
"16. A device for treating a diseased or injured intervertebral disc comprising:\na scaffold, matrix, or implantable structure; and\na discogenic cell population, wherein the discogenic cell population has been passaged at least one time in an anchorage dependent culture, and transferred to and maintained in-vitro in anchorage independent culture comprising a culture receptacle comprising a low adhesion coating, wherein the cell population, after seven days in anchorage independent culture, expresses at least 2-fold more aggrecan gene and collagen 2 gene than a population of nucleus pulposus cells derived from mammalian disc tissue grown in anchorage dependent culture, and wherein less than about 40% of the cell population expresses the cell surface markers CD24 and CD105.",
"17. The device of claim 16, wherein the device further comprises a biological active agent.",
"18. The device of claim 16, including;\nan artificial outer annulus, wherein the outer annulus is comprised of a resorbable or non-resorbable material.",
"19. The device of claim 18, wherein the outer annulus comprises a resorbable material.",
"20. The device of claim 19, wherein the resorbable material is polyglycolic acid or polylactic acid, or a combination thereof."
]
] |
5. the following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 u.s.c. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this office action:
a person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
(a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
claims 1-15 stand rejected under 35 u.s.c. 102(a)(1) &(a)(2) as being anticipated by cheung et al. (us2019/0010455).the rejection is maintained for the reasons of record and the reasons set forth below.
claims 1-15 are drawn to a method for treating a retinal degenerative disease, the method comprising administering to a subject in need thereof human neural crest-derived nasal inferior turbinate stem cells (htmscs) or a cellular therapeutic agent comprising htmscs or a quasi-drug composition comprising htmscs.
|
[
"1. A vehicle motor comprising:\na stator;\na rotor disposed radially inward of the stator;\na shaft disposed radially inward of the rotor and configured to rotate together with the rotor; and\nat least one spoke configured to couple the shaft and the rotor;\nwherein the stator includes a plurality of first splitting points that are cutouts formed radially inward from an outer peripheral surface of the stator,\nwherein the rotor includes a plurality of second splitting points that are cutouts formed radially outward from an inner peripheral surface of the rotor, and\nwherein the at least one spoke is disposed along a tangential direction of the shaft when viewed from a vehicle-width direction, and only on the rotational side where a vehicle moves forward.",
"2. The vehicle motor according to claim 1,\nwherein the at least one first splitting point of the stator comprises a splitting point provided at either of a front side and a rear side of a vehicle.",
"3. The vehicle motor according to claim 2,\nwherein how many parts the stator is splittable into is smaller than how many parts the rotor is splittable into.",
"4. The vehicle motor according to claim 3, further comprising:\nwherein the at least one spoke has a linear cross-section in a direction in which the shaft extends.",
"5. The vehicle motor according to claim 2, further comprising:\nwherein the at least one spoke has a linear cross-section in a direction in which the shaft extends.",
"6. The vehicle motor according to claim 1,\nwherein how many parts the stator is splittable into is smaller than how many parts the rotor is splittable into.",
"7. The vehicle motor according to claim 6, further comprising:\nwherein the at least one spoke has a linear cross-section in a direction in which the shaft extends.",
"8. The vehicle motor according to claim 1, further comprising:\nwherein the at least one spoke has a linear cross-section in a direction in which the shaft extends.",
"9. The vehicle motor according to claim 8, wherein the rotor further comprises a plurality of the second splitting points, and\nwherein the rotor splits into a plurality of split sleeves starting from the plurality of the second splitting points serving as origin points, and\nwherein when the external force is applied to the motor is transmitted to the at least one spoke, a first end of the at least one spoke coupled to a shaft breaks, and a second end of the at least one spoke disengages from a protrusion disposed on an inner peripheral surface of one of the split sleeves.",
"10. The vehicle motor according to claim 1, wherein the rotor further comprises a plurality of the second splitting points, and\nwherein the rotor splits into a plurality of split sleeves starting from the plurality of the second splitting points serving as origin points.",
"11. The vehicle motor according to claim 1, wherein the stator further comprises a plurality of the first splitting points, and\nwherein the stator splits into a plurality of parts starting from the plurality of the first splitting points serving as origin points.",
"12. A vehicle comprising the vehicle motor according to claim 1,\nwherein the vehicle motor is an in-wheel motor.",
"13. The vehicle motor according to claim 1, further comprising:\nwherein the at least one spoke has a linear straight line cross-section in a direction in which the shaft extends.",
"14. The motor according to claim 1,\nwherein a number of the at least one spoke is equal to a number of the first splitting points.",
"15. A motor comprising:\na stator;\na rotor disposed radially inward of the stator;\na shaft disposed radially inward of the rotor and configured to rotate together with the rotor; and\nat least one spoke configured to couple the shaft and the rotor;\nwherein the stator includes a plurality of first splitting points that are cutouts formed radially inward from an outer peripheral surface of the stator,\nwherein the rotor includes a plurality of second splitting points that are cutouts formed radially outward from an inner peripheral surface of the rotor, and\nwherein the at least one spoke is disposed along a tangential direction of the shaft when viewed from a vehicle-width direction, and only on the rotational side where a vehicle moves forward.",
"16. The motor according to claim 15,\nwherein the at least one first splitting point of the stator comprises a splitting point provided at either of a front side and a rear side of a vehicle.",
"17. The motor according to claim 15,\nwherein how many parts the stator is splittable into is smaller than how many parts the rotor is splittable into.",
"18. The motor according to claim 15, further comprising:\nwherein the at least one spoke has a linear cross-section in a direction in which the shaft extends.",
"19. The motor according to claim 15, wherein the rotor further comprises a plurality of the second splitting points, and\nwherein the rotor splits into the plurality of parts starting from the plurality of the second splitting points serving as origin points,\nwherein the stator further comprises a plurality of the first splitting points, and\nwherein the stator splits into the plurality of parts starting from the plurality of the first splitting points serving as origin points."
] |
US12126228B2
|
US20020089251A1
|
[
"1. A rotary electric machine comprising a stator having a stator core wounded with stator windings; and a rotor having a rotor core rotatable and opposite to said stator core through a gap, wherein\nsaid rotor core comprises a plurality of projecting poles arranged in a side of said gap and along the circumferential direction; and a plurality of rotor yokes for forming a magnetic path conducting magnetic fluxes of each of said projecting poles, and said rotor core is divided in the circumferential direction in a unit of each of said projecting poles and each of said rotor yokes opposite to each of said projecting poles.",
"2. A rotary electric machine according to claim 1, wherein a position of said division is at each middle position of width in the circumferential direction of said projecting poles.",
"3. A rotary electric machine comprising a stator having a stator core wounded with stator windings; and a rotor having a rotor core rotatable and opposite to said stator core through a gap, wherein\nsaid rotor core comprises a plurality of permanent magnets arranged and embeded therein in a side of said gap and along the circumferential direction; and a plurality of rotor yokes for forming a magnetic path conducting magnetic fluxes of each of said permanent magnets, and said rotor core is divided in the circumferential direction in a unit of each pole of said permanent magnets and each of said rotor yokes opposite to each pole of said permanent magnets.",
"4. A rotary electric machine according to claim 3, wherein a position of said division is at each position between the poles of said permanent magnets.",
"5. A rotary electric machine according to any one of claim 1 and claim 3, wherein said rotor core is made of a different material from a material of said stator core.",
"6. An electric vehicle comprising a battery for supplying electric power; a rotary electric machine for outputting drive torque to drive the vehicle by said supplied electric power; and a controller for controlling said drive torque, wherein\nsaid rotary electric machine comprises a stator having a stator core wounded with stator windings; and a rotor having a rotor core rotatable and opposite to said stator core through a gap, and said rotor is formed of a rotor core divided in the circumferential direction in a unit of each magnetic pole and a holding member having an I-shaped cross section for holding said rotor core, said holding member having an I-shaped cross section being disposed an inner peripheral side of said rotor core in order to lengthen a driving distance per charge of said vehicle by reducing the vehicle weight.",
"7. A permanent magnet rotary electric machine comprising a stator having a stator core wounded with stator windings; and a rotor having a rotor core opposite to said stator core through a rotation gap, a plurality of permanent magnets being arranged and embeded in said rotor core in the circumferential direction, wherein\nthe following relation is satisfied,\nr/w≈0.6±0.1,\nwhere r is a distance in a radial direction from an inner radial surface of said rotor core to a side end portion between poles of an inner peripheral surface of each of said permanent magnets, and 2·w is a length in the circumferential direction of said permanent magnet.",
"8. A permanent magnet rotary electric machine comprising a stator having a stator core wounded with stator windings; and a rotor having a rotor core opposite to said stator core through a rotation gap, a plurality of permanent magnets being arranged and embeded in said rotor core in the circumferential direction, said rotor core having a plurality of die-cut holes in the circumferential direction between an inner radial surface of said rotor core and an inner peripheral surface of said permanent magnets, wherein\nthe following relation is satisfied,\nt/w≈0.6,\nwhere t is a distance in a radial direction from said permanent magnet side of each of said die-cut holes to a side end portion between poles of an inner peripheral surface of each of said permanent magnets, and 2·w is a length in the circumferential direction of said permanent magnet."
] |
[
[
"1. A permanent magnet type electric rotating machine comprising:\na stator including an iron core and a winding; and\na rotor in which magnets forming a plurality of magnetic poles are arranged on the outer-circumference surface of a rotor core, wherein the magnetic poles of the rotor are formed of main magnets magnetized in the radial direction of the rotor and auxiliary magnets magnetized in the circumferential direction thereof and whose magnetic forces are weaker than those of the main magnets, each of the auxiliary magnets having a trapezoidal shape, wherein a radially-most outer side of the auxiliary magnets is longer than a radially-most inner side of the auxiliary magnets, and a gap is provided between the main magnet and the auxiliary magnet wherein the gap between the main magnet and the auxiliary magnet is narrower at the outer-circumferential side of the rotor than at the inner-circumferential side thereof.",
"2. The permanent magnet type electric rotating machine according to claim 1, wherein a resin is filled into the gap between the main magnet and the auxiliary magnet.",
"3. The permanent magnet type electric rotating machine according to claim 2, wherein a non-magnetic layer is provided between the auxiliary magnet and the rotor core.",
"4. The permanent magnet type electric rotating machine according to claim 1, wherein the main magnet is formed of a rare-earth sintered magnet, and the auxiliary magnet is formed of a ferrite magnet.",
"5. A manufacturing method of the permanent magnet type electric rotating machine according to claim 1, including mounting one of the magnetized auxiliary magnets in the rotor core after one of the main magnets is mounted in the rotor core and said one main magnet is magnetized.",
"6. The permanent magnet type electric rotating machine according to claim 1, wherein all sides of the auxiliary magnets are linear.",
"7. The permanent magnet type electric rotating machine according to claim 1, wherein a radially-most outer side of the main magnets is bow-shaped.",
"8. The permanent magnet type electric rotating machine according to claim 1, wherein a shape of the main magnets is different than the trapezoidal shape of the auxiliary magnets.",
"9. The permanent magnet type electric rotating machine according to claim 1, wherein a radial thickness of the main magnets is greater than a radial thickness of the auxiliary magnets."
],
[
"1. A method of manufacturing an interior permanent magnet-type inner rotor operatively associated with an apparatus for manufacturing the interior permanent magnet-type inner rotor, the method comprising:\nproviding the apparatus comprising:\na mold having a three-layer structure of a holding mold, an orienting mold, and a filling mold;\nthe holding mold, the orienting mold, and the filling mold being stackable and dividable in that order,\nthe holding mold having a space configured to house an associated rotating body fixed to a rotating shaft, the rotating body having a portion that projects beyond an outer diameter of a rotor core, and the holding mold having movable forward and backward sliders that are configured to support an end side of the rotor core;\nthe orienting mold having a cylindrical housing part that is smaller than the space of the holding mold and that is configured to house the rotor core, a plurality of orienting yokes that are arranged evenly around the cylindrical housing part and which induce oriented magnetic fields to be applied to slots in the rotor core, and permanent magnets that are oriented magnetic field sources arranged between the orienting yokes; and\nthe filling mold being configured as a flow channel for a flowable mixture to flow into the slots of the rotor core from the other end side of the rotor core,\nthe rotor core being configured to be housed in the cylindrical housing part and having applied thereto the oriented magnetic fields,\nthe flowable mixture being a mixture of a binder resin heated to a flowable state and anisotropic magnet particles, the method further comprising:\nproviding the rotor core having a shaft hole at a middle thereof, the rotor core having a plurality of slots arranged evenly around the shaft hole;\nshrink fitting the rotor core to the rotating shaft by heating the provided rotor core and inserting the rotating shaft into the shaft hole; and\nfilling the slots of the rotor core in a residual heat state after the shrink fitting with the flowable mixture in oriented magnetic fields, and\nproviding the flowable mixture, the flowable mixture being a mixture of a binder resin and anisotropic magnet particles, and heating the mixture to a flowable state.",
"2. The method of manufacturing an interior permanent magnet-type inner rotor as recited in claim 1, wherein the anisotropic magnet particles are not magnetized after the filling step.",
"3. The method of manufacturing an interior permanent magnet-type inner rotor as recited in claim 1, wherein the filling further comprises performing in a state in which an associated rotating body other than the rotor core is fixed to the rotating shaft."
],
[
"1. A rotor used for an axial gap permanent magnet motor in which a stator and the rotor are oppositely arranged having a gap between the stator and the rotor in a direction parallel to a rotary shaft, comprising:\na plurality of permanent magnets that are magnetized in a rotary shaft direction respectively and arranged along a circumferential direction of the rotary shaft to form field magnetic poles;\na plurality of soft magnetic material segments each of which is provided so as to cover at least a stator-facing surface in each of the permanent magnets to form a permanent magnet/soft magnetic material composite part including the permanent magnet and the soft magnetic material segment; and\na disc-shaped nonmagnetic molded frame that is molded so as to cover a periphery of the permanent magnet/soft magnetic material composite parts while leaving at least the stator-facing surfaces of the soft magnetic material segments as exposed surfaces,\nwherein the permanent magnet/soft magnetic material composite parts are integrated with the disc-shaped nonmagnetic molded frame by molding of the disc-shaped nonmagnetic molded frame,\nwherein side surfaces of each of the soft magnetic material segments are provided with at least one of a projection engaged with the nonmagnetic molded frame or a recessed portion engaged with a part of the nonmagnetic molded frame,\nwherein the at least of a projection is provided along the circumferential direction of the soft magnetic material segment and doesn't contact with the permanent magnet.",
"2. A rotor used for an axial gap permanent magnet motor in which a stator and the rotor are oppositely arranged having a gap between the stator and the rotor in a direction parallel to a rotary shaft, comprising:\na plurality of permanent magnets that are magnetized in a rotary shaft direction respectively and arranged along a circumferential direction of the rotary shaft to form field magnetic poles;\na plurality of soft magnetic material segments each of which is provided so as to cover at least a stator-facing surface in each of the permanent magnets to form a permanent magnet/soft magnetic material composite part including the permanent magnet and the soft magnetic material segment; and\na disc-shaped nonmagnetic molded frame that is molded so as to cover a periphery of the permanent magnet/soft magnetic material composite parts while leaving at least the stator-facing surfaces of the soft magnetic material segments as exposed surfaces,\nwherein the permanent magnet/soft magnetic material composite parts are integrated with the disc-shaped nonmagnetic molded frame by molding of the disc-shaped nonmagnetic molded frame,\nwherein the materials of the permanent magnets, the soft magnetic material segments and the nonmagnetic molded frame are powder materials respectively, and integrated by compaction molding.",
"3. The rotor according to claim 2, wherein side surfaces of each of the soft magnetic material segments are provided with at least one of a projection engaged with the nonmagnetic molded frame or a recessed portion engaged with a part of the nonmagnetic molded frame.",
"4. The rotor according to claim 2, wherein each of the soft magnetic material segments has a side surface steplikely or continuously widening from a side on the stator-facing surface as the exposed surface toward a side opposite to the stator-facing surface.",
"5. The rotor according to any one of claims 3 and 4, wherein the stator-facing surface of each of the soft magnetic material segments has a convex surface toward the stator side.",
"6. The rotor according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein each of the soft magnetic material segments is formed with a powder magnetic core.",
"7. The rotor according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein materials of the soft magnetic material segments and the permanent magnets are powder materials and these materials are compaction-molded such that each soft magnetic material segment and each permanent magnet integrally are laminated, or the soft magnetic material segment entirely covers the permanent magnet.",
"8. The rotor according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein the nonmagnetic molded frame is formed with synthetic resin or ceramic material.",
"9. The rotor according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein the nonmagnetic molded frame is formed with thermoplastic resin or thermohardening resin, and formed as an insert molded material by inserting the permanent magnet/soft magnetic material composite part in the resin.",
"10. An axial gap permanent magnet motor, wherein a stator and a rotor are oppositely arranged having a gap between the stator and the rotor in a direction parallel to a rotary shaft, and wherein the rotor is comprised of the rotor of any one of claims 3 to 9.",
"11. The axial gap permanent magnet motor according to claim 10, wherein the rotor is two, the two rotors are oppositely arranged in the direction parallel to the rotary shaft direction, and the stator is arranged between the rotors having a gap between the stator and each rotor.",
"12. The axial gap permanent magnet motor according to claim 10, wherein the stator is two, the two of stators are oppositely arranged in the direction parallel to the rotary shaft direction, and the rotor is arranged between the stators having a gap between the rotor and each stator.",
"13. A production method of a rotor used in the axial gap permanent magnet motor and the rotor used for an axial gap permanent magnet motor in which a stator and the rotor are oppositely arranged having a gap between the stator and the rotor in a direction parallel to a rotary shaft, comprising:\na plurality of permanent magnets that are magnetized in a rotary shaft direction respectively and arranged along a circumferential direction of the rotary shaft to form field magnetic poles;\na plurality of soft magnetic material segments each of which is provided so as to cover at least a stator-facing surface in each of the permanent magnets to form a permanent magnet/soft magnetic material composite part including the permanent magnet and the soft magnetic material segment; and\na disc-shaped nonmagnetic molded frame that is molded so as to cover a periphery of the permanent magnet/soft magnetic material composite parts while leaving at least the stator-facing surfaces of the soft magnetic material segments as exposed surfaces,\nwherein the permanent magnet/soft magnetic material composite parts are integrated with the disc-shaped nonmagnetic molded frame by molding of the disc-shaped nonmagnetic molded frame,\nwherein the production method of the rotor comprising the steps of:\nusing magnet powder as material of the permanent magnets, powder as a powder magnetic core material to be the soft magnetic material segments and resin or ceramic nonmagnetic powder as material of the nonmagnetic molded frame, the method comprises:\na temporarily molding step of separately molding each of the permanent magnets, each of the soft magnetic material segments, and the nonmagnetic molded frame by applying respective compaction molding to the magnet powder, the powder as the powder magnetic core material and the nonmagnetic powder at pressure lower than that in a full-scale molding; and\na full-scale molding step of engaging or laminating the temporarily molded permanent magnet and the soft magnetic material segment, and integrating these permanent magnet and soft magnetic material segment with the temporarily molded nonmagnetic molded frame by the full-scale compaction molding.",
"14. A rotor used for an axial gap permanent magnet motor in which a stator and the rotor are oppositely arranged having a gap between the stator and the rotor in a direction parallel to a rotary shaft, comprising:\na plurality of permanent magnets that are magnetized in a rotary shaft direction respectively and arranged along a circumferential direction of the rotary shaft to form field magnetic poles;\na plurality of soft magnetic material segments each of which is provided so as to cover at least a stator-facing surface in each of the permanent magnets to form a permanent magnet/soft magnetic material composite part including the permanent magnet and the soft magnetic material segment; and\na disc-shaped nonmagnetic molded frame that is molded so as to cover a periphery of the permanent magnet/soft magnetic material composite parts while leaving at least the stator-facing surfaces of the soft magnetic material segments as exposed surfaces,\nwherein the permanent magnet/soft magnetic material composite parts are integrated with the disc-shaped nonmagnetic molded frame by molding of the disc-shaped nonmagnetic molded frame,\nwherein each of the soft magnetic material segments has a side surface steplikely or continuously widening from a side on the stator-facing surface as the exposed surface toward a side opposite to the stator-facing surface,\nwherein the side surface is provided in the circumferential direction of the soft magnetic material segment and doesn't contact with the permanent magnet."
],
[
"1. A rotor comprising a rotor core and a bond magnet, wherein\nthe rotor core includes:\na first core block;\na second core block; and\na partition core being sandwiched between the first core block and the second core block in an axial direction being parallel to a rotational axis of the rotor,\nboth the first core block and the second core block include lamination layers of a plurality of first core sheets made up of magnetic steel plates laminated along the axial direction,\nthe partition core includes one second core sheet or lamination layers of a plurality of second core sheets, the one or plurality of second core sheets being made up of magnetic steel plates laminated along the axial direction,\na first magnet hole passes through the first core block along the axial direction,\na second magnet hole passes through the second core block along the axial direction,\na third magnet hole being communicated with the first magnet hole and the second magnet hole passes through the partition core along the axial direction,\npositions of the first magnet hole, the second magnet hole, and the third magnet hole are deviated from each other in a circumferential direction with respect to the rotational axis,\nthe bond magnet fills the first magnet hole, the second magnet hole, and the third magnet hole,\nwhen seen along the axial direction,\na first surface of the first magnet hole located on an opposite side of the rotational axis does not intersect with a second surface of the second magnet hole located on a side common to the rotational axis but intersects with a third surface of the second magnet hole located on an opposite side of the rotational axis, and\na fourth surface of the first magnet hole located on a side common to the rotational axis does not intersect with the third surface but intersects with the second surface, and\na shape of the third magnet hole projected on a planar surface being orthogonal to the axial direction is identical with a shape of overlapping a shape of the first magnet hole projected on the planar surface and a shape of the second magnet hole projected on the planar surface.",
"2. The rotor according to claim 1, wherein\nin a region where the first surface is located between the second surface and the third surface when seen along the axial direction, a thickness t of the partition core is equal to or larger than {d(2w−d)}1/2, where a width of the second magnet hole is indicated by w, a maximum value of a distance from the first surface to the third surface is indicated by d.",
"3. The rotor according to claim 1, wherein\na plurality of the first magnet holes, the second magnet holes, and the third magnet holes are provided, and\none of the second magnet holes being communicated with one of the first magnet hole through one of the third magnet holes is not communicated with another one of the first magnet holes.",
"4. The rotor according to claim 2, wherein\na plurality of the first magnet holes, the second magnet holes, and the third magnet holes are provided, and\none of the second magnet holes being communicated with one of the first magnet hole through one of the third magnet holes is not communicated with another one of the first magnet holes.",
"5. The rotor according to claim 3, wherein\na portion facing the second core block in the bond magnet embedded in the third magnet hole is magnetized in the axial direction.",
"6. The rotor according to claim 4, wherein\na portion facing the second core block in the bond magnet embedded in the third magnet hole is magnetized in the axial direction.",
"7. The rotor according to claim 1, wherein\nthe bond magnet has anisotropy.",
"8. The rotor according to claim 2, wherein\nthe bond magnet has anisotropy."
],
[
"1. A permanent magnet electric motor comprising:\na rotor including: a rotor core divided into two or more parts in an axial direction thereof so as to form two or more divided core parts; and a plurality of magnetic poles disposed inside the respective core parts and formed by two or more types of permanent magnets selected such that a product of coercivity and thickness in a magnetization direction of each magnet is different from each other, each position of the magnetic poles in the core parts being skewed in a circumferential direction;\na stator located outside the rotor with an air gap therebetween and including an armature core and an armature winding, the armature winding generating a magnetic field which magnetizes at least one permanent magnet forming the magnetic poles of the rotor; and\nconductive short circuited coils disposed at an angle displaced according to a skewed angle of the respective core parts in the circumferential direction of the rotor and connected to each other with a stepped part at a boundary part of the respective core parts, the short circuited coils generating a short-circuit current based on a magnetic flux that is generated during magnetization upon magnetizing the permanent magnets,\nthe short circuited coils respectively comprising: a conductive panel disposed at the boundary part of each core part; a conductive bar protruding toward each core part in an axial direction of the rotor from each position of front and rear faces of the conductive panel displaced to each other corresponding to the skewed angle of the core parts in the circumferential direction of the rotor; and a short circuit connection part connecting tips of the conductive bars with each other at an axial end portion of the core part.",
"2. A permanent magnet electric motor according to claim 1, wherein the short circuit connection part is configured by bending each tip of the conductive bars protruding from the axial end of the core part and connecting the tips with each other to form the short circuit connections.",
"3. A permanent magnet electric motor according to claim 1, wherein end plates are provided on respective outer sides of the rotor core in the axial direction thereof so as to place and hold the rotor core therebetween, and the end plates are made from an insulating material or a member having greater electrical resistance than a conductive member provided in the rotor core.",
"4. A permanent magnet electric motor according to claim 1, wherein end plates are provided on an outer side of the rotor core in the axial direction of the rotor core so as to place and hold the rotor core therebetween, and insulation-treatment is made to a portion of the end plate contacting a conductive member provided in the rotor core.",
"5. A permanent magnet electric motor comprising:\na rotor including: a rotor core divided into two or more parts in an axial direction thereof so as to form two or more core parts; and a plurality of magnetic poles disposed inside the respective core parts and formed by two or more types of permanent magnets selected such that a product of coercivity and thickness in a magnetization direction of each magnet is different from each other, each position of the magnetic poles in the core parts being skewed in a circumferential direction;\na stator located outside the rotor with an air gap therebetween and including an armature core and an armature winding, the armature winding generating a magnetic field which magnetizes at least one permanent magnet forming the magnetic poles of the rotor; and\nconductive short circuited coils disposed at an angle displaced according to a skewed angle of the respective core parts in the circumferential direction of the rotor and connected to each other with a stepped part at a boundary part of the respective core parts, the short circuited coils generating a short-circuit current based on a magnetic flux that is generated during magnetization upon magnetizing the permanent magnets,\nthe short circuited coils respectively comprising:\na pair of conductive bars each having in a center thereof the stepped part having a length corresponding to the skewed angle; and a short circuit connection part connecting the conductive bars with each other at an axial end portion of the core part,\nthe permanent magnet electric motor further comprising: a space plate provided in the boundary part of each core part; and a void part formed in the space plate such that the stepped parts of the conductive bars are fitted therein.",
"6. A permanent magnet electric motor according to claim 5, wherein the short circuited coil is formed by filling a melted conductive material into a pair of conductive material injection holes having in a center thereof a stepped part having a length corresponding to the skewed angle, into the short circuit connection part connecting the conductive bars with each other at the axial end portion of the core part, and into a void part formed in the space portion which is provided in the boundary part of each core part, and further solidifying the conductive material.",
"7. A permanent magnet electric motor according to claim 5, wherein the short circuit connection part is configured by bending each tip of the conductive bars protruding from the axial end of the core part and connecting the tips with each other to form the short circuit connections.",
"8. A permanent magnet electric motor according to claim 5, wherein end plates are provided on respective outer sides of the rotor core in the axial direction thereof so as to place and hold the rotor core therebetween, and the end plates are made from an insulating material or a member having greater electrical resistance than a conductive member provided in the rotor core.",
"9. A permanent magnet electric motor according to claim 5, wherein end plates are provided on an outer side of the rotor core in the axial direction of the rotor core so as to place and hold the rotor core therebetween, and insulation-treatment is made to a portion of the end plate contacting a conductive member provided in the rotor core."
],
[
"1. A method of resin sealing permanent magnets by fixing the permanent magnets inserted in a plurality of magnet insertion holes formed in a laminated rotor core, the laminated rotor core formed by laminating a plurality of core pieces, comprising:\na step of setting the laminated rotor core on a carrier tray;\na step of disposing the laminated rotor core placed on the carrier tray between an upper die and a lower die; and\na step of resin sealing the permanent magnets in the magnet insertion holes in a state that the laminated rotor core is pressed between the upper die and the lower die to prevent resin material from leaking through gaps between the core pieces, wherein the upper die is free of direct contact with the lower die during the step of resin sealing.",
"2. The method of resin sealing permanent magnets as defined in claim 1, wherein the resin sealing of the permanent magnet into the magnet insertion holes is performed using plungers, each plunger vertically moves in resin reservoir pots, by forcing the resin material out of the resin reservoir pots, the resin reservoir pots vertically penetrating the upper die.",
"3. The method of resin sealing permanent magnets as defined in claim 2, wherein a bushing is provided in the resin reservoir pots to reduce friction with the plunger.",
"4. The method of resin sealing permanent magnets as defined in claim 1, wherein a shaft hole is provided in the laminated rotor core, and the laminated rotor core is set on the carrier tray by inserting a guide member of the carrier tray into the shaft hole.",
"5. The method of resin sealing permanent magnets as defined in claim 4, wherein a distal end of the guide member is projecting from an upper end of the laminated rotor core.",
"6. A method of resin sealing permanent magnets by fixing the permanent magnets by injecting resin material into magnet insertion holes, the permanent magnets being inserted in a plurality of the magnet insertion holes formed in a laminated rotor core, the laminated rotor core being formed by laminating a plurality of core pieces, comprising:\ninjecting the resin material in a state that the laminated rotor core is pressed between an upper die and a lower die to prevent the resin material from leaking through gaps between the core pieces, wherein the upper die is free of direct contact with the lower die during a step of resin sealing."
],
[
"1. A magnetic generator for a motor comprising:\na plurality of magnets that are arranged to face a winding and that are movable relative to the winding upon the winding being energized, the magnets being arranged in a relative movement direction while magnetic polarities based on the magnets are alternately changed,\neach of the magnets comprising:\na first magnet member having a q-axis side end located closer to a pole boundary and configured to generate magnet flux in accordance with a corresponding one of the polarities, the first magnet member having first magnetic orientations defined therein; and\na second magnet member provided at the q-axis side end of the first magnet member, the second magnet member having second magnetic orientations defined therein, the second magnetic orientations intersecting with the first magnetic orientations, and being directed toward the q-axis side end of the first magnet member, wherein:\nthe motor is designed as a rotary electric machine that is comprised of:\na winding member in which the winding is wound; and\na magnet hold member including the magnets and radially arranged to face the winding member, the magnetic generator being used as the magnet member,\nthe first magnet member comprises a plurality of first magnet members arranged in the magnet member in a circumferential direction of the magnet member with predetermined pitches;\nthe second magnet member comprises a plurality of second magnet members, each of the second magnet members being provided for a q-axis side end of the corresponding one of the first magnet members;\nthe magnet hold member includes a soft magnetic core having magnet installation holes located across a d-axis for each pole at both sides of the d-axis; and\nthe first and second magnet members are installed in each of the magnet installation holes.",
"2. The magnetic generator according to claim 1, wherein:\neach of the first and second magnet members has a substantially rectangular shape in a lateral cross section thereof, and a pair of opposing flux effective surfaces;\nthe first magnetic orientations and the second magnetic orientations of the respective first and second magnet members are perpendicular to the opposing flux effective surfaces of the corresponding one of the first and second magnet members; and\nthe first and second magnet members are arranged in the soft magnetic core such that a first angle of at least one of the first magnetic orientations of each of the first magnet members with respect to the d-axis or q-axis is different from a second angle of at least one of the second magnetic orientations of the corresponding one of the second magnet members with respect to the d-axis or q-axis.",
"3. The magnetic generator according to claim 1, wherein:\nan angle formed between at least one of the first magnetic orientations of each of the first magnet members and at least one of the second magnetic orientations of the corresponding one of the second magnet members is set to be an acute angle.",
"4. A magnetic generator for a motor comprising:\na plurality of magnets that are arranged to face a winding and that are movable relative to the winding upon the winding being energized, the magnets being arranged in a relative movement direction while magnetic polarities based on the magnets are alternately changed,\neach of the magnets comprising:\na first magnet member configured to generate magnet flux in accordance with a corresponding one of the polarities, the first magnet member having first magnetic orientations defined therein; and\na second magnet member provided at a q-axis side end of the corresponding magnet located closer to a pole boundary, the second magnet member having second magnetic orientations defined therein, the second magnetic orientations intersecting with the first magnetic orientations, wherein:\nthe motor is designed as a rotary electric machine that is comprised of:\na winding member in which the winding is wound; and\na magnet hold member including the magnets and radially arranged to face the winding member, the magnetic generator being used as the magnet member,\nthe first magnet member comprises a plurality of first magnet members arranged in the magnet member in a circumferential direction of the magnet member with predetermined pitches;\nthe second magnet member comprises a plurality of second magnet members, each of the second magnet members being provided for a q-axis side end of the corresponding one of the first magnet members;\nthe magnet hold member includes a soft magnetic core having magnet installation holes located across a d-axis for each pole at both sides of the d-axis;\nthe first and second magnet members are installed in each of the magnet installation holes;\nthe first magnet members are located across the d-axis for each pole to be separated from each other as a pair of main magnets; and\nthe first magnetic orientations of each first magnet member are inclined with respect to the d-axis and intersects with the d-axis at a portion of the core, the portion of the core being located to be closer to the armature winding than to an anti-armature winding side,\nthe magnetic generator further comprising:\na plurality of third magnet members each having third magnetic orientations, each of the third magnet members being provided at a d-axis side end of the corresponding one of the first magnet members such that the third magnetic orientations intersect with the first magnetic orientations of the corresponding one of the first magnet members.",
"5. The magnetic generator according to claim 1 or 4, wherein:\nthe q-axis side end of each of the first magnet members has a first flux reinforcement point that is the closest to the winding member; and\neach of the second magnet members is configured to strength magnetic flux at the first flux reinforcement point of the q-axis side end of the corresponding one of the first magnet members.",
"6. The magnetic generator according to claim 5, wherein:\neach of the first and second magnet members has a substantially rectangular shape in a lateral cross section thereof, and a pair of opposing flux effective surfaces;\nthe first magnetic orientations and the second magnetic orientations of the respective first and second magnet members are perpendicular to the opposing flux effective surfaces of the corresponding one of the first and second magnet members; and\nthe first and second magnet members are arranged in the soft magnetic core such that a first angle of at least one of the first magnetic orientations of each of the first magnet members with respect to the d-axis or q-axis is different from a second angle of at least one of the second magnetic orientations of the corresponding one of the second magnet members with respect to the d-axis or q-axis.",
"7. The magnetic generator according to claim 5, wherein:\nan angle formed between at least one of the first magnetic orientations of each of the first magnet members and at least one of the second magnetic orientations of the corresponding one of the second magnet members is set to be an acute angle.",
"8. The magnetic generator according to claim 4, wherein:\nthe d-axis side end of each of the main magnets of the pair located across the d-axis has a second flux reinforcement point that is closest to the d-axis side end of the other of the main magnets of the pair; and\neach of the third magnet members is configured to strength the second flux reinforcement point of each of the main magnets of the pair.",
"9. The magnetic generator according to claim 4, wherein:\nan angle formed between at least one of the first magnetic orientations of each of the first magnet members and at least one of the third magnetic orientations of the corresponding one of the third magnet members is set to be an acute angle.",
"10. The magnetic generator according to claim 4, wherein:\neach of the magnet installation holes includes a d-axis side extending portion that is located between the corresponding pair of the magnets and that extends along the d-axis;\neach of the third magnet members is arranged in the d-axis side extending portion of the corresponding one of the magnet installation holes; and\neach of the magnet installation holes includes a flux barrier located to be closer to the d-axis than the corresponding one of the third magnet members.",
"11. The magnetic generator according to any one of claims 1 and 8 to 10, wherein:\nthe magnet installation holes are located across the d-axis for each pole at both sides of the d-axis to be symmetrical about the d-axis; and\nthe magnets are arranged across the d-axis for each pole to be symmetrical about the d-axis.",
"12. The magnetic generator according to any one of claims 1 and 8 to 10, wherein:\neach of the first and second magnet members has a value of coercive force, the value of the coercive force of the second magnet member being smaller than the value of the coercive force of the first magnet member.",
"13. The magnetic generator according to any one of claims 1 and 8 to 10, wherein:\neach of the first and second magnet members has a value of coercive force, the value of the coercive force of the first magnet member being smaller than the value of the coercive force of the second magnet member.",
"14. The magnetic generator according to claim 4, wherein:\neach of the second and third magnet members has a value of coercive force, the value of the coercive force of the second magnet member being different from the value of the coercive force of the third magnet member.",
"15. The magnetic generator according to the any one of claims 1, 8 to 10, and 14, wherein:\nthe soft magnetic core has an outer surface facing the winding member, and includes a groove formed in the outer surface to extend along an axial direction of the soft magnetic core.",
"16. The magnetic generator according to the any one of claims 1, 8 to 10, and 14 wherein:\nthe soft magnetic core is a rotor core that has:\na through hole formed through a center portion thereof, a rotary shaft is rotatably disposed in the through hole, the through hole having an inner circumferential surface thereof; and\na projection formed on the inner circumferential surface of the through hole and located on the d-axis for each pole, the projection extending to abut on an outer circumferential surface of the rotary shaft.",
"17. A magnetic generator for a motor comprising:\na plurality of magnets that are arranged to face a winding and that are movable relative to the winding upon the winding being energized, the magnets being arranged in a relative movement direction while magnetic polarities based on the magnets are alternately changed,\neach of the magnets comprising:\na first magnet member having a q-axis side end located closer to a pole boundary and configured to generate magnet flux in accordance with a corresponding one of the polarities, the first magnet member having first magnetic orientations defined therein; and\na second magnet member provided at the q-axis side end of the first magnet member, the second magnet member having second magnetic orientations defined therein, the second magnetic orientations intersecting with the first magnetic orientations, and being directed toward the q-axis side end of the first magnet member, wherein:\nthe motor is designed as a rotary electric machine that is comprised of:\na winding member in which the winding is wound; and\na magnet hold member including the magnets and radially arranged to face the winding member, the magnetic generator being used as the magnet member,\nthe first magnet member comprises a plurality of first magnet members arranged in the magnet member in a circumferential direction of the magnet member with predetermined pitches;\nthe second magnet member comprises a plurality of second magnet members, each of the second magnet members being provided for a q-axis side end of the corresponding one of the first magnet members;\nthe magnet hold member includes a soft magnetic core having magnet installation holes located across a d-axis for each pole at both sides of the d-axis;\nthe first and second magnet members are installed in each of the magnet installation holes;\neach of the first magnet members comprises divided magnet segments in a direction from the q-axis to the d-axis, each of the magnet segments having at least one of the first magnetic orientations, the at least one of the first magnetic orientations of one of the magnet segments being different from the at least one of the first magnetic orientations of another of the magnet segments;\nthe magnet segments include at least a q-axis side segment and a d-axis segment, the q-axis side segment being located to be closer to the q-axis than the d-axis segment is, the d-axis side segment being located to be closer to the d-axis than the q-axis segment is; and\nthe at least one of the first magnetic orientations of the q-axis side segment are closer to a direction parallel to the q-axis than the at least one of the first magnetic orientations of the d-axis side segment is.",
"18. The magnetic generator according to claim 17, wherein:\nthe magnet segments of each first magnet member have respective ends facing each other; and\nthe magnet segments of each first magnet member are arranged such that the ends of the respective magnet segments have a convex shape toward the winding."
],
[
"1. A method for evaluating electromagnetic performance of a permanent-magnet electric machine, being implemented in a computer processer or in a controller of the electric machine, the method comprising:\nbuilding an electromagnetic analytical model for the electric machine, a solution domain of the analytical model being at least divided into a permanent magnet sub-domain (SD-1), an air gap sub-domain (SD-2), and a stator slot sub-domain (SD-3),\ncalculating current magnetic field distributions of the air gap sub-domain (SD-2), stator slot sub-domain (SD-3) and permanent magnet sub-domain (SD-1) through a Poisson equation or a Laplace equation;\nadding an equivalent current sheet (A) to a boundary of a target sub-domain and to an interface between the target sub-domain and an adjacent sub-domain respectively, using a current density of the equivalent current sheet (A) to represent a boundary condition and an interface condition, and calculating a magnetic field distribution on basis of the sub-domains by a sub-domain method;\ncalculating a magnetic potential difference of each part of a core of the electric machine by a magnetic circuit method according to the current magnetic field distributions, and converting the magnetic potential difference to the current density of the equivalent current sheet (A);\niterating the magnetic field distribution obtained on basis of the sub-domains and the current density obtained by the magnetic circuit method until a convergent current density is obtained, solving and obtaining a magnetic field distribution of the target sub-domain by using the convergent current density;\ncalculating electromagnetic performance parameters on basis of the magnetic field distribution of the target sub-domain,\ncomparing the calculated electromagnetic performance parameters with standard electromagnetic performance parameters pre-stored in the processer or the controller, and obtaining an evaluating result of the electromagnetic performance to design the electric machine according to the evaluating result.",
"2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the analytical model divides the solution domain on a 2D plane when a two-dimensional magnetic circuit is used as a target magnetic field of the analytical model.",
"3. The method according to claim 2, wherein when the magnetic circuit method is used to calculate the magnetic potential difference of each stator tooth and stator yoke of the core of the electric machine, a node magnetic potential difference matrix equation is constructed according to Kirchhoff's law, and then a convergent solution of a node magnetic potential difference matrix is obtained using Newton-Raphson's law.",
"4. The method according to claim 2, wherein when iterating the magnetic field distribution obtained on basis of the sub-domains and the current density obtained by the magnetic circuit method starts, the current density of the equivalent current sheet (A) is preset to 0, and the sub-domain method is used to calculate the magnetic field distribution for a first time, to obtain a magnetic flux into a stator of the core of the electric machine; then the magnetic potential difference of each tooth portion and yoke portion of the stator is calculated by the magnetic circuit method, and a current density value of a corresponding equivalent current sheet (A) is obtained by the magnetic potential difference; then the current density value is used as the boundary condition of the sub-domain method to calculate again; the iterative process is repeated until a difference between the current density obtained in a previous iteration and the current density obtained in a current iteration subsequent to the previous iteration is within a preset threshold range.",
"5. The method according to claim 3, wherein a mutual iteration between the magnetic circuit method and the sub-domain method is: the current density obtained by the convergent solution of the node magnetic potential difference matrix is taken into the sub-domain method as the boundary condition, to obtain the current magnetic field distribution by the sub-domain method, then calculate a status core magnetic field distribution to judge if the current density of a current iteration and the current density of a previous iteration followed by the current iteration are converged; and in response to being not converged, the current magnetic field distribution is taken into the magnetic circuit method, to calculate the convergent solution of the node magnetic potential difference matrix again, and repeat the iterations until the current density of the current iteration and the current density of the previous iteration are converged.",
"6. The method according to claim 1, wherein when a rotor of the core of the electric machine is a consequent-pole rotor, a range of a consequent-pole machine permanent magnet sub domain is: αim−αmag/2≤α≤αim+αmag/2, where αmag is a width angle of a permanent magnet, αim is a center line of a i-th permanent magnet, the consequent-pole rotor permanent magnet sub-domain is added with a boundary condition on an interface with an adjacent soft magnetic material-, and the boundary condition on the interface with the adjacent soft magnetic material is represented by a magnetic flux density: Brmi|α=α im ±α mag =0, Brmi represents a radial magnetic flux density in the permanent magnet; or, when the rotor is a non-consequent-pole rotor, a range of a rotor permanent magnet sub-domain is 0-2π, a rotator permanent magnet sub-domain in the sub-domain method is added with a boundary condition at an interface between the permanent magnet and a rotor yoke of the rotor, and the boundary condition at the interface between the permanent magnet and the rotor yoke is represented by the current density of the equivalent current sheet (A).",
"7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method is applied to the electric machine whose stator slot is an open slot, wherein stator slot sub-domain (SD-3) boundary conditions of the analytical model comprise boundary conditions of two slot sides and a boundary condition of a slot bottom, the boundary condition is represented by: H3ri|α=αi+bsa/2=Ji1; H3ri|α=αi−bsa/2=−Ji2; H3αi|r=Rsb=−Ji3; where, boa is a slot width, Ji1, is a current density of an equivalent current sheet (A) on a first slot side of the stator slot, Ji2 is a current density of an equivalent current sheet (A) on a second slot side of the stator slot, Ji3 is an current density of an equivalent current sheet (A) at the slot bottom of the stator slot.",
"8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method is applied to the electric machine whose stator slot has a slot opening, wherein for a semi-closed slot: the stator slot sub-domain (SD-3) comprises a boundary condition of two slot sides, a boundary condition of a slot bottom and a boundary condition of two sides of the slot opening, the boundary condition is represented by: H3ri|α=αi+bsa/2=Ji1; H3ri|α=αi−bsa/2=−Ji2; H3αi|r=Rsb=−Ji3; H4ri|α=αi+boa/2=Ji4; H4ri|α=αi−boa/2=−Ji5; where, boa is a width of slot opening, Ji1, is a current density of an equivalent current sheet (A) on a first slot side of the stator slot, Ji2 is a current density of an equivalent current sheet (A) on a second slot side of the stator slot, Ji3 is a current density of an equivalent current sheet (A) at a slot bottom of the stator slot; Ji4, is a current density of an equivalent current sheet (A) on a first slot side of the stator slot opening, Ji5 is a current density of an equivalent current sheet (A) on a second slot side of the stator slot opening.",
"9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method is applied to the electric machine which is a dual-stator surface-mounted permanent magnet electric machine, wherein equivalent current sheets (A) are added in an internal current slot (SD-7), an internal terminal slot opening (SD-5), an external terminal slot (SD-6), and an external terminal slot opening (SD-4), to simulate nonlinear effects in internal and external stator cores of the core of the electric machine; boundary conditions of the stator slot sub-domain (SD-3) comprise: an equivalent current density of two slot sides and one slot bottom of the internal stator slot (SD-7), an equivalent current density of two slot sides of the internal stator slot opening (SD-5), an equivalent current density of two slot sides and one slot bottom of the external stator slot (SD-6), and an equivalent current density of two slot sides of the external stator slot opening (SD-4).",
"10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method is applied to the electric machine which is a dual-stator consequent-pole permanent magnet electric machine, wherein boundary conditions of sub-domain method comprise: an equivalent current density of two slot sides and one slot bottom of an internal stator slot (SD-7), an equivalent current density of two slot sides of an internal stator slot opening (SD-5), an equivalent current density of two slot sides and one slot bottom of an external stator slot (SD-6), and an equivalent current density of two slot sides of an external stator slot opening (SD-4), and a consequent-pole rotor permanent magnet sub-domain is added with a boundary condition on an interface with an adjacent soft magnetic material, and the boundary condition is represented by an magnetic flux density: Brmi|α=α im +α mag +0, Brmi represents a radial magnetic flux density in a permanent magnet.",
"11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method is applied to the electric machine which is a surface plug-in consequent-pole permanent magnet electric machine, wherein boundary conditions of the sub-domain method comprise: an equivalent current density of two slot sides and one slot bottom of an stator slot (SD-3), an equivalent current density of two slot sides of an stator slot opening (SD-4), and a consequent-pole rotor permanent magnet sub-domain is added with a boundary condition on an interface with an adjacent soft magnetic material, and the boundary condition is represented by a magnetic flux density: Brmi|α=α im +α mag +0, Brmi represents a radial magnetic flux density in a permanent magnet.",
"12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method is applied to the electric machine which is a V-shaped built-in internal rotor permanent magnet electric machine, wherein boundary conditions of the sub-domains comprise: an equivalent current density of two slot sides and one slot bottom of the stator slot sub-domain (SD-2), an equivalent current density of two slot sides of a slot opening sub-domain (SD-3), and an equivalent current density of an interface between a rotor of the core of the electric machine and the air gap sub-domain (SD-1).",
"13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method is applied to the electric machine which is a I-shaped built-in internal rotor permanent magnet electric machine, wherein boundary conditions of the sub-domain method comprise: an equivalent current density of two slot sides and one slot bottom of the stator slot sub-domain (SD-2), an equivalent current density of two slot sides of a slot opening sub-domain (SD-3), and an equivalent current density of an interface between a rotor of the core of the electric machine and the air gap sub-domain (SD-1).",
"14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method is applied to the electric machine which is a split-tooth permanent magnet vernier electric machine, wherein boundary conditions of the sub-domains comprise: an equivalent current density of two slot sides and one slot bottom of a stator slot sub-domain (SD-3), and an equivalent current density of two slot sides of a slot opening; and an equivalent current density of all slot sides and slot bottoms in split teeth (SD-4)."
],
[
"1. A rotor for an electrical machine, comprising:\nat least one laminated core which has a plurality of magnet pockets arranged in succession in an axial direction of the rotor;\nmagnets each of which are fixed in the plurality of magnet pockets by a cured potting compound;\nat least one distributor system which is formed in the laminated core which fluidically connects the plurality of magnet pockets to one another;\nat least one filling channel for each magnet pocket which fluidically connects to the respective magnet pocket;\nat least one distributor channel for the distributor system has which is common to the filling channels and which is fluidically connected to the filling channels;\nat least one end plate, which is a separate component from and is adjacent to the laminated core in the axial direction of the rotor such that each of the plurality of magnet pockets is adjacent the at least one end plate;\nat least one filling opening integrally formed as part of the end plate, the at least one filling opening fluidically connected to the distributor system and via which the potting compound is filled in its liquid state into the distributor system;\na second end plate, which adjoins the laminated core in the axial direction on a side of the laminated core which is opposite from the first end plate in the axial direction; and\nat least one ventilation opening defined by the second end plate which is fluidically connected to the distributor system and which serves for the ventilation of the distributor system as the potting compound is filled into the distributor system;\nwherein the cured potting compound extends continuously through the distributor system from magnet pocket to magnet pocket.",
"2. The rotor as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:\na first part of the respective magnet pocket formed by a first individual lamination of the laminated core; and\na second part formed by a second individual lamination which directly adjoins the first part in the axial direction of the rotor of the respective magnet pocket.",
"3. The rotor as claimed in claim 2, wherein the respective parts differ from one another in terms of at least one of their shapes and inner circumferences.",
"4. The rotor as claimed in claim 3, wherein the respective parts thereby form at least one undercut of the respective magnet pocket.",
"5. The rotor as claimed in claim 2, wherein the individual laminations are formed by identical lamination blanks and are rotationally staggered with respect to one another in a circumferential direction of the rotor.",
"6. The rotor as claimed in claim 2, wherein the individual laminations are formed by lamination blanks that are different from one another.",
"7. The rotor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the respective magnet pocket has at least one protuberance extending in a radial direction of the rotor.",
"8. The rotor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the magnet pockets and the magnets are offset.",
"9. The rotor as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:\na first pocket group of the plurality of magnet pockets, wherein the laminated core has\nat least one second pocket group arranged adjacent to the first pocket group in the circumferential direction of the laminated core and which comprises a multiplicity of second magnet pockets arranged in succession in the axial direction of the rotor,\na second plurality of magnets which are fixed in the second magnet pockets by the cured potting compound, wherein the second magnet pockets are fluidically connected to one another via the distributor system, which;\nat least one second filling channel for each second magnet pocket fluidically connected to the respective second magnet pocket;\nat least one distributor channel which is common to the filling channels and the second filling channels and which is fluidically connected to the filling channels and fluidically connected to the at least one second filling channel for each second magnet pocket; and\nwherein the cured potting compound extends continuously through the distributor system from magnet pocket to magnet pocket of the respective pocket group.",
"10. A method for producing a rotor for an electrical machine, comprising:\nproviding at least one laminated core which has a multiplicity of magnet pockets arranged in succession in an axial direction of the rotor;\nproviding at least one end plate, which is a separate component from and is adjacent to the at least one laminated core in the axial direction;\nproviding at least one filling opening integrally formed as part of the end plate;\nproviding a second end plate, which adjoins the laminated core in the axial direction on a side of the laminated core which is opposite from the first end plate in the axial direction;\nproviding at least one ventilation opening defined by the second end plate which is fluidically connected to the distributor system;\narranging at least one magnet in the respective magnet pocket;\narranging the at least one end plate such that the at least one end plate adjoins the at least one laminated core in the axial direction of the rotor, and each of the plurality of magnet pockets is adjacent the at least one end plate;\nintroducing a potting compound into the magnet pockets whereby the magnets are fixed in the magnet pockets;\nforming at least one distributor system which extends in the laminated core and which has, for each magnet pocket, at least one filling channel fluidically connected to the respective magnet pocket, wherein the distributor system has at least one distributor channel which is common to the filling channels and which is fluidically connected to the filling channels;\nfluidically connecting the magnet pockets via the distributor system; and\nfluidically connecting the at least one filling opening to the at least one distributor channel and via which the potting compound is filled in its liquid state into the distributor system;\nintroducing the liquid potting compound into the distributor system through the at least one filling opening and into the distributor channel and flowing continuously from the distributor channel into the respective filling channels and from the filling channels into the respective magnet pockets which are fluidically connected to the distributor system;\nventilating the at least of the distributor system via the at least one ventilation opening as the potting compound is filled into the distributor system.",
"11. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the liquid potting compound is one of filled vertically upward and downward into the distributor channel."
],
[
"1. A production apparatus of a motor laminated core, the motor laminated core being formed by laminating and bonding a plurality of core sheets to each other, and respective core sheets being formed by punching a predetermined shape on a metal strip; wherein the production apparatus comprises:\nan upper die assembly and a lower die assembly, wherein the upper die assembly and the lower die assembly cooperate with each other so as to sequentially cut the metal strip conveyed step-by-step into the core sheet with the predetermined shape and blank the core sheet; and\nan adhesive spraying device, wherein the adhesive spraying device is disposed on the lower die assembly; and\nthe adhesive spraying device comprises an adhesive spraying plate, a first die plate and a second die plate, the first die plate is disposed between the adhesive spraying plate and the second die plate, a first adhesive spraying area and a second adhesive spraying area located at a periphery of the first adhesive spraying area are formed on the adhesive spraying plate, a plurality of first adhesive spraying openings disposed at intervals from each other are formed in the first adhesive spraying area, and a plurality of second adhesive spraying openings disposed at intervals from each other are formed in the second adhesive spraying area, a front face of the first die plate is formed with a plurality of first diversion channels respectively communicating with the first adhesive spraying openings, a first adhesive inlet channel communicating with the first diversion channels, and a plurality of transition channels respectively communicating with the second adhesive spraying openings correspondingly, and a front face of the second die plate is formed with a plurality of second diversion channels respectively communicating with the transition channels, and a second adhesive inlet channel communicating with the second diversion channels; and the first adhesive inlet channel is disposed on the first die plate in a penetrating manner, and the second adhesive inlet channel is disposed on the second die plate in a penetrating manner.",
"2. The production apparatus of a motor laminated core according to claim 1, wherein the front face of the first die plate is further formed with a first diversion cavity, the first diversion cavity communicates with the first adhesive inlet channel, and the first diversion channels respectively communicate with the first diversion cavity.",
"3. The production apparatus of a motor laminated core according to claim 1, wherein the front face of the second die plate is formed with a second diversion cavity, the second diversion cavity communicates with the second adhesive inlet channel, and the second diversion channels respectively communicate with the second diversion cavity.",
"4. The production apparatus of a motor laminated core according to claim 3, wherein the front face of the first die plate and the front face of the second die plate are both formed with a plurality of communicating grooves disposed in an annular array; the communicating grooves on the first die plate are respectively located between the plurality of first diversion channels, so that the plurality of first diversion channels communicate with each other via the communicating grooves; the communicating grooves on the second die plate are respectively located between the plurality of second diversion channels, so that the plurality of second diversion channels communicate via the communicating grooves; and\nthe first adhesive spraying area and the second adhesive spraying area are both in an annular structure, positions of the communicating grooves on the first die plate are respectively disposed corresponding to a position of the first adhesive spraying area of the annular structure, positions of the communicating grooves on the second die plate are respectively disposed corresponding to a position of the second adhesive spraying area of the annular structure, and the plurality of first adhesive spraying openings are uniformly distributed at equal intervals, and the plurality of second adhesive spraying openings are uniformly distributed at equal intervals; and the first adhesive spraying openings communicate with the first diversion channels via the communicating grooves on the first die plate, the second adhesive spraying openings communicate with the second diversion channels via the transition channels and the communicating grooves on the second die plate, a third adhesive inlet channel communicating with the first adhesive inlet channel is formed on the second die plate, and the third adhesive inlet channel is disposed on the second die plate in a penetrating manner.",
"5. The production apparatus of a motor laminated core according to claim 4, further comprising a positioning structure for guiding and limiting the metal strip during the step-by-step conveying, wherein the positioning structure is disposed on the lower die assembly, and the positioning structure comprises a side guide plate and a magnet, the side guide plate is formed with a positioning groove, the magnet is embedded in an upper inner wall of the positioning groove, a side edge of the metal strip is located in the positioning groove, and the magnet separates the metal strip from an upper surface of the lower die assembly by a magnetic force thereof.",
"6. The production apparatus of a motor laminated core according to claim 5, wherein a metal strip conveying channel is formed between the upper die assembly and the lower die assembly, a nozzle is disposed in front of a feeding end of the metal strip conveying channel, the nozzle sprays a mixed liquid of a stamping oil and an accelerating agent onto a surface of the metal strip, and the mixed liquid is mixed with an adhesive respectively sprayed from the first adhesive spraying openings and the second adhesive spraying openings, so that the plurality of core sheets are laminated and bonded to each other to form the motor laminated core.",
"7. The production apparatus of a motor laminated core according to claim 6, further comprising a first adhesive spraying control device and a second adhesive spraying control device, wherein the first adhesive spraying control device and the second adhesive spraying control device each comprise a controller, an adhesive cartridge and an adhesive control apparatus, a gas pressure reducing valve in the controller is butt-jointed with a gas inlet port of the adhesive cartridge via a gas pipeline, and the adhesive control apparatus is connected with and controlled by a control module in the controller; a discharge port of the adhesive cartridge is butt-jointed with an adhesive inlet of the adhesive control apparatus via a pipeline, a pressure sensor is mounted at an adhesive outlet of the adhesive control apparatus, and the pressure sensor is connected with and controlled by the control module in the controller; and the adhesive outlet of the adhesive control apparatus of the first adhesive spraying control device is butt-jointed with the third adhesive inlet channel via a pipeline, and the adhesive outlet of the adhesive control apparatus of the second adhesive spraying control device is butt jointed with the second adhesive inlet channel via a pipeline.",
"8. The production apparatus of a motor laminated core according to claim 7, further comprising a lifting device; wherein the adhesive spraying device further comprises an insert ring fixed on the second die plate, the first die plate and the adhesive spraying plate are disposed in an inner cavity of the insert ring, a protrusion is formed on an inner wall of the insert ring, a step is formed on the adhesive spraying plate, and the protrusion is limited on the step; the lifting device comprises an drawing plate, a drawing plate cushion block fixed on the second die plate, a guide assembly and a reset assembly, a bottom surface of the drawing plate cushion block and a top surface of the drawing plate are respectively formed with a plurality of mating tooth blocks via a plurality of mating grooves disposed at equal intervals from each other, and the mating tooth blocks are correspondingly inserted into the mating grooves; a side wall of the mating groove on the drawing plate cushion block and a side wall of the mating groove on the drawing plate are attached to each other, and both side walls attached to each other are inclined planes with a same inclination angle, and an extension section of the drawing plate penetrates through the channels and is connected with a cylinder located on the lower die assembly; the guide assembly comprises a guide post fixed on the drawing plate cushion block and a guide post bushing mounted on the lower die assembly, and the guide post is inserted into the guide post bushing; and the reset assembly comprises a sleeve mounted on the lower die assembly, and a spring and a column disposed in the sleeve, the column is connected with the drawing plate cushion block, and both ends of the spring are connected with the sleeve and the column respectively.",
"9. A method for producing a motor laminated core, comprising manufacturing a laminated core using the production apparatus of a motor laminated core according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises the following steps:\nconveying a metal strip continuously step-by-step in a blanking direction, and spraying a mixed liquid for catalyzing an adhesive on an upper surface of the metal strip before entering between an upper die assembly and a lower die assembly of the production apparatus;\ndisposing the metal strip between the upper die assembly and the lower die assembly of the production apparatus, and in the process of conveying the metal strip continuously step-by-step in the blanking direction, attaching a core sheet preforming area to an adhesive spraying device in the production apparatus, conveying the adhesive in an adhesive cartridge in a first adhesive spraying control device to first adhesive spraying openings of the adhesive spraying device via an adhesive control apparatus, conveying the adhesive in the adhesive cartridge in a second adhesive spraying control device to second adhesive spraying openings of the adhesive spraying device via the adhesive control apparatus, adhering the adhesive sprayed from the first adhesive spraying openings and the second adhesive spraying openings to a lower surface of the core sheet preforming area, and uniformly distributing adhesive dots on the lower surface of the core sheet preforming area; and\nin the process of conveying the metal strip continuously step-by-step, punching the core sheet preforming area coated with the adhesive on the metal strip to form core sheets, and blanking the core sheets into a blanking channel and curing and bonding with a top surface of a core sheet lamination group inside the blanking channel by contacting the adhesive with the mixed liquid so as to form a laminated core; and during the curing and bonding, bonding at 15° C. to 35° C. for 10 s to 3 min, and pressing the formed core sheet by a forming die of the upper die assembly, and subjecting the core sheet lamination group to a back pressure of a hydraulic cylinder and a clamping force of a locking ring, so that the formed core sheet is tightly bonded to the top surface of the core sheet lamination group.",
"10. The method for producing a motor laminated core according to claim 9, wherein the metal strip is conveyed continuously step-by-step in the blanking direction by pushing forward and pulling backward;\nthe adhesive dots are located at an outer edge of the core sheet after the adhesive is coated, or\nthe adhesive dots are located at an edge of a shaft hole on the core sheet after the adhesive is coated, or\nthe adhesive dots are located on a periphery of a magnetic steel slot on the core sheet after the adhesive is coated, or\nat least one adhesive dot is adhered to each of a plurality of tooth portions on the core sheet after the adhesive is coated."
],
[
"1. A permanent magnet rotor for use with a stator, said rotor comprising:\nat least one permanent magnet; and\na substantially cylindrical rotor core comprising an outer edge, a hub having an inner edge defining a central opening, and a plurality of independent pole pieces, wherein each pole piece comprises a distinct structure spaced from said hub radially about said central opening,\nwherein said rotor core further comprises at least one radial aperture extending radially from said outer edge through said rotor core between adjacent independent pole pieces, said at least one aperture configured to receive said at least one permanent magnet, and\nwherein said rotor core further comprises at least one shorting lamination coupled to said rotor core, said at least one shorting lamination comprising a plurality of connected pole pieces positioned radially about and coupled to a central hub, wherein each of said connected pole pieces is coupled to one said independent pole piece.",
"2. The rotor of claim 1, wherein said rotor core further comprises a stack of laminations.",
"3. The rotor of claim 1, wherein each said connected pole piece comprises a pole outer edge and a pole inner edge, wherein a pair of adjacent pole pieces are connected at said pole inner edges.",
"4. The rotor of claim 1, wherein said rotor core further comprises a first shorting lamination coupled to a first end of said rotor core and a second shorting lamination coupled to a second end of said rotor core.",
"5. The rotor of claim 1, wherein said rotor core further comprises first and second half-poles, said shorting lamination positioned between said first and second half-poles.",
"6. The rotor of claim 1, wherein said at least one radial aperture comprises opposed first and second edges, wherein a distance between said first and second opposed edges is greater than three multiples of an air gap distance between said rotor outer edge and an inner edge of the stator.",
"7. The rotor of claim 1, wherein said at least one radial aperture comprises opposed first and second edges, wherein a distance between said first and second opposed edges is greater than five multiples of an air gap distance between said rotor outer edge and an inner edge of the stator.",
"8. The rotor of claim 7, further comprising a first protrusion extending from said first edge into said at least one radial aperture, said first protrusion configured to facilitate retaining said at least one permanent magnet within said at least one radial aperture.",
"9. The rotor of claim 1, wherein said at least one radial aperture comprises opposed first and second edges, wherein a distance between said first and second opposed edges is greater than ten multiples of an air gap distance between said rotor outer edge and an inner edge of the stator.",
"10. The rotor of claim 1, wherein a thickness of said at least one shorting lamination is less than 12% of the total length of said rotor core.",
"11. The rotor of claim 1, wherein a thickness of said at least one shorting lamination is less than 2% of the total length of said rotor core.",
"12. The rotor of claim 1, wherein a thickness of said at least one shorting lamination is less than 1% of the total length of said rotor core.",
"13. An HVAC system comprising at least one of a fan, a blower and a compressor motor, wherein said at least one fan, blower and compressor motor comprises a permanent magnet rotor as described in claim 1.",
"14. A fluid pumping system comprising a motor, wherein said motor comprises a permanent magnet rotor as described in claim 1.",
"15. A method of manufacturing a permanent magnet rotor for use with a stator, the method comprising:\nproviding a substantially cylindrical rotor core comprising an outer edge, a hub having an inner edge defining a central opening, and a plurality of independent pole pieces, wherein each pole piece includes a distinct structure spaced from the hub radially about the central opening;\ncoupling at least one shorting lamination to the rotor core, the shorting lamination comprising a plurality of connected polepieces positioned radially about and coupled to a central hub, wherein each of the connected pole pieces is coupled to one independent pole piece;\npositioning the plurality of independent pole pieces to form at least one radial aperture extending radially from the outer edge through the rotor core between adjacent independent pole pieces; and\ninserting a permanent magnet into the at least one radial aperture.",
"16. The method of claim 15, wherein the rotor core further comprises a stack of laminations.",
"17. The method of claim 15, wherein said positioning the plurality of independent pole pieces comprises positioning adjacent pole pieces from each other at a distance greater than three multiples of an air gap distance between the rotor outer edge and an inner edge of the stator.",
"18. The method of claim 17, further comprising forming a first protrusion extending from a first edge of the at least one radial aperture, the first protrusion configured to facilitate retaining the at least one permanent magnet within the at least one radial aperture.",
"19. The method of claim 15, wherein the thickness of the at least one shorting lamination is less than 12% of the total length of the rotor core.",
"20. The method of claim 15, wherein the thickness of the at least one shorting lamination is less than 2% of the total length of the rotor core.",
"21. The method of claim 15, wherein the thickness of the at least one shorting lamination is less than 1% of the total length of the rotor core.",
"22. The method of claim 15, wherein the at least one shorting lamination is coupled to an end of the rotor core.",
"23. The method of claim 15, further comprising providing an HVAC system comprising at least one of a fan, a blower and a compressor motor, and coupling the permanent magnet rotor to the at least one fan, blower and compressor.",
"24. The method of claim 15, further comprising providing a fluid pumping system comprising a motor, and coupling the permanent magnet rotor to the motor.",
"25. A permanent magnet rotor for use with a stator, said rotor comprising:\nat least one permanent magnet; and\na substantially cylindrical rotor core comprising:\nan outer edge;\na hub having an inner edge defining a central opening;\na plurality of independent pole pieces, wherein each pole piece includes a distinct structure spaced from said hub radially about said central opening;\nat least one radial aperture comprising opposed first and second edges, said radial aperture configured to receive said at least one permanent magnet and extending radially from said outer edge through said rotor core between adjacent independent pole pieces, wherein a distance between said first and second opposed edges is greater than three multiples of an air gap distance between said rotor outer edge and an inner edge of the stator; and\nat least one shorting lamination coupled to said rotor core, wherein a thickness of said at least one shorting lamination is less than 12% of the total length of said rotor core."
],
[
"1. An electric machine comprising:\na machine housing;\na stator disposed at least partially within said machine housing, said stator comprising at least one tooth and an aluminum winding wound around said at least one tooth; and\na rotor disposed at least partially within said machine housing, said rotor configured to rotate with respect to said stator, wherein said rotor is a radially embedded permanent magnet rotor configured to generate an amount of flux to reduce efficiency loss due to said aluminum winding, said rotor comprising:\nat least one permanent magnet;\na rotor core comprising an outer edge and an inner edge defining a central opening, said rotor core having a radius R, said rotor further comprising at least one pole and at least one radial aperture extending radially into said rotor core a predetermined depth less than said radius, said at least one radial aperture configured to receive said at least one permanent magnet, wherein said predetermined depth of each of said at least one radial aperture is between a minimum depth defined by the equation\n𝐷\nmin\n=\n(\n𝜋\n*\n𝑅\n)\n𝑛\n,\nand a maximum depth defined by the equation\n𝐷\nmax\n=\n𝑅\n-\n0.5\n\n𝑡\ntan\n\n(\n180\n𝑛\n)\n,\nwherein n is the number of poles of the rotor core and t is the thickness of said at least one permanent magnet.",
"2. The electric machine of claim 1, wherein the Radius R is measured from a rotational axis of said electric machine to a circumferential center of said at least one pole.",
"3. The electric machine of claim 1, wherein said at least one pole comprises an outer wall comprising a radially innermost point and a radially outermost point, wherein the radius R comprises an average of the radii taken between a rotational axis of said electric machine and the radially inner point and between the rotational axis and the radially outer point.",
"4. The electric machine of claim 1, wherein said rotor comprises a first axial length and said stator comprises a second axial length longer than the first axial length.",
"5. The electric machine of claim 4, wherein said rotor is configured to rotate at approximately 6,000 RPM during operation.",
"6. The electric machine of claim 1, wherein said stator is no longer than said rotor.",
"7. The electric machine of claim 1, wherein said rotor is configured to rotate at approximately 1,200 RPM during operation.",
"8. An electric machine comprising:\na machine housing;\na stator disposed at least partially within said machine housing, said stator comprising at least one tooth and an aluminum winding wound around said at least one tooth; and\na rotor disposed at least partially within said machine housing, said rotor configured to rotate with respect to said stator, wherein said rotor is a radially embedded permanent magnet rotor configured to generate an amount of flux to reduce efficiency loss due to said aluminum winding, said rotor comprising:\nat least one permanent magnet;\na rotor core having a radius R and comprising a plurality of laminations, wherein each lamination comprises:\na hub defining a central opening;\na plurality of rotor poles, wherein said plurality of rotor poles comprises a plurality of connected rotor poles coupled to said hub by a web; and\nat least one radial aperture extending radially into said rotor core a predetermined depth less than said radius, said at least one radial aperture configured to receive said at least one permanent magnet, wherein said predetermined depth of each of said at least one radial aperture is between a minimum depth defined by the equation\n𝐷\nmin\n=\n(\n𝜋\n*\n𝑅\n)\n𝑛\n,\nand a maximum depth defined by the equation\n𝐷\nmax\n=\n𝑅\n-\n0.5\n\n𝑡\ntan\n\n(\n180\n𝑛\n)\n,\nwherein n is the number of rotor poles of the rotor core and t is the thickness of said at least one permanent magnet.",
"9. The electric machine of claim 8, further comprising a sleeve positioned between said hub and a shaft extending through said central opening.",
"10. The electric machine of claim 9, wherein said sleeve is formed from a non-magnetic material.",
"11. The electric machine of claim 8, wherein said plurality of rotor poles comprise at least one pair of magnet retention features configured to retain said at least one permanent magnet within said at least one radial aperture.",
"12. The electric machine of claim 8, wherein said plurality of rotor poles comprises a plurality of independent rotor poles spaced from said hub.",
"13. The electric machine of claim 12, wherein said connected rotor poles and said independent rotor poles are alternately spaced about a circumference of each lamination.",
"14. The electric machine of claim 13, wherein said plurality of laminations comprises a first lamination and a second lamination positioned adjacent said first lamination, wherein said second lamination is rotated with respect to said first lamination such that said each connected rotor pole of said first lamination is aligned with a respective independent rotor pole of said second lamination.",
"15. An electric machine comprising:\na machine housing;\na stator disposed at least partially within said machine housing, said stator comprising at least one tooth and an aluminum winding wound around said at least one tooth; and\na rotor disposed at least partially within said machine housing, said rotor configured to rotate with respect to said stator, wherein said rotor is a radially embedded permanent magnet rotor configured to generate an amount of flux to reduce efficiency loss due to said aluminum winding, said rotor comprising:\na plurality of permanent magnets;\na rotor core comprising a plurality of laminations, wherein each lamination comprises:\na hub defining a central opening;\na plurality of connected rotor poles coupled to said hub by a web;\na plurality of independent rotor poles spaced from said hub; and\na plurality of radial apertures configured to receive said plurality of permanent magnets.",
"16. The electric machine of claim 15, wherein said connected rotor poles and said independent rotor poles are alternately spaced about a circumference of each lamination.",
"17. The electric machine of claim 16, wherein said plurality of laminations comprises a first lamination and a second lamination positioned adjacent said first lamination, wherein said second lamination is rotated with respect to said first lamination such that said each connected rotor pole of said first lamination is aligned with a respective independent rotor pole of said second lamination.",
"18. The electric machine of claim 15, wherein said at least one permanent magnet is a ferrite permanent magnet.",
"19. The electric machine of claim 15, wherein said at least one permanent magnet is fabricated from a magnetic material with remanence of at least 0.4 T, wherein said at least one permanent magnet is configured to generate an amount of flux to reduce efficiency loss due to said aluminum winding.",
"20. The electric machine of claim 15, wherein said rotor comprises a first axial length and said stator comprises a second axial length longer than the first axial length."
],
[
"1. A brushless motor comprising a stator including a plurality of teeth around which coils are wound, and a rotor, which is rotatable with respect to the teeth and includes a plurality of magnetic pole portions that face the teeth,\nwherein the rotor includes a plurality of magnet accommodating portions arranged at equal angular intervals along the circumferential direction of the rotor, permanent magnets forming the magnetic pole portions are accommodated in the magnet accommodating portions, and the permanent magnets face the teeth and have magnetic pole surfaces of the same polarities,\nwherein the rotor includes gaps that function as magnetic resistance at circumferential ends of each of the magnetic pole portions so that an iron core portion is formed between circumferentially adjacent magnetic pole portions, and magnetic flux of the magnetic pole portions passes through the iron core portion along the radial direction,\nwherein a magnetic member is arranged in each magnet accommodating portion to fill the gap between the magnetic pole surface of the associated permanent magnet and the inner surface of the magnet accommodating portion facing the magnetic pole surface,\nwherein the rotor is rotatably arranged radially inward of the stator, and\nwherein each magnetic member is arranged in the associated magnet accommodating portion to abut against only the radially inner magnetic pole surface of the corresponding permanent magnet.",
"2. The motor according to claim 1, wherein each magnetic member is a magnetic steel sheet.",
"3. The motor according to claim 1, wherein each magnetic member is a ferromagnetic damping alloy.",
"4. The motor according to claim 1,\nwherein the gaps provided on the circumferential ends of each of the magnetic pole portions include a first gap located on the leading end of the magnetic pole portion in the rotation direction of the rotor and a second gap located on the trailing end of the magnetic pole portion in the rotation direction of the rotor, and the rotor includes slits at part of the outer circumferential surface corresponding to the first gaps so that the first gaps are partially open on the outer circumferential surface of the rotor.",
"5. A brushless motor comprising a stator including a plurality of teeth around which coils are wound, and a rotor, which is rotatable with respect to the teeth and includes a plurality of magnetic pole portions that face the teeth,\nwherein the rotor includes a plurality of magnet accommodating portions arranged at equal angular intervals along the circumferential direction of the rotor, permanent magnets forming the magnetic pole portions are accommodated in the magnet accommodating portions, and the permanent magnets face the teeth and have magnetic pole surfaces of the same polarities,\nwherein the rotor includes gaps that function as magnetic resistance at circumferential ends of each of the magnetic pole portions so that an iron core portion is formed between circumferentially adjacent magnetic pole portions, and magnetic flux of the magnetic pole portions passes through the iron core portion along the radial direction,\nwherein a magnetic member is arranged in each magnet accommodating portion to fill the gap between the magnetic pole surface of the associated permanent magnet and the inner surface of the magnet accommodating portion facing the magnetic pole surface, and\nwherein each magnetic member is formed by a member having a slit or by a plurality of members to reduce an eddy current.",
"6. The motor according to claim 5, wherein each magnetic member is a magnetic steel sheet.",
"7. The motor according to claim 5, wherein each magnetic member is a ferromagnetic damping alloy.",
"8. The motor according to claim 5,\nwherein the gaps provided on the circumferential ends of each of the magnetic pole portions include a first gap located on the leading end of the magnetic pole portion in the rotation direction of the rotor and a second gap located on the trailing end of the magnetic pole portion in the rotation direction of the rotor, and the rotor includes slits at part of the outer circumferential surface corresponding to the first gaps so that the first gaps are partially open on the outer circumferential surface of the rotor.",
"9. A brushless motor comprising a stator including a plurality of teeth around which coils are wound, and a rotor, which is rotatable with respect to the teeth and includes a plurality of magnetic pole portions that face the teeth,\nwherein the rotor includes a plurality of magnet accommodating portions arranged at equal angular intervals along the circumferential direction of the rotor, permanent magnets forming the magnetic pole portions are accommodated in the magnet accommodating portions, and the permanent magnets face the teeth and have magnetic pole surfaces of the same polarities,\nwherein the rotor includes gaps that function as magnetic resistance at circumferential ends of each of the magnetic pole portions so that an iron core portion is formed between circumferentially adjacent magnetic pole portions, and magnetic flux of the magnetic pole portions passes through the iron core portion along the radial direction,\nwherein a magnetic member is arranged in each magnet accommodating portion to fill the gap between the magnetic pole surface of the associated permanent magnet and the inner surface of the magnet accommodating portion facing the magnetic pole surface, and\nwherein the surface of each magnetic member facing the associated permanent magnet is greater than the magnetic pole surface of the permanent magnet.",
"10. The motor according to claim 9, wherein each magnetic member is a magnetic steel sheet.",
"11. The motor according to claim 9, wherein each magnetic member is a ferromagnetic damping alloy.",
"12. The motor according to claim 9,\nwherein the gaps provided on the circumferential ends of each of the magnetic pole portions include a first gap located on the leading end of the magnetic pole portion in the rotation direction of the rotor and a second gap located on the trailing end of the magnetic pole portion in the rotation direction of the rotor, and the rotor includes slits at part of the outer circumferential surface corresponding to the first gaps so that the first gaps are partially open on the outer circumferential surface of the rotor."
],
[
"1. An axial flux rotor, for use in an axial flux motor, said axial flux rotor prepared by a process comprising the steps of:\nstamping a plurality of laminations, each of said plurality of laminations including opposed parallel first and second external planar faces and opposed first and second ends;\noverlying one of the opposed parallel external planar faces of one of the plurality of laminations over another of the opposed parallel external planar faces of another of the plurality of laminations;\noverlying other of the opposed parallel external planar faces of one of the plurality of laminations over one of the opposed parallel external planar faces of another of the plurality of laminations to provide a first rotor pole;\nrepeating the stamping and overlying one and overlying other of the opposed parallel external planar faces to provide at least one additional rotor pole, thereby providing a plurality of rotor poles;\npositioning the plurality of rotor poles in a spaced apart relationship, around a rotor center of rotation with the opposed first and second ends of the laminations tangentially oriented with respect to the rotor center of rotation;\nproviding a plurality of magnetizable permanent magnets, each one of the magnetizable permanent magnets having a longitudinal axis thereof; and\npositioning each of the magnetizable permanent magnets between adjacent rotor poles with the longitudinal axis positioned in a radial direction relative to the rotor center of rotation and so defining radially inward surface and an opposed radially outward surface, the magnetizable permanent magnet having a first face adjacent the first external planar face of the rotor and having a second face adjacent the second external planar face of the rotor; and\novermolding the plurality of rotor poles with a moldable material after positioning each of the magnetizable permanent magnets between adjacent rotor poles.",
"2. The axial flux rotor of claim 1, wherein positioning the rotor poles in a spaced apart relationship comprise providing positioning the rotor poles in a spaced apart relationship to form a body having an outer periphery defined by an outside radius OR, having and a central opening defined by an inner radius IR.",
"3. The axial flux rotor of claim 2, wherein providing a plurality of magnetizable permanent magnets comprises providing a plurality of magnetizable permanent magnets, each magnet having a minimum length defined by defined by an equation\n𝐷\nmin\n=\n𝜋\n*\n(\nOR\n+\nIR\n)\n2\n*\n𝑁\n*\nBrA\n*\nBrS\n,\nwherein BrS is the Remnant Flux Density of Surface Mounted Magnet, wherein OR is the outside radius of a body, wherein IR is the inner radius of the body, wherein N is the number of rotor poles, and wherein BrA is the Remnant Flux Density of Axially Imbedded Magnet.",
"4. The axial flux rotor of claim 1, further comprising providing a magnetizable ring positioned proximate one of the first and second opposed faces, the magnetizable ring defines an outer periphery and a central opening.",
"5. The axial flux rotor of claim 1, wherein providing a plurality of magnetizable permanent magnets comprises providing one of ferrite magnets, bonded neodymium magnets and sintered neodymium magnets.",
"6. The axial flux rotor of claim 1, further comprising:\npartially magnetizing the magnetizable permanent magnets by positioning a first magnetizing device adjacent the first face of the magnetizable permanent magnets; and\nfurther magnetizing the magnetizable permanent magnets by positioning a second magnetizing device adjacent the second face of the magnetizable permanent magnets."
],
[
"1. An electric machine comprising:\na stator;\na rotor core including a first rotor portion positioned adjacent the stator and having an outside diameter, the first rotor portion including a plurality of elongated slots that define a plurality of poles, the plurality of poles defining a plurality of pole pairs, each pair including two poles in which one pole is positioned opposite the other of the two poles; and\na plurality of magnets, each of the plurality of magnets positioned within one of the slots and arranged such that each of the plurality of poles has a magnetic arc length that is different than a magnetic arc length of any adjacent pole, wherein each pole in any one of the plurality of pole pairs is substantially identical to the other pole of the selected pole pair, and wherein at least one of the slots includes two opposite ends that are different from one another.",
"2. The electric machine of claim 1, wherein the first rotor portion defines a rotational axis and wherein the first rotor portion is symmetric about any inter-polar axis that passes through the rotational axis and is normal to the rotational axis.",
"3. The electric machine of claim 1, wherein the total number of poles in the plurality of poles is an integral multiple of four.",
"4. The electric machine of claim 3, wherein the sum of the magnetic arc lengths of any two adjacent poles is about equal to 360 electrical degrees.",
"5. The electric machine of claim 1, wherein the total number of poles in the plurality of poles is an integral multiple of six.",
"6. The electric machine of claim 5, wherein the sum of the magnetic arc lengths of any three adjacent poles is about equal to 540 electrical degrees.",
"7. The electric machine of claim 1, wherein each pole defines an active pole arc length that is between about 125 electrical degrees and 165 electrical degrees.",
"8. The electric machine of claim 1, wherein the first rotor portion is formed from a plurality of laminations stacked in an axial direction.",
"9. The electric machine of claim 1, wherein the rotor core includes a second rotor portion that is substantially the same as the first rotor portion, the second rotor portion positioned adjacent the first rotor portion.",
"10. The electric machine of claim 9, wherein the first rotor portion includes four slots and wherein the second rotor portion is rotated about 90 degrees with respect to the first rotor portion such that at least one slot of the first rotor portion is adjacent a slot of the second rotor portion that has a different shape.",
"11. The electric machine of claim 9, wherein the rotor core includes a third rotor portion that is substantially the same as the second rotor portion, the third rotor portion positioned adjacent the second rotor portion.",
"12. The electric machine of claim 11, wherein the first rotor portion includes six slots and wherein the second rotor portion is rotated about 60 degrees with respect to the first rotor portion and the third rotor portion is rotated about 120 degrees with respect to the first rotor portion such that at least one slot of the first rotor portion is adjacent a slot of the second rotor portion that has a different shape, and at least one slot of the second rotor portion is adjacent a slot of the third rotor portion that has a different shape.",
"13. An electric machine comprising:\na stator;\na first rotor portion positioned adjacent the stator and having an outside diameter, the first rotor portion including a first number of slots formed proximate the outside diameter to define a first number of pole pieces, each slot including a first end region and a second end region that cooperates with the respective slot to define a pole pitch, the pole pitch of any one of the pole pieces being different from the pole pitch of at least one pole piece adjacent the one selected pole piece, the pole pitch of the selected pole piece being substantially identical to the pole pitch of a pole piece opposite the selected pole piece;\na second rotor portion substantially the same as the first rotor portion and including a first number of pole pieces, the second rotor portion stacked axially adjacent the first rotor portion such that at least one of the pole pieces of the second rotor portion has a different pole pitch than the adjacent pole piece of the first rotor portion; and\na plurality of magnets, each magnet positioned within one of the slots.",
"14. The electric machine of claim 13, wherein each slot is at least partially defined by two substantially parallel linear edges.",
"15. The electric machine of claim 13, wherein the first rotor portion is formed from a first plurality of laminations stacked in an axial direction.",
"16. The electric machine of claim 15, wherein the second rotor portion is formed from a second plurality of laminations that are the same as the first plurality of laminations.",
"17. The electric machine of claim 13, wherein the first rotor portion includes four pole pieces and wherein the second rotor portion is rotated about 90 degrees with respect to the first rotor portion.",
"18. The electric machine of claim 13, further comprising a third rotor portion that is substantially the same as the second rotor portion, the third rotor portion positioned adjacent the second rotor portion.",
"19. The electric machine of claim 18, wherein the first rotor portion includes six pole pieces and wherein the second rotor portion is rotated about 60 degrees with respect to the first rotor portion and the third rotor portion is rotated about 120 degrees with respect to the first rotor portion such that at least one of the pole pieces of the second rotor portion has a different pole pitch than the adjacent pole piece of the third rotor portion.",
"20. The electric machine of claim 13, wherein the first rotor portion defines a plurality of flux barriers and wherein at least one flux barrier is positioned between each one of the slots and the outside diameter.",
"21. The electric machine of claim 20, wherein a portion of the plurality of flux barriers are elongated openings that each define a longitudinal axis that is skewed with respect to any radial line that intersects the opening."
],
[
"1. A rotor comprising:\na shaft defining a rotor axis;\na hub coupled to the shaft;\na first end portion coupled to the shaft;\na pole piece defining an enclosed aperture therethrough, the hub positioned between the shaft and the pole piece to inhibit direct contact between the shaft and the pole piece; and\na second end portion positioned to dispose the pole piece between the first end portion and the second end portion, a portion of one of the first end portion and the second end portion extending through the aperture and bonding with the other of the first end portion and the second end portion, the portion formed as a single piece with one of the first end portion and the second end portion.",
"2. A rotor as set forth in claim 1 wherein the first end portion is molded onto the shaft such that the shaft and first end portion define an integral component.",
"3. A rotor as set forth in claim 1 wherein the pole piece is a first pole piece of a plurality of pole pieces, each pole piece including an aperture therethrough and arranged circumferentially around the shaft.",
"4. A rotor as set forth in claim 3 wherein the first end portion further comprises a plurality of pins formed as part of the first end portion, and wherein each of the pins extends though one of the apertures.",
"5. A rotor as set forth in claim 3 wherein each of the plurality of pole pieces cooperates with an adjacent pole piece to define a substantially rectangular slot.",
"6. A rotor as set forth in claim 5 wherein each slot is at least partially filled with a permanent magnet material to define a permanent magnet spoke, the permanent magnet spokes angularly spaced around the rotor shaft and extending in a substantially radial direction.",
"7. A rotor as set forth in claim 5 wherein at least one slot is at least partially filled with a permanent magnet material to define a permanent magnet spoke.",
"8. A rotor as set forth in claim 5 wherein each slot is at least partially filled with a permanent magnet material to define a permanent magnet spoke, and wherein the spoke is located at a first angular position relative to the rotor axis at a first end and a second angular position, different from the first angular position, at the second end.",
"9. A rotor as set forth in claim 3 wherein each of the plurality of pole pieces comprises a plurality of laminations that are stacked in intimate contact with one another.",
"10. A motor as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of the first end portion and the second end portion are substantially simultaneously formed from an injection-molded plastic.",
"11. A motor as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of the first end portion and the second end portion are simultaneously formed to completely encase the pole piece.",
"12. A motor as set forth in claim 1 wherein the pole piece is the first of a plurality of pole pieces, and wherein adjacent pole pieces cooperate to define a plurality of slots, the motor further comprising a second plurality of pole pieces, wherein adjacent pole pieces of the second plurality of pole pieces cooperate to define a second plurality of slots, and wherein the second plurality of pole pieces are positioned such that the second plurality of slots are angularly offset from the first plurality of slots.",
"13. A rotor as set forth in claim 1 wherein the pole piece is the first of a plurality of pole pieces, and wherein each of the plurality of pole pieces cooperates with an adjacent pole piece to define a substantially rectangular slot that is substantially surrounded by the pole pieces and is filled with a permanent magnet material to define a permanent magnet spoke.",
"14. A rotor comprising:\na shaft defining a rotor axis;\na first end portion coupled to the shaft;\na hub coupled to the shaft;\na pole piece defining an aperture therethrough;\na first pin formed as one piece with the first end portion, the first pin extending through the aperture; and\na second end portion positioned to dispose the pole piece between the first end portion and the second end portion, the first pin, a portion of the hub, the first end portion, and the second end portion formed as a single piece.",
"15. A rotor as set forth in claim 14 wherein the pole piece includes a second aperture and wherein the second end portion includes a second pin integrally-formed as part of the second end portion, the second pin extending through the second aperture.",
"16. A rotor as set forth in claim 15 wherein the first pin is intimately bonded to the second end portion and the second pin is intimately bonded to the first end portion.",
"17. A rotor as set forth in claim 15 wherein the first pin, the second pin, the first end portion, and the second end portion are substantially simultaneously formed to define a single integral component.",
"18. A rotor as set forth in claim 14 wherein the pole piece is the first of a plurality of pole pieces, and wherein adjacent pole pieces cooperate to define a plurality of slots, and wherein each slot is at least partially filled with a permanent magnet material to define a permanent magnet spoke.",
"19. A rotor comprising:\na shaft defining a rotor axis;\na hub in direct contact with the shaft;\na plurality of pole pieces each defining a first end, a second end, and at least two apertures extending from the first end to the second end, each pole piece coupled to the hub such that the pole pieces do not directly contact the shaft;\na first end portion coupled to the shaft and disposed adjacent the first end;\na second end portion coupled to the shaft and disposed adjacent the second end, the second end portion extending through the at least two apertures to bond with the first end portion such that the first end portion, a portion of the hub, and the second end portion together define a single component inseparable without destruction.",
"20. A rotor as set forth in claim 19 wherein each of the plurality of pole pieces cooperates with an adjacent pole piece to define a substantially rectangular slot.",
"21. A rotor as set forth in claim 20 wherein each slot is at least partially filled with a permanent magnet material to define a permanent magnet spoke, the permanent magnet spokes angularly spaced around the rotor shaft and extending in a substantially radial direction.",
"22. A rotor as set forth in claim 20 wherein each slot is at least partially filled with a permanent magnet material to define a permanent magnet spoke, and wherein the spoke is located at a first angular position relative to the rotor axis at a first end and a second angular position, different from the first angular position, at the second end.",
"23. A rotor as set forth in claim 19 wherein each of the plurality of pole pieces comprises a plurality of laminations that are stacked in intimate contact with one another.",
"24. A rotor as set forth in claim 19 wherein each of the first end portion and the second end portion are at least partially formed from an injection-molded plastic.",
"25. A rotor as set forth in claim 19 wherein each of the first end portion and the second end portion are simultaneously formed to completely encase the plurality of pole pieces.",
"26. A rotor as set forth in claim 1 wherein the hub includes a first hub in direct contact with the shaft and an annular hub in direct contact with the first hub and spaced apart from the shaft.",
"27. A rotor as set forth in claim 26 wherein the first hub and the annular hub are formed from different materials.",
"28. A rotor as set forth in claim 26 wherein the annular hub, the portion of one of the first end portion and the second end portion, the first end portion, and the second end portion are formed as a single component that is inseparable without destruction.",
"29. A rotor as set forth in claim 14 wherein the hub includes a first hub in direct contact with the shaft and an annular hub in direct contact with the first hub and spaced apart from the shaft, the annular hub including the portion of the hub formed as part of the first pin, the first end portion, and the second end portion.",
"30. A rotor as set forth in claim 29 wherein the first hub and the annular hub are formed from different materials.",
"31. A rotor as set forth in claim 29 wherein the annular hub, the first pin, the first end portion, and the second end portion are formed as a single component that is inseparable without destruction.",
"32. A rotor as set forth in claim 19 wherein the hub includes a first hub in direct contact with the shaft and an annular hub in direct contact with the first hub and spaced apart from the shaft, the annular hub including the portion of the hub.",
"33. A rotor as set forth in claim 32 wherein the first hub and the annular hub are formed from different materials."
],
[
"1. An axial flux rotor for use in a motor with a stator, said rotor comprising:\na body having an outer periphery defined by an outside radius OR, the body further has a central opening defined by an inner radius IR and a number N of rotor poles defining an axis of rotation thereof, said body having first and second opposed faces; and\na plurality of spaced apart magnets extending from the first face, at least one of said magnets having a minimum length Dmin defined by\n𝐷\nmin\n=\n𝜋\n*\n(\nOR\n+\nIR\n)\n*\nBrS\n2\n*\n𝑁\n*\nBrA\n,\nwherein BrS is Remnant Flux Density of a Surface Mounted Magnet, wherein OR is the outside radius of the body, wherein IR is the inner radius of the body, wherein N is the number of rotor poles, and wherein BrA is Remnant Flux Density of an Axially Imbedded Magnet.",
"2. The axial flux rotor of claim 1:\nwherein said body defining a plurality of pockets formed in first face of said body, said body comprising a plurality of overlaid layers; and\nwherein each of said plurality of magnets is matingly fitted to one of said plurality of pockets.",
"3. The axial flux rotor of claim 1, wherein said body comprises a plurality of overlaid layers.",
"4. The axial flux rotor of claim 2, wherein at least one of the plurality of pockets has a trapezoidal shape.",
"5. The axial flux rotor of claim 2, wherein at least one of the plurality of pockets has a rectangular shape.",
"6. The axial flux rotor of claim 1, wherein said body comprises a plurality of components connectable by a bonding material.",
"7. An axial flux rotor for use in a motor and for cooperation with a stator, said rotor comprising:\na body defining an axis of rotation thereof, said body having first and second opposed faces, said body defining a plurality of pockets formed in first face of said body, said body comprising a plurality of overlaid layers, wherein said body includes an outer periphery defined by an outside radius OR, a central opening defined by an inner radius IR and a number N of rotor poles defining an axis of rotation thereof; and\na plurality of spaced apart magnets, each of said plurality of magnets matingly fitted to one of said plurality of pockets, wherein at least one of said magnets has a minimum length Dmin defined by\n𝐷\nmin\n=\n𝜋\n*\n(\nOR\n+\nIR\n)\n*\nBrS\n2\n*\n𝑁\n*\nBrA\n,\nwherein BrS is Remnant Flux Density of a Surface Mounted Magnet, wherein OR is the outside radius of the body, wherein IR is the inner radius of the body, wherein N is the number of rotor poles, and wherein BrA is Remnant Flux Density of an Axially Imbedded Magnet.",
"8. The axial flux rotor of claim 7, wherein said body comprises a plurality of connectable segments.",
"9. An axial flux motor comprising:\na housing;\na stator fixedly secured to said housing;\na rotor rotatably secured to said housing, said rotor including, a body defining an axis of rotation thereof, said body having first and second opposed faces, said body defining a plurality of pockets formed in first face of said body, said body comprising a plurality of overlaid layers; and\na plurality of spaced apart magnets, each of said plurality of magnets matingly fitted to one of said plurality of pockets, wherein said at least one of said plurality of pockets comprises a minimum depth Dmin defined by\n𝐷\nmin\n=\n(\n𝜋\n*\n(\n𝑅\n\n\n1\n+\n𝑅\n\n\n2\n)\n)\n2\n*\n𝑛\n,\nwherein R1 is a radius of an outer edge of the rotor, R2 is a radius of an inner edge of the rotor, and n is a number of rotor poles.",
"10. The axial flux motor of claim 9, wherein said rotor is substantially cylindrical and comprises a plurality of rotor poles, the outer edge having the radius R1, and the inner edge defining a central opening having the radius R2.",
"11. The axial flux motor of claim 9, wherein said motor comprises a number of said stator teeth that is different than a number of said plurality of magnets.",
"12. The axial flux motor of claim 9, wherein said stator comprises:\na plurality of stator modules oriented in an axial direction, each of said stator modules comprising a pair of teeth connected by a yoke section; and\na plurality of windings, each of said windings wound around one of said stator modules.",
"13. The axial flux motor of claim 12, further comprising a plurality of bobbins, wherein said bobbins are coupled to said teeth, and said windings are wound around said bobbins.",
"14. The axial flux motor of claim 13, further comprising a plurality of tooth tips, wherein said tooth tips are coupled to said bobbins.",
"15. The axial flux motor of claim 14, wherein said plurality of stator modules and said plurality of tooth tips are fabricated from a plurality of stacked laminations.",
"16. The axial flux motor of claim 14, wherein said stator modules are generally C-shaped and said plurality of tooth tips are generally T-shaped.",
"17. The axial flux motor of claim 12 further comprising a molded stator housing, wherein said plurality of stator modules is molded within said stator housing."
],
[
"1. An electric machine comprising:\na stator;\na rotor core positioned adjacent the stator and rotatable about a longitudinal axis, the rotor core including a plurality of bar apertures, a plurality of elongated flux barriers separate from the bar apertures and positioned completely radially inward of at least one of the bar apertures, and a plurality of magnet slots separate from the bar apertures and positioned radially inward of a portion of the bar apertures;\na plurality of magnets, each positioned in one of the magnet slots;\na plurality of conductive bars each positioned in one of the bar apertures and including a first end and a second end;\na first end ring coupled to the first end of each of the bars; and\na second end ring coupled to the second end of each of the bars, wherein each magnet slot includes a first end portion, a second end portion, and a magnet-receiving portion between the first end portion and the second end portion, the first end portion and the second end portion being devoid of any magnets and electrically-conductive material, and wherein the second end portion is larger than the first end portion.",
"2. The electric machine of claim 1, wherein the rotor core includes a plurality of laminations stacked along the longitudinal axis.",
"3. The electric machine of claim 1, wherein a portion of the bar apertures include a first end that is arcuate, a second end radially inward of the first end that is substantially linear, a first bar edge, and a second bar edge that is not parallel to the first bar edge, the first bar edge and the second bar edge connecting the first end and the second end.",
"4. The electric machine of claim 3, wherein a portion of the flux barriers include a substantially linear first end, an arcuate second end radially inward of the first end, a first barrier side and a second barrier side, the first barrier side and the second barrier side connecting the first end and the second end, the first bar edge and the first barrier side being substantially parallel to one another and the second bar edge and the second barrier side being substantially parallel to one another.",
"5. The electric machine of claim 1, wherein the first end portion cooperates with an aperture to define a magnetic bridge having a bridge axis that is substantially coincident with a radial axis of the rotor core.",
"6. The electric machine of claim 1, wherein the plurality of conductive bars, the first end ring, and the second end ring are cast as a single component.",
"7. The electric machine of claim 1, wherein the flux barriers contain a non-magnetic material.",
"8. An electric machine comprising:\na stator;\na rotor core positioned adjacent the stator and rotatable about a longitudinal axis, the rotor core including a plurality of bar apertures, a plurality of elongated flux barriers separate from the bar apertures and positioned radially inward of the bar apertures, and a plurality of magnet slots separate from the bar apertures and positioned radially inward of a portion of the bar apertures;\na plurality of magnets, each positioned in one of the magnet slots;\na plurality of conductive bars each positioned in one of the bar apertures and including a first end and a second end;\na first end ring coupled to the first end of each of the bars; and\na second end ring coupled to the second end of each of the bars, wherein the rotor core defines an inter polar axis and a center pole axis that is positioned at about 90 electrical degrees to the inter polar axis, and wherein one bar aperture is positioned on each of the inter polar axis and the center pole axis and are different than the remaining bar apertures.",
"9. The electric machine of claim 8, wherein the inter polar axis separates two adjacent poles each having a first end, and wherein at least two bar apertures are positioned between the first ends of the adjacent poles.",
"10. The electric machine of claim 8, wherein the bar apertures positioned on the inter polar axis and the center pole axis include an outer edge that is arcuate, an inner edge that is arcuate, a first side edge, and a second side edge that is not parallel to the first side edge, the first side edge and the second side edge connecting the inner edge and the outer edge.",
"11. An electric machine comprising:\na stator;\na rotor core positioned adjacent the stator and rotatable about a longitudinal axis, the rotor core defining an inter polar axis and a center pole axis that is oriented at about 90 electrical degrees with respect to the inter polar axis;\na plurality of first bars each positioned within one of a plurality of first bar apertures formed in the rotor core, each of the bars extending in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis and including a first end and a second end;\na plurality of second bars different than the first bars, each bar positioned within one of a plurality of second bar apertures formed in the rotor core, a portion of the second bars positioned on one of the inter polar axis and the center pole axis, each of the bars extending in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis and including a first end and a second end;\na plurality of magnet slots formed as part of the rotor core and positioned radially inward of the first bar apertures, the second bar apertures extending between adjacent magnet slots, the first bar apertures and the second bar apertures being separate from the magnet slots; and\na plurality of magnets, each of the magnets disposed in one of the magnet slots, wherein the rotor core defines a plurality of elongated flux barriers separate from the first bar apertures, the second bar apertures, and the magnet slots and positioned radially inward of the first bar apertures.",
"12. The electric machine of claim 11, wherein the rotor core includes a plurality of laminations stacked along the longitudinal axis.",
"13. The electric machine of claim 11, wherein the first bar apertures include a first end that is arcuate, a second end radially inward of the first end that is substantially linear, a first bar edge, and a second bar edge that is not parallel to the first bar edge, the first bar edge and the second bar edge connecting the first end and the second end.",
"14. The electric machine of claim 11, wherein the second bar apertures include an outer edge that is arcuate, an inner edge that is arcuate, a first side edge, and a second side edge that is not parallel to the first side edge, the first side edge and the second side edge connecting the inner edge and the outer edge.",
"15. The electric machine of claim 11, wherein each magnet slot includes a first end portion, a second end portion that is larger than the first end portion, and a magnet-receiving portion between the first end portion and the second end portion, the first end portion and the second end portion being devoid of any magnets.",
"16. The electric machine of claim 11, further comprising a first end ring coupled to the first end of each of the first bars and the first end of each of the second bars, and a second end ring coupled to the second end of each of the first bars and the second end of each of the second bars.",
"17. The electric machine of claim 16, wherein the first bars, the second bars, the first end ring, and the second end ring are cast as a single component.",
"18. The electric machine of claim 11, wherein a portion of the flux barriers include a substantially linear first end, an arcuate second end radially inward of the first end, a first barrier side and a second barrier side, the first barrier side and the second barrier side connecting the first end and the second end.",
"19. The electric machine of claim 11, wherein the flux barriers contain a non-magnetic material.",
"20. The electric machine of claim 11, wherein a second inter-polar axis cooperates with the inter-polar axis to define a pole, and wherein the magnets positioned within the pole are arranged to define an included electrical angle between about 120 degrees and 165 degrees."
],
[
"1. An axial flux motor comprising:\na stator having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the stator comprising:\nN stator core components on the first side,\nwherein N is an integer greater than two; and\npole shoes attached to the N stator core components, the pole shoes each having an inner circumferential side, an outer circumferential side, and lateral sides, each of the lateral sides extending in at least two directions non-radially on the first side,\nN slot openings between adjacent ones of the pole shoes, wherein each of the N slot openings extends in at least two directions non-radially on the first side; and\na rotor including a third side and M permanent magnets on the third side,\nwherein the first side is parallel to the third side, and\nwherein M is an integer greater than two.",
"2. The axial flux motor of claim 1 further comprising at least one recess formed in each of the pole shoes.",
"3. The axial flux motor of claim 2 wherein the at least one recess extends non-radially on the first side.",
"4. The axial flux motor of claim 2 wherein the at least one recess includes at least two recesses formed in each of the pole shoes.",
"5. The axial flux motor of claim 2 further comprising an electrically insulative material located in each of the one or more recesses formed in each of the pole shoes.",
"6. The axial flux rotor of claim 1 further comprising an air gap disposed between the N stator core components and the permanent magnets.",
"7. The axial flux motor of claim 1 further comprising electrical conductors at least one of (i) wound around the N stator core components and (ii) wound through the N stator core components.",
"8. The axial flux motor of claim 1 wherein the N stator core components are made of a soft magnetic composite (SMC) material.",
"9. The axial flux motor of claim 1 wherein the pole shoes are made of a soft magnetic composite (SMC) material.",
"10. The axial flux motor of claim 1 wherein the pole shoes are adhered to the N stator core components, respectively, via at least one of an adhesive and powder metallurgy forming.",
"11. The axial flux motor of claim 1 wherein each of the M permanent magnets includes;\na first arcuate surface;\na second arcuate surface that is located radially outwardly of the first arcuate surface; and\nat least one of:\na third side surface that connects first ends of the first and second arcuate surfaces and that extends in at least one direction non-radially on the third side of the rotor; and\na fourth side surface that connects second ends of the first and second arcuate surfaces and that extends in at least one direction non-radially on the third side of the rotor.",
"12. The axial flux motor of claim 11 wherein each of the M permanent magnets includes both:\nthe third side surface that connects the first ends of the first and second arcuate surfaces and that extends in at least one direction non-radially on the third side of the rotor; and\nthe fourth side surface that connects the second ends of the first and second arcuate surfaces and that extends in at least one direction non-radially on the third side of the rotor.",
"13. The axial flux motor of claim 1 wherein each of the M permanent magnets includes:\na first arcuate surface;\na second arcuate surface that is located radially outwardly of the first arcuate surface;\na third side surface that extends radially outwardly from a first end of the first arcuate surface in a first direction;\na fourth side surface that extends radially outwardly in a second direction to a first end of the second arcuate surface;\na fifth side surface that connects the third side surface and the fourth side surface;\na sixth side surface that extends radially outwardly from a second end of the first arcuate surface in a third direction;\na seventh side surface that extends radially outwardly in a fourth direction to a second end of the second arcuate surface; and\nan eighth side surface that connects the sixth side surface and the seventh side surface,\nwherein the first, second, third, and fourth directions are different from each other.",
"14. The axial flux motor of claim 13 wherein the fifth side surface is perpendicular to both the third and fourth side surfaces.",
"15. The axial flux motor of claim 13 wherein the eighth side surface is perpendicular to both the sixth and seventh side surfaces.",
"16. The axial flux motor of claim 13 wherein:\nthe fifth side surface forms an oblique angle with the third and fourth side surfaces; and\nthe eighth side surface forms an oblique angle with the sixth and seventh side surfaces.",
"17. An axial flux motor comprising:\na stator having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the stator comprising:\nN stator core components on the first side,\nwherein N is an integer greater than two; and\npole shoes attached to the N stator core components, the pole shoes each having an inner circumferential side, an outer circumferential side, and lateral sides, each of the lateral sides extending in at least two directions non-radially on the first side;\nN slot openings between adjacent ones of the pole shoes; and\na rotor including a third side and M permanent magnets on the third side,\nwherein the first side is parallel to the third side, and\nwherein M is an integer greater than two, and\nwherein each of the M permanent magnets includes:\na first arcuate surface;\na second arcuate surface that is located radially outwardly of the first arcuate surface; and\nat least one of:\na third side surface that connects first ends of the first and second arcuate surfaces and that extends in at least one direction non-radially on the third side of the rotor; and\na fourth side surface that connects second ends of the first and second arcuate surfaces and that extends in at least one direction non-radially on the third side of the rotor.",
"18. The axial flux motor of claim 17 wherein each of the M permanent magnets includes both:\nthe third side surface that connects the first ends of the first and second arcuate surfaces and that extends in at least one direction non-radially on the third side of the rotor; and\nthe fourth side surface that connects the second ends of the first and second arcuate surfaces and that extends in at least one direction non-radially on the third side of the rotor.",
"19. An axial flux motor comprising:\na stator having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the stator comprising:\nN stator core components on the first side,\nwherein N is an integer greater than two; and\npole shoes attached to the N stator core components, the pole shoes each having an inner circumferential side, an outer circumferential side, and lateral sides, each of the lateral sides extending in at least two directions non-radially on the first side;\nN slot openings between adjacent ones of the pole shoes; and\na rotor including a third side and M permanent magnets on the third side,\nwherein the first side is parallel to the third side, and\nwherein M is an integer greater than two, and\nwherein each of the M permanent magnets includes:\na first arcuate surface;\na second arcuate surface that is located radially outwardly of the first arcuate surface;\na third side surface that extends radially outwardly from a first end of the first arcuate surface in a first direction;\na fourth side surface that extends radially outwardly in a second direction to a first end of the second arcuate surface;\na fifth surface that connects the third side surface and the fourth side surface;\na sixth side surface that extends radially outwardly from a second end of the first arcuate surface in a third direction;\na seventh side surface that extends radially outwardly in a fourth direction to a second end of the second arcuate surface; and\nan eighth surface that connects the sixth side surface and the seventh side surface,\nwherein the first, second, third, and fourth directions are different from each other."
],
[
"1. A stator arrangement for a transverse flux machine, the stator arrangement comprising:\nan annular stator back yoke,\na number of stator poles that are designed in the manner of claw poles each having a radially extending portion and an axially extending peripheral projection, and\na stator winding that is located radially inwards of the stator back yoke, axially between the radially extending portions of the stator poles, and radially inwards of the axially extending peripheral projections of the stator poles, wherein\nthe stator back yoke is made of a first laminated stack of metal sheets whose laminations are stacked in an axial direction, and the stator poles are made of second laminated stacks of metal sheets whose laminations are stacked in a tangential direction.",
"2. A stator arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the stator back yoke and the stator poles are connected to each other by a plug-in connection using recesses and projections.",
"3. A stator arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the stator back yoke has recesses at its circumference and the stator pole projections engage with the recesses.",
"4. A stator arrangement according to claim 1, wherein a stator sleeve is provided that is mounted on the circumference of the stator arrangement.",
"5. A stator arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the stator poles of different polarity are mounted alternately on the stator back yoke from opposite end faces of the stator back yoke.",
"6. A stator arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the pole claws of the stator poles of different polarity at least partially overlap one another in an axial direction.",
"7. A rotor arrangement for a transverse flux machine, the rotor arrangement comprising two opposing rotor body halves each half having:\na number of rotor poles that are designed in the manner of claw poles, the rotor poles being connected to each other such that they form an annular rotor body half, and\na unipolar ring magnet magnetized in an axial direction that is located between the opposing rotor poles of the rotor body halves,\nwherein the rotor poles are made of laminated stacks of metal sheets whose laminations are stacked in a tangential direction and wherein the rotor poles are connected to each other via intermediate wedges.",
"8. A rotor arrangement for a transverse flux machine, the rotor arrangement comprising two opposing rotor body halves, each half having:\na number of rotor poles that are designed in the manner of claw poles, the rotor poles being connected to each other such that they form an annular rotor body half, and\na unipolar ring magnet magnetized in an axial direction that is located between the opposing rotor poles of the rotor body halves,\nwherein the rotor poles are made of laminated stacks of metal sheets whose laminations are stacked in a tangential direction and wherein a rotor sleeve is provided that is mounted on the circumference of the rotor arrangement.",
"9. A rotor arrangement for a transverse flux machine, the rotor arrangement comprising two opposing rotor body halves, each half having:\na number of rotor poles that are designed in the manner of claw poles, the rotor poles being connected to each other such that they form an annular rotor body half, and\na unipolar ring magnet magnetized in an axial direction that is located between the opposing rotor poles of the rotor body halves,\nwherein the rotor poles are made of laminated stacks of metal sheets whose laminations are stacked in a tangential direction and wherein the pole claws of the rotor poles of different polarity at least partially overlap one another in an axial direction.",
"10. A transverse flux machine having a stator arrangement for a transverse flux machine, the stator arrangement comprising:\nan annular stator back yoke,\na number of stator poles that are designed in the manner of claw poles each having a radially extending portion and an axially extending peripheral projection, and\na stator winding that is located radially inwards of the stator back yoke, axially between the radially extending portions of the stator poles, and radially inwards of the axially extending peripheral projections of the stator poles, wherein the stator back yoke is made of a first laminated stack of metal sheets whose laminations are stacked in an axial direction, and\nthe stator poles are made of second laminated stacks of metal sheets whose laminations are stacked in a tangential direction\nand a rotor arrangement for a transverse flux machine, the rotor arrangement comprising two opposing rotor body halves, each half having:\na number of rotor poles that are designed in the manner of claw poles, the rotor poles being connected to each other such that they form an annular rotor body half, and\na unipolar ring magnet magnetized in an axial direction that is located between the opposing rotor poles of the rotor body halves, wherein\nthe rotor poles ate made of laminated stacks of metal sheets whose laminations are stacked in a tangential direction,\nwherein the stator arrangement and the rotor arrangement are disposed coaxially with respect to one another and the pole claws of the stator poles and the pole caws of the rotor poles are located opposite each other and have the same angular distance to one another.",
"11. A transverse flux machine having a rotor arrangement according to claim 10 and a stator arrangement that has substantially U-shaped back yokes and substantially I-shaped back yokes that are assembled alternately to form a stator ring, the legs of the U-shaped back yokes forming stator poles that are located opposite the corresponding rotor poles of the rotor arrangement."
],
[
"1. A method of powering an end effector of a surgical instrument, the surgical instrument comprising the end effector, a control circuit in communication with the end effector, a first power source in communication with the control circuit, and a second power source in communication with the control circuit, wherein the first and second power sources are different types of power sources, the method comprising:\n(a) powering the end effector with the first power source, independently of the second power source, via the control circuit to meet a first required load, wherein the first power source charges the second power source while powering the end effector at the first required load;\n(b) detecting an increase in the first required load to a second required load to power the end effector via the control circuit, wherein the first power source is incapable of powering the end effector to meet the second required load; and\n(c) in response to detecting the increase in the first required load to the second required load, supplementing the first power source with the second power source via the control circuit to meet the second required load by powering the end effector via the control circuit using the first and second power sources simultaneously.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first power source comprises a storage battery.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein the second power source comprises a supercapacitor.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein the control circuit automatically supplements the first power source with the second power source to meet the second required load to power the end effector.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first power source stops charging the second power source while powering the end effector at the second required load.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first power source stops charging the second power source when the second power source reaches a maximum capacity.",
"7. The method of claim 1, wherein the second power source supplements the first power source at a first rate of discharge, wherein the first power source powers the end effector at a second rate of discharge, wherein the first rate of discharge is greater than the second rate of discharge.",
"8. The method of claim 1, wherein the surgical instrument further comprises a switch in communication with the control circuit, wherein the control circuit stops charging the second power source with the first power source based on a position of the switch.",
"9. The method of claim 1, wherein the control circuit ceases the second power source from providing power to the end effector while still providing power to the end effector with the first power source.",
"10. A method of powering an end effector of a surgical instrument, the surgical instrument comprising the end effector, a control circuit in communication with the end effector, a first power source in communication with the control circuit, and a second power source in communication with the control circuit, wherein the first and second power sources are different types of power sources, the method comprising:\n(a) activating the end effector with the first power source, independently of the second power source, via the control circuit at a first power load;\n(b) detecting, via the control circuit, that the second power source is charged to a power level below a charge threshold; and\n(c) charging the second power source, via the control circuit, to at least the charge threshold with the first power source while the first power source continues to activate the end effector at the first power load, wherein the second power source is capable of activating the end effector independently of the first power source when the second power source is charged at the charge threshold.",
"11. The method of claim 10, further comprising activating the end effector at a second power load that is greater than the first power load.",
"12. The method of claim 11, further comprising activating the end effector at the second power load with the second power source, independently of the first power source.",
"13. The method of claim 12, wherein second power source activates the end effector at the second power load with the charge provided to the second power source by the first power source.",
"14. The method of claim 13, wherein the first power source is incapable of activating the end effector at the second power load independently of the second power source.",
"15. A method of powering an end effector of a surgical instrument, the surgical instrument comprising the end effector, a control circuit in communication with the end effector, a first power source in communication with the control circuit, and a second power source in communication with the control circuit, wherein the first and second power sources are different types of power sources, the method comprising:\n(a) determining, via the control circuit, whether the end effector requires power in a high demand scenario, a medium demand scenario, or a low demand scenario, wherein the high demand scenario requires a greater power load than the medium demand scenario, wherein the medium demand scenario requires a greater power load than the low demand scenario;\n(b) if the control circuit determines that the end effector requires power in the high demand scenario, then the control circuit provides that the first power source and the second power source together simultaneously activate the end effector;\n(c) if the control circuit determines that the end effector requires power in the medium demand scenario, then the control circuit provides that the first power source activates the end effector independently of the second power source without charging the second power source; and\n(d) if the control circuit determines that the end effector requires power in the low demand scenario, then the control circuit provides that the first power source activates the end effector independently of the second power source and simultaneously charges the second power source.",
"16. The method of claim 15, wherein the control circuit provides that the end effector is powered in the low demand scenario prior to the end effector being powered in either the high demand scenario or the medium demand scenario.",
"17. The method of claim 16, wherein the first power source charges the second power source to a maximum charge in the low demand scenario.",
"18. The method of claim 15, wherein the second power source is fully charged while the first power source activates the end effector in the medium demand scenario.",
"19. The method of claim 15, wherein the second power source is not fully charged while the first power source activates the end effector in the medium demand scenario.",
"20. The method of claim 15, wherein the control circuit provides that the end effector is powered in the medium demand scenario prior to the end effector being powered in the high demand scenario."
],
[
"1. A battery powered surgical instrument, comprising:\na rotatable electrically conductive shaft, comprising:\na first rotatable electrode; and\na second rotatable electrode;\na housing in mechanical communication with the rotatable electrically conductive shaft, comprising:\na first electrical contact element;\na second electrical contact element,\nwherein the first rotatable electrode and the second rotatable electrode are in electrical communication with the first electrical contact element and the second electrical contact element, respectively;\na battery;\na radio frequency (RF) generation circuit configured to be electrically coupled to the battery and to the first electrical contact element and to the second electrical contact element, wherein the RF generation circuit is configured to generate an RF drive signal and wherein the RF generation circuit is configured to provide the RF drive signal to the first electrical contact element and to the second electrical contact element;\na battery discharge circuit coupled to the battery, wherein the battery discharge circuit comprises an electrical switch configured to receive a battery discharge signal and is further configured to controllably discharge the battery to prevent reuse of the battery;\nan initialization clip defining an internal cavity comprising a magnet, wherein the initialization clip is removably connectable to the battery powered surgical instrument, and wherein the initialization clip is configured to electrically decouple the battery from the RF generation circuit;\na processor coupled to the battery discharge circuit; and\na memory coupled to the processor, the memory stores machine executable instructions that when executed cause the processor to:\nmonitor activation of the RF generation circuit;\ndisable the RF generation circuit when the RF generation circuit is activated a predetermined number of times; and\nsend the battery discharge signal to the battery discharge circuit to discharge the battery when the RF generation circuit is activated the predetermined number of times.",
"2. The battery powered surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein execution of the machine executable instructions causes the processor to disable the RF generation circuit when the RF drive signal is fired five consecutive times.",
"3. The battery powered surgical instrument according to claim 2, wherein execution of the machine executable instructions causes the processor to:\nmonitor a battery voltage; and\ndisable the RF generation circuit when the RF drive signal is fired five consecutive times after the battery voltage drops below a predetermined threshold.",
"4. The battery powered surgical instrument according to claim 3, wherein the first electrical contact element comprises a first pair of electrical contact points and the second electrical contact element comprises a second pair of electrical contact points.",
"5. The battery powered surgical instrument according to claim 4, wherein the first pair of electrical contact points are electrically coupled to a side wall of the first rotatable electrode, and the second pair of electrical contact points are electrically coupled to a side wall of the second rotatable electrode.",
"6. The battery powered surgical instrument according to claim 5, wherein the first electrical contact element and the first pair of electrical contact points are in electrical communication with the first rotatable electrode throughout a rotation of the rotatable electrically conductive shaft over a 360° rotation about a shaft longitudinal axis, and\nthe second electrical contact element and the second pair of electrical contact points are in electrical communication with the second rotatable electrode throughout a rotation of the rotatable electrically conductive shaft over a 360° rotation about the shaft longitudinal axis.",
"7. The battery powered surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein execution of the machine executable instructions causes the processor to deactivate the RF generation circuit when a battery voltage drops below a predetermined threshold.",
"8. The battery powered surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein execution of the machine executable instructions causes the processor to deactivate the RF generation circuit after a predetermined number of consecutive RF drive signal firings that are over or under a predetermined load curve extreme."
],
[
"1. An apparatus, comprising:\n(a) a powered surgical instrument;\n(b) a control unit coupled with the powered surgical instrument, wherein the control unit is configured to operate at least a portion of the powered surgical instrument;\n(c) a communication device coupled with the powered surgical instrument, wherein the communication device is in communication with the control unit; and\n(d) an external device in communication with the communication device such that the external device is in communication with the control unit via the communication device, wherein the external device comprises a plurality of profiles, wherein each of the plurality of profiles respectively comprises a specific set of instructions with a plurality of distinct operational parameters for the control unit, wherein the external device is configured to transmit the specific set of instructions corresponding to a selected profile of the plurality of profiles to the control unit via the communication device, and wherein the control unit is configured to utilize the plurality of distinct operational parameters of the selected profile in order to operate a portion of the powered surgical instrument with a predetermined pattern of power provided to the powered surgical instrument.",
"2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of profiles of the external device comprises a plurality of surgical procedures.",
"3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of profiles of the external device comprises a plurality of user profiles.",
"4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the powered surgical instrument further comprises a sensor in communication with the control unit, and wherein the sensor is configured to collect information.",
"5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the control unit is configured to send information collected by the sensor to the external device via the communication device.",
"6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the specific set of instructions further comprises a distinct set of diagnostic instructions.",
"7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the specific set of instructions further comprises a maximum power setting.",
"8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the powered surgical instrument further comprises a memory unit in communication with the control unit, and wherein the memory unit is configured to store information related to the control unit operating at least the portion of the powered surgical instrument.",
"9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the specific set of instructions further comprises a pattern of power provided to the powered surgical instrument.",
"10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the communication device and the external device are in communication through RF communication.",
"11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the powered surgical instrument comprises an end effector.",
"12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade.",
"13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the end effector comprises a pair of clamping jaws.",
"14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the end effector comprises a pair of bipolar RF electrodes.",
"15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the end effector comprises a stapling assembly.",
"16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the end effector comprises a monopolar RF electrode."
],
[
"1. A method for detecting drive train failures in a surgical instrument, the method comprising:\ngenerating, by an electric motor, a mechanical output to motivate a drivetrain to transmit a motion to a jaw assembly of the surgical instrument;\nactivating, by a control circuit, a safe mode in response to an acute failure of the drivetrain; and\nactivating, by the control circuit, a bailout mode in response to a catastrophic failure of the drivetrain.",
"2. The method of claim 1, further comprising modulating, by the control circuit, the mechanical output of the electric motor in response to the acute failure.",
"3. The method of claim 2, wherein modulating the mechanical output of the electric motor comprises slowing the mechanical output.",
"4. The method of claim 2, further comprising, employing, by the control circuit, a feedback element to provide bailout instructions in response to the catastrophic failure.",
"5. The method of claim 4, wherein employing the feedback element comprises employing, by the control circuit, a feedback element to provide bailout instructions via a wired communication link in response to the catastrophic failure.",
"6. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating, by a power source, a motor input voltage.",
"7. The method of claim 6, further comprising modulating, by the control circuit, the motor input voltage in response to the acute failure.",
"8. The method of claim 7, wherein modulating the motor input voltage comprises delivering the motor input voltage in pulses.",
"9. The method of claim 7, wherein modulating the motor input voltage comprises reducing the motor input voltage.",
"10. The method of claim 1, further comprising disabling, by the control circuit, the electric motor in response to the catastrophic failure."
],
[
"1. A portable, personal, battery powered, nicotine delivery system comprising:\n(a) a portable charger including a main battery;\n(b) a user-replaceable, consumable item that includes nicotine;\n(c) a personal vaporizing device (PV) that is storable in and removable from the portable charger and includes a secondary battery that is re-charged from the main battery;\nin which the user-replaceable, consumable item is configured to be pressed on to the end of the PV by an end-user and to securely engage with the PV;\nand in which the PV includes an electrical element that is powered by the secondary battery and that is configured to heat the user-replaceable, consumable item to create heated, inhalable nicotine vapor;\nand in which the portable charger includes a recess positioned along one side of the portable charger and that is configured to receive the PV, the recess being exposed along a length that substantially corresponds to the length of the PV;\nin which the portable charger includes a contact block that is configured to move against a bias spring to engage with one end of the PV and to lock the PV into position.",
"2. The system of claim 1 in which the recess further includes a concave curved sidewall that is shaped to correspond to a convex curved sidewall of the PV.",
"3. The system of claim 1 in which the recess is configured to receive the PV when the PV is moved towards the side of the portable charger that includes the recess.",
"4. The system of claim 1 in which the recess is configured to guide the PV into accurate contact with electrical charging contacts positioned at one end of the recess, the electrical charging contacts being connected to the main battery in the portable charger.",
"5. The system of claim 1 in which the contact block engages with a circular feature around the top of the PV.",
"6. The system of claim 1 in which the contact block is biased with the spring configured to move the contact block into the locking position in the recess.",
"7. The system of claim 1 in which the contact block is configured to move linearly against the bias spring.",
"8. The system of claim 1 in which the contact block moves from a first position in which it is not physically engaged with the PV to a second position in which it secures the PV in position.",
"9. The system of claim 1 in which the system automatically detects that the PV has been removed from the recess when electrical contact between the PV and charging contact in the portable charger is broken.",
"10. The system of claim 1 in which the PV has a circular cross-section and is configured to be received within the recess in the portable charger, and the recess has a matching curved wall.",
"11. The system of claim 1 in which the PV is shaped as a generally cylindrical tube.",
"12. The system of claim 1 which includes a wireless connection circuit to connect the system to a smartphone app that enables a user to monitor and/or alter the performance of the system.",
"13. The system of claim 1 which includes a wireless connection circuit to connect the system to a smartphone app that enables a user to monitor consumption of the nicotine containing substance.",
"14. The system of claim 1 which includes a wireless connection circuit to connect the system to a smartphone app that enables a user to purchase or order the nicotine containing substance.",
"15. The system of claim 1 which is configured to be locked or disabled to prevent under-age or unauthorised use.",
"16. The system of claim 1 which is configured to be locked or disabled to prevent under-age or unauthorised use and can be unlocked using data sent or exchanged with the authorised user's smartphone.",
"17. The system of claim 1 in which the PV is configured to provide an indication to a user through a haptic signal, when the PV is due to cease to operate after nicotine substantially equivalent to a single combustible cigarette has been consumed.",
"18. The system of claim 17 in which the haptic signal is a vibration.",
"19. The system of claim 17 in which the haptic signal is touch feedback.",
"20. The system of claim 1 in which the PV is configured to display an indication to a user through a light, in which when the PV is due to cease to operate, because nicotine substantially equivalent to a single combustible cigarette has been consumed.",
"21. The system of claim 1 in which the PV is configured to display an indication to a user that the PV is able to provide only one more puff or inhalation of nicotine vapor before it will cease to operate.",
"22. The system of claim 1 in which the PV is configured to display an indication to a user that the PV is able to provide only two more puffs or inhalations of nicotine vapor before it will cease to operate.",
"23. The system of claim 1 in which the PV is configured to display an indication to a user through a light to display the status of the PV for battery power use.",
"24. The system of claim 1 in which the PV is configured to display an indication to a user through a light when the PV is ready for use.",
"25. The system of claim 1 in which the user-replaceable, consumable item includes an amount of substance equivalent to a single combustible cigarette.",
"26. The system of claim 1 in which the user-replaceable, consumable item includes contents that are heatable by the electrical element in the PV to create the heated, inhalable nicotine vapour.",
"27. The system of claim 1 in which the PV is configured to receive a user-replaceable, consumable item that includes nicotine, when the PV is not stored in a closed portable charger.",
"28. The system of claim 1 in which the PV includes an inductive power transfer coil.",
"29. The system of claim 1 in which the recess is formed in a curved side wall of the portable charger.",
"30. The system of claim 1 which includes a user-replaceable, consumable item that includes nicotine, in which the user-replaceable, consumable item is configured to be pressed on to the end of the PV by a user and to securely engage with the PV."
],
[
"1. A method of operating a medical device, comprising:\n(a) connecting a secondary battery pack to the medical device, wherein the secondary battery pack includes a processor configured to emulate at least one electrical characteristic of a primary battery pack with at least one different electrical characteristic than the secondary battery pack;\n(b) receiving an interrogation input from the medical device with the processor of the secondary battery pack;\n(c) determining, based at least in part on the interrogation input, whether the processor is programmed to send a response output; and\n(d) in response to determining the processor is programmed to send the response output:\n(i) sending the response output from the processor to the medical device, wherein the response output emulates an expected response output associated with the at least one different electrical characteristic of the primary battery pack, and\n(ii) initiating an operational profile associated with the medical device.",
"2. The method of claim 1, further comprising storing the interrogation input.",
"3. The method of claim 2, further comprising transmitting the stored interrogation input to a remote database.",
"4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:\n(a) removing the secondary battery pack from the medical device;\n(b) coupling the secondary battery pack to a docking station to charge the secondary battery pack, wherein the stored interrogation input is transmitted via the docking station.",
"5. The method of claim 1, further comprising accessing a database of stored interrogation inputs to determine how to respond to the interrogation input.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein sending a response to the interrogation further comprises sending a signal including at least one expected response characteristic, wherein the at least one expected response characteristic is chosen from the group consisting of the following: resistance, voltage, current, and load.",
"7. The method of claim 1, further comprising indicating an error to a user when the secondary battery pack is unable to send an expected response output in response to determining the processor is not programmed to send the response output.",
"8. The method of claim 1, further comprising storing the interrogation input.",
"9. The method of claim 1, further comprising reprogramming the processor of the secondary battery pack in response to determining the processor is not programmed to send the response output.",
"10. The method of claim 1, wherein the response output emulates an expected effective series resistance RS associated with the primary battery pack.",
"11. The method of claim 10, wherein sending a response output to the interrogation from the processor to the medical device further comprises providing a load voltage VL associated with the primary battery pack, wherein VL=VRL/(RS+RL), wherein RL represents a load resistance of the primary battery pack.",
"12. The method of claim 1, further comprising updating software and/or an algorithm of the processor of the secondary battery pack based on the interrogation input in response to determining the processor is not programmed to send the response output.",
"13. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of powering the medical device on and off before the step of updating software and/or an algorithm of the processor of the secondary battery pack.",
"14. The method of claim 1, further comprising communicating the interrogation input to a database of interrogation inputs.",
"15. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\n(a) accessing a database of stored interrogation inputs in response to determining the processor is not programmed to send the response output; and\n(b) updating software and/or an algorithm of a processor of the battery pack based on at least one of the saved interrogation inputs.",
"16. A secondary battery pack, comprising:\n(a) a battery;\n(b) an electrical interface configured to electrically couple the battery with an electrical interface of a medical device;\n(c) a processor, wherein the processor is operable in one of a programmed state and a non-programmed state with respect to the medical device;\n(d) a sensor configured to receive an input signal from the electrical interface; and\n(e) a regulator configured to regulate at least one characteristic of an electrical signal communicated from the battery to the interface;\nwherein the sensor is configured to communicate at least the input signal to the processor;\nwherein the processor is configured to command the regulator to regulate the at least one characteristic of an electrical signal communicated from the battery to the interface in order to emulate at least one electrical characteristic of a primary battery pack that is different from an electrical characteristic of the secondary battery pack when the processor receives the input signal in the programmed state;\nwherein the processor is configured to store a set of information based on the input signal when the processor receives the input signal in the non-programmed state.",
"17. The secondary battery pack of claim 16, wherein the processor is configured to command the regulator to regulate a voltage of the electrical signal communicated from the battery to the interface in order to emulate the internal resistance of the primary battery pack.",
"18. The secondary battery pack of claim 16, wherein the at least one electrical characteristic of the primary battery pack is an internal resistance of the primary battery pack.",
"19. The secondary battery pack of claim 16, further comprising an NPN pass transistor between the regulator and the interface configured to emulate an output impedance of the primary battery pack.",
"20. A battery pack, comprising:\n(a) a battery;\n(b) an electrical interface configured to electrically couple the battery with an electrical interface of a medical device;\n(c) a processor, wherein the processor is operable, with respect to the medical device, in one of a programmed state and a non-programmed state;\n(d) a sensor configured to receive an input signal from the electrical interface;\n(e) a voltage regulator configured to regulate the voltage of an electrical signal communicated from the battery to the interface; and\n(f) a NPN pass transistor configured to regulate the impedance of the electrical signal communicated from the battery to the interface;\nwherein the sensor is configured to communicate at least the input signal to the processor;\nwherein the processor is configured in the programmed state to command the voltage regulator to regulate the voltage of the electrical signal communicated from the battery to the interface in order to emulate at least one electrical characteristic of a primary battery pack that is different from an electrical characteristic of the secondary battery pack."
],
[
"1. A battery pack comprising:\na body having a first wall forming a first face from which a connection port extends for connection to a power tool or a charger, and a second wall forming a substantially planar second face; and\na finger notch recessed in the second face, the finger notch extending along an elongate axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the body, the elongate finger notch including a lead-in wall and an engagement wall formed within the second wall of the body at an angle with respect to one another, each extending along the elongate axis.",
"2. The battery pack of claim 1, wherein the elongate finger notch further includes a notch cavity bottom wall recessed below the second face, wherein the lead-in wall and the engagement wall are joined together at the notch cavity bottom wall.",
"3. The battery pack of claim 1, wherein a slope of the engagement wall relative to the second face is greater than a slope of the lead-in wall relative to the second face.",
"4. The battery pack of claim 1, wherein a first pitch angle formed between the engagement wall and the second face is approximately 60 degrees and a second pitch angle formed between the lead-in wall and the second face is approximately 30 degrees.",
"5. The battery pack of claim 1, wherein the angle between the lead-in wall and the engagement wall is approximately 90 degrees.",
"6. The battery pack of claim 1, wherein the lead-in wall defines a convex-shaped curve directed outwardly from second face.",
"7. The battery pack of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of contact members integrally provided in the second face along a side of the finger notch.",
"8. A battery pack comprising:\na body having a first wall forming a first face from which a connection port extends for connection to a power tool or a charger, and a second wall forming a substantially planar second face;\na finger notch recessed in the second face, the finger notch extending along an elongate axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the body;\na plurality of battery cells disposed within the body substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body; and\na bottom wall of the finger notch is oriented between center portions of two adjacent ones of the plurality of battery cells in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the body.",
"9. The battery pack of claim 8, wherein the second wall of the body includes an inner portion defining a plurality of slots for receiving the plurality of battery cells.",
"10. The battery pack of claim 9, wherein a bottom portion of the finger notch is oriented between adjacent ones of the plurality of slots in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the body.",
"11. The battery pack of claim 9, wherein each of the plurality of slots includes a curved portion, and the finger notch is oriented between curved portions of adjacent ones of the plurality of slots.",
"12. The battery pack of claim 8, wherein a depth of the finger notch is greater than a thickness of the second wall at center portions of the plurality of battery cells.",
"13. The battery pack of claim 8, wherein a depth of the finger notch is greater than a thickness of the second wall where the finger notch is formed."
],
[
"1. A method comprising:\nproviding a battery system comprising a first set of one or more first battery cells and a second set of one or more second battery cells,\nwherein the first set has a first power output capability when the first set is at a first state of charge,\nwherein the second set has a second power output capability when the second set is at a second state of charge, and\nwherein the second power output capability is greater than the first power output capability;\ndischarging the first set to the first state of charge,\nwherein, after the first set is discharged to the first state of charge, the second set is at the second state of charge; and\nafter the first set is discharged to the first state of charge, discharging the second set below the second state of charge.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first set is maintained at the first state of charge while discharging the second set.",
"3. The method of claim 1, further comprising discharging the first set below the first state of charge.",
"4. The method of claim 3, wherein discharging the first set below the first state of charge at least partially overlaps with discharging the second set below the second state of charge.",
"5. The method of claim 3, wherein discharging the first set below the first state of charge comprises charging the second set.",
"6. The method of claim 3, further comprising, after discharging the first set below the first state of charge, discharging the second set.",
"7. The method of claim 1, wherein discharging the first set to the first state of charge comprises heating the second set.",
"8. The method of claim 1, wherein discharging the second set comprises heating the first set.",
"9. The method of claim 1, wherein the second state of charge is 100% of a total capacity of the second state.",
"10. The method of claim 1, wherein the second state of charge is less than the first state of charge.",
"11. The method of claim 1, wherein a total discharge capacity of the first set is greater than a total discharge capacity of the second set.",
"12. The method of claim 1, wherein an operating voltage of the first set at the first state of charge is less than an operating voltage of the second set at the second state of charge.",
"13. The method of claim 1, wherein an operating voltage of the first set at the first state of charge is equal to the operating voltage of the second set at the second state of charge.",
"14. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more first battery cells and the one or more second battery cells are the same types of battery cells.",
"15. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more first battery cells and the one or more second battery cells are different types of battery cells.",
"16. The method of claim 1, wherein the first battery cells comprise a conversion chemistry material selected from FeF2, FeOdF3−2d (where 0≤d≤0.5), FeF3, CoF3, CoF2, CuF2, NiF2, and combinations thereof.",
"17. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more second battery cells comprise a lithium intercalation material selected from the group consisting of LiMPO4 (M=Fe, Ni, Co, Mn), LiMn2O4, LiMn2−aNiaO4, wherein a is from 0 to 2, LiCoO2, Li(NiCoMn)O2, Li(NiCoAl)O2, and Nickel Cobalt Aluminum Oxides.",
"18. The method of claim 1, wherein a number of the one or more first battery cells in the first set is different from a number of the one or more second battery cells in the second set.",
"19. A battery system for performing the method of claim 1 comprising:\na first set of one or more first battery cells,\nwherein the one or more first battery cells comprise a conversion chemistry material;\na second set of one or more second battery cells,\nwherein the one or more second battery cells comprise a lithium intercalation material or a lithium alloying material; and\na controller for monitoring a state of charge and power capability of each of the first set and the second set and electrically coupling one or more of the first set and the second set to a load device.",
"20. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more second battery cells of the second set comprise a conversion chemistry material selected from FeF2, FeOdF3−2d (where 0≤d≤0.5), FeF3, CoF3, CoF2, CuF2, and NiF2.",
"21. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more second battery cells of the second set comprise an intercalation material selected from LiFePO4, LiNixMn2−xO4, LiCoO2, Li(NiCoMn)O2, Li(NiCoAl)O2 materials, and combinations thereof.",
"22. The method of claim 1, wherein the intercalation material of the one or more second battery cells is selected from the group consisting of LiMPO4 (M=Fe, Ni, Co, Mn), LiMn2O4, LiMn2−aNiaO4, wherein a is from 0 to 2, LiCoO2, Li(NiCoMn)O2, Li(NiCoAl)O2, and Nickel Cobalt Aluminum Oxides.",
"23. A method comprising:\nproviding a battery system comprising a first set of one or more first battery cells and a second set of one or more second battery cells,\nwherein the first set has a first power output capability and a first energy density,\nwherein the second set has a second power output capability and a second energy density,\nwherein the first power output capability is higher than the second power output capability, and\nwherein the first energy density is lower than the second energy density;\nselectively discharging one or both of the first set and the second set based on a current power demand and based on the second power output capability; and\nrepeating discharging at least once for a new power demand.",
"24. The method of claim 23, wherein the first energy density and the second energy density are gravimetric energy densities, and wherein a ratio of the second energy density and the first energy density is between 1.5 and 10.",
"25. The method of claim 23, wherein the first energy density and the second energy density are volumetric energy densities, and wherein a ratio of the second energy density and the first energy density is between 1.5 and 15.",
"26. The method of claim 23, wherein, if the current power demand is less than the second power output capability, then the second set is discharged without discharging the first set.",
"27. The method of claim 23, wherein, if the current power demand is greater than the second power output capability, then the first set is discharged.",
"28. The method of claim 23, wherein the first set is discharged while discharging the second set.",
"29. The method of claim 23, further comprising charging the first set while discharging the second set.",
"30. The method of claim 23, wherein discharging one of the first set or the second comprising heating another one of the first battery or the second battery.",
"31. The method of claim 23, wherein discharging the first set comprises heating the second set.",
"32. The method of claim 23, wherein a ratio of the first power output capability to the second power output capability varies with a temperature of the first set and with a temperature of the second set.",
"33. The method of claim 23, wherein a total capacity of the first set is less than a total capacity of the second set.",
"34. The method of claim 33, wherein a ratio of the total capacity of the second set to the total capacity of the first set is between 1.5 and 20.",
"35. The method of claim 23, wherein the one or more first battery cells of the first set comprise a liquid electrolyte.",
"36. The method of claim 35, wherein the one or more first battery cells of the first set comprise one of lithium iron phosphate, lithium nickel cobalt aluminum oxide, lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide, lithium cobalt oxide, or lithium-rich nickel manganese oxide on a positive electrode and comprise one of lithium titanate or graphite on a negative electrode.",
"37. The method of claim 23, wherein the one or more second battery cells of the second set comprise a solid electrolyte."
],
[
"1. An electrical combination comprising:\na battery pack including:\na pack housing,\na plurality of battery cells supported by the pack housing, and\na pack terminal electrically connected to the battery cells; and\nan electrical device including:\na device housing,\na circuit supported by the device housing, and\na device terminal electrically connected to the circuit and electrically connectable to the pack terminal to electrically connect the circuit to one or more battery cells;\none of the pack terminal and the device terminal including:\na terminal blade extending along an axis and having opposite axially-extending faces connected by opposite axially-extending edges, and\na terminal support portion extending transverse to the axis and beyond an associated face.",
"2. The electrical combination of claim 1, wherein the device terminal includes the terminal blade and the terminal support portion.",
"3. The electrical combination of claim 2, wherein the battery pack includes a pack positive power terminal and a pack ground terminal, wherein the electrical device includes a device positive power terminal electrically connectable to the pack positive power terminal and a device ground terminal electrically connectable to the pack ground terminal, wherein the device positive power terminal includes the terminal blade and the terminal support portion, wherein the device ground terminal includes a terminal blade and a terminal support portion, and wherein each terminal support portion includes a transverse wing connected to one edge.",
"4. The electrical combination of claim 3, wherein an opposite one of the pack housing and the device housing defines an opening having a first portion receiving the terminal blade and a transverse second portion receiving the transverse wing.",
"5. The electrical combination of claim 3, wherein the electrical device includes a terminal block having a first side and an opposite second side, wherein the device positive power terminal is positioned toward the first side, the wing of the device positive power terminal extending toward the first side, and wherein the device ground terminal is positioned toward the second side, the wing of the device ground terminal extending toward the second side.",
"6. The electrical combination of claim 3, wherein each terminal support portion includes at least one rib on the associated face.",
"7. A terminal block for one of a battery pack and an electrical device electrically connectable to the battery pack along an axis, the terminal block comprising:\na housing; and\na plurality of terminals including a positive power terminal and a ground terminal, at least one terminal including a terminal blade extending along the axis and having opposite axially-extending faces connected by opposite axially-extending edges, and a terminal support portion extending transverse to the axis and beyond an associated face.",
"8. The terminal block of claim 7, wherein the positive power terminal includes a terminal blade and a terminal support portion, wherein the ground terminal includes a terminal blade and a terminal support portion, and wherein each terminal support portion includes a transverse wing connected to one edge.",
"9. The terminal block of claim 8, wherein the terminal block has a first side and an opposite second side, wherein the positive power terminal is positioned toward the first side, the terminal support portion of the positive power terminal extending toward the first side, and wherein the ground terminal is positioned toward the second side, the terminal support portion of the ground terminal extending toward the second side.",
"10. The terminal block of claim 9, wherein each terminal support portion also includes at least one rib on the associated face.",
"11. The terminal block of claim 7, wherein the terminal support portion includes at least one rib on the associated face.",
"12. The terminal block of claim 7, wherein the terminal blade has an axial length between a free end and an opposite end, the support portion extending from proximate the opposite end toward the free end a distance less than the axial length of the terminal blade.",
"13. The terminal block of claim 12, wherein the distance is between about 25% and about 50% of the axial length.",
"14. The terminal block of claim 12, wherein the distance is between about 75% and about 95% of the axial length.",
"15. A terminal for one of a battery pack and an electrical device electrically connectable to the battery pack along an axis, the terminal comprising:\na terminal blade extending along the axis and having opposite axially-extending faces connected by opposite axially-extending edges; and\na terminal support portion extending transverse to the axis and beyond an associated face.",
"16. The terminal of claim 15, wherein the terminal support portion includes a transverse wing connected to one edge, wherein the transverse wing is formed with the terminal blade.",
"17. The terminal of claim 16, wherein the terminal blade has an axial length between a free end and an opposite end, the wing extending from proximate the opposite end toward the free end a distance between about 25% and about 50% of the axial length.",
"18. The terminal of claim 16, wherein the terminal blade has an axial length between a free end and an opposite end, the wing extending from proximate the opposite end toward the free end a distance between about 75% and about 95% of the axial length.",
"19. The terminal of claim 16, wherein the terminal support portion also includes at least one rib on the associated face.",
"20. The terminal of claim 15, wherein the terminal blade has an axial length between a free end and an opposite end, the terminal support portion extending from proximate the opposite end toward the free end a distance less than the axial length of the terminal blade."
],
[
"1. An aerosol delivery device comprising:\nat least one wall defining an outer housing;\na window in the at least one wall, the window extending between a first end and a second end;\na light source positioned within the outer housing and being connectable to a power source; and\na control component configured to direct power at a variable level from the power source to the light source such that light emitted from the light source fills a quantity of the window, the quantity corresponding to the variable level of power delivered to the light source.",
"2. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein the light source is offset from the window so as to be beyond one of the first end of the window and the second end of the window.",
"3. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, further comprising a light guide positioned within the outer housing and proximate the window, the light guide being of sufficient size to substantially fill the window and at least partially overlap with the light source, wherein the light emitted from the light source is transmitted through the light guide and fills the quantity of the window.",
"4. The aerosol delivery device of claim 3, wherein the position of the light source and the position of the light guide is effective to achieve the light emitted from the light source and transmitted through the light guide to grow in a direction from one of the first end of the window and the second end of the window to the other of the first end of the window and the second end of the window as power delivered from the power source to the light source increases and to recede in reverse of the direction as power delivered from the power source to the light source decreases.",
"5. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, further including a pressure sensor configured to detect changes in pressure within the outer housing across a continuous pressure intensity range and provide signaling to the controller corresponding to the pressure intensity.",
"6. The aerosol delivery device of claim 5, wherein the control component is configured to adjust the variable level of the power delivered from the power source to the light source in response to the signaling received from the pressure sensor.",
"7. The aerosol delivery device of claim 5, wherein the power source and the control component are configured for connection with an atomizer.",
"8. The aerosol delivery device of claim 7, wherein the control component is configured to direct power at a variable level from the power source to the atomizer in response to the signaling received from the pressure sensor.",
"9. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, further comprising a printed circuit board positioned within the outer housing, the light source being positioned on the printed circuit board.",
"10. The aerosol delivery device of claim 9, wherein the control component is positioned on the same printed circuit board as the light source.",
"11. The aerosol delivery device of claim 3, further comprising a sealing member positioned between the light guide and the at least one wall defining the outer housing.",
"12. The aerosol delivery device of claim 11, wherein the sealing member is integral with the light guide.",
"13. The aerosol delivery device of claim 12, wherein the light guide is formed of a translucent elastomeric material.",
"14. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, further comprising a liquid-resistive membrane positioned interior to the outer housing, the liquid-resistive membrane covering the window in the at least one wall.",
"15. The aerosol delivery device of claim 14, wherein the liquid-resistive membrane is adhered to an interior surface of the at least one wall."
]
] |
in the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to aia 35 u.s.c. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-aia 35 u.s.c. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
the following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 u.s.c. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this office action:
a person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
(a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
claim(s) 1, 3, 15-16, 18-20, and 24 is/are rejected under 35 u.s.c. 102(a)(1) and/or 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by tajima et al. (us 2002/0089251 a1), hereinafter referred to as “tajima”.
regarding claim 1, tajima discloses a vehicle motor [1] comprising:
a stator [2] having a ring shape (fig. 1-2; ¶ 0041-0042);
a rotor [3] disposed radially inward of the stator [2] (fig. 1-2; ¶ 0043); and
a shaft [8] disposed radially inward of the rotor [3] and configured to rotate together with the rotor [3] (fig. 1-2; ¶ 0043, 0057),
wherein the stator [2] is splittable into a plurality of parts [4] (fig. 1; ¶ 0042; the stator can be split into its 18 constituent cores), and the rotor [3] is splittable into a plurality of parts [7] when receiving an external force (fig. 1; ¶ 0043; the rotor can be split into its 6 constituent cores),
png
media_image1.png
504
891
greyscale
wherein the stator [2] comprises at least one first splitting point [sp1] at a predetermined pitch in a circumferential direction serving as an origin point configured for splitting, and the rotor [3] comprises at least one second splitting point [sp2] at a predetermined pitch in a circumferential direction serving as an origin point configured for splitting (fig. 1; ¶ 0042-0043; the stator/rotor can be split along the intersections between any of their 18/6 constituent cores and, as best interpreted, these functional limitations require no additional structure beyond the stator/rotor being formed from divided cores; the circumferential locations of each splitting point are determined when the rotor/stator is manufactured).
regarding claim 3, tajima discloses the vehicle motor [1] according to claim 1, as stated above, wherein the at least one first splitting point [sp1] of the stator [2] comprises a splitting point [sp1] provided at either of a front side and a rear side of a vehicle (fig. 1, 14; ¶ 0095-0096; the motor, and thus the splitting point, is provided at the front of the vehicle).
regarding claim 15, tajima discloses the vehicle motor [1] according to claim 1, as stated above, wherein the rotor [3] further comprises a plurality of the second splitting points [sp2] (fig. 1; ¶ 0043), and wherein the rotor [3] splits into a plurality of split sleeves [7] starting from the plurality of the second splitting points [sp2] serving as origin points (fig. 1; ¶ 0043; the rotor can be split into its 6 constituent cores; as best interpreted, this functional limitation requires no additional structure beyond the rotor being formed from divided cores [7]).
regarding claim 16, tajima discloses the vehicle motor [1] according to claim 1, as stated above, wherein the stator [2] further comprises a plurality of the first splitting points [sp1] (fig. 1; ¶ 0042), and wherein the stator [2] splits into a plurality of parts [4] starting from the plurality of the first splitting points [sp1] serving as origin points (fig. 1; ¶ 0042; the stator can be split into its 18 constituent cores; as best interpreted, this functional limitation requires no additional structure beyond the stator being formed from divided cores [4]).
regarding claim 18, tajima discloses a vehicle (¶ 0039-0040) comprising the vehicle motor [1] according to claim 1, as stated above.
regarding claim 19, tajima discloses a motor [1] comprising:
a stator [2] (fig. 1-2; ¶ 0041-0042);
wherein the stator [2] comprises at least one first splitting point [sp1] at a predetermined pitch in a circumferential direction serving as an origin point configured for splitting, and the rotor [3] comprises at least one second splitting point [sp2] at a predetermined pitch in a circumferential direction serving as an origin point configured for splitting when receiving the external force (fig. 1; ¶ 0042-0043; the stator/rotor can be split along the intersections between any of their 18/6 constituent cores and, as best interpreted, these functional limitations require no additional structure beyond the stator/rotor being formed from divided cores; the circumferential locations of each splitting point are determined when the rotor/stator is manufactured).
regarding claim 20, tajima discloses the motor [1] according to claim 19, as stated above, wherein the at least one first splitting point [sp1] of the stator [2] comprises a splitting point [sp1] provided at either of a front side and a rear side of a vehicle (fig. 1, 14; ¶ 0095-0096; the motor, and thus the splitting point, is provided at the front of the vehicle).
regarding claim 24, tajima discloses the motor [1] according to claim 19, as stated above, wherein the rotor [3] further comprises a plurality of the second splitting points [sp2] (fig. 1; ¶ 0043), and wherein the rotor [3] splits into the plurality of parts [7] starting from the plurality of the second splitting points [sp2] serving as origin points (fig. 1; ¶ 0043; the rotor can be split into its 6 constituent cores; as best interpreted, this functional limitation requires no additional structure beyond the rotor being formed from divided cores [7]),
wherein the stator [2] further comprises a plurality of the first splitting points [sp1] (fig. 1; ¶ 0042), and wherein the stator [2] splits into the plurality of parts [4] starting from the plurality of the first splitting points [sp1] serving as origin points (fig. 1; ¶ 0042; the stator can be split into its 18 constituent cores; as best interpreted, this functional limitation requires no additional structure beyond the stator being formed from divided cores [4]).
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[
"1. A compound having structural formula:\nor an enantiomer, diastereomer, racemate, or tautomer thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or hydrate of the compound, enantiomer, diastereomer, racemate, or tautomer, wherein\nthe\n moiety is\nR1 is hydrogen, halo, C1-C8 alkyl, C2-C8 alkenyl, C2-C8 alkynyl, —CO2H, —(C0-C4 alkyl)-C(O)O(C1-C6 alkyl), —(C0-C4 alkyl)-OC(O)O—(C1-C6 alkyl), —OR1a, —(C1-C4 alkyl)OR1a, —SR1a, —(C1-C4 alkyl)SR1a, —NR1bR1c, —(C1-C4 alkyl)NR1bR1c, —(C1-C4 alkyl)C(O)NR1bR1c, —(C0-C4 alkyl)-aryl, —(C0-C4 alkyl)-heteroaryl, —(C0-C4 alkyl)-cycloalkyl, —(C0-C4 alkyl)-heterocycloalkyl, or oxo when attached to a ring of appropriate saturation, wherein\nR1a, R1b, and R1c are independently hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl, or —C(O)(C1-C4) alkyl;\nR2 is hydrogen, halo, C1-C8 alkyl, C2-C8 alkenyl, C2-C8 alkynyl, —CO2H, —(C0-C4 alkyl)-C(O)O(C1-C6 alkyl), —(C0-C4 alkyl)-OC(O)O—(C1-C6 alkyl), —OR2a, —(C1-C4 alkyl)OR2a, —SR2a, —(C1-C4 alkyl)SR2a, —NR2bR2c, —(C1-C4 alkyl)NR2bR2c, —(C1-C4 alkyl)C(O)NR2bR2c, —(C0-C4 alkyl)-aryl, —(C0-C4 alkyl)-heteroaryl, —(C0-C4 alkyl)-cycloalkyl, —(C0-C4 alkyl)-heterocycloalkyl, or oxo when attached to a ring of appropriate saturation, wherein\nR2a, R2b, and R2c are independently hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl, or —C(O)(C1-C4) alkyl;\nR3 is C1-C12 alkyl, C2-C12 alkenyl, C2-C12 alkynyl, —(OCH2CH2)0-6O(C1-C8 alkyl), —(C0-C4 alkyl)-NR3aR3b, —(C0-C4 alkyl)-aryl, —(C0-C4 alkyl)-heteroaryl, —(C0-C4 alkyl)-cycloalkyl or —(C0-C4 alkyl)-heterocycloalkyl, wherein R3a and R3b are each independently hydrogen or C1-C6 alkyl;\nR4 is hydrogen,\n wherein\nQ1 is O or S;\nR4a is hydrogen, C1-C8 alkyl, C2-C8 alkenyl, C2-C8 alkynyl, —OR4c, —(C1, C2 or C4 alkyl)OR4c, —(C0-C4 alkyl)-C(O)(C1-C4 alkyl), —(C0-C4 alkyl)-C(O)O(R4c), —(C0-C4 alkyl)CN, —(CH2CH2O)0-6(C1-C8 alkyl), —(CH2CH2O)3-6(NR4cR4d), (—C1, C2 or C4 alkyl)NR4cR4d, —(C0-C4 alkyl)-aryl, —(C0-C4 alkyl)-heteroaryl, —(C0-C4 alkyl)-cycloalkyl, or —(C0, C1 or C4 alkyl)-heterocycloalkyl,\nR4b is hydrogen, C1-C8 alkyl, C2-C8 alkenyl, C2-C8 alkynyl, —OR4c, —(C1, C2 or C4 alkyl)OR4c, —(C0-C4 alkyl)-C(O)(C1-C4 alkyl), —(C0-C4 alkyl)-C(O)O(R4c), —(C0-C4 alkyl)CN, —(CH2CH2O)0-6(C1-C8 alkyl), —(CH2CH2O)3-6(NR4cR4d), —(C1, C2 or C4 alkyl)NR4cR4d, —(C0-C4 alkyl)-aryl, —(C0-C4 alkyl)-heteroaryl, —(C0-C4 alkyl)-cycloalkyl, or —(C0, C1 or C4 alkyl)-heterocycloalkyl,\nwherein R4c and R4d are hydrogen or C1-C6 alkyl,\nor R4a and R4b together with a nitrogen to which they are attached form a heterocycloalkyl or heteroaryl ring,\nR4c is hydrogen, C1-C8 alkyl, cycloalkyl or aryl,\nR4f is —OR4g, C1-C8 alkyl, cycloalkyl or NR4hR4i,\nwherein R49 is C1-C8 alkyl, cycloalkyl, or aryl, and\nwherein R4h and R4i are C1-C8 alkyl, or R4h and R4i together with a nitrogen to which they are attached form a heterocyloalkyl ring or heteroaryl ring, and\nR4j and R4k are each independently hydrogen or C1-C8 alkyl;\nR5 is hydrogen, C1-C8 alkyl, —(C1-C4 alkyl)-O—(C1-C4 alkyl), —C(O)(C1-C4 alkyl), —C(O)O(C1-C4 alkyl), —C(O)NH2, —C(O)NH(C1-C4 alkyl), —C(O)N(C1-C4 alkyl)2, —(C1-C4 alkyl)C(O)O(C1-C4 alkyl), or —(C1-C4 alkyl)OC(O)(C1-C4 alkyl);\nR6 is —OR6a, wherein R6a is hydrogen, —(C1-C4 alkyl)-O—(C1-C4 alkyl), —C(O)(C1-C4 alkyl), —C(O)O(C1-C4 alkyl), —C(O)NH2, —C(O)NH(C1-C4 alkyl), —C(O)N(C1-C4 alkyl)2, —(C1-C4 alkyl)C(O)O(C1-C4 alkyl), or —(C1-C4 alkyl)OC(O)(C1-C4 alkyl); and\nR7 is hydrogen,\n provided R7 is not hydrogen when R4 is hydrogen, wherein\nQ2 is O or S;\nR7a is hydrogen, C1-C8 alkyl, C2-C8 alkenyl, C2-C8 alkynyl, —OR7c, —(C1-C4 alkyl)OR7c, —(C0-C4 alkyl)-C(O)(C1-C4 alkyl), —(C0-C4 alkyl)-C(O)O(R7c), —(C0-C4 alkyl)CN, —(CH2CH2O)0-6(C1-C8 alkyl), —(CH2CH2O)3-6(NR7cR7d), —(C1, C2 or C4 alkyl)NR7cR7d, —(C0-C4 alkyl)-aryl, —(C0-C4 alkyl)-heteroaryl, —(C0-C4 alkyl)-cycloalkyl, or —(C0, C1 or C4 alkyl)-heterocycloalkyl,\nR7b is hydrogen, C1-C8 alkyl, C2-C8 alkenyl, C2-C8 alkynyl, —OR7c, —(C1-C4 alkyl)OR7c, —(C0-C4 alkyl)-C(O)(C1-C4 alkyl), —(C0-C4 alkyl)-C(O)O(R7c), —(C0-C4 alkyl)CN, —(CH2CH2O)0-6(C1-C8 alkyl), —(CH2CH2O)3-6(NR7cR7d), —(C1, C2 or C4 alkyl)NR7cR7d, —(C0-C4 alkyl)-aryl, —(C0-C4 alkyl)-heteroaryl, —(C0-C4 alkyl)-cycloalkyl, or —(C0, C1 or C4 alkyl)-heterocycloalkyl,\nwherein R70 and R7d are hydrogen or C1-C6 alkyl,\nor R7a and R7h together with a nitrogen to which they are attached form a heterocycloalkyl or heteroaryl ring,\nR7e is H, C1-C8 alkyl, cycloalkyl, or aryl,\nR7f is —OR7g, C1-C8 alkyl, cycloalkyl, or NR7hR7i,\nwherein R7g is C1-C8 alkyl, cycloalkyl, or aryl, and\nwherein R7h and R7i are C1-C8 alkyl, or R7h and R7i together with a nitrogen to which they are attached form a heterocyloalkyl ring or heteroaryl ring, and\nR7j and R7k are each independently hydrogen or C1-C8 alkyl;\nwherein\neach alkyl, alkenyl and alkynyl is unsubstituted, halogenated, substituted with one hydroxyl group, one or two C1-C6 alkoxy groups, one or two —C(O)O(C1-C4 alkyl) groups, or one or two oxo groups;\neach cycloalkyl has 3-10 ring carbons and is saturated or partially unsaturated, and optionally includes one or two fused cycloalkyl rings, each fused ring having 3-8 ring members, and is substituted with 0-6 R8;\neach heterocycloalkyl has 3-10 ring members and 1-3 heteroatoms where each is independently nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur and is saturated or partially unsaturated, and optionally includes one or two fused cycloalkyl rings, each having 3-8 ring members, and is substituted with 0-6 R8;\neach aryl is a phenyl or a naphthyl, and optionally includes one or two fused cycloalkyl or heterocycloalkyl rings, each fused cycloalkyl or heterocycloalkyl ring having 4-8 ring members, and is substituted with 0-5 R9;\neach heteroaryl is a 5-6 membered monocyclic heteroaryl ring having 1-4 heteroatoms, where each is independently nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur or a 8-10 membered bicyclic heteroaryl having 1-5 heteroatoms where each is independently nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur, and optionally includes one or two fused cycloalkyl or heterocycloalkyl rings, each fused cycloalkyl or heterocycloalkyl ring having 4-8 ring members, and is substituted with 0-5 R9,\nin which\neach R8 is independently oxo, C1-C4 alkyl, —Cl, —F, —Br, —CN, —SF5, —N3, nitro, —SRA, —S(O)1-2RA, —ORA, —(C0-C3 alkyl)-ORB, —NRBRA, —C(O)RA, —C(O)NRBRA, —NRBC(O)RA, —C(S)NRBRA, —NRBC(S)RA, —CO2RA, —OC(O)RA, —C(O)SRA, —SC(O)RA, —C(S)ORA, —OC(S)RA, —C(S)SRA, —SC(S)RA, —S(O)1-2ORA, —OS(O)1-2RA, —S(O)1-2NRBRA, —NRBS(O)1-2RA, —OCO2RA, —OC(O)NRBRA, —NRBCO2RA, —NRBC(O)NRBRA, —SCO2RA, —OC(O)SRA, —SC(O)SRA, —SC(O)NRBRA, —NRBC(O)SRA, —OC(S)ORA, —OC(S)NRBRA, —NRBC(S)ORA, —NRBC(S)NRBRA, —SC(S)ORA, —OC(S)SRA, —SC(S)SRA, —SC(S)NRBRA, —NRBC(S)SRA, —NRBC(NRB)NRBRA, —NRBS(O)1-2NRBRA, phenyl, C3-C8 cycloalkyl, a five to six-membered heteroaryl, or a five to six-membered heterocycloalkyl; and\neach R9 is independently optionally-substituted C1-C4 alkyl, —Cl, —F, —Br, —CN, —SF5, —N3, nitro, —SRA, —S(O)1-2RA, —ORA, —(C0-C3 alkyl)-ORB, —NRBRA, —C(O)RA, —C(O)NRBRA, —NRBC(O)RA, —C(S)NRBRA, —NRBC(S)RA, —CO2RA, —OC(O)RA, —SO3H, —C(O)SRA, —SC(O)RA, —C(S)ORA, —OC(S)RA, —C(S)SRA, —SC(S)RA, —S(O)1-2ORA, —OS(O)1-2RA, —S(O)1-2NRBRA, —NRBS(O)1-2RA, —OCO2RA, —OC(O)NRBRA, —NRBCO2RA, —NRBC(O)NRBRA, —SCO2RA, —OC(O)SRA, —SC(O)SRA, —SC(O)NRBRA, —NRBC(O)SRA, —OC(S)ORA, —OC(S)NRBRA, —NRBC(S)ORA, —NRBC(S)NRBRA, —SC(S)ORA, —OC(S)SRA, —SC(S)SRA, —SC(S)NRBRA, —NRBC(S)SRA, —NRBC(NRB)NRBRA, —NRBS(O)1-2NRBRA, phenyl, C3-C8 cycloalkyl, a five to six-membered heteroaryl, or a five to six-membered heterocycloalkyl;\nwherein each RA is independently H or C1-C3 alkyl, and each RB is independently H, C1-C3 alkyl, C1-C3 fluoroalkyl, C1-C3 hydroxyalkyl, —S(O)1-2(C1-C3 alkyl), —C(O)(C1-C3 alkyl) or —CO2(C1-C3 alkyl),\nwherein the compound is not",
"2. The compound according to claim 1, wherein the moiety",
"3. The compound according to claim 1, wherein R1 is hydrogen, halo, C1-C8 alkyl, C2-C8 alkenyl, —CO2H, —(C0-C4 alkyl)-C(O)O(C1-C6 alkyl), —OR1a, —(C1-C4 alkyl)OR1a, —SR1a, —(C1-C4 alkyl)SR1a, —NR1bR1c, —(C1-C4 alkyl)NR1bR1c, —(C1-C4 alkyl)C(O)NR1bR1c, —(C0-C4 alkyl)-aryl, —(C0-C4 alkyl)-heteroaryl, —(C0-C4 alkyl)-cycloalkyl, —(C0-C4 alkyl)-heterocycloalkyl, or oxo.",
"4. The compound according to claim 1, wherein R2 is hydrogen, halo, C1-C8 alkyl, C2-C8 alkenyl, —CO2H, —(C0-C4 alkyl)-C(O)O(C1-C6 alkyl), —OR2a, —(C1-C4 alkyl)OR2a, —SR2a, —(C1-C4 alkyl)SR2a, —NR2bR2c, —(C1-C4 alkyl)NR2bR2c, —(C1-C4 alkyl)C(O)NR2bR2c, —(C0-C4 alkyl)-aryl, —(C0-C4 alkyl)-heteroaryl, —(C0-C4 alkyl)-cycloalkyl, —(C0-C4 alkyl)-heterocycloalkyl, or oxo.",
"5. The compound according to claim 1, wherein R3 is C1-C12 alkyl, C2-C12 alkenyl, C2-C12 alkynyl, —(OCH2CH2)0-6OCH3, —(C0-C4 alkyl)-aryl, —(C0-C4 alkyl)-heteroaryl, —(C0-C4 alkyl)-cycloalkyl or —(C0-C4 alkyl)-heterocycloalkyl.",
"6. The compound according claim 1, wherein R5 is hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl, —(C1-C4 alkyl)-O—(C1-C4 alkyl), —C(O)(C1-C4 alkyl), —C(O)O(C1-C4 alkyl), —C(O)NH2, —C(O)NH(C1-C4 alkyl), or —C(O)N(C1-C4 alkyl)2.",
"7. The compound according to claim 1, wherein R5 is hydrogen and R6 is —OH.",
"8. The compound according to claim 1, wherein the compound is of formula:",
"9. The compound according to claim 1, wherein each alkyl is unsubstituted.",
"10. A compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or hydrate thereof selected from the group consisting of:\n2,6-dihydroxy-N,3′-dimethyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\n2,6-dihydroxy-N-methoxy-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nN-ethyl-2,6-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\n2,6-dihydroxy-N-isopropyl-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nN-acetyl-2,6-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nN-cyclopropyl-2,6-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nN-cyclopentyl-2,6-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\n2,6-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-N-(1-(trifluoromethyl)cyclopentyl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nN-cyclohexyl-2,6-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\n2,6-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-N-phenyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\n2,6-dihydroxy-N-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\n2,6-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-N-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nN-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-2,6-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nN-benzyl-2,6-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\n2,6-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-N-(pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\n2,6-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-N-(pyrimidin-5-ylmethyl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nN-(3,4-dimethylisoxazol-5-yl)-2,6-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\n2,6-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-N-(oxazol-5-ylmethyl)-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nN-((1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)methyl)-2,6-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nN-((1H-tetrazol-5-yl)methyl)-2,6-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nmethyl 2-(2,6-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-ylcarboxamido)acetate;\n(S)-methyl 2-(2,6-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-ylcarboxamido)propanoate;\n(S)-methyl 2-(2,6-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-ylcarboxamido)-3-phenylpropanoate;\n(S)-methyl 2-(2,6-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-ylcarboxamido)-3-(1H-imidazol-5-yl)propanoate;\nN-allyl-2,6-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\n2,6-dihydroxy-N,N,3′-trimethyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nN-cyclopropyl-2,6-dihydroxy-N,3′-dimethyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nN-cyclohexyl-2,6-dihydroxy-N,3′-dimethyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\n2,6-dihydroxy-N,3′-dimethyl-4-pentyl-N-phenyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nN-benzyl-2,6-dihydroxy-N,3′-dimethyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\n2,6-dihydroxy-N,3′-dimethyl-4-pentyl-N-(pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nN-((1H-tetrazol-5-yl)methyl)-2,6-dihydroxy-N,3′-dimethyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\n2,6-dihydroxy-N-(isoxazol-3-ylmethyl)-N,3′-dimethyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\n(5,6-dihydro-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyrazin-7(8H)-yl)(2,6-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methanone;\n(2,6-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)methanone;\n1-(4-(2,6-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carbonyl)piperazin-1-yl)ethan-1-one;\n(2,6-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)(4-(methylsulfonyl)piperazin-1-yl)methanone;\n(2,6-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)(1,1-dioxidothiomorpholino)methanone;\n(2,6-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)(morpholino)methanone;\nmethyl (2,6-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carbonyl)-D-prolinate;\n(2,6-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)(pyrrolidin-1-yl)methanone;\n1-(2,6-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carbonyl)pyrrolidin-3-one;\n(2,6-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)(isoindolin-2-yl)methanone;\n(2,6-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)(1H-indol-1-yl)methanone;\naziridin-1-yl(2,6-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methanone;\n(S)-(2,6-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)(2-methylaziridin-1-yl)methanone;\n(R)-(2,6-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)(2-methylaziridin-1-yl)methanone;\nazetidin-1-yl(2,6-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methanone;\n(3,3-difluoroazetidin-1-yl)(2,6-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methanone;\nN,N-diethyl-2,6-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nN-cyano-2,6-dihydroxy-N,3′-dimethyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\n2,6-dihydroxy-N-methoxy-N,3′-dimethyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nN-allyl-2,6-dihydroxy-N,3′-dimethyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\n2,6-dihydroxy-N-(2-methoxyethyl)-N,3′-dimethyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nN-(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl)-2,6-dihydroxy-N,3′-dimethyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\n2,6-dihydroxy-N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nN-(2-bromobenzyl)-2,6-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\n2,6-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nmethyl ((2,6-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)(methyl)carbamate;\nethyl ((2,6-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)(methyl)carbamate;\npropyl ((2,6-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)(methyl)carbamate;\n((2,6-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)(methyl)carbamate;\nethyl ((2,6-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)(methyl)carbamate;\nisopropyl ((2,6-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)(methyl)carbamate;\ncyclopentyl ((2,6-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)(methyl)carbamate;\ncyclohexyl ((2,6-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)(methyl)carbamate;\nphenyl ((2,6-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)(methyl)carbamate;\nmethyl ((2,6-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)carbamate;\nmethyl ((2,6-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)(ethyl)carbamate;\nmethyl cyclopropyl((2,6-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)carbamate;\ncyclopentyl cyclopropyl((2,6-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)carbamate;\nN-((2,6-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)acetamide;\nN-((2,6-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)cyclopropanecarboxamide;\nN-((2,6-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)cyclopentanecarboxamide;\nN-((2,6-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxamide;\nN-((2,6-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)-N-methylacetamide;\nN-((2,6-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)-N-methylcyclopropanecarboxamide;\nN-((2,6-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)-N-methylcyclopentanecarboxamide;\nN-((2,6-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)-N-methylcyclohexanecarboxamide;\nN-cyclopropyl-N-((2,6-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)acetamide;\nN-((2,6-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)-N-phenylacetamide;\nN-(1-(2,6-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)ethyl)acetamide;\nN-(1-(2,6-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)ethyl)-N-methylacetamide;\n3-((2,6-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)-1,1-dimethylurea;\nN-((2,6-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)azetidine-1-carboxamide;\nN-((2,6-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)pyrrolidine-1-carboxamide;\nN-((2,6-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)piperidine-1-carboxamide;\n1-((2,6-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)-1,3,3-trimethylurea;\nN-((2,6-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)-N-methylazetidine-1-carboxamide;\nN-((2,6-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)-N-methylpyrrolidine-1-carboxamide;\nN-((2,6-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)-N-methylpiperidine-1-carboxamide;\n3-(1-(2,6-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)ethyl)-1,1-dimethylurea;\n1-(1-(2,6-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)ethyl)-1,3,3-trimethylurea;\nN-(1-(2,6-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)ethyl)azetidine-1-carboxamide;\nN-(1-(2,6-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-4-pentyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)ethyl)-N-methylazetidine-1-carboxamide;\n2,6-dihydroxy-N,3′-dimethyl-4-propyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\n2,6-dihydroxy-N,5′-dimethyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\n2,6-dihydroxy-N-methoxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nN-ethyl-2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\n2,6-dihydroxy-N-isopropyl-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nN-acetyl-2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nN-cyclopropyl-2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nN-cyclopentyl-2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\n2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-N-(1-(trifluoromethyl)cyclopentyl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nN-cyclohexyl-2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\n2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-N-phenyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\n2,6-dihydroxy-N-(4-methoxyphenyl)-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\n2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-N-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nN-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nN-benzyl-2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\n2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-N-(pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\n2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-N-(pyrimidin-5-ylmethyl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nN-(3,4-dimethylisoxazol-5-yl)-2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\n2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-N-(oxazol-5-ylmethyl)-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nN-((1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)methyl)-2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nN-((1H-tetrazol-5-yl)methyl)-2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nmethyl (2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carbonyl)glycinate;\nmethyl (2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carbonyl)-L-alaninate;\nmethyl (2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carbonyl)-L-phenylalaninate;\nmethyl (2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carbonyl)-L-histidinate;\nN-allyl-2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\n2,6-dihydroxy-N,N,5′-trimethyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nN-cyclopropyl-2,6-dihydroxy-N,5′-dimethyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nN-cyclohexyl-2,6-dihydroxy-N,5′-dimethyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\n2,6-dihydroxy-N,5′-dimethyl-4-pentyl-N-phenyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nN-benzyl-2,6-dihydroxy-N,5′-dimethyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\n2,6-dihydroxy-N,5′-dimethyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-N-(pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nN-((1H-tetrazol-5-yl)methyl)-2,6-dihydroxy-N,5′-dimethyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\n2,6-dihydroxy-N-(isoxazol-3-ylmethyl)-N,5′-dimethyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\n(5,6-dihydro-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyrazin-7(8H)-yl)(2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methanone;\n(2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)methanone;\n1-(4-(2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carbonyl)piperazin-1-yl)ethan-1-one;\n(2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)(4-(methylsulfonyl)piperazin-1-yl)methanone;\n(2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)(1,1-dioxidothiomorpholino)methanone;\n(2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)(morpholino)methanone;\nmethyl (2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carbonyl)-D-prolinate;\n(2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)(pyrrolidin-1-yl)methanone;\n1-(2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carbonyl)pyrrolidin-3-one;\n(2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)(isoindolin-2-yl)methanone;\n(2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)(1H-indol-1-yl)methanone;\naziridin-1-yl(2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methanone;\n(2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)((S)-2-methylaziridin-1-yl)methanone;\n(2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)((R)-2-methylaziridin-1-yl)methanone;\nazetidin-1-yl(2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methanone;\n(3,3-difluoroazetidin-1-yl)(2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methanone;\nN,N-diethyl-2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nN-cyano-2,6-dihydroxy-N,5′-dimethyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\n2,6-dihydroxy-N-methoxy-N,5′-dimethyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nN-allyl-2,6-dihydroxy-N,5′-dimethyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\n2,6-dihydroxy-N-(2-methoxyethyl)-N,5′-dimethyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nN-(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl)-2,6-dihydroxy-N,5′-dimethyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\n2,6-dihydroxy-N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nN-(2-bromobenzyl)-2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\n2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nmethyl ((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)(methyl)carbamate;\nethyl ((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)(methyl)carbamate;\npropyl ((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)(methyl)carbamate;\nisopropyl ((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)(methyl)carbamate;\nneopentyl ((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)(methyl)carbamate;\nethyl ((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)carbamate;\ncyclopentyl ((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)(methyl)carbamate;\ncyclohexyl ((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)(methyl)carbamate;\nphenyl ((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)(methyl)carbamate;\nmethyl ((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)carbamate;\nmethyl ((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)(ethyl)carbamate;\nmethyl cyclopropyl((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)carbamate;\ncyclopentyl cyclopropyl((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)carbamate;\nN-((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)acetamide;\nN-((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)cyclopropanecarboxamide;\nN-((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)cyclopentanecarboxamide;\nN-((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxamide;\nN-((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)-N-methylacetamide;\nN-((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)-N-methylcyclopropanecarboxamide;\nN-((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)-N-methylcyclopentanecarboxamide;\nN-((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)-N-methylcyclohexanecarboxamide;\nN-cyclopropyl-N-((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)acetamide;\nN-((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)-N-phenylacetamide;\nN-(1-(2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)ethyl)acetamide;\nN-(1-(2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)ethyl)-N-methylacetamide;\n3-((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)-1,1-dimethylurea;\nN-((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)azetidine-1-carboxamide;\nN-((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)pyrrolidine-1-carboxamide;\nN-((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)piperidine-1-carboxamide;\n1-((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)-1,3,3-trimethylurea;\nN-((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)-N-methylazetidine-1-carboxamide;\nN-((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)-N-methylpyrrolidine-1-carboxamide;\nN-((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)-N-methylpiperidine-1-carboxamide;\n3-(1-(2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)ethyl)-1,1-dimethylurea;\n1-(1-(2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)ethyl)-1,3,3-trimethylurea;\nN-(1-(2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)ethyl)azetidine-1-carboxamide;\nN-(1-(2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)ethyl)-N-methylazetidine-1-carboxamide;\n2,6-dihydroxy-N,5′-dimethyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-4-propyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\n2,6-dihydroxy-N,5′-dimethyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\n2,6-dihydroxy-N-methoxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nN-ethyl-2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\n2,6-dihydroxy-N-isopropyl-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nN-acetyl-2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nN-cyclopropyl-2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nN-cyclopentyl-2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\n2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-N-(1-(trifluoromethyl)cyclopentyl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nN-cyclohexyl-2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\n2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-N-phenyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\n2,6-dihydroxy-N-(4-methoxyphenyl)-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\n2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-N-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nN-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nN-benzyl-2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\n2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-N-(pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\n2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-N-(pyrimidin-5-ylmethyl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nN-(3,4-dimethylisoxazol-5-yl)-2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\n2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-N-(oxazol-5-ylmethyl)-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nN-((1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)methyl)-2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nN-((1H-tetrazol-5-yl)methyl)-2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nmethyl 2-(2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-ylcarboxamido)acetate;\n(2S)-methyl 2-(2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-ylcarboxamido)propanoate;\nmethyl (2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carbonyl)-L-phenylalaninate;\n(2S)-methyl 2-(2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-ylcarboxamido)-3-(1H-imidazol-5-yl)propanoate;\nN-allyl-2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\n2,6-dihydroxy-N,N,5′-trimethyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nN-cyclopropyl-2,6-dihydroxy-N,5′-dimethyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nN-cyclohexyl-2,6-dihydroxy-N,5′-dimethyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\n2,6-dihydroxy-N,5′-dimethyl-4-pentyl-N-phenyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nN-benzyl-2,6-dihydroxy-N,5′-dimethyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\n2,6-dihydroxy-N,5′-dimethyl-4-pentyl-N-(pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nN-((1H-tetrazol-5-yl)methyl)-2,6-dihydroxy-N,5′-dimethyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\n2,6-dihydroxy-N-(isoxazol-3-ylmethyl)-N,5′-dimethyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\n(5,6-dihydro-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyrazin-7(8H)-yl)(2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methanone;\n(2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)methanone;\n1-(4-(2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carbonyl)piperazin-1-yl)ethan-1-one;\n(2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)(4-(methylsulfonyl)piperazin-1-yl)methanone;\n(2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)(1,1-dioxidothiomorpholino)methanone;\n(2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)(morpholino)methanone;\nmethyl (2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carbonyl)-D-prolinate;\n(2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)(pyrrolidin-1-yl)methanone;\n1-(2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carbonyl)pyrrolidin-3-one;\n(2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)(isoindolin-2-yl)methanone;\n(2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)(1H-indol-1-yl)methanone;\naziridin-1-yl(2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methanone;\n(2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)((S)-2-methylaziridin-1-yl)methanone;\n(2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)((R)-2-methylaziridin-1-yl)methanone;\nazetidin-1-yl(2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methanone;\n(3,3-difluoroazetidin-1-yl)(2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methanone;\nN,N-diethyl-2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nN-cyano-2,6-dihydroxy-N,5′-dimethyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\n2,6-dihydroxy-N-methoxy-N,5′-dimethyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nN-allyl-2,6-dihydroxy-N,5′-dimethyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\n2,6-dihydroxy-N-(2-methoxyethyl)-N,5′-dimethyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nN-(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl)-2,6-dihydroxy-N,5′-dimethyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\n2,6-dihydroxy-N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nN-(2-bromobenzyl)-2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\n2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nmethyl ((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)(methyl)carbamate;\nethyl ((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)(methyl)carbamate;\npropyl ((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)(methyl)carbamate;\nisopropyl ((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)(methyl)carbamate;\nneopentyl ((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)(methyl)carbamate;\nethyl ((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)carbamate;\ncyclopentyl ((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)(methyl)carbamate;\ncyclohexyl ((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)(methyl)carbamate;\nphenyl ((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)(methyl)carbamate;\nmethyl ((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)carbamate;\nmethyl ((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)(ethyl)carbamate;\nmethyl cyclopropyl((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)carbamate;\ncyclopentyl cyclopropyl((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)carbamate;\nN-((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)acetamide;\nN-((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)cyclopropanecarboxamide;\nN-((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)cyclopentanecarboxamide;\nN-((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxamide;\nN-((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)-N-methylacetamide;\nN-((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)-N-methylcyclopropanecarboxamide;\nN-((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)-N-methylcyclopentanecarboxamide;\nN-((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)-N-methylcyclohexanecarboxamide;\nN-cyclopropyl-N-((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)acetamide;\nN-((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)-N-phenylacetamide;\nN-(1-(2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)ethyl)acetamide;\nN-(1-(2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)ethyl)-N-methylacetamide;\n3-((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)-1,1-dimethylurea;\nN-((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)azetidine-1-carboxamide;\nN-((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)pyrrolidine-1-carboxamide;\nN-((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)piperidine-1-carboxamide;\n1-((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)-1,3,3-trimethylurea;\nN-((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)-N-methylazetidine-1-carboxamide;\nN-((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)-N-methylpyrrolidine-1-carboxamide;\nN-((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)-N-methylpiperidine-1-carboxamide;\n3-(1-(2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)ethyl)-1,1-dimethylurea;\n1-(1-(2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)ethyl)-1,3,3-trimethylurea;\nN-(1-(2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)ethyl)azetidine-1-carboxamide;\nN-(1-(2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)ethyl)-N-methylazetidine-1-carboxamide;\n2,6-dihydroxy-N,5′-dimethyl-4-propyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\n2,6-dihydroxy-N,5′-dimethyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\n2,6-dihydroxy-N-methoxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nN-ethyl-2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\n2,6-dihydroxy-N-isopropyl-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nN-acetyl-2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nN-cyclopropyl-2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nN-cyclopentyl-2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\n2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-N-(1-(trifluoromethyl)cyclopentyl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nN-cyclohexyl-2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\n2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-N-phenyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\n2,6-dihydroxy-N-(4-methoxyphenyl)-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\n2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-N-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nN-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nN-benzyl-2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\n2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-N-(pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\n2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-N-(pyrimidin-5-ylmethyl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nN-(3,4-dimethylisoxazol-5-yl)-2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\n2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-N-(oxazol-5-ylmethyl)-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nN-((1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)methyl)-2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nN-((1H-tetrazol-5-yl)methyl)-2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nmethyl 2-(2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-ylcarboxamido)acetate;\n(S)-methyl 2-(2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-ylcarboxamido)propanoate;\n(S)-methyl 2-(2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-ylcarboxamido)-3-phenylpropanoate;\n(S)-methyl 2-(2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-ylcarboxamido)-3-(1H-imidazol-5-yl)propanoate;\nN-allyl-2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\n2,6-dihydroxy-N,N,5′-trimethyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nN-cyclopropyl-2,6-dihydroxy-N,5′-dimethyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nN-cyclohexyl-2,6-dihydroxy-N,5′-dimethyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\n2,6-dihydroxy-N,5′-dimethyl-4-pentyl-N-phenyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nN-benzyl-2,6-dihydroxy-N,5′-dimethyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\n2,6-dihydroxy-N,5′-dimethyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-N-(pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nN-((1H-tetrazol-5-yl)methyl)-2,6-dihydroxy-N,5′-dimethyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\n2,6-dihydroxy-N-(isoxazol-3-ylmethyl)-N,5′-dimethyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\n(5,6-dihydro-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyrazin-7(8H)-yl)(2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methanone;\n(2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)methanone;\n1-(4-(2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carbonyl)piperazin-1-yl)ethan-1-one;\n(2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)(4-(methylsulfonyl)piperazin-1-yl)methanone;\n(2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)(1,1-dioxidothiomorpholino)methanone;\n(2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)(morpholino)methanone;\nmethyl (2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carbonyl)-D-prolinate;\n(2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)(pyrrolidin-1-yl)methanone;\n1-(2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carbonyl)pyrrolidin-3-one;\n(2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)(isoindolin-2-yl)methanone;\n(2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)(1H-indol-1-yl)methanone;\naziridin-1-yl(2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methanone;\n(2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)((S)-2-methylaziridin-1-yl)methanone;\n(2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)((R)-2-methylaziridin-1-yl)methanone;\nazetidin-1-yl(2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methanone;\n(3,3-difluoroazetidin-1-yl)(2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methanone;\nN,N-diethyl-2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nN-cyano-2,6-dihydroxy-N,5′-dimethyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\n2,6-dihydroxy-N-methoxy-N,5′-dimethyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nN-allyl-2,6-dihydroxy-N,5′-dimethyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\n2,6-dihydroxy-N-(2-methoxyethyl)-N,5′-dimethyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nN-(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl)-2,6-dihydroxy-N,5′-dimethyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\n2,6-dihydroxy-N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nN-(2-bromobenzyl)-2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\n2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\nmethyl ((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)(methyl)carbamate;\nethyl ((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)(methyl)carbamate;\npropyl ((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)(methyl)carbamate;\nisopropyl ((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)(methyl)carbamate;\nneopentyl ((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)(methyl)carbamate;\nethyl ((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)carbamate;\ncyclopentyl ((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)(methyl)carbamate;\ncyclohexyl ((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)(methyl)carbamate;\nphenyl ((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)(methyl)carbamate;\nmethyl ((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)carbamate;\nmethyl ((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)(ethyl)carbamate;\nmethyl cyclopropyl((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)carbamate;\ncyclopentyl cyclopropyl((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)carbamate;\nN-((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)acetamide;\nN-((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)cyclopropanecarboxamide;\nN-((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)cyclopentanecarboxamide;\nN-((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxamide;\nN-((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)-N-methylacetamide;\nN-((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)-N-methylcyclopropanecarboxamide;\nN-((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)-N-methylcyclopentanecarboxamide;\nN-((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)-N-methylcyclohexanecarboxamide;\nN-cyclopropyl-N-((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)acetamide;\nN-((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)-N-phenylacetamide;\nN-(1-(2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)ethyl)acetamide;\nN-(1-(2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)ethyl)-N-methylacetamide;\n3-((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)-1,1-dimethylurea;\nN-((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)azetidine-1-carboxamide;\nN-((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)pyrrolidine-1-carboxamide;\nN-((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)piperidine-1-carboxamide;\n1-((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)-1,3,3-trimethylurea;\nN-((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)-N-methylazetidine-1-carboxamide;\nN-((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)-N-methylpyrrolidine-1-carboxamide;\nN-((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)-N-methylpiperidine-1-carboxamide;\n3-(1-(2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)ethyl)-1,1-dimethylurea;\n1-(1-(2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)ethyl)-1,3,3-trimethylurea;\nN-(1-(2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)ethyl)azetidine-1-carboxamide;\nN-(1-(2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-pentyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)ethyl)-N-methylazetidine-1-carboxamide;\n2,6-dihydroxy-N,5′-dimethyl-2′-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-4-propyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide; and\ndimethyl ((2,6-dihydroxy-5′-methyl-4-propyl-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3,5-diyl)bis(methylene))bis(methylcarbamate).",
"11. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of claim 1 or an enantiomer, diastereomer, racemate, or tautomer thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or hydrate of the compound, enantiomer, diastereomer, racemate, or tautomer, together with a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, diluent, or carrier.",
"12. A method of treating a disease associated with a cannabinoid receptor in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a compound according to claim 1.",
"13. A method of treating a disease associated with a cannabinoid receptor in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a compound according to claim 1, wherein the disease is acute pain, ADHD/ADD, alcohol use disorder, allergic asthma, ALS, Alzheimer's, anorexia, anxiety disorders, social anxiety disorder, specific phobia, test anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, arthritis, atherosclerosis, autism, bipolar disorder, burns, cancer, cancer pain, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathies, chronic pain, chronic allograft nephropathy, cocaine use disorder, complex regional pain syndrome, congestive heart failure, depression, fibromyalgia, fragile X syndrome/FXTAS, frontotemporal dementias, gingivitis pyrexia, glaucoma, glioblastoma, glomerulonephropathy, Huntington's disease, hypertrophic scars, IBD/IBS, inflammation, Inflammatory myopathies, ischemia, kidney fibrosis, keloids, leukodystrophies, liver fibrosis, liver cirrhosis, lung fibrosis, migraine, multiple sclerosis, myocardial infarction, nausea, CINV, motion sickness, neuropathic pain, postherpetic neuralgia, painful diabetic neuropathy, nightmare disorder, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, obesity, obsessive-compulsive disorder, opioid sparing, opioid use disorder, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, Parkinson's, post-concussion syndrome/traumatic brain injury, psychosis/schizophrenia, PTSD, regulation of bone mass, REM sleep behaviour disorder, reperfusion injury, Rett syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, skin conditions, acne, psoriatic arthritis, sleep disorders, insomnia, RLS, spinocerebellar ataxias, systemic fibrosis, systemic sclerosis, thermal injury, tobacco use disorder/nicotine dependence, Tourette's, tumors, or trigeminal neuralgia.",
"14. A method of treating a disease associated with a cannabinoid receptor in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount thereof or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or hydrate of a compound according to claim 10.",
"15. A method of treating a disease associated with a cannabinoid receptor in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount thereof or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or hydrate of a compound according to claim 10, wherein the disease is acute pain, ADHD/ADD, alcohol use disorder, allergic asthma, ALS, Alzheimer's, anorexia, anxiety disorders, social anxiety disorder, specific phobia, test anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, arthritis, atherosclerosis, autism, bipolar disorder, burns, cancer, cancer pain, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathies, chronic pain, chronic allograft nephropathy, cocaine use disorder, complex regional pain syndrome, congestive heart failure, depression, fibromyalgia, fragile X syndrome/FXTAS, frontotemporal dementias, gingivitis pyrexia, glaucoma, glioblastoma, glomerulonephropathy, Huntington's disease, hypertrophic scars, IBD/IBS, inflammation, Inflammatory myopathies, ischemia, kidney fibrosis, keloids, leukodystrophies, liver fibrosis, liver cirrhosis, lung fibrosis, migraine, multiple sclerosis, myocardial infarction, nausea, CINV, motion sickness, neuropathic pain, postherpetic neuralgia, painful diabetic neuropathy, nightmare disorder, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, obesity, obsessive-compulsive disorder, opioid sparing, opioid use disorder, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, Parkinson's, post-concussion syndrome/traumatic brain injury, psychosis/schizophrenia, PTSD, regulation of bone mass, REM sleep behaviour disorder, reperfusion injury, Rett syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, skin conditions, acne, psoriatic arthritis, sleep disorders, insomnia, RLS, spinocerebellar ataxias, systemic fibrosis, systemic sclerosis, thermal injury, tobacco use disorder/nicotine dependence, Tourette's, tumors, or trigeminal neuralgia.",
"16. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or hydrate thereof claim 10 and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, diluent, or carrier.",
"17. A method of treating a disease associated with a cannabinoid receptor in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition according to claim 11.",
"18. A method of treating a disease associated with a cannabinoid receptor in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition according to claim 11, wherein the disease is acute pain, ADHD/ADD, alcohol use disorder, allergic asthma, ALS, Alzheimer's, anorexia, anxiety disorders, social anxiety disorder, specific phobia, test anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, arthritis, atherosclerosis, autism, bipolar disorder, burns, cancer, cancer pain, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathies, chronic pain, chronic allograft nephropathy, cocaine use disorder, complex regional pain syndrome, congestive heart failure, depression, fibromyalgia, fragile X syndrome/FXTAS, frontotemporal dementias, gingivitis pyrexia, glaucoma, glioblastoma, glomerulonephropathy, Huntington's disease, hypertrophic scars, IBD/IBS, inflammation, Inflammatory myopathies, ischemia, kidney fibrosis, keloids, leukodystrophies, liver fibrosis, liver cirrhosis, lung fibrosis, migraine, multiple sclerosis, myocardial infarction, nausea, CINV, motion sickness, neuropathic pain, postherpetic neuralgia, painful diabetic neuropathy, nightmare disorder, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, obesity, obsessive-compulsive disorder, opioid sparing, opioid use disorder, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, Parkinson's, post-concussion syndrome/traumatic brain injury, psychosis/schizophrenia, PTSD, regulation of bone mass, REM sleep behaviour disorder, reperfusion injury, Rett syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, skin conditions, acne, psoriatic arthritis, sleep disorders, insomnia, RLS, spinocerebellar ataxias, systemic fibrosis, systemic sclerosis, thermal injury, tobacco use disorder/nicotine dependence, Tourette's, tumors, or trigeminal neuralgia.",
"19. A method of treating a disease associated with a cannabinoid receptor in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition according to claim 16.",
"20. A method of treating a disease associated with a cannabinoid receptor in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition according to claim 16, wherein the disease is acute pain, ADHD/ADD, alcohol use disorder, allergic asthma, ALS, Alzheimer's, anorexia, anxiety disorders, social anxiety disorder, specific phobia, test anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, arthritis, atherosclerosis, autism, bipolar disorder, burns, cancer, cancer pain, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathies, chronic pain, chronic allograft nephropathy, cocaine use disorder, complex regional pain syndrome, congestive heart failure, depression, fibromyalgia, fragile X syndrome/FXTAS, frontotemporal dementias, gingivitis pyrexia, glaucoma, glioblastoma, glomerulonephropathy, Huntington's disease, hypertrophic scars, IBD/IBS, inflammation, Inflammatory myopathies, ischemia, kidney fibrosis, keloids, leukodystrophies, liver fibrosis, liver cirrhosis, lung fibrosis, migraine, multiple sclerosis, myocardial infarction, nausea, CINV, motion sickness, neuropathic pain, postherpetic neuralgia, painful diabetic neuropathy, nightmare disorder, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, obesity, obsessive-compulsive disorder, opioid sparing, opioid use disorder, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, Parkinson's, post-concussion syndrome/traumatic brain injury, psychosis/schizophrenia, PTSD, regulation of bone mass, REM sleep behaviour disorder, reperfusion injury, Rett syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, skin conditions, acne, psoriatic arthritis, sleep disorders, insomnia, RLS, spinocerebellar ataxias, systemic fibrosis, systemic sclerosis, thermal injury, tobacco use disorder/nicotine dependence, Tourette's, tumors, or trigeminal neuralgia."
] |
US12325709B2
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WO2019234728A1
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[
"1. A compound of the formula I:",
"X is the diradical , and Y is -0-, and together with X and the carbon atoms",
"to which they are attached form a dihydropyran ring,",
"or an enantiomer, diastereomer, racemate, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof,",
"Ri is absent, H, R5, or -C(O)-;",
"R2 is -CN, -C(0)NR7-, -C(0)N(R7)2, -C(0)S-R7, -C(S)N(R7)2, -CH2N(R7)2, or a 5- 6-membered aliphatic or aromatic heterocyclyl containing 1-3 heteroatoms;",
"R3 is -(Ci-Ci2)alkyl;",
"R4 is H, halogen, -NO, -N02, or -NH2;",
"R5 is -(Ci-Ci2)alkyl, -(Ci-Ci2)haloalkyl, -(C2-Ci2)alkenyl, -(C2-Ci2)alkynyl, -(C3- Cio)cycloalkyl, -(Ci-Ci2)alkyl-aryl, -(Ci-Ci2)alkyl-heterocyclyl, -C(0)-R6, -SiHn(R6)3-n, - BHn(R6)3-n, -S02-R6;",
"R6 is -(Ci-Ci2)alkyl, -(Ci-Ci2)haloalkyl, -(C6-Ci2)aryl, or -(C3-Ci2)heterocyclyl;",
"R7 each independently is H, -ORs, -N(R8)2, -N=C(R8)2, -NHC(0)R8, -NHC(S)R8, a 5-6-membered aliphatic or aromatic heterocyclic ring containing 1-3 heteroatoms, -(Ci- Ci2)alkyl, or phenyl, said alkyl and said phenyl each independently is optionally substituted with one or more groups each independently selected from -OH, -N(R9)2, - 0(Ci-Ci2)alkyl, -(C3-Cio)cycloalkyl, or -(C3-Ci2)heterocyclyl, or two R7 together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a 5- or 6-membered aliphatic or aromatic heterocyclic ring containing 1-3 heteroatoms; Rs each independently is H, -(Ci-Ci2)alkyl, -(Ci-Ci2)haloalkyl, -(C3-Cio)cycloalkyl, -(Ci-Ci2)alkyl-aryl, -(Ci-Ci2)alkyl-heterocyclyl, -(C6-Ci2)aryl, -(C3-Ci2)heterocyclyl, or - N(R9)2;",
"R9 each independently is H, -(Ci-Ci2)alkyl, -(Ci-Ci2)haloalkyl, -(C3-Cio)cycloalkyl, -(Ci-Ci2)alkyl-aryl, -(Ci-Ci2)alkyl-heterocyclyl, -(C6-Ci2)aryl, -(C3-Ci2)heterocyclyl; and n is an integer of 0 to 3,",
"provided that (i) when Ri is absent or -C(O)-, R2 is -C(0)NR7-, and Ri and R2 together with the atoms to which they are attached form a 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic ring; and (ii) when Ri is H or Rs, R2is not -C(0)NR7-.",
"2. The compound of claim 1, wherein Ri is absent, H, or -C(O)-.",
"3. The compound of claim 1, wherein R2 is -CN, -C(0)NR7-, -C(0)N(R7)2, -C(0)S- R7, -CH2N(R7)2, or a 5-6-membered aliphatic or aromatic heterocyclyl containing 1-3 heteroatoms.",
"4. The compound of claim 1, wherein R3 is -(Ci-C8)alkyl.",
"5. The compound of claim 4, wherein R3 is pentyl.",
"6. The compound of claim 1, wherein R4 is H, or halogen.",
"7. The compound of claim 1, wherein R5 is -(Ci-Cs)alkyl, or -(Ci-C8)haloalkyl.",
"8. The compound of claim 1, wherein:",
"R7 each independently is H, -ORs, -N(Rs)2, -N=C(Rs)2, -NHC(0)Rs, -(Ci-Cs)alkyl, or phenyl, said alkyl and said phenyl each independently is optionally substituted with one or more groups each independently selected from -OH, -N(R9)2, -0(Ci-Cs)alkyl, -(C3- Cio)cycloalkyl, or -(C3-Ci2)heterocyclyl, or two R7 together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a 5- or 6-membered aliphatic or aromatic heterocyclic ring containing 1-3 heteroatoms; and",
"Rs and R9 each independently is H, -(Ci-Cs)alkyl, -(Ci-Cs)haloalkyl, or -(C3- Cio)cycloalkyl.",
"9. The compound of claim 1, wherein:",
"Ri is absent, H, or -C(O)-; R2 is -CN, -C(0)NR7-, -C(0)N(R7)2, -C(0)S-R7, -CH2N(R7)2, or a 5-6-membered aliphatic or aromatic heterocyclyl containing 1-3 heteroatoms;",
"R7 each independently is H, -ORs, -N(R8)2, -N=C(R8)2, -NHC(0)Rs, -(Ci-Cs)alkyl, or phenyl, said alkyl and said phenyl each independently is optionally substituted with one or more groups each independently selected from -OH, -N(R9)2, -0(Ci-C8)alkyl, -(C3- Cio)cycloalkyl, or -(C3-Ci2)heterocyclyl, or two R7 together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a 5- or 6-membered aliphatic or aromatic heterocyclic ring containing 1-3 heteroatoms; and",
"Rs and R9 each independently is H, -(Ci-Cs)alkyl, -(Ci-Cs)haloalkyl, or -(C3- Cio)cycloalkyl.",
"10. The compound of claim 9, wherein R3 is pentyl.",
"11. The compound of claim 9, wherein Ri is H; and R2 is -CN, -C(0)N(R7)2, -C(0)S- R7, -CH2N(R7)2, or a 5-6-membered aliphatic or aromatic heterocyclyl containing 1-3 heteroatoms.",
"12. The compound of claim 9, wherein Ri is absent or -C(O)-; R2 is -C(0)NR7-, and Ri and R2 together with the atoms to which they are attached form a 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic ring.",
"13. The compound of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein:",
"X is the diradical\n; and",
"Y is -0-, and together with X and the carbon atoms to which they are attached form a dihydropyran ring.",
"14. The compound of claim 13, wherein:",
"(i) Ri is H; R2 is -C(0)N(R7)2; R3 is pentyl; R4 is H; and R7 each is H (herein identified compound Iai);",
"(ii) Ri is H; R2 is -C(0)N(R7)2; R3 is pentyl; R4 is H; one of R7 is H; and the other one of R7 is 2-methylpropyl (herein identified compound Ia2);",
"(iii) Ri is H; R2 is -C(0)N(R7)2; R3 is pentyl; R4 is H; one of R7 is H; and the other one of R7 is 2-hydroxyethyl (herein identified compound Ia3); (iv) Ri is H; R2 is -C(0)N(R7)2; R3 is pentyl; R4 is H; one of R7 is H; and the other one of R7 is 2-methoxyethyl (herein identified compound Ia4);",
"(v) Ri is H; R2 is -C(0)N(R7)2; R3 is pentyl; R4 is H; one of R7 is H; and the other one of R7 is cyclopropylmethyl (herein identified compound las);",
"(vi) Ri is H; R2 is -C(0)N(R7)2; R3 is pentyl; R4 is H; one of R7 is H; the other one of R7 is 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl (herein identified compound Ia6);",
"(vii) Ri is H; R2 is -C(0)N(R7)2; R3 is pentyl; R4 is H; one of R7 is H; the other one of R7 is 2-aminoethyl (herein identified compound Ia7);",
"(viii) Ri is H; R2 is -C(0)N(R7)2; R3 is pentyl; R4 is H; one of R7 is H; the other one of R7 is 2-(dimethylamino)propyl (herein identified compound lag);",
"(ix) Ri is H; R2 is -C(0)N(R7)2; R3 is pentyl; R4 is H; one of R7 is H; and the other one of R7 is 3-(4-morpholinyl)propyl (herein identified compound Ia9);",
"(x) Ri is H; R2 is -C(0)N(R7)2; R3 is pentyl; R4 is H; one of R7 is H; and the other one of R7 is 2-(4-morpholinyl)ethyl (herein identified compound Iaio);",
"(xi) Ri is H; R2 is -C(0)N(R7)2; R3 is pentyl; R4 is H; one of R7 is H; and the other one of R7 is 4-pyridinylmethyl (herein identified compound Ian);",
"(xii) Ri is H; R2 is -C(0)N(R7)2; R3 is pentyl; R4 is F; one of R7 is H; and the other one of R7 is cyclopropylmethyl (herein identified compound Ian);",
"(xiii) Ri is H; R2 is -C(0)N(R7)2; R3 is pentyl; R4 is H; one of R7 is H; the other one of R7 is -N(Rg)2; and Rg each is H (herein identified compound Iai3);",
"(xiv) Ri is H; R2 is -C(0)N(R7)2; R3 is pentyl; R4 is H; one of R7 is H; the other one of R7 is -NHC(0)Rg; and Rg is methyl (herein identified compound law);",
"(xv) Ri is H; R2 is -C(0)N(R7)2; R3 is pentyl; R4 is H; one of R7 is H; the other one of R7 is -NHC(0)Rg; Rg is -N(R9)2; one of R9 is H; and the other one of",
"R9 is adamantyl (herein identified compound Ian);",
"(xvi) Ri is H; R2 is -C(0)N(R7)2; R3 is pentyl; R4 is H; one of R7 is H; the other one of R7 is -N=C(Rg)2; one of Rg is H; and the other one of Rg is pyrimidin-2-yl (herein identified compound Ial6);",
"(xvii) Ri is H; R2 is -C(0)N(R7)2; R3 is pentyl; R4 is H; one of R7 is H; and the other one of R7 is 4-(4-morpholinyl)phenyl (herein identified compound Ian); (xviii) Ri is H; R2 is -C(0)N(R7)2; R3 is pentyl; R4 is H; one of R7 is H; the other one of R7 is -ORs; and Rs is H (herein identified compound Iais);",
"(xix) Ri is H; R2 is -C(0)N(R7)2; R3 is pentyl; R4 is H; and the two R7 together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form morpholinyl (herein identified compound Ial9);",
"(xx) Ri is H; R2 is -C(0)N(R7)2; R3 is pentyl; R4 is H; and the two R7 together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form imidazolyl (herein identified compound Ia2o);",
"(xxi) Ri is H; R2 is -CH2N(R7)2; R3 is pentyl; R4 is H; one of R7 is H; and the other one of R7 is 3-(4-morpholinyl)propyl (herein identified compound Ia2i);",
"(xxii) Ri is H; R2 is -CN; R3 is pentyl; and R4 is H (herein identified compound Ia22);",
"(xxiii) Ri is H; R2 is 2-imidazoline-2-yl; R3 is pentyl; R4 is H (herein identified compound Ia23);",
"(xxiv) Ri is H; R2 is 5-methyl-l,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl; R3 is pentyl; R4 is H (herein identified compound Ia24);",
"(xxv) Ri is H; R2 is -C(0)SR7; R3 is pentyl; R4 is H; and R7 is H (herein identified compound Ia2s);",
"(xxvi) Ri is -C(O)-; R2 is -C(0)NR7-; R3 is pentyl; R4 is H; and R7 is 2- methoxyethyl (herein identified compound Ibi); or",
"(xxvii) Ri is absent; R2 is -C(0)NR7-; R3 is pentyl; R4 is H; and R7 is H (herein identified compound Ici).",
"15. The compound of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein:",
"R5 is -(Ci-Cs)alkyl, or -(Ci-C8)haloalkyl.",
"16. The compound of claim 15, wherein Y is -OH.",
"17. The compound of claim 16, wherein: (i) Ri is H; R2 is -C(0)N(R7)2; R3 is pentyl; R4 is H; one of R7 is H; and the other one of R7 is 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl (herein identified compound Ia26);",
"(ii) Ri is H; R2 is -C(0)N(R7)2; R3 is pentyl; R4 is H; one of R7 is H; and the other one of R7 is 2-(pyrrolidine-l-yl)ethyl (herein identified compound Ia27);",
"(iii) Ri is H; R2 is -C(0)N(R7)2; R3 is pentyl; R4 is H; one of R7 is H; and the other one of R7 is 3-(morpholin-4-yl)propyl (herein identified compound Ia28);",
"(iv) Ri is H; R2 is -C(0)N(R7)2; R3 is pentyl; R4 is H; one of R7 is H; and the other one of R7 is 2-methylpropyl (herein identified compound Ia29);",
"(v) Ri is H; R2 is -C(0)N(R7)2; R3 is pentyl; R4 is H; one of R7 is H; the other one of R7 is -N(R8)2; and Rs each is H (herein identified compound Ia3o).",
"18. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound according to any one of claims 1 to 17, or an enantiomer, diastereomer, racemate, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.",
"19. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 18, comprising a compound selected from the herein identified compounds Iai-3o, Ibi, and Ici in Tables 2-3, or an enantiomer, diastereomer, racemate, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.",
"20. A compound according to any one of claims 1 to 17, or an enantiomer, diastereomer, racemate, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, for use in CB 1 and/or CB2 receptor activation.",
"21. A method for CB1 and/or CB2 receptor activation/deactivation in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to said subject a therapeutically effective amount of a compound according to any one of claims 1 to 17, or an enantiomer, diastereomer, racemate, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.",
"22. The method of claim 21, wherein said subject suffers from an inflammatory disease, pain or a condition associated therewith, brain or spinal cord disease, skin disease, immunological disease including autoimmune disease, neurologic disease, neurodegenerative disease or disorder, neuroinflammatory condition, or cancer.",
"23. The method of claim 22, wherein said cancer is adenocarcinoma including colon adenocarcinoma, prostate adenocarcinoma, and liver adenocarcinoma; carcinoma including esophagus carcinoma, pancreas ductal carcinoma, breast ductal carcinoma, and lung carcinoma; multiple myeloma; brain glioma, or brain glioblastoma."
] |
[
[
"1. A compound having the following structure (IE):\nor a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or stereoisomer thereof, wherein:\nG1 and G2 are each independently unsubstituted alkylene;\nG3 is unsubstituted C1-C12 alkylene;\nR1 and R2 are each independently C6-C24 alkyl;\nR3 is OR5, CN, —C(═O)OR4, —OC(═O)R4 or NR5C(═O)R4;\nR4 is C1-C12 alkyl; and\nR5 is H or C1-C6 alkyl.",
"2. The compound of claim 1, having the following structures (IG):\nwherein:\nR6 is, at each occurrence, H;\nn is an integer ranging from 2 to 12; and\ny and z are each independently integers ranging from 6 to 9.",
"3. The compound of claim 2, wherein n is 3, 4, 5 or 6.",
"4. The compound of claim 2, wherein y and z are each 6.",
"5. The compound of claim 2, wherein y and z are each 9.",
"6. The compound of claim 1, wherein R1 and R2 each, independently have the following structure:\nwherein:\nR7a and R7b are, at each occurrence, independently H or C1-C12 alkyl; and\na is an integer from 2 to 12,\nwherein R7a, R7b and a are each selected such that R1 and R2 each independently comprise from 6 to 20 carbon atoms.",
"7. The compound of claim 6, wherein a is an integer from 8 to 12.",
"8. The compound of claim 6, wherein at least one occurrence of R7a is H.",
"9. The compound of claim 6, wherein R7a is H at each occurrence.",
"10. The compound of claim 6, wherein at least one occurrence of R7b is C1-C8 alkyl.",
"11. The compound of claim 10, wherein C1-C8 alkyl is methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, iso-propyl, n-butyl, iso-butyl, tert-butyl, n-hexyl or n-octyl.",
"12. The compound of claim 1, wherein R1 or R2, or both, has one of the following structures:",
"13. The compound of claim 1, wherein R3 is OH.",
"14. The compound of claim 1, wherein R3 is CN.",
"15. The compound of claim 1, wherein R3 is —C(═O)OR4, —OC(═O)R4 or NHC(═O)R4.",
"16. The compound of claim 15, wherein R4 is methyl or ethyl.",
"17. The compound of claim 1, having one of the following structures:",
"18. A composition comprising the compound of claim 1 and a nucleic acid.",
"19. A method for administering a therapeutic nucleic acid to a patient in need thereof, the method comprising preparing or providing the composition of claim 18, and administering the composition to the patient.",
"20. The compound of claim 6, wherein a is an integer from 5 to 9.",
"21. The composition of claim 18, further comprising one or more excipient selected from neutral lipids, steroids and polymer conjugated lipids.",
"22. The composition of claim 21, wherein the composition comprises one or more neutral lipids selected from DSPC, DPPC, DMPC, DOPC, POPC, DOPE and SM.",
"23. The composition of claim 22, wherein the neutral lipid is DSPC.",
"24. The composition of claim 21, wherein the molar ratio of the compound to the neutral lipid ranges from about 2:1 to about 8:1.",
"25. The composition of claim 21, wherein the steroid is cholesterol.",
"26. The composition of claim 25, wherein the molar ratio of the compound to cholesterol ranges from 5:1 to 1:1.",
"27. The composition of claim 21, wherein the polymer conjugated lipid is a pegylated lipid.",
"28. The composition of claim 27, wherein the molar ratio of the compound to the pegylated lipid ranges from about 100:1 to about 20:1.",
"29. The composition of claim 27, wherein the pegylated lipid is PEG-DAG, PEG-PE, PEG-S-DAG, PEG-cer or a PEG dialkyoxypropylcarbamate.",
"30. The composition of claim 27, wherein the pegylated lipid has the following structure (II):\nor a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, tautomer or stereoisomer thereof, wherein:\nR8 and R9 are each independently a straight or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl chain containing from 10 to 30 carbon atoms, wherein the alkyl chain is optionally interrupted by one or more ester bonds; and\nw has a mean value ranging from 30 to 60.",
"31. The composition of claim 30, wherein R8 and R9 are each independently straight, saturated alkyl chains containing from 12 to 16 carbon atoms.",
"32. The composition of claim 30, wherein the average w is about 49.",
"33. The composition of claim 18, wherein the nucleic acid is selected from antisense and messenger RNA.",
"34. A lipid nanoparticle comprising the compound of claim 1 and a nucleic acid.",
"35. The lipid nanoparticle of claim 34, wherein the nucleic acid is selected from antisense and messenger RNA.",
"36. The lipid nanoparticle of claim 34, wherein the nucleic acid is messenger RNA.",
"37. The compound of claim 2, wherein n is 4.",
"38. The compound of claim 2, wherein n is 3.",
"39. The compound of claim 2, wherein R3 is OH."
],
[
"1. A compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, a stereoisomer, a tautomer, a solvate, a chelate, a non-covalent complex or a prodrug thereof,\nwherein\neach of A and B is independently one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of —O(C═O)—, —(C═O)O—, —C(═O)—, —O—, —S(O)—, —S—S—, —C(═O)S—, —SC(═O)—, —NRaC(═O)—, —C(═O)NRa—, —NRaOC(═O)—, —OC(═O)NRa—, —NRaOC(═O)NRa—, —NRaC(═O)NRa—, and —NRaC(═O)O—;\neach of R1, R2, R3 and R4 is each independently hydrogen or an alkyl group containing 1 to 16 carbon atoms, the alkyl group is optionally interrupted with at least one W, and each W is independently one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of —O(C═O)—, —(C═O)O—, —S—S—, —CH═CH—, —C(═O)—, —O—, —S(O)—, —C(═O)S—, —NRaC(═O)—, —NRaC(═O)NRa—, —C(═O)NRa—, —NRaOC(═O)—, —OC(═O)NRa—, and —NRaOC(═O)NRa—;\nR5 is hydrogen, a C1-12 alkyl group, or a C1-12 alkyl group substituted with a hydroxyl group at the end;\neach Ra is independently hydrogen or a hydrocarbyl group containing 1 to 24 carbon atoms;\neach of a, b, d and e is independently any integer ranging from 0 to 14;\neach c is independently 0 or 1;\npreferably, in the compound of formula (I),\neach of A and B is independently one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of —O(C═O)—, —(C═O)O—, —C(═O)—, —O—, —S(O)—, —S—S—, —C(═O)S—, —SC(═O)—, —NHC(═O)—, —C(═O)NH—, —NHC(═O)NH—, —OC(═O)NH—, and —NHC(═O)O—;\neach of R1, R2, R3 and R4 is independently hydrogen or an alkyl group containing 1 to 16 carbon atoms, the alkyl group is optionally interrupted with at least one W, and each W is independently one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of —O(C═O)—, —(C═O)O—, —S—S—, —CH═CH—, —C(═O)—, —O—, —S(O)—, —C(═O)S—, —NHC(═O)—, —NHC(═O)NH—, and —OC(═O)NH—;\nR5 is hydrogen, a C1-12 alkyl group or a C1-12 alkyl group substituted with a hydroxyl group at the end;\neach of a, b, d and e is independently any integer ranging from 0 to 14;\neach c is independently 0 or 1.",
"2. The compound, or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt, the stereoisomer, the tautomer, the solvate, the chelate, the non-covalent complex or the prodrug thereof according to claim 1, wherein the compound has a structure as represented by formula (I-1),",
"3. The compound, or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt, the stereoisomer, the tautomer, the solvate, the chelate, the non-covalent complex or the prodrug thereof according to claim 2, wherein the compound has a structure as represented by formula (I-1-1),\npreferably, R5 is a C1-12 alkyl group.",
"4. The compound, or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt, the stereoisomer, the tautomer, the solvate, the chelate, the non-covalent complex or the prodrug thereof according to claim 2, wherein the compound has a structure as represented by formula (I-1-2),\npreferably, the compound has a structure as represented by formula (I-1-2-1),\nwherein f is 0 or 1;\npreferably, the compound has a structure as represented by formula (I-1-2-2),\nwherein g is 3 or 4.",
"5. The compound, or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt, the stereoisomer, the tautomer, the solvate, the chelate, the non-covalent complex or the prodrug thereof according to claim 1, wherein the compound has a structure as represented by formula (I-2),\npreferably, e is 0 or 1.",
"6. The following compounds, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, stereoisomers, tautomers, solvates, chelates, non-covalent complexes or prodrugs thereof,",
"7. A lipid vector, comprising the compound of formula (I) or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt, the stereoisomer, the tautomer, the solvate, the chelate, the non-covalent complex or the prodrug thereof according to claim 1; wherein\npreferably, the lipid vector comprises a first lipid compound and a second lipid compound, wherein the first lipid compound comprises the compound of formula (I) or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt, the stereoisomer, the tautomer, the solvate, the chelate, the non-covalent complex or the prodrug thereof and a cationic lipid, the second lipid compound comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of an anionic lipid, a neutral lipid, a sterol and an amphiphilic lipid;\npreferably, the cationic lipid is at least one selected from the group consisting of DLinDMA, DODMA, DLin-MC2-MPZ, DLin-KC2-DMA, DOTAP, C12-200, DC-Chol and DOTMA;\nthe anionic lipid is at least one selected from the group consisting of phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidic acid, phosphatidylglycerol, DOPG and dimyristoylphosphatidylglycerol;\nthe neutral lipid is at least one selected from the group consisting of DOPE, DSPC, DPPC, DOPC, DPPG, POPC, POPE, DPPE, DMPE, DSPE and SOPE, or a lipid obtained by modifying the above neutral lipid with an anionic or cationic modifying group; and\nthe amphiphilic lipid is at least one selected from the group consisting of PEG-DMG, PEG-c-DMG, PEG-C14, PEG-c-DMA, PEG-DSPE, PEG-PE, a PEG-modified ceramide, a PEG-modified dialkylamine, a PEG-modified diacylglycerol, Tween-20, Tween-80, PEG-DPG, PEG-s-DMG, DAA, PEG-c-DOMG and GalNAc-PEG-DSG.",
"8. The lipid vector according to claim 7, wherein a molar ratio of the first lipid compound, the anionic lipid, the neutral lipid, the sterol and the amphiphilic lipid in the lipid vector is (20 to 65):(0 to 20):(5 to 25):(25 to 55):(0.3 to 15);\nwherein in the first lipid compound, a molar ratio of the compound of formula (I) or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt, the stereoisomer, the tautomer, the solvate, the chelate, the non-covalent complex or the prodrug thereof to the cationic lipid is (1 to 10):(0 to 10).",
"9. A nucleic acid lipid nanoparticle composition, comprising the compound or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt, the stereoisomer, the tautomer, the solvate, the chelate, the non-covalent complex or the prodrug thereof according to claim 1, and a nucleic acid drug;\npreferably, the nucleic acid drug is at least one selected from the group consisting of a DNA, an siRNA, an mRNA, a dsRNA, an antisense nucleic acid, an microRNA, an antisense microRNA, antagomir, an microRNA inhibitor, an microRNA agonist and an immunostimulatory nucleic acid; and\npreferably, a mass ratio of the nucleic acid drug to the compound or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt, the stereoisomer, the tautomer, the solvate, the chelate, the non-covalent complex or the prodrug thereof is 1:(3 to 40).",
"10. A pharmaceutical preparation, comprising the compound or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt, the stereoisomer, the tautomer, the solvate, the chelate, the non-covalent complex or the prodrug thereof according to claim 1, and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, carrier and diluent;\npreferably, the pharmaceutical preparation has a particle size of 30 to 500 nm; and\npreferably, an encapsulation efficiency of the nucleic acid drug in the pharmaceutical preparation is higher than 50%.",
"11. A nucleic acid lipid nanoparticle composition, comprising the lipid vector according to claim 7, and a nucleic acid drug;\npreferably, the nucleic acid drug is at least one selected from the group consisting of a DNA, an siRNA, an mRNA, a dsRNA, an antisense nucleic acid, an microRNA, an antisense microRNA, antagomir, an microRNA inhibitor, an microRNA agonist and an immunostimulatory nucleic acid; and\npreferably, a mass ratio of the nucleic acid drug to the lipid vector is 1:(3 to 40).",
"12. A pharmaceutical preparation, comprising the lipid vector according to claim 7, and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, carrier and diluent;\npreferably, the pharmaceutical preparation has a particle size of 30 to 500 nm; and\npreferably, an encapsulation efficiency of the nucleic acid drug in the pharmaceutical preparation is higher than 50%.",
"13. A pharmaceutical preparation, comprising the nucleic acid lipid nanoparticle composition according to claim 9, and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, carrier and diluent;\npreferably, the pharmaceutical preparation has a particle size of 30 to 500 nm; and\npreferably, an encapsulation efficiency of the nucleic acid drug in the pharmaceutical preparation is higher than 50%.",
"14. A lipid vector, comprising the compound of formula (I) or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt, the stereoisomer, the tautomer, the solvate, the chelate, the non-covalent complex or the prodrug thereof according to claim 6; wherein\npreferably, the lipid vector comprises a first lipid compound and a second lipid compound, wherein the first lipid compound comprises the compound of formula (I) or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt, the stereoisomer, the tautomer, the solvate, the chelate, the non-covalent complex or the prodrug thereof and a cationic lipid, the second lipid compound comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of an anionic lipid, a neutral lipid, a sterol and an amphiphilic lipid;\npreferably, the cationic lipid is at least one selected from the group consisting of DLinDMA, DODMA, DLin-MC2-MPZ, DLin-KC2-DMA, DOTAP, C12-200, DC-Chol and DOTMA;\nthe anionic lipid is at least one selected from the group consisting of phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidic acid, phosphatidylglycerol, DOPG and dimyristoylphosphatidylglycerol;\nthe neutral lipid is at least one selected from the group consisting of DOPE, DSPC, DPPC, DOPC, DPPG, POPC, POPE, DPPE, DMPE, DSPE and SOPE, or a lipid obtained by modifying the above neutral lipid with an anionic or cationic modifying group; and\nthe amphiphilic lipid is at least one selected from the group consisting of PEG-DMG, PEG-c-DMG, PEG-C14, PEG-c-DMA, PEG-DSPE, PEG-PE, a PEG-modified ceramide, a PEG-modified dialkylamine, a PEG-modified diacylglycerol, Tween-20, Tween-80, PEG-DPG, PEG-s-DMG, DAA, PEG-c-DOMG and GalNAc-PEG-DSG.",
"15. The lipid vector according to claim 14, wherein a molar ratio of the first lipid compound, the anionic lipid, the neutral lipid, the sterol and the amphiphilic lipid in the lipid vector is (20 to 65):(0 to 20):(5 to 25):(25 to 55):(0.3 to 15);\nwherein in the first lipid compound, a molar ratio of the compound of formula (I) or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt, the stereoisomer, the tautomer, the solvate, the chelate, the non-covalent complex or the prodrug thereof to the cationic lipid is (1 to 10):(0 to 10).",
"16. A nucleic acid lipid nanoparticle composition, comprising the compound or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt, the stereoisomer, the tautomer, the solvate, the chelate, the non-covalent complex or the prodrug thereof according to claim 6, and a nucleic acid drug;\npreferably, the nucleic acid drug is at least one selected from the group consisting of a DNA, an siRNA, an mRNA, a dsRNA, an antisense nucleic acid, an microRNA, an antisense microRNA, antagomir, an microRNA inhibitor, an microRNA agonist and an immunostimulatory nucleic acid; and\npreferably, a mass ratio of the nucleic acid drug to the compound or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt, the stereoisomer, the tautomer, the solvate, the chelate, the non-covalent complex or the prodrug thereof is 1:(3 to 40).",
"17. A pharmaceutical preparation, comprising the compound or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt, the stereoisomer, the tautomer, the solvate, the chelate, the non-covalent complex or the prodrug thereof according to claim 6, and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, carrier and diluent;\npreferably, the pharmaceutical preparation has a particle size of 30 to 500 nm; and\npreferably, an encapsulation efficiency of the nucleic acid drug in the pharmaceutical preparation is higher than 50%.",
"18. A nucleic acid lipid nanoparticle composition, comprising the lipid vector according to claim 14, and a nucleic acid drug;\npreferably, the nucleic acid drug is at least one selected from the group consisting of a DNA, an siRNA, an mRNA, a dsRNA, an antisense nucleic acid, an microRNA, an antisense microRNA, antagomir, an microRNA inhibitor, an microRNA agonist and an immunostimulatory nucleic acid; and\npreferably, a mass ratio of the nucleic acid drug to the lipid vector is 1:(3 to 40).",
"19. A pharmaceutical preparation, comprising the nucleic acid lipid nanoparticle composition according to claim 14, and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, carrier and diluent;\npreferably, the pharmaceutical preparation has a particle size of 30 to 500 nm; and\npreferably, an encapsulation efficiency of the nucleic acid drug in the pharmaceutical preparation is higher than 50%.",
"20. A pharmaceutical preparation, comprising the nucleic acid lipid nanoparticle composition according to claim 16, and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, carrier and diluent;\npreferably, the pharmaceutical preparation has a particle size of 30 to 500 nm; and\npreferably, an encapsulation efficiency of the nucleic acid drug in the pharmaceutical preparation is higher than 50%."
],
[
"1. A compound having the formula\nor a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.",
"2. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound of claim 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.",
"3. A method of treating multiple sclerosis in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of the compound of claim 1.",
"4. A method of treating multiple sclerosis in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of the composition of claim 2."
],
[
"1. A pharmaceutical composition for human or veterinary use, containing a therapeutically effective amount of palmitoylethanolamide in the ultra-micronized form, wherein more than 90% by weight of palmitoylethanolamide has particle sizes lower than 6 microns, together with pharmaceutically acceptable excipients and wherein said palmitoylethanolamide has an MDSC spectrum with exothermal transition at temperatures ranging between 101° C. and 103° C. and a spectrum XRD as reported in the following table:\nPeak [2-Theta(°)] 6.155 8.194 12.271 18.438 20.844 21.780 22.532 24.003 25.256 31.289 36.770 38.759.",
"2. The composition according to claim 1, wherein about 99.9% by weight of palmitoylethanolamide has particle sizes lower than 6 microns.",
"3. The composition according to claim 1, wherein between 55% and 65% by weight of palmitoylethanolamide has particle sizes lower than 2 microns.",
"4. The composition according to claim 1, wherein between 13% and 17% by weight, of palmitoylethanolamide has particle sizes lower than 1 microns.",
"5. The composition according to claim 1, wherein between 1% and 3% by weight of palmitoylethanolamide has particle sizes lower than 0.6 microns.",
"6. The composition according to claim 1, wherein said palmitoylethanolamide is in combination with an antioxidant compound.",
"7. The composition according to claim 6, wherein said antioxidant is selected from Quercetin, Resveratrol, Polydatin, Luteolin, Tocopherol, and Thioctic Acid.",
"8. A method for the micronization of palmitoylethanolamide, wherein said method is carried out in fluid jet plant and wherein said palmitoylethanolamide has an MDSC spectrum with exothermal transition at temperatures ranging between 101° C. and 103° C. and a spectrum XRD as reported in the following table:\nPeak [2-Theta(°)] 6.155 8.194 12.271 18.438 20.844 21.780 22.532 24.003 25.256 31.289 36.770 38.759.",
"9. The method according to claim 8, wherein said fluid jet plant operates with “spiral technology” with pressurized air jet.",
"10. The method according to claim 8, wherein said method operates at a pressure of 10-12 bars of the fluid jet, and with a product feeding of 9-12 Kg/h.",
"11. The method according to claim 8, wherein said plant comprises a micronization chamber of about 300 mm diameter.",
"12. The method according to claim 8, wherein the palmitoylethanolamide is crystallized in the presence of a vinyl polymer before the ultra-micronization step.",
"13. The method according to claim 12, wherein said vinyl polymer is polyvinylpyrrolidone.",
"14. The method according to claim 12, wherein said crystallization is carried out in ethanol.",
"15. The method according to claim 8, wherein the ratio between N-palmitoylethanolamide and polyvinylpyrrolidone is about 30:1.",
"16. Ultra-micronized palmitoylethanolamide, as it can be obtained with the method according to claim 8.",
"17. The composition according to claim 1, wherein more than 99% by weight of palmitoylethanolamide has particle sizes lower than 6 microns.",
"18. The composition according to claim 1, wherein between 59% and 60% by weight of palmitoylethanolamide has particle sizes lower than 2 microns.",
"19. The composition according to claim 1, wherein between 14% and 15% by weight, of palmitoylethanolamide has particle sizes lower than 1 microns.",
"20. The composition according to claim 1, wherein about 2% by weight of palmitoylethanolamide has particle sizes lower than 0.6 microns."
],
[
"1. A liquid or a powder coating composition comprising a polymer containing one or more segments of the below Formula Z′:\nwherein:\nx and y may be the same or different, and are each an integer from 1 to 3;\nR1 and R5 may be the same or different and independently are monovalent atoms or monovalent organic groups, and may contain heteroatoms;\nR3 is a divalent organic group that may contain heteroatoms; and\neach of A and B include an amido group linked to the R3 group through a nitrogen atom or carbonyl group,\nwherein the polymer is made from reacting ingredients including a diepoxide having one or more segments of Formula Z′ and an extender having groups that react with oxirane rings of the diepoxide, wherein the extender is a compound of the Formula E:\nwherein:\nv is 0 to 4;\neach R, if present, is preferably independently an atom or group having at atomic weight of at least 15 Daltons; and\ntwo or more R groups can optionally join to form one or more cyclic groups.",
"2. The coating composition of claim 1, wherein the polymer is made from reacting ingredients including a polyphenol having one or more segments of Formula Z′ and an epoxide.",
"3. The coating composition according to claim 1, wherein the polymer includes —CH2—CH(OH)—CH2— or —CH2— CH2—CH(OH)— segments.",
"4. The coating composition of claim 1, wherein A and B are the same, and are arranged in mirror image fashion with respect to R3.",
"5. The coating composition of claim 1, wherein A is a segment of:\nand B is a segment of:\nwherein:\nm and n may be the same or different, and are 0 or 1; and\nR2 and R4 may be the same or different and when present independently are divalent aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, or aromatic organic groups that may be linear or branched, may contain heteroatoms, and when R2 and R4 in Formula Z′ are divalent linear or branched aliphatic groups then R2 and R4 contain 1 to 12 carbon atoms.",
"6. The coating composition according to claim 1, wherein the polymer is an epoxy-terminated or phenoxy-terminated polyether.",
"7. The coating composition according to claim 1, wherein the segments of Formula Z′ have a molecular weight of up to about 1500 Daltons (Da).",
"8. The coating composition according to claim 1, wherein the segments of Formula Z′ have a molecular weight of up to about 500 Da.",
"9. The coating composition according to claim 1, wherein the polymer has air oxidizable unsaturated groups.",
"10. The coating composition according to claim 1, wherein the polymer is a polyether, polyester, polyurethane, polycarbonate, or phenolic resin.",
"11. The coating composition according to claim 1, wherein the polymer is a polyether and includes a plurality of segments of Formula Z′.",
"12. The coating composition according to claim 1, wherein the coating composition is substantially free of bisphenol A and bisphenol F.",
"13. The coating composition according to claim 1, wherein the coating composition once cured comprises less than 50 ppm global migratories.",
"14. The coating composition according to claim 1, wherein the coating composition is a powder coating composition.",
"15. The coating composition according to claim 1, wherein the coating composition further comprises:\na lubricant that facilitates manufacture of fabricated metal articles by imparting lubricity to a metal substrate coated by the coating composition;\nan optional pigment;\na curing agent; and\nan optional catalyst to increase the rate of cure.",
"16. The coating composition according to claim 1, wherein the coating composition comprises at least 50 wt. % of the polymer based on the total weight of the non-volatile components of the coating composition.",
"17. The coating composition according to claim 1, wherein the polymer has a number average molecular weight of at least 3,000 Mn.",
"18. The coating composition according to claim 1, wherein the coating composition further comprises a liquid carrier, and wherein the liquid carrier comprises an aqueous solvent.",
"19. The coating composition according to claim 1, wherein the coating composition once cured on a metal substrate exhibits an adhesion rating of 10 as determined according to ASTM D3359.",
"20. The coating composition according to claim 1, wherein the coating composition once cured on a metal substrate exhibits a wedge bend test result of at least 75%.",
"21. A powder coating composition comprising a polymer made from reacted ingredients including an α, Ω telechelic di(amido(alkyl)phenol) that includes either a N—N′ hydroxybenzyl diamide or a C—C′ hydroxybenzyl diamide group, or a diepoxide thereof, wherein the coating composition is substantially free of bisphenol A, bisphenol F, and epoxides thereof, wherein the polymer includes —CH2—CH(OH)—CH2— or —CH2—CH2—CH(OH)— segments.",
"22. The coating composition according to claim 21, wherein the polymer is made from reacted ingredients including the α, Ω telechelic di(amido(alkyl)phenol) and epichlorohydrin.",
"23. The coating composition according to claim 21, wherein the α, Ω telechelic di(amido(alkyl)phenol) is reacted in the presence of a molar excess of the epichlorohydrin.",
"24. The coating composition according to claim 21, wherein the polymer is an epoxy-terminated or phenoxy-terminated polyether.",
"25. The coating composition according to claim 21, wherein the polymer has air oxidizable unsaturated groups.",
"26. The coating composition according to claim 21, wherein the polymer is free radically curable.",
"27. The coating composition according to claim 21, wherein the polymer is a polyether, polyester, polyurethane, polycarbonate or phenolic resin.",
"28. A liquid or a powder coating composition comprising:\na polymer made from reacted ingredients including a polyphenol having the below Formula (I), a polypheonol having the below Formula (II), or a diepoxide thereof:\nwherein:\nx and y may be the same or different, and are each an integer from 1 to 3;\nm and n may be the same or different with n being 0 or 1, and m being 1;\nR1 and R5 may be the same or different and independently are monovalent atoms or monovalent organic groups which may contain heteroatoms;\nR2 and R4 may be the same or different and when present independently are divalent aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, or aromatic organic groups that may be linear or branched, may contain heteroatoms, and when R2 and R4 in Formula I are divalent linear or branched aliphatic groups then R2 and R4 contain 1 to 12 carbon atoms; and\nR3 is a divalent organic group that may contain heteroatoms, wherein the polymer includes —CH2—CH(OH)—CH2— or —CH2—CH2—CH(OH)— segments.",
"29. The coating composition according to claim 28, wherein the polyphenol has Formula I.",
"30. The coating composition according to claim 28, wherein the polyphenol has Formula II.",
"31. The coating composition according to claim 28, wherein x and y are 1 and R1 and R5 are hydrogen.",
"32. The coating composition according to claim 28, wherein R3 is a divalent linear aliphatic group.",
"33. The coating composition according to claim 28, wherein R2 and R4 are independently a divalent linear aliphatic organic groups that contains 1 to 12 carbon atoms.",
"34. The coating composition according to claim 28, wherein the polymer is made from a para-cresol-terminated diamide of Formula I having the formula:\nin which x and y in Formula I are 1, m and n are 1, R1 and R5 are hydrogen and R3 is the decylene radical —(CH2)10—, or wherein the polymer is made from a para-cresol-terminated diamide of Formula I having the formula:\nin which x and y in Formula I are 1, m and n are 1, R1 and R5 are hydrogen and R3 is the radical —(CH2)3O(CH2)2O(CH2)3—.",
"35. The coating composition according to claim 28, wherein the coating composition further comprises:\na lubricant that facilitates manufacture of fabricated metal articles by imparting lubricity to a coating on a metal substrate formed from the coating composition;\nan optional pigment;\na curing agent; and\nan optional catalyst to increase the rate of cure.",
"36. The coating composition according to claim 28, wherein the coating composition further comprises a liquid carrier, and wherein the liquid carrier comprises one or more organic solvents or water.",
"37. The coating composition according to claim 28, wherein the polymer is formed by reacting a polyphenol of Formula (I) or (II) with a molar excess of epichlorohydrin.",
"38. The coating composition according to claim 28, wherein the coating composition is substantially free of bisphenol A and bisphenol F."
],
[
"1. A pharmaceutical composition comprising:\n(a) a mRNA comprising a coding sequence encoding a coronavirus spike (S) protein or an antigenic fragment thereof; and\n(b) a lipid nanoparticle carrier comprising:\n(i) a cationic lipid with the formula III:\nor a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, tautomer or stereoisomer thereof, wherein:\nL1 and L2 are each independently —O(C═O)—, —(C═O)O—, —C(═O)—, —O—, —S(O)x—, —S—S—, —C(═O)S—, —SC(═O)—, —NRaC(═O)—, —C(═O)NRa—, —NRaC(═O)NRa—, —OC(═O)NRa— or —NRaC(═O)O—;\nG1 and G2 are each independently unsubstituted C1-C12 alkylene or C1-C12 alkenylene;\nG3 is C1-C24 alkylene, C1-C24 alkenylene, C3-C8 cycloalkylene, or C3-C8 cycloalkenylene;\nRa is, at each occurrence, independently H or C1-C12, alkyl;\nR1 and R2 are each independently C6-C24 alkyl or C6-C24 alkenyl;\nR3 is OR5, CN, —C(═O)OR4, —OC(═O)R4 or —NR5C(═O)R4;\nR4 is C1-C12 alkyl;\nR5 is H or C1-C6 alkyl; and\nx is 0, 1 or 2; or\n(ii) a PEG lipid with the formula (IV)\nwherein:\nR8 and R9 are each independently a straight or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl chain containing from 10 to 30 carbon atoms, wherein the alkyl chain is optionally interrupted by one or more ester bonds; and\nw has a mean value ranging from 30 to 60; or\n(iii) a cationic lipid with the formula I:\nor a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, tautomer or stereoisomer thereof, wherein:\nL1 and L2 are each independently —O(C═O)—, —(C═O)O— or a carbon-carbon double bond;\nR1a and R1b are, at each occurrence, independently either (a) H or C1-C12, alkyl, or (b) R1a is H or C1-C12, alkyl, and R1b together with the carbon atom to which it is bound is taken together with an adjacent R1b and the carbon atom to which it is bound to form a carbon-carbon double bond;\nR2a and R2b are, at each occurrence, independently either (a) H or C1-C12, alkyl, or (b) R2a is H or C1-C12, alkyl, and R2b together with the carbon atom to which it is bound is taken together with an adjacent R2b and the carbon atom to which it is bound to form a carbon-carbon double bond;\nR1a and R3b are, at each occurrence, independently either (a) H or C1-C12, alkyl, or (b) R1a is H or C1-C12, alkyl, and R3b together with the carbon atom to which it is bound is taken together with an adjacent R3b and the carbon atom to which it is bound to form a carbon-carbon double bond;\nR4a and R4b are, at each occurrence, independently either (a) H or C1-C12, alkyl, or (b) R4a is H or C1-C12, alkyl, and R4b together with the carbon atom to which it is bound is taken together with an adjacent R4b and the carbon atom to which it is bound to form a carbon-carbon double bond;\nR5 and R6 are each independently methyl or cycloalkyl;\nR7 is, at each occurrence, independently H or C1-C12, alkyl;\nR8 and R9 are each independently C1-C12, alkyl; or R8 and R9, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, form a 5, 6 or 7-membered heterocyclic ring comprising one nitrogen atom;\na and d are each independently an integer from 0 to 24;\nb and c are each independently an integer from 1 to 24; and\ne is 1 or 2; or\n(iv) a cationic liquid with the formula H:\nor a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, tautomer or stereoisomer thereof, wherein:\nL1 and L2 are each independently —O(C═O)—, —(C═O)O—, —C(═O)—, —O—, —S—S—, —C(═O)S—, —SC(═O)—, —NRaC(═O)—, —C(═O)NRa—, —NRaC(═O)NRa—, —OC(═O)NRa—, —NRaC(═O)O—, or a direct bond;\nG1 is C1-C2 alkylene, —(C═O)—, —O(C═O)—, —SC(═O)—, —NRaC(═O)— or a direct bond\nG2 is —C(═O)—, —(C═O)O—, —C(═O)S—, —C(═O)NRa— or a direct bond;\nG3 is C1-C6 alkylene;\nRa is, at each occurrence, independently H or C1-C12 alkyl;\nR1a and R16 are, at each occurrence, independently either: (a) H or C1-C12 alkyl; or (b) R1a is H or C1-C12, alkyl, and R1b together with the carbon atom to which it is bound is taken together with an adjacent R1b and the carbon atom to which it is bound to form a carbon-carbon double bond;\nR2a and R2b are, at each occurrence, independently either: (a) H or C1-C12, alkyl; or (b) R2a is H or C1-C12, alkyl, and R2b together with the carbon atom to which it is bound is taken together with an adjacent R2b and the carbon atom to which it is bound to form a carbon-carbon double bond;\nR1a and R3b are, at each occurrence, independently either: (a) H or C1-C12, alkyl; or (b) R1a is H or C1-C12, alkyl, and R3b together with the carbon atom to which it is bound is taken together with an adjacent R3b and the carbon atom to which it is bound to form a carbon-carbon double bond;\nR4a and R4b are, at each occurrence, independently either: (a) H or C1-C12, alkyl; or (b) R4a is H or C1-C12, alkyl, and R4b together with the carbon atom to which it is bound is taken together with an adjacent R4b and the carbon atom to which it is bound to form a carbon-carbon double bond;\nR5 and R6 are each independently H or methyl;\nR7 is C4-C20 alkyl;\nR8 and R9 are each independently C1-C12, alkyl; or R8 and R9, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, form a 5, 6 or 7-membered heterocyclic ring;\na, b, c and d are each independently an integer from 1 to 24; and\nx is 0, 1 or 2.",
"2. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein the mRNA does not comprise a nucleoside having a base modification.",
"3. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein the coding sequence of the mRNA consists of A, U, G and C nucleosides.",
"4. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein the mRNA comprises at least one chemical modification that is a nucleoside modification",
"5. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein the mRNA comprises a 1-methylpseudouridine substitution.",
"6. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein the mRNA is encapsulated in or associated with said lipid nanoparticle.",
"7. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein the mRNA coding sequence encodes a coronavirus S protein.",
"8. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein the mRNA coding sequence encodes an antigenic fragment of a coronavirus S protein.",
"9. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein the coronavirus S protein is from a SARS coronavirus.",
"10. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein the lipid nanoparticle comprises the cationic lipid of any one of formulae (I), (II), and (III); and additionally comprises:\n(a) a PEG lipid with the formula (IV):\nwherein:\nR8 and R9 are each independently a straight or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl chain containing from 10 to 30 carbon atoms, wherein the alkyl chain is optionally interrupted by one or more ester bonds; and\nw has a mean value ranging from 30 to 60; or\n(b) a pegylated diacylglycerol (PEG-DAG).",
"11. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 10, comprising a PEG lipid with the formula (IV):\nwherein:\nR8 and R9 are each independently a straight or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl chain containing from 10 to 30 carbon atoms, wherein the alkyl chain is optionally interrupted by one or more ester bonds; and\nw has a mean value ranging from 30 to 60.",
"12. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 10, comprising a pegylated diacylglycerol (PEG-DAG).",
"13. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 12, wherein the PEG-DAG is a pegylated 1-(monomethoxy-polyethyleneglycol)-2,3-dimyristoylglycerol (PEG-DMG).",
"14. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein the lipid nanoparticle comprises a cationic lipid selected from the structures I-1 to I-41, II-1 to II-34 and III-1 to III-36:\nNo. Structure I-1\nI-2\nI-3\nI-4\nI-5\nI-6\nI-7\nI-8\nI-9\nI-10\nI-11\nI-12\nI-13\nI-14\nI-15\nI-16\nI-17\nI-18\nI-19\nI-20\nI-21\nI-22\nI-23\nI-24\nI-25\nI-26\nI-27\nI-28\nI-29\nI-30\nI-31\nI-32\nI-33\nI-34\nI-35\nI-36\nI-37\nI-38\nI-39\nI-40\nI-41\nor\nNo. Structure II-1\nII-2\nII-3\nII-4\nII-5\nII-6\nII-7\nII-8\nII-9\nII-10\nII-11\nII-12\nII-13\nII-14\nII-15\nII-16\nII-17\nII-18\nII-19\nII-20\nII-21\nII-22\nII-23\nII-24\nII-25\nII-26\nII-27\nII-28\nII-29\nII-30\nII-31\nII-32\nII-33\nII-34\nII-35\nII-36\nor\nNo. Structure III-1\nIII-2\nIII-3\nIII-4\nIII-5\nIII-6\nIII-7\nIII-8\nIII-9\nIII-10\nIII-11\nIII-12\nIII-13\nIII-14\nIII-15\nIII-16\nIII-17\nIII-18\nIII-19\nIII-20\nIII-21\nIII-22\nIII-23\nIII-24\nIII-25\nIII-26\nIII-27\nIII-28\nIII-29\nIII-30\nIII-31\nIII-32\nIII-33\nIII-34\nIII-35\nIII-36",
"15. The composition of claim 1, wherein in the PEG lipid R8 and R9 are saturated alkyl chains.",
"16. The lipid nanoparticle according to claim 14, wherein the PEG lipid is\nwherein n is an integer selected such that the average molecular weight of the PEG lipid is about 2500 g/mol.",
"17. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein the lipid nanoparticle comprises the cationic lipid of formula (I), (II) or (III), DSPC, cholesterol and a PEG-lipid.",
"18. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein the mRNA sequence additionally comprises:\na) a 5′-CAP structure;\nb) a poly(A) sequence;\nc) a poly (C) sequence; or\nd) two or more of a), b) and c).",
"19. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein the mRNA sequence additionally comprises at least one histone stem loop.",
"20. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 19, wherein the mRNA sequence comprises, in 5′ to 3′-direction, the following elements:\na) a 5′ m7GpppN CAP structure,\nb) a coding sequence encoding a coronavirus S protein or an antigenic fragment thereof,\nc) a poly(A) sequence of 10 to 200 adenosine nucleotides,\nd) optionally a poly(C) sequence, and\ne) optionally a histone stem-loop.",
"21. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 20, wherein the mRNA sequence comprises, in 5′ to 3′-direction, the following elements:\na) a 5′ CAP1 structure,\nb) a coding sequence encoding a coronavirus S protein or an antigenic fragment thereof,\nc) a 3′-UTR element comprising a sequence from an alpha globin gene;\nd) a poly(A) sequence of 10 to 200 adenosine nucleotides,\ne) a poly(C) sequence of 10 to 200 cytosine nucleotides, and\nf) a histone stem-loop.",
"22. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein the mRNA sequence comprises, in 5′ to 3′-direction, the following elements:\na) a 5′ CAP1 structure,\nb) a 5′-UTR element which comprises a nucleic acid sequence from the 5′-UTR of a TOP gene;\nc) a coding sequence encoding a coronavirus S protein or an antigenic fragment thereof,\nd) a 3′-UTR sequence;\ne) optionally, a histone stem-loop; and\nf) a poly(A) sequence of 10 to 200 adenosine nucleotides.",
"23. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 22, wherein (b) the 5′-UTR sequence is a sequence from a HSD17B4 gene 5′-UTR.",
"24. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein the lipid nanoparticle comprises the cationic lipid of formula (I).",
"25. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein the lipid nanoparticle comprises the cationic lipid of formula (II).",
"26. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein the lipid nanoparticle comprises the cationic lipid of formula (III).",
"27. A method of treating or preventing a disease or disorder in a subject in need thereof comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition of claim 1.",
"28. A method for raising an immune response in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition of claim 1."
],
[
"1. A flavour composition comprising N-oleoyl-valine, or an edible salt thereof selected from acetates, carbonates, chlorides, citrates, gluconates, lactates, phosphonates, and sodium; and at least one flavour co-ingredient.",
"2. The flavour composition according to claim 1 comprising an ingredient selected from the group consisting of sugars, fats, salt, MSG, calcium ions, phosphate ions, organic acids, proteins, purines and mixtures thereof.",
"3. The flavour composition according to claim 1 further comprising a carrier material and an adjuvant.",
"4. The flavour composition according to claim 3 wherein the adjuvant is an anti-oxidant.",
"5. The flavour composition according to claim 1 in the form of an emulsion.",
"6. The flavour composition according to claim 1 in the form of a powder.",
"7. The flavor composition according to claim 6 wherein the powder is formed by spray drying.",
"8. An edible composition comprising the flavour composition according to claim 1.",
"9. A caloric or non-caloric beverage comprising the flavour composition according to claim 1.",
"10. The caloric or non-caloric beverage according to claim 8 containing carbohydrate sweeteners, selected from sucrose, high fructose corn syrup, fructose and glucose, or high intensity, non-nutritive sweeteners selected from aspartame, acesulfame K, sucralose, cyclamate, sodium saccharin, neotame, rebaudioside A, and/or other stevia-based sweeteners.",
"11. An edible constituent composition adapted to be added to or to form part of an edible composition selected from a foodstuff and a beverage composition, the edible constituent composition comprising N-oleoyl-valine, wherein the N-oleoyl-valine accentuates the existing flavor or existing mouth feel characteristics of an edible composition selected from a foodstuff composition and a beverage composition comprising at least one flavor co-ingredient, when the N-oleoyl-valine is incorporated in the edible composition in an amount of 1 ppb-10 ppm.",
"12. An edible composition selected from a foodstuff and a beverage composition, the edible constituent position comprising:\nN-oleoyl-valine in an amount of 1 ppb-10 ppm; and\nat least one flavor co-ingredient,\nwherein the N-oleoyl-valine accentuates the existing flavor or existing mouth feel characteristics of the edible composition."
],
[
"1. A compound of a formula (I-2), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, stereoisomer, or chelate thereof,\nwherein\nA1, A2, A3, A4 and A5 are each independently one or more of —O(C═O)—, —(C═O)O—, —O—, —S—S—, —NRaC(═O), or —C(═O)NRa—;\nB1, B2, B3 and B4 are each independently C1-8 alkylene;\nB5 and B6 are each independently C1-8 alkylene;\nR1 and R2 are each independently C4-8 branched alkyl;\nR3 is hydrogen, hydroxyl, hydroxyl-substituted alkyl or 5- to 7-membered heterocyclyl; wherein the 5- to 7-membered heterocyclic group is optionally substituted by C1-4 alkyl, and contains 1 to 4 ring-forming heteroatoms, and the heteroatoms are each independently N, O or S;\nRa is hydrogen or C1-8 alkyl; and\nb and c are each independently 0 or 1.",
"2. The compound or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt, stereoisomer, or chelate thereof according to claim 1, wherein R3 is hydroxyl or hydroxyl-substituted alkyl.",
"3. The compound or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt, stereoisomer, or chelate thereof according to claim 2, wherein the compound is selected from any one of the following compounds:",
"4. The compound or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt, stereoisomer, or chelate thereof according to claim 2, wherein the compound has a structure shown in formula (I-2-2):",
"5. The compound or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt, stereoisomer, or chelate thereof according to claim 1, wherein\nthe compound has a structure shown in a formula (I-2-3):",
"6. The compound or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt, stereoisomer, or chelate thereof according to claim 1, wherein R3 is hydrogen and c is 1.",
"7. A compound selected from the group consisting of any one of the following compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, stereoisomer, or chelate thereof:",
"8. A lipid carrier, comprising the compound or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt, stereoisomer, or chelate thereof according to claim 1;\nwherein the lipid carrier comprises a first lipid component and a second lipid component, wherein the first lipid component comprises the compound of claim 1 or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt, stereoisomer, or chelate thereof and a cationic lipid, and the second lipid component comprises one or a combination of two or more of anionic lipid, neutral lipid, sterol and amphiphilic lipid;\nwherein the cationic lipid comprises one or a combination of two or more of DLinDMA, DODMA, DLin-MC2-MPZ, DLin-KC2-DMA, DOTAP, C12-200, DC-Chol and DOTMA;\nthe anionic lipid comprises one or a combination of two or more of phosphatidyl serine, phosphatidyl inositol, phosphatidic acid, phosphatidyl glycerol, DOPG, DOPS and dimyristoyl phosphatidylglycerol;\nthe neutral lipid comprises at least one of DOPE, DSPC, DPPC, DOPC, DPPG, POPC, POPE, DPPE, DMPE, DSPE and SOPE or its lipid modified by an anionic or cationic modifying group;\nthe amphiphilic lipid comprises one or a combination of two or more of PEG-DMG, PEG-c-DMG, PEG-C14, PEG-c-DMA, PEG-DSPE, PEG-PE, PEG-modified ceramide, PEG-modified dialkylamine, PEG-modified diacylglycerol, Tween-20, Tween-80, PEG-DPG, PEG-s-DMG, DAA, PEG-c-DOMG and GalNAc-PEG-DSG;\nwherein in the lipid carrier, a molar ratio of the first lipid component to the anionic lipid to the neutral lipid to the sterol to the amphiphilic lipid is (20-65):(0-20):(5-25):(25-55):(0.3-15); or\nwherein in the first lipid component, a molar ratio of the compound or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt, stereoisomer, or chelate thereof according to claim 1 to the cationic lipid is (1-10):(0-10).",
"9. A nucleic acid lipid nanoparticle composition, comprising the compound or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt, stereoisomer, or chelate thereof according to claim 1, and a nucleic acid drug;\nwherein the nucleic acid drug comprises one or a combination of two or more of DNA, siRNA, mRNA, dsRNA, antisense nucleic acid, microRNA, antisense microRNA, antagomir, a microRNA inhibitor, a microRNA activator and immunostimulatory nucleic acid; or\nwherein a mass ratio of the nucleic acid drug to the compound or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt, stereoisomer, or chelate thereof according to claim 1 is 1:(3-40).",
"10. A nucleic acid lipid nanoparticle composition, comprising the lipid carrier according to claim 8, and a nucleic acid drug;\nwherein the nucleic acid drug comprises one or a combination of two or more of DNA, siRNA, mRNA, dsRNA, antisense nucleic acid, microRNA, antisense microRNA, antagomir, a microRNA inhibitor, a microRNA activator and immunostimulatory nucleic acid; or\nwherein a mass ratio of the nucleic acid drug to the lipid carrier according to claim 8 is 1:(3-40).",
"11. A pharmaceutical preparation, comprising the compound or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt, stereoisomer, or chelate thereof according to claim 1, as well as a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, carrier and diluent agent;\nwherein the pharmaceutical preparation has a particle size of 30-500 nm; or\nwherein the entrapment efficiency of the nucleic acid drug in said pharmaceutical preparation is greater than 50%.",
"12. A pharmaceutical preparation, comprising the lipid carrier according to claim 8, as well as a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, carrier and diluent agent;\nwherein the pharmaceutical preparation has a particle size of 30-500 nm; or\nwherein the entrapment efficiency of the nucleic acid drug in said pharmaceutical preparation is greater than 50%.",
"13. A pharmaceutical preparation, comprising the nucleic acid lipid nanoparticle composition according to claim 9, as well as a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, carrier and diluent agent;\nwherein the pharmaceutical preparation has a particle size of 30-500 nm; or\nwherein the entrapment efficiency of the nucleic acid drug in said pharmaceutical preparation is greater than 50%.",
"14. A lipid carrier, comprising the compound or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt, stereoisomer or chelate thereof according to claim 7;\nwherein the lipid carrier comprises a first lipid component and a second lipid component, wherein the first lipid component comprises the compound or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt, stereoisomer, or chelate thereof according to claim 9 and cationic lipid, and the second lipid component comprises one or a combination of two or more of anionic lipid, neutral lipid, sterol and amphiphilic lipid;\nwherein the cationic lipid comprises one or a combination of two or more of DLinDMA, DODMA, DLin-MC2-MPZ, DLin-KC2-DMA, DOTAP, C12-200, DC-Chol and DOTMA;\nthe anionic lipid comprises one or a combination of two or more of phosphatidyl serine, phosphatidyl inositol, phosphatidic acid, phosphatidyl glycerol, DOPG, DOPS and dimyristoyl phosphatidylglycerol;\nthe neutral lipid comprises at least one of DOPE, DSPC, DPPC, DOPC, DPPG, POPC, POPE, DPPE, DMPE, DSPE and SOPE or its lipid modified by an anionic or cationic modifying group;\nthe amphiphilic lipid comprises one or a combination of two or more of PEG-DMG, PEG-c-DMG, PEG-C14, PEG-c-DMA, PEG-DSPE, PEG-PE, PEG-modified ceramide, PEG-modified dialkylamine, PEG-modified diacylglycerol, Tween-20, Tween-80, PEG-DPG, PEG-s-DMG, DAA, PEG-c-DOMG and GalNAc-PEG-DSG;\nwherein in the lipid carrier, a molar ratio of the first lipid compound to the anionic lipid to the neutral lipid to the sterol to the amphiphilic lipid is (20-65):(0-20):(5-25):(25-55):(0.3-15); or\nwherein in the first lipid component, a molar ratio of the compound or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt, stereoisomer, or chelate thereof according to claim 9 to the cationic lipid is (1-10):(0-10).",
"15. A nucleic acid lipid nanoparticle composition, comprising the compound or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt, stereoisomer, or chelate thereof according to claim 7, and a nucleic acid drug;\nwherein the nucleic acid drug comprises one or a combination of two or more of DNA, siRNA, mRNA, dsRNA, antisense nucleic acid, microRNA, antisense microRNA, antagomir, a microRNA inhibitor, a microRNA activator and immunostimulatory nucleic acid; or\nwherein a mass ratio of the nucleic acid drug to the compound or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt, stereoisomer, or chelate thereof according to claim 9 is 1:(3-40).",
"16. A nucleic acid lipid nanoparticle composition, comprising the lipid carrier according to claim 14, and a nucleic acid drug;\nwherein the nucleic acid drug comprises one or a combination of two or more of DNA, siRNA, mRNA, dsRNA, antisense nucleic acid, microRNA, antisense microRNA, antagomir, a microRNA inhibitor, a microRNA activator and immunostimulatory nucleic acid; or\nwherein a mass ratio of the nucleic acid drug to the lipid carrier according to claim 14 is 1:(3-40).",
"17. A pharmaceutical preparation, comprising the compound or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt, stereoisomer, or chelate thereof according to claim 7, as well as a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, carrier and diluent agent;\nwherein the pharmaceutical preparation has a particle size of 30-500 nm; or\nwherein the entrapment efficiency of the nucleic acid drug in said pharmaceutical preparation is greater than 50%.",
"18. A pharmaceutical preparation, comprising the nucleic acid lipid nanoparticle composition according to claim 15, as well as a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, carrier and diluent agent;\nwherein the pharmaceutical preparation has a particle size of 30-500 nm; or\nwherein the entrapment efficiency of the nucleic acid drug in said pharmaceutical preparation is greater than 50%."
],
[
"1. An aromatic acetylene or aromatic ethylene compound represented by formula II-0, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, a tautomer, a mesomer, a racemate or a stereoisomer thereof:\nwherein, ring A and ring B are independently an aromatic ring or a heteroaromatic ring;\nL is alkynyl, —C(R4)═C(R5)— or C2-C10 heteroaryl having at least one N; when L is C2-C10 heteroaryl, the N atom thereof links to the ring A, and the C atom thereof links to the ring C;\nX1 is N or —CR6;\nX2 is N or —CR7;\nX3 is N or —CR8;\nX1, X2 and X3 are not N simultaneously;\neach of R1 is independently hydrogen, deuterium, substituted or unsubstituted hydroxy, substituted or unsubstituted amino, halogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy;\neach of R2 is independently hydrogen, deuterium, substituted or unsubstituted hydroxy, substituted or unsubstituted amino, halogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy,\nwherein R1a is C1-C4 alkyl; or two adjacent R2 together with the two atoms on the ring B to which they are attached form a 5-7 membered substituted or unsubstituted carbocycle, or substituted or unsubstituted heterocycle; in the heterocycle, the heteroatom is oxygen and/or nitrogen, the number of the heteroatom(s) is 1-4;\nR3 is deuterium, halogen, cyano, or substituted or unsubstituted alkyl;\nR4 and R5 are each independently hydrogen, deuterium, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, or, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl, or R4 and R5 together with the carbon-carbon double bond to which they are attached form a 5-7 membered substituted or unsubstituted carbocycle, or substituted or unsubstituted heterocycle; in the heterocycle, the heteroatom is selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur, the number of the heteroatom(s) is 1-4;\nR6, R7 and R8 are each independently hydrogen, deuterium, substituted or unsubstituted hydroxy, halogen, substituted or unsubstituted amino, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, or, substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy, or R6 and R7 together with the two atoms on the ring C to which they are attached form a 5-7 membered substituted or unsubstituted heterocycle; or R7 and R8 together with the two atoms on the ring C to which they are attached form a 5-7 membered substituted or unsubstituted heterocycle; in the heterocycle, the heteroatom is nitrogen and/or oxygen, the number of the heteroatom(s) is 1-4;\nm1 is 0, 1 or 2;\nn is 1 or 2;\nin the definition of each R1, the substituent in the substituted alkyl or the substituted alkoxy is selected from the group consisting of halogen, C1-C4 alkyl, hydroxy,\nbenzyl, benzyl substituted by cyano, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 carboxyl, C1-C4 ester group or C1-C4 acylamino; the substituent in the substituted hydroxy or the substituted amino is selected from the group consisting of C1-C4 alkyl, benzyl, benzyl substituted by cyano, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 carboxyl, C1-C4 ester group or C1-C4 acylamino;\nin the definition of each R2, the substituent in the substituted alkyl or the substituted alkoxy is selected from the group consisting of halogen, C1-C4 alkyl, hydroxy,\nC1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 carboxyl, C1-C4 ester group or C1-C4 acylamino; the substituent in the substituted hydroxy or the substituted amino is selected from the group consisting of C1-C4 alkyl, benzyl, benzyl substituted by cyano, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 carboxyl, C1-C4 ester group or C1-C4 acylamino; when two adjacent R2 together with the two atoms on the ring B to which they are attached form a 5-7 membered substituted carbocycle or substituted heterocycle, the substituent in the substituted carbocycle or in the substituted heterocycle is selected from the group consisting of halogen, C1-C4 alkyl, hydroxy,\nC1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 carboxyl, C1-C4 ester group or C1-C4 acylamino; when there are more substituents than one, the substituents are the same or different;\nin the definition of R4 or R5, the substituent in the substituted alkyl or the substituted cycloalkyl is selected from the group consisting of halogen, C1-C4 alkyl, hydroxy, amino, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 carboxyl, C1-C4 ester group or C1-C4 acylamino; when R4 and R5 together with the carbon-carbon double bond to which they are attached form a 5-7 membered substituted carbocycle, or, substituted heterocycle, the substituent in the substituted carbocycle or the substituted heterocycle is selected from the group consisting of halogen, C1-C4 alkyl, hydroxy,\nC1-C4 carboxyl, C1-C4 ester group or C1-C4 acylamino; when there are more substituents than one, the substituents are the same or different;\nin the definition of R6, R7 or R8, the substituent in the substituted alkyl or the substituted alkoxy is selected from the group consisting of halogen, C1-C4 alkyl, hydroxy,\nC1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 carboxyl, C1-C4 ester group or C1-C4 acylamino; the substituent in the substituted hydroxy or the substituted amino is selected from the group consisting of C1-C4 alkyl, benzyl, benzyl substituted by cyano, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 carboxyl, C1-C4 ester group or C1-C4 acylamino; when R6 and R7 together with the two atoms on the ring C to which they are attached form a 5-7 membered substituted heterocycle, or when R7 and R8 together with the two atoms on the ring C to which they are attached form a 5-7 membered substituted heterocycle, the substituent in the substituted heterocycle is selected from the group consisting of halogen, C1-4 alkyl, hydroxy,\nC1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 carboxyl, C1-C4 ester group or C1-C4 acylamino; when there are more substituents than one, the substituents are the same or different;\nin\nR11 and R12 are independently hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, alkoxy, hydroxyalkyl, aminoalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted C6-C14 aryl or substituted or unsubstituted C3-C6 cycloalkyl; or R11 and R12 together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a 5-7 membered substituted or unsubstituted heterocycle; in the heterocycle, the heteroatom is nitrogen, or nitrogen and oxygen, the number of the heteroatom(s) is 1-4;\nin the definition of R11 or R12, the substituent in the substituted alkyl, the substituted C6-C14 aryl or the substituted C3-C6 cycloalkyl is selected from the group consisting of halogen, C1-C4 alkyl, hydroxy,\nC1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 carboxyl, C1-C4 ester group or C1-C4 acylamino; when R11 and R12 together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a 5-7 membered substituted or unsubstituted heterocycle, the substituent in the substituted heterocycle is selected from the group consisting of halogen, C1-C4 alkyl, substituted C1-C4 alkyl, hydroxy,\nC1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 carboxyl, C1-C4 ester group or C1-C4 acylamino; the substituent in the substituted C1-C4 alkyl is selected from the group consisting of halogen, C1-C4 alkyl, hydroxy,\nC1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 carboxyl, C1-C4 ester group or C1-C4 acylamino; when there are more substituents than one, the substituents are the same or different; in\nRa1 and Rb1 are independently hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl or\nRa11 is C1-C4 alkyl.",
"2. The aromatic acetylene or aromatic ethylene compound represented by formula II-0, the pharmaceutically acceptable salt, the tautomer, the mesomer, the racemate or the stereoisomerer thereof as defined in claim 1, wherein,\nL is alkynyl or —C(R4)═C(R5)—;\neach of R2 is independently hydrogen, deuterium, substituted or unsubstituted hydroxy, substituted or unsubstituted amino, halogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, or, substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy;\nin\nR11 and R12 are independently hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, alkoxy, hydroxyalkyl or aminoalkyl;\nwhen R11 and R12 together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a 5-7 membered substituted or unsubstituted heterocycle, the substituent in the substituted heterocycle is selected from the group consisting of halogen, C1-C4 alkyl, hydroxy,\nC1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 carboxyl, C1-C4 ester group or C1-C4 acylamino; in\nRa1 and Rb1 are independently hydrogen or C1-C4 alkyl.",
"3. The aromatic acetylene or aromatic ethylene compound represented by formula II-0, the pharmaceutically acceptable salt, the tautomer, the mesomer, the racemate or the stereoisomer thereof as defined in claim 1, wherein,\nwhen the substituent in the substituted alkyl, the substituted alkoxy, the substituted cycloalkyl, the substituted carbocycle or the substituted heterocycle is halogen, the halogen is fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine;\nor, when the substituent in the substituted hydroxy, the substituted amino, the substituted alkyl, the substituted alkoxy, the substituted cycloalkyl, the substituted carbocycle or the substituted heterocycle is C1-C4 alkyl, the C1-C4 alkyl is methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl or tert-butyl;\nor, when the substituent in the substituted alkyl, the substituted alkoxy, the substituted cycloalkyl, the substituted carbocycle or the substituted heterocycle is\nand R11 and R12 are independently substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, the substituted or unsubstituted alkyl is substituted or unsubstituted C1-C4 alkyl;\nor, when the substituent in the substituted hydroxy, the substituted amino, the substituted alkyl, the substituted alkoxy, the substituted cycloalkyl, the substituted carbocycle or the substituted heterocycle is C1-C4 alkoxy, the C1-C4 alkoxy is methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy, isopropoxy, n-butoxy, isobutoxy or tert-butoxy;\nor, when the substituent in the substituted hydroxy, the substituted amino, the substituted alkyl, the substituted alkoxy, the substituted cycloalkyl, the substituted carbocycle or the substituted heterocycle is C1-C4 carboxyl, the carboxyl is\nor, when the substituent in the substituted hydroxy, the substituted amino, the substituted alkyl, the substituted alkoxy, the substituted cycloalkyl, the substituted carbocycle or the substituted heterocycle is C1-C4 ester group, the C1-C4 ester group is\nwherein Ra is C1-C4 alkyl;\nor, when the substituent in the substituted hydroxy, the substituted amino, the substituted alkyl, the substituted alkoxy, the substituted cycloalkyl, the substituted carbocycle or the substituted heterocycle is C1-C4 acylamino, the C1-C4 acylamino is\nwherein Rb is hydrogen or C1-C4 alkyl; in the definition of Rb, the C1-C4 alkyl is methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl or tert-butyl.",
"4. The aromatic acetylene or aromatic ethylene compound represented by formula II-0, the pharmaceutically acceptable salt, the tautomer, the mesomer, the racemate or the stereoisomer thereof as defined in claim 1, wherein,\nwhen the substituent in the substituted alkyl, the substituted alkoxy, the substituted cycloalkyl, the substituted carbocycle or the substituted heterocycle is\nand R11 and R12 are independently substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, the substituted or unsubstituted alkyl is substituted or unsubstituted methyl, substituted or unsubstituted ethyl, substituted or unsubstituted n-propyl, substituted or unsubstituted isopropyl, substituted or unsubstituted n-butyl, substituted or unsubstituted isobutyl or substituted or unsubstituted tert-butyl;\nor, when the substituent in the substituted hydroxy, the substituted amino, the substituted alkyl, the substituted alkoxy, the substituted cycloalkyl, the substituted carbocycle or the substituted heterocycle is C1-C4 ester group, the C1-C4 ester group is\nwherein Ra is methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl or tert-butyl.",
"5. The aromatic acetylene or aromatic ethylene compound represented by formula II-0, the pharmaceutically acceptable salt, the tautomer, the mesomer, the racemate or the stereoisomer thereof as defined in claim 1, wherein,\nin the definition of ring A or ring B, the aromatic ring is C6-C14 aromatic ring;\nor, in the definition of ring A or ring B, the heteroaromatic ring is C2-C10 heteroaromatic ring having 1-4 heteroatoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur;\nor, the halogen is fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine;\nor, the alkyl is C1-C4 alkyl; and/or, the alkoxy is C1-C4 alkoxy; and/or, the cycloalkyl is C3-C6 cycloalkyl; and/or, the hydroxyalkyl is C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl; and/or, the aminoalkyl is C1-C4 aminoalkyl; and/or, the carbocycle is cyclopentane, cyclohexane or cycloheptane;\nor, the heterocycle is preferably pyrrole ring or piperidine ring.",
"6. The aromatic acetylene or aromatic ethylene compound represented by formula II-0, the pharmaceutically acceptable salt, the tautomer, the mesomer, the racemate or the stereoisomer thereof as defined in claim 1, wherein,\nin the definition of ring A or ring B, the aromatic ring is C6-C10 aromatic ring;\nor, in the definition of ring A or ring B, the heteroaromatic ring is C2-C8 heteroaromatic ring having 1-3 heteroatoms selected from nitrogen and oxygen;\nor, the alkyl is methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl or tert-butyl\nor, the alkoxy is methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy, isopropoxy or tert-butoxy;\nor, the cycloalkyl is cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl;\nor, the hydroxyalkyl is\nor, the aminoalkyl is",
"7. The aromatic acetylene or aromatic ethylene compound represented by formula II-0, the pharmaceutically acceptable salt, the tautomer, the mesomer, the racemate or the stereoisomer thereof as defined in claim 1, wherein,\nin the definition of ring A or ring B, the aromatic ring is benzene ring;\nor, in the definition of ring A or ring B, the heteroaromatic ring is",
"8. The aromatic acetylene or aromatic ethylene compound represented by formula II-0, the pharmaceutically acceptable salt, the tautomer, the mesomer, the racemate or the stereoisomer thereof as defined in claim 1, wherein,\nin formula II-0, each of R1 is independently hydrogen, deuterium, halogen, substituted or unsubstituted hydroxy, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, or, substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy, the substituent in the substituted alkyl is substituted by one or more than one",
"9. The aromatic acetylene or aromatic ethylene compound represented by formula II-0, the pharmaceutically acceptable salt, the tautomer, the mesomer, the racemate or the stereoisomer thereof as defined in claim 1, wherein,\nin formula II-0, each of R1 is independently",
"10. The aromatic acetylene or aromatic ethylene compound represented by formula II-0, the pharmaceutically acceptable salt, the tautomer, the mesomer, the racemate or the stereoisomer thereof as defined in claim 1, wherein,",
"11. The aromatic acetylene or aromatic ethylene compound represented by formula II-0, the pharmaceutically acceptable salt, the tautomer, the mesomer, the racemate or the stereoisomer thereof as defined in claim 1, wherein, formula II-0 is the compound represented by formula II-1-1B or II-1-2B;\nin any one of the above formulas, Y1 is CH or N, Y2 is CH or N, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R11, R12, n and m1 are defined as claim 1.",
"12. The aromatic acetylene or aromatic ethylene compound represented by formula II-0, the pharmaceutically acceptable salt, the tautomer, the mesomer, the racemate or the stereoisomer thereof as defined in claim 1, wherein, the aromatic acetylene or aromatic ethylene compound represented by formula II-0 is selected from",
"13. A process for preparing the aromatic acetylene or aromatic ethylene compound represented by formula II-0; as defined in claim 1, wherein, the process includes process 1 or process 2:\nprocess 1 comprising conducting a reductive amination reaction of the compound represented by formula I-a with the compound represented by formula I-b as shown below in the presence of a reducing agent in a solvent to give the compound represented by formula II-0;\nprocess 2 comprising conducting a substitution reaction of the compound represented by formula I-a1 and the compound represented by formula I-b as shown below in the presence of a base in a solvent to give the compound represented by formula II-0;\nin formula I-a, formula I-a1, formula I-b and formula II-0, ring A, ring B, R1, R2, R3, R11, R12, X1, X2, X3, n and m1 are defined as claim 1; in formula I-a1, Xa is halogen.",
"14. A compound represented by formula I-a or formula I-a1:\nin formula I-a, formula I-a1, ring A, ring B, R1, R2, R3, X1, X2, X3, n and m1 are defined as claim 1, Xa is halogen.",
"15. The compound represented by formula I-a or formula I-a1 as defined in claim 14, which is selected from",
"16. A method for treating a cancer, an infection, an autoimmune disease or related diseases in a subject in need thereof, comprising: administering an effective amount of the aromatic acetylene or aromatic ethylene compound represented by formula II-0, the pharmaceutically acceptable salt, the tautomer, the mesomer, the racemate or the stereoisomer thereof as defined in claim 1 to the subject.",
"17. The method as defined in claim 16, wherein, the cancer is selected from the group consisting of lung cancer, esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, colon cancer, liver cancer, nasopharyngeal cancer, brain tumor, breast cancer, cervical cancer, blood cancer and bone cancer.",
"18. A method for inhibiting PD-1 and/or PD-L1, comprising: administering to the subject in need thereof a medicament comprising an effective amount of the aromatic acetylene or aromatic ethylene compound represented by formula II-0, the pharmaceutically acceptable salt, the tautomer, the mesomer, the racemate or the stereoisomer thereof as defined in claim 1.",
"19. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically and/or prophylactically effective amount of the aromatic acetylene or aromatic ethylene compound represented by formula II-0, the pharmaceutically acceptable salt, the tautomer, the mesomer, the racemate or the stereoisomer thereof as defined in claim 1, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and/or diluent.",
"20. A method for treating a cancer, an infection, an autoimmune disease or related diseases in a subject in need thereof, comprising: administering an effective amount of the aromatic acetylene or aromatic ethylene compound represented by formula II-0, the pharmaceutically acceptable salt, the tautomer, the mesomer, the racemate or the stereoisomer thereof as defined in claim 12 to the subject.",
"21. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically and/or prophylactically effective amount of the aromatic acetylene or aromatic ethylene compound represented by formula II-0, the pharmaceutically acceptable salt, the tautomer, the mesomer, the racemate or the stereoisomer thereof as defined in claim 12, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and/or diluent."
],
[
"1. A method for prostate cancer comprising administering a compound having the following structure (I):\nor a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, tautomer or stereoisomer thereof to a subject in need thereof,\nwherein:\nX is —S(O)n— or —C(R8R9)—;\nR1 is H, hydroxyl or —OC(═O)R13;\nR2 is hydroxyl or —OC(═O)R13;\nR3 is —NH2, —NHC(═O)R13, —N(C(═O)R13)2, —NHS(O)nR5, —N(C(═O)R13)(S(O)nR5), —N(C1-C6 alkyl)(S(O)nR5), or —S(O),R5, which are optionally substituted with one or more R6;\nR5 is each independently C1-C6 alkyl which is optionally substituted with one or more R6;\nR6is each independently selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, 123I, hydroxyl, oxo, C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl, C1-C6 alkoxy, C6-C12 aryl, wherein each R6is optionally substituted with one or more of halogen, 123I, 18F, hydroxyl, —OS(O)2-aryl, C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, or C2-C6 alkynyl;\nR8 and R9 are each independently H or C1-C6 alkyl;\nR11a, R11b, R11c and R11d are each independently H, methyl, F, Cl, Br, I, or 123I;\nR13 is C1-C6 alkyl; and\nn is 0, 1, or 2;\nwherein at least one of R11a, R11b, R11c and R11d is methyl F, Cl, Br, I, or 123I.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the prostate cancer is primary or localized prostate cancer, locally advanced prostate cancer, recurrent prostate cancer, advanced prostate cancer, metastatic prostate cancer, metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), or hormone-sensitive prostate cancer.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein at least two of R11a, R11b, R11c and R11d are methyl, F, Cl, Br, I, or 123I.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein R11a and R11b are each H; and R11c and R11d are each independently methyl, F, Cl, Br, I, or 123I.",
"5. The method of claim 4, wherein R11c and R11d are each Cl.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein R11a and R11c are each H; and R11b and R11d are each independently methyl, F, Cl, Br, I, or 123I.",
"7. The method of claim 6, wherein R11b and R11d are each Cl.",
"8. The method of claim 1, wherein X is —S(O)2—.",
"9. The method of claim 1, wherein X is —C(R8R9)— and R8 and R9 are each independently C1-C3 alkyl.",
"10. The method of claim 9, wherein R8 an R9 are each methyl.",
"11. The method of claim 1, wherein le and R2 are each independently hydroxyl or —OC(═O)R13.",
"12. The method of claim 11, wherein R1 and R2 are both hydroxyl.",
"13. The method of claim 11, wherein R1 and R2 are both —OC(═O)R13.",
"14. The method of claim 1, wherein R1 is H.",
"15. The method of claim 1, wherein R3 is —NH2, —NHC(═O)(C1-C4 alkyl), —NRC(═O)(C1-C4 alkyl)]2, —NHS(O)n,(C1-C3 alkyl), —N[C(=O)(C1-C4 alkyl)][(S(O)n,(C1-C3 alkyl)], —N[C1-C6 alkyl][S(O)n(C1-C3 alkyl)], or —S(O),(C1-C3 alkyl).",
"16. The compound of claim 1, wherein each R13 is C1-C4 alkyl.",
"17. The method of claim 1, wherein the compound has one of the following structures:\nor a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.",
"18. The method of claim 1 having the structure of\nor a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or stereoisomer thereof.",
"19. The method of claim 1 having the structure of\nor a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof."
],
[
"1. A compound according to Formula IA\nor a salt, solvate, hydrate, or prodrug thereof, wherein: T is absent, CR12R13, C(O), O, S, S(O), S(O)2, NR14, C(R15R16)C(R17R18), CH2O, or OCH2;\nXy is CZ, CY, N, or N—O;\nXz is CZ, CY, N, or N—O;\nat least one of Xy and Xz is CZ;\nY is selected from hydrogen, hydroxyl, halogen, lower (C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6) alkyl, C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6 alkoxy, O-lower (C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6) alkyl-aryl, and O-benzyl;\nXa is CRa or N, or N—O;\nXb is CRb, N, or N—O;\nXc is CRc or N, or N—O;\nXd is CRd or N, or N—O;\nXe is CRe, N, or N—O;\nRa, Rb, Rc, Rd, Re, R4, R5, and R6 are, independently, hydrogen, hydroxyl, halogen, P, C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6 alkyl, C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6 alkoxy, O-lower (C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6) alkyl-aryl, O-benzyl, C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6 alkyl-OH, COOH, COO-lower (C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6) alkyl, SO2H, SO2-lower (C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6) alkyl,\nwherein W is H, or C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6 alkyl, C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6 alkyl-aryl;\nP is SO3H, OSO3H, OPO3H2, OPO3H2, NH2, NHR19, NHR2OR21,\ntetrazole, O-lower (C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6) alkyl-K, O—C(O)-lower (C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6) alkyl-L, NH-lower (C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6) alkyl-M, or O-aryl-Q, further wherein lower (C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6) alkyl is linear or branched alkyl;\nK is C(O)NH2, COOH, SO3H, OSO3H, PO3H2, OPO3H2, NH2, NHR19, NR19R20, SO2R21, glycoside, lower C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6 alkoxy, or\nL is aryl, OH, C(O)NH2, COOH, SO3H, OSO3H, PO3H2, OPO3H2, NH2, NHR19, NR19R20, SO2R21, glycoside, lower C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6 alkoxy, or\nM is aryl, OH, C(O)NH2, COOH, SO3H, OSO3H, PO3H2, OPO3H2, NH2, NHR19, NR19R20, SO2R21, glycoside, lower C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6 alkoxy, or\nQ is aryl, OH, C(O)NH2, COOH, SO3H, OSO3H, PO3H2, OPO3H2, NH2, NHR19, NR19R20, SO2R21, glycoside, lower C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6 alkoxy, or\nR19, R20 and R21 are independently C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6 alkyl or R19 and R20 taken together with the attached nitrogen atom form a five membered ring;\nV is a bond, —CH2—, —CH2CH2—, —CH2CH2CH2—, —O—CH2—, —OCH2CH2— or —OCH2CH2CH2—;\nR12, R13, R14, R15, R16, Rn, and R18, are, independently, H or C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6 alkyl; and\nZ is (CHR1)n—C(O)—NR2(CHR3)m—Ar, where Ar is a substituted or unsubstituted aryl or nitrogen-containing heteroaryl group, R1, R2, and R3 are independently H or C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6 alkyl; and\nn and m are, independently 0, 1, or 2;\nprovided that at least one of Ra, Rb, Rc, Rd, Re, R4, R5, and R6 is P.",
"2. A method of protecting against or treating hearing loss or osteoporosis in a subject comprising administering a compound having the Formula I:\nor a salt, solvate, hydrate, or prodrug thereof, wherein:\nT is absent, CR12R13, C(O), O, S, S(O), S(O)2, NR14, C(R15R16)C(R17R18), CH2O, or OCH2;\nXy is CZ, CY, N, or N—O;\nXz is CZ, CY, N, or N—O;\nat least one of Xy and Xz is CZ;\nY is selected from hydrogen, hydroxyl, halogen, lower (C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6) alkyl, C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6 alkoxy, O-lower (C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6) alkyl-aryl, and O-benzyl;\nXa is CRa or N, or N—O;\nXb is CRb, N, or N—O;\nXc is CRc or N, or N—O;\nXd is CRd or N, or N—O;\nXe is CRe, N, or N—O;\nRa, Rb, Rc, Rd, Re, R4, R5, and R6 are, independently, hydrogen, hydroxyl, halogen, P, C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6 alkyl, C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6 alkoxy, O-lower (C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6) alkyl-aryl, O-benzyl, C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6 alkyl-OH, COOH, COO-lower (C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6) alkyl, SO2H, SO2-lower (C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6) alkyl,\nwhere W is H, or C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6 alkyl, C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6 alkyl-aryl;\nP is SO3H, OSO3H, OPO3H2, OPO3H2, NH2, NHR19, NHR2OR21,\ntetrazole, O-lower (C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6) alkyl-K, O—C(O)-lower (C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6) alkyl-L, NH-lower (C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6) alkyl-M, or O-aryl-Q, further wherein lower alkyl is linear or branched alkyl;\nK is C(O)NH2, COOH, SO3H, OSO3H, PO3H2, OPO3H2, NH2, NHR19, NR19R20, SO2R21, glycoside, lower C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6 alkoxy, or\nL is aryl, OH, C(O)NH2, COOH, SO3H, OSO3H, PO3H2, OPO3H2, NH2, NHR19, NR19R20, SO2R21, glycoside, lower C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6 alkoxy, or\nM is aryl, OH, C(O)NH2, COOH, SO3H, OSO3H, PO3H2, OPO3H2, NH2, NHR19, NR19R20, SO2R21, glycoside, lower C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6 alkoxy, or\nQ is aryl, OH, C(O)NH2, COOH, SO3H, OSO3H, PO3H2, OPO3H2, NH2, NHR19, NR19R20, SO2R29 glycoside, lower C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6 alkoxy, or\nR19, R20 and R21 are C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6 alkyl or R19 and R20 taken together with the attached nitrogen atom form a five membered ring;\nV is a bond, —CH2—, —CH2CH2—, —CH2CH2CH2—, —O—CH2—, —OCH2CH2— or —OCH2CH2CH2—;\nR12, R13, R14, R15, R16, R17, and R18, are, independently, H or C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6 alkyl; and\nZ is (CHR1)n—C(O)—NR2(CHR3)m—Ar, where Ar is a substituted or unsubstituted aryl or nitrogen-containing heteroaryl group, R1, R2, and R3 are independently H or C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6 alkyl; and\nn and m are independently 0, 1, or 2.",
"3. A method of preventing or treating a cell proliferation disorder comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a compound having the formula IA:\nor a salt, solvate, hydrate, or prodrug thereof, wherein:\nT is absent, CR12R13, C(O), O, S, S(O), S(O)2, NR14, C(R15R16)C(R17R18), CH2O, or OCH2;\nXy is CZ, CY, N, or N—O;\nXz is CZ, CY, N, or N—O;\nat least one of Xy and Xz is CZ;\nY is selected from hydrogen, hydroxyl, halogen, lower (C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6) alkyl, C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6 alkoxy, O-lower (C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6) alkyl-aryl, and O-benzyl;\nXa is CRa or N, or N—O;\nXb is CRb, N, or N—O;\nXc is CRc or N, or N—O;\nXd is CRd or N, or N—O;\nXe is CRe, N, or N—O;\nRa, Rb, Rc, Rd, Re, R4, R5, and R6 are, independently, hydrogen, hydroxyl, halogen, P, C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6 alkyl, C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6 alkoxy, O-lower (C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6) alkyl-aryl, O-benzyl, C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6 alkyl-OH, COOH, COO-lower (C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6) alkyl, SO2H, SO2-lower (C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6) alkyl,\nwherein W is H, or C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6 alkyl, C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6 alkyl-aryl;\nP is SO3H, OSO3H, OPO3H2, OPO3H2, NH2, NHR19, NHR2OR21,\ntetrazole, O-lower (C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6) alkyl-K, O—C(O)-lower (C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6) alkyl-L, NH-lower (C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6) alkyl-M, or O-aryl-Q, further wherein lower (C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6) alkyl is linear or branched alkyl;\nK is C(O)NH2, COOH, SO3H, OSO3H, PO3H2, OPO3H2, NH2, NHR19, NR19R20, SO2R21, glycoside, lower C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6 alkoxy, or\nL is aryl, OH, C(O)NH2, COOH, SO3H, OSO3H, PO3H2, OPO3H2, NH2, NHR19, NR19R20, SO2R21, glycoside, lower C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6 alkoxy, or\nM is aryl, OH, C(O)NH2, COOH, SO3H, OSO3H, PO3H2, OPO3H2, NH2, NHR19, NR19R20, SO2R21, glycoside, lower C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6 alkoxy, or\nQ is aryl, OH, C(O)NH2, COOH, SO3H, OSO3H, PO3H2, OPO3H2, NH2, NHR19, NR19R20, SO2R21, glycoside, lower C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6 alkoxy, or\nR19, R20 and R21 are independently C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6 alkyl or R19 and R20 taken together with the attached nitrogen atom form a five membered ring;\nV is a bond, —CH2—, —CH2CH2—, —CH2CH2CH2—, —O—CH2—, —OCH2CH2— or —OCH2CH2CH2—;\nR12, R13, R14, R15, R16, Rn, and R18, are, independently, H or C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6 alkyl; and\nZ is (CHR1)n—C(O)—NR2(CHR3)m—Ar, where Ar is a substituted or unsubstituted aryl or nitrogen-containing heteroaryl group, R1, R2, and R3 are independently H or C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6 alkyl; and n and m are, independently 0, 1, or 2;\nprovided that at least one of Ra, Rb, Rc, Rd, Re, R4, R5, and R6 is P."
],
[
"1. A method for synthesizing an amide and a polypeptide by directly using a carboxylic acid and an amine compound as raw materials and under the mediation of a ynamide, comprising the following steps:\n(1) adding 0.2-2 mmol of a carboxylic acid and an appropriate amount of dichloromethane solvent to a clean reaction tube, and then adding 0.2-2 mmol of a ynamide, and stirring at a temperature of 0-50° C.;\n(2) detecting the previous step of the reaction by using a TLC analysis; after the previous step of the reaction is completed, directly adding 0.2-2 mmol of an amine compound, or removing the dichloromethane solvent used in the previous step and adding water as a solvent and then adding 0.2-2 mmol of an amine compound, and then stirring at a temperature of 0-50° C.; and\n(3) detecting the previous step of the reaction by using a TLC analysis; after the previous step of the reaction is completed, and separating and purifying by column chromatography to directly obtain an amide compound;\nwherein the chemical reaction formula of Step (1) and Step (2) is:\nin the formula, 1 represents a ynamide, 2 represents a carboxylic acid, 3 represents an α-acyloxyenamide compound, 4 represents an amine compound, 5 represents an amide compound, 6 represents an amide by-product; le is selected from hydrogen, an alkyl group, an aryl group, an alkoxy group, an aryloxy group, an alkylthio group, an arylthio group, and the like; the EWG (electron-withdrawing group) is selected from an alkylsulfonyl group, an arylsulfonyl group, an aryl group, an carbonyl group, a nitro group, a nitrile group, a phosphono group, a sulfonimide, and the like; R2 may be alkyl or aryl; R3 is selected from an alkyl group, an aryl group, an alkenyl group, an alkynyl group, and the like; R4 is selected from a hydrogen atom, an aliphatic substituent and an aromatic substituent; R5 is selected from hydrogen, an aliphatic substituent, and an aromatic substituent.",
"2. The method for synthesizing an amide and a polypeptide by directly using a carboxylic acid and an amine compound as raw materials and under the mediation of a ynamide according to claim 1, wherein the carboxylic acid is selected from the group consisting of an aliphatic acid, an aromatic acid, a heterocyclic acid, an acetylenic acid, an olefine acid, an α-amino acid, and a β-amino acid.",
"3. The method for synthesizing an amide and a polypeptide by directly using a carboxylic acid and an amine compound as raw materials and under the mediation of a ynamide according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of the carboxylic acid to the ynamide to the amine compound is 1:1.2:1.2.",
"4. The method for synthesizing an amide and a polypeptide by directly using a carboxylic acid and an amine compound as raw materials and under the mediation of a ynamide according to claim 1, wherein the dichloromethane solvent is replaced with an organic solvent.",
"5. The method for synthesizing an amide and a polypeptide by directly using a carboxylic acid and an amine compound as raw materials and under the mediation of a ynamide according to claim 1, wherein water used as a solvent in Step (2) is replaced with a mixture of water and dimethylsulfoxide or a mixture of water and N,N-dimethylformamide.",
"6. The method for synthesizing an amide and a polypeptide by directly using a carboxylic acid and an amine compound as raw materials and under the mediation of a ynamide according to claim 1, wherein the temperature in Step (1) is 25° C. and the temperature in Step (2) is 35° C.",
"7. The method for synthesizing an amide and a polypeptide by directly using a carboxylic acid and an amine compound as raw materials and under the mediation of a ynamide according to claim 4, wherein the organic solvent is chloroform or 1,2-dichloroethane."
],
[
"1. A method of lessening a disease or disorder that is modulated by tyrosine kinase inhibition selected from the group consisting of: diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, psoriasis, solid tumors, lung cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, ovarian cancer, brain cancer, liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, malignant melanoma, non-melanoma skin cancer, hematologic tumors, childhood leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, Hodgkin's disease, lymphomas of lymphocytic or cutaneous origin, acute or chronic leukemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, acute myelocytic leukemia, chronic myelocytic leukemia, plasma cell neoplasm, lymphoid neoplasm, epidermic or dermoid cysts, lipomas, adenomas, capillary or cutaneous hemangiomas, lymphangiomas, nevi lesions, teratomas, nephromas, myofibromatosis, osteoplastic tumors, dysplastic masses, and dysplasias, wherein the lessening results in the improvement of the disease or disorder;\ncomprising administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound according to Formula I:\nor a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, tautomer, or prodrug thereof, and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable excipient to a subject in need thereof, wherein:\nT is a bond;\nXy is CY, N, or N—O;\nXz is CZ;\nY is hydrogen, hydroxyl, halogen, lower (C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6) alkyl, C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6 alkoxy, O-lower (C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6) alkyl-aryl, or O-benzyl;\nXa is CRa, N, or N—O;\nXb is CRb, N, or N—O;\nXc is CRc, N, or N—O;\nXd is CRd, N, or N—O;\nXe is CRe, N, or N—O;\nRa, Rb, Rc, Rd, Re, R4, R5, and R6 are, independently, hydrogen, hydroxyl, halogen, C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6 alkyl, C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6 alkoxy, O-lower (C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6) alkyl-aryl, O-benzyl, C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6 alkyl-OH, C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6 alkyl-O-lower (C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6) alkyl, COOH, COO-lower (C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6) alkyl, SO2H, SO2-lower (C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6) alkyl,\nW is H, C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6 alkyl, or C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6 alkyl-aryl;\nV is a bond, —CH2—, —CH2CH2—, —CH2CH2CH2—, —O—CH2—, —OCH2CH2—, or —OCH2CH2CH2—;\nR7, R8, R9, R10, and R11 are, independently, hydrogen, hydroxyl, halogen, unsubstituted C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6 alkyl, unsubstituted C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6 alkoxy, O-lower (C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6) alkyl-aryl, O-benzyl, unsubstituted C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6 alkyl-OH, C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6 alkyl-O—C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6 alkyl,\nR1, R2, and R3 are independently H or C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6 alkyl;\nn is 1 or 2; and\nm is 1,\nwherein at least one of Xa, Xb, Xc, Xd, and Xe is N; provided that when Xa is N, Xe is not N.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein Xy is CY.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein Y is hydrogen.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein Z is",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein Rb is C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6 alkoxy.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein Rb is\nwherein W is H, C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6 alkyl, or C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6 alkyl-aryl; and V is a bond, —CH2—, —CH2CH2—, —CH2CH2CH2—, —O—CH2—, —OCH2CH2—, or —OCH2CH2CH2—.",
"7. The method of claim 6, wherein V is a bond.",
"8. The method of claim 1, wherein Xa is N, Xb is CRb, Xe is CRc, Xd is CRa and Xe is CRe.",
"9. The method of claim 1, wherein said compound is a pharmaceutically acceptable salt.",
"10. The method of claim 1, wherein said compound is selected from the group consisting of",
"11. The method of claim 1, wherein said compound has the formula:\nor a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, tautomer or prodrug thereof.",
"12. The method of claim 1, wherein said compound has the formula:",
"13. A method of lessening a disease or disorder that is modulated by tyrosine kinase inhibition selected from the group consisting of: diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, psoriasis, solid tumors, lung cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, ovarian cancer, brain cancer, liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, malignant melanoma, non-melanoma skin cancer, hematologic tumors, childhood leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, Hodgkin's disease, lymphomas of lymphocytic or cutaneous origin, acute or chronic leukemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, acute myelocytic leukemia, chronic myelocytic leukemia, plasma cell neoplasm, lymphoid neoplasm, epidermic or dermoid cysts, lipomas, adenomas, capillary or cutaneous hemangiomas, lymphangiomas, nevi lesions, teratomas, nephromas, myofibromatosis, osteoplastic tumors, dysplastic masses, and dysplasias, wherein the lessening results in the improvement of the disease or disorder;\ncomprising administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound that is\nor a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, tautomer, or prodrug thereof, and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable excipient to a subject in need thereof.",
"14. A method of lessening a disease or disorder that is modulated by tyrosine kinase inhibition selected from the group consisting of: diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, psoriasis, solid tumors, lung cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, ovarian cancer, brain cancer, liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, malignant melanoma, non-melanoma skin cancer, hematologic tumors, childhood leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, Hodgkin's disease, lymphomas of lymphocytic or cutaneous origin, acute or chronic leukemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, acute myelocytic leukemia, chronic myelocytic leukemia, plasma cell neoplasm, lymphoid neoplasm, epidermic or dermoid cysts, lipomas, adenomas, capillary or cutaneous hemangiomas, lymphangiomas, nevi lesions, teratomas, nephromas, myofibromatosis, osteoplastic tumors, dysplastic masses, and dysplasias, wherein the lessening results in the improvement of the disease or disorder;\ncomprising administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound according to Formula II:\nor a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, tautomer, or prodrug thereof, and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable excipient to a subject in need thereof, wherein:\nRb, R4, R5, R8, and R10 are, independently, hydrogen, hydroxyl, halogen, C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6 alkyl, C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6 alkoxy, O-lower (C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6) alkyl-aryl, O-benzyl, C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6 alkyl-OH, C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6 alkyl-O-lower (C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6) alkyl, COOH, COO-lower (C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6) alkyl, SO2H, or SO2-lower (C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6) alkyl,\nW is H, C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6 alkyl, or C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, or C6 alkyl-aryl; and\nV is a bond, —CH2—, —CH2CH2—, —CH2CH2CH2—, —O—CH2—, —OCH2CH2—, or —OCH2CH2CH2—.",
"15. A method of lessening a disease or disorder that is modulated by tyrosine kinase inhibition selected from the group consisting of: diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, psoriasis, solid tumors, lung cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, ovarian cancer, brain cancer, liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, malignant melanoma, non-melanoma skin cancer, hematologic tumors, childhood leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, Hodgkin's disease, lymphomas of lymphocytic or cutaneous origin, acute or chronic leukemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, acute myelocytic leukemia, chronic myelocytic leukemia, plasma cell neoplasm, lymphoid neoplasm, epidermic or dermoid cysts, lipomas, adenomas, capillary or cutaneous hemangiomas, lymphangiomas, nevi lesions, teratomas, nephromas, myofibromatosis, osteoplastic tumors, dysplastic masses, and dysplasias, wherein the lessening results in the improvement of the disease or disorder;\ncomprising administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound selected from the group consisting of\nor a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, tautomer, or prodrug thereof, and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable excipient to a subject in need thereof.",
"16. The method of claim 1, wherein the disease or disorder that is modulated by tyrosine kinase inhibition is psoriasis.",
"17. The method of claim 13, wherein the disease or disorder that is modulated by tyrosine kinase inhibition is psoriasis.",
"18. The method of claim 14, wherein the disease or disorder that is modulated by tyrosine kinase inhibition is psoriasis.",
"19. The method of claim 15, wherein the disease or disorder that is modulated by tyrosine kinase inhibition is psoriasis."
],
[
"1. A compound according to formula 3 below:\nwherein:\nis\nis independently selected from the group consisting of:\nR1 is independently at each occurrence H or COCH3;\nR2 is independently at each occurrence C1-C4 alkyl; and\nR3 is independently at each occurrence selected from the group consisting of: H and C1-4 alkyl; or\nis independently selected from the group consisting of:\nis independently selected from the group consisting of:\nR1 is independently at each occurrence COCH3;\nR2 is independently at each occurrence C1-C4 alkyl; and\nR3 is independently at each occurrence selected from the group consisting of: H and C1-4 alkyl.",
"2. The compound of claim 1, wherein",
"3. The compound of claim 1, wherein",
"4. The compound of claim 1, wherein",
"5. The compound of claim 4, wherein R2 is methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, or tert-butyl.",
"6. The compound of claim 1, wherein",
"7. A pharmaceutical composition comprising:\none or more pharmaceutical excipients; and\na compound according to formula 3 below:\nwherein:\nis\nis independently selected from the group consisting of:\nR1 is independently at each occurrence H or COCH3;\nR2 is independently at each occurrence H or C1-C4 alkyl; and\nR3 is independently at each occurrence selected from the group consisting of: H and C1-4 alkyl; or\nis independently selected from the group consisting of:\nis independently selected from the group consisting of:\nR1 is independently at each occurrence COCH3;\nR2 is independently at each occurrence H or C1-C4 alkyl; and\nR3 is independently at each occurrence selected from the group consisting of: H and C1-4 alkyl.",
"8. The compound of claim 1, wherein the compound is",
"9. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 7, wherein the compound is",
"10. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 7, wherein R2 is independently at each occurrence C1-C4 alkyl."
],
[
"1. A compound of formula (I′)\na N-oxide form, a pharmaceutically acceptable addition salt or a stereochemically isomeric form thereof wherein\nR1 and R2 each independently represents hydrogen, C1-4alkyl, NR9R10, C1-4alkyloxy or Het3-O—C1-4alkyl; or\nR1 and R2 taken together with the carbon atom with which they are attached from a C3-6cycloalkyl;\nR4 represents hydrogen, C1-4alkyl, C2-4alkenyl;\nU represents hydrogen, C1-4alkyl, C1-4alkyloxy, phenyl, halo, oxo, carbonyl or hydroxyl;\nR5 and R6 are each independently selected from hydrogen, C1-4alkyl, C1-4alkyloxyC1-4alkyl, C1-4alkyloxycarbonyl, C1-4alkylcarbonyl, C1-4alkylcarbonyl substituted with one or where possible two or three substituents each independently selected from halo, C1-4alkyl, and C1-4-alkyloxy or R5 and R6 each independently represent C1-4alkyl substituted with phenyl;\nR7 and R8 are each independently selected from hydrogen or C1-4alkyl;\nR9 and R19 are each independently selected from hydrogen, C1-4alkyl or C1-4alkyloxycarbonyl;\nR11 and R12 are each independently selected from hydrogen, halo, C1-4alkyl, C1-4alkyloxy, hydroxy, nitro, Het4, phenyl, phenyloxy, C1-4alkyloxycarbonyl, hydroxycarbonyl, NR5R6, C1-4alkyloxy substituted with one or where possible two or three substituents each independently selected from hydroxycarbonyl, Het2 and NR7R8, C2-4alkenyl substituted with one substituent selected from phenyl-C1-4alkyl-oxycarbonyl, C1-4alkyloxycarbonyl, hydroxycarbonyl, Het5-carbonyl, and C1-4alkyl substituted with one or where possible two or three substituents independently selected from halo, dimethylamine, trimethylamine, amine, cyano, Het6, Het7-carbonyl, C1-4alkyloxycarbonyl or hydroxycarbonyl;\nHet2 represents a monocyclic heterocycle selected from piperidinyl, pyridinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, piperazinyl, 2H-pyrrolyl, pyrrolyl, 2-pyrrolinyl, 3-pyrrolinyl, pyrrolidinyl, or morpholinyl, said Het2 optionally being substituted with one or where possible two or more substituents each independently selected from hydroxy, carbonyl, C1-4alkyl or C1-4alkyloxy;\nHet3 represents a monocyclic heterocycle selected from 2H-pyranyl, 4H-pyranyl, tetrahydro-2H-pyranyl, pyridinyl, piperidinyl, or furanyl;\nHet4 represents a monocyclic heterocycle selected from pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrrolidinyl, pyrazinyl, piperazinyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl or morpholinyl, said Het4 optionally being substituted with one or where possible two or more substituents each independently selected from hydroxy, carbonyl, C1-4alkyl or C1-4alkyloxy;\nHet5 represents a monocyclic heterocycle selected from pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrrolidinyl, pyrazinyl, piperazinyl or morpholinyl, said Het5 optionally being substituted with one or where possible two or more substituents each independently selected from hydroxy, carbonyl, C1-4alkyl or C1-4alkyloxy;\nHet6 represents a monocyclic heterocycle selected from pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrrolidinyl, pyrazinyl, piperazinyl or morpholinyl, said Het6 optionally being substituted with one or where possible two or more substituents each independently selected from hydroxy, carbonyl, C1-4alkyl or C1-4alkyloxy;\nHet7 represents a monocyclic heterocycle selected from pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrrolidinyl, pyrazinyl, piperazinyl or morpholinyl, said Het7 optionally being substituted with one or where possible two or more substituents each independently selected from hydroxy, carbonyl, C1-4alkyl or C1-4alkyloxy.",
"2. A method of treating pathologies associated with excess cortisol formation selected from the group consisting of obesity, diabetes, obesity related cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis and glaucoma comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of claim 1.",
"3. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and, as active ingredient, an effective IIβ-HSD1 inhibitory amount of a compound of claim 1.",
"4. A compound according to claim 1, wherein R1 and R2 each independently represents hydrogen, C1-4-alkyl, or C1-4-alkyloxy.",
"5. A compound according to claim 1, wherein R1 and R2 each independently represents methyl or methoxy.",
"6. A compound according to claim 1, wherein R4 represents hydrogen.",
"7. A compound according to claim 1, wherein Het5 represents a monocyclic heterocycle selected from piperazinyl or morpholinyl.",
"8. A compound according to claim 1, wherein Het7 represents a monocyclic heterocycle selected from piperazinyl or morpholinyl.",
"9. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R1 and R2 each represent C1-4-alkyl.",
"10. A compound having the following formula:\nor an N-oxide form, a pharmaceutically acceptable addition salt or stereochemically isomeric form thereof."
],
[
"1. A compound of formula (I-K-1-2):\nwherein\nR represents a benzene ring which may have 1 to 3 substituent(s) selected from methyl, fluorine, chlorine, methoxy, ethoxy, or difluoromethoxy;\nG represents a bond methylene which may have 1 to 2 substituents(s), ethylene which may have 1 to 2 substituent(s) or ethenylene which may have 1 to 2 substituent(s) selected from methyl, ethyl, fluorine, methoxy or oxo;\nT represents —CHOH—, or —CO—;\nB represents C1-6 alkyl which may have 1 to 2 substituent(s) selected from methyl, fluorine, or chlorine; or a benzene ring which may have 1 to 2 substituent(s) selected from methyl, fluorine, or chlorine;\nring D1 represents a benzene ring which may have a substituent selected from methyl, fluorine, or chlorine;\nK1 represents a C1-4 alkylene which may have 1 to 2 substituent(s) selected from methyl, fluorine, hydroxyl, or oxo;\nL represents a bond, —O— or —S—;\nring E represents a benzene ring which may have an additional substituent selected from, methyl, fluorine, chlorine, methoxy, or ethoxy;\nM represents a bond, or a spacer having from 1 to 8 atoms in its principle chain;\nZ represents —COOR5;\nR5 represents hydrogen, methyl, or ethyl; and\nt represents 0 or 1, or\na salt thereof.",
"2. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound according to claim 1, a salt thereof or and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier."
],
[
"1. A method for increasing the sweet taste of a comestible or medicinal product comprising:\n(a) providing at least one comestible or medicinal product, or at least one precursor thereof, and\n(b) combining the at least one comestible or medicinal product or at least one precursor thereof with at least a sweet flavor modulating amount of at least one bi-aromatic amide compound, or one or more comestibly acceptable salts thereof, so as to form a modified comestible or medicinal product;\nwherein the bis-aromatic amide compound has the structure:\nwherein\nAr1 and Ar2 are independently selected from monocyclic aryl, fused bicyclic aryl, monocyclic heteroaryl, or fused bicyclic heteroaryl rings;\n(ii) m is selected from the integers 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5;\n(iii) m′ is selected from the integers 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4;\n(iv) each R1 and R2 is independently selected from the group consisting of an OH, NH2, NO2, SH, SO3H, PO3H, halogen, and a C1-C6 organic radical;\n(v) L is a carbon atom;\n(vi) R3 is hydrogen, oxygen, hydroxy, halogen, or a C1-C6 organic radical;\n(vii) R4 is hydrogen, oxygen, hydroxy, halogen, or a C1-C6 organic radical;\n(viii) R5 is a C1-C14 organic radical comprising a normal or branched alkyl or cycloalkyl, wherein the normal or branched alkyl or cycloalkyl optionally comprises one to four substituents independently selected from OH, NH2, NO2, SH, SO3H, PO3H, halogen, and a C1-C6 organic radical;\nor a comestibly acceptable salt thereof.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein m and m′ are independently selected from the integers 0, 1, or 2.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein m and m′ are independently 0 or 1.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein the organic radicals are C1-C4 organic radicals.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein the C1-C6 organic radicals are independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkoxy, alkoxy-alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, NHR6, NR6R6′, CN, CO2H, CO2R6, C(O)H, C(O)R6, C(O)NHR6, C(O)NR6R6′, OC(O)R6, NHC(O)R6, SR6, S(O)R6, S(O)2R6, S(O)NHR6, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, heterocycle, aryl, and heteroaryl, wherein R6 is C1-C4 alkyl.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein Ar1 and Ar2 are independently selected from the group consisting of monocyclic aryl, and monocyclic heteroaryl rings.",
"7. The method of claim 1, wherein Ar1 and Ar2 are independently selected from the group consisting of phenyl, napthyl, indole, pyridyl, pyrimidyl, benzofuran, and benzothiofuran rings.",
"8. The method of claim 1, wherein Ar1 is a phenyl ring.",
"9. The method of claim 8, wherein Ar1 is a phenyl, pyridyl, pyrimidyl, or pyrazinyl ring.",
"10. The method of claim 1, wherein Ar1 is a pyridyl ring.",
"11. The method of claim 1, wherein R3 and R4 are independently selected from hydrogen and a C1-C4 organic radical.",
"12. The method of claim 1, wherein R3 and R4 are independently selected from hydrogen, a C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, or C1-C4 alkoxyalkyl.",
"13. The method of claims 1, wherein R3 and R4 are independently selected from hydrogen and C1-C4 alkyls.",
"14. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of R3 and R4 are methyl.",
"15. The method of claim 1, wherein one of R3 and R4 is a C1-C4 alkyl and the other of R3 and R4 is hydrogen.",
"16. The method of claim 1, wherein one of R3 and R4 is methyl and the other of R3 and R4 is hydrogen.",
"17. The method of claim 1, wherein R3 and R4 are methyl.",
"18. The method of claim 1, wherein R5 is a C3-C10 branched alkyl.",
"19. The method of claim 1, wherein R5 is a C1-C10 normal or branched alkyl or cycloalkyl, optionally substituted with 1, 2, or 3 aryl or hetereroaryl rings.",
"20. The method of claim 1, wherein R5 is a C1-C10 normal or branched alkyl or cycloalkyl, substituted with 1, 2, or 3 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of hydroxy, fluoro, chloro, NH2, NO2, NHCH3, N(CH3)2, COOCH3, SCH3, SC2H5, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, vinyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy, and trifluoromethoxy groups.",
"21. The method of claim 1, wherein the modified comestible or medicinal product further comprises at least a sweet flavoring agent amount of one or more of sucrose, fructose, glucose, erythritol, isomalt, lactitol, mannitol, sorbitol, xylitol, aspartame, neotame, saccharin, acesulfame-K, cyclamate, Sucralose, and alitame, or a mixture thereof.",
"22. The method of claim 1, wherein the modified comestible or medicinal product further comprises a sweet flavoring agent amount of fructose.",
"23. The method of any claim 1, wherein the modified comestible or medicinal product modified comestible or medicinal product has a sweeter taste than a control comestible or medicinal product that does not comprise the bis-aromatic amide compound, as judged by the majority of a panel of at least eight human taste testers.",
"24. The method of claim 1, wherein the modified comestible or medicinal product is selected from the group consisting of confectioneries, bakery products, ice creams, dairy products, sweet and savory snacks, and snack bars.",
"25. The method of claim 1, wherein the modified comestible or medicinal product is selected from the group consisting of meal replacement products, ready meals, soups, pastas, noodles, canned foods, frozen foods, dried foods, chilled foods, oils and fats, baby foods, and spreads.",
"26. The method of claim 1, wherein the modified comestible or medicinal product is a frozen food, an uncooked food, or a fully or partially cooked food.",
"27. The method of claim 1, wherein the modified comestible or medicinal product is a snack food.",
"28. The method of claim 1, wherein the modified comestible or medicinal product is a cake, cookie, pie, candy, chewing gum, gelatin, ice cream, sorbet, pudding, jam, jelly, salad dressing, condiment, cereal, canned fruit, or fruit sauce.",
"29. The method of claim 1, wherein the modified comestible or medicinal product is a beverage, a beverage mix, or a beverage concentrate.",
"30. The method of claim 1, wherein the modified comestible or medicinal product is a solid beverage mix also comprising a saccharide sweetener.",
"31. The method of claim 1, wherein the modified comestible or medicinal product is a liquid beverage concentrate composition also comprising a saccharide sweetener.",
"32. The method of claim 1, wherein the modified comestible or medicinal product is a soda.",
"33. The method of claim 1, wherein the modified comestible or medicinal product is a fruit or vegetable juice.",
"34. The method of claim 1, wherein the modified comestible or medicinal product is ice cream.",
"35. The method of claim 1, wherein the modified comestible or medicinal product is a cereal.",
"36. The method of claim 1, wherein the modified comestible or medicinal product comprises a sweet coating, frosting, or glaze comprising a mixture of the at least one bis-aromatic amide compound and one or more other sweeteners independently selected from sucrose, fructose, glucose, erythritol, isomalt, lactitol, mannitol, sorbitol, xylitol, aspartame, neotame, saccharin, acesulfame-K, cyclamate, Sucralose, and alitame, or a mixture thereof.",
"37. The method of claim 1, wherein the modified comestible or medicinal product has a sweeter taste than a control comestible or medicinal product that does not comprise the bis-aromatic amide compound, as judged by the majority of a panel of at least eight human taste testers.",
"38. The method of claim 1, wherein the bis-aromatic amide compound has an EC50 for binding an hT1R2/hT1R3 receptor expressed in an HEK293-Gα15 cell line of less than about 2 μM.",
"39. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more bis-aromatic amide compounds contacted or mixed with one or more precursors of the comestible or medicinal product to form a sweetener concentrate composition comprising from about 10 to about 100,000 ppm of the one or more bis-aromatic amide compounds, then the sweetener concentrate composition is used to prepare the comestible or medicinal product.",
"40. The method of claim 39 wherein from about 100 to about 1000 ppm of the one or more bis-aromatic amide compounds are present in the sweetener concentrate composition.",
"41. The method of claim 39 wherein the sweetener concentrates composition is a liquid solution, dispersion, or emulsion of the bis-aromatic amide compound in one or more precursors of the comestible or medicinal product.",
"42. The method of claim 39 wherein the sweetener concentrates composition is a solid.",
"43. A method for increasing the sweet taste of a comestible or medicinal product comprising:\n(a) providing at least one comestible or medicinal product, or at least one precursor thereof, and\n(b) combining the at least one comestible or medicinal product or at least one precursor thereof with from about 0.01 to about 100 ppm of at least one bis-aromatic amide compound, or a comestibly acceptable salt thereof, and a sweet flavoring agent amount of sucrose, fructose, glucose, or a mixture thereof, so as to form a modified comestible or medicinal product;\nwherein the bis-aromatic amide compound has the structure:\nwherein\n(i) Ar1 and Ar2 are independently selected from phenyl, napthyl, indolyl, pyridyl, pyrimidyl, pyrrolyl, furanyl, thiofuranyl, quinolinyl, benzofuranyl, triazolyl, and benzothiofuranyl rings;\n(ii) m is selected from the integers 0, 1, 2, or 3;\n(iii) m′ is selected from the integers 0, 1, or 2;\n(iv) each R1 and R2 is independently selected from the group consisting of a hydroxy, fluoro, chloro, NH2, NO2, NHCH3, N(CH3)2, COOCH3, SCH3, SC2H5, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, vinyl, allyl, S(O)CH3, S(O)2CH3, CN, CH2OH, C(O)H, C(O)CH3, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy, and trifluoromethoxy radical;\n(v) R3 is a C1-C4 alkyl;\n(vi) R4 is hydrogen, or a C1-C4 alkyl;\n(vii) R5 is a C1-C10 normal or branched alkyl or cycloalkyl, wherein the normal or branched alkyl or cycloalkyl optionally comprises one to or two substituents independently selected from hydroxy, fluoro, chloro, NH2, NO2, NHCH3, N(CH3)2, COOCH3, SCH3, SC2H5, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, vinyl, allyl, S(O)CH3, S(O)2CH3, CN, CH2OH, C(O)H, C(O)CH3, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy, and trifluoromethoxy radical;\nor a comestibly acceptable salt thereof.",
"44. The method of claim 43, wherein R3 and R4 are methyl, and R5 is a C3-C10 branched alkyl.",
"45. A comestible or medicinal product produced by the process of claims 43 or 44.",
"46. A sweet comestible or medicinal product comprising from about 0.01 to about 100 ppm of at least one bis-aromatic amide compound, or a comestibly acceptable salt thereof, and at least a sweet flavoring agent amount of one or more natural, semi-synthetic, or synthetic sweet flavoring agents, or a mixture thereof;\nwherein the bis-aromatic amide compound has the structure:\nWherein\n(i) Ar1 and Ar2 are independently selected from a phenyl, pyridyl, pyrimidyl, pyrazinyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, furanyl, thiofuranyl, triazolyl, isoxazolyl, oxadiazolyl, or indolyl ring;\n(ii) m and m′ are independently selected from the integers 0, 1, or 2;\n(iii) each R1 and R2 is independently selected from the group consisting of OH, NH2, NO2, SH, SO3H, PO3H, halogen, and a C1-C4 organic radical;\n(iv) R3 and R4 are independently selected from hydrogen and methyl,\n(v) R5 is a C3-C10 branched alkyl optionally comprising one, two, or three substituents independently selected from OH, NH2, a halogen, and a C1-C6 organic radical;\nor a comestibly acceptable salt thereof.",
"47. The sweet comestible or medicinal product of claim 46 wherein Ar1 a phenyl, pyridyl, pyrimidyl, pyrazinyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, furanyl, thiofuranyl, or indolyl ring.",
"48. The sweet comestible or medicinal product of claim 46 wherein Ar2 is a phenyl, pyridyl, pyrimidyl, pyrazinyl, pyrazolyl, furanyl, thiofuranyl, isoxazolyl, oxadiazolyl, or triazolyl ring.",
"49. The sweet comestible or medicinal product of claim 46, wherein the one or more natural, semi-synthetic, or synthetic sweet flavoring agents comprising sucrose, fructose, glucose, erythritol, isomalt, lactitol, mannitol, sorbitol, xylitol, aspartame, neotame, saccharin, acesulfame-K, cyclamate, Sucralose, or alitame, or a mixture thereof.",
"50. A sweet comestible or medicinal product of claim 46 that is a confectionery, bakery product, ice cream, dairy product, sweet snack, cereal, beverage, beverage mix, or beverage concentrate.",
"51. A bis-aromatic amide compound having the structure:\nwherein\n(i) Ar1 and Ar2 are independently selected from a phenyl or monocyclic heteroaryl rings;\n(ii) m and m′ are independently selected from the integers 0, 1, or 2;\n(iii) each R1 and R2 is independently selected from the group consisting of OH, NH2, NO2, SH, SO3H, PO3H, halogen, and a C1-C4 organic radical;\n(iv) R3 and R4 are independently selected from hydrogen and a C1-C4 alkyl,\n(v) R5 is a C3-C10 branched alkyl optionally comprising one, two, or three substituents independently selected from OH, NH2, a halogen, and a C1-C6 organic radical;\nor a comestibly acceptable salt thereof.",
"52. The bi-aromatic amide compound of claim 51 or a comestibly acceptable salt thereof, wherein Ar2 is phenyl.",
"53. The bis-aromatic amide compound of claim 51 or a comestibly acceptable salt thereof, wherein Ar1 is a pyridyl, pyrimidyl or pyrazinyl ring.",
"54. The bis-aromatic amide compound of claim 51 or a comestibly acceptable salt thereof, wherein R3 and R4 are methyl.",
"55. The bis-aromatic amide compound of claim 51 or a comestibly acceptable salt thereof, wherein R5 is a C3-C10 branched alkyl.",
"56. A comestible composition comprising from about 0.001 to about 10 ppm of one or more of the bis-aromatic amide compounds of claim 51.",
"57. A sweetener concentrate composition comprising from about 10 to about 100,000 ppm of one or more of the bis-aromatic amide compounds of claim 51, and one or more comestibly acceptable carriers.",
"58. The sweetener concentrates composition of claim 57 comprising a solution, dispersion, or emulsion of the bis-aromatic amide compound in the one or more comestibly acceptable liquids.",
"59. The sweetener concentrate composition of claim 58 wherein the comestibly acceptable liquids are selected from a water, a comestibly acceptable organic solvent, or comestibly acceptable oils or melted fats, or a mixture thereof.",
"60. The sweetener concentrates composition of claim 59 wherein the comestibly acceptable organic solvents are selected from ethanol, propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol and methyl, ethyl, and acetate esters thereof, glycerol, and corn syrup.",
"61. The sweetener concentrates composition of claim 59 wherein the comestibly acceptable oils or melted fats comprise triacetylesters of glycerol.",
"62. The sweetener concentrates composition of claim 57 wherein the one or more comestibly acceptable carriers is a comestibly acceptable solid.",
"63. The sweetener concentrates composition of claim 62 wherein the comestibly acceptable solid comprises a saccharide or polysaccharide.",
"64. The sweetener concentrates composition of claim 62 wherein the comestibly acceptable solid comprises sucrose, fructose, or glucose.",
"65. The sweetener concentrates composition of claim 62 wherein the comestibly acceptable solid comprises starch, modified starches, dextrins, maltodextrins, celluloses, modified celluloses, pectins, alginates, chitosan, chitosan derivatives, gum arabic, carrageenans, locust bean gum, and guar gum.",
"66. A compound having the formula:\n2-(4-(6-cyanopyrazin-2-yl)phenyl)-N-isobutyl-2-methylpropanamide;\n2-(4-(5-cyanopyridin-3-yl)phenyl)-2-methyl-N-(pentan-3-yl)propanamide;\n(R)-N-sec-butyl-2-(4-(5-cyanopyridin-3-yl)phenyl)-2-methylpropanamide;\n2-(4-(5-cyanopyridin-3-yl)phenyl)-N-isobutyl-2-methylpropanamide;\n2-methyl-N-(2-methylbutyl)-2-(4-(pyrimidin-5-yl)phenyl)propanamide;\n2-(4-(5-(ethoxymethyl)pyridin-3-yl)phenyl)-N-isobutyl-2-methylpropanamide;\nN-isobutyl-2-(2-methoxy-3′-(methoxymethyl)biphenyl-4-yl)-2-methylpropanamide;\nN-isobutyl-2-(4-(6-(methoxymethyl)pyrazin-2-yl)phenyl)-2-methylpropanamide;\nN-isobutyl-2-(3′-(methoxymethyl)biphenyl-4-yl)-2-methylpropanamide;\nN-isobutyl-2-(4-(5-(methoxymethyl)pyridin-3-yl)phenyl)-2-methylpropanamide;\nN-isobutyl-2-methyl-2-(4-(1-methyl-1H-pyrrol-2-yl)phenyl)propanamide;\n2-(2′-(hydroxymethyl)biphenyl-4-yl)-N-isobutyl-2-methylpropanamide;\n(S)-N-(1-hydroxybutan-2-yl)-2-(3′-(methoxymethyl)biphenyl -4-yl)-2-methylpropanamide;\nN-isobutyl -2-methyl-2-(4-(pyrimidin-5-yl)phenyl)propanamide;\n2-(4-(6-cyanopyrazin-2-yl)phenyl)-N-(2-methoxypropyl)-2-methylpropanamide;\n(R)-N-sec-butyl-2-(4-(6-cyanopyrazin-2-yl)phenyl)-2-methylpropanamide;\nor a comestibly acceptable salt thereof.",
"67. A comestible composition comprising at least a sweet flavor modulating amount of at least one of the compounds of claim 66.",
"68. A method for increasing the sweet taste of a comestible or medicinal product comprising:\n(a) providing at least one comestible or medicinal product, or at least one precursor thereof, and\n(b) combining the at least one comestible or medicinal product or at least one precursor thereof with at least a sweet flavor modulating amount of at least one bis-aromatic amide compound, or one or more comestibly acceptable salts thereof, so as to form a modified comestible or medicinal product;\nwherein the bis-aromatic amide compound has the structure:\nwherein\n(i) Ar1 and Ar2 are independently selected from monocyclic aryl, fused bicyclic aryl, monocyclic heteroaryl, or fused bicyclic heteroaryl rings;\n(ii) m is selected from the integers 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5;\n(iii) m′ is selected from the integers 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4;\n(iv) each R1 and R2 is independently selected from the group consisting of an OH, NH2, NO2, SH, SO3H, PO3H, halogen, and a C1-C6 organic radical;\n(v) L is a carbon or nitrogen atom;\n(vi) R3 is hydrogen, oxygen, hydroxy, halogen, or a C1-C6 organic radical;\n(vii) R4 is absent, or hydrogen, oxygen, hydroxy, halogen, or a C1-C6 organic radical;\n(viii) R5 is a C1-C14 organic radical comprising a normal or branched alkyl or cycloalkyl, wherein the normal or branched alkyl or cycloalkyl optionally comprises one to four substituents independently selected from OH, NH2, NO2, SH, SO3H, PO3H, halogen, and a C1-C6 organic radical;\nor a comestibly acceptable salt thereof."
],
[
"1. A compound of the formula:\nwherein:\nthe dashed line between C4 and C5 indicates that C4 and C5 are attached to each other by either a single bond or a double bond;\nR2 is selected from R9C(═O)—, bromo, N-pyrrolidinyl, 3-isopropyl-2-pentyl-3-urea, p-tolyl, p-CN-Ph, 5-methylfuryl, p-bromo-Ph, and 5-(1-Me-2-Cl-pyrroly1); and\nR9 is selected from: 1-methyl-hexyl-NH—, pyrind-4yl-methyl-N(Et)-, (i-Bu)2,N—, PhCH2,CH2,N(Me)-, t-BuOC(O)CH2CH2NH—, BnNH, (2-pyridin-2-yl-ethyl)-N(Me)-, HOCH2CH2N(Et), Et(Ph)N(Me), EtOC(O)CH2N(Bn), HO(O)CCH2CH2NH, EtOC(O)CH2CH2NH, 1-(2-Et-piperidinyl), 1-(2-Me-pyrrolidinyl), bis-(2-ethyl-hexyl)N, t-BuOC(O)CH(i-Pr)NH, MeOC(O)CH2CH2COCH2NH, t-BuOCOCH(Bn)NH, 1-Azepanyl, 1-piperidinyl, 1-(2-methyl-aziridinyl), (5-t-butoxycarbonyl-2,5-diaza- bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-yl), (isoamyl)2N, t-BuOC(O)CH2CH2N(i-Bu), EtOC(O)CH2NH, EtOC(O)(CH2)3NH, 1-azetidinyl, 1-pyrrolidinyl, 1-(2,5-dimethyl-pyrrolidinyl), (2-Oxa-5-aza-bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-yl), i-BuNH, c-PrCH2N(n-Pr), 2-ethyl-hexyl-N(pyridin-2-ylmethyl) N, t-BuCH2CH2NH, EtOC(O)CH2CH(CO2Et)NH, EtOC(O)CH(i-Bu)NH, t-BuOCO (CH2)2CH(CO2,Me)NH, 1-(2CO2Me)-piperidinyl, pyridin-2-ylmethyl-NH, pyridin-3-ylmethyl-NH, pyridin-4-ylmethyl-NH, pyridin-2-yl-NH, pyridin-3-yl-methyl- N(Me), (EtO)2C(O)CH(Me)NH, i-BuN(Me), t-BuOC(O)CH(s-Bu)NH—, ethoxy, hydroxyl, and 4-chloro-phenyl-;\nor a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.",
"2. A compound selected from the group consisting of:\nN,N-bis(2-Methylpropyl)-5-[2,2,2-trifluoro-1-hydroxy-1-(trifluoromethyl)ethyl]-4,5-dihydroisoxazole-3-carboxamide;\n1,1-Dimethylethyl 3-[({5-[2,2,2-trifluoro-1-hydroxy-1-(trifluoromethyl)ethyl]-4,5-dihydroisoxazol-3-yl}carbonyl)amino]propanoate;\n1,1-Dimethylethyl 3-methyl-2-[({5-[2,2,2-trifluoro-1-hydroxy-1-(trifluoromethyl)ethyl]-4,5-dihydroisoxazol-3-yl}carbonyl)amino]butanoate;\nN-(2-Ethylhexyl)-N-(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)-5-[2,2,2-trifluoro-1-hydroxy-1-(trifluoromethyl)ethyl]-4,5-dihydroisoxazole-3-carboxamide;\nN-(1-Methylhexyl)-5[2,2,2-trifluoro-1-hydroxy-1-(trifluoromethyl)ethyl]-4,5-dihydroisoxazole-3-carboxamide;\nN-(Pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-5-[2,2,2-trifluoro-1-hydroxy-1-(trifluoromethyl)ethyl]-4,5-dihydroisoxazole-3-carboxamide;\nN-[(6,6-Dimethylbicyclo[3.1.1]hept-2-yl)methyl]-5[2,2,2-trifluoro-1-hydroxy-1-(trifluoromethyl)ethyl]-4,5-dihydroisoxazole-3-carboxamide;\n3-(Methyl)-2-{[5-(2,2,2-trifluoro-1-hydroxy-1-(trifluoromethyl)ethyl)-4,5-dihydroisoxazole-3-carbonyl]-amino}-pentanoic acid tert-butyl ester;\n4-{5-[2,2,2-Trifluoro-1-hydroxy-1-(trifluoromethyl)ethyl]-4,5-dihydroisoxazol-3-Yl}benzonitrile;\n4-Chloro-phenyl)-[5-(2,2,2-trifluoro-1-hydroxy-1-trifluoromethyl-ethyl)-isoxazol-3-yl]methanone;\n1,1,1,3,3,3-Hexafluoro-2-(3-pyrrolidin-1-4,5-dihydroisoxazol-5-yl)propan-2-ol;\n3-(Isopropyl-1-pentyl)-1-[5(2,2,2-trifluoro-1hydroxy-1-trifluoromethyl-ethyl)-4,5-dihydroisoxazol-3-yl]-urea; and\n(4-chloro-phenyl)-[5-(2,2,2-trifluoro-1-hydroxy-1-trifluormethyl-ethyl)-4,5-dihydroisoxazol-3-yl]methanone;\nor a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.",
"3. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of claim 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.",
"4. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of claim 2, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier."
],
[
"1. A process for preparing an amide compound of Formula 1-3:\ncomprising reacting a phenylacetic acid derivative compound of Formula 1-1:\nor salt thereof, wherein Lg is a leaving group,\nwith an amine compound of Formula 1-2:\nor salt thereof, in the presence of a coupling reagent to afford said amide compound of Formula 1-3.",
"2. The process according to claim 1, wherein Lg is OH.",
"3. The process according to claim 2, wherein said coupling reagent comprises phenylboronic acid, boric acid, or mixture thereof.",
"4. The process according to claim 2, wherein said coupling reagent comprises 2,5,6-trifluorophenylboronic acid.",
"5. The process according to claim 2, wherein said coupling reagent comprises a boron-containing acid, a carbodiimide, or a ketal.",
"6. The process according to claim 5, wherein said carbodiimide is 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-carbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC).",
"7. The process according to claim 5, wherein said ketal has the formula:\nwherein R1, R2, R3, and R4 are C1-6 alkyl.",
"8. The process according to claim 7, wherein R1, R2, R3, and R4 are independently selected from methyl and ethyl.",
"9. The process according to claim 7, wherein said ketal comprises 2,2-dimethoxypropane.",
"10. The process according to claim 7, wherein said reacting is carried out in the presence of an acid catalyst.",
"11. The process according to claim 10, wherein said catalyst comprises a sulfonic acid.",
"12. The process according to claim 10, wherein said catalyst comprises an optionally substituted arylsulfonic acid.",
"13. The process according to claim 10, wherein said catalyst comprises p-toluenesulfonic acid.",
"14. The process according to claim 1, wherein Lg is halo.",
"15. The process according to claim 14, wherein said coupling reagent comprises a base.",
"16. The process according to claim 15, wherein said base comprises a tri(C1-6)alkylamine.",
"17. The process according to claim 15, wherein said base is triethylamine.",
"18. The process according to claim 1, further yielding a dihydrooxazole compound of Formula 1-4:\nor salt thereof.",
"19. The process according to claim 1, wherein said reacting is carried out in the presence of a solvent.",
"20. The process according to claim 19, wherein said solvent is an aromatic solvent or an alcohol solvent.",
"21. The process according to claim 19, wherein said solvent comprises toluene.",
"22. The process according to claim 19, wherein said solvent comprises methanol, ethanol, or isopropanol.",
"23. The process according to claim 1, wherein said reacting is carried out at about room temperature.",
"24. The process according to claim 1, wherein said reacting is carried out at elevated temperature.",
"25. The process according to claim 24, wherein said elevated temperature is about 80° C. to about 140° C.",
"26. A process for preparing an amide compound of Formula 1-3:\ncomprising reacting, in a solvent comprising toluene and at elevated temperature, a phenylacetic acid derivative compound of Formula 1-1:\nor salt thereof, wherein Lg is OH, with an amine compound of Formula 1-2:\nor salt thereof, in the presence of at least one boron-containing acid to afford said amide compound of Formula 1-3.",
"27. The process according to claim 26, wherein said reacting is carried out in the presence of phenylboronic acid, boric acid, or mixture thereof.",
"28. The process according to claim 26, wherein said reacting is carried out in the presence of 2,5,6-trifluorophenylboronic acid.",
"29. A process for preparing an amide compound of Formula 1-3:\ncomprising reacting, in a solvent comprising isopropyl alcohol and at about room temperature, a phenylacetic acid derivative compound of Formula 1-1:\nor salt thereof, wherein Lg is OH, with an amine compound of Formula 1-2:\nor salt thereof, in the presence of 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-carbodiimide hydrochloride to afford said amide compound of Formula 1-3.",
"30. The process according to claim 29, further affording a dihydrooxazole compound of Formula 1-4:\nor salt thereof.",
"31. A process for preparing an amide compound of Formula 1-3:\ncomprising reacting, in an alcohol solvent and optionally in the presence of an acid catalyst, a phenylacetic acid derivative compound of Formula 1-1:\nor salt thereof, wherein Lg is OH, with an amine compound of Formula 1-2:\nor salt thereof, in the presence of 2,2-dimethoxypropane to afford said amide compound of Formula 1-3.",
"32. The process according to claim 31 further affording a dihydrooxazole compound of Formula 1-4:\nor salt thereof.",
"33. The process according to claim 31 further comprising combining said 2,2-dimethoxypropane with said phenylacetic acid derivative compound of Formula 1-1, or salt thereof, prior to said reacting with said amine compound of Formula 1-2, or salt thereof.",
"34. The process according to claim 31, wherein said combining affords 2-(4-chlorophenyl)acetic acid methyl ester.",
"35. The process according to claim 32, wherein said combining is carried out at elevated temperature.",
"36. The process according to claim 35, wherein said elevated temperature is about 60° C. to about 120° C.",
"37. The process according to claim 34, wherein conversion of said phenylacetic acid derivative compound of Formula 1-1, or salt thereof, to said 2-(4-chlorophenyl)acetic acid methyl ester is about 90% or greater.",
"38. A process for preparing an amino alcohol compound of Formula 2-1:\nor salt thereof, comprising reacting an amide compound of Formula 1-3:\nwith a reducing agent to afford said amino alcohol compound of Formula 2-1, or salt thereof.",
"39. The process according to claim 38 further comprising reacting a dihydrooxazole compound of Formula 1-4:\nor salt thereof, with said reducing agent.",
"40. The process according to claim 38, wherein said reducing agent comprises a borane, dialkylborane, alkali metal trialkylboron hydride, alkali metal aluminum hydride, alkali metal borohydride, alkali metal trialkoxyaluminum hydride, dialkylaluminum hydride, or H2 optionally in the presence of a catalyst.",
"41. The process according to claim 38, wherein said reducing agent comprises BH3.",
"42. The process according to claim 41, wherein said BH3 is generated in situ.",
"43. The process according to claim 38, wherein said reducing agent comprises a borane tetrahydrofuran complex.",
"44. The process according to claim 38, wherein said reducing agent comprises a borane methylsulfide complex.",
"45. The process according to claim 38, wherein said reducing agent is provided in molar excess relative to the amount of said amide compound of Formula 1-3.",
"46. The process according to claim 38, wherein the molar ratio of said reducing agent to said amide compound of Formula 1-3 is about 1:1 to about 10:1.",
"47. The process according to claim 38, wherein the molar ratio of said reducing agent to said amide compound of Formula 1-3 is about 1:1 to about 5:1.",
"48. The process according to claim 38, wherein the molar ratio of said reducing agent to said amide compound of Formula 1-3 is about 3.5:1.",
"49. The process according to claim 38, wherein said reducing agent comprises NaBH4 in the presence of iodine.",
"50. The process according to claim 49, wherein the molar ratio of NaBH4 to iodine to said amide compound of Formula 1-3 is about 10:1:1.",
"51. The process according to claim 49, wherein the molar ratio of NaBH4 to iodine to said amide compound of Formula 1-3 is about 5:1:1.",
"52. The process according to claim 49, wherein the molar ratio of NaBH4 to iodine to said amide compound of Formula 1-3 is about 2.5:1:1.",
"53. The process according to claim 38, wherein said reacting is carried out at elevated temperature.",
"54. The process of claim 53, wherein said elevated temperature is about 30° C. to about 80° C.",
"55. The process of claim 53, wherein said elevated temperature is about 40° C. to about 70° C.",
"56. The process of claim 53, wherein said elevated temperature is about 50° C. to about 60° C.",
"57. The process according to claim 38, wherein conversion of said amide compound of Formula 1-3 to said amino alcohol compound of Formula 2-1, or salt thereof, is about 90% or greater.",
"58. The process according to claim 38, wherein said amide compound of Formula 1-3 is prepared by the process of claim 1.",
"59. A process for preparing an amino alcohol compound of Formula 2-1:\nor salt thereof, comprising:\na) reacting a phenylacetic acid derivative compound of Formula 1-1:\nor salt thereof, wherein Lg is a leaving group, with an amine compound of Formula 1-2:\nor salt thereof, in the presence of a coupling reagent to afford an amide compound of Formula 1-3 and optionally a dihydrooxazole compound of Formula 1-4, or salt thereof:\nand\nb) reacting said amide compound of Formula 1-3 and optionally said dihydrooxazole compound of Formula 1-4, or salt thereof, with a reducing agent to afford said amino alcohol compound of Formula 2-1, or salt thereof.",
"60. A compound of Formula 1-3:",
"61. The compound of claim 60 that is substantially isolated.",
"62. A compound of Formula 1-4:\nor salt thereof.",
"63. The compound of claim 62, or salt thereof, that is substantially isolated.",
"64. A composition comprising a compound of claim 60 or 62, or salt thereof.",
"65. A composition comprising a compound of Formula 1-3 and a compound of Formula 1-4, or salt thereof:",
"66. A process for preparing a compound of Formula 3-5:\ncomprising:\na) reacting a phenylacetic acid derivative compound of Formula 1-1:\nor salt thereof, wherein Lg is a leaving group, with an amine compound of Formula 1-2:\nor salt thereof, in the presence of a coupling reagent to afford an amide compound of Formula 1-3 and optionally a dihydrooxazole compound of Formula 1-4, or salt thereof:\nb) reacting said amide compound of Formula 1-3 and optionally said dihydrooxazole compound of Formula 1-4, or salt thereof, with a reducing agent to afford an amino alcohol compound of Formula 2-1:\nor salt thereof;\nc) reacting said amino alcohol compound of Formula 2-1, or salt thereof, with a chlorinating reagent to afford a dichloro compound of Formula 3-1:\nor salt thereof;\nd) reacting said dichloro compound of Formula 3-1 with a cyclizing reagent to afford a 3-benzazepine compound of Formula 3-2:\ne) contacting said 3-benzazepine compound of Formula 3-2 with L-(+)-tartaric acid to afford a tartrate salt of Formula 3-3:\nf) reacting said tartrate salt of Formula 3-3 with a base to afford the optically active compound of Formula 3-4:\nand\ng) reacting said optically active compound of Formula 3-4 with HCl to afford said compound of Formula 3-5."
],
[
"1. A method for the treatment or control of a disease in a subject comprising administering to said subject a compound having the formula:\nor salt thereof,\nwherein:\nrepresents a single bond or a double bond;\nR1 and R2 are the same or different and, independently of each other, are groups represented by the formula:\nin which R5 is H, OH or OR6, where R6 is a linear or branched C1-C4 alkyl;\nA-B is a group represented by the formula:\nX is O, —CH2O—, —CH2CH2O—, —CH(CH3)CH2O— or —CH2CH(CH3)O—;\nZ is —CH2CH2O—, —CH(CH3)CH2O— or —CH2CH(CH3)O—;\nm is an integer of 0 or 1, and n is an integer of 0-50 and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient or adjuvant, wherein said disease is selected from bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis, and multiple sclerosis.",
"2. The method according to claim 1, comprising administering a compound or salt thereof, wherein\nR1 and R2 are the same or different and, independently of each other, are groups represented by the formula:\nin which R5 is H, OH or OR6, where R6 is a linear or branched C1-C4 alkyl;\nA-B is a group represented by the formula:\nX is —CH2O—, —CH2CH2O—, —CH(CH3)CH2O— or —CH2CH(CH3)O—;\nZ is —CH2CH2O—, —CH(CH3)CH2O— or —CH2CH(CH3)O—;\nm is 1, and n is an integer of 1-50 and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient or adjuvant.",
"3. The method according to claim 2, comprising administering a compound or salt thereof, wherein R1 is",
"4. The method according to claim 2, comprising administering a compound or salt thereof, wherein R2 is",
"5. The method according to claim 2, comprising administering a compound or salt thereof, wherein X is —CH2O—.",
"6. The method according to claim 2, comprising administering a compound or salt thereof, wherein Z is —CH(CH3)CH2O— or —CH2CH(CH3)O—.",
"7. The method according to claim 2, comprising administering a compound or salt thereof, wherein n is an integer of 1-20.",
"8. The method according to claim 7, comprising administering a compound or salt thereof, wherein n is an integer of 10-20.",
"9. The method according to claim 2, comprising administering a compound or salt thereof, wherein n is 7.",
"10. The method according to claim 2, comprising administering a compound or salt thereof, wherein n is an integer of 5-50.",
"11. The method according to claim 2, comprising administering a compound or salt thereof, wherein n is 1.",
"12. The method according to claim 2, comprising administering a compound having the formula:\nor salt thereof,\nwherein\nR is a polyalkylene glycol polymer having n units, where n is an integer from 1-50, and R7 and R8 are selected from the combinations shown:\nR7 R8",
"13. The method according to claim 2, comprising administering a compound or salt thereof, having the formula:\nwherein Z is —CH(CH3)CH2O— or —CH2CH(CH3)O— and n is 1 or 7.",
"14. The method according to claim 2, comprising administering a compound or salt thereof, having the formula:\nwherein Z is —CH2CH2O— and n is 1 or 7.",
"15. The method according to claim 1, wherein the disease is bronchial asthma or allergic rhinitis.",
"16. The method according to claim 1, wherein the disease is multiple sclerosis.",
"17. The method according to claim 2, comprising administering a compound or salt thereof, having the formula:\nwherein Z is —CH2CH(CH3)O— and n is 1.",
"18. A method for the treatment, prevention or control of organ or tissue transplant rejection in a subject comprising administering to said subject a compound having the formula:\nor salt thereof,\nwherein:\nrepresents a single bond or a double bond;\nR1 and R2 are the same or different and, independently of each other, are groups represented by the formula:\nin which R5 is H, OH or OR6, where R6 is a linear or branched C1-C4 alkyl;\nA-B is a group represented by the formula:\nX is O, —CH2O—, —CH2CH2O—, —CH(CH3)CH2O— or —CH2CH(CH3)O—;\nZ is —CH2CH2O—, —CH(CH3)CH2O— or —CH2CH(CH3)O—;\nm is an integer of 0 or 1, and n is an integer of 0-50 and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient or adjuvant.",
"19. The method according to claim 18, comprising administering a compound or salt thereof, wherein\nR1 and R2 are the same or different and, independently of each other, are groups represented by the formula:\nin which R5 is H, OH or OR6, where R6 is a linear or branched C1-C4 alkyl;\nA-B is a group represented by the formula:\nX is —CH2O—, —CH2CH2O—, —CH(CH3)CH2O— or —CH2CH(CH3)O—;\nZ is —CH2CH2O—, —CH(CH3)CH2O— or —CH2CH(CH3)O—;\nm is 1, and n is an integer of 1-50 and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient or adjuvant.",
"20. The method according to claim 19, comprising administering a compound having the formula:\nor salt thereof,\nwherein\nR is a polyalkylene glycol polymer having n units, where n is an integer from 1-50, and R7 and R8 are selected from the combinations shown:\nR7 R8",
"21. The method according to claim 19, comprising administering a compound or salt thereof, having the formula:\nwherein Z is —CH(CH3)CH2O— or —CH2CH(CH3)O— and n is 1 or 7.",
"22. The method according to claim 19, comprising administering a compound or salt thereof, having the formula:\nwherein Z is —CH2CH2O— and n is 1 or 7.",
"23. The method according to claim 19, comprising administering a compound or salt thereof, having the formula:\nwherein Z is —CH2CH(CH3)O— and n is 1.",
"24. The method according to claim 18, wherein the organ or tissue transplantation rejection is kidney rejection, bone marrow rejection, skin graft rejection, cardiac graft rejection or chronic-graft-versus-host disease."
],
[
"1. A compound of Formula (I):\nor a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein:\nD is cyclobutyl optionally substituted with 1-4 RX;\nL1 is a bond, C1-C6 alkylene, 2-7 membered heteroalkylene, —NRN1—, or —O—, wherein C1-C6 alkylene or 2-7 membered heteroalkylene is optionally substituted with 1-5 RL1;\nR1 is hydrogen, hydroxy-C1-C6 alkyl, or C1-C6 alkyl;\nL2 is a bond, C1-C6 alkylene, or 2-7 membered heteroalkylene, wherein C1-C6 alkylene or 2-7 membered heteroalkylene is optionally substituted with 1-5 RL2;\nR2 is hydrogen, hydroxy-C1-C6 alkyl, or C1-C6 alkyl; or\nL2 and R2, together with the nitrogen to which they are attached, form a 4-9 membered monocyclic, bridged bicyclic, fused bicyclic, or spirocyclic heterocyclyl; wherein the 4-9 membered monocyclic, bridged bicyclic, fused bicyclic, or spirocyclic heterocyclyl is optionally substituted on one or more available carbons with 1-5 RW; and wherein if the 4-9 membered monocyclic, bridged bicyclic, fused bicyclic, or spirocyclic heterocyclyl contains a substitutable nitrogen moiety, the substitutable nitrogen may be optionally substituted with RN2;\nA and Z are each independently phenyl or 5-6-membered heteroaryl, wherein each phenyl or 5-6-membered heteroaryl is optionally substituted on one or more available carbons with 1-5 RY; and wherein if the 5-6-membered heteroaryl contains a substitutable nitrogen moiety, the substitutable nitrogen may be optionally substituted with RN3; or\none RY, R2, and L2, together with the nitrogen to which R2 and L2 are attached, form a 4-9 membered monocyclic heterocycle, wherein Z is fused to the formed 4-9 membered monocyclic heterocycle, wherein the available carbon atoms of Z are optionally substituted with 1-4 RY; and wherein if Z contains a substitutable nitrogen moiety, the substitutable nitrogen may be optionally substituted with RN3;\neach RL1 is independently selected from the group consisting of C1-C6 alkyl, hydroxy-C1-C6 alkyl, halo-C1-C6 alkyl, amino-C1-C6 alkyl, cyano-C1-C6 alkyl, oxo, halo, cyano, —ORA, —NRBRC, —NRBC(O)RD, —C(O)NRBRC, —C(O)RD, —C(O)OH, —C(O)ORD, —SRE, —S(O)RD, and —S(O)2RD;\n2 geminal RL2 groups together with the carbon to which they are attached form a cyclopropyl moiety; or\neach RL2 is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl, hydroxy-C1-C6 alkyl, halo-C1-C6 alkyl, amino-C1-C6 alkyl, cyano-C1-C6 alkyl, oxo, halo, cyano, —ORA, —NRBRC, NRBC(O)RD, —C(O)NRBRC, —C(O)RD, —C(O)OH, —C(O)ORD, —SRE, —S(O)RD, and —S(O)2RD;\nRN1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl, hydroxy-C2-C6 alkyl, halo-C2-C6 alkyl, amino-C2-C6 alkyl, cyano-C2-C6 alkyl, —C(O)NRBRC, —C(O)RD, —C(O)ORD, and —S(O)2RD;\nRN2 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl, hydroxy-C2-C6 alkyl, halo-C2-C6 alkyl, amino-C2-C6 alkyl, cyano-C2-C6 alkyl, —C(O)NRBRC, —C(O)RD, —C(O)ORD, and —S(O)2RD;\nRN3 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl, hydroxy-C2-C6 alkyl, halo-C2-C6 alkyl, amino-C2-C6 alkyl, cyano-C2-C6 alkyl, —C(O)NRBRC, —C(O)RD, —C(O)ORD, and —S(O)2RD;\neach RW is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl, hydroxy-C1-C6 alkyl, halo-C1-C6 alkyl, amino-C1-C6 alkyl, cyano-C1-C6 alkyl, oxo, halo, cyano, —ORA, —NRBRC, —NRBC(O)RD, —C(O)NRBRC, —C(O)RD, —C(O)OH, —C(O)ORD, —SRE, —S(O)RD, and —S(O)2RD;\neach RX is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl, hydroxy-C1-C6 alkyl, halo-C1-C6 alkyl, amino-C1-C6 alkyl, cyano-C1-C6 alkyl, oxo, halo, cyano, —ORA, —NRBRC, —NRBC(O)RD, —C(O)NRBRC, —C(O)RD, —C(O)OH, —C(O)ORD, —SRE, —S(O)RD, and —S(O)2RD;\neach RY is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl, hydroxy-C1-C6 alkyl, halo-C1-C6 alkyl, halo-C1-C6 alkoxy, amino-C1-C6 alkyl, cyano-C1-C6 alkyl, —O—C1-C6 cycloalkyl, halo, cyano, —ORA, —NRBRC, —NRBC(O)RD, —C(O)NRBRC, —C(O)RD, —C(O)OH, —C(O)ORD, —S(RF)m, —S(O)RD, —S(O)2RD, and G1; or\n2 RY groups or one RY and one RN3 on adjacent atoms, together with the atoms to which they are attached, form a 3-7 membered fused cycloalkyl, 3-7-membered fused heterocyclyl, fused aryl, or 5-6 membered fused heteroaryl, each of which is optionally substituted with 1-5 RX;\neach G1 is independently 3-7-membered cycloalkyl, 3-7-membered heterocyclyl, aryl, or 5-6-membered heteroaryl, wherein each 3-7-membered cycloalkyl, 3-7-membered heterocyclyl, aryl, or 5-6-membered heteroaryl is optionally substituted with 1-3 RZ;\neach RZ is independently selected from the group consisting of C1-C6 alkyl, hydroxy-C1-C6 alkyl, halo-C1-C6 alkyl, halo, cyano, —ORA, —NRBRC, —NRBC(O)RD, —C(O)NRBRC, —C(O)RD, —C(O)OH, —C(O)ORD, and —S(O)2RD;\nRA is, at each occurrence, independently hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl, halo-C1-C6 alkyl, —C(O)NRBRC, —C(O)RD, or —C(O)ORD;\neach of RB and RC is independently hydrogen or C1-C6 alkyl; or\nRB and RC together with the atom to which they are attached form a 3-7-membered heterocyclyl optionally substituted with 1-3 RZ;\neach RD is independently C1-C6 alkyl or halo-C1-C6 alkyl;\neach RE is independently hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl, or halo-C1-C6 alkyl;\neach RF is independently hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl, or halo; and\nm is 1 when RF is hydrogen or C1-C6 alkyl, 3 when RF is C1-C6 alkyl, or 5 when RF is halo.",
"2. The compound of claim 1, wherein D is",
"3. The compound of claim 1, wherein each RX is independently selected from the group consisting of oxo, —OH, —C(O)OH, —C(O)ORD, halo, and hydroxy-C1-C6 alkyl.",
"4. The compound of claim 1, wherein L1 is selected from a bond, —CH2O—*, —CH2CH2O—*, —CH2OCH2—*, —N(CH3)—*, —NH—*, or —O—*, wherein “—*” indicates the attachment point to A.",
"5. The compound of claim 1, wherein R1 is hydrogen, —CH3, or —CH2CH2OH.",
"6. The compound of claim 1, wherein each of A and Z is independently phenyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, indolyl, imidazolyl, pyrrolyl, triazolyl, or pyrazolyl, each of which is optionally substituted with 1-5 RY groups.",
"7. The compound of claim 1, wherein A is selected from the group consisting of:",
"8. The compound of claim 1, wherein Z is selected from the group consisting of:\nwherein RN3 is hydrogen or —CH3.",
"9. The compound of claim 1, wherein each RY is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, chloro, fluoro, —CHF2, —CF3, —CH3, —CH2CH3, —CH(CH3)2, —OCH3, —OCHF2, —OCF3, —OCH2CF3, —OCH(CH3)2, —CN, —C(O)NH2, —CH2OH, and",
"10. The compound of claim 1, wherein L2 is selected from a bond, —CH2—*, —CH2CH2—*, or —CH2CH2O—* wherein “—*” indicates the attachment point to Z.",
"11. The compound of claim 1, wherein R2 is hydrogen or —CH3.",
"12. The compound of claim 1, wherein L2 and R2, together with the nitrogen to which they are attached, form a 4-7 membered monocyclic or 7-9 membered spirocyclic heterocyclyl, each of which is optionally substituted with 1-5 RW.",
"13. The compound of claim 1, wherein the compound is represented by Formula (II):\nwherein:\nW is a 4-7 membered monocyclic or 7-9 membered spirocyclic heterocyclyl, wherein the 4-7 membered monocyclic or 7-9 membered spirocyclic heterocyclyl is optionally substituted with 1-4 RW;\nQ is nitrogen or C(RQ); and\nRQ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydroxyl, and C1-C6 alkyl.",
"14. The compound of claim 13, wherein Q is nitrogen, and W is a piperazine, piperazinone, or 2,6-diazaspiro[3.3]heptane moiety, each of which is optionally substituted with 1-4 RW groups, and each RW is independently selected from the group consisting of C1-C6 alkyl, halo-C1-C6 alkyl, halo, oxo, cyano, and —ORA.",
"15. The compound of claim 13, wherein W is selected from the group consisting of:",
"16. The compound of claim 13, wherein Q is CH, and W is an azetidine, pyrrolidine, piperidine, or 2-azaspiro[3.3]heptane moiety, each of which is optionally substituted with 1-4 RW groups, and each RW is independently C1-C6 alkyl, halo-C1-C6 alkyl, halo, oxo, cyano, or —ORA.",
"17. The compound of claim 13, wherein W is selected from the group consisting of:",
"18. The compound claim 1, wherein one RY, R2, and L2, together with the nitrogen to which R2 and L2 are attached, form a 4-9 membered monocyclic heterocycle, wherein Z is fused to the formed 4-9 membered monocyclic heterocycle, wherein the available carbon atoms of Z are optionally substituted with 1-4 RY; and wherein if Z contains a substitutable nitrogen moiety, the substitutable nitrogen may be optionally substituted with RN3.",
"19. The compound of claim 1, wherein the compound of Formula (I) is a compound of Formula (I-a):\nor a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein:\nD is cyclobutyl optionally substituted with 1-4 RX groups;\nL1 is selected from the group consisting of a bond, —CH2O—*, —CH2OCH2—*, —NCH3—, —NH—, and —O—, wherein “—*” indicates the attachment point to A;\nR1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and —CH3;\nL2 is selected from the group consisting of a bond and —CH2—*, wherein “—*” indicates the attachment point to Z;\nR2 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and —CH3; or\nL2 and R2, together with the nitrogen to which they are attached, form an azetidine, pyrrolidine, piperidine, 2-azaspiro[3.3]heptane, piperazine, piperazinone, or 2,6-diazaspiro[3.3]heptane moiety, each of which is optionally substituted with 1-4 RW groups; or\none RY, R2, and L2, together with the nitrogen to which R2 and L2 are attached, form a 4-9 membered monocyclic heterocycle, wherein Z is fused to the formed 4-9 membered monocyclic heterocycle, wherein the available carbon atoms of Z are optionally substituted with 1-4 RY; and wherein if Z contains a substitutable nitrogen moiety, the substitutable nitrogen may be optionally substituted with RN3;\nA is phenyl or pyridyl, each of which is optionally substituted with 1-5 RY groups;\nZ is phenyl, pyridyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, imidazolyl, pyrimidinyl, or pyrazolyl, each of which is optionally substituted on one or more available carbons with 1-5 RY groups; and wherein pyrazolyl may be optionally substituted on an available nitrogen with hydrogen or —CH3;\neach RW is independently fluoro, chloro, oxo, —OH, —OCH3, —CF3, —CH3, —CH2CH3, or —CH(CH3)2;\neach RX is independently fluoro, oxo, —OH, O—CH3, —C(O)OH, or —C(O)OCH3;\neach RY is independently chloro, fluoro, —CHF2, —CF3, —CH3, —CH2CH3, —CH(CH3)2, —OCH3, —OCHF2, —OCF3, —OCH2CF3, —OCH(CH3)2, or —CN; or\n2 RY groups on adjacent atoms, together with the atoms to which they are attached form a furanyl, pyrrolyl, pyridyl, phenyl, or dioxolanyl ring, each of which is optionally substituted with 1-2 RX.",
"20. A compound selected from the group consisting of:\nor a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof."
],
[
"1. A compound of Formula I:\nor a salt thereof, wherein:\nR1a and R1b are independently selected from hydrogen, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, and heteroaryl, and is optionally substituted with 1, 2, or 3 R2 groups, or\nR1a and R1b, together with the intervening atoms, form a 5-7 membered heterocyclic ring, and is optionally substituted with 1, 2, or 3 R2 groups;\nat least one of R1a and R1b is not hydrogen;\nX is selected from ethenyl, alkyl, aryl, biaryl, (aryl)cycloalkyl, (aryl)heterocycloalkyl, (aryl)heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, (cycloalkyl)aryl, (cycloalkyl)cycloalkyl, (cycloalkyl)heterocycloalkyl, (cycloalkyl)heteroaryl, heterocycloalkyl, (hetercycloalkyl)aryl, (heterocycloalkyl)cycloalkyl, (heterocycloalkyl)heteroaryl, (heterocycloalkyl)heterocycloalkyl, heteroaryl, (heteroaryl)aryl, (heteroaryl)cycloalkyl, (heteroaryl)heterocycloalkyl, and(heteroaryl)heteroaryl, any of which is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 R3 groups;\nY is selected from —CHR4—, —CHR4CHR4—, and —CR4═CR4;\neach R2 is independently selected from alkyl, alkoxy, amino, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, (heterocycloalkyl)alkyl, halogen, hydroxy, S-sulfonamido, and oxo, and is optionally substituted with 1, 2, or 3 R5\nn is selected from 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5;\neach R3 is independently selected from alkyl, alkoxy, cyano, haloalkyl, hydroxy, halogen, and oxo; and\neach R4 is independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkylamino, halo, and hydroxyl; and\neach R5 is independently selected from hydroxy and alkoxy.",
"2. The compound as recited in claim 1, wherein\nexactly one of R1a and R1b is hydrogen; and\nexactly one of R1a and R1b is selected from phenyl, pyridinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, imidazolyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, and diazanaphthalenyl, and is optionally substituted with 1 or 2 R2 groups.",
"3. The compound as recited in claim 2, wherein at least one R2 is hydroxyl.",
"4. The compound as recited in claim 3, wherein exactly one of R1a and R1b is selected from",
"5. The compound as recited in claim 4, wherein exactly one of R1a and R1b is 5-hydroxypyridin-2-yl.",
"6. The compound as recited in claim 5, wherein X is selected from cycloalkyl, (cycloalkyl)phenyl, phenyl, (phenyl)cycloalkyl, (phenyl)piperidinyl, (phenyl)piperazinyl, pyridinyl, (pyridinyl)cycloalkyl, (pyridinyl)phenyl, (pyridinyl)piperidinyl, (pyridinyl)piperazinyl, biphenyl, naphthyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, benzofuranyl, indolyl, indazolyl, and benzotriazolyl, any of which is optionally substituted with 1, 2, or 3 R3 groups.",
"7. The compound as recited in claim 3, wherein exactly one of R1a and R1b is selected from phenyl and 5-hydroxypyridin-2-yl.",
"8. The compound as recited in claim 7, wherein X is selected from aryl, biaryl, cycloalkyl, heteroaryl, and heterocycloalkyl, any of which is optionally substituted with 1, 2, or 3 R3 groups.",
"9. The compound as recited in claim 8, wherein\nX is phenyl, and is optionally substituted with 1 or 2 R3 groups; and\nR4 is hydrogen.",
"10. The compound as recited in claim 1, wherein\nX is alkyl, and is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 R3 groups; and\neach R3 is independently selected from alkoxy, cyano, hydroxy, halogen, and oxo.",
"11. The compound as recited in claim 10, wherein\nX is C1-8alkyl, and is optionally substituted with 1 or 2 R3 groups; and\neach R3 is independently selected from alkoxy, hydroxy, and halogen.",
"12. The compound as recited in claim 11, wherein\nX is C1-8alkyl, and is optionally substituted with 1 or 2 alkoxy groups.",
"13. The compound as recited in claim 12, wherein\nexactly one of R1a and R1b is H, and\nexactly one of R1a and R1b is selected from",
"14. The compound as recited in claim 13, wherein exactly one of R1a and R1b is 5-hydroxypyridin-2-yl.",
"15. The compound as recited in claim 1, wherein\nexactly one of R1a and R1b is hydrogen; and\nexactly one of R1a and R1b is selected from 4-hydroxyphenyl and 5-hydroxypyridin-2-yl.",
"16. The compound as recited in claim 15, wherein X is selected from aryl, biaryl, heteroaryl, and cycloalkyl, any of which is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 R3 groups.",
"17. The compound as recited in claim 16, wherein X is selected from phenyl, biphenyl, naphthyl, and cyclohexyl, any of which is optionally substituted with 1 or 2 R3 groups.",
"18. The compound as recited in claim 1, having the structure of Formula IV:\nor a salt thereof, wherein:\nU is selected from aryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, and heteroaryl, any of which is optionally substituted with 1 or 2 R3 groups;\nV is selected from a bond, arylene, cycloalkylene, heterocycloalkylene, and heteroarylene, and is optionally substituted with 1 or 2 R3 groups;\nW is selected from CH and N;\nY is selected from —CHR4—, —CHR4CHR4—, and —CR4═CR4—;\neach R3 is independently selected from alkyl, haloalkyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, halogen, cyano, and oxo; and\neach R4 is independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkylamino, halo, and hydroxyl.",
"19. The compound as recited in claim 18, wherein Y is —CH2—.",
"20. The compound as recited in claim 19, wherein\nU is aryl, and is optionally substituted with 1 or 2 R3 groups; and\neach R3 is independently selected from hydroxy, alkoxy, and halogen.",
"21. The compound as recited in claim 20, wherein V is selected from\nwherein:\n* represents the point of attachment to Y; and\n** represents the point of attachment to U.",
"22. The compound as recited in claim 19, wherein U is selected from cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, and heteroaryl, and is optionally substituted with 1 or 2 R3 groups.",
"23. The compound as recited in claim 22, wherein V is selected from\nwherein:\n* represents the point of attachment to Y; and\n** represents the point of attachment to U.",
"24. The compound as recited in claim 23, wherein W is N.",
"25. The compound as recited in claim 18, wherein:\nW is N;\nU is selected from aryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, and heteroaryl, any of which is substituted with 1 or 2 R3 groups;\nV is bond; and each R3 is independently selected from alkyl, haloalkyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, halogen, cyano, and oxo.",
"26. The compound as recited in claim 25, wherein Y is selected from a bond and —CH2—.",
"27. The compound as recited in claim 26, wherein\nU is aryl, and is optionally substituted with 1 or 2 R3 groups; and\neach R3 is independently selected from hydroxy, alkoxy, and halogen.",
"28. The compound as recited in claim 1, having the structure of Formula V:\nor a salt thereof, wherein:\nU is selected from cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, and heteroaryl, any of which is optionally substituted with 1 or 2 R3 groups;\nV is selected from\nwherein either:\n* represents the point of attachment to Y; and ** represents the point of attachment to U, or:\n* represents the point of attachment to U; and ** represents the point of attachment to Y;\nW1 and W2 are independently selected from CH and N;\nY is selected from —CHR4—, —CHR4CHR4—, and —CR4═CR4—;\neach R3 is independently selected from alkyl, haloalkyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, halogen, and cyano; and\neach R4 is independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkylamino, halo, and hydroxyl.",
"29. The compound as recited in claim 28, wherein U is selected from monocyclic aryl, monocyclic cycloalkyl, monocyclic heterocycloalkyl, and monocyclic heteroaryl, any of which is optionally substituted with 1 or 2 R3 groups.",
"30. The compound as recited in claim 29, wherein U is selected from phenyl, pyridyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, cyclohexyl, piperidinyl, and piperazinyl, any of which is optionally substituted with 1 or 2 R3 groups.",
"31. The compound as recited in claim 30, wherein\nU is selected from\nR3a is selected from hydrogen, alkyl, haloalkyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, halogen, and cyano.",
"32. The compound as recited in claim 1, having the structure of Formula VI:\nor a salt thereof, wherein:\nn is selected from 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10;\nW1 and W2 are independently selected from CH and N; and\nR3 is selected from C2-10alkyl, haloalkyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, halogen, and cyano.",
"33. The compound as recited in claim 32, wherein W1 and W2 are CH.",
"34. The compound as recited in claim 33, wherein R3 is selected from C2-10alkyl, hydroxy, C1-4alkoxy, and haloalkoxy.",
"35. The compound as recited in claim 34, wherein R3 is selected from C2-10alkyl and C1-4alkoxy.",
"36. The compound as recited in claim 1, having the structure of Formula VII:\nor a salt thereof, wherein:\nX is selected from\nY is selected from —CHR4—, —CHR4CHR4—, and —CR4═CR4—;\nR3 is selected from alkyl, haloalkyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, halogen, cyano, and oxo; and\neach R4 is independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkylamino, halo, and hydroxyl.",
"37. The compound as recited in claim 36, wherein Y is a bond.",
"38. The compound as recited in claim 37, wherein R3 is selected from alkyl, haloalkyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, and haloalkoxy.",
"39. The compound as recited in claim 1, chosen from\nor a salt thereof."
],
[
"1. A compound of the formula I\nor a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein:\nR1 is phenyl, 4-chlorophenyl or 4-fluorophenyl;\nR2 is 4-pyridyl, optionally substituted with up to 4 groups that are independently (C1-C6) alkyl, halogen, haloalkyl, —OC(O)(C1-C6 alkyl), —C(O)O(C1-C6 alkyl), —CONR′R″, —OC(O)NR′R″, —NR′C(O)R″, —CF3, —OCF3, —OH, C1-C6 alkoxy, hydroxyalkyl, —CN, —CO2H, —SH, —S-alkyl, —SOR′R″, —SO2R′, —NO2, or NR′R″, wherein R′ and R″ are independently H or (C1-C6) alkyl, and wherein each alkyl portion of a substituent is optionally further substituted with 1, 2, or 3 groups independently selected from halogen, CN, OH, and NH2;\nR4 is H or alkyl; and\nn is 1 or 2.",
"2. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R1 is 4-fluorophenyl or 4-chlorophenyl.",
"3. A compound according to claim 1, that is:\n3-(4-fluorophenyl)-N-(pyridin-4-ylmethyl)adamantane-1-carboxamide;\n3-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(pyridin-4-ylmethyl)adamantane-1-carboxamide; or\n3-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(2-pyridin-4-ylethyl)adamantane-1-carboxamide, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.",
"4. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound according to claim 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, medium, or auxiliary agent.",
"5. A process for preparing a compound according to claim 1 comprising coupling a compound having the structure\nwherein X is a Cl or OH, with a compound having the structure\noptionally using a coupling reagent.",
"6. A compound according to claim 3 that is 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(pyridin-4-ylmethyl)adamantane-1-carboxamide or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.",
"7. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 4 comprising the compound 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(pyridin-4-ylmethyl)adamantane-1-carboxamide or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, medium, or auxiliary agent."
],
[
"1. A method of treating a cancer that is melanoma, lung cancer, head cancer, neck cancer, renal cell carcinoma, or bladder cancer, comprising administering to a human in need thereof, an effective amount of a compound of formula (I):\nor a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, hydrate or solvate thereof, wherein,\nthe subscript n is 1;\nA is —C(O)—;\nB is —NH—;\nT is —CR3R4—;\nD is C(R5);\nE is C(R6);\nV is a bond;\nG is an optionally substituted quinolinyl;\nJ1 is CH or C(R2), when R2 is attached to the ring vertex identified as J1;\nR1 and R2 are independently hydrogen, halogen, optionally substituted C1-C4 haloalkyl, optionally substituted C3-C6 cycloalkyl, optionally substituted 3- to 6-membered cycloheteroalkyl, optionally substituted phenyl, optionally substituted heteroaryl, optionally substituted C1-C4 alkyl, optionally substituted C1-C4 alkoxy, CN, SO2NH2, NHSO2CH3, NHSO2CF3, OCF3, SO2CH3, SO2CF3, or CONH2, and when R1 and R2 are on adjacent vertices of a phenyl ring they may be joined together to form a 5- or 6-membered cycloheteroalkyl ring having one or two ring vertices independently selected from O, N and S, wherein said cycloheteroalkyl ring is optionally substituted with from one to three members selected from fluoro and C1-C3 alkyl;\nR3 and R4 are independently hydrogen, optionally substituted C1-C6 alkyl, optionally substituted C1-C6 haloalkyl, fluorine, OH, CN, CO2H, C(O)NH2, N(R5a)2, optionally substituted —O—C1-C6 alkyl, —(CR5R5)m—OH, —(CR5R5)m—CO2H, —(CR5R5)m—C(O)NH2, —(CR5R5)m—C(O)NHR5a, —(CR5R5)mN(R5a)2, —NH(CR5R5)mCO2H or —NH(CR5R5)m—C(O)NH2;\neach R5 is independently H, F, OH, optionally substituted C1-C6 alkyl or optionally substituted —O—C1-C6 alkyl;\neach R5a is independently H, or optionally substituted C1-C6 alkyl;\nR6 is H, OH, F, optionally substituted C1-C6 alkyl, optionally substituted —O—C1-C6 alkyl, or —N(R5a)2;\nand each m is independently 1, 2, or 3.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the compound is of the formula:",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein the compound is:\n4-Chloro-N—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)benzamide;\nN—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)benzamide;\nN—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)-2-methylbenzamide;\nN—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)-3-methylbenzamide;\nN—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)-4-methylbenzamide;\nN—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)-2-methoxybenzamide;\nN—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)-3-methoxybenzamide;\n2-fluoro-N—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)benzamide;\n3-fluoro-N—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)benzamide;\n2-chloro-N—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)benzamide;\n3-chloro-N—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)benzamide;\n3,4-dichloro-N—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)benzamide;\n4-fluoro-N—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)benzamide;\nN—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\n3,5-dichloro-N—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)benzamide;\nN—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)-4-methoxybenzamide;\nN—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-2-carboxamide;\nN—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-4-carboxamide;\n4-Chloro-N—((R)-1-(cis-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)propyl)benzamide;\n4-Chloro-N—((S)-1-(cis-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)propyl)benzamide;\n4-Chloro-N—((R)-1-(trans-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)propyl)benzamide;\n4-Chloro-N—((S)-1-(trans-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)propyl)benzamide;\n4-Cyano-N—((R)-1-(cis-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)propyl)benzamide;\n4-Cyano-N—((S)-1-(cis-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)propyl)benzamide;\n4-Cyano-N—((R)-1-(trans-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)propyl)benzamide;\n4-Cyano-N—((S)-1-(trans-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)propyl)benzamide;\n4-cyano-N—((R)-1-(cis-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)benzamide;\n5-(3-fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)-N—((R)-1-(cis-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)picolinamide;\n(R)-1-(cis-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)-N-methylethanamine;\nN—((R)-1-(cis-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)-4-(1H-pyrrol-1-yl)benzamide;\nN—((R)-1-(cis-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)-4-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)benzamide;\n4-chloro-N—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)but-3-en-1-yl)benzamide;\nN—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)but-3-en-1-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-4-carboxamide\nN-1-((1 S,4S)-4-(quinolin-3-yl)cyclohexyl)propyl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-4-carboxamide;\nN-(1-((1R,4R)-4-(quinolin-3-yl)cyclohexyl)propyl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-4-carboxamide;\nN—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(quinolin-3-yl)cyclohexyl)propyl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-4-carboxamide;\nN—((S)-1-((1s,4R)-4-(quinolin-3-yl)cyclohexyl)propyl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-4-carboxamide;\nN—((R)-1-((1 r,4R)-4-(quinolin-3-yl)cyclohexyl)propyl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-4-carboxamide;\nN—((S)-1-((1r,4S)-4-(quinolin-3-yl)cyclohexyl)propyl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-4-carboxamide;\n4-chloro-N—((R)-1-(cis-4-(quinolin-3-yl)cyclohexyl)propyl)benzamide;\n4-chloro-N—((S)-1-(cis-4-(quinolin-3-yl)cyclohexyl)propyl)benzamide;\n4-chloro-N—((R)-1-(trans-4-(quinolin-3-yl)cyclohexyl)propyl)benzamide;\n4-chloro-N—((S)-1-(trans-4-(quinolin-3-yl)cyclohexyl)propyl)benzamide;\nN-(1-((1s,4s)-4-(6-(trifluoromethyl)quinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)propyl)biphenyl-4-carboxamide;\nN—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)-4-(5-methyl-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)benzamide;\nN—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)-4-(pyrazin-2-yl)benzamide;\nN—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)-4-(pyrimidin-5-yl)benzamide;\nN—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)-4-(1-methyl-1H-imidazol-4-yl)benzamide;\nN—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)-4-(2-methoxypyrimidin-4-yl)benzamide;\nN—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)-4-(6-methyl sulfonyl)pyridin-3-yl)benzamide;\nN—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)-4-(2-methylthiazol-5-yl)benzamide;\nN—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)-4-(5-methoxypyridin-2-yl)benzamide;\n4-(2-cyanopyrimidin-5-yl)-N—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)benzamide;\nN—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)-4-(2-methoxythiazol-4-yl)benzamide;\nN—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)-4′-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)biphenyl-4-carboxamide;\nN—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)-4-(thiazol-4-yl)benzamide;\nN—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)-4-(1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)benzamide;\nN—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)-4-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)benzamide;\nN—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)-4-morpholinobenzamide;\n4-cyclopropyl-N—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)benzamide;\nN—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)-4-(1-methylcyclopropyl)benzamide;\nN—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzamide;\nN—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)-4-(oxazol-5-yl)benzamide;\nN—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)-4-(1-methyl-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-yl)benzamide;\nN—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)-4-(5-methylthiazol-2-yl)benzamide;\n4-(5-cyanothiazol-2-yl)-N—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)benzamide;\n4-chloro-N-(1-((1s,4s)-4-(6-(trifluoromethyl)quinolin-4-yl)cylcohexyl)propyl)benzamide;\n4-(1H-pyrrol-1-yl)-N-(1-((1 s, 4S)-4-(6-(trifloromethyl)quinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)propyl)benzamide;\nN-(1-(4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)propyl)-4-(thiazol-2-yl)benzamide; or\nN-(1-(4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)propyl)bi-phenyl-4-carboxamide;\nor a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.",
"4. The method of claim 2, wherein the G is substituted with halogen.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein R5 is H.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein R6 is H or C1-C6 alkyl.",
"7. The method of claim 1, wherein R6 is H.",
"8. The method of claim 1, wherein R3 and R4 are independently hydrogen or optionally substituted C1-C6 alkyl.",
"9. The method of claim 1, wherein the compound is:\n4-Chloro-N—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)benzamide;\nN—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)benzamide;\nN—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)-2-methylbenzamide;\nN—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)-3-methylbenzamide;\nN—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)-4-methylbenzamide;\nN—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)-2-methoxybenzamide;\nN—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)-3-methoxybenzamide;\n2-fluoro-N—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)benzamide;\n3-fluoro-N—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)benzamide;\n2-chloro-N—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)benzamide;\n3-chloro-N—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)benzamide;\n3,4-dichloro-N—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)benzamide;\n4-fluoro-N—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)benzamide;\nN—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide;\n3,5-dichloro-N—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)benzamide;\nN—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)-4-methoxybenzamide;\nN—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-2-carboxamide;\nN—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-4-carboxamide;\n4-cyano-N—((R)-1-(cis-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)benzamide;\n5-(3-fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)-N—((R)-1-(cis-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)picolinamide;\n(R)-1-(cis-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)-N-methylethanamine;\nN—((R)-1-(cis-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)-4-(1H-pyrrol-1-yl)benzamide;\nN—((R)-1-(cis-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)-4-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)benzamide;\nN—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)-4-(5-methyl-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)benzamide;\nN—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)-4-(pyrazin-2-yl)benzamide;\nN—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)-4-(pyrimidin-5-yl)benzamide;\nN—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)-4-(1-methyl-1H-imidazol-4-yl)benzamide;\nN—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)-4-(2-methoxypyrimidin-4-yl)benzamide;\nN—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)-4-(6-methylsulfonyl)pyridin-3-yl)benzamide;\nN—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)-4-(2-methylthiazol-5-yl)benzamide;\nN—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)-4-(5-methoxypyridin-2-yl)benzamide;\n4-(2-cyanopyrimidin-5-yl)-N—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)benzamide;\nN—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)-4-(2-methoxythiazol-4-yl)benzamide;\nN—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)-4′-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)biphenyl-4-carboxamide;\nN—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)-4-(thiazol-4-yl)benzamide;\nN—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)-4-(1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)benzamide;\nN—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)-4-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)benzamide;\nN—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)-4-morpholinobenzamide;\n4-cyclopropyl-N—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)benzamide;\nN—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)-4-(1-methylcyclopropyl)benzamide;\nN—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzamide;\nN—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)-4-(oxazol-5-yl)benzamide;\nN—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)-4-(1-methyl-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-yl)benzamide;\nN—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)-4-(5-methylthiazol-2-yl)benzamide; or\n4-(5-cyanothiazol-2-yl)-N—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)benzamide;\nor a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.",
"10. The method of claim 1, further comprising administering to said human an effective amount of at least one additional therapeutic agent.",
"11. The method of claim 1, wherein the compound is 4-Chloro-N—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)benzamide or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, hydrate or solvate thereof.",
"12. The method of claim 1, wherein the compound is N—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)-3-methylbenzamide or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, hydrate or solvate thereof.",
"13. The method of claim 1, wherein the compound is N—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)-2-methoxybenzamide or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, hydrate or solvate thereof.",
"14. The method of claim 1, wherein the compound is 2-fluoro-N—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)benzamide or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, hydrate or solvate thereof.",
"15. The method of claim 1, wherein the compound is 3-chloro-N—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)benzamide or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, hydrate or solvate thereof.",
"16. The method of claim 1, wherein the compound is 3,4-dichloro-N—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)benzamide or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, hydrate or solvate thereof.",
"17. The method of claim 1, wherein the compound is 4-fluoro-N—((R)-1-((1s,4S)-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)benzamide or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, hydrate or solvate thereof.",
"18. The method of claim 1, wherein the compound is 4-cyano-N—((R)-1-(cis-4-(6-fluoroquinolin-4-yl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)benzamide or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, hydrate or solvate thereof.",
"19. The method of claim 10, wherein the additional therapeutic agent is an immuno-oncology agent.",
"20. The method of claim 19, wherein the immune-oncology agent is ipilimumab, nivolumab or pembroluzimab.",
"21. The method of claim 9, further comprising administering to said human an effective amount of at least one additional therapeutic agent.",
"22. The method of claim 21, wherein the additional therapeutic agent is an immuno-oncology agent.",
"23. The method of claim 22, wherein the immune-oncology agent is ipilimumab, nivolumab or pembroluzimab."
],
[
"1. A compound represented by formula (I):\nor a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein:\nX is O;\nA1, A2, and A7 are each independently CR2;\none of A3, A5, and A6 is N, and the other two are CR2;\n“ - - - ” indicates a double bond;\nR1 is a C3-14carbocyclyl or a C6-10aryl, wherein R1 may be optionally substituted with from one to six independently selected R6;\nR2, for each occurrence, is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halo, hydroxyl, nitro, cyano, carboxy, C1-6alkyl, C1-6haloalkyl, C3-8cycloalkyl, C3-8halocycloalkyl, C1-6alkoxy, C1-6haloalkoxy, C3-8cycloalkoxy, C3-8halocycloalkoxy, C1-6alkanoyl, amino, N—(C1-6alkyl)amino, N,N-di-(C1-6alkyl)amino, C1-6alkoxycarbonyl, C1-6alkanoyloxy, carbamoyl, N—(C1-6alkyl)carbamoyl, N,N-di-(C1-6alkyl)carbamoyl, C1-6alkylamido, mercapto, C1-6alkylthio, C1-6alkylsulfonyl, sulfamoyl, N—(C1-6alkyl)sulfamoyl, N,N-di-(C1-6alkyl)sulfamoyl, and C1-6alkylsulfonamido;\neach R3 and each R4 are each independently hydrogen, a carboxy, C1-6alkyl, or a C2-6alkenyl;\nor R3 and R4 together with the carbon to which they are attached are —C(═O)—, a C3-8spirocycloalkyl, or a 3- to 8-membered spiroheterocycloalkyl;\nR6, for each occurrence, is independently selected from the group consisting of halo, C1-6alkyl, C1-6alkoxy, C1-6haloalkyl, C3-8cycloalkyl, C6-10aryl, C1-6alkoxy-C1-6alkyl, and tri-(C1-6alkyl)silyl; or two R6 that are attached to the same carbon atom may form C3-8spirocycloalkyl or 3- to 8-membered spiroheterocycloalkyl;\nR8 and R12 are each independently hydrogen or a C1-6alkyl;\ni is an integer from 0 to 6;\nn is 1; and\n(i) m is 1;\nis a ring system represented by the following formula:\nand\nR5 is CO2H; or\n(ii) m is 0;\nis a ring system represented by the following formula:\nwherein B is optionally further substituted by oxo, hydroxy, —NH2, —CONH2, or —CO2H; and\nR5 is CO2H.",
"2. The compound according to claim 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein:\nm is 1;\nis a ring system represented by the following formula:\nand\nR5 is CO2H.",
"3. The compound according to claim 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein:\nm is 0;\nis a ring system represented by the following formula:\nwherein B is optionally further substituted by oxo, hydroxy, —NH2, —CONH2, or —CO2H; and\nR5 is CO2H.",
"4. The compound according to claim 1, wherein the compound is represented by formula (II):\nor a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein:\nA1b, and A2b are CR2b;\nA3b, A5b, and A6b are CR2b or N, wherein at least two of A3b, A5b, and A6b are CR2b;\nR2a is a halo, C1-6haloalkyl or cyano;\nR2b, for each occurrence, is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halo, hydroxyl, nitro, cyano, carboxy, C1-6alkyl, C1-6haloalkyl, C3-8cycloalkyl, C3-8halocycloalkyl, C1-6alkoxy, C1-6haloalkoxy, C3-8cycloalkoxy, C3-8halocycloalkoxy, C1-6alkanoyl, amino, N—(C1-6alkyl)amino, N,N-di-(C1-6alkyl)amino, C1-6alkoxycarbonyl, carbamoyl, N—(C1-6alkyl)carbamoyl, N,N-di-(C1-6alkyl)carbamoyl, C1-6alkylamido, mercapto, C1-6alkylthio, C1-6 alkylsulfonyl, sulfamoyl, N—(C1-6 alkyl)sulfamoyl, N,N-di-(C1-6alkyl)sulfamoyl, and C1-6 alkylsulfonamido; and\n—(CH2)p—R7 is R5.",
"5. The compound according to claim 4, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R2b, for each occurrence, is independently hydrogen or a halo.",
"6. The compound according to claim 5, wherein the compound is represented by formula (IIa):\nor a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein:\nA3c and A5c are N or CH, provided that only one of A3c or A5c is N;\nR9 is a halo, an C1-6alkyl, or a C1-6haloalkyl;\nR13 and R14 are each independently hydrogen or a C1-6alkyl; and\n—(CH2)p—R7 is R5.",
"7. The compound according to claim 4, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R2a is —Cl, —CF3 or —CHF2.",
"8. The compound according to claim 5, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R9 is methyl, ethyl, —CF3 or tert-butyl.",
"9. The compound according to claim 1, wherein the compound is represented by formula (III):\nor a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein:\nA3c is N;\nR10 and R11 are each independently hydrogen, C1-6alkyl, C1-6haloalkyl, tri-C1-6alkylsilyl, or phenyl, wherein at least one of R10 or R11 is not hydrogen; or R10 and R11 together with the carbon to which they are attached form a C3-8spirocycloalkyl or 3- to 8-membered spiroheterocycloalkyl; and\n—(CH2)p—R7 is R5.",
"10. The compound of claim 4, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R6 is trifluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, monofluoromethyl, methyl, ethyl or isopropyl.",
"11. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient and a compound according to claim 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.",
"12. A method of treating or reducing symptoms of multiple sclerosis comprising administering to said mammal an effective amount of a compound according to claim 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.",
"13. The method of claim 12, further comprising administering to said mammal an effective amount of one or more drugs selected from the group consisting of: a corticosteroid, a bronchodilator, an antiasthmatic, an antiinflammatory, an antirheumatic, an immunosuppressant, an antimetabolite, an immunomodulating agent, an antipsoriatic, and an antidiabetic.",
"14. A method of treating or reducing chronic pain in a mammal comprising administering to said mammal an effective amount of a compound according to claim 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.",
"15. The method of claim 14, wherein the chronic pain is inflammatory pain or neuropathic pain."
],
[
"1. A cooling agent composition comprising a methyl menthol derivative selected from the group consisting of:",
"2. The cooling agent composition according to claim 1, wherein the methyl menthol derivative is represented by the following structural formula (2):\nwherein a symbol * indicates an asymmetric carbon atom.",
"3. The cooling agent composition according to claim 1, further comprising at least one cooling substance other than the methyl menthol derivative.",
"4. The cooling agent composition according to claim 3, wherein the cooling substance other than the methyl menthol derivative is at least one cooling substance selected from the group consisting of:\none or more compounds selected from menthol, menthone, camphor, pulegol, isopulegol, cineole, cubenol, menthyl acetate, pulegyl acetate, isopulegyl acetate, menthyl salicylate, pulegyl salicylate, isopulegyl salicylate, 3-(1-menthoxy)propane-1,2-diol, 2-methyl-3-(1-menthoxy)propane-1,2-diol, 2-(1-menthoxy)ethane-1-ol, 3-(1-menthoxy)propane-1-ol, 4-(1-menthoxy)butan-1-ol, menthyl 3-hydroxybutanoate, menthyl glyoxylate, p-menthane-3,8-diol, 1-(2-hydroxy-4-methylcyclohexyl)ethanone, menthyl lactate, menthone glycerin ketal, menthyl-2-pyrrolidone-5-carboxylate, monomenthyl succinate, alkali metal salts of monomenthyl succinate, alkaline earth metal salts of monomenthyl succinate, monomenthyl glutarate, alkali metal salts of monomenthyl glutarate, alkaline earth metal salts of monomenthyl glutarate, N-{[5-methyl-2-(1-methylethyl)cyclohexyl]carbonyl}glycine, p-menthane-3-carboxylic acid glycerol ester, menthol propylene glycol carbonate, menthol ethylene glycol carbonate, p-menthane-2,3-diol, 2-isopropyl-N,2,3-trimethylbutanamide, N-ethyl-p-menthane-3-carboxamide, 3-(p-menthane-3-carboxamide) ethyl acetate, N-(4-methoxyphenyl)-p-menthane carboxamide, N-ethyl-2,2-diisopropylbutanamide, N-cyclopropyl-p-menthane carboxamide, N-(4-cyanomethylphenyl)-p-menthanecarboxamide, N-(2-pyridin-2-yl)-3-p-menthane carboxamide, N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-isopropyl-2,3-dimethylbutanamide, N-(1,1-dimethyl-2-hydroxyethyl)-2,2-diethylbutanamide, cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (2-isopropyl-5-methylcyclohexyl)amide, N-ethyl-2,2-diisopropylbutanamide, N-[4-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)phenyl]-p-menthanecarboxamide, 2-[(2-p-menthoxy)ethoxy] ethanol, 2,6-diethyl-5-isopropyl-2-methyltetrahydropyran, trans-4-tert-butylcyclohexanol, N-[4-(cyanomethyl)phenyl]-2-isopropyl-5,5-dimethylcyclohexylcarboxamide, and N-[3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl]-2-isopropyl-5,5-dimethylcyclohexylcarboxamide;\none or more sugar alcohols selected from xylitol, erythritol, dextrose, and sorbitol; and\none or more natural products selected from Japanese mint oil, peppermint oil, spearmint oil, and eucalyptus oil.",
"5. A sensory stimulant composition comprising the cooling agent composition according to claim 1.",
"6. The sensory stimulant composition according to claim 5, further comprising at least one warming substance.",
"7. The sensory stimulant composition according to claim 6, wherein the warming substance is at least one warming substance selected from the group consisting of:\none or more compounds selected from vanillyl methyl ether, vanillyl ethyl ether, vanillyl propyl ether, vanillyl isopropyl ether, vanillyl butyl ether, vanillyl amyl ether, vanillyl isoamyl ether, vanillyl hexyl ether, isovanillyl methyl ether, isovanillyl ethyl ether, isovanillyl propyl ether, isovanillyl isopropyl ether, isovanillyl butyl ether, isovanillyl amyl ether, isovanillyl isoamyl ether, isovanillyl hexyl ether, ethyl vanillyl methyl ether, ethyl vanillyl ethyl ether, ethyl vanillyl propyl ether, ethyl vanillyl isopropyl ether, ethyl vanillyl butyl ether, ethyl vanillyl amyl ether, ethyl vanillyl isoamyl ether, ethyl vanillyl hexyl ether, vanillin propylene glycol acetal, isovanillin propylene glycol acetal, ethyl vanillin propylene glycol acetal, vanillyl butyl ether acetate, isovanillyl butyl ether acetate, ethyl vanillyl butyl ether acetate, 4-(1-menthoxymethyl)-2-(3′-methoxy-4′-hydroxyphenyl)-1,3-dioxolane, 4-(1-menthoxymethyl)-2-(3′-hydroxy-4′-methoxyphenyl)-1,3-dioxolane, 4-(1-menthoxymethyl)-2-(3′-ethoxy-4′-hydroxyphenyl)-1,3-dioxolane, capsaicin, dihydrocapsaicin, nordihydrocapsaicin, homodihydrocapsaicin, homocapsaicin, bis-capsaicin, trishomocapsaicin, nornorcapsaicin, norcapsaicin, capsaicinol, vanillyl caprylamide (octylic acid vanillylamide), vanillyl pelargonamide (nonylic acid vanillylamide), vanillyl caproamide (decylic acid vanillylamide), vanillyl undecanamide (undecylic acid vanillylamide), N-trans-feruloyltyramine, N-5-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-2E,4E-pentadienoylpiperidine, N-trans-feruloylpiperidine, N-5-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-2E-pentenoylpiperidine, N-5-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2E,4E-pentadienoylpiperidine, piperine, isopiperine, chavicine, isochavicine, piperamine, piperettine, piperolein B, retrofractamide A, pipercide, guineenside, piperiline, piperamide C5:1 (2E), piperamide C7:1 (6E), piperamide C7:2 (2E,6E), piperamide C9:1 (8E), piperamide C9:2 (2E,8E), piperamide C9:3 (2E,4E,8E), fagaramide, sanshool-I, sanshool-II, hydroxysanshool, sanshoamide, gingerol, shogaol, zingerone, methylgingerol, paradol, spilanthol, chavicine, polygodial (tadeonal), isopolygodial, dihydropolygodial, and tadeon; and\none or more natural products selected from capsicum oil, capsicum oleoresin, ginger oleoresin, jambu oleoresin (Spilanthes oleracea extract), sansho extract, sanshoamide, black pepper extract, white pepper extract, and polygonum extract.",
"8. A flavor or fragrance composition comprising the sensory stimulant composition according to claim 5.",
"9. A product comprising the sensory stimulant composition according to claim 5, the product being any one of products selected from the group consisting of drinks, foods, fragrances or cosmetics, toiletry products, air care products, daily necessities and household goods, oral compositions, hair care products, skin care products, body care products, detergents for clothes, soft finishing agents for clothes, tobacco, quasi-drugs and pharmaceuticals.",
"10. The product according to claim 9, wherein a content of the sensory stimulant composition is from 0.00001 mass % to 50 mass %.",
"11. A product comprising the flavor or fragrance composition according to claim 8, the product being any one of products selected from the group consisting of drinks, foods, fragrances or cosmetics, toiletry products, air care products, daily necessities and household goods, oral compositions, hair care products, skin care products, body care products, detergents for clothes, soft finishing agents for clothes, tobacco, quasi-drugs and pharmaceuticals.",
"12. The product according to claim 11, wherein a content of the flavor or fragrance composition is from 0.00001 mass % to 50 mass %.",
"13. The flavor or fragrance composition according to claim 8, wherein a content of the sensory stimulant composition is from 0.00001 mass % to 90 mass %.",
"14. A methyl menthol derivative selected from the group consisting of:",
"15. The methyl menthol derivative according to claim 14, wherein the methyl menthol derivative is represented by the following structural formula (2):\nwherein a symbol * indicates an asymmetric carbon atom.",
"16. A method of manufacturing a product, comprising blending a product with the sensory stimulant composition according to claim 5, wherein the product is any one of products selected from the group consisting of drinks, foods, fragrances or cosmetics, toiletry products, air care products, daily necessities and household goods, oral compositions, hair care products, skin care products, body care products, detergents for clothes, soft finishing agents for clothes, tobacco, quasi-drugs and pharmaceuticals.",
"17. A method of manufacturing a product, comprising blending a product with the flavor or fragrance composition according to claim 8, wherein the product is any one of products selected from the group consisting of drinks, foods, fragrances or cosmetics, toiletry products, air care products, daily necessities and household goods, oral compositions, hair care products, skin care products, body care products, detergents for clothes, soft finishing agents for clothes, tobacco, quasi-drugs and pharmaceuticals."
],
[
"1. A compound selected from the group consisting of N-(4-cyanomethylphenyl) p-menthanecarboxamide, N-(4-sulfamoylphenyl) p-menthanecarboxamide, N-(4-cyanophenyl) p-menthanecarboxamide, N-(4-acetylphenyl) p-menthanecarboxamide, N-(4-hydroxymethylphenyl) p-menthanecarboxamide and N-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl) p-menthanecarboxamide.",
"2. A method of providing a cooling effect to the mouth or skin by applying thereto a product comprising a compound according to claim 1 selected from the group consisting of N-(4-cyanomethylphenyl) p-menthanecarboxamide, N-(4-sulfamoylphenyl) p-menthanecarboxamide, N-(4-cyanophenyl) p-menthanecarboxamide, N-(4-acetylphenyl) p-menthanecarboxamide, N-(4-hydroxymethylphenyl) p-menthanecarboxamide and N-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl) p-menthanecarboxamide.",
"3. A product that is applied to the mouth or the skin foodstuff, tobacco product, beverage, dentrifice, mouthwash, or toiletry composition comprising an amount of a compound according to claim 1 selected from the group consisting of N-(4-cyanomethylphenyl) p-menthanecarboxamide, N-(4-sulfamoylphenyl) p-menthanecarboxamide, N-(4-cyanophenyl) p-menthanecarboxamide, N-(4-acetylphenyl) p-menthanecarboxamide, N-(4-hydroxymethylphenyl) p-menthanecarboxamide and N-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl) p-menthanecarboxamide, wherein the amount is effective to give a cooling sensation to the mouth or the skin.",
"4. A compound comprising formula I\nin which m is 0 or 1, Y and Z are selected independently from the group consisting of H, OH, C1-C4 straight or branched alkyl, and C1-C4 straight or branched alkoxy; X is (CH2)n—R, where n is 0 or 1 and R is a group with non-bonding electrons; said compound selected from the group consisting of N-(4-cyanomethylphenyl) p-menthanecarboxamide, N-(4-sulfamoylphenyl) p-menthanecarboxamide, N-(4-cyanophenyl) p-menthanecarboxamide, N-(4-acetylphenyl) p-menthanecarboxamide, N-(4-hydroxymethylphenyl) p-menthanecarboxamide and N-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl) p-menthanecarboxamide.",
"5. A method of providing a cooling effect to the mouth or skin by applying thereto a product comprising a compound according to claim 4.",
"6. A product that is applied to the mouth or the skin comprising an amount of a compound according to claim 4, wherein the amount is effective to give a cooling sensation to the mouth or the skin.",
"7. The product of claim 6 comprising at least one of foodstuffs, tobacco products, beverages, dentifrices, mouthwashes, or toiletries.",
"8. The product composition of claim 7 comprising 3 wherein the product comprises a cream or salve.",
"9. The product composition of claim 7 comprising 3 wherein the product comprises a sprayable composition.",
"10. The product of claim 6 further comprising an additional cooling compound.",
"11. The product of claim 10 wherein the additional cooling compound comprises at least one of menthol, menthone, isopulegol, N-ethyl p-menthanecarboxamide, N,2,3-trimethyl-2-isopropylbutanamide, menthyl lactate, menthone glycerine acetal, mono-menthyl succinate, mono-menthyl glutarate, O-menthyl glycerine, menthyl-N,N-dimethylsuccinamate or 2-sec-butylcyclohexanone.",
"12. The method of claim 5 wherein said applying comprises inhalation.",
"13. The method of claim 5 wherein said applying comprises oral ingestion.",
"14. The product of claim 3 comprising at least one of foodstuffs, tobacco products, beverages, dentifrices, mouthwashes, or toiletries.",
"15. The product of claim 14 comprising a cream or salve.",
"16. The product of claim 14 comprising a sprayable composition.",
"17. The product composition of claim 3 further comprising an additional cooling compound.",
"18. The product composition of claim 17 wherein the additional cooling compound comprises at least one of menthol, menthone, isopulegol, N-ethyl p-menthanecarboxamide, N,2,3-trimethyl-2-i sopropylbutanami de, menthyl lactate, menthone glycerine acetal, mono-menthyl succinate, mono-menthyl glutarate, O-menthyl glycerine, menthyl-N,N-dimethylsuccinamate or 2-sec-butylcyclohexanone.",
"19. The method of claim 2 wherein said applying comprises inhalation.",
"20. The method of claim 2 wherein said applying comprises oral ingestion.",
"21. The compound of claim 1, wherein said compound is N-(4-cyanomethylphenyl) p-menthanecarboxamide.",
"22. The method of claim 2, wherein said compound is N-(4-cyanomethylphenyl) p-menthanecarboxamide.",
"23. The composition of claim 3, wherein said compound is N-(4-cyanomethylphenyl) p-menthanecarboxamide."
],
[
"1. A method for decreasing the viability of a Trp-p8 expressing cell, said method comprising the step of contacting said cell with a compound of Formula IV\nand pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein\nR14 and R15 together form a cyclic or heterocyclic group of up to 25 carbons and including the nitrogen atom.",
"2. The method of claim 1 wherein said cyclic or heterocyclic group is selected from the group consisting of 3-phenyl-piperidin-1-yl, 3-phenyl-pyrrolidin-1-yl, 6,7-dimethoxy-1-methyl-3,4-dihydro-1H-isoquinolin-2-yl, and 4-pyrimidin-2-yl-piperazin-1-yl.",
"3. A method for inducing apoptosis and/or necrosis in a cell expressing Trp-p8, said method comprising the step of administering to said cell a compound of Formula IV\nand pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein\nR14 and R15 together form a cyclic or heterocyclic group of up to 25 carbons and including the nitrogen atom.",
"4. A method for treating a disease associated with Trp-p8 expression, said method comprising the step of administering to a mammal an efficacious amount of a composition comprising a compound having the formula:\nand pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent, wherein\nR14 and R15 together form a cyclic or heterocyclic group of up to 25 carbons and including the nitrogen atom.",
"5. The method of claim 4 wherein said cyclic or heterocyclic group is selected from the group consisting of 3-phenyl-piperidin-1-yl, 3-phenyl-pyrrolidin-1-yl, 6,7-dimethoxy-1-methyl-3,4-dihydro-1H-isoquinolin-2-yl, and 4-pyrimidin-2-yl-piperazin-1-yl."
],
[
"1. A compound of Formula (I) and any salt thereof,\nwherein\nA is a non-aromatic ring system containing five carbon atoms, wherein the ring system comprises at least one double bond and wherein one or more of the carbon atoms in the ring can be replaced by a group X, wherein X is selected from the group consisting of S, O, N, NR4, SO or SO2, and wherein one or more of the carbon atoms of the ring can carry a substituent R1;\nD is O, S, SO2, NR4, or CH2;\nZ1 and Z2 are independent from each other O, S, or NR5;\nR1 is independently H, halogen, haloalkyl, haloalkyloxy or alkyl;\nR2 is H, OR6, or NHR7;\nR3 is H, alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, alkoxy, O-aryl; O-cycloalkyl, halogen, aminoalkyl, alkylamino, hydroxylamino, hydroxylalkyl, haloalkyl, haloalkyloxy, heteroaryl, alkylthio, S-aryl, or S-cycloalkyl;\nR4 is H, alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl;\nR5 is H, OH, alkoxy, O-aryl, alkyl, or aryl;\nR6 is H, alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, arylalkyl, alkylaryl, alkoxyalkyl, acylmethyl, (acyloxy)alkyl, non-symmetrical (acyloxy)alkyldiester, or dialkylphosphate;\nR7 is H, alkyl, aryl, alkoxy, O-aryl, cycloalkyl, or O-cycloalkyl;\nR8 is hydrogen or alkyl;\nE is an alkyl or cycloalkyl group or a monocyclic or polycyclic substituted or unsubstituted ring system which may contain one or more groups X and which contains at least one aromatic ring;\nY is hydrogen, halogen, haloalkyl, haloalkyloxy, alkyl, cycloalkyl, a monocyclic or polycyclic substituted or unsubstituted ring system which may contain one or more groups X and which contains at least one aromatic ring or\nm is 0 or 1;\nn is 0 or 1;\np is 0 or 1;\nr is 0 or 1; and\nq is 0 to 10;\nand wherein\nalkyl denotes a saturated or unsaturated alkyl group, which is optionally substituted by one or more substituents R′;\nR′ is independently H, —NO2, —CO2R″, —CONHR″, —CR″O , —SO2NR″, —NR″—CO-haloalkyl, —NR′—SO2-haloalkyl, —NR″—SO2-alkyl, —SO2-alkyl, —NR″—CO-alkyl, —CN, alkyl, cycloalkyl, aminoalkyl, alkylamino, alkoxy, —OH, —SH, alkylthio, hydroxyalkyl, hydroxyalkylamino, halogen, haloalkyl, haloalkyloxy, aryl, arylalkyl or heteroaryl;\nR″ is independently hydrogen, haloalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl or aminoalkyl;\nan cycloalkyl group denotes a non-aromatic ring system containing 3 to 8 carbon atoms, wherein one or more of the carbon atoms in the ring can be replaced by a group X, X being as defined above;\nan alkoxy group denotes an O-alkyl group, the alkyl group being as defined above;\nan alkylthio group denotes a S-alkyl group, the alkyl group being as defined above;\nan hydroxyalkyl group denotes a S-alkyl group, the alkyl group being as defined above;\nan haloalkyl group denotes an alkyl group which is substituted by one to five preferably three halogen atoms, the alkyl group being as defined above;\nan haloalkyloxy group denotes an alkoxy group which is substituted by one to five preferably three halogen atoms, the alkoxy group being as defined above;\na hydroxyalkylamino group denotes an (HO-alkyl)2—N- group or HO-alkyl-NH-group, the alkyl group being as defined above;\nan alkylamino group denotes an HN-alkyl or N-dialkyl group, the alkyl group being as defined above;\nan amino alkyl group denotes an H2N-alkyl, monoalkylaminoalkyl, or dialkylaminoalkyl group, the alkyl group being as defined above;\na halogen group is chlorine, bromine, fluorine or iodine;\nan aryl group denotes an aromatic group having 5 to 15 carbon atoms, which is optionally substituted by one or more substituents R′, where R′ is as defined above;\nan arylakyl group denotes an alky group which is substituted by one to three aryl groups, the alkyl and aryl group being as defined above;\na heteroaryl group denotes a 5- or 6-membered heteroaromatic group which contains at least one heteroatom selected from O, N, S, which may be fused to another ring and which is optionally substituted by one or more substituents R′, where R′ is as defined above.",
"2. The compound of claim 1, wherein Z1 and Z2 are both O and r=1.",
"3. The compound of claim 1, wherein r=1, and E is phenyl, 1-napthyl, 2-naphthyl, 2-naphthyl, 1-anthracenyl, 2-anthracenyl, 9H-thioxanthene-10,10-dioxide, or cycloalkyl.",
"4. The compound of claim 1, wherein Z1 and Z2 are both O and r=1 and E is phenyl, 1-napthyl, 2-naphthyl, 2-naphthyl, 1-anthracenyl, 2-anthracenyl, 9H-thioxanthene-10,10-dioxide, or cycloalkyl.",
"5. The compound of claim 1, wherein E is phenyl, 1-napthyl, 2-naphthyl, 2-naphthyl, 1-anthracenyl, 2-anthracenyl, 9H-thioxanthene-10,10-dioxide, or cycloalkyl and r=1, and R2 is OH or OR6.",
"6. The compound of claim 1, wherein Z1 and Z2 are both O, and r=1, and E is phenyl, 1-napthyl, 2-naphthyl, 2-naphthyl, 1-anthracenyl, 2-anthracenyl, 9H-thioxanthene-10,10-dioxide, or cycloalkyl and R2 is OH or OR6.",
"7. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound as defined in claim 1 in free form or in the form of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt and physiologically functional derivative, together with at least one pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier.",
"8. A method of making the pharmaceutical composition of claim 7, comprising combining the compound with the pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier.",
"9. A method for the in vitro inhibition of dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) comprising\nproviding a sample containing dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH); and\nadding to the sample a compound as defined in claim 1.",
"10. A method of inhibiting dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH), for treating rheumatism, diseases that are caused by protozoal infestations in humans and animals, Pneumocystis carinii, fibrosis, uveitis, rhinitis, asthma, athropathy, sepsis, septic shock, endotoxic shock, Gram-negative sepsis, toxic shock syndrome, acute respiratory distress syndrome, stroke, reperfusion injury, CNS injury, allergy, graft versus host reactions, host versus graft reactions, pyresis, restenosis, chronic pulmonary inflammatory disease, silicosis, pulmonary sarcosis, bone resorption disease, rheumatoid spondylitis, osteoarthritis, gouty arthritis, insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, non-insulin dependent diabetes, ulcerative colitis, Morbus Crohn, inflammatory bowel disease, chronic inflammations, chronic diarrhea, psoriasis and progressive retinal atrophy in a subject, comprising administering an effective amount of a compound to the subject, wherein the compound is of Formula (I) and any salt thereof,\nwherein\nA is a non-aromatic ring system containing five carbon atoms, wherein the ring system comprises at least one double bond and wherein one or more of the carbon atoms in the ring can be replaced by a group X, wherein X is selected from the group consisting of S, O, N, NR4, SO or SO2, and wherein one or more of the carbon atoms of the ring can carry a substituent R1;\nD is O, S, SO2, NR4, or CH2;\nZ1 and Z2 are independent from each other O, S, or NR5;\nR1 is independently H, halogen, haloalkyl, haloalkyloxy or alkyl;\nR2 is H, OR6, or NHR7;\nR3 is H, alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, alkoxy, O-aryl; O-cycloalkyl, halogen, aminoalkyl, alkylamino, hydroxylamino, hydroxylalkyl, haloalkyl, haloalkyloxy, heteroaryl, alkylthio, S-aryl, or S-cycloalkyl;\nR4 is H, alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl;\nR5 is H, OH, alkoxy, O-aryl, alkyl, or aryl;\nR6 is H, alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, arylalkyl, alkylaryl, alkoxyalkyl, acylmethyl, (acyloxy)alkyl, non-symmetrical (acyloxy)alkyldiester, or dialkylphosphate;\nR7 is H, alkyl, aryl, alkoxy, O-aryl, cycloalkyl, or O-cycloalkyl;\nR8 is hydrogen or alkyl;\nE is an alkyl or cycloalkyl group or a monocyclic or polycyclic substituted or unsubstituted ring system which may contain one or more groups X and which contains at least one aromatic ring;\nY is hydrogen, halogen, haloalkyl, haloalkyloxy, alkyl, cycloalkyl, a monocyclic or polycyclic substituted or unsubstituted ring system which may contain one or more groups X and which contains at least one aromatic ring or\nm is 0 or 1;\nn is 0 or 1;\np is 0 or 1;\nr is 0 or 1; and\nq is 0 to 10;\nand wherein\nalkyl denotes a saturated or unsaturated alkyl group, which is optionally substituted by one or more substituents R′;\nR′ is independently H, —NO2, —CO2R″, —CONHR″, —CR″O, —SO2NR″, —NR″—CO-haloalkyl, —NR′—SO2-haloalkyl, —NR″—SO2-alkyl, —SO2-alkyl, —NR″—CO-alkyl, —CN, alkyl, cycloalkyl, aminoalkyl, alkylamino, alkoxy, —OH, —SH, alkylthio, hydroxyalkyl, hydroxyalkylamino, halogen, haloalkyl, haloalkyloxy, aryl, arylalkyl or heteroaryl;\nR″ is independently hydrogen, haloalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl or aminoalkyl;\nan cycloalkyl group denotes a non-aromatic ring system containing 3 to 8 carbon atoms, wherein one or more of the carbon atoms in the ring can be replaced by a group X, X being as defined above;\nan alkoxy group denotes an O-alkyl group, the alkyl group being as defined above;\nan alkylthio group denotes a S-alkyl group, the alkyl group being as defined above;\nan hydroxyalkyl group denotes a S-alkyl group, the alkyl group being as defined above;\nan haloalkyl group denotes an alkyl group which is substituted by one to five preferably three halogen atoms, the alkyl group being as defined above;\nan haloalkyloxy group denotes an alkoxy group which is substituted by one to five preferably three halogen atoms, the alkoxy group being as defined above;\na hydroxyalkylamino group denotes an (HO-alkyl)2—N- group or HO-alkyl-NH-group, the alkyl group being as defined above;\nan alkylamino group denotes an HN-alkyl or N-dialkyl group, the alkyl group being as defined above;\nan amino alkyl group denotes an H2N-alkyl, monoalkylaminoalkyl, or dialkylaminoalkyl group, the alkyl group being as defined above;\na halogen group is chlorine, bromine, fluorine or iodine;\nan aryl group denotes an aromatic group having 5 to 15 carbon atoms, which is optionally substituted by one or more substituents R′, where R′ is as defined above;\nan arylakyl group denotes an alky group which is substituted by one to three aryl groups, the alkyl and aryl group being as defined above;\na heteroaryl group denotes a 5- or 6-membered heteroaromatic group which contains at least one heteroatom selected from O, N, S, which may be fused to another ring and which is optionally substituted by one or more substituents R′, where R′ is as defined above.",
"11. The method of claim 10, wherein the disease is selected from the group consisting of rheumatism, diseases that are caused by protozoal infestations in humans and animals, Pneumocystis carinii, fibrosis, uveitis, rhinitis, asthma, and athropathy.",
"12. A method of treating at least one condition selected from the group consisting of sepsis, septic shock, endotoxic shock, Gram-negative sepsis, toxic shock syndrome, acute respiratory distress syndrome, stroke, reperfusion injury, CNS injury, allergy, graft versus host reactions, host versus graft reactions, pyresis, restenosis, chronic pulmonary inflammatory disease, silicosis, pulmonary sarcosis, bone resorption disease, rheumatoid spondylitis, osteoarthritis, gouty arthritis, insulin dependent diabetes mellitus and non-insulin dependent diabetes, ulcerative colitis, Morbus Crohn, inflammatory bowel disease, chronic diarrhea, psoriasis and progressive retinal atrophy, compromising administering an effective amount of a compound to a subject, wherein the compound is of Formula (I) and any salt thereof,\nwherein\nA is a non-aromatic ring system containing five carbon atoms, wherein the ring system comprises at least one double bond and wherein one or more of the carbon atoms in the ring can be replaced by a group X, wherein X is selected from the group consisting of S, O, N, NR4, SO or SO2, and wherein one or more of the carbon atoms of the ring can carry a substituent R1;\nD is O, S, SO2, NR4, or CH2;\nZ1 and Z2 are independent from each other O, S, or NR5;\nR1 is independently H, halogen, haloalkyl, haloalkyloxy or alkyl;\nR2 is H, OR6, or NHR7;\nR3 is H, alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, alkoxy, O-aryl; O-cycloalkyl, halogen, aminoalkyl, alkylamino, hydroxylamino, hydroxylalkyl, haloalkyl, haloalkyloxy, heteroaryl, alkylthio, S-aryl, or S-cycloalkyl;\nR4 is H, alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl;\nR5 is H, OH, alkoxy, O-aryl, alkyl, or aryl;\nR6 is H, alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, arylalkyl, alkylaryl, alkoxyalkyl, acylmethyl, (acyloxy)alkyl, non-symmetrical (acyloxy)alkyldiester, or dialkylphosphate;\nR7 is H, alkyl, aryl, alkoxy, O-aryl, cycloalkyl, or O-cycloalkyl;\nR8 is hydrogen or alkyl;\nE is an alkyl or cycloalkyl group or a monocyclic or polycyclic substituted or unsubstituted ring system which may contain one or more groups X and which contains at least one aromatic ring;\nY is hydrogen, halogen, haloalkyl, haloalkyloxy, alkyl, cycloalkyl, a monocyclic or polycyclic substituted or unsubstituted ring system which may contain one or more groups X and which contains at least one aromatic ring or\nm is 0 or 1;\nn is 0 or 1;\np is 0 or 1;\nr is 0 or 1; and\nq is 0 to 10;\nand wherein\nalkyl denotes a saturated or unsaturated alkyl group, which is optionally substituted by one or more substituents R′;\nR′ is independently H, —NO2, —CO2R″, —CONHR″, —CR″O, —SO2NR″, —NR″—CO-haloalkyl, —NR′—SO2-haloalkyl, —NR″—SO2-alkyl, —SO2-alkyl, —NR″—CO-alkyl, —CN, alkyl, cycloalkyl, aminoalkyl, alkylamino, alkoxy, —OH, —SH, alkylthio, hydroxyalkyl, hydroxyalkylamino, halogen, haloalkyl, haloalkyloxy, aryl, arylalkyl or heteroaryl;\nR″ is independently hydrogen, haloalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl or aminoalkyl;\nan cycloalkyl group denotes a non-aromatic ring system containing 3 to 8 carbon atoms, wherein one or more of the carbon atoms in the ring can be replaced by a group X, X being as defined above;\nan alkoxy group denotes an O-alkyl group, the alkyl group being as defined above;\nan alkylthio group denotes a S-alkyl group, the alkyl group being as defined above;\nan hydroxyalkyl group denotes a S-alkyl group, the alkyl group being as defined above;\nan haloalkyl group denotes an alkyl group which is substituted by one to five preferably three halogen atoms, the alkyl group being as defined above;\nan haloalkyloxy group denotes an alkoxy group which is substituted by one to five preferably three halogen atoms, the alkoxy group being as defined above;\na hydroxyalkylamino group denotes an (HO-alkyl)2—N- group or HO-alkyl-NH-group, the alkyl group being as defined above;\nan alkylamino group denotes an HN-alkyl or N-dialkyl group, the alkyl group being as defined above;\nan aminoalkyl group denotes an H2N-alkyl, monoalkylaminoalkyl, or dialkylaminoalkyl group, the alkyl group being as defined above;\na halogen group is chlorine, bromine, fluorine or iodine;\nan aryl group denotes an aromatic group having 5 to 15 carbon atoms, which is optionally substituted by one or more substituents R′, where R′ is as defined above;\nan arylakyl group denotes an alky group which is substituted by one to three aryl groups, the alkyl and aryl group being as defined above;\na heteroaryl group denotes a 5- or 6-membered heteroaromatic group which contains at least one heteroatom selected from O, N, S, which may be fused to another ring and which is optionally substituted by one or more substituents R′, where R′ is as defined above."
],
[
"1. A functionalized fullerene compound of the formula:",
"2. A pharmaceutical composition, comprising:\na biocompatible carrier and an effective amount of a functionalized fullerene compound of claim 1.",
"3. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 2, wherein the composition is a solution having a fullerene concentration of between 1 and 100 micromolar.",
"4. The composition of claim 2, further comprising a hyperosmotically active chemical species."
]
] |
in the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to aia 35 u.s.c. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-aia 35 u.s.c. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
the following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 u.s.c. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this office action:
a person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
(a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
claims 147-155 and 158 are rejected under
35 u.s.c. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by:
a) the compound of pubchem cid 153676242 {national center for biotechnology information. "pubchem compound summary for cid 153676242, 6-methyl-3-phenyl-2-propan-2-yloxybenzamide" pubchem, https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm. nih.gov/compound/6-methyl-3-phenyl-2-propan-2-yloxybenzamide. accessed 20 march, 2024, create date august 14, 2020},
media_image4.png
249
{a compound of the instant structural formula,
media_image5.png
160
198
wherein
the
media_image6.png
90
moiety can represent
media_image7.png
85
107
;
r1 =hydrogen;
r2 =hydrogen;
r3 =c1 alkyl;
r4 =
media_image8.png
102
q1 =o;
r4a=hydrogen;
r4b=hydrogen;
r5 =c3 alkyl;
r6 =hydrogen;
r7 =hydrogen};
b) the compound of pubchem cid 123647558 {national center for biotechnology information. "pubchem compound summary for cid 123647558, 2-[4-[3-(dimethylcarbamoyl)-4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-methoxyphenyl]phenyl]acetic acid" pubchem, https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/ 123647558. accessed 20 march, 2024, create date
january 25, 2017},
media_image9.png
241
295
r1 =c2 alkyl substituted with one hydroxy and one oxo;
r3 =(c0-alkyl)aryl where the aryl is substituted with one r9;
r9 =-ora;
ra =hydrogen;
r4a=c1 alkyl;
r4b=c1 alkyl;
r5 =c1 alkyl;
r6 =hydrogen; and
c) the compound of pubchem cid 87069225 {national center for biotechnology information. "pubchem compound summary for cid 87069225, 2,5-bis[3,5-bis(trifluoro-methyl)phenyl]-4-hydroxybenzene-1,3-dicarboxamide" pubchem, https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ compound/87069225. accessed 20 march, 2024, create date february 12, 2015},
media_image10.png
192
r1 =c1 alkyl which is halogenated;
r2 =c1 alkyl which is halogenated;
r3 =(c0-alkyl)aryl where the aryl is substituted with two r9;
r9 =substituted c1 alkyl;
r5 =hydrogen;
r7 =
media_image11.png
87
97
q2 =o;
r7a=hydrogen;
r7b=hydrogen };
d) the compound of pubchem cid 21751751 {national center for biotechnology information. "pubchem compound summary for cid 21751751, methyl 3-(2-carbamoyl-3-methoxy-4-phenylphenyl)propanoate" pubchem, https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/21751751. accessed 20 march, 2024, create date december 5, 2007},
media_image12.png
264
r3 =c2 alkyl substituted with one -c(o)o(c1 alkyl) group
[ -or- c3 alkyl substituted with one alkoxy and one oxo];
r9=-ora;
ra=hydrogen;
r4 =
and
e) aizikovich {wo 2019/234728 a1} – who disclose, for instance, compound ia27 in table 3 on page 13,
media_image13.png
157
303
media_image14.png
106
124
r1 =c3 alkenyl;
r2 =c1 alkyl;
r3 =c5 alkyl;
q1=o;
r4b=c2 alkyl-heterocycloalkyl;
r6 =-or6a;
r6a =hydrogen; and
r7 =hydrogen}.
each of the above cited prior art disclose at least one compound that is embraced by the instant currently amended claimed invention as shown above. aizikovich discloses pharmaceutical compositions comprising his compounds together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, diluent or excipient {paragraph [0041] on page 15}. therefore, each of the above cited prior art anticipates the instant currently amended claimed invention.
|
[
"1. A method for arranging a fibre strand at a spinning device of a spinning station, wherein the fibre strand is fed, by a drafting system having several roller pairs, to the spinning device for the manufacture of a spun thread from the fibre strand,\ncharacterised in that\nthe roller pairs of the closed drafting system, are each operated, in accordance with the predefined draft ratio of the fibre strand, at an insertion speed which is lower than the operating speed of the drafting system,\nthe fibre strand is then inserted into the clamping area of an input roller pair of the drafting system and\nthe drafted fibre strand is then fed to the spinning device after passing through the closed drafting system and exiting a clamping area of an output roller pair of the drafting system.",
"2. The method according to claim 1, characterised in that the fibre strand, after passing through the drafting system, is fed to a spinning device designed as an air-jet spinning device.",
"3. The method according to claim 1, characterised in that a suction air flow generating device of the air-jet spinning device is activated before or during the arrangement of the fibre strand at the air-jet spinning device.",
"4. The method according to claim 1, characterised in that the air-jet spinning device is opened before or during the arrangement of the fibre strand at the air-jet spinning device.",
"5. The method according to claim 4, characterised in that, after the fibre strand has been transferred to the air-jet spinning device, the drafting system is stopped, the air-jet spinning device is closed and the suction air flow generating device is deactivated.",
"6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the roller pairs are individually drivable."
] |
US20230016597A1
|
US20090094958A1
|
[
"1. Joining method on a spinning device of a jet spinning machine (1),\nwherein a fibre band (14) drawn to yarn thickness is supplied by a drawing frame (4) to the spinning device (5), between an input-side mechanical twist retaining mechanism (53) and a spinning cone (25), a rotational flow is produced by a spinning nozzle mechanism, which collects fibres forming free fibre ends and winds them producing a true twist around fibres which do not take part in the rotation and are already incorporated, and the thread (26) thus formed from the fibre band (14) is drawn through the hollow spinning cone (25),\nwherein, for joining, an auxiliary thread (30) is used, which is firstly threaded by its free end into the spinning device (5) and drawn through the spinning cone (25),\nwherein joining then takes place on the continuous auxiliary thread (30) not taking part in the torsion, in that the fibres of the fibre band (14) are fed onto the auxiliary thread (30) and wound around it, and\nwherein the auxiliary thread (30) being subjected to the withdrawal is guided off and after passing the auxiliary thread end, the newly spun thread (26), which is free of auxiliary thread, is separated and connected to the end of the upper thread (38) by a knot or a splice.",
"2. Joining method according to claim 1, characterised in that the auxiliary thread (30) differs from the remaining thread (26) with regard to its properties.",
"3. Joining method according to claim 2, characterised in that the auxiliary thread (30) is stiffer than the remaining thread (26).",
"4. Joining method according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that the auxiliary thread (30) is smoother than the remaining thread (26).",
"5. Joining method according to claim 1, characterised in that auxiliary thread (30) is introduced into the spinning device (5) counter to the normal thread running direction during the spinning operation, before joining takes place.",
"6. Joining method according to claim 1, characterised in that the auxiliary thread (30) is introduced into the spinning device (5) in the normal thread running direction during spinning operation, before joining takes place.",
"7. Joining method according to claim 6, characterised in that the auxiliary thread (30) is introduced into the spinning device (5) in two stages.",
"8. Joining method according to claim 7, characterised in that, in a first stage, the auxiliary thread (30) is introduced into the fibre band channel (33) prior to the spinning nozzle mechanism (19) by means of the injector flow, and in a second stage, the auxiliary thread (30) is introduced into the spinning cone (25) by means of acting on the spinning cone (25) by means of reduced pressure and in that the spinning nozzle mechanism (19) and the spinning cone (25) are temporarily positioned for the introduction of the auxiliary thread (30) so far apart from one another that the auxiliary thread (30) can be manually grasped between the spinning nozzle mechanism (19) and the spinning cone (25).",
"9. Joining method according to claim 1, characterised in that during joining, a joining speed is adjusted, which is less than the speed during normal spinning operation.",
"10. Spinning device on a jet spinning machine for carrying outa joining method, comprising a spinning nozzle mechanism (19) for producing an injector flow and a spinning cone (25) for thread formation, characterised in that a first clamping device (40, 48) for temporary clamping of an upper thread and a second clamping device (42, 52) for temporary clamping of an auxiliary thread (30) are associated with the spinning device (5).",
"11. Spinning device according to claim 10, characterised in that the second clamping device (52) is configured as a transporting means for conveying the auxiliary thread (30) and the newly spun thread (36) which then follows.",
"12. Spinning device according to claim 10 or 11, characterised in that at least one storage mechanism for storing the auxiliary thread (30) and the newly spun thread (26), a separating device for separating the auxiliary thread (30) from the thread (26) and a splicing mechanism (47) for connecting the newly spun thread (26) to the upper thread (38) are associated with the spinning device (5).",
"13. Jet spinning machine with spinning stations arranged next to one another in a row for carrying out a joining method, characterised in that a storage mechanism for storing an auxiliary thread (30) and a newly spun thread (26), a separating mechanism for separating the auxiliary thread (30) from the newly spun thread (26) and a splicing mechanism (39) for connecting the newly spun thread (26) to an upper thread (38) are arranged only on at least one operating carriage (10) which can be displaced along the spinning stations (2).",
"14. Jet spinning machine according to claim 13, characterised in that at least one clamping mechanism (42) for temporary clamping of the auxiliary thread (30) is arranged on the operating carriage (10)."
] |
[
[
"1. A device for piecing a thread at a workstation of a textile machine, comprising:\na suction nozzle mounted at the workstation and configured to pick up a thread end of the thread from a bobbin, the suction nozzle comprising an entry opening for the thread, a suction orifice, and a suction channel;\na feeder unit movable with respect to the suction nozzle and comprising a cover element configured to close the entry opening in a first position (I) of the feeder unit and to unblock the entry opening in a second position (II) of the feeder unit, the feeder unit configured to form a loop from the thread end sucked into the suction nozzle; and\nthe cover element comprising a thread-guiding element having an open contour, the thread-guiding element disposed within the suction channel in the first position (I) of the feeder unit and outside of the suction channel in the second position (II) of the feeder unit.",
"2. The device as in claim 1, wherein the cover element is formed of a plastic material.",
"3. The device as in claim 1, wherein at least one area of the suction nozzle surrounding the entry opening is curved in a longitudinal direction of the entry opening, and the cover element is also correspondingly curved in a longitudinal direction of the cover element.",
"4. The device as in claim 1, wherein the entry opening of the suction nozzle and the cover element each comprise opposed beveled edges that form a sealing surface.",
"5. The device as in claim 1, wherein the cover element comprises a sealing lip on a side thereof facing the thread-guiding element, the sealing lip formed of a flexible plastic material.",
"6. The device as in claim 5, wherein the cover element further comprises at least one holding element on the side thereof facing the thread-guiding element onto which the sealing lip is fitted.",
"7. The device as in claim 1, wherein the thread-guiding element is attached to the cover element off-center relative to a longitudinal direction of the cover element.",
"8. The device as in claim 1, wherein the thread-guiding element is made from a sheet-metal material.",
"9. The device as in claim 1, wherein the thread-guiding element comprises, at least in sections, a ceramic material.",
"10. The device as in claim 1, wherein the thread-guiding element is polished or comprises a coating.",
"11. The device as in claim 1, wherein the thread-guiding element comprises a first thread guide edge having a first fixing contour for a thread piece to be carried away and a second thread guide edge having a second fixing contour for the thread piece to be pieced."
],
[
"1. A textile machine (1) with a plurality of workstations (2) each equipped with at least one yarn processing device (41), and at least one drive shaft (35) extending in the longitudinal direction of the textile machine over a plurality of workstations, each yarn processing device (41) being connected to the drive shaft by a continuous traction means (19), the drive shaft including a large number of drive devices (20), each drive device guiding and entraining a respective continuous traction means (19), characterized in that\neach drive device (20) of the drive shaft (35) has two deflection and guide grooves (30, 34) arranged coaxially with respect to the drive shaft (35), one of the deflection and guide grooves (30, 34) being a component of a wheel (33) freely rotatably mounted about the drive shaft,\nan output means (22) connected to each respective yarn processing device (41), each output means having front and rear guide grooves (26A, 26B), the front guide groove (26A) being positioned at a freely accessible end of the output means (22) and the rear guide groove (26B) being positioned in the region of the respectively associated yarn processing device (41), and\neach continuous traction means (19) having opposite end loops joined endlessly by two connecting strands, one end loop engaged in the rear guide groove (26B) of the output means (22) which is connected to the respective yarn processing device (41), the two strands extending from the one end loop being respectively engaged in the deflection and guide grooves (30, 34) of the drive shaft (35), the two strands being twisted lengthwise relative to one another by a 180 degree rotation thereof between the drive shaft (35) and the other end loop, and the other end loop being engaged in the front guide groove (26A) of the output means (22), whereby the end loops travel in the same direction as one another in the grooves (26A, 26B).",
"2. A textile machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the deflection and guide grooves (30, 34) of the drive device (20), in which two strands of the continuous traction means (19) are guided, are arranged adjacently and in parallel.",
"3. A textile machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the drive device (20) has a rotation body, which is non-rotatably arranged with respect to the drive shaft (35), with a deflection and guide groove (30) for a strand of the continuous traction means (19) to be driven, and a rotation body, which is freely rotatably mounted with respect to the drive shaft (35), with a deflection and guide groove (34) for a strand, which runs counter to the drive direction of the strand to be driven, of the continuous traction means (19).",
"4. A textile machine according to claim 3, characterized in that the drive device (20) is configured as a belt pulley element (40), with a base body (28), which is fixed to the drive shaft (35), and a loose wheel (33), which is freely rotatably mounted on the base body (28), the base body (28) having the deflection and guide groove (30) for the strand to be driven of the continuous traction means (19) and the loose wheel (33) having the deflection and guide groove (34) for the strand running in the opposite direction of the continuous traction means (19).",
"5. A textile machine according to claim 3, characterized in that a drive shaft (35) is provided for each machine side (A, B), which has friction rollers (13) driving take-up bobbins (10) and the drive devices (20) are formed by integrated deflection and guide grooves (30) for the strand to be driven of the respective continuous traction means (19) and have an adjacently arranged belt pulley device (40) with a loose wheel (33), into which the deflection and guide groove (34) for the strand running in the opposite direction of the continuous traction means (19) is worked.",
"6. A textile machine according to claim 4, characterized in that the loose wheel (33) is in each case freely rotatably connected by a bearing (32) to the base body (28) of the drive device (20).",
"7. A textile machine according to claim 6, characterized in that the bearing (32) is configured as a roller bearing.",
"8. A textile machine according to claim 6, characterized in that the bearing (32) is configured as a sliding bearing.",
"9. A textile machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the drive shaft (35) of the textile machine (1) is configured as a central nut shaft along the length of the machine, to which nut shaft, in the region of the workstations (2), at least one respective drive device (20) is fixed, which is in turn connected by a continuous traction means (19) and an associated output means (22) to a yarn processing device (41), the continuous traction means (19) being alternately guided to the two machine sides (A, B).",
"10. A textile machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the continuous traction means (19) are configured as round belts, the length of which is in each case more than four times the spacing (a) provided between the centre axis of the drive device (20) and the centre axis of the output means (22).",
"11. A textile machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the yarn processing devices (41), which are driven by continuous traction means (19), are overhung overfeed rollers (9) of a two-for-one twisting machine or cabling machine.",
"12. A textile machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the yarn processing devices (41), which are driven by continuous traction means (19), are godets.",
"13. A textile machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the yarn processing devices (41), which are driven by continuous traction means (19), are waxing devices.",
"14. A textile machine according to claim 9, characterized in that the rotational direction of the yarn processing devices (41) arranged, in each case, on both sides (A, B) of the textile machine (1) can be adjusted in a defined manner by a corresponding crossing of at least one strand of the continuous traction means (19).",
"15. A textile machine according to claim 9 or 11, characterized in that a central adjustment of the so-called overfeed factor of the numerous overfeed rollers (9) connected to the nut shaft can be realized by the rotational speed of the drive shaft (35) configured as a central nut shaft."
],
[
"1. An apparatus on a drafting system of a spinning preparation machine with drafting system rollers forming drafting roller pairs, having a drive motor and transmission devices for driving the drafting system rollers, wherein the drive motor has first and second rotating drive elements, and the arrangement is such that the drive of at least a first roller pair is effected from one side by the first drive element and the drive of at least one further roller pair is effected from the other side by the second drive element.",
"2. An apparatus according to claim 1, in which said first and second drive elements are outgoing shaft ends of the drive motor.",
"3. An apparatus according to claim 1, in which the first and second drive elements extend from opposite sides of the drive motor.",
"4. An apparatus according to claim 1, in which the drive elements are rotating outer wall faces of the drive motor.",
"5. An apparatus according to claim 1, in which at least one of said first and second drive elements is connected to a driven roller of a drafting roller pair by a drive train comprising at least one gear arranged between the drive motor and said at least one driven roller pair.",
"6. An apparatus according to claim 5, in which the gear has a transmission step.",
"7. An apparatus according to claim 1, in which the drive of the drafting rollers is effected by way of belts.",
"8. An apparatus according to claim 7, which further includes at least one transmission element passing around at least two drive pulleys.",
"9. An apparatus according to claim 8, in which the drive pulleys are not all of equal diameter.",
"10. An apparatus according to claim 1, in which the drive of the output roller pair of the drafting system is effected by the first drive element.",
"11. An apparatus according to claim 10, in which the drive of the input and middle roller pairs of the drafting system is effected by the second drive element.",
"12. An apparatus according to 10, in which a driving drive pulley of the first drive element has a larger diameter than a driven drive pulley for the output roller pair.",
"13. An apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising a transmission arrangement comprising a gear between the second drive element and the input and middle roller pairs, and in which a driving drive pulley of the second drive element has a smaller diameter than a driven drive pulley at the input of the gear.",
"14. An apparatus according to claim 13, in which the driving drive pulley at the output of the gear has a smaller diameter than driven drive pulleys for the input and middle roller pairs.",
"15. An apparatus according to claim 13, in which the driving drive pulley of the second drive element and the driven drive pulley at the input of the gear are constructed as stepped pulleys.",
"16. An apparatus according to claim 1, in which drafting system rollers forming preliminary drafting and main drafting roller pairs are present.",
"17. An apparatus according to claim 1, in which the first drive element is arrange to drive one or more further components of the machine.",
"18. An apparatus according to claim 1, in which at the output of the drafting system, a lower roller co-operates with two upper rollers.",
"19. An apparatus according to claim 1, in which an input roller pair of the drafting system has a driven drive pulley on one side and a driving drive pulley on the other side and the driving drive pulley is used for driving a middle roller pair of the drafting system.",
"20. An apparatus according to claim 1, in which a middle roller pair of the drafting system has a driven drive pulley on one side and a driving drive pulley on the other side and the driving drive pulley is used for driving an input roller pair of the drafting system.",
"21. An apparatus according to claim 1, having a belt for driving input and middle roller pairs of the drafting system, further comprising at least one guide pulley and/or at least one tensioning pulley associated with the belt.",
"22. An apparatus on a drafting system of a spinning preparation machine with drafting system rollers forming drafting roller pairs, comprising\na drive motor;\na first drive arrangement including a first rotating drive element at one side of the drive motor;\na second drive arrangement including a second rotating drive element at the other side of the drive motor; and\nwherein the first drive arrangement is arranged to drive at least a first roller pair and the second drive arrangement is arranged to drive at least one further roller pair."
],
[
"1. A method of obtaining yarn from an Ericaceae plant species, the method comprising:\nobtaining cord or pulp strips from the Ericaceae plant species;\npassing the obtained cord or pulp strips through a caustic bath;\nproviding saturated steam in a steaming section;\npassing the cord or pulp strips through the steaming section;\nadjusting a pH value in a neutralization bath;\npassing the cord or pulp strips through the neutralization bath; and\nspinning the cord or pulp strips after passing through the neutralization bath so as to obtain the yarn.",
"2. A method of obtaining yarn from an Calluna Vulgaris plant species, the method comprising:\nobtaining cord or pulp strips from the Calluna Vulgaris plant species;\npassing the obtained cord or pulp strips through a caustic bath;\nproviding saturated steam in a steaming section;\npassing the cord or pulp strips through the steaming section;\nadjusting a pH value in a neutralization bath;\npassing the cord or pulp strips through the neutralization bath; and\nspinning the cord or pulp strips after passing through the neutralization bath so as to obtain the yarn.",
"3. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of obtaining cord or pulp strips comprising:\ntreating fiber bundles obtained from the Calluna Vulgaris under pressure in a solution containing at least one of NaOH, NaBO3, H2O2 and MgSO4;\nwashing the treated fiber bundles with water; and\ndividing the washed fiber bundles into the cord or pulp strips.",
"4. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of obtaining cord or pump strips comprising:\nretting, scutching, hackling, stripping and roving to a stem of the Calluna Vulgaris.",
"5. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of passing the cord or pulp strips through the caustic bath comprising:\npassing the obtained cord or pulp strips through a sodium hydroxide solution in the caustic bath.",
"6. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of passing the cord or pulp strips through the caustic bath comprising:\npositioning rollers, feed rollers and spinning rollers successively in the caustic bath;\nspinning and orienting the cord or pulp strips with the positioned rollers, feed rollers and spinning rollers in the caustic bath.",
"7. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of passing the cord or pulp strips through the steaming section comprises:\ntreating the cord or pulp strips with the saturated steam for 20 to 60 minutes in the steaming section.",
"8. A method of obtaining yarn from a cellulose-containing plant, the method comprising:\nobtaining cord or pulp strips from the cellulose-containing plant;\npassing the obtained cord or pulp strips through a caustic bath;\nproviding saturated steam in a steaming section, the steaming section having grooved or hexagonal transfer rods;\npassing the cord or pulp strips through the steaming section;\nadjusting a pH value in a neutralization bath;\npassing the cord or pulp strips through the neutralization bath; and\nspinning the cord or pulp strips after passing through the neutralization bath so as to obtain the yarn.",
"9. The method of claim 8, wherein the grooved or hexagonal transfer rods have independently operable drives.",
"10. The method of claim 8, further comprising:\nchecking the pH value of the cord or pulp strips; and\nadjusting the pH value to 5-7 in the neutralization bath."
],
[
"1. A method for carrying out a piecing process on a spinning station (2) of an air-jet spinning machine (1) having an air-jet spinning device (5), wherein:\na thread end (37) that has run onto a take-up bobbin (9) is taken up by means of a thread take-up device (39) and transferred to a thread-end preparation device (40) downstream from a vortex chamber (33) of the air-jet spinning device (5) in the thread running direction,\nthe thread end (37) is subsequently treated in the thread-end preparation device (40) and then transferred to the vortex chamber (33) of the air-jet spinning device (5) and positioned there,\na drafting system (4) for drafting and supplying a sliver (25) to the vortex chamber (33) is powered up, wherein an exit roller pair (26) of the drafting system (4) is accelerated up to a predetermined draw-off speed, and wherein the sliver (25) is spun onto the prepared thread end (37) in the vortex chamber (33),\na motor-driven draw-off device (6) for drawing off the thread (36) spun in the vortex chamber (33) is powered up and thereby accelerated up to the draw-off speed,\ncharacterized in that\nthe drafting system (4) and/or the draw-off device (6) are powered up in such a way that the speed of the exit roller pair (26) and/or of the draw-off device (6) increases non-linearly at the beginning of powering up and/or approaches the predetermined draw-off speed non-linearly around the end of powering up.",
"2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that a drafting system roller pair (51, 52) and/or an apron roller pair (48) of the drafting system (4) arranged upstream from the exit roller pair (26) in the thread running direction is powered up in such a way that their speed increases non-linearly at the beginning of powering up and/or approaches a respective final speed associated with the draw-off speed non-linearly around the end of powering up.",
"3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the exit roller pair (26) and/or the draw-off device (6) are powered up in such a way that their speed is linear in the range between the non-linear start of powering up and/or the non-linear approach to the draw-off speed around the end of powering up.",
"4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, in order to establish a period defining a dwell time of the thread end in the vortex chamber (33), the drafting system (4) is powered up before the draw-off device (6).",
"5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the exit roller pair (26) is powered up in advance of and decoupled from the at least one drafting system roller pair (51, 52) and/or apron roller pair (48) of the drafting system (4) arranged upstream from the exit roller pair (26) in the thread running direction.",
"6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that during\nthe take-up of the thread end (37) that has run onto the take-up bobbin (9) and its transfer to the thread-end preparation device (40) and/or\nthe preparation of the thread end (37) in the thread-end preparation device (40) and/or\nthe transfer and positioning of the prepared thread end (37) in the vortex chamber (33),\nthe exit roller pair (26) is operated at a predetermined combing out speed, and the at least one drafting system roller pair (51, 52) and/or apron roller pair (48) upstream from the exit roller pair (26) in the thread running direction are stopped or operated at a holding speed associated with the combing out speed, which holding speed is a maximum of 10% of the combing out speed.",
"7. A spinning station (2) of an air-jet spinning machine (1) for producing a thread (36) from a sliver (25), having:\na vortex chamber (33) in which a twist is imparted to a sliver (25) by means of an air flow to form threads,\na draw-off device (6) for drawing off the thread (36) formed in the vortex chamber (33) from the vortex chamber (33),\na drafting system (4) for conveying the sliver (25) toward an inlet opening (35) of the vortex chamber (33), and\na thread-end preparation device (40) for treating a thread end (37) taken up from a take-up bobbin (9) by means of a thread take-up device (39) and transferring it to the vortex chamber (33),\ncharacterized by\na control unit (38) for carrying out a method for carrying out a piecing process according to claim 1.",
"8. The spinning station (2) according to claim 7, characterized in that the control unit (38) is designed to adjust the non-linear speed increase of the exit roller pair (26) and/or the draw-off device (6) at the beginning of powering up and/or at the end of powering up.",
"9. The spinning station (2) according to claim 7, characterized in that the drafting system (4) has a single-motor driven draw-off roller pair (26) which can be controlled decoupled from additional drafting system roller pairs (51, 52) and/or apron roller pairs (48) by means of the control unit (38)."
],
[
"1. A ring spinning machine, comprising:\na reciprocating, displaceably supported spindle rail with a plurality of spindles configured thereon;\nthe spindle rail driven by a motor via a shaft that passes through the ring spinning machine;\nthe spindle rail arranged along opposite sides of the ring spinning machine in a longitudinal orientation of the ring spinning machine;\nthe spindle rail subdivided into sections along each of the opposite sides;\ncross braces extending between the opposite sides of the ring spinning machine and connecting opposite sections of the spindle rail;\nthe shaft supported between the sections of the spindle rail,\nthe spindle rail suspended from at least one cam disc that is seated on the shaft;\na circumferentially biased spring configured with the shaft or the cam disc to provide torsional compensation on the shaft; and\nthe spindle rail driven in a reciprocating vertical path by rotation of the cam disc and shaft during spinning operations of the ring spinning machine.",
"2. The ring spinning machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein the cam disc comprises a design such that torque generated by the spring on a stroke path of the spindle rail is substantially compensated for.",
"3. The ring spinning machine as set forth in claim 1, comprising two of the biased springs for each section of the spindle rail biased in opposite directions, each of the springs having one of the cam discs associated therewith.",
"4. The ring spinning machine as set forth in claim 3, wherein two oppositely-biased springs are located at each end or in the center of each section of the spindle rail.",
"5. The ring spinning machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein the spring is connected at one end to a frame or an intermediate frame, and to the shaft or the cam disc at another end.",
"6. The ring spinning machine as set forth in claim 1, the spindle rail is suspended on the cam disc with a belt.",
"7. The ring spinning machine as set forth in claim 6, comprising two of the biased springs for each section of the spindle rail biased in opposite directions, each of the springs having one of the cam discs associated therewith, wherein each section of the spindle rail is suspended symmetrically with the belts on two cam discs.",
"8. The ring spinning machine as set forth in claim 7, wherein bias of the springs acts counter to a direction of rotation that the associated belt acts on the shaft via the cam disc.",
"9. The ring spinning machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein the motor is arranged in a head or a foot section of the ring spinning machine.",
"10. The ring spinning machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein the ring spinning machine is separated into two machine parts, with each of the machine parts comprising the spindle rail and independently driven shaft, wherein at least one motor is arranged centrally between two machine parts for driving the shafts.",
"11. The ring spinning machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein the spindle rail is suspended on the cross braces in the sections.",
"12. The ring spinning machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein ends of two adjacent sections of the spindle rail are connected to one another with one of the cross braces so as to compensate for longitudinal thermal expansion between the sections.",
"13. The ring spinning machine as set forth in claim 12, wherein the end of one of the adjacent sections is securely fixed to the cross brace and the end of the other adjacent section is movably connected by a spring connection or a sliding connection to the cross brace so as to compensate for the longitudinal thermal expansion between the sections.",
"14. The ring spinning machine as set forth in claim 13, wherein the fixed ends of the adjacent sections are oppositely situated on the cross brace at opposite sides of the machine frame.",
"15. The ring spinning machine as set forth in claim 13, wherein the fixed end of the adjacent section is opposite to the movably connected end of the adjacent section on the cross brace at the opposite machine side of the machine frame."
],
[
"1. An apparatus at a spinning preparation machine having at least one electric motor-driven roller and at least one immobile machine element associates with a said roller, comprising an electromotive drive device for driving said roller and having as first and second drive components a rotor and stator, in which one of said first and second drive components is incorporated in said roller and the other of said first and second drive components is incorporated in said immobile machine element associated with said roller.",
"2. An apparatus according to claim 1, in which the rotor is integrated into the roller and the stator is integrated into the immobile machine element.",
"3. An apparatus according to claim 1, in which the stator is integrated into the roller and the rotor is integrated into the immobile machine element.",
"4. An apparatus according to claim 1, in which the immobile machine element is a side panel.",
"5. An apparatus at a spinning preparation machine having at least one electric motor-driven roller, at least one stationary side panel associated with a said roller, and an electric motor for driving said roller, wherein the electric motor comprises a rotor joined directly to the roller and a stator joined directly to the stationary side panel.",
"6. An apparatus according to claim 1, in which the electromotive drive device comprises a motor that is integrated in part into the roller to be driven and in part into the immobile machine element.",
"7. An apparatus according to claim 1, in which the electric motor driving the roller consists of:\na plate, which is joined to the roller to be driven or to the shaft thereof and on which there are mounted permanent magnets of the motor; and\nthe immobile machine element, which carries the roller and on which electric coils are fastened.",
"8. An apparatus according to claim 1, in which the roller has a roller casing and magnets belonging to the drive motor are mounted on the inside of the roller casing.",
"9. An apparatus according to claim 1, in which the roller has at least one end wall and magnets belonging to the drive motor are mounted at a said end wall of the roller.",
"10. An apparatus according to claim 1, in which electric coils belonging to the drive motor are mounted at a side panel upon which the working component bears.",
"11. An apparatus according to claim 1, in which the drive motor is operated with a frequency converter.",
"12. An apparatus according to claim 1, in which the electromotive drive means is usable as an electromotive braking means.",
"13. An apparatus according to claim 12, in which the drive and/or braking means is integrated into rotating components of the roller and into the immobile machine frame.",
"14. An apparatus according to claim 1, in which the spinning preparation machine is a carding machine, the rotor of the electric motor being joined directly to the cylinder and the stator of the electric motor being joined directly to an immobile side panel of the carding machine.",
"15. An apparatus according to claim 1, in which there is an electric motor and a linear motor which each have a stator and a rotor.",
"16. An apparatus according to claim 1, in which the drive device comprises a plurality of magnets, the magnets being permanent magnets.",
"17. An apparatus according to claim 1, in which a magnetic rotary field can be generated.",
"18. An apparatus according to claim 1, in which the drive device comprises a coil system having a plurality of coils.",
"19. An apparatus according to claim 18, in which a rotary field can be generated in the coils for the purpose of reducing speed by braking.",
"20. A method of driving a roller of a spinning preparation machine comprising:\nconstructing a rotor integrated into one of said roller and an immobile machine element associated with said roller;\nconstructing a stator integrated into the other of said roller and said immobile machine element; and\nsupplying an electrical current to said rotor and/or stator for driving the roller."
],
[
"1. A drafting arrangement for a spinning machine, comprising at least one pair of feed rollers, one pair of central rollers and a pair of withdrawal rollers, each roller pair comprising an upper roller and a lower roller wherein the lower rollers of the drafting arrangement are configured as roller segments, which are rotated by single-motor drives, and the upper rollers are mounted in a pendulum carrier, characterized in that the lower roller drive (14) of at least the pair of central rollers (21) is arranged together with the respective associated lower roller (21A) in a bearing device (15) in such a way that, after opening of the pendulum carrier (17) receiving the respective associated upper roller (21B), the lower roller drive (14) and the respective associated lower roller (21A) can easily be removed from the bearing device (15) in the direction of the pendulum carrier (17).",
"2. The drafting arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the bearing device (15) has a receiving pocket (19), and is fixed, by means of studs (20), to a frame (18), which is in turn fastened to the machine frame of the spinning machine (1).",
"3. The drafting arrangement according to claim 2, characterized in that the internal dimensions of the receiving pocket (19) is matched to the outer contour of the lower roller drive (14).",
"4. The drafting arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that at least the central lower roller (21A) is multi-part comprising lower roller segments (21A1, 21Ar) which can be rotated relative to one another.",
"5. The drafting arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the lower roller drive (14) is configured as a stepping motor.",
"6. The drafting arrangement according to claim 4, characterized in that the lower roller segments (21A1, 21Ar), in the region of a free end thereof, each have a bearing stump (25), which is guided in a bearing sleeve (24) in an installed state of the lower roller segments.",
"7. The drafting arrangement according to claim 6, characterized in that the bearing sleeve (24) is equipped with roller bearings (26) for the freely rotatable mounting of the lower roller segments (21A1, 21Ar).",
"8. The drafting arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the lower roller drive (14) of each pair of rollers (20, 21, 23) is arranged together with the respective associated lower roller (20A, 21A, 23A) in a respectively associated bearing device (15) in such a way that, after opening of the pendulum carrier (17) receiving the respective associated upper rollers (20B, 21B, 23B), the lower roller drives (14) and the respective associated lower rollers (20A, 21A, 23A) can easily be removed from the bearing devices (15) in the direction of the pendulum carrier (17)."
],
[
"1. A multifunctional nozzle for a spinning machine, comprising;\na pressurisable nozzle housing with a nozzle channel which extends along a longitudinal axis direction of the pressurisable nozzle housing and is open on one side along the longitudinal axis direction;\na fluid inlet for admitting a pressurised fluid into the nozzle channel to bring about a vortex flow within the nozzle channel;\na nozzle body designed to be arranged in the nozzle channel or to be formed in the nozzle channel together with the pressurisable nozzle housing, wherein the nozzle body is shorter than the nozzle channel along the longitudinal axis direction and has a through-duct which extends along the longitudinal axis direction for guiding through a thread or a fibre band;\nan annular gap which extends in the nozzle channel along the longitudinal axis direction and has at least one narrow point towards which the annular gap tapers on both sides along the longitudinal axis direction, wherein the at least one narrow point is formed downstream of the fluid inlet along the longitudinal axis direction;\na delimiting part designed to be formed or arranged in the nozzle channel in a manner closing the pressurisable nozzle housing on a side of the fluid inlet that faces away from the at least one narrow point, wherein the delimiting part has a further through-duct extending along the longitudinal axis direction for the thread or the fibre band for communicating with the through-duct of the nozzle body; and\na hollow-body-like flow conducting body designed to guide the thread or the fibre band in a manner accompanied by fluid between the annular gap and an open end of the nozzle channel;\nwherein the annular gap is formed between the nozzle body and the pressurisable nozzle housing and/or the hollow-body-like flow conducting body.",
"2. The multifunctional nozzle according to claim 1, wherein the fluid inlet has at least two circumferentially distributed fluid inlet mouths which lead into the nozzle channel.",
"3. The multifunctional nozzle according to claim 1, wherein the delimiting part is formed by the nozzle body or bears the nozzle body.",
"4. The multifunctional nozzle according to claim 1, wherein the annular gap has a cross-sectional shape similar to a Laval nozzle along the longitudinal axis direction and/or the flow conducting body has a cross-sectional shape similar to a Laval nozzle along the longitudinal axis direction.",
"5. The multifunctional nozzle according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle body has a cross-sectional shape similar to a candle flame in a sectional plane running through a central longitudinal axis of the through-duct.",
"6. The multifunctional nozzle according to claim 1, wherein the flow conducting body is formed by a component that is separate from the pressurisable nozzle housing, said component having a fixed end which is coupled to the pressurisable nozzle housing at a spacing from the delimiting part and a free end which is formed on a side of the flow conducting body that faces away from the delimiting part.",
"7. The multifunctional nozzle according to claim 2, further including a fibre feed for feeding separated fibres, the fibre feed having a fibre inlet and a fibre duct which communicates therewith and is arranged downstream in a fibre transport direction, and a spinning chamber arranged downstream of the flow conducting body along the longitudinal axis direction, the flow conducting body and the fibre duct opening into the spinning chamber along the longitudinal axis direction, and the spinning chamber having a fibre outlet for discharging superfluous fibres, said fibre outlet being separate from the at least two circumferentially distributed fluid inlet mouths of the flow conducting body and of the fibre duct and being able to be coupled to a vacuum source.",
"8. The multifunctional nozzle according to claim 7, wherein the spinning chamber is formed by a spinning-chamber housing that is interchangeably coupled or able to be coupled to the pressurisable nozzle housing.",
"9. The multifunctional nozzle according to claim 8, wherein the pressurisable nozzle housing has a wall which delimits the fibre duct radially on an outside, protrudes beyond the flow conducting body towards the spinning chamber and comprises a coupling member for interchangeably coupling the spinning-chamber housing to the nozzle housing.",
"10. The multifunctional nozzle according to claim 7, wherein the spinning chamber has a cross-sectional shape similar to a Laval nozzle along a longitudinal axis thereof.",
"11. The multifunctional nozzle according to claim 7, wherein the spinning chamber along a longitudinal axis thereof has a cross-sectional shape similar to a rotor cup interior having an internal diameter along which the at least two circumferentially distributed fluid inlet mouths of the flow conducting body, of the fibre duct and of the fibre outlet are arranged for communicating with the spinning chamber.",
"12. An open-end spinning device for spinning a real-twist thread, comprising:\na spinning device for spinning the real-twist thread out of fed-in separated fibres;\nwherein the spinning device comprises the multifunctional nozzle according to claim 7.",
"13. An open-end spinning method for producing a real-twist thread, comprising:\nproviding the multifunctional nozzle according to claim 8 as a spinning device;\nadmitting a pressurised fluid into the annular gap of the multifunctional nozzle through the fluid inlet in order to generate a vortex flow;\napplying a vacuum to the fibre outlet of the spinning-chamber housing;\nintroducing a thread end of a thread, via the through-ducts of the delimiting part and of the nozzle body, as far as into the spinning chamber of the multifunctional nozzle;\nadmitting separated fibres into the multifunctional nozzle through the fibre inlet and the fibre duct; and\nwhen a vacuum and a positive pressure are applied during the feed of the separated fibres, drawing the thread out of the multifunctional nozzle in an opposite direction to an insertion direction of the thread end by a thread take-up device at a defined take-off speed.",
"14. A workstation of a spinning machine for spinning a real-twist thread, the workstation comprising:\na drafting system device for defined drawing of a fibre band fed to the drafting system device;\na spinning device for producing the real-twist thread from the drawn fibre band fed by the drafting system device;\na drivable spindle for bearing an empty tube in a manner rotatably entrained therewith, the drivable spindle along with the empty tube being rotatably borne by a spindle rail which is designed to execute a linear stroke movement back and forth along an axis of rotation of the drivable spindle or the empty tube while entraining the drivable spindle together with the empty tube; and\na delimiting sleeve having a cavity in which the empty tube borne by the drivable spindle is at least partly received in an upward end position of the linear stroke movement;\nwherein the spinning device is formed by the multifunctional nozzle according to claim 1, the multifunctional nozzle being arranged between the drafting system device and the delimiting sleeve in a fibre band transport direction so as to transfer the produced real-twist thread into the cavity for winding a winding region of the empty tube during the linear stroke movement performed relative to the delimiting sleeve.",
"15. A drafting system device comprising:\nat least two roller pairs for defined drawing of a fibre band fed to the drafting system device, the at least two roller pairs being drivable at different rotational speeds from one another; and\nthe multifunctional nozzle according to claim 1, the multifunctional nozzle being arranged in a fibre band travel path upstream, in a fibre band transport direction, of one of the at least two roller pairs.",
"16. The multifunctional nozzle according to claim 2, wherein the at least two circumferentially distributed fluid inlet mouths are arranged in an orthogonal plane with respect to the longitudinal axis direction and admit the pressurised fluid tangentially to the annular gap.",
"17. The multifunctional nozzle according to claim 6, wherein the flow conducting body is arranged coaxially with the pressurisable nozzle housing.",
"18. The multifunctional nozzle according to claim 6, wherein the free end has a smaller outer diameter than an outer diameter of the at least one narrow point."
],
[
"1. A spinning position on an air-jet spinning machine, which serves to produce a yarn from a fiber strand consisting of fibers, comprising:\na turbulence chamber with an inlet port for the fiber strand entering the turbulence chamber in a direction of conveyance during operation of the air-jet spinning machine;\na yarn-forming element extending into the turbulence chamber, the yarn-forming element having an intake mouth and a draw-off channel through which yarn is drawn off out of the turbulence chamber;\nair jets directed into the turbulence chamber, the air jets opening into the turbulence chamber in a wall surrounding the turbulence chamber, such that air can be introduced through these jets into the turbulence chamber in a predefined direction to impart to the fiber strand a twist in the area of an intake mouth of the yarn-forming element;\na guide arrangement situated in the area of the inlet port of the turbulence chamber, the guide arrangement further comprising at least two guide sections spaced a distance apart from one another that decreases in at least some sections in the direction of conveyance of the fiber strand;\nthe guide arrangement further comprising at least one central guide element that extends at least partially between the guide sections viewed in a section running perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the draw-off channel and producing a deflection of the fibers of the fiber strand perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the draw-off channel; and\nwherein the guide sections are formed by one of mandrels or guide plates that extend from a wall surrounding the inlet port of the turbulence chamber towards the inlet mouth of the yarn-forming element.",
"2. The spinning position according to claim 1, wherein the central guide element runs along one of the longitudinal axis of the draw-off channel or a central longitudinal axis of the inlet port of the turbulence chamber.",
"3. The spinning position according to claim 2, wherein the longitudinal axis of the draw-off channel is collinear with the central longitudinal axis of the inlet port of the turbulence chamber.",
"4. The spinning position according to claim 1, wherein an end of the central guide element oriented towards the outlet port of the draw-off channel is positioned between the intake mouth of the yarn-forming element and the inlet port of the turbulence chamber.",
"5. The spinning position according to claim 1, wherein the central guide element extends further in a direction towards the outlet port of the draw-off channel than the guide sections.",
"6. The spinning position according to claim 1, wherein one or both of the guide sections and the central guide element extend into the draw-off channel.",
"7. The spinning position according to claim 1, wherein a minimal distance between the guide sections is greater than a minimal distance between the guide sections and the central guide element facing the outlet port of the draw-off channel.",
"8. The spinning position according to claim 1, wherein the guide sections each have a first end towards the outlet port of the draw-off channel and an opposite end away from the outlet port of the draw-off channel, the central guide element having a first end towards the outlet port of the draw-off channel with a section running parallel to a longitudinal axis of the draw-off channel between the first ends of the guide sections.",
"9. The spinning position according to claim 1, wherein the central guide element has a first end towards the outlet port of the draw-off channel, the guide sections each have a first end towards the outlet port of the draw-off channel, wherein the first ends of the guide sections are arranged concentrically around the first end of the central guide element view in a section that is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the draw-off channel.",
"10. A spinning position on an air-jet spinning machine, which serves to produce a yarn from a fiber strand consisting of fibers, comprising:\na turbulence chamber with an inlet port for the fiber strand entering the turbulence chamber in a direction of conveyance during operation of the air-jet spinning machine;\na yarn-forming element extending into the turbulence chamber, the yarn-forming element having an intake mouth and a draw-off channel through which yarn is drawn off out of the turbulence chamber;\nair jets directed into the turbulence chamber, the air jets opening into the turbulence chamber in a wall surrounding the turbulence chamber, such that air can be introduced through these jets into the turbulence chamber in a predefined direction to impart to the fiber strand a twist in the area of an intake mouth of the yarn-forming element;\na guide arrangement situated in the area of the inlet port of the turbulence chamber, the guide arrangement further comprising at least two guide sections spaced a distance apart from one another that decreases in at least some sections in the direction of conveyance of the fiber strand;\nthe guide arrangement further comprising at least one central guide element that extends at least partially between the guide sections viewed in a section running perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the draw-off channel and producing a deflection of the fibers of the fiber strand perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the draw-off channel; and\nwherein a minimal distance between the guide sections is less than a diameter of the draw-off channel in an area of the intake mouth of the yarn-forming element.",
"11. The spinning position according to claim 1, wherein the guide sections define an angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the draw-off channel between 10 degrees and 50 degrees.",
"12. A spinning position on an air-jet spinning machine, which serves to produce a yarn from a fiber strand consisting of fibers, comprising:\na turbulence chamber with an inlet port for the fiber strand entering the turbulence chamber in a direction of conveyance during operation of the air-jet spinning machine;\na yarn-forming element extending into the turbulence chamber, the yarn-forming element having an intake mouth and a draw-off channel through which yarn is drawn off out of the turbulence chamber;\nair jets directed into the turbulence chamber, the air jets opening into the turbulence chamber in a wall surrounding the turbulence chamber, such that air can be introduced through these jets into the turbulence chamber in a predefined direction to impart to the fiber strand a twist in the area of an intake mouth of the yarn-forming element;\na guide arrangement situated in the area of the inlet port of the turbulence chamber, the guide arrangement further comprising at least two guide sections spaced a distance apart from one another that decreases in at least some sections in the direction of conveyance of the fiber strand;\nthe guide arrangement further comprising at least one central guide element that extends at least partially between the guide sections viewed in a section running perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the draw-off channel and producing a deflection of the fibers of the fiber strand perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the draw-off channel; and\nwherein in the absence of a fiber strand, the guide sections touch each other or the central guide element.",
"13. The spinning position according to claim 1, wherein the guide sections and the central guide element are formed in an insert that is supported relative to the turbulence chamber."
],
[
"1. A spinning apparatus for spinning a fiber bundle provided by a draft device, comprising:\na nozzle block for imparting a turning air stream to the fiber bundle, the air stream having a speed,\na guide member supporting body securing within the nozzle block, the guide member supporting body having a conically shaped end portion, wherein a gap for passage of the fiber bundle is formed between a side portion of the guide member supporting body and the nozzle block,\na rotatable spindle defining an axis and an inlet, and\na guide member defining an axis, the guide member projecting from the conically shaped end portion of the guide member supporting body and including an end portion,\nwherein the rotatable spindle and the guide member are arranged substantially coaxially.",
"2. A spinning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the draft device includes a pair of front rollers, and a distance l from the inlet of the rotatable spindle to the front rollers of the draft device is set to be less than an average length of the fiber bundle.",
"3. A spinning apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the guide member is smaller in diameter than the inlet of the rotatable spindle, the end portion of the guide member having a curved tip.",
"4. A spinning apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein a fiber bundle passage extends through the rotatable spindle and the end portion of the guide member is partially disposed with the fiber bundle passage.",
"5. A spinning apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein an inside diameter of the nozzle block is approximately equal to 4.3 mm, and the speed of the turning air stream is set to be highest in a location substantially adjacent to the spindle inlet.",
"6. A spinning apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the nozzle block includes a nozzle for imparting the turning air stream to the fiber bundle, wherein an angle of inclination of the nozzle with respect to a moving direction of the fiber bundle is substantially equal to between approximately 70° and 90°."
],
[
"1. An apparatus for producing yarn comprising:\ndrafting means for drafting a fiber bundle, the fiber bundle defining an inner portion,\ntwisting means for twisting the drafted fiber bundle to produce a yarn, and\nguide means for guiding the fiber bundle, the guide means having a portion thereof disposed within the inner portion of the fiber bundle being supplied from the drafting means to the twisting means.",
"2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the twisting means includes a casing having a nozzle block for exerting a turning stream on the fiber bundle, and a spindle having one end located within the casing, the spindle having a passage therethrough, wherein the guide means is disposed within the nozzle block.",
"3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the spindle is a rotary spindle.",
"4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the spindle is a stationary spindle.",
"5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the guide means comprises a guide member having a needle-shaped portion, the needle-shaped portion including an end formed with a smooth curve, wherein a center line portion of the needle-shaped portion is substantially parallel with a running direction of the fiber bundle at least in the vicinity of an inlet of the spindle.",
"6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the needle-shaped portion is smaller in diameter than a diameter of the inlet of the spindle.",
"7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein a portion of the guide member is disposed within the passage through the spindle.",
"8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the end of the needle-shaped portion is arranged along a running path of the fiber bundle and substantially adjacent to the inlet of the spindle.",
"9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the end of the needle-shaped portion is arranged substantially adjacent to the inlet of the spindle.",
"10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the guide means comprises a flat plate-shaped guide member having one end secured to the nozzle block and another end directed at an inlet of the spindle.",
"11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the guide means comprises a rod-shaped member having an end directed at an inlet of the spindle.",
"12. An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the guide means includes a spherically-shaped portion disposed at the end of the rod-shaped member.",
"13. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein a diameter of the spherically-shaped portion is at least equal to a diameter of the rod-shaped member.",
"14. An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the guide means includes a conically-shaped portion disposed at the end of the rod-shaped member.",
"15. An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein a diameter of the conically-shaped portion is at least equal to a diameter of the rod-shaped member.",
"16. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the guide means comprises a needle-shaped guide member disposed obliquely with respect to a moving direction of the fiber bundle, wherein an end of the needle-shaped guide member is directed at an inlet of the spindle.",
"17. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the nozzle block includes a slit for allowing the fiber bundle to pass therethrough, and wherein the guide means comprises a guide member having one end secured to the nozzle block and another end directed at an inlet of the spindle.",
"18. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the nozzle block includes a plurality of air jet nozzles which are directed at an inlet of the spindle in a tangential direction with respect to a passage of the fiber bundle.",
"19. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the nozzle block includes a plurality of air jet nozzles for generating a turning stream of air perpendicular to a passage of the fiber bundle.",
"20. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the guide means forms a temporary core for the yarn such that a plurality of fibers wind about the guide means during production of the yarn, the guide means impeding formation of a yarn having an untwisted core fiber bundle.",
"21. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the guide means is disposed so as to impede the propagation of twists from the twisting means toward the drafting means during production of the yarn.",
"22. A method for producing yarn comprising the steps of:\ndrafting a fiber bundle in a drafting device, the fiber bundle comprising an inner portion,\nintroducing the drafted fiber bundle into a twisting device,\nproviding a fiber guide having a portion thereof disposed within the inner portion of the fiber bundle, and\nguiding the drafted fiber bundle with the fiber guide,\nwherein the guide member impedes twists in the fiber bundle from propagating from the twisting device toward the drafting device."
],
[
"1. A spinning point of a spinning machine for producing a yarn from a fiber composite that is supplied to the spinning point, the spinning point comprising:\na spinning unit;\na drawing-off device downstream of the spinning unit in a direction of transport of the yarn from the spinning unit;\na yarn storage downstream of the drawing-off device;\na sensor system configured with the yarn storage that monitors a fill level of the yarn within the yarn storage;\na winding device downstream of the yarn storage; and\na return unit disposed relative to the yarn storage and activatable after a yarn break to remove an end of the yarn located within the yarn storage and direct the removed yarn end to the spinning unit.",
"2. The spinning point as in claim 1, wherein the return unit comprises an air jet disposed adjacent to an opening of the yarn storage to direct an air flow against the yarn entering the yarn storage and towards the spinning unit.",
"3. The spinning point as in claim 1, wherein the return unit comprises a mechanical lever assembly disposed adjacent to an opening of the yarn storage to contact and move the yarn end out of the yarn storage and towards the spinning unit.",
"4. The spinning point as in claim 1, wherein the sensor system comprises two sensors spaced apart along the yarn storage, each of the sensors configured to detect the presence of a yarn adjacent the respective sensor within the yarn storage.",
"5. The spinning point as in claim 1, further comprising a controller in communication with the winding device and the sensor system, wherein a winding speed of the winding device is controlled as a function of a sensed fill level of yarn within the yarn storage.",
"6. The spinning point as in claim 1, further comprising a yarn brake downstream of the yarn storage.",
"7. The spinning point as in claim 1, further comprising a yarn separation unit operably configured along the yarn storage to separate the yarn within the yarn storage prior to a piecing process.",
"8. The spinning point as in claim 1, wherein the yarn storage is connected to a vacuum source.",
"9. The spinning point as in claim 1, wherein the yarn storage further comprises an air injection nozzle disposed to direct pressurized air into the yarn storage in a direction away from an open end of the yarn storage to increase tension on the yarn within the yarn storage in an unwinding direction prior to a piecing process.",
"10. The spinning point as in claim 1, further comprising a yarn end preparer configured with the yarn storage to prepare an end of the yarn within the yarn storage for subsequent piecing.",
"11. A method for operating a spinning point of a spinning machine for producing a yarn in a spinning operation from a fiber composite that is supplied to the spinning point, the method comprising:\ndrawing off the yarn produced at a spinning unit with a drawing-off device;\nmonitoring the drawn-off yarn with a yarn monitor for at least one physical characteristic of the yarn;\npassing the drawn-off yarn through a yarn storage;\nmonitoring a fill level of the yarn within the yarn storage;\nwinding the yarn that passes through the storage device with a winding device;\ncontrolling the winding speed of the winding device as a function of the monitored fill level of the yarn within the yarn storage device;\nin the event of a yarn break, performing the following method steps:\nstopping the winding device such that an end section of the yarn is located within the yarn storage;\nseparating a part of the yarn to define a new yarn end for piecing;\nengaging the yarn entering the yarn storage, removing the new yarn end from the storage device and returning the new yarn end from the yarn storage to the spinning unit for subsequent piecing.",
"12. The method as in claim 11, wherein the new yarn end is returned to the spinning unit with assistance of a directed air flow or a mechanical lever.",
"13. The method as in claim 11, further comprising keeping a tension on the yarn produced in the spinning operation with a yarn brake disposed between the yarn storage and the winding device.",
"14. The method as in claim 11, wherein the fill level of the yarn within the yarn storage is monitored with at least one sensor disposed at a location along the yarn storage.",
"15. The method as in claim 11, wherein either during or after the stopping of the winding device after a yarn break, an air flow is directed into the yarn storage in a direction away from an open yarn-intake end of the yarn storage.",
"16. The method as in claim 15, wherein during the directed air flow into the yarn storage, the winding device is controlled to unwind a section of yarn from a spool, whereas a length of the unwound yarn corresponds to a length of the yarn sucked into the yarn storage prior to separating the yarn to define a new yarn end.",
"17. The method as in claim 16, wherein subsequent to the unwinding of the section of yarn, the yarn within the yarn storage is separated and a separated yarn section is removed by the yarn storage.",
"18. The method as in claim 17, wherein the new yarn end defined after the separating of the yarn is prepared for piecing by a yarn end preparer prior to returning the new yarn end to the spinning unit.",
"19. The method as in claim 18, wherein the new yarn end is returned to the spinning unit with assistance of an air flow directed towards the spinning unit."
],
[
"1. Joining method on a spinning device of a jet spinning machine (1),\nwherein a fibre band (14) drawn to yarn thickness is supplied by a drawing frame (4) to the spinning device (5), between an input-side mechanical twist retaining mechanism (54) and a spinning cone (25), a rotational flow is produced by a spinning nozzle mechanism, which collects fibres forming free fibre ends and winds them producing a true twist around fibres which do not take part in the rotation and are already incorporated, and the thread (26) thus formed from the fibre band (14) is drawn through the hollow spinning cone (25),\nwherein, for joining, an auxiliary thread (30) is used, which is firstly threaded by its free end into the spinning device (5) and drawn through the spinning cone (25),\nwherein joining then takes place on the continuous auxiliary thread (30) not taking part in the torsion, in that the fibres of the fibre band (14) are fed onto the auxiliary thread (30) and wound around it, and\nwherein the auxiliary thread (30) being subjected to the withdrawal is guided off and after passing the auxiliary thread end, the newly spun thread (26), which is free of auxiliary thread, is separated and connected to the end of the upper thread (38) by a knot or a splice.",
"2. Joining method according to claim 1, characterised in that the auxiliary thread (30) differs from the thread (26) with regard to its properties.",
"3. Joining method according to claim 2, characterised in that the auxiliary thread (30) is stiffer than the thread (26).",
"4. Joining method according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that the auxiliary thread (30) is smoother than the thread (26).",
"5. Joining method according to claim 1, characterised in that auxiliary thread (30) is introduced into the spinning device (5) counter to the normal thread running direction during the spinning operation, before joining takes place.",
"6. Joining method according to claim 1, characterised in that the auxiliary thread (30) is introduced into the spinning device (5) in the normal thread running direction during spinning operation, before joining takes place.",
"7. Joining method according to claim 6, characterised in that the auxiliary thread (30) is introduced into the spinning device (5) in two stages.",
"8. Joining method according to claim 7, characterised in that, in a first stage, the auxiliary thread (30) is introduced into the fibre band channel (33) prior to the spinning nozzle mechanism (19) by means of the injector flow, and in a second stage, the auxiliary thread (30) is introduced into the spinning cone (25) by means of acting on the spinning cone (25) by means of reduced pressure and in that the spinning nozzle mechanism (19) and the spinning cone (25) are temporarily positioned for the introduction of the auxiliary thread (30) so far apart from one another that the auxiliary thread (30) can be manually grasped between the spinning nozzle mechanism (19) and the spinning cone (25).",
"9. Joining method according to claim 1, characterised in that during joining, a joining speed is adjusted, which is less than the speed during normal spinning operation.",
"10. Spinning device on a jet spinning machine for carrying out a joining method, comprising a spinning nozzle mechanism (19) for producing an injector flow and a spinning cone (25) for thread formation, characterised in that a first clamping device (40, 48) for temporary clamping of an upper thread and a second clamping device (42, 52) for temporary clamping of an auxiliary thread (30) are associated with the spinning device (5).",
"11. Spinning device according to claim 10, characterised in that the second clamping device (52) is configured as a transporting means for conveying the auxiliary thread (30) and the newly spun thread (26) which then follows.",
"12. Spinning device according to claim 10 or 11, characterised in that at least one storage mechanism for storing the auxiliary thread (30) and the newly spun thread (26), a separating device for separating the auxiliary thread (30) from the thread (26) and a splicing mechanism (47) for connecting the newly spun thread (26) to the upper thread (38) are associated with the spinning device (5).",
"13. Jet spinning machine with spinning stations arranged next to one another in a row for carrying out a joining method, characterised in that a storage mechanism for storing an auxiliary thread (30) and a newly spun thread (26), a separating mechanism for separating the auxiliary thread (30) from the newly spun thread (26) and a splicing mechanism (39) for connecting the newly spun thread (26) to an upper thread (38) are arranged only on at least one operating carriage (10) which can be displaced along the spinning stations (2).",
"14. Jet spinning machine according to claim 13, characterised in that at least one clamping mechanism (42) for temporary clamping of the auxiliary thread (30) is arranged on the operating carriage (10)."
],
[
"1. A spinning apparatus for spinning a fiber bundle provided by a draft device, comprising:\na rotatable spindle defining an axis and an inlet,\na nozzle block including a nozzle for imparting a turning air stream to the fiber bundle, and\na guide member defining an axis and arranged substantially coaxially with the inlet of the rotatable spindle, the guide member being disposed within the nozzle block, wherein an angle of inclination of the nozzle with respect to a moving direction of the fiber bundle is substantially equal to between approximately 70° and 90°.",
"2. A spinning apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the draft device includes a pair of front rollers, a distance l from the rotatable spindle inlet to the front rollers being set to be less than an average length of the fiber bundle.",
"3. A spinning apparatus for spinning a fiber bundle provided by a draft device, comprising:\na rotatable spindle defining an axis and an inlet,\na nozzle block for providing a turning air stream to the fiber bundle, the air stream having a speed, and\na guide member defining an axis, the guide member disposed within the nozzle block and arranged substantially coaxially with the inlet of the spindle,\nwherein an inside diameter of the nozzle block is approximately equal to 4.3 mm, and the speed of the turning air stream is set to be highest in the vicinity of the inlet of the rotatable spindle.",
"4. A spinning apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the draft device includes a pair of front rollers, a distance l from the rotatable spindle inlet to the front rollers being set to be less than an average length of the fiber bundle."
],
[
"1. A process for operating an air jet spinning machine having at least one spinning station with a vortex chamber, wherein a fiber strand is fed in a spinning direction to the vortex chamber and receives a twist in the vortex chamber such that a twisted yarn is formed from the fiber strand in a spinning process and is withdrawn from the vortex chamber by a withdrawal device, the process comprising:\nmonitoring the withdrawn yarn with a monitoring device downstream of the vortex chamber;\nupon detection of a yarn fault, interrupting the spinning process in a manner such that the yarn detaches from the fiber strand and forms a yarn end;\nsubsequent to interruption of the spinning process, performing a piecing process with the yarn end by:\nwith a first suction unit configured as a component of the spinning station, suctioning the yarn end in an area between an outlet opening of the vortex chamber and the withdrawal device;\nin the area of the first suction device, cutting a section of the yarn end containing the yarn fault with a cutting unit configured as a component of the spinning station;\nreturning the yarn end to the vortex chamber in a direction opposite to the spinning direction with an airstream generated within the vortex chamber or within a withdrawal channel of a yarn forming element that projects into the vortex chamber;\nseizing the yarn end at an inlet opening of the vortex chamber and preparing the yarn end for attachment to an end section of the fiber strand;\nsuperimposing the prepared yarn end with the end section of the fiber strand and jointly drawing the superimposed yarn end and fiber strand back into the vortex chamber with the withdrawal device; and\nresuming the spinning process by continued feed of the fiber strand and withdrawal of the formed yarn from the vortex chamber.",
"2. The process as in claim 1, wherein the yarn end is seized at the inlet opening of the vortex chamber by a second suction unit and guided into a yarn end preparation device for preparing the yarn end.",
"3. The process as in claim 1, wherein the spinning process is interrupted by reducing a transporting speed of a fiber strand delivery device and the withdrawal device in a coordinated manner such that the yarn detaches from the fiber strand within a withdrawal channel of a yarn forming element that projects into the vortex chamber, or between the outlet opening of the vortex chamber and the withdrawal device.",
"4. The process as in claim 1, wherein a section of the yarn end extending between the first suction unit and the withdrawal device subsequent to suction of the yarn end by the first suction unit is gripped by a yarn manipulator prior and moved towards the outlet opening of the vortex generator thereby forming a yarn loop between the first suction unit and the outlet opening prior to cutting the end section of the yarn containing the yarn fault.",
"5. The process as in claim 1, wherein the yarn end is returned to the vortex chamber by blowing the yarn end into the area of the outlet opening of the vortex chamber with an airstream generated by a blower unit that is a component of the first suction unit and with the airstream generated within the vortex chamber or within the withdrawal channel of the yarn forming element that projects into the vortex chamber.",
"6. The process as in claim 1, wherein the yarn end is seized at the inlet opening of the vortex chamber by a suction nozzle of a second suction unit that is moved from a standby position into a first piecing position at the inlet opening to the vortex chamber, the suction nozzle moving from the first piecing position to a second piecing position located upstream of a front roller pair of a fiber strand delivery device prior to superimposing the yarn end with the end section of the fiber strand.",
"7. The process as in claim 6, wherein a roller of the front roller pair is moved from a spinning position to a piecing position wherein the rollers of the first roller pair are spaced apart prior to movement of the suction nozzle from the standby position to the first piecing position, the roller moved from the piecing position back to the spinning position wherein the rollers of the front roller pair are in contact with each other prior to the yarn end and the end section of the fiber strand being superimposed.",
"8. The process as in claim 1, wherein the withdrawn yarn is wound onto a bobbin during the spinning process, wherein in the event of a yarn break and prior to performing the piecing process, the yarn end on the bobbin is gripped and moved to the area of the first suction device.",
"9. The process as in claim 1, wherein the withdrawn yarn is wound onto a bobbin during the spinning process and when a full bobbin level is detected, the interruption of the spinning process and the piecing process are performed, and subsequent to the piecing process, the following are performed:\nthe yarn exiting the vortex chamber is cut;\nsubsequent to the cutting, a section of the yarn is produced and stored in an intermediate storage;\nthe full bobbin is replaced with an empty bobbin;\nthe stored yarn is withdrawn from the intermediate storage and wound onto the empty bobbin; and\nwherein the steps of cutting the yarn exiting the vortex chamber, storage of the yarn in an intermediate storage, replacement of the full bobbin with an empty bobbin, and winding of the stored yarn on the empty bobbin are all performed by a service robot brought to the spinning station.",
"10. The process as in claim 1, wherein the withdrawn yarn is wound onto a bobbin during the spinning process and when a full bobbin level is detected, the interruption of the spinning process is performed, a yarn end of a separate piecing yarn is suctioned by the first suction unit and used in the subsequent piecing process, wherein subsequent to the piecing process the following are performed:\nthe yarn exiting the vortex chamber is cut;\na section of the yarn is produced and stored in an intermediate storage;\nthe full bobbin is replaced with an empty bobbin;\nthe stored yarn is withdrawn from the intermediate storage and wound onto the empty bobbin; and\nwherein the steps of cutting the yarn exiting the vortex chamber, storage of the yarn in an intermediate storage, replacement of the full bobbin with an empty bobbin, and winding of the stored yarn on the empty bobbin are all performed by a service robot brought to the spinning station.",
"11. An air jet spinning machine, comprising:\nat least one spinning station having a vortex chamber with an inlet opening and an outlet opening, wherein a fiber strand is fed in a spinning direction into the inlet opening and receives a twist in the vortex chamber such that a twisted yarn is formed from the fiber strand in a spinning process and is withdrawn from the outlet opening of the vortex chamber;\na delivery device disposed to deliver the fiber strand to the inlet opening;\na withdrawal device disposed to withdraw the yarn from the vortex chamber;\na yarn monitor disposed downstream of the vortex chamber to detect faults in the withdrawn yarn;\na first suction unit disposed so as to suction a yarn end between the outlet opening of the vortex generator and the withdrawal device;\na yarn cutting unit disposed so as to cut the suctioned yarn end between the outlet opening and the withdrawal device; and\nan air injection nozzle disposed so as to introduce air in the direction of the inlet opening into the vortex chamber or within a withdrawal channel of a yarn forming element that projects into the vortex chamber.",
"12. The air jet spinning machine as in claim 11, further comprising a yarn end preparation device disposed in an area of the inlet opening to prepare a yarn end for subsequent piecing with the fiber strand, and a second suction unit disposed in the area of the inlet opening to guide the yarn end into the preparation device.",
"13. The air jet spinning machine as in claim 12, further comprising a pivotable movable yarn manipulator disposed so as to contact and move a yarn section extending between the first suction unit and the withdrawal device towards the outlet opening of the vortex chamber.",
"14. The air jet spinning machine as in claim 13, wherein the first suction unit further comprises a blower unit disposed so as to blow the yarn end with an airstream into the area of the outlet opening of the vortex chamber, wherein the first suction unit, the yarn cutting unit, and the yarn manipulator are all fixed to a housing that encases the vortex chamber.",
"15. The air jet spinning machine as in claim 14, further comprising a yarn forming element that projects into the vortex chamber, the yarn forming element defining a yarn withdrawal channel and the outlet opening, the yarn forming element movable relative to the inlet opening.",
"16. The air jet spinning machine as in claim 12, wherein the delivery device comprises a front roller pair upstream of inlet opening, the second suction unit further comprising a movably mounted suction nozzle that is movable between a standby position into a first piecing position at the inlet opening to the vortex chamber, the suction nozzle movable from the first piecing position to a second piecing position located upstream of the front roller pair of the delivery device.",
"17. The air jet spinning machine as in claim 12, wherein the spinning machine comprises at least two of the spinning stations, each of the spinning stations having a respective second suction unit, the yarn end preparation device being common to the two spinning stations such that the vortex chamber of each respective spinning station can be brought into connection with the common yarn end preparation device via their respective second suction unit, and wherein the delivery device comprises a front roller pair upstream of inlet opening, wherein at least one roller of the front roller pair is movable from a spinning position wherein the rollers of the front roller pair are in contact into a piecing position wherein the rollers are spaced apart.",
"18. The air jet spinning machine as in claim 11, wherein the spinning station comprises a spinning nozzle, the vortex chamber defined in the spinning nozzle, the spinning nozzle being movable from a spinning position into a piecing position, and further comprising a yarn storage device disposed downstream of the withdrawal device."
],
[
"1. A process for spinning slivers into yarn at a spinning machine having a plurality of ring spinning stations, comprising:\nwithdrawing sliver from a can in an upward direction and guiding the sliver between the can and a drafting unit at a ring spinning unit via a sliver guiding device that is independent of the can and includes at least one drivable roller,\nring spinning the sliver at a ring spinning unit to a fineness of at least Nm 40,\ndrafting the sliver in the drafting unit at least 170-fold,\nwherein the slivers have a size of between approximately Nm 0.25 and approximately Nm 0.8, and\nwherein the drafting unit is a three cylinder drafting unit.",
"2. A process according to claim 1, further comprising providing the sliver with a twist of between 2 twists/meter (t/m) to 15 t/m during the sliver travel from the can to the drafting unit.",
"3. A process according to claim 2, wherein aid providing the sliver with a twist includes rotating the can as sliver is being fed therefrom."
],
[
"1. A spinning machine, comprising:\na plurality of spinning places, each said spinning place comprising an air-vortex yarn formation mechanism with which stable fiber material supplied to said spinning place in the form of a longitudinal object is spun into yarn independently at each said spinning place, each said spinning place further comprising a refining mechanism with which the longitudinal object is refined prior to the fiber material being supplied to said yarn formation mechanism;\neach said refining mechanism independently drivable and controllable with respect to said other refining mechanisms;\nat least one sensor disposed at each said spinning place to detect at least one measurable property correlated with fiber mass per unit of length; and\na control and monitoring unit configured to receive and process data measured by said sensor, said control and monitoring unit operatively configured with said refining mechanism at an associated said spinning place for control of said refining mechanism as a function of said property detected and measured by said sensor independent of refining mechanisms at other said spinning places.",
"2. The spinning machine as in claim 1, wherein said sensor is disposed to detect and measure a property of the fiber material in said longitudinal object supplied to said spinning place.",
"3. The spinning machine as in claim 1, wherein each said refining mechanism comprises a driven variable speed in-flow side member, each said refining mechanism and yarn formation mechanism further comprising a generally constant speed out-flow member, said refining mechanism in-flow side members being independently controllable with respect to other said spinning places.",
"4. The spinning machine as in claim 1, wherein each said yarn formation mechanism and refining mechanism comprises a variable speed and independently controllable out-flow side member, and said refining mechanism further comprises a generally constant speed in-flow side member.",
"5. The spinning machine as in claim 1, wherein each said yarn formation mechanism and refining mechanism comprises a variable speed and independently controllable out-flow side member, and said refining mechanism further comprises a variable speed and independently controllable in-flow side member.",
"6. The spinning machine as in claim 1, wherein said refining mechanism comprises a fiber material drafting arrangement.",
"7. The spinning machine as in claim 6, wherein said drafting arrangement comprises a pair of feed rollers and a pair of delivery rollers, at least one of said pair of feed rollers and pair of delivery rollers being independently controllable with respect to said other spinning places.",
"8. The spinning machine as in claim 1, wherein said control and monitoring unit is configured for controlling steady-state operational at said spinning places.",
"9. The spinning machine as in claim 1, wherein each said refining mechanism comprises a driven variable speed in-flow side member that is independently controllable with respect to other said spinning places, said spinning machine further comprising a storage container arrangement configured to supply a fiber material longitudinal object to each said refining mechanism.",
"10. The spinning machine as in claim 1, wherein each said refining mechanism comprises a generally constant speed in-flow side member, said spinning machine further comprising a fiber material supply arrangement disposed operationally upstream of said spinning places to directly and generally continuously supply fiber material longitudinal objects to said spinning places.",
"11. The spinning machine as in claim 10, wherein said fiber material supply arrangement comprises a draw frame.",
"12. The spinning machine as in claim 10, wherein said fiber material supply arrangement comprises a carding machine.",
"13. The spinning machine as in claim 10, further comprising a buffer operationally disposed between said fiber material supply arrangement and said spinning places.",
"14. A spinning machine, comprising:\na plurality of spinning places, each said spinning place comprising a yarn formation mechanism with which stable fiber material supplied to said spinning place in the form of a longitudinal object is spun into yarn, each said spinning place further comprising a refining mechanism with which the longitudinal object is refined prior to the fiber material being supplied to said yarn formation mechanism;\neach said refining mechanism independently drivable and controllable with respect to said other refining mechanisms;\nat least one sensor disposed at each said spinning place to detect at least one measurable property correlated with fiber mass per unit of length; and\na control and monitoring unit configured to receive and process data measured by said sensor, said control and monitoring unit operatively configured with said refining mechanism at an associated said spinning place for control of said refining mechanism as a function of said property detected and measured by said sensor independent of refining mechanisms at other said spinning places; and\nwherein said sensor is disposed to detect and measure a property of the yarn produced by said yarn formation mechanism.",
"15. A spinning machine, comprising:\na plurality of spinning places, each said spinning place comprising a yarn formation mechanism with which stable fiber material supplied to said spinning place in the form of a longitudinal object is spun into yarn, each said spinning place further comprising a refining mechanism with which the longitudinal object is refined prior to the fiber material being supplied to said yarn formation mechanism;\neach said refining mechanism independently drivable and controllable with respect to said other refining mechanisms;\nat least one sensor disposed at each said spinning place to detect at least one measurable property correlated with fiber mass per unit of length; and\na control and monitoring unit configured to receive and process data measured by said sensor, said control and monitoring unit operatively configured with said refining mechanism at an associated said spinning place for control of said refining mechanism as a function of said property detected and measured by said sensor independent of refining mechanisms at other said spinning places;\nwherein each said yarn formation mechanism and refining mechanism comprises a variable speed and independently controllable out-flow side member, and said refining mechanism further comprises a generally constant speed in-flow side member; and\nwherein said yarn formation mechanisms comprise an air-vortex spinning device, each spinning device further comprising a fluid supply and take-off rollers, said fluid supply and take-off rollers being independently controllable with respect to other said spinning places.",
"16. A spinning machine, comprising:\na plurality of spinning places, each said spinning place comprising a yarn formation mechanism with which stable fiber material supplied to said spinning place in the form of a longitudinal object is spun into yarn, each said spinning place further comprising a refining mechanism with which the longitudinal object is refined prior to the fiber material being supplied to said yarn formation mechanism;\neach said refining mechanism independently drivable and controllable with respect to said other refining mechanisms;\nat least one sensor disposed at each said spinning place to detect at least one measurable property correlated with fiber mass per unit of length; and\na control and monitoring unit configured to receive and process data measured by said sensor, said control and monitoring unit operatively configured with said refining mechanism at an associated said spinning place for control of said refining mechanism as a function of said property detected and measured by said sensor independent of refining mechanisms at other said spinning places; and\nwherein said refining mechanism comprises a fiber material opening device.",
"17. The spinning machine as in claim 16, wherein said opening device comprises a feed roller, a opening roller, and a fiber guide conduit disposed to guide fibers from said opening roller to said yarn formation mechanism, said feed roller being independently controllable with respect to said other spinning places.",
"18. A spinning machine, comprising:\na plurality of spinning places, each said spinning place comprising a yarn formation mechanism with which stable fiber material supplied to said spinning place in the form of a longitudinal object is spun into yarn, each said spinning place further comprising a refining mechanism with which the longitudinal object is refined prior to the fiber material being supplied to said yarn formation mechanism;\neach said refining mechanism independently drivable and controllable with respect to said other refining mechanisms;\nat least one sensor disposed at each said spinning place to detect at least one measurable property correlated with fiber mass per unit of length; and\na control and monitoring unit configured to receive and process data measured by said sensor, said control and monitoring unit operatively configured with said refining mechanism at an associated said spinning place for control of said refining mechanism as a function of said property detected and measured by said sensor independent of refining mechanisms at other said spinning places; and\nwherein said control and monitoring unit is configured for controlling start-spinning cycles at said spinning places."
],
[
"1. A spinning machine comprising:\na plurality of spinning stations for spinning yarn from sliver,\nand transport devices for transporting sliver to the spinning stations from sliver supply cans without drafting the sliver during the transport thereof;\nwherein the transport devices define a sliver transport path between the sliver cans and the spinning stations, which transport path includes a first section starting above the sliver cans and a second essentially vertical section,\nand wherein the transport devices, include a plurality of clamping devices arranged behind one another in the second section, each of said plurality of clamping devices in the second section being driven to carry out transport of the sliver while clamping same.",
"2. A spinning machine according to claim 1, wherein the clamping devices are held to be movable in the transport direction of the sliver.",
"3. A spinning machine according to claim 2, wherein the clamping devices are formed by clamping jaws which are arranged on a guiding belt, of which two clamping jaws are assigned to one sliver.",
"4. A spinning machine according to claim 3, wherein the clamping jaws are constructed to be convex in the direction of the sliver.",
"5. A spinning machine according to claim 4, wherein the clamping jaws which are assigned to one another are separated from one another by means of a sliding band.",
"6. A spinning machine according to claim 5, wherein the guiding belts form the vertical section serving for the clamping of the silver as well as the first section, which first section is an essentially horizontal section which leaves the silver unclamped.",
"7. A spinning machine according to claim 3, wherein the guiding belts form the vertical section serving for the clamping of the silver as well as the first section, which first section is an essentially horizontal section which leaves the silver unclamped.",
"8. A spinning machine according to claim 7, wherein the clamping jaws in the horizontal section are used as a support for the sliver.",
"9. A spinning machine according to claim 2, wherein clamping jaws which are assigned to one another are separated from one another by means of a sliding band.",
"10. A spinning machine according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of clamping devices in the second section are drivable roller pairs.",
"11. A spinning machine according to claim 10, wherein two groups of roller pairs are provided, of which one group is assigned to the first section which is configured as an essentially horizontal section and the other group is assigned to the second section.",
"12. A spinning machine according to claim 11, wherein one of the roller pairs is part of both groups.",
"13. A spinning machine according to claim 11, wherein one of the roller pairs is arranged approximately centrically above a pertaining sliver supply can.",
"14. A spinning machine according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of clamping devices in the second section are formed by clamping jaws carried by respective endless transport belts facing one another along the second section of the sliver travel path.",
"15. A spinning machine according to claim 14, further comprising a sliding band interposed between the clamping jaws along the second section of the sliver travel path.",
"16. A spinning machine according to claim 1, wherein the transport devices are configured as first and second endless belts, a first section of the first belt extending from above a first sliver supply can disposed at one side of the machine, a first section of the second belt extending from above a second sliver supply can disposed at an opposite side of the machine from the first supply can, said first and second belts together facing one another to clamp and transport the slivers from both the first and second supply cans.",
"17. A spinning machine according to claim 16, wherein each of the first and second belts include sliver clamping jaws which face corresponding sliver clamping jaws of the respective facing belt along said second section of the travel path of the slivers.",
"18. A spinning machine according to claim 17, further comprising a sliding band interposed between the belts along said second section of the travel path of the slivers, said sliding band serving as a back-up support surface for respective ones of said slivers disposed at respective opposite sides of said sliding band."
],
[
"1. A yarn producing apparatus that produces carbon nanotube yarn by aggregating carbon nanotube fibers, the yarn producing apparatus comprising:\na drawing unit configured to continuously draw the carbon nanotube fibers from at least one carbon nanotube forming substrate,\na yarn producing unit including a nozzle and an air supply arranged downstream of the drawing unit and configured to aggregate the carbon nanotube fibers drawn by the drawing unit by twisting or false twisting,\na yarn status sensor that monitors characteristics of the carbon nanotube fibers drawn from the carbon nanotube forming substrate, or the carbon nanotube yarn,\nwherein the yarn status sensor is a yarn thickness detecting sensor configured to detect a thickness of a carbon nanotube yarn, and\nthe yarn producing apparatus includes a controller configured to control an amount of the carbon nanotube fibers drawn by the drawing unit in accordance with a monitoring result in the yarn status sensor, wherein\nthe controller controls the amount of carbon nanotube fibers drawn by the drawing unit by changing a speed of drawing the carbon nanotube fibers in the drawing unit, and controlling an amount of air supply to the nozzle in the air supply unit.",
"2. The yarn producing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein\nthe yarn producing apparatus further includes a drawing count changing unit configured to change a number of carbon nanotube forming substrates from which the carbon nanotube fibers are drawn, from the plurality of carbon nanotube forming substrates, and\nthe controller controls the drawing count changing unit to change the number of carbon nanotube forming substrates from which the carbon nanotube fibers are drawn, thereby controlling the amount of drawn carbon nanotube fibers.",
"3. The yarn producing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when running of the carbon nanotube fibers or the carbon nanotube yarn is not detected by the yarn status sensor, the controller stops operation of the drawing unit and operation of the yarn aggregation device.",
"4. The yarn producing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein, when the carbon nanotube yarn of a predetermined thickness is not produced after the amount of the carbon nanotube fibers drawn by the drawing unit is controlled, the controller is configured to stop operation of the drawing unit and the yarn aggregation device.",
"5. The yarn producing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the yarn aggregation device is configured to twist the carbon nanotube fibers with airflow.",
"6. The yarn producing apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a substrate support unit supporting the carbon nanotube forming substrate.",
"7. The yarn producing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein, when running of the carbon nanotube fibers or the carbon nanotube yarn is not detected by the yarn status sensor, the controller stops operation of the drawing rollers and operation of the yarn aggregation device.",
"8. The yarn producing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein, when the carbon nanotube yarn of a selected thickness is not produced after the amount of the carbon nanotube fibers drawn by the drawing unit is controlled, the controller is configured to stop operation of the drawing unit and the yarn aggregation device.",
"9. The yarn producing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when running of the carbon nanotube fibers or the carbon nanotube yarn is not detected by the yarn status sensor, the controller stops operation of the drawing unit and operation of the yarn aggregation device.",
"10. The yarn producing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein, when the carbon nanotube yarn of a selected thickness is not produced after the amount of the carbon nanotube fibers drawn by the drawing unit is controlled, the controller is configured to stop operation of the drawing unit and the yarn aggregation device.",
"11. The yarn producing apparatus according to claim 1,\nfurther comprising a drawing count changing unit configured to change a number of carbon nanotube forming substrates from which the carbon nanotube fibers are drawn, from the plurality of carbon nanotube forming substrates, and\nthe controller controls the drawing count changing unit to change the number of carbon nanotube forming substrates from which the carbon nanotube fibers are drawn, thereby controlling the amount of drawn carbon nanotube fibers.",
"12. The yarn producing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein, when running of the carbon nanotube fibers or the carbon nanotube yarn is not detected by the yarn status sensor, the controller stops operation of the drawing unit and operation of the yarn aggregation device.",
"13. The yarn producing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein, when the carbon nanotube yarn of a selected thickness is not produced after the amount of the carbon nanotube fibers drawn by the drawing unit is controlled, the controller is configured to stop operation of the drawing unit and the yarn aggregation device.",
"14. The yarn producing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the drawing unit comprises drawing rollers.",
"15. A yarn producing apparatus that produces carbon nanotube yarn by aggregating carbon nanotube fibers, the yarn producing apparatus comprising:\na drawing unit that continuously draws the carbon nanotube fibers from at least one carbon nanotube forming substrate,\na yarn producing unit arranged downstream of the drawing unit that aggregates the carbon nanotube fibers drawn by the drawing unit, and\na yarn status sensor that monitors selected characteristics of the carbon nanotube fibers drawn from a carbon nanotube forming substrate, or the carbon nanotube yarn,\nwherein the yarn producing apparatus further includes 1) a controller that controls an amount of the carbon nano tube fibers drawn by the drawing unit in accordance with a monitoring result in the yarn status sensor and 2) a drawing count changing unit configured to change a number of carbon nanotube forming substrates from which the carbon nanotube fibers are drawn, from the plurality of carbon nanotube forming substrates, and\nthe controller controls the drawing count changing unit to change the number of carbon nanotube forming substrates from which the carbon nanotube fibers are drawn, thereby controlling the amount of carbon nanotube fibers drawn by the drawing unit,\nthe controller controls the amount of carbon nanotube fibers drawn by the drawing unit by changing a speed of drawing the carbon nanotube fibers in the drawing unit, and controlling an amount of air supply in an air supply unit to a nozzle in the yarn producing unit."
],
[
"1. A yarn delivery device for a twisting or cabling machine, for feeding a yarn via a traversing yarn guide to a take-up package, the yarn delivery device comprising:\na first deflection roller for deflecting a yarn,\na driven godet, which is arranged downstream of the first deflection roller in the yarn transport direction,\na separator roller, which is arranged relative to the godet in such a way that a yarn can be laid several times around the separator roller and the godet, said yarn being wrapped around the separator roller and the godet jointly, and\na pitch lever, which has a second deflection roller arranged downstream of the godet in the yarn transport direction, for deflecting the yarn again,\ncharacterised by\na cantilever, which has a third deflection roller, which, in the yarn transport direction, is arranged downstream of the second deflection roller and upstream of the traversing yarn guide for feeding the yarn onto a take-up package,\nthe second deflection roller being arranged on a different side of a vertical plane extending through the axis of rotation of the separator roller than the third deflection roller in order to receive the yarn from the separator roller or the godet and to deflect the yarn toward the third deflection roller.",
"2. The yarn delivery device according to claim 1, characterised in that the pitch lever, the cantilever, or a combination thereof is arranged on a housing of the yarn delivery device.",
"3. The yarn delivery device according to claim 1, characterised in that the second deflection roller and the third deflection roller are arranged on the same side of a horizontal plane extending through the axis of rotation of the separator roller.",
"4. The yarn delivery device according to claim 3, characterised in that the free end of the pitch lever, on which free end the second deflection roller is mounted, is arranged above the godet in the region of the yarn delivery device.",
"5. The yarn delivery device according to claim 1, characterised in that the second deflection roller is arranged on a different side of a horizontal plane extending through the axis of rotation of the separator roller from the third deflection roller.",
"6. The yarn delivery device according to claim 5, characterised in that the free end of the pitch lever, on which free end the second deflection roller is mounted, protrudes below the yarn delivery device.",
"7. A workstation of a twisting or cabling machine, for winding a yarn via a traversing yarn guide onto a take-up package, the workstation having a yarn delivery device, which comprises a first deflection roller for deflecting a yarn, a driven godet, which is arranged downstream of the first deflection roller in the yarn transport direction, a separator roller, which is arranged relative to the godet in such a way that a yarn can be laid several times around the separator roller and the godet, said yarn being wrapped around the separator roller and the godet jointly, and a pitch lever, which has a second deflection roller arranged downstream of the godet in the yarn transport direction, for deflecting the yarn again,\ncharacterised in that\nthe yarn delivery device comprises:\na cantilever, which has a third deflection roller, which, in the yarn transport direction, is arranged downstream of the second deflection roller and upstream of the traversing yarn guide for feeding the yarn onto a take-up package, and\nthe second deflection roller being arranged on a different side of a vertical plane extending through the axis of rotation of the separator roller than the third deflection roller in order to receive the yarn from the separator roller or the godet and to deflect the yarn toward the third deflection roller.",
"8. A twisting or cabling machine having a plurality of workstations for winding a yarn via a traversing yarn guide onto a take-up package, the workstations having a yarn delivery device, which comprises a first deflection roller for deflecting a yarn, a driven godet, which is arranged downstream of the first deflection roller in the yarn transport direction, a separator roller, which is arranged relative to the godet in such a way that a yarn can be laid several times around the separator roller and the godet, said yarn being wrapped around the separator roller and the godet jointly, and a pitch lever, which has a second deflection roller arranged downstream of the godet in the yarn transport direction, for deflecting the yarn again,\ncharacterised in that\nat least one workstation has the yarn delivery device wherein the yarn delivery device comprises:\na cantilever, which has a third deflection roller, which, in the yarn transport direction, is arranged downstream of the second deflection roller and upstream of the traversing yarn guide for feeding the yarn onto a take-up package, and\nthe second deflection roller being arranged on a different side of a vertical plane extending through the axis of rotation of the separator roller than the third deflection roller in order to receive the yarn from the separator roller or the godet and to deflect the yarn toward the third deflection roller."
],
[
"1. A method for feeding a sliver end of a sliver deposited in a can to a spinning position of a spinning machine, wherein the spinning machine comprises a plurality of adjacently arranged spinning positions and a plurality of cans arranged in at least a first row under the spinning positions, the method comprising:\npositioning a robot at an adjacent spinning position to the spinning position to be supplied such that a sliver gripper of the robot is at the adjacent spinning position;\nwith the sliver gripper of the robot at the adjacent spinning position, seeking the sliver end from one of the cans;\ngrasping the sliver end with the sliver gripper; and\nfeeding the sliver end to the spinning position to be supplied.",
"2. The method as in claim 1, comprising moving the robot along the spinning machine and positioning the robot at the spinning position to be supplied or at the adjacent spinning position.",
"3. The method as in claim 1, comprising moving the sliver gripper relative to the robot along the spinning machine to the area that includes the adjacent spinning position or to an area that includes a can in a second row of the cans adjacent to the first row of cans.",
"4. The method as in claim 3, wherein the shiver gripper is configured to grasp the sliver end from multiple possible positions at the adjacent spinning position.",
"5. The method as in claim 1, wherein the sliver gripper seeks the sliver end on a top side of the can or at a circumference of the can.",
"6. A method for feeding a sliver end of a sliver deposited in a can to a spinning position of a spinning machine, wherein the spinning machine comprises a plurality of adjacently arranged spinning positions and a plurality of cans arranged in at least a first row under the spinning positions, the method comprising:\nwith a sliver gripper of a robot, seeking the sliver end from one of the cans in an area that includes at least one adjacent spinning position to a spinning position to be supplied;\ngrasping the shiver end with the sliver gripper;\nfeeding the sliver end to the spinning position to be supplied; and\nwherein the robot is at the adjacent spinning position when the sliver end is grasped, and further comprising moving the robot with the grasped end to the spinning position to be supplied before feeding the sliver end to the spinning position to be supplied.",
"7. A spinning machine configured to perform the method according to claim 1.",
"8. The spinning machine as in claim 7, wherein the robot is movable along the spinning machine.",
"9. The spinning machine as in claim 8, wherein the robot is also movable along additional spinning machines.",
"10. The spinning machine as in claim 7, wherein the sliver gripper is movable relative to the robot along the spinning machine to the area that includes the adjacent spinning position or to an area that includes a can in a second row of the cans adjacent to the first row of cans.",
"11. The spinning machine as in claim 10, wherein the sliver gripper is configured to grasp the sliver end from multiple possible positions at the adjacent spinning position.",
"12. The spinning machine as in claim 7, wherein the sliver gripper comprises a width so as to grasp the sliver end at at least two adjacent spinning positions relative to the spinning position to be supplied.",
"13. The spinning machine as in claim 7, wherein the sliver gripper comprises a suction unit for drawing in the sliver end.",
"14. The spinning machine as in claim 7, wherein the sliver gripper comprises a blowing unit for feeding the sliver end into the spinning position to be supplied."
],
[
"1. A method for adjusting a distance between a first positioning plate and a second positioning plate in a filament positioning control device, said method comprising:\nproviding a first guide pin on the first positioning plate and a second guide pin on the second positioning plate;\nproviding a first spiral wheel comprising a first spiral groove and a second spiral wheel comprising a second spiral groove;\nengaging the first guide pin in the first spiral groove and the second guide pin in the second spiral groove, the first and second spiral wheels arranged for simultaneous rotation about a shaft in a first direction or an opposing second direction, wherein when the first and second spiral wheels are rotated in the first direction, the first and second spiral grooves cause the first and second positioning plates to move towards each other, and when the first and second spiral wheels are rotated in the second direction, the first and second spiral grooves cause the first and second positioning plates to move away from each other, wherein each of the first and second positioning plates comprises a positioning groove configured to position a filament for spinning.",
"2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first and second spiral wheels are secured on a cylindrical member mounted over the shaft, the cylindrical member configured to rotate about the shaft for rotating the first and second spiral wheels and changing the distance between the first positioning plate and the second positioning plate.",
"3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the filament position device comprises a guide rail assembly comprising a guide rail and two mounting seats for fixedly mounting the shaft substantially parallel to the guide rail, and wherein each of the first and second positioning plates comprises a guide block, said method comprising:\nengaging the guide block of the first positioning plate and the guide block of the second positioning plate to the guide rail so as to allow the first and second positioning plates to move relative to each other when the cylindrical member is caused to rotate.",
"4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the first positioning plate comprises a positioning groove configured to position a first filament and the second positioning plate comprises a positioning groove configured to position a second filament for spinning with spinning with staple fibers and wherein the distance between the first and second positioning plates dictates a distance between the staple fibers and the first and second filaments.",
"5. The method according to claim 4, further comprising:\nfastening the cylindrical member for preventing the first and second positioning plates from movement when the distance between the staple fibers and the first and second filaments has been adjusted.",
"6. The method according to claim 4, further comprising:\nproviding an adjustment wheel on the cylindrical member, the adjustment wheel arranged to cause the first and second spiral wheels to rotate in the first direction or the second direction.",
"7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the adjustment wheel comprising a scale to indicate a moved distance between the first and second positioning plates.",
"8. A filament positioning control device for use in composite spinning of filaments and staple fibers, comprising:\na first spiral wheel comprising a first spiral groove;\na second spiral wheel comprising a second spiral groove;\na first positioning plate comprising a first guide pin arranged for engagement in the first spiral groove;\na second position plate comprising a second guide pin arranged for engagement in the second spiral groove, wherein the first spiral wheel and the second spiral wheel are arranged for simultaneous rotation about a shaft in a first direction or in an opposing second direction such that when the first and second spiral wheels are caused to rotate in the first direction, the engagement of the first guide pin in the first spiral groove and the engagement of the second guide pin in the second spiral groove cause the first and second positioning plates to move towards each other, and when the first and second spiral wheels are caused to rotate in the second direction, the engagement of the first guide pin in the first spiral groove (18) and the engagement of the second guide pin in the second spiral groove cause the first and second positioning plates to move away from each other, wherein each of the first and second positioning plates comprises a position groove configured to position a filament for spinning.",
"9. The filament positioning control device according to claim 8, further comprising:\na cylindrical member mounted over the shaft (12), the cylindrical member configured to rotate over the shaft for rotating the first and second spiral wheels and changing a distance between the first and second positioning plates.",
"10. The filament positioning control device according to claim 9, further comprising:\na guide rail assembly comprising a guide rail and two mounting seats for fixedly mounting the shaft substantially parallel to the guide rail, wherein each of the first and second positioning plates comprises a guide block configured for engagement with the guide rail so as to allow the first and second positioning plates to move relative to each other when the cylindrical member is caused to rotate.",
"11. The filament positioning control device according to claim 10, wherein the first positioning plate comprises a positioning groove configured to position a first filament and the second positioning plate comprises a positioning groove configured to position a second filament for spinning with staple fibers, and wherein the distance between the first and second positioning plates dictates a distance between the staple fibers and the first and second filaments.",
"12. The filament positioning control device according to claim 10, wherein the guide rail assembly is fixedly attached to a cradle of a spinning machine.",
"13. The filament positioning control device according to claim 11, wherein the spinning machine comprises a spindle center, and wherein the cylindrical member is configured for axial movement along the shaft for adjusting a center between the first and second such that the center between the first and second coincides with the spindle center, said control device further comprising:\na retaining ring arranged to move the cylindrical member along the shaft for said adjusting; and\na fastener arranged to fasten the cylindrical member to the shaft so as to prevent the cylindrical member from moving along the shaft.",
"14. The filament positioning control device according to claim 11, further comprising an adjustment wheel mounted to the cylindrical member, the adjustment wheel arranged to cause the first and second spiral wheels to rotate in the first direction or the second direction.",
"15. The filament positioning control device according to claim 14, wherein the adjustment wheel comprises a scale to indicate a moved distance between the first and second positioning plates."
],
[
"18. A textile machine assembly, comprising:\na delivery unit;\na receiving unit, wherein during operation of the textile machine assembly the delivery unit delivers a sliver to the receiving unit;\na sliver storage unit operatively configured between the delivery unit and the receiving unit to store, at least intermittently, excess sliver between the delivery unit and the receiving unit when a delivery speed of the sliver at the delivery unit is higher than a receiving speed of the sliver at the receiving unit, and to release the stored sliver when the receiving speed of the sliver at the receiving unit is higher than the delivery speed of the sliver at the delivery unit; and\nthe sliver storage unit comprising a diverting unit that is movable with respect to the delivery unit or the receiving unit, wherein movement of the diverting unit changes a sliver path of the sliver from the delivery unit to the receiving unit.",
"19. The textile machine assembly as in claim 18, wherein the sliver storage unit is situated at the delivery unit or at the receiving unit.",
"20. The textile machine assembly as in claim 18, wherein the diverting unit is movable in a first direction (Z) corresponding to a gravity direction (S).",
"21. The textile machine assembly as in claim 20, wherein the diverting unit is movable in a second direction (X) perpendicular to the gravity direction (S) and in parallel to a connecting axis between the delivery unit and the receiving unit.",
"22. The textile machine assembly as in claim 21, wherein the diverting unit is movable in a third direction (Y) perpendicular to the gravity direction (S) and perpendicular to the connecting axis between the delivery unit and the receiving unit.",
"23. The textile machine assembly as in claim 22, wherein the diverting unit is movable in such a way that the first, the second, and the third directions (Z, X, Y) are superimposed.",
"24. The textile machine assembly as in claim 18, wherein the diverting unit is movable by a distance corresponding to at least 50% of a distance between the delivery unit and the receiving unit.",
"25. The textile machine assembly as in claim 18, further comprising an actuator configured with the sliver storage unit to move the diverting unit.",
"26. The textile machine assembly as in claim 25, wherein the actuator comprises one of a hydraulic actuator, a pneumatic actuator, an electric motor, a stepper motor, or a servo motor, and the diverting unit is situated on an extension configured with the actuator.",
"27. The textile machine assembly as in claim 18, wherein the diverting unit comprises a driven roller.",
"28. The textile machine assembly as in claim 18, further comprising a controller connected to one or both of the delivery unit and the receiving unit and to the sliver storage unit.",
"29. A textile machine, comprising:\na delivery unit configured to deliver a sliver during operation of the textile machine;\na sliver storage unit configured to store, at least intermittently, excess sliver between the delivery unit and a downstream receiving unit of a further textile machine when a delivery speed of the sliver at the delivery unit is higher than a receiving speed of the sliver at the receiving unit, and to release the stored sliver when the receiving speed of the sliver at the receiving unit is higher than the delivery speed of the sliver at the delivery unit; and\nthe sliver storage unit comprising a diverting unit that is movable with respect to the delivery unit, wherein movement of the diverting unit changes a sliver path of the sliver from the delivery unit to the receiving unit.",
"30. A textile machine, comprising:\na receiving unit configured to receive a sliver during operation of the textile machine;\na sliver storage unit configured to store, at least intermittently, excess sliver between the receiving unit and an upstream delivery unit of a further textile machine when a delivery speed of the sliver at the delivery unit is higher than a receiving speed of the sliver at the receiving unit, and to release the stored sliver when the receiving speed of the sliver at the receiving unit is higher than the delivery speed of the sliver at the delivery unit; and\nthe sliver storage unit comprising a diverting unit that is movable with respect to the receiving unit, wherein movement of the diverting unit changes a sliver path of the sliver from the delivery unit to the receiving unit.",
"31. A method for the interim storage of a sliver at a textile machine assembly in accordance with claim 18, comprising storing, at least intermittently, the excess sliver between the delivery unit and the receiving unit when the delivery speed of the sliver at the delivery unit is higher than a receiving speed of the sliver at the receiving unit, and releasing the stored slier when the receiving speed of the sliver at the receiving unit is higher than the delivery speed of the sliver at the delivery unit, wherein for the storing and the releasing of the sliver, the sliver path of the sliver between the delivery unit and the receiving unit is changed with the diverting unit.",
"32. The method as in claim 31, wherein the diverting unit is moved to length the sliver path is the sliver is sagging in the sliver path.",
"33. The method as in claim 32, wherein the diverting unit is moved in such a way that a loop forming in the sliver as a result of the sagging sliver is reduced in size or maintains a constant size.",
"34. The method as in claim 31, wherein the diverting unit is moved so as to shorten the sliver path in order to release the stored sliver."
]
] |
in the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to aia 35 u.s.c. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-aia 35 u.s.c. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from aia to pre-aia ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
the following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 u.s.c. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this office action:
a person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
claim(s) 1-4 is/are rejected under 35 u.s.c. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by weide et al. (2009/0094958).
regarding claim 1, weide discloses a method for arranging a fibre strand at a spinning device of a spinning station, wherein the fibre strand is fed, by a drafting system having several roller pairs (fig 2, members 15-18), to the spinning device for the manufacture of a spun thread from the fibre strand (para 0040), characterized in that
the fibre strand is inserted into the drafting system in its closed state by a sequence of (at the time the operation system is on the fibre is feeding into the drafting system and the spinning is in closed state. it is shown by fig 1):
the roller pairs of the closed drafting system are each operated, in accordance with the predefined draft ratio of the fibre strand, at an insertion speed which is lower than the operating speed of the drafting system (para 0017 and 0045, claim 9),
the fibre strand is then inserted into the clamping area (member 17) of an input roller pair the drafting system in it closed state and
the drafted fibre strand is then fed to the spinning device after passing through the closed drafting system and exiting a clamping area of an output roller pair (member 18) of the drafting system.
regarding claim 2, weide discloses the fibre strand, after passing through the drafting system, is fed to a spinning device designed as an air-jet spinning device (member 5, claim 1).
regarding claim 3, weide discloses a suction air flow generating device of the air-jet spinning device is activated before or during the arrangement of the fibre strand at the air-jet spinning device (fig 5, member 43, para 0040).
regarding claim 4, weide discloses the air-jet spinning device is opened before or during the arrangement of the fibre strand at the air-jet spinning device (figs 3-4, para 0040).
|
[
"1. A modem, comprising:\na processor including a Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) driver, the UEFI driver configured to provide a software interface between an operating system for the modem and firmware for the modem; and\na boot diagnostic driver configured to run from the UEFI driver and execute a diagnostic test on firmware when the modem is booting up, the firmware causing the modem to become bricked, wherein the diagnostic test includes a plurality of tests including:\na first diagnostic test configured to determine whether an ATOM boot sequence was successfully booted, and\na second diagnostic test configured to determine whether an ARM boot sequence was successfully booted;\nwherein the boot diagnostic driver is configured to generate a signal based on a result of the plurality of diagnostic tests.",
"2. The modem of claim 1, further comprising a light indicator, wherein:\nthe boot diagnostic driver is configured to transmit the signal to the processor and the processor is configured to generate a light illumination sequence command that is representative of the signal, the light illumination sequence command being configured to cause the light indicator to illuminate.",
"3. The modem of claim 1, wherein the plurality of diagnostic tests includes any or a combination of:\na third diagnostic test configured to determine whether a first secure boot loader successfully executed a first boot program;\na fourth diagnostic test configured to determine whether a hardware check failure occurred;\na fifth diagnostic test configured to determine whether an integrity validation failure occurred when the first secure boot loader attempted to execute the first boot program;\na sixth diagnostic test configured to determine whether a second secure boot loader successfully executed a second boot program; and\na seventh diagnostic test configured to determine whether an integrity validation failure occurred when the second secure boot loader attempted to execute the second boot program.",
"4. The modem of claim 3, wherein the boot diagnostic driver is configured such that the plurality of diagnostic tests includes all of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh diagnostic tests.",
"5. The modem of claim 4, wherein the boot diagnostic driver is configured such that the plurality of diagnostic tests is implemented in sequential order.",
"6. The modem of claim 5, wherein the boot diagnostic driver is configured such that:\nwhen the ATOM boot sequence is successfully booted the boot diagnostic driver proceeds to the second diagnostic test, but when the ATOM boot sequence is not successfully booted the boot diagnostic driver generates a first signal;\nwhen the ARM boot sequence is successfully booted the boot diagnostic driver proceeds to the third diagnostic test, but when the ARM boot sequence is not successfully booted the boot diagnostic driver generates a second signal;\nwhen the first secure boot loader successfully executes the first boot program the boot diagnostic driver proceeds to the fourth diagnostic test, but when the first secure boot loader does not successfully execute the first boot program the boot diagnostic driver generates a third signal;\nwhen the hardware check failure does not occur the boot diagnostic driver proceeds to the fifth third diagnostic test, but when the hardware check failure does occur the boot diagnostic driver generates a fourth signal;\nwhen the integrity validation failure does not occur when the first secure boot loader attempted to execute the first boot program the boot diagnostic driver proceeds to the sixth diagnostic test, but when the integrity validation failure does occur when the first secure boot loader attempted to execute the first boot program the boot diagnostic driver generates a fifth signal;\nwhen the second secure boot loader successfully executes the second boot program the boot diagnostic driver proceeds to the seventh diagnostic test, but when the second secure boot loader does not successfully execute the second boot program the boot diagnostic driver generates a sixth signal; and\nwhen the integrity validation failure does not occur when the second secure boot loader attempted to execute the second boot program the boot diagnostic driver-concludes the diagnostic test sequence, but when the integrity validation failure does occur when the second secure boot loader attempted to execute the second boot program the boot diagnostic driver generates a seventh signal.",
"7. The modem of claim 6, wherein the processor is configured such that it generates:\na first light illumination sequence command based on the first signal;\na second light illumination sequence command based on the second signal;\na third light illumination sequence command based on the third signal;\na fourth light illumination sequence command based on the fourth signal;\na fifth light illumination sequence command based on the fifth signal;\na sixth light illumination sequence command based on the sixth signal; and\na seventh light illumination sequence command based on the seventh signal.",
"8. The modem of claim 2, wherein the processor is configured such that it generates the light illumination sequence command and causes the light indicator to illuminate even when the modem experiences a failure.",
"9. The modem of claim 8, wherein the failure is at least due to an upgraded firmware that has been downloaded and/or attempted to be downloaded.",
"10. A communication system, comprising:\na first communication device in connection with a first modem; and\na second communication device in connection with a second modem;\nwherein the first modem comprises:\na first processor including a first Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) driver, the first UEFI driver configured to provide a software interface between an operating system for the first modem and firmware for the first modem; and\na first boot diagnostic driver configured to run from the first UEFI driver and execute a diagnostic test on firmware when the modem is booting up, the firmware causing the modem to become bricked, wherein the diagnostic test includes a plurality of tests including:\na first diagnostic test configured to determine whether an ATOM boot sequence was successfully booted, and\na second diagnostic test configured to determine whether an ARM boot sequence was successfully booted;\nwherein the first boot diagnostic driver is configured to generate a signal based on a result of the plurality of diagnostic tests.",
"11. The communication system of claim 10, wherein the second modem comprises:\na second processor including a second UEFI driver, the second UEFI driver configured to provide a software interface between an operating system for the second modem and firmware for the second modem; and\na second boot diagnostic driver configured to run from the second UEFI driver and execute a diagnostic test when the second modem is booting up;\nwherein the second boot diagnostic driver is configured to generate a signal based on a result of the diagnostic test.",
"12. A method for diagnosing a modem failure, the method comprising:\nperforming a diagnostic test of a software interface between an operating system for the modem and firmware for the modem while the modem is booting up, the firmware causing the modem to become bricked, wherein the diagnostic test includes a plurality of tests including:\na first diagnostic test configured to determine whether an ATOM boot sequence was successfully booted, and\na second diagnostic test configured to determine whether an ARM boot sequence was successfully booted; and\ngenerating a signal based on a result of the plurality of diagnostic tests.",
"13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:\ngenerating a light illumination sequence command based on the signal.",
"14. The method of claim 12, wherein the plurality of diagnostic tests includes any or a combination of:\na third diagnostic test configured to determine whether a first secure boot loader successfully executed a first boot program;\na fourth diagnostic test configured to determine whether a hardware check failure occurred;\na fifth diagnostic test configured to determine whether an integrity validation failure occurred when the first secure boot loader attempted to execute the first boot program;\na sixth diagnostic test configured to determine whether a second secure boot loader successfully executed a second boot program; and\na seventh diagnostic test configured to determine whether an integrity validation failure occurred when the second secure boot loader attempted to execute the second boot program.",
"15. The method of claim 14, wherein the plurality of diagnostic tests includes all of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh diagnostic tests.",
"16. The method of claim 14, wherein the plurality of diagnostic tests is implemented in sequential order.",
"17. The method of claim 13, wherein the light illumination sequence command is generated even when the modem experiences a failure.",
"18. The method of claim 17, wherein the failure is at least due to an upgraded firmware that has been downloaded and/or attempted to be downloaded.",
"19. The method of claim 3,\nwherein the first secure boot loader and/or the second secure boot loader are configured to generate a manifest verified OK log; and\nwherein the boot diagnostic driver is further configured to compare the generates manifest verified OK log of the first secure boot loader and/or the second secure boot loader to a standard log of the first secure boot loader and/or the second secure boot loader to determine whether the modem fails one or more of the plurality of diagnostic tests.",
"20. A modem, comprising:\na processor including a Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) driver, the UEFI driver configured to provide a software interface between an operating system for the modem and firmware for the modem;\na boot diagnostic driver configured to run from the UEFI driver and execute a plurality of diagnostic tests when the modem is booting up, wherein the plurality of diagnostic tests includes:\na first diagnostic test configured to determine whether a first secure boot loader successfully executed a first boot program,\na second diagnostic test configured to determine whether a hardware check failure occurred,\na third diagnostic test configured to determine whether an integrity validation failure occurred when the first secure boot loader attempted to execute the first boot program;\na fourth diagnostic test configured to determine whether a second secure boot loader successfully executed a second boot program,\na fifth diagnostic test configured to determine whether an integrity validation failure occurred when the second secure boot loader attempted to execute the second boot program,\na sixth diagnostic test configured to determine whether an ATOM boot sequence was successfully booted, and\na seventh diagnostic test configured to determine whether an ARM boot sequence was successfully booted; and\na light indicator;\nwherein the boot diagnostic driver is configured to:\ngenerate a signal based on a result of the diagnostic test, and\ntransmit the signal to the processor;\nthe processor further configured to generate a light illumination sequence command that is representative of the signal, the light illumination sequence command being configured to cause the light indicator to illuminate."
] |
US12164930B2
|
US20190339958A1
|
[
"1. A method comprising:\nreceiving a firmware update by a unified extensible firmware interface (UEFI) of a computer;\ninitiating a virtual machine in the UEFI;\ninstalling, by the UEFI, the firmware update in a virtual environment comprising the virtual machine that is being executed in the UEFI, wherein the virtual machine is decoupled from an operating system of the computer;\ndetermining that the firmware update installed error-free in the virtual environment in the UEFI;\nperforming a reboot of the computer including initiating execution of the operating system of the computer; and\ninstalling, by the operating system, the firmware update in the computer.",
"2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nprior to initiating the virtual machine, registering one or more event handler policies.",
"3. The method of claim 1, determining that the firmware update installed error-free in the virtual environment comprises:\ndetermining that installing the firmware update in the virtual environment caused no access violations in the virtual environment.",
"4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nreceiving, by the computer, a second firmware update;\nregistering one or more event handlers;\ninitiating the virtual machine in the UEFI;\ninstalling, by the virtual machine, the second firmware update in the virtual environment in the UEFI;\ndetermining that a violation occurred in the virtual environment as a result of installing the second firmware update in the virtual environment; and\ninvoking an event handler of the one or more event handlers, wherein the event handler is associated with the violation.",
"5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:\nreceiving an error from the event handler;\ndetermining, based on the error, that the error cannot be resolved by the event handler;\ndisplaying an error message associated with the error; and\nnot installing the second firmware update in the computer.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein the firmware update comprises a basic input output system (BIOS) update to the computer.",
"7. The method of claim 1, wherein determining that the firmware update installed error-free in the virtual environment comprises:\ndetermining that the firmware update installed in the virtual environment did not attempt to access one or more prohibited memory locations of the virtual machine.",
"8. A computer comprising:\na microprocessor; and\na non-transient computer-readable storage medium, comprising computer instructions executable by the microprocessor, wherein the computer instructions are configured to perform operations comprising:\nreceiving a firmware update;\ninitiating a virtual machine in a unified extensible firmware interface (UEFI) wherein the virtual machine is decoupled from an operating system of the computer;\ninstalling, by the UEFI, the firmware update in a virtual environment in the UEFI;\ndetermining that the firmware update installed error-free in the virtual environment comprising the virtual machine that is being executed in the UEFI;\nperforming a reboot of the computer including initiating execution of the operating system of the computer; and\ninstalling, by the operating system, the firmware update in the computer.",
"9. The computer of claim 8, the operations further comprising:\nprior to initiating the virtual machine, registering one or more event handler policies.",
"10. The computer of claim 8, the operations further comprising:\ninstalling, by the virtual machine, a second firmware update in the virtual environment in the UEFI;\ndetermining that the second firmware update installed in the virtual environment attempted to access one or more prohibited memory locations in the virtual environment; and\nnot installing the second firmware update in the computer.",
"11. The computer of claim 8, the operations further comprising:\nreceiving a second firmware update;\nregistering one or more event handlers;\ninitiating the virtual machine in the UEFI;\ninstalling, by the virtual machine, the second firmware update in the virtual environment in the UEFI;\ndetermining that an access violation occurred in the virtual machine after installing the second firmware update in the virtual environment; and\ninvoking an event handler of the one or more event handlers, wherein the event handler is associated with the access violation.",
"12. The computer of claim 11, the operations further comprising:\nreceiving an error from the event handler;\ndetermining, based on the error, that the violation in the virtual environment cannot be resolved by the event handler;\ndisplaying an error message associated with the error; and\nnot installing the second firmware update in the computer.",
"13. The computer of claim 8, wherein the firmware update comprises an update to at least one of:\na basic input output system (BIOS) of the computer;\na disk drive of the computer;\na modem of the computer;\na wireless communications card of the computer;\na network interface controller (NIC) of the computer; or\na computer graphics card of the computer.",
"14. The computer of claim 8, wherein determining that the firmware update installed error-free in the virtual environment comprises:\ndetermining that the firmware update installed in the virtual environment in the UEFI did not attempt to access one or more prohibited memory of the virtual machine.",
"15. A computer program product, comprising a plurality of instructions stored on a non-transient computer-readable storage medium, wherein the instructions are executable by one or more processors of a computer to perform operations comprising:\nreceiving a firmware update;\ninitiating a virtual machine in a unified extensible firmware interface (UEFI) of the computer;\ninstalling, by the UEFI, the firmware update in a virtual environment in the UEFI;\ndetermining that the firmware update installed error-free in the virtual environment comprising the virtual machine that is being executed in the UEFI, wherein the virtual machine is decoupled from an operating system of the computer;\nperforming a reboot of the computer including initiating execution of the operating system of the computer; and\ninstalling, by the operating system, the firmware update in the computer.",
"16. The computer program product of claim 15, the operations further comprising:\nprior to initiating the virtual machine, registering one or more event handler policies.",
"17. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein\ninstalling, by the virtual machine, a second firmware update in the virtual environment in the UEFI;\ndetermining that the second firmware update installed in the virtual environment in the UEFI attempted to access one or more prohibited memory locations in the virtual environment; and\nexiting a firmware installation process without installing the second firmware update in the computer.",
"18. The computer program product of claim 15, the operations further comprising:\nreceiving a second firmware update;\nregistering one or more event handlers;\ninitiating the virtual machine in the UEFI;\ninstalling, by the virtual machine, the second firmware update in the virtual environment in the UEFI;\ndetermining that a violation occurred in the virtual environment as a result of installing the second firmware update in the virtual environment; and\ninvoking an event handler of the one or more event handlers that is associated with the violation.",
"19. The computer program product of claim 18, the operations further comprising:\nreceiving an error from the event handler;\ndetermining, based on the error, that the error cannot be resolved by the event handler; and\ndisplaying an error message associated with the error; and\nnot installing the second firmware update in the computer.",
"20. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the firmware update comprises an update to at least one of:\na basic input output system (BIOS) of the computer;\na disk drive of the computer;\na modem of the computer;\na wireless communications card of the computer;\na network interface controller (NIC) of the computer; or\na computer graphics card of the computer."
] |
[
[
"1. A computer device, comprising:\na hardware processor;\na first network controller communicatively coupled to the first hardware processor and a first network; and\nan instruction memory area communicatively coupled to the first hardware processor, wherein the instruction memory area stores instructions that when executed by the first hardware processor cause the first hardware processor to:\nsend, over the first network via the first network controller, a persistent heartbeat message that indicates availability of a quorum actor within a quorum data store, the quorum data store comprising a plurality of quorum actors including a plurality of quorum members, and a quorum witness, the persistent heartbeat message to be stored by a receiving device to a persistent storage memory area;\nsend, over the first network via the first network controller, one or more non-persistent heartbeat messages subsequent to the persistent heartbeat message, each non-persistent heartbeat message to be stored by the receiving device to a non-persistent storage memory area;\nmonitor receipt of each of the one or more non-persistent heartbeat messages;\nperiodically send the persistent heartbeat message in place of one of the one or more non-persistent heartbeat messages, wherein a period for sending corresponds to a first pre-determined time interval;\ndetect a missed one of the one or more non-persistent heartbeat messages;\nbased on the detection, increase frequency of sending persistent heartbeat messages instead of any non-persistent heartbeat messages for a second pre-determined time interval; and\nbased on a determination that each expected persistent heartbeat message has been received for the second pre-determined time interval, decrease frequency of sending persistent heartbeat messages and return to sending the one or more non-persistent heartbeat messages.",
"2. The computer device of claim 1, wherein the first pre-determined time interval and/or the second pre-determined time interval is based on a number of messages or a configurable time duration.",
"3. The computer device of claim 1, wherein the instructions to cause the one or more hardware processors to detect a missed one of the one or more non-persistent heartbeat messages comprise instructions to detect based upon a failure of delivery for a TCP transmission.",
"4. The computer device of claim 1, wherein the instructions to cause the one or more hardware processors to increase frequency comprise instructions to increase frequency of persistent heartbeat messages that are stored to persistent storage upon receipt.",
"5. The computer device of claim 1, wherein the instructions to cause the one or more hardware processors to decrease frequency comprise instructions to decrease frequency to a frequency equal to the first pre-determined time interval.",
"6. The computer device of claim 1, wherein the persistent heartbeat message comprises an aggregated heartbeat message containing information from more than one quorum actor on a single node.",
"7. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising computer executable instructions stored thereon that when executed by one or more hardware processors, cause the one or more hardware processors to:\nsend, over the first network via the first network controller, a persistent heartbeat message that indicates availability of a quorum actor within a quorum data store, the quorum data store comprising a plurality of quorum actors including a plurality of quorum members, and a quorum witness, the persistent heartbeat message to be stored by a receiving device to a persistent storage memory area;\nsend, over the first network via the first network controller, one or more non-persistent heartbeat messages subsequent to the persistent heartbeat message, each non-persistent heartbeat message to be stored by the receiving device to a non-persistent storage memory area;\nmonitor receipt of each of the one or more non-persistent heartbeat messages;\nperiodically send the persistent heartbeat message in place of one of the one or more non-persistent heartbeat messages, wherein a period for sending corresponds to a first pre-determined time interval;\ndetect a missed one of the one or more non-persistent heartbeat messages;\nbased on the detection, increase frequency of sending persistent heartbeat messages instead of any non-persistent heartbeat messages for a second pre-determined time interval; and\nbased on a determination that each expected persistent heartbeat message has been received for the second pre-determined time interval, decrease frequency of sending persistent heartbeat messages and return to sending the one or more non-persistent heartbeat messages.",
"8. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 7, wherein the first pre-determined time interval is based on a number of messages or a configurable time duration.",
"9. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 7, wherein the instructions to cause the one or more hardware processors to detect a missed one of the one or more non-persistent heartbeat messages comprise instructions to detect based upon a failure of delivery for a TCP transmission.",
"10. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 7, wherein the instructions to cause the one or more hardware processors to increase frequency comprise instructions to increase frequency of sending persistent heartbeat messages that are stored to persistent storage upon receipt.",
"11. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 7, wherein the instructions to cause the one or more hardware processors to decrease frequency comprise instructions to decrease frequency to a frequency equal to the first pre-determined time interval.",
"12. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 7, wherein the periodic heartbeat message comprises an aggregated heartbeat message containing information from more than one quorum actor on a single node.",
"13. A computer-implemented method for a quorum based distributed storage system comprising a plurality of quorum actors including a plurality of quorum members, and a quorum witness, the method comprising:\nobtaining, at a computing device, each of a plurality of heartbeat messages for processing as either a persistent heartbeat message or a non-persistent heartbeat message, each of the plurality of heartbeat messages indicating availability of a quorum actor within the quorum based distributed storage system;\nprocessing a first of the plurality of heartbeat messages as a persistent heartbeat message, in part, by making a first determination to store heartbeat information contained in a first instance to persistent storage upon receipt;\nmonitoring receipt of second instances of the plurality of heartbeat messages;\nprocessing each of the second instances as a non-persistent heartbeat message by making a second determination to store information contained in the second instance to non-persistent storage upon receipt;\nfor each of a select subset of fewer than all of the second instances, processing messages from the selected subset as a persistent heartbeat message;\ndetecting a missed one of the plurality of non-persistent heartbeat messages;\nbased on the detection, increasing frequency of processing received heartbeat messages as persistent heartbeat messages for a pre-determined period; and\nbased on a determination that each expected heartbeat message has been received for the pre-determined period, decreasing frequency of processing heartbeat messages as persistent heartbeat messages by processing sets of heartbeat messages as non-persistent.",
"14. The computer-implemented method of claim 13, wherein the pre-determined period is based on a number of messages or a configurable time duration.",
"15. The computer-implemented method of claim 13, wherein detecting a missed one of the one or more non-persistent heartbeat messages is based upon detecting failure of delivery for a TCP transmission at a node initiating the heartbeat message.",
"16. The computer-implemented method of claim 13, wherein information provided in each one of the non-persistent heartbeat messages includes all information pertaining to state of a quorum member that is contained in a persistent type of heartbeat message.",
"17. The computer-implemented method of claim 13, further comprising storing information from a most recently received non-persistent heartbeat message to persistent storage responsive to detecting the missed one or more non-persistent heartbeat messages.",
"18. The computer-implemented method of claim 13, wherein increasing frequency comprises storing every received heartbeat message to persistent storage.",
"19. The computer-implemented method of claim 13, wherein decreasing frequency comprises returning to a frequency equal to prior to detecting the missed one or more non-persistent heartbeat messages.",
"20. The computer-implemented method of claim 13, wherein each of the plurality of heartbeat messages comprises an aggregated heartbeat message containing information from more than one quorum actor."
],
[
"1. A method comprising:\nidentifying instructions to perform a first restore job and a second restore job;\nperforming the first restore job on a first distributed dataset that is distributed across a cluster of peer nodes of a distributed database, each peer node comprising a node manager that regulates restore tasks based on one or more computational resource usage levels of said each peer node; and\nperforming the second restore job on a second distributed dataset that is distributed across the cluster of peer nodes, the first and second restore jobs being performed in parallel by the cluster of peer nodes.",
"2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nactivating a first cluster master for the first restore job, the first cluster master being interfaced with node managers in the cluster of peer nodes; and\nactivating a second cluster master for the second restore job, the second cluster master being interfaced with the node managers in the cluster of peer nodes.",
"3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first cluster master determines which of the peer nodes manage files in the first distributed dataset to be restored per the first restore job, and the second cluster master determines which of the peer nodes manage files in the second distributed dataset to be restored per the second restore job.",
"4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:\nadding, to a queue of at least one node manager, by the first cluster master, a first file restore task of the first restore job; and\nadding, to the queue of the at least one node manager, by the second cluster master, a second file restore task of the second restore job.",
"5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:\ntransmitting, to the first cluster master, by the at least one node manager, a response to the first file restore task, the response generated by the at least one node manager based on the one or more computational resource usage levels of said each peer node.",
"6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:\ntransmitting, to the second cluster master, by the at least one node manager while performing the first file restore task, an additional response to the second file restore task, the additional response rejecting the second file restore task based on the one or more computational resource usage levels of said each peer node.",
"7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:\nstoring, by the first cluster master, the response in first cluster state data for the first restore job; and storing, by the second cluster master, the additional response in second cluster state data for the second restore job.",
"8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first restore job and the second restore job performed in parallel by the cluster of peer nodes are queryable restore jobs with different queries.",
"9. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second distributed datasets are part of a same keyspace.",
"10. The method of claim 9, wherein the first restore job comprises a first query for restoring one or more columns of the keyspace, the first distributed dataset being the one or more columns of the keyspace; and wherein the second restore job comprises a second query for restoring one or one or more different columns of the keyspace, the second distributed dataset being the one or more columns of the keyspace.",
"11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:\nfiltering, by at least one node manager, a portion of the keyspace per the first query; and filtering, by the at least one node manager, another portion of the keyspace per the second query.",
"12. The method of claim 1, wherein the node manager regulates restore tasks by accepting tasks based on the one or more computational resource usage levels not exceeding a pre-specified threshold.",
"13. The method of claim 12, wherein the pre-specified threshold is set at a cluster-level and node managers of the peer nodes evaluate the pre-specified threshold at a node level.",
"14. The method of claim 12, wherein the one or more computational resource usage levels is a disk usage level, and the pre-specified threshold is a maximum disk usage level.",
"15. The method of claim 12, wherein the one or more computational resource usage levels comprises: a processor usage level and a disk usage level, and wherein the pre-specified threshold specifies limits for at least one of: the processor usage level or the disk usage level.",
"16. The method of claim 1, wherein the distributed database is a NoSQL database.",
"17. A system comprising:\none or more processors of a machine; and\na memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations comprising:\nidentifying instructions to perform a first restore job and a second restore job;\nperforming the first restore job on a first distributed dataset that is distributed across a cluster of peer nodes of a distributed database, each peer node comprising a node manager that regulates restore tasks based on one or more computational resource usage levels of said each peer node; and\nperforming the second restore job on a second distributed dataset that is distributed across the cluster of peer nodes, the first and second restore jobs being performed in parallel by the cluster of peer nodes.",
"18. The system of claim 17, wherein the first and second distributed datasets are part of a same keyspace.",
"19. The system of claim 18, wherein the first restore job comprises a first query for restoring one or more columns of the keyspace, the first distributed dataset being the one or more columns of the keyspace; and wherein the second restore job comprises a second query for restoring one or one or more different columns of the keyspace, the second distributed dataset being the one or more columns of the keyspace.",
"20. A non-transitory machine-readable medium embodying instructions that, when executed by a machine, cause the machine to perform operations comprising:\nidentifying instructions to perform a first restore job and a second restore job;\nperforming the first restore job on a first distributed dataset that is distributed across a cluster of peer nodes of a distributed database, each peer node comprising a node manager that regulates restore tasks based on one or more computational resource usage levels of said each peer node, and\nperforming the second restore job on a second distributed dataset that is distributed across the cluster of peer nodes, the first and second restore jobs being performed in parallel by the cluster of peer nodes."
],
[
"1. A storage network comprises:\na network interface;\na processing module operably coupled to the network interface, wherein the processing module is configured to:\ncreate a plurality of vaults, wherein a vault is a virtual memory block associated with a portion of a storage network memory, wherein storage network memory is memory addressable by the storage network;\ndetermine dispersed storage error encoding parameters for each vault of the plurality of vaults; and\ncreate a plurality of vault regions within a vault of the plurality of vaults, wherein a vault region is configured to store a data type of a plurality of data types and wherein at least one data type of the plurality of data types is associated with a unique access restriction.",
"2. The storage network of claim 1, wherein the storage network memory includes a plurality of memory types.",
"3. The storage network of claim 2, wherein the memory types include solid state memory and hard drive memory.",
"4. The storage network of claim 1, wherein the storage network memory is located at a same physical location.",
"5. The storage network of claim 1, wherein the storage network memory is located at a plurality of physical locations.",
"6. The storage network of claim 1, wherein a vault is associated with storage network memory located at a plurality of physical locations.",
"7. The storage network of claim 1, wherein a unique access restriction is an access restriction that is different from other access restrictions for data types stored in a vault region.",
"8. The storage network of claim 1, wherein the at least one data type is associated with cryptographic keys.",
"9. The storage network of claim 1, wherein the dispersed storage error encoding parameters are adapted for generating encoded data slices from a data object.",
"10. The storage network of claim 9, wherein a vault region of the plurality of vault regions is designated for storage of encoded slices relating to one or more cryptographic keys.",
"11. The storage network of claim 1, wherein a vault region of the plurality of vault regions includes a dedicated storage address range in a vault.",
"12. A method for execution by one or more modules in one or more processors of a storage network comprises:\ncreating a plurality of vaults in memory addressable by the storage network, wherein a vault is a virtual memory block associated with a portion of storage network memory;\ndetermining dispersed storage error encoding parameters for each vault of the plurality of vaults; and\ncreating a plurality of vault regions within a vault of the plurality of vaults, wherein a vault region is configured to store a data type of a plurality of data types and wherein at least one data type of the plurality of data types is associated with a unique access restriction.",
"13. The method of claim 12, wherein the memory addressable by the storage network includes a plurality of memory types.",
"14. The method of claim 13, wherein the memory types include solid state memory and hard drive memory.",
"15. The method of claim 12, wherein the memory addressable by the storage network is located at a plurality of physical locations.",
"16. The method of claim 12, wherein a vault is associated with memory located at a plurality of physical locations.",
"17. The method of claim 12, wherein a unique access restriction is an access restriction that is different from other access restrictions for data types stored in a vault region.",
"18. The method of claim 12, wherein the at least one data type is associated with cryptographic keys.",
"19. The method of claim 12, wherein the dispersed storage error encoding parameters are adapted for generating encoded data slices from a data object, wherein a vault region of the plurality of vault regions is designated for storage of encoded slices relating to one or more cryptographic keys.",
"20. A storage network comprises:\na network interface;\na plurality of storage units, wherein the plurality of storage units includes a plurality of memory types;\na processing module operably coupled to the network interface, wherein the processing module is configured to:\ncreate a plurality of vaults, wherein a vault is a virtual memory block associated with a portion of a storage network memory, wherein storage network memory is memory addressable by the storage network;\ndetermine dispersed storage error encoding parameters for each vault of the plurality of vaults; and\ncreate a plurality of vault regions within a vault of the plurality of vaults, wherein a vault region is configured to store a data type of a plurality of data types and wherein at least one data type of the plurality of data types is associated with cryptographic keys."
],
[
"1. A telehealth system, comprising:\na public communications network (PCN);\na plurality of provider access devices coupled to the PCN;\na plurality of patient access devices that can be controlled by any of the plurality of provider access devices, the plurality of patient access devices including a first patient access device at a first location coupled to the PCN via a first local area network (LAN) and a first firewall and a second patient access device at a second location coupled to the PCN via a second LAN and a second firewall;\na monitoring server coupled to the PCN, the monitoring server receives status information from the plurality of patient access devices, wherein the status information includes presence information indicating the availability of the patient access device to participate in a communication session and device status of the patient access device;\na connectivity server coupled to the PCN, the connectivity server includes a database of connectivity rules, each connectivity rule including an identification of a healthcare provider and a location of patient access device the healthcare provider is authorized to access; and,\na plurality of geographically dispersed communications servers coupled to the PCN, each of the plurality of communication servers has a network address on the PCN and is configured to establish a two-way audio/video communication session between one of the provider access devices and one of the patient access devices, wherein,\nat least one of the plurality of communications servers receives and maintains at least a portion of the database of connectivity rules from the connectivity server;\nthe first communication firewall and the second communication firewall are configured to allow incoming communications from the network addresses of at least one of the plurality of communication servers;\nthe provider access device transmits the identification of a healthcare provider to the communications server and receives from the communications server a list of patient access device locations that the healthcare provider is authorized to access and a status of each patient access device at each of the received locations;\nthe provider access device receives a selection of a patient access device location from the healthcare provider and communicates the selected location to an optimal one of the plurality of communications servers;\nthe optimal communications server establishes a communication session between the provider access device and the patient access device at the selected location; and,\nthe monitoring server stores information regarding the established communication session in a reporting database.",
"2. The system of claim 1, wherein the system includes at least two geographically dispersed communications servers coupled to the PCN, and a first communications server acts as a master communications server and a second communications server acts as a proxy communications server between the master communications server and one of the provider access device and the patient access device.",
"3. The system of claim 2, wherein the second communications becomes the master communications server when the first communications server fails.",
"4. The system of claim 1, wherein the monitoring server generates a prioritized list of patient access devices based on the respective health metrics of the patient access devices.",
"5. The system of claim 1, wherein the connectivity server generates an interactive connectivity map based on the plurality of connectivity rules.",
"6. The system of claim 5, wherein interactive connectivity map can be displayed and edited by an administrator from a remote terminal coupled to the PCN.",
"7. The system of claim 6, wherein the interactive connectivity map includes a first axis including identifications of a plurality of medical providers and a second axis including identifications of patient access device locations.",
"8. The system of claim 7, wherein the identification of at least one of the plurality of healthcare provider is associated with an identification of a group of healthcare providers.",
"9. The system of claim 8, wherein the medical provider axis of the interactive connectivity map can be filtered based on the associated group of healthcare providers.",
"10. The system of claim 7, wherein the identification of at least one of the plurality of patient access device locations is associated with an identification of a healthcare organization.",
"11. The system of claim 10, wherein the patient access device location axis of the interactive connectivity map can be filtered based on the associated healthcare organization.",
"12. The system of claim 1, wherein the optimal one of the plurality of communication servers is chosen based on at least one of server proximity, server load, and network conditions.",
"13. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more device health metrics includes at least one of battery life, LAN connection status, wireless network strength, cellular network connection status, device location, time of last device reboot, whether the device is connected to a charging station, whether the device is coupled to AC power, and/or software version.",
"14. The system of claim 13, wherein the monitoring server is configured to detect an abnormal condition of a patient access device.",
"15. The system of claim 14, wherein the monitoring server is configured to trigger a reboot of the patient access device in response to detecting the abnormal condition.",
"16. The system of claim 14, wherein the monitoring server is configured to alert a technician in response to detecting the abnormal condition.",
"17. The system of claim 1, wherein the patient access device periodically transmits a message to the communications server when the patient access device is not in a communication session.",
"18. The system of claim 17, wherein the patient access device transmits the message to the communications server in response to a message sent from the communications server."
],
[
"1. A system comprising:\na plurality of computing devices, each computing device comprising one or more hardware processors, wherein a first computing device among the plurality of computing devices is configured as a first secondary storage computing device that hosts a first media agent;\nwherein the plurality of computing devices are configured with computer-executable instructions that, when executed, cause the system to:\ndetermine that the first secondary storage computing device is performing a current job that comprises secondary copy operations;\ndetermine that the first secondary storage computing device is performing anomalously compared to one or more values measured for jobs that comprised secondary copy operations, wherein the jobs were previously performed by the first secondary storage computing device over a period of time, wherein the one or more values correspond to one or more of: jobs running longer than expected, pending jobs, failed jobs, suspended jobs, killed jobs, and jobs successfully completed;\nbased on determining that the first secondary storage computing device is performing anomalously, identify a second computing device among the plurality of computing devices that is configured as a second secondary storage computing device, which hosts a second media agent,\nwherein the second secondary storage computing device is associated with the first secondary storage computing device based on one or more storage policies configured in the system;\ndetermine one or more values of one or more of: pending jobs, failed jobs, and jobs running longer than expected, that are allocated to the second secondary storage computing device,\nwherein the second secondary storage computing device does not exceed one or more threshold values corresponding to one or more of: pending jobs, failed jobs, and jobs running longer than expected, that are allocated to the second secondary storage computing device; and\nfurther based on determining that the first secondary storage computing device is performing anomalously, and based on determining that the second secondary storage computing device is not exceeding the one or more threshold values, route at least one future job that comprises secondary copy operations to the second secondary storage computing device instead of to the first secondary storage computing device.",
"2. The system of claim 1, wherein the computer-executable instructions, when executed, further cause the system to: place the first secondary storage computing device into a disabled state, based on determining that the first secondary storage computing device is performing anomalously, and while the first secondary storage computing device is in the disabled state, route the at least one future job to the second secondary storage computing device instead of to the first secondary storage computing device.",
"3. The system of claim 2, wherein the computer-executable instructions, when executed, further cause the system to: based on determining that services of the first secondary storage computing device were previously recycled within a threshold period of time, maintain the disabled state of the first secondary storage computing device.",
"4. The system of claim 1, wherein the computer-executable instructions, when executed, further cause the system to: based on determining that services of the first secondary storage computing device were previously recycled within a threshold period of time, continue to route future jobs to the second secondary storage computing device instead of to the first secondary storage computing device.",
"5. The system of claim 1, wherein the computer-executable instructions, when executed, further cause the system to: determine that the first secondary storage computing device is deviating from a trend that comprises the one or more values measured for the first secondary storage computing device over the period of time.",
"6. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more values measured for the first secondary storage computing device over the period of time comprise an expected trend, and wherein the first secondary storage computing device is deviating from the expected trend.",
"7. The system of claim 1, wherein determining that the first secondary storage computing device is performing anomalously is further based on determining that a measure of usage of computing resources of the first secondary storage computing device exceeds a threshold value.",
"8. The system of claim 1, wherein the computer-executable instructions, when executed, further cause the system to train a neural network that determines that the first secondary storage computing device is performing anomalously.",
"9. The system of claim 1, wherein a storage policy configured in the system associates the second secondary storage computing device with the first secondary storage computing device.",
"10. A system comprising:\na plurality of computing devices, each computing device comprising one or more hardware processors, wherein a first computing device among the plurality of computing devices is configured as a first secondary storage computing device that hosts a first media agent;\nwherein the plurality of computing devices are configured with computer-executable instructions that, when executed, cause the system to:\ndetermine that the first secondary storage computing device is performing a current job that comprises secondary copy operations;\ndetermine that the first secondary storage computing device is performing anomalously compared to one or more values measured for jobs that comprised secondary copy operations, wherein the jobs were previously performed by the first secondary storage computing device over a period of time, wherein the one or more values correspond to one or more of: jobs running longer than expected, pending jobs, failed jobs, suspended jobs, killed jobs, and jobs successfully completed;\nbased on determining that the first secondary storage computing device is performing anomalously, determine that, among a plurality of second secondary storage computing devices in the system, each of which hosts a second media agent, a second secondary storage computing device is available to take over for the first secondary storage computing device;\ndetermine that the second secondary storage computing device does not exceed one or more threshold values corresponding to one or more of: pending jobs, failed jobs, and jobs running longer than expected, that are allocated to the second secondary storage computing device; and\nbased on determining that the one or more threshold values are not exceeded at the second secondary storage computing device: place the first secondary storage computing device into a disabled state, and while the first secondary storage computing device is in the disabled state, route future jobs that comprise secondary copy operations to the second secondary storage computing device instead of to the first secondary storage computing device;\ndetermine a number of times that the first secondary storage computing device has been recycled within a threshold period of time;\nbased on determining that the number of times is below a threshold value, place the first secondary storage computing device into an enabled state, and while the first secondary storage computing device is in the enabled state, route the future jobs that comprise secondary copy operations to the first secondary storage computing device instead of to the second secondary storage computing device; and\nbased on determining that the number of times is above the threshold value, continue to route the future jobs to the second secondary storage computing device instead of to the first secondary storage computing device.",
"11. The system of claim 10, wherein the computer-executable instructions, when executed, further cause the system to: monitor the jobs at the first secondary storage computing device and measure the one or more values.",
"12. The system of claim 10, wherein the first media agent is configured to perform the jobs at the first secondary storage computing device, and wherein the future jobs are routed to a second media agent that executes on the second secondary storage computing device.",
"13. The system of claim 10, wherein the computer-executable instructions, when executed, further cause a storage manager among the plurality of computing devices to: place the first secondary storage computing device into the disabled state, and while the first secondary storage computing device is in the disabled state, cause the future jobs to be routed to the second secondary storage computing device instead of to the first secondary storage computing device.",
"14. The system of claim 10, wherein determining that the first secondary storage computing device is performing anomalously is based at least in part on a time-series decomposition of jobs data associated with the first secondary storage computing device.",
"15. The system of claim 10, wherein at least one metric measured for jobs previously routed to the first secondary storage computing device over the period of time comprise an expected trend, and wherein the first secondary storage computing device is deviating from the expected trend.",
"16. The system of claim 10, wherein determining that the first secondary storage computing device is performing anomalously is further based on a measure of usage of computing resources of the first secondary storage computing device.",
"17. The system of claim 10, wherein a storage policy configured in the system associates the second secondary storage computing device with the first secondary storage computing device.",
"18. The system of claim 10, wherein the computer-executable instructions, when executed, further cause the system to:\ndetermine the plurality of second secondary storage computing devices that are associated with the first secondary storage computing device based on one or more storage policies configured in the system; and\nfor each second secondary storage computing device among the plurality of second secondary storage computing devices:\ndetermine one or more values of one or more of: pending jobs, failed jobs, and jobs running longer than expected, that are allocated to the respective second secondary storage computing device,\ndetermine that the respective second secondary storage computing device is healthy based on not exceeding the one or more threshold values, and\nbased on determining that the respective second secondary storage computing device is healthy, route at least one future job to the second secondary storage computing device instead of to the first secondary storage computing device."
],
[
"1. A computer system comprising:\nstoring data in a first page of a first storage device in a storage system that includes a plurality of storage devices;\ngenerating intra-device protection data corresponding to the data and according to a desired protection level, wherein the intra-device protection data is stored within the first storage device of the plurality of storage devices and the desired protection level is selectively increased in the first storage device of the plurality of storage devices upon an increased error rate in the first storage device;\ngenerating inter-device protection data corresponding to the first page and one or more other pages in other storage devices within the storage system; and\nstoring the inter-device protection data within a second storage device in the storage system.",
"2. The computer system as recited in claim 1, wherein the intra-device protection data is a checksum value computed from corresponding data stored in the first storage device.",
"3. The computer system as recited in claim 1, wherein the inter-device protection data is configured to protect the intra-device protection data.",
"4. The computer system as recited in claim 1, wherein the intra-device protection data further includes one or both of a physical address or a virtual address corresponding to the data stored within the first storage device.",
"5. The computer system as recited in claim 4, wherein in response to a read of data in the first storage device, the storage system is configured to utilize at least one of the physical address or the virtual address to validate the read data.",
"6. The computer system as recited in claim 1, wherein in response to a read of given data in the first storage device, the storage system is configured to:\nutilize intra-device protection data to attempt to rebuild the given data, in response to determining a checksum validation for the given data has failed; and\nutilize inter-device protection data to reconstruct the given data, in response to determining the rebuild has failed.",
"7. The computer system as recited in claim 1, wherein said first storage device comprises one or more client blocks storing compressed data, and wherein the first storage device further includes additional protection data for each of the client blocks, the additional data being configured to validate corresponding data in an uncompressed state.",
"8. A method for use in a computing system, the method comprising:\nstoring data in a first page of a first storage device in a storage system that includes a plurality of storage devices;\ngenerating intra-device protection data corresponding to the data and according to a desired protection level, wherein the intra-device protection data is stored within the first storage device of the plurality of storage devices and the desired protection level is selectively increased in the first storage device of the plurality of storage devices upon an increased error rate in the first storage device;\ngenerating inter-device protection data corresponding to the first page and one or more other pages in other storage devices within the storage system; and\nstoring the inter-device protection data within a second storage device in the storage system.",
"9. The method as recited in claim 8, further comprising computing the intra-device protection data as a checksum value based on data stored in the first page of the first storage device.",
"10. The method as recited in claim 9, further comprising:\nreceiving read and write requests at a data storage subsystem, wherein the subsystem comprises a plurality of data storage locations on a plurality of storage devices; and\nstoring data in the first storage device of the plurality of storage devices.",
"11. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein the intra-device protection data is configured to protect the inter-device protection data.",
"12. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein the intra-device protection data in the first storage device further includes one or both of a physical address or a virtual address corresponding to the data stored within the first storage device.",
"13. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein in response to a read of data in the first storage device, the method comprises utilizing at least one of the physical address or the virtual address to validate the read data.",
"14. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein in response to a read of given data in the first storage device, the method further comprises:\nutilizing intra-device protection data to attempt to rebuild the given data, in response to determining a checksum validation for the given data has failed; and\nutilizing inter-device protection data to reconstruct the given data, in response to determining the rebuild has failed.",
"15. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein said first storage device comprises one or more client blocks storing compressed data, and wherein the first storage device further includes additional protection data for each of the client blocks, the additional data being configured to validate corresponding data in an uncompressed state.",
"16. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing program instructions, wherein the program instructions are executable to:\nstore data in a first page of a first storage device in a storage system that includes a plurality of storage devices;\ngenerate intra-device protection data corresponding to the data and according to a desired protection level, wherein the intra-device protection data is stored within the first storage device of the plurality of storage devices and the desired protection level is selectively increased in the first storage device of the plurality of storage devices upon an increased error rate in the first storage device;\ngenerate inter-device protection data corresponding to the first page and one or more other pages in other storage devices within the storage system; and\nstore the inter-device protection data within a second storage device in the storage system.",
"17. The computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 16, wherein the program instructions are further executable to compute the intra-device protection data in the first storage device as a checksum value based on data stored of the first storage device.",
"18. The computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 16, wherein the first storage device is formatted to a multiple of 512 sector size such that the first page is aligned to a multiple of 512 boundary, and wherein the program instructions are further executable to compress the data in the first page in order to accommodate storage of the intra-device protection data within the first storage device.",
"19. The computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 16, wherein the intra-device protection data in the first storage device further includes one or both of a physical address or a virtual address corresponding to the user data stored within the first storage device.",
"20. The computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 19, wherein in response to a read of data in the first storage device, the wherein the program instructions are further executable to utilize at least one of the physical address or the virtual address to validate the read data."
],
[
"1. A computer-implemented method comprising:\nby one or more hardware processors executing computer-executable instructions, performing a reversion of a virtual machine from a second state to a first state, wherein performing the reversion comprises:\nreceiving a request to revert the virtual machine from the second state to the first state, which differs from the second state,\nwherein a virtual disk is associated with the virtual machine;\nidentifying a set of data blocks that have been modified in the virtual disk between the first state of the virtual machine and the second state of the virtual machine;\ninitiating a retrieval process to retrieve the set of data blocks from a secondary storage device and to store the set of data blocks into the virtual disk, wherein the secondary storage device is distinct from the virtual disk;\nreceiving from the virtual machine a command to access a data block among the set of data blocks, wherein the data block has not yet been retrieved from the secondary storage device by the retrieval process; and\nbased on receiving the command, prioritizing, by the retrieval process, retrieval of the data block from the secondary storage device over retrieval of other data blocks among the set of data blocks remaining to be retrieved by the retrieval process from the secondary storage device.",
"2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein prioritizing the retrieval of the data block comprises:\npausing retrieval of the other data blocks among the set of data blocks remaining to be retrieved by the retrieval process;\nretrieving the data block referenced by the command; and\nresuming retrieval of the other data blocks after retrieving the data block.",
"3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein prioritizing the retrieval of the data block comprises initiating a new retrieval thread to retrieve the data block.",
"4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the command is intercepted by an input/output (I/O) filter driver that intercepts I/O commands between an I/O framework of the virtual machine and the virtual disk.",
"5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the request identifies a recovery point that corresponds to the first state, and wherein the set of data blocks is identified based on a data structure associated with the recovery point.",
"6. The computer-implemented method of claim 5, wherein the data structure is stored in a recovery point index at a secondary storage computing device that performs the retrieval process.",
"7. The computer-implemented method of claim 5, wherein the data structure comprises information for locating each data block among the set of data blocks at the secondary storage device.",
"8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the first state is earlier than the second state.",
"9. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the first state is later than the second state.",
"10. A system comprising:\none or more hardware processors executing computer-executable instructions that configure the system to:\nreceive a request to revert a virtual machine from a later state to an earlier state, which differs from the later state,\nwherein a virtual disk is associated with the virtual machine;\nidentify a set of data blocks that have been modified in the virtual disk between the earlier state of the virtual machine and the later state of the virtual machine;\ninitiate a retrieval process to retrieve the set of data blocks from a secondary storage device and to store the set of data blocks into the virtual disk, wherein the secondary storage device is distinct from the virtual disk;\nreceive from the virtual machine a command to access a data block among the set of data blocks, wherein the data block has not yet been retrieved from the secondary storage device by the retrieval process; and\nbased on receiving the command, prioritize, by the retrieval process, retrieval of the data block from the secondary storage device over retrieval of other data blocks among the set of data blocks remaining to be retrieved by the retrieval process from the secondary storage device.",
"11. The system of claim 10, wherein prioritizing the retrieval of the data block comprises:\npausing retrieval of the other data blocks among the set of data blocks remaining to be retrieved by the retrieval process;\nretrieving the data block referenced by the command; and\nresuming retrieval of the other data blocks after retrieving the data block.",
"12. The system of claim 10, wherein prioritizing the retrieval of the data block comprises initiating a new retrieval thread to retrieve the data block.",
"13. The system of claim 10, wherein the computer-executable instructions further configure the system to: boot the virtual machine in a current state, which corresponds to the later state, based on the request identifying a recovery point that corresponds to the earlier state, and wherein booting the virtual machine in the current state is based on a snapshot of one or more of: the virtual machine, and the virtual disk.",
"14. The system of claim 10, wherein the system is further configured to execute an input/output (I/O) filter driver that is configured to intercept I/O commands between an I/O framework of the virtual machine and the virtual disk.",
"15. The system of claim 10, wherein the request to revert the virtual machine references a recovery point of the virtual machine that corresponds to the earlier state, and wherein the set of data blocks is identified based on a data structure associated with the recovery point.",
"16. The system of claim 15, wherein the data structure comprises information for locating each data block among the set of data blocks at the secondary storage device.",
"17. A system comprising:\ncomputer memory storing computer-executable instructions; and\none or more hardware processors executing the computer-executable instructions, which configure the system to:\nreceive a request to revert a virtual machine to a recovery point, which differs from a current version of the virtual machine,\nwherein a virtual disk comprises data of the virtual machine;\nidentify a set of data blocks that have been modified, in the virtual disk, between the recovery point and the current version of the virtual machine;\ninitiate a retrieval process, wherein the retrieval process is configured to retrieve the set of data blocks from a secondary storage device and is further configured to store the set of data blocks at the virtual disk, wherein the secondary storage device is distinct from the virtual disk;\nreceive an input/output command from the virtual machine to access a data block among the set of data blocks, wherein the data block has not yet been retrieved from the secondary storage device by the retrieval process; and\nby the retrieval process, based on receiving the input/output command, prioritize retrieval of the data block from the secondary storage device over retrieval of other data blocks among the set of data blocks that remain to be retrieved from the secondary storage device by the retrieval process.",
"18. The system of claim 17, wherein the system is further configured to identify the set of data blocks based on a data structure associated with the recovery point of the virtual machine.",
"19. The system of claim 17, wherein one of: (i) the current version corresponds to a point in time that is earlier than the recovery point, and (ii) the current version corresponds to a point in time that is later than the recovery point.",
"20. The system of claim 17, wherein the recovery point represents the data in the virtual disk of the virtual machine as of a point in time that is different from a current point in time."
],
[
"1. A storage system comprising:\na plurality of storage drives; and\na storage controller operatively coupled to the plurality of storage drives, the storage controller comprising a processing device, the processing device to:\nselect a first set of dies of a plurality of dies of a storage drive of the plurality of storage drives for performance of low latency access operations;\nperform the low latency access operations using the first set of dies;\ndetermine whether a triggering event has occurred during the performance of the low latency access operations by the first set of dies; and\nin response to the determination, select a second set of dies of the plurality of dies of the storage drive for the performance of low latency access operations upon determining that the triggering event has occurred.",
"2. The storage system of claim 1, wherein the triggering event comprises a storage capacity of the first set of dies satisfying a capacity threshold.",
"3. The storage system of claim 1, wherein the triggering event comprises an amount of time elapsing since the selection of the first set of dies satisfying a time threshold.",
"4. The storage system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of dies comprise zones of a zoned storage drive.",
"5. The storage system of claim 1, wherein the low latency access operations comprise single-level cell (SLC) access operations.",
"6. The storage system of claim 1, wherein the storage system comprises a plurality of authorities that control the performance of access operations on the plurality of storage drives.",
"7. A method comprising:\nselect a first set of dies of a plurality of dies of a storage drive of a plurality of storage drives for performance of low latency access operations;\nperforming the low latency access operations on the first set of dies;\ndetermine whether a triggering event has occurred during the performance of the low latency access operations by the first set of dies; and\nin response to the determination, select a second set of dies of the plurality of dies of the storage drive for the performance of low latency access operations upon determining that the triggering event has occurred.",
"8. The method of claim 7, wherein the triggering event comprises a storage capacity of the first set of dies satisfying a capacity threshold.",
"9. The method of claim 7, wherein the triggering event comprises an amount of time elapsing since the selection of the first set of dies satisfying a time threshold.",
"10. The method of claim 7, wherein the plurality of dies comprise zones of a zoned storage drive.",
"11. The method of claim 7, wherein the low latency access operations comprise single-level cell (SLC) access operations.",
"12. The method of claim 7, wherein the storage drive comprises a plurality of authorities that control the performance of access operations on the plurality of storage drives.",
"13. The method of claim 7 wherein other access operations are performed by remaining dies of the plurality of dies of the storage drive.",
"14. The method of claim 7 wherein the triggering event comprises a delay in the performance of the low latency access operations by the first set of dies.",
"15. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing instructions, which when executed, cause a processing device of a storage controller to:\nselect a first set of dies of a plurality of dies of a storage drive of a plurality of storage drives for performance of low latency access operations;\nperform the low latency access operations using the first set of dies;\ndetermine whether a triggering event has occurred during the performance of the low latency access operations by the first set of dies; and\nin response to the determination, select a second set of dies of the plurality of dies of the storage drive for the performance of low latency access operations upon determining that the triggering event has occurred.",
"16. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the triggering event comprises a storage capacity of the first set of dies satisfying a capacity threshold.",
"17. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the triggering event comprises an amount of time elapsing since the selection of the first set of dies satisfying a time threshold."
],
[
"1. A computer-implemented method for migrating data from a source backup system to a destination backup system, the computer-implemented method comprising:\nidentifying at least one restored file stored at a staging system to migrate to a destination backup system, wherein:\nthe at least one restored file has been restored to the staging system from a source backup system after having been previously backed up to the source backup system;\ngenerating first metadata associated with the at least one restored file,\nwherein the first metadata comprises metadata properties provided by a user,\nwherein the metadata properties comprise at least one property name and an associated value,\nwherein the first metadata indicates which of the at least one restored file stored at the staging system the first metadata is associated with;\ninitiating a backup operation on the at least one restored file,\nwherein during the backup operation, the destination backup system:\ngenerates second metadata associated with the backup operation and the at least one restored file, and\ncreates or updates an index with the second metadata, wherein the index is stored at the destination backup system; and\nincorporating the first metadata comprising the metadata properties into the index.",
"2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising causing the at least one restored file to be deleted from the staging system.",
"3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising: wherein the backup operation is executed on a subset of files restored at the staging system.",
"4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising: wherein the backup operation is initiated according to an information management policy.",
"5. The computer-implemented method of claim 4, further comprising: wherein the information management policy provides migration criteria for which data to migrate from the source backup system to the destination backup system.",
"6. The computer-implemented method of claim 5, further comprising: scanning the first metadata at the staging system to determine which files meet the migration criteria.",
"7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:\nquerying the index of the destination backup system based on a criteria, wherein the querying comprises accessing the first metadata.",
"8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the computer-implemented method is executed by one or more virtual machines.",
"9. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:\nreceiving, at a user interface, an indication from a user to start migrating data from the source backup system to the destination backup system, wherein the indication is based on a migration schedule.",
"10. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:\nreceiving, at a user interface, a location of the staging system, wherein the location is a Network File System (NFS) network path of the staging system.",
"11. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:\nreceiving, at a user interface, a location of the staging system, wherein the location is an Internet Protocol (IP) address.",
"12. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the first metadata is generated automatically using a scripting engine, wherein the scripting engine parses contents in the staging system to identify files for migration to the destination backup system.",
"13. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the first metadata at the staging system is queried to determine a subset of files for migration to the destination backup system.",
"14. The computer-implemented method of claim 13, further comprising:\nreceiving request to back up the at least one restored file to the destination backup system, wherein the at least one restored file is part of the subset of files determined for migration to the destination backup system.",
"15. A computing system for migrating data from a source backup system to a destination backup system, the computing system configured to:\nusing one or more computer processors:\nidentify at least one restored file stored at a staging system to migrate to a destination backup system, wherein:\nthe at least one restored file has been restored to the staging system from a source backup system after having been previously backed up to the source backup system;\ngenerate first metadata associated with the at least one restored file, wherein the first metadata comprises metadata properties provided by a user,\nwherein the metadata properties comprise at least one property name and an associated value,\nwherein the first metadata indicates which of the at least one restored file stored at the staging system the first metadata is associated with;\ninitiate a backup operation on the at least one restored file,\nwherein during the backup operation, the destination backup system:\ngenerates second metadata associated with the backup operation and the at least one restored file, and\ncreates or updates an index with the second metadata,\nwherein the index is stored at the destination backup system; and\nincorporate the first metadata comprising the metadata properties into the index.",
"16. The computing system of claim 15, the computing system further configured to: cause the at least one restored file to be deleted from the staging system.",
"17. The computing system of claim 15, wherein the backup operation is executed on a subset of files restored at the staging system.",
"18. The computing system of claim 15, wherein the backup operation is initiated according to an information management policy.",
"19. The computing system of claim 18, wherein the information management policy provides migration criteria for which data to migrate from the source backup system to the destination backup system.",
"20. The computing system of claim 19, the computing system further configured to: scan the first metadata at the staging system to determine which files meet the migration criteria.",
"21. The computing system of claim 15, the computing system further configured to: querying the index of the destination backup system based on a criteria, wherein the querying comprises accessing the first metadata.",
"22. The computing system of claim 15, wherein the one or more computer processors is configured as one or more virtual machines.",
"23. The computing system of claim 15, the computing system further configured to:\nreceiving, at a user interface, an indication from a user to start migrating data from the source backup system to the destination backup system, wherein the indication is based on a migration schedule.",
"24. The computing system of claim 15, the computing system further configured to: receiving, at a user interface, a location of the staging system, wherein the location is a Network File System (NFS) network path of the staging system.",
"25. The computing system of claim 15, the computing system further configured to: receiving, at a user interface, a location of the staging system, wherein the location is an Internet Protocol (IP) address.",
"26. The computing system of claim 15, wherein the first metadata is generated automatically using a scripting engine, wherein the scripting engine parses contents in the staging system to identify files for migration to the destination backup system.",
"27. The computing system of claim 15, wherein the first metadata at the staging system is queried to determine a subset of files for migration to the destination backup system.",
"28. The computing system of claim 27, the computing system further configured to: receiving request to back up the at least one restored file to the destination backup system, wherein the at least one restored file is part of the subset of files determined for migration to the destination backup system."
],
[
"1. A method comprising:\ngenerating, by a device, a plurality of snapshots of a service graph of one or more services, each snapshot of the plurality of snapshots comprising one or more metrics at a respective time increment during execution of the one or more services;\nidentifying, by the device, a sequence of snapshots from the plurality of snapshots of the service graph within a period of time of an anomaly in execution of the one or more services; and\ncausing, by the device, display of the sequence of snapshots.",
"2. The method of claim 1, further comprising monitoring, by the device, execution of the one or more services and responsive to monitoring, detecting the anomaly.",
"3. The method of claim 1, further comprising identifying, by the device, the sequence of snapshots responsive to detection of the anomaly.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more services is a microservice.",
"5. The method of claim 1, where the one or more services comprises one or more microservices.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein the period of time comprises at least one of an amount of time before anomaly or an amount of time after the anomaly.",
"7. The method of claim 1, wherein the period of time comprises a time of the anomaly.",
"8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\ndetecting, by the device, the anomaly in execution of the one or more services at a time instance; and\nidentifying, by the device, the sequence of snapshots within the period of time of the detected anomaly, the period of time including the time instance.",
"9. The method of claim 8, wherein the device detects the anomaly based on metrics for one or more service graphs captured at one or more time increments corresponding to the time instance of the detected anomaly.",
"10. A device comprising:\none or more processors, coupled to memory and configured to:\ngenerate a plurality of snapshots of a service graph of one or more services, a plurality of snapshots of the service graph, each snapshot of the plurality of snapshots comprising one or more metrics at a respective time increment during execution of the one or more services;\nidentify a sequence of snapshots from the plurality of snapshots of the service graph within a period of time of an anomaly in execution of the one or more services; and\ncause display of the sequence of snapshots.",
"11. The device of claim 10, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to monitor execution of the one or more services and responsive to monitoring, detect the anomaly.",
"12. The device of claim 10, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to identify the sequence of snapshots responsive to detection of the anomaly.",
"13. The device of claim 10, wherein the one or more services is a microservice.",
"14. The device of claim 10, where the one or more services comprises one or more microservices.",
"15. The device of claim 10, wherein the period of time comprises at least one of an amount of time before anomaly or an amount of time after the anomaly.",
"16. The device of claim 10, wherein the period of time comprises a time of the anomaly.",
"17. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to:\ngenerate a plurality of snapshots of a service graph of one or more services, a plurality of snapshots of the service graph, each snapshot of the plurality of snapshots comprising one or more metrics at a respective time increment during execution of the one or more services;\nidentify a sequence of snapshots from the plurality of snapshots of the service graph within a period of time of an anomaly in execution of the one or more services; and\ncause display of the sequence of snapshots.",
"18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17, further comprising instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to monitor execution of the one or more services and responsive to monitoring, detect the anomaly.",
"19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17, further comprising instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to identify the sequence of snapshots responsive to detection of the anomaly.",
"20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the one or more services is a microservice.",
"21. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17, where the one or more services comprises one or more microservices.",
"22. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the period of time comprises at least one of an amount of time before anomaly or an amount of time after the anomaly."
],
[
"1. An electronic device comprising:\na volatile memory;\na first nonvolatile memory that includes an area to store firmware, the firmware including a first kernel;\na second nonvolatile memory that includes an area to store an update program, the update program including a second kernel and initial file system data of the first nonvolatile memory; and\na control circuit that reads one of the firmware and the update program and loads the read one of the firmware and the update program into the volatile memory by boot process, boots the one of the first and the second kernels, and ensures writing data to the first nonvolatile memory by the booted one of the first and the second kernels; wherein\nwhen the firmware is incapable of being read, the control circuit (i) reads the update program and performs the boot process to boot the second kernel, (ii) mounts an initial file system of the first nonvolatile memory by the initial file system data of the read update program so as to ensure accessing to the first nonvolatile memory, the update program being read by the booted second kernel, (iii) accesses to the first nonvolatile memory by the initial file system so as to recognize a file system of the first nonvolatile memory, (iv) mounts the recognized file system of the first nonvolatile memory so as to ensure writing the data to the first nonvolatile memory, and (v) acquires updating data of the firmware from an external storage medium or an external server, and writes the updating data of the firmware to the first nonvolatile memory, the first nonvolatile memory being writable of the data by the booted second kernel.",
"2. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising:\nan external interface that performs a processing that connects the external storage medium, the external storage medium storing the updating data; wherein\nthe control circuit acquires the updating data from the external storage medium and writes the updating data to the first nonvolatile memory, the external storage medium being connected to the external interface.",
"3. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising:\na network interface that performs a processing that connects to the external server via a network, the external server storing the updating data; wherein\nthe control circuit acquires the updating data from the external server and writes the updating data to the first nonvolatile memory, the external server being connected to the network interface.",
"4. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein:\nthe firmware further includes root file system data; and\nwhen the firmware is capable of being read by the boot process, the control circuit boots the first kernel, reads the root file system data and loads the read root file system data into the volatile memory, and mounts a root file system by the read root file system data so as to ensure the writing the data to the first nonvolatile memory, and\nwhen the firmware is incapable of being read by the boot process, the control circuit performs the boot process by rebooting when the firmware is written to the first nonvolatile memory.",
"5. A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing a firmware recovery program of an electronic device, the electronic device including a volatile memory, a first nonvolatile memory that includes an area to store firmware, the firmware including a first kernel, and a second nonvolatile memory that includes an area to store an update program, the update program including a second kernel and initial file system data of the first nonvolatile memory, wherein the firmware recovery program causes the electronic device to function as:\nthe volatile memory;\nthe first nonvolatile memory that includes the area configured to store the firmware, the firmware including the first kernel;\nthe second nonvolatile memory that includes the area configured to store the update program, the update program including the second kernel and the initial file system data of the first nonvolatile memory; and\na control circuit that reads one of the firmware and the update program and loads the read one of the firmware and the update program into the volatile memory by boot process, boots the one of the first and the second kernels, and ensures writing data to the first nonvolatile memory by the booted one of the first and the second kernels; wherein\nwhen the firmware is incapable of being read, the control circuit (i) reads the update program and performs the boot process to boot the second kernel, (ii) mounts an initial file system of the first nonvolatile memory by the initial file system data of the read update program so as to ensure accessing to the first nonvolatile memory, the update program being read by the booted second kernel, (iii) accesses to the first nonvolatile memory by the initial file system so as to recognize a file system of the first nonvolatile memory, (iv) mounts the recognized file system of the first nonvolatile memory so as to ensure writing the data to the first nonvolatile memory, and (v) acquires updating data of the firmware from an external storage medium or an external server, and writes the updating data of the firmware to the first nonvolatile memory, the first nonvolatile memory being writable of the data by the booted second kernel.",
"6. The non-transitory computer-readable recording medium according to claim 5, wherein:\nthe firmware further includes root file system data; and\nwhen the firmware is capable of being read by the boot process, the control circuit boots the first kernel, reads the root file system data and loads the read root file system data into the volatile memory, and mounts a root file system by the read root file system data so as to ensure the writing the data to the first nonvolatile memory, and\nwhen the firmware is incapable of being read by the boot process, the control circuit performs the boot process by rebooting when the firmware is written to the first nonvolatile memory."
],
[
"1. A memory error processing method performed by a computer apparatus, comprising:\nobtaining first error description information from a basic input/output system (BIOS), wherein the first error description information describes a type of a first error that has occurred in a first memory page;\nidentifying, based on the first error description information, that the type of the first error is a first type, wherein an error of the first type is a correctable patrol error, a correctable read/write error, a correctable sparing error, or a mirror scrub failover error that is correctable;\ndetermining that a number of errors of the first type that occurred in the first memory page has reached a threshold; and\nin response to the determining that the number of errors of the first type that occurred in the first memory page has reached the threshold, taking the first memory page offline,\nwherein, when an error occurred in the first memory page is a mirror scrub success error, the first memory page is not taken offline, the mirror scrub success error being a correctable error,\nwherein, after the first memory page is taken offline, an accumulated quantity of times that a correctable error of a non-mirror scrub success error type occurs in the first memory page is cleared.",
"2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:\nobtaining second error description information from the BIOS, wherein the second error description information describes a type of a second error that has occurred in a second memory page;\nidentifying, based on the second error description information, that the type of the second error is a second type, wherein an error of the second type is an uncorrectable error and is not a burst fatal error; and\ntaking the second memory page offline in response to identifying that the type of the second error is the second type.",
"3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the second error is an uncorrectable no action (UCNA) error, a software recoverable action optional (SRAO) error, or a software recoverable action required (SRAR) error.",
"4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the second memory page is used by an application, and taking the second memory page offline comprises taking the second memory page offline without closing the application.",
"5. The method according to claim 2, wherein the second error is an uncorrectable patrol error.",
"6. The method according to claim 2, wherein, when the error occurred in the first memory page is an uncorrectable error that is of a type other than the second type, the first memory page is not taken offline.",
"7. The method according to claim 1, wherein, when the error occurred in the first memory page is a burst fatal error, the first memory page is not taken offline.",
"8. The method according to claim 1, wherein, when the number of errors of the first type that occurred in the first memory page has not reached the threshold, the first memory page is not taken offline.",
"9. A computer apparatus, comprising:\nat least one processor,\na basic input/output system (BIOS), and\na memory comprising a first memory page, wherein the memory is configured to store computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the computer apparatus to:\nobtain first error description information from the BIOS, wherein the first error description information describes a type of a first error that has occurred in the first memory page;\nbased on the first error description information, identify that the type of the first error is a first type, wherein an error of the first type is a correctable patrol error, a correctable read/write error, a correctable sparing error, or a mirror scrub failover error that is correctable;\ndetermine that a number of errors of the first type that occurred in the first memory page has reached a threshold; and\nin response to determining that the number of errors of the first type has reached the threshold, take the first memory page offline,\nwherein, when an error occurred in the first memory page is a mirror scrub success error, the first memory page is not taken offline, the mirror scrub success error being a correctable error,\nwherein, after the first memory page is taken offline, an accumulated quantity of times that a correctable error of a non-mirror scrub success error type occurs in the first memory page is cleared.",
"10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the computer-executable instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the computer apparatus to:\nobtain second error description information from the BIOS, wherein the second error description information describes a type of a second error that has occurred in a second memory page;\nbased on the second error description information, identify that the type of the second error is a second type, wherein an error of the second type is an uncorrectable error and is not a burst fatal error; and\ntake the second memory page offline in response to identifying that the type of the second error is the second type.",
"11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the second error is an uncorrectable no action (UCNA) error, a software recoverable action optional (SRAO) error, or a software recoverable action required (SRAR) error.",
"12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the second memory page is used by an application, and taking the second memory page offline comprises taking the second memory page offline without closing the application.",
"13. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the second error is an uncorrectable patrol error.",
"14. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein, when the error occurred in the first memory page is an uncorrectable error that is of a type other than the second type, the first memory page is not taken offline.",
"15. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein, when the error occurred in the first memory page is a burst fatal error, the first memory page is not taken offline."
],
[
"1. A method comprising:\nperforming multiple instances of a fault test on a hardware component of a computing platform by applying different values of a physical operating parameter to the hardware component for each of the instances;\ndetermining, from results of the multiple instances of the fault test, a value of the physical operating parameter at which the hardware component transitions from a pass of the fault test to a fail of the fault test;\ndetermining, based at least on the value of the physical operating parameter, a degradation rate indicating an amount of change to a cutoff value of the physical operating parameter at which the hardware component is capable of passing the fault test, the amount of change being relative to an elapsed time;\ndetermining the degradation rate exceeds a reference degradation rate; and\ndetermining one or more remedial actions based at least in part on the degradation rate exceeding the reference degradation rate.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining the degradation rate of the cutoff value of the physical operating parameter includes:\nrunning multiple additional instances of the fault test on the hardware component by applying different values of the physical operating parameter to the hardware component for each of the additional instances;\ndetermining, from results of the multiple additional instances of the fault test, an additional value of the physical operating parameter at which the hardware component transitions from passing of the fault test to failing of the fault test;\ncomputing the amount of change based at least on a difference between the value and the additional value;\ncomputing the elapsed time based at least on an operational duration between the running of the multiple instances and the running of the multiple additional instances; and\ncomputing the degradation rate using the amount of change and the elapsed time.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein the physical operating parameter is a power supply voltage to the hardware component, and the degradation rate is to a minimum value of the power supply voltage at which the hardware component is capable of passing the fault test.",
"4. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining the results of each of the multiple instances of the fault test, the determining including for each instance comparing one or more outputs of the hardware component to one or more expected outputs of the hardware component.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein the hardware component includes a memory device, the fault test includes a built-in self-test of the memory device, and the performing, for at least one instance of the multiple instances of the fault test, includes applying a test pattern of the built-in self-test to the memory device.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein the degradation rate is a computed based at least on dividing the amount of change by the elapsed time.",
"7. The method of claim 1, wherein the degradation rate quantifies a rate at which latent defects are developing within at least the hardware component over the elapsed time.",
"8. The method of claim 1, wherein the reference degradation rate corresponds to an operational duration of the hardware component up until a time of performing the multiple instances of the fault test.",
"9. The method of claim 1, wherein the hardware component is of an automated driving system of a vehicle, and the one or more remedial actions include disabling autonomous driving of the vehicle.",
"10. A method comprising:\napplying one or more test parameters of a fault test to a hardware component of a computing platform to produce one or more outputs of the hardware component;\ndetermining a value of a performance characteristic of the hardware component based at least in part on analyzing the one or more outputs of the hardware component;\ndetermining a degradation rate of the hardware component based at least on the value of the performance characteristic, the degradation rate indicating an amount of change to a capability of the hardware component relative to an elapsed time;\ndetermining the degradation rate exceeds a reference degradation rate based at least in part on a measurement that indicates an operational duration of the hardware component; and\ndetermining one or more remedial actions based at least in part on the degradation rate of the performance characteristic exceeding the reference degradation rate.",
"11. The method of claim 10, wherein the determining the value of the performance characteristic is based at least in part on comparing the one or more outputs of the hardware component and one or more expected outputs of the hardware component.",
"12. The method of claim 10, wherein the one or more outputs of the hardware component include a logical output and determining the value of the performance characteristic is based at least in part on a comparison between the logical output of the hardware component and an expected logical output of the hardware component.",
"13. The method of claim 10, wherein the determining the value of the performance characteristic is based at least in part on determining a level of an electrical characteristic of the one or more outputs of the hardware component.",
"14. The method of claim 10, wherein the performance characteristic corresponds to one or more of a minimum operating voltage, a minimum operating current, or a maximum operating clock speed under which the hardware component is capable of passing the fault test.",
"15. The method of claim 10, wherein the performance characteristic corresponds to a leakage current of the hardware component.",
"16. The method of claim 10, wherein the one or more outputs of the hardware component include output signals and determining the value of the performance characteristic includes:\ndetermining one or more dimensions of an eye pattern formed by the output signals; and\ndetermining the one or more dimensions of the eye pattern exceed a threshold value.",
"17. The method of claim 10, wherein the one or more remedial actions include causing presentation of an indicator of the degradation rate exceeding the reference degradation rate.",
"18. A system comprising:\na hardware component of an autonomous driving circuit of a vehicle, the hardware component used by the autonomous driving circuit to generate control signals that control autonomous driving of a vehicle while an operational value of a supply voltage is applied to the hardware component; and\none or more processing devices to:\nexecute multiple instances of a fault test on the hardware component by, at least in part, applying values of the supply voltage to the hardware component that are less than the operational value to determine a value that corresponds to a minimum supply voltage at which the hardware component is capable of passing the fault test;\ndetermine a degradation rate of the minimum supply voltage based at least on the value that corresponds to the minimum supply voltage, the degradation rate indicating an amount of change to the minimum supply voltage relative to an elapsed time; and\ndetermine one or more remedial actions based at least in part on the degradation rate of the minimum supply voltage.",
"19. The system of claim 18, wherein the autonomous driving circuit and the one or more processing devices are implemented on a System on-chip (SoC).",
"20. The system of claim 18, wherein the value that corresponds to the minimum supply voltage is determined based at least on identifying a transition between a first of the values of the supply voltage at which the hardware component passes the fault test and a second of the values of the supply voltage at which the hardware component fails the fault test."
],
[
"1. A method for determining when to capture a screenshot image file representing a virtual machine's display output by observing the entropy of virtual CPU register values over time as obtained from a hypervisor in communication with the virtual machine's virtual CPU, comprising:\nreceiving, at a backup image file automated verification server, a backup image file that comprises a representation of the contents of a source bootable block storage device;\nproviding the backup image file to a hypervisor for use by a virtual machine;\nretrieving, from the hypervisor, a plurality of virtual CPU register values for at least one virtual CPU register of the virtual machine;\ncalculating, for the at least one virtual CPU register, an at least one register entropy value based on the plurality of virtual CPU register values;\ndetermining, using the at least one register entropy value, a boot state value for the virtual machine; and\ncapturing, when the boot state value indicates the virtual machine is in a boot success state, a screenshot image file representing the virtual machine display output.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the boot state value for the virtual machine comprises:\nquerying a classifier for the boot state value, using the at least one register entropy value, wherein the classifier has been trained with register entropy training data comprising:\n(i) first set of register entropy training data comprising a plurality of entropy values calculated from a plurality of virtual CPU register values captured during time quanta from a profiling virtual machine in a first boot state; and\n(ii) a second set of register entropy training data comprising a plurality of entropy values calculated from a plurality of virtual CPU register values captured during time quanta from the profiling virtual machine in a second boot state;\nwherein the first boot state is a boot success state for the profiling virtual machine and the second boot state is a state other than a boot success state for the profiling virtual machine.",
"3. The method of claim 2, wherein the classifier is a decision tree.",
"4. The method of claim 2, wherein the first boot state occurs when an operating system running on the profiling virtual machine has successfully finished booting and the second boot state comprises boot-in-progress states which occur when an operating system running on the profiling virtual machine is currently booting and boot error states which occur when an operating system running on the profiling virtual machine has experienced an error condition.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein the boot state value indicates one of the following virtual machine states:\na boot success state;\na boot in-progress state;\nand a boot error state.",
"6. The method of claim 5, wherein if the virtual machine has been running for a time greater than a predetermined time quantum and has not reached a boot success state, determining that the virtual machine is in a boot error state.",
"7. The method of claim 1, additionally comprising:\ncapturing, when the boot state value is a boot error state, a screenshot image file representing the virtual machine display output and generating an error report associated with the captured screenshot image file representing the virtual machine display output and the backup image file.",
"8. The method of claim 7, additionally comprising:\nperforming, on the screenshot image file representing the virtual machine display output of the virtual machine in a boot error state, automated optical character recognition in order to determine a boot error message; and\nassociating the boot error message with the error report.",
"9. The method of claim 1, wherein the backup image file is in the form of a virtual hard drive file.",
"10. The method of claim 9, wherein the virtual hard drive file is in the form of at least one of the following:\na Virtual Hard Disk (VHD) file; and\na Virtual Machine Disk (VMDK) file.",
"11. The method of claim 1, wherein the backup image file is in the form of a raw data file.",
"12. The method of claim 11, wherein the raw data file is the same size as the source bootable block storage device.",
"13. The method of claim 11, wherein the raw data file is a sparse file that excludes a plurality of empty portions of the source bootable block storage device.",
"14. The method of claim 11, additionally comprising:\nappending or prepending metadata about the source bootable block storage device to the raw data file to create a Virtual Hard Disk (VHD) file.",
"15. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of virtual CPU register values are the virtual CPU register values retrieved from the hypervisor for a single virtual CPU register during a time quantum.",
"16. The method of claim 15, wherein the plurality of virtual CPU register values are retrieved by repeatedly querying the hypervisor, during the time quantum, for the current virtual CPU register values of the virtual machine.",
"17. The method of claim 1, additionally comprising:\nproviding the screenshot image file representing the virtual machine display output to a user as evidence of a successful test of the backup image file, wherein the screenshot image file representing the virtual machine display output is a screenshot of an operating system login screen for an operating system represented by the backup image file.",
"18. The method of claim 1, wherein capturing comprises:\ntransmitting a capture command to the hypervisor, wherein in response to the capture command the hypervisor retrieves the current output of a virtual display output for the virtual machine wherein the virtual display output is captured as an image file in the form of one of the following: a JPEG file; a GIF file; and a PNG file.",
"19. An apparatus for determining when to capture a screenshot image file representing a virtual machine's display output by observing the entropy of virtual CPU register values over time as obtained from a hypervisor in communication with the virtual machine's virtual CPU, comprising:\na memory; and\na processor disposed in communication with said memory, and configured to issue a plurality of processing instructions stored in the memory, wherein the processor issues instructions to:\nreceive, at a backup image file automated verification server, a backup image file that comprises a representation of the contents of a source bootable block storage device;\nprovide the backup image file to a hypervisor for use by a virtual machine;\nretrieve, from the hypervisor, a plurality of virtual CPU register values for at least one virtual CPU register of the virtual machine;\ncalculate, for the at least one virtual CPU register, an at least one register entropy value based on the plurality of virtual CPU register values;\ndetermine, using the at least one register entropy value, a boot state value for the virtual machine; and\ncapture, when the boot state value indicates the virtual machine is in a boot success state, a screenshot image file representing the virtual machine display output.",
"20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the instructions further comprise instructions to:\nquery a classifier for the boot state value, using the at least one register entropy value, wherein the classifier has been trained with register entropy training data comprising:\n(i) a first set of register entropy training data comprising a plurality of entropy values calculated from a plurality of virtual CPU register values captured during time quanta from a profiling virtual machine in a first boot state; and\n(ii) a second set of register entropy training data comprising a plurality of entropy values calculated from a plurality of virtual CPU register values captured during time quanta from the profiling virtual machine in a second boot state;\nwherein the first boot state is a boot success state for the profiling virtual machine and the second boot state is a state other than a boot success state for the profiling virtual machine.",
"21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the classifier is a decision tree.",
"22. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the first boot state occurs when an operating system running on the profiling virtual machine has successfully finished booting and the second boot state comprises boot-in-progress states which occur when an operating system running on the profiling virtual machine is currently booting and boot error states which occur when an operating system running on the profiling virtual machine has experienced an error condition.",
"23. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the boot state value indicates one of the following virtual machine states:\na boot success state;\na boot in-progress state;\nand a boot error state.",
"24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein if the virtual machine has been running for a time greater than a predetermined time quantum and has not reached a boot success state, determining that the virtual machine is in a boot error state.",
"25. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the instructions further comprise instructions to:\ncapture, when the boot state value is a boot error state, a screenshot image file representing the virtual machine display output and generate an error report associated with the captured screenshot image file representing the virtual machine display output and the backup image file.",
"26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the instructions further comprise instructions to:\nperform, on the screenshot image file representing the virtual machine display output of the virtual machine in a boot error state, automated optical character recognition in order to determine a boot error message; and\nassociate the boot error message with the error report.",
"27. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the backup image file is in the form of a virtual hard drive file.",
"28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the virtual hard drive file is in the form of at least one of the following:\na Virtual Hard Disk (VHD) file; and\na Virtual Machine Disk (VMDK) file.",
"29. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the backup image file is in the form of a raw data file.",
"30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the raw data file is the same size as the source bootable block storage device.",
"31. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the raw data file is a sparse file that excludes a plurality of empty portions of the source bootable block storage device.",
"32. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the instructions further comprise instructions to:\nappend or prepend metadata about the source bootable block storage device to the raw data file to create a Virtual Hard Disk (VHD) file.",
"33. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the plurality of virtual CPU register values are the virtual CPU register values retrieved from the hypervisor for a single virtual CPU register during a time quantum.",
"34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the plurality of virtual CPU register values are retrieved by repeatedly querying the hypervisor, during the time quantum, for the current virtual CPU register values of the virtual machine.",
"35. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the instructions further comprise instructions to:\nprovide the screenshot image file representing the virtual machine display output to a user as evidence of a successful test of the backup image file, wherein the screenshot image file representing the virtual machine display output is a screenshot of an operating system login screen for an operating system represented by the backup image file.",
"36. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the instructions further comprise instructions to:\ntransmit a capture command to the hypervisor, wherein in response to the capture command the hypervisor retrieves the current output of a virtual display output for the virtual machine wherein the virtual display output is captured as an image file in the form of one of the following: a JPEG file; a GIF file; and a PNG file.",
"37. A processor-readable storage medium for determining when to capture a screenshot image file representing a virtual machine's display output by observing the entropy of virtual CPU register values over time as obtained from a hypervisor in communication with the virtual machine's virtual CPU, comprising instructions to:\nreceive, at a backup image file automated verification server, a backup image file that comprises a representation of the contents of a source bootable block storage device;\nprovide the backup image file to a hypervisor for use by a virtual machine;\nretrieve, from the hypervisor, a plurality of virtual CPU register values for at least one virtual CPU register of the virtual machine;\ncalculate, for the at least one virtual CPU register, an at least one register entropy value based on the plurality of virtual CPU register values;\ndetermine, using the at least one register entropy value, a boot state value for the virtual machine; and\ncapture, when the boot state value indicates the virtual machine is in a boot success state, a screenshot image file representing the virtual machine display output.",
"38. The processor-readable storage medium of claim 37, wherein the instructions further comprise instructions to:\nquery a classifier for the boot state value, using the at least one register entropy value, wherein the classifier has been trained with register entropy training data comprising:\n(i) a first set of register entropy training data comprising a plurality of entropy values calculated from a plurality of virtual CPU register values captured during time quanta from a profiling virtual machine in a first boot state; and\n(ii) a second set of register entropy training data comprising a plurality of entropy values calculated from a plurality of virtual CPU register values captured during time quanta from the profiling virtual machine in a second boot state;\nwherein the first boot state is a boot success state for the profiling virtual machine and the second boot state is a state other than a boot success state for the profiling virtual machine.",
"39. The processor-readable storage medium of claim 38, wherein the classifier is a decision tree.",
"40. The processor-readable storage medium of claim 38, wherein the first boot state occurs when an operating system running on the profiling virtual machine has successfully finished booting and the second boot state comprises boot-in-progress states which occur when an operating system running on the profiling virtual machine is currently booting and boot error states which occur when an operating system running on the profiling virtual machine has experienced an error condition.",
"41. The processor-readable storage medium of claim 37, wherein the boot state value indicates one of the following virtual machine states:\na boot success state;\na boot in-progress state;\nand a boot error state.",
"42. The processor-readable storage medium of claim 41, wherein if the virtual machine has been running for a time greater than a predetermined time quantum and has not reached a boot success state, the instructions further comprise instructions to determine that the virtual machine is in a boot error state.",
"43. The processor-readable storage medium of claim 37, wherein the instructions further comprise instructions to:\ncapture, when the boot state value is a boot error state, a screenshot image file representing the virtual machine display output and generate an error report associated with the captured screenshot image file representing the virtual machine display output and the backup image file.",
"44. The processor-readable storage medium of claim 43, wherein the instructions further comprise instructions to:\nperform, on the screenshot image file representing the virtual machine display output of the virtual machine in a boot error state, automated optical character recognition in order to determine a boot error message; and\nassociate the boot error message with the error report.",
"45. The processor-readable storage medium of claim 37, wherein the backup image file is in the form of a virtual hard drive file.",
"46. The processor-readable storage medium of claim 45, wherein the virtual hard drive file is in the form of at least one of the following:\na Virtual Hard Disk (VHD) file; and\na Virtual Machine Disk (VMDK) file.",
"47. The processor-readable storage medium of claim 37, wherein the backup image file is in the form of a raw data file.",
"48. The processor-readable storage medium of claim 47, wherein the raw data file is the same size as the source bootable block storage device.",
"49. The processor-readable storage medium of claim 47, wherein the raw data file is a sparse file that excludes a plurality of empty portions of the source bootable block storage device.",
"50. The processor-readable storage medium of claim 47, wherein the instructions further comprise instructions to:\nappend or prepend metadata about the source bootable block storage device to the raw data file to create a Virtual Hard Disk (VHD) file.",
"51. The processor-readable storage medium of claim 37, wherein the plurality of virtual CPU register values are the virtual CPU register values retrieved from the hypervisor for a single virtual CPU register during a time quantum.",
"52. The processor-readable storage medium of claim 51, wherein the plurality of virtual CPU register values are retrieved by repeatedly querying the hypervisor, during the time quantum, for the current virtual CPU register values of the virtual machine.",
"53. The processor-readable storage medium of claim 37, wherein the instructions further comprise instructions to:\nprovide the screenshot image file representing the virtual machine display output to a user as evidence of a successful test of the backup image file, wherein the screenshot image file representing the virtual machine display output is a screenshot of an operating system login screen for an operating system represented by the backup image file.",
"54. The processor-readable storage medium of claim 37, wherein the instructions further comprise instructions to:\ntransmit a capture command to the hypervisor, wherein in response to the capture command the hypervisor retrieves the current output of a virtual display output for the virtual machine and wherein the virtual display output is captured as an image file in the form of one of the following: a JPEG file; a GIF file; and a PNG file."
],
[
"1. A method, comprising:\ngranting a baseboard management controller to enter a boot up procedure that executes a power on self-test;\nreceiving a request from the baseboard management controller for a run time operation at which an operating system is executed;\npredicting a run time value of an electrical power needed by the baseboard management controller for the run time operation;\ndenying the request from the baseboard management controller for the run time operation in response to the run time value of the electrical power being greater than an available electrical power that is available from a power supply unit; and\nexecuting a halt event that prevents the baseboard management controller from transitioning from the boot up procedure to the run time operation at which the operating system is executed.",
"2. The method of claim 1, further comprising comparing a threshold value to the run time value of the electrical power needed by the baseboard management controller for the run time operation.",
"3. The method of claim 1, further comprising maintaining the baseboard management controller at a boot value associated with the boot up procedure.",
"4. The method of claim 1, further comprising granting the baseboard management controller to consume the electrical power needed for the boot up procedure.",
"5. The method of claim 1, further comprising sending a denial via an interface to the baseboard management controller, the denial denying the request from the baseboard management controller for the run time operation.",
"6. The method of claim 1, further comprising maintaining the baseboard management controller at a power consumption associated with the boot up procedure.",
"7. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining the run time value of the electrical power needed by the baseboard management controller based on at least one of a number of central processing units and the number of dual inline memory modules.",
"8. A server ecosystem, comprising:\na hardware processor; and\na memory device accessible to the hardware processor, the memory device storing instructions that when executed cause the hardware processor to perform operations including:\ngranting a request from a baseboard management controller for an electrical power associated with a boot-up operation that executes a power on self-test;\nreceiving a subsequent request from the baseboard management controller for a run time operation at which an operating system is executed;\npredicting a run time value of the electrical power needed by the baseboard management controller for the run time operation;\ndetermining the run time value of the electrical power needed by the baseboard management controller for the run time operation exceeds an available electrical power that is available from a power supply unit; and\nsending a denial that causes the baseboard management controller to execute a halt event, the halt event preventing the baseboard management controller from transitioning from the boot up procedure to the run time operation at which the operating system is executed.",
"9. The server ecosystem of claim 8, wherein the operations further include comparing a threshold value to the run time value of the electrical power needed by the baseboard management controller for the run time operation.",
"10. The server ecosystem of claim 8, wherein the operations further include approving a boot value of the electrical power associated with the boot up procedure.",
"11. The server ecosystem of claim 8, wherein the operations further maintaining the baseboard management controller at the boot value associated with the boot up procedure.",
"12. The server ecosystem of claim 8, wherein the operations further include sending the denial via an interface to the baseboard management controller.",
"13. The server ecosystem of claim 8, wherein the operations further include determining the run time value of the electrical power needed by the baseboard management controller based on a number of central processing units.",
"14. The server ecosystem of claim 8, wherein the operations further include determining the run time value of the electrical power needed by the baseboard management controller based on a number of dual inline memory modules.",
"15. A memory device storing instructions that when executed cause a hardware processor to perform operations, the operations comprising:\ngranting a request from a baseboard management controller for an electrical power associated with a boot-up operation that executes a power on self-test;\nreceiving a subsequent request from the baseboard management controller for a run time operation at which an operating system is executed;\npredicting a run time value of the electrical power needed by the baseboard management controller for the run time operation;\ndetermining the run time value of the electrical power needed by the baseboard management controller for the run time operation exceeds an available electrical power that is available from a power supply unit; and\nsending a denial that causes the baseboard management controller to execute a halt event, the halt event preventing the baseboard management controller from transitioning from the boot up procedure to the run time operation at which the operating system is executed.",
"16. The memory device of claim 15, wherein the operations further include comparing a threshold value to the run time value of the electrical power needed by the baseboard management controller for the run time operation.",
"17. The memory device of claim 15, wherein the operations further include approving a boot value of the electrical power associated with the boot up procedure.",
"18. The memory device of claim 15, wherein the operations further include maintaining the baseboard management controller at the boot value associated with the boot up procedure.",
"19. The memory device of claim 15, wherein the operations further include sending the denial via an interface to the baseboard management controller.",
"20. The memory device of claim 15, wherein the operations further include determining the run time value of the electrical power needed by the baseboard management controller based on at least one of a number of central processing units and the number of dual inline memory modules."
],
[
"1. An information handling system (IHS), comprising:\na platform controller hub (PCH);\nan embedded controller (EC) including a processing device, read only memory (ROM) and random access memory (RAM), wherein the processing device is configured to execute a boot block stored in ROM to initiate a boot process for the IHS;\na Flash memory device storing EC application firmware, boot firmware and backup boot firmware, which is identical to the boot firmware; and\na Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) bus that directly connects the EC to the Flash memory device during a portion of the boot process when the PCH is in reset; and\nwherein the EC is configured to bypass the PCH and directly access the Flash memory device via the SPI bus while the PCH is in reset to retrieve the EC application firmware from the Flash memory device, store a local copy of the EC application firmware in RAM and execute the local copy of the EC application firmware.",
"2. The information handling system as recited in claim 1, wherein the local copy of the EC application firmware stored in RAM comprises boot recovery firmware, which is executable by the processing device to restore the boot firmware if the boot firmware is determined to be damaged or corrupt.",
"3. The information handling system as recited in claim 2, wherein the boot recovery firmware is executable by the processing device to restore the boot firmware upon: receiving a command or a flag from another information handling system component, detecting a Hot key trigger, or detecting a timer expiration indicating that a problem has occurred with the boot process.",
"4. The information handling system as recited in claim 2, wherein the boot recovery firmware is executable by the processing device to:\nperform an integrity check on the boot firmware stored in the Flash memory device to determine if the boot firmware is damaged or corrupt; and\nrestore the boot firmware if the integrity check returns an error.",
"5. The information handling system as recited in claim 4, wherein the boot recovery firmware is executable to perform the integrity check by applying a cryptographic hash function to a payload of the boot firmware.",
"6. The information handling system as recited in claim 2, wherein the boot recovery firmware is executable by the processing device to restore the boot firmware by copying contents of a region of the Flash memory device comprising backup boot firmware into a region of the Flash memory device comprising the boot firmware.",
"7. The information handling system as recited in claim 2, wherein the boot recovery firmware is executable by the processing device to check the integrity of other firmware regions within the Flash memory device and to restore one or more of the other firmware regions if they are damaged or corrupt.",
"8. The information handling system as recited in claim 2, wherein the boot recovery firmware is executable by the processing device to restore the boot firmware, if the boot firmware is damaged or corrupt, before the PCH comes out of reset and before a central processing unit (CPU) of the IHS begins executing the boot firmware stored in the Flash memory device.",
"9. The information handling system as recited in claim 2, wherein SPI bus directly connecting the EC to the Flash memory device is closed before a central processing unit (CPU) of the IHS begins executing the boot firmware stored in the Flash memory device.",
"10. A method performed by an embedded controller (EC) of an information handling system (IHS) during a boot process to restore firmware contained within one or more regions of a Flash memory device of the IHS, the method comprising:\naccessing the Flash memory device via a Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) bus, which directly connects the EC to the Flash memory device, to retrieve a copy of EC application firmware stored within an EC firmware region of the Flash memory device;\nstoring the copy of the EC application firmware in random access memory (RAM); and\nexecuting the copy of the EC application firmware stored in RAM to restore firmware contained within one or more regions of the Flash memory device if the firmware contained therein is determined to be damaged or corrupt.",
"11. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein the embedded controller performs said accessing, storing and executing before a platform controller hub (PCH) of the IHS comes out of reset and assumes control of the Flash memory device.",
"12. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein the embedded controller performs said executing upon: receiving a command or a flag from another information handling system component, detecting a Hot key trigger, or detecting a timer expiration indicating that a problem has occurred with the boot process.",
"13. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein said executing comprises:\nperforming an integrity check on the firmware contained within one or more regions of the Flash memory device to determine if the firmware contained therein is damaged or corrupt; and\nrestoring the firmware if the integrity check returns an error.",
"14. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein said performing an integrity check comprises applying a cryptographic hash function to the firmware contained within one or more regions of the Flash memory device.",
"15. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein if the firmware contained within one or more regions of the Flash memory device is determined to be damaged or corrupt, the embedded controller restores the firmware by copying a backup copy of the firmware, which is stored within another region of the Flash memory device, into the one or more regions of the Flash memory device.",
"16. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein the embedded controller performs said executing to restore boot firmware, which is stored within a boot firmware region of the Flash memory device, if the boot firmware is determined to be damaged or corrupt.",
"17. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein the embedded controller performs said executing to restore the boot firmware, if the boot firmware is determined to be damaged or corrupt, before a central processing unit (CPU) of the IHS begins executing the boot firmware within the boot firmware region of the Flash memory device.",
"18. The method as recited in claim 16, further comprising closing the SPI bus directly connecting the EC to the Flash memory device before a central processing unit (CPU) of the IHS begins executing the boot firmware within the boot firmware region of the Flash memory device.",
"19. The method as recited in claim 10, further comprising performing an integrity check on the EC application firmware stored within the EC firmware region of the Flash memory device before retrieving the copy of EC application firmware.",
"20. The method as recited in claim 19, wherein if the integrity check determines that the EC application firmware is damaged or corrupt, the method further comprises:\naccessing the Flash memory device, via SPI bus, to retrieve a backup copy of the EC application firmware from the Flash memory device;\nstoring the backup copy of the EC application firmware in RAM; and\nexecuting the backup copy of the EC application firmware stored in RAM to restore firmware contained within one or more regions of the Flash memory device if the firmware contained therein is determined to be damaged or corrupt.",
"21. An information handling system (IHS), comprising:\na platform controller hub (PCH);\nan embedded controller (EC) including a processing device, read only memory (ROM) and random access memory (RAM), wherein the processing device is configured to execute a boot block stored in ROM to initiate a boot process for the IHS;\na Flash memory device storing EC application firmware within an EC firmware region of the Flash memory device; and\na Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) bus that directly connects the EC to the Flash memory device during a portion of the boot process when the PCH is in reset; and\nwherein the EC is configured to bypass the PCH and directly access the Flash memory device via the SPI bus while the PCH is in reset to retrieve the EC application firmware from the Flash memory device, store a local copy of the EC application firmware in RAM and execute the local copy of the EC application firmware; and\nwherein the local copy of the EC application firmware stored in RAM is executable by the processing device to restore firmware contained within one or more regions of the Flash memory device if the firmware contained therein is determined to be damaged or corrupt.",
"22. The information handling system as recited in claim 21, wherein the Flash memory device stores boot firmware; and wherein the local copy of the EC application firmware stored in RAM is executable by the processing device to restore the boot firmware stored within the Flash memory device if the boot firmware is determined to be damaged or corrupt."
],
[
"1. A method for fault location in a boot process of a server, comprising:\ndividing a whole boot process of the server into a plurality of stages in advance, and setting a respective fault monitoring policy for each of the stages;\nwhen the boot process of the server proceeds to a target stage, monitoring current boot process of the server according to a fault monitoring policy corresponding to the target stage, and obtaining a fault monitoring result corresponding to the target stage, wherein the target stage is any of the stages divided from the whole boot process of the server;\nperforming, based on the obtained fault monitoring result, fault location of the server in response to a boot failure of the server.",
"2. The method for fault location in the boot process of the server according to claim 1, wherein the dividing a whole boot process of the server into a plurality of stages comprises:\ndividing the whole boot process of the server into a power-on mode entry stage, a hardware power-on stage, a basic input output system (BIOS) self-test stage, a BIOS running stage and an operating system (OS) boot stage.",
"3. The method for fault location in the boot process of the server according to claim 2, wherein the server comprises a complex programmable logic device (CPLD) and a management engine (ME) unit, wherein the CPLD is configured to receive a button signal of a power button and transmit the button signal to the ME unit via pass-through, the ME unit is configured to return a power-on boot signal to the CPLD to complete the power-on mode entry stage in response to receiving the button signal;\nwherein a corresponding process of setting a fault monitoring policy for the power-on mode entry stage comprises:\nstarting timing since the button signal is received by the CPLD, and determining whether the power-on boot signal is sent by the ME unit when the timing time reaches a pre-set time TO;\nin response to the power-on boot signal being sent, determining that the ME unit runs normally;\nin response to no power-on boot signal being sent, determining that the ME unit fails to run.",
"4. The method for fault location in the boot process of the server according to claim 3, wherein the server further comprises a storage chip that is connected to the ME unit via a channel switching device and is used for storing a ME image file;\nwherein the method for fault location in the boot process of the server further comprises:\nin response to determining that the ME unit fails to run, determining whether a running state of the ME unit is available;\nin response to the running state of the ME unit being available, determining that a running abnormity exists in the ME unit when the running state is abnormal;\nin response to the running state of the ME unit being not available, determining whether a power supply voltage of the storage chip is normal;\nin response to the power supply voltage being abnormal, determining that a peripheral circuit of the storage chip is abnormal;\nin response to the power supply voltage being normal, determining that the peripheral circuit of the storage chip is normal, and establishing a communication with the storage chip by controlling the channel switching device, and determining whether the storage chip is accessible;\nin response to the storage chip being not accessible, determining that the storage chip is abnormal;\nin response to the storage chip being accessible, determining that the storage chip is normal, and determining whether the ME image file in the storage chip is available;\nin response to the ME image file in the storage chip being not available, determining that the ME image file is missing in the storage chip;\nin response to the ME image file in the storage chip being available, performing data verification on the ME image file in the storage chip, in response to a verification failure, determining that the ME image file in the storage chip is damaged, and flashing the storage chip according to system backups of the ME image file, and rebooting;\nin response to determining that an abnormality still exists after rebooting, determining that the ME unit itself malfunctions.",
"5. The method for fault location in the boot process of the server according to claim 4, wherein a power supply system of the server comprises a power supply unit (PSU) and a plurality of voltage regulated (VR) power supply chips connected to the PSU, wherein each of the VR power supply chips configured to supply power to a respective component of the server;\nand the CPLD is further configured to: send a main power enable signal to the PSU after receiving the power-on boot signal; successively send a chip enable signal to the plurality of VR power supply chips after receiving a power good (PG) signal returned from the PSU; and send, after receiving the PG signals returned by all the VR power supply chips, a power OK signal to complete the hardware power-on stage; the CPLD, after being updated in version, is further configured to record an abnormal situation, where the PSU or any of the VR power supply chip fails to return the PG signal on time, to a state register of the CPLD correspondingly, and successively control the VR power supply chips and the PSU that are powered on to perform a power-off operation;\na corresponding process of setting a fault monitoring policy for the hardware power-on stage comprises:\nstarting timing since the power-on boot signal is sent by the ME unit, and determining whether the power OK signal is sent by the CPLD when the timing time reaches a pre-set time T1;\nin response to the power OK signal being sent, determining that a mainboard hardware of the server is powered on normally;\nin response to no power OK signal being sent, determining that the mainboard hardware of the server is not powered on normally, and determining whether the CPLD has an abnormality recording function according to a version number of the CPLD;\nin response to the CPLD having the abnormality recording function, reading the state register of the CPLD to determine an abnormal condition of the PSU or the VR power supply chips, and in response to the VR power supply chip being abnormal, analyzing a fault cause of the abnormal VR power supply chip according to the register state of the abnormal VR power supply chip;\nin response to the CPLD without the abnormality recording function, reading the state register of the PSU and the VR power supply chips to determine the abnormal condition of the PSU or the VR power supply chips, and in response to the VR power supply chip being abnormal, analyzing the fault cause of the abnormal VR power supply chip according to the register state of the abnormal VR power supply chip.",
"6. The method for fault location in the boot process of the server according to claim 5, wherein the analyzing the fault cause of the abnormal VR power supply chip according to the register state of the abnormal VR power supply chip comprises:\nin response to determining, based on the register state of the abnormal VR power supply chip, that the abnormal VR power supply chip has a phase fault, determining that a metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) tube of the abnormal VR power supply chip is damaged;\nin response to determining, based on the register state of the abnormal VR power supply chip, that the abnormal VR power supply chip has an input undervoltage, checking whether a voltage of an upper level VR power supply chip of the abnormal VR power supply chip is normal, in response to the voltage of the upper level VR power supply chip being normal, determining that a fault exists in a link between the abnormal VR power supply chip and the upper level VR power supply chip;\nin response to determining, based on the register state of the abnormal VR power supply chip, that the abnormal VR power supply chip has an over current protection (OCP), checking a next level circuit of the abnormal VR power supply chip;\nin response to the next level circuit being a VR power supply chip, testing whether the next level VR power supply chip is accessible or whether a working state of thereof is abnormal, in response to the next level VR power supply chip being not accessible or having a phase fault, determining that the mainboard needs to be replaced;\nin response to the next level circuit being a direct component that is not accessible, determining that the direct component needs to be replaced and recording a position or number of the direct component.",
"7. The method for fault location in the boot process of the server according to claim 5, wherein a central processing unit (CPU) of the server is configured to start to work and boot a basic input output system (BIOS) after the power OK signal is sent by the CPLD; the BIOS is configured to perform a program self-test after being booted, and send a self-test signal after the program self-test is completed to complete the BIOS self-test stage;\na corresponding process of setting a fault monitoring policy for the BIOS self-test stage comprises:\nstarting timing since the power OK signal is sent by the CPLD, and determining whether the self-test signal is sent by the BIOS when the timing time reaches a pre-set time T2;\nin response to the self-test signal being sent by the BIOS, determining that the program of the BIOS is completely trusted;\nin response to no self-test signal being sent by the BIOS, determining that a problem exists in the program of the BIOS.",
"8. The method for fault location in the boot process of the server according to claim 7, wherein the storage chip is configured to store a BIOS image file;\nwherein the method for fault location in the boot process of the server further comprises:\nin response to determining that a problem exists in the program of the BIOS, determining whether power-on self-test (POST) code data of the BIOS is available;\nin response to the POST code data being available, determining a fault cause of the program self-test of the BIOS according to the POST code data;\nin response to the POST code data being not available, determining whether a power supply circuit related to the program self-test of the BIOS supplies power abnormally;\nin response to determining that the power supply circuit related to the program self-test of the BIOS supplies power abnormally, performing fault cause analysis on the power supply abnormality of the power supply circuit;\nin response to determining that the power supply circuit related to the program self-test of the BIOS supplies power normally, establishing a communication with the storage chip by controlling the channel switching device, and determining whether the BIOS image file in the storage chip is accessible;\nin response to the BIOS image file being not accessible, determining that the BIOS image file is missing in the storage chip;\nin response to the BIOS image file being accessible, performing data verification on the BIOS image file in the storage chip, and determining whether the verification is successful;\nin response to the verification being successful, performing a system reboot operation, and notifying a personnel to perform fault analysis when the boot fails after multiple reboots;\nin response to the verification being unsuccessful, determining that the BIOS image file in the storage chip is damaged, and flashing the storage chip according to system backups of the BIOS image file and rebooting.",
"9. The method for fault location in the boot process of the server according to claim 7, wherein the BIOS is further configured to: enter a running stage after the program self-test of the BIOS is completed; and send a boot complete signal after the running is completed to complete the BIOS running stage;\na corresponding process of setting a fault monitoring policy for the BIOS running stage comprises:\nstarting timing since the self-test signal is sent by the BIOS, and determining whether the boot complete signal is sent by the BIOS when the timing time reaches a pre-set time T3;\nin response to the boot complete signal being sent by the BIOS, determining that the BIOS runs normally;\nin response to no boot complete signal being sent by the BIOS, determining that the BIOS runs abnormally, and reading the POST fault code and/or BIOS fault register data corresponding to the BIOS, so as to perform fault location of the BIOS according to the POST fault code and/or the BIOS fault register data.",
"10. The method for fault location in the boot process of the server according to claim 9, wherein the BIOS is further configured to guide, after the running of the BIOS being completed, the operating system (OS) to boot; the OS is configured to send, after ipmitool driver installed being loaded, a boot OK signal to complete the OS boot stage;\na corresponding process of setting a fault monitoring policy for the OS boot stage comprises:\nstarting timing since the boot complete signal is sent by the BIOS, and determining whether the boot OK signal is sent by the OS when the timing time reaches a pre-set time T4;\nin response to the boot OK signal being sent by the OS, determining that the OS boots successfully;\nin response to no boot OK signal being sent by the OS, determining that the OS fails to boot.",
"11. The method for fault location in the boot process of the server according to claim 10, wherein the server further comprises an interface for modifying the pre-set time T4.",
"12. The method for fault location in the boot process of the server according to claim 9, wherein the BIOS is further configured to guide the OS to boot after the running of the BIOS is completed;\na corresponding process of setting a fault monitoring policy for the OS boot stage comprises:\nmonitoring a system log record transmitted via a system serial port after the OS boots, and determining whether an error information exists in the system log record within a pre-set monitoring time;\nin response to no error information existing in the system log record, determining that the OS boots successfully;\nin response to an error information existing in the system log record, determining that the OS fails to boot, and performing fault location based on the error information and historical system log records.",
"14. An apparatus for fault location in a boot process of a server, comprising:\na memory for storing a computer program; and\na processor,\nwherein the computer program, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to perform operations of:\ndividing a whole boot process of the server into a plurality of stages in advance, and setting a respective fault monitoring policy for each of the stages;\nwhen the boot process of the server proceeds to a target stage, monitoring current boot process of the server according to a fault monitoring policy corresponding to the target stage, and obtaining a fault monitoring result corresponding to the target stage, wherein the target stage is any of the stages divided from the whole boot process of the server;\nperforming, based on the obtained fault monitoring result, fault location of the server in response to a boot failure of the server.",
"15. The method for fault location in the boot process of the server according to claim 7, wherein the self-test signal is sent by the BIOS after initialization of a direct communication link with a baseboard management controller (BMC) in the server, and represents that the BIOS and the BMC are allowed to directly communicate.",
"16. The method for fault location in the boot process of the server according to claim 9, wherein the BIOS running stage is further divided into a SEC (Security verification) stage, a PEI (Pre-EFI Initialization) stage, a DXE (Driver Execution Environment) stage, a BDS (Boot Device Select) stage and a TSL (Transient System Load) stage.",
"17. A non-transient computer-readable storage medium, wherein the computer-readable storage medium is stored with a computer program that, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform operations of:\ndividing a whole boot process of the server into a plurality of stages in advance, and setting a respective fault monitoring policy for each of the stages;\nwhen the boot process of the server proceeds to a target stage, monitoring current boot process of the server according to a fault monitoring policy corresponding to the target stage, and obtaining a fault monitoring result corresponding to the target stage, wherein the target stage is any of the stages divided from the whole boot process of the server;\nperforming, based on the obtained fault monitoring result, fault location of the server in response to a boot failure of the server.",
"18. The apparatus for fault location in the boot process of the server according to claim 14, wherein the processor is further configured to perform operations of:\ndividing the whole boot process of the server into a power-on mode entry stage, a hardware power-on stage, a basic input output system (BIOS) self-test stage, a BIOS running stage and an operating system (OS) boot stage.",
"19. The apparatus for fault location in the boot process of the server according to claim 18, wherein the server comprises a complex programmable logic device (CPLD) and a management engine (ME) unit, wherein the CPLD is configured to receive a button signal of a power button and transmit the button signal to the ME unit via pass-through, the ME unit is configured to return a power-on boot signal to the CPLD to complete the power-on mode entry stage in response to receiving the button signal;\nwherein the processor is further configured to perform operations of:\nstarting timing since the button signal is received by the CPLD, and determining whether the power-on boot signal is sent by the ME unit when the timing time reaches a pre-set time TO;\nin response to the power-on boot signal being sent, determining that the ME unit runs normally;\nin response to no power-on boot signal being sent, determining that the ME unit fails to run.",
"20. The apparatus for fault location in the boot process of the server according to claim 19, wherein the server further comprises a storage chip that is connected to the ME unit via a channel switching device and is used for storing a ME image file;\nwherein the processor is further configured to perform operations of:\nin response to determining that the ME unit fails to run, determining whether a running state of the ME unit is available;\nin response to the running state of the ME unit being available, determining that a running abnormity exists in the ME unit when the running state is abnormal;\nin response to the running state of the ME unit being not available, determining whether a power supply voltage of the storage chip is normal;\nin response to the power supply voltage being abnormal, determining that a peripheral circuit of the storage chip is abnormal;\nin response to the power supply voltage being normal, determining that the peripheral circuit of the storage chip is normal, and establishing a communication with the storage chip by controlling the channel switching device, and determining whether the storage chip is accessible;\nin response to the storage chip being not accessible, determining that the storage chip is abnormal;\nin response to the storage chip being accessible, determining that the storage chip is normal, and determining whether the ME image file in the storage chip is available;\nin response to the ME image file in the storage chip being not available, determining that the ME image file is missing in the storage chip;\nin response to the ME image file in the storage chip being available, performing data verification on the ME image file in the storage chip, in response to a verification failure, determining that the ME image file in the storage chip is damaged, and flashing the storage chip according to system backups of the ME image file, and rebooting;\nin response to determining that an abnormality still exists after rebooting, determining that the ME unit itself malfunctions.",
"21. The apparatus for fault location in the boot process of the server according to claim 20, wherein a power supply system of the server comprises a power supply unit (PSU) and a plurality of voltage regulated (VR) power supply chips connected to the PSU, wherein each of the VR power supply chips configured to supply power to a respective component of the server;\nand the CPLD is further configured to: send a main power enable signal to the PSU after receiving the power-on boot signal; successively send a chip enable signal to the plurality of VR power supply chips after receiving a power good (PG) signal returned from the PSU; and send, after receiving the PG signals returned by all the VR power supply chips, a power OK signal to complete the hardware power-on stage; the CPLD, after being updated in version, is further configured to record an abnormal situation, where the PSU or any of the VR power supply chip fails to return the PG signal on time, to a state register of the CPLD correspondingly, and successively control the VR power supply chips and the PSU that are powered on to perform a power-off operation;\nwherein the processor is further configured to perform operations of:\nstarting timing since the power-on boot signal is sent by the ME unit, and determining whether the power OK signal is sent by the CPLD when the timing time reaches a pre-set time T1;\nin response to the power OK signal being sent, determining that a mainboard hardware of the server is powered on normally;\nin response to no power OK signal being sent, determining that the mainboard hardware of the server is not powered on normally, and determining whether the CPLD has an abnormality recording function according to a version number of the CPLD;\nin response to the CPLD having the abnormality recording function, reading the state register of the CPLD to determine an abnormal condition of the PSU or the VR power supply chips, and in response to the VR power supply chip being abnormal, analyzing a fault cause of the abnormal VR power supply chip according to the register state of the abnormal VR power supply chip;\nin response to the CPLD without the abnormality recording function, reading the state register of the PSU and the VR power supply chips to determine the abnormal condition of the PSU or the VR power supply chips, and in response to the VR power supply chip being abnormal, analyzing the fault cause of the abnormal VR power supply chip according to the register state of the abnormal VR power supply chip."
],
[
"1. A system having multiple options for booting a remote computing device, the system comprising:\na remote management station;\na network in communication with the remote management station;\na computing device having hardware components and a Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) basic input output system (BIOS) including a plurality of power-on self-test (POST) routines; and\na controller in communication with the UEFI BIOS and in network communication with the remote management station, wherein the controller is operable to:\nreceive a selection of one of the plurality of POST routines from the management station; and\nboot-up the computing device with the selected POST routine, wherein the plurality of POST routines including a normal POST routine having a security phase, a pre-EFI initialization environment phase to initialize and configure hardware components of the computing device, a driver execution environment phase, a boot device selection phase and a transient system load phase, and a second and a third, different POST routine that each result in a faster boot-up of the computing device than the boot-up with the normal POST routine, wherein the second POST routine is a fast boot that bypasses the initialization and configuration of at least some hardware components, and the third POST routine is a safety boot that disables hardware components with faults.",
"2. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is a baseboard management controller.",
"3. The system of claim 1, wherein the computing device is a server.",
"4. The system of claim 1, wherein the selection of the POST routine is received from an in-band communication.",
"5. The system of claim 1, wherein the management station sends the selection of the POST routine with an out-of-band communication with the computing device.",
"6. The system of claim 1, wherein the selection is made by a UEFI variable.",
"7. The system of claim 1, wherein the fast boot includes:\nusing data structures stored in a persistent memory from the normal POST routine to restore registers of the computing device.",
"8. The system of claim 1, wherein the safety boot includes:\nreading an estimation report of hardware components with faults to determine functional hardware components;\nand\ninitializing the functional hardware components.",
"9. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of POST routines includes a factory provision boot including:\nloading a firmware configuration;\ndisabling an error correction mechanism; and\nallowing a stress test to be performed on the hardware components.",
"10. A system having multiple options for booting a remote computing device, the system comprising:\na remote management station;\na network in communication with the remote management station;\na computing device having hardware components and a Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) basic input output system (BIOS) including a plurality of power-on self-test (POST) routines; and\na controller in communication with the UEFI BIOS and in network communication with the remote management station, wherein the controller is operable to:\nreceive a selection of one of the plurality of POST routines from the management station; and\nboot-up the computing device with the selected POST routine, wherein the plurality of POST routines including a normal POST routine having a security phase, a pre-EFI initialization environment phase to initialize and configure hardware components of the computing device, a driver execution environment phase, a boot device selection phase and a transient system load phase, and a diagnostic option POST routine including:\ncollecting debugging messages from safe tests of the computing device; and\ncollecting hardware error status data of the hardware components.",
"11. The system of claim 10, wherein the debugging messages are generated by a JTAG master interfacing with a JTAG scan chain.",
"12. A method of selecting a boot routine for a computer device, the method comprising:\ntransmitting a selection of one of a plurality of power-on self-test (POST) routines from a remote management station to a computing device over a network, wherein the computing device includes a controller, hardware components and a Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) basic input output system (BIOS) including the plurality of power-on self-test (POST) routines;\nreceiving the selection of one of the plurality of POST routines from the management station on the controller; and\nbooting up the computing device with the selected POST routine, wherein the plurality of POST routines includes a normal POST routine having a security phase, a pre-EFI initialization environment phase to initialize and configure hardware components of the computing device, a driver execution environment phase, a boot device selection phase and a transient system load phase, and a second, and a third, different POST routine that each result in a faster boot-up of the computing device than the boot-up with the normal POST routine, wherein the second POST routine is a fast boot that bypasses the initialization and configuration of at least some hardware components, and the third POST routine is a safety boot that disables hardware components with faults.",
"13. The method of claim 12, wherein the controller is a baseboard management controller and the computing device is a server.",
"14. The method of claim 12, wherein the selection of the POST routine is sent with an in-band communication to the computing device.",
"15. The method of claim 12, wherein the selection of the POST routine is sent with an out-of-band communication with the computing device.",
"16. The method of claim 12, wherein the selection is made by setting a UEFI variable.",
"17. The method of claim 12, wherein the fast boot includes:\nusing data structures stored in a persistent memory from the normal POST routine to restore registers of the computing device.",
"18. The method of claim 12, wherein the safety boot includes:\nreading an estimation report of hardware components with faults to determine functional hardware components;\nand\ninitializing the functional hardware components.",
"19. The method of claim 12, wherein the plurality of POST routines includes a factory provision boot including:\nloading a firmware configuration;\ndisabling an error correction mechanism; and\nallowing a stress test to be performed on the hardware components.",
"20. A method of selecting a boot routine for a computer device, the method comprising:\ntransmitting a selection of one of a plurality of power-on self-test (POST) routines from a remote management station to a computing device over a network, wherein the computing device includes a controller, hardware components and a Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) basic input output system (BIOS) including the plurality of power-on self-test (POST) routines;\nreceiving the selection of one of the plurality of POST routines from the management station on the controller; and\nbooting up the computing device with the selected POST routine, wherein the plurality of POST routines including a normal POST routine having a security phase, a pre-EFI initialization environment phase to initialize and configure hardware components of the computing device, a driver execution environment phase, a boot device selection phase and a transient system load phase, and a diagnostic POST routine option including:\ncollecting debugging messages from safe tests of the computing device; and\ncollecting hardware error status data of the hardware components.",
"21. A system having multiple options for booting a remote computing device, the system comprising:\na network interface configured to communicate over a network to a remote management station;\na plurality of hardware components;\na Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) basic input output system (BIOS) including a plurality of power-on self-test (POST) routines; and\na controller in communication with the UEFI BIOS and in network communication with the remote management station via the network interface, wherein the controller is operable to:\nreceive a selection of one of the plurality of POST routines from the management station; and\nboot-up the computing device with the selected POST routine, wherein the plurality of POST routines including a normal POST routine having a security phase, a pre-EFI initialization environment phase to initialize and configure the hardware components, a driver execution environment phase, a boot device selection phase and a transient system load phase, and a second, and a third, different POST routine that each result in a faster boot-up of the computing device than the boot-up with the normal POST routine, wherein the second POST routine is a fast boot that bypasses the initialization and configuration of at least some hardware components, and the third POST routine is a safety boot that disables hardware components with faults."
],
[
"1. A method for operating a radar device, the radar device having a transmitter and a receiver, the method comprising:\ngenerating a chirp signal based on a local oscillator (LO) signal, wherein the LO signal is a frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) signal;\nsecondary modulating the chirp signal by periodically switching a transmitter component control signal to produce an output signal;\ntransmitting the output signal on a transmitting antenna of the radar device;\nreceiving an echo signal on a receiving antenna of the radar device;\ndownmixing an amplified version of the echo signal with the LO signal to produce a low frequency signal; and\noutputting an error detection signal based on spectral components of the low frequency signal, wherein the spectral components correspond to the secondary modulating.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the secondary modulating comprises phase modulating an amplified version of the chirp signal.",
"3. The method of claim 2, wherein the error detection signal indicates an error is detected when a spectral density of the low frequency signal that corresponds to the phase modulating exceeds an expected threshold.",
"4. The method of claim 2, wherein the phase modulating comprises providing the amplified version of the chirp signal to a phase shifter of the transmitter, providing a periodically switched phase control signal to the phase shifter to produce a phase modulated signal as the output signal.",
"5. The method of claim 2, wherein the phase modulating comprises providing the amplified version of the chirp signal on a transmit path to the transmitting antenna, and providing a periodically switched control signal to impedance-altering circuitry of the transmit path to produce a phase modulated signal as the output signal.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein the secondary modulating comprises amplitude modulating the chirp signal.",
"7. The method of claim 6, wherein the error detection signal indicates an error is detected when component frequencies of the low frequency signal that correspond to the amplitude modulating exceed an expected threshold.",
"8. The method of claim 6, wherein the amplitude modulating comprises providing the chirp signal to a power amplifier of the transmitter, and providing a periodically switched gain control signal to the power amplifier to produce an amplitude modulated signal as the output signal.",
"9. The method of claim 1, wherein the chirp signal comprises the LO signal.",
"10. The method of claim 1, wherein the chirp signal comprises an upmixed version of the LO signal.",
"11. A radar device comprising:\na transmitter configured to generate a chirp signal based on a local oscillator (LO) signal, wherein the LO signal is a frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) signal;\ncontrol logic circuitry coupled to the transmitter by a plurality of control signals, wherein the control logic circuitry is configured to provide a periodically switched control signal to the transmitter to secondary modulate the chirp signal to produce an output signal, and wherein the transmitter is further configured to transmit the output signal;\na receiver configured to receive an echo signal, the receiver comprising a mixer configured to downmix an amplified version of the echo signal with the LO signal to produce a low frequency signal; and\nan analysis circuit configured to output an error detection signal based on spectral components of the low frequency signal, wherein the spectral components correspond to the secondary modulation.",
"12. The radar device of claim 11, wherein the transmitter is controlled to perform phase modulation to produce the output signal, one or more parasitic paths between the transmitter and the receiver introduces phase noise to the echo signal, and the error detection signal indicates an error is detected when a spectral density of the low frequency signal that corresponds to the phase modulation exceeds an expected threshold.",
"13. The radar device of claim 11, wherein the transmitter further comprises:\na phase shifter configured to receive an amplified version of the chirp signal, wherein the control logic circuitry is configured to provide a periodically switched phase control signal to the phase shifter to produce a phase modulated signal as the output signal.",
"14. The radar device of claim 11, wherein the transmitter further comprises:\na transmit path to a transmitting antenna, wherein the control logic circuitry is configured to provide a periodically switched control signal to impedance-altering circuitry of the transmit path to produce a phase modulated signal as the output signal.",
"15. The radar device of claim 11, wherein the transmitter is controlled to perform amplitude modulation to produce the output signal, one or more parasitic paths between the transmitter and the receiver introduces amplitude noise to the echo signal, and the error detection signal indicates an error is detected when component frequencies of the low frequency signal that correspond to the amplitude modulation exceed an expected threshold.",
"16. The radar device of claim 11, wherein the transmitter further comprises:\na power amplifier configured to output an amplified version of the chirp signal, wherein the control logic circuitry is configured to provide a periodically switched gain control signal to the power amplifier to produce an amplitude modulated signal as the output signal.",
"17. The radar device of claim 11, further comprising:\nfunctional safety logic circuitry communicatively coupled to an automotive processing unit, wherein the functional safety logic circuitry is configured to communicate a present self-test status of the radar device based on the error detection signal received from the analysis circuit.",
"18. The radar device of claim 17, wherein\nthe secondary modulation of the chirp signal is performed as part of a test mode, and\nthe test mode is performed at one or more of a startup of the radar device, a reset of the radar device, after a predetermined number of functional chirp signals have been transmitted during an application mode of the radar device, and after a periodic expiration time.",
"19. The radar device of claim 17, wherein\nthe functional safety logic circuitry is further configured to perform one of a group of actions including: restart the radar device, power down the radar device, communicate a not-ready status to the automotive processing unit, communicate a failure status to the automotive processing unit, and communicate an indication to switch over to another radar device to the automotive processing unit.",
"20. The radar device of claim 17, wherein\nthe functional safety logic circuitry is further configured to analyze one or more present values of the spectral components to determine whether a particular error of the radar device is indicated, and\nthe spectral components of the low frequency signal correspond to one or more of a group including: output power of the transmitter, output power of the receiver, and impedance matching of the transmitter to a transmitting antenna."
],
[
"1. A method for remote deployment of an operating system (OS) in an electronic device, the method comprising:\ninitializing a baseboard management controller (BMC) of the electronic device during a boot operation of the electronic device, the BMC being set as a first bootable component in an order of initialization of hardware components of the electronic device during the boot operation;\nreceiving a remote server information indicative of a network address of a remote server and a path directed to boot files of the OS stored in the remote server, the boot files being for deployment of the OS in the electronic device;\ndownloading the boot files from the remote server over a dedicated communication channel associated with the BMC, based on the remote server information;\nexecuting the boot files to deploy the OS in the electronic device; and\ndeprioritizing the BMC in the order of initialization, after successful deployment of the OS in the electronic device.",
"2. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:\ngenerating the order of initialization during a power on self-test (POST) of the electronic device; and\ndetecting the BMC as the first bootable component in the order of initialization, prior to initializing the BMC.",
"3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the path includes a boot folder name and a boot file name.",
"4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the network address of the remote server is one of an Internet Protocol (IP) address and a Fully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN) of the remote server.",
"5. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the dedicated communication channel establishes a connection between the electronic device and the remote server, based on one of the IP address and the FQDN of the remote server and an IP address of the BMC.",
"6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dedicated communication channel is an Out-of-Band channel for management of the BMC.",
"7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the downloading the boot files comprises transfer of the boot files from the remote server to the electronic device in an encrypted format using the hypertext transfer protocol secure (HTTPS).",
"8. An electronic device comprising:\na processor; and\na memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to:\ngenerate a boot sequence during a power on self-test (POST) of the electronic device, the boot sequence indicative of an order of initialization of hardware components of the electronic device during a boot operation, wherein in the boot sequence a baseboard management controller (BMC) of the electronic device is set as a first bootable component;\ninitialize the BMC based on the boot sequence;\nreceive a remote server information indicative of a network address of a remote server and a path directed to boot files of an OS stored in the remote server, the boot files being for deployment of the OS in the electronic device;\ndownload the boot files from the remote server over a dedicated communication channel associated with the BMC, based on the remote server information;\nexecute the boot files to deploy the OS in the electronic device; and\ndeprioritize the BMC in the boot sequence, after successful deployment of the OS in the electronic device.",
"9. The electronic device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the processor is further to:\ndetect the BMC as the first bootable component in the boot sequence, prior to initializing the BMC.",
"10. The electronic device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the path includes a boot folder name and a boot file name.",
"11. The electronic device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the network address of the remote server is one of an Internet Protocol (IP) address and a Fully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN) of the remote server.",
"12. The electronic device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the dedicated communication channel establishes a connection between the electronic device and the remote server, based on one of the IP address and the FQDN of the remote server and an IP address of the BMC.",
"13. The electronic device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the dedicated communication channel is an Out-of-Band channel for management of the BMC.",
"14. The electronic device as claimed in claim 8, wherein to download the boot files, the processor is to transfer the boot files from the remote server to the electronic device in an encrypted format using the hypertext transfer protocol secure (HTTPS).",
"15. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising computer-readable instructions for remote deployment of an operating system (OS) in an electronic device, the computer-readable instructions when executed by a processor, cause the processor to:\ndetect a baseboard management controller (BMC) of the electronic device as a first bootable component in an order of initialization of hardware components of the electronic device during a boot operation;\ninitialize the BMC based on the order of initialization;\nreceive a remote server information indicative of a network address of a remote server and a path directed to boot files of the OS stored in the remote server, the boot files being for deployment of the OS in the electronic device;\ndownload the boot files from the remote server over a dedicated communication channel associated with the BMC, based on the remote server information;\nexecute the boot files to deploy the OS in the electronic device; and\ndeprioritize the BMC in the order of initialization, after successful deployment of the OS in the electronic device.",
"16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium as claimed in claim 15, wherein the computer-readable instructions when executed by the processor, further cause the processor to:\ngenerate the order of initialization during a power on self-test (POST) of the electronic device.",
"17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium as claimed in claim 15, wherein the instructions to download the boot files, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to transfer the boot files from the remote server to the electronic device in an encrypted format using the hypertext transfer protocol secure (HTTPS)."
],
[
"1. A method for detecting state and sparing of optical Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCI-Express or PCIE) cable channels attached to an IO drawer in a computer system, said computer system including a processor, a PCIE host bridge (PHB), said PHB connected to said processor and a PCIE link, said method comprising:\nproviding system firmware for implementing health check functions and detecting state and sparing functions;\nproviding at least one optical cable coupled between the PHB and a PCIE enclosure for PCIE bidirectional traffic and sideband communication, each optical cable including at least one spare optical channel;\nstarting a health check;\nidentifying, based on the health check, a degraded PCIE link;\nresponsive to identifying the degraded PCIE link, interrogating predefined components;\ndetermining, based on the interrogating, that a faulted optical channel exists;\nidentifying the faulted optical channel; and\nrerouting the faulted optical channel to a spare optical channel using lane sparing hardware on both ends of said at least one optical cable.",
"2. The method as recited in claim 1, includes providing each optical cable with a plurality of optical channels for said PCIE bidirectional traffic and sideband communication and said plurality of optical channels including said at least one spare optical channel.",
"3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein identifying a faulted optical channel and rerouting the faulted optical channel to a spare optical channel includes providing said lane sparing hardware on both ends of each optical cable.",
"4. The method as recited in claim 3, wherein providing said lane sparing hardware includes providing a lane sparing hardware control device used for rerouting the faulted optical channel to a spare optical channel.",
"5. The method as recited in claim 4, includes providing a set of PCIE lane multiplexers and said lane sparing hardware control device being programmed by said system firmware implementing health check functions and detecting state and sparing functions.",
"6. The method as recited in claim 5, includes providing a port expander device used to control said set of PCIE lane multiplexers, said port expander device being programmed by said system firmware for changing input to output mapping of the PCIE lane multiplexers for rerouting the faulted optical channel to the spare optical channel.",
"7. The method as recited in claim 6, includes controlling said port expander using sideband signals.",
"8. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein starting a health check for identifying a degraded PCIE link includes providing periodic polling and interrupts from PCIE errors.",
"9. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein using lane sparing hardware on both ends of said at least one optical cable includes reading retimer registers, and interrogating optical transmitters to identify a faulted optical channel.",
"10. A computer system for detecting state and sparing of optical Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCI-Express or PCIE) cable channels attached to an I0 drawer, comprising:\na processor;\na PCIE host bridge (PHB), the PHB connected to the processor and a PCIE link;\none or more optical cables connected to the PCIE link and coupled between the PHB and a PCIE enclosure for PCIE bidirectional traffic and sideband communication, each optical cable including:\nat least one spare optical channel; and\nlane sparing hardware on both ends of the optical cable; and system firmware for implementing health check functions and detecting state and sparing functions; and\nwherein the processor is configured to use the system firmware for:\nstarting a health check;\nidentifying, based on the health check, a degraded PCIE link;\nresponsive to identifying the degraded PCIE link, interrogating predefined components;\ndetermining, based on the interrogating, that a faulted optical channel exists;\nidentifying the faulted optical channel; and\nrerouting the faulted optical channel to a spare optical channel using the lane sparing hardware on both ends of at least one of the one or more optical cables.",
"11. The computer system of claim 10, wherein each of the one or more optical cables further includes a plurality of optical channels for the PCIE bidirectional traffic and sideband communication.",
"12. The computer system of claim 10, wherein the lane sparing hardware includes a lane sparing hardware control device used to reroute the failed optical channel to the spare optical channel.",
"13. The computer system of claim 12, wherein:\nthe lane sparing hardware includes a set of PCIE multiplexers; and the lane sparing control device is used to control the set of PCIE multiplexers.",
"14. The computer system of claim 13, further comprising a port expander device used to control the set of PCIE lane multiplexers, wherein the port expander device is programmed by the system firmware for changing input to output mapping of the PCIE lane multiplexers for rerouting the faulted optical channel to the spare optical channel.",
"15. The computer system of claim 10, wherein starting a health check includes providing periodic polling and interrupts from PCIE errors.",
"16. The computer system of claim 10, wherein using lane sparing hardware on both ends of the at least one optical cable includes reading retimer registers and interrogating optical transmitters to identify the faulted optical channel.",
"17. A computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith, the program instructions executable by a processor to cause the processor to perform a method for detecting state and sparing of optical Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCI-Express or PCIE) cable channels attached to an I0 drawer in a computer system, the computer system including a PCIE host bridge (PHB), the PHB connected to the processor and a PCIE link, the method comprising:\nstarting a health check;\nidentifying, based on the health check, a degraded PCIE link;\nresponsive to identifying the degraded PCIE link, interrogating predefined components;\ndetermining, based on the interrogating, that a faulted optical channel exists; and\nidentifying the faulted optical channel and rerouting the faulted optical channel to a spare optical channel using lane sparing hardware on both ends of one or more optical cables.",
"18. The computer program product of claim 17, further comprising using a port expander device to control a set of PCIE lane multiplexers for changing input to output mapping of the PCIE lane multiplexers for rerouting the faulted optical channel to the spare optical channel.",
"19. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein starting a health check includes providing periodic polling and interrupts from PCIE errors.",
"20. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein using lane sparing hardware on both ends of the one or more optical cables includes reading retimer registers and interrogating optical transmitters to identify the faulted optical channel."
],
[
"1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:\npresenting to a client, by a network-accessible service of a cloud computing environment via one or more programmatic interfaces, information regarding different network function accelerator cards which have been registered at the network-accessible service and can be attached to servers ordered from the network-accessible service by the client, wherein the different network function accelerator cards include a first category of network function accelerator cards from a first vendor;\nin response to input received via the one or more programmatic interfaces from the client, provisioning, to a premise indicated by the client, a particular server to which a network function accelerator card of the first category is attached; and\ncausing a network function to be executed by the network function accelerator card at the particular server.",
"2. The computer-implemented method as recited in claim 1, wherein the network function accelerator card attached to the particular server has a first performance capacity, wherein the different network function accelerator cards include a second category of network function accelerator cards, wherein a network function accelerator card of the second category has a second performance capacity which differs from the first performance capacity.",
"3. The computer-implemented method as recited in claim 1, wherein the network function executed by the network function accelerator card attached to the particular server is a network function of a first type, wherein the different network function accelerator cards include a second category of network function accelerator cards, wherein a network function accelerator card of the second category executes a network function of a second type, wherein network functions of the second type cannot be executed using network function accelerator cards of the first category.",
"4. The computer-implemented method as recited in claim 1, wherein the network function accelerator card attached to the particular server has a first type of communication interface, wherein the different network function accelerator cards include a second category of network function accelerator cards, wherein a network function accelerator card of the second category has a second type of communication interface which differs from the first type of communication interface.",
"5. The computer-implemented method as recited in claim 1, wherein the network function executed by the network function accelerator card is a network function of a radio-based technology stack, and the network function accelerator card is attached to the server via a peripheral interconnect.",
"6. The computer-implemented method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:\nidentifying the network function to be executed by the network function accelerator card based on the network function being registered by the first vendor.",
"7. The computer-implemented method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:\nreceiving, at the network-accessible service via the one or more programmatic interfaces, a registration request indicating the first category of network function accelerator cards; and\nregistering the first category of network function accelerator cards at the network-accessible service in response to receiving the registration request.",
"8. A system, comprising:\none or more computing devices;\nwherein the one or more computing devices include instructions that upon execution on or across the one or more computing devices:\npresent to a client, by a network-accessible service of a cloud computing environment via one or more programmatic interfaces, information regarding different network function accelerator cards which have been registered at the network-accessible service and can be attached to servers ordered from the network-accessible service by the client, wherein the different network function accelerator cards include a first category of network function accelerator cards from a first vendor;\nin response to input received via the one or more programmatic interfaces from the client, provision, to a premise indicated by the client, a particular server to which a network function accelerator card of the first category is attached; and\ncause a network function to be executed by the network function accelerator card at the particular server.",
"9. The system as recited in claim 8, wherein the network function accelerator card attached to the particular server has a first performance capacity, wherein the different network function accelerator cards include a second category of network function accelerator cards, wherein a network function accelerator card of the second category has a second performance capacity which differs from the first performance capacity.",
"10. The system as recited in claim 8, wherein the network function executed by the network function accelerator card attached to the particular server is a network function of a first type, wherein the different network function accelerator cards include a second category of network function accelerator cards, wherein a network function accelerator card of the second category executes a network function of a second type, wherein network functions of the second type cannot be executed using network function accelerator cards of the first category.",
"11. The system as recited in claim 8, wherein the network function accelerator card attached to the particular server has a first type of communication interface, wherein the different network function accelerator cards include a second category of network function accelerator cards, wherein a network function accelerator card of the second category has a second type of communication interface which differs from the first type of communication interface.",
"12. The system as recited in claim 8, wherein the network function executed by the network function accelerator card is a network function of a radio-based technology stack.",
"13. The system as recited in claim 8, wherein the network function accelerator card is attached to the server via a peripheral interconnect.",
"14. The system as recited in claim 8, wherein the one or more computing devices include further instructions that upon execution on or across the one or more computing devices:\nreceive, at the network-accessible service via the one or more programmatic interfaces, a registration request indicating the first category of network function accelerator cards; and\nregister the first category of network function accelerator cards at the network-accessible service in response to receiving the registration request.",
"15. One or more non-transitory computer-accessible storage media storing program instructions that when executed on or across one or more processors:\npresent to a client, by a network-accessible service of a cloud computing environment via one or more programmatic interfaces, information regarding different network function accelerator cards which have been registered at the network-accessible service and can be attached to servers ordered from the network-accessible service by the client, wherein the different network function accelerator cards include a first category of network function accelerator cards from a first vendor;\nin response to input received via the one or more programmatic interfaces from the client, provision, to a premise indicated by the client, a particular server to which a network function accelerator card of the first category is attached; and\ncause a network function to be executed by the network function accelerator card at the particular server.",
"16. The one or more non-transitory computer-accessible storage media as recited in claim 15, wherein the network function accelerator card attached to the particular server has a first performance capacity, wherein the different network function accelerator cards include a second category of network function accelerator cards, wherein a network function accelerator card of the second category has a second performance capacity which differs from the first performance capacity.",
"17. The one or more non-transitory computer-accessible storage media as recited in claim 15, wherein the network function executed by the network function accelerator card attached to the particular server is a network function of a first type, wherein the different network function accelerator cards include a second category of network function accelerator cards, wherein a network function accelerator card of the second category executes a network function of a second type, wherein network functions of the second type cannot be executed using network function accelerator cards of the first category.",
"18. The one or more non-transitory computer-accessible storage media as recited in claim 15, wherein the network function accelerator card attached to the particular server has a first type of communication interface, wherein the different network function accelerator cards include a second category of network function accelerator cards, wherein a network function accelerator card of the second category has a second type of communication interface which differs from the first type of communication interface.",
"19. The one or more non-transitory computer-accessible storage media as recited in claim 15, wherein the network function executed by the network function accelerator card is a network function of a radio-based technology stack.",
"20. The one or more non-transitory computer-accessible storage media as recited in claim 15, wherein the network function accelerator card is attached to the server via a peripheral interconnect."
],
[
"1. A method, comprising:\noperating a stacked memory device through use of a logic IC comprising through wafer interconnect (TWI) rerouting circuitry, and DBI encoding circuitry:\nwherein the stacked memory device comprises multiple stacked memory devices interconnected with one another by TWIs of groups of multiple individual channels;\nwherein groups of individual channels form respective bytes of a memory bus, and wherein logically adjacent pairs of bytes form respective words of data channels;\nwherein each byte of individual data channels includes an associated configurable channel, configurable as a data bus inversion (DBI) channel or a replacement data channel; and\nwherein words of data channels include at least one associated spare data channel;\nassigning the two configurable channels of a first word of data to serve as data bus inversion (DBI) channels for the respective bytes of the first word; and\nin response to identification that an individual data channel of a first byte of the first word is defective, rerouting the data channels of the first byte to include the configurable channel of the first byte.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the logic IC further comprises test circuitry, and wherein the identification that an individual data channel of the first byte of the first word is defective is determined by the test circuitry.",
"3. The method of claim 2, further comprising in response to identification that an individual data channel of the first byte of the first word is defective, rerouting data channels of the first byte to include the spare data channel.",
"4. A method, comprising:\noperating a stacked memory device through use of a logic IC comprising test mode circuitry, through wafer interconnect (TWI) rerouting circuitry, and DBI encoding circuitry, wherein the stacked memory device comprises multiple stacked memory devices interconnected with one another by TWIs of groups of multiple individual channels, wherein groups of individual channels respective bytes of a memory bus, and wherein logically adjacent pairs of bytes form respective words of data channels; wherein each byte of individual data channels includes an additional configurable channel; and\nwherein words of data channels include at least one further rerouting data channel; assigning the two additional configurable data channels of a first word of data to serve as data bus inversion (DBI) channels for the respective bytes of the first word; and\nin response to identification that an individual data channel of a first byte of the first word is defective, rerouting the data channels of the first byte to include the assigned DBI channel of the first byte, wherein rerouting the data channels of the first byte to include the assigned DBI channel of the first byte includes remapping the defective data channel to the configurable channel of the first byte.",
"5. The method of claim 4, wherein rerouting the data channels of the first byte to include the assigned DBI channel of the first byte eliminates DBI functionality in the first byte.",
"6. The method of claim 4, further comprising in response to identification that an individual data channel of a second byte of the first word is defective, remapping the defective data channel of the second byte to the configurable channel of the second byte.",
"7. The method of claim 4, wherein the TWI rerouting circuitry comprises a switching network.",
"8. The method of claim 4, further comprising operating the DBI encoding circuitry to apply a DBI indicator signal on the configurable channel of the second byte to identify the inversion state of the data channels of both the first and second bytes of the word.",
"9. The method of claim 4, wherein the memory bus comprises at least 32 data channels.",
"10. The method of claim 4, wherein the DBI encoding circuitry functions to produce encoded data signals from original data signals in accordance with the associated DBI signal.",
"11. A stacked memory device, comprising:\na logic IC comprising test mode circuitry, through wafer interconnect (TWI) rerouting circuitry, and DBI encoding circuitry;\nmultiple stacked memory devices stacked with the logic circuit, the logic circuit and the multiple stacked memory devices interconnected with one another by through wafer interconnects (TWIs) of multiple individual channels, wherein groups of individual channels form respective bytes of a memory bus, and wherein pairs of bytes form data channels of respective words, and wherein first and second bytes of data channels of a first word are adjacent bytes along the bus;\nwherein each byte of individual data channels includes an additional configurable channel;\nwherein a word of data channels includes at least one further spare data channel; and\nwherein in a first operational mode, the additional configurable channels of the first and second bytes are respectively configured as a data bus inversion (DBI) channel for the respective byte; and\nwherein in response to a determination by the test circuitry that an individual data channel of the first byte of data channels is defective, the channel remapping circuitry is operative to remap the additional configurable channel of the first byte from being a DBI channel for the first byte of data channels to a replacement data channel of the first byte.",
"12. The stacked memory device of claim 11, wherein the TWI routing circuitry includes a switching network, and wherein the TWI routing circuitry is further operable to remap a DBI indicator channel for a second byte in first word containing the first byte, to serve as a DBI indicator channel for both the first and second bytes of data channels.",
"13. The stacked memory device of claim 11, wherein the memory bus comprises at least 32 data channels.",
"14. A method, comprising:\noperating a stacked memory device through use of a logic IC comprising test mode circuitry, through wafer interconnect (TWI) rerouting circuitry, and DBI encoding circuitry\nwherein the logic IC is stacked with the multiple memory devices and is coupled to the stacked memory devices through the TWIs;\nwherein the stacked memory device comprises multiple stacked memory devices interconnected with one another by TWIs of groups of multiple individual channels;\nwherein groups of individual channels respective bytes of a memory bus, and wherein logically adjacent pairs of bytes form respective words of data channels;\nwherein each byte of individual data channels includes an additional configurable channel; and\nwherein words of data channels include at least one further redundant data channel;\nassigning the two configurable channels of a first word to serve as data bus inversion (DBI) channels for the respective bytes of the first word; and in response to identification that an individual data channel of a first byte of a first word is defective, remapping the defective data channels to assign a data channel to the configurable channel of the first byte.",
"15. The method of claim 14, further comprising configuring a DBI channel of a word to control database inversion encoding of both bytes of the word.",
"16. The method of claim 14, further comprising configuring a DBI channel of a word to control database inversion encoding of multiple words."
],
[
"1. An apparatus comprising:\nan elastic buffer, wherein the elastic buffer is to be used to compensate for difference in frequencies between bit rates at two ends of a link;\nan interface to couple to a media access layer (MAC); and\nphysical layer (PHY) circuitry to:\nreceive a request, via the interface, to change a depth of the elastic buffer;\nadjust the depth of the elastic buffer based on the request; and\nset a value in a register to indicate that adjustment to the depth of the elastic buffer is complete.",
"2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the interface comprises a PHY Interface for a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) Express architecture (PIPE)-based interface.",
"3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the request is identified from a particular value in the register.",
"4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the register is associated with control of the elastic buffer.",
"5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the request comprises a value to identify a new depth to be adopted for the elastic buffer following the change.",
"6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a retimer, wherein the link couples a first device to a second device, the retimer is positioned between the first device and the second device on the link to extend physical length of the link, and the retimer comprises the elastic buffer, interface, and the PHY circuitry.",
"7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the retimer further comprises retimer circuitry to forward data from the first device to the second device on the link and forward data from the second device to the first device on the link.",
"8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the depth of the elastic buffer is to be adjusted during transmission of TS1 ordered sets.",
"9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a separate reference clock with independent spread spectrum (SRIS) clocking scheme is used.",
"10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the elastic buffer is to be attempted to be kept half-full in a half full mode.",
"11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the status signal updates a status register for the elastic buffer to indicate that the adjustment to the depth of the elastic buffer is complete.",
"12. An apparatus comprising:\nan interface to couple to a device comprising physical layer (PHY) circuitry, wherein the interface comprises a PHY Interface for a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) Express architecture (PIPE)-based interface; and\nmedia access layer (MAC) circuitry to:\nsend a signal over the interface to request the PHY circuitry to change a depth of the elastic buffer, wherein the elastic buffer is to be used to compensate for difference in frequencies between bit rates at two ends of a link; and\nidentify a status update from the PHY circuitry over the link, wherein the status update indicates that adjustment to the depth of the elastic buffer is complete.",
"13. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a retimer, wherein the retimer comprises the MAC circuitry.",
"14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the adjustment to the depth of the elastic buffer is to be adjusted based on a determined link width and maximum packet size for the link.",
"15. A method comprising:\ncommunicating a signal over an interface to indicate a change to be made to a depth of an elasticity buffer, wherein the elasticity buffer is to be used to compensate for difference in frequencies between bit rates at two ends of a link, and the interface couples physical layer (PHY) hardware to media access layer (MAC) hardware;\nadjusting the depth of the elasticity buffer based on the signal; and\nidentifying a signal from the PHY hardware indicating that adjustment to the depth of the elastic buffer is complete.",
"16. The method of claim 15, wherein the interface comprises a PHY Interface for a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) Express architecture (PIPE)-based interface.",
"17. The method of claim 15, wherein the PHY hardware adjusts the depth of the elasticity buffer and the signal originates from the MAC hardware.",
"18. A system comprising:\na first device comprising physical layer (PHY) circuitry and an elastic buffer, wherein the elastic buffer is to be used to compensate for difference in frequencies between bit rates at two ends of a link;\na second device comprising media access layer (MAC) circuitry; and\nan interface to couple the PHY circuitry to the MAC circuitry, wherein the interface comprises a PHY Interface for a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) Express architecture (PIPE)-based interface, wherein:\nthe MAC circuitry is to signal a request, over the interface, to change a depth of the elastic buffer; and\nthe PHY circuitry is to:\nadjust the depth of the elastic buffer based on the signal; and\nset a value in a register to indicate that adjustment to the depth of the elastic buffer is complete.",
"19. The system of claim 18, further comprising a retimer, wherein the link couples a first device to a second device, the retimer is positioned between the first device and the second device on the link to extend physical length of the link.",
"20. The system of claim 19, further comprising the first device and the second device.",
"21. The system of claim 18, wherein the signal is to cause a particular value to be set in the register, and the PHY circuitry is to adjust the depth of the elastic buffer based on the value in the register.",
"22. The system of claim 18, wherein the status signal updates a status register for the elastic buffer to indicate to the MAC circuitry that the adjustment to the depth of the elastic buffer is complete.",
"23. The system of claim 18, wherein the link comprises a link compliant with one of a Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe)-based protocol, a Serial ATA (SATA)-based protocol, or a Universal Serial Bus (USB)-based protocol."
],
[
"1. A method comprising:\nreceiving a stream of data that includes storage data to be stored on a remote storage system and metadata describing recovery information relative to a given point in time, wherein the stream of data includes transmission packets created based on a recovery point objective (‘RPO’) setting;\nstoring, in one or more cloud environments, the stream of data; and\ntransmitting, from the one or more cloud environments to a target storage system, the stream of data after an occurrence of a data loss event.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the received stream of data is encrypted.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein the received stream of data is encrypted using a plurality of keys, and wherein the stream of data may be decrypted based on a subset of the plurality of keys.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmitting the stream of data after the occurrence of a data loss event includes transmitting the stream of data from multiple cloud endpoints distributed among multiple availability zones.",
"5. The method of claim 4, wherein data on the remote storage system may be recovered based on a quorum of cloud endpoints that is less than all of the multiple cloud endpoints receiving the stream of data.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein the stream of data includes an atomic sequence of updates.",
"7. The method of claim 1, wherein the remote storage system is a source storage system, and wherein in response to a data loss event, the data from the source storage system is recovered on the target storage system that is different from the source storage system.",
"8. The method of claim 1, wherein the remote storage system and the target storage system are the same storage system.",
"9. An apparatus comprising a computer processor, a computer memory operatively coupled to the computer processor, the computer memory having disposed within it computer program instructions that, when executed by the computer processor, cause the apparatus to carry out the steps of:\nreceiving a stream of data that includes storage data to be stored on a remote storage system and metadata describing recovery information relative to a given point in time, wherein the stream of data includes transmission packets created based on a recovery point objective (‘RPO’) setting;\nstoring, in one or more cloud environments, the stream of data; and\ntransmitting, from the one or more cloud environments to a target storage system, the stream of data after an occurrence of a data loss event.",
"10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the received stream of data is encrypted.",
"11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the received stream of data is encrypted using a plurality of keys, and wherein the stream of data may be decrypted based on a subset of the plurality of keys.",
"12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the transmitting the stream of data after the occurrence of a data loss event includes transmitting the stream of data from multiple cloud endpoints distributed among multiple availability zones.",
"13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein data on the remote storage system may be recovered based on a quorum of cloud endpoints that is less than all of the multiple cloud endpoints receiving the stream of data.",
"14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the stream of data includes an atomic sequence of updates.",
"15. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the remote storage system is a source storage system, and wherein in response to a data loss event, the data from the source storage system is recovered on the target storage system that is different from the source storage system.",
"16. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the remote storage system and the target storage system are the same storage system.",
"17. A computer program product disposed upon a computer readable medium, the computer program product comprising computer program instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to carry out the steps of:\nreceiving a stream of data that includes storage data to be stored on a remote storage system and metadata describing recovery information relative to a given point in time, wherein the stream of data includes transmission packets created based on a recovery point objective (‘RPO’) setting;\nstoring, in one or more cloud environments, the stream of data; and\ntransmitting, from the one or more cloud environments to a target storage system, the stream of data after an occurrence of a data loss event.",
"18. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein the transmitting the stream of data after the occurrence of a data loss event includes transmitting the stream of data from multiple cloud endpoints distributed among multiple availability zones.",
"19. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein data on the remote storage system may be recovered based on a quorum of cloud endpoints that is less than all of the multiple cloud endpoints receiving the stream of data.",
"20. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein the remote storage system is a source storage system, and wherein in response to a data loss event, the data from the source storage system is recovered on the target storage system that is different from the source storage system."
],
[
"1. An apparatus comprising:\na host device configured to communicate over a network with a storage system comprising a plurality of storage devices;\nthe host device comprising:\na plurality of host bus adaptors; and\na multi-path input-output driver configured to control delivery of input-output operations from the host device to the storage system over selected ones of a plurality of paths through the network;\nthe paths being associated with respective initiator-target pairs wherein each of the initiators comprises a corresponding one of the host bus adaptors of the host device and each of the targets comprises a corresponding one of a plurality of ports of the storage system;\nwherein the host device is further configured:\nto monitor performance of the ports of the storage system in processing input-output operations delivered thereto;\nto detect an initiator-related condition based at least in part on the monitored performance of the ports; and\nto automatically adjust an assignment of one or more of the initiators to one or more of the targets based at least in part on the detected initiator-related condition;\nwherein detecting an initiator-related condition based at least in part on the monitored performance of the ports comprises implementing a machine learning algorithm to detect deviations from one or more learned characteristics relating to the input-output operations, the machine learning algorithm comprising at least one neural network configured to determine the one or more learned characteristics relating to the input-output operations over a period of time prior to detection of the initiator-related condition;\nwherein the one or more learned characteristics relating to the input-output operations as determined by said at least one neural network of the machine learning algorithm comprise particular values of at least one of burst length, application correlation and change rate learned by the neural network over at least a portion of the period of time prior to the detection of the initiator-related condition;\nwherein detecting an initiator-related condition based at least in part on the monitored performance of the ports comprises utilizing the one or more learned characteristics determined by the neural network to detect at least one initiator that is a candidate for assignment to a different target; and\nwherein automatically adjusting an assignment of one or more of the initiators to one or more of the targets based at least in part on the detected initiator-related condition comprises shifting the at least one detected initiator from a current target of the at least one initiator to the different target in accordance with one or more outputs of the machine learning algorithm.",
"2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising one or more additional host devices each configured to communicate over the network with the storage system and wherein each additional host device comprises a multi-path input-output driver configured to control delivery of input-output operations from that host device to the storage system over selected ones of a plurality of paths through the network.",
"3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein detecting an initiator-related condition based at least in part on the monitored performance of the ports comprises detecting one or more initiators that each have a level of utilization below a specified threshold.",
"4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein detecting an initiator-related condition based at least in part on the monitored performance of the ports comprises detecting a plurality of targets each of which is a candidate for assignment to a different initiator.",
"5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein automatically adjusting an assignment of one or more of the initiators to one or more of the targets based at least in part on the detected initiator-related condition comprises shifting at least one of the initiators from a current target corresponding to a first port having a relatively high input-output processing load to an updated target corresponding to a second port having a relatively low input-output processing load.",
"6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein automatically adjusting an assignment of one or more of the initiators to one or more of the targets based at least in part on the detected initiator-related condition comprises adjusting at least one mapping of initiators, targets and logical devices that indicates for each of the initiators at least one target that is to be used to communicate with a given logical device of the storage system.",
"7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the host device is further configured to initiate an automated reconfiguration process to redefine zoning and masking information that characterizes relationships between the initiators and the targets responsive to the automatically adjusting of the assignment of one or more of the initiators to one or more of the targets.",
"8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the host device is further configured to initiate an automated path discovery process to discover new paths through the network responsive to the automatically adjusting of the assignment of one or more of the initiators to one or more of the targets.",
"9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the host device is further configured to send a predetermined command to the storage system to determine if zoning and masking information has been changed.",
"10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the predetermined command comprises at least one of a log sense command, a mode sense command and a vendor unique command.",
"11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least a subset of the monitoring, detecting and automatically adjusting are performed at least in part by the multi-path input-output driver of the host device.",
"12. A method comprising:\ncontrolling, in a multi-path input-output driver of a host device, delivery of input-output operations from the host device to a storage system over selected ones of a plurality of paths through a network, the paths being associated with respective initiator-target pairs wherein each of the initiators comprises a corresponding one of a plurality of host bus adaptors of the host device and each of the targets comprises a corresponding one of a plurality of ports of the storage system;\nmonitoring performance of the ports of the storage system in processing input-output operations delivered thereto;\ndetecting an initiator-related condition based at least in part on the monitored performance of the ports; and\nautomatically adjusting an assignment of one or more of the initiators to one or more of the targets based at least in part on the detected initiator-related condition;\nwherein detecting an initiator-related condition based at least in part on the monitored performance of the ports comprises implementing a machine learning algorithm to detect deviations from one or more learned characteristics relating to the input-output operations, the machine learning algorithm comprising at least one neural network configured to determine the one or more learned characteristics relating to the input-output operations over a period of time prior to detection of the initiator-related condition;\nwherein the one or more learned characteristics relating to the input-output operations as determined by said at least one neural network of the machine learning algorithm comprise particular values of at least one of burst length, application correlation and change rate learned by the neural network over at least a portion of the period of time prior to the detection of the initiator-related condition;\nwherein detecting an initiator-related condition based at least in part on the monitored performance of the ports comprises utilizing the one or more learned characteristics determined by the neural network to detect at least one initiator that is a candidate for assignment to a different target; and\nwherein automatically adjusting an assignment of one or more of the initiators to one or more of the targets based at least in part on the detected initiator-related condition comprises shifting the at least one detected initiator from a current target of the at least one initiator to the different target in accordance with one or more outputs of the machine learning algorithm.",
"13. The method of claim 12 wherein automatically adjusting an assignment of one or more of the initiators to one or more of the targets based at least in part on the detected initiator-related condition comprises shifting at least one of the initiators from a current target corresponding to a first port having a relatively high input-output processing load to an updated target corresponding to a second port having a relatively low input-output processing load.",
"14. The method of claim 12 wherein automatically adjusting an assignment of one or more of the initiators to one or more of the targets based at least in part on the detected initiator-related condition comprises adjusting at least one mapping of initiators, targets and logical devices that indicates for each of the initiators at least one target that is to be used to communicate with a given logical device of the storage system.",
"15. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory processor-readable storage medium having stored therein program code of one or more software programs, wherein the program code, when executed by a host device comprising a multi-path input-output driver, the host device being configured to communicate over a network with a storage system, causes the host device:\nto control, in the multi-path input-output driver of the host device, delivery of input-output operations from the host device to the storage system over selected ones of a plurality of paths through the network, the paths being associated with respective initiator-target pairs wherein each of the initiators comprises a corresponding one of a plurality of host bus adaptors of the host device and each of the targets comprises a corresponding one of a plurality of ports of the storage system;\nto monitor performance of the ports of the storage system in processing input-output operations delivered thereto;\nto detect an initiator-related condition based at least in part on the monitored performance of the ports; and\nto automatically adjust an assignment of one or more of the initiators to one or more of the targets based at least in part on the detected initiator-related condition;\nwherein detecting an initiator-related condition based at least in part on the monitored performance of the ports comprises implementing a machine learning algorithm to detect deviations from one or more learned characteristics relating to the input-output operations, the machine learning algorithm comprising at least one neural network configured to determine the one or more learned characteristics relating to the input-output operations over a period of time prior to detection of the initiator-related condition;\nwherein the one or more learned characteristics relating to the input-output operations as determined by said at least one neural network of the machine learning algorithm comprise particular values of at least one of burst length, application correlation and change rate learned by the neural network over at least a portion of the period of time prior to the detection of the initiator-related condition;\nwherein detecting an initiator-related condition based at least in part on the monitored performance of the ports comprises utilizing the one or more learned characteristics determined by the neural network to detect at least one initiator that is a candidate for assignment to a different target; and\nwherein automatically adjusting an assignment of one or more of the initiators to one or more of the targets based at least in part on the detected initiator-related condition comprises shifting the at least one detected initiator from a current target of the at least one initiator to the different target in accordance with one or more outputs of the machine learning algorithm.",
"16. The computer program product of claim 15 wherein automatically adjusting an assignment of one or more of the initiators to one or more of the targets based at least in part on the detected initiator-related condition comprises shifting at least one of the initiators from a current target corresponding to a first port having a relatively high input-output processing load to an updated target corresponding to a second port having a relatively low input-output processing load.",
"17. The computer program product of claim 15 wherein automatically adjusting an assignment of one or more of the initiators to one or more of the targets based at least in part on the detected initiator-related condition comprises adjusting at least one mapping of initiators, targets and logical devices that indicates for each of the initiators at least one target that is to be used to communicate with a given logical device of the storage system.",
"18. The computer program product of claim 15 wherein detecting an initiator-related condition based at least in part on the monitored performance of the ports comprises detecting one or more initiators that each have a level of utilization below a specified threshold.",
"19. The computer program product of claim 15 wherein the host device is further configured to initiate an automated reconfiguration process to redefine zoning and masking information that characterizes relationships between the initiators and the targets responsive to the automatically adjusting of the assignment of one or more of the initiators to one or more of the targets.",
"20. The computer program product of claim 15 wherein the host device is further configured to initiate an automated path discovery process to discover new paths through the network responsive to the automatically adjusting of the assignment of one or more of the initiators to one or more of the targets."
],
[
"1. A method to operate a security solution in a virtualized computing environment that includes a host and a virtual machine that runs on the host, the method comprising:\nidentifying, by a security sensor at the virtual machine, an attempt to execute code in the virtual machine;\ngenerating, by the security sensor, a hash value corresponding to the code;\nsending, by the security sensor to a security engine remote from the host, the generated hash value and a file map that corresponds to the code;\nreceiving, by the security sensor from the security engine, a verdict that instructs the security sensor to deny execution of the code based on the security engine having determined from the hash value that the code is malicious;\nreceiving, by at least one host-level element of the host from the security engine, the verdict and the file map, wherein the at least one host-level element executes in the host and outside of the virtual machine; and\nverifying, by the at least one host-level element based on the verdict and on input/output (I/O) activity associated with the file map, whether the security sensor has successfully enforced the verdict to deny execution of the code.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one host-level element includes a hypervisor, a host operating system, a sub-process of the hypervisor or host operating system, or a sub-element of the hypervisor or host operating system.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein verifying whether the security system has successfully enforced the verdict includes determining, by the at least one host-level element, that the security sensor has successfully enforced the verdict, due to the at least one host-level element having detected an absence of the I/O activity.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein verifying whether the security system has successfully enforced the verdict includes determining, by the at least one host-level element, that the security sensor has failed to enforce the verdict, due to the at least one host-level element having detected a presence of the I/O activity.",
"5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:\nreceiving, by the at least one host-level element from the security engine, at least one remediation instruction along with the verdict and the file map; and\nin response to verifying that the security sensor has failed to enforce the verdict, performing, by the at least one host level element, a remediation action specified by the remediation instruction.",
"6. The method of claim 5, wherein performing the remediation action includes blocking, by the at least one host-level element, the I/O activity so as to prevent execution of the code.",
"7. The method of claim 5, wherein performing the remediation action includes sending, by the at least one host-level element to the security engine, an alert that notifies the security engine of a violation of the verdict.",
"8. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon, which in response to execution by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform or control performance of operations for a security solution in a virtualized computing environment that includes a host and a virtual machine that runs on the host, the operations comprising:\nidentifying, by a security sensor at the virtual machine, an attempt to execute code in the virtual machine;\ngenerating, by the security sensor, a hash value corresponding to the code;\nsending, by the security sensor to a security engine remote from the host, the generated hash value and a file map that corresponds to the code;\nreceiving, by the security sensor from the security engine, a verdict that instructs the security sensor to deny execution of the code based on the security engine having determined from the hash value that the code is malicious;\nreceiving, by at least one host-level element of the host from the security engine, the verdict and the file map, wherein the at least one host-level element executes in the host and outside of the virtual machine; and\nverifying, by the at least one host-level element based on the verdict and on input/output (I/O) activity associated with the file map, whether the security sensor has successfully enforced the verdict to deny execution of the code.",
"9. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the at least one host-level element includes a hypervisor, a host operating system, a sub-process of the hypervisor or host operating system, or a sub-element of the hypervisor or host operating system.",
"10. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein verifying whether the security system has successfully enforced the verdict includes determining, by the at least one host-level element, that the security sensor has successfully enforced the verdict, due to the at least one host-level element having detected an absence of the I/O activity.",
"11. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein verifying whether the security system has successfully enforced the verdict includes determining, by the at least one host-level element, that the security sensor has failed to enforce the verdict, due to the at least one host-level element having detected a presence of the I/O activity.",
"12. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the operations further comprise:\nreceiving, by the at least one host-level element from the security engine, at least one remediation instruction along with the verdict and the file map; and\nin response to verifying that the security sensor has failed to enforce the verdict, performing, by the at least one host level element, a remediation action specified by the remediation instruction.",
"13. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein performing the remediation action includes blocking, by the at least one host-level element, the I/O activity so as to prevent execution of the code.",
"14. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein performing the remediation action includes sending, by the at least one host-level element to the security engine, an alert that notifies the security engine of a violation of the verdict.",
"15. A host in a virtualized computing environment, the host comprising:\na virtual machine that runs on the host;\na processor; and\na non-transitory computer-readable medium coupled to the processor and having instructions stored thereon, which in response to execution by the processor, cause the processor to perform or control performance of operations for a security solution in the virtualized computing environment, wherein the operations include:\nidentify, by a security sensor at the virtual machine, an attempt to execute code in the virtual machine;\ngenerate, by the security sensor, a hash value corresponding to the code;\nsend, by the security sensor to a security engine remote from the host, the generated hash value and a file map that corresponds to the code;\nreceive, by the security sensor from the security engine, a verdict that instructs the security sensor to deny execution of the code based on the security engine having determined from the hash value that the code is malicious;\nreceive, by at least one host-level element of the host from the security engine, the verdict and the file map, wherein the at least one host-level element executes in the host and outside of the virtual machine; and\nverify by the at least one host-level element based on the verdict and on input/output (I/O) activity associated with the file map, whether the security sensor has successfully enforced the verdict to deny execution of the code.",
"16. The host of claim 15, wherein the at least one host-level element includes a hypervisor, a host operating system, a sub-process of the hypervisor or host operating system, or a sub-element of the hypervisor or host operating system.",
"17. The host of claim 15, wherein the operation to verify whether the security system has successfully enforced the verdict includes an operation to:\ndetermine, by the at least one host-level element, that the security sensor has successfully enforced the verdict, due to the at least one host-level element having detected an absence of the I/O activity.",
"18. The host of claim 15, wherein the operation to verify whether the security system has successfully enforced the verdict includes an operation to:\ndetermine, by the at least one host-level element, that the security sensor has failed to enforce the verdict, due to the at least one host-level element having detected a presence of the I/O activity.",
"19. The host of claim 18, wherein the operations further include:\nreceive, by the at least one host-level element from the security engine, at least one remediation instruction along with the verdict and the file map; and\nin response to verification that the security sensor has failed to enforce the verdict, perform, by the at least one host level element, a remediation action specified by the remediation instruction.",
"20. The host of claim 19, wherein the operation to perform the remediation action includes an operation to:\nblock, by the at least one host-level element, the I/O activity so as to prevent execution of the code.",
"21. The host of claim 19, wherein the operation to perform the remediation action includes an operation to:\nsend, by the at least one host-level element to the security engine, an alert that notifies the security engine of a violation of the verdict."
],
[
"1. A system for cyber threat hunting using cyber-physical graphs and behavioral analytics, the system comprising:\na computing device comprising a memory and a processor;\na machine learning algorithm configured to classify connected resources as susceptible to future cyber threats based on network input data, network events, and threat actor data;\nan automated planning service module comprising a first plurality of programming instructions stored in the memory and operating on the processor, wherein the first plurality of programming instructions, when operating on the processor, cause the computing device to:\nreceive a plurality of network event data;\nreceive a plurality of network input data;\npass the network event data and the network input data through the machine learning algorithm to predict one or more connected resources which are susceptible to a future cyber threat; and\nsend the predicted one or more connected resources to an observation and state estimation module; and\nthe observation and state estimation module comprising a second plurality of programming instructions stored in the memory and operating on the processor, wherein the second plurality of programming instructions, when operating on the processor, cause the computing device to:\nreceive a stream of network events on a network;\nproduce time-series data comprising at least a record of a network event and the time at which the network event occurred;\nmonitor a plurality of connected resources on the network for network input data;\nreceive the one or more of the connected resources predicted to be susceptible to a future cyber threat;\nperiodically store state changes in the plurality of connected changes;\nproduce a cyber-physical graph from the time-series data and the one or more predicted resources, the cyber-physical graph comprising nodes representing the plurality of connected resources and edges between the nodes representing the physical, logical, and behavioral relationships between the nodes, whereby the cyber-physical graph represents the physical, logical, and behavioral structure of the portion of the network represented by the connected resources, wherein the cyber-physical graph is periodically updated to reflect a state of the network based on the state changes stored in the time-series data store, connected resources predicted as being susceptible to a future cyber threat, and each state of the network is stored; and\nsend the cyber-physical graph to a user interface; and\nthe user interface comprising a third plurality of programming instructions stored in the memory and operating on the processor, wherein the third plurality of programming instructions, when operating on the processor, cause the computing device to:\nreceive a cyber-physical graph and generate a cyber-physical graph view wherein the cyber-physical graph view comprises one or more primary nodes corresponding to a predicted threat, one or more connected nodes associated with the primary node, and one or more response nodes based at least on one of the one or more connected nodes; and\nallow a human operator to interact with the cyber-physical graph view and analyze the data contained within the cyber-physical graph view to assess potential future threats.",
"2. The system of claim 1, wherein the machine learning algorithm is a logistic regression algorithm.",
"3. The system of claim 1, wherein the machine learning algorithm is a support vector machine.",
"4. The system of claim 1, wherein the user interface is a graphical user interface.",
"5. The system of claim 1, wherein the user interface further causes the computing device to:\nallow a human operator to provide feedback, the feedback comprising at least one of a threat hypothesis, a dynamic response, and a confirmation of malicious activity; and\nsend the feedback to the automated planning service module.",
"6. The system of claim 5, wherein the automated planning service module causes the computing device to:\nreceive feedback from a user interface; and\nupdate the machine learning algorithm using the feedback.",
"7. The system of claim 1, wherein the observation and state estimation module is further configured to produce a visualization of the operation of the cyber-physical graph as a simulated network over time.",
"8. A method for cyber threat hunting using cyber-physical graphs and behavioral analytics, comprising the steps of:\nreceiving a plurality of network event data;\nreceiving a plurality of network input data;\npassing the network event data and the network input data through the machine learning algorithm to predict one or more connected resources which are susceptible to a future cyber threat;\nsending the predicted one or more connected resources to an observation and state estimation module;\nreceiving a stream of network events on a network;\nproducing time-series data comprising at least a record of a network event and the time at which the network event occurred;\nmonitoring a plurality of connected resources on the network for network input data;\nreceiving the one or more of the connected resources predicted to be susceptible to a future cyber threat;\nperiodically storing state changes in the plurality of connected changes;\nproducing a cyber-physical graph from the time-series data and the one or more predicted resources, the cyber-physical graph comprising nodes representing the plurality of connected resources and edges between the nodes representing the physical, logical, and behavioral relationships between the nodes, whereby the cyber-physical graph represents the physical, logical, and behavioral structure of the portion of the network represented by the connected resources, wherein the cyber-physical graph is periodically updated to reflect a state of the network based on the state changes stored in the time-series data store, connected resources predicted as being susceptible to a future cyber threat, and each state of the network is stored; and\nsending the cyber-physical graph to a user interface;\nreceiving a cyber-physical graph and generate a cyber-physical graph view wherein the cyber-physical graph view comprises one or more primary nodes corresponding to a predicted threat, one or more connected nodes associated with the primary node, and one or more response nodes based at least on one of the one or more connected nodes; and\nallowing a human operator to interact with the cyber-physical graph view and analyze the data contained within the cyber-physical graph view to assess potential future threats.",
"9. The method of claim 8, wherein the machine learning algorithm is a logistic regression algorithm.",
"10. The method of claim 8, wherein the machine learning algorithm is a support vector machine.",
"11. The method of claim 8, wherein the user interface is a graphical user interface.",
"12. The method of claim 8, further comprising the steps of:\nallowing a human operator to provide feedback, the feedback comprising at least one of a threat hypothesis, a dynamic response, and a confirmation of malicious activity; and\nsending the feedback to the automated planning service module.",
"13. The method of claim 12, further comprising the steps of:\nreceiving feedback from a user interface; and\nupdating the machine learning algorithm using the feedback.",
"14. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of produce a visualization of the operation of the cyber-physical graph as a simulated network over time."
],
[
"1. A method, comprising:\ndefining, for a network device, a set of one or more signal-routes, including a first signal-route, wherein each signal-route is associated with a state of an application, wherein the first signal-route is associated with a first application state of the application;\nexecuting the application within an application layer of the network device;\ndetecting, within the application, a change in the first application state; and\nnotifying applications executing in the application layer of peer network devices of the change in the first application state, wherein notifying includes:\nmodifying the first signal-route, wherein modifying includes making a change in a Routing Information Base (RIB), the change selected from the group of (i) adding the first signal-route to the RIB and (ii) removing the first signal-route from the RIB; and\nadvertising, to the peer network devices, the change in the RIB.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein advertising the change in the RIB includes sending a route update message from a routing protocol process executing on the network device.",
"3. The method of claim 2, wherein the route update message includes a route cost attribute.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein advertising the change in the RIB includes executing an as-path-prepend command.",
"5. The method of claim 4, wherein the as-path-prepend command increases a route cost attribute.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein advertising the change in the RIB includes advertising a different Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol (VRRP) priority for the first signal-route.",
"7. The method of claim 1, wherein advertising the change in the RIB includes setting a local-preference value.",
"8. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises: transitioning another application executing on the network device from one application state to another application state in response to the advertised change in the RIB.",
"9. The method of claim 1, wherein each signal-route has a state, wherein the state of the set of signal-routes on the network device is stored in a signal-route vector.",
"10. The method of claim 9, wherein the application changes one or more application states on detecting a change in the signal-route vector.",
"11. The method of claim 1, wherein each network device includes an application layer, wherein modifying the first signal-route occurs at the application layer and causes a change in a routing policy.",
"12. The method of claim 1, wherein each signal-route is a static route.",
"13. The method of claim 1, wherein executing the application within an application layer of the network device includes establishing a services redundancy process and monitoring for changes in the set of one or more signal routes using the services redundancy process.",
"14. A network device, comprising:\na network interface;\na memory; and\none or more processors connected to the memory and to the network interface, wherein the one or more processors are configured to:\nreceive configuration information defining a set of one or more signal-routes and associating the set of one or more signal-routes with an application, wherein the one or more signal-routes include a first signal-route, wherein the first signal-route is associated with a first application state of the application;\nexecute the application in an application layer of the network device; and\nnotify applications executing in the application layer of peer network devices of a change in the first application state, wherein notifying includes:\nmodifying the first signal-route, wherein modifying includes making a change in a Routing Information Base (RIB), the change selected from the group of (i) adding the first signal-route to the RIB and (ii) removing the first signal-route from the RIB; and\nadvertising, to the peer network devices, the change in the RIB.",
"15. The network device of claim 14, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to establish a services redundancy process and monitoring for changes in the set of one or more signal routes using the services redundancy process.",
"16. The network device of claim 14, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to advertise the change in the first signal-route by sending a route update message from a routing protocol process executing in the network device in response to a message from a services redundancy process executing in the network device.",
"17. The network device of claim 16, wherein the route update message includes a route cost attribute, wherein the route cost attribute indicates that a route to the network device is higher cost than a corresponding route to a second network device.",
"18. The network device of claim 14, wherein advertising a change in the first signal-route includes sending a route update message from a routing protocol process.",
"19. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed, cause one or more processors to:\nreceive configuration information defining a set of one or more signal-routes, including a first signal-route, wherein each signal-route is associated with a state of an application, wherein the first signal-route is associated with a first application state of the application;\nexecute the application in an application layer of the network device;\ndetect, within the application, a change in the first application state; and\nnotify applications executing in the application layer of peer network devices of the change in the first application state, wherein notifying includes:\nmodifying the first signal-route, wherein modifying includes making a change in a Routing Information Base (RIB), the change selected from the group of (i) adding the first signal-route to the RIB and (ii) removing the first signal-route from the RIB; and\nadvertising, to the peer network devices, the change in the RIB.",
"20. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 19, wherein computer-readable storage medium further includes instructions that, when executed, cause the one or more processors to establish a services redundancy process and monitoring for changes in the set of one or more signal routes using the services redundancy process."
],
[
"1. A source node comprising:\nstorage;\nnetwork interface circuitry to write a value to an address of the storage;\nmachine readable instructions; and\nprocessor circuitry to execute the machine readable instructions to:\nobtain performance data written by the network interface circuitry at (1) a first polling frequency or (2) a second polling frequency based on the value stored at the address, the second polling frequency higher than the first polling frequency.",
"2. The source node of claim 1, wherein:\nthe processor circuitry is to transmit a write back instruction to the network interface circuitry, the write back instruction including the address of the storage; and\nthe network interface circuitry to determine the address of the storage based on the write back instruction.",
"3. The source node of claim 2, wherein the write back instruction includes a threshold count for an event to monitor, the network interface circuitry is to write the value to the address of the storage in response to a count corresponding to the event reaching the threshold count.",
"4. The source node of claim 1, wherein the first polling frequency corresponds to a sleep mode and the second polling frequency corresponds to an awake mode.",
"5. The source node of claim 1, wherein the storage is accessible to the processor circuitry.",
"6. The source node of claim 1, wherein the first polling frequency is zero.",
"7. The source node of claim 1, wherein the processor circuitry is to monitor the value at the address by:\nreading an initial value stored at the address;\nreading a current value stored at the address; and\nidentifying that the value stored at the address has changed when the initial value is different than the current value.",
"8. The source node of claim 1, wherein the processor circuitry is to monitor the value at the address by:\nwriting an initial value to the address of the storage;\nreading a current value stored at the address; and\nidentifying that the value stored at the address has changed when the initial value is different than the current value.",
"9. At least one non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed, cause one or more processors to at least:\ninstruct network interface circuitry to write a value to a location of a storage; and\nobtain performance data written by network interface circuitry at (1) a first polling frequency or (2) a second polling frequency based on the value stored at the location, the second polling frequency higher than the first polling frequency.",
"10. The at least one computer readable medium of claim 9, wherein the instructions cause the one or more processors to at least:\ncause transmission of a write back instruction to the network interface circuitry, the write back instruction including the location of the storage; and\ndetermine the location of the storage based on the write back instruction.",
"11. The at least one computer readable medium of claim 10, wherein the write back instruction includes a threshold count for an event to monitor, the instructions to cause the one or more processors to write the value to the location of the storage in response to a count corresponding to the event reaching the threshold count.",
"12. The at least one computer readable medium of claim 9, wherein the first polling frequency corresponds to a sleep mode and the second polling frequency corresponds to an awake mode.",
"13. The at least one computer readable medium of claim 9, wherein the storage is accessible to the one or more processors.",
"14. The at least one computer readable medium of claim 9, wherein the first polling frequency is zero.",
"15. The at least one computer readable medium of claim 9, wherein the instructions cause the one or more processors to monitor the value at the location by:\nreading an initial value stored at the location;\nreading a current value stored at the location; and\nidentifying that the value stored at the location has changed when the initial value is different than the current value.",
"16. The at least one computer readable medium of claim 9, wherein the instructions cause the one or more processors to monitor the value at the location by:\nwriting an initial value to the location of the storage;\nreading a current value stored at the location; and\nidentifying that the value stored at the location has changed when the initial value is different than the current value.",
"17. A compute node comprising:\nstorage;\nmachine readable instructions; and\nprocessor circuitry to execute the machine readable instructions to:\noutput a write back instruction to interface circuitry, the write back instruction to identify (a) an event type to be monitored by the interface circuitry, (b) a threshold, and (c) an address of the storage; and\npoll the interface circuitry at a rate based on a value at the address of the storage.",
"18. The compute node of claim 17, wherein the write back instruction includes data, the interface circuitry to write the data to at the address of the storage.",
"19. The compute node of claim 17, wherein the write back instruction causes the interface circuitry to write data at the address of the storage after a count corresponding to the event type reaches the threshold.",
"20. The compute node of claim 17, wherein the processor circuitry is to:\npoll the interface circuitry at a first rate after outputting the write back instruction; and\npoll the interface circuitry at a second rate higher than the first rate in response to when the value at the address of the storage changes from a first value to a second value.",
"21. The compute node of claim 20, wherein the first rate is zero.",
"22. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed, cause one or more processors to at least:\noutput a write back instruction to interface circuitry, the write back instruction to identify (a) an event type to be monitored by the interface circuitry, (b) a threshold, and (c) a location of storage; and\npoll the interface circuitry at a rate based on a value at the location of the storage.",
"23. The computer readable medium of claim 22, wherein the write back instruction includes data for the interface circuitry to write to at the location of the storage.",
"24. The computer readable medium of claim 22, wherein the write back instruction causes the interface circuitry to write data at the location of the storage after a count corresponding to the event type reaches the threshold.",
"25. The computer readable medium of claim 22, wherein the instructions cause the one or more processors to:\npoll the interface circuitry at a first rate after outputting the write back instruction; and\npoll the interface circuitry at a second rate in response to when the value at the location of the storage changes from a first value to a second value."
]
] |
the following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 u.s.c. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this office action:
a person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
claims 13-16 and 18-20 are rejected under 35 u.s.c. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by joshi et al. (u.s. patent application publication number 2019/0339958).
regarding claim 13, joshi discloses a method for diagnosing a modem (paragraph 0017 [system 100 may be a “networking device”] and claim 13) failure, the method comprising:
performing a diagnostic test (paragraph 0027; i.e., the diagnostic test may include msr access violations, i/o access violations, etc.) of a software interface (figure 1, item 124) between an operating system (figure 1, item 144) for the modem and firmware (figure 1, item 122, paragraph 0021) for the modem while the modem is booting up (paragraphs 0021 and 0024; i.e., the software interface 124, along with firmware resource monitor 126, executes the diagnostic test to check whether the downloaded/upgraded firmware is safe [see paragraphs 0025 and 0029-0030]; joshi describes numerous steps that occur [see, e.g., figure 3, steps 304-312, including the diagnostic testing of the software interface determining that the updated firmware is safe in a virtual machine, followed by actually updating the bios firmware]; the examiner considers all of the steps that lead up to the final installation of the firmware update as part of the boot-up process; more specifically, as a properly operating firmware is required to activate a computer system, the computer system cannot be fully initiated until the steps 304-312 occur, thereby making all of them a part of the bootup process); and
generating a signal based on a result of the diagnostic test (figure 4, item 412, paragraph 0041; i.e., if there are unresolved errors as a result of installing the firmware update to the virtual machine, an alert may be sent to the user).
regarding claim 14, joshi discloses generating a light illumination sequence (paragraph 0014; i.e., the types of “computer systems” mentioned in joshi include a mobile device; these types of devices consist of either an lcd or led display; the turning on and off of the various liquid crystals of an lcd display or light emitting diodes of an led display is equivalent to the claimed “light illumination sequence”) command based on the signal (claim 5; i.e., if there is an unresolved error as a result of installing the firmware update, an error message [the claimed “light illumination sequence”] may be displayed).
regarding claim 15, joshi discloses the diagnostic test includes a plurality of diagnostic tests (paragraph 0027; i.e., the diagnostic test may include msr access violations, i/o access violations, etc.).
regarding claim 16, joshi discloses the plurality of diagnostic tests includes any or combination of: a first diagnostic test configured to determine whether a first secure boot loader successfully executed a first boot program; a second diagnostic test configured to determine whether a hardware check failure occurred (paragraph 0027; i.e., an i/o access violation can be checked, which is equivalent to the claimed “hardware check failure”); a third diagnostic test configured to determine whether an integrity validation failure occurred when the first secure boot loader attempted to execute the first boot program; a fourth diagnostic test configured to determine whether a second secure boot loader successfully executed a second boot program; a fifth diagnostic test configured to determine whether an integrity validation failure occurred when the second secure boot loader attempted to execute the second boot program; a sixth diagnostic test configured to determine whether an atom boot sequence was successfully booted; and a seventh diagnostic test configured to determine whether an arm boot sequence was successfully booted.
regarding claim 18, joshi discloses wherein the plurality of diagnostic tests is implemented in sequential order (figure 4, items 402-410; i.e., the steps occur sequentially).
regarding claim 19, joshi discloses wherein the light illumination sequence command is generated even when the modem experiences a failure (claim 5; i.e., the error message [the claimed “light illumination sequence”] can be displayed if there is a failure in updating the firmware).
regarding claim 20, joshi discloses wherein the failure is at least due to an upgraded firmware that has been downloaded and/or attempted to be downloaded (paragraph 0027).
|
[
"1. A computing apparatus comprising:\none or more computer readable storage media;\none or more processors operatively coupled with the one or more computer readable storage media; and\nprogram instructions stored on the one or more computer readable storage media that, when executed by the one or more processors, direct the computing apparatus to at least:\nextract audio data from a media file comprising the audio data and video data;\ngenerate, based at least on an analysis of speech represented in the audio data, a trim proposal indicative of segments of the video data to potentially trim from the media file, wherein the segments of the video data correspond to segments of the audio data determined by the analysis of the speech to include filler words and pauses;\ncause display of a visualization of the trim proposal;\nreceive user input comprising a selection of at least a portion of the visualization of the trim proposal; and\ntrim the media file based at least on the user input.",
"2. The computing apparatus of claim 1 wherein, to generate the trim proposal, the program instructions direct the computing apparatus to at least:\nsupply the audio data to an analysis service;\nreceive results of the analysis from the analysis service, wherein the results of the analysis comprise timestamps that define segments of the audio data determined by the analysis service to represent undesirable portions of the speech; and\nidentify the segments of the video data based at least on the timestamps.",
"3. The computing apparatus of claim 2 wherein, to identify the segments of the video data based at least on the timestamps, the program instructions direct the computing apparatus to identify segments of the video data that correspond to the segments of the audio data defined in the results of the analysis by the timestamps.",
"4. The computing apparatus of claim 3 wherein:\nthe program instructions further direct the computing apparatus to cause display of a visualization of the video data, wherein the visualization of the video data comprises a linear representation of the video data;\nthe visualization of the trim proposal comprises a visual emphasis on the segments of the video data indicated in the trim proposal relative to other segments of the video data not indicated in the trim proposal; and\nthe selection of at least a portion of the visualization of the trim proposal comprises one or more selections of one or more of the segments in the visualization of the video data.",
"5. The computing apparatus of claim 4 wherein the results of the analysis further comprise a transcription of the audio data and wherein the program instructions further direct the computing apparatus to cause display of a visualization of the transcription.",
"6. The computing apparatus of claim 5 the visualization of the trim proposal further comprises a visual emphasis on portions of the visualization of the transcription corresponding to the segments of the audio data defined by the timestamps in the results of the analysis.",
"7. The computing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the visualization of the trim proposal includes:\na visualization of the segments of the video data to potentially trim, wherein the visualization of the segments shows a beginning point and an end point for each of the segments; and\na visualization of a transcription of at least a portion of the audio data, wherein the visualization of the transcription includes a visual indication of the segments of the audio data corresponding to the segments of the video data to potentially trim.",
"8. The computing apparatus of claim 1 wherein, to trim the media file based at least on the user input, the program instructions direct the computing apparatus to remove at least one of the segments of the video data from the media file and to remove one or more corresponding segments of the audio data from the media file.",
"9. The computing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the program instructions direct the computing apparatus to overlay the visualization of the trim proposal onto a visualization of the video data.",
"10. The computing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the filler words include one or more of the words: “um” and “uh”.",
"11. A method comprising:\nextracting audio data from a media file comprising the audio data and video data;\ngenerating, based at least on an analysis of speech represented in the audio data, a trim proposal indicative of segments of the video data to potentially trim from the media file, wherein the segments of the video data correspond to segments of the audio data determined by the analysis of the speech to include filler words and pauses;\ncausing display of the trim proposal;\nreceiving user input comprising a selection of at least a portion of the visualization of the trim proposal; and\ntrimming the media file based at least on the user input.",
"12. The method of claim 11 wherein generating the trim proposal comprises:\nsupplying the audio data to an analysis service;\nreceiving results of the analysis from the analysis service, wherein the results of the analysis comprise timestamps that define segments of the audio data determined by the analysis service to represent undesirable portions of the speech; and\nidentifying the segments of the video data based at least on the timestamps.",
"13. The method of claim 12 wherein identifying the segments of the video data based at least on the timestamps comprises identifying segments of the video data that correspond to the segments of the audio data defined in the results of the analysis by the timestamps.",
"14. The method of claim 12 wherein:\nthe method further comprises causing display of a visualization of the video data, wherein the visualization of the video data comprises a linear representation of the video data;\nthe visualization of the trim proposal comprises a visual emphasis on the segments of the video data indicated in the trim proposal relative to other segments of the video data not indicated in the trim proposal; and\nthe selection of at least a portion of the visualization of the trim proposal comprises one or more selections of one or more of the segments outlined in the linear representation of the video data.",
"15. The method of claim 14 wherein the results of the analysis further comprise a transcription of the audio data and wherein the method further comprises causing display of a visualization of the transcription.",
"16. The method of claim 15 the visualization of the trim proposal further comprises a visual emphasis on portions of the visualization of the transcription corresponding to the segments of the audio data defined by the timestamps in the results of the analysis.",
"17. The method of claim 11, wherein the visualization of the trim proposal includes:\na visualization of the segments of the video data to potentially trim, wherein the visualization of the segments shows a beginning point and an end point for each of the segments; and\na visualization of a transcription of at least a portion of the audio data, wherein the visualization of the transcription includes a visual indication of the segments of the audio data corresponding to the segments of the video data to potentially trim.",
"18. The method of claim 11 further comprising overlaying the visualization of the trim proposal onto a visualization of the video data.",
"19. The method of claim 11 wherein segments of the video data correspond to segments of the audio data determined by the analysis of the speech to include undesirable content.",
"20. One or more computer readable storage media having program instructions stored thereon that, when executed by one or more processors of a computing device, direct the computing device to at least:\nextract audio data from a media file comprising the audio data and video data;\ngenerate, based at least on an analysis of speech represented in the audio data, a trim proposal indicative of segments of the video data to potentially trim from the media file, wherein the segments of the video data correspond to segments of the audio data determined by the analysis of the speech to include filler words and pauses;\ncause display of a visualization of the trim proposal;\nreceive user input comprising a selection of at least a portion of the visualization of the trim proposal; and\ntrim the media file based at least on the user input."
] |
US12142303B2
|
US20220068258A1
|
[
"1) A method comprising:\naccessing, by a processor, a timestamp-to-text map that maps text corresponding to speech represented in an audio track for a media clip to a plurality of timestamps for the media clip;\ndetermining, by the processor using the timestamp-to-text map and a semantic model, a comparative probability of at least one identified gap in the text corresponding to a grammatical pause in the speech represented in the audio track; and\nstoring, by the processor based on the comparative probability, a potential edit point for the media clip that corresponds to the grammatical pause in the speech represented in the audio track of the media clip.",
"2) The method of claim 1 further comprising:\nkernel-additive modeling the audio track of the media clip to identify audio sources to isolate the speech from among the audio sources; and\nproducing the timestamp-to-text map based on the speech, wherein the text mapped by timestamp-to-text map includes both words and gaps in the speech.",
"3) The method of claim 1 wherein determining the comparative probability further comprises:\nusing the semantic model to determine a word-based probability of the at least one identified gap corresponding to the grammatical pause in the speech; and\ncombining a time-based probability with the word-based probability to produce the comparative probability.",
"4) The method of claim 1 further comprising:\ncausing a presentation device to interactively display the potential edit point in association with the media clip; and\ncausing the presentation device to display at least a portion of the text corresponding to the potential edit point.",
"5) The method of claim 4 further comprising causing the presentation device to display a visual attribute corresponding to a speaker.",
"6) The method of claim 1 further comprising editing the media clip in response to at least one of storing the potential edit point or receiving user input.",
"7) The method of claim 1 wherein the semantic model comprises at least one of a Markov model or a deep-learning neural network trained to output word occurrence probabilities.",
"8) A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing program code executable by a processor to perform operations, the operations comprising:\naccessing a timestamp-to-text map that maps text corresponding to speech represented in an audio track for a media clip to a plurality of timestamps for the media clip;\nproducing, using the timestamp-to-text map, based on an average-length of gaps between words in the speech, an indexed list of high, time-based probability gaps in the speech;\ndetermining, using the indexed list and a semantic model, a comparative probability of at least one identified gap from the high, time-based probability gaps corresponding to a grammatical pause in the speech represented in the audio track; and\nstoring, based on the comparative probability, a potential edit point for the media clip that corresponds to the grammatical pause in the speech represented in the audio track of the media clip.",
"9) The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8 wherein the operations further comprise:\nkernel-additive modeling the audio track of the media clip to identify audio sources to isolate the speech from among the audio sources; and\nproducing the timestamp-to-text map based on the speech, wherein the text mapped by timestamp-to-text map includes both words and gaps in the speech.",
"10) The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8 wherein the operations further comprise:\ncausing a presentation device to interactively display the potential edit point in association with the media clip; and\ncausing the presentation device to display at least a portion of the text corresponding to the potential edit point.",
"11) The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 10 wherein the operations further comprise causing the presentation device to display a visual attribute corresponding to a speaker.",
"12) The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8 wherein the operations further comprise editing the media clip in response to at least one of storing the potential edit point or receiving user input.",
"13) The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8 wherein the semantic model comprises at least one of a Markov model or a deep-learning neural network trained to output word occurrence probabilities.",
"14) A method for producing a potential edit point for a media clip, the method comprising:\naccessing an audio track for a media clip;\na step for determining, with a timestamp-to-text map and a semantic model, a comparative probability of at least one identified gap in text corresponding to a grammatical pause in speech represented in the audio track; and\nidentifying, based on the comparative probability, a potential edit point for the media clip that corresponds to the grammatical pause in the speech represented in the audio track of the media clip.",
"15) The method of claim 14 further comprising kernel-additive modeling the audio track of the media clip to identify audio sources to isolate the speech from among the audio sources.",
"16) The method of claim 14 wherein the step for determining the comparative probability further comprises a step for producing an indexed list of high, time-based probability gaps in the speech based on an average-length of gaps between words in the speech as determined at least in part from the timestamp-to-text map.",
"17) The method of claim 14 further comprising:\ncausing a display device to interactively display the potential edit point in association with the media clip; and\na step for causing the display device to display at least a portion of the text corresponding to the potential edit point.",
"18) The method of claim 17 further comprising a step for causing the display device to display a visual attribute corresponding to a speaker.",
"19) The method of claim 14 further comprising editing the media clip in response to at least one of storing the potential edit point or receiving user input.",
"20) The method of claim 14 wherein the semantic model comprises at least one of a Markov model, an N-gram language model, a neural network language model, or a recurrent neural network language model."
] |
[
[
"1. An apparatus for processing audio and/or video data, the apparatus operatively adapted for causing display of an element comprising at least one absolute time or at least one time indicator, wherein:\na sector associated with the element indicates a duration or a length of the audio and/or video data;\na total free space indicator of the element indicates total free space left on a storage medium;\nthe total free space indicator has a shape of a portion of a circle or a portion of a ring;\ntime marks are displayed that are set automatically or by user interaction;\nsaid time marks are at least partially associated with picture and/or audio information;\nthe picture and/or audio information is at least temporarily displayed as thumbnails within a thumbnail bar;\nthe element has a shape of a portion of an analogue clock; and\nsub-sectors of the sector present details of the audio and/or video data.",
"2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:\nthe picture and/or audio information is at least temporarily displayed.",
"3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:\nsaid thumbnail bar provides a sequence of scene snapshot information or any other bookmark related visual and/or audio information.",
"4. The apparatus according to claim 1, said apparatus adapted to utilize thumbnail highlighting, wherein:\nat least one thumbnail is correlated to a particular time mark within the audio and/or video data.",
"5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:\nthe apparatus is operably adapted for allowing a user to adjust a time base at which time marks are automatically set.",
"6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:\na time mark is set upon detection of a scene change.",
"7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein:\nthe element has a disc-like representation.",
"8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:\nthe element displayed comprises a timebar.",
"9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:\nthe element has a 2- or 3-dimensional shape.",
"10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:\nthe element displayed shows an analogue clock.",
"11. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:\nthe sector or the portion is arranged inside the element.",
"12. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:\nthe sector or the portion indicates a length or a duration of a recording session and/or a length or a duration of stored program material.",
"13. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:\nthe apparatus comprises at least one storage medium for storing the audio and/or video data.",
"14. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:\nthe apparatus is operatively adapted for causing display of at least one pointer that points to a position within the sector.",
"15. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:\nat least one time indicator is displayed, said time indicator in particular providing visual time information in a numerical format in conjunction with at least one line pointer.",
"16. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:\nat least one iconic state indicator is adapted to display trick play mode information comprising each of the following:\nplayback,\nrecord,\npause,\nslow/fast play,\nfast forward speed,\nslow reverse,\nfast reverse speed.",
"17. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:\na cache sector and/or a cache portion is displayed representing a recorded time interval of a program.",
"18. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein:\nthe sub-sectors of the sector present details of the cache sector contents and attribute information of the audio and/or video data are provided by a zoom functionality, whereby a portion of the analogue clock is exploded.",
"19. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein:\nthe zoom functionality is provided on request of a user.",
"20. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein:\nthe program recorded is stored to a logically assigned cache buffer that is preferably distinguishable from further cache sectors due to attribute information.",
"21. The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein:\nsaid attribute information comprises at least one of the following:\nage rating level;\nprogram channel;\nsource information;\nother EPG information;\nuser defined information;\nautomatically generated bookmark information.",
"22. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:\nthe apparatus is operatively adapted for causing display of recording and play back relevant device resources.",
"23. The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein:\nthe apparatus is operatively adapted for providing information on available free storage resources.",
"24. The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein:\nthe apparatus is operatively adapted for providing an absolute rest of free storage medium or the free storage medium in proportion to the complete storage medium size.",
"25. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:\nthe apparatus is operatively adapted for providing interfaces and functionality of a Set Top Box connected to a TV to provide access to program material via satellite, cable network or IP network.",
"26. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:\nthe apparatus is operatively adapted for providing interfaces and functionality of a TV set providing access to program material via satellite, cable network or IP network.",
"27. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:\nthe apparatus is operatively adapted for causing display of a second sector associated with the element, said second sector indicating a duration of simultaneous audio and/or video data, and said element adapted to render more than one sector simultaneously over an interval of time.",
"28. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:\nthe apparatus is operatively adapted for causing display of:\na second sector associated with the element, said second sector indicating a duration of simultaneous audio and/or video data, said element adapted to render more than one sector simultaneously over an interval of time; and\nat least one pointer that points to a position within the sector and also points to a position within the second sector.",
"29. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:\nthe apparatus is operatively adapted for causing display of:\na second sector associated with the element, said second sector indicating a duration of simultaneous audio and/or video data, said element adapted to render more than one sector simultaneously over an interval of time;\na first pointer that points to a position within the sector; and\na second pointer that points to a position within the second sector.",
"30. A method for processing audio and/or video data comprising:\ndisplaying an element comprising at least one absolute time or at least one time indicator, wherein:\na sector or a portion of said element is associated with a duration or a length of the audio and/or video data;\na total free space indicator of the element indicates total free space left on a storage medium;\nthe total free space indicator has a shape of a portion of a circle or a portion of a ring;\ntime marks are displayed that are set automatically or by user interaction;\nsaid time marks are at least partially associated with picture and/or audio Information;\nthe picture and/or audio information is at least temporarily displayed as thumbnails within a thumbnail bar;\nthe element displayed has a shape of at least a portion of an analogue clock; and\nsub-sectors of the sector present details of the audio and/or video data.",
"31. The method according to claim 30, wherein:\nsaid audio and/or video data is analyzed and upon detection of a scene change a time mark is automatically set."
],
[
"1. A video editing apparatus comprising:\nvideo storage configured to store video data for a plurality of video scenes, each of said video scenes having a duration defined by an in point and an out point thereof;\na first editor configured to edit at least one of said video scenes in a desirable order;\na reproduction device configured to reproduce from video storage a first video data corresponding to an in point of selected one of said video scenes and a second video data corresponding to an out point of the video scene preceding said selected on of said video scenes;\na display configured to simultaneously display said first video data and said second video data corresponding to an out point of the other of said two video scenes; and\na second editor configured to change at least one of the in point of said selected one of said video scenes and the out point of said video scene preceding said selected on of said video scenes, wherein said second editor comprises soft trim buttons within the selected one of said video scenes.",
"2. The video editing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein there are first and second editing modes, in said first editing mode the in point of said selected one of said video scenes being changed while the out point of said video s scene preceding remains unchanged, and in said second editing mode the in point of said selected on e of said video scenes being changed while the out point of said video scene preceding is also changed so that the total duration of said selected one of said video scenes and said video scene preceding remains unchanged.",
"3. The video editing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said reproduction device reproduces from said video storage a plurality of log cards capable of being displayed on said display reflecting at least one of said video scenes created during playback of said video scenes corresponding to said video data from at least one source device, each of said plurality of log cards comprising control data used to retrieve said video data corresponding to each of said plurality of log cards.",
"4. The video editing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said reproduction device reproduces playback of said video scenes stored in said video storage, said playback capable of being displayed on said display said playback of said video scenes responsive to various editing functions including user selection of at least one of said video scenes to be displayed as at least one of said plurality of log cards.",
"5. The video editing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said display is capable of displaying a time line area where at least one of said plurality of log cards displayed on said display means may be moved to, said time line area identifying the duration of said video data corresponding to said at least one of said plurality of log cards, said time line area displaying edits to said video data.",
"6. The video editing apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said control data displays the frame of at least one of said video scenes at which said in point is selected or the frame of at least one of said video scenes at which said out point is selected.",
"7. The video editing apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said control data comprises a log card number assigned to each of said plurality of log cards.",
"8. The video editing of claim 3 wherein said control data comprises source device identification from which at least one of said video scenes are retrieved.",
"9. The video editing apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said control data comprises time code information regarding at least one of said video scenes including duration of at least one of said video scenes, start point of said at least one of said video scenes, and end point of said at least one of said video scenes.",
"10. The video editing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said first editor comprises various edit functions including at least one of said plurality of log cards to said time line area, insertion of at least one of said video scenes of selected log card between pre-existing at least one of said video scenes located on said time line area, shifting said selected video scenes for insertion between said pre-existing at least one of said video scenes located on said time line area, overlaying all or portions of said selected video scenes already placed on said time line areas, deleting said overlay portions of underlying pre-existing at least one of said video scenes, updating the corresponding said plurality of log cards, deleting selected said plurality of log cards, digitizing said video data corresponding to said selected plurality of log cards if not already in digital form, and storing said digitized said video data in a digital storage device such as disk storage or memory.",
"11. A video editing system comprising:\nvideo storage configured to store video data for a plurality of video scenes each of said video scenes having a duration defined by an in point and out point thereof;\na first editor configured to edit at least one of said video scenes in a desirable order;\na reproduction device configured to reproduce from said video storage a first video data corresponding to an in point of selected one of said video scenes and a second video data corresponding to an out point of the video scene preceding said selected one of said video scenes;\na display configured to simultaneously displaying said first video data and said second video data corresponding to an out point of the other of said two video scenes;\na playback device providing playback of moving images to said display; and\na second editor configured to change at least one of the in point of said selected one of said video scenes and the out point of said video scene preceding said selected on of said video scenes, wherein said second editor comprises soft trim buttons within the selected one of said video scenes.",
"12. The video editing system according to claim 11, wherein there are first and second editing modes, in said first editing mode the in point of said selected one of said video scenes being changed while the out point of said video scene preceding remains unchanged, and in said second editing mode the in point of said selected one of said video scenes being changed while the out point of said video scene preceding is also changed so that the total duration of said selected one of said video scenes and said video scene preceding remains unchanged.",
"13. The video editing system according to claim 11 wherein said reproduction device reproduces a plurality of log cards capable of being displayed on said display and reflecting at least one of said video scenes created during playback of said video scenes, each of said plurality of log cards comprising control data used to retrieve said video data corresponding to each of said plurality of log cards.",
"14. The video editing system according to claim 11 wherein said reproduction device reproduces playback of said video scenes stored in said video storage, said playback capable of being displayed on said display said playback of said video scenes responsive to various editing functions including user selection of at least one of said video scenes to be displayed as at least one of said plurality of log cards.",
"15. The video editing system according to claim 11 wherein said display displays a time line area where at least one of said plurality of log cards displayed on said display may be moved to, said time line area identifying the duration of said video data corresponding to said at least one of said plurality of log cards, said time line area displaying edits to said video data.",
"16. The video editing system according to claim 13 wherein said control data comprises the frame of said at least one of video scenes at which said in point is selected or the frame of at least one of said video scenes at which said out point is selected.",
"17. The video editing system according to claim 13 wherein said control data comprises a log card number assigned to each of said plurality of log cards.",
"18. The video editing system of claim 13 wherein said control data comprises source device identification from which said at least one of said video scenes are retrieved.",
"19. The video editing system according to claim 13 wherein said control data comprises time code information regarding at least one of said video scenes including duration of at least one of said video scenes, start point of said at least one of said video scenes, and end point of said at least one of said video scenes.",
"20. The video editing system according to claim 11 wherein said first editor comprises various edit functions including insertion of at least one of said plurality of log cards to said time line area, insertion of at least one of said video scenes of selected log card between pre-existing at least one of said video scenes located on said time line area, shifting said selected video scenes to insert said selected video scenes between said pre-existing at least one of said video scenes located on said time line area, overlaying all or portions of said selected video scenes already placed on said time line area which overlap, deleting said overlay portions of underlying pre-existing at least one of said video scenes, updating the corresponding said plurality of log cards, deleting selected said plurality of log cards, digitizing said video data corresponding to said selected plurality of log cards if not already in digital form, and storing said digitized said video data in a digital storage device such as disk storage or memory.",
"21. A method for editing video comprising the steps of:\nstoring video data for a plurality of video scenes in a video storage, each of said video scenes having a duration defined by an in point and out point thereof;\nediting at least one of said video scenes in a desirable order;\nreproducing from said video storage a first video data corresponding to an in point of selected one of said video scenes and a second video data corresponding to an out point of the video scene preceding said selected one of said video scenes;\nsimultaneously displaying on a display said first video data and said second video data corresponding to an out point of the other of said two video scenes; and\nchanging at least one of the in point of said selected one of said video scenes and the out point of said video scene preceding said selected on of said video scenes using an editor comprising soft trim buttons within the selected one of said video scenes.",
"22. The method according to claim 21, wherein there are first and second editing modes, in said first editing mode the in point of said selected one of said video scenes being changed while the out point of said video scene preceding remains unchanged, and in said second editing mode the in point of said selected one of said video scenes being changed while the out point of said video scene preceding is also changed so that the total duration of said selected one of said video scenes and said video scene preceding remains unchanged.",
"23. The method according to claim 21 further comprising the step of reproducing from said storage a plurality of log cards reflecting at least one of said video scenes created during playback of said video scenes, each of said plurality of log cards comprising control data used to retrieve video corresponding to each of said plurality of log cards.",
"24. The method according to claim 21 further comprising the step of reproducing playback of said video scenes stored in said video storage for various editing functions including user selection of at least one of said video scenes to be displayed as at least one of said plurality of log cards.",
"25. The method according to claim 21 further comprising the step of identifying the duration of said video data corresponding to said at least one of said plurality of log cards, said duration used during said step of editing.",
"26. The method according to claim 23 wherein said control data comprises the frame of said video scene at which said in point is selected or the frame of said video scene at which said out point is selected.",
"27. The method according to claim 23 wherein said control data identifies a log card number assigned to said each of said plurality of log cards.",
"28. The method of claim 23 wherein said control data identifies the source device from which said at least one of said video scenes are retrieved.",
"29. The method according to claim 23 wherein said control data comprises time code information regarding said at least one of said video scenes including duration of said at least one of said video scenes, start point of said at least one of said video scenes, and end point of said at least one of said video scenes.",
"30. The method according to claim 21, wherein said video data is recorded in analog form in said recording medium when said video data is reproduced, said video data reproduced is first digitized and stored in a disk memory in digital form."
],
[
"1. A method, comprising:\nreceiving, by a computing device, multiple forms of media to be integrated into a slide show,\nwherein the multiple forms of media comprise two or more video content elements and one or more image content elements that are each associated with a respective audio track,\nwherein a first video content element of the two or more video content elements includes a corresponding first audio track and a second video content element of the two or more video content elements includes a corresponding second audio track,\nwherein the corresponding second audio track is disabled or non-existent;\nreceiving, by the computing device, input selecting a background audio track for the slide show;\nautomatically integrating, by the computing device, in response to receiving the multiple forms of media, the two or more video content elements, the one or more image content elements, and the background audio track together into the slide show,\nwherein the background audio track is played during playback of the slide show when the computing device detects that there is no audio signal generated by another audio track in the slide show.",
"2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nretrieving, using a processor, the two or more video content elements and the one or more image content elements from one or more storage devices.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein the respective audio tracks of the two or more video content elements comprise audio captured as part of generation of the two or more video content elements.",
"4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nformatting the multiple forms of media in the slide show to be playable by a media player; and\nautomatically playing the slide show using the media player.",
"5. The method of claim 4, wherein automatically playing the slide show comprises:\ndisplaying a video and playing the respective audio track of the video; and\nin response to the video ending, playing a different audio track than that associated with the video.",
"6. The method of claim 4, wherein automatically playing the slide show comprises:\ndisplaying a video; and\nin response to the video ending, ending the slide show.",
"7. The method of claim 4, wherein automatically playing the slide show comprises:\nplaying the respective audio track associated with a video as the video content element plays; and\nin response to the respective video content element ending, presenting an image and fading in the audio track.",
"8. The method of claim 4, wherein automatically playing the slide show comprises:\nfading out the background audio track presented with the one or more image content elements prior to a transition to presenting a video content element.",
"9. The method of claim 8, wherein automatically playing the slide show comprises:\nin response to the transition to presenting the video content element, playing the respective audio track associated with the video content element.",
"10. The method of claim 4, wherein automatically playing the slide show comprises:\ndisplaying a text content element for a predetermined period of time.",
"11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\ndefining, using a processor, a period of time that images included in the slide show are presented when the slide show is played.",
"12. The method of claim 11, further comprising playing the slide show, wherein playing the slide show comprises:\ndisplaying a first image for the period of time; and\nin response to the period of time elapsing, displaying a second image for the period of time or playing a video content element.",
"13. A system, comprising:\na hard drive that stores video content element having respective audio tracks, image content element, and audio content element;\none or more processors; and\na non-transitory computer program product, stored on a machine-readable medium, comprising instructions operable to cause the processors to:\nretrieve video content elements, image content elements, and audio content elements from the hard drive,\nwherein a first video content element of the video content elements includes a corresponding first audio track and a second video content element of the video content elements includes a corresponding second audio track,\nwherein the corresponding second audio track is disabled or non-existent;\nreceive input selecting a background audio track; and\nformat the video content elements, the image content elements, the audio content elements, and the background audio track as a slide show that is enabled to be played by a media player,\nwherein the background audio track is played during playback of the slide show when the system detects that there is no audio signal generated by another audio track in the slide show.",
"14. The system of claim 13, wherein the media player automatically plays the slide show after formatting of the slide show is completed.",
"15. A non-transitory computer program product, stored on a machine-readable medium, comprising instructions operable to cause a processor to:\nreceive multiple forms of media to be integrated into a slide show, wherein the multiple forms of media comprise two or more video content elements and one or more image content elements that are each associated with a respective audio track,\nwherein a first video content element of the two or more video content elements includes a corresponding first audio track and a second video content element of the two or more video content elements includes a corresponding second audio track,\nwherein the corresponding second audio track is disabled or non-existent;\nreceive, by the computing device, input selecting a background audio track for the slide show; and\nautomatically integrate, in response to receiving the multiple forms of media, the two or more video content elements, the one or more image content elements, and the background audio track together into the slide show in a chronological order based on when images and videos were captured,\nwherein the background audio track is played during playback of the slide show when the computing device detects that there is no audio signal generated by another audio track in the slide show.",
"16. The computer program product of claim 15, further comprising instructions to:\nretrieve, using the processor, the two or more video content elements and the one or more image content elements from one or more storage devices.",
"17. The computer program product of claim 15, further comprising instructions to:\ndefine, using the processor, a period of time that images included in the slide show are displayed when the slide show is played.",
"18. The computer program product of claim 17, further comprising instructions to:\nplay the slide show, wherein playing the slide show comprises:\ndisplaying a first image for the period of time; and\nin response to the period of time elapsing, displaying a second image for the period of time or playing a video content element.",
"19. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the instructions to automatically integrate the two or more video content elements, the one or more image content elements, and the background audio track together into the slide show further include instructions to format the slide show to be playable by a media player.",
"20. The computer program product of claim 15, further comprising instructions to:\nautomatically play the slide show using a media player."
],
[
"1. An information processing apparatus which is configured to reproduce sequentially a first content, a second content, and a third content of contents, wherein:\ninformation relating to content is displayed on regions of a display window;\nwhen the first content is being reproduced, first information related to the first content is displayed on a first region of the display window;\nin response to switching the content being reproduced from the first content to the second content, second information related to the second content is switched from being displayed on a second region of the display window to the first region, third information related to the third content is switched from being displayed on a third region of the display window to the second region, and the first information is switched from being displayed on the first region to the third region, such that display positions of the first and second information are moved to the third and first regions, respectively;\nthe second region is displayed to include a first sub-region displaying a first plurality of different contents from a first playlist and a second sub-region separate from the first sub-region, the second sub-region displaying a second plurality of different contents from a second playlist;\nthe third region is displayed to include a third sub-region displaying contents from the first playlist that are not displayed in the second region and a fourth sub-region separate from the third sub-region, the fourth sub-region displaying contents from the second playlist that are not displayed in the second region.",
"2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the first information related to the first content whose reproduction is terminated is displayed on the third region, the first information is displayed in a color or luminance that is different from a color or luminance of the first information displayed on the first region.",
"3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first region and the second region are placed in proximity to each other.",
"4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information related to the content includes at least a name of the content.",
"5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein information indicating time elapsed from the start of reproduction is displayed on the first region.",
"6. An information processing method of an information processing apparatus which is configured to reproduce sequentially a first content, a second content, and a third content of contents, comprising:\ndisplaying information relating to content on regions of a display window;\nwhen the first content is being reproduced, displaying first information related to the first content on a first region of the regions;\nswitching the content being reproduced from the first content to the second content;\nin response to the switching the content being reproduced, switching the display of second information related to the second content on a second region of the regions to the first region, switching the display of third information related to the third content from being displayed on a third region of the regions to the second region, and switching the display of the first information to the third region, such that display positions of the first and second information are moved to the third and first regions, respectively, wherein\nthe second region is displayed to include a first sub-region displaying a first plurality of different contents from a first playlist and a second sub-region separate from the first sub-region, the second sub-region displaying a second plurality of different contents from a second playlist;\nthe third region is displayed to include a third sub-region displaying contents from the first playlist that are not displayed in the second region and a fourth sub-region separate from the third sub-region, the fourth sub-region displaying contents from the second playlist that are not displayed in the second region.",
"7. The information processing method according to claim 6, wherein when the first information related to the first content whose reproduction is terminated is displayed on the third region, the first information is displayed in a color or luminance that is different from a color or luminance of the first information displayed on the first region.",
"8. The information processing method according to claim 6, wherein the first region and the second region are placed in proximity to each other.",
"9. The information processing method according to claim 6, wherein the information related to the content includes at least a name of the content.",
"10. The information processing method according to claim 6, wherein information indicating time elapsed from the start of reproduction is displayed on the first region.",
"11. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein\nthe first, second and third regions are discrete regions and maintain predetermined display positions within the display window while the content being reproduced is switched from the first content to the second content.",
"12. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. wherein the second content is sequentially reproduced after the information processing apparatus stops reproducing the first content, thereby causing the display positions of the first and second information to be moved to the third and first regions, respectively, without requiring a corresponding user operation.",
"13. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein information related to content that is displayed. on the first region of the display window is displayed with a color or luminance that is different than the colors or luminances used to display the information related to content that is displayed in the second and third regions.",
"14. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a color luminance, with which the first plurality of information displayed in the second region are displayed, is brighter than a color or luminance, with which the second plurality of information displayed in the third region are displayed.",
"15. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:\nthe information processing apparatus is configured to switch the content being reproduced from the first content to the second content with a cross-fade between the first content and the second content for a predetermined transition time so as to gradually switch reproduction between the first and second contents, and\nthe display positions of the first and second information are moved to the third and first regions, respectively, after the reproduction of the first content is terminated.",
"16. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:\nthe first region displays information related to a currently playing content;\nthe second region displays a plurality of information related to content scheduled to be played after the currently playing content;\nthe third region displays a plurality of information related to content that was played prior to the currently playing content; and\nthe plurality of information displayed in the second region are displayed with a first color or luminance and the plurality of information displayed in the third region are displayed with a second color or luminance that is different than the first color or luminance so as to visibly distinguish a playback status of the content scheduled to be played after the currently playing content and the content that was played prior to the currently playing content.",
"17. The information processing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein:\nthe first region displays information related to a currently playing content;\nthe second region displays a plurality of information related to content scheduled to be played after the currently playing content;\nthe third region displays a plurality of information related to content that was played prior to the currently playing content; and\nthe plurality of information displayed in the second region are displayed with a first color or luminance, the plurality of information displayed in the third region are displayed with a second color or luminance that is different than the first color or luminance, and the information related to the currently playing content displayed in the first region is displayed with a third color or luminance that is different than the first and second colors or luminances so as to visibly distinguish a playback status of the content scheduled to be played after the currently playing content, the content that was played prior to the currently playing content, and the currently playing content."
],
[
"1. A computer-implemented method for editing digital media on a portable digital processing device having a touch-screen display, comprising:\ndisplaying an interface of a media editing application on the touch-screen display, wherein the interface includes:\na source media track displaying a source media depiction along a source media timeline,\na viewer screen,\na supercursor, and\na build track for bungee block icons representing selected clip portions of the source media depiction;\nselecting a first clip portion of the source media depiction;\nin response to a touch-and-drag gesture applied to said first clip portion towards the direction of said build track, generating a first bungee block icon and initially displaying said first bungee block icon at a first position substantially adjacent to said source media timeline;\nsnapping said first bungee block icon across said screen to a starting queue position of said build track so that during said snapping said first bungee block icon appears to be pulled hands-free across said screen from substantially said first position to said starting queue position;\nselecting a second clip portion of the source media depiction;\nin response to a touch-and-drag gesture applied to said second clip portion towards the direction of said build track, generating a second bungee block icon and initially displaying said second bungee block icon at substantially said first position;\nsnapping said second bungee block icon to a second queue position adjacent said first bungee block icon at said starting queue position; and\nafter said first and second bungee block icons are in said build track, moving said first or second bungee block icon relative to the other substantially along said build track, and, if said first or second bungee block icon overlaps the other by greater than or substantially equal to one half of said other bungee block icon, reversing the queue positions of said first and second bungee block icons,\nwherein the selection of each of the first and second clip portions includes:\nselecting, via a first selection touch-screen gesture involving the supercursor, an in-cue at a first timeline position along the source media timeline, and\nselecting, via a second selection touch-screen gesture involving the supercursor, an out-cue at a second timeline position along the source media timeline.",
"2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nproviding, on each of said first and second bungee block icons, a corresponding clip length indicator.",
"3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:\nproviding, on each of said first and second bungee block icons, a total clip length indicator.",
"4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:\nproviding, on each of said first and second bungee block icons, a thumbnail image from the corresponding clip portion.",
"5. The method of claim 1, further comprising\npositioning said source media track between said source media timeline and said build track, and wherein said source media timeline is adjacent and parallel to said source media track.",
"6. The method of claim 5, wherein said source media track, said source media timeline and said build track are provided depicted horizontally across said touch-screen display.",
"7. The method of claim 6, wherein said first and second bungee block icons have a uniform size relative to each other, so that at least several uniformly sized bungee block icons are viewable simultaneously on said touch-screen display when displayed on said build track.",
"8. The method of claim 7 further including detecting a touch-and-drag gesture applied to a block icon-to-be-moved on said build track, detecting a release location where said touch-and-drag gesture is released, comparing said release location to locations of remaining block icons of said several uniformly sized block icons on said build track and said snapping so as to insert said block icon-to-be-moved between a closest adjacent pair of said remaining block icons if said block icon-to-be-moved is substantially equi-distant between them, and otherwise said snapping said block icon-to-be-moved to a distal end of said build track distal from said starting position.",
"9. The method of claim 8 including repeating the step of generating said block icons for all desired media clips from said source media, and repeating the step of applying said touch and drag gesture to said block icons on said build track and re-arranging the order of said block icons on said build track as desired so as to edit an edited version of said source media.",
"10. The method of claim 9 further including providing a change-screen button depicted on said touch-screen display to change said touch-screen display to display a timeline editor, detecting a designation touch gesture against one of said block icons on said build track, and a subsequent touch gesture against said change-screen button, and then displaying a second application interface displaying a timeline based media editor for editing a source media clip associated with said one of said block icons so designated.",
"11. The method of claim 10 further including editing said one of said block icons while in said media editor in said second application interface and, when complete, returning from said second application interface to said first application interface.",
"12. A portable multi-function device for editing digital media on a portable digital processing device having touch-screen display, comprising:\none or more processors;\nmemory storing one or more programs configured to be executed by said one or more processors, wherein said one or more programs include instructions for:\ndisplaying an interface of a media editing application on the touch-screen display, wherein the interface includes:\na source media track displaying a source media depiction along a source media timeline,\na viewer screen,\na supercursor, and\na build track for bungee block icons representing selected clip portions of the source media depiction;\nselecting a first clip portion of the source media depiction;\nin response to a touch-and-drag gesture applied to said first clip portion towards the direction of said build track, generating a first bungee block icon and initially displaying said first bungee block icon at a first position substantially adjacent to said source media timeline;\nsnapping said first bungee block icon across said screen to a starting queue position of said build track so that during said snapping said first bungee block icon appears to be pulled hands-free across said screen from substantially said first position to said starting queue position;\nselecting a second clip portion of the source media depiction;\nin response to a touch-and-drag gesture applied to said second clip portion towards the direction of said build track, generating a second bungee block icon and initially displaying said second bungee block icon at substantially said first position;\nsnapping said second bungee block icon to a second queue position adjacent said first bungee block icon at said starting queue position; and\nafter said first and second bungee block icons are in said build track, moving said first or second bungee block icon relative to the other substantially along said build track, and, if said first or second bungee block icon overlaps the other by greater than or substantially equal to one half of said other bungee block icon, reversing the queue positions of said first and second bungee block icons,\nwherein the selection of each of the first and second clip portions includes:\nselecting, via a first selection touch-screen gesture involving the supercursor, an in-cue at a first timeline position along the source media timeline, and\nselecting, via a second selection touch-screen gesture involving the supercursor, an out-cue at a second timeline position along the source media timeline.",
"13. The device of claim 12 further comprising instructions for:\nproviding, on each of said first and second bungee block icons, a corresponding clip length indicator.",
"14. The device of claim 13, further comprising instructions for:\nproviding, on each of said first and second bungee block icons, a total clip length indicator.",
"15. The device of claim 14, further comprising instructions for:\nproviding, on each of said first and second bungee block icons, a thumbnail image from the corresponding clip portion.",
"16. The device of claim 15, further comprising instructions for:\npositioning said source media track between said source media timeline and said build track, and wherein said source media timeline is adjacent and parallel to said source media track.",
"17. The device of claim 16, further comprising instructions for:\ndepicting said source media track, said source media timeline and said build track horizontally across said touch-screen display.",
"18. The device of claim 17 further comprising instructions for:\nsaid first and second bungee block icons have a uniform size relative to each other, so that at least several uniformly sized bungee block icons are viewable simultaneously on said touch-screen display when displayed on said build track.",
"19. The device of claim 18 further including instructions for detecting a touch-and-drag gesture applied to a block icon-to-be-moved on said build track, detecting a release location where said touch-and-drag gesture is released, comparing said release location to locations of remaining block icons of said several uniformly sized block icons on said build track and said snapping so as to insert said block icon-to-be-moved between a closest adjacent pair of said remaining block icons if said block icon-to-be-moved is substantially equi-distant between them, and otherwise said snapping said block icon-to-be-moved to a distal end of said build track distal from said starting position.",
"20. A graphical user interface for editing digital media on a portable multifunction device, the interface comprising:\na touch-screen display;\nan interface of a media editing application on the touch-screen display, wherein the interface includes:\na source media track displaying a source media depiction along a source media timeline,\na viewer screen,\na supercursor, and\na build track for bungee block icons representing selected clip portions of the source media depiction;\nwherein the following functions are performed via the interface:\nselecting a first clip portion of the source media depiction;\nin response to a touch-and-drag gesture applied to said first clip portion towards the direction of said build track, generating a first bungee block icon and initially displaying said first bungee block icon at a first position substantially adjacent to said source media timeline;\nsnapping said first bungee block icon across said screen to a starting queue position of said build track so that during said snapping said first bungee block icon appears to be pulled hands-free across said screen from substantially said first position to said starting queue position;\nselecting a second clip portion of the source media depiction;\nin response to a touch-and-drag gesture applied to said second clip portion towards the direction of said build track, generating a second bungee block icon and initially displaying said second bungee block icon at substantially said first position;\nsnapping said second bungee block icon to a second queue position adjacent said first bungee block icon at said starting queue position; and\nafter said first and second bungee block icons are in said build track, moving said first or second bungee block icon relative to the other substantially along said build track, and, if said first or second bungee block icon overlaps the other by greater than or substantially equal to one half of said other bungee block icon, reversing the queue positions of said first and second bungee block icons,\nwherein the selection of each of the first and second clip portions includes:\nselecting, via a first selection touch-screen gesture involving the supercursor, an in-cue at a first timeline position along the source media timeline, and\nselecting, via a second selection touch-screen gesture involving the supercursor, an out-cue at a second timeline position along the source media timeline.",
"21. The interface of claim 20, wherein the following functions are performed via the interface:\nproviding, on each of said first and second bungee block icons, a corresponding clip length indicator.",
"22. The interface of claim 21, wherein the following functions are performed via the interface:\nproviding, on each of said first and second bungee block icons, a total clip length indicator.",
"23. The interface of claim 22, wherein the following functions are performed via the interface:\nproviding, on each of said first and second bungee block icons, a thumbnail image from the corresponding clip portion.",
"24. The interface of claim 23, wherein the following functions are performed via the interface:\npositioning said source media track between said source media timeline and said build track, and wherein said source media timeline is adjacent and parallel to said source media track.",
"25. The interface of claim 24, wherein said source media track, said source media timeline and said build track are provided depicted horizontally across said touch-screen display.",
"26. The interface of claim 25, wherein said first and second bungee block icons have a uniform size relative to each other, so that at least several uniformly sized bungee block icons are viewable simultaneously on said touch-screen display when displayed on said build track.",
"27. The interface of claim 26 further including detecting a touch-and-drag gesture applied to a block icon-to-be-moved on said build track, detecting a release location where said touch-and-drag gesture is released, comparing said release location to locations of remaining block icons of said several uniformly sized block icons on said build track and said snapping so as to insert said block icon-to-be-moved between a closest adjacent pair of said remaining block icons if said block icon-to-be-moved is substantially equi-distant between them, and otherwise said snapping said block icon-to-be-moved to a distal end of said build track distal from said starting position.",
"28. The interface of claim 27 including repeating the step of generating said block icons for all desired media clips from said source media, and repeating the step of applying said touch and drag gesture to said block icons on said build track and re-arranging the order of said block icons on said build track as desired so as to edit an edited version of said source media."
],
[
"1. A method of playing back a program using user equipment comprising:\nstoring a program on a digital storage device, wherein the program includes an advertisement and program material;\ndisplaying one or more playback options, wherein one of the one or more playback options is a skip commercial playback option; and\nin response to the skip commercial playback option being selected, playing back the program material and skipping the advertisement.",
"2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\ndistinguishing the program material from the advertisement based on data stored with the program.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein one of the one or more playback options is a language option which allows a user to set a default language to play back the program material; and\nin response to the language option being selected, playing back the program material in the default language.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein one of the one or more options is a video format option, wherein the video format option allows a user to set a video format to play back the program material; and\nin response to the video format option being selected, playing back the program material in the video format.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein playing back further comprises:\nplaying back the program in a fast-forward playback mode.",
"6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nreceiving a user command to delete the portion of the program corresponding to the advertisement; and\ndeleting the portion of the program corresponding to the advertisement.",
"7. The method of claim 6, wherein deleting comprises:\ndeleting program data associated with the deleted portion of the program.",
"8. The method of claim 1, wherein the program is played back with associated data.",
"9. The method of claim 8, wherein the associated data includes at least one of a title, description, episode, channel, duration, cast members, parental control, category, language, video format, and viewed status.",
"10. A system for playing back a program using user equipment comprising:\ncontrol circuitry configured to:\nstore a program on a digital storage device, wherein the program includes an advertisement and program material;\ndisplay one or more playback options, wherein one of the one or more playback options is a skip commercial playback option; and\nin response to the skip commercial playback option being selected, play back the program material and skip the advertisement.",
"11. The system of claim 10, the control circuitry further configured to:\ndistinguish the program material from the advertisement based on data stored with the program.",
"12. The system of claim 10, wherein one of the one or more playback options is a language option which allows a user to set a default language to play back the program material; and\nwherein the control circuitry is further configured to play back, in response to the language option being selected, the program material in the default language.",
"13. The system of claim 10, wherein one of the one or more options is a video format option which allows a user to set a video format to play back the program material; and\nin response to the video format option being selected, playing back the program material in the video format.",
"14. The system of claim 10, wherein playing back further comprises:\nplaying back the program in a fast-forward playback mode.",
"15. The system of claim 10, the control circuitry further configured to:\nreceive a user command to delete the portion of the program corresponding to the advertisement; and\ndelete the portion of the program corresponding to the advertisement.",
"16. The system of claim 15, wherein deleting comprises:\ndeleting program data associated with the deleted portion of the program.",
"17. The system of claim 10, wherein the program is played back with associated data.",
"18. The system of claim 17, wherein the associated data includes at least one of a title, description, episode, channel, duration, cast members, parental control, category, language, video format, and viewed status."
],
[
"1. A digital audio workstation comprising:\na. means for storing digital audio information;\nb. means for selecting a portion of digital audio information at audio sampling times spaced apart by less than one-thirtieth of a second;\nc. a computer-readable randomly-accessible storage medium in which digital video information is stored and is associated in time with the digital audio information;\nd. means for detecting selection by an operator of the portion of digital audio information; and\ne. means for accessing the digital video information based on the selected portion of digital audio information selected by the operator.",
"2. The digital audio workstation of claim 1, wherein the accessed video information is from an identical time portion as the indicated audio information.",
"3. The workstation of claim 1, wherein the accessed video information is offset from the selected audio information by a particular time period indicated.",
"4. The workstation of claim 1, wherein the accessed video information is displayed essentially immediately upon the selection of the associated audio information.",
"5. The workstation of claim 1, further comprising means for displaying a visual timeline which represents waveforms of the audio information.",
"6. The workstation of claim 1, further comprising means for indicating segments of the digital audio information on a computer display and for allowing editing those segments by using computer user-interface techniques of cutting, pasting, and dragging.",
"7. The workstation of claim 1, further comprising a means for repeatedly playing a segment of the digital video information while allowing the operator to move the digital audio segment associated with that video segment forward or backward in time so as to synchronize events in the digital audio segment and the digital video information.",
"8. The workstation of claim 1, further comprising a means for repeatedly playing a segment of the digital video information while successively playing different versions of a segment of the digital audio information associated with the digital video information so as to enable the operator to choose one version of the digital audio segment.",
"9. The workstation of claim 1, further comprising a means for storing, in association with a particular point of the digital audio information, a digitized voice or textual message for later reference regarding the digital audio information.",
"10. The workstation of claim 1, further comprising a means for digitizing analog video information to produce the digital video information for storage.",
"11. The workstation of claim 10, wherein the accessed video information is from an identical time portion as the indicated audio information.",
"12. The workstation of claim 10, wherein the accessed video information is offset from the selected audio information by a particular time period indicated.",
"13. The workstation of claim 10, wherein the accessed video information is displayed essentially immediately upon the selection of the associated audio information.",
"14. The workstation of claim 10, further comprising means for displaying a visual timeline which represents waveforms of the audio information.",
"15. The workstation of claim 10, further comprising means for indicating segments of the digital audio information on a computer display and for allowing editing those segments by using computer user-interface techniques of cutting, pasting, and dragging.",
"16. The workstation of claim 10, further comprising a means for repeatedly playing a segment of the digital video information while allowing the operator to move the digital audio segment associated with that video segment forward or backward in time so as to synchronize events in the digital audio segment and the digital video information.",
"17. The workstation of claim 10, further comprising a means for repeatedly playing a segment of the digital video information while successively playing different versions of a segment of the digital audio information associated with the digital video information so as to enable the operator to choose one version of the digital audio segment.",
"18. The workstation of claim 10, further comprising a means for storing, in association with a particular point of the digital audio information, a digitized voice or textual message for later reference regarding the digital audio information.",
"19. A digital audio workstation comprising:\nmeans for storing multiple tracks of digital audio information;\nmeans for storing video information having frame rate and synchronized to said digital audio information in a storage medium that provides non-linear and random access to any selected portion of said video information;\nmeans for selecting a portion of said multiple tracks of digital audio information at a resolution less than the frame rate of the video information; and\nmeans for displaying portions of said video information associated with said digital audio information during editing of said digital audio information.",
"20. A digital audio workstation as defined in claim 19 wherein said means for selecting a portion of said multiple tracks of digital audio information includes means for editing said digital audio information at times corresponding to audio sampling boundaries.",
"21. A digital audio workstation as defined in claim 20 wherein said means for selecting a portion of said multiple tracks of digital audio information includes\nmeans for generating a timeline display containing information representative of said multiple tracks of digital audio information in a selected clip;\nmeans for displaying a list of available audio clips in a workreel; and\nmeans for selecting audio clips in said workreel and transferring said audio clips from said workreel to said timeline to provide an edited clip in said timeline.",
"22. A digital audio workstation as defined in claim 21 further including means for controlling recording and playback of said digital audio information.",
"23. A digital audio workstation as defined in claim 21 further including means for associating locators representative of specific events with specific subframe locations in said digital audio information and means for accessing said specific subframe locations by selecting one of said locators.",
"24. A digital audio workstation as defined in claim 19 wherein said means for displaying portions of said video information includes means for repeatedly displaying a selected portion of said video information in a loop and wherein said means for selecting a portion of said multiple tracks of digital audio information includes means for recording digital audio information each time the selected portion of said video information is played.",
"25. A digital audio workstation as defined in claim 24 wherein said means for repeatedly displaying a selected portion of said video information in a loop includes means for automatically repeating said selected portion of video information after a predetermined delay.",
"26. A digital audio workstation as defined in claim 24 wherein said means for repeatedly displaying a selected portion of said video information in a loop includes means for displaying said selected portion of video information after manual initiation by a user.",
"27. A method for editing digital audio comprising the steps of:\nstoring multiple tracks of digital audio information;\nstoring video information having a frame rate and synchronized to said digital audio information in a storage medium that provides non-linear and random access to any selected portion of said video information;\nselecting a portion of said multiple tracks of digital audio information at a resolution less than the frame rate of the video information; and\ndisplaying portions of said video information associated with said digital audio information during editing of said digital audio information.",
"28. The method of claim 27 wherein said step of selecting a portion of said multiple tracks of digital audio information includes editing said digital audio information at times corresponding to audio sampling boundaries.",
"29. The method of claim 28 wherein the step of selecting a portion of said multiple tracks of digital audio information includes the steps of:\ngenerating a timeline display containing information representative of said multiple tracks of digital audio information in a selected clip;\ndisplaying a list of available audio clips in a workreel; and\nselecting audio clips in said workreel and transferring said audio clips from said workreel to said timeline to provide an edited clip in said timeline.",
"30. The method of claim 29 further including the step of controlling recording and playback of said digital audio information.",
"31. The method of claim 29 further including the step of associating locators representative of specific events with specific subframe locations in said digital audio information and accessing said specific subframe locations by selecting one of said locators.",
"32. The method of claim 27 wherein said step of displaying portions of said video information includes repeatedly displaying a selected portion of said video information in a loop and wherein said step of selecting a portion of said multiple tracks of digital audio information includes recording digital audio information each time the selected portion of said video information is played.",
"33. The method of claim 32 wherein said repeatedly displaying a selected portion of said video information in a loop includes automatically repeating said selected portion of video information after a predetermined delay.",
"34. The method of claim 32 wherein said step of repeatedly displaying a selected portion of said video information in a loop includes displaying said selected portion of video information after manual initiation by a user."
],
[
"1. A media composition system for editing source material comprising:\ndigitizing apparatus for receiving and digitizing video and audio source material;\nstorage for storing digitized video and audio source material digitized by the digitizing apparatus;\ncomputing apparatus for manipulating the stored source material to create a composition comprising portions of the stored digitized video and audio source material, wherein the computing apparatus is programmed to provide one of video waveforms and a vectorscope; and\noutput apparatus communicating with the computing apparatus for displaying control information, the manipulated source material, and the one of the video waveforms and vectorscope.",
"2. A media composition system for editing source material comprising:\nstorage for storing digitized video and audio source material digitized by digitizing apparatus;\ncomputing apparatus for manipulating the stored source material, wherein the computing apparatus is programmed to define, in response to user editing commands, a plurality of edited sequences that each include corresponding video and audio clips obtained from the video and audio source material, and wherein the computing apparatus is programmed to respond to a user trimming transitions between two of the video clips by adding source material from the audio source material corresponding to one of the audio clips to a first end of an audio segment from the audio clip when audio material is removed from the other end of the segment to maintain the length of the audio segment, such that the synchronization of video and audio clips subsequent to the two clips is maintained; and\noutput apparatus communicating with the computing apparatus for displaying control information and the manipulated source material.",
"3. The media composition system of claim 1 or claim 2\nwherein the computing apparatus is programmed to provide motion effects in the source material and is further programmed to provide a dial whose rotation rate corresponds with a selected motion effect rate.",
"4. The media composition system of claim 3 further including a mechanical user interface including a track ball and a speed controller.",
"5. The media composition system of claim 3 wherein the computing apparatus is programmed to generate smooth continuous audio having a pitch corresponding to the speed of video material being displayed.",
"6. The media composition system of claim 3 wherein the computing apparatus is further programmed to consolidate media to a single disk in the system.",
"7. The media composition system of claim 3 wherein the display apparatus includes a source monitor and a record monitor and wherein the computing apparatus is programmed so that a video sequence in the source monitor may be overwritten onto a sequence in the record monitor wherein synchronism is maintained between a selected frame in the source monitor sequence and a selected frame in the record monitor.",
"8. The media composition system of claim 3 further including a mouse controller connected with a keyboard, the mouse controller adapted to function as a shuttle control.",
"9. The media composition system of claim 3 further adapted to import a graphic for editing onto a video track wherein the position of the graphic may be controlled and its position displayed in the display apparatus relative to its original position or to its position immediately before the graphic has been moved.",
"10. A media composition system of claim 3 wherein the computing apparatus is programmed to display video wave forms, a vectorscope and black level controls.",
"11. The media composition system of claim 3 wherein the computing apparatus is programmed to provide motion effects that include forward and reverse variable speed effects, a fit-to-fill effect, and a strobe motion effect.",
"12. The media composition system of claim 3 wherein the computing apparatus is programmed to display the dial with the output apparatus as a circular dial with a line extending radially with respect to the circular dial.",
"13. The media composition system of claim 3 wherein the computing apparatus is programmed to set the default rotation rate of the dial at one revolution per second.",
"14. The media composition system of claim 3 wherein the computing apparatus is programmed to present the user with a motion effects dialog box including the dial and including a preview control, the computing apparatus further being programmed to preview one of the motion effects in response to user actuation of the preview control, and wherein the computing apparatus is programmed to rotate the dial during the preview at a rotation rate that corresponds with a selected motion effect rate selected using the motion effects dialog box.",
"15. The media composition system of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the storage includes a plurality of storage drives for storing digitized video and audio source material digitized by the digitizing apparatus; and wherein the computing apparatus is programmed to define, in response to user editing commands, a plurality of edited sequences that each include clips from source material stored on different ones of the storage drives, and wherein the computing apparatus includes means for consolidating the source material corresponding to one of the sequences onto one of the storage drives in response to user selection of the one of the sequences.",
"16. The media composition system of claim 15 wherein the storage drives store the digitized source material in media files and wherein the means for consolidating is operative to consolidate the media files onto the one of the storage drives in response to user selection of the one of the sequences.",
"17. The media composition system of claim 15 wherein the storage drives are disk drives.",
"18. The media composition system of claim 15 wherein the storage drives are optical disk drives.",
"19. The media composition system of claim 1 or claim 2\nwherein the computing apparatus is programmed to display a graphic element and the video source material on the output apparatus at the same time, and to allow the user to interactively position the graphic element with respect to the video source material.",
"20. The media composition system of claim 19 wherein the computing apparatus is responsive to user manipulation of a cursor to position the graphic element.",
"21. The media composition system of claim 19 wherein the computing apparatus is responsive to a drag operation by the user to position the graphic element.",
"22. The media composition system of claim 19 wherein the computing apparatus is responsive to a drag operation by the user to position the graphic element with a first level of control and wherein the computing apparatus is responsive to an option-drag operation by the user to position the graphic element with a second level of control that is finer than the first level of control.",
"23. The media composition system of claim 19 wherein the computing apparatus is responsive to a control-click operation to move the graphic element to an original position.",
"24. The media composition system of claim 19 further including a mouse, and wherein the computing apparatus is responsive to the mouse to position the graphic element.",
"25. The media composition system of claim 19 wherein the computing apparatus is programmed to display on the output device a window with information about the graphic element's current position relative to an original position and information about the graphic element's position relative to a position of the graphic element immediately before it was moved.",
"26. The media composition system of claim 25 wherein the computing apparatus is programmed to display the information about the graphic element's current position relative to an original position and the information about the graphic's element's position relative to its position immediately before it was moved in pixels along the horizontal and vertical axes.",
"27. The media composition system of claim 19 wherein the computing apparatus is programmed to make the graphic element a permanent part of the video source material when an appropriate position has been determined by the user.",
"28. The media composition system of claim 1 or claim 2\nwherein the computing apparatus is programmed respond to a first user specified position in destination video material that is desired to be in synchronization with a user specified position in the video source material by performing an overwrite of the destination material with the source material in a manner that preserves the synchronized relationship; and\nwherein the output apparatus includes a source monitor and a destination monitor, and wherein the computing apparatus is responsive to the user specifying the position in the source material in the source monitor and the position in the destination material in the destination monitor.",
"29. The media composition system of claim 28 further including a mouse, and wherein the computing apparatus is responsive the user specifying the positions in the source and destination material using the mouse.",
"30. The media composition system of claim 29 wherein the computing apparatus is responsive the user specifying the positions in the source and destination material by clicking on the video material at the user specified positions.",
"31. The media composition system of claim 28 wherein the computing apparatus is programmed to further receive from the user a size of the source material information, and wherein the computing apparatus is programmed to receive the positions in the source and destination material and the size of the source material in any order.",
"32. The media composition system of claim 28 wherein the computing apparatus is programmed to receive from the user the size of the source material information by using IN and OUT markers.",
"33. The media composition system of claim 28 wherein the computing apparatus is programmed to receive from the user the size of the source material information by using IN and OUT markers in the destination material.",
"34. The media composition system of claim 1 wherein the computing apparatus is programmed to provide video waveforms, a vectorscope and black level controls.",
"35. The media composition system of claim 1 wherein the computing apparatus is further programmed to provide black level controls.",
"36. A media composition system for editing source material comprising:\nmeans for storing digitized video and audio source material;\nmeans for manipulating the stored source material to create a composition comprising portions of the stored digitized video and audio source material, including means for providing one of video waveforms and a vectorscope; and\noutput means communicating with the computing apparatus for displaying control information, the manipulated source material, and the one of the video waveforms and vectorscope.",
"37. The media composition system of claim 36 wherein the computing apparatus further includes means for providing black level controls.",
"38. A media composition system for editing source material comprising:\nmeans for storing digitized source material digitized by digitizing apparatus;\nmeans for manipulating the stored source material, and for defining, in response to user editing commands, a plurality of edited sequences that each include corresponding clips obtained from the source material, and wherein the computing apparatus is programmed to respond to a user trimming transitions between two of the clips by adding source material corresponding to one of the clips to a first end of a segment from the clip, when audio material is removed from the other end of the segment to maintain the length of the segment, such that the synchronization of clips subsequent to the two clips is maintained; and\noutput apparatus communicating with the computing apparatus for displaying control information and the manipulated source material."
],
[
"1. A method for representing a video sequence, having a plurality of video frames, visually and spatially while minimizing local memory requirements, the method comprising the steps of:\nsampling each video frame of the video sequence to produce a frame sample for each video frame;\nstoring the frame samples for the video frames in a local memory; and\ndisplaying the frame samples as a pictorial timeline representing an edge view of the video sequence.",
"2. A method according to claim 1, wherein frame samples are displayed side by side and the sampling step comprises the step of producing for each video frame a plurality of pixels that each represent an average video value within a corresponding region along a vertical axis of the video frame.",
"3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the producing step comprises the step of emphasizing a dramatic video feature within each region.",
"4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the sampling step comprises the step of selecting a plurality of pixels along a vertical axis of each video frame.",
"5. A method according to claim 4, wherein the vertical axis is taken through a center of each video frame.",
"6. A method according to claim 1 further comprising the steps of:\nstoring a corresponding video sequence in a mass storage medium;\nproviding with each frame sample a pointer to the video frame from which the frame sample is produced;\nselecting a location within the video sequence by indicating a frame sample from the pictorial timeline; and\nusing the pointer from the indicated frame sample to access the video sequence at the selected location.",
"7. A method according to claim 6 further comprising the steps of:\nresponding to operator instructions by rearranging an order in which the frame samples are displayed; and\noutputting an edited video sequence according to the operator rearranged order of frame samples using the pointers to the video frames.",
"8. A method according to claim 6 further comprising the step of providing a view into the stored video sequence.",
"9. A method according to claim 6 further comprising the steps of:\nsampling an audio signal to produce a plurality of audio samples which represent an envelope of the audio signal;\nstoring the audio samples in the local memory; and\ndisplaying the audio samples together with the pictorial timeline as a visual representation of the envelope over time.",
"10. A method according to claim 9 further comprising the steps of:\nstoring the audio signal in a mass storage medium;\nproviding with each audio sample a pointer to a corresponding portion of the audio signal in the mass storage medium;\nresponding to operator instructions by rearranging an order in which the audio samples are displayed; and\noutputting an edited audio sequence according to the operator rearranged order of audio samples using the pointers to the audio signals."
],
[
"1. A digital movie processing system including a general purpose computer having:\na processor;\nrandom access memory suitably connected to the processor;\nstorage memory operably connected to the processor;\nan input connected to the processor; and\na display operably connected to the processor, the display including a plurality of windows, each of the windows having a different format, and wherein one of the windows provides a graphical time-line view of one or more clips of the movie, including at least one horizontally extending media track in which graphical indicia of media clips can be inserted and correlated to an independent time line, and at least one special effects track in which graphical indicia of a special effect can be inserted and correlated with the time line.",
"2. A system for processing digital movies including a general purpose computer having,\na processor,\nrandom access memory operably connected to the processor,\na display operably connected to the processor,\nan input operably connected to the processor, and\nlogic for correlating at least one media track containing at least one digital movie clip, and at least one FX track containing at least one special effect, with a common reference, thereby providing synchronization of the media track with the FX track to facilitate processing of the digital movie to obtain the special effect with the appropriate timing and parameters.",
"3. In a system for processing digital movies including a computer having a processor, random access memory, storage memory, and logic for performing selected image processing operations on the digital movie, improved logic for rendering the movie, the improved logic including:\n(1) logic for identifying and marking digital information corresponding to those portions of the movie that have not been modified since the last time the movie was rendered, (2) logic for identifying and marking the digital data for those portions of the movie that have been modified since the last time the movie was rendered, and (3) logic for identifying and marking the digital data for those portions of the movie that have not been modified since the last rendering but are affected by portions of the movie that have been modified since the last rendering, and logic for rendering only the digital data marked in sections (2) and (3) in response to an instruction to render the movie.",
"4. In a system for processing digital movies including a computer having a processor, random access memory, storage memory, and logic for performing image processing operations on digital data corresponding to at least one movie clip, an improved composite clip data file comprising an image media segment and a composition data segment, the image media segment including digital data corresponding to the movie clip in a format suitable for playing the movie, and the composition data segment including data corresponding to the identity and location of the source media and image processing operations performed on the source media, including processing and timing parameters, suitable for reproducing the movie clip contained in the media segment of the data file from the source clips."
],
[
"1. A method for automatically producing a summary of a video, comprising:\npartitioning a video into scenes using a frame-similarity matrix, each element in the frame-similarity matrix representing a distance between feature vectors of a corresponding pair of frames;\ngenerating a scene-similarity matrix comprising a plurality of elements based on the frame-similarity matrix, each element of the scene-similarity matrix representing a measure of similarity between different scenes of the video;\ndetermining, by a processor, an importance score for each scene based on the scene-similarity matrix, motion data associated with the scene, and audio data associated with the scene, an importance score for a scene indicating a relative importance of the scene, wherein the importance score increases responsive to the scene having a high similarity with other scenes in the video and increases responsive to the scene having a high distance from a measure of a mean cohesiveness of the video;\nselecting representative scenes from the video based on the determined importance scores; and\ncombining selected scenes to produce the summary for the video.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein each feature vector comprises a color histogram of a frame.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein an element in the frame-similarity matrix comprises a distance between two feature vectors FA and FB, wherein the distance is calculated as\n1\n-\n𝐹\n𝐴\n*\n𝐹\n𝐵\n\n𝐹\n𝐴\n\n\n\n𝐹\n𝐵\n\n.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein the scene-similarity matrix is generated by detecting shot boundaries using an adaptive-threshold technique which computes a distance between feature vectors for successive frames divided by a maximum distance between successive feature vectors in a preceding window of frames.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein selecting a scene from the video comprises clustering similar scenes together and selecting at most one scene from each cluster.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein selecting a representative scene from the video comprises using a dynamic-programming technique to select the scene.",
"7. The method of claim 1, wherein selecting representative scenes from the video comprises selecting the representative scenes based on a total importance score for the selected scenes subject to a time constraint.",
"8. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform a method for automatically producing a summary of a video, the method comprising:\npartitioning a video into scenes using a frame-similarity matrix, each element in the frame-similarity matrix representing a distance between feature vectors of a corresponding pair of frames;\ngenerating a scene-similarity matrix comprising a plurality of elements based on the frame-similarity matrix, each element of the scene-similarity matrix representing a measure of similarity between different scenes of the video;\ndetermining an importance score for each scene based on the scene-similarity matrix, motion data associated with the scene, and audio data associated with the scene, an importance score for a scene indicating a relative importance of the scene, wherein the importance score increases responsive to the scene having a high similarity with other scenes in the video and increases responsive to the scene having a high distance from a measure of a mean cohesiveness of the video;\nselecting representative scenes from the video based on the determined importance scores; and\ncombining selected scenes to produce the summary for the video.",
"9. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein each feature vector comprises a color histogram of a frame.",
"10. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein an element in the frame-similarity matrix comprises a distance between two feature vectors FA and FB, wherein the distance is calculated as\n1\n-\n𝐹\n𝐴\n*\n𝐹\n𝐵\n\n𝐹\n𝐴\n\n\n\n𝐹\n𝐵\n\n.",
"11. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein the scene-similarity matrix is generated by detecting shot boundaries using an adaptive-threshold technique which computes a distance between feature vectors for successive frames divided by a maximum distance between successive feature vectors in a preceding window of frames.",
"12. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein selecting a scene from the video comprises clustering similar scenes together and selecting at most one scene from each cluster.",
"13. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein selecting a representative scene from the video comprises using a dynamic-programming technique to select the scene.",
"14. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein selecting representative scenes from the video comprises selecting the representative scenes based on a total importance score for the selected scenes subject to a time constraint.",
"15. An apparatus that automatically produces a summary of a video, comprising:\na non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing instructions executable to perform steps comprising:\npartitioning a video into scenes using a frame-similarity matrix, each element in the frame-similarity matrix representing a distance between feature vectors of a corresponding pair of frames;\ngenerating a scene-similarity matrix comprising a plurality of elements based on the frame-similarity matrix, each element of the scene-similarity matrix representing a measure of similarity between different scenes of the video;\ndetermining an importance score for each scene based on the scene-similarity matrix, motion data associated with the scene, and audio data associated with the scene, an importance score for a scene indicating a relative importance of the scene, wherein the importance score increases responsive to the scene having a high similarity with other scenes in the video and increases responsive to the scene having a high distance from a measure of a mean cohesiveness of the video;\nselecting representative scenes from the video based on the determined importance scores; and\ncombining selected scenes to produce the summary for the video; and\na processor configured to execute the instructions.",
"16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein each feature vector comprises a color histogram of a frame.",
"17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein an element in the frame-similarity matrix comprises a distance between two feature vectors FA and FB, wherein the distance is calculated as\n1\n-\n𝐹\n𝐴\n*\n𝐹\n𝐵\n\n𝐹\n𝐴\n\n\n\n𝐹\n𝐵\n\n.",
"18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the scene-similarity matrix is generated by detecting shot boundaries using an adaptive-threshold technique which computes a distance between feature vectors for successive frames divided by a maximum distance between successive feature vectors in a preceding window of frames.",
"19. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein selecting a scene from the video comprises clustering similar scenes together and selecting at most one scene from each cluster.",
"20. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein selecting representative scenes from the video comprises selecting the representative scenes based on a total importance score for the selected scenes subject to a time constraint.",
"21. The method of claim 1, wherein the distance from the measure of the mean cohesiveness of the video indicates how distinct the scene is from other scenes in the video."
],
[
"1. A method performed by one or more computers, the method comprising:\nreceiving, by the one or more computers, audio data from a client device;\ndetermining, by the one or more computers, that the received audio data matches particular content of media from one or more media sources, wherein determining that the received audio data matches the particular content comprises identifying the particular content based on audio fingerprints stored in an audio fingerprint repository;\nobtaining, by the one or more computers, additional information associated with the particular content determined to match the received audio data;\nusing, by the one or more computers, the obtained additional information, which is associated with the particular content determined to match the received audio data, to generate a search query; and\nreturning, by the one or more computers, one or more search results to the client device responsive to the search query.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the particular content comprises at least a portion of an advertisement.",
"3. The method of claim 2, wherein obtaining the additional information comprises obtaining text of spoken words in the advertisement.",
"4. The method of claim 2, wherein obtaining the additional information comprises obtaining information derived from an image in the advertisement.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein generating the search query comprises selecting one or more search terms for the search query based at least in part on the additional information.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein the received audio data describes audio of an Internet-based resource; and\nwherein the audio fingerprint repository stores audio fingerprints for Internet-based resources.",
"7. The method of claim 1, wherein the received audio data describes audio of streaming audio or streaming video provided to the client device over a network; and\nwherein the audio fingerprint repository stores audio fingerprints for media of streaming audio or streaming video.",
"8. The method of claim 1, wherein the received audio data describes audio of broadcast television content; and\nwherein the audio fingerprint repository stores audio fingerprints generated from audio streams extracted from one or more monitored digital television broadcast channels.",
"9. The method of claim 1, wherein the audio data received from the client device includes an audio fingerprint of media recorded at the client device.",
"10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nderiving at least one additional set of information associated with an audio stream extracted by the one or more computers;\ngenerating at least one set of metadata associated with the extracted audio stream based on the derived at least one additional set of information;\nassociating the at least one set of metadata with a unique content identifier associated with the generated audio fingerprint associated with the extracted audio stream; and\nstoring the at least one set of metadata in a metadata repository.",
"11. The method of claim 10, wherein identifying the particular content includes:\nmatching an audio fingerprint generated from the audio data received from the client device with at least one audio fingerprint stored in the audio fingerprint repository, and\nidentifying a unique content identifier associated with the at least one audio fingerprint stored in the audio fingerprint repository; and\nwherein obtaining additional information associated with the particular content includes retrieving metadata associated with the identified unique content identifier from a metadata repository.",
"12. The method of claim 1, wherein the particular content is identified as an advertisement using a repetition pattern algorithm during analysis of captured media.",
"13. The method of claim 1, wherein obtaining the additional information comprises obtaining metadata derived from an advertisement included within media programming associated with the received audio data; and\nwherein generating the search query comprises generating the search query based at least in part on the metadata derived from the advertisement included within the media programming associated with the received audio data.",
"14. The method of claim 1, wherein the search query is generated based on the particular content, a context of the particular content, and metadata associated with the particular content.",
"15. The method of claim 14, wherein the context of the particular content comprises at least one of data identifying a person associated with the particular content, a location associated with the particular content, a news story associated with the particular content, or a product associated with the particular content.",
"16. The method of claim 1, wherein returning the one or more search results to the client device responsive to the search query further comprises:\nproviding, by the one or more computers, the search query to a search engine to identify the one or more search results relevant to the search query; and\nreceiving, by the one or more computers, the one or more search results from the search engine.",
"17. The method of claim 16, wherein the one or more search results comprise at least one of personalized search results based on a user associated with the client device.",
"18. A system comprising:\none or more computers; and\none or more computer-readable media storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more computers, cause the one or more computers to perform operations comprising:\nreceiving, by the one or more computers, audio data from a client device;\ndetermining, by the one or more computers, that the received audio data matches particular content of media from one or more media sources, wherein determining that the received audio data matches the particular content comprises identifying the particular content based on audio fingerprints stored in an audio fingerprint repository;\nobtaining, by the one or more computers, additional information associated with the particular content determined to match the received audio data;\nusing, by the one or more computers, the obtained additional information, which is associated with the particular content of media determined to match the received audio data, to generate a search query; and\nreturning, by the one or more computers, one or more search results to the client device responsive to the search query.",
"19. The system of claim 18, wherein the received audio data describes audio of streaming audio or streaming video provided to the client device over a network; and\nwherein the audio fingerprint repository stores audio fingerprints for media of streaming audio or streaming video.",
"20. One or more computer-readable media storing instructions that, when executed by one or more computers, cause the one or more computers to perform operations comprising:\nreceiving, by the one or more computers, audio data from a client device;\ndetermining, by the one or more computers, that the received audio data matches particular content of media from one or more media sources, wherein determining that the received audio data matches the particular content comprises identifying the particular content based on audio fingerprints stored in an audio fingerprint repository;\nobtaining, by the one or more computers, additional information associated with the particular content determined to match the received audio data;\nusing, by the one or more computers, the obtained additional information, which is associated with the particular content of media determined to match the received audio data, to generate a search query; and\nreturning, by the one or more computers, one or more search results to the client device responsive to the search query."
],
[
"1. A video classification method, performed by a computer device, the method comprising:\nobtaining a target video;\nclassifying an image frame in the target video by using a first classification model, to obtain an image classification result, the first classification model being configured to perform classification based on an image feature of the image frame;\nclassifying an audio in the target video by using a second classification model, to obtain an audio classification result, the second classification model being configured to perform classification based on an audio feature of the audio;\nclassifying textual description information corresponding to the target video by:\nusing a third classification model, to obtain a textual classification result, the third classification model being configured to perform classification based on a text feature of the textual description information;\nobtaining the textual description information corresponding to the target video, the textual description information comprising at least one of a video title, video background music information, or video publisher information;\npreprocessing the textual description information, wherein the preprocessing comprises at least one of de-noising, word segmentation, entity word retrieving, or stop word removal; and\nclassifying the preprocessed textual description information by using a Bi-directional long short-term memory network (Bi-LSTM) and a text classifier in the third classification model, to obtain the textual classification result; and\ndetermining a target classification result of the target video according to the image classification result, the audio classification result, and the textual classification result.",
"2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the image classification result comprises a first image classification result, further wherein the classifying an image frame in the target video by using a first classification model, to obtain an image classification result further comprises:\ndetermining an original image frame extracted from the target video as an RGB image frame; and\nclassifying the RGB image frame by using a residual network and an RGB classifier in the first classification model, to obtain the first image classification result, wherein the RGB classifier is configured to perform classification based on a static image feature of the RGB image frame.",
"3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the image classification result comprises a second image classification result, further wherein the classifying an image frame in the target video by using a first classification model, to obtain an image classification result further comprises:\ngenerating an RGB difference image frame according to two adjacent original image frames in the target video; and\nclassifying the RGB difference image frame by using a residual network and an RGB difference classifier in the first classification model, to obtain the second image classification result, wherein the RGB difference classifier is configured to perform classification based on a dynamic image feature of the RGB difference image frame.",
"4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the image classification result comprises a third image classification result, further wherein the classifying an image frame in the target video by using a first classification model, to obtain an image classification result further comprises:\ndetermining an original image frame extracted from the target video as an RGB image frame; and\nclassifying the RGB image frame by using a target detection network and a fine granularity classifier in the first classification model, to obtain a third image classification result, wherein the target detection network is configured to extract a fine granularity image feature of a target object in the RGB image frame, and the fine granularity classifier is configured to perform classification based on the fine granularity image feature.",
"5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the audio classification result comprises a first audio classification result, further wherein the classifying an audio in the target video by using a second classification model, to obtain an audio classification result further comprises:\nextracting a Mel-frequency cepstral coefficient (MFCC) of the audio;\nperforming feature extraction on the MFCC by using a VGGish network in a second classification model, to obtain a VGGish feature; and\nclassifying the VGGish feature by using a general classifier in the second classification model, to obtain the first audio classification result.",
"6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the audio classification result further comprises a second audio classification result, wherein the method further comprises:\nclassifying the VGGish feature by using at least one specific classifier in the second classification model, to obtain the second audio classification result outputted by each specific classifier, wherein a quantity of classes in the general classifier are a same quantity of preset classes for videos, wherein the specific classifier is configured to perform classification based on a specific class, which is one of the preset classes for videos, and different specific classifiers correspond to different specific classes.",
"7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the classifying the preprocessed textual description information by using the Bi-LSTM and the text classifier in the third classification model, to obtain the textual classification result further comprises:\ninputting the preprocessed textual description information to the Bi-LSTM; performing weight correction on an output result of the Bi-LSTM by using an attention mechanism; and\nclassifying the corrected output result of the Bi-LSTM by using the text classifier, to obtain the textual classification result.",
"8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the determining a target classification result of the target video according to the image classification result, the audio classification result, and the textual classification result further comprises:\nsplicing probabilities corresponding to classes in the image classification result, the audio classification result, and the textual classification result, to generate a classification feature vector; and\ninputting the classification feature vector to a target classifier, to obtain the target classification result, the target classifier being constructed based on a softmax classification model.",
"9. A computing apparatus comprising a processor and a memory, the memory storing computer-readable instructions, the computer-readable instructions, when executed by the processor, causing the processor to perform operations comprising:\nobtaining a target video;\nclassifying an image frame in the target video by using a first classification model, to obtain an image classification result, the first classification model being configured to perform a classification based on an image feature of the image frame;\nclassifying an audio in the target video by using a second classification model, to obtain an audio classification result, the second classification model being configured to perform a classification based on an audio feature of the audio;\nclassifying textual description information corresponding to the target video by:\nusing a third classification model, to obtain a textual classification result, the third classification model being configured to perform a classification based on a text feature of the textual description information;\nobtaining the textual description information corresponding to the target video, the textual description information comprising at least one of a video title, video background music information, or video publisher information;\npreprocessing the textual description information, wherein the preprocessing comprises at least one of de-noising, word segmentation, entity word retrieving, or stop word removal; and\nclassifying the preprocessed textual description information by using a Bi-directional long short-term memory network (Bi-LSTM) and a text classifier in the third classification model, to obtain the textual classification result; and\ndetermining a target classification result of the target video based on the image classification result, the audio classification result, and the textual classification result.",
"10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the image classification result comprises a first image classification result, and the classifying by using the first classification model further comprises:\ndetermining an original image frame extracted from the target video as an RGB image frame; and\nclassifying the RGB image frame by using a residual network and an RGB classifier in the first classification model, to obtain the first image classification result, the RGB classifier being configured to perform classification based on a static image feature of the RGB image frame.",
"11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the image classification result comprises a second image classification result, and the classifying by using the first classification model further comprises:\ngenerating an RGB difference image frame according to two adjacent original image frames in the target video; and\nclassifying the RGB difference image frame by using a residual network and an RGB difference classifier in the first classification model, to obtain the second image classification result, the RGB difference classifier being configured to perform classification based on a dynamic image feature of the RGB difference image frame.",
"12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the image classification result comprises a third image classification result, and the classifying by using the first classification model further comprises:\ndetermining an original image frame extracted from the target video as an RGB image frame; and\nclassifying the RGB image frame by using a target detection network and a fine granularity classifier in the first classification model, to obtain a third image classification result, the target detection network being configured to extract a fine granularity image feature of a target object in the RGB image frame, and the fine granularity classifier being configured to perform classification based on the fine granularity image feature.",
"13. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the audio classification result comprises a first audio classification result, wherein the classifying by using the second classification model further comprises:\nextracting a Mel-frequency cepstral coefficient (MFCC) of the audio;\nperforming feature extraction on the MFCC by using a VGGish network in a second classification model, to obtain a VGGish feature; and\nclassifying the VGGish feature by using a general classifier in the second classification model, to obtain the first audio classification result.",
"14. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the audio classification result further comprises a second audio classification result, wherein the classifying by using the second classification model further comprises:\nclassifying the VGGish feature by using at least one specific classifier in the second classification model, to obtain the second audio classification result outputted by each specific classifier, wherein a quantity of classes in the general classifier are a same quantity of preset classes for videos, wherein the specific classifier is configured to perform classification based on a specific class, which is one of the preset classes for videos, and different specific classifiers correspond to different specific classes.",
"15. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the classifying the preprocessed textual description information further comprises:\ninputting the preprocessed textual description information to the Bi-LSTM; performing weight correction on an output result of the Bi-LSTM by using an attention mechanism; and\nclassifying the weight corrected output result of the Bi-LSTM by using the text classifying, to obtain the textual classification result.",
"16. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein determining the target classification result of the target video further comprises:\nsplicing probabilities corresponding to classes in the image classification result, the audio classification result, and the textual classification result, to generate a classification feature vector; and\ninputting the classification feature vector to a target classifier, to obtain the target classification result, the target classifier being constructed based on a softmax classification model.",
"17. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, storing computer-readable instructions, the computer-readable instructions, when executed by one or more processors, causing the one or more processors to perform operations comprising:\nobtaining a target video;\nclassifying an image frame in the target video by using a first classification model, to obtain an image classification result, the first classification model being configured to perform classification based on an image feature of the image frame;\nclassifying an audio in the target video by using a second classification model, to obtain an audio classification result, the second classification model being configured to perform classification based on an audio feature of the audio;\nclassifying textual description information corresponding to the target video by:\nusing a third classification model, to obtain a textual classification result, the third classification model being configured to perform classification based on a text feature of the textual description information;\nobtaining the textual description information corresponding to the target video, the textual description information comprising at least one of a video title, video background music information, or video publisher information;\npreprocessing the textual description information, wherein the preprocessing comprises at least one of de-noising, word segmentation, entity word retrieving, or stop word removal; and\nclassifying the preprocessed textual description information by using a Bi-directional long short-term memory network (Bi-LSTM) and a text classifier in the third classification model, to obtain the textual classification result; and\ndetermining a target classification result of the target video according to the image classification result, the audio classification result, and the textual classification result.",
"18. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein the obtaining the image classification result further comprises:\ndetermining an original image frame extracted from the target video as an RGB image frame; and\nclassifying the RGB image frame by using a residual network and an RGB classifier in the first classification model, to obtain the first image classification result, wherein the RGB classifier being is configured to perform classification based on a static image feature of the RGB image frame;\nfurther wherein the obtaining the image classification result also comprises:\ngenerating an RGB difference image frame according to two adjacent original image frames in the target video; and\nclassifying the RGB difference image frame by using a residual network and an RGB difference classifier in the first classification model, to obtain the second image classification result, wherein the RGB difference classifier being is configured to perform classification based on a dynamic image feature of the RGB difference image frame.",
"19. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein the classifying the preprocessed textual description information further comprises:\ninputting the preprocessed textual description information to the Bi-LSTM; performing weight correction on an output result of the Bi-LSTM by using an attention mechanism; and\nclassifying the weight corrected output result of the Bi-LSTM by using the text classifying, to obtain the textual classification result.",
"20. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein determining the target classification result of the target video further comprises:\nsplicing probabilities corresponding to classes in the image classification result, the audio classification result, and the textual classification result, to generate a classification feature vector; and\ninputting the classification feature vector to a target classifier, to obtain the target classification result, the target classifier being constructed based on a softmax classification model."
],
[
"1. A computer-implemented method for selecting representative frames for videos, the method comprising:\nidentifying a plurality of semantic features for one or more frames of a video by determining, using a plurality of semantic classifiers, a likelihood of a semantic concept being depicted in a frame of the video and assigning a label corresponding to the semantic concept to the frame of the video based on the likelihood of the semantic concept being depicted in the frame of the video;\nselecting a plurality of representative frames of the video, wherein each representative frame is selected based on the assigned label; and\ngenerating a storyboard that combines at least a portion of the plurality of representative frames of the video.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein each representative frame of the plurality of representative frames of the video is selected based on the assigned label corresponding to a user interest and wherein the storyboard is an interest-based storyboard.",
"3. The method of claim 2, further comprising determining the user interest based on prior videos viewed by the user.",
"4. The method of claim 2, further comprising determining the user interest based on user activity on sites that are different than a video hosting service associated with the video.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein each representative frame of the plurality of representative frames of the video is selected based on the assigned label corresponding to a search query entered by a user.",
"6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\ngenerating a plurality of video segments for the video, wherein each video segment includes a chronological subset of frames from the video, and wherein each frame is associated with at least one of the semantic features; and\ngenerating, for each video segment in the plurality of video segments, a score for each frame of the subset of frames of the video segment based at least on the semantic features, wherein each representative frame for each video segment in the plurality of video segments is selected based on the scores for the frames in the video segment, and wherein the representative frame represents and summarizes the video segment.",
"7. The method of claim 6, wherein the score comprises a semantic score that is generated by:\nidentifying a plurality of semantic concepts for the video segment containing the frame by comparing each semantic feature generated for the chronological subset of frames included in the video segment to a threshold, each semantic concept of the plurality of semantic concepts having the corresponding semantic feature greater than the threshold;\nfor each semantic concept of the plurality of semantic concepts, determining a frame-level score for each frame of the chronological subset of frames in the video segment by determining an amount the semantic concept being present in the frame compared to a reference value; and\ndetermining the semantic score for the frame by aggregating the frame-level scores of the frames in the segment.",
"8. The method of claim 6, wherein generating the score for the frame comprises combining semantic concepts and corresponding likelihood in the frame.",
"9. The method of claim 6, wherein generating the score for the frame comprises combining a semantic score and an aesthetic score by calculating the semantic score based on the determined semantic features, calculating the aesthetic score using a set of quality measures, and combining the semantic score and the aesthetic score.",
"10. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating a segment table for the video, wherein the segment table stores the representative frames of the video and a plurality of semantic concepts associated with each of the representative frames.",
"11. A computer-implemented system for selecting representative frames for videos, the system comprising:\na hardware processor that is configured to:\nidentify a plurality of semantic features for one or more frames of a video by determining, using a plurality of semantic classifiers, a likelihood of a semantic concept being depicted in a frame of the video and assigning a label corresponding to the semantic concept to the frame of the video based on the likelihood of the semantic concept being depicted in the frame of the video;\nselect a plurality of representative frames of the video, wherein each representative frame is selected based on the assigned label; and\ngenerate a storyboard that combines at least a portion of the plurality of representative frames of the video.",
"12. The system of claim 11, wherein each representative frame of the plurality of representative frames of the video is selected based on the assigned label corresponding to a user interest and wherein the storyboard is an interest-based storyboard.",
"13. The system of claim 12, wherein the hardware processor is further configured to determine the user interest based on prior videos viewed by the user.",
"14. The system of claim 12, wherein the hardware processor is further configured to determine the user interest based on user activity on sites that are different than a video hosting service associated with the video.",
"15. The system of claim 11, wherein each representative frame of the plurality of representative frames of the video is selected based on the assigned label corresponding to a search query entered by a user.",
"16. The system of claim 11, wherein the hardware processor is further configured to:\ngenerate a plurality of video segments for the video, wherein each video segment includes a chronological subset of frames from the video, and wherein each frame is associated with at least one of the semantic features; and\ngenerate, for each video segment in the plurality of video segments, a score for each frame of the subset of frames of the video segment based at least on the semantic features, wherein each representative frame for each video segment in the plurality of video segments is selected based on the scores for the frames in the video segment, and wherein the representative frame represents and summarizes the video segment.",
"17. The system of claim 16, wherein the score comprises a semantic score that is generated by:\nidentifying a plurality of semantic concepts for the video segment containing the frame by comparing each semantic feature generated for the chronological subset of frames included in the video segment to a threshold, each semantic concept of the plurality of semantic concepts having the corresponding semantic feature greater than the threshold;\nfor each semantic concept of the plurality of semantic concepts, determining a frame-level score for each frame of the chronological subset of frames in the video segment by determining an amount the semantic concept being present in the frame compared to a reference value; and\ndetermining the semantic score for the frame by aggregating the frame-level scores of the frames in the segment.",
"18. The system of claim 16, wherein generating the score for the frame comprises combining semantic concepts and corresponding likelihood in the frame.",
"19. The system of claim 16, wherein generating the score for the frame comprises combining a semantic score and an aesthetic score by calculating the semantic score based on the determined semantic features, calculating the aesthetic score using a set of quality measures, and combining the semantic score and the aesthetic score.",
"20. The system of claim 11, wherein the hardware processor is further configured to generate a segment table for the video, wherein the segment table stores the representative frames of the video and a plurality of semantic concepts associated with each of the representative frames.",
"21. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform a method for selecting representative frames for videos, the method comprising:\nidentifying a plurality of semantic features for one or more frames of a video by determining, using a plurality of semantic classifiers, a likelihood of a semantic concept being depicted in a frame of the video and assigning a label corresponding to the semantic concept to the frame of the video based on the likelihood of the semantic concept being depicted in the frame of the video;\nselecting a plurality of representative frames of the video, wherein each representative frame is selected based on the assigned label; and\ngenerating a storyboard that combines at least a portion of the plurality of representative frames of the video."
],
[
"1. A computer implemented system for generating an output data structure from data streams captured during a medical procedure, the system comprising:\na computer processor operating in conjunction with computer memory and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, the computer processor configured to:\nreceive a biometric data stream from a biometric sensor coupled to a body of a healthcare practitioner, the biometric sensor adapted to capture electrocardiography (ECG) data;\ngenerate, from processing the biometric data stream, one or more heart rate variability (HRV) data values, the HRV data values representing a variation in time between heartbeats of the healthcare practitioner and time-synchronized to timestamps of captured video or audio data streams;\nidentify, one or more abnormality-related durations of time during which the HRV data values are greater or lower than a pre-defined threshold data value indicative of potentially elevated stress levels of the healthcare practitioner; and\ngenerate one or more time-based metadata tags indicative of the one or more abnormality-related durations of time for appending to the captured video or audio data streams, the one or more time-based metadata tags encapsulated into the output data structure;\nwherein the computer processor is further configured to modify one or more capture characteristics of the capture of the captured video or audio data streams, modifications of the one or more capture characteristics including at least an increase in resolution or bitrate for capturing an increased data volume or load of data relating to the medical procedure during the one or more abnormality-related durations of time indicative of the potentially elevated stress levels of the healthcare practitioner, and wherein the system is a local computer server operating in conjunction with a centralized computer server, and wherein the computer processor is further configured to request additional bandwidth resources for transmission of the captured video or audio data streams to the centralized computer server, the increased data volume or load adapted to support generation of one or more prediction data objects representative of one or more predicted characteristics or incidents relating to the medical procedure that occur during the one or more abnormality-related durations of time; and\nwherein the computer processor is further configured to modify the one or more capture characteristics of the capture of the captured video or audio data streams, the modifications of the one or more capture characteristics including at least temporarily activating one or more additional video or audio capture devices during the one or more abnormality-related durations of time.",
"2. The computer implemented system of claim 1, wherein the pre-defined threshold data value is a baseline value established in respect of the healthcare practitioner, and the one or more abnormality-related durations of time are established where the HRV data values are indicative of a low variance that is at least one standard deviation below the baseline value.",
"3. The computer implemented system of claim 1, wherein the modifications of the one or more capture characteristics shifts an operation mode of the capture characteristics from a normal operation mode to an intensive mode.",
"4. The computer implemented system of claim 1, wherein the system is the local computer server operating in conjunction with the centralized computer server; and\nwherein the computer processor is further configured to request additional processing resources to be allocated by the centralized computer server for automated analysis of the captured video or audio data streams at durations of time marked by the one or more time-based metadata tags.",
"5. The computer implemented system of claim 4, wherein the centralized computer server is configured for extracting machine learning input features from the captured video or audio data streams and the one or more time-based metadata tags, and to process, using a trained machine learning model data architecture, the machine learning input features to generate one or more prediction data objects representative of one or more predicted characteristics or incidents relating to the medical procedure.",
"6. The computer implemented system of claim 5, wherein the trained machine learning model data architecture is configured to operate in real or near-real time using the additional processing resources such that when the one or more prediction data objects indicate that a subset of one or more predicted characteristics or incidents relating to the medical procedure are occurring, the centralized computer server generates an alert control command data signal, and wherein the alert control command data signal causes an actuation of a tactile alert, a visual alert, or an audible alert.",
"7. The computer implemented system of claim 1, wherein the output data structure includes the captured video or audio data streams augmented by a separate time-synchronized stream comprising the one or more time-based metadata tags indicative of the one or more abnormality-related durations of time.",
"8. The computer implemented system of claim 1, wherein the computer processor is further configured to modify the one or more capture characteristics of the capture of the captured video or audio data streams, the modifications of the one or more capture characteristics including at least a change in data encoding during the one or more abnormality-related durations of time.",
"9. The computer implemented system of claim 8, wherein the change in data encoding during the one or more abnormality-related durations of time includes a change in irreversible compression characteristics to reduce a proportion of data loss incurred during the data encoding relative to the data encoding of the captured video or audio data streams during times outside of the one or more abnormality-related durations of time.",
"10. The computer implemented system of claim 1, wherein the one or more additional video or audio capture devices include at least a wide angle camera or an ambient microphone.",
"11. A computer implemented method to generate an output data structure from data streams captured during a medical procedure, the method comprising:\nreceiving a biometric data stream from a biometric sensor coupled to a body of a healthcare practitioner, the biometric sensor adapted to capture electrocardiography (ECG) data;\ngenerating, from processing the biometric data stream, one or more heart rate variability (HRV) data values, the HRV data values representing a variation in time between heartbeats of the healthcare practitioner and time-synchronized to timestamps of captured video or audio data streams;\nidentifying, one or more abnormality-related durations of time during which the HRV data values are greater or lower than a pre-defined threshold data value indicative of potentially elevated stress levels of the healthcare practitioner;\ngenerating one or more time-based metadata tags indicative of the one or more abnormality-related durations of time for appending to the captured video or audio data streams, the one or more time-based metadata tags encapsulated into the output data structure;\nmodifying one or more capture characteristics of the capture of the captured video or audio data streams, modifications of the one or more capture characteristics including at least an increase in resolution or bitrate for capturing an increased data volume or load of data relating to the medical procedure during the one or more abnormality-related durations of time indicative of the potentially elevated stress levels of the healthcare practitioner, and wherein system capturing the data streams during the medical procedure is a local computer server operating in conjunction with a centralized computer server, and wherein the computer processor of the is further configured to request additional bandwidth resources for transmission of the captured video or audio data streams to the centralized computer server, the increased data volume or load adapted to support generation of one or more prediction data objects representative of one or more predicted characteristics or incidents relating to the medical procedure that occur during the one or more abnormality-related durations of time; and\nmodifying the one or more capture characteristics of the capture of the captured video or audio data streams, the modifications of the one or more capture characteristics including at least temporarily activating one or more additional video or audio capture devices during the one or more abnormality-related durations of time.",
"12. The computer implemented method of claim 11, wherein the pre-defined threshold data value is a baseline value established in respect of the healthcare practitioner, and the one or more abnormality-related durations of time are established where the HRV data values are indicative of a low variance that is at least one standard deviation below the baseline value.",
"13. The computer implemented method of claim 11, wherein the modifications of the one or more capture characteristics shifts an operation mode of the capture characteristics from a normal operation mode to an intensive mode.",
"14. The computer implemented method of claim 11, wherein the method is by the computer processor a local computer server operating in conjunction with a centralized computer server; and\nwherein the computer processor is further configured to request additional processing resources to be allocated by the centralized computer server for automated analysis of the captured video or audio data streams at durations of time marked by the one or more time-based metadata tags.",
"15. The computer implemented method of claim 14, wherein the centralized computer server is configured for extracting machine learning input features from the captured video or audio data streams and the one or more time-based metadata tags, and to process, using a trained machine learning model data architecture, the machine learning input features to generate one or more prediction data objects representative of one or more predicted characteristics or incidents relating to the medical procedure.",
"16. The computer implemented method of claim 15, wherein the trained machine learning model data architecture is configured to operate in real or near-real time using the additional processing resources such that when one or more prediction data objects indicate that a subset of one or more predicted characteristics or incidents relating to the medical procedure are occurring, the centralized computer server generates an alert control command data signal, and wherein the alert control command data signal causes an actuation of a tactile alert, a visual alert, or an audible alert.",
"17. The computer implemented method of claim 11, wherein the output data structure includes the captured video or audio data streams augmented by a separate time-synchronized stream comprising the one or more time-based metadata tags indicative of the one or more abnormality-related durations of time.",
"18. The computer implemented method of claim 11, wherein the computer processor is further configured to modify the one or more capture characteristics of the capture of the captured video or audio data streams, the modifications of the one or more capture characteristics including at least a change in data encoding during the one or more abnormality-related durations of time.",
"19. The computer implemented method of claim 18, wherein the change in data encoding during the one or more abnormality-related durations of time includes a change in irreversible compression characteristics to reduce a proportion of data loss incurred during the data encoding relative to the data encoding of the captured video or audio data streams during times outside of the one or more abnormality-related durations of time.",
"20. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing machine interpretable instructions, which when executed by a computer processor, cause the computer processor to perform a computer implemented method to generate an output data structure from data streams captured during a medical procedure, the method comprising:\nreceiving a biometric data stream from a biometric sensor coupled to a body of a healthcare practitioner, the biometric sensor adapted to capture electrocardiography (ECG) data;\ngenerating, from processing the biometric data stream, one or more heart rate variability (HRV) data values, the HRV data values representing a variation in time between heartbeats of the healthcare practitioner and time-synchronized to timestamps of captured video or audio data streams;\nidentifying, one or more abnormality-related durations of time during which the HRV data values are greater or lower than a pre-defined threshold data value indicative of potentially elevated stress levels of the healthcare practitioner; and\ngenerating one or more time-based metadata tags indicative of the one or more abnormality-related durations of time for appending to the captured video or audio data streams, the one or more time-based metadata tags encapsulated into the output data structure;\nmodifying one or more capture characteristics of the capture of the captured video or audio data streams, the modifications of the one or more capture characteristics including at least an increase in resolution or bitrate for capturing an increased data volume or load of data relating to the medical procedure during the one or more abnormality-related durations of time indicative of the potentially elevated stress levels of the healthcare practitioner, and wherein system capturing the data streams during the medical procedure is a local computer server operating in conjunction with a centralized computer server, and wherein the computer processor is further configured to request additional bandwidth resources for transmission of the captured video or audio data streams to the centralized computer server, the increased data volume or load adapted to support generation of one or more prediction data objects representative of one or more predicted characteristics or incidents relating to the medical procedure that occur during the one or more abnormality-related duration of time; and\nmodifying the one or more capture characteristics of the capture of the captured video or audio data streams, the modifications of the one or more capture characteristics including at least temporarily activating one or more additional video or audio capture devices during the one or more abnormality-related durations of time."
],
[
"1. An image processing method, applied to an image processing device, the method comprising:\nobtaining first audio data corresponding to an (i−1)th frame at an (i−1)th time moment of a reality scene image, and obtaining second audio data corresponding to an ith frame at an ith time moment of the reality scene image;\ndetermining, according to a preset mapping relationship, first attribute information of a virtual object corresponding to the first audio data and second attribute information of the virtual object corresponding to the second audio data, wherein the preset mapping relationship correlates attribute information of the virtual object with values of the audio data, and wherein the first and the second attribute information each includes information on a zooming ratio or a rotation angle of the virtual object; and\nfusing the virtual object with the first attribute feature onto the (i−1)th frame of the reality scene image and fusing the virtual object with the second attribute feature onto the ith frame of the reality scene image.",
"2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first audio data or the second audio data is obtained by:\nacquiring the first or the second audio data corresponding to the reality scene image from a current environment in real time when acquiring the reality scene image in real time; or\nreading the first or the second audio data corresponding to a timestamp corresponding to the reality scene image from a background audio of the reality scene image played by the image processing device and acquired in real time.",
"3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:\nperforming quantization and encoding on first or the second audio data.",
"4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:\ndetermining a frequency value of the first or the second audio data.",
"5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:\ndetermining a volume value of the first or the second audio data.",
"6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:\nadjusting the second attribute information of the virtual object to obtain an attribute-adjusted virtual object; and\nfusing the attribute-adjusted virtual object into the reality scene image.",
"7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:\nrecognizing a biological feature from the reality scene image; and\nupon determining the biological feature meeting a preset condition, determining a biological object corresponding to the biological feature, in the reality scene image as a target object.",
"8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:\nextracting an audio feature of the audio data; and\nupon determining that the audio feature accords with a first trigger condition, performing at least one of the following operations: newly adding a virtual object; switching the virtual object; and switching a type of the visual state.",
"9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:\nforming a video by combining the ith frame of the reality scene image added with the first attribute feature of the virtual object and the (i−1)th frame of the reality scene image added with the second attribute feature of the virtual object.",
"10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the preset mapping relationship changes in the audio data with changes in the zooming ratio of the virtual object.",
"11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the preset mapping relationship changes in the audio data with changes in the rotation angle of the virtual object.",
"12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the virtual object is positioned at an eye location, a head location, a lip location, a tooth location, a face location, or a nose location of a target object in the reality scene image.",
"13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the virtual objection with the second attribute information is of a larger size than the virtual objection with the first attribute information.",
"14. A computer device, comprising a memory and a processor coupled to the memory and configured to perform the following operations:\nobtaining first audio data corresponding to an (i−1)th frame at an (i−1)th time moment of a reality scene image, and obtaining second audio data corresponding to an ith frame at an ith time moment of the reality scene image;\ndetermining, according to a preset mapping relationship, first attribute information of a virtual object corresponding to the first audio data and second attribute information of the virtual object corresponding to the second audio data, wherein the preset mapping relationship correlates attribute information of the virtual object with values of the audio data, and wherein the first and the second attribute information each includes information on a zooming ratio or a rotation angle of the virtual object; and\nfusing the virtual object with the first attribute feature onto the (i−1)th frame of the reality scene image and fusing the virtual object with the second attribute feature onto the ith frame of the reality scene image.",
"15. The computer device according to claim 14, wherein the first audio data or the second audio data is obtained by:\nacquiring the first or the second audio data corresponding to the reality scene image from a current environment in real time when acquiring the reality scene image in real time; or\nreading the first or the second audio data corresponding to a timestamp corresponding to the reality scene image from a background audio of the reality scene image played by the image processing device and acquired in real time.",
"16. The computer device according to claim 14, wherein the computer program causes the processor to further perform:\nperforming quantization and encoding first or the second audio data.",
"17. The computer device according to claim 14, wherein the computer program causes the processor to further perform:\ndetermining a frequency value of the first or the second audio data.",
"18. The computer device according to claim 14, wherein the computer program causes the processor to further perform:\ndetermining a volume value of the first or the second audio data.",
"19. The computer device according to claim 14, wherein the computer program causes the processor to further perform:\nadjusting the second attribute information of the virtual object to obtain an attribute-adjusted virtual object; and\nfusing the attribute-adjusted virtual object into the reality scene image.",
"20. A non-transitory storage medium, storing a computer program, the computer program, when executed by a processor, causing the processor to perform:\nobtaining first audio data corresponding to an (i−1)th frame at an (i−1)th time moment of a reality scene image, and obtaining second audio data corresponding to an ith frame at an ith time moment of the reality scene image;\ndetermining, according to a preset mapping relationship, first attribute information of a virtual object corresponding to the first audio data and second attribute information of the virtual object corresponding to the second audio data, wherein the preset mapping relationship correlates attribute information of the virtual object with values of the audio data, and wherein the first and the second attribute information each includes information on a zooming ratio or a rotation angle of the virtual object; and\nfusing the virtual object with the first attribute feature onto the (i−1)th frame of the reality scene image and fusing the virtual object with the second attribute feature onto the ith frame of the reality scene image."
],
[
"1. A system for continuous identification of client device audio content, comprising:\ncircuitry configured for maintaining a path pursuit reference match database, including at least:\ngenerating at least one set of coefficients corresponding to at least one audio frame of at least one ingested content;\nnormalizing the at least one set of coefficients for optimal quantization using at least a complex plane normalization as a weighting filter associated with repeatably providing coefficients related to ingested audio content uncorrelated with specific frequencies;\nhashing the at least one set of coefficients normalized for optimal quantization to obtain at least one hash value, the at least one hash value corresponding to the at least one audio frame of at least one ingested content; and\nstoring at least one content identification corresponding to the at least one ingested content in the path pursuit reference match database, a location for storage of the at least one content identification within the path pursuit reference match database at least partially determined by one or more bits of the at least one hash value;\ncircuitry configured for receiving at least one transmission from at least one client device including at least one client cue corresponding to at least one audio frame renderable by the at least one client device; and\ncircuitry configured for identifying at least one content associated with the at least one client device at least partially based on retrieving at least one suspect from the path pursuit reference match database using one or more bits of at least one hash value associated with at least a portion of the at least one client cue.",
"2. The system of claim 1, wherein circuitry configured for normalizing the at least one set of coefficients for optimal quantization using at least a complex plane normalization as a weighting filter associated with repeatably providing coefficients related to ingested audio content uncorrelated with specific frequencies comprises:\ncircuitry configured for normalizing the at least one set of coefficients for optimal quantization at least partially via a linear predictive weighting function as applied to a representative linear predictive spectrum.",
"3. The system of claim 1, wherein circuitry configured for normalizing the at least one set of coefficients for optimal quantization using at least a complex plane normalization as a weighting filter associated with repeatably providing coefficients related to ingested audio content uncorrelated with specific frequencies comprises:\ncircuitry configured for transforming the at least one set of coefficients for optimal quantization using at least a complex plane normalization as a weighting filter associated with repeatably providing coefficients related to ingested audio content uncorrelated with specific frequencies.",
"4. The system of claim 1, wherein circuitry configured for storing at least one content identification corresponding to the at least one ingested content in the path pursuit reference match database, a location for storage of the at least one content identification within the path pursuit reference match database at least partially determined by one or more bits of the at least one hash value comprises:\ncircuitry configured for storing at least one content identification corresponding to the at least one ingested content in the path pursuit reference match database, a location for storage within the path pursuit reference match database at least partially determined by locality sensitive hash indexing associated with the at least one hash value.",
"5. The system of claim 1, wherein circuitry configured for maintaining a path pursuit reference match database comprises:\ncircuitry configured for maintaining at least two reference match databases, including at least one audio reference match database and at least one video reference match database, the system capable of utilizing either the at least one audio reference match database or the at least one video reference match database to independently identify the at least one content associated with the at least one client device in response to receiving either at least one client cue corresponding to at least one audio frame renderable by the at least one client device or at least one client cue corresponding to at least one video sample renderable by the at least one client device.",
"6. The system of claim 1, wherein circuitry configured for receiving at least one transmission from at least one client device including at least one client cue corresponding to at least one audio frame renderable by the at least one client device comprises:\ncircuitry configured for receiving at least one transmission from at least one client device, the at least one client device including one or more of at least one television, at least one smart television, at least one media player, at least one set-top box, at least one game console, at least one A/V receiver, at least one Internet-connected device, at least one computing device, or at least one streaming media device.",
"7. The system of claim 1, wherein circuitry configured for receiving at least one transmission from at least one client device including at least one client cue corresponding to at least one audio frame renderable by the at least one client device comprises:\ncircuitry configured for receiving at least one transmission stream from at least one client device, the at least one transmission stream including at least one sequence of client cues associated with one or more of at least one audio frame or at least one video frame renderable by the at least one client device to identify at least one content renderable by the at least one client device, the at least one sequence including at least some audio client cues.",
"8. The system of claim 1, wherein circuitry configured for receiving at least one transmission from at least one client device including at least one client cue corresponding to at least one audio frame renderable by the at least one client device comprises:\ncircuitry configured for receiving at least one transmission from at least one client device including at least one client cue corresponding to at least one audio frame renderable by the at least one client device, the at least one client cue corresponding to at least one audio frame renderable by the at least one client device determined at least partially via at least one transform identical to at least one transform utilized in maintaining the path pursuit reference match database, the at least one transform including at least generating at least one set of coefficients, normalizing, and hashing.",
"9. The system of claim 1, wherein circuitry configured for receiving at least one transmission from at least one client device including at least one client cue corresponding to at least one audio frame renderable by the at least one client device comprises:\ncircuitry configured for receiving at least one transmission from at least one client device including at least one client cue corresponding to at least one audio frame renderable by the at least one client device, the at least one client cue corresponding to at least one audio frame renderable by the at least one client device determined at least partially via sampling at least one audio stream into one or more frames and overlapping the one or more frames at least one of immediately prior or otherwise previous to normalization of the overlapping one or more frames.",
"10. The system of claim 1, wherein circuitry configured for identifying at least one content associated with the at least one client device at least partially based on retrieving at least one suspect from the path pursuit reference match database using one or more bits of at least one hash value associated with at least a portion of the at least one client cue comprises:\ncircuitry configured for utilizing one or more video cues received from the at least one client device for retrieving one or more suspects from a reference match database associated with video cues;\ncircuitry configured for detecting one or more media content alterations from the at least one client device; and\ncircuitry configured for switching content identification to utilizing one or more audio cues received from the at least one client device for retrieving further suspects from the path pursuit reference match database.",
"11. The system of claim 10, wherein circuitry configured for detecting one or more media content alterations from the at least one client device comprises:\ncircuitry configured for receiving at least one indication of at least one of an on-screen graphic, a fade to black, or a video zoom mode associated with the at least one client device; and\ncircuitry configured for signaling to switch to audio content identification at least partially based on the at least one indication.",
"12. The system of claim 1, wherein circuitry configured for identifying at least one content associated with the at least one client device at least partially based on retrieving at least one suspect from the path pursuit reference match database using one or more bits of at least one hash value associated with at least a portion of the at least one client cue comprises:\ncircuitry configured for determining at least one identification of the at least one content associated with the at least one client device at least partially based on time-discount binning one or more suspects retrieved from the path pursuit reference match database using one or more client cues received from the at least one client device.",
"13. The system of claim 1, wherein circuitry configured for identifying at least one content associated with the at least one client device at least partially based on retrieving at least one suspect from the path pursuit reference match database using one or more bits of at least one hash value associated with at least a portion of the at least one client cue comprises:\ncircuitry configured for utilizing one or more video cues received from the at least one client device for retrieving one or more suspects from a reference match database associated with video cues;\ncircuitry configured for associating the at least one client device with at least one content identification at least partially based on the one or more suspects retrieved from the reference match database associated with video cues; and\ncircuitry configured for confirming the association of the at least one client device with the at least one content identification at least partially based on retrieving at least one or more suspect from the path pursuit reference match database using one or more audio cues received from the at least one client device.",
"14. The system of claim 1, wherein circuitry configured for maintaining a path pursuit reference match database comprises:\ncircuitry configured for storing one or more transformed power spectral coefficients associated with at least one audio portion of the at least one ingested content in association with the at least one content identification; and\nwherein circuitry configured for identifying at least one content associated with the at least one client device at least partially based on retrieving at least one suspect from the path pursuit reference match database using one or more bits of at least one hash value associated with at least a portion of the at least one client cue includes at least:\ncircuitry configured for identifying the at least one content associated with the at least one client device at least partially based on retrieving at least one suspect from the path pursuit reference match database using one or more bits of at least one hash value associated with at least a portion of the at least one client cue, the at least one hash value resulting from the client device hashing one or more transformed power spectral coefficients associated with the at least one audio frame renderable by the at least one client device.",
"15. The system of claim 1, further comprising:\ncircuitry configured for continuously identifying the at least one content associated with the at least one client device at least partially based on continuously maintaining the path pursuit reference match database, continuously receiving transmissions from the at least one client device, and continuously retrieving suspects from the path pursuit reference match database at least partially based on client cues associated with successive transmissions.",
"16. The system of claim 1, further comprising:\ncircuitry configured for maintaining a second reference match database including at least one cue corresponding to at least one video frame of at least one ingested content and at least one content identification corresponding to the at least one ingested content; and\ncircuitry configured for altering a content identification method related to the at least one client device, the altering a content identification method including at least one of switching from content identification based on video cues to content identification based on audio cues or switching from content identification based on audio cues to content identification based on video cues.",
"17. The system of claim 1, further comprising:\ncircuitry configured for controlling the at least one client device, including at least signaling the at least one client device to switch from transmission of client cues corresponding to video frames to transmission of client cues corresponding to audio frames.",
"18. The system of claim 1, wherein circuitry configured for normalizing the at least one set of coefficients for optimal quantization using at least a complex plane normalization as a weighting filter associated with repeatably providing coefficients related to ingested audio content uncorrelated with specific frequencies comprises:\ncircuitry configured for normalizing, using at least a complex plane normalization, the at least one set of coefficients for improving distribution of the set of coefficients in representing a power spectrum corresponding to the at least one audio frame.",
"19. The system of claim 1, wherein circuitry configured for normalizing the at least one set of coefficients for optimal quantization using at least a complex plane normalization as a weighting filter associated with repeatably providing coefficients related to ingested audio content uncorrelated with specific frequencies comprises:\ncircuitry configured for normalizing the at least one set of coefficients at least partially using a weighting filter adjusted for improving energy distribution of the at least one set of coefficients.",
"20. The system of claim 1, wherein circuitry configured for storing at least one content identification corresponding to the at least one ingested content in the path pursuit reference match database, a location for storage of the at least one content identification within the path pursuit reference match database at least partially determined by one or more bits of the at least one hash value comprises:\ncircuitry configured for storing at least one content identification corresponding to the at least one ingested content in the path pursuit reference match database, the at least one content identification stored in association with at least one time offset.",
"21. A system for continuous identification of client device audio content, comprising:\none or more computing devices; and\none or more instructions which, when executed by at least one of the one or more computing devices, cause the at least one of the one or more computing devices to perform operations including at least:\nmaintaining a path pursuit reference match database, including at least:\ngenerating at least one set of coefficients corresponding to at least one audio frame of at least one ingested content;\nnormalizing the at least one set of coefficients for optimal quantization using at least a complex plane normalization as a weighting filter associated with repeatably providing coefficients related to ingested audio content uncorrelated with specific frequencies;\nhashing the at least one set of coefficients normalized for optimal quantization to obtain at least one hash value, the at least one hash value corresponding to the at least one audio frame of at least one ingested content; and\nstoring at least one content identification corresponding to the at least one ingested content in the path pursuit reference match database, a location for storage of the at least one content identification within the path pursuit reference match database at least partially determined by one or more bits of the at least one hash value;\nreceiving at least one transmission from at least one client device including at least one client cue corresponding to at least one audio frame renderable by the at least one client device; and\nidentifying at least one content associated with the at least one client device at least partially based on retrieving at least one suspect from the path pursuit reference match database using one or more bits of at least one hash value associated with at least a portion of the at least one client cue.",
"22. A method for continuous identification of client device audio content, comprising:\nmaintaining a path pursuit reference match database, including at least:\ngenerating at least one set of coefficients corresponding to at least one audio frame of at least one ingested content;\nnormalizing the at least one set of coefficients for optimal quantization using at least a complex plane normalization as a weighting filter associated with repeatably providing coefficients related to ingested audio content uncorrelated with specific frequencies;\nhashing the at least one set of coefficients normalized for optimal quantization to obtain at least one hash value, the at least one hash value corresponding to the at least one audio frame of at least one ingested content; and\nstoring at least one content identification corresponding to the at least one ingested content in the path pursuit reference match database, a location for storage of the at least one content identification within the path pursuit reference match database at least partially determined by one or more bits of the at least one hash value;\nreceiving at least one transmission from at least one client device including at least one client cue corresponding to at least one audio frame renderable by the at least one client device; and\nidentifying at least one content associated with the at least one client device at least partially based on retrieving at least one suspect from the path pursuit reference match database using one or more bits of at least one hash value associated with at least a portion of the at least one client cue,\nwherein at least one of the maintaining, receiving, or identifying is at least partially implemented in hardware."
],
[
"1. A system for clustering multimedia content elements, comprising:\na processing circuitry; and\na memory, the memory containing instructions that, when executed by the processing circuitry, configure the system to:\ndetermine, based on at least one user interest of a user, at least one personalized concept, wherein each personalized concept represents one of the at least one user interest of the user;\nwherein the at least one user interest of the user is determined based on one or more images of a user profile of the user;\nobtain at least one multimedia content element (MMCE) related to the user;\ngenerate at least one signature for the obtained at least one MMCE, each signature representing at least a portion of the obtained at least one MMCE;\ndetermine, based on the generated at least one signature, at least one MMCE cluster, wherein each MMCE cluster includes a plurality of clustered MMCEs sharing a common concept, wherein each common concept is one of the determined at least one personalized concept; and\ncreate at least one personalized MMCE cluster by adding, to each determined MMCE cluster that becomes a personalized MMCE cluster, at least one of the obtained at least one MMCE sharing the common concept of the cluster.",
"2. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is further configured to: generate, based on the generated at least one signature, at least one tag for the obtained at least one MMCE, wherein the at least one MMCE cluster is determined based further on the generated at least one tag.",
"3. The system of claim 2, wherein each MMCE cluster includes a plurality of MMCEs associated with the generated at least one tag.",
"4. The system of claim 2, wherein the system is further configured to: query, with respect to the generated at least one signature, a deep content classification system to obtain at least one concept matching the at least one MMCE, each concept including a signature reduced cluster and metadata, wherein the at least one tag is generated based on the metadata of the obtained at least one concept.",
"5. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one user interest of the user is at least one topic of interest to the user.",
"6. The system of claim 5, wherein the one or more images of the user profile comprise a plurality of tracked images; wherein each tracked image is at least one of:\nuploaded by the user, and viewed by the user;\nwherein the system is configured to generate, for each tracked image, at least one signature;\nwherein the at least one interest of the user is determined based on the generated at least one signature for each tracked image.",
"7. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a signature generator system, wherein each signature is generated by the signature generator system, wherein the signature generator system includes a plurality of computational cores configured to receive a plurality of unstructured data elements, each computational core of the plurality of computational cores having properties that are at least partly statistically independent of other of the computational cores, wherein the properties of each core are set independently of each other core.",
"8. The system of claim 7, wherein each signature is robust to noise and distortion.",
"9. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is further configured to:\ndetermine, for each personalized concept, whether an existing MMCE cluster having the personalized concept as a common concept can be found; and\ngenerate a MMCE cluster, when it is determined that an existing MMCE cluster having the personalized concept as a common concept cannot be found, wherein the determined at least one MMCE cluster is the generated MMCE cluster.",
"10. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one signature is generated via a signature generator system, wherein the signature generator system includes a plurality of at least partially statistically independent computational cores, wherein the properties of each computational core are set independently of properties of each other computational core.",
"11. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is further configured to: generate a personalized mosaic, wherein the personalized mosaic includes at least one of: an icon representing each personalized MMCE cluster, and a textual description of each personalized MMCE cluster.",
"12. The system of claim 1, wherein each personalized concept is a collection of signatures representing a plurality of MMCEs and metadata describing the concept.",
"13. A method for generating personalized clusters of multimedia content elements, comprising:\ndetermining, based on at least one user interest of a user, at least one personalized concept, wherein each personalized concept represents one of the at least one user interest;\nwherein the at least one user interest of the user is determined based on one or more images of a user profile of the user;\nobtaining at least one multimedia content element (MMCE) related to the user;\ngenerating at least one signature for the obtained at least one MMCE, each generated signature representing at least a portion of the obtained at least one MMCE;\ndetermining, based on the generated at least one signature, at least one MMCE cluster, wherein each MMCE cluster includes a plurality of clustered MMCEs sharing a common concept, wherein each common concept is one of the determined at least one personalized concept; and\ncreating at least one personalized MMCE cluster by adding, to each determined cluster that becomes a personalized MMCE cluster, at least one of the obtained at least one MMCE sharing the common concept of the cluster.",
"14. The method of claim 13, further comprising: generating, based on the generated at least one signature, at least one tag for the obtained at least one MMCE, wherein the at least one MMCE cluster is determined based further on the generated at least one tag.",
"15. The method of claim 14, wherein each MMCE cluster includes a plurality of MMCEs associated with the generated at least one tag.",
"16. The method of claim 14, wherein generating the at least one tag further comprises: querying, with respect to the generated at least one signature, a deep content classification system to obtain at least one concept matching the at least one MMCE, each concept including a signature reduced cluster and metadata, wherein the at least one tag is generated based on the metadata of the obtained at least one concept.",
"17. The method of claim 13, further comprising:\ndetermining, for each personalized concept, whether an existing MMCE cluster having the personalized concept as a common concept can be found; and\ngenerating a MMCE cluster, when it is determined that an existing MMCE cluster having the personalized concept as a common concept cannot be found, wherein the determined at least one MMCE cluster is the generated MMCE cluster.",
"18. The method of claim 13, wherein the at least one signature is generated via a signature generator system, wherein the signature generator system includes a plurality of at least partially statistically independent computational cores, wherein the properties of each computational core are set independently of properties of each other computational core.",
"19. The method of claim 13, wherein is at least one topic of interest to the user.",
"20. The method of claim 13 wherein the one or more images of the user profile comprise a plurality of tracked images; wherein each tracked image is\nat least one of: uploaded by the user, and viewed by the user;\ngenerating, for each tracked image, at least one signature; wherein the at least one interest of the user is determined based on the generated at least one signature for each tracked image.",
"21. The method of claim 13, further comprising: generating a personalized mosaic, wherein the personalized mosaic includes at least one of: an icon representing each personalized MMCE cluster, and a textual description of each personalized MMCE cluster.",
"22. The method of claim 13, wherein each personalized concept is a collection of signatures representing a plurality of MMCEs and metadata describing the concept.",
"23. A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon instructions for causing a processing circuitry to execute a process, the process comprising:\ndetermining, based on at least one user interest of a user, at least one personalized concept, wherein each personalized concept represents one of the at least one user interest of the user;\nobtaining at least one multimedia content element (MMCE) related to the user; wherein the at least one user interest of the user is determined based on one or more images of a user profile of the user;\ngenerating at least one signature for the obtained at least one MMCE, each signature representing at least a portion of the obtained at least one MMCE;\ndetermining, based on the generated at least one signature, at least one MMCE cluster, wherein each MMCE cluster includes a plurality of clustered MMCEs sharing a common concept, wherein each common concept is one of the determined at least one personalized concept; and\ncreating at least one personalized MMCE cluster by adding, to each determined MMCE cluster that becomes a personalized MMCE cluster, at least one of the obtained at least one MMCE sharing the common concept of the cluster."
],
[
"1. A promotion content push method, performed by a promotion content delivery platform, the method comprising:\nreceiving a video promotion content material uploaded by a promotion client, the video promotion content material comprising an image material and an audio material, the audio material comprising a plurality of audio materials associated with the image material;\nreceiving, from the promotion client, first targeting information related to the video promotion content material and second targeting information related to the audio material, the second targeting information comprising a plurality of pieces of second targeting information respectively corresponding to the plurality of audio materials;\ngenerating an order of a promotion content according to the video promotion content material, the first targeting information, and the second targeting information;\nin response to a video promotion content push request, including a user identity, transmitted from an application client, determining a to-be-pushed order of the promotion content, first targeting information related to a video promotion content material of the to-be-pushed order and second targeting information related to an audio material, among the plurality of audio materials, of the to-be-pushed order matching the user identity; and\ntransmitting data of the to-be-pushed order to the application client, the data of the to-be-pushed order comprising a link address of a to-be-pushed image material and a link address of the audio material of the to-be-pushed order,\nwherein the determining the to-be-pushed order comprises:\nselecting a set of candidate orders based on a matching degree between first targeting information of each candidate order in the set of candidate orders and the user identity; and\nselecting the to-be-pushed order from the set of candidate orders based on a matching degree between second targeting information of each candidate order in the set of candidate orders and the user identity.",
"2. The promotion content push method according to claim 1, wherein the receiving the video promotion content material comprises:\nreceiving, from the promotion client, the video promotion content material and a promotion target parameter, the promotion target parameter indicating that a type of a promotion content based on the video promotion content material being a video.",
"3. The promotion content push method according to claim 1, further comprising:\nchecking the generated order of the promotion content; and\nbased on at least one of the first targeting information and the second targeting information being inaccurate with respect to the video promotion content material, determining that a result of the checking is a failure and providing the result of the checking to the promotion client.",
"4. The promotion content push method according to claim 1, wherein the second targeting information of each candidate order comprises a push frequency limit of a first audio material of each candidate order, and\nwherein the selecting the to-be-pushed order from the set of candidate orders comprises:\nwith respect to a candidate order for which a matching degree between the second targeting information related to the first audio material of the candidate order and the user identity meets a set condition, determining a number of times the first audio material of the candidate order is pushed to a user corresponding to the user identity within a period of time; and\nbased on the number of times the first audio material of the candidate order is pushed to the user not exceeding the push frequency limit, determining the candidate order as the to-be-pushed order, and determining, as the audio material of the to-be-pushed order, the first audio material of the candidate order.",
"5. The promotion content push method according to claim 1, further comprising automatically obtaining feature data, indicating an attribute of a user, based on the user identity, and matching the feature data with the first targeting information of the to-be-pushed order.",
"6. The promotion content push method according to claim 5, wherein the feature data indicates the attribute of the user including at least one of a gender, an age, a region, and a preference of the user.",
"7. A non-transitory storage medium storing a computer readable instruction executable by at least one processor to perform the method according to claim 1.",
"8. A promotion content push method, performed by a terminal device that interacts with a promotion content delivery platform, wherein the promotion content delivery platform receives a video promotion content material uploaded by a promotion client, the video promotion content material comprising an image material and an audio material, the audio material comprising a plurality of audio materials associated with the image material; and receives, from the promotion client, first targeting information related to the video promotion content material and second targeting information related to the audio material, the second targeting information comprising a plurality of pieces of second targeting information respectively corresponding to the plurality of audio materials,\nthe method comprising:\ntransmitting a video promotion content push request to the promotion content delivery platform, the video promotion content push request including a user identity;\nreceiving information about a video promotion content material from the promotion content delivery platform in response to the video promotion content push request, the information about the video promotion content material comprising a link address of an image material and a link address of a target audio material, the video promotion content material corresponding to first targeting information, and the target audio material corresponding to second targeting information, the first targeting information and the second targeting information matching the user identity, wherein the image material and the target audio material are disposed separately in the promotion content delivery platform;\nacquiring the image material based on the link address of the image material;\nseparately from acquiring the image material, acquiring the target audio material based on the link address of the target audio material, the link address of the target audio material being different from the link address of the image material;\ngenerating a video promotion content based on the image material and the target audio material; and\ndisplaying the video promotion content,\nwherein the target audio material is determined based on selecting a set of candidate orders based on a matching degree between first targeting information of each candidate order in the set of candidate orders and the user identity; and selecting the target audio material from the set of candidate orders based on a matching degree between second targeting information of each candidate order in the set of candidate orders and the user identity.",
"9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the acquiring the image material and the acquiring the target audio material comprises:\nlocally acquiring the target audio material based on a determination that the target audio material corresponding to the link address of the target audio material is cached locally; and\nlocally acquiring the image material based on a determination that the image material corresponding to the link address of the image material is cached locally.",
"10. The method according to claim 8, wherein the acquiring the image material and the acquiring the target audio material comprises:\nacquiring the target audio material from a corresponding content storage server based on the link address of the target audio material and caching the target audio material locally based on a determination that the target audio material corresponding to the link address of the target audio material is not cached locally; and\nacquiring the image material from the corresponding content storage server based on the link address of the image material and caching the image material locally based on a determination that the image material corresponding to the link address of the image material is not cached locally.",
"11. The method according to claim 9, further comprising:\ndeleting the locally cached image material and target audio material based on completion of a display of the video promotion content.",
"12. A non-transitory storage medium storing a computer readable instruction executable by at least one processor to perform the method according to claim 8.",
"13. A promotion content push apparatus, comprising:\nat least one memory configured to store program code; and\nat least one processor configured to read the program code and operate as instructed by the program code, the program code comprising:\nreceiving code configured to cause at least one of the at least one processor to:\nreceive a video promotion content material uploaded by a promotion client, the video promotion content material comprising an image material and an audio material, the audio material comprising a plurality of audio materials associated with the image material; and\nreceive, from the promotion client, first targeting information related to the video promotion content material and second targeting information related to the audio material, the second targeting information comprising a plurality of pieces of second targeting information respectively corresponding to the plurality of audio materials;\ngenerating code configured to cause at least one of the at least one processor to generate an order of a promotion content according to the video promotion content material, the first targeting information, and the second targeting information;\ndetermining code configured to cause at least one of the at least one processor to, in response to a video promotion content push request, including a user identity, transmitted from an application client, determine a to-be-pushed order of the promotion content, first targeting information related to a video promotion content material of the to-be-pushed order and second targeting information related to an audio material, among the plurality of audio materials, of the to-be-pushed order matching the user identity; and\ntransmitting code configured to cause at least one of the at least one processor to transmit data of the to-be-pushed order to the application client, the data of the to-be-pushed order comprising a link address of a to-be-pushed image material and a link address of the audio material of the to-be-pushed order,\nwherein the determining code comprises:\nfirst selecting code configured to cause at least one of the at least one processor to select a set of candidate orders based on a matching degree between first targeting information of each candidate order in the set of candidate orders and the user identity; and\nsecond selecting code configured to cause at least one of the at least one processor to select the to-be-pushed order from the set of candidate orders based on a matching degree between second targeting information of each candidate order in the set of candidate orders and the user identity.",
"14. The promotion content push apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the receiving code further causes at least one of the at least one processor to receive, from the promotion client, the video promotion content material and a promotion target parameter, the promotion target parameter indicating that a type of a promotion content based on the video promotion content material being a video.",
"15. The promotion content push apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the program code further comprises:\nchecking code configured to cause at least one of the at least one processor to check the generated order of the promotion content, and based on at least one of the first targeting information and the second targeting information being inaccurate with respect to the video promotion content material, determine that a result of the checking is a failure and provide the result of the checking to the promotion client.",
"16. The promotion content push apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the second targeting information of each candidate order comprises a push frequency limit of a first audio material of each candidate order, and\nwherein the second selecting code further causes at least one of the at least one processor to:\nwith respect to a candidate order for which a matching degree between the second targeting information related to the first audio material of the candidate order and the user identity meets a set condition, determining a number of times the first audio material of the candidate order is pushed to a user corresponding to the user identity within a period of time; and\nbased on the number of times the first audio material of the candidate order is pushed to the user not exceeding the push frequency limit, determine the candidate order as the to-be-pushed order, and determine, as the audio material of the to-be-pushed order, the first audio material of the candidate order.",
"17. The promotion content push apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the program code further comprises obtaining code configured to cause at least one of the at least one processor to automatically obtain feature data, indicating an attribute of a user, based on the user identity, and match the feature data with the first targeting information of the to-be-pushed order.",
"18. The promotion content push apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the feature data indicates the attribute of the user including at least one of a gender, an age, a region, and a preference of the user."
],
[
"1. A method for generating a video, comprising:\nacquiring face images and an audio clip corresponding to each face image of the face images;\nextracting face shape information and head posture information from the each face image, acquiring facial expression information according to the audio clip corresponding to the each face image, and acquiring face key point information of the each face image according to the facial expression information, the face shape information, and the head posture information;\ninpainting, according to the face key point information of the each face image, the face images acquired, acquiring each generated image; and\ngenerating a target video according to the each generated image.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein acquiring the face key point information of the each face image according to the facial expression information, the face shape information, and the head posture information comprises:\nacquiring face point cloud data according to the facial expression information and the face shape information; and projecting the face point cloud data to a two-dimensional image according to the head posture information to obtain the face key point information of the each face image.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein acquiring the facial expression information according to the audio clip corresponding to the each face image comprises:\nextracting an audio feature of the audio clip; removing timbre information of the audio feature; and acquiring the facial expression information according to the audio feature with the timbre information removed.",
"4. The method of claim 3, wherein removing the timbre information of the audio feature comprises:\nremoving the timbre information of the audio feature by normalizing the audio feature.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein generating the target video according to the each generated image comprises:\nadjusting, according to the face images acquired, a regional image of the each generated image other than a face key point to obtain an adjusted generated image, and forming the target video using the adjusted generated image.",
"6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nperforming motion smoothing processing on a face key point of a speech-related part of an image in the target video, and/or performing jitter elimination on the image in the target video, wherein the speech-related part comprises at least a mouth and a chin.",
"7. The method of claim 6, wherein performing motion smoothing processing on the face key point of the speech-related part of the image in the target video comprises:\nfor a t greater than or equal to 2, in response to a distance between a center of a speech-related part of a t-th image of the target video and a center of a speech-related part of a (t−1)-th image of the target video being less than or equal to a set distance threshold, acquiring motion smoothed face key point information of the speech-related part of the t-th image of the target video according to face key point information of the speech-related part of the t-th image of the target video and face key point information of the speech-related part of the (t−1)-th image of the target video.",
"8. The method of claim 6, wherein performing jitter elimination on the image in the target video comprises:\nfor a t greater than or equal to 2, performing jitter elimination on a t-th image of the target video according to a light flow from a (t−1)-th image of the target video to the t-th image of the target video, the (t−1)-th image of the target video with jitter eliminated, and a distance between a center of a speech-related part of the t-th image of the target video and a center of a speech-related part of the (t−1)-th image of the target video.",
"9. The method of claim 1, wherein acquiring the face images and the audio clip corresponding to the each face image of the face images comprises:\nacquiring source video data, separating the face images and audio data comprising a voice from the source video data, and determining the audio clip corresponding to the each face image, the audio clip corresponding to the each face image being part of the audio data.",
"10. The method of claim 1, wherein extracting the face shape information and the head posture information from the each face image, acquiring the facial expression information according to the audio clip corresponding to the each face image, and acquiring the face key point information of the each face image according to the facial expression information, the face shape information, and the head posture information comprises:\ninputting the face images and the audio clip corresponding to the each face image to a first neural network trained in advance; and extracting the face shape information and the head posture information from the each face image, acquiring the facial expression information according to the audio clip corresponding to the each face image, and acquiring the face key point information of the each face image according to the facial expression information, the face shape information, and the head posture information based on the first neural network.",
"11. The method of claim 10, wherein the first neural network is trained by:\nacquiring multiple sample face images and a sample audio clip corresponding to each sample face image of the multiple sample face images;\ninputting the each sample face image and the sample audio clip corresponding to the each sample face image to the first neural network yet to be trained, acquiring predicted facial expression information and predicted face key point information of the each sample face image;\nadjusting a network parameter of the first neural network according to a loss of the first neural network, the loss of the first neural network comprising an expression loss and/or a face key point loss, the expression loss being configured to represent a difference between the predicted facial expression information and a facial expression marker result, the face key point loss being configured to represent a difference between the predicted face key point information and a face key point marker result; and\nrepeating above-mentioned steps until the loss of the first neural network meets a first predetermined condition, acquiring the first neural network that has been trained.",
"12. The method of claim 1, wherein inpainting, according to the face key point information of the each face image, the face images acquired, acquiring the each generated image comprises:\ninputting the face key point information of the each face image and the face images acquired to a second neural network trained in advance, and inpainting, based on the second neural network according to the face key point information of the each face image, the face images acquired, to obtain the each generated image.",
"13. The method of claim 12, wherein the second neural network is trained by:\nacquiring a face image with a masked portion by adding a mask to a sample face image with no masked portion acquired in advance, inputting sample face key point information acquired in advance and the face image with the masked portion to the second neural network yet to be trained, and inpainting, according to the sample face key point information based on the second neural network, the masked portion of the face image with the masked portion, to obtain a generated image;\ndiscriminating the sample face image to obtain a first discrimination result, and discriminating the generated image to obtain a second discrimination result;\nadjusting a network parameter of the second neural network according to a loss of the second neural network, the loss of the second neural network comprising an adversarial loss, the adversarial loss being acquired according to the first discrimination result and the second discrimination result; and\nrepeating above-mentioned steps until the loss of the second neural network meets a second predetermined condition, acquiring the second neural network that has been trained.",
"14. The method of claim 13, wherein the loss of the second neural network further comprises at least one of a pixel reconstruction loss, a perceptual loss, an artifact loss, or a gradient penalty loss, the pixel reconstruction loss being configured to represent a difference between the sample face image and the generated image, the perceptual loss being configured to represent a sum of differences between the sample face image and the generated image at different scales, the artifact loss being configured to represent a spike artifact of the generated image, the gradient penalty loss being configured to limit a gradient for updating the second neural network.",
"15. Electronic equipment, comprising a processor and a memory configured to store a computer program executable on the processor,\nwherein the processor is configured to implement:\nacquiring face images and an audio clip corresponding to each face image of the face images;\nextracting face shape information and head posture information from the each face image, acquiring facial expression information according to the audio clip corresponding to the each face image, and acquiring face key point information of the each face image according to the facial expression information, the face shape information, and the head posture information;\ninpainting, according to the face key point information of the each face image, the face images acquired, acquiring each generated image; and\ngenerating a target video according to the each generated image.",
"16. The electronic equipment of claim 15, wherein the processor is configured to acquire the face key point information of the each face image according to the facial expression information, the face shape information, and the head posture information by:\nacquiring face point cloud data according to the facial expression information and the face shape information; and projecting the face point cloud data to a two-dimensional image according to the head posture information to obtain the face key point information of the each face image.",
"17. The electronic equipment of claim 15, wherein the processor is configured to acquire the facial expression information according to the audio clip corresponding to the each face image by:\nextracting an audio feature of the audio clip; removing timbre information of the audio feature; and acquiring the facial expression information according to the audio feature with the timbre information removed.",
"18. The electronic equipment of claim 15, wherein the processor is configured to generate the target video according to the each generated image by:\nadjusting, according to the face images acquired, a regional image of the each generated image other than a face key point to obtain an adjusted generated image, and forming the target video using the adjusted generated image.",
"19. The electronic equipment of claim 15, wherein the processor is further configured to implement:\nperforming motion smoothing processing on a face key point of a speech-related part of an image in the target video, and/or performing jitter elimination on the image in the target video, wherein the speech-related part comprises at least a mouth and a chin.",
"20. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, having stored thereon a computer program which, when executed by a processor, implements:\nacquiring face images and an audio clip corresponding to each face image of the face images;\nextracting face shape information and head posture information from the each face image, acquiring facial expression information according to the audio clip corresponding to the each face image, and acquiring face key point information of the each face image according to the facial expression information, the face shape information, and the head posture information;\ninpainting, according to the face key point information of the each face image, the face images acquired, acquiring each generated image; and\ngenerating a target video according to the each generated image."
],
[
"1. A method for selectively displaying video programming, comprising the steps of:\nautomatically generating metadata that delimits a start and an end of each video program segment in a set of video program segments within at least one video programming sequence, wherein each video program segment is associated with an access key, each access key operable to identify the video program segment and corresponding metadata, wherein the access key comprises a uniform resource locator;\nincorporating manual adjustments to the start and end of at least one of the video program segments;\naccessing, over a network, additional manual adjustments to the start and end of the at least one of the video program segments;\nin response to a determination that the additional manual adjustments create an improved version of the at least one of the video program segments, updating the metadata of the at least one of the video program segments to include the additional manual adjustments;\nreproducing the set of segments on a display device in an ordered sequence specified by a playlist, in the absence of an intervening control command from a viewer;\ndisplaying a segment guide listing on the display device, the segment guide listing containing, for each segment of the set, a text description corresponding to the respective segment, with the text description corresponding to the segment currently being reproduced being visually identified on said guide listing;\nreceiving an indication that the viewer has selected a text description of the segment guide listing, the selected text description describing a desired segment of the set of segments; and\nretrieving the desired segment using segment identification information corresponding to the desired segment for reproducing on the display device the desired segment.",
"2. The method of claim 1 wherein the metadata further identifies contents of each video program segment.",
"3. The method of claim 1 wherein the metadata delimits the start and the end of each video program segment using markers specifying byte offsets in the at least one video programming sequence.",
"4. The method of claim 1 wherein the metadata delimits the start and the end of each video program segment using markers specifying a time position relative to a reference time associated with the at least one video programming sequence.",
"5. The method of claim 1 wherein the metadata specifies signatures of the at least one video programming sequence, the signatures identifying signal characteristics of the at least one video programming sequence to establish delimiting markers for each video program segment.",
"6. The method of claim 1 wherein the metadata delimits the start and the end of each video program segment based on a one or more user profiles indicating the viewing habits of one or more users.",
"7. The method of claim 1, wherein incorporating manual adjustments to the start and end of at least one of the video program segments comprises:\nincorporating first manual adjustments to the start and end of a video portion of the at least one of the video program segments;\nincorporating second manual adjustments to the start and end of an audio portion of the at least one of the video program segments, wherein the first and second manual adjustments result in the video portion being a different length than the audio portion; and\nfurther modifying content of the at least one of the video program segments so that the video portion and the audio portion have the same length.",
"8. The method of claim 7, wherein further modifying content of the at least one of the video program segments so that the video portion and the audio portion have the same length comprises lengthening the video portion by performing an action selected from a group consisting of:\nadding filler content to the video portion;\nadding one or more freeze-frame displays to the video portion; and\naltering at least a part of the video portion to be in slow motion.",
"9. An apparatus for selectively displaying video programming, comprising:\na metadata generator for automatically generating metadata that delimits a start and an end of each video program segment in a set of video program segments within at least one video programming sequence, wherein each video program segment is associated with an access key, each access key operable to identify the video program segment and corresponding metadata, wherein the access key comprises a uniform resource locator, the metadata generator further for:\nincorporating manual adjustments to the start and end of at least one of the video program segments;\naccessing, over a network, additional manual adjustments to the start and end of the at least one of the video program segments; and\nin response to a determination that the additional manual adjustments create an improved version of the at least one of the video program segments, updating the metadata of the at least one of the video program segments to include the additional manual adjustments;\na display for reproducing the set of segments in an ordered sequence specified by a playlist, in the absence of an intervening control command from a viewer;\nthe display further operable to display a segment guide listing, the segment guide listing containing, for each segment of the set, a text description corresponding to the respective segment, with the text description corresponding to the segment currently being reproduced being visually identified on said guide listing;\nan interface for receiving an indication that the viewer has selected a text description of the segment guide listing, the selected text description describing a desired segment of the set of segments; and\na processor for retrieving the desired segment using segment identification information corresponding to the desired segment for reproducing on the display device the desired segment.",
"10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the metadata further identifies contents of each video program segment.",
"11. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the metadata delimits the start and the end of each video program segment using markers specifying byte offsets in the at least one video programming sequence.",
"12. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the metadata delimits the start and the end of each video program segment using markers specifying a time position relative to a reference time associated with the at least one video programming sequence.",
"13. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the metadata specifies signatures of the at least one video programming sequence, the signatures identifying signal characteristics of the at least one video programming sequence to establish delimiting markers for each video program segment.",
"14. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the metadata delimits the start and the end of each video program segment based on a one or more user profiles indicating the viewing habits of one or more users.",
"15. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the metadata generator further for incorporating manual adjustments to the start and end of at least one of the video program segments comprises the metadata generator further for:\nincorporating first manual adjustments to the start and end of a video portion of the at least one of the video program segments;\nincorporating second manual adjustments to the start and end of an audio portion of the at least one of the video program segments, wherein the first and second manual adjustments result in the video portion being a different length than the audio portion; and\nfurther modifying content of the at least one of the video program segments so that the video portion and the audio portion have the same length.",
"16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the metadata generator further for further modifying content of the at least one of the video program segments so that the video portion and the audio portion have the same length comprises the metadata generator further for lengthening the video portion by performing an action selected from a group consisting of:\nadding filler content to the video portion;\nadding one or more freeze-frame displays to the video portion; and\naltering at least a part of the video portion to be in slow motion.",
"17. A method for selectively displaying video programming, comprising the steps of:\nautomatically generating metadata that delimits a start and an end of each video program segment in a set of video program segments within at least one video programming sequence, wherein each video program segment is associated with an access key, each access key operable to identify the video program segment and corresponding metadata, wherein the access key comprises a uniform resource locator;\nincorporating manual adjustments to the start and end of at least one of the video program segments by:\nincorporating first manual adjustments to the start and end of a video portion of the at least one of the video program segments;\nincorporating second manual adjustments to the start and end of an audio portion of the at least one of the video program segments, wherein the first and second manual adjustments result in the video portion being a different length than the audio portion; and\nfurther modifying content of the at least one of the video program segments so that the video portion and the audio portion have the same length;\nreproducing the set of segments on a display device in an ordered sequence specified by a playlist, in the absence of an intervening control command from a viewer;\ndisplaying a segment guide listing on the display device, the segment guide listing containing, for each segment of the set, a text description corresponding to the respective segment, with the text description corresponding to the segment currently being reproduced being visually identified on said guide listing;\nreceiving an indication that the viewer has selected a text description of the segment guide listing, the selected text description describing a desired segment of the set of segments; and\nretrieving the desired segment using segment identification information corresponding to the desired segment for reproducing on the display device the desired segment."
],
[
"1. A device, comprising:\na processing system including a processor; and\na memory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by the processing system, facilitate performance of operations, comprising:\npausing delivery of video content to a first mobile device over a first wireless network, responsive to a communication interruption between the device and the first mobile device and without a user of the first mobile device taking any action;\ndetermining that a first advertisement had been presented in a portion of the video content at the first mobile device before the pausing and that a duration of time since the pausing and after presentation of the first advertisement exceeds a predetermined duration of play time between advertisements;\nresponsive to the determining:\ndelivering a second advertisement to a second mobile device over a second wireless network, the second advertisement selected according to creative content provider preferences and advertisement placement demand associated with the creative content; and\nresuming delivery of the video content to the second mobile device over the second wireless network, the second advertisement being presented at the second mobile device prior to the video content being resumed at the second mobile device.",
"2. The device of claim 1, wherein the communication interruption is due to lack of battery life in the first mobile device.",
"3. The device of claim 1, wherein the communication interruption is due to a signal quality.",
"4. The device of claim 1, wherein the video content is consumable at the first mobile device via an integrated client, the pausing occurring without client-side dependency.",
"5. The device of claim 1, wherein the determining that the first advertisement has been presented in the portion of the video content comprises identifying a change in scene in the video content.",
"6. The device of claim 5, wherein the identifying the change in scene comprise identifying the change in scene using image analysis.",
"7. The device of claim 1, wherein an in-car device comprises the first mobile device.",
"8. The device of claim 1, wherein the pausing of the delivery of the video content is not responsive to a user action at the first mobile device, and wherein the resuming of the delivery of the video content comprises resuming the delivery of the video content from a first point of the video content at which the video content was paused.",
"9. The device of claim 1, wherein the resuming of the delivery of the video content comprises resuming the delivery of the video content from a second point of the video content prior to a first point of the video content at which the video content was paused.",
"10. A non-transitory, machine-readable medium, comprising executable instructions that, when executed by a processing system including a processor, facilitate performance of operations, the operations comprising:\npausing delivery of video content to a first mobile device over a first wireless network, responsive to a communication interruption between the processing system and the first mobile device and without a user of the first mobile device taking any action;\ndetermining that a first advertisement had been presented in a portion of the video content at the first mobile device before the pausing and that a duration of time since the pausing and after presentation of the first advertisement exceeds a duration of play time between advertisements;\nresponsive to the determining:\ndelivering a second advertisement to a second mobile device over a second wireless network, the second advertisement selected according to creative content provider preferences and advertisement placement demand associated with the creative content; and\nresuming delivery of the video content to the second mobile device over the second wireless network, the second advertisement presented at the second mobile device prior to the video content being resumed at the second mobile device.",
"11. The non-transitory, machine-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the communication interruption is due to lack of battery life in the first mobile device.",
"12. The non-transitory, machine-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the communication interruption is due to a loss of signal at the first mobile device.",
"13. The non-transitory, machine-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the determining that the first advertisement has been presented in the portion of the video content comprises identifying a change in scene in the video content.",
"14. The non-transitory, machine-readable medium of claim 13, wherein the identifying the change in scene comprise identifying the change in scene using image analysis.",
"15. The non-transitory, machine-readable medium of claim 10, wherein an in-car device comprises the first mobile device.",
"16. The non-transitory, machine-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the resuming of the delivery of the video content comprises resuming the delivery of the video content from a first point of the video content at which the video content was paused.",
"17. The non-transitory, machine-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the resuming of the delivery of the video content comprises resuming the delivery of the video content from a second point of the video content prior to a first point of the video content at which the video content was paused.",
"18. A method, comprising:\npausing, by a processing system including a processor, delivery of video content to a first mobile device over a first wireless network, responsive to an interruption in communication between the processing system and the first mobile device and without a user of the first mobile device taking any action;\ndetermining, by the processing system, that a duration of time since a first advertisement presented in a portion of the video content at the first mobile device before the pausing exceeds a predetermined duration of play time between advertisements;\ndelivering, by the processing system and responsive to the determining, a second advertisement to a second mobile device over a second wireless network, the second advertisement selected according to creative content provider preferences and advertisement placement demand associated with the creative content; and\nresuming, by the processing system, delivery of the video content to the second mobile device over the second wireless network, the second advertisement being presented at the second mobile device prior to the video content being resumed at the second mobile device.",
"19. The method of claim 18, wherein the video content is consumable at the first mobile device via an integrated client, the pausing occurring without client-side dependency.",
"20. The method of claim 18, wherein the resuming of the delivery of the video content comprises resuming, by the processing system, the delivery of the video content from a second point of the video content prior to a first point of the video content at which the video content was paused."
],
[
"1. A method for creating a virtually edited multimedia file, comprising:\nproviding an input metadata file associated with a multimedia file, the metadata file having at least metadata of one segment that is selectable;\nselecting a segment having its metadata in the metadata file;\ndetermining if a composing segment should be created, and if the composing segment should be created, then creating a composing segment in a hierarchical structure;\nspecifying a composing segment in the hierarchical structure, and creating a component segment as a child node of the specified composing segment;\ndetermining if metadata of the selected segment is to be copied or if a URI of the metadata is to be used, and if the metadata is to be copied, then copying metadata of the selected segment to the component segment, and if the URI is to be used, then writing a URI of the metadata of the selected segment to the component segment;\nadding a URL of the multimedia file to the metadata of the component segment;\ndetermining if the URLs added to the metadata of all siblings of the component segment are the same, and if the URLs are the same, then adding the URL to the specified composing segment and deleting the URL from all siblings of the component segment.",
"2. The method of claim 1 wherein the metadata file is an XML file.",
"3. The method of claim 1, the method further comprising:\ndetermining if another segment having its metadata is to be selected, and if another segment having its metadata is to be selected, then returning to the step of selecting a segment having its metadata in a metadata file.",
"4. The method of claim 3, the method further comprising:\ndetermining if another input metadata file is to be used, and if another input metadata file is to be used, then returning to the step of providing an input metadata file."
],
[
"1. An electronic device, comprising:\none or more processors;\na memory; and\none or more programs, wherein the one or more programs are stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the one or more processors, the one or more programs including instructions for:\nreceiving a speech input from a user;\ndetermining a user intent of the speech input;\ndetermining media content based on the user intent;\nin response to determining that the user intent comprises a request for information:\nin accordance with a determination to provide respective information at the electronic device, providing the respective information at the first electronic device in accordance with the user intent;\nin accordance with a determination to provide the respective information at a display associated with a second device, providing the respective information at the display associated with the second device in accordance with the user intent; and\nin response to determining that the user intent comprises a request to play the media content, causing the media content to be displayed on the display associated with the second device.",
"2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein causing the media content to be displayed on the display associated with the second device comprises:\ndetermining, from a plurality of devices, the second device based on at least one criterion.",
"3. The electronic device of claim 2, wherein determining, from a plurality of devices, the second device based on at least one criterion comprises:\ndetermining a distance between the electronic device and each device of the plurality of devices; and\ndetermining the second device based on the determined distances.",
"4. The electronic device of claim 1, the one or more programs including instructions for:\nidentifying the user based on the speech input; and\ndetermining the user intent of the speech input based on data associated with the identified user.",
"5. The electronic device of claim 4, wherein determining whether the user is an authorized user comprises analyzing the speech input using voice recognition.",
"6. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the speech input comprises a request to play content on the second device, and wherein the media content is played on the second device in response to the request to play content on the second device.",
"7. The electronic device of claim 6, wherein the speech input comprising a request to play content on the second device includes a reference to a location.",
"8. The electronic device of claim 6, wherein the speech input comprising a request to play content on the second device includes a reference to a device type.",
"9. The electronic device of claim 1, the one or more programs including instructions for:\ndetermining whether the determined media content should be displayed on a second display or on the display associated with the second device based on a media format, a user preference, or a default setting;\nwherein the media content is displayed on the display associated with the second device in response to a determination that the determined media content should be displayed on the display associated with the second device; and\nwherein the media content is displayed on the second display in response to a determination that the determined media content should be displayed on the second display.",
"10. The electronic device of claim 1, the one or more programs including instructions for:\ndetermining a proximity of each of two or more devices, including the second device and a third device, wherein the media content is played on the display associated with the second device based on the proximity of the second device relative to the proximity of the third device.",
"11. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the proximity of each of two or more devices is determined based on frequency.",
"12. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the frequency is determined based on time of flight measurement.",
"13. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the proximity of each of two or more devices is determined based on at least one sound travel measurement.",
"14. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein causing the media content to be displayed on the display associated with the second device comprises:\nobtaining a user preference associated with the user; and\nidentifying the second device based on the user preference.",
"15. The electronic device of claim 14, wherein the user preference indicates a preference to display a first content type on a first respective device and a second content type on a second respective device.",
"16. The electronic device of claim 14, wherein the user preference indicates a preference to display a first content type on a first respective device in accordance with a determination that the speech input includes a first respective query.",
"17. A computer-implemented method, comprising:\nat an electronic device with one or more processors and memory:\nreceiving a speech input from a user;\ndetermining a user intent of the speech input;\ndetermining media content based on the user intent;\nin response to determining that the user intent comprises a request for information:\nin accordance with a determination to provide respective information at the first electronic device, providing the respective information at the first electronic device in accordance with the user intent;\nin accordance with a determination to provide the respective information at a display associated with a second device, providing the respective information at the display associated with the second device in accordance with the user intent; and\nin response to determining that the user intent comprises a request to play the media content, causing the media content to be displayed on the display associated with the second device.",
"18. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing one or more programs, the one or more programs comprising instructions, which when executed by one or more processors of an electronic device, cause the electronic device to:\nreceiving a speech input from a user;\ndetermining a user intent of the speech input;\ndetermining media content based on the user intent;\nin response to determining that the user intent comprises a request for information:\nin accordance with a determination to provide respective information at the first electronic device, providing the respective information at the first electronic device in accordance with the user intent;\nin accordance with a determination to provide the respective information at a display associated with a second device, providing the respective information at the display associated with the second device in accordance with the user intent; and\nin response to determining that the user intent comprises a request to play the media content, causing the media content to be displayed on the display associated with the second device.",
"19. The method of claim 17, wherein causing the media content to be displayed on the display associated with the second device comprises:\ndetermining, from a plurality of devices, the second device based on at least one criterion.",
"20. The method of claim 19, wherein determining, from a plurality of devices, the second device based on at least one criterion comprises:\ndetermining a distance between the electronic device and each device of the plurality of devices; and\ndetermining the second device based on the determined distances.",
"21. The method of claim 17, comprising:\nidentifying the user based on the speech input; and\ndetermining the user intent of the speech input based on data associated with the identified user.",
"22. The method of claim 21, wherein determining whether the user is an authorized user comprises analyzing the speech input using voice recognition.",
"23. The method of claim 17, wherein the speech input comprises a request to play content on the second device, and wherein the media content is played on the second device in response to the request to play content on the second device.",
"24. The method of claim 23, wherein the speech input comprising a request to play content on the second device includes a reference to a location.",
"25. The method of claim 23, wherein the speech input comprising a request to play content on the second device includes a reference to a device type.",
"26. The method of claim 17, comprising:\ndetermining whether the determined media content should be displayed on a second display or on the display associated with the second device based on a media format, a user preference, or a default setting;\nwherein the media content is displayed on the display associated with the second device in response to a determination that the determined media content should be displayed on the display associated with the second device; and\nwherein the media content is displayed on the second display in response to a determination that the determined media content should be displayed on the second display.",
"27. The method of claim 17, comprising:\ndetermining a proximity of each of two or more devices, including the second device and a third device, wherein the media content is played on the display associated with the second device based on the proximity of the second device relative to the proximity of the third device.",
"28. The method of claim 27, wherein the proximity of each of two or more devices is determined based on frequency.",
"29. The method of claim 28, wherein the frequency is determined based on time of flight measurement.",
"30. The method of claim 27, wherein the proximity of each of two or more devices is determined based on at least one sound travel measurement.",
"31. The method of claim 17, wherein causing the media content to be displayed on the display associated with the second device comprises:\nobtaining a user preference associated with the user; and\nidentifying the second device based on the user preference.",
"32. The method of claim 31, wherein the user preference indicates a preference to display a first content type on a first respective device and a second content type on a second respective device.",
"33. The method of claim 31, wherein the user preference indicates a preference to display a first content type on a first respective device in accordance with a determination that the speech input includes a first respective query.",
"34. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 18, wherein causing the media content to be displayed on the display associated with the second device comprises:\ndetermining, from a plurality of devices, the second device based on at least one criterion.",
"35. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 34, wherein determining, from a plurality of devices, the second device based on at least one criterion comprises:\ndetermining a distance between the electronic device and each device of the plurality of devices; and\ndetermining the second device based on the determined distances.",
"36. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 18, wherein the instructions cause the electronic device to:\nidentify the user based on the speech input; and\ndetermine the user intent of the speech input based on data associated with the identified user.",
"37. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 36, wherein determining whether the user is an authorized user comprises analyzing the speech input using voice recognition.",
"38. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 18, wherein the speech input comprises a request to play content on the second device, and wherein the media content is played on the second device in response to the request to play content on the second device.",
"39. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 38, wherein the speech input comprising a request to play content on the second device includes a reference to a location.",
"40. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 38, wherein the speech input comprising a request to play content on the second device includes a reference to a device type.",
"41. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 18, wherein the instructions cause the electronic device to:\ndetermine whether the determined media content should be displayed on a second display or on the display associated with the second device based on a media format, a user preference, or a default setting;\nwherein the media content is displayed on the display associated with the second device in response to a determination that the determined media content should be displayed on the display associated with the second device; and\nwherein the media content is displayed on the second display in response to a determination that the determined media content should be displayed on the second display.",
"42. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 18, wherein the instructions cause the electronic device to:\ndetermine a proximity of each of two or more devices, including the second device and a third device, wherein the media content is played on the display associated with the second device based on the proximity of the second device relative to the proximity of the third device.",
"43. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 42, wherein the proximity of each of two or more devices is determined based on frequency.",
"44. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 43, wherein the frequency is determined based on time of flight measurement.",
"45. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 42, wherein the proximity of each of two or more devices is determined based on at least one sound travel measurement.",
"46. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 18, wherein causing the media content to be displayed on the display associated with the second device comprises:\nobtaining a user preference associated with the user; and\nidentifying the second device based on the user preference.",
"47. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 46, wherein the user preference indicates a preference to display a first content type on a first respective device and a second content type on a second respective device.",
"48. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 46, wherein the user preference indicates a preference to display a first content type on a first respective device in accordance with a determination that the speech input includes a first respective query."
],
[
"1. A method comprising:\nperiodically receiving, by a client device over a communication network, a list of correlating items from a server, the list of correlating items created by the server using anonymous aggregated user ratings received from a plurality of client devices, the correlating items comprising at least one or more of pairs of programs and a corresponding correlation factor for each pair of programs indicating a correlation between programs in each pair of programs, a particular program appears in two or more pairs of programs;\ncalculating, by control circuitry at the client device, based on a collaborative filtering algorithm, prediction ratings of a first media content for a user associated with the client device, wherein the collaborative filtering algorithm uses correlation factors from the list of correlating items and previous ratings of a second media content from the user associated with the client device.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of client devices comprise a plurality of video recording client devices.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein the user-rated items received from a client device includes each item rated by the user of the client device and a corresponding rating assigned by the user.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first media content comprises at least one of: network television programming, cable television programming, films, pay-per-view television programming, or video.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein the list of correlated items comprises at least one item rated by the user associated with the client device and at least one item unrated by the user associated with the client device.",
"6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\npredicting, by the client device, a rating for an unrated media content based on a correlation in the list of correlating items.",
"7. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing one or more sequences of instructions, wherein execution of the one or more sequences of instructions by one or more processors causes the one or more processors to perform the steps of:\nperiodically receiving, by a client device over a communication network, a list of correlating items from a server, the list of correlating items created by the server using anonymous aggregated user ratings received from a plurality of client devices, the correlating items comprising at least one or more of pairs of programs and a corresponding correlation factor for each pair of programs indicating a correlation between programs in each pair of programs, a particular program appears in two or more pairs of programs;\ncalculating, by control circuitry at the client device, based on a collaborative filtering algorithm, prediction ratings of a first media content for a user associated with the client device, wherein the collaborative filtering algorithm uses correlation factors from the list of correlating items and previous ratings of a second media content from the user associated with the client device.",
"8. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 7, wherein the plurality of client devices comprise a plurality of video recording client devices.",
"9. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 7, wherein the user-rated items received from a client device includes each item rated by the user of the client device and a corresponding rating assigned by the user.",
"10. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 7, wherein the first media content comprises at least one of: network television programming, cable television programming, films, pay-per-view television programming, or video.",
"11. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 7, wherein the list of correlated items comprises at least one item rated by the user associated with the client device and at least one item unrated by the user associated with the client device.",
"12. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 7, further comprising:\npredicting, by the client device, a rating for an unrated media content based on a correlation in the list of correlating items.",
"13. An apparatus comprising:\na client device;\na correlating items receiver, at the client device, implement at least partially in hardware, that periodically receives a list of correlating items from a server over a communication network, the list of correlating items created by the server using anonymous aggregated user ratings received from a plurality of client devices, the correlating items comprising at least one or more of pairs of programs and a corresponding correlation factor for each pair of programs indicating a correlation between programs in each pair of programs, a particular program appears in two or more pairs of programs;\na ratings predictor, at the client device, implement at least partially in hardware, that calculates, based on a collaborative filtering algorithm, prediction ratings of a first media content for a user associated with the client device, wherein the collaborative filtering algorithm uses correlation factors from the list of correlating items and previous ratings of a second media content from the user associated with the client device.",
"14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the plurality of client devices comprise a plurality of video recording client devices.",
"15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the user-rated items received from a client device includes each item rated by the user of the client device and a corresponding rating assigned by the user.",
"16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the first media content comprises at least one of: network television programming, cable television programming, films, pay-per-view television programming, or video.",
"17. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the list of correlated items comprises at least one item rated by the user associated with the client device and at least one item unrated by the user associated with the client device.",
"18. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the ratings predictor predicts a rating for an unrated media content based on a correlation in the list of correlating items."
],
[
"1. A video pushing method based on video search, comprising:\ndetermining, based on a search keyword received from a terminal device, at least two first videos matching the search keyword, the at least two first videos comprising at least two types of videos;\ntransmitting first video preview information of the at least two first videos to the terminal device;\nreceiving a video-obtaining request transmitted by the terminal device, wherein the video-obtaining request is generated in response to a play-triggering operation of the first target preview information in the first video preview information, and the video-obtaining request carries identification information of a first target video corresponding to the first target preview information; and\ndetermining at least two second videos based on the video-obtaining request, and transmitting the at least two second videos and corresponding second video preview information to the terminal device,\nwherein the method further comprises, subsequent to said determining the at least two first videos matching the search keyword: ranking the at least two first videos based on video popularity, wherein said transmitting the first video preview information of the at least two first videos to the terminal device comprises: transmitting first video preview information of at least two ranked first videos to the terminal device,\nwherein said determining the at least two second videos based on the video-obtaining request comprises any one of:\ndetermining, based on the identification information in the video-obtaining request, candidate videos having a video similarity with the first target video satisfying a first predetermined condition, and determining, from the candidate videos, videos of a same video type with the first target video as the at least two second videos, wherein said determining, based on the identification information in the video-obtaining request, the candidate videos having the video similarity with the first target video satisfying the first predetermined condition comprises:\ndetermining the first target video based on the identification information in the video-obtaining request;\nbased on coordinates, in a similarity algorithm model, of the first target video and each video in a prestored database, calculating a video similarity between the first target video and each video; and\ndetermining, from the video database, the candidate videos having the video similarity with the first target video satisfying the first predetermined condition, based on the video similarity between the first target video and each video; or\ndetermining, as the at least two second videos, videos, determined from the candidate videos, of a same video type with the first target video, and a video screened from a video database and having a video similarity with the top N-ranked first videos satisfying a second predetermined condition, where N is a positive integer, wherein said determining, as the at least two second videos, the video screened from the video database and having the video similarity with the top N-ranked first videos satisfying the second predetermined condition comprises:\ndetermining, based on coordinates of the top N-ranked first videos in the similarity algorithm model, specific parameter coordinates corresponding to the top N-ranked first videos, wherein the specific parameter coordinates comprise average coordinates of the top N-ranked first videos or variance coordinates of the top N-ranked first videos;\ndetermining coordinates of each video in the prestored database in the similarity algorithm model, and calculating a similarity between the coordinates of each video and the specific parameter coordinates; and\ndetermining, based on the similarity, the two second video screened from the video database and corresponding to the coordinates with the calculated similarity satisfying the second predetermined condition.",
"2. The video pushing method based on video search according to claim 1, further comprising, subsequent to said determining the at least two second videos based on the video-obtaining request:\nranking the at least two second videos based on user preference, wherein the user preference is determined by at least one of user's attribute information and user's historical viewing record; and\ntransmitting, to the terminal device, the at least two second videos ranked based on the user preference and corresponding second video preview information.",
"3. An electronic device, comprising:\na memory having a computer program stored thereon; and\na processor configured to implement the method according to claim 1 when executing the computer program.",
"4. A non-transitory computer-readable medium, having a computer program stored thereon, wherein the computer program, when executed by a processor, implements the method according to claim 1."
],
[
"1. An information search method, comprising:\nreceiving a query keyword from a client;\nacquiring, in a regular index database, a first search result associated with the query keyword;\nquerying, according to the query keyword, video summary information and product summary information in a video product index database to acquire a second search result associated with the query keyword, wherein the second search result comprises an address of a video clip comprising a product and associated with the query keyword, and the video product index database comprises the address of the video clip, the video summary information corresponding to the video clip, and the product summary information corresponding to a product demonstrated in content of the video clip; and\npushing the first search result and the second search result to the client;\nwherein the video summary information comprises a video type tag; and the pushing the first search results and the second search result to the client further comprises:\nclassifying the second search result according to the video type tag; and\npushing a classification result to the client.",
"2. The information search method of claim 1, wherein the video summary information comprises a video name corresponding to the video clip, and the product summary information comprises a product name corresponding to the product demonstrated in the content of the video clip.",
"3. The information search method of claim 2, wherein the second search result further comprises video abstract information, product abstract information, or a combination thereof corresponding to the video clip, the video abstract information is a subset of the video summary information, and the product abstract information is a subset of the product summary information.",
"4. The information search method of claim 3, wherein the video summary information further comprises a thumbnail corresponding to the video clip.",
"5. The information search method of claim 3, wherein the product summary information further comprises a product introduction and an entry address of a product details page corresponding to the product name.",
"6. The information search method of claim 3, wherein the product summary information further comprises a product type tag; and the step of pushing the first search result and the second search result to the client further comprises:\nclassifying the second search result according to the product type tag; and\npushing a classification result to the client.",
"7. An information search device, comprising:\na processor; and\na memory storing computer-readable instructions;\nwherein, when the computer-readable instructions are executed by the processor, the processor is configured to:\nreceive a query keyword from a client;\nacquire, in a regular index database, a first search result associated with the query keyword;\nquery, according to the query keyword, video summary information and product summary information in a video product index database to acquire a second search result associated with the query keyword, wherein the second search result comprises an address of a video clip comprising a product and associated with the query keyword, and the video product index database comprises the address of the video clip, the video summary information corresponding to the video clip, and the product summary information corresponding to a product demonstrated in content of the video clip; and\npush the first search result and the second search result to the client;\nwherein the video summary information comprises a video type tag; and the processor is further configured to:\nclassify the second search result according to the video type tag; and\npush a classification result to the client.",
"8. The information search device of claim 7, wherein the video summary information comprises a video name corresponding to the video clip, and the product summary information comprises a product name corresponding to the product demonstrated in the content of the video clip.",
"9. The information search device of claim 8, wherein the processor is further configured to acquire video abstract information, product abstract information, or a combination thereof corresponding to the video clip, wherein the video abstract information is a subset of the video summary information, and the product abstract information is a subset of the product summary information.",
"10. The information search device of claim 9, wherein the video summary information further comprises a thumbnail corresponding to the video clip.",
"11. The information search device of claim 9, wherein the product summary information further comprises a product introduction and an entry address of a product details page corresponding to the product name.",
"12. The information search device of claim 9, wherein the product summary information further comprises a product type tag; and the processor is further configured to:\nclassify the second search result according to the product type tag; and\npush a classification result to the client.",
"13. One or more non-transitory storage media comprising a computer-executable instruction, the computer-executable instruction being configured to be used for executing an information search method comprising the following steps:\nreceiving a query keyword from a client;\nacquiring, in a regular index database, a first search result associated with the query keyword;\nquerying, according to the query keyword, video summary information and product summary information in a video product index database to acquire a second search result associated with the query keyword, wherein the second search result comprises an address of a video clip comprising a product and associated with the query keyword, and the video product index database comprises the address of the video clip, the video summary information corresponding to the video clip, and the product summary information corresponding to a product demonstrated in content of the video clip; and\npushing the first search result and the second search result to the client;\nwherein the video summary information comprises a video type tag; and the pushing the first search result and the second search result to the client further comprises:\nclassifying the second search result according to the video type tag; and\npushing a classification result to the client."
],
[
"1. A method for generating video fingerprints comprising:\nsharing timeline and metadata of an original digital media file including at least one of a video digital file and an audio digital file;\nidentifying a region within the original media file;\nbookmarking the identified region with a fingerprinting algorithm;\ndetecting a bookmarked region of a duplicate of the original media file using the fingerprinting algorithm; and\ncomparing the bookmarked region of the original media file to the bookmarked region of the duplicate, wherein detecting a bookmarked region includes examining for the presence of matchable characteristics in a frame group, applying a region algorithm to the frame group, removing repetitive occurrences of the matchable characteristics, and defining a path of the matchable characteristics within the frame group.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying a region of the original digital media file includes determining data types within the digital media file.",
"3. The method of claim 2, wherein determining data types includes at least one of a pixel luminescence value, a region of pixel luminescence values, an indicator of object motion, a change in sound volume, and a change in sound types.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein examining for the presence of matchable characteristics in the frame group includes generating data set type classes for regions within each frame of the frame group, associating the data set type classes with location points of the video frame, and ascertaining possible pathways between data set type classes between loci of adjacent frames.",
"5. The method of claim 4, wherein defining a path of the matchable characteristics within the frame group includes performing a matrix analysis of the data set classes for ascertaining a high confidence pathway.",
"6. The method of claim 5, wherein defining a path of the matchable characteristics within the frame group include selecting the high confidence pathway between similar data set classes.",
"7. The method of claim 5, wherein defining a path of the matchable characteristics within the frame group include selecting the high confidence pathway between dissimilar data set classes.",
"8. The method of claim 5, wherein defining a path of the matchable characteristics within the frame group include selecting the high confidence pathway between similar and dissimilar data set classes.",
"9. A system for generating video fingerprints comprising:\nan original digital media file having at least one of a video digital file and an audio digital file;\nmeans for identifying a region within the original media file;\nmeans for bookmarking the identified region with a fingerprinting algorithm;\nmeans for detecting a bookmarked region of a duplicate of the original digital media file using the fingerprinting algorithm; and\nmeans for comparing the bookmarked region of the original media file to the bookmarked region of the duplicate,\nwherein the means for identifying a region within the original media file includes a region analysis algorithm configured to detect matchable characteristics comprising at least one of a pixel luminescence value, a region of pixel luminescence values, an indicator of object motion, a change in sound volume, and a change in sound types, and\nwherein the means for comparing the bookmarked region of the original media file to the bookmarked region of the duplicate includes determining a vector pathway between the matchable characteristics."
],
[
"1. A method implemented by one or more processors, the method comprising:\nidentifying, for a given video, one or more transitional indicators indicative of a transition of the given video;\ndetermining a motion flow based on a gradient flow that is quantitatively grouped to identify the one or more transitional indicators;\nsegmenting the given video, based on a transcript and the motion flow of the given video, into a plurality of video segments;\ndetermining that a given segment of the plurality of video segments is associated with a key phrase;\nassociating the given segment with the key phrase;\nsubsequent to the associating\nreceiving a query; and\nin response to receiving the query:\nidentifying the given video as being responsive to the query,\nselecting a given segment from the plurality of video segments of the identified given video, based on a confidence measure of the given segment satisfying a threshold, and\nproviding a search result for the query.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein:\nthe key phrase is stored in a content database.",
"3. The method of claim 2, wherein associating the given segment with the key phrase includes:\ngenerating an entry for the given segment in the content database in association with the key phrase, wherein the entry for the given segment includes the selectable link to the given segment.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein the query is a spoken query including one or more terms matching the key phrase.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein the key phrase is detected in a transcript of the given segment, and wherein the transcript of the given video includes the transcript of the given segment.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein the given segment is separated from the given video into a stand-alone video.",
"7. The method of claim 1, wherein the given segment is enhanced with an improved image and/or sound quality.",
"8. The method of claim 1, wherein the transcript of the given video includes a textual transcript acquired by transcribing an audio of the given video.",
"9. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more transitional indicators includes a transitional indicator indicative of a transition from the given segment to another video segment, of the plurality of video segments, of the given video.",
"10. The method of claim 9, wherein the given video is segmented into the plurality of video segments additionally based on motion characteristics of the given video, wherein the motion characteristics of the given video include one or more motion vectors and the motion flow.",
"11. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more transitional indicators include one or more transitional terms and/or one or more shot transitions, and wherein the one or more shot transitions include hard cut, fade, or dissolve.",
"12. The method of claim 1, wherein:\none or more critical values of the gradient flow correspond to the one or more transitional indicators respectively, and\na portion of the gradient flow between two critical values, of the one or more critical values, represent the given segment.",
"13. The method of claim 1, wherein the given segment corresponds to a commercial and/or sponsored segment.",
"14. The method of claim 1, wherein the given video is segmented into the plurality of video segments additionally based on a video text, wherein the video text includes one or more topic change markers identified in closed caption annotators.",
"15. The method of claim 1, wherein the confidence measure of the given segment is determined at least based on a relevance score of the given segment to the query.",
"16. The method of claim 1, wherein the confidence measure of the given segment is further determined based on a measure of popularity of the given segment.",
"17. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nproviding, in response to the query, a visual indication of the confidence measure of the given segment.",
"18. A method implemented by one or more processors, the method comprising:\nidentifying, for a given video, one or more transitional indicators indicative of a transition of the given video;\ndetermining a motion flow based on a gradient flow that is quantitatively grouped to identify the one or more transitional indicators;\nsegmenting the given video, based on a transcript and the motion flow of the given video, into a plurality of video segments;\ndetermining that a given segment of the plurality of video segments is associated with a key phrase detected from the transcript of the given video;\nassociating a link of the given segment with the key phrase detected from the transcript of the given video;\nsubsequent to the associating\nreceiving a query; and\nin response to receiving the query:\nidentifying the given video as being responsive to the query,\nselecting a given segment from the plurality of video segments of the identified given video, based on a confidence measure of the given segment, and\nproviding a search result for the query, wherein the search result identifies the given video and includes the link.",
"19. A method implemented by one or more processors, the method comprising:\nreceiving a query;\nidentifying a given video responsive to the query;\ndetermining that one or more given segments of the given video are associated with a confidence measure of the given video that satisfies a threshold,\nwherein the one or more given segments are segmented from the given video based on a transcript of the given video, and based on a motion flow that is determined based on a gradient flow that is quantitatively grouped to identify one or more transitional indicators identified for the given video,\nwherein the one or more given segments are respectively associated with a key phrase detected from the transcript of the given video, and\nwherein the confidence measure of the given video is determined at least based on matching the key phrases with which the one or more given segments are associated to one or more terms of the query; and\nprovide, in response to the query and based on the confidence measure satisfying the threshold, a link to a respective one of the one or more given segments of the given video."
],
[
"1. A method for searching for a media asset comprising:\nreceiving a voice input;\ndetermining that the voice input corresponds to a search query;\nin response to determining that the voice input corresponds to the search query:\ngenerating for display at least a portion of the search query in a first portion of the display; and\ndetermining whether the portion of the search query is related to at least one media asset identified in a content database;\nin response to determining that the portion of the search query is not related to the media asset identified in the content database, generating for display the portion of the search query determined to not be related to the media asset identified in the content database in a second portion of the display simultaneously with the at least the portion of the search query in the first portion of the display; and\nin response to determining that the portion of the search query is related to the media asset identified in the content database, generating for display identifying information corresponding to the at least one media asset identified in the content database related to the at least the portion of the search query in a third portion of the display,\nwherein the first portion, the second portion, and the third portion of the display differ from each other.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the determining that the voice input corresponds to the search query, or the determining whether the portion of the search query is related to the at least one media asset identified in the content database is processed by an automatic speech recognition module.",
"3. The method of claim 1, comprising:\nstoring a context of an earlier search query.",
"4. The method of claim 1, comprising:\ndetermining an intent and an entity of the search query.",
"5. The method of claim 1, comprising:\ndetermining an intent and an entity of the search query;\nstoring a context of an earlier search query; and\ndetermining an intent and an entity of the earlier search query.",
"6. The method of claim 5, wherein the determining of the intent and the entity of the earlier search query is used to determine the intent and the entity of the search query.",
"7. The method of claim 1, comprising:\nin response to determining that the portion of the search query is not related to an earlier search query, generating a new context for the search query.",
"8. The method of claim 1, comprising:\npredicting a potential speech to text translation problem by analyzing the search query and contextual information.",
"9. The method of claim 8, comprising:\nin response to predicting the potential speech to text translation problem, generating for display an error message, and generating for display a prompt to repeat the search query.",
"10. The method of claim 8, comprising:\nin response to predicting the potential speech to text translation problem, determining a term more related to the context of the search query, and correcting the potential speech to text translation problem with the term determined to be more related to the context of the search query without user input.",
"11. A system for searching for a media asset comprising:\ncontrol circuitry configured to:\nreceive a voice input;\ndetermine that the voice input corresponds to a search query;\nin response to determining that the voice input corresponds to the search query:\ngenerate for display at least a portion of the search query in a first portion of the display; and\ndetermine whether the portion of the search query is related to at least one media asset identified in a content database;\nin response to determining that the portion of the search query is not related to the media asset identified in the content database, generate for display the portion of the search query determined to be not related to the media asset identified in the content database in a second portion of the display simultaneously with the at least the portion of the search query in the first portion of the display; and\nin response to determining that the portion of the search query is related to the media asset identified in the content database, generate for display identifying information corresponding to the at least one media asset identified in the content database related to the at least the portion of the search query in a second portion of the display,\nwherein the first portion, the second portion, and the third portion of the display differ from each other.",
"12. The system of claim 11, wherein at least one of the determining that the voice input corresponds to the search query, or the determining whether the portion of the search query is related to the at least one media asset identified in the content database is processed by an automatic speech recognition module.",
"13. The system of claim 11, the control circuitry further configured to:\nstore a context of an earlier search query.",
"14. The system of claim 11, the control circuitry further configured to:\ndetermine an intent and an entity of the search query.",
"15. The system of claim 11, the control circuitry further configured to:\ndetermine an intent and an entity of the search query;\nstore a context of an earlier search query; and\ndetermine an intent and an entity of the earlier search query.",
"16. The system of claim 15, wherein the determining of the intent and the entity of the earlier search query is used to determine the intent and the entity of the search query.",
"17. The system of claim 11, the control circuitry further configured to:\nin response to determining that the portion of the search query is not related to an earlier search query, generate a new context for the search query.",
"18. The system of claim 11, the control circuitry further configured to:\npredict a potential speech to text translation problem by analyzing the search query and contextual information.",
"19. The system of claim 18, the control circuitry further configured to:\nin response to predicting the potential speech to text translation problem, generate for display an error message, and generate for display a prompt to repeat the search query.",
"20. The system of claim 18, the control circuitry further configured to:\nin response to predicting the potential speech to text translation problem, determine a term more related to the context of the search query, and correct the potential speech to text translation problem with the term determined to be more related to the context of the search query without user input."
]
] |
the following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 u.s.c. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this office action:
a person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
claims 1-6, 8-16, 18-20 are rejected under 35 u.s.c. 102(a)(1) as being disclosed by jindal et al us 2022/0068258(hereinafter jindal).
regarding claim1, jindal discloses a computing apparatus comprising: one or more computer readable storage media(fig. 1 computing environment 100 includes memory device 106); one or more processors operatively coupled with the one or more computer readable storage media([0022], the computing environment includes one or more processor); and program instructions stored on the one or more computer readable storage media that, when executed by the one or more processors([0022],the processing devices execute a media editing application), direct the computing apparatus to at least: extract audio data from a media file comprising the audio data and video data([0015],isolating speech in the audio track ); generate, based at least on an analysis of speech represented in the audio data, a trim proposal indicative of segments of the video data to potentially trim from the media file, wherein the segments of the video data correspond to segments of the audio data determined by the analysis of the speech to include filler words([0015-0016], the media editing application identifies gaps in speech represented in audio track of a media clip. automated detection of non-grammatical paused caused by hesitation (filler words such as um, like) in speech by the media editing application); cause display of a visualization of the video data and a visualization of the trim proposal ([0017], the media editing application display potential edit points ); receive user input comprising a selection of at least a portion of the visualization of the trim proposal([0017], user’s selection of a potential edit point); and trim the media file based at least on the user input([0017], based on user selection, the media editing application take editing action including trimming the media clip).
regarding claim2, jindal discloses the computing apparatus of claim 1 wherein, to generate the trim proposal, the program instructions direct the computing apparatus to at least: supply the audio data to an analysis service([0014-0015],media editing application); receive results of the analysis from the analysis service, wherein the results of the analysis comprise timestamps that define segments of the audio data determined by the analysis service to represent undesirable portions of the speech([0014-0016], the media editing application detects and locate grammatical pause); and identify the segments of the video data based at least on the timestamps([0014-0016], the media editing application identifies and stores a potential edit point that corresponds to the detected and located grammatical pause).
regarding claim3, jindal discloses the computing apparatus of claim 2 wherein, to identify the segments of the video data based at least on the timestamps, the program instructions direct the computing apparatus to identify segments of the video data that correspond to the segments of the audio data defined in the results of the analysis by the timestamps([0014-0016], the media editing application identifies and stores a potential edit point that corresponds to the grammatical pause and represented with timestamps, fig. 4-6).
regarding claim4, jindal discloses the computing apparatus of claim 3 wherein: the visualization of the video data comprises a linear representation of the video data(see fig. 4-6 video timeline 408,508,608); the visualization of the trim proposal comprises a visual emphasis on the segments of the video data indicated in the trim proposal relative to other segments of the video data not indicated in the trim proposal([0037], fig. 4-5 potential edit point markers 418,518); and the selection of at least a portion of the visualization of the trim proposal comprises one or more selections of one or more of the segments in the visualization of the video data([0037], fig. 4-5).
regarding claim5, jindal discloses the computing apparatus of claim 4 wherein the results of the analysis further comprise a transcription of the audio data and wherein the program instructions further direct the computing apparatus to cause display of a visualization of the transcription ([0015], the media application convert the speech to text, [0038], texted is displayed as text box 424 and 524 of fig.4-5).
regarding claim6, jindal discloses the computing apparatus of claim 5 the visualization of the trim proposal further comprises a visual emphasis on portions of the visualization of the transcription corresponding to the segments of the audio data defined by the timestamps in the results of the analysis ([0038], fig. 4-5 display the text).
regarding claim8, jindal discloses the computing apparatus of claim 1 wherein, to trim the media file based at least on the user input, the program instructions direct the computing apparatus to remove at least one of the segments of the video data from the media file and to remove one or more corresponding segments of the audio data from the media file([0017], media editing application automatically performs trimming of the media clip at selected potential edit point).
regarding claim9, jindal discloses the computing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the program instructions direct the computing apparatus to overlay the visualization of the trim proposal onto the visualization of the video data (see fig. 4-5 potential edit point 418).
regarding claim10, jindal discloses the computing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the filler words include one or more of the words: “um” and “uh” ([0016], non-grammatical pause, such as one that represents mere hesitation(“um” and “uh”) by a speaker).
claims 11, 20 are rejected for similar reason as described in claim1 above.
claim12 is rejected for similar reason as described in claim2 above.
claim13 is rejected for similar reason as described in claim3 above.
claim14 is rejected for similar reason as described in claim4 above.
claim15 is rejected for similar reason as described in claim5 above.
claim16 is rejected for similar reason as described in claim6 above.
claim18 is rejected for similar reason as described in claim9 above.
claim19 is rejected for similar reason as described in claim10 above.
|
[
"1. A thruster system for use in a spacecraft, the thruster system comprising:\na cavity including at least one inlet to receive a first fluid and a second fluid configured to chemically react with the first fluid within the cavity to generate a reaction product;\nan energy source coupled to the cavity and configured to heat content of the cavity by emitting electromagnetic radiation; and\na nozzle provided at one end of the cavity and configured to direct the heated cavity content out of the cavity to generate thrust.",
"2. The thruster system of claim 1, further comprising:\na chemical decomposition unit configured to generate the first fluid and the second fluid by chemically decomposing a source material.",
"3. The thruster system of claim 2, wherein:\nthe chemical decomposition unit includes an electrolysis unit configured to generate the first fluid and the second fluid by electrolysis of the source material.",
"4. The thruster system of claim 3, wherein:\nthe electrolysis unit includes a proton exchange membrane (PEM).",
"5. The thruster system of claim 3, wherein:\nthe chemical decomposition unit includes a vaporizer configured to generate vapor by vaporizing the source material;\nthe electrolysis unit is configured to receive a first portion of the generated vapor; and\nthe cavity is configured to receive a second portion of the generated vapor.",
"6. The thruster system of claim 3, wherein:\nthe first fluid is oxygen;\nthe second fluid is hydrogen; and\nthe source material is water.",
"7. The thruster system of claim 2, further comprising:\na vaporizer configured to vaporize the source material; and\na controller configured to control flow rates of the first fluid, the second fluid, and the vaporized source material into the cavity.",
"8. The thruster system of claim 7, wherein:\nthe at least one inlet includes a first inlet, a second inlet, and a third inlet; and\nthe cavity is configured to receive the first fluid via the first inlet, the second fluid via the second inlet, and the vaporized source material via the third inlet.",
"9. The thruster system of claim 1, wherein:\nthe energy source is configured to ionize cavity content to generate plasma; and\nthe at least one inlet is configured to generate circumferential flow within the cavity to stabilize the plasma.",
"10. A thruster system for use in a spacecraft, the thruster system comprising:\na cavity including at least one inlet to receive a monopropellant configured to chemically decompose within the cavity to generate a plurality of decomposition products;\nan energy source coupled to the cavity and configured to heat and ionize at least one of the plurality of decomposition products or the monopropellant by emitting electromagnetic radiation; and\na nozzle provided at one end of the cavity and configured to direct at least one of the plurality of decomposition products out of the cavity to generate thrust.",
"11. A method of spacecraft propulsion comprising:\nreceiving at a cavity via at least one inlet a first fluid and a second fluid configured to chemically react with the first fluid within the cavity to generate a reaction product;\nheating content of the cavity by electromagnetic radiation emitted by an energy source coupled to the cavity; and\ndirecting, via a nozzle, the heated content out of the cavity to generate thrust.",
"12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:\ngenerating the first fluid and the second fluid by chemically decomposing a source material within a chemical decomposition unit.",
"13. The method of claim 12, wherein:\ngenerating the first fluid and the second fluid by chemically decomposing the source material includes generating the first fluid and the second fluid by electrolysis of the source material within an electrolysis unit.",
"14. The method of claim 13, wherein:\ngenerating the first fluid and the second fluid by electrolysis the includes using a proton exchange membrane (PEM).",
"15. The method of claim 13, further comprising:\nvaporizing the source material using a vaporizer;\nreceiving a first portion of the vaporized source material at the electrolysis unit; and\nreceiving a second portion of the vaporized source material at the cavity.",
"16. The method of claim 13, wherein:\nthe first fluid is oxygen;\nthe second fluid is hydrogen; and\nthe source material is water.",
"17. The method of claim 12, further comprising:\nvaporizing the source material using the vaporizer;\nreceiving the vaporized source material at the cavity via the one or more inlets; and\ncontrolling, using a controller, flow rates of the first fluid, the second fluid, and the vaporized source material into the cavity.",
"18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:\ninjecting the first fluid, the second fluid, or the vaporized source material so as to create circumferential flow within the cavity.",
"19. The method of claim 17, further comprising:\nionizing the vaporized source material within the cavity to accelerate the chemical reaction between the first fluid and the second fluid.",
"20. The method of claim 11, further comprising:\nionizing the first fluid within the cavity prior to receiving the second fluid at the cavity."
] |
US20240018951A1
|
US20090229240A1
|
[
"1. A hybrid propulsion system, comprising:\na thruster operable to release energy from a propellant, thereby producing an exhaust gas, the thruster being selectable from one of a plurality of thrusters that are different from one another; and\na plasma fuel engine (PFE) accelerator coupled to the thruster in a tandem arrangement, the PFE accelerator provides an electric field and a magnetic field, the electric field being aligned to accelerate the exhaust gas and the magnetic field being aligned transversely to the electric field.",
"2. The hybrid propulsion system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of thrusters include a chemical thruster and an arcjet thruster.",
"3. The hybrid propulsion system of claim 1, wherein the propellant is selectable to be one of a monopropellant and a bipropellant.",
"4. The hybrid propulsion system of claim 1, wherein the thruster includes:\nan energy releaser operable to release the energy from the propellant and produce the exhaust gas; and\na nozzle for constricting a flow of the exhaust gas, wherein the flow of the exhaust gas generates an adjustable level of a thrust and an adjustable level of a specific impulse, wherein the PFE accelerator accelerates the exhaust gas to augment the adjustable level of the specific impulse.",
"5. The hybrid propulsion system of claim 1, wherein the PFE accelerator includes:\na plasma generator to partially ionize the exhaust gas;\nan electric field generator to provide the electric field, the electric field being aligned in a direction of a flow of the exhaust gas; and\na magnetic field generator to provide the magnetic field.",
"6. The hybrid propulsion system of claim 5, wherein the electric field generator is configured to generate the electric field having a strength approximately between 1,000 to 10,000 volts per meter.",
"7. The hybrid propulsion system of claim 5, wherein the magnetic field generator includes magnets to provide a magnetic field strength of approximately 0.1 Tesla when a density of the exhaust gas is approximately 10 raised to the power of 16 molecules per cubic centimeter.",
"8. The hybrid propulsion system of claim 1, wherein the electric field causes a partial ionization of the exhaust gas.",
"9. The hybrid propulsion system of claim 8, wherein the partial ionization of the exhaust gas generates ions and electrons, wherein the electric field causes the ions to accelerate in the direction of the flow of the exhaust gas and the magnetic field causes the electrons to flow in an azimuthal direction.",
"10. The hybrid propulsion system of claim 8, wherein the partial ionization of the exhaust gas is approximately equal to 10 to the power of −5.",
"11. The hybrid propulsion system of claim 1, wherein a density of the exhaust gas is approximately 100 to 1000 times greater than a density of an exhaust gas of a Hall thruster fueled by an inert gas propellant that is different than the propellant.",
"12. The hybrid propulsion system of claim 1, wherein a velocity of the exhaust gas is at least approximately 1000 meters per second.",
"13. The hybrid propulsion system of claim 1, wherein the PFE accelerator maintains the exhaust gas in a plasma state without seeding.",
"14. The hybrid propulsion system of claim 1, wherein the PFE accelerator is operable as a decelerator to extract momentum from the exhaust gas, wherein the extracted momentum is converted to electrical power.",
"15. The hybrid propulsion system of claim 1, wherein each one of the plurality of thrusters is fueled by the propellant.",
"16. A propulsion method comprising:\nselecting a thruster from a plurality of thrusters, wherein each one of the plurality of thrusters is different from one another, wherein each one of the plurality of thrusters is fueled by a propellant;\nreleasing energy of the propellant within the thruster to produce an exhaust gas;\napplying an electric field to generate ions and electrons, the electric field being applied along a direction of a flow of the exhaust gas; and\naccelerating the ions in the direction of the flow to provide the propulsion.",
"17. The method of claim 16 further comprising:\napplying a magnetic field aligned in a transverse direction to the electric field, thereby causing the electrons to flow in an azimuthal direction.",
"18. The method of claim 16 wherein the applying of the electric field includes:\nheating the exhaust gas to release the electrons.",
"19. An apparatus comprising:\nmeans for selecting a thruster from a plurality of thrusters, wherein each one of the plurality of thrusters is different from one another, wherein each one of the plurality of thrusters is fueled by a propellant;\nmeans for releasing energy of the propellant within the thruster to produce an exhaust gas;\nmeans for applying an electric field along a direction of a flow of the exhaust gas to generate ions and electrons; and\nmeans for accelerating the ions in the direction of the flow to provide the propulsion.",
"20. The apparatus of claim 19 further comprising:\nmeans for applying a magnetic field aligned in a transverse direction to the electric field, thereby causing the electrons to flow in an azimuthal direction."
] |
[
[
"1. A plasma thruster comprising:\na propellant tank containing a propellant;\na plasma liner operably coupled to receive said propellant from said propellant tank at an upstream entrance of the plasma liner, and to output a plasma at a downstream exit of the plasma liner;\na radio frequency (RF) source configured to output an RF field within said plasma liner, wherein said RF field ionizes said propellant to an inductive plasma;\na magnet system comprising a plurality of permanent magnets, the magnet system outputting magnetic field lines defining a flow boundary within a volume space of said plasma liner and extending outside said volume space downstream of the downstream exit of the plasma liner, said magnet system operable to define a magnetic nozzle at a region of the downstream exit of the plasma liner, the magnetic nozzle consisting of a single converging section, a single throat section downstream of said single converging section and a single diverging section downstream of said single throat section, the single diverging section disposed outside said volume space downstream of the downstream exit of the plasma liner,\nwherein the plurality of permanent magnets comprises first and second radially-disposed magnets with non-overlapping axial extensions, each magnet of said first and second radially-disposed magnets comprising an annular radially magnetized permanent magnet,\nwherein said flow boundary within said single throat section is smaller than said flow boundary within said single converging section,\nwherein said magnetic field lines have a non-zero magnetic field strength throughout the volume space of the plasma liner, wherein the magnetic field strength continuously reduced downstream from said single throat section,\nwherein said single converging section, single throat section, and single diverging section collectively receive and accelerate the plasma in a downstream direction; and\nwherein the plasma thruster is configured to accelerate plasma ions by ambipolar ion acceleration.",
"2. The plasma thruster of claim 1, wherein said magnet system comprises at least one electromagnetic coil.",
"3. The plasma thruster of claim 1, wherein the single throat section is disposed at, or downstream of, the downstream exit of the plasma liner.",
"4. The plasma thruster of claim 1, wherein said RF source comprises a loop RF source.",
"5. The plasma thruster of claim 1, wherein said RF source comprises a Boswell-type RF source.",
"6. The plasma thruster of claim 1, wherein said RF source comprises a helical half-twist RF source.",
"7. The plasma thruster according to claim 1, wherein the plasma thruster is electrodeless.",
"8. The plasma thruster according to claim 1, wherein said plasma liner is a bottle-shaped tube that is fabricated from quartz.",
"9. The plasma thruster according to claim 8, wherein a diameter of the bottle-shaped tube at the upstream entrance is larger than a diameter of the bottle-shaped tube at the downstream exit.",
"10. The plasma thruster according to claim 9, wherein a diameter the single throat section flow boundary at the downstream exit of the plasma liner is smaller than the diameter of the bottle-shaped tube at the downstream exit.",
"11. A plasma thruster comprising:\na propellant tank containing a propellant;\na plasma liner operably coupled to receive said propellant from said propellant tank at an upstream entrance of the plasma liner, and to output a plasma at a downstream exit of the plasma liner;\na radio frequency (RF) source configured to output an RF field within said plasma liner, wherein said RF field ionizes said propellant to an inductive plasma;\na magnet system comprising a plurality of permanent magnets, the magnet system outputting magnetic field lines defining a flow boundary within a volume space of said plasma liner and extending outside said volume space downstream of the downstream exit of the plasma liner, said magnet system operable to define a magnetic nozzle at a region of the downstream exit of the plasma liner, the magnetic nozzle consisting of a single converging section, a single throat section downstream of said single converging section and a single diverging section downstream of said single throat section, the single diverging section disposed outside said volume space downstream of the downstream exit of the plasma liner,\nwherein the plurality of permanent magnets comprises first and second radially-disposed magnets with non-overlapping axial extensions, each magnet of said first and second radially-disposed magnets comprising an annular radially magnetized permanent magnet, wherein said flow boundary within said single throat section is smaller than said flow boundary within said single converging section, wherein said magnetic field lines have a non-zero magnetic field strength throughout the volume space of the plasma liner, the magnetic field strength continuously reduced downstream from said single throat section, wherein said single converging section, single throat section, and single diverging section collectively receive and accelerate said plasma in a downstream direction and eject said plasma from said plasma thruster through said single converging section; and\nwherein the plasma thruster is configured to accelerate plasma ions by ambipolar ion acceleration.",
"12. The plasma thruster of claim 11, wherein said magnet system comprises at least one electromagnetic coil.",
"13. The plasma thruster of claim 11, wherein said propellant is a gaseous propellant.",
"14. The plasma thruster of claim 11, wherein said RF source comprises a loop RF source.",
"15. The plasma thruster of claim 11, wherein said RF source comprises a Boswell-type RF source.",
"16. The plasma thruster of claim 11, wherein said RF source comprises a helical half-twist RF source.",
"17. A plasma thruster comprising:\na propellant tank containing a propellant;\na plasma liner operably coupled to receive said propellant from said propellant tank at an upstream entrance of the plasma liner, and to output a plasma at a downstream exit of the plasma liner;\na radio frequency (RF) source configured to output an RF field within said plasma liner, wherein said RF field ionizes said propellant to an inductive plasma;\na magnet system comprising a plurality of permanent magnets, the magnet system outputting magnetic field lines defining a flow boundary within a volume space of said plasma liner and extending outside said volume space downstream of the downstream exit of the plasma liner, said magnet system operable to define a magnetic nozzle at a region of the downstream exit of the plasma liner, the magnetic nozzle consisting of a single converging section, a single throat section downstream of said single converging section and a single diverging section downstream of said single throat section, the single diverging section disposed outside said volume space downstream of the downstream exit of the plasma liner,\nwherein the plurality of permanent magnets comprises first and second radially-disposed magnets with non-overlapping axial extensions, each magnet of said first and second radially-disposed magnets comprising an annular radially magnetized permanent magnet,\nwherein said flow boundary within said single throat section is smaller than said flow boundary within said single converging section,\nwherein said magnetic field lines have a non-zero magnetic field strength throughout the\nvolume space of the plasma liner, the magnetic field strength continuously reduced downstream from said single throat section,\nwherein said flow boundary within said single diverging section is larger than said single throat section flow boundary, wherein said plasma thruster is configured for an operating power of less than 200 W; and\nwherein the thruster is configured to accelerate plasma ions by ambipolar ion acceleration.",
"18. The plasma thruster of claim 17, wherein said propellant is a gaseous propellant.",
"19. The plasma thruster of claim 17, wherein said RF source comprises a loop RF source.",
"20. The plasma thruster of claim 17, wherein said RF source comprises a Boswell-type RF source.",
"21. The plasma thruster of claim 17, wherein said RF source comprises a helical half-twist RF source.",
"22. The plasma thruster of claim 17, wherein said plasma thruster is configured for the operating power of less than 50 W."
],
[
"1. A method for widening and densifying a scrape-off layer (SOL) in a field reversed configuration (FRC) fusion reactor, the FRC fusion reactor including a main region having a FRC core surrounded by the SOL, a gas box connected at an end of the main region to the SOL, the gas box including a gas inlet system and an exit orifice, the exit orifice connecting the gas box to the SOL, the method comprising:\nlowering a temperature of plasma in the gas box by injecting gas into the gas box via the gas inlet system such that the plasma in the gas box is cooler than both core plasma and SOL plasma surrounding the core plasma;\nallowing the plasma in the gas box to flow into the SOL of the main region via the exit orifice;\nadjusting a radius and length of the exit orifice to set a width and density of the SOL by:\nadjusting the radius such that a magnetic flux of plasma in the exit orifice is about equal to a magnetic flux of plasma at an axial midplane of the main region; and\nadjusting the length such that gas from the gas box flowing into the main region is minimized; and\npopulating the SOL with the plasma that has flowed out of the gas box.",
"2. The method of claim 1, further comprising lowering the temperature of the plasma in the gas box to within a range of 1 to 50 eV.",
"3. The method of claim 1, further comprising increasing a density of the plasma in the gas box.",
"4. The method of claim 3, further comprising increasing the density of the plasma to within a range of 3×1016 cm−3 to 1013 cm−3.",
"5. The method of claim 1, further comprising having SOL plasma in the SOL with a temperature in a range of 10 to 200 eV.",
"6. The method of claim 1, further comprising having SOL plasma in the SOL with a density in a range of 5×1014 cm−3 to 1013 cm−3.",
"7. The method of claim 1, further comprising burning via the FRC reactor one of D-3He, D-D, and a combination of D-3He and D-D.",
"8. The method of claim 1, further comprising having a separatrix between the core plasma and SOL plasma along which the SOL plasma flows.",
"9. The method of claim 1, further comprising extracting thermal energy released from the core plasma via neutron shielding surrounding the main region.",
"10. The method of claim 1, further comprising exhausting SOL plasma and fusion ash out of the FRC reactor through an exhaust plume.",
"11. The method of claim 10, further comprising exhausting the fusion ash in less than 0.2 seconds.",
"12. The method of claim 1, further comprising adjusting the radius of the exit orifice to within a range of 3 to 15 cm.",
"13. The method of claim 1, further comprising decreasing speed of fusion products in the SOL plasma.",
"14. The method of claim 13, further comprising extracting energy from the fusion products as they decrease in speed in the SOL plasma.",
"15. The method of claim 14, further comprising converting the energy into one of thrust and electrical power.",
"16. The method of claim 1, wherein the injected gas comprises deuterium."
],
[
"1. A spacecraft propulsion system comprising:\nan outer cylinder that surrounds and arranges in series, in a downstream direction, along a flow path for atomic oxygen through the spacecraft propulsion system:\nan atomic oxygen collecting device;\nan upstream magnet of a first magnetic confinement device;\nan RF generating device;\na downstream magnet of a first magnetic confinement device; and\nan ion cyclotron wave heating device having an upstream magnet of a second magnetic confinement device at an upstream end of the ion cyclotron wave heating device and having a downstream magnet of the second magnetic confinement device at a downstream end of the ion cyclotron wave heating device, the second magnetic confinement device generating magnetic field lines that diverge and then converge in a radial direction from upstream to downstream within the ion cyclotron wave heating device;\nwherein the outer cylinder has an outer cylinder upstream end upstream of the atomic oxygen collecting device and an outer cylinder downstream end downstream of the downstream magnet of the second magnetic confinement device\nwherein the outer cylinder upstream end provides atomic oxygen to the atomic oxygen collecting device, wherein the atomic oxygen collecting device increases a pressure of the atomic oxygen thereby providing pressurized atomic oxygen through the upstream magnet of the first magnetic confinement device to the RF generating device that generates RF radiation to ionize the pressurized atomic oxygen thereby providing an oxygen plasma through the downstream magnet of the first magnetic confinement device to the upstream magnet of the second magnetic confinement device of the ion cyclotron wave heating device, wherein oxygen ions of the oxygen plasma are heated by ion cyclotron wave radiation generated by the ion cyclotron wave heating device thereby providing a heated oxygen plasma that passes through the downstream magnet of the second magnetic confinement device thereby generating propulsive force for the spacecraft,\nwherein the spacecraft propulsion system generates said propulsive force without propellant from spacecraft onboard propellant storage.",
"2. The spacecraft propulsion system according to claim 1, wherein a cross section of the atomic oxygen collecting device is reduced in the downstream direction.",
"3. The spacecraft propulsion system according to claim 1, wherein a cross section of the atomic oxygen collecting device reduces continuously in the downstream direction.",
"4. The spacecraft propulsion system according to claim 1, wherein the RF generating device operates in a spiral wave discharge mode, and wherein the RF generation device generates the ion cyclotron wave radiation.",
"5. A method of operating a spacecraft having a spacecraft propulsion system according to claim 1 comprising the steps of:\nproviding the spacecraft propulsion system on the spacecraft;\ntaking in atomic oxygen from a space environment;\nionizing the atomic oxygen in the RF generator operating in a spiral wave mode thereby generating ionized oxygen;\nheating the ionized oxygen via ion cyclotron wave radiation thereby generating heated oxygen plasma; and\ngenerating thrust for the spacecraft by discharging heated oxygen plasma."
],
[
"1. A plasma source comprising an RF coupling system, magnets or coils that generate magnetic fields, a gas injection system, and a vacuum tight, an RF transparent gas containment tube, wherein said RF coupling system comprises an RF coupler and said plasma source further comprises a choke point wherein the ratio of the field strength at said choke point to the field strength at said RF coupler is greater than two.",
"2. A plasma source according to claim 1 wherein said RF coupler is a fluid cooled RF coupler.",
"3. A plasma source according to claim 1 further comprising an Ion Cyclotron Radio Heating (ICRH) antenna for accelerating ions within a plasma stream.",
"4. A plasma source according to claim 1 wherein the ratio of the field strength at said choke point to the field strength at said RF coupler is greater than about four.",
"5. A plasma source according to claim 1 further comprising or a booster stage; and wherein said magnetic fields are formed by magnets comprising four sub assemblies: (1) a first stage magnet, (2) a choke coil, (3) an ICRH magnet or booster magnet, and (4) a nozzle magnet.",
"6. A plasma source according to claim 1 wherein said plasma source further comprises a helicon antenna and an ionization chamber and wherein magnetic field strength at the helicon antenna is matched to the size of the ionization chamber.",
"7. A plasma source according to claim 6 wherein said ionization chamber is modular and interchangeable for an ionization chamber sized for a different gas and wherein a magnetic field geometry of the magnetic field generated by said helicon antenna being adjusted for said ionization chamber.",
"8. A plasma source according to claim 1 further comprising a solid choke made of ceramic.",
"9. A plasma source according to claim 1 further comprising a solid choke made of metal.",
"10. A plasma source according to claim 1 further comprising means for force feeding propellant directly downstream.",
"11. A plasma source according to claim 1 wherein said RF coupling system further comprises a strap wherein said strap comprises a thermally conducting layer.",
"12. A plasma source according to claim 1 wherein said RF coupling system further comprises a strap wherein said strap is embedded in a thermally conductive hollow cylindrical surface.",
"13. A plasma source according to claim 12 wherein said hollow cylindrical surface comprises diamond.",
"14. A plasma source according to claim 12 wherein said hollow cylindrical surface comprises quartz.",
"15. A plasma source according to claim 14 wherein a surface of said strap has a diamond coating.",
"16. A plasma source according to claim 1 further comprising a ceramic heat sink and wherein said RF coupling system further comprises a silver antenna in thermal communication with said ceramic heat sink.",
"17. A plasma source according to claim 1 wherein said RF coupler has a full twist double helix geometry.",
"18. A plasma source comprising an RF coupling system, magnets or coils that generate magnetic fields, a gas injection system, and a vacuum tight, RF transparent gas containment tube wherein said plasma source comprises a helicon antenna and an ionization chamber and wherein magnetic field strength at the helicon antenna is matched to the size of the ionization chamber, further comprising a fluid cooling circuit comprising said ionization chamber, an annular tube positioned around said ionization chamber, a flow inlet in fluid communication with a space between said ionization chamber and said annular tube, a heat exchanger in fluid communication with the space between said ionization chamber and said annular tube, an RF compatible cooling fluid that flows from said flow inlet, axially through the space between said ionization chamber and said annular tube to said heat exchanger.",
"19. A plasma source according to claim 18, wherein said cooling fluid is a suitable heat pipe working fluid, further comprising a heat pipe wick mounted in the space between said ionization chamber and said annular tube to form a heat pipe.",
"20. A plasma source comprising an RF coupling system further comprising an RF coupler, magnets or coils that generate magnetic fields, a gas injection system, and a vacuum tight, RF transparent gas containment tube wherein said RF coupling system comprises:\na. a hollow interior that is vacuum tight\nb. a fluid that can transfer heat\nwherein said fluid circulates through said hollow interior and transfers waste heat to a heat exchanger.",
"21. The plasma source of claim 20 wherein said coupler comprises two windings of a conductor."
],
[
"1. A plasma thruster comprising:\n(a) a plasma production chamber having an upstream first closed end and a downstream second open end;\n(b) one or more magnets configured to establish a solely diverging magnetic field within the plasma production chamber and oriented substantially parallel to a central longitudinal axis of the plasma production chamber such that each magnet produces a magnetic field of the same polarity within the plasma production chamber, wherein the solely diverging magnetic field has a progressively decreasing strength in the upstream-to-downstream direction;\n(c) a propellant tank and a flow regulator in communication with the plasma production chamber through the first closed end and configured to deliver a gaseous propellant along the central longitudinal axis of the plasma production chamber; and\n(d) a radio frequency (RF) antenna external to the plasma production chamber, electrically coupled to an AC power source, and configured to deliver an RF energy to an interior portion of the plasma production chamber,\nwherein the progressively decreasing strength of the solely diverging magnetic field is configured to produce an ion rebounding effect for an increase in efficiency of the plasma thruster.",
"2. The plasma thruster of claim 1, wherein the plasma thruster comprises at least one planar magnet upstream of the first closed end.",
"3. The plasma thruster of claim 1, wherein the plasma thruster comprises at least one annular magnet.",
"4. The plasma thruster of claim 3, wherein the plasma thruster comprises 1-6 annular magnets.",
"5. The plasma thruster of claim 4, wherein the annular magnets are segmented.",
"6. The plasma thruster of claim 1, wherein all magnets are disposed upstream of the antenna.",
"7. The plasma thruster of claim 1, wherein the antenna is a coiled antenna.",
"8. The plasma thruster of claim 7, wherein the coiled antenna is right-handed.",
"9. The plasma thruster of claim 7, wherein the coiled antenna comprises 1-5 turns.",
"10. The plasma thruster of claim 1, wherein the plasma production chamber is cylindrical.",
"11. The plasma thruster of claim 1, wherein an entirety of a longitudinal extension along the central longitudinal axis of the plasma production chamber between the first closed end and the second open end is frustoconical.",
"12. The plasma thruster of claim 1, wherein the RF energy has a frequency of 3-300 MHz.",
"13. The plasma thruster of claim 1, wherein the plasma thruster further comprises a plasma heating source.",
"14. The plasma thruster of claim 10, wherein the plasma production chamber has a diameter of about 1-5 centimeters.",
"15. The plasma thruster of claim 10, wherein the plasma production chamber has a length of about 5-10 centimeters.",
"16. The plasma thruster of claim 14, wherein the plasma production chamber has a length of about 5-10 centimeters.",
"17. A plasma thruster comprising:\n(a) a cylindrical plasma production chamber having an upstream first closed end, a downstream second open end, a diameter of about 1-5 centimeters, and a length of about 5-10 centimeters;\n(b) one or more magnets configured to establish a solely diverging magnetic field within the plasma production chamber and oriented substantially parallel to a central longitudinal axis of the plasma production chamber such that each magnet produces a magnetic field of the same polarity within the plasma production chamber, wherein the solely diverging magnetic field has a progressively decreasing strength in the upstream-to-downstream direction;\n(c) a propellant tank and a flow regulator in communication with the plasma production chamber through the first closed end and configured to deliver a gaseous propellant along the central longitudinal axis of the plasma production chamber; and\n(d) a radio frequency (RF) antenna external to the plasma production chamber, electrically coupled to an AC power source, and configured to deliver an RF energy at a frequency of 3-300 MHz to an interior portion of the plasma production chamber,\nwherein the progressively decreasing strength of the solely diverging magnetic field is configured to produce an ion rebounding effect for an increase in efficiency of the plasma thruster.",
"18. The plasma thruster of claim 17, wherein the plasma thruster comprises 1-6 annular magnets.",
"19. The plasma of claim 17, wherein all magnets are disposed upstream of the antenna.",
"20. The plasma thruster of claim 17, wherein the antenna is a coiled antenna.",
"21. The plasma thruster of claim 17, wherein the plasma thruster further comprises a plasma heating source."
],
[
"1. A system comprising a rocket engine employing nuclear fusion with thrust augmentation, the system comprising\na reactor chamber for containing a stable plasma comprising a fusion fuel;\na heating system for heating said plasma and increasing an ion energy of said plasma to at least 5 kiloelectronvolts for producing power from fusion reactions in said stable plasma;\na plurality of magnets coaxial to said reactor chamber, the plurality of magnets producing a magnetic field to confine the stable plasma and promote rapid loss of fusion products into a scrape off layer;\na fuel injection system for injecting additional quantities of said fusion fuel to sustain the power output of said fusion reaction;\na gas box at one end of said scrape off layer for ionizing a cold propellant gas into a cold propellant plasma for introduction into said scrape off layer to augment the mass of said scrape off layer, wherein said cold propellant plasma is introduced into the reactor chamber and heated in the reactor chamber by fusion reaction products to form a warm propellant plasma;\na propellant injection system for injecting said cold propellant gas into said gas box;\na magnetic nozzle, attached to the end of the reactor chamber distal from said gas box, for directing said warm propellant plasma in said scrape off layer out of said reactor chamber as expelled propellant to create thrust.",
"2. The system of claim 1 wherein said fusion fuel comprises deuterium and helium-3.",
"3. The system of claim 1 wherein said plurality of magnets in conjunction with said plasma produces a magnetic field in a field-reversed configuration.",
"4. The system of claim 3 wherein the magnets are superconducting magnetic coils.",
"5. The system of claim 4 wherein the magnets are permanent magnets.",
"6. The system of claim 3 wherein the fuel injection system is a neutral beam.",
"7. The system of claim 6 wherein the propellant is deuterium.",
"8. The system of claim 6 wherein the propellant is hydrogen.",
"9. The system of claim 6 further comprising at least one energy conversion system.",
"10. The system of claim 9 wherein the heating system employs radio frequency odd-parity rotating magnetic fields produced by radio frequency magnetic coils.",
"11. The system of claim 10 further comprising a shield for attenuating and deflecting radiation produced from fusion.",
"12. The system of claim 11 wherein said reactor chamber is a vacuum vessel which is transparent to radio frequencies.",
"13. The system of claim 1, wherein the stable plasma has a plasma radius of approximately 25 centimeters.",
"14. The system of claim 1, wherein ions in the stable plasma have an ion gyroradii of about one tenth of a plasma radius of the stable plasma.",
"15. The system of claim 1, further comprising a charge exchange chamber that neutralizes the expelled propellant to form a neutral stream, and causing the neutral stream to separate from said magnetic field.",
"16. A method for augmenting the thrust a fusion powered rocket engine that includes a reactor chamber for containing a stable plasma comprising a fusion fuel, a plurality of magnets coaxial to the chamber, a heating system, a fuel injection system, a propellant injection system coupled to a gas box at one end of the reactor chamber, and a magnetic nozzle at the end of the chamber distal to the gas box, the method comprising:\ninjecting, by the fuel injection system, the fusion fuel into the reactor chamber;\nheating, by the heating system, the plasma such that the fuel is ionized and heated such that a sustained nuclear fusion reaction occurs in the plasma producing power;\nforming, by the magnets, a magnetic field to confine the plasma and promote rapid loss of fusion products into a scrape-off-layer;\ninjecting, by the propellant injection system, a cold propellant gas into the gas box;\nionizing the cold propellant gas in the gas box to form an ionized cold propellant plasma;\ninjecting the ionized cold propellant into the reactor chamber and converting said cold ionized propellant plasma into a warm propellant plasma to increase the mass of the scrape-off-layer, wherein the warm propellant plasma is heated by the fusion products as it flows through the scrape-off-layer;\nexpelling the warm propellant plasma and fusion products from the reactor chamber through the magnetic nozzle to create thrust.",
"17. The method according to claim 16 wherein said fusion fuel comprises deuterium and helium-3.",
"18. The method according to claim 16, where in a field-reversed magnetic field configuration is produced by the plurality of magnets in conjunction with the plasma.",
"19. The method according to claim 18, wherein plurality of magnets are superconducting magnetic coils.",
"20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the plurality of magnets are permanent magnets.",
"21. The method according to claim 18, wherein the fusion fuel is injected by a neutral beam.",
"22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the injected propellant is deuterium.",
"23. The method according to claim 21, wherein the injected propellant is hydrogen.",
"24. The method according to claim 21, further comprising converting energy from the fusion products into electricity.",
"25. The method according to claim 24, wherein the heating is accomplished by radio frequency odd-parity rotating magnetic fields produced by radio frequency magnetic coils.",
"26. The method according to claim 25, wherein converting the energy is accomplished by capturing electro-magnetic radiation in the radio frequency spectrum using radio frequency magnetic coils.",
"27. The method according to claim 26, further comprising attenuating and deflecting radiation produced from the fusion reaction with a shielding material.",
"28. The method according to claim 27, wherein heating by radio frequencies is enabled by the use of a vacuum vessel for the reactor chamber, which is transparent to such frequencies.",
"29. The method of claim 16, wherein the stable plasma has a plasma radius of approximately 25 centimeters.",
"30. The method of claim 16, wherein ions in the stable plasma have an ion gyroradii of about one tenth of a plasma radius of the stable plasma.",
"31. The method of claim 16, wherein the warm propellant plasma and fusion products are expelled propellant, the method further comprising forming a neutral stream by neutralizing the expelled propellant and detaching the expelled propellant from said magnetic field."
],
[
"1. A plasma production device comprising:\n(a) a plasma production chamber having a cylinder body, a first closed end and a second open end;\n(b) a magnet system comprising one or more magnets configured to establish a magnetic field within the plasma production chamber, the magnetic field comprising magnetic field lines oriented parallel to a central longitudinal axis of the plasma production chamber with a magnetic field strength that is continuously decreasing from the first closed end to the second open end, each magnet of the one or more magnets producing a magnetic field of a same polarity within the plasma production chamber, wherein the one or more magnets comprises at least one radial magnet located proximate the second open end and distal the first closed end and at least one additional magnet located proximate the first closed end and distal the second open end, wherein the second magnet is another of the at least one radial magnets or at least one planar magnet;\n(c) a propellant tank and a flow regulator in communication with the plasma production chamber and configured to deliver a gaseous propellant into the plasma production chamber; and\n(d) a radio frequency (RF) antenna comprising a flat spiral region external to the plasma production chamber and disposed on an external surface of the first closed end, electrically coupled to an AC power source, and configured to deliver an RF energy to an interior region of the plasma production chamber to ionize the gaseous propellant and heat generated plasma produced therefrom by inductive heating;\nwherein a radius (RL) of the plasma production chamber is selected from a range between a minimum radius and a maximum radius, the range configured to provide an increased efficiency of the plasma production device,\nwherein the minimum radius is a predetermined average Larmor orbit radius (Pi) of ions of the generated plasma, the minimum radius configured to allow complete orbits of the ions and electrons in the production chamber,\nwherein the maximum radius is two to ten times a predetermined skin depth (Ps) of the RF energy,\nwherein the RF energy ionizes and heats a majority of the gaseous propellant within the cylinder body inductive heating, and\nwherein the plasma production device is electrodeless and produces a primary source of thrust by ambipolar acceleration of the ions exiting the second open end.",
"2. The plasma production device of claim 1,\nwherein the flat spiral region is formed by 1-10 turns that expand within a plane of the flat spiral region in a radial direction from a center point of the flat spiral region, and\nwherein the plane of the flat spiral region is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the plasma production chamber.",
"3. The plasma production device of claim 2,\nwherein the flat spiral region comprises a spiral region radius and the first closed end comprises a closed end radius,\nwherein the center point of the flat spiral region is disposed on a center point of the first closed end, and\nwherein the spiral region radius is 50%-100% of the closed end radius.",
"4. The plasma production device of claim 1, wherein the spiral region is configured to cause a constructive interference in magnetic fields produced within the plasma production chamber.",
"5. The plasma production device of claim 2,\nwherein the RF antenna further comprises a coiled region disposed on the external surface of the cylinder body,\nwherein the coiled region extends along the longitudinal axis of the plasma production chamber, and\nwherein the coiled region is selected from the group consisting of a coil, a helix, and a half-helix.",
"6. The plasma production device of claim 5, wherein the coiled region has 2-50 turns.",
"7. The plasma production device of claim 5, wherein the coiled region and the flat spiral region are wound in the same direction.",
"8. The plasma production device of claim 5, wherein the coiled region and the flat spiral region are wound in a right-handed direction.",
"9. The plasma production device of claim 5, wherein the flat spiral region and the coiled region are configured to cause a constructive interference in magnetic fields produced within the plasma production chamber.",
"10. The plasma production device of claim 1, wherein the RF energy has a sufficiently low RF energy frequency in a range of 3-300 MHz to avoid a resonant effect with particle motions in the generated plasma.",
"11. The plasma production device of claim 1, wherein the magnet system further comprises the at least one planar magnet, and wherein the at least one planar magnet is disposed upstream of the first closed end.",
"12. The plasma production device of claim 10, wherein the RF energy frequency is less than 25% of an electron cyclotron frequency (fee) inside the plasma production chamber.",
"13. A plasma production device comprising:\n(a) a plasma production chamber having a cylinder body, a first closed end and a second open end;\n(b) a magnet system comprising one or more magnets configured to establish a magnetic field within the plasma production chamber, the magnetic field comprising magnetic field lines oriented parallel to a central longitudinal axis of the plasma production chamber each of the one or more magnets producing a magnetic field of a same polarity within the plasma production chamber, wherein the one or more magnets comprises at least one radial magnet located proximate the second open end and distal the first closed end and at least one additional magnet located proximate the first closed end and distal the second open end, wherein the second magnet is another of the at least one radial magnets or at least one planar magnet;\n(c) a propellant tank and a flow regulator in communication with the plasma production chamber and configured to deliver a gaseous propellant into the plasma production chamber; and\n(d) a radio frequency (RF) antenna comprising a flat spiral region external to the plasma production chamber and disposed on an external surface of the first closed end, electrically coupled to an AC power source, and configured to deliver an RF energy to an interior region of the plasma production chamber to ionize the gaseous propellant and heat generated plasma produced therefrom by inductive heating;\nwherein a radius (RL) of the production chamber is selected from a range between a minimum radius and a maximum radius, the range configured to provide an increased efficiency of the plasma production device,\nwherein the minimum radius is a predetermined average Larmor orbit radius (Pi) of ions of the generated plasma, the minimum radius configured to allow complete orbits of the ions and electrons in the production chamber,\nwherein the maximum radius is two to ten times a predetermined skin depth (Ps) of the RF energy,\nwherein the RF energy ionizes and heats a majority of the gaseous propellant within the cylinder body by inductive heating, and\nwherein the plasma production device is electrodeless and produces a primary source of thrust by ambipolar acceleration of the ions exiting the second open end.",
"14. The plasma production device of claim 13, wherein the cylinder body has a length of 20-75 mm.",
"15. The plasma production device of claim 13, wherein the plasma production chamber radius (RL) is 5-20 mm.",
"16. The plasma production device of claim 13, wherein the magnet system produces a minimum magnetic field strength of 250-400 Gauss.",
"17. The plasma production device of claim 13, wherein the RF energy has a sufficiently low frequency in a range of 3-300 MHz to avoid a resonant effect with particle motions in the generated plasma.",
"18. The plasma production device of claim 13, wherein the AC power source has a power of 25-500 W.",
"19. The plasma production device of claim 13, wherein the gaseous propellant is xenon.",
"20. The plasma production device of claim 13, wherein the magnet system further comprises the at least one planar magnet.",
"21. The plasma production device of claim 13, wherein the magnet system produces a first throat region and a second throat region within the plasma production chamber, and the first throat region and the second throat region are separated by a plasma containment region having a lower magnetic field strength than either of the first throat region or the second throat region.",
"22. The plasma production device of claim 13, wherein the magnet system produces a magnetic field strength that is continuously decreasing from the first closed end toward the second open end."
],
[
"1. A propulsion system for space application comprising:\na thruster comprising:\na slot shaped micro channel having an inlet and an outlet which define a thrust axis along a downstream direction, the micro channel comprising a first wall and a second wall that faces and is opposite the first wall, wherein the micro channel is configured to receive a propellant at the inlet and to exhaust propellant at the outlet;\na first electrode pair comprising a first electrode and a second electrode, the first electrode mounted on or embedded in the first wall and the second electrode mounted on or embedded in the second wall, the second electrode being downstream of the first electrode;\na power supply configured to provide a first voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode to create a first glow discharge in the propellant, the power supply and first electrode pair further configured to accelerate the propellant via a first electrohydrodynamic effect along the thrust axis to generate thrust.",
"2. The satellite propulsion system of claim 1, further comprising: an expansion slot at the outlet, wherein the expansion slot is configured to expand and accelerate the propellant.",
"3. The satellite propulsion system of claim 1, wherein the first wall and the second wall diverge in the downstream direction.",
"4. The satellite propulsion system of claim 1, wherein the first voltage alternates at a radio frequency.",
"5. The satellite propulsion system of claim 1, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are separated from each other by an electrically insulating solid material.",
"6. The satellite propulsion system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is electrically insulated from the propellant.",
"7. The satellite propulsion system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is in electrical contact with the propellant.",
"8. The satellite propulsion system of claim 1, further comprising: a plenum chamber configured to provide propellant to the inlet.",
"9. The satellite propulsion system of claim 8, wherein the plenum chamber is made of TEFLON™.",
"10. The satellite propulsion system of claim 1, further comprising a second electrode pair comprising a third electrode and a fourth electrode, the fourth electrode being upstream or downstream of the third electrode, wherein the third electrode is mounted on or embedded in the first wall and the fourth electrode is mounted on or embedded in the second wall, wherein the power supply is further configured to provide a second voltage between the third electrode and the fourth electrode to create a second glow discharge in the propellant, the power supply and second electrode pair are further configured to accelerate the propellant via a second electrohydrodynamic effect along the thrust axis to generate thrust.",
"11. The satellite propulsion system of claim 10, wherein the first voltage and the second voltage alternate at a radio frequency.",
"12. A method of propelling an apparatus in space having the propulsion system for space application of claim 1 comprising the steps of:\nproviding propellant at the inlet;\napplying the first voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode thereby creating the first glow discharge in the propellant and accelerating the propellant along the thrust axis to provide the thrust via the first electrohydrodynamic effect.",
"13. An apparatus comprising the propulsion system for space application according to claim 1, for propelling the apparatus.",
"14. The propulsion system for space application according to claim 1, further comprising a magnet configured to apply magnetohydrodynamic body force to the propellant.",
"15. The satellite propulsion system according to claim 1, wherein the first pair of electrodes and power supply are further configured to reduce shear forces on at least one of the first wall and the second wall due to the flow of the propellant.",
"16. The propulsion system for space application to claim 1, wherein the propellant is an electrically non-conducting fluid.",
"17. The propulsion system for space application according to claim 1, wherein the propellant is an electrically conducting fluid.",
"18. The propulsion system for space application according to claim 1, wherein the thruster is configured to produce thrust in the range of 0.8 to 1.7 mN.",
"19. The propulsion system for space application according to claim 1, wherein the propellant comprises one or more of the following: Helium gas, Argon gas, Nitrogen gas, and water vapor.",
"20. The propulsion system for space application according to claim 1, wherein the thruster is made of Silicon, a Dioxide compound, and a Nitride compound.",
"21. A propulsion system for space application comprising:\na thruster comprising:\na chip having a slot shaped channel, the channel having an inlet and an outlet which define a thrust axis along a downstream direction, the channel comprising a first wall and a second wall that faces and is opposite the first wall, wherein the channel is configured to receive a propellant at the inlet and to exhaust propellant at the outlet;\na first electrode pair comprising a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein the first electrode pair is mounted on or embedded in one of either the first wall or the second wall, the second electrode being downstream of the first electrode;\na heating element, mounted to the chip and configured to heat the chip;\na power supply configured to provide a first voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode to create a first glow discharge in the propellant, the power supply and first electrode pair further configured to accelerate the propellant via a first electrohydrodynamic effect along the thrust axis to generate thrust.",
"22. The propulsion system for space application of claim 21, further comprising: an expansion slot at the outlet, wherein the expansion slot is configured to expand and accelerate the propellant.",
"23. The propulsion system for space application of claim 21, wherein the first wall and the second wall diverge in the downstream direction.",
"24. The propulsion system for space application of claim 21, wherein the first voltage alternates at a radio frequency.",
"25. The propulsion system for space application of claim 21, wherein the first electrode and second electrode are separated from each other by an electrically insulating solid material.",
"26. The propulsion system for space application of claim 21, wherein at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is electrically insulated from the propellant.",
"27. The propulsion system for space application of claim 21, wherein at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is in electrical contact with the propellant.",
"28. The propulsion system for space application according to claim 21, wherein the propellant is an electrically non-conducting fluid.",
"29. The propulsion system for space application according to claim 21, wherein the propellant is an electrically conducting propellant.",
"30. The propulsion system for space application according to claim 21, wherein the thruster is configured to produce a thrust in the range of 0.8 to 1.7 mN.",
"31. The propulsion system for space application according to claim 21, wherein the propellant comprises one or more of the following: Helium gas, Argon gas, Nitrogen gas, and water vapor.",
"32. The propulsion system for space application m according to claim 21, wherein the chip is made of Silicon, a Dioxide compound, and a Nitride compound.",
"33. The propulsion system for space application of claim 21, further comprising: a plenum chamber configured to provide propellant to the inlet.",
"34. The propulsion system for space application of claim 33, wherein the plenum chamber is made of TEFLON™.",
"35. The propulsion system for space application of claim 21, further comprising a second electrode pair comprising a third electrode and a fourth electrode downstream of the third electrode, wherein the third electrode and the fourth electrode are both mounted on or embedded in one of either the first wall or the second wall, wherein the power supply is further configured to provide a second voltage between the third and the fourth electrode to create a second glow discharge in the propellant, and wherein the power supply and second electrode pair are further configured to accelerate the propellant via a second electrohydrodynamic effect along the thrust axis to generate thrust.",
"36. The propulsion system for space application of claim 35, wherein the first voltage and second voltage alternate at a radio frequency.",
"37. A method of propelling an apparatus in space having the propulsion system for space application of claim 21 comprising the steps of:\nproviding the propellant at the inlet;\napplying the first voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode thereby creating the first glow discharge in the propellant and accelerating the propellant along the thrust axis to generate thrust via the first electrohydrodynamic effect.",
"38. The propulsion system for space application according to claim 21, further comprising a magnet configured to apply a magnetohydrodynamic body force to the propellant.",
"39. The propulsion system for space application according to claim 21, wherein the first pair of electrodes and power supply are further configured to reduce shear forces on at least one of the first wall and the second wall due to the flow of the propellant.",
"40. An apparatus comprising the propulsion system for space application according to claim 21, for propelling the apparatus."
],
[
"1. An electrothermal device that generates a thrust, comprising:\na primary chamber including:\ni) a convergent inlet section comprised of an air inlet provided with an air inlet opening and an air inlet exit, an area for fluid flow of the air inlet decreasing from the air inlet opening to the air inlet exit, and\nii) an anode nozzle provided with an inlet passage connected to an expansion opening, the inlet passage having an inlet passage inlet and an inlet passage outlet, an area for fluid flow of the expansion opening increasing from an inlet of the expansion opening located at the inlet passage outlet to an outlet of the expansion opening located at an outlet of the primary chamber, the air inlet exit leading to the inlet passage inlet, wherein a minimum cross-section diameter of the inlet passage is less than a cross-section diameter of the air outlet exit of the air inlet and less than a cross-section diameter of the inlet of the expansion opening;\na cathode spike with a tip at least partially inserted beyond the inlet passage inlet into the inlet passage;\na voltage generator disposed between the anode nozzle and the cathode spike, the voltage generator configured to generate an electric arc between the inlet passage inlet and the inlet passage outlet between the tip of the cathode spike and the inlet passage of the anode nozzle on a path of a primary air flow injected into the primary chamber via the air inlet opening, said electric arc creating a plasma for heating the primary air flow passing through the inlet passage thereby generating a heated primary air flow, the heated primary air flow escaping through the outlet of the expansion opening to the outlet of the primary chamber; and\na secondary chamber having a secondary air inlet opening for receiving a secondary air flow, wherein a first portion of said secondary air flow is said primary air flow, and an exhaust outlet in which a second portion of said secondary air flow circulates in a heat exchange relationship with the heated primary air flow escaping from the primary chamber, the second portion of said secondary air flow having a lower temperature than the heated primary air flow at the outlet of the primary chamber.",
"2. The electrothermal device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the primary chamber is mounted inside the secondary chamber, said secondary chamber having dimensions greater than dimensions of the primary chamber.",
"3. The electrothermal device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the primary chamber extends parallel to the secondary chamber in such a way as to deliver heated air flow in a same direction as the secondary air flow.",
"4. The electrothermal device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the primary chamber extends perpendicularly to the secondary chamber in such a way as to deliver heated air flow orthogonal to the secondary air flow.",
"5. The electrothermal device as claimed in claim 1, further including at least one additional primary chamber adapted to deliver a first additional primary air flow heated by another electric arc generated by another voltage generator on a path of the first additional air flow injected into the at least one additional primary chamber, said at least one additional primary chamber being in another heat exchange relationship with the secondary air flow.",
"6. A propulsion system comprising the electrothermal device as claimed in claim 1.",
"7. An aerospace craft including at least one propulsion system as claimed in claim 6.",
"8. The electrothermal device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the primary chamber extends parallel to the secondary chamber in such a way as to deliver heated air flow in parallel to the secondary air flow.",
"9. The electrothermal device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the primary chamber extends perpendicularly to the secondary chamber in such a way as to deliver heated air flow orthogonal to the secondary air flow.",
"10. The electrothermal device as claimed in claim 2, further including at least one additional primary chamber adapted to deliver a first additional primary air flow heated by another electric arc generated by another voltage generator on a path of the first additional air flow injected into the at least one additional primary chamber, said at least one additional primary chamber being in another heat exchange relationship with the secondary air flow.",
"11. The electrothermal device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the primary air flow injected into the primary chamber is injected with a swirling trajectory.",
"12. The electrothermal device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the secondary air flow injected into the secondary chamber is injected with another swirling trajectory.",
"13. The electrothermal device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inlet passage of the anode nozzle has a narrower section than a remaining portion of the anode nozzle.",
"14. The propulsion system as claimed in claim 6, further comprising:\nan enclosure having an inlet stage and an outlet stage and separated by a heat treatment stage, said inlet stage including a compressor, said outlet stage including a turbine mechanically coupled to the compressor by a transmission shaft,\nwherein the electrothermal device further comprises at least one additional primary chamber adapted to deliver a first additional primary air flow heated by another electric arc generated by another voltage generator on a path of the first additional primary air flow injected into the at least one additional primary chamber,\nwherein the primary chamber and the additional primary chamber are disposed in the secondary chamber in the heat treatment stage, at each side of the transmission shaft, and\nwherein the primary air flow and the additional primary air flow exchange heat with the secondary air flow.",
"15. A method of electrothermal treatment of air in a propulsion system, including the steps of:\ninjecting a primary air flow into a primary chamber of a primary airflow structure with a first overall convergent section, a minimum diameter section, and an overall divergent section that includes\ni) a convergent inlet section comprised of an air inlet provided with an air inlet opening and an air inlet exit, an area for fluid flow of the air inlet decreasing from the air inlet opening to the air inlet exit, and\nii) an anode nozzle provided with an inlet passage connected to an expansion opening, the inlet passage having an inlet passage inlet and an inlet passage outlet, an area for fluid flow of the expansion opening increasing from an inlet of the expansion opening located at the inlet passage outlet to an outlet of the expansion opening located at an outlet of the primary chamber, the air inlet exit of the air inlet leading to the inlet passage inlet, wherein a minimum cross-section diameter of the inlet passage is less than a cross-section diameter of the air outlet exit of the air inlet and less than a cross-section diameter of the inlet of the expansion opening; and\na cathode spike with a tip at least partially inserted beyond the inlet passage inlet into the inlet passage; and\ngenerating an electric arc in the inlet passage between the tip of the cathode spike and the anode nozzle on a path of the primary air flow injected into the primary chamber via a primary air inlet of the primary chamber, so as to heat the primary air flow and create a heated primary air flow, wherein a secondary air flow is injected into a secondary chamber, wherein a first portion of said secondary air flow is said primary air flow, and wherein a second portion of said secondary air flow circulates in a heat exchange relationship with the heated primary air flow escaping from the primary chamber, the second portion of said secondary air flow having a lower temperature than the heated primary air flow at the outlet of the primary chamber.",
"16. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the second portion of the secondary air flow is greater than the primary air flow.",
"17. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the heated primary air flow is injected in a direction of the secondary air flow.",
"18. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein at least one additional primary air flow is injected into an additional primary chamber and said at least one additional primary air flow is heated by another electric arc generated in the additional primary chamber, the at least one heated additional primary air flow exchanging heat with the secondary air flow.",
"19. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the heated primary air flow is injected in a direction of the secondary air flow.",
"20. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein at least one additional primary air flow is injected into an additional primary chamber and the additional primary air flow is heated by another electric arc generated in the additional primary chamber thereby generating a heated additional primary air flow, the heated additional primary air flow being in an additional heat exchange relationship with the secondary air flow."
],
[
"1. A multi-mode thruster system for use in a spacecraft, the thruster system comprising:\na microwave source;\na cavity coupled to the microwave source and including a first inlet to receive a first fluid and a second inlet to receive a second fluid; and\na nozzle provided at one end of the cavity;\nwherein:\nthe multi-mode thruster system operates in a microwave electrothermal thruster (MET) mode to (i) generate a standing wave in the cavity using the microwave source and (ii) raise a temperature of the first fluid to generate a first hot gas that exits the cavity via the nozzle to generate thrust, and\nthe multi-mode thruster system operates in a chemical propulsion mode to (i) produce a reduction-oxidation reaction between the first fluid and the second fluid and (ii) generate a second hot gas that exits the cavity via the nozzle to generate thrust.",
"2. The multi-mode thruster system of claim 1, wherein the cavity receives at least one of (i) water, (ii) hydrozene, (iii) hydrogen peroxide, or (iii) ammonia as the first fluid via the first inlet when the thruster operates in the MET mode.",
"3. The multi-mode thruster system of claim 1, wherein the cavity operates as a resonant cavity when the thruster operates in the MET mode.",
"4. The multi-mode thruster system of claim 1, wherein the cavity receives an oxidation agent via the first inlet and a reducing agent via the second inlet when operating in the chemical propulsion mode.",
"5. The multi-mode thruster system of claim 1, wherein:\nthe first inlet receives a same fluid in the MET mode and the chemical propulsion mode, and\nthe fluid operates as propellant in the MET mode and as an oxidation agent in the chemical propulsion mode.",
"6. The multi-mode thruster system of claim 1, wherein the first fluid includes hydrogen peroxide.",
"7. The multi-mode thruster system of claim 1, further comprising:\na controller configured to (i) activate the MET mode in response to determining that the spacecraft requires a first amount of thrust, and (ii) activate the chemical propulsion mode in response to determining that the spacecraft requires a second amount of thrust larger than the first amount of thrust.",
"8. The multi-mode thruster system of claim 1, wherein:\nin the MET mode, the first fluid is water; and\nin the chemical propulsion mode, the first fluid is oxygen and the second fluid is hydrogen.",
"9. The multi-mode thruster system of claim 8, further comprising:\na propellant tank configured to store water; and a fuel cell configured separately store oxygen and hydrogen.",
"10. The multi-mode thruster system of claim 1, wherein the first fluid includes an additive for depositing a coating material onto an inner surface of the nozzle.",
"11. The multi-mode thruster system of claim 10, wherein the additive incudes at least one of (i) an oxide ceramic, (ii) a non-oxide ceramic, (iii) a refractory metal, or (iv) a coating agent that forms a diamond film or sapphire film.",
"12. A method of operating, in a spacecraft, a multi-mode thruster system that includes a microwave source, a cavity coupled to the microwave source and including a first inlet to receive a first fluid and a second inlet to receive a second fluid; and a nozzle provided at one end of the cavity, the method comprising:\noperating, during a first period of time, the thruster system in a microwave electrothermal thruster (MET) mode to (i) generate a standing wave in the cavity using the microwave source and (ii) raise a temperature of the first fluid to generate a first hot gas that exits the cavity via the nozzle to generate thrust; and\noperating, during a second period of time, the thruster system in a chemical propulsion mode to (i) produce a reduction-oxidation reaction between the first fluid and the second fluid and (ii) generate a second hot gas that exits the cavity via the nozzle to generate thrust.",
"13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:\nreceiving, at the cavity and when operating in the MET mode, at least one of (i) water, (ii) hydrozene, (iii) hydrogen peroxide, or (iii) ammonia as the first fluid via the first inlet.",
"14. The method of claim 12, further comprising:\noperating the cavity as a resonant cavity, when the thruster system is in the MET mode.",
"15. The method of claim 12, further comprising:\nreceiving, at the cavity and when operating in the chemical propulsion mode, an oxidation agent via the first inlet and a reducing agent via the second inlet.",
"16. The method of claim 12, wherein:\nthe first inlet receives a same fluid in the MET mode and the chemical propulsion mode, and\nthe fluid operates as propellant in the MET mode and as an oxidation agent in the chemical propulsion mode.",
"17. The method of claim 12, further comprising:\nincluding, in the first fluid, an additive for depositing a coating material onto an inner surface of the nozzle.",
"18. The method of claim 12, further comprising:\nusing a controller to (i) activate the MET mode in response to determining that the spacecraft requires a first amount of thrust, and (ii) activate the chemical propulsion mode in response to determining that the spacecraft requires a second amount of thrust larger than the first amount of thrust.",
"19. The method of claim 18, wherein the additive incudes at least one of (i) an oxide ceramic, (ii) a non-oxide ceramic, (iii) a refractory metal, or (iv) a coating agent that forms a diamond film or sapphire film."
],
[
"1. A rocket propulsion system configured to provide rocket thrust, comprising:\na wall generally enclosing a rocket chamber;\na solar absorber material positioned within the rocket chamber;\na rocket nozzle;\na solar power collection system comprising a plurality of transparent windows including a first transparent window configured to allow one or more propulsive gases to pass therethrough and a second transparent window, each of the plurality of transparent windows formed of a solid transparent material, the solar power collection system configured to:\ncollect solar energy from the sun,\ngenerate a solar energy beam by focusing the collected solar energy with at least the second transparent window,\nheat the solar absorber material with the solar energy beam to transfer heat to the one or more pressurized propulsive gases, and\nexpel the heated pressurized propulsive gases through the rocket nozzle;\na pressurized gas inlet configured to introduce the one or more propulsive gases into a first plenum chamber formed between the between the first and second transparent windows;\na manifold configured to mix combustible materials; and\nan igniter configured to ignite combustion in the combustible materials;\nthe wall of the rocket chamber generally forms a frustoconical portion surrounding a propellant exit configured to allow the heated pressurized propulsive gases and byproducts from the combustion of the combustible materials to exit to the rocket nozzle.",
"2. The system of claim 1 wherein the one or more pressurized propulsive gases are configured to:\nreact chemically to produce heat,\nreceive heat from the solar absorber material, and/or\nexit the rocket nozzle to produce thrust.",
"3. The system of claim 2 wherein the rocket propulsion system further comprises:\na body enclosing the solar absorber,\nwherein the second transparent window is configured to provide a pressure seal against the body and provide a controlled amount of focusing of the solar energy beam to the solar absorber.",
"4. The system of claim 3 wherein the plurality of transparent windows comprise:\na third transparent window arranged within the body and spaced away from the first and second windows, wherein a second plenum chamber is formed between the first and third windows, and\nwherein the first plenum chamber is configured to receive a first propulsion gas injected therein, and the second plenum chamber is configured to receive a second propulsion gas injected therein.",
"5. The system of claim 4 wherein the first transparent window has an array of hollow tubes formed therein and configured to allow the first propulsion gas to flow out of the first plenum chamber passing through the first transparent window, passing through the second plenum chamber, and passing through the third transparent window, into the rocket chamber, and\nwherein the propulsive gas flowing through the array of hollow tubes produces a substantially turbulence-free protective gas barrier near an output surface of the third transparent window.",
"6. The system of claim 5 wherein the third transparent window includes:\na first array of through-holes which allow passage of the hollow tubes without substantial gas leakage around the outer surfaces of the hollow tubes, and\na second array of through-holes which allow passage of the second propulsive gas from the second plenum chamber through the third transparent window into the pressure chamber formed in the body and containing the solar absorber,\nwherein the propulsive gas flowing through the array of first and second arrays of through-holes produces a substantially turbulence-free protective gas barrier near an output surface of the third transparent window, where the propulsion chamber includes an electrical igniter to initiate chemical combustion in a mixture of chemically reactive propulsion gases.",
"7. The system of claim 2 where the propulsive gases include rocket propellant and oxidizer gases mixed with chemically inert gases.",
"8. The system of claim 2 where the solar energy and chemical combustion energy are employed simultaneously to heat propulsive gases.",
"9. The system of claim 2 where the rocket propulsion system is configured to transition from completely chemical combustion heating to combined solar-thermal plus chemical combustion to completely solar thermal heating without interrupting thrust.",
"10. The system of claim 2 where the solar absorber comprises an agglomeration of granules having intervening flow spaces.",
"11. The rocket propulsion system of claim 1, wherein the rocket chamber comprises:\na pressurized rocket body, wherein the plurality of transparent windows are further configured to admit the solar energy beam into the pressurized rocket body, the solar absorber material located within the rocket body; and\na combustion chamber configured to receive the heated pressurized propulsive gases;\nwherein the rocket propulsion system further comprises:\na first injector tube configured to inject a gaseous combustible rocket propellant into the combustion chamber; and\na second injector tube configured to inject a gaseous oxidizer into the combustion chamber\nwherein the rocket nozzle is configured to: expel any combustion gasses that may have resulted from igniting the gaseous combustible rocket propellant and the gaseous oxidizer in the combustion chamber to produce the rocket thrust.",
"12. The rocket propulsion system of claim 11, wherein the rocket propulsion system is configured to operate in:\na solar mode by producing the rocket thrust by heating the pressurized propulsive gases using the concentrated solar energy without combusting the gaseous combustible rocket propellant and the gaseous oxidizer, a combustion mode by producing the rocket thrust via combustion of gaseous combustible rocket propellant and the gaseous oxidizer in exothermic chemical reactions, and a combined mode by producing the rocket thrust via a simultaneous combination of heating the pressurized gaseous propulsion fluid using the concentrated solar energy and combustion of gaseous combustible rocket propellant and the gaseous oxidizer in exothermic chemical reactions.",
"13. The rocket propulsion system of claim 11, wherein:\nthe first injector tube forms a first spiral tube in the combustion chamber,\nthe second injector tube forms a second spiral tube in the combustion chamber, and\nthe first and second spiral tubes are interleaved and thereby distribute and mix the gaseous combustible rocket propellant and the gaseous oxidizer in the combustion chamber, wherein the first and second spiral tubes are spaced apart to allow the heated pressurized gaseous propulsion fluid to pass between them toward a nozzle opening from the combustion chamber.",
"14. The rocket propulsion system of claim 11, further comprising a cooling structure in thermal contact with the rocket body, the cooling structure configured to direct cooling fluid to absorb heat energy through thermal conduction as the cooling fluid flows therethrough, wherein the rocket body containing the heated pressurized propulsive gases is surrounded by a rigid pressurized shell spaced apart from the rocket body with a plurality of separator coils formed between the rigid pressurized shell and the rocket body.",
"15. The rocket propulsion system of claim 14, further comprising:\na third injector tube configured to inject a gaseous fluid into passages defined by spaces between the separator coils, wherein the separator coils are configured to heat or cool the injected fluid and the rocket body.",
"16. The rocket propulsion system of claim 14, wherein:\nthe rigid pressurized shell is configured to be detached and reattached from the rocket body to allow the separator coils to be replaced, and\nthe separator coils are selected to provide cooling or heating based on a specific type of the gaseous rocket propellant.",
"17. A hybrid rocket motor configured for multiple energy modes within a single rocket chamber immediately upstream from a nozzle, the motor comprising:\na wall generally enclosing a hybrid rocket chamber;\na first window forming part of the wall, the window configured to allow radiation to enter while helping contain heat energy;\na second window spaced apart from the first window and configured to allow propellant to pass therethrough;\na thermal mass positioned to absorb radiation after entry through the window;\na pressurized gas inlet configured to introduce gas into the chamber such that the gas is heated by contact with the thermal mass;\na manifold configured to mix combustible materials; and\nan igniter configured to ignite combustion in the combustible materials;\nthe wall of the rocket chamber generally forming a frustoconical portion surrounding a propellant exit configured to allow pressurized gas and combustion byproducts to exit to the nozzle.",
"18. The rocket motor of claim 17, further comprising:\ntwo additional pressurized gas inlets configured to introduce gas into the chamber,\nwherein the pressurized gas inlets are configured to introduce at least three propellant types into the chamber, the propellant types including: an inert gas and two volatile gasses when mixed in the chamber.",
"19. The rocket motor of claim 17, wherein the manifold comprises a plurality of interspersed openings configured to distribute the combustible materials within the chamber such that the combustible materials are substantially uniformly mixed, wherein the thermal mass comprises a plurality of openings configured to allow the combustible materials to pass through the thermal mass, thereby allowing heat conduction between the thermal mass and the combustible materials.",
"20. The rocket motor of claim 17, wherein the chamber comprises a combustion region in which the igniter is configured to ignite the combustion in the combustible materials, the combustion region is located adjacent to the thermal mass such that the combustion of the combustible materials provides heat to the thermal mass, thereby providing the thermal mass with additional energy for conductive heating.",
"21. The rocket motor of claim 17, wherein the first window is further configured to focus solar energy onto the thermal mass upstream of a combustion region within the chamber.",
"22. The rocket motor of claim 17, wherein the thermal mass comprises aggregate material sintered or confined together to create thermal contact and permitting fluid flow through open passages therein, the thermal mass configured for greater transparency to the solar energy in an upper layer and greater absorbance of the solar energy in a lower layer.",
"23. The rocket motor of claim 17, wherein the chamber comprises a plurality of zones of energy which increase as a distance between the zones and the nozzle decreases.",
"24. The rocket motor of claim 17, wherein the second window is arranged between the first window and the thermal mass and forms a plenum between the first window and the second window, the second window having a plurality of openings therein, the rocket motor further comprising:\na second inlet configured to introduce a second gas into the plenum, the second gas being cleaner than the gas introduced via the pressurized gas inlet; and\na pump configured to use solar energy to pump the gas into and through the pressurized gas inlet into the chamber,\nwherein the openings in the second window are configured to allow the second gas to displace less clean material from within a predetermined distance of the second window, thereby deterring material build-up.",
"25. The rocket propulsion system of claim 1, wherein the rocket chamber comprises:\na pressurized rocket body, the plurality of transparent windows configured to admit the solar energy beam into the pressurized rocket body, the solar absorber material configured to: establish a thermal profile to heat the pressurized propulsive gases such that the heat of the pressurized propulsive gases increases as they pass through the solar absorber material; and\na combustion chamber configured to: receive the pressurized propulsive gases, and expel the pressurized propulsive gases through the rocket nozzle to produce rocket thrust.",
"26. The rocket propulsion system of claim 25, further comprising:\nat least one injector configured to separately inject a gaseous combustible rocket fuel and a gaseous oxidizer into the combustion chamber; and\nan igniter configured to ignite the gaseous combustible rocket fuel and the gaseous oxidizer within the combustion chamber to produce pressurized combustion gases,\nwherein the combustion chamber is further configured to expel the pressurized combustion gases through the rocket nozzle to produce rocket thrust, wherein the at least one injector is further configured to inject the propellant simultaneous with the gaseous combustible rocket fuel and the gaseous oxidizer, and wherein the solar absorber comprises a plurality of beads.",
"27. The rocket propulsion system of claim 26 wherein the beads are arranged in layers to establish the thermal profile, with beads having similar absorption properties grouped at successive levels within the solar absorber.",
"28. The rocket propulsion system of claim 26 wherein the beads are made from refractory materials in a plurality of shapes, sizes, colors, and/or optical transparencies, and the beads are configured to establish the thermal profile by allowing solar energy to penetrate through at least some surface portions of the solar absorber, reducing heat of the surface portions, and be absorbed by deeper portions thereof, increasing heat of the deeper portions.",
"29. The rocket propulsion system of claim 26 wherein a number and type of the beads are chosen and assembled into a volume designed to absorb substantially a total input energy of the solar energy beam commensurate with a rocket of a predetermined power level.",
"30. The rocket propulsion system of claim 26 where a portion of the beads are formed from and/or coated with a catalytic material to promote a controlled exothermic dissociation of a monopropellant propulsion gas into one or more lower atomic weight gases.",
"31. The system of claim 1 wherein the solid materials of the plurality of transparent windows have an index of refraction that affects an amount of focusing of the solar energy beam."
],
[
"1. A method of earth orbit to a planetary landing, round trip mission with astronauts taking off in about 500,000 pound weight rocket ship that travels a direct about 75 million kilometer path in about 39 days, comprising:\nthrusting a rocket from hydrogen produced via dissociated on-board pressurized water first heated in a 3000° K pebble bed nuclear reactor;\npartially dissociating the water by the heat of nuclear reaction, wherein the partially dissociated water after heating by the 3000° K pebble bed nuclear reactor flows into a pre-combustion chamber for completely dissociating the water;\nreacting the oxygen from the complete dissociation of the water with beryllium powder thereby forming beryllium oxide liquid droplets that are directed into a slagging combustor;\ninjecting supplemental hydrogen into combustion stages of the slagging combustor;\nheating dissociated hydrogen from the water to 6000° K;\nexpanding the combined supplemental and dissociated hydrogen to a gas in a gas dynamic nozzle that is seeded with an alkali metal from 0.1% to 1% to render the gas electrically conducting;\nflowing the electrically conducting combined hydrogen gas through an MHD generator-accelerator that comprises a linear Faraday magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) generator channel that is co-axially attached to a MHD linear accelerator that is co-axially attached to an expanding co-axial channel; and\nexhausting the gas into Space from the expanding co-axial channel.",
"2. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the mission is implemented initially in a pebble bed, nuclear reactor at about 100 atmosphere pressure that heats the on-board pressurized water to about 3000° K, wherein formation of the steam and the dissociation into H2 and O2 takes place, and where the pebbles comprise a multitude of ceramic, nominal 2 inch diameter spheres in which are embedded a multitude of chips of U238, U235, or U233, and thorium that emit nuclear reaction heat for the on-board pressurized water and the gas, and where the pebble bed, nuclear reactor contains a pebble conveyor that periodically at a beginning or end of a mission removes pebbles from a bottom of a reactor bed for inspection and re-injection of new pebbles through openings at a top, and with the ceramics selected from ZrO2, MgO, ZrB2 that are solid to around 3000° K in order to operate at metal oxide vapor pressure below 100 parts per million to limit their vapor carryover into downstream components, and inhibit non-equilibrium ionization in the MHD generator-accelerator.",
"3. The method in accordance with claim 2, wherein the pebbles are periodically removed from a bottom of a reactor core and reprocessed to remove spent radioactive materials and replaced with new pebbles comprising uranium and thorium that are reinserted at a top of the reactor core, and spent non-renewable pebbles are delivered to off site dry waste storage.",
"4. The method in accordance with claim 2, wherein the dissociated water with dissociated oxygen and the dissociated hydrogen flow into the pre-combustion chamber where remaining water and the steam is dissociated into H2 and O2 and reacts with the beryllium powder to form liquid BeO droplets that continuously exhaust into a first stage of a two stage cyclone combustor of the slagging combustor; and wherein entrained un-reacted beryllium powder mixes with the supplemental injected hydrogen to heat all the hydrogen to approximately 6000° K by further beryllium-oxygen reaction, the BeO liquid droplets collect in the pre-combustion chamber and a first stage combustor chamber wall from which they are drained and quenched into slag in a water filled tank, and are stored for future use.",
"5. The method in accordance with claim 4, wherein the dissociated hydrogen flows axially into a second stage combustor chamber of the two stage cyclone combustor and mixes with the additional injected supplemental hydrogen, and the combined supplemental and dissociated hydrogen exits the two stage cyclone combustor and enters the gas dynamic nozzle wherein the alkali metal that consists of cesium in concentrations from 0.1% to 1%, is injected and whose exit is connected to the linear Faraday Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) generator channel operating at a nominal Mach number of 0.9, that is placed inside a 6 Tesla, saddle coil magnet, wherein the linear Faraday MHD generator channel of the MHD generator-accelerator operates under equilibrium conductivity with the cesium seeded combined hydrogen gas, and whose electrode power output wires of the MHD generator channel are connected, in a diagonal mode, to anodes and cathodes of a coaxial supersonic, non-equilibrium conductivity MHD linear accelerator that operates at Mach numbers between 1.5 and to 2.5, thereby providing Faraday orthogonal electromagnetic thrust that augments inherent gas dynamic thrust from a stagnation pressure at an entrance to an entire nozzle geometry of the expanding co-axial channel that is from twice to several hundred times greater than an inherent gas dynamic thrust from the channel's stagnation pressure to Mach No. 5 to 6 at an expansion channel of the expanding co-axial channel whose inlet is connected coaxially to the MHD accelerator, and expand the hydrogen to exit into outer Space.",
"6. The method in accordance with claim 5, wherein one of:\nif the magnetic field vector in the MHD accelerator is in a same direction as a MHD generator vector, thereby inducing a Faraday voltage U×B in an opposite direction as an applied voltage from the MHD generator, then an applied accelerator voltage and current delivered by the MHD generator exceeds the accelerator Faraday induced voltage, and the MHD segmented generator electrodes are diagonally connected so as to stack the MHD net generator voltage that is connected to the accelerator, or,\nif there is magnet space between generator and accelerator magnets, reversing a magnetic field vector in the accelerator by 180* from the generator vector, such that a K=−1 applied voltage to the MHD accelerator combines with the induced voltage thereby doubling K.",
"7. The method in accordance with claim 5, wherein the implementation of the mission provides a specific impulse to the rocket that is at least 1620 seconds.",
"8. The method for generating electric power in outer space in a range from 10 MW to 1000 MW from the MHD generator wherein cesium is seeded into the combined hydrogen gas after exiting the gas cooled nuclear reactor in accordance with claim 2, the combined hydrogen gas enters the MHD generator from which it exits, enters a spray condenser to mix and react with liquid lithium at a temperature above 1270° F., exits a radiator to enter the spray condenser to form liquid lithium hydride that enters a collection chamber from which it exits to be compressed in an electromagnetic pump to the original hydrogen stagnation pressure after which the lithium and cesium boil off in a boiler and enter a separator from which the lithium and cesium enter a radiator to reject the cycle heat to outer Space, while the hydrogen gas enters the pebble bed nuclear reactor which is gas cooled for reheating to original stagnation temperature.",
"9. The method in accordance with claim 8 wherein in addition to power generation for thrust, MHD power is increased for periods of seconds and minutes in order to provide pulsed power for applications that require greater than one mega joule of energy fired in seconds or minutes.",
"10. The method in accordance with claim 8, wherein output from the MHD generator is converted to microwave frequency to deliver power to space stations in remote locations."
],
[
"1. A regulation method for regulating pressure within a first rocket engine propellant tank a first propellant tank of a rocket engine, said rocket engine having a first propellant tank containing a first propellant and a second propellant tank containing a second propellant that is different from the first propellant, wherein the first and second propellants are provided to a combustion chamber of said rocket engine, and a regulator device for regulating pressure within the first propellant tank, the regulator device comprising a gas generator and a heat exchanger cooperating with the gas generator so as to vaporize at least part of the first propellant prior to reintroducing it into the first propellant tank, the gas generator and the heat exchanger both being fed with the first propellant by a single first variable-flowrate motor-driven pump, while the gas generator is fed with the second propellant in liquid form by a single second variable-flowrate motor-driven pump, wherein the flow rate of the first motor-driven pump is controlled as a function of a first parameter, while the flow rate of the second motor-driven pump is controlled as a function of a second parameter distinct from the first parameter.",
"2. A regulation method according to claim 1, wherein the first parameter is the pressure within the first propellant tank.",
"3. A regulation method according to claim 1, wherein the second parameter is a temperature of the gas generator.",
"4. A regulation method according to claim 1, wherein the flow rate of the first motor-driven pump is controlled solely as a function of the first parameter, while the flow rate of the second motor-driven pump is controlled solely as a function of the second parameter.",
"5. A regulation method according to claim 1, wherein the first propellant and the second propellant are cryogenic liquid propellants.",
"6. A regulation method according to claim 1, wherein the first propellant is oxygen and the second propellant is hydrogen or methane.",
"7. A computer program including instructions for executing the pressure regulation method according to claim 1 when said program is executed by a computer.",
"8. A computer readable data medium containing the computer program of claim 7."
],
[
"1. A rocket engine comprising:\na liquid hydrogen tank, a liquid oxygen tank and water tank;\nan electrolyzer for electrolyzing water supplied from said water tank into gaseous hydrogen and gaseous oxygen;\na nozzle having a combustion chamber, a throat and a divergent section;\na primary injector or a plurality of primary injector in fluid communication with both said liquid hydrogen tank and said liquid oxygen tank;\na manifold surrounding a circumference portion of said divergent section;\na heat exchanger;\nwherein said manifold communicates said gaseous hydrogen and said gaseous oxygen to secondary injectors;\nwherein said electrolyzer is in fluid communication with said manifold;\nwherein said secondary injectors inject said gaseous hydrogen and said gaseous oxygen into said divergent section to produce an annular combustion region about a primary central rocket thrust flow from said combustion chamber;\nwherein said heat exchanger is in fluid communication with said water tank;\nwherein said heat exchanger is in fluid communication with said electrolyzer;\nwherein said heat exchanger is adjacent said nozzle; and\nwherein said electrolyzer is in fluid communication with both said liquid hydrogen tank and said liquid oxygen tank.",
"2. A rocket engine comprising:\na liquid hydrogen tank, a liquid oxygen tank and water tank;\nan electrolyzer for electrolyzing water supplied from said water tank into gaseous hydrogen and gaseous oxygen;\na nozzle having a combustion chamber, a throat and a divergent section;\na primary injector or a plurality of primary injector in fluid communication with both said liquid hydrogen tank and said liquid oxygen tank;\na manifold surrounding a circumference portion of said divergent section;\na heat exchanger; and\na plurality of control valves for controlling flow of said gaseous hydrogen and said gaseous oxygen from said electrolyzer,\nwherein said manifold communicates said gaseous hydrogen and said gaseous oxygen to secondary injectors;\nwherein said electrolyzer is in fluid communication with said manifold;\nwherein said secondary injectors inject said gaseous hydrogen and said gaseous oxygen into said divergent section to produce an annular combustion region about a primary central rocket thrust flow from said combustion chamber;\nwherein said heat exchanger is in fluid communication with said water tank;\nwherein said heat exchanger is in fluid communication with said electrolyzer;\nwherein said heat exchanger is adjacent said nozzle; and\nwherein said flow of said gaseous hydrogen and said gaseous oxygen to said secondary injectors is at a maximum during initial takeoff.",
"3. The rocket engine of claim 2, wherein,\nsaid flow of said gaseous hydrogen and said gaseous oxygen to said secondary injectors is increasingly throttled down during rocket ascent by at least one control valve of said plurality of control valves.",
"4. The rocket engine of claim 3, wherein said plurality of control valves regulate said gaseous hydrogen and said gaseous oxygen to be increasingly rerouted to said liquid hydrogen tank and said liquid oxygen tank while said secondary injectors are increasingly throttled down during rocket ascent.",
"5. A rocket engine comprising:\na water tank, liquid hydrogen tank and liquid oxygen tank;\na water pump in fluid communication with said water tank;\nwherein said water pump is in fluid communication with a heat exchanger;\nan electrolyzer for electrolyzing water supplied by said water pump into gaseous hydrogen and gaseous oxygen;\na rocket engine nozzle;\na turbine;\nwherein said liquid hydrogen tank in fluid communication with an upstream heat exchanger on said nozzle,\nwherein said electrolyzer in fluid communication with said nozzle at a downstream location for communicating said gaseous hydrogen and said gaseous oxygen to said nozzle,\nwherein said upstream heat exchanger is in fluid communication with said turbine, and\nwherein said turbine powers an electric generator for supplying electricity to said electrolyzer."
],
[
"1. A liquid rocket engine (LRE) comprising:\na fuel supply line containing a fuel;\nan oxidizer supply line containing an oxidizer;\nan oxidizer throttle receiving the oxidizer from the oxidizer supply line, the oxidizer supply line splitting into a first partial oxidizer supply line, a second partial oxidizer supply line, and a third partial oxidizer supply line;\na turbine mounted to a turbine shaft along a longitudinal centerline of the LRE at a longitudinal proximal location of the LRE, the turbine rotating with the turbine shaft about the longitudinal centerline;\na gas duct in fluid communication with the turbine;\na main combustion chamber having a main chamber injector head in fluid communication with both the gas duct and the second partial oxidizer supply line;\na nozzle positioned longitudinally distal to the main combustion chamber and in fluid communication with the main combustion chamber;\na preburner combustion chamber positioned axially distal to the main combustion chamber and having a preburner injector head in fluid communication with both a first cooling manifold and a second cooling manifold, wherein the preburner combustion chamber forms an annulus around the main combustion chamber;\nthe first cooling manifold in fluid communication with the fuel supply line;\nthe second cooling manifold positioned axially between the preburner combustion chamber and the main combustion chamber, the second cooling manifold in fluid communication with the first partial oxidizer supply line; and\na third cooling manifold in fluid communication with the third partial oxidizer supply line and a nozzle throat of the nozzle;\nwherein:\nthe fuel received by the first cooling manifold from the fuel supply line receives thermal energy from the nozzle and is supplied to the preburner injector head;\nthe oxidizer received by the second cooling manifold from the first partial oxidizer supply line receives thermal energy from at least one of the gas duct, the main combustion chamber, and the preburner combustion chamber, the oxidizer supplied to the preburner injector head;\nthe preburner injector head injects the fuel with the oxidizer to create preburner combustion exhaust products which flow from the preburner combustion chamber to the turbine and drive the turbine about the turbine shaft, the preburner combustion exhaust products flowing from the turbine to the gas duct; and\nthe main combustion chamber injector head injects the preburner combustion exhaust products received from the gas duct with oxidizer received from the second partial oxidizer supply line to produce an LRE thrust directed through the nozzle exit.",
"2. The liquid rocket engine of claim 1, wherein the fuel is methane.",
"3. The liquid rocket engine of claim 1, wherein the main combustion chamber comprises a main chamber ignitor which ignites the preburner combustion exhaust products with the oxidizer.",
"4. The liquid rocket engine of claim 1, wherein the turbine is a centrifugal turbine.",
"5. The liquid rocket engine of claim 1, further comprising a set of turbine guide vanes operating to direct the preburner combustion exhaust products into the turbine.",
"6. The liquid rocket engine of claim 1, wherein the gas duct is positioned axially between the turbine and the main combustion chamber.",
"7. The liquid rocket engine of claim 1, wherein at least some of the oxidizer becomes a gasified oxidizer due to thermal energy transfer from at least one of the gas duct, the main combustion chamber, and the preburner combustion chamber.",
"8. The liquid rocket engine of claim 1, wherein at least some of the fuel becomes a gasified fuel due to thermal energy transfer from the nozzle to the at least some of the fuel, the gasified fuel supplied to the preburner injector head.",
"9. A liquid rocket engine (LRE) comprising:\na fuel supply line containing a fuel;\nan oxidizer supply line containing an oxidizer;\nan oxidizer throttle receiving the oxidizer from the oxidizer supply line, the oxidizer supply line splitting into a plurality of partial oxidizer supply lines;\na turbine mounted to a turbine shaft along a longitudinal centerline of the LRE at a longitudinal proximal location of the LRE, the turbine rotating with the turbine shaft about the longitudinal centerline;\na main combustion chamber having an injector head in fluid communication with the turbine and at least one of the plurality of partial oxidizer supply lines;\na nozzle positioned longitudinally distal to the main combustion chamber and in fluid communication with the main combustion chamber; and\na preburner combustion chamber positioned axially distal to the main combustion chamber and having a preburner injector head, the preburner combustion chamber forming an annulus around the main combustion chamber;\nwherein:\nthe preburner injector head injects a gasified fuel with a gasified oxidizer to create preburner combustion exhaust products which flow from the preburner combustion chamber to the turbine and drive the turbine about the turbine shaft, the preburner combustion exhaust products flowing from the turbine to the main combustion chamber; and\nthe main combustion chamber injector head injects the preburner combustion exhaust products received from the turbine with oxidizer to produce an LRE thrust directed through the nozzle exit.",
"10. The liquid rocket engine of claim 9, further comprising a gas duct positioned axially between the turbine and the main combustion chamber.",
"11. The liquid rocket engine of claim 10, wherein at least some of the oxidizer becomes a gasified oxidizer due to thermal energy transfer from at least one of the gas duct, the main combustion chamber, and the preburner combustion chamber.",
"12. The liquid rocket engine of claim 11, wherein at least some of the fuel becomes a gasified fuel due to thermal energy transfer from the nozzle to the at least some of the fuel, the gasified fuel supplied to the preburner injector head.",
"13. The liquid rocket engine of claim 9, wherein the fuel is methane.",
"14. The liquid rocket engine of claim 9, wherein the turbine is a centrifugal turbine.",
"15. The liquid rocket engine of claim 9, further comprising a set of turbine guide vanes operating to direct the preburner combustion exhaust products into the turbine.",
"16. A method of operating a liquid rocket engine (LRE) comprising:\nproviding a LRE comprising:\na fuel supply line containing a fuel;\nan oxidizer supply line containing an oxidizer;\nan oxidizer throttle;\na turbine mounted to a turbine shaft along a longitudinal centerline of the LRE at a longitudinal proximal location of the LRE;\na main combustion chamber having an injector head in fluid communication with the turbine and at least one of the plurality of partial oxidizer supply lines;\na nozzle positioned longitudinally distal to the main combustion chamber and in fluid communication with the main combustion chamber; and\na preburner combustion chamber positioned axially distal to the main combustion chamber and having a preburner injector head, the preburner combustion chamber forming an annulus around the main combustion chamber;\nreceiving the oxidizer from the oxidizer supply line;\nsplitting the oxidizer supply line into a plurality of partial oxidizer supply lines;\ninjecting, using the preburner injector head, a gasified fuel with a gasified oxidizer to create preburner combustion exhaust products which flow from the preburner combustion chamber to the turbine;\nrotating the turbine about the turbine shaft;\nflowing the preburner combustion exhaust products from the turbine to the main combustion chamber; and\ninjecting, using the main combustion chamber injector head, the preburner combustion exhaust products received from the turbine with oxidizer to produce an LRE thrust directed through the nozzle exit.",
"17. The method of claim 16, the LRE further comprising a gas duct positioned axially between the turbine and the main combustion chamber, wherein at least some of the oxidizer becomes a gasified oxidizer due to thermal energy transfer from at least one of the gas duct, the main combustion chamber, and the preburner combustion chamber.",
"18. The method of claim 16, wherein at least some of the fuel becomes a gasified fuel due to thermal energy transfer from the nozzle to the at least some of the fuel, the gasified fuel supplied to the preburner injector head.",
"19. The method of claim 16, wherein:\nthe turbine is a centrifugal turbine; and\nthe fuel is methane.",
"20. The method of claim 16, the LRE further comprising a set of turbine guide vanes operating to direct the preburner combustion exhaust products into the turbine."
],
[
"1. A reaction control system for controlling motion of a vehicle, the reaction control system comprising:\nat least one pulsed detonation engine comprising one or more propellant valves, an igniter, a detonation chamber, and a nozzle;\nwherein the at least one pulsed detonation engine is adapted to controllably ignite detonation of a propellant to generate thrust in a predetermined vector for controlling motion of said vehicle.",
"2. The reaction control system of claim 1 which comprises a plurality of pulsed detonation engines capable of generating thrust in a plurality of vectors.",
"3. The reaction control system of claim 2 further comprising a controller for controlling operation of said plurality of pulsed detonation engines, wherein the controller is selected from the group consisting of a piezoelectric device, a thermo-fluidic device, a microelectronic mechanical system, an electromagnetic system, and combinations thereof.",
"4. The reaction control system of claim 1 wherein said at least one pulsed detonation engine comprises a detonation chamber having an igniter positioned downstream of a point at which propellant is injected.",
"5. The reaction control system of claim 1 wherein said at least one pulsed detonation engine comprises an igniter selected from the group consisting of a spark plug, a pyrotechnic device, and a laser.",
"6. The reaction control system of claim 1 further comprising an electrical energy regeneration and storage device capable of permitting remote operation of said at least one pulsed detonation engine for extended periods of time.",
"7. A vehicle comprising the reaction control system of claim 1.",
"8. A reaction control system for controlling the motion of a missile or other vehicle, the reaction control system comprising:\nat least four pulsed detonation engines arranged in a cruciform for selectively generating thrust in at least four vectors, wherein each of said pulsed detonation engines comprises electronically controlled propellant valves, an igniter, a detonation chamber, and a nozzle;\na controller for selectively actuating said at least four pulsed detonation engines, the controller comprising at least one of a piezoelectric device, a thermo-fluidic device, an electromagnetic device, and a microelectronic mechanical system.",
"9. A missile comprising the reaction control system of claim 8.",
"10. The reaction control system of claim 1 which is a thruster for orbital correction and control of an earth-orbiting satellite.",
"11. The reaction control system of claim 1 which provides divert thrust generation and control for a space-based interceptor device.",
"12. The reaction control system of claim 1 which provides trajectory correction and motion control of a missile."
],
[
"1. A thruster with electro-thermal thrust augmentation, for use in EVs and configured to operate upon command, the thruster having an exterior and an interior with a decomposition section upstream and a heating section downstream, the thruster comprising:\nin the decomposition section:\na propellant injection head coupled in fluid communication to a propellant line entering the decomposition section for injection of propellant therein, and\na catalyst configured as a porous bed disposed downstream of the propellant injection head, for exothermic decomposition of the propellant into gaseous products, in the heating section:\nan electric heating module having at least one electric resistor configured for heating the gaseous products, and\na nozzle having a throat and an expansion cone, extending downstream away from the heating section for accelerating heated gaseous products to the exterior of the thruster for providing thrust,\non the exterior of the thruster:\na blow-down pressurized propellant tank fluidly coupled to and upstream of the propellant line,\na control valve for controlling duration of propellant supply via the propellant line,\na flow restrictor through which the propellant flows, disposed downstream of the propellant tank,\na radiation shield substantially enveloping a closed sealed chamber of the thruster, and\nan electric power source controllably coupled to the heating module and operating at a nominal power level,\nwherein the thruster is configured as a shell having a shell exterior and a shell interior that forms the closed sealed chamber which is divided into the decomposition section and the heating section, and\nin the heating section:\nwherein the at least one electric resistor is accommodated either directly in an additional porous catalytic bed having an additional catalyst or within a concentric ceramic tube and operative as a heat exchanger,\nwhereby the gaseous products are heated by direct contact.",
"2. The thruster according to claim 1, wherein the at least one electric resistor is made of either one of silicone-carbide and molybdenum disilicide.",
"3. The thruster according to claim 1, wherein the at least one electric resistor indirectly heats the catalyst in the decomposition section and directly heats the heating section.",
"4. The thruster according to claim 1, wherein the heating module has a heating module mass and is operated for a limited period of time for pre-heating the additional catalyst and the heating module mass of the heating section prior to firing the thruster.",
"5. The thruster according to claim 1, wherein the additional porous catalytic bed disposed in the heating section is operative in either one of both configurations as only pellets of catalyst and as a mixture of pellets of catalyst with pellets of an additive.",
"6. The thruster according to claim 1, wherein the heating module is configured to provide a large heat exchange surface for direct contact with the gaseous products.",
"7. The thruster according to claim 1, wherein the at least one resistor includes a plurality of sub-resistors electrically coupled in appropriate parallel and serial electrical connection to provide low electric resistance and a large heat exchange surface.",
"8. The thruster according to claim 1, further comprising a power processor on the exterior of the shell, the power processor being electrically coupled and disposed downstream of the electric power source and comprising:\na voltage converter for up-converting a varying voltage supply, provided thereto via electric coupling from the electric power source, into a higher voltage for input to the shell, and\na duty cycle controller coupled to and downstream the converter, and configured for adapting electrical power for supply to the shell according to electrical power available from the electrical power source,\nwhereby the thruster is operable at an average power level lower than a nominal power level.",
"9. The thruster according to claim 1, wherein the electric power source supplies electric power to the heating module via electrically insulated leads penetrating through the shell in hermetical sealing.",
"10. The thruster according to claim 1, wherein the flow restrictor reduces deviations of a propellant mass flow rate.",
"11. The thruster according to claim 1, wherein the thruster is operable at sea-level gravity and barometric pressure.",
"12. A method for implementing a thruster with internally embedded heating for providing electro-thermal thrust augmentation operative upon command, the thruster having an exterior and an interior with a decomposition section upstream and a heating section downstream, the thruster comprising:\nin the decomposition section:\na propellant injection head coupled in fluid communication to a propellant line entering the decomposition section for injection of propellant therein, and\na catalyst configured as a porous catalytic bed disposed downstream of the propellant injection head, for exothermic decomposition of the propellant into gaseous products,\nin the heating section:\nan electric heating module having at least one electric resistor configured for heating the gaseous products, and\na nozzle having a throat and an expansion cone, extending downstream away from the heating section for accelerating heated gaseous products to the exterior of the thruster for providing thrust,\non the exterior of the thruster:\na blow-down pressurized propellant tank fluidly coupled to and upstream of the propellant line,\na control valve for controlling duration of propellant supply via the propellant line,\na flow restrictor through which the propellant flows, disposed downstream of the propellant tank,\na radiation shield substantially enveloping a closed sealed chamber of the thruster, and\nan electric power source controllably coupled to the heating module and operating at a nominal power level,\nthe method comprising:\nconfiguring the thruster as a shell having a shell exterior and a shell interior that forms the closed sealed chamber which is divided into the decomposition section and the heating section, and\naccommodating, in the heating section, the at least one electric resistor either directly in an additional porous catalytic bed having an additional catalyst or within a concentric ceramic tube operative as a heat exchanger,\nwhereby the gaseous products are heated by direct contact.",
"13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the at least one electric resistor is made of either one of silicone-carbide and molybdenum disilicide.",
"14. The method according to claim 12, wherein the at least one electric resistor indirectly heats the catalyst in the decomposition section and directly heats the heating section.",
"15. The method according to claim 12, wherein the at least one electric resistor is operated for a controlled limited period of time for pre-heating the additional catalyst prior to firing of the thruster.",
"16. The method according to claim 12, wherein the additional porous catalytic bed disposed in the heating section is operative in either one of configurations as only the additional catalyst and as a mixture of the additional catalyst with an additive.",
"17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the additive is silicone carbide.",
"18. The method according to claim 12, wherein the at least one resistor includes a plurality of sub-resistors electrically coupled in appropriate parallel and serial electrical connection to provide low electric resistance and a large heat exchange surface for direct contact with the gaseous products.",
"19. The method according to claim 12, further comprising a power processor on the exterior of the shell, the power processor being electrically coupled and disposed downstream of the electric power source and comprising:\na voltage converter for up-converting a varying voltage supply, provided thereto via electric coupling from the electric power source, into an appropriate voltage for input to the shell, and\na duty cycle controller coupled to and downstream the converter, and configured for adapting electrical power for supply to the shell according to electrical power available from the electrical power source,\nwhereby the thruster is operable at an average power level lower than the nominal power level.",
"20. The method according to claim 12, wherein the electric power source supplies electric power to the heating module via electrically insulated leads penetrating in hermetical sealing through the shell.",
"21. The method according to claim 12, wherein the thruster is operable both in space and at sea-level gravity and barometric pressure."
],
[
"1. A rocket engine comprising:\na fuel passage through which a hydrocarbon fuel flows;\na catalyst section provided on a way of the fuel passage to gasify the fuel;\na turbine provided on the way of the fuel passage and driven with the gasified fuel;\na first pump configured to supply the fuel to the fuel passage through a drive by the turbine;\na combustion chamber configured to combust the gasified fuel supplied through the fuel passage by using an oxidizer; and\na nozzle configured to send out the combustion gas and carry out heat exchange with a part of the fuel passage to be cooled.\nwherein the catalyst section is provided inside the fuel passage in a location where the heat exchange is carried out.",
"2. The rocket engine according to claim 1, wherein the fuel passage comprises:\na first path configured to lead the fuel to the combustion chamber after the heat exchange and the gasification of the fuel in the catalyst section; and\na second path configured to lead the fuel to the combustion chamber just as it is,\nwherein the combustion chamber combusts a mixture of the gasified fuel supplied through the first path and the fuel supplied through the second path.",
"4. The rocket engine according to claim 3 claim 1, wherein the catalyst section gasifies the fuel through a thermochemical decomposition with catalyst, and cools the nozzle with endothermic reaction of the thermochemical decomposition.",
"5. The rocket engine according to claim 1, wherein the catalyst section is formed in a layer to cover an inner wall of the fuel passage.",
"8. The rocket engine according to claim 1, further comprises:\nan oxidizer passage configured to supply an oxidizer to the combustion chamber; and\na second pump configured to supply the oxidizer to the oxidizer passage through a drive by the turbine,\nwherein the turbine, the first pump and the second pump are connected with the same rotation axis.",
"9. A rocket comprising:\na rocket engine which comprises:\na fuel passage through which a hydrocarbon fuel flows,\na catalyst section provided on a way of the fuel passage to gasify the fuel,\na turbine provided on the way of the fuel passage and driven with the gasified fuel,\na first pump configured to supply the fuel to the fuel passage through a drive by the turbine\na combustion chamber configured to combust the gasified fuel supplied through the fuel passage by using an oxidizer, and\na nozzle configured to send out the combustion gas and carry out heat exchange with a part of the fuel passage to be cooled;\nwherein the catalyst section is provided inside the fuel passage in a location where the heat exchange is carried out\na fuel tank connected with the fuel passage of the rocket engine; and\nan oxidizer tank connected with the oxidizer passage of the rocket engine.",
"10. A start method of a rocket engine, comprising:\nsupplying a hydrocarbon fuel and an oxidizer to a combustion chamber using a pressure to combust therein;\nsupplying, when the combustion chamber is heated through the combustion, the fuel to a catalyst section by using the pressure to gasify the fuel, while cooling the nozzle through heat exchange;\ndriving a turbine with the gasified fuel;\ndriving a first pump by the turbine to gasify a part of the fuel in the catalyst section while cooling the nozzle by the heat exchange;\ndriving the first pump by the turbine to supply a remaining portion of the fuel to the combustion chamber;\ndriving a second pump by the turbine to supply the oxidizer to the combustion chamber; and\ncombusting the gasified fuel, the supplied fuel and the supplied oxidizer in the combustion chamber."
],
[
"1. A thruster that produces thrust by using catalytic decomposition gas obtained by catalytically decomposing nitrous oxide with a nitrous oxide decomposition catalyst.",
"2. The thruster of claim 1, which is a monopropellant thruster that produces thrust by directly exhausting the catalytic decomposition gas to the outside of the thruster.",
"3. The thruster of claim 1, which is a monopropellant thruster that produces thrust by exhausting thermal decomposition gas obtained by self-decomposing additional nitrous oxide with thermal energy of the catalytic decomposition gas to the outside of the thruster.",
"4. The thruster of claim 2, comprising heating means for heating the nitrous oxide decomposition catalyst.",
"5. The thruster of claim 4, wherein the heating means directs combustion gas generated by mixing the catalytic decomposition gas with fuel to the nitrous oxide decomposition catalyst.",
"6. The thruster of claim 4, wherein the heating means is a heater attached to the nitrous oxide decomposition catalyst.",
"7. The thruster of claim 4, wherein the heating means is a heater constituted by the nitrous oxide decomposition catalyst.",
"8. The thruster of claim 3, comprising heating means for heating the nitrous oxide decomposition catalyst.",
"9. The thruster of claim 8, wherein the heating means directs combustion gas generated by mixing the catalytic decomposition gas with fuel to the nitrous oxide decomposition catalyst.",
"10. The thruster of claim 8, wherein the heating means is a heater attached to the nitrous oxide decomposition catalyst.",
"11. The thruster of claim 8, wherein the heating means is a heater constituted by the nitrous oxide decomposition catalyst.",
"12. The thruster of claim 1, which is a bipropellant thruster that produces thrust by exhausting combustion gas obtained by combusting a mixture of nitrous oxide and fuel by use of the catalytic decomposition gas and/or combustion gas generated by mixing the catalytic decomposition gas with fuel, to the outside of the thruster.",
"13. The thruster of claim 12, wherein the fuel is fuel of no or low toxicity selected from the group consisting of alcohols and LPG.",
"14. The thruster of claim 1, using nitrous oxide gas as pressurant for pressure-feeding the nitrous oxide and/or the fuel."
],
[
"1. A catalyst-free method of igniting an ionic liquid, comprising:\nmixing a liquid hypergol with a HAN-based ionic liquid to ignite the HAN-based ionic liquid in the absence of a catalyst;\ninjecting the HAN-based ionic liquid and the liquid hypergol into a combustion chamber;\ndiscontinuing the injection of the liquid hypergol such that a stagnation plate thermally maintains the ignited the HAN-based ionic liquid.",
"2. The method of claim 1 wherein the HAN-based ionic liquid and the liquid hypergol impinge upon a stagnation plate positioned at a top portion of the combustion chamber.",
"3. The method of claim 2 wherein the stagnation plate comprises a wire mesh, a foam, a perforated plate, a solid plate, or any combination thereof.",
"4. The method of claim 2 wherein a flow path of the HAN-based ionic liquid and the liquid hypergol within the combustion chamber is perpendicular to a top surface of the stagnation plate.",
"5. The method of claim 1 further comprising injecting the liquid hypergol into the combustion chamber to reignite the HAN-based ionic liquid if the stagnation plate fails to thermally maintain the ignition of the HAN-based ionic liquid.",
"6. The method of claim 2 wherein a flow path of the HAN-based ionic liquid and the liquid hypergol into the combustion chamber is transverse to a top surface of the combustion chamber.",
"7. The method of claim 2 wherein a flow path of the HAN-based ionic liquid and the liquid hypergol into the combustion chamber is perpendicular to a top surface of the stagnation plate.",
"8. The method of claim 1 wherein the hypergol includes a compound selected from the group consisting of: nitronium, nitrosonium salts, hypohalite compounds, heavy metals and their salts, NO 2BF4, NOBF4, NO2CIO4, NO2CIF4, I2O5, I2O6, I2O7, HOCI, HOBr, HOI, [NaOClÿNaOH], Fe, Cu, powdered Zn, Fe(NO3)3, FeCl3, MnO2 and KMnO4.",
"9. The method of claim 3 wherein the stagnation plate comprises a metal, a non-metal, a ceramic, or any combination thereof.",
"10. The method of claim 1 wherein a mass flow ratio of the hypergol to the propellant injected into the combustion chamber ranges between 0 and 0.5.",
"11. The method of claim 1 wherein the HAN-based ionic liquid includes a fuel component.",
"12. The method of claim 1 wherein the HAN-based ionic liquid includes a fuel component and water in a ratio of about 64:8:28.",
"13. The method of claim 1 wherein the HAN-based ionic liquid includes AF-M315E monopropellant.",
"14. The method of claim 1 wherein the liquid hypergol includes an aqueous solution of iodine pentoxide.",
"15. The method of claim 1 further comprising pressurizing the combustion chamber to at least 500 psi.",
"16. The method of claim 11 wherein the fuel component includes triethenolammonium nitrate (TEAN) or tris(amoniethyl)amine trinitrate (TREN3).",
"17. The method of claim 14 wherein the liquid hypergol is a 50-50 wt % solution of iodine pentoxide and water.",
"18. The method of claim 12 wherein the fuel component includes triethenolammonium nitrate (TEAN) or tris(amoniethyl)amine trinitrate (TREN3).",
"19. A catalyst-free method of igniting an ionic liquid, comprising:\nmixing a liquid hypergol with a HAN-based ionic liquid to ignite the HAN-based ionic liquid in the absence of a catalyst;\ninjecting the HAN-based ionic liquid and the liquid hypergol into a combustion chamber;\ndiscontinuing the injection of the liquid hypergol such that ignition of the HAN-based ionic liquid is thermally maintained.",
"20. The method of claim 19 wherein the HAN-based ionic liquid and the liquid hypergol impinge upon a stagnation plate positioned at a top portion of the combustion chamber.",
"21. The method of claim 20 wherein the stagnation plate comprises a wire mesh, a foam, a perforated plate, a solid plate, or any combination thereof.",
"22. The method of claim 20 wherein a flow path of the HAN-based ionic liquid and the liquid hypergol within the combustion chamber is perpendicular to a top surface of the stagnation plate.",
"23. The method of claim 19 further comprising injecting the liquid hypergol into the combustion chamber to reignite the HAN-based ionic liquid if the stagnation plate fails to thermally maintain the ignition of the HAN-based ionic liquid.",
"24. The method of claim 20 wherein a flow path of the HAN-based ionic liquid and the liquid hypergol into the combustion chamber is transverse to a top surface of the combustion chamber.",
"25. The method of claim 20 wherein a flow path of the HAN-based ionic liquid and the liquid hypergol into the combustion chamber is perpendicular to a top surface of the stagnation plate.",
"26. The method of claim 19 wherein the hypergol includes a compound selected from the group consisting of: nitronium, nitrosonium salts, hypohalite compounds, heavy metals and their salts, NO 2BF4, NOBF4, NO 2CIO4, NO2ClF4, I2O5,I2O6, I2O7, HOCl, HOBr, HOI, [NaOClÿNaOH], Fe, Cu, powdered Zn, Fe(NO3)3, FeCl3, MnO2 and KMnO4.",
"27. The method of claim 21 wherein the stagnation plate comprises a metal, a non-metal, a ceramic, or any combination thereof.",
"28. The method of claim 19 wherein a mass flow ratio of the hypergol to the propellant injected into the combustion chamber ranges between 0 and 0.5.",
"29. The method of claim 19 wherein the HAN-based ionic liquid includes a fuel component.",
"30. The method of claim 19 wherein the HAN-based ionic liquid includes a fuel component and water in a ratio of about 64:8:28.",
"31. The method of claim 19 further comprising pressurizing the combustion chamber to at least 500 psi.",
"32. A catalyst-free method of igniting an ionic liquid, comprising:\nmixing a liquid hypergol with a HAN-based ionic liquid to ignite the HAN-based ionic liquid in the absence of a catalyst;\ninjecting the HAN-based ionic liquid and the liquid hypergol into a combustion chamber;\ndiscontinuing the injection of the liquid hypergol such that a mixing device thermally maintains the ignited the HAN-based ionic liquid.",
"33. The method of claim 32 wherein the HAN-based ionic liquid and the liquid hypergol impinge upon the mixing device positioned at a top portion of the combustion chamber.",
"34. The method of claim 33 wherein a flow path of the HAN-based ionic liquid and the liquid hypergol within the combustion chamber is perpendicular to a top surface of the mixing device.",
"35. The method of claim 32 further comprising injecting the liquid hypergol into the combustion chamber to reignite the HAN-based ionic liquid if the mixing device fails to thermally maintain the ignition of the HAN-based ionic liquid.",
"36. The method of claim 33 wherein a flow path of the HAN-based ionic liquid and the liquid hypergol into the combustion chamber is transverse to a top surface of the combustion chamber.",
"37. The method of claim 33 wherein a flow path of the HAN-based ionic liquid and the liquid hypergol into the combustion chamber is perpendicular to a top surface of the mixing device.",
"38. The method of claim 32 wherein the hypergol includes a compound selected from the group consisting of: nitronium, nitrosonium salts, hypohalite compounds, heavy metals and their salts, NO 2BF4, NOBF4, NO 2CIO4, NO2ClF4, I2O5, I2O6, I2O7 , HOCl, HOBr, HOI, [NaOClÿNaOH], Fe, Cu, powdered Zn, Fe(NO3)3, FeCl3, MnO2 and KMnO4.",
"39. The method of claim 34 wherein the mixing device comprises a metal, a non-metal, a ceramic, or any combination thereof.",
"40. The method of claim 32 wherein a mass flow ratio of the hypergol to the propellant injected into the combustion chamber ranges between 0 and 0.5.",
"41. The method of claim 32 wherein the HAN-based ionic liquid includes a fuel component.",
"42. The method of claim 32 wherein the HAN-based ionic liquid includes a fuel component and water in a ratio of about 64:8:28.",
"43. The method of claim 32 further comprising pressurizing the combustion chamber to at least 500 psi."
],
[
"1. An upper stage launch vehicle comprising:\nat least one main upper stage rocket for propelling the launch vehicle in space;\na pair of main vehicle tanks for storage of liquid propellants therein including a hydrogen tank and an oxygen tank;\nan internal combustion engine powered by waste ullage hydrogen and oxygen vented from said tanks, said internal combustion engine having an output shaft;\na power generator communicating with said output shaft of said internal combustion engine for generating electrical current;\na battery in electrical communication with said generator for storing the electrical power;\na gaseous oxygen accumulator for storing oxygen from the oxygen tank;\na gaseous hydrogen accumulator for storing hydrogen from the hydrogen tank; and\na plurality of thrusters to provide attitude and settling control of the vehicle, at least one of said plurality of thrusters being selectively powered by exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine, and at least one of said plurality of thrusters being selectively powered by oxygen and hydrogen gas from said accumulators.",
"2. A system, as claimed in claim 1, further including:\npressurization lines from said accumulators to said tanks for pressurizing the tanks; and tank pressurization controls for selectively controlling the tank pressures.",
"3. A system, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:\nsaid plurality of thrusters includes at least one yaw thruster, at least one pitch thruster, and at least one axial thruster, said at least one yaw and pitch thrusters being powered by hydrogen and oxygen gas from said accumulators, and said at least one axial thruster being powered by a combination of hydrogen and oxygen gas from ullage volumes or said accumulators and the exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine.",
"4. A system, as claimed in claim 3, further including:\nat least one heat exchanger in communication with said at least one axial thruster for selectively modifying temperature of at least one of said waste ullage gases or liquid propellants prior to transfer of said gases to one of said accumulators.",
"5. A system, as claimed in claim 1, further including:\nan oxygen pump for pressurizing the oxygen accumulator, and a hydrogen pump for pressurizing the hydrogen accumulator, said pump being driven by corresponding pump motors, said pump motors being powered by at least one of electrical current from said battery and/or mechanical power from said output shaft of said internal combustion engine.",
"6. A system, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:\nsaid internal combustion engine includes a Wankel engine, said Wankel engine including an internal rotor rotating within an engine block, said rotor dividing internal space within said engine block into three separate compartments including an intake chamber, a combustion chamber, and an exhaust chamber.",
"7. A system, as claimed in claim 6, wherein:\nsaid Wankel engine further includes a cooling jacket surrounding said engine block, and wherein hydrogen gas from hydrogen ullage flows in the space between said engine block and said jacket to cool the engine.",
"8. A system, as claimed in claim 7, wherein:\nsaid hydrogen circulating between said cooling jacket and said engine block is further circulated within the engine block to the intake chamber for use as fuel within the engine.",
"9. A system, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:\nsaid internal combustion engine, said power generator, said battery, said accumulators, and said plurality of thrusters comprise an IVF module mounted to an aft portion of said launch vehicle.",
"10. A system, as claimed in claim 9 wherein:\nsaid IVF module includes a pair of IVF modules, each of said modules mounted to opposing sides of said launch vehicle to provide redundant capabilities.",
"11. A system, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:\neach of said tanks include a plurality of vent, purge, and bleed lines communicating therewith, each of said hydrogen and oxygen tanks including a vent line, a pressurization line, a bleed line, and a purge line.",
"12. A system, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:\nsaid plurality of thrusters is arranged on a thruster panel assembly including a hydrogen manifold and an oxygen manifold for delivering hydrogen and oxygen to said thrusters.",
"13. A system, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:\nsaid internal combustion engine includes a piston engine.",
"14. A method of providing mechanical energy for supporting functions of an upper stage launch vehicle, said method comprising:\nproviding:\n(i) a pair of tanks for storage of propellants therein including a hydrogen tank and an oxygen tank;\n(ii) an internal combustion engine powered by hydrogen and oxygen removed from said tanks;\n(iii) a power generator communicating with an output shaft of said internal combustion engine for generating electrical current;\n(iv) a battery in electrical communication with said generator for storing the electrical current;\n(v) a gaseous oxygen accumulator for storing oxygen removed from the oxygen tank;\n(vi) a gaseous hydrogen accumulator for storing hydrogen removed from the hydrogen tank;\n(vii) a plurality of thrusters to provide attitude and settling control of the launch vehicle;\npowering at least one thruster of said plurality of thrusters by exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine;\npowering at least one thruster of said plurality of thrusters by oxygen and hydrogen gas from said accumulators; and\npowering at least one thruster of said plurality of thrusters by hydrogen and oxygen from the main vehicle tanks.",
"15. The method of claim 14, further comprising an alternator, and wherein said battery is in communication with said alternator, and said alternator is in communication with said generator, and the battery is charged by current passing through the alternator.",
"16. A method of pressurizing a propellant tank of an upper stage launch vehicle, said method comprising:\nproviding:\n(i) a pair of tanks for storage of propellants therein including a hydrogen tank and an oxygen tank;\n(ii) an internal combustion engine powered by hydrogen and oxygen removed from said tanks, said internal combustion engine having an output shaft;\n(iii) a power generator communicating with said output shaft of said internal combustion engine for generating electrical current and for starting the internal combustion engine;\n(iv) a battery in electrical communication with said power generator for storing the electrical current;\n(v) a gaseous oxygen accumulator for storing oxygen from the oxygen tank;\n(vi) a gaseous hydrogen accumulator for storing me hydrogen from the hydrogen tank;\n(vii) a plurality of thrusters to provide attitude and settling control of the vehicle;\npressurizing the accumulators by communication with at least one pump, said at least one pump being powered by at least one of electrical current from said battery or mechanical energy from said output shaft of the internal combustion engine; and\npressurizing the tanks by pressurization lines from said accumulators.",
"17. A method of providing electrical power for an upper stage launch vehicle said method comprising:\nproviding:\n(i) a pair of tanks for storage of propellants therein including a hydrogen tank and an oxygen tank;\n(ii) an internal combustion engine powered by hydrogen and oxygen removed from said tanks;\n(iii) a power generator communicating with an output shaft of said internal combustion engine;\n(iv) a battery in electrical communication with said generator for storing the electrical current;\n(v) a gaseous oxygen accumulator for storing oxygen from the oxygen tank;\n(vi) a gaseous hydrogen accumulator for storing hydrogen from the hydrogen tank;\n(vii) a plurality of thrusters to provide attitude and settling control of the vehicle;\ngenerating electrical current by said electrical power generator driven by an output shaft of the internal combustion engine;\nstoring the electrical power in the battery; and\nselectively using electrical current stored in said battery for electrical systems of said launch vehicle.",
"18. A method of providing vehicle settling for a space launch vehicle in orbit, said method comprising:\nproviding:\n(i) a pair of tanks for storage of propellants therein including a hydrogen tank and an oxygen tank;\n(ii) an internal combustion engine powered by hydrogen and oxygen removed from said tanks;\n(iii) a generator communicating with said output shaft of said internal combustion engine for generating electrical current and for starting the internal combustion engine;\n(iv) a battery in electrical communication with said generator for storing the electrical current;\n(v) a gaseous oxygen accumulator for storing medium pressure oxygen from the oxygen tank;\n(vi) a gaseous hydrogen accumulator for storing medium pressure hydrogen from the hydrogen tank;\n(vii) a plurality of thrusters to provide attitude and settling control of the vehicle;\nactivating at least one thruster of said plurality of thrusters by exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine for long duration, low thrust requirements; and\nactivating at least one thruster of said plurality of thrusters by waste ullage gas stored either in said accumulators, or by venting oxygen and hydrogen from said tanks directly to said at least one thruster.",
"19. A method of venting propellant tanks of an upper stage launch vehicle, said method comprising:\nproviding:\n(i) a pair of tanks for storage of propellants therein including a hydrogen tank and an oxygen tank;\n(ii) an internal combustion engine powered by waste ullage hydrogen and oxygen vented from said tanks, said internal combustion engine having an output shaft;\n(iii) an alternator communicating with said output shaft of said internal combustion engine for generating electrical current;\n(iv) a battery in electrical communication with said alternator for storing the electrical current;\n(v) a gaseous oxygen accumulator for storing moderate pressure oxygen extracted from the main oxygen tank;\n(vi) a gaseous hydrogen accumulator for storing moderate pressure hydrogen extracted from the main hydrogen tank;\n(vii) a plurality of thrusters to provide attitude and settling control of the vehicle;\n(viii) providing a gaseous hydrogen vent line from the hydrogen tank and a gaseous oxygen vent line from said oxygen tank, said vent lines communicating with at least one of said plurality of thrusters; and\nventing the propellant tanks by the vent lines and using the gaseous hydrogen and gaseous oxygen as fuel and oxidizer for activation of said at least one of said plurality of thrusters."
],
[
"1. A centripetal aerodynamic platform spacecraft, thruster engine propelled, space access system, having accent, orbital and reentry configurations; said system comprising:\na) a spacecraft body;\nb) an exterior region of said spacecraft body;\nc) an interior region of said spacecraft body;\nd) a plurality of thrust propulsion engines comprising air intake and thrust exhaust conduit within said interior region of said spacecraft body;\ne) the exterior region streamlined on said spacecraft body, and configured to allow high speed flight and aerodynamic atmospheric reentry capability;\nf) a plurality of loading ramp doors and cargo bay doors disposed on said spacecraft exterior region;\ng) the spacecraft body, comprising a balanced rotational center of mass and aerodynamic lifting and control surfaces;\nh) the spacecraft body, comprising a flattened sphere or disk-shaped, lifting body;\ni) the exterior region of said spacecraft body comprising an aerodynamic shape configured to enable airplane operational utility and a spacecraft hull maintaining habitable interiors; said exterior region comprising an aerodynamic flattened sphere profile;\nj) the interior region of said spacecraft body having a lifting body interior circumference boundary(s) that shapes the spacecraft hull of said spacecraft;\nk) the interior region of said spacecraft body is configured to simulate a desired percentage(s) of earth's 1G gravity when said lifting body interior circumference boundary(s) is attached within the interior region and is in full spacecraft body rotation, spinning about a vertical -Z- axis at a point in space, in obit or when transporting humans in space;\nl) the interior region of said spacecraft body comprising aerospace navigation utility systems, engine instrumentation, energy storage, life support systems, electrical storage and generation and fuel storage around a central cargo bay flanked by the plurality of thrust propulsion engines;\nm) the plurality of said thrust propulsion engines comprising one or more forward-front interior cased, vertical lift, downward directed thrust engines and a plurality of interior cased rear-aft directed thrust engines having horizontal to vertical nozzle pivot thrust capability;\nn) a plurality of fuel and oxidizer storage disposed within the spacecraft body;\no) an aerodynamic circular shaped ring wing with integral vertical stabilizers on an underside of said exterior region of said spacecraft body;\np) a plurality of engine air intake protection door(s) and recessed aerodynamic combustion air inlet(s) disposed on said spacecraft body;\nq) a plurality of retractable landing gear, disposed on a lower exterior region of the spacecraft body;\nr) plurality of maneuvering thrusters disposed on the said exterior region;\ns) a prelaunch compatible curved saddling common wing connecting two boosters comprising a releasable connection assembly;\nt) a heavy lift vertical booster prelaunch connecting means comprising a prelaunch booster connection assembly and in flight stage separation guide rail assembly for heavy lift booster launching; and\nu) a track with an alignment system configured to eliminate full body rotation of said spacecraft body.",
"2. The system as described in claim 1, further comprising:\na) a front pilots cabin with 90 degree rotating seats positioned within the interior region of said spacecraft body;\nb) a passenger sleep quarters;\nc) a spacecraft airlock associated with the interior region of said spacecraft body; and\nd) a storage area(s) within the interior region of said spacecraft body.",
"3. The system as described in claim 1, wherein the aerodynamic circular ring wing further comprises:\na) an aerodynamic open center, and a washer-shaped ring wing surface;\nb) the plurality integral vertical stabilizers are retractable and are configured to serve as a retractable vertical landing strut assembly;\nc) an exterior underbody region recessed circular, aerodynamic concave receiving profile for said washer-shaped ring wing; and\nd) a mechanical interior housing for said plurality of vertical stabilizers when the aerodynamic circular ring wing is raised or retracted.",
"4. The system as described in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of single hinged recessed aerodynamic engine protection door(s) configured to rest in a concave three sided, triangular curved and tapered recess(s); said plurality of single hinged recessed aerodynamic engine protection door(s), hinged only on one side of said tapered recess(s) in the spacecraft body, the aerodynamic engine protection door(s), having a single side, single hinged, door pivot axis, recessed at one end forming a tapered aerodynamic indention on the exterior region forming an aerodynamic concave SCOOP; said system having the plurality of single hinged recessed aerodynamic engine protection door(s) further comprising:\na) an actuator assembly;\nb) one or more door seal elements;\nc) an alignment and configuration of exterior body surfaces;\nd) a recessed triangular door frame(s);\ne) one or more exposed side(s) having protection surface layer(s);\nf) an internal structural door panel ribs strengthening element(s); and\ng) a recessed triangular exterior surface on the exterior region configured to receive one of said plurality of aerodynamic engine protection door(s) when opened, thereby enabling the one of said plurality of aerodynamic engine protection door(s) to securely rest against the aerodynamic body envelope within recessed variable side length triangular exterior surfaces conforming to contoured aerodynamic surfaces around engine bay protection door openings; said plurality of aerodynamic engine protection door(s) providing engine protection during reentry, and when in hazardous environments, eliminating double hinged, exterior door openings, double flaps, and non-aerodynamic components on exterior surfaces.",
"5. The system as described in claim 1, wherein the plurality of thrust propulsion engines further comprises a plurality of hybrid horizontal rear directed thrust and vertical downward directed thrust engineer said engineer comprising phased supersonic to hypersonic turbojet engines components wherein a first propellant fuel is atmospheric oxygen and jet fuel; said engines transition to rocket thrust engine components wherein a second propellant is liquid oxygen and rocket fuel.",
"6. The system as described in claim 1, further comprising a rotation track support alignment system supporting at least one or more freely independently rotating centripetal rotational gravity corridor(s), within said interior region of said spacecraft body rotating at variable speeds; said rotation track support alignment system comprising:\na) a fixed alignment track(s);\nb) a roller pin alignment bracket assembly with axle slip spin dry lubricant surfaces attached to said fixed alignment track(s);\nc) an unfixed bearing track(s);\nd) a composite polymer ball bearing assembly between the said fixed and unfixed tracks; and\ne) a free self-lubricating, solid polymer, lubricant ball bearing separator-spacer assembly within facilitating even ball bearing migration and rotation of said centripetal rotational gravity corridor(s)."
],
[
"1. An aerospace system, comprising:\na space launch vehicle having an upper end, a lower end, a vehicle axis extending between the upper and lower ends, and one or more rocket nozzles positioned toward the lower end, wherein the launch vehicle is configured to implement a routine that includes:\ndirecting thrust from at least one of the one or more rocket nozzles to lift the launch vehicle during launch, the upper end being above the lower end during launch;\nsubsequent to launch, descending and landing with the lower end below the upper end; and\nduring descent, in which the lower end is below the upper end, shifting a center of pressure of the launch vehicle from a first position below a center of gravity of the vehicle to a second position above the center of gravity by moving a control surface carried toward the upper end of the launch vehicle from a first orientation in which the control surface is aligned with a direction of travel during ascent, to a second orientation that is different from the first orientation.",
"2. The aerospace system of claim 1 wherein the routine further includes directing thrust from the one or more rocket nozzles to decelerate the launch vehicle during descent.",
"3. The aerospace system of claim 1 wherein the control surface describes a first cross-sectional area generally normal to the vehicle axis toward the upper end of the launch vehicle during descent, the launch vehicle having a second cross-sectional area generally normal to the vehicle axis toward the lower end of the launch vehicle during descent, the second cross-sectional area being less than the first cross-sectional area.",
"4. The aerospace system of claim 1 wherein the control surface includes an outwardly facing, exposed surface that describes a first cross-sectional area generally normal to the vehicle axis toward the upper end of the launch vehicle during descent, the launch vehicle having a second cross-sectional area generally normal to the vehicle axis toward the lower end of the launch vehicle during descent, the second cross-sectional area being less than the first cross-sectional area.",
"5. The aerospace system of claim 1 wherein the control surface includes a deployable element that is stowed during ascent, and wherein shifting the center of pressure of the vehicle includes moving the deployable element from the stowed position to a deployed position.",
"6. The aerospace system of claim 1 wherein the routine further comprises directing thrust from the one or more rocket nozzles during landing.",
"7. The aerospace system of claim 1 wherein the control surface is tapered outwardly in a direction toward the upper end.",
"8. The aerospace system of claim 1 wherein the control surface includes a vane.",
"9. The aerospace system of claim 1 wherein the control surface includes a flare.",
"10. The aerospace system of claim 1 wherein the control surface is pivotably moveable relative to the launch vehicle.",
"11. The aerospace system of claim 1 wherein the control surface has air passages positioned to allow air to flow through the control surface.",
"12. The aerospace system of claim 1 wherein the launch vehicle further comprises one or more fins positioned toward the lower end and separate from the control surface.",
"13. The aerospace system of claim 1 wherein the launch vehicle further comprises one or more control fins positioned toward the lower end and separate from the control surface, and wherein the routine further includes controlling a direction of the launch vehicle during descent via the one or more control fins.",
"14. The aerospace system of claim 1 wherein the launch vehicle further comprises one or more control fins positioned toward the lower end and separate from the control surface, wherein the routine further includes controlling a direction of the launch vehicle during descent by pivoting the one or more control fins about a corresponding pivot axis extending outwardly from the vehicle axis.",
"15. The aerospace system of claim 1 wherein the launch vehicle further comprises one or more bidirectional control fins positioned toward the lower end and separate from the control surface, wherein the routine further includes controlling a direction of the launch vehicle during ascent via at least one of the one or more bidirectional control fins, and controlling a direction of the launch vehicle during descent via at least one of the one or more bidirectional control fins.",
"16. The aerospace system of claim 1 wherein the launch vehicle further comprises one or more bidirectional control fins positioned toward the lower end and separate from the control surface, wherein the routine further includes controlling a direction of the launch vehicle during ascent by pivoting at least one of the one or more of the bidirectional control fins about a corresponding pivot axis extending outwardly from the vehicle axis, and controlling a direction of the launch vehicle during descent by pivoting the at least one of the one or more bidirectional control fins about the corresponding pivot axis.",
"17. A system for providing access to space, the system comprising:\na space launch vehicle, wherein the space launch vehicle includes one or more rocket engines; and\na controller carried by the space launch vehicle, the controller being programmed with instructions that, when executed:\ndirect thrust from a lower end of the launch vehicle to lift the launch vehicle during ascent, the launch vehicle having an upper end positioned above the lower end during ascent;\nduring descent, shift a center of pressure of the launch vehicle from a first position below a center of gravity of the launch vehicle to a second position above the center of gravity by moving a control surface from a stowed position to a deployed position after launch, wherein the upper end of the vehicle is positioned above the lower end during descent, wherein the control surface is positioned toward the upper end, the stowed position comprises the control surface being aligned with a direction of travel during ascent, and the deployed position comprises the control surface being oriented to extend outwardly from the space launch vehicle; and\ndirect thrust from the lower end of the launch vehicle to decelerate the launch vehicle during descent.",
"18. The system of claim 17 wherein the control surface is moved from the stowed position to the deployed position during descent.",
"19. The system of claim 17 wherein the center of gravity is positioned between the control surface and the rocket engines.",
"20. The system of claim 17 wherein the control surface is positioned above the center of gravity during descent.",
"21. The system of claim 17 wherein the center of pressure is aft of the center of gravity during vehicle ascent, and wherein the center of pressure is aft of the center of gravity during vehicle descent.",
"22. The system of claim 17 wherein moving the control surface from the stowed position to the deployed position includes pivoting the control surface relative to the launch vehicle.",
"23. The system of claim 17 wherein moving the control surface from the stowed position to the deployed position includes pivoting the control surface outwardly relative to the launch vehicle.",
"24. The system of claim 17 wherein moving the control surface from the stowed position to the deployed position includes moving a fin.",
"25. The system of claim 17 wherein moving the control surface from the stowed position to the deployed position includes deploying a flare surface.",
"26. The system of claim 17 wherein the control surface includes a plurality of air passages positioned to allow air to flow through the control surface during descent.",
"27. The system of claim 17 wherein moving the control surface from the stowed position to the deployed position includes deploying two individual elements at different rates, by different amounts, or both at different rates and by different amounts to control a direction of the launch vehicle during descent.",
"28. The system of claim 17 wherein the controller is further programmed with instructions that, when executed, control a direction of the launch vehicle on descent via the control surface.",
"29. The system of claim 17 wherein the controller is further programmed with instructions that, when executed, control a direction of the launch vehicle on descent via a fin that is different than the control surface.",
"30. The system of claim 17 wherein the control surface is a first control surface, and wherein the controller is further programmed with instructions that, when executed, control a direction of the launch vehicle on descent via a second control surface that is different than the first control surface, wherein the first control surface is positioned above the center of gravity on descent, and wherein the second control surface is positioned below the center of gravity on descent.",
"31. The system of claim 17 wherein the controller is further programmed with instructions that, when executed, control a direction of the launch vehicle on ascent and on descent via a bidirectional control fin that is different than the control surface.",
"32. The system of claim 17 wherein the control surface is a first control surface, and wherein the controller is further programmed with instructions that, when executed, control a direction of the launch vehicle on ascent and on descent via a second control surface that is different than the control surface, wherein the first control surface is positioned above the center of gravity on descent, and wherein the second control surface is positioned below the center of gravity on descent.",
"33. A method for operating a space launch vehicle, the method comprising:\ndirecting thrust from a nozzle of a launch vehicle to lift the launch vehicle, the launch vehicle having an upper end, a lower end, a vehicle axis extending between the upper and lower ends, and an exposed surface carried toward the upper end, the upper the upper end being above the lower end during launch;\nsubsequent to launch, directing the launch vehicle to descend and land with the lower end below the upper end; and\nwhile the lower end leads the upper end during descent, shifting a center of pressure of the launch vehicle from a first position to a second position by moving the exposed surface, wherein:\nthe first position is located between a center of gravity of the vehicle and the lower end;\nthe second position is located between the center of gravity and the upper end;\nthe exposed surface describes a first cross-sectional area generally normal to the vehicle axis toward the upper end during descent;\nthe vehicle has a second cross-sectional area generally normal to the vehicle axis toward the lower end;\nthe second cross-sectional area is less than the first cross-sectional area; and\nmoving the exposed surface comprises moving a movable element forming at least part of the exposed surface from a first orientation in which the movable element is aligned with a direction of travel during ascent, to a second orientation that is different from the first orientation.",
"34. The method of claim 33 wherein the movable element is a deployable element, and wherein shifting the center of pressure includes moving the deployable element from a stowed position to a deployed position.",
"35. The method of claim 33 wherein movable element is a deployable element, and wherein shifting the center of pressure includes moving the deployable element from a stowed position to a deployed position while the upper end remains above the lower end.",
"36. The method of claim 33, further comprising directing thrust from the nozzle to decelerate the launch vehicle as the launch vehicle descends with the upper end above the lower end.",
"37. The method of claim 33 wherein shifting the center of pressure of the launch vehicle includes pivoting the movable element relative to the launch vehicle.",
"38. The method of claim 33 wherein shifting the center of pressure of the launch vehicle includes pivoting the movable element outwardly relative to the vehicle axis.",
"39. The method of claim 33, further comprising controlling the vehicle during descent by movement of one or more fins positioned toward the lower end and separate from the exposed surface."
],
[
"1. A rocket engine configured for use of multiple propellants, the engine comprising:\na thruster comprising one or more cooling channels and configured to:\nheat one or more propellants to generate thrust, the one or more propellants including a liquid propellant, and\nadapt for a plurality of different propellant types by adjusting a deployed length of the one or more cooling channels, thereby adjusting a cooling effect in the thruster,\nwherein adjusting the deployed length of the one or more cooling channels provides sufficient heating to vaporize the liquid propellant flowing through the one or more cooling channels, thereby causing a cooling effect in the thruster based on the different propellant types flowing through the cooling channels.",
"2. The engine of claim 1, wherein the thruster comprises a solar thermal thruster, the one or more cooling channels comprising one or more regenerative channels configured to direct flow of and simultaneously change thermal energy of the one or more propellants.",
"3. The engine of claim 2, further configured to adjust a length and cross sectional area of the regenerative channels.",
"4. The engine of claim 2, wherein:\neach of the regenerative channels has a fixed total length and comprises a plurality of inlet ports arranged along that length, and\nthe engine further comprises a plurality of inlet valves associated with the inlet ports and configured to selectively inject the one or more propellants into the regenerative channels via selected inlet ports such that a deployed length of the regenerative channels is adjustable.",
"5. The engine of claim 2, wherein:\neach of the regenerative channels has a fixed total length, includes a plurality of inlet ports, and\nthe engine further comprises a plurality of inlet valves configured to block, permit, or change flow of the one or more propellants into the inlet ports, thereby adjusting a flow of the one or more propellants through the regenerative channels.",
"6. The engine of claim 2, wherein:\nthe solar thermal thruster comprises a pressure chamber and an exhaust cone, the pressure chamber connected to and axially aligned with the exhaust cone; and\nthe regenerative channels follow a helical path around or through a surface of at least one of the pressure chamber and the exhaust cone.",
"7. The engine of claim 2, wherein the solar thermal thruster comprises:\na solar absorbing structure comprising an assembly of partially reflecting, partially transmitting, and partially absorbing surfaces, thereby converting solar energy into thermal energy within the surfaces, and\na transparent pressure-resistant window configured to transmit the solar energy into the solar absorbing structure and contain the gases within the chamber.",
"8. The engine of claim 7, wherein the solar absorbing structure is further configured to contain the one or more propellants in spaces between the surfaces such that the thermal heat energy is transferred to the one or more propellants via both thermal radiation and fluid conduction from the surfaces.",
"9. The engine of claim 7, wherein the solar absorbing structure of surfaces is formed of one or more of the following materials: metallic alloys and ceramics.",
"10. The engine of claim 7, wherein the solar absorbing structure comprises a plurality of reflecting and absorbing passages having triangular, rectangular, hexagonal, octagonal, or circular cross-sections, the reflecting and absorbing passages further configured to provide a volume over which the solar energy is absorbed simultaneously with providing a surface area and shape of a surface over which the propellant flows to absorb heat from the solar absorber structure.",
"11. The engine of claim 10, wherein the solar absorber further comprises a multi-surface light trapping solar absorber comprising a honeycomb lattice, a bundle of thin walled tubes, or a coil of thin sheets.",
"12. The engine of claim 2, wherein the solar thermal thruster includes a transparent pressure-resistant window configured as a lens to concentrate sunlight into the thruster so as to increase the peak temperature inside the thruster and increase the performance of the thruster.",
"13. The engine of claim 1, further comprising:\none or more electric heaters configured to adjust a temperature of the thruster;\none or more heat exchangers; and\none or more valves to admit the one or more propellants into the heat exchangers and adjust flows of the one or more propellants to accommodate changing thermodynamic characteristics during different phases of rocket operations including startup, shutdown, and continuous operation at variable thrust levels.",
"14. The engine of claim 1, further comprising:\na solar collector configured to collect and redirect the solar energy;\na solar absorber configured to absorb at least a portion of the solar energy; and\nan adjustable solar flux modulator disposed between the solar collector and the solar absorber, the modulator configured to adjust thermal power input to the thruster.",
"15. The engine of claim 14, wherein the solar flux modulator comprises one or more of a variable geometry aperture, a shuttered opening, one or more blinds, and an opening at least partially covered with a material having variable optical transmissivity.",
"16. A solar concentrator configured to power the rocket engine of claim 1, the solar concentrator comprising:\na primary reflector; and\na secondary reflector,\nwherein the primary reflector is configured to concentrate the solar energy towards the secondary reflector, and\nwherein the secondary reflector is configured to reflect the solar energy into a less converging, slightly diverging, or parallel beam, the intensity of the reflected solar energy being greater than the solar energy prior to being reflected by the secondary reflector.",
"17. The solar concentrator of claim 16, wherein two reflectors are arranged in a Cassegrain configuration.",
"18. The solar concentrator of claim 16, wherein the primary reflector comprises an orifice, and wherein the primary reflector and the secondary reflector are oriented such that the reflected solar energy passes through the orifice in the primary reflector during normal operation prior to entering the solar thermal rocket engine.",
"19. The solar concentrator of claim 18, wherein the orifice is positioned and configured to mitigate damaging effects of pointing errors by rejecting the reflected solar energy when incorrectly pointed.",
"20. The engine of claim 1, wherein the thruster is further configured to:\nprovide a gaseous propellant to the cooling channels at startup; and\nprovide the liquid propellant in increasing amounts while reducing an amount of the gaseous propellant to the cooling channels until an input to the cooling channels is fully liquid.",
"21. A rocket cooling system comprising:\na multi-propellant combustion chamber comprising a chamber wall configured to contain one or more propellants of different types including a liquid propellant and having a converging/diverging rocket nozzle; and\na cooling network comprising a channel configured to accept the liquid propellant and use the liquid propellant to thermally conduct heat energy away from the chamber wall, thereby affecting temperature within the combustion chamber;\nthe cooling channel configurable to change between a first, shorter configuration wherein liquid propellant flows within a shorter length of the cooling channel and a second, longer configuration wherein liquid propellant flows within a greater length of the cooling channel, thereby adjusting a cooling effect for the chamber wall and providing different cooling options for use with different combinations of propellant types,\nwherein the cooling channel is further configured to change between the first configuration and the second configuration such that the liquid propellant is vaporized within the cooling channel, thereby causing a cooling effect in the rocket cooling system based on multiple propellant types flowing through the cooling network.",
"22. The system of claim 21, further comprising a valve and an intermediate opening that are configured to direct liquid propellant through the opening to establish the shorter configuration.",
"23. The system of claim 21 combined with a solar thermal rocket, comprising:\na solar thermal thruster configured to receive solar energy and direct that energy into the one or more propellants, thereby generating thrust as the energized one or more propellants are expelled from the multi-propellant combustion chamber;\nwherein the rocket cooling system is configured to use the second cooling channel configuration to avoid thruster overheating with higher temperature propellants and use the first cooling channel configuration to avoid thruster overheating with lower temperature propellants.",
"24. The system of claim 21, wherein the cooling network comprises one or more regenerative passages configured to allow the liquid propellant to flow therethrough prior to entering the combustion chamber, such that the liquid propellant is heated and the chamber wall is cooled and preserved.",
"25. The system and rocket of claim 24, wherein the cooling network is further configured to respond to control input by adjusting a deployed length of the one or more regenerative passages.",
"26. A rocket engine configured for use of multiple propellants, the engine comprising:\na thruster comprising one or more cooling channels and configured to:\nheat one or more propellants to generate thrust, and\nadapt for a plurality of different propellant types by adjusting a deployed length of the one or more cooling channels, thereby adjusting a cooling effect in the thruster; and\na store of cleaning propellant,\nwherein the thruster is further configured to periodically use the cleaning propellant to clean an inside surface of the solar thermal thruster and remove deposits made through the operation of the thruster when using the one or more propellants.",
"27. The engine of claim 26, wherein the thruster is further configured to operate with different combinations of depositing propellants and cleaning propellants.",
"28. A method of reducing deposits in a rocket engine system comprising:\nholding a first deposit-forming propellant in a first container;\nholding a deposit-cleaning propellant in a second container;\nproviding a fluid connection between the first and second propellant containers;\nusing a manifold in fluid communication with the fluid connection to select or combine propellant from the containers;\ncontrolling the manifold using a control system to use propellants to reduce deposits within the rocket engine system;\nwherein the method further comprises:\nholding cooling fluid in a third container;\nproviding longer and shorter passages for cooling fluid flow through structural elements of the rocket engine and directing cooling fluid to flow therethrough; and\ncontrolling flow of the cooling fluid through the passages and structural elements to at least periodically cool and maintain structural integrity of the rocket engine."
],
[
"1. A transportation network for obtaining, storing, and providing propellant in space, the network comprising:\nan optical mining vehicle (OMV) comprising:\none or more solar concentrators configured to focus solar energy toward a captured asteroid and spall a surface thereof;\na containment device configured to surround the asteroid and capture material released by the spalling; and\na propellant reservoir configured to store the captured material;\nan orbital transfer vehicle (OTV) comprising:\na solar thermal rocket (STR) propulsion module comprising a solar concentrator configured to focus solar energy on a heat exchanger having a propellant chamber and a nozzle configured to eject propellant at high speed, thereby propelling the module; and\nan aeromaneuvering tanker module (ATM) separable from the STR propulsion module, the ATM comprising a reusable heatshield and a water storage tank; and\na propellant depot positioned between Earth and a transport destination, the depot configured to:\naccept delivery of propellant mined by OMVs from asteroids and delivered by OTVs; and\nmechanically couple to and supply at least a portion of the propellant to visiting space vehicles.",
"2. The transportation network of claim 1, wherein the OMV further comprises:\na positive control device configured to be deployed to position the asteroid within the containment device; and\na STR propulsion module having the same features as the STR propulsion module of the OTV.",
"3. The transportation network of claim 2, wherein the positive control device comprises at least one of the following: a mechatronic device, a net, and a robotic arm.",
"4. The transportation network of claim 1, wherein the OMV further comprises:\na lenticular structure configured to receive and focus solar energy onto a surface of the asteroid to cause spalling.",
"5. The transportation network of claim 1, wherein:\nthe containment device further comprises a deployable asteroid capture and containment bag,\nthe propellant reservoir comprises a cryopump and storage bag, and\nthe OMV further comprises a dust filtration and separation system connecting the deployable asteroid capture and containment bag and the cryopump and storage bag.",
"6. The transportation network of claim 1, wherein the OTV comprises a reusable heat shield for aeromaneuvering and a modular vehicle architecture for in-space reusability.",
"7. The transportation network of claim 1, wherein the OTV is configured to use sunlight for power, thereby avoiding dependence on chemical reactions, and the OTV is configured to contain asteroid-derived volatiles in a chamber formed from an inert and non-reactive ceramic or oxide material, thereby avoiding chemical reactions while using the asteroid-derived volatiles as propellant.",
"8. The transportation network of claim 1, wherein the solar concentrators are lightweight and inflatable and further configured to provide direct solar thermal power and electric propulsion.",
"9. The transportation network of claim 1, wherein the solar concentrator of the OTV's STR propulsion module comprises one or more inflatable reflectors.",
"10. The transportation network of claim 1, wherein the OTV is further configured to fly on a recirculating route between a propellant depot and at least one of low earth orbit (LEO) and geostationary earth orbit (GEO), by incorporating in the OTV:\na heat shield; and\nat least one of the following in the OTV: an attachable reservoir, maneuvering features, or a transceiver for control signals.",
"11. The transportation network of claim 1, wherein the OTV further comprises a high-temperature phase change material configured to:\nstore heat energy from the reusable heatshield or a main reflector; and\nenergize the STR propulsion module for attitude control and small Delta-V functions.",
"12. The transportation network of claim 1, wherein the solar concentrator is further configured to rotate around at least two axes to allow the nozzle to be repositioned to point in any direction relative to the sun.",
"13. The transportation network of claim 1, wherein the solar concentrator comprises:\na primary reflector having a substantially parabolic shape that is numerically-optimized and configured to receive and reflect the solar energy; and\na Winston Cone sub-reflector configured to receive the solar energy reflected from the primary reflector and reflect the solar energy to the heat exchanger via an entrance pupil.",
"14. The transportation network of claim 13, wherein the OTV further comprises:\na light tube connected to the heat exchanger; and\na light tube adaptor cone connecting the light tube to Winston Cone sub-reflector and configured to reduce the solar intensity in the light tube and reduce tube losses by minimizing the total number of internal reflections.",
"15. A method for obtaining, storing, and providing propellant in space, the method comprising:\nsurrounding an asteroid with a containment device of an optical mining vehicle (OMV);\nfocusing solar energy toward the contained asteroid and spalling a surface thereof using one or more solar concentrators of the OMV;\ncapturing material released by the spalling using the containment device;\nstoring the captured material in a propellant reservoir of the OMV;\ndelivering the captured material from the OMV to a propellant depot using an orbital transfer vehicle (OTV), the propellant depot positioned between earth and a transport destination; and\nmechanically coupling to and supplying at least a portion of the propellant to visiting space vehicles by the propellant depot.",
"16. An orbital transportation network system configured to perform the steps of claim 15, the system comprising:\nan orbital transport vehicle; and\nat least one propellant storage depot configured to orbit around a celestial body and store propellant in space for use by multiple orbital transport vehicles by locating the propellant in at least one of the following:\nLow-Earth Orbit (LEO) to facilitate payload delivery by launch vehicles,\nGeostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) to facilitate coordination with satellites, or\nLunar Distant Retrograde Orbit (LDRO) or another stable orbit, minimizing use of propellant to maintain orbit.",
"17. The system of claim 16, wherein the orbital transport vehicle incorporates anidolic optical features and Solar Thermal Rocket (STR) propulsion such that the optical features capture and direct solar rays toward a heat exchanger to heat propellant and induce propellant expulsion.",
"18. The system of claim 17, where the anidolic optical features comprise at least one of the following: parabolic reflectors, plane reflectors, Winston cones, and light tubes.",
"19. The system of claim 16, wherein the orbital transport vehicle is configured to use water as the propellant for propelling the orbital transport vehicle and includes a water storage tank positioned for fluid communication with the heat exchanger.",
"20. The system of claim 16, wherein the orbital transport vehicle is configured to use at least one volatile compound as the propellant for propelling the orbital transport vehicle by providing a reservoir shaped for storage of the compound, a heat exchanger configured to accept solar energy and convey that energy to the compound, an access passage for the compound to flow from the reservoir to the heat exchanger, and a nozzle configured to generate thrust and direct the vehicle.",
"21. The system of claim 20, wherein the volatile compound used as propellant by the orbital transport vehicle is mined from at least one asteroid using direct solar thermal power from inflatable reflectors.",
"22. The system of claim 16, wherein the orbital transport vehicle comprises:\na Solar Thermal Rocket (STR) Propulsion Module; and\nan Aero-Maneuvering Tanker Module.",
"23. The system of claim 17, wherein the orbital transport vehicle further comprises:\none or more precision, lightweight inflatable solar concentrators comprising anidolic optics;\none or more solar thermal rockets (STRs) configured to use water as a propellant;\none or more reusable heat shields configured for use during aeromanuevering of the orbital transport vehicle;\na modular vehicle architecture for in-space reusability; and\nteleoperated docking and water transfer devices configured to be used at cis-lunar distances.",
"24. A method for transporting a payload from one orbit to another, comprising:\nspecifying or identifying a current orbital location of the payload;\nspecifying or identifying a destination orbital location for the payload;\nproviding an orbital transport vehicle (OTV) configured to:\nattach and separate from payload vehicles,\nadjust to different payload masses and centers of mass, and\naccept fuel at a space-located propellant depot,\nthe OTV comprising a propulsion system configured to deliver large velocity changes;\nlocating the OTV at any of Low-Earth Orbit (LEO), Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO), Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) in Native Orbits, Lunar Distant Retrograde Orbit (LDRO), or Heliocentric Orbit;\nmoving the orbital transport vehicle to the current orbital location of the payload; and\ntransporting the payload to the destination orbit.",
"25. The method of claim 24, further comprising:\nmoving the orbital transport vehicle to a propellant storage depot; and\nreplenishing the orbital transport vehicle with propellant from the propellant storage depot.",
"26. A method for delivering propellant to a spacecraft in any of Low-Earth Orbit (LEO), Geostationary Earth Orbit (GRO), Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) in Native Orbits, Lunar Distant Retrograde Orbit (LDRO), or Heliocentric Orbit, the method comprising:\nspecifying or identifying a current orbital location of the spacecraft;\nlocating an orbital transport vehicle at any of LEO, GEO, LDRO, or Heliocentric Orbit;\nmoving the orbital transport vehicle to the current orbital location of the spacecraft; and\ndelivering propellant to the spacecraft.",
"27. The method of claim 26, further comprising:\nmoving the orbital transport vehicle to a propellant storage depot; and\nreplenishing the orbital transport vehicle with propellant from the propellant storage depot.",
"28. The method of claim 24, further comprising:\nproviding an orbital transport vehicle (OTV) configured to: attach and separate from payload vehicles, adjust to different payload masses and centers of mass, and accept fuel at a space-located propellant depot, the OTV comprising a Solar Thermal Rocket (STR) Propulsion module and an Aero-Maneuvering Tanker module, the OTV having a present orbit;\nusing the OTV propulsion system to move the OTV from its present orbit to LEO;\nseparating the STR Propulsion module from the Aero-Maneuvering Tanker module of the OTV prior to reaching LEO;\nusing the STR Propulsion module to perform a periapsis burn propulsively;\nusing the Aero-Maneuvering Tanker module to perform aerobraking; and\nreconnecting the STR Propulsion module and the Aero-Maneuvering Tanker module once in LEO."
],
[
"1. A spacecraft, comprising:\na spacecraft bus including an additive manufacturing system having a fixed initial base structure prior to entering a space environment, wherein the additive manufacturing system includes at least one extruder for delivering feedstock to the initial base structure to print an object located in, and directly exposed to, environmental effects of the space environment of space outside of the spacecraft bus;\na sensor of the spacecraft bus determines a pose of the spacecraft bus relative to an astronomical body; and\nat least one processor in communication with the additive manufacturing system and the sensor, controls an operation of the fixed initial base structure supporting the at least one extruder of the additive manufacturing system via an internal additive manufacturing system positioning system as a function of the pose of the spacecraft bus that includes controlling at least one environmental effect of the environmental effects of the space environment by movement of the spacecraft bus, and moving the fixed initial base structure supporting the at least one extruder with the feedstock to different manufacturing locations located in, and directly exposed to, the environmental effects of the space environment of space outside of the spacecraft bus while the at least one extruder is extruding feedstock to the fixed initial base structure to the different manufacturing locations, based on the pose of the spacecraft bus, wherein the manufactured object upon completion includes the fixed initial base structure and is operationally controllable by the at least one processor via the controlling of the additive manufacturing system.",
"2. The spacecraft of claim 1, wherein the pose of the spacecraft bus includes one or combination of an attitude of the spacecraft bus and an orbital position of the spacecraft bus with respect to the astronomical body, such that the astronomical body is from the group consisting of the Sun, the Earth, the Moon or fixed stars.",
"3. The spacecraft of claim 1, further comprising:\na command system in communication with the at least one processor and the additive manufacturing system, for determining, controlling, or both, environmental conditions of an area in space proximal the at least one extruder, wherein the at least one processor controls the operation of the additive manufacturing system as a function of the pose of the spacecraft bus, in combination with the command system for determination of the environmental conditions or the control of the environmental conditions, of the area in space proximal to the at least one extruder.",
"4. The spacecraft of claim 3, further comprising:\nat least one temperature sensor in communication with the command system, determines a temperature of the area in space proximal to the at least one extruder, wherein the at least one processor controls the operation of the additive manufacturing system as a function of the pose of the spacecraft bus in combination with the determined temperature, when the determined temperature is within a predetermined range.",
"5. The spacecraft of claim 4, wherein the predetermined temperature range for the operation of the additive manufacturing system is within a range of 10 to 50 degrees Centigrade or 180 to 350 degrees Centigrade.",
"6. The spacecraft of claim 3, further comprising:\nat least one sensor in communication with the command system, determines a light level originating from space, proximal the at least one extruder, wherein the at least one processor controls the operation of the additive manufacturing system as a function of the pose of the spacecraft bus in combination with the determined level of the light, when the determined level of the light is within a predetermined range.",
"7. The spacecraft of claim 6, wherein the predetermined range for the determined level of the light is within a range of 0.0001 milliwatt per square centimeter (10 watt/m3) to 10.000 milliwatt per square centimeter (10 Kwatt/m3).",
"8. The spacecraft of claim 3, further comprising:\nat least one controllable light reflector in communication with the command system, controllably reflects a level of light onto a surface of the feedstock, such that the at least one controllable light reflector controllably emits, reflects, or blocks a level of light onto a surface of the feedstock, wherein the feedstock is a light-curable material, and the light is a light originating from space, wherein the at least one processor controls the operation of the at least one controllable light reflector as a function of the pose of the spacecraft bus.",
"9. The spacecraft of claim 6, further comprising:\nat least one controllable protective shield in communication with the command system, controllably shields an amount of exposure of the light proximal the at least one extruder, wherein the at least one processor controls the at least one protective shield as a function of the pose of the spacecraft bus in combination with the determined level of the light, when the determined level of the light is within a predetermined range.",
"10. The spacecraft of claim 3, wherein the feedstock is a light curable feedstock.",
"11. The spacecraft of claim 3, further comprising:\nat least one controllable light source in communication with the command system, projecting one or more light beam onto a surface of the feedstock, such that the feedstock is a light-curable material, wherein the at least one processor controls the light source as a function of the pose of the spacecraft bus in combination with a level of the light from the controllable light source.",
"12. The spacecraft of claim 1, further comprising:\nat least one controllable device such as an imaging device or camera in communication with the at least one processor and the additive manufacturing system, generates images while the feedstock is extruded from the at least one extruder onto the initial base structure, and based on the images, adaptively controls a rate of extrusion of the feedstock from the at least one extruder, a rate of relative motion between the at least one extruder to the initial base structure, or both.",
"13. The spacecraft of claim 1, further comprising:\nat least one attitude control system mounted on the spacecraft bus for providing a motive force to maintain the pose of the spacecraft bus at or near a set of target poses, wherein the set of target poses are determined by a set of predetermined poses stored in a memory in communication with the at least one processor.",
"14. The spacecraft of claim 13, wherein the attitude control system is composed of one or more of reaction wheels, control moment gyroscopes, magnetic torquers, cold-gas thrusters, monopropellant thrusters, bipropellant thrusters, hall effect thrusters or ion thrusters.",
"15. The spacecraft of claim 1, further comprising:\nat least one controllable feedstock deflector positioned approximate the at least one extruder and in communication with the at least one processor, controls flow of the feedstock during extrusion to form at least one surface of the manufactured object, wherein the at least one processor controls the feedstock deflector as a function of a rate of extrusion of the feedstock from the at least one extruder, a rate of relative motion between the at least one extruder to the initial base structure, or both.",
"16. The spacecraft of claim 1, wherein the internal additive manufacturing system positioning system is a positioning system mounted within the additive manufacturing system, includes a telescoping linear ram having multiple telescoping sections connected to a pair of rotary joints and the initial base structure, wherein the pair of rotary joints include a first rotary joint attached to an end of the telescoping linear ram and a second rotary joint is attached to the initial base structure, such that the initial base structure moves relative to the at least one extruder that is fixed to an outer surface of the additive manufacturing system, while the fixed extruder extrudes the feedstock to print the object, wherein the at least one processor determines a relative motion between the initial base structure and the fixed extruder during extrusion of the feedstock, based on a set of predetermined additive manufacturing actions stored in a memory in communication with the at least one processor.",
"17. The spacecraft of claim 1, wherein the manufactured object is one or a combination of a non-foldable object, a non-planar structure, a flat object, a partially complete object structure.",
"18. The spacecraft of claim 1, further comprising:\na second extruder fixed to an outer surface of the additive manufacturing system, the second extruder having one or more feedstock, such that the one or feedstock includes a self-adhesive conductive foil that is one of an aluminum foil, a copper foil or gold foil.",
"19. The spacecraft of claim 1, wherein a size of the manufactured object includes at least one dimension of a diagonal dimension of the manufactured object that is greater than any set of dimensions or diagonal dimensions for all internal enclosures of the spacecraft bus which prevents the manufactured object from being inserted within or enclosed by, any internal enclosures of the spacecraft bus.",
"20. The spacecraft of claim 1, wherein the manufactured object includes materials from the group consisting of the feedstock, the initial base structure and a metamaterial array, such that the manufactured object is one of an antenna, an antenna component, an antenna that includes a parabolic reflector or a meta-material beam shaper.",
"21. The spacecraft of claim 20, where the antenna parabolic reflector is rendered reflective to a band of radio frequencies.",
"22. The spacecraft of claim 16, wherein the manufactured antenna has a length approximate an extended length of the telescoping linear ram.",
"23. The spacecraft of claim 20, wherein the metamaterial array is a metamaterial, such that the metamaterial is applied by a second extruder positioned on an outer surface of the spacecraft bus, and the metamaterial is stored as a feedstock roll of self-adhesive metamaterial patterns.",
"24. The spacecraft of claim 20, wherein the metamaterial array is a metamaterial, such that the metamaterial is extruded by a second extruder positioned on an outer surface of the spacecraft bus, and the metamaterial is a conductive material that provides at least one metamaterial behavior to the manufactured object.",
"25. The spacecraft of claim 24, wherein the metamaterial is extruded by the second extruder into a set of shapes on the partially printed object, such that the set of shapes provide a predetermined capacitance behavior, a predetermined inductance behavior or a predetermined resonance behavior, within a predetermined radiofrequency (RF) operating frequency band, to provide an RF metamaterial behavior to the manufactured object.",
"26. The spacecraft of claim 1, wherein the operation of the additive manufacturing system includes moving the at least one extruder from an internal enclosure of the spacecraft bus to outside of the spacecraft bus, based on the pose of the spacecraft bus.",
"27. The spacecraft of claim 1, wherein the additive manufacturing system includes one of a three degree of freedom printer, a four degree of freedom printer, a five degree of freedom printer, or a six degree of freedom printer.",
"28. A spacecraft, comprising:\na spacecraft bus having internal enclosures, wherein each internal enclosure has a set of dimensions including diagonal dimensions;\nan additive manufacturing system having a fixed initial base structure of the spacecraft bus and includes at least one extruder for delivering feedstock to the fixed initial base structure to print an object outside of the spacecraft bus, the object is located in, and directly exposed to, environmental effects of a space environment of space;\na sensor of the spacecraft bus for determining a pose of the spacecraft bus relative to an astronomical body; and\nat least one processor in communication with the additive manufacturing system and the sensor, controls an operation of the fixed initial base structure supporting the at least one extruder of the additive manufacturing system as a function of the pose of the spacecraft bus that includes controlling at least one environmental effect of the environmental effects of the space environment by movement of the spacecraft bus, and moving the fixed initial base structure supporting the at least one extruder with the feedstock to different manufacturing locations located in, and directly exposed to, the environmental effects of the space environment of space outside of the spacecraft bus while the at least one extruder is extruding feedstock to the fixed initial base structure to the different manufacturing locations, based on the pose of the spacecraft bus,\nwherein the manufactured object upon completion includes the fixed initial base structure and is operationally controllable by the at least one processor via the controlling of the additive manufacturing system.",
"29. A spacecraft, comprising:\na spacecraft bus having internal enclosures, wherein each internal enclosure has a set of dimensions including diagonal dimensions;\nan additive manufacturing system having an initial base structure fixed to an outer surface of the additive manufacturing system of the spacecraft bus and includes at least one extruder for delivering feedstock to the initial base structure to print an object located in, and directly exposed to, environmental effects of a space environment of space outside of the spacecraft bus;\na sensor of the spacecraft bus determines a pose of the spacecraft bus relative to an astronomical body;\na command system in communication the additive manufacturing system and the sensor, for determining, controlling or both, environmental conditions of an area in space proximal the at least one extruder; and\nat least one processor controls the operation of the initial base structure supporting the at least one extruder of the additive manufacturing system as a function of the pose of the spacecraft bus, that includes controlling at least one environmental effect of the environmental effects of the space environment by movement of the spacecraft bus, and moving the initial base structure supporting the at least one extruder with the feedstock to different manufacturing locations located in, and directly exposed to, the environmental effects of the space environment of space outside of the spacecraft bus, while the at least one extruder is extruding feedstock to the initial base structure to the different manufacturing locations, based on the pose of the spacecraft bus, and in combination with the command system for determination of the environmental conditions or control of the at least one environmental condition of the area in space proximal to the at least one extruder,\nwherein the manufactured object upon completion includes the initial base structure and is operationally controllable by the at least one processor via the controlling of the additive manufacturing system.",
"30. The spacecraft of claim 1, wherein the environmental effects of the space environment include one or a combination of light, radiation or temperature.",
"31. The spacecraft of claim 29, wherein the controlling the spacecraft pose, controls the orientation of the spacecraft relative to the astronomical body, that also includes one or a combination of controlling a rate of change of light, a rate of change of radiation, a rate of change of temperature, a rate of change of other environmental conditions of space or an amount of temperature, by the movement of spacecraft bus.",
"32. A spacecraft, comprising:\na spacecraft bus having internal enclosures, wherein each internal enclosure has a set of dimensions including diagonal dimensions;\nan additive manufacturing system having an initial base structure fixed to an outer surface of the additive manufacturing system of the spacecraft bus and includes at least one extruder for delivering feedstock to the initial base structure to print an object located in, and directly exposed to, environmental effects of a space environment of space outside of the spacecraft bus;\na sensor of the spacecraft bus determines a pose of the spacecraft bus relative to an astronomical body;\na command system in communication the additive manufacturing system and the sensor, for determining, controlling or both, environmental conditions of an area in space proximal the at least one extruder; and\nat least one processor controls the operation of the initial base structure supporting the at least one extruder of the additive manufacturing system as a function of the pose of the spacecraft bus, that includes controlling at least one environmental effect of the environmental effects of the space environment by movement of the spacecraft bus, and moving the initial base structure supporting the at least one extruder with the feedstock to different manufacturing locations located in, and directly exposed to, the environmental effects of the space environment of space outside of the spacecraft bus, while the at least one extruder is extruding feedstock to the initial base structure to the different manufacturing locations, based on the pose of the spacecraft bus, and in combination with the command system for determination of the environmental conditions or control of the at least one environmental condition of the area in space proximal to the at least one extruder,\nwherein the controlling of the at least one environmental condition of the environmental conditions, of the area in space proximal to the at least one extruder or other components, includes one or a combination of controllable reflectors, controllable light deflectors, controllable heating and cooling devices, controllable light sources, controllable protective shields or controllable devices including video and camera devices, and\nwherein the manufactured object upon completion includes the initial base structure and is operationally controllable by the at least one processor via the controlling of the additive manufacturing system."
],
[
"1. A space-based solar power station comprising:\na plurality of independently operable unconnected compactible satellite modules disposed in space in an orbital array formation, wherein each of the compactible satellite modules comprises:\na plurality of moveably interconnected structural elements each having a finite thickness and are foldable relative to each other along at least one fold axis via a slip-fold and are configured to slip relative to each other in a direction parallel to the at least one fold axis such that the dimensional extent of the satellite modules is compactible;\na plurality of independent power generation tiles disposed on each of the plurality of moveably interconnected structural elements, each of the independent power generation tiles having at least one photovoltaic cell and at least one power transmitter collocated thereon, the at least one photovoltaic cell and the at least one power transmitter in signal communication with each other such that an electrical current generated by the collection of solar radiation by the at least one photovoltaic cell powers the at least one power transmitter, and where each of the at least one power transmitters comprises:\nan antenna configured to receive a radio frequency power signal; and\ncontrol electronics in signal communication with the antenna and configured to control the phase of the radio frequency power signal such that the at least one power transmitter is in phased signal coordination with at least one other power transmitter on the plurality of other power generation tiles thereby forming an independent phased array of power transmitters;\nwherein the independent phased array of power transmitters is configured to transmit a power signal to a remote location.",
"2. The space-based power station of claim 1, wherein the folded movably interconnected structural elements are further configured to wrap about a wrap axis with a rotational symmetry.",
"3. The space-based solar power station of claim 1, wherein the plurality of moveably interconnected structural elements are configured to slip a predetermined distance relative to each other.",
"4. The space-based solar power station of claim 3, wherein the moveably interconnected structural elements further comprise at least one open space formed along at least a portion of the at least one fold axis between the structural elements.",
"5. The space-based solar power station of claim 4, further comprising interconnections along at least another portion of the at least one fold axis that bridge the at least one open space.",
"6. The space-based solar power station of claim 5, wherein the interconnections along at least another portion of the at least one fold axis comprise ligament folds.",
"7. The space-based solar power station of claim 5, wherein the interconnections along at least another portion of the at least one fold axis are at least one hinge selected from the group consisting of latachable, frictionless, and slippage.",
"8. The space-based solar power station of claim 3, wherein the folded moveably interconnected structural elements form a stack having a first and second longitudinal end running transverse to the fold axis.",
"9. The space-based solar power station of claim 8, wherein the stack of a plurality of moveably interconnected structural elements is configured to wrap into a curved structure having a bend radius at which plastic deformation of the moveably interconnected structural elements is avoided.",
"10. The space-based solar power station of claim 9, wherein the bend radius does not exceed a minimum bend radius Rmin given by:\n1\n𝑅\nmin\n=\n2\n\n𝜎\n𝑦\nEh\nwhere h is the thickness of the individual structural elements, E is the material modulus of the structural elements, and σy is the yield stress of the structural elements.",
"11. The space-based solar power station of claim 9, wherein the plurality of moveably interconnected structural elements are configured such that when disposed in a wrapped configuration the first and second longitudinal ends of the stack of a plurality of structural elements undergo no slip relative to each other.",
"12. The space-based solar power station of claim 1, wherein the plurality of moveably interconnected structural elements are configured to compact such that a packaging efficiency, of the satellite module when in a compacted state, as determined by the ratio of the packaged volume of the compacted satellite module to the material volume of the satellite module, is greater than 50%.",
"13. The space-based solar power station of claim 12, wherein the moveably interconnected structural elements have a deployed dimensionalized length λ ranging from 103 to 106 and a dimensionalized spacing ϕ between the moveably interconnected structural elements in a compacted state between 1 and 1.5 wherein the dimensionalized length and spacing are determined based on the overall packing efficiency.",
"14. The space-based solar power station of claim 3, wherein each of the plurality of independent power generation tiles further comprise a plurality of moveable interconnection elements; and where the at least one photovoltaic cell and the at least one power transmitter of each independent power generation tile are movable relative to each other via the moveable interconnection elements.",
"15. The space-based solar power station of claim 14, wherein the moveable interconnection elements of the power generation tiles are interconnected through one or more resilient members.",
"16. The space-based solar power station of claim 14, wherein at least the photovoltaic cell and the power transmitter on each power generation tile are disposed on separate moveable interconnection elements such that an offset transverse to the planes of the photovoltaic cell and power transmitter is opened therebetween when the separate moveable elements are displaced.",
"17. The space-based solar power station of claim 16, wherein the separate moveable elements are interconnected through one or more resilient members.",
"18. The space-based solar power station of claim 17, wherein the resilient members are springs.",
"19. The space-based solar power station of claim 18, wherein the resilient members and the power transmitter are configured to compact within the same plane.",
"20. The space-based solar power station of claim 16, further comprising one or more conductive elements that extend between the offset to conductively couple the power transmitter and the photovoltaic cell.",
"21. The space-based solar power station of claim 14, wherein each of the independent power generation tiles further comprise one or more collectors configured to concentrate incoming solar radiation onto each of the photovoltaic cells, and wherein the collectors are configured to engage with one or more resilient support structures configured to displace the collectors into and out of the plane of the photovoltaic cell.",
"22. The space-based power station of claim 1, wherein the moveably interconnected structural elements are under a prestress tensional force, the prestress tensional force being sufficient to resist any out-of-plane spatial deformation of the satellite module.",
"23. The space-based power station of claim 22, further comprising at least one stabilizing boom arm connected to the plurality of moveably interconnected structural elements wherein the prestress tensional force is distributed across the plurality of moveably interconnected structural elements through the at least one stabilizing boom arm.",
"24. The space-based power station of claim 22, wherein the prestress tension is distributed across the structural elements by one or more weighted elements being subject to a centrifugal force applied by the rotation of the satellite module.",
"25. The space-based power station of claim 22, wherein the plurality of moveably interconnected structural elements are interconnected through a plurality of slip-folds each having a slip fold axis, and wherein the prestress tensional force is distributed anisotropically across the plurality of moveably interconnected structural elements such that the tension applied along each slip-fold axis is much greater than the tension applied transverse to each slip-fold axis.",
"26. The space-based power station of claim 25, wherein the edges of the structural elements transverse to each slip-fold axis are continuously interconnected with respect to each other, and wherein the prestress tensional force is distributed to the plurality of structural elements through the edges of the structural elements.",
"27. The space-based power station of claim 22, wherein the plurality of structural elements comprise a plurality of edges, and wherein the edges of the structural elements are disposed in a parabolic profile.",
"28. The space-based power station of claim 22, wherein the structural elements comprise an outer supportive frame through which the prestress tension is applied, the power generation tiles being disposed within the outer supportive frame such that no prestress tension is distributed into the power generation tiles.",
"29. The space-based power station of claim 1, further comprising a deployment mechanism configured to engage with the at least two structural elements to apply a force thereto such that the elements are moved relative to each other on application of the force.",
"30. The space-based power station of claim 29, wherein the deployment mechanism comprises one or more booms configured to elongate.",
"31. The space-based power station of claim 29, wherein the deployment mechanism comprises weighted elements, and wherein the force is applied by rotation of the satellite module."
],
[
"1. A space vehicle system comprising: a landing pad;\na plurality of cables arranged above the landing pad, wherein the plurality of cables define an opening;\na cable support structure mounted to the landing pad;\na plurality of temporary restraints mounted to the cable support structure, wherein each of the temporary restraints is releasably secured to a medial portion of a corresponding one of the cables and releasably holds the corresponding cable in a stored position around the opening; and\na space vehicle having an engagement device attached thereto, wherein each of the temporary restraints is configured to release the medial portion of the corresponding cable as the space vehicle descends through the opening toward the landing pad, whereby the engagement device is configured to engage at least one of the cables, and whereby the at least one cable at least temporarily supports the space vehicle above the landing pad.",
"2. The system of claim 1 wherein each of the cables is moveable from the stored position to a deployed position in which the cables extends across the opening, and wherein the engagement device is configured to engage the at least one cable when the plurality of cables are in the deployed position.",
"3. The system of claim 1 wherein the opening has a central portion, and wherein each of the cables is movable from the stored position spaced apart from the central portion toward a deployed position proximate the central portion, and wherein the engagement device is configured to engage the at least one cable proximate the central portion of the opening.",
"4. The system of claim 1 wherein the space vehicle is configured to descend through the opening in a tail-first direction.",
"5. The system of claim 1 wherein the space vehicle has a forward end and an aft end, wherein the engagement device is attached toward the forward end, and wherein the space vehicle further includes one or more rocket engines attached toward the aft end.",
"6. The system of claim 1 wherein the space vehicle has a forward end and an aft end, wherein the engagement device is attached toward the forward end, wherein the space vehicle further includes one or more rocket engines attached toward the aft end, and wherein the space vehicle is configured to move through the opening in a tail-first direction while the one or more rocket engines are thrusting.",
"7. The system of claim 1 wherein the space vehicle further includes a deployable mast, wherein the engagement device is attached to a distal end portion of the deployable mast, and wherein the deployable mast is moveable from a stored position in which the engagement device is positioned proximate the space vehicle to a deployed position in which the engagement device is spaced apart from the space vehicle to engage the at least one cable.",
"8. The system of claim 1 wherein the space vehicle is a booster stage of a multistage rocket.",
"9. The system of claim 1 wherein the landing pad is positioned on a floating structure in a body of water.",
"10. A space vehicle landing system, comprising: a landing pad;\na support structure positioned on the landing pad, wherein the support structure includes a plurality of elevated members that define a frame around an opening, and wherein the opening is sized to permit a space vehicle to pass therethrough; and\na plurality of cables carried by the frame, wherein at least one of the cables has a first end portion attached to a first portion of the frame, a second end portion attached to a second portion of the frame, and a medial portion releasably held in a stored position by a temporary restraint attached to a third portion of the frame, wherein the third portion of the frame is positioned between the first and second portions, and wherein the temporary restraint is configured to release the medial portion from the frame and permit the at least one cable to move from the stored position around the opening to a deployed position extending across the opening to engage and arrest the space vehicle as the space vehicle passes through the opening.",
"11. The space vehicle landing system of claim 10, further comprising a cable retraction system operably coupled to at least one of the first or second end portions of the at least one cable, wherein the cable retraction system is configured to retract the at least one cable towards at least one of the first or second portions of the frame when the temporary restraint releases the medial portion of the at least one cable.",
"12. The space vehicle landing system of claim 10 wherein the frame is a multi-sided frame, wherein the first portion of the frame is a first corner portion of the frame, the second portion of the frame is a second corner portion of the frame, and the third portion of frame is a third corner portion of the frame, and wherein the at least one cable extends across the opening from the first corner portion to the second corner portion when the cable is in the deployed position.",
"13. The space vehicle landing system of claim 10\nwherein the at least one cable is a first one of the cables and the temporary restraint is a first temporary restraint,\nwherein a second one of the cables has a first end portion attached to the first portion of the frame, a second end portion attached to the second portion of the frame, and a medial portion releasably held in a stored position by a second temporary restraint attached to a fourth corner portion of the frame, wherein the fourth portion of the frame is positioned between the first and second portions and opposite to the third portion,\nwherein the second temporary restraint is configured to release the medial portion of the second one of the cables from the frame and permit the second one of the cables to move from the stored position to the deployed position, and\nwherein the first and second ones of the cables extend across the opening from the first portion of the frame to the second portion of the frame when the first and second ones of the cables are in the deployed position.",
"14. The space vehicle landing system of claim 10\nwherein the at least one cable is a first one of the cables and the temporary restraint is a first temporary restraint,\nwherein a second one of the cables has a first end portion attached to the third portion of the frame, a second end portion attached to a fourth portion of the frame, and a medial portion releasably held in a stored position by a second temporary restraint attached to the first portion of the frame, wherein the first portion of the frame is positioned between the third and fourth portions,\nwherein the second temporary restraint is configured to release the medial portion of the second one of the cables from the frame and permit the second one of the cables to move from the stored position to the deployed position,\nwherein the first one of the cables extends across the opening from the first portion of the frame to the second portion of the frame when the first one of the cables is in the deployed position, and\nwherein the second one of the cables extends across the first one of the cables from the third portion of the frame to the fourth portion of the frame when the second one of the cables is in the deployed position.",
"15. A space vehicle vertical landing system comprising:\na plurality of cables defining an opening above a landing platform;\na plurality of temporary restraints, wherein each of the temporary restraints is releasably secured to a medial portion of a corresponding cable and releasably holds the corresponding cable in a stored position around the opening; and\na controller configured to execute instructions stored on non-transitory computer-readable media that cause the landing system to perform a method comprising: detecting a position of a space vehicle relative to the opening; and\nwhen the space vehicle is at least proximate to the opening, causing the temporary restraints to release the medial portions of the corresponding cables, whereby at least one of the cables engages and restrains the space vehicle above the landing platform.",
"16. The space vehicle landing system of claim 15 wherein causing the temporary restraints to release the medial portions of the corresponding cables causes at least a first cable and a second cable to move toward each other and extend across the opening to engage the space vehicle.",
"17. The space vehicle landing system of claim 15 wherein the space vehicle is moving in a tail-first direction and includes an engagement device positioned toward a forward portion thereof, and wherein causing the temporary restraints to release the medial portions of the corresponding cables causes the at least one cable to engage the engagement device.",
"18. The space vehicle landing system of claim 15 wherein the method further comprises, after causing the temporary restraints to release the medial portions of the corresponding cables, tensioning\nthe cables so that they extend generally across the opening."
],
[
"1. A system for removing debris, comprising:\na plurality of active debris removal (ADR) vehicles for removing a rocket body, each of the plurality of ADR vehicles are delivered to space by a single launch vehicle and comprise a cowcatcher attached to a front of each of the plurality of ADR vehicles, and the cowcatcher configured to protect instruments and mechanisms on each of the plurality of ADr vehicles when entering a nozzle of the rocket body, wherein\nthe single launch vehicle comprises a payload, the payload comprising the plurality of ADR vehicles,\neach of the plurality of ADR vehicles is oriented upside down on the payload with respect to the single launch vehicle, and\nthe cowcatcher for each of the plurality of ADR vehicles is oriented towards a base of the single launch vehicle to transmit launch loads from the single launch vehicle to each of the plurality of ADR vehicles.",
"2. The system of claim 1, wherein the launch vehicle releases each of the plurality of ADR vehicles in succession.",
"3. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of ADR vehicles loiters in orbit until a target plane assigned to the respective vehicle is near the respective vehicle plane.",
"4. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of ADR vehicles is further configured to rendezvous with an assigned target.",
"5. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of ADR vehicles is further configured to analyze an assigned target prior to capturing the assigned target.",
"6. The system of claim 5, wherein each of the plurality of ADR vehicles is further configured to capture the assigned target.",
"7. The system of claim 5, wherein each of the plurality of ADR vehicles is further configured to capture another pre-assigned target when the assigned target is not capturable.",
"8. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of ADR vehicles is further configured to deorbit an assigned captured target.",
"9. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of ADR vehicles is further configured to deorbit itself when failure to capture the target occurs.",
"10. The system of claim 1, further comprising:\na ground support and operations unit configured to simultaneously plan, navigate and perform operations on each of the plurality of ADR vehicles to capture and deorbit a plurality of targets.",
"11. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of ADR vehicles are clustered on the payload, and are independently targeted and independently operated.",
"12. The system of claim 1, wherein\nthe cowcatcher comprises a gridded frame to protect a corresponding one of the plurality of ADR vehicles when entering the nozzle of the rocket body, and\nthe gridded frame comprises an outer ring and an inner ring, the outer ring being larger than the inner ring, forming a shape of an internal nozzle of the rocket body."
],
[
"1. A multiple projectile launch system comprising:\na plurality of launch mechanisms configured to accelerate a respective projectile each;\na first control system configured to coordinate the acceleration of the respective projectiles in the respective plurality of launch mechanisms; and\na second control system, disposed in one or more of the respective projectiles, configured to assemble one or more of the respective projectiles in flight after launch.",
"2. The multiple projectile launch system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of launch mechanisms comprises one or more of a ram accelerator, a kinetic energy launch system, a hybrid launch system, a chemical rocket system, an electric propulsion launch system, or combinations thereof.",
"3. The multiple projectile launch system of claim 1, wherein the first control system configured to stage a first projectile from a first system and a second projectile in a second system such that the first projectile in the first system experiences a lower g-load than the second projectile in the second system.",
"4. The multiple projectile launch system of claim 1, wherein\none or more of the respective projectiles comprises one or more of a tether system, a locking mechanism, a propellant transfer system, or combinations thereof; and\nthe second control system is configured to activate the one or more of the tether system, the locking mechanism, the propellant transfer system, or combinations thereof to act on at least one other of the respective projectiles.",
"5. The multiple projectile launch system of claim 1, further comprising an onsite distribution system configured to, upon request of a user, select and load into two or more of the plurality of launch mechanisms two or more projectiles, and launch the selected and loaded two or more projectiles."
]
] |
in the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to aia 35 u.s.c. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-aia 35 u.s.c. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from aia to pre-aia ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
the following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 u.s.c. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this office action:
a person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
(a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
claims 1, 10, 11 and 21-25 are rejected under 35 u.s.c. 102a1/a2 as being anticipated by goodfellow (us 2009/0229240).
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in regards to independent claim 1, and with particular reference to figures 1-3 and marked-up figure 1 above, goodfellow discloses a combined chemical-microwave-electrothermal thruster system (purely preamble, chemical portion 110; microwave-electrothermal portion 120, par. 32 teaches using microwave energy; par. 27 teaches combining these two types of engines) for use in a spacecraft (title, abstract, par. 1, par. 24 teaches spacecraft for aerospace applications), the thruster system comprising:
a cavity (refer to maker-up figures 1 above showing two interpretations) including at least one inlet (the inlet for the propellant(s) 112) to receive a first fluid (fuel or oxidizer; par. 25) and a second fluid (oxidizer or fuel; par. 25) configured to chemically react with the first fluid within the cavity to generate a reaction product in one or more chemical reactions (hot gas 116 generated in the cavity by the one or more chemical reactions between the first fluid and the second fluid, par. 24 teaches exhaust gas 116 is derived from the propellants 112);
an energy source (122) coupled to the cavity and configured to heat content of the cavity by emitting electromagnetic radiation (par. 32 teaches ionizing the exhaust gas 116 by the plasma generator 122); and
a nozzle (the outlet of the cavity in interpretation 1; 118 in interpretation 2) provided at one end of the cavity and configured to direct the heated cavity content out of the cavity to generate thrust (abstract, thruster system 100 is for generating thrust, par. 22),
wherein the content of the cavity (exhaust gas 116) is heated at least in part by a combination of chemical energy released during the one or more chemical reactions (by the chemical propulsion portion 110) and the electromagnetic radiation absorbed from the energy source (by the plasma engine 120; par. 27 teaches the combination provides improved isp).
in regards to independent claim 10, and with particular reference to figures 1-3 and marked-up figure 1 above, goodfellow discloses a combined chemical-microwave-electrothermal thruster system (purely preamble, chemical portion 110; microwave-electrothermal portion 120, par. 32 teaches using microwave energy; par. 27 teaches combining these two types of engines) for use in a spacecraft (title, abstract, par. 1, par. 24 teaches spacecraft for aerospace applications), the thruster system comprising:
a cavity (refer to maker-up figures 1 above showing two interpretations) including at least one inlet (the inlet for the propellant(s) 112) to receive a monopropellant (par. 25 teaches using a monopropellant like hydrazine) configured to chemically decompose within the cavity to generate, in one or more chemical reactions, a plurality of decomposition products (the composition gases in the hot gas 116 generated in the cavity by the one or more chemical reactions by the monopropellant, par. 24 teaches exhaust gas 116 is derived from the propellant 112);
an energy source (122) coupled to the cavity and configured to heat and ionize at least one of the plurality of decomposition products by emitting electromagnetic radiation (par. 32 teaches ionizing the exhaust gas 116 by the plasma generator 122); and
a nozzle (the outlet of the cavity in interpretation 1; 118 in interpretation 2) provided at one end of the cavity and configured to direct the at least one of the plurality of decomposition products out of the cavity to generate thrust (abstract, thruster system 210 is for generating thrust, col. 12 line 3-7; 1612 in figure 16, col. 20 line 39).
in regards to independent claim 11, and with particular reference to figures 1-3 and marked-up figure 1 above, goodfellow discloses a method of combined chemical-microwave-electrothermal thruster system (purely preamble, chemical portion 110; microwave-electrothermal portion 120, par. 32 teaches using microwave energy; par. 27 teaches combining these two types of engines) spacecraft propulsion (title, abstract, par. 1, par. 24 teaches spacecraft for aerospace applications) comprising:
receiving at a cavity (refer to maker-up figures 1 above showing two interpretations) via at least one inlet (the inlet for the propellant(s) 112) a first fluid (fuel or oxidizer; par. 25) and a second fluid (oxidizer or fuel, par. 25) configured to chemically react with the first fluid within the cavity to generate a reaction product in one or more chemical reactions (hot gas 116 generated in the cavity by the one or more chemical reactions between the first fluid and the second fluid, par. 24 teaches exhaust gas 116 is derived from the propellants 112);
heating content of the cavity by electromagnetic radiation (par. 32 teaches ionizing the exhaust gas 116 by the plasma generator 122) emitted by an energy source (122) coupled to the cavity; and
directing, via a nozzle (the outlet of the cavity in interpretation 1; 118 in interpretation 2), the heated content out of the cavity to generate thrust (abstract, thruster system 100 is for generating thrust, par. 22),
in regards to dependent claim 21, and with particular reference to figures 1-3 and marked-up figure 1 above, goodfellow further discloses wherein the energy source is further configured to ionize the content of the cavity to accelerate, control, and/or confine the one or more chemical reactions (par, 26, 30, 32, claim 4 teaches ionizing and accelerating the exhaust gas 116).
in regards to dependent claim 22, and with particular reference to figures 1-3 and marked-up figure 1 above, goodfellow further discloses wherein heating the content of the cavity includes ionizing, by the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the energy source, the reaction product (par, 26, 30, 32, claim 4 teaches ionizing and accelerating the exhaust gas 116).
in regards to dependent claim 23, and with particular reference to figures 1-3 and marked-up figure 1 above, goodfellow further discloses ionizing, by the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the energy source, the content of the cavity to accelerate, control, and/or confine the one or more chemical reactions (par, 26, 30, 32, claim 4 teaches ionizing and accelerating the exhaust gas 116).
in regards to dependent claim 24, and with particular reference to figures 1-3 and marked-up figure 1 above, goodfellow further discloses wherein heating the content of the cavity includes ionizing, by the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the energy source, the reaction product (par, 26, 30, 32, claim 4 teaches ionizing and accelerating the exhaust gas 116)
in regards to independent claim 25, and with particular reference to figures 1-3 and marked-up figure 1 above, goodfellow discloses a combined chemical-microwave-electrothermal thruster system (purely preamble, chemical portion 110; microwave-electrothermal portion 120, par. 32 teaches using microwave energy; par. 27 teaches combining these two types of engines) for use in a spacecraft (title, abstract, par. 1, par. 24 teaches spacecraft for aerospace applications), the thruster system comprising:
a cavity (refer to maker-up figures 1 above showing two interpretations) including at least one inlet (the inlet for the propellant(s) 112) to receive a monopropellant (par. 25 teaches using a monopropellant like hydrazine) configured to chemically decompose within the cavity to generate a plurality of decomposition products in one or more chemical reactions, (the composition gases in the hot gas 116 generated in the cavity by the one or more chemical reactions by the monopropellant, par. 24 teaches exhaust gas 116 is derived from the propellant 112);
an energy source (122) coupled to the cavity and configured to generate plasma by emitting electromagnetic radiation (par. 32 teaches ionizing the exhaust gas 116 by the plasma generator 122), wherein the generated plasma initiates, accelerates, and/or confines the one or more chemical reactions (par, 26, 30, 32, claim 4 teaches accelerating the exhaust gas 116); and
|
[
"1. A method of operating a memory system comprising a memory controller and a memory device, the memory device comprising a plurality of dies each of which includes a plurality of blocks, the method comprising:\nexecuting, by at least one of the memory controller or the memory device, operations comprising:\noutputting a plurality of commands comprising first and second commands based on a program request and program data, wherein the plurality of commands are configured to control the memory device in units of super blocks, the super blocks comprising blocks included in different dies of the plurality of dies;\nduring a first time interval, performing, based on the first commands, a first erase operation on a first-first block among the first-first block to a first-Mth block of the blocks included in a first super block among the super blocks, where M is an integer greater than or equal to two;\nduring the first time interval, performing, based on the first commands, a first program operation on a second-first block to a second-Mth block of the blocks included in a second super block among the super blocks;\nduring a second time interval after the first time interval, performing, based on the second commands, a second erase operation on a first-second block among the first-first block to the first-Mth block;\nduring the second time interval, performing, based on the second commands, a second program operation on the first-first block and one or more blocks among the second-first block to the second-Mth block; and\nduring each time interval from among a plurality of consecutive time intervals that are after the second time interval, performing an additional respective erase operation on at least one of the blocks included in the first super block and, while performing the additional respective erase operation, performing an additional respective program operation on at least one of the blocks included in the second super block,\nwherein no intervening time intervals are present between each consecutive pair of the plurality of consecutive time intervals, and\nwherein the first time interval is equal to an amount time required to complete the first erase operation and complete the first program operation,\nwherein the second time interval is equal to an amount time required to complete the second erase operation and is less than an amount of time required to complete the second program operation, and\nwherein each of the plurality of consecutive time intervals is equal to an amount of time required to complete the additional respective erase operation and is less than an amount of time required to complete the additional respective program operation on each of the at least one of the blocks included in the second super block.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein:\nduring the first time interval, the first-first block to the first-Mth block are grouped in the first super block, and the second-first block to the second-Mth block are grouped in the second super block, and\nduring the second time interval, the first-second block to the first-Mth block are grouped in the first super block, and the first-first block and the one or more blocks among the second-first block to the second-Mth block are grouped in the second super block.",
"3. The method of claim 2, wherein:\nduring the second time interval, one or more of the blocks among the second-first block to the second-Mth block are not included in the second super block.",
"4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nduring a third time interval from among the plurality of consecutive time intervals, performing, based on third commands of the plurality of commands, a third erase operation on a first-third block among the first-first block to the first-Mth block; and\nduring the third time interval, performing, based on the third commands, a third program operation on the first-first block, the first-second block, and one or more blocks among the second-first block to the second-Mth block.",
"5. The method of claim 4, wherein:\nduring the third time interval, the first-third block to the first-Mth block are grouped in the first super block, and the first-first block, the first-second block, and the one or more blocks among the second-first block to the second-Mth block are grouped in the second super block.",
"6. The method of claim 5, wherein:\nduring the third time interval, two or more blocks among the second-first block to the second-Mth block are not included in the second super block.",
"7. The method of claim 1, wherein outputting the plurality of commands comprises:\ngenerating program scheduling information representing the blocks to be grouped in the first super block and the second super block among the plurality of blocks during each of the first time interval and the second time interval; and\ngenerating the plurality of commands based on the program scheduling information.",
"8. The method of claim 7, wherein generating the program scheduling information comprises:\ndetermining the first time interval and the second time interval based on a size of the program data and a number of bits of first data that is stored in each of a plurality of memory cells included in the plurality of blocks; and\ndetermining the first super block and the second super block based on the size of the program data, the number of bits of the first data, the first time interval, and the second time interval.",
"9. The method of claim 8, wherein generating the plurality of commands comprises:\nstoring commands corresponding to the first super block among the plurality of commands in a first command queue among a plurality of command queues; and\nstoring commands corresponding to the second super block among the plurality of commands in a second command queue among the plurality of command queues.",
"10. The method of claim 1, wherein performing the second program operation comprises:\nbased on the second commands, at a first time point at which a predetermined time has elapsed from a second time point, initiating the second program operation on the first-first block,\nwherein the second time point represents a time point at which the first erase operation on the first-first block is completed within the first time interval.",
"11. The method of claim 1, wherein, during the second time interval, the second commands are output sequentially with respect to the blocks included in the second super block.",
"12. The method of claim 1, wherein the first super block includes invalid blocks.",
"13. The method of claim 1, wherein outputting the plurality of commands comprises:\ngenerating program scheduling information representing the blocks to be grouped in the first super block and the second super block among the plurality of blocks during each of the first time interval and the second time interval; and\ngenerating the plurality of commands based on the program scheduling information,\nwherein the program scheduling information further represents a time point at which each of the second commands is issued to the memory device.",
"14. A memory system comprising:\na memory device comprising a plurality of dies, each of which includes a plurality of blocks; and\na memory controller configured to control the memory device,\nwherein the memory controller is configured to output a plurality of commands comprising first and second commands based on a program request and program data, the plurality of commands are configured to control the memory device in units of super blocks, and the super blocks comprise blocks included in different dies of the plurality of dies,\nwherein the memory device is configured to:\nduring a first time interval, perform, based on the first commands, a first erase operation on a first-first block among the first-first block to a first-Mth block of the blocks included in a first super block among the super blocks, where M is an integer greater than or equal to two;\nduring the first time interval and while performing the first erase operation on the first-first block, perform, based on the first commands, a first program operation on a second-first block to a second-Mth block of the blocks included in a second super block among the super blocks;\nduring a second time interval after the first time interval, perform, based on the second commands, a second erase operation on a first-second block among the first-first block to the first-Mth block;\nduring the second time interval and while performing the second erase operation on the first-second block, perform, based on the second commands, a second program operation on the first-first block and one or more blocks among the second-first block to the second-Mth block; and\nduring each time interval from among a plurality of consecutive time intervals that are after the second time interval, perform an additional respective erase operation on at least one of the blocks included in the first super block and, while performing the additional respective erase operation, perform an additional respective program operation on at least one of the blocks included in the second super block,\nwherein no intervening time intervals are present between each consecutive pair of the plurality of consecutive time intervals, and\nwherein the first time interval is equal to an amount time required to complete the first erase operation and the first program operation,\nwherein the second time interval is equal to an amount time required to complete the second erase operation and is less than an amount of time required to complete the second program operation, and\nwherein each of the plurality of consecutive time intervals is equal to an amount of time required to perform the additional respective erase operation and is less than an amount of time required to complete the additional respective program operation.",
"15. The memory system of claim 14, wherein:\nduring the first time interval, the first-first block to the first-Mth block are grouped in the first super block, and the second-first block to the second-Mth block are grouped in the second super block, and\nduring the second time interval, the first-second block to the first-Mth block are grouped in the first super block, and the first-first block and the one or more blocks among the second-first block to the second-Mth block are grouped in the second super block.",
"16. The memory system of claim 14, wherein the memory device is configured to:\nduring a third time interval from among the plurality of consecutive time intervals, perform, based on third commands of the plurality of commands, a third erase operation on a first-third block among the first-first block to the first-Mth block, and\nduring the third time interval, perform, based on the third commands, perform a third program operation on the first-first block, the first-second block, and one or more blocks among the second-first block to the second-Mth block.",
"17. The memory system of claim 16, wherein:\nduring the third time interval, the first-third block to the first-Mth block are grouped in the first super block, and the first-first block, the first-second block, and the one or more blocks among the second-first block to the second-Mth block are grouped in the second super block.",
"18. The memory system of claim 14, wherein:\nthe plurality of dies of the memory device comprises a first die to a Mth die,\nthe first super block corresponding to the first time interval includes the first-first block to the first-Mth block, which are a first portion of the plurality of blocks included in the first die to the Mth die, and\nthe second super block corresponding to the second time interval includes the second-first block to the second-Mth block, which are a second portion of the plurality of blocks included in the first die to the Mth die.",
"19. The memory system of claim 14, wherein the memory device is configured to:\nduring a third time interval from among the plurality of consecutive time intervals, perform, based on third commands of the plurality of commands, a third erase operation on a first-third block among the first-first block to the first-Mth block,\nduring the third time interval, perform, based on the third commands, perform a third program operation on the first-first block, the first-second block, and one or more blocks among the second-first block to the second-Mth block, and\nduring the third time interval, the first-third block to the first-Mth block are grouped in the first super block, and the first-first block, the first-second block, and the one or more blocks among the second-first block to the second-Mth block are grouped in the second super block,\nwherein the first super block includes invalid blocks.",
"20. A method of operating a memory system comprising a memory controller and a memory device, the method comprising:\nexecuting, by at least one of the memory controller or the memory device, operations comprising:\noutputting a plurality of commands comprising first and second commands based on a program request and program data, wherein the first and second commands are configured to control the memory device in units of super blocks, the super blocks comprising blocks included in different dies of the memory device;\nduring a first time interval, performing, based on the first commands, a first erase operation on a first-first block among the first-first block to a first-Mth block of the blocks included in a first super block among the super blocks, where M is an integer greater than or equal to two;\nduring the first time interval, performing, based on the first commands, a first program operation on a second-first block to a second-Mth block of the blocks included in a second super block among the super blocks;\nduring a second time interval after the first time interval, performing, based on the second commands, a second erase operation on a first-second block among the first-first block to the first-Mth block; and\nduring the second time interval, performing, based on the second commands, a second program operation on the first-first block and one or more blocks among the second-first block to the second-Mth block; and\nduring a third time interval after the second time interval, performing, based on third commands of the plurality of commands, a third erase operation on a first-third block among the first-first block to the first-Mth block and performing a third program operation on the first-first block, the first-second block, and one or more blocks among the second-first block to the second-Mth block,\nwherein:\nduring the first time interval, the first-first block to the first-Mth block are grouped in the first super block, and the second-first block to the second-Mth block are grouped in the second super block, and\nduring the second time interval and after performing the first erase operation on the first-first block, the first-second block to the first-Mth block are grouped in the first super block, and the first-first block and the one or more blocks among the second-first block to the second-Mth block are grouped in the second super block,\nduring the third time interval and after performing the second erase operation on the first-second block, the first-first block, the first-second block, and the one or more blocks among the second-first block to the second-Mth block are grouped in the second super block,\nwherein outputting the first and second commands comprises:\ngenerating program scheduling information representing the blocks to be grouped in the first super block and the second super block during each of the first time interval and the second time interval; and\ngenerating the first and second commands based on the program scheduling information,\nwherein during each time interval from among a plurality of consecutive time intervals that are after the third time interval, performing an additional respective erase operation on at least one of the blocks included in the first super block and, while performing the additional respective erase operation, performing an additional respective program operation on at least one of the blocks included in the second super block,\nwherein no intervening time intervals are present between each consecutive pair of the plurality of consecutive time intervals,\nwherein the first time interval is equal to an amount time required to complete the first erase operation and complete the first program operation,\nwherein the second time interval is equal to an amount time required to complete the second erase operation and is less than an amount of time required to complete the second program operation,\nwherein the third time interval is equal to an amount time required to complete the third erase operation and is less than an amount of time required to complete the third program operation, and\nwherein each of the plurality of consecutive time intervals is equal to an amount of time required to perform the additional respective erase operation and is less than an amount of time required to complete the additional respective program operation."
] |
US12236116B2
|
US20190087128A1
|
[
"1. A memory system, comprising:\na memory device including a plurality of blocks each having a plurality of pages, a plurality of planes each having the blocks and a plurality of dies each having the planes; and\na controller suitable for managing the blocks grouped into a manner corresponding to a predetermined condition in units of super blocks,\nwherein the controller includes a plurality of command queues in which commands for controlling command operations of the respective dies are stored, and\nwhen an erase operation is performed on a second super block in a time period where a program operation including “M” super block page unit program operations is performed on a first super block, divided erase commands obtained by dividing erase commands for the second super block in units of dies are distributed and stored in locations corresponding to discontinuous “N” moments among successive M+1 moments so that the erase operation is distributed and performed on the second super block at the discontinuous “N” moments by being divided in units of dies, and\neach of “M” and “N” is a natural number equal to or greater than 2, and “M” is greater than “N”.",
"2. The memory system of claim 1, wherein the controller distributes the divided erase commands in parallel between “M” program commands corresponding to the “M” super block page unit program operations included in the program operation of the first super block so as to correspond to the “N” moments and then stores the divided erase commands in the command queues so that the erase operation of the second super block divided in units of dies is distributed and performed in parallel between the “N” moments in the time period where the “M” super block page unit program operations included in the program operation of the first super block are performed at the M+1 moments.",
"3. The memory system of claim 2, wherein the controller operates the dies in a first predetermined order through an interleaving scheme, and\nwherein the controller distributes the divided erase commands in parallel between the “M” program commands so as to correspond to the first predetermined order and the “N” moments, and then stores the divided erase commands in the command queues.",
"4. The memory system of claim 2, wherein the controller manages a second predetermined order of the command queues in which the smallest number of commands to the greatest number of commands are stored, and\nwherein the controller distributes the divided erase commands in parallel between the “M” program commands so as to correspond to the second predetermined order and the “N” moments, and then stores the divided erase commands in the command queues.",
"5. The memory system of claim 2, wherein the controller manages a third predetermined order of the command queues whose expected time required for carrying out the commands is ranging from the shortest one to the longest one, and\nwherein the controller distributes the divided erase commands in parallel between the “M” program commands so as to correspond to the third predetermined order and the “N” moments and then stores the divided erase commands in the command queues.",
"6. The memory system of claim 2, wherein the controller manages a fourth predetermined order of dies in which the greatest number of pages to the smallest number of pages are programmed among the dies, and\nwherein the controller distributes the divided erase commands in parallel between the “M” program commands so as to correspond to the fourth predetermined order and the “N” moments and then stores the divided erase commands in the command queues.",
"7. The memory system of claim 1, wherein a first die among the dies is coupled to a first channel, a second die among the dies is coupled to a second channel, first planes included in the first die are coupled to a plurality of first ways sharing the first channel with each other, and second planes included in the second die are coupled to a plurality of second ways sharing the second channel with each other.",
"8. The memory system of claim 7, wherein the controller includes grouping a first block included in a first plane among the first planes of the first die and a second block included in a second plane among the first planes of the first die and grouping a third block included in a third plane among the second planes of the second die and a fourth block included in a fourth plane among the second planes of the second die in the predetermined condition.",
"9. The memory system of claim 7, wherein the controller includes grouping a first block included in a first plane among the first planes of the first die and a second block included in a second plane among the second planes of the second die and grouping a third block included in a third plane among the first planes of the first die and a fourth block included in a fourth plane among the second planes of the second die in the predetermined condition.",
"10. The memory system of claim 7, wherein the controller includes grouping a first block included in a first plane among the first planes of the first die, a second block included in a second plane among the first planes of the first die, a third block included in a third plane among the second planes of the second die and a fourth block included in a fourth plane among the second planes of the second die in the predetermined condition.",
"11. An operating method for a memory system including a memory device that includes a plurality of blocks each having a plurality of pages, a plurality of planes each having the blocks and a plurality of dies each having the planes and a plurality of command queues in which commands for controlling command operations of the respective dies are stored, the operating method, comprising:\nmanaging the blocks grouped into a manner corresponding to a predetermined condition in units of super blocks; and\ndistributing and storing divided erase commands obtained by dividing erase commands for the second super block in units of dies in locations corresponding to discontinuous “N” moments among successive M+1 moments so that an erase operation is distributed and performed on a second super block at the discontinuous “N” moments by being divided in units of dies when the erase operation is performed on the second super block in a time period where a program operation including “M” super block page unit program operations is performed on a first super block,\nwherein each of “M” and “N” is a naturalnumber equal to or greater than 2, and “M” is greater than “N”.",
"12. The operating method of claim 11, wherein the distributing and storing of the divided erase commands includes distributing the divided erase commands in parallel between “M” program commands corresponding to the “M” super block page unit program operations included in the program operation of the first super block so as to correspond to the “N” moments and then storing the divided erase commands in the command queues so that the erase operation of the second super block divided in units of dies is distributed and performed in parallel between the “N” moments in the time period where the “M” super block page unit program operations included in the program operation of the first super block are performed at the M+1 moments.",
"13. The operating method of claim 12, further comprising:\noperating the dies in a first predetermined order through an interleaving scheme, and\nwherein the distributing and storing of the divided erase commands includes distributing the divided erase commands in parallel between the “M” program commands so as to correspond to the first predetermined order and the “N” moments and then storing the divided erase commands in the command queues.",
"14. The operating method of claim 12, further comprising:\nmanaging a second predetermined order of the command queues in which the smallest number of commands to the greatest number of commands are stored, and\nwherein the distributing and storing of the divided erase commands includes distributing the divided erase commands in parallel between the “M” program commands so as to correspond to the second predetermined order and the “N” moments and then storing the divided erase commands in the command queues.",
"15. The operating method of claim 12, further comprising:\nmanaging a third predetermined order of the command queues whose expected time required for carrying out the commands is ranging from the shortest one to the longest one, and\nwherein the distributing and storing of the divided erase commands includes distributing the divided erase commands in parallel between the “M” program commands so as to correspond to the third predetermined order and the “N” moments and then storing the divided erase commands in the command queues.",
"16. The operating method of claim 12, further comprising:\nmanaging a fourth predetermined order of dies in which the greatest number of pages to the smallest number of pages are programmed among the dies, and\nwherein the distributing and storing of the divided erase commands includes distributing the divided erase commands in parallel between the “M” program commands so as to correspond to the fourth predetermined order and the “N” moments and then storing the divided erase commands in the command queues.",
"17. The operating method of claim 11, wherein a first die among the dies is coupled to a first channel, a second die among the dies is coupled to a second channel, first planes included in the first die are coupled to a plurality of first ways sharing the first channel with each other, and second planes included in the second die are coupled to a plurality of second ways sharing the second channel with each other.",
"18. The operating method of claim 17, wherein the predetermined condition includes grouping a first block included in a first plane among the first planes of the first die and a second block included in a second plane among the first planes of the first die and grouping a third block included in a third plane among the second planes of the second die and a fourth block included in a fourth plane among the second planes of the second die in the predetermined condition.",
"19. The operating method of claim 17, wherein the predetermined condition includes grouping a first block included in a first plane among the first planes of the first die and a second block included in a second plane among the second planes of the second die and grouping a third block included in a third plane among the first planes of the first die and a fourth block included in a fourth plane among the second planes of the second die in the predetermined condition.",
"20. The operating method of claim 17, wherein the predetermined condition includes grouping a first block included in a first plane among the first planes of the first die, a second block included in a second plane among the first planes of the first die, a third block included in a third plane among the second planes of the second die and a fourth block included in a fourth plane among the second planes of the second die in the predetermined condition."
] |
[
[
"1. A non-volatile memory device, comprising:\nfirst and second memory cell blocks, each including a plurality of memory cells and including a local drain select line, a local source select line, and local word lines;\na block selection unit to connect a given local word lines to global word lines, respectively, in response to a block selection signal;\na first bias voltage generator configured to apply at least first and second erase voltages to the global word lines during an erase operation, the first erase voltage being applied to the global word lines during a first erase attempt of the erase operation, the second erase voltage being applied to the global word lines during a second erase attempt, where the second erase attempt is performed if the first erase attempt did not successfully perform the erase operation, the first and second erase voltages being positive voltages; and\na bulk voltage generator to apply a bulk voltage to a bulk of the memory cells during the erase operation.",
"2. The memory device of claim 1, wherein an erase voltage applied to the global word lines is reduced by a given voltage each time a new erase attempt is made, wherein a given erase operation is stopped after a predetermined number of unsuccessful erase attempts.",
"3. The memory device of claim 1, wherein the first bias voltage generator generates the erase voltage so that a voltage difference between the local word lines and the bulk becomes 15 V at the time of the first erase attempt, the bulk being a well wherein the first memory cell block is formed.",
"4. The memory device of claim 3, wherein an erase voltage applied to the global word lines is reduced by a given voltage each time a new erase attempt is made, wherein the given voltage is no more than 0.5 V.",
"5. The memory device of claim 1, further comprising:\na page buffer to read data stored in the memory cells; and\na Y-decoder to output data stored in the page buffer to a data I/O buffer and the first bias voltage generator.",
"6. The memory device of claim 5, wherein the first bias voltage generator decreases the first erase voltage to the second erase voltage based on the data output from the Y-decoder,\nwherein the memory device is a NAND flash memory device.",
"7. A flash memory device, comprising:\nmemory cell blocks each respectively including a local drain select line, a local source select line, and local word lines to which a plurality of memory cells are connected;\na block selection unit to connect the local word lines to global word lines, respectively, in response to a block selection signal;\na first bias voltage generator to apply a positive erase voltage to the global word lines at the time of an erase operation; and\na bulk voltage generator configured to apply a first bulk voltage to a bulk of the memory cells during a first erase attempt of the erase operation, and apply a second bulk voltage to the bulk during a second erase attempt if the first erase attempt has not been performed properly.",
"8. The memory device of claim 7, wherein the first erase attempt is considered to have not been performed properly if not all of the memory cells selected for the erase operation have been erased by the first erase attempt.",
"9. The flash memory device of claim 7, wherein the bulk voltage generator generates the first bulk voltage so that a voltage difference between the local word lines and the bulk is at least 15 V at the time of an initial erase operation.",
"10. The flash memory device of claim 9, wherein the bulk voltage generator increases the first bulk voltage by no more than 1 V to generate the second bulk voltage.",
"11. The flash memory device of claim 7, further comprising:\na page buffer to read data stored in the memory cells; and\na Y-decoder to output data stored in the page buffer to a data I/O buffer and the bulk voltage generator.",
"12. The flash memory device of claim 11, wherein the bulk voltage generator generates the second bulk voltage in order to perform the second erase attempt of the erase operation based on the data output from the Y-decoder.",
"13. A flash memory device, comprising:\nmemory cell blocks each respectively including a local drain select line, a local source select line, and local word lines to which a plurality of memory cells are connected;\na block selection unit to connect the local word lines to global word lines, respectively, in response to a block selection signal;\na first bias voltage generator to apply a positive erase voltage to the global word lines at the time of an erase operation, and if there exists a memory cell that has not been erased, decreasing the erase voltage and applying a lowered erase voltage to the global word lines in order to perform the erase operation again; and\na bulk voltage generator to apply a bulk voltage to a bulk of the memory cells at the time of the erase operation, and if there exists a memory cell that has not been erased, increasing the bulk voltage and apply an increased bulk voltage to the bulk for the purpose of the re-execution of the erase operation again.",
"14. The flash memory device of claim 13, wherein:\nat the time of an initial erase operation, the first bias voltage generator and the bulk voltage generator generate the erase voltage and the bulk voltage, respectively, so that a voltage difference between the local word lines and the bulk becomes 15 V; and\nwhen the erase operation is performed again, the bulk voltage generator increases the bulk voltage and the first bias voltage generator decreases the erase voltage so that the voltage difference between the local word lines and the bulk becomes higher than 15 V.",
"15. The flash memory device of claim 13, wherein:\nthe first bias voltage generator decreases the erase voltage on a 0.1 to 0.5 V basis as a linear function, as a quadratic function or as an exponential function; and\nthe bulk voltage generator increases the bulk voltage on a 0.5 to 1 V basis as a linear function, as a quadratic function or as an exponential function.",
"16. The flash memory device of claim 13, further comprising:\na page buffer to read data stored in the memory cells; and\na Y-decoder to output data stored in the page buffer to a data I/O buffer, the bulk voltage generator, and the first bias voltage generator.",
"17. The flash memory device of claim 16, wherein if data that have not been erased, of the data output from the Y-decoder, are detected, the first bias voltage generator decreases the erase voltage and the bulk voltage generator increases the bulk voltage in order to perform the erase operation again.",
"18. The flash memory device of claim 13, further comprising an X-decoder to decode a row address signal and output the block selection signal to the high voltage generating unit.",
"19. The flash memory device of claim 11, further comprising a second bias voltage generator to apply a predetermined operating voltage to the local drain select line and the local source select line according to any one of program, read, and erase operations.",
"20. The flash memory device of claim 17, wherein the first bias voltage generator comprises:\na first pump circuit to generate read voltages necessary for a read operation in response to a read command;\na second pump circuit to generate program voltages necessary for a program operation in response to a program command;\na third pump circuit to generate the erase voltage in response to an erase command, and to decrease the erase voltage and output a decreased erase voltage if data are determined not to have been erased based the data output from the Y-decoder, are detected; and\na bias voltage selection unit to select the read voltages, the program voltages or the erase voltage in response to an operation command signal, and output a selected voltage to the global word lines, respectively.",
"21. The flash memory device of claim 20, wherein the bias voltage selection unit comprises:\na select signal generator to generate select signals based on the operation command signal; and\nselect circuits respectively connected to the global word lines, the select circuits being configured to output the read voltages, the program voltages, the erase voltage, or a combination thereof to the global word lines, respectively, in response to the select signals.",
"22. A method of erasing a non-volatile memory device, the method comprising:\nconnecting local word lines and global word lines of a selected block, respectively, in response to a block selection signal;\nperforming a first erase attempt of an erase operation by applying a first erase voltage to the global word line and a first bulk voltage higher than the first erase voltage to a bulk, so that a voltage difference between the local word line and the bulk is a first potential difference;\ndetermining whether the first erase attempt has been performed properly; and\nperforming a second erase attempt of the erase operation if it is determined that the first erase attempt has not been performed properly by applying a second erase voltage to the global word line and a second bulk voltage to the bulk to increase the voltage difference between the local word line and the bulk to a second potential difference.",
"23. The method of claim 22, wherein the second erase voltage is less than the first erase voltage.",
"24. The method of claim 22, wherein the second bulk voltage is greater than the first bulk voltage.",
"25. The method of claim 22, wherein the first erase voltage and the second erase voltage are different, and the first bulk voltage and the second bulk voltage are different.",
"26. The method of claim 22, wherein the erase operation is stopped after a predetermined number of erase attempts have been performed unsuccessfully, wherein the selected block is flagged as an invalid block after the predetermined number of erase attempts has been performed unsuccessfully.",
"27. A method of controlling an erase operation of a flash memory device, the method comprising:\nconnecting local word lines and global word lines of a selected block, respectively, in response to a block selection signal;\nperforming an erase operation by applying a positive erase voltage to the global word lines and a bulk voltage higher than the erase voltage to a bulk of a memory cell according to an erase command;\ndetermining whether the erase operation has been performed properly; and\nif it is determined that the erase operation has not been performed properly, performing the erase operation again by controlling the erase voltage and the bull voltage at the same time so that a voltage difference between the local word lines and the bulk becomes great.",
"28. The method of claim 24, wherein the steps determining whether the erase operation has been performed properly or not are repeatedly performed as many as the number of times while the erase voltage is decreased as much as a predetermined level and the bulk voltage is increased as much as a predetermined level, and include treating a corresponding block as an invalid block if the erase operation has not been performed properly until the predetermined number.",
"29. The method of claim 27, wherein the erase voltage and the bulk voltage are set such that a voltage difference between the local word lines and the bulk is 15 V or higher.",
"30. The method of claim 27, wherein the erase voltage is decreased on a 0.1 to 0.5 V basis so that a voltage difference between the local word lines and the bulk is increased within a range in which the voltage difference becomes at least 15 V.",
"31. The method of claim 27, wherein the erase voltage is decreased as an exponential function so that a voltage difference between the local word lines and the bulk is increased within a range in which the voltage difference becomes at least 15 V.",
"32. The method of claim 27, wherein the erase voltage is increased on a 0.5 to 1 V basis so that a voltage difference between the local word lines and the bulk is increased within a range in which the voltage difference becomes at least 15 V.",
"33. The method of claim 27, wherein the erase voltage is increased as an exponential function so that a voltage difference between the local word lines and the bulk is increased within a range in which the voltage difference becomes at least 15 V."
],
[
"1. An erase method for use in a memory array including a plurality of memory cells, the memory array being divided into a plurality of memory sectors, the memory sectors each comprising a portion of the plurality of memory cells, the method comprising:\nperforming an erase process for erasing memory cells of a first memory sector of the plurality of memory sectors;\nand\nin response to a suspend command, interrupting the erase process and performing a programming operation on at least one memory cell of the first memory sector of the plurality of memory sectors.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first memory sector is a portion of one of the plurality of sectors.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein the programming operation includes a Fowler-Nordheim programming operation.",
"4. The method of claim 3, wherein the at least one memory cell includes a transistor formed on a substrate, and wherein the programming operation includes applying a positive voltage to a gate of the transistor and applying a negative voltage to the substrate.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein the erase process includes applying a pre-program pulse to memory cells of the first memory sector.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein the erase process includes applying an erase pulse to memory cells of the first memory sector.",
"7. The method of claim 1, wherein the erase process includes applying a soft-program pulse to memory cells of the first memory sector.",
"8. A memory device comprising:\na memory array comprising a plurality of memory cells, the memory array being divided into a plurality of memory blocks, each memory block being divided into a plurality of memory sectors, the memory sectors each comprising a portion of the plurality of memory cells; and\na memory controller configured for:\nperforming an erase process for erasing memory cells of a first memory sector of the plurality of memory sectors;\nsuspending the erasing the memory cells of the first memory sector while performing the erase process in order to perform an interrupting operation; and\nperforming a programming operation on at least one memory cell of the first memory sector after suspending the erasing of memory cells but before performing the interrupting operation.",
"9. The memory device of claim 8, wherein the programming operation includes a Fowler-Nordheim program operation.",
"10. The memory device of claim 9, wherein the at least one memory cell includes a transistor formed on a substrate, and wherein the programming operation includes applying a positive voltage to a gate of the transistor and applying a negative voltage to the substrate.",
"11. The memory device of claim 8, wherein the erase process includes applying a pre-program pulse to memory cells of the first memory sector.",
"12. The memory device of claim 8, wherein the erase process includes applying an erase pulse to memory cells of the first memory sector.",
"13. The memory device of claim 8, wherein the erase process includes applying a soft-program pulse to memory cells of the first memory sector."
],
[
"1. A method for erasing a non-volatile memory device, the method comprising:\napplying a first set of erase pulses to a set of memory cells until a first erase pulse count threshold is reached;\nperforming a first erase verification of a first sub-set of memory cells of the set of memory cells;\nstoring an address of a first memory cell that is not erased;\napplying a second set of erase pulses to the set of memory cells until a second erase pulse count threshold is reached; and\nperforming a second erase verification of the first sub-set of memory cells starting at the first memory cell address.",
"2. The method of claim 1 further comprises performing an erase verification of memory cells of a second sub-set of memory cells prior to applying the second set of erase pulses.",
"3. The method of claim 1 where the address of the first memory cell is stored in an address register corresponding to the first sub-set.",
"4. The method of claim 1 wherein the address of the first memory cell is loaded into an address counter prior to performing the second erase verification.",
"5. The method of claim 1 wherein the first and second erase verifications are comprised of determining if a threshold voltage of each memory cell is less than a predetermined level.",
"6. The method of claim 1 and further including performing an erase verification of memory cells of a second sub-set of memory cells after storing the address of the first memory cell that is programmed.",
"7. The method of claim 1 wherein storing the address comprises storing the address in an address pointer location.",
"8. A non-volatile memory device comprising:\na memory array comprising a plurality of sets of addressable memory cells;\na first and a second non-volatile register for respectively storing a first and a second erase pulse count threshold; and\na state machine, coupled to the memory array and the first and second non-volatile registers, adapted to erase at least one of the sets of memory cells by applying a first set of erase pulses to a first sub-set of addressable memory cells until the first erase pulse count threshold is reached, performing a first erase verification of memory cells of the first sub-set of memory cells, storing an address of a first memory cell that is not erased, applying a second set of erase pulses to the first set of memory cells until the second erase pulse count threshold is reached, and performing a second erase verification of the first sub-set starting at the first memory cell address.",
"9. The device of claim 8 wherein the state machine is further adapted to issue a command to jump to a next sub-set of memory cells after storing the address of the first memory cell that is not erased.",
"10. The device of claim 8 wherein the state machine is further adapted to perform an erase verification of each of the plurality of sets of addressable memory cells prior to issuing the second set of erase pulses.",
"11. The device of claim 8 and further including a pulse counter coupled to the state machine for counting a quantity of erase pulses issued to the memory array.",
"12. The device of claim 8 wherein each set of memory cells is a memory block.",
"13. The device of claim 8 wherein each sub-set of memory cells is a memory sub-block.",
"14. The device of claim 8 wherein the state machine is adapted to begin a first scan operation after the first erase pulse threshold has been reached.",
"15. The device of claim 8 wherein the state machine is adapted to begin a second scan operation after the second erase pulse threshold has been reached.",
"16. A memory system comprising:\na processor for generating memory control signals; and\na non-volatile memory device coupled to the processor, the memory device comprising:\na memory array comprising a plurality of sets of addressable memory cells;\na pulse counter for counting a quantity of generated erase pulses;\na first erase pulse register for storing a first erase pulse threshold;\na second erase pulse register for storing a second erase pulse threshold; and\na state machine, coupled to the pulse counter and the first and second pulse registers, adapted to erase at least one of the sets of memory cells by applying a first set of erase pulses to a first sub-set of addressable memory cells until the first erase pulse threshold is reached, performing a first erase verification of memory cells of the first sub-set of memory cells, storing an address of a first memory cell that is not erased, applying a second set of erase pulses to the first set of memory cells until the second erase pulse threshold is reached, and performing a second erase verification of the first sub-set starting at the first memory cell address.",
"17. The system of claim 16 and further including command execution logic to interpret the memory control signals from the processor.",
"18. The system of claim 16 wherein the non-volatile memory device is coupled to the processor over data, control, and address buses."
],
[
"1. A memory cell, comprising:\na floating-gate transistor having a control gate and a floating gate, wherein the control gate is coupled to a word line;\na first select transistor configured to pass current from a bit line to a drain of the floating-gate transistor; and\na second select transistor configured to pass current to a source line from a source of the floating-gate transistor;\nwherein a source of the first select transistor and the drain of the floating-gate transistor share a first buried N+(BN+) region, and wherein a drain of the second select transistor and the source of the floating-gate transistor share a second BN+ region.",
"2. The memory cell of claim 1, wherein the memory cell is an OR-type EEPROM memory cell.",
"3. The memory cell of claim 1, wherein the first and second BN+ regions reside in a P substrate.",
"4. The memory cell of claim 1, wherein the first and second BN+ regions reside in a triple well comprising a P well within an N well within a P substrate.",
"5. The memory cell of claim 1, wherein the bit line is coupled to a drain of the first select transistor via a contact region, and wherein the drain of the first select transistor comprises a third BN+ region.",
"6. The memory cell of claim 5, wherein the source line is coupled to a source of the second select transistor, and wherein the source of the second select transistor comprises a fourth BN+ region.",
"7. The memory cell of claim 1, wherein the floating-gate transistor is formed along a first axis, and wherein the first and second select gates are formed along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis.",
"8. The memory cell of claim 1, wherein the floating gate of the floating-gate transistor, a gate of the first select transistor, and a gate of the second select transistor are tied together through polysilicon contact holes.",
"9. The memory cell of claim 1, wherein the memory cell is configured to support a write operation that includes performing a Fowler-Nordheim (FN) channel erase and an FN channel program.",
"10. The memory cell of claim 1, wherein the memory cell is configured to support a write operation that includes performing a Fowler-Nordheim (FN) channel erase on a memory block, a FN channel reverse program on a page in the memory block, and a bit-selective program on the memory cell.",
"11. An apparatus, comprising:\nan OR-type EEPROM memory cell including a first select transistor, a second select transistor, and a floating-gate transistor, wherein the first select transistor and the floating-gate transistor share a first buried N+(BN+) region, and wherein the second select transistor and the floating-gate transistor share a second BN+region.",
"12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising:\na byte decoder coupled to a control gate of the floating-gate transistor via a word line, wherein the byte decoder is configured to use the word line to control a set of cells configured to store a byte of data, and wherein the byte decoder resides in a triple well.",
"13. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a flash memory cell, wherein the flash memory cell and the OR-type EEPROM memory cell are configured to share a data bus.",
"14. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a ROM memory cell, wherein the ROM memory cell and the OR-type EEPROM memory cell are configured to share a data bus.",
"15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first and second BN+ regions reside in a P substrate.",
"16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first and second BN+ regions reside in a triple well comprising a P well within an N well within a P substrate.",
"17. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first select transistor is configured to pass current from a bit line to a drain of the floating-gate transistor, wherein the bit line is coupled to a drain of the first select transistor via a contact region, and wherein the drain of the first select transistor includes a third BN+region.",
"18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the second select transistor is configured to pass current to a source line from a source of the floating-gate transistor, wherein the source line is coupled to a source of the second select transistor, and wherein the source of the second select transistor includes a fourth BN+ region.",
"19. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the memory cell is configured to support a write operation that includes performing a Fowler-Nordheim (FN) channel erase on a memory block, a FN channel reverse program on a page in the memory block, and a bit-selective program on the memory cell.",
"20. An apparatus, comprising:\na floating-gate transistor having a drain and a source, wherein the drain includes a first buried N+(BN+) region and a second BN+ region;\na means for passing current from a bit line to the drain; and\na means for passing current from the source to a source line."
],
[
"1. A method of programming for a nonvolatile memory, which comprises a plurality of word lines, each of which is coupled with memory cells, and is adapted to perform an erase operation and a program operation,\nwherein in the erase operation, all of the memory cells coupled to a selected word line shift into an erase state,\nwherein in the program operation, a first part of said memory cells coupled to the selected word line are in a corresponding state in accordance with first data before performing the program operation and a second part of said memory cells coupled the selected word line are in the erase state, wherein the method comprises the steps of:\nreceiving second data, quantity of which is 512 byte, to be programmed to the second part of memory cells coupled to the selected word line,\nmerging the first data already programmed in the first part of the memory cells and the second data to be programmed in the second part of the memory cells, and\nprogramming the second data to the second part of memory cells coupled to the selected word line, the first part of memory cells coupled the selected word line remaining in the corresponding state in accordance with the first data before performing the program operation by programming a merged data to the memory cells coupled with the selected word line.",
"2. A method of programming for the nonvolatile memory according to claim 1,\nwherein the first data already programmed to the first part of memory cells before the program operation is used as management information.",
"3. A method of programming for the nonvolatile memory according to claim 2,\nwherein the memory cells coupled to the selected word line are capable of being programmed with data more than 512 byte.",
"4. A method of programming for the nonvolatile memory according to claim 1,\nwherein each of the memory cells coupled to the selected word line has a threshold voltage within one of an erase state voltage range and a program state voltage range."
],
[
"1. A non-volatile semiconductor memory device comprising:\na memory cell array having a plurality of non-volatile memory cells, the memory cell array being divided into a plurality of first erase units respectively including a plurality of second erase units; and\na control circuit which executes erase and write operations of each selected memory cell in the memory cell array in accordance with erase or write instructions,\nwherein the control circuit includes a first erase control unit which performs an erase in the first erase unit and a second erase control unit which performs an erase in the second erase unit,\nwherein the second erase control unit sets a voltage applied to the target memory cell at erasing smaller in absolute value than at erasing by the first erase control unit and makes short the time necessary for erasure, and\nwherein when the second erase unit including each selected memory cell is in a state in which erasing and writing are being done by the first erase control unit, the second erase control unit erases the second erase unit including the selected memory cell.",
"2. The non-volatile semiconductor memory device according to claim 1,\nwherein the memory cells of the memory cell array are arranged over a well region in matrix form,\nwherein the first erase units are of well units, and\nwherein the second erase units are of word lines arranged corresponding to memory cell rows.",
"3. The non-volatile semiconductor memory device according to claim 1,\nwherein the memory cell array is divided into a plurality of blocks each having sectors including a plurality of memory cell rows respectively,\nwherein the first erase units are of the blocks, and\nwherein the second erase units are of the sectors.",
"4. A non-volatile semiconductor memory device, comprising:\na memory cell array having a plurality of non-volatile memory cells, the memory cell array being divided into a plurality of first erase units respectively including a plurality of second erase units; and\na control circuit which executes erase and write operations of each selected memory cell in the memory cell array in accordance with erase or write instructions,\nwherein the control circuit includes a first erase control unit which performs an erase in the first erase unit and a second erase control unit which performs an erase in the second erase unit,\nwherein the second erase control unit sets a voltage applied to the target memory cell at erasing smaller in absolute value than at erasing by the first erase control unit and makes short the time necessary for erasure,\nwherein the control circuit further includes a write control unit which executes writing on the second erase units each placed in a non-written state, of the memory cell array upon a state in which the addressed second erase unit is erased by the first erase control unit and data writing has been conducted thereby, and sets the addressed second erase unit to an invalid state,\nwherein the second erase control unit executes erasing by the second erase control unit on the first erase units when second rewrite units lying within the first erase units are all set to an invalid state, and sets the rewrite units in the first erase units to a valid state, and\nwherein the first erase control unit executes erasing of the first erase units under the first erase control unit when the second rewrite units lying in the first erase units are all invalidated after erasing thereof by the second erase control unit."
],
[
"1. A non-volatile semiconductor storage device comprising:\na memory cell array including an electrically rewritable non-volatile memory cell arranged therein; and\na control unit configured to perform controlling of repeating an erase operation to apply an erase pulse voltage to the memory cell for data erase and an erase verify operation to verify whether data erase is completed, and to cause the erase pulse voltage to increase by a certain step-up voltage in the erase operation performed again in the repeating of the erase operation and the erase verify operation after it is verified that data erase is not completed in the erase verify operation,\nthe control unit being configured to, in the erase operations alternately repeated with the erase verify operation, perform a first erase operation as an initial one of the erase operations and, subsequent to the first erase operation, a second erase operation as a next one of the erase operations, the erase verify operation being performed between the first erase operation and the second erase operation, and\nthe control unit being configured to control the erase pulse voltage such that:\nat least a first erase pulse voltage of the erase pulse voltage has a blunted wave-shape portion, the first erase pulse voltage being applied to the memory cell in the first erase operation,\nthe blunted wave-shape portion of the first erase pulse voltage includes a continuous curve satisfying a relation of Wp/3≤t, wherein Wp is a pulse width of the first erase pulse voltage, and t is a width of the continuous curve of the first erase pulse voltage; and\na second erase pulse voltage has a voltage value at a saturation state larger than that of the first erase pulse voltage, the second erase pulse voltage being applied to the memory cell in the second erase operation.",
"2. The non-volatile semiconductor storage device according to claim 1, wherein\nthe control unit controls a voltage of the first erase pulse voltage such that a voltage wave shape of the first erase pulse voltage when a vertical axis thereof denotes a voltage and a lateral axis denotes time has a gradient such that a gradient at a first point of time is not larger than a gradient at a second point of time before the first point of time through the continuous curve, the blunted wave-shape portion of the first erase pulse voltage being included in rising of the first erase pulse voltage and being continuous to the voltage value at the saturation state of the first erase pulse voltage.",
"3. The non-volatile semiconductor storage device according to claim 1, wherein\nthe control unit is configured to, in the erase operations alternately repeated with the erase verify operation, further perform a third erase operation as one of the erase operations subsequent to the second erase operation, the erase verify operation being performed between the second erase operation and the third erase operation, and\nthe control unit is configured to control the erase pulse voltage such that:\nin the first erase operation, the first erase pulse voltage reaches a first saturation value,\nin the second erase operation, the second erase pulse voltage reaches a second saturation value,\nin the third erase operation, a third erase pulse voltage applied to the memory cell reaches a third saturation value,\nthe erase pulse voltage is increased by the certain step-up voltage from the first saturation value to the second saturation value, and from the second saturation value to the third saturation value, a difference between the first saturation value and the second saturation value and a difference between the second saturation value and the third saturation value being equal to each other, and\na width of the blunted wave-shape portion that is continuous to the voltage value at the saturation state is set such that the first erase pulse voltage is longer than the second erase pulse voltage with respect to the width of the blunted wave-shape portion.",
"4. The non-volatile semiconductor storage device according to claim 1, wherein\nthe control unit is configured to, in the erase operations alternately repeated with the erase verify operation, further perform a third erase operation as one of the erase operations subsequent to the second erase operation, the erase verify operation being performed between the second erase operation and the third erase operation, and\nthe control unit is configured to control the erase pulse voltage such that:\nin the first erase operation, the first erase pulse voltage reaches a first saturation value,\nin the second erase operation, the second erase pulse voltage reaches a second saturation value,\nin the third erase operation, a third erase pulse voltage applied to the memory cell reaches a third saturation value,\nthe erase pulse voltage is increased by the certain step-up voltage from the first saturation value to the second saturation value, and from the second saturation value to the third saturation value, a difference between the first saturation value and the second saturation value and a difference between the second saturation value and the third saturation value being equal to each other, and\na width of the blunted wave-shape portion that is continuous to the voltage value at the saturation state is set such that the first erase pulse voltage is longer than the third erase pulse voltage with respect to the width of the blunted wave-shape portion.",
"5. The non-volatile semiconductor storage device according to claim 4, wherein\nthe control unit is configured to control the erase pulse voltage such that the pulse width of the first erase pulse voltage is longer than that of the third erase pulse voltage.",
"6. The non-volatile semiconductor storage device according to claim 1, wherein\nthe control unit controls a voltage of the first erase pulse voltage such that the continuous curve thereof is followed by a substantially flat area, the substantially flat area having the voltage value at the saturation state of the first erase pulse voltage.",
"7. The non-volatile semiconductor storage device according to claim 6, wherein\nthe control unit controls a voltage of the first erase pulse voltage such that the voltage is progressively increased following the continuous curve until the voltage reaches the saturation state.",
"8. The non-volatile semiconductor storage device according to claim 6, wherein\nthe control unit controls a voltage of the first erase pulse voltage such that the voltage is set constant following the continuous curve at the saturation state.",
"9. The non-volatile semiconductor storage device according to claim 1, wherein\nthe control unit controls a voltage of the second erase pulse voltage such that a voltage wave shape of the second erase pulse voltage when a vertical axis thereof denotes a voltage and a lateral axis denotes time has a continuous curve in which a gradient at a first point of time is not larger than a gradient at a second point of time before the first point of time through the continuous curve, the blunted wave-shape portion of the second erase pulse voltage including the continuous curve and being continuous to the voltage value at the saturation state of the second erase pulse voltage.",
"10. The non-volatile semiconductor storage device according to claim 1, wherein\nthe control unit is configured to control the erase pulse voltage such that the first erase pulse voltage is longer than the second erase pulse voltage with respect to a width of the blunted wave-shape portion thereof.",
"11. A non-volatile semiconductor storage device comprising: a memory cell array including an electrically rewritable non-volatile memory cell arranged therein; and\na control unit configured to perform controlling of repeating an erase operation to apply an erase pulse voltage to the memory cell for data erase and an erase verify operation to verify whether data erase is completed, and to cause the erase pulse voltage to increase by a certain step-up voltage in the erase operation performed again in the repeating, of the erase operation and the erase verify operation after it is verified that data erase is not completed in the erase verify operation,\nthe control unit being configured to, in the erase operations alternately repeated with the erase verify operation, perform a first erase operation as an initial one of the erase operations and, subsequent to the first erase operation, a second erase operation as a next one of the erase operations, the erase verify operation being performed between the first erase operation and the second erase operation, and\nthe control unit being configured to control a first erase pulse voltage applied to the memory cell in the first erase operation and a second erase pulse voltage applied to the memory cell in the second erase operation such that:\nat least a voltage wave shape of the first erase pulse voltage when a vertical axis thereof denotes a voltage and a lateral axis denotes time has a blunted wave-shape portion that k continuous to a saturation value thereof, the blunted wave-shape portion being defined by a period in which a gradient at a first point of time is not larger than a gradient at a second point of time before the first point of time in the voltage wave shape through the period; and\nthe first erase pulse voltage is longer than the second erase pulse voltage with respect to a width of the blunted wave-shape portion, wherein\nrelation of Wp/3≤t is satisfied, wherein Wp is a pulse width of the first erase pulse voltage, and t is the width of the blunted wave-shape portion of the first erase pulse voltage.",
"12. The non-volatile semiconductor storage device according to claim 11, further comprising:\na voltage generation circuit including N (N≥2) boost circuits, each configured to generate a boosted voltage based on a power supply voltage, and a pulse generation circuit configured to generate the erase pulse voltage using the boosted voltage, wherein\nthe control unit drives M (M<N) of the boost circuits when generating the first erase pulse voltage, and drives L (N≥L>M) of the boost circuits when generating the second erase pulse voltage.",
"13. The non-volatile semiconductor storage device according to claim 10, wherein\nthe control unit is configured to, in the erase operations alternately repeated with the erase verify operation, further perform a third erase operation as one of the erase operations subsequent to the second erase operation, the erase verify operation being performed between the second erase operation and the third erase operation, and\nthe control unit is configured to control the erase pulse voltage such that:\nin the first erase operation, the first erase pulse voltage reaches a first saturation value,\nin the second erase operation, the second erase pulse voltage reaches a second saturation value,\nin the third erase operation, a third erase pulse voltage applied to the memory cell reaches a third saturation value,\nthe erase pulse voltage is increased by the certain step-up voltage from the first saturation value to the second saturation value, and from the second saturation value to the third saturation value, a difference between the first saturation value and the second saturation value and a difference between the second saturation value and the third saturation value being equal to each other, and\nthe width of the blunted wave-shape portion that is continuous to the first saturation value in the first erase pulse voltage is set such that the first erase pulse voltage is longer than the second erase pulse voltage and than the third erase pulse voltage with respect to the width of the blunted wave-shape portion.",
"14. The non-volatile semiconductor storage device according to claim 11, wherein\nthe control unit controls a voltage of the first erase pulse voltage such that a rise curve thereof is followed by a substantially flat area, the blunted wave-shape portion including the rise curve, and the substantially flat area having the saturation value of the first erase pulse voltage.",
"15. The non-volatile semiconductor storage device according to claim 14, wherein\nthe control unit controls a voltage of the first erase pulse voltage such that the rise curve is followed by a constant voltage having the saturation value or a progressively increased voltage reaching the saturation value.",
"16. The non-volatile semiconductor storage device according to claim 11, wherein\nthe control unit controls a voltage of the second erase pulse voltage such that a voltage wave shape of the second erase pulse voltage when a vertical axis thereof denotes a voltage and a lateral axis denotes time has such a gradient that a gradient at a first point of time is not larger than a gradient at a second point of time before the first point of time through the width of the blunted wave-shape portion of the second erase pulse voltage, the blunted wave-shape portion being continuous to the saturation value of the second erase pulse voltage.",
"17. A non-volatile semiconductor storage device comprising:\na memory cell array including an electrically rewritable non-volatile memory cell arranged therein; and\na control unit configured to perform controlling of repeating an erase operation to apply an erase pulse voltage to the memory cell for data erase and an erase verify operation to verify whether data erase k completed, and to cause the erase pulse voltage to increase by a certain step-up voltage in the erase operation performed again in the repeating of the erase operation and the erase verify operation after it is verified that data erase is not completed in the erase verify operation,\nthe control unit being configured to, in the erase operations alternately repeated with the erase verify operation, perform a first erase operation as an initial one of the erase operations and, subsequent to the first erase operation, a second erase operation as a next one of the erase operations, the erase verify operation being performed between the first erase operation and the second erase operation,\nthe control unit being configured to control the erase pulse voltage such that:\na first erase pulse voltage applied to the memory cell in the first erase operation is longer than a second erase pulse voltage applied to the memory cell in the second erase operation with respect to a width of a blunted wave-shape portion thereof, the blunted wave-shape portion being a single rise curve and continuous to a voltage value at a saturation state, the blunted wave-shape portion of the first erase pulse voltage including the single rise curve being followed by a substantially flat area having a first voltage value at the saturation state of the first erase pulse voltage, and\nthe second erase pulse voltage has a second voltage value at the saturation state larger than the first voltage value at the saturation state of the first erase pulse voltage, wherein\na relation of Wp/3≤t satisfied wherein Wp is a pulse width of the first erase pulse voltage, and t is the width of the blunted wave-shape portion of the first erase pulse voltage.",
"18. The non-volatile semiconductor storage device according to claim 17, wherein\nthe control unit controls a voltage of the first erase pulse voltage such that the single rise curve is followed by a constant voltage at the saturation state or a progressively increased voltage to the saturation state."
],
[
"1. A nonvolatile memory apparatus comprising:\na bus;\na processing unit coupled to said bus; and\na plurality of nonvolatile memories coupled to said bus,\nwherein each of said nonvolatile memories includes a plurality of memory cells, an erase control circuit, which controls performing an erase operation and a verify operation for erasing data stored into ones of said memory cells, and an address generation circuit, which generates an address indicating a part of said ones of said memory cells,\nwherein in an erase operation mode, said erase control circuit repeatedly performs said erase operation and said verify operation until ones of memory cells are erased, said erase control circuit performs said verify operation to said part of said ones of memory cells addressed by said address generated by said address generation circuit in said verify operation, and performs said erase operation again when at least one memory cell in said part of ones of memory cells has not become erased, and\nwherein when said processing unit specifies one of said nonvolatile memories to said erase operation mode, said processing unit issues a signal for specifying said erase operation mode to said one of said nonvolatile memories while activating a chip enable signal of said one of said nonvolatile memories, and said processing unit is capable of inactivating said chip enable signal after fetching said signal for specifying said erase operation mode by said one of said nonvolatile memories and before completion of said erase operation mode of said one of said nonvolatile memories.",
"2. A nonvolatile memory apparatus according to claim 1,\nwherein said processing unit is capable of accessing another nonvolatile memory, after said one of said nonvolatile memories is specified said erase operation mode and said chip enable signal to said one of said nonvolatile memories is inactivated and before completion of said erase operation mode of said one of said nonvolatile memories.",
"3. A nonvolatile memory apparatus comprising:\na bus;\na processor electrically connected with said bus; and\na plurality of nonvolatile memories electrically connected with said bus,\nwherein each of said nonvolatile memories includes a plurality of memory cells, an erase control circuit, which is for performing an erase operation and an erase verify operation repeatedly in an erase mode, and an address counter circuit, which is for generating an address signal for said erase verify operation,\nwherein after performing said erase operation by said erase control circuit, said erase control circuit sets an address of said address counter for generating said address signal in accordance with said address, performs said erase verify operation to ones of said memory cells indicated by said address signal generated by said address counter, after then, performs said erase operation again when at least one memory cell of said ones of memory cells has not become erased, and makes said address counter increment the address such that said erase verify operation is performed to other ones of memory cells indicated by said address signal according to the incremented address when all of said ones of memory cells have become erased,\nwherein said processor issues a signal for specifying said erase mode to one of said nonvolatile memories during activating a chip enable signal of said one of said nonvolatile memories, when said processor makes said one of said nonvolatile memories move to said erase mode, and\nwherein said processor is capable of inactivating said chip enable signal of said one of said nonvolatile memories after fetching said signal for specifying said erase mode by said one of said nonvolatile memories and before completion of said erase mode of said one of said nonvolatile memories.",
"4. A nonvolatile memory apparatus according to claim 3,\nwherein said processor is capable of accessing another nonvolatile memory, after said one of said nonvolatile memories is specified said erase mode and said chip enable signal to said one of said nonvolatile memories is inactivated and before completion of said erase mode of said one of said nonvolatile memories.",
"5. A nonvolatile memory apparatus comprising:\na bus;\na processor coupled to said bus; and\na plurality of nonvolatile memories coupled to said bus,\nwherein each of said nonvolatile memories includes a plurality of memory cells, an erase operation circuit, which is capable of performing an erase operation to ones of said memory cells, an address generating circuit, which is generating an address for specifying a part of said ones of memory cells, and a detecting circuit, which performs an erase verity operation for determining whether all of said part of said ones of memory cells have become erased or not,\nwherein in an erase mode, after performing said erase operation by said erase operation circuit, said detecting circuit performs said erase verify operation to said part of said ones of memory cells specified by said address generated by address generating circuit, after then, said erase operation circuit performs said erase operation again when said detecting circuit determines at least one of said part of said ones of memory cells has not become erased, and said address generating circuit generates another address and said detecting circuit performs said erase verify operation to another part of said ones of memory cells in accordance with said another address,\nwherein when said processor specifies said erase mode to one of said nonvolatile memories, said processor provides a signal for said one of nonvolatile memories to shift to said erase mode while said processor activates a chip enable signal of said one of nonvolatile memories, and\nwherein said processor is capable of inactivating said chip enable signal of said one of nonvolatile memories between fetching of said signal to shift to said erase mode by said one of nonvolatile memories and finishing of said erase mode of said one of nonvolatile memories.",
"6. A nonvolatile memory apparatus according to claim 5,\nwherein said processor is capable of accessing another nonvolatile memory, after said one of said nonvolatile memories is specified said erase mode between said chip enable signal to said one of said nonvolatile memories is inactivated and completion of said erase mode of said one of said nonvolatile memories.",
"7. A nonvolatile memory apparatus comprising:\na processor;\na plurality of memories; and\nan input/output (I/O) terminal,\nwherein one of said memories is a nonvolatile memory and is capable of receiving control signals from said processor,\nwherein said nonvolatile memory includes a plurality of memory cells, an erase control circuit and an address generating circuit for generating an address signal, and is capable of starting an erase operation mode in accordance with receiving an erase signal included in said control signals,\nwherein in said erase operation mode, said erase control circuit performs an erase operation and an erase verify operation repeatedly and automatically,\nwherein said erase control circuit performs said erase operation to ones of said memory cells, performs said erase verify operation to said ones of memory cells indicated in said address signal, after then, performing said erase operation to said ones of said memory cells again when at least one of said ones of said memory cells has not erased data, and\nwherein said processor provides said erase signal to said nonvolatile memory while making an activating signal of said nonvolatile memory vary to a selecting state when said processor specifies said nonvolatile memory to said erase operation mode, and is capable of making said activating signal of said nonvolatile memory vary to an unselected state after fetching said erase signal by said nonvolatile memory and before completing said erase operation.",
"8. A nonvolatile memory apparatus according to claim 7,\nwherein said processor is capable of accessing to another memory of said memories after fetching said erase signal by said nonvolatile memory and before completing said erase operation.",
"9. A nonvolatile memory apparatus according to claim 7,\nwherein said processor is capable of receiving data from outside via said I/O terminal after fetching said erase signal by said nonvolatile memory and before completing said erase operation.",
"10. A nonvolatile memory apparatus according to claim 7,\nwherein said processor is capable of outputting data via said I/O terminal after fetching said erase signal by said nonvolatile memory and before completing said erase operation.",
"11. A nonvolatile memory apparatus according to claim 7,\nwherein said nonvolatile memory performs a write operation for data writing in accordance with receiving a write signal included in said control signals from said processor.",
"12. A nonvolatile memory apparatus according to claim 11,\nwherein each of said memory cells has a threshold voltage within one of plural threshold voltage ranges, and\nwherein one of said threshold voltage ranges is an erase voltage range into which said Threshold voltage of said ones of said memory cells are moved in said erase operation, and another of said threshold voltage ranges is a program voltage range into which said threshold voltage of a memory cell is moved in said write operation.",
"13. A nonvolatile memory apparatus comprising:\na plurality of memories;\na processor, and\nan input/output terminal,\nwherein one of said memories is a nonvolatile memory and is capable of receiving a plurality of control signals from said processor,\nwherein said nonvolatile memory includes a plurality of memory cells, an erase control circuit and an address counter circuit, and is capable of shifting to an erase mode in accordance with receiving an erase signal in said control signals,\nwherein said erase control circuit is capable of performing at least one time each of an erase operation and an erase verify operation in said erase mode,\nwherein said address counter circuit is capable of providing an address signal used for said erase verify operation,\nwherein in said erase mode, said erase control circuit is capable of setting an address information to said address counter circuit, performs said erase verify operation after performing said erase operation, after then, performs again said erase operation when at least one memory cell has stayed in an erase state, and, makes said address counter circuit increment said address signal and performs said erase verify operation to ones of said memory cells in accordance with the incremented address signal when all of memory cells in accordance with previous address signal have gone in a program state, and\nwherein said processor is provided said erase signal while said processor changes an activate signal of said nonvolatile memory to an active state when said processor instructs said erase mode to said nonvolatile memory, and changes said activate signal of said nonvolatile memory to an inactive state after said erase signal is fetched by said nonvolatile memory and before finishing said erase mode.",
"14. A nonvolatile memory apparatus according to claim 13,\nwherein said processor is capable of accessing another memory of said memories after fetching said erase signal by said nonvolatile memory and before finishing said erase mode.",
"15. A nonvolatile memory apparatus according to claim 13,\nwherein said processor is capable of receiving data 1mm outside via said input/output terminal after fetching said erase signal by said nonvolatile memory and before finishing said erase mode.",
"16. A nonvolatile memory apparatus according to claim 13,\nwherein said processor is capable of outputting data via said input/output terminal after fetching said erase signal by said nonvolatile memory and before finishing said erase mode.",
"17. A nonvolatile memory apparatus according to claim 13,\nwherein said nonvolatile memory performs a write operation for data writing in accordance with receiving a write signal in said control signals from said processor.",
"18. A nonvolatile memory apparatus according to claim 17,\nwherein each of said memory cells has a threshold voltage within one of plural threshold voltage ranges, and\nwherein one of said threshold voltage ranges is an erase voltage range into which said threshold voltage of said ones of said memory cells are moved in said erase operation, and another of said threshold voltage ranges is a program voltage range into which said threshold voltage of a memory cell is moved in said write operation.",
"19. A nonvolatile memory apparatus comprising:\nan input/output terminal;\na processor; and\nplural memories, one of which is a nonvolatile memory being capable of receiving control signals from said processor and comprising a plurality of nonvolatile memory cells, an erase circuit, an address counter circuit, and a deciding circuit;\nwherein said erase circuit controls to perform an erase operation to ones of said nonvolatile memory cells,\nwherein said address counter circuit is capable of generating an address signal to select a part of said ones of nonvolatile memory cells,\nwherein said deciding circuit is capable of performing an erase verify operation for deciding whether all of said nonvolatile memory cells addressed by said address signal are already erased or not,\nwherein said nonvolatile memory moves into an erase mode in response to an erase signal included in said control signals,\nwherein in said erase mode, said nonvolatile memory performs said erase operation and said erase verity operation more than once, said deciding circuit performs said erase verify operation to said part of said ones of nonvolatile memory cells addressed by said address signal after performing said erase operation by said erase circuit, after then, said erase circuit performs again said erase operation when at least one of said part of said ones of nonvolatile memory cells has still not achieved an erase state as is decided by said erase verity operation, and said deciding circuit performs said erase verify operation to another part of said ones of said nonvolatile memory cells in accordance with another address signal generated by said address counter circuit, and\nwherein said processor provides said erase signal included in said control signals during activating an activation signal of said nonvolatile memory when said processor instructs said nonvolatile memory to move into said erase mode, and inactivates said activation signal of said nonvolatile memory between fetching said erase signal and finishing said erase mode.",
"20. A nonvolatile memory apparatus according to claim 19,\nwherein said processor is capable of accessing another memory of said memories between the fetching of said erase signal by said nonvolatile memory and finishing of said erase mode.",
"21. A nonvolatile memory apparatus according to claim 19,\nwherein said processor is capable of receiving data from outside via said input/output terminal between the fetching of said erase signal by said nonvolatile memory and finishing of said erase mode.",
"22. A nonvolatile memory apparatus according to claim 19,\nwherein said processor is capable of outputting data via said input/output terminal between the fetching of said erase signal by said nonvolatile memory and finishing of said erase mode.",
"23. A nonvolatile memory apparatus according to claim 19,\nwherein said nonvolatile memory performs a write operation for data writing in accordance with receiving a write signal included in said control signals from said processor.",
"24. A nonvolatile memory apparatus according to claim 23,\nwherein each of said memory cells has a threshold voltage within one of plural threshold voltage ranges, and\nwherein one of said threshold voltage ranges is an erase voltage range into which said threshold voltage of said ones of said memory cells are moved in said erase operation, and another of said threshold voltage ranges is a program voltage range into which said threshold voltage of a memory cell is moved in said write operation.",
"25. A nonvolatile memory apparatus according to claim 1,\nwherein each of said nonvolatile memories is capable of performing said erase operation and said verify operation in response to fetching said signal for specifying said erase operation mode.",
"26. A nonvolatile memory apparatus according to claim 3,\nwherein said one of said nonvolatile memories is capable of performing said erase operation and said erase verify operation in response to fetching said signal for specifying said erase mode.",
"27. A nonvolatile memory apparatus according to claim 5,\nwherein each of said nonvolatile memories is capable of performing said erase operation and said erase verify operation in response to fetching said signal to shift to said erase mode.",
"28. A nonvolatile memory apparatus according to claim 7,\nwherein said nonvolatile memory is capable of performing said erase operation and said erase verify operation in response to fetching said erase signal.",
"29. A nonvolatile memory apparatus according to claim 13,\nwherein said nonvolatile memory is capable of performing said erase operation and said erase verify operation in response to receiving said erase signal.",
"30. A nonvolatile memory apparatus according to claim 19,\nwherein said nonvolatile memory is capable of performing said erase operation and said erase verify operation in response to receiving said erase signal."
],
[
"1. A method of erasing non-volatile storage, comprising:\napplying an erase voltage to a set of non-volatile storage elements while enabling erasing of each non-volatile storage element in said set, said set including a first subset of non-volatile storage elements and a second subset of non-volatile storage elements;\nverifying whether said set is erased after applying said erase voltage by testing conduction through said set while applying a verify voltage to said first subset of non-volatile storage elements and applying a first voltage to said second subset of non-volatile storage elements, said first voltage is different from said verify voltage;\nrepeating said applying said erase voltage and verifying whether said set is erased until successfully verifying that said set is erased; and\napplying said erase voltage to said set while inhibiting erasing of said first subset after successfully verifying that said set is erased.",
"2. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:\nverifying whether said set is erased after said applying said erase voltage to said set while inhibiting erasing of said first subset; and\nrepeating said applying said erase voltage to said set while inhibiting erasing of said first subset and said verifying whether said set is erased after applying said erase voltage to said set while inhibiting erasing of said first subset until successfully verifying that said set is erased.",
"3. A method according to claim 2, wherein:\nverifying whether said set is erased after applying said erase voltage to said set while inhibiting erasing of said first subset includes testing conduction through said set while applying said verify voltage to said first subset and said second subset.",
"4. A method according to claim 2, wherein:\nverifying whether said set is erased after applying said erase voltage to said set while inhibiting erasing of said first subset includes testing conduction through said set while applying said verify voltage to said second subset and said first voltage to said first subset.",
"5. A method according to claim 4, wherein:\nsaid first voltage is larger than said verify voltage; and\nsaid applying said first voltage to said second subset promotes conduction of each non-volatile storage element in said second subset.",
"6. A method according to claim 1, wherein repeating said applying said erase voltage and verifying whether said set is erased includes increasing a size of said erase voltage between each application of said erase voltage.",
"7. A method according to claim 1, wherein said set of non-volatile storage elements is part of a NAND string.",
"8. A method according to claim 7, wherein:\nsaid NAND string includes a first select gate and a second select gate;\nsaid second subset of non-volatile storage elements includes a first non-volatile storage element adjacent to said first select gate and a second non-volatile storage element adjacent to said second select gate; and\nsaid first subset of non-volatile storage elements includes a plurality of non-volatile storage elements between said first non-volatile storage element and said second non-volatile storage element.",
"9. A method of erasing non-volatile storage, comprising:\napplying an erase voltage to a set of non-volatile storage elements while enabling erasing of each non-volatile storage element of said set, said set including a first subset of non-volatile storage elements and a second subset of non-volatile storage elements;\nverifying whether said set is erased after applying said erase voltage by causing said second subset of non-volatile storage elements to be conductive and testing conduction through said set while applying a verify voltage to said first subset of non-volatile storage elements;\nrepeating said applying said erase voltage and verifying whether said set is erased until successfully verifying that said set is erased; and\napplying said erase voltage to said set while inhibiting erasing of said first subset of non-volatile storage elements after successfully verifying that said set is erased.",
"10. A method according to claim 9, wherein:\ncausing said second subset of non-volatile storage elements to be conductive includes applying a first voltage that is larger than said verify voltage to said second subset of non-volatile storage elements, said first voltage promotes conduction of each non-volatile storage element in said second subset of non-volatile storage elements.",
"11. A method according to claim 10, further comprising:\nverifying whether said set is erased after applying said erase voltage to said set while inhibiting said first subset of non-volatile storage elements from being erased; and\nrepeating said applying said erase voltage to said set while inhibiting erasing of said first subset and said verifying whether said set is erased after applying said erase voltage to said set while inhibiting said first subset of from being erased until successfully verifying that said set is erased.",
"12. A method according to claim 11, wherein:\nverifying whether said set is erased after applying said erase voltage to said set while inhibiting said first subset from being erased includes testing conduction through said set while applying said verify voltage to said first subset and said second subset.",
"13. A method according to claim 11, wherein:\nverifying whether said set is erased after applying said erase voltage to said set while inhibiting said first subset from being erased includes testing conduction through said set while applying said verify voltage to said second subset and applying said first voltage to said first subset of non-volatile storage elements, said first voltage promotes conduction of each non-volatile storage element in said first subset.",
"14. A method according to claim 9, wherein:\nsaid set of non-volatile storage elements is part of a NAND string; and\nsaid NAND string includes a first select gate and a second select gate;\nsaid second subset of non-volatile storage elements includes a first non-volatile storage element adjacent to said first select gate and a second non-volatile storage element adjacent to said second select gate; and\nsaid first subset of non-volatile storage elements includes a plurality of non-volatile storage elements between said first non-volatile storage element and said second non-volatile storage element.",
"15. A method of erasing non-volatile storage, comprising:\napplying an erase voltage to a block of non-volatile storage elements in communication with a set of word lines, said block including a plurality of sets of series-connected non-volatile storage elements;\nverifying whether said sets of non-volatile storage elements are erased after applying said erase voltage by applying a verify voltage to a first subset of said set of word lines and a first voltage to a second subset of said set of word lines, said first voltage is different from said verify voltage;\nrepeating said applying and said verifying until all or a predetermined number of said sets of non-volatile storage elements are successfully verified as erased; and\napplying said erase voltage to said block of non-volatile storage elements while inhibiting erasing of non-volatile storage elements in communication with said first subset of word lines after successfully verifying that all or said predetermined number of said sets of non-volatile storage elements are erased.",
"16. A method according to claim 15, further comprising:\nverifying whether said sets of series-connected non-volatile storage elements are erased after said applying said erase voltage to said block while inhibiting erasing of non-volatile storage elements in communication with said first subset of word lines; and\nrepeating said applying said erase voltage to said block while inhibiting erasing of non-volatile storage elements in communication with said first subset of word lines and said verifying whether said sets are erased after said applying said erase voltage to said block while inhibiting erasing of non-volatile storage elements in communication with said first subset of word lines until all or a predetermined number of said sets are successfully verified as erased.",
"17. A method according to claim 16, wherein verifying whether said sets of series-connected non-volatile storage elements are erased after said applying said erase voltage to said block while inhibiting erasing of non-volatile storage elements in communication with said first subset of word lines includes:\ntesting conduction through said sets of series-connected non-volatile storage elements while applying said verify voltage to said first subset of word lines and said second subset of word lines.",
"18. A method according to claim 16, wherein verifying whether said sets of series-connected non-volatile storage elements are erased after said applying said erase voltage to said block while inhibiting erasing of non-volatile storage elements in communication with said first subset of word lines includes:\ntesting conduction through said sets of series-connected non-volatile storage elements while applying said verify voltage to said second subset of word lines and said first voltage to said first subset of word lines.",
"19. A method according to claim 18, wherein:\nsaid first voltage is larger than said verify voltage; and\nsaid applying said first voltage to said first subset of word lines promotes conduction of non-volatile storage elements in communication with said first subset of word lines.",
"20. A method according to claim 16, wherein:\nsaid sets of series-connected non-volatile storage elements are sets of NAND strings;\nsaid NAND strings each include a first select gate in communication with a first select line and a second select gate in communication with a second select line;\nsaid second subset of word lines includes a first word line adjacent to said first select line and a second word line adjacent to said second select line; and\nsaid first subset of word lines includes a plurality of word lines between said first word line and said second word line."
],
[
"1. A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device comprising:\na memory array configured to include a plurality of nonvolatile memory cells arranged in a matrix form and a plurality of word lines; and\nan X-decode section configured to select a selected word line selected from said plurality of word lines, supply a negative voltage to said selected word line, and supply a positive voltage to unselected word lines which are not said selected word line, at the time of an erase operation,\nwherein said X-decode section includes:\na plurality of output drivers configured to be provided corresponding to said plurality of word lines, each of said plurality of output drivers outputs at least one of said negative voltage and said positive voltage,\na negative voltage decoder configured to supply said negative voltage to said plurality of output drivers, and\na positive voltage decoder configured to supply said positive voltage to said plurality of output drivers,\nwherein each of said plurality of output drivers, based on a word line selection signal for selecting one of said plurality of word lines and a voltage selection signal for selecting one of said negative voltage and said positive voltage, supplies voltage corresponding to said voltage selection signal to corresponding one of said plurality of word lines,\nwherein said voltage selection signal includes a negative-voltage selection signal for selecting said negative voltage and a positive-voltage selection signal for selecting said positive voltage,\nwherein said each of the plurality of output drivers includes:\na first transistor configured to receive said word line selection signal at a gate, be connected to a first node at one terminal and a second node at another terminal, and be a first conductive type,\na second transistor configured to receive said positive-voltage selection signal at a gate, be connected to said first node at one terminal and said second node at another terminal, and be said first conductive type,\na third transistor configured to receive said word line selection signal at a gate, be connected to said second node at one terminal and a third node at another terminal, and be a second conductive type, and\na fourth transistor configured to receive said negative-voltage selection signal at a gate, be connected to said second node at one terminal and said third node at another terminal, and be said second conductive type,\nwherein said first node receives said positive voltage,\nsaid third node receives said negative voltage, and\nsaid second node is connected to corresponding one of said plurality of word lines.",
"2. The nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to claim 1, further comprising:\na X-predecoder configured to output said word line selection signal based on a first address signal,\nwherein said negative voltage decoder outputs said negative-voltage selection signal based on a second address signal and\nsaid positive voltage decoder outputs said positive-voltage selection signal based on said second address signal.",
"3. The nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to claim 2, wherein said X-decode section further includes:\na negative-voltage level shifter configured to supply said negative voltage to said negative voltage decoder, and\na positive-voltage level shifter configured to supply said positive voltage to said positive voltage decoder.",
"4. The nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to claim 3, wherein said plurality of nonvolatile memory cells is separated to a plurality of sectors, and\nsaid negative-voltage level shifter and said positive-voltage level shifter are provided every one of plurality of sectors.",
"5. The nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to claim 3, wherein said plurality of nonvolatile memory cells is separated to a plurality of cell groups, and\nsaid negative voltage decoder and said positive voltage decoder are provided every one of plurality of cell groups.",
"6. A method of operating the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device, comprising:\n(a) selecting a selected word line from a plurality of word lines, at the time of an erase operation in a memory array including said plurality of nonvolatile memory cells arranged in a matrix form and a plurality of word lines; and\n(b) supplying a negative voltage to said selected word line, and supplying a positive voltage to unselected word lines which are not said selected word line,\nwherein said step (a) includes:\n(a1) selecting said selected word line, based on a word line selection signal for selecting one of said plurality of word lines,\nwherein said step (b) includes:\n(b1) supplying said negative voltage to said selected word line based on a negative-voltage selection signal for selecting said negative voltage, and supplying said positive voltage to said unselected word lines based on a positive-voltage selection signal for selecting said positive voltage,\nwherein said step (a1) includes:\n(a11) supplying said word line selection signal to gates of a first transistor with a first conductive type and a third transistor with a second conductive type,\nwherein said step (b1) includes:\n(b11) supplying said positive-voltage selection signal to a gate of a second transistor with said first conductive type, and supplying said negative-voltage selection signal to a gate of a fourth transistor with said second conductive type,\nwherein said first transistor is connected to a first node at one terminal and a second node at another terminal,\nsaid second transistor is connected to said first node at one terminal and said second node at another terminal,\nsaid third transistor is connected to said second node at one terminal and a third node at another terminal, and\nsaid fourth transistor is connected to said second node at one terminal and said third node at another terminal,\nwherein said first node receives said positive voltage,\nsaid third node receives said negative voltage, and\nsaid second node is connected to said selected word lines.",
"7. The method of operating the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to claim 6, wherein said step (a11) includes:\n(a111) outputting said word line selection signal based on a first address signal,\nwherein said step (b11) includes:\n(b111) outputting said negative-voltage selection signal based on a second address signal, and outputting said positive-voltage selection signal based on said second address signal.",
"8. The method of operating the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to claim 6, wherein said step (b1) includes:\n(b12) supplying said negative voltage from a negative-voltage level shifter to said third node, and\n(b13) supplying said positive voltage from a positive-voltage level shifter to said first node."
],
[
"1. A method of data deduplication and compression in a data storage system including a data storage resource, comprising:\nobtaining a data stream including a plurality of data slices;\nperforming, on a slice-by-slice basis, a data deduplication operation on the plurality of data slices to obtain a plurality of deduplicated data slices;\ngrouping the plurality of deduplicated data slices to form a plurality of compression groups, each of the plurality of compression groups corresponding to an uncompressed group of deduplicated data slices;\nperforming a data compression operation on each of the plurality of compression groups as a whole to obtain a plurality of compressed groups of deduplicated data slices;\nstoring the plurality of compressed groups of deduplicated data slices on the data storage resource;\nperforming at least the data deduplication operation in an in-line fashion as the data stream including the plurality of data slices is being obtained; and\nhaving performed at least the data deduplication operation in the in-line fashion, performing a background process comprising:\nobtaining the deduplicated data slices;\nperforming, on a slice-by-slice basis, a second data deduplication operation on the plurality of deduplicated data slices to obtain a second plurality of deduplicated data slices;\ngrouping the second plurality of deduplicated data slices to form a plurality of second compression groups, each of the plurality of second compression groups corresponding to an uncompressed group of deduplicated data slices;\nperforming a second data compression operation on each of the plurality of second compression groups as a whole to obtain a plurality of second compressed groups of deduplicated data slices; and\nstoring the plurality of second compressed groups of deduplicated data slices on the data storage resource.",
"2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:\nslicing the data stream into the plurality of data slices, the plurality of data slices including a plurality of fixed-length data slices.",
"3. The method of claim 2 wherein the performing of the data deduplication operation includes performing the data deduplication operation on the plurality of fixed-length data slices to obtain a plurality of fixed-length deduplicated data slices.",
"4. The method of claim 3 wherein the grouping of the plurality of deduplicated data slices includes grouping the plurality of fixed-length deduplicated data slices to form a plurality of fixed-length compression groups.",
"5. The method of claim 1 further comprising:\nslicing the data stream into the plurality of data slices, the plurality of data slices including a plurality of variable-length data slices.",
"6. The method of claim 5 wherein the performing of the data deduplication operation includes performing the data deduplication operation on the plurality of variable-length data slices to obtain a plurality of variable-length deduplicated data slices.",
"7. The method of claim 6 wherein the grouping of the plurality of deduplicated data slices includes grouping the plurality of variable-length deduplicated data slices to form a plurality of variable-length compression groups.",
"8. The method of claim 1 further comprising:\ngenerating a metadata map that represents relationships between (i) a plurality of data slice indices for the plurality of deduplicated data slices, respectively, and (ii) a compression group identifier for each of the plurality of compression groups, the plurality of data slice indices pointing to locations within the plurality of compression groups where the plurality of deduplicated data slices reside.",
"9. The method of claim 1 further comprising:\nperforming the data deduplication operation and the data compression operation in an in-line fashion as the data stream including the plurality of data slices is being obtained.",
"10. The method of claim 9 wherein the performing of the data deduplication operation and the data compression operation in the in-line fashion comprises:\nperforming, in the in-line fashion:\n(i) on a slice-by-slice basis, the data deduplication operation on the plurality of data slices to obtain a plurality of deduplicated data slices;\n(ii) a staging operation to stage a fixed or variable number of the plurality of deduplicated data slices in a memory buffer to form each of the plurality of compression groups; and\n(iii) the data compression operation on each of the plurality of compression groups as a whole in the memory buffer to obtain the plurality of compressed groups of deduplicated data slices.",
"11. A data storage system comprising:\na data storage resource;\na memory; and\na processor configured to execute instructions out of the memory:\nto obtain a data stream including a plurality of data slices;\nto perform, on a slice-by-slice basis, a data deduplication operation on the plurality of data slices to obtain a plurality of deduplicated data slices;\nto group the plurality of deduplicated data slices to form a plurality of compression groups, each of the plurality of compression groups corresponding to an uncompressed group of deduplicated data slices;\nto perform a data compression operation on each of the plurality of compression groups as a whole to obtain a plurality of compressed groups of deduplicated data slices;\nto store the plurality of compressed groups of deduplicated data slices on the data storage resource;\nto perform at least the data deduplication operation in an in-line fashion as the data stream including the plurality of data slices is being obtained; and\nhaving performed at least the data deduplication operation in the in-line fashion, to perform a background process comprising:\nobtaining the deduplicated data slices;\nperforming, on a slice-by-slice basis, a second data deduplication operation on the plurality of deduplicated data slices to obtain a second plurality of deduplicated data slices;\ngrouping the second plurality of deduplicated data slices to form a plurality of second compression groups, each of the plurality of second compression groups corresponding to an uncompressed group of deduplicated data slices;\nperforming a second data compression operation on each of the plurality of second compression groups as a whole to obtain a plurality of second compressed groups of deduplicated data slices; and\nstoring the plurality of second compressed groups of deduplicated data slices on the data storage resource.",
"12. The data storage system of claim 11 wherein the processor is further configured to execute the instructions out of the memory to slice the data stream into the plurality of data slices, wherein the plurality of data slices include a plurality of fixed-length data slices.",
"13. The data storage system of claim 12 wherein the processor is further configured to execute the instructions out of the memory to perform the data deduplication operation on the plurality of fixed-length data slices to obtain a plurality of fixed-length deduplicated data slices.",
"14. The data storage system of claim 13 wherein the processor is further configured to execute the instructions out of the memory to group the plurality of fixed-length deduplicated data slices to form a plurality of fixed-length compression groups.",
"15. The data storage system of claim 11 wherein the processor is further configured to execute the instructions out of the memory to slice the data stream into the plurality of data slices, wherein the plurality of data slices include a plurality of variable-length data slices.",
"16. The data storage system of claim 15 wherein the processor is further configured to execute the instructions out of the memory to perform the data deduplication operation on the plurality of variable-length data slices to obtain a plurality of variable-length deduplicated data slices, and to group the plurality of variable-length deduplicated data slices to form a plurality of variable-length compression groups.",
"17. The data storage system of claim 11 wherein the processor is further configured to execute the instructions out of the memory to generate a metadata map that represents relationships between (i) a plurality of data slice indices for the plurality of deduplicated data slices, respectively, and (ii) a compression group identifier for each of the plurality of compression groups, wherein the plurality of data slice indices point to locations within the plurality of compression groups where the plurality of deduplicated data slices reside.",
"18. A computer program product having a non-transitory computer readable medium that stores a set of instructions to perform data deduplication and compression in a data storage system that includes a data storage resource, the set of instructions, when carried out by computerized circuitry, causing the computerized circuitry to perform a method of:\nobtaining a data stream including a plurality of data slices;\nperforming, on a slice-by-slice basis, a data deduplication operation on the plurality of data slices to obtain a plurality of deduplicated data slices;\ngrouping the plurality of deduplicated data slices to form a plurality of compression groups, each of the plurality of compression groups corresponding to an uncompressed group of deduplicated data slices;\nperforming a data compression operation on each of the plurality of compression groups as a whole to obtain a plurality of compressed groups of deduplicated data slices;\nstoring the plurality of compressed groups of deduplicated data slices on the data storage resource\nperforming at least the data deduplication operation in an in-line fashion as the data stream including the plurality of data slices is being obtained; and\nhaving performed at least the data deduplication operation in the in-line fashion, performing a background process comprising:\nobtaining the deduplicated data slices;\nperforming, on a slice-by-slice basis, a second data deduplication operation on the plurality of deduplicated data slices to obtain a second plurality of deduplicated data slices;\ngrouping the second plurality of deduplicated data slices to form a plurality of second compression groups, each of the plurality of second compression groups corresponding to an uncompressed group of deduplicated data slices;\nperforming a second data compression operation on each of the plurality of second compression groups as a whole to obtain a plurality of second compressed groups of deduplicated data slices; and\nstoring the plurality of second compressed groups of deduplicated data slices on the data storage resource."
],
[
"1. A computer-implemented method for storing a data block in a storage system, the method comprising:\nin response to a request from a client to store a data block in a storage system, segmenting the data block into a plurality of subblocks;\nindividually compressing each of the plurality of subblocks into a compressed subblock;\npacking the compressed subblocks into a compressed data block;\nstoring the compressed data block having the individually compressed subblocks therein in a persistent storage device; and\nstoring metadata of the compressed data block in an index entry in an index of the storage system, including storing subblock locators indicating locations of the compressed subblocks, wherein each of the subblocks can be individually accessed based on a corresponding subblock locator without having to access remaining subblocks.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein a subblock locator of a subblock includes a start offset of the subblock within the compressed data block.",
"3. The method of claim 2, wherein the subblock locator further includes a size of the subblock.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein the index entry further includes a block start location indicating a storage location of the compressed data block.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein the index entry further includes an alignment boundary value indicating a storage alignment of a storage device in which the corresponding subblocks are stored.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein the index entry includes a device identifier identifying one of a plurality of storage devices in which the compressed data block is stored.",
"7. The method of claim 1, further comprising, for each of the subblocks, determining whether a size of the subblock is reduced due to data compression, wherein a subblock is compressed only if the size of the subblock is reduced after data compression.",
"8. A non-transitory machine-readable medium having instructions stored therein, which when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations of storing a data block in a storage system, the operations comprising:\nin response to a request from a client to store a data block in a storage system, segmenting the data block into a plurality of subblocks;\nindividually compressing each of the plurality of subblocks into a compressed subblock;\npacking the compressed subblocks into a compressed data block;\nstoring the compressed data block having the individually compressed subblocks therein in a persistent storage device; and\nstoring metadata of the compressed data block in an index entry in an index of the storage system, including storing subblock locators indicating locations of the compressed subblocks, wherein each of the subblocks can be individually accessed based on a corresponding subblock locator without having to access remaining subblocks.",
"9. The machine-readable medium of claim 8, wherein a subblock locator of a subblock includes a start offset of the subblock within the compressed data block.",
"10. The machine-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the subblock locator further includes a size of the subblock.",
"11. The machine-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the index entry further includes a block start location indicating a storage location of the compressed data block.",
"12. The machine-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the index entry further includes an alignment boundary value indicating a storage alignment of a storage device in which the corresponding subblocks are stored.",
"13. The machine-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the index entry includes a device identifier identifying one of a plurality of storage devices in which the compressed data block is stored.",
"14. The machine-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the operations further comprise, for each of the subblocks, determining whether a size of the subblock is reduced due to data compression, wherein a subblock is compressed only if the size of the subblock is reduced after data compression.",
"15. A storage system, comprising:\na processor; and\na memory coupled to the processor to store instructions, which when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations of storing data, the operations including\nin response to a request from a client to store a data block in the storage system, segmenting the data block into a plurality of subblocks,\nindividually compressing each of the plurality of subblocks into a compressed subblock,\npacking the compressed subblocks into a compressed data block,\nstoring the compressed data block having the individually compressed subblocks therein in a persistent storage device, and\nstoring metadata of the compressed data block in an index entry in an index of the storage system, including storing subblock locators indicating locations of the compressed subblocks, wherein each of the subblocks can be individually accessed based on a corresponding subblock locator without having to access remaining subblocks.",
"16. The system of claim 15, wherein a subblock locator of a subblock includes a start offset of the subblock within the compressed data block.",
"17. The system of claim 16, wherein the subblock locator further includes a size of the subblock.",
"18. The system of claim 15, wherein the index entry further includes a block start location indicating a storage location of the compressed data block.",
"19. The system of claim 15, wherein the index entry further includes an alignment boundary value indicating a storage alignment of a storage device in which the corresponding subblocks are stored.",
"20. The system of claim 15, wherein the index entry includes a device identifier identifying one of a plurality of storage devices in which the compressed data block is stored.",
"21. The system of claim 15, wherein the operations further comprise, for each of the subblocks, determining whether a size of the subblock is reduced due to data compression, wherein a subblock is compressed only if the size of the subblock is reduced after data compression."
],
[
"1. A computing system comprising:\na data storage medium;\na data storage controller coupled to the data storage medium, the controller configured to:\nidentify a query value corresponding to a read request;\nselect, in dependence upon the query value, from a plurality of levels within a mapping table, the youngest level associated with the query value; and\nsearch the selected youngest level for an entry that maps the query value to a value corresponding to a location within the data storage medium.",
"2. The system as recited in claim 1, further comprising\na plurality of processes;\nwherein each mapping table entry comprising a tuple including a tuple key value that may be used to identify data stored within the system;\nand wherein only a first process of the processes is permitted to modify data corresponding to a first subset of the tuple key values, and only a second process of the processes is permitted to modify data corresponding to a second subset of the key values, wherein the second subset does not overlap the first subset;\nwherein levels which are older than a given time may be accessed by multiple processes of the processes without requiring synchronization between the multiple processes.",
"3. The system as recited in claim 2, wherein the mapping table includes a third subset of the tuple key values different from the first subset and the second subset, wherein a process is not assigned to manage modifications of the third subset of the tuple key values until an update to data corresponding to the third subset is performed.",
"4. The system as recited in claim 3, wherein prior to a process being assigned to manage modifications of data corresponding to the third subset, any process of the processes may service a read access to the data corresponding to the third subset.",
"5. The system as recited in claim 2, wherein two or more processes of the plurality of processes may service queries for a given key to multiple levels of the plurality of levels simultaneously.",
"6. The system as recited in claim 5, wherein a result corresponding to a most recent level of the plurality of levels provided by the two or more processes is selected as the final result.",
"7. The system as recited in claim 5, wherein the given key corresponds to a subset managed by a particular process and levels in memory are queried by the particular process, and wherein levels which may be cached by other processes may be queried by those other processes.",
"8. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein levels of the plurality of levels other than the newest level are read only.",
"9. A method for use in a storage system, the method comprising:\nidentifying a query value corresponding to a read request;\nselecting, in dependence upon the query value, from a plurality of levels within a mapping table, the youngest level associated with the query value; and\nsearching the selected youngest level for an entry that maps the query value to a value corresponding to a location within the data storage medium.",
"10. The method as recited in claim 9, further comprising executing a plurality of processes in the system;\nwherein each mapping table entry comprising a tuple including a tuple key value that may be used to identify data stored within the system;\nand wherein only a first process of the processes is permitted to modify data corresponding to a first subset of the tuple key values, and only a second process of the processes is permitted to modify data corresponding to a second subset of the key values, wherein the second subset does not overlap the first subset;\nthe method further comprising permitting multiple processes of the processes to access levels which are older than a given time without requiring synchronization between the multiple processes.",
"11. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein the mapping table includes a third subset of the tuple key values different from the first subset and the second subset, and wherein a process is not assigned to manage modifications of the third subset of the tuple key values until an update to data corresponding to the third subset is performed.",
"12. The method as recited in claim 11, further comprising permitting any process of the processes to service a read access to the data corresponding to the third subset prior to a process being assigned to manage modifications of data corresponding to the third subset.",
"13. The method as recited in claim 10, further comprising permitting two or more processes of the plurality of processes to service queries for a given key to multiple levels of the plurality of levels simultaneously.",
"14. The method as recited in claim 13, further comprising selecting as a final result of two or more processes servicing queries for the given key, a result corresponding to a most recent level of the plurality of levels provided by the two or more processes.",
"15. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein the given key corresponds to a subset managed by a particular process and levels in memory are queried by the particular process, and wherein levels which may be cached by other processes may be queried by those other processes.",
"16. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein levels of the plurality of levels other than the newest level are read only.",
"17. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing program instruction executable by a processor to:\nidentify a query value corresponding to a read request;\nselect, in dependence upon the query value, from a plurality of levels within a mapping table, the youngest level associated with the query value; and\nsearch the selected youngest level for an entry that maps the query value to a value corresponding to a location within the data storage medium.",
"18. The storage medium as recited in claim 17, further comprising executing a plurality of processes in the system;\nwherein each mapping table entry comprises a tuple including a tuple key value that may be used to identify data stored within the system;\nand wherein only a first process of the processes is permitted to modify data corresponding to a first subset of the tuple key values, and only a second process of the processes is permitted to modify data corresponding to a second subset of the key values, wherein the second subset does not overlap the first subset;\nwherein the program instructions are further executable to cause multiple processes of the processes to access levels of the time ordered levels which are older than a given time without requiring synchronization between the multiple processes.",
"19. The storage medium as recited in claim 18, wherein the mapping table includes a third subset of the tuple key values different from the first subset and the second subset, and wherein the program instructions are executable to not assign a process to manage modifications of the third subset of the tuple key values until an update to data corresponding to the third subset is performed.",
"20. The storage medium as recited in claim 19, wherein the program instructions are further executable to allow any process of the processes to service a read access to the data corresponding to the third subset prior to a process being assigned to manage modifications of data corresponding to the third subset."
],
[
"1. A computing storage system comprising:\na data storage mediumone or more storage devices;\na data storage controllerthe storage system configured to:\ndetermine that a current segment within the data storage medium one or more storage devices is in use by identifying a valid mapping of a location in the current segment to one or more virtual addresses, including:\ncreating a sorted list of potentially valid entries from a first table comprising entries mapping an address of a location in the one or more storage devices to one or more virtual addresses; and\ncreating a list of valid entries using the sorted list of potentially valid entries and a second table comprising entries mapping a virtual address to a location in the one or more storage devices;\ncopy data from the location in the current segment to a new storage location in the data storage medium one or more storage devices; and\nreclaim the location in the current segment.",
"2. The storage system as recited in claim 1, wherein the data storage controller is further configured to identifying the valid mapping of a location in the current segment to one or more virtual addresses further comprises:\nidentifying one or more entries in a the first table comprising a plurality of entries, wherein each of the one or more entries of the first table comprises a reverse mapping of an address of a location in the data storage medium to one or more virtual addresses; determine that the first table includes a valid mapping for a virtual address; and\ndeterminedetermining the mapping is valid responsive to determining the first table includes at least one valid mapping for a virtual address.",
"3. The storage system as recited in claim 1, wherein the data storage controller storage system is further configured to maintain a the second table comprising a plurality of entries, wherein each of the plurality of entries of the second table maps a virtual address to a location in the data storage medium using multi-level shared tables.",
"4. The storage system as recited in claim 1, wherein prior to copying the data from the location to the new location, the method further comprises deduplicating the data is deduplicated.",
"5. The storage system as recited in claim 4, wherein the data storage controller storage system is configured to copy the data from the location to the new location in further response to determining the data has not yet been copied to the new location.",
"6. The storage system as recited in claim 1, wherein the first table is organized as a plurality of time ordered levels, each level comprising a plurality of entries.",
"7. A method for use in a computing storage system that includes one or more storage devices, the method comprising:\ndetermining that a current segment within a data storage medium the one or more storage devices is in use by identifying a valid mapping of a location in the current segment to one or more virtual addresses, including:\ncreating a sorted list of potentially valid entries from a first table comprising entries mapping an address of a location in the one or more storage devices to one or more virtual addresses; and\ncreating a list of valid entries using the sorted list of potentially valid entries and a second table comprising entries mapping a virtual address to a location in the one or more storage devices;\ncopying data from the location in the current segment to a new storage location in the data storage medium one or more storage devices; and\nreclaiming the location in the current segment.",
"8. The method as recited in claim 7, further comprising wherein identifying the valid mapping of a location in the current segment to one or more virtual addresses further comprises:\nidentifying one or more entries in a the first table comprising a plurality of entries, wherein each of the one or more entries of the first table comprises a reverse mapping of an address of a location in the data storage medium to one or more virtual addresses;\ndetermining that the first table includes a valid mapping for a virtual address; and\ndetermining the mapping is valid responsive to determining the first table includes at least one valid mapping for a virtual address.",
"9. The method as recited in claim 8, further comprising maintaining a the second table comprising a plurality of entries, wherein each of the plurality of entries of the second table maps a virtual address to a location in the data storage medium using multi-level shared tables.",
"10. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein the first table is organized as a plurality of time ordered levels, each level comprising a plurality of entries.",
"11. The method as recited in claim 7, wherein prior to copying the data from the location to the new location, the method further comprises deduplicating the data.",
"12. The method as recited in claim 11, further comprising copying the data from the location to the new location in further response to determining the data has not yet been copied to the new location.",
"13. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising with program instructions stored thereon, wherein said program instructions are executable to:\ndetermine that a current segment within a data storage medium one or more storage devices is in use by identifying a valid mapping of a location in the current segment to one or more virtual addresses, including:\ncreating a sorted list of potentially valid entries from a first table comprising entries mapping an address of a location in the one or more storage devices to one or more virtual addresses; and\ncreating a list of valid entries using the sorted list of potentially valid entries and a second table comprising entries mapping a virtual address to a location in the one or more storage devices;\ncopy data from the location in the current segment to a new storage location in the data storage medium one or more storage devices; and\nreclaim the location in the current segment.",
"14. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 13, wherein said program instructions are further executable to identifying the valid mapping of a location in the current segment to one or more virtual addresses further comprises:\nidentifying one or more entries in a the first table comprising a plurality of entries, wherein each of the one or more entries of the first table comprises a reverse mapping of an address of a location in the data storage medium to one or more virtual addresses; determine that the first table includes a valid mapping for a virtual address; and\ndeterminedetermining the mapping is valid responsive to determining the first table includes at least one valid mapping for a virtual address.",
"15. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 14, wherein said program instructions are further executable to maintain a the second table comprising a plurality of entries, wherein each of the plurality of entries of the second table maps a virtual address to a location in the data storage medium using multi-level shared tables.",
"16. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 14 13, wherein said program instructions are further executable to organize the first table as a plurality of time ordered levels, each level comprising a plurality of entries.",
"17. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 13, wherein prior to copying the data from the location to the new location, the program instructions are further executable to deduplicate the data."
],
[
"1. A computer system comprising:\na data storage medium;\na mapping table organized as a plurality of levels, each level of the plurality of levels comprising one or more mapping table entries, where each of the plurality of entries comprises a tuple including a key; and\na data storage controller coupled to the data storage medium;\nwherein in response to detecting a flattening condition, the data storage controller is configured to:\nidentify a group of two or more levels of the plurality of levels which are logically adjacent in time;\ncreate a new level in the plurality of levels; and\ninsert one or more first records stored within the group into the new level;\nwherein at least one record corresponding to a range of key values in the group is replaced in the new level by a plurality of records corresponding to subranges of the at least one record.",
"2. The computer system as recited in claim 1, wherein the plurality of levels of the mapping table are organized as time ordered levels.",
"3. The computer system as recited in claim 1, wherein the data storage controller is further configured to sort records within the new level.",
"4. The computer system as recited in claim 1, wherein the mapping table entries within a level of the plurality of levels are sorted by key.",
"5. The computer system as recited in claim 1, wherein the data storage controller is configured to perform flattening operations on the mapping table asynchronously with respect to updates to the mapping table.",
"6. The computer system as recited in claim 1, wherein in response to detecting the flattening condition, the data storage controller is further configured to insert one or more second records stored within the group into the new level, in response to detecting each of the one or more second records:\ncorresponds to two or more records storing a same non-unique key within the group; and\nis in a youngest level containing a record with the non-unique key of the group.",
"7. The computer system as recited in claim 6, wherein a single record within the mapping table corresponds to a range of key values.",
"8. The computer system as recited in claim 6, further comprising an overlay table, wherein at least some of the first and second records inserted into the new level are modified or elided based on entries in the overlay table.",
"9. The computer system as recited in claim 1, wherein the data storage controller is further configured to create a new level from fewer than all of the records in the group of two or more adjacent levels.",
"10. The computer system as recited in claim 1, wherein the flattening condition is based on at least one of a current or predicted value of: a number of levels in the mapping table, a number of entries in one or more levels of the plurality of levels, a number of mapping entries that would be elided or modified as part of a flattening operation, and a load on the system.",
"11. The computer system as recited in claim 1, wherein the data storage controller is further configured to utilize a filtering condition to determine which of the first records are inserted into the new level.",
"12. The computer system as recited in claim 11, further comprising an overlay table, and wherein the filtering condition comprises a validity of a given record as determined by the overlay table.",
"13. The computer system as recited in claim 11, wherein the filtering condition is based at least in part on a current or predicted number of entries in the new level.",
"14. A method for use in a storage system, the method comprising:\nstoring a mapping table organized as a plurality of levels, each level of the plurality of levels comprising one or more mapping table entries, where each of the plurality of entries comprises a tuple including a key; and\nresponsive to detecting a flattening condition:\nidentifying a group of two or more levels of the plurality of levels which are logically adjacent in time;\ncreating a new level in the plurality of levels; and\ninserting one or more first records stored within the group into the new level, in response to detecting each of the one or more first records stores a unique key among keys stored within the group;\nwherein at least one record corresponding to a range of key values in the group is replaced in the new level by a plurality of records corresponding to subranges of the at least one record.",
"15. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein only a youngest level of the plurality of levels may be updated with new mapping table entries.",
"16. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein the data storage controller is further configured to sort records within the new level.",
"17. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein the mapping table entries within a level of the plurality of levels are sorted by key.",
"18. The method as recited in claim 14, further comprising performing flattening operations on the mapping table asynchronously with respect to updates to the mapping table.",
"19. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein in response to detecting the flattening condition, the method further comprises inserting one or more second records stored within the group into the new level, in response to detecting each of the one or more second records:\ncorresponds to two or more records storing a same non-unique key within the group; and\nis in a youngest level containing a record with the non-unique key of the group.",
"20. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing program instruction executable by a processor to:\nstore a mapping table organized as a plurality of levels, each level of the plurality of levels comprising one or more mapping table entries, where each of the plurality of entries comprises a tuple including a key; and\nresponsive to detecting a flattening condition:\nidentify a group of two or more levels of the plurality of levels which are logically adjacent in time;\ncreate a new level in the plurality of levels; and\ninsert one or more first records stored within the group into the new level, in response to detecting each of the one or more first records stores a unique key among keys stored within the group;\nwherein at least one record corresponding to a range of key values in the group is replaced in the new level by a plurality of records corresponding to subranges of the at least one record.",
"21. A computer system comprising:\na data storage medium;\na deduplication table;\na cached portion of entries in the deduplication table stored in a cache, wherein a number of entries in the cached portion is less than all the entries in the deduplication table; and\na data storage controller coupled to the data storage medium, wherein the data storage controller comprises a controller storage medium comprising computer program instructions, that, when executed, cause the data storage controller to carry out the steps of:\ngenerate a hash corresponding to a write request;\nbefore a subsequent search of all the entries in the deduplication table, search, in the cache, only the cached portion of the entries in the deduplication table to determine whether the hash matches an entry in the cached portion of the entries in the deduplication table;\nin response to determining that the hash does not match an entry in the cached portion, write the data associated with the write request and store a new deduplication table entry for the data in the cache;\nperform the subsequent search of all the entries in the deduplication table including the entries in the cached portion; and\nbased on the subsequent search and in response to determining that the hash matches one of the entries in the deduplication table, perform a deduplication operation to eliminate one or more detected copies.",
"22. The computer system as recited in claim 21, wherein the subsequent search of all of the entries in the deduplication table is performed during a post-processing deduplication operation.",
"23. The computer system as recited in claim 22, wherein the post-processing deduplication operation is a garbage collection operation.",
"24. The computer system as recited in claim 21, wherein the data storage controller is further configured to:\nbased on the subsequent search and in response to determining that the hash does not match any of the entries in the deduplication table, perform the write operation that stores the new deduplication table entry into the deduplication table.",
"25. The computer system as recited in claim 24 wherein performing the write operation that stores the new deduplication table entry in the deduplication table is combined with other write operations.",
"26. The computer system as recited in claim 21, wherein the new deduplication table entry is a hash-to-physical pointer mapping.",
"27. A method for use in a storage system, the method comprising:\ngenerating a hash corresponding to a write request;\nbefore a subsequent search of all the entries in the deduplication table, search, in the cache, only a cached portion of the entries in a deduplication table to determine whether the hash matches an entry in the cached portion, wherein the number of entries in the cached portion is less than all the entries in the deduplication table, and wherein the cached portion is stored in the cache;\nin response to determining that the hash does not match an entry in the cached portion, writing the data associated with the write request and storing a new deduplication table entry for the data in the cache;\nperforming the subsequent search of all the entries in the deduplication table including the entries in the cached portion; and\nbased on the subsequent search and in response to determining that the hash matches one of the entries in the deduplication table, performing a deduplication operation to eliminate one or more detected copies.",
"28. The method as recited in claim 27, wherein the subsequent search of all of the entries in the deduplication table is performed during a post-processing deduplication operation.",
"29. The method as recited in claim 28, wherein the post-processing deduplication operation is a garbage collection operation.",
"30. The method as recited in claim 27, further comprising:\nbased on the subsequent search and in response to determining that the hash does not match any of the entries in the deduplication table, perform the write operation that stores the new deduplication table entry into the deduplication table.",
"31. The method as recited in claim 30, wherein performing the write operation that stores the new deduplication table entry in the deduplication table is combined with other write operations.",
"32. The method as recited in claim 27, wherein the new deduplication table entry is a hash-to-physical pointer mapping.",
"33. A computer program product disposed upon a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, the computer program product comprising computer program instructions, that, when executed, cause a computer to carry out the steps of:\ngenerate a hash corresponding to a write request;\nbefore a subsequent search of all the entries in the deduplication table, search, in the cache, only a cached portion of the entries in a deduplication table to determine whether the hash matches an entry in the cached portion, wherein the number of entries in the cached portion is less than all the entries in the deduplication table, and wherein the cached portion is stored in the cache;\nin response to determining that the hash does not match an entry in the cached portion, write the data associated with the write request and storing a new deduplication table entry for the data in the cache; and\nperform the subsequent search of all the entries in the deduplication table including the entries in the cached portion; and\nbased on the subsequent search and in response to determining that the hash matches one of the entries in the deduplication table, perform a deduplication operation to eliminate one or more detected copies.",
"34. The computer program product of claim 33, wherein the subsequent search of all of the entries in the deduplication table is performed during a post-processing deduplication operation.",
"35. The computer program product of claim 34, wherein the post-processing deduplication operation is a garbage collection operation.",
"36. The of computer program product claim 33, wherein the program instructions are further executable by the processor to:\nbased on the subsequent search and in response to determining that the hash does not match any of the entries in the deduplication table, perform the write operation that stores the new deduplication table entry into the deduplication table.",
"37. The computer program product of claim 36, wherein performing the write operation that stores the new deduplication table entry in the deduplication table is combined with other write operations.",
"38. The computer program product of claim 33, wherein the new deduplication table entry is a hash-to-physical pointer mapping."
],
[
"1. A storage system comprising:\na storage device;\na plurality of fingerprint tables comprising one or more entries corresponding to data stored in the storage device, the one or more entries having a corresponding probability of the data being deduplicated and wherein the one or more entries are added to a particular fingerprint table of the plurality of fingerprint tables that stores entries having a range of probabilities that the corresponding probability falls within; and\na storage controller communicatively coupled to the storage device, the storage controller configured to:\ndetermine that an event has occurred; and\nmodify one of the plurality of fingerprint tables.",
"2. The storage system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of fingerprint\ntables comprises:\na first table comprising a first set of entries corresponding to data stored in the storage device which have likelihoods of deduplication that is greater than or equal to a threshold probability; and\na second table comprising a second set of entries corresponding to data stored in the storage device which have likelihoods of deduplication that is less than the threshold probability.",
"3. The storage system of claim 1, wherein the storage controller is further\nconfigured to:\nmaintain attributes corresponding to usage of data objects storage in the storage device; and\nread the attributes corresponding to the objects, responsive to detecting the event.",
"4. The storage system as recited in claim 3, wherein the attributes comprise one or more of: access, data age, device performance, device heath, error correction use data, deduplication rate, read shift voltage, frequency of update, and an error rate.",
"5. The storage system of claim 1, wherein the event comprises one of: a garbage collection operation, a health binning operation, a block calibration operation, a device access operation and a wear levelling operation.",
"6. The storage system of claim 1, wherein the storage controller is further configured to:\nperform a data access to a fingerprint data of one of the plurality of fingerprint tables as part of a deduplication operation.",
"7. The storage system of claim 1, wherein the data includes patterns.",
"8. The storage system of claim 1, wherein the storage system is a flash system.",
"9. The storage system of claim 1, wherein the one or more entries comprise hashes.",
"10. A method comprising:\ndetermining that an event has occurred; and\nmodifying one of a plurality of fingerprint tables comprising one or more entries corresponding to data stored in a storage device, the one or more entries having a corresponding probability of the data being deduplicated and wherein the one or more entries are added to a particular fingerprint table of the plurality of fingerprint tables that stories entries having a range of probabilities that the corresponding probability falls within.",
"11. The method of claim 10, wherein the plurality of fingerprint tables\ncomprises:\na first table comprising a first set of entries corresponding to data stored in the storage device which have likelihoods of deduplication that is greater than or equal to a threshold probability; and\na second table comprising a second set of entries corresponding to data stored in the storage device which have likelihoods of deduplication that is less than the threshold probability.",
"12. The method of claim 10, further comprising:\nmaintaining attributes corresponding to usage of data objects storage in the storage device; and\nreading the attributes corresponding to the objects, responsive to detecting the event.",
"13. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein the attributes comprise one or more of: access, data age, device performance, device heath, error correction use data, deduplication rate, read shift voltage, frequency of update, and an error rate.",
"14. The method of claim 10, wherein the event comprises one of: a garbage collection operation, a health binning operation, a block calibration operation, a device access operation and a wear levelling operation.",
"15. The method of claim 10, further comprising:\nperforming a data access to a fingerprint data of one of the plurality of fingerprint tables as part of a deduplication operation.",
"16. The method of claim 10, wherein the data includes patterns.",
"17. The method of claim 10, wherein the storage device is a flash storage device.",
"18. The method of claim 10, wherein the one or more entries comprise hashes.",
"19. A non-transitory, computer-readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a processing device of a storage system, cause the processing device to:\ndetermine that an event has occurred; and\nmodify one of a plurality of fingerprint tables comprising one or more entries corresponding to data stored in a storage device, the one or more entries having a corresponding probability of the data being deduplicated and wherein the one or more entries are added to a particular fingerprint table of the plurality of fingerprint tables that stories entries having a range of probabilities that the corresponding probability falls within.",
"20. The non-transitory, computer readable storage medium of claim 19, wherein the plurality of fingerprint tables comprises:\na first table comprising a first set of entries corresponding to data stored in the storage device which have likelihoods of deduplication that is greater than or equal to a threshold probability; and\na second table comprising a second set of entries corresponding to data stored in the storage device which have likelihoods of deduplication that is less than the threshold probability."
],
[
"1. A computer implemented method comprising:\nreceiving a first dataset;\nassigning the first dataset to a logical address in a mapping table on a first node of a first set of non-volatile memory;\ndetermining by a processor that the first dataset is already present in data written to the first set of non-volatile memory and, in response, identifying that the already present data is written to a first physical data block on a second node of the first set of non-volatile memory; and\nproviding a linking mechanism to associate the received first dataset with the already present data written to the first set of non-volatile memory, wherein the linking mechanism maps the first dataset's assigned logical address to a first virtual data block in a mapping table on a third node, and wherein the linking mechanism, in response to the already present data not being on the same node as the mapping table on the third node: (i) sends the already present data to the third node to be stored on a second physical data block on the third node, and (ii) maps the first virtual data block in the mapping table on the third node to the second physical data block on the third node.",
"2. The computer implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:\nreceiving a second dataset;\nassigning the second dataset to a logical address in the mapping table on the first node of the first set of non-volatile memory;\ndetermining by a processor that the second dataset is not already present in data written to the first set of non-volatile memory; and\nin response to determining that the second dataset is not already present in the data written to the first set of non-volatile memory, writing the second dataset to the first set of non-volatile memory.",
"3. The computer implemented method of claim 2, further comprising:\nin response to determining that the second dataset is not already present in the data written to the first set of non-volatile memory, mapping the second dataset's assigned logical address to a third physical data block on the first set of non-volatile memory and correspondingly writing the second dataset to the third physical data block.",
"4. The computer implemented method of claim 3, further comprising:\nreading the data written to the third physical data block by performing a read operation on the second dataset's assigned logical address.",
"5. The computer implemented method of claim 3, wherein:\nthe first set of non-volatile memory includes a plurality of flash nodes;\nthe first node, the second node, and the third node are flash nodes; and\nthe third physical data block is located on the first node.",
"6. The computer implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:\nreading the already present data written to the first set of non-volatile memory by performing a read operation on the first dataset's assigned logical address.",
"7. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein:\nthe first set of non-volatile memory includes a plurality of flash nodes; and\nthe first node, the second node, and the third node are flash nodes.",
"8. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein:\nat least the receiving operation is performed by a RAID controller.",
"9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nin response to receiving an identification of a third physical data block on the third node, wherein the third physical data block is a new location for the already present data due to garbage collection operations performed on the third node, remapping the first virtual data block in the mapping table on the third node to map to the third physical data block on the third node.",
"10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nembedding a back-pointer in the already present data, wherein the back-pointer maps to the first virtual data block.",
"11. The method of claim 10, wherein the back-pointer is utilized in the identification of the third physical data block on the third node after garbage collection operations are performed.",
"12. The method of claim 10, further comprising:\nin the event of a failure, utilizing the back-pointer to reconstruct the mapping table on the third node.",
"13. A computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith, wherein the computer readable storage medium is not a transitory signal per se, the program instructions readable and/or executable by a processor(s) set to cause the processor(s) set to perform a method comprising:\nreceiving a first dataset;\nassigning the first dataset to a logical address in a mapping table on a first node of a first set of non-volatile memory;\ndetermining, by the processor(s), that the first dataset is already present in data written to the first set of non-volatile memory and, in response, identifying that the already present data is written to a first physical data block on a second node of the first set of non-volatile memory; and\nproviding a linking mechanism to associate the received first dataset with the already present data written to the first set of non-volatile memory, wherein the linking mechanism maps the first dataset's assigned logical address to a first virtual data block in a mapping table on a third node, and wherein the linking mechanism, in response to the already present data not being on the same node as the mapping table on the third node: (i) sends the already present data to the third node to be stored on a second physical data block on the third node, and (ii) maps the first virtual data block in the mapping table on the third node to the second physical data block on the third node.",
"14. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the method further comprises:\nreceiving a second dataset;\nassigning the second dataset to a logical address in the mapping table on the first node of the first set of non-volatile memory;\ndetermining, by the processor(s), that the second dataset is not already present in data written to the first set of non-volatile memory; and\nin response to determining that the second dataset is not already present in the data written to the first set of non-volatile memory, writing the second dataset to the first set of non-volatile memory.",
"15. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein the method further comprises:\nin response to determining that the second dataset is not already present in the data written to the first set of non-volatile memory, mapping the second dataset's assigned logical address to a third physical data block on the first set of non-volatile memory and correspondingly writing the second dataset to the third physical data block.",
"16. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the method further comprises:\nin response to receiving an identification of a third physical data block on the third node, wherein the third physical data block is a new location for the already present data due to garbage collection operations performed on the third node, remapping the first virtual data block in the mapping table on the third node to map to the third physical data block on the third node.",
"17. A computer system comprising:\na processor; and\na computer readable storage medium;\nwherein the processor is configured to execute program instructions stored on the computer readable storage medium, the computer readable storage medium comprising:\nprogram instructions executable by the processor to receive a first dataset;\nprogram instructions executable by the processor to assign the first dataset to a logical address in a mapping table on a first node of a first set of non-volatile memory;\nprogram instructions executable by the processor to determine that the first dataset is already present in data written to the first set of non-volatile memory and, in response, identifying that the already present data is written to a first physical data block on a second node of the first set of non-volatile memory; and\nprogram instructions executable by the processor to, provide a linking mechanism to associate the received first dataset with the already present data written to the first set of non-volatile memory, wherein the linking mechanism maps the first dataset's assigned logical address to a first virtual data block in a mapping table on a third node, and wherein the linking mechanism, in response to the already present data not being on the same node as the mapping table on the third node: (i) sends the already present data to the third node to be stored on a second physical data block on the third node, and (ii) maps the first virtual data block in the mapping table on the third node to the second physical data block on the third node.",
"18. The computer system of claim 17, further comprising:\nprogram instructions executable by the processor to receive a second dataset;\nprogram instructions executable by the processor to assign the second dataset to a logical address in the mapping table on the first node of the first set of non-volatile memory;\nprogram instructions executable by the processor to determine that the second dataset is not already present in data written to the first set of non-volatile memory; and\nprogram instructions executable by the processor to, in response to determining that the second dataset is not already present in the data written to the first set of non-volatile memory, write the second dataset to the first set of non-volatile memory.",
"19. The computer system of claim 18, further comprising:\nprogram instructions executable by the processor to, in response to determining that the second dataset is not already present in the data written to the first set of non-volatile memory, map the second dataset's assigned logical address to a third physical data block on the first set of non-volatile memory and correspondingly write the second dataset to the third physical data block.",
"20. The computer system of claim 17, further comprising:\nprogram instructions executable by the processor to, in response to receiving an identification of a third physical data block on the third node, wherein the third physical data block is a new location for the already present data due to garbage collection operations performed on the third node, remap the first virtual data block in the mapping table on the third node to map to the third physical data block on the third node."
],
[
"1. A method for use in managing inline data compression and deduplication in storage systems, the method comprising:\nidentifying, based on entropy, a block of data from data stored in a cache of a storage system;\ncomparing entropy of the block of data with a first threshold value;\nbased on the comparison, either deduplicating the block of data or compressing the block of data without deduplication.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying the block of data comprises:\nidentifying between 4 KB and 128 KB of data to include in the block.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying the block of data comprises:\ndetermining entropy of chunks of data stored in the cache;\nincluding, in the block of data, chunks of data with entropy falling below a second threshold value.",
"4. The method of claim 3, wherein a chunk includes 4 KB of data.",
"5. The method of claim 3, wherein a chunk includes 8 KB of data.",
"6. The method of claim 3, wherein comparing the entropy of the block of data with the first threshold value comprises:\ndetermining the entropy of the block by averaging the entropy of chunks of data in the block.",
"7. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying the block of data comprises:\nidentifying chunks of data stored in the cache within a predetermined window of time.",
"8. The method of claim 1, wherein deduplicating the block of data comprises:\ndeduplicating the block of data in increments of 512 B.",
"9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\ndetermining entropy of the deduplicated block of data;\ncomparing the entropy of the deduplicated block of data with a third threshold value;\nbased on the comparison, either compressing the deduplicated block of data or writing the deduplicated block of data to storage without compression.",
"10. The method of claim 9, wherein determining the entropy of the deduplicated block of data comprises:\naveraging the entropy of remaining data in the deduplicated block of data.",
"11. A system for use in managing inline data compression and deduplication in storage systems, the system comprising a processor configured to:\nidentify, based on entropy, a block of data from data stored in a cache of a storage system;\ncompare entropy of the block of data with a first threshold value;\nbased on the comparison, either deduplicate the block of data or compress the block of data without deduplication.",
"12. The system of claim 11, wherein the processor is further configured to:\nidentify between 4 KB and 128 KB of data to include in the block.",
"13. The system of claim 11, wherein the processor is further configured to:\ndetermine entropy of chunks of data stored in the cache;\ninclude, in the block of data, chunks of data with entropy falling below a second threshold value.",
"14. The system of claim 13, wherein a chunk includes 4 KB of data.",
"15. The system of claim 13, wherein a chunk includes 8 KB of data.",
"16. The system of claim 11, wherein the processor is further configured to:\ndetermine the entropy of the block by averaging the entropy of chunks of data in the block.",
"17. The system of claim 11, wherein the processor is further configured to:\nidentify chunks of data stored in the cache within a predetermined window of time.",
"18. The system of claim 11, wherein the processor is further configured to:\ndeduplicate the block of data in increments of 512 B.",
"19. The system of claim 11, wherein the processor is further configured to:\ndetermine entropy of the deduplicated block of data;\ncompare the entropy of the deduplicated block of data with a third threshold value;\nbased on the comparison, either compress the deduplicated block of data or write the deduplicated block of data to storage without compression.",
"20. The system of claim 19, wherein the processor is further configured to:\naverage the entropy of remaining data in the deduplicated block of data."
],
[
"1. A method comprising:\nreceiving a write request from a host directed towards a clone of a logical unit (LUN), the write request having a first data and representing a first address range of the clone of the LUN (clone LUN), the write request processed at a storage system attached to a storage array;\nassociating a first metadata with the first data;\nin response to receiving the write request, diverging the clone LUN from a parent of the LUN (parent LUN) by associating the first metadata with the clone LUN and copying a second metadata associated with the parent LUN, the second metadata associated with a second data shared between the parent LUN and the clone LUN;\nassociating the second metadata with the clone LUN;\ncalculating an amount of space savings from the clone LUN based on a total amount of data and metadata written to the parent LUN;\nde-duplicating the second data by copying and associating the second metadata with the clone LUN, wherein the calculated amount of space savings is overcounted by a size of the second metadata;\nadjusting the calculated amount of space savings such that the adjusted calculated amount of space savings decreases by the size of the second metadata; and\nreporting the adjusted calculated amount of space savings from the clone LUN to the host.",
"2. The method of claim 1 wherein the adjusted amount of space savings is computed using an amount of space determined from sizes of the first and second metadata.",
"3. The method of claim 1 wherein the data and metadata are written as extents in a same extent store.",
"4. The method of claim 1 wherein the adjusting the amount of space savings employs a clone space adjustment counter indicating an initial amount of logical data in the clone shared with the parent LUN and a diverged space adjustment counter indicating an amount of de-duplicated data in the clone resulting from diverging the clone LUN from the parent LUN.",
"5. The method of claim 1 further comprising:\ndecreasing the amount of space savings by a portion of a mapped space of the parent LUN.",
"6. The method of claim 1 further comprising:\nde-duplicating a plurality of extents stored on the storage array, the extents referenced by mappings of a total mapped space of the parent LUN.",
"7. The method of claim 1 wherein the amount of space savings is computed using a total mapped space of the clone LUN.",
"8. The method of claim 1 wherein the amount of space savings is a ratio having a denominator including sizes of the first and second data as stored on the storage array.",
"9. The method of claim 1 wherein the first data is stored compressed on the storage array.",
"10. The method of claim 1 wherein a tree hierarchy of metadata represents a total mapped space of the clone LUN, wherein the tree hierarchy is arbitrarily shared among snapshots of the clone LUN, and wherein the amount of space savings is reduced by a mapped space of metadata copied from the snapshots as the clone LUN diverges from the snapshots.",
"11. A system comprising:\na storage system having a processor;\na storage array coupled to the storage system and having one or more storage devices;\na storage I/O stack executing on the processor of the storage system, the storage I/O stack configured to:\nreceive a write request from a host directed towards a clone of a logical unit (LUN), the write request having a first data and representing a first address range of the clone LUN;\nassociate a first metadata with the first data;\nin response to receiving the write request, diverge the clone LUN from a parent LUN by associating the first metadata with the clone LUN and copying a second metadata associated with the parent LUN and a second data shared between the parent LUN and the clone LUN;\nassociate the second metadata with the clone LUN;\ncalculate an amount of space savings from the clone LUN based on a total amount of data and metadata written to the parent LUN;\nde-duplicate the second data by copying and associating the second metadata with the clone LUN, wherein the calculated amount of space savings is overcounted by a size of the second metadata;\nadjust the calculated amount of space savings such that the adjusted calculated amount of space savings decreases by the size of the second metadata; and\nreport the adjusted calculated amount of space savings from the clone LUN to host.",
"12. The system of claim 11 wherein the adjusted amount of space savings is computed using an amount of mapped space determined from sizes of the first and second metadata.",
"13. The system of claim 11 wherein the data and metadata are written as extents to a same extent store.",
"14. The system of claim 11 wherein the storage I/O stack configured to adjust the amount of space savings is further configured to employ a clone space adjustment counter indicating an initial amount of logical data in the clone shared with the parent LUN and a diverged space adjustment counter indicating an amount of de-duplicated data in the clone resulting from diverging the clone LUN from the parent LUN.",
"15. The system of claim 11 wherein the storage I/O stack is further configured to:\ndecrease the amount of space savings by a portion of a mapped space of the parent LUN.",
"16. The system of claim 11 wherein the storage I/O stack is further configured to:\nde-duplicate a plurality of extents stored on the one or more storage devices, the extents referenced by mappings representing a total mapped space of the parent LUN.",
"17. The system of claim 11 wherein the amount of space savings is computed using a total mapped space of the clone LUN.",
"18. The system of claim 11 wherein the amount of space savings is a ratio having a denominator including sizes of the first and second data as stored on the one or more storage devices.",
"19. The system of claim 11 wherein the first data is stored compressed on the storage array.",
"20. A non-transitory computer readable medium containing executable program instructions for execution by a processor of a storage system attached to a storage array, the program instructions configured to:\nreceive a write request from a host directed towards a clone of a logical unit (LUN), the write request having a first data representing a first address range of the clone LUN;\nassociate a first metadata with the first data;\nin response to receiving the write request, diverge the clone LUN from a parent LUN by associating the first metadata with the clone LUN and copying a second metadata associated with the parent LUN, the first metadata having a first mapping of the first address range to the first data, the second metadata having a second mapping of a second address range of the parent LUN to a second data shared between the parent LUN and the clone LUN;\nassociate the second metadata with the clone LUN;\ncalculating an amount of space savings from the clone LUN based on a total amount of data and metadata written to the parent LUN;\nde-duplicate the second data by copying and associating the second metadata with the clone LUN, wherein the calculated amount of space savings is overcounted by a size of the second metadata;\nadjust the calculated amount of space savings such that the adjusted calculated amount of space savings decreases by the size of the second metadata; and\nreport the adjusted calculated amount of space savings from the clone LUN to the host."
],
[
"1. A method, comprising:\nimplementing, by a storage control system, a log-structured array in at least one block storage device, wherein the at least one block storage device comprises a physical storage space divided into a plurality of logical data blocks, wherein the logical data blocks each comprise a separately addressable unit of the physical storage space with a specified block size, and wherein the log-structured array comprises at least one log segment which comprises a set of contiguous logical data blocks of the physical storage space of the at least one block storage device;\nreceiving, by the storage control system, an input/output (I/O) write request and associated I/O write data to be written to the at least one block storage device;\ncompressing, by the storage control system, the I/O write data to generate compressed I/O write data;\ndetermining, by the storage control system, a level of data compression of the compressed I/O write data;\ndetermining, by the storage control system, whether the level of data compression of the compressed I/O write data meets a target threshold level of data compression;\nin response to determining that the level of data compression of the compressed I/O write data does meet the target threshold level of data compression, the storage control system writing the compressed I/O write data in a log entry in the at least one log segment of the log-structured array, wherein the log entry which comprises the compressed I/O write data is unaligned to at least one logical data block of the set of contiguous logical data blocks of the at least one log segment; and\nin response to determining that the level of data compression of the compressed I/O write data does not meet the target threshold level of data compression, the storage control system writing the I/O write data without compression in a log entry in the at least one log segment of the log-structured array, wherein the log entry which comprises the I/O write data without compression is write-aligned to at least one logical data block of the set of contiguous logical data blocks of the at least one log segment.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the level of data compression of the compressed I/O write data comprises the storage control system determining a compressibility value as a function of a size of the I/O write data as received and a size of the compressed I/O write data; and\nwherein determining whether the level of data compression of the compressed I/O write data meets the target threshold level of data compression comprises the data control system comparing the determined compressibility value to a predefined compressibility threshold value.",
"3. The method of claim 2, wherein the compressibility value is computed as a compression ratio and wherein the compressibility threshold value comprises a compression ratio threshold value.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein writing the I/O write data without compression in the log entry in the at least one log segment of the log-structured array comprises the storage control system writing the I/O write data without compression in a next available log entry location at a head of the at least one log segment, which is write-aligned to a logical data block of the set of contiguous logical data blocks of the at least one log segment.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein writing the I/O write data without compression in the log entry in the at least one log segment of the log-structured array comprises the storage control system writing the I/O write data without compression in a next available log entry location from an end of the at least one log segment, which is write-aligned to a logical data block of the set of contiguous logical data blocks of the at least one log segment.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein writing the I/O write data without compression in the log entry in the at least one log segment of the log-structured array comprises the storage control system performing an in-place-update by rewriting the I/O write data without compression in an existing log entry of the at least one log segment which comprises a previous version of the I/O write data.",
"7. The method of claim 1, wherein writing the compressed I/O write data in the log entry in the at least one log segment of the log-structured array comprises:\nwriting a first portion of the compressed I/O write data in a first log entry; and\nwriting a second portion of the compressed I/O write data in a second log entry;\nwherein the first log entry and the second log entry are separated by at least a third log entry which comprises non-compressed data and which is write-aligned to at least one logical data block of the set of contiguous logical data blocks of the at least one log segment.",
"8. The method of claim 1, further comprising performing, by the storage control system, a defragmentation process to defragment the at least one log segment of the log-structured array without relocating any log entry in the at least one log segment which comprises valid non-compressed data and which is write-aligned to at least one logical data block of the set of contiguous logical data blocks of the at least one log segment.",
"9. An article of manufacture comprising a non-transitory processor-readable storage medium having stored therein program code of one or more software programs, wherein the program code is executable by one or more processors to implement a method comprising:\nimplementing, by a storage control system, a log-structured array in at least one block storage device, wherein the at least one block storage device comprises a physical storage space divided into a plurality of logical data blocks, wherein the logical data blocks each comprise a separately addressable unit of the physical storage space with a specified block size, and wherein the log-structured array comprises at least one log segment which comprises a set of contiguous logical data blocks of the physical storage space of the at least one block storage device;\nreceiving, by the storage control system, an input/output (I/O) write request and associated I/O write data to be written to the at least one block storage device;\ncompressing, by the storage control system, the I/O write data to generate compressed I/O write data;\ndetermining, by the storage control system, a level of data compression of the compressed I/O write data;\ndetermining, by the storage control system, whether the level of data compression of the compressed I/O write data meets a target threshold level of data compression;\nin response to determining that the level of data compression of the compressed I/O write data does meet the target threshold level of data compression, the storage control system writing the compressed I/O write data in a log entry in the at least one log segment of the log-structured array, wherein the log entry which comprises the compressed I/O write data is unaligned to at least one logical data block of the set of contiguous logical data blocks of the at least one log segment; and\nin response to determining that the level of data compression of the compressed I/O write data does not meet the target threshold level of data compression, the storage control system writing the I/O write data without compression in a log entry in the at least one log segment of the log-structured array, wherein such that the log entry which comprises the I/O write data without compression is write-aligned to at least one logical data block of the set of contiguous logical data blocks of the at least one log segment.",
"10. The article of manufacture of claim 9, wherein:\nthe program code for determining the level of data compression of the compressed I/O write data comprises program code that is executable by the one or more processors for determining a compressibility value as a function of a size of the I/O write data as received and a size of the compressed I/O write data; and\nthe program code for determining whether the level of data compression of the compressed I/O write data meets the target threshold level of data compression comprises program code that is executable by the one or more processors for comparing the determined compressibility value to a predefined compressibility threshold value.",
"11. The article of manufacture of claim 10, wherein the compressibility value is computed as a compression ratio and wherein the compressibility threshold value comprises a compression ratio threshold value.",
"12. The article of manufacture of claim 9, wherein the program code for writing the I/O write data without compression in the log entry in the at least one log segment of the log-structured array comprises program code that is executable by the one or more processors for writing the I/O write data without compression in one of (i) a next available log entry location at a head of the at least one log segment, which is write-aligned to a logical data block of the set of contiguous logical data blocks of the at least one log segment and (ii) a next available log entry location from an end of the at least one log segment, which is write-aligned to a logical data block of the set of contiguous logical data blocks of the at least one log segment.",
"13. The article of manufacture of claim 9, wherein the program code for writing the I/O write data without compression in the log entry in the at least one log segment of the log-structured array comprises program code that is executable by the one or more processors for performing an in-place-update by rewriting the I/O write data without compression in an existing log entry of the at least one log segment which comprises a previous version of the I/O write data.",
"14. The article of manufacture of claim 9, wherein the program code for writing the compressed I/O data in a log entry in the at least one log segment of the log-structured array comprises program code that is executable by the one or more processors for:\nwriting a first portion of the compressed I/O write data in a first log entry; and\nwriting a second portion of the compressed I/O write data in a second log entry;\nwherein the first log entry and the second log entry are separated by at least a third log entry which comprises non-compressed data and which is write-aligned to at least one logical data block of the set of contiguous logical data blocks of the at least one log segment.",
"15. The article of manufacture of claim 9, further comprising program code that is executable by the one or more processors for performing, by the storage control system, a defragmentation process to defragment the at least one log segment of the log-structured array without relocating any log entry in the at least one log segment which comprises valid non-compressed data and which is write-aligned to at least one logical data block of the set of contiguous logical data blocks of the at least one log segment.",
"16. A server node, comprising:\nat least one processor; and\nsystem memory configured to store program code, wherein the program code is executable by the at least one processor to implement a storage control system which is configured to:\nimplement a log-structured array in at least one block storage device, wherein the at least one block storage device comprises a physical storage space divided into a plurality of logical data blocks, wherein the logical data blocks each comprise a separately addressable unit of the physical storage space with a specified block size, and wherein the log-structured array comprises at least one log segment which comprises a set of contiguous logical data blocks of the physical storage space of the at least one block storage device;\nreceive an input/output (I/O) write request and associated I/O write data to be written to the at least one block storage device;\ncompress the I/O write data to generate compressed I/O write data;\ndetermine a level of data compression of the compressed I/O write data;\ndetermine whether the level of data compression of the compressed I/O write data meets a target threshold level of data compression;\nwrite the compressed I/O write data in a log entry in the at least one log segment of the log-structured array, in response to determining that the level of data compression of the compressed I/O write data does meet the target threshold level of data compression, wherein the log entry which comprises the compressed I/O write data is unaligned to at least one logical data block of the set of contiguous logical data blocks of the at least one log segment; and\nwrite the I/O write data without compression in a log entry in the at least one log segment of the log-structured array, wherein the log entry which comprises the I/O write data without compression is write-aligned to at least one logical data block of the set of contiguous logical data blocks of the at least one log segment, in response to determining that the level of data compression of the compressed I/O write data does not meet the target threshold level of data compression.",
"17. The server node of claim 16, wherein:\nin determining the level of data compression of the compressed I/O write data, the storage control system is configured to determine a compressibility value as a function of a size of the I/O write data as received and a size of the compressed I/O write data; and\nin determining whether the level of data compression of the compressed I/O write data meets the target threshold level of data compression, the storage control system is configured to compare the determined compressibility value to a predefined compressibility threshold value.",
"18. The server node of claim 16, wherein in writing the I/O write data without compression in the log entry in the at least one log segment of the log-structured array, the storage control system is configured to write the I/O write data without compression in one of (i) a next available log entry location at a head of the at least one log segment, which is write-aligned to a logical data block of the set of contiguous logical data blocks of the at least one log segment and (ii) a next available log entry location from an end of the at least one log segment, which is write-aligned to a logical data block of the set of contiguous logical data blocks of the at least one log segment.",
"19. The server node of claim 16, wherein:\nin writing the I/O write data without compression in the log entry in the at least one log segment of the log-structured array, the storage control system is configured to perform an in-place-update by rewriting the I/O write data without compression in an existing log entry of the at least one log segment which comprises a previous version of the I/O write data; and\nin writing the compressed I/O write data in the log entry in the at least one log segment of the log-structured array, the storage control system is configured to:\nwrite a first portion of the compressed I/O write data in a first log entry; and\nwrite a second portion of the compressed I/O write data in a second log entry;\nwherein the first log entry and the second log entry are separated by at least a third log entry which comprises non-compressed data and which is write-aligned to at least one logical data block of the set of contiguous logical data blocks of the at least one log segment.",
"20. The server node of claim 16, wherein the storage control system is configured to perform a defragmentation process to defragment the at least one log segment of the log-structured array without relocating any log entry in the at least one log segment which comprises valid non-compressed data and which is write-aligned to at least one logical data block of the set of contiguous logical data blocks of the at least one log segment."
],
[
"1. A memory system comprising:\na non-volatile memory including a plurality of blocks, the plurality of blocks including blocks in a first block group and blocks in a second block group; and\na controller configured to:\nperform a first write operation for at least one of the blocks in the first block group and not perform a second write operation for any one of the blocks in the first block group throughout a lifetime of the memory system; and\nperform the first write operation and the second write operation for the blocks in the second block group, wherein\na total capacity of the blocks in the first block group is fixed and a total capacity of the blocks in the second block group is fixed,\na first number of bits are written into a memory cell of the non-volatile memory in the first write operation, and\na second number of bits are written into a memory cell of the non-volatile memory in the second write operation, the second number being larger than the first number, and\nthe controller is further configured to:\nallocate, based on a degree of wear-out of at least one of the plurality of blocks, one or more blocks in the first block group or the second block group to a buffer of a write operation; and\nwrite data received from an external device into the buffer in the first write operation.",
"2. The memory system according to claim 1, wherein\nthe controller is configured to:\nallocate the one or more blocks to the buffer such that a degree of wear-out of at least one block in the first block group does not reach a first degree of wear-out before a total amount of data Which are received from the external device and Written into the non-volatile memory reaches a first amount of data, and a degree of wear-out of at least one block in the second block group does not reach a second degree of wear-out before the total amount of data which are received from the external device and written into the non-volatile memory reaches the first amount of data.",
"3. The memory system according to claim 1, wherein\nthe controller is configured to:\ndetermine a third number of blocks in the first block group which are to be allocated to the buffer at a first time and a fourth number of blocks in the second block group which are to be allocated to the buffer at the first time such that a degree of wear-out of at least one block in the first block group does not reach a first degree of wear-out before a total amount of data which are received from the external device and written into the non-volatile memory reaches a first amount of data, and a degree of wear-out of at least one block in the second block group does not reach a second degree of wear-out before the total amount of data which are received from the external device and written into the non-volatile memory reaches the first amount of data;\nallocate the third number of blocks in the first block group to the buffer; and\nallocate the fourth number of blocks in the second block group to the buffer.",
"4. The memory system according to claim 3, wherein\nthe third number is a number of blocks in the first block group which are to be allocated to the buffer at the first time and into which data received from the external device is to be written in the first write operation, and\nthe fourth number is a number of blocks in the second block group which are to be allocated to the buffer at the first time and into which data received from the external device is to be written in the first write operation.",
"5. The memory system according to claim 3, wherein\nthe third number is a sum of a number of blocks in the first block group in which at least a piece of valid data is included and a number of blocks in the first block group in which valid data is not included, and\nthe fourth number is a sum of a number of blocks in the second block group in which at least a piece of valid data is included and a number of blocks in the second block group in which valid data is not included.",
"6. The memory system according to claim 3, wherein\nthe controller is further configured to:\nat a second time later than the first time,\nin a case where the degree of wear-out of the at least one block in the first block group is lower than a third degree of wear-out, the third degree being lower than the first degree, determine a fifth number of blocks in the first block group which are to be allocated to the buffer, the fifth number being greater than the third number, and allocate the fifth number of blocks in the first block group to the buffer;\nin a case where the degree of wear-out of the at least one block in the first block group is higher than the third degree of wear-out, determine a sixth number of blocks in the first block group which are to be allocated to the buffer, the sixth number being smaller than the third number, and allocate the sixth number of blocks in the first block group to the buffer;\nin a case where the degree of wear-out of the at least one block in the second block group is lower than a fourth degree of wear-out, the fourth degree being lower than the second degree, determine a seventh number of blocks in the second block group which are to be allocated to the buffer, the seventh number being greater than the fourth number, and allocate the seventh number of blocks in the second block group to the buffer; and\nin a case where the degree of wear-out of the at least one block in the second block group is higher than the fourth degree of wear-out, determine an eighth number of blocks in the second block group which are to be allocated to the buffer, the eighth number being smaller than the fourth number, and allocate the eighth number of blocks in the second block group to the buffer.",
"7. The memory system according to claim 1, wherein\nan allowable upper limit of a number of write/erase cycles of each of the blocks in the first block group is larger than an allowable upper limit of a number of write/erase cycles of each of the blocks in the second block group.",
"8. A memory system, comprising:\na non-volatile memory including a plurality of blocks, the plurality of blocks including blocks in a first block group and blocks in a second block group; and\na controller configured to:\nperform a first write operation for at least one of the blocks in the first block group and not perform a second write operation for any one of the blocks in the first block group; and\nperform the first write operation and the second write operation for the blocks in the second block group, wherein\na total capacity of the blocks in the first block group is fixed and a total capacity of the blocks in the second block group is fixed,\na first number of bits are written into a memory cell of the non-volatile memory in the first write operation, and\na second number of bits are written into a memory cell of the non-volatile memory in the second write operation, the second number being larger than the first number, and\nthe controller is further configured to:\ndetermine, based on a degree of wear-out of at least one of the plurality of blocks, a number of blocks in the first block group which are to be allocated to a buffer of a write operation and a number of blocks in the second block group which are to be allocated to the buffer;\nallocate the determined number of blocks in the first block group or the second block group to the buffer; and\nwrite data received from an external device into the buffer in the first write operation.",
"9. The memory system according to claim 8, wherein\nthe controller is configured to:\ndetermine, based on the degree of wear-out of the at least one of the plurality of blocks, a third number of blocks in the first block group which are to be allocated to the buffer at a first time and a fourth number of blocks in the second block group which are to be allocated to the buffer at the first time;\nallocate the third number of blocks in the first block group to the buffer; and\nallocate the fourth number of blocks in the second block group to the buffer.",
"10. The memory system according to claim 9, wherein\nthe third number is a number of blocks in the first block group which are to be allocated to the buffer at the first time and into which data received from the external device is to be written in the first write operation, and\nthe fourth number is a number of blocks in the second block group which are to be allocated to the buffer at the first time and into which data received from the external device is to be written in the first write operation.",
"11. The memory system according to claim 9, wherein\nthe third number is a sum of a number of blocks in the first block group in which at least a piece of valid data is included and a number of blocks in the first block group in which valid data is not included, and\nthe fourth number is a sum of a number of blocks in the second block group in which at least a piece of valid data is included and a number of blocks in the second block group in which valid data is not included.",
"12. The memory system according to claim 9, wherein\nthe controller is further configured to:\ndetermine, based on at least one of (A) a degree of wear-out of at least one block in the first block group and (B) a degree of wear-out of at least one block in the second block group, a number of free blocks in the first block group to be generated through a garbage collection for the first block group or a number of free blocks in the second block group to be generated through a garbage collection for the second block group;\nexecute the garbage collection for the first block group to generate the determined number of free blocks in the first block group;\nexecute the garbage collection for the second block group to generate the determined number of free blocks in the second block group.",
"13. The memory system according to claim 9, wherein\nthe controller is further configured to:\ndetermine, based on at least one of (A) a degree of wear-out of at least one block in the first block group and (B) a degree of wear-out of at least one block in the second block group, a number of candidate blocks of garbage collection target for the first block group;\ndetermine, based on at least one of (A) the degree of wear-out of the at least one block in the first block group and (B) the degree of wear-out of the at least one block in the second block group, a number of candidate blocks of garbage collection target for the second block group;\nexecute a garbage collection for a block selected from the candidate blocks for the first block group; and\nexecute a garbage collection for a block selected from the candidate blocks for the second block group.",
"14. The memory system according to claim 9, wherein\nthe controller is further configured to:\ndetermine, based on at least one of (A) a degree of wear-out of at least one block in the first block group and (B) a degree of wear-out of at least one block in the second block group, which of a garbage collection for the first block group and a garbage collection for the second block group to be given priority for executing; and\nexecute the garbage collection for the first block group or the second block group which is given the priority to generate a free block in the first block group or the second block group.",
"15. The memory system according to claim 9, wherein\nthe controller is further configured to:\nat a second time later than the first time,\nin a case where a degree of wear-out of at least one block in the first block group is lower than a first degree of wear-out, determine a fifth number of blocks in the first block group which are to be allocated to the buffer, the fifth number being greater than the third number, and allocate the fifth number of blocks in the first block group to the buffer;\nin a case where the degree of wear-out of the at least one block in the first block group is higher than the first degree of wear-out, determine a sixth number of blocks in the first block group which are to be allocated to the buffer, the sixth number being smaller than the third number, and allocate the sixth number of blocks in the first block group to the buffer;\na case where a degree of wear-out of at least one block in the second block group is lower than a second degree of wear-out, determine a seventh number of blocks in the second block group which are to be allocated to the buffer, the seventh number being greater than the fourth number, and allocate the seventh number of blocks in the second block group to the buffer; and\nin a case where the degree of wear-out of the at least one block in the second block group is higher than the second degree of wear-out, determine an eighth number of blocks in the second block group which are to be allocated to the buffer, the eighth number being smaller than the fourth number, and allocate the eighth number of blocks in the second block group to the buffer.",
"16. A method of writing data into a non-volatile memory including a plurality of blocks, the plurality of blocks including blocks in a first block group and blocks in a second block group, a total capacity of the blocks in the first block group being fixed, and a total capacity of the blocks in the second block group being fixed, the method comprising:\ndetermining, based on a degree of wear-out of at least one of the plurality of blocks, a number of blocks in the first block group which are to be allocated to a buffer of a write operation and a number of blocks in the second block group which are to be allocated to the buffer:\nallocating the determined number of blocks in the first block group or the second block group to the buffer of a write operation; and\nwriting data received from an external device into the buffer in a first write operation, wherein\ndata is written into at least one of the blocks in the first block group in the first write operation and not written in any one of the blocks in the second write operation,\ndata is written into the blocks in the second block group in the first write operation and the second write operation,\na first number of bits are written into a memory cell of the non-volatile memory in the first write operation,\na second number of bits are written into a memory cell of the non-volatile memory in the second write operation, and\nthe second number is larger than the first number.",
"17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the determining comprises\ndetermining, based on the degree of wear-out of the al least one of the plurality of blocks, a third number of blocks in the first block group which are to be allocated to the buffer at a first time and a fourth number of blocks in the second block group which are to be allocated to the buffer at the first time, and the allocating comprises,\nallocating the third number of blocks in the first block group to the buffer, and\nallocating the fourth number of blocks in the second block group to the buffer.",
"18. The method according to claim 17, further comprising:\nat a second time later than the first time,\nin a case where a degree of wear-out of at least one block in the first block group is lower than a first degree of wear-out, determining a fifth number of blocks in the first block group which are to be allocated to the buffer, the fifth number being greater than the third number, and allocating the fifth number of blocks in the first block group to the buffer;\nin a case where the degree of wear-out of the at least one block in the first block group is higher than the first degree of wear-out, determining a sixth number of blocks in the first block group which are to be allocated to the buffer, the sixth number being smaller than the third number, and allocating the sixth number of blocks in the first block group to the buffer;\nin a case where a degree of wear-out of at least one block in the second block group is lower than a second degree of wear-out, determining a seventh number of blocks in the second block group which are to be allocated to the buffer, the seventh number being greater than the fourth number, and allocating the seventh number of blocks in the second block group to the buffer; and\nin a case where the degree of wear-out of the at least one block in the second block group is higher than the second degree of wear-out, determining an eighth number of blocks in the second block group which are to be allocated to the buffer, the eighth number being smaller than the fourth number, and allocating the eighth number of blocks in the second block group to the buffer.",
"19. The method of claim 16, further comprising:\ndetermining, based on at least one of (A) a degree of wear-out of at least one block in the first block group and (B) a degree of wear-out of at least one block in the second block group, a number of free blocks in the first block group to be generated through a garbage collection for the first block group or a number of free blocks in the second block group to be generated through a garbage collection for the second block group;\nexecuting the garbage collection for the first block group to generate the determined number of free blocks in the first block group;\nexecuting the garbage collection for the second block group to generate the determined number of free blocks in the second block group.",
"20. The method according to claim 16, further comprising:\ndetermining, based on the at least one of (A) a degree of wear-out of at least one block in the first block group and (B) a degree of wear-out of at least one block in the second block group, a number of candidate blocks of garbage collection target in the first block group or a number of candidate blocks of garbage collection target in the second block group;\nexecuting a garbage collection for a block selected from the candidate blocks for the first block group to generate a free block in the first block group;\nexecuting a garbage collection for a block selected from the candidate blocks for the second block group to generate a free block in the second block group.",
"21. The method according to claim 16, further comprising:\ndetermining, based on at least one of (A) a degree of wear-out of at least one block in the first block group and (B) a degree of wear-out of at least one block in the second block group, which of a garbage collection for the first block group and a garbage collection for the second block group to be given priority for executing;\nexecuting the garbage collection for the first block group or the second block group which is given the priority to generate free blocks in the first block group or the second block group."
],
[
"1. A solid state device (SSD) comprising:\na non-volatile memory (NVM), and\na controller operatively coupled to the NVM;\nwherein the controller is configured to:\ndetermine an access pattern of the NVM by a host;\ndetermine a hit and miss (H/M) rate of a logical block address (LBA) range accessed by the host during a predetermined time period;\ndetermine a locality of data (LOD) of the access pattern as the LBA when the H/M rate meets a target rate;\ndynamically configure data storage cells of the NVM into a cache partition and a storage partition based on the LOD of the access pattern; and\nadjust a size of the cache partition in response to a change of the LOD, wherein the data storage cells of the cache partition are configured to provide greater endurance than the data storage cells of the storage partition.",
"2. The SSD of claim 1,\nwherein the data storage cells of the storage partition comprise quad-level cell (QLC) type cells, and\nwherein the data storage cells of the cache partition comprise at least one of single-level cell (SLC) type cells or multi-level cell (MLC) type cells.",
"3. The SSD of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to:\nto adjust the size of the cache partition in response to a change in size of the LOD.",
"4. The SSD of claim 3, wherein the controller is further configured to:\nadjust the size of the cache partition to be no less than the size of the LOD.",
"5. The SSD of claim 1, wherein the data storage cells of the storage partition are configured to store a greater number of bits per cell than the data storage cells of the cache partition.",
"6. A method of operating a non-volatile memory (NVM) controller configured to communicate with an NVM, comprising:\nreceiving commands from a host for accessing the NVM;\ndetermining an access pattern of the NVM by the host;\ndetermining a hit and miss (H/M) rate of a logical block address (LBA) range accessed by the host during a predetermined time period;\ndetermining a locality of data (LOD) of the access pattern as the LBA when the H/M rate meets a target rate; and\ndynamically configuring data storage cells of the NVM into a cache partition and a storage partition based on the LOD of the access pattern, wherein the data storage cells of the cache partition are configured to provide higher performance than the data storage cells of the storage partition.",
"7. The method of claim 6, wherein the data storage cells of the cache partition are configured to provide greater endurance than the data storage cells of the storage partition.",
"8. The method of claim 6, wherein data storage cells of the storage partition are configured to store a greater number of bits per cell than the data storage cells of the cache partition.",
"9. The method of claim 6, wherein dynamically configuring the data storage cells comprises:\nadjusting a size of the cache partition in response to a change in size of the LOD.",
"10. The method of claim 9, wherein adjusting the size of the cache partition comprises:\nadjusting the size of the cache partition to be no less than the size of the LOD.",
"11. The method of claim 10, wherein adjusting the size of the cache partition further comprises:\nlimiting the size of the cache partition such that a provisioned capacity of the NVM is available to the host regardless of the size of the cache partition.",
"12. A non-volatile memory (NVM) comprising:\nmeans for receiving commands from a host for performing data operations with the NVM;\nmeans for determining an access pattern of the NVM by the host;\nmeans for determining a locality of data (LOD) corresponding to a logical block address (LBA) range accessed by the host during a predetermined time period;\nmeans for dynamically configuring data storage cells of the NVM into a cache partition and a storage partition based the LOD of the access pattern, wherein data storage cells of the storage partition are configured to use more threshold voltages per cell for storing data than the data storage cells of the cache partition;\nmeans for adjusting the cache partition to be no smaller than the LOD in size such that the cache partition accommodates a higher percentage of the data operations relative to the storage partition; and\nmeans for limiting the size of the cache partition such that a provisioned capacity of the NVM is available to the host regardless of the size of the cache partition.",
"13. The NVM of claim 12, wherein data storage cells of the storage partition are configured to store a greater number of bits per cell than the data storage cells of the cache partition.",
"14. The NVM of claim 12, wherein the means for adjusting the cache partition is further configured to:\nincrease the size of the cache partition in response to a size increase of the LOD; and\ndecrease the size of the cache partition in response to a size decrease of the LOD."
],
[
"1. A data storage device controller configured to couple to a non-volatile memory comprising a plurality of blocks, each block being configured to store a plurality of physical pages at predetermined physical locations, the controller comprising:\na processor configured to program data to and read data from the non-volatile memory, the data being stored in a plurality of logical pages;\na volatile memory comprising a logical-to-physical address translation map configured to enable the processor to a physical location, within one or more physical pages, of the data stored in each logical page; and\na plurality of journals stored in the non-volatile memory, each journal comprising a plurality of journal entries associating one or more physical pages to each logical page, wherein each of the plurality of journals covers a predetermined range of physical pages within one of the plurality of blocks;\nwherein the controller is configured, upon startup, to:\nread each of the plurality of journals in an order and to rebuild the map in the volatile memory from the read plurality of journals;\nindicate a readiness to process data access commands after the map is rebuilt; and\nrebuild a table from the map and select, based on the rebuilt table, at least one of the plurality of blocks for garbage collection after having indicated the readiness to process data access commands, wherein the table is configured to specify free space in each of the plurality of blocks.",
"2. The data storage device controller of claim 1, wherein the table is configured to specify free space in each of the plurality of blocks, wherein each of the blocks has a predetermined size and wherein the processor is configured to calculate the amount of free space by subtracting a size of valid data in each block obtained from reading the map from the predetermined size.",
"3. The data storage device controller of claim 2, wherein the processor is further configured to read sequentially through the map to determine, for each block, a size of valid data and to update a valid size information table with the determined size of valid data.",
"4. The data storage device controller of claim 3, wherein the processor is further configured to carry out a separate free space accounting operation to update a free space for a block storing a logical page corresponding to an already read entry of the map that is updated after having indicated the readiness to service data access commands.",
"5. The data storage controller of claim 3, wherein the processor is further configured to refrain from carrying out a separate free space accounting operation to update a free space for a block storing a logical page corresponding to a yet-to-be-read entry of the map that is updated after having indicated the readiness to service data access commands.",
"6. A method of controlling a data storage device comprising a non-volatile memory comprising a plurality of blocks, each block being configured to store a plurality of physical pages at predetermined physical locations, the method comprising:\nprogramming data to and reading data from the non-volatile memory, the data being stored in a plurality of logical pages;\nmaintaining, in a volatile memory, a logical-to-physical address translation map configured to enable a determination of a physical location, within one or more physical pages, of the data stored in each logical page; and\nmaintaining, in the non-volatile memory, a plurality of journals, each journal comprising a plurality of journal entries associating one or more physical pages to each logical page, wherein each of the plurality of journals covers a pre-determined range of physical pages within one of the plurality of blocks and, upon startup:\nreading each of the plurality of journals in an order and rebuilding the map in the volatile memory from the read plurality of journals;\nindicating a readiness to process data access commands after the map is rebuilt; and\none of the plurality of blocks for garbage collection after having indicated the readiness to process data access command, wherein the table is configured to specify an amount of free space in each of the plurality of blocks, wherein the table is configured to specify an amount of free space in each of the plurality of blocks.",
"7. The method of claim 6, wherein each of the blocks has a predetermined size and wherein the method further comprises calculating the amount of free space by subtracting a size of valid data in each block obtained from reading the map from the predetermined size.",
"8. The method of claim 7, further comprising reading sequentially through the map to determine, for each block, a size of valid data and updating a valid size information table with the determined size of valid data.",
"9. The method of claim 8, further comprising carrying out a separate free space accounting operation to update a free space for a block storing a logical page corresponding to an already read entry of the map that is updated after having indicated the readiness to service data access commands.",
"10. The method of claim 7, further comprising refraining from carrying out a separate free space accounting operation to update a free space for a block storing a logical page corresponding to a yet-to-be-read entry of the map that is updated after having indicated the readiness to service data access commands."
],
[
"1. A method of operating a storage device managing a multi-namespace, the method comprising:\nstoring first mapping information including a mapping between a first logical address space and a first physical address space to a mapping table, in response to a request to create a first namespace, the first logical address space being allocated to the first namespace; and\nstoring second mapping information including a mapping between a second logical address space and a second physical address space to the mapping table, in response to a request to create a second namespace, the second logical address space being allocated to the second namespace and being contiguous to the first logical address space,\nwherein the mapping table includes a first region for the first namespace and a second region for the second namespace that is contiguous to the first region,\nwherein the first region comprises a plurality of first entries, where each first entry maps a logical page number of the first logical address space directly to a physical page number of the first physical address space, and\nwherein the second region comprises a plurality of second entries, where each second entry maps a logical page number of the second logical address space directly to a physical page number of the second physical address space,\nwherein the method further comprises:\nrelocating the first and second mapping information in the mapping table, in response to a request to delete the first namespace; and\nperforming an unmapping operation on the first mapping information in the mapping table such that data stored in the first physical address space is invalidated, after the relocating of the first and second mapping information.",
"2. The method according to claim 1, wherein a sum of the first and second logical address spaces is equal to or less than a storage capacity of the storage device.",
"3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the relocating of the first and second mapping information comprises allocating the first logical address space to the second namespace, and updating the mapping table such that the second physical address space corresponds to the first logical address space.",
"4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the storage device comprises a volatile memory and a non-volatile memory, and the relocating of the first and second mapping information comprises:\nrelocating the first and second mapping information in the mapping table stored in the non-volatile memory to generate a modified mapping table; and\nloading the modified mapping table into the volatile memory.",
"5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the relocating of the first and second mapping information further comprises storing the mapping table loaded into the volatile memory to the non-volatile memory, before the loading of the modified mapping table.",
"6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the relocating of the first and second mapping information further comprises storing the modified mapping table to the non-volatile memory, after the loading of the modified mapping table.",
"7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the relocating of the first and second mapping information comprises:\nperforming an unmapping operation on the first mapping information in the mapping table; and\nmodifying the mapping table by copying the second mapping information into the first logical address space in the mapping table to generate a modified mapping table.",
"8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the storage device comprises a non-volatile memory, and the relocating of the first and second mapping information further comprises storing the modified mapping table to the non-volatile memory.",
"9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:\ndetermining whether a contiguous logical address space in a logical address space of the storage device is insufficient, in response to a request to delete the first namespace; and\nrelocating the first and second mapping information in the mapping table, when the contiguous logical address space is determined to be insufficient.",
"10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:\nperforming an unmapping operation on the second mapping information in the mapping table such that data stored in the second physical address space is invalidated, in response to a request to delete the second namespace.",
"11. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:\nstoring third mapping information including a mapping between a third logical address space and a third physical address space to the mapping table, in response to a request to create a third namespace, the third logical address space being allocated to the third namespace and being contiguous to the second logical address space.",
"12. The method according to claim 11, wherein a sum of the first to third logical address spaces is equal to or less than a storage capacity of the storage device.",
"13. The method according to claim 11, further comprising:\nrelocating the second and third mapping information in the mapping table, in response to a request to delete the second namespace.",
"14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the relocating of the second and third mapping information comprises allocating the second logical address space to the third namespace such that the third namespace has a logical address space contiguous to the first logical address space, and updating the mapping table such that the third physical address space corresponds to the second logical address space.",
"15. A method of operating a storage device managing a multi-namespace, the method comprising:\nrespectively allocating first and second logical address spaces contiguous to each other to first and second namespaces and storing first and second mapping information regarding the respective first and second logical address spaces to a mapping table, in response to a request to create the first and second namespaces;\nrelocating the first mapping information and the second mapping information in the mapping table, in response to a request to delete the first namespace; and\nperforming an unmapping operation on the first mapping information in the mapping table, after the relocating of the first mapping information and the second mapping information.",
"16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the relocating of the first mapping information and the second mapping information comprises allocating the first logical address space to the second namespace, and updating the mapping table.",
"17. A method of operating a storage device managing a multi-namespace, the method comprising:\nmanaging a mapping table to indicate such that first, second, and third namespaces have contiguous logical address spaces; and\nupdating the mapping table to indicate that the first and third namespaces have contiguous logical address spaces, in response to a request to delete the second namespace,\nwherein the updated mapping table includes a first region for the first namespace and a second region for the third namespace that is contiguous to the first region,\nwherein the first region comprises a plurality of first entries, where each first entry maps a logical page number of a first one of the logical address spaces directly to a physical address, and\nwherein the second region comprises a plurality of second entries, where each second entry maps a logical page number of the remaining logical address spaces directly to a physical address,\nwherein the method further comprises:\nperforming an unmapping operation on mapping information of the second namespace, in mapping table, after the updating of the mapping table."
],
[
"1. A method of controlling a nonvolatile memory, the nonvolatile memory including a plurality of blocks, said method comprising:\nmanaging, per physical address of a location in the nonvolatile memory in which data have been stored, the number of logical addresses associated with the physical address; and\nperforming garbage collection by:\ncopying first data from a first physical address in a copy-source block to a first block and not copying second data from a second physical address in the copy-source block to the first block; and\ncopying the second data from the second physical address in the copy-source block to a second block and not copying the first data from the first physical address in the copy-source block to the second block, wherein\nthe number of logical addresses associated with the first physical address belongs to a first range, and\nthe number of logical addresses associated with the second physical address belongs to a second range different from the first range.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein,\nwhen the first data is data having a lifetime longer than a lifetime of the second data, the first range is greater than the second range.",
"3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nwhen writing update data of third data already stored in the nonvolatile memory, decrementing the number of logical addresses associated with a physical address of a location in which the third data is stored by one.",
"4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nwhen writing third data to the nonvolatile memory, the third data not matching with any data stored in the nonvolatile memory,\nwriting the third data to the nonvolatile memory;\nupdating a first translation table managing a corresponding relationship between logical addresses and intermediate addresses to associate a first intermediate address with a logical address of the third data;\nupdating a second translation table managing a corresponding relationship between the intermediate addresses and physical addresses of locations in the nonvolatile memory to associate a third physical address with the first intermediate address, the third physical address indicating a location in the nonvolatile memory in which the third data is written; and\nsetting the number of logical addresses associated with the third physical address to one.",
"5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nin a case where third data matches with fourth data already stored in the nonvolatile memory, without writing the third data to the nonvolatile memory,\nupdating a first translation table managing a corresponding relationship between logical addresses and intermediate addresses to associate a first intermediate address with a logical address of the third data, the first intermediate address having been associated with a logical address of the fourth data;\nmaintaining a second translation table managing a corresponding relationship between the intermediate addresses and physical addresses of locations in the nonvolatile memory such that a third physical address is associated with the first intermediate address, the third physical address indicating a location in the nonvolatile memory in which the fourth data is stored; and\nincrementing the number of logical addresses associated with the third physical address by one.",
"6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nin the garbage collection, not copying third data from a third physical address in the copy-source block to any block, wherein\nthe number of logical addresses associated with the third physical address is zero.",
"7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nselecting, as the copy-source block, a third block in preference to a fourth block, wherein\na maximum of the numbers of logical addresses respectively associated with physical addresses of locations in the third block is greater than a maximum of the numbers of logical addresses respectively associated with physical addresses of locations in the fourth block.",
"8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:\nselecting the third block as the copy-source block in a case where an amount of invalid data in the third block is larger than a first threshold; and\nselecting the fourth block as the copy-source block in a case where an amount of invalid data in the third block is larger than a second threshold, wherein\nthe first threshold is smaller than the second threshold.",
"9. A method of controlling a nonvolatile memory, the nonvolatile memory including a plurality of blocks, said method comprising:\nmanaging, per physical address of a location in the nonvolatile memory in which data have been stored, the number of logical addresses associated with the physical address; and\nperforming garbage collection by selecting first data in preference to second data as copy target data for the garbage collection, wherein\nthe first data is stored at a first physical address,\nthe number of logical addresses associated with the first physical address belongs to a first range,\nthe second data is stored at a second physical address,\nthe number of logical addresses associated with the second physical address belongs to a second range, and\nthe first range is greater than the second range.",
"10. The method of claim 9, wherein\nthe first data is data having a lifetime longer than a lifetime of the second data.",
"11. The method of claim 9, further comprising:\nwhen writing update data of third data already stored in the nonvolatile memory, decrementing the number of logical addresses associated with a physical address of a location in which the third data is stored by one.",
"12. The method of claim 9, further comprising:\nwhen writing third data to the nonvolatile memory, the third data not matching with any data stored in the nonvolatile memory,\nwriting the third data to the nonvolatile memory;\nupdating a first translation table managing a corresponding relationship between logical addresses and intermediate addresses to associate a first intermediate address with a logical address of the third data;\nupdating a second translation table managing a corresponding relationship between the intermediate addresses and physical addresses of locations in the nonvolatile memory to associate a third physical address with the first intermediate address, the third physical address indicating a location in the nonvolatile memory in which the third data is written; and\nsetting the number of logical addresses associated with the third physical address to one.",
"13. The method of claim 9, further comprising:\nin a case where third data matches with fourth data already stored in the nonvolatile memory, without writing the third data to the nonvolatile memory,\nupdating a first translation table managing a corresponding relationship between logical addresses and intermediate addresses to associate a first intermediate address with a logical address of the third data, the first intermediate address having been associated with a logical address of the fourth data;\nmaintaining a second translation table managing a corresponding relationship between the intermediate addresses and physical addresses of locations in the nonvolatile memory such that a third physical address is associated with the first intermediate address, the third physical address indicating a location in the nonvolatile memory in which the fourth data is stored; and\nincrementing the number of logical addresses associated with the third physical address by one.",
"14. The method of claim 9, further comprising:\nin the garbage collection, not copying third data from a third physical address in the copy-source block to any block, wherein\nthe number of logical addresses associated with the third physical address is zero.",
"15. A method of controlling a nonvolatile memory, the nonvolatile memory including a plurality of blocks, said method comprising:\nmanaging, per physical address of a location in the nonvolatile memory in which data have been stored, the number of logical addresses associated with the physical address; and\nwhen executing garbage collection, copying data from a copy-source physical address to a copy-destination physical address, and associating the number of logical addresses that has been associated with the copy-source physical address with the copy-destination physical address.",
"16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:\nwhen writing update data of first data already stored in the nonvolatile memory, decrementing the number of logical addresses associated with a physical address of a location in which the first data is stored by one.",
"17. The method of claim 15, further comprising:\nwhen writing first data to the nonvolatile memory, the first data not matching with any data stored in the nonvolatile memory,\nwriting the first data to the nonvolatile memory;\nupdating a first translation table managing a corresponding relationship between logical addresses and intermediate addresses to associate a first intermediate address with a logical address of the first data;\nupdating a second translation table managing a corresponding relationship between the intermediate addresses and physical addresses of locations in the nonvolatile memory to associate a first physical address with the first intermediate address, the first physical address indicating a location in the nonvolatile memory in which the first data is written; and\nsetting the number of logical addresses associated with the first physical address to one.",
"18. The method of claim 15, further comprising:\nin a case where first data matches with second data already stored in the nonvolatile memory, without writing the first data to the nonvolatile memory,\nupdating a first translation table managing a corresponding relationship between logical addresses and intermediate addresses to associate a first intermediate address with a logical address of the first data, the first intermediate address having been associated with a logical address of the second data;\nmaintaining a second translation table managing a corresponding relationship between the intermediate addresses and physical addresses of locations in the nonvolatile memory such that a first physical address is associated with the first intermediate address, the first physical address indicating a location in the nonvolatile memory in which the second data is stored; and\nincrementing the number of logical addresses associated with the first physical address by one.",
"19. The method of claim 15, further comprising:\nin the garbage collection, not copying first data from a first physical address to any location in the nonvolatile memory, wherein\nthe number of logical addresses associated with the first physical address is zero.",
"20. The method of claim 15, further comprising:\nselecting, as a copy-source block for the garbage collection, a first block in preference to a second block, wherein\na maximum of the numbers of logical addresses respectively associated with physical addresses of locations in the first block is greater than a maximum of the numbers of logical addresses respectively associated with physical addresses of locations in the second block."
],
[
"1. A memory system comprising:\na nonvolatile memory; and\na controller electrically connected to the nonvolatile memory, and configured to control the nonvolatile memory, wherein\nthe controller is further configured to:\nmanage a plurality of management tables corresponding to a plurality of first blocks in the nonvolatile memory, each of the management tables including a plurality of reference counts corresponding to a plurality of data in a corresponding first block, and each of the reference counts indicating the number of logical addresses referring to corresponding data;\nwhen redundant data which agrees with write data received from a host does not exist in the nonvolatile memory, update a first translation table managing a corresponding relationship between logical addresses and intermediate addresses to associate non-use first intermediate address with a logical address of the write data, write the write data to the nonvolatile memory, update a second translation table managing a corresponding relationship between the intermediate addresses and physical addresses to associate a physical address indicating a location in the nonvolatile memory, in which the write data is written, with the first intermediate address, and set a reference count corresponding to the write data to 1;\nwhen the redundant data which agrees with the write data already exists in the nonvolatile memory, update the first translation table without writing the write data to the nonvolatile memory to associate a second intermediate address indicating an entry in the second translation table holding a physical address corresponding to the redundant data with the logical address of the write data, and increment a reference count corresponding to the redundant data by 1;\nwhen the write data is update data of data already written in the nonvolatile memory, decrement a reference count corresponding to the data already written by 1; and\nwhen one of the plurality of first blocks is selected as a copy-source block for garbage collection, copy only data corresponding respectively to reference counts of non-zero to a copy-destination block from the copy-source block, based on a first management table in the plurality of management tables, which corresponds to the copy-source block, update the second translation table to associate physical addresses respectively indicating locations in the copy-destination block, to which the data are copied, with intermediate addresses corresponding respectively to the data copied, and copy the reference counts of non-zero to a second management table corresponding to the copy-destination block from the first management table.",
"2. The memory system of claim 1, wherein\nin each of the plurality of management tables, the plurality of reference counts are arranged in order of arrangement of the physical addresses of the corresponding first block.",
"3. The memory system of claim 1, wherein\nthe controller is configured to:\nmanage a third translation table managing a corresponding relationship between hash values and the intermediate addresses;\nobtain a hash value of the write data; and\ndetermine, when an intermediate address corresponding to the obtained hash value does not exist in the third translation table, that the redundant data which agrees with the write data does not exist in the nonvolatile memory, assign a non-use intermediate address to the acquired hash value, and store a corresponding relationship between the acquired hash value and the intermediate address assigned to the acquired hash value in the third translation table,\nand wherein\nwhen the redundant data which agrees with the write data does not exist in the nonvolatile memory, the intermediate address assigned to the obtained hash value is associated with the logical address of the write data as the first intermediate address.",
"4. The memory system of claim 3, wherein\nthe controller is configured to:\nacquire, when intermediate address corresponding to the obtained hash value already exists in the third translation table, a physical address associated with the intermediate address corresponding to the obtained hash value by referring to the second translation table;\ncompare the write data with first data stored in the location in the nonvolatile memory, which is designated by the acquired physical address; and\ndetermine, when the write data and the first data agree with each other, that the redundant data which agrees with the write data already exists in the nonvolatile memory,\nand wherein\nwhen the redundant data which agrees with the write data already exists in the nonvolatile memory, the intermediate address which corresponds to the obtained hash value and already exists in the third translation table is associated with the logical address of the write data as the second intermediate address.",
"5. The memory system of claim 1, wherein\nthe controller is configured to:\nreceive a read request designating a logical address from the host;\nacquire an intermediate address corresponding to the designated logical address by referring to the first translation table;\nacquire a physical address corresponding to the acquired intermediate address by referring to the second translation table; and\nread data from the nonvolatile memory based on the acquired physical address.",
"6. The memory system of claim 1, wherein\nthe controller is configured to determine, when intermediate address is already stored in an entry in the first translation table, designated by the logical address of the write data, that the write data is update data of data already written in the nonvolatile memory.",
"7. A memory system comprising:\na nonvolatile memory including a plurality of physical blocks; and\na controller electrically connected to the nonvolatile memory and configured to manage a plurality of first blocks each including one or more physical blocks, and execute erase operation in a unit of a first block, wherein\nthe controller is further configured to:\nmanage a plurality of management tables corresponding to the plurality of first blocks, each of the management tables including a plurality of reference counts corresponding to a plurality of data in a corresponding first block and each of the reference counts indicating the number of the logical addresses referring to corresponding data;\nreceive write data from a host;\nwhen redundant data which agrees with the write data does not exist in the nonvolatile memory, update a first translation table managing a corresponding relationship between logical addresses and intermediate addresses to associate a non-use first intermediate address with a logical address of the write data, write the write data in one of the plurality of first blocks, and update a second translation table managing a corresponding relationship between the intermediate addresses and physical addresses to associate a physical address indicating a location in the nonvolatile memory, in which the write data is written, with the first intermediate address, and set a reference count corresponding to the write data to 1;\nwhen the redundant data which agrees with the write data already exists in the nonvolatile memory, update the first translation table without writing the write data to one of the plurality of first blocks, to associate a second intermediate address designating an entry in the second translation table holding a physical address corresponding to the redundant data, with the logical address of the write data, and increment the reference count corresponding to the redundant data by 1;\nwhen the write data is update data of data already written in the nonvolatile memory, decrement the reference count corresponding to the already written data by 1; and\nwhen one of the plurality of first blocks is selected as a copy-source block for garbage collection, copy only data corresponding respectively to reference counts of non-zero to a copy-destination block from the copy-source block, based on a first management table in the plurality of management tables which corresponds to the copy-source block, update the second translation table to associate the physical addresses respectively indicating locations in the copy-destination block, to which the data are copied, with intermediate addresses corresponding respectively to the data copied, and copy the reference counts of non-zero to the second management table corresponding to the copy-destination block from the first management table.",
"8. A memory system comprising:\na nonvolatile memory;\na controller electrically connected to the nonvolatile memory and configured to control the nonvolatile memory, wherein\nthe controller is further configured to:\nmanage a plurality of management tables corresponding to a plurality of first blocks in the nonvolatile memory, each of the management tables including a plurality of reference counts corresponding to a plurality of data in a corresponding first block, and each of the reference counts indicating the number of logical addresses referring to corresponding data;\nwhen redundant data which agrees with write data received from a host does not exist in the nonvolatile memory, write the write data to the nonvolatile memory, and update an intermediate to physical address translation table managing a corresponding relationship between intermediate addresses and physical addresses of the nonvolatile memory to associate a physical address indicating a location in the nonvolatile memory, in which the write data is written, with a first intermediate address assigned to an logical address of the write data, and set a reference count corresponding to the write data to 1;\nwhen the redundant data which agrees with the write data already exists in the nonvolatile memory, associate a second intermediate address assigned to the redundant data with the logical address of the write data, and increment a reference count corresponding to the redundant data by 1;\nwhen the write data is update data of data already written in the nonvolatile memory, decrement a reference count corresponding to the data already written by 1; and\nwhen one of the plurality of first blocks is selected as a copy-source block for garbage collection, copy only data corresponding respectively to reference counts of non-zero to a copy-destination block from the copy-source block, based on a first management table in the plurality of management tables, which corresponds to the copy-source block.",
"9. The memory system of claim 8, wherein\nwhen one of the plurality of first blocks is selected as a copy-source block for garbage collection, the controller executes an operation of copying only data corresponding respectively to reference counts of non-zero to the copy-destination block from the copy-source block based on the first management table, and an operation of updating the intermediate to physical address translation table to associate physical addresses respectively indicating locations in the copy-destination block, in which the data are copied, with intermediate addresses corresponding respectively to the data copied.",
"10. The memory system of claim 8, wherein\nwhen one of the plurality of first blocks is selected as a copy-source block for garbage collection, the controller executes an operation of copying only data corresponding respectively to reference counts of non-zero to the copy-destination block from the copy-source block based on the first management table, and an operation of copying each of the reference counts of non-zero from the first management table to a second management table corresponding to the copy-destination block.",
"11. The memory system of claim 8, wherein\nwhen one of the plurality of first blocks is selected as a copy-source block for garbage collection, the controller executes an operation of copying only data corresponding respectively to reference counts of non-zero to the copy-destination block from the copy-source block based on the first management table, an operation of updating the intermediate to physical address translation table to associate physical addresses respectively indicating locations in the copy-destination block, in which the data are copied, with intermediate addresses corresponding respectively to the data copied, and an operation of copying the reference counts of non-zero from the first management table to a second management table corresponding to the copy-destination block.",
"12. A method of controlling a nonvolatile memory, the method comprising:\nmanaging a plurality of management tables corresponding to a plurality of first blocks in the nonvolatile memory, each of the management tables including a plurality of reference counts corresponding to a plurality of data in a corresponding first block and each of the reference counts indicating the number of the logical addresses referring to corresponding data;\nwhen redundant data which agrees with write data received from a host does not exist in the nonvolatile memory, executing an operation of updating a first translation table managing a corresponding relationship between logical addresses and intermediate addresses to associate an non-use first intermediate address with a logical address of the write data, an operation of writing the write data to the nonvolatile memory, an operation of updating a second translation table managing a corresponding relationship between the intermediate addresses and physical addresses to associate a physical address indicating a location in the nonvolatile memory, in which the write data is written, with the first intermediate address, and an operation of setting a reference count corresponding to the write data to 1;\nwhen the redundant data which agrees with the write data already exists in the nonvolatile memory, executing an operation of updating the first translation table without writing the write data to the nonvolatile memory to associate a second intermediate address designating an entry in the second translation table holding a physical address corresponding to the redundant data, with the logical address of the write data, and an operation of incrementing a reference count corresponding to the redundant data by 1;\nwhen the write data is update data of data already written in the nonvolatile memory, executing an operation of decrementing a reference count corresponding to the already written data by 1; and\nwhen one of the plurality of first blocks is selected as a copy-source block for garbage collection, executing an operation of copying only data corresponding respectively to reference counts of non-zero to a copy-destination block from the copy-source block, based on a first management table in the plurality of management tables, which corresponds to the copy-source block, an operation of updating the second translation table to associate physical addresses which indicate respectively locations in the copy-destination block, in which the data are copied, with intermediate addresses corresponding respectively to the data copied, and an operation of copying the reference counts of non-zero from the first management table to a second management table corresponding to the copy-destination block.",
"13. The method of claim 12, wherein\nin each of the plurality of management tables, the plurality of reference counts are arranged in order of arrangement of the physical addresses of the corresponding first block.",
"14. The method of claim 12, further comprising:\nmanaging a third translation table managing a corresponding relationship between hash values and the intermediate addresses;\nobtaining a hash value of the write data;\nexecuting, when intermediate address corresponding to the obtained hash value does not exist in the third translation table, an operation of determining that the redundant data which agrees with the write data does not exist in the nonvolatile memory and assigning an non-use intermediate address to the obtained hash value, and an operation of storing a corresponding relationship between the obtained hash value and the intermediate address assigned to the obtained hash value in the third translation table, and\nwherein\nwhen the redundant data which agrees with the write data does not exist in the nonvolatile memory, the intermediate address assigned to the obtained hash value is associated with the logical address of the write data as the first intermediate address.",
"15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:\nacquiring, when intermediate address corresponding to the obtained hash value already exists in the third translation table, a physical address associated with the intermediate address corresponding to the obtained hash value by referring to the second translation table;\ncomparing the write data with first data stored in the location in the nonvolatile memory, which is designated by the acquired physical address; and\ndetermining, when the write data and the first data agree with each other, that the redundant data which agrees with the write data already exists in the nonvolatile memory,\nand wherein\nwhen the redundant data which agrees with the write data already exists in the nonvolatile memory, the intermediate address which corresponds to the obtained hash value and already exists in the third translation table is associated with the logical address of the write data as the second intermediate address.",
"16. The method of claim 12, further comprising:\nreceiving a read request designating a logical address from the host:\nacquiring an intermediate address corresponding to the designated logical address by referring to the first translation table;\nacquiring a physical address corresponding to the acquired intermediate address by referring to the second translation table; and\nreading data from the nonvolatile memory based on the acquired physical address."
],
[
"1. A solid state drive controller, comprising:\na processor configured to couple to a plurality of non-volatile memory devices, wherein the plurality of non-volatile memory devices are configured to store a plurality of system journals and a plurality of physical pages; and\na volatile memory configured to store a logical-to-physical address translation map configured to enable the solid state drive controller to determine a physical location of at least one logical page,\nwherein the processor is configured to:\nmaintain the plurality of system journals in the plurality of non-volatile memory devices, wherein each system journal defines physical-to-logical page correspondences for a predetermined range of the plurality of physical pages, and each system journal comprises an identification number that includes a portion of an address of a first physical page of the predetermined range of the plurality of physical pages;\ndetermine that the logical-to-physical address translation map needs to be rebuilt;\nread information from the plurality of system journals when the logical-to-physical address translation map needs to be rebuilt; and\nrebuild the logical-to-physical address translation map using the information read from the plurality of system journals.",
"2. The solid state drive controller of claim 1, wherein the portion of the address of the first physical page includes a number of the most significant bits of the address of the first physical page.",
"3. The solid state drive controller of claim 2, wherein each system journal includes an entry that points to a starting address of a logical page of the at least one logical pages.",
"4. The solid state drive controller of claim 3, wherein the entry includes a number of least significant bits of an address of a physical page of the predetermined range of the plurality of physical pages that contains the starting address of the logical page of the at least one logical pages.",
"5. The solid state drive controller of claim 4, wherein a full physical page address is obtained by concatenating the number of the most significant bits with the number of the least significant bits.",
"6. The solid state drive controller of claim 4, wherein the entry includes an offset of the logical page of the at least one logical pages within the physical page of the predetermined range of the plurality of physical pages.",
"7. The solid state drive controller of claim 1, wherein a header of each system journal includes the identification number.",
"8. The solid state drive controller of claim 1, wherein determining that the logical-to-physical address translation map needs to be rebuilt includes determining that the logical-to-physical address translation map needs to be partially rebuilt.",
"9. The solid state drive controller of claim 1, wherein determining that the logical-to-physical address translation map needs to be rebuilt includes determining that the logical-to-physical address translation map needs to be entirely rebuilt.",
"10. The solid state drive controller of claim 1, wherein a variable number of the at least one logical page is stored in the predetermined range of physical pages.",
"11. A method for controlling a solid state drive, the method comprising:\nmaintaining a plurality of system journals in a plurality of non-volatile memory devices, wherein each system journal defines physical-to-logical page correspondences for a predetermined range of a plurality of physical pages, and each system journal comprises an identification number that includes a portion of an address of a first physical page of the predetermined range of the plurality of physical pages;\ndetermining that a logical-to-physical address translation map needs to be rebuilt, wherein the logical-to-physical address translation map is stored in a volatile memory;\nreading information from the plurality of system journals when the logical-to-physical address translation map needs to be rebuilt; and\nrebuilding the logical-to-physical address translation map using the information read from the plurality of system journals.",
"12. The method of claim 11, wherein the portion of the address of the first physical page includes a number of the most significant bits of the address of the first physical page.",
"13. The method of claim 12, wherein each system journal includes an entry that points to a starting address of a logical page of the at least one logical pages.",
"14. The method of claim 13, wherein the entry includes a number of least significant bits of an address of a physical page of the predetermined range of the plurality of physical pages that contains the starting address of the logical page of the at least one logical pages.",
"15. The method of claim 14, wherein a full physical page address is obtained by concatenating the number of the most significant bits with the number of the least significant bits.",
"16. A data storage device, comprising:\na plurality of non-volatile memory devices configured to store a plurality of system journals and a plurality of physical pages; and\na solid state controller, wherein the solid state controller includes:\na processor coupled to the plurality of non-volatile memory devices; and\na volatile memory configured to store a logical-to-physical address translation map configured to enable the solid state controller to determine a physical location of at least one logical page, wherein the processor is configured to:\nmaintain the plurality of system journals in the plurality of non-volatile memory devices, wherein each system journal defines physical-to-logical page correspondences for a predetermined range of the plurality of physical pages, and each system journal comprises an identification number that includes a portion of an address of a first physical page of the predetermined range of the plurality of physical pages;\ndetermine that the logical-to-physical address translation map needs to be rebuilt;\nread information from the plurality of system journals when the logical-to-physical address translation map needs to be rebuilt; and\nrebuild the logical-to-physical address translation map using the information read from the plurality of system journals.",
"17. The data storage device of claim 16, wherein the portion of the address of the first physical page includes a number of the most significant bits of the address of the first physical page.",
"18. The data storage device of claim 17, wherein each system journal includes an entry that points to a starting address of a logical page of the at least one logical pages.",
"19. The data storage device of claim 18, wherein the entry includes a number of least significant bits of an address of a physical page of the predetermined range of the plurality of physical pages that contains the starting address of the logical page of the at least one logical pages.",
"20. The data storage device of claim 19, wherein a full physical page address is obtained by concatenating the number of the most significant bits with the number of the least significant bits.",
"21. A solid state drive controller, comprising:\nmeans for maintaining a plurality of system journals in a plurality of non-volatile memory devices, wherein each system journal defines physical-to-logical page correspondences for a predetermined range of a plurality of physical pages, and each system journal comprises an identification number that includes a portion of an address of a first physical page of the predetermined range of the plurality of physical pages;\nmeans for determining that a logical-to-physical address translation map needs to be rebuilt, wherein the logical-to-physical address translation map is stored in a volatile memory;\nmeans for reading information from the plurality of system journals when the logical-to-physical address translation map needs to be rebuilt; and\nmeans for rebuilding the logical-to-physical address translation map using the information read from the plurality of system journals.",
"22. The solid state drive controller of claim 21, wherein the portion of the address of the first physical page includes a number of the most significant bits of the address of the first physical page.",
"23. The solid state drive controller of claim 22, wherein each system journal includes an entry that points to a starting address of a logical page of the at least one logical pages.",
"24. The solid state drive controller of claim 23, wherein the entry includes a number of least significant bits of an address of a physical page of the predetermined range of the plurality of physical pages that contains the starting address of the logical page of the at least one logical pages.",
"25. The solid state drive controller of claim 24, wherein a full physical page address is obtained by concatenating the number of the most significant bits with the number of the least significant bits."
],
[
"1. A data storage device, comprising:\na flash memory, comprising a plurality of physical blocks; and\na microcontroller, selecting one source block and one destination block from the plurality of physical blocks, and performing a garbage collection operation according to a check map corresponding to the selected source block to copy data stored in one or more valid physical addresses of the source block to the selected destination block,\nwherein the check map records whether a mapping relationship of each physical address in a physical-to-logical mapping table corresponding to the source block has been compared to that of one or more corresponding group logical-to-physical tables,\nwherein the microcontroller selects a first entry of a physical-to-logical mapping table of the source block, and loads a group logical-to-physical mapping table, corresponding to a specific logic address recorded in the first entry, to a random access memory, wherein the first entry is a non-dummy entry.",
"2. The data storage device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the microcontroller checks a plurality of entries in the physical-to-logical mapping table to obtain at least one second entry corresponding to the group logical-to-physical mapping table, wherein the at least one second entry comprises the first entry.",
"3. The data storage device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the microcontroller respectively selects each second entry corresponding to the group logical-to-physical mapping table from the physical-to-logical mapping table, and determines whether the selected second entry is valid.",
"4. The data storage device as claimed in claim 3, wherein:\nwhen the selected second entry is valid, the microcontroller labels a check bit corresponding to the checked second entry in the check map; and\nwhen the selected second entry is invalid, the microcontroller invalidates a logical address recorded in the checked second entry, and labels the check bit corresponding to the checked second entry in the check map.",
"5. The data storage device as claimed in claim 4, wherein when each second entry in the physical-to-logical mapping table has been checked, the microcontroller sequentially copies data from the labeled and valid second entries in the physical-to-logical mapping table to the destination block, and invalidates the logical address recorded in the at least one second entry having the copied data.",
"6. The data storage device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the microcontroller writes the data from the at least one second entry to the destination block using a first-in first-out method to complete the garbage collection operation.",
"7. The data storage device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the microcontroller does not write the data from the at least one second entry to the destination block until a predetermined of data from the at least one second entry has been stored, thereby completing the garbage collection operation.",
"8. A data storage device, comprising:\na flash memory, comprising a plurality of physical blocks; and\na microcontroller, selecting one source block and one destination block from the plurality of physical blocks, and dividing the source block into a plurality of virtual blocks,\nwherein the microcontroller selects one of the virtual blocks, and performs a garbage collection operation according to a check map corresponding to the selected virtual block to copy data, stored in one or more valid physical addresses of the virtual block, to the selected destination block,\nwherein the check map records whether a mapping relationship of each physical address in a virtual physical-to-logical mapping table corresponding to the selected virtual block of the source block has been compared to that of one or more corresponding group logical-to-physical tables,\nwherein the microcontroller selects a first entry of the virtual physical-to-logical mapping table of the selected virtual block, and loads a group logical-to-physical mapping table, corresponding to a specific logic address recorded in the first entry, to a random access memory, wherein the first entry is a non-dummy entry.",
"9. The data storage device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the microcontroller checks a plurality of entries in the virtual physical-to-logical mapping table to obtain at least one second entry corresponding to the group logical-to-physical mapping table, wherein the at least one second entry comprises the first entry.",
"10. The data storage device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the microcontroller respectively selects each second entry corresponding to the group logical-to-physical mapping table from the virtual physical-to-logical mapping table, and determines whether the selected second entry is valid.",
"11. The data storage device as claimed in claim 10, wherein:\nwhen the selected second entry is valid, the microcontroller labels a check bit corresponding to the checked second entry in the check map; and\nwhen the selected second entry is invalid, the microcontroller invalidates a logical address recorded in the checked second entry, and labels the check bit corresponding to the checked second entry in the check map.",
"12. The data storage device as claimed in claim 11, wherein when each second entry in the virtual physical-to-logical mapping table has been checked, the microcontroller sequentially copies data from the labeled and valid second entries in the virtual physical-to-logical mapping table to the destination block, and invalidates the logical address recorded in the at least one second entry having the copied data.",
"13. The data storage device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the microcontroller writes the data from the at least one second entry to the destination block using a first-in first-out method to complete the garbage collection operation.",
"14. The data storage device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the microcontroller does not write the data from the at least one second entry to the destination block until a predetermined amount of data from the at least one second entry has been stored, thereby completing the garbage collection operation.",
"15. A data storage device, comprising:\na flash memory, comprising a plurality of physical blocks; and\na microcontroller, selecting one source block and one destination block from the plurality of physical blocks, and dividing the source block into a plurality of virtual blocks,\nwherein the microcontroller selects one of the virtual blocks, and reads a virtual valid data count of the selected virtual block,\nwherein when the microcontroller determines that the virtual valid data count of the selected virtual block is equal to a maximum storage size of the selected virtual block, the microcontroller performs a garbage collection operation to copy data, stored in a plurality of physical addresses of the selected virtual block, to the selected destination block.",
"16. The data storage device as claimed in claim 15, wherein when the microcontroller determines that the virtual valid data count of the selected virtual block is equal to 0, the microcontroller ends the garbage collection operation."
],
[
"1. A data moving method, adapted for controlling a storage device equipped with a flash memory, the storage device being controlled by a storage controller, the flash memory comprising a plurality of dice, the dice comprising a first die corresponding to a first channel and a second die corresponding to a second channel, each of the dice comprising a first plane and a second plane, the method comprising:\nperforming a data moving operation by the storage controller to obtain a valid data from a plurality of source blocks, the valid data comprising a first data, a second data, a third data and a fourth data;\ndetermining whether the valid data is a sequential data by the storage controller;\nwhen the valid data is the sequential data, transmitting a first 2-plane read command by the storage controller to read the first data and the second data respectively from the first plane and the second plane of the first die through the first channel, transmitting a second 2-plane read command to read the third data and the fourth data respectively from the first plane and the second plane of the second die through the second channel, and transmitting the first data, the third data, the second data and the fourth data to a buffer memory in order; and\ntransmitting a first 2-plane programming command by the storage controller to respectively program the first data and the second data to the first plane and the second plane of a third die among the dice, and transmitting a second 2-plane programming command to respectively program the third data and the fourth data to the first plane and the second plane of a fourth die among the dice.",
"2. The data moving method according to claim 1, wherein the first data, the second data, the third data and the fourth data of the third die and the fourth die have continuous physical block addresses (PBA).",
"3. The data moving method according to claim 1, further comprising:\ngenerating an ID code and a data length corresponding to the sequential data, and reading the sequential data to the buffer memory until the data length of the sequential data is reached.",
"4. The data moving method according to claim 1, wherein the step of determining whether the valid data is the sequential data comprises: determining whether the valid data is the sequential data according to a logical-to-physical (L2P) table and a physical-to-logical (P2L) table.",
"5. The data moving method according to claim 4, further comprising:\nobtaining a first logical block address corresponding to a first physical block address of the first data according to the physical-to-logical table;\nwhen a physical block address corresponding to the first logical block address obtained from the logical-to-physical table is the first physical block address, determining that the first data is valid;\nobtaining a second physical block address directly adjacent to the first physical block address, the second physical block address storing the second data;\nobtaining a second logical block address corresponding to the second physical block address of the second data according to the physical-to-logical table;\nwhen a physical block address corresponding to the second logical block address obtained from the logical-to-physical table is the second physical block address, determining that the second data is valid;\nwhen the second logical block address and the first logical block address are directly adjacent to each other, determining that the first data and the second data are the sequential data.",
"6. The data moving method according to claim 1, wherein the sequential data is cut based on a predetermined size, the predetermined size may be a size of a number of physical sub-units in a plane of a die.",
"7. The data moving method according to claim 1, wherein after the first data, the second data, the third data and the fourth data are respectively programmed to the third die and the fourth die, a logical-to-physical (L2P) table and a physical-to-logical (P2L) table are updated according to physical block addresses of the first data, the second data, the third data and the fourth data.",
"8. The data moving method according to claim 1, wherein an index of the first data in the first plane of the third die, an index of the second data in the second plane of the third die, an index of the third data in the first plane of the fourth die and an index of the fourth data in the second plane of the fourth die are all the same.",
"9. The data moving method according to claim 1, wherein unit of the first data, the second data, the third data and the fourth data is a page, a codeword, or a logical block address unit.",
"10. The data moving method according to claim 1, wherein after the first 2-plane read command is transmitted, it is determined whether a physical block address corresponding to the first data of the first die is the same as a physical address, which is converted by a physical-to-logical table into a logical block address from a physical block address corresponding to the first data of the first die and then converted into the physical address by a logical-to-physical table, if the physical block address and the physical address are different, the first data of the first die is set as invalid.",
"11. The data moving method according to claim 1, wherein after the first 2-plane read command is transmitted, if a host system receives a programming command to program a fifth data to the flash memory and a logical block address of the fifth data is the same as a logical block address of the first data, the fifth data and the second data are respectively programmed to the first plane and the second plane of the third die according to the first 2-plane programming command.",
"12. A storage controller, adapted for controlling a storage device equipped with a flash memory, the flash memory comprising a plurality of dice, the dice comprising a first die corresponding to a first channel and a second die corresponding to a second channel, each of the dice comprising a first plane and a second plane, the storage controller comprising:\na processor; and\na memory, coupled to the processor, the memory comprising a buffer memory, wherein\nthe processor performs a data moving operation to obtain a valid data from a plurality of source blocks, the valid data comprising a first data, a second data, a third data and a fourth data;\nthe processor determining whether the valid data is a sequential data;\nwherein when the valid data is the sequential data, the processor transmits a first 2-plane read command to read the first data and the second data respectively from the first plane and the second plane of the first die through the first channel, transmits a second 2-plane read command to read the third data and the fourth data respectively from the first plane and the second plane of the second die through the second channel, and transmits the first data, the third data, the second data and the fourth data to the buffer memory in order; and\nthe processor transmits a first 2-plane programming command to respectively program the first data and the second data to the first plane and the second plane of a third die among the dice, and transmits a second 2-plane programming command to respectively program the third data and the fourth data to the first plane and the second plane of a fourth die among the dice.",
"13. The storage controller according to claim 12, wherein the first data, the second data, the third data and the fourth data of the third die and the fourth die have continuous physical block addresses (PBA).",
"14. The storage controller according to claim 12, wherein the processor generates an ID code and a data length corresponding to the sequential data, and reading the sequential data to the buffer memory until the data length of the sequential data is reached.",
"15. The storage controller according to claim 12, wherein the processor determines whether the valid data is the sequential data according to a logical-to-physical table and a physical-to-logical table.",
"16. The storage controller according to claim 15, wherein the processor obtains a first logical block address corresponding to a first physical block address of the first data according to the physical-to-logical table;\nwhen a physical block address corresponding to the first logical block address obtained from the logical-to-physical table is the first physical block address, the processor determines that the first data is valid;\nthe processor obtains a second physical block address directly adjacent to the first physical block address, the second physical block address storing the second data;\nthe processor obtains a second logical block address corresponding to the second physical block address of the second data according to the physical-to-logical table;\nwhen a physical block address corresponding to the second logical block address obtained from the logical-to-physical table is the second physical block address, the processor determines that the second data is valid;\nwhen the second logical block address and the first logical block address are directly adjacent to each other, the processor determines that the first data and the second data are the sequential data.",
"17. The storage controller according to claim 16, wherein after the first 2-plane read command is transmitted, the processor determines whether a physical block address corresponding to the first data of the first die is the same as a physical address, which is converted by a physical-to-logical table into a logical block address from a physical block address corresponding to the first data of the first die and then converted into the physical address by a logical-to-physical table, if the physical block address and the physical address are different, the first data of the first die is set as invalid.",
"18. The storage controller according to claim 16, wherein after the first 2-plane read command is transmitted, the processor receives a programming command from a host system to program a fifth data to the flash memory and a logical block address of the fifth data is the same as a logical block address of the first data, the processor respectively programs the fifth data and the second data to the first plane and the second plane of the third die according to the first 2-plane programming command.",
"19. The storage controller according to claim 12, wherein the sequential data is cut based on a predetermined size, the predetermined size may be a size of a number of physical sub-units in a plane of a die.",
"20. The storage controller according to claim 12, wherein after the first data, the second data, the third data and the fourth data are respectively programmed to the third die and the fourth die, a logical-to-physical table and a physical-to-logical table are updated according to physical block addresses of the first data, the second data, the third data and the fourth data.",
"21. The storage controller according to claim 12, wherein an index of the first data in the first plane of the third die, an index of the second data in the second plane of the third die, an index of the third data in the first plane of the fourth die and an index of the fourth data in the second plane of the fourth die are all the same.",
"22. The storage controller according to claim 12, wherein unit of the first data, the second data, the third data and the fourth data is a page, a codeword, or a logical block address unit."
],
[
"1. A memory system comprising:\na non-volatile memory;\na buffer memory; and\na controller configured to:\nallocate a target area in the buffer memory for storing data that are to be kept in the buffer memory and not be written into the non-volatile memory until a non-volatilization event occurs, the non-volatilization event being one of a flush request from the host and a detection of a power shutdown;\nwrite first data corresponding to a first write command received from a host into the target area in the buffer memory, responsive to the first write command, which is received with an indication from the host to write the first data in the target area in the buffer memory; and\nwrite second data corresponding to a second write command received from the host into an area in the buffer memory that is not allocated as the target area, responsive to the second write command, which is received with no indication from the host to write the second data into the target area in the buffer memory.",
"2. The memory system according to claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to manage mapping of logical addresses and physical addresses, wherein\nwhen the first data is stored in the buffer memory, the controller updates the mapping such that a first logical address corresponding to the first data is mapped to a physical address of the buffer memory at which the first data is stored, and\nafter the non-volatilization event occurs, the controller writes the first data stored in the buffer memory into the non-volatile memory and updates the mapping such that the first logical address is mapped to a physical address of the non-volatile memory at which the first data is stored.",
"3. The memory system according to claim 1, wherein the controller determines that the first write command received from the host indicates that the first data is to be written into the target area in the buffer memory, based on one of a first logical address designated by the write command, information indicating that use of the non-volatile memory is to be suppressed, and a command type.",
"4. The memory system according to claim 3, wherein the controller returns an error to the host in a case where an available space of the target area in the buffer memory is not enough to keep the first data therein.",
"5. The memory system according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to:\nassociate the first data with a first logical address designated by the first write command, and\nwrite the associated information items in a region of a volatile memory, which has another region allocated as the buffer memory.",
"6. The memory system according to claim 1, wherein the controller releases the target area without writing the data stored in the target area into the non-volatile memory when a command for requesting that the target area be released is received from the host.",
"7. The memory system according to claim 1, wherein\nthe controller is further configured to manage an area in the buffer memory to store data therein for append-write, wherein the data for the append-write in the buffer memory corresponds to data that is within a predetermined range from a last written append-write position, and\nthe non-volatilization event further occurs when a size of data for the append-write stored in the buffer memory exceeds a first threshold value.",
"8. The memory system according to claim 7, wherein the controller determines the first threshold value based on a command from the host.",
"9. The memory system according to claim 7, wherein the controller keeps the data for the append-write in the buffer memory for a period of time after the data is written into the non-volatile memory.",
"10. The memory system according to claim 9, wherein the controller releases a storage area for the data for the append-write in the buffer memory after the controller confirms that the data is readable from the non-volatile memory.",
"11. The memory system according to claim 7, wherein the controller is further configured to:\ndetermine whether or not the data for the append-write is within a predetermined range from the last written append-write position,\nmaintain the data in the buffer memory when the data is within the predetermined range, and\nwrite the data into the non-volatile memory when the data is outside of the predetermined range.",
"12. The memory system according to claim 11, wherein the controller manages the latest append-write position and a size of the predetermined range using a management table.",
"13. The memory system according to claim 11,\nwherein the controller determines a start position of the predetermined range and a size of the predetermined range based on a command from the host.",
"14. In a memory system including a buffer memory and a non-volatile memory, a method of performing writes to the non-volatile memory, said method comprising:\nallocating a target area in the buffer memory for storing data that are to be kept in the buffer memory and not be written into the non-volatile memory until a non-volatilization event occurs, the non-volatilization event being one of a flush request from the host and a detection of a power shutdown;\nwriting first data corresponding to a first write command received from a host into the target area in the buffer memory, responsive to the first write command, which is received with an indication from the host to write the first data in the target area in the buffer memory; and\nwriting second data corresponding to a second write command received from the host into an area in the buffer memory that is not allocated as the target area, responsive to the second write command, which is received with no indication from the host to write the second data into the target area in the buffer memory.",
"15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising:\ndetermining that the first write command received from the host indicates that the first data is to be written into the target area in the buffer memory, based on one of a first logical address designated by the write command, information indicating that use of the non-volatile memory is to be suppressed, and a command type.",
"16. The method according to claim 14, further comprising:\nassociating the first data with a first logical address designated by the first write command; and\nwriting the associated information items in a region of a volatile memory, which has another region allocated as the buffer memory.",
"17. The method according to claim 14, further comprising:\nin response to a command received from the host for requesting that the target area be released, releasing the target area without writing the data stored in the target area into the non-volatile memory.",
"18. The method according to claim 14, further comprising:\nmanaging an area in the buffer memory to store data therein for an append-write, wherein the data for the append-write in the buffer memory corresponds to data that is within a predetermined range from a last written append-write position."
]
] |
the following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 u.s.c. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this office action:
a person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
(a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
claims 1, 4, 7, 10-14, 16, and 18, are rejected under 35 u.s.c. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by shin (us pgpub 2019/0087128).
regarding claim 1, shin teaches a method of operating a memory system comprising a memory controller and a memory device, the memory device comprising a plurality of dies each of which includes a plurality of blocks (fig. 1 and abstract and paragraphs [0056]-[0057], describe the memory device which has a plurality of dies which includes a plurality of planes and blocks), the method comprising: executing, by at least one of the memory controller or the memory device, operations comprising: outputting a plurality of commands comprising first and second commands based on a program request and program data, wherein the plurality of commands are configured to control the memory device in units of super blocks, the super blocks comprising blocks included in different dies of the plurality of dies (abstract, states that commands can be received, including write commands (program operations), which are then applied to corresponding super blocks. paragraphs [0107]-[0109], describe the construction of the super blocks which comprise blocks from different dies. it should be noted that this is standard operating procedure for super block systems), during a first time interval, performing, based on the first commands, a first erase operation on a first-first block among the first-first block to a first-mth block of the blocks included in a first super block among the super blocks, where m is an integer greater than or equal to two, during the first time interval, performing, based on the first commands, a first program operation on a second-first block to a second-mth block of the blocks included in a second super block among the super blocks (abstract and paragraphs [0006]-[0007], states that as program operations are being performed on one super block erase operations can be performed on another super block), during a second time interval after the first time interval, performing, based on the second commands, a second erase operation on a first-second block among the first-first block to the first-mth block, and during the second time interval, performing, based on the second commands, a second program operation on the first-first block and one or more blocks among the second-first block to the second-mth block, and during each time interval from among a plurality of consecutive time intervals that are after the second time interval, performing an additional respective erase operation on at least one of the blocks included in the first super block and, while performing the additional respective erase operation, performing an additional respective program operation on at least one of the blocks included in the second super block (abstract and paragraphs [0006]-[0007], as stated previously the erase commands can be done in parallel between the program operations at various periods of time. fig. 8 and paragraphs [0138] and [0145], show the scheduling of sets of commands wherein at the time intervals starting with t1 there will be one erase operation performed on one or more of the blocks on one die while write operations are performed on the other blocks on the other dies. the writes are also directed to blocks of other superblocks. it should be noted that there is nothing specifying what constitutes a time interval or set of commands).
regarding claim 4, shin teaches all the limitations to claim 1. shin further teaches during a third time interval among the plurality of consecutive time intervals, performing, based on third commands of the plurality of commands, a third erase operation on a first-third block among the first-first block to the first-mth block, and during the third time interval, performing, based on the third commands, a third program operation on the first-first block, the first-second block, and one or more blocks among the second-first block to the second-mth block (abstract and paragraphs [0006]-[0007], as stated in the rejection to claim 1, the erase commands can be done in parallel between the program operations at various periods of time. it should be noted that there is nothing specifying what constitutes a time interval or set of commands).
regarding claim 7, shin teaches all the limitations to claim 1. shin further teaches wherein outputting the plurality of commands comprises: generating program scheduling information representing the blocks to be grouped in the first super block and the second super block among the plurality of blocks during each of the first time interval and the second time interval, and generating the plurality of commands based on the program scheduling information (paragraphs [0006]-[0007], as stated in the rejection to claim 1, the received requests can be queued and then scheduled in a particular manner such that the operations are performed according to the schedule).
regarding claim 10, shin teaches all the limitations to claim 1. shin further teaches wherein performing the second program operation comprises: based on the second commands, at a first time point at which a predetermined time has elapsed from a second time point, initiating the second program operation on the first-first block, wherein the second time point represents a time point at which the first erase operation on the first-first block is completed within the first time interval (abstract and paragraphs [0006]-[0007], as stated in the rejection to claim 1, as only one operation can be performed on a block at a time the erase operation would have to finish before the program operation can even be executed).
regarding claim 11, shin teaches all the limitations to claim 1. shin further teaches wherein, during the second time interval, the second commands are output sequentially with respect to the blocks included in the second super block (fig. 7 and paragraphs [0124]-[0127], show how the commands can be scheduled and that the scheduling can have the commands outputted sequentially with respect to the blocks in the super blocks).
regarding claim 12, shin teaches all the limitations to claim 1. shin further teaches wherein the first super block includes invalid blocks (paragraph [0074], states that the valid page counts of blocks can be tracked and taken into consideration when performing operations meaning the first block can include invalid blocks).
regarding claim 13, shin teaches all the limitations to claim 1. shin further teaches wherein outputting the plurality of commands comprises: generating program scheduling information representing the blocks to be grouped in the first super block and the second super block among the plurality of blocks during each of the first time interval and the second time interval, and generating the plurality of commands based on the program scheduling information (paragraphs [0006]-[0007], as stated in the rejection to claim 1, the received requests can be queued and then scheduled in a particular manner such that the operations are performed according to the schedule), wherein the program scheduling information further represents a time point at which each of the second commands is issued to the memory device (abstract and paragraphs [0006]-[0007], the entire point of scheduling is to set when to issue commands to the device).
regarding claims 14 and 16, claims 14 and 16 are the system claims associated with claims 1 and 4. since shin teaches all the limitations of claims 1 and 4 and further teaches a memory device comprising a plurality of dies, each of which includes a plurality of blocks; and a memory controller configured to control the memory device (fig. 1 and abstract and paragraphs [0056]-[0057]), it also teaches all the limitations to claims 14 and 16; therefore the rejections to claims 1 and 4 also apply to claims 14 and 16.
regarding claim 18, shin teaches all the limitations of claim 16. shin further teaches wherein: the plurality of dies of the memory device comprises a first die to a mth die, the first super block corresponding to the first time interval includes the first-first block to the first-mth block, which are a first portion of the plurality of blocks included in the first die to the mth die, and the second super block corresponding to the second time interval includes the second-first block to the second-mth block, which are a second portion of the plurality of blocks included in the first die to the mth die (fig. 7 and paragraphs [0107]-[0109], as stated in the rejection to claim 1, show how the memory is formed of several dies that include several planes made of blocks. the various super blocks are then comprised of several different blocks from the different dies).
|
[
"1. A method for controlling a water drain system for a fuel cell vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:\nderiving an expected location where the water drain system of a fuel cell is expected to be operated; and\ndischarging generated water of the fuel cell by operating the water drain system in advance before the fuel cell vehicle reaches the expected location.",
"2. The method according to claim 1, wherein in the step of deriving the expected location, any one of a location where the water of the fuel cell is discharged, a location where an operation of the fuel cell is stopped, a location where the fuel cell vehicle is parked, a user's designated location, and a navigation destination, is derived as the expected location.",
"3. The method according to claim 1, wherein in the step of deriving the expected location, the expected location is updated while the fuel cell vehicle is driving.",
"4. The method according to claim 1, wherein in the step of discharging the generated water of the fuel cell, the generated water of the fuel cell is discharged when a current location of the fuel cell vehicle is within a set distance of the expected location.",
"5. The method according to claim 1, wherein in the step of discharging the generated water of the fuel cell, a time for the fuel cell vehicle to reach the expected location from a set distance of an expected distance is set as a set time, and the generated water of the fuel cell is discharged before the set time.",
"6. The method according to claim 1, wherein in the step of discharging the generated water of the fuel cell, the generated water of the fuel cell is discharged only when a current location of the fuel cell vehicle is located on a driving path.",
"7. The method according to claim 1, wherein in the step of discharging the generated water of the fuel cell, the generated water of the fuel cell is discharged only when an outside air temperature of the fuel cell vehicle satisfies a preset temperature condition.",
"8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the outside air temperature of the fuel cell vehicle is an outside air temperature at the expected location.",
"9. A water drain system for a fuel cell vehicle, the water drain system comprising:\na water drain unit that selectively discharges generated water of a fuel cell;\na location derivation unit that derives an expected location where a water drain system of a fuel cell is expected to be operated; and\na control unit that controls the water drain system so that the generated water of the fuel cell is discharged in advance before the fuel cell vehicle reaches the expected location derived from the location derivation unit.",
"10. The water drain system according to claim 9, further comprising a display unit that displays whether the water drain system of the fuel cell is in operation."
] |
US20230170501A1
|
JP2008208964A
|
[
"2. The automatic transmission according to claim 1, further comprising a third clutch for preventing high-speed rotation of the carrier of the second double pinion planetary gear. 3. The automatic transmission according to claim 2, wherein the third clutch selectively connects the input shaft and a sun gear directly connected to the first compound planetary gear. 3. The automatic transmission according to claim 2, wherein the third clutch selectively connects a ring gear of the first double pinion planetary gear and a ring gear of the first single pinion planetary gear. 2. The sun gear of the first double pinion planetary gear and the sun gear of the second double pinion planetary gear that are directly connected to each other are directly connected to the input shaft, and the ring gear of the first double pinion planetary gear is connected to the ring gear of the first single pinion planetary gear. An automatic transmission characterized by being directly connected."
] |
[
[
"1. A fuel cell vehicle comprising:\nan electric traction motor;\nan inverter configured to convert DC power to AC power for driving the electric traction motor;\na fuel cell system including a fuel cell configured to generate the DC power with hydrogen fuel and oxygen;\na first boost converter including first low voltage terminals connected to the fuel cell and first high voltage terminals connected to the inverter, the first boost converter including a first capacitor connected between a positive terminal and a negative terminal of the first high voltage terminals;\na first relay connected between the first boost converter and the inverter; and\na controller,\nwherein the controller is configured to:\nshut down the fuel cell system;\nwhile a voltage of the fuel cell is higher than a predetermined voltage threshold, discharge the first capacitor with a voltage of the first capacitor maintained to be higher than the voltage of the fuel cell; and\nwhen the voltage of the fuel cell becomes lower than the predetermined voltage threshold, stop the discharging of the first capacitor and disconnect the first boost converter from the inverter by opening the first relay.",
"2. The fuel cell vehicle of claim 1 further comprising:\na battery;\na second boost converter including second low voltage terminals connected to the battery and second high voltage terminals connected to the inverter, the second boost converter including a second capacitor connected between a positive terminal and a negative terminal of the second high voltage terminals; and\na second relay connected between the battery and the second boost converter,\nwherein the controller is configured to:\ndisconnect the battery from the second boost converter by opening the second relay prior to discharging the second capacitor;\nwhile the voltage of the fuel cell is higher than the predetermined voltage threshold, discharge the first and second capacitors with voltages of the first and second capacitors maintained to be higher than the voltage of the fuel cell;\nwhen the voltage of the fuel cell becomes lower than the predetermined voltage threshold, stop the discharging of the first capacitor and disconnect the first boost converter from the inverter by opening the first relay; and\ndischarge the second capacitor.",
"3. The fuel cell vehicle of claim 1, wherein in a case where the voltage of the fuel cell is lower than the predetermined voltage threshold prior to starting the discharging of the first capacitor, the controller is configured to discharge the first capacitor such that the first capacitor has a voltage equal to the predetermined voltage threshold and open the first relay."
],
[
"1. A fuel cell vehicle comprising:\na fuel cell system including a fuel cell and fuel cell auxiliary machinery;\na drive motor configured to drive the fuel cell vehicle;\na power storage device configured to be charged with electric power generated by the fuel cell and regenerative electric power generated by the drive motor, and to store electric power to supply to the drive motor;\na remaining charge monitor configured to detect remaining charge of the power storage device;\na temperature sensor configured to detect temperature of the power storage device; and\na power controller configured to control an operation state of the fuel cell system while controlling the remaining charge of the power storage device to be equal to or higher than a predetermined lower limit,\nwherein when the temperature of the power storage device detected by the temperature sensor is a second temperature, which is lower than a predetermined first temperature, at least in a period when the power storage device is allowed to be charged with the regenerative electric power, the power controller controls the remaining charge by setting the lower limit to a value higher than the lower limit set at the first temperature, and\nwherein when a stop instruction for the fuel cell system is input, the power controller performs a remaining charge raising processing for raising the remaining charge of the power storage device.",
"2. The fuel cell vehicle according to claim 1, wherein when the temperature of the power storage device detected by the temperature sensor is the second temperature, in a period from input of a start instruction for the fuel cell system to input of a stop instruction for the fuel cell system subsequent to the start instruction, the power controller controls the remaining charge by setting the lower limit to the value higher than the lower limit set at the first temperature.",
"3. The fuel cell vehicle according to claim 1, wherein\nwhen the remaining charge detected by the remaining charge monitor is lower than a predetermined reference value when the stop instruction for the fuel cell system is input, the power controller causes the fuel cell to charge the power storage device, and\nwhen the remaining charge is equal to or higher than the reference value when the stop instruction is input, the power controller drives the fuel cell auxiliary machinery to perform end processing to be performed when the fuel cell system is stopped, without charging the power storage device.",
"4. The fuel cell vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the reference value is a value equal to or higher than the remaining charge that enables the power storage device to supply electric power required by the fuel cell system for processing to be performed in the fuel cell system in a period from the input of the stop instruction to a restart of power generation by the fuel cell in response to a subsequent start instruction for starting the fuel cell system being input below a freezing point.",
"5. The fuel cell vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the lower limit is equal to or higher than the reference value.",
"6. A method for controlling a fuel cell vehicle, the fuel cell vehicle comprising:\na fuel cell system including a fuel cell and fuel cell auxiliary machinery;\na drive motor configured to drive the fuel cell vehicle;\na power storage device configured to be charged with electric power generated by the fuel cell and regenerative electric power generated by the drive motor, and to store electric power to supply to the drive motor;\na remaining charge monitor configured to detect remaining charge of the power storage device; and\na temperature sensor configured to detect temperature of the power storage device,\nthe method comprising:\nwhen the temperature of the power storage device detected by the temperature sensor is a second temperature, which is lower than a predetermined first temperature, when the remaining charge of the power storage device is controlled to be equal to or higher than a predetermined lower limit at least in a period when the power storage device is allowed to be charged with the regenerative electric power, controlling the remaining charge by setting the lower limit to a value higher than the lower limit set at the first temperature; and\nwhen a stop instruction for the fuel cell system is input, performing remaining charge raising processing for raising the remaining charge of the power storage device."
],
[
"1. A method for communication between a hydrogen fueling station and a hydrogen powered vehicle having a fueling system comprising a first hydrogen tank and a second hydrogen tank, the method comprising:\ndisposing a nozzle of the station within a specified distance of a receptacle on the vehicle to establish an NFC link between a first near field communication (NFC) hardware and a second NFC hardware;\ncommunicating to the station, via the NFC link, identifying information for the vehicle;\nselecting, by the station, a vehicle to infrastructure (V2X) communication network based on the identifying information for the vehicle;\nestablishing, between the station and the vehicle, a V2X communication link via the V2X communication network;\ntransmitting, via the V2X communication network, an initial pressure of the first hydrogen tank, an initial pressure of the second hydrogen tank, an initial temperature of the first hydrogen tank, and an initial temperature of the second hydrogen tank,\ndelivering through the nozzle, by the station and to the vehicle via the receptacle, pressurized hydrogen to the fueling system to at least partially fill the first hydrogen tank and the second hydrogen tank.",
"2. The method of claim 1, further comprising communicating to the station, via the NFC link, identifying information for the first hydrogen tank and the second hydrogen tank.",
"3. The method of claim 2, further comprising communicating to the station, via the NFC link and for each of the first hydrogen tank and the second hydrogen tank, information regarding tank volume, pressure rating, material information, dimensional information including length, diameter, and wall thickness, serial number, and last service date.",
"4. The method of claim 1, further comprising monitoring, via the V2X communication network and during the delivering pressurized hydrogen, one or more dynamic data for the first hydrogen tank and the second hydrogen tank.",
"5. The method of claim 1, further comprising stopping, by the station, delivery of hydrogen to the vehicle in response to an indication that the first hydrogen tank temperature is out of bounds or the first hydrogen tank pressure is out of bounds.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein the delivering the pressurized hydrogen between the vehicle and the station and in connection with the NFC link and the V2X link is rated at an ASIL D level of safety.",
"7. The method of claim 1, further comprising communicating, via the NFC link, one or more of: a fueling protocol identifier; a vehicle identification number, a vehicle hydrogen tank volume, a vehicle hydrogen tank type receptacle type, a fueling command, a maximum mass flow of hydrogen between the nozzle and the receptacle, or a watchdog counter.",
"8. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting to the vehicle, by the station and over the V2X communication link, an update to at least one of: a software application operative on the vehicle; or firmware for an electronic device operative as part of the vehicle.",
"9. The method of claim 1, further comprising exchanging, between the station and the vehicle and over the V2X communication link, payment information and confirmation associated with the delivering the pressurized hydrogen to the vehicle.",
"10. The method of claim 1, further comprising downloading from the vehicle, to the station and over the V2X communication link, diagnostic information for a component of the vehicle.",
"11. The method of claim 1, further comprising, responsive to an interruption in communication over one of the V2X communication link or the NFC link, completing delivery of pressurized hydrogen through the nozzle in accordance with a default delivery protocol associated with the first hydrogen tank or the second hydrogen tank.",
"12. The method of claim 1, wherein communication between the station and the vehicle via the NFC link is conducted in accordance with at least one of IEC standard 61784 or IEC standard 61508.",
"13. The method of claim 4, further comprising updating, responsive to the monitoring and in a database accessible to the station, at least one characteristic of a default fueling protocol for the vehicle.",
"14. The method of claim 13, wherein the at least one characteristic comprises a target pressure and a ramp rate.",
"15. The method of claim 1, wherein a communication protocol of the V2X communication link is at least one of an IEEE 802.11 protocol, a 4G LTE mobile network protocol, or a 5G mobile network protocol.",
"16. The method of claim 1, wherein the first NFC hardware is replaceable without impairing the hydrogen delivery function of the nozzle.",
"17. The method of claim 1, wherein the delivering pressurized hydrogen at least partially fills the first hydrogen tank and the second hydrogen tank of the vehicle simultaneously.",
"18. The method of claim 1, wherein, during the delivering pressurized hydrogen, the station polls the vehicle for information regarding the first hydrogen tank or the second hydrogen tank at an interval of 50 milliseconds or less.",
"19. The method of claim 1, wherein the first NFC hardware and the second NFC hardware are rated for use in a Zone 1 hydrogen classified area.",
"20. The method of claim 1, wherein the specified distance is 20 centimeters or less."
],
[
"1. A lightweight, high power density, fault-tolerant fuel cell system for a clean fuel aircraft, the system comprising:\na power generation subsystem comprising at least one fuel cell module comprising:\na plurality of hydrogen fuel cells configured to supply electrical voltage and current to a plurality of motor and propeller assemblies controlled by a plurality of motor controllers;\na fuel supply subsystem comprising a fuel tank in fluid communication with the at least one fuel cell module and configured to store and transport liquid hydrogen (LH2) fuel;\na thermal energy interface subsystem comprising a heat exchanger in fluid communication with the fuel tank and the at least one fuel cell module including each hydrogen fuel cell of the plurality of hydrogen fuel cells, a plurality of fluid conduits, and at least one radiator in fluid communication with the at least one fuel cell module, configured to store and transport a coolant, wherein the heat exchanger extracts gaseous hydrogen (GH2) from LH2 or to increase a temperature of already extracted gaseous hydrogen (GH2) using thermal energy transfer by transferring heat or thermal energy across heat exchanger walls and heat exchanger surfaces to the fuel supplied by fuel lines in fluid communication with the one or more heat exchangers and the fuel tank, using thermodynamic processes including conduction;\nan external interface subsystem comprising one or more oxygen delivery mechanisms comprising one or more of turbochargers, superchargers, blowers, compressors, local supply of air or oxygen, or combinations thereof, configured to compress ambient air and in fluid communication with at least one air intake and the at least one fuel cell module; and\na power distribution monitoring and control subsystem for monitoring and controlling distribution of supplied electrical voltage and current to the plurality of motor controllers and an avionics subsystem, comprising:\none or more sensing devices configured to measure operating conditions; and\nan electrical circuit configured to collect electrons from each hydrogen fuel cell of the plurality of hydrogen fuel cells and supply voltage and current to the plurality of motor controllers and aircraft components, wherein electrons returning from the electrical circuit combine with oxygen in the compressed air to form oxygen ions, then protons combine with oxygen ions to form H2O molecules, wherein the plurality of motor controllers are commanded by one or more autopilot control units or computer units comprising a computer processor configured to compute algorithms based on measured operating conditions, and configured to select and control an amount and distribution of electrical voltage and torque or current for each of the plurality of motor and propeller assemblies;\nwherein the one or more autopilot control units or computer units comprising a computer processor are further configured to dissipate waste heat using the thermal energy interface subsystem comprising the heat exchanger or a vaporizer used to warm LH2 or GH2, and/or using at least one radiator or one or more exhaust ports to expel waste heat with exhaust gas, wherein the H2O molecules are removed using the one or more exhaust ports or a vent.",
"2. The system of claim 1, wherein a working fluid and the fuel remain physically isolated from one another.",
"3. The system of claim 1, further comprising:\na hydrogen flowfield plate, disposed in each hydrogen fuel cell of the plurality of hydrogen fuel cells, and comprising a first channel array configured to divert gaseous hydrogen (GH2) inside each hydrogen fuel cell through an anode backing layer connected thereto and comprising an anode gas diffusion layer (AGDL) connected to an anode side catalyst layer that is further connected to an anode side of a proton exchange membrane (PEM), the anode side catalyst layer configured to contact the GH2 and divide the GH2 into protons and electrons.",
"4. The system of claim 3, further comprising:\nan outflow end of the hydrogen flowfield plate configured to use the first channel array to remove exhaust gas from each hydrogen fuel cell.",
"5. The system of claim 3, further comprising:\nan oxygen flowfield plate, disposed in each hydrogen fuel cell, and comprising a second channel array configured to divert compressed air inside each hydrogen fuel cell through a cathode backing layer connected thereto and comprising a cathode gas diffusion layer (CGDL) connected to a cathode side catalyst layer that is further connected to a cathode side of the PEM, wherein the PEM comprises a polymer and is configured to allow protons to permeate from the anode side to the cathode side but restricts the electrons.",
"6. The system of claim 5, further comprising:\nan outflow end of an oxygen flowfield plate configured to use the second channel array to remove the H2O and the compressed air from each hydrogen fuel cell.",
"7. The system of claim 1, further comprising:\nan electrical circuit configured to collect electrons from an anode side catalyst layer and supply voltage and current to a power generation subsystem a power distribution monitoring and control subsystem, wherein electrons returning from the electrical circuit combine with oxygen in the compressed air to form oxygen ions, then the protons combine with oxygen ions to form H2O molecules.",
"8. The system of claim 1, further comprising:\none or more battery arrays;\none or more circuit boards;\none or more processors;\none or more memory;\none or more electronic components, electrical connections, electrical wires; and\none or more diode or field-effect transistors (FET, IGBT or SiC) providing isolation between an electrical main bus and one or more electrical sources comprising the at least one fuel cell module.",
"9. The system of claim 1, wherein the fuel supply subsystem further comprises fuel lines, pumps, refueling connections for charging or fuel connectors, one or more vents, one or more valves, one or more pressure regulators, and unions, each in fluid communication with the fuel tank that is configured to store and transport a fuel comprising gaseous hydrogen (GH2) or liquid hydrogen (LH2).",
"10. The system of claim 9, wherein one or more temperature sensing devices or thermal safety sensors monitor temperatures and concentrations of gases in the fuel supply subsystem.",
"11. The system of claim 10, wherein the one or more temperature sensing devices comprise one or more pressure gauges, one or more level sensors, one or more vacuum gauges, and/or one or more temperature sensors.",
"12. The system of claim 9, further comprising the at least one fuel cell module and the plurality of motor controllers, each configured to self-measure and report temperature and other parameters using a Controller Area Network (CAN) bus to inform the one or more autopilot control units or computer units as to a valve, pump or combination thereof to enable to increase or decrease of fuel supply or cooling using fluids wherein thermal energy is transferred from the coolant.",
"13. The system of claim 9, wherein the one or more autopilot control units comprise at least two redundant autopilot control units that command the plurality of motor controllers, the fuel supply subsystem, the at least one fuel cell module, and fluid control units with commands operating valves and pumps altering flows of fuel, air and coolant to different locations.",
"14. The system of claim 13, wherein the at least two redundant autopilot control units communicate a voting process over a redundant network.",
"15. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one fuel cell module further comprises a fuel delivery assembly, air filters, blowers, airflow meters, a recirculation pump, a coolant pump, fuel cell controls, sensors, an end plate, coolant conduits, connections, a hydrogen inlet, a coolant inlet, an oxygen inlet, a hydrogen outlet, an oxygen outlets, a coolant outlet, and coolant conduits connected to and in fluid communication with the at least one fuel cell module and transporting coolant.",
"16. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more autopilot control units or computer units comprising a computer processor are further configured to compute, select and control, based on one or more algorithms, using one or more oxygen delivery mechanisms comprising air-driven turbochargers or superchargers supplying air or oxygen to the at least one fuel cell module, an amount and distribution of voltage and current from the plurality of hydrogen fuel cells of the power generation subsystem to each of the plurality of motor and propeller assemblies being controlled by the plurality of motor controllers.",
"17. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is mounted within a full-scale, electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) or electric aircraft system sized, dimensioned, and configured for transporting one or more human occupants and/or a payload, comprising a multirotor airframe fuselage supporting vehicle weight, human occupants and/or payload, attached to and supporting the plurality of motor and propeller assemblies, each comprising a plurality of pairs of propeller blades or a plurality of rotor blades, and each being electrically connected to and controlled by the plurality of motor controllers and a power distribution monitoring and control subsystem distributing voltage and current from the plurality of hydrogen fuel cells.",
"18. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of motor controllers are high-voltage, high-current liquid-cooled or air-cooled controllers.",
"19. The system of claim 1, further comprising:\na mission planning computer comprising software, with wired or wireless (RF) connections to the one or more autopilot control units.",
"20. The system of claim 1, further comprising:\na wirelessly connected or wire-connected Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADSB) or Remote ID unit providing software with collision avoidance, traffic, emergency detection and weather information to and from the clean fuel aircraft.",
"21. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more autopilot control units comprise a computer processor and input/output interfaces comprising at least one of interface selected from serial RS232, Controller Area Network (CAN), Ethernet, analog voltage inputs, analog voltage outputs, pulse-width-modulated outputs for motor control, an embedded or stand-alone air data computer, an embedded or stand-alone inertial measurement device, and one or more cross-communication channels or networks.",
"22. The system of claim 1, further comprising:\na simplified computer and display with an arrangement of standard avionics used to monitor and display operating conditions, control panels, gauges and sensor output for the clean fuel aircraft.",
"23. The system of claim 1, further comprising:\na DC-DC converter or starter/alternator configured to down-shift at least a portion of a primary voltage of a multirotor aircraft system to a standard voltage comprising one or more of the group consisting of 12V, 24V, 28V, or other standard voltage for avionics, radiator fan motors, compressor motors, water pump motors and non-propulsion purposes, with a battery of corresponding voltage to provide local current storage.",
"24. The system of claim 1, further comprising:\na means of combining pitch, roll, yaw, throttle, and other desired information onto a serial line, in such a way that multiple channels of command data pass to the one or more autopilot control units over the serial line, where control information is packaged in a plurality of frames that repeat at a periodic or aperiodic rate.",
"25. The system of claim 1, further comprising:\nthe one or more autopilot control units operating control algorithms generating commands to each of the plurality of motor controllers, managing and maintaining multirotor aircraft stability for the clean fuel aircraft, and monitoring feedback.",
"26. The system of claim 1, wherein the fuel tank further comprises a carbon fiber epoxy shell, a plastic liner, a metal interface, drop protection, and is configured to use a working fluid of hydrogen as the fuel.",
"27. The system of claim 26, wherein the fuel tank further comprises one or more cryogenic inner tanks and an outer tank, an insulating wrap, a vacuum between the inner tank and the outer tank, thereby creating an operating pressure containing liquid hydrogen (LH2) at approximately 10 bar, or 140 psi."
],
[
"1. An energy control method for a hybrid bus using a hydrogen fuel cell and a power battery, characterized in that: the method comprises the following steps:\nS1. collecting motor power data;\nS2. selecting an SOC value from a range of an average motor power value, and performing an interpolation assignment on a pile power range;\nS3. adding vehicle parking determination;\nS4. locking a pile variable-load frequency standard, and assessing whether requirements are satisfied;\nS5. determining SOH state of the power battery; and\nS6. adding an operation of forced pile startup during low SOC.",
"2. The energy control method according to claim 1, characterized in that:\nstep S1 comprises, for a target vehicle, 100% electric mode operation is carried out to collect data information of motor current, motor voltage, motor output power, auxiliary system power, battery current, battery voltage, battery output power, and SOC of the power battery, and then calculating the average motor power value required by the target vehicle in the driving state.",
"3. The energy control method according to claim 2, characterized in that:\nin step S2, a principle of “performing the interpolation assignment on the pile power range” is as follows: (1) a target power of a pile system is equal to the average motor power; (2) a maximum power of the pile system is a maximum output power Pmax of the pile; (3) a minimum power of the pile system is an allowable minimum power Pmin of the pile system; and (4) equivalent interpolation is performed on the pile power in an SOC range of 5% to 20%, i.e. (Pmax−Pmin)/n, n=5-20.",
"4. The energy control method according to claim 3, characterized in that:\nin step S3, a comparison is made between a motor power Pmotor1 for parking before 10 min and a motor power Pmotor2 for parking after 10 min: if Pmotor2=Pmotor1=0, a vehicle control unit (VCU) makes a target power Pmin inputted to a fuel cell system control unit (FCU); and the motor power begins to be determined at the same time: if Pmotor≥0, table lookup is performed for power, and the target power is locked by locking the SOC value of the power battery and outputted to fuel cell system control unit FCU.",
"5. The energy control method according to claim 4, characterized in that:\nin step S4, a variable-load frequency f satisfying service life requirements of the pile is locked according to fuel cell polarization and a Linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) curve, an energy control strategy of a real vehicle is locked according to step S2 for a working condition test or simulation analysis, and the pile variable-load frequency is assessed according to the requirements and adjusted.",
"6. The energy control method according to claim 5, characterized in that:\nin step S5, after step S4 is completed and the strategy satisfies the requirements, SOC state of the power battery, including an SOC floating range and power throughput, and the SOH state of the power battery are assessed: if the SOC floating range exceeds a healthy range, a corresponding interpolation target power shall be adjusted up or down appropriately.",
"7. The energy control method according to claim 6, characterized in that:\nin step S6, during operation of a dual-battery system, BMS tracks changes in SOC of the power battery; when SOC is lower than a certain value S0, a hybrid-start button state is ignored, and the pile is forced to start according to a specified target power to complete battery charging and ensure SOH of the power battery."
],
[
"1. A thermal management system for a fuel cell vehicle, the thermal management system comprising:\na first line including a coolant pump and a fuel cell stack;\na second line including a coolant heater and a phase change material (PCM) and connected to the first line to form a first loop in which the coolant pump, the stack, the coolant heater, and the PCM are arranged;\na third line including a radiator and connected to the first line to form a second loop in which the coolant pump, the stack, and the radiator are arranged; and\nan opening and closing valve opening and closing each of the first line, the second line, and the third line to allow a coolant to circulate in at least one of the first loop and the second loop,\nwherein the PCM is configured to have a phase change temperature lower than a predetermined coolant temperature limit value and to be heat-exchanged with the coolant heater for storing heat output from the coolant heater and to be heat-exchanged with the coolant, and\nwherein in a cold-starting:\nthe coolant heater is configured to heat the PCM in order to increase a temperature of the PCM to the phase change temperature or higher, and\nthe coolant pump is configured to circulate the coolant in the first loop for transferring heat stored in the PCM to the stack by the coolant in response to a determination that the temperature of the PCM is increased to the phase change temperature or higher.",
"2. The thermal management system according to claim 1, wherein\nthe coolant heater has a heater housing configured to allow the coolant to pass therethrough and a heater core installed within the heater housing and heating the coolant, and\nthe PCM is installed within the heater housing and is in contact with the coolant.",
"3. The thermal management system according to claim 2, wherein\nthe coolant heater further has a heat pipe installed within the housing and thermally connect the heater core and the PCM.",
"4. The thermal management system according to claim 1, wherein\nthe coolant heater has at least one heater core disposed on the basis of the second line, and\nthe PCM is installed to surround at least a portion of the heater core and the second line.",
"5. The thermal management system according to claim 4, wherein\nthe coolant heater further has a metal coil wound around the heater core and an outer circumferential portion of the second line to thermally connect the heater core and the second line."
],
[
"1. A hydrogen fueled thermodynamic fuel cell system for an aircraft, said system comprising:\nan air pathway comprising one compressor, or two or more compressors configured in series;\na hydrogen pathway comprising one hydrogen expander, or two or more hydrogen expanders configured in series;\na liquid hydrogen pump, said liquid hydrogen pump configured to pressurize liquid hydrogen through said hydrogen pathway;\none or more heat exchangers configured to thermally couple said hydrogen pathway and said air pathway;\na fuel cell, said fuel cell fluidically coupled to said hydrogen pathway downstream of said one or more hydrogen expanders, said fuel cell fluidically coupled to said fuel cell air pathway downstream of said one or more compressors; and\na closed loop cooling system configured to cool said fuel cell, said closed loop cooling system comprising a cooling fluid and a pump.",
"2. The system of claim 1 wherein said cooling fluid of said closed loop cooling system of said fuel cell is thermally coupled to said air pathway.",
"3. The system of claim 2 wherein said system further comprises a fuel cell cooling heat exchanger, and wherein said cooling fluid of said closed loop cooling system of said fuel cell is thermally coupled to said air pathway with said fuel cell cooling heat exchanger.",
"4. The system of claim 2 further comprising:\none or more fuel cell exhaust heat exchangers thermally coupled to an exhaust conduit routing exhaust from said fuel cell; and\na water separator coupled to said exhaust conduit downstream from one or more fuel cell exhaust heat exchangers.",
"5. The system of claim 3 further comprising:\none or more fuel cell exhaust heat exchangers thermally coupled to an exhaust conduit routing exhaust from said fuel cell; and\na water separator coupled to said exhaust conduit downstream from one or more fuel cell exhaust heat exchangers.",
"6. A hydrogen fueled thermodynamic fuel cell system for an aircraft, said system comprising:\nan air pathway comprising one compressor, or two or more compressors configured in series;\na hydrogen pathway comprising one hydrogen expander, or two or more hydrogen expanders configured in series;\na liquid hydrogen pump, said liquid hydrogen pump configured to pressurize liquid hydrogen through said hydrogen pathway;\none or more heat exchangers configured to thermally couple said hydrogen pathway and said air pathway;\na fuel cell, said fuel cell fluidically coupled to said hydrogen pathway downstream of said one or more hydrogen expanders, said fuel cell fluidically coupled to said fuel cell air pathway downstream of said one or more compressors;\na closed loop cooling system configured to cool said fuel cell, said closed loop cooling system comprising a cooling fluid and a pump, wherein said cooling fluid of said closed loop cooling system of said fuel cell is thermally coupled to said air pathway;\none or more fuel cell exhaust heat exchangers thermally coupled to an exhaust conduit routing exhaust from said fuel cell;\na water separator coupled to said exhaust conduit downstream from one or more fuel cell exhaust heat exchangers;\na water reservoir fluidically coupled to said water separator via a water pathway;\na water pump fluidically coupled to said water reservoir; and\na water sprayer adapted to spray water into said air pathway.",
"7. A hydrogen fueled thermodynamic fuel cell system for an aircraft, said system comprising:\nan air pathway comprising one compressor, or two or more compressors configured in series;\na hydrogen pathway comprising one hydrogen expander, or two or more hydrogen expanders configured in series;\na liquid hydrogen pump, said liquid hydrogen pump configured to pressurize liquid hydrogen through said hydrogen pathway;\none or more heat exchangers configured to thermally couple said hydrogen pathway and said air pathway;\na fuel cell, said fuel cell fluidically coupled to said hydrogen pathway downstream of said one or more hydrogen expanders, said fuel cell fluidically coupled to said fuel cell air pathway downstream of said one or more compressors;\na closed loop cooling system configured to cool said fuel cell, said closed loop cooling system comprising a cooling fluid and a pump, wherein said cooling fluid of said closed loop cooling system of said fuel cell is thermally coupled to said air pathway;\none or more fuel cell exhaust heat exchangers thermally coupled to an exhaust conduit routing exhaust from said fuel cell;\na water separator coupled to said exhaust conduit downstream from one or more fuel cell exhaust heat exchangers;\na fuel cell cooling heat exchanger, and wherein said cooling fluid of said closed loop cooling system of said fuel cell is thermally coupled to said air pathway with said fuel cell cooling heat exchanger; and\na water reservoir fluidically coupled to said water separator via a water pathway;\na water pump fluidically coupled to said water reservoir; and\na water sprayer adapted to spray water into said air pathway."
],
[
"1. A light electric vehicle to support a weight of a user, comprising:\na support surface to support the weight of a user;\ntwo or more wheels:\na rechargeable electric battery mounted i) on the support surface, ii) proximal to the support surface;\na motor controller containing a processor configured to control operation of an electric motor mounted i) on the support surface, or ii) proximal to the support surface, where the motor controller and its processor are electrically connected to the rechargeable electric battery by wires extending from the rechargeable electric battery to the motor controller, where the electric motor is electrically connected to the motor controller and the rechargeable electric battery, as well as connected to a drive mechanism to drive one or more wheels of the two or more wheels;\na sensor mounted on the light electric vehicle to provide sensor measurements on motor operation to the motor controller containing the processor, where the processor is configured to record and process the sensor measurement;\na transmitter-receiver on the light electric vehicle configured to connect wirelessly with and communicate data to i) a mobile device of the user and ii) a wireless remote control; and\na user input device to control one or more of a velocity and an acceleration of the light electric vehicle;\nsaid remote control comprising a mode selector configured to set a first riding experience mode of vehicle response for the light electric vehicle selected from a plurality of riding experience modes, wherein the first riding experience mode has a first acceleration maximum and a second riding experience mode has a second acceleration maximum;\nsaid data including a user perturbation notification when a difference between the mobile device acceleration and the light electric vehicle acceleration exceeds a threshold difference.",
"2. The light electric vehicle of claim 1, where components making up the light electric vehicle including the support surface, the two or more wheels, the rechargeable electric battery, and the electric motor are light enough in weight to be capable of moving the light electric vehicle in response to a propulsion force generated by the user when the user is in a riding position.",
"3. The light electric vehicle of claim 1, where the mode selector to set the riding experience mode is configured to factor in at least the user's experience level as well as weight of the user in determining the ride experience.",
"4. The light electric vehicle of claim 1, where the motor controller that controls electric motor operation is connected to both i) sensors that measure motor operation parameters that include at least any of temperature and electrical current, and ii) sensors that measure vehicle operation parameters that include at least any of an acceleration and speed.",
"5. The light electric vehicle of claim 1, further comprising: any one of a handle and a steering column, where the handle or steering column is configured to control a direction of vehicle translation and a planar rotation of at least one or more wheels, where the handle or steering column is mounted to the light electric vehicle.",
"6. The light electric vehicle of claim 1, where the user input is a throttle controlled by the user, where the throttle generates an output value sent to the processor of the motor controller.",
"7. The light electric vehicle of claim 6, where the drive mechanism is a drivetrain connected to at least a first wheel.",
"8. A method for a light electric vehicle that supports a weight of a user, comprising:\nsupplying a support surface to support the weight of a user:\nsupplying two or more wheels;\nsupplying a rechargeable electric battery mounted i) on the support surface, or ii) proximal to the support surface;\nsupplying a motor controller containing a processor configured to control operation of an electric motor mounted i) on the support surface, or ii) proximal to the support surface, where the motor controller and its processor are electrically connected to the rechargeable electric battery by wires extending from the rechargeable electric battery to the motor controller, where the electric motor is electrically connected to the motor controller and the rechargeable electric battery, as well as connected to a drive mechanism to drive one or more wheels of the two or more wheels;\nsupplying a sensor mounted on the light electric vehicle to provide sensor measurements on motor operation to the motor controller containing the processor, where the processor is configured to record and process the sensor measurement;\nsupplying a transmitter-receiver on the light electric vehicle configured to connect wirelessly with and communicate data to i) a mobile device of the user and ii) a wireless remote control; and\nsupplying a user input to control one or more of a velocity and an acceleration of the light electric vehicle;\nsaid remote control configured as a mode selector configured to set a first riding experience mode of vehicle response for the light electric vehicle selected from a plurality of riding experience modes, wherein the first riding experience mode has a first acceleration maximum and a second riding experience mode has a second acceleration maximum;\nsaid data including a user perturbation notification when a difference between the mobile device acceleration and the light electric vehicle acceleration exceeds a threshold difference.",
"9. The method for the light electric vehicle of claim 8, where components making up the light electric vehicle including the support surface, the two or more wheels, the rechargeable electric battery, and the electric motor are light enough in weight to be capable of moving the light electric vehicle in response to a propulsion force generated by the user when the user is in a riding position.",
"10. The method for the light electric vehicle of claim 8, where the mode selector to set the riding experience mode is configured to factor in at least the user's experience level as well as weight of the user in determining the ride experience.",
"11. The method for the light electric vehicle of claim 10, where the motor controller that controls electric motor operation is connected to both i) sensors that measure motor operation parameters that include at least any of temperature and electrical current, and ii) sensors that measure vehicle operation parameters that include at least any of an acceleration and speed.",
"12. The method for the light electric vehicle of claim 11, further comprising:\nsupplying any one of a handle and a steering column where the handle or steering column is configured to control a direction of vehicle translation and a planar rotation of at least one or more wheels, where the handle or steering column is mounted to the light electric vehicle.",
"13. The method for the light electric vehicle of claim 12, where the user input is a throttle controlled by the user, where the throttle generates an output value sent to the processor of the motor controller.",
"14. The method for the light electric vehicle of claim 13, where the drive mechanism is a drivetrain connected to at least a first wheel."
],
[
"1. A trailer mountable power storage and distribution system, comprising:\na battery assembly comprising a housing and a battery assembly mount system, the housing enclosing a plurality of battery units, the battery assembly mount system configured to couple the battery assembly with a chassis assembly of a trailer unit; and\nan auxiliary component assembly comprising:\na first component module comprising a thermal management component configured to remove heat from the battery assembly,\na second component module comprising a power distribution unit configured to electrically connect the battery assembly to a high-voltage electrical motor on a tractor configured to tow the trailer unit, and\nan auxiliary component assembly mount system configured to couple the auxiliary component assembly with the chassis assembly of the trailer unit.",
"2. The trailer mountable power storage and distribution system of claim 1, wherein the thermal management component is adapted to operate independently of thermal management of the tractor.",
"3. The trailer mountable power storage and distribution system of claim 1, wherein the battery assembly is a first battery assembly and the housing is a first housing and further comprising a second battery assembly disposed in a second housing separate from the first housing, the second component module configured to electrically couple the second battery assembly to a load on the tractor independently of the first battery assembly.",
"4. The trailer mountable power storage and distribution system of claim 3, wherein the first battery assembly and the second battery assembly are configured to mount to the chassis assembly of the trailer unit spaced apart along a longitudinal axis thereof, one forward of the other.",
"5. The trailer mountable power storage and distribution system of claim 1, wherein the battery assembly comprises a first plurality of battery units and a second plurality of battery units, the second component module configured to electrically couple the first plurality of battery units to a load on the tractor independently of the second plurality of battery units.",
"6. The trailer mountable power storage and distribution system of claim 1, wherein the power distribution unit comprises a first power distribution unit and further comprising a second power distribution unit configured to electrically couple a second battery assembly to a load independently of the battery assembly.",
"7. The trailer mountable power storage and distribution system of claim 1, wherein the second component module is configured to supply a first current at a first voltage to a first load on the tractor and is configured to provide a second current at a second voltage lower than the first voltage to a second load.",
"8. The trailer mountable power storage and distribution system of claim 7, wherein the second component module is configured to supply the second current to the second load disposed on the tractor engagable with the trailer unit to which the battery assembly is coupled in use.",
"9. The trailer mountable power storage and distribution system of claim 7, wherein the second component module is configured to supply the second current to a load disposed on a same trailer unit to which the battery assembly and the auxiliary component assembly are coupled in use.",
"10. The trailer mountable power storage and distribution system of claim 1, wherein the battery assembly mount system comprises a vibration isolator configured to reduce or eliminate transmission of vibration from the trailer unit to the battery assembly.",
"11. The trailer mountable power storage and distribution system of claim 1, wherein the auxiliary component assembly mount system comprises a vibration isolator configured to reduce or eliminate transmission of vibration from the trailer unit to the auxiliary component assembly.",
"12. The trailer mountable power storage and distribution system of claim 1, wherein the auxiliary component assembly comprises a charge circuit configured to control the charging of the battery assembly.",
"13. The trailer mountable power storage and distribution system of claim 12, further comprising a user interface component coupled with the charge circuit, the user interface component configured to convey charging status of one or more battery units disposed in the battery assembly or of the battery assembly.",
"14. The trailer mountable power storage and distribution system of claim 1, further comprising a range extender module configured to mount to the trailer unit in a location separate from which the battery assembly and the auxiliary component assembly are mounted in use, the range extender module configured to replenish power stored in the battery assembly and/or supply current directly to a load on the tractor.",
"15. The trailer mountable power storage and distribution system of claim 14, wherein the auxiliary component assembly is configured to electrically couple to the range extender module and to electrically couple to one or both of the battery assembly and the load.",
"16. A cargo trailer assembly comprising:\none or more body rails configured to support a floor structure of an enclosure;\nan axle assembly coupled with the body rails, the axle assembly comprising an axle supporting rear wheels of the cargo trailer assembly;\nthe power storage and distribution system of claim 1, wherein the battery assembly and the auxiliary component assembly are coupled with the body rails and/or the axle assembly of the cargo trailer assembly.",
"17. The cargo trailer assembly of claim 16, wherein the battery assembly is disposed forward of the rear wheels.",
"18. The cargo trailer assembly of claim 16, wherein the auxiliary component assembly is disposed rearward of the rear wheels.",
"19. The cargo trailer assembly of claim 16, wherein the one or more body rails comprises a first body rail extending along a longitudinal axis of the cargo trailer assembly and a second body rail extending along the longitudinal axis of the cargo trailer assembly; and wherein the axle assembly comprises a slider assembly comprising a first slider rail slideably coupled with the first body rail and a second slider rail slideably coupled with the second body rail, wherein the slider assembly is configured to adjustably couple the first slider rail and the second slider rail to the first body rail and the second body rail to allow for a change in a fore-aft position of the slider assembly relative to a chassis.",
"20. The cargo trailer assembly of claim 19, wherein at least one of the battery assembly or the auxiliary component assembly is coupled with one or both of the first and second slider rails."
],
[
"1. A power battery heating method, configured for heating a power battery of a vehicle having a three-phase alternating current motor, a motor controller, and a heat conduction loop, the power battery heating method comprising:\nobtaining a current temperature value of the power battery, and determining whether the current temperature value of the power battery is lower than a preset temperature value;\ndetermining whether a current working status of the three-phase alternating current motor is a non-driving state, and whether one of the power battery, the three-phase alternating current motor, the motor controller, or the heat conduction loop is faulty;\nin response to determining that the current temperature value of the power battery is lower than the preset temperature value, that the current working status of the three-phase alternating current motor is a non-driving state, and that none of the power battery, the three-phase alternating current motor, the motor controller, or the heat conduction loop is faulty, obtaining heating power of the power battery;\nobtaining a preset quadrature-axis current, and obtaining a corresponding preset direct-axis current according to the heating power of the power battery, wherein a value of the obtained preset quadrature-axis current is a quadrature-axis current value that causes a torque value outputted by a three-phase alternating current motor to fall within a target range, and the target range does not comprise zero; and\ncontrolling an on/off status of a power device in a three-phase inverter, so that the three-phase alternating current motor generates heat according to heating energy provided by a heating energy source to heat a coolant flowing through the power battery, and controlling, according to the preset direct-axis current and the preset quadrature-axis current, the three-phase inverter to adjust a phase current of the three-phase alternating current motor in a heating process of the power battery.",
"2. The power battery heating method according to claim 1, further comprising:\nobtaining gear position information and motor speed information, and obtaining the current working status of the three-phase alternating current motor according to the gear position information and the motor speed information.",
"3. The power battery heating method according to claim 1, further comprising: setting the preset direct-axis current to zero in response to determining that any one of the power battery, the three-phase alternating current motor, the motor controller, and the heat conduction loop is faulty.",
"4. The power battery heating method according to claim 3, wherein in response to determining that any one of the power battery, the three-phase alternating current motor, the motor controller, and the heat conduction loop is faulty, the power battery heating method further comprises:\nsetting the preset quadrature-axis current to zero.",
"5. The power battery heating method according to claim 1, further comprising:\nmonitoring temperatures of the three-phase inverter and the three-phase alternating current motor in real time in the heating process of the power battery, and\nin response to determining that a temperature of either one of the three-phase inverter and the three-phase alternating current motor exceeds a temperature threshold, reducing the preset direct-axis current or setting the preset direct-axis current to zero.",
"6. The power battery heating method according to claim 5, wherein in response to determining the temperature of either one of the three-phase inverter and the three-phase alternating current motor exceeds the temperature threshold, the power battery heating method further comprises:\nsetting the preset quadrature-axis current to zero.",
"7. The power battery heating method according to claim 1, further comprising:\nmonitoring a temperature of the power battery in real time in the heating process of the power battery, and reducing the preset direct-axis current if the temperature of the power battery reaches a specified heating temperature.",
"8. The power battery heating method according to claim 1, further comprising:\nobtaining a current three-phase current value and position and angle information of a motor rotor of the three-phase alternating current motor before the power battery is heated, and\nconverting the current three-phase current value into a direct-axis current and a quadrature-axis current according to the position and angle information of the motor rotor, to control, according to a difference between the direct-axis current and the preset direct-axis current and a difference between the quadrature-axis current and the preset quadrature-axis current, the three-phase inverter to adjust the phase current of the three-phase alternating current motor in the heating process of the power battery.",
"9. The power battery heating method according to claim 1, wherein the heating energy source is at least one of an external charging device and the power battery.",
"10. A power battery heating apparatus, configured to heat a power battery of a vehicle, the power battery heating apparatus comprising:\na three-phase inverter, connected to a positive electrode and a negative electrode of a heating energy source configured to provide heating energy;\na three-phase alternating current motor, wherein three phase coils of the three-phase alternating current motor are connected to three phase legs of the three-phase inverter; and\na control circuit, wherein the control circuit is connected to the three-phase inverter and the three-phase alternating current motor, and is configured to:\nobtain a current temperature value of the power battery;\ndetermine whether the current temperature value of the power battery is lower than a preset temperature value;\ndetermine whether a current working status of the three-phase alternating current motor is a non-driving state, and whether one of the power battery, the three-phase alternating current motor, a motor controller, or a heat conduction loop is faulty;\nin response to determining that the current temperature value of the power battery is lower than the preset temperature value, that the current working status of the three-phase alternating current motor is a non-driving state, and that none of the power battery, the three-phase alternating current motor, the motor controller, or the heat conduction loop is faulty, obtain heating power of the power battery;\nobtain a preset quadrature-axis current, and obtain a corresponding preset direct-axis current according to the heating power of the power battery, wherein a value of the obtained preset quadrature-axis current is a quadrature-axis current value that causes a torque value outputted by the three-phase alternating current motor to fall within a target range, and the target range does not comprise zero; and\ncontrol an on/off status of a power device in the three-phase inverter, so that the three-phase alternating current motor generates heat according to the heating energy provided by the heating energy source, to heat a coolant flowing through the power battery, and control, according to the preset direct-axis current and the preset quadrature-axis current, the three-phase inverter to adjust a phase current of the three-phase alternating current motor in a heating process of the power battery.",
"11. The power battery heating apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the control circuit is further configured to:\nobtain gear position information and motor speed information, and obtain the current working status of the three-phase alternating current motor according to the gear position information and the motor speed information.",
"12. The power battery heating apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the control circuit is further configured to:\nset the preset direct-axis current to zero in response to determining that any one of the power battery, the three-phase alternating current motor, the motor controller, and the heat conduction loop is faulty.",
"13. The power battery heating apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the control circuit is further configured to:\nset the preset quadrature-axis current to zero in response to determining that any one of the power battery, the three-phase alternating current motor, the motor controller, and the heat conduction loop is faulty.",
"14. The power battery heating apparatus according to claim 10 further comprising:\na temperature monitoring unit, wherein the temperature monitoring unit is connected to the control circuit and the three-phase alternating current motor, and is configured to monitor temperatures of the three-phase inverter and the three-phase alternating current motor in real time in the heating process of the power battery, and feed back a result of monitoring to the control circuit, and in response to that a temperature of either one of the three-phase inverter and the three-phase alternating current motor exceeds a temperature threshold, the control circuit reduces the preset direct-axis current or sets the preset direct-axis current to zero.",
"15. The power battery heating apparatus according to claim 14, wherein in response to determining that the temperature of either one of the three-phase inverter and the three-phase alternating current motor exceeds the temperature threshold, the control circuit is further configured to: set the preset quadrature-axis current to zero.",
"16. The power battery heating apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the control circuit is further configured to:\nmonitor a temperature of the power battery in real time in the heating process of the power battery, and reduce the preset direct-axis current if the temperature of the power battery reaches a specified heating temperature.",
"17. The power battery heating apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the control circuit is further configured to:\nobtain a current three-phase current value and position and angle information of a motor rotor of the three-phase alternating current motor before the power battery is heated, and convert the current three-phase current value into a direct-axis current and a quadrature-axis current according to the position and angle information of the motor rotor, to control, according to a difference between the direct-axis current and the preset direct-axis current and a difference between the quadrature-axis current and the preset quadrature-axis current, the three-phase inverter to adjust the phase current of the three-phase alternating current motor in the heating process of the power battery.",
"18. A vehicle, comprising a power battery heating apparatus, a power battery, a coolant tank, a pump, and a water pipeline, wherein\nthe pump drives a coolant in the coolant tank into the water pipeline according to a control signal,\nthe water pipeline passes through the power battery and the power battery heating apparatus, and\nthe power battery heating apparatus comprises:\na three-phase inverter, connected to a positive electrode and a negative electrode of a heating energy source configured to provide heating energy;\na three-phase alternating current motor, wherein three phase coils of the three-phase alternating current motor are connected to three phase legs of the three-phase inverter; and\na control circuit, wherein the control circuit is connected to the three-phase inverter and the three-phase alternating current motor, and is configured to:\nobtain a current temperature value of the power battery;\ndetermine whether the current temperature value of the power battery is lower than a preset temperature value;\ndetermine whether a current working status of the three-phase alternating current motor is a non-driving state, and whether one of the power battery, the three-phase alternating current motor, a motor controller, or a heat conduction loop is faulty;\nin response to determining that the current temperature value of the power battery is lower than the preset temperature value, that the current working status of the three-phase alternating current motor is a non-driving state, and that none of the power battery, the three-phase alternating current motor, the motor controller, or the heat conduction loop is faulty, obtain heating power of the power battery;\nobtain a preset quadrature-axis current, and obtain a corresponding preset direct-axis current according to the heating power of the power battery, wherein a value of the obtained preset quadrature-axis current is a quadrature-axis current value that causes a torque value outputted by the three-phase alternating current motor to fall within a target range, and the target range does not comprise zero; and\ncontrol an on/off status of a power device in the three-phase inverter, so that the three-phase alternating current motor generates heat according to the heating energy provided by the heating energy source, to heat the coolant flowing through the power battery, and control, according to the preset direct-axis current and the preset quadrature-axis current, the three-phase inverter to adjust a phase current of the three-phase alternating current motor in a heating process of the power battery."
],
[
"1. A portable fuel cell system for producing electrical energy included in a portable package, the portable fuel cell system comprising:\na fuel processor having:\na reformer configured to receive fuel and to output hydrogen and reformer exhaust, and\na burner configured to receive fuel, to generate heat using the fuel, and to output burner exhaust;\na fuel cell configured to produce electrical energy using hydrogen output by the reformer;\nat least one fuel line, internal to the portable package, configured to transport fuel to the reformer or burner; and\na water removal system, including:\na water permeable membrane configured to receive an exhaust and configured to remove water from the exhaust; and\na condensing apparatus including a condenser and a wick, the condensing apparatus configured to receive the exhaust after the water permeable membrane and configured to remove water from the exhaust;\nat least one water line, internal to the portable package, configured to transport the water removed by the water permeable membrane and the condensing apparatus to the at least one fuel line, wherein the removed water is added to the fuel.",
"2. The portable fuel cell system of claim 1, wherein the water removal system further comprises a thermoelectric cooler in thermal communication with the condensing apparatus, the thermoelectric cooler configured to remove heat from the water removal system.",
"3. The portable fuel cell system of claim 2, wherein the thermoelectric cooler further comprises a fan.",
"4. The portable fuel cell system of claim 1, wherein the water permeable membrane removes greater than 40% of the required amount of water for the fuel cell system.",
"5. The portable fuel cell system of claim 1, wherein the water permeable membrane is configured to receive the burner exhaust stream or the reformer exhaust stream.",
"6. The portable fuel cell system of claim 1, wherein the water permeable membrane is configured to receive a fuel cell exhaust stream.",
"7. The portable fuel cell system of claim 6, wherein the fuel cell further comprises a cathode and an anode, and wherein the water permeable membrane is configured to receive a cathode exhaust stream.",
"8. The portable fuel cell system of claim 1, wherein the water removal system further comprises a pump that is configured to apply a negative pressure to the wick.",
"9. The portable fuel cell system of claim 8, further including a control system that includes instructions that control the pump so as to remove water from the wick for a predetermined period of time at shut down of the fuel cell.",
"10. The portable fuel cell system of claim 1, wherein the burner exhaust dries the wick at shut down of the fuel cell.",
"11. The portable fuel cell system of claim 1, wherein the water removal system is configured to receive burner exhaust on startup of the fuel processor.",
"12. The portable fuel cell system of claim 1, wherein the portable package is configured to operate at any orientation relative to the ground.",
"13. The portable fuel cell system of claim 1, further comprising a heat exchanger configured to transfer heat generated in the fuel cell or generated in the fuel processor to the incoming fuel that includes the reformer fuel or the burner fuel.",
"14. The portable fuel cell system of claim 13, wherein the heat exchanger further comprises a heat pipe, internal to the portable fuel cell package, configured to remove heat from the burner exhaust stream or the fuel cell exhaust stream.",
"15. A method for recovering water in a portable fuel cell system, comprising:\nproviding burner fuel to a burner in a fuel processor;\ngenerating heat in the burner using the burner fuel;\nproviding reformer fuel to a reformer in the fuel processor;\nreforming the reformer fuel provided to the reformer to produce hydrogen;\ngenerating electrical energy in a fuel cell using hydrogen produced by the fuel processor;\nremoving water from an exhaust with a water removal system that includes a water permeable membrane and a condensing apparatus, the water permeable membrane configured to receive the exhaust and configured to remove water from the exhaust, and the condensing apparatus including a condenser and a wick and configured to remove water from the exhaust after the water permeable membrane has removed water from the exhaust; and\nadding the removed water to a fuel line before fuel in the fuel line reaches the reformer or the burner.",
"16. The method of claim 15, further comprising pumping water out of the membrane humidifier with a pump for a predetermined period of time during shut down of the fuel cell.",
"17. The method of claim 15, further comprising evaporating the removed water from the wick on shutdown of the portable fuel cell system with the exhaust from the fuel processor or fuel cell.",
"18. The method of claim 15 further comprising removing heat from the exhaust with a thermoelectric cooler.",
"19. The method of claim 15, wherein the exhaust is a fuel processor exhaust or a fuel cell exhaust.",
"20. The method of claim 19, wherein the fuel cell exhaust is a cathode exhaust.",
"21. The method of claim 19, wherein the fuel processor exhaust is a burner exhaust.",
"22. The method of claim 15, further comprising operating the portable fuel cell system in any orientation relative to the ground.",
"23. The method of claim 15, further comprising transferring heat from an exhaust of the fuel cell or an exhaust of the fuel processor to a heat exchanger.",
"24. The method of claim 23, wherein the heat exchanger further comprises a heat pipe configured to remove heat from the exhaust.",
"25. A program storage device readable by a machine tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform a method for recovering water in a portable fuel cell system, the method comprising:\nproviding burner fuel to a burner in a fuel processor;\ngenerating heat in the burner using the burner fuel;\nproviding reformer fuel to a reformer in the fuel processor;\nreforming the reformer fuel provided to the reformer to produce hydrogen;\ngenerating electrical energy in a fuel cell using hydrogen produced by the fuel processor;\nremoving water from an exhaust with a water removal system that includes a water permeable membrane and a condensing apparatus, the water permeable membrane configured to receive the exhaust and configured to remove water from the exhaust, and the condensing apparatus including a condenser and a wick and configured to remove water from the exhaust after the water permeable membrane has removed water from the exhaust; and\nadding the removed water to a fuel line before fuel in the fuel line reaches the reformer or the burner.",
"26. A portable fuel cell system for producing electrical energy included in a portable package, the portable fuel cell system comprising:\na fuel processor having:\na reformer configured to receive fuel and to output hydrogen using the fuel source, and\na burner configured to receive fuel, to generate heat using the fuel, and to output burner exhaust;\na fuel cell configured to produce electrical energy using hydrogen output by the reformer;\nat least one fuel line, internal to the portable package, configured to transport fuel to the reformer or burner; and\na water removal system including:\na water permeable membrane configured to receive the burner exhaust and configured to remove water from the burner exhaust;\na condensing apparatus including a condenser and a wick, the condensing apparatus configured to receive the burner exhaust after the water permeable membrane and configured to remove water from the burner exhaust;\nat least one water line, internal to the portable package, configured to transport the water removed by the water permeable membrane and the condensing apparatus to the at least one fuel line, wherein the removed water is added to the fuel.",
"27. The portable fuel cell system of claim 26, wherein the water removal system further comprises a thermoelectric cooler in thermal communication with the condensing apparatus, the thermoelectric cooler configured to remove heat from water removal system.",
"28. The portable fuel cell system of claim 27, wherein the thermoelectric cooler further comprises a fan.",
"29. The portable fuel cell system of claim 26, wherein the water removal system further comprises a pump that is configured apply a negative pressure to the water permeable membrane and wick.",
"30. The portable fuel cell system of claim 29, further including a control system that includes instructions that control the pump so as to remove water from the water permeable membrane and wick for a predetermined period of time at shut down of the fuel cell.",
"31. The portable fuel cell system of claim 26, drying the wick with the burner exhaust at shut down of the fuel cell.",
"32. The method of claim 30, further comprising operating the portable fuel cell system in any orientation relative to the ground.",
"33. The portable fuel cell system of claim 26, further comprising a heat exchanger configured to transfer heat generated in the fuel processor to the incoming fuel that includes the reformer fuel or the burner fuel."
],
[
"1. An integrated power generation and exhaust processing system comprising:\na fuel cell system configured to generate power and to separate CO2 included in exhaust output from the fuel cell system; and\nan exhaust processing system configured to at least one of sequester or densify CO2 separated from the exhaust output from the fuel cell system,\nwherein the fuel cell system comprises a solid oxide fuel cell stack configured to generate the power, and a carbon dioxide separation device configured to separate the CO2 included in the exhaust output from the fuel cell system.",
"2. The system of claim 1, wherein the exhaust processing system comprises:\na reservoir configured to receive exhaust output from the fuel cell system; and\na compressor configured to compress exhaust output from the reservoir,\nwherein the reservoir is configured to reduce an amount of exhaust backpressure applied to the fuel cell system.",
"3. The system of claim 2, wherein the reservoir comprises a relief valve configured to prevent the exhaust backpressure in the reservoir from exceeding a preset level.",
"4. The system of claim 3, wherein the preset level is less than an amount of pressure that would damage the fuel cell system.",
"5. The system of claim 2, wherein the reservoir comprises internal baffles configured to reduce the amount of exhaust backpressure applied to the fuel cell system.",
"6. The system of claim 2, wherein the exhaust processing system further comprises a cooling system configured to reduce the temperature of the exhaust in the reservoir.",
"7. The system of claim 1, wherein the exhaust processing system comprises:\na sensor configured to measure a characteristic of a fuel that is provided to the fuel cell system; and\na central processing unit configured to determine an amount of CO2 in the exhaust output from the fuel cell system based on a measurement by the sensor.",
"8. The system of claim 1, wherein the exhaust processing system comprises a CO2 processor configured to chemically convert the CO2 into solid calcium carbonate.",
"9. The system of claim 1, wherein the exhaust processing system comprises:\na condenser configured to condense water from the exhaust output from the fuel cell system;\na compressor disposed downstream of the condenser with respect to a flow direction of the exhaust and configured to compress the CO2 in the exhaust; and\nat least one heat exchanger configured to heat fuel provided to the fuel cell system using heat from at least one of the condenser or the compressor.",
"10. The system of claim 9, wherein the at least one heat exchanger comprises:\na first heat exchanger disposed upstream of the condenser, and configured to heat the fuel using heat from the exhaust; and\na second heat exchanger configured to heat the fuel using heat from at least one of the condenser or the compressor.",
"11. The system of claim 10, wherein the second heat exchanger is configured to convert the exhaust into liquid CO2.",
"12. The system of claim 10, further comprising a liquid natural gas (LGN) vessel configured to provide the fuel in a form of liquid natural gas (LGN) to the second heat exchanger via a LGN conduit; and\nthe fuel is in the form of natural gas (NG) when the fuel is output from the first heat exchanger.",
"13. The system of claim 12, further comprising a vaporizer configured to vaporize water to humidify the fuel during system startup using an external heat source.",
"14. The system of claim 9, further comprising a water treatment device configured to at least one of neutralize or polish water received from the condenser.",
"15. The system of claim 9, wherein the fuel cell system is located on a ship and is electrically connected to an electrical load of the ship.",
"16. A method of operating a fuel cell system, comprising:\nproviding a fuel to a fuel cell system;\noperating the fuel cell system to generate power and a fuel exhaust stream;\nseparating CO2 from the fuel exhaust stream using a carbon dioxide separation device to generate a CO2 containing exhaust and a purified exhaust;\nproviding the separated CO2 containing exhaust to an exhaust processing system;\nat least one of sequestering or densifying CO2 in the CO2 containing exhaust using the exhaust processing system,\ncondensing water from the CO2 containing exhaust;\ncompressing the CO2 in the CO2 containing exhaust; and\nheating a fuel provided to the fuel cell system using heat generated from at least one of the condensing or the compressing.",
"17. The method of claim 16, wherein:\nfuel cell system is located on a ship and is electrically connected to an electrical load of the ship;\nthe fuel comprises liquid natural gas (LNG) stored in a LNG vessel;\nthe compressed CO2 is stored in a CO2 storage vessel; and\nwhen the ship arrives at a port, the LNG is filled into the LNG vessel and the CO2 is removed from the CO2 storage vessel.",
"18. A method of operating a fuel cell system, comprising:\nproviding a fuel to a fuel cell system;\noperating the fuel cell system to generate power and a fuel exhaust stream;\nseparating CO2 from the fuel exhaust stream using a carbon dioxide separation device to generate a CO2 containing exhaust and a purified exhaust;\nproviding the separated CO2 containing exhaust and solid CaO to a NaOH containing solution, such that the CO2 gas reacts with the NaOH (l) to form Na2CO3 (l) and water, such that the CaO (s) reacts with the water to form Ca(OH)2 (l), and such that the Na2CO3 (l) and the Ca(OH)2 (l) react to precipitate solid CaCO3 and generate NaOH (l); and\nrecycling the generated NaOH (l) to react with additional CO2 gas."
],
[
"1. An anode reactant recycling system comprising:\na hollow main body including an inlet, a recycle outlet, and a draining outlet, the inlet configured to receive a fluid;\na bleed conduit providing fluid communication between the inlet and the draining outlet;\na water separator disposed in the hollow main body configured to remove a condensate from the fluid; and\na hydrophilic porous media disposed in the draining outlet in fluid communication with the water separator and configured to collect the condensate removed from the fluid received by the inlet of the hollow main body, thereby hydrating the hydrophilic porous media and militating against gas transfer through the hydrophilic porous media, wherein the anode reactant recycling system is operable to exhaust a first portion of the fluid from the anode reactant recycling system through the bleed conduit and to introduce a second portion of the fluid into the hollow main body and cause the second portion of the fluid to pass through the water separator before exiting the anode reactant recycling system through the recycle outlet.",
"2. The anode reactant recycling system according to claim 1, wherein the hydrophilic porous media is sealingly disposed in the draining outlet by at least one of adhesion and a friction fit.",
"3. The anode reactant recycling system according to claim 1, wherein the hydrophilic porous media has a pore size from about 1 to about 10 microns.",
"4. The anode reactant recycling system according to claim 1, wherein the hydrophilic porous media is one of a metal mesh, a sintered metal mesh, a bonded metal mesh, a woven cloth, and a porous foam.",
"5. The anode reactant recycling system according to claim 1, wherein the water separator includes a plurality of water capture features.",
"6. The anode reactant recycling system according to claim 1, further comprising an exhaust valve disposed adjacent the draining outlet.",
"7. The anode reactant recycling system according to claim 1, further comprising an injector in fluid communication with a fuel source and the hollow main body, the injector configured to inject a fuel into the hollow main body.",
"8. The anode reactant recycling system according to claim 7, wherein the injector is a component of a jet pump.",
"9. The anode reactant recycling system according to claim 7, further comprising an ejector disposed between the injector and the water separator.",
"10. The anode reactant recycling system according to claim 1, wherein the bleed conduit has one end disposed adjacent the inlet and another end disposed adjacent the draining outlet.",
"11. The anode reactant recycling system according to claim 1, wherein the hollow main body is a chamber configured for pre-pressurization during startup of the anode reactant recycling system.",
"12. The anode reactant recycling system according to claim 1, wherein the anode reactant recycling system is disposed in a fuel cell end unit.",
"13. The anode reactant recycling system according to claim 1, wherein the anode reactant recycling system is disposed in a fuel cell system.",
"14. An anode reactant recycling system comprising:\na hollow main body including an inlet, a recycle outlet, and a draining outlet, the inlet configured to receive a fluid;\na bleed conduit facilitating fluid communication between the inlet and the draining outlet;\nan injector disposed in the hollow main body and configured to inject a fuel from a fuel source;\na water separator disposed in the hollow main body configured to remove a condensate from the fluid; and\na hydrophilic porous media in fluid communication with the water separator and configured to collect at least a portion of the condensate removed from the fluid received by the inlet of the hollow main body, thereby hydrating the hydrophilic porous media and militating against gas transfer through the hydrophilic porous media, wherein the anode reactant recycling system is operable to exhaust a first portion of the fluid from the anode reactant recycling system through the bleed conduit and to introduce a second portion of the fluid into the hollow main body and cause the second portion of the fluid to mix with the fuel and pass through the water separator before exiting the anode reactant recycling system through the recycle outlet.",
"15. The anode reactant recycling system according to claim 14, wherein the hydrophilic porous media has a pore size from about 1 to about 10 microns.",
"16. The anode reactant recycling system according to claim 14, wherein the hydrophilic porous media is one of a metal mesh, a sintered metal mesh, a bonded metal mesh, a woven cloth, and a porous foam.",
"17. The anode reactant recycling system according to claim 14, wherein the bleed conduit has one end disposed adjacent the inlet and another end disposed adjacent the draining outlet.",
"18. The anode reactant recycling system according to claim 14, wherein the hollow main body is a chamber configured for pre-pressurization during startup of the anode reactant recycling system.",
"19. The anode reactant recycling system according to claim 14, wherein the injector is a component of a jet pump.",
"20. A method for the recycling of anode reactants in a fuel cell comprising the steps of:\nproviding a hollow main body including an inlet, a recycle outlet, and a draining outlet, the inlet configured to receive a fluid;\nproviding a bleed conduit facilitating fluid communication between the inlet and the draining outlet;\nproviding an injector disposed in the hollow main body and configured to inject a fuel from a fuel source;\nproviding a water separator disposed in the hollow main body, the water separator configured to remove a condensate from the fluid;\nproviding a hydrophilic porous media in fluid communication with the water separator;\nproviding an anode exhaust stream to the inlet;\ndividing the anode exhaust stream into a first portion entering the bleed conduit and a second portion entering the hollow main body;\nexhausting the first portion of the anode exhaust stream through the draining outlet;\ninjecting the fuel into the hollow main body and mixing the second portion of the anode exhaust stream with the fuel;\nhydrating the hydrophilic porous media with at least a portion of the condensate removed from the fluid received by the inlet of the hollow main body, the hydrated media militating against transfer of one of the first portion of the anode exhaust stream and the second portion of the anode exhaust stream through the hydrophilic porous media;\nexhausting the condensate in excess of a saturation point of the hydrophilic porous media through the hydrophilic porous media and the draining outlet; and\nexhausting the second portion of the anode exhaust stream and the injected fuel through the recycle outlet."
],
[
"1. A method of operating a fuel cell system, comprising:\nproviding a fuel inlet stream to a fuel inlet of a fuel cell stack;\noperating the fuel cell stack using the fuel inlet stream to generate a fuel exhaust stream that is output from the fuel cell stack;\ndividing the fuel exhaust stream into a first portion and a second portion;\nproviding the first portion of the fuel exhaust stream to a carbon dioxide separation device, to separate at least a portion of the carbon dioxide from the first portion of the fuel exhaust stream and thereby generate a purified fuel exhaust stream;\nproviding the second portion of the fuel exhaust stream to the carbon dioxide separation device to sweep carbon dioxide from a collection side of the carbon dioxide separation device; and\nrecycling the purified fuel exhaust stream to the fuel inlet.",
"2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nmixing air into the second portion of the fuel exhaust stream; and\nproviding the mixed air and second portion of the fuel exhaust stream to the collection side of the carbon dioxide separation device.",
"3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nusing a membrane humidifier to humidify the second portion of the fuel exhaust stream; and\nproviding the humidified second portion of the fuel exhaust stream to the collection side of the carbon dioxide separation device.",
"4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nremoving water from the purified recycled fuel exhaust stream using a water separator;\nproviding the water to a membrane humidifier;\nproviding the water from using the membrane humidifier to humidify the second portion of the fuel exhaust stream; and\nproviding the humidified second portion of the fuel exhaust stream to the collection side of the carbon dioxide separation device.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein the carbon dioxide separation device is a combination carbon dioxide and water separation device, the method further comprising:\nremoving water from the first portion of the fuel exhaust stream using the carbon dioxide separation device,\nproviding the water to a membrane humidifier;\nusing the membrane humidifier to humidify the second portion of the fuel exhaust stream; and\nproviding the humidified second portion of the fuel exhaust stream to the collection side of the carbon dioxide separation device.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first portion of the fuel exhaust stream is provided to a product side of the carbon dioxide separation device, the purified fuel exhaust stream is collected on the product side of the carbon dioxide separation device, the carbon dioxide diffuses through a separator from the product to the collection side of the carbon dioxide separation device, and the fuel cell stack is a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) stack, the method further comprising:\noxidizing a SOFC fuel exhaust stream using a SOFC air exhaust stream prior to providing the second portion of the fuel exhaust stream to the carbon dioxide separation device.",
"7. A method of operating a fuel cell system, comprising:\nproviding a fuel inlet stream to a fuel inlet of a fuel cell stack;\noperating the fuel cell stack using the fuel inlet stream, to generate a fuel exhaust stream that is output from the fuel cell stack;\ndividing the fuel exhaust stream into a first portion and a second portion;\nproviding the first portion of the fuel exhaust stream to a molten carbonate fuel cell operating in electrolysis mode, which operates as a carbon dioxide separator to separate carbon dioxide from the first portion of the fuel exhaust stream and form a purified fuel exhaust stream;\nrecycling the purified fuel exhaust stream to the fuel inlet;\nremoving water from the purified recycled fuel exhaust stream using a water separator;\nproviding the water to a membrane humidifier;\nusing the membrane humidifier to humidify the second portion of the fuel exhaust stream; and\nproviding the humidified second portion of the fuel exhaust stream to a collection side of the carbon dioxide separator.",
"8. The method of claim 7, wherein the providing of the second portion of the fuel exhaust stream to the carbon dioxide separation device further comprises oxidizing the second portion of the fuel exhaust stream in an anode tail gas oxidizer reactor, and providing the oxidized second portion of the fuel exhaust stream to the carbon dioxide separation device.",
"9. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing of the second portion of the fuel exhaust stream to the carbon dioxide separation device further comprises oxidizing the second portion of the fuel exhaust stream in an anode tail gas oxidizer reactor, and providing the oxidized second portion of the fuel exhaust stream to the carbon dioxide separation device."
],
[
"1. A fuel cell assembly comprising:\na plurality of membrane electrode assemblies, each comprising an anode configured to accept a hydrogen-bearing reactant, a cathode configured to accept an oxygen-bearing reactant, a proton-permeable electrolyte membrane disposed between said anode and said cathode, a catalyst layer on said anode side of said proton-permeable electrolyte membrane, and a catalyst layer on said cathode side of said proton-permeable electrolyte membrane, said catalyst layer on said anode side and said catalyst layer on said cathode layer having an area; and\na plurality of plates each of which is disposed between a pair of said plurality of membrane electrode assemblies, said each plate defining a wet side reactant channel in fluid communication with a corresponding one of said anode or said cathode of an adjacently facing one of said membrane electrode assemblies, said wet side reactant channel comprising:\nan active region defined by said area of said catalyst layer of said anode side or said cathode side that facilitates a catalytic reaction of one of said reactants that passes therethrough; and\nan inactive region outside said active region where substantially no catalytic reaction takes place, said inactive region fluidly coupled to said active region; and\na water transport device disposed in said inactive region and comprising a hydrophilic member that forms at least a portion of said wet side reactant channel such that upon passage of a fluid containing said one of said reactants through said wet side reactant channel, said hydrophilic member absorbs at least a portion of water present in said fluid.",
"2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said plurality of plates comprises a plurality of bipolar plates, each of said plurality of bipolar plates having said wet side reactant channel disposed on one side thereof, and a dry side reactant channel disposed on the other side thereof, wherein said dry side reactant channel is in fluid communication with an opposite one of said anode and cathode from said wet side reactant channel.",
"3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein said hydrophilic member comprises a first porous substrate through which said absorbed water may pass.",
"4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein said water vapor transfer device further comprises a layered structure comprising:\na water-permeable membrane disposed against a surface of said hydrophilic member that is away from said plurality of wet side reactant channels;\na second porous substrate disposed against a surface of said water-permeable membrane that is away from said hydrophilic member; and\na plurality of dry side reactant channels disposed against a surface of said second porous substrate that is away from said water-permeable membrane, said plurality of dry side reactants cooperative with said second porous substrate such that said water that passes through said hydrophilic member further passes through said water-permeable membrane and said second porous substrate and into said plurality of dry side reactant channels to increase the humidity of a fluid passing therethrough.",
"5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein said plurality of dry side reactant channels and said plurality of wet side reactant channels are in counterflow relationship with one another.",
"6. The assembly of claim 5, wherein said plurality of wet side reactant channels are in fluid communication with said cathode, and said plurality of dry side reactant channels are in fluid communication with said anode.",
"7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein said hydrogen-bearing reactant is fed to said plurality of dry side reactant channels through an anode header, and said oxygen-bearing reactant is fed to said plurality of wet side reactant channels through a cathode header, each of said headers formed in said bipolar plate.",
"8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said hydrophilic member is selected from the group consisting of porous polymers, nonconductive fiber papers and carbon papers treated with a surfactant.",
"9. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a water-impermeable layer disposed in said inactive region between said hydrophilic member and said electrolyte membrane.",
"10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein said water-impermeable layer is perforate.",
"11. The assembly of claim 2, wherein said water transport device defines a layered structure comprising a water-impermeable layer disposed against a surface of said hydrophilic member that is away from said plurality of wet side reactant channels such that said water absorbed in said hydrophilic member remains therein.",
"12. The assembly of claim 11, further comprising conduit configured to redistribute said water absorbed in said hydrophilic member throughout a substantially planar region defined by said hydrophilic member such that said water that collects in said hydrophilic member can be redistributed laterally within said plurality of wet side reactant channels.",
"13. The assembly of claim 2, wherein said hydrophilic member comprises a hydrophilic surface formed on all of the surfaces that define said plurality of wet side reactant channels disposed on said bipolar plates.",
"14. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said hydrophilic layer extends along an in-plane dimension farther than said inactive region of said plurality of plates.",
"15. A vehicle comprising the assembly of claim 1, wherein said fuel cell assembly serves as a source of motive power for said vehicle.",
"16. A fuel cell assembly comprising:\na plurality of membrane electrode assemblies each comprising an anode configured to accept a hydrogen-bearing reactant, a cathode configured to accept an oxygen-bearing reactant, a proton-permeable electrolyte disposed between said anode and said cathode, a catalyst layer on said anode side of said proton-permeable electrolyte membrane, and a catalyst layer on said cathode side of said proton-permeable electrolyte membrane, said catalyst layer on said anode side and said catalyst layer on said cathode layer having an area;\na plurality of bipolar plates alternately disposed with said membrane electrode assemblies such that together said membrane electrode assemblies and said bipolar plates define a fuel cell stack, said bipolar plates comprising reactant flowpaths on opposing sides thereof such that said reactant flowpaths on one side of said bipolar plate can convey a relatively moisture-rich fluid that has passed in fluid communication with either of said anode and said cathode, while said reactant flowpaths on the opposing side of said bipolar plate can convey a relatively moisture-deficient fluid that has passed in fluid communication with the other of said cathode and said anode, a portion of each of said reactant flowpaths defining an active region and a portion of each of said reactant flowpaths defining an inactive region, said active region defined by said area of said catalyst layer of said anode side or said cathode side to facilitate a catalytic reaction involving one of said reactants, said inactive region outside said active region where substantially no catalytic reaction takes place and wherein said inactive region comprises a fluid inlet in fluid communication with said active region and a fluid outlet in fluid communication with said fluid inlet; and\na hydrophilic water transport device fluidly coupled to said inactive region and configured to redistribute liquid water collecting in said inactive region.",
"17. The assembly of claim 16, wherein said hydrophilic water transport device further comprises a moisture-permeable membrane disposed between a pair of porous substrates, one of said pair of porous substrates disposed against said reactant flowpaths that can convey said relatively moisture-rich fluid and the other of said pair of porous substrates said reactant flowpaths that can convey said relatively moisture-deficient fluid, wherein said one of said porous substrates comprises hydrophilic treatment and forms a portion of said reactant flowpaths that can convey said relatively moisture-rich fluid such that moisture in said relatively moisture-rich fluid passes through said membrane and said pair of porous substrates and into said reactant flowpaths that can convey said relatively moisture-deficient fluid.",
"18. The assembly of claim 16, wherein said hydrophilic water transport device further comprises a water-impermeable membrane disposed against a layer of hydrophilic material that is disposed against said reactant flowpaths that can convey said relatively moisture-rich fluid such that said redistributed liquid water wets said layer of hydrophilic material.",
"19. The assembly of claim 16, wherein said hydrophilic water transport device further comprises a water-impermeable membrane disposed against a layer of hydrophilic material disposed on the surfaces of said reactant flowpaths, such that said reactant flowpaths are covered with said hydrophilic material.",
"20. A method of reducing water blockage in a fuel cell, said method comprising:\nconfiguring a fuel cell to have an anode, a cathode, an electrolyte disposed between said anode and said cathode, an anode flowpath in fluid communication with said anode and a cathode flowpath in fluid communication with said cathode, a catalyst layer on said anode side of said proton-permeable electrolyte membrane, and a catalyst layer on said cathode side of said proton-permeable electrolyte membrane, said catalyst layer on said anode side and said catalyst layer on said cathode layer having an area;\ndelivering a first reactant through said anode flowpath and a second reactant through said cathode flowpath, where at least one of said anode and cathode flowpaths comprise an active region and an inactive region, said active region defined by said area of said catalyst layer of said anode side or said cathode side, said inactive region outside said active region where substantially no catalytic reaction takes place;\ncombining said first and second reactants in an electrochemical conversion reaction in said fuel cell such that a fluid passing through said active region and containing said first or second reactant experiences an increased water content therein;\ntransporting said fluid containing said increased water content through a hydrophilic member disposed in said inactive region; and\nredistributing at least a portion of said increased water content away from said at least one anode or cathode flowpath and into said hydrophilic member.",
"21. The method of claim 20, wherein said anode and cathode flowpaths are disposed on opposite sides of a bipolar plate that is disposed between adjacent said fuel cells in a fuel cell stack.",
"22. The method of claim 20, wherein said hydrophilic member comprises a first porous substrate through which said absorbed water may pass.",
"23. The method of claim 22, wherein said hydrophilic member is part of a water transport device that fluidly connects said anode and cathode flowpaths, said water transport device defining a layered structure further comprising:\na water-permeable membrane disposed against a surface of said hydrophilic member that is away from said at least one anode or cathode flowpath that contains said increased water content; and\na second porous substrate that is disposed against a surface of said water-permeable membrane that is away from said hydrophilic member, said second porous substrate forming part of the one of said at least one anode or cathode flowpath that does not contain said increased water content such that a portion of said increased water content that passes through said hydrophilic member further passes through said water-permeable membrane and said second porous substrate and into said one of said at least one anode or cathode flowpath that does not contain said increased water content to increase the humidity of a fluid passing therethrough.",
"24. The method of claim 23, wherein said hydrophilic member is part of a water transport device that defines a layered structure further comprising a water-impermeable layer such that said increased water content that is absorbed in said hydrophilic member remains therein."
],
[
"1. A fuel cell system comprising:\na fuel cell stack including a cathode side and an anode side;\na compressor providing cathode air to the cathode side of the fuel cell stack; and\na hydrogen source providing hydrogen gas to the anode side of the fuel cell stack, said system operating in a shut-down mode for removing water from the fuel cell stack, said shut-down mode causing the cathode air or the hydrogen gas to flow in an opposite or reverse direction through the fuel cell stack to provide a uniform wetness in a flow field of the fuel cell stack.",
"2. The system according to claim 1 further comprising a cathode inlet valve and a cathode outlet valve, said cathode inlet valve and said cathode outlet valve being switched to a reverse flow direction during the shut-down mode to cause the cathode air to flow in an opposite direction through cathode flow channels in the cathode side of the fuel cell stack to push water out of an outlet end of the cathode flow channels to provide the uniform wetness through a cathode flow field in the fuel cell stack.",
"3. The system according to claim 1 further comprising an anode inlet valve and an anode outlet valve, said anode inlet valve and said anode outlet valve being switched to a reverse flow direction during the shut-down mode to cause the hydrogen gas from the hydrogen source to flow in an opposite direction through anode flow channels in the anode side of the fuel cell stack to push water out of an outlet end of the anode flow channels to provide the uniform wetness through an anode flow field in the fuel cell stack.",
"4. The system according to claim 1 further comprising a cathode inlet valve and a cathode outlet valve, said cathode inlet valve and said cathode outlet valve being switched to a reverse flow direction during the shut-down mode to cause the cathode air to flow in an opposite direction through cathode flow channels in the cathode side of the fuel cell stack to push water out of an outlet end of the cathode flow channels to provide the uniform wetness through a cathode flow field in the fuel cell stack and further comprising an anode inlet valve and an anode outlet valve, said anode inlet valve and said anode outlet valve being switched to a reverse flow direction during the shut-down mode to cause the hydrogen gas from the hydrogen source to flow in an opposite direction through anode flow channels in the anode side of the fuel cell stack to push water out of an outlet end of the anode flow channels to provide the uniform wetness through an anode flow field in the fuel cell stack.",
"5. The system according to claim 1 wherein a cathode air flow through cathode flow channels in the cathode side of the fuel cell stack draws water from the anode side of the fuel cell stack.",
"6. The system according to claim 1 further comprising a system load, said fuel cell stack being coupled to the system load at an end of the shut-down mode so as to provide rehydration of membranes in the fuel cell stack.",
"7. The system according to claim 1 wherein the shut-down mode maintains the membranes with a predetermined amount of relative humidity.",
"8. The system according to claim 1 wherein the anode flow is a reverse direction and the cathode flow is in a forward direction during the shut-down mode.",
"9. The system according to claim 1 wherein both the anode flow and the cathode flow are in a reverse direction during the shut-down mode.",
"10. The system according to claim 1 wherein the hydrogen source is a pressurized hydrogen source that provides the flow of hydrogen fuel.",
"11. A fuel cell system comprising:\na fuel cell stack including a cathode side and an anode side;\na compressor providing cathode air to the cathode side of the fuel cell stack;\na hydrogen source providing hydrogen gas to the anode side of the fuel cell stack; and\na configuration of valves and piping that allows the hydrogen gas from the hydrogen source to flow through anode flow channels in the anode side of the fuel cell stack in a forward flow direction during normal operation of the fuel cell stack and through the anode flow channels in the anode side of the fuel cell stack in a reverse flow direction during a shut-down mode of the fuel cell system to remove water from the fuel cell stack, wherein during the shut-down mode, air from the compressor flows through the cathode side of the fuel cell stack and draws water through cell membranes from the anode side of the fuel cell stack and the reverse flow of the hydrogen gas through the anode flow channels causes water that has collected in an anode outlet to be pushed into the anode flow channels to be drawn into the cathode side of the fuel cell stack.",
"12. The system according to claim 11 wherein the configuration of valves includes an anode inlet valve and an anode outlet valve.",
"13. The system according to claim 11 further comprising a system load, said fuel cell stack being coupled to the system load at an end of the shut-down mode so as to provide rehydration of membranes in the fuel cell stack.",
"14. The system according to claim 11 wherein the cathode air also flows in a reverse direction during the shut-down mode.",
"15. A method for purging water from a fuel cell stack at system shut-down, said method comprising:\ndirecting air from a compressor through a cathode side of the fuel cell stack to force water out of cathode flow channels in the cathode side of the fuel cell stack and draw water through fuel cell membranes from anode flow channels in an anode side of the fuel cell stack; and\nreversing a flow direction of hydrogen gas through an anode side of the fuel cell stack so that the reverse flow direction of the hydrogen gas pushes water from an anode outlet into anode flow channels to be drawn through the fuel cell membranes into the cathode flow channels.",
"16. The method according to claim 15 wherein reversing the direction of flow of the hydrogen gas includes switching an anode inlet valve and an anode outlet valve.",
"17. The method according to claim 15 further comprising coupling a load to the fuel cell stack at an end of the purging process to provide rehydration of membranes in the fuel cell stack.",
"18. The method according to claim 15 wherein directing air from a compressor through a cathode side of the fuel cell stack includes directing air through the cathode side in a reverse direction to provide a uniform wetness across a cathode flow field."
],
[
"1. A system, comprising:\na fuel cell stack;\nfirst and second pump separators that each comprise an electrolyte disposed between a cathode and an anode;\na fuel exhaust conduit that fluidly connects a fuel exhaust outlet of the fuel cell stack to a splitter;\na first separation conduit that fluidly connects an outlet of the splitter to an anode inlet of the first pump separator;\na second separation conduit that fluidly connects an anode outlet of the first pump separator to an anode inlet of the second pump separator;\na hydrogen conduit that fluidly connects a cathode outlet of the second pump separator to a fuel inlet of the fuel cell stack; and\na recycling conduit that fluidly connects the hydrogen conduit to a fuel inlet conduit.",
"2. The system of claim 1, further comprising:\na byproduct conduit that fluidly connects an anode outlet of the second pump separator to a carbon dioxide use.",
"3. The system of claim 1, further comprising:\na byproduct conduit that fluidly connects an anode outlet of the second pump separator to a storage device.",
"4. The system of claim 2 or 3, wherein the carbon dioxide use or storage device comprises:\na dryer configured to remove water from the carbon dioxide stream; and\na cryogenic storage device configured to store carbon dioxide output from the dryer as dry ice.",
"5. The system of claim 2 or 3, wherein the carbon dioxide use or storage device carbon dioxide as a shippable liquid.",
"6. The system of claim 1, wherein the electrolyte is a proton conductor electrolyte.",
"7. The system of claim 1, wherein the hydrogen of the recycling conduit is mixed with incoming fuel provided from a fuel source before being recycled back to the fuel cell stack.",
"8. The system of claim 1, wherein the hydrogen conduit contains 95% to about 100% H2.",
"9. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second hydrogen pump separators each comprise a carbon microlayer as part of a gas diffusion layer of respective anodes.",
"10. The system of claim 9, wherein respective anodes include a bilayer structure including a polytetrafluoroethylene bonded first electrode and an ionomer bonded electrode second electrode.",
"11. The system of claim 1, wherein electrodes of the first pump separator and the second pump separator include Pt or Pt—Ru.",
"12. The system of claim 1, further comprising an anode tail gas oxidizer (ATO).",
"13. The system of claim 12, an ATO inlet conduit that fluidly connects a cathode outlet of the first pump separator to the anode tail gas oxidizer.",
"14. The system of claim 1, wherein the fuel cell stack is located within a hotbox.",
"15. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second pump separators are electrochemical hydrogen pump separators."
],
[
"1. A fuel cell system comprising at least:\na hydrogen generator which is supplied with a raw material to generate a fuel gas containing hydrogen;\na humidifier which is supplied with the fuel gas, generated in said hydrogen generator, to humidify the fuel gas by utilizing heat energy and an off gas separately supplied thereto; and\na fuel cell which is supplied with the fuel gas humidified in said humidifier and an oxidizing gas to generate electric power while discharging the heat energy and the off gas,\nthe fuel cell system further comprising a condenser which converts steam of the off gas, discharged from said fuel cell, into condensed water by cooling down the steam by heat exchange with a cooling medium, and supplies the condensed water to said humidifier to humidify the fuel gas,\nwherein said off gas utilized by the humidifier includes fuel gas discharged from the fuel cell.",
"2. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, further comprising a primary cooling water supplying and discharging system which causes primary cooling water to flow through an inside of said fuel cell to directly control a temperature of said fuel cell,\nthe fuel cell system being configured to use as the cooling medium the primary cooling water in said primary cooling water supplying and discharging system.",
"3. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, further comprising a secondary cooling water supplying and discharging system which causes primary cooling water of said primary cooling water supplying and discharging system to transfer heat to secondary cooling water to indirectly control a temperature of said fuel cell,\nthe fuel cell system being configured to use as the cooling medium the secondary cooling water in said secondary cooling water supplying and discharging system.",
"4. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, further comprising an air introducing device which introduces air from an outside of the fuel cell system to an inside of the fuel cell system,\nthe fuel cell system being configured to use as the cooling medium the air introduced to the inside of the fuel cell system by said air introducing device.",
"5. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, being configured to use air of an inside of the fuel cell system as the cooling medium.",
"6. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, being configured such that the condensed water is automatically supplied from said condenser toward said humidifier by gravitational force.",
"7. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, wherein said condenser and said humidifier are integrated with each other to constitute a condensing and humidifying device.",
"8. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, further comprising as said fuel cell a polymer electrolyte fuel cell which is supplied with the fuel gas and the oxidizing gas to generate the electric power."
],
[
"1. A method of altering the temperature of off-gases exiting at least one fuel cell stack, the at least one fuel cell stack having separate anode and cathode off-gas flow paths, the method comprising:\npassing separate anode off-gas from the at least one fuel cell stack and at least one heat transfer fluid through a first heat exchange element to exchange heat between the anode off-gas and the at least one heat transfer fluid;\npassing the separate anode off-gas from the first heat exchange element to a burner;\npassing the separate cathode off-gas exiting the at least one fuel cell stack into said burner; and\nburning the combined anode and cathode off-gases to produce burner off-gas; and passing burner off-gas and the at least one heat transfer fluid through a second heat exchange element to exchange heat between the burner off-gas and the at least one heat transfer fluid.",
"2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the first heat exchange element cools the anode off-gas and heats the at least one heat transfer fluid.",
"3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the second heat exchange element cools the burner off-gas and heats the at least one heat transfer fluid.",
"4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the cooled burner off-gas is output from the second heat exchange element to an exhaust.",
"5. A method according to claim 1, wherein condensate from the burner off-gas is formed in and output from the second heat exchange element.",
"6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the second heat exchange element receives the heat transfer fluid after it has been output from the first heat exchange element.",
"7. A method according to claim 2, wherein condensate from the anode off-gas is formed in and output from the first heat exchange element.",
"8. A method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one heat exchange fluid is chosen from a group comprising: water, refrigerant fluid, anti-freeze fluid, mixed fluids, fuel and air.",
"9. A method according claim 1, wherein the first heat exchange element receives a plurality of heat transfer fluids.",
"10. A method according to claim 9, further comprising independently controlling the rate of flow of each of the heat transfer fluids to optimize heat exchange to or from the heat transfer fluids.",
"11. A method according to claim 1, further comprising passing the separate anode off-gas through a further heat exchange element before it is received by the first heat exchange element, the further heat exchange element exchanging heat between the anode off-gas and a flow of fluid.",
"12. A method according to claim 11, the further heat exchange element cooling the anode off-gas and warming the flow of fluid.",
"13. A method according to claim 11, wherein the flow of fluid into the further heat exchange element is a flow of cathode side feed gas, which cathode side feed gas subsequently enters the at least one fuel cell stack and exits as the cathode off-gas.",
"14. A method according to claim 1, wherein the operating temperature of the fuel cell is between 450° C. and 650° C.",
"15. A method according to claim 5, wherein condensed water is recycled and used to reform fuel before it enters the fuel cell(s).",
"16. A fuel cell system, comprising:\nat least one fuel cell stack having separate outlets and flow paths for flow of anode and cathode off-gases respectively;\na first heat exchange element coupled to receive anode off-gas which has been output from the at least one fuel cell stack anode off-gas outlet, the first heat exchange element for exchanging heat between the anode off-gas from the at least one fuel cell stack and the at least one heat transfer fluid;\na burner configured to receive and combine anode off-gas exiting the first heat exchange element and cathode off-gas exiting the at least one fuel cell stack and combust same to produce burner off-gas; and\nfurther comprising a second heat exchange element, coupled to receive the heat transfer fluid and burner off-gas from the burner, the second heat exchange element for exchanging heat between the burner off-gas and the heat transfer fluid.",
"17. A fuel cell system according to claim 16, wherein the first heat exchange element is configured to cool the anode off-gas, and heat the heat transfer fluid.",
"18. A fuel cell system according to claim 17, the first heat exchange element being for reducing the operating temperature of the burner.",
"19. A fuel cell system according to claim 16, wherein the second heat exchange element is configured to cool the burner off-gas and heat the heat transfer fluid.",
"20. A fuel cell system according to claim 16, wherein the second heat exchange element comprises a condensing heat exchanger.",
"21. A fuel cell system according to claim 16, wherein the heat exchange fluid flow path is defined by the first heat exchange element followed by the second heat exchange element, for passing heat transfer fluid into, through and out of the first heat exchange element and subsequently into, through and out of the second heat transfer element.",
"22. A fuel cell system according to claim 16, wherein the second heat exchange element is adapted to receive a plurality of heat transfer fluids.",
"23. A fuel cell system according to claim 16, wherein the first heat exchange element comprises a condensing heat exchanger.",
"24. A fuel cell system according claim 16, wherein the first heat transfer exchange element is adapted to receive a plurality of heat transfer fluids.",
"25. A fuel cell system according to claim 16, further comprising a further heat exchange element coupled between the at least one fuel cell stack anode off-gas outlet and the first heat exchange element, for reducing the temperature of the anode off-gas before it enters the first heat exchange element.",
"26. A fuel cell system according to claim 25, wherein the further heat exchange element is a gas-gas heat exchanger.",
"27. A fuel cell system according to claim 25, wherein the first and further heat exchange elements are integrated into a single unit.",
"28. A fuel cell system according to claim 16, wherein the first and second heat exchange elements are integrated into a single unit.",
"29. A fuel cell system according to claim 16, wherein the fuel cell is a solid oxide fuel cell.",
"30. A fuel cell system according to claim 16, wherein the fuel cell is configured to operate between 450° C.-650° C.",
"31. A fuel cell system according to claim 20, wherein the system is configured to recycle water from the condensing heat exchanger(s) and provide the water to a reformer for reforming fuel before it enters the fuel cell(s).",
"32. A fuel cell system according to claim 16, configured to be operated in a marine environment.",
"33. A fuel cell system according to claim 16, configured to be operated in an automotive environment.",
"34. A fuel cell system according to claim 16, configured to be operated in an aeronautical environment.",
"35. In a fuel cell system having separate anode and cathode off-gas outlets and flow paths from at least one fuel cell stack, a heat exchanger system comprising:\na first condensing heat exchange element coupled to receive anode off-gas from the anode off-gas outlet of the at least one fuel cell stack of the fuel cell system and heat transfer fluid, and output cooled anode off-gas, condensate from the anode off-gas and warmed heat transfer fluid from the first heat exchange element; and\na burner coupled to the first heat exchange element to receive cooled anode off-gas from the first heat exchange element and cathode off-gas exiting the at least one fuel cell stack and combust same to produce burner off-gas; and\na further heat exchange element coupled between the at least one fuel cell stack anode off-gas outlet and the first heat exchange element and coupled to receive cathode side feed gas before it enters the at least one fuel cell stack, for reducing the temperature of the anode off-gas before it enters the first heat exchange element, by exchanging heat with the cathode side feed gas.",
"36. In a fuel cell system having separate anode and cathode off-gas outlets and flow paths from at least one fuel cell stack, a heat exchanger system comprising:\na first condensing heat exchange element coupled to receive anode off-gas from the anode off-gas outlet of the at least one fuel cell stack and heat transfer fluid, and output cooled anode off-gas, condensate from the anode off-gas and warmed heat transfer fluid from the first heat exchange element;\na burner coupled to the first heat exchange element to receive cooled anode off-gas from the first heat exchange element and cathode off-gas exiting the at least one fuel cell stack and combust same to produce burner off-gas; and\na second condensing heat exchange element coupled to receive burner off-gas, and the heat transfer fluid, and output cooled burner off-gas, condensate from the burner off-gas and warmed heat transfer fluid from the second heat exchange element.",
"37. In a fuel cell system having separate anode and cathode off-gas outlets and flow paths from at least one fuel cell stack, a heat exchanger system comprising:\na first condensing heat exchange element coupled to receive anode off-gas from the anode off-gas outlet of the at least one fuel cell stack and heat transfer fluid, and output cooled anode off-gas, condensate from the anode off-gas and warmed heat transfer fluid from the first heat exchange element;\na burner coupled to the first heat exchange element to receive cooled anode off-gas from the first heat exchange element and cathode off-gas exiting the at least one fuel cell stack and combust same to produce burner off-gas;\na second condensing heat exchange element coupled to receive burner off-gas, and the heat transfer fluid, and output cooled burner off-gas, condensate from the burner off-gas and warmed heat transfer fluid from the second heat exchange element; and\na further heat exchange element coupled in the anode off-gas fluid flow path between at least one fuel cell stack and the first heat exchange element, configured to reduce the temperature of the anode off-gas passing therethrough before it enters the first heat exchange element.",
"38. In a fuel cell system having separate anode and cathode off-gas outlets and flow paths from at least one fuel cell stack, a heat exchanger system comprising:\na first condensing heat exchange element coupled to receive anode off-gas from the anode off-gas outlet of the at least one fuel cell stack and at least one heat transfer fluid, and output cooled anode off-gas, condensate from the anode off-gas and warmed heat transfer fluid from the first heat exchange element; and\na further heat exchange element coupled in the anode off-gas fluid flow path between at least one fuel cell stack and the first heat exchange element, configured to reduce the temperature of the anode off-gas passing therethrough before it enters the first heat exchange element,\nwherein the further heat exchange element receives a flow of cathode side feed gas, which subsequently enters the at least one fuel cell stack and exits as cathode off-gas.",
"39. A method of altering the temperature of off-gases exiting at least one fuel cell stack, the at least one fuel cell stack having separate anode and cathode off-gas flow paths, the method comprising:\npassing separate anode off-gas from the at least one fuel cell stack and at least one heat transfer fluid through a first heat exchange element to exchange heat between the anode off-gas and the at least one heat transfer fluid;\npassing the separate anode off-gas from the first heat exchange element to a burner;\npassing the separate cathode off-gas exiting the at least one fuel cell stack into said burner to combine with the anode off-gas and combust to produce burner off-gas;\nfurther comprising passing the separate anode off-gas through a further heat exchange element before it is received by the first heat exchange element, the further heat exchange element exchanging heat between the anode off-gas and a flow of fluid; and\nwherein the flow of fluid into the further heat exchange element is a flow of cathode side feed gas, which cathode side feed gas subsequently enters the at least one fuel cell stack and exits as the cathode off-gas.",
"40. A fuel cell system, comprising:\nat least one fuel cell stack having separate outlets and flow paths for flow of anode and cathode off-gases respectively;\na first heat exchange element coupled to receive anode off-gas which has been output from the at least one fuel cell stack anode off-gas outlet, the first heat exchange element for exchanging heat between the anode off-gas from the at least one fuel cell stack and the at least one heat transfer fluid;\na burner configured to receive and combine anode off-gas exiting the first heat exchange element and cathode off-gas exiting the at least one fuel cell stack and combust same to produce burner off-gas; and\na further heat exchange element coupled between the at least one fuel cell stack anode off-gas outlet and the first heat exchange element and coupled to receive cathode side feed gas before it enters the at least one fuel cell stack, for reducing the temperature of the anode off-gas before it enters the first heat exchange element, by exchanging heat with the cathode side feed gas."
],
[
"1. A fuel cell hydrogen recycling system, comprising a fuel cell, a controller, and a gas-liquid separating reservoir comprising a storage tank and a gas-liquid separator positioned beneath the storage tank, the storage tank and the gas-liquid separator are connected to each other vertically, wherein the storage tank is connected to a hydrogen exhaust pipeline and a hydrogen recycling pipeline respectively, the hydrogen exhaust pipeline is provided with a hydrogen outlet valve operated by the controller, the hydrogen recycling pipeline is provided with a hydrogen circulating pump and a check valve, both of which are operated by the controller, a period between adjacent venting states is defined as a venting cycle of electrochemical reaction of a stack, during the venting cycle of electrochemical reaction of a stack, the hydrogen outlet valve is opened by the controller more than once with a constant interval therebetween, and the hydrogen circulating pump and the check valve open only once.",
"2. The fuel cell hydrogen recycling system of claim 1, wherein during the venting cycle of electrochemical reaction of a stack, an opening frequency of the hydrogen outlet valve is 2-10 times that of an opening frequency of the hydrogen circulating pump.",
"3. The fuel cell hydrogen recycling system of claim 1, wherein a pressure sensor connected to the controller is provided between the hydrogen outlet valve and an inlet of the storage tank, during the venting cycle of electrochemical reaction of a stack, the hydrogen outlet valve is opened by the controller to enter the fuel cell hydrogen recycling system into the venting state, and after exhaust gas containing water, nitrogen and hydrogen enters the storage tank and when a pressure of the exhaust gas as detected by the pressure sensor is higher than a preset pressure upper limit, the hydrogen circulating pump and the check valve are opened by the controller to draw the hydrogen in the storage tank back to a hydrogen inlet pipeline.",
"4. The fuel cell hydrogen recycling system of claim 2, wherein the gas-liquid separator discharges water and nitrogen through an exhaust pipeline that is provided with a ventilation valve operated by the controller, inside the storage tank there is a nitrogen concentration meter connected to the controller, inside the gas-liquid separator there is a level gauge connected to the controller, the gas-liquid separator is connected to the ventilation valve, when a concentration of nitrogen in the storage tank as measured by the nitrogen concentration meter is higher than a preset nitrogen concentration threshold or when a water level as measured by the level gauge is higher than a preset water level threshold, the controller opens the ventilation valve to discharge the water and the nitrogen and closes the ventilation valve after the water and the nitrogen have been discharged.",
"5. The fuel cell hydrogen recycling system of claim 4, wherein the gas-liquid separator is provided beneath the storage tank in the gas-liquid separating reservoir, for discharge of the nitrogen and the water that have specific gravities larger than hydrogen through the ventilation valve."
],
[
"23. An electrochemical cell comprising:\na cell housing defining an air chamber, an inflow port, and an outlet, the inflow port and the outlet in fluid communication with one another via the air chamber;\nan electrolyte disposed in the air chamber;\na pair of electrodes spaced apart from one another in the electrolyte in the air chamber;\na humidity exchange membrane having an inflow side and an outflow side, the inflow side exposed to air entering the cell housing through the inflow port, the outflow side exposed to air exiting the cell through the outlet, and moisture movable through the humidity exchange membrane from the outflow side to the inflow side; and\na scrubber including scrubber media in fluid communication between the inflow side of the humidity exchange membrane and the inflow port of the cell housing, and carbon dioxide from air flowing through the scrubber removable by the scrubber media.",
"24. The electrochemical cell of claim 23, wherein the humidity exchange membrane includes an ionically conductive polymer or perfluorosulfonic acid polymer.",
"25. The electrochemical cell of claim 23, wherein the scrubber media is irreversible scrubber media.",
"26. The electrochemical cell of claim 25, wherein the irreversible scrubber media includes soda lime, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide, lithium peroxide, calcium oxide, calcium carbonate, serpentinite, magnesium silicate magnesium hydroxide, olivine, molecular sieves, amines, monothanolamine, and/or combinations thereof.",
"27. The electrochemical cell of claim 23, wherein the scrubber media comprises a reversible scrubber media.",
"28. The electrochemical cell of claim 27, wherein the reversible scrubber media comprises amine groups.",
"29. The electrochemical cell of claim 23, wherein the scrubber includes a heating element.",
"30. The electrochemical cell of claim 29, wherein the heating element is a passive heating element that directs heat from the cell to the scrubber media.",
"31. The electrochemical cell of claim 29, wherein the heating element comprises an electric heating element.",
"32. The electrochemical cell of claim 23, wherein the scrubber is releasably attachable to the cell housing.",
"33. The electrochemical cell of claim 32, wherein the electrochemical cell is operable with the scrubber detached from the cell housing.",
"34. The electrochemical cell of claim 23, further comprising a recirculation feature through which a portion of air exiting the cell through the outlet is transferrable to inlet airflow movable over the inflow side of the humidity exchange membrane.",
"35. The electrochemical cell of claim 34, wherein the portion of air transferrable to the inlet airflow, via the recirculation feature, is adjustable.",
"36. The electrochemical cell of claim 34, wherein the recirculation feature is a valve.",
"37. The electrochemical cell of claim 34, wherein the recirculation feature is a baffle."
],
[
"1. A fuel cell system, comprising a fuel cell stack, an air supply system connected to a cathode side of the fuel cell stack, and a hydrogen supply system connected to an anode side of the fuel cell stack, wherein the air supply system includes an air compressor, an air inlet tube, and an air outlet tube, while the hydrogen supply system includes a hydrogen storage tank, a hydrogen inlet tube, and a hydrogen outlet tube,\nwherein\nthe air outlet tube is connected to a low-oxygen, gas storage tank through a manifold, and the low-oxygen gas storage tank is connected back to the hydrogen inlet tube through a circulating tube, whereby during stop of the fuel cell, air supply is reduced by stopping the air compressor or reducing a rotating speed of the air compressor, hydrogen remaining at the anode side of the fuel cell stack consumes or dilutes oxygen in air at the cathode side, and a low-oxygen gas so generated is partially used to purge the fuel cell stack and partially stored in the low-oxygen gas storage tank, wherein\nbefore start of the fuel cell, the low-oxygen gas stored in the low-oxygen gas storage tank fills and purges the anode side of the fuel cell stack, expels oxygen remaining at the anode side or reduce a content of oxygen at the anode side to a level where filling of hydrogen is safe.",
"2. The fuel cell system of claim 1, wherein the air outlet tube is provided with a first solenoid valve, when the first solenoid valve is closed and the oxygen in air at the cathode side is consumed, the low-oxygen gas generated at the cathode side of the fuel cell is stored into the low-oxygen gas storage tank via the manifold.",
"3. The fuel cell system of claim 1, wherein the manifold is provided with a second solenoid valve, the second solenoid vale is open when the fuel cell stops, so that the low-oxygen gas generated at the cathode side of the fuel cell is stored into the low-oxygen gas storage tank via the second solenoid valve.",
"4. The fuel cell system of claim 2, wherein the circulating tube is provided with a third solenoid valve and a check valve,\nwhen the third solenoid valve and the check valve are open, before the fuel cell starts, the low-oxygen gas stored in the low-oxygen gas storage tank fills and purges the anode side of the fuel cell stack via the third solenoid valve and the check valve of the circulating tube, expels oxygen remaining at the anode side or reduce a content of oxygen at the anode side to a level where filling of hydrogen is safe,\nwhen the third solenoid valve and the check valve are closed, before the fuel cell stops, the low-oxygen gas generated at the cathode side of the fuel cell is stored into the low-oxygen gas storage tank via the second solenoid valve.",
"5. The fuel cell system of claim 1, wherein the hydrogen inlet tube is provided with a fourth solenoid valve,\nwhen the oxygen remaining therein is expelled from the anode side of the fuel cell stack or the content of oxygen at the anode side is reduced to a level where filling of hydrogen is safe, the fourth solenoid valve is opened to input hydrogen to the anode side of the fuel cell stack.",
"6. The fuel cell system of claim 1, wherein the hydrogen outlet tube is provided with a sensor for measuring a content of hydrogen.",
"7. A method for purging the fuel cell system of claim 1 during its stop and start process, wherein the method uses the fuel cell system to produce low-oxygen gas, so that during stop of the fuel cell system, hydrogen remaining at the anode side of the fuel cell system is diluted and expelled by purging of the low-oxygen gas, and during start of the fuel cell system, the low-oxygen gas at the anode side of the fuel cell system is diluted and expelled by purging of the low-oxygen gas, the method comprises steps of:\ni) where there is a need of producing the low-oxygen gas or during stop of the fuel cell system, reducing air supply by stopping the air compressor or reducing a rotating speed of the air compressor, closing the first solenoid valve, opening the second solenoid valve, the third solenoid valve and the check valve, using hydrogen remaining or reserved according to needs at the anode side of the fuel cell stack to continuously generate electric power, so as to obtain the low-oxygen gas by way of consuming oxygen in air at the cathode side and, storing the low-oxygen gas into the low-oxygen gas storage tank through the manifold, and transferring the low-oxygen gas to the anode side of the fuel cell stack through the circulating tube to purge hydrogen remaining in a channel at the anode side so as to reduce a concentration of hydrogen to a level below 4%; and\nii) before start of the fuel cell system, first opening the third solenoid valve and the check valve, the low-oxygen gas stored in the low-oxygen gas storage tank filling and purging the anode side of the fuel cell stack via the circulating tube so as to expel oxygen potentially remaining therein or to reduce a content of oxygen at the anode side to a level where filling of hydrogen is safe, and opening the fourth solenoid valve to input hydrogen to the anode side of the fuel cell stack.",
"8. A fuel cell system, comprising a fuel cell stack, an air supply system connected to a cathode at a cathode side of the fuel cell stack, and a hydrogen supply system connected to an anode at an anode side of the fuel cell stack, wherein the air supply system includes an air compressor, an air inlet tube, and an air outlet tube, while the hydrogen supply system includes a hydrogen storage tank, a hydrogen inlet tube and a hydrogen outlet tube, in which the air outlet tube is connected to a low-oxygen gas storage tank through a manifold, and the low-oxygen gas storage tank is connected back to the hydrogen inlet tube through a circulating tube, while the air inlet tube and the hydrogen inlet tube are connected by a connecting tube that is provided with a first solenoid valve, so that during stop of the fuel cell, redundant hydrogen at the anode side of the fuel cell stack consumes oxygen in air remaining at the cathode side, when a low-oxygen gas generated expels hydrogen remaining at the anode side of the fuel cell stack, the air compressor supplies high pressure air to the anode side and the cathode side of the fuel cell stack at the same time so as to purge the produced water in the fuel cell stack.",
"9. The fuel cell system of claim 8, wherein the air outlet tube is provided with a second solenoid valve and the manifold is provided with a third solenoid valve while the circulating tube is provided with a fourth solenoid valve and a check valve, in which the hydrogen inlet tube is provided with a fifth solenoid valve and the hydrogen outlet tube is provided with a sensor for measuring a content of hydrogen.",
"10. A method for purging and removing water for the fuel cell system of claim 8 during its stop and start, which safely expels water standing in the fuel cell system during stop of the fuel cell system with low-oxygen gas, the method comprises steps of:\ni) where there is a need of producing low-oxygen gas or during stop of the fuel cell system, reducing air supply by stopping the air compressor or reducing a rotating speed of the air compressor, closing the second solenoid valve, opening the third solenoid valve, the fourth solenoid valve and the check valve, using hydrogen remaining or reserved according to needs at the anode side of the fuel cell stack to continuously generate electric power, so as obtain the low-oxygen gas by way of consuming oxygen in air at the cathode side, storing the low-oxygen gas into the low-oxygen gas storage tank through the manifold, and transferring the low-oxygen gas to the anode side of the fuel cell stack through the circulating tube to purge a channel at the anode side so as to reduce a concentration of hydrogen to a level below 4%; and\nii) closing the fourth solenoid valve, storing the remaining low-oxygen gas into the low-oxygen gas storage tank, opening the first solenoid valve a and the air compressor to deliver high-pressure high-flow air to both the anode side and the cathode side of the fuel cell stack, so as to effectively purge water standing in the fuel cell stack as a product of reaction.",
"11. A purging and water-evacuating system for a fuel cell, at least comprising an air supply system and hydrogen supply system, wherein\na connecting tube between an air inlet tube and a hydrogen inlet tube is provided with a first solenoid valve, during stop, after using low-oxygen gas to dilute and purge hydrogen in a fluid channel at an anode side, air is continuously supplied to anode sides and cathode sides of fuel cell stacks by air compressor to purge water standing in a fuel cell stack, so as to further protect the fuel cell stack.",
"12. The purging and water-evacuating system for a fuel cell of claim 11, wherein an air outlet tube is connected to a low-oxygen gas storage tank via a manifold, the low-oxygen gas storage tank is connected back to an hydrogen inlet tube via a circulating tube, wherein low-oxygen gas is used to purge fluid channel at the anode side to expel hydrogen, thereby forcing electrochemical reaction in a stack to stop in time so as to protect the stack;\nthe produced low-oxygen gas is stored, during start, the low-oxygen gas is used to purge the anode side, expelling oxygen potentially remaining therein or reducing a content of oxygen at the anode side to a level where filling of hydrogen is safe, so as to improve safety and save energy.",
"13. The purging and water-evacuating system for a fuel cell of claim 12, wherein during stop of the fuel cell, hydrogen remaining at an anode side of a fuel cell stack consumes oxygen in air at an cathode side or reduces its concentration, low-oxygen gas generated is used to purge and dilute the fuel cell stack, a remaining portion is stored in the low-oxygen gas storage tank.",
"14. The purging and water-evacuating system for a fuel cell of claim 11, wherein during stop or where there is a need of producing low-oxygen gas, a second solenoid valve on the air outlet tube is closed and a third solenoid valve on the manifold is open, the air compressor is stopped or a rotating speed of the air compressor is reduced to reduce air supply, hydrogen remaining or reserved according to needs at the anode side of the fuel cell stack is used to continuously generate electric power so as to obtain the low-oxygen gas by way of consuming oxygen in air at the cathode side.",
"15. The purging and water-evacuating system for a fuel cell of claim 14, wherein when a fourth solenoid valve on the circulating tube is closed and the first solenoid valve is open, the air compressor inputs high-pressure high-flow air to both the anode side and the cathode side of the fuel cell stack, so as to effectively purge water standing in the fuel cell stack as a product of reaction."
],
[
"1. A method of discharging water from a mobile object, which includes: a fuel cell discharging an exhaust gas; a gas-liquid separator separating the exhaust gas into a gas component and a liquid component, and storing the liquid component as an exhaust water; and a circulation pump sending out the gas component flown from the gas-liquid separator, the method comprising:\nan inclined state detection step of detecting an inclined state of the mobile object with respect to a horizontal plane;\na scavenging start step of starting to supply scavenging gas at a predetermined first supply flow rate to a gas flow path in the fuel cell, by driving the circulation pump, when the mobile object is in a predetermined inclined state in which an outlet of the gas flow path is directed upward against a direction of gravity;\na discharging water step of discharging the exhaust water stored in the gas-liquid separator while the scavenging gas is supplied to the fuel cell; and\na supply flow rate increase step of increasing a rotational speed of the circulation pump so that the supply flow rate of the scavenging gas is increased to a second supply flow rate higher than the first supply flow rate after a certain amount of exhaust water has been discharged following starting to supply the scavenging gas.",
"2. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein\nthe inclined state detection step is a step of acquiring an inclination angle of the mobile object with respect to the horizontal plane as a parameter expressing the inclined state of the mobile object, and\nthe supply flow rate increase step includes a step of changing the second supply flow rate in accordance with the inclination angle.",
"3. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein\nthe inclined state detection step is a step of acquiring an inclination angle of the mobile object with respect to the horizontal plane as a parameter expressing the inclined state of the mobile object, and\nthe discharging water step is a step of discharging the exhaust water at a predetermined water discharge interval, and includes a step of changing the water discharge interval in accordance with the inclination angle.",
"4. The method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:\na first scavenging step of scavenging a first gas flow path, which is the gas flow path supplied a first reactive gas that is one reactive gas used for the generating of the fuel cell, by using the scavenging gas as first scavenging gas; and\na second scavenging step of scavenging a second gas flow path, which is provided in the fuel cell and supplied a second reactive gas that is another reactive gas, by supplying a second scavenging gas that is different from the first scavenging gas, and introducing an exhaust water discharged from the second gas flow path to an outside of the mobile object through a water discharge pipe connected to the fuel cell, wherein\nin the first scavenging step, the scavenging start step, the discharging water step, and the supply flow rate increase step are executed, and\nin the second scavenging step, the inclined state of the mobile object with respect to the horizontal plane is detected, and a step of increasing a flow rate of the second scavenging gas is executed when the mobile object is in a predetermined inclined state where a direction of the water discharge pipe extending toward a downstream side is directed upward against the direction of gravity.",
"5. A fuel cell system installed in a mobile object, the fuel cell system comprising:\na fuel cell incorporating a gas flow path for reaction gas;\na gas-liquid separator that separates exhaust gas from the fuel cell into a gas component and a liquid component, and stores the liquid component as exhaust water;\na circulation pump that circulates the gas component, obtained by the separation in the gas-liquid separator, to the fuel cell;\nan on-off valve that controls discharging of the exhaust water from the gas-liquid separator through an opening and closing operation;\na controller programmed to execute a scavenging processing of circulating scavenging gas to the fuel cell by driving the circulation pump, and execute a water discharge processing of discharging the exhaust water from the gas-liquid separator by opening the water discharge valve while the scavenging gas is supplied to the fuel cell; and\nan inclined state detector configured to detect an inclined state of the mobile object with respect to a horizontal plane, wherein\nthe controller is programmed to start, in the scavenging processing, supplying the scavenging gas to the gas flow path in the fuel cell at a predetermined first supply flow rate when the mobile object is in a predetermined inclined state where an outlet of the gas flow path is directed upward against a direction of gravity, and\nthe controller is programmed to increase a rotational speed of the circulation pump in the scavenging processing so that the supply flow rate of the scavenging gas is increased to a second supply flow rate higher than the first supply flow rate after a certain amount of exhaust water has been discharged following starting to supply the scavenging gas.",
"6. The fuel cell system in accordance with claim 5, wherein\nthe inclined state detector is configured to acquire an inclination angle of the mobile object with respect to the horizontal plane, and\nthe controller is programmed to change the second supply flow rate in accordance with the inclination angle.",
"7. The fuel cell system in accordance with claim 5, wherein\nthe inclined state detector is configured to acquire an inclination angle of the mobile object with respect to the horizontal plane as a parameter expressing the inclined state of the mobile object,\nthe water discharge processing including a step of opening the on-off valve at a predetermined water discharge interval, and\nthe controller is programmed to change the water discharge interval in accordance with the inclination angle in the water discharge processing.",
"8. The fuel cell system in accordance with claim 5, wherein\nthe fuel cell includes:\na first electrode;\na second electrode;\na first gas flow path connected to the first electrode; and\na second gas flow path connected to the second electrode, wherein\nthe gas-liquid separator is connected to the first gas flow path,\nthe scavenging processing is a first scavenging processing of scavenging the first gas flow path by supplying the scavenging gas to the fuel cell as a first scavenging gas,\na water discharge pipe connected to the second gas flow path is configured to guide the exhaust water in the fuel cell to an outside of the mobile object,\nthe controller is programmed to execute a second scavenging processing of scavenging the second gas flow path by supplying second scavenging gas, and guiding the exhaust water discharged from the second gas flow path to the outside of the mobile object through the water discharge pipe when the inclined state detector detects that the mobile object is in a predetermined inclined state where a downstream side of the water discharge pipe is directed upward against the direction of gravity, and\nthe controller is programmed to increase a flow rate of the second scavenging gas in the second scavenging processing after a certain amount of exhaust water has been discharged following starting to supply the second scavenging gas."
],
[
"1. A voltage control method for a fuel cell in a power supply system including the fuel cell configured to supply an electric power to a load, the voltage control method comprising:\ninterrupting an electrical connection between the fuel cell and the load when the load is in a low load state where the electric power required by the load is less than or equal to a predetermined reference value;\nsupplying oxygen to the fuel cell based on a preset condition when the electrical connection between the fuel cell and the load is interrupted, the preset condition being a condition for supplying the fuel cell with oxygen required to adjust an open circuit voltage of the fuel cell to a predetermined target voltage;\ndetecting the open circuit voltage of the fuel cell after oxygen is supplied to the fuel cell based on the preset condition;\nin a first voltage state where the detected open circuit voltage is higher than the target voltage by a first value or larger, reducing an amount of oxygen supplied to the fuel cell;\nin a second voltage state where the detected open circuit voltage is lower than the target voltage by a second value or larger, increasing the amount of oxygen supplied to the fuel cell; and\nin a voltage keeping state where the detected open circuit voltage is lower than a sum of the target voltage and the first value and higher than a value obtained by subtracting the second value from the target voltage, keeping the amount of oxygen supplied to the fuel cell.",
"2. The voltage control method according to claim 1, further comprising:\ndetermining, in the low load state, whether a first state or a second state applies, the first state being a state where there is a higher probability that the load quickly requires the electric power than a probability that the load quickly requires the electric power in the second state;\nusing a predetermined first target voltage as the target voltage when it is determined that the first state applies; and\nusing a second target voltage as the target voltage when it is determined that the second state applies, the second target voltage being lower than the first target voltage.",
"3. The voltage control method according to claim 1, further comprising:\nusing a first target voltage as the target voltage when a time elapsed after oxygen is supplied to the fuel cell based on the preset condition in the low load state is shorter than a preset reference time; and\nchanging the target voltage from the first target voltage to a second target voltage lower than the first target voltage when the preset reference time has elapsed after oxygen is supplied to the fuel cell based on the preset condition.",
"4. The voltage control method according to claim 1, further comprising:\ndetermining, in the low load state, whether a shift position is a predetermined drive position or a predetermined non-drive position;\nusing a predetermined first target voltage as the target voltage when the shift position is determined to be the predetermined drive position; and\nusing a second target voltage as the target voltage when the shift position is determined to be the predetermined non-drive position, the second target voltage being lower than the first target voltage.",
"5. The voltage control method according to claim 4, further comprising:\nusing the first target voltage as the target voltage when a time elapsed after oxygen is supplied to the fuel cell based on the preset condition is shorter than a preset reference time and when the shift position is determined to be the predetermined drive position; and\nchanging the target voltage from the first target voltage to the second target voltage when the preset reference time has elapsed after oxygen is supplied to the fuel cell based on the preset condition and when the shift position is determined to be the predetermined drive position.",
"6. The voltage control method according to claim 1, further comprising:\ndetermining, in the low load state, whether a vehicle including the fuel cell is in a first state or a second state, the load having a higher probability of requiring a predetermined responsiveness of the electric power in the first state than in the second state, the predetermined responsiveness being higher than or equal to a predetermined level;\nusing a predetermined first target voltage as the target voltage when the vehicle is in the first state; and\nusing a second target voltage as the target voltage when the vehicle is in the second state, the second target voltage being lower than the first target voltage.",
"7. The voltage control method according to claim 1, further comprising:\nchanging the target voltage from a first target voltage to a second target voltage lower than the first target voltage when the open circuit voltage of the fuel cell decreases, after oxygen is supplied to the fuel cell based on the preset condition in the low load state, by a preset allowable value or larger with respect to the first target voltage set as the target voltage.",
"8. The voltage control method according to claim 2, further comprising\ntemporarily stopping supply of oxygen to the fuel cell before oxygen is supplied to the fuel cell after a target value of the open circuit voltage of the fuel cell is changed from the first target voltage to the second target voltage.",
"9. A voltage control method for a fuel cell in a power supply system including the fuel cell configured to supply an electric power to a load, the voltage control method comprising:\nsupplying oxygen to the fuel cell based on a preset condition in a low load state where an electric power required by the load is less than or equal to a predetermined reference value, the preset condition being a condition for supplying the fuel cell with oxygen required to adjust a voltage of the fuel cell to a predetermined target voltage;\ndetecting the voltage of the fuel cell after oxygen is supplied to the fuel cell based on the preset condition;\ncausing the fuel cell to generate an electric power by setting an output voltage to the target voltage in a first voltage state where the detected voltage is higher than the target voltage by a first value or larger;\nin a second voltage state where the detected voltage is lower than the target voltage by a second value or larger, increasing an amount of oxygen supplied to the fuel cell in a state where electrical connection between the fuel cell and the load is interrupted; and\nkeeping the amount of oxygen supplied to the fuel cell in a voltage keeping state where the detected voltage is lower than a sum of the target voltage and the first value and is higher than a value obtained by subtracting the second value from the target voltage.",
"10. A power supply system comprising:\na fuel cell configured to supply an electric power to a load;\nan oxygen supply device configured to supply oxygen to a cathode of the fuel cell;\nan oxygen amount regulator configured to regulate an amount of oxygen supplied to the cathode by the oxygen supply device;\na load interrupter configured to interrupt electrical connection between the fuel cell and the load in a low load state where an electric power required by the load is lower than or equal to a predetermined reference value; and\na voltage sensor configured to detect an open circuit voltage of the fuel cell,\nwherein the oxygen amount regulator is further configured to drive the oxygen supply device in accordance with a preset condition in the low load state, the preset condition being a condition for supplying the fuel cell with oxygen required to adjust the open circuit voltage of the fuel cell to a predetermined target voltage,\nthe oxygen amount regulator is further configured to drive, after the oxygen supply device is driven, the oxygen supply device in a first voltage state to decrease the amount of oxygen supplied to the fuel cell, the first voltage state being a state where the detected open circuit voltage is higher than the target voltage by a first value or larger, and\nthe oxygen amount regulator is further configured to drive, after the oxygen supply device is driven, the oxygen supply device in a second voltage state to increase the amount of oxygen supplied to the fuel cell, the second voltage state being a state where the detected open circuit voltage is lower than the target voltage by a second value or larger.",
"11. The power supply system according to claim 10, wherein\nthe oxygen supply device includes an oxygen supply passage, an oxygen introducing device, a bypass passage, a flow dividing valve, and a flow regulating valve,\nthe oxygen supply passage is a passage connected to the cathode,\nthe oxygen introducing device is configured to introduce oxygen into the oxygen supply passage,\nthe bypass passage branches off from the oxygen supply passage and is configured to guide oxygen supplied from the oxygen introducing device without allowing the oxygen to pass through the cathode,\nthe flow dividing valve is provided at a position at which the bypass passage branches off from the oxygen supply passage, and is configured to change a proportion of distribution of oxygen distributed between the oxygen supply passage and the bypass passage depending on a state of opening of the flow dividing valve,\nthe flow regulating valve is provided in the oxygen supply passage, and is configured to change the amount of oxygen supplied to the cathode, and\nthe oxygen amount regulator is configured to adjust the amount of oxygen supplied to the cathode by changing at least one of an amount of oxygen introduced by the oxygen introducing device, the state of opening of the flow dividing valve, or an opening degree of the flow regulating valve.",
"12. The power supply system according to claim 11, wherein\nthe oxygen amount regulator is further configured to adjust the amount of oxygen supplied to the cathode by changing the opening degree of the flow regulating valve in a state where the amount of oxygen introduced by the oxygen introducing device and the state of opening of the flow dividing valve are fixed.",
"13. A power supply system comprising:\na fuel cell configured to supply an electric power to a load;\nan oxygen supply device configured to supply oxygen to a cathode of the fuel cell;\nat least one electronic control unit configured to adjust an amount of oxygen supplied by the oxygen supply device to the cathode and to control a state of output of the fuel cell;\na load interrupter configured to interrupt electrical connection between the fuel cell and the load; and\na voltage sensor configured to detect a voltage of the fuel cell,\nwherein the electronic control unit is further configured to drive the oxygen supply device in accordance with a preset condition in a low load state, the preset condition being a condition for supplying the fuel cell with oxygen required to adjust the voltage of the fuel cell to a predetermined target voltage,\nthe electronic control unit is further configured to drive the oxygen supply device to increase the amount of oxygen, which is supplied to the cathode, after the oxygen supply device is driven in accordance with the preset condition, in a second voltage state, and in a state where the load interrupter interrupts the electrical connection between the fuel cell and the load, the second voltage state being a state where the detected voltage is lower than the target voltage by a second value or larger, and\nthe electronic control unit is configured to control the state of output of the fuel cell to change an output voltage of the fuel cell to the target voltage after the electronic control unit drives the oxygen supply device in accordance with the preset condition, and in a first voltage state where the detected voltage is higher than the target voltage by a first value or larger."
],
[
"1. An unmanned surface vehicle including a power system, the power system comprising:\na fuel cell including a fuel cell stack, wherein the fuel cell stack includes a fuel inlet;\na fuel storage including at least one fuel-storage module fluidly connected to the fuel inlet of the fuel cell stack, wherein the at least one fuel-storage module is a source of energy for the fuel cell; and\na fuel and thermal management system fluidly connected to the fuel inlet of the fuel cell stack, wherein the fuel and thermal management system comprises:\na heat exchanger in thermal communication with the fuel cell stack for removing waste heat produced by the fuel cell stack during operation;\na primary circuit and a secondary circuit, wherein the primary circuit circulates coolant between the fuel cell stack and the heat exchanger, and the secondary circuit circulates the coolant between the fuel storage and the heat exchanger;\na liquid valve and a diverter conduit, wherein the liquid valve is opened in order to allow the coolant circulating in the secondary circuit to flow through the diverter conduit;\na water-cooled heat exchanger, wherein the coolant flowing through the diverter conduit flows to the water-cooled heat exchanger, wherein the water-cooled heat exchanger is cooled by a body of water the unmanned surface vehicle is deployed within; and\na flow valve, a pressure regulator, and a conduit, wherein the conduit fluidly connects the fuel storage to the fuel cell stack to deliver fuel from the fuel storage to the fuel cell stack by the conduit, and the flow valve and the pressure regulator are both located along the conduit.",
"2. The unmanned surface vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a control module in communication with a heater, wherein the heater is in thermal communication with and heats fuel contained within the fuel storage.",
"3. The unmanned surface vehicle of claim 2, wherein the fuel storage includes a metal-hydride fuel-storage substrate, and wherein the control module activates the heater to warm the metal-hydride fuel-storage substrate to a target temperature to achieve a target gaseous hydrogen fuel generation rate.",
"4. The unmanned surface vehicle of claim 2, further comprising a pressure sensor and temperature sensor in communication with the control module, wherein the pressure sensor indicates a gas pressure of the at least one fuel-storage module and the temperature sensor indicates an internal temperature of the at least one fuel-storage module.",
"5. The unmanned surface vehicle of claim 4, wherein the control module monitors the pressure sensor and the temperature sensor, and wherein the control module deactivates the heater in response to determining at least one of the following:\nthe gas pressure of the at least one fuel-storage module has reached a predefined limit, and\nthe internal temperature of the at least one fuel-storage module is at a target temperature.",
"6. The unmanned surface vehicle of claim 1, wherein the fuel storage stores metal hydride, and wherein waste heat produced by the fuel cell stack is conducted by coolant flowing through the heat exchanger.",
"7. The unmanned surface vehicle of claim 6, wherein the coolant flowing through the heat exchanger circulates to the fuel storage to heat the metal hydride.",
"8. The unmanned surface vehicle of claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger draws waste heat from the fuel cell stack through the primary circuit.",
"9. The unmanned surface vehicle of claim 1, further comprising an air blower for cooling the fuel cell stack to a target stack temperature.",
"10. The unmanned surface vehicle of claim 9, further comprising a control module in communication with the air blower and a primary pump, wherein the primary pump circulates coolant flowing within the primary circuit between the fuel cell stack and the heat exchanger.",
"11. The unmanned surface vehicle of claim 10, wherein the control module executes instructions for:\ncontinuously monitoring power consumed by the air blower and power consumed by the primary pump;\ncomparing the power consumed by the air blower to the power consumed by the primary pump; in response to determining the power consumed by the air blower is equal to or less than the power consumed by the primary pump, continuing to power the air blower to cool the fuel cell stack to the target stack temperature; and\nin response to determining the power consumed by the air blower is greater than the power consumed by the primary pump, reducing a speed of the air blower and activating the primary pump cool the fuel cell stack to the target stack temperature.",
"12. The unmanned surface vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a secondary pump that circulates the coolant in the secondary circuit.",
"13. The unmanned surface vehicle of claim 12, wherein the secondary pump is a variable displacement pump.",
"14. The unmanned surface vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a three-way valve fluidly connected to the heat exchanger.",
"15. The unmanned surface vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a three-way valve fluidly connected to the fuel storage.",
"16. A method of delivering fuel to and removing reaction waste heat from a fuel cell stack of a fuel cell by a fuel and thermal management system that is part of a power system for an unmanned surface vehicle, the method comprising:\nfluidly connecting a fuel storage including at least one fuel-storage module to a fuel inlet of the fuel cell stack of the fuel cell, wherein the at least one fuel-storage module is a source of energy for the fuel cell;\nremoving the reaction waste heat produced by the fuel cell stack by a heat exchanger in thermal communication with the fuel cell stack;\nfluidly connecting the fuel storage to the fuel cell stack by a conduit, wherein a flow valve and a pressure regulator are both located along the conduit;\ncirculating coolant by a primary circuit between the fuel cell stack and the heat exchanger and a secondary circuit between the fuel storage and the heat exchanger;\nopening a liquid valve in order to allow the coolant circulating in the secondary circuit to flow through a diverter conduit;\nallowing the coolant flowing through the diverter conduit to flow to a water-cooled heat exchanger, wherein the water-cooled heat exchanger is cooled by a body of water the unmanned surface vehicle is deployed within; and\ndelivering the fuel from the fuel storage to the fuel cell stack by the conduit.",
"17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:\nactivating, by a control module, a heater to warm a metal-hydride fuel-storage substrate of the fuel storage to a target temperature to achieve a target gaseous hydrogen fuel generation rate, wherein the heater is in thermal communication with and heats fuel contained within the fuel storage.",
"18. The method of claim 16, further comprising:\nmonitoring, by a control module, a pressure sensor and temperature sensor, wherein the pressure sensor indicates a gas pressure of the at least one fuel-storage module and the temperature sensor indicates an internal temperature of the at least one fuel-storage module.",
"19. The method of claim 18, wherein the fuel and thermal management system further comprises a heater in thermal communication with and heats fuel contained within the fuel storage, and wherein the method further comprises:\ndeactivating, by a control module, the heater in response to the control module determining at least one of the following:\nthe gas pressure of the at least one fuel-storage module has reached a predefined limit, and\nthe internal temperature of the at least one fuel-storage module is at a target temperature.",
"20. The method of claim 16, further comprising an air blower for cooling the fuel cell stack to a target stack temperature, a control module, and a primary pump, wherein the control module is in communication with the air blower and the primary pump, and the primary pump circulates coolant flowing within the primary circuit between the fuel cell stack and the heat exchanger, and wherein the method further comprises:\ncontinuously monitoring power consumed by the air blower and power consumed by the primary pump;\ncomparing the power consumed by the air blower to the power consumed by the primary pump;\nin response to determining the power consumed by the air blower is equal to or less than the power consumed by the primary pump, continuing to power the air blower to cool the fuel cell stack to the target stack temperature; and\nin response to determining the power consumed by the air blower is greater than the power consumed by the primary pump, reducing a speed of the air blower and activating the primary pump cool the fuel cell stack to the target stack temperature."
],
[
"1. An electrochemical fuel cell assembly comprising:\na fuel cell stack having a fuel delivery inlet and a fuel delivery outlet,\nthe fuel cell stack further comprising a number of fuel cells each having a membrane-electrode assembly and a fluid flow path coupled between the fuel delivery inlet and the fuel delivery outlet for delivery of fuel to the membrane-electrode assembly;\na fuel delivery conduit coupled to the fuel delivery inlet for delivery of fluid fuel to the stack;\na bleed conduit coupled to the fuel delivery outlet for venting fluid out of the stack; and,\na variable orifice flow control device coupled to the bleed conduit configured to dynamically vary an amount of fluid from the fuel delivery outlet passing into the bleed conduit as a function of one or more control parameters; and,\nwherein the variable orifice flow control device is configured to dynamically vary the proportion of fluid passing into the bleed conduit as a function of the quantity of water and/or water vapour being extracted from the fuel circuit delivery.",
"2. An electrochemical fuel cell assembly comprising:\na fuel cell stack having a fuel delivery inlet and a fuel delivery outlet,\nthe fuel cell stack further comprising a number of fuel cells each having a membrane-electrode assembly and a fluid flow path coupled between the fuel delivery inlet and the fuel delivery outlet for delivery of fuel to the membrane-electrode assembly;\na fuel delivery conduit coupled to the fuel delivery inlet for delivery of fluid fuel to the stack;\na bleed conduit coupled to the fuel delivery outlet for venting fluid out of the stack;\na variable orifice flow control device coupled to the bleed conduit configured to dynamically vary an amount of fluid from the fuel delivery outlet passing into the bleed conduit as function of one or more control parameters;\na recirculation conduit coupled between the fuel delivery outlet and the fuel delivery conduit for recirculating fluid from the fuel delivery outlet to the fuel delivery inlet, the fuel delivery conduit, the recirculation conduit and the fuel flow paths in the fuel cell stack together defining a fuel circuit;\nwherein the variable orifice flow control device is coupled to the recirculation conduit and is configured to dynamically vary a proportion of fluid from the fuel delivery outlet passing into the bleed conduit as a function of the control parameters,\nwherein the recirculation conduit is coupled to the fuel delivery conduit by way of an ejector in the fuel delivery conduit, the recirculation conduit being coupled to a suction port of the ejector and the fuel delivery inlet being coupled to a discharge port of the ejector; and,\nin which the ejector is a variable orifice ejector.",
"3. The electrochemical fuel cell assembly of claim 1 in which the variable orifice flow control device further includes a controller configured to vary the flow of fluid through the flow control device to the bleed conduit so as to maximize fuel utilization efficiency.",
"4. The electrochemical fuel cell assembly of claim 1 further including a heat exchanger in the recirculation conduit.",
"5. The electrochemical fuel cell assembly of claim 1 in which the variable orifice flow control device further includes a controller configured to vary the proportion of fluid from the fuel delivery outlet passing into the bleed conduit so as to maximize fuel utilization efficiency.",
"6. The electrochemical fuel cell assembly of claim 1 further including a fuel concentration sensor between the fuel delivery outlet and the variable orifice flow control device, the flow control device being configured to dynamically vary an amount of fluid from the fuel delivery outlet passing into the bleed conduit as a function of measured fuel concentration by the fuel concentration sensor.",
"7. The electrochemical fuel cell assembly of claim 1, the variable orifice flow control device coupled to the bleed conduit configured to dynamically vary an amount of fluid from the fuel delivery outlet passing into the bleed conduit as a function of one or more of the control parameters: (i) measured fuel concentration; (ii) measured humidity; (iii) cell voltages of fuel cells in the stack; (iv) impedance of fuel cells in the stack; (v) resistance of fuel cells in the stack.",
"8. The electrochemical fuel cell assembly of claim 1 in which the variable orifice flow control device comprises a valve with a variable orifice controlled by a stepper motor to thereby control an amount of fluid passing through the flow control device.",
"9. The electrochemical fuel cell assembly of claim 1 in which the variable orifice flow control device comprises a electromagnet drivable by a pulse width modulated, variable duty cycle control signal to vary the position of a mechanical restrictor in the flow control device to thereby control an amount of fluid passing through the flow control device."
],
[
"1. A fuel cell system, comprising:\na source of hydrogen gas;\na fuel cell stack configured to receive hydrogen gas from the source and to produce an electric current therefrom, wherein the fuel cell stack comprises a plurality of fuel cells that each include a cathode chamber that is configured to receive an air stream and an anode chamber that is configured to receive hydrogen gas from the source;\na purge assembly configured to selectively purge the anode chambers of the fuel cells to reduce the concentration of at least a selected composition therein; and\na controller configured to selectively actuate the purge assembly responsive to a value of a process parameter representative of a performance of the fuel cell stack; wherein the process parameter includes the cumulative amp-hours of current produced by the fuel cell stack during an operative cycle of the fuel cell stack.",
"2. The system of claim 1, wherein the selected composition is water.",
"3. The system of claim 1, wherein the selected composition is nitrogen.",
"4. The system of claim 1, wherein the selected composition is methane.",
"5. The system of claim 1, wherein the purge assembly is configured to purge the anode chambers of the fuel cells with hydrogen gas from the source.",
"6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a sensor assembly in communication with the controller and including at least one sensor configured to measure the value of the process parameter.",
"7. The system of claim 1, wherein the process parameter further includes the power produced by the fuel cell stack during the operative cycle of the fuel cell stack.",
"8. The system of claim 1, wherein the process parameter further includes the rate at which water is generated in the fuel cell stack.",
"9. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to compare the value of the process parameter to a determined value and actuate the purge assembly if the value of the process parameter exceeds the determined value.",
"10. The system of claim 9, wherein the controller includes a memory device in which the determined value is stored.",
"11. The system of claim 1, wherein the system further includes at least one device configured to apply an electrical load to the fuel cell stack.",
"12. The system of claim 1, wherein the fuel cell stack includes at least one proton exchange membrane fuel cell.",
"13. The system of claim 1, wherein the fuel cell stack includes at least one alkaline fuel cell.",
"14. The system of claim 1, wherein the source includes a fuel processor configured to produce hydrogen gas from water and at least one carbon-containing feedstock.",
"15. The system of claim 14, wherein the fuel processor is configured to produce the hydrogen gas by steam reforming a carbon-containing feedstock and water.",
"16. The system of claim 14, wherein the fuel processor is configured to produce the hydrogen gas by partial oxidation of a carbon-containing feedstock.",
"17. The system of claim 14, wherein the fuel processor is configured to produce the hydrogen gas by pyrolysis of a carbon-containing feedstock.",
"18. The system of claim 1, wherein the source includes a storage device containing hydrogen gas.",
"19. The system of claim 18, wherein the storage device includes a storage tank.",
"20. The system of claim 18, wherein the storage device includes a hydride bed."
],
[
"1. A fuel cell system comprising:\na fuel cell stack including a plurality of single cells stacked on one another, each single cell including an anode to which fuel gas can be supplied, a cathode to which oxidizing gas can be supplied, and a solid polymer electrolyte membrane interposed between the anode and the cathode, the oxidizing gas and the fuel gas configured for counter-flow with respect to each other, the anode being divided into an anode outlet power collecting plate for measurement of local electric current at an anode-outlet side and an anode power collecting plate that collects power from regions other than the anode-outlet side;\na cell voltage detector that detects a cell voltage at a cathode outlet-side of a single cell;\na total voltage detector that detects a total voltage of the fuel cell stack;\na cell voltage difference computing unit configured to determine an average cell voltage from the total cell voltage detector and a minimum cell voltage from the cell voltage detector and to compute a difference between the average cell voltage and the minimum cell voltage;\na stack current detector that detects electric current in the fuel cell stack;\nan anode outlet local current detector that detects a local current at an anode outlet-side of the fuel cell stack;\na current density-computing unit configured to compute a stack current density from the stack current detector and an anode outlet local current density from the anode outlet local current detector; and\na wet state-judging unit configured to judge a wet state of the fuel cell stack based on the difference between the average cell voltage and the minimum cell voltage, and based on the difference between the stack current density and the anode outlet local current density,\nwherein the wet state judging unit is configured to judge that the anode is clogged with water if the difference between the average cell voltage and the minimum cell voltage is less than a first predetermined value and the difference between the stack current density and the anode outlet local current density is equal to or greater than a second predetermined value, and\nwherein the current density-computing unit is configured to store a stack effective area and an anode outlet effective area.",
"2. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, wherein the wet state-judging unit is configured to judge that the cathode is clogged with water if the difference between the average cell voltage and the minimum cell voltage is equal to or greater than a first predetermined value, and the difference between the stack current density and the anode outlet local current density is less than a second predetermined value.",
"3. The fuel cell system according to claim 2, further comprising:\nan oxidizing gas flow-adjusting unit that adjusts the oxidizing gas flow supplied to the cathode; and\na controller configured to control the flow of the oxidizing gas flow-adjusting unit, wherein the controller increases the oxidizing gas flow supplied to the cathode when the wet state judging unit determines that the cathode is clogged with water.",
"4. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, wherein the wet state-judging unit is configured to determine that the fuel cell stack is dry when the difference between the average cell voltage and the minimum cell voltage is equal to or greater than a first predetermined value, and the difference between the stack current density and the anode outlet local current density is equal to or greater than a second predetermined value.",
"5. The fuel cell system according to claim 4, further comprising:\nan oxidizing gas flow-adjusting unit that adjusts the oxidizing gas flow supplied to the cathode; and\na controller configured to control the flow of the oxidizing gas flow-adjusting unit, wherein the controller decreases the oxidizing gas flow supplied to the cathode when the wet state-judging unit determines that the fuel cell stack is dry.",
"6. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, further comprising:\na fuel gas flow-adjusting unit that adjusts the fuel gas flow supplied to the anode; and\na controller configured to control the flow in the fuel gas flow-adjusting unit, wherein the controller increases the fuel gas flow supplied to the anode when the wet state-judging unit judges that the anode is clogged with water.",
"7. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of single cells further includes a cooling channel in which a cooling medium can flow in parallel to the oxidizing gas."
]
] |
2. the following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 u.s.c. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this office action:
a person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
3. claim(s) 1-10 is/are rejected under 35 u.s.c. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by yamaguchi (jp publication 2007-048650).
regarding claims 1 and 9, yamaguchi discloses a fuel cell system of a vehicle comprising: a fuel cell mounted in a vehicle, a destination prediction unit that predicts the destination of the vehicle based on information from a car navigation system and outputs the predicted destination to a control device, wherein the control device performs the process of calculating a remaining distance to the destination, and performing a moisture removal operation of the fuel cell if it is determined that a calculated remaining distance is less than or equal to a predetermined distance so that the moisture removal occurs before arrival at the destination (paragraphs 0013, 0014, 0017-0020, 0023, 0024, 0026, 0027).
as to claim 2, yamaguchi teaches that the destination prediction unit may predict as the destination the destination that the driver inputs into the car navigation system, or the destination using history information recorded in the car navigation system as common places the vehicle travels to (paragraphs 0018, 0021-0022).
regarding claim 3, yamaguchi states that the destination prediction unit predicts the destination of the vehicle based on information from the car navigation system (paragraph 0019), which is known to be in use while the vehicle is driving.
as to claim 4, yamaguchi discloses that it is determined whether the remaining distance to the destination has reach a predetermined distance or less, and if so, then the water removal operation is started (paragraph 0026).
regarding claim 5, yamaguchi teaches a second embodiment wherein the predicted arrival time to the destination is calculated, and the arrival time calculated in a second step is determined to be less than or equal to a predetermined time (paragraph 0034). yamaguchi also teaches that the water removal operation is started when it is determined that the arrival time to the destination is within a predetermined time (paragraph 0036).
as to claim 6, yamaguchi states that the water removal operation can take place when the vehicle is on a driving path of the navigation system after the driver has input a destination (paragraph 0018).
regarding claims 7 and 8, yamaguchi discloses that the fuel cell system comprises a freeze prediction unit equipped with a calendar, an outside temperature sensor, a radio capable of receiving weather information, etc. that determines the possibility of freezing (paragraph 0039-0040). yamaguchi also discloses that if it is determined that there is a possibility of freezing, the moisture removal process is started (paragraphs 0043-0044).
as to claim 10, yamaguchi teaches that the fuel cell system comprises a notification unit that notifies the driver of the vehicle that the moisture removal operation is being performed, wherein the notification unit is a pilot lamp provided on an instrument panel that lights up (paragraphs 0042 and 0047).
yamaguchi teaches every limitation of claims 1-10 of the present invention and thus anticipates the claims.
|
[
"1. An optical interference range sensor comprising:\na light source configured to project a light beam while continuously varying a wavelength thereof;\nan interferometer comprising a splitting unit configured to split the light beam projected from the light source into light beams radiated toward a plurality of spots on a measurement target, the interferometer being configured to generate interference beams with the light beams split in correspondence with the plurality of spots, each of the interference beams being generated by interference between a measurement beam radiated toward the measurement target and reflected at the measurement target and a reference beam passing through an optical path that is at least partially different from an optical path of the measurement beam;\na light-receiving unit configured to receive the interference beams from the interferometer; and\na processor configured to detect a peak of the received interference beams, and calculate a distance to the measurement target by associating the detected peak with one of the spots,\nwherein an optical path length difference between the measurement beam and the reference beam is different among the light beams split in correspondence with the plurality of spots.",
"2. The optical interference range sensor according to claim 1,\nwherein peaks of the interference beams are shifted from each other.",
"3. The optical interference range sensor according to claim 1,\nwherein the interferometer generates each of the interference beams by interference between a first reflected beam that is a reflected beam of the measurement beam radiated toward the measurement target and reflected at the measurement target and a second reflected beam that is a reflected beam of the reference beam reflected at a reference surface.",
"4. The optical interference range sensor according to claim 3,\nwherein positions of leading ends of optical fiber cables for transmitting the respective light beams split in correspondence with the plurality of spots are shifted with respect to each other in an optical axis direction, each of the leading ends serving as the reference surface.",
"5. The optical interference range sensor according to claim 1,\nwherein a difference ΔL in the optical path length difference among the light beams split in correspondence with the plurality of spots is at least larger than a distance resolution δLFWHM, which is represented by:\n\nδL FWHM =c/nδf\n(where c: speed of light, n: refractive index in optical path difference, δf: frequency sweep width).",
"6. The optical interference range sensor according to claim 1,\nwherein the optical path length difference is set so that distances between adjacent peaks of the interference beams are different, and\nthe processor calculates the distance to the measurement target by associating the detected peak with the one of the spots, based on the distances between the adjacent peaks and a preset optical path length difference.",
"7. The optical interference range sensor according to claim 1,\nwherein the processor calculates the distance to the measurement target by associating the detected peak with the one of the spots, based on the detected peak and a detected peak of an interference beam received in the past.",
"8. The optical interference range sensor according to claim 1,\nwherein the light-receiving unit comprises an adjustment unit configured to equalize an amount of light of the interference beams corresponding to the respective spots.",
"9. The optical interference range sensor according to claim 1,\nwherein the processor generates a signal waveform by converting, to a distance by means of sub-pixel estimation, discrete values obtained by frequency-analyzing the interference beams received by the light-receiving unit.",
"10. The optical interference range sensor according to claim 1,\nwherein the processor obtains the distance to the measurement target by averaging distance values calculated by associating the detected peak with the one of the spots.",
"11. The optical interference range sensor according to claim 1,\nwherein the processor obtains the distance to the measurement target by averaging distance values calculated based on a peak having a signal intensity that is not smaller than a predetermined value, out of a plurality of the detected peaks.",
"12. The optical interference range sensor according to claim 2,\nwherein the interferometer generates each of the interference beams by interference between a first reflected beam that is a reflected beam of the measurement beam radiated toward the measurement target and reflected at the measurement target and a second reflected beam that is a reflected beam of the reference beam reflected at a reference surface.",
"13. The optical interference range sensor according to claim 2,\nwherein a difference ΔL in the optical path length difference among the light beams split in correspondence with the plurality of spots is at least larger than a distance resolution δLFWHM, which is represented by:\n\nδL FWHM =c/nδf\n(where c: speed of light, n: refractive index in optical path difference, δf: frequency sweep width).",
"14. The optical interference range sensor according to claim 3,\nwherein a difference ΔL in the optical path length difference among the light beams split in correspondence with the plurality of spots is at least larger than a distance resolution δLFWHM, which is represented by:\n\nδL FWHM =c/nδf\n(where c: speed of light, n: refractive index in optical path difference, δf: frequency sweep width).",
"15. The optical interference range sensor according to claim 4,\nwherein a difference ΔL in the optical path length difference among the light beams split in correspondence with the plurality of spots is at least larger than a distance resolution δLFWHM, which is represented by:\n\nδL FWHM =c/nδf\n(where c: speed of light, n: refractive index in optical path difference, δf: frequency sweep width).",
"16. The optical interference range sensor according to claim 2,\nwherein the optical path length difference is set so that distances between adjacent peaks of the interference beams are different, and\nthe processor calculates the distance to the measurement target by associating the detected peak with the one of the spots, based on the distances between the adjacent peaks and a preset optical path length difference.",
"17. The optical interference range sensor according to claim 3,\nwherein the optical path length difference is set so that distances between adjacent peaks of the interference beams are different, and\nthe processor calculates the distance to the measurement target by associating the detected peak with the one of the spots, based on the distances between the adjacent peaks and a preset optical path length difference.",
"18. The optical interference range sensor according to claim 4,\nwherein the optical path length difference is set so that distances between adjacent peaks of the interference beams are different, and\nthe processor calculates the distance to the measurement target by associating the detected peak with the one of the spots, based on the distances between the adjacent peaks and a preset optical path length difference.",
"19. The optical interference range sensor according to claim 5,\nwherein the optical path length difference is set so that distances between adjacent peaks of the interference beams are different, and\nthe processor calculates the distance to the measurement target by associating the detected peak with the one of the spots, based on the distances between the adjacent peaks and a preset optical path length difference.",
"20. The optical interference range sensor according to claim 2,\nwherein the processor calculates the distance to the measurement target by associating the detected peak with the one of the spots, based on the detected peak and a detected peak of an interference beam received in the past."
] |
US20230090501A1
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US20070278389A1
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[
"1. A system for determining a characteristic of a sample, the system comprising:\na light source for providing a light;\na splitter receptive to said light from said light source to produce a sensing light portion and a reference light portion;\na sensing light path comprising,\na light path configured to communicate said sensing light portion from said splitter and said sensing light portion reflected from the sample,\na plurality of probe light paths configured to direct said sensing light portion at the sample and to receive said sensing light portion reflected from the sample,\nan optical switch selectable to define communication between said light path and a selected at least one of said probe light paths; and\nmeans for increasing and decreasing the effective light path length of said sensing light path;\na reflecting device;\na reference light path configured to communicate said reference light portion from said splitter, said reference light path further configured to direct said reference light portion at said reflecting device and to receive said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device;\nmeans for increasing and decreasing the effective light path length of said reference light path;\nwherein said means for increasing and decreasing the effective light path length of said sensing light path and said means for increasing and decreasing the effective light path length of said reference light path are configured such that when one of said means is increasing the other of said means is decreasing;\nwherein said means for increasing and decreasing the effective light path length of said sensing light path and said means for increasing and decreasing the effective light path length of said reference light path are increased and decreased to obtain an effective light path length difference between the effective light path lengths of said sensing light path and said reference light path within about a coherence length of said light;\na detector receptive to said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device, said detector generating a signal indicative of an interference of said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device; and\nprocessing means configured to determine a characteristic of the sample from said signal indicative of said interference of said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device.",
"2. The system of claim 1 wherein said means for increasing and decreasing the effective light path length of said sensing light path and said means for increasing and decreasing the effective light path length of said reference light path each comprise a piezoelectric modulator.",
"3. The system of claim 1 wherein said splitter has an asymmetrical ratio such that said sensing light portion is greater than said reference light portion.",
"4. The system of claim 1 wherein said detector comprises at least one photodetector.",
"5. The system of claim 1 further comprising means for maintaining polarization of said light.",
"6. The system of claim 1 wherein said broadband light source comprises a superluminescent diode.",
"7. The system of claim 1 wherein said optical switch is digitally selectable.",
"8. The system of claim 1 wherein the sample comprises a biological sample.",
"9. The system of claim 1 wherein said probe light paths are configured as a catheter.",
"10. A system for determining a characteristic of a sample, the system comprising:\na light source for providing a light;\na splitter receptive to said light from said light source to produce a sensing light portion and a reference light portion;\na sensing light path comprising,\na light path configured to communicate said sensing light portion from said splitter and said sensing light portion reflected from said sample,\na plurality of probe light paths configured to direct said sensing light portion at the sample and to receive said sensing light portion reflected from the sample, and\na plurality of switches arranged in a multi-level configuration, said optical switches selectable to define communication between said light path and a selected at least one of said probe light paths;\na reflecting device;\na reference light path configured to communicate said reference light portion from said splitter, said reference light path further configured to direct said reference light portion at said reflecting device and to receive said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device;\nmeans for generating an interference condition between said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device;\na detector receptive to said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device, said detector generating a signal indicative of an interference of said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device; and\nprocessing means configured to determine a characteristic of the sample from said signal indicative of said interference of said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device.",
"11. The system of claim 10 wherein said means for generating said interference condition comprises means for generating said interference condition in a time domain.",
"12. The system of claim 10 wherein said means for generating said interference condition comprises means for generating said interference condition in a frequency domain.",
"13. The system of claim 11 wherein said means for generating said interference condition in the time domain comprises:\nmeans for varying an effective light path length of said at least one of said reference light path and said sensing light path to within about a coherence length of said light.",
"14. The system of claim 12 wherein said means for generating said interference condition in the frequency domain comprises:\nmeans for varying a frequency of said light from said light source.",
"15. The system of claim 10 wherein said splitter has an asymmetrical ratio such that said sensing light portion is greater than said reference light portion.",
"16. The system of claim 10 wherein said optical switches are digitally selectable.",
"17. The system of claim 10 wherein the sample comprises a biological sample.",
"18. The system of claim 10 wherein said probe light paths are configured as a catheter.",
"19. A system for determining a characteristic of a sample, the system comprising:\na light source for providing a light;\na splitter receptive to said light from said light source to produce a sensing light portion and a reference light portion;\na sensing light path comprising,\na light path configured to communicate said sensing light portion from said splitter and said sensing light portion reflected from the sample,\na plurality of probe light paths configured to direct said sensing light portion at the sample and to receive said sensing light portion reflected from the sample, and\nan optical switch selectable to define communication between said light path and a selected at least one of said probe light paths;\na reflecting device;\na reference light path configured to communicate said reference light portion from said splitter, said reference light path further configured to direct said reference light portion at said reflecting device and to receive said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device;\nmeans for generating an interference condition between said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device and said sensing light portion reflected from the sample;\na detector receptive to said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device and said sensing light portion reflected from the sample, said detector generating a signal indicative of an interference of said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device and said sensing light portion reflected from the sample;\na first circulator disposed in said reference light path to transfer said reference light portion from said splitter to said reflecting device, and to transfer said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device to said detector;\na second circulator disposed in said sensing light path to transfer said sensing light portion from said splitter to said optical switch, and to transfer said sensing light portion reflected from the sample to said detector;\na coupler receptive to said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device and transferred by said first circulator, said coupler receptive also to said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and transferred by said second circulator, said coupler presenting said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device and said sensing light portion reflected from the sample to said detector; and\nprocessing means configured to determine a characteristic of the sample from said signal indicative of said interference of said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device and said sensing light portion reflected from the sample.",
"20. The system of claim 19 wherein said means for generating said interference condition comprises means for generating said interference condition in a time domain.",
"21. The system of claim 19 wherein said means for generating said interference condition comprises means for generating said interference condition in a frequency domain.",
"22. The system of claim 20 wherein said means for generating said interference condition in the time domain comprises:\nmeans for varying an effective light path length of said at least one of said reference light path and said sensing light path to within about a coherence length of said light.",
"23. The system of claim 21 wherein said means for generating said interference condition in the frequency domain comprises:\nmeans for varying a frequency of said light from said light source.",
"24. The system of claim 19 wherein said splitter has an asymmetrical ratio such that said sensing light portion is greater than said reference light portion.",
"25. The system of claim 19 wherein said detector comprises at least one photodetector.",
"26. The system of claim 19 further comprising means for maintaining polarization of said light.",
"27. The system of claim 19 wherein said broadband light source comprises a superluminescent diode.",
"28. The system of claim 19 wherein said optical switch is digitally selectable.",
"29. The system of claim 19 wherein the sample comprises a biological sample.",
"30. The system of claim 19 wherein said probe light paths are configured as a catheter.",
"31. A system for determining a characteristic of a sample, the system comprising:\na light source for providing a light;\na splitter receptive to said light from said light source to produce a sensing light portion and a reference light portion;\na sensing light path comprising,\na light path configured to communicate said sensing light portion from said splitter and said sensing light portion reflected from the sample,\na plurality of probe light paths configured to direct said sensing light portion at the sample and to receive said sensing light portion reflected from the sample, and\nan optical switch selectable to define communication between said light path and a selected at least one of said probe light paths;\na reflecting device;\na reference light path configured to communicate said reference light portion from said splitter, said reference light path further configured to direct said reference light portion at said reflecting device and to receive said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device;\nmeans for generating an interference condition in a frequency domain between said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device;\na detector receptive to said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device, said detector generating a signal indicative of an interference of said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device; and\nprocessing means configured to determine a characteristic of the sample from said signal indicative of said interference of said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device.",
"32. The system of claim 31 wherein said means for generating said interference condition in the frequency domain comprises:\nmeans for varying a frequency of said light from said light source.",
"33. The system of claim 31 wherein said detector comprises at least one photodetector.",
"34. The system of claim 31 further comprising means for maintaining polarization of said light.",
"35. The system of claim 31 wherein said broadband light source comprises a superluminescent diode.",
"36. The system of claim 31 wherein said optical switch is digitally selectable.",
"37. The system of claim 31 wherein the sample comprises a biological sample.",
"38. The system of claim 31 wherein said probe light paths are configured as a catheter.",
"39. A system for determining a characteristic of a sample, the system comprising:\na light source for providing a light;\na splitter receptive to said light from said light source to produce a sensing light portion and a reference light portion, said splitter having an asymmetrical ratio such that said sensing light portion is greater than said reference light portion;\na sensing light path comprising,\na light path configured to communicate said sensing light portion from said splitter and said sensing light portion reflected from the sample,\na plurality of probe light paths configured to direct said sensing light portion at the sample and to receive said sensing light portion reflected from the sample, and\nan optical switch selectable to define communication between said light path and a selected at least one of said probe light paths;\na reflecting device;\na reference light path configured to communicate said reference light portion from said splitter, said reference light path further configured to direct said reference light portion at said reflecting device and to receive said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device;\nmeans for generating an interference condition between said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device;\na detector receptive to said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device, said detector generating a signal indicative of an interference of said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device; and\nprocessing means configured to determine a characteristic of the sample from said signal indicative of said interference of said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device.",
"40. The system of claim 39 wherein said asymmetrical ratio is about x:100−x, where 100−x represents a relative amount of said sensing light portion and x represents a relative amount of said reference light portion in said asymmetrical ratio",
"41. The system of claim 39 wherein said means for generating said interference condition comprises means for generating said interference condition in a time domain.",
"42. The system of claim 39 wherein said means for generating said interference condition comprises means for generating said interference condition in a frequency domain.",
"43. The system of claim 41 wherein said means for generating said interference condition in the time domain comprises:\nmeans for varying an effective light path length of said at least one of said reference light path and said sensing light path to within about a coherence length of said light.",
"44. The system of claim 42 wherein said means for generating said interference condition in the frequency domain comprises:\nmeans for varying a frequency of said light from said light source.",
"45. The system of claim 39 wherein said optical switches are digitally selectable.",
"46. The system of claim 39 wherein the sample comprises a biological sample.",
"47. The system of claim 39 wherein said probe light paths are configured as a catheter.",
"48. A system for determining a characteristic of a sample, the system comprising:\na light source for providing a light;\na splitter receptive to said light from said light source to produce a sensing light portion and a reference light portion;\na sensing light path comprising,\na light path configured to communicate said sensing light portion from said splitter and said sensing light portion reflected from the sample,\na plurality of probe light paths configured to direct said sensing light portion at the sample and to receive said sensing light portion reflected from the sample, and\nan optical switch selectable to define communication between said light path and a selected at least one of said probe light paths;\na reflecting device;\na reference light path configured to communicate said reference light portion from said splitter, said reference light path further configured to direct said reference light portion at said reflecting device and to receive said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device;\na variable optical attenuator disposed in said reference light path to attenuate said reference light portion;\nmeans for generating an interference condition between said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device;\na detector receptive to said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device, said detector generating a signal indicative of an interference of said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device; and\nprocessing means configured to determine a characteristic of the sample from said signal indicative of said interference of said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device.",
"49. The system of claim 48 further comprising:\na digital voltage controller configured to control said variable optical attenuator.",
"50. The system of claim 48 wherein said means for generating said interference condition comprises means for generating said interference condition in a time domain.",
"51. The system of claim 48 wherein said means for generating said interference condition comprises means for generating said interference condition in a frequency domain.",
"52. The system of claim 50 wherein said means for generating said interference condition in the time domain comprises:\nmeans for varying an effective light path length of said at least one of said reference light path and said sensing light path to within about a coherence length of said light.",
"53. The system of claim 51 wherein said means for generating said interference condition in the frequency domain comprises:\nmeans for varying a frequency of said light from said light source.",
"54. The system of claim 48 wherein said optical switches are digitally selectable.",
"55. The system of claim 48 wherein the sample comprises a biological sample.",
"56. The system of claim 48 wherein said probe light paths are configured as a catheter.",
"57. A method for determining a characteristic of a sample, the method comprising:\nasymmetrically splitting a light from a light source into a sensing light portion and a reference light portion, said sensing light portion being greater than said reference light portion;\nselecting a probe light path from a plurality of probe light paths, said probe light paths forming a portion of a sensing light path;\ndirecting said sensing light portion by means of said sensing light path, including the selected at least one of said probe light paths, at the sample;\nreceiving said sensing light portion reflected from the sample by means of said sensing light path, including the selected at least one of said probe light paths;\ndirecting said reference light portion by means of a reference light path at a reflecting device;\nreceiving said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device by means of said reference light path;\ngenerating an interference condition between said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device;\ndetecting said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device, to generate a signal indicative of an interference of said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device; and\ndetermining a characteristic of the sample from said signal indicative of said interference of said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device.",
"58. The method of claim 57 wherein said generating said interference condition comprises generating said interference condition in a time domain.",
"59. The method of claim 57 wherein said generating said interference condition comprises generating said interference condition in a frequency domain.",
"60. The method of claim 58 wherein said generating said interference condition in the time domain comprises:\nvarying an effective light path length of said at least one of said reference light path and said sensing light path to within about a coherence length of said light.",
"61. The method of claim 59 wherein said generating said interference condition in the frequency domain comprises:\nvarying a frequency of said light from said light source.",
"62. The method of claim 57 further comprising maintaining polarization of said light.",
"63. The method of claim 57 wherein said light comprises a broadband light.",
"64. The method of claim 57 wherein said light comprises laser lights.",
"65. The method of claim 57 wherein the sample comprises a biological sample.",
"66. A method for determining a characteristic of a sample, the method comprising:\nsplitting a light from a light source into a sensing light portion and a reference light portion;\nselecting a probe light path from a plurality of probe light paths, said probe light paths forming a portion of a sensing light path;\ndirecting said sensing light portion by means of said sensing light path, including the selected at least one of said probe light paths, at the sample;\nreceiving said sensing light portion reflected from the sample by means of said sensing light path, including the selected at least one of said probe light paths;\ndirecting said reference light portion by means of a reference light path at a reflecting device;\nreceiving said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device by means of said reference light path;\ngenerating an interference condition in a frequency domain between said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device;\ndetecting said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device, to generate a signal indicative of an interference of said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device; and\ndetermining a characteristic of the sample from said signal indicative of said interference of said sensing light portion reflected from the sample and said reference light portion reflected from said reflecting device.",
"67. The method of claim 66 wherein said generating said interference condition in the frequency domain comprises:\nvarying a frequency of said light from said light source.",
"68. The method of claim 66 further comprising maintaining polarization of said light.",
"69. The method of claim 66 wherein said light comprises a broadband light.",
"70. The method of claim 66 wherein said light comprises laser lights.",
"71. The method of claim 66 wherein the sample comprises a biological sample."
] |
[
[
"1. A three-dimensional measurement device, comprising:\na predetermined optical system that:\nsplits a predetermined incident light into two lights;\nradiates one of the two lights as a measurement light to a measurement object and the other of the two lights as a reference light to a reference surface; and\nrecombines the two lights to a combined light and emits the combined light;\na first irradiator that emits a first light that comprises a polarized light of a first wavelength and enters a first input-output element of the predetermined optical system;\na second irradiator that emits a second light that comprises a polarized light of a second wavelength and enters a second input-output element of the predetermined optical system;\na first camera that takes an image of an output light with regard to the first light that is emitted from the second input-output element when the first light enters the first input-output element;\na second camera that takes an image of an output light with regard to the second light that is emitted from the first input-output element when the second light enters the second input-output element; and\nan image processor that performs three-dimensional measurement of the measurement object, based on interference fringe images taken by the first and the second camera.",
"2. The three-dimensional measurement device according to claim 1, further comprising:\na first light guide that causes at least part of the first light emitted from the first irradiator to enter the first input-output element and that causes at least part of the output light with regard to the second light emitted from the first input-output element to enter the second camera; and\na second light guide that causes at least part of the second light emitted from the second irradiator to enter the second input-output element and that causes a least part of the output light with regard to the first light emitted from the second input-output element to enter the first camera.",
"3. The three-dimensional measurement device according to claim 2, further comprising:\na first light isolator that is placed between the first irradiator and the first light guide and that transmits only a light in one direction out of the light emitted from the first irradiator and blocks a light in a reverse direction; and\na second light isolator that is placed between the second irradiator and the second light guide and that transmits only a light in one direction out of the light emitted from the second irradiator and blocks a light in a reverse direction.",
"4. The three-dimensional measurement device according to claim 1, further comprising:\na first polarizer that gives a relative phase difference between the reference light and the measurement light with regard to the first light; and\na second polarizer that gives a relative phase difference between the reference light and the measurement light with regard to the second light, wherein\nthe image processor:\nmeasures a phase corresponding to a shape of the measurement object by a phase shift method, based on a plurality of interference fringe images of the output light with regard to the first light taken by the first camera when the output light with regard to the first light is subjected to phase shift a plurality of times by the first polarizer, and obtains the phase as a first measurement value;\nmeasures a phase corresponding to the shape of the measurement object by the phase shift method, based on a plurality of interference fringe images of the output light with regard to the second light taken by the second camera when the output light with regard to the second light is subjected to phase shift a plurality of times by the second polarizer, and obtains the phase as a second measurement value; and\nobtains height information specified from the first measurement value and the second measurement value, as height information of the measurement object.",
"5. The three-dimensional measurement device according to claim 4, further comprising:\na first spectroscope that splits the output light with regard to the first light into a plurality of lights;\na first filter, as the first polarizer, that gives different phase differences to at least a required number of split lights required for measurement by the phase shift method, out of a plurality of split lights split by the first spectroscope;\na second spectroscope that splits the output light with regard to the second light into a plurality of lights; and\na second filter, as the second polarizer, that gives different phase differences to at least a required number of split lights required for measurement by the phase shift method, out of a plurality of split lights split by the second spectroscope, wherein\nthe first camera simultaneously takes images of at least the plurality of split lights transmitted through the first filter, and\nthe second camera simultaneously takes images of at least the plurality of split lights transmitted through the second filter.",
"6. The three-dimensional measurement device according to claim 5,\nwherein the spectroscope comprises:\na first optical member that is a triangular prism having a triangular sectional shape along a first plane and comprises a first splitter arranged along a plane that goes through a line of intersection between a first surface and a second surface out of three surfaces along a direction perpendicular to the first plane and that is orthogonal to a third surface; and\na second optical member that is a triangular prism having a triangular sectional shape along a second plane orthogonal to the first plane and comprises a second splitter arranged along a plane that goes through a line of intersection between a first surface and a second surface out of three surfaces along a direction perpendicular to the second plane and that is orthogonal to a third surface, wherein\nthe third surface of the first optical member is arranged to be opposed to the first surface of the second optical member, such that\na light entering the first surface of the first optical member is split in two directions by the first splitter; a split light reflected by the first splitter is reflected at the first surface toward the third surface, and a split light transmitted through the first splitter is reflected at the second surface toward the third surface, so that two parallel split lights are emitted from the third surface;\nthe two split lights emitted from the third surface of the first optical member enter the first surface of the second optical member; each of the two split lights is split in two directions by the second splitter; two split lights reflected by the second splitter are respectively reflected at the first surface toward the third surface, and two split lights transmitted through the second splitter are respectively reflected at the second surface toward the third surface, so that four parallel split lights are emitted from the third surface.",
"7. The three-dimensional measurement device according to claim 6,\nwherein the first camera comprises a single imaging element that simultaneously takes images of at least the plurality of split lights transmitted through the first filter, and\nthe second camera comprises a single imaging element that simultaneously takes images of at least the plurality of split lights transmitted through the second filter.",
"8. The three-dimensional measurement device according to claim 7,\nwherein the measurement object is either solder paste printed on a printed circuit board or a solder bump formed on a wafer substrate.",
"9. The three-dimensional measurement device according to claim 6,\nwherein the measurement object is either solder paste printed on a printed circuit board or a solder bump formed on a wafer substrate.",
"10. The three-dimensional measurement device according to claim 5,\nwherein the first camera comprises a single imaging element that simultaneously takes images of at least the plurality of split lights transmitted through the first filter, and\nthe second camera comprises a single imaging element that simultaneously takes images of at least the plurality of split lights transmitted through the second filter.",
"11. The three-dimensional measurement device according to claim 10,\nwherein the measurement object is either solder paste printed on a printed circuit board or a solder bump formed on a wafer substrate.",
"12. The three-dimensional measurement device according to claim 5,\nwherein the measurement object is either solder paste printed on a printed circuit board or a solder bump formed on a wafer substrate.",
"13. The three-dimensional measurement device according to claim 4,\nwherein the measurement object is either solder paste printed on a printed circuit board or a solder bump formed on a wafer substrate.",
"14. The three-dimensional measurement device according to claim 1,\nwherein the measurement object is either solder paste printed on a printed circuit board or a solder bump formed on a wafer substrate.",
"15. A three-dimensional measurement device, comprising:\na polarizing beam splitter that:\ncomprises a boundary surface that splits a predetermined incident light into two polarized lights having polarizing directions orthogonal to each other;\nradiates one of the split polarized lights as a measurement light to a measurement object and the other of the split polarized lights as a reference light to a reference surface; and\nrecombines the two polarized lights to a combined light and emits the combined light;\na first irradiator that emits a first light that comprises a polarized light of a first wavelength and enters a first surface as a first input-output element of the polarizing beam splitter, out of the first surface and a second surface of the polarizing beam splitter arranged to adjoin to each other across the boundary surface;\na second irradiator that emits a second light that comprises a polarized light of a second wavelength and enters the second surface as a second input-output element of the polarizing beam splitter;\na first quarter wave plate placed between the reference surface and a third surface of the polarizing beam splitter which the reference light enters and is emitted from;\na second quarter wave plate placed between the measurement object and a fourth surface of the polarizing beam splitter which the measurement light enters and is emitted from;\na first camera that takes an image of an output light with regard to the first light that is emitted from the second surface when the first light enters the first surface of the polarizing beam splitter;\na second camera that takes an image of an output light with regard to the second light that is emitted from the first surface when the second light enters the second surface of the polarizing beam splitter; and\nan image processor that performs three-dimensional measurement of the measurement object, based on interference fringe images taken by the first and the second camera.",
"16. The three-dimensional measurement device according to claim 15, further comprising:\na first light guide that causes at least part of the first light emitted from the first irradiator to enter the first input-output element and that causes at least part of the output light with regard to the second light emitted from the first input-output element to enter the second camera; and\na second light guide that causes at least part of the second light emitted from the second irradiator to enter the second input-output element and that causes a least part of the output light with regard to the first light emitted from the second input-output element to enter the first camera.",
"17. The three-dimensional measurement device according to claim 16, further comprising:\na first light isolator that is placed between the first irradiator and the first light guide and that transmits only a light in one direction out of the light emitted from the first irradiator and blocks a light in a reverse direction; and\na second light isolator that is placed between the second irradiator and the second light guide and that transmits only a light in one direction out of the light emitted from the second irradiator and blocks a light in a reverse direction.",
"18. A three-dimensional measurement device, comprising:\na predetermined optical system that:\nsplits a predetermined incident light into two polarized lights having polarizing directions orthogonal to each other;\nradiates one of the polarized lights as a measurement light to a measurement object and the other of the polarized lights as a reference light to a reference surface; and\nrecombines the two polarized lights to a combined light and emits the combined light;\na first irradiator that emits a first light that has a first wavelength and enters the predetermined optical system;\na second irradiator that emits a second light that has a second wavelength different from the first wavelength and enters the predetermined optical system;\na first camera that takes an image of an output light with regard to the first light that is emitted from the predetermined optical system;\na second camera that takes an image of an output light with regard to the second light that is emitted from the predetermined optical system; and\nan image processor that performs three-dimensional measurement of the measurement object, based on interference fringe images taken by the first and the second camera, wherein\nthe first light and the second light enter different positions of the predetermined optical system, and\nthe predetermined optical system:\nsplits the first light into the reference light that is a first polarized light having a first polarizing direction and the measurement light that is a second polarized light having a second polarizing direction;\nsplits the second light into the reference light that is the second polarized light and the measurement light that is the first polarized light; and\nemits the output light with regard to the first light by recombining the split lights and the output light with regard to the second light by recombining the split lights from different positions of the predetermined optical system."
],
[
"1. A bore testing device for testing an inner surface of a bore in a workpiece to detect surface defects in the bore in the workpiece, the bore testing device comprising:\na) a measuring head which defines an axial direction, and on which an optical system is situated which is in image transmission connection with an image recorder and a downstream evaluation apparatus;\nb) an illumination arrangement is provided, the illumination apparatus illuminates an imaging area of the inner surface of the bore in the workpiece which is detected by the optical system;\nc) the illumination arrangement illuminates the inner surface of the bore in the workpiece to be tested from different illumination directions and generates shadow images of a topography of the inner surface of the bore in the workpiece;\nd) the downstream evaluation apparatus determines the topography based on the shadow images recorded by the image recorder;\ne) the illumination apparatus has a first light source arrangement which illuminates the inner surface from a first illumination direction, and a second light source arrangement which illuminates the inner surface from a second illumination direction;\nf) the first light source arrangement radially illuminates the inner surface, and the second light source arrangement tangentially illuminates the inner surface in the peripheral direction; and\ng)an advancing apparatus for advancing the measuring head in the axial direction in a stepwise manner is associated with the measuring head.",
"2. The testing device according to claim 1, wherein:\na) one of the first and second light source arrangements is configured for rotationally symmetrical illumination of the inner surface.",
"3. The testing device according to claim 1, wherein:\na) one of the first and second light source arrangements has a plurality of light sources arranged in a ring shape in the peripheral direction.",
"4. The testing device according to claim 3, wherein:\na) the first and second light source arrangements include light-emitting diodes.",
"5. The testing device according to claim 1, wherein:\na) the first and second light source arrangements are separated at a distance from one another in the axial direction, and irradiate in opposite directions.",
"6. The testing device according to claim 1, wherein:\na) a control device is provided for controlling the first and second light source arrangements.",
"7. The testing device according to claim 6, wherein:\na) the control device chronologically successively illuminates the inner surface from the different illumination directions.",
"8. The testing device e according to claim 1, wherein:\na) a separate illumination color is associated with each of the first and second illumination directions; and\nb) the image recorder includes a color sensor.",
"9. The testing device according to claim 1, wherein:\na) the optical system is an optical system with a panoramic view.",
"10. The testing device according to claim 1, wherein:\na) the measuring head or the measuring head together with the illumination arrangement, is an endoscope which is insertable into the bore to be tested.",
"11. The testing device according to claim 1, wherein:\na) the image recorder is a digital image recorder.",
"12. The testing device according to claim 1, wherein:\na) the evaluation apparatus is a digital evaluation apparatus.",
"13. The testing device according to claim 1, wherein:\na) the evaluation apparatus evaluates the shadow images recorded by the image recorder according to shape from the shading method.",
"14. A bore testing device for testing an inner surface of a bore in a workpiece to detect surface defects in the bore in the workpiece, the bore testing device comprising:\na) a measuring head which defines an axial direction, and on which an optical system is situated which is in image transmission connection with an image recorder and a downstream evaluation apparatus;\nb) an illumination arrangement is provided, the illumination apparatus illuminates an imaging area of the inner surface of the bore in the workpiece which is detected by the optical system;\nc) the illumination arrangement illuminates the inner surface of the bore in the workpiece to be tested from different illumination directions and generates shadow images of a topography of the inner surface of the bore in the workpiece;\nd) the downstream evaluation apparatus determines the topography of the inner surface of the bore in the workpiece based on the shadow images of the topography of the inner surface of the bore in the workpiece recorded by the image recorder; and\ne) an advancing apparatus is provided, the advancing apparatus advances the measuring head in the axial direction in a stepwise manner.",
"15. The testing device according to claim 14,\nwherein:\na) the illumination apparatus has a first light source arrangement for illuminating the inner surface from a first illumination direction, and a second lightsource arrangement for illuminating the inner surface from a second illumination direction.",
"16. The testing device according to claim 15,\nwherein:\na) the first light source arrangement is configured for radially illuminating the inner surface, and the second light source arrangement is configured for tangentially illuminating the inner surface in the peripheral direction.",
"17. A bore testing device for testing an inner surface of a bore in a workpiece to detect surface defects in the bore in the workpiece, the bore testing device comprising:\na) a measuring head which defines an axial direction, and on which an optical system is situated which is in image transmission connection with an image recorder and a downstream evaluation apparatus;\nb) an illumination arrangement is provided, the illumination apparatus illuminates an imaging area of the inner surface of the bore in the workpiece which is detected by the optical system;\nc) the illumination arrangement illuminates the inner surface of the bore in the workpiece to be tested from different illumination directions and generates shadow images of a topography of the inner surface of the bore in the workpiece;\nd) the downstream evaluation apparatus determines the topography of the inner surface of the bore in the workpiece based on the shadow images of the topography of the inner surface of the bore in the workpiece recorded by the image recorder; and\ne) an advancing apparatus is provided, the advancing apparatus advances the measuring head in the axial direction in a stepwise and in a continuous manner.",
"18. The testing device according to claim 17, wherein:\na) the illumination apparatus has a first light source arrangement for illuminating the inner surface from a first illumination direction, and a second light source arrangement for illuminating the inner surface from a second illumination direction.",
"19. The testing device according to claim 17, wherein:\na) the first light source arrangement is configured for radially illuminating the inner surface, and the second light source arrangement is configured for tangentially illuminating the inner surface in the peripheral direction."
],
[
"1. A LIght Detection And Ranging (LIDAR) system, comprising:\na first laser subsystem configured to transmit a first laser beam at a first location on an object at a time;\na second laser subsystem configured to transmit a second laser beam at a second location on the object at the time; and\nan analyzer configured to analyze data based on laser beams produced by the LIDAR system, the analyzer configured to calculate a first range based on a first reflected laser beam reflected from the object in response to the first laser beam, the analyzer configured to calculate a second range based on a second reflected laser beam reflected from the object in response to the second laser beam, the analyzer configured to detect a vibration velocity field over the object;\nthe first location being targeted by the first laser subsystem and the second location being targeted by the second laser subsystem such that a first displacement due to the vibration velocity field at the first location is substantially the same as a second displacement due to the vibration velocity field at the second location while the vibration velocity field is being detected.",
"2. The LIDAR system of claim 1, wherein the first range and the second range correspond with the time.",
"3. The LIDAR system of claim 1, wherein the first laser subsystem includes a laser source, a splitter and a delay, the splitter being disposed between the laser source and the delay.",
"4. The LIDAR system of claim 1, wherein the first laser subsystem includes a laser source, a delay and a combiner, the delay being disposed between the combiner and the laser source.",
"5. The LIDAR system of claim 1, wherein the analyzer is configured to calculate a constant velocity of a surface of the object, the analyzer is configured to correct a first displacement based on the constant velocity of the surface.",
"6. The LIDAR system of claim 1, wherein the analyzer is configured to calculate a varying velocity of a surface of the object, the analyzer is configured to correct the second range based on the varying velocity of the surface.",
"7. The LIDAR system of claim 1, wherein the first range and the second range are included in a first set of simultaneous measurements, the time is a first time,\nthe first laser subsystem configured to transmit a third laser beam at a third location on the object at a second time;\nthe second laser subsystem configured to transmit a fourth laser beam at a fourth location on the object at the second time,\nthe analyzer configured to calculate a third range based on a third reflected laser beam from the third laser beam, the analyzer configured to calculate a fourth range based on a fourth reflected laser beam from the fourth laser beam,\nthe third range and the fourth range are included in a second set of simultaneous measurements,\nthe analyzer configured to modify the first range based on first set of simultaneous measurements and the second set of simultaneous measurements.",
"8. The LIDAR system of claim 1, wherein the first range is a first estimated range calculated based on the first reflected laser beam and the second range is a second estimated range calculated based on the first reflected laser beam and the second reflected laser beam.",
"9. A LIght Detection And Ranging (LIDAR) system, comprising:\na first laser subsystem configured to transmit a first laser beam at a first location on an object at a time;\na second laser subsystem configured to transmit a second laser beam at a second location on the object at the time; and\nan analyzer configured to analyze data based on laser beams produced by the LIDAR system, the analyzer configured to calculate a first range based on a first reflected laser beam reflected from the object in response to the first laser beam, the analyzer configured to calculate a second range based on a second reflected laser beam reflected from the object in response to the second laser beam, the analyzer configured to detect a vibration velocity field over the object,\nthe first location having a proximity to the second location such that a first displacement due to the vibration velocity field at the first location is linearly related to a second displacement due to the vibration velocity field at the first location while the vibration velocity field is being detected.",
"10. The LIDAR system of claim 9, wherein the analyzer is further configured to calculate a constant velocity of a surface of the object, the analyzer is configured to correct the first range based on the constant velocity of the surface.",
"11. The LIDAR system of claim 9, wherein the analyzer is further configured to calculate a varying velocity of a surface of the object, the analyzer is configured to correct the first range based on the varying velocity of the surface.",
"12. The LIDAR system of claim 9, wherein the analyzer is configured to calculate a relative range between the first location and the second location at the time independent of absolute range accuracy.",
"13. The LIDAR system of claim 9, wherein the first laser subsystem is fixedly located with respect to the second laser subsystem.",
"14. The LIDAR system of claim 9, wherein the first range is a first estimated range calculated based on the first reflected laser beam and the second range is a second estimated range calculated based on the first reflected laser beam and the second reflected laser beam.",
"15. The LIDAR system of claim 9, wherein the analyzer is further configured to:\ncalculate a first velocity based on a first reflected laser beam reflected from the object in response to the first laser beam; and\ncalculate a variation in the first range based on a variation in the first velocity.",
"16. The LIDAR system of claim 9, wherein the analyzer is further configured to:\ncalculate a second velocity based on a first reflected laser beam reflected from the object in response to the second laser beam; and,\ncalculate a variation in the second range based on a variation in the second velocity.",
"17. The LIDAR system of claim 9, wherein the analyzer is further configured to:\ncalculate a first velocity based on a first reflected laser beam reflected from the object in response to the first laser beam; and\ncalculate a constant velocity of a surface of the object, the analyzer is configured to correct the first velocity at the first location based on the constant velocity of the surface.",
"18. The LIDAR system of claim 9, wherein the analyzer is further configured to:\ncalculate a second velocity based on a second reflected laser beam reflected from the object in response to the second laser beam; and\ncalculate a varying velocity of a surface of the object, the analyzer is configured to correct the second velocity based on the varying velocity of the surface.",
"19. A method, comprising:\ndetecting a vibration velocity field over an object;\ntransmitting a first laser beam at a first location on the object at a time;\ntransmitting a second laser beam at a second location on the object at the time;\ngenerating a first range based on a first reflected laser beam reflected from the object in response to the first laser beam;\ngenerating a second range based on a second reflected laser beam reflected from the object in response to the second laser beam,\nthe first location being targeted by the first laser subsystem and the second location being targeted by the second laser subsystem such that a first Doppler shift for the first laser beam and a second Doppler shift for the second laser beam are substantially the same while the vibration velocity field is being detected."
],
[
"1. An optical coherence tomography (OCT) system comprising:\na light source for generating a light beam to illuminate a sample;\na beam divider for separating the light beam into reference and sample arms, wherein the sample arm contains the sample to be imaged;\nsample arm optics for sequentially illuminating a location in the sample with the light beam from different angles;\na detector for receiving light returning from the reference arm and the sample illuminated at each angle and generating signals in response thereto;\na processor for coherently combining the signals from the different angles to generate an image of the sample, said image having a transverse resolution that is higher than the transverse resolution achieved from the signal generated from a single angle and wherein the coherently combining involves averaging or adding complex OCT data from the different angles.",
"2. The OCT system as recited in claim 1, wherein the sample is an eye.",
"3. The OCT system as recited in claim 1, wherein the sample arm optics comprise a splitter for dividing the light beam into multiple imaging beams and an optical switch, wherein sequential illumination of the sample at different angles is achieved with the optical switch.",
"4. The OCT system as recited in claim 3, wherein an imaging beam from the multiple imaging beams illuminates a point on the sample.",
"5. The OCT system as recited in claim 3, wherein an imaging beam from the multiple imaging beams illuminates a line on the sample.",
"6. The OCT system as recited in claim 1, wherein the OCT system is a holoscopic system.",
"7. The OCT system as recited in claim 1, wherein the sample arm optics include a corner cube reflector and a pivoting mirror element, wherein the sequential angle illumination is achieved by moving the beam on the pivoting mirror element using the corner cube reflector.",
"8. The OCT system as recited in claim 1, wherein an optical phase adjustment is applied between the sample arm and the reference arm to compensate for an apparent tilt introduced by different scanning angles.",
"9. The OCT system as recited in claim 1, further comprising an optical phase shifting element between the sample arm and the reference arm to compensate for an apparent tilt introduced by different scanning angles.",
"10. A method for high resolution imaging of a sample with a multi-beam optical coherence tomography (OCT) system, said method comprising:\nilluminating different locations in the sample through multiple sample arm beam paths using a light source;\nadjusting the multiple sample arm beam paths such that at least one of the previously illuminated sample locations is illuminated again by a different sample arm beam path incident on the sample location at a different angle;\ncombining light returning from the sample and light from one or more reference beam paths at a plurality of beam combiners;\ncollecting light from each combiner and generating signals in response thereto;\ncoherently combining the signals from the different angles at each location to generate an image of the sample, said image having a transverse resolution that is higher than the transverse resolution achieved from the signal generated from a single angle, wherein the coherently combining involves averaging or adding complex OCT signals from the different angles;\nstoring or displaying the image or a further analysis thereof.",
"11. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein the sample is an eye.",
"12. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein there are two sample arm beam paths and two reference beam paths.",
"13. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein there are three sample arm beam paths.",
"14. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein the adjusting step is achieved by moving the sample relative to the multi-beam OCT system.",
"15. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein the adjusting step is achieved by changing the location of the sample arm beam path on a scanning element positioned in the beam path.",
"16. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein the combining of each of the sample and reference arm beam path pairs determines an angular distribution of the scattering.",
"17. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein, prior to combining the sample and reference arm beam paths, shifting of the phase of the data from one or more sample arm beam paths is performed to correct for optical aberrations."
],
[
"1. An integrated photonic chip suitable for space-division multiplexing optical coherence tomography scanning, the photonic chip comprising:\na substrate;\nan optical input port configured to receive an incident singular sampling beam from an external light source;\na plurality of optical output ports configured to transmit a plurality of sampling beams from the chip to a sample to capture scanned images of the sample; and\na multiple branched waveguide structure optically coupling the input port to each of the output ports, the waveguide structure comprising a plurality of interconnected waveguide channels formed in the substrate;\nthe waveguide channels configured to define a plurality of photonic splitters which divide the incident singular sampling beam received at the input port into the plurality of sampling beams at the output ports;\nwherein portions of the waveguide channels between the photonic splitters and output ports have different predetermined lengths to create an optical time delay between each of the plurality of sampling beams;\nwherein a difference in the predetermined lengths between the waveguide channels is selected to produce an optical delay shorter than a coherence length of the light source between the plurality of sampling beams so that when images are formed, signals from different physical locations are detected in different frequency bands.",
"2. The photonic chip according to claim 1, wherein the photonic splitters are arranged in multiple cascading rows on the substrate, the singular sampling beam being successively divided in each row by the photonic splitters to create an increasingly greater number of sampling beams in each row between the inlet port and the output ports.",
"3. The photonic chip according to claim 1, wherein the output ports emit the sampling beams from the photonic chip directly into air to the sample.",
"4. The photonic chip according to claim 1, wherein the output ports are arranged to receive a plurality of reflected light signals returned from the sample, the photonic splitters being configured to combine the plurality of reflected light signals into a singular reflected light signal which is emitted from the input port of the photonic chip.",
"5. The photonic chip according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of output ports are clustered together on one side of the substrate and evenly spaced apart at a predetermined pitch spacing.",
"6. The photonic chip according to claim 5, wherein a difference in length between each adjacent waveguide channel in the photonic chip is the same.",
"7. The photonic chip according to claim 1, further comprising an optical fiber coupled to the input port of the photonic chip.",
"8. The photonic chip according to claim 1, wherein the substrate is selected from the group consisting of silicon, silicon on insulator, Iridium Phosphide, Lithium Niobate, Silicon Nitride and Gallium Arsenide.",
"9. The photonic chip according to claim 1, wherein the sampling beams in the time delay region travel in a path generally perpendicular to a path of the sampling beams in the splitter region.",
"10. The photonic chip according to claim 1, wherein the waveguide channels are etched into the substrate.",
"11. A low loss integrated photonic chip suitable for space-division multiplexing optical coherence tomography scanning, the photonic chip comprising:\na substrate;\nan optical input port configured to receive an incident singular sampling beam from an external light source;\na reference light input port configured to receive reference light from an external reference light source;\na plurality of optical output ports configured to transmit a plurality of sampling beams from the chip to a sample to capture scanned images of the sample;\na multiple branched waveguide structure optically coupling the input port to each of the output ports, the waveguide structure comprising a plurality of interconnected waveguide channels formed in the substrate, the waveguide channels defining a splitter region and an interferometer region;\nthe waveguide channels in the splitter region configured to define a plurality of photonic splitters which divide the incident singular sampling beam received at the input port into the plurality of sampling beams at the output ports;\nwherein portions of the waveguide channels between the photonic splitters and output ports have different predetermined lengths to create an optical time delay between each of the plurality of sampling beams;\nthe waveguide channels in the interferometer region configured to define a plurality of photonic interferometers, the photonic interferometers optically coupled to the waveguide channels in the time delay region and the reference light;\nwherein the photonic interferometers are arranged to receive a plurality of reflected light signals returned from the sample, the photonic interferometers being configured and operable to combine the reflected light signals with the reference light to produce a plurality of interference signals which are emitted from interference signal output ports of the photonic chip.",
"12. The photonic chip according to claim 11, wherein the photonic splitters are arranged in multiple cascading rows on the substrate, the singular sampling beam being evenly and successively divided in each row by the photonic splitters to create an increasingly greater number of sampling beams in each row between the inlet port and the output ports.",
"13. The photonic chip according to claims 12, wherein the photonic interferometers are optically coupled to photonic splitters in a final row of the splitter region.",
"14. The photonic chip according to claim 13, wherein the reflected light signals returned from the sample travel through the photonic splitters in the final row to the interferometers and bypass preceding rows of photonic splitters in the splitter region.",
"15. The photonic chip according to claim 11, wherein the photonic interferometers are optically coupled to the reference light input port via a plurality of reference light waveguide channels.",
"16. The photonic chip according to claim 11, wherein a difference in the predetermined lengths between the waveguide channels is selected to produce an optical delay shorter than a coherence length of the light source between the plurality of sampling beams so that when images are formed, signals from different physical locations are detected in different frequency bands.",
"17. A method for processing light in a space division multiplexing optical coherence tomography system using a low loss integrated photonic chip, the method comprising:\nproviding a photonic chip comprising an optical input port, a plurality of optical output ports, and a multiple branched waveguide structure optically coupling the input port to each of the output ports, the waveguide structure comprising a plurality of interconnected waveguide channels formed in the chip;\nreceiving a singular sample beam from a light source at the input port;\ndividing the sample beam into a plurality of sampling beams using a plurality of in-chip photonic splitters defined by the waveguide channels in the splitter region;\ncreating a time delay between the plurality of sampling beams by varying a length of each waveguide channel after dividing the sampling beam; and\nemitting the plurality of sampling beams simultaneously in parallel through the output ports towards a sample to be scanned;\nreceiving a plurality of reflected light signals returned from the sample at the output ports;\ntransmitting the reflected light signals to a plurality of interferometers defined by the waveguide channels in an interferometer region of the photonic chip;\ncombining the reflected light signals with a reference light signal using the plurality of interferometers to generate a plurality of interference signals; and\nemitting the interference signals from interference output ports of the photonic chip."
],
[
"1. A method, for use with an optical system that includes a camera, the method comprising:\ndetecting surface topography of a portion of a curved surface of an object by:\ndirecting a beam of light toward the surface from a broad angle of incidence with respect to an optical axis of the camera;\nreceiving light reflected from the surface with the camera, the reflected light passing via a narrow-angle aperture, before being received by the camera;\ndetecting one or more darkened regions in the received light; and\ndetecting the surface topography at least partially based upon the detected darkened regions.",
"2. The method according to claim 1, wherein receiving light reflected from the surface with the camera, via the narrow-angle aperture comprises receiving light reflected from the surface with the camera, the reflected light passing via a narrow-angle aperture that defines an angle of less than 3 degrees, before being received by the camera.",
"3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising detecting surface topography of a region of the surface that is in a vicinity of the optical axis of the camera, by:\ndetecting a spectrum of light that is reflected from the region, using a spectrometer; and\nanalyzing the detected spectrum.",
"4. The method according to claim 3, wherein detecting the spectrum of light that is reflected from the region using the spectrometer comprises detecting the spectrum of reflected light from the region using a spectrometer measurement time of between 20 and 300 milliseconds.",
"5. The method according to claim 3, wherein detecting a spectrum of light that is reflected from the region using the spectrometer comprises detecting the spectrum of reflected light from the region using a spectrometer measurement spot size of between 100 microns and 240 microns.",
"6. The method according to claim 1, wherein detecting surface topography of the portion of the curved surface of the object comprises detecting surface topography of a portion of a curved surface of a cornea of an eye of a subject.",
"7. The method according to claim 1, wherein:\ndetecting the one or more darkened regions in the received light comprises using a computer processor to detect the one or more darkened regions in the received light; and\ndetecting the surface topography at least partially based upon the detected darkened regions comprises using the computer processor to detect the surface topography at least partially based upon the detected darkened regions.",
"8. The method according to claim 1, wherein directing the beam of light toward the surface from the broad angle of incidence with respect to the optical axis of the camera comprises directing the beam of light toward the surface from an angle of incidence of more than 50 degrees with respect to the optical axis of the camera.",
"9. The method according to claim 1, wherein directing the beam of light toward the surface from the broad angle of incidence with respect to the optical axis of the camera comprises tracing rays of light such that a respective narrow angle illumination beam is focused upon respective portions of the curved surface.",
"10. Apparatus for detecting surface topography of a portion of a curved surface of an object, the apparatus comprising:\na light source configured to generate light;\na camera that defines an optical axis;\nan optical system configured to direct a beam of the generated light toward the surface from broad angle of incidence with respect to the optical axis of the camera;\na narrow-aperture optical element configured to be disposed between the surface and the camera, such that light that is reflected from the surface passes through the narrow-aperture optical element before being received by the camera.",
"11. The apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising a computer processor configured to:\ndetect one or more darkened regions in the light received by the camera; and\ndetect the surface topography of the portion of the curved surface of the object, in response to the detected darkened regions.",
"12. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the optical system is configured to direct the beam of the generated light toward the surface from an angle of incidence of more than 50 degrees with respect to the optical axis of the camera.",
"13. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the optical system is configured trace rays of the generated light such that a respective narrow angle illumination beam is focused upon respective portions of the curved surface.",
"14. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the narrow-aperture optical element defines an angle of less than 3 degrees.",
"15. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the narrow-aperture optical element comprises an optical element selected from the group consisting of: a lens, an annular filter, and an apodizer.",
"16. The apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising:\na spectrometer configured to detect a spectrum of light that is reflected from a region of the surface that is in a vicinity of the optical axis of the camera; and\na computer processor configured to detect a surface topography of the region by analyzing the detected spectrum.",
"17. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the spectrometer is configured to measure the spectrum of reflected light from the region using a measurement time of between 20 and 300 milliseconds.",
"18. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the spectrometer is configured to measure the spectrum of reflected light from the region using a measurement spot size of between 100 microns and 240 microns.",
"19. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the curved surface of the object includes a curved surface of cornea of an eye of a subject, and the narrow-aperture optical element is configured to be disposed between the curved surface of the cornea and the camera.",
"20. The apparatus according to claim 19, further comprising a mechanism for centering the cornea of the subject's eye onto the optical axis of the camera, the mechanism comprising a projector that is configured to project a given pattern onto the subject's cornea."
],
[
"1. An optical coherence tomography system with space-division multiplexing, the system comprising:\na long coherence light source producing light having a coherence length greater than 5 mm to provide optimal imaging depth range;\na first optical device configured to split the light into reference light and sampling light;\na non-sweeping reference arm receiving the reference light and producing a reference light signal;\na second optical device arranged on a sample arm and configured to split the sampling light into a plurality of sampling beams and transmit the plurality of sampling beams simultaneously;\nan optical delay element configured to produce an optical delay between the plurality of sampling beams;\na scanner arranged to receive and configured to simultaneously scan the plurality of sampling beams onto multiple different sampling locations on a surface of a sample;\nthe second optical device operable to simultaneously receive a plurality of reflected light signals returned from the multiple sampling locations;\na third optical device configured to generate a plurality of interference signals based on simultaneously receiving the plurality of reflected light signals returned from the multiple sampling locations on the surface of the sample produced by the plurality of sampling beams and the reference light signal;\nwherein the interference signals includes data representing digitized images of all of the multiple sampling locations simultaneously from the sample.",
"2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first optical device is an optical coupler operable to divert the reference light to the reference arm and to divert the sampling light to the sample arm.",
"3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a single sample arm which includes the second optical device, the sample arm transmitting the plurality of sampling beams to the scanner.",
"4. The system of claim 1, wherein the second optical device is an optical fiber splitter.",
"5. The system of claim 4, wherein the optical splitter is planar lightwave circuit splitter.",
"6. The system of claim 1, wherein the second optical device is a microlens array.",
"7. The system of claim 6, wherein the optical delay element comprises a plurality of glass or plastic members each having a different thickness and receiving a portion of the sampling light from the microlens array.",
"8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a balanced detector arranged and operable to detect the interference signal.",
"9. The system of claim 1, wherein the optical delay element comprises an optical fiber array comprised of plurality of optical fibers each having a different length and conveying one of the plurality of sampling beams.",
"10. The system of claim 1, wherein the second optical device is further configured to combine the reflected light signals from the sample into a single detection signal containing the reflected light signals, the detection signal being transmitted to the at least one third optical device.",
"11. The system of claim 1, wherein the third optical device is an optical coupler.",
"12. The system of claim 1, wherein the light source is a wavelength tunable light source.",
"13. The system of claim 12, wherein the light source is a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser diode.",
"14. The system of claim 1, further comprising a fourth optical device configured to divert a portion of the light to a Mach-Zehnder interferometer, the Mach-Zehnder interferometer configured and operable to clock acquisition of the reflected light signals returned from the surface of the sample.",
"15. The system of claim 1, further comprising a high speed data acquisition card and computer processor configured to capture and process the interference signal and generate a visual display of the actual images of the sample on a display device.",
"16. An optical coherence tomography system with space-division multiplexing, the system comprising:\na long coherence light source producing light having a coherence length greater than 5 mm to provide optimal imaging depth range;\na first optical coupler configured to divide the light into reference light and sampling light;\na non-sweeping reference arm defining a first optical light path, the reference arm receiving the reference light and generating a reference light signal based on the reference light;\na single sample arm defining a second optical light path and receiving the sampling light;\nan optical fiber splitter arranged on the sample arm and dividing the sampling light into a plurality of sampling light beams;\nan optical delay element comprising a plurality of optical fibers each having a different length and conveying one of the plurality of sampling light beams, the optical fibers producing an optical delay between the plurality of sampling beams;\na scanner receiving and simultaneously scanning the plurality of sampling beams onto multiple different sampling locations on a surface of a sample;\nthe optical fiber splitter operable to simultaneously receive a plurality of reflected light signals returned from the multiple sampling locations produced by each of the plurality of sampling beams;\na second optical coupler receiving and combining the reference light signal and the plurality of reflected light signals each returned simultaneously from the multiple sampling locations on the surface of the sample produced by each of the plurality of sampling beams to produce a plurality of interference signals each associated with one of the plurality of reflected light signals;\nwherein the interference signals includes data representing digitized images of all of the multiple sampling locations simultaneously from the sample.",
"17. The system of claim 16, wherein the sampling light enters the optical splitter via a single optical fiber and each sampling beam exits the optical splitter via an optical fiber forming an array comprising a plurality of optical fibers.",
"18. The system of claim 17, wherein the optical splitter is planar lightwave circuit splitter.",
"19. The system of claim 16, further comprising a balanced detector operable to detect the interference signal.",
"20. The system of claim 16, wherein the light source is a wavelength tunable laser.",
"21. The system of claim 16, wherein the light source is a broadband light source.",
"22. A method for imaging a sample using a space-division multiplexing optical coherence tomography system, the method comprising:\nproviding an optical coherence tomography system comprising a long coherence light source producing light having a coherence length greater than 5 mm to provide optimal imaging depth range, a non-sweeping reference arm defining a first optical path, and a sample arm defining a second optical path;\ndividing the light from the light source into reference light and sampling light;\ntransmitting the reference light to the reference arm to produce a reflected light signal;\ntransmitting the sampling light to the sample arm;\nsplitting the sampling light into a plurality of sampling beams on the sample arm;\nproducing an optical delay between the plurality of sampling beams;\nsimultaneously scanning the plurality of sampling beams onto a surface of a sample at multiple different sample locations;\ncollecting a plurality of reflected light signals each returned from the surface of the sample produced by each of the plurality of sampling beams;\ncombining the plurality of reflected light signals into a single reflected light signal comprised of the plurality of reflected light signals;\ncombining the single reflected light signal comprised of the plurality of reflected light signals and the reference light signal to produce a plurality of interference signals, the interference signals comprising data representing digitized images of all of the multiple different sample locations simultaneously from the sample.",
"23. The method of claim 22, wherein a single sample arm is provided.",
"24. The method of claim 22, wherein the splitting step is performed using an optical splitter.",
"25. The method of claim 22, further comprising detecting the interference signal using a balanced detector.",
"26. The method of claim 22, further comprising transmitting a portion of the light from the light source to a Mach-Zehnder interferometer to clock acquisition of the interference signal.",
"27. The method of claim 22, wherein the step of producing the optical delay includes transmitting each of the sampling beams in one of a plurality of optical fibers each having a different length."
],
[
"1. A method for sorting wafers utilizing a slope of shape metric, comprising:\nreceiving a plurality of wafers;\nacquiring a set of wafer shape values from a surface of each wafer at a selected process level;\ngenerating a set of residual slope shape metrics for each wafer by calculating a residual slope shape metric at each of a plurality of points of each wafer;\ndetermining a neutral surface of each wafer in a chucked state;\ncalculating a neutral surface factor (NSF) for each wafer utilizing the determined neutral surface for each wafer and a plurality of positions associated with a plurality of patterns of each wafer;\ndetermining a set of pattern placement error (PPE) residual values for each wafer, the PPE residual value for each point for each wafer being a product of at least the calculated NSF for each wafer, the residual slope shape metric for the point, and a thickness of the wafer;\ndetermining one or more thresholds for the set of residual shape metrics suitable for maintaining the set of PPE residuals below one or more selected levels;\nmonitoring each of the plurality of wafers by comparing the determined one or more thresholds for the set of residual shape metrics to the generated set of residual slope shape metrics for each wafer; and\nmodifying one or more wafer fabrication processes, responsive to the monitoring of each of the plurality of wafers, in order to maintain the generated set of residual slope shape metrics for each wafer below the one or more thresholds.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the NSF is a distance between the neutral surface and a pattern surface of the wafer.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein the selected process level is a bare wafer process level.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein the characterizing the plurality of wafers by comparing the determined one or more thresholds for the set of residual shape metrics to the generated set of residual slope shape metrics for each wafer comprises:\nsorting the plurality of wafers by comparing the determined one or more thresholds for the set of residual shape metrics to the generated set of residual slope shape metrics for each wafer.",
"5. The method of claim 4, wherein the sorting the plurality of wafers by comparing the determined one or more thresholds for the set of residual shape metrics to the generated set of residual slope shape metrics for each wafer comprises:\nbinning each wafer according to a comparison between the set of residual shape metrics associated with the wafer and the determined threshold.",
"6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nresponsive to the monitoring of each of the plurality of wafers, identifying one or more processes in order to establish the generated set of residual slope shape metrics for each wafer below the one or more thresholds.",
"7. A system for sorting wafers utilizing a slope of shape metric, comprising:\na topography system configured to perform a set of topography measurements in order to acquire a set of wafer shape values, at a selected process level, from a surface of each wafer of a plurality of wafers; and\none or more computing systems communicatively coupled to the topography and configured to receive the set of topography measurements, the one or more computing systems further configured to:\ngenerate a set of residual slope shape metrics for each wafer by calculating a residual slope shape metric at each of a plurality of points of each wafer;\ndetermine a neutral surface of each wafer in a chucked state;\ncalculate a neutral surface factor (NSF) for each wafer utilizing the determined neutral surface for each wafer and a plurality of positions associated with a plurality of patterns of each wafer;\ndetermine a set of pattern placement error (PPE) residual values for each wafer, the PPE residual value for each point for each wafer being a product of at least the calculated NSF for each wafer, the residual slope shape metric for the point, and a thickness of the wafer;\ndetermine one or more thresholds for the set of residual shape metrics suitable for maintaining the set of PPE residuals below one or more selected levels;\nmonitor each of the plurality of wafers by comparing the determined one or more thresholds for the set of residual shape metrics to the generated set of residual slope shape metrics for each wafer; and\nmodify one or more wafer fabrication processes, responsive to the monitoring of each of the plurality of wafers, in order to maintain the generated set of residual slope shape metrics for each wafer below the one or more thresholds.",
"8. The system of claim 7, wherein the topography systems comprises:\nan interferometry based topography system.",
"9. The system of claim 7, wherein the interferometry based topography system comprises:\na dual Fizeau interferometer.",
"10. The system of claim 7, wherein the topography systems comprises:\na topography system configured to measure a front-side surface of the wafer and the back-side surface of the wafer simultaneously."
],
[
"1. An optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging system comprising:\na tunable laser source configured to provide a wavelength-scanned beam;\nan interferometer configured to split the wavelength-scanned beam into a reference beam and an object beam;\na splitter configured to split the object beam into a first path corresponding to an anterior chamber imaging component and a second path corresponding to a retinal imaging component, wherein the anterior chamber imaging component comprises a first scan mirror configured to image an anterior chamber of an eye, and wherein the retinal imaging component comprises a second scan mirror configured to image a retina of the eye; and\na detector configured to detect a signal caused by interference between the reference beam and at least a portion of the object beam reflected from the eye.",
"2. The OCT imaging system of claim 1, further comprising a first aperture through which the portion of the object beam on the first path is configured to pass and a second aperture through which the portion of the object beam on the second path is configured to pass.",
"3. The OCT imaging system of claim 1, wherein the anterior imaging component further comprises a lens system optically coupled to the first scan mirror configured to image the anterior chamber.",
"4. The OCT imaging system of claim 1, wherein the retinal imaging component further comprises a lens system optically coupled to the second scan mirror configured to image the retina.",
"5. The OCT imaging system of claim 1, wherein the first path is distinct from the second path.",
"6. The OCT imaging system of claim 1, further comprising a processing unit configured to process a signal from the detector to generate an image.",
"7. The OCT imaging system of claim 1, wherein the first path comprises a lens system with a divergent beam and a lateral scanning pattern perpendicular to a sample, and wherein the second path comprises a lens system with a collimating beam and a divergent scanning pattern to the sample.",
"8. The OCT imaging system of claim 1, wherein a splitting ratio of the first path to the second path is greater than 50%.",
"9. The OCT imaging system of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second paths comprises a shutter configured to close over an aperture to switch between imaging ranges.",
"10. The OCT imaging system of claim 1, wherein a path length difference between the first path and the second path has an optical length equivalent to an axial length of an eye.",
"11. The OCT imaging system of claim 1, wherein first path is combined with the second path using a partially reflecting mirror inside the lens system of the second path.",
"12. The OCT imaging system of claim 1, wherein the first scan mirror is separate from the second scan mirror.",
"13. The OCT imaging system of claim 2, wherein the first path extends from the splitter to the first aperture, wherein the second path extends from the splitter to the second aperture, and wherein the first path is separate from the second path an entire distance between the splitter and the first aperture.",
"14. The OCT imaging system of claim 2, wherein the first path extends from the splitter to the first aperture, wherein the second path extends from the splitter to the second aperture, and wherein the first path is separate from the second path an entire distance between the splitter and the second aperture.",
"15. The OCT imaging system of claim 11, wherein the second path comprises a two lens system with 4f configuration and the beam of the first path is introduced to a second lens having the first scan mirror positioned in the back focus of the second lens.",
"16. The OCT imaging system of claim 11, wherein the second path comprises a two lens system with 4f configuration and the beam of the first path is introduced to a second lens having the second scan mirror positioned in the back focus of the second lens through a partial reflecting mirror.",
"17. A method comprising:\nemitting a wavelength-scanned beam from a tunable laser source;\nsplitting, by an interferometer, the wavelength-scanned beam into a reference beam and an object beam;\nsplitting, by a splitter, the object beam into a first path corresponding to an anterior chamber imaging component and a second path corresponding to a retinal imaging component, wherein the anterior chamber imaging component comprises a first scan mirror, and wherein the retinal imaging component comprises a second scan mirror configured to image a retina;\nimaging, by the first scan mirror, an anterior chamber of an eye;\nimaging, by the second scan mirror, a retina of the eye; and\ndetecting, by a detector, a signal caused by interference between the reference beam and at least a portion of the object beam reflected from the eye.",
"18. The method of claim 17, further comprising passing a first portion of the object beam along the first path from the splitter to a first aperture through which the first portion of the object beam passes to the eye; and passing a second portion of the object beam along the second path from the splitter to a second aperture through which the second portion of the object beam passes to the eye.",
"19. The method of claim 18, wherein the first path is separate from the second path an entire distance between the splitter and the first aperture.",
"20. The method of claim 19, wherein the first path is separate from the second path an entire distance between the splitter and the second aperture."
],
[
"1. A temperature measuring apparatus for measuring a temperature of a component having a first surface and a second surface, the component being made of a material which allows low-coherence light to pass therethrough, the component including a stepped portion having a first portion and a second portion whose thickness is smaller than a thickness of the first portion, the apparatus comprising:\na light source configured to output a low-coherence light;\na light transmission unit configured to split the low-coherence light from the light source into a first low-coherence light and a second low-coherence light;\na first irradiation unit configured to irradiate the first low-coherence light received from the light transmission unit onto a first entrance point on the first surface to receive a reflected light from the first entrance point and a reflected light from a first measuring point on the second surface;\na second irradiation unit configured to irradiate the second low-coherence light received from the light transmission unit onto a second entrance point on the first surface to receive a reflected light from the second entrance point and a reflected light from a second measuring point on the second surface, wherein the light transmission unit receives the reflected lights from the first irradiation unit and the second irradiation unit to transmit them;\na spectroscope configured to detect intensity distribution of the reflected lights received from the light transmission unit; and\na storage unit that stores data representing relationship between a temperature of the component and a thickness difference between a first thickness of the component at the first measuring point and a second thickness of the component at the second measuring point; and\nan analysis unit configured to calculate the thickness difference by performing Fourier transform on the intensity distribution detected by the spectroscope and calculate a current temperature of the component based on the calculated thickness difference and the data stored in the storage unit,\nwherein the first entrance point and the first measuring point are set at the first portion, and the second entrance point and the second measuring point are set at the second portion.",
"2. The temperature measuring apparatus of claim 1, wherein the spectroscope includes:\na light dispersing device configured to disperse the reflected lights at predetermined dispersion angles based on wavelengths of the reflected lights; and\na light receiving device configured to receive the reflected lights dispersed by the light dispersing device and detect wavelength-dependent intensity distribution of the reflected lights.",
"3. The temperature measuring apparatus of claim 1, wherein the analysis unit includes:\nan optical path difference calculation unit configured to calculate an optical path difference between a first optical path extending from the first entrance point to the first measuring point and a second optical path extending from the second entrance point to the second measuring point by performing Fourier transform on the intensity distribution detected by the spectroscope; and\na thickness difference calculation unit configured to calculate the thickness difference based on the optical path difference and a refractive index of the component.",
"4. The temperature measuring apparatus of claim 1, wherein the thickness difference between the first thickness and the second thickness is measured based on a distance between two peaks among a plurality of peaks obtained by performing the Fourier transform.",
"5. A substrate processing system comprising:\nthe temperature measuring apparatus of claim 1 configured to measure a temperature of the component; and\na substrate processing apparatus including a chamber in which a mounting table for mounting thereon a substrate is provided, the chamber being configured to perform predetermined process on the substrate mounted on the mounting table, and the component disposed in the chamber."
],
[
"1. An optical shape sensing system for sensing a position and/or shape of a medical device using backscatter reflectometry, comprising:\na broadband light source for generating input light of multiple wavelengths of a broadband spectrum,\nan interferometer arrangement comprising a plurality of interferometers including a multi-core optical fiber, the multi-core optical fiber comprising at least two fiber cores, wherein each of the interferometers is configured to perform backscatter reflectometry separately with a corresponding one of a plurality of input light beams divided from the input light and comprises:\na fiber splitter for dividing the corresponding input light beam into a reference beam and a device beam,\nan additional optical fiber for guiding the reference beam,\na corresponding fiber core of the multi-core optical fiber for guiding the device beam to be reflected within the medical device and for guiding the reflected device beam, and\na fiber coupler for coupling the reflected device beam with the reference beam to form an output light beam,\nthe optical shape sensing system further comprising\na spectrometer for receiving and dispersing the output light beam from each interferometer, the spectrometer comprising a detector unit for detecting the output light beam from each interferometer.",
"2. Optical shape sensing system according to claim 1, wherein the broadband light source comprises a super-luminescent light emitting diode.",
"3. Optical shape sensing system according to claim 1, wherein the broadband spectrum comprises a continuous optical band having a bandwidth of at least 20 nm centered at 1550 nm.",
"4. Optical shape sensing system according to claim 1, wherein the broadband spectrum comprises a continuous optical band having a bandwidth of at least 5 nm centered at 800 nm.",
"5. Optical shape sensing system according to claim 1, wherein the detector unit comprises a detector array consisting of a plurality of detector elements arranged in an array.",
"6. Optical shape sensing system according to claim 5, wherein the detector array comprises a two-dimensional array.",
"7. Optical shape sensing system according to claim 6, wherein one dimension of the two-dimensional array is used for dispersion of the broadband spectrum, wherein the other dimension of the two-dimensional array is used for distributing different output light signals each originating from one of the cores of the multi-core optical fiber.",
"8. Optical shape sensing system according to claim 1, wherein the multi-core optical fiber comprises a central core arranged in the center of the multi-core optical fiber and at least three outer cores helically wound around the central core.",
"9. Optical shape sensing system according to claim 8, wherein the outer cores are equidistant from each other in cross section perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the optical fiber.",
"10. Optical shape sensing system according to claim 1, wherein the detector unit is provided with an integration time between 1 millisecond and 2 milliseconds.",
"11. Optical shape sensing system according to claim 1, wherein the interferometer arrangement comprises a Mach-Zehnder interferometer comprising a circulator for directing the device beam to the multi-core optical fiber and to redirect the reflected device beam from the multicore optical fiber to the fiber coupler.",
"12. Optical shape sensing system according to claim 1, further comprising a polarization controller for polarizing each input light beam into two input polarization states, the polarization controller being arranged between the broadband light source and the interferometer arrangement.",
"13. Optical shape sensing system according to claim 12, further comprising a polarizing beamsplitter for splitting the output light beam into two signal portions each in a corresponding one of two output polarization states, the detector unit being configured to detect the two signal portions, the polarizing beamsplitter being arranged between the interferometer arrangement and the detector unit.",
"14. A method for sensing a position and/or shape of a medical device using backscatter reflectometry, comprising:\ngenerating input light of multiple wavelengths of a broadband spectrum,\nperforming backscatter reflectometry separately with a corresponding one of a plurality of input light beams divided from the input light using an interferometer arrangement comprising a plurality of interferometers including a multi-core optical fiber, the multi-core optical fiber comprising at least two fiber cores, wherein the backscatter reflectometry comprises:\ndividing the corresponding input light beam into a reference beam and a device beam,\nusing an additional optical fiber to guide the reference beam,\nusing a corresponding fiber core of the multi-core optical fiber to guide the device beam to be reflected within the medical device and to guide the reflected device beam, and\ncoupling the reflected device beam with the reference beam to form an output light beam,\nthe method further comprising\nreceiving and dispersing the output light beam and detecting the output light beam from each of the plurality of interferometers in a spectrometer.",
"15. Non-transient computer program product having encoded thereon a computer program for sensing a position and/or shape of a medical device, the computer program comprising program code means for causing an optical shape sensing system carry out the steps of\ngenerating input light of multiple wavelengths of a broadband spectrum,\nperforming backscatter reflectometry separately with a corresponding one of a plurality of input light beams divided from the input light using an interferometer arrangement comprising a plurality of interferometers including a multi-core optical fiber, the multi-core optical fiber comprising at least two fiber cores, wherein the backscatter reflectometry comprises:\ndividing the corresponding input light beam into a reference beam and a device beam,\nusing an additional optical fiber to guide the reference beam,\nusing a corresponding fiber core of the multi-core optical fiber to guide the device beam to be reflected within the medical device and to guide the reflected device beam, and\ncoupling the reflected device beam with the reference beam to form an output light beam, and\nreceiving and dispersing the output light beam and detecting the output light beam from each of the plurality of interferometers in a spectrometer."
],
[
"1. An optical coherence tomography imaging system comprising:\na vertical cavity laser (VCL), wherein the VCL generates a single longitudinal mode lasing output that is tunable over an emission wavelength range for generating wavelength sweeps at a sweep repetition rate, wherein the laser cavity free spectral range is at least as wide as the emission wavelength range;\nwherein the optical coherence tomography imaging system has the characteristics of being able to operate with an adjustment to at least one of:\ni) an imaging range,\nii) an axial resolution,\niii) an axial scan rate.",
"2. The optical coherence tomography imaging system of claim 1, wherein the optical coherence tomography imaging system operates at a substantially fixed axial scan rate.",
"3. The optical coherence tomography imaging system of claim 1, wherein the optical coherence tomography imaging system operates at a substantially fixed imaging range.",
"4. The optical coherence tomography imaging system of claim 1, wherein the optical coherence tomography imaging system operates at a substantially fixed axial resolution.",
"5. The optical coherence tomography imaging system of claim 1, further comprising a clocking interferometer receiving at least a portion of the VCL output, a clocking detector coupled to the clocking interferometer to generate a clocking signal, and an electronic circuit to clock an A/D converter based on the clocking signal, the clocking interferometer having an adjustable optical delay to enable operation with at least two modes, wherein the modes differ in at least one of: axial scan rate, axial resolution, and imaging range.",
"6. The optical coherence tomography imaging system of claim 1, further comprising a clocking interferometer receiving at least a portion of the VCL output, a clocking detector coupled to the clocking interferometer to generate a clocking signal, and an electronic circuit to clock an A/D converter based on the clocking signal, the clocking signal being multiplied or divided in frequency to enable operation with at least two modes, wherein the modes differ in at least one of: axial scan rate, axial resolution, and imaging range.",
"7. The optical coherence tomography imaging system of claim 1, wherein the adjustment in axial resolution and axial scan rate is used to operate the OCT imaging system at two or more modes of:\na) higher resolution and slower axial scan rate or\nb) lower resolution and higher axial scan rate.",
"8. The optical coherence tomography imaging system of claim 1, wherein the adjustment in imaging range and axial scan rate is used to operate the OCT imaging system at two or more modes of:\na) longer imaging range and slower axial scan rate or\nb) shorter imaging range and higher axial scan rate.",
"9. The optical coherence tomography imaging system of claim 1, wherein the adjustment in axial resolution and imaging range is used to operate the OCT imaging system at two or more modes of:\na) higher resolution and shorter imaging range or\nb) lower resolution and longer imaging range.",
"10. The optical coherence tomography imaging system of claim 1, wherein the VCL is capable of at least one of:\na) operating over at least a 12% variation in the sweep repetition rate,\nb) operating over at least a 10% variation in the emission wavelength range."
],
[
"1. An optical coherence tomography (OCT) system to measure a distance between tissue layers of an eye, the OCT system comprising:\na detector;\na light source comprising a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) configured to generate a light beam comprising a plurality of wavelengths;\na plurality of optical elements coupled to the light source to direct the light beam into the eye and generate an interference signal at the detector; and\ncircuitry coupled to the detector and the light source to determine the distance between tissue layers in response to the interference signal, wherein the circuitry is configured to vary an emission wavelength of the VCSEL over a range of wavelengths with a drive current from the circuitry and wherein the circuitry is configured to drive the VCSEL over a maximum rated current threshold for a portion of a waveform and below the maximum rated current threshold for another portion of the waveform to extend the range of wavelengths of the VCSEL;\nwherein the OCT system is configured to measure a distance between tissue layers, the distance between tissue layers corresponding to a first layer at a first location and a second layer at a second location;\nwherein the range of wavelengths from the VCSEL corresponds to an axial resolution.",
"2. The OCT system of claim 1, wherein the circuitry is configured to drive the VCSEL beyond a specified maximum wavelength range by an amount within a range from 1 nm to 5 nm.",
"3. The OCT system of claim 1, wherein the range of wavelengths is within a range from 9 nm to 20 nm.",
"4. The OCT system of claim 3, wherein the axial resolution comprises a resolution value within a range from about 30 μm to about 16 μm.",
"5. The OCT system of claim 1, wherein the range of wavelengths is within a range from about 5 nm to about 10 nm and the axial resolution is within a range from about 31.9 μm to about 63.8 μm.",
"6. The OCT system of claim 1, wherein the distance between tissue layers comprises a distance between a first layer of a retina and a second layer of the retina and the ocular tissue thickness is more than 150 μm.",
"7. The OCT system of claim 1, wherein the distance between tissue layers is within a range from about 150 to 300 μm, and the axial resolution is within a range from about 150 μm to about 30 μm.",
"8. The OCT system of claim 1, wherein the distance between tissue layers is measured faster than characteristic frequencies of movement of the OCT system in relation to the eye, and wherein the movement is selected from the group consisting of movement related to a patient holding the OCT system in his or her hand, eye movement, and tremor.",
"9. The OCT system of claim 1, further comprising a viewing target for a patient to align the light beam with a fovea of the eye and wherein the viewing target comprises one or more of the light beam or light from a light emitting diode.",
"10. The OCT system of claim 1, wherein the circuitry is configured to drive the VCSEL beyond a specified maximum range of wavelength variation by at least about 1 nm.",
"11. The OCT system of claim 1, wherein the circuitry is configured to cause an emitted wavelength to sweep over the range of wavelengths with a sweeping frequency and the circuitry is configured to determine the distance between tissue layers in response to frequencies of the interference signal.",
"12. The OCT system of claim 11, wherein the sweeping frequency is faster than an ocular tremor of a user, or a hand tremor of the user.",
"13. The OCT system of claim 1, wherein the circuitry is configured to heat the light source to change the emission wavelength.",
"14. The OCT system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of optical elements is arranged to provide a reference optical path and a measurement optical path and the interference signal results from interference of light along the reference optical path and the measurement optical path.",
"15. The OCT system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of optical elements is arranged to provide a measurement optical path and the interference signal results from interference of light from the tissue layers along the measurement optical path.",
"16. The OCT system of claim 1, wherein the circuitry comprises a processor configured to transform the interference signal into an intensity profile of light reflected along an optical path of the light beam directed into the eye and to determine the distance between tissue layers in response to the intensity profile.",
"17. The OCT system of claim 16, wherein the intensity profile comprises a plurality of reflected peaks and the processor is configured with instructions to determine the distance between tissue layers in response to the plurality of reflected peaks.",
"18. The OCT system of claim 17, wherein the processor is configured with instructions to determine the intensity profile in response to frequencies of the interference signal.",
"19. The OCT system of claim 16, wherein frequencies of the interference signal correspond to separation distances of tissue layers and a rate of change of the wavelengths of the light source.",
"20. The OCT system of claim 1, further comprising a viewing target to align the OCT system with a fovea of the eye and wherein the viewing target comprises one or more of the light beam, a target defined with a light emitting diode, or the VCSEL.",
"21. The OCT system of claim 1, further comprising housing to support the light source, the optical elements, the detector, and the circuitry, and wherein the housing is configured to be held in a hand of a user in front of the eye in order to direct the light beam into the eye.",
"22. The OCT system of claim 21, further comprising a sensor to measure which eye is measured in response to an orientation of the housing."
],
[
"1. A photonic integrated receiver circuit comprising:\na) a substrate;\nb) a first optical coupler positioned on the substrate and configured to couple an optical reference signal from an optical reference path;\nc) a second optical coupler positioned on the substrate and configured to couple an optical probe signal returned from a sample;\nd) a polarization beam splitter positioned on the substrate and having an input optically coupled to the second optical coupler, the polarization beam splitter configured to provide a first polarization at a first output and a second polarization at a second output;\ne) a beam splitter positioned on the substrate and having an input optically coupled to the first optical coupler, the beam splitter configured to provide a portion of the optical reference signal at a first output and another portion of the optical reference signal at a second output;\nf) a first optical hybrid element positioned on the substrate and having an input optically coupled to the first output of the polarization beam splitter and a second input optically coupled to the first output of the beam splitter, the first optical hybrid element having a first output coupled to a first photodiode and a second output coupled to a second photodiode; and\ng) a second optical hybrid element positioned on the substrate and having an input optically coupled to the second output of the polarization beam splitter and a second input optically coupled to the second output of the beam splitter, the second optical hybrid having a first output coupled to a third photodiode and a second output coupled to a fourth photodiode,\nwherein a first optical path from the first optical coupler to the first photodiode and a second optical path from the second optical coupler to the first photodiode are configured such that a known delay is provided between an optical path followed by the optical reference signal from a source to the first photodiode and an optical path followed by the optical probe signal from the source to the first photodiode; and\nwherein at least one of the first, second, third, and fourth photodiodes generates an electrical signal that includes information about optical properties of the sample in response to both the optical reference signal and the optical probe signal.",
"2. The photonic integrated receiver circuit of claim 1 further comprising a polarization controller positioned on the substrate, the polarization controller having an input optically coupled to the first optical coupler and having an output optically coupled to the beam splitter.",
"3. The photonic integrated receiver circuit of claim 2 wherein the polarization controller comprises a cascade of Mach-Zehnder interferometers.",
"4. The photonic integrated receiver circuit of claim 2 wherein the polarization controller comprises an endless polarization controller.",
"5. The photonic integrated receiver circuit of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second optical coupler comprises a facet coupler.",
"6. The photonic integrated receiver circuit of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second optical coupler comprises a grating coupler.",
"7. The photonic integrated receiver circuit of claim 1 wherein the first optical coupler comprises a one-dimensional grating coupler.",
"8. The photonic integrated receiver circuit of claim 1 wherein the second optical coupler comprises a two-dimensional grating coupler.",
"9. The photonic integrated receiver circuit of claim 1 wherein the polarization beam splitter comprises a directional coupler.",
"10. The photonic integrated receiver circuit of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first optical hybrid and the second optical hybrid comprises a 90-degree hybrid.",
"11. The photonic integrated receiver circuit of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first optical hybrid and the second optical hybrid comprises a multi-mode interference (MMI) coupler.",
"12. The photonic integrated receiver circuit of claim 1 wherein the first, second, third, and fourth photodiodes are configured as a dual-balanced, dual-polarization receiver.",
"13. The photonic integrated receiver circuit of claim 1 wherein the first, second, third, and fourth photodiodes are configured as a dual-balanced, dual-polarization I/Q receiver.",
"14. The photonic integrated receiver circuit of claim 1 wherein the substrate comprises a silicon photonic substrate.",
"15. The photonic integrated receiver circuit of claim 1 wherein the optical reference signal comprises light from a swept-source optical signal.",
"16. The photonic integrated receiver circuit of claim 1 wherein the information about optical properties of the sample comprises at least one of optical coherence tomography information, image information, polarization-sensitive image information, birefringence property information, or ranging information.",
"17. The photonic integrated receiver circuit of claim 1 further comprising a k-clock.",
"18. The photonic integrated receiver circuit of claim 17 wherein the k-clock is positioned on the substrate.",
"19. The photonic integrated receiver circuit of claim 1 wherein the known delay comprises a nominally zero delay.",
"20. The photonic integrated receiver circuit of claim 1 wherein the known delay comprises a fixed delay.",
"21. The photonic integrated receiver circuit of claim 1 wherein the known delay comprises an adjustable delay.",
"22. The photonic integrated receiver circuit of claim 1 wherein at least some of the optical path followed by the optical reference signal from the source to the first photodiode comprises an optical fiber path.",
"23. A photonic integrated receiver circuit comprising:\na) a substrate;\nb) a first optical coupler positioned on the substrate and configured to couple an optical reference signal;\nc) a polarization controller positioned on the substrate and having an input optically coupled to the first optical coupler;\nd) a second optical coupler positioned on the substrate and configured to couple an optical probe signal returned from a sample;\ne) a polarization beam splitter positioned on the substrate and having an input optically coupled to the second optical coupler, the polarization beam splitter configured to provide a first polarization at a first output and a second polarization at a second output;\nf) a beam splitter positioned on the substrate and having an input optically coupled to an output of the polarization controller, the beam splitter configured to provide a portion of the optical reference signal at a first output and another portion of the optical reference signal at a second output;\ng) a first optical hybrid element positioned on the substrate and having an input optically coupled to the first output of the polarization beam splitter and a second input optically coupled to the first output of the beam splitter, the first optical hybrid element having a first output coupled to a first photodiode and a second output coupled to a second photodiode; and\nh) a second optical hybrid element positioned on the substrate and having an input optically coupled to the second output of the polarization beam splitter and a second input optically coupled to the output of the beam splitter, the second optical hybrid having a first output coupled to a third photodiode and a second output coupled to a fourth photodiode,\ni) wherein the polarization controller is configured to control a polarization of the optical reference signal such that at least one of the first, second, third, and fourth photodiodes generates an electrical signal that includes information about optical properties of the sample in response to both the optical reference signal and the optical probe signal.",
"24. The photonic integrated receiver circuit of claim 23 wherein the electrical signal that includes information about optical properties of the sample in response to both the optical reference signal and the optical probe signal comprises polarization independent imaging information.",
"25. The photonic integrated receiver circuit of claim 23 wherein the electrical signal that includes information about optical properties of the sample in response to both the optical reference signal and the optical probe signal comprises polarization sensitive imaging information."
],
[
"1. A method to measure physical and geometrical data of an object using an optical coherence tomography (OCT) system, the method comprising:\nproviding a light source that emits light over a wavelength range;\ndelivering a portion of the light from the light source as an optical beam to measure the object, and collecting a light signal from the object;\nproviding a portion of the light from the light source to a reference light generator of the OCT system for generating a reference light:\noperating the OCT system in a low depth resolution mode to measure the object height with low resolution and an extended depth measurement range, utilizing a partial spectral bandwidth of the light source, the object height with low resolution being based on an optical delay difference between the reference light and the light signal from the object detected by a detector of the OCT system;\nchanging an optical delay in the reference light generator of the OCT system to match an object height measured in the low depth resolution mode;\nusing a first control loop to control the optical beam focusing conditions for focusing the optical beam onto the object based on the optical delay difference and the object height with low resolution;\nusing a second control loop to control the adjustment of optical delay in the reference light generator based on the optical delay difference;\nchanging an electronic frequency of the detected signals to be within an optimal electronic frequency detection range of the detector of the OCT system;\noperating the OCT system in a high depth resolution mode to measure the object height with high resolution and a reduced depth measurement range, utilizing a full spectral bandwidth of the light source; and\nthe object height is the measured object height in high depth resolution mode adjusted by the changes made to the optical delay in the reference light generator.",
"2. A method to measure physical and geometrical data of an object using a swept source optical coherence tomography (SSOCT) system, the method comprising:\nproviding a light source that sweeps emitted light over a wavelength range;\ndelivering a portion of the light from the light source as an optical beam to measure the object and collecting a light signal from the object;\nproviding a portion of the light from the light source to a reference light generator of the SSOCT system for generating a reference light;\noperating the SSOCT system in a low depth resolution mode, by reducing the tuning wavelength range of the swept source, to measure the object height with low resolution, the object height with low resolution being based on an optical delay difference between the reference light and the light signal from the object detected by a detector of the SSOCT system;\nchanging the optical delay in the reference light generator of the SSOCT system to match the object height measured in the low depth resolution mode;\nusing a first control loop to control the optical beam focusing conditions for focusing the optical beam onto the object based on the optical delay difference and the object height with low resolution;\nusing a second control loop to control the adjustment of optical delay in the reference light generator based on the optical delay difference;\nchanging an electronic frequency of the detected signals to be within an optimal electronic frequency detection range of the detector of the SSOCT system;\noperating the SSOCT system in a high depth resolution mode and a reduced depth measurement range, by using a full tuning wavelength range of the swept source, to measure the object height with high resolution; and\nthe object height is the measured object height in high depth resolution mode adjusted by the changes made to the optical delay in the reference light generator.",
"3. A method to measure physical and geometrical data of a spectral domain coherence tomography (SDOCT) system, the method comprising:\noperating the SDOCT system in a low depth resolution mode, using a spectrometer configured for measuring reduce bandwidth of the broadband source at the highest spectral resolution of the spectrometer, to measure the object height with low resolution over an extended depth range;\nchanging the optical delay in the reference light generator of the SDOCT system to match the object height measured in the low depth resolution mode;\noperating the SDOCT system in a high depth resolution mode and a reduced depth measurement range, using a spectrometer configured for measuring the full bandwidth of the broadband source at reduced spectral resolution of the spectrometer, to measure the object height with high resolution in a reduced depth range; and\nthe object height is the measured object height in high depth resolution mode adjusted by the changes made to the optical delay in the reference light generator."
],
[
"1. A frequency-domain interferometric imaging system for imaging a light scattering object comprising:\na light source for generating a light beam;\na beam divider for separating the light beam into reference and sample arms, wherein the sample arm contains the light scattering object to be imaged;\nsample optics for delivering the light beam in the sample arm to the light scattering object to be imaged, the light beam in the sample arm defining a line beam illuminating a linear area spanning a plurality of A-scan locations on the light scattering object at the same time, the linear area defining a first linear field of view (FOV), the sample optics including a beam scanner for scanning the line beam in a direction parallel to, and along, the line beam in the sample arm, so that the linear area is moved to illuminate the object at a plurality of locations defining a scan line having a second linear FOV longer than the first linear FOV;\na detector having a plurality of photosensitive elements defining a light-capturing region including a plurality of spatially resolvable A-scan capturing locations arranged to simultaneously capture the plurality of A-scan locations spanned by the linear area, allowing the plurality of A-scan locations to be captured at the same time in parallel with the plurality of photosensitive elements;\nreturn optics for combining light scattered from the object and light from the reference arm and directing the combined light to the spatially resolvable A-scan capturing locations on the detector, the light capturing region of said detector collecting the combined light at the plurality of spatially resolvable A-scan capturing locations at the same time and generating signals in response thereto; and\na processor for processing the signals collected at the plurality of locations and for generating image data of the object based on the processed signals, said image data spanning a linear region longer than the linear area illuminated by the line beam.",
"2. The system of claim 1, wherein:\nthe light source sweeps the light beam through a plurality of frequencies;\nan entire sweep of the frequencies of the light source is captured by the detector at a fixed linear area on the light scattering object, before the beam scanner moves the linear area to the next adjacent location along the scan line.",
"3. The system of claim 1, wherein:\nthe scattering object is an eye fundus have a curved shape, and the distance of the system to the eye fundus varies along the scan line; and\nthe axial resolution of the system is adjusted as the linear area is moved along the scan line.",
"4. The system of claim 1, wherein the linear area is moved linearly by the beam scanner by up to one resolution point during one Nth of the time to move the linear area along the whole scan line, where N is the number of spatially resolvable A-scan capturing locations in the scanning direction.",
"5. The system of claim 1, wherein:\nthe spectral resolution of the scan line is lower at its end regions than at its central region; and\ngenerating image data includes rearranging or sorting the captured plurality of A-scan locations to produce a continuous spectral fringe signals for each location.",
"6. The system of claim 1, wherein the linear area is moved along the scan line in displacement steps less than or equal to the length the linear area.",
"7. The system of claim 1, wherein:\nthe linear area is moved along the scan line in displacement steps of one Mth of the length of the linear area to capture M copies of A-scans acquired sequentially in time; and\nthe image data includes motion contrast image information.",
"8. The system of claim 1, wherein the beam scanner is a spatial light modulator.",
"9. The system of claim 8, wherein the spatial light modulator is implemented as a digital micro mirror device (DMD) or as one or more translucent or reflective liquid crystal micro displays in combination with one or more polarizers.",
"10. The system of claim 1, wherein:\nthe light source has a first numerical aperture (NA) along a first direction and a second numerical aperture (NA) along a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction; and\nwherein the beam scanner is arranged to capture a volume scan, wherein capturing the volume scan includes:\nI. capturing a first interim volume scan comprised of a first plurality of said scan lines adjacent and parallel to each other along the first direction;\nII. capturing a second interim volume scan comprised of a second plurality of said scan lines adjacent and parallel to each other along the second direction; and\nIII. combining the two interim volumes.",
"11. The system of claim 10, wherein the two interim volumes are combined using a wavelet based image fusion method that is based on the point spread function of the light source.",
"12. The system of claim 11, wherein the beam scanner includes microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) mirrors."
],
[
"1. A sinusoidal frequency sweeping interferometric absolute distance measurement apparatus with dynamic offset frequency locking, comprising a reference laser (1), a first optical fiber beam splitter (2), an optical fiber beam combiner (3), a high frequency electro-optic phase modulator (4), an orthogonal optical fiber beam combiner (5), a coupler (6), a locking controller (12), a femtosecond optical frequency comb (13), a first high frequency amplifier (14), a high frequency clock source (15), a high frequency photodetector (16), a second high frequency amplifier (17), a frequency mixer (18), a third high frequency amplifier (19), a frequency sweeping signal source (20), a digital phase detector (21), a PID controller (22), a frequency sweeping laser (24), and a second optical fiber beam splitter (25);\nwherein an output end of the reference laser (1) is connected to one input end of the locking controller (12), an input end of the high frequency electro-optic phase modulator (4), and one input end of the orthogonal optical fiber beam combiner (5) respectively through the first optical fiber beam splitter (2), another input end of the locking controller (12) is connected to an output end of the femtosecond optical frequency comb (13), an output end of the locking controller (12) is connected to a current control end of the reference laser (1), the high frequency clock source (15) is connected to a modulation control end of the high frequency electro-optic phase modulator (4) through the first high frequency amplifier (14), and an output end of the high frequency electro-optic phase modulator (4) is connected to one input end of the optical fiber beam combiner (3);\nwherein an output end of the frequency sweeping laser (24) is connected to another input end of the optical fiber beam combiner (3) and another input end of the orthogonal optical fiber beam combiner (5) respectively through the second optical fiber beam splitter (25), an output end of the optical fiber beam combiner (3) is connected to the high frequency photodetector (16), an output end of the high frequency photodetector (16) is connected to one input end of the frequency mixer (18) through the second high frequency amplifier (17), the frequency sweeping signal source (20) is connected to another input end of the frequency mixer (18) through the third high frequency amplifier (19), and an output end of the frequency mixer (18) is connected to a current control end of the frequency sweeping laser (24) through the digital phase detector (21) and the PID controller (22);\nwherein an output end of the orthogonal optical fiber beam combiner (5) is connected to a Michelson interferometer through the coupler (6).",
"2. The sinusoidal frequency sweeping interferometric absolute distance measurement apparatus with dynamic offset frequency locking according to claim 1,\nwherein a laser beam emitted by the reference laser (1) is divided into three laser beams with a power ratio of 70:20:10 after passing through the first optical fiber beam splitter (2), wherein the laser beam with the power ratio of 10% output by the first optical fiber beam splitter (2) and laser beam output by the femtosecond optical frequency comb (13) enter the locking controller (12) together, the locking controller (12) generates a feedback control signal to the reference laser (1) and locks a laser frequency of the reference laser (1) to the femtosecond optical frequency comb (13);\nwherein a laser beam emitted by the frequency sweeping laser (24) is divided into two laser beams with a power ratio of 90:10 after passing through the second optical fiber beam splitter (25), and the laser beam with the power ratio of 10% output by the second optical fiber beam splitter (25) and laser sidebands generated by the high frequency electro-optic phase modulator (4) enter the optical fiber beam combiner (3) together, the combined beam is received by the high frequency photodetector (16) to produce a beat signal, and the beat signal is input to the frequency mixer (18) after being amplified by the second high frequency amplifier (17),\nwherein at a same time, a high frequency sinusoidal signal with continuously variable frequency generated by the frequency sweeping signal source (20) enters the frequency mixer (18) after being amplified by the third high frequency amplifier (19) together with the beat signal amplified by the second high frequency amplifier (17) for down-mixing to obtain a difference frequency signal;\nwherein the difference frequency signal is input to the digital phase detector (21), the digital phase detector (21) calculates a phase error between the difference frequency signal and a reference clock, the feedback control signal is obtained after the phase error is processed by the PID controller (22), and the feedback control signal is input to the current control end of the frequency sweeping laser (24) for closed-loop laser frequency control.",
"3. The sinusoidal frequency sweeping interferometric absolute distance measurement apparatus with dynamic offset frequency locking according to claim 1, further comprising:\nan atomic clock (23), wherein the locking controller (12), the femtosecond optical frequency comb (13), the high frequency clock source (15), the frequency sweeping signal source (20), and the digital phase detector (21) are all connected to the same atomic clock (23).",
"4. The sinusoidal frequency sweeping interferometric absolute distance measurement apparatus with dynamic offset frequency locking according to claim 1,\nwherein the Michelson interferometer comprises a reference cube-corner prism (7), a first low frequency electro-optic phase modulator (8), a second low frequency electro-optic phase modulator (9), a beam splitting prism (10), a measurement cube-corner prism (11), a polarizing beam splitting prism (26), a first photodetector (27), a second photodetector (28), a first analog-to-digital converter (30), a second analog-to-digital converter (29), and a field programmable gate array (FPGA) signal processor (31);\nwherein the output end of the orthogonal optical fiber beam combiner (5) is divided into transmitted measurement beam and reflected reference beam after passing through the beam splitting prism (10);\nthe measurement beam returns back to the beam splitting prism (10) in parallel after being reflected by the measurement cube-corner prism (11) to form a measurement path;\nwherein the reference beam is input to the reference cube-corner prism (7) after being modulated by the first low frequency electro-optic phase modulator (8) and the second low frequency electro-optic phase modulator 19) and returns back to the beam splitting prism (10) in parallel after being reflected by the reference cube-corner prism (7) to form a reference path;\nwherein the measurement beam and the reference beam returning back to the beam splitting prism (10) are combined and then divided into two beams including transmitted beam of a P polarization state and reflected beam of an S polarization state after passing through the polarizing beam splitting prism (26), the beam of the P polarization state is irradiated to the first photodetector (27) to be detected and received, and the beam of the S polarization state is irradiated to the second photodetector (28) to be detected and received;\nwherein output ends of the first photodetector (27) and the second photodetector (28) are connected to the field programmable gate array (FPGA) signal processor (31) respectively through the first analog-to-digital converter (30) and the second analog-to-digital converter (29) for performing data processing.",
"5. The sinusoidal frequency sweeping interferometric absolute distance measurement apparatus with dynamic offset frequency locking according to claim 4,\nwherein a laser beam with a power ratio of 70% output by the first optical fiber beam splitter (2) and a laser beam with a power ratio of 90% output by the second optical fiber beam splitter (25) are input into the orthogonal optical fiber beam combiner (5) together, and the orthogonal optical fiber beam combiner (5) combines reference laser beam with a power ratio of 70% output by the first optical fiber beam splitter (2) and frequency sweeping laser beam with a power ratio of 90% output by the second optical fiber beam splitter (25) into an orthogonal beam according to the P polarization state and the S polarization state respectively;\nwherein the orthogonal beam is converted into space beam after passing through the coupler (6), and the space beam is incident on the Michelson interferometer including the beam splitting prism (10), the reference cube-corner prism (7), and the measurement cube-corner prism (11) to perform absolute distance measurement;\nwherein the space beam is divided into transmitted measurement beam and reflected reference beam after passing through the beam splitting prism (10):\nthe measurement beam returns back to the beam splitting prism (10) in parallel after being reflected by the measurement cube-corner prism (11) to form the measurement path;\nwherein the reference beam is input to the reference cube-corner prism (7) after being modulated by the first low frequency electro-optic phase modulator (8) and the second low frequency electro-optic phase modulator (9) and returns back to the beam splitting prism (10) in parallel after being reflected by the reference cube-corner prism (7) to form the reference path;\nwherein the measurement beam and the reference beam returning back to the beam splitting prism (10) are combined and then divided into two beams including the transmitted beam of the P polarization state and the reflected beam of the S polarization state after passing through the polarizing beam splitting prism (26), the beam of the P polarization state generates an interference signal S1(t) after being irradiated to the first photodetector (27), and the beam of the S polarization state generates an interference signal S2(t) after being irradiated to the second photodetector (28);\nwherein the two interference signals S1(t) and S2(t) enter the field programmable gate array (FPGA) signal processor (31) for data processing after being respectively sampled by the first analog-to-digital converter (30) and the second analog-to-digital converter (29)."
],
[
"1. A method comprising:\nproducing a first laser chirp and a second laser chirp, wherein at least one of the first laser chirp and the second laser chirp is an optical frequency sideband;\ndirecting the first and the second laser chirp towards an object;\nreceiving a first interference signal based, at least in part, on the interaction of the first laser chirp with the object;\nreceiving a second interference signal based, at least in part, on the interaction of the second laser chirp with the object; and\nprocessing the first interference signal and the second interference signal to determine a range to the object.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the directed first and the second laser chirps are scanned laterally across at least a portion of the object.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein there is relative lateral motion between the directed first and second laser chirps, and the object.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein a surface roughness of the object is greater than an optical wavelength of the first laser chirp and an optical wavelength of the second laser chirps.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein the laser output simultaneously includes an up-chirped sideband and a down-chirped sideband.",
"6. The method of claim 5, wherein processing the first interference signal and the second interference signal to determine the range to the object includes compensating for speckle noise based, at least in part, on a first portion of the received light associated with the up-chirped sideband and a second portion of the received light associated with the down-chirped sideband.",
"7. The method of claim 1, wherein processing the first interference signal and the second interference signal comprises:\ncalculating a first signal phase based on the first interference signal;\ncalculating a second signal phase based on the second interference signal;\ndetermining at least one corrected phase signal based on the first signal phase and the second signal phase; and\ndetermining a distance to at least a portion of the object based on the at least one corrected signal phase.",
"8. The method of claim 7, wherein using the first signal phase and the second signal phase comprises determining a sum or a difference of the first signal phase and the second signal phase.",
"9. The method of claim 7, wherein calculating the first signal phase or the second signal phase comprises performing a Hilbert transform.",
"10. The method of claim 7, further comprising performing corrections to at least one of the first or second signal phases based on a wavelength or a chirp rate of the laser output.",
"11. A method comprising:\nproducing a laser output beam including at least one chirped optical frequency sideband;\ndirecting the laser output beam including the at least one chirped optical frequency sideband towards an object;\nreceiving interference signals using at least one optical detector, wherein each interference signal represents interference between a local oscillator signal and a return signal from the object, the local oscillator signal and the return signal being chirped signals including multiple chirps each having a chirp duration, and wherein the return signal is based on an interaction of the laser output and the object; and\ndetermining a distance to at least a portion of the object, at least in part by calculating a respective phase of the interference signals as a function of time over a respective chirp duration.",
"12. The method of claim 11, further comprising shifting an optical frequency of at least a portion of the laser output beam.",
"13. The method of claim 11, wherein the multiple chirps includes a first laser chirp having a first chirp rate and a second laser chirp having a second chirp rate different from the first chirp rate.",
"14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:\nreceiving a first interference signal and a second interference signal;\ncalculating a first phase signal based on the first interference signal and a second phase signal based on the second interference signal;\ndetermining at least one corrected phase signal based on the first and the second interference signal; and\ndetermining the distance based on the corrected phase signal.",
"15. A system comprising:\na laser source configured to produce a laser output including at least one chirped sideband;\nan optical system configured to direct the laser output towards an object and receive light from the object;\na beam scanner configured to scan the laser output across at least a portion of the object;\na detector configured to produce a signal based on the received light; and\na processor configured to determine a distance to the object based on the signal.",
"16. The system of claim 15, further comprising an optical frequency shifter configured to shift an optical frequency of the laser output.",
"17. The system of claim 16, wherein the frequency shifter is configured to shift the optical frequency of the laser output by an offset frequency.",
"18. The system of claim 17, wherein the processor is configured to use frequencies below the offset frequency to detect a down-chirped sideband of the laser output and frequencies above the offset frequency to detect an up-chirped sideband of the laser output.",
"19. The system of claim 15, further comprising a modulator configured to produce at least one chirped sideband from the laser output.",
"20. The system of claim 19, wherein the modulator is external to the laser source.",
"21. The system of claim 15, wherein the laser output includes an up-chirped sideband and a down-chirped sideband.",
"22. The system of claim 21, wherein the processor is configured to correct a speckle noise in the signal based, at least in part, on a first portion of the received light associated with the up-chirped sideband and a second portion of the received light associated with the down-chirped sideband.",
"23. The system of claim 15, wherein the optical system comprises a beam splitter configured to split the laser output into a transmitted (TX) portion and a local oscillator (LO) portion, wherein the optical system is configured to direct the TX portion towards the object and receive a received (RX) portion, and wherein the optical system is further configured to combine the LO portion and the RX portion to produce an interferometric signal at the detector.",
"24. The system of claim 23, further comprising an optical frequency shifter configured to shift a frequency of at least one of the TX portion and the LO portion."
],
[
"1. An optical system comprising:\na diode laser having a junction configured to provide a beam of radiation, wherein the diode laser is configured to produce a first spectral output bandwidth when driven under constant current conditions;\na driver circuit coupled to the diode laser, wherein the driver circuit is configured to apply a pulse of drive current to the diode laser,\nwherein the pulse of drive current has a current amplitude that varies in time causing a variation in an output wavelength of the diode laser during application of the pulse of drive current,\nwherein the pulse of the drive current produces a second spectral output bandwidth that is at least two times larger than the first spectral output bandwidth when driven under constant current conditions, and\nwherein the current amplitude of the pulse of drive current is configured with a rate of change that is slow enough to minimize a difference between an actual temperature of the junction and an equilibrium temperature of the junction occurring during the application of the pulse of drive current;\na set of optics coupled to the diode laser and configured to direct the beam of radiation to a sample for imaging the sample;\na detector disposed in the optical system and configured to produce an electrical signal based on photon energy detected returning from the sample; and\na processor coupled to the detector and configured to produce an image based on the electrical signal produced by the detector.",
"2. The system of claim 1, wherein the diode laser is a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL).",
"3. The system of claim 1, wherein the detector is configured with an array of photosensitive elements.",
"4. The system of claim 1, wherein the detector comprises a camera.",
"5. The system of claim 1, wherein the optical system comprises an optical coherence tomography system.",
"6. The system of claim 1, wherein the optical system comprises a point scanning swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) system.",
"7. A method performed by an optical system comprising:\nreceiving, at an input to a diode laser, a steady-state current;\nproducing, at a junction of the diode laser, a beam of radiation of an output wavelength at a first spectral output bandwidth;\napplying, by a driver circuit coupled to the diode laser, a pulse of drive current to the diode laser with a current amplitude that varies in time for varying the output wavelength produced by the diode laser;\napplying, by the driver circuit coupled to the diode laser, the pulse of drive current for causing the diode laser to produce a second spectral output bandwidth at least two times larger than the first spectral output bandwidth; and\nconfiguring, by the driver circuit coupled to the diode laser, a rate of change of the current amplitude of the pulse of drive current that is sufficiently slow to minimize temperature differences caused between an actual temperature and an equilibrium temperature of the junction of the diode laser occurring during application of the pulse of drive current.",
"8. The method of claim 7, further comprising directing, by a set of optics coupled to the diode laser, the beam of radiation with the output wavelength to a sample for imaging the sample.",
"9. The method of claim 8, further comprising producing, by a detector disposed in the optical system, an electrical signal based on photon energy detected by the detector that is returning from the sample.",
"10. The method of claim 9, further comprising producing, by a processor coupled to the detector, an image based on the electrical signal from the detector.",
"11. The method of claim 9, wherein the detector is composed of an array of photosensitive elements.",
"12. The method of claim 9, wherein the detector comprises a camera.",
"13. The method of claim 7, wherein the diode laser is a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL).",
"14. The method of claim 7, wherein the optical system comprises an optical coherence tomography system.",
"15. The method of claim 7, wherein the optical system comprises a point scanning swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) system.",
"16. A device comprising:\na diode laser having an input configured to receive a steady-state current,\nthe diode laser configured to produce, at a junction of the diode laser, a beam of radiation with an output wavelength at a first spectral output bandwidth;\na driver circuit coupled to the diode laser and configured to apply a pulse of drive current to the diode laser with a current amplitude that varies in time to change the output wavelength from the diode laser,\nwherein the current amplitude of the pulse of drive current is varied in time to enable the diode laser to produce a second spectral output bandwidth at least two times larger than the first spectral output bandwidth,\nwherein the current amplitude of the pulse of drive current is modulated with a rate of change that is sufficiently slow to reduce temperature differences caused between an actual temperature and an equilibrium temperature at the junction of the diode laser during application of the pulse of drive current; and\na set of optics coupled to the diode laser and configured to direct the beam of radiation with the output wavelength to a sample for imaging the sample.",
"17. The device of claim 16, further comprising a detector configured to produce an electrical signal based on photon energy detected by the detector that is returning from the sample.",
"18. The device of claim 17, further comprising a processor coupled to the detector and configured to produce an image based on the electrical signal from the detector.",
"19. The device of claim 17, wherein the detector comprises an array of photosensitive elements.",
"20. The device of claim 17, wherein the detector comprises a camera.",
"21. The device of claim 16, wherein the diode laser is a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL).",
"22. The device of claim 16, wherein the device comprises an optical coherence tomography device.",
"23. The device of claim 16, wherein the optical device comprises a point scanning swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) device."
],
[
"1. A few-mode optical fiber measurement instrument comprising: (a) an optical source having an output optically coupled to a spatial mode extractor; (b) a few-mode optical fiber optically coupled to the spatial mode extractor positioned at a proximal end of the few-mode fiber, the few-mode optical fiber configured to optically illuminate in one or more spatial modes a sample positioned near its distal end using light generated by the optical source and configured to collect light from the sample positioned proximate its distal end, the few-mode optical fiber configured to support at least two spatial modes with field spatial profiles that are substantially distinct such that the light collected in the at least two spatial modes from the sample includes optical information about the sample, the few-mode optical fiber further configured to propagate the light collected in the at least two spatial modes collected from the sample to the spatial mode extractor where the propagation is such that each of the at least two optical spatial modes can be extracted; (c) the spatial mode extractor configured to extract the light collected in the at least two spatial modes and then to produce light in at least two individual modes that preserves the included spatial information about the sample, the spatial mode extractor further configured to convey one of the at least two individual light modes to a first optical directing device and another one of the at least two individual light modes to a second optical directing device, the first and second optical directing devices conveying the light in the at least two individual modes to an interferometric optical receiver; and (d) a measurement subsystem comprising the interferometric optical receiver, the interferometric optical receiver comprising a first interferometric optical receiver optically coupled to the first optical directing device and optically coupled to the optical source and configured to interferometrically detect one of the two individual light modes and a second interferometric optical receiver optically coupled to the second optical directing device and optically coupled to the optical source and configured to interferometrically detect the other one of the two individual light modes simultaneously, the measurement subsystem processing the detected light in the at least two individual modes to produce information about optical properties of the sample.",
"2. The few-mode fiber measurement instrument of claim 1 wherein the few-mode fiber is further configured to support at least three spatial modes, the spatial mode extractor is further configured to extract light collected in a third spatial mode to produce light in a third individual mode, and the optical receiver is further configured to detect light in the third individual mode.",
"3. The few-mode fiber measurement instrument of claim 1 wherein the optical source comprises a swept source laser.",
"4. The few-mode fiber measurement instrument of claim 1 wherein the optical source comprises a widely tunable optical source.",
"5. The few-mode fiber measurement instrument of claim 1 wherein the optical source conveys the source light to the distal end of the few-mode fiber in one spatial mode.",
"6. The few-mode fiber measurement instrument of claim 5 wherein the one spatial mode is a low-order circularly symmetric spatial mode.",
"7. The few-mode fiber measurement instrument of claim 1 wherein the optical source conveys light to the distal end of the few-mode fiber in more than one spatial mode.",
"8. The few-mode fiber measurement instrument of claim 1 wherein the light collected in the at least two optical spatial modes from the sample near the distal end of the few-mode fiber comprises light collected in a low-order mode and collected in a higher-order mode.",
"9. The few-mode fiber measurement instrument of claim 1 wherein the light collected in the at least two optical spatial modes from the sample near the distal end of the few-mode fiber comprises light collected in a linearly polarized mode.",
"10. The few-mode fiber measurement instrument of claim 1 wherein the light collected in the at least two optical spatial modes from the sample near the distal end of the few-mode fiber comprises light collected in an orbital angular momentum mode.",
"11. The few-mode fiber measurement instrument of claim 1 wherein the light collected in the at least two optical spatial modes from the sample at the distal end of the few-mode fiber comprises light collected in at least two distinct polarization modes.",
"12. The few-mode fiber measurement instrument of claim 1 wherein at least one of the at least two spatial modes having a field spatial profile comprises a field spatial profile having a null intensity on-axis at a beam waist within the sample.",
"13. The few-mode fiber measurement instrument of claim 1 wherein the produced information about optical properties of the sample comprises at least one of axial optical profile information, contrast imaging information, longitudinal optical property information, OCT information, image information, fluorescence information, or spectroscopy information.",
"14. The few-mode fiber measurement instrument of claim 1 wherein the measurement subsystem comprises at least one of a spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) receiver, a time domain OCT receiver, a confocal receiver, a fluorescence receiver or a Raman receiver.",
"15. The few-mode fiber measurement instrument of claim 1 wherein the measurement subsystem comprises a swept-source optical coherent tomography (SS-OCT) measurement subsystem.",
"16. The few-mode fiber measurement instrument of claim 1 wherein the optical receiver comprises a dual-polarization optical coherent tomography receiver.",
"17. The few-mode fiber measurement instrument of claim 1 wherein the spatial mode extractor comprises at least one of a mode selective coupler, a grating device, or a spatial light modulator.",
"18. The few-mode fiber measurement instrument of claim 1 wherein the few-mode fiber is housed in an endoscope.",
"19. The few-mode fiber measurement instrument of claim 1 wherein at least one of the spatial mode extractor and the optical receiver is formed in a photonic integrated circuit.",
"20. A few-mode fiber optical measurement system comprising: (a) an optical source that generates source light; (b) an endoscope body comprising a few-mode optical fiber that is optically coupled to the optical source, the few-mode optical fiber transmitting the source light to a sample and coupling backscattered light from the sample in a low-order mode and a higher-order mode to a mode selective coupler; (c) the mode selective coupler extracting light in the low-order mode and the higher-order mode to produce light in two individual light modes and conveying one of the two individual light modes to a first optical directing device and the other one of the two individual light modes to a second optical directing device, the first and second optical directing devices directing light to an interferometric optical receiver; and (d) the interferometric optical receiver comprising a first interferometric optical receiver optically coupled to the first optical directing device and optically coupled to the optical source and configured to interferometrically detect one of the two individual light modes and a second interferometric optical receiver optically coupled to the second optical directing device and optically coupled to the optical source and configured to interferometrically detect the other one of the two individual light modes simultaneously, the optical receiver further comprising an electrical processor configured to process the interferometrically detected two individual light modes, thereby achieving multi-modal spatial detection such that information about the sample's optical properties is produced."
],
[
"1. A low coherence interferometry system comprising:\na first multiplexer configured to receive a first beam of radiation and comprising a first plurality of optical delay elements configured to introduce a group delay to the first beam of radiation based on an optical path traversed by the first beam of radiation among a first plurality of optical waveguides; and\na second multiplexer configured to receive a second beam of radiation, and comprising a second plurality of optical modulators configured to differentiate the second beam of radiation among a second plurality of optical waveguides to produce one or more output radiation beams,\nwherein the second plurality of optical waveguides are configured to guide the one or more output radiation beams towards a sample.",
"2. The low coherence interferometry system of claim 1, wherein the first multiplexer further comprises a plurality of switches configured to select the optical path traversed by the first beam of radiation among the first plurality of optical waveguides.",
"3. The low coherence interferometry system of claim 1, wherein the first multiplexer further comprises a plurality of phase modulators.",
"4. The low coherence interferometry system of claim 1, wherein the second multiplexer is configured to receive the second beam of radiation from a single output of the first multiplexer.",
"5. The low coherence interferometry system of claim 1, wherein the second multiplexer is configured to receive the second beam of radiation from one of only two outputs of the first multiplexer.",
"6. The low coherence interferometry system of claim 1, further comprising an optical element disposed between the second multiplexer and the sample.",
"7. The low coherence interferometry system of claim 6, wherein the optical element is a single lens.",
"8. The low coherence interferometry system of claim 7, wherein the single lens is configured to focus the one or more output radiation beams onto a focal plane such that a distance between centers of adjacent beams at the focal plane is between 1 and 10 times larger than the diameter of one of the beams at the focal plane.",
"9. The low coherence interferometry system of claim 7, further comprising a plurality of lenses, each smaller than the single lens, configured to focus at least one subset of the one or more output radiation beams onto a first target region of the sample and focus at least one other subset of the one or more output radiation beams onto a second target region of the sample.",
"10. The low coherence interferometry system of claim 6, wherein the optical element is a gradient index (GRIN) lens.",
"11. The low coherence interferometry system of claim 6, further comprising a reflector disposed downstream of the optical element and configured to alter a direction of propagation of the one or more output radiation beams.",
"12. The low coherence interferometry system of claim 11, wherein the altered direction of propagation is substantially perpendicular to an original direction of propagation.",
"13. The low coherence interferometry system of claim 11, wherein an orientation of the reflector is adjustable, such that an angle of alteration to the direction of propagation of the one or more output radiation beams is adjustable.",
"14. The low coherence interferometry system of claim 13, wherein the adjustable reflector comprises microelectromechanical components.",
"15. The low coherence interferometry system of claim 1, wherein the second plurality of optical modulators comprises phase modulators.",
"16. The low coherence interferometry system of claim 1, wherein the second plurality of optical modulators comprises optical delay elements.",
"17. The low coherence interferometry system of claim 1, wherein the second plurality of optical modulators comprises optical switches.",
"18. The low coherence interferometry system of claim 1, wherein the group delay is associated with a scanning depth of the sample and is carried through to the one or more output radiation beams in the second multiplexer.",
"19. The low coherence interferometry system of claim 1, wherein the second plurality of optical waveguides are further configured to collect scattered radiation from the sample.",
"20. The low coherence interferometry system of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of optical waveguides and the second plurality of optical waveguides are integrated on a same substrate.",
"21. The low coherence interferometry system of claim 1, further comprising microelectromechanical actuators configured to bend one or more of the second plurality of optical waveguides.",
"22. The low coherence interferometry system of claim 1, wherein the second beam of radiation is different from the first beam of radiation.",
"23. The low coherence interferometry system of claim 22, wherein the first multiplexer is located in a reference arm of the low coherence interferometry system and the second multiplexer is located in a sample arm of the low coherence interferometry system.",
"24. The low coherence interferometry system of claim 1, wherein the second beam of radiation is the same as the first beam of radiation.",
"25. The low coherence interferometry system of claim 24, wherein the first multiplexer and the second multiplexer are both located in a sample arm of the low coherence interferometry system.",
"26. A method performed by a low coherence interferometry system, comprising:\nreceiving a first beam of radiation at a first multiplexer;\nintroducing a group delay to the first beam of radiation received at the first multiplexer based on an optical path traversed by the first beam of radiation received at the first multiplexer among a first plurality of optical waveguides in the first multiplexer;\nreceiving a second beam of radiation at a second multiplexer;\ndifferentiating the second beam of radiation received at the second multiplexer among a second plurality of optical waveguides to produce one or more output radiation beams; and\nguiding the one or more output radiation beams towards a sample.",
"27. The method of claim 26, further comprising modulating a phase of the first beam of radiation in the first multiplexer.",
"28. The method of claim 26, wherein the differentiating the second beam of radiation comprises introducing a delay to the second beam of radiation.",
"29. The method of claim 26, wherein the differentiating the second beam of radiation comprises switching the second beam of radiation among the second plurality of optical waveguides.",
"30. The method of claim 26, wherein the differentiating the second beam of radiation comprises modulating a phase of the second beam of radiation.",
"31. The method of claim 26, further comprising focusing the one or more output radiation beams via an optical element.",
"32. The method of claim 31, further comprising altering a propagation direction of the one or more output radiation beams via a reflector disposed downstream of the optical element.",
"33. The method of claim 26, further comprising bending one or more of the second plurality of optical waveguides via microelectromechanical actuators.",
"34. The method of claim 26, further comprising collecting scattered radiation from the sample.",
"35. The method of claim 26, wherein the second multiplexer receives the second beam of radiation from the first multiplexer.",
"36. The method of claim 26, wherein the second beam of radiation received at the second multiplexer is the same as the first beam of radiation received at the first multiplexer.",
"37. The method of claim 26, wherein the second beam of radiation received at the second multiplexer is different from the first beam of radiation received at the first multiplexer."
],
[
"1. A low insertion loss optical coherence tomography system with space-division multiplexing, the system comprising:\na long coherence light source producing coherent light having a coherence length greater than 5 mm to provide optimal imaging depth;\nan optical coupler receiving and dividing the light into reference light and sampling light;\na reference arm defining a first optical light path, the reference arm receiving the reference light and generating a reference light signal based on the reference light;\na sample arm defining a second optical light path and receiving the sampling light;\nan optical splitter arranged on the sample arm, the optical splitter dividing the sampling light into a plurality of sampling light beams and simultaneously transmitting the plurality of sampling beams;\nan optical delay element comprising a plurality of different light path lengths configured and operable to produce an optical delay shorter than the coherence length of the light source between the plurality of sampling beams such that when images are formed, signals from different physical locations are detected in different frequency bands;\na scanner arranged to receive and configured to simultaneously scan the plurality of sampling beams simultaneously onto multiple different sampling locations on a surface of a sample;\na plurality of optical couplers each configured and arranged to simultaneously receive and combine the reference light signal with one of a plurality of individual reflected light signals returned from the multiple different sampling locations on the surface of the sample produced by each of the plurality of sampling beams to simultaneously generate a plurality of interference signals each having a different frequency band; and\na sensor configured to detect and combine the plurality of interference signals;\nwherein the interference signals includes data representing digitized images of the sample.",
"2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the sensor is a balanced photodetector.",
"3. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of optical circulators each being associated with one of the plurality of optical couplers, each optical circulator being operable to receive one of the plurality of reflected light signals from the sample and transmit the same reflected light signal to one of the optical couplers.",
"4. The system according to claim 3, further comprising an optical splitter configured to divide the reference light signal into a plurality of reference light signals, each one of the plurality of reference light signals being transmitted to one of the plurality of optical couplers for producing an interference signal.",
"5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the reference arm is a non-sweeping reference arm.",
"6. The system according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of sampling beams is transmitted by an optical fiber forming an array comprising a plurality of the optical fibers.",
"7. The system according to claim 6, wherein each of optical fibers also receives one of the plurality of reflected light signals returned from the multiple different sampling locations on the surface of the sample.",
"8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the optical delay element and the optical splitter are replaced by a lightwave circuit which splits the sampling light into the plurality of sampling light beams and produces the optical delay between the plurality of sampling beams which are transmitted simultaneously.",
"9. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a high speed data acquisition card and computer processor configured to capture and process the interference signal and generate a visual display of the actual images of the sample on a display device.",
"10. A low insertion loss optical coherence tomography system with space-division multiplexing, the system comprising:\na long coherence light source producing light having a coherence length greater than 5 mm to provide optimal imaging depth range;\na first optical coupler configured and arranged to split the light into reference light and sampling light;\na non-sweeping reference arm receiving the reference light and producing a reference light signal;\na second optical splitter arranged on a sample arm and configured to split the sampling light into a plurality of sampling beams and transmit the plurality of sampling beams simultaneously;\nan optical delay element comprising a plurality of different light path lengths configured to produce an optical delay shorter than the coherence length of the light source between the plurality of sampling beams such that when images are formed, signals from different physical locations are detected in different frequency bands;\na scanner arranged to receive and configured to simultaneously scan the plurality of sampling beams onto multiple different sampling locations on a surface of a sample;\na plurality of third optical couplers each configured and arranged to simultaneously receive and combine the reference light signal with one of a plurality of individual reflected light signals returned from the multiple different sampling locations on the surface of the sample produced by each of the plurality of sampling beams to simultaneously generate a plurality of interference signals each having a different frequency band;\nwherein the interference signals includes data representing digitized images of the sample.",
"11. The system according to claim 10, wherein the first optical coupler is operable to divert the reference light to the reference arm and to divert the sampling light to the sample arm.",
"12. The system according to claim 10, wherein the second optical splitter is an optical fiber splitter.",
"13. The system according to claim 12, wherein the optical fiber splitter is planar lightwave circuit splitter.",
"14. The system according to claim 10, further comprising a balanced detector sensor arranged and operable to detect and combine the plurality of interference signals from each of the third optical devices.",
"15. The system according to claim 10, wherein the optical delay element comprises an optical fiber array comprised of a plurality of optical fibers each having a different length and conveying one of the plurality of sampling beams.",
"16. The system according to claim 10, wherein the light source is a wavelength tunable light source.",
"17. The system according to claim 10, further comprising a high speed data acquisition card and computer processor configured to capture and process the interference signal and generate a visual display of the actual images of the sample on a display device.",
"18. The system according to claim 10, further comprising a plurality of optical circulators each being associated with one of the plurality of optical couplers, each optical circulator being operable to receive one of the plurality of reflected light signals from the sample and transmit the same reflected light signal to one of the optical couplers.",
"19. The system according to claim 18, further comprising an optical splitter configured to divide the reference light signal into a plurality of reference light signals, each one of the plurality of reference light signals being transmitted to one of the plurality of optical couplers for producing an interference signal.",
"20. The system according to claim 10, wherein the optical delay element and the second optical splitter are replaced by a lightwave circuit which splits the sampling light into the plurality of sampling light beams and produces the optical delay between the plurality of sampling beams which are transmitted simultaneously.",
"21. A method for imaging a sample using a low insertion loss space-division multiplexing optical coherence tomography system, the method comprising:\nproviding an optical coherence tomography system comprising a long coherence light source producing light having a coherence length greater than 5 mm to provide optimal imaging depth, a non-sweeping reference arm defining a first optical path, and a sample arm defining a second optical path;\ndividing the light from the light source into reference light and sampling light;\ntransmitting the reference light to the reference arm to produce a reflected light signal;\ntransmitting the sampling light to the sample arm;\nsplitting the sampling light into a plurality of sampling beams on the sample arm;\nproducing an optical delay shorter than the coherence length of the light source between the plurality of sampling beams such that when images are formed, signals from different physical locations are detected in different frequency bands;\nscanning the plurality of sampling beams onto a surface of a sample at multiple different sample locations simultaneously;\ncollecting a plurality of reflected light signals each returned from the surface of the sample produced by each of the plurality of sampling beams;\nsimultaneously receiving and combining the reference light signal with one of the plurality of reflected light signals returned from the multiple different sampling locations on the surface of the sample produced by each of the plurality of sampling beams by a plurality of optical couplers to generate a plurality of interference signals each having a different frequency band;\ncombining and simultaneously receiving the plurality of interference signals by a sensor\nwherein the interference signals comprise data representing digitized images of the sample."
],
[
"1. A laser measurement system for simultaneously measuring six degree of freedom geometric errors, wherein the laser measurement system has a laser emitting unit, a fixed sensor head, and a moving target unit;\nthe laser emitting unit is connected to the fixed sensor head by a single fiber;\nthe moving target unit is mounted on a linear guide, and moves along the linear guide during measurement;\nthe laser emitting unit further consists of:\na dual-frequency laser, a quarter-wave plate, a coupling lens, and the single fiber is a polarization maintaining fiber;\ntwo light beams, each with an amplitude and are circularly polarized, are left-handed and right-handed and are generated by the dual-frequency laser, the two light beams have the same amplitude, and the two light beams have a frequency difference; the two circularly polarized light beams are transformed to two linearly polarized light beams with an orthogonal polarization direction by the quarter-wave plate; the two linearly polarized light beams are coupled into the polarization maintaining fiber by the coupling lens; the polarization maintaining fiber transmits the two linearly polarized light beams, wherein the two linearly polarized light beams are kept with the frequency difference and in the polarization state,\nthe fixed sensor head includes a fiber exit end, a collimating lens, a half wave plate, a polarization beam splitter, a quarter wave plate, a reflector, a beam splitter, a mirror, a lens, and a photodetector;\nthe moving target unit includes two reflectors and a beam splitter and is in engagement with the linear guide;\nthe laser emitting unit, based on transmission through the single polarization maintaining fiber, is connected with the fixed sensor head.",
"2. The system of claim 1, wherein a collimated laser beam is obtained after a light beam is transmitted to pass through the single polarization maintaining fiber and the light beam is expanded and collimated by the collimating lens; the half-wave plate is rotated in order to align the polarization direction of the two orthogonal linear polarized light beams emitted from the single polarization maintaining fiber with the polarization direction of the light transmitted through and the light reflected from the polarization beam splitter, so as to make the intensity of the light beam transmitted through the polarization beam splitter and the intensity of the light beam reflected from the polarization beam splitter to be equal with each other, a part of the beam energy reflected by the polarization beam splitter is directed through the beam splitter, and is reflected by the reflector to serve as a reference beam for interferometric length measurement; the remaining beam energy from the polarization beam splitter is directed into the reflector in the moving target unit, and the reflected beam from the reflector serves as a signal beam; the position error Z when the moving target mirror unit moves along a machine tool or its guiding rail is obtained by the beat frequency signal generated by the interference between the reference beam and the signal light on the photodetector in the fixed sensor head.",
"3. The system of claim 1, wherein the reflected light from the polarization beam splitter in the fixed sensor head is partially diverted onto the half-wave plate by the beam splitter; the polarization direction of the linearly polarized light passing through the half-wave plate is aligned with the polarization direction of the transmitted light from the polarization beam splitter through rotating the half-wave plate; the linearly polarized light is transformed to a circularly polarized light through the quarter-wave plate, and is directed onto the beam splitter in the moving target unit; the beam energy passing through the beam splitter is reflected back to the fixed sensor head by the reflector in the moving target unit; the photodetector in the fixed sensor head receives the reflected light, so that the horizontal straightness error ΔX1 and the vertical straightness error ΔY1 of the moving target unit with respect to the light axis are obtained.",
"4. The system of claim 1, wherein the reflected light from the beam splitter in the moving target unit passes through the quarter-wave plate in the fixed unit again, and is transformed from the circularly polarized light to the linearly polarized light, but the polarization direction has a 90 degree change as before, so that the reflected light is totally reflected by the polarization beam splitter; the light is then reflected by a mirror and is focused by lens onto a photodetector which is placed at the focal point of the lens, so that the angular displacements of pitch α and yaw β of the moving target unit with respect to the light axis are obtained.",
"5. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmitted light from the polarization beam splitter in the fixed sensor head is directed onto the reflector in the moving target unit, and is then twice reflected by two beam splitters in the fixed sensor head; the photodetector in the fixed sensor head receives the reflected light, so that the horizontal straightness error ΔX2 and vertical straightness error ΔY2 are then obtained; and the roll error γ is obtained by dividing the difference of the vertical straightness errors ΔY1 and ΔY2 in two different points at the same horizontal position with the distance between the transmitted light from the polarization beam splitter and the reflected light from the beam splitter in the fixed sensor head.",
"6. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmitted light from the beam splitter in the fixed sensor head is reflected by a mirror, and is focused on a photodetector to obtain the beam angular drift α′ and β′ with respect to the emergent light from the collimating lens; due to the compensating path is just the measuring path, two dimensional straightness errors, pitch and yaw are compensated according to the beam angular drift and the corresponding error model; the random error introduced by the beam drift is decreased, and the measurement accuracy is enhanced as well."
],
[
"1. A five-degree-of-freedom heterodyne grating interferometry system, comprising: a laser device (1) and an acousto-optic modulator (2), wherein the laser device (1) emits a laser, which is then incident on the acousto-optic modulator (2) after optical fiber coupling and beam splitting to obtain two beams of linearly polarized light of different frequencies, one beam of which serves as a reference light, and the other beam of which serves as a measurement light; an interferometer lens group (3) and a measurement grating (4), which are used to form the reference light and the measurement light into a measurement interference signal and a compensation interference signal; and a plurality of optical fiber bundles (5), which receive the measurement interference signal and the compensation interference signal respectively;\nwherein the interferometer lens group (3) comprises beam splitting prisms (31), right-angle prisms (32), a quarter-wave plate (33), a refractive element (34), a reflecting mirror (35), and polarization beam splitting prisms (36); and\nwherein components of the interferometer lens group (3) are distributed symmetrical up and down, the beam splitting prisms (31) are located in upper and lower layers of the interferometer lens group, the polarization beam splitting prisms (36) are located in a middle layer of the interferometer lens group, and the refractive element (34) is located at a top end of the interferometer lens group; the right-angle prisms (32) are arranged at positions of 90° deflection of optical path, and are adhered to the beam splitting prisms (31) and the polarization beam splitting prisms (36) respectively; the measurement light and the reference light pass through same path in the interferometer lens group (3).",
"2. The five-degree-of-freedom heterodyne grating interferometry system according to claim 1, wherein each of the optical fiber bundles (5) contains a plurality of multimode optical fibers for receiving signals at different positions in same plane respectively.",
"3. The five-degree-of-freedom heterodyne grating interferometry system according to claim 2, wherein the number of the compensation interference signal is one, the number of the measurement interference signal is two, and the two measurement interference signals and the one compensation interference signal are respectively received by the optical fiber bundles (5).",
"4. The five-degree-of-freedom heterodyne grating interferometry system according to claim 1, wherein the reference light is divided into three beams of reference light after being split by two beam splitting prisms (31) and reflected by the right-angle prism (32), and the three beams of reference light are used as three interference signals after being reflected by middle three of the polarization beam splitting prisms (36);\nthe measurement light is divided into three beams of the measurement light after being split by two beam splitting prisms (31) and reflected by the right-angle prisms (32);\ntwo of the three beams of the measurement light are reflected by the polarization beam splitting prisms (36), pass through the quarter-wave plate (33) and the refractive element (34) in turn, and then are incident on the measurement grating (4) from left and right sides of the refractive element (34); diffracted beams return along an original optical path, then are transmitted through the quarter-wave plate (33) and middle two of the polarization beam splitting prisms (36) in turn, and are reflected by two of the right-angle prisms (32) to respectively interfere with two beams of the reference light serving as two of the three interference signals and form two measurement interference signals;\na third beam of the measurement light is reflected by the polarization beam splitting prism (36), passes through the quarter-wave plate (33), and is then reflected by the reflecting mirror (35); then it passes through the quarter-wave plate (33) again, is transmitted through the polarization beam splitting prism (36), is reflected by two of the right-angle prisms (32), and interferes with a third beam of the reference light serving as one of the three interference signals to form the compensation interference signal.",
"5. The five-degree-of-freedom heterodyne grating interferometry system according to claim 1, wherein the measurement grating (4) makes a two-degree-of-freedom linear movement or a three-degree-of-freedom rotational movement relative to the interferometer lens group (3).",
"6. The five-degree-of-freedom heterodyne grating interferometry system according to claim 5, wherein displacements of the two-degree-of-freedom linear movements are measured based on the Doppler frequency shift principle, with accuracy being of an order of nanometer; and rotational angles are measured based on the principle of differential wavefront, with a measurement range of the rotational angles being 1 mrad and the accuracy reaching the order of microradian.",
"7. The five-degree-of-freedom heterodyne grating interferometry system according to claim 5, when solving displacement two-degree-of-freedom linear movement, a first temperature drift error of the horizontal displacement is automatically eliminated, and a second temperature drift error of vertical displacement is eliminated by the compensation interference signal.",
"8. The five-degree-of-freedom heterodyne grating interferometry system according to claim 1, wherein number of the compensation interference signal is one, number of the measurement interference signal is two, and the two measurement interference signals and the one compensation interference signal are respectively received by the optical fiber bundles (5).",
"9. The five-degree-of-freedom heterodyne grating interferometry system according to claim 8, wherein each optical fiber bundle (5) has four optical fibers that are located at different positions in a same plane and are used to receive interference signals of four quadrants; each optical fiber bundle (5) outputs four optical signals.",
"10. The five-degree-of-freedom heterodyne grating interferometry system according to claim 1, wherein the five-degree-of-freedom heterodyne grating interferometry system further comprises a photoelectric conversion unit (6) and an electronic signal processing component (7), the photoelectric conversion unit (6) is used to receive the optical signals transmitted by the optical fiber bundles (5) and convert them into electrical signals for input into the electronic signal processing component (7); and the electronic signal processing component (7) receives the electrical signals to solve linear displacement or rotational movement of the measurement grating (4).",
"11. The five-degree-of-freedom heterodyne grating interferometry system according to claim 1, wherein the measurement system is suitable for laser interferometers, grating interferometers, heterodyne interferometers, and homodyne interferometers.",
"12. The five-degree-of-freedom heterodyne grating interferometry system according to claim 1, wherein the compensation interference signal can compensate for optical fiber transmission errors of the measurement system."
],
[
"1. An optical coherence tomography apparatus comprising:\nan optical coherence tomography optical system comprising:\na measurement optical path,\na reference optical path,\nan optical path length difference generator placed in at least one of the measurement optical path and the reference optical path and configured to generate at least two lights having an optical path length difference from each other, the generator comprising,\na light splitter configured to split at least one of the measurement optical path and the reference optical path into a first optical path and a second optical path that is a detour optical path, and\nan optical combiner configured to combine the first optical path and the second optical path, and\na detector configured to obtain a multiplexed spectral interference signal in which a first spectral interference signal and a second spectral interference signal based on the at least two lights generated by the optical path length difference generator are multiplexed, and\nan arithmetic controller configured to process the multiplexed spectral interference signal output from the detector to obtain depth information in which first depth information based on the first spectral interference signal and second depth information based on the second spectral interference signal are multiplexed separately from each other in a depth direction,\nthe first depth information and the second depth information being depth information at a same depth position on an object to be examined and are obtained simultaneously.",
"2. The optical coherence tomography apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an optical scanner placed in the measurement optical path, and\nwherein the arithmetic controller processes the depth information obtained at each scan position by the optical scanner to obtain tomographic image data including a plurality of tomographic images on the object at the same time.",
"3. The optical coherence tomography apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the arithmetic controller positionally aligns and combines the first depth information and the second depth information in the depth direction.",
"4. The optical coherence tomography apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the arithmetic controller obtains a plurality of the first depth information and the second depth information and positionally aligns and combines the first depth information and the second depth information in the depth direction.",
"5. The optical coherence tomography apparatus according to claim 1, wherein\nthe optical path length difference generator is configured to generate at least two lights having polarization components orthogonal to each other and to generate at least two lights having an optical path length difference therebetween and having polarization components orthogonal to each other,\nthe detector is a detector configured to detect at least two multiplexed spectral interference signals having polarization components orthogonal to each other, and\nthe arithmetic controller processes at least two multiplexed spectral interference signals having polarization components orthogonal to each other to analyze polarization properties of the object to be examined.",
"6. The optical coherence tomography apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detector includes a vertical polarization detector for detecting a multiplexed spectral interference signal having a vertical polarization component and a horizontal polarization detector for detecting a multiplexed spectral interference signal having a horizontal polarization component.",
"7. The optical coherence tomography apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a full range unit placed in one of the measurement optical path and the reference optical path and configured to obtain a full-range image capturing region in the depth direction.",
"8. The optical coherence tomography apparatus according to claim 1, wherein\nthe optical path length difference generator is placed in the measurement optical path, and\nthe optical coherence tomography optical system further comprises a scan optical system configured to simultaneously scan the at least two lights having an optical path length difference from each other at a same depth position on the object to be examined in a transverse direction.",
"9. The optical coherence tomography apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the scan optical system is a scan optical system configured to scan the at least two lights having an optical path length difference from each other at a same scanning position on the object to be examined.",
"10. The optical coherence tomography apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the scan optical system is a scan optical system which scans the at least two lights having an optical path length difference from each other at different positions on the object to be examined.",
"11. The optical coherence tomography apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the object to be examined is a fundus of an eye.",
"12. The optical coherence tomography apparatus according to claim 1, wherein\nthe optical coherence tomography optical system is a swept source OCT optical system, and\nthe detector is a balanced detector including at least two point sensors.",
"13. The optical coherence tomography apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the arithmetic controller measures a variation between the first depth information and the second depth information.",
"14. The optical coherence tomography apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the optical coherence tomography optical system is a spectral-domain-optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) system.",
"15. The optical coherence tomography apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first optical path and the second optical path in the optical path length difference generator includes an optical fiber.",
"16. An optical coherence tomography apparatus comprising:\nan optical coherence tomography optical system comprising:\na measurement optical path,\na reference optical path,\nan optical path length difference generator placed in the measurement optical path and configured to generate at least two lights having an optical path length difference from each other, the generator being configured to produce a first optical path and a second optical path that is a detour optical path,\nan optical scanner placed on a side closer to the object than the optical path length difference generator, and\na detector configured to obtain a multiplexed spectral interference signal in which a first spectral interference signal and a second spectral interference signal generated by the optical path length difference generator are multiplexed, and\nan arithmetic controller configured to process the multiplexed spectral interference signal output from the detector to obtain depth information in which first depth information based on the first spectral interference signal and second depth information based on the second spectral interference signal are multiplexed separately from each other in a depth direction,\nthe first depth information and the second depth information being depth information at a same depth position on an object to be examined and are obtained simultaneously.",
"17. The optical coherence tomography apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the arithmetic controller processes the depth information obtained at each scan position by the optical scanner to obtain tomographic image data including a plurality of tomographic images on the object at the same time.",
"18. The optical coherence tomography apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the arithmetic controller positionally aligns and combines the first depth information and the second depth information in the depth direction.",
"19. The optical coherence tomography apparatus according to claim 16, wherein at least one of the first optical path and the second optical path in the optical path length difference generator includes an optical fiber."
],
[
"1. An apparatus for interferometric measurement of a sample, the sample comprising an eye, the apparatus comprising:\na short-coherence interferometer arrangement, which comprises a measurement beam path through which a measurement beam is incident on the sample, and a reference beam path, through which a reference beam passes wherein the measurement beam is superimposed on the reference beam and interference occurs between the reference beam and the measurement beam; and\na spectrometer arrangement that detects the superimposed beams, said arrangement comprising an element which spectrally spreads the superimposed beams and a detector array which comprises at least 7,000 individual photo-sensitive cells arranged such that two signal peaks are captured in a short period of time, one of the two signal peaks representing an anterior structure and another of the two signal peaks representing a posterior structure and such that eye measurements over a full axial length of the eye are performed in the single measurement over a short period of time.",
"2. A method for short-coherence interferometric measurement of a sample, the sample comprising an eye, the method comprising:\ndirecting a measurement beam onto the sample through a measurement beam path;\nsuperimposing a reference beam passing through a first reference beam path onto the measurement beam and wherein interference occurs between the measurement beam and the reference beam;\nusing a spectrometer arrangement for detection of the superimposed beams, said spectrometer arrangement comprising an element which spectrally spreads the superimposed beams and a detector array which comprises at least 7,000 individual photo-sensitive cells;\ncapturing two signal peaks in a short period of time, one of the two signal peaks representing an anterior structure and another of the two signal peaks representing a posterior structure; and\nthus performing eye measurements over a full axial length of the eye in the single measurement over a short period of time."
]
] |
the following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 u.s.c. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this office action:
a person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
claim(s) 1-3, 6-7, 9, 12, 16-17 and 20 are rejected under 35 u.s.c. 102(a1) as being anticipated by us publication 2007/0278389 to ajgaonkar et al.
in regards to claims 1-3, 6-7, 9, 12, 16-17 and 20, ajgaonkar discloses and shows in figures 3-5 and 7, an optical interference range sensor comprising:
a light source (404, 502) configured to project a light beam while continuously varying a wavelength thereof (par. 70-72);
an interferometer comprising a coupler as a splitting unit (426, 522) configured to split the light beam projected from the light source into light beams (140, 414, 418, 520) radiated toward a plurality of spots on a measurement target (438, 508), the interferometer being configured to generate interference beams with the light beams split in correspondence with the plurality of spots, each of the interference beams being generated by interference between a measurement beam radiated toward the measurement target and reflected at the measurement target and a reference beam (422, 512) passing through an optical path that is at least partially different from an optical path of the measurement beam (par. 35-36, 38, 50-52, 58-59. 70-72);
a detector (122, 442, 532) (applicant’s light-receiving unit) configured to receive the interference beams from the interferometer (par. 40, 63); and
a processor (150, 450) configured to detect a peak of the received interference beams, and calculate a distance to the measurement target by associating the detected peak with one of the spots (par. 37, 40, 59, 63),
wherein an optical path length difference between the measurement beam and the reference beam is different among the light beams split in correspondence with the plurality of spots (par. 50-51);
[claim 2] wherein peaks of the interference beams are shifted from each other (figure 4) (par. 50-51);
[claims 3 and 12] wherein the interferometer generates each of the interference beams by interference between a first reflected beam that is a reflected beam of the measurement beam radiated toward the measurement target and reflected at the measurement target and a second reflected beam that is a reflected beam of the reference beam reflected at a reference surface (par. 34-38);
[claims 6 and 16-17] wherein the optical path length difference is set so that distances between adjacent peaks of the interference beams are different, and the processor calculates the distance to the measurement target by associating the detected peak with the one of the spots, based on the distances between the adjacent peaks and a preset optical path length difference (figure 4) (par. 50-51);
[claim 9] wherein the processor generates a signal waveform by converting, to a distance by means of sub-pixel estimation, discrete values obtained by frequency- analyzing the interference beams received by the light-receiving unit (par. 70-72);
[claims 7 and 20] wherein the processor calculates the distance to the measurement target by associating the detected peak with the one of the spots, based on the detected peak and a detected peak of an interference beam received in the past (comparison to normal material) (par. 50-51) (figure 4).
|
[
"1. A multilayer electronic device comprising a plurality of unit electronic devices, said unit electronic devices being connected in series, wherein said plurality of unit electronic devices comprise at least first and second neighbouring unit electronic devices, the multilayer electronic device comprising:\na substrate or non-conducting base layer,\ntwo opposed conducting layers comprising a lower conductive layer and an upper conductive layer,\nat least one electronic layer comprising a material having semiconducting, photovoltaic, photoelectric and/or electroluminescent properties, said electronic layer being provided between said upper and lower conductive layers,\nan intermediate structure comprising a conductive material, the intermediate structure being provided between said first and second unit electronic devices, wherein said intermediate structure:\nis in direct contact with the lower conductive layer of said second unit electronic device,\nis provided to electrically connect the upper conductive layer of said first unit electronic device with the lower conductive layer of the said second unit electronic device,\nphysically separates at least part of the electronic layers of said first and second unit electronic devices, and\nwherein the multilayer electronic device comprises only one intermediate structure per unit electronic device, said only one intermediate structure longitudinally extending between neighbouring unit electronic devices and providing a projection on said surface of said substrate or on said lower conductive layer.",
"2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein said intermediate structure is formed by a single and/or continuous and preferably homogenous material, which is deposited in a single deposition step, and which preferably has continuous electronic properties.",
"5. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein said intermediate structure is in contact with both, said substrate and said lower conductive layer.",
"9. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein said intermediate structure, when seen in transverse section, is asymmetric, preferably presenting the outline of a parallelogram.",
"13. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein said intermediate structure is an aid for the deposition of layers said aid being provided for allowing the non-continuous deposition of a layer deposited preferably subsequently to the deposition of said intermediate structure.",
"15. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein said intermediate structure comprises one or more characteristics selected from the group consisting of:\n(i) the intermediate structure comprises a material that is different from the material forming said substrate,\n(ii) said intermediate structure is a structure that is distinct from said substrate, and,\n(iii) said intermediate structure comprises a deposited material.",
"18. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the intermediate structure comprises a material selected from conducting, semiconducting and insulating material, wherein the intermediate structure is partially or totally provided on the substrate, wherein:\nthe lower conductive layer of said first electronic unit device is spaced apart from said intermediate structure, and/or.\nthe upper conductive layer of the second electronic unit device is spaced apart from said intermediate structure.",
"19. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the intermediate structure, when seen in transverse section, comprises a lateral side at least part of which is oblique and/or curved with respect to the surface of the substrate such that at least part of the lateral side provides an overhang projection on said substrate or on said lower conductive layer.",
"20. The electronic device of claim 1, which lacks a passivation or other separating layer between the intermediate structure and the lower conductive layer or, if the intermediate structure is deposited on the substrate, between the intermediate structure and said substrate.",
"21. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein said substrate provides a flat, planar, even and/or preferably unstructured surface on which the lower conductive layer and further components, as appropriate, of are provided, and/or wherein said substrate is a flat between neighbouring unit electronic devices.",
"23. The electronic device of claim 1, which is a thin-film device, preferably selected from the group consisting of thin-film solar cells, thin-film transistors, thin-film LEDs, and thin-film OLEDs.",
"24. A method for producing a multilayer electronic device, the method comprising:\nproviding a substrate comprising a first conductive layer and, optionally, patterning said first conductive layer so as to obtain a plurality of electrically separated conductive layers;\ndepositing an intermediate structure at least partially on said first conductive layer so as to be in direct contact with said first conductive layer, wherein the intermediate structure comprises a conductive material;\ndepositing at least one electronic layer comprising a material having semiconducting, photovoltaic, photoelectric and/or electroluminescent properties;\ndepositing a second conductive layer, preferably on top of said electronic layer, wherein during depositing said second conductive layer said intermediate structure provides a shaded area and/or separation structure such that, during depositing said second conductive layer, a plurality of separated second conductive layers is obtained, said separated second conductive layers being electrically separated by said shaded area and/or separation structure,\nand wherein the intermediate structure is provided to electrically connect the second conductive layer of a first unit electronic device with the first conductive layer of a second unit electronic device.",
"26. The method of claim 24, wherein providing said substrate comprising said first conductive layer comprises:\nproviding a substrate and/or a non-conducting base layer;\ndepositing said first conductive layer on said substrate and/or non-conducting base layer.",
"29. The method of claim 24, which comprises depositing said intermediate structure in a single deposition step, so as to obtain said intermediate structure made preferably of a single material.",
"33. The method of claim 24, wherein depositing said second conductive layer comprises adjusting a deposition angle such that said second conductive layer is non-continuously deposited, so as to form a non-continuous layer on said electronic layer and/or on said intermediate structure.",
"34. The method of claim 24, wherein depositing said second conductive layer comprises adjusting a deposition angle such that the second conductive layer of said first unit electronic device or the second conductive layer of said second unit electronic device is separated from said intermediate structure.",
"37. The method of claim 24, wherein depositing said first conductive layer is performed before depositing said intermediate structure on said substrate, and wherein said intermediate structure is partially or totally deposited on said first conductive layer.",
"38. The method of claim 24, wherein said intermediate structure is deposited so as to be in contact with the first conductive layer of a second unit electronic device and separate from the first conductive layer of a first device.",
"39. The method of claim 24, wherein depositing said intermediate structure comprises depositing at least part of said intermediate structure so as to comprise an oblique or curved profile, when seen in cross-section of said intermediate structure, said oblique or curved profile providing a shading or separation area on said substrate or on said first conductive layer.",
"43. The method of claim 24, which lacks\npatterning and/or scribing an electronic layer."
] |
US20230207715A1
|
US20190378945A1
|
[
"1. A method for manufacturing a photovoltaic module, comprising at least two electrically connected photovoltaic cells, said module comprising an insulating substrate covered with a layer of a first conductive material; the method comprising the following steps:\na) forming, on the layer of first material, a groove defining a first and a second lower electrodes, electrically isolated from one another; and\nb) forming, on each of said lower electrodes, a stack comprising at least: an upper electrode formed by a layer of a second electrically conductive material; and a photo-active layer positioned between the lower and upper electrodes; each of the first and second lower electrodes respectively forming a first and a second photovoltaic cell with the corresponding stack;\nwherein step b) is carried out after step a);\nthe method further comprises the following steps:\nc) formation of a first insulating strip on the layer of first material, so as to cover a location of the groove; said first strip comprising a first and second adjacent portion, respectively oriented toward the first and toward the second lower electrodes; then\nd) formation of a conductive strip on the layer of first material, said conductive strip covering the second portion and leaving the first portion of the first insulating strip free; said conductive strip comprising a first and second adjacent portion, respectively oriented toward the first and toward the second lower electrode, said first portion forming a relief relative to the first insulating strip; then\ne) forming a second insulating strip on the layer of first material, said second strip covering the second portion and leaving the first portion of the conductive strip free;\nwherein at least steps d) and e) being carried out between steps a) and b); and\nwherein in step b), the upper electrodes of the first and second photovoltaic cells are respectively formed in contact with, and away from, the first portion of the electrically conductive strip.",
"2. The method according to claim 1, wherein step c) is done between steps a) and b), the first insulating strip further being formed in the groove.",
"3. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second insulating strips is made by depositing a first liquid formulation comprising electrically insulating materials, followed by a passage to the solid state of said first formulation.",
"4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the conductive strip is made by depositing a second liquid formulation comprising electrically conductive materials, followed by a passage to the solid state of said second formulation.",
"5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the passage to the solid state of the second formulation comprises heating to a temperature above 120° C.",
"6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one of the first and second insulating strips and the conductive strip is formed by a coating or printing technique using a continuous wet method, preferably chosen from among slot-die, photogravure, flexography and rotary serigraphy.",
"7. A photovoltaic module derived from a method according to claim 1",
"8. The photovoltaic module according to claim 7, wherein the first and second insulating strips and the conductive strip form, with the groove, an inactive zone separating two adjacent photovoltaic cells, a width of the inactive zone being between 0.30 mm and 1.60 mm.",
"9. The photovoltaic module according to claim 7, wherein a width of at least one of the first and second insulating strips is between 100 μm and 800 μm.",
"10. The photovoltaic module according to claim 7, wherein a width of the conductive strip is between 200 μm and 900 μm."
] |
[
[
"1. A method for contacting and connecting solar cells by at least two independent electrodes, wherein at least one electrode is formed from at least one continuous wire conductor, comprising the following steps:\npositioning the at least one continuous wire conductor so that said wire conductor extends across a plurality of solar cells,\ndisconnecting the at least one wire conductor at positions between adjacent solar cells to form the at least one electrode after the at least one wire conductor has been extended across the plurality of solar cells and prior to fixing the plurality of solar cells under a glass plate,\nestablishing electrical contact between the solar cells and the at least two electrodes, and\nestablishing electrical contact between the at least two electrodes via bonding prior to disconnecting the electrodes.",
"2. The method according to claim 1, wherein contacting the electrodes with the solar cells takes place prior to disconnecting the electrodes.",
"3. The method according to claim 1, wherein said method is carried out with the following steps:\narranging a first electrode on the light incidence side of a plurality of solar cells, wherein the first electrode is formed from a multiplicity of wire conductors which are substantially parallel to each other and which extend across at least two adjacent solar cells,\ncontacting the wire conductors of the first electrode with a second electrode on the back side of the adjacent solar cell,\ndisconnecting the wire conductors of the first electrode and/or the second electrode between the contact point of the first and second electrodes and the edge of the adjacent solar cell.",
"4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the electrodes are connected/contacted with each other through contact elements/cross-connectors.",
"5. The method according to claim 4, wherein arranging the contact element/cross-connector takes place substantially perpendicular to the alignment of the wire conductors of the first electrode and in the space between two adjacent solar cells and also between the first and the second electrodes.",
"6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the ends of the first and/or second wire conductors and/or cross-connectors are provided with electrical collecting connectors.",
"7. The method according to claim 1, wherein establishing the contacting is carried out without printing bars onto the solar cell.",
"8. A method for contacting and connecting solar cells by at least two independent electrodes, wherein at least one electrode is formed from at least one continuous wire conductor, comprising the following steps:\npositioning the at least one continuous wire conductor so that said wire conductor extends across a plurality of solar cells,\ndisconnecting the at least one wire conductor at positions between adjacent solar cells to form the at least one electrode after the at least one wire conductor has been extended across the plurality of solar cells and prior to fixing the plurality of solar cells under a glass plate,\nestablishing electrical contact between the solar cells and the at least two electrodes, and\nestablishing electrical contact between the at least two electrodes via bonding prior to disconnecting the electrodes,\nwherein in a manner as continuous as possible, a plurality of solar cells\nare connected to at least one first wire conductor of the at least one continuous wire conductor that runs continuously in the longitudinal direction of successively arranged solar cells, or are connected to a group of said first wire conductors and\nare connected to at least one continuously running further contact element or to a group of further contact elements so as to form together a solar cell combination, and\nan electrical connection is established between the at least one first wire conductor, the further contact elements and the solar cells of the solar cell combination, and\nif required, the at least one first wire conductor and/or the second contact elements are separated before or after establishing the electrical connection in such a manner that a series connection is created or can be established.",
"9. A method for contacting and connecting solar cells by at least two independent electrodes, wherein at least one electrode is formed from at least one continuous wire conductor, and the electrodes are connected/contacted with each other through contact elements/cross-connectors, wherein the at least one first wire conductor of the first electrode are contacted on an upper side (light incidence side) of a plurality of solar cells, and further contact elements are configured in the form of electrical cross-connectors which run transverse to the at least one first wire conductor between adjacent solar cells and which are applied to the at least one first wire conductor conductors and are connected thereto, and subsequently the at least one first wire conductor is separated, transverse to their longitudinal extension, between adjacent solar cells, and a region protruding beyond the solar cells and provided with the cross-connectors is connected to the lower side of the adjacent solar cells so that the two cross-connectors rest against the lower side of the adjacent solar cells.",
"10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the at least one first wire conductor of the first electrode is contacted on the upper light incidence side of the solar cells, and\nwherein at least one second wire conductor is contacted on a lower side of the solar cells substantially parallel to the at least one first wire conductor, and the first and the second wire conductors are connected to each other through the electrical cross-connectors.",
"11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the cross-connectors run between the first and the second wire conductors.",
"12. The method according to claim 10, wherein the connection of the first and the second wire conductors to the cross-connector are in each case alternately disconnected so that a series connection is created."
],
[
"1. A solar cell, comprising:\na semiconductor substrate;\na conductive region on or at the semiconductor substrate; and\nan electrode electrically connected to the conductive region,\nwherein the electrode comprises a plurality of finger lines formed in a first direction and parallel to each other, and a bus bar electrically connected to the plurality of finger lines and formed in a second direction crossing the first direction,\nwherein the bus bar comprises a plurality of pad portions positioned in the second direction,\nwherein the plurality of pad portions comprise a first outer pad positioned at one outermost region among the plurality of pad portions and a second outer pad positioned at another outermost region among the plurality of pad portions, and a plurality of inner pads between the first outer pad and the second outer pad,\nwherein the plurality of inner pads are divided into a first group positioned adjacent to the first outer pad at a first region, a second group positioned adjacent to the second outer pad at another first region, and a third group positioned between the first group and the second group at a second region,\nwherein the plurality of inner pads comprise a plurality of first pads positioned in the first group and the second group respectively, and a plurality of second pads positioned in the third group,\nwherein an area of the first or second outer pad is greater than an area of each of the plurality of inner pads,\nwherein all of a width and a length of the plurality of inner pads is equal to each other,\nwherein all of neighboring two first pads among the plurality of first pads have a first pitch and all of neighboring two second pads among the plurality of second pads have a second pitch greater than the first pitch,\nwherein a third pitch between the first outer pad and a neighboring first pad among the plurality of first pads and a fourth pitch between the second outer pad and a neighboring first pad among the plurality of first pads are equal to each other and are greater than the first pitch,\nwherein each of a length in the second direction of the first region and the another first region is smaller than a length in the second direction of the second region, and\nwherein each of a number of the plurality of first pads in the first group and the second group is smaller than a number of the plurality of second pads in the third group.",
"2. The solar cell of claim 1, wherein the bus bar further comprises a line portion connecting the plurality of pad portions in the second direction, and\nwherein the line portion comprises a main line portion having a first width and a wide portion having a width larger than the first width.",
"3. The solar cell of claim 1, wherein the wide portion of the line portion is positioned at the first group, and\nwherein the main line portion of the line portion is positioned at the second group.",
"4. A solar cell panel, comprising:\na plurality of solar cells comprising at least a first solar cell and a second solar cell adjacent to each other; and\na plurality of leads connecting the first solar cell and the second solar cell, and each lead having a rounded portion,\nwherein each of the plurality of solar cells comprises a semiconductor substrate, a conductive region on or at the semiconductor substrate, and an electrode electrically connected to the conductive region,\nwherein the electrode comprises a plurality of finger lines formed in a first direction and parallel to each other, and a bus bar electrically connected to the plurality of finger lines and formed in a second direction crossing the first direction,\nwherein the bus bar comprises a line portion extending in the second direction and a plurality of pad portions spaced apart from each other and having a width greater than a width of the line portion,\nwherein the plurality of pad portions comprise a first outer pad positioned at one outermost region among the plurality of pad portions and a second outer pad positioned at another outermost region among the plurality of pad portions, and a plurality of inner pads between the first outer pad and the second outer pad,\nwherein the plurality of inner pads are divided into a first group positioned adjacent to the first outer pad, a second group positioned adjacent to the second outer pad, and a third group positioned between the first group and the second group,\nwherein the plurality of inner pads comprise a plurality of first pads positioned in the first group and the second group respectively and a plurality of second pads positioned in the third group,\nwherein an area of the first or second outer pad is greater than an area of each of the plurality of inner pads,\nwherein all of a width and a length of the plurality of inner pads is equal to each other,\nwherein each of lengths of the first outer pad and second outer pad is greater than a length of the plurality of inner pads in the first direction,\nwherein all of neighboring two first pads among the plurality of first pads have a first pitch and all of neighboring two second pads among the plurality of second pads have a second pitch greater than the first pitch,\nwherein a third pitch between the first outer pad and a neighboring first pad among the plurality of first pads and a fourth pitch between the second outer pad and a neighboring first pad among the plurality of first pads are equal to each other and are greater than the first pitch,\nwherein each of a number of the plurality of first pads in the first group and the second group is smaller than a number of the plurality of second pads in the third group,\nwherein a number of the plurality of leads in the first direction is six to thirty-three based on a surface of the solar cell,\nwherein a width of each of the plurality of leads is in a range of 250 to 500 μm, and\nwherein a width of the line portion is the same as or is smaller than the width of each of the plurality of leads, and a width of each of the plurality of pad portions is the same as or is greater than the width of each of the plurality of leads.",
"5. The solar cell panel of claim 4, wherein the first group is positioned at a first region, the second group is positioned at another first region, and the third group is positioned at a second region, and\nwherein each of a length in the second direction of the first region and the another first region is greater than a length in the second direction of the second region.",
"6. The solar cell of claim 1, wherein a number of the plurality of finger lines disposed between two neighboring first pads is smaller than a number of the plurality of finger lines disposed between two neighboring second pads.",
"7. The solar cell of claim 1, wherein a number of the plurality of finger lines disposed between the first outer pad or the second outer pad and the neighboring first pad is greater than a number of the plurality of finger lines disposed between neighboring two first pads.",
"8. The solar cell panel of claim 4, wherein a number of the plurality of finger lines disposed between two neighboring first pads is smaller than a number of the plurality of finger lines disposed between two neighboring second pads.",
"9. The solar cell panel of claim 4, wherein a number of the plurality of finger lines disposed between the first outer pad or the second outer pad and the neighboring first pad is greater than a number of the plurality of finger lines disposed between neighboring two first pads."
],
[
"1. Photovoltaic module, having:\na) a number of Solar cells made of pre-processed silicon wafers, which respectively have a contact structure that includes a number of linear contact fingers disposed in parallel in a first direction and at least one bus bar disposed perpendicular to the first direction, wherein the bus bar extends over the contact finger in a second direction and is electrically connected to the number of contact fingers, and\nb) at least one cell connector for connecting the solar cells, which extends over the bus bar at least of one solar cell in the second direction and is electrically connected to the bus bar, wherein the width of the cell connector is smaller than the width of the bus bar.\nwherein, the bus bar has a sequence of contact surfaces with different lengths in the second direction, which make the electrical connection with the contact finger, wherein the length of a contact surface of the bus bar which is disposed in the edge region of the solar cell, is greater in the second direction than the length of a contact surface of the bus bar which is disposed in the middle region of the solar cell in the second direction.",
"2. Photovoltaic module according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the contact surfaces of the bus bar extends in the second direction over a number of contact fingers.",
"3. Photovoltaic module according to claim 1, wherein the length of the contact surface of the bus bar of the solar cell in the second direction increases from the middle region towards the edge region.",
"4. Photovoltaic module according to claim 1, wherein a contact surface of the bus bar which is disposed in the middle region of the solar cell, is the minimum surface covering the remaining contact surfaces.",
"5. Photovoltaic module according to claim 1, wherein the corners of the contact surface are configured rounded-off or chamfered.",
"6. Photovoltaic module according to claim 1, wherein the transitions of the contact surfaces into the contact fingers are configured rounded-off or chamfered.",
"7. Photovoltaic module according to claim 1, wherein the bus bar has webs, which are narrower than the contact surfaces and interconnect these.",
"8. Photovoltaic module according to claim 7, wherein the transition of the contact surface of the bus bar into the webs is configured rounded-off or chamfered.",
"9. Photovoltaic module according to claim 1, further having a front glass cover and a rear side cover, wherein the solar cells are disposed between the front and rear side cover in an embedded layer, and wherein the solar cells with cell connector are connected to a number of lines of solar cells connected in series."
],
[
"1. A solar module comprising:\na solar cell including a photoelectric conversion body and an electrode provided on a main surface of the photoelectric conversion body,\na wiring member arranged on the main surface of the solar cell and electrically connected to the electrode, and\na resin adhesive layer arranged between the wiring member and the main surface of the solar cell, wherein\nthe resin adhesive layer has wide portions and narrow portions along a longitudinal direction of the wiring member,\nwherein a width of the narrow portions is narrower than a width of the wiring member such that the wiring member and the main surface of the solar cell face each other without interposing the resin adhesive layer in a region at least to the outside of the narrow portions,\nthe wide portions include a fillet portion, resin of the fillet portion directly contacting both of a side surface of the wiring member and the main surface of the photoelectric conversion body,\nthe electrode includes a plurality of finger portions extending along a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the wiring member,\nthe wide portions are arranged so as to cover a surface of the plurality of finger portions,\nthe solar module further comprises both a bonded region and an unbonded region in an area in which the wiring member overlaps with a space between adjacent finger portions of the plurality of finger portions,\nwherein in the bonded region one of the narrow portions of the resin adhesive layer is bonded to the main surface of the photoelectric conversion body, and in the unbonded region the resin adhesive layer is not bonded to the main surface of the photoelectric conversion body,\nwherein a width of the wide portions is wider than the width of the wiring member such that a part of the wide portions protrudes outwardly from the wiring member; and\nwherein a length of one wide portion of the wide portions in the longitudinal direction becomes smaller and extends to an apex as the one wide portion extends further away from the wiring member in the direction intersecting the longitudinal direction.",
"2. The solar module according to claim 1,\nwherein the wide portions and narrow portions are arranged so as to alternate in the longitudinal direction of the wiring member.",
"3. The solar module according to claim 1, wherein the electrode has a busbar portion extending in the longitudinal direction of the wiring member.",
"4. The solar module according to claim 1, wherein a sealing material comprising a sealing resin is further provided to seal the solar cell,\nthe sealing material having a portion which enters at least a portion of the region to the outside of the narrow portions of the resin adhesive layer wherein the wiring member and the surface of the solar cell face each other without the interposing adhesive layer.",
"5. The solar module according to claim 1, wherein\na length of the unbonded region in the longitudinal direction becomes larger as the unbonded region approaches an edge of the wiring member in the direction intersecting the longitudinal direction."
],
[
"1. A device comprising:\na string of solar cells comprising at least a first and second rectangular or substantially rectangular crystalline silicon solar cells electrically connected in series, each crystalline silicon solar cell comprising:\na front surface having a front metallization pattern comprising a plurality of front conductive fingers oriented parallel to a long edge of the front surface;\na front pad disposed on the front surface and located at the long edge of the front surface, the front pad electrically connected to the front metallization pattern;\na front-side ribbon disposed on the plurality of front conductive fingers and on the front pad, the front side ribbon oriented parallel to a short edge of the front surface and having a cross-sectional width;\na rear surface having a rear metallization pattern comprising a plurality of rear conductive fingers oriented parallel to a long edge of the rear surface; and\na rear-side ribbon separate from the front-side ribbon; the rear-side ribbon disposed on the plurality of rear conductive fingers, the rear side ribbon having a cross-sectional width that is at least 2 times larger than the cross-sectional width of the front side ribbon;\nthe first and second solar cells arranged in a shingled manner with long sides of the first and second solar cells overlapping to create an overlap area, the rear-side ribbon of the first solar cell in contact with the front pad of the second solar cell, the rear-side ribbon extending into the overlap area, the front-side ribbon not extending into the overlap area.",
"2. The device of claim 1, wherein the rear-side ribbon of the first solar cell is soldered to the front pad of the second solar cell.",
"3. The device of claim 1, wherein cross-sectional width of the rear-side ribbon is between 0.5 mm and 3 mm and is at least 3 times larger than the cross-sectional width of the front-side ribbon.",
"4. The device of claim 1, wherein the rear-side ribbon of the first solar cell extends past the long edge of the rear surface.",
"5. The device of claim 4, wherein the overlap area has an overlap distance between the first and second solar cells less than 0.1 mm and greater than zero.",
"6. The device of claim 1, wherein the string of solar cells is encapsulated in a laminate structure and the rear-side ribbon of the first solar cell contacts the front pad of the second solar cell without use of adhesive, solder, or other bonding agent.",
"7. The device of claim 1, wherein the rear-side ribbon of the first solar cell contacts the front-side ribbon of the second solar cell.",
"8. The device of claim 1, wherein the front-side ribbon has a circular or triangular shaped cross-sectional area and the rear-side ribbon has a rectangular shaped cross-sectional area.",
"9. The device of claim 1, wherein the rear-side ribbon comprises a conductive metal core coated with a solder."
],
[
"1. An apparatus comprising:\na first string of solar cells and a second string of solar cells, each string of solar cells comprising rectangular or substantially rectangular solar cells arranged in line with long sides of adjacent solar cells overlapping and conductively bonded to each other with an electrically conductive bonding material to electrically connect the solar cells in series,\nan interconnect different from the electrically conductive bonding material, the interconnect located at an end of the first string and electrically connecting the first string of solar cells to the second string of solar cells, the interconnect extending along an entire length of the long sides of the solar cells in the first and second strings of solar cells and interposed between the first and second strings of solar cells, the interconnect comprising a bypass diode tap located at one end of the interconnect and extending past short sides of the solar cells in the first and second strings, the bypass diode tap configured to provide a connection point for a bypass diode, and\nthe bypass diode electrically connected to the bypass diode tap by a metal ribbon contact, the metal ribbon contact sandwiched between two insulating sheets, the metal ribbon contact comprising a narrow neck and a void space, the narrow neck and the void space configured to make the metal ribbon contact flexible, wherein the bypass diode, metal ribbon contact, and two insulating sheets form a flex circuit wherein the flex circuit is attached to a substrate supporting the first and second strings of solar cells by an adhesive layer.",
"2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the ratio of the length of a long side of the rectangular or substantially rectangular solar cells to the length of a short side of the rectangular or substantially rectangular solar cells is greater than or equal to three.",
"3. A solar device comprising:\na first string of rectangular or substantially rectangular crystalline silicon solar cells arranged in line with long sides of adjacent solar cells overlapping and conductively bonded to each other with an electrically conductive bonding material to electrically connect the solar cells in series;\na first end solar cell located at a first end of the first string;\na second end solar cell located at a second end of the first string;\na first electrically conductive interconnect different from the electrically conductive bonding material conductively bonded to the first end solar cell;\na second electrically conductive interconnect different from the electrically conductive bonding material conductively bonded to the second end solar cell,\nthe first and second interconnects each extending along an entire length of the long sides of the solar cells in the string of solar cells, the first and second interconnects each comprising a bypass diode tap located at one end of the interconnects and extending past short sides of the solar cells in the first string, the bypass diode tap configured to provide a connection point for a bypass diode; and\na bypass diode electrically connected between the first and second interconnects by two metal ribbon contacts, each the metal ribbon contact sandwiched between two insulating sheets, each metal ribbon contact comprising a narrow neck and a void space, the narrow neck and the void space configured to make the metal ribbon contact flexible, wherein the bypass diode, metal ribbon contacts, and two insulating sheets form a flex circuit wherein the flex circuit is attached to a substrate supporting the first string of solar cells by an adhesive layer,\nwherein either the first or the second electrically conductive interconnects is electrically connected to a second string of rectangular or substantially rectangular crystalline silicon solar cells and is interposed between the first and second strings of solar cells.",
"4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein\nthe interconnect comprises a plurality of tabs configured to provide connection points to either the first or second string of solar cells.",
"5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the interconnect is mechanically compliant.",
"6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bypass diode tap is a ribbon that extends laterally to a side of the first string of solar cells to connect to the first bypass diode.",
"7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:\nthe first string includes a first end and a second end;\nthe first string includes a group of solar cells that includes a first solar cell at the first end of the first string and a second solar cell that is between the first and second ends but not at the second end of the first string;\na first conductor that connects to the first solar cell;\na second conductor that connects to the second solar cell;\na second bypass diode that connects between the first and second conductors configured to bypass the group of solar cells within the first string.",
"8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the metal ribbon contact is formed from solder-coated metal.",
"9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the metal is copper.",
"10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the two insulating sheets are formed from polyimide.",
"11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein one of the two insulating sheets comprises an opening configured to expose a region of the metal ribbon contact where the bypass diode is attached.",
"12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein one of the two insulating sheets comprises an opening configured to expose a region of the metal ribbon contact where the metal ribbon contact is connected to the bypass diode tap.",
"13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the void space of the metal ribbon contact is oval shaped.",
"14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bypass diode is attached to a substrate supporting the first and second strings of solar cells."
],
[
"1. A method for fabricating a solar module, the method comprising:\nproviding a first cell portion on a semiconductor substrate, the first cell portion comprising a first soldering pad arrangement of emitter contacts and of base contacts;\nproviding a second cell portion on the semiconductor substrate, the second cell portion comprising a second soldering pad arrangement of emitter contacts and of base contacts, wherein the first soldering pad arrangement and the second soldering pad arrangement are aligned asymmetrically with respect to an axis of a semiconductor substrate;\nseparating the first cell portion and the second cell portion along a line perpendicular to an axis of the semiconductor substrate; and\narranging the first cell portion and the second cell portion alternately along a line such that the second cell portion is arranged in an angular orientation with respect to the first cell portion and such that the first soldering pad arrangement of emitter contacts and of base contacts of the first cell portion is aligned with the second soldering pad arrangement of base contacts and of emitter contacts of the second cell portion, respectively.",
"2. The method of claim 1, further comprising electrically connecting the first cell portion and the second cell portion.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein, before separating a rear contact solar cell, the soldering pad arrangement of an emitter contact continuously extends from a first end arranged close to a first edge of the semiconductors substrate via a centre region of the semiconductor substrate to a second end arranged close to a second edge of the semiconductors substrate, wherein the first end and the second end are spaced apart from the first edge and the second edge, respectively, by between 2 and 48% of the distance between the first and second edges.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein the rear contact solar cells are separated into first and second cell portions by mechanically breaking the solar cell along a linear trench.",
"5. The method of claim 4, wherein the linear trench is created by laser scribing into the semiconductor substrate.",
"6. The method of claim 4, wherein the linear trench is created by etching or sawing into the semiconductor substrate.",
"7. The method of claim 2, wherein electrically connecting the first cell portion and the second cell portion comprises electrically connecting the base contacts of the first cell portion to the emitter contacts of the second cell portion or connecting the emitter contacts of the first cell portion to the base contacts of the second cell portion.",
"8. A solar module prepared by the process comprising the steps of:\nproviding a first cell portion on a semiconductor substrate, the first cell portion comprising a first soldering pad arrangement of emitter contacts and of base contacts;\nproviding a second cell portion on the semiconductor substrate, the second cell portion comprising a second soldering pad arrangement of emitter contacts and of base contacts, wherein the first soldering pad arrangement and the second soldering pad arrangement are aligned asymmetrically with respect to an axis of a semiconductor substrate;\nseparating the first cell portion and the second cell portion along a line perpendicular to an axis of the semiconductor substrate; and\narranging the first cell portion and the second cell portion alternately along a line such that the second cell portion is arranged in an angular orientation with respect to the first cell portion and such that the first soldering pad arrangement of emitter contacts and of base contacts of the first cell portion is aligned with the second soldering pad arrangement of base contacts and of emitter contacts of the second cell portion, respectively.",
"9. The solar module of claim 8, wherein the process further comprises electrically connecting the first cell portion and the second cell portion.",
"10. The solar module of claim 9, wherein electrically connecting the first cell portion and the second cell portion comprises electrically connecting the base contacts of the first cell portion to the emitter contacts of the second cell portion or connecting the emitter contacts of the first cell portion to the base contacts of the second cell portion.",
"11. The solar module of claim 8, wherein, before separating a rear contact solar cell, the soldering pad arrangement of an emitter contact continuously extends from a first end arranged close to a first edge of the semiconductors substrate via a centre region of the semiconductor substrate to a second end arranged close to a second edge of the semiconductors substrate, wherein the first end and the second end are spaced apart from the first edge and the second edge, respectively, by between 2 and 48% of the distance between the first and second edges.",
"12. The solar module of claim 8, wherein the rear contact solar cells are separated into first and second cell portions by mechanically breaking the solar cell along a linear trench.",
"13. The solar module of claim 12, wherein the linear trench is created by laser scribing into the semiconductor substrate.",
"14. The solar module of claim 12, wherein the linear trench is created by etching or sawing into the semiconductor substrate."
],
[
"1. A device comprising:\na string of solar cells comprising\nat least first and second substantially rectangular crystalline silicon solar cells electrically connected in series, each solar cell comprising front and rear surfaces each having a metallization pattern, a first long side having a corrugated shape with protruding portions and recessing portions, and a second long side; the first and second solar cells arranged in a shingled manner with the protruding portions of the first long side of the second solar cell overlapping with the second long side of the first solar cell;\nan opening comprising one of the recessing portions of the first long side of the second solar cell; and\nan electrically conductive ribbon passing through the opening connecting the front surface metallization pattern of the second solar cell with the rear surface metallization pattern of the first solar cell.",
"2. The device of claim 1, wherein the front surface metallization pattern of each solar cell comprises a plurality of busbars oriented parallel to a short side of the solar cell; and the electrically conductive ribbon is disposed on one of the busbars of the second solar cell.",
"3. The device of claim 1, wherein the electrically conductive ribbon comprises a first portion with a flat rectangular cross-sectional area and second portion with a triangular cross-sectional area.",
"4. The device of claim 2, wherein a portion of the electrically conductive ribbon runs substantially parallel to the short side of the second solar cell and wherein the portion is disposed on and attached to one of the busbars of the second solar cell.",
"5. The device of claim 1, wherein the front surface metallization pattern of each solar cell comprises a busbar oriented parallel to a short side of the solar cell and wherein the busbar is aligned with one of the recessing portions of the first long side of each solar cell.",
"6. The device of claim 1, wherein the recessing portions of the first solar cell are not aligned with the recessing portions of the second solar cell.",
"7. The device of claim 1, wherein the second long side of each solar cell is straight.",
"8. The device of claim 1, wherein the second long side has a corrugated shape with protruding portions and recessing portions.",
"9. The device of claim 1, comprising a third substantially rectangular crystalline silicon solar cell, the second and third solar cells arranged in a shingled manner with the protruding portions of the first long side of the third solar cell overlapping with the second long side of the second solar cell.",
"10. The device of claim 9, wherein the recessing portions of the first solar cell are aligned with the recessing portion of the third solar cell and not aligned with the recessing portions of the second solar cell.",
"11. The device of claim 10, wherein the front surface metallization pattern of each solar cell comprises a busbar oriented parallel to a short side of the solar cell and wherein the busbar is aligned with one of the recessing portions of the first long side of each solar cell.",
"12. The device of claim 11, wherein the second long side of each solar cell is straight.",
"13. The device of claim 1, comprising a second opening comprising another one of the recessing portions of the first long side of the second solar cell; and a second electrically conductive ribbon passing through the second opening connecting the front surface metallization pattern of the second solar cell with the rear surface metallization pattern of the first solar cell."
],
[
"1. A solar cell module comprising:\na plurality of solar cells comprising a first solar cell and a second solar cell arranged in a longitudinal direction, each of the plurality of solar cells having a front light receiving surface and a rear surface opposite the front surface;\na tab that electrically connects the front surface of the first solar cell with the rear surface of the second solar cell, wherein the tab includes a bent part located between the first solar cell and the second solar cell;\nwherein, when viewed along the longitudinal direction of the tab, the tab has a recess-projection shaped cross section in a width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and the recess valley and the projection peak of the recess-projection shape are formed along the longitudinal direction of the tab;\nwherein the average height of the tab in a peripheral edge area of at least one of the first solar cell and the second solar cell is less than the average height of the tab in overlapping areas where the tab overlaps at least one of the first solar cell and the second solar cell;\nwherein the average heights of the tab in the peripheral edge area and the overlapping areas are greater than zero;\nwherein the average height is measured from recess valley to projection peak in the width direction of the respective cross section portion of the tab.",
"2. The solar cell module according to claim 1, wherein the tab comprises a front surface and a rear surface, and the tab's front surface forms the recess-projection shape and the tab's rear surface is flat.",
"3. The solar cell module according to claim 1, wherein a shape of the projection peak of the recess-projection shape of the tab in the peripheral edge area is different than a shape of the projection peak of the recess-projection shape of the tab in the overlapping areas."
],
[
"1. A solar cell comprising:\na photoelectric conversion unit having first and second main surfaces,\na first electrode provided on the first main surface, and\na second electrode provided on the second main surface;\nthe first electrode having:\na plurality of finger portions extending in a first direction and arrayed in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction leaving gaps therebetween, and\na busbar portion connected electrically to the plurality of finger portions; and\nthe solar cell further comprising a plurality of protruding portions provided on the first main surface on at least one side of the busbar portion in the first direction,\nthe protruding portions being provided near the finger portions in the second direction.",
"2. The solar cell according to claim 1, wherein the solar cell is a solar cell having wiring material connected electrically to the first electrode, and a protruding portion is provided at a location overlapping with the wiring material.",
"3. The solar cell according to claim 2, wherein the protruding portion is provided so as to lead to the outside of the wiring material.",
"4. The solar cell according to claim 1, wherein the protruding portion is provided so that the distance between the protruding portion and the finger portion in the second direction is at least one-third the pitch of the finger portion in the second direction.",
"5. The solar cell according to claim 1, wherein the protruding portion is arranged so that the distance between the protruding portion and the finger portion in the second direction is 0.7 mm or less.",
"6. The solar cell according to claim 1, wherein the protruding portion is arranged so that the distance between the protruding portion and the finger portion in the second direction is 10 times the width of the finger portion or less.",
"7. The solar cell according to claim 1, wherein the protruding portions include a protruding portion connected at least to one of the busbar portion and the finger portion.",
"8. The solar cell according to claim 1, wherein the protruding portions include a protruding portion separate from both the busbar portion and the finger portion.",
"9. The solar cell according to claim 1, wherein the protruding portions include a protruding portion having a linear portion extending in the first direction.",
"10. The solar cell according to claim 1, wherein the protruding portions include a protruding portion having a linear portion extending in the second direction.",
"11. The solar cell according to claim 1, wherein the protruding portion intersects the finger portion.",
"12. The solar cell according to claim 1, wherein the protruding portion intersects the busbar portion.",
"13. The solar cell according to claim 1, wherein the protruding portions are formed of a conductive member.",
"14. The solar cell according to claim 13, wherein the material of the protruding portions is identical to the material of the first electrode.",
"15. The solar cell according to claim 1, wherein the height of the protruding portions is equal to the height of the finger portions.",
"16. The solar cell according to claim 1, wherein the width of the protruding portions ranges from 0.5 to 2 times the width of the finger portions.",
"17. The solar cell according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of protruding portions includes another protruding portion arranged between adjacent finger portions in the second direction.",
"18. The solar cell according to claim 17, wherein the other protruding portion is provided in at least one end portion of the first main surface in the second direction.",
"19. The solar cell according to claim 17, wherein the other protruding portion is provided in the central portion of the first main surface in the second direction.",
"20. The solar cell according to claim 1, wherein the busbar portion has a linear shape extending in the second direction.",
"21. The solar cell according to claim 1, wherein the busbar portion has a zigzag shape extending in the second direction.",
"22. The solar cell according to claim 1, wherein the first main surface is a light-receiving surface.",
"23. A solar cell module comprising: a plurality of solar cells including a photoelectric conversion unit having first and second main surfaces, a first electrode provided on the first main surface, and a second electrode provided on the second main surface; wiring material for electrically connecting a first electrode and a second electrode of adjacent solar cells, and an adhesive layer made of a resin for bonding the solar cell and the wiring material;\nthe first electrode having:\na plurality of finger portions extending in a first direction and arrayed in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction leaving gaps therebetween; and\nthe solar cell also having:\na plurality of protruding portions provided on the first main surface so that at least some overlap with the wiring material,\nthe protruding portions being provided near the finger portions in the second direction.",
"24. The solar cell module according to claim 23, wherein a portion of the resin adhesive layer spanning a side wall of the protruding portion and the wiring material is continuous with a portion of the resin adhesive layer spanning a side wall of the finger portion and the wiring material.",
"25. The solar cell module according to claim 23, wherein the protruding portion is provided so as to lead to the outside of the wiring material.",
"26. The solar cell module according to claim 23, wherein the plurality of protruding portions has an additional protruding portion provided between adjacent finger portions in the second direction.",
"27. The solar cell module according to claim 26, wherein the additional protruding portion is provided so as to entirely overlap with the wiring material.",
"28. The solar cell module according to claim 26, wherein the additional protruding portion is provided in at least one end portion of the first main surface in the second direction.",
"29. The solar cell module according to claim 28, wherein the additional protruding portion is provided in a region in which an end portion of the wiring material of the first main surface is positioned.",
"30. The solar cell module according to claim 26, wherein the additional protruding portion is not provided in the central portion of the first main surface in the second direction.",
"31. The solar cell module according to claim 23, wherein the first electrode portion is provided so as to at least partially overlap with the wiring material, and further includes a busbar portion connected electrically to the plurality of finger portions.",
"32. The solar cell module according to claim 23, wherein the resin adhesive layer includes a resin layer and conductive particles dispersed in the resin layer."
],
[
"1. A method for making an ablated electrically insulating layer on a semiconductor substrate, said method comprising:\ndepositing a first relatively thin layer of at least an undoped glass or undoped oxide on a surface of a semiconductor substrate having n-type doping;\ndepositing a first relatively thin semiconductor layer having at least one substance chosen from amorphous semiconductor, nanocrystalline semiconductor, microcrystalline semiconductor, or polycrystalline semiconductor on said relatively thin layer of at least an undoped glass or undoped oxide;\ndepositing at least a layer of borosilicate glass or borosilicate/undoped glass stack on said relatively thin semiconductor layer; and\nselectively ablating said layer of at least borosilicate glass or borosilicate/undoped glass stack with a pulsed laser, said relatively thin semiconductor layer substantially protecting said semiconductor substrate from said pulsed laser.",
"2. The method of claim 1, further comprising a subsequent thermal oxidation process to oxidize said relatively thin semiconductor layer.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein said semiconductor substrate comprises silicon.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein said first relatively thin layer of undoped glass or undoped oxide has a thickness approximately in the range of 3 to 100 nanometers.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein said first relatively thin semiconductor layer has a thickness approximately in the range of 3 to 30 nanometers.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein said laser has a pulse length of approximately 200 picoseconds or less and a wavelength of approximately 1064 nanometers or less.",
"7. The method of claim 1, further comprising process flow steps for making a thin monocrystalline semiconductor solar cell.",
"8. The method of claim 7, wherein said thin monocrystalline semiconductor solar cell comprises a thin monocrystalline silicon layer in the thickness range of 10 to 100microns.",
"9. The method of claim 7, wherein said thin monocrystalline semiconductor solar cell comprises a back-contact/back-junction solar cell.",
"10. The method of claim 1, further comprising process flow steps for making a crystalline semiconductor based photovoltaic solar cell comprising an all-back-contact back-junction solar cell.",
"11. The method of claim 1, wherein said ablations are used to make openings to delineate base and emitter regions of an all back contact, back junction solar cell.",
"12. The method of claim 10, wherein said crystalline semiconductor based photovoltaic solar cell comprises an epitaxial silicon thin film solar substrate.",
"13. The method of claim 12, wherein said epitaxial thin film solar substrate has a thickness in the range of approximately 10 to 100 microns.",
"14. The method of claim 12, wherein said epitaxial thin film comprises a substantially planar epitaxial film formed via an epitaxial silicon liftoff process.",
"15. The method of claim 12, wherein a front surface of said epitaxial thin film comprises three-dimensional pyramids or prisms formed via a textured template liftoff process.",
"16. The method of claim 1, wherein said relatively thin semiconductor layer is a relatively thin silicon layer.",
"17. The method of claim 1, wherein said relatively thin semiconductor layer is a relatively thin amorphous semiconductor layer.",
"18. The method of claim 1, wherein said relatively thin semiconductor layer is a relatively thin amorphous silicon layer."
],
[
"1. A method of manufacturing a solar cell module comprising a structure with connected solar cells, wherein the method comprises the steps of:\n(a) providing an electric conductor connecting member comprising a metal foil that has a first adhesive layer on a front side of the metal foil and a second adhesive layer on a back side of the metal foil, wherein neither adhesive layer is a solder layer;\n(b) arranging a first part of the electric conductor connecting member on a surface electrode of a first solar cell in the order of (1) metal foil, (2) first adhesive layer, and (3) surface electrode of the first solar cell;\n(c) hot pressing the first part of the electric conductor connecting member and the surface electrode of the first solar cell so that the metal foil of the first part of the electric conductor connecting member and the surface electrode of the first solar cell are electrically connected and bonded together;\n(d) arranging a second part of the electric conductor connecting member on a surface electrode of a second solar cell in the order of (1) metal foil, (2) second adhesive layer, and (3) surface electrode of the second solar cell; and\n(e) hot pressing the second part of the electric conductor connecting member and the surface electrode of the second solar cell so that the metal foil of the second part of the electric conductor connecting member and the surface electrode of the second solar cell are electrically connected and bonded together,\nwherein a ten-point height of roughness profile Rz1 (μm) on a surface of the surface electrode of the first solar cell facing the metal foil and a ten-point height of roughness profile Rz2 (μm) on a surface of the surface electrode of the second solar cell facing the metal foil are between 2 μm and 30 μm, and\nwherein the surface electrodes of the first solar cell and the second solar cell are bus electrodes,\nwherein a thickness of the first adhesive layer and the second adhesive layer satisfies the condition specified by the following formula (1),\n\n0.8≦t/Rz≦1.5 (1),\nwherein in formula (1), t represents the thickness (μm) of the first adhesive layer and the second adhesive layer, and Rz represents a ten-point height of roughness profile (μm) of a surface of the surface electrode of the first solar cell facing the first adhesive layer and a surface of the surface electrode of the second solar cell facing the second adhesive layer.",
"2. A method of manufacturing a solar cell module comprising a structure with connected solar cells, wherein the method comprises the steps of:\n(a) providing an electric conductor connecting member comprising a metal foil that has a first adhesive layer and a second adhesive layer, wherein neither adhesive layer is a solder layer;\n(b) arranging a first part of the electric conductor connecting member on a surface electrode of a first solar cell in the order of (1) metal foil, (2) first adhesive layer, and (3) surface electrode of the first solar cell;\n(c) hot pressing the first part of the electric conductor connecting member and the surface electrode of the first solar cell so that the metal foil of the first part of the electric conductor connecting member and the surface electrode of the first solar cell are electrically connected and bonded together;\n(d) arranging a second part of the electric conductor connecting member on a surface electrode of a second solar cell in the order of (1) metal foil, (2) second adhesive layer, and (3) surface electrode of the second solar cell; and\n(e) hot pressing the second part of the electric conductor connecting member and the surface electrode of the second solar cell so that the metal foil of the second part of the electric conductor connecting member and the surface electrode of the second solar cell are electrically connected and bonded together,\nwherein a ten-point height of roughness profile Rz1 (μm) on a surface of the surface electrode of the first solar cell facing the metal foil and a ten-point height of roughness profile Rz2 (μm) on a surface of the surface electrode of the second solar cell facing the metal foil are between 2 μm and 30 μm,\nwherein the surface electrodes of the first solar cell and the second solar cell are bus electrodes,\nwherein a thickness of the first adhesive layer and the second adhesive layer satisfies the condition specified by the following formula (1),\n\n0.8≦t/Rz≦1.5 (1),\nwherein in formula (1), t represents the thickness (μm) of the first adhesive layer and the second adhesive layer, and Rz represents a ten-point height of roughness profile (μm) of a surface of the surface electrode of the first solar cell facing the first adhesive layer and a surface of the surface electrode of the second solar cell facing the second adhesive layer.",
"3. A method of manufacturing a solar cell module according to claim 1, wherein the first adhesive layer and the second adhesive layer comprise a thermosetting resin and a latent curing agent.",
"4. A method of manufacturing a solar cell module according to claim 1, wherein the first adhesive layer and the second adhesive layer include conductive particles, wherein Ry1 (μm) is a maximum height on a surface of the surface electrode of the first solar cell facing the first adhesive layer and Ry2 (μm) is a maximum height on a surface of the surface electrode of the second solar cell facing the second adhesive layer when the maximum particle size r1max (μm) of the conductive particles in the first adhesive layer is no greater than the maximum height Ry1 and a maximum particle size r2max (μm) of the conductive particles in the second adhesive layer is no greater than the maximum height Ry2.",
"5. A method of manufacturing a solar cell module according to claim 1, wherein the metal foil comprises at least one metal selected from among the group consisting of Cu, Ag, Au, Fe, Ni, Pb, Zn, Co, Ti, Mg, Sn and Al.",
"6. A method of manufacturing a solar cell module according to claim 1, wherein the first adhesive layer and the second adhesive layer include conductive particles, and the conductive particles comprise at least one particle selected from the group consisting of nickel particles, gold-plated nickel particles, plastic particles plated with gold and nickel, and nickel-plated particles.",
"7. A method of manufacturing a solar cell module according to claim 4, wherein the conductive particles comprise at least one particle selected from the group consisting of nickel particles, gold-plated nickel particles, plastic particles plated with gold and nickel, and nickel-plated particles.",
"8. A method of manufacturing a solar cell module according to claim 2, wherein the first adhesive layer and the second adhesive layer comprise a thermosetting resin and a latent curing agent.",
"9. A method of manufacturing a solar cell module according to claim 2, wherein the first adhesive layer and the second adhesive layer include conductive particles, wherein Ry1 (μm) is a maximum height on a surface of the surface electrode of the first solar cell facing the first adhesive layer and Ry2 (μm) is a maximum height on a surface of the surface electrode of the second solar cell facing the second adhesive layer when the maximum particle size r1max (μm) of the conductive particles in the first adhesive layer is no greater than the maximum height Ry1 and a maximum particle size r2max (μm) of the conductive particles in the second adhesive layer is no greater than the maximum height Ry2.",
"10. A method of manufacturing a solar cell module according to claim 2, wherein the metal foil comprises at least one metal selected from among the group consisting of Cu, Ag, Au, Fe, Ni, Pb, Zn, Co, Ti, Mg, Sn and Al.",
"11. A method of manufacturing a solar cell module according to claim 2, wherein the first adhesive layer and the second adhesive layer include conductive particles, and the conductive particles comprise at least one particle selected from the group consisting of nickel particles, gold-plated nickel particles, plastic particles plated with gold and nickel, and nickel-plated particles.",
"12. A method of manufacturing a solar cell module according to claim 9, wherein the conductive particles comprise at least one particle selected from the group consisting of nickel particles, gold-plated nickel particles, plastic particles plated with gold and nickel, and nickel-plated particles.",
"13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the bus electrodes are silver-containing glass paste electrodes.",
"14. The method according to claim 2, wherein the bus electrodes are silver-containing glass paste electrodes."
],
[
"1. A method of manufacturing a concentrating photovoltaic cell subassembly comprising the steps of:\nbonding a lead structure to a solar cell structure, the lead structure including electrical leads for the solar cell structure; and\nembedding the solar cell structure and operatively connected lead structure within a transparent encapsulant by:\nplacing the solar cell structure into a mold filled with an encapsulant;\ncuring the encapsulant so as to create an encapsulated solar cell device having a first hemispheric dome portion having an index of refraction of nc2; and\nseparating the encapsulated solar cell device from the mold; and\nplacing the encapsulated solar cell device and associated lead structure into a second mold filled with lower refractive index encapsulant material to thereby perform an additional encapsulation having a second hemispheric dome portion concentric with the first hemispheric dome portion and having an index of refraction of nc1 such that nc1 is equal to a square root of nc2, and the solar cell structure is positioned at approximately 1.17*R below a top of the second hemispheric dome portion with R being a radius of the second hemispheric dome portion, and the first hemispheric dome portion has a radius of R/nc1.",
"2. The method of claim 1 further comprising optical films coated on solar cell structure by oblique angle deposition.",
"3. The method of claim 1 wherein the transparent encapsulant comprises TiO2 nanoparticles dispersed within a silicone-based encapsulant.",
"4. The method of claim 1 further comprising synthesizing the solar cell structure.",
"5. The method of claim 4 further comprising the step of dicing a solar cell material structure into individual die to form the solar cell structure prior to performing the bonding.",
"6. A concentrating photovoltaic cell subassembly comprising:\na refractive optical element defining a first hemispheric dome portion having an index of refraction of nc2 and a second hemispheric dome portion concentric with the first hemispheric dome portion and having an index of refraction of nc1 such that nc1 is equal to a square root of nc2; and\na semiconductor photovoltaic solar cell positioned at approximately 1.17*R below a top of the second hemispheric dome portion with R being a radius of the second hemispheric dome portion, and the first hemispheric dome portion has a radius of R/nc1."
],
[
"21. A solar cell comprising:\na silicon substrate having a front doped region formed inside of a front surface of the silicon substrate;\na first tunneling layer formed on the front doped region; and\na first conductive type area formed on the first tunneling layer,\nwherein the first tunneling layer has a thickness of 0.5 nm to 5 nm.",
"22. The solar cell according to claim 21, wherein the first tunneling layer is formed of one of nitride, oxide and oxide nitride.",
"23. The solar cell according to claim 21, further comprising a first passivation film formed on the first conductive type area.",
"24. The solar cell according to claim 23, wherein the first passivation film comprises at least one of aluminum oxide, zirconium oxide, or hafnium oxide having a negative charge.",
"25. The solar cell according to claim 23, wherein the first passivation film comprises at least one of silicon oxide or silicon nitride having a positive charge.",
"26. The solar cell according to claim 23, further comprising a first anti-reflective film formed on the first passivation film.",
"27. The solar cell according to claim 21, wherein the silicon substrate is a monocrystalline silicon substrate, and the first conductive type area is formed of one of a polycrystalline silicon, an amorphous silicon or a microcrystalline silicon.",
"28. The solar cell according to claim 21, wherein the silicon substrate further has a base area, the base area is doped with a first conductive type dopant, the first conductive type area and the front doped region are both doped with a second conductive type dopant, and the front doped region forms a p-n junction along with base area.",
"29. The solar cell according to claim 28, wherein the base area has a lower doping concentration than the front doped region.",
"30. The solar cell according to claim 21, wherein a dopant in the first conductive type area and a dopant the front doped region have a same conductive type, and a doping concentration of the first conductive type area is higher than a doping concentration of the front doped region.",
"31. The solar cell according to claim 30, wherein a ratio of the doping concentration of the first conductive type area to the doping concentration of the front doped region is 5 to 10.",
"32. The solar cell according to claim 30, wherein the doping concentration of the first conductive type area is 5x1019/cm3 to 5×1020/cm3, and the doping concentration of the front doped region is 5x1018/cm3 to 5×1019/cm3.",
"33. The solar cell according to claim 30, wherein a ratio of a thickness of the first conductive type area to a thickness of the front doped region is 10 to 50.",
"34. The solar cell according to claim 30, wherein a thickness of the front doped region is 5 nm to 100 nm, and a thickness of the first conductive type area is 50 nm to 500 nm.",
"35. The solar cell according to claim 21, further comprising a first electrode electrically connected to the first conductive type area.",
"36. The solar cell according to claim 35, wherein the first tunneling layer is formed only on a portion of the front doped region below the first electrode.",
"37. The solar cell according to claim 35, wherein the front doped region comprises a first region in contact with the first electrode and a second region not in contact with the first electrode, and wherein the first region has a higher dopant concentration than the second region.",
"38. The solar cell according to claim 35, further comprising a first passivation film formed on the first conductive type area, wherein the first electrode contacts the first conductive type area through an opening formed in the first passivation film.",
"39. The solar cell according to claim 21, further comprising: a second tunneling layer, a second conductive type area and a second electrode, wherein the second tunneling layer is interposed between a back surface of the silicon substrate and the second conductive type area, and the second electrode is electrically connected to the second conductive type area.",
"40. The solar cell according to claim 39, wherein the silicon substrate further comprises a base area and a back doped region formed inside of the back surface of the silicon substrate, the base area and the back doped region are doped with a first conductive type dopant, and the first conductive type area and the front doped region are both doped with a second conductive type dopant."
],
[
"1. A photovoltaic element comprising:\ni) a light transmissive, coloured multilayer top sheet having an appearance that exhibits a colouration change depending on the viewing angle, the top sheet comprising:\na) a textured transparent front cover sheet, and\nb) a pigmented top coating layer disposed on the backside of the top sheet with respect to the direction of the incandescent light;\nii) a first encapsulant layer;\niii) one or more photovoltaic cells, each comprising at least one photovoltaically active surface, and comprising two electrically conductive electrode layers with a photovoltaic material disposed between them;\niv) a second encapsulant layer, and\nv) a back cover sheet.",
"2. The photovoltaic element according to claim 1, wherein the top sheet is birefringent.",
"3. The photovoltaic element according to claim 1, wherein the pigmented coating comprises effect pigments exhibiting a colour flop.",
"4. The photovoltaic element according to claim 3, wherein the one or more pigments are selected from the group consisting of a pearlescent pigment, a nacreous pigment, a metal flake pigment, and an encapsulated metal flake pigment.",
"5. The photovoltaic element according to claim 1, wherein the one or more photovoltaic cells comprise two photovoltaically active surfaces.",
"6. The photovoltaic element according to claim 1, wherein the top coating layer further comprises infra-red reflective pigments to lower the module temperature.",
"7. The photovoltaic element according to claim 1, wherein the top coating layer comprises a crosslinked polymeric binder composition, and optionally, UV- and acid stabilizers.",
"8. The photovoltaic element according to claim 7, wherein the crosslinked binder polymeric composition comprises at least a rigid polymeric resin components and a crosslinked component.",
"9. The photovoltaic element according to claim 7, wherein the crosslinked component is derived from a radiation curable composition.",
"10. The photovoltaic element according to claim 7, wherein the crosslinked polymeric binder is selected from one or more of the group consisting of epoxy resins, polycarbonates, polystyrenes, polyurethanes, polyacrylates and polymethacrylates.",
"11. The photovoltaic element according to claim 1, wherein the textured top sheet a) comprises a textured glass substrate.",
"12. The photovoltaic element according to claim 11, wherein the top sheet comprises tempered glass sheet having a texture applied thereto on one side, and optionally an anti-reflective coating.",
"13. The photovoltaic element according to claim 12, wherein the top sheet has a thickness of from 1 to 5 mm.",
"14. The photovoltaic element according to claim 13, wherein the top sheet has a thickness of from 2 to 4 mm.",
"15. A method of preparing a photovoltaic element according to claim 1, comprising:\na) coating a textured transparent front cover sheet with a pigmented coating composition in suitable thickness comprising one or more pigments selected from the group consisting of a pearlescent pigment, a nacreous pigment, a metal flake pigment and an encapsulated metal flake pigment, and\nb) subjecting the coated top sheet to a curing process, to obtain the textured coloured light transmissive birefringent multilayer front cover sheet having an appearance that exhibits a colouration change depending on the viewing angle.",
"16. A method according to claim 15, wherein the coating process is wet coating process, and wherein the curing process is a radiation curing process.",
"17. A method according to claims 15, further comprising\nc) providing a stack comprising:\nthe light transmissive coloured top sheet obtained in step b),\na first encapsulant material,\none or more photovoltaic cells comprising at least one photovoltaically active surface and comprising two electrically conductive electrode layers with a photovoltaic material disposed between them, and\na second encapsulant material; and\nd) subjecting the stack obtained in c) to a suitable pressure and temperature, to obtain a photovoltaic element.",
"18. A photovoltaic element comprising one or a plurality of photovoltaic elements according to claim 1, for disposition on a structure.",
"19. A photovoltaic element comprising one or a plurality of photovoltaic elements obtainable according to the method of claim 15, for disposition on a structure.",
"20. A non-photovoltaic panel complementary to, and for use with a photovoltaic element according to any one of claim 1, the panel comprising\ni) a coloured, light transmissive birefringent multilayer top sheet having an appearance that exhibits a colouration change depending on the viewing angle, the sheet comprising:\na) a textured transparent front cover sheet; and\nb) a pigmented top coating layer disposed on the inside of the top sheet with respect to the direction of the incandescent light;\nii) a first encapsulant layer\niii) a second encapsulant layer, and\niv) a back cover sheet."
],
[
"1. A solar cell comprising:\na first dielectric layer above a silicon substrate;\na material layer above the first dielectric layer, the material layer having a first doped region and a plurality of recast signatures;\na second dielectric layer above the material layer; and\na plurality of conductive contacts through the second dielectric layer with each of the plurality of conductive contacts being in alignment with one of the plurality of recast signatures in the material layer.",
"2. The solar cell of claim 1, wherein the first dielectric layer comprises a tunnel oxide.",
"3. The solar cell of claim 1, the second dielectric layer comprises silicon nitride.",
"4. The solar cell of claim 3, further comprising a third dielectric layer disposed between the material layer and the second dielectric layer, the third dielectric layer comprising silicon dioxide.",
"5. The solar cell of claim 1, wherein the material layer comprises poly-crystalline silicon.",
"6. The solar cell of claim 1, further comprising a second doped region in the material layer.",
"7. The solar cell of claim 1, wherein the silicon substrate comprises single-crystalline silicon.",
"8. The solar cell of claim 1, wherein the solar cell is a back-contact solar cell.",
"9. A solar cell comprising:\na first dielectric layer disposed on a silicon substrate;\na poly-crystalline silicon layer disposed on the first dielectric layer, the poly-crystalline silicon layer having a doped region and a recast signature in the doped region;\na second dielectric layer above the poly-crystalline silicon layer; and\na plurality of conductive contacts through the second dielectric layer, a conductive contact of the plurality of conductive contacts being in alignment with the recast signature.",
"10. The solar cell of claim 9, wherein the first dielectric layer comprises a tunnel oxide.",
"11. The solar cell of claim 9, wherein the second dielectric layer comprises silicon nitride.",
"12. The solar cell of claim 11, further comprising a third dielectric layer disposed between the poly-crystalline silicon layer and the second dielectric layer, the third dielectric layer comprising silicon dioxide.",
"13. The solar cell of claim 9, wherein the silicon substrate comprises single-crystalline silicon.",
"14. The solar cell of claim 9, wherein the solar cell is a back-contact solar cell.",
"15. A solar cell comprising:\na first dielectric layer disposed on a silicon substrate;\na poly-crystalline silicon layer disposed on the first dielectric layer, the poly-crystalline silicon layer having a doped region and a plurality of recast signatures;\na dielectric material stack disposed on the poly-crystalline silicon layer; and\na plurality of conductive contacts through the second dielectric layer, each conductive contact of the plurality of conductive contacts being in alignment with a recast signature of the plurality of recast signatures.",
"16. The solar cell of claim 15, wherein the dielectric material stack comprises a silicon nitride layer that is disposed on the poly-crystalline silicon layer.",
"17. The solar cell of claim 16, wherein the dielectric material stack comprises a silicon dioxide layer that is disposed between the poly-crystalline silicon layer and the silicon nitride layer.",
"18. The solar cell of claim 15, wherein the first dielectric layer comprises tunnel oxide that is directly on the silicon substrate.",
"19. The solar cell of claim 15, wherein the silicon substrate comprises a single-crystalline substrate.",
"20. The solar cell of claim 15, wherein the solar cell is a back-contact solar cell."
],
[
"1. A method, comprising:\nforming a plurality of light sensors on an upper surface of a silicon substrate;\nforming a plurality of contact pads on the upper surface of the silicon substrate;\nforming openings in a lower surface of a silicon cap wafer;\naligning the openings with the light sensors and the contact pads;\nbonding the silicon cap wafer to the silicon substrate;\nremoving material from an upper surface of the silicon cap wafer to expose the light sensors and the contact pads;\nattaching a plurality of light emitters to respective ones of the contact pads;\nthinning the silicon substrate;\nfilling the openings with a transparent material;\nforming through-silicon vias extending from the upper surface of the silicon substrate to a lower surface of the silicon substrate;\nforming a ball grid array on the lower surface of the silicon substrate, the ball grid array including a plurality of solder balls electrically connected with respective ones of the through-silicon vias; and\nsingulating the bonded silicon wafers into individual sensor modules.",
"2. The method of claim 1, further comprising forming ball grid array contact pads on the lower surface of the silicon substrate, the ball grid array contact pads extending between the through-silicon vias and respective ones of the solder balls.",
"3. The method of claim 1 wherein bonding the silicon cap wafer to the silicon substrate further includes forming an epoxy layer between the silicon cap wafer and the silicon substrate.",
"4. The method of claim 1 wherein each sensor module includes one light emitter and one light sensor.",
"5. The method of claim 4 wherein attaching the light emitters includes attaching one or more of light emitting diodes (LEDs) and laser diodes.",
"6. The method of claim 1 wherein the light sensors and the contact pads are formed in a same layer of the silicon substrate.",
"7. The method of claim 1 wherein filling the openings with a transparent material includes filling the openings with a transparent epoxy.",
"8. A method, comprising:\ncoupling a cap to a first surface of a substrate including:\noverlapping a contact pad at the first surface with a first recess extending into the cap; and\noverlapping a light sensor at the first surface with a second recess extending into the cap;\nexposing the first recess and the second recess from the cap by removing a portion of the cap extending across and overlapping the first recess and the second recess;\ncoupling a die to the contact pad in at least one of the following of the first recess and the second recess;\nforming a transparent material in the first recess and the second recess;\nafter coupling the cap to the substrate, forming a first electrical via extending into the substrate at a second surface of the substrate opposite to the first surface, forming the first electrical via includes forming the first electrical via to be in electrical communication with the contact pad; and\nafter coupling the cap to the substrate, forming a second electrical via extending into the second surface the substrate, forming the second electrical via includes forming the second electrical via to be in electrical communication with the light sensor.",
"9. The method of claim 8, wherein coupling the die to the contact pad further includes positioning the die within the first recess.",
"10. The method of claim 8, wherein removing the portion of the cap exposing the first and second recesses from the cap occurs after the cap is coupled to the substrate.",
"11. The method of claim 8, wherein forming the transparent material further includes forming respective surfaces of the transparent material overlapping the first and second recesses substantially coplanar with a surface of the cap.",
"12. The method of claim 8, wherein forming the transparent material in the first recess and the second recess further includes:\ncovering the die and the contact pad with the transparent material; and\ncovering the light sensor with the transparent material.",
"13. The method of claim 8, wherein forming the transparent material in the first recess and the second recess further includes:\nforming the transparent material directly on and physically coupled to the die and the contact pad; and\nforming the transparent material directly on and physically coupled to the light sensor.",
"14. The method of claim 8, further comprising:\ncoupling a first solder ball to the first electrical via by forming the first solder ball on the second surface of the substrate; and\ncoupling a second solder ball to the second electrical contact by forming the second solder ball on the second surface of the substrate.",
"15. The method of claim 8, wherein the first and second electrical vias are through-silicon vias.",
"16. The method of claim 8, wherein exposing the first recess and the second recess from the cap by removing the portion of the cap extending across and overlapping the first recess and the second recess occurs after the cap has been coupled to the first surface of the substrate.",
"17. The method of claim 8, wherein exposing the first recess and the second recess from the cap by removing the portion of the cap extending across and overlapping the first recess and the second recess occurs before the cap has been coupled to the first surface of the substrate.",
"18. A method, comprising:\ncoupling a cap to a first surface of a substrate including:\noverlapping a first recess in the cap with a contact pad at the first surface of the substrate; and\noverlapping a second recess in the cap with a light sensor at the first surface of the substrate;\nafter coupling the cap to the first surface of the substrate, exposing the first recess and the second recess from the cap by removing a portion of the cap exposing the first recess and the second recess from the cap; and\nafter coupling the cap to the first surface of the substrate, forming one or more electrical vias extending into a second surface of the substrate opposite to the first surface of the substrate, forming the one or more electrical vias includes forming the one or more electrical vias to be in electrical communication with the contact pad and the light sensor.",
"19. The method of claim 18, wherein removing the portion of the cap further includes grinding the cap exposing the first recess and the second recess from the cap.",
"20. The method of claim 18, further comprising:\ncoupling a die to the contact pad overlapped by the first recess by positioning the die within the first recess.",
"21. The method of claim 20, further comprising:\nforming a transparent material in the first recess and the second recess, forming the transparent material includes:\nfilling the first recess with the transparent material covering the contact pad and the die with the transparent material; and\nfilling the second recess with the transparent material covering the light sensor with the transparent material.",
"22. The method of claim 21, wherein:\nfilling the first recess with the transparent material further includes forming a first surface of the transparent material substantially coplanar with a respective surface of the cap; and\nfilling the second recess with the transparent material further includes forming a second surface of the transparent material substantially coplanar with the respective surface of the cap."
],
[
"1. A solar cell, comprising:\na dielectric contact layer including a plurality of alternating dielectric regions and first converted contact regions, the dielectric contact layer over a first doped region of the solar cell, wherein the first converted contact regions include a dielectric that has been converted to be conductive; and\na first metal layer disposed on the dielectric contact layer, wherein the dielectric contact layer is continuous between the first metal layer and the first doped region, and the first doped region and the first converted contact regions form an ohmic contact between the first metal layer and the first doped region, and wherein the first metal layer comprises a plurality of discrete discontinuous portions, individual ones of the plurality of discrete discontinuous portions on a corresponding one of the first converted contact regions.",
"2. The solar cell of claim 1, wherein the converted contact regions are separated by the dielectric regions.",
"3. The solar cell of claim 1, further comprising a second doped region, wherein the dielectric contact layer is formed over the second doped region such that second converted contact regions of the dielectric contact layer form a second ohmic contact between a second metal layer and the second doped region, and the dielectric regions are formed between the first and second converted contact regions.",
"4. The solar cell of claim 1, further comprising:\na second metal layer formed on top of and bonded to the first metal layer to electrically connect the first converted contact regions to each other.",
"5. The solar cell of claim 1, wherein the first metal layer is a metal seed layer.",
"6. The solar cell of claim 1, wherein the first metal layer comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of copper, tin, aluminum, silver, gold, chromium, iron, nickel, zinc, ruthenium, palladium, and platinum.",
"7. The solar cell of claim 1, further comprising a metal foil on the first metal layer.",
"8. The solar cell of claim 7, further comprising a localized metal bond between the first metal layer and the metal foil.",
"9. The solar cell of claim 7 wherein the metal foil comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of copper, tin, aluminum, silver, gold, chromium, iron, nickel, zinc, ruthenium, palladium, and platinum.",
"10. The solar cell of claim 7, wherein the first metal layer and the metal foil have a same interdigitated pattern.",
"11. The solar cell of claim 1, wherein the first doped region is an N-type doped region.",
"12. The solar cell of claim 1, wherein the first doped region is a P-type doped region.",
"13. The solar cell of claim 1, wherein the dielectric regions of the dielectric contact layer comprise a material selected from the group consisting of silicon nitride, silicon oxide, silicon oxynitride, aluminum oxide, amorphous silicon and polysilicon.",
"14. A solar cell, comprising:\na dielectric contact layer including a plurality of alternating dielectric regions and first converted contact regions, the dielectric contact layer over a first doped region of the solar cell, wherein the first converted contact regions include a dielectric that has been converted to be conductive; and\nan aluminum layer disposed on the dielectric contact layer, wherein the dielectric contact layer is continuous between the aluminum layer and the first doped region, and the first doped region and the first converted contact regions form an ohmic contact between the aluminum layer and the first doped region, and wherein the aluminum layer comprises a plurality of discrete discontinuous portions, individual ones of the plurality of discrete discontinuous portions on a corresponding one of the first converted contact regions.",
"15. The solar cell of claim 14, wherein the converted contact regions are separated by the dielectric regions.",
"16. The solar cell of claim 14, further comprising a second doped region, wherein the dielectric contact layer is formed over the second doped region such that second converted contact regions of the dielectric contact layer form a second ohmic contact between a second metal layer and the second doped region, and the dielectric regions are formed between the first and second converted contact regions.",
"17. The solar cell of claim 14, further comprising a metal foil on the aluminum layer.",
"18. A method of fabricating a solar cell, the method comprising:\nforming a dielectric contact layer including a plurality of alternating dielectric regions and first converted contact regions over a first doped region of the solar cell, wherein the first converted contact regions include a dielectric that has been converted to be conductive; and\nforming a first metal layer on the dielectric contact layer, wherein the dielectric contact layer is continuous between the first metal layer and the first doped region, and the first doped region and the first converted contact regions form an ohmic contact between the first metal layer and the first doped region, and wherein the first metal layer comprises a plurality of discrete discontinuous portions, individual ones of the plurality of discrete discontinuous portions on a corresponding one of the first converted contact regions.",
"19. The method of claim 18, wherein the converted contact regions are separated by the dielectric regions.",
"20. The method of claim 18, further comprising:\nforming a second metal layer formed on top of and bonded to the first metal layer to electrically connect the first converted contact regions to each other."
],
[
"1. An apparatus comprising:\na series connected string of N rectangular silicon solar cells connected in parallel with a bypass diode, the solar cells having on average a breakdown voltage Vc and having on average an open circuit voltage Voc, the solar cells arranged in line with long sides of adjacent solar cells overlapping and conductively bonded to each other with an electrically and thermally conductive adhesive to form a first super cell, wherein\nthe product (N−1)(Voc) is greater than Vc, and\nno single solar cell or group of <N solar cells in the string of solar cells is individually electrically and directly connected in parallel with a bypass diode.",
"2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the adhesive has a thickness less than or equal to about 0.1 mm and a thermal conductivity greater than or equal to about 1.5 w/m/k.",
"3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the adhesive has a thickness less than or equal to about 50 microns.",
"4. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising:\nanother string of series connected rectangular silicon solar cells arranged in line with long sides of adjacent solar cells overlapping and conductively bonded to each other with an electrically and thermally conductive adhesive to form a second super cell;\na first contact pad located on a back surface of a first solar cell in the first super cell;\na second contact pad located on a back surface of a second solar cell in the second super cell; and\nan electrical interconnect conductively bonded to the first contact pad and to the second contact pad to electrically connect the first solar cell and the second solar cell.",
"5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the first solar cell is located at an intermediate position along the first super cell.",
"6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the second solar cell is located at an intermediate position along second super cell.",
"7. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the interconnect does not conduct current if all solar cells in the apparatus are operating normally.",
"8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:\na first one of the rectangular silicon solar cells comprises opposing first and second long edges, opposing first and second short edges, a first chamfered corner provided between the first short edge and the second long edge, and a second chamfered corner provided between the second short edge and the second lone edge, where the second long edge is shorter than the first long edge;\na second one of the rectangular silicon solar cells comprises opposing first and second long edges, opposing first and second short edges, a first chamfered corner provided between the first short edge and the first long edge, and a second chamfered corner provided between the second short edge and the first long edge, where the first long edge is shorter than the second long edge; and\nthe second long edge of the first rectangular silicon solar cell overlaps with and is conductively bonded to the first long edge of the second rectangular silicon solar cell with the electrically and thermally conductive adhesive.",
"9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:\na first one of the rectangular silicon solar cells comprises opposing first and second long edges, opposing first and second short edges, a first chamfered corner provided between the first short edge and the second long edge, and a second chamfered corner provided between the second short edge and the second lone edge, where the second long edge is shorter than the first long edge;\na second one of the rectangular silicon solar cells comprises opposing first and second long edges, opposing first and second short edges, a first chamfered corner provided between the first short edge and the first long edge, and a second chamfered corner provided between the second short edge and the first long edge, where the first long edge is shorter than the second long edge; and\nthe first long edge of the first rectangular silicon solar cell overlaps with and is conductively bonded to the second long edge of the second rectangular silicon solar cell with the electrically and thermally conductive adhesive.",
"10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein N is greater than or equal to 30 and Vc is less than about 15 volts.",
"11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein N is greater than or equal to 50 and Vc is less than about 25 volts.",
"12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein Vc is less than about 20 volts.",
"13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein Vc is less than about 15 volts.",
"14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein N is greater than or equal to 70 and Vc is less than about 35 volts.",
"15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein Vc is about 16 volts to about 30 volts.",
"16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein Vc is less than about 30 volts.",
"17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein Vc is less than about 25 volts.",
"18. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein Vc is less than about 20 volts.",
"19. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein Vc is less than about 15 volts.",
"20. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein N is greater than or equal to 100 and Vc is less than about 50 volts.",
"21. The apparatus of claim 1, Vc is greater than about 10 volts.",
"22. The apparatus of claim 1, Vc is less than about 35 volts.",
"23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein Vc is about 16 volts to about 30 volts.",
"24. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein Vc is less than about 30 volts.",
"25. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein Vc is less than about 25 volts.",
"26. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein Vc is less than about 20 volts.",
"27. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein Vc is less than about 15 volts.",
"28. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the string of N rectangular silicon solar cells is encapsulated in a thermoplastic olefin polymer."
],
[
"1. A producing method of a photoelectric conversion film, comprising:\nforming a photoelectric conversion film containing perovskite crystal particles on a film forming object by causing a photoelectric conversion material dispersion liquid to adhere on the film forming object and pressurizing the photoelectric conversion film to perform a packing process in a film thickness direction and obtain the photoelectric conversion film having a thickness of 10 nm or more and 1000 nm or less,\nwherein the photoelectric conversion material dispersion liquid contains: perovskite materials which exist as crystal particles, and have a composition represented by a composition formula: ABX3, wherein A is a monovalent cation of an amine compound, B is a divalent cation of a metal element, and X is a monovalent anion of a halogen element, and have an average particle diameter of 10 nm or more and 300 nm or less; and a dispersion medium which is composed of a poor solvent to the perovskite materials, and in which the crystal particles of the perovskite materials are dispersed in the poor solvent and are not dissolved in the poor solvent.",
"2. The producing method of claim 1, further comprising:\nat least one of exposing the photoelectric conversion film to a good solvent of the perovskite crystal particles, and heating the photoelectric conversion film.",
"3. The producing method of claim 1,\nwherein the film forming includes:\ndisposing a coating head above the film forming object;\nforming a meniscus column of the photoelectric conversion material dispersion liquid between the film forming object and the coating head; and\nmoving at least one of the film forming object and the coating head to apply the photoelectric conversion material dispersion liquid on the film forming object from the meniscus column.",
"4. The producing method of claim 1,\nwherein the film forming includes:\nsupplying the photoelectric conversion material dispersion liquid between the film forming object and a counter electrode for electrodeposition; and\napplying a voltage to the film forming object and the counter electrode to electrodeposit the perovskite crystal particles in the photoelectric conversion material dispersion liquid onto the film forming object.",
"5. The producing method of claim 1,\nwherein the film forming includes:\nforming an electrostatic pattern on an electrostatic pattern support body;\nsupplying the photoelectric conversion material dispersion liquid on the electrostatic pattern support body to form a pattern of the perovskite crystal particles according to the electrostatic pattern; and\ntransferring the pattern of the perovskite crystal particles onto the film forming object.",
"6. The producing method of claim 1,\nwherein the photoelectric conversion material dispersion liquid further contains a charge imparting agent which is not included in the composition of ABX3, and which adheres to the perovskite materials which exist as the crystal particles.",
"7. The producing method of claim 6,\nwherein the charge imparting agent comprises a compound containing at least one organic acid selected from the group consisting of a naphthenic acid, an oleic acid, an octylic acid, a sulfonic acid, a dodecyl acid, a dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid, and 2-ethylhexanoic acid, and at least one metal selected from the group consisting of zirconium, cobalt, copper, nickel, iron, zinc, lanthanum, gadolinium, sodium, and calcium.",
"8. The producing method of claim 1, further comprising preparing the photoelectric conversion material dispersion liquid, including:\npreparing raw materials of the perovskite materials;\npreparing a first liquid composed of the poor solvent and a second liquid composed of a solvent which has a solubility of the perovskite materials higher than a solubility of the first liquid and has a vapor pressure higher than a vapor pressure of the first liquid;\ndissolving the raw materials in the second liquid to fabricate a first mixed solution;\nmixing the first mixed solution and the first liquid together to fabricate a second mixed solution; and\nevaporating the second liquid from the second mixed solution and crystallizing the raw materials dissolved in the second liquid to generate the perovskite materials which exist as the crystal particles, to obtain the photoelectric conversion material dispersion liquid having the perovskite materials dispersed in the first liquid.",
"9. A producing method of a photoelectric conversion device, comprising:\nforming a first electrode on a substrate;\nforming a photoelectric conversion film containing perovskite crystal particles on the first electrode by causing a photoelectric conversion material dispersion liquid to adhere on the first electrode and pressurizing the photoelectric conversion film to perform a packing process in a film thickness direction and obtain the photoelectric conversion film having a thickness of 10 nm or more and 1000 nm or less; and\nforming a second electrode on the photoelectric conversion film,\nwherein the photoelectric conversion material dispersion liquid contains: perovskite materials which exist as crystal particles, and have a composition represented by a composition formula: ABX3, wherein A is a monovalent cation of an amine compound, B is a divalent cation of a metal element, and X is a monovalent anion of a halogen element, and have an average particle diameter of 10 nm or more and 300 nm or less; and a dispersion medium which is composed of a poor solvent to the perovskite materials, and in which the crystal particles of the perovskite materials are dispersed in the poor solvent and are not dissolved in the poor solvent.",
"10. The producing method of claim 9,\nwherein the photoelectric conversion film forming further comprises at least one of exposing the photoelectric conversion film to a good solvent of the perovskite crystal particles, and heating the photoelectric conversion film.",
"11. The producing method of claim 9,\nwherein the photoelectric conversion material dispersion liquid further contains a charge imparting agent which is not included in the composition of ABX3, and which adheres to the perovskite materials which exist as the crystal particles.",
"12. The producing method of claim 11,\nwherein the charge imparting agent comprises a compound containing at least one organic acid selected from the group consisting of a naphthenic acid, an oleic acid, an octylic acid, a sulfonic acid, a dodecyl acid, a dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid, and 2-ethylhexanoic acid, and at least one metal selected from the group consisting of zirconium, cobalt, copper, nickel, iron, zinc, lanthanum, gadolinium, sodium, and calcium.",
"13. The producing method of claim 9,\nwherein the photoelectric conversion film forming further comprises preparing the photoelectric conversion material dispersion liquid, including:\npreparing raw materials of the perovskite materials;\npreparing a first liquid composed of the poor solvent and a second liquid composed of a solvent which has a solubility of the perovskite materials higher than a solubility of the first liquid and has a vapor pressure higher than a vapor pressure of the first liquid;\ndissolving the raw materials in the second liquid to fabricate a first mixed solution;\nmixing the first mixed solution and the first liquid together to fabricate a second mixed solution; and\nevaporating the second liquid from the second mixed solution and crystallizing the raw materials dissolved in the second liquid to generate the perovskite materials which exist as crystal particles, to obtain the photoelectric conversion material dispersion liquid having the perovskite materials dispersed in the first liquid."
],
[
"1. A solar cell interconnect processing assembly comprising:\na positioning head configured to: grip an interconnect, move the interconnect from a first location to a second location, heat the interconnect while moving the interconnect from the first location to the second location, and place the interconnect over two adjacent solar cells at the second location; and\na control system configured to control movement of the positioning head from the first location to the second location.",
"2. The solar cell interconnect processing assembly of claim 1, wherein the positioning head comprises a heated block configured to heat the interconnect.",
"3. The solar cell interconnect processing assembly of claim 2, wherein the positioning head further comprises a thermal sensor coupled to the heated block, and wherein the control system is configured to control a temperature at which the interconnect is heated while being moved from the first location to the second location based on a feedback signal from the thermal sensor.",
"4. The solar cell interconnect processing assembly of claim 2, wherein the heated block is mechanically and thermally coupled to a carriage configured to hold the interconnect while the interconnect is heated and moved from the first location to the second location.",
"5. The solar cell interconnect processing assembly of claim 4, wherein the carriage comprises a vacuum interface.",
"6. The solar cell interconnect processing assembly of claim 4, wherein the carriage comprises an electro-mechanical grasping element.",
"7. The solar cell interconnect processing assembly of claim 1, wherein the control system is configured to control a temperature at which the interconnect is heated while being moved from the first location to the second location.",
"8. A solar cell interconnect processing assembly comprising:\na plurality of interconnects at a first location; and\na positioning head configured to: pick up an interconnect from the plurality of interconnects at the first location, move the interconnect from the first location to a second location, heat the interconnect while moving the interconnect from the first location to the second location, and press the interconnect over two adjacent solar cells at the second location.",
"9. The solar cell interconnect processing assembly of claim 8, further comprising:\na control system configured to control movement of the positioning head from the first location to the second location.",
"10. The solar cell interconnect processing assembly of claim 9, wherein the control system is configured to control a temperature at which the interconnect is heated in transit from the first location to the second location.",
"11. The solar cell interconnect processing assembly of claim 8, wherein the positioning head comprises a heated block configured to heat the interconnect.",
"12. The solar cell interconnect processing assembly of claim 11, wherein the positioning head further comprises a thermal sensor coupled to the heated block, and wherein the control system is configured to control the temperature at which the interconnect is heated while being moved from the first location to the second location based on a feedback signal from the thermal sensor.",
"13. The solar cell interconnect processing assembly of claim 8, wherein the heated block is mechanically and thermally coupled to a carriage configured to hold the interconnect while the interconnect is heated and moved from the first location to the second location.",
"14. The solar cell interconnect processing assembly of claim 13, wherein the carriage comprises a vacuum interface.",
"15. The solar cell interconnect processing assembly of claim 13, wherein the carriage comprises an electro-mechanical grasping element.",
"16. A solar cell interconnect processing assembly comprising:\na positioning head configured to: pick up an interconnect from a plurality of interconnects at a first location, move the interconnect from the first location to a second location, heat the interconnect while moving the interconnect from the first location to the second location, and place the interconnect over two adjacent solar cells at the second location; and\na control system configured to control a temperature at which the interconnect is heated by the positioning head in transit from the first location to the second location.",
"17. The solar cell interconnect processing assembly of claim 16, wherein the positioning head comprises a heated block configured to heat the interconnect.",
"18. The solar cell interconnect processing assembly of claim 17, wherein the positioning head further comprises a thermal sensor coupled to the heated block, and wherein the control system is configured to control the temperature at which the interconnect is heated while being moved from the first location to the second location based on a feedback signal from the thermal sensor.",
"19. The solar cell interconnect processing assembly of claim 16, wherein the heated block is mechanically and thermally coupled to a carriage configured to hold the interconnect while the interconnect is heated and moved from the first location to the second location.",
"20. The solar cell interconnect processing assembly of claim 16, wherein the control system is configured to control movement of the positioning head from the first location to the second location."
],
[
"1. A method for fabrication of a combined solar cell and interconnect assembly, said method comprising:\nroll-to-roll fabrication of an interconnect assembly, comprising,\nproviding, in a roll-to-roll interconnect-assembly fabricator, a top carrier film comprising a first substantially transparent, electrically insulating layer in roll form;\nproviding, in the roll-to-roll interconnect-assembly fabricator, a trace from a dispenser, the trace comprising conductive metal wire;\nunrolling, in the roll-to-roll interconnect-assembly fabricator, a portion of said top carrier film comprising said first substantially transparent, electrically insulating layer;\nunspooling, in a roll-to-roll interconnect-assembly fabricator, and laying down said trace of conductive metal wire from said dispenser in a single, physically continuous electrically conductive line disposed in a serpentine pattern onto said portion of said top carrier film comprising said first substantially transparent, electrically insulating layer;\nconfiguring said trace as a first plurality of electrically conductive portions such that solar cell efficiency is substantially undiminished in an event that any one of said first plurality of electrically conductive portions is conductively impaired;\ncoupling said portion of said top carrier film comprising said first substantially transparent, electrically insulating layer to a top portion of said trace to provide an interconnect assembly; and\ncoupling said interconnect assembly to a first solar cell, the first solar cell having a transparent conductive oxide front electrode layer disposed on a light-facing side of an absorber layer;\nwherein the top carrier film further comprises an adhesive medium coupling said top carrier film to said trace such that the adhesive medium is directly physically contacting the metal wire, said adhesive medium also coupling said top carrier film to said transparent conductive oxide front electrode layer.",
"2. The method recited in claim 1, said method further comprising:\nproviding a second carrier film comprising a second electrically insulating layer;\ncoupling said second carrier film comprising said second electrically insulating layer to a bottom portion of said trace; and\nconfiguring said second electrically insulating layer to allow forming an edge-protecting portion at an edge of said first solar cell.",
"3. The method recited in claim 1, said method further comprising configuring said first substantially transparent, electrically insulating layer to allow forming a short-circuit-preventing portion at an edge of a second solar cell.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein the absorber layer of said first solar cell comprises copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS)."
],
[
"1. A solar cell module comprising:\na plurality of solar cells each including a semiconductor substrate and a plurality of first electrodes and a plurality of second electrodes, which are alternately formed and extended in a first direction on a back surface of the semiconductor substrate;\na plurality of first conductive lines extended in a second direction crossing to the first direction, electrically connected to the plurality of second electrodes included in a first solar cell of the plurality of solar cells and the plurality of first electrodes included in a second solar cell of the plurality of solar cells which is adjacent to the first solar cell by conductive adhesives,\nwherein the conductive adhesives are formed at crossings of the plurality of second electrodes and the plurality of first conductive lines at the first solar cell and at crossings of the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of first conductive lines at the second solar cell, and the plurality of first conductive lines are insulated to the plurality of first electrodes included in the first solar cell and the plurality of second electrodes included in the second solar cell by insulating layers,\nwherein the insulating layers are formed at crossings of the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of first conductive lines at the first solar cell and at crossings of the plurality of second electrodes and the plurality of first conductive lines at the second solar cell; and\na plurality of second conductive lines extended in the second direction, electrically connected to the plurality of second electrodes included in the second solar cell and the plurality of first electrodes included in a third solar cell of the plurality of solar cells which is adjacent to the second solar cell by the conductive adhesives,\nwherein the conductive adhesives are formed at crossings of the plurality of second electrodes and the plurality of second conductive lines at the second solar cell and at crossings of the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second conductive lines at the third solar cell, and the plurality of second conductive lines are insulated to the plurality of first electrodes included in the second solar cell and the plurality of second electrodes included in the third solar cell by insulating layers,\nwherein the insulating layers are formed at crossings of the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second conductive lines at the second solar cell and at crossings of the plurality of second electrodes and the plurality of second conductive lines at the third solar cell,\nwherein the conductive adhesives include a first solder paste having a first melting point and a second solder paste having a second melting point lower than the first melting point,\nwherein the first solder paste is disposed closer to the plurality of first or second electrodes than the plurality of first or second conductive lines, and\nwherein a height of the insulating layers is greater than a height of the conductive adhesives.",
"2. The solar cell module of claim 1, wherein the second direction is crossing the first direction perpendicularly.",
"3. The solar cell module of claim 1, wherein the conductive adhesives include a resin and conductive metal particles.",
"4. The solar cell module of claim 3, wherein the resin is one of epoxy, acryl or silicon resin.",
"5. The solar cell module of claim 1, wherein the insulating layers are an insulating paste.",
"6. The solar cell module of claim 1, wherein the insulating layers include a resin.",
"7. The solar cell module of claim 6, wherein the resin is one of epoxy, acryl or silicon resin.",
"8. The solar cell module of claim 1, wherein an area of the insulating layers is greater than an area of the conductive adhesives.",
"9. The solar cell module of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of first and second conductive lines uses a conductive wire or a conductive ribbon having a stripe shape extending in one direction.",
"10. The solar cell module of claim 1, wherein the conductive adhesives formed on the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes bulge outward into sides of the insulating layers.",
"11. The solar cell module of claim 1, wherein the conductive adhesives and the insulating layers include a same resin."
],
[
"1. A solder strip applied to a shingled solar cell module, comprising a flat portion, and an upper cell slice connecting portion and a lower cell slice connecting portion located at two sides of the flat portion; wherein the flat portion, the upper cell slice connecting portion and the lower cell slice connecting portion are an integrated structure that are made of a conductive bar, and the flat portion is made by stamping the conductive bar such that the flat portion has a width larger than a width of the upper cell slice connecting portion and the lower cell slice connecting portion,\nthe solder strip is configured to be used for connecting a lower cell slice and an upper cell slice which form the shingled solar cell module;\nthe shingled solar cell module is formed by multi-busbar solar cells;\na plurality of fine grid lines are arranged in parallel on a front surface of the lower cell slice, and a plurality of fine grid lines are arranged in parallel on a back surface of the upper cell slice;\nthe fine grid lines on the front surface of the lower cell slice and the fine grid lines on the back surface of the upper cell slice are arranged in parallel;\ncutting directions of the lower cell slice and the upper cell slice are parallel to the fine grid lines;\na plurality of busbars are further perpendicularly arranged on the plurality of fine grid lines on the front surface of the lower cell slice, and a plurality of busbars are further arranged on the plurality of fine grid lines on the back surface of the upper cell slice; and\nin response to the solder strip is used for connecting the lower cell slice and the upper cell slice which form the shingled solar cell module, the solder strip is configured to be parallel to one of the busbars; and\nthe flat portion is configured to be soldered to a busbar on the front surface of the lower cell slice and a busbar on the back surface of the upper cell slice to form an overlapped region of the lower cell slice and the upper cell slice, and out of the overlapped region, the upper cell slice connecting portion is soldered to the busbar on the back surface of the upper cell slice, and the lower cell slice connecting portion is soldered to the busbar on the front surface of the lower cell slice.",
"2. The solder strip applied to the shingled solar cell module according to claim 1, wherein the upper cell slice connecting portion is in a shape of a round bar.",
"3. The solder strip applied to the shingled solar cell module according to claim 1, wherein the lower cell slice connecting portion is in a shape of a round bar."
],
[
"1. A light redirecting film article comprising a light redirecting film having a length and a width, the length being longer than the width, wherein the light redirecting film defines an X-Y plane, wherein the length of the light redirecting film defines a longitudinal axis in the X direction, the light redirecting film comprising:\na base layer;\nan ordered arrangement of a plurality of microstructures projecting from the base layer;\nwherein each of the microstructures projects from the base layer in a Z direction,\nwherein the microstructures have an elongated shape that extends in the X-Y plane,\nwherein the elongated shape of each of the microstructures defines a primary axis for each of the microstructures in the X-Y plane;\nwherein the primary axis of a majority of the microstructures is oblique with respect to the longitudinal axis;\nwherein the longitudinal axis and the primary axis of at least one microstructure define a bias angle in the X-Y plane; and\nwherein the bias angle is within the range of 10 to 80 degrees or the range of −10 to −80 degrees; and\na reflective layer over the microstructures opposite the base layer.",
"2. The light redirecting film article according to claim 1, wherein each of the microstructures has a substantially triangular prism shape, wherein the primary axis is defined along a peak of the substantially triangular prism shape, and wherein the substantially triangular prism shape includes opposing facets extending from the peak to the base layer.",
"3. The light redirecting film article according to claim 2, and further wherein at least one of the peak and opposing sides of at least one of the microstructures is non-linear in extension along the base layer.",
"4. The light redirecting film article according to claim 2, and further wherein there are variations in at least one of the facets along the primary axis.",
"5. The light redirecting film article according to claim 2, wherein the peak of at least some of the microstructures is rounded.",
"6. The light redirecting film article according to claim 2, wherein the peak of the substantially triangular prism shape defines an apex angle of about 120 degrees.",
"7. A PV module, comprising:\na plurality of PV cells electrically connected by tabbing ribbons; wherein each of the PV cells has a perimeter, and\na light redirecting film article applied over a surface chosen from: at least a portion of at least one of the tabbing ribbons, at least one region that is free of the PV cells, around the perimeter of at least one of the PV cells, an area between an immediately adjacent pair of the PV cells, and combinations thereof,\nwherein the light redirecting film article comprises a light redirecting film having a length and a width, the length being longer than the width, wherein the light redirecting film defines an X-Y plane, wherein the length of the light redirecting film defines a longitudinal axis in the X direction, the light redirecting film comprising:\na base layer;\nan ordered arrangement of a plurality of microstructures projecting from the base layer;\nwherein each of the microstructures projects from the base layer in a Z direction,\nwherein the microstructures have an elongated shape that extends in the X-Y plane,\nwherein the elongated shape of each of the microstructures defines a corresponding primary axis in the X-Y plane;\nwherein the primary axis of a majority of the microstructures is oblique with respect to the longitudinal axis;\nwherein the longitudinal axis and the primary axis of at least one microstructure define a bias angle in the X-Y plane; and\nwherein the bias angle is within the range of 10 to 80 degrees or the range of −10 to −80 1 degrees; and\na reflective layer over the microstructures opposite the base layer.",
"8. The PV module according to claim 7, wherein each of the microstructures has a substantially triangular prism shape, wherein the primary axis is defined along a peak of the substantially triangular prism shape, and wherein the substantially triangular prism shape includes opposing facets extending from the peak to the base layer.",
"9. The PV module according to claim 8, and further wherein at least one of the peak and opposing sides of at least one of the microstructures is non-linear in extension along the base layer.",
"10. The PV module according to claim 8, and further wherein there are variations in at least one of the facets along the primary axis.",
"11. The PV module according to claim 8, wherein the peak of at least some of the microstructures is rounded.",
"12. The light redirecting film article according to claim 8, wherein the peak of the substantially triangular prism shape defines an apex angle of about 120 degrees."
],
[
"1. A solar cell panel, comprising:\na plurality of solar cells; and\na plurality of wires that electrically interconnect adjacent solar cells among the plurality of solar cells, with each of the plurality of wires having a rounded cross-section,\nwherein each of the plurality of solar cells comprises:\na semiconductor substrate that is rectangular-shaped having at least one long side and at least one short side,\na first electrode, and\na second electrode,\nwherein the first electrode comprises:\na plurality of finger electrodes arranged lengthwise along a first direction parallel to the at least one long side of the semiconductor substrate, and\na plurality of bus electrodes comprising a plurality of contact pads that are arranged along a second direction parallel to the at least one short side of the semiconductor substrate, the second direction being different from the first direction,\nwherein the plurality of wires extend lengthwise along the second direction and are soldered to the plurality of contact pads,\nwherein the plurality of contact pads are spaced apart from one another in the second direction to thereby define a space between neighboring two contact pads among the plurality of contact pads,\nwherein the at least one long side includes a first long side and a second long side that is spaced apart from the first long side in the second direction,\nwherein the semiconductor substrate comprises an edge area that is located at an edge portion of the semiconductor substrate, at least one of the plurality of wires being located at the edge area,\nwherein the edge area comprises:\na first edge area at which one of the plurality of wires is located, the first edge area being disposed adjacent to the first long side, and\na second edge area disposed adjacent to the second long side in the second direction,\nwherein a density of the first electrode in each of the first and second edge areas is less than a density of the plurality of finger electrodes in another area of the semiconductor substrate,\nwherein the plurality of contact pads comprise a first outer pad that faces the first edge area, a second outer pad that faces the second edge area, and a plurality of inner pads disposed between the first outer pad and the second outer pad in the second direction,\nwherein the first edge area separates the first outer pad from the edge portion of the semiconductor substrate in the second direction such that one of the plurality of wires is attached to the first electrode,\nwherein at least one of the plurality of finger electrodes is arranged between two adjacent inner pads among the plurality of inner pads,\nwherein a first length of the first or second outer pad in the second direction is greater than a second length of one of the plurality of inner pads in the second direction,\nwherein the first electrode further comprises a peripheral portion that extends from an end of one of the bus electrodes or first outer pad to an end of an outermost finger electrode proximate the edge portion of the semiconductor substrate,\nwherein the first electrode further comprises an edge electrode portion that is disposed at the first edge area or the second edge area, that is connected to one end of the plurality of wires, and that is connected to the plurality of finger electrodes, and\nwherein the edge electrode portion comprises:\na first electrode portion that is disposed inward in the second direction relative to the outermost finger electrode among the plurality of finger electrodes, wherein the first electrode portion extends in the first direction parallel to the first long side or the second long side, wherein the first electrode portion physically and electrically contacts the peripheral portion or one of the finger electrodes, and wherein the first electrode portion is arranged between the end of one of the bus electrodes and the edge portion of the semiconductor substrate, and\na second electrode portion that physically and electrically contacts the first electrode portion, wherein the second electrode portion extends in the second direction toward the first long side or the second long side, and wherein the second electrode portion is arranged between the first electrode portion and the edge portion of the semiconductor substrate, and\nwherein the at least one of the plurality of wires located at the edge area overlaps with the second electrode portion, and wherein the at least one of the plurality of wires located at the edge area physically and electrically contacts the second electrode portion.",
"2. The solar cell panel of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of bus electrodes comprises a line portion that connects adjacent contact pads among the plurality of contact pads.",
"3. The solar cell panel of claim 1, wherein the semiconductor substrate further comprises a plurality of electrode areas that are arranged along the first direction, each of the plurality of electrode areas extending along the second direction toward the edge area,\nwherein the plurality of finger electrodes extend along the first direction across the plurality of electrodes areas,\nwherein the first edge area extends inward in the second direction from the second edge area to thereby separate end portions of the plurality of electrode areas in the first direction, and\nwherein each of the plurality of contact pads is disposed between and overlaps with the plurality of electrode areas.",
"4. The solar cell panel of claim 1, wherein the at least one of the plurality of wires located at the edge area overlaps with the first electrode portion, and wherein the at least one of the plurality of wires located at the edge area physically and electrically contacts the first electrode portion.",
"5. The solar cell panel of claim 1, wherein a width or diameter of each of the plurality of wires is 250 um to 500 um.",
"6. The solar cell panel of claim 5, wherein a width of each of the plurality of bus electrodes in the first direction is less than a width of each of the plurality of wires in the first direction.",
"7. The solar cell panel of claim 1, wherein the second electrode comprises (i) a plurality of finger electrodes that are parallel to the long side of the semiconductor substrate, and (ii) a plurality of bus electrodes that are parallel to the short side of the semiconductor substrate.",
"8. The solar cell panel of claim 7, wherein the plurality of bus electrodes of the second electrode comprise a plurality of contact pads.",
"9. The solar cell panel of claim 8, wherein a number of the plurality of contact pads of the second electrode is different from a number of the plurality of contact pads of the first electrode.",
"10. A solar cell panel, comprising:\na plurality of solar cells; and\na plurality of wires that electrically interconnect adjacent solar cells among the plurality of solar cells,\nwherein each of the plurality of solar cells comprises:\na semiconductor substrate that is rectangular-shaped having at least one long side and at least one short side, and\na first electrode comprising:\na plurality of finger electrodes arranged lengthwise along a first direction parallel to the at least one long side of the semiconductor substrate, and\na plurality of bus electrodes comprising a plurality of contact pads that are arranged along a second direction parallel to the at least one short side of the semiconductor substrate, the plurality of contact pads being soldered to the plurality of wires,\nwherein the semiconductor substrate comprises an edge area that is located at an edge portion of the semiconductor substrate, wherein the plurality of contact pads comprise a first outer pad that faces the edge area,\nwherein the first electrode further comprises a peripheral portion that extends from an end of one of the bus electrodes or the first outer pad to an end of an outermost finger electrode proximate the edge portion of the semiconductor substrate,\nwherein the first electrode further comprises an edge electrode portion that is disposed at the edge area, that is connected to one end of the plurality of wires, and that is connected to the plurality of finger electrodes, and\nwherein the edge electrode portion comprises:\na first electrode portion that is disposed inward in the second direction relative to the outermost finger electrode among the plurality of finger electrodes, wherein the first electrode portion extends in the first direction, wherein the first electrode portion physically and electrically contacts the peripheral portion or one of the finger electrodes, and wherein the first electrode portion is arranged between the end of one of the bus electrodes and the edge portion of the semiconductor substrate, and\na second electrode portion that physically and electrically contacts the first electrode portion, wherein the second electrode portion extends in the second direction toward the long side, wherein the second electrode portion is arranged between the first electrode portion and the edge portion of the semiconductor substrate, and wherein the second electrode portion physically and electrically contacts the one end of the plurality of wires.",
"11. The solar cell panel of claim 10, wherein an end of the second electrode portion opposite to the first electrode portion is arranged at a first distance from the long side of the semiconductor substrate, wherein the end of the outermost finger electrode is arranged at a second distance from the long side of the semiconductor substrate, wherein the first and second distances are measured in the second direction, and wherein the first distance is about equal to the second distance.",
"12. The solar cell panel of claim 10, wherein the one end of the plurality of wires directly overlies the second electrode portion.",
"13. A solar cell panel, comprising:\na plurality of solar cells; and\na plurality of wires that electrically interconnect adjacent solar cells among the plurality of solar cells,\nwherein each of the plurality of solar cells comprises:\na semiconductor substrate, and\na first electrode comprising:\na plurality of finger electrodes arranged lengthwise along a first direction, and\na plurality of bus electrodes comprising a plurality of contact pads that are arranged along a second direction different than the first direction, the plurality of contact pads being soldered to the plurality of wires,\nwherein the semiconductor substrate comprises an edge area that is located at an edge portion of the semiconductor substrate, wherein the plurality of contact pads comprise a first outer pad that faces the edge area,\nwherein the first electrode further comprises an edge electrode portion that is disposed at the edge area, that is connected to one end of the plurality of wires, and that is connected to the plurality of finger electrodes, and\nwherein the edge electrode portion comprises:\na first electrode portion that is disposed inward in the second direction relative to the outermost finger electrode among the plurality of finger electrodes, wherein the first electrode portion extends in the first direction, physically and electrically contacts one of the finger electrodes, and wherein the first electrode portion is arranged between the end of one of the bus electrodes and the edge portion of the semiconductor substrate, and\na second electrode portion that physically and electrically contacts the first electrode portion, wherein the second electrode portion extends in the second direction, wherein the second electrode portion is arranged between the first electrode portion and the edge portion of the semiconductor substrate, and wherein the second electrode portion physically and electrically contacts the one end of the plurality of wires.",
"14. The solar cell panel of claim 13, wherein an end of the second electrode portion opposite to the first electrode portion is arranged at a first distance from a first side of the semiconductor substrate parallel to the first direction, wherein an end of the outermost finger electrode is arranged at a second distance from the first side of the semiconductor substrate parallel to the first direction, wherein the first and second distances are measured in the second direction, and wherein the first distance is about equal to the second distance.",
"15. The solar cell panel of claim 13, wherein an end of the second electrode portion opposite to the first electrode portion is arranged at a first distance from a first side of the semiconductor substrate parallel to the first direction, wherein an end of the outermost finger electrode is arranged at a second distance from the first side of the semiconductor substrate parallel to the first direction, wherein the first and second distances are measured in the second direction, and wherein the first distance is less than the second distance.",
"16. The solar cell panel of claim 13, wherein the one end of the plurality of wires directly overlies the second electrode portion."
],
[
"1. A photovoltaic (PV) module, the PV module comprising:\none or more back contact PV cells located within the PV module, wherein the one or more back contact PV cells have a front side and a back side, the front side opposite the back side;\na busbar electrically connected to the back side of the one or more back contact PV cells, wherein the busbar is disposed over the back side of the one or more back contact PV cells; and\nan insulator material located between the busbar and the one or more back contact PV cells, wherein the insulator material comprises a material selected from the group consisting of EPE and EVA; and\nwherein the busbar comprises:\na cell connection piece electrically connected to the one or more back contact PV cells; and\na terminal connection piece coupled with the cell connection piece, wherein the terminal connection piece comprises a terminal bus bar including a first portion defining a non-orthogonal, curvilinear shape and a second portion defining either a tapered shape or a hole to facilitate coupling of the second portion of the terminal bus bar to a terminal of a junction box.",
"2. The PV module of claim 1, wherein the insulator material comprises a colored insulator material.",
"3. The PV module of claim 1, wherein the insulator material comprises a white colored insulator material or a black colored insulator material.",
"4. The PV module of claim 1, wherein the insulator material comprises a transparent insulator material.",
"5. The PV module of claim 1, wherein the insulator material has a thickness in a range of 2-4 mils.",
"6. The PV module of claim 1, further comprising:\na laminate material located on the busbar and the one or more back contact PV cells.",
"7. The PV module of claim 1, wherein the cell connection piece is unitarily formed with the terminal connection piece.",
"8. A photovoltaic (PV) module, the PV module comprising:\na cell connection piece electrically connected to a back side of one or more back contact PV cells; and\na terminal connection piece unitarily coupled with the cell connection piece to form a unitary connection piece, wherein the unitary connection piece is located behind the one or more back contact PV cells, wherein the terminal connection piece comprises a terminal bus bar including a first portion defining a non-orthogonal, curvilinear shape and a second portion defining either a tapered shape or a hole to facilitate coupling of the second portion of the terminal bus bar to a terminal of a junction box.",
"9. The PV module of claim 8, wherein the cell connection piece comprises a plurality of bus tabs extending from a single side of the cell connection piece.",
"10. The PV module of claim 8, wherein the cell connection piece comprises an interconnect bus having a continuously variable width along a length of the interconnect bus.",
"11. The PV module of claim 8, wherein the cell connection piece comprises an interconnect bus having a step-wise variable width along a length of the interconnect bus.",
"12. The PV module of claim 8, wherein the cell connection piece comprises an expansion joint to accommodate thermal expansion of the photovoltaic module, wherein the expansion joint is unitarily formed with the cell connection piece.",
"13. A photovoltaic (PV) module, the PV module comprising:\na cell connection piece electrically connected to a back side of one or more back contact PV cells, wherein the cell connection piece comprises a plurality of bus tabs only extending from a single side of the cell connection piece with the opposite side having no tabs extending there from; and\na terminal connection piece unitarily coupled with the cell connection piece to form a unitary connection piece, wherein the unitary connection piece is located behind the one or more back contact PV cells; and\nwherein the terminal connection piece comprises a terminal bus bar including a first portion defining a non-orthogonal, curvilinear shape and a second portion defining either a tapered shape or a hole to facilitate coupling of the second portion of the terminal bus bar to a terminal of a junction box.",
"14. The PV module of claim 13, wherein the cell connection piece comprises an interconnect bus having a continuously variable width along a length of the interconnect bus.",
"15. The PV module of claim 13, wherein the cell connection piece comprises an interconnect bus having a step-wise variable width along a length of the interconnect bus.",
"16. The PV module of claim 13, wherein the cell connection piece comprises an expansion joint to accommodate thermal expansion of the photovoltaic module, wherein the expansion joint is unitarily formed with the cell connection piece."
],
[
"1. A solar module, comprising:\na plurality of strips electrically coupled together via a plurality of front and back side bus bars of the plurality of strips, respectively, to form a string of strips, each strip of the plurality of strips including a substrate, a front side bus bar of the plurality of front side bus bars disposed on a first edge portion of the substrate, and a back side bus bar of the plurality of back side bus bars disposed on a second edge portion of the substrate opposite the first edge portion, each strip of the plurality of strips being singulated from a solar cell, the solar cell including a plurality of front side bus bars unequally spaced across a front side of the solar cell and a plurality of back side bus bars unequally spaced across a back side of the solar cell,\nwherein only one of the plurality of front side bus bars is formed along an edge portion on a front side of the solar cell.",
"2. The solar module according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of back side bus bars includes at least six back side bus bars.",
"3. The solar module according to claim 2, further comprising a plurality of strings formed of the plurality of strips,\nwherein at least two of the plurality of strings are electrically connected in parallel to form a first set of strings, and\nwherein the first set of strings extends across the width of the solar module.",
"4. The solar module according to claim 3, wherein only one of the plurality of back side bus bars is formed along the second edge portion on the back side of the solar cell.",
"5. The solar module of claim 3, further comprising a second set of strings,\nwherein the first and second sets of strings extend across a width of the solar module and are electrically connected in series.",
"6. The solar module of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of strings including the string of strips,\nwherein the plurality of strings includes a first string that has at least 15 strips.",
"7. The solar module of claim 6, wherein the first string includes up to 100 strips.",
"8. The solar module of claim 6, wherein at least some of the at least 15 strips are singulated from different solar cells."
],
[
"1. A solar cell panel comprising: a solar cell string comprising a plurality of solar cells,\nwherein each solar cell comprises:\na semiconductor substrate;\na first electrode formed on a first surface of the semiconductor substrate; and\na second electrode formed on a back surface of the semiconductor substrate,\nwherein the plurality of solar cells comprise a first solar cell and a second solar cell adjacent to the first solar cell, and the first electrode of the first solar cell is connected to the second electrode of the second solar cell by a plurality of leads,\nwherein each lead comprises: a first section connected to the first electrode of the first solar cell, a second section connected to the second electrode of the second solar cell, and a third section connecting the first section and second section,\nwherein the third section comprises a first bent portion and a second bent portion,\nwherein the first bent portion has an arc shape convex toward the front surface of the semiconductor substrate of the first solar cell, and a part extending from a connection point with the first section in a direction away from the first solar cell, and\nwherein the second bent portion has an arc shape convex toward the back surface of the back surface of the semiconductor substrate of the second solar cell, and a part extending from a connection point with the second section in a direction away from the second solar cell.",
"2. The solar cell panel according to claim 1, wherein the first electrode comprises a plurality of finger lines extending in a first direction and a plurality of bus electrodes extending in a second direction crossing the first direction,\nwherein each bus electrode comprises a plurality of pad sections arranged to be spaced apart from one another in the second direction and a line section connecting the plurality of pad sections in the second direction, and\nwherein a width in the first direction of each of the plurality pad sections is greater than a width in the first direction of the line section.",
"3. The solar cell panel according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of pad sections of each bus electrode comprise: two first pad sections disposed at opposite ends of the bus electrode in the second direction, and second pad sections disposed at an inside region of the bus electrode to be spaced apart from the first pad sections, and\nwherein the width in the first direction of each first pad section is greater than the width in the first direction of each second pad section or a length in the second direction of each first pad section is greater than a length in the second direction of each second pad section.",
"4. The solar cell panel according to claim 3, wherein each solar cell further comprises a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge, and the plurality of finger lines comprise a first finger line closest to the first edge and a second finger line closest to the second edge, and\nwherein each bus electrode has a distance between the two first pad sections smaller than a distance between the first finger line and the second finger line.",
"5. The solar cell panel according to claim 3, wherein each solar cell further comprises a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge, and the plurality of finger lines comprise a first finger line closest to the first edge and a second finger line closest to the second edge, and\nwherein a first edge distance between the first edge and one of the two first pad sections adjacent thereto is greater than a distance between the first edge and the first finger line.",
"6. The solar cell panel according to claim 5, wherein a second edge distance between the second edge and the other of the two first pad sections adjacent thereto is greater than a distance between the second edge and the second finger line.",
"7. The solar cell panel according to claim 6, wherein the first edge distance or the second edge distance is 2.37 mm to 21.94 mm.",
"8. The solar cell panel according to claim 2, wherein each solar cell further comprises a third edge and a fourth edge opposite the third edge in the first direction, each finger line comprises a first end adjacent to the third edge and a second end adjacent to the fourth edge, and the plurality of bus electrodes comprise a first bus electrode closest to the third edge and a second bus electrode closest to the fourth edge,\nwherein a distance between the first end of the finger line and the first bus electrode is greater than a pitch of each bus electrode other than the first bus electrode and the second bus electrode.",
"9. The solar cell panel according to claim 2, wherein each lead has a width greater than a width of the line section of any bus electrode in the first solar cell.",
"10. The solar cell panel according to claim 2, wherein the first section of each of the plurality of leads is disposed on a corresponding one of the plurality of bus electrodes, and has a lower portion attached to the plurality of pad sections of the corresponding bus electrode, and wherein a width in the first direction of the lower portion is smaller than or equal to the width in the first direction of each of the plurality pad sections.",
"11. The solar cell panel according to claim 2, wherein the first section of each of the plurality of leads is disposed on a corresponding one of the plurality of bus electrodes, and has a lower portion attached to the plurality of pad sections of the corresponding bus electrode, and wherein a width in the first direction of the lower portion is greater than a width in the first direction of the third section.",
"12. The solar cell panel according to claim 2, wherein each lead has a core and a solder coating layer on an outer surface of the core, a first thickness of the solder coating layer in contact with the plurality of pad sections is greater between a first outer surface of the core and each pad section than a second thickness of the solder coating layer on a second outer surface of the core opposite the core from the first outer surface of the core.",
"13. The solar cell panel according to claim 2, wherein the width in the first direction of the line section is greater than or equal to a half of a width of any of the plurality of finger lines and is smaller than or equal to 10 times of the width of any of the plurality of finger lines.",
"14. The solar cell panel according to claim 2, further comprising a line breaking section, at which a finger line of the plurality of finger lines arranged between two neighboring bus electrodes is broken at respective parts thereof without extending continuously.",
"15. The solar cell panel according to claim 14, wherein a width of the line breaking section is 0.5 times or more of a pitch of each finger line, or 0.5 times or less of a pitch of each bus electrode.",
"16. The solar cell panel according to claim 2, wherein a finger line of the plurality of finger lines comprises a first portion and a second portion having a greater width than the first portion, and the first portion is arranged between two neighboring bus electrodes.",
"17. The solar cell panel according to claim 16, wherein the width of the first portion gradually increases toward the two neighboring electrodes.",
"18. The solar cell panel according to claim 1, wherein a width of the third section ranges from 250 μm to 500 μm.",
"19. The solar cell panel according to claim 1, wherein a number of the plurality of leads is greater than or equal to 6.",
"20. The solar cell panel according to claim 1, wherein the first bent portion is spaced apart from the front surface of the semiconductor substrate of the first solar cell in a thickness direction of the first solar cell."
]
] |
the following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 u.s.c. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this office action:
a person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
claim(s) 1, 2, 9, 13, 15, 18-21, 23, 24, 26, 29, 37-39 and 43 is/are rejected under 35 u.s.c. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by us 2019/0378945 a1, allais et al. (hereinafter “allais”).
regarding claim 1
allais teaches a multilayer electronic device (corresponding to a photovoltaic module 10) comprising a plurality of unit electronic devices (photovoltaic cells 16a, 16b and 16c) [fig. 1 and paragraphs 0028-0030], said unit electronic devices (16a-16c) being connected in series [paragraph 0005], wherein said plurality of unit electronic devices (16a-16c) comprise at least first and second neighbouring unit electronic devices (corresponding to, for example, photovoltaic cells 16a and 16b) [fig. 1 and paragraph 0032], the multilayer electronic device (10) comprises:
a substrate or non-conducting base layer (12) [fig. 1 and paragraph 0030], wherein each of said first and second unit electronic devices (16a and 16b) comprises a lower conductive layer (corresponding to first electrically conductive material 19 forming lower electrodes 18a and 18b) and an upper conductive layer (22) [fig. 1 and paragraphs 0037-0038], wherein each of said first and second unit electronic devices (16a and 16b) comprise:
at least one electronic layer (corresponding to photoactive layer 24) comprising a material having semiconducting, photovoltaic, photoelectric and/or electroluminescent properties [fig. 1 and paragraph 0039], said electronic layer (24) being provided between said upper and lower conductive layer (19 and 22) of the corresponding first and second unit electronic device (16a and 16b) [see fig. 1], wherein the multilayer electronic device (10) further comprises
an intermediate structure (corresponding to electrically conductive strip 46) provided between said first and second unit electronic devices (16a and 16b) [figs. 1, 4 and 5 and paragraph 0048], wherein said intermediate structure (46):
is in direct contact with the lower conductive layer (see lower electrode 18b formed by the first electrically conductive material 19) of said second unit electronic device (16b) [figs. 1 and 5, paragraphs 0050],
physically separates at least part of the electronic layers (24) of said first and second unit electronic devices (16a and 16b) [fig. 1], and
wherein the multilayer electronic device (10) comprises only one intermediate structure (46) per unit electronic device (16a-16c) [fig. 1], said only one intermediate structure (46) longitudinally extending between neighbouring unit electronic devices (16a and 16b) and providing a projection on said surface of said substrate (12) or on said lower conductive layer (19) [fig. 1], and
wherein said only one intermediate structure (46) is formed by a single, continuous and homogeneous material which has continuous electronic properties [fig. 5 and paragraphs 0048-0051], and wherein said only one intermediate structure (46) comprises a conductive material and is provided to electrically connect the upper conductive layer (22) of said first unit electronic device (16a) with the lower conductive layer (see lower electrode 18b formed by the first electrically conductive material 19) of the said second unit electronic device (16b) [fig. 1, paragraphs 0036, 0051 and 0057],
regarding claim 9
allais teaches the electronic device as set forth above, wherein said intermediate structure (46), when seen in transverse section, is asymmetric (the halves or sides of the electrically conductive strip 46 are not the same) [figs. 1, 4 and 5].
regarding claim 13
the limitation “wherein said intermediate structure is an aid for the deposition of layers said aid being provided for allowing the non-continuous deposition of a layer deposited subsequently to the deposition of said intermediate structure” is directed to the intended use and functionality of the intermediate structure. since the structure of the prior art teaches all structural limitations of the claim, the prior art is considered capable of performing the claimed functions and meeting the intended use limitations.
it has been held that when the structure recited in the reference is substantially identical to that of the claims, claimed properties or functions are presumed to be inherent (see mpep § 2112.01). “when the pto shows a sound basis for believing that the products of the applicant and the prior art are the same, the applicant has the burden of showing that they are not.” in re spada, 911 f.2d 705, 709, 15 uspq2d 1655, 1658 (fed. cir. 1990). examiner notes that the deposition of the stack 20 of layers 30, 24, 32 and 22 is performed subsequently to the formation of the intermediate structure 46 [paragraphs 0077-0079].
regarding claim 15
allais teaches the electronic device as set forth above, wherein said intermediate structure (46) comprises one or more characteristics selected from the group consisting of:
(i) the intermediate structure (46) comprises a material that is different from the material forming said substrate (the intermediate structure comprises an electrically conductive strip while the substrate is electrically insulating) [paragraphs 0028 and 0048],
(ii) said intermediate structure (46) is a structure that is distinct from said substrate (12) [fig. 1], and
(iii) said intermediate structure (46) comprises a deposited material [paragraph 0070].
regarding claim 18
allais teaches the electronic device as set forth above, wherein the intermediate structure (46) wherein the intermediate structure is partially or totally provided on the substrate (12) [see fig. 5], wherein:
the lower conductive layer (see lower electrode 18a) of said first electronic unit device (16a) is spaced apart from said intermediate structure (46) [figs. 1 and 5], and/or
the upper conductive layer (22) of the second electronic unit device (16b) is spaced apart from said intermediate structure (46) [fig. 1].
regarding claim 19
allais teaches the electronic device as set forth above, wherein the intermediate structure (46), when seen in transverse section, comprises a lateral side at least part of which is oblique and/or curved with respect to the surface of the substrate (12) such that at least part of the lateral side provides an overhang projection on said substrate or on said lower conductive layer (19) [figs. 1 and 5].
regarding claim 20
allais teaches the electronic device as set forth above, which lacks a passivation or other separating layer between the intermediate structure and the lower conductive layer (see portion 56 of the electrically conductive strip 46 directly in contact with electrically conductive material 19) [fig. 5 and paragraphs 0051-0052].
regarding claim 21
allais teaches the electronic device as set forth above, wherein said substrate (12) provides a flat, planar, even and/or unstructured surface on which the lower conductive layer (12) and further components [fig. 1 and paragraph 0061], as appropriate, of are provided, and/or wherein said substrate (12) is flat, planar, even and/or unstructured between neighbouring unit electronic devices (16a and 16b) [fig. 1].
regarding claim 23
allais teaches the electronic device as set forth above, which is a thin-film device, preferably selected from the group consisting of thin-film solar cells, thin-film transistors, thin-film leds, and thin-film oleds (the electronic device is a photovoltaic module 10) [fig. 1 and paragraph 0027].
regarding claim 24
allais teaches a method for producing a multilayer electronic device (10) [figs. 1-5 and paragraph 0027], the method comprising:
providing a substrate (12) comprising a first conductive layer (19) and, optionally, patterning said first conductive layer (19) so as to obtain a plurality of electrically separated conductive layers (18a and 18b) [fig. 1, paragraphs 0028 and 0036];
depositing an intermediate structure (46) at least partially on said first conductive layer (19) so as to be in direct contact with said first conductive layer (19), wherein the intermediate structure (46) comprises a conductive material [fig. 1, paragraphs 0036, 0057 and 0075];
depositing at least one electronic layer (24) comprising a material having semiconducting, photovoltaic, photoelectric and/or electroluminescent properties [fig. 1, paragraphs 0039 and 0077];
depositing a second conductive layer (22), on top of said electronic layer (24) [fig. 1, paragraphs 0038 and 0077],
wherein during depositing said second conductive layer (22) said intermediate structure (46) provides a shaded area and/or separation structure (34a/34b) such that, during depositing said second conductive layer (22), a plurality of separated second conductive layers (22) is obtained (the inactive zones 34a and 34b, which include the intermediate structure 46, form a physical protection along the axis z of the coated surface) [figs. 1-5, paragraphs 0075 and 0077-0079], said separated second conductive layers (22) being electrically separated by said shaded area and/or separation structure (34a/34b) [figs. 1-5],
wherein the intermediate structure (46) is provided to electrically connect the second conductive layer (22) of a first unit electronic device (16a) with the first conductive layer (19) of a second unit electronic device (16b) [fig. 1 and paragraph 0057],
wherein the method comprises depositing only one intermediate structure (46) per unit electronic device (16a-16c) [fig. 1], said only one intermediate structure (46) longitudinally extending between neighbouring unit electronic devices (16a and 16b) and providing a projection on said surface of said substrate (12) or on said lower conductive layer (19) [fig. 1], and
wherein the intermediate structure (46) is deposited in a single deposition step [fig. 4, paragraphs 0070 and 0072], and is formed by a single continuous and homogeneous material which has continuous electronic properties [fig. 5 and paragraphs 0048-0051 and 0072].
regarding claim 26
allais teaches the method as set forth above, wherein providing said substrate (12) comprising said first conductive layer (19) comprises:
providing a substrate and/or a non-conducting base layer (12) [fig. 2 and paragraph 0061];
depositing said first conductive layer (19) on said substrate and/or non-conducting base layer (12) [fig. 2 and paragraph 0061].
regarding claim 37
allais teaches the method as set forth above, wherein depositing said first conductive layer (19) is performed before depositing said intermediate structure (46) on said substrate (12), and wherein said intermediate structure (46) is partially or totally deposited on said first conductive layer (19) [figs. 2-5, paragraphs 0061-0070].
regarding claim 38
allais teaches the method as set forth above, wherein said intermediate structure (46) is deposited so as to be in contact with the first conductive layer (18b) of a second unit electronic device (16b) and separate from the first conductive layer (18a) of a first device (16a) [see fig. 5].
png
media_image1.png
261
392
greyscale
regarding claim 39
allais teaches the method as set forth above, wherein depositing said intermediate structure (46) comprises depositing at least part of said intermediate structure so as to comprise an oblique or curved profile [see figs. 1 and 4], when seen in cross-section of said intermediate structure, said oblique or curved profile providing a shading or separation area on said substrate or on said first conductive layer [figs. 1-5].
regarding claim 43
allais teaches the method as set forth above, which lacks patterning and/or scribing an electronic layer (the method of allais does not involve patterning and/or scribing of the photovoltaic active layer 24) [paragraphs 0077-0080].
regarding claim 45
allais teaches the method as set forth above, wherein the lower conductive layers (18a and 18b) of said first and second unit devices (16a and 16b) are separated by a gap (36a) and wherein said intermediate structure (46) is tilted, tapered and/or curved towards a side that is opposite to said gap (see figs. 1 and 5).
regarding claim 46
allais teaches the method as set forth above, wherein said thin-film device (10) is selected from the group consisting of thin-film solar cells, thin-film transistors, thin-film leds, and thin-film oleds (the thin film device is a photovoltaic module 10 comprising thin film solar cells 16a-16c) [fig. 1 and paragraphs 0028-0032].
|
[
"1. A emergency shutdown control system, comprising:\na deactivation control;\na control centre controller coupled to said deactivation control and storing an association between said deactivation control and a selected set of surface mine sites;\na plurality of autonomous mining drill rigs, each drill rig having a drill shutdown module adapted to disable a function of the respective drill rig upon receipt of a deactivation command; and\na mine site controller associated with each mine site in said selected set of surface mine sites, each said mine site controller being coupled to all autonomous drill rigs located at the respective mine site with which the mine site controller is associated;\nwherein activating said deactivation control transmits a deactivation command from said deactivation control to said control centre controller and said control centre controller forwards the deactivation command to a mine site controller associated with each mine site in said set of surface mine sites for distribution to all of the autonomous drill rigs at that mine site.",
"2. The emergency shutdown control system according to claim 1, further comprising:\na drill control station coupled to said deactivation control, wherein said drill control station provides a user interface for selecting drill rigs to be controlled by said drill control stations, wherein drill rigs available for selection are restricted to drill rigs located at said selected set of surface mine sites.",
"3. The emergency shutdown control system according to claim 1, wherein said deactivation control includes a display region by which to associate the deactivation control with one or more mine sites.",
"4. The emergency shutdown control system according to claim 1, wherein the drill shutdown module includes a switch coupled to an ignition of said drill rig.",
"5. The emergency shutdown control system according to claim 1, wherein the drill shutdown module is adapted to cut fuel supply to said drill rig.",
"6. The emergency shutdown control system according to claim 1, wherein the deactivation control includes an electromechanical switch.",
"7. The emergency shutdown control system according to claim 1, wherein the deactivation control is a region on a display of a computing device adapted to receive a user input, said user input being selected from the group consisting of: mouse button click, keyboard input, and touch screen gesture.",
"8. A method for controlling a set of autonomous mining drill rigs, each autonomous drill rig having a drill shutdown module adapted to disable a function of the respective drill rig upon receipt of a deactivation command, the method comprising the steps of:\nselecting a set of surface mine sites to be associated with a deactivation control;\nstoring said association between said deactivation control and said set of surface mine sites at a control centre controller;\nrestricting selection of drill rigs by a drill control station coupled to said deactivation control to drill rigs located at said set of surface mine sites;\nsending a deactivation control to said control centre controller, upon activation of said deactivation control; and\nthe control centre controller transmitting the deactivation command to all drill rigs located at all mine sites in said set of surface mine sites, wherein the drill shutdown module on each drill rig disables a function of said respective drill rig on receipt of said deactivation command.",
"9. The method according to claim 8, wherein said control centre controller transmits the deactivation command via a mine site controller associated with each mine site in said set of surface mine sites, each said mine site controller being coupled to each drill rig at each mine site with which the mine site controller is associated.",
"10. The method according to claim 8, wherein said deactivation control includes a display region by which to select said set of surface mine sites.",
"11. The method according to claim 8, wherein the drill shutdown module includes a switch coupled to the an ignition of said drill rig.",
"12. The method according to claim 8, wherein the deactivation control includes an electromechanical switch.",
"13. A control system comprising:\na plurality of autonomous mining drill rigs, each drill rig including:\na wireless receiver for coupling the respective drill to a wireless communications network for receiving control signals, and\na drill shutdown module for effecting shutoff of power to said drill rig;\na remote control centre coupled to said wireless communications network, said remote control centre including:\nan interface for selecting a set of said plurality of autonomous mining drill rigs to be controlled by a drill controller, and\na deactivation control adapted to send, when activated, a shutdown command to each drill rig in said selected set of autonomous mining drill rigs;\nwherein when each drill rig in said selected set of autonomous mining drill rigs receives said shutdown command, said drill shutdown module shuts off power to said drill rig.",
"14. A method for effecting a shutdown of a set of autonomous mining drill rigs, comprising the steps of:\nallocating the set of autonomous mining drill rigs to a deactivation control associated with a drill control station, the drill control station being coupled to each of said autonomous mining drill rigs via a communications network,\nwherein each autonomous drill rig includes a drill shutdown module adapted to shut off power to the respective drill rig,\nwherein activating said deactivation control sends a shutdown signal from said drill control station, via said communications network, to the drill shutdown module on each autonomous drill rig in said set of autonomous mining drill rigs, and\nfurther wherein each drill shutdown module shuts down power to the respective drill rig, on receipt of the shutdown signal."
] |
US20230203891A1
|
US8121971B2
|
[
"1. A method of assisting drilling of a borehole at a drilling site, comprising:\nidentifying, at a first computer system, drilling conditions at the drilling site, the drilling conditions comprising at least one of a parameter indicative of a layer of the earth in which the drilling occurs and a parameter indicative of at least one item of drilling equipment used in the drilling;\nidentifying, at the first computer system, at least one software agent having one or more formulations applicable to the drilling conditions at the drilling site, wherein the at least one software agent is configured to utilize the one or more formulations to perform at least one of acquiring physical measurements during the drilling at the drilling site; forwarding the physical measurement to the first computer system; and providing a drilling recommendation at the drilling site;\nforwarding, by the first computer system, the at least one software agent to the second computer system at the drilling site, wherein the at least one software agent is configured to execute on the second computer system;\nreceiving, at the first computer system, the physical measurements acquired by the at least one software agent executing on the second computer system;\nidentifying one or more new formulations based on the physical measurements received from the at least one software agent; and\nmodifying, by the first computer system, the at least one software agent to include the one or more new formulations.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one software agent is configured to utilize the one or more formulations to identify a drilling state in response to the physical measurements acquired by the at least one software agent.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein the parameter indicative of the layer of the earth is provided from a lithology model applied to the drilling site.",
"4. The method of claim 3, wherein identifying the drilling conditions at the drilling site comprises:\nreceiving, from the second computer system, links to a database in which parameters indicative of items of drilling equipment and the lithology model are stored; and\naccessing the database to obtain the parameter indicative of the at least one item of drilling equipment and the lithology model.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one software agent is configured to process the physical measurements depending on a noise level within the physical measurements.",
"6. The method of claim 5, wherein the at least one software agent is configured to process, separately, portions of the physical measurements based on the noise level.",
"7. The method of claim 4, the method further comprising:\nproviding to the at least one software agent an extent of processing based on the physical measurements received.",
"8. The method of claim 7, wherein the extent of processing is based on the noise level.",
"9. The method of claim 1, the method further comprising:\nderiving, from the physical measurement acquired by the at least one software agent, an estimate of a drilling parameter based on a formulation applicable to the drilling site; and\nforwarding the estimate to the second computer system for display at a visual display.",
"10. The method of claim 9, wherein forwarding the estimate comprises:\nforwarding the estimate to the at least one software agent for displaying a trend of one or more drilling parameters at the visual display.",
"11. The method of claim 9, wherein forwarding the estimate comprises:\nforwarding the estimate to the at least one software agent for determining a current drilling recommendation.",
"12. The method of claim 1,\nwherein modifying the at least one software agent comprises:\ncreating at least one new software agent having the one or more new formulations; and\nforwarding the at least one new software agent to the second computer system to replace the at least one software agent.",
"13. The method of claim 1,\nwherein modifying the at least one software agent comprises:\nmodifying, remotely by the first computer system, the one or more formulations.",
"14. The method of claim 1, the method further comprising:\nstoring the the physical measurements in a database at the first computer system.",
"15. The method of claim 14, the method further comprising:\ndetermining, from the physical measurements, a change in a drilling state at the drilling site, wherein the at least one software agent is modified in response to the change in the drilling state.",
"16. The method of claim 15, wherein the one or more new formulations are associated with the change in the drilling state.",
"17. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more software agents operate in a network of persistent, autonomous, goal-directed, sociable, reactive, non-prescriptive, adaptive, heuristic, distributed, mobile and self-organizing agents for providing recommendations toward drilling optimization.",
"18. The method of claim 1, the method further comprising:\ndevising the one or more formulations based on one or more of a database of sensed physical measurements, a database of well properties, drilling hardware types, and a knowledge base of previously generated formulations.",
"19. The method of claim 18, the method further comprising:\nreceiving inputs from a user regarding the drilling conditions at the drilling site, wherein devising uses the inputs in combination with one or more of the database of sensed physical measurements, the database of well properties, drilling hardware types, and the knowledge base of previously generated formulations.",
"20. The method of claim 19, wherein the inputs from comprise an input indicating a decision to ignore a current drilling recommendation.",
"21. The method of claim 18, the method further comprising:\nstoring the one or more formulations in the knowledge base.",
"22. The method of claim 18, wherein identifying the one or more new formulations comprises:\ndevising the one or more new formulations using the physical measurements in combination with one or more of the database of sensed physical measurements, the database of well properties, drilling hardware types, and the knowledge base of previously generated formulations.",
"23. The method of claim 18, the method further comprising:\nreceiving, from a user, a verification or non-verification of the one or more formulations.",
"24. The method of claim 1, the method further comprising:\ndevising the one or more formulations based on a best well ontology, the best well ontology comprising encapsulated formulations of steps to be taken to drill a best well corresponding to the drilling conditions.",
"25. The method of claim 24, the method further comprising:\nmodifying the encapsulated formulations corresponding to the best well ontology based on the physical measurements.",
"26. The method of claim 24, wherein devising the one or more formulations comprises:\nutilizing a lithology model associated with the at least one of a parameter indicative of a layer of the earth in which the drilling occurs.",
"27. The method of claim 26, wherein the lithology model represents a plurality of layers in the earth in which the drilling occurs by way of metalayer representations, and wherein the metalayer representations comprise information regarding material properties of a given layer, values indicating a top depth and a bottom depth of the layer at the drilling location, and information regarding a method of drilling through a given layer.",
"28. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one software agent is configured to utilize the one or more formulations to detect a presence or absence of a drilling dysfunction based on the physical measurements and is configured to displays a recommendation for improving drilling efficiency.",
"29. The method of claim 28, wherein the recommendation includes increasing a weight-on-bit and increasing revolutions per minute of a drill string.",
"30. The method of claim 28, wherein the at least one software agent is configured to execute on the second computer system and display the recommendation without human input.",
"31. The method of claim 28, wherein the at least one software agent is configured to display, responsive to detecting the presence of the drilling dysfunction, a first recommendation for resolving the drilling dysfunction.",
"32. The method of claim 31, wherein the at least one software agent is configured to display, responsive to detecting the presence of the drilling dysfunction, a second recommendation for resolving the drilling dysfunction.",
"33. The method of claim 32, wherein the at least one software agent is configured to display drilling recommendations until detecting the absence of the drilling dysfunction.",
"34. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one software agent is configured to utilize the one or more formulations to detect a presence of a loss of circulation event based on the physical measurements and is configured to display a first recommendation for resolving the loss of circulation event.",
"35. The method of claim 34, wherein detecting the presence of a loss of circulation event comprises: evaluating a fluid loss model at a current depth of drilling, to return a maximum limit on expected fluid loss; estimating a current fluid loss in the drilling; responsive to the estimated current fluid loss exceeding the maximum limit; and indicating the presence of the loss of circulation event.",
"36. The method of claim 34, wherein the at least one software agent is configured to display, responsive to detecting the presence of the loss of circulation event, a second recommendation for resolving the loss of circulation event.",
"37. The method of claim 36, wherein the at least one software agent is configured to display recommendations until detecting an absence of the loss of circulation event.",
"38. A system for assisting drilling of a borehole at a drilling site, comprising:\na memory storing instructions; and\na processor configured to execute the instructions to perform a method comprising:\nidentifying drilling conditions at the drilling site, the drilling conditions comprising at least one of a parameter indicative of a layer of the earth in which the drilling occurs and a parameter indicative of at least one item of drilling equipment used in the drilling;\nidentifying at least one software agent having one or more formulations applicable to the drilling conditions at the drilling site, wherein the at least one software agent is configured to utilize the one or more formulations to perform at least one of acquiring physical measurements during the drilling at the drilling site forwarding the physical measurement; and providing a drilling recommendation at the drilling site;\nforwarding the at least one software agent to a computer system at the drilling site, wherein the at least one software agent is configured to execute on the computer system;\nreceiving the physical measurements acquired by the at least one software agent executing on the computer system;\nidentifying one or more new formulations based on the physical measurements received from the at least one software agent; and\nmodifying the at least one software agent to include the one or more new formulations.",
"39. The system of claim 38, further comprising:\nderiving the one or more formulations based on the drilling conditions at the drilling site.",
"40. The system of claim 38, wherein the at least one software agent is configured to utilize the one or more formulations to identify a drilling state in response to the physical measurements acquired by the at least one software agent.",
"41. The system of claim 38, the method further comprising:\nreceiving, from a user, a verification or non-verification of the one or more formulations.",
"42. The system of claim 38, the method further comprising:\nreceiving a decision to ignore at least one drilling recommendation provided by the at least one software agent; and\nmodifying at least one of the one or more formulations based on the decision to ignore the at least one drilling recommendation.",
"43. The system of claim 38, the method further comprising:\nderiving the one or more formulations based on a best well ontology comprising encapsulated formulations of steps to be taken to drill an optimum well, at the drilling site, corresponding to the drilling conditions.",
"44. The system of claim 43, the method further comprising:\nmodifying the encapsulated formulations corresponding to the best well ontology based on the physical measurements.",
"45. The system of claim 43, wherein the one or more formulations comprises: utilizing a lithology model associated with the at least one of a parameter indicative of a layer of the earth in which the drilling occurs.",
"46. The system of claim 45, wherein wherein the lithology model represents a plurality of layers in the earth in which the drilling occurs by way of metalayer representations, and wherein the metalayer representations comprise information regarding material properties of a given layer, values indicating a top depth and a bottom depth of the layer at the drilling location, and information regarding a method of drilling through a given layer.",
"47. The system of claim 38, wherein the at least one software agent is configured to process the physical measurements depending on a noise level within the physical measurements.",
"48. The system of claim 38, the method further comprising:\nderiving, from the physical measurement acquired by the at least one software agent, an estimate of a drilling parameter based on a formulation applicable to the drilling site; and\nforwarding the estimate to the computer system for display at a visual display.",
"49. The system of claim 38, the method further comprising:\ndevising the one or more formulations based on one or more of a database of sensed physical measurements, a database of well properties, drilling hardware types, and a knowledge base of previously generated formulations.",
"50. The system of claim 49, the method further comprising:\nreceiving inputs from a user regarding the drilling conditions at the drilling site, wherein devising uses the inputs in combination with one or more of the database of sensed physical measurements, the database of well properties, drilling hardware types, and the knowledge base of previously generated formulations.",
"51. The system of claim 38, wherein the at least one software agent forms a network of persistent, autonomous, goal-directed, sociable, reactive, non-prescriptive, adaptive, heuristic, distributed, mobile and self-organizing agents for providing recommendations toward drilling optimization.",
"52. The system of claim 38, wherein modifying the at least one software agent comprises:\ncreating at least one new software agent having the one or more new formulations; and\nforwarding the at least one new software agent to the second computer system to replace the at least one software agent.",
"53. The system of claim 38, wherein modifying the at least one software agent comprises:\nmodifying, remotely by the first computer system, the one or more formulations.",
"54. The system of claim 38, wherein the at least one software agent is configured to utilize the one or more formulations to detect a presence or absence of a drilling dysfunction based on the physical measurements and is configured to displays a recommendation for improving drilling efficiency.",
"55. The system of claim 54, wherein the at least one software agent is configured to execute on the second computer system and display the recommendation without human input.",
"56. The system of claim 54, wherein the recommendation includes increasing a weight-on-bit and increasing revolutions per minute of a drill string.",
"57. The system of claim 54, wherein the at least one software agent is configured to display, responsive to detecting the presence of the drilling dysfunction, a first recommendation for resolving the drilling dysfunction.",
"58. The system of claim 57, wherein the at least one software agent is configured to display, responsive to detecting the presence of the drilling dysfunction, a second recommendation for resolving the drilling dysfunction.",
"59. The system of claim 38, wherein wherein the at least one software agent is configured to utilize the one or more formulations to detect a presence of a loss of circulation event based on the physical measurements and is configured to display a first recommendation for resolving the loss of circulation event.",
"60. The system of claim 59, wherein wherein the at least one software agent is configured to display, responsive to detecting the presence of the loss of circulation event, a second recommendation for resolving the loss of circulation event.",
"61. The system of claim 59, wherein detecting the presence of a loss of circulation event comprises: evaluating a fluid loss model at a current depth of drilling, to return a maximum limit on expected fluid loss; estimating a current fluid loss in the drilling; responsive to the estimated current fluid loss exceeding the maximum limit; and indicating the presence of the loss of circulation event.",
"62. A non-transitory computer readable medium encoded with instructions that executable by one or more computers to perform a method comprising:\nidentifying, at a first computer system, drilling conditions at the drilling site, the drilling conditions comprising at least one of a parameter indicative of a layer of the earth in which the drilling occurs and a parameter indicative of at least one item of drilling equipment used in the drilling;\nidentifying, at the first computer system, at least one software agent having one or more formulations applicable to the drilling conditions at the drilling site, wherein the at least one software agent is configured to utilize the one or more formulations to perform at least one of acquiring physical measurements during the drilling at the drilling site; forwarding the physical measurement to the first computer system; and providing a drilling recommendation at the drilling site;\nforwarding, by the first computer system, the at least one software agent to the second computer system at the drilling site, wherein the at least one software agent is configured to execute on the second computer system;\nreceiving, at the first computer system, the physical measurements acquired by the at least one software agent executing on the second computer system;\nidentifying one or more new formulations based on the physical measurements received from the at least one software agent; and\nmodifying, by the first computer system, the at least one software agent to include the one or more new formulations.",
"63. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 62,\nwherein the at least one software agent is configured to process the physical measurements depending on a noise level within the physical measurements.",
"64. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 62, the method further comprising:\nderiving, from the physical measurement acquired by the at least one software agent, an estimate of a drilling parameter based on a formulation applicable to the drilling site; and\nforwarding the estimate to the second computer system for display at a visual display.",
"65. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 62, wherein modifying the at least one software agent comprises:\ncreating at least one new software agent having the one or more new formulations; and\nforwarding the at least one new software agent to the second computer system to replace the at least one software agent.",
"66. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 62, wherein modifying the at least one software agent comprises:\nmodifying, remotely by the first computer system, the one or more formulations.",
"67. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 62, wherein the at least one software agent is configured to utilize the one or more formulations to identify a drilling state in response to the physical measurements acquired by the at least one software agent.",
"68. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 62, the method further comprising:\ndevising the one or more formulations based on one or more of a database of sensed physical measurements, a database of well properties, drilling hardware types, and a knowledge base of previously generated formulations.",
"69. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 68, the method further comprising:\nreceiving inputs from a user regarding the drilling conditions at the drilling site, wherein devising uses the inputs in combination with one or more of the database of sensed physical measurements, the database of well properties, drilling hardware types, and the knowledge base of previously generated formulations.",
"70. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 62, the method further comprising:\ndevising the one or more formulations based on a best well ontology, the best well ontology comprising encapsulated formulations of steps to be taken to drill a best well corresponding to the drilling conditions.",
"71. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 70, the method further comprising:\nmodifying the encapsulated formulations corresponding to the best well ontology based on the physical measurements.",
"72. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 62, wherein the at least one software agent is configured to utilize the one or more formulations to detect a presence or absence of a drilling dysfunction based on the physical measurements and is configured to displays a recommendation for improving drilling efficiency.",
"73. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 72, wherein the recommendation includes increasing a weight-on-bit and increasing revolutions per minute of a drill string.",
"74. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 72, wherein the at least one software agent is configured to execute on the second computer system and display the recommendation without human input.",
"75. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 72, wherein the at least one software agent is configured to display, responsive to detecting the presence of the drilling dysfunction, a first recommendation for resolving the drilling dysfunction.",
"76. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 75, wherein wherein the at least one software agent is configured to display, responsive to detecting the presence of the drilling dysfunction, a second recommendation for resolving the drilling dysfunction.",
"77. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 76, wherein wherein the at least one software agent is configured to display drilling recommendations until detecting the absence of the drilling dysfunction.",
"78. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 62, wherein wherein the at least one software agent is configured to utilize the one or more formulations to detect a presence of a loss of circulation event based on the physical measurements and is configured to display a first recommendation for resolving the loss of circulation event.",
"79. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 78, wherein detecting the presence of a loss of circulation event comprises: evaluating a fluid loss model at a current depth of drilling, to return a maximum limit on expected fluid loss; estimating a current fluid loss in the drilling; responsive to the estimated current fluid loss exceeding the maximum limit; and indicating the presence of the loss of circulation event.",
"80. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 78, wherein the at least one software agent is configured to display, responsive to detecting the presence of the loss of circulation event, a second recommendation for resolving the loss of circulation event.",
"81. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 80, wherein the at least one software agent is configured to display recommendations until detecting an absence of the loss of circulation event."
] |
[
[
"1. A system for cloud-based analysis of industrial data, comprising:\na memory that stores computer-executable components; and\na processor, operatively coupled to the memory, that executes the computer-executable components, the computer-executable components comprising:\na receiving component configured to receive, at a cloud platform, industrial data from a cloud agent device that resides at an industrial enterprise and collects the industrial data from one or more industrial devices;\na cloud storage component configured to store the industrial data on the cloud platform; and\nan analytics framework configured to perform an analysis on the industrial data based on an analysis application executed on the cloud platform, and to generate an output based on a result of the analysis,\nwherein the analytics framework is configured to assign a first processing task associated with the analysis to at least one virtual server that executes on the cloud platform and to assign a second processing task associated with the analysis to the cloud agent device.",
"2. The system of claim 1, wherein the analytics framework comprises a set of virtual servers, including the at least one virtual server, residing on the cloud platform, wherein the set of virtual servers are configured to execute the analysis application.",
"3. The system of claim 2, wherein the analytics framework is further configured to distribute processing tasks defined by the analysis application across the set of virtual servers.",
"4. The system of claim 2, wherein the set of virtual servers execute a plurality of agents that facilitate execution of the analysis application to perform the analysis.",
"5. The system of claim 4, wherein the plurality of agents are configured to communicate with the cloud agent device residing at the industrial enterprise to initiate localized analytics processing by the cloud agent device, and to receive a result of the localized analytics from the cloud agent device.",
"6. The system of claim 1, wherein the analysis determines whether at least a subset of the industrial data meets a defined alarm criteria, and the output comprises an alarm output.",
"7. The system of claim 1, wherein the analysis application comprises a risk assessment application configured to generate a risk profile for an industrial system based on the analysis.",
"8. The system of claim 1, wherein the analysis application comprises a predictive analysis application configured to determine, based on the analysis, a probability of a future occurrence of at least one of a machine downtime event, a machine failure, an inventory shortage, a material shortage, or a failure to fulfill a work order.",
"9. The system of claim 1, wherein the analysis application is configured to identify, based on the analysis, a dependency between a first subset of the industrial data and a second subset of the industrial data.",
"10. The system of claim 1, wherein the industrial data comprises a first set of data associated with a first industrial enterprise and a second set of data associated with a second industrial enterprise, and the analysis application is configured to generate recommendation data for the first industrial enterprise based on a comparison of the first set of data and the second set of data, wherein the recommendation data defines at least one of a recommended device configuration, a recommended modification to an industrial process, or a recommended modification to a production schedule.",
"11. A method for processing industrial data, comprising:\nreceiving, by a system executing on a cloud platform and comprising at least one processor, industrial data from a cloud agent device that collects the industrial data from one or more industrial devices, wherein the cloud agent device resides at a plant location;\nstoring the industrial data on cloud-based storage;\nexecuting, on the cloud platform, an analysis application that performs an analysis on the industrial data;\nassigning a first processing task associated with the analysis to one or more virtual servers executing on the cloud platform;\nassigning a second processing task associated with the analysis to the cloud agent device; and\ngenerating output data based on a first result of the first processing task received from the one or more virtual servers and a second result of the second processing task received from the cloud agent device.",
"12. The method of claim 11, wherein the executing comprises executing the analysis application on a plurality of virtual servers, including the one or more virtual servers, deployed in the cloud platform.",
"13. The method of claim 12, wherein the executing comprises:\ndividing an executable function defined by the analysis application into multiple executable fragments; and\ndistributing the multiple executable fragments across the plurality of virtual servers for execution.",
"14. The method of claim 11, further comprising sending the output data to a client device via the cloud platform.",
"15. The method of claim 11, further comprising:\nidentifying, based on the analysis, whether a subset of the industrial data satisfies a defined alarm criterion,\nwherein the generating the output data comprises generating an alarm indication in response to the identifying.",
"16. The method of claim 11, wherein the generating comprises generating a risk profile for an industrial system based on the result of the analysis.",
"17. The method of claim 11, wherein the generating comprises generating predictive output data that identifies, based on the first result and the second result, a predicted occurrence of at least one of a machine downtime event, a machine failure, an inventory shortage, a material shortage, or a failure to fulfill a work order.",
"18. The method of claim 11, further comprising identifying, based on the first result and the second result, a dependency between a first subset of the industrial data and a second subset of the industrial data.",
"19. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions that, in response to execution, cause a computing system to perform operations, the operations comprising:\nreceiving industrial data from a cloud agent device residing at an industrial enterprise, wherein the cloud agent device collects the industrial data from one or more industrial devices;\nstoring the industrial data on a cloud platform;\nperforming an analysis on the industrial data in accordance with an analysis application, wherein the performing the analysis comprises:\ndividing an executable function defined by the analysis application into multiple executable fragments, and\ndistributing the multiple executable fragments across at least one virtual server executing on the cloud platform and the cloud agent device for execution; and\ngenerating output data based on a result of the analysis.",
"20. The computer-readable medium of claim 19, further comprising identifying, based on the analysis, whether a subset of the industrial data satisfies a defined alarm criterion, wherein the generating the output data comprises generating an alarm indication in response to the identifying."
],
[
"1. An integrated circuit device comprising:\na first die configurable to be programmed by a configuration bitstream comprising a circuit design for an artificial intelligence (AI) application that operates on input data to generate output data; and\na second die comprising memory to store computational data, wherein the memory comprises compute-in-memory circuitry configurable to perform an arithmetic operation using the output data and the computational data, and wherein the first die is configurable to broadcast data to the compute-in-memory circuitry.",
"2. The integrated circuit device of claim 1, wherein the computational data comprises AI predictors, AI weights, or AI forecasts.",
"3. The integrated circuit device of claim 1, wherein the compute-in-memory circuitry comprises a controller configurable to set a sequence of the arithmetic operation.",
"4. The integrated circuit device of claim 1, wherein the first die is configurable to access the memory of the second die.",
"5. The integrated circuit device of claim 4, wherein the memory of the second die comprises vertically stacked memory.",
"6. The integrated circuit device of claim 1, wherein the first die comprises second memory to store the output data.",
"7. The integrated circuit device of claim 1, wherein the arithmetic operation comprises a dot product operation, an accumulation operation, a matrix operation, a vector operation, a convolution operation, or a combination thereof.",
"8. The integrated circuit device of claim 1, wherein the compute-in-memory circuitry is configurable to operate on the input data in a pattern based on a type of arithmetic computation.",
"9. The integrated circuit device of claim 1, wherein the first die is stacked on top of the second die in a three-dimensional (3D) configuration.",
"10. A method, comprising:\nimplementing, via processing circuitry, a circuit design comprising an artificial intelligence (AI) application on a first die via a configuration bitstream; and\ninitializing, via the processing circuitry, compute-in-memory circuitry on a second die based on loading computational data associated with the circuit design;\ntransmitting, via the processing circuitry, data from the first die to the second die based on broadcasting the data to the compute-in-memory circuitry on the second die; and\ncausing, via the processing circuitry, an arithmetic operation to be performed by the compute-in-memory circuitry of the second die using the computational data and the data to generate output data.",
"11. The method of claim 10, wherein initializing, via the processing circuitry, the compute-in-memory circuitry comprises:\nretrieving the computational data from first memory of the first die or second memory of the second die.",
"12. The method of claim 11, comprising transmitting, via the processing circuitry, the output data from the second die to the first die comprises gathering the output data from a plurality of compute-in-memory circuitry units of the compute-in-memory circuitry.",
"13. The method of claim 11, wherein the arithmetic operation comprises a dot product operation, an accumulation operation, a matrix operation, a vector operation, a convolution operation, or a combination thereof.",
"14. The method of claim 10, wherein:\nthe AI application comprises an artificial neural network function; and\nthe computational data associated with the circuit design comprises one or more neural network weights.",
"15. The method of claim 10, wherein:\nthe circuit design comprises a filtering function; and\nthe computational data associated with the circuit design comprises one or more filter coefficients.",
"16. One or more tangible, non-transitory, machine-readable media comprising machine-readable instructions executable by one or more processors, wherein the instructions comprise instructions to:\nreceive a circuit design comprising an artificial intelligence (AI) application to be programmed onto a first die; and\ngenerate a configuration bitstream to implement the circuit design comprising the AI application on the first die, wherein the configuration bitstream is to implement the AI application at least in part by:\nimplementing the circuit design comprising the AI application on the first die;\ninitializing compute-in-memory circuitry on a second die based on loading computational data associated with the circuit design;\ntransmitting data from the first die to the second die based on broadcasting the data from the first die to the compute-in-memory circuitry on the second die; and\ncausing an arithmetic operation to be performed by the compute-in-memory circuitry of the second die using the computational data and the data to generate output data.",
"17. The machine-readable media of claim 16, wherein the configuration bitstream comprises an accelerator function configurable to perform machine learning, video processing, voice recognition, or image recognition.",
"18. The machine-readable media of claim 16, wherein the instructions comprise instructions to:\ncause the second die to transmit the output data to the first die.",
"19. The machine-readable media of claim 16, wherein the instructions comprise instructions to:\ngenerate a sequence of the arithmetic operation based on the circuit design; and\ntransmit an additional configuration bitstream comprising the sequence of the arithmetic operation to the second die.",
"20. The machine-readable media of claim 16, wherein the compute-in-memory circuitry is configurable to operate as a dot product engine, and wherein the computational data comprises vectors and matrices."
],
[
"1. A system, comprising:\na memory that stores executable components; and\na processor, operatively coupled to the memory, that executes the executable components, the executable components comprising:\na user interface component configured to render integrated development environment (IDE) interfaces on respective client devices and to receive, via interaction with the IDE interfaces, industrial design input that defines aspects of an industrial automation control project;\na project generation component configured to generate system project data based on the industrial design input; and\na collaboration management component configured to, in response to receipt of industrial design input from a first client device associated with a first user defining a modification to a first aspect of the industrial automation control project, determine whether the modification will affect one or more second aspects of the industrial automation control project,\nwherein the user interface component is further configured to, in response to a determination by the collaboration component that the modification will affect the one or more second aspects, deliver a notification to one or more second client devices associated with users assigned to develop the one or more second aspects of the industrial automation control project.",
"2. The system of claim 1, wherein the collaboration component is configured to perform a regression analysis on the system project data to determine interdependencies between aspects of the industrial automation control project, and to determine whether the modification will affect the one or more second aspects based on the interdependencies learned by the regression analysis.",
"3. The system of claim 2, wherein the regression analysis determines, as the interdependencies, at least one of a dependency between control code segments, a dependency between a control code segment and a visualization element, a dependency between a control code segment and an engineering drawing, or a hierarchical relationship between automation objects included in the system project data.",
"4. The system of claim 1, wherein the notification comprises at least one of a description of the modification or a description of an effect that the modification will have on the one or more second aspects of the industrial automation control project.",
"5. The system of claim 1, wherein the system project data comprises at least control programming that, in response to execution on one or more industrial devices, facilitates monitoring and control of an industrial automation system in accordance with the industrial design input.",
"6. The system of claim 1, wherein the collaboration management component configured to perform brokering between multiple sets of the industrial design input submitted via different client devices of the client devices, and to integrate a selected subset of the sets of the industrial design input in the system project data based on results of the brokering.",
"7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a simulation component configured to perform a risk analysis of the modification that identifies a potential negative impact on control performance of the industrial control and monitoring project due to the modification,\nwherein the user interface component is configured to render a notification of the potential negative impact on the first client device.",
"8. The system of claim 7, wherein\nthe risk analysis comprises a regression analysis on the system project data that identifies one or more aspects of the industrial automation control project that will be affected by the modification, and\nthe simulation component is configured to perform a simulation to determine how the modification will affect performance of the one or more aspects.",
"9. The system of claim 1, wherein the collaborative management component is further configured to generate and store records of modifications made to the control project data by respective users.",
"10. The system of claim 1, wherein\nthe collaboration management component is further configured to, in response to receipt of a development note submitted by a user and directed to a selected portion of the industrial automation control project, associate the development note with the selected portion, and\nthe user interface component is further configured to, in response to a determination that the selected portion of the industrial control project is being rendered on a client device of another user, render the development note on the client device of the other user.",
"11. A method, comprising:\nrendering, by a system comprising a processor, integrated development environment (IDE) interfaces on respective client devices;\nreceiving, by the system via interaction with the IDE interfaces, industrial design input that defines aspects of an industrial control and monitoring project;\nin response to receiving industrial design input from a first client device associated with a first user defining a modification to a first aspect of the industrial control and monitoring project, determining, by the system, whether the modification will affect one or more second aspects of the industrial control and monitoring project;\nin response to determining that the modification will affect the one or more second aspects, rendering, by the system, a notification on one or more second client devices associated with users assigned to develop the one or more second aspects of the industrial control and monitoring project; and\ngenerating, by the system, system project data based on the industrial design input.",
"12. The method of claim 11, wherein the determining comprises:\nperforming a regression analysis on the system project data to determine interdependencies between aspects of the industrial control and monitoring project; and\ndetermining whether the modification will affect the one or more second aspects based on the interdependencies learned by the regression analysis.",
"13. The method of claim 12, wherein the regression analysis determines, as the interdependencies, at least one of a dependency between control code segments, a dependency between a control code segment and a visualization element, a dependency between a control code segment and an engineering drawing, or a hierarchical relationship between automation objects included in the system project data.",
"14. The method of claim 11, wherein the notification comprises at least one of a description of the modification or a description of an effect that the modification will have on the one or more second aspects of the industrial control and monitoring project.",
"15. The method of claim 11, wherein the system project data comprises at least control programming that, in response to execution on one or more industrial devices, facilitates monitoring and control of an industrial automation system in accordance with the industrial design input.",
"16. The method of claim 11, further comprising\nbrokering, by the system, between multiple sets of the industrial design input submitted via different client devices of the client devices; and\nintegrating, by the system, a selected subset of the sets of the industrial design input in the system project data based on results of the brokering.",
"17. The method of claim 11, further comprising:\nperforming, by the system, a risk analysis of the modification that identifies a potential negative impact on control performance of the industrial control and monitoring project due to the modification; and\nrendering, by the system on the first client device, a notification of the potential negative impact.",
"18. The method of claim 17, wherein the performing of the risk analysis comprises:\nperforming a regression analysis on the system project data that identifies one or more aspects of the industrial control and monitoring project that will be affected by the modification, and\nperforming, by the system, a simulation to determine how the modification will affect performance of the one or more aspects.",
"19. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions that, in response to execution, cause a system comprising a processor to perform operations, the operations comprising:\nrendering integrated development environment (IDE) interfaces on respective client devices;\nreceiving, via interaction with the IDE interfaces, industrial design input that defines aspects of an industrial control and monitoring project;\nin response to receiving industrial design input from a first client device associated with a first user defining a modification to a first aspect of the industrial control and monitoring project, determining whether the modification will affect one or more second aspects of the industrial control and monitoring project;\nin response to determining that the modification will affect the one or more second aspects, rendering a notification on one or more second client devices associated with users assigned to develop the one or more second aspects of the industrial control and monitoring project; and\ngenerating system project data based on the industrial design input.",
"20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 19, wherein the determining comprises:\nperforming a regression analysis on the system project data to determine interdependencies between aspects of the industrial control and monitoring project; and\ndetermining whether the modification will affect the one or more second aspects based on the interdependencies learned by the regression analysis."
],
[
"1. An apparatus, comprising:\na dielectric substrate having two conductive traces on a surface thereof;\nfabric characterized by a resistance that changes in response to time-varying pressure, wherein the fabric is positioned to contact the surface of the dielectric substrate and both of the conductive traces; and\ncircuitry configured to receive a signal from one of the conductive traces via a connection between the circuitry and the conductive trace, the circuitry also being configured to generate data based on the signal, the data representing the time-varying pressure.",
"2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fabric is positioned to contact the surface of the dielectric substrate and the conductive traces in response to the time-varying pressure.",
"3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a mechanical structure to which the fabric is secured, the mechanical structure is movable in response to the time-varying pressure.",
"4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the signal monotonically represents the time-varying pressure.",
"5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the signal represents a continuous range of the time-varying pressure.",
"6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the circuitry is configured to adjust a sensitivity of the data to the signal.",
"7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the circuitry is configured to generate control information from the signal, and to map the control information to a control destination representing operation of a process or device.",
"8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the substrate is a printed circuit board.",
"9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a material overlying the fabric and the substrate, wherein the time-varying pressure is relative to a surface of the material.",
"10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the signal is an analog voltage representing the time-varying pressure.",
"11. An apparatus, comprising:\na dielectric substrate having a plurality of conductive traces on a surface thereof;\na plurality of pieces of fabric, each piece of fabric being characterized by a resistance that changes in response to time-varying pressure, wherein each piece of fabric is positioned to contact the surface of the dielectric substrate and a corresponding pair of the conductive traces; and\ncircuitry configured to receive a signal from each of the pairs of the conductive traces via a corresponding connection between the circuitry and each of the pairs of the conductive traces, the circuitry also being configured to generate data based on the signals, the data representing the time-varying pressure.",
"12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a surface of the apparatus adjacent the pieces of fabric and the substrate, wherein the circuitry is configured to determine a location of an object relative to the surface of the apparatus based on the data.",
"13. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a surface of the apparatus adjacent the pieces of fabric and the substrate, wherein the circuitry is configured to detect motion of an object relative to the surface of the apparatus based on the data.",
"14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the data represent the motion of the object in one or more linear dimensions.",
"15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the circuitry is configured to adjust a sensitivity of the data to the signals independently for each of the linear dimensions.",
"16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the data represent the motion of the object in one or more rotational dimensions.",
"17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the circuitry is configured to adjust a sensitivity of the data to the signals independently for each of the rotational dimensions.",
"18. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the circuitry is configured to selectively ignore one or more of the signals in generating the data.",
"19. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the circuitry is configured to selectively adjust a sensitivity of the data to one or more of the signals.",
"20. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein each signal is an analog voltage representing the time-varying pressure for a corresponding one of the pieces of fabric."
],
[
"1. A system for developing industrial control programming, comprising:\na memory that stores executable components; and\na processor, operatively coupled to the memory, that executes the executable components, the executable components comprising:\nan editor definition component configured to receive domain-specific language (DSL) definition input that defines programming features of an industrial DSL and to configure a DSL editor to support the programming features based on the DSL definition input;\na user interface component configured to receive industrial control programming formatted in accordance with the industrial DSL defined by the DSL definition input and to render programming feedback in response to receipt of the industrial control programming, wherein the user interface component generates the programming feedback based on the programming features defined by the DSL definition input; and\nwherein the DSL editor is configured to compile the industrial control programming to yield industrial control code that is executable on an industrial control device.",
"2. The system of claim 1, wherein the programming feedback comprises at least one of a programming recommendation, an auto-completion, a type-ahead recommendation, a programming suggestion, an error highlight, code snippet management feedback, or a syntax highlight.",
"3. The system of claim 1, wherein the user interface component generates the programming feedback further based on an industry-specific guardrail definitions,\nwherein\nthe industry-specific guardrail definition defines an industry-specific standard, and\nthe programming feedback facilitates compliance with the industry-specific standard.",
"4. The system of claim 3, wherein the industry-specific standard defined by the industry-specific guardrail definitions is a standard specific to at least one of an automotive industry, a pharmaceutical industry, an oil and gas industry, a food and drug industry, or a marine industry.",
"5. The system of claim 1, wherein the DSL definition input defines at least one of a syntax of the industrial DSL, automation objects supported by the industrial DSL, parent-child relationships between the automation objects, a namespace supported by the industrial DSL, or types of the programming feedback rendered by the user interface component.",
"6. The system of claim 1, wherein the DSL editor supports instantiation of automation objects within the industrial control programming, the automation objects representing industrial assets including at least one of an industrial process, a controller, a control program, a tag within the control program, a machine, a motor, a motor drive, a telemetry device, a tank, a valve, a pump, an industrial safety device, an industrial robot, or an actuator.",
"7. The system of claim 6, wherein the DSL editor organizes the automation objects in terms of a namespace hierarchy.",
"8. The system of claim 6, wherein an automation object, of the automation objects, has associated therewith at least one of an input, an output, an analytic routine, an alarm, a security feature, or a graphical representation of an associated industrial asset.",
"9. The system of claim 6, wherein\nthe automation objects comprise a first set of automation objects representing physical industrial assets and a second set of automation objects representing control application elements, and\nthe first set of automaton objects and the second set of automation objects are referenced using respective two different namespace hierarchies.",
"10. The system of claim 1, wherein\nthe DSL editor is configured to select, from a library of pre-defined code modules, a code module determined to be relevant to a current programming task, and\nthe programming feedback comprises a recommendation to add the code module to the industrial control programming based on an inference of the current programming task.",
"11. A method for programming industrial systems, comprising:\nreceiving, by a system comprising a processor, domain-specific language (DSL) definition input that defines programming features of an industrial DSL;\nconfiguring, by the system in response to the receiving of the DSL definition input, the system to support the programming features defined by the DSL definition input;\nreceiving, by the system, industrial control programming input scripted in accordance with the industrial DSL;\nrendering, by the system based on the programming features defined by the DSL definition input, programming feedback in response to receipt of the industrial control programming input; and\ncompiling, by the system, the industrial control programming input to yield industrial control code that is executable on an industrial control device.",
"12. The method of claim 11, wherein the rendering of the programming feedback comprises rendering at least one of a programming recommendation, an auto-completion, a type-ahead recommendation, a programming suggestion, an error highlight, code snippet management feedback, or a syntax highlight.",
"13. The method of claim 11, wherein the rendering of the programming feedback comprises rendering the programming feedback further based on an industry-specific guardrail definition,\nwherein\nthe industry-specific guardrail definition defines an industry-specific standard, and\nthe programming feedback facilitates compliance with the industry-specific standard.",
"14. The method of claim 13, wherein the industry-specific standard defined by the industry-specific guardrail definitions is a standard specific to at least one of an automotive industry, a pharmaceutical industry, an oil and gas industry, a food and drug industry, or a marine industry.",
"15. The method of claim 11, wherein the DSL definition input defines at least one of a syntax of the industrial DSL, automation objects supported by the industrial DSL, parent-child relationships between the automation objects, a namespace supported by the industrial DSL, or types of the programming feedback rendered by the system.",
"16. The method of claim 11, wherein\nthe receiving of the industrial control programming input comprises receiving a programming command to instantiate one or more automation objects within the industrial control programming,\nthe method further comprises instantiating the one or more automation objects in response to receiving of the programming command, and\nthe one or more automation objects representing respective industrial assets including at least one of an industrial process, a controller, a control program, a tag within the control program, a machine, a motor, a motor drive, a telemetry device, a tank, a valve, a pump, an industrial safety device, an industrial robot, or an actuator.",
"17. The method of claim 16, wherein an automation object, of the automation objects, has associated therewith at least one of an input, an output, an analytic routine, an alarm, a security feature, or a graphical representation of an associated industrial asset.",
"18. The method of claim 11, further comprising:\nselecting, by the system from a library of pre-defined code modules, a code module determined to be relevant to a current programming task; and\nrendering, as the programming feedback, a recommendation to add the code module to the industrial control programming based on an inference of the current programming task.",
"19. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions that, in response to execution, cause a system comprising a processor to perform operations, the operations comprising:\nreceiving domain-specific language (DSL) definition input that defines programming features of an industrial DSL;\nconfiguring, in response to the receiving of the DSL definition input, the system to support the programming features defined by the DSL definition input;\nreceiving industrial control programming input scripted in accordance with the industrial DSL;\nrendering, based on the programming features defined by the DSL definition input, programming feedback in response to receipt of the industrial control programming input; and\ncompiling the industrial control programming input to yield industrial control code that is executable on an industrial control device.",
"20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 19, wherein the DSL definition input defines at least one of a syntax of the industrial DSL, automation objects supported by the industrial DSL, parent-child relationships between the automation objects, a namespace supported by the industrial DSL, or types of the programming feedback rendered by the system."
],
[
"1. An input module for an industrial controller configured to control an industrial machine or process, the input module comprising:\na plurality of input terminals, wherein each input terminal is configured to receive an input signal from a device on the industrial machine or process;\na memory device configured to store a series of instructions and a plurality of configuration parameters, wherein the configuration parameters include a first parameter corresponding to a first setpoint, a second parameter corresponding to a second setpoint, and a third parameter corresponding to a status register; and\na processor configured to execute the series of instructions to:\nread a present value of the status register,\ncompare the present value of the status register to the first setpoint and the second setpoint, and\nset a window output signal as a function of comparing the present value of the status register to the first setpoint and the second setpoint.",
"2. The input module of claim 1 wherein the processor is further configured to set the window output signal when the present value of the status register is within a range defined between the first setpoint and the second setpoint and to reset the window output signal when the present value of the status register is outside of the range defined between the first setpoint and the second setpoint.",
"3. The input module of claim 1 wherein the processor is further configured to set the window output signal when the present value of the status register is equal to the first setpoint and to reset the window output signal when the present value of the status register is equal to the second setpoint.",
"4. The input module of claim 1 wherein the status register defines one of the input signal at one of the plurality of input terminals and an internal status register for the industrial controller.",
"5. The input module of claim 1 wherein the industrial controller includes a processor module and an output module, the input module further comprising:\na first communication port configured to transmit data between the input module and the processor module; and\na second communication port configured to transmit data between the input module and the output module, wherein the processor is configured to transmit the window output signal to at least one of the processor module via the first communication port and the output module via the second communication port.",
"6. The input module of claim 1 wherein the processor is further configured to execute the series of instructions to generate an event signal when the window output signal is set.",
"7. The input module of claim 6 wherein at least a portion of a control program for the industrial machine or process is included in the input module and wherein the processor is further configured to execute the portion of the control program responsive the event signal.",
"8. The input module of claim 6 further comprising a clock circuit generating a clock signal wherein one of the configuration parameters stored in the memory device defines a delay time and wherein the processor is further configured to execute a timer for the delay time and to generate the event signal when the window output signal is set throughout execution of the timer.",
"9. The input module of claim 1 further comprising a clock circuit generating a clock signal corresponding to a present time wherein the processor is further configured to:\nread the clock signal responsive to setting the window output signal;\nstore the clock signal when the window output signal is set.",
"10. The input module of claim 1 wherein:\nthe configuration parameters include at least one additional parameter defining an override value for the window output signal, and\nthe processor is further configured to set the window output signal to the override value when an override command is enabled.",
"11. An input module for an industrial controller configured to control an industrial machine or process, wherein the industrial controller also includes a processor module and an output module, the input module comprising:\na plurality of input terminals, wherein each input terminal is configured to receive an input signal from a device on the industrial machine or process;\na memory device configured to store a series of instructions and a plurality of configuration parameters, wherein the configuration parameters include a first parameter corresponding to a first setpoint, a second parameter corresponding to a second setpoint, and a third parameter corresponding to a status register;\na first communication port configured to transmit data between the input module and the processor module;\na second communication port configured to transmit data between the input module and the output module; and\na processor configured to execute the series of instructions to:\nread a present value of the status register,\ncompare the present value of the status register to the first setpoint and the second setpoint,\nset a window output signal as a function of comparing the present value of the status register to the first setpoint and the second setpoint, and\ntransmit the window output signal to at least one of the processor module via the first communication port and the output module via the second communication port.",
"12. The input module of claim 11 wherein the processor is further configured to set the window output signal when the present value of the status register is within a range defined between the first setpoint and the second setpoint and to reset the window output signal when the present value of the status register is outside of the range defined between the first setpoint and the second setpoint.",
"13. The input module of claim 11 wherein the processor is further configured to set the window output signal when the present value of the status register is equal to the first setpoint and to reset the window output signal when the present value of the status register is equal to the second setpoint.",
"14. The input module of claim 11 wherein the status register defines one of the input signal at one of the plurality of input terminals and an internal status register for the industrial controller.",
"15. The input module of claim 11 wherein the processor is further configured to execute the series of instructions to generate an event signal when the window output signal is set.",
"16. The input module of claim 15 wherein at least a portion of a control program for the industrial machine or process is included in the input module and wherein the processor is further configured to execute the portion of the control program responsive the event signal.",
"17. An input module for an industrial controller configured to control an industrial machine or process, the input module comprising:\na plurality of input terminals, wherein each input terminal is configured to receive an input signal from a device on the industrial machine or process;\na memory device configured to store a series of instructions and a plurality of configuration parameters, wherein the configuration parameters include a first parameter corresponding to a first setpoint, a second parameter corresponding to a second setpoint, and a third parameter corresponding to a status register;\na processor configured to execute the series of instructions to:\nread a present value of the status register,\ncompare the present value of the status register to the first setpoint and the second setpoint, and\nset an event signal as a function of comparing the present value of the status register to the first setpoint and the second setpoint.",
"18. The input module of claim 17 wherein the processor is further configured to set the event signal when the present value of the status register is within a range defined between the first setpoint and the second setpoint and to reset the event signal when the present value of the status register is outside of the range defined between the first setpoint and the second setpoint.",
"19. The input module of claim 17 wherein the processor is further configured to set the event signal when the present value of the status register is equal to the first setpoint and to reset the event signal when the present value of the status register is equal to the second setpoint.",
"20. The input module of claim 17 wherein at least a portion of a control program for the industrial machine or process is included in the input module and wherein the processor is further configured to execute the portion of the control program responsive the event signal."
],
[
"1. A programmable logic controller comprising:\na program storing section which stores a user program and log setting data;\na mode switch that switches between a setting mode for various settings including setting parameters of the programmable logic controller and an operation mode for performing an actual operation by repeatedly executing the user program;\na program executing section which repeatedly executes the user program stored in the program storing section in the operation mode switched by the mode switch;\na device storing section having a plurality of devices which are memory regions referred to by the program executing section;\na device recording section which records in time series, device values stored in any one of the plurality of devices;\na memory different from the program storing section; and\na saving section which saves to the memory, when a saving condition defined by the log setting data is satisfied, the device values in time series recorded by the device recording section together with the user program being executed by the program executing section in the operation mode and used for recording the device values in time series in the operation mode.",
"2. The programmable logic controller according to claim 1, wherein\nthe user program includes a plurality of program components,\nthe user program is stored in the program storing section as part of project data which manages the plurality of program components, and\nthe saving section is configured to output the project data including the user program and save an identification information of the project data as an identification information of the user program.",
"3. The programmable logic controller according to claim 2, wherein the programmable logic controller has a main unit and an expansion unit, and the project data includes setting information of the expansion unit.",
"4. The programmable logic controller according to claim 1, wherein\nthe programmable logic controller further has a determining section which determines whether an output of the user program is prohibited or not, and\nthe saving section is configured to save, when the determining section has determined that the output of the user program is prohibited, a device value recorded by the device recording section and an identification information of the user program in the memory.",
"5. The programmable logic controller according to claim 2, wherein the identification information of the user program is identification information updated when the user program is changed.",
"6. The programmable logic controller according to claim 5, wherein the identification information of the user program is an error detection code or a hash value computed from the user program.",
"7. A program creation supporting apparatus connected to the programmable logic controller according to claim 1, wherein the program creation supporting apparatus includes:\na display section;\na program creating section which creates the user program based on a user input via the display section;\na program memory which stores the user program and an identification information of the user program; and\na collating section which collates an identification information of a user program output from the programmable logic controller and the identification information of the user program stored in the program memory and displays a collation result on the display section.",
"8. The program creation supporting apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the display section is configured to display a warning when the identification information of the user program output from the programmable logic controller and the identification information of the user program stored in the program memory are inconsistent.",
"9. The program creation supporting apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the display section is configured to display a device value output from the programmable logic controller in association with a part of the user program in which an instruction word related to the device value is described."
],
[
"1. A computer-based method for development of a control application program for a controller used in an automation system, comprising:\ndeveloping one or more modules of the control application program to process inputs and outputs of a plurality of control components for performing a particular control task in the automation system;\nreceiving, by the controller, sensor signals associated with perception of a first real component controlled by the controller in a work environment during an execution of the control application program;\nsimulating activity of a virtual component including interaction with the real first component, wherein the virtual component is a digital twin of a second real component designed for the work environment and absent in the work environment, and the simulated activity is related to tasks controlled by the control application program;\ngenerating virtual data in response to the simulated activity of the virtual component;\ndetermining parameters for development of the control application program using the sensor signals for the first real component and the virtual data;\nrendering an augmented reality (AR) display signal for the work environment based on a digital representation of the virtual data during an execution of the control application program; and\ndisplaying the rendered AR display signal on an AR device.",
"2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nreceiving input from a user interface of the AR device to change parameters of the control application program during repeated simulations of interaction between the first real component and the virtual component.",
"3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\ninterrupting execution of the control application program in response to receiving user input from the augmented reality device; and\nadjusting control parameters for the control application using knowledge obtained from the augmented reality device.",
"4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\ntesting the control application program using a real-real mode of the AR simulation, wherein executing the control application includes processing sensor signals associated with perception of a second real component present in the work environment and replacing the virtual component in the work environment; and\nrendering an AR display signal including a virtual object superimposed on the work environment during execution of the control application program.",
"5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\ntesting the control application program using a real-real mode of the AR simulation, wherein executing the control application includes processing sensor signals associated with perception of a second real component present in the work environment and replacing the virtual component in the work environment; and\nrendering an AR display signal including a virtual path or movement of the second real component as a visual prediction of the execution of the control application program.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensor signals correspond to sensors for one or more of the following work environment elements: a workpiece, a robotic unit, a work surface, or a vision system.",
"7. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensor signals may include one or more of the following sensed parameters: motion, vibration, temperature, pressure, visual, audio, or speed.",
"8. The method of claim 1, wherein the virtual data mimics real sensor inputs to the controller.",
"9. A system comprising:\na controller for an automation system, the controller configured to:\ndevelop one or more modules of the control application program to process inputs and outputs of a plurality of control components for performing a particular control task in the automation system;\nreceive sensor signals associated with perception of a first real component in a work environment; and\na server comprising virtual modules configured to:\nsimulate activity of a virtual component including interaction with the real first component, wherein the virtual component is a digital twin of a second real component designed for the work environment and absent in the work environment, and the simulated activity is related to tasks controlled by the control application program; and\ngenerate virtual data in response to the simulated activity of the virtual component;\nwherein the controller is configured to determine parameters for development of the control application program using the sensor signals for the first real component and the virtual data;\nwherein the virtual modules are configured to render an augmented reality (AR) display signal for the work environment based on a digital representation of the virtual data the during an execution of the control application program; and\nan AR device configured to display the rendered AR display signal.",
"10. The system of claim 9, wherein the controller is configured to:\nchange parameters of the control application program responsive to receiving input from a user interface of the AR device during repeated simulations of interaction between the first real component and the virtual component.",
"11. The system of claim 9, wherein the controller is configured to:\ninterrupt execution of the control application program in response to receiving user input from the augmented reality device; and\nadjust control parameters for the control application using knowledge obtained from the augmented reality device.",
"12. The system of claim 9, wherein the controller is configured to:\ntest the control application program using a real-real mode of the AR simulation, wherein executing the control application includes processing sensor signals associated with perception of a second real component present in the work environment and replacing the virtual component in the work environment; and\nwherein the virtual modules are configured to render an AR display signal including a virtual object superimposed on the work environment during execution of the control application program.",
"13. The system of claim 9, wherein the controller is configured to:\ntest the control application program using a real-real mode of the AR simulation, wherein executing the control application includes processing sensor signals associated with perception of a second real component present in the work environment and replacing the virtual component in the work environment; and\nwherein the virtual modules are configured to render an AR display signal including a virtual path or movement of the second real component as a visual prediction of the execution of the control application program.",
"14. The system of claim 9, wherein the sensor signals correspond to sensors for one or more of the following work environment elements: a workpiece, a robotic unit, a work surface, or a vision system.",
"15. The system of claim 9, wherein the sensor signals may include one or more of the following sensed parameters: motion, vibration, temperature, pressure, visual, audio, or speed.",
"16. The system of claim 9, wherein the virtual data mimics real sensor inputs to the controller."
],
[
"1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:\nreceiving, by a computing system including at least one processor, imaging information indicative of a collection of video segments for respective portions of a manufacturing process to form a product;\nsynchronizing, by the computing system, the collection of video segments relative to a starting instant of the manufacturing process;\ngenerating, by the computing system, a group of observations by analyzing the synchronized collection of video segments using at least the manufacturing process;\ngenerating, by the computing system, a group of assertions using probabilistic signal temporal logic based on at least the group of observations and assembly rules corresponding to the manufacturing process; and\ngenerating, by the computing system, a digital trace record for the product using at least the group of observations and the group of assertions.",
"2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising supplying the digital trace record to a second computing system comprising at least one second processor, the second computing system included in one of a manufacturing execution system (MES) or a production lifecycle management (PLM) system.",
"3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the receiving comprises receiving a first portion of the imaging information from an imaging sensor device positioned at a defined location near a machine that performs a job of the manufacturing process, the imaging sensor device includes one a camera, an infrared electromagnetic radiation photodetector device, or a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensor device.",
"4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the generating the group of observations comprises identifying a defined feature in an image frame of a first video segment of the collection of video segments.",
"5. The computer-implemented method of claim 4, wherein the defined feature corresponds to one of a defined part that constitutes an assembly or the assembly, and wherein the identifying comprises performing a machine-vision technique that identifies one of the defined part or the assembly.",
"6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the generating the group of assertions comprises:\nreceiving, by the computing system, first data indicative of a group of first observations for respective input parts into a job of the manufacturing process;\nreceiving, by the computing system, second data indicative of a group of second observations for an output assembly from the job; and\napplying a first assembly rule of the assembly rules to the first data and the second data.",
"7. The computer-implemented method of claim 6, further comprising generating a first assertion of the group of assertions using signal temporal logic, the first assertion comprises a statement that the output assembly is formed from the input parts with a defined probability.",
"8. A computer program product comprising at least one non-transitory storage medium readable by at least one processing circuit, the non-transitory storage medium having encoded thereon instructions executable by the at least one processing circuit to perform or facilitate operations comprising:\nreceiving imaging information indicative of a collection of video segments for respective portions of a manufacturing process to form a product;\nsynchronizing the collection of video segments relative to a starting instant of the manufacturing process;\ngenerating a group of observations by analyzing the synchronized collection of video segments using at least the manufacturing process;\ngenerating a group of assertions using probabilistic signal temporal logic based on at least the group of observations and assembly rules corresponding to the manufacturing process; and\ngenerating a digital trace record for the product using at least the group of observations and the group of assertions.",
"9. The computer program product of claim 8, the operations further comprising supplying the digital trace record to a second computing system comprising at least one second processor, the second computing system included in one of a manufacturing execution system (MES) or a production lifecycle management (PLM) system.",
"10. The computer program product of claim 8, wherein the receiving comprises receiving a first portion of the imaging information from an imaging sensor device positioned at a defined location near a machine that performs a job of the manufacturing process, the imaging sensor device includes one a camera, an infrared electromagnetic radiation photodetector device, or a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensor device.",
"11. The computer program product of claim 8, wherein the generating the group of observations comprises identifying a defined feature in an image frame of a first video segment of the collection of video segments.",
"12. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein the defined feature corresponds to one of a defined part that constitutes an assembly or the assembly, and wherein the identifying comprises performing a machine-vision technique that identifies one of the defined part or the assembly.",
"13. The computer program product of claim 8, wherein the generating the group of assertions comprises:\nreceiving first data indicative of a group of first observations for respective input parts into a job of the manufacturing process;\nreceiving second data indicative of a group of second observations for an output assembly from the job; and\napplying a first assembly rule of the assembly rules to the first data and the second data.",
"14. The computer program product of claim 13, the operations further comprising generating a first assertion of the group of assertions using signal temporal logic, the first assertion comprises a statement that the output assembly is formed from the input parts with a defined probability.",
"15. A system, comprising:\nat least one memory device having stored therein computer-executable instructions; and\nat least one processor configured to access the at least one memory device and further configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to:\nreceive monitoring information including imaging information indicative of a collection of video segments for respective portions of a manufacturing process to form a product;\nsynchronize at least the collection of video segments relative to a starting instant of the manufacturing process;\ngenerate a group of observations by analyzing at least the synchronized collection of video segments using at least the manufacturing process;\ngenerate a group of assertions using probabilistic signal temporal logic based on at least the group of observations and assembly rules corresponding to the manufacturing process; and\ngenerate a digital trace record for the product using at least the group of observations and the group of assertions.",
"16. The system of claim 15, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to supply the digital trace record to a second computing system comprising at least one second processor, the second computing system included in one of a manufacturing execution system (MES) or a production lifecycle management (PLM) system.",
"17. The system of claim 15, wherein to receive the monitoring information, the at least one processor is further configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to receive a first portion of the imaging information from at least one of a first imaging sensor device positioned at a defined location near a machine that performs a job of the manufacturing process or a second imaging sensor device fitted to a mobile unmanned robot, the imaging sensor device includes one a camera, an infrared electromagnetic radiation photodetector device, or a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensor device.",
"18. The system of claim 15, wherein to generate the group of observations, the at least one processor is further configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to identify a defined feature in an image frame of a first video segment of the collection of video segments.",
"19. The system of claim 15, wherein to generate the group of assertions, the at least one processor is further configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to:\nreceive first data indicative of a group of first observations for respective input parts into a job of the manufacturing process;\nreceive second data indicative of a group of second observations for an output assembly from the job; and\napply a first assembly rule of the assembly rules to the first data and the second data.",
"20. The system of claim 19, the at least one processor further configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to generate a first assertion of the group of assertions using signal temporal logic, the first assertion comprises a statement that the output assembly is formed from the input parts with a defined probability."
],
[
"1. A programmable logic controller comprising:\na CPU-mounted unit that executes a user program, and monitors or controls external equipment by repeatedly executing the user program; and\na camera input expansion unit that is electrically connected to said CPU-mounted unit through a bus, and that is connectable to an external camera that captures an image of a predetermined area based on an image capture trigger generated in said programmable logic controller and generate image data corresponding to the captured predetermined area,\nthe camera input expansion unit including:\na camera-setting-information storage portion that stores setting information on said external camera, the setting information including the conditions of said image capture trigger,\na camera expansion unit processor that generates an ON/OFF signal defining said image capture trigger based on the setting information on said external camera, which is stored in said camera-setting-information storage portion, and acquires the image data which is generated by said external camera based on the ON/OFF signal as said image capture trigger,\nan image-recorder that records the image data which is acquired by said camera expansion unit processor, and\nan image capture interface that is provided between said camera expansion unit processor and said external camera, and has an image-capture-trigger line propagating said ON/OFF signal to said external camera and an image communication line propagating the image data which is generated by said external camera to said camera expansion unit processor.",
"2. The programmable logic controller according to claim 1,\nwherein the user program is editable with a programming support device that is connectable to said CPU-mounted unit,\nwherein the setting information includes setting information that is defined by said programming support device and is received through said CPU-mounted unit.",
"3. The programmable logic controller according to claim 1 further comprising\na base plate that holds said CPU-mounted unit and said camera input expansion unit,\nwherein said camera input expansion unit is electrically connected through the bus which is provided in said base plate to said CPU-mounted unit.",
"4. The programmable logic controller according to claim 1, wherein said image-recorder is configured to record the image data which is acquired by said camera expansion unit processor and the information on time of its corresponding image data acquisition which are associated with each other in chronological order, and to provide said image data and said information on time of its corresponding image data acquisition based on instruction from said CPU-mounted unit.",
"5. The programmable logic controller according to claim 1, wherein said image-capture-trigger line is a non-communication line.",
"6. The programmable logic controller according to claim 1,\nwherein said image-capture interface further includes a power supply interface to supply electric power to said external camera,\nwherein said image communication line, said image-capture-trigger line, and said power supply line are bundled together and form a camera connection cable that connects said image-capture interface and said external camera to each other.",
"7. The programmable logic controller according to claim 1, wherein said image-communication line has a transmission speed that is not smaller than 130 Mbps.",
"8. The programmable logic controller according to claim 1,\nwherein said camera expansion unit processor includes\nan image-capture-trigger generator that generates said ON/OFF signal to be sent to said external camera through said image-capture-trigger line, and\na collection portion that associates the information on time of the sending of said ON/OFF signal with its corresponding image data which can be generated by said external camera, and records the associated information on time and image data into said image-recorder.",
"9. The programmable logic controller according to claim 1,\nwherein time managers are provided in said CPU-mounted unit and camera input expansion unit,\nwherein times of said CPU-mounted unit and said camera input expansion unit are synchronized with each other by using said time managers, which are included in said CPU-mounted unit and said camera input expansion unit.",
"10. The programmable logic controller according to claim 9,\nwherein said time manager is a counter,\nwherein said information on time of image data acquisition is a counter value.",
"11. The programmable logic controller according to claim 1, wherein said camera expansion unit processor is configured to control the image capture trigger based on a ladder program in which said image capture trigger is described.",
"12. The programmable logic controller according to claim 1, wherein said ON/OFF signal defining said image capture trigger is provided based on any of a timer, an external input, and abnormality detection.",
"13. The programmable logic controller according to claim 1, wherein said camera expansion unit processor is configured to interpret or execute the protocol of refresh communication, or to transmit data to another expansion unit that is executed by said camera expansion unit in each scan.",
"14. The programmable logic controller according to claim 1, wherein said camera input expansion unit comprises a plurality of camera input expansion units.",
"15. The programmable logic controller according to claim 14, wherein images of a common object can be captured from different directions by cameras that can be connected to their corresponding one of the plurality of camera input expansion units and synchronized with each other.",
"16. The programmable logic controller according to claim 14, wherein images of a common object can be captured at a different phase(s) by cameras that can be connected to their corresponding one of the plurality of camera input expansion units.",
"17. A camera input expansion unit to be electrically connected through a bus to a CPU-mounted unit to configure a programmable logic controller, the camera input expansion unit comprising:\na camera-setting-information storage portion that stores setting information including conditions of an image capture trigger for an external camera that captures an image of a predetermined area based on said image capture trigger generated by and sent from said programmable logic controller and generate image data corresponding to the captured predetermined area;\na camera expansion unit processor that generates an ON/OFF signal defining said image capture trigger based on the setting information, which is stored in said camera-setting-information storage portion, and acquires the image data which is generated by said external camera based on the ON/OFF signal as said image capture trigger;\nan image-recorder that records the image data which is acquired by said camera expansion unit processor; and\nan image capture interface that is provided between said camera expansion unit processor and said external camera, and has an image-capture-trigger line propagating said ON/OFF signal to said external camera and an image communication line propagating the image data which is generated by said external camera to said camera expansion unit processor."
],
[
"1. An apparatus for generating instructions for controlling a boom of an underground mine vehicle having at least one boom, wherein the boom is movable by a boom actuator, and is attachable to a mine work machine, the apparatus being configured to control a first boom object of the boom for positioning the work machine to a target pose on the basis of a hole position and orientation in accordance with a mine work plan, wherein the apparatus comprises at least one processing core, at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to, with the at least one processing core, cause the apparatus at least to:\nperform, before starting positioning of the work machine for the target pose, positioning trajectory generation for controlling the first boom object from a starting position to a target position for positioning the work machine to the target pose, the positioning trajectory generation comprising:\nreceiving target pose data indicative of at least target position of the first boom object for positioning the work machine to the target pose on the basis of the hole position and orientation in accordance with the mine work plan;\nreceiving geometry data of the first boom object, the geometry data being mapped with start pose data indicative of the start position and orientation of the first boom object;\nreceiving obstacle data;\nselecting trajectory generation locations for the first boom object; and\ngenerating, by a trajectory experimentation algorithm configured to experiment available trajectory options by applying a set of cost functions, a positioning trajectory for each of the selected trajectory generation locations on the basis of the target pose data, the geometry data, the start pose data, and the obstacle data; and\napplying at least some of the positioning trajectories for controlling the respective boom when boom movement is initiated.",
"2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured to, with the at least one processing core, cause the apparatus to define a 3D trajectory for the boom on the basis of at least some the positioning trajectories.",
"3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured to, with the at least one processing core, cause the apparatus provide boom trajectory information based on at least some of the positioning trajectories to a boom controller configured to define boom actuator control commands on the basis of the received boom trajectory information.",
"4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured to, with the at least one processing core, cause the apparatus to:\nmodel pose of the first boom object on the basis of a 3D geometry data of the first boom object and a start position and orientation of the first boom object in a 3D coordinate system;\nselect the trajectory generation locations in the modelled pose of the first boom object; and\ncalculate the positioning trajectories at the selected locations on the basis of the modelled pose of the first boom object.",
"5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the mine vehicle comprises at least two booms and the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured to, with the at least one processing core, cause the apparatus to:\nmodel pose of a second boom object of a second boom of the on the basis of a 3D geometry data of the second boom object and a position and orientation of the second boom object in the 3D coordinate system; and\ncalculate the positioning trajectories on the basis of the modelled poses of the first boom object and the second boom object.",
"6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the work machine includes a rock drill attached to a feed beam connected to the boom, the mine work plan being a drilling plan including target positions and orientations for each hole in a set of holes to be drilled, and wherein the positioning trajectories are hole positioning trajectories.",
"7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured to, with the at least one processing core, cause the apparatus to select the trajectory generation locations based on predefined selection criteria from at least one of a boom portion head, a boom portion tail, and a boom portion center.",
"8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured to, with the at least one processing core, cause the apparatus to analyze trajectory status for at least one of the positioning trajectories, and control use of the positioning trajectory on the basis of a trajectory status of the positioning trajectory.",
"9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured to, with the at least one processing core, cause the apparatus to select the trajectory generation locations and/or a number of trajectories for the first boom object on the basis of a user input and/or an outcome of a preceding trajectory generation cycle.",
"10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the set of cost functions includes at least some of distance to the obstacle, direction of obstacle circumvention, and distance to another object of the boom.",
"11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured to, with the at least one processing core, cause the apparatus to cause at least the some of the generated trajectories for display for an operator, or, in response to no available trajectory being found, cause an indication for the operator to manually control the mine vehicle and/or determine a control action for one or more components of the mine vehicle after which a trajectory for the first boom object for positioning the work machine to the target pose can be generated.",
"12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured to, with the at least one processing core, cause apparatus to execute a collision examination process during movement of the boom for positioning the work machine to the target pose on the basis of at least some of the generated positioning trajectories, the at least one memory and the computer program code being further configured to, with the at least one processing core, to:\nreceive information on current position and orientation of the first boom object and an obstacle in a 3D coordinate system;\nexamine risk of collision of the boom further moving in accordance with the at least some of the generated positioning trajectories; and\nexecute a collision avoidance process for preventing the moving first boom object to collide to the obstacle, adapted, in response to detecting a collision risk for the first boom object, and being arranged to:\ni. define an updated set of positioning trajectories and/or joint values for the first boom object to avoid the collision;\nii. provide information of the collision risk to the boom trajectory planner configured to define an updated set of positioning trajectories to avoid the collision; or\niii. cause an input to a mine work plan controller for adapting order of target poses and/or pose parameters in the mine work plan.",
"13. An underground mine vehicle, comprising:\na carrier;\nat least one boom having at least two boom parts and a plurality of boom joints; and\na mine work machine attached a distal end portion of the at least one boom, wherein the mine vehicle includes the apparatus according to claim 1.",
"14. A method performed by an apparatus comprising at least one processing core, at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to, with the at least one processing core, cause the apparatus at least to perform the method for generating instructions for controlling a boom of an underground mine vehicle having at least one boom by a boom trajectory planner, the method comprising the steps of:\nreceiving target pose data indicative of at least target position of a first boom object of the boom for positioning a work machine of the mine vehicle to a target pose on the basis of a hole position and orientation in accordance with a mine work plan;\nreceiving geometry data of the first boom object, the geometry data being mapped with start pose data indicative of the start position and orientation of the first boom object;\nreceiving obstacle data;\nselecting trajectory generation locations for the first boom object;\ngenerating, by a trajectory experimentation algorithm configured to experiment available trajectory options by applying a set of cost functions, before starting positioning of the work machine for the target pose, a positioning trajectory for each of the selected trajectory generation locations on the basis of the target pose data, the geometry data, the start pose data, and the obstacle data; and\napplying at least some of the positioning trajectories for controlling the respective boom when boom movement is initiated.",
"15. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising computer program code, when executed in a data processing apparatus, for causing a method in accordance with claim 14 to be performed."
],
[
"1. A drilling rig, comprising:\nfirst function tubular handling equipment to transport tubular stands in and out of a setback position on a setback platform;\nsecond function tubular handling equipment to deliver the tubular stands to and from a well center over a well; and\na stand hand-off position between the first and second function tubular handling equipment to set down tubular stands for exchange at an intersection between the first function tubular equipment and the second function tubular equipment.",
"2. A drilling rig, comprising:\nfirst function tubular handling equipment comprising an upper racking arm over a racking module and a setback platform, to transport tubular stands in and out of a setback position on the setback platform;\nsecond function tubular handling equipment comprising a tubular delivery arm to deliver the tubular stands to and from a well center position over a well; and\na stand hand-off position to set down tubular stands for exchange at an intersection between the first function tubular handling equipment and the second function tubular handling equipment.",
"3. The drilling rig of claim 2, further comprising:\na mast; and\na retractable top drive assembly vertically translatable along the mast;\nwherein the tubular delivery arm is vertically translatable along the mast and comprises a tubular clasp movable between the well center position and the stand hand-off position;\nwherein the tubular clasp is engageable with an upper end of a depending one of the tubular stands for the delivery of the tubular stands between the well center position and the stand hand-off position; and\nwherein the tubular clasp is slidably engageable with the tubular stand below the upper end to clasp an upper portion of the tubular stand in the well center position below the upper end.",
"4. The drilling rig of claim 2, wherein the stand hand-off position is located on the setback platform.",
"5. The drilling rig of claim 4, wherein the stand hand-off position extends vertically upwards substantially between a mast and a fingerboard assembly of the racking module.",
"6. The drilling rig of claim 4, wherein the setback platform is offset beneath a drill floor.",
"7. The drilling rig of claim 2, further comprising a mousehole having a mousehole center in line between the well center and the stand hand-off position.",
"8. The drilling rig of claim 7, further comprising a catwalk in line with the stand hand-off position and the mousehole center.",
"9. The drilling rig of claim 2, further comprising a stand constraint to secure one of the tubular stands in the stand hand-off position.",
"10. The drilling rig of claim 9, wherein the stand constraint comprises an upper stand constraint connected to the racking module and extendable to the stand hand-off position.",
"11. The drilling rig of claim 9, wherein the stand constraint comprises a lower stand constraint on the setback platform and centerable over the stand hand-off position.",
"12. The drilling rig of claim 9, wherein the stand constraint comprises:\nan upper stand constraint connected to the racking module and extendable to the stand hand-off position; and\na lower stand constraint on the setback platform and centerable over the stand hand-off position;\nwherein the upper and lower stand constraints are engageable with respective upper and lower portions of the one tubular stand set down in the stand hand-off position to vertically orient the one tubular stand.",
"13. The drilling rig of claim 9, wherein the stand constraint comprises:\na frame;\na carriage connected to the frame in extendable relationship;\na carriage actuator connected between the frame and the carriage, and operable to extend or retract the carriage outward from the frame;\na clasp attached to an extendable end of the carriage; and\na clasp actuator connected to the clasp, and operable to open or close the clasp around one of the tubular stands.",
"14. The drilling rig of claim 13, wherein:\nthe tubular stand constraint is affixed to the racking module;\nthe racking module extends from a mast and comprises a plurality of columns of tubular racking locations, and a transfer row connecting the columns to the stand hand-off position;\nthe stand hand-off position intersects with the transfer row;\nthe carriage is extendable towards the mast to allow a center of the clasp to be centered over the stand hand-off position; and\nthe carriage is retractable away from the mast to remove the clasp from intersection with the transfer row.",
"15. The drilling rig of claim 14, wherein the frame has a platform located on the racking module centrally between the columns.",
"16. The drilling rig of claim 14, wherein the carriage is extendable towards the mast to position a center of the clasp beyond the center of the stand hand-off position.",
"17. The drilling rig of claim 14, wherein the carriage is extendable towards the mast to position one of the tubular stands within a horizontal range of a top drive unit translatable on the mast.",
"18. The drilling rig of claim 9, wherein:\nthe tubular stand constraint is affixed to the setback platform;\nthe setback platform is offset beneath a drill floor and connected to a substructure of the drilling rig;\nthe setback platform comprises a surface for placing tubular stands, and an alleyway that is accessible to the surface;\nthe stand hand-off position is located on the alleyway;\na carriage is extendable towards the substructure to allow a clasp to be centered over the stand hand-off position; and\nthe carriage is retractable away from the substructure to remove the clasp from intersection with the alleyway.",
"19. The drilling rig of claim 18, wherein the carriage is extendable towards the mast to position the clasp beyond the center of the stand hand-off position.",
"20. The drilling rig of claim 18, wherein the carriage is extendable towards the mast to position the clasp over a mousehole.",
"21. The drilling rig of claim 9, wherein the stand constraint further comprises:\na gripper assembly attached to an extendable end of the carriage;\na gripper assembly actuator connected to the gripper assembly, and operable to open or close the gripper assembly around a tubular stand;\nwherein the tubular stand constraint is affixed to a center section of the drilling rig on a V-door side;\nwherein the stand hand-off position is located on the setback platform;\nwherein a mousehole is located between the well center and the stand hand-off position;\nwherein a carriage is extendable to allow a stand constraint clasp and gripper assembly to be centered over the setback position; and\nwherein the carriage is retractable to allow the stand constraint clasp and gripper assembly to be centered over the mousehole.",
"22. The drilling rig of claim 21, wherein the clasp is a gripping device that inhibits vertical movement of the gripped tubular.",
"23. The drilling rig of claim 2, further comprising:\na stand hand-off station located at the stand hand-off position;\nthe stand hand-off station comprising;\na chamber for receiving a pin connection of one of the tubular stands; and\na stage inside the chamber receivable of the weight of the one tubular stand.",
"24. The drilling rig of claim 2, further comprising:\na stand hand-off station located at the stand hand-off position;\nthe stand hand-off station comprising:\na base connecting the stand hand-off station to the setback platform;\nan expandable chamber assembly comprising an upper chamber and a lower chamber;\nwherein the lower chamber is attached to the base;\nwherein the upper chamber is positioned in concentric relationship to the lower chamber;\nan actuator connected between the lower chamber and the upper chamber;\na stage located in the chamber assembly, the stage receivable of the lower end of one of the tubular stands; and\nan elastomeric seal over a top end of the upper chamber, the seal having an opening receivable of the one tubular stand.",
"25. The drilling rig of claim 2, wherein the tubular delivery arm comprises a tubular clasp movable between the stand hand-off position and the well center position.",
"26. The drilling rig of claim 25, wherein the tubular delivery arm comprises a dolly translatably connected to the mast.",
"27. The drilling rig of claim 26, wherein the tubular delivery arm further comprises an arm member having an upper end rotatably and pivotally connected to the dolly, and a lower end pivotally connected to the tubular clasp.",
"28. The drilling rig of claim 25, wherein the tubular clasp of the tubular delivery arm is movable to a mousehole position forward of the well center position.",
"29. The drilling rig of claim 25, wherein the tubular clasp of the tubular delivery arm is movable to a catwalk position forward of the stand hand-off position.",
"30. The drilling rig of claim 25, wherein the tubular clasp of the tubular delivery arm is engageable with an upset of a tubular stand, and slidably engageable with the tubular stand below the upset.",
"31. The drilling rig of claim 25, wherein the tubular delivery arm further comprises an arm bracket extending outwardly from the dolly, and a drive plate rotatably connected to the arm bracket, an upper end of the arm member pivotally connected to the drive plate.",
"32. The drilling rig of claim 31, further comprising a tilt actuator pivotally connected between the drive plate and the arm member.",
"33. The drilling rig of claim 31, further comprising an incline actuator pivotally connected between the arm and the clasp.",
"34. The drilling rig of claim 25, wherein the tubular delivery arm further comprises an arm bracket extending outwardly from the dolly, a drive plate rotatably connected to the arm bracket, and a rotary actuator connected to the drive plate, the upper end of an arm member pivotally connected to the drive plate.",
"35. The drilling rig of claim 25, further comprising a top drive assembly, wherein the top drive assembly and the tubular delivery arm are vertically translatable along a mast.",
"36. The drilling rig of claim 35, wherein the tubular delivery arm and the top drive assembly have non-conflicting vertical paths along the mast.",
"37. The drilling rig of claim 35, wherein the top drive assembly has a top drive vertically translatable along a first path over the well center and along a second path rearward to a drawworks side of well center.",
"38. The drilling rig of claim 35, wherein the top drive assembly has a top drive horizontally movable between the well center position and a retracted position rearward to a drawworks side of the well center position.",
"39. The drilling rig of claim 35, wherein the top drive assembly comprises:\na dolly translatably connected to the mast;\na travelling block assembly;\na top drive suspended from the travelling block assembly;\na yoke pivotally connecting the travelling block to the dolly;\nan extendable actuator connected between the dolly and the yoke;\na torque tube rigidly connected to the travelling block;\nthe torque tube connected to the top drive in vertically slidable relation;\nwherein extension of the actuator pivots the yoke to extend the travelling block and top drive away from the dolly to well center position; and\nwherein retraction of the actuator pivots the yoke to retract the travelling block towards the dolly to a position away from the well center.",
"40. The drilling rig of claim 39, wherein torque reactions of a drill string responding to rotation by the top drive are transferred from the top drive to the torque tube, from the torque tube to the travelling block, from the travelling block to the dolly, and from the dolly to the mast.",
"41. The drilling rig of claim 25, further comprising a leg, a lower stabilizing arm pivotally and rotatably connected to the leg, and a tubular guide connected to the lower stabilizing arm and movable between the stand hand-off position and the well center position.",
"42. The drilling rig of claim 2, further comprising an upper racking arm comprising a gripper movable over a fingerboard assembly and the stand hand-off position.",
"43. The drilling rig of claim 42, wherein the upper racking arm comprises:\na bridge connected to a frame in translatable relation;\na racking arm connected to the bridge in rotatable and translatable relation; and\nthe gripper connected to the arm in vertically translatable relation.",
"44. The drilling rig of claim 42, wherein the racking module is connected to a mast, and the racking module further comprises:\na frame;\nwherein the fingerboard assembly is connected to the frame and has columns receivable of tubular stands, the columns optionally oriented in a direction towards the mast;\na fingerboard alleyway connecting the columns on a mast side of the columns.",
"45. The drilling rig of claim 44, further comprising:\nwherein the setback platform is positioned beneath the fingerboard assembly;\na platform alleyway beneath the fingerboard alleyway; and\na lower racking arm positioned in the platform alleyway. a lower racking base connected to the platform alleyway in translatable relation;\na lower racking frame connected to the base in rotatable and pivotal relation;\na lower racking arm member pivotally connected to the frame; and\na lower racking clasp pivotally connected to the arm.",
"46. The drilling rig of claim 45, wherein the lower racking arm further comprises:\na lower racking base connected to the platform alleyway in translatable relation;\na lower racking frame connected to the base in rotatable and pivotal relation;\na lower racking arm member pivotally connected to the frame; and\na lower racking clasp pivotally connected to the arm.",
"47. A drilling rig, comprising:\na substructure comprising a pair of base boxes;\na drill floor above the substructure;\na setback platform below and forward of the drill floor;\na mast extending vertically above the drill floor;\na top drive assembly vertically translatable along the mast;\na tubular delivery arm vertically translatable along the mast;\nthe tubular delivery arm having a tubular clasp movable between a well center position over a well center and a stand hand-off position forward of the well center position;\nthe top drive assembly being vertically translatable along a first path over the well center and along a second path rearward of the first path;\na racking module extending outward of the mast above the set-back platform;\na stand hand-off position located on the setback platform, and extending vertically upwards substantially between the mast and a fingerboard assembly of the racking module; and\nan upper stand constraint connected beneath the racking module and extendable rearward towards the mast.",
"48. The drilling rig of claim 47, further comprising:\nan intermediate stand constraint having a frame connected to the drilling rig at an edge of the V-door side of the drill floor;\na carriage connected to the frame in extendable relationship;\na carriage actuator connected between the frame and the carriage, and operable to extend or retract the carriage outward from the frame;\na tubular clasp attached to the extendable end of the carriage;\na clasp actuator connected to the tubular clasp, and operable to open or close the tubular clasp around a tubular stand;\na tubular gripper attached to the extendable end of the carriage; and\na gripper actuator connected to the tubular gripper, and operable to open or close the tubular gripper around a tubular stand.",
"49. A drilling rig, comprising:\na retractable top drive assembly vertically translatable along a mast;\na tubular delivery arm vertically translatable along the mast and comprising a tubular clasp movable between a well center position over a well center and a position forward of the well center;\nwherein the tubular clasp is engageable with an upper end of a tubular stand; and\nwherein the tubular clasp is slidably engageable with the tubular stand below the upper end to clasp an upper portion of the tubular stand in the well center position below the upper end."
],
[
"1. A pump configuration for a fracking operation, the pump configuration comprising:\na cabin having a cabin floor and a cabin cap coupled thereto to at least partially enclose a cabin interior of the cabin;\na medium-voltage variable frequency drive (VFD) positioned within the cabin interior of the cabin to receive electric power at an initial voltage level and convert the electric power from the initial voltage level to electric power at a VFD voltage level, wherein the medium-voltage VFD includes a power cell assembly and a transformer assembly;\nan electric motor coupled to the medium-voltage VFD to receive the electric power at the VFD voltage level from the medium-voltage VFD and operate based on the electric power at the VFD voltage level; and\na hydraulic pump coupled to the electric motor to continuously pump fracking media in response to operation of the electric motor,\nwherein the power cell assembly is arranged upstream of the transformer assembly relative to an intake port formed in the cabin such that air drawn into the cabin interior through the intake port in use of the pump configuration passes over the power cell assembly to cool the power cell assembly before being routed to the transformer assembly.",
"2. The pump configuration of claim 1, wherein:\nthe cabin includes an internal wall arranged between the power cell assembly and the transformer assembly that is spaced from the cabin floor in a vertical direction to define one or more openings between the internal wall and the cabin floor; and\nin use of the pump configuration, the internal wall directs air passed over the power cell assembly downward through the one or more openings such that air passed through the one or more openings flows over the transformer assembly proximate the cabin floor.",
"3. The pump configuration of claim 1, further comprising a ventilation system including a filtration unit positioned at the intake port, at least one intake blower to draw air into the cabin interior via the intake port, at least one exhaust blower to expel air from the cabin interior via an exhaust port, and a ventilation control system to control operation of the at least one intake blower and the at least one exhaust blower such that the intake flowrate exceeds the exhaust flowrate.",
"4. The pump configuration of claim 3, wherein:\nthe ventilation system includes a plurality of cooling fans to conduct air drawn into the cabin interior over the power cell assembly; and\nwherein the ventilation control system is configured to control operation of the at least one intake blower, the at least one exhaust blower, and the cooling fans such that the intake flowrate exceeds the exhaust flowrate.",
"5. The pump configuration of claim 4, wherein:\nthe power cell assembly includes a plurality of power cells; and\neach of the plurality of power cells includes a dedicated temperature sensor and a dedicated cooling fan.",
"6. The pump configuration of claim 4, wherein:\nthe plurality of cooling fans are arranged at least partially upstream of the power cell assembly relative to the intake port;\nthe at least one intake blower is arranged upstream of the plurality of cooling fans relative to the intake port; and\nthe filtration unit is arranged at least partially upstream of the at least one intake blower relative to the intake port.",
"7. The pump configuration of claim 6, wherein the at least one exhaust blower is arranged at least partially downstream of the transformer assembly relative to the intake port.",
"8. The pump configuration of claim 1, wherein:\nthe VFD voltage level is in a range of about 2 kilovolts (kV) to about 8 kV; and\nthe hydraulic pump is configured to continuously pump fracking media at a high horsepower (HHP) level of at least about 5000 HHP.",
"9. The pump configuration of claim 8, wherein:\nthe VFD voltage level is about 4.16 kV or greater; and\nthe initial voltage level is in a range of about 10 kV to about 16 kV.",
"10. The pump configuration of claim 1, wherein:\nthe power cell assembly includes a plurality of semiconductor devices and a plurality of racks mounted to a power cell assembly frame of the power cell assembly;\nthe transformer assembly is a multi-phase transformer assembly;\nthe electric motor is a single-shaft electric motor; and\nthe hydraulic pump is coupled to the electric motor to continuously pump fracking media in response to one or more operational conditions that are based on variables input to the electric motor to cause the fracking media to be pumped by the hydraulic pump within parameters of the electric motor in use of the pump configuration.",
"11. A pump configuration for a fracking operation, the pump configuration comprising:\na cabin having a cabin floor and a cabin cap coupled thereto to at least partially enclose a cabin interior of the cabin;\na medium-voltage variable frequency drive (VFD) positioned within the cabin interior of the cabin to receive electric power at an initial voltage level and convert the electric power from the initial voltage level to electric power at a VFD voltage level, wherein the medium-voltage VFD includes a power cell assembly and a transformer assembly;\nan electric motor coupled to the medium-voltage VFD to receive the electric power at the VFD voltage level from the medium-voltage VFD and operate based on the electric power at the VFD voltage level;\na hydraulic pump coupled to the electric motor to continuously pump fracking media in response to operation of the electric motor; and\na ventilation system including a ventilation control system to establish an over-pressurization condition within the cabin interior such that air drawn into the cabin interior at a first rate through an intake port formed in the cabin is greater than air expelled from the cabin interior at a second rate through an exhaust port formed in the cabin,\nwherein the power cell assembly is arranged upstream of the transformer assembly relative to the intake port such that air drawn into the cabin interior through the intake port passes over the power cell assembly to cool the power cell assembly before being routed to the transformer assembly during establishment of the over-pressurization condition.",
"12. The pump configuration of claim 11, wherein:\nthe cabin includes an internal wall arranged between the power cell assembly and the transformer assembly that is spaced from the cabin floor in a vertical direction to define one or more openings between the internal wall and the cabin floor; and\nin use of the pump configuration, the internal wall directs air passed over the power cell assembly downward through the one or more openings such that air passed through the one or more openings flows over the transformer assembly proximate the cabin floor during establishment of the over-pressurization condition.",
"13. The pump configuration of claim 11, wherein the ventilation system comprises a filtration unit positioned at the intake port, at least one intake blower to draw air into the cabin interior via the intake port, and at least one exhaust blower to expel air from the cabin interior via the exhaust port.",
"14. The pump configuration of claim 13, wherein:\nthe ventilation system includes a plurality of cooling fans to conduct air drawn into the cabin interior over the power cell assembly; and\nwherein the ventilation control system is configured to control operation of the at least one intake blower, the at least one exhaust blower, and the cooling fans such that the first rate exceeds the second rate during establishment of the over-pressurization condition.",
"15. The pump configuration of claim 14, wherein:\nthe plurality of cooling fans are arranged at least partially upstream of the power cell assembly relative to the intake port;\nthe at least one intake blower is arranged upstream of the plurality of cooling fans relative to the intake port; and\nthe filtration unit is arranged at least partially upstream of the at least one intake blower relative to the intake port.",
"16. The pump configuration of claim 15, wherein the at least one exhaust blower is arranged at least partially downstream of the transformer assembly relative to the intake port.",
"17. A system for a fracking operation, the system comprising:\na power generation system to generate electric power at a power generation level;\na power distribution system coupled to the power generation system to receive electric power from the power generation system at the power generation level and distribute the electric power at an initial voltage level; and\na pump configuration coupled to the power distribution system, the pump configuration comprising:\na cabin having a cabin floor and a cabin cap coupled thereto to at least partially enclose a cabin interior of the cabin;\na medium-voltage variable frequency drive (VFD) positioned within the cabin interior of the cabin to receive electric power from the power distribution system at the initial voltage level and convert the electric power from the initial voltage level to electric power at a VFD voltage level, wherein the medium-voltage VFD includes a power cell assembly and a transformer assembly;\nan electric motor coupled to the medium-voltage VFD to receive the electric power at the VFD voltage level from the medium-voltage VFD and operate based on the electric power at the VFD voltage level; and\na hydraulic pump coupled to the electric motor to continuously pump fracking media in response to operation of the electric motor,\nwherein the power cell assembly is arranged upstream of the transformer assembly relative to an intake port formed in the cabin such that air drawn into the cabin interior through the intake port in use of the system passes over the power cell assembly to cool the power cell assembly before being routed to the transformer assembly.",
"18. The system of claim 17, wherein:\nthe cabin includes an internal wall arranged between the power cell assembly and the transformer assembly that is spaced from the cabin floor in a vertical direction to define one or more openings between the internal wall and the cabin floor; and\nin use of the system, the internal wall directs air passed over the power cell assembly downward through the one or more openings such that air passed through the one or more openings flows over the transformer assembly proximate the cabin floor.",
"19. The system of claim 17, further comprising a ventilation system including a ventilation control system to establish an over-pressurization condition within the cabin interior such that air drawn into the cabin interior at a first rate through the intake port formed in the cabin is greater than air expelled from the cabin interior at a second rate through an exhaust port formed in the cabin.",
"20. The system of claim 19, wherein the ventilation system comprises a filtration unit positioned at the intake port, at least one intake blower to draw air into the cabin interior via the intake port, and at least one exhaust blower to expel air from the cabin interior via the exhaust port."
],
[
"1. An electric driven hydraulic fracking system that pumps a fracking media into a fracking well to execute a fracking operation to extract a fluid from the fracking well, comprising:\na Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) configuration includes a plurality of VFD cells with each VFD cell isolated from each other VFD cell that is configured to:\nsegment an AC voltage signal that is associated with electric power generated at a power generation voltage level by a power generation system into a plurality of partitions to convert the AC voltage signal associated with the electric power at the power generation voltage level to a VFD voltage signal at a VFD voltage level based on the isolation of each VFD cell, wherein the VFD voltage level is a voltage level of that is required to drive an electric motor to control a hydraulic pump, and\nreconnect each partition into a configuration that generates the VFD voltage signal at the VFD voltage level based on the isolation of each VFD cell to drive the electric motor to control an operation of the electric motor and the hydraulic pump with a decrease in a level of harmonics included in a VFD current waveform of the VFD voltage signal at the VFD voltage level.",
"2. The electric driven hydraulic fracking system of claim 1, wherein the VFD configuration is further configured to:\nmitigate the level of harmonics in the VFD current waveform included in the VFD voltage signal at the VFD voltage level, wherein the VFD voltage signal is associated with that is converted from the AC voltage signal that is associated with electric power generated by the power generation system; and\ndrive the electric motor to control the operation of the electric motor and the hydraulic pump with the mitigated level of harmonics included in the VFD current waveform of the electric power at the VFD voltage level.",
"3. The electric driven hydraulic fracking system of claim 1, wherein the VFD configuration further comprises: a VFD transformer that is configured to:\napply a phase shift to a plurality of phase changing sinusoidal signals included in the AC voltage signal associated with the electric power at the power generation voltage level that is generated by the power generation system and received by the VFD configuration, and\nconvert the AC voltage signal associated with the electric power at the power generation voltage level to the VFD voltage signal at the VFD voltage level based on the phase shift of each of the sinusoidal signals included in the AC voltage signal associated with the electric power at the power generation voltage level to mitigate the level of harmonics in the VFD current waveform included in the VFD voltage signal at the VFD voltage level, wherein the isolation of each VFD cell from each other VFD cell enables the VFD transformer to provide the phase shift to the phase changing sinusoidal signals included in the AC voltage signal associated with the electric power at the power generation voltage level.",
"4. The electric driven hydraulic fracking system of claim 2, wherein each VFD cell is further configured to:\nconvert a first phase of the AC voltage signal, a second phase of the AC voltage signal, and a third phase of the AC voltage signal to the VFD voltage signal at the VFD voltage level; and\ndrive the electric motor to control the operation of the electric motor and the hydraulic pump with the decrease in harmonics included in the VFD current waveform of the VFD voltage signal at the VFD voltage level.",
"5. The electric driven hydraulic fracking system of claim 3, wherein each VFD cell further comprises:\na plurality of windings with each plurality of windings isolated from each other plurality of windings that is configured to:\nreceive the AC voltage signal as the input power to the corresponding VFD cell as the first phase of the AC voltage signal, the second phase of the AC voltage signal, and the third phase of the AC voltage signal; and\nsegment the AC voltage signal received as the input power to the corresponding VFD cell into the plurality of partitions to convert the AC voltage signal to electric power at a VFD cell voltage level for each corresponding VFD cell, wherein the isolation of the plurality of windings from each other plurality of windings enables each corresponding VFD cell to generate the electric power at the VFD cell voltage level after each corresponding plurality of windings segments the AC voltage signal.",
"6. The electric driven hydraulic fracking system of claim 4, wherein VFD configuration is further configured to:\nreconnect the plurality of partitions of the segmented AC voltage signal by the corresponding plurality of windings as converted into the electric power at the VFD cell voltage level and generated by each corresponding VFD cell into the VFD voltage signal at the VFD voltage level; and\ndrive the electric motor to control the operation of the electric motor and the hydraulic pump with the VFD voltage signal at the VFD voltage level as reconnected due to the isolation of each VFD cell from each other VFD cell with the decrease in harmonics included in the VFD current waveform of the VFD voltage signal at the VFD voltage level.",
"7. The electric driven hydraulic fracking system of claim 5, wherein the VFD transformer is further configured to:\napply a phase shift to each of the plurality of partitions of the segmented AC voltage signal by each corresponding plurality of windings as converted into the electric power at the VFD cell voltage level as the partitions are reconnected into the VFD voltage signal at the VFD voltage level with the decrease in harmonics included in the VFD waveform of the VFD voltage signal at the VFD voltage level due to the isolation of each VFD cell from each other VFD cell.",
"8. A method for an electric driven hydraulic fracking system that pumps a fracking media into a fracking well to execute a fracking operation to extract a fluid from the fracking well, comprising: segmenting by a Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) configuration an AC voltage signal that is associated with electric power generated at a power generation level by a power generation system into a plurality of partitions to convert the AC voltage signal associated with the electric power generated at the power generation voltage level to a VFD voltage signal at a VFD voltage level based on an isolation of each VFD cell from a plurality of VFD cells included in the VFD configuration, wherein the VFD voltage level is a voltage level that is required to drive an electric motor to control a hydraulic pump; and\nreconnect each partition into a configuration that generates the VFD voltage signal at the VFD voltage level based on the isolation of each VFD cell to drive the electric motor to control an operation of the electric motor and the hydraulic pump with a decrease in a level of harmonics included in a VFD waveform of the VFD voltage signal at the VFD voltage level.",
"9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:\nmitigating the level of harmonics in the VFD current waveform included in the VFD voltage signal at the VFD voltage level, wherein the VFD voltage signal is converted from an AC voltage signal associated with the electric power that is generated by the power generation system; and\ndriving the electric motor to control the operation of the electric motor and the hydraulic pump with the mitigated level of harmonics included in the VFD current waveform of the electric motor at the VFD voltage level.",
"10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:\napplying by a VFD transformer a phase shift to a plurality of phase changing sinusoidal signals included in the AC voltage signal associated with the electric power at the power generation voltage level that is generated by the power generation system and received by the VFD configuration; and\nconverting the AC voltage signal associated with the electric power at the power generation voltage level to the VFD voltage signal at the VFD voltage level based on the phase shift of each of the sinusoidal signals included in the AC voltage signal of the AC voltage signal associated with the electric power at the power generation voltage level to mitigate the level of harmonics in the VFD current waveform included in the VFD voltage signal at the VFD voltage level, wherein the isolation of each VFD cell from each other VFD cell enables the VFD transformer to provide the phase shift to the phase changing sinusoidal signals included in the AC voltage signal associated with the electric power at the power generation voltage level.",
"11. The method of claim 9, further comprising:\nconverting by each VFD cell a first phase of the AC voltage signal, a second phase of the AC voltage signal, and a third phase of the AC voltage signal to the VFD voltage signal at the VFD voltage level; and\ndriving the electric motor to control the operation of the electric motor and the hydraulic pump with the decrease in harmonics included in the VFD current waveform of the VFD voltage signal at the VFD voltage level.",
"12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:\nreceiving by a plurality of windings with each plurality of windings included in a corresponding VFD cell the AC voltage signal as the input power to the corresponding VFD cell as the first phase of the AC voltage signal, the second phase of the AC voltage signal, and the third phase of the AC voltage signal, wherein each plurality of windings is isolated from each other plurality of windings; and\nsegmenting the AC voltage signal received as the input power to the corresponding VFD cell into the plurality of partitions to convert the AC voltage signal to electric power at a VFD cell voltage level for each corresponding VFD cell, wherein the isolation of the plurality of windings from each other plurality of windings enables each corresponding VFD cell to generate the electric power at the VFD cell voltage level after each corresponding plurality of windings segments the AC voltage signal.",
"13. The method of 12, further comprising:\nreconnecting by the VFD configuration the plurality of partitions of the segmented AC voltage signal by the corresponding plurality of windings as converted into electric power at the VFD cell voltage level and generated by each corresponding VFD cell into the VFD voltage signal at the VFD voltage level; and\ndriving the electric motor to control the operation of the electric motor and the hydraulic pump with the VFD voltage signal at the VFD voltage level as reconnected due to the isolation of each VFD cell from each other VFD cell with the decrease in harmonics included in the VFD current waveform of the VFD voltage signal at the VFD voltage level.",
"14. The method of claim 9, further comprising:\napplying by the VFD transformer a phase shift to each of the plurality of partitions of the segmented AC voltage signal by each corresponding plurality of windings as converted into the electric power at the VFD cell voltage level as the partitions are reconnected into the VFD voltage signal at the VFD voltage level with the decrease in harmonics included in the VFD waveform of the VFD voltage signal at the VFD voltage level due to the isolation of each VFD cell from each other VFD cell.",
"15. An electric driven hydraulic fracking system that pumps a fracking media into a fracking well to execute a fracking operation to extract a fluid from the fracking well, comprises:\na plurality of VFD configurations with each VFD configuration including a plurality of VFD cells with each VFD cell isolated from each other VFD cell that is configured to:\nsegment by each VFD configuration an AC voltage signal that is associated with electric power at a power generation voltage level by a power generation system into a plurality of partitions to convert the AC voltage signal associated with the electric power at the power generation voltage level to a VFD signal at a VFD voltage level based on the isolation of each VFD cell for each corresponding VFD configuration, wherein the VFD voltage level is a voltage level that is required to drive a corresponding electric motor from a plurality of electric motors to control a corresponding hydraulic pump from a plurality of hydraulic pumps, and\nreconnect each partition into a configuration that generates the VFD voltage signal at the VFD voltage level based on the isolation of each VFD cell for each corresponding VFD configuration to drive each corresponding electric motor to control an operation of each corresponding electric motor and each corresponding hydraulic pump with a decrease in a level of harmonics included in a VFD current waveform of the VFD voltage signal at the VFD voltage level for each corresponding VFD configuration.",
"16. The electric driven hydraulic fracking system of claim 15, wherein each VFD configuration is further configured to:\nmitigate the level of harmonics in the VFD current waveform included in the VFD voltage signal at the VFD voltage level, wherein the VFD voltage signal is converted from the AC voltage signal generated by the power generation system; and\ndrive the corresponding electric motor from the plurality of electric motors to control the operation of each corresponding electric motor and the corresponding hydraulic pump from the plurality of hydraulic pumps with the mitigated level of harmonics included in the VFD current waveform of the electric power at the VFD voltage level.",
"17. The electric driven hydraulic fracking system of claim 16, wherein the plurality of VFD configurations further comprises:\na plurality of VFD transformers with each VFD transformer associated with a corresponding VFD configuration and configured to:\napply a phase shift to a plurality of phase changing sinusoidal signals included in the AC voltage signal associated with the electric power at the power generation voltage level that is generated by the power generation system and received by each corresponding VFD configuration, and\nconvert the AC voltage signal associated with the electric power at the power generation voltage level to the VFD voltage signal at the VFD voltage level based on the phase shift of each of the sinusoidal signals included in the AC voltage signal associated with the electric power at the power generation voltage level to mitigate the level of harmonics in the VFD current waveform included in the VFD voltage signal at the VFD voltage level, wherein the isolation of each VFD cell from each other VFD cell for each corresponding VFD configuration enables the VFD transformer to provide the phase shift to the phase changing sinusoidal signals included in the AC voltage signal associated with the electric power at the power generation voltage level.",
"18. The electric driven hydraulic fracking system of claim 17, wherein each VFD cell included in each corresponding VFD configuration is further configured to: convert a first phase of the AC voltage signal, a second phase of the AC voltage signal, and a third phase of the AC voltage signal to the VFD voltage signal at the VFD voltage level; and\ndrive each corresponding electric motor from the plurality of electric motors to control the operation of each corresponding hydraulic pump from the plurality of hydraulic pumps with the decrease in harmonics included in the VFD current waveform of the VFD voltage signal at the VFD voltage level.",
"19. The electric driven hydraulic fracking system of claim 18, wherein each VFD cell for each corresponding VFD configuration further comprises:\na plurality of windings with each plurality of windings isolated from each other plurality of windings that is configured to:\nreceive the AC voltage signal as the input power to the corresponding VFD cell as the first phase of the AC voltage signal, the second phase of the AC voltage signal, and the third phase of the AC voltage signal for each corresponding VFD configuration; and\nsegment the AC voltage signal received as the input power to the corresponding VFD cell into the plurality of partitions to convert the AC voltage signal to electric power at a VFD cell voltage level for each corresponding VFD configuration, wherein the isolation of the plurality of windings from each other plurality of windings enables each corresponding VFD cell to generate electric power at the VFD cell voltage level after each corresponding plurality of windings segments the AC voltage signal for each corresponding VFD configuration.",
"20. The electric driven hydraulic fracking system of claim of claim 19, wherein each VFD configuration is further configured to:\nreconnect the plurality of partitions of the segmented AC voltage signal by the corresponding plurality of windings as converted into the electric power at the VFD cell voltage level and generated by each corresponding VFD cell into the VFD voltage signal at the VFD voltage level for each corresponding VFD configuration; and\ndrive each corresponding electric motor from the plurality of electric motors to control the operation of each corresponding electric motor and each corresponding hydraulic pump from the plurality of hydraulic pumps with the VFD voltage signal at the VFD voltage level as reconnected due to the isolation of each VFD cell from each other VFD cell with the decrease in harmonics included in the VFD current waveform of the VFD voltage signal at the VFD voltage level for each corresponding VFD configuration."
],
[
"1. An electric driven hydraulic fracking system that pumps a fracking media into a fracking well to execute a fracking operation to extract a fluid from the fracking well, comprising:\na power distribution trailer that is configured to receive electric power from a power generation system at a power generation voltage level, wherein the electric power generated at the power generation voltage level is a voltage level that the power generation system is capable to generate; and\nthe power distribution trailer includes an auxiliary system transformer that is configured to:\nconvert the electric power generated by the power generation system at the power generation voltage level to an auxiliary voltage level that is less than the power generation voltage level,\ndistribute the electric power at the auxiliary voltage level to a Variable Frequency Drive (VFD), wherein the electric power at the auxiliary voltage level enables the VFD to execute operations without the distribution of the electric power generated at the power generation voltage level to the VFD thereby activating the VFD into a maintenance mode, and\ndistribute the electric power at the auxiliary voltage level to a plurality of auxiliary systems when the VFD is operating in the maintenance mode to enable the plurality of auxiliary systems to operate with the VFD operating in the maintenance mode, wherein the electric power at the auxiliary voltage level enables operation of the plurality of auxiliary systems when the VFD is prevented from converting the electric power at the power generation voltage level to continuously drive a hydraulic pump.",
"2. The electric driven hydraulic fracking system of claim 1, wherein the auxiliary system transformer is further configured to distribute the electric power at the auxiliary voltage level to the VFD to enable the VFD to communicate with a fracking control center without the distribution of the electric power generated at the power generation voltage level to the VFD.",
"3. The electric driven hydraulic fracking system of claim 2, wherein the power distribution trailer is further configured to route a communication link to each of the auxiliary systems to enable the fracking control center to intervene and control each of the auxiliary systems via the communication link.",
"4. The electric driven hydraulic fracking system of claim 2, wherein the power distribution trailer is further configured to:\ndistribute the electric power at the auxiliary voltage level to a fracking control center to enable the fracking control center to remotely control the auxiliary systems, the VFD, and a plurality of trailer auxiliary systems, wherein the VFD and the hydraulic pump are positioned on a single trailer and the plurality of trailer auxiliary systems is associated with the single trailer.",
"5. The electric driven hydraulic fracking system of claim 4, wherein the power distribution trailer is further configured to route a communication link to the VFD and each of the trailer auxiliary systems to enable the fracking control center to intervene and control the VFD and each of the trailer auxiliary systems via the communication link.",
"6. The electric driven hydraulic fracking system of claim 1, wherein the auxiliary system transformer is further configured to:\ndistribute the electric power at the auxiliary voltage level to the plurality of auxiliary systems associated with an operation of a hydraulic pump that is driven by the electric power at the power generation voltage level, wherein the plurality of auxiliary systems assists the hydraulic pump as the hydraulic pump operates to execute the fracking operation to extract fluid from the well when the electric power at the power generation voltage level is distributed to drive the hydraulic pump.",
"7. The electric driven hydraulic fracking system of claim 1, wherein the auxiliary systems are selected from the group consisting of hydration systems, chemical additive systems, blending systems, sand storage and transporting systems, and/or mixing systems.",
"8. A method for an electric driven hydraulic fracking system to pump a fracking media into a well to execute a fracking operation to extract a fluid from a well, comprising:\nreceiving electric power at a power generation voltage from a power generation system, wherein the electric power generated at the power generation voltage level is a voltage level that the power generation system is capable to generate;\nconverting the electric power generated by the power generation system at the power generation voltage level to an auxiliary voltage level that is less than the power generation voltage level;\ndistributing the electric power at the auxiliary voltage level to a Variable Frequency Drive (VFD), wherein the electric power at the auxiliary voltage level enables the VFD to execute operations without the distribution of the electric power generated at the power generation voltage level to the VFD thereby activating the VFD into a maintenance mode; and\ndistributing the electric power at the auxiliary voltage level to a plurality of auxiliary systems when the VFD is operating in the maintenance mode to enable the plurality of auxiliary systems to operate with the VFD operating in the maintenance mode, wherein the electric power at the auxiliary voltage level enables operation of the plurality of auxiliary systems when the VFD is prevented from converting the electric power at the power generation voltage level to continuously drive a hydraulic pump.",
"9. The method of claim 8, wherein the distributing comprises:\ndistributing the electric power at the auxiliary voltage level to the VFD to enable the VFD to communicate with a fracking control center without the distribution of the electric power generated at the power generation voltage level to the VFD.",
"10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:\nrouting a communication link to each of the auxiliary systems to enable a fracking control center to intervene and control each of the auxiliary systems via the communication link.",
"11. The method of claim 9, further comprising:\ndistributing the electric power at the auxiliary voltage level to the fracking control center to enable the fracking control center to remotely control the auxiliary systems, the VFD, and the a plurality of trailer auxiliary systems, wherein the VFD and the hydraulic pump are positioned on a single trailer and the plurality of trailer auxiliary systems is associated with the single trailer.",
"12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:\nrouting a communication link to the VFD and each of the trailer auxiliary systems to enable the fracking control center to intervene and control the VFD and each of the trailer auxiliary systems via the communication link.",
"13. The method of claim 8, wherein the distributing comprises:\ndistributing the electric power at the auxiliary voltage level to the plurality of auxiliary systems associated with an operation of a hydraulic pump that is driven by the electric power at the power generation voltage level, wherein the plurality of auxiliary systems assist the hydraulic pump as the hydraulic pump operates to execute the fracking operation to extract fluid from the well when the electric power at the power generation voltage level is distributed to drive the hydraulic pump.",
"14. The method of claim 8, wherein the auxiliary systems are selected from the group consisting of hydration systems, chemical additive systems, blending systems, sand storage and transporting systems, and/or mixing systems.",
"15. An electric driven hydraulic fracking system that pumps a fracking media into a fracking well to execute a fracking operation to extract a fluid from the fracking well, comprises:\na power distribution trailer that is configured to receive electric power from a power generation system at a power generation voltage level wherein the electric power generated at the power generation voltage level is a voltage level that the power generation system is capable to generate; and\nthe power generation system that includes an auxiliary system transformer that is configured to:\nconvert the power generated by the power generation system at the power generation voltage level to an auxiliary voltage level that is less than the power generation voltage level,\ndistribute the electric power at the auxiliary voltage level to a plurality of Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs), wherein the electric power at the auxiliary voltage level enables each VFD to execute operations without the distribution of the electric power generated at the power generation voltage level to each VFD thereby activating each VFD into a maintenance mode, and\ndistribute the electric power at the auxiliary voltage level to a plurality of auxiliary systems when each VFD is operating in the maintenance mode to enable the plurality of auxiliary systems to operate with each VFD operating in the maintenance mode, wherein the electric power at the auxiliary voltage level enables the operation of the plurality of auxiliary systems when the VFD is prevented from converting the electric power at the power generation voltage level to continuously drive each corresponding hydraulic pump.",
"16. The electric driven hydraulic fracking system of claim 15, wherein the auxiliary system transformer is further configured to distribute the electric power at the auxiliary voltage level to each VFD to enable each VFD to communicate with a fracking control center without the distribution of the electric power generated at the power generation voltage level to each VFD.",
"17. The electric driven hydraulic fracking system of claim 16, wherein the power distribution trailer is further configured to route a communication link to each of the auxiliary systems to enable a fracking control center to intervene and control each of the auxiliary systems via the communication link.",
"18. The electric driven hydraulic fracking system of claim 16, wherein the power distribution trailer is further configured to:\ndistribute the electric power at the auxiliary voltage level to the fracking control center to enable the fracking control center to remotely control the auxiliary systems, the plurality of VFDs, and a plurality of trailer auxiliary systems, wherein each VFD and each hydraulic pump are positioned on a corresponding single trailer and each corresponding plurality of trailer auxiliary systems is associated with each corresponding single trailer.",
"19. The electric driven hydraulic fracking system of claim 15, wherein the auxiliary system transformer is further configured to:\ndistribute the electric power at the auxiliary voltage level to the plurality of auxiliary systems associated with an operation of a plurality of hydraulic pumps with each hydraulic pump driven by the electric power at the power generation voltage level, wherein the plurality of auxiliary systems assists each hydraulic pump as each hydraulic pump operates to execute the fracking operation to extract fluid from the well when the electric power at the power generation voltage level is distributed to drive each hydraulic pump.",
"20. The electric driven hydraulic fracking system of claim 15, wherein the auxiliary systems are selected from the group consisting of hydration systems, chemical additive systems, blending systems, sand storage and transporting systems, and/or mixing systems."
],
[
"1. A method for starting at least one frac pump of a bank of frac pumps comprising:\ncontrolling circulation of pressurized hydraulic oil to the bank of frac pumps by supplying the pressurized hydraulic oil to one or more frac pumps of the bank of frac pumps at a desired time via a common hydraulic power source in fluid communication with each of the one or more frac pumps of the bank of frac pumps.",
"2. The method of claim 1 wherein controlling includes closed loop flow of the pressurized hydraulic oil between the hydraulic power source and the one or more frac pumps of the bank of frac pumps via a fluid conduit assembly comprising multiple fluid lines and one or more control valves.",
"3. The method of claim 2 wherein controlling includes the fluid conduit assembly having one or more diverter valves.",
"4. The method of claim 2 wherein controlling includes the fluid conduit assembly having one or more T or Y-shape shut-off valves.",
"5. The method of claim 2 wherein controlling includes the fluid conduit assembly having one or more threaded Tee member shut-off valves.",
"6. The method of claim 1 wherein controlling includes locating the hydraulic power source at a well site independent of a layout of the bank of frac pumps.",
"7. The method of claim 1 wherein controlling includes supplying the pressurized hydraulic oil to at least one frac pump of the one or more frac pumps of the bank of frac pumps via a fluid conduit assembly comprising a plurality of isolation valves whereby each individual isolation valve of the plurality of isolation valves is in fluid communication with a different frac pump of the bank of frac pumps.",
"8. The method of claim 1 wherein controlling includes supplying the pressurized hydraulic oil to at least one frac pump of the one or more frac pumps of the bank of frac pumps via a fluid conduit assembly having a string of sectional conduit and valves, the string of sectional conduit comprising pipe, flexible hydraulic hose, and combinations thereof.",
"9. The method of claim 1 wherein controlling includes supplying the pressurized hydraulic oil to at least one frac pump of the one or more frac pumps of the bank of frac pumps via a daisy chain fluid conduit assembly.",
"10. The method of claim 9 wherein controlling includes the daisy chain fluid conduit assembly having a combination of fluid conduits, fittings, connectors, and isolation valves.",
"11. The method of claim 1 wherein controlling includes the hydraulic power source comprising a portable hydraulic power source fluidly connected to a most proximal frac pump of the bank of frac pumps.",
"12. The method of claim 1 wherein controlling includes diverting at least part of the pressurized hydraulic oil to one or more hydraulic power tools.",
"13. A system for starting at least one frac pump of a bank of frac pumps, including:\na hydraulic power supply system; and\na fluid conduit assembly;\nwherein the hydraulic power supply system is in closed loop fluid communication with the bank of frac pumps via the fluid conduit assembly; and\nwherein the fluid conduit assembly is operationally configured to control delivery of pressurized hydraulic oil from the hydraulic power supply system to the bank of frac pumps in a manner effective to start an engine of at least one frac pump of the bank of frac pumps.",
"14. The system of claim 13 wherein the fluid conduit assembly comprises a daisy chain fluid conduit assembly operationally configured to control a start time of each frac pump of the bank of frac pumps by controlling delivery of the pressurized hydraulic oil from the hydraulic power supply system to each frac pump of the bank of frac pumps.",
"15. The system of claim 14 wherein the daisy chain fluid conduit assembly includes a combination of fluid conduits, connectors and valves.",
"16. The system of claim 13 further comprising:\na second bank of frac pumps; and\na second hydraulic power supply system in closed loop fluid communication with the second bank of frac pumps via a second fluid conduit assembly that is operationally configured to control flow of pressurized hydraulic oil from the second hydraulic power supply system to each frac pump of the second bank of frac pumps.",
"17. A system, comprising:\na hydraulic power supply;\none or more fluid conduit assemblies; and\none or more banks of frac pumps in closed loop fluid communication with the hydraulic power supply via the one or more fluid conduit assemblies;\nwherein each of the one or more banks of frac pumps comprises at least two individual frac pumps; and\nwherein the one or more fluid conduit assemblies include a number of isolation valves for controlling flow of pressurized hydraulic oil from the hydraulic power supply to the individual frac pumps of the one or more banks of frac pumps.",
"18. The system of claim 17 wherein the number of isolation valves is at least equal to a number of individual frac pumps of the one or more banks of frac pumps.",
"19. The system of claim 17 wherein each of the individual frac pumps receives the pressurized hydraulic oil via a different isolation valve."
],
[
"1. A rig apparatus for drilling or servicing a well, the apparatus comprising:\na) a substructure comprising a frame that extends along a substantially horizontal plane, the frame having a front end, a rear end and a first side and a second side extending between the front end and the rear end; and\nb) a derrick mast comprising:\na lower mast section with a base end and an upper end, the base end pivotally attached to the frame; and\nan upper mast section pivotally attached to the upper end of the lower mast section,\nthe derrick mast configured to move between a lowered position and a raised substantially vertical position relative to the frame, wherein in the lowered position, the lower mast section extends along a plane substantially parallel to the horizontal plane of the frame and the lower mast section extends along a length of the frame on the first side and the upper mast section is folded along the second side, beside the lower mast section and extends in the plane in which the lower mast section extends, substantially parallel to the horizontal plane of the frame.",
"2. The rig apparatus of claim 1 wherein the lower mast section is pivotally attached to the frame at a corner between the rear end and the first side such that the derrick mast in the raised substantially vertical position extends up from the corner.",
"3. The rig apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a top drive connected to a carriage assembly and the carriage assembly is coupled to the derrick mast and wherein in the lowered position, the carriage assembly is coupled to and positioned above the lower mast section.",
"4. The rig apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a rack assembly in the mast, the rack assembly including an upper rack section disposed in the upper mast section and a lower rack section disposed in the lower mast section, the upper and lower rack sections being disconnected from each other when the mast is in the lowered position and connected to each other when the derrick mast is in the raised substantially vertical position and wherein when the upper and lower rack sections are connected to each other, the rack assembly defines a linear gear along which a carriage assembly can engage and ride to move vertically up and down along both the upper mast section and the lower mast section of the derrick mast.",
"5. The rig apparatus of claim 1, wherein the frame further comprises a headache rack at the front end and wherein in the lowered position, both the lower mast section and the upper mast section rest on the headache rack."
],
[
"1. A hydraulic fracturing system for fracturing a subterranean formation comprising:\na plurality of electric pumps fluidly connected to the formation, and powered by at least one electric motor;\na platform on which the motor and pumps are mounted;\na platform assembly, comprising a lateral rail assembly, from which at least a one of the pumps are accessible by operations personnel;\nsupport rails mounted to the platform assembly;\nfurther comprising end gates on forward and aft ends of the platform assembly, the end gates oriented substantially perpendicular to the lateral rail assembly when the platform assembly is moved into a deployed configuration; and\na trailer, wherein the support rails mounted to the platform assembly slidingly engage mount assemblies that are coupled to the trailer.",
"2. The hydraulic fracturing system of claim 1, wherein the platform assembly is selectively moveable between a stowed configuration and spaced laterally inward from an outer periphery of wheels coupled with the trailer, to a deployed configuration and spaced laterally past an outer periphery of the wheels.",
"3. The hydraulic fracturing system of claim 1, wherein bores in the support rails register with holes in the mount assemblies when the platform assembly is in the stowed configuration, and wherein a pin selectively inserts through the bores and holes to anchor the platform assembly in the stowed configuration.",
"4. The hydraulic fracturing system of claim 1, further comprising rollers in the mount assemblies that rotate when the support rails slidingly engage the mount assemblies.",
"5. The hydraulic fracturing system of claim 1, wherein the lateral rail assembly on a side that is distal from the pump.",
"6. The hydraulic fracturing system of claim 1, wherein a pair of motors comprise first and second motors, a pair of pumps comprise first and second pumps, wherein the first and second pumps and motors are mounted on the trailer, wherein the first motor is coupled to and drives the first pump, and wherein the second motor is coupled to and drives the second pump.",
"7. A hydraulic fracturing system for fracturing a subterranean formation comprising:\na platform;\na pump that selectively pressurizes fracturing fluid;\nan electrically powered motor that drives the pump;\na platform assembly that is adjacent the pump so that when operations personnel are on the platform assembly, locations on the pump are accessible by the operations personnel;\nthe platform assembly further comprising a platform with a deck and frame, support rails coupled to the platform, and end gates on forward and aft ends of the platform assembly, the end gates oriented substantially perpendicular to the support rails when the platform assembly is moved into a deployed configuration;\na trailer; and\nmounting assemblies attached to a frame of the trailer and which slidingly receive the support rails.",
"8. The hydraulic fracturing system of claim 7, wherein the platform assembly is stowed so that an outer lateral side of the platform assembly is set laterally inward from an outer edge of wheels that are mounted to the trailer.",
"9. The hydraulic fracturing system of claim 8, wherein the platform assembly is moveable from being stowed into a deployed configuration where the platform assembly projects laterally past the wheels.",
"10. The hydraulic fracturing system of claim 7, wherein the gates each have a lateral side that is affixed by a hinge to the platform assembly and on opposite sides, the hinge comprising a vertically oriented pin and spring, wherein the spring swings free ends of the gates away from the platform assembly when the platform assembly is changed from a stowed configuration to a deployed configuration.",
"11. The hydraulic fracturing system of claim 10, further comprising elastomeric bungees, each having an end affixed to the lateral rail assembly, and free ends that selectively insert into slotted clips affixed to inner frames on the gates.",
"12. The hydraulic fracturing system of claim 11, further comprising stop members on the gates that mount to inner frames on the gates and abut the pins when the gates rotate."
],
[
"1. A self-propelled robotic apparatus for performing offshore drill floor operations, comprising:\na support arrangement having an onboard electric power supply including a battery;\nat least one manipulator arm configured for coupling to the support arrangement, the at least one manipulator arm is configured to carry an end effector configured to manipulate tubing, tools or equipment in order to perform a predetermined drill floor operation;\nwherein the support arrangement is configured to move across an offshore drill floor, and the movement is powered by the onboard power supply; and\nwherein the support arrangement comprises an omni-directional drive unit disposed on an undercarriage and having one or more omni-directional rollers.",
"2. The robotic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the onboard power supply provides power for moving on the drill floor.",
"3. The robotic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the onboard power supply provides power for the apparatus to move between a storage position and a deployed position.",
"4. The robotic apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the apparatus may be configured to move between the storage position and the deployed position via one or more intermediate locations disposed on the drill floor.",
"5. The robotic apparatus according to claim 1, and comprising an onboard hydraulic power system receiving from external hydraulic lines hydraulic power required by the least one manipulator arm for performing a predetermined work task.",
"6. The robotic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the battery is a rechargeable battery.",
"7. A robotic apparatus for performing drill floor operations, comprising:\na support arrangement having an onboard electric power supply including a battery;\nat least one manipulator arm configured for coupling to the support arrangement, the at least one manipulator arm is configured to carry an end effector configured to manipulate tubing, tools or equipment in order to perform a predetermined drill floor operation;\nwherein the support arrangement is configured to move across an offshore drill floor, and the movement is powered by the onboard power supply;\nwherein the onboard power supply provides power for moving on the drill floor; and\nwherein the support arrangement includes a continuous track system, and is configured to utilize the onboard power supply to power the continuous track system and maneuver the apparatus from a docking station which forms a storage location for the apparatus to a work location around a well center on the drill floor.",
"8. The robotic apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the continuous track system comprises a multi-directional caterpillar drive.",
"9. The robotic apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the continuous track system comprises a track driven by a number of wheels, wherein the track comprises a plurality of interconnected chain links, and wherein the wheels are formed as sprocket wheels.",
"10. A robotic apparatus for performing drill floor operations, comprising:\na support arrangement having an onboard electric power supply including a battery;\nat least one manipulator arm configured for coupling to the support arrangement, the at least one manipulator arm is configured to carry an end effector configured to manipulate tubing, tools or equipment in order to perform a predetermined drill floor operation;\nwherein the support arrangement is configured to move across the offshore drill floor, the movement is powered by the onboard power supply;\nwherein the support arrangement comprises a continuous track system and the apparatus is configured to move along a path determined by the type of operations to be carried out, and by equipment present on the drill floor.",
"11. A self-propelled robotic apparatus for performing offshore drill floor operations, comprising:\na support arrangement configured to move the apparatus across an offshore drill floor;\nat least one manipulator arm configured for coupling to the support arrangement, the least one manipulator arm is configured to carry an end effector configured to manipulate tubing, tools or equipment in order to perform a predetermined drill floor operation;\na visual sensor arrangement formed as a camera system operatively associated with a machine vision system;\nwherein the machine vision system being operatively associated with a machine learning system configured to control apparatus motions to perform given tasks; and\nwherein the apparatus through compliant motion control by the control system is configured to perform collaborative operations with other machinery on drill floor.",
"12. The robotic apparatus according to claim 11, comprising:\na control system configured for using compliant motion control;\nwherein the control system is configured to apply supervised learning through which the apparatus is guided through a number of predefined sequences and thereby learn to perform Previously Presented tasks and operations.",
"13. The robotic apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the control system receives input from a sensor arrangement and is configured to perform inspection of tools.",
"14. The robotic apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the control system receives input from a sensor arrangement and is configured to perform identification operation, including\nreading of ID codes, or\nrecognition of objects.",
"15. The robotic apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the control system is configured for personnel detection.",
"16. The robotic apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the visual sensor arrangement is operatively associated with a personnel detection and protection system for detecting the presence of human operators, wherein personnel detection and protection system is configured to issue a detection signal to be sent to a controller, wherein controller is adapted to issue a stop command or movement command to move away from the detected personnel.",
"17. The robotic apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the visual sensor arrangement includes proximity sensors, movement sensors, or thermals sensors for detecting personnel.",
"18. A self-propelled robotic apparatus for performing offshore drill floor operations, comprising:\na support arrangement configured to move the apparatus across an offshore drill floor;\nat least one manipulator arm for coupling to the support arrangement, the least one manipulator arm is configured to carry an end effector configured to manipulate tubing, tools or equipment in order to perform a predetermined drill floor operation;\na visual sensor arrangement formed as a camera system operatively associated with a machine vision system;\na control system configured for using compliant motion control;\nwherein the machine vision system being operatively associated with a machine learning system configured to control apparatus motions to perform given tasks;\nwherein the control system is configured to apply supervised learning through which the apparatus is guided through a number of predefined sequences and thereby learn to perform tasks and operations; and\nwherein the control system receives input from the machine vision system and is configured to reliable sensing and object detection, and to control both the motion of the apparatus across the drill floor and motion of the at least one manipulator arm."
],
[
"1. A method for controlling operations on a drilling rig, wherein a control system is operably coupled to the drilling rig and comprises a computer system, wherein the method comprises:\nidentifying a first set of operational guidelines for a set of specific hole sections;\nwherein each hole section in the set of specific hole sections is associated with an operational guideline from the first set of operational guidelines;\nwherein the first set of operational guidelines includes a first plurality of control limits associated with a first plurality of operational parameters of the drilling rig;\nwherein the set of specific hole sections comprises at least one of: a surface hole, an intermediate hole, a production hole, and a ream hole; and\nwherein the control limits for an associated specific hole section do not vary within the associated specific hole section;\nactivating, using the computer system, a first operational guideline, wherein the first operational guideline is of the first set of operational guidelines, and wherein the first operational guideline is associated a hole section from the set of specific hold sections;\nmonitoring, using the computer system, current values of the first plurality of operational parameters;\ndetermining, using the computer system, that a current value of one operational parameter of the first plurality of operational parameters is not within the control limits of the first operational guideline; and\nautomatically adjusting, using the computer system, operation of the drilling rig to bring the current value of the one operational parameter back within the control limits of the first operational guideline.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the set of specific hole sections comprises the intermediate hole and the production hole.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein the set of specific hole sections comprises the surface hole, the intermediate hole, and the production hole.",
"4. The method of claim 1,\nwherein the computer system comprises a user interface; and\nwherein the method further comprises displaying, using the user interface, the first plurality of control limits, the current values of the first plurality of operational parameters, and a plurality of operational limits each associated with an operational parameter.",
"5. The method of claim 1,\nwherein the computer system comprises a user interface;\nwherein the method further comprises:\ndisplaying, using the user interface, at least a portion of the first plurality of control limits; and\noverriding at least a portion of the first plurality of control limits via the user interface.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein automatically adjusting the operation of the drilling rig occurs without concurrent external input from an operator or a driller.",
"7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first set of operational guidelines comprises:\ndrawworks guidelines, wherein the drawworks guidelines comprise one or more parameters that measure maximum running speed, an overpull amount, movement of a drill string upward or downward, or a weight of a drill string;\non bottom guidelines, wherein the on bottom guidelines comprise one or more parameters that measure differential pressure downhole, movement of bail extensions on a kelly down, or drilling once a bit is on-bottom;\npump guidelines, wherein the pump guidelines comprise one or more parameters that measure operation of mud pumps, pump pressure, or mud volume; and/or\ndirectional drilling guidelines, wherein the directional drilling guidelines comprise one or more parameters that measure directional drilling targets or directional drilling orientation.",
"8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nidentifying a second set of operational guidelines for a set of processes or events associated with drilling;\nwherein the second set of operational guidelines includes a second plurality of control limits associated with a second plurality of operational parameters of the drilling rig; and\nwherein the set of processes or events comprises at least one of: drilling in a specific geological layer; circulating a kick; tripping out of hole; running casing intermediate; running casing production; and directional drilling;\nreceiving instructions, using the computer system, to activate a second operational guideline, wherein the second operational guideline is of the second set of operational guidelines, and wherein the second operational guideline is for a selected process or event in the set of processes or events;\nactivating, using the computer system, the second operational guideline while the first operational guideline associated with the specific hole section is active;\nmonitoring, using the computer system, current values of the second plurality of operational parameters;\ndetermining, using the computer system, that the current value of one operational parameter of the second plurality of operational parameters is not within the control limits of the second operational guideline; and\nautomatically adjusting, using the computer system, operation of the drilling rig to bring the current value of the one operational parameter of the second plurality of operational parameters back within the control limits of the second operational guideline.",
"9. The method of claim 1,\nwherein an allowable range for at least one operational parameter of the first plurality of operational parameters is based on control limits of the first operational guideline; and\nwherein determining that the current value of the one operational parameter of the first plurality of operational parameters is not within the control limits of the first operational guideline comprises comparing the current value of the one operational parameter of the first plurality of operational parameters to the allowable range.",
"10. A control system adapted to operate a drilling rig comprising:\na computer system configured to monitor operational parameters on the drilling rig and identify a first set of operational guidelines for a set of specific hole sections;\nwherein each hole section in the set of specific hole sections is associated with an operational guideline from the first set of operational guidelines;\nwherein the first set of operational guidelines includes a first plurality of control limits associated with a first plurality of operational parameters of the drilling rig;\nwherein the set of specific hole sections comprises at least one of: a surface hole, an intermediate hole, a production hole, and a ream hole; and\nwherein the control limits for an associated specific hole section do not vary within the associated specific hole section;\na sensor engine in communication with the computer system, the sensor engine being configured to sense current values of the first plurality of operational parameters used in controlling a well drilling operation; and\nan operational equipment engine in communication with the computer system, the operational equipment engine being configured to:\nactivate a first operational guideline, wherein the first operational guideline is of the first set of operational guidelines, and wherein the first operational guideline is associated a hole section from the set of specific hold sections;\ndetermine that a current value of one operational parameter of the first plurality of operational parameters is not within the control limits of the first operational guideline; and\nautomatically adjust operation of the drilling rig to bring the current value of the one operational parameter back within the control limits of the first operational guideline.",
"11. The control system of claim 10, wherein the set of specific hole sections comprises the intermediate hole and the production hole.",
"12. The control system of claim 10, wherein the set of specific hole sections comprises the surface hole, the intermediate hole, and the production hole.",
"13. The control system of claim 10, wherein the operational equipment engine is configured to automatically adjust operation of the drilling rig without concurrent external input from an operator or a driller.",
"14. The control system of claim 10, wherein the control system further comprises an interface engine in communication with the computer system and configured to display the first plurality of control limits, the current values of the first plurality of operational parameters, and a plurality of operational limits, wherein each of the operational parameters of the first plurality of operational parameters is associated with a respective one of the operational limits.",
"15. The control system of claim 10, wherein the first set of operational guidelines comprises:\ndrawworks guidelines, wherein the drawworks guidelines comprise one or more parameters that measure maximum running speed, an overpull amount, movement of a drill string upward or downward, or a weight of a drill string;\non bottom guidelines, wherein the on bottom guidelines comprise one or more parameters that measure differential pressure downhole, movement of bail extensions on a kelly down, or drilling once a bit is on-bottom;\npump guidelines, wherein the pump guidelines comprise one or more parameters that measure operation of mud pumps, pump pressure, or mud volume; and/or\ndirectional drilling guidelines, wherein the directional drilling guidelines comprise one or more parameters that measure directional drilling targets or directional drilling orientation.",
"16. The control system of claim 10,\nwherein the computer system is further configured to identify a second set of operational guidelines for a set of processes or events associated with drilling;\nwherein the second set of operational guidelines includes a second plurality of control limits associated with a second plurality of operational parameters of the drilling rig; and\nwherein the set of processes or events comprises at least one of: drilling in a specific geological layer; circulating a kick; tripping out of hole; running casing intermediate; running casing production; and directional drilling;\nwherein the operational equipment is further configured to:\nactivate a second guideline of the second set of operational guidelines for a selected process or event in the set of processes or events while the first operational guideline associated with the specific hole section is active;\nmonitor current values of the second plurality of operational parameters;\ndetermine that the current value of one operational parameter of the second plurality of operational parameters is not within the control limits of the second operational guideline; and\nautomatically adjust operation of the drilling rig to bring the current value of the one operational parameter of the second plurality of operational parameters back within the control limits of the second operational guideline.",
"17. The control system of claim 10,\nwherein an allowable range for at least one operational parameter of the first plurality of operational parameters is based on the control limits of the first operational guideline; and\nwherein determining that the current value of the one operational parameter of the first plurality of operational parameters is not within the control limits of the first operational guideline comprises comparing the current value of the one operational parameter of the first plurality of operational parameters to the allowable range.",
"18. A non-transitory computer-readable medium configured to extend a borehole with a drilling rig comprising a plurality of computer-readable instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, are adapted to cause the one or more processors to perform a method comprising:\nidentifying a first set of operational guidelines for a set of specific hole sections;\nwherein each hole section in the set of specific hole sections is associated with an operational guideline from the first set of operational guidelines;\nwherein the first set of operational guidelines includes a first plurality of control limits associated with a first plurality of operational parameters of the drilling rig;\nwherein the set of specific hole sections comprises at least one of: a surface hole, an intermediate hole, a production hole, and a ream hole; and\nwherein the control limits for an associated specific hole section do not vary within the associated specific hole section;\nactivating a first operational guideline, wherein the first operational guideline is of the first set of operational guidelines, and wherein the first operational guideline is associated a hole section from the set of specific hold sections;\nmonitoring current values of the first plurality of operational parameters;\ndetermining that a current value of one operational parameter of the first plurality of operational parameters is not within the control limits of the first operational guideline; and\nautomatically adjusting operation of the drilling rig to bring the current value of the one operational parameter back within the control limits of the first operational guideline.",
"19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 18, wherein the method further comprises:\nidentifying a second set of operational guidelines for a set of processes or events associated with drilling;\nwherein the second set of operational guidelines includes a second plurality of control limits associated with a second plurality of operational parameters of the drilling rig; and\nwherein the set of processes or events comprises at least one of: drilling in a specific geological layer; circulating a kick; tripping out of hole; running casing intermediate; running casing production; and directional drilling;\nreceiving instructions to activate a second operational guideline, wherein the second operational guideline is of the second set of operational guidelines, and wherein the second operational guideline is for a selected process or event in the set of processes or events;\nactivating the second operational guideline while the first operational guideline associated with the specific hole section is active;\nmonitoring current values of the second plurality of operational parameters;\ndetermining that the current value of one operational parameter of the second plurality of operational parameters is not within the control limits of the second operational guideline; and\nautomatically adjusting operation of the drilling rig to bring the current value of the one operational parameter of the second plurality of operational parameters back within the control limits of the second operational guideline.",
"20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 18, wherein the set of specific hole sections comprises the intermediate hole and the production hole."
],
[
"1. A real-time silica monitoring system, comprising:\na plurality of off-site stationary sensors positioned at geographic locations off-site from a hydraulic fracturing well site that detect and measure a quantity of airborne silica particles at their respective locations;\na plurality of on-site stationary sensors positioned at geographic locations on the hydraulic fracturing well site that detect and measure a quantity of air-borne silica particles at their respective locations;\na plurality of mobile sensors suitable to be carried by individual persons on-site that detect and measure a quantity of airborne silica particles;\na computer system that aggregates and stores the quantities of airborne silica particles measured by the off-site stationary sensors, the on-site stationary sensors, and the mobile sensors; and\nat least one mobile communication device suitable to be carried by an individual user on-site that receives data representing the quantity of airborne silica particles measured from at least one of the plurality of mobile sensors and transmits the data to the computer system, wherein the mobile communication device receives data from the computer system representing at least one of an on-site and off-site airborne silica level and, based on the received data from at least one of the plurality of mobile sensors or from the computer system, provides a visual indicator representing the individual user's current silica exposure level with respect to a predefined range of exposure levels, and wherein the at least one of the plurality of mobile sensors is suitable to measure the quantity of airborne silica particles at a sampling rate that varies based on a distance the at least one of the plurality of mobile sensors is from the hydraulic fracturing well site, such that the sampling rate decreases the farther the mobile sensor is from the hydraulic fracturing well site.",
"2. The real-time silica monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the mobile communication device displays the received data representing the on-site or off-site airborne silica levels on a contour map.",
"3. The real-time silica monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the mobile communication device receives data from at least one of the plurality of mobile sensors over a wireless communication protocol.",
"4. The real-time silica monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the mobile communication device communicates with the computer system through an Internet communication protocol.",
"5. A method for real-time silica monitoring, comprising:\nproviding a plurality of off-site stationary sensors positioned at geographic locations off-site from a hydraulic fracturing well site that detect and measure a quantity of airborne silica particles at their respective locations;\nproviding a plurality of on-site stationary sensors positioned at geographic locations on the hydraulic fracturing well site that detect and measure a quantity of air-borne silica particles at their respective locations;\nproviding a plurality of mobile sensors suitable to be carried by individual persons on-site that detect and measure a quantity of airborne silica particles;\naggregating and storing the quantities of airborne silica particles measured by the off-site stationary sensors, the on-site stationary sensors, and the mobile sensors;\nproviding at least one mobile communication device suitable to be carried by an individual person on-site, receiving on the mobile communication device data from at least one of the plurality of mobile sensors representing the quantity of airborne silica particles measured, and transmitting the data to a computer system, wherein the at least one of the plurality of mobile sensors measures the quantity of airborne silica particles at a sampling rate that varies based on a distance the at least one of the plurality of mobile sensors is from the hydraulic fracturing well site, such that the sampling rate decreases the farther the mobile sensor is from the hydraulic fracturing well site;\nreceiving on the mobile communication device data from the computer system representing at least one of an on-site and off-site airborne silica level; and\nproviding a visual indicator representing the individual user's current silica exposure level with respect to a predefined range of exposure levels.",
"6. The real-time silica monitoring method according to claim 5, further comprising displaying the received data representing the on-site or off-site airborne silica levels on a contour map.",
"7. The real-time silica monitoring method according to claim 5, further comprising receiving on the mobile communication device data from at least one of the plurality of mobile sensors over a wireless communication protocol.",
"8. The real-time silica monitoring method according to claim 5, further comprising communicating between the at least one mobile communication device and the computer system through an Internet communication protocol.",
"9. A non-transitory computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform a method comprising:\nreceiving from at least one off-site stationary sensor positioned at a geographic location off-site from a hydraulic fracturing well site a measured quantity of airborne silica particles;\nreceiving from at least one on-site stationary sensor positioned at a geographic location on the hydraulic fracturing well site a measured quantity of airborne silica particles;\nreceiving from at least one mobile sensor suitable to be carried by an individual person on-site a measured quantity of airborne silica particles;\naggregating the measured quantities of airborne silica particles received from the at least one off-site stationary sensor, the at least one on-site stationary sensor, and the at least one mobile sensor;\nstoring the measured quantities of airborne silica particles received from the at least one off-site stationary sensor, the at least one on-site stationary sensor, and the at least one mobile sensor;\nreceiving a quantity of airborne silica particles measured by a mobile sensor from at least one mobile communication device, the received quantity of airborne silica particles being measured by at least one of the plurality of mobile sensors that measures the quantity of airborne silica particles at a sampling rate that varies based on a distance the mobile sensor is from the hydraulic fracturing well site, such that the sampling rate decreases the farther the mobile sensor is from the hydraulic fracturing well site;\ntransmitting data representing at least one of an on-site and off-site airborne silica level to the at least one mobile communication device; and\nproviding a visual indicator on the mobile communication device, the visual indicator representing the individual user's current silica exposure level with respect to a predefined range of exposure levels.",
"10. The computer readable medium of claim 9, wherein receiving a measured quantity of airborne silica particles from one or more of the at least one off-site stationary sensor, the at least one on-site stationary sensor, and the at least one mobile sensor further comprises receiving measured quantities of airborne silica particles from a plurality of sensors.",
"11. The computer readable medium of claim 9, further comprising instructions stored thereon that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform a method comprising communicating with the at least one mobile communication device through an Internet communication protocol.",
"12. The computer readable medium of claim 9, further comprising instructions stored thereon that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform a method comprising transmitting data representing an airborne silica exposure level of one or more users to the at least one mobile communication device."
],
[
"1. A method of communicating with a switch unit located on a perforating gun, release device, or explosive device for lowering into a wellbore comprising the steps of:\nsending a command to the switch unit;\nidentifying the status of a switch with a state machine within the switch unit;\nidentifying one or more valid commands for the status of the switch with the state machine;\ndetermining whether the command is valid for the status of the switch with the state machine;\nif the command is invalid, returning a signal comprising an error message from the switch unit at a current level in the range of from about 4 milliamps to about 15 milliamps;\nif the command is valid, controlling the position of the switch; and\nif the command is valid, returning a signal validating switch status from the switch unit at a current level in the range of from about 4 milliamps to about 15 milliamps.",
"2. The method of claim 1 wherein the return signal further comprises the status of the switch.",
"3. The method of claim 1 wherein the return signal further comprises an identifier for the switch unit.",
"4. The method of claim 1 additionally comprising the step of lowering the perforating gun, release device, or explosive device into the wellbore and returning a signal from the switch unit at a current level in the range of from about 10 milliamperes to about 100 milliamperes.",
"5. A method of switching between a safe mode for tractoring and a perforating mode for perforating in a tool string including a tractor and a perforating gun for lowering into a wellbore on a wireline comprising the steps of:\nsending a signal to a control unit on the tractor from the surface;\nidentifying the status of a switch with a state machine within the switch unit;\nidentifying one or more valid commands for the status of the switch with the state machine;\ndetermining whether the command is valid for the status of the switch with the state machine;\nif the command is invalid, returning a signal comprising an error message from the control unit;\nif the command is valid, controlling the position of the switch to connect the wireline to either the tractor motor or a through wire connecting to the perforating gun while blocking negative voltage below a predetermined threshold through the wireline; and\nif the command is valid, returning a signal validating switch status to the surface.",
"6. The method of claim 5 wherein the tool string additionally includes a safety sub between the tractor and the perforating gun and negative voltage is blocked at the output of the safety sub.",
"7. The method of claim 5 wherein the return signal comprises an identifier for the control unit.",
"8. The method of claim 5 wherein the return signal comprises the status of the switch."
],
[
"1. A monitoring system for detecting abnormities in wellsite equipment in a monitoring area, the system comprising:\na dynamic capturing module comprising a video acquisition unit and a dynamic analysis unit, wherein the video acquisition unit acquires a current video signal of the monitoring area, and the dynamic analysis unit compares the current video signal with a previously acquired video signal;\na temperature detection module comprising a temperature acquisition unit and a temperature analysis unit, wherein the temperature acquisition unit comprises a thermal imaging device, the temperature acquisition unit acquires a temperature distribution of the monitoring area, and the temperature analysis unit obtains current temperature information about the monitoring area based on the temperature distribution, wherein the current temperature information comprises a highest temperature, a lowest temperature, or an average temperature in the monitoring area, and a position in the monitoring area corresponding to the highest temperature or the lowest temperature; and\nan information processing module that receives output of the dynamic capturing module and the temperature detection module.",
"2. The monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the dynamic analysis unit calculates a number of changed pixels in the current video signal and determines that there is an abnormal activity when the number of changed pixels in the current video signal is greater than a preset threshold number of pixels.",
"3. The monitoring system of claim 2, wherein the previously acquired video signal is a video signal of the monitoring area with wellsite equipment under normal operations.",
"4. The monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the dynamic capturing module further comprises a video signal repository in which the previously acquired video signal is stored.",
"5. The monitoring system of claim 4, wherein the dynamic analysis unit is configured to compare a pixel in the current video signal with a pixel at a corresponding position in the previously acquired video signal, and determines that there is a changed pixel in the current video signal when a change from the pixel at the corresponding position exceeds a preset threshold of pixel deviation.",
"6. The monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the temperature analysis unit is configured to determine that there is a temperature anomaly in the monitoring area and a corresponding position at which the temperature anomaly occurs when the highest temperature, the lowest temperature, or the average temperature exceeds a preset threshold temperature.",
"7. The monitoring system of claim 6, wherein the preset threshold temperature is determined with reference to a temperature of wellsite equipment under normal operations and a corresponding ambient temperature in the monitoring area.",
"8. The monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the temperature detection module further comprises a temperature information repository in which previously acquired temperature information is stored.",
"9. The monitoring system of claim 8, wherein the temperature analysis unit compares the current temperature information with the previously acquired temperature information stored in the temperature information repository, and determines that there is a temperature anomaly in the monitoring area when a difference in the highest temperature, the lowest temperature, or the average temperature exceeds a preset threshold of temperature deviation.",
"10. The monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the output received by the information processing module comprises information about a position of an abnormal activity and that of a temperature anomaly.",
"11. The monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the monitoring system further comprises an alarm module.",
"12. The monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the monitoring system further comprises a display unit configured to display the current video signal and the temperature distribution.",
"13. A method of monitoring abnormities in wellsite equipment in a monitoring area, the method comprising the following steps:\nacquiring a current video signal of the monitoring area;\ndetermining whether there is an abnormal activity in the monitoring area by comparing the current video signal with a previously acquired video signal;\nacquiring a temperature distribution of the monitoring area by thermal imaging;\nanalyzing the temperature distribution and obtaining current temperature information of the monitoring area, wherein the current temperature information comprises a highest temperature, a lowest temperature, or an average temperature in the monitoring area, and a position in the monitoring area corresponding to the highest temperature or the lowest temperature;\ndetermining whether there is a temperature anomaly in the monitoring area; and\ndetermining a fault type in the monitoring area, wherein the fault type comprises operating temperature abnormity, abnormal vibrations, and pierced pipelines.",
"14. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of determining whether there is an abnormal activity comprises calculating a number of changed pixels in the current video signal, and determining that there is an abnormal activity when a number of changed pixels in the current video signal exceeds a preset threshold number of pixels.",
"15. The method of claim 14, wherein the previously acquired video signal is a video signal of the monitoring area with wellsite equipment under normal operations.",
"16. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of determining whether there is an abnormal activity comprises comparing a pixel in the current video signal with a pixel at a corresponding position in the previously acquired video signal, and determining that there is a changed pixel in the current video signal when a change from the pixel at the corresponding position exceeds a preset threshold of pixel deviation.",
"17. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of determining whether there is a temperature anomaly comprises determining that there is a temperature anomaly in the monitoring area and a corresponding position where the temperature anomaly occurs when the highest temperature, the lowest temperature, or the average temperature exceeds a preset threshold temperature.",
"18. The method of claim 17, wherein the threshold temperature is determined with reference to a temperature of wellsite equipment under normal operations and a corresponding ambient temperature in the monitoring area.",
"19. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of determining whether there is a temperature anomaly comprises comparing the current temperature information with previously acquired temperature information, and determining that there is a temperature anomaly in the monitoring area when a difference in the highest temperature, the lowest temperature, or the average temperature exceeds a preset threshold of temperature deviation.",
"20. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of determining a fault type comprises determining if there is coincidence in position between the abnormal activity and the temperature anomaly."
],
[
"1. A system for mitigating accidents on a drilling rig, the drilling rig comprising a rig floor and a derrick, the system comprising a plurality of cameras, each camera of said plurality of cameras capturing an image of a zone on a rig floor in real time and sending the image to a master control computer system, the master control computer system processing said image of the zone analyzing said image to detect the presence of a rig hand, the master control system having a map of unsafe zones about items on the drilling rig and assessing if the rig hand is within said unsafe zone and based on said assessment allowing or disallowing at least one of said items to operate in or be conveyed into said unsafe zone, wherein the rig floor comprises a plurality of entrance points further comprising at least one camera located with a field of view directed at each entrance point of the plurality of entrance points to obtain images of rig hands passing through said entrance, wherein said image is sent to said master control computer system, whereupon the master control computer system executes an algorithm to assess when a rig hand enters or exits said entrance.",
"2. The system of claim 1, wherein said image is analysed by said master control computer system to identify said items on said rig floor and locates said items on said the map of unsafe zones.",
"3. The system of claim 2, wherein said analysis comprises the step of scanning the mage for item images stored in a memory.",
"4. The system of claim 1, wherein a default unsafe zone is stored in said master control computer system for each of said items.",
"5. The system of claim 1, wherein said master control computer system comprises an algorithm to look for a rig hand feature."
],
[
"1. A fracturing system, comprising an electrical apparatus, an electric-power supply apparatus, and a lightning protection apparatus, wherein:\nthe lightning protection apparatus comprises one or more auxiliary lightning protection apparatuses disposed on at least one of the electrical apparatus and the electric-power supply apparatus; and\neach of the one or more auxiliary lightning protection apparatuses is grounded through a grounding terminal directly connected with at least one of the electrical apparatus and the electric-power supply apparatus.",
"2. The fracturing system according to claim 1, wherein:\nthe lightning protection apparatus comprises a main lightning protection apparatus; and\na height of each of the one or more auxiliary lightning protection apparatuses relative to ground level is lower than a height of the main lightning protection apparatus relative to the ground level.",
"3. The fracturing system according to claim 1, wherein:\nthe lightning protection apparatus further comprises a main lightning protection apparatus provided at a corner of a well site.",
"4. The fracturing system according to claim 1, wherein:\nthe grounding terminal is buried under a ground level and comprises a conductive material coated with an anti-corrosion coating.",
"5. The fracturing system according to claim 1, further comprising a grounding system, wherein:\nthe lightning protection apparatus further comprises a main lightning protection apparatus; and\nthe grounding system comprises a first grounding terminal spaced from each of the electrical apparatus and the electric-power supply apparatus.",
"6. The fracturing system according to claim 5, wherein:\nat least one of the electrical apparatus and the electric-power supply apparatus are connected to the first grounding terminal; and\nthe first grounding terminal is configured to ground at least one of the electrical apparatus and the electric-power supply apparatus.",
"7. The fracturing system according to claim 6, wherein:\nthe grounding system further comprises a fourth grounding terminal, the fourth grounding terminal is connected with the main lightning protection apparatus and configured to ground the main lightning protection apparatus; and\nthe fourth grounding terminal is not connected with the first grounding terminal.",
"8. The fracturing system according to claim 6, wherein:\nthe fracturing system comprises a plurality of electrical apparatuses and a plurality of fuel-driven apparatuses;\nthe grounding system further comprises a first grounding wire and a second grounding wire;\neach of the plurality of electrical apparatuses is connected to the first grounding wire and is connected to the first grounding terminal through the first grounding wire; and\neach of the plurality of fuel-driven apparatuses is connected to the second grounding wire and is connected to the first grounding terminal through the second grounding wire.",
"9. The fracturing system according to claim 6, wherein:\nthe electric-power supply apparatus is connected to the first grounding terminal;\nthe electric-power supply apparatus comprises an electric-power supply device, an electric-power converter device electrically connected with the electric-power supply device, and an electric-power distribution device electrically connected with the electric-power converter device; and\nat least one of the electric-power supply device, the electric-power converter device, and the electric-power distribution device is connected to the first grounding terminal.",
"10. The fracturing system according to claim 9, wherein:\nthe fracturing system comprises a plurality of fuel-driven apparatuses;\nthe grounding system comprises a second grounding wire and a third grounding wire;\neach of the plurality of fuel-driven apparatuses is connected to the second grounding wire and is connected to the first grounding terminal through the second grounding wire; and\nat least one of the electric-power supply device, the electric-power converter device, and the electric-power distribution device is connected to the third grounding wire and is connected to the first grounding terminal through the third grounding wire.",
"11. The fracturing system according to claim 10, wherein:\nthe third grounding wire is configured to surround at least one of the electric-power supply device, the electric-power converter device, and the electric-power distribution device; and\nthe third grounding wire is a closed wire loop.",
"12. The fracturing system according to claim 6, wherein:\nall of the electrical apparatus and the electric-power supply apparatus are connected to the first grounding terminal;\nthe fracturing system comprises a plurality of electrical apparatuses and a plurality of fuel-driven apparatuses;\nthe electric-power supply apparatus comprises an electric-power supply device, an electric-power converter device electrically connected with the electric-power supply device, and an electric-power distribution device electrically connected with the electric-power converter device;\nthe grounding system comprises a first grounding wire, a second grounding wire, and a third grounding wire;\neach of the plurality of electrical apparatuses is connected to the first grounding wire and is connected to the first grounding terminal through the first grounding wire;\neach of the plurality of fuel-driven apparatuses is connected to the second grounding wire and is connected to the first grounding terminal through the second grounding wire; and\nat least one of the electric-power supply device, the electric-power converter device, and the electric-power distribution device is connected to the third grounding wire and is connected to the first grounding terminal through the third grounding wire.",
"13. The fracturing system according to claim 12, wherein:\nthe third grounding wire is configured to surround at least one of the electric-power supply device, the electric-power converter device, and the electric-power distribution device; and\nthe third grounding wire is a closed wire loop.",
"14. The fracturing system according to claim 12, wherein:\nthe plurality of electrical apparatuses are disposed in at least two rows spaced apart from each other in a first direction;\neach of the at least two rows comprises at least two electrical apparatuses provided in a second direction;\nthe first direction and the second direction are perpendicular to each other;\nthe plurality of fuel-driven apparatuses are disposed in at least two rows spaced apart from each other in the first direction;\neach of the at least two rows of the plurality of fuel-driven apparatuses comprises at least two fuel-driven apparatuses provided in the second direction;\nthe first grounding wire is located between the at least two rows of electrical apparatuses in the first direction;\nthe second grounding wire is located between the at least two rows of fuel-driven apparatuses in the first direction; and\nthe first grounding terminal is located between the first grounding wire and the second grounding wire in the second direction.",
"15. The fracturing system according to claim 12, wherein:\nthe first grounding wire, the second grounding wire, and the third grounding wire are provided on a ground level and comprise a flat-shaped structure of conductive material.",
"16. The fracturing system according to claim 5, wherein:\nthe fracturing system further comprises an auxiliary electrical apparatus connected to the first grounding terminal; and\nthe first grounding terminal is further configured to ground the auxiliary electrical apparatus.",
"17. The fracturing system according to claim 1, wherein:\nthe fracturing system further comprises an overhead cable and a grounding system;\nthe overhead cable is connected with the electric-power supply apparatus and configured to provide power to the electric-power supply apparatus;\nthe overhead cable comprises a conductive core and a protective layer wrapping the conductive core;\nthe protective layer comprises a shielding layer;\nthe grounding system further comprises a third grounding terminal; and\nthe third grounding terminal is connected with the shielding layer of the overhead cable and configured to ground the shielding layer of the overhead cable.",
"18. The fracturing system according to claim 1, wherein:\nthe electrical apparatus comprises one or more of a frequency conversion apparatus, an electrical fracturing apparatus, an electrical sand mixing apparatus, an electrical sand transportation apparatus, an electrical meter, an electrical chemical additive apparatus, and an electrical proppant apparatus.",
"19. The fracturing system according to claim 1, wherein:\nthe electric-power supply apparatus comprises an electric-power supply device;\nthe electric-power supply device comprises at least one of a first electric-power supply and a second electric-power supply;\nthe first electric-power supply is configured to provide a first voltage;\nthe second electric-power supply is configured to provide a second voltage;\nthe first voltage and the second voltage are both in an order of kilovolts; and\nthe first voltage is larger than the second voltage.",
"20. The fracturing system according to claim 19, wherein:\nthe electric-power supply apparatus further comprises an electric-power converter device electrically connected to the first electric-power supply;\nthe electric-power supply apparatus further comprises an electric-power distribution device electrically connected to the electric-power converter device and configured to distribute power to the electrical apparatus;\nthe first electric-power supply is configured to transmit the first voltage to the electric-power converter device;\nthe electric-power converter device is configured to compare the first voltage with a preset voltage, adjust the first voltage according to a comparison result, and transmit the adjusted first voltage to the electric-power distribution device;\nthe electric-power distribution device is directly electrically connected to the second electric-power supply; and\nthe electric-power distribution device is further configured to distribute the second voltage provided by the second electric-power supply to the electrical apparatus."
],
[
"1. A system for obtaining a multispectral absorption image of a scene using a structured illumination beam that is scanned in a synchronized fashion with an instantaneous field of view (ifov) of an optical sensor, the system comprising:\n(a) an illumination source aligned and operable to produce the structured illumination beam and direct the structured illumination beam towards a target surface within the scene, thereby illuminating an illumination spot corresponding to a projection of the structured illumination beam onto the target surface, the illumination spot having a length and a width, wherein the length is greater than or equal to the width;\n(b) a beam scanner operable to scan the illumination spot in a beam scan direction that is substantially parallel to the width of the illumination spot;\n(c) an optical sensor comprising one or more spectral detectors, each aligned and operable to detect light having wavelengths within a particular associated spectral band, wherein the optical sensor is aligned and operable to capture light from the scene within a sensor instantaneous field of view (ifov) corresponding to a combined ifov of the one or more spectral detectors and direct the captured light, for detection, onto the one or more spectral detectors, thereby detecting light from a particular sampled image location corresponding to a projection of the sensor ifov onto the target surface;\n(d) an optical sensor scanner aligned and operable to scan the projection of the sensor ifov across the scene, so as to detect light from a plurality of sampled image locations within the scene, wherein the optical sensor scanner is synchronized with the beam scanner so as to maintain overlap between the projection of the sensor ifov and the illumination spot as both are scanned;\n(e) a processor of a computing device; and\n(f) a memory having instructions stored thereon, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:\nretrieve and/or access data corresponding to the detected light from each of the sampled image locations; and\nuse the data to create a multispectral absorption image of the scene,\nwherein the structured beam of illumination comprises short wave infrared (SWIR) light, and the one or more spectral detectors are responsive to SWIR light.",
"2. The system of claim 1, wherein the structured illumination beam is structured spatially to compensate for dilution of projected power with range.",
"3. The system of claim 2, wherein the illumination source comprises a plurality of emitters each of which outputs illumination light, wherein the illumination light output from the plurality of emitters is combined to produce the structured beam of illumination.",
"4. The system of claim 1, wherein the multispectral absorption image comprises a plurality of image pixels, each (i) corresponding to a particular physical location within the scene and (ii) having one or more intensity values each representing a level of absorption within a corresponding particular spectral band and determined using the data corresponding to the detected light from each of the sampled image locations.",
"5. The system of claim 4, wherein for each of at least a portion of the intensity values, the corresponding particular spectral band comprises a plurality of absorption lines of a specific compound of interest.",
"6. The system of claim 5, wherein the particular spectral band is an extended spectral band, spanning approximately 50 nanometers or more.",
"7. The system of claim 4, wherein the optical sensor comprises at least one spectral filter positioned in front of at least a portion of the one or more spectral detectors, wherein the at least one spectral filter is substantially transmissive to light having a wavelength within a specific spectral band of the corresponding particular spectral band(s) and substantially opaque to light having a wavelength outside of the specific spectral band.",
"8. The system of claim 1, wherein the structured beam of illumination comprising SWIR light provides illumination that spans a spectral range of approximately 1000 to 2500 nanometers.",
"9. The system of claim 1, wherein the illumination source produces illumination characteristic of a blackbody radiator at a temperature of approximately 1200° C.",
"10. A method of obtaining a multispectral absorption image of a scene using a structured illumination beam that is scanned in a synchronized fashion with an instantaneous field of view (ifov) of an optical sensor, the method comprising:\n(a) directing the structured illumination beam from an illumination source towards a target surface within the scene, thereby illuminating an illumination spot corresponding to a projection of the structured illumination beam onto the target surface, wherein the illumination spot has a length and a width, wherein the length is greater than or equal to the width;\n(b) scanning the illumination spot in a beam scan direction that is substantially along its width;\n(c) detecting, with one or more spectral detectors of an optical sensor, light from the scene and captured within the ifov of the optical sensor, thereby detecting light from a particular sampled image location corresponding to a projection of the sensor ifov onto the target surface;\n(d) scanning the projection of the sensor ifov across the scene, so as to detect light from a plurality of sampled image locations within the scene, wherein the optical sensor scanner is synchronized with the beam scanner and so as to maintain overlap between the projection of the sensor ifov and the illumination spot as both are scanned;\n(e) retrieving and/or accessing, by a processor of a computing device, data corresponding to the detected light for each of the sampled image locations; and\n(f) creating, by the processor, using the data, a multispectral absorption image of the scene,\nwherein the structured beam of illumination comprises short wave infrared (SWIR) light, and the one or more spectral detectors are responsive to SWIR light.",
"11. The method of claim 10, wherein the structured illumination beam is structured spatially to compensate for dilution of projected power with range.",
"12. The method of claim 11, wherein the illumination source comprises a plurality of emitters each of which outputs illumination light, wherein the illumination light output from the plurality of emitters is combined to produce the structured beam of illumination.",
"13. The method of claim 10, wherein the multispectral absorption image comprises a plurality of image pixels, each (i) corresponding to a particular physical location within the scene and (ii) having one or more intensity values each representing a level of absorption within a corresponding particular spectral band and determined using the data corresponding to the detected light from each of the sampled image locations.",
"14. The method of claim 13, wherein for each of at least a portion of the intensity values, the corresponding particular spectral band comprises a plurality of absorption lines of a specific compound of interest.",
"15. The system of claim 14, wherein the particular spectral band is an extended spectral band, spanning approximately 50 nanometers or more.",
"16. The method of claim 13, wherein the optical sensor comprises at least one spectral filter positioned in front of at least a portion of the one or more spectral detectors, wherein the at least one spectral filter is substantially transmissive to light having a wavelength within a specific spectral band of the corresponding particular spectral band(s) and substantially opaque to light having a wavelength outside of the specific spectral band.",
"17. The system of claim 10, wherein the structured beam of illumination comprising SWIR light provides illumination that spans a spectral range of approximately 1000 to 2500 nanometers.",
"18. The system of claim 10, wherein the illumination source produces illumination characteristic of a blackbody radiator at a temperature of approximately 1200° C.",
"19. A system for obtaining a multispectral absorption image of a scene using a structured illumination beam that is scanned in a synchronized fashion with an instantaneous field of view (ifov) of an optical sensor, the system comprising:\n(a) an illumination source aligned and operable to produce the structured illumination beam and direct the structured illumination beam towards a target surface within the scene, thereby illuminating an illumination spot corresponding to a projection of the structured illumination beam onto the target surface, the illumination spot having a length and a width, wherein the length is greater than or equal to the width, and wherein the structured illumination beam is structured spatially to compensate for dilution of projected power with range;\n(b) a beam scanner operable to scan the illumination spot in a beam scan direction that is substantially parallel to the width of the illumination spot;\n(c) an optical sensor comprising one or more spectral detectors, each aligned and operable to detect light having wavelengths within a particular associated spectral band, wherein the optical sensor is aligned and operable to capture light from the scene within a sensor instantaneous field of view (ifov) corresponding to a combined ifov of the one or more spectral detectors and direct the captured light, for detection, onto the one or more spectral detectors, thereby detecting light from a particular sampled image location corresponding to a projection of the sensor ifov onto the target surface;\n(d) an optical sensor scanner aligned and operable to scan the projection of the sensor ifov across the scene, so as to detect light from a plurality of sampled image locations within the scene, wherein the optical sensor scanner is synchronized with the beam scanner so as to maintain overlap between the projection of the sensor ifov and the illumination spot as both are scanned;\n(e) a processor of a computing device; and\n(f) a memory having instructions stored thereon, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:\nretrieve and/or access data corresponding to the detected light from each of the sampled image locations; and\nuse the data to create a multispectral absorption image of the scene.",
"20. The system of claim 19, wherein the illumination source comprises a plurality of emitters each of which outputs illumination light, wherein the illumination light output from the plurality of emitters is combined to produce the structured beam of illumination.",
"21. The system of claim 19, wherein the structured beam of illumination comprising SWIR light provides illumination that spans a spectral range of approximately 1000 to 2500 nanometers.",
"22. The system of claim 19, wherein the illumination source produces illumination characteristic of a blackbody radiator at a temperature of approximately 1200° C."
],
[
"1. An overpressure protection apparatus for use in well stimulation systems, comprising:\na skid;\na valve mounted on the skid;\nan actuator, wherein the actuator is linked to the valve, wherein the valve and the actuator are configured to fail open;\na pressure sensor;\na controller coupled to the pressure sensor and to the actuator, wherein the controller is programmed to energize the actuator in response to pressure measurements by the pressure sensor;\na collection tank mounted on the skid;\ncladding on the skid or collection tank to increase mass in an amount sufficient to restrain movement of the skid during overpressure events;\na first flowline coupled to the valve and to the collection tank; and\na junction coupled to the valve, wherein the junction is adapted for being further coupled to at least one second flowline.",
"2. The overpressure protection apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first flowline is terminated by a diffuser.",
"3. The overpressure protection apparatus of claim 1, wherein the collection tank includes a degasser or a vent.",
"4. The overpressure protection apparatus of claim 1, wherein the valve is a gate valve, wherein the actuator is a hydraulic actuator.",
"5. The overpressure protection apparatus of claim 1, wherein the junction is further adapted for being coupled to a third flowline.",
"6. The overpressure protection apparatus of claim 1, wherein the valve has a valve bore, wherein the first flowline has a flowline bore, and wherein a diameter of the valve bore is essentially equal to the diameter of the flowline bore, and wherein the first flowline is essentially straight to limit an impingement force on an interior of the first flowline of a jet of high-pressure fluid released in cases of overpressure.",
"7. The overpressure protection apparatus of claim 6, wherein the actuator comprises:\na hydraulic cylinder coupled to a link, the hydraulic cylinder having a port for flowing hydraulic fluid therethrough; and\na spring configured to bias the hydraulic cylinder toward a retracted position,\nwherein the hydraulic cylinder, the port, and the spring are designed to stroke the link by a distance essentially equal to the diameter of the valve bore.",
"8. The overpressure protection apparatus of claim 1, comprising:\na plurality of hydraulic actuators; and\na plurality of fail-open valves,\nwherein each of the plurality of fail-open valves is coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of hydraulic actuators,\nwherein each of the plurality of fail-open valves is coupled to the junction and to the collection tank;\nwherein the controller is coupled to each of the plurality of hydraulic actuators, and\nwherein the controller is programmed to pressurize any of the plurality of hydraulic actuators in response to pressure measurements performed by the pressure sensor.",
"9. The overpressure protection apparatus of claim 8, wherein the controller is programmed to de-pressurize one of the plurality of hydraulic actuators at a time.",
"10. The overpressure protection apparatus of claim 9, wherein the plurality of valves is coupled in series to the junction and to the collection tank.",
"11. A method of using an overpressure protection apparatus, comprising:\nproviding an overpressure protection apparatus including a skid, a valve mounted on the skid and linked to an actuator, wherein the valve and the actuator are configured to fail open, a pressure sensor, a controller coupled to the pressure sensor and to the actuator, wherein the controller is programmed to energize the actuator in response to pressure measurements performed by the pressure sensor, a collection tank mounted on the skid, cladding on the skid or collection tank to increase mass in an amount sufficient to restrain movement of the skid during overpressure events, a first flowline coupled to the valve and to the collection tank, and a junction coupled to the valve, wherein the junction is adapted for being further coupled to at least one second flowline;\nopening a communication between the valve, the pressure sensor, and a treatment flowline containing an abrasive or acid fluid, wherein the treatment flowline is coupled to the at least one second flowline;\ncausing the actuator to shift and the valve to open in response to the controller detecting a pressure measurement higher than a first predetermined threshold;\nventing a pressure of the abrasive or acid fluid through the valve;\ncontaining a jet of the abrasive or acid fluid flowing through the valve into the collection tank; and\ncausing the actuator to shift back and the valve to close in response to the controller detecting a pressure measurement lower than a second predetermined threshold.",
"12. The method of claim 11, further comprising deflecting the jet of the abrasive or acid fluid with a diffuser to limit an impingement force of the jet on the collection tank.",
"13. The method of claim 11, further comprising restraining, during the venting of the pressure of the abrasive or acid fluid through the valve, movement of the first flowline.",
"14. The method of claim 13, wherein the collection tank and the valve are mounted to the skid to restrain the movement of the first flowline.",
"15. The method of claim 11, wherein the first flowline is essentially straight to limit an impingement force of the jet on an interior of the first flowline.",
"16. The method of claim 15, wherein the first flowline includes a first portion located outside the collection tank and a second portion located inside the collection tank, the second portion having a diameter larger than the diameter of the first portion.",
"17. A method of using an overpressure protection apparatus, comprising:\nproviding an overpressure protection apparatus including a skid, a valve mounted on the skid and linked to an actuator, wherein the valve and the actuator are configured to fail open, a pressure sensor, a controller coupled to the pressure sensor and to the actuator, wherein the controller is programmed to energize the actuator in response to pressure measurements performed by the pressure sensor, a collection tank mounted on the skid, cladding on the skid or collection tank to increase mass in an amount sufficient to restrain movement of the skid during overpressure events, a first flowline coupled to the valve and to the collection tank, and a junction coupled to the valve, wherein the junction is adapted for being further coupled to at least one second flowline;\nisolating the valve and the pressure sensor from a treatment flowline containing an abrasive or acid fluid, wherein the treatment flowline is coupled to the at least one second flowline;\nflowing a clean fluid from a source through the valve and past the pressure sensor while the valve and the pressure sensor are isolated from the treatment flowline, wherein the clean fluid is non-acidic and essentially free of proppant;\nincreasing a pressure of the clean fluid while the valve and the pressure sensor are isolated from the treatment flowline and until the controller causes the actuator to shift and the valve to open;\nventing the pressure of the clean fluid while the valve and the pressure sensor are isolated from the treatment flowline and until the controller causes the actuator to shift back and the valve to close;\nisolating the valve and the pressure sensor from the source of clean fluid; and\nopening a communication between the valve, the pressure sensor, and the treatment flowline while the valve and the pressure sensor are isolated from the source of clean fluid.",
"18. The method of claim 17, further comprising filling a portion of the first flowline with the clean fluid, wherein the portion of the first flowline is directly upstream of the valve.",
"19. The method of claim 17, wherein the junction is further coupled to the source of clean fluid.",
"20. The method of claim 17, wherein the clean fluid is water."
],
[
"1. A system for overpressure control, the system comprising:\nat least two valve assemblies, each comprising:\na valve actuation system including a source of actuation fluid, and\na valve housing having a longitudinal bore therethrough, and including an upstream connection, a downstream connection, and a valve positioned therebetween,\nwherein the valve housing is positionable inline on a bypass conduit via the upstream and downstream connections, and downstream from a connection point with a main conduit;\na pressure sensor configured to detect a fluid pressure in the main conduit, the pressure sensor comprising:\ntwo or more pressure transducers, and\na pressure chamber having a diaphragm surrounding a pressure fluid within the pressure chamber,\nwherein the pressure fluid is fluidly connected to the at least one pressure transducer to transfer an external fluid pressure on the diaphragm to the pressure transducer, and wherein the diaphragm comprises a flexible and deformable structure; and\na control system in electronic communication with the pressure sensor and the valve actuation system,\nwherein the control system is configured to receive a signal from the pressure sensor indicating the fluid pressure in the main conduit, and communicate with the valve actuation system to change a position of the valve within the valve housing, such that when the fluid pressure in the main conduit exceeds a user-defined high pressure limit the valve is opened, and when the fluid pressure in the main conduit falls below a user-defined low pressure limit the valve is closed.",
"2. The system of claim 1, further comprising:\na frame configured to contain the at least two valve assemblies, the at least one pressure transducer, and the controller.",
"3. The system of claim 1, wherein the signal from the pressure sensor received by the control system comprises individual signals from the two or more pressure transducers, and wherein the individual signals are received at a rate of at least 50 signals/second.",
"4. The system of claim 1, wherein the pressure chamber is attachable on the main conduit such that the fluid pressure in the main conduit comprises the external fluid pressure on the diaphragm.",
"5. The system of claim 1, wherein the actuation fluid comprises a hydraulic fluid.",
"6. The system of claim 1, wherein the valve actuation system comprises a scotch yoke and is configured to open the valve at a rate sufficient to reduce the fluid pressure in the main conduit by at least 50% within 1 second.",
"7. The system of claim 1, wherein the valve actuation system comprises a biasing member in a valve actuation chamber which biases the valve to an open position, and wherein supply of the valve actuation fluid into the valve actuation chamber provides counterforce on the biasing member to move the valve to a closed position.",
"8. The system of claim 1, wherein the valve comprises a ball valve comprising:\na valve body having a throughbore, wherein an open position of the valve body provides flow-through alignment of the throughbore with the upstream and downstream connections of the valve housing, and a closed position of the valve body provides an out of flow-through alignment of the throughbore with the upstream and downstream connections of the valve housing,\nan upstream seal comprising an outward facing surface positioned perpendicular to the longitudinal bore of the valve housing, wherein a fluid pressure on the outward facing surface forces the upstream seal against a sealing face of the valve body, and\na downstream seal.",
"9. A system for overpressure control, the system comprising:\nat least two valve assemblies positionable on a bypass conduit downstream from a connection point with a main conduit, each of the two valve assemblies comprising:\na valve actuation system including a source of actuation fluid,\na valve housing having a longitudinal bore therethrough, and including an upstream connection and a downstream connection, and\na ball valve positioned in the valve housing between the upstream connection and the downstream connection, the ball valve comprising:\na valve body having a throughbore, wherein an open position of the valve body provides flow-through alignment of the throughbore with the upstream and downstream connections of the valve housing, and a closed position of the valve body provides an out of flow-through alignment of the throughbore with the upstream and downstream connections of the valve housing,\nan upstream seal comprising an outward facing surface positioned perpendicular to the longitudinal bore of the valve housing, wherein a fluid pressure on the outward facing surface forces the upstream seal against a sealing face of the valve body, and\na downstream seal;\na pressure sensor configured to detect a fluid pressure in the main conduit wherein the pressure sensor comprises:\nat least two pressure transducers positioned in a main housing of the system, and\na pressure chamber having a deformable diaphragm surrounding a pressure fluid within the pressure chamber,\nwherein the pressure fluid is fluidly connected to the at least two pressure transducers to transfer an external fluid pressure on the deformable diaphragm to the at least two pressure transducers, and\nwherein the pressure chamber is configured to be positioned on the main conduit line such that the fluid pressure in the main conduit line comprises the external fluid pressure on the diaphragm; and\na control system in electronic communication with the pressure sensor and the valve actuation system,\nwherein the control system is configured to receive a signal from the pressure sensor indicating the fluid pressure in the main conduit, and communicate with the valve actuation system to change a position of the valve within the valve housing, such that when the fluid pressure in the main conduit exceeds a user-defined high pressure limit the valve is opened, and when the fluid pressure in the main conduit falls below a user-defined low pressure limit the valve is closed.",
"10. The system of claim 9, wherein the sealing face of the valve body is a polished metal.",
"11. The system of claim 9, wherein the actuation fluid comprises a hydraulic fluid.",
"12. The system of claim 9, wherein the valve actuation system comprises a scotch yoke.",
"13. The system of claim 9, wherein the valve actuation system is configured to open the valve at a rate sufficient to reduce the fluid pressure in the main conduit by at least 50% within 1 second.",
"14. The system of claim 13, wherein the control system is configured to hold the valve open for a set time period when the fluid pressure in the main conduit exceeds the user-defined high pressure limit, and if, after the set time period, the fluid pressure in the main conduit is at or below the user-defined low pressure limit, the controller is configured to close the valve.",
"15. A method for overpressure control in a fluid line, the method comprising:\nproviding an overpressure relief system comprising:\nat least two valve assemblies, each comprising:\na valve actuation system including a source of actuation fluid, and\na valve housing having a longitudinal bore therethrough, the valve housing comprising an upstream connection, a downstream connection, and a valve positioned therebetween;\nat least one pressure sensor comprising:\nat least two pressure transducers, and\na pressure chamber having a diaphragm surrounding a pressure fluid within the pressure chamber, wherein the pressure fluid is fluidly connected to the at least two pressure transducers to transfer an external fluid pressure on the diaphragm to the pressure transducer, and wherein the diaphragm comprises a flexible and deformable structure; and\na control system in communication with the pressure sensor and the source of actuation fluid;\nattaching a first end of a first bypass conduit to the upstream connection of the valve housing of a first valve assembly, and a second end of the first bypass conduit to the fluid line;\nattaching a first end of a second bypass conduit to the downstream connection of the valve housing of the first valve assembly;\nattaching the pressure chamber of a first pressure sensor on the fluid line such that an outward facing side of the diaphragm is in contact with a fluid in the fluid line; and\nsetting a high pressure limit and a low pressure limit for the first valve assembly using a user interface on the control system,\nwherein the control system is configured to receive a signal from the at least one pressure sensor indicating a fluid pressure in the fluid line, and communicate with the valve actuation system of the first valve assembly to change a position of the valve, such that when the fluid pressure in the fluid line exceeds the high pressure limit the valve is opened, and when the fluid pressure in the fluid line falls below the low pressure limit the valve is closed.",
"16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:\nattaching a first end of a third bypass conduit to the upstream connection of the valve housing of a second valve assembly;\nattaching a first end of a forth bypass conduit to the downstream connection of the valve housing of the second valve assembly; and\nsetting a high pressure limit and a low pressure limit for the second valve assembly using the user interface on the control system,\nwherein the control system is configured to communicate with the valve actuation system of the second valve assembly to change a position of the valve.",
"17. The method of claim 16, wherein the first, second, third, and forth bypass conduits are all portions of a single bypass line having a connection to the fluid line.",
"18. The method of claim 16, wherein the first and second bypass conduits are portions of a first bypass line having a connection to the fluid line, and the third and forth bypass conduits are portions of a second bypass line having a connection to a second fluid line, wherein the method further comprises:\nattaching the pressure chamber of a second pressure sensor on the second fluid line such that an outward facing side of the diaphragm is in contact with a fluid in the second fluid line,\nwherein the control system is configured to receive a signal from the second pressure sensor indicating a fluid pressure in the second fluid line, and communicate with the valve actuation system of the second valve assembly to change a position of the valve, such that when the fluid pressure in the fluid line exceeds the high pressure limit the valve is opened, and when the fluid pressure in the fluid line falls below the low pressure limit the valve is closed."
],
[
"1. A control system for controlling fluid flow through a flow line at a wellsite, the control system comprising:\na fluid supply;\na first fluid line in fluid communication with the fluid supply;\na pump in fluid communication with the first fluid line and configured to pump fluid from the fluid supply to one or more wellheads through the first fluid line;\na second fluid line in fluid communication with the first fluid line at a location downstream of the pump and configured to return fluid from the first fluid line to the fluid supply or another reservoir;\na safety valve in-line with the second fluid line and having a gate normally maintained in a closed position to close fluid flow through the second fluid line;\na valve actuator configured to move the gate into the closed position by fluid supplied into the valve actuator and configured to move the gate into an open position by a biasing member disposed in the valve actuator;\nan electronic controller assembly programmed with a predetermined condition and configured to receive a signal from a transducer connected to the first fluid line, wherein the signal corresponds to a measured physical property;\na valve assembly in communication with the controller assembly; and\na fluid drive assembly in communication with the controller assembly, wherein the controller assembly is operable to actuate the fluid drive assembly to supply fluid into the valve actuator to move the gate into the closed position, and wherein the controller assembly is operable to actuate the valve assembly in response to a comparison of the measured physical property to the predetermined condition to release the fluid from the valve actuator so that the biasing member moves the gate into the open position, forces the fluid out of the valve actuator, and thereby opens fluid flow through the second fluid line to return fluid in the first fluid line back to the fluid supply or another reservoir.",
"2. A control system for controlling fluid flow through a flow line at a wellsite, the control system comprising:\na fluid supply;\na first fluid line in fluid communication with the fluid supply;\na pump in fluid communication with the first fluid line and configured to pump fluid from the fluid supply to one or more wellheads through the first fluid line;\na second fluid line in fluid communication with the first fluid line at a location downstream of the pump and configured to relieve fluid from the first fluid line;\na safety valve in-line with the second fluid line and normally maintained in a closed position to close fluid flow through the second fluid line;\na valve actuator configured to move the safety valve into the closed position by fluid supplied to the valve actuator and configured to move the safety valve into an open position by a biasing member disposed in the valve actuator;\nan electronic controller assembly programmed with a predetermined condition and configured to receive a signal from a transducer connected to the first fluid line, wherein the signal corresponds to a measured physical property;\na valve assembly in communication with the controller assembly; and\na fluid drive assembly in communication with the controller assembly, wherein the controller assembly is operable to actuate the fluid drive assembly to supply fluid to the valve actuator to move the safety valve into the closed position, and wherein the controller assembly is operable to actuate the valve assembly in response to a comparison of the measured physical property to the predetermined condition to release fluid from the valve actuator so that the biasing member moves the safety valve into the open position, forces fluid out of the valve actuator, and thereby opens fluid flow through the second fluid line to relieve fluid from the first fluid line.",
"3. The system of claim 2, further comprising a housing for supporting the controller assembly, the valve assembly, and the fluid drive assembly.",
"4. The system of claim 3, wherein the fluid supplied into the valve actuator by the fluid drive assembly is supplied from a reservoir disposed outside of the housing.",
"5. The system of claim 2, wherein the fluid drive assembly is a compressor and the fluid is a pneumatic fluid.",
"6. The system of claim 2, wherein the fluid drive assembly is a pump and the fluid supplied into the valve actuator by the fluid drive assembly is a hydraulic fluid.",
"7. The system of claim 2, further comprising a power source for supplying power to the controller assembly, the valve assembly, and the fluid drive assembly.",
"8. The system of claim 2, further comprising a housing for supporting the fluid drive assembly, and a filter attached to the housing for filtering fluid entering the housing by the fluid drive assembly.",
"9. The system of claim 2, wherein the fluid supplied into the valve actuator by the fluid drive assembly is ambient air.",
"10. The system of claim 2, wherein the controller assembly is operable to communicate a signal corresponding to the measured physical property to a remote computer system.",
"11. The system of claim 2, wherein the controller assembly is a programmable logic controller.",
"12. The system of claim 2, wherein the measured physical property is pressure in the first fluid line.",
"13. A method for controlling fluid flow through a flow line at a wellsite, the method comprising:\nproviding a control system comprising:\na fluid supply;\na first fluid line in fluid communication with the fluid supply;\na pump in fluid communication with the first fluid line and configured to pump fluid from the fluid supply to one or more wellheads through the first fluid line;\na second fluid line in fluid communication with the first fluid line at a location downstream of the pump and configured to relieve fluid from the first fluid line;\na safety valve in-line with the second fluid line,\na valve actuator configured to actuate the safety valve,\nan electronic controller assembly,\na fluid drive assembly, and\na valve assembly;\nsupplying fluid to the valve actuator using the fluid drive assembly to actuate the valve actuator to move the safety valve into a closed position;\nmaintaining the safety valve in the closed position to close fluid flow through the second fluid line;\nmonitoring a physical property in the first fluid line using the controller assembly; and\nactuating the valve assembly using the controller assembly to release fluid from the valve actuator so that a biasing member disposed in the valve actuator moves the safety valve into an open position, forces fluid out of the valve actuator, and thereby opens fluid flow through the second fluid line based upon a comparison of the monitored physical property to a predetermined condition to relieve fluid from the first fluid line.",
"14. The method of claim 13, wherein the fluid supplied to the valve actuator by the fluid drive assembly is a pneumatic fluid disposed external to the housing, and further comprising filtering the pneumatic fluid as it enters the housing by the fluid drive assembly.",
"15. The method of claim 13, wherein the fluid supplied to the valve actuator by the fluid drive assembly is a hydraulic fluid disposed in a reservoir within the housing that is in fluid communication with the fluid drive assembly.",
"16. The method of claim 13, further comprising measuring the physical property using a transducer configured to communicate a signal corresponding to the measured physical property to the controller assembly.",
"17. The method of claim 13, wherein the fluid supplied to the valve actuator by the fluid drive assembly is a pneumatic fluid, and wherein the fluid drive assembly is a compressor.",
"18. The method of claim 13, wherein the fluid supplied to the valve actuator by the fluid drive assembly is a hydraulic fluid, and wherein the fluid drive assembly is a pump.",
"19. The method of claim 13, further comprising communicating a signal from the controller assembly to a remote computer system, wherein the signal corresponds to an operational characteristic of the safety valve.",
"20. The method of claim 13, further comprising actuating the safety valve by communicating a signal from a remote computer system to the controller assembly.",
"21. The method of claim 13, wherein the measured physical property is pressure in the first fluid line."
],
[
"1. A computer vision system for drilling operations, the system comprising:\na processor;\na memory coupled to the processor, wherein the memory comprises instructions executable by the processor for:\n(a) receiving a plurality of images from a plurality of cameras located on or proximal a drilling rig adapted for drilling a borehole, wherein the cameras define a drilling rig area within a field of vision of the cameras;\n(b) receiving information associated with the location and orientation of each of the plurality of cameras;\n(c) determining, responsive to the information associated with the location and orientation of each of the plurality of cameras, a person's location within the drilling rig area;\n(d) generating a map of the person's location relative to one or more components of the drilling rig;\n(e) displaying the map of the person's location relative to the one or more components of the drilling rig;\n(f) determining whether the person is in an unsafe location;\n(g) responsive to determining whether the person is in an unsafe location, determining an appropriate corrective action; and\n(h) implementing the corrective action.",
"2. The computer vision system of claim 1 wherein the instructions further comprise instructions for tracking movement of the person within the drilling rig area.",
"3. The computer vision system of claim 2 wherein the instructions further comprise instructions for tracking movement of the one or more components of the drilling rig.",
"4. The computer vision system of claim 3 wherein the instructions further comprise instructions for receiving information associated with one or more drilling operations of the drilling rig.",
"5. The computer vision system of claim 4 wherein the instructions further comprise instructions for determining, responsive to the tracking of movement of the person, tracking the movement of the one or more components, and the information associated with the one or more drilling operations, whether the one or more components may collide with the person.",
"6. The computer vision system of claim 5 wherein the instructions for determining an appropriate corrective action further comprise instructions for determining, responsive to information regarding the one or more drilling operations, whether to increase, decrease, or cease the one or more drilling operations to avoid a collision between the person and the one or more components.",
"7. The computer vision system of claim 6 wherein the instructions further comprise instructions for tracking movement of a plurality of persons in the drilling rig area, tracking movement of a plurality of components of the drilling rig, and wherein the instructions for displaying a map further comprise instructions for displaying a map of the plurality of persons and the plurality of components and the movement of each of the plurality of persons and the plurality of components.",
"8. The computer vision system of claim 5 wherein the instructions further comprise instructions for projecting the movement of the person responsive to the tracking of the movement of the person, projecting the movement of the one or more components responsive to the tracking of the one or more components, and determining whether the projected movement of the person and the projected movement of the one or more components will result in the person and the one or more components occupying the same space.",
"9. The computer vision system of claim 8 wherein the instructions further comprise instructions for determining a confidence value associated with the determination that the person and the one or more components will occupy the same space, wherein the confidence value is responsive to at least one of consistency between time elements, accuracy, resolution, and whether the one or more components match with a database of patterns.",
"10. The computer vision system of claim 1 wherein the instructions further comprise instructions for repeating steps (a)-(h) a plurality of times during the drilling of a well.",
"11. The computer vision system of claim 1 wherein the instructions for generating and displaying a map further comprise instructions for generating and displaying a spatial map, and, if the person is determined to be in an unsafe location, changing the display to provide a visual alert, wherein the visual alert comprises at least one of changing the color of the person on the display, changing the size of the person on the display, changing the size of the location of the person on the display, providing a flashing light on the display, providing a flashing representation of the person on the display, and adding a warning message on the display.",
"12. The computer vision system of claim 1 wherein the corrective action comprises one or more of an audible alert in the drilling rig area, a visual alert in the drilling rig area, an electronic message sent to the person, a change in the display of the map, an increase in the speed of the one or more drilling operations, a decrease in the speed of the one or more drilling operations, and a cessation of the one or more drilling operations.",
"13. The computer vision system of claim 1 wherein the instructions for displaying the map further comprise instructions for at least one of changing the display in response to a user input, changing the display to provide a visual alert of an unsafe condition, changing the display to provide a visual alert of the resolution of an unsafe condition.",
"14. A computer vision system for a drilling rig, the computer vision system comprising:\na processor adapted to receive image information from one or more cameras, wherein each of the one or more cameras is trained on one or more locations of a drilling rig or near the drilling rig to define a drilling rig area and is adapted to provide image information associated with the drilling rig area during drilling operations;\na memory coupled to the processor, wherein the memory comprises instructions executable by the processor to (a) receive state information associated with the drilling rig, (b) store the state information to a frame-synced database, (c) monitor the frame-synced database during drilling of a well by the drilling rig, (d) determine, from monitoring the frame-synced database during drilling, whether an anomalous condition exists, (e) responsive to the determination of an anomalous condition, determine an indicated corrective action, and (f) generate one or more control signals to implement the indicated corrective action.",
"15. The computer vision system of claim 14, wherein the anomalous condition comprises at least one of detecting a first person in a location in the drilling rig area that is not an authorized location for the first person, a likely collision between a second person and a first piece of equipment in the drilling rig area, a likely collision between a second piece of equipment and a third piece of equipment in the drilling rig area, a speed of movement of a fourth piece of equipment in the drilling rig area that falls below a threshold therefor, exceeds a threshold therefor, or falls outside a target range therefor.",
"16. The computer vision system of claim 14, wherein the instructions further comprise instructions executable by the processor to (g) receive weather information, (h) detect a person's location within the drilling rig area, (i) track the person's location within the drilling rig area, (j) determine, responsive to the weather information and the tracking of the person's location within the drilling rig area for a predetermined time period, if the person is likely to suffer a medical condition.",
"17. The computer vision system of claim 16, wherein the medical condition comprises at least one of heat exhaustion, heat stroke, frostbite, hypothermia, fatigue, over-exertion, loss of a limb, limping, a prone position, a fetal position, bleeding, vomiting, and a hunched position.",
"18. The computer vision system of claim 14, wherein the instructions further comprise instructions executable by the processor to (g) repeat steps (a)-(f) a plurality of times during drilling of a well by the drilling rig.",
"19. The computer vision system of claim 15, wherein the instructions further comprise instructions executable by the processor to (g) receive historical information associated with one or more anomalous conditions occurring during drilling of a previous well or a previously drilled portion of the well being drilled by the drilling rig, and wherein the state information comprises information regarding one or more drilling parameters, wherein the one or more drilling parameters comprise at least one of rate of penetration, weight on bit, torque, mud flow rate, and top drive rotation speed, pipe movement, and pipe vibration.",
"20. The computer vision system of claim 14, wherein the corrective action comprises at least one of an audible alert in the drilling rig area, a visual alert in the drilling rig area, an electronic message sent to the person, a change in the display of the map, an increase in the speed of the one or more drilling operations, a decrease in the speed of the one or more drilling operations, and a cessation of the one or more drilling operations.",
"21. A method for providing a three dimensional view of a drilling rig at a remote location during drilling operations, the method comprising the steps of:\nproviding a plurality of cameras at a plurality of locations on or proximal a drilling rig, wherein the cameras provide a field of view of a drilling rig area which comprises the drilling rig;\nobtaining a plurality of images from the plurality of cameras during drilling of a well borehole by the drilling rig;\ntransmitting the plurality of images to a location physically remote from the drilling rig area;\nprocessing the plurality of images to generate a three-dimensional model image of the drilling rig during drilling of the borehole; and\nproviding the three-dimensional model image to a virtual reality viewing device at the location physically remote from the drilling rig area, thereby allowing an operator at the location physically remote from the drilling rig area to view the three-dimensional model of the drilling rig during drilling of the borehole."
]
] |
the following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 u.s.c. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this office action:
a person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
claims 1-3, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13 and 14 are rejected under 35 u.s.c. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by edwards et al., u.s. 8,121,971.
regarding claim 1, edwards et al. discloses an emergency shutdown (col. 33, lines 30-46; formulations of the interference engine 24 includes determining minimum and maximum limits of a drilling well w) control system (ada _f; col. 8, lines 34-47), comprising: a deactivation control (col. 12, lines 3-12; the software agent provides recommendations for deactivation based on calibrations); a control center controller (iie; col. 15, lines 12-23) coupled to the deactivation control (software agent; col. 8, lines 15-33) and storing an association between said deactivation control and a selected set of surface mine sites; a plurality of autonomous mining drill rigs (w1-w7), each drill rig having a drill shutdown module (agents t1-t7; col. 19, lines 35-42) adapted to disable a function of the respective drill rig upon receipt of a deactivation command; and a mine site controller (human machine interface, hmi; col. 12, lines 3-16) associated with each mine site (at w1-w7) in said selected set of surface mine sites, each said mine site controller being coupled to all autonomous drill rigs (w1-w7) located at the respective mine site with which the mine site controller is associated; wherein activating said deactivation control (the software agent recommendations) transmits a deactivation command from said deactivation control to said control center controller (iie) and said control center controller forwards the deactivation command toa mine site controller (hmi) associated with each mine site in said set of surface mine sites for distribution to all of the autonomous drill rigs at that mine site.
as to claim 2, edwards et al. discloses a drill control station (tdisp; col. 12, lines 2-34) coupled to said deactivation control (software agent), wherein said drill control station provides a user interface (display) for selecting drill rigs to be controlled by said drill control stations, wherein drill rigs available for selection are restricted to drill rigs located at said selected set of surface mine sites (w1-w7).
as to claim 3, edwards et al. discloses the deactivation control includes a display region (tdisp) by which to associate the deactivation control with one or more mine sites.
as to claim 7, edwards et al. discloses the deactivation control (software agent) is a region on a display (tdisp) of a computing device (iie) adapted to receive a user input (hmi), said user input being selected from the group consisting of: mouse button click, keyboard input, and touch screen gesture (col. 12, lines 19-34).
regarding claim 8, edwards et al. discloses a method for controlling a set of autonomous mining drill rigs (col. 7, lines 20-30), each autonomous drill rig (w1-w7) having a drill shutdown module (24; col. 33, lines 30-46; formulations of the interference engine 24 includes determining minimum and maximum limits of a drilling well w) adapted (software agent; col. 8, lines 15-33) to disable a function of the respective drill rig upon receipt of a deactivation command (recommendations to the driller to carry out), the method comprising the steps of: selecting a set of surface mine sites (w1-w7) to be associated with a deactivation control (col. 12, lines 3-12; the software agent provides recommendations for deactivation based on calibrations); storing said association between said deactivation control and said set of surface mine sites at a control center controller (iie); restricting selection of drill rigs by a drill control station (tdisp; col. 12, lines 2-34) coupled to said deactivation control to drill rigs located at said set of surface mine sites; sending a deactivation control (the recommendations) to said control center controller, upon activation of said deactivation control; and the control center controller transmitting the deactivation command (via hmi) to all drill rigs located at all mine sites (w1-w7) in said set of surface mine sites, wherein the drill shutdown module (24) on each drill rig disables a function (via the driller) of said respective drill rig on receipt of said deactivation command.
as to claim 9, edwards et al. discloses the control center controller (iie) transmits the deactivation command via a mine site controller (human machine interface, hmi; col. 12, lines 3-16) associated with each mine site in said set of surface mine sites, each said mine site controller being coupled to each drill rig (fig 2, w1-w7) at each mine site with which the mine site controller is associated.
as to claim 10, edwards et al. discloses the deactivation control (col. 12, lines 3-12; the software agent provides recommendations for deactivation based on calibrations) includes a display (tdisp) region by which to select said set of surface mine sites.
regarding claim 13, edwards discloses a plurality of autonomous mining drill rigs (w1-w7), each drill rig including: a wireless receiver (col. 14, line 63 —col. 15, line 11) for coupling the respective drill to a wireless communications network for receiving control signals, and a drill shutdown module (24) for effecting shutoff of power to said drill rig; a remote control center coupled to said wireless communications network, said remote control center including: an interface (tdisp) for selecting a set of said plurality of autonomous mining drill rigs to be controlled by a drill controller, and a deactivation control (col. 12, lines 3-12; the software agent provides recommendations for deactivation based on calibrations) adapted to send, when activated, a shutdown command to each drill rig in said selected set of autonomous mining drill rigs; wherein when each drill rig in said selected set of autonomous mining drill rigs receives said shutdown command (the recommendations to the driller), said drill shutdown module (the driller) shuts off power to said drill rig.
regarding claim 14, edwards et al. discloses a method for effecting a shutdown of a set of autonomous mining drill rigs, comprising the steps of: allocating the set of autonomous mining drill rigs toa deactivation control (col. 12, lines 3-12; the software agent provides recommendations for deactivation based on calibrations) associated with a drill control station (tdisp; col. 12, lines 2-34), the drill control station being coupled to each of said autonomous mining drill rigs (w1-w&) via a communications network (fig 6), wherein each autonomous drill rig includes a drill shutdown module (24) adapted to shut off power to the respective drill rig, wherein activating said deactivation control sends a shutdown signal (via hmi) from said drill control station, via said communications network (fig 6), to the drill shutdown module on each autonomous drill rig in said set of autonomous mining drill rigs, and further wherein each drill shutdown module (agents t1-t7; col. 19, lines 35-42) shuts down power (via the driller) to the respective drill rig, on receipt of the shutdown signal.
|
[
"1. A sending device comprising:\na memory configured to store a local pacing timer that is a first operation type timer;\na communications interface coupled to the memory; and\na controller coupled to the memory and the communications interface and configured to cause the sending device to:\ngenerate a first message comprising a first indication of a first operation type, wherein the first operation type indicates a preparatory action to be performed by a receiving device;\ntransmit the first message to the receiving device over the communications interface;\ngenerate a second message comprising a second indication of a second operation type;\ndetermine whether the second operation type is associated with the first operation type;\ndetermine, when the second operation type is associated with the first operation type, whether the local pacing timer has exceeded a timer duration since transmitting the first message; and\ntransmit, when the local pacing timer has exceeded the timer duration since transmitting the first message, the second message to the receiving device over the communications interface.",
"2. The sending device of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to cause the sending device to:\ndetermine that the second operation type is not associated with the first operation type; and\ntransmit, when the second operation type is not associated with the first operation type, the second message to the receiving device over the communications interface regardless of whether the local pacing timer has exceeded the timer duration since transmitting the first message or not.",
"3. The sending device of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to cause the sending device to:\ngenerate a third message comprising a third indication of a third operation type that is associated with the first operation type;\ndetermine whether the local pacing timer has exceeded the timer duration since transmitting the second message; and\ntransmit, in response to determining that the local pacing timer has exceeded the timer duration since transmitting the second message, the third message to the receiving device over the communications interface.",
"4. The sending device of claim 3, wherein the third operation type is the same as the second operation type.",
"5. The sending device of claim 1, wherein the first operation type is the same as the second operation type.",
"6. The sending device of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to cause the sending device to:\nreceive an acknowledgement message from the receiving device; and\ntransmit, in response to receiving the acknowledgement message, the second message to the receiving device over the communications interface regardless whether the local pacing timer has exceeded the timer duration.",
"7. The sending device of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to cause the sending device to adapt the timer duration.",
"8. The sending device of claim 7, wherein the controller is further configured to cause the sending device to further adapt the timer duration based on one or more of:\na number of active connections established over the communications interface;\ninformation regarding an operating status of the receiving device;\na number of negative confirmation (NAK) messages received; or\na received indication from the receiving device.",
"9. The sending device of claim 1, wherein the timer duration comprises:\na first timer duration that is associated with one operation type; and\na second timer duration that is associated with another operation type.",
"10. The sending device of claim 1, wherein the first operation type is associated with a memory area, and wherein the second operation type is associated with the memory area.",
"11. The sending device of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to cause the sending device to:\ndetermine that a traffic congestion timer has exceeded a congestion timer duration since transmitting the first message; and\nfurther transmit, in response to determining that the traffic congestion timer has exceeded the congestion timer duration, the second message to the receiving device over the communications interface.",
"12. The sending device of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to cause the sending device to:\ndetermine that the local pacing timer has exceeded a congestion timer duration since transmitting the first message; and\nfurther transmit, in response to determining that the local pacing timer has exceeded the congestion timer duration since transmitting the first message, the second message to the receiving device over the communications interface.",
"13. The sending device of claim 1, wherein the sending device is a requesting device in a remote direct memory access (RDMA) system.",
"14. The sending device of claim 13, wherein the second operation type indicates an operation for which the preparatory action is performed.",
"15. The sending device of claim 1, wherein the sending device is a responding device in a remote direct memory access (RDMA) system.",
"16. The sending device of claim 15, wherein the first operation type indicates a read operation, wherein the first message indicates a read result, wherein the second operation type indicates the read operation, and wherein the second message indicates a subsequent read result.",
"17. A method implemented by a sending device, wherein the method comprises:\ngenerating a first message comprising a first indication of a first operation type, wherein the first operation type indicates a preparatory action to be performed by a receiving device;\ntransmitting the first message to the receiving device over a communications interface;\ngenerating a second message comprising a second indication of a second operation type;\ndetermining whether the second operation type is associated with the first operation type;\ndetermining, when the second operation type is associated with the first operation type, whether a local pacing timer has exceeded a timer duration since transmitting the first message, wherein the local pacing timer is a first operation type timer; and\ntransmitting, when the local pacing timer has exceeded the timer duration since transmitting the first message, the second message to the receiving device over the communications interface.",
"18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:\ndetermining whether the second operation type is not associated with the first operation type; and\ntransmitting, when the second operation type is not associated with the first operation type, the second message to the receiving device over the communications interface regardless of whether the local pacing timer has exceeded the timer duration since transmitting the first message or not.",
"19. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer instructions that, when executed by a controller of a sending device, cause the sending device to:\ngenerate a first message comprising a first indication of a first operation type, wherein the first operation type indicates a preparatory action to be performed by a receiving device;\ntransmit the first message to the receiving device over a communications interface;\ngenerate a second message comprising a second indication of a second operation type;\ndetermine whether the second operation type is associated with the first operation type;\ndetermine, when the second operation type is associated with the first operation type, whether a local pacing timer has exceeded a timer duration since transmitting the first message, wherein the local pacing timer is a first operation type timer; and\ntransmit, when the local pacing timer has exceeded the timer duration since transmitting the first message, the second message to the receiving device over the communications interface.",
"20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 19, wherein the computer instructions, when executed by the controller, further cause the sending device to:\ndetermine whether the second operation type is not associated with the first operation type; and\ntransmit, when the second operation type is not associated with the first operation type, the second message to the receiving device over the communications interface regardless of whether the local pacing timer has exceeded the timer duration since transmitting the first message or not."
] |
US12105654B2
|
US8589603B2
|
[
"1. A computer program product for facilitating processing in a computing environment, the computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer readable storage medium readable by a processing circuit and storing instructions for execution by the processing circuit for performing a method, the method comprising:\nreceiving at a receiving adapter of the computing environment from a sending adapter of the computing environment a write operation to be performed by the receiving adapter;\nperforming the write operation by the receiving adapter to write data to memory of the computing environment;\ndetermining by the receiving adapter whether the write operation has completed, wherein the determining comprises performing by the receiving adapter a read operation to confirm the write operation has completed in that the data has been written to the memory, the read operation initiated locally by the receiving adapter and reading only a portion of the data that has been written by the write operation to determine the write operation has completed, and wherein the read operation is absent a comparing of the written data and the read data; and\nbased on determining via the read operation that the write operation has completed, sending an acknowledgment to the sending adapter.",
"2. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein acknowledgment of the write operation is delayed until after the read operation confirms completion of the write operation.",
"3. The computer program product of claim 2, wherein acknowledgment of the write operation prior to the read operation confirming completion of the write operation is avoided.",
"4. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the memory is coupled to the receiving adapter via an interconnect that facilitates the write operation, the interconnect having a configuration in which indication of completion of the write operation to the sending adapter is absent.",
"5. The computer program product of claim 4, wherein the interconnect is a peripheral component interconnect (PCI).",
"6. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the read operation reads one or more locations in memory written to by the write operation, and wherein the write operation is performed via an interconnect coupling the receiving adapter and the memory, the interconnect having a configuration with ordering rules, the ordering rules indicating that the read will not complete successfully until after the data is written to the memory by the write operation.",
"7. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises checking by the receiving adapter whether the sending of the acknowledgment is to be delayed, and performing the determining based on the checking indicating that the sending of the acknowledgment is to be delayed.",
"8. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises generating based on the acknowledgment a completion queue element used to indicate completion of the write operation.",
"9. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the read operation is transparent to the sending adapter.",
"10. A computer system for facilitating processing in a computing environment, the computer system comprising:\na receiving adapter configured to perform a method, said method comprising:\nreceiving at the receiving adapter from a sending adapter a write operation to be performed by the receiving adapter;\nperforming the write operation by the receiving adapter to write data to memory of the computing environment;\ndetermining by the receiving adapter whether the write operation has completed, wherein the determining comprises performing by the receiving adapter a read operation to confirm the write operation has completed in that the data has been written to the memory, the read operation initiated locally by the receiving adapter and reading only a portion of the data that has been written by the write operation to determine the write operation has completed, and wherein the read operation is absent a comparing of the written data and the read data; and\nbased on determining via the read operation that the write operation has completed, sending an acknowledgment to the sending adapter.",
"11. The system of claim 10, wherein acknowledgment of the write operation is delayed until after the read operation confirms completion of the write operation.",
"12. The system of claim 11, wherein acknowledgment of the write operation prior to the read operation confirming completion of the write operation is avoided.",
"13. The system of claim 10, wherein the memory is coupled to the receiving adapter via an interconnect that facilitates the write operation, the interconnect having a configuration in which indication of completion of the write operation to the sending adapter is absent.",
"14. The system of claim 10, wherein the read operation reads one or more locations in memory written to by the write operation, and wherein the write operation is performed via an interconnect coupling the receiving adapter and the memory, the interconnect having a configuration with ordering rules, the ordering rules indicating that the read will not complete successfully until after the data is written to the memory by the operation.",
"15. The system of claim 10, wherein the method further comprises checking by the receiving adapter whether the sending of the acknowledgment is to be delayed, and performing the determining based on the checking indicating that the sending of the acknowledgment is to be delayed.",
"16. A method of facilitating processing in a computing environment, said method comprising:\nreceiving at a receiving adapter of the computing environment from a sending adapter of the computing environment a write operation to be performed by the receiving adapter;\nperforming the write operation by the receiving adapter to write data to memory of the computing environment;\ndetermining by the receiving adapter whether the write operation has completed, wherein the determining comprises performing by the receiving adapter a read operation to confirm the write operation has completed in that the data has been written to the memory, the read operation initiated locally by the receiving adapter and reading only a portion of the data that has been written by the write operation to determine the write operation has completed, and wherein the read operation is absent a comparing of the written data and the read data; and\nbased on determining via the read operation that the write operation has completed, sending an acknowledgment to the sending adapter.",
"17. The method of claim 16, wherein acknowledgment of the write operation is delayed until after the read operation confirms completion of the write operation, and wherein acknowledgment of the write operation prior to the read operation confirming completion of the write operation is avoided.",
"18. The method of claim 16, further comprising checking by the receiving adapter whether the sending of the acknowledgment is to be delayed, and performing the determining based on the checking indicating that the sending of the acknowledgment is to be delayed.",
"19. A computer program product for facilitating processing in a computing environment, the computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer readable storage medium readable by a processing circuit and storing instructions for execution by the processing circuit for performing a method, the method comprising:\nreceiving at a receiving adapter of the computing environment from a sending adapter of the computing environment a first operation to be performed by the receiving adapter, the first operation being associated with a first acknowledgment type;\nperforming the first operation by the receiving adapter;\nbased on the first acknowledgment type indicating non-delayed acknowledgment, sending a receipt acknowledgment to the sending adapter indicating receipt of the first operation, the receipt acknowledgment not indicating completion of the first operation;\nreceiving at the receiving adapter from the sending adapter a second operation to be performed by the receiving adapter, the second operation being associated with a second acknowledgment type;\nperforming the second operation by the receiving adapter, the second operation being a write operation to write data to memory of the computing environment, the computing environment having ordering rules that permit a read operation to complete only based on pending write operations to memory having completed;\nbased on the second acknowledgment type indicating delayed acknowledgment, determining by the receiving adapter whether the second operation has completed in that the data is written to memory, wherein the determining comprises performing by the receiving adapter a read operation to confirm the second operation has completed, the read operation initiated locally by the receiving adapter and completing, based on the ordering rules, only if the write operation has completed; and\nbased on determining via completion of the read operation that the second operation has completed, sending a completion acknowledgment to the sending adapter."
] |
[
[
"1. A method executed by one or more processors, comprising:\nintercepting a request with a first address corresponding to stored data provided by a primary virtual machine, wherein a logical interface of the primary virtual machine is initialized at a port of a secondary virtual machine, and the secondary virtual machine is configured to monitor access requests for the stored data;\ndetermining that the request is to be routed to a second address of the primary virtual machine when the primary virtual machine is operational; and\nutilizing a floating address to route the request to the second address as a routed request that retains the first address as a request destination corresponding to a storage location of the store data.",
"2. The method of claim 1, comprising:\nconfiguring the primary virtual machine to store heartbeat information within a primary mailbox corresponding to a disk on a root aggregate.",
"3. The method of claim 1, comprising:\nconfiguring primary first virtual machine to mirror NVLOG data over an interconnect to the secondary virtual machine.",
"4. The method of claim 1, comprising:\nconfiguring the secondary virtual machine to obtain a SCSI reservation on a mailbox disk of the primary virtual machine based upon the secondary virtual machine determining that the primary virtual machine has failed and a switchover should be performed.",
"5. The method of claim 4, comprising:\nconfiguring the secondary virtual machine to assimilate disks of the primary virtual machine as part of performing the switchover.",
"6. The method of claim 4, comprising:\nconfiguring the secondary virtual machine to replay NVLOG data of the primary virtual machine as part of performing the switchover.",
"7. The method of claim 1, comprising:\nconfiguring the secondary virtual machine to listen to the port for client access requests.",
"8. A non-transitory machine readable medium comprising instructions for performing a method, which when executed by a machine, causes the machine to:\nintercept a request with a first address corresponding to stored data provided by a primary virtual machine, wherein a logical interface of the primary virtual machine is initialized at a port of a secondary virtual machine, and the secondary virtual machine is configured to monitor access requests for the stored data;\ndetermine that the request is to be routed to a second address of the primary virtual machine when the primary virtual machine is operational; and\nutilize a floating address to route the request to the second address as a routed request that retains the first address as a request destination corresponding to a storage location of the store data.",
"9. The non-transitory machine readable medium of claim 8, wherein the instructions cause the machine to:\nconfigure the primary virtual machine to store heartbeat information within a primary mailbox corresponding to a disk on a root aggregate.",
"10. The non-transitory machine readable medium of claim 8, wherein the instructions cause the machine to:\nconfigure primary first virtual machine to mirror NVLOG data over an interconnect to the secondary virtual machine.",
"11. The non-transitory machine readable medium of claim 8, wherein the instructions cause the machine to:\nconfigure the secondary virtual machine to obtain a SCSI reservation on a mailbox disk of the primary virtual machine based upon the secondary virtual machine determining that the primary virtual machine has failed and a switchover should be performed.",
"12. The non-transitory machine readable medium of claim 11, wherein the instructions cause the machine to:\nconfigure the secondary virtual machine to assimilate disks of the primary virtual machine as part of performing the switchover.",
"13. The non-transitory machine readable medium of claim 11, wherein the instructions cause the machine to:\nconfigure the secondary virtual machine to replay NVLOG data of the primary virtual machine as part of performing the switchover.",
"14. The non-transitory machine readable medium of claim 9, wherein the instructions cause the machine to:\nconfigure the secondary virtual machine to listen to the port for client access requests.",
"15. A computing device, comprising:\na memory comprising instructions; and\na processor coupled to the memory, the processor configured to execute the instructions to cause the processor to:\nintercept a request with a first address corresponding to stored data provided by a primary virtual machine, wherein a logical interface of the primary virtual machine is initialized at a port of a secondary virtual machine, and the secondary virtual machine is configured to monitor access requests for the stored data;\ndetermine that the request is to be routed to a second address of the primary virtual machine when the primary virtual machine is operational; and\nutilize a floating address to route the request to the second address as a routed request that retains the first address as a request destination corresponding to a storage location of the store data.",
"16. The computing device of claim 15, wherein the instructions cause the processor to:\nconfigure the primary virtual machine to store heartbeat information within a primary mailbox corresponding to a disk on a root aggregate.",
"17. The computing device of claim 15, wherein the instructions cause the processor to:\nconfigure primary first virtual machine to mirror NVLOG data over an interconnect to the secondary virtual machine.",
"18. The computing device of claim 15, wherein the instructions cause the processor to:\nconfigure the secondary virtual machine to obtain a SCSI reservation on a mailbox disk of the primary virtual machine based upon the secondary virtual machine determining that the primary virtual machine has failed and a switchover should be performed.",
"19. The computing device of claim 18, wherein the instructions cause the processor to:\nconfigure the secondary virtual machine to assimilate disks of the primary virtual machine as part of performing the switchover.",
"20. The computing device of claim 18, wherein the instructions cause the processor to:\nconfigure the secondary virtual machine to replay NVLOG data of the primary virtual machine as part of performing the switchover."
],
[
"1. A Storage Area Network (SAN) host, comprising:\na first storage client having higher priority access than a second storage client;\nat least a first SAN and a second SAN;\none or more first SAN storage devices connected to the first SAN, wherein the one or more first SAN storage devices are not connected to the second SAN;\none or more second SAN storage devices connected to the second SAN, wherein the one or more second SAN storage devices are not connected to the first SAN; and\na SAN host server in communication with the first and second storage clients, the first SAN, and the second SAN, the SAN host server configured to:\nmaintain at least one shared storage pool that shares the one or more first SAN storage devices connected to the first SAN and the one or more second SAN storage devices connected to the second SAN;\nmaintain a priority queue associated with storage operations from the first and second storage clients; and\nwhen the SAN host server receives storage operations from the first and second storage clients that seek concurrent access to the at least one shared storage pool, the SAN host server adjusts the priority queue to prioritize access to the at least one shared storage pool by the first storage client having the higher priority access.",
"2. The SAN host of claim 1, wherein the SAN host server is configured to preempt the second storage client from accessing the at least one shared storage pool.",
"3. The SAN host of claim 1, wherein the SAN host server is further configured to perform dynamic provisioning of storage space for the at least one shared storage pool using the first and second client storage devices.",
"4. The SAN host of claim 1, wherein the SAN host server is further configured to determine which storage operation associated with the first storage client is performed before other storage operations.",
"5. The SAN host of claim 1, wherein the SAN host server connects to the first SAN with a first host bus adapter using Fiber Channel (FC), InfiniBand, or Serial Attached SCSI (SAS).",
"6. The SAN host of claim 5, wherein the SAN host server connects to the second SAN with a second host bus adapter using Fiber Channel (FC), InfiniBand, or Serial Attached SCSI (SAS).",
"7. The SAN host of claim 6, wherein the first host bus adapter is in target mode.",
"8. The SAN host of claim 7, wherein the second host bus adapter is in initiator mode.",
"9. The SAN host of claim 1, wherein the SAN host server is further configured to perform data de-duplication while performing a storage operation.",
"10. The SAN host of claim 1, wherein the SAN host server is further configured to track storage of one or more data blocks on the one or more second SAN storage devices.",
"11. A method for a Storage Area Network (SAN) host server, comprising:\nmaintaining, with a SAN host server, at least one shared storage pool that shares one or more first SAN storage devices connected to a first SAN wherein the one or more first SAN storage devices are not connected to the second SAN, and one or more second SAN storage devices connected to a second SAN, wherein the one or more second SAN storage devices are not connected to the first SAN;\nmaintaining, with the SAN host server, a priority queue associated with storage operations from at least a first storage client and a second storage client, the first storage client having higher priority access than the second storage client; and\nwhen the SAN host server receives storage operations from the first and second storage clients that seek concurrent access to the at least one shared storage pool, adjusting the priority queue to prioritize access to the at least one shared storage pool by the first storage client having the higher priority access.",
"12. The method of claim 11, further comprising preempting the second storage client from accessing the at least one shared storage pool.",
"13. The method of claim 11, further comprising dynamic provisioning storage space for the at least one shared storage pool using the first and second SAN storage devices.",
"14. The method of claim 11, further comprising determining which storage operation associated with the first storage client is performed before other storage operations.",
"15. The method of claim 11, further comprising connecting the SAN host server with the first SAN with a first host bus adapter using Fiber Channel (FC), InfiniBand, or Serial Attached SCSI (SAS).",
"16. The method of claim 15, further comprising connecting the SAN host server to the second SAN with a second host bus adapter using Fiber Channel (FC), InfiniBand, or Serial Attached SCSI (SAS).",
"17. The method of claim 16, wherein the first host bus adapter is in target mode.",
"18. The method of claim 16, wherein the second host bus adapter is in initiator mode.",
"19. The method of claim 11, further comprising performing data de-duplication while performing a storage operation.",
"20. The method of claim 11, further comprising tracking storage of one or more data blocks on the one or more second SAN storage devices."
],
[
"1. A method of managing multiple tenants in a NAS cluster, the method comprising:\noperating multiple NAS data nodes in the NAS cluster, the NAS data nodes running on respective physical computing machines, each NAS data node having an identifier and configured to run multiple NAS servers, each NAS server owned by a respective tenant of the NAS cluster and including a set of file systems accessible to host computing devices over a network, the NAS cluster having multiple tenants;\nmaintaining, by the NAS cluster, a management database, the management database tracking, for each tenant of the NAS cluster, a tenant-specific list of identifiers of NAS data nodes that are authorized to run NAS servers owned by the respective tenant; and\nin response to a request to run a NAS server in the NAS cluster, (i) identifying a particular tenant that owns the NAS server, (ii) selecting a NAS data node for running the NAS server from the tenant-specific list for the particular tenant, and (iii) operating the NAS server on the selected NAS data node.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the management database identifies a first set of NAS data nodes in the NAS cluster that are authorized to run NAS servers owned by the particular tenant and a second set of NAS data nodes in the NAS cluster that are not authorized to run NAS servers owned by the particular tenant.",
"3. The method of claim 2, wherein maintaining the management database includes tracking, for each of the first set of NAS data nodes, an indication that specifies one of at least two conditions, the two conditions being (i) that the NAS data node is exclusively owned by the particular tenant and (ii) that the NAS data node is nonexclusively shared by the particular tenant.",
"4. The method of claim 3, wherein a first NAS data node on the tenant-specific list for the particular tenant is exclusively owned by the particular tenant, and wherein the method further comprises prohibiting the first NAS data node from running any NAS server owned by any other tenant of the NAS cluster.",
"5. The method of claim 4, wherein a second NAS data node on the tenant-specific list for the particular tenant is nonexclusively shared by the particular tenant, and wherein the method further comprises prohibiting the second NAS data node from running any NAS server owned by any tenant that does not also non-exclusively share the NAS data node.",
"6. The method of claim 3, wherein the request to run the NAS server in the NAS cluster is issued in response to a NAS server provisioning operation,\nwherein the NAS cluster identifies, as candidates for running the NAS server, only those NAS data nodes that the management database identifies on the tenant-specific list for the particular tenant, and\nwherein a particular NAS data node identified on the tenant-specific list for the particular tenant operates the NAS server upon completion of the provisioning operation.",
"7. The method of claim 6, wherein the request to run the NAS server in the NAS cluster is issued in response to a load balancing operation,\nwherein the NAS cluster identifies, as candidates for taking over operation of the NAS server, only those NAS data nodes that the management database identifies on the tenant-specific list for the particular tenant, and\nwherein another NAS data node identified on the tenant-specific list for the particular tenant operates the NAS server upon completion of the load balancing operation.",
"8. The method of claim 6, wherein the request to rim the NAS server in the NAS cluster is issued in response to a failover operation,\nwherein the NAS cluster identifies as candidates for failover of the NAS server only those NAS data nodes that the management database identifies on the tenant-specific list for the particular tenant, and\nwherein another NAS data node identified on the tenant-specific list for the particular tenant operates the NAS server upon completion of the failover operation.",
"9. The method of claim 6, further comprising tracking, by the management database, information about each NAS server in the NAS cluster, the information identifying, for each NAS server, a tenant that owns the respective NAS server.",
"10. A NAS (network attached storage) cluster, comprising:\nmultiple NAS data nodes operating on respective physical computing machines interconnected via a computer network, the physical computing machines including control circuitry constructed and arranged to:\noperate multiple NAS data nodes in the NAS cluster, each NAS data node having an identifier and configured to run multiple NAS servers, each NAS server owned by a respective tenant of the NAS cluster and including a set of file systems accessible to host computing devices over a network, the NAS cluster having multiple tenants;\nmaintain, by the NAS cluster, a management database, the management database tracking, for each tenant of the NAS cluster, a tenant-specific list of identifiers of NAS data nodes that are authorized to run NAS servers owned by the respective tenant; and\nin response to a request to run a NAS server in the NAS cluster, (i) identify a particular tenant that owns the NAS server, (ii) select a NAS data node for running the NAS server from the tenant-specific list for the particular tenant, and (iii) operate the NAS server on the selected NAS data node.",
"11. The NAS cluster of claim 10, wherein the request to run the NAS server in the NAS cluster is issued in response to a NAS server provisioning operation,\nwherein the control circuitry is constructed and arranged to identify as candidates for running the NAS server only those NAS data nodes that the management database identifies on the tenant-specific list for the particular tenant, and\nwherein the control circuitry is constructed and arranged to operate the NAS server upon completion of the provisioning operation on a particular NAS data node identified on the tenant-specific list for the particular tenant.",
"12. A computer program product including a set of non-transitory, computer-readable media having instructions which, when executed by control circuitry of a NAS cluster, cause the control circuitry to perform a method for managing multiple tenants in the NAS cluster, the method comprising:\noperating multiple NAS data nodes in the NAS cluster, the NAS data nodes running on respective physical computing machines, each NAS data node having an identifier and configured to run multiple NAS servers, each NAS server owned by a respective tenant of the NAS cluster and including a set of file systems accessible to host computing devices over a network, the NAS cluster having multiple tenants;\nmaintaining, by the NAS cluster, a management database, the management database tracking, for each tenant of the NAS cluster, a tenant-specific list of identifiers of NAS data nodes that are authorized to run NAS servers owned by the respective tenant; and\nin response to a request to run a NAS server in the NAS cluster, (i) identifying the particular tenant that owns the NAS server, (ii) selecting a NAS data node for running the particular NAS server from the tenant-specific list for the particular tenant, and (iii) operating the NAS server on the selected NAS data node.",
"13. The computer program product of claim 12, wherein the management database identifies a first set of NAS data nodes in the NAS cluster that are authorized to run NAS servers owned by the particular tenant and a second set of NAS data nodes in the NAS cluster that are not authorized to run NAS servers owned by the particular tenant.",
"14. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein maintaining the management database includes tracking, for each of the first set of NAS data nodes, an indication that specifies one of at least two conditions, the two conditions being (i) that the NAS data node is exclusively owned by the particular tenant and (ii) that the NAS data node is nonexclusively shared by the particular tenant.",
"15. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein a first NAS data node on the tenant-specific list for the particular tenant is exclusively owned by the particular tenant, and wherein the method further comprises prohibiting the first NAS data node from running any NAS server owned by any other tenant of the NAS cluster.",
"16. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein a second NAS data node on the tenant-specific list for the particular tenant is nonexclusively shared by the particular tenant, and wherein the method further comprises prohibiting the second NAS data node from running any NAS server owned by any tenant that does not also non-exclusively share the NAS data node.",
"17. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein the request to run the NAS server in the NAS cluster is issued in response to a NAS server provisioning operation,\nwherein the NAS cluster identifies, as candidates for running the NAS server, only those NAS data nodes that the management database identifies on the tenant-specific list for the particular tenant, and\nwherein a particular NAS data node identified on the tenant-specific list for the particular tenant operates the NAS server upon completion of the provisioning operation.",
"18. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein the request to run the NAS server in the NAS cluster is issued in response to a load balancing operation,\nwherein the NAS cluster identifies, as candidates for taking over operation of the NAS server, only those NAS data nodes that the management database identifies on the tenant-specific list for the particular tenant, and\nwherein another NAS data node identified on the tenant-specific list for the particular tenant operates the NAS server upon completion of the load balancing operation.",
"19. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein the request to run the NAS server in the NAS cluster is issued in response to a failover operation,\nwherein the NAS cluster identifies, as candidates for failover of the NAS server, only those NAS data nodes that the management database identifies on the tenant-specific list for the particular tenant, and\nwherein another NAS data node identified on the tenant-specific list for the particular tenant operates the NAS server upon completion of the failover operation.",
"20. The computer program product of claim 17, further comprising tracking, by the management database, information about each NAS server in the NAS cluster, the information identifying, for each NAS server, a tenant that owns the respective NAS server."
],
[
"1. An apparatus for providing storage for providing a cloud service, comprising:\na data distribution and storage unit for distributing data in order to store the data in an integrated storage, the integrated storage including on-premises storage and cloud storage;\na backend storage management unit for connecting to the integrated storage and providing information about storage tiering pertaining to distributed data;\na data manipulation unit for providing the integrated storage as virtual data storage regardless of a location at which the distributed data is actually stored; and\na storage connection unit for providing a user client with an interface for the virtual data storage as a single virtual storage unit,\nwherein the backend storage management unit provides a function of storing the distributed data using the storage tiering based on performance, time, and frequency of use.",
"2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the data distribution and storage unit minimizes time taken to write and access data by optimizing the data to be written to the integrated storage, and performs compression or encryption of the data.",
"3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the data manipulation unit provides a write buffer function or a read cache function for the distributed data and decrease a response time of a write operation or a read operation for the distributed data using high-speed storage.",
"4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:\na provisioning and policy management unit for providing metadata for storing the distributed data,\nwherein the metadata includes first metadata for data operations and second metadata for storage operations.",
"5. A method for providing storage for providing a cloud service, performed by an apparatus for providing storage for providing a cloud service, the method comprising:\ndistributing data in order to store the data in an integrated storage, the integrated storage including on-premises storage and cloud storage; and\nmanaging distributed data by providing the integrated storage as a virtual data storage regardless of a location at which the distributed data is actually stored and by providing a user client with an interface for the virtual data storage as a single virtual storage unit,\nwherein the managing distributed data includes\nconnecting to the integrated storage,\nproviding information about storage tiering pertaining to the distributed data, and\nproviding a function of storing the distributed data using the storage tiering based on performance, time, and frequency of use.",
"6. The method of claim 5, wherein the distributing data is configured to:\nminimize time taken to write and access data by optimizing the data to be written to the integrated storage; and\nperform compression or encryption of the data.",
"7. The method of claim 5, wherein the managing distributed data is configured to provide a write buffer function or a read cache function for the distributed data and to decrease a response time of a write operation or a read operation for the distributed data using high-speed storage.",
"8. The method of claim 5, further comprising:\nperforming provisioning by providing metadata for storing the distributed data,\nwherein the metadata includes first metadata for data operations and second metadata for storage operations."
],
[
"1. A method, comprising:\ngrouping a first set of streams into a first stream group based upon first information associated with a first client;\nassigning the first stream group to a first workload targeting a first storage volume of a clustered storage system;\nmaintaining a first count of tokens assigned by a throughput token manager and a second count of tokens assigned by an I/O operations per second (IOPS) token manager for the first storage volume;\nin response to determining that there are available tokens for processing the first workload based upon the first count of tokens and the second count of tokens, processing the first workload using a first quality of service policy for the first storage volume; and\nformatting tracking information for resources, including the first storage volume, within the clustered storage system according to an object hierarchy where each resource is represented as an object within the object hierarchy, and wherein objects are hierarchically represented within the object hierarchy according to relationships amongst the resources.",
"2. The method of claim 1, comprising:\ngrouping a second set of streams into a second stream group based upon the first information associated with the first client, wherein the first set of streams and the second set of streams correspond to the first client;\nassigning the second stream group to a second workload targeting the first storage volume;\nprocessing the second workload using the first quality of service policy for the first storage volume.",
"3. The method of claim 1, comprising:\ngrouping a second set of streams into a second stream group based upon second information associated with a second client, wherein the first set of streams corresponds to the first client and the second set of streams correspond to the second client.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein the grouping comprises:\ngrouping a first stream associated with the first client and a second stream associated with a second client into the first stream group based upon the first stream and the second stream corresponding to a source restriction.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein the grouping comprise:\ngrouping the first set of streams into the first stream group based upon the first set of streams corresponding to a first subnet; and\ngrouping a second set of streams into a second stream group based upon the second set of streams corresponding to a second subnet.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein the grouping comprise:\ngrouping the first set of streams into the first stream group based upon the first set of streams corresponding to a first subnet; and\ngrouping a second set of streams into the first stream group based upon a source restriction, wherein the second set of streams correspond to a second subnet, and wherein the source restriction specifies that streams from a group of clients on different subnets are to be grouped into a same stream group based upon the group of clients being part of a same department.",
"7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first workload utilizes a cache, and wherein the method comprises:\ntracking utilization of the cache using a cache object within a hierarchy of objects representing resources of a computing environment used to process the first workload.",
"8. The method of claim 1, wherein the workload utilizes a CPU, and wherein the method comprises:\ntracking utilization of the CPU using a CPU object within a hierarchy of objects representing resources of a computing environment used to process the first workload.",
"9. The method of claim 1, wherein processing of the first workload uses a quality of service (QOS) policy, and wherein the method comprises:\ntracking usage of the QoS policy using a QoS object within a hierarchy of objects representing resources of a computing environment used to process the first workload.",
"10. The method of claim 1, wherein processing of the first workload uses a storage virtual machine, and wherein the method comprises:\ntracking usage of the storage virtual machine using a storage virtual machine object within a hierarchy of objects representing resources of a computing environment used to process the first workload.",
"11. The method of claim 1, wherein processing of the first workload uses a port, and wherein the method comprises:\ntracking usage of the port using a port object within a hierarchy of objects representing resources of a computing environment used to process the first workload.",
"12. The method of claim 1, wherein processing of the first workload uses an aggregate, and wherein the method comprises:\ntracking usage of the aggregate using an aggregate object within a hierarchy of objects representing resources of a computing environment used to process the first workload.",
"13. The method of claim 1, wherein the first workload utilizes a cache, and wherein the method comprises:\ntracking latency of the cache using a cache object within a hierarchy of objects representing resources of a computing environment used to process the first workload.",
"14. The method of claim 1, wherein the workload utilizes a CPU, and wherein the method comprises:\ntracking latency of the CPU processing streams using a CPU object within a hierarchy of objects representing resources of a computing environment used to process the first workload.",
"15. A non-transitory machine readable medium comprising instructions to:\ngroup a first set of streams into a first stream group based upon first information associated with a first client;\nassign the first stream group to a first workload targeting a first storage volume of a clustered storage system;\nmaintain a first count of tokens assigned by a throughput token manager and a second count of tokens assigned by an I/O operations per second (IOPS) token manager for the first storage volume;\nin response to determining that there are available tokens for processing the first workload based upon the first count of tokens and the second count of tokens, process the first workload using a first quality of service policy for the first storage volume; and\nformat tracking information for resources, including the first storage volume, within the clustered storage system according to an object hierarchy where each resource is represented as an object within the object hierarchy, and wherein objects are hierarchically represented within the object hierarchy according to relationships amongst the resources.",
"16. The non-transitory machine readable medium of claim 15, comprising:\ngrouping a second set of streams into a second stream group based upon the first information associated with the first client, wherein the first set of streams and the second set of streams correspond to the first client;\nassigning the second stream group to a second workload targeting the first storage volume;\nprocessing the second workload using the first quality of service policy for the first storage volume.",
"17. The non-transitory machine readable medium of claim 15, comprising:\ngrouping a second set of streams into a second stream group based upon second information associated with a second client, wherein the first set of streams corresponds to the first client and the second set of streams correspond to the second client.",
"18. The non-transitory machine readable medium of claim 15, comprising:\ngrouping a first stream associated with the first client and a second stream associated with a second client into the first stream group based upon the first stream and the second stream corresponding to a source restriction.",
"19. The non-transitory machine readable medium of claim 15, comprising:\ngrouping the first set of streams into the first stream group based upon the first set of streams corresponding to a first subnet; and\ngrouping a second set of streams into a second stream group based upon the second set of streams corresponding to a second subnet.",
"20. A computing device comprising:\na memory comprising machine executable code; and\na processor coupled to the memory, the processor configured to execute the machine executable code to cause the processor to:\ngroup a first set of streams into a first stream group based upon first information associated with a first client;\nassign the first stream group to a first workload targeting a first storage volume of a clustered storage system;\nmaintain a first count of tokens assigned by a throughput token manager and a second count of tokens assigned by an I/O operations per second (IOPS) token manager for the first storage volume;\nin response to determining that there are available tokens for processing the first workload based upon the first count of tokens and the second count of tokens, process the first workload using a first quality of service policy for the first storage volume; and\nformat tracking information for resources, including the first storage volume, within the clustered storage system according to an object hierarchy where each resource is represented as an object within the object hierarchy, and wherein objects are hierarchically represented within the object hierarchy according to relationships amongst the resources."
],
[
"1. A storage network, comprising:\na first node coupleable to a second node, wherein:\nthe second node includes a set of non-volatile memory devices comprising a set of storage segments divided into a plurality of storage buckets to store data objects;\nthe first node includes a controller executable to perform operations associated with a remote direct memory access (RDMA) operation on the second node; and\nthe controller is configured to:\nexecute a first set of operations in association with a single RDMA operation, the first set of operations comprising:\napplying a first hash function on a first target data object to calculate a first hash key for the first target data object;\nidentifying a first target storage bucket for the first target data object in the second node based on the first hash key and a first map of a hash table;\nreading a first data object key for a first data object stored in the first target storage bucket;\ncomparing the first data object key and the first hash key to determine a match;\nresponsive to the first data object key and the first hash key matching, determining that the first data object is the first target data object;\nresponsive to the determination that the first data object is the first target data object, reading the first target data object from the first target storage bucket; and\nresponsive to the first data object key and the first hash key not matching, determining the first data object and the target data object are different data objects; and\nresponsive to a determination that the first data object and the target data object are different data objects, execute operations including:\nreading first metadata for a first set of storage buckets including the first target storage bucket; and\ncomparing the first hash key to the first metadata to identify a first alternate storage bucket in the first set of storage buckets storing the target data object.",
"2. The storage network of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to execute a second set of operations, the second set of operations comprising:\napplying a second hash function on a second target data object to calculate a second hash key for the second target data object;\nidentifying a second target storage bucket for the second target data object in the second node based on the second hash key and the first map;\nreading a second data object key for a second data object stored in the second target storage bucket;\ncomparing the second data object key and the second hash key to determine a match;\nresponsive to the second data object key and the second hash key not matching, determining that the second data object and the second target data object are different data objects; and\nresponsive to a determination that the second data object and the second target data object are different data objects, reading the first metadata to identify the first alternate storage bucket in the first set of storage buckets storing the second target data object, wherein:\na first storage segment comprises the first metadata and the first set of storage buckets; and\nthe first set of storage buckets comprises the second target storage bucket.",
"3. The storage network of claim 2, wherein:\nthe first metadata provides a second map of a first set of metadata keys based on first data object keys for first data objects stored in the first set of storage buckets; and\nreading the first metadata further comprises:\nreading the first set of metadata keys;\ncomparing the first set of metadata keys and the second hash key to determine a match;\nresponsive to a first metadata key that corresponds to a third data object key for a third data object stored in the first alternate storage bucket matching the second hash key, determining that the second target data object is stored in the first alternate storage bucket; and\nresponsive to a determination that the second target data object is stored in the first alternate storage bucket, reading the second target data object from the first alternate storage bucket.",
"4. The storage network of claim 3, wherein:\nthe first storage segment comprises a first user-configured number of buckets;\nthe second target storage bucket comprises a second user-configured number of bytes;\na second data object key comprises a third user-configured number of bytes; and\nthe second map comprises a fourth user-configured number of bytes.",
"5. The storage network of claim 3, wherein the controller performs the first set of operations and the second set of operations in association with three RDMA operations.",
"6. The storage network of claim 3, wherein the second set of operations further comprise:\nresponsive to the second hash key not matching any of the first set of metadata keys:\napplying a third hash function on the second data object key to calculate a third hash key for the second target data object; and\nidentifying a third target storage bucket in a second storage segment based on the third hash key.",
"7. The storage network of claim 6, wherein the second set of operations further comprise:\nreading a fourth data object key for a fourth data object stored in the third target storage bucket;\ncomparing the fourth data object key and the second hash key to determine a match;\nresponsive to the fourth data object key and the second hash key matching, determining that the fourth data object is the second target data object; and\nresponsive to a determination that the fourth data object is the second target data object, reading the second target data object from the third target storage bucket.",
"8. The storage network of claim 7, wherein the second set of operations further comprise:\nresponsive to the fourth data object key and the second hash key not matching, determining that the fourth data object and the second target data object are different data objects; and\nresponsive to determining that the fourth data object and the second target data object are different data objects:\nreading a second set of metadata keys in second metadata;\ncomparing the second set of metadata keys and the second hash key to determine a match;\nresponsive to a second metadata key that corresponds to a fifth data object key for a fifth data object stored in a second alternate storage bucket matching the second hash key, determining that the second target data object is stored in the second alternate storage bucket; and\nresponsive to a determination that the second target data object is stored in the second alternate storage bucket, reading the second target data object from the second alternate storage bucket, the second storage segment being one hop away from the first storage segment, the second storage segment comprising the second alternate target storage bucket, and the second metadata providing a third map of the second set of metadata keys based on second data object keys for second data objects stored in the second storage segment.",
"9. The storage network of claim 8, wherein the controller performs the first set of operations and the second set of operations in association with five RDMA operations.",
"10. The storage network of claim 9, wherein the second set of operations further comprise:\nresponsive to the second hash key not matching any of the second set of metadata keys, determining that the second target data object is not stored in the second node.",
"11. A method, comprising:\nperforming a set of operations in association with a first remote direct memory access (RDMA) operation by a first node coupled to a second node, wherein:\nthe set of operations are performed in association with a single RDMA operation; and\nthe set of operations comprise:\napplying a first hash function on a target data object to calculate a first hash key for the target data object;\nidentifying a first target storage bucket for the target data object in the second node based on a second hash key and a first map of a hash table;\nreading a first data object key for a first data object stored in the first target storage bucket;\ncomparing the first data object key and the first hash key to determine a match;\nresponsive to the first data object key and the first hash key not matching, determining that the first data object and the target data object are different data objects; and\nresponsive to a determination that the first data object and the target data object are different data objects:\nreading first metadata for a first set of storage buckets including the first target storage bucket and\ncomparing the first hash key to the first metadata to identify a first alternate storage bucket in a first set of storage buckets storing the target data object, wherein:\na first storage segment comprises the first set of storage buckets; and\nthe first set of storage buckets comprises the first target storage bucket.",
"12. The method of claim 11, wherein:\nthe first metadata provides a second map of a first set of metadata keys based on first data object keys for first data objects stored in the first set of storage buckets; and\nreading the first metadata comprises:\nreading the first set of metadata keys;\ncomparing the first set of metadata keys and the first hash key to determine a match;\nresponsive to a first metadata key that corresponds to a second data object key for a second data object stored in the first alternate storage bucket matching the first hash key, determining that the target data object is stored in the first alternate storage bucket; and\nresponsive to a determination that the target data object is stored in the first alternate storage bucket, reading the target data object from the first alternate storage bucket.",
"13. The method of claim 12, wherein the set of operations further comprises:\nresponsive to the first hash key not matching any of the first set of metadata keys:\napplying, in association with a second RDMA operation, a second hash function on the first data object key to calculate a second hash key for the target data object;\nidentifying, in association with the second RDMA operation, a second target storage bucket in a second storage segment based the second hash key;\nreading, in association with the second RDMA operation, a third data object key for a third data object stored in the second target storage bucket;\ncomparing, in association with the second RDMA operation, the third data object key and the first hash key to determine a match;\nresponsive to the third data object key and the first hash key matching, determining, in association with the second RDMA operation, that the third data object is the target data object; and\nresponsive to a determination that the third data object is the target data object, issuing a third RDMA operation to read the target data object from the second target storage bucket.",
"14. The method of claim 13, wherein the set of operations further comprises:\nissuing the second RDMA operation to determine that the third data object and the target data object are different data objects responsive to the third data object key and the first hash key not matching; and\nresponsive to determining that the third data object and the target data object are different data objects, issuing the third RDMA operation to:\nread a second set of metadata keys in second metadata;\ncompare the second set of metadata keys and the first hash key to determine a match;\nresponsive to a second metadata key that corresponds to a fourth data object key for a fourth data object stored in a second alternate storage bucket matching the first hash key, determine that the target data object is stored in the second alternate storage bucket;\nresponsive to a determination that the target data object is stored in the second alternate storage bucket, read the target data object from the second alternate storage bucket; and\nresponsive to the first hash key not matching any of the second set of metadata keys, determine that the target data object is not stored in the second node, the second storage segment being one hop away from the first storage segment, the second storage segment comprising a second alternate target storage bucket, and the second metadata providing a third map of the second set of metadata keys based on second data object keys for second data objects stored in the second storage segment.",
"15. A system, comprising:\na first computing node coupled to a second computing node, wherein the first computing node includes a controller;\nmeans, executed by the controller, for performing a hash function on a first data object to determine a first storage bucket in a first target storage segment on the second computing node where the first data object is storable, wherein the hash function is performed using a remote direct memory access (RDMA) operation by the first computing node on the second computing node;\nmeans, executed by the controller, for determining that the first storage bucket is unavailable; and\nmeans, executed by the controller, for determining whether the first target storage segment is available or unavailable and, in response to determining that the first target storage segment is unavailable:\ndetermining whether a second target storage segment that is one hop away from the first target storage segment is available or unavailable;\nwriting, using the RDMA operation, the first data object to another storage bucket in the second target storage segment in response to the determination that the second target storage segment is available; and\nupdating, using the RDMA operation, a first map in first metadata of the second target storage segment to indicate that the first data object is stored in the other storage bucket.",
"16. The system of claim 15, further comprising:\nmeans, executed by the controller, for, in response to determining that the first target storage segment is available:\nwriting, using the RDMA operation, the first data object to a second storage bucket in the first target storage segment; and\nupdating, using the RDMA operation, the first metadata in the first target storage segment such that the first map indicates that the first data object is stored in the second storage bucket.",
"17. The system of claim 15, further comprising:\nmeans, executed by the controller, for:\ndetermining that the second target storage segment is unavailable;\ndetermining a third target storage segment that is one hop away from the second target storage segment;\nrelocating, using the RDMA operation, a second data object in a second storage bucket in the second target storage segment to a third storage bucket in the third target storage segment to free up the second storage bucket; and\nupdating, using the RDMA operation, a second map in second metadata of the third target storage segment to indicate that the second data object is stored in the third storage bucket.",
"18. The system of claim 17, wherein:\nwriting the first data object to the other storage bucket further comprises writing the first data object to the second storage bucket in the second target storage segment; and\nupdating the first metadata further comprises updating the first metadata in the second target storage segment such that the first map indicates that the first data object is stored in the second storage bucket.",
"19. The storage network of claim 1, wherein:\na first storage segment comprises the first metadata and the first set of storage buckets; and\nthe first set of storage buckets comprises the first alternate storage bucket.",
"20. The system of claim 15, wherein writing the first data object and updating the first map are performed in association with a single RDMA operation."
],
[
"1. A non-transitory machine readable medium comprising instructions for performing a method, which when executed by a machine, causes the machine to:\nmaintain a set of hash tables to track data operations that are inflight;\nreceive a data operation targeting a first storage object;\ntag the data operation with an identifier of a hash table of the set of hash tables; and\nsearch the hash table to identify information related to the data operation based upon the identifier with which the data operation is tagged.",
"2. The non-transitory machine readable medium of claim 1, wherein the instructions cause the machine to:\ntag a replication data operation with the identifier of the hash table, wherein the replication data operation is a replica of the data operation; and\nsearch the hash table to identify information related to the replication data operation based upon the identifier with which the replication data operation is tagged.",
"3. The non-transitory machine readable medium of claim 1, wherein the instructions cause the machine to:\ntag a replication data operation with the identifier of the hash table, wherein the replication data operation is a replica of the data operation; and\nsearch the hash table to identify information related to the replication data operation and the data operation based upon the identifier with which the replication data operation and the data operation are tagged.",
"4. The non-transitory machine readable medium of claim 1, wherein the instructions cause the machine to:\npopulate the hash table with information used to perform a reconciliation for at least one of the data operation or a replication data operation that is a replica of the data operation.",
"5. The non-transitory machine readable medium of claim 1, wherein the instructions cause the machine to:\npopulate the hash table with information indicating whether data operation or a replication data operation that is a replica of the data operation succeeded or failed.",
"6. The non-transitory machine readable medium of claim 1, wherein the instructions cause the machine to:\npopulate the hash table with information indicating a local region within local storage targeted by the data operation and a remote region within remote storage targeted by a replication data operation that is a replica of the data operation; and\nevaluate the local region and the remote region for data consistency.",
"7. A method comprising:\nmaintaining a set of hash tables to track data operations that are inflight;\nreceiving a data operation targeting a first storage object;\ntagging the data operation with an identifier of a hash table of the set of hash tables; and\nsearching the hash table to identify information related to the data operation based upon the identifier with which the data operation is tagged.",
"8. The method of claim 7, comprising:\ntagging a replication data operation with the identifier of the hash table, wherein the replication data operation is a replica of the data operation; and\nsearching the hash table to identify information related to the replication data operation based upon the identifier with which the replication data operation is tagged.",
"9. The method of claim 7, comprising:\ntagging a replication data operation with the identifier of the hash table, wherein the replication data operation is a replica of the data operation; and\nsearching the hash table to identify information related to the replication data operation and the data operation based upon the identifier with which the replication data operation and the data operation are tagged.",
"10. The method of claim 7, comprising:\npopulating the hash table with information used to perform a reconciliation for at least one of the data operation or a replication data operation that is a replica of the data operation.",
"11. The method of claim 7, comprising:\npopulating the hash table with information indicating whether data operation or a replication data operation that is a replica of the data operation succeeded or failed.",
"12. The method of claim 7, comprising:\npopulating the hash table with information indicating a local region within local storage targeted by the data operation and a remote region within remote storage targeted by a replication data operation that is a replica of the data operation; and\nevaluating the local region and the remote region for data consistency.",
"13. The method of claim 7, comprising:\ntagging a replication data operation with the identifier of the hash table, wherein the replication data operation is a replica of the data operation.",
"14. A computing device comprising:\na memory comprising machine executable code; and\na processor coupled to the memory, the processor configured to execute the machine executable code to cause the processor to perform operations comprising:\nmaintaining a set of hash tables to track data operations that are inflight;\nreceiving a data operation targeting a first storage object;\ntagging the data operation with an identifier of a hash table of the set of hash tables; and\nsearching the hash table to identify information related to the data operation based upon the identifier with which the data operation is tagged.",
"15. The computing device of claim 14, the operations comprising:\ntagging a replication data operation with the identifier of the hash table, wherein the replication data operation is a replica of the data operation; and\nsearching the hash table to identify information related to the replication data operation based upon the identifier with which the replication data operation is tagged.",
"16. The computing device of claim 14, the operations comprising:\ntagging a replication data operation with the identifier of the hash table, wherein the replication data operation is a replica of the data operation; and\nsearching the hash table to identify information related to the replication data operation and the data operation based upon the identifier with which the replication data operation and the data operation are tagged.",
"17. The computing device of claim 14, the operations comprising:\npopulating the hash table with information used to perform a reconciliation for at least one of the data operation or a replication data operation that is a replica of the data operation.",
"18. The computing device of claim 14, the operations comprising:\npopulating the hash table with information indicating whether data operation or a replication data operation that is a replica of the data operation succeeded or failed.",
"19. The computing device of claim 14, the operations comprising:\npopulating the hash table with information indicating a local region within local storage targeted by the data operation and a remote region within remote storage targeted by a replication data operation that is a replica of the data operation; and\nevaluating the local region and the remote region for data consistency.",
"20. The computing device of claim 14, the operations comprising:\ntagging a replication data operation with the identifier of the hash table, wherein the replication data operation is a replica of the data operation."
],
[
"1. A computer-implemented method executed by data processing hardware that causes the data processing hardware to perform operations comprising:\nreceiving, at a first virtual head executing on a first compute node, a file access command from a first client executing on the first compute node, the file access command received via a first intra-node protocol configured for communication solely between the first virtual head and clients executing on the first compute node, the first virtual head comprising a local termination point for the first intra-node protocol;\ntranslating, by the first virtual head, the file access command from the first intra-node protocol to an inter-node protocol, the inter-node protocol configured for communication solely between virtual heads of different compute nodes;\ntransmitting, from the first virtual head, the file access command to a second virtual head executing on a second compute node, the file access command transmitted via the inter-node protocol, the second compute node different from the first compute node;\ntranslating, by the second virtual head, the file access command from the inter-node protocol to a second intra-node protocol configured for communication solely between the second virtual head and clients executing on the second compute node, the second virtual head comprising a local termination point for the second intra-node protocol; and\ntransmitting, from the second virtual head to a second client executing on the second compute node, the file access command via the second intra-node protocol.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first intra-node protocol and the second intra-node protocol are different.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first intra-node protocol and the second intra-node protocol are the same.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first compute node and the second compute node belong to a distributed File System (FS).",
"5. The method of claim 4, wherein each compute node of the distributed FS comprises a respective virtual head.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first client and the second client each comprise a respective virtual machine.",
"7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first virtual head and the first client reside in a same failure domain.",
"8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first virtual head communicates with the second virtual head using Remote Direct Memory Access (RDMA) commands.",
"9. The method of claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise identifying a migration of the first client from the first compute node to the second compute node.",
"10. The method of claim 1, wherein the first client and the second client are each provisioned to direct the file access command to a single Internet Protocol (IP) address.",
"11. A system comprising:\ndata processing hardware; and\nmemory hardware in communication with the data processing hardware, the memory hardware storing instructions that, when executed on the data processing hardware, cause the data processing hardware to perform operations comprising:\nreceiving, at a first virtual head executing on a first compute node, a file access command from a first client executing on the first compute node, the file access command received via a first intra-node protocol configured for communication solely between the first virtual head and clients executing on the first compute node, the first virtual head comprising a local termination point for the first intra-node protocol;\ntranslating, by the first virtual head, the file access command from the first intra-node protocol to an inter-node protocol, the inter-node protocol configured for communication solely between virtual heads of different compute nodes;\ntransmitting, from the first virtual head, the file access command to a second virtual head executing on a second compute node, the file access command transmitted via the inter-node protocol, the second compute node different from the first compute node;\ntranslating, by the second virtual head, the file access command from the inter-node protocol to a second intra-node protocol configured for communication solely between the second virtual head and clients executing on the second compute node, the second virtual head comprising a local termination point for the second intra-node protocol; and\ntransmitting, from the second virtual head to a second client executing on the second compute node, the file access command via the second intra-node protocol.",
"12. The system of claim 11, wherein the first intra-node protocol and the second intra-node protocol are different.",
"13. The system of claim 11, wherein the first intra-node protocol and the second intra-node protocol are the same.",
"14. The system of claim 11, wherein the first compute node and the second compute node belong to a distributed File System (FS).",
"15. The system of claim 14, wherein each compute node of the distributed FS comprises a respective virtual head.",
"16. The system of claim 11, wherein the first client and the second client each comprise a respective virtual machine.",
"17. The system of claim 11, wherein the first virtual head and the first client reside in a same failure domain.",
"18. The system of claim 11, wherein the first virtual head communicates with the second virtual head using Remote Direct Memory Access (RDMA) commands.",
"19. The system of claim 11, wherein the operations further comprise identifying a migration of the first client from the first compute node to the second compute node.",
"20. The system of claim 11, wherein the first client and the second client are each provisioned to direct the file access command to a single Internet Protocol (IP) address."
],
[
"1. A method, comprising:\nproviding, by a gateway control service for a storage service hosted at a provider network that provides one or more storage services to clients on a plurality of client networks via one or more storage gateways on respective ones of the client networks, a control interface to manage relationships between respective volumes of the storage service and a group of storage gateways on a first client network of the client networks;\nreceiving from a client of the first client network, via the control interface, a request comprising an indication of a particular storage gateway to be added to the storage gateway group at the first client network; and\nsending, responsive to the request via the control interface, one or more commands to add the particular storage gateway to the storage gateway group at the first client network.",
"2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said sending the one or more commands to add the particular gateway to the storage gateway group at the first client network comprises:\nsending the one or more commands to a gateway control plane for the gateway control service, the one or more commands sent with configuration information for the particular storage gateway to be added.",
"3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:\nsending, by the gateway control plane to the particular gateway based at least in part on the configuration information sent with the one or more commands, one or more configuration commands for the particular storage gateway to join the storage gateway group.",
"4. The method of claim 3, wherein said sending the one or more configuration commands for the particular storage gateway to join the storage gateway group comprises sending the one or more configuration commands to the particular gateway via a gateway-initiated connection initiated by the particular gateway.",
"5. The method of claim 2, further comprising:\nreceiving, via the control interface from another client of another client, a request to add a plurality of storage gateways, comprising at least a first and a second gateway, to another storage gateway group at the other client network; and\nsending, responsive to the request to add the plurality of storage gateways to the storage gateway group, one or more commands to add, to the other storage gateway group at the other client network, the plurality of gateways.",
"6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:\nreceiving, from a client of the client network via the control interface, a request to create a volume of the storage service for the particular gateway;\nresponsive to the request:\nsending a volume creation request to create the volume to the storage service; and\nsending a message to the particular gateway with an identifier for the volume.",
"7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:\nmonitoring the storage gateways in the storage gateway group for availability;\nreceiving, from one of the gateways of the storage gateway group, a request for permission to take over hosting of one or more volumes hosted by a storage gateway of the storage gateway group that has become unavailable; and\nsending a response acknowledging the requesting gateway as owner of the one or more volumes previously hosted by the unavailable gateway of the group of storage gateways.",
"8. A system, comprising:\none or more processors and memory storing program instructions that implement a storage gateway control service for a storage service hosted at a provider network, the gateway control service configured to:\nprovide a control interface to manage relationships between respective volumes of the storage service and a group of storage gateways on a client network;\nreceive, from a client of the client network via the control interface, a request comprising an indication of a particular storage gateway to be added to the storage gateway group on the client network; and\nresponsive to receipt of the request via the control interface,\nsend one or more commands to add the particular storage gateway to the storage gateway group at the client network.",
"9. The system of claim 8, wherein to send the one or more commands to add the particular gateway to the storage gateway group the program instructions cause the gateway control service to:\nsend, to a gateway control plane for the gateway control service, the one or more commands with configuration information for the particular gateway to be added.",
"10. The system of claim 9, further comprising:\none or more processors and memory storing program instructions that implement the gateway control plane, the gateway control plane configured to:\nsend, to the particular gateway based at least in part on the configuration information sent with the one or more commands, one or more configuration commands for the particular gateway to join the storage gateway group.",
"11. The system of claim 10, wherein to send the one or more configuration commands to the particular gateway, the program instructions cause the gateway control plane to send the one or more configuration commands to the particular gateway via a gateway-initiated connection initiated by the particular gateway.",
"12. The system of claim 8, wherein the program instructions cause the gateway control service to:\nreceive, from another client of another client network via the control interface, a request to add a plurality of storage gateways, comprising at least a first and a second gateway, to another storage gateway group at the other client network; and\nresponsive to the request to add the plurality of storage gateways to the storage gateway group, send one or more commands to add, to the other storage gateway group at the other client network, the plurality of gateways.",
"13. The system of claim 8, wherein the program instructions cause the gateway control service to:\nreceive, from a client of the client network via the control interface, a request to create a volume of the storage service for the particular gateway;\nsend a volume creation request, to create the volume, to the storage service; and\nsend a message to the particular gateway with an identifier for the volume.",
"14. The system of claim 8, wherein the program instructions cause the gateway control service to:\nmonitor the storage gateways in the storage gateway group for availability;\nreceive, from one of the gateways of the storage gateway group, a request for permission to take over hosting of one or more volumes hosted by a storage gateway of the storage gateway group that has become unavailable; and\nsend a response acknowledging takeover of the one or more volumes.",
"15. One or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing program instructions that when executed on or across one or more processors perform:\nproviding, by a gateway control service for a storage service hosted at a provider network that provides one or more storage services to clients on a plurality of client networks via one or more storage gateways on respective ones of the client networks, a control interface to manage relationships between respective volumes of the storage service and a group of storage gateways on a first client network of the client networks;\nreceiving from a client of the first client network, via the control interface, a request comprising an indication of a particular storage gateway to be added to the storage gateway group at the first client network; and\nsending, responsive to the request via the control interface, one or more commands to add the particular storage gateway to the storage gateway group at the first client network.",
"16. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 15, wherein said sending the one or more commands to add the particular gateway to the storage gateway group at the first client network comprises sending the one or more commands to a gateway control plane for the gateway control service, the one or more commands sent with configuration information for the particular storage gateway to be added.",
"17. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 16, storing program instructions to further perform:\nsending, by the gateway control plane to the particular gateway based at least in part on the configuration information sent with the one or more commands, one or more configuration commands for the particular storage gateway to join the storage gateway group.",
"18. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 17, wherein said sending the one or more configuration commands for the particular storage gateway to join the storage gateway group comprises sending the one or more configuration commands to the particular gateway via a gateway-initiated connection initiated by the particular gateway.",
"19. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 18, storing program instructions to further perform:\nreceiving, via the control interface from another client of another client, a request to add a plurality of storage gateways, comprising at least a first and a second gateway, to another storage gateway group at the other client network; and\nsending, responsive to the request to add the plurality of storage gateways to the storage gateway group, one or more commands to add, to the other storage gateway group at the other client network, the plurality of gateways.",
"20. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 18, storing program instructions to further perform:\nresponsive to receiving, from a client of the client network via the control interface, a request to create a volume of the storage service for the particular gateway:\nsending a volume creation request to create the volume to the storage service; and\nsending a message to the particular gateway with an identifier for the volume."
],
[
"1. A system, comprising:\nshared storage accessible to a network of nodes;\nthe network nodes including a first node and a second node, wherein the network of nodes:\nestablish a connection between a client and the first node based upon credentials of the client being authenticated, wherein a client identifier is provided to the client;\nin response to receiving an access request, comprising the client identifier, for a file accessible through the first node:\nform a handle to include a disk element identifier of a disk element of the first node, a file inode number generated by the disk element for the file, and a virtual address that is translated into a physical address for locating the file in the shared storage, wherein the handle is provided to the client;\ngenerate session data to include network element session data and disk element session data, wherein the network element session data includes a user identifier, the client identifier, and the handle, and the disk element session data includes the user identifier, the client identifier, the handle, permission data, and lock state type data;\nin response to receiving a request, including the handle and the client identifier, to access the file through the first node, provide the client with access to the file using the session data;\nin response to closing network ports of a network element of the first node, migrate virtual network interfaces of the network ports to the second node of the network of nodes as migrated virtual network interfaces; and\nprovide, by the second node using the network element session data and the disk element session data of the session data, the client with access to the file based upon the client connecting to the migrated virtual network interfaces through the network ports of the second node, wherein the virtual address of the file is used to determine the disk element identifier of the disk element serving the file.",
"2. The system of claim 1, wherein a combination of the user identifier and the client identifier are used by the first node and the second node to uniquely identify a user/client accessing the shared storage, and wherein the handle uniquely identifies the file.",
"3. The system of claim 1, wherein the disk element validates the request by matching the handle and the client identifier within the request with a matching entry within the disk element session data.",
"4. The system of claim 1, wherein the network element matches the handle and the client identifier within the request with a matching entry within the network element session data for processing the request.",
"5. The system of claim 1, wherein the permission data and the lock state type data is maintained for combinations of user identifiers and client identifiers uniquely identifying users/clients, and wherein each combination of a particular client identifier and a particular handle and associated permission data and lock state type data is maintained as a single entry within the disk element session data.",
"6. The system of claim 5, wherein entries of the disk element session data are indexed by combinations of client identifiers and handles.",
"7. The system of claim 5, wherein entries of the disk element session data are indexed by combinations of user identifiers and handles.",
"8. The system of claim 1, wherein the second node accepts a subsequent request from the client to access the file without performing a connection authentication procedure that the first node performed to authenticate the credentials of the client, wherein the second node accepts the subsequent request having the original client identifier and handle generated by the first node and retained by the client, and wherein the file opened by the client through the first node stays open without being closed before being accessed through the second node.",
"9. The system of claim 1, comprising:\na serving software component that takes the first node offline and utilizes a servicing module to service the first node, wherein the session data is made available to the second node based upon the serving software component determining that the first node is to be taken offline and serviced.",
"10. A method, comprising:\nestablishing, by a network of nodes including a first node and an second node that provide clients with access to shared storage, a connection between a client and the first node based upon credentials of the client being authenticated, wherein a client identifier is provided to the client;\nin response to receiving an access request, comprising the client identifier, for a file accessible through the first node:\nforming a handle to include a disk element identifier of a disk element of the first node, a file inode number generated by the disk element for the file, and a virtual address that is translated into a physical address for locating the file in the shared storage, wherein the handle is provided to the client;\ngenerating session data to include network element session data and disk element session data, wherein the network element session data includes a user identifier, the client identifier, and the handle, and the disk element session data includes the user identifier, the client identifier, the handle, permission data, and lock state type data;\nin response to receiving a request, including the handle and the client identifier, to access the file through the first node, providing the client with access to the file using the session data;\nin response to closing network ports of a network element of the first node, migrating virtual network interfaces of the network ports to the second node of the network of nodes as migrated virtual network interfaces; and\nproviding, by the second node using the network element session data and the disk element session data of the session data, the client with access to the file based upon the client connecting to the migrated virtual network interfaces through the network ports of the second node, wherein the virtual address of the file is used to determine the disk element identifier of the disk element serving the file.",
"11. The method of claim 10, comprising:\nutilizing a combination of the user identifier and the client identifier to uniquely identify a user/client accessing the shared storage, and wherein the handle uniquely identifies the file.",
"12. The method of claim 10, comprising:\nvalidating, by the disk element, the request by matching the handle and the client identifier within the request with a matching entry within the disk element session data.",
"13. The method of claim 10, comprising:\nmatching, by the network element, the handle and the client identifier within the request with a matching entry within the network element session data for processing the request.",
"14. The method of claim 10, comprising:\nmaintaining the permission data and the lock state type data for combinations of user identifiers and client identifiers uniquely identifying users/clients, wherein each combination of a particular client identifier and a particular handle and associated permission data and lock state type data is maintained as a single entry within the disk element session data.",
"15. The method of claim 10, comprising:\nindexing entries of the disk element session data by combinations of client identifiers and handles.",
"16. The method of claim 10, comprising:\nindexing entries of the disk element session data by combinations of user identifiers and handles.",
"17. The method of claim 10, comprising:\naccepting, by the second node, a subsequent request from the client to access the file without performing a connection authentication procedure that the first node performed to authenticate the credentials of the client, wherein the second node accepts the subsequent request having the original client identifier and handle generated by the first node and retained by the client, and wherein the file opened by the client through the first node stays open without being closed before being accessed through the second node.",
"18. The method of claim 10, comprising:\ntaking, by a servicing software component, the first node offline and utilizing a servicing module to service the first node, wherein the session data is made available to the second node based upon the serving software component determining that the first node is to be taken offline and serviced.",
"19. A non-transitory machine readable medium comprising instructions, which when executed by a machine, causes the machine to:\nestablish, by a network of nodes including a first node and an second node that provide clients with access to shared storage, a connection between a client and the first node based upon credentials of the client being authenticated, wherein a client identifier is provided to the client;\nin response to receiving an access request, comprising the client identifier, for a file accessible through the first node:\nform a handle to include a disk element identifier of a disk element of the first node, a file inode number generated by the disk element for the file, and a virtual address that is translated into a physical address for locating the file in the shared storage, wherein the handle is provided to the client;\ngenerate session data to include network element session data and disk element session data, wherein the network element session data includes a user identifier, the client identifier, and the handle, and the disk element session data includes the user identifier, the client identifier, the handle, permission data, and lock state type data;\nin response to receiving a request, including the handle and the client identifier, to access the file through the first node, provide the client with access to the file using the session data;\nin response to closing network ports of a network element of the first node, migrate virtual network interfaces of the network ports to the second node of the network of nodes as migrated virtual network interfaces; and\nprovide, by the second node using the network element session data and the disk element session data of the session data, the client with access to the file based upon the client connecting to the migrated virtual network interfaces through the network ports of the second node, wherein the virtual address of the file is used to determine the disk element identifier of the disk element serving the file.",
"20. The non-transitory machine readable medium of claim 19, wherein the instructions cause the machine to:\naccept, by the second node, a subsequent request from the client to access the file without performing a connection authentication procedure that the first node performed to authenticate the credentials of the client, wherein the second node accepts the subsequent request having the original client identifier and handle generated by the first node and retained by the client, and wherein the file opened by the client through the first node stays open without being closed before being accessed through the second node."
],
[
"1. A data processing system comprising:\na plurality of processing cores, said processing cores at least one processing core having a first bus protocol and at least one processing core having a second bus protocol;\na bus converter connected to an address bus and a command address bus of each of said at least one processing core having a first bus protocol for converting said address from said first bus protocol to said second bus protocol supplied to said command address bus;\na plurality of memory endpoints, each memory endpoint adapted for connection to a memory; and\na crossbar connector connected to said plurality of processing cores, said bus converter and said plurality of memory endpoints for routing access requests from said processing cores to said memory endpoints having addresses converted from said first bus protocol to said second bus protocol by said bus converter and routing data between said processing cores and said memory endpoints.",
"2. The data processing system of claim 1, wherein:\nsaid at least one processing core having a first bus protocol operates at a first clock frequency;\nsaid at least one processing core having a second bus protocol operates at a second clock frequency different from said first clock frequency; and\nfurther comprising an asynchronous crossing unit connecting a first clock domain including said at least one processing core having a first bus protocol to a second clock domain including said at least one processing core having a second bus protocol.",
"3. The data processing system of claim 2, wherein:\nsaid crossbar connector is disposed in said second clock domain.",
"4. The data processing system of claim 2, wherein:\neach of said memory endpoints is disposed in said second clock domain.",
"5. The data processing system of claim 2 wherein:\neach of said memory endpoints includes a coherence unit, each coherence unit including\na coherence maintenance address queue having a plurality of entries, each entry storing an address of an access request committed to the shared memory and an assigned ID tag,\nan ID allocation block coupled to said coherence maintenance address queue assigning an available ID tag from a set of ID tags to an access committed to the shared memory for storage in said coherence maintenance address queue and retiring a coherence maintenance address queue entry upon receipt of a completion signal from the shared memory indicating completion of the corresponding access, and\na comparator coupled to said input ports and said coherence maintenance address queue and receiving an address of a memory access request, said comparator comparing the address of the memory access request with all addresses stored in said coherence maintenance address queue and generating a hazard stall signal if the address of the memory access request matches any address stored in said coherence maintenance address queue.",
"6. The data processing system of claim 5, wherein:\neach of said coherence units further includes\na coherence transaction tracking queue having a plurality of entries, each entry storing dirty tags corresponding to coherence write data and an assigned ID tag,\na comparator connected to said coherence transaction tacking queue and receiving dirty tags corresponding to snoop response data, said comparator determining where snoop response dirty tags indicate dirty and said stored dirty tags indicate clean and inactive elsewhere, said comparator causing a write of received snoop response data that is dirty in the snoop response and clean in the coherence write data to the shared memory, and\nsaid ID allocation block is further coupled to said coherence transaction tracking queue and operable to assign an available ID tag from said set of ID tags upon creation of an entry within said coherence transaction tracking queue.",
"7. The data processing system of claim 5, wherein:\nsaid ID allocation block assigns a lowest available ID tag upon allocating an ID tag.",
"8. The data processing system of claim 1, wherein:\neach of said processing cores includes a memory translation unit including\na plurality of segment registers, each segment register including a first address field, a privilege identity field and a second address field,\na plurality of comparators receiving an address and a privilege identity tag from a processing core requesting access,\na multiplexer connected to said segment registers for selecting said second address field of a segment register having a first plurality of most significant bits matching said first address field and a privilege identity matching said privilege identity field;\nwherein said memory translation unit forms a translated address having a first set of least significant bits corresponding to said address of said processing core requesting access and a second set of most significant bits corresponding to said second address field selected by said multiplexer.",
"9. The data processing system of claim 1, wherein:\neach of said processing cores includes a command re-ordering buffer receiving access requests and selecting one access request to forward to said crossbar connector, said command re-ordering buffers selecting a demand read before a prefetch request and selecting a prefetch request before a demand write."
],
[
"1. A network interface controller, comprising:\na host interface, which is configured to be coupled to a host computer having a host memory and a central processing unit which runs user level or client applications;\na network interface, which is configured to receive data packets from a network, each data packet having a header comprising header fields and a payload comprising data; and\npacket processing circuitry, which is configured in dedicated hardware logic to receive data packets through the network interface, and for each one of at least some of the data-packets:\nto read a payload filtering criterion for the data packet, from a transport context of a corresponding transport service instance,\nto select a priority for the data packet, from a plurality of priority levels, responsively to applying the payload filtering criterion to at least a part of the payload of the data packet,\nto handle the data packet in a manner selected responsively to the selected priority, and\nto write the data packet to a location in the host memory through the host interface, such that the data packets of each of the plurality of priority levels is written to a location in the host memory through the host interface.",
"2. The network interface controller according to claim 1, wherein the packet processing circuitry applies the payload filtering criterion to unstructured data.",
"3. The network interface controller according to claim 1, wherein the packet processing circuitry is configured to read the payload filtering criterion from a memory location writeable by a process running on the host computer in an unprotected user mode.",
"4. The network interface controller according to claim 1, wherein the payload filtering criterion specifies a pattern of symbols, and the processing circuitry is configured to select the priority for the data packet, responsively to whether data in the payload contains a match to the pattern.",
"5. The network interface controller according to claim 1, wherein the packet processing circuitry is configured to read the payload filtering criterion, through the host interface, from a host memory.",
"6. The network interface controller according to claim 1, wherein the packet processing circuitry is configured to identify the transport context from which to read the payload filtering criterion for the specific one of the received data packets, responsively to a header of the specific one of the received data packets.",
"7. The network interface controller according to claim 1, wherein the packet processing circuitry is configured to restrict generation of interrupts, so that a given client cannot cause more than a certain maximum number of interrupts within a given time span, even if the filtering criterion is satisfied more often.",
"8. The network interface controller according to claim 1, wherein the payload to which the packet processing circuitry applies the payload filtering criterion comprises application-layer data.",
"9. The network interface controller according to claim 8, wherein the payload to which the packet processing circuitry applies the payload filtering criterion comprises an application-layer header.",
"10. A method for communication, comprising:\nreceiving data packets from a network in a network interface controller (NIC), which is coupled to a host computer having a host memory and a central processing unit which runs user level or client applications, each of the data packets comprising a header comprising header fields and a payload comprising data; and\nfor each one of at least some of the data-packets:\nreading a payload filtering criterion for the data packet, from a transport context of a corresponding transport service instance;\nprocessing one or more of the header fields of the received data packet, by dedicated hardware logic in the NIC, so as to select, responsively to one or more fields of the received data packet, a location in the host memory for the received data packet;\nwriting the data in the payload of the received data packet from the NIC to the selected location in the host memory;\nselecting in the NIC a priority for the data packet, responsively to applying the payload filtering criterion to at least a part of the payload of the data packet; and\nhandling the data packet by the NIC in a manner selected responsively to the selected priority.",
"11. The method according to claim 10, wherein reading the payload filtering criterion comprises reading the payload filtering criterion from a memory location writeable by a process running on the host computer in an unprotected user mode.",
"12. The method according to claim 10, wherein determining whether at least a part of the data in the payload of the packet satisfies the payload filtering criterion comprises applying the payload filtering criterion to unstructured data in the payload.",
"13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the payload filtering criterion specifies a pattern of symbols, and wherein determining whether at least a part of the data in the payload of the packet satisfies the payload filtering criterion comprises determining whether the payload data contains a match to the pattern.",
"14. A network interface controller, comprising:\na host interface, which is configured to be coupled to a host computer having a host memory and a central processing unit which runs user level or client applications;\na network interface, which is configured to receive data packets from a network, each data packet having a header comprising header fields and a payload comprising data; and\npacket processing circuitry, which is configured in dedicated hardware logic to receive data packets through the network interface, to read a payload filtering criterion for a specific one of the received data packets, from a transport context of a transport service instance corresponding to the specific one of the received data packets, to select a priority for the specific one of the received data packets, responsively to applying the payload filtering criterion to at least a part of the payload of the specific one of the received data packets, to handle the specific one of the data packets in a manner selected responsively to the selected priority and to write the data packet to a location in the host memory through the host interface, wherein the packet processing circuitry is configured to read the payload filtering criterion from a memory location writeable by a process running on the host computer in an unprotected user mode."
],
[
"1. A controller for a memory system comprising:\na host interface and a memory interface; and\nlogic configured to execute host requests received at the host interface, and to execute a memory management operation comprising a plurality of memory command cycles, wherein:\nin an event of a host request of a specified type during execution of the memory management operation, when the memory interface is ready at the end of a memory command cycle in the plurality of memory command cycles in the memory management operation before completion of the memory management operation, the logic selects a memory command for the host request as a current command for a memory command cycle.",
"2. The controller of claim 1, wherein the logic saves a state of the memory management operation during the memory command cycle of the selected memory command, and when the memory interface is ready selects a memory command for the memory management operation according to the saved state for a next memory command cycle.",
"3. The controller of claim 1, wherein the logic is configured so that in an event of a host request other than the specified type during execution of the memory management operation, the logic selects a following command for the memory management operation for a next memory command cycle.",
"4. The controller of claim 1, including logic to execute the memory management operation which polls the host interface for host requests during times in which the memory interface is not ready for a next memory command cycle.",
"5. The controller of claim 1, wherein the specified type of host request includes a read request.",
"6. The controller of claim 1, the logic decoding host requests on the host interface to identify the specified type during time overlapping with a current memory command cycle.",
"7. The controller of claim 1, wherein the memory management operation comprises flash translation layer functions.",
"8. The controller of claim 1, in an event of a host request when the memory management operation is not being performed, the logic selects a following command for the host request for a next memory command cycle using the memory interface.",
"9. A method of controlling operations of a controller for a memory system, the controller including a memory interface coupled to a memory, a host interface coupled to a host, and logic to execute operations, the method comprising:\nexecuting a memory management operation, the memory management operation comprising a plurality of memory command cycles, including:\nin an event of a host request of a specified type during execution of the memory management operation, when the memory interface is ready at the end of a memory command cycle in the plurality of memory command cycles in the memory management operation before completion of the memory management operation, selecting a memory command for the host request as a current command for a memory command cycle using the memory interface.",
"10. The method of claim 9, including saving a state of the memory management operation during the memory command cycle of the selected memory command, and when the memory interface is ready selecting a memory command for the memory management operation according to the saved state for a next memory command cycle.",
"11. The method of claim 9, including in an event of a host request other than the specified type during execution of the memory management operation, selecting a following command for the memory management operation for a next memory command cycle using the memory interface.",
"12. The method of claim 9, including polling the host interface for host requests during times in the memory management operation in which the memory interface is not ready for a next memory command cycle.",
"13. The method of claim 9, wherein the specified type of host request includes a read request.",
"14. The method of claim 9, including decoding host requests on the host interface to identify the specified type during time overlapping with a current memory command cycle.",
"15. The method of claim 9, wherein the memory management operation comprises flash translation layer functions.",
"16. The method of claim 9, in an event of a host request when the memory management operation is not being performed, selecting a following command for the host request for a next memory command cycle using the memory interface.",
"17. A method of controlling execution of operations in a memory system, the memory system including a controller comprising a host interface coupled to a host and a memory interface coupled to a memory, the method comprising:\nexecuting a flash translation layer operation including a plurality of memory command cycles using the memory interface;\nsuspending the flash translation layer operation when the memory interface is ready and saving a state of the flash translation layer operation;\nexecuting a memory command cycle using the memory interface while the flash translation layer operation is suspended for a read request received at the host interface;\nresuming the flash translation layer operation according to the saved state.",
"18. The method of claim 17, including detecting the host read request before suspending the flash translation layer operation.",
"19. The method of claim 17, including\nexecuting host requests other than the read request when the memory interface is ready upon completion of the last memory command cycle of the plurality of memory command cycles of the flash translation layer operation.",
"20. The method of claim 17, wherein the flash translation layer operation includes a background operation."
],
[
"1. A memory controller comprising:\na plurality of queues comprising circuitry configured to store memory access requests; and\ncontrol circuitry configured to:\nsend one or more first memory access requests stored in a first queue of the plurality of queues; and\nsend memory access requests stored in a second queue of the plurality of queues subsequent to the one or more first memory access requests having been sent, responsive to:\na cost for sending second memory access requests stored in the first queue being greater than a threshold cost; and\na cost for sending the memory access requests in the second queue being less than the threshold cost.",
"2. The memory controller as recited in claim 1, wherein in response to the first queue not storing at least a threshold number of memory access requests, the control circuitry is configured to calculate whether a given period of time has elapsed since a most recent cost evaluation was performed.",
"3. The memory controller as recited in claim 2, wherein:\nthe threshold cost is a cost of a data bus turnaround of an off-chip data bus; and\nthe threshold number of memory access requests corresponds to a burst length of a memory device.",
"4. The memory controller as recited in claim 3, wherein the cost for sending the memory access requests stored in the second queue corresponds to a cost for sending requests according to a mode for the off-chip data bus different from a current mode for the off-chip data bus.",
"5. The memory controller as recited in claim 1, wherein in response to the first queue not storing at least a threshold number of memory access requests and a given period of time has elapsed since a most recent cost evaluation was performed, the control circuitry is configured to calculate the cost for sending the second memory access requests.",
"6. The memory controller as recited in claim 1, wherein the second memory access requests are read requests, and the memory access requests other than the second memory access requests are write requests.",
"7. The memory controller as recited in claim 1, wherein the cost for sending the second memory access requests is based on at least one of a number of page conflicts and a number of page misses.",
"8. The memory controller as recited in claim 2, wherein the control circuitry is further configured to send the memory access requests of the threshold number of memory access requests stored in the first queue, instead of the memory access requests stored in the second queue, responsive to the cost for sending the second memory access requests being greater than the threshold cost.",
"9. A method for use in a computing system, the method comprising:\nstoring, by a memory controller, received memory access requests in a plurality of queues;\nsending, by the memory controller, one or more first memory access requests stored in a first queue of the plurality of queues;\nsending, by the memory controller, memory access requests stored in a second queue of the plurality of queues subsequent to the one or more first memory access requests having been sent, responsive to:\na cost for sending second memory access requests stored in the first queue being greater than a threshold cost; and\na cost for sending the memory access requests in the second queue being less than the threshold cost.",
"10. The method as recited in claim 9, further comprising calculating whether a given period of time has elapsed since a most recent cost evaluation was performed, in response to the first queue not storing at least a threshold number of memory access requests.",
"11. The method as recited in claim 10, further comprising calculating the cost for sending the second memory access requests, in response to the first queue not storing at least the threshold number of memory access requests and a given period of time has elapsed since a most recent cost evaluation was performed.",
"12. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein the second memory access requests are read requests, and the memory access requests stored in the second queue are write requests.",
"13. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein:\nthe threshold cost is a cost of a data bus turnaround of a memory device; and\nthe threshold number of memory access requests corresponds to a burst length of the memory device.",
"14. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein to the cost of sending the second memory access requests at based on at least one of a number of page conflicts and a number of page misses.",
"15. The method as recited in claim 10, further comprising sending the second memory access requests of the threshold number of memory access requests stored in the first queue, instead of the memory access requests stored in the second queue, responsive to the cost being less than the threshold cost.",
"16. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein the cost for sending the memory access requests stored in the second queue corresponds to a cost for sending requests according to a mode for an off-chip data bus different from a current mode for the off-chip data bus.",
"17. A computing system comprising:\na memory device configured to store data;\none or more computing resources, each configured to generate memory access requests for the data; and\na memory controller, comprising a plurality of queues, coupled to the memory device via a data bus;\nwherein the memory controller, is configured to:\nsend one or more first memory access requests stored in a first queue of the plurality of queues; and\nsend memory access requests stored in a second queue of the plurality of queues subsequent to the one or more first memory access requests having been sent, responsive to:\na cost for sending second memory access requests stored in the first queue being greater than a threshold cost; and\na cost for sending the memory access requests in the second queue being less than the threshold cost.",
"18. The computing system as recited in claim 17, wherein in response to the first queue not storing at least a threshold number of memory access requests, the memory controller is configured to wait until a given period of time has elapsed before performing a cost evaluation.",
"19. The computing system as recited in claim 18, wherein in response to the first queue not storing at least the threshold number of memory access requests and a given period of time has elapsed since a most recent cost evaluation was performed, the memory controller is configured to calculate the cost for sending the second memory access requests.",
"20. The computing system as recited in claim 17, wherein the second memory access requests are read requests, and the memory access requests stored in the second queue are write requests."
],
[
"1. A method comprising:\ndetecting a miss in a cache by a thread in a wavefront comprising a plurality of threads that are each executing a corresponding memory access request concurrently on a corresponding plurality of processor cores;\nassigning a priority to the thread based on whether the memory access request is addressed to a local memory or a remote memory; and\nperforming the memory access request for the thread based on the priority.",
"2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\ndetermining whether the memory access request is addressed to the local memory or the remote memory based on an address interleaving scheme for a virtual-to-physical address mapping or information stored in an entry of a translation lookaside buffer.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein assigning the priority to the thread further comprises assigning the priority to the thread based on a first number of the plurality of threads that miss in the cache and a second number of the plurality of threads that hit in the cache.",
"4. The method of claim 3, wherein assigning the priority to the thread further comprises:\nassigning a first priority to the thread in response to the miss being addressed to the remote memory and the second number being above a first threshold;\nassigning a second priority, lower than the first priority, to the thread in response to the miss being addressed to the remote memory and the first number being above a second threshold;\nassigning a third priority, lower than the second priority, to the thread in response to the miss being addressed to the remote memory and a fraction of other threads in the wavefront that also miss in the cache and are addressed to the remote memory being above a third threshold;\nassigning a fourth priority, lower than the third priority, to the thread in response to the miss being addressed to the local memory and the second number being above a fourth threshold;\nassigning a fifth priority, lower than the fourth priority, to the thread in response to the miss being addressed to the local memory and a fraction of other threads in the wavefront that also miss in the cache and are addressed to the local memory being above a fifth threshold; and\nassigning a sixth priority, lower than the fifth priority, to the thread in response to the miss being addressed to the local memory and a fraction of other threads in the wavefront that also miss in the cache and are addressed to the remote memory being above a sixth threshold.",
"5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nallocating the thread to one of a plurality of queues maintained in a local memory controller for the local memory and a remote memory controller for the remote memory based on the priority.",
"6. The method of claim 5, wherein the plurality of queues is associated with a corresponding plurality of priorities, and wherein performing the memory access request comprises servicing the queues based on the plurality of priorities.",
"7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nbypassing the cache in response to the memory access request being addressed to the local memory; and\naccessing the cache in response to the memory access request being addressed to the remote memory.",
"8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nrequesting a cache block in response to the miss;\nbiasing the cache block towards a least recently used (LRU) position in the cache in response to requesting the cache block from the local memory and in response to the requested cache block being inserted into the cache; and\nbiasing the cache block towards a most recently used (MitU) position in the cache in response to requesting the cache block from the remote memory and in response to the requested cache block being inserted into the cache.",
"9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nsending memory access requests to the cache in an order that is determined based on whether the memory access request is addressed to the local memory or the remote memory.",
"10. An apparatus comprising:\na plurality of processor cores configured to execute a wavefront including a plurality of threads that perform a memory access request; and\na cache to store information for at least one of the plurality of processor cores,\nwherein a priority is assigned to a thread in response to the memory access request performed by the thread missing in the cache,\nwherein the priority is determined based on whether the memory access request is addressed to a local memory or a remote memory, and\nwherein a corresponding one of the plurality of processor cores performs the memory access request for the thread based on the priority.",
"11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising:\na translation lookaside buffer configured to store an entry that indicates a virtual-to-physical address mapping for the memory access request,\nwherein an address interleaving scheme for the virtual-to-physical address mapping or information stored in the entry of the translation lookaside buffer indicates whether the memory access request is addressed to the local memory or the remote memory.",
"12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the priority is assigned to the thread based on a first number of the plurality of threads that miss in the cache and a second number of the plurality of threads that hit in the cache.",
"13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein:\na first priority is assigned to the thread in response to the miss being addressed to the remote memory and the second number being above a first threshold;\na second priority, lower than the first priority, is assigned to the thread in response to the miss being addressed to the remote memory and the first number being above a second threshold;\na third priority, lower than the second priority, is assigned to the thread in response to the miss being addressed to the remote memory and a fraction of other threads in the wavefront that also miss in the cache and are addressed to the remote memory being above a third threshold;\na fourth priority, lower than the third priority, is assigned to the thread in response to the miss being addressed to the local memory and the second number being above a fourth threshold;\na fifth priority, lower than the fourth priority, is assigned to the thread in response to the miss being addressed to the local memory and a fraction of other threads in the wavefront that also miss in the cache and are addressed to the local memory being above a fifth threshold; and\na sixth priority, lower than the fifth priority, is assigned to the thread in response to the miss being addressed to the local memory and a fraction of other threads in the wavefront that also miss in the cache and are addressed to the remote memory being above a sixth threshold.",
"14. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising:\na local memory controller for the local memory, wherein the local memory controller maintains a plurality of first queues; and\na remote memory controller for the remote memory, wherein the remote memory controller maintains a plurality of second queues, and\nwherein the thread is allocated to one of the plurality of first queues or the plurality of second queues based on the priority.",
"15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the plurality of first queues and the plurality of second queues are associated with a corresponding plurality of priorities, and wherein the plurality of first queues and the plurality of second queues are serviced based on the plurality of priorities.",
"16. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein:\nthe cache is bypassed in response to the memory access request being addressed to the local memory; and\nthe cache is accessed in response to the memory access request being addressed to the remote memory.",
"17. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein:\na cache block is requested in response to the thread missing in the cache;\nthe cache block is biased towards a least recently used (LRU) position in the cache in response to requesting the cache block from the local memory and in response to the requested cache block being inserted into the cache; and\nthe cache block is biased towards a most recently used (MRU) position in the cache in response to requesting the cache block from the remote memory and in response to the requested cache block being inserted into the cache.",
"18. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein:\nmemory access requests are sent to the cache in an order that is determined based on whether the memory access request is addressed to the local memory or the remote memory.",
"19. An apparatus comprising:\na plurality of processor cores configured to execute a wavefront including a plurality of threads that perform a memory access request;\na first memory and a second memory configured to store information that is accessible to the plurality of processor cores; and\nfirst and second caches to store copies of information stored in the first and second memories,\nwherein a priority is assigned to a thread in response to the memory access request performed by the thread missing in the first cache,\nwherein the priority is determined based on whether the memory access request is addressed to the first memory or the second memory, and\nwherein a corresponding one of the plurality of processor cores performs the memory access request for the thread based on the priority.",
"20. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising:\na translation lookaside buffer configured to store an entry that indicates a virtual-to-physical address mapping for the memory access request,\nwherein an address interleaving scheme for the virtual-to-physical address mapping or information stored in the entry of the translation lookaside buffer indicates whether the memory access request is addressed to the first memory or the second memory."
],
[
"1. A transfer control device that controls transferring of data stored in a communication device, the transfer control device comprising:\na memory; and\none or more hardware processors electrically coupled to the memory and configured to function as:\na control unit that performs control for transferring the data to a first transmission buffer; and\na determining unit that determines, depending on a state of the communication device, data to be restricted from being transferred, wherein\nwhen transferring is to be restricted, the control unit delays transferring of the data to be restricted from being transferred, and\nwhen an access load of at least one of a memory unit being a source of transferring, the first transmission buffer, and a bus that connects the memory unit and the first transmission buffer is higher than an access threshold value, the determining unit determines that data having a smaller degree of priority than a priority threshold value is to be restricted from being transferred.",
"2. The transfer control device according to claim 1, wherein\nwhen a number of pieces of data stored in the first transmission buffer and having degree of priority to be equal to or greater than the priority threshold value is smaller than a data number threshold value, the determining unit determines that the data having the smaller degree of priority than the priority threshold value is to be restricted from being transferred, and\nwhen the number of pieces of data stored in the first transmission buffer and having the degree of priority equal to or greater than the priority threshold value is equal to or greater than the data number threshold value, the determining unit decides that the data having the degree of priority smaller than the priority threshold value is not to be restricted from being transferred.",
"3. The transfer control device according to claim 1, wherein\nwhen a size of data stored in the first transmission buffer and having degree of priority equal to or greater than the priority threshold value is smaller than a data size threshold value, the determining unit determines that the data having the smaller degree of priority than the priority threshold value is to be restricted from being transferred, and\nwhen the size of data stored in the first transmission buffer and having the degree of priority equal to or greater than the priority threshold value is equal to or greater than the data size threshold value, the determining unit determines that the data having the degree of priority smaller than the priority threshold value is not to be restricted from being transferred.",
"4. The transfer control device according to claim 1, wherein\naccording to scheduling information indicating a schedule of transmission timings of data stored in the first transmission buffer and data stored in a second transmission buffer, the determining unit determines data to be restricted from being transferred, and\nthe control unit performs control so that data having a degree of priority equal to or greater than the priority threshold value is promptly transferred to the first transmission buffer, and\nwhen transferring is not restricted, the data having the degree of priority smaller than the priority threshold value is promptly transferred to the second transmission buffer.",
"5. The transfer control device according to claim 4, wherein\nthe determining unit refers to the scheduling information, calculates a number of pieces of data that are transmittable from the first transmission buffer at next transmission timing, and\nwhen a number of pieces of data stored in the first transmission buffer is smaller than the number of transmittable pieces of data, pieces of the data having the degree of priority smaller than the priority threshold value is to be restricted from being transferred, and\nwhen the data having the degree of priority smaller than the priority threshold value is to be restricted from being transferred, the control unit delays transferring of the data having the degree of priority smaller than the priority threshold value.",
"6. The transfer control device according to claim 4, wherein the scheduling information represents a gate control list of IEEE 802.1Qbv standard.",
"7. A transfer control method implemented in a transfer control device that controls transferring of data stored in a communication device, the transmission control method comprising:\nperforming control for transferring the data to a first transmission buffer;\ndetermining, depending on a state of the communication device, data to be restricted from being transferred;\ndelaying transferring of the data to be restricted;\ndetermining that an access load of at least one of a memory unit being a source of transferring, the first transmission buffer, and a bus that connects the memory unit and the first transmission buffer is higher than an access threshold value; and\ndetermining whether or not data having a smaller degree of priority than a priority threshold value is to be restricted from being transferred.",
"8. A computer program product having a non-transitory computer readable medium including programmed instructions, wherein the instructions, when executed by a computer that controls transferring of data stored in a communication device, cause the computer to function as:\na control unit that performs control for transferring the data to a first transmission buffer; and\na determining unit that, depending on state of the communication device, determines data to be restricted from being transferred, wherein\nwhen transferring is to be restricted, the control unit delays transferring of the data to be restricted from being transferred, and\nwhen an access load of at least one of a memory unit being a source of transferring, the first transmission buffer, and a bus that connects the memory unit and the first transmission buffer is higher than an access threshold value, the determining unit determines that data having a smaller degree of priority than a priority threshold value is to be restricted from being transferred."
],
[
"1. A slave node transceiver for low latency communication, comprising:\nupstream transceiver circuitry to receive a signal transmitted over a bus from an upstream device;\nclock circuitry to generate a clock signal at the slave node transceiver based on sync portions of the signal, wherein timing of the receipt and provision of signals over the bus by the slave node transceiver is based on the clock signal;\nperipheral device communication circuitry to provide output signals to one or more peripheral devices; and\nsustain circuitry to determine that a predetermined number of sync portions have not been received in a predetermined time interval, and in response to the determination, cause the attenuation of the output signals.",
"2. The slave node transceiver of claim 1, wherein the sync portions of the signal are included in synchronization control frames of the signal.",
"3. The slave node transceiver of claim 1, wherein the peripheral device communication circuitry includes an Inter-Integrated Circuit Sound (I2S) transceiver, a Time Division Multiplex (TDM) transceiver, a Pulse Density Modulation (PDM) transceiver, an Inter-Integrated Circuit (I2C) transceiver, or a General Purpose Input/Output (GPIO) pin.",
"4. The slave node transceiver of claim 1, wherein the clock circuitry includes a phase locked loop (PLL), and the PLL continues to run during attenuation of the output signals.",
"5. The slave node transceiver of claim 4, wherein the clock circuitry is not to attempt relock of the PLL during attenuation of the output signals.",
"6. The slave node transceiver of claim 1, wherein the attenuation of the output signals includes the reduction in value of at least one output signal to zero over a predetermined time interval.",
"7. The slave node transceiver of claim 1, wherein the sustain circuitry is to cause the slave node transceiver to reset after attenuation of the output signals.",
"8. The slave node transceiver of claim 1, wherein the sustain circuitry is further to, after reset, determine that a predetermined number of sync portions have been received in a predetermined time interval and, in response, cause the slave node transceiver to communicate over the bus.",
"9. The slave node transceiver of claim 1, wherein the bus is a two-wire bus.",
"10. The slave node transceiver of claim 1, further comprising:\ndownstream transceiver circuitry to provide a signal downstream over the bus toward a downstream device.",
"11. The slave node transceiver of claim 1, further comprising:\npower circuitry to receive a voltage bias over the bus from the upstream device.",
"12. The slave node transceiver of claim 1, wherein the upstream device is another slave node transceiver.",
"13. The slave node transceiver of claim 1, wherein the upstream device is a master node transceiver.",
"14. A low latency communication system, comprising:\na master node transceiver; and\na plurality of slave node transceivers coupled to the master node transceiver in a daisy chain bus,\nwherein individual ones of the slave node transceivers generate a local clock signal based on synchronization information sent downstream through the bus, individual ones of the slave node transceivers provide local outputs to locally connected peripheral devices, and individual ones of the slave node transceivers are to, upon determination that the synchronization information is inadequate to generate the local clock signal, attenuate the local outputs provided to the locally connected peripheral devices.",
"15. The low latency communication system of claim 14, wherein the daisy chain bus is a two-wire bus.",
"16. The low latency communication system of claim 14, wherein determine that the synchronization information is inadequate to generate the local clock signal includes determine that an insufficient number of synchronization signals has been received to lock a local phase locked loop (PLL).",
"17. The low latency communication system of claim 14, wherein one or more of the locally connected peripheral devices includes an audio output device or an audio input device.",
"18. A method of powering down a slave node transceiver on a low latency communication bus, comprising:\nidentifying, by a slave node transceiver, synchronization portions of a signal received from the bus;\ndetermining, by the slave node transceiver, that the synchronization portions are not adequate to generate a clock signal local to the slave node transceiver; and\nin response to determining that the synchronization portions are not adequate, gradually decreasing an amplitude of an output from the slave node transceiver to a peripheral device.",
"19. The method of claim 18, wherein determining that the synchronization portions are not adequate includes determining that no synchronization portion has been received in a predetermined time interval.",
"20. The method of claim 18, wherein the output from the slave node transceiver to a peripheral device is an Inter-Integrated Circuit Sound (I2S) output."
],
[
"1. A task processing method, comprising:\nacquiring a plurality of to-be-processed tasks; wherein, the plurality of to-be-processed tasks respectively correspond to a plurality of buffer management request sets;\ncreating different storage queues for storing relevant information of different processing stages in a request processing process for each of the plurality of buffer management request sets to obtain a plurality of storage queue sets respectively corresponding to the plurality of buffer management request sets;\nprocessing the plurality of to-be-processed tasks in parallel by a hardware device with parallel execution functionality, and in a process of processing any one of the plurality of buffer management request sets, processing different buffer management requests in the plurality of buffer management request sets based on a pipeline parallel processing mechanism, and storing relevant information of corresponding processing stages by using different storage queues in the plurality of storage queue sets.",
"2. The task processing method according to claim 1, wherein, the step of creating different storage queues for storing relevant information of different processing stages in a request processing process for each of the plurality of buffer management request sets to obtain a plurality of storage queue sets respectively corresponding to the plurality of buffer management request sets comprises:\nfor each buffer management request set, creating a request queue for storing request information corresponding to a request acquisition stage, a page index queue for storing memory page index information relevant to a buffer configuration stage, and a response queue for storing response information corresponding to a request response stage, respectively, in the request processing process, to obtain the plurality of storage queue sets respectively corresponding to the plurality of buffer management request sets.",
"3. The task processing method according to claim 2, wherein, after the step of processing different buffer management requests in the plurality of buffer management request sets based on a pipeline parallel processing mechanism, and storing relevant information of corresponding processing stages by using different storage queues in the plurality of storage queue sets, the method further comprises:\njudging whether the response queue is a non-empty queue;\nin response to the response queue is a non-empty queue, then generating a new interrupt flag;\nupdating a preset interrupt flag register by using the new interrupt flag, so that, after a software program running in a central processing unit detects that an interrupt flag in the interrupt flag register is updated, obtaining response information corresponding to the new interrupt flag from the response queue, and performing corresponding processing based on the obtained response information.",
"4. The task processing method according to claim 2, wherein, the step of processing the plurality of to-be-processed tasks in parallel by a hardware device with parallel execution functionality comprises:\nprocessing the plurality of to-be-processed tasks in parallel by the hardware device with parallel execution functionality, and during the process of processing the plurality of to-be-processed tasks in parallel, performing a load balancing operation on a page index queue of a target to-be-processed task, which meets a preset condition, based on a preset load balancing strategy.",
"5. The task processing method according to claim 4, wherein, the step of performing a load balancing operation on a page index queue of a target to-be-processed task, which meets a preset condition, based on a preset load balancing strategy comprises:\nmonitoring a plurality of page index queues corresponding to the plurality of to-be-processed tasks to select a target page index queue with currently unbalanced load, and triggering a to-be-processed load balancing event for the target page index queue;\nmonitoring whether there is currently a to-be-processed buffer configuration event for the target page index queue;\nin response to a to-be-processed buffer configuration event is currently detected, then, according to a preset priority determination strategy, determining a first priority corresponding to the to-be-processed load balancing event and a second priority corresponding to the to-be-processed buffer configuration event;\nin response to the first priority is higher than the second priority, performing a load balancing operation for the target page index queue, and then performing a buffer configuration operation for the target page index queue;\nin response to the first priority is lower than the second priority, performing a buffer configuration operation for the target page index queue, and then performing a load balancing operation for the target page index queue.",
"6. The task processing method according to claim 5, wherein, the step of performing a load balancing operation for the target page index queue comprises:\nin response to a memory page usage state corresponding to the target page index queue is an oversaturated state, allocating a new memory page for the target page index queue by using a preset page index cache queue and according to a preset memory page allocation strategy;\nin response to the memory page usage state of the target page index queue is an idle state, then an idle memory page corresponding to the target page index queue is released according to a preset memory page release strategy to restore the idle memory page into the preset page index cache queue;\nand, the step of creating a page index queue for storing memory page index information relevant to a buffer configuration stage comprises:\ndetermining a first preset memory page allocation proportion and a second preset memory page allocation proportion;\nallocating a corresponding number of memory pages in a memory to a first queue according to the first preset memory page allocation proportion to obtain the preset page index cache queue, and allocating another corresponding number of memory pages in the memory to a second queue according to the second preset memory page allocation proportion to obtain the page index queue.",
"7. The task processing method according to claim 1, wherein, the step of storing relevant information of corresponding processing stages by using different storage queues in the plurality of storage queue sets comprises:\nstoring a callback function address corresponding to each of the respective processing stages by using different storage queues in the plurality of storage queue sets, for determining a current degree of processing progress of a processing stage by utilizing the callback function address corresponding thereto.",
"8. The task processing method according to claim 1, wherein, the plurality of to-be-processed tasks respectively correspond to a plurality of buffer management request sets in such a way that:\nthe plurality of to-be-processed tasks respectively correspond to the plurality of buffer management request sets in a one-to-one manner.",
"11. An electronic device, comprising a processor and a memory; wherein, the memory has a computer program stored therein, and the computer program, in response to executed by the processor, causes the processor to perform steps of a task processing method, the steps comprises:\nacquiring a plurality of to-be-processed tasks; wherein, the plurality of to-be-processed tasks respectively correspond to a plurality of buffer management request sets;\ncreating different storage queues for storing relevant information of different processing stages in a request processing process for each of the plurality of buffer management request sets to obtain a plurality of storage queue sets respectively corresponding to the plurality of buffer management request sets;\nprocessing the plurality of to-be-processed tasks in parallel by a hardware device with parallel execution functionality, and in a process of processing any one of the plurality of buffer management request sets, processing different buffer management requests in the plurality of buffer management request sets based on a pipeline parallel processing mechanism, and storing relevant information of corresponding processing stages by using different storage queues in the plurality of storage queue sets.",
"12. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, configured to store a computer program therein; wherein, the computer program, in response to executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform steps of a task processing method, the steps comprises:\nacquiring a plurality of to-be-processed tasks; wherein, the plurality of to-be-processed tasks respectively correspond to a plurality of buffer management request sets;\ncreating different storage queues for storing relevant information of different processing stages in a request processing process for each of the plurality of buffer management request sets to obtain a plurality of storage queue sets respectively corresponding to the plurality of buffer management request sets;\nprocessing the plurality of to-be-processed tasks in parallel by a hardware device with parallel execution functionality, and in a process of processing any one of the plurality of buffer management request sets, processing different buffer management requests in the plurality of buffer management request sets based on a pipeline parallel processing mechanism, and storing relevant information of corresponding processing stages by using different storage queues in the plurality of storage queue sets.",
"13. The task processing method according to claim 1, wherein, the buffer management requests include a buffer allocation request and a buffer release request.",
"14. The task processing method according to claim 1, wherein, after obtaining a plurality of storage queue sets respectively corresponding to the plurality of buffer management request sets, address and size information of all the queues are configured into hardware, and the hardware completes a process of processing the plurality of buffer management request sets corresponding to the plurality of to-be-processed tasks.",
"15. The task processing method according to claim 1, wherein, each of the plurality of to-be-request tasks corresponds to one of the plurality of buffer management request sets, and each of the plurality of buffer management request sets contains a plurality of buffer management requests.",
"16. The task processing method according to claim 3, wherein, the request information stored in the request queue includes an operation type, a page index address or a buffer size, a page index quantity, and a user callback function address; the response information stored in the response queue includes an operation type, an operation state, a page index address, a page index quantity, and a user callback function address.",
"17. The electronic device according to claim 11, wherein, the step of creating different storage queues for storing relevant information of different processing stages in a request processing process for each of the plurality of buffer management request sets to obtain a plurality of storage queue sets respectively corresponding to the plurality of buffer management request sets comprises:\nfor each buffer management request set, creating a request queue for storing request information corresponding to a request acquisition stage, a page index queue for storing memory page index information relevant to a buffer configuration stage, and a response queue for storing response information corresponding to a request response stage, respectively, in the request processing process, to obtain the plurality of storage queue sets respectively corresponding to the plurality of buffer management request sets.",
"18. The electronic device according to claim 17, wherein, the step of processing the plurality of to-be-processed tasks in parallel by a hardware device with parallel execution functionality comprises:\nprocessing the plurality of to-be-processed tasks in parallel by the hardware device with parallel execution functionality, and during the process of processing the plurality of to-be-processed tasks in parallel, performing a load balancing operation on a page index queue of a target to-be-processed task, which meets a preset condition, based on a preset load balancing strategy.",
"19. The electronic device according to claim 18, wherein, the step of performing a load balancing operation on a page index queue of a target to-be-processed task, which meets a preset condition, based on a preset load balancing strategy comprises:\nmonitoring a plurality of page index queues corresponding to the plurality of to-be-processed tasks to select a target page index queue with currently unbalanced load, and triggering a to-be-processed load balancing event for the target page index queue;\nmonitoring whether there is currently a to-be-processed buffer configuration event for the target page index queue;\nin response to a to-be-processed buffer configuration event is currently detected, then, according to a preset priority determination strategy, determining a first priority corresponding to the to-be-processed load balancing event and a second priority corresponding to the to-be-processed buffer configuration event;\nin response to the first priority is higher than the second priority, performing a load balancing operation for the target page index queue, and then performing a buffer configuration operation for the target page index queue;\nin response to the first priority is lower than the second priority, performing a buffer configuration operation for the target page index queue, and then performing a load balancing operation for the target page index queue.",
"20. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 12, wherein, the step of creating different storage queues for storing relevant information of different processing stages in a request processing process for each of the plurality of buffer management request sets to obtain a plurality of storage queue sets respectively corresponding to the plurality of buffer management request sets comprises:\nfor each buffer management request set, creating a request queue for storing request information corresponding to a request acquisition stage, a page index queue for storing memory page index information relevant to a buffer configuration stage, and a response queue for storing response information corresponding to a request response stage, respectively, in the request processing process, to obtain the plurality of storage queue sets respectively corresponding to the plurality of buffer management request sets.",
"21. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 20, wherein, the step of processing the plurality of to-be-processed tasks in parallel by a hardware device with parallel execution functionality comprises:\nprocessing the plurality of to-be-processed tasks in parallel by the hardware device with parallel execution functionality, and during the process of processing the plurality of to-be-processed tasks in parallel, performing a load balancing operation on a page index queue of a target to-be-processed task, which meets a preset condition, based on a preset load balancing strategy.",
"22. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 21, wherein, the step of performing a load balancing operation on a page index queue of a target to-be-processed task, which meets a preset condition, based on a preset load balancing strategy comprises:\nmonitoring a plurality of page index queues corresponding to the plurality of to-be-processed tasks to select a target page index queue with currently unbalanced load, and triggering a to-be-processed load balancing event for the target page index queue;\nmonitoring whether there is currently a to-be-processed buffer configuration event for the target page index queue;\nin response to a to-be-processed buffer configuration event is currently detected, then, according to a preset priority determination strategy, determining a first priority corresponding to the to-be-processed load balancing event and a second priority corresponding to the to-be-processed buffer configuration event;\nin response to the first priority is higher than the second priority, performing a load balancing operation for the target page index queue, and then performing a buffer configuration operation for the target page index queue;\nin response to the first priority is lower than the second priority, performing a buffer configuration operation for the target page index queue, and then performing a load balancing operation for the target page index queue."
],
[
"1. A non-transitory computer-readable medium with instructions stored therein, the instructions, when executed by a data processing system, cause the data processing system to perform a method of processing one or more input/output operations having a timestamp and a priority level, the method comprising:\nadding an input/output operation to a queue based on the priority level of the input/output operation, wherein the queue has a weight assigned by the data processing system;\ndetermining a deadline of the input/output operation by adding the timestamp of the input/output operation to the weight of the queue;\ndetermining if the deadline of one or more input/output operations has expired by comparing the deadline of the one or more input/output operations to a reference time;\nand processing at least one of the operations with an expired deadline, wherein the processing maintains the assigned priority until the operation is completed by the data processing system.",
"2. The computer-readable medium of claim 1, further comprising:\nreceiving an input/output operation with a priority level assigned by the data processing system.",
"3. The computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the reference time is determined by a system clock of the data processing system.",
"4. The computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the reference time is determined by a reference clock external to the data processing system.",
"5. The computer readable medium of claim 1, further comprising selecting an additional queue to process based on round-robin arbitration.",
"6. The medium of claim 1, wherein an operating system throttles the transfer of data from a second application, to preserve the input/output rate of a first application, wherein the priority of the first application is superior to the priority of the second application.",
"7. The medium of claim 6, wherein data transfers originating from the operating system have a supervisor priority, wherein the supervisor priority is superior to all priorities assigned to the one or more applications.",
"8. The medium of claim 1, wherein the at least one non-volatile memory device of the data processing system is abstracted as a block storage device, and wherein the block storage device is abstracted to an operating system by a file system, wherein the file system and the block storage device maintain the priority level assigned by the operating system.",
"9. The medium of claim 8, wherein the block storage device prioritizes transfer of data via a system of weighted queues, wherein the weighted queues are arbitrated in a round-robin fashion, and wherein members of the weighted queues have scheduling factors including the timestamp, a weight, and a deadline.",
"10. The medium of claim 1, wherein the priority of each input/output operation is derived from the priority of the one of more applications associated with the input/output operation.",
"11. A machine implemented method of processing one or more input/output operations on a data processing system, the one or more input/output operations having a timestamp and a priority level, the method comprising:\nadding an input/output operation to a queue based on the priority level of the input/output operation, wherein the queue has a weight assigned by the data processing system;\ndetermining a deadline of the input/output operation by adding the timestamp of the input/output operation to the weight of the queue;\ndetermining if the deadline of one or more input/output operations has expired by comparing the deadline of the one or more input/output operations to a reference time;\nand processing at least one of the operations with an expired deadline, wherein the processing maintains the assigned priority until the operation is completed by the data processing system.",
"12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:\nreceiving an input/output operation with a priority level assigned by the data processing system.",
"13. The method of claim 11, wherein the reference time is determined by a system clock of the data processing system.",
"14. The method of claim 11, wherein the reference time is determined by a reference clock external to the data processing system.",
"15. The method of claim 11, further comprising selecting an additional queue to process based on round-robin arbitration.",
"16. The method of claim 11, wherein an operating system throttles the transfer of data from a second application, to preserve the input/output rate of a first application, wherein the priority of the first application is superior to the priority of the second application.",
"17. The method of claim 16, wherein data transfers originating from the operating system have a supervisor priority, wherein the supervisor priority is superior to all priorities assigned to the one or more applications.",
"18. The method of claim 11, wherein the at least one non-volatile memory device of the data processing system is abstracted as a block storage device, and wherein the block storage device is abstracted to the operating system of the data processing system by a file system, wherein the file system and the block storage device maintain the priority level assigned by the operating system.",
"19. The method of claim 18, wherein the block storage device prioritizes transfer of data via a system of weighted queues, wherein the weighted queues are arbitrated in a round-robin fashion, and wherein members of the weighted queues have scheduling factors including the timestamp, a weight, and a deadline.",
"20. The method of claim 11, wherein the priority of each input/output operation is derived from the priority of the one of more applications associated with the input/output operation."
],
[
"1. A direct memory access (DMA) engine processing transfer requests of a data processing system, comprising:\na command processor adapted to receive and interpret transfer requests of the data professing system, transfer requests being received by the command processor through a set of command FIFO registers respectively servicing requests of different transfer priorities;\na transfer memory connected to the command processor and having, for each of the transfer requests, data fields including transfer priority and transfer deadline;\na transaction dispatcher connected to the transfer memory and having read, read response and write engines adapted to handle command and data octet transfers through a set of read and write FIFO registers to and from a DRAM controller and a global bus interface in accord with transfer requests interpreted by the command processor; and\na channel scanner connected to the transfer memory and having a deadline engine and a transaction controller, the deadline engine adapted to determine a transfer urgency, and the transaction controller adapted to schedule among multiple transfer requests interpreted by the command processor based on the determined transfer urgency of the respective transfer requests so as to control the engines of the transaction dispatcher,\nwherein the transfer urgency is based on both a transfer deadline and a transfer priority, such that higher priority transfers have higher urgency, and equal priority transfers with earlier deadlines have higher urgency, the transfer priority being based on a hardness representing a penalty for missing a deadline and is also assigned to zero-deadline transfer requests for which there is a penalty no matter how early the transfer completes and the penalty increases with completion time of the transfer, the transaction controller scheduling requested transfers such that requests of the highest transfer priority are allocated to a largest time slice and those of lower transfer priorities are allocated to at least one other smaller time slice, the transaction controller adapted to preempt processing of a current transfer by the transaction dispatcher when a time slice expires and a higher urgency request has been received.",
"2. The DMA engine as in claim 1, wherein the transaction controller assigns one of four priorities ranging from high (0) to low (3), with priority 0 representing hard real-time transfers where there is no penalty if the transfer completes by the deadline and the penalty for missing a deadline is severe, priority 1 representing high-priority zero-deadline soft real-time transfers where there is a definite penalty in a critical path no matter how early the transfer is completed and the penalty increases with completion time, priority 2 representing low-priority zero-deadline soft real-time transfers where there is a definite penalty in a non-critical path no matter how early the transfer is completed and the penalty increases with completion time, and priority 3 representing soft real-time transfers where there is no penalty if the transfer completes by the deadline and the penalty for missing a deadline is tolerable.",
"3. The DMA engine as in claim 2, wherein priority 0 transfer requests are assigned to a first time slice and priority 1, 2 and 3 transfer requests are all assigned to a second time slice.",
"4. The DMA engine as in claim 2, wherein the priorities 0, 1, 2, and 3 are each assigned to their own time slice.",
"5. The DMA engine as in claim 1, wherein the transaction controller has a time-slicing control register containing a set of fields that allocate weights in number of memory access bursts to each time slice.",
"6. The DMA engine as in claim 5, wherein the time-slicing control register has a first set of fields for allocating weights whenever there are no active priority 0 transfer requests and a second set of fields for allocating a different set of weights when there is at least one active priority 0 transfer request.",
"7. The DMA engine as in claim 1, wherein the transaction controller is adapted to post service requests of the transaction dispatcher for preparing a next data transfer transaction while a current data transfer transaction by the transaction dispatcher is still in progress.",
"8. A method of processing direct memory access (DMA) transfer requests of a data processing system, comprising:\ninterpreting transfer requests received from the data processing system, requests of different transfer priorities being received through distinct command FIFO registers, each request also having a transfer deadline;\ndetermining a transfer urgency for the transfer requests based on both a transfer deadline and a transfer priority, such that higher priority transfers have higher urgency, and equal priority transfers with earlier deadlines have higher urgency, and wherein the transfer priority is based on a hardness representing a penalty for missing a deadline and is also assigned to zero-deadline transfer requests wherein there is a penalty no matter how early the transfer completes;\nscheduling among multiple transfer requests based on the determined transfer urgency, the scheduling of requested transfers being done in successive time slices such that requests of the highest transfer priority are allocated to a largest time slice and those of lower transfer priorities are allocated to at least one other smaller time slice; and\ncontrolling command and data octet transfers through a set of FIFO registers to and from a DRAM controller and a global bus interface in accord with the scheduled transfer requests.",
"9. The method as in claim 8, further comprising preempting a current transfer at the expiration of a current time slice whenever a higher urgency request has been received.",
"10. The method as in claim 8, wherein the determining of a transfer urgency includes assigning one of four priorities ranging from high (0) to low (3) to each received transfer request, with priority 0 representing hard real-time transfers where there is no penalty if the transfer completes by the deadline and the penalty for missing a deadline is severe, priority 1 representing high-priority zero-deadline soft real-time transfers where there is a definite penalty in a critical path no matter how early the transfer is completed and the penalty increases with completion time, priority 2 representing low-priority zero-deadline soft real-time transfers where there is a definite penalty in a non-critical path no matter how early the transfer is completed and the penalty increases with completion time, and priority 3 representing soft real-time transfers where there is no penalty if the transfer completes by the deadline and the penalty for missing a deadline is tolerable.",
"11. The method as in claim 10, wherein priority 0 transfer requests are assigned to a first time slice and priority 1, 2 and 3 transfer requests are all assigned to a second time slice.",
"12. The method as in claim 10, wherein the priorities 0, 1, 2, and 3 are each assigned to their own time slice.",
"13. The method as in claim 8, wherein weights in number of memory access bursts are allocated to each time slice.",
"14. The method as in claim 13, wherein a first set of weights are allocated to the respective time slices whenever there are no active priority 0 transfer requests and a different set of weights are allocated for when there is at least one active priority 0 transfer request.",
"15. The method as in claim 8, wherein service requests for preparing a next data transfer transaction are posted to a transaction dispatcher while a current data transfer transaction by the transaction dispatcher is still in progress."
],
[
"1. A direct memory access (DMA) system, comprising\nat least one physical memory space for storing a fragmented physical buffer comprising arbitrarily aligned and arbitrarily sized memory fragments defined by a scatter/gather list (SGL);\na DMA master to create a DMA descriptor requesting transfer of data to or from the fragmented physical buffer, the fragmented physical buffer being represented as a contiguous logical address space wherein each of the fragments is mapped to contiguous logical offset addresses;\na DMA engine to process the DMA descriptor, and associated with logical to physical address translation logic to determine a physical address corresponding to a logical offset address of one of a fragments by accessing an SGL element associated with the fragment to determine a physical start address for the fragment, and offsetting the physical start address by the logical offset address less the length of preceding fragments listed in the SGL.",
"2. The DMA system of claim 1 comprising a plurality of physical memory spaces and a buffer state table associated with each of the plurality of memory spaces, individual entries in the buffer state tables representing active logical buffers defined by independent SGLs stored in the plurality of physical memory spaces.",
"3. The DMA system of claim 2 wherein the SGLs can be stored in any of the plurality of physical memory spaces, and the buffer state table entries include an SGL location.",
"4. The DMA system of claim 2 wherein fragments associated with a particular SGL can be stored in any of the plurality of physical memory spaces, and wherein the SGL elements include a fragment location.",
"5. The DMA system of claim 2 wherein the plurality of memory spaces are accessed concurrently.",
"6. The DMA system of claim 5 wherein a plurality of direction-based DMA channels are defined between read and write ports of the plurality of physical memory spaces, and wherein data transfers are executed in parallel on any subset of the direction-based channels.",
"7. The DMA system of claim 6 wherein each of the direction-based DMA channels is associated with a virtual output queue buffer and wherein a virtual output queue arbitrated crossbar switch transfers data from the respective virtual output queue buffers to write ports of the plurality of physical memory spaces.",
"8. The DMA system of claim 7 wherein a physical memory space is provided with multiple physical ports, and wherein data is striped across the multiple physical ports.",
"9. The DMA system of claim 6 wherein the DMA engine executes an arbitration scheme to arbitrate access to contended ports.",
"10. The DMA system of claim 6 wherein each of the direction-based DMA channels is provided with a separate request queue.",
"11. The DMA system of claim 1 wherein the data is formatted in sectors and the DMA engine inserts data protection information between the sectors.",
"12. The DMA system of claim 1 wherein the data is formatted in sectors and the DMA engine removes data protection information between the sectors.",
"13. The DMA system of claim 1 wherein the DMA engine and the logical to physical address translation logic are implemented separately, the DMA engine providing the logical offset address to the logical to physical address logic, and the logical to physical address translation logic returning the physical address and the remaining byte count to the DMA engine, the remaining byte count indicating the length of the fragment from the physical address to the end of the fragment.",
"14. The DMA system of claim 1 wherein the DMA engine is associated with a data processing engine to pack the data and an endian conversion module to fragment the packed data into bytes and re-pack the data in accordance with a desired endian format.",
"15. A method for logical address to physical address translation for direct memory access (DMA) to a fragmented physical buffer comprising arbitrarily aligned and arbitrarily sized memory fragments defined by at least one scatter/gather list (SGL), comprising:\nmapping each of the fragments to contiguous logical offset addresses in a contiguous logical address space equal to a total length of the fragments; and\ndetermining a physical address corresponding to a logical offset address of one of the fragments by:\naccessing an SGL element associated with a fragment to determine a physical start address for the fragment; and\noffsetting the physical start address by the logical offset address less the length of preceding fragments listed in the at least one SGL.",
"16. The method of claim 15 further comprising defining a buffer state table associated with each of a plurality of memory spaces, individual entries in the buffer state tables representing active logical buffers defined by independent SGLs stored in the plurality of physical memory spaces.",
"17. The method of claim 16 further comprising storing the SGLs in any of the plurality of physical memory spaces, and providing an SGL location in the buffer state table entries.",
"18. The method of claim 16 further comprising storing fragments associated with a particular SGL in any of the plurality of physical memory spaces, and providing a fragment location in the SGL elements.",
"19. The method of claim 16 wherein the plurality of memory spaces are accessed concurrently.",
"20. The method of claim 19 wherein a plurality of direction-based DMA channels are defined between read and write ports of the plurality of physical memory spaces, and wherein data transfers are executed in parallel on any subset of the direction-based channels.",
"21. The method of claim 20 further comprising arbitrating access to contended ports.",
"22. The method of claim 20 further comprising striping data across multiple physical ports associated with a physical memory space."
],
[
"1. A direct memory access architecture for a digital circuit, wherein the direct memory access architecture is applied to the digital circuit in a target device, the target device is connected with a host via a target bus, and the direct memory access architecture comprises: a direct memory access control component, a read data moving component, a write data moving component and a data storage component; wherein the direct memory access control component comprises a control register, a read descriptor storage component, a write descriptor storage component, a read command transfer component and a write command transfer component;\nthe control register is configured to obtain descriptor address information based on setting from the host;\nthe read descriptor storage component is configured to store a read descriptor obtained by using the control register;\nthe write descriptor storage component is configured to store a write descriptor obtained by using the control register;\nthe read command transfer component is configured to send, to the read data moving component, a read command obtained based on the read descriptor or the descriptor address information;\nthe write command transfer component is configured to send, to the write data moving component, a write command obtained based on the read descriptor; and\nthe read data moving component is configured to execute the read command, the write data moving component is configured to execute the write command, and the data storage component is configured to store read data obtained after executing the read command;\nwherein the direct memory access control component is configured to receive a moving completion notification sent by the read data moving component and a moving completion notification sent by the write data moving component; and\nthe direct memory access control component comprises a status updating component, wherein the status updating component is configured to update, upon detecting completion of execution of a target descriptor, target status bit data corresponding to the target descriptor in a system memory of the host;\nfurther comprising a first input first output buffer, wherein the first input first output buffer is configured to buffer read data packets obtained after executing the read command; and\neach of the read data packets comprises a data packet tag corresponding to the read command, and the read data packets are arranged in sequence according to the data packet tags of the read data packets to obtain the read data;\nwherein the target status bit data in a target status table corresponding to the target descriptor in the host can be updated via a status and interrupt reporting component in a status and interrupt management component.",
"2. The direct memory access architecture according to claim 1, wherein the digital circuit is a field programmable gate array circuit or a digital integrated circuit.",
"3. The direct memory access architecture according to claim 1, wherein the direct memory access control component is configured to receive a moving completion notification sent by the read data moving component and a moving completion notification sent by the write data moving component; and\nthe direct memory access control component comprises a status updating component, wherein the status updating component is configured to update, upon detecting completion of execution of a target descriptor, target status bit data corresponding to the target descriptor in a system memory of the host.",
"4. The direct memory access architecture according to claim 1, further comprising a first input first output buffer, wherein the first input first output buffer is configured to buffer read data packets obtained after executing the read command; and\neach of the read data packets comprises a data packet tag corresponding to the read command, and the read data packets are arranged in sequence according to the data packet tags of the read data packets to obtain the read data.",
"5. The direct memory access architecture according to claim 3, wherein the direct memory access control component comprises an interrupt reporting component, wherein the interrupt reporting component is configured to send an interrupt message to the host upon detecting completion of execution of the target descriptor.",
"6. The direct memory access architecture according to claim 1, further comprising: a communication component connected to the target bus;\nwherein the communication component is configured to send a first data packet to the target bus; or the communication component is configured to acquire a second data packet from the target bus, and send the second data packet to a corresponding component based on a data packet type of the second data packet.",
"7. The direct memory access architecture according to claim 1, wherein the read descriptor storage component and the write descriptor storage component are first input first output memories, and the read descriptor storage component and the write descriptor storage component are predefined with storage addresses; and\nthe control register comprises a source address register, a destination address register, a descriptor size register and a trigger register, wherein the destination address register is configured to store any one of the storage addresses.",
"8. The direct memory access architecture according to claim 1, wherein the control register is configured to perform space access via a base address register.",
"9. The direct memory access architecture according to claim 1, wherein a system memory of the host comprises a descriptor table, wherein the descriptor table has a space for storing descriptors.",
"10. The direct memory access architecture according to claim 9, wherein the descriptor table comprises status tables corresponding to the descriptors on a one-to-one basis, wherein data in the status tables is allowed to be updated according to execution conditions of the descriptors.",
"11. The direct memory access architecture according to claim 9, wherein the host is configured to be divided into two independent memory spaces, wherein the two independent memory spaces are respectively used to store a read descriptor and a status table corresponding to the read descriptor, and a write descriptor and a status table corresponding to the write descriptor.",
"12. The direct memory access architecture according to claim 1, wherein the host is configured to configure the control register, such that the control register reads a base address of the read descriptor.",
"13. The direct memory access architecture according to claim 3, wherein the status updating component comprises: a read status acquisition component connected to a read status generation component in the read data moving component, wherein the read status generation component is configured to send a moving completion notification to the read status acquisition component after the read command generates the moving completion notification.",
"14. The direct memory access architecture according to claim 3, wherein the status updating component comprises: a write status acquisition component connected to a write status generation component in the read data moving component, wherein the write status acquisition component is configured to send a moving completion notification to the write status reading component after the write command generates the moving completion notification.",
"15. The direct memory access architecture according to claim 6, wherein the first data packet comprises at least one of: a write data packet and a terminal data packet; and the second data packet comprises: a read data packet.",
"16. An electronic device, the electronic device applying a direct memory access architecture, wherein the direct memory access architecture is applied to a digital circuit in the electronic device, the electronic device is connected with a host via a target bus, and the direct memory access architecture comprises: a direct memory access control component, a read data moving component, a write data moving component and a data storage component;\nwherein the direct memory access control component comprises a control register, a read descriptor storage component, a write descriptor storage component, a read command transfer component and a write command transfer component;\nthe control register is configured to obtain descriptor address information based on setting from the host;\nthe read descriptor storage component is configured to store a read descriptor obtained by using the control register;\nthe write descriptor storage component is configured to store a write descriptor obtained by using the control register;\nthe read command transfer component is configured to send, to the read data moving component, a read command obtained based on the read descriptor or the descriptor address information;\nthe write command transfer component is configured to send, to the write data moving component, a write command obtained based on the read descriptor; and\nthe read data moving component is configured to execute the read command, the write data moving component is configured to execute the write command, and the data storage component is configured to store read data obtained after executing the read command.",
"17. A direct memory access system, comprising a host and an electronic device, wherein the host and the electronic device are connected via a target bus, the electronic device applies a direct memory access architecture, wherein the direct memory access architecture is applied to a digital circuit in the electronic device, and the direct memory access architecture comprises: a direct memory access control component, a read data moving component, a write data moving component and a data storage component;\nwherein the direct memory access control component comprises a control register, a read descriptor storage component, a write descriptor storage component, a read command transfer component and a write command transfer component;\nthe control register is configured to obtain descriptor address information based on setting from the host;\nthe read descriptor storage component is configured to store a read descriptor obtained by using the control register;\nthe write descriptor storage component is configured to store a write descriptor obtained by using the control register;\nthe read command transfer component is configured to send, to the read data moving component, a read command obtained based on the read descriptor or the descriptor address information;\nthe write command transfer component is configured to send, to the write data moving component, a write command obtained based on the read descriptor; and\nthe read data moving component is configured to execute the read command, the write data moving component is configured to execute the write command, and the data storage component is configured to store read data obtained after executing the read command.",
"18. A direct memory access method, applied to the electronic device according to claim 16, and the method comprising:\nacquiring descriptor address information when it is detected that a control register of a direct memory access control component is triggered;\ngenerating a descriptor read command based on the descriptor address information by using the direct memory access control component;\nexecuting the descriptor read command by using a read data moving component to obtain descriptors, and writing the descriptors into a descriptor storage component of the direct memory access control component;\ngenerating an access command based on the descriptors by using the direct memory access control component; and\nexecuting the access command based on a type of the access command by using the read data moving component or a write data moving component.",
"19. The direct memory access method according to claim 18, wherein the method further comprises: sending an interrupt message to a host upon detecting completion of execution of a target descriptor.",
"20. A computer-readable storage medium for storing a computer program, wherein the computer program, when executed by a processor, implements the direct memory access method according to claim 18."
],
[
"1. A computer system comprising:\na central processing unit;\nmain memory;\na bus for transferring data and addresses; and\na direct memory access (DMA) circuit for accessing scattered blocks of data without CPU interrupts, the DMA circuit comprising:\na first register for storing an address for data,\na second register for storing a count of data at the address in the first register,\na circuit for incrementing the address in the first register and decrementing the count in the second register until all data in a DMA transfer step has been transferred,\na pointer register for holding an address of an entry in an entry list, each entry therein including:\nan address value,\na byte count value according to which a DMA transfer step is to be performed, and\na last entry bit indicating whether the entry is last in the entry list, and\na state machine for controlling operations of the DMA circuit including:\na first portion for transferring data from one address to another, and\na second portion for transferring an entry at the address held in the pointer register to the DMA circuit and an address in the entry to the first register and for sensing the last entry bit, the second portion functioning in response to:\nan indication that the DMA transfer step has been initiated, and\nthe last entry bit.",
"2. The computer system as claimed in claim 1 in which the DMA circuit further comprises:\nvalue holding circuitry for holding a value equal to the total available bytes in an entry at an address held in said pointer register,\ntransferring circuitry controlled by the second portion of the state machine to transfer an entry at an address held in the pointer register to the first register; and\ncount circuitry for counting the number of bytes to be transferred.",
"3. The computer system as claimed in claim 1 in which the DMA circuit further comprises an additional register for storing a new address from an entry being transferred to the first register until all data at sequential addresses beginning at an old address in the first register has been transferred.",
"4. A computer system as claimed in claim 1 further comprising an arbitration circuit for accessing the bus.",
"5. A direct memory access circuit (DMA) circuit comprising:\na first register for storing an address for data,\na second register for storing a count of data at the address in the first register,\na circuit for incrementing the address in the first register and decrementing the count in the second register until all data in a DMA transfer step has been transferred,\na pointer register for holding an address of an entry in an entry list, each entry therein including:\nan address value,\na byte count value according to which a DMA transfer step is to be performed, and\na last entry bit indicating whether the entry is last in the entry list, and\na state machine for controlling operations of the DMA circuit including:\na first portion for transferring data from one address to another, and\na second portion for transferring an entry at the address held in the pointer register to the DMA circuit and an address in the entry to the first register and for sensing the last entry bit, the second portion functioning in response to:\nan indication that the DMA transfer step has been initiated, and\nthe last entry bit.",
"6. The direct memory access (DMA) circuit as claimed in claim 5 further comprising:\nvalue holding circuitry for holding a value equal to the, total available bytes in an entry at an address held in the pointer register,\nfirst circuitry controlled by the second portion of the state machine to transfer an entry at an address held in the pointer register to the first register; and\nsecond circuitry for counting the number of bytes to be transferred.",
"7. A direct memory access (DMA) circuit as claimed in claim 5 further comprising an additional register for storing a new address being transferred to the first register until all data at sequential addresses beginning at an old address in the first register has been transferred.",
"8. An computer system comprising: a central processing unit; main memory; a bus for transferring data and addresses coupled to the central processing unit and the main memory; and a direct memory access (DMA) coupled to the bus, the DMA circuit comprising:\nfirst means for storing a starting address in memory for a list of entries, each entry including addresses and counts of the amount of data included at each address, each entry further including a designation bit, setting of the bit indicating an entry is a last entry in the list;\nsecond means for storing an address for data to be transferred by the direct memory access circuit;\nthird means for retrieving a subsequent entry from said list including means to transfer the address to the second means;\nfourth means responsive to any address in the memory for a list of entries for transferring an entry from said list to the second means for storing an address;\nfifth means responsive to an address in the second means for sequentially transferring data beginning at the address in the second means, the fifth means also for incrementing an address in the second means and transferring data until the count of the amount of data is exhausted;\nsixth means for sensing that data at an address on the list of entries has yet to be transferred; and\nseventh means for incrementing the address held by the first means and for causing the third means to respond, while said fifth means is active, to the address in the first means and transfer the subsequent entry from the list of entries to the second means so long as entries at addresses on the list of entries have yet to be transferred and said fifth means has completed transfer of all data.",
"9. The computer system as claimed in claim 8 in which the fourth means is responsive to any address in the first means for storing an address and for transferring an address from an entry in the list in memory of entries to the second means for storing an address compromises a first portion of a state machine.",
"10. The computer system as claimed in claim 8 in which the sixth means for sensing that data at addresses on the list of entries has yet to be transferred includes means for detecting a bit stored in the entries in the list, and\nthe seventh means for incrementing the address held by the first means comprises a second portion of a state machine for responding to the condition of the bit stored in the entries in the list.",
"11. An direct memory access (DMA) circuit for use in a computer system comprising:\nfirst means for storing a starting address in memory for a list of entries, each entry including addresses and counts of the amount of data included at each address, each entry further including a designation bit, setting of the bit indicating an entry is a last entry in the list;\nsecond means for storing an address for data to be transferred by the direct memory access circuit;\nthird means for retrieving a subsequent entry from said list including means to transfer the address to the second means;\nfourth means responsive to any address in the memory for a list of entries for transferring an entry from said list to the second means;\nfifth means responsive to an address in the second means for sequentially transferring data beginning at the address in the second means, includes means for incrementing an address in the second means and transferring data until the count of the amount of data is exhausted;\nsixth means for sensing that data at an address on the list of entries has yet to be transferred; and\nseventh means for incrementing the address held by the first means and for causing the third means to respond, while said fifth means is active, to the address in the first means and transfer the subsequent entry from the list of entries to the second means, so long as entries at addresses on the list of entries have yet to be transferred and said fifth means has completed transfer of all data.",
"12. The direct memory access (DMA) circuit as claimed in claim 11 in which the fourth means is responsive to any address in the first means for storing a beginning address and for transferring an address from the list of entries to the second means for storing an address compromises a first portion of a state machine.",
"13. A direct memory access (DMA) circuit as claimed in claim 11 in which the sixth means for sensing that data at addresses on the list has yet to be transferred includes means for detecting a bit stored in each entry in the list, and\nthe seventh means for incrementing the address held by the first means comprises a second portion of a state machine for responding to the condition of the bit stored in each entry in the list.",
"14. A method for performing a direct memory access (DMA) operation, comprising:\na) loading a pointer register with an indication of the address within a memory of a first DMA entry;\nb) retrieving from the first DMA entry a first address indication and a first byte count indication;\nc) advancing the contents of the pointer register to indicate the address of a subsequent DMA entry;\nd) transferring data, in a first DMA transfer step, according to the first address indication and the first byte count indication;\ne) retrieving from the subsequent DMA entry, a subsequent address indication, a subsequent byte count indication and a last-entry bit, the retrieving occurring after initiating the current DMA transfer step and prior to completing it;\nf) transferring data, in a subsequent DMA transfer step, according to the subsequent address indication and the subsequent byte count indication; and g) when the last-entry bit is false, advancing the contents of the pointer register to indicate the location of another subsequent DMA entry and repeating the steps (e) through (g).",
"15. The method of claim 14 further comprising:\nh) placing, under the control of a host processor, the first and the subsequent DMA entries in the memory;\nwherein each subsequent DMA transfer step follows the preceding DMA transfer step without intervention from the host processor.",
"16. The method of claim 14 wherein the first and the second DMA transfer steps occur under the control of a current address register and a current byte count register, the current address and the current byte count registers being initialized for the first DMA transfer step based on, respectively, the first address and the first byte count indications, and the current address and the current byte count registers being initialized for the second DMA transfer step based on, respectively, the second address and the second byte count indications.",
"17. A direct memory access (DMA) controller system, comprising:\na) a pointer register configured to contain an indication of the address within a memory of a current one of a plurality of DMA entries, each DMA entry including an address indication, a byte count indication and a last-entry bit;\nb) a base address register configured to retrieve from the memory the address indication from the current DMA entry;\nc) a base byte count register configured to retrieve from the memory the byte count indication from the current DMA entry; and\nd) means for transferring data, in a DMA transfer step, based on the address indication in the base address count register and the byte count indication in the base byte count register;\nwhen the last-entry bit of the previous DMA entry is false, said base address register and said base byte count register being configured to retrieve another address indication and another byte count indication after the DMA transfer means initiates the current DMA transfer step and prior to completing the same.",
"18. The DMA controller system of claim 17 further comprising:\ne) a host processor, under the control of which the plurality of DMA entries are placed in the memory, and whose intervention is not needed upon completion of any DMA transfer step other than the last DMA transfer step.",
"19. The DMA controller system of claim 17 further comprising:\ne) a current address register that is initialized for the first DMA transfer step based on the first address indication, and that is initialized for each subsequent DMA transfer step based on the subsequent address indication; and\nf) a current byte count register that is initialized for the first DMA transfer step based the first byte count indication, and that is initialized for each second DMA transfer step based the subsequent byte count indication;\nwherein each DMA transfer step occurs under the control of the current address and the current byte count registers."
],
[
"1. A method for handling Input/Output (I/O) requests, comprising:\nreceiving an I/O request command to access the target device, wherein a bus enables communication with an initiator, an I/O processor, target device and device controller, and wherein the device controller accesses the target device to execute I/O commands directed to the target device; and\nconfiguring, by the I/O processor, the initiator to transmit at least one data request on the bus to one memory address in a predefined address window of the device controller, wherein the device controller being enabled to claim the data request to the memory address in the predefined address window from the initiator on the bus to execute the data request against the target device.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the received I/O command comprises a write operation, wherein the initiator transmits write data with the data requests to a random memory address in the address window.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein the received I/O command comprises a read operation to read data from the target device, wherein the initiator transmits read requests to the address window, further comprising:\nconfiguring the device controller to access the data from the target device.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein the data requests are transmitted to random memory addresses in the address window, and wherein the data requests sequentially access data at the target device.",
"5. A method for handling Input/Output (I/O) commands, wherein a bus enables communication with an initiator and target device, comprising:\ndetecting, with a device controller, a data request directed to a memory address in an address window used to address the target device, wherein the device controller controls access to the target device;\nclaiming, with the device controller, the data request from the initiator transmitted on the bus; and\nexecuting, with the device controller, the data request.",
"6. The method of claim 5, wherein the I/O command comprises a write operation, wherein the initiator transmits write data with at least one data request to the address window, further comprising:\nprocessing, with the device controller, data requests to the address window as write operations;\nstoring, with the device controller, write data received with the data request from the initiator in a buffer; and\ntransferring the write data from the buffer to the target storage device.",
"7. The method of claim 5, wherein the I/O command comprises a read operation to read data from the target device, further comprising:\nprocessing, with the device controller, data requests to the address window as read operations; and\nreturning, with the device controller, requested data form the target device to the initiator.",
"8. A system for handling Input/Output (I/O) requests, wherein a bus enables communication with an initiator, target device and device controller, and wherein the device controller accesses the target device to execute I/O commands directed to the target device, comprising:\na processor;\ncode executed by the processor to cause the processor to perform:\nreceiving an I/O request command to access the target device; and\nconfiguring the initiator to transmit at least one data request on the bus to one memory address in a predefined address window of the device controller, wherein the device controller being enabled to claim the data request to the memory address in the predefined address window from the initiator on the bus to execute the data request against the target device.",
"9. The system of claim 8, wherein the received I/O command comprises a write operation, wherein the initiator transmits write data with the data requests to a random memory address in the address window.",
"10. The system of claim 8, wherein the received I/O command comprises a read operation to read data from the target device, wherein the initiator transmits read requests to the address window, further comprising:\nmeans for configuring, with the processor, the device controller to access the data from the target device.",
"11. A system for processing I/O requests, comprising:\na bus;\nan initiator coupled to the bus;\na device controller coupled to the bus;\na target device, wherein the device controller provides access to a target device, comprising:\na processor coupled to the bus;\ncode executed by the processor to cause the processor to perform:\nreceiving an I/O request command to access the target device; and\nconfiguring the initiator to transmit at least one data request on the bus to one memory address in a predefined address window of the device controller, wherein the device controller being enabled to claim the data request to the memory address in the predefined address window from the initiator on the bus to execute the data request against the target device.",
"12. The system of claim 11, wherein the received I/O command comprises a write operation, wherein the initiator transmits write data with the data requests to a random memory address in the address window.",
"13. The system of claim 11, wherein the received I/O command comprises a read operation to read data from the target device, wherein the initiator transmits read requests to the address window, wherein the code is further capable of causing the processor to perform:\nconfiguring the device controller to access the data from the target device.",
"14. An article of manufacture for handling Input/Output (I/O) requests, wherein a bus enables communication with an initiator, I/O processor, target device and device controller, and wherein the device controller accesses the target device to execute I/O commands directed to the target device, wherein the article of manufacture is capable of causing operations, the operations comprising:\nreceiving an I/O request command to access the target device; and\nconfiguring, by the I/O processor, the initiator to transmit at least one data request on the bus to one memory address in a predefined address window of the device controller, wherein the device controller being enabled to claim the data request to the memory address in the predefined address window from the initiator on the bus to execute the data request against the target device.",
"15. The article of manufacture of claim 14, wherein the received I/O command comprises a write operation, wherein the initiator transmits write data with the data requests to a random memory address in the address window.",
"16. The article of manufacture of claim 14, wherein the received I/O command comprises a read operation to read data from the target device, wherein the initiator transmits read requests to the address window, further comprising:\nconfiguring the device controller to access the data from the target device.",
"17. An article of manufacture for handling Input/Output (I/O) commands, wherein a bus enables communication with an initiator and target device, wherein the article of manufacture is capable of causing a device controller to perform operations, the operations comprising:\ndetecting a data request directed to a memory address in an address window used to address the target device, wherein the device controller controls access to the target device;\nclaiming the data request from the initiator transmitted on the bus; and\nexecuting the data request.",
"18. The article of manufacture of claim 17, wherein the I/O command comprises a write operation, wherein the initiator transmits write data with at least one data request to the address window, further comprising:\nprocessing data requests to the address window as write operations;\nstoring write data received with the data request from the initiator in a buffer; and\ntransferring the write data from the buffer to the target storage device.",
"19. The article of manufacture of claim 18, wherein the I/O command comprises a read operation to read data from the target device, further comprising:\nprocessing data requests to the address window as read operations; and\nreturning requested data from the target device to the initiator.",
"20. The article of manufacture of claim 18, wherein the address window is to a non-prefetchable region."
],
[
"1. A direct memory access (DMA) controller for a computer system having a memory coupled to a high speed memory bus and having an I/O device coupled to an I/O bus, said DMA controller comprising:\na first set of independently programmable DMA control registers which identify a first source, a first destination and a first quantity of data to be transferred between said memory and said I/O device via said I/O bus, said first set of DMA control registers being selectable to control a first transfer of data between said memory and said I/O device;\na second set of independently programmable DMA control registers which identify a second source, a second destination and a second quantity of data to be transferred between said memory and said I/O device via said I/O bus, said second set of DMA control registers being selectable to control a second transfer of data between said memory and said I/O device; and\na set of device parameter registers which are programmable to specify the data transfer characteristics of said I/O device,\nwherein said registers in said second set of DMA control registers are programmable while said registers in said first set of DMA control registers are selected to control said first transfer of data between said memory and said I/O device, said second set of DMA control registers being selectable as soon as said first transfer of data is complete to control said second transfer of data between said memory and said I/O device.",
"2. The DMA controller as defined in claim 1, wherein said device parameter registers comprise:\na first parameter register which specifies a bus size for said I/O device; and\na second parameter register which specifies a bus acquisition time for said I/O device, said bus acquisition time determined by the specific data transfer characteristics of said I/O device to maximize an amount of time that said DMA controller relinquishes said I/O bus for other I/O transfers while continuing to transfer data to or from the I/O device.",
"3. The DMA controller as defined in claim 2, wherein said bus size is the number of data bits that said I/O device transfers in a transfer cycle.",
"4. The DMA controller as defined in claim 2, wherein:\nsaid DMA controller includes at least one buffer connected to said I/O device to temporarily store data transferred between said memory and said I/O device via said I/O bus;\nsaid DMA controller relinquishes said I/O bus after transferring a burst of data between said buffer and said memory; and\nsaid DMA controller delays for said acquisition time before attempting to transfer additional data between said buffer and said memory, wherein said acquisition time is determined by the device parameters of the buffer and is selected to maximize an amount of time that the DMA controller relinquishes said I/O bus for other I/O transfers.",
"5. The DMA controller as defined in claim 2, wherein said DMA controller includes a first-in/first-out (FIFO) buffer to store a plurality of data bytes transferred between said I/O device and said memory, said DMA controller transferring bursts of data bytes between said FIFO buffer and said memory and then waiting a delay time before transferring further data bytes between said FIFO buffer and said memory, said delay time determined by the device parameters of the FIFO buffer and selected to maximize the time during which the I/O bus is relinquished without allowing the FIFO buffer from becoming empty and without delaying the completion of the DMA transfer, said device parameter registers comprising:\na third parameter register which selects a first predetermined time as said delay time when said DMA controller is transferring data from said I/O device to said memory via said FIFO buffer; and\na fourth parameter register which selects a second predetermined time as said delay time when said DMA controller is transferring data from said memory to said I/O device via said FIFO buffer.",
"6. The DMA controller as defined in claim 1, wherein said DMA controller further comprises:\na first buffer which temporarily stores data transferred from said I/O device to said memory;\na second buffer which temporarily stores data transferred from said memory to said I/O device;\na first parameter register in said set of parameter registers which controls an amount of time during which said DMA controller relinquishes said I/O bus after transferring data from said first buffer to said memory before attempting to transfer additional data from said first buffer to said memory, said amount of time determined by the device parameters of the buffer and selected to maximize an amount of time that the DMA controller relinquishes said I/O bus for other I/O transfers; and\na second parameter register in said set of parameter registers which controls an amount of time during which said DMA controller relinquishes said I/O bus after transferring data to said second buffer from said memory before attempting to transfer additional data to said second buffer from said memory, said amount of time determined by the device parameters of the buffer and selected to maximize an amount of time that the DMA controller relinquishes said I/O bus for other I/O transfers.",
"7. A direct memory access (DMA) system for a computer system having a memory coupled to a high speed memory bus and having an I/O device coupled to an I/O bus, said DMA system comprising:\na first data buffer which transfers data to and from said memory at a first data rate of said high speed memory bus;\na second data buffer which transfers data to and from said I/O device at a second data rate of said I/O device;\na DMA controller which controls transfers of data between said first data buffer and said second data buffer via said I/O bus, said DMA controller transferring data between said first data buffer and said second data buffer as bursts of data at a high data rate and then releasing said I/O bus while data is transferred between second data buffer and said I/O device at said second data rate.",
"8. A method for performing a direct memory access data transfer from a memory device to a second device in a microprocessor-based computer system, said method comprising the steps of:\ntransferring data from said memory device into a first data buffer until said first data buffer is full or until all of the data for the data transfer has been transferred from said memory device to said first data buffer;\nwaiting until a predetermined number of data bytes has been read from said second data buffer of said second device, wherein said predetermined number of data bytes depends on the size of the buffer and is selected to maximize an amount of time during which the I/O bus is released;\ntransferring data from said first data buffer to a second data buffer associated with said second device until said second data buffer is full;\ntransferring data from said second data buffer to said second device; and\nrepeatedly performing the following steps until all of the data for the data transfer has been transferred to the second device;\ntransferring data from said memory device into said first data buffer until said first data buffer is full or until all of the data for the data transfer has been transferred from the memory device to said first data buffer;\nwaiting until a predetermined number of data bytes has been read from said second data buffer of said second device;\ntransferring data from said first data buffer to said second data buffer until said second data buffer is full or until all of the data for the data transfer has been transferred to said second data buffer; and\ntransferring data from said second data buffer to said second device until said second data buffer is empty or until all of the data from the data transfer has been transferred to said second device.",
"9. A method for performing a direct memory access data transfer to a memory device from a second device in a microprocessor-based computer system, said method comprising the steps of:\ntransferring data from said second device to a first data buffer associated with said second device;\nwaiting until a predetermined number of data bytes has been written into said first data buffer, wherein said predetermined number of data bytes depends on the size of the buffer and is selected to maximize an amount of time during which the I/O bus is released;\ntransferring data from said first data buffer to a second data buffer until the second data buffer is full or until all of the data for the data transfer has been transferred from said second device;\ntransferring data from said second data buffer to said memory device until said second data buffer is empty; and\nrepeatedly performing the following steps until all of the data for the data transfer has been transferred to said memory device;\nwaiting until said predetermined number of data bytes has been written into said first data buffer from said second device;\ntransferring data from said first data buffer to said second data buffer until said second data buffer is full or until all of the data for the data transfer has been transferred from the second device; and\ntransferring data from said second data buffer to said memory device until said second data buffer is empty.",
"10. A direct memory access (DMA) system for a computer system having a memory, an I/O interface and a plurality of I/O devices, said DMA system comprising:\na DMA controller connected between said memory and said I/O interface, said DMA controller comprising:\na first set of independently programmable DMA control registers which control transfers of data between said memory and a first I/O device of said plurality of I/O devices, wherein said first set of DMA control registers comprise a plurality of control registers including a first register which selects a source of data to be transferred, a second register which selects a destination for said data to be transferred and a third register which selects an amount of data to be transferred between memory and said first I/O device via said I/O bus; and\na second set of independently programmable DMA control registers which control transfers of data between said memory and a second I/O device of said plurality of I/O devices, wherein said second set of DMA control registers comprise a plurality of control registers including a fourth register which selects a source of data to be transferred, a fifth register which selects a destination for said data to be transferred and a sixth register which selects an amount of data to be transferred between memory and said first I/O device via said I/O bus;\nat least two sets of device parameter registers which are programmable to specify the data transfer characteristics of each I/O device of said plurality of I/O devices; and\na DMA buffer connected between said memory and said I/O interface, said DMA buffer comprising:\na first data buffer which temporarily stores said data to be transferred between said memory and said first I/O device; and\na second data buffer which temporarily stores said data to be transferred between said memory and said second I/O device,\nsaid DMA controller controlling said first set of DMA control registers and said first data buffer independently of said second set of DMA control registers and said second data buffer so that data transferred between said memory and said first I/O device is interleaved with data transferred between said memory and said second I/O device.",
"11. The DMA system as defined in claim 10, wherein said first set of control registers further includes a command register, said command register controlled by said computer system, said DMA system responsive to data stored in said command register to initiate a data transfer, said DMA system further responsive to data stored in said command register to selectively generate an interrupt to said computer system when said data transfer is completed.",
"12. A direct memory access (DMA) system for a computer system having a memory, an I/O interface and a plurality of I/O devices, said DMA system comprising:\na DMA controller connected between said memory and said I/O interface, said DMA controller comprising:\na first set of DMA control registers which control transfers of data between said memory and a first I/O device of said plurality of I/O devices;\na second set of DMA control registers which control transfers of data between said memory and a second I/O device of said plurality of I/O devices; and\na third set of DMA control registers, said third set of DMA control registers being loadable with control information while said DMA system is operating under control of said first set of DMA control registers, said control information from said third set of DMA control registers being transferred to said first set of DMA control registers to replace information in said first set of DMA control registers so that said DMA system begins operating under control of said information from said third set of DMA control registers and\na DMA buffer connected between said memory and said I/O interface, said DMA buffer comprising:\na first data buffer which temporarily stores said data to be transferred between said memory and said first I/O device; and\na second data buffer which temporarily stores said data to be transferred between said memory and said second I/O device,\nsaid DMA controller controlling said first set of DMA control registers and said first data buffer independently of said second set of DMA control registers and said second data buffer so that data transferred between said memory and said first I/O device is interleaved with data transferred between said memory and said second I/O device."
],
[
"1. A method for unpacking data for storage in a set of processing element (PE) memories of a processor, the method comprising:\nreceiving from a direct memory access (DMA) controller a data type value to be supported for unpacking data from a DMA bus in memory interface units (MIUs);\nselecting, in the MIUs, a different group of data wires of the DMA bus based on the received data type value and an identification signal unique to each MIU; and\nreceiving, in the MIUs, data being transmitted on the selected different group of data wires of the DMA bus for storage in the set of PE memories, wherein each PE memory is separately coupled to an associated MIU.",
"2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:\nreceiving a PE operation code in the MIUs from the DMA controller to perform a PE unpack-distribute operation in each MIU according to the data type value and the unique identification signal.",
"3. The method of claim 2 further comprising:\nreceiving a DMA signal indicating that the DMA data bus contains the PE operation code.",
"4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:\nenabling one or more PEs from a plurality of PEs for participating in the PE unpack-distribute operation according to the data type value and the unique identification signal.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein a byte size distribute of a 32-bit word over four PEs specifies that each MIU receives a byte of the 32-bit word to be written in a memory associated with the MIU that receives the byte.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein the unique identification signal comprises a PE physical identification (PID) that is based on a physical placement of a PE within a plurality of PEs.",
"7. The method of claim 1, wherein the unique identification signal comprises a PE virtual identification (VID) and each PE VID is configurable to support at least two data distribution and collection patterns.",
"8. The method of claim 7, wherein each PE VID is mapped to a PE physical identification (PID) for use in controlling local PE operations and the receiving of data from the selected different group of data wires of the DMA bus.",
"9. A method for unpacking data for storage in a plurality of memories of a processor, the method comprising:\nreceiving from a direct memory access (DMA) controller a data type value for use in unpacking data elements of a packed data value received from a DMA bus;\nselecting a different group of data wires of the DMA bus based on the received data type value and an identification signal associated with a memory of the plurality of memories; and\nreceiving data being transmitted on the selected different group of data wires of the DMA bus for storage in the associated memory.",
"10. The method of claim 9, wherein the received data type value specifies the number of wires in each different group of data wires of the DMA bus.",
"11. The method of claim 9, wherein the received data type value specifies the size of the data elements packed on the DMA bus.",
"12. The method of claim 11, wherein each data element packed on the DMA bus is associated with a separate memory and in parallel each data element is stored in an associated separate memory.",
"13. The method of claim 9, wherein the identification signal comprises a physical identification (PID) that is based on a physical placement of the plurality of memories and associated processors.",
"14. The method of claim 9, wherein the identification signal comprises a virtual identification (VID) that is used to specify a pattern for data distribution.",
"15. The method of claim 9, wherein the identification signal comprises a virtual identification (VID) for a memory which is compared with a VID provided on the DMA bus to determine a match for storage of the data from the selected different group of data wires.",
"16. The method of claim 9, wherein the identification signal comprises a virtual identification (VID) that is translated to a physical identification (PID) to identify the associated memory.",
"17. The method of claim 9, wherein the different group of data wires of the DMA bus are selected in a memory interface unit (MIU) of a plurality of MIUs.",
"18. The method of claim 9, wherein the different group of data wires of the DMA bus are selected in a processing element (PE) of a plurality of PEs.",
"19. A method for unpacking data for storage in a plurality of memories of a processor, the method comprising:\nsending a data type value on a direct memory access (DMA) bus, the data type value used to identify data elements of a packed data value received for unpacking from the DMA bus;\nselecting a different group of data wires of the DMA bus based on the received data type value and an identification signal associated with a memory of the plurality of memories; and\nreceiving data on the selected different group of data wires of the DMA bus in a DMA bus receiver for storage in the associated memory.",
"20. The method of claim 19, wherein the DMA bus receiver is a memory interface unit (MIU) that provides an interface to the associated memory.",
"21. The method of claim 19, wherein each data element packed in the packed data value is associated with a separate memory and in parallel each data element is stored in an associated separate memory."
],
[
"1. A data-processing system, comprising:\na processing engine;\na system channel coupled to said processing engine and adapted to transfer an entire block of data units in a single burst;\na plurality of input/output devices;\na device-level bus coupled to said devices and adapted to transfer interleaved single data units from more than one of said devices at a time; and\na multi-buffer adapter coupled to said system channel and to said device-level bus, said adapter including\na plurality of first-in/first-out buffers each adapted to hold at least one of said blocks of data units,\na channel interface responsive to said system channel for selectively coupling said buffers to said system channel long enough to transfer said entire block of data units between said channel and one of said buffers, and\na device-level bus interface for sequentially coupling each of said buffers to said device-level bus long enough to transfer an individual one of said data units between said device-level bus and a different one of said devices.",
"2. The system of claim 1, wherein said multi-buffer adapter further includes\nan internal bus coupled directly between said channel interface and said device-level interface, for immediate transfer of data between said processing engine and said devices.",
"3. The system of claim 2, wherein each of said buffers includes\na set of parameter registers selectively loadable from said internal bus.",
"4. The system of claim 1, wherein each of said buffers includes\na first-in/first-out memory for transferring data both to and from said channel interface and both to and from said device-level interface, and\na buffer controller coupled both to said channel interface and to said device-level interface for controlling said memory and for selectively loading said registers.",
"5. The system of claim 4, wherein said each of said buffers further includes\na set of registers for specifying variable parameters for data transfers into and out of said memory, said registers being selectively loadable in response to said buffer controller.",
"6. The system of claim 4, wherein said memory includes\ncounter means coupled to said buffer controller for indicating when said memory contains a complete block of said data units.",
"7. The system of claim 5, wherein one of said registers is a buffer-select register for selectively coupling only a particular one of said buffers to said channel.",
"8. The system of claim 5, wherein one of said registers is a device-level address register having an output coupled to said device-level bus for specifying one of said devices for a data-unit transfer.",
"9. The system of claim 1, wherein said device-level interface includes\na controller for cyclically allocating a sequential time slot for each of said buffers to transfer one of said data units to/from one of said devices.",
"10. The system of claim 9, wherein said multi-buffer adapter further includes\nan internal bus coupled directly between said channel interface and said device-level interface.",
"11. The system of claim 10, wherein said device-level interface further includes\na device-level address register, and\nwherein said device-level interface controller is further adaped to allocate a cyclic command time slot and to couple said internal bus and said address register to said device-level bus during said command time slot."
],
[
"1. A computer-enabled method for data processing enhanced DMA data transfers to or from a memory, the method comprising:\nperforming a DMA data transfer using one or more DMA engines;\ndetermining one or more DPC hit signals;\nperforming data processing using one or more DPC channels in response to said determining one or more DPC hit signals;\nconfiguring the one or more DMA engines according to one or more DMA descriptor tables; and\nconfiguring the one or more DPC channels according to one or more DPC descriptor tables;\nreading a DPC Enable and a DPC Index from the one or more DMA descriptor tables;\nusing the DPC Enable to determine whether to perform data processing; and\nusing the DPC Index to determine if a DPC Channel is assigned.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining one or more DPC hit signals includes comparing one or more DMA addresses with one or more DPC channel address ranges.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more DPC channels intercepts one or more DMA data for data processing.",
"4. The method of claim 1, further includes synchronizing the one or more DMA engines and the one or more DPC channels, said synchronizing includes using a DPC Dependency Checking protocol.",
"5. The method of claim 4, wherein said using a DPC Dependency Checking protocol includes using a DPC request and a DPC acknowledge.",
"6. The method of claim 1, further includes using a scatter gather list from the one or more DMA descriptor tables.",
"7. A computer-enabled method for data processing enhanced DMA data transfers to or from a memory, the method comprising the steps of:\nperforming a DMA data transfer using one or more DMA engines;\ndetermining one or more DPC hit signals;\nperforming data processing using one or more DPC channels in response to the determining of one or more DPC hit signals;\nconfiguring the one or more DMA engines according to one or more DMA descriptor tables;\nconfiguring the one or more DPC channels according to one or more DPC descriptor tables;\nobtaining a DPC Setting from the one or more DPC descriptor tables; and\nwherein one or more encryption algorithms, one or more encryption key sizes and one or more cipher modes to be used by one or more DPC Engines for data processing is determined.",
"8. The method of claim 7, further includes using a scatter gather list from the one or more DPC descriptor tables.",
"9. The method of claim 7, wherein the one or more DPC engines performs encryption or decryption of one or more DMA data based on the DPC Setting.",
"10. A computer-enabled apparatus for data processing enhanced DMA data transfers to or from a memory, comprising:\na means for performing DMA data transfers, said means for performing DMA transfers disposed to use one or more DMA engines;\na means for performing data processing, said means for performing data processing disposed to use one or more DPC channels and to respond to one or more DPC hit signals;\na processing device disposed to configure one or more DMA engines according to one or more DMA descriptor tables;\nsaid processing device further disposed to configure one or more DPC channels according to one or more DPC descriptor tables;\nwherein the one or more DMA descriptor tables comprises a DPC Enable and a DPC Index;\nwherein the means for performing data processing is further disposed to use the DPC Enable to determine whether to perform data processing; and\nwherein the means for performing data processing is further disposed to use the DPC Index to determine which of the one or more DPC Channels are assigned.",
"11. The apparatus of claim 10, further including an address compare engine disposed to compare one or more DMA addresses with one or more DPC channel address ranges.",
"12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the one or more DPC channels is disposed to intercept one or more DMA data for data processing.",
"13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the one or more DMA engines and the one or more DPC channels are disposed to use a DPC Dependency Checking protocol for synchronization.",
"14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the DPC Dependency Checking protocol comprises a DPC request and a DPC acknowledge.",
"15. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the one or more DMA descriptor tables comprises a scatter gather list.",
"16. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the one or more DPC descriptor tables comprises a scatter gather list.",
"17. A computer-enabled apparatus for data processing enhanced DMA data transfers to or from a memory, comprising:\na means for performing DMA data transfers, said means for performing DMA transfers disposed to use one or more DMA engines;\na means for performing data processing, said means for performing data processing disposed to use one or more DPC channels and to respond to one or more DPC hit signals;\na processing device disposed to configure one or more DMA engines according to one or more DMA descriptor tables;\nsaid processing device further disposed to configure one or more DPC channels according to one or more DPC descriptor tables;\nwherein the one or more DPC descriptor tables comprises a DPC Setting; and\nthe DPC Setting including information that specifies at least one encryption algorithm, at least one encryption key size, and at least one cipher mode to be used by at least one DPC Engine for data processing.",
"18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the one or more DPC engines are disposed to perform encryption or decryption of one or more DMA data based on the DPC Setting.",
"19. A direct memory access controller for transferring data to or from a memory, and for encrypting or decrypting said data upon receiving a data processing request, the direct memory access controller comprising:\na means for performing a DMA data transfer, said means for performing a DMA data transfer including at least one DMA engine configured for transferring data;\na means for performing data processing coupled to said means for performing a DMA data transfer, said data processing includes encrypting or decrypting said data in response to a DPC hit signal by at least using a DPC channel to intercept said data, causing said data to be transferred to said means for performing data processing.",
"20. The direct memory access controller of claim 19, wherein said DPC hit signal is asserted if one or more DMA addresses is determined to be within a DPC channel address range.",
"21. The direct memory access controller of claim 20, wherein:\nsaid at least one DMA engine is configured by at least using a DMA descriptor table that includes a DPC Enable for causing said means for performing data processing to encrypt or decrypt said data; and\nsaid DPC channel is configured by at least using a DPC descriptor table.",
"22. The direct memory access controller of claim 19, wherein said means for data processing is disposed not to process said data if said data is not intercepted.",
"23. The direct memory access controller of claim 19, wherein if said DPC channel is not used to intercept said data, said data processing does not include encrypting or decrypting said data."
],
[
"1. A direct memory access (DMA) controller designed to be coupled to a first bus and a second bus, said DMA controller comprising:\na plurality of DMA channels;\na different plurality of register sets corresponding to each channel of said plurality of DMA channels, wherein only one register set of said plurality of register sets corresponding to a particular DMA channel may be active at any one moment, and wherein each register set of the plurality of register sets corresponding to the particular DMA channel stores different information controlling a different DMA transfer via the particular DMA channel; and\na data buffer corresponding to each channel of said plurality of DMA channels.",
"2. A direct memory access controller as claimed in claim 1 wherein said data buffer is configured such that said buffer operates in a first in-first out manner.",
"3. A direct memory access controller as claimed in claim 1 wherein each register set of said plurality of register sets comprises a counter.",
"4. A direct memory access controller as claimed in claim 1 wherein each register set of said plurality of register sets comprises an address register.",
"5. A direct memory access controller as claimed in claim 1 wherein each register set of said plurality of register sets comprises a command/status register.",
"6. A direct memory access controller as claimed in claim 1 wherein said plurality of register sets consists of two register sets.",
"7. A direct memory access controller as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a plurality of control registers corresponding to individual channels of said plurality of DMA channels and corresponding to said plurality of register sets corresponding to each channel of said plurality of DMA channels.",
"8. A direct memory access controller as claimed in claim 7 wherein each control register of said plurality of control registers contains a portion which denotes an active register set of said corresponding plurality of register sets at any given moment.",
"9. A direct memory access controller as claimed in claim 7 wherein each control register of said plurality of control registers contains a portion which denotes whether said channel is able to transfer data at any given moment.",
"10. A direct memory access controller as claimed in claim 1 wherein each register set of said plurality of register sets contains a portion which denotes programming of said register set is complete and that said register set is ready to transfer data.",
"11. A direct memory access controller as claimed in claim 1 wherein said direct memory access controller switches which register set of said plurality of register sets corresponding to the particular DMA channel is active in response to a termination of a transfer controlled by a first register set of said plurality of register sets.",
"12. A direct memory access (DMA) controller for coupling to a first bus and a second bus, said DMA controller comprising:\na plurality of DMA channels;\na different plurality of register sets associated with each channel of said plurality of DMA channels, wherein only one register set of said plurality of register sets associated with a particular DMA channel may be active at any given moment, wherein each register set of the plurality of register sets corresponding to the particular DMA channel stores different information controlling a different DMA transfer via the particular DMA channel, and wherein said plurality of register sets includes a counter means, an address storage means, and a control information storage means; and\na data buffer associated with each channel of said plurality of DMA channels, said data buffer being configured such that data is loaded into and removed from said data buffer in a first in-first out manner.",
"13. A direct memory access controller as claimed in claim 12 further comprising a plurality of control registers corresponding to individual channels of said plurality of DMA channels and corresponding to said plurality of register sets associated with each channel of said plurality of DMA channels.",
"14. A direct memory access controller as claimed in claim 13 wherein each control register of said plurality of control registers contains a portion which denotes an active register set of the associated plurality of register sets at any given moment.",
"15. A direct memory access controller as claimed in claim 13 wherein each control register of said plurality of control registers contains a portion which denotes whether said channel is able to transfer data at any given moment.",
"16. A direct memory access controller as claimed in claim 12 wherein each register set of said plurality of register sets contains a portion which denotes programming of said register set is complete and that said register set is ready to transfer data.",
"17. A direct memory access controller as claimed in claim 12 wherein said direct memory access controller switches which register set of said plurality of register sets associated with the particular DMA channel is active in response to a termination of a transfer controlled by a first register set of said plurality of register sets.",
"18. A direct memory access (DMA) controller connected to a first bus through an interface and to a second bus, said DMA controller comprising:\na plurality of DMA channels;\na first register set and a second register set associated with each channel of said plurality of DMA channels, wherein only said first register set or said second register set may be active at any given moment, said first register set and said second register set each having a counter portion, an address storage portion, and a control information storage portion, said first register set and said second register set configured such that in response to a termination of a transfer via the associated DMA channel controlled by said first register set said second register set becomes active, and in response to a termination of a transfer via the associated DMA channel controlled by said second register set said first register set becomes active;\na data buffer associated with each channel of said plurality of DMA channels, said data buffer being configured such that data is loaded into and removed from said data buffer in a first in-first out manner; and\na plurality of control registers corresponding to individual channels of said plurality of DMA channels and corresponding to said first register set and said second register set.",
"19. A method for transferring data between a first bus and a second bus utilizing a plurality of DMA channels wherein each channel of said plurality of DMA channels includes both a plurality of register sets containing control information and a data buffer, wherein each register set of the plurality of register sets corresponding to the particular DMA channel stores different information controlling a different DMA transfer via the particular DMA channel, the method comprising the steps of:\ndetermining an active register set of a first DMA channel of said plurality of DMA channels, said active register set being one of said plurality of register sets;\ntransferring data from said first bus to said data buffer according to said control information contained in said active register set; and\ntransferring data from said data buffer to said second bus according to said control information contained in said active register set.",
"20. A method for transferring data as claimed in claim 19 wherein said step of determining an active register set comprises determining which register set of said plurality of register sets of said first DMA channel has been programmed with the necessary control information and is ready to transfer data.",
"21. A computer system comprising:\na first bus and a second bus;\na central processing unit coupled to said first bus;\na memory unit coupled to said first bus; and\na direct memory access (DMA) controller coupled to said first bus and said second bus, said DMA controller including,\na plurality of DMA channels,\na plurality of register sets associated with each channel of said plurality of DMA channels, wherein only one register set of said plurality of register sets associated with a particular DMA channel may be active at any one moment, and wherein each register set of the plurality of register sets corresponding to the particular DMA channel stores different information controlling a different DMA transfer via the particular DMA channel, and\na data buffer associated with each channel of said plurality of DMA channels.",
"22. A computer system as claimed in claim 21 wherein said data buffer is configured such that said buffer operates in a first in-first out manner.",
"23. A computer system as claimed in claim 21 wherein each register set of said plurality of register sets comprises a counter.",
"24. A computer system as claimed in claim 21 wherein each register set of said plurality of register sets comprises an address register.",
"25. A computer system as claimed in claim 21 wherein each register set of said plurality of register sets comprises a command/status register.",
"26. A computer system as claimed in claim 21 further comprising a plurality of control registers corresponding to individual channels of said plurality of DMA channels and corresponding to said plurality of register sets associated with each channel of said plurality of DMA channels.",
"27. A computer system as claimed in claim 26 wherein each control register of said plurality of control registers contains a portion which denotes an active register set of said associated plurality of register sets at any given moment.",
"28. A computer system as claimed in claim 26 wherein each control register of said plurality of control registers contains a portion which denotes whether said channel is able to transfer data at any given moment.",
"29. A computer system as claimed in claim 21 wherein each register set of said plurality of register sets contains a portion which denotes programming of said register set is complete and that said register set is ready to transfer data.",
"30. A computer system as claimed in claim 21 wherein said direct memory access controller switches which register set of said plurality of register sets associated with the particular DMA channel is active in response to a termination of a transfer controlled by a first register set of said plurality of register sets."
],
[
"1. An access controller for a computer system memory, at least portions of which are accessible through a plurality of channels, including:\na context memory storing information relating to the current state of each channel, said context memory including a context buffer containing a buffer descriptor for each required access transaction for each channel, said descriptor containing a starting address indicator in system memory for the transaction a length indicator for data involved in the access transaction, and a wrap bit;\na component utilizing context memory information for a channel to control a memory access for the channel, at least a portion of said component being time shared by said channels, said component performing access for a channel based on successive buffer descriptors until access is performed for a descriptor for which a wrap bit is present, the component returning to an initial buffer descriptor for the channel after an access for the wrap-bit-containing descriptor; and\na channel arbiter which selects the channel for which said component provides access control at a given time.",
"2. An access controller as claimed in claim 1 wherein each buffer descriptor includes at least one bit indicating that the buffer descriptor is the last descriptor of a selected group of descriptions.",
"3. An access controller for a computer system memory, at least portions of which are accessible through a plurality of channels, including:\na context memory storing information relating to the current state of each channel, said context memory including a context buffer containing a buffer descriptor for each required access transaction for each channel, said descriptor containing a starting address indicator in system memory for the transaction, a length indicator for data involved in the access transaction and a full bit (F-bit) which is set when the corresponding buffer is full;\na component utilizing context memory information for a channel to control a memory access for the channel, at least a portion of said component being time shared by said channels, the component not attempting to perform a read access to a buffer for which the F-bit is not set or a write access to a buffer for which the F-bit is set; and\na channel arbiter which selects the channel for which said component provides access control at a given time.",
"4. An access controller for a computer system memory, at least portions of which are accessible through a plurality of channels, including:\na context memory storing information relating to the current state of each channel, said context memory including a context buffer containing a buffer descriptor for each required access transaction for each channel, said descriptor containing a starting address indicator in system memory for the transaction, a length indicator for data involved in the access transaction and an interrupt (I-bit);\na component utilizing context memory information for a channel to control a memory access for the channel, at least a portion of said component being time shared by said channels;\na CPU which issues access instructions to the access controller, the controller issuing an interrupt to the CPU after completion of an access transaction for which the corresponding descriptor has the I-bit present; and\na channel arbiter which selects the channel for which said component provides access control at a given time.",
"5. An access controller for a computer system memory, at least portions of which are accessible through a plurality of channels, including:\na context memory storing information relating to the current state of each channel, said context memory including a context buffer containing selected information on each required access transaction for each channel and configuration registers for each channel,\na component utilizing context memory information for a channel to control a memory access for the channel, at least a portion of said component being time shared by said channels; and\na channel arbiter which selects the channel for which said component provides access control at a given time.",
"6. An access controller as claimed in claim 5 wherein one of said configuration registers for each channel identifies the start address for the buffer descriptors for the corresponding channel.",
"7. An access controller as claimed in claim 5 wherein one of said configuration registers for each channel is a control register having fields which control various functions.",
"8. An access controller as claimed in claim 7 wherein said control register contains a priority field, the priority indicated by said priority field being a factor in channel selection by said channel arbiter.",
"9. An access controller as claimed in claim 7 wherein said control register contains a field indicating a mode of memory access to be performed by the channel.",
"10. An access controller as claimed in claim 7 wherein said control register contains a field indicating a quantity of data to be transferred for the channel during each memory access.",
"11. An access controller as claimed in claim 7 wherein said control register contains a field indicating an offset address for an active channel buffer descriptor from a buffer descriptor start address for the channel.",
"12. An access controller for a computer system memory, at least portions of which are accessible through a plurality of channels, including:\na context memory storing information relating to the current state of each channel;\na component utilizing context memory information for a channel to control a memory access for the channel, at least a portion of said component being time shared by said channels; and\na channel arbiter which selects the channel for which said component provides access control at a given time; and\nwherein at least one of said channels is for transferring data in at least one direction between a memory and a peripheral through a serial port, and including a serial module through which the data to be transferred passes, said module performing at least one of (a) buffering data passing through the module, and (b) reformatting the data to be compatible with a format protocol for the memory/peripheral receiving an output from the module.",
"13. An access controller for a computer system memory, at least portions of which are accessible through a plurality of channels, including:\na context memory storing information relating to the current state of each channel;\na component utilizing context memory information for a channel to control a memory access for the channel, at least a portion of said component being time shared by said channels; and\na channel arbiter which selects the channel for which said component provides access control at a given time; and\nwherein at least one of said channels is for transferring data in at least one direction between a memory and a peripheral through a parallel port, and including a parallel module through which the data to be transferred passes, said module performing at least one of (a) buffering data passing through the module, and (b) reformatting the data to be compatible with a format protocol for the memory/peripheral receiving an output from the module.",
"14. An access controller for a computer system memory, at least portions of which are accessible through a plurality of channels, including:\na context memory storing information relating to the current state of each channel;\na component utilizing context memory information for a channel to control a memory access for the channel, at least a portion of said component being time shared by said channels; a channel arbiter which selects the channel for which said component provides access control at a given time; and\nwherein at least one of said channels is for transferring packetized data in at least one direction between a memory and a packetized data source through a packetized data port, and including a packetized data module through which the data to be transferred passes, said module performing at least one of (a) buffering data passing through the module, and (b) reformatting the data to be compatible with a format protocol for the memory/packetized data source receiving an output from the module.",
"15. An access controller as claimed in claim 14 wherein data packets from said packetized data source may be of variable length, wherein a said channel for transferring data packets from the packetized data source to memory is divided into N channels, N being an integer greater than one, each of said N channels being for memory buffers of different size, the one of said N channels used for transfer of a received data packet being the channel having the smallest available buffer in which the received data packet will fit.",
"16. An access controller for a computer system memory, at least portions of which are accessible through a plurality of channels, including:\na context memory storing information relating to the current state of each channel;\na component utilizing context memory information for a channel to control a memory access for the channel, at least a portion of said component being time shared by said channels; and\na channel arbiter which selects the channel for which said component provides access control at a given time; and\nwherein each channel is for memory accesses in one direction between a memory and a second element, wherein said component includes a first component which controls addressing and data transfer for memory accesses through said channels, and at least one second component through which data passes for at least one channel during a memory access for such channel, the second component performing at least one of (a) buffering data passing through the module, and (b) reformatting the data to be compatible with a format protocol for the memory/second element receiving an output from the second component.",
"17. An access controller as claimed in claim 16 wherein said second element is a peripheral.",
"18. An access controller for a computer system memory, at least portions of which are accessible through a plurality of channels, including:\na context memory storing information relating to the current state of each channel;\na component utilizing context memory information for a channel to control a memory access for the channel, at least a portion of said component being time shared by said channels; and\na channel arbiter which selects the channel for which said component provides access control at a given time; and\nwherein at least one of said channels if for transfer of data between a first memory and a second memory of said computer system memory, wherein said context memory includes an indication of a start address in one of said memory from which data to be transferred is read out, an indication of a start address in the other of said memory at which the data is to be written and an indication of the quantity of data to be transferred, wherein said component includes at least one first component for controlling the addressing of said memories and at least one second component for controlling data transfers for said memories, and including a holding register for storing the data to be transferred between a read access to said one memory and a write access to said other memory.",
"19. An access controller for a computer system memory, at least portions of which are accessible through a plurality of channels, including:\na context memory storing information relating to the current state of each channel;\na component utilizing context memory information for a channel to control a memory access for the channel, at least a portion of said component being time shared by said channels;\na channel arbiter which selects the channel for which said component provides access control at a given time; and\na bus through which transfers for said system memory pass, said component controlling at least selected data transfers through said bus; and\nwherein at least selected memory components of said system memory are connected to transfer data with at least one other system component without passing through said bus, said component providing controls for each such transfer.",
"20. An access controller as claimed in claim 19 including a main CPU which accesses said system memory through said bus and a second CPU which shares at least a portion of said system memory with said main CPU, said component controlling accesses to said at least a portion of systems memory by said second CPU.",
"21. An access controller as claimed in claim 19 wherein transfers of data are performed through said bus between an external device and system memory, wherein said component includes a controller which normally interfaces with said context memory to control memory accesses and a module through which accesses are performed, and wherein said module includes elements for passing data between said external device and system memory under control of the external device without substantial involvement of said controller.",
"22. An access controller for controlling the transfer of variable length packetized data (VLPD) from a VLPD source to a system memory including:\nN channels through which said transfer of VLPD may be effected, where N is an integer greater than one, each of said channels controlling transfers to buffers of different size in said system memory, an indicator as to the availability of a buffer for each channel to receive date, a mechanism receiving an indication of the size of a VLPD to be transferred, and a mechanism utilizing said availability indicator and size indication to determine the channel for the smallest available buffer in which the VLPD to be transferred will fit, said controller utilizing the determined channel to store the VLPD in said smallest available buffer.",
"23. A method for controlling the transfer of variable length packetized data (VLPD) from a VLPD source to a system memory including:\nproviding N channels though which said transfer of VLPD may be effected, where N is an integer greater than one, each of said channels controlling transfers to buffers of different size in said system memory; indicating the availability of a buffer for each channel to receive data;\nreceiving an indication of the size of each VLPD to be transferred;\nutilizing said availability indicator and size indication to determine the channel for the smallest available buffer in which the VLPD to be transferred will fit; and\nutilizing the determined channel to store the VLPD in said smallest available buffer."
]
] |
the following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 u.s.c. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this office action:
a person shall be entitled to a patent unless – (a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
claims 19-20 are rejected under 35 u.s.c. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by craddock (us 8,589,603).
referring to claims 19-20, craddock discloses a receiving device (fig. 6a, memory & processors 608) comprising:
a communications interface (fig. 6a, remote cna 606); and
a controller (fig. 6a, processors 608) coupled to the communications interface and to cause the receiving device to:
receive, from a sending device (fig. 6a, memory & processors 600) over the communications interface, a first message (fig. 6a, send/wqe fetch 610/data fetch 612 of rdma write) indicating a first operation type (fig. 6a, rdma write, rdma type) indicating a first operation (fig. 6a, data write) to be performed by the receiving device, wherein the first operation type indicates a preparatory action (fig. 6a, data fetch 612 of rdma write before rdma read 616) to be performed by the receiving device;
execute the first operation;
receive, from the sending device over the communications interface, a second message (fig. 6a, wqe fetch of rdma read 616) indicating a second operation (fig. 6a, rdma read 616, rdma type), wherein the second operation is fenced by (aapa: para.0006, rdma uses fences to enforce in-order execution of data operations, e.g., inherency of rdma operations) the first operation (fig. 6a, sequence of rdma write/read between processor 600 and 608); and
in response to executing the first operation:
generate an indication message (fig. 6a, ack 614) indicating that the first operation has been executed (fig. 6a, data write posted); and
transmit the indication message to the sending device (fig. 6a, ack of data received ok from processor 608 to 600).
|
[
"1. An information processing apparatus comprising:\nat least one memory configured to store one or more instructions; and\nat least one processor configured to execute the one or more instructions to:\nobtain a first image captured by a first camera, the first image including a plurality of faces of a plurality of persons;\nextract, from a plurality of second images captured by one or more second cameras installed in a facility, a second image including at least two persons of the plurality of persons in the first image; and\ncause a display to display the second image including the at least two persons of the plurality of persons in the first images.",
"2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1:\nwherein the at least one processor further configured to execute the one or more instructions to:\nstore the plurality of the second images in a storage.",
"3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,\nwherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute the one or more instructions to, in a case where the first image includes the plurality of faces each with a predetermined size or larger, display the second image including the at least two persons included in the first image with the predetermined size or larger.",
"4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,\nwherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute the one or more instructions to obtain an image generated by the first camera which images a periphery of the display, as the first image.",
"5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4,\nwherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute the one or more instructions to:\ncause the display to display an image captured by the first camera or cause a display apparatus including the display to function as a mirror while a predetermined condition is not satisfied, and\ncause the display to display the extracted second image when the predetermined condition is satisfied.",
"6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,\nwherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute the one or more instructions to:\nstore the second image in association with an imaging date and time and an imaging position,\nobtain position information of a specific person included in the second image in the facility and time information corresponding to the position information, and\nexclude the second image from an object to be displayed as an image including the specific person in a case where an imaging date and time and an imaging position do not satisfy a predetermined condition in relation to the position information and the time information.",
"7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6,\nwherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute the one or more instructions to obtain an imaging date and time and an imaging position of the second image including a person having a similarity with the specific person included in the first image equal to or higher than a predetermined level, as the position information and the time information for the specific person.",
"8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,\nwherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute the one or more instructions to:\nstore one or a plurality of pieces of identification information obtained by a wireless communication apparatus which is installed in a periphery of each of the one or more second cameras and obtain the identification information from one or a plurality of electronic tags or portable terminals of which a positional relationship satisfies a predetermined condition, in association with the second image generated within a predetermined time from a date and time when the identification information is obtained,\nobtain an image generated by the first camera which images a periphery of the display, as the first image,\nobtain the one or the plurality of pieces of the identification information obtained by a wireless communication apparatus which is installed in a periphery of the first camera and obtain the identification information from the one or the plurality of electronic tags or portable terminals of which a positional relationship satisfies a predetermined condition, and\ncause the display to display the second image including a person included in the first image and being associated with the obtained identification information.",
"9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8,\nwherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute the one or more instructions to, in a case where M persons (M is equal to or more than one) are included in the first image and N (N is equal to or more than one) pieces of the identification information are obtained, cause the display to display the second image including at least one person among the M persons and being associated with at least one of the N pieces of the identification information.",
"10. The information processing apparatus according to claim 9,\nwherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute the one or more instructions to, in a case where a plurality of persons having predetermined sizes or larger are included in the first image and N (N is equal to or more than one) pieces of the identification information are obtained, cause the display to display the second image including all of the plurality of persons having the predetermined sizes or larger included in the first image and being associated with at least one of the N pieces of the identification information.",
"11. An information processing method executed by a computer, the method comprising:\nobtaining a first image captured by a first camera, the first image including a plurality of faces of a plurality of persons;\nextracting, from a plurality of second images captured by one or more second cameras installed in a facility, a second image including at least two persons of the plurality of persons in the first image; and\ncausing a display to display the second image including the at least two persons of the plurality of persons in the first image in one image.",
"12. A non-transitory storage medium storing a program causing a computer to:\nobtain a first image captured by a first camera, the first image including a plurality of faces of a plurality of persons;\nextracting, from a plurality of second images captured by one or more second cameras installed in a facility, a second image including at least two persons of the plurality of persons in the first image; and\ncause a display to display the second image including the at least two persons of the plurality of persons in the first image in one image."
] |
US12200352B2
|
US20090304238A1
|
[
"1. An imaging apparatus having an imaging unit configured to obtain image data by capturing an object image including at least a target, a display unit configured to display the image data obtained by the imaging unit, and a communication unit configured to be capable of communicating with a plurality of external apparatuses, the imaging apparatus comprising:\na storing unit configured to store person identification information including at least face image data while associating the person identification information with information relating to an external apparatus;\na collation unit configured to collate a target detected from the image data with the person identification information;\na detection unit configured to detect an external apparatus that is communicating with the imaging apparatus via the communication unit; and\na display control unit configured to display a plurality of pieces of the face image data on the display unit each as a candidate of a transmission destination of the image data in an order based on a result of collation by the collation unit and a result of detection by the detection unit.",
"2. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a first selection unit configured to select a piece of face image data from among the plurality of pieces of face image data displayed on the display unit,\nwherein the communication unit is configured to transmit the image data to an external apparatus that is associated with the face image data selected by the first selection unit.",
"3. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit is configured to preferentially display person identification information associated with an external apparatus determined by the detection unit to be communicating with the imaging apparatus.",
"4. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the collation unit is configured to determine similarity between a target in the image data and the face image data, and\nwherein the display control unit is configured to preferentially display at least one piece of face image data the similarity of which is determined to be higher than a predetermined value.",
"5. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second selection unit configured to select a target from among targets in the face image data,\nwherein the collation unit is configured to collate the target selected by the second selection unit with the face image data.",
"6. The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a reservation unit configured to reserve transmission of the image data when the external apparatus associated with the face image data selected by the first selection unit is not communicating with the imaging apparatus via the communication unit.",
"7. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit is configured to display an index, which is superimposed on the image data, indicating that a target in the image data is detected, and\nwherein the display control unit is configured to change a display style of the index based on a result of detection by the detection unit.",
"8. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit is configured to display face image data, which is associated with an external apparatus, in a different style depending on whether the external apparatus is determined by the detection unit to be communicating with the imaging apparatus or not to be communicating therewith.",
"9. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit is configured to preferentially display face image data associated with an external apparatus to which the image data has not been transmitted.",
"10. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit is configured to display the plurality of pieces of the face image data on the display unit again in an order based on a result of detection by the detection unit when communication with the external apparatus communicating with the imaging apparatus is detected to have been disconnected, or when a new external apparatus is detected to be communicating with the imaging apparatus.",
"11. An imaging apparatus having an imaging unit configured to obtain image data by capturing an object image including at least a target, a display unit configured to display the image data obtained by the imaging unit, and a communication unit configured to be capable of communicating with a plurality of external apparatuses, the imaging apparatus comprising:\na storing unit configured to store person identification information including at least face image data while associating the person identification information with information relating to an external apparatus;\na collation unit configured to collate a target detected from the image data with the person identification information;\na detection unit configured to detect an external apparatus that is communicating with the imaging apparatus via the communication unit; and\na display control unit configured to display a plurality of pieces of the face image data on the display unit each as a candidate of a transmission destination of the face image data,\nwherein the display control unit causes the display unit to display the plurality of pieces of the face image data differently in appearance, based on the result of collation by the collation unit and the result of detection by the detection unit.",
"12. The imaging apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a first selection unit configured to select a piece of face image data from among the plurality of pieces of face image data displayed on the display unit,\nwherein the communication unit is configured to transmit the image data to an external apparatus that is associated with the face image data selected by the first selection unit.",
"13. The imaging apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the display control unit is configured to display the person identification information related to the external apparatus that is determined to be communicating with the imaging apparatus differently in appearance from the person identification information related to the external apparatus that is determined not to be communicating with the imaging apparatus.",
"14. The imaging apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the collation unit is configured to determine similarity between a target in the image data and the face image data.",
"15. The imaging apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a second selection unit configured to select a target from among targets in the face image data, wherein the collation unit is configured to collate the target selected by the second selection unit with the face image data.",
"16. The imaging apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising a reservation unit configured to reserve transmission of the image data when the external apparatus associated with the face image data selected by the first selection unit is not communicating with the imaging apparatus via the communication unit.",
"17. The imaging apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the display control unit is configured to display an index, which is superimposed on the image data, indicating that a target in the image data is detected, and\nwherein the display control unit is configured to change a display style of the index based on a result of detection by the detection unit.",
"18. The imaging apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the display control unit is configured to preferentially display face image data associated with an external apparatus to which the image data has not been transmitted.",
"19. An imaging apparatus having an imaging unit configured to obtain image data by capturing an object image including at least a target, a display unit configured to display the image data obtained by the imaging unit, and a communication unit configured to be capable of communicating with a plurality of external apparatuses, the imaging apparatus comprising:\na storing unit configured to store person identification information including at least face image data while associating the person identification information with information relating to an external apparatus;\na collation unit configured to collate a target detected from the image data with the person identification information; and\na detection unit configured to detect an external apparatus that is communicating with the imaging apparatus via the communication unit;\na display control unit configured to display a plurality of pieces of the face image data on the display unit each as a candidate of a transmission destination of the image data, based on the result of collation by the collation unit and the result of detection by the detection unit.",
"20. A method for controlling an imaging apparatus including an imaging unit configured to obtain image data by capturing an object image including at least a target, a display unit configured to display the image data obtained by the imaging unit, and a communication unit configured to communicate with a plurality of external apparatuses, the method comprising:\nstoring person identification information including at least face image data while associating the person identification information with information relating to the external apparatuses;\ncollating a target in the image data with the person identification information;\ndetecting an external apparatus that is communicating with the imaging apparatus; and\ndisplaying a plurality of pieces of the face image data each as a transmission destination candidate of the image data in an order based on a result of the collation and a result of the detection.",
"21. A method for controlling an imaging apparatus including an imaging unit configured to obtain image data by capturing an object image including at least a target, a display unit configured to display the image data obtained by the imaging unit, and a communication unit configured to communicate with a plurality of external apparatuses, the method comprising:\nstoring person identification information including at least face image data while associating the person identification information with information relating to the external apparatuses;\ncollating a target in the image data with the person identification information;\ndetecting an external apparatus that is communicating with the imaging apparatus; and\ndisplaying a plurality of pieces of image data each as a candidate of a transmission destination of the image data;\nwherein the display unit displays the plurality of pieces of the face image data differently in appearance, based on the result of a collation by the collation unit and the result of a detection by the detection unit.",
"22. A method for controlling an imaging apparatus including an imaging unit configured to obtain image data by capturing an object image including at least a target, a display unit configured to display the image data obtained by the imaging unit, and a communication unit configured to communicate with a plurality of external apparatuses, the method comprising:\nstoring person identification information including at least face image data while associating the person identification information with information relating to the external apparatuses;\ncollating a target in the image data with the person identification information;\ndetecting an external apparatus that is communicating with the imaging apparatus; and\ndisplaying the plurality of pieces of the face data each as a candidate of a transmission destination of the image data, based on the result of collation by the collation unit and the result of detection by the detection unit.",
"23. A computer-readable storage medium containing computer-executable instructions for controlling an imaging apparatus including an imaging unit configured to obtain image data by capturing an object image including at least a target, a display unit configured to display the image data obtained by the imaging unit, and a communication unit configured to communicate with a plurality of external apparatuses, the medium comprising:\ncomputer-executable instructions for storing person identification information including at least face image data while associating the person identification information with information relating to the external apparatuses;\ncomputer-executable instructions for collating a target in the image data with the person identification information;\ncomputer-executable instructions for detecting an external apparatus that is communicating with the imaging apparatus; and\ncomputer-executable instructions for displaying a plurality of pieces of the face image data each as a transmission destination candidate of the image data in an order based on a result of the collation and a result of the detection.",
"24. A computer-readable storage medium containing computer-executable instructions for controlling an imaging apparatus including an imaging unit configured to obtain image data by capturing an object image including at least a target, a display unit configured to display the image data obtained by the imaging unit, and a communication unit configured to communicate with a plurality of external apparatuses, the method comprising:\ncomputer-executable instructions for storing person identification information including at least face image data while associating the person identification information with information relating to the external apparatuses;\ncomputer-executable instructions for collating a target in the image data with the person identification information;\ncomputer-executable instructions for detecting an external apparatus that is communicating with the imaging apparatus; and\ncomputer-executable instructions for displaying a plurality of pieces of image data each as a candidate of a transmission destination of the image data;\nwherein the display unit displays the plurality of pieces of the face image data differently in appearance, based on the result of a collation by the collation unit and the result of a detection by the detection unit.",
"25. A computer-readable storage medium containing computer-executable instructions for controlling an imaging apparatus including an imaging unit configured to obtain image data by capturing an object image including at least a target, a display unit configured to display the image data obtained by the imaging unit, and a communication unit configured to communicate with a plurality of external apparatuses, the method comprising:\ncomputer-executable instructions for storing person identification information including at least face image data while associating the person identification information with information relating to the external apparatuses;\ncomputer-executable instructions for collating a target in the image data with the person identification information;\ncomputer-executable instructions for detecting an external apparatus that is communicating with the imaging apparatus; and\ndisplaying the plurality of pieces of the face data each as a candidate of a transmission destination of the image data, based on the result of collation by the collation unit and the result of detection by the detection unit."
] |
[
[
"1. A system including a first electronic device and a cell phone, the first electronic device including a processor and a wired or wireless interface to a network, said first electronic device being adapted to respond to user instructions by changing device state, the cell phone being equipped with a camera and a touchscreen, characterized in that the first electronic device lacks buttons by which the user instructions can be entered, the cell phone being adapted to communicate with the first electronic device over said network, the cell phone further including software instructions adapted to present on the cell phone touchscreen a user interface including Up and Down buttons by which a user can enter user control instructions for transmission to said first electronic device to control said device state, the software instructions also including instructions to obtain identification information corresponding to the first electronic device by decoding information from a 2D machine readable code on the first electronic device that is sensed by a camera of the cell phone, to thereby authorize the cell phone to interact with the first electronic device.",
"2. The system of claim 1 in which the first electronic device comprises a thermostat.",
"3. The system of claim 1 in which the first electronic device also omits a display and a light, wherein omission of a display, buttons, and a light, reduces the cost of manufacturing the first electronic device.",
"4. The system of claim 1 in which the software instructions are further adapted to present on the touchscreen a display indicating device state of the first electronic device.",
"5. The system of claim 1 in which the first electronic device is adapted to control a display in response to user instructions entered on said touchscreen.",
"6. The system of claim 1 in which the software instructions are further adapted to enable the user to complete a purchase through the first electronic device.",
"7. The system of claim 1 in which the software instructions permit the user interface to be customized in accordance with preferences of the user.",
"8. The system of claim 1 in which the first electronic device lacks a display by which the device state can be indicated.",
"9. The system of claim 1 in which the first electronic device is adapted to identify itself to the cell phone by a network service discovery protocol over said network.",
"10. The system of claim 1 in which the software instructions are further adapted to identify on the touchscreen a listing of other devices, in addition to the first electronic device, that can be controlled by a user with the cell phone, from which the user can tap to select a second electronic device to be controlled with the cell phone.",
"11. A method comprising the acts:\na cell phone decoding information from a 2D machine readable code on a first electronic device, sensed by a camera of the cell phone, to authorize interaction between the cell phone and the first electronic device;\nsaid cell phone downloading, from a remote source, software that includes instructions for presenting a control interface for the first electronic device;\nwith the cell phone, employing a service discovery protocol to obtain identification data for said first electronic device on a local network;\nemploying said downloaded instructions to present a control user interface on a touchscreen of the cell phone, including Up and Down buttons, by which a user can enter control instructions for transmission to and control of said first electronic device;\nreceiving control instructions from the user through said control user interface presented on the cell phone touchscreen; and\ncontrolling the first electronic device in accordance with said user input received through said control interface presented on the touchscreen of the cell phone;\nwherein said first electronic device has a housing but lacks Up and Down buttons to receive control instructions from the user, the user instead providing control instructions through the control user interface presented on the cell phone touchscreen.",
"12. The method of claim 11 in which the first electronic device is a thermostat.",
"13. A method comprising the acts:\na cell phone downloading, from a remote source, software that includes instructions for presenting a control interface for a thermostat;\ncapturing an image of a 2D machine readable indicia on the thermostat using a camera of the cell phone, and decoding the indicia to determine a thermostat identity and to authorize interaction between the cell phone and the thermostat;\nemploying said downloaded instructions to present a control user interface on a touchscreen of the cell phone, including graphical controls, by which a user can enter control instructions for transmission to the thermostat having said identity;\nreceiving control instructions from the user through said control user interface presented on the cell phone touchscreen; and\ncontrolling the thermostat in accordance with said user input received through said control interface presented on the touchscreen of the cell phone.",
"14. The method of claim 13 that further includes presenting on the touchscreen a listing of one or more other devices that can be controlled by a user with the cell phone, from which the user can tap to select a second device to be controlled with the cell phone.",
"15. The method of claim 13 in which the thermostat lacks buttons by which user instructions can be entered.",
"16. The method of claim 13 in which the thermostat lacks a display by which device state can be indicated.",
"17. The method of claim 13 in which said downloaded instructions include instructions to identify on the touchscreen a second device, in addition to the thermostat, that can be selected by the user for control with the cell phone.",
"18. The method of claim 13 in which the downloaded instructions include instructions to present on the touchscreen a display indicate device state of the thermostat.",
"19. The method of claim 11 in which the software instructions are further adapted to identify on the touchscreen a second electronic device, in addition to the first electronic device, that can be selected by the user for control with the cell phone.",
"20. The method of claim 11 in which the downloaded instructions include instructions to present on the touchscreen a display indicate device state of the first electronic device."
],
[
"1. A method comprising the following steps:\n(a) autonomously tailoring one or more tailored geospatial intelligence products using an autonomous geospatial intelligence workflow (AGIW); and\n(b) providing the one or more tailored geospatial intelligence products to a consumer,\nwherein step (a) comprises the following steps:\n(c) filtering an event cloud to match one or more events in the event cloud to an event pattern;\n(d) extracting contexts for each event matched in step (c);\n(e) translating a workflow with the contexts into an executable process,\nwherein step (a) is conducted in response to an event being received by a Complex Event-Driven Enterprise Service Bus (CED-ESB) of an enterprise geospatial intelligence service oriented architecture (EGI-S OA).",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein step (a) further comprises the following step:\n(f) determining a product context from an event payload for the one or more events for tailoring each of the one or more tailored geospatial intelligence products.",
"3. The method of claim 2, wherein step (a) further comprises the following steps:\n(g) determining governance policies to be used by the AGIW based on the contexts of the one or more tailored geospatial intelligence products for the one or more events;\n(h) determining security policies to be used by the AGIW based on the contexts of the one or more tailored geospatial intelligence products for the one or more events;\n(i) retrieving data sources for use in forming the- one or more tailored geospatial intelligence products using the AGIW based on the contexts of the one or more tailored geospatial intelligence products for the one or more events; and\n(j) the AGIW tailoring the one or more tailored geospatial intelligence products based on the security policies, the governance policies and contexts of the one or more tailored geospatial intelligence products determined in steps (g), (h) and (i).",
"4. The method of claim 3, wherein step (a) further comprises the following step:\n(k) registering each of the one or more tailored geospatial intelligence products in an SDI registry, loading each of the one or more tailored geospatial intelligence products into the SDI registry, and generating a new product event for each of the one or more tailored geospatial intelligence products.",
"5. A machine readable medium having stored thereon sequences of instructions, which when executed by one or more processors, cause one or more electronic devices to perform a set of operations comprising the following steps:\n(a) autonomously tailoring one or more tailored geospatial intelligence products using an autonomous geospatial intelligence workflow (AGIW); and\n(b) providing the one or more tailored geospatial intelligence products to a consumer,\nwherein step (a) comprises the following steps:\n(c) filtering an event cloud to match one or more events in the event cloud to an event pattern;\n(d) extracting contexts for each event matched in step (c);\n(e) translating a workflow with the contexts into an executable process,\nwherein step (a) is conducted in response to an event being received by a Complex Event-Driven Enterprise Service Bus (CED-ESB) of an enterprise geospatial intelligence service oriented architecture (EGI-SOA).",
"6. The machine readable medium of claim 5, wherein step (a) further comprises the following step:\n(f) determining a product context from an event payload for the one or more events for tailoring each of the one or more tailored geospatial intelligence products.",
"7. The machine readable medium of claim 6, wherein step (a) further comprises the following steps:\n(g) determining governance policies to be used by the AGIW based on the contexts of the one or more tailored geospatial intelligence products for the one or more events;\n(h) determining security policies to be used by the AGIW based on the contexts of the one or more tailored geospatial intelligence products for the one or more events;\n(i) retrieving data sources for use in forming the one or more tailored geospatial intelligence products using the AGIW based on the contexts of the one or more tailored geospatial intelligence products for the one or more events; and\n(j) the AGIW tailoring the one or more tailored geospatial intelligence products based on the security policies, the governance policies and contexts of the one or more tailored geospatial intelligence products determined in steps (g), (h) and (i).",
"8. The machine readable medium of claim 7, wherein step (a) further comprises the following step:\n(k) registering each of the one or more tailored geospatial intelligence products in an SDI registry, loading each of the one or more tailored geospatial intelligence products into the SDI registry, and generating a new product event for each of the one or more tailored geospatial intelligence products.",
"9. A computer system implementing a method comprising the following steps:\n(a) autonomously tailoring one or more tailored geospatial intelligence products using an autonomous geospatial intelligence workflow (AGIW); and\n(b) providing the one or more tailored geospatial intelligence products to a consumer,\nwherein step (a) comprises the following steps:\n(c) filtering an event cloud to match one or more events in the event cloud to an event pattern;\n(d) extracting contexts for each event matched in step (c);\n(e) translating a workflow with the contexts into an executable process,\nwherein step (a) is conducted in response to an event being received by a Complex Event-Driven Enterprise Service Bus (CED-ESB) of an enterprise geospatial intelligence service oriented architecture (EGI-S OA).",
"10. The computer system implementing a method of claim 9, wherein step (a) further comprises the following step:\n(f) determining a product context from an event payload for the one or more events for tailoring each of the one or more tailored geospatial intelligence products.",
"11. The computer system implementing a method of 10, wherein step (a) further comprises the following steps:\n(g) determining governance policies to be used by the AGIW based on the contexts of the one or more tailored geospatial intelligence products for the one or more events;\n(h) determining security policies to be used by the AGIW based on the contexts of the one or more tailored geospatial intelligence products for the one or more events;\n(i) retrieving data sources for use in forming the one or more tailored geospatial intelligence products using the AGIW based on the contexts of the one or more tailored geospatial intelligence products for the one or more events; and\n(j) the AGIW tailoring the one or more tailored geo spatial intelligence products based on the security policies, the governance policies and contexts of the one or more tailored geospatial intelligence products determined in steps (g), (h) and (i).",
"12. The computer system implementing a method of claim 11, wherein step (a) further comprises the following step:\n(k) registering each of the one or more tailored geospatial intelligence products in an SDI registry, loading each of the one or more tailored geospatial intelligence products into the SDI registry, and generating a new product event for each of the one or more tailored geospatial intelligence products."
],
[
"1. A method of providing information in a first device, the method comprising:\nreceiving a user input to select an object of at least one object included in an image displayed on the first device;\nobtaining identification information regarding the selected object;\nobtaining relationship information which represents a relationship between a user of the first device and the selected object based on the identification information of the selected object;\nobtaining recommendation information about the selected object based on the relationship information;\noutputting the relationship information which represents the relationship between the user of the first device and the selected object, via at least one of the first device and a second device; and\noutputting the recommendation information based on the relationship information, via at least one of the first device and the second device,\nwherein the second device is a device of a user corresponding to the selected object.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the second device is a device of a user corresponding to the selected object.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein the selected object is displayed separately in the image according to receiving the user input.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein the relationship information is displayed in a separate region within the image.",
"5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nreceiving a user input to select a plurality of objects included in the image displayed on the first device;\nobtaining relationship information which represents a relationship of a group including a selected plurality of objects included in the image.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein obtaining the relationship information comprises searching a database stored in one of the first device and an external database of the first device.",
"7. The method of claim 1, wherein outputting the relationship information comprises transmitting the relationship information to the second device while outputting the relationship information via the first device.",
"8. The method of claim 1, wherein obtaining the recommendation information comprises searching one of a database stored in the first device and an external database of the first device.",
"9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nobtaining context aware information relating to the first device; and\nutilizing the context aware information when obtaining the recommendation information.",
"10. The method of claim 9, wherein the context aware information includes at least one of current time information and current location information relative to the first device.",
"11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nobtaining context aware information relating to the first device; and\nutilizing the context aware information when obtaining the relationship information.",
"12. A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for executing a method of providing information in a first device, the method comprising:\nreceiving a user input to select an object from among at least one object included in an image displayed on the first device;\nobtaining identification information regarding a selected object;\nobtaining relationship information which represents a relationship between a user of the first device and the selected object based on the identification information of the selected object;\nobtaining recommendation information about the selected object based on the relationship information;\noutputting the relationship information which represents the relationship between the user of the first device and the selected object, via at least one of the first device and a second device; and\noutputting the recommendation information based on the relationship information, via at least one of the first device and the second device,\nwherein the second device is a device of a user corresponding to the selected object.",
"13. A first device comprising:\na display configured to display an image; and\na processor configured to receive a user input to select an object of at least one object included in the image displayed on the first device, obtain identification information regarding the selected object included in the image displayed on the display, obtain relationship information which represents a relationship between a user of the first device and the selected object based on the identification information of the selected object, obtain recommendation information about the selected object based on the relationship information, output the relationship information which represents the relationship between the user of the first device and the selected object, via at least one of the display of the first device and a second device, and output the recommendation information based on the relationship information, via at least one of the display of the first device and the second device,\nwherein the second device is a device of a user corresponding to the selected object.",
"14. The first device of claim 13, wherein the second device is a device of a user corresponding to the selected object.",
"15. The first device of claim 13, wherein the selected object is displayed separately in the image according to receiving the user input.",
"16. The first device of claim 13, wherein the relationship information is displayed in a separate region with the image.",
"17. The first device of claim 13, wherein the processor is further configured to receive a user input to select a plurality of objects included in the image displayed on the first device and obtain relationship information which represents a relationship of a group including a selected plurality of objects included in the image.",
"18. The first device of claim 13, wherein the processor obtains at least one of the relationship information and the recommendation information by searching an external database of the first device.",
"19. The first device of claim 13, wherein the processor transmits the relationship information to the second device while outputting the relationship information via the display of the first device.",
"20. The first device of claim 13, wherein the processor is further configured to collect context aware information regarding to the first device and obtain the relationship information of the selected object by further using the collected context aware information."
],
[
"1. A device capable of rendering augmented reality (AR), the device comprising:\na plurality of sensors, including a camera and a location sensor;\na display;\na non-transitory computer readable memory storing software instructions; and\nat least one processor coupled with the non-transitory computer readable memory, the plurality of sensors, and the display; and, upon execution of the software instructions, is configurable to:\nobtain sensor data from at least one sensor wherein the sensor data corresponds to a real-time perspective of a user, and includes image data from the camera and a device location obtained from the location sensor;\nobtain an area of interest via an area database based on the sensor data;\naccess an area tile map of the area of interest, the area tile map represented by a set of tile subareas that includes one or more tessellated tiles from a tessellated tile map;\nidentify a tile subarea from the set of tile subareas based at least in part on the device location relative to one or more locations of tile subareas from the set of tile subareas, wherein the identified tile subarea covers at least a portion of the area of interest, and wherein one or more tessellated tiles within the identified tile subarea are associated with one or more AR content objects;\npopulate the non-transitory computer readable memory with at least one of the one or more AR content objects associated with the one or more tessellated tiles within the identified tile subarea; and\nrender the at least one of the one or more AR content objects that is associated with the identified tile subarea on the display as a visual overlay of a real-world image generated from the image data.",
"2. The device of claim 1, wherein the location sensor comprises at least one of the following location sensors: a global positioning system (GPS) sensor, an image sensor, and a wireless sensor.",
"3. The device of claim 1, wherein the device location includes at least one of the following: a global positioning system (GPS) location, a wireless signal location, a depth of field location, and an image-based simultaneous location and mapping (SLAM) location.",
"4. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor further includes one or more of the following: an accelerometer and a gyroscope.",
"5. The device of claim 1, wherein the sensor data further includes at least one of device position data and device orientation data.",
"6. The device of claim 5, wherein the at least one of the one or more AR content objects is rendered based on a view of interest, wherein the view of interest is derived from at least one of the device position data and the device orientation data.",
"7. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one of the one or more AR content objects comprises the visual overlay rendered as a graphic sprite or an animation for an interactive game experience.",
"8. The device of claim 7, wherein the interactive game experience comprises the graphic sprite or the animation interacting with one or more physical elements in the real-world image.",
"9. The device of claim 1, wherein the device comprises a smart phone or a tablet.",
"10. The device of claim 1, wherein the area of interest comprises one of the following: a landmark, user-defined boundaries, state-defined boundaries, natural boundaries, a city, a country, a business, a shopping center, a restaurant, a coffee shop, a warehouse, a stadium, a wilderness area, a road, a garden, a zoo, an amusement park, a beach and a building.",
"11. The device of claim 1, wherein the area of interest comprises an outdoor setting.",
"12. The device of claim 1, wherein the device communicatively couples with the area database over a network.",
"13. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one of the one or more AR content objects is obtained from an AR content database.",
"14. The device of claim 13, wherein the device is communicatively coupled with the AR content database over a network.",
"15. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one of the one or more AR content objects is rendered relative to a recognized object.",
"16. The device of claim 15, wherein the recognized object represents an attachment point for the at least one of the one or more AR content objects.",
"17. The device of claim 16, wherein the attachment point includes at least one of the following: a billboard, a wall, a floor, a plant, a sign, a logo, a landmark, a building, and a car.",
"18. A method of rendering augmented reality (AR) with a device, the method comprising:\nobtaining sensor data from at least one sensor on the device, the at least one sensor including a location sensor, wherein the sensor data corresponds to a real-time perspective of a user, and includes a device location obtained from the location sensor and real-world image data;\nobtaining an area of interest via an area database based on at least the device location within the sensor data;\naccessing an area tile map of the area of interest, the area tile map represented by a set of tile subareas that includes one or more tessellated tiles from a tessellated tile map;\nidentifying a tile subarea from the set of tile subareas based at least in part on the device location relative to one or more locations of tile subareas from the set of tile subareas, wherein the identified tile subarea covers at least a portion of the area of interest, and wherein one or more tessellated tiles within the identified tile subarea are associated with one or more AR content objects from an AR content database communicatively coupled with the device over a network;\nautomatically populating a non-transitory computer readable memory of the device with at least one of the one or more AR content objects from the AR content database, wherein the at least one of the one or more AR content objects is associated with the one or more tessellated tiles within the identified tile subarea; and\nrendering the at least one of the one or more AR content objects that is associated with the identified tile subarea on a display of the device based on the device location relative to the area of interest, wherein the at least one of the one or more AR content objects is rendered as a visual overlay of a view of interest associated with the real-world image data.",
"19. The method of claim 18, wherein the at least one of the one or more AR content objects comprises a game object.",
"20. The method of claim 18, wherein the at least one of the one or more AR content objects comprises an interactive game experience.",
"21. The method of claim 18, wherein the at least one of the one or more AR content objects comprises the visual overlay rendered as a graphic sprite or an animation.",
"22. The method of claim 18, wherein the at least one of the one or more AR content objects comprises an exclusive content related to the identified tile subarea.",
"23. The method of claim 22, wherein the exclusive content related to the identified tile subarea is rendered based on a paid fee.",
"24. The method of claim 18, wherein the non-transitory computer readable memory, an at least one processor, the at least one sensor, and the display comprise at least one of the following: a smart phone, augmented reality goggles, a watch, a tablet, a drone, a vehicle, a wearable augmented reality device, and a robot.",
"25. The method of claim 18, wherein the at least one of the one or more AR content objects is determined based on movement of the device relative to the area of interest or the identified tile subarea.",
"26. The method of claim 25, wherein the at least one of the one or more AR content objects is auto-populated in the non-transitory computer readable memory and rendered based on the movement of the device relative to the area of interest or the identified tile subarea.",
"27. The method of claim 18, wherein the identified tile subarea or the at least one of the one or more AR content objects is identified based on time.",
"28. The method of claim 18, wherein a modification of the at least one of the one or more AR content objects by a first user is viewable by a subset of users.",
"29. The method of claim 18, wherein a virtual item is made available to the user when the user executes a navigation event with respect to the area of interest or the identified tile subarea.",
"30. The method of claim 29, wherein the navigation event comprises at least one of the following: the user being located in the area of interest at any time, the user being located in the area of interest for a predetermined minimum amount of time, the user being located in the area of interest at a predetermined time, or the user being located in the area of interest and capturing an image viewable from the area of interest.",
"31. The method of claim 18, wherein a virtual item is provided to a first user and a second user when the first user and the second user execute a navigation event with respect to the area of interest or the identified tile subarea.",
"32. The method of claim 31, wherein the navigation event comprises the first user and the second user each performing at least one of the following: being located in the area of interest at any time, being located in the area of interest for a predetermined minimum amount of time, being located in the area of interest at a predetermined time, or being located in the area of interest and capturing an image viewable from the area of interest.",
"33. A computer program product embedded in at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising software instructions for rendering augmented reality (AR) content on a computing device, which, when executed, configure one or more computer processors to perform a method comprising:\nobtaining sensor data from a plurality of sensors, the plurality of sensors including a location sensor and a camera, wherein the sensor data corresponds to a real-time perspective of a user, and includes a device location of the computing device obtained from the location sensor and image data from the camera;\nobtaining an area of interest via an area database based on at least the device location within the sensor data;\naccessing an area tile map of the area of interest, the area tile map represented by a set of tile subareas that includes one or more tessellated tiles from a tessellated tile map;\nidentifying a tile subarea from the set of tile subareas based at least in part on the device location relative to one or more locations of tile subareas from the set of tile subareas, wherein the identified tile subarea covers at least a portion of the area of interest, and wherein one or more tessellated tiles within the identified tile subarea are associated with one or more AR content objects;\nautomatically populating a non-transitory computer readable memory of the computing device with at least one of the one or more AR content objects associated with the one or more tessellated tiles within the identified tile subarea; and\nrendering the at least one of the one or more AR content objects that is associated with the identified tile subarea on a display of the computing device as a visual overlay of a real-world image generated from the image data.",
"34. The computer program product of claim 33, wherein the one or more computer processors, upon execution of the software instructions, is further configurable to perform automatically populating the non-transitory computer readable memory of the computing device with at least one of the one or more AR content objects associated with one or more tessellated tiles within one or more additional tile subareas corresponding to at least one candidate view of interest of the area of interest.",
"35. The computer program product of claim 33, wherein at least one candidate view of interest corresponds to only one identified tile subarea when automatically populating a non-transitory computer readable memory of the computing device with at least one of the one or more AR content objects associated with the one or more tessellated tiles within the only one identified tile subarea.",
"36. The computer program product of claim 33, wherein the location sensor comprises at least one of the following location sensors: a global positioning system (GPS) sensor, an image sensor, and a wireless sensor.",
"37. The computer program product of claim 33, wherein the device location includes at least one of the following: a global positioning system (GPS) location, a wireless signal location, a depth of field location, and an image-based simultaneous location and mapping (SLAM) location.",
"38. The computer program product of claim 33, wherein the at least one of the one or more AR content objects comprises the visual overlay rendered as a graphic sprite or an animation.",
"39. The computer program product of claim 38, further comprising an interactive game experience wherein the interactive game experience comprises the graphic sprite or the animation interacting with one or more physical elements in the real-world image.",
"40. The computer program product of claim 33, wherein the computing device comprises either a smart phone or a tablet.",
"41. The computer program product of claim 33, wherein the at least one of the one or more AR content objects is obtained from an AR content database.",
"42. The computer program product of claim 41, wherein the computing device is communicatively coupled with the AR content database over a network."
],
[
"1. A method for predicting an entity of interest for a pathology image, the method comprising, by one or more processors:\naccessing a pathology image of a patient;\nprocessing, using a trained deep learning model trained on a plurality of annotated images, the pathology image to determine tissue and cell characteristics for the pathology image;\nextracting values for one or more features based on the tissue and cell characteristics for the pathology image;\npredicting an entity of interest using the values for the one or more features, wherein the entity of interest includes one or more of patient response, tumor molecular characteristics, and patient clinical outcomes; and\noutputting the predicted entity of interest associated with the patient for storing on at least one storage device.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein processing, using the trained deep learning model, the pathology to determine the tissue and cell characteristics comprises:\nusing a first deep learning model to identify cells characteristics for the pathology image; and\nusing a second deep learning model to identify tissue characteristics for the pathology image.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein the pathology image is a H&E whole slide image.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein the predicted entity of interest comprises response to drug or therapy associated with the patient.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein the predicted entity of interest comprises prognosis of cancer for the patient.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein the predicted entity of interest comprises tumor molecular characteristics including genomic markers.",
"7. The method of claim 1, wherein the values for one or more features comprise spatial features related to spatial distribution of cells, heterogeneity, and texture.",
"8. The method of claim 1, wherein predicting the entity of interest is performed additionally using clinical metadata associated with the patient.",
"9. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of annotated pathology images are annotated by human pathologists.",
"10. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying one or more annotations overlaid on the pathology image, the one or more annotations describing the determined tissue and cell characteristics for the pathology image.",
"11. The method of claim 1, wherein outputting the predicted entity of interest comprises displaying a value indicating a measurement of patient response.",
"12. A system for predicting an entity of interest for a pathology image, the system comprising:\nat least one computer hardware processor; and\nat least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing processor-executable instructions that, when executed by the at least one computer hardware processor, cause the at least one computer hardware processor to perform:\naccessing a pathology image of a patient;\nprocessing, using a trained deep learning model trained on a plurality of annotated images, the pathology image to determine tissue and cell characteristics for the pathology image;\nextracting values for one or more features based on the tissue and cell characteristics for the pathology image;\npredicting an entity of interest using the values for the one or more features, wherein the entity of interest includes one or more of patient response, tumor molecular characteristics, and patient clinical outcomes; and\noutputting the predicted entity of interest associated with the patient for storing on at least one storage device.",
"13. The system of claim 12, wherein processing, using the trained deep learning model, the pathology to determine the tissue and cell characteristics comprises:\nusing a first deep learning model to identify cells characteristics for the pathology image; and\nusing a second deep learning model to identify tissue characteristics for the pathology image.",
"14. The system of claim 12, wherein the predicted entity of interest comprises response to drug or therapy associated with the patient.",
"15. The system of claim 12, wherein the predicted entity of interest comprises prognosis of cancer for the patient.",
"16. The system of claim 12, wherein the predicted entity of interest comprises tumor molecular characteristics including genomic markers.",
"17. The system of claim 12, wherein the values for one or more features comprise spatial features related to spatial distribution of cells, heterogeneity, and texture.",
"18. The system of claim 12, wherein predicting the entity of interest is performed additionally using clinical metadata associated with the patient.",
"19. The system of claim 12, wherein the at least one computer hardware processor is further configured to perform:\ncausing to display one or more annotations overlaid on the pathology image, the one or more annotations describing the determined tissue and cell characteristics for the pathology image.",
"20. The system of claim 12, wherein outputting the predicted entity of interest comprises causing to display a value indicating a measurement of patient response.",
"21. A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing instructions that, when executed, cause at least one computer hardware processor to perform:\naccessing a pathology image of a patient;\nprocessing, using a trained deep learning model trained on a plurality of annotated images, the pathology image to determine tissue and cell characteristics for the pathology image;\nextracting values for one or more features based on the tissue and cell characteristics for the pathology image;\npredicting an entity of interest using the values for the one or more features, wherein the entity of interest includes one or more of patient response, tumor molecular characteristics, and patient clinical outcomes; and\noutputting the predicted entity of interest associated with the patient for storing on at least one storage device.",
"22. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 21, wherein processing, using the trained deep learning model, the pathology to determine the tissue and cell characteristics comprises:\nusing a first deep learning model to identify cells characteristics for the pathology image; and\nusing a second deep learning model to identify tissue characteristics for the pathology image.",
"23. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 21, wherein the predicted entity of interest comprises response to drug or therapy associated with the patient.",
"24. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 21, wherein the predicted entity of interest comprises prognosis of cancer for the patient.",
"25. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 21, wherein the predicted entity of interest comprises tumor molecular characteristics including genomic markers.",
"26. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 21, wherein the plurality of annotated pathology images are annotated by human pathologists."
],
[
"1. An object recognition and ingestion system comprising:\nan object recognition database comprising a plurality of sets of recognition information;\nat least one non-transitory computer readable memory storing executable object recognition and ingestion software instructions; and\nat least one processor coupled with the at least one non-transitory computer readable memory that, upon execution of the object recognition and ingestion software instructions, performs operations to:\nobtain digital data representing at least one real-world object, wherein the digital data is obtained from at least one sensor of a computing device and further includes image data of the at least one real-world object;\nderive one or more sets of edges related to the at least one real-world object from the image data;\nrequest one or more shape objects from a shape database, the one or more shape objects having shape attributes satisfying criteria determined at least as a function of the one or more sets of edges;\nselect at least one target shape object from the one or more shape objects based on one or more scores associated with a degree to which the one or more shape objects satisfy the criteria;\ngenerate at least one three-dimensional object model of the at least one real-world object from the at least one target shape object and the one or more sets of edges;\ncompile a set of recognition information based on the three-dimensional object model; and\nupdate the object recognition database with the set of recognition information.",
"2. The system of claim 1, wherein the set of recognition information comprises one or more of image data, descriptors, normal vectors, metadata, context information, and recognition algorithms.",
"3. The system of claim 2, wherein the context information comprises a positive association with respect to a particular location or a nearby object.",
"4. The system of claim 2, wherein the context information comprises a negative association with respect to a particular location or a nearby object.",
"5. The system of claim 2, wherein the recognition algorithm descriptors include at least one of the following type of descriptors: SIFT, FREAK, FAST, SURF, DAISY, and BRISK.",
"6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a content data store comprising content information indexed based on the recognition information.",
"7. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor performs operations to obtain one or more sets of recognition information based on a computing device context.",
"8. The system of claim 7, wherein the computing device context comprises one or more of a location, a time, a temperature, a recognized object, an orientation, a user identity, an intent, and a weather condition.",
"9. The system of claim 8, wherein the location comprises a GPS location.",
"10. The system of claim 1, wherein the shape object comprises at least one object template.",
"11. The system of claim 10, wherein the object template includes at least one of the following: a vehicle, a plane, a building, a landmark, an appliance, a plant, a toy, a face, a person, an animal, and an internal organ.",
"12. The system of claim 1, wherein the shape object comprises at least one simple shape.",
"13. The system of claim 12, wherein the at least one simple shape comprises a line, circle, sphere, cylinder, cone, square, cube, box, platonic solid, triangle, pyramid, or torus.",
"14. The system of claim 13, wherein the shape object comprises a compound shape comprising two or more simple shapes.",
"15. The system of claim 1, wherein the shape attributes comprise one or more geometrical attributes.",
"16. The system of claim 15, wherein the one or more geometrical attributes include at least one of the following: a length, a width, a height, a thickness, a radius, a diameter, an angle, a hole, a center, a formula, a texture, a bounding box, a chirality, a periodicity, an orientation, a pitch, and a number of sides.",
"17. The system of claim 1, wherein the digital data comprises at least one of the following types of data: visible data, non-visible spectrum data, video data, video frame data, still image data, acoustic imaging data, medical imaging data, and game imaging data.",
"18. The system of claim 1, wherein the computing device comprises at least one of: a video recording device, a camera, a medical imaging device, a smart phone, a webcam, a game interface, a game console, a robot, a vehicle, a head-mounted visor, and head-mounted glasses.",
"19. The system of claim 1, wherein each edge includes edge geometrical information.",
"20. The system of claim 19, wherein the edge geometrical information comprises one or more of radius, length, curvature, edgels, edgelets, constellations of edgelets, distances among the edgelets, affine transformation information, and edge descriptors.",
"21. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more sets of edges are derived from one or more of canny edge detection algorithms, Gabor filter algorithms, Hough transform algorithms, ridge detection algorithms, Sobel edge detection algorithms, and Kayyali edge detection algorithms.",
"22. The system of claim 1, wherein the operations further include updating the object recognition database with new information related to the at least one three-dimensional object model over time.",
"23. The system of claim 1, wherein the operations further include selecting the at least one target shape object based at least in part on a user selection.",
"24. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing one or more executable instructions for ingesting and recognizing one or more objects which, upon execution by at least one processor coupled to the computer-readable medium, performs the following operations:\nobtaining digital data representing at least one real-world object, wherein the digital data is obtained from at least one sensor of a computing device and further includes image data of the at least one real-world object;\nderiving one or more sets of edges related to the at least one real-world object from the image data;\nrequesting one or more shape objects from a shape database, the one or more shape objects having shape attributes satisfying criteria determined at least as a function of the one or more sets of edges;\nselecting at least one target shape object from the one or more shape objects based on one or more scores associated with a degree to which the one or more shape objects satisfy the criteria;\ngenerating at least one three-dimensional object model of the at least one real-world object from the at least one target shape object and the one or more sets of edges;\ncompiling a set of recognition information based on the three-dimensional object model; and\nupdating an object recognition database comprising a plurality of sets of recognition information with the set of recognition information.",
"25. An object recognition and ingestion method comprising:\nobtaining digital data representing at least one real-world object, wherein the digital data is obtained from at least one sensor of a computing device and further includes image data of the at least one real-world object;\nderiving one or more sets of edges related to the at least one real-world object from the image data;\nrequesting one or more shape objects from a shape database, the one or more shape objects having shape attributes satisfying criteria determined at least as a function of the one or more sets of edges;\nselecting at least one target shape object from the one or more shape objects based on one or more scores associated with a degree to which the one or more shape objects satisfy the criteria;\ngenerating at least one three-dimensional object model of the at least one real-world object from the at least one target shape object and the one or more sets of edges;\ncompiling a set of recognition information based on the three-dimensional object model; and\nupdating an object recognition database comprising a plurality of sets of recognition information with the set of recognition information."
],
[
"1. A computer-implemented method of identifying features in imagery comprising:\nreceiving an image;\ngrouping selected pixels of the image into a plurality of superpixels;\nstoring in memory a delineation of the superpixels;\nanalyzing at least two or more of the plurality of superpixels, the superpixels having an entropy, and the analyzing including determining an indication of the entropy;\nstoring in memory an indication of the amount of entropy for each of the analyzed superpixels;\nidentifying superpixels based on an amount of entropy;\nidentifying clusters of superpixels based on both (1) the indication of the amount of entropy for each of the analyzed superpixels and (2) superpixels that are proximate in location, to produce identified clusters;\nstoring data delineating the identified clusters in memory, the clusters representing only a portion of the image;\ndetermining whether a cluster density exceeds a predetermined value as a factor in identifying the clusters;\nclipping the image to only include the identified groups of superpixels having the predetermined cluster density and entropy;\nanalyzing statistical parameters of the clipped image;\nanalyzing geometric factors of the clipped image;\ndetermining one or more settlements based on the statistical parameters and geometric factors of the superpixels; and\nidentifying a shape and area of the one or more settlements based on the statistical parameters and geometric factors of the clipped image.",
"2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein the statistical parameters of the clipped image include one or more of a contrast, mean, mode, median, standard deviation, and entropy.",
"3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein the geometric factors include edge detection.",
"4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 further comprising:\nidentifying boundaries of the one or more settlements based on spatial and spectral parameters of proximate superpixels.",
"5. The computer implemented method of claim 1 wherein the superpixels clustering uses an enhanced segmentation process comprising:\ndetermining a proximity of superpixels; and\ndetermining a best match of superpixels using statistics.",
"6. The computer-implemented method of claim 5 wherein the statistics include entropy.",
"7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein the clusters of superpixels correspond to estimated areas of human settlement.",
"8. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions stored thereon for identifying features in imagery, the instructions, when executed on a processor, perform the steps of:\nreceiving an image;\ngrouping selected pixels of the image into a plurality of superpixels;\nstoring in memory a delineation of the superpixels;\nanalyzing at least two or more of the plurality of superpixels, the superpixels having an entropy, and the analyzing including determining an indication of the entropy;\nstoring in memory an indication of the amount of entropy for each of the analyzed superpixels;\nidentifying superpixels based on an amount of entropy;\nidentifying clusters of superpixels based on both (1) the indication of the amount of entropy for each of the analyzed superpixels and (2) superpixels that are proximate in location, to produce identified clusters;\nstoring data delineating the identified clusters in memory, the clusters representing only a portion of the image;\ndetermining whether a cluster density exceeds a predetermined value as a factor in identifying the clusters;\nclipping the image to only include the identified groups of superpixels having the predetermined cluster density and entropy;\nanalyzing statistical parameters of the clipped image;\nanalyzing geometric factors of the clipped image;\ndetermining one or more settlements based on the statistical parameters and geometric factors of the superpixels; and\nidentifying a shape and area of the one or more settlements based on the statistical parameters and geometric factors of the clipped image.",
"9. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8 wherein the statistical parameters of the clipped image include one or more of a contrast, mean, mode, median, standard deviation, and entropy.",
"10. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8 wherein the geometric factors include edge detection.",
"11. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8 further comprising:\nidentifying boundaries of the one or more settlements based on spatial and spectral parameters of proximate superpixels.",
"12. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8 wherein the superpixels clustering uses an enhanced segmentation process comprising:\ndetermining a proximity of superpixels; and\ndetermining a best match of superpixels using statistics.",
"13. The non-transitory computer-readable medium method of claim 12 wherein the statistics include entropy.",
"14. A system for identifying features in imagery, a memory:\na processor;\na non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions stored thereon, the instructions, when executed on the processor, perform the steps of:\nreceiving an image;\ngrouping selected pixels of the image into a plurality of superpixels;\nstoring in the memory a delineation of the superpixels;\nanalyzing at least two or more of the plurality of superpixels, the superpixels having an entropy, and the analyzing including determining an indication of the entropy;\nstoring in the memory an indication of the amount of entropy for each of the analyzed superpixels;\nidentifying superpixels based on an amount of entropy;\nidentifying clusters of superpixels based on both (1) the indication of the amount of entropy for each of the analyzed superpixels and (2) superpixels that are proximate in location to produce identified clusters;\nstoring data delineating the identified clusters in the memory, the clusters representing only a portion of the image;\ndetermining whether a cluster density exceeds a predetermined value as a factor in identifying the clusters;\nclipping the image to only include the identified groups of superpixels having the predetermined cluster density and entropy;\nanalyzing statistical parameters of the clipped image;\nanalyzing geometric factors of the clipped image;\ndetermining one or more settlements based on the statistical parameters and geometric factors of the superpixels; and\nidentifying a shape and area of the one or more settlements based on the statistical parameters and geometric factors of the clipped image."
],
[
"1. A vehicle drivable area detection method, comprising:\nprocessing, using a neural network, image data obtained by a camera apparatus, to obtain a first probability distribution of an obstacle;\nobtaining a second probability distribution of the obstacle based on a time of flight and an echo width of a radar echo signal, wherein the echo width is a difference between a second time of flight of the echo signal and a first time of flight of the echo signal, wherein the second time of flight corresponds to a longest echo distance between a radar and the obstacle, and wherein the first time of flight corresponds to a shortest echo distance between the radar and the obstacle;\nobtaining, based on the first probability distribution of the obstacle and the second probability distribution of the obstacle, a drivable area of a vehicle represented by a probability, wherein the probability is a probability that the vehicle cannot drive through the area; and either:\na) wherein the vehicle is an autonomous vehicle, planning a driving route for the vehicle based on the obtained drivable area;\nor\nb) wherein the vehicle is a manually driven vehicle, wherein the drivable area of the vehicle is represented in a form of a probability grid map; and wherein the probability that the vehicle cannot drive through the area is represented in the probability grid map, displaying the probability grid map on a display of the vehicle.",
"2. The method according to claim 1, wherein\nthe camera apparatus comprises at least one of the following: a fisheye camera, a wide-angle camera, or a wide-field-of-view camera; and\nthe radar echo signal comprises an echo signal of at least one of the following radars: an ultrasonic radar, a laser radar, and a millimeter-wave radar.",
"3. The method according to claim 1, wherein\nthe camera apparatus is disposed on at least one of the following positions: on the vehicle, on a road, on an apparatus around a road; and\nthe radar is disposed on at least one of the following positions: on the vehicle, on a road, or on an apparatus around a road.",
"4. The method according to claim 1, wherein\nthe neural network comprises an encoder and a decoder, the encoder is configured to perform dimension reduction on data by using a pooling layer, and the decoder is configured to perform dimension increasing on data by using a deconvolutional layer.",
"5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the processing, by using the neural network, image data obtained by the camera apparatus, to obtain the first probability distribution of the obstacle comprises:\nperforming, by using the neural network, semantic segmentation processing on the image data obtained by the camera apparatus, to obtain a type of the obstacle, wherein the type of the obstacle is one of a high obstacle type and a low obstacle type, and determining the first probability distribution of the obstacle based on the type of the obstacle.",
"6. The method according to claim 1, wherein\ninput of the neural network comprises a plurality of frames of images that are adjacent or spaced in terms of time.",
"7. The method according to claim 1, wherein\nin a training process of the neural network, data enhancement is implemented by using an obstacle mapping method.",
"8. The method according to claim 1, wherein\na higher weight is given to a smaller obstacle in a loss function of the neural network.",
"9. An autonomous driving assistance system, comprising:\na camera apparatus, wherein the camera apparatus is configured to be capable of obtaining image data;\nat least one radar, wherein the radar is configured to be capable of obtaining a radar echo signal; and\nat least one processor; and\na memory coupled to the at least one processor and storing programming instructions for execution by the at least one processor, the programming instructions for execution by the at least one processor, the programming instructions instruct the at least one processor to perform the following operations:\nprocessing, using a neural network, image data obtained by the camera apparatus, to obtain a first probability distribution of an obstacle;\nobtaining a second probability distribution of the obstacle based on a time of flight and an echo width of a radar echo signal, wherein the echo width is a difference between a second time of flight of the echo signal and a first time of flight of the echo signal, wherein the second time of flight corresponds to a longest echo distance between a radar and the obstacle, and wherein the first time of flight corresponds to a shortest echo distance between the radar and the obstacle;\nobtaining, based on the first probability distribution of the obstacle and the second probability distribution of the obstacle, a drivable area of a vehicle represented by a probability, wherein the probability is a probability that the vehicle cannot drive through the area; and either:\na) based on the autonomous driving assistance system being implemented in an autonomous vehicle, planning a driving route for the vehicle based on the obtained drivable area;\nor\nb) based on the autonomous driving assistance system being implemented in a manually driven vehicle, wherein the drivable area of the vehicle is represented in a form of a probability grid map; and wherein the probability that the vehicle cannot drive through the area is represented in the probability grid map, displaying the probability grid map on a display apparatus of the vehicle.",
"10. The system according to claim 9, wherein\nthe camera apparatus comprises at least one of the following: a fisheye camera, a wide-angle camera, or a wide-field-of-view camera; and\nthe radar echo signal comprises an echo signal of at least one of the following radars: an ultrasonic radar, a laser radar, and a millimeter-wave radar.",
"11. The system according to claim 9, wherein\nthe neural network comprises an encoder and a decoder, the encoder is configured to perform dimension reduction on data by using a pooling layer, and the decoder is configured to perform dimension increasing on data by using a deconvolutional layer.",
"12. The system according to claim 9, wherein the programming instructions instruct the at least one processor to perform the following operation:\nperforming, using the neural network, semantic segmentation processing on the image data obtained by the camera apparatus, to obtain a type of the obstacle, wherein the type of the obstacle is one of a high obstacle type and a low obstacle type, and determining the first probability distribution of the obstacle based on the type of the obstacle.",
"13. The system according to claim 9, wherein\ninput of the neural network comprises a plurality of frames of images that are adjacent or spaced in terms of time, and output of the neural network comprises a type of the obstacle and the first probability distribution of the obstacle.",
"14. The system according to claim 9, wherein\nin a training process of the neural network, data enhancement is implemented by using an obstacle mapping method.",
"15. The system according to claim 9, wherein\na higher weight is given to a smaller obstacle in a loss function of the neural network.",
"16. The system according to claim 9, wherein the programming instructions instruct the at least one processor to perform the following operation:\nobtaining times of flight of the obstacle around the vehicle by using a plurality of radars, and determining coordinates of a center of the obstacle in a vehicle reference coordinate system based on the times of flight and wave velocities of the radars.",
"17. A computer program product comprising computer-executable instructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that, when executed by a processor, cause an apparatus to:\nprocessing, by using a neural network, image data obtained by a camera apparatus, to obtain a first probability distribution of an obstacle;\nobtaining a second probability distribution of the obstacle based on a time of flight and an echo width of a radar echo signal, wherein the echo width is a difference between a second time of flight of the echo signal and a first time of flight of the echo signal, wherein the second time of flight corresponds to a longest echo distance between a radar and the obstacle, and wherein the first time of flight corresponds to a shortest echo distance between the radar and the obstacle;\nobtaining, based on the first probability distribution of the obstacle and the second probability distribution of the obstacle, a drivable area of a vehicle represented by a probability, wherein the probability is a probability that the vehicle cannot drive through the area; and either:\na) wherein the vehicle is an autonomous vehicle, planning a driving route for the vehicle based on the obtained drivable area;\nor\nb) wherein the vehicle is a manually driven vehicle, wherein the drivable area of the vehicle is represented in a form of a probability grid map; and wherein the probability that the vehicle cannot drive through the area is represented in the probability grid map, displaying the probability grid map on a display of the vehicle."
],
[
"1. A method of determining image importance comprising:\nanalyzing, via a processor of an electronic device, a plurality of digital images stored on a computer memory;\nidentifying, via the processor, a plurality of similar images from the plurality of digital images\nreceiving, via the processor, user-designated ratings for each of the plurality of similar images;\ndetermining, via the processor, a qualitative image quality value for each of the plurality of similar images;\ndetermining, via the processor, an aesthetic image quality value for each of the plurality of similar images;\nevaluating, via the processor, a utilization pattern for each of the plurality of similar images;\ndetermining, via the processor, one or more important images from the plurality of similar images from a weighted combination of the user-designated ratings, the qualitative image quality values, the aesthetic image quality values, and the utilization patterns of the plurality of similar images; and\nstoring the one or more important images or identification information of the one or more important images along with information about a relative importance of the one or more important images in a metadata of the one or more important images or as an object in a database.",
"2. The method of claim 1 wherein the utilization patterns are weighted based on the type of usage of the plurality of similar image.",
"3. The method of claim 1 wherein the user-designated ratings comprise a “favorites” or “star rating” mechanism.",
"4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:\nfiltering, via the processor, one or more similar images with image quality values less than a threshold image quality level.",
"5. The method of claim 4 wherein the threshold image quality level is predefined.",
"6. The method of claim 4 wherein the threshold image quality level is adjusted adaptively to include a desired number of digital images in the one or more important images.",
"7. The method of claim 1 wherein the plurality of similar images is based on similarity in visual appearance, image classification similarity, event clustering, capture location similarity, capture time similarity, capture sequence order, or recurring time intervals.",
"8. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying the plurality of similar images further comprises:\nidentifying, by the processor, images containing persons that are closely related to a reference individual by using automatic face recognition or by manual identification.",
"9. The method of claim 8 wherein the weighted combination further comprises:\na social relationship between the reference individual and persons included in the digital images.",
"10. The method of claim 1 wherein the qualitative image quality value relates to image attributes comprising sharpness, image noise, image colorfulness, or image contrast.",
"11. The method of claim 1 further comprising:\ndisplaying, via the processor, each of the one or more important images on a Graphic User Interface (GUI).",
"12. The method of claim 11 wherein the one or more important images are displayed according to a relative level of importance.",
"13. The method of claim 12 wherein the GUI is reordered based on updated levels of importance of the one or more important images.",
"14. The method of claim 1 wherein the plurality of similar images is a largest subset of the plurality of digital images.",
"15. The method of claim 14 wherein the largest subset of the plurality of digital images is greater than a pre-defined threshold.",
"16. The method of claim 1 further comprising:\ndesignating, by the processor, an image with a highest importance value.",
"17. The method of claim 16 further comprising:\ndisplaying, by the processor, a rendering of a photographic product with the image with the highest importance value on an electronic device.",
"18. The method of claim 1 further comprising:\nassigning, by the processor, an image importance value to each of the plurality of similar images.",
"19. The method of claim 18 wherein the assigned image importance values are stored in a processor accessible memory.",
"20. The method of claim 1 wherein the aesthetic image quality values are based on facial presentations within the plurality of similar images."
],
[
"1. An apparatus for biometric data capture, comprising\nan interactive head-mounted display device comprising an optical assembly through which a surrounding environment and displayed content is viewable, a processor, and an integrated optical sensor assembly configured to record video of the surrounding environment of the interactive head-mounted display device; and\na face detection facility comprising instructions executable to identify a facial image in the recorded video of an individual in the surrounding environment, in response to identifying the facial image, obtain an identity of the individual based on the facial image, and provide the obtained identity of the individual to the interactive head-mounted display device such that the obtained identity of the individual is displayed via the optical assembly at a position corresponding to a position of the individual in the surrounding environment.",
"2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a transmission facility comprising instructions executable to transmit data derived from the facial image of the individual to a remote computing facility.",
"3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the instructions executable to obtain the identity of the individual comprise instructions executable to receive the obtained identity of the individual from the remote computing facility.",
"4. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a vibratory actuator, and wherein the instructions are executable to provide a vibration output via the vibratory actuator in response to receiving the obtained identity of the individual from the remote computing facility.",
"5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the remote computing facility comprises a social networking website.",
"6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the instructions executable to transmit data derived from the facial image of the individual to the remote computing facility comprise instructions executable to send a request to the social networking website for information regarding members of the social networking site nearby the apparatus, and obtain the facial image of the individual responsive to the social networking website sending information identifying the individual as a member of the social networking website.",
"7. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the identity of the individual is obtained further based on additional biometric data requested by the remote computing facility and sent to the remote compute facility.",
"8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the additional biometric data comprises an iris image of the individual.",
"9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the additional biometric data comprises an audio sample of the individual.",
"10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the additional biometric data comprises an additional facial image of the individual.",
"11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the instructions are further executable to obtain a social networking website profile of the individual and provide the social networking website profile to the optical assembly for display.",
"12. A method of facial recognition, comprising\nrecording video of a surrounding environment of an interactive head-mounted display device via an integrated optical sensor assembly of the interactive head-mounted display device;\nidentifying a facial image in the recorded video of an individual in the surrounding environment;\nin response to identifying the facial image, obtaining an identity of the individual based on the facial image;\ngenerating display content based on the obtained identity of the individual, the display content comprising the identity of the individual obtained; and\nproviding the display content to an optical assembly of the interactive head-mounted display device such that the display content is displayed via the optical assembly at a position corresponding to a position of the individual in the surrounding environment.",
"13. The method of claim 12, wherein obtaining the identity of the individual comprises transmitting the facial image to a remote computing facility, and receiving the obtained identity from the remote computing facility.",
"14. The method of claim 13, wherein the remote computing facility comprises a social networking website.",
"15. The method of claim 14, wherein obtaining the identity of the individual comprises sending a request to the social networking website for information regarding members of the social networking website nearby the optical assembly, and obtaining the identity of the individual responsive to the social networking website sending information identifying the individual as a member of the social networking website.",
"16. The method of claim 13, wherein the identity of the individual is obtained further based on additional biometric data requested by the remote computing facility and sent to the remote compute facility.",
"17. The method of claim 12, further comprising obtaining a social networking website profile of the individual, and providing the social networking website profile to the optical assembly.",
"18. An apparatus for biometric data capture, comprising\nan interactive head-mounted display device comprising an optical assembly through which a surrounding environment and displayed content is viewable, a processor, and an integrated optical sensor assembly configured to record video of the surrounding environment of the interactive head-mounted display device;\na face detection facility comprising instructions executable to identify a facial image in the recorded video of an individual in the surrounding environment, in response to identifying the facial image, obtain an identity of the individual based on the facial image, and provide the obtained identity of the individual to the optical assembly for display such that the obtained identity of the individual is displayed via the optical assembly at a position corresponding to a position of the individual in the surrounding environment; and\na transmission facility comprising instructions executable to transmit data derived from the facial image of the individual to a remote computing facility, and to receive the obtained identity of the individual from the remote computing facility.",
"19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the remote computing facility comprises a social networking website.",
"20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the instructions executable to receive the obtained identity of the individual comprise instructions executable to obtain a social networking website profile of the individual and provide the social networking website profile to the optical assembly."
],
[
"1. A system for capturing image data using a line scan camera, the system comprising:\nan objective lens positioned for viewing at least a portion of a sample during constant relative motion;\na line scan camera optically coupled to the objective lens and configured to capture image data of the sample as a plurality of image stripes; and\nat least one processor configured to,\nwhile the line scan camera is capturing at least one of the plurality of image stripes of the sample, coarsely align two or more adjacent ones of the plurality of image stripes of the sample, and,\nsubsequently, finely align the two or more adjacent ones of the plurality of image stripes of the sample by testing a plurality of possible X-Y offset values within overlapping regions of adjacent ones of the two or more image stripes to determine an X-Y offset pair having a maximum correlation, wherein the X-Y offset pair comprises an X-Y offset for a first one of the adjacent image stripes and an X-Y offset for a second one of the adjacent image stripes.",
"2. The system of claim 1, further comprising an illumination source, wherein the coarse alignment is performed according to a synchronization process that comprises:\nfor each of the two or more image stripes, capturing an area comprising an area preceding a predetermined scan area, the scan area, and an area following the scan area, and, during capture by the line scan camera of one or more lines of image data corresponding to a beginning of the scan area, using the illumination source to illuminate the one or more lines of image data; and,\naligning the two or more image stripes based on the illuminated one or more lines of image data in each of the two or more image stripes.",
"3. The system of claim 2, wherein the at least one processor, prior to storing each of the two or more image stripes, eliminates, from each image stripe, image data corresponding to the area preceding the scan area and the area following the scan area.",
"4. The system of claim 2, wherein the illuminated one or more lines of image data comprise a plurality of lines of image data.",
"5. The system of claim 1, further comprising:\na position encoder that indicates a position of the sample; and\na trigger to start and stop capturing of image data by the line scan camera;\nwherein coarsely aligning comprises,\nwhen the position encoder indicates that the position of the sample corresponds to a beginning of a predetermined scan area, controlling the trigger to start capture of image data by the line scan camera, and,\nwhen the position encoder indicates that the position of the sample corresponds to an end of the scan area, controlling the trigger to stop capture of image data by the line scan camera.",
"6. The system of claim 1, wherein finely aligning further comprises selecting the plurality of possible X-Y offset values by selecting edge pixels within the overlapping regions of the adjacent image stripes.",
"7. The system of claim 6, wherein selecting edge pixels within the overlapping regions of the adjacent image stripes comprises:\nsorting pixels in the overlapping regions according to intensity gradient values; and\nselecting a subset of the sorted pixels having highest intensity gradient values as the edge pixels.",
"8. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of possible X-Y offset values comprise a range of X values that corresponds to a coarse alignment uncertainty representing a data latency within a synchronization process.",
"9. The system of claim 8, further comprising a mechanical stage configured to move the sample relative to the objective lens, wherein the plurality of possible X-Y offset values comprise a range of Y values that corresponds to a mechanical motion uncertainty of the mechanical stage.",
"10. A method for capturing image data using a line scan camera, the method comprising:\nby a line scan camera, capturing image data of a sample as a plurality of image stripes; and,\nby at least one processor,\nwhile the line scan camera is capturing at least one of the plurality of image stripes of the sample, coarsely aligning two or more adjacent ones of the plurality of image stripes of the sample, and,\nsubsequently, finely aligning the two or more adjacent ones of the plurality of image stripes of the sample by testing a plurality of possible X-Y offset values within overlapping regions of adjacent ones of the two or more image stripes to determine an X-Y offset pair having a maximum correlation, wherein the X-Y offset pair comprises an X-Y offset for a first one of the adjacent image stripes and an X-Y offset for a second one of the adjacent image stripes.",
"11. The method of claim 10, wherein the coarse alignment is performed according to a synchronization process that comprises:\nfor each of the two or more image stripes, capturing an area comprising an area preceding a predetermined scan area, the scan area, and an area following the scan area, and, during capture by the line scan camera of one or more lines of image data corresponding to a beginning of the scan area, using an illumination source to illuminate the one or more lines of image data; and,\naligning the two or more image stripes based on the illuminated one or more lines of image data in each of the two or more image stripes.",
"12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:\neliminating, from each image stripe, image data corresponding to the area preceding the scan area and the area following the scan area; and\nstoring each of the two or more image stripes without the eliminated image data.",
"13. The method of claim 11, wherein the illuminated one or more lines of image data comprise a plurality of lines of image data.",
"14. The method of claim 10, wherein the synchronization process comprises:\nby a position encoder, indicating a position of the sample;\nwhen the position encoder indicates that the position of the sample corresponds to a beginning of a predetermined scan area, controlling a trigger to start capture of image data by the line scan camera, and,\nwhen the position encoder indicates that the position of the sample corresponds to an end of the scan area, controlling the trigger to stop capture of image data by the line scan camera.",
"15. The method of claim 10, wherein finely aligning further comprises selecting the plurality of possible X-Y offset values by selecting edge pixels within the overlapping regions of the adjacent image stripes.",
"16. The method of claim 15, wherein selecting edge pixels within the overlapping regions of the adjacent image stripes comprises:\nsorting pixels in the overlapping regions according to intensity gradient values; and\nselecting a subset of the sorted pixels having highest intensity gradient values as the edge pixels.",
"17. The method of claim 10, wherein the plurality of possible X-Y offset values comprise a range of X values that corresponds to a coarse alignment uncertainty representing a data latency within a synchronization process.",
"18. The method of claim 17, wherein the plurality of possible X-Y offset values comprise a range of Y values that corresponds to a mechanical motion uncertainty of a mechanical stage configured to move the sample."
],
[
"1. An apparatus comprising:\nat least one processor; and\nat least one storage having encoded thereon executable instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out steps of:\noperating an image capture device to continuously capture a sequence of images over a period of time;\nduring the period of time, identifying one or more search keys based at least in part on one or more images of the sequence of images;\nreceiving a notification that a user has requested a search based on at least a first search key of the one or more search keys;\ninitiating the search based at least in part on the search key;\nreceiving, as a result of the search, information regarding at least one image; and\noutputting at least one of the at least one image for display to the user.",
"2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:\na user interface to provide output to the user and receive input from the user,\nwherein the steps further comprise outputting the one or more search keys to the user via the user interface, and\nwherein receiving the notification comprises receiving a notification that the user has input, via the user interface, a request to perform the search.",
"3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein:\nthe user interface comprises a touch screen;\noutputting the one or more search keys to the user comprises displaying the one or more search keys on the touch screen; and\nreceiving the notification that the user has input the request via the user interface comprises receiving a notification that the user has selected the first search key on the touch screen.",
"4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:\ninitiating the search comprises initiating a search of a first set of images based at least in part on the search key; and\nthe at least one image, received as the result of the search, is at least a subset of the first set of images.",
"5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein:\nthe first set of images is a set of images captured by the image capture device; and\ninitiating the search of the first set of images comprises initiating a search of the set of images captured by the image capture device.",
"6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:\ninitiating the search comprises communicating a request to at least one server to perform the search; and\nreceiving the information regarding the at least one image as the result of the search comprises receiving the information from the at least one server.",
"7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein receiving the information regarding the at least one image comprises receiving the at least one image.",
"8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:\nat least one nonvolatile storage,\nwherein the steps further comprise:\nin response to capturing each first image of the sequence of images during the operating, outputting the first image for display to a user and refraining from storing the first image in the at least one nonvolatile storage; and\nin response to receiving a notification that the user has requested image capture, operating the image capture device to capture a second image and storing the second image in the at least one nonvolatile storage.",
"9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:\na display,\nwherein outputting the at least one of the at least one image for display to the user comprises displaying the at least one image on the display.",
"10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein identifying the one or more search keys based at least in part on one or more images of the sequence of images comprises identifying the one or more search keys based at least in part on content of the one or more images.",
"11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein identifying the one or more search keys based at least in part on content of the one or more images comprises:\ndetecting, in the one or more images, a human face; and\nidentifying the human face as a search key of the one or more search keys.",
"12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein identifying the one or more search keys based at least in part on one or more images of the sequence of images further comprises identifying the one or more search keys based at least in part on a configuration of the apparatus during the period of time.",
"13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein identifying the one or more search keys based at least in part on the configuration of the apparatus during the period of time comprises identifying the one or more search keys based at least in part on one or more of a geographic location of the apparatus during the period of time, a current date and/or time indicated by the apparatus during the period of time, a time zone with which the apparatus is configured during the period of time, or weather data stored by the apparatus during the period of time.",
"14. An image search method for searching one or more images comprising:\ncontinuously capturing a sequence of images over a period of time by an image capture device;\nidentifying one or more search keys based at least in part on at least one image of the sequence of images captured during the period of time;\nreceiving a notification that a user has specified a search based on at least a first search key of the one or more search keys; and\noutputting for display to the user at least one of a set of images received as a result of the search.",
"15. At least one non-transitory storage having encoded thereon executable instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out a method, the method comprising:\noperating an image capture device to continuously capture a sequence of images over a period of time;\nduring the period of time, identifying one or more search keys based at least in part on one or more images of the sequence of images;\nreceiving a notification that a user has requested a search based on at least a first search key of the one or more search keys;\noutputting at least one image, received as a result of the search based on at least the first search key, for display to the user.",
"16. The at least one non-transitory storage of claim 15, wherein the method further comprises:\nduring the period of time, periodically outputting for display in a user interface a most-recently-captured image of the sequence of images captured during the period of time; and\noutputting the one or more search keys for display to the user in the user interface,\nwherein receiving the notification comprises receiving a notification that the user has input, via the user interface, a request to perform the search.",
"17. The at least one non-transitory storage of claim 16, wherein:\nperiodically outputting a most-recently-captured image of the sequence of images comprise, in response to capturing each first image of the sequence of images during the operating, outputting the first image for display to a user and refraining from storing the first image in at least one nonvolatile storage; and\nthe method further comprises, in response to receiving a notification that the user has requested image capture, operating the image capture device to capture a second image and storing the second image in the at least one nonvolatile storage.",
"18. The at least one non-transitory storage of claim 15, wherein the method further comprises:\ncommunicating a request to at least one server to perform the search; and\nreceiving, from the at least one server, information regarding the at least one image as the result of the search.",
"19. The at least one non-transitory storage of claim 15, wherein identifying the one or more search keys based at least in part on one or more images of the sequence of images comprises identifying the one or more search keys based at least in part on content of the one or more images.",
"20. The at least one non-transitory storage of claim 19, wherein identifying the one or more search keys based at least in part on content of the one or more images comprises:\ndetecting, in the one or more images, a human face; and\nidentifying the human face as a search key of the one or more search keys."
],
[
"1. A device comprising:\na memory that stores image data;\ncircuitry configured to\ndetermine an angle-of-view for the image data;\ngenerate wide angle image data using the image data, the wide angle image data having a larger angle-of-view than the image data;\ndetermine, in the wide angle image data, one or more angles-of-view not represented by the image data;\ngenerate make-up image data based on a portion of the image data, wherein the make-up image data has an angle-of-view corresponding to at least one of the one or more angles-of-view not represented by the image data; and\nupdate the wide angle image data to include the make-up image data.",
"2. The device of claim 1, wherein when the image data corresponds to video data, a frame number is generated for each frame of the video data and stored with the video data in the memory.",
"3. The device of claim 2, wherein the circuitry is further configured to generate the wide angle image data by including the make-up image data at a corresponding frame number of the video data.",
"4. The device of claim 1, wherein the circuitry is further configured to continuously include the make-up image data in the wide angle image data until a time corresponding to when the image data, upon which the make-up image data is based, was captured.",
"5. The device of claim 1, further comprising a display, wherein the circuitry is further configured to control the display such that the wide angle image data is displayed on the display.",
"6. The device of claim 5, wherein the circuitry is further configured to control the display such that when the wide angle image data is displayed, a portion of the wide angle image data is displayed differently than a remaining portion of the wide angle image data.",
"7. The device of claim 6, further comprising one or more sensors configured to determine an orientation of the device, wherein the circuitry is further configured to control the display, based on the determined orientation of the device, such that the portion of the wide angle image data that is displayed differently has an angle-of-view corresponding to the orientation of the device.",
"8. The device of claim 6, wherein the circuitry is further configured to control the display such that the portion of the wide angle image data is displayed with a different brightness level than the remaining portion of the wide angle image data.",
"9. The device of claim 5, further comprising one or more sensors configured to determine an orientation of the device, wherein the circuitry is further configured to control the display, based on the determined orientation of the device, such that a portion of the wide angle image data that corresponds to the image data is delineated on the display.",
"10. The device of claim 9, wherein the portion of the wide angle image data that corresponds to the image data changes as the orientation of the device changes.",
"11. The device of claim 10, wherein the circuitry is further configured to control the display such that when the orientation of the device corresponds to an angle-of-view in the wide angle image data that is not represented by the image data, make-up image data is displayed in the angle-of-view that is not represented by the image data.",
"12. The device of claim 5, wherein the display is implemented in wearable glasses.",
"13. The device of claim 1, wherein when the image data corresponds to video data, the circuitry is further configured to generate the wide angle image data by varying, for sequential frames of the wide angle image data of the video data, one or more of a size and an orientation of a portion of the displayed make-up image data.",
"14. The device of claim 13, wherein the portion of the make-up image data is varied such that the portion appears to be moving when the wide angle image data is displayed.",
"15. The device of claim 13, wherein the circuitry is further configured to detect when the portion of the make-up image data corresponds to a human figure.",
"16. The device of claim 15, wherein the circuitry is further configured to repetitively vary the one or more of the size and the orientation of the portion of the make-up image data when it is determined that the portion corresponds to the human figure.",
"17. The device of claim 1, wherein: the device includes at least two image sensors, and the at least two image sensors are configured to simultaneously capture the image data from their respective angles-of-view.",
"18. The device of claim 17, wherein at least one pair of the at least two image sensors are oriented on opposing sides of the device.",
"19. The device of claim 1, wherein each of the one or more angles-of-view not represented by the image data does not have a same angle-of-view as either one of angles-of-view of the wide angle image.",
"20. A method, implemented by a device, comprising:\nstoring, at a memory, image data;\ndetermining, by circuitry of the device, an angle-of-view for the image data;\ngenerating, by the circuitry, wide angle image data using the image data, the wide angle image data having a larger angle-of-view than the image data;\ndetermining, by the circuitry, in the wide angle image data, one or more angles-of-view not represented by the image data;\ngenerating, by the circuitry, make-up image data based on a portion of the image data, wherein the make-up image data has an angle-of-view corresponding to at least one of the one or more angles-of-view not represented by the image data; and\nupdating, by the circuitry, the wide angle image data to include the make-up image data.",
"21. A non-transitory computer readable medium having instructions stored therein that when executed by one or more processors cause a device to perform a method comprising:\nstoring, at a memory, image data;\ndetermining an angle-of-view for the image data;\ngenerating wide angle image data using the image data, the wide angle image data having a larger angle-of-view than the image data;\ndetermining, in the wide angle image data, one or more angles-of-view not represented by the image data;\ngenerating make-up image data based on a portion of the image data, wherein the make-up image data has an angle-of-view corresponding to at least one of the one or more angles-of-view not represented by the image data; and\nupdating the wide angle image data to include the make-up image data."
],
[
"1. A method, comprising:\nat an electronic device with a touch-screen display, one or more processors, and memory:\ndisplaying a wake screen that includes a representative image in a sequence of images;\nwhile displaying the wake screen, detecting an input that includes a contact over the wake screen; and\nin response to detecting the contact over the wake screen, displaying, in sequence, a plurality of images in the sequence of images.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the sequence of images includes:\na plurality of images acquired by a camera prior to acquiring the representative image,\nthe representative image, and\na plurality of images acquired by the camera after acquiring the representative image.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein the sequence of images is captured in response to a single image capture input.",
"4. The method of claim 3, wherein the sequence of images includes a different number of images than were captured in response to the single image capture input.",
"5. The method of claim 3, wherein the sequence of images includes:\na plurality of images acquired by a camera prior to the single image capture input; and\na plurality of images acquired by the camera after the single image capture input.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein:\nthe wake screen includes quick access information displayed over the representative image, and\nthe quick access information continues to be displayed over the sequence of images as the plurality of images in the sequence of images are displayed in sequence.",
"7. The method of claim 6, wherein the quick access information includes a current time.",
"8. The method of claim 6, wherein the quick access information includes a current date.",
"9. The method of claim 1, further comprising, after displaying a final image in the sequence of images, ceasing to display, in sequence, the sequence of images, and displaying the representative image.",
"10. The method of claim 9, further comprising, slowing a rate of advancement through the sequence of images in accordance with proximity to the final image in the sequence of images.",
"11. The method of claim 9, further comprising:\ndisplaying, in a user interface distinct from the wake screen, the representative image in the sequence of images;\nwhile displaying the representative image, detecting a second input that includes a contact over the representative image; and\nin response to detecting the contact over the representative image, displaying, in sequence, the plurality of images in the sequence of images, including looping through the plurality of images in the sequence of images after reaching the final image in the sequence of images.",
"12. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nwhile displaying the wake screen, detecting a third user input that includes a swipe gesture; and\nin response to the third user input, unlocking the electronic device.",
"13. An electronic device, comprising:\na touch-sensitive display;\none or more processors; and\nmemory storing one or more programs for execution by the one or more processors, the one or more programs including instructions for:\ndisplaying a wake screen that includes a representative image in a sequence of images;\nwhile displaying the wake screen, detecting an input that includes a contact over the wake screen; and\nin response to detecting the contact over the wake screen, displaying, in sequence, a plurality of images in the sequence of images.",
"14. The electronic device of claim 13, wherein the sequence of images includes:\na plurality of images acquired by a camera prior to acquiring the representative image,\nthe representative image, and\na plurality of images acquired by the camera after acquiring the representative image.",
"15. The electronic device of claim 13, wherein the sequence of images is captured in response to a single image capture input.",
"16. The electronic device of claim 15, wherein the sequence of images includes a different number of images than were captured in response to the single image capture input.",
"17. The electronic device of claim 15, wherein the sequence of images includes:\na plurality of images acquired by a camera prior to the single image capture input; and\na plurality of images acquired by the camera after the single image capture input.",
"18. The electronic device of claim 13, wherein:\nthe wake screen includes quick access information displayed over the representative image, and\nthe quick access information continues to be displayed over the sequence of images as the plurality of images in the sequence of images are displayed in sequence.",
"19. The electronic device of claim 18, wherein the quick access information includes a current time.",
"20. The electronic device of claim 18, wherein the quick access information includes a current date.",
"21. The electronic device of claim 13, wherein the one or more programs include instructions for, after displaying a final image in the sequence of images, ceasing to display, in sequence, the sequence of images, and displaying the representative image.",
"22. The electronic device of claim 21, wherein the one or more programs include instructions for:\ndisplaying, in a user interface distinct from the wake screen, the representative image in the sequence of images;\nwhile displaying the representative image, detecting a second input that includes a contact over the representative image; and\nin response to detecting the contact over the representative image, displaying, in sequence, the plurality of images in the sequence of images, including looping through the plurality of images in the sequence of images after reaching the final image in the sequence of images.",
"23. The electronic device of claim 21, wherein the one or more programs include instructions, which when executed by the electronic device, cause the electronic device to cease to:\ndisplay, in a user interface distinct from the wake screen, the representative image in the sequence of images;\nwhile displaying the representative image, detect a second input that includes a contact over the representative image; and\nin response to detecting the contact over the representative image, display, in sequence, the plurality of images in the sequence of images, including looping through the plurality of images in the sequence of images after reaching the final image in the sequence of images.",
"24. The electronic device of claim 13, wherein the one or more programs include instructions for,\nwhile displaying the wake screen, detecting a third user input that includes a swipe gesture; and\nin response to the third user input, unlocking the electronic device.",
"25. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing one or more programs, the one or more programs comprising instructions, which when executed by an electronic device with a touch-screen display, one or more processors, and memory, cause the electronic device to perform a set of operations, comprising:\ndisplaying a wake screen that includes a representative image in a sequence of images;\nwhile displaying the wake screen, detecting an input that includes a contact over the wake screen; and\nin response to detecting the contact over the wake screen, displaying, in sequence, a plurality of images in the sequence of images.",
"26. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 25, wherein the sequence of images includes:\na plurality of images acquired by a camera prior to acquiring the representative image,\nthe representative image, and\na plurality of images acquired by the camera after acquiring the representative image.",
"27. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 25, wherein the sequence of images is captured in response to a single image capture input.",
"28. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 27, wherein the sequence of images includes a different number of images than were captured in response to the single image capture input.",
"29. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 27, wherein the sequence of images includes:\na plurality of images acquired by a camera prior to the single image capture input; and\na plurality of images acquired by the camera after the single image capture input.",
"30. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 25, wherein:\nthe wake screen includes quick access information displayed over the representative image, and\nthe quick access information continues to be displayed over the sequence of images as the plurality of images in the sequence of images are displayed in sequence.",
"31. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 30, wherein the quick access information includes a current time.",
"32. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 30, wherein the quick access information includes a current date.",
"33. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 25, wherein the one or more programs include instructions, which when executed by the electronic device, cause the electronic device to cease to display, in sequence, the sequence of images, and displaying the representative image.",
"34. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 25, wherein the one or more programs include instructions, which when executed by the electronic device, cause the electronic device to:\nwhile displaying the wake screen, detect a third user input that includes a swipe gesture; and\nin response to the third user input, unlock the electronic device."
],
[
"1. A method, comprising:\nat a computer system that is in communication with a display generation component and one or more sensors for detecting user inputs:\nwhile a view of a physical environment is visible via the display generation component, receiving a request to display a first virtual effect with the view of the physical environment; and\nin response to detecting the request to display the first virtual effect with the view of the physical environment, displaying one or more virtual objects overlaid on the view of the physical environment, including:\ndisplaying respective animated movements of the one or more virtual objects over at least a portion of the view of the physical environment, wherein the respective animated movements are constrained in accordance with a direction of simulated gravity associated with the view of the physical environment;\nin accordance with a determination that a current position of a first virtual object of the one or more virtual objects during the respective animated movement of the first virtual object corresponds to a first surface detected in the view of the physical environment, constraining the respective animated movement of the first virtual object in accordance with the first surface detected in the view of the physical environment; and\nin accordance with a determination that a current position of a second virtual object of the one or more virtual objects during the respective animated movement of the second virtual object corresponds to a second surface detected in the view of the physical environment, wherein the second surface is lower than the first surface in the direction of the simulated gravity, constraining the respective animated movement of the second virtual object in accordance with the second surface detected in the view of the physical environment.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying one or more virtual objects overlaid on the view of the physical environment includes:\ncontinuing to add additional instances of a first type of virtual objects overlaid on the view of the physical environment, wherein the additional instances of the first type of virtual objects move in the direction of simulated gravity associated with the view of the physical environment while a first plurality of virtual objects of the first type have gathered in proximity to the first surface in the view of the physical environment and a second plurality of virtual objects of the first type have gathered in proximity to the second surface in the view of the physical environment.",
"3. The method of claim 1, including:\nwhile displaying the respective animated movements of the one or more virtual objects over at least a portion of the view of the physical environment, detecting a first event that changes the view of the physical environment from a first view of a first physical environment to a second view of a second physical environment that is different from the first view of the first physical environment; and\nin response to detecting the first event:\nceasing to display the first view of the first physical environment; and\ndisplaying the respective animated movements of the one or more virtual objects over at least a portion of the second view of the second physical environment.",
"4. The method of claim 1, including:\nwhile the view of the physical environment is visible via the display generation component, concurrently displaying a first control that corresponds to the first virtual effect and a second control that corresponds to a second virtual effect that is different from the first virtual effect, wherein receiving the request to display the first virtual effect with the view of the physical environment includes detecting a first user input selecting the first control; and\nwhile displaying the respective animated movements of the one or more virtual objects over at least the portion of the view of the physical environment, maintaining display of the second control that corresponds to the second virtual effect.",
"5. The method of claim 4, including:\nwhile displaying the respective animated movements of the one or more virtual objects over at least the portion of the view of the physical environment, and maintaining display of the second control that corresponds to the second virtual effect, detecting a second user input selecting the second control; and\nin response to detecting the second user input selecting the second control:\nceasing to display the one or more virtual objects over at least the portion of the view of the physical environment; and\ndisplaying respective virtual objects of the second virtual effect over at least the portion of the view of the physical environment.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying the respective animated movements of the one or more virtual objects includes displaying animated movements two or more virtual objects at different depths relative to the view of the physical environment.",
"7. The method of claim 1, wherein the view of the physical environment includes a view of one or more physical objects moving in the physical environment.",
"8. The method of claim 7, wherein displaying the respective animated movements of the one or more virtual objects includes moving at least one of the one or more virtual objects in accordance with movement of the one or more physical objects moving in the physical environment.",
"9. A computer system, comprising:\na display generation component;\none or more sensors for detecting user inputs;\none or more processors; and\nmemory storing instructions, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the computer system to perform operations comprising:\nwhile a view of a physical environment is visible via the display generation component, receiving a request to display a first virtual effect with the view of the physical environment; and\nin response to detecting the request to display the first virtual effect with the view of the physical environment, displaying one or more virtual objects overlaid on the view of the physical environment, including:\ndisplaying respective animated movements of the one or more virtual objects over at least a portion of the view of the physical environment, wherein the respective animated movements are constrained in accordance with a direction of simulated gravity associated with the view of the physical environment;\nin accordance with a determination that a current position of a first virtual object of the one or more virtual objects during the respective animated movement of the first virtual object corresponds to a first surface detected in the view of the physical environment, constraining the respective animated movement of the first virtual object in accordance with the first surface detected in the view of the physical environment; and\nin accordance with a determination that a current position of a second virtual object of the one or more virtual objects during the respective animated movement of the second virtual object corresponds to a second surface detected in the view of the physical environment, wherein the second surface is lower than the first surface in the direction of the simulated gravity, constraining the respective animated movement of the second virtual object in accordance with the second surface detected in the view of the physical environment.",
"10. The computer system of claim 9, wherein displaying one or more virtual objects overlaid on the view of the physical environment includes:\ncontinuing to add additional instances of a first type of virtual objects overlaid on the view of the physical environment, wherein the additional instances of the first type of virtual objects move in the direction of simulated gravity associated with the view of the physical environment while a first plurality of virtual objects of the first type have gathered in proximity to the first surface in the view of the physical environment and a second plurality of virtual objects of the first type have gathered in proximity to the second surface in the view of the physical environment.",
"11. The computer system of claim 9, wherein the operations include:\nwhile displaying the respective animated movements of the one or more virtual objects over at least a portion of the view of the physical environment, detecting a first event that changes the view of the physical environment from a first view of a first physical environment to a second view of a second physical environment that is different from the first view of the first physical environment; and\nin response to detecting the first event:\nceasing to display the first view of the first physical environment; and\ndisplaying the respective animated movements of the one or more virtual objects over at least a portion of the second view of the second physical environment.",
"12. The computer system of claim 9, wherein the operations include:\nwhile the view of the physical environment is visible via the display generation component, concurrently displaying a first control that corresponds to the first virtual effect and a second control that corresponds to a second virtual effect that is different from the first virtual effect, wherein receiving the request to display the first virtual effect with the view of the physical environment includes detecting a first user input selecting the first control; and\nwhile displaying the respective animated movements of the one or more virtual objects over at least the portion of the view of the physical environment, maintaining display of the second control that corresponds to the second virtual effect.",
"13. The computer system of claim 12, wherein the operations include:\nwhile displaying the respective animated movements of the one or more virtual objects over at least the portion of the view of the physical environment, and maintaining display of the second control that corresponds to the second virtual effect, detecting a second user input selecting the second control; and\nin response to detecting the second user input selecting the second control:\nceasing to display the one or more virtual objects over at least the portion of the view of the physical environment; and\ndisplaying respective virtual objects of the second virtual effect over at least the portion of the view of the physical environment.",
"14. The computer system of claim 9, wherein displaying the respective animated movements of the one or more virtual objects includes displaying animated movements two or more virtual objects at different depths relative to the view of the physical environment.",
"15. The computer system of claim 9, wherein the view of the physical environment includes a view of one or more physical objects moving in the physical environment.",
"16. The computer system of claim 15, wherein displaying the respective animated movements of the one or more virtual objects includes moving at least one of the one or more virtual objects in accordance with movement of the one or more physical objects moving in the physical environment.",
"17. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing one or more programs, wherein the one or more programs include instructions that when executed by a computer system that is in communication with a display generation component and one or more sensors for detecting user inputs, cause the computer system to:\nwhile a view of a physical environment is visible via the display generation component, receive a request to display a first virtual effect with the view of the physical environment; and\nin response to detecting the request to display the first virtual effect with the view of the physical environment, display one or more virtual objects overlaid on the view of the physical environment, including:\ndisplaying respective animated movements of the one or more virtual objects over at least a portion of the view of the physical environment, wherein the respective animated movements are constrained in accordance with a direction of simulated gravity associated with the view of the physical environment;\nin accordance with a determination that a current position of a first virtual object of the one or more virtual objects during the respective animated movement of the first virtual object corresponds to a first surface detected in the view of the physical environment, constraining the respective animated movement of the first virtual object in accordance with the first surface detected in the view of the physical environment; and\nin accordance with a determination that a current position of a second virtual object of the one or more virtual objects during the respective animated movement of the second virtual object corresponds to a second surface detected in the view of the physical environment, wherein the second surface is lower than the first surface in the direction of the simulated gravity, constraining the respective animated movement of the second virtual object in accordance with the second surface detected in the view of the physical environment.",
"18. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein displaying one or more virtual objects overlaid on the view of the physical environment includes:\ncontinuing to add additional instances of a first type of virtual objects overlaid on the view of the physical environment, wherein the additional instances of the first type of virtual objects move in the direction of simulated gravity associated with the view of the physical environment while a first plurality of virtual objects of the first type have gathered in proximity to the first surface in the view of the physical environment and a second plurality of virtual objects of the first type have gathered in proximity to the second surface in the view of the physical environment.",
"19. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein the one or more programs include instructions that, when executed by the computer system, cause the computer system to:\nwhile displaying the respective animated movements of the one or more virtual objects over at least a portion of the view of the physical environment, detect a first event that changes the view of the physical environment from a first view of a first physical environment to a second view of a second physical environment that is different from the first view of the first physical environment; and\nin response to detecting the first event:\ncease to display the first view of the first physical environment; and\ndisplay the respective animated movements of the one or more virtual objects over at least a portion of the second view of the second physical environment.",
"20. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein the one or more programs include instructions that, when executed by the computer system, cause the computer system to:\nwhile the view of the physical environment is visible via the display generation component, concurrently display a first control that corresponds to the first virtual effect and a second control that corresponds to a second virtual effect that is different from the first virtual effect, wherein receiving the request to display the first virtual effect with the view of the physical environment includes detecting a first user input selecting the first control; and\nwhile displaying the respective animated movements of the one or more virtual objects over at least the portion of the view of the physical environment, maintain display of the second control that corresponds to the second virtual effect.",
"21. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 20, wherein the one or more programs include instructions that, when executed by the computer system, cause the computer system to:\nwhile displaying the respective animated movements of the one or more virtual objects over at least the portion of the view of the physical environment, and maintaining display of the second control that corresponds to the second virtual effect, detect a second user input selecting the second control; and\nin response to detecting the second user input selecting the second control:\ncease to display the one or more virtual objects over at least the portion of the view of the physical environment; and\ndisplay respective virtual objects of the second virtual effect over at least the portion of the view of the physical environment.",
"22. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein displaying the respective animated movements of the one or more virtual objects includes displaying animated movements two or more virtual objects at different depths relative to the view of the physical environment.",
"23. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein the view of the physical environment includes a view of one or more physical objects moving in the physical environment.",
"24. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 23, wherein displaying the respective animated movements of the one or more virtual objects includes moving at least one of the one or more virtual objects in accordance with movement of the one or more physical objects moving in the physical environment."
],
[
"1. A method comprising:\ndetecting, from a user, a first operation related to a camera application while a display of an electronic device is unfolded to a plane state;\nstarting, in response to the first operation, the camera application;\ndisplaying a preview interface of the camera application in a first display area of the display;\ndetecting, from the user, a second operation;\nperforming, in response to the second operation, a photographing action to generate a first multimedia file;\nsimultaneously displaying, in response to the second operation, the preview interface and a gallery application interface in the first display area, wherein the gallery application interface comprises the first multimedia file;\ndetecting, from the user, an editing operation corresponding to an editing control on the gallery application interface;\ndisplaying, in response to the editing operation, an editing interface in the first display area, wherein the editing interface comprises the first multimedia file, a back control, and at least one editing tool control, and wherein the at least one editing tool control is used to modify the first multimedia file;\ndetecting, from the user, a back operation corresponding to the back control; and\nsimultaneously displaying, in response to the back operation, the preview interface and the gallery application interface in the first display area of the display, wherein the gallery application interface comprises the first multimedia file.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the gallery application interface further comprises a deletion control, and wherein the method further comprises:\ndetecting, from the user, a deletion operation corresponding to the deletion control;\ndeleting, in response to the deletion operation, the first multimedia file; and\ndisplaying the preview interface in the first display area.",
"3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\ndetecting, from the user, a third operation when a display of the electronic device is in a folded state;\nstarting, in response to the third operation, the camera application;\ndisplaying the preview interface in a second display area of the display, wherein the second display area faces the user when the display is in the folded state;\ndetecting, from the user, a fourth operation;\nperforming, in response to the fourth operation, the photographing action to generate a second multimedia file;\ndetecting, from the user, a fifth operation to unfold the display from the folded state to the plane state;\nsimultaneously displaying, in response to the fifth operation, the preview interface and the gallery application interface in a third display area of the display, wherein the third display area faces the user when the display is in an unfolded state, and wherein the third display area is larger than the second display area;\ndetecting, from the user, the deletion operation;\ndeleting, in response to the deletion operation, the second multimedia file; and\ndisplaying the preview interface in the third display area.",
"4. The method of claim 3, wherein the gallery application interface further comprises an editing control, and wherein the method further comprises:\ndetecting, from the user, an editing operation corresponding to the editing control;\ndisplaying, in response to the editing operation, an editing interface in the third display area, wherein the editing interface comprises the first multimedia file, a back control, and at least an editing tool control;\ndetecting, from the user, a back operation corresponding to the back control; and\ndisplaying, in response to the back operation, the preview interface and the first multimedia file in the third display area.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein the gallery application interface comprises a back control, and wherein the method further comprises:\ndetecting, from the user, a back operation corresponding to the back control; and\ndisplaying, in response to the back operation and on the gallery application interface, thumbnails of a plurality of multimedia files stored in the electronic device.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein the second operation instructs the electronic device to perform a continuous photographing action, wherein the first multimedia file comprises a plurality of continuously photographed multimedia files, and wherein the method further comprises displaying, on the gallery application interface, a plurality of thumbnails of the continuously photographed multimedia files.",
"7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:\ndetecting, from the user, a third operation corresponding to a first thumbnail of the thumbnails; and\ndisplaying, in response to the third operation, a second multimedia file corresponding to the first thumbnail on the gallery application interface.",
"8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first display area comprises the preview interface and the gallery application interface, wherein the gallery application interface comprises the first multimedia file, and wherein the method further comprises:\ndetecting, from the user, a third operation;\nperforming, in response to the third operation, a photographing action to generate a second multimedia file; and\ndisplaying, in response to the third operation, the second multimedia file in the gallery application interface without the first multimedia file.",
"9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nstarting, in response to the first operation, the camera application; and\nsimultaneously displaying a recommendation interface in the first display area, wherein the recommendation interface comprises photographing recommendation information.",
"10. The method of claim 1, wherein the first multimedia file is a picture or a video.",
"11. An electronic device comprising:\none or more cameras;\na display configured to display a preview interface, wherein the display is foldable; and\nat least one processor coupled to the one or more cameras and the display, wherein when instructions are executed by the processor, the instructions cause the electronic device to:\ndetect, from a user, a first operation related to a camera application while the display is unfolded to a plane state;\nstart, in response to the first operation, the camera application;\ndisplay the preview interface of the camera application in a first display area of the display;\ndetect, from the user, a second operation;\ncontrol, in response to the second operation, the camera to perform a photographing action to generate a first multimedia file;\nsimultaneously display, in response to the second operation, the preview interface and a gallery application interface in the first display area, wherein the gallery application interface comprises the first multimedia file;\ndetect, from the user, an editing operation corresponding to an editing control on the gallery application interface;\ndisplay, in response to the editing operation, an editing interface in the first display area, wherein the editing interface comprises the first multimedia file, a back control, and at least one editing tool control, and wherein the at least one editing tool control is used to modify the first multimedia file;\ndetect, from the user, a back operation corresponding to the back control; and\nsimultaneously display, in response to the back operation, the preview interface and the gallery application interface in the first display area of the display, wherein the gallery application interface comprises the first multimedia file.",
"12. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the gallery application interface comprises a deletion control, and wherein when executed by the processor, the instructions further cause the electronic device to:\ndetect, from the user, a deletion operation corresponding to the deletion control;\ndelete, in response to the deletion operation, the first multimedia file; and\ndisplay the preview interface in the first display area.",
"13. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the electronic device further comprises a camera, and wherein when executed by the processor, the instructions further cause the electronic device to:\ndetect, from the user, a third operation when the display is in a folded state;\nstart, in response to the third operation, the camera application;\ndisplay the preview interface in a second display area of the display, wherein the second display area faces the user when the display is in the folded state;\ndetect, from the user, a fourth operation in the preview interface;\ncontrol, in response to the second operation, the camera to perform the photographing action to generate a second multimedia file;\ndetect, from the user, a fifth operation to unfold the display from the folded state to the plane state;\nsimultaneously display, in response to the fifth operation, the preview interface and the gallery application interface in a third display area of the display, wherein the third display area faces the user when the display is in an unfolded state, and wherein the third display area is larger than the second display area;\ndetect, from the user, the deletion operation;\ndelete, in response to the deletion operation, the second multimedia file; and\ndisplay the preview interface in the third display area.",
"14. The electronic device of claim 13, wherein the gallery application interface comprises an editing control, and wherein when executed by the processor, the instructions further cause the electronic device to:\ndetect, from the user, an editing operation corresponding to the editing control;\ndisplay, in response to the editing operation, an editing interface in the third display area, wherein the editing interface comprises the first multimedia file, a back control, and at least an editing tool control;\ndetect, from the user, a back operation corresponding to the back control; and\ndisplay, in response to the back control, the preview interface and the first multimedia file in the third display area.",
"15. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein when executed by the processor, the instructions further cause the electronic device to:\ndetect, from the user, a back operation, wherein the back operation corresponds to a back control; and\ndisplay, in response to the back operation, thumbnails of a plurality of multimedia files stored in the electronic device on the gallery application interface.",
"16. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the second operation instructs the electronic device to perform a continuous photographing action, wherein the first multimedia file comprises a plurality of continuously photographed multimedia files, and wherein when executed by the processor, the instructions further cause the electronic device to display, on the gallery application interface, a plurality of thumbnails of the continuously photographed multimedia files.",
"17. The electronic device of claim 16, wherein when executed by the processor, the instructions further cause the electronic device to:\ndetect, from the user, a third operation corresponding to a first thumbnail of the thumbnails; and\ndisplay, in response to the third operation, a second multimedia file corresponding to the first thumbnail on the gallery application interface.",
"18. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the first display area comprises the preview interface and the gallery application interface, wherein the gallery application interface comprises the first multimedia file, and wherein when executed by the processor, the instructions further cause the electronic device to:\ndetect, from the user, a third operation;\nperform, in response to the third operation, a photographing action to generate a second multimedia file; and\ndisplay, in response to the third operation, the second multimedia file in the gallery application interface without the first multimedia file.",
"19. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein when executed by the processor, the instructions further cause the electronic device to:\nstart, in response to the first operation, the camera application; and\nsimultaneously display a recommendation interface in the first display area, wherein the recommendation interface comprises photographing recommendation information.",
"20. A computer program product comprising computer-executable instructions that are stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium and that, when executed by at least one processor, cause an electronic device to:\ndetect, from a user, a first operation related to a camera application while a display of the electronic device is unfolded to a plane state;\nstart, in response to the first operation, the camera application;\ndisplay a preview interface of the camera application in a first display area of the display;\ndetect, from the user, a second operation;\nperform, in response to the second operation, a photographing action to generate a first multimedia file;\nsimultaneously display, in response to the second operation, the preview interface and a gallery application interface in the first display area, wherein the gallery application interface comprises the first multimedia file;\ndetect, from the user, an editing operation corresponding to an editing control on the gallery application interface;\ndisplay, in response to the editing operation, an editing interface in the first display area, wherein the editing interface comprises the first multimedia file, a back control, and at least one editing tool control, and wherein the at least one editing tool control is used to modify the first multimedia file;\ndetect, from the user, a back operation corresponding to the back control; and\nsimultaneously display, in response to the back operation, the preview interface and the gallery application interface in the first display area of the display, wherein the gallery application interface comprises the first multimedia file."
],
[
"1. A device for capturing and displaying video data and for identifying and marking of an element, for use with a cellular network, the device comprising:\na light source for illuminating;\na first video camera for capturing a first video data;\na second video camera for capturing a second video data;\nan image processor for identifying the element in the first video data;\na display having a flat screen for displaying the captured first video data with a marking of the identified element;\na cellular transmitter coupled to a cellular antenna for transmitting the captured first and second captured video data to the cellular network;\na rechargeable battery for powering the light source, the first and second video cameras, the image processor, the display, and the cellular transmitter; and\na handheld casing that comprises opposed first and second exterior surfaces and that encloses the light source, the first and second video cameras, the image processor, the display, the rechargeable battery, the cellular antenna, and the cellular transmitter,\nwherein the first video camera is attached to capture the first video data from the first exterior surface, and\nwherein the second video camera is attached to capture the second video data from the second exterior surface.",
"2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the flat screen is LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or TFT (Thin-Film Transistor) based.",
"3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the cellular network uses a licensed frequency band.",
"4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first video camera is configured for capturing in a non-visible spectrum that is in an infrared or ultraviolet spectrum.",
"5. The device according to claim 1, further comprising an electric motor in the casing.",
"6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the element comprises a part of a human body, and the device is further designed for body caring of the human body part.",
"7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the body part is a human skin and the body caring comprises hair removal, and wherein the device is further designed for removing hair from the human skin by a shaver in the casing.",
"8. The device according to claim 7, wherein the shaver is an electrically operated shaver that comprises an electric motor and a cutter driven by the electric motor.",
"9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the image processor is further configured for identifying multiple elements in the first captured video data.",
"10. The device according to claim 9, wherein the image processor is further configured for identifying the multiple elements using a pattern recognition.",
"11. The device according to claim 9, wherein the displaying of the marking comprises displaying of the marking of each of the multiple elements.",
"12. The device according to claim 1, wherein the element comprises a part of a human skin.",
"13. The device according to claim 12, wherein the identifying comprises identifying individual hairs or a hairy area.",
"14. The device according to claim 1, wherein the cellular network conforms to, or based on, 2.5G or 3G.",
"15. The device according to claim 1, wherein the casing is a part of a cellular telephone handset.",
"16. The device according to claim 1, wherein the display is foldable.",
"17. The device according to claim 1, further configured by the image processor for at least one out of: adjusting color balance, gamma or luminance; filtering pattern noise; filtering noise using Wiener filter; zooming; changing zoom factors; recropping; applying enhancement filters; applying smoothing filters; applying subject-dependent filters; applying coordinate transformations; applying mathematical algorithms to generate greater pixel density, adjusting color balance, contrast, luminance, and any combination thereof.",
"18. The device according to claim 1, wherein the displaying of the captured first and second video data comprises simultaneously displaying of the captured first and second video data.",
"19. The device according to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second video cameras comprises a respective photosensitive image sensor array disposed approximately at an image focal point plane of respective optical lenses, and wherein the photosensitive image sensor is based on Charge-Coupled Devices (CCD) or Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (CMOS).",
"20. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first or second video data is according to a digital video format.",
"21. The device according to claim 20, wherein the digital video format is according to, or based on, TIFF (Tagged Image File Format), RAW format, AVI, DV, MOV, WMV, MP4, DCF (Design Rule for Camera Format), ITU-T H.261, ITU-T H.263, ITU-T H.264, ITU-T CCIR 601, ASF, Exif (Exchangeable Image File Format), DP*OF (Digital Print Order Format) standards, or any combination thereof.",
"22. The device according to claim 1, further comprising in the casing an additional display, wherein the device is designed for displaying the first video data by the display; and displaying, by in the casing, the second video data.",
"23. The device according to claim 1, further configured for displaying, by the display, one at a time, at least part of the first video data and at least part of the second video data.",
"24. The device according to claim 1, further configured for displaying, by the display, at different locations on the screen, at least part of the first video data and at least part of the second video data.",
"25. The device according to claim 1, further comprising in the casing a multiplexer configured to produce a multiplexed signal that comprises the first and second video data.",
"26. The device according to claim 25, further configured for comprises transmitting the multiplexed signal to the cellular network by the cellular transmitter via the cellular antenna.",
"27. The device according to claim 25, wherein the multiplexer is a FDM (Frequency Domain/Division Multiplexing) multiplexer, whereby the first and second video data are respectively carried over distinct first and second frequency bands, and wherein the FDM multiplexer further comprises a first filter for substantially passing only the first frequency band and a second filter for substantially passing only the second frequency band.",
"28. The device according to claim 25, wherein the multiplexer is a TDM (Time Domain/Division Multiplexing) multiplexer.",
"29. The device according to claim 1, further configured for compressing, by a video compressor in the casing, the first and second video data into first and second compressed video data, and wherein the transmitting comprises transmitting of the first and second compressed video data.",
"30. The device according to claim 29, wherein the compressing is based on an intraframe compression, and wherein the compression is lossy.",
"31. The device according to claim 29, wherein the compressing is based on an interframe compression, and wherein the compression is non-lossy.",
"32. The device according to claim 29, wherein the compressing is according to, or based on, a standard compression algorithm that is according to, or based on, JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) and MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group), ITU-T H.261, ITU-T H.263, ITU-T H.264, ITU-T CCIR 601, or any combination thereof."
],
[
"1. A method, comprising:\nat a computer system with a display device and one or more cameras:\ndisplaying, via the display device, an annotation placement user interface, the annotation placement user interface including:\na representation of a field of view of the one or more cameras, including a representation of a portion of a three-dimensional physical environment that is in the field of view of the one or more cameras, wherein the representation of the field of view is updated over time based on changes in the field of view of the one or more cameras; and\na placement user interface element that indicates a location at which a virtual annotation would be placed in the representation of the field of view in response to receiving an annotation placement input;\nwhile displaying the annotation placement user interface, detecting a first movement of the one or more cameras relative to the three-dimensional physical environment;\nin response to detecting the first movement of the one or more cameras relative to the three-dimensional physical environment, updating the representation of the field of view based on the first movement of the one or more cameras;\nin accordance with a determination that the placement user interface element is over at least a portion of a representation of a physical feature in the three-dimensional physical environment that can be measured, changing an appearance of the placement user interface element in accordance with one or more aspects of the representation of the physical feature;\nwhile displaying the annotation placement user interface, receiving an annotation placement input comprising a request to perform one or more measurements of the physical feature; and\nin response to receiving the annotation placement input comprising a request to perform one or more measurements of the physical feature:\nin accordance with a determination that the physical feature is a first type of physical feature, displaying, over the representation of the physical feature, a first set of one or more representations of measurements of a first measurement type; and\nin accordance with a determination that the physical feature is a second type of physical feature, different from the first type of physical feature, displaying, over the representation of the physical feature, a second set of one or more representations of measurements of a second measurement type different from the first measurement type.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the physical feature is a first respective type of physical feature, the physical feature is a first portion of a physical object in the three-dimensional physical environment that is in the field of view of the one or more cameras, and a second portion of the physical object is at most partially in the field of view of the one or more cameras, and the method includes:\nafter displaying, over the representation of the physical feature, a first respective set of one or more representations of measurements of a first respective measurement type:\ndetecting a second movement of the one or more cameras relative to the three-dimensional physical environment such that the second portion of the physical object is in the field of view of the one or more cameras;\nin response to detecting the second movement of the one or more cameras:\nupdating the representation of the field of view based on the second movement of the one or more cameras, including displaying, in the representation of the field of view, a representation of the physical object that includes a representation of the second portion of the physical object;\nin accordance with a determination that the placement user interface element is over at least a portion of the representation of the physical object, changing the appearance of the placement user interface element in accordance with one or more aspects of the representation of the physical object including the second portion of the physical object;\nwhile displaying the annotation placement user interface including the representation of the physical object, receiving a second annotation placement input comprising a request to perform one or more measurements of the physical object; and\nin response to receiving the second annotation placement input corresponding to the request to perform one or more measurements of the physical object:\ndisplaying, over the representation of the physical object, a second respective set of one or more representations of measurements of a second respective measurement type that is based on the second portion of the physical object.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein the determination that the physical feature is the first type of physical feature includes a determination that the physical feature is a piece of furniture, and the measurements of the first measurement type include one or more of: a height, a width, a depth, and a volume of the physical feature.",
"4. The method of claim 1, including:\nwhile displaying a respective set of one or more representations of measurements over the representation of the physical feature, wherein the respective set includes a first representation of a measurement, the first representation including a first measurement label and a first measurement segment that is displayed using a first level of detail while the one or more cameras are located a first distance from the physical feature, detecting movement of the one or more cameras that places the one or more cameras at a second distance, less than the first distance, from the physical feature; and\nwhile the one or more cameras are located at the second distance from the physical feature:\nenlarging display of the first measurement label; and\ndisplaying the first measurement segment using a second level of detail that is different from the first level of detail.",
"5. The method of claim 4, including:\ndetecting a first touch input; and\nin response to detecting the first touch input, adding and displaying a first measurement point at a first location in the representation of the field of view that corresponds to a first location in the three-dimensional physical environment, wherein the first measurement point at the first location in the representation of the field of view is a most-recently-added measurement point in the representation of the field of view.",
"6. The method of claim 4, wherein displaying the first measurement segment using the first level of detail includes displaying one or more first scale markers along the representation of the first measurement segment at a first scale; and displaying the first measurement segment using the second level of detail includes displaying one or more second scale markers along at least a portion of the representation of the first measurement segment at a second scale that is distinct from the first scale.",
"7. The method of claim 4, wherein displaying the first measurement segment using the second level of detail includes displaying a set of scale markers at intervals along the first measurement segment, and the method includes:\nwhile displaying the first measurement segment using the second level of detail, detecting a second touch input; and\nin response to receiving the second touch input, enlarging display of at least a portion of the representation of the field of view.",
"8. The method of claim 7, wherein the display device is a touch-sensitive display, and the method includes:\nwhile displaying the enlarged display of at least the portion of the representation of the field of view, detecting a third touch input that includes detecting movement of a contact across the touch-sensitive display; and\nin response to detecting the movement of the contact across the touch-sensitive display:\nmoving a measurement point across the representation of the field of view in accordance with the movement of the contact in the third touch input.",
"9. The method of claim 4, including:\nwhile displaying the first measurement segment using the second level of detail, detecting movement of the one or more cameras that places the one or more cameras at the first distance from the physical feature;\nin response to detecting the movement of the one or more cameras that places the one or more cameras at the first distance from the physical feature:\nupdating the representation of the field of view based on the movement of the one or more cameras; and\nwhile the one or more cameras are located at the first distance from the physical feature:\ndisplaying the first measurement segment using the first level of detail; and\ndisplaying the first measurement label.",
"10. The method of claim 4, wherein:\nthe computer system is an electronic device;\nthe physical feature is a first portion of a physical object in the three-dimensional physical environment that is in the field of view of the one or more cameras; and\nthe method includes:\nin accordance with a determination that the first distance between the electronic device and the physical object is less than a first threshold distance, the first measurement label is displayed at a first threshold size;\nin accordance with a determination that the first distance between the electronic device and the physical object is greater than a second threshold distance that is greater than the first threshold distance, the first measurement label is displayed at a second threshold size that is smaller than the first threshold size; and\nin accordance with a determination that the first distance between the electronic device and the physical object is between the first threshold distance and the second threshold distance, the first measurement label is displayed at a size, between the first threshold size and the second threshold size, that depends on the first distance between the electronic device and the physical object.",
"11. The method of claim 1, wherein the physical feature is a first portion of a physical object in the three-dimensional physical environment that is in the field of view of the one or more cameras, and the annotation placement user interface includes an affordance, which, when activated, adds a measurement point in the representation of the field of view at a location in the representation of the field of view over which the placement user interface element is displayed, and receiving the annotation placement input comprising a request to perform one or more measurements of the physical object includes:\ndetecting a fourth touch input activating the affordance; and\nin response to detecting the fourth touch input activating the affordance, adding and displaying the measurement point in the representation of the field of view at the location in the representation of the field of view over which the placement user interface element is displayed.",
"12. The method of claim 1, wherein the physical feature is a first portion of a physical object in the three-dimensional physical environment that is in the field of view of the one or more cameras, and the method includes:\ndetermining a classification of the physical object; and\ndisplaying a label indicating the classification of the physical object.",
"13. A computer system, comprising:\na display device;\none or more cameras;\none or more processors; and\nmemory storing one or more programs, wherein the one or more programs are configured to be executed by the one or more processors, the one or more programs including instructions for:\ndisplaying, via the display device, an annotation placement user interface, the annotation placement user interface including:\na representation of a field of view of the one or more cameras, including a representation of a portion of a three-dimensional physical environment that is in the field of view of the one or more cameras, wherein the representation of the field of view is updated over time based on changes in the field of view of the one or more cameras; and\na placement user interface element that indicates a location at which a virtual annotation would be placed in the representation of the field of view in response to receiving an annotation placement input;\nwhile displaying the annotation placement user interface, detecting a first movement of the one or more cameras relative to the three-dimensional physical environment;\nin response to detecting the first movement of the one or more cameras relative to the three-dimensional physical environment, updating the representation of the field of view based on the first movement of the one or more cameras;\nin accordance with a determination that the placement user interface element is over at least a portion of a representation of a physical feature in the three-dimensional physical environment that can be measured, changing an appearance of the placement user interface element in accordance with one or more aspects of the representation of the physical feature;\nwhile displaying the annotation placement user interface, receiving an annotation placement input comprising a request to perform one or more measurements of the physical feature; and\nin response to receiving the annotation placement input comprising a request to perform one or more measurements of the physical feature:\nin accordance with a determination that the physical feature is a first type of physical feature, displaying, over the representation of the physical feature, a first set of one or more representations of measurements of a first measurement type; and\nin accordance with a determination that the physical feature is a second type of physical feature, different from the first type of physical feature, displaying, over the representation of the physical feature, a second set of one or more representations of measurements of a second measurement type different from the first measurement type.",
"14. The computer system of claim 13, wherein the physical feature is a first respective type of physical feature, the physical feature is a first portion of a physical object in the three-dimensional physical environment that is in the field of view of the one or more cameras, and a second portion of the physical object is at most partially in the field of view of the one or more cameras, and the one or more programs include instructions for:\nafter displaying, over the representation of the physical feature, a first respective set of one or more representations of measurements of a first respective measurement type:\ndetecting a second movement of the one or more cameras relative to the three-dimensional physical environment such that the second portion of the physical object is in the field of view of the one or more cameras;\nin response to detecting the second movement of the one or more cameras:\nupdating the representation of the field of view based on the second movement of the one or more cameras, including displaying, in the representation of the field of view, a representation of the physical object that includes a representation of the second portion of the physical object;\nin accordance with a determination that the placement user interface element is over at least a portion of the representation of the physical object, changing the appearance of the placement user interface element in accordance with one or more aspects of the representation of the physical object including the second portion of the physical object;\nwhile displaying the annotation placement user interface including the representation of the physical object, receiving a second annotation placement input comprising a request to perform one or more measurements of the physical object; and\nin response to receiving the second annotation placement input corresponding to the request to perform one or more measurements of the physical object:\ndisplaying, over the representation of the physical object, a second respective set of one or more representations of measurements of a second respective measurement type that is based on the second portion of the physical object.",
"15. The computer system of claim 13, wherein the determination that the physical feature is the first type of physical feature includes a determination that the physical feature is a piece of furniture, and the measurements of the first measurement type include one or more of: a height, a width, a depth, and a volume of the physical feature.",
"16. The computer system of claim 13, wherein the one or more programs include instructions for:\nwhile displaying a respective set of one or more representations of measurements over the representation of the physical feature, wherein the respective set includes a first representation of a measurement, the first representation including a first measurement label and a first measurement segment that is displayed using a first level of detail while the one or more cameras are located a first distance from the physical feature, detecting movement of the one or more cameras that places the one or more cameras at a second distance, less than the first distance, from the physical feature; and\nwhile the one or more cameras are located at the second distance from the physical feature:\nenlarging display of the first measurement label; and\ndisplaying the first measurement segment using a second level of detail that is different from the first level of detail.",
"17. The computer system of claim 16, wherein the one or more programs include instructions for:\ndetecting a first touch input; and\nin response to detecting the first touch input, adding and displaying a first measurement point at a first location in the representation of the field of view that corresponds to a first location in the three-dimensional physical environment, wherein the first measurement point at the first location in the representation of the field of view is a most-recently-added measurement point in the representation of the field of view.",
"18. The computer system of claim 16, wherein displaying the first measurement segment using the first level of detail includes displaying one or more first scale markers along the representation of the first measurement segment at a first scale; and displaying the first measurement segment using the second level of detail includes displaying one or more second scale markers along at least a portion of the representation of the first measurement segment at a second scale that is distinct from the first scale.",
"19. The computer system of claim 16, wherein displaying the first measurement segment using the second level of detail includes displaying a set of scale markers at intervals along the first measurement segment, and the one or more programs include instructions for:\nwhile displaying the first measurement segment using the second level of detail, detecting a second touch input; and\nin response to receiving the second touch input, enlarging display of at least a portion of the representation of the field of view.",
"20. The computer system of claim 19, wherein the display device is a touch-sensitive display, and the one or more programs include instructions for:\nwhile displaying the enlarged display of at least the portion of the representation of the field of view, detecting a third touch input that includes detecting movement of a contact across the touch-sensitive display; and\nin response to detecting the movement of the contact across the touch-sensitive display:\nmoving a measurement point across the representation of the field of view in accordance with the movement of the contact in the third touch input.",
"21. The computer system of claim 16, wherein the one or more programs include instructions for:\nwhile displaying the first measurement segment using the second level of detail, detecting movement of the one or more cameras that places the one or more cameras at the first distance from the physical feature;\nin response to detecting the movement of the one or more cameras that places the one or more cameras at the first distance from the physical feature:\nupdating the representation of the field of view based on the movement of the one or more cameras; and\nwhile the one or more cameras are located at the first distance from the physical feature:\ndisplaying the first measurement segment using the first level of detail; and\ndisplaying the first measurement label.",
"22. The computer system of claim 16, wherein:\nthe computer system is an electronic device;\nthe physical feature is a first portion of a physical object in the three-dimensional physical environment that is in the field of view of the one or more cameras; and\nthe one or more programs include instructions for:\nin accordance with a determination that the first distance between the electronic device and the physical object is less than a first threshold distance, the first measurement label is displayed at a first threshold size;\nin accordance with a determination that the first distance between the electronic device and the physical object is greater than a second threshold distance that is greater than the first threshold distance, the first measurement label is displayed at a second threshold size that is smaller than the first threshold size; and\nin accordance with a determination that the first distance between the electronic device and the physical object is between the first threshold distance and the second threshold distance, the first measurement label is displayed at a size, between the first threshold size and the second threshold size, that depends on the first distance between the electronic device and the physical object.",
"23. The computer system of claim 13, wherein the physical feature is a first portion of a physical object in the three-dimensional physical environment that is in the field of view of the one or more cameras, and the annotation placement user interface includes an affordance, which, when activated, adds a measurement point in the representation of the field of view at a location in the representation of the field of view over which the placement user interface element is displayed, and receiving the annotation placement input comprising a request to perform one or more measurements of the physical object includes:\ndetecting a fourth touch input activating the affordance; and\nin response to detecting the fourth touch input activating the affordance, adding and displaying the measurement point in the representation of the field of view at the location in the representation of the field of view over which the placement user interface element is displayed.",
"24. The computer system of claim 13, wherein the physical feature is a first portion of a physical object in the three-dimensional physical environment that is in the field of view of the one or more cameras, and the one or more programs include instructions for:\ndetermining a classification of the physical object; and\ndisplaying a label indicating the classification of the physical object.",
"25. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing one or more programs, the one or more programs comprising instructions that, when executed by a computer system that includes a display device and one or more cameras, cause the computer system to perform operations including:\ndisplaying, via the display device, an annotation placement user interface, the annotation placement user interface including:\na representation of a field of view of the one or more cameras, including a representation of a portion of a three-dimensional physical environment that is in the field of view of the one or more cameras, wherein the representation of the field of view is updated over time based on changes in the field of view of the one or more cameras;\na placement user interface element that indicates a location at which a virtual annotation would be placed in the representation of the field of view in response to receiving an annotation placement input;\nwhile displaying the annotation placement user interface, detecting a first movement of the one or more cameras relative to the three-dimensional physical environment; and\nin response to detecting the first movement of the one or more cameras relative to the three-dimensional physical environment, updating the representation of the field of view based on the first movement of the one or more cameras;\nin accordance with a determination that the placement user interface element is over at least a portion of a representation of a physical feature in the three-dimensional physical environment that can be measured, changing an appearance of the placement user interface element in accordance with one or more aspects of the representation of the physical feature;\nwhile displaying the annotation placement user interface, receiving an annotation placement input comprising a request to perform one or more measurements of the physical feature; and\nin response to receiving the annotation placement input comprising a request to perform one or more measurements of the physical feature:\nin accordance with a determination that the physical feature is a first type of physical feature, displaying, over the representation of the physical feature, a first set of one or more representations of measurements of a first measurement type; and\nin accordance with a determination that the physical feature is a second type of physical feature, different from the first type of physical feature, displaying, over the representation of the physical feature, a second set of one or more representations of measurements of a second measurement type different from the first measurement type.",
"26. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 25, wherein the physical feature is a first respective type of physical feature, the physical feature is a first portion of a physical object in the three-dimensional physical environment that is in the field of view of the one or more cameras, and a second portion of the physical object is at most partially in the field of view of the one or more cameras, and the one or more programs include instructions that when executed by the computer system cause the computer system to perform operations including:\nafter displaying, over the representation of the physical feature, a first respective set of one or more representations of measurements of a first respective measurement type:\ndetecting a second movement of the one or more cameras relative to the three-dimensional physical environment such that the second portion of the physical object is in the field of view of the one or more cameras;\nin response to detecting the second movement of the one or more cameras:\nupdating the representation of the field of view based on the second movement of the one or more cameras, including displaying, in the representation of the field of view, a representation of the physical object that includes a representation of the second portion of the physical object;\nin accordance with a determination that the placement user interface element is over at least a portion of the representation of the physical object, changing the appearance of the placement user interface element in accordance with one or more aspects of the representation of the physical object including the second portion of the physical object;\nwhile displaying the annotation placement user interface including the representation of the physical object, receiving a second annotation placement input comprising a request to perform one or more measurements of the physical object; and\nin response to receiving the second annotation placement input corresponding to the request to perform one or more measurements of the physical object:\ndisplaying, over the representation of the physical object, a second respective set of one or more representations of measurements of a second respective measurement type that is based on the second portion of the physical object.",
"27. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 25, wherein the determination that the physical feature is the first type of physical feature includes a determination that the physical feature is a piece of furniture, and the measurements of the first measurement type include one or more of: a height, a width, a depth, and a volume of the physical feature.",
"28. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 25, wherein the one or more programs include instructions that when executed by the computer system cause the computer system to perform operations including:\nwhile displaying a respective set of one or more representations of measurements over the representation of the physical feature, wherein the respective set includes a first representation of a measurement, the first representation including a first measurement label and a first measurement segment that is displayed using a first level of detail while the one or more cameras are located a first distance from the physical feature, detecting movement of the one or more cameras that places the one or more cameras at a second distance, less than the first distance, from the physical feature; and\nwhile the one or more cameras are located at the second distance from the physical feature:\nenlarging display of the first measurement label; and\ndisplaying the first measurement segment using a second level of detail that is different from the first level of detail.",
"29. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 28, wherein the one or more programs include instructions that when executed by the computer system cause the computer system to perform operations including:\ndetecting a first touch input; and\nin response to detecting the first touch input, adding and displaying a first measurement point at a first location in the representation of the field of view that corresponds to a first location in the three-dimensional physical environment, wherein the first measurement point at the first location in the representation of the field of view is a most-recently-added measurement point in the representation of the field of view.",
"30. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 28, wherein displaying the first measurement segment using the first level of detail includes displaying one or more first scale markers along the representation of the first measurement segment at a first scale; and displaying the first measurement segment using the second level of detail includes displaying one or more second scale markers along at least a portion of the representation of the first measurement segment at a second scale that is distinct from the first scale.",
"31. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 28, wherein displaying the first measurement segment using the second level of detail includes displaying a set of scale markers at intervals along the first measurement segment, and the one or more programs include instructions that when executed by the computer system cause the computer system to perform operations including:\nwhile displaying the first measurement segment using the second level of detail, detecting a second touch input; and\nin response to receiving the second touch input, enlarging display of at least a portion of the representation of the field of view.",
"32. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 31, wherein the display device is a touch-sensitive display, and the one or more programs include instructions that when executed by the computer system cause the computer system to perform operations including:\nwhile displaying the enlarged display of at least the portion of the representation of the field of view, detecting a third touch input that includes detecting movement of a contact across the touch-sensitive display; and\nin response to detecting the movement of the contact across the touch-sensitive display:\nmoving a measurement point across the representation of the field of view in accordance with the movement of the contact in the third touch input.",
"33. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 28, wherein the one or more programs include instructions that when executed by the computer system cause the computer system to perform operations including:\nwhile displaying the first measurement segment using the second level of detail, detecting movement of the one or more cameras that places the one or more cameras at the first distance from the physical feature;\nin response to detecting the movement of the one or more cameras that places the one or more cameras at the first distance from the physical feature:\nupdating the representation of the field of view based on the movement of the one or more cameras; and\nwhile the one or more cameras are located at the first distance from the physical feature:\ndisplaying the first measurement segment using the first level of detail; and\ndisplaying the first measurement label.",
"34. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 28, wherein:\nthe computer system is an electronic device;\nthe physical feature is a first portion of a physical object in the three-dimensional physical environment that is in the field of view of the one or more cameras; and\nthe one or more programs include instructions that when executed by the computer system cause the computer system to perform operations including:\nin accordance with a determination that the first distance between the electronic device and the physical object is less than a first threshold distance, the first measurement label is displayed at a first threshold size;\nin accordance with a determination that the first distance between the electronic device and the physical object is greater than a second threshold distance that is greater than the first threshold distance, the first measurement label is displayed at a second threshold size that is smaller than the first threshold size; and\nin accordance with a determination that the first distance between the electronic device and the physical object is between the first threshold distance and the second threshold distance, the first measurement label is displayed at a size, between the first threshold size and the second threshold size, that depends on the first distance between the electronic device and the physical object.",
"35. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 25, wherein the physical feature is a first portion of a physical object in the three-dimensional physical environment that is in the field of view of the one or more cameras, and the annotation placement user interface includes an affordance, which, when activated, adds a measurement point in the representation of the field of view at a location in the representation of the field of view over which the placement user interface element is displayed, and receiving the annotation placement input comprising a request to perform one or more measurements of the physical object includes:\ndetecting a fourth touch input activating the affordance; and\nin response to detecting the fourth touch input activating the affordance, adding and displaying the measurement point in the representation of the field of view at the location in the representation of the field of view over which the placement user interface element is displayed.",
"36. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 25, wherein the physical feature is a first portion of a physical object in the three-dimensional physical environment that is in the field of view of the one or more cameras, and the one or more programs include instructions that when executed by the computer system cause the computer system to perform operations including:\ndetermining a classification of the physical object; and\ndisplaying a label indicating the classification of the physical object."
],
[
"1. A video recording method, applied to an electronic device having a display screen and a plurality of cameras, comprising:\nlaunching, by the electronic device, a camera application;\nacquiring, by the electronic device, images by the plurality of cameras, wherein the plurality of cameras comprise at least a rear-facing camera and a front-facing camera;\ndisplaying, by the electronic device, a first preview interface of the camera application, wherein the first preview interface comprises N display areas that display the images acquired by the plurality of cameras of the electronic device, and the N display areas show at least two of the images with different zoom-in multiple of 1,2 or 5, and N is a positive integer greater than 2;\nin response to a first instruction input by a user, replacing the first preview interface with a second preview interface of the camera application, wherein the second preview interface comprises a shooting control and M display areas which show the images from the plurality of cameras based on selection of the N display areas and which fully occupy the second preview interface adaptively, and the M display areas are configured to display the images acquired by the rear-facing camera and the front-facing camera respectively, and the M is a positive integer less than N;\nin response to receiving an instruction on the shooting control by the user,\nbeginning video recording, by the electronic device, that captures M channels of video streams acquired by the plurality of cameras, each of the M channels corresponding to a respective one of the M display areas, and\ndisplaying a shooting screen which comprises the M display areas and an end control;\nin response to receiving an instruction on the end control by the user, combining the M channels of video streams into one channel of video stream, encoding the one channel of video stream, and generating a video file.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the M display areas comprise 2 display areas.",
"3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:\nreceiving a second instruction on the shooting screen;\nin response to the second instruction, floating one display area over another display area.",
"4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:\nreceiving a third instruction input by the user;\nin response to the third instruction, dragging one display area on the shooting screen.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein frame rates of image acquisition of the plurality of cameras are equal.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein the video file comprises the images acquired by at least two of the plurality of cameras of the electronic device.",
"7. The method of claim 6, wherein the video file comprises the images acquired by the rear-facing camera and the front-facing camera of the electronic device.",
"8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first instruction comprises a tapping operation on the first preview interface that selects a subset of the N display areas, wherein the zoom-in multiple of the rear-facing camera is determined based on the selected subset of the N display areas.",
"9. The method of claim 1, wherein the first preview interface comprises a control, the first instruction is an operation on the control.",
"10. An electronic device, comprising:\na plurality of cameras, wherein the plurality of cameras comprise at least a rear-facing camera and a front-facing camera;\na display;\na non-transitory memory comprising instructions; and\na processor coupled to the non-transitory memory, the instructions being executed by the processor to cause the electronic device to:\nlaunch a camera application;\nacquire images by the plurality of cameras;\ndisplay a first preview interface of the camera application, wherein the first preview interface comprises N display areas that display the images acquired by the plurality of cameras of the electronic device, and the N display areas show at least two of the images with different zoom-in multiple of 1,2 or 5, and N is a positive integer greater than 2;\nin response to a first instruction input by a user, replace the first preview interface with a second preview interface of the camera application, wherein the second preview interface comprises a shooting control and M display areas which show the images from the plurality of cameras based on selection of the N display areas and which fully occupy the second preview interface adaptively, and the M display areas are configured to display the images acquired by the rear-facing camera and the front-facing camera respectively, and the M is a positive integer less than N;\nin response to receiving an instruction on the shooting control by the user,\nbegin video recording that captures M channels of video streams acquired by the plurality of cameras, each of the M channels corresponding to a respective one of the M display areas, and\ndisplay a shooting screen which comprises the M display areas and an end control;\nin response to receiving an instruction on the end control by the user, combine the plurality of channels of video streams into one channel of video stream, encoding the one channel of video stream, and generating a video file.",
"11. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the M display areas comprise 2 display areas.",
"12. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the electronic device is further to:\nreceive a second instruction on the shooting screen;\nin response to the second instruction, float one of the M display areas over another of the M display areas.",
"13. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the electronic device is further to:\nreceive a third instruction input by the user;\nin response to the third instruction, drag one of the M display areas on the shooting screen.",
"14. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein frame rates of image acquisition of the plurality of cameras are equal.",
"15. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the video file comprises the images acquired by at least two of the plurality of cameras of the electronic device.",
"16. The electronic device of claim 15, wherein the video file comprises the images acquired by the rear-facing camera and the front-facing camera of the electronic device.",
"17. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the first instruction comprises a tapping operation on the first preview interface that selects a subset of the N display areas, wherein the zoom-in multiple of the rear-facing camera is determined based on the selected subset of the N display areas.",
"18. The method of electronic device of claim 10, wherein the first preview interface comprises a control, the first instruction is an operation on the control.",
"19. A non-transitory memory storing one or more programs, which, when executed by one or more processors of a device with a display, cause the device to perform operations comprising:\nlaunching a camera application;\nacquiring images of a plurality of cameras of the device, wherein the plurality of cameras comprise a rear-facing camera and a front-facing camera;\ndisplaying a first preview interface of the camera application, wherein the first preview interface comprises N display areas that display the images acquired by the plurality of cameras of the electronic device, and the N display areas show at least two of the images with different zoom-in multiple of 1,2 or 5, and N is a positive integer greater than 2;\nin response to a first instruction input by a user, replacing the first preview interface with a second preview interface of the camera application, wherein the second preview interface comprises a shooting control and M display areas which show the images from the plurality of cameras based on selection of the N display areas and which fully occupy the second preview interface adaptively, and the M display areas are configured to display the images acquired by the rear-facing camera and the front-facing camera respectively, and the M is a positive integer less than N;\nin response to receiving an instruction on the shooting control by the user,\nbeginning video recording that captures M channels of video streams acquired by the plurality of cameras, each of the M channels corresponding to a respective one of the M display areas, and\ndisplaying a shooting screen which comprises the M display areas and an end control;\nin response to receiving an instruction on the end control by the user, combining the plurality of channels of video streams into one channel of video stream, encoding the one channel of video stream, and generating a video file."
],
[
"1. A system, comprising:\nmemory including machine-readable instructions; and\none or more processors configured, in response to executing the machine-readable instructions, to perform operations comprising:\ndetermining a gesture of a user located within a cabin of a vehicle;\ngenerating a control signal based on the gesture, the control signal causing a preview of a modification of a function or setting of a vehicle subsystem to the user for a predetermined duration; and\nin response to receiving neither a confirmation indication nor a cancelation indication associated with the modification from the user during the predetermined duration, maintaining the modification of the function or setting after expiration of the predetermined duration.",
"2. The system of claim 1, wherein the predetermined duration is five seconds or less.",
"3. The system of claim 1, wherein the operations performed by the one or more processors further comprise generating a notification indicating that the predetermined duration has expired.",
"4. The system of claim 1, wherein the gesture is a movement of a hand of the user performed in three-dimensional space within a gesture capture area located within the cabin, and not performed on a touch sensitive device of the vehicle.",
"5. The system of claim 4, further comprising one or more sensors located within the cabin of the vehicle, the one or more sensors configured to capture data associated with the movement of the hand of the user within the gesture capture area, wherein the operations performed by the one or more processors further comprise determining the gesture based on the captured data.",
"6. The system of claim 5, wherein the one or more sensors include at least one of an optical sensor or an infrared sensor.",
"7. The system of claim 4, further comprising one or more image sensors located within the cabin of the vehicle, the one or more image sensors configured to capture images of the movement of the hand of the user within the gesture capture area, wherein the operations performed by the one or more processors further comprise determining the gesture based on the captured images.",
"8. The system of claim 7, wherein the operations performed by the one or more processors further comprise:\nconstructing combined image data based on the captured images;\ngenerating, based on the combined image data, depth data associated with the movement of the hand of the user; and\ndetermining the gesture based on the depth data.",
"9. The system of claim 1, wherein the operations performed by the one or more processors further comprise:\ndetermining a configuration of a hand of the user;\ndetermining a vector of movement of the hand; and\ndetermining the gesture by comparing the configuration and the vector with gesture characteristics stored in a database.",
"10. The system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle subsystem is an infotainment system of the vehicle.",
"11. The system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle subsystem is a climate control system of the vehicle.",
"12. The system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle subsystem is a lighting control system of the vehicle.",
"13. The system of claim 1, wherein the receiving of neither the confirmation indication nor the cancelation indication from the user during the predetermined duration indicates that the user acquiesces to the modification of the function or setting.",
"14. A method, comprising:\ndetermining, via one or more processors, a gesture of a user located within a cabin of a vehicle;\ngenerating a control signal based on the gesture, the control signal causing a preview of a modification of a function or setting of a vehicle subsystem to the user for a predetermined duration; and\nin response to receiving neither a confirmation indication nor a cancelation indication associated with the modification from the user during the predetermined duration, maintaining the modification of the function or setting after expiration of the predetermined duration.",
"15. The method of claim 14, further comprising generating a notification indicating that the predetermined duration has expired.",
"16. The method of claim 14, wherein the gesture is a movement of a hand of the user performed in three-dimensional space within a gesture capture area located within the cabin, and not performed on a touch sensitive device of the vehicle.",
"17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:\ncapturing, via one or more sensors located within the cabin of the vehicle, data associated with the movement of the hand of the user within the gesture capture area; and\ndetermining, via the one or more processors, the gesture based on the captured data.",
"18. The method of claim 16, further comprising:\ncapturing, via one or more image sensors located within the cabin of the vehicle, images of the movement of the hand of the user within the gesture capture area; and\ndetermining, via the one or more processors, the gesture based on the captured images.",
"19. The method of claim 14, wherein the receiving of neither the confirmation indication nor the cancelation indication from the user during the predetermined duration indicates that the user acquiesces to the modification of the function or setting.",
"20. A system, comprising:\nmemory including machine-readable instructions; and\none or more processors configured, in response to executing the machine-readable instructions, to perform operations comprising:\ndetermining a gesture of a user located within a cabin of a vehicle;\ngenerating a control signal based on the gesture, the control signal causing a preview of a modification of a function or setting of a vehicle subsystem to the user for a predetermined duration of five seconds or less;\nin response to receiving neither a confirmation indication nor a cancelation indication associated with the modification from the user during the predetermined duration, determining that the user acquiesces to the modification of the function or setting; and\nin response to determining that the user acquiesces to the modification of the function or setting, maintaining the modification of the function or setting after expiration of the predetermined duration."
],
[
"1. A method comprising:\nreceiving data representing imagery that depicts an object, the imagery captured by a portable device, the portable device comprising a camera and a microphone;\ndetermining one or more descriptors relating to the object in the imagery, said determining including collecting descriptors associated with other imagery or audio;\nprocessing said descriptors in discerning whether the imagery depicts an object that is likely of a first class or a second class or a third class, said processing being performed by one or more electronic processors configured to perform such act; and\ntaking an action dependent on whether the imagery depicts an object that is likely of a first class or a second class or a third class.",
"2. The method of claim 1 that includes processing said collected descriptors by comparing with a glossary of place-related terms.",
"3. The method of claim 1 that includes processing said collected descriptors by comparing with a glossary of people-related terms.",
"4. The method of claim 1 further comprising transforming the data representing imagery through digital fingerprinting of the data.",
"5. The method of claim 1 in which the imagery comprises video.",
"6. A portable device comprising:\nmeans for capturing audio;\nmeans for capturing imagery depicting an object;\nmeans for determining one or more descriptors relating to the object depicted in the imagery, including collecting descriptors associated with other imagery or audio;\nmeans for processing the descriptors in discerning whether the imagery depicts an object that is likely of a first class or a second class or a third class; and\ntaking an action dependent on whether the imagery depicts an object that is likely of a first class or a second class or a third class.",
"7. The portable device of claim 6 in which said means for processing compares collected descriptors with a glossary of place-related terms.",
"8. The portable device of claim 6 in which said means for processing compares collected descriptors with a glossary of people-related terms.",
"9. The portable device of claim 6 further comprising means for transforming captured imagery with digital fingerprinting.",
"10. The portable device of claim 6 in which the imagery comprises video.",
"11. A method comprising:\nreceiving data representing audio captured with a portable device microphone, the portable device further comprising a camera;\ndetermining one or more descriptors relating to the audio, said determining including collecting descriptors associated with other audio or imagery;\nprocessing said descriptors in discerning whether the audio is likely of a first class or a second class or a third class, said processing being performed by one or more electronic processors configured to perform such act; and\ntaking an action dependent on whether the audio is likely of a first class or a second class or a third class.",
"12. The method of claim 11 that includes processing the collected descriptors by comparing with a glossary of place-related terms.",
"13. The method of claim 11 that includes processing the collected descriptors by comparing with a glossary of people-related terms.",
"14. The method of claim 11 further comprising transforming the data representing audio through digital fingerprinting of the data.",
"15. A portable device comprising:\nmeans for capturing audio;\nmeans for capturing imagery;\nmeans for determining one or more descriptors relating to the audio, the determining including collecting descriptors associated with other audio or imagery;\nmeans for processing the descriptors in discerning whether the audio is likely of a first class or a second class or a third class; and\nmeans for taking an action dependent on whether the audio is likely of a first class or a second class or a third class.",
"16. The portable device of claim 15 in which said means for processing compares collected descriptors with a glossary of place-related terms.",
"17. The portable device of claim 15 in which said means for processing compares collected descriptors with a glossary of people-related terms.",
"18. The portable device of claim 15 further comprising means for transforming captured audio with digital fingerprinting."
],
[
"1. A method performed by at least one processor, the method comprising:\nanalyzing a first captured image and a second captured image, including:\ndetecting a first face in the first captured image and a second face in the second captured image; and\ndetecting a first clothing item associated with the first face and a second clothing item associated with the second face; and\ndetermining that the first captured image and the second captured image belong to a common cluster of images;\nin response to determining that the first captured image and the second captured image belong to a common cluster of images, determining an identity assignment for the first and second faces based on the first and second faces and the first and second clothing items.",
"2. The method of claim 1, further comprising adding the identity assignment to an index and enabling the index to be used for searching images.",
"3. The method of claim 2, wherein enabling the index to be searched includes enabling the index to be searched using input that corresponds to a portion of an image.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting the first face comprises performing normalization on the first face, including normalizing effects of lighting when the image was captured using at least one of a histogram or linear ramp intensity analysis.",
"5. The method of claim 4, wherein analyzing the captured image includes:\ngenerating a recognition signature for a person associated with the identity assignment that identifies the person from other persons recognized in a collection of images based at least in part on the face of the person.",
"6. The method of claim 5, wherein analyzing the captured image includes:\ndetecting a time when the image was captured, and\nwherein generating the recognition signature includes generating the recognition signature based at least in part on the detected time.",
"7. The method of claim 1, wherein determining that the first captured image and the second captured image belong to a common cluster of images comprises determining that the first captured image and the second captured image were captured during a same event.",
"8. The method of claim 7, wherein determining that the first captured image and the second captured image were captured during a same event comprises using time information and location information for the first and second captured images.",
"9. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the identity assignment comprises:\ndetermining a clothing vector difference using the first clothing information and the second clothing information; and\ndetermining a face vector difference using the first face and the second face.",
"10. The method of claim 9, wherein determining the identity assignment comprises determining a final difference vector as a weighted combination of the clothing vector difference and the face vector difference.",
"11. A system comprising one or more processors configured to perform operations comprising:\nanalyzing a first captured image and a second captured image, including:\ndetecting a first face in the first captured image and a second face in the second captured image; and\ndetecting a first clothing item associated with the first face and a second clothing item associated with the second face; and\ndetermining that the first captured image and the second captured image belong to a common cluster of images;\nin response to determining that the first captured image and the second captured image belong to a common cluster of images, determining an identity assignment for the first and second faces based on the first and second faces and the first and second clothing items.",
"12. The system of claim 11, the operations further comprising adding the identity assignment to an index and enabling the index to be used for searching images.",
"13. The system of claim 12, wherein enabling the index to be searched includes enabling the index to be searched using input that corresponds to a portion of an image.",
"14. The system of claim 11, wherein detecting the first face comprises performing normalization on the first face, including normalizing effects of lighting when the image was captured using at least one of a histogram or linear ramp intensity analysis.",
"15. The system of claim 14, wherein analyzing the captured image includes:\ngenerating a recognition signature for a person associated with the identity assignment that identifies the person from other persons recognized in a collection of images based at least in part on the face of the person.",
"16. The system of claim 14, wherein analyzing the captured image includes:\ndetecting a time when the image was captured, and\nwherein generating the recognition signature includes generating the recognition signature based at least in part on the detected time.",
"17. The system of claim 11, wherein determining that the first captured image and the second captured image belong to a common cluster of images comprises determining that the first captured image and the second captured image were captured during a same event.",
"18. The system of claim 17, wherein determining that the first captured image and the second captured image were captured during a same event comprises using time information and location information for the first and second captured images.",
"19. The system of claim 11, wherein determining the identity assignment comprises:\ndetermining a clothing vector difference using the first clothing information and the second clothing information; and\ndetermining a face vector difference using the first face and the second face.",
"20. The system of claim 11, wherein determining the identity assignment comprises determining a final difference vector as a weighted combination of the clothing vector difference and the face vector difference."
],
[
"1. A cross-media search method which utilizes A VGG convolutional neural network (VGG net) proposed by VGG to extract image features, and utilizes a Fisher Vector based on Word2vec to extract text features, and performs semantic matching on heterogeneous images and the text features by means of logistic regression, to accomplish cross-media search, the method comprising:\nStep 1 [)] collecting a cross-media search dataset containing category labels, set as D={D1, D2, . . . , Dn}, where n represents the size of dataset, wherein data types in the cross-media search dataset includes image and text media, represented as image-text pairs Di(Di∈D), Di=(Di I,Di T), where Di I represents the original data of the image, and Di T represents the original text data, wherein the category labels are set as L, L=[l1, l2, . . . , ln], where li∈[1, 2, . . . , C], C is the number of categories, and li represents the category to which the ith pair of images and text belong; dividing the cross-media search dataset into training data and test data;\nStep 2[)] for all image data DI in dataset D, where DI={(D1 I, D2 I, . . . , Dn I), using a VGG convolutional neural network (VGG net) to extract image features, wherein the 4096-dimensional features of a seventh fully-connected layer (fc7) in the VGG net, after processing by a ReLU activation function, are denoted as I=(I1, I2, . . . , In}, where Ij∈R4096, j∈[1,n], serving as the image features;\nStep 3[)] for the text feature data DT in the dataset, where DT={D1 T, D2 T, . . . , Dn T}, using a Fisher Vector based on Word2vec to extract text features, which includes converting DT into a word vector set W={(W1, W2, . . . , Wn}, wherein W is a word vector set of words contained in DT; substituting the word vector set Wi of each text word in W={(W1, W2, . . . , Wn} into X, and obtaining the Fisher Vector for each text, denoted as T={(T1, T2, . . . , Tn}, Ti∈R(2×dw+1)×G−1, i∈[1,n], where Ti represents the Fisher Vector calculated from the ith text; thus extracting text features;\nStep 4[)] training a semantic matching model based on logistic regression using the image features and text features in the training data obtained by performing Step 2[)] and Step 3 [)]; converting the text feature T into a text semantic feature ΠT, ΠT={Π1 T, Π2 T, . . . , Πn T}, Πi T∈Rc, i∈[1,n], wherein c is the number of categories, also the dimension of the text semantic feature; and transforming the image feature Ii into the semantic feature composed of the posterior probability, the posterior probability is PL|I i (k|Ii), k∈[1,C], indicating the probability of image Ii belonging to category k; and\nStep 5[)] using the semantic matching model trained in Step 4[)], and the image features and text features of the test data obtained in Step 2[)] and Step 3[)], to test an image or text to obtain a cross-media search result comprising related texts or images.",
"2. The cross-media search method according to claim 1, wherein in Step 3[)], [step of] using a Fisher Vector based on Word2vec to extract text features comprises:\nStep 6 [31)] converting the original text data DT, where DT={(D1 T, D2 T, . . . , Dn T}, to a word vector set W={W1, W2, . . . , Wn}, and W is a word vector set of the words contained in DT;\nStep 7 [32)] recording the word as w, and the word vector corresponding to the word w as fword2vec(w); for ∀w∈Di T, fword2vec(w)∈Wi, i∈[1,n], that is Wi={wi,1, wi,2, . . . , wi,b i }, where wi,j∈Rdw, j∈[1,bi], wi,j is the word vector corresponding to the word contained in Di T, dw is the dimension of the word vector, and bi is the number of words contained in Di T; and\nStep 8 [33)] using X={x1, x2, . . . , xnw} to represent the word vector set for a text, nw is the number of word vectors; letting the parameters of the mixed Gaussian model GMM be λ, λ={ωi, μi, Σi, i=1 . . . G}, where ωi, μi, Σi represent the weight, mean vector and covariance matrix of each Gaussian function in a GMM function, respectively, and G represents the number of Gaussian functions in the model,\nwherein the GMM function is defined in following equation [as Equation 1]:\n\nL(X|λ)=Σt=1 nw log p(x t|λ), (1)\nwhere p(xt|λ) represents probability generated by the GMM function for the vector xt(t∈[1,nw]), expressed in following equation [as Equation 2]:\n\np(x t|λ)=Σi=1 Gωi p i(x t|λ) (2)\nsetting the sum of constraints of weight ωi to 1, expressed in following equation [as Equation 3]:\n\nΣi=1 Gωi=1, (3)\nwhere pi(x|λ) represents the ith Gaussian function in the GMM, given by following equation [Equation 4]:\n𝑝\n𝑖\n\n(\n𝑥\n\n|\n\n𝜆\n)\n=\nexp\n\n{\n-\n1\n2\n\n(\n𝑥\n-\n𝜇\n𝑖\n)\n𝑇\n\n∑\n𝑖\n-\n1\n\n(\n𝑥\n-\n𝜇\n𝑖\n)\n}\n(\n2\n\n𝜋\n)\ndw\n/\n2\n\n\n∑\n𝑖\n\n1\n/\n2\n\t\n(\n4\n)\nwhere dw is the dimension of the vector, and |Σi| represents the determinant to get Σi, wherein γt(i) represents the probability of vector xt generated by the ith Gaussian function, expressed as following equation [Equation 5]:\n𝛾\n𝑡\n\n(\n𝑖\n)\n=\n𝜔\n𝑖\n\n𝑝\n𝑖\n\n(\n𝑥\n𝑡\n\n|\n\n𝜆\n)\n∑\n𝑗\n=\n1\n𝑁\n\n𝜔\n𝑗\n\n𝑝\n𝑗\n\n(\n𝑥\n𝑡\n\n|\n\n𝜆\n)\n\t\n(\n5\n)\nStep 9 [34)] T obtaining the Fisher Vector by partializing the parameters of the Gaussian model, wherein the Fisher Vector is a vector combining the derivation results of all the parameters, where the number of Gaussian functions in the Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) is G, and the vector dimension is dw, the dimension of the Fisher Vector is (2×dw+1)×G−1; the degree of freedom of the weight ω is N−1; and\nStep 10 [35)] substituting each text word vector set Wi in W={W1, W2, . . . , Wn} into the text word vector set X in Equation (1), to obtain the Fisher Vector for each text, denoted as T={T1, T2, . . . , Tn}, Ti∈R(2×dw+1)×G−1, i∈[1,n], where Ti represents the Fisher Vector calculated from the ith text.",
"3. The cross-media search method according to claim 2, wherein in step of partializing the parameters of the Gaussian model in Step 9[34)], each parameter is derived according to in following equations [Equation 6˜8]:\n∂\n𝐿\n\n(\n𝑋\n\n|\n\n𝜆\n)\n∂\n𝜔\n𝑖\n=\n∑\n𝑡\n=\n1\n𝑇\n\n[\n𝛾\n𝑡\n\n(\n𝑖\n)\n𝜔\n𝑖\n-\n𝛾\n𝑡\n\n(\n1\n)\n𝜔\n1\n]\n\t\n(\n6\n)\n\n\n∂\n𝐿\n\n(\n𝑋\n\n|\n\n𝜆\n)\n∂\n𝜇\n𝑖\n𝑑\n=\n∑\n𝑡\n=\n1\n𝑇\n\n𝛾\n𝑡\n\n(\n𝑖\n)\n\n[\n𝑥\n𝑡\n𝑑\n-\n𝜇\n𝑖\n𝑑\n(\n𝜎\n𝑖\n𝑑\n)\n2\n]\n\t\n(\n7\n)\n\n\n∂\n𝐿\n\n(\n𝑋\n\n|\n\n𝜆\n)\n∂\n𝜎\n𝑖\n𝑑\n=\n∑\n𝑡\n=\n1\n𝑇\n\n𝛾\n𝑡\n\n(\n𝑖\n)\n\n[\n(\n𝑥\n𝑡\n𝑑\n-\n𝜇\n𝑖\n𝑑\n)\n2\n(\n𝜎\n𝑖\n𝑑\n)\n3\n-\n1\n𝜎\n𝑖\n𝑑\n]\n\t\n(\n8\n)\nwhere the superscript d represents a d-th dimension of the vector.",
"4. The cross-media search method according to claim 1, wherein in step 4[)], training a semantic matching model based on logistic regression comprises:\nStep 11 [41)] converting the text feature Ti into a semantic feature ΠT consisting of posterior probabilities, wherein ΠT={Π1 T, Π2 T, . . . , Πn T}, Πi T∈Rc, i∈[1,n], c being the number of categories and also the dimension of the semantic features of the text, is expressed in following equation [as Equation 10]:\n\n(Πi T)d =P L|T i (d|T i),d∈[1,c] (10)\nwhere the superscript d represents the d-th dimension of the vector, the posterior probability is PL|T i (k|Ti), k∈[1,C], indicating the probability of Ti belonging to category k;\ncalculating PL|T i (k|Ti) using following equation [Equation 9]:\n𝑃\n𝐿\n|\n𝑇\n𝑖\n\n(\n𝑘\n\n|\n\n𝑇\n𝑖\n)\n=\n𝑃\n𝐿\n|\n𝑇\n𝑖\n\n(\n𝑘\n\n|\n\n𝑇\n𝑖\n;\n𝑤\n𝑇\n)\n=\nexp\n\n(\n(\n𝑤\n𝑘\n𝑇\n)\n′\n\n𝑇\n𝑖\n)\n∑\n𝑗\n=\n1\n𝐶\n\nexp\n\n(\n(\n𝑤\n𝑗\n𝑇\n)\n′\n\n𝑇\n𝑖\n)\n,\n\t\n(\n9\n)\nwhere WT={w1 T, w2 T, . . . , wC T}, wk T∈RD T is a parameter of the multi-class logistic regression linear classifier, (wk T)′ represents the transpose of wk T, wk T corresponds to category k, where DT=(2×dw+1)×G−1, DT is the dimension of the text feature;\nStep 12 [42)] converting image feature T into image semantic feature ΠI, wherein ΠI={Π1 I, Π2 I, . . . , Πn I}, Πi I∈Rc, i∈[1,n], c being the number of categories and also the dimension of the semantic features of the image, is expressed in following equation [as Equation 12]:\n\n(Πi I)d =P L|I i (d|I i),d∈[1,c] (12)\nwhere the superscript d represents the d-th dimension of the vector, wherein the posterior probability is PL|I i (k|Ii), k∈[1,C], indicating the probability of image Ii belonging to category k, where PL|I i (k|Ii) is calculated as follows:\n𝑃\n𝐿\n|\n𝐼\n𝑖\n\n(\n𝑘\n\n|\n\n𝐼\n𝑖\n)\n=\n𝑃\n𝐿\n|\n𝐼\n𝑖\n\n(\n𝑘\n\n|\n\n𝐼\n𝑖\n;\n𝑤\n𝐼\n)\n=\nexp\n\n(\n(\n𝑤\n𝑘\n𝐼\n)\n′\n\n𝑇\n𝑖\n)\n∑\n𝑗\n=\n1\n𝐶\n\nexp\n\n(\n(\n𝑤\n𝑗\n𝐼\n)\n′\n\n𝑇\n𝑖\n)\n\t\n(\n11\n)\nwhere wI={w1 I, w2 I, . . . , wC I}, wk I∈RD I , is a parameter of the multi-class logistic regression linear classifier, wherein wk I corresponds to category k, a vector of DI dimensions wherein DI is the dimension of the image feature.",
"5. The cross-media search method according to claim 1, wherein in Step 5[)], step of testing an image or text to obtain the related text or image comprises a correlation measurement methods including one or more of the Kullback-Leibler divergence method, Normalized Correlation method, Centered Correlation method, or L2 paradigm method."
],
[
"1. An image query method, comprising:\nobtaining a global feature of a query image and a plurality of first attributive features of the query image, wherein a first attributive feature comprises a feature describing a specific attribute area in the query image;\nquerying an image library based on the global feature to obtain a first image set, wherein the first image set comprises at least one image, and each image in the first image set has a plurality of second attributive features that correspond to the plurality of first attributive features;\nselecting at least one image from the first image set whose similarity of a respective plurality of second attributive features to the plurality of first attributive features of the query image is greater than a preset threshold, wherein the similarity corresponds to an attribute integration similarity of the respective plurality of second attributive features to the plurality of first attributive features, wherein the attribute integration similarity is a sum of attributive feature similarities determined by comparing a first attributive feature with a corresponding second attributive feature using a significance level or a confidence level, wherein the significance level indicates a weight of a respective specific attribute area associated with a respective attributive feature, wherein the confidence level indicates reliability of the respective specific attribute area, wherein the attribute integration similarity is a function of significance levels or confidence levels of the first attributive features of the query image, further significance levels or confidence levels of the second attributive features of images in the first image set, and distances between feature description information of the first attributive features and the second attributive features, and wherein the significance levels or confidence levels of the first attributive features are a different set than the significance levels or confidence levels of the second attributive features;\nsetting the at least one selected image as a second image set; and\nobtaining a query result based on the second image set.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the similarity corresponds to the attribute integration similarity of the respective plurality of second attributive features to the plurality of first attributive features being greater than the preset threshold.",
"3. The method of claim 2, wherein comparing the first attributive feature with the corresponding second attributive feature is further based on an attribute area type that indicates a type of the respective specific attribute area.",
"4. The method of claim 2, wherein comparing the first attributive feature with the corresponding second attributive feature is further based on status description information describing a status of the respective specific attribute area.",
"5. The method of claim 2, wherein the significance level further indicates a relative significance of a respective first attributive feature in representing the global feature with respect to other first attributive features, or a relative significance of a respective second attributive feature in representing the global feature with respect to other second attributive features.",
"6. The method of claim 2, wherein selecting the at least one image from the first image set comprises:\ncalculating the attribute integration similarity of the respective plurality of second attributive features of each image in the first image set to the plurality of first attributive features of the query image using the following formula:\nSim\n𝑗\n=\n∑\n𝑖\n=\n1\n𝑛\n\n{\n0\n,\n\t\n𝑅\n𝑖\n*\n𝑊\n𝑖\n<\n𝑇\n𝑖\n\n\n𝑅\n𝑖\n*\n𝑅\nij\n*\n𝑊\n𝑖\n*\n𝑊\nij\n*\nDis\n\n(\n𝑄\n\n(\n𝐸\n𝑖\n)\n,\n𝑄\n\n(\n𝐴\nij\n)\n)\n\t\nelse\n,\n\n𝑗\n=\n1\n,\n𝐿\n,\n𝐻\n,\nthe Simj indicating an attribute integration similarity of the plurality of second attributive features of a jth image in the first image set to the plurality of first attributive features of the query image, the n indicating an attributive feature quantity of the plurality of first attributive features, the Ri and the Wi indicating a significance level and a confidence level of an ith first attributive feature of the query image, the Rij and the Wij indicating a significance level and a confidence level of an ith second attributive feature of the jth image in the first image set, the Q(Ei) indicating feature description information of the ith first attributive feature of the query image, the Q(Aij) indicating feature description information of the ith second attributive feature of the jth image in the first image set, the Dis(Q(Ei),Q(Aij)) indicating a similarity of the Q(Ei) to the Q(Aij), the Ti comprising a threshold with respect to an ith first attributive feature, the Ri*Wi<Ti indicating that a similarity calculation result with respect to the ith first attributive feature comprises zero when a product of the Ri and the Wi is less than the Ti, else indicating that the product of the Ri and the Wi is not less than the Ti, and the H comprising a quantity of images comprised in the first image set; and\nselecting the at least one image from the first image set, the attribute integration similarity of the plurality of second attributive features of the at least one selected image to the plurality of first attributive features of the query image being greater than the preset threshold.",
"7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nextracting a global feature of each image in the image library;\nconstructing an index of the image library with respect to the global feature of each image;\nextracting the plurality of second attributive features of each image in the image library; and\nconstructing the index of the image library with respect to the plurality of second attributive features.",
"8. The method of claim 1, wherein each first attributive feature and each second attributive feature comprises at least one of a color, texture, or shape.",
"9. An image query apparatus, comprising:\na memory comprising instructions; and\na processor coupled to the memory, the instructions causing the processor to be configured to:\nobtain a global feature of a query image and a plurality of first attributive features of the query image, wherein a first attributive feature comprises a feature describing a specific attribute area in the query image;\nquery an image library based on the global feature to obtain a first image set, wherein the first image set comprises at least one image, and each image in the first image set has a plurality of second attributive features that correspond to the plurality of first attributive features;\nselect at least one image from the first image set whose similarity of a respective plurality of second attributive features to the plurality of first attributive features of the query image is greater than a preset threshold, wherein the similarity corresponds to an attribute integration similarity of the respective plurality of second attributive features to the plurality of first attributive features, wherein the attribute integration similarity is a sum of attributive feature similarities determined by comparing a first attributive feature with a corresponding second attributive feature using a significance level or a confidence level, wherein the significance level indicates a weight of a respective specific attribute area associated with a respective attributive feature, wherein the confidence level indicates reliability of the respective specific attribute area, wherein the attribute integration similarity is a function of significance levels or confidence levels of the first attributive features of the query image, further significance levels or confidence levels of the second attributive features of images in the first image set, and distances between feature description information of the first attributive features and the second attributive features, and wherein the significance levels or confidence levels of the first attributive features are a different set than the significance levels or confidence levels of the second attributive features;\nset the at least one selected image as a second image set; and\nobtain a query result based on the second image set.",
"10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the similarity corresponds to the attribute integration similarity of the respective plurality of second attributive features to the plurality of first attributive features being greater than the preset threshold.",
"11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein comparing the first attributive feature with the corresponding second attributive feature is further based on an attribute area type that indicates a type of the respective specific attribute area.",
"12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein comparing the first attributive feature with the corresponding second attributive feature is further based on status description information describing a status of the respective specific attribute area.",
"13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the significance level further indicates a relative significance of a respective first attributive feature in representing the global feature with respect to other first attributive features, or a relative significance of a respective second attributive feature in representing the global feature with respect to other second attributive features.",
"14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the instructions further cause the processor to be configured to:\ncalculate the attribute integration similarity of the respective plurality of second attributive features of each image in the first image set to the plurality of first attributive features of the query image using the following formula:\nSim\n𝑗\n=\n∑\n𝑖\n=\n1\n𝑛\n\n{\n0\n,\n\t\n𝑅\n𝑖\n*\n𝑊\n𝑖\n<\n𝑇\n𝑖\n\n\n𝑅\n𝑖\n*\n𝑅\nij\n*\n𝑊\n𝑖\n*\n𝑊\nij\n*\nDis\n\n(\n𝑄\n\n(\n𝐸\n𝑖\n)\n,\n𝑄\n\n(\n𝐴\nij\n)\n)\n\t\nelse\n,\n\n𝑗\n=\n1\n,\n𝐿\n,\n𝐻\n,\nthe Simj indicating an attribute integration similarity of the plurality of second attributive features of a jth image in the first image set to the plurality of first attributive features of the query image, the n indicating an attributive feature quantity of the plurality of first attributive features, the Ri and the Wi indicating a significance level and a confidence level of an ith first attributive feature of the query image, the Rij and the Wij indicating a significance level and a confidence level of an ith second attributive feature of the jth image in the first image set, the Q(Ei) indicating feature description information of the ith first attributive feature of the query image, the Q(Aij) indicating feature description information of the ith second attributive feature of the jth image in the first image set, the Dis(Q(Ei),Q(Aij)) indicating a similarity of the Q(Ei) to the Q(Aij), the Ti comprising a threshold with respect to an ith first attributive feature, the Ri*Wi<Ti indicating that a similarity calculation result with respect to the ith first attributive feature comprises zero when a product of the Ri and the Wi is less than the Ti, else indicating that the product of the Ri and the Wi is not less than the Ti, and the H comprising a quantity of images comprised in the first image set; and\nselect the at least one image from the first image set, the attribute integration similarity of the plurality of second attributive features of the at least one selected image to the plurality of first attributive features of the query image being greater than the preset threshold.",
"15. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the instructions further cause the processor to be configured to:\nextract a global feature of each image in the image library;\nconstruct an index of the image library with respect to the global feature of each image;\nextract the plurality of second attributive features of each image in the image library; and\nconstruct the index of the image library with respect to the plurality of second attributive features.",
"16. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein each first attributive feature and each second attributive feature comprises at least one of a color, texture, or shape.",
"17. A computer program product comprising computer-executable instructions for storage on a non-transitory computer-readable medium that, when executed by a processor, cause an apparatus to:\nobtain a global feature of a query image and a plurality of first attributive features of the query image, wherein a first attributive feature comprises a feature describing a specific attribute area in the query image;\nquery an image library based on the global feature to obtain a first image set, wherein the first image set comprises at least one image, and each image in the first image set has a plurality of second attributive features that correspond to the plurality of first attributive features;\nselect at least one image from the first image set whose similarity of a respective plurality of second attributive features to the plurality of first attributive features of the query image is greater than a preset threshold, wherein the similarity corresponds to an attribute integration similarity of the respective plurality of second attributive features to the plurality of first attributive features, wherein the attribute integration similarity is a sum of attributive feature similarities determined by comparing a first attributive feature with a corresponding second attributive feature using a significance level or a confidence level, wherein the significance level indicates a weight of a respective specific attribute area associated with a respective attributive feature, wherein the confidence level indicates reliability of the respective specific attribute area, wherein the attribute integration similarity is a function of significance levels or confidence levels of the first attributive features of the query image, further significance levels or confidence levels of the second attributive features of images in the first image set, and distances between feature description information of the first attributive features and the second attributive features, and wherein the significance levels or confidence levels of the first attributive features are a different set than the significance levels or confidence levels of the second attributive features;\nset the at least one selected image as a second image set; and\nobtain a query result based on the second image set.",
"18. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein comparing the first attributive feature with the corresponding second attributive feature is further based on at least one of an attribute area type that indicates a type of the specific attribute area, or status description information describing a status of the specific attribute area.",
"19. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein the significance level further indicates a relative significance of a respective first attributive feature in representing the global feature with respect to other first attributive features, or a relative significance of a respective second attributive feature in representing the global feature with respect to other second attributive features.",
"20. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein each first attributive feature and each second attributive feature comprises at least one of a color, texture, or shape."
],
[
"1. A method comprising:\nreceiving, from a first device, first data about a physical object located in a physical space;\nstoring, in a catalog of objects generated for the physical space, information about the physical object and indicating at least a first location of the physical object in the physical space;\nreceiving, from a second device, second data about the physical space, the second data sent from the second device upon or after an occurrence of an event, the second device being the same as or different from the first device;\ndetermining, based on the second data, at least an impact area of the event to the physical space;\ndetermining, based on the catalog of objects and the second data, whether the physical object is impacted by the event; and\ncausing an output indicating whether the physical object is impacted by the event.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the first data includes receiving sensor data generated by one or more sensors of the first device.",
"3. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating the information by at least:\ndetermining, based on the first data, the first location of the physical object;\nmapping the physical object to one or more corresponding physical object models within an object model database;\nidentifying that the physical object is to be associated with the first location; and\nincluding, in the information, an indication of the physical object model and the first location of the physical object.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein storing the information in the catalog of objects comprises storing a representation of the physical object based on the first data.",
"5. The method of claim 4, wherein the first data includes image data, and wherein the representation is generated based on the image data.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first data includes depth information associated with the physical object.",
"7. The method of claim 6, wherein the information about the physical object includes a first position of the physical object determined using the depth information associated with the physical object.",
"8. The method of claim 7, wherein the first location comprises the first position and a first orientation.",
"9. The method of claim 1, wherein the second data about the physical space comprises image data.",
"10. The method of claim 9, wherein the impact area is determined based on user input indicating a boundary of the impact area in at least one image.",
"11. The method of claim 9, wherein the image data comprises at least one of color data or texture data corresponding to the physical space or the physical object and the impact area is determined by using at least one of the color data or the texture data.",
"12. A system comprising:\none or more processors; and\none or more memory storing instructions that upon execution by the one or more processors, configure the system to:\nreceive, from a first device, first data about a physical object located in a physical space;\nstore, in a catalog of objects generated for the physical space, information about the physical object and indicating at least a first location of the physical object in the physical space;\nreceive, from a second device, second data about the physical space, the second data sent from the second device upon or after an occurrence of an event, the second device being the same as or different from the first device;\ndetermine, based on the second data, at least an impact area of the event to the physical space;\ndetermine, based on the catalog of objects and the second data, whether the physical object is impacted by the event; and\ncause an output indicating whether the physical object is impacted by the event.",
"13. The system of claim 12, wherein the second data corresponds to a floorplan layout of the physical space.",
"14. The system of claim 13, wherein the instructions, upon execution by the one or more processors, further configure the system to determine the impact area based on user input indicating a boundary of the impact area and on the floorplan layout.",
"15. The system of claim 12, wherein the instructions, upon execution by the one or more processors, further configure the system to associate the first location with the impact area if the first location is determined to be within the impact area.",
"16. The system of claim 12, wherein the instructions, upon execution by the one or more processors, further configure the system to determine that the physical object is impacted by the event if the first location is determined to be within the impact area.",
"17. The system of claim 12, wherein the instructions, upon execution by the one or more processors, further configure the system to:\ndetermine, based on the second data, a second location of the physical object, wherein the physical object is determined to be impacted by the event if a determination is made that the first location does not correspond to the second location of the physical object.",
"18. One or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media storing instructions that upon execution on a system, cause the system to perform operations comprising:\nreceiving, from a first device, first data about a physical object located in a physical space;\nstoring, in a catalog of objects generated for the physical space, information about the physical object and indicating at least a first location of the physical object in the physical space;\nreceiving, from a second device, second data about the physical space, the second data sent from the second device upon or after an occurrence of an event, the second device being the same as or different from the first device;\ndetermining, based on the second data, at least an impact area of the event to the physical space;\ndetermining, based on the catalog of objects and the second data, whether the physical object is impacted by the event; and\ncausing an output indicating whether the physical object is impacted by the event.",
"19. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media of claim 18, wherein the operations further comprise:\ndetermining, based on the second data, a second location of the physical object, wherein the second data about the physical space includes image data, wherein the image data comprises at least one of color data or texture data corresponding to the physical object, and wherein the physical object is determined to be impacted by the event if a determination is made that at least one of the color data or the texture data does not correspond to a color property of the physical object or a texture property of the physical object stored in the catalog.",
"20. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media of claim 18, wherein the operations further comprise:\ndetermining, based on the second data, a second location of the physical object, wherein causing the output includes identifying the physical object and an impact assessment for the physical object on a user interface of the second device."
],
[
"1. A method comprising:\nobtaining a new document, wherein the new document includes a plurality of sequences of words, and, for each sequence of words, a word that is in another sequence of words in the new document and that follows a last word in the sequence of words in the new document;\ngenerating a vector representation of the new document using a trained neural network system, wherein generating the vector representation of the new document using the trained neural network system comprises, for each iteration step of multiple iteration steps:\nobtaining a current sequence of words from the plurality of sequences of words;\nprocessing (i) data identifying the new document and (ii) the current sequence of words by the trained neural network system having an embedding layer and one or more other layers and in accordance with (i) trained values of a set of word parameters of the embedding layer and (ii) current values of a set of document parameters of the embedding layer to generate a respective word score for each word in a pre-determined set of words;\ncomputing a gradient with respect to the vector representation of an error function that measures an error between the respective word scores and a target set of word scores that identifies a word that is in another sequence of words in the new document and that follows a last word in the current sequence of words in the new document; and\ntraining the trained neural network system on the new document to adjust the current values of the set of document parameters of the embedding layer of the trained neural network system based on the gradient using gradient descent while holding the trained values of the set of word parameters of the embedding layer of the trained neural network system fixed; and\nprocessing, by a text classification system, an input comprising the vector representation of the new document to generate a classification output for the new document.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the classification output comprises a respective score for each of a set of topics, with each score representing an estimated likelihood that the new document is about or relates to the corresponding topic.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein the text classification system comprises a machine learning system.",
"4. The method of claim 3, wherein the machine learning system comprises one of: a logistic regression system, a Support Vector Machines (SVM) system, or a k-means system.",
"5. The method of claim 1, further comprising associating the vector representation with the document in a repository.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein the trained values of the set of word parameters are determined from a training of the trained neural network system on different training documents.",
"7. The method of claim 6, wherein the different training documents are unlabeled.",
"8. The method of claim 1, wherein obtaining the current sequences of words from the plurality of sequences of words comprises:\napplying a sliding window to the new document to extract each possible sequence of a predetermined fixed length from the new document.",
"9. The method of claim 1, wherein the document comprises a web page.",
"10. A system comprising:\none or more computers and one or more storage devices on which are stored instructions that are operable, when executed by the one or more computers, to cause the one or more computers to perform operations comprising:\nobtaining a new document, wherein the new document includes a plurality of sequences of words, and, for each sequence of words, a word that is in another sequence of words in the new document and that follows a last word in the sequence of words in the new document;\ngenerating a vector representation of the new document using a trained neural network system, wherein generating the vector representation of the new document using the trained neural network system comprises, for each iteration step of multiple iteration steps:\nobtaining a current sequence of words from the plurality of sequences of words;\nprocessing (i) data identifying the new document and (ii) the current sequence of words by the trained neural network system having an embedding layer and one or more other layers and in accordance with (i) trained values of a set of word parameters of the embedding layer and (ii) current values of a set of document parameters of the embedding layer to generate a respective word score for each word in a pre-determined set of words;\ncomputing a gradient with respect to the vector representation of an error function that measures an error between the respective word scores and a target set of word scores that identifies a word that is in another sequence of words in the new document and that follows a last word in the current sequence of words in the new document; and\ntraining the trained neural network system on the new document to adjust the current values of the set of document parameters of the embedding layer of the trained neural network system based on the gradient using gradient descent while holding the trained values of the set of word parameters of the embedding layer of the trained neural network system fixed; and\nprocessing, by a text classification system, an input comprising the vector representation of the new document to generate a classification output for the new document.",
"11. The system of claim 10, wherein the classification output comprises a respective score for each of a set of topics, with each score representing an estimated likelihood that the new document is about or relates to the corresponding topic.",
"12. The system of claim 10, wherein the text classification system comprises a machine learning system.",
"13. The system of claim 12, wherein the machine learning system comprises one of: a logistic regression system, a Support Vector Machines (SVM) system, or a k-means system.",
"14. The system of claim 10, wherein the operations further comprise associating the vector representation with the document in a repository.",
"15. The system of claim 10, wherein the trained values of the set of word parameters are determined from a training of the trained neural network system on different training documents.",
"16. The system of claim 15, wherein the different training documents are unlabeled.",
"17. The system of claim 10, wherein obtaining the current sequences of words from the plurality of sequences of words comprises:\napplying a sliding window to the new document to extract each possible sequence of a predetermined fixed length from the new document.",
"18. The system of claim 10, wherein the document comprises a web page.",
"19. One or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media encoded with instructions that, when executed by one or more computers, cause the one or more computers to perform operations comprising:\nobtaining a new document, wherein the new document includes a plurality of sequences of words, and, for each sequence of words, a word that is in another sequence of words in the new document and that follows a last word in the sequence of words in the new document;\ngenerating a vector representation of the new document using a trained neural network system, wherein generating the vector representation of the new document using the trained neural network system comprises, for each iteration step of multiple iteration steps:\nobtaining a current sequence of words from the plurality of sequences of words;\nprocessing (i) data identifying the new document and (ii) the current sequence of words by the trained neural network system having an embedding layer and one or more other layers and in accordance with (i) trained values of a set of word parameters of the embedding layer and (ii) current values of a set of document parameters of the embedding layer to generate a respective word score for each word in a pre-determined set of words;\ncomputing a gradient with respect to the vector representation of an error function that measures an error between the respective word scores and a target set of word scores that identifies a word that is in another sequence of words in the new document and that follows a last word in the current sequence of words in the new document; and\ntraining the trained neural network system on the new document to adjust the current values of the set of document parameters of the embedding layer of the trained neural network system based on the gradient using gradient descent while holding the trained values of the set of word parameters of the embedding layer of the trained neural network system fixed; and\nprocessing, by a text classification system, an input comprising the vector representation of the new document to generate a classification output for the new document.",
"20. The storage media of claim 19, wherein the classification output comprises a respective score for each of a set of topics, with each score representing an estimated likelihood that the new document is about or relates to the corresponding topic.",
"21. The method of claim 1, wherein training the trained neural network system on the new document comprises holding trained values of parameters of the one or more other layers of the trained neural network system fixed."
],
[
"1. A method implemented by one or more processors, the method comprising:\nidentifying, at a client device, content that is displayed at the client device via a display of the client device, wherein the content includes at least a body of text;\ntransmitting, to a server, the content that is displayed at the client device to obtain annotation data for the body of text, wherein transmitting the content to the server causes the server to:\nprocess the content that is displayed at the client device to generate annotation data for the body of text, wherein the annotation data includes at least a first visual cue associated with a first entity that is referenced in the body of text and a second visual cue associated with a second entity that is also referenced in the body of text;\nreceiving, from the server, the annotation data for the body of text;\ncausing the body of text to be annotated with the first visual cue associated with the first entity that is referenced in the body of text and the second visual cue associated with the second entity that is also referenced in the body of text;\nreceiving, from a user of the client device, a selection of the first visual cue associated with the first entity and/or the second visual cue associated with the second entity; and\nin response to receiving the selection of the first visual cue and/or the second visual cue:\ncausing a description of a relationship between the first entity and the second entity to be rendered via the display of the client device.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the annotation data further includes the description of the relationship between the first entity and the second entity.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein causing the description of the relationship between the first entity and the second entity to be rendered via the display of the client device comprises:\ncausing the description of the relationship between the first entity and the second entity to overlay the content that is displayed at the client device via the display of the client device.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein the annotation data further includes at least a third visual cue associated with a third entity that is also referenced in the body of text and a fourth visual cue associated with a fourth entity that is also referenced in the body of text.",
"5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:\ncausing the body of text to be annotated with the third visual cue associated with the third entity that is also referenced in the body of text and the fourth visual cue associated with the fourth entity that is also referenced in the body of text.",
"6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:\nreceiving, from the user of the client device, an additional selection of the third visual cue associated with the third entity and/or the fourth visual cue associated with the fourth entity; and\nin response to receiving the selection of the third visual cue and/or the fourth visual cue:\ncausing an additional description of an additional relationship between the third entity and the fourth entity to be rendered via the display of the client device.",
"7. The method of claim 1, in response to receiving the selection of the first visual cue and/or the second visual cue, further comprising:\ncausing a visual element linking the first entity and the second entity to be rendered via the display of the client device.",
"8. A system comprising:\nat least one processor; and\nmemory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to be operable to:\nidentify, at a client device, content that is displayed at the client device via a display of the client device, wherein the content includes at least a body of text;\ntransmit, to a server, the content that is displayed at the client device to obtain annotation data for the body of text, wherein transmitting the content to the server causes the server to:\nprocess, at the server, the content that is displayed at the client device to generate annotation data for the body of text, wherein the annotation data includes at least a first visual cue associated with a first entity that is referenced in the body of text and a second visual cue associated with a second entity that is also referenced in the body of text;\ntransmit, to the client device, the annotation data for the body of text;\ncause the body of text to be annotated with the first visual cue associated with the first entity that is referenced in the body of text and the second visual cue associated with the second entity that is also referenced in the body of text;\nreceive, from a user of the client device, a selection of the first visual cue associated with the first entity or the second visual cue associated with the second entity; and\nin response to receiving the selection of the first visual cue or the second visual cue;\ncause a description of a relationship between the first entity and the second entity to be rendered via the display of the client device.",
"9. The system of claim 8, wherein the annotation data further includes the description of the relationship between the first entity and the second entity.",
"10. The system of claim 8, wherein, in causing the description of the relationship between the first entity and the second entity to be rendered via the display of the client device, the at least one processor is operable to:\ncause the description of the relationship between the first entity and the second entity to overlay the content that is displayed at the client device via the display of the client device.",
"11. The system of claim 8, wherein the annotation data further includes at least a third visual cue associated with a third entity that is also referenced in the body of text and a fourth visual cue associated with a fourth entity that is also referenced in the body of text.",
"12. The system of claim 8, wherein the at least one processor is further operable to:\ncause the body of text to be annotated with the third visual cue associated with the third entity that is also referenced in the body of text and the fourth visual cue associated with the fourth entity that is also referenced in the body of text.",
"13. The system of claim 12, wherein the at least one processor is further operable to:\nreceive, from the user of the client device, an additional selection of the third visual cue associated with the third entity and/or the fourth visual cue associated with the fourth entity; and\nin response to receiving the selection of the third visual cue and/or the fourth visual cue:\ncause an additional description of an additional relationship between the third entity and the fourth entity to be rendered via the display of the client device.",
"14. The system of claim 8, in response to receiving the selection of the first visual cue and/or the second visual cue, the at least one processor is further operable to:\ncause a visual element linking the first entity and the second entity to be rendered via the display of the client device.",
"15. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to be operable to perform operations, the operations comprising:\nidentifying, at a client device, content that is displayed at the client device via a display of the client device, wherein the content includes at least a body of text;\ntransmitting, to a server, the content that is displayed at the client device to obtain annotation data for the body of text, wherein transmitting the content to the server causes the server to:\nprocess the content that is displayed at the client device to generate annotation data for the body of text, wherein the annotation data includes at least a first visual cue associated with a first entity that is referenced in the body of text and a second visual cue associated with a second entity that is also referenced in the body of text;\nreceiving, from the server, the annotation data for the body of text;\ncausing the body of text to be annotated with the first visual cue associated with the first entity that is referenced in the body of text and the second visual cue associated with the second entity that is also referenced in the body of text;\nreceiving, from a user of the client device, a selection of the first visual cue associated with the first entity or the second visual cue associated with the second entity; and\nin response to receiving the selection of the first visual cue or the second visual cue:\ncausing a description of a relationship between the first entity and the second entity to be rendered via the display of the client device."
]
] |
the following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 u.s.c. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this office action:
a person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
claim(s) 9-11 are rejected under 35 u.s.c. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by ebata et al. (us 2009/0304238 a1) hereinafter ebata.
regarding claim 9, ebata teaches the information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to execute the one or more instructions to (ebata: fig.1; para.0039 and 0042; image processing unit 104 and control unit): store one or a plurality of pieces of identification information obtained by a wireless communication apparatus which is installed in a periphery of each of a plurality of second-image generation cameras and obtain the identification information from one or a plurality of electronic tags or portable terminals of which a positional relationship satisfies a predetermined condition (ebata: abstract: store person information), in association with the second image generated within a predetermined time from a date and time when the identification information is obtained, obtain an image generated by a first-image generation camera which images a periphery of the display, as the first image (ebata: fig.2; captured images), obtain the one or the plurality of pieces of the identification information obtained by a wireless communication apparatus which is installed in a periphery of the first-image generation camera and obtain the identification information from the one or the plurality of electronic tags or portable terminals of which a positional relationship satisfies a predetermined condition (ebata: fig.2; para.0040; tagging images), and cause the display to display the second image including a person included in the first image and being associated with the obtained identification information (ebata: fig.5-7; detected the face of person with identification information).
regarding claim 10, ebata teaches the information processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the processor is further configured to execute the one or more instructions to, in a case where m persons (m is equal to or more than one) are included in the first image and n (n is equal to or more than one) pieces of the identification information are obtained, cause the display to display the second image including at least one person among the m persons and being associated with at least one of the n pieces of the identification information (ebata: fig.9; images with identification information from many images).
regarding claim 11, ebata teaches the information processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the processor is further configured to execute the one or more instructions to, in a case where a plurality of persons having predetermined sizes or larger are included in the first image and n (ebata: n is equal to or more than one) pieces of the identification information are obtained, cause the display to display the second image including all of the plurality of persons having the predetermined sizes or larger included in the first image and being associated with at least one of the n pieces of the identification information (ebata: fig.9; images with identification information from many images).
|
[
"1. A stable colloidal dispersion comprising:\n(a) a non-conductive, non-aqueous and non-water miscible fluid selected from isoparaffinic oils,\n(b) 0.5 to 40 wt % of at least one solid nanoparticle, wherein the solid comprises magnesium oxide, and\n(c) a surfactant.",
"2. The stable colloidal dispersion of claim 1, wherein the at least one solid nanoparticle of (b) has a D50 particle size of 1000 nm or less.",
"3. The stable colloidal dispersion of claim 1, comprising 0.1 to 2 times as much surfactant as the at least one nanoparticle.",
"4. The stable colloidal dispersion of claim 1, wherein the surfactant contains an aliphatic amine polar head group, a polyamine polar head group, or combinations thereof.",
"5. The stable colloidal dispersion of claim 1, wherein the surfactant backbone comprises a polyolefin of Mn 250 to 5000 Daltons.",
"6. The stable colloidal dispersion of claim 1, wherein the dispersion is prepared in a two-step process comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of the steps of 1) dispersing the solid nanoparticles in an alcohol with agitation, 2) mixing the surfactant with the non-conductive, non-aqueous and non-water miscible fluid, and 3) combining the dispersion of 1) with the mixture of 2) with agitation.",
"7. A heat transfer system comprising\n(a) a stable colloidal dispersion as claimed in claim 1, and\n(b) a circulation system for circulating the stable colloidal dispersion in close contact to electrical componentry.",
"8. A method of dispersing heat from DC to AC invertor comprising,\n(a) providing a heat transfer system in close contact with the DC to AC invertor,\n(b) circulating through said heat transfer system a stable colloidal dispersion as claimed in claim 1, and\n(c) operating the DC to AC invertor and the heat transfer system."
] |
US12122954B2
|
US20100006798A1
|
[
"1. A heat-conductive silicone composition comprising (A) a silicone resin, (B) a heat-conductive filler, and (C) a volatile solvent in which these components are dissolvable or dispersible, for use as a heat-transfer material disposed between an electronic part adapted to generate heat to reach a temperature higher than room temperature during operation and a heat-dissipating part, wherein\nthe composition is a grease-like composition flowable at room temperature prior to application to the electronic or heat-dissipating part, but becomes a non-flowable, heat-softenable, heat-conductive composition as the solvent volatilizes off after application to the electronic or heat-dissipating part, and the latter composition, upon receipt of heat during operation of the electronic part, reduces its viscosity, softens or melts to render at least its surface flowable so that the composition may fill in between the electronic and heat-dissipating parts without a substantial gap.",
"2. The composition of claim 1 wherein component (A) comprises a polymer comprising R1SiO3/2 units and/or SiO2 units wherein R1 is a substituted or unsubstituted, monovalent hydrocarbon group of 1 to 10 carbon atoms.",
"3. The composition of claim 2 wherein the polymer further comprises R1 2SiO2/2 units wherein R1 is a substituted or unsubstituted, monovalent hydrocarbon group of 1 to 10 carbon atoms.",
"4. The composition of claim 1 wherein component (A) is a silicone resin having a composition selected from formulae (i) to (iii):\n\nDmTΦ pDVi n (i)\nwherein D is a dimethylsiloxane unit ((CH3)2SiO), TΦ is a phenylsiloxane unit ((C6H5)SiO3/2), DVi is a methylvinylsiloxane unit ((CH3)(CH2═CH)SiO), a molar ratio (m+n)/p=0.25 to 4.0, and molar ratio (m+n)/m=1.0 to 4.0,\n\nMLDmTΦ pDVi n (ii)\nwherein M is a trimethylsiloxane unit ((CH3)3SiO1/2), D, TΦ, and DVi are as defined above, a molar ratio (m+n)/p=0.25 to 4.0, molar ratio (m+n)/m =1.0 to 4.0, and molar ratio L/(m+n)=0.001 to 0.1, and\n\nMLDmQqDVi n\n\n(iii)\nwherein Q is SiO4/2, M, D and DVi are as defined above, a molar ratio (m+n)/q=0.25 to 4.0, molar ratio (m+n)/m=1.0 to 4.0, and molar ratio L/(m+n)=0.001 to 0.1.",
"5. The composition of claim 1, further comprising (D-1) an alkoxysilane compound of the general formula (1):\n\nR2 aR3 bSi(OR4)4-a-b (1)\nwherein R2 is independently alkyl of 6 to 15 carbon atoms, R3 is independently a substituted or unsubstituted, monovalent hydrocarbon group of 1 to 8 carbon atoms, R4 is independently alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a is an integer of 1 to 3, b is an integer of 0 to 2, a+b is an integer of 1 to 3, and/or (D-2) a dimethylpolysiloxane capped with a trialkoxysilyl group at one end of its molecular chain, having the general formula (2):\nwherein R5 is independently alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and c is an integer of 5 to 100, in an amount of 0.01 to 50 parts by volume per 100 parts by volume of component (A).",
"6. The composition of claim 1, further comprising (E) an organopolysiloxane having a viscosity of 0.01 to 100 Pa-s at 25° C.",
"7. The composition of claim 1, having a viscosity of 10 to 500 Pa-s at 25° C. prior to volatilization of the solvent.",
"8. The composition of claim 1, having a thermal conductivity of at least 0.5 W/m-K at 25° C. subsequent to volatilization of the solvent.",
"9. The composition of claim 1, having a viscosity of 10 to 1×105 Pa-s at 80° C. subsequent to volatilization of the solvent.",
"10. The composition of claim 1, wherein the volatile solvent (C) comprises an isoparaffin solvent having a boiling point of 80 to 360° C."
] |
[
[
"1. An aqueous heat transfer medium liquid composition exhibiting enhanced stability as well as thermal conductivity, said composition comprising, in addition to water:\n(a) at least one type of silica colloid particle, each particle having an average particle diameter in the range of from 0.1 to 1000 nm;\n(b) at least one type of phosphonate functional siliconate; and\n(c) at least one kind of metal corrosion inhibitor.",
"2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the phosphonate functional siliconate has the following structure;\nwherein R1 is a water solubilizing group, R2 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, an alkyl group of from 1 to 3 carbons, or a water-soluble cation, and R3 is an alkyl group.",
"3. The composition of claim 2, wherein the water soluble cation of R2 is selected from the group consisting of Group I metals and ammonium.",
"4. The composition of claim 1, wherein R3 is substituted with a hydroxyl, amine, halide or alkoxy group rather than with an alkyl group.",
"5. The composition of claim 1, wherein the alkyl group of R3 consists of no more than 8 carbons.",
"6. The composition of claim 1, wherein the water solubilizing function R1 is a phosphonate of following structure:\nwherein R4 is from the group consisting of hydrogen, an alkyl group or a water soluble cation and R5 is an alkyl group.",
"7. The composition of claim 2, wherein the water soluble cation of R2 is selected from the group consisting of Group I metals and ammonium.",
"8. The composition of claim 6, wherein the alkyl groups of R4 and R5 consist of no more than 5 carbons.",
"9. The composition of claim 1, wherein the water solubilizing function R1 is a functionalized amine of following structure\nwherein M is hydrogen or a water-soluble cation.",
"10. The composition of claim 1, which further comprises a freezing point depressant which is selected from the group consisting of an alcohol, and earth alkali metal salt.",
"11. The composition of claim 10, wherein the water is present from 5 to 60 wt % in a mixture with 10 to 95 wt. % freezing point depressant.",
"12. The composition of claim 11, wherein the alcohol is a glycol.",
"13. The composition of claim 12, wherein the glycol is selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol; triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, pentaethylene glycol, hexaethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, tripropylene glycol, tetrapropylene glycol, pentapropylene glycol, hexapropylene glycol; mono ethylene glycol, mono propylene glycol.",
"14. The composition of claim 11, wherein the alcohol is selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol, furfurol, tetrahydrofurfuryl, ethoxylated furfuryl, dimethyl ether of glycerol, sorbitol, 1,2,6 hexanetriol, trimethylolpropane, methoxyethanol, and glycerin.",
"15. The composition of claim 11, wherein the earth alkali metal salt is a salt of an acid or mixture of acids selected from the group consisting of acetic acid, propionic acid, succinic acid, betaine and mixtures thereof.",
"16. The composition of claim 1, wherein the metal corrosion inhibitor is present in the fluid composition in an amount of about 0.01% to about 10%.",
"17. The composition of claim 1, wherein the metal corrosion inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of organic acid corrosion inhibiting agents, silicate corrosion inhibiting agents, molybdate salts, nitrate salts, hydrocarbyl triazol or hydrocarbyl thiazol derivatives, and combinations thereof.",
"18. The composition of claim 1 wherein the corrosion inhibitor is present in an amount sufficient to provide corrosion inhibition to metal surfaces in contact with the coolant.",
"19. The composition of claim 1 which further comprises at least one of element of the group consisting of dispersion agents, passivating agents, stabilization agents, and mixtures thereof.",
"20. The composition of claim 1, wherein the silica colloid particles are present in the fluid composition in an amount from about 0.1% to about 40 wt %.",
"21. The composition of claim 1, wherein the silica colloid particles are present in the fluid composition as monodisperse nonaggregated spherical particles.",
"22. The composition of claim 1, wherein the phosphonate functional siliconate is present in the fluid composition in an amount from about 0.001 wt % to about wt 5%.",
"23. The composition of claim 1, said composition having a pH in the range from 7.0 through 11.0.",
"24. The composition of claim 23, said composition having a pH in the range from 8.5 through 10.5.",
"25. The composition of claim 1 which further comprises at least one element selected from the group consisting of antioxidants, anti-wear agents, detergents, antifoam agents, acid-base indicators and dyes.",
"26. A concentrate which, when mixed with water, forms an aqueous heat transfer medium liquid composition exhibiting enhanced stability as well as thermal conductivity, said concentrate comprising:\n(a) at least one type of silica colloid particle, each particle having an average particle diameter in the range of from 0.1 to 1000 nm;\n(b) at least one type of phosphonate functional siliconate; and\n(c) at least one kind of metal corrosion inhibitor."
],
[
"1. An additive package comprising:\nat least two different oxy-anions, wherein each of the at least two different oxy-anions is independently selected from the group consisting of an oxy-anion of molybdenum, tungsten, vanadium, phosphorous, antimony, and a combination thereof;\na corrosion inhibitor selected from the group consisting of azole-based corrosion inhibitors, siloxane-based corrosion inhibitors, colloidal silica, carboxylates, tall oil fatty acids, borates, nitrates, nitrites, alkali metal salts thereof, alkaline earth metal salts thereof, ammonium salts thereof, amine salts thereof, and combinations thereof; and\noptionally a liquid coolant;\nwherein the additive package is a concentrated additive solution.",
"2. The additive package of claim 1, wherein the additive package is free of liquid coolant.",
"3. The additive package of claim 1 further comprising an additive selected from the group consisting of colorants, antifoam agents, wetting agents, biocides, pH adjusting agents, buffering agents, bitterants, dispersants, phosphonates, and combinations thereof.",
"4. The additive package of claim 3, wherein the additive comprises up to 50 wt % of the total weight of the additive package.",
"5. The additive package of claim 1, wherein the liquid coolant comprises an alcohol.",
"6. The additive package of claim 5, wherein the liquid coolant further comprises water.",
"7. The additive package of claim 1, wherein the additive package is a powder, a gel, or a capsule.",
"8. The additive package of claim 1, wherein the additive package is an immediate release package.",
"9. The additive package of claim 1, wherein the additive package is an extended release package.",
"10. The additive package of claim 1, wherein the at least two different oxy-anions comprise from about 1 wt % to about 99 wt % of the total weight of the additive package.",
"11. The additive package of claim 1, wherein the at least two different oxy-anions comprise from about 40 wt % to about 60 wt % of the total weight of the additive package.",
"12. The additive package of claim 1, wherein the corrosion inhibitor comprises from about 1 wt % to about 99 wt % of the total weight of the additive package.",
"13. The additive package of claim 1, wherein the corrosion inhibitor comprises from about 40 wt % to about 60 wt % of the total weight of the additive package.",
"14. The additive package of claim 1, wherein the additive package comprises an oxy-anion of phosphorous and an oxy-anion of molybdenum, tungsten, vanadium, antimony, or a combination thereof.",
"15. A method of providing corrosion inhibition to a heat transfer fluid, the method comprising:\na) adding an additive package to the heat transfer fluid, the additive package comprising i) at least two different oxy-anions, wherein each of the at least two different oxy-anions is independently selected from the group consisting of an oxy-anion of molybdenum, tungsten, vanadium, phosphorous, antimony, and a combination thereof; ii) a corrosion inhibitor selected from the group consisting of azole-based corrosion inhibitors, siloxane-based corrosion inhibitors, colloidal silica, carboxylates, tall oil fatty acids, borates, nitrates, nitrites, alkali metal salts thereof, alkaline earth metal salts thereof, ammonium salts thereof, amine salts thereof, and combinations thereof; and iii) optionally a liquid coolant, wherein the additive package is a concentrated additive solution.",
"16. The method of claim 15, wherein the heat transfer fluid requires increased corrosion protection.",
"17. The method of claim 16, wherein the additive package is added to the heat transfer fluid within an automotive vehicle.",
"18. The method of claim 17, wherein the additive package is added to the heat transfer fluid in a heat transfer system within the automotive vehicle.",
"19. The method of claim 18, wherein the heat transfer system comprises a brazed aluminum component.",
"20. The method of claim 16, wherein the heat transfer fluid is a heat transfer fluid or coolant lacking adequate corrosion protection for brazed aluminum or brazed aluminum alloys.",
"21. An additive package comprising:\nat least two different oxy-anions, wherein each of the at least two different oxy-anions is independently selected from the group consisting of an oxy-anion of molybdenum, tungsten, vanadium, phosphorous, antimony, and a combination thereof; and\na corrosion inhibitor selected from the group consisting of azole-based corrosion inhibitors, siloxane-based corrosion inhibitors, colloidal silica, carboxylates, tall oil fatty acids, borates, nitrates, nitrites, alkali metal salts thereof, alkaline earth metal salts thereof, ammonium salts thereof, amine salts thereof, and combinations thereof;\nwherein the oxy-anion comprises from about 10% to about 90% by weight of the additive package.",
"22. The additive package of claim 21, wherein the additive package comprises an oxy-anion of phosphorous and an oxy-anion of molybdenum, tungsten, vanadium, antimony, or a combination thereof.",
"23. The additive package of claim 21, wherein the additive package comprises an oxy-anion of phosphorous and an oxy-anion of molybdenum."
],
[
"1. A method of transferring heat, comprising:\ncontacting a heat transfer system comprising an aluminum component, a magnesium component, or an aluminum component and a magnesium component with the heat transfer fluid, the heat transfer fluid comprising:\na hydroxylated carboxylic acid of formula (I):\n\n(OH)x(R1)(COOH)y (I),\nwherein x is 2 to 10, y is 3 to 10, and R1 is a C2-50 aliphatic group, a C6-50 aromatic group, or a combination thereof; and\nwherein the hydroxylated carboxylic acid comprises the hydroxylated carboxylic acid, an ester thereof, a salt thereof, an anhydride thereof, or a combination thereof; and\nwherein the heat transfer fluid is free of silicates.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the heat transfer fluid comprises about 0.01 to 10 weight percent of the hydroxylated carboxylic acid.",
"3. A method of transferring heat comprising:\ncontacting a heat transfer system comprising an aluminum component, a magnesium component, or an aluminum component and a magnesium component with the heat transfer fluid, the heat transfer fluid comprising:\na hydroxylated carboxylic acid of formula (II):\n\nR2[R4(OH)x(COOH)y-z][R3(COOH)z] (II),\nwherein\nR2 is monovalent,\nR3 has a total valence of 1+z,\nR2 and R3 are independently a C1-20 aliphatic group, C6-20 aromatic group, or a combination thereof,\nR4 has a total valence of 2+x+y-z, and is a C2-15 aliphatic group, C6-15 aromatic group, or a combination thereof,\nz is 1 to 8, with the proviso that y-z is greater than or equal to 2,\nwherein the hydroxylated carboxylic acid comprises the hydroxylated carboxylic acid, an ester thereof, a salt thereof, an anhydride thereof, or a combination thereof; and\nwherein the heat transfer fluid is free of silicates.",
"4. The method of claim 3, wherein the hydroxylated carboxylic acid is of formula (III):\n\nR5[R7(OH)x(COOH)y-z][R6(COOH)z] (III),\nwherein\nR5 and [R6(COOH)z] have a total valence of 1, and are independently a C1-20 aliphatic group selected from the group consisting of an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, a cycloalkyl group, a cycloalkenyl group, and a combination thereof,\n[R7(OH)x(COOH)y-z] has a total valence of 2, and is a C1-15 aliphatic group selected from the group consisting of an alkylene group, an alkenylene group, a cycloalkylene group, a cycloalkenylene group, and a combination thereof.",
"5. The method of claim 4, wherein the hydroxylated carboxylic acid is of formula (IV):\n\nCH3(CH2)m[R7(OH)x(COOH)y-1](CH2)n(COOH) (IV),\nwherein m and n are independently 0 to 19.",
"6. The method of claim 2, wherein m and n are independently 0 to 15.",
"7. The method of claim 6, wherein m and n are independently 0 to 10.",
"8. The method of claim 7, with the proviso that m+n is less than or equal to 16.",
"9. The method of claim 5, wherein the hydroxylated carboxylic acid is selected from the group consisting of:\na hydroxylated carboxylic acid of formula (V):\na hydroxylated carboxylic acid of formula (VI):\nand a combination thereof.",
"10. The method of claim 9, wherein m and n are independently 0 to 15.",
"11. The method of claim 10, wherein m and n are independently 0 to 10, with the proviso that m+n is less than or equal to 16.",
"12. The method of claim 9, wherein the anhydride of the hydroxylated carboxylic acid of formula (V) is of formula (XI):",
"13. The method of claim 1, wherein the ester of the hydroxylated carboxylic acid is of formula (VII):\n\n(OH)x(R1)(COOH)y-p(COOR8)p (VII),\nwherein p is 1 to 9, with the proviso that p is less than or equal to y, and R8 is a C1-50 hydrocarbyl group.",
"14. The method of claim 13, wherein R8 is of formula (VIII):\nwherein s is 0 to 10.",
"15. The method of claim 1, wherein the salt of the hydroxylated carboxylic acid is of formula (IX):\n\n(OH)x-q(0M)q(R1)(COOH)y-p(COOM)p (IX),\nwherein q is 1 to 9, with the proviso that q is less than or equal to x, and M comprises an organic cation, an inorganic cation, or a combination thereof.",
"16. The method of claim 15, wherein M comprises an alkali metal cation, an alkaline earth metal cation, a transition metal cation, an ammonium cation, a phosphonium cation, a pyridinium cation, an imidazolinium cation, a pyrazolinium cation, a triazolinium cation, a tetrazolinium cation, or a combination thereof.",
"17. The method of claim 1, wherein the anhydride of the hydroxylated carboxylic acid is of formula (X):\nwherein v is 2, 4, 6, 8, or 10, with the proviso that v is less than or equal to y.",
"18. The method of claim 1, comprising about 0.01 percent by weight to about 10 percent by weight of the hydroxylated carboxylic acid, based on the total weight of the heat transfer fluid.",
"19. The method of claim 18, comprising about 0.1 percent by weight to about 5 percent by weight of the hydroxylated carboxylic acid, based on the total weight of the heat transfer fluid.",
"20. The method of claim 1, wherein the heat transfer fluid further comprises a monohydric alcohol, a polyhydric alcohol, or a combination thereof.",
"21. The method of claim 20, wherein the alcohol is selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol, furfural, tetrahydrofurfurol, ethoxylated furfural, alkoxy alkanol, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, 1,2-propylene glycol, 1,3-propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, butylene glycol, glycerol, glycerol-1,2-dimethyl ether, glycerol-1,3 dimethyl ether, monoethylether of glycerol, sorbitol, 1,2,6-hexanetriol, trimethylol propane, and a combination thereof.",
"22. The method of claim 1 comprising about 0 to about 99.9 percent by weight of the alcohol, based on the total weight of the heat transfer fluid.",
"23. The method of claim 1, comprising about 1 to about 60 percent by weight of the water, based on the total weight of the heat transfer fluid.",
"24. The method of claim 1, further comprising a corrosion inhibitor comprising an azole, a siloxane, a colloidal silica, a C6 to C14 aliphatic or aromatic mono- or di-carboxylic acid, a C6 to C14 aliphatic or aromatic mono- or di-carboxylate, a tall oil fatty acid, a borate, a nitrate, a nitrite, an alkali metal salt thereof, an alkaline earth metal salt thereof, an ammonium salt thereof, an amine salt thereof, or a combination thereof.",
"25. The method of claim 1, further comprising an oxy-anion of molybdenum, tungsten, vanadium, phosphorus, antimony, or a combination thereof.",
"26. The method of claim 1, further comprising a colorant, an antifoam agent, a wetting agent, a biocide, a bitterant, a dispersant or a combination thereof."
],
[
"1. A biodegradable composition comprising 1,3-propanediol and an ingredient, wherein said 1,3-propanediol has a bio-based carbon content of at least 1%, wherein the bio-based carbon has a C-14/C-12 isotope ratio in range of from 1:0 to greater than 0:1, wherein said composition has a lower anthropogenic CO2 emission profile as compared to a biodegradable composition comprising a 1,3-propanediol with a bio-based carbon content of 0% and wherein said composition is selected from the group consisting of coatings, paints, and inks.",
"2. The biodegradable composition of claim 1 wherein the 1,3-propanediol makes up about 1% to about 50% of the composition by weight.",
"3. The biodegradable composition of claim 1 wherein the 1,3-propanediol has at least 5% biobased carbon.",
"4. The biodegradable composition of claim 1 wherein the 1,3-propanediol has at least 10% biobased carbon.",
"5. The biodegradable composition of claim 1 wherein the 1,3-propanediol has at least 25% biobased carbon.",
"6. The biodegradable composition of claim 1 wherein the 1,3-propanediol has at least 50% biobased carbon.",
"7. The biodegradable composition of claim 1 wherein the 1,3-propanediol has at least 75% biobased carbon.",
"8. The biodegradable composition of claim 1 wherein the 1,3-propanediol has at least 90% biobased carbon.",
"9. The biodegradable composition of claim 1 wherein the 1,3-propanediol has at least 99% biobased carbon.",
"10. The biodegradable composition of claim 1 wherein the 1,3-propanediol has 100% biobased carbon.",
"11. The biodegradable composition of claim 1 wherein the 1,3-propanediol is biologically-derived.",
"12. The biodegradable composition of claim 11 wherein the biologically-derived 1,3-propanediol is biologically produced through a fermentation process.",
"13. A biodegradable composition comprising 1,3-propanediol wherein said 1,3-propanediol has an ultraviolet absorption at 220 nm of less than about 0.200 and at 250 nm of less than about 0.075 and at 275 nm of less than about 0.075, wherein the composition comprises bio-based carbon having a C-14/C-12 isotope ratio in range of from 1:0 to greater than 0:1, and wherein said composition has a lower anthropogenic CO2 emission profile as compared to a biodegradable composition comprising a 1,3-propanediol with a bio-based carbon content of 0%, wherein said composition is selected from the group consisting of coatings, paints, and inks.",
"14. The biodegradable composition of claim 13 wherein the 1,3-propanediol makes up about 1% to about 50% of the composition by weight.",
"15. The biodegradable composition of claim 13 wherein said 1,3-propanediol has a “b” color value of less than about 0.15 and an absorbance at 275 nm of less than about 0.050.",
"16. The biodegradable composition of claim 13 wherein said 1,3-propanediol has a peroxide concentration of less than about 10 ppm.",
"17. The biodegradable composition of claim 13 wherein said 1,3-propanediol has a concentration of total organic impurities in said composition of less than about 400 ppm.",
"18. The biodegradable composition of claim 13 wherein said 1,3-propanediol has a concentration of total organic impurities of less than about 300 ppm.",
"19. The biodegradable composition of claim 13 wherein said 1,3-propanediol has a concentration of total organic impurities of less than about 150 ppm.",
"20. The biodegradable composition of claim 13 wherein said 1,3-propanediol has a concentration of carbonyl groups of less than about 10 ppm."
],
[
"1. A hydrocarbon mixture in which:\na. the percentage of molecules with even carbon number is ≥80% according to FINIS;\nb. the BP/BI≥−0.6037 (Internal alkyl branching per molecule)+2.0;\nc. on average there are 0.3 to 1.5 5+methyl per molecule; and\nd. has a Noack volatility and Cold Crank Simulated viscosity at −35° C. relationship where Noack volatility is between 2750 (CCS at −35° C.)(−0.8)±2.",
"2. The mixture of claim 1, wherein the mixture further has a Noack volatility and Cold Crank Simulated viscosity at −35° C. relationship where Noack volatility is between 2750 (CCS at −35° C.)(−0.8)+0.5 and 2740 (CCS at −35° C.)(−0.8)−2.",
"3. The hydrocarbon mixture of claim 1 further comprising the following characteristics:\ne. KV100 in the range of 3.0-10.0 cSt; and\nf. Pour point in the range of −20 to −55° C.",
"4. The hydrocarbon mixture of claim 3, wherein the carbon numbers of the hydrocarbon mixture is in the range of 28 to 40 and the hydrocarbon mixture further exhibits the following characteristics:\na. KV100 in the range of 3.0-6.0 cSt;\nb. VI in the range of 11 ln(BP/BI)+135 to 11 ln(BP/BI)+145; and\nc. Pour point in the range of 33 ln(BP/BI)-45 to 33 ln(BP/BI)-35.",
"5. The hydrocarbon mixture of claim 4, wherein the boiling point range is no more than 125° C. (TBP at 95%-TBP at 5%) as measured by ASTM D2887.",
"6. The hydrocarbon mixture of claim 4, wherein the boiling point range is no more than 50° C. (TBP at 95%-TBP at 5%) as measured by ASTM D2887.",
"7. The hydrocarbon mixture of claim 4, wherein its Branching proximity is in the range of 14-30 and Branching index is in the range of 15-25.",
"8. The hydrocarbon mixture of claim 4, wherein its KV100 is in the range of 3.2 to 5.5 cSt.",
"9. The hydrocarbon mixture of claim 4, wherein its VI is in the range of 135 to 145.",
"10. The hydrocarbon mixture of claim 4, wherein its pour point is in the range of −25 to −55° C.",
"11. The hydrocarbon mixture of claim 4, wherein its Noack volatility is less than 16 wt %.",
"12. The hydrocarbon mixture of claim 3, wherein its CCS viscosity at −35° C. is less than 2,000 cP.",
"13. The mixture according to claim 3, wherein said hydrocarbon mixture has carbon numbers≥42 and the following characteristics:\na. KV100 in the range of 6.0-10.0 cSt;\nb. VI in the range of 11 ln(BP/BI)+145 to 11 ln(BP/BI)+160; and a\nc. Pour point in the range of 33 ln(BP/BI)-40 to 33 ln(BP/BI)-25.",
"14. The hydrocarbon mixture of claim 13, wherein its BP is in the range of 16-30 and BI is in the range of 15-25.",
"15. The hydrocarbon mixture of claim 13, wherein its KV100 is in the range of 8.0-10.0 cSt.",
"16. The hydrocarbon mixture of claim 13, wherein its VI is in the range of 140-170.",
"17. The hydrocarbon mixture of claim 13, wherein its pour point is in the range of −15 to −50° C.",
"18. A lubricant composition comprising the hydrocarbon mixture of claim 1 as the base stock component at 1-99 wt %, and one or more additives selected from antioxidants, viscosity modifiers, pour point depressants, foam inhibitors, detergents, dispersants, dyes, markers, rust inhibitors or other corrosion inhibitors, emulsifiers, de-emulsifiers, flame retardants, antiwear agents, friction modifiers, thermal stability improvers, or multifunctional additives.",
"19. The lubricant composition of claim 18, formulated for use in two cycle engines; for use as a transmission fluid; for use as a hydraulic fluid; for use in compressors; for use in turbines; for use in an automotive engine oil; for use as a marine grade lubricant; for use as a grease; for use as an industrial oil; for use as a dielectric heat transfer fluid; or for use as a process oil."
],
[
"1. A method of fabricating a thermally conductive, stretchable elastomer composite, the method comprising mixing liquid metal and a soft material in a centrifugal mixer under conditions such that the liquid metal forms microscale liquid metal droplets that are dispersed in the soft material, wherein the liquid metal is liquid at room temperature, wherein the composite comprises a strain of at least 100%, and wherein the microscale liquid metal droplets comprise a major axis dimension in a range of 1 to 100 microns.",
"2. The method of claim 1, further comprising, prior to mixing with the centrifugal mixer, mixing the liquid metal and the soft material for a period of time using a stirring rod.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein the centrifugal mixer comprises a planetary centrifugal mixer.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein the composite comprises an amount of the liquid metal of at least 10% by volume of the composite.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein the composite comprises an amount of the liquid metal in a range of 40% to 60% by volume of the composite.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein mixing the liquid metal and the soft material comprises mixing the liquid metal and the soft material such that at least 80% of the liquid droplets have a major axis dimension in a range of 4 to 30 microns.",
"7. The method of claim 1, wherein the liquid metal comprises eutectic gallium indium.",
"8. The method of claim 7, wherein the soft material comprises a soft elastomer, an oil, an epoxy, a wax, or a combination thereof.",
"9. The method of claim 7, wherein the soft material comprises a soft elastomer.",
"10. The method of claim 9, wherein the soft elastomer comprises polysiloxane.",
"11. The method of claim 9, wherein the soft elastomer comprises polysiloxane, polyurethane, natural rubber, a block copolymer elastomer, thermoplastic elastomer, or a combination thereof.",
"12. The method of claim 1, wherein the liquid metal comprises gallium, a gallium alloy, a tin alloy, an antimony alloy, mercury, or a combination thereof.",
"13. The method of claim 12, wherein the soft material comprises a soft elastomer, an oil, an epoxy, a wax, or a combination thereof.",
"14. The method of claim 12 wherein, the liquid metal comprises a gallium alloy selected from the group consisting of eutectic gallium indium and gallium-indium-tin.",
"15. The method of claim 1, wherein the soft material comprises a soft elastomer, an oil, an epoxy, a wax, or a combination thereof.",
"16. The method of claim 15, wherein the composite comprises an amount of the liquid metal in a range of 40% to 60% by volume of the composite.",
"17. The method of claim 1, wherein the soft material comprises a soft elastomer, and wherein the soft elastomer comprises a polysiloxane, polyurethane, natural rubber, a block copolymer elastomer, thermoplastic elastomer, or a combination thereof.",
"18. The method of claim 1, wherein:\nthe composite comprises an amount of the liquid metal in a range of 10% to 80% by volume of the composite; mixing the liquid metal and the soft material comprises mixing the liquid metal and the soft material such that at least 80% of the liquid droplets have a major axis dimension of in a range of 4 to 30 microns;\nthe soft material comprises a soft elastomer, an oil, an epoxy, a wax, or a combination thereof; and\nthe liquid metal comprises gallium, a gallium alloy, a tin alloy, an antimony alloy, mercury, or a combination thereof.",
"19. A method for fabricating an elastomer composite, the method comprising:\nforming a composition comprising;\n5% to 80% by volume of a liquid metal, wherein the liquid metal is liquid at room temperature; and\nan elastomer;\nmixing the composition in a centrifugal mixer to form liquid metal droplets from the liquid metal and dispersing the liquid metal droplets through the elastomer thereby forming an elastomer composite, wherein at least 80% of the liquid metal droplets comprise a major axis dimension in a range of 4 to 30 microns after mixing in the centrifugal mixer.",
"20. The method of claim 19, further comprising curing the elastomer composite.",
"21. The method of claim 20, wherein the cured elastomer composite comprises a strain of at least 100%.",
"22. The method of claim 19, wherein the centrifugal mixer comprises a planetary centrifugal mixer.",
"23. The method of claim 19, wherein the elastomer comprises polysiloxane, polyurethane, natural rubber, a block copolymer elastomer, thermoplastic elastomer, or a combination thereof, and the liquid metal comprises gallium, a gallium alloy, a tin alloy, an antimony alloy, mercury, or a combination thereof."
],
[
"1. A thermally conductive silicone composition comprising an organopolysiloxane as a base polymer and a thermally conductive filler, wherein the thermally conductive filler includes aluminum nitride having an average particle size of 10 to 100 μm and crushed alumina having an average particle size of 0.1 to 5 μm, the crushed alumina accounting for 15 to 55 wt % of the collective amount of aluminum nitride and crushed alumina, and the aluminum nitride and crushed alumina collectively accounting for 60 to 95 wt % of the thermally conductive silicone composition.",
"2. The thermally conductive silicone composition of claim 1, comprising:\n(A-1) 100 parts by weight of an organopolysiloxane containing at least two silicon-bonded alkenyl groups on the molecule and having a kinematic viscosity at 25° C. of from 10 to 100,000 mm2/s;\n(B) from 1,000 to 4,000 parts by weight of, as the thermally conductive filler, aluminum nitride having an average particle size of 10 to 100 μm and crushed alumina having an average particle size of 0.1 to 5 μm;\n(C-1) an organohydrogenpolysiloxane having at least two hydrogen atoms directly bonded to silicon atoms, in an amount such that the number of moles of hydrogen atoms directly bonded to silicon atoms is from 0.1 to 8 moles per mole of alkenyl groups from component (A-1); and\n(D) from 0.1 to 2,000 ppm of a platinum family metal-based curing catalyst, expressed as the weight of the platinum family metallic element with respect to component (A-1), wherein the crushed alumina in component (B) is included in a proportion of at least 15 wt % and not more than 55 wt % of the total weight of component (B).",
"3. The thermally conductive silicone composition of claim 1, comprising:\n(A-2) 100 parts by weight of an organopolysiloxane of general formula (1) below\n(wherein the R1 groups are mutually like or unlike unsubstituted, halogen-substituted or cyano-substituted alkyl groups of 1 to 5 carbon atoms or aryl groups of 6 to 8 carbon atoms; and the subscript “a” is a number that sets the kinematic viscosity at 25° C. of the organopolysiloxane of formula (1) to the below-indicated value) which is capped at both ends with hydroxyl groups and has a kinematic viscosity at 25° C. of from 10 to 100,000 mm2/s;\n(B) from 1,000 to 4,000 parts by weight of, as the thermally conductive filler, aluminum nitride having an average particle size of 10 to 100 μm and crushed alumina having an average particle size of 0.1 to 5 μm;\n(C-2) from 1 to 40 parts by weight of one or more selected from the group consisting of silane compounds of general formula (2) below\n\nR2 b—SiX(4-b) (2)\n(wherein R2 is an unsubstituted, halogen-substituted or cyano-substituted alkyl group of 1 to 3 carbon atoms, vinyl group or phenyl group; X is a hydrolyzable group; and the subscript b is 0 or 1), (partial) hydrolyzates thereof and (partial) hydrolytic condensates thereof; and\n(F) from 0.01 to 20 parts by weight of a curing catalyst for a condensation reaction selected from the group consisting of alkyltin ester compounds, titanic acid esters, titanium chelate compounds, organozinc compounds, organoiron compounds, organocobalt compounds, organomanganese compounds, organoaluminum compounds, hexylamine, dodecylamine phosphate, quaternary ammonium salts, lower fatty acid salts of alkali metals, dialkylhydroxylamines and guanidyl group-containing silanes and siloxanes,\nwherein the crushed alumina in component (B) is included in a proportion of at least 15 wt % and not more than 55 wt % of the total weight of component (B).",
"4. The thermally conductive silicone composition of claim 1, comprising:\n(A-3) 100 parts by weight of an organopolysiloxane containing at least two silicon-bonded alkenyl groups on the molecule and having a kinematic viscosity at 25° C. of from 10 to 100,000 mm2/s;\n(B) from 1,000 to 4,000 parts by weight of, as the thermally conductive filler, aluminum nitride having an average particle size of 10 to 100 μm and crushed alumina having an average particle size of 0.1 to 5 μm; and\n(G) from 0.01 to 10 parts by weight of an organic peroxide, wherein the crushed alumina in component (B) is included in a proportion of at least 15 wt % and not more than 55 wt % of the total weight of component (B).",
"5. The thermally conductive silicone composition of claim 1, wherein the aluminum nitride in the thermally conductive filler is crushed and/or spherical.",
"6. The thermally conductive silicone composition of claim 5, wherein crushed aluminum nitride having an average particle size of 10 to 100 μm in the thermally conductive filler is included in a proportion of at least 10 wt % and not more than 50 wt % of the total weight of the thermally conductive filler.",
"7. The thermally conductive silicone composition of claim 2 which further comprises, as component (H), from 10 to 200 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of component (A-1), (A-2) or (A-3) of at least one selected from the group consisting of:\n(H-1) alkoxy silane compounds of general formula (3) below\n\nR3 cR4 dSi(OR5)4-c-d (3)\n(wherein R3 is independently an alkyl group of 6 to 15 carbon atoms, R4 is independently a substituted or unsubstituted monovalent hydrocarbon group of 1 to 8 carbon atoms, R5 is independently an alkyl group of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, the subscript c is an integer from 1 to 3, the subscript d is 0, 1 or 2, and the sum c+d is an integer from 1 to 3); and\n(H-2) dimethylpolysiloxanes of general formula (4) below\n(wherein R6 is independently an alkyl group of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and the subscript e is an integer from 5 to 100) which are capped at one end of the molecular chain with a trialkoxysilyl group.",
"8. The thermally conductive silicone composition of claim 2 which further comprises:\n(I) from 1 to 40 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of component (A-1), (A-2) or (A-3), of an organopolysiloxane of general formula (5) below\n\nR7 3SiO—(R7 2SiO)f—SiR7 3 (5)\n(wherein R7 is independently a monovalent hydrocarbon group of 1 to 8 carbon atoms without aliphatic unsaturated bonds, and the subscript f is an integer from 5 to 2,000) having a kinematic viscosity at 25° C. of from 10 to 100,000 mm2/s.",
"9. A cured product of the thermally conductive silicone composition of claim 1, which cured product has a thermal conductivity of at least 5 W/mK."
],
[
"1. Composition comprising from 60 to 99% by weight of E-1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene and from 1 to 40% by weight of at least one chlorotrifluoropropene, wherein the composition is azeotropic or azeotrope-like.",
"2. Composition comprising from 1 to 30% by weight of E-1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene and from 70 to 99% by weight of at least one chlorotrifluoropropene.",
"3. Composition according to claim 1 characterized in that the chlorotrifluoropropene is 1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene and 2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene.",
"4. Composition according to claim 3 characterized in that the chlorotrifluoropropene is the trans-isomer of 1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene.",
"5. A composition comprising from 1 to 25% by weight of E-1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene and from 75 to 99% by weight of E-1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene.",
"6. Heat transfer composition comprising composition of claim 1.",
"7. Blowing agent composition comprising composition of claim 1.",
"8. Solvent composition comprising composition of claim 1.",
"9. Sprayable composition comprising composition of claim 1."
],
[
"1. A cleaning method, comprising:\nbringing an article to be cleaned into contact with a liquid-phase solvent composition comprising 1-chloro-2,3,3-trifluoro-1-propene and 1-chloro-2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropane; and\nexposing the article to be cleaned to evaporated solvent obtained from evaporating the liquid-phase solvent composition,\nwherein, in the liquid-phase composition, a proportion of a content of 1-chloro-2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropane to a total of a content of 1-chloro-2,3,3-trifluoro-1-propene and a content of 1-chloro-2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropane is 0.0001 to 1 mass %.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein a proportion of a content of 1-chloro-2,3,3-trifluoro-1-propene to a total amount of the liquid-phase solvent composition is 80 mass % or more.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein the 1-chloro-2,3,3-trifluoro-1-propene consists of (Z)-1-chloro-2,3,3-trifluoro-1-propene and (E)-1-chloro-2,3,3-trifluoro-1-propene, and\nwherein, in the liquid-phase composition, a proportion of a content of (Z)-1-chloro-2,3,3-trifluoro-1-propene to a total amount of 1-chloro-2,3,3-trifluoro-1-propene is 80 to 100 mass %.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein a processing oil adhering to the article is cleaned off.",
"5. The method of claim 4, wherein the processing oil is at least one selected from a group consisting of a cutting oil, a quenching oil, a rolling oil, a lubricating oil, a machine oil, a presswork oil, a stamping oil, a drawing oil, an assembly oil, and a wire drawing oil."
],
[
"1. An azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition consisting essentially of effective amounts of 1,2,2-trifluoro-1-trifluoromethylcyclobutane and perfluoro(2-methyl-3-pentanone), wherein the azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition has a boiling point of about 48.70° C.±0.01° C. at a pressure of about 14.7 psia±0.2 psia.",
"2. The azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition of claim 1, wherein the azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition consists essentially of from about 1 wt. % to about 20 wt. % 1,2,2-trifluoro-1-trifluoromethylcyclobutane and from about 80 wt. % to about 99 wt. % perfluoro(2-methyl-3-pentanone).",
"3. The azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition of claim 1, wherein the azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition consists essentially of from about 5 wt. % to about 15 wt. % 1,2,2-trifluoro-1-trifluoromethylcyclobutane and from about 85 wt. % to about 95 wt. % perfluoro(2-methyl-3-pentanone).",
"4. The azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition of claim 1, wherein the azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition consists essentially of from about 8 wt. % to about 12 wt. % 1,2,2-trifluoro-1-trifluoromethylcyclobutane and from about 88 wt. % to about 92 wt. % perfluoro(2-methyl-3-pentanone).",
"5. The azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition of claim 1, wherein the azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition consists essentially of about 10 wt. % 1,2,2-trifluoro-1-trifluoromethylcyclobutane and about 90 wt. % perfluoro(2-methyl-3-pentanone).",
"6. An azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition consisting of 1,2,2-trifluoro-1-trifluoromethylcyclobutane and perfluoro(2-methyl-3-pentanone), wherein the azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition has a boiling point of about 48.70° C.±0.01° C. at a pressure of about 14.7 psia±0.2 psia.",
"7. The azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition of claim 1, wherein the azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition consists of from about 1 wt. % to about 20 wt. % 1,2,2-trifluoro-1-trifluoromethylcyclobutane and from about 80 wt. % to about 99 wt. % perfluoro(2-methyl-3-pentanone).",
"8. The azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition of claim 1, wherein the azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition consists of from about 5 wt. % to about 15 wt. % 1,2,2-trifluoro-1-trifluoromethylcyclobutane and from about 85 wt. % to about 95 wt. % perfluoro(2-methyl-3-pentanone).",
"9. The azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition of claim 1, wherein the azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition consists of from about 8 wt. % to about 12 wt. % 1,2,2-trifluoro-1-trifluoromethylcyclobutane and from about 88 wt. % to about 92 wt. % perfluoro(2-methyl-3-pentanone).",
"10. The azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition of claim 1, wherein the azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition consists of about 10 wt. % 1,2,2-trifluoro-1-trifluoromethylcyclobutane and about 90 wt. % perfluoro(2-methyl-3-pentanone)."
],
[
"1. A method for forming a modified particle that includes a plurality of non-linear surfactants comprising:\na) providing particles, said particles formed of one or more materials selected from the group consisting of metal, ceramic, cermet, graphite, plastic, resins, and metalloids;\nb) providing a non-linear surfactant, said non-linear surfactant formed of a base compound with one or more functional groups, said base compound including a compound selected from the group consisting of abietic acid, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, steroids, terpenes, squalenes, terpenoids, sterols, graphenes and their derivatives, said one or more functional groups including one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of alcohols, carboxylic acids, esters, anhydrides, amides, nitriles, aldehydes, boron, thiols, amines, ethers, sulphides, alkenes, alkynes, alkyl halides, nitro, and alkyls; and\nc) causing said non-linear surfactant to attach to a surface of said particles such that an outer surface of said particles is covered by 30-100% of said non-linear surfactant.",
"2. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein an average particle size of said particles is 1 nm to 1 cm.",
"3. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein said non-linear surfactant constitutes 0.0000001-10 wt. % of said modified particle.",
"4. A modified particle that includes a particle and non-linear surfactant connected to at least a portion of an outer surface of said particle; said particle formed of one or more materials selected from the group consisting of metal, ceramic, cermet, graphite, plastic, resins and metalloids; said non-linear surfactant comprises bi-functionalized molecules and/or particles having both hydrophobic and hydrophilic groups, said non-linear surfactant includes a base compound, said base compound is bi-functionalized with both hydrophilic and hydrophobic functional groups to obtain an amphiphilic particle; at least 30% of an outer surface of said particle is covered by said non-linear surfactant, wherein said base compound includes a compound selected from the group consisting of abietic acid, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, steroids, terpenes, squalenes, terpenoids, sterols, graphenes and their derivatives, at least one of said functional groups includes one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of alcohols, carboxylic acids, esters, anhydrides, amides, nitriles, aldehydes, boron, thiols, amines, ethers, sulphides, alkenes, alkynes, alkyl halides, nitro, and alkyls.",
"5. The modified particle as defined in claim 4, wherein said base compound includes monoterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, diterpenoids, sesterterpenoids, triterpenoids, tetraterpenoids, polyterpenoids, monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, diterpenes, sestererpenes, triterpenes, sesquarterpenes, tetraterpenes, polyterpenes, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, bile acids, abietic acid, and their derivatives thereof.",
"6. The modified particle as defined in claim 4, wherein said base compound has an average particle size of 0.2-1,000 nm.",
"7. The modified particle as defined in claim 4, wherein said functional groups on said base compound form an ionic surface charge, a hydrophilic region, a hydrophobic region, a lipophilic region, an omniphobic region, and an omniphilic region.",
"8. The modified particle as defined in claim 4, wherein an average particle size of said particle is 1 nm to 1 cm.",
"9. The modified particle as defined in claim 4, wherein said non-linear surfactant constitutes 0.0000001-10 wt. % of said modified particle.",
"10. A method for forming a modified particle that includes a plurality of non-linear surfactants comprising:\na. providing particles, said particles\nformed of one or more materials selected from the group consisting of metal, ceramic, cermet, graphite, plastic, resins, and metalloids;\nb. providing a non-linear surfactant, said non-linear surfactant comprises bi-functionalized molecules and/or particles having both hydrophobic and hydrophilic groups, said non-linear surfactant includes a base compound, said base compound is bi-functionalized with both hydrophilic and hydrophobic functional groups to obtain an amphiphilic particle; wherein said base compound includes a compound selected from the group consisting of abietic acid, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, steroids, terpenes, squalenes, terpenoids, sterols, graphenes and their derivatives, at least one of said functional groups includes one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of alcohols, carboxylic acids, esters, anhydrides, amides, nitriles, aldehydes, boron, thiols, amines, ethers, sulphides, alkenes, alkynes, alkyl halides, nitro, and alkyls; and,\nc. causing said non-linear surfactant to attach to a surface of a plurality of said particles such that an outer surface of said particle is covered by at least 30% of said non-linear surfactant.",
"11. The method as defined in claim 10, wherein said base compound includes monoterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, diterpenoids, sesterterpenoids, triterpenoids, tetraterpenoids, polyterpenoids, monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, diterpenes, sestererpenes, triterpenes, sesquarterpenes, tetraterpenes, polyterpenes, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, bile acids, abietic acid, and their derivatives thereof.",
"12. The method as defined in claim 10, wherein said base compound has an average particle size of 0.2-1,000 nm.",
"13. The method as defined in claim 10, wherein said functional groups on said base compound form an ionic surface charge, a hydrophilic region, a hydrophobic region, a lipophilic region, an omniphobic region, and an omniphilic region.",
"14. The method as defined in claim 10, wherein an average particle size of said particle is 1 nm to 1 cm.",
"15. The method as defined in claim 10, wherein said non-linear surfactant constitutes 0.0000001-10 wt. % of said modified particle."
],
[
"1. A dispersion, comprising:\nmetal oxide particles with an average primary particle diameter of not more than 50 nm;\nan organic acid;\na dispersion medium; and\nan organophosphorus compound, or a salt thereof, represented by formula (1):\nwherein a and b are each independently 1 or 2, with a+b being equal to 3, and c is 0 or 1;\nA denotes a substituent comprising a substituent represented by the below-mentioned formula (a1) and at least one of the linker groups represented by the below-mentioned formulae (a2), wherein the below-mentioned formulae (a2) is bonded to the phosphorus atom via the oxygen atom:\n\nR1—(O)t— (a1)\nwherein R1 denotes a saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group with 1 to 50 carbon atoms, a (meth)acryloyl group, or an aromatic group-containing hydrocarbon group with 6 to 100 carbon atoms, and t is 0 or 1;\nwherein R2, R3, and R4 are a divalent hydrocarbon group with 1 to 18 carbon atoms, or a divalent aromatic group-containing hydrocarbon group with 6 to 30 carbon atoms, and a hydrogen atom of each of the R2, R3, and R4 is optionally substituted with an ether group;\np, q, and r each denote an integer molar ratio per mole of the unit (a1), with p+q+r being equal to from 1 to 200, p being equal to from 1 to 200, q being equal to from 1 to 200, and r being equal to from 1 to 200; and/or\nan organosulfur compound, or a salt thereof, represented by formula (2):\nwherein B denotes a substituent comprising a substituent represented by the below-mentioned formula (b1) and at least one of the linker groups represented by the below-mentioned formulae (b2), wherein the below-mentioned formulae (b2) is bonded to the sulfur atom via the oxygen atom:\n\nR5—(O)t— (b1)\nwherein R5 denotes a saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group with 1 to 50 carbon atoms, a (meth)acryloyl group, or an aromatic group-containing hydrocarbon group with 6 to 100 carbon atoms, and t is 0 or 1;\nwherein R6, R7, and R8 are a divalent hydrocarbon group with 1 to 18 carbon atoms, or a divalent aromatic group-containing hydrocarbon group with 6 to 30 carbon atoms, and a hydrogen atom of each of the R6, R7, and R8 is optionally substituted with an ether group;\np, q, and r each denote an integer molar ratio per mole of the unit (b1), with p+q+r being equal to from 1 to 200, p being equal to from 1 to 200, q being equal to from 1 to 200, and r being equal to from 1 to 200.",
"2. The dispersion according to claim 1, wherein the metal oxide particles are coated with at least a part of the organic acid.",
"3. The dispersion according to claim 1, wherein the metal of the metal oxide particles is at least one selected from Ti, Al, Zr, Zn, Sn, and Ce.",
"4. The dispersion according to claim 1, wherein the organic acid is an organic acid selected from (meth)acrylic acids, or carboxylic acids with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of an ester group, an ether group, an amido group, a thioester group, a thioether group, a carbonate group, a urethane group, and a urea group.",
"5. The dispersion according to claim 1, wherein the organic acid is a half ester of a C3-9 aliphatic dicarboxylic acid with a (meth)acryloyloxy C1-6 alkyl alcohol.",
"6. The dispersion according to claim 1, wherein the metal oxide particles have been subjected to surface treatment with a silane coupling agent.",
"7. An article produced by molding or curing the dispersion according to claim 1."
],
[
"1. An emulsion, comprising:\na continuous phase of a first liquid; and\na dispersed phase comprising a plurality of liquid marbles, said plurality of liquid marbles comprising one or more type of liquid marble, said liquid marbles comprising a droplet of a liquid covered with a shell of particles, wherein said particles have an average dimension of not less than 50 μm, wherein a size distribution of said dispersed phase is a non-probability distribution,\nand wherein at least one of:\nsaid droplet of liquid in at least a portion of said liquid marbles includes a non-soluble constituent suspended therein;\nsaid dispersed phase includes liquid marbles in which said droplet of liquid is miscible with said first liquid of said continuous phase;\nthe emulsion comprises at least two components that tend to chemically react when in contact at a temperature of 0° C. and pressure of 100 kPa, said at least two components mutually isolated from such contact by virtue of isolation of at least one of said components in said liquid marble.",
"2. The emulsion of claim 1, wherein said droplet of liquid in at least a portion of said liquid marbles includes said non-soluble constituent suspended therein.",
"3. The emulsion of claim 2, wherein said droplet of liquid is selected from the group consisting of a colloid, an emulsion, oil-in-water emulsion, a sol, a hydrocolloid and a suspension.",
"4. The emulsion of claim 1, wherein said dispersed phase includes liquid marbles in which said droplet of liquid is miscible with and different from said first liquid of said continuous phase.",
"5. The emulsion of claim 1, wherein said dispersed phase includes at least two distinct populations of said liquid marbles.",
"6. The emulsion of claim 5, wherein said at least two distinct populations of said liquid marbles are characterized by different size distributions and/or by different types of said droplet of liquid and/or said shell of particles.",
"7. The emulsion of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said liquid marbles comprise a droplet of a second liquid which is immiscible with said first liquid.",
"8. The emulsion of claim 7, wherein said first liquid is immiscible in water and said second liquid is miscible in water.",
"9. The emulsion of claim 7, wherein said first liquid or said second liquid comprises water and/or glycerol.",
"10. The emulsion of claim 7, wherein said first liquid or said second liquid comprises a water-immiscible liquid comprising a substance selected from the group consisting of toluene, xylene, carbon tetrachloride, dichloromethane, 1,2-dichloroethane, chloroform, a silicone oil, polyaryl siloxane, polyalkylaryl siloxane, polyether siloxane copolymer, and combinations thereof, an edible oil, a vegetable oil, an animal oil and mixtures thereof.",
"11. The emulsion of claim 1, wherein said droplets have an average diameter of not less than 100 μm.",
"12. The emulsion of claim 11, wherein said droplets have an average diameter of not less than 500 μm.",
"13. The emulsion of claim 1, wherein said droplets have an average diameter of not more than 10 mm.",
"14. The emulsion of claim 1, wherein said particles are solid particles.",
"15. The emulsion of claim 1, wherein said particles comprise a material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polytetrafluoroethylene, silica, carbon black, poly(sodium styrene sulfonate), polyacrylic acid, polyvinylidene difluoride, latex, and lycopodium powder.",
"16. The emulsion of claim 1, wherein said particles comprise a material selected from the group consisting of poly(sodium styrene sulfonate), polyacrylic acid, poly(N-(3-aminopropyl)methacrylamide), a polypeptide, a polysaccharide, lecithin, alginate, and carrageenan.",
"17. The emulsion of claim 1, wherein said particles have an average dimension of not more than 500 μm."
],
[
"1. A complex comprising:\na metal fine particle dispersant comprising a branched polymer compound having an ammonium group and having a weight average molecular weight of 500 to 5,000,000; and\na metal fine particle, wherein\nthe metal fine particle comprises platinum (Pt) or palladium (Pd),\nthe metal fine particle dispersant comprises a branched polymer compound of Formula (1):\nwherein\nR1 is a hydrogen atom,\nR2, R3, and R4 are independently a hydrogen atom, a linear, branched, or cyclic C1-20 alkyl group, a C6-20 arylalkyl group,\nwherein the alkyl group and the arylalkyl group are optionally substituted with an alkoxy group, a hydroxy group, an ammonium group, a carboxy group, or a cyano group, or —(CH2CH2O)m—R5,\nwherein R5 is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, and m is an arbitrary integer of 2 to 100, or\nR2, R3, and R4 are optionally bonded to each other through a linear, branched, or cyclic alkylene group to form a ring together with a nitrogen atom to which R2, R3, and R4 are bonded,\nwherein at least one of R2, R3, and R4 is an octyl group or a dodecyl group,\nX− is an anion,\nA1 is a structure of Formula (2):\nwherein:\nA2 is a linear, branched, or cyclic C1-30 alkylene group that optionally contains an ether bond or an ester bond, and\nY1, Y2, Y3, and Y4 are a hydrogen atom, and\nn is the number of repeating unit structures that is an integer of 2 to 100,000, and\nthe complex has a higher catalyst activity compared to a same complex that does not have the branched polymer compound of Formula (1).",
"2. The complex according to claim 1, wherein the metal fine particle has an average particle diameter of 1 nm or more to 100 nm or less.",
"3. The complex according to claim 1, wherein the branched polymer compound has a degree of distribution Mw (weight average molecular weight)/Mn (number average molecular weight) of 1 to 7."
],
[
"1. A method for producing a nano-silica dispersion having amphiphilic properties and a double-particle structure, the method comprises:\nproducing a lipophilically modified nano-silica alcosol which is denoted as a first reaction solution by adding a silane coupling agent containing a lipophilic group to a nano-silica alcosol as a raw material;\nproducing a hydrophilically modified nano-silica alcosol which is denoted as a second reaction solution by adding a silane coupling agent containing a hydrophilic group into a nano-silica alcosol as a raw material; and\nproducing the nano-silica dispersion having amphiphilic properties and a double-particle structure by adding 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane to the first reaction solution at 30° C. to 45° C., stirring for 3 h to 6 h, then mixing the resultant with the second reaction solution in a mass ratio of 1:1, and stirring for 0.5 h to 3 h;\nwherein, the mass ratio of 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane to silica in the first reaction solution is 1:20,000 to 1:50,000.",
"2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the production of the lipophilically modified nano-silica alcosol comprises:\nheating the nano-silica alcosol to 30° C. to 45° C., adding the silane coupling agent containing a lipophilic group in an amount of 25% to 100% by mass based on the nano-silica, stirring for 2 h to 5 h, and aging for 3 d to 7 d, to produce the lipophilically modified nano-silica alcosol.",
"3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the production of the hydrophilically modified nano-silica alcosol comprises:\nheating the nano-silica alcosol to 30° C. to 45° C., adding the silane coupling agent containing a hydrophilic group in an amount of 25% to 100% by mass based on the nano-silica, stirring for 2 h to 5 h, and aging for 3 d to 7 d, to produce the hydrophilically modified nano-silica alcosol.",
"4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the nano-silica alcosol has a concentration of 1 wt % to 10 wt %.",
"5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the nano-silica alcosol is produced by using an alcohol as a solvent and ethyl orthosilicate as a precursor, under the action of a basic catalyst.",
"6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the alcohol is one or more of ethanol, propanol and butanol.",
"7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the nano-silica alcosol is produced by using an alcohol as a solvent and ethyl orthosilicate as a precursor, under the action of a basic catalyst.",
"8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the alcohol is one or more of ethanol, propanol and butanol.",
"9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the silane coupling agent containing a lipophilic group is a silane coupling agent containing a C8-C16 alkyl chain or a benzene-based group.",
"10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the benzene-based group is a group of alkylphenol polyoxyethylene ether or a polyhydroxy benzene.",
"11. The method according to claim 9, wherein the silane coupling agent containing a lipophilic group comprises one or more of n-octyltrimethoxysilane, dodecyltrimethoxysilane, cetyltrimethoxysilane, diphenyldimethoxysilane, methylphenyldimethoxysilane and hexamethyldisilazane.",
"12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the silane coupling agent containing a lipophilic group comprises one or more of n-octyltrimethoxysilane, dodecyltrimethoxysilane, cetyltrimethoxysilane, diphenyldimethoxysilane, methylphenyldimethoxysilane and hexamethyldisilazane.",
"13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the silane coupling agent containing a hydrophilic group is a silane coupling agent containing a polyhydroxy group or a group that can be converted to a polyhydroxy group.",
"14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the silane coupling agent containing a hydrophilic group is γ-glycidyl oxypropyltrimethoxysilane.",
"15. The method according to claim 1, wherein the silane coupling agent containing a hydrophilic group is γ-glycidyl oxypropyltrimethoxysilane.",
"16. The method according to claim 1, wherein the lipophilic nano-silica particles in the lipophilically modified nano-silica alcosol have a particle size of 5 nm to 100 nm; and the hydrophilic nano-silica particles in the hydrophilically modified nano-silica alcosol have a particle size of 5 nm to 100 nm.",
"17. A nano-silica dispersion having amphiphilic properties and a double-particle structure produced by the method according to claim 1, wherein one nano-silica particle in the double-particle structure is a nano-silica containing the lipophilic group, and the other nano-silica particle in the double-particle structure is a nano-silica containing the hydrophilic group.",
"18. The nano-silica dispersion having amphiphilic properties and a double-particle structure according to claim 17, wherein the nano-silica particles have a particle size of 10 nm to 100 nm.",
"19. A method for producing a nano-silica dispersion having amphiphilic properties and a double-particle structure, the method comprises:\nproducing a lipophilically modified nano-silica alcosol which is denoted as a first reaction solution by adding a silane coupling agent containing a lipophilic group to a nano-silica alcosol as a raw material;\nproducing a hydrophilically modified nano-silica alcosol which is denoted as a second reaction solution by adding a silane coupling agent containing a hydrophilic group into a nano-silica alcosol as a raw material; and\nproducing the nano-silica dispersion having amphiphilic properties and a double-particle structure by stirring in 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane to the first reaction solution, then mixing the resultant with the second reaction solution.",
"20. A nano-silica dispersion having amphiphilic properties and a double-particle structure produced by the method according to claim 19, wherein one nano-silica particle in the double-particle structure is a nano-silica containing the lipophilic group, and the other nano-silica particle in the double-particle structure is a nano-silica containing the hydrophilic group."
],
[
"1. A solid dispersion comprising a dispersoid and a dispersion medium in which the dispersoid is dispersed,\nwherein the dispersoid is an organic particle, an inorganic particle or a mixture thereof,\nthe dispersion medium is a non-aqueous dispersion medium in a solid state at room temperature,\nthe solid dispersion does not comprise any dispersant or surfactant,\nthe inorganic particle is selected from the group consisting of iron, aluminum, chromium, nickel, cobalt, zinc, tungsten, indium, tin, palladium, zirconium, titanium, copper, silver, gold, platinum, kaolin, clay, talc, mica, bentonite, dolomite, calcium silicate, magnesium silicate, asbestos, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, barium carbonate, calcium sulfate, barium sulfate, aluminum sulfate, aluminum hydroxide, iron hydroxide, aluminum silicate, zirconium oxide, magnesium oxide, aluminum oxide, titanium oxide, iron oxide, zinc oxide, antimony trioxide, indium oxide, indium tin oxide, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, boron nitride, barium titanate, diatomite, carbon black, graphite, rock wool, glass wool, glass fiber, graphene, carbon fiber, carbon nanofibers, carbon nanotubes, an alloy of two or more metals of them or a mixture of two or more of them,\nthe organic particle is selected from the group consisting of azo-based compounds, diazo-based compounds, condensed azo-based compounds, thioindigo-based compounds, indanthrone-based compounds, quinacridone-based compounds, anthraquinone-based compounds, benzimidazolone-based compounds, perylene-based compounds, phthalocyanine-based compounds, anthrapyridine-based compounds, dioxazine-based compounds, polyethylene resin, polypropylene resin, polyester resin, nylon resin, polyamide resin, aramid resin, acrylic resin, vinylon resin, urethane resin, melamine resin, polystyrene resin, polylactic acid, acetate fiber, cellulose, lignin, chitin, chitosan, starch, polyacetal, polycarbonate, polyphenylene ether, polyether ether ketone, polyether ketone, polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polybutylene naphthalate, polysulfone, polyphenylene sulfide, polyimide or mixtures thereof, and\nthe dispersion medium is one or more selected from the group consisting of polyether polyols, polyester polyols, hydrogenated sugars, alkane diols, phenol-based compounds, imidazole-based compounds, acid anhydride-based compounds, anhydrosugar alcohols or combinations thereof.",
"2. The solid dispersion according to claim 1, wherein the content of the dispersoid is 0.0001 parts by weight to 95 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the dispersion medium.",
"3. The solid dispersion according to claim 1, which is a solid dispersion at room temperature for chain extension.",
"4. A chain-extended polyurethane, which is prepared by the reaction of a polyurethane prepolymer and the solid dispersion of claim 3.",
"5. A method for preparing a chain-extended polyurethane comprising\n(1) a step of adding the solid dispersion of claim 3 to a polyurethane prepolymer; and\n(2) a step of reacting the resulting mixture of step (1).",
"6. The method of claim 5, wherein the polyurethane prepolymer is obtained by reacting a polyol—which are vacuum-dried at 50 to 100° C. for 12 to 36 hours—and a polyisocyanate at a temperature of 50 to 100° C. for 0.1 to 5 hours under a nitrogen atmosphere.",
"7. The method of claim 5, wherein the step of the reacting the resulting mixture of step (1) is conducted by curing the resulting mixture for 10 to 30 hours at a temperature of 80 to 200° C.",
"8. The solid dispersion according to claim 1, which is a solid dispersion at room temperature for curing.",
"9. An epoxy resin composition comprising an epoxy resin; and the solid dispersion of claim 8.",
"10. A cured product obtained by curing the epoxy resin composition of claim 9.",
"11. A molded article comprising the cured product of claim 10.",
"12. A method for preparing an epoxy resin composition comprising a step of mixing an epoxy resin and the solid dispersion of claim 8.",
"13. A dispersion composition comprising the solid dispersion of claim 1.",
"14. A method for preparing the solid dispersion according to claim 1 comprising\na step of mixing the dispersoid and the dispersion medium; and\na step of melting the dispersion medium in a mixture.",
"15. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of melting the dispersion medium in the mixture is conducted by melting the mixture while removing moisture by applying a vacuum at a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of the dispersion medium.",
"16. A solid dispersion comprising a dispersoid and a dispersion medium in which the dispersoid is dispersed,\nwherein the dispersoid is an organic particle, an inorganic particle or a mixture thereof,\nthe dispersion medium is a non-aqueous dispersion medium in a solid state at room temperature,\nthe solid dispersion does not comprise any dispersant or surfactant,\nthe inorganic particle is selected from the group consisting of iron, aluminum, chromium, nickel, cobalt, zinc, tungsten, indium, tin, palladium, zirconium, titanium, copper, silver, gold, platinum, kaolin, clay, talc, mica, bentonite, dolomite, calcium silicate, magnesium silicate, asbestos, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, barium carbonate, calcium sulfate, barium sulfate, aluminum sulfate, aluminum hydroxide, iron hydroxide, aluminum silicate, zirconium oxide, magnesium oxide, aluminum oxide, titanium oxide, iron oxide, zinc oxide, antimony trioxide, indium oxide, indium tin oxide, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, boron nitride, barium titanate, diatomite, carbon black, graphite, rock wool, glass wool, glass fiber, graphene, carbon fiber, carbon nanofibers, carbon nanotubes, an alloy of two or more metals of them or a mixture of two or more of them,\nthe organic particle is selected from the group consisting of azo-based compounds, diazo-based compounds, condensed azo-based compounds, thioindigo-based compounds, indanthrone-based compounds, quinacridone-based compounds, anthraquinone-based compounds, benzimidazolone-based compounds, perylene-based compounds, phthalocyanine-based compounds, anthrapyridine-based compounds, dioxazine-based compounds, polyethylene resin, polypropylene resin, polyester resin, nylon resin, polyamide resin, aramid resin, acrylic resin, vinylon resin, urethane resin, melamine resin, polystyrene resin, polylactic acid, acetate fiber, cellulose, lignin, chitin, chitosan, starch, polyacetal, polycarbonate, polyphenylene ether, polyether ether ketone, polyether ketone, polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polybutylene naphthalate, polysulfone, polyphenylene sulfide, polyimide or mixtures thereof, and\nwherein the dispersion medium is one or more selected from the group consisting of tetritan, pentitan, heptitan, sorbitan, mannitan, iditan, galactan, isosorbide, isomannide, isoidide, tetritol, pentitol, heptitol, sorbitol, mannitol, iditol, galactitol, modified polypropylene glycol, polytetramethylene ether glycol, butylene adipate diol, 1,6-hexanadipate diol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, 1,9-nonanediol, poly(ethylene glycol)diamine, (R)-(+)-1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-diamine, (S)-(−)-1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-diamine, 1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-diamine, 4-ethoxybenzene-1,2-diamine, (1R,2R)—N,N′-dimethyl-1,2-diphenylethane-1,2-diamine, N,N-bis(4-butylphenyl)benzene-1,4-diamine, 2,3-xylenol, 2,4-xylenol, 2,5-xylenol, 2,6-zylenol, 3,4-zylenol, 3,5-zylenol, 2,5-dimethylphenol, 2,3-dimethylphenol, imidazole, 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)imidazole, imidazole trifluoro methanesulfonate, imidazole-2-carboxylic acid, 4-bromo-1H-imidazole, N-benzyl-2-nitro-1H-imidazole-1-acetamide, 2-chloro-1H-imidazole, imidazole-d, imidazole-N, imidazole-2-C,N, (2-dodecen-1-yl) succinic anhydride, maleic anhydride, succinic anhydride, phthalic anhydride, glutaric anhydride, 3,4,5,6-tetrahydrophthalic anhydride, diglycolic anhydride, itaconic anhydride, trans-1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylic anhydride, 2,3-dimethylmaleic anhydride, 3,3-tetramethylene glutaric anhydride, stearic anhydride, cis-aconitic anhydride, trimellitic anhydride chloride, phenylsuccinic anhydride, 3,3-dimethylglutaric anhydride, methylsuccinic anhydride or combinations thereof.",
"17. A dispersion composition comprising the solid dispersion of claim 16."
],
[
"1. A method of utilizing a particulate carbon material producible from renewable raw materials, wherein the particulate carbon material comprises:\na statistical thickness surface area (STSA) of at least 5 m2/g and maximally 200 m2/g,\nthe method comprising: mixing the particulate carbon material with an ingredient comprising: a polymer, a rubber, or a plastic to form a polymer mixture, a rubber mixture, or a plastic mixture, respectively.",
"2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the particulate carbon material is effective as a filler in the rubber mixture or the plastic mixture.",
"3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the renewable raw materials are lignin-containing biomass.",
"4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the particulate material is produced by hydrothermal treatment of the renewable raw materials.",
"5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the particulate carbon material has at least one of the following further characteristics:\na 14C content of greater than 0.20 Bq/g of carbon and less than 0.45 Bq/g of carbon;\nan oil absorption value (OAN) from 50 ml/100 g to 150 ml/100 g; and\na carbon content based on ash-free dry substance is from 60 weight % to 80 weight %.",
"6. A mixture comprising an ingredient and at least one particulate carbon material producible from renewable raw materials and at least one polymer, wherein the particulate carbon material comprises:\na statistical thickness surface area (STSA) of at least 5 m2/g and maximally 200 m2/g,\nwherein the ingredient comprises: a polymer, a rubber, or a plastic.",
"7. The mixture according to claim 6, wherein the particulate carbon material has at least one of the following further characteristics:\na 14C content of greater than 0.20 Bq/g of carbon and less than 0.45 Bq/g of carbon,\nan oil absorption value (OAN) between 50 ml/100 g and 150 ml/100 g, and\na carbon content based on the ash-free dry substance between 60 wt-% and 80 wt-%.",
"8. The mixture according to claim 6, wherein the ingredient comprises a plastic, and the mixture further contains at least one adhesion promoter in a quantity of 2 wt.-% to 16 wt.-%based on a weight of the plastic in the mixture.",
"9. The mixture according to claim 6, wherein the ingredient comprises a rubber, and the mixture further contains at least one coupling reagent.",
"10. The mixture according to claim 9, wherein the coupling agent is present in the mixture in a quantity of 2 wt.-% to 16 wt.-% based on a weight of the particulate carbon material in the mixture.",
"11. The mixture according to claim 10, wherein the at least one coupling reagent comprises at least one organosilane that is selected from the group consisting of: bis(trialkoxysilylalkyl)-oligosulfides or -polysulfides, mercaptosilanes, aminosilanes, silanes with unsaturated hydrocarbon groups, and silanes with large saturated hydrocarbon groups.",
"12. The mixture according to claim 6, wherein the ingredient comprises a rubber, and the mixture further contains at least one of: (i) at least one reagent, which masks functional groups of the particulate carbon material, wherein the reagent is selected from amines, glycols and organosilanes, (ii) carbon black, and (iii) at least one crosslinker.",
"13. The mixture according to claim 6, wherein the ingredient comprises a rubber, and a BET surface area of the particulate carbon material differs from the STSA by maximally 20%.",
"14. The mixture according to claim 6, wherein the ingredient comprises a rubber, and the particulate carbon material is produced by hydrothermal treatment of the renewable raw materials.",
"15. The mixture according to claim 6, wherein the ingredient comprises a rubber, and the particulate carbon material is not porous or has a pore volume of <0.1 cm3/g.",
"16. The mixture according to claim 6, wherein the ingredient comprises a rubber, and the rubber is selected from the group consisting of: natural rubber, styrene-butadiene copolymers (SBR), polybutadiene (BR), polyisoprene, isobutylene-isoprene copolymers, ethylene-propylene-diene copolymers, acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymers (NBR), chloroprene, fluorine rubber, acrylic rubber, and mixtures thereof.",
"17. The mixture according to one claim 6, wherein the ingredient comprises a rubber, and the rubber comprises at least two types of elastomers, and in which before combining the elastomer types, the particulate carbon material initially is separately incorporated into at least one of the elastomer types.",
"18. A method of manufacturing rubber articles comprising: processing the mixture according to claim 6, wherein the ingredient comprises a rubber; and forming one or more of the following articles: tires, tire treads, tire side walls, cable sheaths, hoses, drive belts, conveyor belts, roll coverings, shoe soles, buffers, sealing rings, profiles, and damping elements.",
"19. A rubber article comprising a vulcanized mixture according to claim 6, wherein the ingredient comprises a rubber, and wherein the rubber article is selected from tires except of pneumatic tires, tire treads, tire side walls, cable sheaths, hoses, drive belts, conveyor belts, roll coverings, shoe soles, buffers, sealing rings, profiles and damping elements.",
"20. A rubber article comprising a vulcanized mixture according to claim 7, wherein the ingredient comprises a rubber, wherein the rubber article is a pneumatic tire."
],
[
"1. A colloidal dispersion comprising:\na) a plurality of precious group metal nanoparticles selected from the group consisting of Pt, Pd, Au, Ag, Ru, Rh, 1 r, Os, alloys thereof, and mixtures thereof, wherein about 90% or more of the precious group metal is in fully reduced form;\nb) a dispersion medium comprising a polar solvent;\nc) a water-soluble polymer suspension stabilizing agent; and\nd) a reducing agent,\nwherein the nanoparticle concentration is at least about 2 wt. % of the total weight of the colloidal dispersion,\nwherein the nanoparticles have an average particle size of 1 to 8 nm and at least 95% of the nanoparticles have a particle size within this range;\nand further wherein the colloidal dispersion contains less than about 10 ppm each of halides, alkali metals, alkaline earth metals and sulfur compounds.",
"2. The colloidal dispersion of claim 1, wherein the precious group metal nanoparticles are selected from the group consisting of Pt, Pd, alloys thereof, and combinations thereof.",
"3. The colloidal dispersion of claim 1, wherein the water-soluble polymer suspension stabilizing agent is selected from the group consisting of polyvinylpyrrolidone, a copolymer comprising vinylpyrrolidone, a fatty acid-substituted or unsubstituted polyoxyethylene, and combinations thereof.",
"4. The colloidal dispersion of claim 1, wherein the reducing agent is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydrazine, hydroxyethylhydrazine, formic hydrazide, urea, formaldehyde, formic acid, ascorbic acid, citric acid, glucose, sucrose, xylitol, meso-erythritol, sorbitol, glycerol, maltitol, oxalic acid, methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, iso-propanol, 1-butanol, 2-butanol, 2-methyl-propan-1-ol, allyl alcohol, diacetone alcohol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, tannic acid, garlic acid, and combinations thereof.",
"5. The colloidal dispersion of claim 1, wherein the polar solvent is selected from the group consisting of water, alcohols, dimethylformamide, and combinations thereof.",
"6. The colloidal dispersion of claim 1, wherein the nanoparticles have an average particle size of 1 to 5 nm and at least 95% of the nanoparticles have a particle size within this range.",
"7. The colloidal dispersion of claim 1, wherein at least 95% of the nanoparticles have a particle size of within 50 percent of the average particle size.",
"8. The colloidal dispersion of claim 1, wherein the nanoparticle concentration is about 2 wt. % to about 80 wt. % of the total weight of the colloidal dispersion.",
"9. The colloidal dispersion of claim 1, wherein the dispersion is shelf stable for at least about six months at ambient temperature.",
"10. The colloidal dispersion of claim 1, where the nanoparticles are not separated from the colloidal dispersion when the dispersion is centrifuged at 4,000 rpm for 10 minutes at ambient temperature.",
"11. The colloidal dispersion of claim 1, wherein the plurality of precious group metal nanoparticles are selected from the group consisting of Pt, Pd, Ag, Ru, Rh, Ir, Os, alloys thereof, and mixtures thereof.",
"12. The colloidal dispersion of claim 1, wherein the plurality of precious group metal nanoparticles are selected from the group consisting of Pt, Pd, Ru, Rh, Ir, Os, alloys thereof, and mixtures thereof.",
"13. The colloidal dispersion of claim 1, wherein the nanoparticles have an average particle size of 1 to 6 nm and at least 95% of the nanoparticles have a particle size within this range.",
"14. A method of making a precious group metal nanoparticle colloidal dispersion of claim 1, comprising:\na) preparing a solution of precious group metal precursors selected from salts of Pt, Pd, Au, Ag, Ru, Rh, Ir, Os and alloys thereof in the presence of a dispersion medium and a water soluble polymer suspension stabilizing agent, wherein the precious group metal precursors contain less than about 10 ppm each of halides, alkali metals, alkaline earth metals and sulfur compounds; and\nb) combining the solution with a reducing agent to provide a precious group metal nanoparticle colloidal dispersion wherein the nanoparticle concentration is at least about 2 wt. % of the total weight of the colloidal dispersion and wherein at least about 90% of the precious group metal in the colloidal dispersion is in fully reduced form.",
"15. The method of claim 14, wherein the precious group metal precursors are salts of Pt, Pd, or alloys thereof.",
"16. The method of claim 14, wherein the precious group metal precursors are selected from the group consisting of alkanolamine salts, hydroxy salts, nitrates, carboxylic acid salts, ammonium salts, and oxides.",
"17. The method of claim 14, wherein the precious group metal precursors are selected from the group consisting of monoethanolamine Pt(IV) hexahydroxide, dihydrogen hexahydroxyplatinate, Pd(OH)2, Ir(OH)4, Rh nitrate, Pt nitrate, Pt citrate, Pd(II) nitrate, Pd(II) citrate, and Pd (II) ammonia hydroxide complex.",
"18. The method of claim 14, further comprising applying the nanoparticle dispersion to a solid support material.",
"19. The method of claim 18, wherein the solid support material is selected from the group consisting of silica, alumina, silica/alumina, titania, zirconia, CeO2, rare earth oxides, zeolites, clay materials, carbon, and combinations thereof.",
"20. The method of claim 14, for preparing a platinum nanoparticle dispersion,\nwherein step a) comprises: preparing a solution of platinum precursor in a dispersion medium, in the presence of a water soluble polymer suspension stabilizing agent, wherein the solution is substantially free of halides, alkali metals, alkaline earth metals and sulfur compounds; and\nstep b) comprises combining the solution with ethylene glycol as a reducing agent to provide a platinum nanoparticle colloidal dispersion, wherein the platinum nanoparticle concentration is at least about 2 wt. % of the total weight of the colloidal dispersion and wherein at least about 90% of the platinum in the colloidal dispersion is in fully reduced form, and wherein the platinum nanoparticles have an average particle size of 1 to 6 nm, wherein at least 95% of the nanoparticles have a particle size within this range.",
"21. The method of claim 20, wherein the platinum nanoparticles have an average particle size of 5 nm.",
"22. A catalyst comprising:\na) a solid support material; and\nb) precious metal group nanoparticles associated with the support material, wherein the nanoparticles are prepared according to the method of claim 14.",
"23. The catalyst of claim 22, wherein the solid support material is selected from the group consisting of silica, alumina, silica/alumina, titania, zirconia, CeO2, rare earth oxides, zeolites, clay materials, carbon, and combinations thereof."
],
[
"1. A dispersion comprising: a plurality of oxidized, discrete carbon nanotube fibers, wherein the discrete carbon nanotube fibers have an aspect ratio of 25 or more and are multiwall, and are present in the range of from about 1 to about 30% by weight based on the total weight of the dispersion, and an aqueous based fluid.",
"2. The dispersion of claim 1 wherein at least 70 percent by weight of the nanotube fibers are fully exfoliated.",
"3. The dispersion of claim 1 wherein at least 80 percent by weight of the nanotube fibers are fully exfoliated.",
"4. The dispersion of claim 1 wherein the nanotube fibers are further functionalized.",
"5. The dispersion of claim 1 wherein the carbon nanotube fibers comprise an oxidation level from about 3 weight percent to about 15 weight percent.",
"6. The dispersion of claim 1 wherein the oxidized, discrete carbon nanotubes comprise an oxidation species selected from carboxylic acid or derivative carbonyl containing species.",
"7. The dispersion of claim 4 wherein the further functionalization is selected from ketones, quaternary amines, amides, esters, acyl halogens, and monovalent metal salts.",
"8. The dispersion of claim 1 which further comprises at least one surfactant or dispersing aid.",
"9. The dispersion of claim 1, wherein the aqueous based fluid comprises water.",
"10. A composition for use in an aqueous dispersion comprising: a plurality of oxidized, discrete carbon nanotube fibers, wherein the oxidized discrete carbon nanotubes fibers have an aspect ratio of 25 or more, and are multiwalled.",
"11. The composition of claim 10 wherein at least 70 percent by weight of the carbon nanotube fibers are fully exfoliated.",
"12. The composition of claim 10 wherein at least 80 percent by weight of the carbon nanotube fibers are fully exfoliated.",
"13. The composition of claim 10 wherein the carbon nanotube fibers are further functionalized.",
"14. The composition of claim 10 wherein the carbon nanotube fibers comprise an oxidation level from about 3 weight percent to about 15 weight percent.",
"15. The composition of claim 10 wherein the oxidized, discrete carbon nanotube fibers comprise an oxidation species selected from carboxylic acid or derivative carbonyl containing species.",
"16. The composition of claim 13 wherein the further functionalization is selected from ketones, quaternary amines, amides, esters, acyl halogens, and monovalent metal salts."
],
[
"1. A concentrated dispersion of nanometric silver particles, the dispersion comprising:\n(a) a first solvent;\n(b) a plurality of nanometric silver particles, in which a majority of said particles are single-crystal silver particles, said plurality of nanometric silver particles having an average secondary particle size (d50) within a range of 30 to 300 nanometers, said particles disposed within said solvent; and\n(c) at least one dispersant,\nwherein a concentration of said nanometric silver particles within the concentrated dispersion is within a range of 30% to 75%, by weight,\nand wherein a concentration of said dispersant within the dispersion is within a range of 0.2% to 30% of said concentration of said nanometric silver particles, by weight.",
"2. The dispersion of claim 1, wherein said concentration of said dispersant within the dispersion is at most 20%, at most 15%, at most 10%, at most 7%, at most 5%, or at most 3%.",
"3. The dispersion of claim 1, wherein a viscosity of the dispersion, at 25° C., is less than 2000 cP, 1000 cP, 600 cP, 300 cP, 120 cP, 80 cP, 60 cP, 45 cP, 35 cP, 25 cP, or 20 cP.",
"5. The dispersion of claim 1, wherein at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, or at least 90% of said nanometric silver particles are said single-crystal silver particles.",
"6. The dispersion of claim 1, wherein said average secondary particle size is at most 250 nanometers, at most 200 nanometers, at most 150 nanometers, at most 120 nanometers, at most 100 nanometers, or at most 80 nanometers.",
"17. The dispersion of claim 1, wherein the concentrated dispersion contains at least 35%, at least 40%, at least 45%, at least 50%, or at least 55%, by weight, of said plurality of nanometric silver particles.",
"27. The dispersion of claim 1, produced according to a process comprising the steps of:\n(a) reacting at least one soluble silver compound with an alkali metal hydroxide in an aqueous medium, in a presence of a first dispersant, to produce silver oxide solids having an average secondary particle size below 1200 nanometers;\n(b) reacting said silver oxide solids with at least one reducing agent in an aqueous medium, in a presence of a second dispersant, to produce silver particles, the silver particles having an average secondary particle size below 1000 nanometers; and\n(c) providing said silver particles in the concentrated dispersion, said concentration of said nanometric silver particles being within a range of 30% to 75%, by weight.",
"28. The dispersion of claim 27, wherein said reducing agent includes, or consists substantially of, a reducing agent selected from the group consisting of peroxides and sodium borohydride.",
"29. The dispersion of claim 27, wherein said reducing agent includes, or consists substantially of, hydrogen peroxide.",
"30. The dispersion of claim 27, wherein at least one of said first dispersant and said second dispersant includes said PVP.",
"31. The dispersion of claim 27, wherein said second dispersant is added in sufficient quantity whereby said silver particles have an average secondary particle size of at most 250 nanometers, at most 200 nanometers, at most 150 nanometers, at most 100 nanometers, or at most 80 nanometers.",
"32. The dispersion of claim 27, wherein said first dispersant is added in sufficient quantity whereby said silver oxide solids have an average secondary particle size of at most 200 nanometers.",
"33. The dispersion of claim 27, wherein said alkali metal hydroxide and said soluble silver compound react in a stoichiometric ratio of said hydroxide to said soluble silver compound, and wherein quantities of said alkali metal hydroxide and said soluble silver compound are added in a particular ratio that is, at most, 1.2 times, 0.98 times, or 0.95 times said stoichiometric ratio.",
"34. The dispersion of claim 27, wherein, subsequent to step (b), said silver particles are washed and concentrated, whereby said aqueous medium is only partially removed from said particles, to form a concentrate.",
"35. A method for producing a dispersion of nanometric silver particles, the method comprising the steps of:\n(a) reacting at least one soluble silver compound with an alkali metal hydroxide in an aqueous medium, in a presence of a first dispersant, to produce silver oxide solids having an average secondary particle size below 1200 nanometers;\n(b) reacting said silver oxide solids with at least one reducing agent in an aqueous medium, in a presence of a second dispersant, to produce a first dispersion of silver particles, the silver particles having an average secondary particle size below 300 nanometers; and\n(c) removing at least a portion of said aqueous medium from the particles to produce the dispersion.",
"36. The method of claim 35, further comprising the step of concentrating the particles to form a second dispersion, concentrated with respect to said first dispersion.",
"37. The method of claim 36, said second dispersion having a concentration of at least 10%, and less than 75%, by weight.",
"38. The method of claim 35, wherein step (c) includes washing and concentrating the silver particles, whereby the aqueous medium is partially removed from the particles, to form a concentrate, the concentrate containing most of the silver particles.",
"39. The method of claim 35, further comprising the step of replacing most of said aqueous medium by at least one volatile organic solvent.",
"40. The method of claim 39, further comprising the step of replacing most of said volatile organic solvent by at least one additional organic solvent."
],
[
"1. A concentrated dispersion of nanometric silver particles, the dispersion comprising:\n(a) a first solvent;\n(b) a plurality of nanometric silver particles, in which a majority of said particles are single-crystal silver particles, said plurality of nanometric silver particles having an average secondary particle size (d50) within a range of 30 to 250 nanometers, said particles disposed within said solvent, wherein at least one of the following is true of said plurality of nanometric silver particles: (i) at least 50% of a group of at least 10 randomly-selected EBSD scans produce a substantially perfect match for a single crystal, (ii) more than 50% of the silver particles, based on the number of silver particles, are single crystal silver particles; and\n(c) at least one dispersant,\nwherein a concentration of said nanometric silver particles within the concentrated dispersion is within a range of 30% to 75%, by weight,\nand wherein a concentration of said dispersant within the dispersion is within a range of 0.2% to 30% of said concentration of said nanometric silver particles, by weight.",
"2. The dispersion of claim 1, wherein said concentration of said dispersant within the dispersion is at most 20%.",
"3. The dispersion of claim 1, wherein said average secondary particle size is at least 60 nanometers.",
"4. The dispersion of claim 1, wherein said average secondary particle size is at least 40 nanometers.",
"5. The dispersion of claim 1, wherein at least 60% of said nanometric silver particles are said single-crystal silver particles.",
"6. The dispersion of claim 1, wherein said average secondary particle size is at most 200 nanometers.",
"7. The dispersion of claim 1, wherein said at least one dispersant is selected from the group of dispersants consisting of a polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), gum arabic, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyacrylic acid (PAA), polyallylamine (PAAm), polysodium styrene sulfonate (PSS), 3-(aminopropyl) trimethoxysilane (APS), a fatty acid, lauryl amine, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), and tetraoctylammonium bromide (TOAB).",
"8. The dispersion of claim 7, wherein said dispersant includes PVP, and wherein an average molecular weight of said PVP is within a range of 10,000 gram/mole to 1,600,000 gram/mole.",
"9. The dispersion of claim 1, wherein said first solvent includes water.",
"10. The dispersion of claim 1, wherein said first solvent includes an alcohol.",
"35. A method for producing a dispersion of nanometric silver particles, the method comprising the steps of:\n(a) reacting at least one soluble silver compound with an alkali metal hydroxide in an aqueous medium, in a presence of a first dispersant, to produce silver oxide solids having an average secondary particle size below 1200 nanometers;\n(b) reacting said silver oxide solids with at least one reducing agent in an aqueous medium, in a presence of a second dispersant, to produce a first dispersion of silver particles, the silver particles having an average secondary particle size below 300 nanometers; and\n(c) removing at least a portion of said aqueous medium of step (b) from the silver particles to produce the dispersion;\nwherein said alkali metal hydroxide and said at least one soluble silver compound react in a stoichiometric ratio of said alkali metal hydroxide to said at least one soluble silver compound, and wherein quantities of said alkali metal hydroxide and said at least one soluble silver compound are added to said aqueous medium in a particular ratio that is at most 0.98 moles of said alkali metal hydroxide to one mole of said at least one soluble silver compound;\nwherein a concentration of said silver particles within said first dispersion is within a range of 0.5% to 5%, by weight of said first dispersion;\nand wherein more than 50% by weight of the nanometric silver particles are single-crystal silver particles.",
"36. The method of claim 35, further comprising the step of further concentrating the silver particles within the dispersion of the nanometric silver particles produced in step (c), to form a second dispersion.",
"37. The method of claim 36, said second dispersion having a concentration of at least 10%, and less than 75%, by weight.",
"38. The method of claim 35, wherein step (c) includes washing and concentrating the silver particles, whereby the aqueous medium is partially removed from the silver particles, to form a concentrate, the concentrate containing most of the silver particles.",
"40. The method of claim 35, further comprising the step of replacing most of said volatile organic solvent by at least one additional organic solvent.",
"41. The method of claim 35, wherein a concentration of said nanometric silver particles within the dispersion is within a range of 30% to 75%, by weight.",
"42. The method of claim 35, wherein a concentration of said dispersant within the dispersion is within a range of 0.2% to 30% of said concentration of said nanometric silver particles, by weight.",
"43. The method of claim 35, wherein a concentration of said dispersant is at least 0.2%, by weight, of said concentration of said particles of and is at most 10%, at most 7%, at most 5%, at most 4%, or at most 3% of said concentration of said particles, by weight.",
"44. The method of claim 35, wherein the dispersion has been aged for at least 6 months, at least 9 months, at least 12 months, at least 18 months, or at least 24 months.",
"45. The method of claim 44, wherein said reacting said silver oxide solids is performed in the presence of a second dispersant, and wherein an excess of said second dispersant is removed in step (c)."
],
[
"1. A method of preparing a polyester containing dispersant by reacting a pre-made polyester with a multi-amine species comprising the steps of:\na) preparing a polyester having a single carboxylic acid terminal group and 3 to 43 ester repeat units on average in each chain;\nb) converting at least 10 mole % of carboxylic acid terminal groups on said polyester to anhydride functionality by reacting with a dehydrating agent which is an anhydride of two carboxylic acid molecules of 2 to 5 carbon atoms; and\nc) reacting the reaction product of step b) with a multi-amine species at a temperature of 100° C. or less to create a multi-amine with pendant polyester chains thereon.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein said step b) includes reacting said polyester with dehydrating agent selected from the group of acetic anhydride, propionic anhydride, and butyric anhydride at a temperature between 100° C. and 199° C.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein said polyester with a single carboxylic acid terminal group is of the formula\n\nR1—[OR3—C(═O)]n—OH\nwherein:\nR1 is H— or R2C(═O)—;\nR2 is a branched or linear, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon chain containing between 1 and 25 carbons atoms;\nR3 is a branched or linear, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon chain containing between 1 and 25 carbons atoms or —R4—OC(═O)R5;\nR4 is a branched or linear, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon chain containing between 2 and 30 carbons atoms;\nR5 is a branched or linear, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon chain containing between 1 and 20 carbons atoms; and\nn is between 3 and 43.",
"4. The method of claim 3, wherein at least 10 mole % of the R3 units are linear or branched alkyl groups of 1 to 5 carbon atoms.",
"5. The method of claim 3, wherein at least 5 mole % of the R3 units are linear or branched alkyl groups of 4 and/or 5 carbon atoms.",
"6. The method of claim 3, wherein at least 10 mole % of the R3 units are linear or branched alkyl groups of 6 to 17 carbon atoms.",
"7. The method of claim 3, wherein at least 5 mole % of the R3 units are linear or branched alkyl groups of 1 or 2 carbon atoms.",
"8. The method of claim 3, further comprising a step where i) one more primary or secondary amines groups of said multi-amine species or the dispersant containing a multi-amine species are reacted with (a) an isocyanate, lactone, epoxy, anhydride, cyclic carbonate, (meth)acrylate via Michael addition reaction, and/or a polymeric species having a group that reacts with a primary or secondary amine to form a salt or covalent bond; (b) an oxidizing species that could convert the amine group to a nitric oxide; and/or (c) a salification agent; or ii) a tertiary amine group of said multi-amine species or the dispersant containing the multi-amine species is reacted with a quaternization agent to form a quaternized amine group.",
"9. A dispersant comprising the reaction product of the method of claim 3.",
"10. A coating, paint, ink or plastic comprising the dispersant of claim 9.",
"11. The method of claim 1, wherein said polyester comprises from 1 to 50 mole % of at least one di-hydroxy compound.",
"12. The method of claim 11, wherein the at least one di-hydroxy compound comprises at least one of 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)butyric acid or 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)propionic acid.",
"13. The method of claim 3, wherein R4 is a branched or linear, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon chain containing between 2 and 30 carbons atoms, which contains 1 or more ether linkages."
],
[
"1. A spray dried emulsifier comprising an alkali metal salt or an alkaline earth metal salt of a carboxylic acid terminated fatty amine condensate, wherein the carboxylic acid terminated fatty amine condensate comprises a reaction product of a fatty acid amine condensate and:\n(1) a polycarboxylic acid,\n(2) a carboxylic acid anhydride, or\n(3) a polycarboxylic acid and a carboxylic acid anhydride.",
"2. The spray dried emulsifier of claim 1, wherein the carboxylic acid terminated fatty amine condensate comprises a reaction product of the fatty acid amine condensate and the polycarboxylic acid.",
"3. The spray dried emulsifier of claim 2, wherein the polycarboxylic acid comprises succinic acid or adipic acid.",
"4. The spray dried emulsifier of claim 2, wherein the polycarboxylic acid comprises succinic acid.",
"5. The spray dried emulsifier of claim 1, wherein the carboxylic acid terminated fatty amine condensate comprises a reaction product of the fatty acid amine condensate and the carboxylic acid anhydride.",
"6. The spray dried emulsifier of claim 5, wherein the carboxylic acid anhydride comprises succinic anhydride.",
"7. The spray dried emulsifier of claim 1, further comprising an alkali metal salt of a modified tall oil, an alkaline earth metal salt of a modified tall oil, or a mixture thereof.",
"8. The spray dried emulsifier of claim 7, wherein the spray dried emulsifier comprises the alkali metal salt of the modified tall oil, and wherein the modified tall oil is prepared by reacting a tall oil distillate component and a second component comprising:\nan unsaturated polycarboxylic acid,\nan unsaturated carboxylic anhydride, or\nan unsaturated polycarboxylic acid and an unsaturated carboxylic anhydride.",
"9. The spray dried emulsifier of claim 7, wherein the spray dried emulsifier comprises the alkaline earth metal salt of the modified tall oil, and wherein the modified tall oil is prepared by reacting a tall oil distillate component and a second component comprising:\nan unsaturated polycarboxylic acid,\nan unsaturated carboxylic anhydride, or\nan unsaturated polycarboxylic acid and an unsaturated carboxylic anhydride.",
"10. The spray dried emulsifier of claim 7, wherein the spray dried emulsifier has an average particle size of about 1 μm to about 150 μm, a bulk density of about 0.24 g/ml to about 0.56 g/ml, and a residual moisture content of less than 10 wt %.",
"11. A method for making a spray dried emulsifier, comprising:\nneutralizing an emulsifier comprising a carboxylic acid terminated fatty amine condensate to produce a neutralized emulsifier comprising an alkali metal salt or an alkaline earth metal salt of the carboxylic acid terminated fatty amine condensate, wherein the carboxylic acid terminated fatty amine condensate comprises a reaction product of a fatty acid amine condensate and:\n(1) a polycarboxylic acid,\n(2) a carboxylic acid anhydride, or\n(3) a polycarboxylic acid and a carboxylic acid anhydride; and\nspray drying the neutralized emulsifier to produce a spray dried emulsifier comprising the alkali metal salt or the alkaline earth metal salt of the carboxylic acid terminated fatty amine condensate.",
"12. The method of claim 11, wherein the carboxylic acid terminated fatty amine condensate comprises a reaction product of the fatty acid amine condensate and the polycarboxylic acid, and wherein the polycarboxylic acid comprises succinic acid or adipic acid.",
"13. The method of claim 11, wherein the carboxylic acid terminated fatty amine condensate comprises a reaction product of the fatty acid amine condensate and the carboxylic acid anhydride, and wherein the carboxylic acid anhydride comprises succinic anhydride.",
"14. The method of claim 11, wherein the neutralized emulsifier further comprises an alkali metal salt of a modified tall oil, an alkaline earth metal salt of a modified tall oil, or a mixture thereof.",
"15. The method of claim 11, wherein the emulsifier is neutralized at a temperature of about 50° C. to about 100° C., and wherein the neutralized emulsifier is spray dried at a temperature of about 1 80° C. to about 250° C.",
"16. The method of claim 11, wherein emulsifier further comprises a modified tall oil, and wherein a weight ratio of the carboxylic acid terminated fatty amine condensate to the modified tall oil is about 2:3 to about 1:4.",
"17. A method for making an invert emulsion drilling fluid, comprising:\ncombining an oil component, a water component, and the spray dried emulsifier of claim 1 to produce an invert emulsion.",
"18. The method of claim 17, wherein the carboxylic acid terminated fatty amine condensate comprises a reaction product of the fatty acid amine condensate and the polycarboxylic acid, and wherein the polycarboxylic acid comprises succinic acid or adipic acid.",
"19. The method of claim 17, wherein the carboxylic acid terminated fatty amine condensate comprises a reaction product of the fatty acid amine condensate and the carboxylic acid anhydride, and wherein the carboxylic acid anhydride comprises succinic anhydride.",
"20. The method of claim 17, wherein the spray dried emulsifier further comprises an alkali metal salt of a modified tall oil, an alkaline earth metal salt of a modified tall oil, or a mixture thereof.",
"21. The spray dried emulsifier of claim 2, wherein the polycarboxylic acid comprises one or more of succinic acid, adipic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, phthalic acid, trans-2-hexenedioic acid, trans-3-hexenedioic acid, cis-3-octenedioic acid, cis-4-octenedioic acid, and trans-3-octenedioic acid."
],
[
"1. An emulsification dispersant comprising:\na biopolymer disintegrated into single globular particles,\nwherein, when the biopolymer is disintegrated into the single globular particles, an average particle size of the single globular particles in the emulsification dispersant is at most 800 nm.",
"2. The emulsification dispersant according to claim 1, wherein, when the biopolymer is disintegrated into the single globular particles, the average particle size of the single globular particles in the emulsification dispersant is at least 50 nm.",
"3. The emulsification dispersant according to claim 1, wherein, when the biopolymer is disintegrated into the single globular particles, the average particle size of the single globular particles in the emulsification dispersant is at least 200 nm.",
"4. The emulsification dispersant according to claim 1, wherein, when the biopolymer is disintegrated into the single globular particles, a concentration of the single globular particles in the emulsification dispersant is at most 20 wt %.",
"5. The emulsification dispersant according to claim 4, wherein, when the biopolymer is disintegrated into the single globular particles, the concentration of the single globular particles in the emulsification dispersant is at least 0.04 wt %.",
"6. The emulsification dispersant according to claim 4, wherein, when the biopolymer is disintegrated into the single globular particles, the concentration of the single globular particles in the emulsification dispersant is at least 5 wt %.",
"7. The emulsification dispersant according to claim 1, wherein the biopolymer is from the group consisting of a polysaccharide, a phospholipid, a polyester, and a chitosan.",
"8. The emulsification dispersant according to claim 7, wherein the biopolymer is a microbially produced biopolymer.",
"9. The emulsification dispersant according to claim 7, wherein the polysaccharide is a microbially produced polysaccharide.",
"10. The emulsification dispersant according to claim 7, wherein the polysaccharide is a naturally-derived polysaccharide.",
"11. An emulsion formed by mixing an oil component with the emulsification dispersant according to claim 1.",
"12. The emulsion according to claim 11, wherein, when the emulsion is formed, a weight ratio of the oil component and the emulsification dispersant is 1 to 1000.",
"13. The emulsion according to claim 11, wherein, when the emulsion is formed, a weight ratio of the oil component and the emulsification dispersant is 50 to 2000.",
"14. The emulsion according to claim 11, wherein, when the emulsion is formed, an average particle size of the single globular particles in the emulsion is at most 500 nm.",
"15. The emulsion according to claim 14, wherein, when the emulsion is formed, the average particle size of the single globular particles in the emulsion is at least 5 nm.",
"16. The emulsion according to claim 14, wherein, when the emulsion is formed, the average particle size of the single globular particles in the emulsion is at least 8 nm.",
"17. The emulsion according to claim 11, wherein, when the emulsion is formed, water below a designated temperature is added to a mixture of the oil component and the emulsification dispersant.",
"18. The emulsion according to claim 17, wherein the designated temperature is 60° C."
],
[
"1. A surfactant, comprising a block copolymer including a perfluorinated polyether (PFPE) block coupled to a polyethylene glycol (PEG) block via an amide bond, wherein the PFPE block comprises a formula of F(CF(CF3)CF2O)x—CF(CF3)CONH—, wherein x is an integer greater than or equal to 8; and the PEG block comprises a formula of—(CnH2n O)y—or —(CnH2nO)y—CH3, wherein n is a positive integer and y is an integer greater than or equal to 10.",
"2. The surfactant of claim 1, wherein the surfactant comprises one block of PFPE and one block of PEG.",
"3. The surfactant of claim 1, wherein the surfactant comprises two blocks of PFPE and one block of PEG.",
"4. A composition comprising the surfactant of claim 1.",
"5. The composition of claim 4, further comprising a hydrophobic liquid.",
"6. The composition of claim 4, further comprising an aqueous liquid.",
"7. The composition of claim 4, further comprising a fluorinated oil and an aqueous liquid.",
"8. The composition of claim 7, wherein the aqueous liquid additionally comprises biological molecules.",
"9. The composition of claim 8, wherein the biological molecules comprise nucleic acids.",
"10. A method of forming aqueous droplets, comprising:\nproviding a microfluidic device;\nproviding an aqueous liquid to the microfluidic device;\nproviding a fluorinated liquid to the microfluidic device;\nproviding a surfactant comprising a block copolymer that includes a perfluorinated polyether (PFPE) block coupled to a polyethylene glycol (PEG) block via an amide bond, and comprises a formula —(CnF2nO)x—(CmF2m)y—CONH— wherein n, m, x, and y are positive integers; and\nforming aqueous droplets in the fluorinated liquid in the presence of the surfactant.",
"11. The method of claim 10, wherein the microfluidic device comprises a first channel intersecting a second channel at a junction.",
"12. The method of claim 11, wherein the aqueous liquid flows in the first channel and the fluorinated liquid flows in the second channel.",
"13. The method of claim 12, wherein the aqueous droplets are formed at the junction.",
"14. The method of claim 13, wherein the microfluidic device includes a nozzle, and the droplets form after the aqueous and fluorinated liquids pass through the nozzle.",
"15. The method of claim 10, wherein the aqueous droplets comprise biological molecules.",
"16. The method of claim 15, wherein the biological molecules comprise nucleic acids.",
"17. The method of claim 10, wherein the aqueous droplets comprise buffers, salts, nutrients, therapeutic agents, drugs, hormones, antibodies, analgesics, anticoagulants, anti-inflammatory compounds, antimicrobial compositions, cytokines, growth factors, interferons, lipids, polymers, polysaccharides, polypeptides, protease inhibitors, cells, RNA, DNA, vasoconstrictors, vasodilators, vitamins, minerals, or stabilizers.",
"18. The method of claim 10, wherein the aqueous droplets comprise fluorescent molecules.",
"19. The method of claim 10, wherein the surfactant comprises the formula —(CF(CF3)CF2O)x—CF(CF3)CONH—, wherein x is greater than or equal to 8.",
"20. A method of forming aqueous droplets, comprising:\nproviding a microfluidic device;\nproviding an aqueous liquid to the microfluidic device;\nproviding a fluorinated liquid to the microfluidic device;\nproviding a surfactant of claim 1, and\nforming aqueous droplets in the fluorinated liquid in the presence of the surfactant."
],
[
"1. A dispersant based on polyamines or polyimines each having primary amino groups, wherein the polyamines or polyimines contain a first side chain based on two or more poly(oxy-C1-6-alkylenecarbonyl) compounds (A) selected from the group consisting of glycolic acid, lactic acid, hydroxyvaleric acid, hydroxycaproic acid, β-propiolactone, γ-butyrolactone, δ-valerolactone, and ε-caprolactone and a second side chain wherein the second side chain is the reaction product of a primary amino group on the polyamine or polyimine with an alkyl acid (B) selected from the group consisting of acetic, methoxyacetic, propionic, pentanoic, hexanoic, caprylic, capric, lauric, ricinoleic, stearic acid and hydroxystearic acid wherein the molar ratio of the sum total of the poly(oxy-C1-6-alkylenecarbonyl) compounds (A) and alkyl acids (B) to primary amino groups of the polyamines or polyimines is less than 1.",
"2. The dispersant according to claim 1, wherein the at least two or more polymers based on poly(oxy-C1-6-alkylenecarbonyl) compounds are selected from the group consisting of δ-valerolactone and ε-caprolactone.",
"3. The dispersant according to claim 1, wherein the dispersant has a ratio of amine number to acid number of >20.",
"4. The dispersants according to claim 3, wherein the polyimine is a polyethyleneimine.",
"5. The dispersant according to claim 4, wherein the mean molecular weight (Mw) of the polyethyleneimine is between 200 and 600 000 g/mol.",
"6. The dispersant according to claim 5, wherein the dispersant has an acid number of <10 mg KOH/g.",
"7. The dispersant according to claim 1, wherein the dispersant has a ratio of amine number to acid number of >10.",
"8. A method for preparing dispersants according to claim 1, comprising the reaction of polyamines or polyimines each comprising primary amino groups, with at least two or more polymers based on poly(oxy-C1-6-alkylenecarbonyl) compounds (A) selected from the group consisting of glycolic acid, lactic acid, hydroxyvaleric acid, hydroxycaproic acid, β-propiolactone, γ-butyrolactone, δ-valerolactone, and ε-caprolactone and alkyl acids (B) selected from the group consisting of acetic, methoxyacetic, propionic, pentanoic, hexanoic, caprylic, capric, lauric, ricinoleic, stearic acid and hydroxystearic acid, wherein an amidation of alkyl acids (B) with the polyamines or polyimines takes place, wherein the molar ratio of the sum total of poly(oxy-C1-6-alkylenecarbonyl) compounds (A) and alkyl acids (B) to primary amino groups of the polyamines or polyimines is less than 1.",
"9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the molar ratio between the two or more different poly(oxy-C1-6-alkylenecarbonyl) chains (A) and the alkyl acids (B) is between 90/10 and 10/90, and wherein the poly(oxy-C1-6-alkylenecarbonyl) compounds (A) are homopolymers and wherein the homopolymers have different chain lengths.",
"10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the polymers are prepared separately or in situ by polymerization of the homopolymers and then used for the reaction with polyamines or polyimines and alkyl acids (B).",
"11. The method according to claim 8, wherein the least two or more polymers based on poly(oxy-C1-6-alkylenecarbonyl) compounds are selected from the group consisting of δ-valerolactone and ε-caprolactone.",
"12. The method according to claim 8, wherein the alkyl acids (B) correspond to the polymerization initiator for preparation of the at least two or more polymers based on poly(oxy-C1-6-alkylenecarbonyl) compounds and are selected from the group of acetic, methoxyacetic, propionic, pentanoic, hexanoic, lauric, ricinoleic and stearic acid.",
"13. The method according to claim 10, wherein the polyimine is a polyethyleneimine.",
"14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the mean molecular weight (Mw) of the polyethyleneimine is between 200 and 600 000 g/mol.",
"15. The composition comprising a particulate solid and a dispersant according to claim 1.",
"16. A method of making an article selected from the group consisting of dispersions, millbases, inks or printing ink, the method comprising the step of making the article with the composition according to claim 15."
],
[
"1. A polyurethane-based binder dispersion, comprising:\nwater; and\na polyurethane dispersed in the water, the polyurethane having been formed from:\na polyisocyanate;\na polyol having a chain with two hydroxyl functional groups at one end of the chain and no hydroxyl groups at an opposed end of the chain, and having a number average molecular weight ranging from about 500 to about 5,000;\nan alcohol or a diol or an amine having a number average molecular weight less than 500; and one of\ni) a carboxylic acid;\nii) a sulfonate or sulfonic acid having one amino functional group;\niii) a combination of i and ii;\niv) a combination of i and a homopolymer or copolymer of poly(ethylene glycol) having one or two hydroxyl functional groups or one or two amino functional groups at one end of its chain;\nv) a combination of ii and a homopolymer or copolymer of poly(ethylene glycol) having one or two hydroxyl functional groups or one or two amino functional groups at one end of its chain; or\nvi) a combination of i, ii, and a homopolymer or copolymer of poly(ethylene glycol) having one or two hydroxyl functional groups or one or two amino functional groups at one end of its chain.",
"2. The polyurethane-based binder dispersion as defined in claim 1 wherein the sulfonate or sulfonic acid having the one amino functional group has, at most, one hydroxyl functional group in addition to the sulfonate or sulfonic acid.",
"3. The polyurethane-based binder dispersion as defined in claim 2 wherein the sulfonate or sulfonic acid is selected from the group consisting of taurine, 4-Aminotoluene-3-sulfonic acid, Aniline-2-sulfonic acid, Sulfanilic acid, 4-Amino-1-naphthalenesulfonic acid, 3-Amino-4-hydroxybenzenesulfonic acid, 2-Amino-1-naphthalenesulfonic acid, 5-Amino-2-methoxybenzenesulfonic acid, 2-(Cyclohexylamino)ethanesulfonic acid, and 3-Amino-1-propanesulfonic acid.",
"4. The polyurethane-based binder dispersion as defined in claim 1 wherein:\nthe polyol is formed from a free radical polymerization of a monomer in the presence of a mercaptan including two hydroxyl functional groups or two carboxylic functional groups;\nthe monomer is selected from the group consisting of an alkylester of acrylic acid, an alkylester of methacrylic acid, an acid group containing monomer, acrylamide, an acrylamide derivative, methacrylamide, a methacrylamide derivative, styrene, a styrene derivative, acrylonitrile, vinylidene chloride, a fluorine containing acrylate, a fluorine containing methacrylate, a siloxane containing acrylate, a siloxane containing methacrylate, vinyl acetate, N-vinylpyrrolidone, and combinations thereof; and\nthe mercaptan is selected from the group consisting of 1,2-propanediol (thioglycerol), 1-mercapto-1,1-ethanediol, 2-mercapto-1,3-propanediol, 2-mercapto-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol, 2-mercapto-2-ethyl-1,3-propanediol, 1-mercapto-2,3-propanediol, 2-mercaptoethyl-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol, and thioglycolic acid.",
"5. The polyurethane-based binder dispersion as defined in claim 4 wherein:\nthe alkylester of acrylic acid or the alkylester of methacrylic acid is selected from the group consisting of methyl (meth)acrylate, ethyl (meth)acrylate, n-butyl (meth)acrylate, tetrahydrofuryl (meth)acrylate, t-butyl (meth)acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl (meth)acrylate, hexyl (meth)acrylate, cyclohexyl (meth)acrylate, phenyl (meth)acrylate, benzyl (meth)acrylate, 2-aziridinylethyl (meth)acrylate, aminomethyl acrylate, aminoethyl acrylate, aminopropyl (meth)acrylate, amino-n-butyl(meth)acrylate, N,N-dimethylaminoethyl(meth)acrylate, N,N-dimethylaminopropyl (meth)acrylate, N,N-diethylaminoethyl (meth)acrylate, and N,N-diethylaminopropyl (meth)acrylate; or\nthe acid group containing monomer is selected from the group consisting of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, carboxyethyl (meth)acrylate, 2-(meth)acryloyl propionic acid, crotonic acid, and itaconic acid; or\nthe acrylamide derivative or the methacrylamide derivative is selected from the group consisting of hydroxyethylacrylamide, N,N-methylol(meth)acrylamide, N-butoxymethyl (meth)acrylamide, and N-isobutoxymethyl (meth)acrylamide; or\nthe styrene derivative is selected from the group consisting of alpha-methyl styrene, p-aminostyrene, and 2-vinylpyridine.",
"6. The polyurethane-based binder dispersion as defined in claim 4 wherein one of:\nthe monomer includes methyl methacrylate and butyl acrylate in a ratio of 1:1 and the mercaptan includes 10 wt % thioglycerol;\nthe monomer includes methyl methacrylate and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate in a ratio of 3:1 and the mercaptan includes 5 wt % thioglycerol;\nthe monomer includes methyl methacrylate and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate in a ratio of 1:1 and the mercaptan includes 5 wt % thioglycerol;\nthe monomer includes methyl methacrylate and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate in a ratio of 9:1 and the mercaptan includes 5 wt % thioglycerol;\nthe monomer includes methyl methacrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, and methacrylic acid in a ratio of 5:4:1 and the mercaptan includes 5 wt % thioglycerol;\nthe monomer includes methyl methacrylate and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate in a ratio of 1:1 and the mercaptan includes 10 wt % thioglycerol;\nthe monomer includes methyl methacrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, and methacrylic acid in a ratio of 10:8:3 and the mercaptan includes 5 wt % thioglycerol;\nthe monomer includes methyl methacrylate and t-butyl acrylate in a ratio of 1:1 and the mercaptan includes 5 wt % thioglycerol;\nthe monomer includes t-butyl methacrylate and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate in a ratio of 1:1 and the mercaptan includes 5 wt % thioglycerol;\nthe monomer includes benzyl (meth)acrylate and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate in a ratio of 1:1 and the mercaptan includes 5 wt % thioglycerol;\nthe monomer includes styrene and butyl acrylate in a ratio of 1:1 and the mercaptan includes 5 wt % thioglycerol;\nthe monomer includes vinyl acetate and butyl acrylate in a ratio of 1:1 and the mercaptan includes 5 wt % thioglycerol;\nthe monomer includes cyclohexyl methacrylate and butyl acrylate in a ratio of 1:1 and the mercaptan includes 5 wt % thioglycerol; or\nthe monomer includes tetrahydrofuryl methacrylate and butyl acrylate in a ratio of 1:1 and the mercaptan includes 5 wt % thioglycerol.",
"7. The polyurethane-based binder dispersion as defined in claim 1 wherein the polyurethane is formed from one of iv, v, or vi, and wherein the homopolymer or copolymer of poly(ethylene glycol) having one or two hydroxyl functional groups or one or two amino functional groups at one end of its chain is present in an amount ranging from greater than 5 wt % to about 20 wt % based on a total wt % of the polyurethane.",
"8. The polyurethane-based binder dispersion as defined in claim 7 wherein the homopolymer or copolymer of poly(ethylene glycol) has a number average molecular weight (Mn) ranging from about 500 to about 5000 and a water solubility greater than 30% v/v, and wherein the homopolymer or copolymer of poly(ethylene glycol) is one of:\na poly(ethylene glycol) copolymer selected from the group consisting of a copolymer of poly(ethylene) and poly(ethylene glycol) with the one hydroxyl functional group, a copolymer of poly(propylene glycol) and poly(ethylene glycol) with the one hydroxyl functional group, and a copolymer of poly(ethylene glycol) and poly(propylene glycol) with the one amino functional group; or\na poly(ethylene glycol) homopolymer selected from the group consisting of monoamine terminated poly(ethylene glycol), poly(ethylene glycol) monoethyl ether, poly(ethylene glycol) monopropyl ether, poly(ethylene glycol) monobutyl ether, poly(ethylene glycol) monomethyl ether, and two hydroxyl terminated at one end poly(ethylene glycol).",
"9. The polyurethane-based binder dispersion as defined in claim 1 wherein:\nthe polyisocyanate is present in an amount ranging from about 20 wt % to about 50 wt % based on a total wt % of the polyurethane;\nthe polyol having the chain with two hydroxyl functional groups at the one end of the chain and no hydroxyl groups at the opposed end of the chain is present in an amount ranging from about 10 wt % to about 70 wt % based on the total wt % of the polyurethane;\nthe alcohol or diol or amine having the number average molecular weight less than 500 is present in an amount ranging from greater than 0 wt % to about 20 wt %; and when included:\nthe carboxylic acid is present in an amount ranging from greater than 0 wt % to about 10 wt %;\nthe sulfonate or sulfonic acid is present in an amount ranging from greater than 2 wt % to about 20 wt % based on the total wt % of the polyurethane; and\nthe homopolymer or copolymer of poly(ethylene glycol) is present in an amount ranging from greater than 5 wt % to about 20 wt % based on the total wt % of the polyurethane.",
"10. The polyurethane-based binder dispersion as defined in claim 1 wherein the alcohol or the diol or the amine having the number average molecular weight less than 500 is the alcohol selected from the group consisting of 1,4-butanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, 1,4-cyclohexanediol, cyclohexane-1,4-dimethanol, Bisphenol A ethoxylate, and Bisphenol A propoxylate.",
"11. An inkjet ink, comprising:\nwater;\na colorant;\na co-solvent;\na surfactant; and\na polyurethane binder, the polyurethane binder having been formed from:\na polyisocyanate;\na polyol having a chain with two hydroxyl functional groups at one end of the chain and no hydroxyl groups at an opposed end of the chain and having a number average molecular weight ranging from about 500 to about 5,000;\nan alcohol or a diol or an amine having a number average molecular weight less than 500; and one of\ni) a carboxylic acid;\nii) a sulfonate or sulfonic acid having one amino functional group;\niii) a combination of i and ii;\niv) a combination of i and a homopolymer or copolymer of poly(ethylene glycol) having one or two hydroxyl functional groups or one or two amino functional groups at one end of its chain;\nv) a combination of ii and a homopolymer or copolymer of poly(ethylene glycol) having one or two hydroxyl functional groups or one or two amino functional groups at one end of its chain; or\nvi) a combination of i, ii, and a homopolymer or copolymer of poly(ethylene glycol) having one or two hydroxyl functional groups or one or two amino functional group at one end of its chain.",
"12. The inkjet ink as defined in claim 11 wherein the sulfonate or sulfonic acid having the one amino functional group has, at most, one hydroxyl functional group in addition to the sulfonate or sulfonic acid.",
"13. The inkjet ink as defined in claim 12 wherein the sulfonate or sulfonic acid is selected from the group consisting of taurine, 4-Aminotoluene-3-sulfonic acid, Aniline-2-sulfonic acid, Sulfanilic acid, 4-Amino-1-naphthalenesulfonic acid, 3-Amino-4-hydroxybenzenesulfonic acid, 2-Amino-1-naphthalenesulfonic acid, 5-Amino-2-methoxybenzenesulfonic acid, 2-(Cyclohexylamino)ethanesulfonic acid, and 3-Amino-1-propanesulfonic acid.",
"14. The inkjet ink as defined in claim 11 wherein:\nthe polyol is formed from a free radical polymerization of a monomer in the presence of a mercaptan including two hydroxyl functional groups or two carboxylic functional groups;\nthe monomer is selected from the group consisting of an alkylester of acrylic acid, an alkylester of methacrylic acid, an acid group containing monomer, acrylamide, an acrylamide derivative, methacrylamide, a methacrylamide derivative, styrene, a styrene derivative, acrylonitrile, vinylidene chloride, a fluorine containing acrylate, a fluorine containing methacrylate, a siloxane containing acrylate, a siloxane containing methacrylate, vinyl acetate, N-vinylpyrrolidone, and combinations thereof; and\nthe mercaptan is selected from the group consisting of 1,2-propanediol (thioglycerol), 1-mercapto-1,1-ethanediol, 2-mercapto-1,3-propanediol, 2-mercapto-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol, 2-mercapto-2-ethyl-1,3-propanediol, 1-mercapto-2,3-propanediol, 2-mercaptoethyl-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol, and thioglycolic acid.",
"15. An inkjet ink set, comprising:\na pre-treatment fixing fluid, including:\ncalcium propionate present in an amount ranging from greater than 4.5 to about 8.0 wt % based on a total wt % of the pre-treatment fixing fluid;\ncalcium pantothenate present in an amount ranging from about 2.0 wt % to equal to or less than 15 wt % based on the total wt % of the pre-treatment fixing fluid;\ntetraethylene glycol;\na surfactant;\nan acid present in an amount sufficient to render a pH of the pre-treatment fixing fluid from about 4.0 to about 7.0; and\na balance of water; and\nan inkjet ink, including:\nwater;\na colorant;\na co-solvent;\na surfactant; and\na polyurethane binder, the polyurethane binder having been formed from:\na polyisocyanate;\na polyol having a chain with two hydroxyl functional groups at one end of the chain and no hydroxyl groups at an opposed end of the chain and having a number average molecular weight ranging from about 500 to about 5,000;\nan alcohol or a diol or an amine having a number average molecular weight less than 500; and one of\ni) a carboxylic acid;\nii) a sulfonate or sulfonic acid having one amino functional group;\niii) a combination of i and ii;\niv) a combination of i and a homopolymer or copolymer of poly(ethylene glycol) having one or two hydroxyl functional groups or one or two amino functional groups at one end of its chain;\nv) a combination of ii and a homopolymer or copolymer of poly(ethylene glycol) having one or two hydroxyl functional groups or one or two amino functional groups at one end of its chain; or\nvi) a combination of i, ii, and a homopolymer or copolymer of poly(ethylene glycol) having one or two hydroxyl functional groups or one or two amino functional groups at one end of its chain."
]
] |
the following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 u.s.c. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this office action:
a person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
claims 1 and 3-4 are rejected under 35 u.s.c. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by endo (us pgpub 2010/0006798).
endo teaches grease-like, room-temperature flowable compositions comprising (a) a silicone resin, (b) a heat-conductive filler, and (c) a volatile solvent (abstract; [0022]; [0030]). endo teaches the heat-conductive filler (b) is present from 50-1,000 parts, includes magnesium oxide ([0044])), and has an average particle size of 0.5 to 50 µm ([0045]); and teaches the volatile solvent (c) dissolves or disperses components (a) and (b) ([0048]), and is preferably an isoparaffins solvent ([0052]). endo additionally teaches the optional inclusion of 0.02-50 parts surface treating agents (d) ([0054]) and further surfactants ([0066]).
|
[
"1. A last comprising:\nan upper forming surface configured to form an upper including a wearing opening;\na base part that includes a bottom, the bottom having an upper surface and a lower surface, the lower surface being configured to define a bottom surface of the upper; and\na plurality of additional parts, each of which is configured in a plate shape for assembly to the base part,\nwherein the base part further includes:\na first base member that includes a mounting unit configured to mount the plurality of additional parts such that the plurality of additional parts are arranged in a multi-layered configuration along one direction;\na second base member attachable to and detachable from the first base member; and\na first forming surface that defines a first region of the upper forming surface, the plurality of additional parts includes a second forming surface defining a second region disposed at a location different from the first region in the upper forming surface while attached to the mounting unit, each of the additional parts has an end face,\nthe second forming surface includes the end face of each of the plurality of additional parts, and\nthe plurality of additional parts are separate from the bottom of the base part and extends in a downward direction to terminate at the upper surface of the bottom of the base part, such that the plurality of additional parts are spaced from the lower surface of the bottom of the base part and spaced from the bottom surface of the upper.",
"2. The last according to claim 1, wherein\nthe first forming surface includes a wearing opening forming unit configured to form the wearing opening,\nthe mounting unit includes a front mounting unit located in front of the wearing opening forming unit,\nthe first base member includes the front mounting unit, and\na boundary portion between the first base member and the second base member is defined at a position corresponding to the wearing opening in a height direction.",
"3. The last according to claim 2, wherein\nthe front mounting unit includes a plurality of partition plates, each of which has a shape rising from the bottom and extending in a foot width direction, and the plurality of partition plates being arranged side by side at intervals in a foot length direction, and\na distance between a pair of partition plates adjacent to each other in the foot length direction among the plurality of partition plates is set to allow each of the additional parts to be disposed between the pair of partition plates.",
"4. The last according to claim 3, wherein\nthe front mounting unit further includes a rail that is connected to the plurality of partition plates and has a shape extending in the foot length direction, and\na groove having a shape configured to receive the rail is in each of the additional parts.",
"5. The last according to claim 2, wherein\nthe mounting unit further includes a rear mounting unit located behind the boundary portion between the first base member and the second base member, and\nthe second base member includes the rear mounting unit.",
"6. A last comprising:\nan upper forming surface configured to form an upper including a wearing opening;\na base part that includes a bottom, the bottom having an upper surface and a lower surface, the lower surface being configured to define a bottom surface of the upper; and\na plurality of additional parts, each of which is configured in a plate shape for assembly to the base part,\nwherein the base part further includes:\na first base member that includes a mounting unit configured to mount the plurality of additional parts such that the plurality of additional parts are arranged in a multi-layered configuration along one direction;\na second base member attachable to and detachable from the first base member; and\na first forming surface that defines a first region of the upper forming surface,\nthe plurality of additional parts includes a second forming surface defining a second region disposed at a location different from the first region in the upper forming surface while attached to the mounting unit,\neach of the additional parts has an end face,\nthe second forming surface includes the end face of each of the plurality of additional parts,\nthe first forming surface includes a wearing opening forming unit configured to form the wearing opening,\nthe mounting unit includes a front mounting unit located in front of the wearing opening forming unit,\nthe first base member includes the front mounting unit, each of the additional parts configured to attach to the front mounting unit includes a bottom end face,\nthe bottom end face of each of the plurality of additional parts attached to the front mounting unit defines a bottom surface of the upper together with the bottom of the base part,\nthe second base member includes a rear mounting unit configured to mount a second plurality of additional parts behind the first base member, each of the second plurality of additional parts being configured in a plate shape for assembly to the second base member in a multi-layered configuration along one direction, and\nthe second plurality of additional parts are separate from the bottom of the base part and extends in a downward direction to terminate at the upper surface of the bottom of the base part, such that the second plurality of additional parts are spaced from the lower surface of the bottom of the base part and spaced from the bottom surface of the upper."
] |
US12108845B2
|
US20200113291A1
|
[
"1. A modular last system comprising:\na frame; and\na plurality of last segments removably attached to the frame, wherein each last segment the plurality of last segments has an outer surface that defines an anatomical shape.",
"2. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one last segment of the plurality of the last segments defines a channel, wherein at least a portion of the frame is received in the channel.",
"3. The system of claim 2, wherein at least one last segment of the plurality of the last segments has an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the channel is defined in the lower surface.",
"4. The system of claim 3, wherein the upper surface defines the anatomical shape.",
"5. The system of claim 4, wherein the anatomical shape is a foot.",
"6. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of last segments comprises a first heel segment defining a first heel profile, and a first toe segment defining a first toe profile.",
"7. The system of claim 6, further comprising a second heel segment having a second heel profile, wherein the first heel segment and second heel segment are interchangeable on the frame to alter the anatomical shape.",
"8. The system of claim 6, further comprising a second toe segment having a second toe profile, wherein the first toe segment and second toe segment are interchangeable on the frame to alter the anatomical shape.",
"9. The system of claim 6, wherein the plurality of last segments further comprise an ankle segment.",
"10. The system of claim 6, wherein the plurality of last segments further comprise a first waist segment having a first girth and a second waist segment having a second girth, wherein the first waist segment and second waist segment are interchangeable to alter the anatomical shape.",
"11. The system of claim 1 further comprising a material disposed adjacent at least a portion of the plurality of last segments to define an article.",
"12. The system of claim 1, wherein the frame comprises an elongate member having a frame cross-section and a frame profile; and\nthe plurality of last segments defining a channel that conforms to the frame cross-section, wherein the plurality of last segments are removably attached to the frame by an interference fit between the frame and the channel.",
"13. The system of claim 12, wherein the channel is defined in a lower surface of the plurality of last segments, wherein upon attaching the plurality of segments to the frame, a lower surface of the frame is contiguous with the lower surface of the plurality of segments.",
"14. The system of claim 12, wherein the cross section of the frame is rectangular.",
"15. The system of claim 1, wherein the frame comprises a heel portion and a toe portion spaced longitudinally from each other by a waist portion, wherein a lower surface of the waist portion defines a base plane, and wherein the toe portion of the frame extends upward relative to the base plane.",
"16. The system of claim 1, wherein the frame is constructed of a unitary member.",
"17. A modular last system comprising:\na frame including an elongate member having a cross section; and\na plurality of segments arranged on the frame to define an anatomical shape, the plurality of segments defining a channel configured to receive the elongate member therein.",
"18. The system of claim 17, wherein the anatomical shape is a foot.",
"19. The system of claim 17, wherein the cross section of the elongate member is rectangular having a top wall, a bottom wall, and opposing sidewalls, and wherein the channel comprises side surfaces that are spaced from each to form an interference fit with the opposing sidewalls of the elongate member.",
"20. The system of claim 17 wherein the plurality of segments comprise a first segment forming a portion of the anatomical shape having a first profile, wherein the system further comprises a second segment interchangeable with the first segment to form the portion of the anatomical shape with a second profile."
] |
[
[
"1. A method of generating a user-specific recommended size of a wearable item, the method comprising:\nby one or more processors:\naccessing a memory device containing a data set containing parameters for a plurality of wearable items,\nidentifying a wearable item from the data set, querying the memory device to retrieve the parameters for the identified wearable item, and analyzing the retrieved parameters to determine whether the identified wearable item runs true to size, and\nsaving the determination of whether the selected product runs true to size to the data set; and\nby one or more of the processors:\nreceiving, from a first user via a user interface, a selection of the identified wearable item,\nquerying the memory device to receive the determination of whether the selected product runs true to size,\nin response to receiving a determination that the selected product does not run true to size, determining an alternate size of the wearable item that is appropriate for the user,\ngenerating a recommendation that the user select the alternate size for the product, and\ncausing an output of an electronic device to present the recommendation to the user.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein:\nthe data set also contains parameter-specific feedback received from one or more consumers for at least some of the wearable items; and\ndetermine whether the identified wearable item runs true to size also comprises analyzing the parameter-specific feedback.",
"3. The method of claim 1, further comprising by one or more of the processors:\npresenting, to each of the one or more consumers, a user interface comprising a visual representation of the wearable item;\nreceiving, from each of the one or more consumers via the user interface, a selection of a portion of the wearable item;\nin response to receiving each selection by one of the one or more consumers, presenting the consumer with a feedback interface by which the consumer may enter performance feedback or fit feedback related to the selected portion of the wearable item; and\nsaving the received feedback to the data set for the wearable item.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein:\ndetermining the alternate size comprises:\naccessing the data set to receive a model representation for the selected wearable item, wherein the model representation comprises one or more sizes and, for each size, a plurality of measured parameters of the wearable item in that size,\naccessing profile data for the user, and\nusing the profile data for the user and the model representation for the selected item to determine the alternate size.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the alternate size comprises:\nprompting the user to input alternate sizing information, wherein the alternate sizing information comprises an indication of whether the user may purchase a size that is larger or smaller than a primary size for the user; and\nusing the alternate sizing information to determine the alternate size.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the alternate size comprises:\naccessing the data set to receive a model representation for the selected wearable item, wherein the model representation comprises one or more sizes and, for each size, a plurality of measured parameters of the selected wearable item in the user's primary size;\ndetermining whether one or more of the parameters of the selected wearable item differ from one or more reference parameter values by at least a threshold amount;\nif the measured parameters of the selected wearable item are greater than one or more of the reference parameters by at least the threshold amount, then selecting the alternate size as a size that is smaller than the primary size;\nif the measured parameters of the selected wearable item are less than one or more of the reference parameters by at least a threshold amount, then selecting the alternate size as a size that is larger than the primary size; and\nif the measured parameters of the selected wearable item are neither less than nor greater than one or more of the reference parameters by at least a threshold amount, then selecting the primary size as the alternate size.",
"7. The method of claim 1, further comprising, by one or more of the processors:\nafter the user has purchased the selected wearable item in the alternate size, presenting the user with a prompt to provide feedback relating to a quality of the recommendation;\nreceiving the feedback from the user in response to the prompt; and\nsaving the feedback to the memory device containing the data set for the selected wearable item.",
"8. The method of claim 7, wherein:\npresenting the user with the prompt to provide feedback relating to a quality of the automated recommendation comprises presenting the user with a graphic virtual model of the selected wearable item, along with a description of the measured characteristic of the wearable item and a visual indication of a location on the wearable item that is associated with the measured characteristic; and\nreceiving the feedback from the user comprises receiving an indication of whether the user considers the description of the measured characteristic to be accurate.",
"9. The method of claim 1, wherein presenting the user with the recommendation of the recommended size comprises:\nreceiving, via a user interface that presents a visual indication of the selected item, a user selection of a location on the selected item; and\nin response to receiving the indication of the user selection of the location, causing the user interface to display a measured parameter of the selected wearable item that is associated with the selected location.",
"10. The method of claim 1, further comprising, by one or more processors:\nreceiving feedback from a plurality of additional consumers, wherein the received feedback from the additional consumers is in response to additional recommendations for the selected item in the selected size that were presented to the additional consumers;\nanalyzing the feedback to identify a trend in a physical characteristic of the selected wearable item for which the additional users substantially consistently express negative feedback; and\nsending a supplier of the selected wearable item a message comprising a summary of the negative feedback and the characteristic of the selected wearable item for which the additional users substantially consistently express negative feedback.",
"11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nby a scanning device that is inserted into the identified wearable item, collecting a plurality of internal dimensional and tactile measurements of a plurality of parameters of the identified wearable item;\ntransmitting the collected dimensional and tactile measurements to the memory device;\nsaving the collected measurements in the data set as values of parameters for the identified wearable item; and\nusing the dimensional measurements as adjusted by the tactile measurements to determine the alternate size.",
"12. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether the identified wearable item runs true to size is performed after the system receives the selection of the identified wearable item from the user.",
"13. A system for generating a user-specific size recommendation for a wearable item, the system comprising:\none or more processors;\na first memory device portion that stores a data set containing parameters for a plurality of wearable items;\na second memory device portion containing programming instructions that are configured to cause one or more of the processors to:\nidentify a wearable item,\nquerying the memory device to retrieve the parameters for the identified wearable item, and\nanalyze the retrieved parameters to determine whether the identified wearable item runs true to size; and\na third memory device portion containing programming instructions that are configured to cause one or more of the processors to:\nreceive, from a first user via a user interface, a selection of the identified wearable item,\nquery the memory device to receive an indication of whether the selected product runs true to size,\nin response to receiving an indication that the selected product does not run true to size, determining an alternate size of the wearable item that is appropriate for the user\ngenerating a recommendation that the user select the alternate size for the product, and\ncausing an output of an electronic device to present the recommendation to the user.",
"14. The system of claim 13, wherein:\nthe data set also contains parameter-specific feedback received from one or more consumers for at least some of the wearable items; and\nthe instructions to determine whether the identified wearable item runs true to size also comprise instructions to analyze the parameter-specific feedback.",
"15. The system of claim 13, further comprising additional programming instructions that are configured to cause one or more of the processors to:\npresent, to each of the one or more consumers, a user interface comprising a visual representation of the wearable item;\nreceive, from each of the one or more consumers via the user interface, a selection of a portion of the wearable item;\nin response to receiving each selection by one of the one or more consumers, present the consumer with a feedback interface by which the consumer may enter performance feedback or fit feedback related to the selected portion of the wearable item; and\nsave the received feedback to the data set for the wearable item.",
"16. The system of claim 13, wherein:\nthe instructions to determine the alternate size comprise instructions to:\naccess the data set to receive a model representation for the selected wearable item, wherein the model representation comprises one or more sizes and, for each size, a plurality of measured parameters of the wearable item in that size,\naccess profile data for the user, and\nuse the profile data for the user and the model representation for the selected item to determine the alternate size.",
"17. The system of claim 13, wherein the instructions to determine the alternate size comprise instructions to:\nprompt the user to input alternate sizing information, wherein the alternate sizing information comprises an indication of whether the user may purchase a size that is larger or smaller than a primary size for the user; and\nuse the alternate sizing information to determine the alternate size.",
"18. The system of claim 13, wherein the instructions to determine the alternate size comprise instructions to:\naccess the data set to receive a model representation for the selected wearable item, wherein the model representation comprises one or more sizes and, for each size, a plurality of measured parameters of the selected wearable item in the user's primary size;\ndetermine whether one or more of the parameters of the selected wearable item differ from one or more reference parameter values by at least a threshold amount;\nif the measured parameters of the selected wearable item are greater than one or more of the reference parameters by at least the threshold amount, then select the alternate size as a size that is smaller than the primary size;\nif the measured parameters of the selected wearable item are less than one or more of the reference parameters by at least a threshold amount, then select the alternate size as a size that is larger than the primary size; and\nif the measured parameters of the selected wearable item are neither less than nor greater than one or more of the reference parameters by at least a threshold amount, then select the primary size as the alternate size.",
"19. The system of claim 13, further comprising additional programming instructions that are configured to cause one or more of the processors to:\nafter the user has purchased the selected wearable item in the alternate size, present the user with a prompt to provide feedback relating to a quality of the recommendation;\nreceive the feedback from the user in response to the prompt; and\nsave the feedback to the data set for the selected wearable item.",
"20. The system of claim 19, wherein:\nthe instructions to present the user with the prompt to provide feedback relating to a quality of the automated recommendation comprise instructions to present the user with a graphic virtual model of the selected wearable item, along with a description of the measured characteristic of the wearable item and a visual indication of a location on the wearable item that is associated with the measured characteristic; and\nthe instructions to receive the feedback from the user comprise instructions to receive an indication of whether the user considers the description of the measured characteristic to be accurate.",
"21. The system of claim 13, wherein the instructions to present the user with the recommendation of the recommended size comprise instructions to:\nreceive, via a user interface that presents a visual indication of the selected item, a user selection of a location on the selected item; and\nin response to receiving the indication of the user selection of the location, cause the user interface to display a measured parameter of the selected wearable item that is associated with the selected location.",
"22. The system of claim 13, further comprising additional programming instructions that are configured to cause one or more of the processors to:\nreceive feedback from a plurality of additional consumers, wherein the received feedback from the additional consumers is in response to additional recommendations for the selected item in the selected size that were presented to the additional consumers;\nanalyze the feedback to identify a trend in a physical characteristic of the selected wearable item for which the additional users substantially consistently express negative feedback; and\nsend a supplier of the selected wearable item a message comprising a summary of the negative feedback and the characteristic of the selected wearable item for which the additional users substantially consistently express negative feedback.",
"23. The system of claim 13, further comprising a scanning device configured to be inserted into the identified wearable item and collect a plurality of internal dimensional and tactile measurements to be used as values of the parameters of the identified wearable item."
],
[
"49. A system for manufacturing equipment for direct injection production of a footwear, the system comprising:\na design facility arranged to provide a footwear design and mold descriptive data based on the footwear design for manufacturing of a mold corresponding to a sole part of the footwear, the mold including a basic direct injection mold and direct injection mold inserts;\na mold manufacturing facility arranged to manufacture the basic direct injection mold based on the mold descriptive data provided by the design facility;\na last manufacturing facility arranged to manufacture a last corresponding to the footwear design; and\na remote footwear manufacturing facility arranged to additively manufacture the direct injection mold inserts based on the mold descriptive data provided by the design facility,\nwherein the basic direct injection mold and the direct injection mold inserts are combined into the mold,\nwherein the mold is combined with the last to manufacture the sole part of the footwear corresponding to the footwear design at the remote footwear manufacturing facility, and\nwherein the mold descriptive data are provided from the design facility to the remote footwear manufacturing facility by means of a public data network.",
"50. The system according to claim 49, wherein the design facility is located at a design facility location and the remote footwear manufacturing facility is located at a footwear manufacturing location.",
"51. The system according to claim 49, wherein the basic direct injection mold is attachable to injection molding equipment, and\nwherein the basic direct injection mold is configured for at least partly channelling injection material to a mold cavity.",
"52. The system according to claim 49, wherein the direct injection mold inserts cover a portion of an inner surface of the basic direct injection mold when the direct injection mold inserts are combined with the basic direct injection mold to obtain the mold at the remote footwear manufacturing facility.",
"53. The system of claim 49, wherein the basic direct injection mold is configured for being combined with a range of different sizes and/or designs of the direct injection mold inserts.",
"54. The system of claim 49, wherein the mold descriptive data includes data concerning a size of the basic direct injection mold.",
"55. The system of claim 49, wherein a further basic direct injection mold is manufactured at the design facility, and\nwherein the mold descriptive data are applied for additive manufacturing of further direct injection mold inserts at the design facility.",
"56. The system of claim 55, wherein the further direct injection mold inserts are combined with the further basic direct injection mold at the design facility to provide a further mold corresponding to the mold obtained at the remote footwear manufacturing facility.",
"57. The system of claim 49, wherein, via the public data network, a communication line is established through which the design facility is connected to the mold manufacturing facility, to the last manufacturing facility, and/or to the remote footwear manufacturing facility, and\nwherein the communication line is used for digital transmission of error reports from the mold manufacturing facility and/or from the remote footwear manufacturing facility to the design facility.",
"58. The system of claim 49, wherein the remote footwear manufacturing facility receives the mold descriptive data via a footwear manufacturing facility router located at the remote footwear manufacturing facility.",
"59. The system of claim 49, wherein the basic direct injection mold is one of a plurality of basic direct injection molds manufactured by the mold manufacturing facility, and\nwherein the plurality of basic direct injection molds differ in size.",
"60. The system of claim 59, wherein the direct injection mold inserts are each combinable with the plurality of basic direct injection molds.",
"61. The system of claim 49, wherein the remote footwear manufacturing facility is remote with respect to the design facility.",
"62. The system of claim 49, wherein an additive manufacturing material utilized for the additive manufacturing of the direct injection mold inserts includes one or more polymers.",
"63. The system of claim 49, wherein an additive manufacturing material utilized for the additive manufacturing of the direct injection mold inserts includes one or more photopolymers.",
"64. The system of claim 49, wherein the basic direct injection mold includes a first side mold, a second side mold, and a bottom mold.",
"65. The system of claim 49, wherein the direct injection mold inserts include a first direct injection mold insert and a second direct injection mold insert.",
"66. A method of manufacturing footwear by a direct injection process, the method comprising steps of:\nproviding a footwear design and mold descriptive data by a design facility for manufacturing of a direct injection mold corresponding to a sole part of the footwear;\nproviding a basic direct injection mold manufactured at a mold manufacturing facility based on the mold descriptive data;\nproviding a last corresponding to the footwear design manufactured at a last manufacturing facility;\ncommunicating the mold descriptive data from the design facility to a remote footwear manufacturing facility by means of a public data network;\nmanufacturing direct injection mold inserts at the remote footwear manufacturing facility based on the mold descriptive data;\ncombining the direct injection mold inserts with the basic direct injection mold at the remote footwear manufacturing facility to obtain a mold; and\nmanufacturing by the direct injection process the footwear according to the footwear design at the remote footwear manufacturing facility utilizing the mold and the last.",
"67. The method of claim 66 further comprising steps of:\nproviding last descriptive data by the design facility, the last descriptive data corresponding to the footwear design; and\ncommunicating the last descriptive data from the design facility to the last manufacturing facility.",
"68. The method of claim 66 further comprising a step of communicating the mold descriptive data from the design facility to the mold manufacturing facility."
],
[
"1. A digital mechanical measurement last system comprising: a front part of the last, a rear part of the last, a three-dimensional strain gauge load cell, a signal amplifier, a data acquisition card, data acquisition system software, and a data line, wherein\nthe front part and the rear part of the last are obtained by dividing the last along a vertical plane passing through a mass center of the last and perpendicular to the long axis of the last, the front part and the rear part of the last are each provided with a position for placing the three-dimensional strain gauge load cell, the depth of the position is half of a length of the three-dimensional strain gauge load cell, and a strain slit is existed between the front part and the rear part of the last;\na center of the three-dimensional strain gauge load cell coincides with the mass center of the last, a long axis of the three-dimensional strain gauge load cell is parallel to a long axis of the last, two ends of the three-dimensional strain gauge load cell are connected to the front part and the rear part of the last, and a circumference of the three-dimensional strain gauge load cell is not in contact with the last; and\nthe signal amplifier, the data acquisition card, and the data acquisition system software are disposed outside the last, the signal amplifier comprises a signal input circuit, a signal amplification circuit, a signal filtering circuit, and a signal output circuit, and transmits a signal to the data acquisition card through the signal output circuit; the data acquisition card comprises a data acquisition module, an A/D conversion module, and a host computer communication module, and completes communication with a computer through a USB interface; and the data line passes through a data line channel in the rear part of the last, and connects the three-dimensional strain gauge load cell, the signal amplifier, the data acquisition card, and a data acquisition system, to implement data measurement.",
"2. The digital mechanical measurement last system as in claim 1, wherein, the data acquisition system software comprising:\nan user instruction processing module, which receives an operation command of a user, and transmits messages to corresponding modules according to different commands;\na module communicating with the acquisition card completes communication with the acquisition card, which sends an operation command to the acquisition card, and reads data from the acquisition card;\na data processing module, which receives data from the module communicating with the acquisition card, and filters and performs computation on the data;\na data display module, which simulates and displays three-dimensional forces according to data, and displays a three-dimensional force vector diagram using the center of the three-dimensional strain gauge load cell as a start point in a three-dimensional space;\na data recording module, which records measurement results in real time.",
"3. The digital mechanical measurement last system as in claim 2, wherein the data acquisition system software provides a data import interface capable of analyzing data acquired by a third-party instrument or importing and analyzing data that has been acquired."
],
[
"1. A method for manufacturing a light-weight waterproof shoe, at least comprising the following steps:\na first step of cutting, in which a piece of waterproof leather that has a back side coated with a water-resistant hot-melt adhesive is subjected to a cutting operation to make at least a vamp water-resistant plate, one to multiple vamp decorative plates, and a heel water-resistant plate, wherein the vamp water-resistant plate has one side edge that is recessed inwardly to form a first insertion opening;\na second step of arranging pattern of vamp section, in which the vamp water-resistant plate and the one to multiple vamp decorative plates that are formed with the cutting operation in the previous step are arranged and stacked on a vamp lining plate that is in a planar form, wherein the vamp lining plate has a side edge that is recessed inwardly to form a second insertion opening, such that the second insertion opening is in alignment with and overlaps the first insertion opening of the vamp water-resistant plate;\na third step of hot pressing, in which the vamp lining plate and the vamp water-resistant plate and the vamp decorative plates that are arranged and stacked thereon are placed in a hot pressing apparatus for hot pressing, such that the hot-melt adhesive layer on the back sides of the vamp water-resistant plate and the vamp decorative plates are heated and melted to combine with the vamp lining plate as a unitary combination, and portions of the vamp water-resistant plate and the vamp decorative plates that are stacked on each other are combined together as a unitary combination so as to form a water-resistant vamp section;\na fourth step of sewing heel section, in which vamp outer edges of the vamp section at two opposite sides of the first insertion opening are jointed to each other and are fixed together through sewing so as to make the vamp section in a three-dimensional configuration;\na fifth step of hot-pressing heel section, in which the heel water-resistant plate that is made in the cutting operation of the first step is set on and covering the sewing line of the vamp section and is subjected to hot pressing, so that the hot-melt adhesive on the back side of the heel water-resistant plate is heated and melted and combines with the vamp section to form a unitary combination, and a joint site that is between the heel water-resistant plate and the vamp section is made a waterproof interface therebetween;\na sixth step of combining midsole, in which a midsole is attached to and combined with a bottom of the vamp section by means of sewing or adhesive to form a semi-finished product; and\na seventh step of injecting sole, in which the semi-finished product is fit to a multi-segment last of an injection apparatus and a first mold member, a second mold member, and a third mold member are closed to enclose the semi-finished product, such that after the third mold member is closed, a sole gap is formed between a third mold cavity of the third mold member and the midsole of the semi-finished product; and a sole material that is heated and melted is injected into the third mold cavity of the third mold member to form a sole, wherein the sole material that is injected into the third mold cavity combines with the midsole and covers a joint interface between the midsole and the vamp section so that after being cooled, a product is formed and removed to form a light-weight waterproof shoe.",
"2. The method for manufacturing a light-weight waterproof shoe according to claim 1, wherein the waterproof leather comprises rubber-made waterproof leather.",
"3. The method for manufacturing a light-weight waterproof shoe according to claim 1, wherein the waterproof leather comprises plastics-made waterproof leather.",
"4. The method for manufacturing a light-weight waterproof shoe according to claim 1, wherein the sole material comprises rubber.",
"5. The method for manufacturing a light-weight waterproof shoe according to claim 1, wherein the sole material comprises polyurethane (PU).",
"6. The method for manufacturing a light-weight waterproof shoe according to claim 3, wherein the plastics-made waterproof leather comprises thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU).",
"7. The method for manufacturing a light-weight waterproof shoe according to claim 3, wherein the plastics-made waterproof leather comprises thermoplastic elastomer (TPE).",
"8. A method for manufacturing a light-weight waterproof boot, at least comprising the following steps:\na first step of cutting, in which a piece of waterproof leather that has a back side coated with a water-resistant hot-melt adhesive is subjected to a cutting operation to make at least a vamp water-resistant plate, one to multiple vamp decorative plates, a heel water-resistant plate, and a shaft water-resistant plate, wherein the vamp water-resistant plate has one side edge that is recessed inwardly to form a first insertion opening and the shaft water-resistant plate has one side edge that is formed with a shaft arc opening;\na second step of arranging pattern of vamp section and the shaft section, in which the vamp water-resistant plate and the one to multiple vamp decorative plates that are formed with the cutting operation in the previous step are arranged and stacked on a vamp lining plate that is in a planar form, and the shaft water-resistant plate that is formed with the cutting operation in the previous step is arranged and stacked on a shaft lining plate, wherein the vamp lining plate has a side edge that is recessed inwardly to form a second insertion opening, such that the second insertion opening is in alignment with and overlaps the first insertion opening of the vamp water-resistant plate; and the shaft lining plate is formed with a lining arc opening on a side edge thereof corresponding to that of the shaft water-resistant plate that is formed with the shaft arc opening, wherein the shaft water-resistant plate is longer than the shaft lining plate such that the shaft arc opening of the shaft water-resistant plate projects beyond and is located outside the lining arc opening of the shaft lining plate, and a portion of shaft hot-melt adhesive that is located along a peripheral edge of the shaft arc opening is not covered by the shaft lining plate;\na third step of hot pressing, in which the vamp lining plate and the vamp water-resistant plate, and the vamp decorative plates that are arranged and stacked thereon are placed in a hot pressing apparatus for hot pressing, such that the hot-melt adhesive layer on the back sides of the vamp water-resistant plate and the vamp decorative plates are heated and melted to combine with the vamp lining plate as a unitary combination, and portions of the vamp water-resistant plate and the vamp decorative plates that are stacked on each other are combined together as a unitary combination so as to form a water-resistant vamp section; and the shaft lining plate and the shaft water-resistant plate arranged and stacked thereon are placed in the hot pressing apparatus for hot pressing, such that the hot-melt adhesive layer on the back side of the shaft water-resistant plate is heated and melted to combine with the shaft lining plate as a unitary combination to form a water-resistant shaft section;\na fourth step of combining vamp section and shaft section, in which a portion of the hot-melt adhesive that is located along a peripheral edge of the shaft arc opening of the shaft section is stacked on a peripheral edge of the first insertion opening of the vamp water-resistant plate of the vamp section formed in the previous steps and is subjected to hot pressing such that the portion of the shaft hot-melt adhesive that is located along the peripheral edge of the shaft arc opening of the shaft section is heated and melted to combine the shaft section and the vamp section to each other;\na fifth step of sewing heel section, in which vamp outer edges of the vamp section at two opposite sides of the first insertion opening are jointed to each other and shaft outer edges of two opposite sides of the shaft section are jointed to each other, and are sewn together so that the vamp section and the shaft section jointly form a three-dimensional configuration, wherein an opposite end of the shaft section forms a shaft opening that is connected to and in communication with the first insertion opening of the vamp section; and portions around two sides of the sewn sites of the vamp section and the shaft section form a heel section;\na sixth step of hot-pressing heel section, in which the heel water-resistant plate that is made in the cutting operation of the first step is set on and covering the sewing line of the vamp section and the shaft section and is subjected to hot pressing, so that the hot-melt adhesive on the back side of the heel water-resistant plate is heated and melted and combines with the vamp section and the shaft section to form a unitary combination, and a joint site that is between the heel water-resistant plate and the vamp section and the shaft section is made a waterproof interface therebetween;\na seventh step of combining midsole, in which a midsole is attached to and combined with a bottom of the vamp section by means of sewing or adhesive to form a semi-finished product; and\nan eighth step of injecting sole, in which the semi-finished product is fit to a multi-segment last of an injection apparatus and a first mold member, a second mold member, and a third mold member are closed to enclose the semi-finished product, such that after the third mold member is closed, a sole gap is formed between a third mold cavity of the third mold member and the midsole of the semi-finished product; and a sole material that is heated and melted is injected into the third mold cavity of the third mold member to form a sole, wherein the sole material that is injected into the third mold cavity combines with the midsole and covers a joint interface between the midsole and the vamp section so that after being cooled, a product is formed and removed to form a light-weight waterproof boot product.",
"9. The method for manufacturing a light-weight waterproof boot according to claim 8, wherein the multi-segment last comprises a shaft section, a vamp section, a heel section, and a sole section and the multi-segment last is formed by combining three separate sections including a first slidable section, a second slidable section, and a non-slidable section, wherein the non-slidable section of the multi-segment last is fixed and securely mounted to the injection apparatus; the first slidable section comprises a part of the vamp section and a part of the shaft section of the last, the first slidable section and the non-slidable section having contact surfaces that are in surface engagement with each other and are inclined and are provided with a slide rack and a slide channel that are in mating engagement with each other arranged therebetween, so that the first slidable section is reciprocally movable on the non-slidable section with the slide rack and the slide channel provided therebetween being arranged to incline downward in a direction from the shaft section toward the sole section, so that when the first slidable section moves in a direction toward the sole section, the first slidable section gradually reduces a vertical position thereof relative to get approaching to the second slidable section; and the second slidable section corresponds to the heel section of the last, the second slidable section and the non-slidable section having contact surfaces that are in surface engagement with each other and are inclined and are provided with a slide rack and a slide channel that are in mating engagement with each other arranged therebetween, so that the second slidable section is reciprocally movable on the non-slidable section with the slide rack and the slide channel provided therebetween being arranged to incline upward in a direction from the shaft section toward the sole section, so that when the second slidable section moves in a direction toward the sole section, the second slidable section gradually raises a vertical position thereof relative to get approaching to the first slidable section.",
"10. The method for manufacturing a light-weight waterproof boot according to claim 8, wherein the cutting operation of the first step is conducted to further make one to multiple shaft decorative plates; in the second step, the shaft decorative plates are arranged and stacked on the shaft water-resistant plate; and in the third step, the hot-melt adhesive layer on the back sides of the shaft decorative plates is heated and melted to combine with the shaft water-resistant plate as a unitary combination.",
"11. The method for manufacturing a light-weight waterproof boot according to claim 8, wherein the waterproof leather comprises rubber-made waterproof leather.",
"12. The method for manufacturing a light-weight waterproof boot according to claim 8, wherein the waterproof leather comprises plastics-made waterproof leather.",
"13. The method for manufacturing a light-weight waterproof boot according to claim 8, wherein the sole material comprises rubber.",
"14. The method for manufacturing a light-weight waterproof boot according to claim 8, wherein the sole material comprises polyurethane (PU).",
"15. The method for manufacturing a light-weight waterproof boot according to claim 12, wherein the plastics-made waterproof leather comprises thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU).",
"16. The method for manufacturing a light-weight waterproof boot according to claim 12, wherein the plastics-made waterproof leather comprises thermoplastic elastomer (TPE)."
],
[
"1. A method for inspecting a film carrier tape for mounting electronic components in which a plurality of electronic component mounting portions is provided in multiple strips in a transverse direction, comprising the steps of:\nunwinding, from an unwinding device, the film carrier tape for mounting electronic components in multiple strips in which the individual film carrier tapes for mounting electronic components previously cut into strips are wound upon an unwinding reel, respectively;\nsimultaneously inspecting the film carrier tapes for mounting electronic components, which are cut into strips, in an inspecting section while causing them to run in parallel with each other; and\nsimultaneously taking up the film carrier tapes for mounting electronic components cut into strips, which are inspected in the inspecting section, upon a plurality of take-up reels attached to an identical take-up shaft of a take-up device in parallel, respectively.",
"2. A method for inspecting a film carrier tape for mounting electronic components in which a plurality of electronic component mounting portions is provided in multiple strips in a transverse direction, comprising the steps of:\nunwinding, from an unwinding device, the film carrier tape for mounting electronic components in multiple strips in which the individual film carrier tapes for mounting electronic components previously cut into strips are wound upon an unwinding reel, respectively;\nsimultaneously inspecting the film carrier tapes for mounting electronic components, which are cut into strips, in an inspecting section while causing them to run in parallel with each other; and\nsimultaneously taking up the film carrier tapes for mounting electronic components, which are cut into strips, which are inspected in the inspecting section, upon a plurality of take-up reels attached to separate take-up shafts of a take-up device in parallel, respectively.",
"3. A method for inspecting a film carrier tape for mounting electronic components in which a plurality of electronic component mounting portions is provided in multiple strips in a transverse direction, comprising the steps of:\nunwinding, from an unwinding device, the film carrier tapes for mounting electronic components in multiple strips which are wound upon an unwinding reel;\ncutting the film carrier tapes for mounting electronic components in multiple strips, which are unwound from the unwinding device, into individual film carrier tapes for mounting electronic components in strips by a slit device;\ncausing the film carrier tapes for mounting electronic components, which are cut into strips by the slit device, to run in parallel with each other and simultaneously inspecting them in an inspecting section; and\nsimultaneously taking up the film carrier tapes for mounting electronic components cut into strips which are inspected in the inspecting section, upon a plurality of take-up reels attached to an identical take-up shaft of a take-up device in parallel, respectively.",
"4. A method for inspecting a film carrier tape for mounting electronic components in which a plurality of electronic component mounting portions is provided in multiple strips in a transverse direction, comprising the steps of:\nunwinding, from an unwinding device, the film carrier tape for mounting electronic components in multiple strips which are wound upon an unwinding reel;\ncutting the film carrier tapes for mounting electronic components in multiple strips which are unwound from the unwinding device, into individual film carrier tapes for mounting electronic components in strips by a slit device;\ncausing the film carrier tapes for mounting electronic components, which are cut into strips by the slit device, to run in parallel with each other and simultaneously inspecting them in an inspecting section; and\nsimultaneously taking up the film carrier tapes for mounting electronic components cut into strips which are inspected in the inspecting section, upon a plurality of take-up reels attached to separate take-up shafts of a take-up device in parallel, respectively.",
"5. The method for inspecting a film carrier tape for mounting electronic components according to claim 1, wherein the inspecting section includes a guide member for causing film carrier tapes for mounting electronic components, which are cut into strips, to run in parallel with each other,\nthe guide member comprising:\na side guide portion on both ends which serves to guide both end side portions of the film carrier tape for mounting electronic components on an outermost side; and\nan adjacent part guide portion, which is protruded to guide adjacent side portions of the film carrier tapes for mounting electronic components cut into strips between the guide portions on the both ends.",
"6. The method for inspecting a film carrier tape for mounting electronic components according to claim 1, further comprising a drive gear for conveying the film carrier tapes for mounting electronic components, which are unwound from the unwinding device and cut into strips by the slit device, while causing them to run in parallel with each other,\nthe drive gear including:\na both end gear mated with a sprocket hole in side portions on both ends of the film carrier tape for mounting electronic components on the outermost side; and\nan intermediate gear mated with a sprocket hole provided in the adjacent side portions of the film carrier tape for mounting electronic components cut into strips between both end gears.",
"7. The method for inspecting a film carrier tape for mounting electronic components according to claim 6, further comprising a guide roller,\nthe guide roller including:\na side guide protruded portion on both ends which serves to guide both end side portions of the film carrier tape for mounting electronic components on an outermost side; and\nan adjacent part guide protruded portion protruded to separate and guide adjacent side portions of the film carrier tapes for mounting electronic components cut into strips between the side guide protruded portions on both ends.",
"8. The method for inspecting a film carrier tape for mounting electronic components according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of take-up reels, which are attached to the identical take-up shaft of the take-up device in parallel with each other, are fixed into through holes provided in the vicinity of centers of the reels by means of removable engaging bar members.",
"9. The method for inspecting a film carrier tape for mounting electronic components according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of take-up reels, which are attached to the separate take-up shafts of the take-up device in parallel with each other, are fixed into through holes provided in the vicinity of centers of the reels by means of removable engaging bar members, respectively.",
"10. The method for inspecting a film carrier tape for mounting electronic components according to claim 1, wherein the identical take-up shaft of the take-up device is constituted by an air shaft capable of expanding to increase a diameter thereof upon receipt of supply or air, and\na plurality of take-up reels attached to the take-up shaft in parallel with each other is thus fixed to each other.",
"11. The method for inspecting a film carrier tape for mounting electronic components according to claim 2, wherein the separate take-up shafts of the take-up device are constituted by an air shaft capable of expanding to increase a diameter thereof upon receipt of supply of air, and\na plurality of take-up reels attached to the take-up shaft in parallel with each other is thus fixed, respectively.",
"12. The method for inspecting a film carrier tape for mounting electronic components according to claim 1, wherein the inspecting section includes an illuminating device for irradiating a light on the film carrier tape for mounting electronic components in order to carry out an inspection,\nthe illuminating device having two illuminating lamps, which are provided apart from each other and are serving to irradiate a light on an inspecting position from rearward and above to be simultaneously focused with respect to the film carrier tapes for mounting electronic components, which are cut into strips and run in parallel with each other.",
"13. The method for inspecting a film carrier tape for mounting electronic components according to claim 1, wherein the inspecting section includes a magnifying lens device for magnifying the film carrier tape for mounting electronic components in order to carry out an inspection,\nthe magnifying lens device including a magnifying lens for magnifying, in a total width direction, the film carrier tapes for mounting electronic components, which are cut into strips and running in parallel with each other.",
"14. The method for inspecting a film carrier tape for mounting electronic components according to claim 1, wherein the magnifying lens device has a magnification of 1.4 or more at an enlargement ratio of a length.",
"15. The method for inspecting a film carrier tape for mounting electronic component according to claim 1, wherein separate dancer rollers are provided for the film carrier tapes for mounting electronic components, which are cut into strips, between the unwinding device and the inspecting section.",
"16. The method for inspecting a film carrier tape for mounting electronic components according to claim 1, wherein separate dancer rollers are provided for the film carrier tapes for mounting electronic components, which are cut into strips, between the take-up device and the inspecting section.",
"17. The method for inspecting a film carrier tape for mounting electronic components according to claim 1, wherein an identical dancer roller is provided for the film carrier tapes for mounting electronic components, which are cut into strips, between the unwinding device and the inspecting section.",
"18. The method for inspecting a film carrier tape for mounting electronic components according to claim 1, wherein an identical dancer roller is provided for the film carrier tapes for mounting electronic components, which are cut into strips, between the take-up device and the inspecting section.",
"19. The method for inspecting a film carrier tape for mounting electronic components according to claim 15, further comprising a looseness control device for detecting a position of the dancer roller to control an amount of looseness of the film carrier tape for mounting electronic components.",
"20. The method for inspecting a film carrier tape for mounting electronic components according to claim 19, wherein the looseness control device includes a guide member for separately changing a guide path for the film carrier tape for mounting electronic components in each strip which is to be guided by the dancer roller."
],
[
"1. A method comprising:\nproviding a waterproof, breathable bootie having a waterproof, breathable laminate construction,\nwherein the waterproof, breathable laminate construction comprises a functional layer and at least one textile layer,\ninserting the waterproof, breathable bootie through a collar of a footwear\nwherein the waterproof, breathable bootie is inserted into an inner space of the footwear, after the inner space of the footwear has been closed, and\npermanently fixing the waterproof, breathable bootie in position in the inner space of the footwear by attaching the waterproof, breathable bootie to the footwear in a donning region of the footwear, and\nattaching the waterproof, breathable bootie to the footwear in at least one further attachment region of the footwear to permanently waterproof the footwear.",
"2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the inserting of the waterproof, breathable bootie takes place after the inner space has been formed by an upper assembly of the footwear.",
"3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the inserting of the waterproof, breathable bootie takes place after a sole of the footwear has been applied to the upper assembly, or\nwherein the inserting of the waterproof, breathable bootie takes place; before a sole of the footwear is applied to the upper assembly.",
"4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the inserting of the waterproof, breathable bootie takes place after the inner space has been jointly formed by an upper assembly of the footwear and a sole of the footwear.",
"5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the waterproof, breathable bootie consists of the waterproof, breathable laminate construction.",
"6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the attaching of the waterproof, breathable bootie to the footwear in the donning region of the footwear comprises adhering an adhesive tape of the waterproof, breathable bootie, arranged in a collar region of the waterproof, breathable bootie, to the donning region of the footwear.",
"7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the attaching of the waterproof, breathable bootie to the footwear in the donning region of the footwear comprises sewing the waterproof, breathable bootie in a collar region thereof to the donning region of the footwear.",
"8. A method according to claim 1, wherein the attaching of the waterproof, breathable bootie to the footwear in the donning region of the footwear comprises attaching the waterproof, breathable bootie to the footwear at a distance of at least 2 cm from a sole portion of the inner space.",
"9. A method according to claim 1, wherein the attaching of the waterproof, breathable bootie to the footwear in at least one further attachment region of the footwear comprises attaching the waterproof, breathable bootie to the footwear in at least one of a toe region of the footwear and a heel region of the footwear.",
"10. A method according to claim 9, wherein the attaching of the waterproof, breathable bootie to the footwear in at least one further attachment region of the footwear comprises adhering the waterproof, breathable bootie to the 25 footwear in at least one of the toe region of the footwear and the heel region of the footwear.",
"11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of permanently fixing the waterproof, breathable bootie in the inner space of the footwear comprises adhering the waterproof, breathable bootie to the footwear substantially all around its outer surface.",
"12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of inserting the waterproof, breathable bootie into the inner space comprises arranging the waterproof, breathable bootie on a last and inserting the last together with the waterproof, breathable bootie into the inner space.",
"13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the last is expandable; and\nwherein the step of permanently fixing the waterproof, breathable bootie in position in the inner space comprises expanding the last within the inner space;\nwherein the last comprises at least two last portions; and\nwherein the step of expanding the last within the inner space comprises spacing the at least two last portions.",
"14. The method according to claim 12, wherein the last is heatable; and\nwherein the step of permanently fixing the waterproof, breathable bootie in position in the inner space comprises heating the last, when inserted into the inner space.",
"15. The method according to claim 12, wherein the step of permanently fixing the waterproof, breathable bootie in position in the inner space comprises applying pressure to the last from outside of an upper assembly of the footwear and/or from outside of a sole of the footwear,\nwherein the step of applying pressure to the last from outside of the upper assembly and/or from outside of the sole comprises at least one of:\napplying pressure to an instep portion of the upper assembly via an instep pressuring device,\napplying pressure around a heel portion of the upper assembly via a forked heel pressuring device,\napplying pressure to the sole via a sole pressure plate, and\napplying pressure around an entirety of the upper assembly and sole via a bag around the footwear and the last.",
"16. The method according to claim 1, wherein the waterproof, breathable bootie is at least partly elastic.",
"17. The method according to claim 16,\nwherein the waterproof, breathable bootie is elastic at least in a mid-foot portion thereof, in particular at least in a mid-foot portion that extends along at least 50% of a length from a tip of the waterproof, breathable bootie to a rear of the waterproof, breathable bootie, and/or\nwherein the waterproof, breathable bootie is elastic at least in a top portion thereof, in particular at least in a top portion that extends along at least 40%, in particular along at least 50%, of a circumference of the waterproof, breathable bootie.",
"18. The method according to claim 1,\nwherein the waterproof, breathable laminate construction comprises a one-piece functional layer and at least one textile layer,\nwherein the one-piece functional layer is a seamless, one-piece functional layer, or\nwherein the waterproof, breathable laminate construction comprises multiple waterproof, breathable laminate pieces,\nwherein each of the multiple waterproof, breathable laminate pieces comprises a functional layer piece and at least one textile layer piece, or\nwherein the waterproof, breathable laminate construction comprises multiple functional layer pieces and at least one textile layer.",
"19. The method according to claim 2, wherein the upper assembly has an upper material\nwherein the upper assembly has one of:\ni) a mono tongue,\nwherein part of the upper material forms a tongue of the footwear,\nii) a separate tongue,\nwherein a tongue piece is attached to the upper material and\niii) a gusset-type tongue,\nwherein a tongue piece is attached to the upper material via an intermittent bridge piece, and\nwherein the step of permanently fixing the waterproof, breathable bootie in position in the inner space comprises attaching the waterproof, breathable bootie to said one of the mono tongue, the separate tongue, and the gusset-type tongue.",
"20. A footwear produced in accordance with the method of claim 1."
],
[
"1. A last for molding a body of a skate boot of a skate, the skate comprising a skating device disposed beneath the skate boot to engage a skating surface, the skate boot being configured to receive a foot of a user, the last being configured to mold the body of the skate boot such that the body of the skate boot comprises a medial side portion to face a medial side of the user's foot, a lateral side portion to face a lateral side of the user's foot, a heel portion to receive a heel of the user's foot, and an ankle portion to receive an ankle of the user, the last being reconfigurable to facilitate demolding of the body of the skate boot from the last such that the last is changeable between a molding configuration to mold the body of the skate boot on the last and a demolding configuration to demold the body of the skate boot from the last.",
"2. The last of claim 1, wherein the last is contracted in its demolding configuration relative to its molding configuration.",
"3. The last of claim 1, wherein the last is configured to mold the body of the skate boot such that the body of the skate boot comprises a plurality of undercuts.",
"4. The last of claim 3, wherein respective ones of the undercuts are medial and lateral depressions of the ankle portion for receiving medial and lateral malleoli of the user.",
"5. The last of claim 3, wherein a given one of the undercuts is a recess defined by curvature of the heel portion.",
"6. The last of claim 3, wherein respective ones of the undercuts are recesses defined by curvature of the medial and lateral side portions.",
"7. The last of claim 1, wherein a volume occupied by the last is reduced from its molding configuration to its demolding configuration such that the volume occupied by the last in its demolding configuration is smaller than the volume occupied by the last in its molding configuration.",
"8. The last of claim 7, wherein the last comprises a cavity to receive a fluid to vary the volume occupied by the last by expanding and contracting the last.",
"9. The last of claim 1, wherein the last comprises a cavity containing particles and configured to receive a fluid such that the particles vary a rigidity of the last in response to flow of the fluid relative to the cavity.",
"10. The last of claim 1, wherein the last comprises a plurality of last members movable relative to one another to change between its molding configuration and its demolding configuration.",
"11. The last of claim 10, wherein: respective ones of the last members are movable relative to one another while remaining connected to one another as the last changes between its molding configuration and its demolding configuration; and the last comprises a control system to control movement of the last members relative to one another.",
"12. The last of claim 10, wherein adjacent ones of the last members are translatable relative to one to change the last between its molding configuration and its demolding configuration.",
"13. The last of claim 10, wherein adjacent ones of the last members are rotatable relative to one to change the last between its molding configuration and its demolding configuration.",
"14. The last of claim 10, wherein adjacent ones of the last members are translatable and rotatable relative to one to change the last between its molding configuration and its demolding configuration.",
"15. The last of claim 10, wherein the last members include at least three last members.",
"16. The last of claim 10, wherein the last members include at least five last members.",
"17. The last of claim 10, wherein a first one of the last members is a front central last member, a second one of the last members is a rear central last member, a third one of the last members is an intermediate central last member disposed between the front central last member and the rear central last member; a fourth one of the last members is a medial last member; and a fifth one of the last members is a lateral last member.",
"18. The last of claim 17, wherein the last is configured to mold the body of the skate boot such that the body of the skate boot comprises a sole portion for facing a plantar surface of the user's foot.",
"19. The last of claim 17, wherein the last is configured to mold the body of the skate boot such that the body of the skate boot comprises a toe portion for enclosing toes of the user's foot.",
"20. The last of claim 1, wherein the last is configured to mold the body of the skate boot such that the body of the skate boot comprises a sole portion for facing a plantar surface of the user's foot.",
"21. The last of claim 1, wherein the last is configured to mold the body of the skate boot such that the body of the skate boot comprises a toe portion for enclosing toes of the user's foot.",
"22. The last of claim 10, wherein: the last comprises a base including respective ones of the last members; and a given one of the last members is a removable covering configured to enclose the base and removable from the base.",
"23. The last of claim 22, wherein a thickness of the removable covering varies to define a plurality of undercuts of the body of the skate boot.",
"24. The last of claim 22, wherein the removable covering is flexible.",
"25. The last of claim 24, wherein the removable covering comprises an elastomeric material.",
"26. The last of claim 1, wherein the last is configured to injection mold the body of the skate boot.",
"27. The last of claim 1, wherein the body of the skate boot comprises a plurality of materials that are different and molded by flowing about the last.",
"28. A skate boot comprising a body molded using the last of claim 1.",
"29. A method of making a skate boot for a skate, the skate comprising a skating device disposed beneath the skate boot to engage a skating surface, the skate boot being configured to receive a foot of a user, the method comprising:\nproviding a last changeable between a molding configuration and a demolding configuration;\nmolding a body of the skate boot on the last in the molding configuration such that the body of the skate boot comprises a medial side portion to face a medial side of the user's foot, a lateral side portion to face a lateral side of the user's foot, a heel portion to receive a heel of the user's foot, and an ankle portion to receive an ankle of the user;\nchanging the last from the molding configuration to the demolding configuration to facilitate removal of the body of the skate boot from the last; and\ndemolding the body of the skate boot from the last in the demolding configuration.",
"32. A flexible female mold member for molding a body of a skate boot of a skate, the skate comprising a skating device disposed beneath the skate boot to engage a skating surface, the skate boot being configured to receive a foot of a user, the flexible female mold member being configured to be part of a female mold and disposed adjacent to a last for molding the body of the skate boot, the flexible female mold member comprising an inner surface preformed to define a cavity between the flexible female mold member and the last to receive polymeric material to mold at least a portion of the body of the skate boot such that the inner surface of the flexible female mold member creates an outer surface of the portion of the body of the skate boot.",
"42. A method of making a skate boot of a skate, the skate comprising a skating device disposed beneath the skate boot to engage a skating surface, the skate boot being configured to receive a foot of a user, the method comprising:\nplacing a sheet in a mold for molding a body of the skate boot; and\ncausing flow of material in the mold to mold at least a portion of the body of the skate boot, the sheet conforming to the portion of the body of the skate boot."
],
[
"1. A last for footwear production, the last comprises comprising:\na last main body having an external surface that at least partly has a shape of a human foot, and\na movable last body part,\nwherein said last main body and said movable last body part are at least partly formed by additive manufacturing,\nwherein said last main body and said movable last body part each comprises guiding structures configured for guiding at least partly a relational movement of said last main body and said movable last body part, and\nwherein said guiding structures of said last main body and said movable last body part are at least partly formed by additive manufacturing.",
"4. The last according to claim 1, wherein said movable last body part comprises a heel body having at least partly the shape of a human heel.",
"5. The last according to claim 1, wherein said movable last body part comprises a forefoot body having at least partly a shape of a human forefoot.",
"6. The last according to claim 5, wherein said movable last body part comprises an upper forefoot body having at least partly a shape of an upper human forefoot.",
"7. The last according to claim 5, wherein said movable last body part comprises a toe body having at least partly the shape of a human toe part.",
"8. The last according to claim 1, wherein said guiding structures of said last main body and said movable last body part comprise a separate guiding structure (58), configured to be assembled with said last main body or said movable last body part to form at least part of said guiding structures, and\nwherein said separate guiding structure is at least partly formed by additive manufacturing.",
"10. The last according to claim 1, wherein said last comprises a locking-unlocking mechanism for locking said last main body and said movable last body part in one or more positions of said relational movement of said last main body and said movable last body part.",
"12. The last according to claim 1, wherein the last further comprises an attachment structure configured to attach the last main body to a footwear manufacturing device.",
"13. The last according to claim 12, wherein the attachment structure is positioned on a top part of the last main body.",
"14. The last according to claim 12, wherein the attachment structure comprises one or more openings extending in a vertical direction.",
"15. The last according to claim 1, wherein the last main body has a side wall having said external surface having at least partly said shape of a human foot and an internal surface defining an inner volume of the last main body.",
"16. The last according to claim 15, wherein the side wall has a thickness between 2 and 10 mm.",
"18. The last according to claim 1, wherein the last main body and the movable last body part at least partly comprise homogeneous material structures.",
"20. The last according to claim 1, wherein the last main body or the movable last body part comprises a polymer.",
"21. The last according to claim 1, wherein the last main body or the movable last body part comprises a polymeric material having a Shore D value of between 50 and 100.",
"22. The last according to claim 1, wherein additive manufacturing materials utilized by said additive manufacturing comprises at least one selected from the list of polymers, resin photopolymers, ABS, PLA, ASA, nylon/nylon powder, PETG, metal/metal powder, plaster powder, HIPS, PET, PEEK, PVA, ULTEM, polyjet resin and/or ceramics.",
"23. The last according to claim 1, wherein the last main body comprises a cooperating wall and wherein the movable last body part comprises a cooperating wall.",
"24. The last according to claim 1, wherein the last main body comprises a cooperating wall of the last main body and wherein the movable last body part comprises a cooperating wall of the movable last body part, wherein further the cooperating wall the last main body comprises two supporting wall parts and wherein the cooperating wall comprises two supporting wall parts.",
"25. The last according to claim 24, wherein at least part of the supporting wall parts is 3D printed, and wherein the area of the 3D printed supporting wall parts is at least 5% of the total area of the supporting wall parts.",
"26. The last according to claim 24, wherein at least part of the supporting wall parts is 3D printed, and wherein the area of the 3D printed supporting wall parts is between 5% and 50% of the total area of the supporting wall parts."
],
[
"1. A method of printing to an upper of an article of footwear, comprising:\nplacing the article of footwear onto a last portion of a holding assembly, the last portion including a first side portion filled with a plurality of bead members and further having a flexible membrane stretched over the plurality of bead members;\nflattening a side portion of the upper and the first side portion of the last portion;\ncreating a vacuum within an interior cavity of the first side portion so that the flexible membrane and the plurality of bead members have a substantially rigid geometry; and\nprinting onto the side portion of the upper.",
"2. The method according to claim 1, wherein flattening the side portion of the upper includes associating a flattening plate with the side portion.",
"3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the side portion is squeezed between the flattening plate and the first side portion of the last portion.",
"4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the last portion includes a second side portion and a bladder member disposed between the first side portion and the second side portion.",
"5. The method according to claim 4, wherein flattening the side portion is followed by expanding the bladder member so that the first side portion and the second side portion are separated.",
"6. The method according to claim 3, wherein the flattening plate is removed before printing onto the side portion of the upper.",
"7. A method of printing to an upper of an article of footwear, comprising:\nplacing the article of footwear onto a last portion of a holding assembly, the last portion including a first side portion and a second side portion connected via a bladder member;\ninflating the bladder member so that the last portion expands and causes the article of footwear to tilt on the last portion;\nflattening a side portion of the upper; and\nprinting onto the side portion of the upper.",
"8. The method according to claim 7, wherein flattening the side portion of the upper includes placing a flattening plate against the upper.",
"9. The method according to claim 7, wherein the first side portion includes a flexible membrane that bounds an interior chamber filled with a plurality of bead members.",
"10. The method according to claim 9, wherein flattening the side portion of the upper is followed by creating a vacuum within the interior chamber, thereby temporarily increasing the rigidity of the flexible membrane.",
"11. The method according to claim 7, wherein printing onto the side portion of the upper is accomplished using an inkjet printer.",
"12. The method according to claim 7, wherein inflating the bladder member causes the second side portion to tilt with respect to the first side portion.",
"13. The method according to claim 7, wherein the holding assembly is configured to hold the article so that the side portion faces a print head of the printer.",
"14. A method of printing to an upper of an article of footwear, comprising:\nplacing the article of footwear onto a last portion of a holding assembly, the last portion including a first side portion with an outer surface that is substantially deformable and the last portion including a second side portion;\nplacing the holding assembly with the article of footwear on a platform;\nfastening a flattening plate to a plurality of mounting arms such that the flattening plate contacts the article of footwear;\nrepositioning the upper on the last portion so that the contact area between the flattening plate and the upper increases;\ntemporarily increasing the rigidity of the outer surface of the first side portion;\nremoving the flattening plate; and\nprinting onto the upper.",
"15. The method according to claim 14, wherein printing onto the upper includes associating a printing system with the article of footwear.",
"16. The method according to claim 14, wherein placing the holding assembly on the platform further includes temporarily fixing the position of the holding assembly on the platform.",
"17. The method according to claim 16, wherein magnetism is used to temporarily lock the position of the holding assembly on the platform.",
"18. The method according to claim 16, wherein a vacuum is used to temporarily lock the position of the holding assembly on the platform.",
"19. The method according to claim 14, wherein repositioning the upper on the last portion further includes adjusting the separation between the first side portion and the second side portion.",
"20. The method according to claim 19, wherein separating the first side portion and the second side portion is accomplished by inflating a bladder member, wherein the bladder member is disposed between the first side portion and the second side portion."
],
[
"1. A holding assembly configured to hold an article of footwear, comprising:\na base including a body portion supported by at least two leg portions, the base further including a forward mounting portion that extends from the body portion;\na last portion connected to the forward mounting portion, the last portion having a longitudinal axis in parallel with the at least two leg portions;\nwherein the at least two leg portions extend beyond an edge of the last portion that is opposite an edge of the last portion that is directly connected to the forward mounting portion;\nan adjustable heel assembly connected to the forward mounting portion, the adjustable heel assembly further including a heel engaging portion that extends in parallel with a rearward edge of the last portion and a rotatable handle to adjust and lock the adjustable heel assembly;\nwherein the adjustable heel assembly is capable of being extended and retracted from the forward mounting portion thereby adjusting the distance between the heel engaging portion and the rearward edge of the last portion.",
"2. The holding assembly according to claim 1, wherein the body portion is associated with a first longitudinal axis and the forward mounting portion is associated with a second longitudinal axis and wherein the first longitudinal axis is perpendicular with the second longitudinal axis.",
"3. The holding assembly according to claim 1, wherein the adjustable heel assembly is capable of being translated along a first direction and wherein the heel engaging portion extends in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction.",
"4. The holding assembly according to claim 1, wherein the last portion includes a first side portion, a second side portion and a bladder member disposed between the first side portion, and the second side portion.",
"5. The holding assembly according to claim 4, wherein the bladder member expands to separate the first side portion from the second side portion.",
"6. The holding assembly according to claim 4, wherein the first side portion has a moldable outer surface.",
"7. The holding assembly according to claim 6, wherein the rigidity of the moldable outer surface is variable.",
"8. The holding assembly according to claim 1, wherein the position of the adjustable heel assembly relative to the forward mounting portion is temporarily locked.",
"9. The holding assembly according to claim 8, wherein the position is temporarily locked using the rotatable handle.",
"10. The holding assembly according to claim 9, wherein the rotatable handle is grasped for adjusting the position of the adjustable heel assembly.",
"11. The holding assembly according to claim 1, wherein the position of the heel engaging portion is adjusted to accommodate different footwear sizes.",
"12. The holding assembly according to claim 1, wherein the heel engaging portion extends outwardly from a body portion of the adjustable heel assembly and wherein the body portion of the adjustable heel assembly is slidably mounted to the forward mounting portion of the holding assembly.",
"13. The holding assembly according to claim 1, wherein the heel engaging portion applies tension to a heel portion of the article of footwear and wherein the holding assembly includes a lace locking member, and wherein a lace of the article of footwear is wrapped around the lace locking member to apply tension to a portion of the article of footwear that is forward of the heel engaging portion.",
"14. A holding assembly configured to hold an article of footwear, comprising:\na base portion and a last portion, the base portion including a body portion supported by at least two leg portions and a forward mounting portion, the forward mounting portion attached to the last portion;\nwherein the at least two leg portions extend beyond an edge of the last portion that is opposite an edge of the last portion that is directly connected to the forward mounting portion;\na lace locking member attached to the body portion, the lace locking member further including a central portion extending from the body portion as well as a first catching portion and a second catching portion, wherein the first catching portion and the second catching portion are spaced apart from the body portion;\nwherein the article of footwear has a lace;\nwherein the lace locking member is configured to receive the lace of the article of footwear that is disposed on the last portion and the lace is wrapped around the central portion; and wherein tension is applied to the upper when the lace is wrapped around the central portion.",
"15. The holding assembly according to claim 14, wherein the lace locking member is configured to anchor the lace on the body portion.",
"16. The holding assembly according to claim 14, wherein the holding assembly further includes an adjustable heel assembly including a heel engaging portion configured to apply tension to a heel region of the article of footwear.",
"17. The holding assembly according to claim 16, wherein the lace locking member works in coordination with the adjustable heel assembly to tension the article of footwear at opposing sides of the opening of the article of footwear.",
"18. The holding assembly according to claim 14, wherein the last portion is adjustable.",
"19. The holding assembly according to claim 18, wherein the last portion is capable of being expanded.",
"20. The holding assembly according to claim 18, wherein an outer surface of the last portion is deformable."
],
[
"1. Manufacturing system for a shoe with shock-absorbing insert in the heel, said manufacturing system comprising:\na last having a heel and a mid-sole connected by a spring, said heel incorporating a heel portion connected to said heel by a step, said heel portion being smaller than said heel;\na rigid frame surrounding said heel portion and being comprised of a horseshoe collar; and\na shock-absorbing insert housed inside the shoe under said heel.",
"2. A method of manufacturing the shoe system with shock-absorbing insert in the heel according to claim 1, said method comprising the steps of:\nA) fixing of a traditional intermediate sole with known means for fixing and with possibility of removal, under the last, the intermediate sole having a lower sole completely covered from toe to heel by the intermediate sole and a central section double-folded to surmount a transversal front edge of the heel portion;\nB) fitting of an upper sole on the last;\nC) rolling up, stretching and fixing of perimeter edges of the upper sole by known means for fixing under edges of the intermediate sole;\nD) using dovetail application on the heel portion of the horseshoe frame, covering the upper sole in a section of the upper sole surrounding and covering the heel portion;\nE) applying and fixing of a traditional sole on the intermediate sole by a known means for fixing;\nF) applying and fixing of a heel layer on the traditional sole with known means for fixing; and\nG) removing the shoe from the last and fitting of the shock-absorbing insert, having a same shape and size as the heel portion and exactly housed in the space surrounded by the horseshoe frame; and\nH) fitting of an insole inside the shoe hiding the insert.",
"3. The manufacturing system for a shoe with shock-absorbing insert in the heel, according to claim 1, said manufacturing system further comprising:\na sack upper provided with an opening in the area below the heel.",
"4. System as claimed in claim 1, wherein the horseshoe frame is closed with a lower base used to cover the lower side of the heel portion when the frame is coupled with the last.",
"5. System as claimed in claim 1, wherein the horseshoe frame has an external surface finish that imitates leather or multilayer leather or is coated with a leather or multilayer leather strip.",
"6. A method of manufacturing a shoe system with shock-absorbing insert in the heel, according to claim 1, said method comprising the steps of:\na) using dovetail application of the frame on the heel portion of the last;\nb) fixing of a traditional intermediate sole with known means for fixing and with possibility of removal, under the last, the sole having a lower sole completely covered from toe to heel by said intermediate sole and a central section double-folded to surmount a transversal front edge of the heel portion;\nc) fitting of an upper sole of the intermediate sole on the last;\nd) rolling up, stretching and fixing of perimeter edges of the upper sole by known means for fixing under edges of the intermediate sole, the horseshoe frame being hidden and covered by the upper sole;\ne) applying and fixing of a traditional sole on the intermediate sole;\nf) applying and fixing of a heel layer on the traditional sole with known means for fixing;\ng) removing the shoe from the last and fitting of the shock-absorbing insert, the insert having a same shape and size as the heel portion and being exactly housed in the space surrounded by the horseshoe frame; and\nh) fitting of an insole inside the shoe hiding the insert.",
"7. A method of manufacturing a shoe system with shock-absorbing insert in the heel, according to claim 3, said method comprising the steps of:\nA1) inserting of the sack upper of the last, the heel portion being inserted and protruding from an opening on the sack upper;\nB1) rolling up, stretching and fixing of perimeter edges of the upper sole by known means for fixing on edges of an upper flap of the shoe;\nC1) using dovetail application of the horseshoe-shaped frame on the heel portion;\nD1) applying and fixing of a traditional sole under the sack upper with known means for fixing;\nE1) applying and fixing of a heel layer on the traditional sole with known means for fixing;\nF1) removing the shoe from the last and fitting of the shock-absorbing insert, the insert having a same shape and size as the heel portion and being exactly housed in the space surrounded by the horseshoe frame; and\nG1) fitting of an insole inside the shoe hiding the insert."
],
[
"1. A shoe last for forming a shoe, comprising:\na body comprising a heel region including a surface and a sole surface, the sole surface comprising at least three distinct planar surfaces, the three distinct planar surface comprising:\na toe box portion;\na heel portion; and\nan arch support portion positioned between the toe box portion and the heel portion,\nwherein the heel region and the heel portion of the sole surface define a first angle therebetween, the surface of heel region and the arch support portion defining a second angle therebetween, the surface of the heel portion and the arch support portion defining a third angle therebetween, the second and the third angles being different, and wherein the heel portion of the sole surface has a concave shape.",
"2. The shoe last of claim 1, wherein: the toe box, heel, and arch support portions each includes a surface, the surfaces being on different, non-parallel planes.",
"3. The shoe last of claim 1, wherein: the concave shape of the heel portion of the sole includes an apex, the apex being spaced apart from the surface of the heel region by a distance, the distance being between 3-8 millimeters inclusive.",
"4. The shoe last of claim 3, wherein: the distance is about 5 millimeters.",
"5. The shoe last of claim 1, wherein: the arch support region extends from the heel portion to the toe box portion of the sole surface, a first transverse arch is formed on the sole surface proximate to the toe box portion, a second transverse arch is formed on the sole surface proximate the heel portion, and the first and second transverse arches smoothly transition toward the toe box portions and the heel portions respectively in a continuous curve free from any angled edges.",
"6. The shoe last of claim 1, wherein: the sole surface has a thickness that is substantially uniform along its length.",
"7. The shoe last of claim 1, wherein the sole surface is smoothly contoured and is free from sharp edges.",
"8. The shoe last of claim 1, wherein: the arch support portion is configured as a concave region with respect to an upper portion of the shoe last.",
"9. The shoe last of claim 1, wherein: the transition between the toe box and the arch support portion is smooth.",
"10. The shoe last of claim 1, wherein the depths of the toe box and heel portions are approximately equal.",
"11. The shoe last of claim 1, wherein: when worn, a user's body weight is concentrated at the heal portion of said shoe.",
"12. The shoe last of claim 1, wherein: the shoe is configured to accommodate a foot having a heel and a ball, and wherein when worn the shoe is configured to redistribute pressure away from the ball of the foot toward the heel of the foot.",
"13. The shoe last of claim 1, wherein: the concave shape of the heel portion of the sole surface of the sole surface of the shoe last has a depth that varies between 0 and 5 millimeters inclusive.",
"14. The shoe last of claim 1, wherein: the heel region of the shoe defines a cup-shaped heal rest that is configured to redistribute pressure applied to the sole surface of the shoe toward the heal region of the shoe.",
"15. A method of manufacturing a shoe, comprising:\nproviding a shoe last, comprising:\na body comprising a heel region including a surface and a sole surface, the sole surface comprising at least three distinct planar surfaces, the three distinct planar surface comprising:\na toe box portion;\na heel portion; and\nan arch support portion positioned between the toe box portion and the heel portion,\nwherein the heel region and the heel portion of the sole surface define a first angle therebetween, the surface of heel region and the arch support portion defining a second angle therebetween, the surface of the heel portion and the arch support portion defining a third angle therebetween, the second and the third angles being different, and wherein the heel portion of the sole surface has a concave shape; and\nforming a shoe by joining portions of the shoe around an exterior of the body of the shoe last,\nwherein the shoe includes a sole surface that is free from angled edges and includes a toe box portion, a heel portion, and an arch support portion, and wherein the heel portion defines a convex shape that corresponds to the concavity of the heel portion of the sole surface of the shoe last.",
"16. The method of claim 15, wherein: when worn, body weight is concentrated at the heel portion of the shoe.",
"17. The method of claim 15, wherein: the shoe is configured to accommodate a foot having a heel and a ball, and wherein when worn the shoe is configured to redistribute pressure away from the ball of the foot toward the heel of the foot.",
"18. The method of claim 15, wherein: the concave shape of the heel portion of the sole surface of the shoe last has a depth that varies between 0 and 5 millimeters inclusive.",
"19. The method of claim 15, wherein: the heel region of the shoe defines a cup-shaped heel rest that is configured to redistribute pressure applied to the sole surface of the shoe toward the heal region of the shoe.",
"20. The method of claim 19, wherein: the heel rest has a depth between 2 and 8 millimeters inclusive.",
"21. The method of claim 19, wherein: the heel rest has a depth of about 5 millimeters.",
"22. The method of claim 15, wherein: the sole surface has a thickness that is substantially uniform along its length.",
"23. The method of claim 15, wherein: the toe box, heel, and arch support portions each includes a surface, the surfaces being on different, non-parallel planes.",
"24. The method of claim 15, wherein: the sole surface of the shoe is formed from a pliable material."
]
] |
the following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 u.s.c. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this office action:
a person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
(a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
claims 1-3, 5, and 6 are rejected under 35 u.s.c. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by smith (us pg pub. 2020/0113291).
regarding claim 1, smith discloses a last (100, fig. 1-5) comprising:
an upper forming surface (see annotated fig. 1 below) configured to form an upper including a wearing opening (“configured to…opening” is considered as a functional limitation, the device of the prior art discloses substantially all of the claimed structural elements and therefore it is fully capable to perform the claimed function);
a base part (combination of 170, 110, 121, and 122) that includes a bottom (102, fig. 3) configured to define a bottom surface of the upper (“configured to…upper” is considered as a functional limitation, the device of the prior art discloses substantially all of the claimed structural elements and therefore it is fully capable to perform the claimed function); and
a plurality of additional parts (120), each of which is configured in a plate shape for assembly to the base part (combination of 170, 110, 121, and 122, examiner notes as shown in fig. 1a and 3),
wherein the base part (combination of 170, 110, 121, and 122, fig.1-5) further includes:
a first base member (combination of 110 and 122) that includes a mounting unit (110) configured to mount the plurality of additional parts (120) such that the plurality of additional parts are arranged in a multi- layered configuration along one direction (par. 0023, lines: 1-5 and par. 0024);
a second base member (121, fig. 5, examiner notes element 121 in fig. 5 corresponds to element 140 in fig. 1) attachable to and detachable from the first base member (combination of 110 and 122, par. 0023, lines: 8-9 and par. 0024); and
a first forming surface (see annotated fig. 1 below) that defines a first region of the upper forming surface (see annotated fig. 1 below),
the plurality of additional parts (120) includes a second forming surface (see annotated fig. 1 below) defining a second region (see annotated fig. 1 below) disposed at a location different from the first region in the upper forming surface while attached to the mounting unit (110, examiner notes as shown in fig. 1-3),
each of the additional parts (120) has an end face (see annotated fig. 1 below), and
the second forming surface (see annotated fig. 1 below) includes the end face of each of the plurality of additional parts (see annotated fig. 1 below).
png
media_image1.png
708
758
greyscale
fig. 1-examiner annotated
media_image2.png
525
671
fig. 2-examiner annotated
media_image3.png
559
892
fig. 3-examiner annotated
regarding claim 2, smith discloses the first forming surface (see annotated fig. 1 above) includes a wearing opening forming unit (170) configured to form the wearing opening (“configured to…opening” is considered as a functional limitation, the device of the prior art discloses substantially all of the claimed structural elements and therefore it is fully capable to perform the claimed function), the mounting unit (110) includes a front mounting unit (see annotated fig. 1 above, examiner notes in the annotation of fig. 1 the “front mounting unit” is element 122 in fig. 5 and part of element 120 in fig. 1) located in front of the wearing opening forming unit (170, as shown in annotated fig. 1), the first base member (combination of 110 and 122) includes the front mounting unit (examiner notes as shown in annotated fig. 1 above), and a boundary portion (see annotated fig. 1 above) between the first base member (combination of 110 and 122) and the second base member (121) is defined at a position corresponding to the wearing opening in a height direction (examiner notes as shown in annotated fig. 1 above).
regarding claim 3, smith discloses the front mounting unit (see annotated fig. 1 above) includes a plurality of partition plates (see annotated fig. 1 above), each of which has a shape rising from the bottom and extending in a foot width direction (examiner notes as shown in fig. 1 and 3), and the plurality of partition plates (see annotated fig. 1 above) being arranged side by side at intervals in a foot length direction (examiner notes as shown in fig. 1), and a distance (see annotated fig. 1 above) between a pair of partition plates adjacent to each other in the foot length direction among the plurality of partition plates (examiner notes as shown in annotated fig. 1 above) is set to allow each of the additional parts (120) to be disposed between the pair of partition plates (“set to allow…partition plates” is considered as a functional limitation, the device of the prior art discloses substantially all of the claimed structural elements and therefore it is fully capable to perform the claimed function).
regarding claim 5, smith discloses each of the additional parts (120) configured to attach to the front mounting unit (“configured to…unit” is considered as a functional limitation, the device of the prior art discloses substantially all of the claimed structural elements and therefore it is fully capable to perform the claimed function) includes a bottom end face (see annotated fig. 3 above), and the bottom end face of each of the plurality of additional parts (see annotated fig. 3 above) attached to the front mounting unit (see annotated fig. 1 above) defines a bottom surface of the upper together with the bottom of the base part (102, examiner notes as shown in annotated fig. 3 above).
regarding claim 6, smith discloses the mounting unit (110) further includes a rear mounting unit (see annotated fig. 2 above, examiner notes the annotated “rear mounting unit” is a portion of element 110) located behind the boundary portion between the first base member (combination of 110 and 122) and the second base member (121), and the second base member (121) includes the rear mounting unit (examiner notes when comparing fig. 2 and fig. 5, the annotated “rear mounting unit” is shown including element 121).
|
[
"1. A method at a computing device for managing a credential vault, the method comprising:\ndetecting that authentication is pending for an application or service, wherein the application or service is distinct from the credential vault;\ndetermining, by an operating system of the computing device, a state of a credential vault;\nwhen the credential vault is in a locked state,\nactivating an authentication mechanism for the credential vault without changing focus on the user interface for the application or service;\nreceiving authentication credentials for the credential vault;\nverifying the authentication credentials for the credential vault;\nupon verification of the authentication credentials for the credential vault, providing from the credential vault, authentication credentials for the application or service to the application or service.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the credential vault stores a password for the application or service.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein the credential vault stores a key to enable or launch the application or service.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting that authentication is pending comprises detecting input focus on the user interface into a password entry area.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting that authentication is pending comprises detecting a start of an authentication process for the application or service.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein the authentication mechanism comprises a biometric sensor.",
"7. The method of claim 1, wherein the authentication mechanism comprises a wireless tag proximity sensor.",
"8. The method of claim 1, wherein the authentication mechanism comprises a camera.",
"9. The method of claim 1, wherein verification of input from the authentication mechanism is done within the credential vault.",
"10. A computing device comprising:\na processor; and\na memory for storing instruction code,\nwherein the instruction code causes the computing device to:\ndetect that authentication is pending for an application or service,\nwherein the application or service is distinct from the credential vault;\ndetermine, by an operating system of the computing device, a state of a credential vault;\nwhen the credential vault is in a locked state,\nactivate an authentication mechanism for the credential vault without changing focus on the user interface for the application or service;\nreceive authentication credentials for the credential vault;\nverify the authentication credentials for the credential vault;\nupon verification of the authentication credentials for the credential vault, provide from the credential vault, authentication credentials for the application or service to the application or service.",
"11. The computing device of claim 10, wherein the credential vault stores a password for the application or service.",
"12. The computing device of claim 10, wherein the credential vault stores a key to enable or launch the application or service.",
"13. The computing device of claim 10, wherein detecting that authentication is pending comprises detecting input focus on the user interface into a password entry area.",
"14. The computing device of claim 10, wherein detecting that authentication is pending comprises detecting a start of an authentication process for the application or service.",
"15. The computing device of claim 10, wherein the authentication mechanism comprises a biometric sensor.",
"16. The computing device of claim 10, wherein the authentication mechanism comprises a wireless tag proximity sensor.",
"17. The computing device of claim 10, wherein the authentication mechanism comprises a camera.",
"18. The computing device of claim 10, wherein verification of input from the authentication mechanism is done within the credential vault.",
"19. A non-transitory computer readable medium for storing program code for execution on a processor of a computing device, the program code comprising instructions for:\ndetecting that authentication is pending for an application or service,\nwherein the application or service is distinct from the credential vault;\ndetermining, by an operating system of the computing device, a state of a credential vault;\nwhen the credential vault is in a locked state,\nactivating an authentication mechanism for the credential vault without changing focus on the user interface for the application or service;\nreceiving authentication credentials for the credential vault;\nverifying the authentication credentials for the credential vault;\nupon verification of the authentication credentials for the credential vault, providing from the credential vault, authentication credentials for the application or service to the application or service."
] |
US20240004974A1
|
US20110047606A1
|
[
"1. A method for authenticating an identity of a user, the method comprising:\ninitiating a webpage browser session at a user device;\nprompting, the user to provide an at identifier and an authentication element via the user input device;\nreceiving the account identifier and the authentication element from the user input device;\nauthenticating the identity of the user based upon the account identifier and the authentication element received from the user input device and allowing the user access a secure database comprising a plurality of stored website account identifiers and stored website authentication elements:\nthe user device connecting to and displaying a website, the website comprising a prompt to authenticate a website identity of the user to the website; and\nautomatically retrieving and transmitting the stored webs to user account identifier and stored website authentication element from the secure database for the specific website displayed.",
"2. The method of claim 1 wherein the account identifier comprises a user identification name.",
"3. The method of claim 1 wherein authenticating the user comprises:\nreceiving the account identifier;\ndisplaying randomly generated grid of randomly selected images, each image having at least one randomly generated unique authentication element comprising an image identifier associated therewith; wherein at least one of the images is from a pre-selected category corresponding to the account identifier;\nreceiving at least one randomly generated unique image identifier associated with the image from the pre-selected image category; and\nauthenticating identity based upon the received unique image identifier associated with the randomly selected image from the pre-selected category.",
"4. The method of claim 1 wherein the user device comprises at least one of a personal computer, cellular telephone, a personal digital assistant or a Internet enabled game console.",
"5. The method of claim 1 further comprising:\ndisplaying a second website comprising a prompt to authenticate a second website identity of the user to the website;\nautomatically retrieving and transmitting, to the second website, a stored user account identifier and a stored second website authentication element both specific to the user and the second website from the secure database for authentication of the user by the second website.",
"6. The method of claim 5 wherein the stored account identifier and stored website authentication element comprise OpenID authentication credentials.",
"7. The method of claim 1 wherein the secure database is stored at the user device.",
"8. The method of claim 1 wherein the secure database is stored at an electronic storage device remote from the user device.",
"9. The method of claim 1 wherein the secure database comprises an online component and an offline component, wherein the offline component is stored at the user device and the online component is stored at an electronic storage device for access from a plurality of user devices via a network connection.",
"10. The method of claim 1 wherein displaying the website further comprises displaying an authentication notification icon, proximate to the prompt to authenticate the website identity, wherein the authentication notification icon communicates automatic retrieval and transmission of the stored website user account identifier and stored website authentication element further comprising displaying an authentication.",
"11. The method of claim 1 further comprising displaying an authentication notification icon proximate to the prompt to authenticate the website identity subsequent to authenticating the identity of the user and allowing access the secure database.",
"12. A system for authorizing a user to a website, the system comprising:\na memory unit for storing a plurality of website account identifiers and a plurality of website authentication elements for a single user, wherein each of the plurality of secure website account identifiers are associated with only one of the plurality of the website authentication elements;\na means for controlling access to the memory unit based upon authentication of an identity of the user to the memory unit; and\nwebsite access device comprising a means for accessing the memory unit and a communications link between the memory unit and the website;\nwherein the memory unit is adapted to automatically select a website account identifier and website authentication element specific to the website and transmit the website account identifier and website authentication element to the secure website to authenticate the identity of the user to the secure website.",
"13. The system of claim 12 wherein the memory unit comprises a secure file stored on a electronic file storage device at the website access device.",
"14. The system of claim 12 wherein the memory unit comprises a secure file stored on a electronic file storage device at a third-party computer system in communication with the website and the website access device.",
"15. The system of claim 12 wherein the means for controlling access to the memory unit comprises an authentication server adapted to receive an account identifier and authentication element from the website access device and to authenticate the user upon validation the account identifier and authentication element.",
"16. The system of claim 15 wherein the authentication server comprises:\na processor adapted to generate a grid of randomly selected images for display on the website access device and to assign a different randomly selected authentication element comprising a unique image identifier to each of the randomly selected images for display with the image on the website access device; and\nwherein the processor is adapted to receive at least one alphanumeric character from a user input device corresponding to the unique image identifier to authenticate the user.",
"17. The system of claim 16 wherein the randomly selected images are selected from a plurality of image categories, at least one category comprising an authenticating category, and wherein the user input the image identifier assigned to the randomly selected image from the authenticating category.",
"18. The system of claim 16 wherein the grid of randomly selected images comprise at least one image from a pre-selected image category.",
"19. The system of claim 12 wherein the memory unit comprises a portable read/write memory device.",
"20. The system of claim 12 wherein the website access device is selected from the group comprising a personal computer, a personal digital assistant, a cellular telephone, or a gaming console.",
"21. The system of claim 12 wherein the memory unit comprises an online component and an offline component, wherein the offline component comprises a secure database of high priority set of website account identifiers and website authentication elements stored at the user device and wherein the online component comprises a secure stored at an electronic storage device for access from a plurality of user devices via an network connection.",
"22. A computer implemented authentication protocol comprising:\ninitiating a webpage browser session at a user website access device;\nauthenticating a user identity to an authentication server;\naccessing a secure database comprising a plurality of website authentication elements;\naccessing a first secure website and determining the presence of a user authentication data field; and\nthe authentication server thereafter automatically transmitting at least one of the plurality of authentication elements specific to the authentication data field of the first secure website to authenticate the user to the first website.",
"23. The computer implemented authentication protocol of claim 22 further comprising:\naccessing a second secure website and determining the presence of a user authentication data field; and\nthe authentication server thereafter automatically transmitting at least one of the plurality of authentication elements specific to the authentication data field of the second secure website to authenticate the user to the second secure website.",
"24. The computer implemented authentication protocol of claim 22 wherein the secure database is stored at the user web access device.",
"25. The computer implemented authentication protocol of claim 22 wherein the secure database is stored by the authentication server.",
"26. The computer implements authentication protocol of claim 23 further comprising displaying an authentication notification icon proximate to the authentication data fields of the first secure website and the second secure website subsequent to authenticating the user identity to the authentication server.",
"27. The computer implements authentication protocol of claim 22 further comprising displaying an authentication notification icon proximate to the any authentication data field of any secure website subsequent to authenticating the user identity to the authentication server."
] |
[
[
"1. A computer-implemented method for providing access control to a resource, comprising:\nreceiving an authentication request to access a resource using a shared secret between a requesting device and an authentication mechanism, the shared secret including predefined authentication information states arranged in a predefined sequence;\nreceiving specified information items in a specified sequence such that each of the specified information items corresponds to one of the predefined authentication information states;\naccessing the predefined authentication information states arranged in a predefined sequence;\ndetermining whether each of the specified information items correctly match its corresponding predefined authentication information state;\nin response to a determination that a match is incorrect such that access to the resource is denied, allowing re-submission of the specified information items up to and including a determined number of times that is based upon a complexity of the predefined authentication information states.",
"2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 further comprising receiving one or more additional credentials to gain access to the resource and only granting access to the resource if the additional credentials are verified as being correct.",
"3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 in which the resource is a network-based resource and the authentication request is received by a server associated with the network-based resource over a communication network.",
"4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 in which the authentication request is received through a user interface of a computing device in which a processor performing the computer-implemented method is located and the resource is locally available to the computing device.",
"5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 in which at least one of the predefined authentication information states specifies that one of the credentials is to be incorrectly entered.",
"6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 further comprising presenting the requesting device a series of selectable states that include at least one state that does not allow access to the resource to be granted and at least one other state that does allow access to the resource to be granted, and wherein granting access to the resource further includes only granting access to the resource upon selection of said at least one other state and not said at least one state.",
"7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 further comprising presenting a series of selectable states that include a plurality of selectable states that each provide a prompt for a response, wherein only one of the plurality of selectable states is included in the shared secret such that if any remaining ones of the plurality of selectable states access are selected access to the resource will be denied.",
"8. The computer-implemented method of claim 7 further comprising granting access to the resource only upon receiving a correct response to the prompt associated with the one selectable state that is included in the shared secret.",
"9. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 in which the network resource is associated with a web site that receives the authentication request and wherein at least one of the predefined authentication information states specifies that the requesting device is to access the web site through a predetermined alternative web site in order for access to the resource to be granted.",
"10. The computer-implemented method of claim 2 further comprising, when one of the additional credentials that is provided is a previously valid credential that is now expired, denying access to the resource.",
"11. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein in response to a determination that each of the specified information items correctly matches its corresponding predefined authentication information state, granting access to the resource.",
"12. One or more computer-readable memory devices storing instructions for establishing an account allowing access to one or more protected resources, the instructions when executed by one or more processors disposed in a computing device causing the computing device to:\nestablish credentials and a shared secret with an access control mechanism associated with the one or more protected resources, wherein establishing the shared secret includes establishing predefined authentication information states arranged in a predefined sequence, the credentials and the shared secret to be presented to the access control mechanism to gain access to the one or more protected resources; and\nstore the credentials in a first data structure so that the credentials are accessible to the access control mechanism upon receiving an authentication attempt from a requesting device requesting access to the one or more protected resources, wherein a number of authentication attempts allowed is based at least in part upon a complexity of the predefined authentication information states.",
"13. The one or more computer-readable memory devices of claim 12 in which the instructions when executed by the one or more processors disposed in the computing device further causes the computing device to:\nassociate with the credentials stored in the first data structure a reference indicative to the access control mechanism of a location from which the shared secret is accessible,\nwherein the shared secret includes executable code used to perform one or more state machine steps and interact with the access control mechanism upon receiving an authentication request from the location from which the shared secret executable code is accessible requesting access to the one or more protected resources.",
"14. The one or more computer-readable memory devices of claim 13 further comprising a common data structure that includes the first data structure and a second data structure.",
"15. The one or more computer-readable memory devices of claim 12 in which establishing the shared secret further comprises establishing a shared secret that causes a requesting device accessing the account to be presented with a sequentially presented series of selectable states that include at least one state that does not allow access to the one or more protected resources to be granted and at least one other state that does allow access to the one or more protected resources to be granted such that access to the one or more protected resources is only granted if the requesting device selects said at least one other state and not said at least one state.",
"16. The one or more computer-readable memory devices of claim 12 in which establishing the shared secret further comprises establishing a shared secret that causes a requesting device accessing the account to be sequentially presented with a plurality of selectable states that each prompt the requesting device for a response, wherein selection of only one of the plurality of selectable states allows access to the one or more protected resource and selection of any remaining ones of the plurality of selectable states denies access to the one or more protected resources.",
"17. A computing device, comprising:\none or more processors;\na user interface (UI) configured to interact with a user of the device;\na memory device storing computer-readable instructions which, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the computing device to:\nexecute a state machine;\nreceive a request from the user interface to access a protected resource;\nresponsive to the request to access the protected resource, present a prompt through the user interface to provide predefined authentication information needed to access the protected resource, the prompting enabling user-specified authentication information to be received by the state machine during each of a predefined sequence of states of the state machine;\nuse the state machine to verify whether the user-specified authentication information matches the predefined authentication information and was correctly entered during each state and in the predefined sequence; and\nreceive one or more additional user credentials to gain access to the resource and only grant access to the resource if the additional user credentials are verified as being correct when one of the additional user credentials is provided incorrectly such that access to the resource is denied, allowing the user to re-submit the user-specified information for each of the states a specified number of times, the specified number of times being based at least in part on a complexity of the one additional credential.",
"18. The computing device of claim 17 in which at least one states in the predefined sequence of states specifies that one of the additional user credentials is to be incorrectly entered through the user interface.",
"19. The computing device of claim 17 in which in response to a verification that the predetermined authentication information was correctly entered during each state and in the predefined sequence, access to the resource is granted.",
"20. The computing device of claim 17 further comprising causing the computing device to present the user interface with a series of user-selectable states that include a plurality of user-selectable states that each provide a prompt for a response, wherein only one of the plurality of user-selectable states are included in a shared secret between the user and the state machine such that if the s any remaining ones of the plurality of user-selectable states are selected access to the resource will be denied."
],
[
"1. A method for authenticating an identity of an online user, the method including:\nreceiving registration data of an online user, wherein the registration data is used to access a web page associated with the online user;\nreceiving, from a registration device, a request to access the web page associated with the online user;\ntransmitting, by an authentication server, in response to the request to access the web page from the registration device, an image that contains a unique identifier (“ID”);\nreceiving, at the authentication server from the online user through a first device, an authentication request containing a digital certificate, the unique ID, and a log-in identifier (“ID”);\nauthenticating, by the authentication server, the first device of the online user based on the digital certificate, the unique ID, and log-in ID;\ntransmitting the web page associated with the online user to the first user device when the first user device is authenticated, the requested web page including an access number and a unique authentication code associated with the registration data of the online user;\nreceiving, at a biometric matching server associated with the access number, the unique authentication code associated with the registration data of the online user;\nreceiving, at the biometric matching server, a biometric parameter of the online user for authenticating the online user based on biometric matching; and\nassociating the biometric parameter of the online user with the registration data of the online user.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the registration device is one of a personal computer, a public computer, and a public kiosk, and the first device is a mobile device.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein the image is a two-dimensional barcode or a quick response code.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein the authentication request includes a request for notice of completed log-in for the unique ID.",
"5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nproviding the online user with a mobile application enabling the online user to extract the unique ID from the image, by taking a picture of a display of the registration device using a camera of the first device.",
"6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nstoring, upon receiving the authentication request containing the unique ID, the unique ID in relation to a browser session ID of the registration device.",
"7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:\nlooking up the browser session ID of the registration device based on the unique ID received from the user through the first device.",
"8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nsending the first device one of the digital certificate and an access token storing the log-in ID of the online user.",
"9. The method of claim 8, wherein the log-in ID of the online user and the unique ID are received from the online user within one of the digital certificate and the access token.",
"10. A system for authenticating an identity of an online user, the system including:\na data storage device for storing instructions for authenticating an identity of an online user; and\na processor configured to execute the instructions to perform a method including:\nreceiving registration data of an online user, wherein the registration data is used to access a web page associated with the online user;\nreceiving, from a registration device, a request to access the web page associated with the online user;\ntransmitting, by an authentication server, in response to the request to access the web page from the registration device, an image that contains a unique identifier (“ID”);\nreceiving, at the authentication server from the online user through a first device, an authentication request containing a digital certificate, the unique ID, and a log-in identifier (“ID”);\nauthenticating, by the authentication server, the first device of the online user based on the digital certificate, the unique ID, and log-in ID;\ntransmitting the web page associated with the online user to the first user device when the first user device is authenticated, the requested web page including an access number and a unique authentication code associated with the registration data of the online user;\nreceiving, at a biometric matching server associated with the access number, the unique authentication code associated with the registration data of the online user;\nreceiving, at the biometric matching server, a biometric parameter of the online user for authenticating the online user based on biometric matching; and\nassociating the biometric parameter of the online user with the registration data of the online user.",
"11. The system of claim 10, wherein the registration device is one of a personal computer, a public computer, and a public kiosk, and the first device is a mobile device.",
"12. The system of claim 10, wherein the image is a two-dimensional barcode or a quick response code.",
"13. The system of claim 10, wherein the authentication request includes a request for notice of completed log-in for the unique ID.",
"14. The system of claim 10, wherein the processor is further configured to execute the instructions to perform the method including:\nproviding the online user with a mobile application enabling the online user to extract the unique ID from the image, by taking a picture of a display of the registration device using a camera of the first device.",
"15. The system of claim 10, wherein the processor is further configured to execute the instructions to perform the method including:\nstoring, upon receiving the authentication request containing the unique ID, the unique ID in relation to a browser session ID of the registration device.",
"16. The system of claim 15, wherein the processor is further configured to execute the instructions to perform the method including:\nlooking up the browser session ID of the registration device based on the unique ID received from the user through the first device.",
"17. The system of claim 10, wherein the processor is further configured to execute the instructions to perform the method including:\nsending the first device one of the digital certificate and an access token storing the log-in ID of the online user.",
"18. The system of claim 17, wherein the log-in ID of the online user and the unique ID are received from the online user within one of the digital certificate and the access token.",
"19. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that, when executed by a computer system, cause the computer system to perform a method for authenticating an identity of an online user, the method including:\nreceiving registration data of an online user, wherein the registration data is used to access a web page associated with the online user;\nreceiving, from a registration device, a request to access the web page associated with the online user;\ntransmitting, by an authentication server, in response to the request to access the web page from the registration device, an image that contains a unique identifier (“ID”);\nreceiving, at the authentication server from the online user through a first device, an authentication request containing a digital certificate, the unique ID, and a log-in identifier (“ID”);\nauthenticating, by the authentication server, the first device of the online user based on the digital certificate, the unique ID, and log-in ID;\ntransmitting the web page associated with the online user to the first user device when the first user device is authenticated, the requested web page including an access number and a unique authentication code associated with the registration data of the online user;\nreceiving, at a biometric matching server associated with the access number, the unique authentication code associated with the registration data of the online user;\nreceiving, at the biometric matching server, a biometric parameter of the online user for authenticating the online user based on biometric matching; and\nassociating the biometric parameter of the online user with the registration data of the online user.",
"20. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 19, wherein the biometric parameter of the online user includes one of fingerprint scanning, eye recognition, DNA matching, heart monitoring, and impedance matching."
],
[
"1. A method comprising:\n(a) storing a representation of a secret data-item of a particular user, wherein said secret data-item is one of: a password, a Personal Identification Number (PIN);\n(b) generating a user authentication session that requires said particular user to enter said secret data-item by performing a task comprised of on-screen operations in which said user drags or moves on-screen objects to input said secret data-item;\n(c) during said user authentication session, monitoring user gestures of user performance of said task; and extracting from said user gestures a behavioral characteristic that characterizes user performance of said task;\n(d1) determining whether or not said user gestures correspond to correct entry of said secret data-item;\n(d2) determining whether or not the behavioral characteristic that was extracted in step (c), matches a previously-stored reference behavioral characteristic that was extracted from past on-screen operations that were previously associated with said particular user during previous log-in sessions;\n(e) if the determining of step (d1) is negative or the determining of step (d2) is negative, then: generating a notification that user authentication is rejected;\nwherein said log-in task comprises a requirement to enter said password or said PIN, by drawing on-screen lines among on-screen representations of characters;\nwherein the determining of step (d2) is performed based on at least one of: (I) a speed of on-screen gestures in which said user draws said on-screen lines, (II) a curvature level of on-screen gestures in which said user draws said on-screen lines.",
"2. A method comprising:\n(a) storing a representation of a secret data-item of a particular user, wherein said secret data-item is one of: a password, a Personal Identification Number (PIN);\n(b) generating a user authentication session that requires said particular user to enter said secret data-item by performing a task comprised of on-screen operations in which said user drags or moves on-screen objects to input said secret data-item;\n(c) during said user authentication session, monitoring user gestures of user performance of said task; and extracting from said user gestures a behavioral characteristic that characterizes user performance of said task;\n(d1) determining whether or not said user gestures correspond to correct entry of said secret data-item;\n(d2) determining whether or not the behavioral characteristic that was extracted in step (c), matches a previously-stored reference behavioral characteristic that was extracted from past on-screen operations that were previously associated with said particular user during previous log-in sessions;\n(e) if the determining of step (d1) is negative or the determining of step (d2) is negative, then: generating a notification that user authentication is rejected;\nwherein said log-in task comprises a requirement to enter said password or said PIN, by typing characters on a physical keyboard;\nwherein the determining of step (d2) is performed based on a speed in which said user typed, on said physical keyboard, said password or said PIN.",
"3. A method comprising:\n(a) storing a representation of a secret data-item of a particular user, wherein said secret data-item is one of: a password, a Personal Identification Number (PIN);\n(b) generating a user authentication session that requires said particular user to enter said secret data-item by performing a task comprised of on-screen operations in which said user drags or moves on-screen objects to input said secret data-item;\n(c) during said user authentication session, monitoring user gestures of user performance of said task; and extracting from said user gestures a behavioral characteristic that characterizes user performance of said task;\n(d1) determining whether or not said user gestures correspond to correct entry of said secret data-item;\n(d2) determining whether or not the behavioral characteristic that was extracted in step (c), matches a previously-stored reference behavioral characteristic that was extracted from past on-screen operations that were previously associated with said particular user during previous log-in sessions;\n(e) if the determining of step (d1) is negative or the determining of step (d2) is negative, then: generating a notification that user authentication is rejected;\nwherein said log-in task comprises a requirement to enter (I) a username, and (II) said password or said PIN, by typing characters on a physical keyboard;\nwherein the determining of step (d2) is performed based on a user-specific behavioral characteristic that indicates whether said user, in previous log-in sessions, (i) used a keyboard shortcut to move between on-screen fields or (ii) used a pointing device to move between on-screen fields.",
"4. A method comprising:\n(a) storing a representation of a secret data-item of a particular user, wherein said secret data-item is one of: a password, a Personal Identification Number (PIN);\n(b) generating a user authentication session that requires said particular user to enter said secret data-item by performing a task comprised of on-screen operations in which said user drags or moves on-screen objects to input said secret data-item;\n(c) during said user authentication session, monitoring user gestures of user performance of said task; and extracting from said user gestures a behavioral characteristic that characterizes user performance of said task;\n(d1) determining whether or not said user gestures correspond to correct entry of said secret data-item;\n(d2) determining whether or not the behavioral characteristic that was extracted in step (c), matches a previously-stored reference behavioral characteristic that was extracted from past on-screen operations that were previously associated with said particular user during previous log-in sessions;\n(e) if the determining of step (d1) is negative or the determining of step (d2) is negative, then: generating a notification that user authentication is rejected;\nwherein said log-in task comprises a requirement to enter (I) a username, and (II) said password or said PIN, by typing characters on a physical keyboard;\nwherein the determining of step (d2) is performed based on a user-specific behavioral characteristic that indicates whether said user, in previous log-in sessions, (i) used an Enter key on a keyboard to submit his credentials, or (ii) used a non-keyboard input unit to click or to tap on an on-screen Submit button to submit his credentials.",
"5. A method comprising:\n(a) storing a representation of a secret data-item of a particular user, wherein said secret data-item is one of: a password, a Personal Identification Number (PIN);\n(b) generating a user authentication session that requires said particular user to enter said secret data-item by performing a task comprised of on-screen operations in which said user drags or moves on-screen objects to input said secret data-item;\n(c) during said user authentication session, monitoring user gestures of user performance of said task; and extracting from said user gestures a behavioral characteristic that characterizes user performance of said task;\n(d1) determining whether or not said user gestures correspond to correct entry of said secret data-item;\n(d2) determining whether or not the behavioral characteristic that was extracted in step (c), matches a previously-stored reference behavioral characteristic that was extracted from past on-screen operations that were previously associated with said particular user during previous log-in sessions;\n(e) if the determining of step (d1) is negative or the determining of step (d2) is negative, then: generating a notification that user authentication is rejected;\nwherein said log-in task comprises a requirement to enter said password or said PIN, by drawing on-screen lines among on-screen representations of characters;\nwherein the determining of step (d2) is performed based on: measured acceleration and measured deceleration of user gestures, during entry of said password or said PIN.",
"6. A method comprising:\n(a) storing a representation of a secret data-item of a particular user, wherein said secret data-item is one of: a password, a Personal Identification Number (PIN);\n(b) generating a user authentication session that requires said particular user to enter said secret data-item by performing a task comprised of on-screen operations in which said user drags or moves on-screen objects to input said secret data-item;\n(c) during said user authentication session, monitoring user gestures of user performance of said task; and extracting from said user gestures a behavioral characteristic that characterizes user performance of said task;\n(d1) determining whether or not said user gestures correspond to correct entry of said secret data-item;\n(d2) determining whether or not the behavioral characteristic that was extracted in step (c), matches a previously-stored reference behavioral characteristic that was extracted from past on-screen operations that were previously associated with said particular user during previous log-in sessions;\n(e) if the determining of step (d1) is negative or the determining of step (d2) is negative, then: generating a notification that user authentication is rejected;\nwherein the extracting of step (c) comprises:\ninvoking a Machine Learning (ML) unit that learns and defines a user-specific behavioral profile based on user-gestures that were monitored across multiple previous log-in sessions;\nwherein the determining of step (d2) is based on a comparison between (i) monitored user-gestures in a current log-in session, and (ii) the user-specific behavioral profile that was defined by said Machine Learning (ML) unit based on user-gestures that were monitored across multiple previous log-in sessions.",
"7. A method comprising:\n(a) storing a representation of a secret data-item of a particular user, wherein said secret data-item is one of: a password, a Personal Identification Number (PIN);\n(b) generating a user authentication session that requires said particular user to enter said secret data-item by performing a task comprised of on-screen operations in which said user drags or moves on-screen objects to input said secret data-item;\n(c) during said user authentication session, monitoring user gestures of user performance of said task; and extracting from said user gestures a behavioral characteristic that characterizes user performance of said task;\n(d1) determining whether or not said user gestures correspond to correct entry of said secret data-item;\n(d2) determining whether or not the behavioral characteristic that was extracted in step (c), matches a previously-stored reference behavioral characteristic that was extracted from past on-screen operations that were previously associated with said particular user during previous log-in sessions;\n(e) if the determining of step (d1) is negative or the determining of step (d2) is negative, then: generating a notification that user authentication is rejected;\nwherein the extracting of step (c) comprises:\ninvoking a Machine Learning (ML) unit that learns and defines a user-specific behavioral profile based on (I) user-gestures that were monitored across multiple previous log-in sessions, and also (II) user-gestures that were monitored immediately prior to log-in sessions, and also (III) user-gestures that were monitored immediate after log-in sessions;\nwherein the determining of step (d2) is based on a comparison between (i) monitored user-gestures in a current log-in session, and (ii) the user-specific behavioral profile that was defined by said Machine Learning (ML) unit based on (I) user-gestures that were monitored across multiple previous log-in sessions, and also (II) user-gestures that were monitored immediately prior to log-in sessions, and also (III) user-gestures that were monitored immediate after log-in sessions.",
"8. A method comprising:\n(a) storing a representation of a secret data-item of a particular user, wherein said secret data-item is one of: a password, a Personal Identification Number (PIN);\n(b) generating a user authentication session that requires said particular user to enter said secret data-item by performing a task comprised of on-screen operations in which said user drags or moves on-screen objects to input said secret data-item;\n(c) during said user authentication session, monitoring user gestures of user performance of said task; and extracting from said user gestures a behavioral characteristic that characterizes user performance of said task;\n(d1) determining whether or not said user gestures correspond to correct entry of said secret data-item;\n(d2) determining whether or not the behavioral characteristic that was extracted in step (c), matches a previously-stored reference behavioral characteristic that was extracted from past on-screen operations that were previously associated with said particular user during previous log-in sessions;\n(e) if the determining of step (d1) is negative or the determining of step (d2) is negative, then: generating a notification that user authentication is rejected;\nwherein the method comprises monitoring said user-gestures that are performed by the user on a portable electronic device selected from a group consisting of: a smartphone, a tablet;\nwherein the extracting of step (c) comprises:\nextracting a user-specific characteristic that corresponds to changes in spatial orientation of an entirety of said portable electronic device during performance of said log-in task by the user;\nwherein the determining of step (d2) is based on a comparison between (i) monitored changes in spatial orientation of the entirety of said portable electronic device during performance of said log-in task by the user, and (ii) a user-specific profile that indicates previous changes in spatial orientation of the entirety of said portable electronic device during previous log-in sessions.",
"9. A method comprising:\n(a) storing a representation of a secret data-item of a particular user, wherein said secret data-item is one of: a password, a Personal Identification Number (PIN);\n(b) generating a user authentication session that requires said particular user to enter said secret data-item by performing a task comprised of on-screen operations in which said user drags or moves on-screen objects to input said secret data-item;\n(c) during said user authentication session, monitoring user gestures of user performance of said task; and extracting from said user gestures a behavioral characteristic that characterizes user performance of said task;\n(d1) determining whether or not said user gestures correspond to correct entry of said secret data-item;\n(d2) determining whether or not the behavioral characteristic that was extracted in step (c), matches a previously-stored reference behavioral characteristic that was extracted from past on-screen operations that were previously associated with said particular user during previous log-in sessions;\n(e) if the determining of step (d1) is negative or the determining of step (d2) is negative, then: generating a notification that user authentication is rejected;\nwherein the method comprises monitoring said user-gestures that are performed by the user on a portable electronic device selected from a group consisting of: a smartphone, a tablet;\nwherein the extracting of step (c) comprises:\nextracting a user-specific characteristic that corresponds to time gaps among on-screen drag-and-drop operations that the user performs during said log-in task;\nwherein the determining of step (d2) is based on a comparison between (i) monitored time gaps among on-screen drag-and-drop operations that the user performs during said log-in task, and (ii) a user-specific profile that indicates previous time gaps among on-screen drag-and-drop operations that the user performed during previous log-in sessions.",
"10. A method comprising:\n(a) storing a representation of a secret data-item of a particular user, wherein said secret data-item is one of: a password, a Personal Identification Number (PIN);\n(b) generating a user authentication session that requires said particular user to enter said secret data-item by performing a task comprised of on-screen operations in which said user drags or moves on-screen objects to input said secret data-item;\n(c) during said user authentication session, monitoring user gestures of user performance of said task; and extracting from said user gestures a behavioral characteristic that characterizes user performance of said task;\n(d1) determining whether or not said user gestures correspond to correct entry of said secret data-item;\n(d2) determining whether or not the behavioral characteristic that was extracted in step (c), matches a previously-stored reference behavioral characteristic that was extracted from past on-screen operations that were previously associated with said particular user during previous log-in sessions;\n(e) if the determining of step (d1) is negative or the determining of step (d2) is negative, then: generating a notification that user authentication is rejected;\nwherein the method comprises monitoring said user-gestures that are performed by the user on a portable electronic device selected from a group consisting of: a smartphone, a tablet,\nwherein the extracting of step (c) comprises:\nextracting a user-specific characteristic that corresponds to a level of touch-force of touch-based gestures that the user performs via a touch-screen during said log-in task;\nwherein the determining of step (d2) is based on a comparison between (i) monitored level of touch-force of touch-based gestures that the user performs during said log-in task, and (ii) a user-specific profile that indicates previous level of touch-force of touch-based gestures that the user performed during previous log-in sessions.",
"11. A method comprising:\n(a) storing a representation of a secret data-item of a particular user, wherein said secret data-item is one of: a password, a Personal Identification Number (PIN);\n(b) generating a user authentication session that requires said particular user to enter said secret data-item by performing a task comprised of on-screen operations in which said user drags or moves on-screen objects to input said secret data-item;\n(c) during said user authentication session, monitoring user gestures of user performance of said task; and extracting from said user gestures a behavioral characteristic that characterizes user performance of said task;\n(d1) determining whether or not said user gestures correspond to correct entry of said secret data-item;\n(d2) determining whether or not the behavioral characteristic that was extracted in step (c), matches a previously-stored reference behavioral characteristic that was extracted from past on-screen operations that were previously associated with said particular user during previous log-in sessions;\n(e) if the determining of step (d1) is negative or the determining of step (d2) is negative, then: generating a notification that user authentication is rejected;\nwherein the method comprises authenticating said user, or rejecting authentication of said user, based on a cumulative assessment that takes into account (i) the secret data-item that the user knows, and (ii) the specific behavioral way in which the user interacted with the electronic device to input said secret data-item by moving in space or tilting in space the entirety of the electronic device, and (iii) spatial orientation changes of an entirety of the electronic device during performance of said log-in task, and (iv) speed of performing said log-in task by the user.",
"12. A method comprising:\n(a) storing a representation of a secret data-item of a particular user, wherein said secret data-item is one of: a password, a Personal Identification Number (PIN);\n(b) generating a user authentication session that requires said particular user to enter said secret data-item by performing a task comprised of on-screen operations in which said user drags or moves on-screen objects to input said secret data-item;\n(c) during said user authentication session, monitoring user gestures of user performance of said task; and extracting from said user gestures a behavioral characteristic that characterizes user performance of said task;\n(d1) determining whether or not said user gestures correspond to correct entry of said secret data-item;\n(d2) determining whether or not the behavioral characteristic that was extracted in step (c), matches a previously-stored reference behavioral characteristic that was extracted from past on-screen operations that were previously associated with said particular user during previous log-in sessions;\n(e) if the determining of step (d1) is negative or the determining of step (d2) is negative, then: generating a notification that user authentication is rejected;\nmonitoring user-gestures during performance of said log-in task; determining that said user-gestures indicate that a current user is non-experienced in performing said log-in task; determining that a legitimate user had performed said log-in task multiple times in previous log-in sessions; and therefore, determining that the current user is not the legitimate user.",
"13. A method comprising:\n(a) storing a representation of a secret data-item of a particular user, wherein said secret data-item is one of: a password, a Personal Identification Number (PIN);\n(b) generating a user authentication session that requires said particular user to enter said secret data-item by performing a task comprised of on-screen operations in which said user drags or moves on-screen objects to input said secret data-item;\n(c) during said user authentication session, monitoring user gestures of user performance of said task; and extracting from said user gestures a behavioral characteristic that characterizes user performance of said task;\n(d1) determining whether or not said user gestures correspond to correct entry of said secret data-item;\n(d2) determining whether or not the behavioral characteristic that was extracted in step (c), matches a previously-stored reference behavioral characteristic that was extracted from past on-screen operations that were previously associated with said particular user during previous log-in sessions;\n(e) if the determining of step (d1) is negative or the determining of step (d2) is negative, then: generating a notification that user authentication is rejected;\ndistinguishing among a plurality of human users, who attempt to gain authorized access to a same single electronic device, based cumulatively on: (I) accuracy level in performing the log-in task, and also (II) speed of performing the log-in task, and (III) spatial orientation of an entirety of said electronic device during performance of the log-in task.",
"14. A method comprising:\n(a) storing a representation of a secret data-item of a particular user, wherein said secret data-item is one of: a password, a Personal Identification Number (PIN);\n(b) generating a user authentication session that requires said particular user to enter said secret data-item by performing a task comprised of on-screen operations in which said user drags or moves on-screen objects to input said secret data-item;\n(c) during said user authentication session, monitoring user gestures of user performance of said task; and extracting from said user gestures a behavioral characteristic that characterizes user performance of said task;\n(d1) determining whether or not said user gestures correspond to correct entry of said secret data-item;\n(d2) determining whether or not the behavioral characteristic that was extracted in step (c), matches a previously-stored reference behavioral characteristic that was extracted from past on-screen operations that were previously associated with said particular user during previous log-in sessions;\n(e) if the determining of step (d1) is negative or the determining of step (d2) is negative, then: generating a notification that user authentication is rejected;\ndistinguishing among a plurality of human users, who attempt to gain authorized access to a same single electronic device, based cumulatively on: (I) accuracy level in performing the log-in task, and also (II) speed of performing the log-in task, and (III) curvature level or linearity level of user gestures during performance of the log-in task.",
"15. A method comprising:\n(a) storing a representation of a secret data-item of a particular user, wherein said secret data-item is one of: a password, a Personal Identification Number (PIN);\n(b) generating a user authentication session that requires said particular user to enter said secret data-item by performing a task comprised of on-screen operations in which said user drags or moves on-screen objects to input said secret data-item;\n(c) during said user authentication session, monitoring user gestures of user performance of said task; and extracting from said user gestures a behavioral characteristic that characterizes user performance of said task;\n(d1) determining whether or not said user gestures correspond to correct entry of said secret data-item;\n(d2) determining whether or not the behavioral characteristic that was extracted in step (c), matches a previously-stored reference behavioral characteristic that was extracted from past on-screen operations that were previously associated with said particular user during previous log-in sessions;\n(e) if the determining of step (d1) is negative or the determining of step (d2) is negative, then: generating a notification that user authentication is rejected;\ndistinguishing among a plurality of human users, who attempt to gain authorized access to a same single electronic device, based cumulatively on: (I) accuracy level in performing the log-in task, and also (II) speed of performing the log-in task, and (III) touch-force of user gestures during performance of the log-in task.",
"16. A method comprising:\n(a) storing a representation of a secret data-item of a particular user, wherein said secret data-item is one of: a password, a Personal Identification Number (PIN);\n(b) generating a user authentication session that requires said particular user to enter said secret data-item by performing a task comprised of on-screen operations in which said user drags or moves on-screen objects to input said secret data-item;\n(c) during said user authentication session, monitoring user gestures of user performance of said task; and extracting from said user gestures a behavioral characteristic that characterizes user performance of said task;\n(d1) determining whether or not said user gestures correspond to correct entry of said secret data-item;\n(d2) determining whether or not the behavioral characteristic that was extracted in step (c), matches a previously-stored reference behavioral characteristic that was extracted from past on-screen operations that were previously associated with said particular user during previous log-in sessions;\n(e) if the determining of step (d1) is negative or the determining of step (d2) is negative, then: generating a notification that user authentication is rejected;\ndistinguishing among a plurality of human users, who attempt to gain authorized access to a same single electronic device, based cumulatively on: (I) accuracy level in performing the log-in task, and also (II) speed of performing the log-in task, and (III) time-gaps among user-gestures during performance of the log-in task."
],
[
"1. A method of registering a mobile device, comprising:\nreceiving, at a server, from an authorized device, a request for a registration code to register a mobile device;\ntransmitting, from the server, to the authorized device, the registration code, wherein the authorized device is a different device than the mobile device and the authorized device was previously registered;\nreceiving, by the server, from the mobile device, the registration code and a mobile device identifier;\nauthorizing the mobile device by the server; and\nupon receiving the request from an unauthorized device, requiring the request from the authorized device.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the registration code is an optical, machine-readable code.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein the registration code is a QR code.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein the registration code is an alphanumeric code.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein the registration code is a QR code and an alphanumeric code.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein the registration code is transmitted or otherwise presented to the mobile device by a user.",
"7. The method of claim 1, wherein the registration code comprises an embedded link to a registration process with the server.",
"8. The method of claim 1, wherein the registration of the mobile device is required at a periodic interval.",
"9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nupon a failure of authorizing the mobile device, providing an alternate process of registration comprising one of a Portable Security Transaction Protocol (PSTP) or a variable code."
],
[
"1. An integrated cybersecurity system for providing restricted client access to a website, comprising:\na security database communicatively coupled to a client device via a client communication link to pass client data therebetween, the security database communicatively coupled to the website via a website communication link to pass secure information therebetween, the client device communicatively coupled to authentication hardware to receive client input from a client, the client data comprising the client input and client enrollment information, the secure information comprising information from or associated with the client data; and\na gateway comprising a user interface accessible by a gateway operator to configure client settings, a website module accessible by a website operator to configure website settings, and a services module that works in concert with the user interface, the website module, and the security database to send integrated client confirmation to the website, wherein the integrated client confirmation comprises authentication, authorization, and identification of the client, whereby the website permits selective access to the website by the client based at least on the website being sent the authorization in the integrated client confirmation.",
"2. The integrated cybersecurity system of claim 1, further comprising a matcher configured to create a template based on client enrollment or authentication information and to ascertain whether a match exists between the template created based on the client enrollment or the authentication information and another template stored in the security database.",
"3. The integrated cybersecurity system of claim 1, wherein the gateway is configured to:\nreceive an authentication request from the website;\nlocate the client in the security database;\nredirect the client device to an authentication screen;\nreceive a capture template from the client device;\nattempt to match the capture template with an enrollment template in a client data library in the security database; and\nupon determination of a match result, send the match result to the website to confirm authentication of the client device.",
"4. The integrated cybersecurity system of claim 3, wherein the capture template is created based on the confirmation of an identity of the client, the confirmation performed locally at the client device.",
"5. The integrated cybersecurity system of claim 1, wherein the gateway is configured to:\nin response to an enrollment or authentication request from the website, consult the security database and send secure information to the website; and\nin response to receipt of client enrollment or authentication information, process the authentication information and send a confirmation response to the website.",
"6. The integrated cybersecurity system of claim 5, wherein the security database stores a plurality of templates, and processing the authentication information comprises:\ncreating a client template from the client enrollment or the authentication information; and\nsearching the security database to find a match with one of the plurality of templates stored therein.",
"7. The integrated cybersecurity system of claim 5, wherein the gateway is further configured to:\nredirect a browser on the client device to an enrollment webpage specific to the client device attempting enrollment or authentication.",
"8. The integrated cybersecurity system of claim 5, wherein the gateway is configured to perform authentication as a background operation without being displayed on a user interface."
],
[
"1. A computing device comprising:\na mobile device having a first and second processor;\nat least one storage area;\nat least one biometric sensor, wherein the biometric sensor comprises one or more of a fingerprint image sensor or a facial image sensor;\nthe software contained within the at least one of the storage area, said computing device wherein, prior to executing at least some of the software, said software causes the second processor to:\ncapture an identity verification credential from the user;\nbiometrically enroll the identity of the user by capturing biometric samples representing fingerprint or facial images from the at least one or more biometric sensors, and, using the second processor, calculate one or more biometric templates; and\nsecurely store the one or more biometric templates in a hardware-protected manner without persistent storage of the biometric template in a non-secured manner; and wherein, upon unlocking the mobile device in response to a successful match of one or more subsequent biometric samples to one or more of the decrypted securely stored biometric templates, release access to one or more protected functions of the mobile device.",
"2. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the secure storing of the one or more biometric templates comprises encryption of the one or more biometric templates using at least one hardware-based characteristic of the computing device.",
"3. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the secure storing of the one or more biometric templates comprises encryption of the one or more biometric templates using the second processor.",
"4. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the at least one biometric sensor comprises the first processor that is configured to receive external information.",
"5. The computing device of claim 4, wherein the first processor is configured to receive external information used to access the mobile device.",
"6. The device of claim 1 where the data of the biometric samples representing fingerprint or facial images are processed to allow the data to be effectively used for matching despite being submitted at varying angles or at substantially any angle.",
"7. The device of claim 1 wherein the second processor enables at least in part the secure storage of biometric templates and determines if there is a match of the one or more subsequent biometric samples to one or more of the decrypted securely stored one or more biometric templates.",
"8. The device of claim 7 wherein the second processor is used to create at least one hardware rooted encryption key and to cause the secure storage of the one or more biometric templates comprising encryption of the one or more biometric templates with the at least one hardware rooted encryption key.",
"9. The device of claim 8 wherein the second processor operates with a trusted cryptographically authenticated component.",
"10. The computing device of claim 7 wherein the second processor automatically deletes the unencrypted biometric template after a matching operation.",
"11. The device of claim 1, wherein the secure storing of the one or more biometric templates comprises storing the one or more encrypted biometric templates in a hardware-secured portion of a mobile device memory.",
"12. The device of claim 1, where, in the event the one or more subsequent biometric samples do not match the one or more decrypted biometric templates, the mobile device performs failure actions according to a defined policy.",
"13. The device of claim 1 wherein the protected function comprises releasing a securely stored password for a website.",
"14. The device of claim 13 where the website is configured to access the identity verification credential of the user.",
"15. The mobile device of claim 1 wherein the protected function comprises allowing the user to use a software application on the mobile device.",
"16. The computing device of claim 1 where the biometric template is updated after each successful biometric match.",
"17. The computing device of claim 1 wherein the first processor does not directly interact with the securely stored biometric templates.",
"18. The computing device of claim 1 wherein the first processor interacts with the at least one biometric sensors.",
"19. A mobile communication device having:\na first processor;\na second processor;\nat least one storage area, containing software,\nat least one biometric sensor, wherein the biometric sensor comprises one or more of a fingerprint image sensor or a facial image sensor;\nwherein the second processor causes the mobile device to perform authentication with a remote computer using an encryption key,\nsaid software further causing the second processor to perform encryption using at least said encryption key,\nsaid second processor securely storing the one or more biometric templates in a hardware-protected manner which is encrypted and decrypted using said encryption key;\nwherein said mobile device is unlocked in response to a good match between an entered PIN and a previously entered PIN,\nwherein, subject to a successful match of a newly submitted sample with the decrypted biometric template, access is granted to a protected function of the mobile device; and wherein said decrypted biometric template is not persistently stored on the mobile device.",
"20. The computing device of claim 19 wherein the decrypted biometric template is deleted by the second processor after the successful match.",
"21. The computing device of claim 19 wherein the first processor interacts with the at least one biometric sensor.",
"22. A mobile communication device comprising:\na first processor;\na second processor;\nat least one storage area including software;\nthe first processor being configured to operate with the second processor, the second processor configured to access a hardware-secured portion of mobile device memory based trusted software associated with the second processor;\nat least one biometric sensor, wherein the biometric sensor comprises one or more of a fingerprint image sensor or a facial image sensor; and\nwherein, said mobile device is configured to implement biometric template security and acquisition functions including:\ncapture a PIN from the user that is chosen by the user, and biometrically enroll the identity of the user by capturing a plurality of biometric samples representing one or more fingerprint images or facial images from the at least one sensor, and calculating one or more unencrypted biometric templates;\nencrypt the one or more unencrypted biometric templates and store the one or more encrypted one or more biometric templates in a hardware-secured portion of the mobile device memory without persistent storage of the unencrypted biometric template in a non-secured manner; such that the one or more unencrypted biometric templates do not persist in the hardware-secured portion of mobile device memory;\nand wherein the second processor decrypts the one or more encrypted biometric templates and compares the one or more decrypted biometric templates to one or more subsequently acquired biometric samples from a user attempting to gain access to the mobile device, and, if the subsequently acquired biometric samples from a user match one or more decrypted biometric templates, allow access to a protected function of the mobile device.",
"23. The mobile device of claim 22 wherein the first processor is associated with the at least one sensor and the second processor is configured to encrypt the one or more unencrypted biometric templates.",
"24. The computing device of claim 22, wherein the at least one biometric sensor comprises the first processor that is configured to receive external information.",
"25. The computing device of claim 22, wherein the first processor is configured to receive external information used to access the mobile device.",
"26. The mobile device of claim 22 where the said protected function includes one or more of the following:\nconducting a payment transaction on behalf of the user without the user having to enter a verification credential;\nallowing the user to view or change secure information stored on one of a local, or a remote computer without having to enter a verification credential;\nand automatically submitting a verification credential to a secure computer or website to allow the user to gain access without the user having to re-enter the verification credential.",
"27. The device of claim 22 wherein the data of the biometric samples are processed to allow the biometric samples to be effectively used for matching despite being submitted at varying angles or at substantially any angle.",
"28. The device of claim 22, wherein the device is configured to learn more about the user's biometrics as they change over time.",
"29. The device of claim 22, wherein the second processor is used to create an encryption key.",
"30. The device of claim 22, wherein the second processor automatically calculates updated unencrypted biometric templates from new biometric samples and then encrypts the updated biometric templates.",
"31. The device of claim 30, wherein upon calculation of the updated unencrypted biometric templates, the mobile device automatically encrypts the updated unencrypted biometric templates and stores the resulting updated encrypted biometric templates in the hardware-secured portion of the mobile device memory.",
"32. The device of claim 31, wherein the updated unencrypted biometric templates are deleted from the device.",
"33. The computing device of claim 22 wherein the first processor interacts with the at least one biometric sensors.",
"34. The device of claim 22, where, in the event the match is not successful, the mobile device performs failure actions according to a defined policy.",
"35. A method for allowing access to a secure mobile device comprising:\nproviding a first processor;\nproviding a second processor;\nat least one biometric sensor;\nproviding at least one storage area including software;\nconfiguring the first processor to operate with a second processor configured to access a hardware-secured portion of mobile device memory based trusted software associated with the second processor;\nconfiguring the at least one biometric sensor to acquire biometric data, wherein the at least one biometric sensor comprises one or more of a fingerprint image sensor or a facial image sensor; and\nconfiguring said mobile device to implement biometric template security and acquisition functions including:\ncapturing a plurality of biometric samples representing one or more fingerprint images or facial images from the at least one sensor, and calculating one or more unencrypted biometric templates;\nencrypting the one or more unencrypted biometric templates and store the one or more encrypted biometric templates in a hardware-secured portion of the mobile device memory without persistent storage of the unencrypted biometric template in a non-secured manner; such that the one or more unencrypted biometric templates do not persist in the hardware-secured portion of mobile device memory;\ndecrypting the one or more encrypted biometric templates and comparing the one or more decrypted biometric templates to one or more subsequently acquired biometric samples from a user attempting to gain access to the mobile device, and, if the subsequently acquired biometric samples from a user match one or more decrypted biometric templates, allow access to a protected function of the mobile device.",
"36. The method of claim 35 wherein the decrypting is performed by the second processor.",
"37. The method of claim 35 further comprising wherein the data of the biometric samples processed by the second processor to allow the data to be effectively used for matching despite being submitted at varying angles or at substantially any angle.",
"38. The method of claim 35 comprising using the second processor to create an encryption key.",
"39. The method of claim 38, comprising automatically calculating updated unencrypted biometric templates from new biometric samples and then encrypting the updated biometric templates using the second processor.",
"40. The method of claim 39, further comprising automatically encrypting the updated unencrypted biometric templates and storing the resulting updated encrypted biometric templates in the hardware-secured portion of the mobile device memory upon calculation of the updated unencrypted biometric templates using the second processor.",
"41. The method of claim 40, further comprising configuring the second processor to delete the updated unencrypted biometric templates after completion of an attempted matching operation.",
"42. The method of claim 35, wherein the first processor is configured to receive external information.",
"43. The method of claim 35, wherein the first processor is configured to receive external information used to access the mobile device.",
"44. A computer program product embodied on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium and comprising computer instruction for:\nconfiguring the first processor to operate with a second processor configured to access a hardware-secured portion of mobile device memory based trusted software associated with the second processor;\nconfiguring the at least one biometric sensor to acquire biometric data, wherein the at least one biometric sensor comprises one or more of a fingerprint image sensor or a facial image sensor; and\nconfiguring said mobile device to implement biometric template security and acquisition functions including:\ncapturing a PIN from the user that is chosen by the user, and biometrically enrolling the identity of the user by capturing a plurality of biometric samples representing one or more of a fingerprint image or a facial image, and calculating one or more unencrypted biometric templates;\nencrypting the one or more unencrypted biometric templates and store the encrypted one or more biometric templates in a hardware-secured portion of the mobile device memory without persistent storage of the unencrypted biometric template in a non-secured manner; such that the one or more unencrypted biometric templates do not persist in the hardware-secured portion of mobile device memory;\ndecrypting the one or more encrypted biometric templates with the second processor and comparing the one or more decrypted biometric templates to one or more subsequently acquired biometric samples from a user attempting to gain access to the mobile device, and, if the subsequently acquired biometric samples from a user match one or more decrypted biometric templates, allow access to a protected function of the mobile device.",
"45. The computer program product of claim 44 wherein the second processor is configured to encrypt the one or more unencrypted biometric templates.",
"46. The computer program product of claim 44, wherein the first processor is configured to receive external information.",
"47. The computer program product of claim 44, wherein the first processor is configured to receive external information used to access the mobile device."
],
[
"1. A method programmed in a non-transitory memory of a mobile device comprising:\nrecognizing an optical mark displayed on a device screen of a device, wherein the optical mark comprises at least two concentric circles, wherein the optical mark is calibrated by comparing at least three different colors within a calibration region within the at least two concentric circles to an encoding palette, wherein a portion of the optical mark within the at least two concentric circles, comprises a plurality of segments wherein each segment of the plurality of segments comprises one color of the at least three different colors;\ndetecting the optical mark using the registration mark and the calibration region by identifying and assigning values to the plurality of segments of the segmented portion and decoding an optical code based on the assigned values; and\nauthenticating an on-line identity for a client based on the optical code of the optical mark and based on the on-line identity of the client.",
"2. The method of claim 1 wherein the portion of the optical mark is based on the at least three different colors and each color is associated with the optical code comprising a number.",
"3. The method of claim 1 wherein the optical mark is oriented by positioning a registration mark relative to the portion of the optical mark.",
"4. The method of claim 1 wherein recognizing the optical mark comprises recognizing the optical mark over an air-gapped channel between the mobile device and the device screen of the device.",
"5. The method of claim 1 further comprising:\nstoring a first key, wherein authenticating the on-line identity for the client comprises signing a transaction completion request with the first key stored in the mobile device; and\nverifying the on-line identity for the client by using a corresponding second key stored by a computer of a web service provider.",
"6. The method of claim 5 wherein verifying the on-line identity for the client comprises evaluating personal biometry.",
"7. The method of claim 5 further comprising:\nconstructing an authorization assertion; and\npassing the authorization assertion to the web service provider.",
"8. The method of claim 7 wherein passing the authorization assertion comprises passing an OAuth2 token, SAML token, or RP token to the web service provider.",
"9. The method of claim 1 wherein recognizing the optical mark comprises scanning the optical mark by a camera of the mobile device.",
"10. The method of claim 5 wherein the first key comprises a private key, and wherein the second key comprises a public key.",
"11. The method of claim 6 wherein evaluating the personal biometry comprises retina scanning or fingerprint scanning.",
"12. An apparatus comprising:\na non-transitory memory configured for storing an application, the application configured for:\nrecognizing an optical mark displayed on a device screen of a device, wherein the optical mark comprises at least two concentric circles, wherein the optical mark is calibrated by comparing at least three different colors within a calibration region within the at least two concentric circles to an encoding palette, wherein a portion of the optical mark within the at least two concentric circles, comprises a plurality of segments wherein each segment of the plurality of segments comprises one color of the at least three different colors;\ndetecting the optical mark using the registration mark and the calibration region by identifying and assigning values to the plurality of segments of the segmented portion and decoding an optical code based on the assigned values; and\nauthenticating an on-line identity for a client based on the optical code of the optical mark and based on the on-line identity of the client; and\na processor configured for processing the application.",
"13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the portion of the optical mark is based on the at least three different colors and each color is associated with the optical code comprising a number.",
"14. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the optical mark is oriented by positioning a registration mark relative to the portion of the optical mark.",
"15. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein recognizing the optical mark comprises recognizing the optical mark over an air-gapped channel between the mobile device and the device screen of the device.",
"16. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the application is configured for:\nstoring a first key, wherein authenticating the on-line identity for the client comprises signing a transaction completion request with the first key stored in the mobile device; and\nverifying the on-line identity for the client by using a corresponding second key stored by a computer of a web service provider.",
"17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein verifying the on-line identity for the client comprises evaluating personal biometry.",
"18. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the application is configured for:\nconstructing an authorization assertion; and\npassing the authorization assertion to the web service provider.",
"19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein passing the authorization assertion comprises passing an OAuth2 token, SAML token, or RP token to the web service provider.",
"20. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein recognizing the optical mark comprises scanning the optical mark by a camera of the mobile device.",
"21. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the first key comprises a private key, and wherein the second key comprises a public key.",
"22. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein evaluating the personal biometry comprises retina scanning or fingerprint scanning.",
"23. A method programmed in a non-transitory memory of a mobile device comprising:\nrecognizing an optical mark displayed on a device screen of a device, wherein the optical mark comprises at least two concentric circles, wherein the optical mark is calibrated by comparing at least three different colors within a calibration region within the at least two concentric circles to an encoding palette;\ndetecting the optical mark using the registration mark and the calibration region by decoding an optical code; and\nauthenticating an on-line identity for a client based on the optical code of the optical mark and based on the on-line identity of the client.",
"24. The method of claim 23 wherein a portion of the optical mark is based on the at least three different colors and each color is associated with the optical code comprising a number.",
"25. The method of claim 23 wherein the optical mark is oriented by positioning a registration mark relative to a portion of the optical mark.",
"26. The method of claim 23 wherein recognizing the optical mark comprises recognizing the optical mark over an air-gapped channel between the mobile device and the device screen of the device.",
"27. The method of claim 23 further comprising:\nstoring a first key, wherein authenticating the on-line identity for the client comprises signing a transaction completion request with the first key stored in the mobile device; and\nverifying the on-line identity for the client by using a corresponding second key stored by a computer of a web service provider.",
"28. The method of claim 27 wherein verifying the on-line identity for the client comprises evaluating personal biometry.",
"29. The method of claim 27 further comprising:\nconstructing an authorization assertion; and\npassing the authorization assertion to the web service provider.",
"30. The method of claim 29 wherein passing the authorization assertion comprises passing an OAuth2 token, SAML token, or RP token to the web service provider.",
"31. The method of claim 23 wherein recognizing the optical mark comprises scanning the optical mark by a camera of the mobile device.",
"32. The method of claim 27 wherein the first key comprises a private key, and wherein the second key comprises a public key.",
"33. The method of claim 28 wherein evaluating the personal biometry comprises retina scanning or fingerprint scanning."
],
[
"1. A method comprising:\nmeasuring, by a user device, a second parameter value;\nsending, by the user device, to a server computer, a request for accessing a first dataset, wherein the first dataset is associated with a first reference biometric template and a first parameter value at the server computer, wherein the request includes a query biometric template and the second parameter value associated with the user device, wherein the server computer determines a subset of datasets from a plurality of datasets based on the second parameter value, the subset of datasets including more than one dataset and less than the plurality of datasets, each of the subset of datasets corresponding to a different user, and the subset of datasets including the first dataset, the server computer retrieves a subset of reference biometric templates including, for each dataset in the subset of datasets, a corresponding reference biometric template, the server computer identifies a matching reference biometric template from among the subset of reference biometric templates that matches the query biometric template within a predetermined threshold, wherein the matching reference biometric template that matches the query biometric template is the first reference biometric template associated with the first dataset, and the server computer authenticates the query biometric template based on a comparison with the first reference biometric template;\nreceiving, by the user device, from the server computer, an authentication approval message that allows the user device to access to the first dataset; and\naccessing, by the user device, the first dataset.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the user device is a second user device, wherein the server computer receives the first reference biometric template and the first parameter value from a first user device associated with the first dataset, the first parameter value is associated with the first user device, the second parameter value is associated with the second user device, the server computer receives the first parameter value when the first user device is being used to access the first dataset, and wherein the server computer determines that the second parameter value matches the first parameter value within a predetermined range.",
"3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first parameter value is a first location, wherein the second parameter value is a second location.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first dataset is associated with a user identifier, wherein the authentication approval message includes the first reference biometric template and the user identifier, and further comprising:\nstoring, by the user device, the user identifier and the first reference biometric template, wherein accessing the first dataset includes performing a subsequent user authentication based on the user identifier and the first reference biometric template.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein each dataset in the subset of datasets is associated with a respective parameter value that is within a predetermined range of the second parameter value, wherein the first parameter value is within the predetermined range of the second parameter value.",
"6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:\nreceiving, by the user device, from the server computer, an instruction to prompt a user for a biometric template type;\nprompting, by the user device, the user to select the biometric template type;\nreceiving, by the user device, from the user, a selection of the biometric template type;\nsending, by the user device, to the server computer, the selected biometric template type, wherein the server computer determines the subset of datasets further based on the selected biometric template type, wherein each dataset in the subset of datasets is associated with a reference biometric template of the selected biometric template type;\nreceiving, by the user device, from the server computer, an instruction to obtain a biometric template of the selected biometric template type;\nreceiving, by the user device, from the user, a biometric; and\ngenerating, by the user device, the query biometric template, wherein the query biometric template is of the selected biometric template type.",
"7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first reference biometric template is a voice template, and further comprising:\nreceiving, by the user device, from a user, a voice command; and\ngenerating, by the user device, the query biometric template based on the voice command.",
"8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:\nactivating, by the user device, a service provider application in response to the voice command, and wherein the request for accessing the first dataset is sent based on the voice command.",
"9. The method of claim 1, wherein, before sending the request for accessing the first dataset, the user device has never accessed the first dataset, wherein the request does not include an identifier for the first dataset, and wherein the server computer identifies the first reference biometric template based on the second parameter value and not based on a user identifier.",
"10. A user device comprising:\na processor; and\na computer readable medium, the computer readable medium comprising code, executable by the processor, for implementing a method comprising:\nmeasuring a second parameter value;\nsending, to a server computer, a request for accessing a first dataset, wherein the first dataset is associated with a first reference biometric template and a first parameter value at the server computer, wherein the request includes a query biometric template and the second parameter value associated with the user device, wherein the server computer determines a subset of datasets from a plurality of datasets based on the second parameter value, the subset of datasets including more than one dataset and less than the plurality of datasets, each of the subset of datasets corresponding to a different user, and the subset of datasets including the first dataset, the server computer retrieves a subset of reference biometric templates including, for each dataset in the subset of datasets, a corresponding reference biometric template, the server computer identifies a matching reference biometric template from among the subset of reference biometric templates that matches the query biometric template within a predetermined threshold, wherein the matching reference biometric template that matches the query biometric template is the first reference biometric template associated with the first dataset, and the server computer authenticates the query biometric template based on a comparison with the first reference biometric template;\nreceiving, from the server computer, an authentication approval message that allows the user device to access to the first dataset; and\naccessing the first dataset.",
"11. The user device of claim 10, wherein the first parameter value is first location, wherein the second parameter value is a second location.",
"12. The user device of claim 10, further comprising:\nactivating an application;\nin response to activating the application, prompting a user to provide a biometric;\nmeasuring the biometric; and\ngenerating the query biometric template based on the biometric.",
"13. The user device of claim 10, wherein the first dataset is a user account, and wherein the accessing the first dataset includes logging into the user account.",
"14. The user device of claim 10, wherein the authentication approval message includes the first reference biometric template in an encrypted form, and further comprising:\ndecrypting the first reference biometric template; and\nstoring the first reference biometric template at the user device.",
"15. The user device of claim 10, further comprising:\nencrypting the query biometric template, wherein the query biometric template included in the request is encrypted, and wherein the server computer decrypts the query biometric template.",
"16. The method of claim 2, wherein the first parameter value is a first time, wherein the second parameter value is a second time.",
"17. The method of claim 2, wherein the first parameter value is a first device condition, wherein the second parameter value is a second device condition.",
"18. The method of claim 2, wherein the first parameter value is a first battery level, wherein the second parameter value is a second battery level.",
"19. The method of claim 2, wherein the first parameter value is a first language setting, wherein the second parameter value is a second language setting."
],
[
"1. A method of authorizing access to access-controlled environments, the method comprising:\nreceiving, by a computing device, passive authentication information indicative of an identity of an entity;\ncomparing, by the computing device, the passive authentication information to a stored identifier associated with the entity;\nreceiving, by the computing device, active authentication information indicative of the identity of the entity;\ncomparing, by the computing device, the active authentication information to the stored identifier;\ngenerating a liveness evaluation of the entity, including acts of:\nvalidating submission of the passive and active authentication information, wherein the liveness evaluation includes authentication information that validates capture of the passive and active authentication information by a live entity;\nprocessing the authentication information that validates the capture of the passive and active authentication information using a plurality of neural networks including at least a first neural network configured to process passive authentication information and a second neural network configured to process active authentication information;\ndetermining a probability, generated in response to the first and second neural networks processing the passive and active authentication information, that the passive authentication information and the active authentication information are actually obtained from the entity meets a threshold for validation;\nreceiving, by the computing device, a request from the entity to execute an access-controlled function; and\ngranting, by the computing device, the request from the entity responsive to determining that an identity probability satisfies a first identity probability threshold associated with the access-controlled function based on, at least in part, the passive and active authentication information and the liveness evaluation.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the passive authentication information includes behavior authentication information.",
"3. The method of claim 2, wherein receiving the passive authentication information is performed without prompting the entity to provide the behavior authentication information.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first neural network configured to process passive authentication information and the second neural network configured to process active authentication information are configured as a consolidated neural network.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein an entity profile includes at least one encrypted biometric value corresponding to the entity, the at least one encrypted biometric value being encrypted by a first encryption algorithm.",
"6. The method of claim 5, wherein comparing active authentication information includes:\nencrypting at least one biometric input using the first encryption algorithm to generate at least one encrypted biometric input; and\ncomparing the at least one encrypted biometric input to the at least one encrypted biometric value.",
"7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nreceiving, by the computing device, a second request from the entity to execute a second access-controlled function;\nprompting, by the computing device, the entity to provide at least one biometric input responsive to determining that the identity probability does not satisfy a second identity probability threshold associated with the second access-controlled function;\nreceiving, by the computing device, the at least one biometric input;\ncomparing, by the computing device, the at least one biometric input to an entity profile;\ncalculating, by the computing device, a second entity identity probability based on the comparison of the at least one biometric input to the entity profile;\nadjusting, by the computing device, the identity probability based on the second identity probability; and\ngranting, by the computing device, the second request from the entity responsive to determining that the identity probability satisfies the second identity probability threshold.",
"8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:\nreceiving, by the computing device, a third request from the entity to execute a third access-controlled function;\ndetermining, by the computing device, that the identity probability does not satisfy a third identity probability threshold associated with the third access-controlled function;\nreceiving, by the computing device, a liveness indicator from the entity;\ncalculating, by the computing device, a third entity identity probability based on the liveness indicator;\nadjusting, by the computing device, the identity probability based on the third entity identity probability; and\ngranting, by the computing device, the third request from the entity responsive to determining that the identity probability satisfies the third identity probability threshold.",
"9. The method of claim 8, wherein generating the liveness evaluation includes an act of determining a probability that the entity is a live human entity.",
"10. The method of claim 9, wherein generating the liveness evaluation includes at least evaluation of one of an audio recording of the entity speaking a phrase generated by the computing device or a video of the entity performing a gesture generated by the computing device.",
"11. The method of claim 9, wherein receiving the liveness indicator includes receiving, passively by the computing device, one or more signals indicative of one or more vital signs of the entity.",
"12. A system of authorizing access to access-controlled environments, the system comprising:\nat least one processor operatively connected to a memory, the at least one processor configured to:\nreceive passive authentication information indicative of an identity of an entity;\ncompare the passive authentication information to a stored identifier associated with the entity;\nreceive active authentication information indicative of the identity of the entity;\ncompare the active authentication information to the stored entity identifier associated with the entity;\ngenerate a liveness evaluation of the entity and validate submission of the passive and active authentication information, wherein the liveness evaluation includes authentication information that validates capture of the passive and active authentication information by a live entity, wherein generation of the liveness evaluation includes operations executed by the at least one processor to process the authentication information that validates the capture of the passive and active authentication information using a plurality of neural networks including at least a first neural network configured to process passive authentication information and a second neural network configured to process active authentication information;\ndetermine a probability in response to the first and second neural networks processing the passive and active authentication information, that the passive authentication information and the active authentication information are actually obtained from the entity meets a threshold for validation;\nreceive a request from the entity to execute an access-controlled function; and\ngrant the request from the entity responsive to a determination that an identity probability satisfies a first identity probability threshold associated with the access-controlled function based on, at least in part, the active and passive authentication information and the liveness evaluation.",
"13. The system of claim 12, wherein the passive authentication information includes behavior authentication information.",
"14. The system of claim 12, wherein receiving the behavior authentication information is performed without prompting the entity to provide the behavior authentication information.",
"15. The system of claim 12, wherein the first neural network configured to process passive authentication information and the second neural network configured to process active authentication information are configured as a consolidated neural network.",
"16. The system of claim 12, wherein the at least one processor is configured to store an entity profile including an encrypted biometric value corresponding to the entity, the encrypted biometric value being encrypted by a first encryption algorithm.",
"17. The system of claim 16, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:\nencrypt at least one biometric input using the first encryption algorithm to generate at least one encrypted biometric input; and\ncompare the at least one encrypted biometric input to the encrypted biometric value.",
"18. The system of claim 12, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:\nreceive a second request from the entity to execute a second access-controlled function;\nprompt the entity to provide at least one biometric input responsive to determining that the identity probability does not satisfy a second identity probability threshold associated with the second access-controlled function;\nreceive the at least one biometric input from the entity;\ncompare the at least one biometric input to a entity profile;\ncalculate a second entity identity probability based on the comparison of the at least one biometric input to the entity profile;\nadjust the identity probability based on the second entity identity probability; and\ngrant the second request from the entity responsive to a determination that the identity probability satisfies the second identity probability threshold.",
"19. The system of claim 18, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:\nreceive a third request from the entity to execute a third access-controlled function;\ndetermine that the identity probability does not satisfy a third identity probability threshold associated with the third access-controlled function;\nreceive a liveness indicator from the entity;\ncalculate a third entity identity probability based on the liveness indicator;\nadjust the identity probability based on the third entity identity probability; and\ngrant the third request from the entity responsive to determining that the identity probability satisfies the third identity probability threshold.",
"20. The system of claim 19 wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: determine a probability that the entity is a live human entity based on, at least in part, generation of the liveness evaluation.",
"21. The system of claim 20, wherein generation of the liveness evaluation includes at least evaluation of one of an audio recording of the entity speaking a phrase generated by the at least one processor or a video of the entity performing a gesture generated by the at least one processor.",
"22. The system of claim 20, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: receive passively one or more signals indicative of one or more vital signs of the entity."
],
[
"1. A method for authenticating a client to multiple domains of an enterprise computing environment, each of the multiple domains comprising a standalone authentication system, the method comprising:\ninitiating a login session with a first standalone authentication system of a primary domain of the multiple domains, the primary domain comprising a first set of applications and a first directory, wherein access to the first set of applications is limited to users with existing accounts defined in the first directory;\ntransmitting a first set of credentials from the client to the first standalone authentication system;\nvalidating the client by the first standalone authentication system based upon the first set of credentials;\nstoring, on the client, a token received from the first standalone authentication system;\ntransmitting, during the login session, the token and a second set of login credentials different than the first set of credentials to a secondary domain of the multiple domains subsequent to the transmitting of the first set of credentials to the first standalone authentication system, the secondary domain comprising a second set of applications and a second directory, wherein access to the second set of applications is limited to a subset of the users with existing accounts, wherein the subset is defined in the second directory, wherein the second set of login credentials is transmitted outside of the token and exists on the client prior to the client transmitting the first set of credentials to the first standalone authentication system; and\nvalidating the client by a second standalone authentication system of the secondary domain based upon the transmitted token and the second set of login credentials.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the token and the second set of login credentials are transmitted in separate transmissions.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein the token includes an account identifier associated with a user account on the primary domain and the secondary domain of the multiple domains.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein the second set of login credentials is a digital certificate.",
"5. The method of claim 4, wherein the digital certificate is stored on the client.",
"6. The method of claim 4, wherein the digital certificate is stored on an external hardware device readable by the client.",
"7. The method of claim 4, wherein the digital certificate is associated with a complementary client application of the second standalone authentication system of the secondary domain.",
"8. The method of claim 4, wherein the digital certificate is associated with a client application independent of the second standalone authentication system of the secondary domain.",
"9. The method of claim 1, further comprising: transmitting the second set of login credentials from the client to the first standalone authentication system of the primary domain; wherein validating the client to the primary domain is further based upon the second set of login credentials.",
"10. A method for authenticating a client to multiple domains of an enterprise computing environment, each of the multiple domains comprising a standalone authentication system, comprising:\nreceiving, during a login session, a first set of credentials from the client to a first standalone authentication system of a primary domain of the multiple domains, the primary domain comprising a first set of applications and a first directory, wherein access to the first set of applications is limited to users with existing accounts defined in the first directory;\nvalidating the client to the primary domain based upon the first set of credentials;\ntransmitting to the client a token in response to a successful validation of the first set of credentials;\nreceiving on a secondary domain of the multiple domains, during the login session, the token and a second set of login credentials different from the first set of credentials subsequent to the receiving of the first set of credentials by the first standalone authentication system, the secondary domain comprising a second set of applications and a second directory, wherein access to the second set of applications is limited to a subset of the users with existing accounts, wherein the subset is defined in the second directory, wherein the second set of login credentials is transmitted outside of the token and exists on the client prior to the client transmitting the first set of credentials to the first standalone authentication system; and\nvalidating the client by a second standalone authentication system of the secondary domain based upon the received token and the second set of login credentials.",
"11. The method of claim 10, wherein the token and the second set of login credentials are received by the secondary domain through separate transmissions.",
"12. The method of claim 10, wherein the token includes an account identifier associated with a user account on the primary domain and the secondary domain of the multiple domains.",
"13. The method of claim 10, wherein the second set of login credentials is a digital certificate.",
"14. The method of claim 13, wherein the digital certificate is stored on the client.",
"15. The method of claim 13, wherein the digital certificate is stored on an external hardware device readable by the client.",
"16. The method of claim 13, wherein the digital certificate is associated with a complementary client application of the second standalone authentication system of the secondary domain.",
"17. The method of claim 13, wherein the digital certificate is associated with a client application independent of the second standalone authentication system of the secondary domain.",
"18. The method of claim 10, further comprising: receiving the second set of login credentials on the primary domain; wherein: validating the client to the primary domain is further based upon the second set of login credentials; and transmitting the token is in response to a successful validation of the second set of login credentials.",
"19. An article of manufacture comprising a non-transitory program storage medium readable by a computer, the non-transitory program storage medium tangibly embodying one or more programs of instructions executable by the computer to perform a method for authenticating a client to multiple domains of an enterprise computing environment, each of the multiple domains comprising a standalone authentication system, the method comprising:\nreceiving, during a login session, a first set of credentials from the client to a first standalone authentication system of a primary domain of the multiple domains, the primary domain comprising a first set of applications and a first directory, wherein access to the first set of applications is limited to users with existing accounts defined in the first directory;\nvalidating the client to the primary domain based upon the first set of credentials;\ntransmitting to the client a token in response to a successful validation of the first set of credentials;\nreceiving on a secondary domain of the multiple domains, during the login session, the token and a second set of login credentials different from the first set of credentials subsequent to the receiving of the first set of credentials by the first standalone authentication system, the secondary domain comprising a second set of applications and a second directory, wherein access to the second set of applications is limited to a subset of the users with existing accounts, wherein the subset is defined in the second directory, wherein the second set of login credentials is transmitted outside of the token and exists on the client prior to the client transmitting the first set of credentials to the first standalone authentication system; and\nvalidating the client by a second standalone authentication system of the secondary domain based upon the received token and the second set of login credentials.",
"20. The article of manufacture of claim 19, wherein the token and the second set of login credentials are received by the secondary domain through separate transmissions."
],
[
"1. A method comprising:\nintercepting a message in a network environment of a vehicle, the message being sent from a source to a receiver;\nevaluating one or more predefined policies to determine whether the source is permitted to communicate with the receiver, the one or more predefined policies including security rules for network communications with a plurality of subsystems in the network environment, wherein evaluating the one or more predefined policies includes:\nevaluating a security rule related to the network communications between a first bus system of the source from among the plurality of subsystems and a second bus system of the receiver from among the plurality of subsystems, and\nevaluating a source address of the source and a destination address of the receiver and different buses that are communicating for transmitting the message; and\nblocking the message if the source is not permitted to communicate with the receiver.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the source is not permitted to communicate with the receiver if the one or more predefined policies indicate that a first interface associated with the source is not permitted to communicate with a second interface associated with the receiver.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein the source is not permitted to communicate with the receiver if the one or more predefined policies indicate that a first network address associated with the source is not permitted to communicate with a second network address associated with the receiver.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein the source is not permitted to communicate with the receiver if the one or more predefined policies indicate that a first application process associated with the source is not permitted to communicate with a second application process associated with the receiver.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein the source is not permitted to communicate with the receiver if the one or more predefined policies indicate that an application process associated with the source is not permitted to communicate with a network address associated with the receiver.",
"6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nlogging an event representing the message.",
"7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nestablishing a network connection from an on-board unit (OBU) of the vehicle to a remote node;\nauthenticating the OBU to the remote node; and\ndownloading updated policies to the OBU from the remote node, the updated policies including updated security rules for the network communications with the plurality of subsystems; and\nupdating the predefined one or more policies with the updated policies.",
"8. The method of claim 1, wherein the source is a first machine device on a first subsystem in the network environment of the vehicle, wherein the receiver is a second machine device on a second subsystem in the network environment of the vehicle.",
"9. The method of claim 1, wherein the source is a machine device on a first subsystem in the network environment of the vehicle, wherein the receiver is a network interface of an on-board unit (OBU) of the vehicle.",
"10. The method of claim 1, wherein the source is an application process on an on-board unit (OBU) of the vehicle, wherein the receiver is a machine device on a first subsystem in the network environment of the vehicle.",
"11. The method of claim 1, wherein intercepting the message, evaluating the one or more predefined policies, and blocking the message are performed by one or more hardware elements of the plurality of subsystems.",
"12. The method of claim 1, wherein the predefined policies include the security rules for a specific subset of vehicles manufactured by a vehicle manufacturer.",
"13. The method of claim 1, wherein evaluating the one or more predefined policies includes:\nevaluating a type of the message to be communicated between the first bus system and the second bus system.",
"14. An apparatus, comprising:\na communication interface that enables network communications; a processor; and\na memory storing data and instructions executable by the processor, wherein the processor is configured to execute the instructions to:\nintercept a message in a network environment of a vehicle, the message being sent from a source to a receiver;\nevaluate one or more predefined policies to determine whether the source is permitted to communicate with the receiver, the one or more predefined policies including security rules for the network communications with a plurality of subsystems in the network environment, wherein the processor is configured to evaluate the one or more predefined policies by:\nevaluating a security rule related to the network communications between a first bus system of the source from among the plurality of subsystems and a second bus system of the receiver from among the plurality of subsystems, and\nevaluating a source address of the source and a destination address of the receiver and different buses that are communicating for transmitting the message; and\nblock the message if the source is not permitted to communicate with the receiver.",
"15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the source is not permitted to communicate with the receiver if the one or more predefined policies indicate that a first interface associated with the source is not permitted to communicate with a second interface associated with the receiver.",
"16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the source is not permitted to communicate with the receiver if the one or more predefined policies indicate that a first network address associated with the source is not permitted to communicate with a second network address associated with the receiver.",
"17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the source is not permitted to communicate with the receiver if the one or more predefined policies indicate that a first application process associated with the source is not permitted to communicate with a second application process associated with the receiver.",
"18. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium encoded with software comprising computer executable instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to:\nintercept a message in a network environment of a vehicle, the message being sent from a source to a receiver;\nevaluate one or more predefined policies to determine whether the source is permitted to communicate with the receiver, the one or more predefined policies including security rules for network communications with a plurality of subsystems in the network environment, wherein the instructions cause the processor to evaluate the one or more predefined policies by:\nevaluating a security rule related to the network communications between a first bus system of the source from among the plurality of subsystems and a second bus system of the receiver from among the plurality of subsystems, and\nevaluating a source address of the source and a destination address of the receiver and different buses that are communicating for transmitting the message; and\nblock the message if the source is not permitted to communicate with the receiver.",
"19. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 18, wherein the instructions cause the processor to perform an additional operation including:\nstoring the security rules in a firewall policy database, wherein at least one of the security rules is preprogrammed by a manufacturer of the vehicle and the security rules include a local interconnect network (LIN) specific rule.",
"20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 18, wherein the instructions cause the processor to evaluate the one or more predefined policies by:\nevaluating whether communication is permitted between a first application process associated with the source and a second application process associated with the receiver."
],
[
"1. A method for processing a request to access a target server over a network from a user operating a client computer, the method comprising:\nreceiving, at an authentication server, a request to access the target server from the user operating the client computer, wherein the target server is separate from the authentication server and wherein the target server is accessible to the user executing a web browser on the client computer;\ncausing, by the authentication server, user input fields to be displayed on the client computer to prompt the user for entry of user credentials through the web browser;\nissuing, by the authentication server, a challenge to an authorizing client device requiring validation of an identity of the user in response to the request to access the target server;\nsending, from the authentication server, a command to the authorizing client device to prompt the user to input a response to the challenge into the authorizing client device;\nreceiving, at the authentication server, verification from the authorizing client device that the response to the challenge is valid;\nevaluating, by the authentication server, at least one item of context information related to the client computer being operated by the user, the at least one item of context information including at least one of a location of the client computer, characteristics of a network to which the client computer is connected, security risk data associated with an application operating on the target server for which the user requests access, an identification of accounts common to both the client computer and the authorizing client device, and an identification of usage anomalies, wherein the at least one item of context information is provided by the client computer to the authentication server separate from the request to access the network resource and separate from the user credentials;\ndetermining, at the authentication server, a disposition of the request to access the target server based on the verification from the authorizing client device and the evaluation of the at least one item of context information; and\nreleasing, by the authentication server, user credentials to a client desktop extension on the client computer when the determined disposition is to grant access, the released user credentials being used by the client computer to obtain access to the target server.",
"2. The method of claim 1 wherein the disposition of the request to access the target server includes one of granting the request by the user to access the target server or denying the request by the user to access the target server, and the method further comprising transmitting, by the server, the disposition information in a message to the authorizing client device to cause the authorizing client device to display the disposition.",
"3. The method of claim 1 wherein the target server provides access to a network resource from the group consisting of: a web site, a service provided by the target server, a hardware device coupled to the network, access to physical facilities controlled by the target server, an executable application, and a product sold by an operator of the target server.",
"4. The method of claim 1 wherein the authorizing client device comprises a mobile communications device coupled to the client computer over a network link, wherein the network link is at least one of: cellular link, Bluetooth link, WIFI link, and near field communication link.",
"5. The method of claim 4 further comprising causing, by the authentication server, a display of a device selection field on the client computer to allow the user to select a specific type and model of mobile communications device from a selection of mobile communications devices.",
"6. The method of claim 1 wherein the response to the challenge is a universal password.",
"7. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one item of context information is the location of the client computer.",
"8. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one item of context information is the characteristics of a network to which the client computer is connected.",
"9. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one item of context information is the security risk data associated with the network resource to which the user requests access.",
"10. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one item of context information is the identification of common accounts.",
"11. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one item of context information is the identification of usage anomalies.",
"12. A non-transitory computer-readable medium encoded with a plurality of instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform a method comprising:\nreceiving, at an authentication server, a request to access a target server from the user operating a client computer, wherein the target server is separate from the authentication server and wherein the target server is accessible to the user executing a web browser on the client computer;\ncausing, by the authentication server, user input fields to be displayed on the client computer to prompt the user for entry of user credentials through the web browser;\nissuing, by the authentication server, a challenge to an authorizing client device requiring validation of an identity of the user in response to the request to access the target server;\nsending, from the authentication server, a command to the authorizing client device to prompt the user to input a response to the challenge into the authorizing client device;\nreceiving, at the authentication server, verification from the authorizing client device that the response to the challenge is valid;\nevaluating, by the authentication server, at least one item of context information related to the client computer being operated by the user, the at least one item of context information including at least one of a location of the client computer, characteristics of a network to which the client computer is connected, security risk data associated with an application operating on the target server for which the user requests access, an identification of accounts common to both the client computer and the authorizing client device, and an identification of usage anomalies, wherein the at least one item of context information is provided by the client computer to the authentication server separate from the request to access the network resource and separate from the user credentials;\ndetermining, at the authentication server, a disposition of the request to access the target server based on the verification from the authorizing client device and the evaluation of the at least one item of context information; and\nreleasing, by the authentication server, user credentials to a client desktop extension on the client computer when the determined disposition is to grant access, the released user credentials being used by the client computer to obtain access to the target server.",
"13. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12 wherein the disposition of the request to access the target server includes one of granting the request by the user to access the target server or denying the request by the user to access the target server, and the non-transitory computer-readable medium further comprising instructions to cause the processor to perform a method comprising transmitting, by the server, the disposition information in a message to the authorizing client device to cause the authorizing client device to display the disposition.",
"14. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12 wherein the target server provides access to a network resource from the group consisting of: a web site, a service provided by the target server, a hardware device coupled to the network, access to physical facilities controlled by the target server, an executable application, and a product sold by an operator of the target server.",
"15. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12 wherein the authorizing client device comprises a mobile communications device coupled to the client computer over a network link, wherein the network link is at least one of: cellular link, Bluetooth link, WIFI link, and near field communication link.",
"16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15 further comprising instructions to cause the processor to perform a method comprising causing, by the authentication server, a display of a device selection field on the client computer to allow the user to select a specific type and model of mobile communications device from a selection of mobile communications devices.",
"17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12 wherein the response to the challenge is a universal password.",
"18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12 wherein the at least one item of context information is the location of the client computer.",
"19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12 wherein the at least one item of context information is the characteristics of a network to which the client computer is connected.",
"20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12 wherein the at least one item of context information is the security risk data associated with the network resource to which the user requests access.",
"21. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12 wherein the at least one item of context information is the identification of common accounts.",
"22. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12 wherein the at least one item of context information is the identification of usage anomalies."
],
[
"1. An electronic device, comprising:\na display;\na biometric sensor;\none or more processors; and\nmemory storing one or more programs configured to be executed by the one or more processors, the one or more programs including instructions for:\ndetecting a request to display a set of credentials, wherein the set of credentials includes a first credential and a second credential;\nin response to detecting the request to display the set of credentials:\ncollecting, via the biometric sensor, a first set of biometric information; and\nafter collecting the first set of biometric information and in accordance with a determination that the first set of biometric information is associated with a user who is authorized to use the set of credentials, concurrently displaying, via the display:\na redacted version of the first credential; and\na redacted version of the second credential;\nwhile concurrently displaying the redacted version of the first credential and the redacted version of the second credential, detecting a request to display a non-redacted version of the set of credentials; and\nin response to detecting the request to display the non-redacted version of the set of credentials, concurrently displaying, via the display:\na non-redacted version of the first credential; and\na non-redacted version of the second credential.",
"2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the set of credentials includes credentials that correspond to a plurality of different accounts of a user of the electronic device.",
"3. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the set of credentials includes passwords for a plurality of different accounts of a user of the electronic device.",
"4. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the set of credentials includes payment authorization information for a plurality of different payment accounts of a user of the electronic device.",
"5. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the set of credentials includes one or more of: a user ID, a password, a credit card number, a bank account number, an address, a telephone number, and a shopping credential.",
"6. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein:\nthe redacted version of the first credential includes an indication of a length of the first credential;\nthe redacted version of the second credential includes an indication of a length of the second credential;\nthe non-redacted version of the first credential includes a human readable version of the first credential; and\nthe non-redacted version of the second credential includes a human readable version of the second credential.",
"7. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein:\nthe redacted version of the first credential includes a non-redacted portion of the first credential;\nthe redacted version of the second credential includes a non-redacted portion of the second credential;\nthe non-redacted version of the first credential includes a human readable version of an entirety of the first credential; and\nthe non-redacted version of the second credential includes a human readable version of an entirety of the second credential.",
"8. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the determination that the first set of biometric information is associated with the user who is authorized to use the set of credentials includes a determination that the first set of biometric information matches at least one of a set of one or more enrolled sets of biometric information.",
"9. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing one or more programs configured to be executed by one or more processors of an electronic device with a display and a biometric sensor, the one or more programs comprising instructions for:\ndetecting a request to display a set of credentials, wherein the set of credentials includes a first credential and a second credential;\nin response to detecting the request to display the set of credentials:\ncollecting, via the biometric sensor, a first set of biometric information; and\nafter collecting the first set of biometric information and in accordance with a determination that the first set of biometric information is associated with a user who is authorized to use the set of credentials, concurrently displaying, via the display:\na redacted version of the first credential; and\na redacted version of the second credential;\nwhile concurrently displaying the redacted version of the first credential and the redacted version of the second credential, detecting a request to display a non-redacted version of the set of credentials; and\nin response to detecting the request to display the non-redacted version of the set of one of more credentials, concurrently displaying, via the display:\na non-redacted version of the first credential; and\na non-redacted version of the second credential.",
"10. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein the set of credentials includes credentials that correspond to a plurality of different accounts of a user of the electronic device.",
"11. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein the set of credentials includes passwords for a plurality of different accounts of a user of the electronic device.",
"12. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein the set of credentials includes payment authorization information for a plurality of different payment accounts of a user of the electronic device.",
"13. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein the set of credentials includes one or more of: a user ID, a password, a credit card number, a bank account number, an address, a telephone number, and a shopping credential.",
"14. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein:\nthe redacted version of the first credential includes an indication of a length of the first credential;\nthe redacted version of the second credential includes an indication of a length of the second credential;\nthe non-redacted version of the first credential includes a human readable version of the first credential; and\nthe non-redacted version of the second credential includes a human readable version of the second credential.",
"15. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein:\nthe redacted version of the first credential includes a non-redacted portion of the first credential;\nthe redacted version of the second credential includes a non-redacted portion of the second credential;\nthe non-redacted version of the first credential includes a human readable version of an entirety of the first credential; and\nthe non-redacted version of the second credential includes a human readable version of an entirety of the second credential.",
"16. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein the determination that the first set of biometric information is associated with the user who is authorized to use the set of credentials includes a determination that the first set of biometric information matches at least one of a set of one or more enrolled sets of biometric information.",
"17. A method, comprising:\nat an electronic device with one or more processors, memory, a display, and a biometric sensor:\ndetecting a request to display a set of credentials, wherein the set of credentials includes a first credential and a second credential;\nin response to detecting the request to display the set of credentials:\ncollecting, via the biometric sensor, a first set of biometric information; and\nafter collecting the first set of biometric information and in accordance with a determination that the first set of biometric information is associated with a user who is authorized to use the set of credentials, concurrently displaying, via the display:\na redacted version of the first credential; and\na redacted version of the second credential;\nwhile concurrently displaying the redacted version of the first credential and the redacted version of the second credential, detecting a request to display a non-redacted version of the set of credentials; and\nin response to detecting the request to display the non-redacted version of the set of credentials, concurrently displaying, via the display:\na non-redacted version of the first credential; and\na non-redacted version of the second credential.",
"18. The method of claim 17, wherein the set of credentials includes credentials that correspond to a plurality of different accounts of a user of the electronic device.",
"19. The method of claim 17, wherein the set of credentials includes passwords for a plurality of different accounts of a user of the electronic device.",
"20. The method of claim 17, wherein the set of credentials includes payment authorization information for a plurality of different payment accounts of a user of the electronic device.",
"21. The method of claim 17, wherein the set of credentials includes one or more of: a user ID, a password, a credit card number, a bank account number, an address, a telephone number, and a shopping credential.",
"22. The method of claim 17, wherein:\nthe redacted version of the first credential includes an indication of a length of the first credential;\nthe redacted version of the second credential includes an indication of a length of the second credential;\nthe non-redacted version of the first credential includes a human readable version of the first credential; and\nthe non-redacted version of the second credential includes a human readable version of the second credential.",
"23. The method of claim 17, wherein:\nthe redacted version of the first credential includes a non-redacted portion of the first credential;\nthe redacted version of the second credential includes a non-redacted portion of the second credential;\nthe non-redacted version of the first credential includes a human readable version of an entirety of the first credential; and\nthe non-redacted version of the second credential includes a human readable version of an entirety of the second credential.",
"24. The method of claim 17, wherein the determination that the first set of biometric information is associated with the user who is authorized to use the set of credentials includes a determination that the first set of biometric information matches at least one of a set of one or more enrolled sets of biometric information."
],
[
"1. A method for identifying a strength of an input picture password formed by performing a sequence of gestures relative to a picture, the method comprising:\nstoring, in a memory device, a crowdsource history of picture passwords, each of the picture passwords including a picture and a sequence of gestures on the picture;\ngenerating, by a processor-based demography-based pattern usage assessment generator, a demography-based pattern usage assessment to develop demography-based rules determined from the crowd source history as well as user cultural and language backgrounds encompassing distinct gestures so that each gesture of each sequence of gestures is compared to commonly used hand movement and demography-based patterns derived from the user cultural and language backgrounds to determine a strength of each gesture; and\nproviding an indication of the strength of the input picture password based on the strength of each gesture within the input picture password.",
"2. The method of claim 1, further comprising preventing usage of the input picture password, responsive to the strength of the picture password being indicated as below a predetermined threshold.",
"3. The method of claim 2, further comprising accepting the picture password for actual use by the user responsive to the strength of the picture password being indicated as being equal to or above a predetermined threshold, and providing a user physical access to a locked application or facility responsive to the user providing the accepted picture password.",
"4. The method of claim 2, further comprising requiring a user to provide a new picture password that includes at least one different gesture, responsive to the strength of the picture password being indicated as below the predetermined threshold.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein the strength of the input picture password is indicated using a measure selected from weak, medium, and strong.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein the demography-based pattern usage assessment is determined from a demography that includes at least one of a language style, an age group, a country, an experience level, a gender, and a culture.",
"7. The method of claim 1, wherein the demography-based pattern usage assessment is determined from a pattern usage that includes an image main point of interest reference, a contour, a common pattern, a predictable pattern, a circular pattern, and a direction.",
"8. The method of claim 1, further comprising updating the demography-based pattern usage assessment based on changes to the crowdsource history.",
"9. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating a set of rules for judging password strength based on at least one of the crowdsource history and the demography-based pattern usage assessment.",
"10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:\nupdating the crowdsource history to obtain updated crowdsource history, and\nupdating the set of rules based at least one of the updated crowdsource history and the demography-based pattern usage assessment.",
"11. The method of claim 9, wherein the set of rules are generated further based on user inputs to applications that involve users making one or more gestures.",
"12. The method of claim 1, wherein said providing step comprises evaluating the input picture password using at least one of a two-dimensional grid and a three-dimensional grid.",
"13. The method of claim 1, wherein the input picture is evaluated with respect to a set of commonly used patterns, wherein a pattern status of commonly used is determined based on the demography-based pattern usage assessment.",
"14. The method of claim 1, wherein the input picture is evaluated with respect to a set of too easily predicted patterns, wherein a pattern status of too easily predicted is determined based on the demography-based pattern usage assessment.",
"15. The method of claim 1, wherein the crowdsource history of picture passwords is formed by tracking a plurality of picture passwords used to authenticate a plurality of users.",
"16. The method of claim 1, wherein each user of the plurality of users has a respective user profile comprising a country, language, cultural profile, gender, or any combination thereof.",
"17. The method of claim 1, wherein the indication of the strength of the input picture password is provided by a user perceptible indication device in accordance with the demography based pattern usage assessment.",
"18. A method for identifying a strength of an input picture password formed by performing a sequence of gestures relative to a picture, the method comprising:\nstoring, in a memory device, a crowdsource history of picture passwords, each of the picture passwords including a picture and a sequence of gestures on the picture; and\ngenerating, by a processor-based demography-based pattern usage assessment generator, a demography-based pattern usage assessment to develop demography-based rules determined from the crowd source history as well as user cultural and language backgrounds encompassing distinct gestures so that each gesture of each sequence of gestures is compared to commonly used hand movement and demography-based patterns derived from the user cultural and language backgrounds to determine a strength of each gesture to provide an indication of the strength of the input picture password based on the assessment."
],
[
"1. A method of event handling in a cloud based multi-tenant identity management system, the method comprising:\nreceiving a plurality of individual events and a request to create a group from the individual events, each of the events one of a create, read, update or delete event, and each of the individual events comprising a published message having a corresponding message topic that is received by one or more subscribers that subscribe to the corresponding message topic;\npublishing the group as a composite event, the composite event comprising the plurality of individual events and forming a composite event message having a composite event message topic;\npersisting the composite event in a composite queue;\ndispatching the composite event to a composite handler comprising sending the composite event to a messaging service that comprises the composite handler, wherein the composite handler is registered for listening for composite events by subscribing to the composite event message topic, wherein the messaging service further comprises one or more individual event handlers;\nparsing the composite event by the composite handler and persisting the individual events in respective event queues; and\ndispatching the individual events to the one or more individual event handlers of the messaging service, each individual event handler subscribing to one of the corresponding message topics.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein each published message comprises a topic and event-id combination, further comprising dispatching the individual events to respective individual event handlers of the messaging service that are listening for individual events by subscribing to the topic and event-id combination.",
"3. The method of claim 2, wherein a respective individual event handler is an audit handler and the individual events are written to an audit log.",
"4. The method of claim 2, wherein a respective individual event handler is a notify handler and the individual events are turned into custom email notifications.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the published messages and the composite event message comprise a Java Message Service (JMS) message.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein the group comprises members, and each of the individual events corresponds to a member.",
"7. The method of claim 1, wherein the create the group is implemented by an administration microservice, and the messaging service is implemented by a messaging microservice.",
"8. A non-transitory computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the processors to provide event handling in a cloud based multi-tenant identity management system, the providing comprising:\nreceiving a plurality of individual events and a request to create a group from the individual events, each of the events one of a create, read, update or delete event, and each of the individual events comprising a published message having a corresponding message topic that is received by one or more subscribers that subscribe to the corresponding message topic;\npublishing the group as a composite event, the composite event comprising the plurality of individual events and forming a composite event message having a composite event message topic;\npersisting the composite event in a composite queue;\ndispatching the composite event to a composite handler comprising sending the composite event to a messaging service that comprises the composite handler, wherein the composite handler is registered for listening for composite events by subscribing to the composite event message topic, wherein the messaging service further comprises one or more individual event handlers;\nparsing the composite event by the composite handler and persisting the individual events in respective event queues; and\ndispatching the individual events to the one or more individual event handlers of the messaging service, each individual event handler subscribing to one of the corresponding message topics.",
"9. The computer readable medium of claim 8, wherein each published message comprises a topic and event-id combination, the providing further comprising dispatching the individual events to respective individual event handlers of the messaging service that are listening for individual events by subscribing to the topic and event-id combination.",
"10. The computer readable medium of claim 9, wherein a respective individual event handler is an audit handler and the individual events are written to an audit log.",
"11. The computer readable medium of claim 9, wherein a respective individual event handler is a notify handler and the individual events are turned into custom email notifications.",
"12. The computer readable medium of claim 8, wherein each of the published messages and the composite event message comprise a Java Message Service (JMS) message.",
"13. The computer readable medium of claim 8, wherein the group comprises members, and each of the individual events corresponds to a member.",
"14. The computer readable medium of claim 8, wherein the create the group is implemented by an administration microservice, and the messaging service is implemented by a messaging microservice.",
"15. A system for providing cloud based identity and access management, comprising:\na plurality of tenants;\na plurality of microservices; and\none or more processors that:\nreceive a plurality of individual events and a request to create a group from the individual events, each of the events one of a create, read, update or delete event, and each of the individual events comprising a published message having a corresponding message topic that is received by one or more subscribers that subscribe to the corresponding message topic;\npublish the group as a composite event, the composite event comprising the plurality of individual events and forming a composite event message having a composite event message topic;\npersist the composite event in a composite queue;\ndispatch the composite event to a composite handler comprising sending the composite event to a messaging service that comprises the composite handler, wherein the composite handler is registered for listening for composite events by subscribing to the composite event message topic, wherein the messaging service further comprises one or more individual event handlers;\nparse the composite event by the composite handler and persisting the individual events in respective event queues; and\ndispatch the individual events to the one or more individual event handlers of the messaging service, each individual event handler subscribing to one of the corresponding message topics.",
"16. The system of claim 15, wherein each published message comprises a topic and event-id combination, further comprising dispatching the individual events to respective individual event handlers of the messaging service that are listening for individual events by subscribing to the topic and event-id combination.",
"17. The system of claim 16, wherein a respective individual event handler is an audit handler and the individual events are written to an audit log.",
"18. The system of claim 16, wherein a respective individual event handler is a notify handler and the individual events are turned into custom email notifications.",
"19. The system of claim 15, wherein each of the published messages and the composite event message comprise a Java Message Service (JMS) message.",
"20. The system of claim 15, wherein the group comprises members, and each of the individual events corresponds to a member."
],
[
"1. A secure identity device arrangement, such secure identity device arrangement enabling reliable secure human identification, the secure identity device arrangement comprising:\nsecurity hardened identity device arrangement packaging;\na sensor set arrangement including at least one sensor, for acquiring biometric identification information, configured to detect electromagnetic radiation and/or sound, the sensor set arrangement configured for at least in part establishing, and subsequently authenticating, a human subject's biometric identification information;\na biometric identification liveness testing arrangement including at least one processor and associated memory and configured to perform biometric identification physical presence liveness testing involving time stamped, correlated emitter and sensor information, such testing involving identification of (1) timing discontinuity, (2) timing overhead delay, and/or (3) other sensed signal inconsistencies with emitted signal information,\nwherein the biometric identification liveness testing arrangement comprises: (a) an emitter arrangement including an emitter and configured to provide electromagnetic radiation and/or sound, (b) such emitter arrangement's emission control arrangement including at least one processor and associated memory, where such emission control arrangement controls such emitter arrangement's provision of electromagnetic radiation and/or sound to produce at least in part unpredictable emitter output for painting at least a portion of such human subject, (c) a sensor set arrangement, for acquiring information for timing analysis, configured at least in part for receiving information corresponding to such emitter radiation, and (d) a secure clock arrangement including a trusted clock and configured for time stamping emitter emission timing information and/or sensor receiving timing information;\nat least one cryptographic arrangement including at least one processor and associated memory and including a protected repository, located within such security hardened identity device arrangement packaging, at least in part configured for enabling secure communication with a remote administrative and/or cloud service identity arrangement including a server, such secure communication enabling the performance of secure human identification information verification similarity matching using such human subject's registered and securely maintained identification information;\na processing device arrangement located within such security hardened identity device arrangement packaging, comprising a secure operatively isolated processor, at least in part configured for processing such human subject's biometric identification information,\nwherein such processing device arrangement is contained in a parent computing device arrangement including at least one processor and associated memory, such processing device arrangement configured to:\noperate one or more authenticated and authorized load modules configured for performing identity operations using one or more protected processing environments to enable trusted identity operations, at least one of any such protected processing environments isolated from external processes, and\nisolate operating resource sets from corruption, misdirection, subversion, observation, and/or other forms of interference using external resource sets; and at least one memory component configured for securely storing at least a portion of such human subject's biometric identification information.",
"2. The secure identity device arrangement of claim 1, wherein such time stamping of emitter emission timing information and/or sensor receiving timing information enables cross-correlating emitter output and sensor input signals according to such clock arrangement's secure time stamping.",
"3. The secure identity device arrangement of claim 1, wherein such parent computing device arrangement is configured to hibernate during one or more of the trusted identity operations of such contained processing device arrangement, such hibernation providing protection against interference with such identity device arrangement's operations.",
"4. The secure identity device arrangement of claim 1, wherein such human subject's biometric identification information is at least in part derived from 2D image-acquisition-over-time pattern information, and\nwherein such 2D image-acquisition-over-time information is used to test for 3D physical presence liveness of such human subject by calculating such human subject's corresponding 3D image pattern set using such 2D image pattern set information.",
"5. The identity device arrangement of claim 1, wherein such security hardened identity device arrangement packaging contains a plurality of protected processing environments that respectively isolate different trusted identity related operations.",
"6. The secure identity device arrangement of claim 1, wherein biometric identification and liveness information of the human subject, and at least a portion of such biometrically identified human subject's registered, securely associated attribute information, is stored within such security hardened identity device arrangement packaging, wherein at least a portion of such attribute information is employed in authorizing computing activities of such identified human subject.",
"7. The secure identity device arrangement of claim 1, wherein such processing device arrangement comprises a protected processing environment that enables extraction and correlation processing that includes human subject (a) feature extraction and/or (b) temporal pattern extraction.",
"8. The secure identity device arrangement of claim 1, wherein each of a plurality of component identity device arrangements contains such human subject's biometric identification information, wherein each of such plurality of component identity device arrangements includes at least one processor and associated memory and employs security hardened identity device arrangement packaging.",
"9. The secure identity device arrangement of claim 1, wherein a secure identity device arrangement processing arrangement instructs such emitter arrangement to provide in its output an encrypted emission challenge comprising tamper resistant challenge information used in authenticating the presence of a human biometrically identified subject.",
"10. The secure identity device arrangement of claim 9, wherein such challenge is at least in part generated by a pseudo random generator located within such processing device arrangement.",
"11. The secure identity device arrangement of claim 1, wherein such security hardened identity device arrangement's protected processing environment arrangement at least in part is enabled to securely perform plural registrations of a user's biometric identification with plural registration services.",
"12. The secure identity device arrangement of claim 1, wherein such parent computing device arrangement is a mobile computing device.",
"13. The secure identity device arrangement of claim 1, wherein at least one component arrangement including at least one processor and associated memory of such security hardened identity device arrangement packaging includes at least one of (a) a sensor arrangement, or (b) an emitter arrangement.",
"14. The secure identity device arrangement of claim 1, wherein such emission control arrangement operates at least in part in such remote administrative and/or cloud service identity arrangement.",
"15. The secure identity device arrangement of claim 1, wherein such portion of a human subject comprises at least one of a finger, an iris, a retina, vasculature, or a face.",
"16. The secure identity device arrangement of claim 1, wherein the biometric identification sensor set arrangement and the timing analysis information acquiring sensor set arrangement are the same sensor set arrangement.",
"17. A method for establishing reliable secure human identification, such method comprising:\nproviding, through use of a computing arrangement including at least one processor and associated memory, at least one of one or more standardized resources and specifications, wherein such providing enables operating a secure identity device arrangement for enabling reliable secure human identification, wherein such secure identity device arrangement comprises:\nsecurity hardened identity device arrangement packaging;\na sensor set arrangement including at least one sensor, for acquiring biometric identification information, configured to detect electromagnetic radiation and/or sound, the sensor set arrangement configured for at least in part establishing, and subsequently authenticating, a human subject's biometric identification information;\na biometric identification liveness testing arrangement including at least one processor and associated memory and configured to perform biometric identification physical presence liveness testing involving time stamped, correlated emitter and sensor information, such testing involving identification of (1) timing discontinuity, (2) timing overhead delay, and/or (3) other sensed signal inconsistencies with emitted signal information,\nwherein the biometric identification liveness testing arrangement comprises: (a) an emitter arrangement including an emitter and configured to provide electromagnetic radiation, and/or sound, (b) such emitter arrangement's emission control arrangement, including at least one processor and associated memory, where such emission control arrangement controls such emitter arrangement's provision of electromagnetic radiation and/or sound to produce at least in part unpredictable emitter output for painting at least a portion of such human subject, (c) a sensor set arrangement, for acquiring information for timing analysis, configured at least in part for receiving information corresponding to such emitter radiation, and (d) a secure clock arrangement including a trusted clock and configured for time stamping emitter emission timing information and/or sensor receiving timing information;\nat least one cryptographic arrangement including at least one processor and associated memory and including a protected repository, located within such security hardened identity device arrangement packaging, at least in part configured for enabling secure communication with a remote administrative and/or cloud service identity arrangement including a server, such secure communication enabling the performance of secure human identification information verification similarity matching using such human subject's registered and securely maintained identification information;\na processing device arrangement located within such security hardened identity device arrangement packaging, comprising a secure operatively isolated processor, at least in part configured for processing such human subject's biometric identification information,\nwherein such processing device arrangement is contained in a parent computing device arrangement including at least one processor and associated memory, such processing device arrangement configured to:\noperate one or more authenticated and authorized load modules configured for performing identity operations using one or more protected processing environments to enable trusted identity operations, at least one of any such protected processing environments isolated from external processes, and\nisolate operating resource sets from corruption, misdirection, subversion, observation, and/or other forms of interference using external resource sets; and\nat least one memory component configured for securely storing at least a portion of such human subject's biometric identification information.",
"18. The method of claim 17, wherein such providing enables such time stamping of emitter emission timing information and/or sensor receiving timing information enables cross-correlating emitter output and sensor input signals according to such clock arrangement's secure time stamping.",
"19. The method of claim 17, wherein such providing enables such parent computing device arrangement to be configured to hibernate during one or more of the trusted identity operations of such contained processing device arrangement, such hibernation providing protection against interference with such identity device arrangement's operations.",
"20. The method of claim 17, wherein such providing enables deriving such human subject's biometric identification information at least in part from 2D image-acquisition-over-time pattern set information, and\nwherein such 2D image-acquisition-over-time information is used to test for 3D physical presence liveness of such human subject by calculating such human subject's corresponding 3D image pattern set using such 2D image pattern set information.",
"21. The method of claim 17, wherein such providing enables including a plurality of protected processing environments that respectively isolate different trusted identity related operations.",
"22. The method of claim 17, wherein such providing enables storing biometric identification and liveness information of the human subject, and at least a portion of such biometrically identified human subject's registered, securely associated attribute information within such security hardened identity device arrangement packaging, wherein at least a portion of such attribute information is employed in authorizing computing activities of such identified human subject.",
"23. The method of claim 17, wherein such providing enables such processing device arrangement comprising a protected processing environment to enable extraction and correlation processing that includes human subject (a) feature extraction and/or (b) temporal pattern extraction.",
"24. The method of claim 17, wherein such providing enables a plurality of component identity device arrangements, the component identity device arrangements including at least one processor and associated memory, to respectively contain such human subject's biometric identification information, wherein each of such plurality of component identity device arrangements employs security hardened identity device arrangement packaging.",
"25. The method of claim 17, wherein such providing enables a secure identity device arrangement's processing arrangement to instruct such emitter arrangement to provide in its output an encrypted emission challenge comprising tamper resistant challenge information used in authenticating the presence of a human biometrically identified subject.",
"26. The method of claim 25, wherein such providing enables generating such challenge at least in part by a pseudo random generator located within such processing device arrangement.",
"27. The method of claim 17, wherein such providing enables such security hardened identity device arrangement's protected processing environment arrangement at least in part to securely perform plural registrations of a user's biometric identification with plural registration services.",
"28. The method of claim 17, wherein such providing enables such parent computing device arrangement to be a mobile computing device.",
"29. The method of claim 17, wherein such providing enables at least one component arrangement including at least one processor and associated memory of such security hardened identity device arrangement packaging to include at least one of (a) a sensor arrangement, or (b) an emitter arrangement.",
"30. The method of claim 17, wherein such providing enables such emission control arrangement to operate at least in part in such remote administrative and/or cloud service identity arrangement.",
"31. The method of claim 17, wherein such providing enables such portion of a human subject to comprise at least one of a finger, an iris, a retina, vasculature, or a face.",
"32. The method of claim 17, wherein such providing enables the biometric identification sensor set arrangement and the timing analysis information acquiring sensor set arrangement to be the same sensor set arrangement."
],
[
"1. A computer program product for operating a firewall to selectively forward network communications between a first network interface of the firewall operable to couple to an endpoint and a second network interface of the firewall operable to couple to a remote resource hosted at a server, the computer program product comprising computer executable code embodied in a non-transitory memory of the firewall that, when executing on the firewall, causes the firewall to perform the steps of:\nreceiving a request from the endpoint;\ndetermining an identity of an application that originated the request on the endpoint based on a packet carrying the request;\nquerying a security data recorder on the endpoint from the firewall to identify previous events associated with the application;\nreceiving one or more previous events associated with the application from the security data recorder;\ndetermining if a security state of the application that originated the request is an uncompromised state based on the one or more previous events associated with the application; and\nconditionally forwarding the request from the firewall to the server in response to the identity of the application being recognized and the security state of the application being the uncompromised state.",
"2. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein determining the security state of the application that originated the request includes determining the security state based on a secure heartbeat included in the packet.",
"3. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein determining the security state of the application includes traversing a causal chain of events on the endpoint to identify a root cause of the request.",
"4. A firewall configured to selectively forward network communications, the firewall comprising:\na processor configured to respond to a request from an endpoint to a remote resource for a service of the remote resource by performing the steps of:\ndetermining an identity of an application that originated the request on the endpoint;\nquerying a security data recorder on the endpoint from the firewall to identify previous events associated with the application;\nreceiving one or more previous events associated with the application from the security data recorder;\ndetermining if a security state of the application that originated the request is an uncompromised state based on the one or more previous events associated with the application; and\nconditionally forwarding the request to the remote resource in response to the identity of the application being recognized and the security state of the application being the uncompromised state.",
"5. The firewall of claim 4, wherein determining the identity of the application includes following a causal chain from a nominal originating application to identify a root cause of the request.",
"6. The firewall of claim 4, wherein the request includes an indicia of maliciousness based on an indication of compromise of the endpoint in a secure heartbeat included in the request.",
"7. The firewall of claim 4, wherein querying the security data recorder includes querying the security data recorder to identify a root cause of the request.",
"8. The firewall of claim 4, wherein the endpoint and the remote resource are peers coupled together through a peer-to-peer network.",
"9. The firewall of claim 4, wherein the request includes an indicia of maliciousness based on an attempt to access external resources in violation of a security policy.",
"10. The firewall of claim 4, wherein the request includes an indicia of maliciousness based on a use of corporate credentials in violation of a security policy.",
"11. The firewall of claim 4, wherein the request includes an indicia of maliciousness based on web traffic in violation of a security policy.",
"12. The firewall of claim 4, wherein the request includes an indicia of maliciousness based on an attempted communications through the firewall in violation of a security policy.",
"13. The firewall of claim 4, wherein determining the security state of the application includes querying the endpoint from the firewall for one or more indicia of compromise.",
"14. The firewall of claim 4, wherein determining the identity of the application includes querying the endpoint from the firewall for the identity.",
"15. The firewall of claim 4, wherein the processor is further configured to perform the steps of monitoring a pattern of traffic to the remote resource from a plurality of endpoints and automatically developing a rule for acceptable connections to the remote resource based on the pattern of traffic.",
"16. The firewall of claim 4, wherein determining the security state of the application includes querying the endpoint for at least one of credentials authenticating the application to the remote resource, credentials authenticating a user of the endpoint to the remote resource, or an encrypted heartbeat containing information about a state of the endpoint.",
"17. The firewall of claim 4, wherein the processor is further configured to transmit a notification to the endpoint when an indication of compromise is detected for the application.",
"18. The firewall of claim 4, wherein the firewall is coupled to at least one of the endpoint, the remote resource, and a threat management facility.",
"19. A method for operating a firewall to selectively forward network communications between a first network interface of the firewall operable to couple to an endpoint and a second network interface of the firewall operable to couple to a remote resource hosted at a server, the method comprising:\nreceiving, at the firewall, a request from the endpoint to the server;\ndetermining an identity of an application that originated the request on the endpoint based on a packet carrying the request;\nquerying a security data recorder on the endpoint from the firewall to identify previous events associated with the application;\nreceiving one or more previous events associated with the application from the security data recorder;\ndetermining if a security state of the application that originated the request is an uncompromised state based on the one or more previous events associated with the application; and\nconditionally forwarding the request to the server in response to the identity of the application being recognized and the security state of the application being the uncompromised state.",
"20. The method of claim 19, wherein querying the security data recorder includes querying the security data recorder to identify a root cause of the request."
],
[
"1. A method for supporting real-time telecommunication, the method comprising:\nproviding an information repository that stores a device identifier associated with a particular device of a social network user having a plan with an MNO (Mobile Network Operator), wherein the device identifier for the social network user is stored in the information repository in response to a registration process that authenticates the social network user;\nin response to receiving at least one message related to real-time telecommunication involving the social network user, querying the information repository and retrieving from the information repository the device identifier for the social network user; and\ncommunicating information to at least one gateway of the MNO, wherein the information includes the device identifier for the social network user retrieved from the information repository, wherein the device identifier for the social network user is used by the least one gateway of the MNO in carrying out the real-time telecommunication.",
"2. The method according to claim 1, wherein:\nthe device identifier represents an IP address associated with the particular device of the social network user.",
"3. The method according to claim 1, wherein:\nthe information communicated to the at least one gateway of the MNO includes additional information about the social network user, wherein the additional information is also used by the least one gateway of the MNO in carrying out the real-time telecommunication.",
"4. The method according to claim 3, wherein:\nthe additional information includes location information for the social network user, and the location information for the social network user is used by the MNO in billing the real-time communication.",
"5. The method according to claim 4, wherein:\nthe location information for the social network user is used to selectively authorize or reject the real-time communication.",
"6. The method according to claim 3, wherein:\nthe additional information includes information that identifies a social network application.",
"7. The method according to claim 1, wherein:\nthe information repository further stores user data corresponding to the social network user that is queried to selectively authorize or reject the real-time telecommunication, wherein the user data is selected from the group consisting of calling rules data, application-specific data, whitelist data and blacklist data associated with the social network user.",
"8. The method according to claim 1, wherein:\nthe at least one message related to real-time telecommunication involving the social network user is communicated to initiate the real-time telecommunication.",
"9. The method according to claim 1, wherein:\nthe social network user in an intended recipient of the real-time telecommunication.",
"10. The method according to claim 1, wherein:\nthe social network user is an initiator of the real-time telecommunication.",
"11. The method according to claim 1, wherein:\nthe real-time telecommunication is selected from the group consisting of a voice call, a multiparty voice conference, a video conference, file sharing between users, and media streaming between users.",
"12. The method according to claim 1, wherein:\nthe device identifier for the first social network user retrieved from the information repository is used by the at least one MNO gateway to ring or announce the real-time telecommunication on the device corresponding to the device identifier.",
"13. The method according to claim 1, wherein:\nthe device identifier for the first social network user retrieved from the information repository is used by the at least one MNO gateway to provision a connection or communication session that carries traffic for the real-time telecommunication.",
"14. The method according to claim 1, wherein:\nthe registration process is configured to verify possession of the device identified by the device identifier by communication to the device identified by the device identifier.",
"15. The method according to claim 14, wherein:\nthe registration process further involves communication from the device identified by the device identifier."
],
[
"1. A tangible, non-transitory, machine-readable medium storing instructions that when executed by a computer system effectuate operations comprising:\nestablishing, by a first computing device, a set of credentials maintained by the first computing device, the set of credentials including an authentication credential of a user of the first computing device and a private key of a public-private key pair associated with the user;\ntransmitting, by the first computing device, a public key of the key pair associated with the user to a server system over a secure session to register the first computing device and the public key with the server system;\nreceiving, by the first computing device, a user selection to register the first computing device for authenticating user access to a web-service to be accessed from a second computing device, wherein:\nthe second computing device is different from the first computing device, and\nthe server system is configured to convey one or more credentials associated with the user of the first computing device for presentation to a web-server system associated with the web-service to authenticate the second computing device to access to an account of the user with the web-service;\ngenerating, by the first computing device, based on a registration value corresponding to the web-service, signed data using the private key, the first computing device governing use of the private key subject to authentication of the user based on the authentication credential;\ntransmitting, by the first computing device, the signed data to the server system to cause the server system to register the first computing device with the web-service based on authentication of the signed data using the public key and the registration value; and\ntransmitting, by the first computing device, authentication data generated using the private key to the server system to cause the web-server system to permit the second computing device to access the account of the user with the web-service based on the authentication data.",
"2. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 1, the operations further comprising obtaining the registration value corresponding to the web-service by:\nrequesting the registration value from the server system; or\nrequesting the registration value from the server or another server of the web-service.",
"3. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 1, the operations further comprising obtaining the registration value corresponding to the web-service by:\nauthenticating to the web-service or the server system under the account of the user associated with the web-service,\nwherein a certificate or token associated with the user account is added to the set of credentials.",
"4. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 1, the operations further comprising:\nobtaining a policy associated with accessing the web-service from the second computing device, the policy comprising one or more rules;\nenforcing, based on the policy at least a first rule indicating compliance of the authentication credential with the policy.",
"5. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 4, wherein enforcing, based on the policy, at least a first rule, comprises:\nauthentication of the user on the first computing device based on the authentication credential prior to use of the private key.",
"6. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 5, wherein the signed data includes data corresponding to a representation of the authentication credential by which the user authenticated on the first computing device.",
"7. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 1, wherein transmitting the public key to the server system over the secure session comprises:\ntransmitting a representation of the authentication credential in the set of credentials.",
"8. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 1, the operations further comprising:\ntransmitting an identifier of the web-service to the server system;\nreceiving, from the server system, an indication of a credential in the set of credentials by which the user is to authenticate on the first computing device; and\nin response to the credential being the authentication credential, requesting authentication of the user on the first computing device based on the authentication credential prior to use of the private key.",
"9. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 1, wherein generating the authentication data using the private key comprises:\ngenerating second signed data using the private key, the second signed data being verifiable by one or more of the server system and the web-server system corresponding to the web-service based on the public key and data that was signed to generate the second signed data; and\ntransmitting at least the second signed data to the server system.",
"10. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the server system:\nverifies the second signed data based on the public key associated with the first computing device,\nidentifies the second computing device as corresponding an active session of the user with the second computing device, and\ntransmits data signed by the server system to cause the web-server system to permit the second computing device to access the account of the user with the web-service.",
"11. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 1, the operations further comprising:\nobtaining, by the first computing device, a user certificate or token corresponding to the user or the account of the user with the web-service; and\nmaintaining, by the first computing device, the user certificate or token as a credential within the set of credentials, wherein generating the authentication data using the private key comprises signing the user certificate or token.",
"12. A tangible, non-transitory, machine-readable medium storing instructions that when executed by a server system effectuate operations comprising:\nestablishing, by a server system, at least one record to register a user of a mobile computing device for authenticating, using the mobile computing device, access to a web-service by a second computing device under an account of the user, the at least one record comprising information indicative of a public key of a public-private key pair for which the mobile computing device maintains a private key of the key pair, wherein:\nthe key pair is associated with a user of the mobile computing device, and\nuse of the private key by the mobile computing device is subject to authentication of the user;\nobtaining, by the server system, an authentication result indicative of authentication of the user to the web-service with the mobile computing device, the authentication result associated with an identifier of the account of the user;\nreceiving, by the server system from the mobile computing device, a request to authenticate access to the web-service by the second computing device and, in association with the authentication request, authentication data and signed data;\nidentifying, by the server system, the second computing device being permitted to access the web-service and having an active session corresponding to the user;\nverifying, by the server system, the authentication data based on the signed data using the public key of the key pair associated with the user of the mobile device; and\ntransmitting, by the server system, second authentication data including the identifier of the account of the user to cause a web-server of the web-service to permit the second computing device access to the web-service under the account of the user.",
"13. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 12, the operations further comprising:\nestablishing a plurality of second computing device records corresponding to a respective plurality of second computing devices accessed by the user; and\ntransmitting, to the mobile computing devices, indications of the respective second computing devices the user is permitted to use the mobile computing device for authentication to access the web-service.",
"14. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 12, the operations further comprising:\nverifying the authentication data complies with a policy associated with accessing the web-service with the second computing device; and\nverifying the authentication data was generated by a trusted execution environment of the mobile computing device.",
"15. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 14, the operations further comprising:\ntransmitting, by the server system, an indication of a credential in a set of credentials by which the user is to authenticate on a first computing device based on the policy, wherein the authentication data is based in part on the credential.",
"16. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 12, the operations further comprising:\nreceiving an indication of the active session corresponding to the user on the second computing device, wherein the indication associates the second computing device with the identifier of the account of the user with the web-service.",
"17. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 12, the operations further comprising:\nreceiving, from the mobile computing device, a request to authorize the user to authenticate on the mobile computing device to access the web-service by the second computing device and, in association with the request, registration value, wherein obtaining the authentication result indicative of authentication of the user to the web-service comprises receiving a registration value identifier;\nidentifying a correspondence between the registration value and the registration value identifier; and\ndetermining the user of the mobile computing device is permitted to authenticate on the mobile computing device to access the web-service from the second computing device based on the correspondence and verification of the authentication result as corresponding to the user of the mobile computing device.",
"18. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the permitting of the second computing device to access the account of the user with the web-service comprises:\nlogin of the second computing device under the account of the user being accepted by the web-service to permit the second computing device to utilize the web-service, and wherein\nthe server system stores a login result indicative of the computing device obtaining access in association with the at least one record.",
"19. A computer-implemented method, comprising:\nestablishing, by a first computing device, a set of credentials maintained on the first computing device, the set of credentials including an authentication credential of a user of the first computing device and a private key of a public-private key pair associated with the user;\ntransmitting, by the first computing device, a public key of the key pair associated with the user to a server system over a secure session to register the first computing device and the public key with the server system;\nreceiving, by the first computing device, a user selection to register the first computing device for authenticating user access to a web-service to be accessed from a second computing device, wherein:\nthe second computing device is different from the first computing device, and\nthe server system is configured to convey one or more credentials associated with the user of the first computing device for presentation to a web-server system associated with the web-service to authenticate the second computing device to access to an account of the user with the web-service;\ngenerating, by the first computing device, based on a registration value corresponding to the web-service, signed data using the private key, the first computing device governing use of the private key subject to authentication of the user based on the authentication credential;\ntransmitting, by the first computing device, the signed data to the server system to cause the server system to register the first computing device with the web-service based on authentication of the signed data using the public key and the registration value; and\ntransmitting, by the first computing device, authentication data generated using the private key to the server system to cause the web-server system to permit the second computing device to access the account of the user with the web-service based on the authentication data.",
"20. The method of claim 19, further comprising obtaining the registration value corresponding to the web-service by:\nrequesting the registration value from the server system; or\nrequesting the registration value from the server or another server of the web-service.",
"21. The method of claim 19, further comprising obtaining the registration value corresponding to the web-service by:\nauthenticating to the web-service or the server system under the account of the user associated with the web-service,\nwherein a certificate or token associated with the user account is added to the set of credentials.",
"22. The method of claim 19, further comprising:\nobtaining a policy associated with accessing the web-service from the second computing device, the policy comprising one or more rules;\nenforcing, based on the policy at least a first rule indicating compliance of the authentication credential with the policy.",
"23. The method of claim 22, wherein enforcing, based on the policy, at least a first rule, comprises:\nauthentication of the user on the first computing device based on the authentication credential prior to use of the private key.",
"24. The method of claim 23, wherein the signed data includes data corresponding to a representation of the authentication credential by which the user authenticated on the first computing device.",
"25. The method of claim 19, wherein transmitting the public key to the server system over the secure session comprises:\ntransmitting a representation of the authentication credential in the set of credentials.",
"26. The method of claim 19, further comprising:\ntransmitting an identifier of the web-service to the server system;\nreceiving, from the server system, an indication of a credential in the set of credentials by which the user is to authenticate on the first computing device; and\nin response to the credential being the authentication credential, requesting authentication of the user on the first computing device based on the authentication credential prior to use of the private key.",
"27. The method of claim 19, wherein generating the authentication data using the private key comprises:\ngenerating second signed data using the private key, the second signed data being verifiable by one or more of the server system and the web-server system corresponding to the web-service based on the public key and data that was signed to generate the second signed data; and\ntransmitting at least the second signed data to the server system.",
"28. The method of claim 27, wherein the server system:\nverifies the second signed data based on the public key associated with the first computing device,\nidentifies the second computing device as corresponding an active session of the user with the second computing device, and\ntransmits data signed by the server system to cause the web-server system to permit the second computing device to access the account of the user with the web-service.",
"29. The method of claim 19, further comprising:\nobtaining, by the first computing device, a user certificate or token corresponding to the user or the account of the user with the web-service; and\nmaintaining, by the first computing device, the user certificate or token as a credential within the set of credentials, wherein generating the authentication data using the private key comprises signing the user certificate or token.",
"30. A computer-implemented method, comprising:\nestablishing, by a server system, at least one record to register a user of a mobile computing device for authenticating, using the mobile computing device, access to a web-service by a second computing device under an account of the user, the at least one record comprising information indicative of a public key of a public-private key pair for which the mobile computing device maintains a private key of the key pair, wherein:\nthe private key is associated with a user of the mobile computing device, and\nuse of the private key by the mobile computing device is subject to authentication of the user;\nobtaining, by the server system, an authentication result indicative of authentication of the user to the web-service using the mobile computing device, the authentication result associated with an identifier;\nreceiving, by the server system from the mobile computing device, a request to authenticate access to the web-service by the second computing device and, in association with the authentication request, authentication data and signed data;\nidentifying, by the server system, the second computing device being permitted to access the web-service and having an active session corresponding to the user;\nverifying, by the server system, the authentication data based on the signed data using the public key of the key pair associated with the user of the mobile device; and\ntransmitting, by the server system, second authentication data including an identifier of the account of the user to cause a web-server of the web-service to permit the second computing device access to the web-service under the account of the user.",
"31. The method of claim 30, further comprising:\nestablishing a plurality of second computing device records corresponding to a respective plurality of second computing devices accessed by the user; and\ntransmitting, to the mobile computing devices, indications of the respective second computing devices the user is permitted to use the mobile computing device for authentication to access the web-service.",
"32. The method of claim 30, further comprising:\nverifying the authentication data complies with a policy associated with accessing the web-service with the second computing device; and\nverifying the authentication data was generated by a trusted execution environment of the mobile computing device.",
"33. The method of claim 32, further comprising:\ntransmitting, by the server system, an indication of a credential in a set of credentials by which the user is to authenticate on a first computing device based on the policy, wherein the authentication data is based in part on the credential.",
"34. The method of claim 30, further comprising:\nreceiving an indication of the active session corresponding to the user on the second computing device, wherein the indication associates the second computing device with the identifier of the account of the user with the web-service.",
"35. The method of claim 30, further comprising:\nreceiving, from the mobile computing device, a request to authorize the user to authenticate on the mobile computing device to access the web-service by the second computing device and, in association with the request, registration value, wherein obtaining the authentication result indicative of authentication of the user to the web-service comprises receiving a registration value identifier;\nidentifying a correspondence between the registration value and the registration value identifier; and\ndetermining the user of the mobile computing device is permitted to authenticate on the mobile computing device to access the web-service from the second computing device based on the correspondence and verification of the authentication result as corresponding to the user of the mobile computing device.",
"36. The method of claim 30, wherein the permitting of the second computing device to access the account of the user with the web-service comprises:\nlogin of the second computing device under the account of the user being accepted by the web-service to permit the second computing device to utilize the web-service, and wherein\nthe server system stores a login result indicative of the computing device obtaining access in association with the at least one record."
],
[
"1. A computer-implemented method, the method comprising:\nestablishing, by a server system, a record of a user permitted to access a secure asset, the record comprising an identifier associated with the user;\nestablishing, by the server system, in association with the record of the user, information corresponding to a first device in response to receiving, from the first device, a public key of an asymmetric key-pair, the first device maintaining a private key of the asymmetric key-pair;\nreceiving information corresponding to an attempt to access the secure asset from a second device different from the first device, the information comprising the identifier associated with the user;\nidentifying the record of the user responsive to the identifier;\nselecting the public key of the asymmetric key-pair associated with the record of the user;\ngenerating notification data comprising a portion of data encrypted based on the public key and operable to be decrypted by the private key maintained by the first device;\ndetermining at least one verification value based on the portion of data in unencrypted form;\ntransmitting, to the second device, the notification data;\nreceiving a notification response comprising at least one value for verification;\nverifying the at least one value based on the at least one verification value, the verifying indicating whether the first device successfully decrypted the encrypted portion of data using the private key; and\ntransmitting, based on the verifying indicating that the first device successfully decrypted the encrypted portion of data using the private key, an authentication result to grant the access attempt by the second device.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein:\nthe first computing device obtains the encrypted portion of data from the second computing device,\nthe at least one value is determined by the first computing device,\nthe second computing device obtains the at least one value, and\nthe notification response is received from the second computing device.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein:\nthe first computing device obtains the encrypted portion of data from the second computing device, and\nthe notification response is generated by the first computing device.",
"4. The method of claim 3, wherein:\nthe notification response is received from the first computing device.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein establishing the record of the user comprises:\nreceiving an indication of one or more accounts of the user, wherein the identifier associated with the user corresponds to an account of the user.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein:\na set of credentials indicative of, or corresponding to, the user is established on the first device; and\nuse of the private key maintained by the first device is dependent on authentication of the user, to the first device, based upon one or more of the credentials in the set of credentials.",
"7. The method of claim 1, wherein:\nthe notification data is generated by the server system in response to receiving the information corresponding to the attempt to access the secure asset from the second device, and the second device provides the identifier in association with the access attempt.",
"8. The method of claim 1, wherein:\nthe attempt to access the secure asset from the second device is a request to login to a user account.",
"9. The method of claim 8, wherein:\nthe user account is associated with the identifier of the user.",
"10. The method of claim 1, wherein:\nthe server system receives, via a computing system through which access to the secure asset is provided, the information corresponding to the attempt to access the secure asset from the second device,\nthe server system transmits, to the computing system, the authentication result to grant the access attempt by the second device, and\nthe computing system provides the second device access to the secure asset based on the authentication result to grant the access attempt received from the server system.",
"11. The method of claim 1, wherein:\nthe server system receives, via a web server system through which access to the web service is provided, the information corresponding to the attempt to access the web service from the second device,\nthe server system transmits, to the web server system, the authentication result to grant the access attempt by the second device, and\nthe web server system provides the second device access to the web service based on the authentication result to grant the access attempt received from the server system.",
"12. A tangible, non-transitory, machine readable medium storing instructions that when executed by one or more processors effectuate operations comprising:\nestablishing, by a server system, a record of a user permitted to access a secure asset, the record comprising an identifier associated with the user;\nestablishing, by the server system, in association with the record of the user, information corresponding to a first device in response to receiving, from the first device, a public key of an asymmetric key-pair, the first device maintaining a private key of the asymmetric key-pair;\nreceiving information corresponding to an attempt to access the secure asset from a second device different from the first device, the information comprising the identifier associated with the user;\nidentifying the record of the user responsive to the identifier;\nselecting the public key of the asymmetric key-pair associated with the record of the user;\ngenerating notification data comprising a portion of data encrypted based on the public key and operable to be decrypted by the private key maintained by the first device;\ndetermining at least one verification value based on the portion of data in unencrypted form;\ntransmitting, to the second device, the notification data;\nreceiving a notification response comprising at least one value for verification;\nverifying the at least one value based on the at least one verification value, the verifying indicating whether the first device successfully decrypted the encrypted portion of data using the private key; and\ntransmitting, based on the verifying indicating that the first device successfully decrypted the encrypted portion of data using the private key, an authentication result to grant the access attempt by the second device.",
"13. A computer-implemented method, the method comprising:\nestablishing, by a server system, a record of a user permitted to access a web service, the record comprising an identifier associated with the user;\nstoring, by the server system, in association with the record of the user, a public key of an asymmetric key-pair associated with the user, a first device of the user maintaining a private key of the asymmetric key-pair;\nreceiving information corresponding to an attempt to access the web service from a second device, the information comprising the identifier associated with the user;\nidentifying the record of the user responsive to the identifier;\nselecting the public key of the asymmetric key-pair associated with the record of the user;\ntransmitting notification data comprising a portion of data to be processed using the private key maintained by the first device;\nreceiving a notification response comprising a value for verification;\nverifying the received value, the verifying indicating whether the first device processed the portion of data using the private key; and\ndetermining, based on the verifying indicating that the first device processed the portion of data using the private key, an authentication result granting the second device access to the web service.",
"14. The method of claim 13, wherein:\nthe notification data is transmitted to the second computing device.",
"15. The method of claim 14, wherein:\nthe first computing device obtains the portion of data from the second computing device, and\nthe value for verification is determined by the first computing device.",
"16. The method of claim 14, wherein:\nthe second computing device obtains the value for verification, and\nthe notification response is received from the second computing device.",
"17. The method of claim 14, wherein:\nthe notification response is received from the first computing device.",
"18. The method of claim 13, wherein:\nthe portion of data is an encrypted portion of data decryptable by the first device using the private key, and\nthe value for verification is determined by the first computing device based on data obtained by decrypting the encrypted portion of data.",
"19. The method of claim 13, wherein:\nthe first device, using the private key, generates a cryptographic signature based on the portion of the data; and\nthe value for verification is the cryptographic signature, and verifying the received value comprises using the public key and input based on the portion of the data to verify the cryptographic signature.",
"20. The method of claim 13, wherein establishing the record of the user comprises:\nreceiving an indication of one or more accounts of the user, wherein the identifier associated with the user corresponds to an account of the user with the web service.",
"21. The method of claim 13, wherein:\na set of credentials indicative of, or corresponding to, the user is established on the first device; and\nuse of the private key maintained by the first device to process the portion of data is dependent on authentication of the user, to the first device, based upon one or more of the credentials in the set of credentials.",
"22. The method of claim 13, wherein:\nthe notification data is generated by the server system in response to receiving the information corresponding to the attempt to access the web service from the second device, and the second device provides the identifier in association with the access attempt.",
"23. A tangible, non-transitory, machine readable medium storing computer-program instructions that when executed by one or more processors effectuate operations comprising:\nestablishing, by a server system, a record of a user permitted to access a web service, the record comprising an identifier associated with the user;\nstoring, by the server system, in association with the record of the user, a public key of an asymmetric key-pair associated with the user, a first device of the user maintaining a private key of the asymmetric key-pair;\nreceiving information corresponding to an attempt to access the web service from a second device, the information comprising the identifier associated with the user;\nidentifying the record of the user responsive to the identifier;\nselecting the public key of the asymmetric key-pair associated with the record of the user;\ntransmitting notification data comprising a portion of data to be processed using the private key maintained by the first device;\nreceiving a notification response comprising a value for verification;\nverifying the received value, the verifying indicating whether the first device processed the portion of data using the private key; and\ndetermining, based on the verifying indicating that the first device processed the portion of data using the private key, an authentication result granting the second device access to the web service."
],
[
"1. A device for use in verifying a request for access to data, comprising:\na first circuit arranged to generate a password associated with a request for data, the first circuit comprising a first user interface arranged to output the generated password to a human in possession of the first circuit; and\na second circuit comprising a second user interface enabling the human in possession of the second circuit to input the password associated with the request for data generated by the first circuit, the second circuit being arranged to validate the input password and to enable access to the requested data when the second circuit validates the password,\nwherein the first circuit is arranged to generate the password in dependence upon a one-time password generation key and said second circuit being is arranged to validate the password, and\nwherein the first circuit is communicatively disconnected from the second circuit, and does not share common communication circuitry or communication interfaces.",
"2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said second circuit is arranged to validate the password in dependence on the one-time password generation key.",
"3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the second circuit is arranged to send the password to an authentication server for validation.",
"4. The device according to claim 1, wherein said device has a unique device identifier and said generated and received passwords are generated and validated in dependence upon the unique device identifier.",
"5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the second circuit is arranged to send data for use in enabling access to the requested data, whereby to enable access to the requested data.",
"6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first circuit is arranged to generate said generated password in response to an input related to said request for access to data.",
"7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the first circuit is arranged to generate a subsequent password in response to a subsequent input related to a subsequent request for access to data, the subsequently generated password being different from a previously generated password.",
"8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first circuit is arranged to generate a plurality of passwords, at least one password of the plurality of passwords being different from another password of the plurality of passwords, and to provide at least one of the generated passwords to a user via an interface of the first circuit.",
"9. The device according to claim 8, wherein said passwords are generated in dependence upon at least said one-time password generation key and a current time.",
"10. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first circuit comprises a first clock for use in generating a password and the second circuit comprises a second clock for use in validating a received password, the first and second clocks being synchronised.",
"11. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first circuit comprises a clock for use in generating a password and the second circuit is arranged to receive a timestamp for use in validating a received password, the timestamp being received from a third party that has a clock that is synchronised with the clock of the first circuit.",
"12. The device according to claim 1, wherein the second user interface is arranged to receive the request for access to data from a user of the human in possession of the second circuit via that user interface.",
"13. The device according to claim 12, wherein the second circuit is further arranged to receive information via the user interface of the second circuit that uniquely identifies the human, and said data sent by the second circuit for use in enabling access to data comprises data that uniquely identifies said human.",
"14. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a battery, wherein the first circuit and the second circuit are integrated within the device, and share and are powered by the battery.",
"15. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device is a wireless device.",
"16. A method of verifying a request for access to data, the method comprising:\ngenerating, by a first circuit of a device, a password and outputting the generated password via an interface of the first circuit to a human in possession of the device;\nreceiving, by a second circuit of the device, a password associated with the request for data from the human in possession of the device via an interface of the second circuit, said received password corresponding to the password generated by the first circuit;\nvalidating at the second circuit said received password; and\nenabling access to the requested data at the second circuit,\nwherein the first circuit generates the password in dependence on a one-time password generation key, and\nwherein the first circuit is communicatively disconnected from the second circuit, and does not share common communication circuitry or communication interfaces.",
"17. The method of claim 16, wherein the second circuit validates the received password in dependence on the one-time password generation key.",
"18. The method of claim 16, wherein the second circuit sends the received password to an authentication server for validation.",
"19. The method of claim 16, wherein the device is a wireless device.",
"20. The method of claim 16, wherein the first circuit and the second circuit are powered by a common battery.",
"21. The method of claim 16, wherein the first circuit and the second circuit are integrated within the device and share a battery."
],
[
"1. A computer-implemented method of passwords management, the method comprising:\nobtaining, by a password management entity, a request to login into a local device;\nsending, by the password management entity, a notification to a user device;\nobtaining, by the password management entity, a notification approval from the user device;\nupon, obtaining the notification approval, generating, by the password management entity, a temporary password;\nsending, by the password management entity, the temporary password to the authentication authority;\nsending, by the password management entity, the temporary password to the local device;\nsending, by the local device, the temporary password obtained from the password management entity to the authentication authority;\nobtaining, at the authentication authority, the temporary password from the local device;\ncomparing, by the authentication authority, the temporary password obtained from the local device with the temporary password obtained from the password management entity; and\nauthorizing, by the authentication authority, the login if a match is found.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein sending the notification comprises:\nencrypting the notification using an encryption key;\ncreating, by the password management entity, at least two shares based on the encryption key;\nsending the at least two shares of the encryption key over two different channels to the user device; and\nsending the encrypted notification to the user device,\nwherein sending the temporary password comprises:\nupon obtaining the notification approval, encrypting the temporary password using the encryption key and sending the encrypted temporary password to the user device.",
"3. The method of claim 2, wherein:\neach of the at least two shares includes a pair of input and output values of a polynomial of a first degree, and\nwherein the method includes:\nusing the pairs to identify the polynomial; and\ngenerating the encryption key based on a function applied to at least one coefficient of the polynomial.",
"4. The method of claim 2, further comprising:\ngenerating a set of at least K+1 pairs of input and output values of a polynomial of degree K, wherein each of the at least two shares includes a portion of pairs of input and output values of the polynomial;\nusing the at least two shares to identify the polynomial; and\nafter identifying the polynomial from the at least K+1 pairs, applying a function to at least one of the coefficients of the polynomial to generate the encryption key.",
"5. The method of claim 1, comprising sending the temporary password to the user device, wherein sending the temporary password to the user device comprises:\ngenerating, by the password management entity, a first and a second shares, based on the temporary password, wherein the temporary password can be determined based on the first share and the second share;\nsending, by the password management entity, the first share to the user device over a first secured communication channel; and\nsending, by the password management entity, the second share to the user device over a second secured communication channel.",
"6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nsending the temporary password to the user device;\nstoring the temporary password at the user device; and\nusing the temporary password from the user device to login to the local device when the local device is offline or when a local login is needed.",
"7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nupon obtaining the notification approval:\ngenerating, by the password management entity, a first and a second shares based on the temporary password, wherein the temporary password can be determined based on the first and the second shares;\nsending, by the password management entity the first share to the user device over a first secured communication channel; and\nsending, by the password management entity the second share to the local device over a second secured communication channel.",
"8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:\nstoring the temporary password and the second share at the local device; and\nwhen the local device is offline or when a local login is needed:\nobtaining the first share from the user device;\ncombining the first and the second shares to calculate a calculated temporary password;\ncomparing the calculated temporary password with the stored temporary password; and\nauthorizing the login request if the calculated temporary password and the stored temporary password are identical.",
"9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\ndeleting the temporary password from the authentication authority after comparing.",
"10. A system for passwords management, the system comprising:\na local device;\na first processor; and\na second processor configured to:\nobtain a request to login into the local device;\nsend a notification to a user device;\nobtain a notification approval from the user device;\nupon obtaining the notification approval, generate a temporary password;\nsend the temporary password to the first processor;\nsend the temporary password to the local device:\nwherein the local device is configured to send the temporary password obtained from the second processor to the first processor;\nwherein the first processor is configured to:\nobtain the temporary password from the local device;\ncompare the temporary password obtained from the local device with the temporary password obtained from second processor; and\nauthorize the login if a match is found.",
"11. The system of claim 10, wherein the second processor is configured to send the notification by:\nencrypting the notification using an encryption key;\ncreating at least two shares based on the encryption key;\nsending the at least two shares of the encryption key over two different channels to the user device; and\nsending the encrypted notification to the user device,\nwherein the second processor is configured to send the temporary password by:\nupon obtaining the notification approval, encrypting the temporary password using the encryption key and sending the encrypted temporary password to the user device.",
"12. The system of claim 11, wherein:\neach of the at least two shares includes a pair of input and output values of a polynomial of a first degree, and\nwherein the second processor is configured to:\nuse the pairs to identify the polynomial; and\ngenerate the encryption key based on a function applied to at least one coefficient of the polynomial.",
"13. The system of claim 11, wherein the second processor is configured to:\ngenerate a set of at least K+1 pairs of input and output values of a polynomial of degree K, wherein each of the at least two shares includes a portion of pairs of input and output values of the polynomial;\nuse the at least two shares to identify the polynomial; and\nafter identifying the polynomial from the at least K+1 pairs, apply a function to at least one of the coefficients of the polynomial to generate the encryption key.",
"14. The system of claim 10, wherein the second processor is configured to send the temporary password to the user device by:\ngenerating a first and a second shares, based on the temporary password, wherein the temporary password can be determined based on the first share and the second share;\nsending the first share to the user device over a first secured communication channel; and\nsending the second share to the user device over a second secured communication channel.",
"15. The system of 10, wherein:\nthe second processor is configured to send the temporary password to the user device;\nthe user device is configured to store the temporary password; and\nwherein the user device is configured to use the temporary password from the user device to login to the local device when the local device is offline or when a local login is needed.",
"16. The system of claim 10, wherein the second processor is configured to:\nupon receiving the request to login into the local device, send a notification to a user device;\nobtaining a notification approval from the user device; and\nupon obtaining the notification approval:\ngenerate a first and a second shares based on the temporary password, wherein the temporary password can be determined based on the first and the second shares;\nsend the first share to the user device over a first secured communication channel; and\nsend the second share to the local device over a second secured communication channel.",
"17. The system of claim 16, wherein the local device is configured to:\nstore the temporary password and the second share; and\nwhen the local device is offline or when a local login is needed:\nobtain the first share from the user device;\ncombine the first and the second shares to calculate a calculated temporary password;\ncompare the calculated temporary password with the stored temporary password; and\nauthorize the login request if the calculated temporary password and the stored temporary password are identical.",
"18. The system of claim 10, wherein the first processor is configured to:\ndeleting the temporary password after comparing."
],
[
"1. A computer-implemented method of passwords management, the method comprising:\nobtaining, by a password management entity, a request to login a local device into an authentication authority;\ngenerating, by the password management entity, a temporary password;\ngenerating, by the password management entity, two values, TP1 and TP2, based on the temporary password, wherein the temporary password can be determined based on the values TP1 and TP2;\nsending, by the password management entity, the temporary password to the authentication authority;\nsending, by the password management entity, the temporary password to a user device by sending the values TP1 and TP2 over multiple channels;\ncombining, by the user device, the values TP1 and TP2 to arrive at the temporary password;\nobtaining, at the local device, the temporary password from the user device;\nobtaining, at the authentication authority the temporary password from the local device;\ncomparing, by the authentication authority, the temporary password obtained from the local device with the temporary password obtained from the password management entity; and\nauthorizing the login if a match is found.",
"2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nsending, by the password management entity, TP1 to the user device over a first secured communication channel; and\nsending, by the password management entity, TP2 to the user device over a second secured communication channel.",
"3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\ncombining TP1 and TP2 by the user device to arrive at the temporary password; and\nsending the temporary password from the user device to the local device using an out-of-band channel.",
"4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nsending, by password management entity, TP1 to authentication authority over a first secured communication channel;\nsending, by password management entity, TP2 to the authentication authority over a second secured communication channel; and\ncombining TP1 and TP2 by the authentication authority to arrive at the temporary password.",
"5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\ndeleting the temporary password from the authentication authority after comparing.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein:\nTP1 includes a first pair of input and output values of a polynomial of a first degree, and the TP2 includes a second pair of input and output values of the polynomial, and\nwherein the method includes:\nusing the first and second pairs to identify the polynomial; and\ngenerating the temporary password based on a function applied to at least one coefficient of the polynomial.",
"7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\ngenerating a set of at least K+1 pairs of input and output values of a polynomial of degree K, wherein TP1 includes a portion of pairs of input and output values of the polynomial, and wherein the TP2 includes the other pairs of input and output values of the polynomial;\nusing TP1 and TP2 to identify the polynomial; and\nafter identifying the polynomial from the at least K+1 pairs, applying a function to at least one of the coefficients of the polynomial to generate the temporary password.",
"8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nstoring the temporary password on the local device.",
"9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nsending, by the password management entity, TP1 to the user device over a first in-band communication channel; and\nsending, by the password management entity, TP2 to the user device over a second in-band communication channel.",
"10. A computer-implemented method of passwords management, the method comprising:\nobtaining, by a password management entity, a request to login a local device into an authentication authority;\ngenerating, by the password management entity, a temporary password;\ngenerating, by the password management entity, two values, TP1 and TP2, based on the temporary password, wherein the temporary password can be determined based on the values TP1 and TP2;\nsending, by the password management entity, TP1 to the user device over a first secured communication channel;\nsending, by the password management entity, TP2 to the local device over a second secured communication channel;\nsending the TP1 from the user device to the local device using out-of-band channel; and\ncombining TP1 and TP2 by the local device to arrive at the temporary password;\nobtaining, at the authentication authority the temporary password from the local device;\ncomparing, by the authentication authority, the temporary password obtained from the local device with the temporary password obtained from the password management entity; and\nauthorizing the login if a match is found.",
"11. A system for temporary passwords management, the system comprising:\na memory;\na processor configured to:\nobtain a request to login a local device into an authentication authority;\ngenerate a temporary password;\ngenerate two values, TP1 and TP2, based on the temporary password, wherein the temporary password can be determined based on the values TP1 and TP2;\nsend the temporary password to the authentication authority;\nsend the temporary password to a user device by sending the values TP1 and TP2 over multiple channels;\ncombine, by the user device, the values TP1 and TP2 to arrive at the temporary password;\nobtain the temporary password from the local device, wherein the local device is configured to receive the temporary password from the user device;\ncompare the temporary password obtained from the local device with the temporary password obtained from the password management entity; and\nauthorize the login if a match is found.",
"12. The system of claim 11, wherein the processor is further configured to:\nsend TP1 to the user device over a first secured communication channel; and\nsend TP2 to the user device over a second secured communication channel.",
"13. The system of claim 11, further comprising the user device:\nwherein the user device is configured to:\nsend the temporary password to the local device using an out-of-band channel.",
"14. The system of claim 11, further comprising the user device, wherein:\nTP1 includes a first pair of input and output values of a polynomial of a first degree and TP2 includes a second pair of input and output values of the polynomial, and\nwherein the user device is configured to:\nuse the first and second pairs to identify the polynomial; and\ngenerate the temporary password based on a function applied to at least one coefficient of the polynomial.",
"15. The system of claim 11, further comprising the user device, wherein the processor is further configured to:\ngenerate a set of at least K+1 pairs of input and output values of a polynomial of degree K, wherein TP1 includes a portion of pairs of input and output values of the polynomial, and wherein the TP2 includes the other pairs of input and output values of the polynomial; and\nwherein the user device is configured to:\nuse TP1 and TP2 to identify the polynomial; and\nafter identifying the polynomial from the at least K+1 pairs, apply a function to at least one of the coefficients of the polynomial to generate the temporary password.",
"16. The system of claim 11, further comprising the authentication authority:\nwherein the processor is further configured to:\nsend TP1 to the authentication authority over a first secured communication channel;\nsend TP2 to the authentication authority over a second secured communication channel; and\nwherein the authentication authority is configured to:\ncombine TP1 and TP2 to arrive at the temporary password.",
"17. The system of claim 11, further comprising the authentication authority, wherein the authentication authority is configured to delete the temporary password from the authentication authority after comparing.",
"18. The system of claim 11, further comprising the local device, wherein the local device is configured to store the temporary password on the local device.",
"19. The system of claim 11, wherein the processor is further configured to:\nsend TP1 to the user device over a first in-band communication channel; and\nsend TP2 to the user device over a second in-band communication channel."
],
[
"1. A system, comprising a server computing device coupled to a network and comprising at least one processor executing specific computer-executable instructions that, when executed, cause the system to:\nidentify, in a first transmission from a first authentication user interface (UI) on a first client computing device operated by a user, a first authentication credential input by the user;\nresponsive to identifying, within a database coupled to the network, a user identifier associated with the first authentication credential, the database storing a public key and a biometric record signed by a private key and wherein the private key and the public key are configured to bind a first software code on a second client computing device with a second software code on the server computing device to establish an encryption channel:\ngenerate a second authentication UI requesting a second authentication credential from the user;\ntransmit the second authentication UI to be displayed on the second client computing device operated by the user;\nreceive, via the encryption channel between the second client computing device and the server computing device, a second transmission from the second authentication UI on the second client computing device;\nidentify, in the second transmission the second authentication UI on the second client computing device, the second authentication credential input by the user; and\nresponsive to identifying, within the database, the user identifier associated with the second authentication credential input by the user, authenticate the user.",
"2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first authentication credential or the second authentication credential comprises a time-based one time password or a tap code.",
"3. The system of claim 1, wherein the computer-executable instructions further cause the server computing device to generate an alert to be displayed on the first client computing device or the second client computing device responsive to a determination that:\nthe first authentication credential or the second authentication credential is not associated with the user identifier in the database; or\nthe second authentication credential, comprising a biometric input by the user, does not match the biometric record stored in the database.",
"4. The system of claim 1, wherein the computer executable instructions further cause the server computing device, responsive to a determination that the first client computing device and the second client computing device are the same device, to generate an alert to be displayed on the first client computing device or the second client computing device.",
"5. The system of claim 1, wherein the authentication of the user authorizes the user to access a domain name administration software, a bank account, a retail website, or at least one private health record.",
"6. The system of claim 5, wherein the second client computing device is configured to, without user input:\nstore a biometric data;\nencrypt the biometric data using a private key; and\ntransmit the biometric data to the server computing device.",
"7. The system of claim 6, wherein, upon authentication of the user, the server computing device is configured to perform a requested action for which the authentication is required.",
"8. The system of claim 1, wherein the second authentication credential comprises a biometric data including a finger or thumb print, a capillary distribution, or a software identification of the user's face, voice, retina, or DNA.",
"9. A method, comprising the steps of:\nidentifying, by a server computing device coupled to a network and comprising at least one processor executing specific computer-executable instructions, in a first transmission from a first authentication user interface (UI) on a first client computing device operated by a user, a first authentication credential input by the user;\nresponsive to identifying, by the server computing device, within a database coupled to the network, a user identifier associated with the first authentication credential, the database storing a public key and a biometric record signed by a private key and wherein the private key and the public key are configured to bind a first software code on a second client computing device with a second software code on the server computing device to establish an encryption channel:\ngenerating, by the server computing device, a second authentication UI requesting a second authentication credential the user;\ntransmitting, by the server computing device, the second authentication UI to be displayed on the second computing device operated by the user;\nreceiving, via the encryption channel between the second client computing device and the server computing device, a second transmission the second authentication UI on the second client computing device;\nidentifying, by the server computing device, in the second transmission the second authentication UI on the second client computing device, the second authentication credential input by the user;\nresponsive to identifying, within the database, the user identifier associated with the second authentication credential input by the user, authenticating, by the server computing device, the user.",
"10. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of decoding the first authentication credential or the second authentication credential as a time-based one time password or a tap code.",
"11. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of generating, by the server computing device, an alert to be displayed on the first client computing device or the second client computing device responsive to a determination that:\nthe first authentication credential or the second authentication credential is not associated with the user identifier in the database; or\nthe second authentication credential, comprising a biometric input by the user, does not match the biometric record stored in the database.",
"12. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of: responsive to a determination that the first client computing device and the second client computing device are the same device, generating, by the server computing device, an alert to be displayed on the first client computing device or the second client computing device.",
"13. The method of claim 9, wherein the authentication of the user authorizes the user to access a domain name administration software, a bank account, a retail website, or at least one private health record.",
"14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the steps of:\nstoring, by the second client computing device, a biometric data;\nencrypting, by the second client computing device, the biometric data using a private key; and\ntransmitting, by the second client computing device, the biometric data to the server computing device.",
"15. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of performing, by the server computing device, a requested action, upon authentication of the user, for which the authentication is required.",
"16. The method of claim 9, wherein the second authentication credential comprises a biometric data including a finger or thumb print, a capillary distribution, or a software identification of the user's face, voice, retina, or DNA."
],
[
"1. A computer-implemented method for authenticating a user by a system comprising a processor coupled to a non-transitory memory containing instructions executable by the processor, the method comprising:\nreceiving, by the system, a request from an entity in response to attempted access to entity resources by a user via a primary user computing device;\ndetermining, by the system, whether the user is registered with the system; and\ninitiating, by the system, one of a registration process and an authentication process with the user based on the determination;\nwherein a registration process comprises:\nestablishing a peer-to-peer exchange of data between at least the system and the primary user computing device and a secondary user computing device;\ngenerating, via the system, an initial candidate secret and transmitting the initial candidate secret to one of the primary and secondary user computing devices via the peer-to-peer exchange;\nreceiving a reciprocal secret from the secondary user computing device based on interaction between the secondary user computing device and the initial candidate secret, wherein the initial candidate secret is specific to the user and the secondary user computing device, and wherein the reciprocal secret is based on the initial candidate secret;\ngenerating, via the system, a canonical secret including a token and a random confirmation code and transmitting the canonical secret to the secondary user computing device via the peer-to-peer exchange ensuring a bonded device metaphor such that the canonical secret is a definitive secret only known and stored by the system and the secondary user computing device, wherein the token is associated with an expiry date and is stored on the secondary user computing device to be used for authenticating the user during a future authentication session in lieu of the user entering user login credentials for authentication; and\nregistering the user with the system in response to receipt of the confirmation code from the secondary user computing device.",
"2. The system of claim 1, wherein the initial candidate secret, reciprocal secret, and canonical secret are based on a Time-based One-time Password (TOTP) algorithm.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises, prior to transmitting the initial candidate secret, inviting the user to install at least one management system software application used for completing the registration process and the future authentication process.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein the token is used for OTP generation during the future authentication session.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein the traditional user login credentials comprise at least one of user identification information and a password.",
"6. The method of claim 5, wherein user identification information comprises at least one of a name of the user, a user ID, an email address of the user, and information likely to be known only to the user.",
"7. The method of claim 1, wherein the token comprises a built-in expiry date.",
"8. The method of claim 1, wherein the expiry date is associated with and controls a grant period during which the user can carry out an authentication session.",
"9. The method of claim 8, wherein the grant period and expiry date are determined by the entity.",
"10. The method of claim 1, wherein the future authentication process comprises:\nreceiving an authentication session request from the entity, comprising at least one of a public session key and a private session key;\ndetecting, via the secondary user computing device, the public session key;\nreceiving one or more identifying secrets from the secondary user computing device based on detection of the public session key; and\nreceiving an enquiry from the entity concerning an authentication result.",
"11. The method of claim 10, wherein the one or more identifying secrets comprises the token associated with the canonical secret.",
"12. The method of claim 10, wherein the method further comprises, upon receipt of a positive authentication result, granting user access to entity resources.",
"13. The method of claim 1, wherein the initial candidate secret comprises data associated with a QR code.",
"14. The method of claim 13, wherein transmitting the initial candidate secret to one of the primary and secondary user computing devices comprises displaying the QR code on a display of one of the primary and secondary user computing devices.",
"15. The method of claim 14, wherein interaction between the secondary user computing device and the initial candidate secret comprises a scanning event involving the QR code.",
"16. The method of claim 1, wherein the future authentication process comprises at least one of a biometric factor and a challenge-response factor, wherein a user is authenticated by satisfying at least one of the biometric and challenge-response factors.",
"17. The method of claim 16, wherein a user is authenticated by satisfying both the biometric and challenge-response factors.",
"18. The method of claim 16, wherein the biometric factor comprises at least one of a DNA sample, a fingerprint scan, a retina scan, a facial scan, a brain scan, an earlobe scan, a toeprint scan, a footprint scan, voice recognition, and speech recognition.",
"19. The method of claim 18, wherein the challenge-response factor comprises a passphrase.",
"20. The method of claim 19, wherein a user response to the challenge-response factor comprises a spoken response, which provides both a correct response and matches a biometric identification of a voice."
],
[
"1. A system, comprising:\na server-based secure data exchange system for secure sharing of content between a first client device accessed by a user associated with a first organizational entity and a second client device accessed by a user associated with a second organizational entity, wherein the content has shared relevance with the first organizational entity and the second organizational entity, the secure data exchange system comprising a data management facility managed by a third organizational entity and adapted to provide permissioned control to a plurality of organizational entities for use of at least one of a plurality of data storage nodes, wherein the first organizational entity is granted permissioned control of a first data storage node by the third organizational entity for a content, wherein the content is shared between the first client device and the second client device through the first data storage node, wherein the data management facility manages secure data exchange of the content through the first data storage node,\nwherein the data management facility is distributed into a plurality of data management sites to enable management of the plurality of data storage nodes, wherein the plurality of data storage nodes are located at network locations separate from the data management facility and specified by the plurality of organizational entities, and\nwherein the server-based secure data exchange system includes an authentication facility,\nwherein the server-based secure data exchange system stores data relating to a user log authentication of the user associated with the second organizational entity and data relating to a user login authentication for the user associated with the third organizational entity,\nwherein the server-based secure data exchange system determines a level of access authentication for access to received computer data content for the user associated with the second organizational entity based on an event condition related to a current state of the client computing device of the user associated with the second organizational entity at a time of the access request, and\nwherein the server-based secure data exchange system adjusts a level of access authentication based on the event condition, presenting the user associated with the second organizational entity the adjusted level of access authentication, and grants access to the computer data content when the secure exchange server receives the adjusted level of access authentication.",
"2. The system of claim 1, wherein the server-based secure data exchange system includes at least one of: an authorization facility, an encryption sharing facility, a process failure monitoring facility, a software deployment management facility, and a content replication facility.",
"3. The system of claim 2, wherein the authorization facility provides authorization data for the secure sharing of content across the plurality of organizational entities, the plurality of data management sites, and the plurality of data storage nodes, which ensures that an authorization for the sharing is not tampered with.",
"4. The system of claim 3, wherein the authorization facility signs messages with a shared secret that comprises an identifier of the secret.",
"5. The system of claim 4, wherein the shared secret is cryptographically signed for at least one of an authentication of origin and tamper detection.",
"6. The system of claim 4, wherein the shared secret comprises a changeable portion and a tamper-proof portion, wherein the tamper-proof portion is cryptographically protected.",
"7. The system of claim 2, wherein the encryption sharing facility enables sharing of an encryption secret between the plurality of organizational entities, the plurality of data management sites, and the plurality of data storage nodes.",
"8. The system of claim 7, wherein the encryption secret comprises and encryption key that at least one of a plurality of content nodes generates as part of an encryption key rotation process.",
"9. The system of claim 8, wherein the at least one of the plurality of content nodes notifies at least one of the plurality of data management sites and transmits the encryption key to a central encryption key management facility.",
"10. The system of claim 2, wherein the process failure monitoring facility monitors in-process messages to determine if a process has started but is not yet complete, wherein the process includes at least one of uploading document, downloading documents, and undertaking steps in a workflow.",
"11. The system of claim 10, wherein the monitored in-process messages each include a start process indicator or an end process indicator, and the process failure monitoring facility monitors a count value, wherein during the monitoring, the count value is increased when a start process indicator is detected and the count value is decreased when an end process indicator is detected, and wherein the process failure monitoring facility transmits a process failure indication when the count value is not zero at a predetermined time.",
"12. The system of claim 2, wherein the software deployment management facility establishes at least on of an identity, an origin, and a correctness for deployed software.",
"13. The system of claim 12, wherein the deployed software comprises metadata for software comprising at least one of a hash of the software code, an identifier of a shared secret, and an identifier of a client.",
"14. The system of claim 12, wherein the software deployment management facility provides automatic deployment of software that is triggered by an event, including at least one of an upload triggering the event and a processor triggering the event.",
"15. The system of claim 2, wherein the content replication facility provides content replication services to the secure data exchange system.",
"16. The system of claim 15, wherein the content replication facility coordinates replication of content among the plurality of data storages nodes.",
"17. The system of claim 15, wherein the content replication facility facilitates creation of a new data storage node, and replicating content from an existing data node from the plurality of data storage nodes to the new data storage node.",
"18. The system of claim 1, wherein the data management facility has access to metadata of the stored data for managing sharing of the content via the first data storage node, but the data management facility does not have access to the content."
],
[
"1. An authority transfer system, comprising:\nat least a processor and at least a memory coupled to the at least the processor and having stored thereon instructions, when executed by the at least the processor, and cooperating to act as:\ntransmitting from a client to an authorization server an authorization code request for issuing an authorization code by the authorization server when an access to a resource server by the client is permitted by a user;\nreceiving an authorization code response from the authorization server to the client, the authorization code response being a response to the authorization code request; and\ngenerating a log-in context when the user logs in the client,\nwherein the authorization code request transmitted by the transmitting includes signature information and a parameter having the log-in context set as a value of the parameter for associating the authorization code request with the authorization code response,\nwherein, after the signature information is verified in the authorization server, the authorization code response corresponding to the authorization code request is transmitted to the client, and\nwherein the client uses the parameter included in the authorization code response received by the receiving and a parameter included in the authorization code response transmitted by the transmitting to verify that the authorization code response corresponds to the authorization code request.",
"2. The authority transfer system according to claim 1,\nwherein the signature information is added to the authorization code request by using an encryption key held by the client, and\nwherein the authorization server verifies the signature information added to the authorization code request by using a decryption key held by the authorization server.",
"3. The authority transfer system according to claim 1,\nwherein the transmitting transmits from the client to the authorization server via a user agent an authorization code request for permitting by the authorization server an access to the resource server by the client,\nwherein the parameter is a state parameter,\nwherein the log-in context is information including at least one of a local user ID and an e-mail address of the local user and uniquely identifying the local user.",
"4. The authority transfer system according to claim 1, wherein the log-in context set in a parameter received by the authorization server is included in approval information used for permitting an access to the resource server by the client.",
"5. The authority transfer system according to claim 4, wherein the approval information at least includes a client ID identifying the client and a user ID identifying a user logging in the authorization server.",
"6. The authority transfer system according to claim 5,\nwherein the client transmits to the authorization server signature information and a token request including the client ID and the user ID and being usable for obtaining an authorization token by the client, and\nwherein the authority transfer system further comprises an issuing the authorization token from the authorization server to the client\nafter the authorization server having received the token request verifies the signature information received along with the token request by using an encryption key, and\nafter the issuing determines that an access to the resource server by the client identified by the client ID included in the token request is authorized by the user identified by the user ID included in the token request.",
"7. The authority transfer system according to claim 6,\nwherein the authorization token is a token indicating that the client is authorized to access the resource server.",
"8. The authority transfer system according to claim 6, wherein the issuing issues the authorization token after the issuing determines that a flag indicating that the user has authorized an access to the resource server by the client is added to approval information identified by the client ID and user ID included in the token request.",
"9. The authority transfer system according to claim 1,\nwherein the authorization code request to be transmitted by the transmitting includes signature information and response destination information designating a response destination to be used by the authorization server for returning the authorization code response, and\nwherein the authority transfer system further comprises, after the signature information is verified in the authorization server, transmitting by the authorization server an authorization code response to an authorization code request transmitted by the transmitting unit, based on the response destination information included in the authorization code request.",
"10. A control method for an authority transfer system, the method comprising:\ntransmitting from a client to an authorization server an authorization code request for issuing an authorization code by the authorization server when an access to a resource server by the client is permitted by a user;\nreceiving an authorization code response from the authorization server to the client, the authorization code response being a response to the authorization code request; and\ngenerating a log-in context when the user logs in the client,\nwherein the authorization code request transmitted by the transmitting includes signature information and a parameter having the log-in context set as a value of the parameter for associating the authorization code request with the authorization code response,\nwherein, after the signature information is verified in the authorization server, the authorization code response corresponding to the authorization code request is transmitted to the client, and\nwherein the client uses the parameter included in the authorization code response received by the receiving and a parameter included in the authorization code response transmitted by the transmitting to verify that the authorization code response corresponds to the authorization code request.",
"11. A client comprising:\na transmitting unit configured to transmit from a client to an authorization server an authorization code request for issuing an authorization code by the authorization server when an access to a resource server by the client is permitted by a user;\na receiving unit configured to receive an authorization code response, the authorization code response being a response to the authorization code request; and\nwherein the authorization code request transmitted by the transmitting unit includes signature information and a parameter having the log-in context set as a value of the parameter for associating the authorization code request with the authorization code response,\nwherein, after the signature information is verified in the authorization server, the client receives the authorization code response corresponding to the authorization code request from the authorization server, and\nwherein the client uses the parameter included in the authorization code response received by the receiving unit and a parameter included in the authorization code response transmitted by the transmitting unit to verify that the authorization code response corresponds to the authorization code request.",
"12. The client according to claim 11,\nwherein the transmitting unit transmits from the client to the authorization server via a user agent an authorization code request for permitting by the authorization server an access to the resource server by the client,\nwherein the parameter is a state parameter,\nwherein the log-in context is information including at least one of a local user ID and an e-mail address of the local user and uniquely identifying the local user.",
"13. The authority transfer system according to claim 1,\nwherein the generating unit generates a log-in context when the user logs in the client before an authorization flow for processing of authorizing the client to use an open web service provided by the resource server is started in accordance with permission by the user."
],
[
"1. A retail system configured to determine product placement conditions within a retail facility, comprising:\na product monitoring control circuit associated with a retail facility; and\na memory coupled with the control circuit and storing computer instructions that when executed by the control circuit cause the control circuit to:\nobtain a scan mapping corresponding to at least a select area of the retail facility and based on a series of scan data from a motorized robotic scanner unit moved along at least the select area of the retail facility;\naccess a baseline scan of at least the select area;\ncompare the scan mapping to the baseline scan and determine, based on differences between the scan mapping and the baseline scan, an empty area of a product support structure defined relative to a reference proximate an edge of the product support structure and each of multiple items of a first product supported by the product support structure; and\nidentify when the empty area is greater than a predefined area threshold relative to the reference proximate the edge of the product support structure.",
"2. The retail system of claim 1, wherein the scan mapping comprises a three-dimensional (3D) scan mapping and wherein the control circuit in identifying when the empty area is greater than the area threshold is further configured to identify, based on the 3D scan mapping, when the empty area is greater than a case threshold such that the empty area is large enough to receive at least a full case of the items of the first product; and\ncause one or more commands to be communicated to cause initiation of one or more actions in response to identifying that the empty area has the predefined relationship to the area threshold and the empty area is greater than the case threshold.",
"3. The retail system of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is further configured to:\nidentify, from the scan mapping and relative to each of multiple sets of items of the first product supported by the product support structure, whether a threshold number of items are present within each of the multiple sets of items, wherein each of the multiple sets of items comprises one or more of the items on the product support structure;\nidentify that a threshold number of the sets of items within the select area that do not have at least the threshold number of items; and\ncause one or more commands to be communicated, in response to identifying that the threshold number of the sets of items do not have at least the threshold number of items, to initiate one or more actions.",
"4. The retail system of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is further configured to:\nidentify, based on the scan mapping, when one or more items within the select area are different than the first product; and\ncause a notification to be communicated notifying a retail facility associate that at least one item of at least a second product is incorrectly placed within the select area.",
"5. The retail system of claim 1, wherein the scan mapping comprises point cloud measurements, and the baseline scan comprises point cloud measurements.",
"6. The retail system of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is further configured to:\ncause one or more movement commands to control the motorized robotic scanner unit to be communicated to the motorized robotic scanner unit, wherein the one or more movement commands when implemented by the motorized robotic scanner unit cause physical movement of the motorized robotic scanner unit consistent with the one or more movement commands through at least a portion of the retail facility and along the select area of the product support structure.",
"7. The retail system of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is further configured to:\nidentify that the empty area is less than a restocking area threshold; and\ncause an instruction to be communicated to cause movement of the multiple items of the first product still supported on the product support structure in the select area to be closer to the reference offset and faced on the product support structure in response to the identifying that the empty area is greater than the area threshold but not greater than the restocking area threshold, wherein the area threshold is a facing area threshold.",
"8. The retail system of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is further configured to:\ncommunicate commands to the motorized robotic scanner unit causing the motorized robotic scanner unit to perform at least one additional task and to capture the scan data as the motorized robotic scanner unit travels through the retail facility performing the at least one additional task, wherein the at least one additional task is different than capturing the scan data.",
"9. The retail system of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is further configured to access inventory information of the first product and identify from the inventory information when there is a threshold number of items of the first product;\ncause an instruction to be communicated to cause a restocking of the empty area with additional items of the first product in response to both identifying that the empty area is greater than the area threshold relative to the reference proximate the edge of the product support structure, and identifying that there is the threshold number of items of the first product; and\nprevent an instruction from being communicated regarding restocking of the empty area in response to one of identifying that the empty area is not greater than the area threshold relative to the reference proximate the edge of the product support structure, and identifying that there is not the threshold number of items of the first product.",
"10. A method of determining product placement conditions within a retail facility, comprising:\nby a control circuit of a retail facility product monitoring system:\nobtaining a scan mapping corresponding to at least a select area of the retail facility and based on a series of scan data from a motorized robotic scanner unit moved along at least the select area of the retail facility;\naccessing a baseline scan of at least the select area;\ncomparing the scan mapping to the baseline scan and determining, based on differences between the scan mapping and the baseline scan, an empty area of a product support structure defined relative to a reference proximate an edge of the product support structure and each of multiple items of a first product supported by the product support structure; and\nidentifying when the empty area is greater than a predefined area threshold relative to the edge of the product support structure.",
"11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:\nthe scan mapping comprises a three-dimensional (3D) scan mapping;\nwherein the identifying when the empty area is greater than the area threshold further comprises:\nidentifying, based on the 3D scan mapping, when the empty area is greater than a case threshold such that the empty area is large enough to receive at least a full case of the items of the first product; and\ncausing one or more commands to be communicated to cause initiation of one or more actions in response to identifying that the empty area has the predefined relationship to the area threshold and the empty area is greater than the case threshold.",
"12. The method of claim 10, further comprising:\nidentifying, relative to each of multiple sets of items of the first product supported by the product support structure, whether a threshold number of items are present within each of the multiple sets of items, wherein each of the multiple sets of items comprises one or more of the items on the product support structure;\nidentifying that a threshold number of the sets of items within the select area that do not have at least the threshold number of items; and\ncausing one or more commands to be communicated in response to identifying that the threshold number of the set of items do not have at least the threshold number of items to initiate one or more actions.",
"13. The method of claim 10, further comprising:\nidentifying, based on the scan mapping, when one or more items within the select area are different than the first product; and\ncausing a notification to be communicated notifying a retail facility associate that at least one item of at least a second product is incorrectly placed within the select area.",
"14. The method of claim 10, wherein the scan mapping comprises point cloud measurements, and the baseline scan comprises point cloud measurements.",
"15. The method of claim 10, further comprising:\ncausing one or more movement commands to control the motorized robotic scanner unit to be communicated to the motorized robotic scanner unit, wherein the one or more movement commands when implemented by the motorized robotic scanner unit cause physical movement of the motorized robotic scanner unit consistent with the one or more movement commands through at least a portion of the retail facility and along the select area of the product support structure.",
"16. The method of claim 10, further comprising:\nidentifying that the empty area is less than a restocking area threshold; and\ncausing an instruction to be communicated to cause movement of the multiple items of the first product still supported on the product support structure in the select area to be closer to the reference offset and faced on the product support structure in response to the identifying that the empty area is greater than the area threshold but not greater than the restocking area threshold, wherein the area threshold is a facing area threshold.",
"17. The method of claim 10, further comprising:\ncommunicating commands to the motorized robotic scanner unit causing the motorized robotic scanner unit to perform at least one additional task and to capture the scan data as the motorized robotic scanner unit travels through the retail facility performing the at least one additional task, wherein the at least one additional task is different than capturing the scan data.",
"18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:\naccessing inventory information of the first product;\nidentifying from the inventory information when there is a threshold number of items of the first product;\ncausing an instruction to be communicated to cause a restocking of the empty area with additional items of the first product in response to both identifying that the empty area is greater than the area threshold relative to the reference proximate the edge of the product support structure, and identifying that there is the threshold number of items of the first product; and\npreventing an instruction from being communicated regarding restocking of the empty area in response to one of identifying that the empty area is not greater than the area threshold relative to the reference proximate the edge of the product support structure, and identifying that there is not the threshold number of items of the first product.",
"19. A retail facility product monitoring system, comprising:\na plurality of autonomous, motorized robotic scanner units;\na product monitoring control circuit associated with a retail facility and communicatively coupled over a wireless communication network with each of the motorized robotic scanner units;\na memory coupled with the product monitoring control circuit and storing computer instructions that when executed by the control circuit cause the control circuit to:\ncommunicate one or more route commands to a first motorized robotic scanner unit of the plurality of motorized robotic scanner units to cause physical movement of the first motorized robotic scanner unit to move consistent with the one or more route commands through at least a portion of the retail facility and at least along a select area of a product support structure and capture scan data relative to the select area;\nobtain a scan mapping corresponding to at least the select area of the product support structure based on a series of the scan data from the first motorized robotic scanner unit;\naccess a baseline scan of at least the select area of the product support structure;\ncompare the scan mapping with the baseline scan and identify differences between the scan mapping and the baseline scan of an empty area on the product support structure relative to an edge of the product support structure;\nidentify when the empty area has a predefined relationship with an area threshold; and\ncommunicate one or more commands to initiate one or more actions in response to identifying that the empty area has the predefined relationship to the area threshold.",
"20. The system of claim 19, wherein the product monitoring control circuit, in identifying that the empty area has the predefined relationship with the area threshold, is configured to:\nidentify when an empty area across the product support structure where a plurality of the first product have been removed, corresponding the first product, has a predefined relationship to an area threshold."
],
[
"1. A method for managing digital rights management (DRM) protected content sharing in a networked secure collaborative computer data exchange environment, the method comprising:\nestablishing, by a secure exchange facility managed by an intermediate organizational entity, a user login data authentication procedure that allows user access through at least one client computing device to the secure exchange facility, where communication between the secure exchange facility and the at least one client computing device is through a communications network;\nreceiving computer data content and at least one indicator of access rights for the computer data content from a first client computing device of a first user associated with a first organizational entity, wherein the secure exchange facility permits sharing access to the computer data content by at least a second user associated with a second organizational entity based on the at least one indicator of access rights, wherein the second organizational entity is a distinct entity from the first organizational entity;\ntransforming the computer data content and the at least one indicator of access rights into DRM protected computer data content through communications with a DRM engine, wherein the DRM engine is selected based on a content type of the computer data content, and wherein the DRM engine is provided by an entity distinct from the intermediate organizational entity and any other organizational entity that accesses content shared through the secure exchange facility; and\ngranting, by the secure exchange facility, shared access to the DRM protected computer data content to at least the second user;\nreceiving, by the secure exchange facility from a second client computing device of the second user, a request for download of the computer data content;\ntransmitting the DRM protected computer data content to the second client computing device, wherein each time an access is requested to the DRM protected computer data stored on the second client computing device the second client computing device is required to request access permission from the DRM engine;\nreceiving, from the DRM engine, a request for access rights to the DRM protected computer data content as a result of the second client computing device requesting access permission from the DRM engine to the DRM protected computer data content; and\nproviding the DRM engine with updated access rights for the DRM protected computer data content as a result of a received updated indicator of access rights to the secure exchange facility from the first client computing device, wherein the second client computing device is granted access to the DRM protected computer data content by the DRM engine as determined by the updated indicator of access rights,\nwherein the first client computing device provides the updated indicator of access rights to the secure exchange facility as a result of the secure exchange facility requesting an update of access rights from the first client computing device as a result of the secure exchange facility receiving the request for access rights from the DRM engine.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of transforming comprises translating the indicator of access rights into a format recognizable by the DRM engine.",
"3. The method of claim 2, wherein the translated access rights are provided by the DRM engine to the second client computing device where the translated access policies are enforced in managing any potential access to the DRM protected computer data content.",
"4. The method of claim 3, wherein the translated access rights are enforced by a DRM agent resident on the second client computing device.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the request for access rights from the DRM engine comprises user credentials for authentication.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of transforming comprises the secure exchange facility encrypting the computer data content.",
"7. The method of claim 6, wherein an encryption protocol utilized in the encrypting is determined by the secure exchange facility based on a type of the received computer data content.",
"8. The method of claim 6, wherein the encrypted computer data content is registered at the DRM engine.",
"9. The method of claim 1, wherein the DRM engine is selected from a plurality of DRM engines.",
"10. A system for managing digital rights management (DRM) protected content sharing in a networked secure collaborative computer data exchange environment, the system comprising:\na secure exchange facility managed by an intermediate organizational entity, wherein a user login data authentication procedure is established that allows user access through at least one client computing device to the secure exchange facility, where communication between the secure exchange facility and the at least one client computing device is through a communications network,\nwherein the secure exchange facility is adapted to receive, transform, and grant access to computer data content in relation to at least one indicator of access rights for the computer data content from a first client computing device of a first user associated with a first organizational entity, wherein the secure exchange facility permits sharing access to the computer data content by at least a second user associated with a second organizational entity based on the at least one indicator of access rights, wherein the second organizational entity is a distinct entity from the first organizational entity,\nwherein transforming the computer data content and the at least one indicator of access rights into DRM protected computer data content is implemented through communications with a DRM engine, wherein the DRM engine is selected based on a content type of the computer data content, and wherein the DRM engine is provided by an entity distinct from the intermediate organizational entity and any other organizational entity that accesses content shared through the secure exchange facility,\nwherein the secure exchange facility receives from a second client computing device of the second user a request for download of the computer data content,\nwherein the DRM protected computer data content is transmitted to the second client computing device, wherein each time an access is requested to the DRM protected computer data stored on the second client computing device the second client computing device is required to request access permission from the DRM engine,\nwherein a request for access rights to the DRM protected computer data content is received from the DRM engine as a result of the second client computing device requesting access permission from the DRM engine to the DRM protected computer data content,\nwherein the DRM engine is provided with updated access rights for the DRM protected computer data content as a result of a received updated indicator of access rights to the secure exchange facility from the first client computing device,\nwherein the second client computing device is granted access to the DRM protected computer data content by the DRM engine as determined by the updated indicator of access rights, and\nwherein the first client computing device provides the updated indicator of access rights to the secure exchange facility as a result of the secure exchange facility requesting an update of access rights from the first client computing device as a result of the secure exchange facility receiving the request for access rights from the DRM engine.",
"11. The system of claim 10, wherein the step of transforming comprises translating the indicator of access rights into a format recognizable by the DRM engine.",
"12. The system of claim 11, wherein the translated access rights are provided by the DRM engine to the second client computing device where the translated access policies are enforced in managing any potential access to the DRM protected computer data content.",
"13. The system of claim 12, wherein the translated access rights are enforced by a DRM agent resident on the second client computing device.",
"14. The system of claim 10, wherein receiving the request for access rights from the DRM engine comprises user credentials for authentication.",
"15. The system of claim 10, wherein the step of transforming comprises the secure exchange facility encrypting the computer data content.",
"16. The system of claim 15, wherein an encryption protocol utilized in the encrypting is determined by the secure exchange facility based on a type of the received computer data content.",
"17. The system of claim 15, wherein the encrypted computer data content is registered at the DRM engine.",
"18. The system of claim 10, wherein the DRM engine is selected from a plurality of DRM engines."
]
] |
in the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to aia 35 u.s.c. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-aia 35 u.s.c. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from aia to pre-aia ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
claim(s) 1-3, 5, 9-12, 14, 18 and 19 is/are rejected under 35 u.s.c. 102 (a) (1) as being anticipated by blomquist et al (hereinafter blomquist) (us 20110047606).
regarding claim 1 blomquist teaches a method at a computing device for managing a credential vault, the method comprising: (blomquist on [0003 and 0017-0020] teaches a method for authenticating an identity of user using password vault);
detecting that authentication is pending for an application or service (blomquist fig 2 block 204, 206 and text on [0019-0020] teaches detecting at a website access device a plug-in provided by the authentication server entity prompts the user to activate its password vault identity by providing an account identifier and an authentication element via the user input (i.e., authentication is pending until user inputs authentication element). an authentication prompt appears on the user's screen upon accessing the machine's internet browser and may be configured to automatically appear each time the web browser is accessed (i.e., indicating authentication is pending));
wherein the application or service is distinct from the credential vault (blomquist on [0020] teaches password vault plug-in is programmed to recognize the third-party website (i.e., application or service distinct from password vault) requesting authentication. thus, the user is provided with automated logon when the user visits third-party websites the user has stored in its password vault online or offline accounts);
displaying, by a user interface of the computing device, a symbol indicating whether a state of the credential vault is in an unlocked state or a locked state (blomquist on [0023] teaches the notification icon may appear in an altered state, such as a grey colored vidoop shield design icon, to alert the user that the authentication program and password vault are present on the machine but that the user has not activated the password vault by authenticating its identity (i.e. locked state of password vault). see also on [0029] teaches the user will also be presented with a notification icon in each field auto-filled by the password vault program to visually verify the user is logged into the password vault program (i.e., unlocked state of vault));
and when the symbol indicates that the credential vault is in the locked state; activating an authentication mechanism for the credential vault; (blomquist fig 2 block 204 and text on [0020-0021] teaches during step 204 the user is allowed to sign in, change users, or select "no". if the "sign in" option is selected, the user is directed to the password vault authentication website for authentication. for example, the user may be directed to the password vault website and asked to enter its username (i.e., indicating password is locked as required by the claim). after entry of the username the user is then challenged to enter the require authentication element in the form of a password (i.e., activating authentication mechanism to enter password for vault) or image category identifier. next the user may be directed to an account management page or the third-party website the user originally intended to visit. further teaches if the user selects the "change user" option, the user is directed to the authentication server web interface and required to enter the username (i.e., authentication mechanism activate for password vault for entering password) corresponding to its password vault account. the user may then authenticate to its password vault account by entering the required authentication element (i.e., again indicating password vault locked state). once authenticated, the password vault program will automatically authenticate the user to third-party websites that require user authentication (i.e. equivalent to credentials are required) and for which the user has stored the corresponding authentication elements for said third-party websites in the user's password vault. see on [0024] teaches the password vault program is further adapted to, when activated by authentication of the user's identity, monitor the user's web session and identify instances where the user is authenticating to a third-party website that is not already stored in the user's online or offline directory. in this instance, the user enters the previously unknown authentication elements);
receiving authentication credentials for the credential vault (blomquist fig 2 block 204 and text on [0020-0021] teaches at step 204 the user is allowed to sign in, change users, or select "no". if the "sign in" option is selected, the user is directed to the password vault authentication website for authentication. for example, the user may be directed to the password vault website and asked to enter its username (i.e., indicating password vault is locked). after entry of the username the user is then challenged to entry the required authentication element in the form of a password (i.e., activating authentication mechanism to enter password for vault) or image category identifier. next the user may be directed to an account management page or the third-party website the user originally intended to visit. further teaches if the user selects the "change user" option, the user is directed to the authentication server web interface and required to enter the username (i.e., authentication mechanism activate for password vault for entering password) corresponding to its password vault account. the user may then authenticate to its password vault account by entering the required authentication element (i.e., again indicating password vault locked state). once authenticated, the password vault program will automatically authenticate the user to third-party websites that require user authentication (i.e. equivalent to credentials are required) and for which the user has stored the corresponding authentication elements for said third-party websites in the user's password vault. see on [0024] teaches the password vault program is further adapted to, when activated by authentication of the user's identity, monitor the user's web session and identify instances where the user is authenticating to a third-party website that is not already stored in the user's online or offline directory. in this instance, the user enters the previously unknown authentication elements);
verifying the authentication credentials for the credential vault (blomquist on [0020] teaches the user may be directed to the password vault website and asked to enter its username. after entry of the username the user is then challenged to entry the required authentication element in the form of a password or image category identifier. once authenticated to password vault account the user is granted access to the secure database comprising the plurality of stored website account identifiers and associated authentication elements. see on [0021] teaches the user may then authenticate to its password vault account by entering the required authentication element. once authenticated, the password vault program will automatically authenticate the user to third-party websites that require use authentication and for which the user has stored the corresponding authentication elements for said third-party websites in the user's password vault. see on [0025] teaches once authenticated to the password vault program, the user is granted access to all of its online authentication elements from any machine with internet access);
and upon verification of the authentication credentials for the credential vault, providing from the credential vault, authentication parameter to the application or service (blomquist on [0020] teaches the user may be directed to the password vault website and asked to enter its username. after entry of the username the user is then challenged to entry the required authentication element in the form of a password or image category identifier. once authenticated to password vault account the user is granted access to the secure database comprising the plurality of stored website account identifiers and associated authentication elements. see on [0021] teaches the user may then authenticate to its password vault account by entering the required authentication element. once authenticated, the password vault program will automatically authenticate the user to third-party websites that require use authentication and for which the user has stored the corresponding authentication elements for said third-party websites in the user's password vault. see on [0025] teaches once authenticated to the password vault program, the user is granted access to all of its online authentication elements from any machine with internet access).
regarding claim 10 blomquist teaches a computing device comprising (blomquist on [0004-0005] teaches a computer implementing authentication protocol having a memory unit, a means for controlling access to the memory unit, and a website access device);
a processor; and a memory for storing instruction code, wherein the instruction code causes the computing device to (blomquist on [0004] teaches the system comprises a memory unit, a means for controlling access to the memory unit, and a website access device. the memory unit is adapted to store plurality of website account identifiers and a plurality of website authentication elements for a single user. see on [0013] teaches first user device comprising a personal computer 10 or other website access device may be in communication with a means for controlling access to the memory unit);
detect that authentication is pending for an application or service (blomquist fig 2 block 204, 206 and text on [0019-0020] teaches detecting at a website access device a plug-in provided by the authentication server entity prompts the user to activate its password vault identity by providing an account identifier and an authentication element via the user input (i.e., authentication is pending until user inputs authentication element). an authentication prompt appears on the user's screen upon accessing the machine's internet browser and may be configured to automatically appear each time the web browser is accessed (i.e., indicating authentication is pending));
display, by a user interface of the computing device, a symbol indicating whether a state of the credential vault is in an unlocked state or a locked state (blomquist on [0023] teaches the notification icon may appear in an altered state, such as a grey colored vidoop shield design icon, to alert the user that the authentication program and password vault are present on the machine but that the user has not activated the password vault by authenticating its identity (i.e. inactivate state of password vault). see also on [0029] teaches the user will also be presented with a notification icon in each field auto-filled by the password vault program to visually verify the user is logged into the password vault program (i.e., active state of vault));
and when the symbol indicates that the credential vault is in the locked state; activate an authentication mechanism for the credential vault; (blomquist fig 2 block 204 and text on [0020-0021] teaches during step 204 the user is allowed to sign in, change users, or select "no". if the "sign in" option is selected, the user is directed to the password vault authentication website for authentication. for example, the user may be directed to the password vault website and asked to enter its username (i.e., indicating password is locked as required by the claim). after entry of the username the user is then challenged to enter the require authentication element in the form of a password (i.e., activating authentication mechanism to enter password for vault) or image category identifier. next the user may be directed to an account management page or the third-party website the user originally intended to visit. further teaches if the user selects the "change user" option, the user is directed to the authentication server web interface and required to enter the username (i.e., authentication mechanism activate for password vault for entering password) corresponding to its password vault account. the user may then authenticate to its password vault account by entering the required authentication element (i.e., again indicating password vault locked state). once authenticated, the password vault program will automatically authenticate the user to third-party websites that require user authentication (i.e. equivalent to credentials are required) and for which the user has stored the corresponding authentication elements for said third-party websites in the user's password vault. see on [0024] teaches the password vault program is further adapted to, when activated by authentication of the user's identity, monitor the user's web session and identify instances where the user is authenticating to a third-party website that is not already stored in the user's online or offline directory. in this instance, the user enters the previously unknown authentication elements);
receive authentication credentials for the credential vault (blomquist fig 2 block 204 and text on [0020-0021] teaches at step 204 the user is allowed to sign in, change users, or select "no". if the "sign in" option is selected, the user is directed to the password vault authentication website for authentication. for example, the user may be directed to the password vault website and asked to enter its username (i.e., indicating password vault is locked). after entry of the username the user is then challenged to entry the required authentication element in the form of a password (i.e., activating authentication mechanism to enter password for vault) or image category identifier. next the user may be directed to an account management page or the third-party website the user originally intended to visit. further teaches if the user selects the "change user" option, the user is directed to the authentication server web interface and required to enter the username (i.e., authentication mechanism activate for password vault for entering password) corresponding to its password vault account. the user may then authenticate to its password vault account by entering the required authentication element (i.e., again indicating password vault locked state). once authenticated, the password vault program will automatically authenticate the user to third-party websites that require user authentication (i.e. equivalent to credentials are required) and for which the user has stored the corresponding authentication elements for said third-party websites in the user's password vault. see on [0024] teaches the password vault program is further adapted to, when activated by authentication of the user's identity, monitor the user's web session and identify instances where the user is authenticating to a third-party website that is not already stored in the user's online or offline directory. in this instance, the user enters the previously unknown authentication elements);
verify the authentication credentials for the credential vault (blomquist on [0020] teaches the user may be directed to the password vault website and asked to enter its username. after entry of the username the user is then challenged to entry the required authentication element in the form of a password or image category identifier. once authenticated to password vault account the user is granted access to the secure database comprising the plurality of stored website account identifiers and associated authentication elements. see on [0021] teaches the user may then authenticate to its password vault account by entering the required authentication element. once authenticated, the password vault program will automatically authenticate the user to third-party websites that require use authentication and for which the user has stored the corresponding authentication elements for said third-party websites in the user's password vault. see on [0025] teaches once authenticated to the password vault program, the user is granted access to all of its online authentication elements from any machine with internet access);
and upon verification of the authentication credentials for the credential vault, provide from the credential vault, authentication parameter to the application or service (blomquist on [0020] teaches the user may be directed to the password vault website and asked to enter its username. after entry of the username the user is then challenged to entry the required authentication element in the form of a password or image category identifier. once authenticated to password vault account the user is granted access to the secure database comprising the plurality of stored website account identifiers and associated authentication elements. see on [0021] teaches the user may then authenticate to its password vault account by entering the required authentication element. once authenticated, the password vault program will automatically authenticate the user to third-party websites that require use authentication and for which the user has stored the corresponding authentication elements for said third-party websites in the user's password vault. see on [0025] teaches once authenticated to the password vault program, the user is granted access to all of its online authentication elements from any machine with internet access).
regarding claim 19 blomquist teaches a non-transitory computer readable medium for storing program code for execution on a processor of a computing device, the program code comprising instructions for: (blomquist on [0004] teaches the system comprises a memory unit, a means for controlling access to the memory unit, and a website access device. the memory unit is adapted to store plurality of website account identifiers and a plurality of website authentication elements for a single user. see on [0013-0017] teaches first user device comprising a personal computer 10 or other website access device may be in communication with a means for controlling access to the memory unit);
displaying, by a user interface of the computing device, a symbol indicating whether a state of the credential vault is in an unlocked state or a locked state (blomquist on [0023] teaches the notification icon may appear in an altered state, such as a grey colored vidoop shield design icon, to alert the user that the authentication program and password vault are present on the machine but that the user has not activated the password vault by authenticating its identity (i.e. inactivated state of password vault). see also on [0029] teaches the user will also be presented with a notification icon in each field auto-filled by the password vault program to visually verify the user is logged into the password vault program (i.e., active state of vault));
and when the symbol indicates that the credential vault is in the locked state; activating an authentication mechanism for the credential vault; (blomquist fig 2 block 204 and text on [0020-0021] teaches during step 204 the user is allowed to sign in, change users, or select "no". if the "sign in" option is selected, the user is directed to the password vault authentication website for authentication. for example, the user may be directed to the password vault website and asked to enter its username (i.e., indicating password is locked as required by the claim). after entry of the username the user is then challenged to enter the require authentication element in the form of a password (i.e., activating authentication mechanism to enter password for vault) or image category identifier. next the user may be directed to an account management page or the third-party website the user originally intended to visit. further teaches if the user selects the "change user" option, the user is directed to the authentication server web interface and required to enter the username (i.e., authentication mechanism activate for password vault for entering password) corresponding to its password vault account. the user may then authenticate to its password vault account by entering the required authentication element (i.e., again indicating password vault locked state). once authenticated, the password vault program will automatically authenticate the user to third-party websites that require user authentication (i.e. equivalent to credentials are required) and for which the user has stored the corresponding authentication elements for said third-party websites in the user's password vault);
regarding claim 2 and 11 blomquist teaches all the limitation of claim 1 and 10 respectively, blomquist further teaches wherein the credential vault stores a password for the application or service (blomquist on [0021-0022] teaches authentication element stored in user’s password vault. see on [0016] teaches authentication elements are username and passwords).
regarding claim 3 and 12 blomquist teaches all the limitation of claim 1 and 10 respectively, blomquist further teaches wherein the credential vault stores a key to enable or launch the application or service (blomquist on [0021-0022] teaches authentication element stored in user’s password vault. see on [0012] teaches the term "authentication elements" may comprise traditional usernames and passwords, site key image and other elements. see also on [0017] the authentication elements are stored in a location of the user's selection on the user machine 10 and are encrypted for access using a key generated by the password vault).
regarding claim 5 and 14 blomquist teaches all the limitation of claim 1 and 10 respectively, blomquist further teaches wherein detecting that authentication is pending comprises detecting a start of an authentication process for the application or service (blomquist fig 2 and text on [0019] teaches partially automated two factor authentication process, the process begins and the user initiates a webpage browser session using a user website access device at step 202).
regarding claim 9 and 18 blomquist teaches all the limitations of claim 1 and 10 respectively, blomquist further teaches wherein verification of input from the authentication mechanism is done within the credential vault (blomquist on [0021] teaches the user may then authenticate to its password vault account by entering the required authentication element. once authenticated, the password vault program will automatically authenticate the user to third-party websites that require use authentication and for which the user has stored the corresponding authentication elements for said third-party websites in the user's password vault. see on [0025] teaches once authenticated to the password vault program, the user is granted access to all of its online authentication elements from any machine with internet access).
|
[
"1. A foldable device comprising:\na flexible display comprising a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion provided between the first portion and the second portion;\na first body and a second body that support the flexible display and are synchronously rotated;\na hinge comprising a first hinge axis and a second hinge axis that rotatably connect the first body and the second body respectively; and\na support member that is disposed between the first body and the second body, and supports the third portion of the flexible display when the foldable device is in an intermediate configuration between a folded configuration of the foldable device and an unfolded configuration of the foldable device,\nwherein the support member is connected to the first body and the second body.",
"2. The foldable device of claim 1, wherein the first body and the second body comprise a first base cover and a second base cover, and a first frame and a second frame that are disposed inside the first base cover and the second base cover and support the flexible display.",
"3. The foldable device of claim 2, wherein an end of the first frame and an end of the second frame are formed to be bent toward the flexible display in a state in which the flexible display is unfolded.",
"4. The foldable device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the support member includes a slot extending in a folding direction of the first body and the second body, and\nwherein the first frame and the second frame include a pair of guide portions coupled to one end of the first frame and one end of the second frame and slidably inserted into the slot according to rotation of the first body and the second body.",
"5. The foldable device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first portion is provided on the first frame, and the second portion is provided on the second frame.",
"6. The foldable device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first frame includes a first support portion supporting the first portion and a first receiving portion connected to the first support portion and inclined in a direction away from the flexible display,\nwherein the second frame includes a second support portion supporting the second portion and a second receiving portion connected to the second support portion and inclined in a direction away from the flexible display, and\nwherein the first receiving portion and the second receiving portion form a receiving space in which the third portion is received as the first body and the second body rotate in a direction in which the first body and the second body face each other.",
"7. The foldable device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support member moves in one direction toward the flexible display when the flexible display is unfolded and moves in a direction opposite to the one direction when the flexible display is folded.",
"8. The foldable device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support member is spaced apart from a bent portion of the flexible display when the foldable device is folded.",
"9. The foldable device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:\na cover member surrounding an outside of a portion where the first body and the second body are connected to each other.",
"10. The foldable device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the cover member includes an extension portion corresponding to each of facing corners of the first body and the second body and a side wall portion disposed at both ends of the extension portion.",
"11. The foldable device as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the first body and the second body rotates about a first central axis and a second central axis,\nwherein the first body includes a first gear portion, and\nwherein the second body includes a second gear portion engaged with the first gear portion.",
"12. The foldable device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first body and the second body move within a slot of the support member as a configuration of the foldable device changes from the folded configuration to the intermediate configuration.",
"13. The foldable device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first body and the second body extend into a slot of the support member.",
"14. A foldable device comprising:\na flexible display comprising a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion provided between the first portion and the second portion;\na first body and a second body that support the flexible display;\na hinge comprising a first hinge axis and a second hinge axis that rotatably connect the first body and the second body respectively; and\na support member that is disposed between the first body and the second body, and supports the third portion of the flexible display when the foldable device is in an intermediate configuration between a folded configuration of the foldable device and an unfolded configuration of the foldable device,\nwherein the support member is connected to the first body and the second body.",
"15. The foldable device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the first body and the second body move within a slot of the support member as a configuration of the foldable device changes from the folded configuration to the intermediate configuration.",
"16. The foldable device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the first body and the second body extend into a slot of the support member."
] |
US12153472B2
|
KR20210090595A
|
[
"3. The method of claim 2,\nIn a state in which the flexible display is folded, the third portion is supported by the first and second accommodating portions and is curved. According to claim 1,\nThe first and second accommodating units are pivoted at one end of the first and second supporting units to flatly support the third portion in a state in which the flexible display is unfolded and form the accommodating space in a state in which the flexible display is folded (pivot) A collapsible device capable of being joined together. 5. The method of claim 4,\nWhen the first and second bodies rotate so that the flexible display is folded, the first and second accommodating parts rotate in a first direction inclined downward from the first and second support parts. 6. The method of claim 5,\nWhen the first and second bodies rotate to unfold the flexible display, the first and second accommodating parts rotate in a second direction opposite to the first direction. 7. The method of claim 6,\nTo continuously support the third part while the first and second bodies rotate, the flexible display moves in one direction toward the third part while the first and second bodies rotate so that the flexible display is unfolded The foldable device further comprising a; support member that moves in the other direction opposite to the one direction while the first and second bodies rotate so that the display is folded. 8. The method of claim 7,\nThe foldable device further comprising a; first and second rotation levers having one end pivotably coupled to the support member and the other end connected to the ends of the first and second accommodation units, respectively. 9. The method of claim 8,\nWhen the support member moves in the one direction, the first and second pivot levers lift the ends of the first and second accommodating parts so that the first and second accommodating parts rotate in a second direction. 10. The method of claim 9,\nand the support member includes a stopper for blocking rotation of the first and second rotation levers in an unfolded state of the flexible display."
] |
[
[
"1. A display device comprising:\na display panel;\nwherein the display panel comprises a display region and a light-transmitting region,\nwherein the light-transmitting region is provided at one end of the display panel,\nwherein the display region comprises a first portion, a second portion and a third portion,\nwherein the first portion comprises a first plurality of pixels,\nwherein the second portion comprises a second plurality of pixels,\nwherein the third portion comprises a third plurality of pixels,\nwherein the light-transmitting region is adjacent to the first portion,\nwherein the second portion is between the first portion and the third portion,\nwherein the display panel is flexible,\nwherein the display panel is curved to form a ring so that the light-transmitting region overlaps with a display surface side of the display region,\nwherein the first portion and the third portion overlap each other,\nwherein the first plurality of pixels and the third plurality of pixels are deviated to each other, and\nwherein the display panel is configured to add adjustment to a display signal corresponding to an image of the third plurality of pixels.",
"2. The display device according to claim 1,\nwherein a width of the first portion is larger than a width of one pixel, and\nwherein the display panel is configured not to drive the third plurality of pixels.",
"3. The display device according to claim 1,\nwherein the display panel is configured to display an image,\nwherein the first portion is configured to display a first part of the image,\nwherein the second portion is configured to display a second part of the image, and\nwherein the first part and the second part is seamlessly displayed when the display panel is curved to form a ring."
],
[
"1. A foldable display device assembly being foldable about a folding axis, comprising:\na flexible display module;\na first plate disposed below the flexible display module;\na second plate disposed below the first plate, the second plate comprising a first portion and a second portion spaced apart from each other with the folding axis therebetween;\na first adhesive film disposed between the first plate and the second plate, the first adhesive film comprising a first section and a second section spaced apart from each other with the folding axis therebetween;\na second adhesive film disposed between the first plate and the second plate, the second adhesive film being spaced apart from the first adhesive film; and\na third adhesive film disposed between the first plate and the second plate, the third adhesive film being spaced apart from the first adhesive film;\nwherein the second adhesive film and the third adhesive film are disposed closer to the folding axis than the first adhesive film,\nwherein the third adhesive film overlaps the second adhesive film, and\nwherein a sum of a thickness of the second adhesive film and a thickness of the third adhesive film is substantially the same as a thickness of the first adhesive film.",
"2. The foldable display device assembly of claim 1,\nwherein the second adhesive film comprises a third section and a fourth section spaced apart from each other with the folding axis therebetween,\nwherein the third section overlaps the first portion of the second plate,\nwherein the fourth section overlaps the first portion of the second plate, and\nwherein the third section of the second adhesive film and the fourth section of the second adhesive film are disposed between the first section of the first adhesive film and the second section of the first adhesive film.",
"3. The foldable display device assembly of claim 2,\nwherein the third adhesive film comprises a fifth section and a sixth section spaced apart from each other with the folding axis therebetween,\nwherein the fifth section of the third adhesive film overlaps the third section of the second adhesive film, and\nwherein the sixth section of the third adhesive film overlaps the fourth section of the second adhesive film.",
"4. The foldable display device assembly of claim 3, wherein a sum of a thickness of the third section of the second adhesive film and a thickness of the fifth section of the third adhesive film is substantially the same as a thickness of the first section the first adhesive film.",
"5. The foldable display device assembly of claim 4, wherein a sum of a thickness of the fourth section of the second adhesive film and a thickness of the sixth section of the third adhesive film is substantially the same as a thickness of the second section the first adhesive film.",
"6. The foldable display device assembly of claim 1, wherein the second adhesive film or the third adhesive film comprises metal.",
"7. The foldable display device assembly of claim 1, further comprising a fourth adhesive film disposed between the flexible display module and the first plate,\nwherein the fourth adhesive film overlaps a space between the first section of the first adhesive film and the second section of the first adhesive film.",
"8. The foldable display device assembly of claim 7, further comprising:\nan upper flexible module disposed on the flexible display module; and\na fifth adhesive film disposed between the flexible display module and the upper flexible module,\nwherein the first plate has a substantially lower light transmittance than the upper flexible module."
],
[
"1. An electronic device comprising:\na foldable display panel which folds with surfaces of a display surface facing inward;\na first substrate on a rear side of the foldable display panel;\na first housing;\na second housing;\na second substrate adjacent to the foldable display panel;\na first frame member and a second frame member on a display surface side of the foldable display panel; and\na pair of members,\nwherein a first region of the foldable display panel and the first housing overlap with each other with the first substrate sandwiched between the first region and the first housing,\nwherein a second region of the foldable display panel and the second housing overlap with each other with the first substrate sandwiched between the second region and the second housing,\nwherein the second substrate comprises an opening overlapping with the foldable display panel, and\nwherein when the electronic device is opened, the pair of members are between the first frame member and the second frame member.",
"2. An electronic device comprising:\na foldable display panel which folds with surfaces of a display surface facing inward;\na first substrate on a rear side of the foldable display panel;\na first housing;\na second housing;\na second substrate adjacent to the foldable display panel;\na first frame member and a second frame member on a display surface side of the foldable display panel; and\na pair of members,\nwherein a region of the foldable display panel and the first housing overlap with each other with the first substrate sandwiched between the region and the first housing,\nwherein a size of the first substrate is smaller than a size of the foldable display panel,\nwherein the second substrate comprises an opening overlapping with the foldable display panel, and\nwherein when the electronic device is opened, the pair of members are between the first frame member and the second frame member.",
"3. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the second substrate is on the display surface side of the foldable display panel.",
"4. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising a third housing between the first housing and the second housing.",
"5. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the pair of members are not in contact with the first frame member and the second frame member.",
"6. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein each of the first frame member and the second frame member surrounds three sides of the foldable display panel.",
"7. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the first substrate is configured to connect the first housing with the second housing.",
"8. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the foldable display panel comprises a light-emitting element.",
"9. The electronic device according to claim 1,\nwherein the first substrate is flexible, and\nwherein the second substrate is flexible.",
"10. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the second substrate is on the display surface side of the foldable display panel.",
"11. The electronic device according to claim 2, further comprising a third housing between the first housing and the second housing.",
"12. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the pair of members are not in contact with the first frame member and the second frame member.",
"13. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein each of the first frame member and the second frame member surrounds three sides of the foldable display panel.",
"14. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the first substrate is configured to connect the first housing with the second housing.",
"15. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the foldable display panel comprises a light-emitting element.",
"16. The electronic device according to claim 2,\nwherein the first substrate is flexible, and\nwherein the second substrate is flexible."
],
[
"1. A display device comprising:\na substrate;\na display area including a plurality of pixels on the substrate;\na first area disposed adjacent to the display area on the substrate;\nan encapsulation layer disposed on the first area and the display area;\na buffer layer disposed on the encapsulation layer;\na plurality of touch conductors disposed on the buffer layer and in the display area;\na crack detection line disposed on the buffer layer and in the first area, wherein\nthe crack detection line comprises a same material as at least one of the plurality of touch conductors, and\nthe crack detection line comprises a first curved portion and a second curved portion where an extension direction of the crack detection line is reversed, and\nthe first curved portion and the second curved portion area spaced apart from each other and face each other.",
"2. The display device of claim 1, wherein\nthe crack detection line is disposed in a same layer as at least one of the plurality of touch conductors.",
"3. The display device of claim 1, further comprising:\nat least one dam portion disposed in the first area, wherein\nthe crack detection line is disposed between the at least one dam portion and the display area.",
"4. The display device of claim 3, wherein\nthe encapsulation layer comprises an organic layer and a first inorganic layer, and\nthe first inorganic layer covers the at least one dam portion.",
"5. The display device of claim 4, wherein\nthe encapsulation layer further comprises a second inorganic layer disposed between the organic layer and the substrate, and\nthe second inorganic layer covers the at least one dam portion.",
"6. The display device of claim 3, further comprising:\nan insulating layer on the crack detection line,\nwherein the insulating layer covers the at least one dam portion.",
"7. The display device of claim 6, wherein the buffer layer covers the at least one dam portion.",
"8. The display device of claim 7, wherein the crack detection line is enclosed by the insulating layer and the buffer layer and contacts the insulating layer and the buffer layer.",
"9. The display device of claim 1, wherein\nthe encapsulation layer comprises an organic layer and a first inorganic layer, and\nthe crack detection line overlaps the organic layer in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the substrate.",
"10. The display device of claim 1, wherein\nthe plurality of touch conductors comprises a first touch conductor and a second touch conductor,\na touch insulating layer is further comprised between the first touch conductor and the second touch conductor, and\nthe crack detection line is disposed in a same layer as the first touch conductor or the second touch conductor.",
"11. The display device of claim 1, wherein\nthe crack detection line comprises a first line portion and a second line portion that are adjacent to each other, extend parallel to each other, and are electrically connected to each other.",
"12. The display device of claim 1, wherein\nthe crack detection line and the at least one of the plurality of touch conductors contact a same layer."
],
[
"1. A display device comprising:\na first resin layer;\na second resin layer;\na display portion between the first resin layer and the second resin layer;\na scan line driver circuit between the first resin layer and the second resin layer;\na connection terminal electrode over the first resin layer;\nan FPC electrically connected to the connection terminal electrode;\na first plate configured to support the first resin layer; and\na second plate configured to support the first resin layer,\nwherein the display device is an active matrix display device,\nwherein the first resin layer is over the first plate and the second plate,\nwherein the second resin layer is over the first resin layer,\nwherein the first plate and the second plate are apart from each other,\nwherein the first resin layer comprises a first region, a second region, a third region, a fourth region, and a fifth region,\nwherein the first region and the connection terminal electrode overlap each other,\nwherein the third region and the first plate overlap each other,\nwherein the third region and the display portion overlap each other,\nwherein the second region is between the first region and the third region,\nwherein the fourth region and the display portion overlap each other,\nwherein the fifth region and the second plate overlap each other,\nwherein the fifth region and the display portion overlap each other,\nwherein the fourth region is between the third region and the fifth region,\nwherein the second region and the fourth region are configured to be bent, and\nwherein the scan line driver circuit does not overlap with the first region in a state where the first resin layer is not bent.",
"2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the second resin layer does not overlap with the FPC in a state where the first resin layer is not bent at the second region.",
"3. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the scan line driver circuit and the third region overlap each other.",
"4. A display device comprising:\na first resin layer;\na second resin layer;\na display portion between the first resin layer and the second resin layer;\na scan line driver circuit between the first resin layer and the second resin layer;\na connection terminal electrode over the first resin layer;\nan FPC electrically connected to the connection terminal electrode;\na first plate configured to support the first resin layer; and\na second plate configured to support the first resin layer,\nwherein the display device comprises a transistor and a light-emitting element electrically connected to the transistor,\nwherein the first resin layer is over the first plate and the second plate,\nwherein the second resin layer is over the first resin layer,\nwherein the first plate and the second plate are apart from each other,\nwherein the first resin layer comprises a first region, a second region, a third region, a fourth region, and a fifth region,\nwherein the first region and the connection terminal electrode overlap each other,\nwherein the third region and the first plate overlap each other,\nwherein the third region and the display portion overlap each other,\nwherein the second region is between the first region and the third region,\nwherein the fourth region and the display portion overlap each other,\nwherein the fifth region and the second plate overlap each other,\nwherein the fifth region and the display portion overlap each other,\nwherein the fourth region is between the third region and the fifth region,\nwherein the second region and the fourth region are configured to be bent, and\nwherein the scan line driver circuit does not overlap with the first region in a state where the first resin layer is not bent.",
"5. The display device according to claim 4, wherein the second resin layer does not overlap with the FPC in a state where the first resin layer is not bent at the second region.",
"6. The display device according to claim 4, wherein the scan line driver circuit and the third region overlap each other."
],
[
"1. A flexible display apparatus comprising:\na first film including a first region, a second region, and a bending portion between the first region and the second region, a plurality of first openings or grooves being defined in the bending portion of the first film;\na third film over the first film, the third film including a bending portion corresponding to the bending portion of the first film;\na fourth film over the third film, the fourth film including a bending portion corresponding to the bending portion of the first film;\nan emission display unit between the third film and the fourth film;\nan elastic member disposed in correspondence with the bending portion of the third film; and\na second film over the fourth film, the second film including a first surface adjacent to the fourth film, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a second opening or groove defined in the second surface.",
"2. The flexible display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second opening or groove is disposed in correspondence with the bending portion of the first film.",
"3. The flexible display apparatus of claim 2, wherein a thickness of the second film corresponding to the bending portion of the first film is smaller than a thickness of the second film corresponding to the first and second regions.",
"4. The flexible display apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an adhesion layer between the third film and the elastic member.",
"5. The flexible display apparatus of claim 1, wherein a total width of the plurality of first openings or grooves defined in the bending portion of the first film is at least two times greater than a thickness of the first film.",
"6. The flexible display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the third film comprises a plastic material.",
"7. The flexible display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fourth film is configured to encapsulate the emission display unit.",
"8. The flexible display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fourth film comprises a multi-layer.",
"9. The flexible display apparatus of claim 8, wherein the multi-layer comprises at least one inorganic film.",
"10. The flexible display apparatus of claim 8, wherein the multi-layer comprises at least one organic film.",
"11. A flexible display apparatus comprising:\na first film including a first region, a second region, and a bending portion between the first region and the second region, a plurality of first openings or grooves being defined in the bending portion of the first film;\na third film over the first film, the third film including a bending portion corresponding to the bending portion of the first film;\na fourth film over the third film, the fourth film including a bending portion corresponding to the bending portion of the first film;\nan emission display unit between the third film and the fourth film;\nan elastic member disposed in correspondence with the bending portion of the third film; and\na second film over the fourth film, the second film including a first surface adjacent to the fourth film, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a second opening or groove defined in the second surface,\nwherein a thickness of the second film corresponding to the bending portion of the first film is smaller than a thickness of the second film corresponding to the first and second regions of the first film.",
"12. The flexible display apparatus of claim 11, wherein the second opening or groove is disposed in correspondence with the bending portion of the first film.",
"13. The flexible display apparatus of claim 11, further comprising an adhesion layer between the third film and the elastic member.",
"14. The flexible display apparatus of claim 11, wherein a total width of the plurality of first openings or grooves defined in the bending portion of the first film is at least two times greater than a thickness of the first film.",
"15. The flexible display apparatus of claim 11, wherein the third film comprises a plastic material.",
"16. The flexible display apparatus of claim 11, wherein the fourth film is configured to encapsulate the emission display unit.",
"17. The flexible display apparatus of claim 16, wherein the fourth film comprises at least one inorganic film and at least one organic film.",
"18. A flexible display apparatus comprising:\na first film including a first region, a second region, and a bending portion between the first region and the second region, a plurality of first openings or grooves being defined in the bending portion of the first film;\na third film over the first film, the third film including a bending portion corresponding to the bending portion of the first film;\na fourth film over the third film, the fourth film including a bending portion corresponding to the bending portion of the first film;\nan emission display unit between the third film and the fourth film;\nan elastic member disposed in correspondence with the bending portion of the third film;\nan adhesion layer between the third film and the elastic member; and\na second film over the fourth film, the second film including a first surface adjacent to the fourth film, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a second opening or groove defined in the second surface,\nwherein the second opening or groove is disposed in correspondence with the bending portion of the first film.",
"19. The flexible display apparatus of claim 18, wherein a width of the second opening or groove of the second film is at least two times greater than a thickness of the second film."
],
[
"1. A portable electronic device comprising:\na touch-sensitive display;\na battery;\na foldable enclosure enclosing the touch-sensitive display and the battery, the foldable enclosure comprising:\na front cover positioned over the touch-sensitive display and including a chemically strengthened glass layer defining:\na first region positioned over a first portion of the touch-sensitive display;\na second region positioned over a second portion of the touch-sensitive display; and\na foldable region positioned over a third portion of the touch-sensitive display between the first and the second portions of the touch-sensitive display, the foldable enclosure configured to:\nin a folded configuration: define a first graphical output using the first portion of the touch-sensitive display and viewable along a front of the portable electronic device; define a second graphical output using the second portion of the touch-sensitive display and viewable along a rear of the portable electronic device opposite to the front; and define a third graphical output using the third portion of the touch-sensitive display and viewable along a side of the portable electronic device extending between the front and the rear; and\nin an unfolded configuration, define a fourth graphical output using the first, second, and third portions of the touch-sensitive display.",
"2. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein:\nthe chemically strengthened glass layer at the foldable region defines a relief feature comprising a locally thinned region; and\nthe foldable region further comprises a filler disposed in the relief feature and optically matched to the chemically strengthened glass layer.",
"3. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein the chemically strengthened glass layer is formed of an aluminosilicate glass.",
"4. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein in the unfolded configuration, the first, second, and foldable portions define a front surface of the portable electronic device that is flat.",
"5. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein:\nin response to transitioning from the folded configuration to the unfolded configuration, a first aspect ratio associated with a size of the fourth graphical output changes to a second aspect ratio associated with a size of the first graphical output.",
"6. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein:\nin the folded configuration, the foldable region defines a curved surface having a minimum bend radius between 10 mm and 25 mm.",
"7. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein the chemically strengthened glass layer is configured to produce compressive stresses on the outside of a bend in the foldable region.",
"8. An electronic device comprising:\na touch-sensitive display;\na battery;\na foldable enclosure enclosing the touch-sensitive display and the battery, the foldable enclosure having a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration, the foldable enclosure comprising:\na cover positioned over the touch-sensitive display and including a glass layer comprising a ceramic, the cover defining:\na first region defining a first external surface of the electronic device;\na second region defining a second external surface of the electronic device; and\na foldable region defining a third external surface of the electronic device between the first and the second external surface, the cover defining a contiguous external surface including the first, second, and third external surfaces, wherein:\nin the folded configuration, the third external surface defines a side portion of the electronic device, the first external surface defines a front portion of the electronic device, and the second external surface defines a rear portion of the electronic device; and\nin the unfolded configuration, the first, second, and third external surfaces define the front portion of the electronic device.",
"9. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein:\nthe electronic device further comprises a processor configured to:\nin the unfolded configuration, cause display of a first graphical output; and\nin the folded configuration, cause display of a second graphical output different from the first graphical output, the second graphical output adapted to at least a viewable area defined by the first external surface.",
"10. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein the cover comprises a locally-thinned region configured to relieve stresses in the cover at the foldable region.",
"11. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein the cover comprises multiple ceramic layers having a respective thickness, at least one ceramic layer having a different thickness from other respective thicknesses.",
"12. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein\nthe foldable enclosure has an intermediate configuration between the unfolded configuration and the folded configuration; and\na compressive stress at the third external surface in the unfolded configuration is greater than a compressive stress at the third external surface in the intermediate configuration.",
"13. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein a thickness of cover at the foldable region is uniform.",
"14. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein:\nthe glass layer defines a relief feature comprising a locally thinned region; and\na filler disposed in the relief feature and optically matched to the glass layer.",
"15. A portable electronic device comprising:\na battery;\na display layer;\na glass cover layer coupled to the display layer, the glass cover layer configured to be moved between a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration, the glass cover layer comprising:\na first region positioned over a first portion of the display layer;\na second region positioned over a second portion of the display layer;\na foldable region positioned over a third portion of the display layer between the first and second region;\na housing coupled to the glass cover layer and enclosing the battery and the display layer, the housing movable with the glass cover layer to the folded configuration and to the unfolded configuration; and\na processor configured to:\nin the folded configuration:\ncause display of a first graphical output at the first portion of the display layer;\ncause display of a second graphical output at the second portion of the display layer; and\ncause display of a third graphical output at the third portion of the display layer; and\nin the unfolded configuration, cause display of a fourth graphical output, the fourth graphical output comprising a combined graphical output over the first, second, and third portions of the display layer.",
"16. The portable electronic device of claim 15, wherein the portable electronic device further comprises:\na sensor configured to detect a transition between the folded and the unfolded configuration of the portable electronic device; and\nprocessing circuitry operatively coupled to the sensor and the display layer and configured to control at least one of the first, the second, the third, and the fourth graphical outputs based on an output from the sensor.",
"17. The portable electronic device of claim 15, wherein the first, second, and third graphical outputs are viewable when the portable electronic device is in the folded configuration.",
"18. The portable electronic device of claim 15, wherein the glass cover layer includes a chemically strengthened glass strengthened through ion exchange.",
"19. The portable electronic device of claim 15, wherein\nthe housing comprises a rear cover positioned opposite the glass cover layer; and\nthe rear cover defines an internal surface of the portable electronic device in the folded configuration.",
"20. The portable electronic device of claim 19, wherein the rear cover is chemically strengthened glass."
],
[
"1. A flexible display device comprising:\na flexible display module comprising a flexible display panel;\na first frame and a second frame supporting the flexible display module;\na hinge portion pivotally coupling the first frame and the second frame; and\na curvature sensor sensing a curvature of the flexible display module, and\nthe curvature sensor comprising:\na wheel portion connected to a rotation axis of the hinge portion and rotating in accordance with folding and unfolding of the flexible display module;\na sensor switch adjacent to the wheel portion; and\na permanent magnet located on the wheel portion, a distance between the sensor switch and the permanent magnet varying in accordance with rotating of the hinge portion, and\na state of the sensor switch varies the distance between the sensor switch and the permanent magnet.",
"2. The flexible display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor switch comprises a projection including the permanent magnet and located on a periphery of the wheel portion.",
"3. The flexible display device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the projection is located on the periphery of the wheel portion to face the sensor switch in a state in which the flexible display module is unfolded.",
"4. The flexible display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor switch comprises a first contact point and a second contact point, and\nthe first contact point and the second contact point corresponding to the first contact point contact or do not contact each other in accordance with the distance between the sensor switch and the permanent magnet.",
"5. The flexible display device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first contact point and the second contact point do not contact each other in a state in which the flexible display module is folded.",
"6. The flexible display device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first contact point and the second contact point contact each other in a state in which the flexible display module is unfolded.",
"7. The flexible display device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the second contact point displaces in terms of position according to a magnetic force of the permanent magnet.",
"8. The flexible display device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the second contact point moves in accordance with the magnetic force of the permanent magnet and is electrically connected to the first contact point by contacting the first contact point in a state in which the flexible display module is unfolded.",
"9. The flexible display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor switch comprises a housing protecting the first contact point and the second contact point.",
"10. The flexible display device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the housing fixes terminals drawn out from the first contact point and the second contact point.",
"11. The flexible display device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:\nan electrostatic coupler detachably coupling at least a portion of the first frame and at least a portion of the flexible display module, and\nthe electrostatic coupler comprises a static electricity generator, and\nan electrostatic force of the static electricity generator varies in accordance with a sensing value of the curvature sensor.",
"12. The flexible display device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the static electricity generator is fixed on one of the flexible display module and the first frame.",
"13. The flexible display device as claimed in claim 12, further comprising a static electricity plate fixed to the other one of the flexible display module and the first frame."
],
[
"1. An electronic device comprising:\na first columnar body, a second columnar body, and a third columnar body; and\na flexible display over the first columnar body, the second columnar body, and the third columnar body,\nwherein the second columnar body is interposed between the first columnar body and the third columnar body,\nwherein the second columnar body is linked with the first columnar body at a first connection portion, and linked with the third columnar body at a second connection portion,\nwherein a curved surface is formed in the flexible display by rotating the first columnar body and the third columnar body around the second columnar body, and\nwherein a width of the second columnar body is larger than a width of the first columnar body and a width of the third columnar body when viewed from a side of the electronic device.",
"2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein each of the first columnar body, the second columnar body, and the third columnar body has a trapezoidal shape.",
"3. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the flexible display is not folded at a region over the second columnar body.",
"4. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein a side surface of the first columnar body is in contact with a first side surface of the second columnar body, and a side surface of the third columnar body is in contact with a second side surface of the second columnar body when the electronic device is folded.",
"5. An electronic device comprising:\na first columnar body, a second columnar body, and a third columnar body; and\na flexible display over the first columnar body, the second columnar body, and the third columnar body,\nwherein the second columnar body is interposed between the first columnar body and the third columnar body,\nwherein the second columnar body is linked with the first columnar body at a first connection portion, and linked with the third columnar body at a second connection portion,\nwherein a curved surface is formed in the flexible display by rotating the first columnar body and the third columnar body around the second columnar body,\nwherein a width of the second columnar body is larger than a width of the first columnar body and a width of the third columnar body when viewed from a side of the electronic device,\nwherein a first part of the flexible display overlaps with a second part of the flexible display when the electronic device is folded, and\nwherein the first part of the flexible display is continuous to the second part of the flexible display.",
"6. The electronic device according to claim 5, wherein each of the first columnar body, the second columnar body, and the third columnar body has a trapezoidal shape.",
"7. The electronic device according to claim 5, wherein the flexible display is not folded at a region over the second columnar body.",
"8. The electronic device according to claim 5, wherein a side surface of the first columnar body is in contact with a first side surface of the second columnar body, and a side surface of the third columnar body is in contact with a second side surface of the second columnar body when the electronic device is folded."
],
[
"1. A portable communication device comprising:\na housing including a first housing and a second housing;\na flexible display accommodated in the housing such that a first display portion and a second display portion of the flexible display are disposed in the first housing and the second housing, respectively; and\na hinge structure coupled to the first housing and the second housing, the hinge structure including:\na first shaft configured to rotate about a first axis,\na second shaft configured to rotate about a second axis different from the first axis,\na bracket including a first curved guide groove and a second curved guide groove formed therein,\na first rotational member coupled with the bracket such that the first rotational member is configured to rotate about a third axis different from each of the first and second axes by at least a part of an outer surface of the first rotational member sliding along the first curved guide groove as the first shaft rotates about the first axis, and\na second rotational member coupled with the bracket such that the second rotational member is configured to rotate about a fourth axis different from each of the first, second and third axes by at least part of an outer surface of the second rotational member sliding along the second curved guide groove as the second shaft rotates about the second axis,\nwherein at least part of a third display portion of the flexible display between the first display portion and the second display portion is configured to be bent as the first rotational member rotates about the third axis and the second rotational member rotates about the fourth axis.",
"2. The portable communication device of claim 1, wherein a first distance between the third axis and the fourth axis is shorter than a second distance between the first axis and the second axis.",
"3. The portable communication device of claim 1, wherein a shortest distance from the third axis to an upper surface of the flexible display is shorter than a shortest distance from the first axis to the upper surface of the flexible display, when the portable communication device is fully unfolded.",
"4. The portable communication device of claim 1, further comprising:\na hinge housing coupled to the bracket and accommodating at least part of the hinge structure.",
"5. The portable communication device of claim 1, further comprising:\na plate in contact with a substantially entire area of a rear surface of the flexible display, a central portion of the plate including a patterned-hole area formed therein such that the patterned-hole area is bent and unbent along with the third display portion as the portable communication device is folded and unfolded, respectively.",
"6. The portable communication device of claim 1, wherein the first axis is internal to the first shaft and the second axis is internal to the second shaft, and the third axis is external to the first rotational member and the fourth axis is external to the second rotational member.",
"7. The portable communication device of claim 6, wherein each of the third axis and the fourth axis is adjacent to the third display portion between the first display portion and the second display portion of the flexible display.",
"8. The portable communication device of claim 1, wherein the hinge structure includes:\na third shaft configured to rotate about a fifth axis internal to the third shaft and substantially parallel with the first axis and the third axis as the first shaft rotates about the first axis; and\na fourth shaft and configured to rotate about sixth axis internal to the fourth shaft and substantially parallel with the fifth axis as the second shaft rotates about the second axis.",
"9. The portable communication device of claim 8, wherein the third axis and the fourth axis are close to the flexible display than the fifth axis and the sixth axis, respectively.",
"10. The portable communication device of claim 1, wherein each of the third axis and the fourth axis is inside a hinge housing when viewed from above the flexible display.",
"11. The portable communication device of claim 1, further comprising:\na first front bracket coupled to the first housing and the first rotational member; and\na second front bracket coupled to the second housing and the second rotational member.",
"12. A portable communication device comprising:\na housing including a first housing and a second housing;\na flexible display accommodated in the housing such that a first display portion and a second display portion of the flexible display are disposed in the first housing and the second housing, respectively; and\na hinge structure coupled to the first housing and the second housing, the hinge structure including:\na first shaft configured to rotate about a first axis,\na second shaft configured to rotate about a second axis different from the first axis,\na first center bracket including a first curved guide groove formed therein,\na second center bracket including a second curved guide groove formed therein,\na first rotational member coupled with the first housing and with the first center bracket such that the first rotational member is configured to rotate about a third axis different from each of the first and second axes by at least a part of an outer surface of the first rotational member sliding along the first curved guide groove as the first shaft rotates about the first axis, and\na second rotational member coupled with the second housing and with the second center bracket such that the second rotational member is configured to rotate about a fourth axis different from each of the first, second and third axes by at least part of an outer surface of the second rotational member sliding along the second curved guide groove as the second shaft rotates about the second axis,\nwherein at least part of a third display portion of the flexible display between the first display portion and the second display portion is configured to be bent as the first rotational member rotates about the third axis and the second rotational member rotates about the fourth axis.",
"13. The portable communication device of claim 12, wherein a first distance between the third axis and the fourth axis is shorter than a second distance between the first axis and the second axis.",
"14. The portable communication device of claim 12, wherein a shortest distance from the third axis to an upper surface of the flexible display is shorter than a shortest distance from the first axis to the upper surface of the flexible display, when the portable communication device is fully unfolded.",
"15. The portable communication device of claim 12, wherein a hinge housing accommodates at least part of the first rotational member and at least part of the second rotational member.",
"16. The portable communication device of claim 12, further comprising:\na plate in contact with a substantially entire area of a rear surface of the flexible display, a central portion of the plate including a patterned-hole area formed therein such that the patterned-hole area is bent and unbent along with the third display portion as the portable communication device is folded and unfolded, respectively.",
"17. The portable communication device of claim 12, wherein the first axis is internal to the first shaft and the second axis is internal to the second shaft, and the third axis is external to the first rotational member and the fourth axis is external to the second rotational member.",
"18. The portable communication device of claim 17, wherein each of the third axis and the fourth axis is adjacent to the third display portion between the first display portion and the second display portion of the flexible display.",
"19. The portable communication device of claim 12, wherein each of the third axis and the fourth axis is inside a hinge housing when viewed from above the flexible display.",
"20. The portable communication device of claim 12, further comprising:\na first front bracket coupled to the first housing and the first rotational member; and\na second front bracket coupled to the second housing and the second rotational member."
],
[
"1. A display apparatus, comprising:\na display panel bendable in a bending direction about a bending axis;\na first pad unit and a second pad unit disposed on one side of the display panel, wherein the first and second pad units extend in the bending direction and are arranged in the bending direction;\na curved member disposed below the display panel;\na first printed circuit board (PCB) and a second PCB fixed to a rear surface of the curved member and spaced apart from each other in the bending direction;\na first flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) comprising a plurality of first flexible boards, each of which has a first end connected to the first pad unit and a second end connected to the first PCB; and\na second FPCB comprising a plurality of second flexible boards, each of which has a first end connected to the second pad unit and a second end connected to the second PCB,\nwherein the first flexible board closest to the second pad unit is defined as a first outermost flexible board, and the second flexible board closest to the first pad unit is defined as a second outermost flexible board, and\na first distance defined as a distance between the first end of the first outermost flexible board and the first end of the second outermost flexible board is less than a second distance defined as a distance between the second end of the first outermost flexible board and the second end of the second outermost flexible board.",
"2. The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein a rigidity of the curved member is greater than a rigidity of the display panel.",
"3. The display apparatus of claim 2, wherein the curved member comprises at least one of a light guide plate, an optical sheet, a mold frame, or a bottom chassis.",
"4. The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second PCBs are bendable in the bending direction about the bending axis.",
"5. The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein, as the first flexible boards are disposed further away from a center of the first PCB, a tilted angle of each of the first flexible boards from a normal direction at a point on the display panel at which each of the first flexible boards is connected to the display panel increases, and\nas the second flexible boards are disposed further away from a center of the second PCB, a tilted angle of each of the second flexible boards from a normal direction at a point on the display panel at which each of the second flexible boards is connected to the display panel increases.",
"6. The display apparatus of claim 5, wherein a length of each of the first flexible boards increases as the first flexible boards are disposed further away from the center of the first PCB, and\na length of each of the second flexible boards increases as the second flexible boards are disposed further away from the center of the second PCB.",
"7. The display apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:\na plurality of first driving chips mounted in a one-to-one correspondence with the first flexible boards; and\na plurality of second driving chips mounted in a one-to-one correspondence with the second flexible boards,\nwherein extending directions of each of the first driving chips and each of the second driving chips are parallel to the bending direction.",
"8. The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein, when the display panel is bent, each of the first outermost flexible board and the second outermost flexible board has a rectangular shape.",
"9. The display apparatus of claim 8, wherein, when the display panel is bent, lengths of each of the first flexible boards and each of the second flexible boards are the same.",
"10. The display apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:\na plurality of first driving chips mounted in a one-to-one correspondence with the first flexible boards; and\na plurality of second driving chips mounted in a one-to-one correspondence with the second flexible boards,\nwherein, on a cross-section, a virtual line comprising central points of a distance between one surface of the display panel and one surface of the first PCB and central points of a distance between the one surface of the display panel and one surface of the second PCB is defined as a bending line, and\nextending directions of each of the first driving chips and each of the second driving chips are parallel to the bending line.",
"11. The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein, when a curvature radius of the display panel is defined as R, a thickness of the curved member is defined as D, and a distance between a center of the first PCB and a center of the second PCB is defined as W, a minimum value of a difference between the first distance and the second distance ranges from 9*D*W/20*R to 11*D*W/20*R.",
"12. A method for manufacturing a display apparatus, the method comprising:\nbonding a display panel and each of a plurality of printed circuit boards to a plurality of flexible printed circuit boards;\ndisposing the display panel on an upper portion of a bottom part of a curved member; and\nfixing each of the printed circuit boards to a rear surface of the bottom part of the curved member,\nwherein the curved member is bendable in a bending direction about a bending axis, and\na distance between the printed circuit boards adjacent to each other after the printed circuit boards are fixed is greater than a distance between the printed circuit boards adjacent to each other before the printed circuit boards are fixed.",
"13. The method of claim 12, wherein a pad unit is disposed on one side of the display panel in a first direction parallel to the bending axis,\nthe printed circuit boards are arranged in a second direction crossing the first direction and extend in the second direction, and\nthe flexible printed circuit boards connect the pad unit to the printed circuit boards.",
"14. The method of claim 13, wherein, when bonding the display panel and each of the printed circuit boards, the flexible printed circuit boards extend in the first direction and are disposed in parallel to the first direction, and\nwhen fixing the printed circuit boards, as the display panel is bent, the printed circuit boards are fixed to the curved member in an order of the flexible printed circuit boards disposed further away from a center of each of the printed circuit boards, and each of the flexible printed circuit boards increases in extending length.",
"15. The method of claim 13, wherein bonding the display panel and each of the printed circuit boards comprises bonding a plurality of driving chips to the flexible printed circuit boards in a one-to-one correspondence with each other.",
"16. The method of claim 13, wherein bonding the display panel and each of the printed circuit boards comprises:\nbonding the flexible printed circuit boards to the display panel and each of the printed circuit boards in an order of the flexible printed circuit boards disposed further away from a center of each of the printed circuit boards,\nwherein an angle between an extending direction of one end of each of the flexible printed circuit boards and the first direction increases, and\nwhen fixing the printed circuit boards, as the display panel is bent, the printed circuit boards are fixed to the curved member such that the extending direction of each of the flexible printed circuit boards is parallel to a normal direction at a point on the display panel at which each of the flexible printed circuit boards is connected to the display panel.",
"17. The method of claim 16, wherein bonding the display panel and each of the printed circuit boards comprises:\nbonding a plurality of driving chips to the flexible printed circuit boards in a one-to-one correspondence with the flexible printed circuit boards,\nwherein each of the driving chips is bonded in the order of the flexible printed circuit boards disposed further away from the center of each of the printed circuit boards,\nwherein an angle between a normal direction of the extending direction of the flexible printed circuit boards and an extending direction of the corresponding driving chips increases.",
"18. The method of claim 17, wherein, when fixing the printed circuit boards to the curved member, the extending direction of each of the driving chips is perpendicular to the normal direction of the extending direction of the flexible printed circuit boards.",
"19. The method of claim 12, wherein a rigidity of the curved member is greater than a rigidity of the display panel.",
"20. The method of claim 19, wherein the curved member comprises at least one of a light guide plate, an optical sheet, a mold frame, or a bottom chassis.",
"21. The method of claim 19, wherein the display panel is bent in a bending direction about the bending axis as the display panel is disposed on the curved member and as each of the printed circuit boards is fixed to a rear surface of the bottom part of the curved member.",
"22. The method of claim 21, wherein as the display panel is bent, a stress applied to at least one flexible printed circuit board closest to a center of each of the printed circuit boards is reduced.",
"23. The method of claim 22, wherein as the display panel is bent, the stress applied to each of the flexible printed circuit boards increases as the flexible printed circuit boards are disposed further away from the center of each of the printed circuit boards.",
"24. The method of claim 19, wherein each of the printed circuit boards is bent in a bending direction about the bending axis as the display panel is disposed on the curved member.",
"25. The method of claim 12, wherein fixing each of the printed circuit boards comprises:\nforming alignment marks on the rear surface of the bottom part of the curved member; and\nfixing the printed circuit boards to the curved member such that the printed circuit boards correspond to the alignment marks.",
"26. The method of claim 12, wherein, when a curvature radius of the display panel is defined as R, a thickness of the curved member is defined as D, and a distance between a center of a first printed circuit board and a center of a second printed circuit board adjacent to the first printed circuit board is defined as W, a minimum value of a difference of a distance between the first and second printed circuit boards after the first and second printed circuit boards are fixed and a distance between the first and second printed circuit boards before the first and second printed circuit boards are fixed ranges from 9*D*W/20*R to 11*D*W/20*R.",
"27. A method for manufacturing a display apparatus, the method comprising:\nbonding a display panel and each of a plurality of printed circuit boards to a plurality of flexible printed circuit boards;\ndisposing the display panel on an upper portion of a bottom part of a curved member; and\nfixing each of the printed circuit boards to a rear surface of the bottom part of the curved member,\nwherein the curved member is bendable in a bending direction about a bending axis, and\nwhen fixing the printed circuit boards, as the display panel is bent, the printed circuit boards are fixed such that deformation of the flexible printed circuit boards is successively reduced as the flexible printed circuit boards are disposed closer to a center of each of the printed circuit boards.",
"28. A display apparatus, comprising:\na display panel bendable in a bending direction about a bending axis;\na plurality of pad units disposed on one side of the display panel and arranged in the bendable direction;\na plurality of printed circuit boards disposed below the display panel,\nwherein the printed circuit boards are bendable in the bending direction about the bending axis, are arranged in the bendable direction, and extend in the bendable direction; and\na plurality of flexible printed circuit boards configured to connect the display panel to the printed circuit boards,\nwherein each of the flexible printed circuit boards has a first end connected to the display panel and a second end connected to one of the printed circuit boards, and\na second distance between the second ends of two of the flexible printed circuit boards respectively connected to two adjacent printed circuit boards is greater than a first distance between the first ends of the two flexible printed circuit boards.",
"29. The display apparatus of claim 28, further comprising:\na curved member disposed between the display panel and each of the printed circuit boards,\nwherein the printed circuit boards are fixed to a rear surface of the curved member.",
"30. The display apparatus of claim 29, wherein, when a curvature radius of the display panel is defined as R, a thickness of the curved member is defined as D, and a distance between a center of each of the two adjacent printed circuit boards is defined as W, a minimum value of a difference between the first distance and the second distance ranges from 9*D*W/20*R to 11*D*W/20*R."
],
[
"1. A display device comprising:\na display panel; and\na window member positioned on at least one surface of the display panel, wherein the window member includes a coating layer, the coating layer including a cross-linked structure of a silsesquioxane compound that includes an epoxy group and an acryl group and having an indentation hardness of about 50 MPa or more and a tensile modulus of about 4.0 GPa or less,\nwherein the coating layer includes a cross-linked structure formed from a curing reaction of a silsesquioxane compound including repeating units represented by Chemical Formulas 1, wherein an oxygen atom connected to * is connected to an adjacent Si atom in the siloxane oligomer, R1 represents an epoxy group or an alkyl group including an epoxy group, R2 represents a (meth)acryl group or an alkyl group including a (meth)acryl group, n and m independently represent a natural number, and a summation of n and m is from 6 to 100",
"2. The display device of claim 1, wherein the window member further includes a base film disposed between the coating layer and the display panel.",
"3. The display device of claim 1, wherein a mole ratio of a first repeating unit, which is connected to R1, to a second repeating group, which is connected to R2, is 80:20 to 60:40.",
"4. A display device comprising:\na display panel; and\na window member positioned on at least one surface of the display panel, wherein the window member includes a coating layer, the coating layer including a cross-linked structure of a silsesquioxane compound that includes an epoxy group and an acryl group and having an indentation hardness of about 50 MPa or more and a tensile modulus of about 4.0 GPa or less, wherein the coating layer includes a cross-linked structure formed from a curing reaction of a silsesquioxane compound including repeating units represented by Chemical Formula 5, wherein an oxygen atom connected to * is connected to an adjacent Si atom in the siloxane oligomer, R1 represents an epoxy group or an alkyl group including an epoxy group, R2 represents a (meth)acryl group or an alkyl group including a (meth)acryl group, R3 represents a fluoroalkyl group, in which at least one hydrogen atom is substituted with a fluorine atom, or a perfluoro polyether group, n, m and r independently represent a natural number, and a summation of n, m and r is from 6 to 100",
"5. The display device of claim 4, wherein a content of a repeating unit including fluorine combined with R3 in the siloxane oligomer is from about 5% to about 10% by weight based on a total weight of the siloxane oligomer.",
"6. A display device comprising:\na display panel; and\na window member positioned on at least one surface of the display panel, wherein the window member includes a coating layer, the coating layer including a cross-linked structure of a silsesquioxane compound that includes an epoxy group and an acryl group and having an indentation hardness of about 50 MPa or more and a tensile modulus of about 4.0 GPa or less, wherein the coating layer includes a first coating layer and a second coating layer disposed on the first coating layer,\nwherein the first coating layer includes a cross-linked structure formed from a curing reaction of a silsesquioxane compound including a repeating unit represented by Chemical Formula 8,\nwherein the second coating layer includes a cross-linked structure formed from a curing reaction of a silsesquioxane compound including a repeating unit represented by Chemical Formula 9,\nwherein an oxygen atom connected to * is connected to an adjacent Si atom in the siloxane oligomer, R1 represents an epoxy group or an alkyl group including an epoxy group, R2 represents a (meth)acryl group or an alkyl group including a (meth)acryl group, and n and m independently represent a natural number",
"7. The display device of claim 6, wherein a thickness ratio of the first coating layer and the second coaling layer is from 7:3 to 3:7.",
"8. A display device comprising:\na display panel; and\na window member positioned on at least one surface of the display panel, wherein the window member includes a coating layer, the coating layer including a cross-linked structure of a silsesquioxane compound that includes an epoxy group and an acryl group and having an indentation hardness of about 50 MPa or more and a tensile modulus of about 4.0 GPa or less, wherein the window member further includes a base film, wherein the coating layer includes an upper coating layer disposed on a first surface of the base film, and a lower coating layer disposed on a second surface of the base film, wherein the upper coating layer includes a first upper coating layer combined with the base film and a second upper coating layer combined with the first upper coating layer, wherein the lower coating layer includes a first lower coating layer combined with the base film and a second lower coating layer combined with the first lower coating layer, and\nwherein the first upper coating layer and the first lower coating layer include a cross-linked structure formed from a curing reaction of a silsesquioxane compound including a repeating unit represented by Chemical Formula 8,\nwherein the second upper coating layer and the second lower coating layer include a cross-linked structure formed from a curing reaction of a silsesquioxane compound including a repeating unit represented by Chemical Formula 9, p1 wherein an oxygen atom connected to * is connected to another Si atom in the siloxane oligomer, R1 represents an epoxy group or an alkyl group including an epoxy group, R2 represents a (meth)acryl group or an alkyl group containing a (meth)acryl group, and n and m independently represent a natural number",
"9. The display device of claim 1, wherein the display device is foldable.",
"10. The display device of claim 1, wherein the silsesquioxane compound has a tensile modulus of about 2.7-4.0 GPa.",
"11. The display device of claim 1, wherein the silsesquioxane compound comprises at least about 40% by weight of the coating layer.",
"12. A display device comprising;\na display panel; and\na window member positioned on at least one surface of the display panel, wherein the window member includes a coating layer, the coating layer including a cross-linked structure of a silsesquioxane compound including repeating units having substituents, wherein each of the substituents independently includes an epoxy group or an acryl group.",
"13. The display device of claim 12, wherein the coating layer includes a cross-linked structure formed from a curing reaction of a silsesquioxane compound including repeating units represented by Chemical Formula 1, wherein an oxygen atom connected to * is connected to an adjacent Si atom in the siloxane oligomer, R1 represents an epoxy group or an alkyl group including an epoxy group, R2 represents a (meth)acryl group or an alkyl group including a (meth)acryl group, n and m independently represent a natural number, and a summation of n and m is from 6 to 100",
"14. The display device of claim 12, wherein the coating layer includes a cross-linked structure formed from a curing reaction of a silsesquioxane compound including repeating units represented by Chemical Formula 5, wherein an oxygen atom connected to * is connected to an adjacent Si atom in the siloxane oligomer, R1 represents an epoxy group or an alkyl group including an epoxy group, R2 represents a (meth)acryl group or an alkyl group including a (meth)acryl group, R3 represents a fluoroalkyl group, in which at least one hydrogen atom is substituted with a fluorine atom, or a perfluoro polyether group, n, m and r independently represent a natural number, and a summation of n, m and r is from 6 to 100",
"15. The display device of claim 12, wherein the coating layer includes a first coating layer and a second coating layer disposed on the first coating layer,\nwherein the first coating layer includes a cross-linked structure formed from a curing reaction of a silsesquioxane compound including a repeating unit represented by Chemical Formula 8,\nwherein the second coating layer includes a cross-linked structure formed from a curing reaction of a silsesquioxane compound including a repeating unit represented by Chemical Formula 9,\nwherein an oxygen atom connected to * is connected to an adjacent Si atom in the siloxane oligomer, R1 represents an epoxy group or an alkyl group including an epoxy group, R2 represents a (meth)acryl group or an alkyl group including a (meth)acryl group, and n and m independently represent a natural number",
"16. The display device of claim 12, wherein the window member further includes a base film, wherein the coating layer includes an upper coating layer disposed on a first surface of the base film, and a lower coating layer disposed on a second surface of the base film, wherein the upper coating layer includes a first upper coating layer combined with the base film and a second upper coating layer combined with the first upper coating layer, wherein the lower coating layer includes a first lower coating layer combined with the base film and a second lower coating layer combined with the first lower coating layer, and\nwherein the first upper coating layer and the first lower coating layer include a cross-linked structure formed from a curing reaction of a silsesquioxane compound including a repeating unit represented by Chemical Formula 8,\nwherein the second upper coating layer and the second lower coating layer include a cross-linked structure formed from a curing reaction of a silsesquioxane compound including a repeating unit represented by Chemical Formula 9,\nwherein an oxygen atom connected to * is connected to another Si atom in the siloxane oligomer, R1 represents an epoxy group or an alkyl group including an epoxy group, R2 represents a (meth)acryl group or an alkyl group containing a (meth)acryl group, and n and m independently represent a natural number"
],
[
"1. An electronic device comprising:\nan element substrate provided with a display portion, a first scan line driver circuit, a second scan line driver circuit, and an external connecting electrode; and\na flexible printed circuit electrically connected to the external connecting electrode,\nwherein the element substrate comprises:\na first outer edge portion extending in a first direction;\na first portion where the first scan line driver circuit is provided;\na first curved portion provided along the first scan line driver circuit;\na second outer edge portion extending in the first direction;\na second portion where the second scan line driver circuit is provided;\na second curved portion provided along the second scan line driver circuit;\na third outer edge portion extending in a second direction intersecting with the first direction;\na third portion where the external connecting electrode is provided;\na third curved portion between the display portion and the third outer edge portion; and\na fourth portion adjacent to the third curved portion,\nwherein the third portion, the fourth portion, the external connecting electrode, and the flexible printed circuit overlap each other,\nwherein the third outer edge portion and the flexible printed circuit overlap each other,\nwherein the element substrate has flexibility,\nwherein the first scan line driver circuit comprises a first transistor,\nwherein the second scan line driver circuit comprises a second transistor, and\nwherein the display portion comprises a third transistor.",
"2. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising a supporting portion,\nwherein the third portion and the supporting portion overlap each other, and\nwherein the supporting portion comprises a plate shape.",
"3. The electronic device according to claim 1,\nwherein the display portion comprises a light-emitting element, and\nwherein the third transistor in the display portion is electrically connected to the light-emitting element.",
"4. The electronic device according to claim 1,\nwherein at least one of the first transistor, the second transistor, and the third transistor comprises an oxide semiconductor layer.",
"5. The electronic device according to claim 1,\nwherein the display portion is provided between the first curved portion and the second curved portion.",
"6. An electronic device comprising:\nan element substrate provided with a display portion, a first scan line driver circuit, a second scan line driver circuit, and an external connecting electrode; and\na flexible printed circuit electrically connected to the external connecting electrode,\nwherein the element substrate comprises:\na first outer edge portion extending in a first direction;\na first portion where the first scan line driver circuit is provided;\na first curved portion provided along the first scan line driver circuit;\na second outer edge portion extending in the first direction;\na second portion where the second scan line driver circuit is provided;\na second curved portion provided along the second scan line driver circuit;\na third outer edge portion extending in a second direction intersecting with the first direction;\na third portion where the external connecting electrode is provided;\na third curved portion between the display portion and the third outer edge portion; and\na fourth portion adjacent to the third curved portion,\nwherein the third portion, the fourth portion, the external connecting electrode, and the flexible printed circuit overlap each other in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the element substrate,\nwherein the third outer edge portion and the flexible printed circuit overlap each other in the direction perpendicular to the surface of the element substrate,\nwherein the element substrate has flexibility,\nwherein the first scan line driver circuit comprises a first transistor,\nwherein the second scan line driver circuit comprises a second transistor, and\nwherein the display portion comprises a third transistor.",
"7. The electronic device according to claim 6, further comprising a supporting portion,\nwherein the third portion and the supporting portion overlap each other, and\nwherein the supporting portion comprises a plate shape.",
"8. The electronic device according to claim 6,\nwherein the display portion comprises a light-emitting element, and\nwherein the third transistor in the display portion is electrically connected to the light-emitting element.",
"9. The electronic device according to claim 6,\nwherein at least one of the first transistor, the second transistor, and the third transistor comprises an oxide semiconductor layer.",
"10. The electronic device according to claim 6,\nwherein the display portion is provided between the first curved portion and the second curved portion.",
"11. An electronic device comprising:\nan element substrate provided with a display portion, a first scan line driver circuit, a second scan line driver circuit, and an external connecting electrode; and\na flexible printed circuit electrically connected to the external connecting electrode,\nwherein the element substrate comprises:\na first outer edge portion extending in a first direction;\na first portion where the first scan line driver circuit is provided;\na first curved portion provided along the first scan line driver circuit;\na second outer edge portion extending in the first direction;\na second portion where the second scan line driver circuit is provided;\na second curved portion provided along the second scan line driver circuit;\na third outer edge portion extending in a second direction intersecting with the first direction;\na third portion where the external connecting electrode is provided;\na third curved portion between the display portion and the third outer edge portion; and\na fourth portion adjacent to the third curved portion,\nwherein the third portion, the fourth portion, the external connecting electrode, and the flexible printed circuit overlap each other in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the element substrate,\nwherein the third outer edge portion and the flexible printed circuit overlap each other in the direction perpendicular to the surface of the element substrate,\nwherein the element substrate has flexibility,\nwherein the first scan line driver circuit comprises a first transistor,\nwherein the second scan line driver circuit comprises a second transistor,\nwherein the display portion comprises a third transistor, and\nwherein the fourth portion is not in contact with the flexible printed circuit.",
"12. The electronic device according to claim 11, further comprising a supporting portion,\nwherein the third portion and the supporting portion overlap each other, and\nwherein the supporting portion comprises a plate shape.",
"13. The electronic device according to claim 11,\nwherein the display portion comprises a light-emitting element, and\nwherein the third transistor in the display portion is electrically connected to the light-emitting element.",
"14. The electronic device according to claim 11,\nwherein at least one of the first transistor, the second transistor, and the third transistor comprises an oxide semiconductor layer.",
"15. The electronic device according to claim 11,\nwherein the display portion is provided between the first curved portion and the second curved portion."
],
[
"1. A display device comprising:\na first resin;\na first insulating layer over the first resin;\na semiconductor layer over the first insulating layer;\na second insulating layer over the semiconductor layer;\na first gate electrode layer over the second insulating layer;\na first electrode layer of a first light-emitting element over the first gate electrode layer;\na second electrode layer of the first light-emitting element over the first electrode layer of the first light-emitting element with an electroluminescent layer of the first light-emitting element provided therebetween; and\na second resin over the second electrode layer of the first light-emitting element,\nwherein the display device further comprises:\na scanning line driver circuit comprising a first region located between the first resin and the second resin; and\na signal line driver circuit comprising a second region which is not located between the first resin and the second resin,\nwherein the display device is configured to bend in a third region and a fourth region,\nwherein the third region is provided between a fifth region in which the first resin and the second resin sandwich the first light-emitting element and a sixth region in which the first resin and the second resin sandwich a second light-emitting element, and\nwherein the fourth region is provided between the fifth region in which the first resin and the second resin sandwich the first light-emitting element and a seventh region in which the first resin overlaps with the signal line driver circuit.",
"2. The display device according to claim 1,\nwherein the semiconductor layer comprises an oxide semiconductor, and\nwherein one of the first resin and the second resin comprises an aramid resin or a polyimide resin.",
"3. A display device comprising:\na first substrate, the first substrate comprising a first resin;\na first insulating layer over the first resin;\na semiconductor layer over the first insulating layer;\na second insulating layer over the semiconductor layer;\na first gate electrode layer over the second insulating layer;\na first electrode layer of a first light-emitting element over the first gate electrode layer;\na second electrode layer of the first light-emitting element over the first electrode layer of the first light-emitting element with an electroluminescent layer of the first light-emitting element provided therebetween; and\na second resin over the second electrode layer of the first light-emitting element,\nwherein the display device further comprises:\na scanning line driver circuit comprising a first region located between the first resin and the second resin; and\na signal line driver circuit comprising a second region which is not located between the first resin and the second resin,\nwherein the display device is configured to bend in a third region and a fourth region,\nwherein the third region is provided between a fifth region in which the first resin and the second resin sandwich the first light-emitting element and a sixth region in which the first resin and the second resin sandwich a second light-emitting element, and\nwherein the fourth region is provided between the fifth region in which the first resin and the second resin sandwich the first light-emitting element and a seventh region in which the first resin overlaps with the signal line driver circuit.",
"4. The display device according to claim 3,\nwherein the semiconductor layer comprises an oxide semiconductor, and\nwherein one of the first resin and the second resin comprises an aramid resin or a polyimide resin.",
"5. A display device comprising:\na first resin;\na first insulating layer over the first resin;\na semiconductor layer over the first insulating layer;\na second insulating layer over the semiconductor layer;\na first gate electrode layer over the second insulating layer;\na first electrode layer of a first light-emitting element over the first gate electrode layer;\na second electrode layer of the first light-emitting element over the first electrode layer of the first light-emitting element with an electroluminescent layer of the first light-emitting element provided therebetween; and\na second resin over the second electrode layer of the first light-emitting element,\nwherein the display device further comprises:\na scanning line driver circuit comprising a first region located between the first resin and the second resin; and\na signal line driver circuit comprising a second region which is not located between the first resin and the second resin,\nwherein the display device is configured to bend in a third region and a fourth region,\nwherein the third region is provided between a fifth region in which the first resin and the second resin sandwich the first light-emitting element and a sixth region in which the first resin and the second resin sandwich a second light-emitting element,\nwherein the fourth region is provided between the fifth region in which the first resin and the second resin sandwich the first light-emitting element and a seventh region in which the first resin overlaps with the signal line driver circuit, and\nwherein a second gate electrode layer is provided below the semiconductor layer.",
"6. The display device according to claim 5,\nwherein the semiconductor layer comprises an oxide semiconductor, and\nwherein one of the first resin and the second resin comprises an aramid resin or a polyimide resin."
],
[
"1. A display unit comprising:\na first plate-like member including a display device that extends in a first direction, the first plate-like member having a rear surface and front surface; and\na second plate-like member overlapping the first plate-like member and extending in the first direction, the second plate-like member being positioned on the rear surface of the first plate-like member,\nwherein a thermal expansion coefficient of the first plate-like member is smaller than that of the second plate-like member, and\nwherein the first and second plate-like members are curved in a second direction and curvatures of the first and second plate-like members differ.",
"2. The display unit according to claim 1, further comprising holders that connect the second to the first plate-like member.",
"3. The display unit according to claim 1, wherein the second plate-like member comprising circuitry for control of the display device.",
"4. The display unit according to claim 1, wherein a curvature of the front surface of the first plate-like member is greater than a curvature of a front surface of the second plate-like member.",
"5. The display unit according to claim 1, comprising a third plate-like member overlapping the first plate-like member and extending in the first direction of the display device control,\nwherein the second plate-like member and the third plate-like member having a gap therebetween in the first direction, and\nwherein the third plate-like member is curved in the second direction and curvatures of the first and third plate-like members differ.",
"6. The display unit according to claim 3, comprising a third plate-like member having second circuitry for control of the display device, the third plate-like member overlapping the first plate-like member and extending in the first direction of the display device control,\nwherein the second plate-like member and the third plate-like member having a gap therebetween in the first direction, and\nwherein the third plate-like member is curved in the second direction and curvatures of the first and third plate-like members differ.",
"7. The display unit according to claim 5, wherein a curvature of the front surface of the first plate-like member is greater than curvatures of front surfaces of the second and third plate-like members.",
"8. The display unit according to claim 6, wherein a curvature of the front surface of the first plate-like member is greater than curvatures of front surfaces of the second and third plate-like members.",
"9. The display unit according to claim 5, wherein the thermal expansion coefficient of the first plate-like member is smaller than that of the third plate-like member.",
"10. The display unit according to claim 6, wherein the thermal expansion coefficient of the first plate-like member is smaller than that of the third plate-like member.",
"11. The display unit according to claim 8, further comprising holders that connect the second and third plate-like members to the first plate-like member.",
"12. The display unit according to claim 7, further comprising a supporting member positioned on a surface of the first plate-like member, the supporting member supports the first plate-like member.",
"13. The display unit according to claim 1, further comprising a flexible section coupling the first plate-like member and the second plate-like member to each other.",
"14. The display unit according to claim 6, further comprising flexible sections coupling the first plate-like member to the second plate-like member and to the third plate-like member.",
"15. The display unit according to claim 14, wherein the flexible sections comprise wiring sections.",
"16. The display unit according to claim 15, wherein the wiring sections each include an Integrated Circuit (IC) chip.",
"17. The display unit according to claim 16, wherein the IC chip on each of the wiring sections is in contact with a heat dissipation member.",
"18. The display unit according to claim 1, wherein the first plate-like member comprises at least one glass substrate.",
"19. The display unit according to claim 1, wherein the first plate-like member comprises two glass substrates that seal liquid crystal material therebetween.",
"20. The display unit according to claim 16, wherein the second plate-like member and third-plate member are circuit boards."
],
[
"1. An electronic device comprising an active matrix display device, the electronic device comprising:\na housing;\na curved display surface;\na base between the housing and the curved display surface;\na first electronic circuit board;\na second electronic circuit board; and\na secondary battery,\nwherein each of the first electronic circuit board, the second electronic circuit board, and the secondary battery is located between the base and the housing,\nwherein, on a side of the curved display surface, the base comprises a region curved in a same direction as the curved display surface,\nwherein, on a side of the housing, the base comprises a first region, a second region, and a third region deeper than each of the first region and the second region,\nwherein the first electronic circuit board is mounted to overlap with the first region,\nwherein the second electronic circuit board is mounted to overlap with the second region, and\nwherein the secondary battery is mounted to overlap with the third region.",
"2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the base has an insulating property.",
"3. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein, in a cross-sectional view, a terminal portion of the base has a more curved shape than a central portion of the base.",
"4. An electronic device comprising an active matrix display device, the electronic device comprising:\na housing;\na curved display surface;\na base between the housing and the curved display surface;\na first electronic circuit board;\na second electronic circuit board; and\na secondary battery,\nwherein each of the first electronic circuit board, the second electronic circuit board, and the secondary battery is located between the base and the housing,\nwherein, on a side of the curved display surface, the base comprises a region curved in a same direction as the curved display surface,\nwherein, on a side of the housing, the base comprises a first region, a second region, and a third region deeper than each of the first region and the second region,\nwherein the first electronic circuit board is mounted to overlap with the first region,\nwherein the second electronic circuit board is mounted to overlap with the second region, and\nwherein the secondary battery is mounted to overlap with the third region such that the secondary battery is closer to the side of the curved display surface than the first electronic circuit board is.",
"5. The electronic device according to claim 4, wherein the base has an insulating property.",
"6. The electronic device according to claim 4, wherein, in a cross-sectional view, a terminal portion of the base has a more curved shape than a central portion of the base.",
"7. An electronic device comprising an active matrix display device, the electronic device comprising:\na housing;\na curved display surface;\na base between the housing and the curved display surface;\na first electronic circuit board;\na second electronic circuit board; and\na secondary battery,\nwherein each of the first electronic circuit board, the second electronic circuit board, and the secondary battery is located between the base and the housing,\nwherein, on a side of the curved display surface, the base comprises a region curved in a same direction as the curved display surface,\nwherein the base comprises a contact hole for electrically connecting the first electronic circuit board and the active matrix display device,\nwherein, on a side of the housing, the base comprises a first region, a second region, and a third region deeper than each of the first region and the second region,\nwherein the first electronic circuit board is mounted to overlap with the first region,\nwherein the second electronic circuit board is mounted to overlap with the second region, and\nwherein the secondary battery is mounted to overlap with the third region.",
"8. The electronic device according to claim 7, wherein the secondary battery is mounted to overlap with the third region such that the secondary battery is closer to the side of the curved display surface than the first electronic circuit board is.",
"9. The electronic device according to claim 7, wherein the secondary battery is mounted to overlap with the third region such that the secondary battery is closer to the side of the curved display surface than the second electronic circuit board is.",
"10. The electronic device according to claim 7, wherein the base has an insulating property.",
"11. The electronic device according to claim 7, wherein, in a cross-sectional view, a terminal portion of the base has a more curved shape than a central portion of the base."
],
[
"1. A portable device comprising:\na flexible display;\na hinge about which the flexible display is unfolded and folded into a first area of the flexible display and a second area of the flexible display; and\nat least one processor configured to:\ncontrol the flexible display to display first information on the first area of the flexible display and control the flexible display not to display information on the second area of the flexible display in a folded configuration about the hinge in which the first area of the flexible display corresponds to a first side of the portable device and the second area of the flexible display corresponds to a second side of the portable device that opposes the first side,\nbased on unfolding the flexible display from the folded configuration to an unfolded configuration in which the first area of the flexible display and the second area of the flexible display corresponds to the first side of the portable device, control the flexible display to display the first information on the first area of the flexible display and control the flexible display not to display information on the second area of the flexible display, and\ncontrol the flexible display to display information corresponding to the first information on the first area of the flexible display and the second area of the flexible display in the unfolded configuration.",
"2. The portable device of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:\ndetect an angle between the first area of the flexible display and the second area of the flexible display while unfolding the flexible display from the folded configuration to the unfolded configuration, and\nbased on the angle, control the first area of the flexible display to display the first information and the second area of the flexible display not to display information or control to display the information corresponding to the first information on the first area of the flexible display and the second area of the flexible display.",
"3. The portable device of claim 1, further comprising:\na housing; and\na camera disposed in the housing.",
"4. The portable device of claim 3, wherein the camera comprises:\na first camera disposed in the housing on a front surface of the portable device; and\na second camera disposed in the housing on a rear surface of the portable device.",
"5. The portable device of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to control to display the information corresponding to the first information by displaying the first information across the first area of the flexible display and the second area of the flexible display in the unfolded configuration.",
"6. A method of controlling a portable device comprising a flexible display and a hinge about which the flexible display is unfolded and folded into a first area of the flexible display and a second area of the flexible display, the method comprising:\ncontrolling the flexible display to display first information on the first area of the flexible display and not to display information on the second area of the flexible display in a folded configuration about the hinge in which the first area of the flexible display corresponds to a first side of the portable device and the second area of the flexible display corresponds to a second side of the portable device that opposes the first side;\nbased on unfolding the flexible display from the folded configuration to an unfolded configuration in which the first area of the flexible display and the second area of the flexible display corresponds to the first side of the portable device, controlling the flexible display to display the first information on the first area of the flexible display and not to display information on the second area of the flexible display; and\ncontrolling the flexible display to display information corresponding to the first information on the first area of the flexible display and the second area of the flexible display in the unfolded configuration.",
"7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:\ndetecting an angle between the first area of the flexible display and the second area of the flexible display while unfolding the flexible display from the folded configuration to the unfolded configuration; and\nbased on the angle, controlling the first area of the flexible display to display the first information and the second area of the flexible display not to display information or controlling to display the information corresponding to the first information on the first area of the flexible display and the second area of the flexible display.",
"8. The method of claim 6, wherein the portable device further comprises:\na housing; and\na camera disposed in the housing.",
"9. The method of claim 8, wherein the camera comprises:\na first camera disposed in the housing on a front surface of the portable device; and\na second camera disposed in the housing on a rear surface of the portable device.",
"10. The method of claim 6, wherein the information corresponding to the first information by displaying the first information is displayed across the first area of the flexible display and the second area of the flexible display in the unfolded configuration."
],
[
"1. A portable electronic device, comprising:\na housing that carries operational components that include:\na magnetic field sensor capable of ROM detecting relative motion of a wearable object with respect to the housing, and providing, in response to detecting the relative motion, a corresponding detection signal, and\na processor in communication with the magnetic field sensor, wherein the processor is capable of receiving the corresponding detection signal, and executing instructions in accordance with the relative motion.",
"2. The portable electronic device of claim 1, further comprising:\na display that is capable of (i) receiving the instructions from the processor, and (ii) presenting a graphical output in accordance with the relative motion.",
"3. The portable electronic device of claim 1, further comprising an ambient light sensor configured to detect the relative motion.",
"4. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein the magnetic field sensor is capable of detecting an external magnetic field generated by a magnetic element carried by the wearable object.",
"5. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein, when the relative motion of the wearable object is a first direction, then the processor executes a first instruction corresponding to a first operation based on the first direction.",
"6. The portable electronic device of claim 5, wherein, when the relative motion of the wearable object is a second direction different than the first direction, then the processor executes a second instruction corresponding to a second operation based on the second direction, the second operation different than the first operation.",
"7. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein the magnetic field sensor comprises a Hall Effect sensor.",
"8. A portable electronic device, comprising:\na housing that carries operational components that include:\na magnetic field sensor capable of detecting an orientation of a magnetic element carried by a wearable object relative to the magnetic field sensor, and providing a detection signal in accordance with the orientation of the magnetic element; and\na processor in communication with the magnetic field sensor, wherein the processor is capable of receiving the detection signal, and executing a function based on the detection signal.",
"9. The portable electronic device of claim 8, wherein the orientation of the wearable object is based on a change of a strength of the magnetic field as detected by the magnetic field sensor.",
"10. The portable electronic device of claim 9, wherein the change of the strength of the magnetic field corresponds to a direction and a distance between the magnetic field sensor and the magnetic element.",
"11. The portable electronic device of claim 10, wherein, in response to the magnetic field sensor determining a different orientation of the magnetic element relative to the magnetic sensor, the magnetic field sensor is capable of providing a different detection signal based on the different orientation.",
"12. The portable electronic device of claim 11, wherein, in response to the processor receiving the different detection signal, the processor is capable of responding by executing a different function based on the different orientation.",
"13. The portable electronic device of claim 8, wherein the operational components further include:\na display in communication with the processor, wherein the display is capable of presenting a graphical output that is based on the function.",
"14. The portable electronic device of claim 8, further comprising an ambient light sensor configured to detect the orientation.",
"15. A touch-free method for altering an operating state of a portable electronic device that includes a processor and a sensor, the method comprising:\ndetecting, by a magnetic field sensor, a relative motion of a wearable object with respect to the portable electronic device, the wearable object i) comprising a magnetic element and ii) being external to the portable electronic device;\nproviding, to the processor by the magnetic field sensor, a detection signal corresponding to the relative motion;\nproviding, by the processor, an instruction corresponding to the relative motion; and\noperating, using the instruction, the portable electronic device.",
"16. The touch-free method of claim 15, wherein the relative motion of the wearable object is based on a strength of a magnetic field generated by the magnetic element.",
"17. The touch-free method of claim 16, wherein the strength of the magnetic field is detected by the magnetic field sensor.",
"18. The touch-free method of claim 15, further comprising detecting, by an ambient light sensor, the relative motion.",
"19. The touch-free method of claim 15, further comprising presenting, by a display, a graphical output in accordance with the relative motion.",
"20. The portable electronic device of claim 8, further comprising a display that is capable of (i) receiving the instructions from the processor, and (ii) presenting a graphical output in accordance with the orientation."
],
[
"1. An electronic device, comprising:\na display having an array of pixels that forms an active area;\nan opaque masking material that forms an inactive area within the active area, wherein the opaque masking material has first and second openings; and\na lens located in the first opening.",
"2. The electronic device defined in claim 1 wherein the opaque masking material surrounds the first opening.",
"3. The electronic device defined in claim 1 wherein the active area has first, second, and third portions, wherein the inactive area comprises a first inactive area separating the first and second portions and a second inactive area separating the second and third portions.",
"4. The electronic device defined in claim 3 wherein the pixels are configured to display an icon between the first and second inactive areas.",
"5. The electronic device defined in claim 4 wherein the icon is touch-sensitive.",
"6. The electronic device defined in claim 1 further comprising a touch sensor that detects touch input on the first opening.",
"7. The electronic device defined in claim 6 further comprising control circuitry configured to launch a camera application in response to the touch input.",
"8. The electronic device defined in claim 6 further comprising an output device configured to provide feedback in response to the touch input.",
"9. The electronic device defined in claim 1 further comprising a light-emitting diode configured to emit light through the first opening.",
"10. The electronic device defined in claim 1 wherein the display comprises a flexible display having a bent edge.",
"11. An electronic device, comprising:\na display having an array of pixels;\nan opaque masking material that separates a first group of the pixels from a second group of the pixels, wherein the opaque masking material has an opening; and\na lens located in the opening.",
"12. The electronic device defined in claim 11 further comprising a touch sensor configured to detect touch input on the opening.",
"13. The electronic device defined in claim 12 further comprising control circuitry configured to launch a camera application in response to the touch input.",
"14. The electronic device defined in claim 11 wherein the display has a bent edge.",
"15. The electronic device defined in claim 11 wherein the opaque masking material surrounds the opening.",
"16. An electronic device, comprising:\na display having an array of pixels that forms a first active area and a second active area;\nan opaque masking material that forms an inactive area interposed between the first and second active areas, wherein the opaque masking material has an opening; and\na lens located in the opening.",
"17. The electronic device defined in claim 16 wherein the opaque masking material comprises an additional opening.",
"18. The electronic device defined in claim 16 wherein the array of pixels forms a third active area and wherein the opaque masking material forms an additional inactive area interposed between the second and third active areas.",
"19. The electronic device defined in claim 16 further comprising a touch sensor configured to detect touch input on the opening.",
"20. The electronic device defined in claim 19 further comprising control circuitry configured to launch a camera application in response to the touch input."
],
[
"1. A rotation shaft structure, comprising:\na main shaft assembly;\na first folding assembly comprising a first swing arm, a first driven arm, a first support plate, and a first housing mounting bracket, a first end of the first swing arm is rotationally connected to the main shaft assembly, a second end of the first swing arm is rotationally connected to the first housing mounting bracket, a first end of the first driven arm is rotationally connected to the main shaft assembly, and a second end of the first driven arm is slidably connected to the first housing mounting bracket, rotation axis centers of the first driven arm and the first swing arm on the main shaft assembly are parallel to each other and do not coincide with each other; the first support plate is rotationally connected to the first housing mounting bracket and is slidably connected to the first swing arm or the first driven arm; the first support plate comprises a first plate body and a first guide structure, the first plate body has a first surface and a second surface that are disposed opposite to each other, the first guide structure is disposed on the second surface of the first plate body, and the first guide structure is slidably connected to the first swing arm or the first driven arm; and\na second folding assembly comprising a second swing arm, a second driven arm, a second support plate, and a second housing mounting bracket, a first end of the second swing arm is rotationally connected to the main shaft assembly, a second end of the second swing arm is rotationally connected to the second housing mounting bracket, a first end of the second driven arm is rotationally connected to the main shaft assembly, and a second end of the second driven arm is slidably connected to the second housing mounting bracket, rotation axis centers of the second driven arm and the second swing arm on the main shaft assembly are parallel to each other and do not coincide with each other; the second support plate is rotationally connected to the second housing mounting bracket and is slidably connected to the second swing arm or the second driven arm; the second support plate comprises a second plate body and a second guide structure, the second plate body has a third surface and a fourth surface that are disposed opposite to each other, the second guide structure is disposed on the fourth surface of the second plate body, and the second guide structure is slidably connected to the second swing arm or the second driven arm, wherein the first folding assembly and the second folding assembly are disposed on two sides of the main shaft assembly;\nwhen the rotation shaft structure is unfold, the first surface of the first plate body, the third surface of the second plate body, and the main shaft assembly are unfolded flat to form a support surface; and\nwhen the rotation shaft structure is fold, the first support plate, the second support plate and the main shaft assembly enclose an accommodation space together, a distance between an end of the first support plate near the main shaft assembly and an end of the second support plate near the main shaft assembly is greater than a distance between an end of the first support plate away from the main shaft assembly and an end of the second support plate away from the main shaft assembly.",
"2. The rotation shaft structure according to claim 1, wherein when the first housing mounting bracket and the second housing mounting bracket rotate toward each other, a first end that is of the first support plate and that is close to the main shaft assembly moves in a direction away from the main shaft assembly, and a first end that is of the second support plate and that is close to the main shaft assembly moves in a direction away from the main shaft assembly; and\nwherein when the first housing mounting bracket and the second housing mounting bracket rotate against each other, the first end that is of the first support plate and that is close to the main shaft assembly moves in a direction approaching the main shaft assembly; and the second folding assembly drives the second support plate to rotate relative to the second housing mounting bracket, and drives the first end that is of the second support plate and that is close to the main shaft assembly to move in a direction approaching the main shaft assembly.",
"3. The rotation shaft structure according to claim 1, wherein the first support plate is slidable relative to the first swing arm or the first driven arm in a direction perpendicular to a rotation axis of the first swing arm or the first driven arm, and the second support plate is slidable relative to the second swing arm or the second driven arm in a direction perpendicular to a rotation axis of the second swing arm or the second driven arm.",
"4. The rotation shaft structure according to claim 1, wherein the first support plate rotates in a same direction relative to the first housing mounting bracket, and the second support plate rotates in a same direction relative to the second housing mounting bracket.",
"5. The rotation shaft structure according to claim 1, wherein a projection of the first swing arm and the first driven arm on the first support plate is located between two ends in a length direction of the first support plate, and the projection of the second swing arm and the second driven arm on the second support plate is located between two ends in a length direction of the first support plate and the second support plate.",
"6. The rotation shaft structure according to claim 1, wherein a first circular arc groove is disposed in the first housing mounting bracket, a first circular arc shaft is disposed on the first support plate, and the first circular arc shaft is slidably disposed in the first circular arc groove, to implement a rotational connection between the first housing mounting bracket and the first support plate; and\na second circular arc groove is disposed in the second housing mounting bracket, a second circular arc shaft is disposed on the second support plate, and the second circular arc shaft is slidably disposed in the second circular arc groove, to implement a rotational connection between the second housing mounting bracket and the second support plate.",
"7. The rotation shaft structure according to claim 1, wherein when the first housing mounting bracket and the second housing mounting bracket rotate toward each other, the first housing mounting bracket and the first swing arm stretch relative to the first driven arm, and the second housing mounting bracket and the second swing arm stretch relative to the second driven arm, to increase a length of the rotation shaft structure; and\nwherein when the first housing mounting bracket and the second housing mounting bracket rotate against each other, the first housing mounting bracket and the first swing arm contract relative to the first driven arm, and the second housing mounting bracket and the second swing arm contract relative to the second driven arm, to reduce a length of the rotation shaft structure.",
"8. The rotation shaft structure according to claim 1, wherein a first track slot is disposed in the first guide structure, a first guide shaft is disposed on the first swing arm, and the first guide shaft is slidably connected to the first track slot; and\na second track slot is disposed in the second guide structure, a second guide shaft is disposed on the second swing arm, and the second guide shaft is slidably connected to the second track slot.",
"9. The rotation shaft structure according to claim 1, wherein a first track slot is disposed in the first guide structure, a first guide shaft is disposed on the first driven arm, and the first guide shaft is slidably connected to the first track slot; and\na second track slot is disposed in the second guide structure, a second guide shaft is disposed on the second driven arm, and the second guide shaft is slidably connected to the second track slot.",
"10. The rotation shaft structure according to claim 8, wherein a distance between a first end of the first track slot and the main shaft assembly is less than a distance between a second end of the first track slot and the main shaft assembly, a distance between the first end of the first track slot and the first surface is less than a distance between the second end of the first track slot and the first surface, a distance between the first end of the second track slot and the main shaft assembly is less than a distance between the second end of the second track slot and the main shaft assembly, and a distance between the first end of the second track slot and the third surface is less than a distance between the second end of the second track slot and the third surface;\nwherein when the first housing mounting bracket and the second housing mounting bracket rotate toward each other, the first guide shaft slides in the first track slot along a direction of the second end of the first track slot to the first end of the first track slot, and the second guide shaft slides in the second track slot along the direction of the second end of the second track slot to the first end of the second track slot; and\nwherein when the first housing mounting bracket and the second housing mounting bracket rotate against each other, the first guide shaft slides in the first track slot along the direction of the first end of the first track slot to the second end of the first track slot, and the second guide shaft slides in the second track slot along the direction of the first end of the second track slot to the second end of the second track slot.",
"11. The rotation shaft structure according to claim 9, wherein an end that is of the first driven arm and that is slidably connected to the first support plate is recessed to form a first concave region, at least part of the first guide structure is located in the first concave region, and the first guide shaft is located in the first concave region; and\nwherein an end that is of the second driven arm and that is slidably connected to the second support plate is recessed to form a second concave region, at least part of the second guide structure is located in the second concave region, and the second guide shaft is located in the second concave region.",
"12. The rotation shaft structure according to claim 1, wherein a third circular arc groove and a fourth circular arc groove are disposed in the main shaft assembly; and\na third circular arc shaft is disposed at one end of the first swing arm, and a fourth circular arc shaft is disposed at an end of the second swing arm; the third circular arc shaft is disposed in the third circular arc groove, to implement a rotational connection between the first swing arm and the main shaft assembly; and the fourth circular arc shaft is disposed in the fourth circular arc groove, to implement a rotational connection between the second swing arm and the main shaft assembly.",
"13. The rotation shaft structure according to claim 1, wherein a first shaft hole is disposed in the first swing arm, a second shaft hole is disposed in the first housing mounting bracket, and the first shaft hole and the second shaft hole are connected through a pin shaft; and a third shaft hole is disposed in the second swing arm, a fourth shaft hole is disposed in the second housing mounting bracket, and the third shaft hole and the fourth shaft hole are connected through a pin shaft.",
"14. The rotation shaft structure according to claim 1, wherein a first sliding slot is disposed in the first housing mounting bracket, a first sliding rail is disposed on the first driven arm, and the first sliding rail is slidably disposed in the first sliding slot; and a second sliding slot is disposed in the second housing mounting bracket, a second sliding rail is disposed on the second driven arm, and the second sliding rail is slidably disposed in the second sliding slot.",
"15. An electronic device, comprising:\na first housing;\na second housing;\na flexible display; and\na rotation shaft structure comprising:\na main shaft assembly;\na first folding assembly comprises a first swing arm, a first driven arm, a first support plate, and a first housing mounting bracket, a first end of the first swing arm is rotationally connected to the main shaft assembly, a second end of the first swing arm is rotationally connected to the first housing mounting bracket, a first end of the first driven arm is rotationally connected to the main shaft assembly, and a second other end of the first driven arm is slidably connected to the first housing mounting bracket, rotation axis centers of the first driven arm and the first swing arm on the main shaft assembly are parallel to each other and do not coincide with each other; the first support plate is rotationally connected to the first housing mounting bracket and is slidably connected to the first swing arm or the first driven arm; the first support plate comprises a first plate body and a first guide structure, the first plate body has a first surface and a second surface that are disposed opposite to each other, the first guide structure is disposed on the second surface of the first plate body, and the first guide structure is slidably connected to the first swing arm or the first driven arm, wherein the first housing mounting bracket is fastened to the first housing; and\na second folding assembly comprising a second swing arm, a second driven arm, a second support plate, and a second housing mounting bracket, a first end of the second swing arm is rotationally connected to the main shaft assembly, a second end of the second swing arm is rotationally connected to the second housing mounting bracket, a first end of the second driven arm is rotationally connected to the main shaft assembly, and a second end of the second driven arm is slidably connected to the second housing mounting bracket, rotation axis centers of the second driven arm and the second swing arm on the main shaft assembly are parallel to each other and do not coincide with each other; the second support plate is rotationally connected to the second housing mounting bracket and is slidably connected to the second swing arm or the second driven arm; the second support plate comprises a second plate body and a second guide structure, the second plate body has a third surface and a fourth surface that are disposed opposite to each other, the second guide structure is disposed on the fourth surface of the second plate body, and the second guide structure is slidably connected to the second swing arm or the second driven arm, wherein the second housing mounting bracket is fastened to the second housing, wherein the first folding assembly and the second folding assembly are disposed on two sides of the main shaft assembly;\nwhen the rotation shaft structure is unfold, the first surface of the first plate body, the third surface of the second plate body, and the main shaft assembly are unfolded flat to form a support surface; and\nwhen the rotation shaft structure is fold, the first support plate, the second support plate and the main shaft assembly enclose an accommodation space together, a distance between the end of the first support plate near the main shaft assembly and the end of the second support plate near the main shaft assembly is greater than a distance between the end of the first support plate away from the main shaft assembly and the end of the second support plate away from the main shaft assembly;\nwherein the first housing comprises a fifth surface, the second housing comprises a sixth surface, the flexible display continuously covers the fifth surface of the first housing, the rotation shaft structure, and the sixth surface of the second housing, and the flexible display is respectively fastened to the fifth surface of the first housing and the sixth surface of the second housing.",
"16. The electronic device according to claim 15, wherein when the first housing mounting bracket and the second housing mounting bracket rotate toward each other, an end that is of the first support plate and that is close to the main shaft assembly moves in a direction away from the main shaft assembly, and an end that is of the second support plate and that is close to the main shaft assembly moves in a direction away from the main shaft assembly; and\nwherein when the first housing mounting bracket and the second housing mounting bracket rotate against each other, an end that is of the first support plate and that is close to the main shaft assembly moves in a direction approaching the main shaft assembly; and the second rotation assembly drives the second support plate to rotate relative to the second housing mounting bracket, and drives an end that is of the second support plate and that is close to the main shaft assembly to move in a direction approaching the main shaft assembly.",
"17. The electronic device according to claim 15, wherein the first support plate is slidable relative to the first swing arm or the first driven arm in a direction perpendicular to a rotation axis of the first swing arm or the first driven arm, and the second support plate is slidable relative to the second swing arm or the second driven arm in a direction perpendicular to a rotation axis of the second swing arm or the second driven arm.",
"18. The electronic device according to claim 15, wherein the projection of the first swing arm and the first driven arm on the first support plate is located between two ends in a length direction of the first support plate, and the projection of the second swing arm and the second driven arm on the second support plate is located between two ends in a length direction of the two support plate.",
"19. The electronic device according to claim 15, wherein a first track slot is disposed in the first guide structure, a first guide shaft is disposed on the first driven arm, and the first guide shaft is slidably connected to the first track slot; and\na second track slot is disposed in the second guide structure, a second guide shaft is disposed on the second driven arm, and the second guide shaft is slidably connected to the second track slot.",
"20. The electronic device according to claim 19, wherein one end that is of the first driven arm and that is slidably connected to the first support plate is recessed to form a first concave region, at least part of the first guide structure is located in the first concave region, and the first guide shaft is located in the first concave region; and\nwherein an end that is of the second driven arm and that is slidably connected to the second support plate is recessed to form a second concave region, at least part of the second guide structure is located in the second concave region, and the second guide shaft is located in the second concave region."
],
[
"1. A method, comprising:\nreceiving, by a processing system comprising a processor, a first user-identified actuation threshold associated with a venue state of a present game environment in a gaming application, wherein the venue state is identified according to an image analysis of still images produced by the gaming application and messages received from the gaming application;\nassociating, by the processing system, the first user-identified actuation threshold with a first displacement along a travel range of a button of a gaming device operable between a minimum displacement and a maximum displacement; and\nresponsive to a depressing of the button of the gaming device, wherein the depressing of the button results in a first depression range of first travel distance:\ncomparing, by the processing system, the first depression range of first travel distance to the first user-identified actuation threshold; and\nasserting, by the processing system, a first actuation state when the first depression range of first travel distance exceeds the first user-identified actuation threshold.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the asserting the first actuation state comprises transmitting first stimuli to the gaming application.",
"3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first stimuli are retrieved from a profile according to the venue state.",
"4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nobtaining, by the processing system, a second user-identified actuation threshold associated with the venue state of the present game environment in the gaming application;\nassociating, by the processing system, the second user-identified actuation threshold with a second displacement along the travel range of the button of the gaming device, wherein the second displacement is different than the first displacement; and\nresponsive to a depressing of the button of the gaming device, wherein the depressing of the button results in a second depression range of second travel distance:\ncomparing, by the processing system, the second depression range of the second travel distance to the second user-identified actuation threshold; and\nasserting, by the processing system, a second actuation state when the second depression range of the second travel distance exceeds the second user-identified actuation threshold, wherein the first and second actuation states correspond to different commands for the venue state.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein the button comprises an electro-mechanical sensor for detecting the first depression range of first travel distance.",
"6. The method of claim 5, wherein the electro-mechanical sensor generates a voltage level proportional to a depression range of travel distance of the button.",
"7. The method of claim 1, further comprising monitoring, by the processing system, the venue state of the gaming application by tracking gaming options chosen by an operation of the gaming device.",
"8. The method of claim 7, wherein the first depression range of first travel distance comprises a signal supplied by a sensor of the button.",
"9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\ndetermining, by the processing system, a first release threshold associated with the venue state of the present game environment in the gaming application;\nassociating, by the processing system, the first release threshold with a second displacement along the travel range of the button of the gaming device, wherein the second displacement is different than the first displacement;\ncomparing, by the processing system, a first release displacement of a first release travel distance to the first release threshold; and\nasserting, by the processing system, a first reset state responsive to the first release displacement of the first release travel distance satisfying the first release threshold.",
"10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\ndetecting, by the processing system, a second release range of a second release travel distance of the button;\ncomparing, by the processing system, the second release range of the second release travel distance to a second reset threshold; and\nasserting, by the processing system, a second reset state when the second release range of the second release travel distance satisfies the second reset threshold.",
"11. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving, by the processing system, a program setting for the first user-identified actuation threshold.",
"12. A non-transitory, machine-readable storage medium, comprising instructions that, when executing on a processing system including a processor, facilitate performance of operations, the operations comprising:\nassociating a first user-identified actuation threshold with a first actuation threshold travel distance of a plurality of actuation threshold travel distances along a travel range of a button of a gaming device operable between a minimum displacement and a maximum displacement;\nobtaining a signal that represents a depression range of travel distance of the button, wherein a software application executing on a computing device to control aspects of a gaming application accesses the plurality of actuation threshold travel distances for a current gaming venue state of the gaming application according to different commands for the current gaming venue state; and\nproviding the signal to the software application, wherein the software application asserts an actuation state responsive to the depression range of travel distance exceeding the first actuation threshold travel distance,\nwherein the current gaming venue state is identified according to an analysis of still images produced by the gaming application and messages received from the gaming application.",
"13. The non-transitory, machine-readable storage medium of claim 12, wherein the providing the signal to the software application causes the first actuation threshold travel distance of the plurality of actuation threshold travel distances to be changed to a second actuation threshold travel distance of the plurality of actuation threshold travel distances in accordance with a change in the current gaming venue state.",
"14. The non-transitory, machine-readable storage device of claim 13, wherein the operations further comprise receiving instructions to change the second actuation threshold travel distance to a new actuation threshold of the plurality of actuation threshold travel distances for detecting the new actuation threshold for a different depression range of travel distance of the button, responsive to another change in the current gaming venue state, and wherein the different depression range of travel distance is compared with the first actuation threshold travel distance of the plurality of actuation threshold travel distances.",
"15. The non-transitory, machine-readable storage device of claim 12, wherein the signal comprises an analog signal or a digital signal.",
"16. An accessory, comprising:\na button comprising a sensor that generates a signal level according to a degree of displacement of the button; and\na memory that stores executable instructions that when executed by a processing system including a processor facilitate performance of operations, the operations comprising:\nassociating a first user-identified actuation threshold with a first actuation threshold travel distance of a plurality of actuation threshold travel distances along a travel range of a button of a gaming device operable between a minimum displacement and a maximum displacement;\ndetermining a venue state based on an analysis of a present game environment in still images of a gaming application and messages received from the gaming application;\ndetermining an actuation threshold of a plurality of actuation thresholds for the venue state according to different commands for the venue state;\ncomparing an input from the sensor indicative of the degree of displacement of the button to the actuation threshold; and\nproviding an actuation signal to a software application being executed on a computing device of a gaming application, wherein the software application asserts an actuation state responsive to the input exceeding the actuation threshold.",
"17. The accessory of claim 16, wherein the sensor generates a voltage level proportional to a depression range of the button.",
"18. The accessory of claim 17, wherein the sensor comprises an electro-mechanical sensor adapted for detecting the depression range of the input.",
"19. The accessory of claim 16, wherein the button is a spring-loaded button.",
"20. The accessory of claim 16, wherein the button comprises an inductive sensor, a capacitive sensor, or a combination thereof."
],
[
"1. An electronic device having front and rear surfaces, the electronic device comprising:\na housing;\na first display region that displays content in a first direction;\na second display region that displays the content in the first direction, wherein the content is perceived to be three-dimensional;\na curved glass layer mounted to the housing and facing a second direction opposite the first direction; and\nan array of cameras facing the second direction and configured to track a face location using facial recognition software, wherein the content is adjusted based on the face location.",
"2. The electronic device defined in claim 1 further comprising an opaque masking layer on the curved glass layer.",
"3. The electronic device defined in claim 1 further comprising a third display region facing the second direction, wherein the curved glass layer overlaps the third display region and wherein the third display region is flexible.",
"4. The electronic device defined in claim 3 wherein the third display region conforms to the curved glass layer.",
"5. The electronic device defined in claim 1 wherein the first and second display regions comprise two separate displays that cooperate to display the content.",
"6. The electronic device defined in claim 3 wherein the third display region comprises organic light-emitting diode pixels.",
"7. The electronic device defined in claim 1 further comprising an accelerometer, wherein the content is adjusted based on information from the accelerometer.",
"8. The electronic device defined in claim 1 further comprising a touch sensor configured to detect touch input, wherein the content is adjusted based on the touch input.",
"9. The electronic device defined in claim 3 further comprising a touch sensor configured to detect the touch input in a location between the first and third display regions.",
"10. An electronic device, comprising:\na curved glass enclosure facing a first direction and having a transparent portion and an opaque portion, wherein the opaque portion is covered with an opaque masking material;\nfirst and second display portions that display an image in a second direction opposite the first direction, wherein the image is perceived to be three-dimensional; and\nat least one camera facing the first direction and configured to track facial movements using facial recognition software, wherein the image is adjusted based on the facial movements.",
"11. The electronic device defined in claim 10 wherein the first and second display portions are formed from two separate displays that cooperate to display the image.",
"12. The electronic device defined in claim 10 wherein the at least one camera is part of an array of cameras facing the first direction.",
"13. The electronic device defined in claim 10 further comprising an accelerometer, wherein the image is adjusted based on information from the accelerometer.",
"14. The electronic device defined in claim 10 further comprising a third display portion that displays an additional image in the first direction through the transparent portion of the curved glass enclosure, wherein the third display portion is flexible and conforms to the curved glass enclosure.",
"15. An electronic device, comprising:\na housing comprising a layer of curved glass;\nfirst and second displays facing a first direction and configured to cooperatively present visual content that is perceived to be three-dimensional; and\nan array of cameras facing a second direction that is different from the first direction, wherein the array of cameras is configured to track a position of a person and wherein the visual content is adjusted based on the position of the person.",
"16. The electronic device defined in claim 15 wherein the layer of curved glass has an opaque portion and a transparent portion and wherein the opaque portion is covered with an opaque masking material.",
"17. The electronic device defined in claim 16 further comprising an array of pixels facing the second direction.",
"18. The electronic device defined in claim 17 wherein the array of pixels is configured to display additional visual content through the transparent portion of the layer of curved glass.",
"19. The electronic device defined in claim 18 wherein the array of pixels has a flexible substrate that conforms to the layer of curved glass."
],
[
"1. A portable communication device comprising:\na housing including a first housing and a second housing, the first housing including a first inner conductive plate having an opening formed therein, and the second housing including a second inner conductive plate;\na hinge connected between the first housing and the second housing such that each of the first and second housings is rotatable with respect to the hinge to allow the portable communication device to transition between a folded state and an unfolded state;\na flexible display disposed over the first inner conductive plate and the second inner conductive plate;\na first printed circuit board (PCB) disposed in the first housing;\na second PCB disposed in the second housing;\na flexible PCB (FPCB) partially overlapped with the hinge such that a first ending portion and a second ending portion of the flexible PCB are connected to the first PCB and the second PCB, respectively, and such that a portion of the flexible PCB between the first and second ending portions passes through the opening; and\nan elastic member in contact with the flexible PCB and covering at least one portion of the opening.",
"2. The portable communication device of claim 1, further comprising:\na support member more rigid than the elastic member and in contact with the elastic member.",
"3. The portable communication device of claim 2, wherein the elastic member and the support member together form a cover member configured to at least partially seal the opening from an external material from entering into the opening.",
"4. The portable communication device of claim 2, wherein the elastic member is in contact with at least one portion of the support member via an adhesive member.",
"5. The portable communication device of claim 4, wherein the first inner conductive plate includes a recessed area in which the opening is formed.",
"6. The portable communication device of claim 5, wherein the support member is disposed at least partially in the recessed area.",
"7. The portable communication device of claim 2, wherein the support member includes a protruding portion disposed at least partially in the opening.",
"8. The portable communication device of claim 1, further comprises:\na first connecting PCB located between the first ending portion of flexible PCB and the first PCB.",
"9. The portable communication device of claim 8, wherein the flexible PCB comprises:\na first sub-FPCB, at least part of which is located in the opening, connected to the first connecting PCB.",
"10. The portable communication device of claim 9, wherein at least part of the elastic member makes contact with the first sub-FPCB.",
"11. The portable communication device of claim 8, wherein further comprises:\na first connector connected between the first PCB and the first connecting PCB.",
"12. The portable communication device of claim 1,\nwherein the second inner conductive plate includes a second opening formed therein, and\nwherein the second ending portion of the flexible PCB passes through the second opening.",
"13. The portable communication device of claim 12, further comprising:\na second elastic member in contact with the flexible PCB and covering at least one portion of the second opening.",
"14. The portable communication device of claim 13, further comprising:\na second support member more rigid than the second elastic member and in contact with the second elastic member.",
"15. The portable communication device of claim 14, wherein the second elastic member and the second support member together form a second cover member configured to at least partially seal the second opening from an external material from entering into the second opening.",
"16. The portable communication device of claim 14, wherein the second elastic member is in contact with at least one portion of the second support member via an adhesive member.",
"17. The portable communication device of claim 13, wherein further comprises:\na second connecting PCB located between the second ending portion of flexible PCB and the second PCB.",
"18. The portable communication device of claim 17, wherein the flexible PCB comprises:\na second sub-FPCB, at least part of which is located in the second opening, connected to the second connecting PCB.",
"19. The portable communication device of claim 18, wherein at least part of the second elastic member makes contact with the second sub-FPCB.",
"20. The portable communication device of claim 17, wherein further comprises:\na second connector connected between the second PCB and the second connecting PCB."
]
] |
in the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to aia 35 u.s.c. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-aia 35 u.s.c. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from aia to pre-aia ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
the following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 u.s.c. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this office action:
a person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, and
(a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
claims 1-4, 6-7 and 9-12 are rejected under 35 u.s.c. 102(a)(1)/(a)(2) as being anticipated by u.s. pat. appl. publ. no. 2013/0021762 to van dijk et al. (i.e., “d1” hereinafter). referring to claim 1, d1 discloses a foldable device (9, see figs. 9a-9f and [0049-0050]) comprising:
a flexible display (10) comprising a first portion (left side), a second portion (right side), and a third portion (center, 10a) provided between the first portion and the second portion;
a first body (11) and a second body (12) that support the flexible display and are synchronously rotated;
a hinge (not numbered) comprising a first hinge axis (at 36) and a second hinge axis (at 37) that rotatably connect the first body and the second body respectively; and
a support member (33) that is disposed between the first body (11) and the second body (12), and supports the third portion (10a) of the flexible display (10) when the foldable device is in an intermediate configuration between an (sic) folded configuration of the foldable device and an unfolded configuration of the foldable device (see figs. 9c and 9d, and [0050], which states that “plates 33, 34 and 35 facilitate by their positioning, a pre-defined curvature of the display segment (10a), which implicitly defines support[ing] the third portion (10a)),”
wherein the support member (33) is connected to the first body (11) and the second body (12).
referring to claim 2, d1 discloses the foldable device of claim 1, wherein the first body (11) and the second body (12) comprise a first base cover and a second base cover (i.e., outside portions of the body housing), and a first frame and a second frame (i.e., upper portions of the body housings) that are disposed inside the first base cover and the second base cover and support the flexible display. see figs. 9a-9f.
referring to claim 3, d1 discloses the foldable device of claim 2, wherein an end of the first frame and an end of the second frame are formed to be bent toward the flexible display in a state in which the flexible display is unfolded (i.e., the inner portions are bent upward, see fig. 9b).
referring to claim 4, d1 discloses the foldable device of claim 1, wherein the support member (33) moves in one direction toward the flexible display when the flexible display is unfolded and moves in a direction opposite to the one direction when the flexible display is folded. see [0049-0050].
referring to claim 6, d1 discloses the foldable device of claim 1, wherein the support member (33) is spaced apart from a bent portion of the flexible display when the foldable device is folded. see fig. 9f and [0050].
referring to claim 7, d1 discloses the foldable device of claim 1, further comprising: a cover member (curved hinge cover, not numbered) surrounding an outside of a portion where the first body and the second body are connected to each other. see figs. 9e-9f.
referring to claim 9, d1 discloses the foldable device of claim 1, wherein the first portion (left side) is provided on the first frame, and the second portion (right side) is provided on the second frame. see figs. 9a-9b.
referring to claim 10, d1 discloses the foldable device of claim 9, wherein the first frame (i.e., upper portion) includes a first support portion (i.e., outer edge) supporting the first portion and a first receiving portion (11a) connected to the first support portion and inclined in a direction away from the flexible display (near 34a, fig. 9b),
wherein the second frame includes a second support portion (outer edge) supporting the second portion and a second receiving portion (12a) connected to the second support portion and inclined in a direction away from the flexible display (near 34b), and
wherein the first receiving portion and the second receiving portion form a receiving space (between 11a and 12a) in which the third portion (10a) is received as the first body and the second body rotate in a direction in which the first body and the second body face each other. see figs. 9c-9f.
referring to claim 11, d1 discloses the foldable device of claim 1, wherein each of the first body and the second body rotates about a first central axis and a second central axis, wherein the first body includes a first gear portion (36) and
wherein the second body includes a second gear portion (37) engaged with the first gear portion (36). see figs. 9a-9f.
referring to claim 12, d1 discloses a foldable device comprising:
a first body (11) and a second body (12) that support the flexible display;
|
[
"20. An apparatus for measuring one or more physiological properties of a biological sample, the apparatus comprising:\na lid having a first surface and a second surface;\na plurality of spines connected to and extending from the first surface of the lid, each of the plurality of spines comprising a body having a distal end, wherein at least one spine of the plurality of spines comprises at least two sensors; and\nwherein the at least two sensors are disposed on at least one spine of the plurality of spines, wherein the at least two sensors engage and provide a signal responsive to one or more analytes.",
"21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein at least one of the at least two sensors is a fluorescent indicator.",
"22. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein at least one of the at least two sensors is an indicator embedded in a permeable medium.",
"23. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein at least one of the at least two sensors is a capture reagent.",
"24. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the plurality of spines comprises 24, 48, 96, 384, or 1536 spines.",
"25. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein each of the plurality of spines has a length, and the length is between 1 mm and 20 mm.",
"26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the plurality of spines collectively has a mean length, and the length of each of the plurality of spines is within 20% of the mean length.",
"27. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the plurality of spines is removably connected to the lid.",
"28. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein each of the plurality of spines comprises an impeller on the body.",
"29. A system for measuring one or more physiological properties of a biological sample, the system comprising:\na well plate having a plurality of wells, the wells having an open end and a closed end opposite the open end;\nthe apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of spines extend into the wells through the open end.",
"30. The system of claim 29, wherein the plurality of spines extend into the wells, wherein the distal end of each of the plurality of spines is between 50 micrometers and 800 micrometers from the closed end of the well.",
"31. The system of claim 29, further comprising a signal detector in a position to detect a signal from the at least two sensors.",
"32. The system of claim 31, wherein at least one of the at least two sensors is positioned on an opposite side of the closed end of the well plate from the signal detector.",
"33. The system of claim 31, further comprising a processor in communication with the signal detector.",
"34. A method for manufacturing an apparatus for measuring one or more physiological properties of a biological sample, the apparatus comprising:\nproviding a lid having a first surface and a second surface and a plurality of spines connected to and extending from the first surface of the lid, each of the plurality of spines comprising a body having a distal end; and\napplying at least two sensors to the distal end of at least one of the plurality of spines, wherein the at least two sensors engage and provide a signal responsive to one or more analytes.",
"35. The method of claim 34, wherein the at least two sensors are applied as a mixture of a fluorescent indicator in a medium, and the at least two sensors are attached to the plurality of spines by solidifying or removing the medium.",
"36. The method of claim 34, wherein the at least two sensors are applied by dipping or spotting the distal end of at least one of the plurality of spines in a mixture of a fluorescent indicator in a medium.",
"37. The method of claim 34, wherein the lid is provided by molding a polymer material to form the lid and the plurality of spines."
] |
US20230228743A1
|
US20070087401A1
|
[
"1. A method for analysis comprising the steps of:\nincubating animal cells under analysis in a medium disposed in at least one of a plurality of wells in a multiwell plate;\nadding to the medium to bring into contact with the cells a substance potentially capable of altering cellular metabolism; and\nmeasuring in medium in a well the rate of change in concentration of both an extracellular solute which is a component of cellular aerobic metabolism and an extracellular solute which is a component of cellular anaerobic metabolism.",
"2. The method of claim 1 wherein the animal cells are primary.",
"3. The method of claim 1 wherein the animal cells are neoplastic.",
"4. The method of claim 1 wherein the animal cells are adherent to a substrate.",
"5. The method of claim 1 wherein the animal cells are in suspension.",
"6. The method of claim 1 wherein the substance is a drug candidate.",
"7. The method of claim 1 wherein the substance is a toxin.",
"8. The method of claim 1 wherein the substance is a ligand known or suspected to bind to a cell surface receptor.",
"9. The method of claim 1 wherein the measurements are conducted substantially simultaneously in said well.",
"10. The method of claim 1 comprising the additional steps of:\nmeasuring, in said cell medium prior to addition of said substance, or in the medium of a cell culture in a well separate from said cells under analysis, the rate of change in concentration of the extracellular solute which is a component of cellular aerobic metabolism and the extracellular solute which is a component of cellular anaerobic metabolism, and\ncomparing the said rates of change prior to and after addition of said substance to assess the effect of said substance on the metabolic activity of said cells.",
"11. The method of claim 1 comprising the additional step of:\nincubating said cells in the presence of said substance for a predetermined time interval prior to measuring said rates of change.",
"12. The method of claim 111 comprising the additional steps of:\nmeasuring, in the medium of a cell culture in a well separate from said cells under analysis and treated differently than said cells under analysis, either or both the rate of change in concentration of an extracellular solute which is a component of cellular aerobic metabolism and an extracellular solute which is a component of cellular anaerobic metabolism; and\ncomparing the measurements of the rate of change in said separate cell culture to said cells under analysis.",
"13. The method of claim 1 comprising the additional steps of:\nadding to the medium in separate cultures of the same cells in different wells different concentrations of said substance potentially capable of altering cellular metabolism; and\nmeasuring in the cell medium in said separate cultures said rates of change.",
"14. The method of claim 1 comprising the additional step of:\nmeasuring in the cell medium the rates of change in concentration at different times to obtain a temporal profile of the effect of said substance on said cells.",
"15. The method of claim 1 comprising adding a fatty acid to a said well to assess a characteristic of fatty acid metabolic activity of a said cell culture.",
"16. The method of claim 1 wherein said component of cellular aerobic metabolism is extracellular oxygen and said measurement is oxygen consumption rate.",
"17. The method of claim 1 wherein said component of cellular anaerobic metabolism is extracellular proton concentration and said measurement is the extracellular acidification rate.",
"18. The method of claim 1 wherein said component of cellular aerobic metabolism is the extracellular concentration of carbon dioxide and said measurement is the extracellular carbon dioxide production rate.",
"19. The method of claim 1 wherein said component of cellular anaerobic metabolism is the extracellular concentration of either lactic acid or lactate.",
"20. The method of claim 1 comprising incubating in parallel plural cultures of said animal cells in plural wells, adding to the media in different wells different substances or different concentrations of the same substance, and measuring said rate of change in plural wells.",
"21. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of measuring the rate of change in concentration in a cell medium comprises the step of temporarily reducing the volume of medium in a cell culture to increase the sensitivity of solute concentration changes.",
"22. The method of claim 1 comprising, prior to adding said substance, measuring in a cell medium in a well the rate of change in concentration of both an extracellular solute which is a component of cellular aerobic metabolism and an extracellular solute which is a component of cellular anaerobic metabolism, adding to the medium a drug that increases cellular metabolism, and measuring in the medium the rates of change in concentration of plural extracellular solutes, one of which is a component of cellular aerobic metabolism and another of which is a component of cellular anaerobic metabolism, and comparing the measurement, thereby to measure the relative excess metabolic capacity of said cells.",
"23. A method for analysis of cell culture quality comprising the steps of:\nmeasuring in a cell medium the rate of change in concentration of both an extracellular solute which is a component of cellular aerobic metabolism and an extracellular solute which is a component of cellular anaerobic metabolism; and\ncomparing said measured rates of change to a standard informative of known cell culture respiration rates thereby to assess the respiratory capacity, metabolic rate, or relative pathway utilization of the culture as a measure of cell vitality and cell quality.",
"24. The method for analysis of claim 23 comprising comparing said measured rates of change to rates measured in a culture comprising a known number of healthy cells of a cell type having inherently comparable metabolic rates or pathway utilization properties to the cells under quality assessment.",
"25. The method for analysis of claim 23 comprising seeding cells at a predetermined density in a test well prior to said measuring step thereby to enable direct comparison of said measured rates of change to a standard.",
"26. The method of claim 23 wherein said component of cellular aerobic metabolism is extracellular oxygen and said measurement is oxygen consumption rate.",
"27. The method of claim 23 wherein said component of cellular anaerobic metabolism is extracellular proton concentration and said measurement is the extracellular acidification rate.",
"28. The method of claim 23 wherein said component of cellular aerobic metabolism is the extracellular concentration of carbon dioxide.",
"29. The method of claim 23 wherein said component of cellular anaerobic metabolism is the extracellular concentration of lactic acid or lactate.",
"30. The method of claim 15 comprising the additional step of:\nincubating said cells in a drug prior to adding a fatty acid to a said well to assess any effect on fatty acid metabolism.",
"31. The method of claim 30 comprising the additional step of\nadding a substance known to inhibit fatty acid transport or oxidation to medium in a said well in order to determine more specifically the effect of said drug.",
"32. A method for analysis comprising the steps of:\na) exposing an animal to a test substance;\nb) removing cells from said animal;\nc) incubating said cells in a medium disposed in at least one of a plurality of wells in a multiwell plate;\nd) measuring in the medium in the well the rate of change in concentration of both an extracellular solute which is a component of cellular aerobic metabolism and an extracellular solute which is a component of cellular anaerobic metabolism.",
"33. The method of claim 32 further comprising the additional steps of:\ne) repeating steps b), c), and d), and;\nf) comparing said measured rates produced in different cycles.",
"34. A method for analysis comprising the steps of:\nincubating animal cells under analysis in a medium disposed in at least one of a plurality of wells in a multiwell plate;\nsubjecting said cells to a genetic alteration or environmental stress potentially capable of altering cellular metabolism; and\nmeasuring in medium in a well the rate of change in concentration of both an extracellular solute which is a component of cellular aerobic metabolism and an extracellular solute which is a component of cellular anaerobic metabolism."
] |
[
[
"12. A method for determining the presence of an analyte in a sample suspected of containing said analyte, the method comprising:\na) forming a reaction mixture comprising the sample, a first substance that can produce a metastable species, and a second substance that can react with the metastable species to produce a detectable signal, by combining at least the sample and the first and second substances;\nb) treating the reaction mixture with energy or a reactive compound to cause the first substance to form a metastable species,\nwherein the analyte, if present, either i) brings the second substance into close proximity to the site of formation of the metastable species, or ii) blocks the second substance from coming into close proximity of the site of formation of the metastable species;\nc) adding a selective signal inhibiting agent that interferes with the reaction of any metastable species not in close proximity to the second substance; and\nd) determining whether the metastable species has reacted with the second substance by detecting a signal produced by the second substance as a result of activation of the second substance by the metastable species, the presence or amount of the signal indicating the presence of analyte in the sample.",
"13. The method of claim 12, wherein the metastable species comprises singlet oxygen, triplet states, dioxetanes or dioxetane diones.",
"14. The method of claim 13, wherein the metastable species has a lifetime of less than 1 ms.",
"15. The method of claim 12, wherein the selective signal inhibiting agent is a singlet oxygen quencher or free radical trap.",
"16. The method of claim 15, wherein the selective signal inhibiting agent comprises ascorbic acid, tocopherol, vitamin D, beta-carotene, thioredoxin, lidocaine, sodium azide, manganese (II) chloride, copper (II) chloride, platinum (II) colloids, tertiary amines, dienes, conjugated polyenes, electron-rich alkenes, guanine, TEMP, proline, or mixtures thereof.",
"17. The method of claim 12, wherein the reaction of the metastable species with the second substance results in chemiluminescence.",
"18. The method of claim 12, further comprising determining the amount or concentration of the analyte in the sample.",
"19. The method of claim 12 wherein the second substance is a chemiluminescent compound and wherein the first substance is a photosensitizer compound.",
"20. The method of claim 19 wherein the chemiluminescent compound is conjugated to a first specific binding partner is associated with a first suspendible particle and wherein the sensitizer compound conjugated to the second specific binding partner is associated with a second suspendible particle.",
"21. The method of claim 20 wherein the chemiluminescent compound conjugated to the first specific binding partner is associated with a first suspendible particle and wherein the sensitizer compound conjugated to the second specific binding partner is associated with a second suspendible particle.",
"22. A method for increasing the sensitivity of an assay of an analyte in a sample, the method comprising:\nforming a reaction mixture, in any order or concurrently, by adding the sample,\na chemiluminescent-labeled specific binding partner,\na sensitizer-labeled specific binding partner, and\na selective signal inhibiting agent,\nto form a binding complex;\ntreating the reaction mixture with energy or a reactive compound to cause the sensitizer-labeled specific binding partner to form a metastable species,\nwherein the analyte, if present, either i) brings the chemiluminescent-labeled specific binding partner into close proximity to the site of formation of the metastable species, or ii) blocks the chemiluminescent-labeled specific binding partner from coming into close proximity to the site of formation of the metastable species;\nwherein the interaction of the metastable species with the binding complex releases a detectable chemiluminescent signal correlated to the amount of analyte in the reaction mixture, and\nwherein the selective signal inhibiting agent interferes with excess metastable species that has not interacted with the binding complex and thereby reduces non-specific signal and increases sensitivity of the assay.",
"23. A kit for detecting an analyte in a sample, the kit comprising:\na first specific binding partner for the analyte;\na chemiluminescent compound conjugated to the first specific binding partner;\na second specific binding partner;\na sensitizer compound conjugated to the second specific binding partner; and\na selective signal inhibiting agent.",
"24. The kit of claim 23, wherein the selective signal inhibiting agent is a singlet oxygen quencher or free radical trap.",
"25. The kit of claim 23, wherein the selective signal inhibiting agent comprises ascorbic acid, tocopherol, vitamin D, beta-carotene, thioredoxin, lidocaine, sodium azide, manganese (II) chloride, copper (II) chloride, platinum (II) colloids, tertiary amines, dienes, conjugated polyenes, electron-rich alkenes, guanine, TEMP, proline, or mixtures thereof.",
"26. The kit of claim 23, wherein the sensitizer is a photosensitizer capable upon irradiation with light of generating singlet oxygen.",
"27. The kit of claim 26 wherein chemiluminescent compound conjugated to the first specific binding partner is associated with a first suspendible particle and wherein the sensitizer compound conjugated to the second specific binding partner is associated with a second suspendible particle."
],
[
"1. A method for labelling and detecting a biological material, the method comprising:\ni) adding to a liquid containing said biological material a fluorescent dye of formula:\nwherein:\ngroups R2 and R3 are attached to the Z1 ring structure and groups R4 and R5 are attached to the Z2 ring structure;\nZ1 and Z2 independently represent the atoms necessary to complete one ring, two fused ring, or three fused ring aromatic or heteroaromatic systems, each ring having five or six atoms selected from carbon atoms and optionally no more than two atoms selected from oxygen, nitrogen and sulphur;\nat least one of groups R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 is the group -E-F where E is a spacer group having a chain from 1-60 atoms selected from the group consisting of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, sulphur and phosphorus atoms and F is a target bonding group;\nwhen any of said groups R2, R3, R4 and R5 is not said group -E-F, said remaining groups R2, R3, R4 and R5 are independently selected from hydrogen, halogen, amide, hydroxyl, cyano, amino, mono- or di-C1-C4 alkyl-substituted amino, sulphydryl, carbonyl, carboxyl, C1-C6 alkoxy, acrylate, vinyl, styryl, aryl, heteroaryl, C1-C20 alkyl, aralkyl, sulphonate, sulphonic acid, quaternary ammonium and the group —(CH2—)nY; and,\nwhen group R1 is not said group -E-F, it is selected from hydrogen, C1-C20 alkyl, aralkyl and the group —(CH2—)nY;\nY is selected from sulphonate, sulphate, phosphonate, phosphate, quaternary ammonium and carboxyl; and n is an integer from 1 to 6;\nii) incubating said dye with said target biological material under conditions suitable for labelling said biological material; and\niii) detecting said labelled biological material by measurement of its fluorescence lifetime.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein said fluorescent dye has a fluorescence lifetime in the range from 2 to 30 nanoseconds.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein Z1 and Z2 independently represent the atoms necessary to complete a phenyl or a naphthyl ring structure.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein said target bonding group F comprises either:\ni) a reactive group selected from carboxyl, succinimidyl ester, sulpho-succinimidyl ester, isothiocyanate, maleimide, haloacetamide, acid halide, hydrazide, vinylsulphone, dichlorotriazine and phosphoramidite; or ii) a functional group selected from hydroxy, amino, sulphydryl, imidazole, carbonyl including aldehyde and ketone, phosphate and thiophosphate.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein said spacer group E is selected from:\n\n—(CHR′)p—\n\n—{(CHR′)q—O—(CHR′)r}s—\n\n—{(CHR′)q—NR′—(CHR′)r}s—\n\n—{(CHR′)q—(CH═CH)—(CHR′)r}s—\n\n—{(CHR′)q—Ar—(CHR′)r}s—\n\n—{(CHR′)q—CO—NR′—(CHR′)r}s—\n\n—{(CHR′)q—CO—Ar—NR′—(CHR′)r}s—\nwhere R′ is hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl or aryl, which may be optionally substituted with sulphonate, Ar is phenylene, optionally substituted with sulphonate, p is 1-20, preferably 1-10, q is 0-10, r is 1-10 and s is 1-5.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of groups R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 comprises the group —(CH2—)nY, where Y is selected from sulphonate, sulphate, phosphonate, phosphate, quaternary ammonium and carboxyl and n is zero or an integer from 1 to 6.",
"7. The method of claim 1, wherein said biological material is selected from the group consisting of antibody, lipid, protein, peptide, carbohydrate, nucleotides which contain or are derivatized to contain one or more of an amino, sulphydryl, carbonyl, hydroxyl and carboxyl, phosphate and thiophosphate groups, and oxy or deoxy polynucleic acids which contain or are derivatized to contain one or more of an amino, sulphydryl, carbonyl, hydroxyl and carboxyl, phosphate and thiophosphate groups, microbial materials, drugs, hormones, cells, cell membranes and toxins."
],
[
"1. A method of making a compound of Formula I comprising:\ncontacting a carrier molecule or a solid support comprising a nucleophile with a compound of Formula IA or a tautomer or salt thereof:\nwherein,\nL is a linker;\nR1 is chlorine;\nR2 is chlorine;\nR3 is COO−, SO3−, substituted azenyl, PEG, phosphate or bisphosphonate; and\nRa is a reporter molecule;\nforming a compound of Formula I or a tautomer or salt thereof:\nwherein\nL is the linker;\nRa is the reporter molecule; and\nRb is the carrier molecule or solid support comprising a nucleophile (X).",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein X is —NH, —S— or —O—.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein L is a covalent bond, -alkyl-, -substituted alkyl-, -alkenyl-, -substituted alkenyl-, -heterocyclyl-, -substituted heterocyclyl-, -aryl-, -substituted aryl-, -heteroaryl-, -substituted heteroaryl-, -cycloakyl-, -substituted cycloalkyl-, -oxy-, -alkoxy-, -substituted alkoxy-, -thio-, -amino-, or -substituted amino-.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein Ra is a dye.",
"5. The method of claim 4, wherein the dye is a xanthene, a cyanine, an indole, a benzofuran, a coumarin, or a borapolyazaindacine.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein the reporter molecule Ra is an ion chelating moiety, a hapten, an antibody, an enzyme, a radiolabel, a metal ion or metal ion containing substance, a pigment, a chromogen, a phosphor, a fluorogen, a bioluminescent substance, a chemiluminescent substance, or a semiconductor nanocrystal.",
"7. The method of claim 1, wherein Rb is a solid support.",
"8. The method of claim 1, wherein Rb is a carrier molecule.",
"9. The method of claim 8, wherein the carrier molecule is selected from the group consisting of an amino acid, a peptide, a protein, a carbohydrate, a polysaccharide, a nucleoside, a nucleotide, an oligonucleotide, a nucleic acid polymer, a drug, a lipid, and a synthetic polymer.",
"10. The method of claim 1, wherein the compound of Formula IA is a salt.",
"11. The method of claim 10, wherein the salt comprises a potassium or sodium ion.",
"12. The method of claim 1, further comprising incubating the carrier molecule or solid support with the compound of Formula IA after the contacting step.",
"13. The method of claim 1, wherein the contacting step is done in an aqueous solution.",
"14. The method of claim 1, wherein the reporter molecule is hydrophobic.",
"15. The method of claim 1, wherein the compound of Formula IA is soluble in an aqueous solution.",
"16. A method of labeling a carrier molecule or solid support comprising:\ncontacting the carrier molecule or solid support with a compound of Formula IA or a tautomer or salt thereof:\nwherein,\nL is a linker;\nR1 is chlorine;\nR2 is chlorine;\nR3 is COO−, SO3−, substituted azenyl, PEG, phosphate or bisphosphonate; and\nRa is a reporter molecule; and\nthe carrier molecule or solid support comprises a nucleophile; and\nforming a labeled carrier molecule or solid support.",
"17. The method of claim 16, wherein the labeled carrier molecule or solid support comprises a compound of Formula I:\nwherein,\nRa is the reporter molecule; and\nRb is the carrier molecule or solid support comprising a nucleophile (x)."
],
[
"1. A composition for use in a specific binding assay for two or more individual analytes in a liquid test sample comprising:\n(a) two or more specific labeled reagents, wherein each such reagent comprises\n(i) a member of a specific binding pair to which an individual analyte is a member, and\n(ii) a different, specific chemiluminescent label covalently or non-covalently joined to said member,\nwherein each said specific labeled reagent is able to form at least one labeled said specific binding pair;\nwherein at least one label is characterized by the ability to emit peak energy at a time after the generation of light emission from said at least one label which is distinguishable from at least one other of said labels.",
"2. The composition of claim 1 wherein at least one of said labels is selected from the group consisting of acridinium compounds, phenanthridium compounds, phthalhydrazides, oxalate esters, dioxetanes and dioxetanones.",
"3. The composition of claim 2 wherein at least one label forms an acridone before light is emitted from said label.",
"4. The composition of claim 2 wherein at least one of said labels is an aryl acridinium ester.",
"5. The composition of claim 4 wherein the aryl ring of at least one said label or labels is substituted at one or more position with a chemical group, each independently selected from the group consisting of an electron-withdrawing group and an electron-donating group such that emission of light occurs over said distinguishable times.",
"6. The composition of claim 4 wherein the acridinium ring of at least one said label or labels is substituted at one or more position with a chemical group, each independently selected from the group consisting of an electron-withdrawing group and an electron-donating group such that emission of light occurs over said distinguishable times.",
"7. The composition of claim 5 or 6 wherein said electron-withdrawing group is a halogen.",
"8. The composition of claim 5 or 6 wherein at least one said electron-donating group is selected from the group consisting of a methyl group and a methoxy group.",
"9. The composition of claim 2 wherein at least one of said labels is an optionally substituted diphenylanthracene.",
"10. The composition of claim 1 wherein said composition comprises at least one fluorescent label able to emit light by energy transfer from another molecule.",
"11. The composition of claim 1, 4, 5, or 6 wherein each said specific binding partner is selected from the group consisting of hormones, vitamins, co-factors, nucleic acids, proteins, antigens, antibodies, haptens, ligands, enzymes, and enzyme substrates.",
"12. The composition of claim 1, 4, 5 or 6 wherein the labels comprised in at least two of said different specific labeled specific binding pairs are caused to emit light at substantially the same time.",
"13. If The composition of claim 1 or 4 wherein the intensity of the light emitted from said specific binding pairs complexes can be detected over different time intervals which may overlap in relation to the starting point of said detection and the duration of said light emission.",
"14. The composition of claim 1 or 4 wherein said sample is contacted with at least three specific labeled reagents, wherein light emitted by labels joined to at least two said reagents can be distinguished by detection over different wavelength ranges, and light emitted by labels joined to at least two said reagents can be distinguished by a difference in the time of peak energy emission after initiation of a light-emitting reaction.",
"15. The composition of claim 4 wherein a first of said different labels is an acridinium ester substituted with electron withdrawing groups and a second of said different labels is an acridinium ester substituted with electron donating groups, and wherein, upon simultaneous induction of light emission from said labels, light emission from the first label occurs over a period of time in excess of light emission from said second label, wherein said groups are selected such that emission of light occurs over said distinguishable times.",
"16. The composition of claim 4 wherein two or more of said different labels are each an aryl acridinium ester.",
"17. The composition of claim 4 wherein each said specifically labeled specific binding pairs comprise analyte bound to a specific binding partner by an interaction selected from the group selected from the group consisting of an immunoassay binding reaction, a receptor binding reaction and a nucleic acid hybridization reaction.",
"18. The composition of claim 1 wherein at least two of said specific labeled reagents individually comprise a chemiluminescent label."
],
[
"1. A reagent for use in detecting an analyte, comprising a fluorescent energy donor and an energy acceptor, the energy donor and the energy acceptor being such that when they are sufficiently close to one another energy is non-radiatively transferred from the energy donor following excitation thereof to the energy acceptor quenching fluorescence of the energy donor, wherein the energy acceptor is of the formula:\nwherein:\nR1, R2 and R3 are each independently H, electron donating substituents, or electron withdrawing substituents or R3 is attached to a linker structure, provided that at least two of R1, R2 and R3 are electron donating groups;\nR4, R5, R6, R7, R8 and R9 are each independently H, halogen, alkyl, aryl, O-alkyl, S-alkyl and R10,R11, R12, R13, R14 and R15 are each independently hydrogen, O-alkyl, S-alkyl, alkyl, or one or more pairs of groups R1 and R4 and/or R1 and R5 and/or R2 and R6 and/or R2 and R7 and/or R3 and R8 and/or R3 and R9 and/or R4 and R10 and/or R5 and R11 and/or R6 and R12 and/or R7 and R13 and/or R8 and R14 and/or R9 and R15 is a bridging group consisting of aryl, alkylene, O-alkylene, S-alkylene or N-alkylene optionally substituted with one or more of SO3 −, PO3 2−, OH, O-alkyl, SH, S-alkyl, COOH, COO−, ester, amide, halogen, SO-alkyl, SO2-alkyl, SO2NH2, SO2NH-alkyl, SO2N-dialkyl, SO3-alkyl, CN, secondary amine or tertiary amine, provided that not all of R10, R11, R12, R13, R14 and R15 are hydrogen;\nwherein a linker structure is attached to the energy acceptor at R3, or where a bridging group is present optionally the linker structure is attached to the energy acceptor at the bridging group, the linker structure being formed by reaction of a linker element selected from an active ester, an isothiocyanate, an acid chloride, an aldehyde, an azide, an α-halogenated ketone and an amine with a reaction partner;\nand wherein the distance between the energy donor and the energy acceptor of the reagent is capable of modulation by a suitable analyte to be detected.",
"2. A reagent as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reaction partner is selected from a polysaccharide, a polynucleotide and a protein.",
"3. A reagent as claimed in claim 1, wherein the linker element is an active ester, and is selected from succinimidyl and pentafluorophenyl active esters.",
"4. A reagent as claimed in claim 1, wherein the energy donor and energy acceptor are linked together by a covalent linkage.",
"5. A reagent as claimed in claim 4, wherein the covalent linkage between the energy donor and energy acceptor is cleavable to increase the distance between the energy donor and the energy acceptor of the reagent.",
"6. A reagent as claimed in claim 4, wherein the energy donor and energy acceptor are linked via a polynucleotide sequence or a polynucleotide analogue sequence or a polypeptide sequence, the sequence having a conformation which is capable of modulation by a suitable analyte to be detected so as to modulate the distance between the energy donor and the energy acceptor of the reagent.",
"7. A reagent as claimed in claim 1, wherein the energy donor and energy acceptor are linked together by non-covalent binding.",
"8. A reagent as claimed in claim 7 wherein the non-covalent binding exists between an analyte binding agent linked to one of the energy donor and the energy acceptor and an analyte analogue linked to the other of the energy donor and the energy acceptor, the non-covalent binding being disruptable by a suitable analyte so as to increase the distance between the energy donor and the energy acceptor of the reagent.",
"9. A reagent as claimed in claim 8, wherein the analyte binding agent is a lectin.",
"10. A reagent as claimed in claim 8, wherein the analyte analogue is a glucose analogue.",
"11. A reagent as claimed in claim 10, wherein the analyte analogue is dextran.",
"12. A reagent as claimed in claim 1, wherein the energy donor and the energy acceptor are not linked.",
"13. A reagent as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electron donating substituents are selected from amino, primary amine, secondary amine, O-alkyl, alkyl, S-alkyl, amide, ester, OH and SH.",
"14. A reagent as claimed in claim 13, wherein one or more of R1 to R3 is dimethylamino, diethylamino or methylethylamino, optionally substituted with one or more of SO3 −, PO3 2−, OH, O-alkyl, SH, S-alkyl, COOH, COO−, ester, amide, halogen, SO-alkyl, SO2-alkyl, SO2NH2, SO2NH-alkyl, SO2N-dialkyl, SO3-alkyl, CN, secondary amine or tertiary amine.",
"15. A reagent as claimed in claim 1, wherein an electron withdrawing substituent is present, and the electron withdrawing substituent is selected from NO, NO2, CN, COOH, ester, COO−, amide, CHO, keto, SO-alkyl, SO2-alkyl, SO2NH2, SO2NH-alkyl, SO2N-dialkyl, and SO3-alkyl.",
"16. A reagent as claimed in claim 11, wherein at least one of R10, R11, R12, R13, R14 and R15 is O-alkyl.",
"17. A reagent as claimed in claim 11, wherein one or more pairs of groups R4 and R10 and/or R5 and R11 and/or R6 and R12 and/or R7 and R13 and/or R8 and R14 and/or R9 and R15 is a bridging group consisting of alkylene, O-alkylene, S-alkylene or N-alkylene optionally substituted with one or more of SO3 −, PO3 2−, OH, O-alkyl, SH, S-alkyl, COOH, COO−, ester, amide, halogen, SO-alkyl, SO2-alkyl, SO2NH2, SO2NH-alkyl, SO2N-dialkyl, SO3-alkyl, CN, secondary amine or tertiary amine.",
"18. A reagent as claimed in claim 1, wherein R10 to R15 are each O-methyl or O-ethyl.",
"19. A reagent as claimed in claim 1, further comprising one or more counterions selected from halide, BF4 −, PF6 −, NO3 −, carboxylate, ClO4 −, Li+, Na+, K+, Mg2+and Zn2+.",
"20. A reagent as claimed in claim 1, wherein the energy donor is a dye that absorbs at 594 nm and fluoresces at 620 nm.",
"21. A dye compound having the formula:\nwherein:\nR4, R5, R6, R7, R8 and R9 are each independently H, halogen, alkyl, aryl, O-alkyl or S-alkyl and R10, R11, R12, R13, R14 and R15 are each independently hydrogen, O-alkyl, S-alkyl, or alkyl, or one or more pairs of groups R20 and R4 and/or R20 and R5 and/or R4 and R10 and/or R5 and R11 and/or R6 and R12 and/or R7 and R13 and/or R8 and R14 and/or R9 and R15 is a bridging group consisting of aryl, alkylene, O-alkylene, S-alkylene or N-alkylene optionally substituted with one or more of SO3 −, PO3 2−, OH, O-alkyl, SH, S-alkyl, COOH, COO−, ester, amide, halogen, SO-alkyl, SO2-alkyl, SO2NH2, SO2NH-alkyl, SO2N-dialkyl, SO3-alkyl, CN, secondary amine or tertiary amine, provided that not all of R10, R11, R12, R13, R14 and R15 are hydrogen;\nR16, R17, R18 and R19 are each independently H, alkyl or aryl, or one or more of R16 and R17 or R18 and R19 is alkylene, optionally substituted with one or more of SO3 −, PO3 2−, OH, O-alkyl, SH, S-alkyl, COOH, COO−, ester, amide, halogen, SO-alkyl, SO2-alkyl, SO2NH2, SO2NH-alkyl, SO2N-dialkyl, SO3-alkyl, CN, secondary amine or tertiary amine;\nor one or more of pairs of groups R6 and R16, R7 and R17, R8 and R18 and R9 and R19 is alkylene, O-alkylene, S-alkylene or N-alkylene optionally substituted with one or more of SO3 −, PO3 2−, OH, O-alkyl, SH, S-alkyl, COOH, COO−, ester, amide, halogen, SO-alkyl, SO2-alkyl, SO2NH2, SO2NH-alkyl, SO2N-dialkyl, SO3-alkyl, CN, secondary amine or tertiary amine\nand\nR20 is a linker element selected from an active ester, an isothiocyanate, an acid chloride, an a-halogenated ketone and an azide.",
"22. A dye compound as claimed in claim 21, wherein at least one of R10, R11, R12, R13, R14 and R15 is O-alkyl.",
"23. A dye compound as claimed in claim 21, wherein one or more pairs of groups R4 and R10 and/or R5 and R11 and/or R6 and R12 and/or R7 and R13 and/or R8 and R14 and/or R9 and R15 is a bridging group consisting of aryl, alkylene, O-alkylene, S-alkylene or N-alkylene optionally substituted with one or more of SO3, PO3 2−, OH, O-alkyl, SH, S-alkyl, COOH, COO−, ester, amide, halogen, SO-alkyl, SO2NH2, SO2NH-alkyl, SO2N-dialkyl, SO3-alkyl, CN, secondary amine or tertiary amine.",
"24. A dye compound as claimed in claim 21, wherein R20 is a linker element having the structure:\nR21 is H or alkyl or aryl optionally substituted with one or more of SO3 −, PO3 2−, OH, O-alkyl, SH, S-alkyl, COOH, COO−, ester, amide, halogen, SO-alkyl, SO2N-dialkyl, CN, secondary amine or tertiary amine and R22 is alkylene, O-alkylene, S-alkylene or N-alkylene or R21 and R22 are part of a ring, optionally substituted with one or more of SO3 −, PO3 2−, OH, O-alkyl, SH, S-alkyl, COOH, COO−, ester, amide, halogen, SO-alkyl, SO2NH2, SO2NH-alkyl, SO2N-dialkyl, SO3-alkyl, CN, secondary amine or tertiary amine; and\nR23 is o-succinimidyl, o-pentafluorophenyl, Cl or α-halogenated alkyl.",
"25. A dye compound as claimed in claim 21, wherein R10 to R15 are each O-methyl or O-ethyl.",
"26. A dye compound as claimed in claim 21, further comprising one or more counterions selected from halide, BF4 −, PF6 −, NO3 −, carboxylate, ClO4 −, Li+, Na+, K+, Mg2+and Zn2+.",
"27. A method of detecting or measuring an analyte using a reagent as claimed in claim 1, comprising the steps of:\ncontacting the reagent with a sample;\nilluminating the reagent and sample with light of wavelength within the absorption spectrum of the energy donor;\ndetecting non-radiative energy transfer between the energy donor and energy acceptor by measuring the fluorescence of the energy donor; and\nassociating the fluorescence measurements with presence or concentration of analyte.",
"28. A method as claimed in claim 27, wherein the fluorescence of the energy donor is measured by measuring making intensity based or time resolved fluorescence measurements.",
"29. A method as claimed in claim 27, wherein the analyte is measured by comparing sample fluorescence measurements with fluorescence measurements made using known concentrations of analyte."
],
[
"1. A method for identifying a protein in a sample, comprising:\nA. introducing at least one protein molecule onto a bead, and wherein the bead contains an amine-reactive surface and wherein the amine-reactive surface allows for direct reaction between the surface and the N-termini of a peptide and the protein molecule has been treated such that the N-terminals are capable of reacting to the amine-reactive surface;\nB. incubating an endopeptidase with the at least one protein molecule on the bead for a time and under conditions which allow the endopeptidase to cleave the protein into peptides, wherein the endopeptidase cleaves the at least one protein molecule at specific amino acids in the protein resulting in peptides comprising an N-terminal amino acid and corresponding to the at least one protein molecule contained on the bead;\nC. allowing the peptides to react via their N-terminal amino acid residue with the amine-reactive surface of the bead, for a time and under conditions which result in the peptides attaching to the amine-reactive surface of the bead and forming a pattern on the amine-reactive surface, wherein the pattern is associated with the bead containing the at least one protein molecule;\nD. washing the endopeptidase from the bead, wherein the washing of the endopeptidase ends the cleaving of the protein in step B;\nE. labeling the peptides at specific amino acid residues, such that the specific amino acid residues can be detected when imaged;\nF. imaging the peptides to detect the labeled amino acids and generating amino acid sequence information from the peptides in step B;\nG. further incubating the peptides generated in step B, with at least one enzyme or chemical for a time and under conditions which allow the enzyme or chemical to cleave and imaging the resulting peptides to generate additional amino acid sequence information;\nH. washing the enzyme or chemical from the bead, wherein the washing of the enzyme or chemical ends the cleaving of the peptides in step G;\nI. further labeling the peptides generated in step G, at specific amino acids different from the label in step E:\nJ. imaging the peptides to detect the labeled amino acids and generating additional amino acid sequence information; K. compiling the generated amino acid sequence information from steps F, G and J to obtain a putative amino acid sequence of the at least one protein molecule;\nL. comparing the putative amino acid information of at least one protein molecule with a known amino acid sequence of proteins; and\nM. identifying the protein from the comparison in step L; wherein steps G.-J. are repeated with a plurality of enzymes or chemical and labels as desired until a putative amino acid sequence of the at least one protein molecule is obtained.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the bead is made from a material chosen from the group consisting of latex and silicon.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein the endopeptidase used in step B. is selected from the group consisting of trypsin, chymotrypsin, elastase, thermolysin, pepsin, clostripan, glutamyl endopeptidase (GluC), endopeptidase ArgC, peptidyl-asp metallo-endopeptidase (ApsN), endopeptidase LysC and endopeptidase LysN.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein the bead is contained in microwells or enclosed in a water-oil emulsion droplet.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein the peptides are labeled with one or more fluorescent dyes.",
"6. The method of claim 5, wherein the fluorescent dyes are selected from the group consisting of Alexa Fluor®, tetramethylrhodamine-maleimide, fluorescein, fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC), pentafluorophenyl esters (PFP), tetra fluorophenyl esters (TFP), DyLight Fluor, sulforhodamine B, coumarin, eosin, hydroxycoumarin, aminocoumarin, methoxycoumarin dabcyl, dabcyl, Cascade Blue, Lucifer Yellow, P-phycoerythrin, R-phycoerythrin, cyanine 3, cyanine 5, cyanine 7, PE-cyanine 5 conjugates, PE-cyanine 7 conjugates, APC-cyanine 7 conjugates, Red 613, boron-dipyrromethene (Bodipy), lissamine, rhodamine B, peridinin CP, Texas Red, allophycocyanin (APC), TruRed, Oregon Green, tetramethylrhodamine (TRITC), dansyl, dansyl aziridine, Indo-1, Fura-2, (N-(3-triethylammoniumpropyl)-4-(4-(dibutylamino) styryl) pyridinium dibromide) (FM 1-43), 1,1′-ioctadecyl-3,3,3′,3′-etramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate (DilC18(3)), Fluo-3, dichlorofluorescin (DCFH), dihydrorhodamine (DHR), seminaphtharhodafluor (SNARF), monochlorobimane, calcein, N-(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl) amine (NBD), ananilinonapthalene, deproxyl, phthalamide, amino pH phthalamide, dimethylamino-naphthalenesulfonamide, and biotin labels.",
"7. The method of claim 1, wherein the peptides are labeled with affinity tags.",
"8. The method of claim 7, wherein the affinity tags are selected from the group consisting of biotin, digoxigenin, hexhistadine, pentahistadine, hemagglutinin (HA-tag).",
"9. A method for identifying a protein in a sample, comprising:\nA. labeling the protein at a plurality of specific amino acid residues such that the specific amino acid residues can be detected when imaged;\nB. introducing at least one protein molecule from the labeled protein onto a bead wherein the bead comprises an amine-reactive surface which allows for direct reaction between the bead and the N-termini of a peptide and the protein molecule has been treated such that the N-terminals are capable of reacting to the amine-reactive surface;\nC. incubating an endopeptidase with the at least one protein molecule on the bead for a time and under conditions which allow the endopeptidase to cleave the at least one protein molecule into peptides wherein the endopeptidase cleaves the at least one protein molecule at specific amino acids in the at least one protein molecule resulting in peptides comprising an N-terminal amino acid and corresponding to the at least one protein molecule contained on the bead;\nD. allowing the peptides to react via their N-terminal amino acid residue with the amine-reactive surface of the bead, for a time and under conditions which result in the peptides attaching to the bead and forming a pattern on the amine-reactive surface, wherein the pattern is associated with the bead containing the at least one protein molecule;\nE. washing the endopeptidase from the bead, wherein the washing of the endopeptidase ends the cleaving of the protein in step C;\nF. imaging the peptides to detect labeled amino acids and generate amino acid sequence information from the peptides in step C;\nG. further incubating the peptides generated in step C, with at least one enzyme or chemical for a time and under conditions which allow the enzyme to cleave peptides at specific amino acid residues and imaging the resulting peptides to generate additional amino acid sequence information;\nH. washing the enzyme or chemical from the bead, wherein the washing of the enzyme or chemical ends the cleaving of the peptides in step G;\nI. compiling the generated amino acid sequence information from steps F and G to obtain a putative amino acid sequence of the at least one protein molecule;\nJ. comparing the putative amino acid sequence information of the at least one protein molecule with a known amino acid sequence of proteins; and\nK. identifying the protein from the comparison in step J; wherein steps G-I are repeated with a plurality of enzymes or chemical as desired until a putative amino acid sequence of the at least one protein molecule is obtained.",
"10. The method of claim 9, wherein the bead is made from a material chosen from the group consisting of latex and silicon.",
"11. The method of claim 9, wherein the endopeptidase used in step C is selected from the group consisting of trypsin, chymotrypsin, elastase, thermolysin, pepsin, clostripan, glutamyl endopeptidase (GluC), endopeptidase ArgC, peptidyl-asp metallo-endopeptidase (ApsN), endopeptidase LysC and endopeptidase LysN.",
"12. The method of claim 9, wherein the bead is contained in microwells or enclosed in a water-oil emulsion droplet.",
"13. The method of claim 9, wherein the peptides are labeled with one or more fluorescent dyes.",
"14. The method of claim 13, wherein the fluorescent dyes are selected from the group consisting of Alexa Fluor®, tetramethylrhodamine-maleimide, fluorescein, fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC), pentafluorophenyl esters (PFP), tetra fluorophenyl esters (TFP), DyLight Fluor, sulforhodamine B, coumarin, eosin, hydroxycoumarin, aminocoumarin, methoxycoumarin dabcyl, dabcyl, Cascade Blue, Lucifer Yellow, P-phycoerythrin, R-phycoerythrin, cyanine 3, cyanine 5, cyanine 7, PE-cyanine 5 conjugates, PE-cyanine 7 conjugates, APC-cyanine 7 conjugates, Red 613, boron-dipyrromethene (Bodipy), lissamine, rhodamine B, peridinin CP, Texas Red, allophycocyanin (APC), TruRed, Oregon Green, tetramethylrhodamine (TRITC), dansyl, dansyl aziridine, Indo-1, Fura-2, (N-(3-triethylammoniumpropyl)-4-(4-(dibutylamino) styryl) pyridinium dibromide) (FM 1-43), 1,1′-ioctadecyl-3,3,3′,3′-etramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate (Di1C18(3)), Fluo-3, dichlorofluorescin (DCFH), dihydrorhodamine (DHR), seminaphtharhodafluor (SNARF), monochlorobimane, calcein, N-(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl) amine (NBD), ananilinonapthalene, deproxyl, phthalamide, amino pH phthalamide, dimethylamino-naphthalenesulfonamide, and biotin labels.",
"15. The method of claim 9, wherein the peptides are labeled with affinity tags.",
"16. The method of claim 15, wherein the affinity tags are selected from the group consisting of biotin, digoxigenin, hexhistadine, pentahistadine, hemagglutinin (HA-tag), FLAG-tag, myc-tag, and fluorescein.",
"17. A kit for identifying a protein in a sample according to the method of claim 1, said kit comprising beads coated with an amine-reactive surface material, reagents to label and detect specific amino acid residues, endopeptidases, and instructions for use.",
"18. The kit of claim 17, wherein the labels are chosen from the group consisting of fluorescent dyes and affinity tags.",
"19. The kit of claim 17, further comprising denaturants, buffers, and reagents for coupling the peptides to the amine-reactive surface, and amine-blocked, autolysis-resistant endopeptidases."
],
[
"1. A method for fluorescently labelling a biological molecule, the method comprising:\na) contacting said biological molecule with a dye of formula (I):\nwherein:\nthe ring Z3 is a pyridyl ring and R3 is absent;\ngroup R4 is attached to an available atom of the Z1 ring structure and group R5 is attached to an available atom of the Z2 ring structure;\nZ1 and Z2 independently represent the atoms necessary to complete a benzene ring system which is unsubstituted or substituted; and\nR4 and R5 are independently at each occurrence selected from hydrogen, halogen, amide, hydroxyl, cyano, nitro, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, or heteroaryl substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, alkyloxy, amino, mono- or di-C1-C4 alkyl-substituted amino, sulphydryl, carbonyl, carboxyl, acrylate, vinyl, styryl, sulphonate, sulphonic acid, quaternary ammonium and the group -J-K, wherein, J is a linker group and K is a reactive group or functional group, and at least one of the groups R4 or R5 is -J-K wherein the linker group contains 1-40 chain atoms comprising carbon, and optionally nitrogen, oxygen, sulphur and/or phosphorus;\nwherein the dye of formula (I) is in free or salt form; and\nb) incubating said dye with said biological molecule under conditions suitable for conjugating said dye to said biological molecule through said reactive group or functional group.",
"2. A method of measuring the activity of an enzyme on a dye-substrate conjugate, wherein the dye-substrate conjugate comprises (i) at least one dye of formula (I):\nwherein:\nthe ring Z3 is a pyridyl ring and R3 is absent;\ngroup R4 is attached to an available atom of the Z1 ring structure and group R5 is attached to an available atom of the Z2 ring structure;\nZ1 and Z2 independently represent the atoms necessary to complete a benzene ring system which is unsubstituted or substituted; and\nR4 and R5 are independently at each occurrence selected from hydrogen, halogen, amide, hydroxyl, cyano, nitro, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, or heteroaryl substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, alkyloxy, amino, mono- or di-C1-C4 alkyl-substituted amino, sulphydryl, carbonyl, carboxyl, acrylate, vinyl, styryl, sulphonate, sulphonic acid, quaternary ammonium and the group -J-K, wherein, J is a linker group and K is a reactive group or functional group and at least one of the groups R4 or R5 is-J-K, wherein the dye of formula (I) is in free or salt form, and\n(ii) a substrate for the enzyme, wherein said substrate comprises a fluorescence modulating moiety which is capable of being cleaved by the action of the enzyme on the dye-substrate conjugate, resulting in an altered fluorescence lifetime, the method comprising the steps of:\na) measuring the fluorescence lifetime of the dye-substrate conjugate prior to contact with the enzyme;\nb) contacting the enzyme with said dye-substrate conjugate, and\nc) measuring any modulation in fluorescence lifetime as a result of enzyme action on the substrate.",
"3. The method according to claim 2 wherein the substrate comprises a peptide comprising a tyrosine, tryptophan or phenyalanine as the fluorescence modulating moiety.",
"4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the peptide comprises 4 to 20 amino acid residues.",
"5. The method according to claim 2, wherein said enzyme is selected from the group consisting of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), caspase, cathepsin D, chymotrypsin, pepsin, subtilisin, proteinase K, elastase, neprilysin, thermolysin, asp-n, matrix metallo protein 1 to 20, papain, plasmin, trypsin, enterokinase and urokinase.",
"6. The method according to claim 2, wherein the enzyme is selected from the group consisting of protease, esterase, peptidase, amidase, nuclease and glycosidase.",
"7. A method of screening an effect a test agent has upon the activity of an enzyme, said method comprising the steps of:\na) performing the method of claim 2 in the presence and in the absence of the agent and; and\nb) determining the activity of said enzyme in the presence and in the absence of the agent;\nwherein a difference between the activity of the enzyme in the presence and in the absence of the agent is indicative of the effect of the test agent upon the activity of the enzyme.",
"8. A method for measuring cellular location and distribution of the dye-substrate conjugate of claim 2, wherein the substrate is capable of being taken up by a living cell, the method comprising the steps of:\na) measuring the fluorescence lifetime of the substrate in a cell-free environment;\nb) adding the substrate to one or more cells, and\nc) measuring the fluorescence lifetime of the substrate following step b);\nwherein a modulation in fluorescence lifetime indicates substrate modification and can be used to determine both enzyme activity and localisation.",
"9. The method of claim 8, wherein said cell is selected from the group consisting of mammalian, plant, insect, fish, avian, bacterial and fungal cells.",
"10. The method of claim 2 additionally comprising the use of a plurality of different substrates each bound to a plurality of different fluorescent dyes, wherein each of said dye is individually distinguishable from the others by its fluorescence lifetime, thereby enabling simultaneous measurement of a plurality of enzyme activities.",
"11. A fluorescent dye-biological molecule conjugate comprising a dye covalently bonded to a biological molecule, the dye prior to reaction with the biological molecule having the structure of formula (IV):\nwherein R4 and R5 are independently at each occurrence selected from hydrogen, halogen, amide, hydroxyl, cyano, nitro, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, or heteroaryl substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, alkyloxy, amino, mono- or di-C1-C4 alkyl-substituted amino, sulphydryl, carbonyl, carboxyl, acrylate, vinyl, styryl, sulphonate, sulphonic acid, quaternary ammonium or the group -J-K; wherein at least one of said R4 or R5 is -JK, wherein J contains 1-40 chain atoms comprising carbon, and optionally nitrogen, oxygen, sulphur and/or phosphorus and, wherein K is prior to reaction with the biological molecule, succinimidyl ester, sulpho-succinimidyl ester, isothiocyanate, maleimide, haloacetamide, acid halide, vinylsulphone, dichlorotriazine, carbodimide, hydrazide, phosphoramidiate, pentafluorophylester and alkylhalide, hydroxyl, amino, sulphydryl, imidazole, carboxyl, aldehyde, ketone, phosphate and thiophosphate, wherein the biological molecule is linked to the structure of formula (IV) through said K, and wherein prior to the reaction, the compound of formula (IV) is in free or salt form.",
"12. The fluorescent dye-biological molecule conjugate according to claim 11 wherein the biological molecule is selected from the group consisting of an antibody, lipid, protein, peptide, carbohydrate, nucleotides which contain or are derivatized to contain one or more of an amino, sulphydryl, carbonyl, hydroxyl and carboxyl, phosphate and thiophosphate groups, and oxy or deoxy polynucleic acids which contain or are derivatized to contain one or more of an amino, sulphydryl, carbonyl including aldehyde and ketone, hydroxyl and carboxyl, phosphate and thiophosphate groups, microbial materials, drugs, hormones, cells, cell membranes and toxins.",
"13. A kit comprising:\na) a fluorescent dye-biological molecule conjugate according to claim 11; and\nb) a binding partner for said biological molecule or enzyme capable of catalytically altering said biological molecule.",
"14. The method according to claim 2 wherein the fluorescence modulating moiety contains an aromatic system.",
"15. The method according to claim 1, wherein the dye is a compound of formula (IV):\nin free or salt form, wherein one of R4 and R5 is:\na group -J-K, wherein J contains 1-40 chain atoms comprising carbon, and optionally nitrogen, oxygen, sulphur and/or phosphorus and K is a reactive group selected from succinimidyl ester, sulpho-succinimidyl ester, isothiocyanate, maleimide, haloacetamide, acid halide, vinylsulphone, dichlorotriazine, carbodimide, hydrazide, phosphoramidiate, pentafluorophylester and alkylhalide or K is a functional group selected from hydroxyl, amino, sulphydryl, imidazole, carboxyl, carbonyl including aldehyde and ketone, phosphate and thiophosphate; and\nthe other is hydrogen.",
"16. The method according to claim 1, wherein the dye is a compound of the following structure:\nin free or salt form, wherein R5 is a group -J-K, wherein J contains 1-40 chain atoms comprising carbon, and optionally nitrogen, oxygen, sulphur and/or phosphorus and K is a reactive group selected from succinimidyl ester, sulpho-succinimidyl ester, isothiocyanate, maleimide, haloacetamide, acid halide, vinylsulphone, dichlorotriazine, carbodimide, hydrazide, phosphoramidiate, pentafluorophylester and alkylhalide or K is a functional group selected from hydroxyl, amino, sulphydryl, imidazole, carboxyl, carbonyl including aldehyde and ketone, phosphate and thiophosphate.",
"17. The method according to claim 1, wherein the dye is a compound of the following structure:\nin free or salt form, wherein K is a reactive group selected from succinimidyl ester, sulpho-succinimidyl ester, isothiocyanate, maleimide, haloacetamide, acid halide, vinylsulphone, dichlorotriazine, carbodimide, hydrazide, phosphoramidiate, pentafluorophylester and alkylhalide or K is a functional group selected from hydroxyl, amino, sulphydryl, imidazole, carboxyl, carbonyl including aldehyde and ketone, phosphate and thiophosphate.",
"18. The method according to claim 1, wherein the dye is a compound of the following structure:\nin free or salt form.",
"19. The method according to claim 1, wherein the biological molecule is selected from the group consisting of an antibody, lipid, protein, peptide, carbohydrate, nucleotides which contain or are derivatized to contain one or more of an amino, sulphydryl, carbonyl, hydroxyl and carboxyl, phosphate and thiophosphate groups, and oxy or deoxy polynucleic acids which contain or are derivatized to contain one or more of an amino, sulphydryl, carbonyl including aldehyde and ketone, hydroxyl and carboxyl, phosphate and thiophosphate groups, microbial materials, drugs, hormones, cells, cell membranes and toxins.",
"20. The method according to claim 2, wherein the dye is a compound of formula (IV):\nin free or salt form, wherein one of R4 and R5 is:\na group -J-K, wherein J contains 1-40 chain atoms comprising carbon, and optionally nitrogen, oxygen, sulphur and/or phosphorus and K is a reactive group selected from succinimidyl ester, sulpho-succinimidyl ester, isothiocyanate, maleimide, haloacetamide, acid halide, vinylsulphone, dichlorotriazine, carbodimide, hydrazide, phosphoramidiate, pentafluorophylester and alkylhalide or K is a functional group selected from hydroxyl, amino, sulphydryl, imidazole, carboxyl, carbonyl including aldehyde and ketone, phosphate and thiophosphate; and\nthe other is hydrogen.",
"21. The method according to claim 2, wherein the dye is a compound of the following structure:\nin free or salt form, wherein R5 is a group -J-K, wherein J contains 1-40 chain atoms comprising carbon, and optionally nitrogen, oxygen, sulphur and/or phosphorus and K is a reactive group selected from succinimidyl ester, sulpho-succinimidyl ester, isothiocyanate, maleimide, haloacetamide, acid halide, vinylsulphone, dichlorotriazine, carbodimide, hydrazide, phosphoramidiate, pentafluorophylester and alkylhalide or K is a functional group selected from hydroxyl, amino, sulphydryl, imidazole, carboxyl, carbonyl including aldehyde and ketone, phosphate and thiophosphate.",
"22. The method according to claim 2, wherein the dye is a compound of the following structure:\nin free or salt form, wherein K is a reactive group selected from succinimidyl ester, sulpho-succinimidyl ester, isothiocyanate, maleimide, haloacetamide, acid halide, vinylsulphone, dichlorotriazine, carbodimide, hydrazide, phosphoramidiate, pentafluorophylester and alkylhalide or K is a functional group selected from hydroxyl, amino, sulphydryl, imidazole, carboxyl, carbonyl including aldehyde and ketone, phosphate and thiophosphate.",
"23. The method according to claim 2, wherein the dye is a compound of the following structure:\nin free or salt form.",
"24. The method according to claim 2, wherein the substrate for the enzyme is selected from the group consisting of an antibody, lipid, protein, peptide, carbohydrate, nucleotides which contain or are derivatized to contain one or more of an amino, sulphydryl, carbonyl, hydroxyl and carboxyl, phosphate and thiophosphate groups, and oxy or deoxy polynucleic acids which contain or are derivatized to contain one or more of an amino, sulphydryl, carbonyl including aldehyde and ketone, hydroxyl and carboxyl, phosphate and thiophosphate groups, microbial materials, drugs, hormones, cells, cell membranes and toxins.",
"25. The fluorescent dye-biological molecule conjugate according to claim 11, wherein the dye is a compound of formula (IV):\nin free or salt form, wherein one of R4 and R5 is:\na group -J-K, wherein J contains 1-40 chain atoms comprising carbon, and optionally nitrogen, oxygen, sulphur and/or phosphorus and K prior to reaction with the biological molecule is a reactive group selected from succinimidyl ester, sulpho-succinimidyl ester, isothiocyanate, maleimide, haloacetamide, acid halide, vinylsulphone, dichlorotriazine, carbodimide, hydrazide, phosphoramidiate, pentafluorophylester and alkylhalide or K prior to reaction with the biological molecule is a functional group selected from hydroxyl, amino, sulphydryl, imidazole, carboxyl, carbonyl including aldehyde and ketone, phosphate and thiophosphate; and the other is hydrogen.",
"26. The fluorescent dye-biological molecule conjugate according to claim 11, wherein the dye is a compound of the following structure:\nin free or salt form, wherein R5 is a group -J-K, wherein J contains 1-40 chain atoms comprising carbon, and optionally nitrogen, oxygen, sulphur and/or phosphorus and K prior to reaction with the biological molecule is a reactive group selected from succinimidyl ester, sulpho-succinimidyl ester, isothiocyanate, maleimide, haloacetamide, acid halide, vinylsulphone, dichlorotriazine, carbodimide, hydrazide, phosphoramidiate, pentafluorophylester and alkylhalide or K prior to reaction with the biological molecule is a functional group selected from hydroxyl, amino, sulphydryl, imidazole, carboxyl, carbonyl including aldehyde and ketone, phosphate and thiophosphate.",
"27. The fluorescent dye-biological molecule conjugate according to claim 11, wherein the dye is a compound of the following structure:\nin free or salt form, wherein K prior to reaction with the biological molecule is a reactive group selected from succinimidyl ester, sulpho-succinimidyl ester, isothiocyanate, maleimide, haloacetamide, acid halide, vinylsulphone, dichlorotriazine, carbodimide, hydrazide, phosphoramidiate, pentafluorophylester and alkylhalide or K prior to reaction with the biological molecule is a functional group selected from hydroxyl, amino, sulphydryl, imidazole, carboxyl, carbonyl including aldehyde and ketone, phosphate and thiophosphate.",
"28. The fluorescent dye-biological molecule conjugate according to claim 11, wherein the dye is a compound of the following structure:\nin free or salt form."
],
[
"1. A compound having a chemical structure selected from",
"2. A kit for detecting an analyte, comprising at least one compound according to claim 1, wherein the compound when combined with a sample comprising the analyte will undergo a change in its absorbance spectrum, emission spectrum, or both compared to the compound in a sample that does not comprise the analyte.",
"3. The kit of claim 2, further comprising at least one buffer solution in which the compound when combined with a sample comprising the analyte will undergo a change in its absorbance spectrum, emission spectrum, or both compared to the compound combined with the buffer solution and a sample that does not comprise the analyte.",
"4. The kit of claim 2, where the analyte comprises glutathione, cysteine, homocysteine, succinyl-5-amino-4-imidazolecarboxamide riboside, succinyladenosine, or a combination of succinyl-5-amino-4-imidazolecarboxamide riboside and succinyladenosine.",
"5. The kit of claim 2, further comprising a plurality of disposable containers in which a reaction between the compound and the analyte can be performed.",
"6. The kit of claim 5, where an amount of the compound effective to undergo a detectable change in the absorbance spectrum, the emission spectrum, or both when reacted with the analyte is premeasured into the plurality of disposable containers.",
"7. A method for selectively detecting an analyte in a biological fluid, comprising:\n(a) combining a compound according to general formula (III) or (IV) with a biological fluid to form a solution\nwhere each bond depicted as “\n” is a single or double bond as needed to satisfy valence requirements;\nX1 is O, S, or N(H);\nR6 is hydroxyl, amino, alkyl amino, or —NHRc when the bond between R6 and ring A is a single bond, or R6 is oxygen, imino, iminium, alkyl imino, or alkyl iminium when the bond between R6 and ring A is a double bond, where RC is\nR7 is hydrogen or halogen;\nR9-R12 independently are hydrogen, lower alkyl, carboxyl, amino, or —SO3H;\nR13 is hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, —SO3H or —COOR14 where R14 is hydrogen or lower alkyl and the bond depicted as “\n” in ring B is a double bond, or R13 is one or more atoms forming a ring system with rings B and D and the bond depicted as “\n” in ring B is a single bond;\nR16 and R18 independently are hydrogen, hydroxyl, thiol, oxygen, lower alkoxy, amino, alkyl amino, or —NHRc, and at least one of R16 and R18 is other than hydrogen;\nR19 and R21 independently are hydrogen, hydroxyl, thiol, oxygen, amino, alkyl amino, imino, iminium, alkyl imino, alkyl iminium, or —NHRc where Rc is as defined above, and at least one of R19 and R21 is other than hydrogen; and\nwherein if X1 is oxygen in general formula (III), then R6 is other than oxygen or alkyl amino, or R13 is other than one or more atoms forming a ring system with rings B and D, or R16 is other than hydroxyl or hydrogen, or R18 is other than hydroxyl or hydrogen, or at least one of R7, R9, R10, R11, R12, R13 is other than hydrogen, or\nif the compound has a chemical structure according to general formula (IV), then at least one of R9-R13, R16, R18, R19, or R21is other than hydrogen, hydroxyl, halogen, oxygen, lower alkyl, amino, or thiol, or R13 is one or more atoms forming a ring system with rings B and D and the bond depicted as “\n” in ring B is a single bond;\n(b) exposing the solution to a light source; and\n(c) detecting the analyte by detecting fluorescence from the compound, wherein the analyte comprises cysteine, homocysteine, glutathione, succinyl-5-amino-4-imidazolecarboxamide riboside, succinyladenosine, or a combination thereof.",
"8. The method of claim 7 where detecting fluorescence from the compound comprises detecting fluorescence at a wavelength corresponding to an emission spectrum maximum of the compound.",
"9. The method of claim 8, further comprising quantitating the analyte by measuring an amount of fluorescence from the compound at a wavelength corresponding to an emission spectrum maximum of the compound.",
"10. The method of claim 7 where the biological fluid comprises blood or urine."
],
[
"1. A substrate represented by the structural formula DYE-(B)m, wherein the DYE is not a rhodamine dye and wherein the DYE is capable of (i) binding to a partner biomolecule or an assembly of partner biomolecules and (ii) exhibiting increased fluorescence upon such binding; wherein m is selected from 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5; and wherein each of at least one B, independently, comprises an enzyme substrate moiety that is capable of enzymatic transformation comprising cleavage of a bond between the dye and the at least one B, cleavage of a bond within the at least one B, or formation of a bond to the at least one B; and wherein at least one of the at least one B comprises an enzyme substrate moiety that is capable of enzymatic transformation by a caspase enzyme.",
"2. The substrate of claim 1, wherein the DYE comprises a nucleic acid dye, a membrane dye, an organelle dye, or a fluorescent ligand dye.",
"3. The substrate of claim 1, wherein the DYE comprises a fluorogenic dye.",
"4. The substrate of claim 1, wherein the DYE comprises a nucleic acid dye or a membrane dye.",
"5. The substrate of claim 1, wherein m is selected from 1 and 2.",
"6. The substrate of claim 1, comprising at least two B, wherein each of the at least two B is an enzyme substrate moiety for the same enzyme.",
"7. The substrate of claim 1, wherein the caspase is caspase-3.",
"8. The substrate of claim 1, wherein the substrate exhibits a change in fluorescence upon cleavage of a bond between the dye and the at least one B, cleavage of a bond within the at least one B, or formation of a bond to the at least one B."
],
[
"1. A method for providing enhanced chemiluminescence from a stable 1,2-dioxetane which comprises:\n(a) providing in a solution or on a surface where the light is to be produced a stable 1,2-dioxetane and a polymeric phosphonium salt with polyvinyLinktriAyl-phosphonium groups wherein Link is a linking group between the polymer and the phosphonium group containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms and A is selected from the group consisting of alkyl containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms and from alkyl and aralkyl groups each containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms; and\n(b) triggering the 1,2-dioxetane with an activating agent to provide the enhanced chemiluminescence.",
"2. The method of claim 1 wherein the 1,2-dioxetane is of the formula: ##STR18## wherein R3 and R4 are organic groups which may be combined together, wherein Rl is an organic group which may be combined with R2 and wherein R2 is an aryl group substituted with an X-oxy group which forms an unstable oxide intermediate dioxetane when triggered to remove a chemically labile group X by an activating agent selected from acids, bases, salts, enzymes, inorganic and organic catalysts and electron donors.",
"3. The method of claim 1 wherein the 1,2-dioxetane is of the formula: ##STR19## wherein R1 is selected from lower alkyl or alkaryl containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms and may additionally contain heteroatoms, wherein R3 C is selected from spirofused cyclic and polycyclic organic groups containing 6 to 30 carbon atoms and may additionally contain heteroatoms, wherein R2 is selected from aryl, biaryl, heteroaryl, fused ring polycyclic aryl or heteroaryl groups which can be substituted or unsubstituted and wherein OX is an X-oxy group which forms an unstable oxide intermediate dioxetane compound when triggered to remove a chemically labile group X by an activating agent selected from acids, bases, salts, enzymes, inorganic and organic catalysts and electron donors.",
"4. The method of claim 3 wherein the OX group is selected from hydroxyl, trialkyl or aryl silyoxy, inorganic oxy acid salt, phosphate salt, sulfate salt, oxygen-pyranoside, aryl and alkyl carboxyl esters.",
"5. The method of claim 4 wherein ##STR20## is selected from the group consisting of adamantyl or substituted adamantyl.",
"6. The method of claim 4 wherein R2 is metaphenyl.",
"7. The method of claim 4 wherein R1 is methyl.",
"8. The method of claim 5 wherein R1 is methyl, wherein R2 is meta-phenyl, wherein OX is a phosphate salt and wherein the activating agent is alkaline phosphatase.",
"9. The method of any of claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 wherein the polymeric phosphonium salt is a poly(vinylbenzyltriAylphosphonium salt) wherein A is selected from the group consisting of alkyl containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms or alkyl and alkaryl groups each containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms.",
"10. The method of claim 1 wherein the polymeric phosphonium salt is a poly(vinylbenzyltrialkylphosphonium salt) wherein alkyl is selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms.",
"11. The method of claim 10 wherein the poly(vinylbenzyltrialkylphosphonium salt) is poly(vinylbenzyltrimethylphosphonium chloride).",
"12. The method of claim 10 wherein the poly(vinylbenzyltrialkylphosphonium salt) is poly(vinylbenzyltributylphosphonium chloride).",
"13. The method of claim 10 wherein the poly(vinylbenzyltrialkylphosphonium salt) is poly(vinylbenzyltrioctylphosphonium chloride).",
"14. The method of claim 1 wherein the polymeric phosphonium salt is a mixture of poly(benzyltriAylphosphonium salts) wherein A is selected from the group consisting of alkyl containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms and alkyl and alkyl and alkaryl each containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms.",
"15. The method of claim 14 wherein the mixture contains benzyltributylphosphonium chloride and benzyltrioctylphosphonium chloride.",
"16. The method of claim 14 wherein the polymer is poly(vinylbenzyltrialkylphosphonium chloride) wherein alkyl is 75 mole percent tributyl and 25 mole percent trioctyl.",
"17. The method of any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 wherein the polymeric phosphonium salt is a polyvinylbenzyltriAylphosphonium salt and a fluorescent group containing polymer wherein A is selected from the group consisting of alkyl containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms or alkyl and aralkyl each containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms and wherein the fluorescent group is attached to the polymer.",
"18. The method of claim 1 wherein the polymeric phosphonium salt is poly(vinylbenzyltributylphosphonium chloride) containing fluorescent groups selected from the group consisting of fluorescein and Rose Bengal.",
"19. The method of claim 1 wherein the method is used for chemiluminescent detection of enzymes, antibodies, antigens, or nucleic acids.",
"20. The method of claim 1 wherein the method is used for chemiluminescent detection in enzyme-linked immunoassays or enzyme-linked nucleic acid assays.",
"21. The method of claim 20 wherein the enzyme is alkaline phosphatase or galactosidase.",
"22. The method of claims 19, 20 or 21 wherein the chemiluminescence is detected by film or a luminometer.",
"23. In a method for enhancing chemiluminescence produced by activating a 1,2-dioxetane the improvement which comprises generating the chemiluminescence in the presence of a polymeric phosphonium salt with polyvinyLinktriAylphosphonium groups wherein Link is a linking group between the polymer and the phosphonium group containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms and A is selected from the group consisting of alkyl containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms and from alkyl and aralkyl groups each containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms.",
"24. The method of claim 22 wherein the polymeric phosphonium salt is prepared by reacting triAyl phosphine with a polyvinyl chloride polymer wherein Link is a linking group between the polymer and the phosphonium cation containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms and A is selected from the group consisting of alkyl containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms or alkyl and aralkyl groups containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms.",
"25. The method of claim 24 wherein Link is benzyl.",
"26. The method of claim 24 wherein the LinktriAyl phosphonium group is a benzyltrimethylphosphonium group.",
"27. The method of claim 23 wherein the polymeric phosphonium salt a polyvinylbenzyltrimethyl-phosphonium chloride polymer substantially free of chlorobenzyl groups.",
"28. The method of claim 23 wherein the polymeric phosphonium salt is a polyvinylLinktriAyl-phosphonium and fluorescent group containing polymer wherein Link is a linking group between the polymer and the phosphonium cation containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms and A is selected from the group consisting of alkyl and aralkyl groups containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms and wherein the fluorescent group is attached to the polymer.",
"29. The method of claim 28 wherein Link is benzyl.",
"30. The method of claim 28 wherein the LinktriAyl phosphonium group is a benzyltributylphosphonium group.",
"31. The method of claim 23 as a probe or enzyme linked assay."
],
[
"1. A device for conducting an agglutination assay comprising several reaction vessels, each reaction vessel comprising an upper chamber having an opening for accepting reactants and/or a sample; and a lower chamber comprising an end in communication with the upper chamber for receiving fluids from the upper chamber, a closed end opposite to the end, and a matrix for separating agglutinates from non-agglutinates; wherein\nthe device further comprises a rotating support able to rotate around an axis and holding pivotally the reaction vessels in a way to allow the reaction vessels to pivot about an axis essentially perpendicular to the rotation axis of the support when the latter is rotated, such that the fluids remain in the upper chamber when the support is not rotated, and can flow from the upper chamber to the lower chamber and into the matrix when the support is rotated.",
"2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the rotating support and/or the reaction vessels are made by a plastic injection molding process.",
"3. The device according to claim 1, wherein\nthe rotating support is made of a single piece.",
"4. The device according to claim 1, wherein\nthe rotating support comprises twelve reaction vessels.",
"5. The device according to claim 1, wherein\nthe upper chamber is eccentric with the lower chamber.",
"6. The device according to claim 1, wherein\nthe lower chamber is an elongate tube with a cylindrical section.",
"7. The device according to claim 1, wherein\nthe rotating support comprises a receptacle concentric with the axis.",
"8. The device according to claim 7, wherein\nthe underneath face of the support and/or the surface of the receptacle comprises one or several ribs.",
"9. The device according to claim 7, wherein\nthe receptacle extends below and above the plane of the rotating support.",
"10. An analysis station for performing agglutination reaction and separation assays comprising:\na device containing several reaction vessels, each reaction vessel comprising an upper chamber having an opening for accepting reactants and/or a sample; a lower chamber comprising an end in communication with the upper chamber for receiving fluids from the upper chamber, a closed end opposite to the end, and a matrix for separating agglutinates from non-agglutinates; a rotating support able to rotate around an axis and holding pivotally the reaction vessels in a way to allow the reaction vessels to pivot about an axis essentially perpendicular to said rotation axis when the latter is rotated, such as to retain the fluids in the upper chamber when the support is not rotated and makes it flow from the upper chamber to the lower chamber and into the matrix when the support is rotated;\na drive shaft which fixedly holds the device at the rotating support;\na heating unit concentric with the support of the device; and\nmeans to optically detect cluster agglutinate and/or band or button formation within the lower chamber.",
"11. The analysis station according to claim 10, wherein the drive shaft fixedly holds the device with the support having its rotation axis essentially parallel with the drive shaft rotation axis.",
"12. The analysis station according to claim 10, wherein the device is held in the drive shaft by fitting the receptacle into a conformal recess in the drive shaft.",
"13. The analysis station according to claim 10, wherein the underneath face of the support and/or the surface of a receptacle of the support comprises one or several ribs cooperating with one or several corresponding grooves on the surface of the recess, in order to maintain the device in the drive shaft during centrifugation.",
"14. The analysis station according to claim 10, wherein the heating unit is annular-shaped.",
"15. A method for conducting an agglutination assay comprising:\nproviding an analysis station comprising a device containing several reaction vessels, each reaction vessel comprising an upper chamber having an opening for accepting reactants and/or a sample; a lower chamber comprising an end in communication with the upper chamber for receiving fluids from the upper chamber, a closed end opposite to the end, and a matrix for separating agglutinates from non-agglutinates; a rotating support able to rotate around an axis and holding pivotally the reaction vessels in a way to allow the reaction vessels to pivot about an axis essentially perpendicular to said rotation axis when the latter is rotated, such as to retain the fluids in the upper chamber when the support is not rotated and makes it flow from the upper chamber to the lower chamber and into the matrix when the support is rotated; a drive shaft which fixedly holds the device at the rotating support; a heating unit concentric with the support of the device; and means to optically detect cluster agglutinate and/or band or button formation within the lower chamber;\nincubating the reagents and sample in the upper chambers of the vessels while the support is not rotating;\ncentrifuging the reagents and sample by rotating the support in order to force to the fluids from the upper chamber to the lower chamber to the separation matrix; and\nperforming readings and interpretation of positive or negative agglutination reactions.",
"16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the support comprises a receptacle and further comprising the steps of:\nadding reagents and a sample into the receptacle and mixing them together; and\npipetting the mixed reagents and sample into the upper chamber of the different reaction vessels;\nsaid steps being performed prior to said incubating the reagents and sample.",
"17. The method according to claim 15, wherein\nthe device is disposed after completion of said performing readings and interpretation."
],
[
"1. A diagnostic device for detecting the presence of an analyte in a fluid sample, the device comprising:\na housing configured to receive a lateral flow diagnostic strip, said lateral flow diagnostic strip including:\na receiving end for receiving the fluid sample;\na terminal end opposite said receiving end; and\na capture region located between said receiving end and said terminal end; and a processor configured to, upon receiving the fluid sample:\nilluminate the lateral flow diagnostic strip;\nmeasure intensity values of light reflected from the lateral flow diagnostic strip;\nobtain, during a first time period, a first series of intensity value pairs, wherein each intensity value pair of the first series of intensity value pairs comprises a measurement signal and a background signal, and wherein the measurement signal and the background signal for each intensity value pair of the first series of intensity value pairs are obtained at substantially the same time;\ncalculate the intensity difference between the measurement signal and the background signal for each pair of the first series of intensity value pairs to generate a first series of intensity difference values;\ngenerate, at the end of the first time period, a fluid front detection result based at least in part on the first series of intensity difference values, wherein the fluid front detection result indicates whether at least a portion of the first series of intensity difference values correspond to a threshold for identifying a fluid front;\nobtain, during a second time period, a second series of intensity value pairs, wherein each intensity value pair of the second series of intensity value pairs comprises a measurement signal and a background signal, and wherein the measurement signal and the background signal for each intensity value pair of the second series of intensity value pairs are obtained at substantially the same time;\ncalculate the intensity difference between the measurement signal and the background signal for each pair of the second series of intensity value pairs to generate a second series of intensity difference values; and\ngenerate, at the end of the second time period, a message indicating that the analyte is present in the fluid sample based at least in part on:\n(i) the fluid front detection result generated with the first series of intensity difference values obtained during the first time period, and\n(ii) the second series of intensity difference values obtained during the second time period.",
"2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a sensor positioned within the housing and configured to detect the quantity of light reflected from said capture region.",
"3. The device of claim 2, wherein the sensor is a photo detector.",
"4. The device of claim 1, wherein quantities of light reflected during the first time period and the second time period are reflected from said capture region.",
"5. The device of claim 1, further comprising a display, wherein the processor is further configured to:\nincrement a fluid front counter based on a comparison between the threshold and an intensity difference value obtained during the first time period, wherein the fluid front detection result is generated based at least in part on the fluid front counter; and\ngenerate a message for presentation via the display if said fluid front detection result indicates that the fluid front was not detected after the first time period.",
"6. The device of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to increment a result counter based on a comparison of at least a portion of the second plurality of intensity difference values received during the second time period and a second threshold, and wherein the processor is further configured to generate the assay result output based at least in part on the result counter.",
"7. The device of claim 1, further comprising:\na pair of electrical contacts separated by a gap and in physical contact with the lateral flow diagnostic strip, wherein the gap, when wetted by the fluid sample, causes a current to flow between the pair of electrical contacts; and\na current detection circuit configured to:\nsense the current between the pair of electrical contacts; and increase a level of power supplied to the processor.",
"8. The device of claim 7, wherein the first time period is after the level of power supplied to the processor is increased.",
"9. The device of claim 1, wherein the first time period is between five seconds and twenty-eight seconds.",
"10. The device of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to exclude the intensity difference values obtained during the first time period when generating an assay result output.",
"11. The device of claim 7, wherein the processor is further configured to:\nincrement a fluid front counter based on a comparison between the threshold and an intensity difference value obtained during the first time period;\ndetermine, prior to the end of the first time period, that the fluid front counter exceeds a count threshold associated with a presence of the fluid front; and\nin response to said determining that the fluid front counter exceeds the count threshold, disable at least one element included in the device at least until the end of the first time period."
],
[
"1. An analyte measurement method, comprising:\na) obtaining a sample;\nb) applying the sample to a signal-amplifying nanosensor, comprising:\n(i) a substrate;\n(ii) a signal amplification layer; and\n(iii) a capture agent that specifically binds to an analyte in the sample,\nwherein the capture agent is linked to the surface of the signal amplification layer and said nanosensor amplifies a light signal from labeled analytes that are bound to the signal amplification layer via the capture agent, under conditions suitable for binding of the analyte in a sample to the capture agent;\nc) washing the signal-amplifying nanosensor; and\nd) reading the signal-amplifying nanosensor, thereby obtaining a measurement of the amount of the analyte in the sample.",
"2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the sample is a liquid sample.",
"3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the applying step b) comprises applying a sample to a microfluidic device comprising the signal-amplifying nanosensor.",
"4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the reading step d) comprises detecting a fluorescence or luminescence signal from the signal-amplifying nanosensor.",
"5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the reading step d) comprises reading the signal-amplifying nanosensor with a handheld device configured to read the signal-amplifying nanosensor.",
"6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the handheld device is a mobile phone.",
"7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the signal-amplifying nanosensor comprises a labeling agent that can bind to an analyte-capture agent complex on the signal-amplifying nanosensor.",
"8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises between steps c) and d):\napplying to the signal-amplifying nanosensor a labeling agent that binds to an analyte-capture agent complex on the signal-amplifying nanosensor; and\nwashing the signal-amplifying nanosensor.",
"9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the reading step d) comprises reading an identifier for the signal-amplifying nanosensor.",
"10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the identifier is an optical barcode, a radio frequency ID tag, or combinations thereof.",
"11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises:\napplying a control sample to a control signal-amplifying nanosensor comprising a capture agent that binds to the analyte, wherein the control sample comprises a known detectable amount of the analyte; and\nreading the control signal-amplifying nanosensor, thereby obtaining a control measurement for the known detectable amount of the analyte in a sample.",
"12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the sample is a diagnostic sample obtained from a subject, the analyte is a biomarker, and wherein the amount of the analyte in the sample is diagnostic of a disease or a condition.",
"13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the sample is saliva, serum, blood, sputum, urine, sweat, lacrima, semen, or mucus.",
"14. The method according to claim 12, wherein the method further comprises:\nreceiving a report that indicates:\nthe measured amount of the biomarker; and\na range of measured values for the biomarker in an individual free of or at low risk of having the disease or condition,\nwherein the measured amount of the biomarker relative to the range of measured values is diagnostic of a disease or condition.",
"15. The method according to claim 12, wherein the method further comprises:\nproviding to the subject a report that indicates:\nthe measured amount of the biomarker; and\na range of measured values for the biomarker in an individual free of or at low risk of having the disease or condition,\nwherein the measured amount of the biomarker relative to the range of measured values is diagnostic of a disease or condition.",
"16. The method according to claim 12, wherein the method further comprises:\ndiagnosing the subject based on information comprising the measured amount of the biomarker in the sample.",
"17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the diagnosing step comprises sending data comprising the measured amount of the biomarker to a remote location and receiving a diagnosis based on information comprising the measurement from the remote location.",
"18. The method according to claim 12, wherein the biomarker is selected from Tables 1, 2, 3 or 7.",
"19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the biomarker is a protein selected from Tables 1, 2, or 3.",
"20. The method according to claim 18, wherein the biomarker is a nucleic acid selected from Tables 2, 3 or 7.",
"44. A kit comprising:\na signal-amplifying nanosensor comprising a capture agent that binds to an analyte of interest in a sample; and\ninstructions for reading the signal-amplifying nanosensor, thereby obtaining a measurement of the amount of the analyte in the sample."
],
[
"1. A cartridge for conducting a chemical reaction, the cartridge comprising:\na) a body having (1) a plurality of sensor chambers having optical sensors positioned to detect liquid in the sensor chamber and (2) at least one flow path formed therein;\nand\nb) a reaction vessel extending from the body, the vessel comprising:\ni) a rigid frame defining a plurality of side walls of a reaction chamber, wherein the frame includes at least one channel connecting the flow path to the chamber; and\nii) at least one sheet attached to the rigid frame to form a major wall of the chamber, wherein the major wall is sufficiently flexible to conform to a surface that comes into contact with the major wall.",
"2. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the vessel includes first and second flexible sheets attached to opposite sides of the rigid frame to form opposing major walls of the chamber.",
"3. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein at least two of the plurality of side walls are optically transmissive and angularly offset from each other by about 90°.",
"4. The cartridge of claim 3, comprising at least two additional side walls having retro-reflective faces.",
"5. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the ratio of the width of the chamber to the thickness of the chamber is at least 4:1, and wherein the chamber has a thickness in the range of 0.5 to 2 mm.",
"6. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the vessel includes at least two separate ports in fluid communication with the reaction chamber, and wherein the body includes at least a first channel in fluid communication with the first port and at least a second channel in fluid communication with the second port.",
"7. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the body has formed therein:\ni) a sample flow path;\nii) a separation region in the sample flow path for separating a desired analyte from a fluid sample;\nand\niii) an analyte flow path extending from the separation region, wherein a channel in the vessel connects the analyte flow path to the reaction chamber.",
"8. The cartridge of claim 7, wherein the separation region in the body comprises: a) a lysing chamber in the sample flow path for lysing cells or viruses in the sample to release material therefrom; and b) at least one solid support positioned in the lysing chamber for capturing the cells or viruses to be lysed.",
"9. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the cartridge is in combination with an instrument having:\na) at least one thermal surface for contacting the major wall of the reaction chamber;\nb) means for increasing the pressure in the reaction chamber, wherein the pressure increase in the chamber is sufficient to force the major wall to contact and conform to the thermal surface; and\nc) at least one thermal element for heating or cooling the at least one thermal surface to induce a temperature change within the chamber.",
"10. The cartridge of claim 9, wherein the vessel includes first and second flexible sheets attached to opposite sides of the rigid frame to form opposing major walls of the chamber, the instrument includes first and second thermal surfaces formed by opposing plates positioned to receive the chamber between them, and the pressure increase in the chamber is sufficient to force the major walls to contact and conform to the inner surfaces of the plates.",
"11. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein at least two of the plurality of side walls of the reaction chamber are optically transmissive and angularly offset from each other, and wherein the cartridge is in combination with an optics system having at least one light source for exciting a reaction mixture in the chamber through a first one of the optically transmissive side walls and having at least one detector for detecting light emitted from the chamber through a second one of the optically transmissive side walls.",
"12. A cartridge for conducting a chemical reaction, the cartridge comprising:\na) a body having (1) a plurality of sensor chambers having optical sensors positioned to detect liquid in the sensor chamber and (2) at least one flow path formed therein; and\nb) a reaction vessel extending from the body, the vessel comprising:\ni) two opposing major walls;\nii) side walls connecting the major walls to each other to define a reaction chamber, wherein at least two of the side walls are optically transmissive and angularly offset from each other; and\niii) at least one channel connecting the reaction chamber to the flow path in the body.",
"13. The cartridge of claim 12, wherein the vessel includes:\na) a rigid frame defining the side walls of the chamber; and\nb) first and second flexible sheets attached to opposite sides of the rigid frame to form the major walls of the chamber.",
"14. The cartridge of claim 12, wherein the optically transmissive side walls are angularly offset from each other by about 90°.",
"15. The cartridge of claim 12, comprising at least two additional side walls having retro-reflective faces.",
"16. The cartridge of claim 12, wherein the ratio of the width of the chamber to the thickness of the chamber is at least 4:1, and wherein the chamber has a thickness in the range of 0.5 to 2 mm.",
"17. The cartridge of claim 12, wherein the vessel includes at least two separate ports in fluid communication with the reaction chamber, and wherein the body includes at least a first channel in fluid communication with the first port and at least a second channel in fluid communication with the second port.",
"18. The cartridge of claim 12, wherein the body has:\ni) a sample flow path;\nii) a separation region in the sample flow path for separating a desired analyte from a fluid sample; and\niii) an analyte flow path extending from the separation region, wherein a channel in the vessel connects the analyte flow path to the reaction chamber.",
"19. The cartridge of claim 18, wherein the separation region comprises: a) a lysing chamber in the sample flow path for lysing cells or viruses in the sample to release material therefrom; and b) at least one solid support positioned in the lysing, chamber for capturing the cells or viruses to be lysed.",
"20. The cartridge of claim 12, wherein the cartridge is in combination with an instrument having:\na) opposing plates positioned to receive the chamber of the vessel between them;\nb) means for increasing the pressure in the chamber, wherein the pressure increase in the chamber is sufficient to force the major walls to contact and conform to the inner surfaces of the plates; and\nc) at least one thermal element for heating or cooling the surfaces of the plates to induce a temperature change within the chamber.",
"21. The cartridge of claim 12, wherein the cartridge is in combination with an optics system having at least one light source for exciting a reaction mixture in the chamber through a first one of the optically transmissive side walls and having at least one detector for detecting light emitted from the chamber through a second one of the optically transmissive side walls."
],
[
"1. A diagnostic analyzer comprising:\na base having a first side and a second side opposite the first side;\na loading bay disposed along the first side of the base;\na first carrier shuttle on the base, the first carrier shuttle having a first end at a first area adjacent the loading bay and a second end, opposite the first end, at a second area adjacent the second side of the base, the first carrier shuttle to transport a first carrier between the first area and the second area;\na second carrier shuttle on the base, the second carrier shuttle disposed adjacent the first carrier shuttle, the first and second carrier shuttles being independently operable, the second carrier shuttle having a third end at the first area adjacent the loading bay and fourth second end, opposite the third end, at the second area adjacent the second side of the base, the second carrier shuttle to transport a second carrier between the first area and the second area; and\na pipetting mechanism coupled to the base and disposed adjacent the second side of the base, the pipetting mechanism to:\naspirate a first sample from the first carrier while the first carrier is on the first carrier shuttle at the second area;\ndispense the first sample into a first reaction vessel;\naspirate a second sample from the second carrier while the second carrier is on the second carrier shuttle at the second area; and\ndispense the second sample into a second reaction vessel.",
"2. The diagnostic analyzer of claim 1, wherein the first carrier shuttle and the second carrier shuttle are parallel to each other.",
"3. The diagnostic analyzer of claim 1, further including a positioner to transport the first carrier between the loading bay and the first carrier shuttle, and to transport the second carrier between the loading bay and the second carrier shuttle.",
"4. The diagnostic analyzer of claim 3, wherein the positioner is moveable along a track disposed along the first side of the base, between the base and the loading bay.",
"5. The diagnostic analyzer of claim 4, wherein the track is perpendicular to the first and second carrier shuttles.",
"6. The diagnostic analyzer of claim 1, wherein the first carrier shuttle includes a first carriage and a first lead screw to move the first carriage, and the second carrier shuttle includes a second carriage and a second lead screw to move the second carriage.",
"7. The diagnostic analyzer of claim 1, wherein the first carrier shuttle includes a first conveyor belt and the second carrier shuttle includes a second conveyor belt.",
"8. The diagnostic analyzer of claim 7, wherein the first carrier shuttle includes a motor to move the first conveyor belt and a sensor to detect movement of the first conveyor belt.",
"9. The diagnostic analyzer of claim 8, wherein the motor and the sensor are disposed near opposite ends of the first carrier shuttle.",
"10. The diagnostic analyzer of claim 1, further including a processing carousel on the base, the first and second reaction vessels disposed on the processing carousel, and wherein the first and second carrier shuttles are disposed between the processing carousel and a third side of the base.",
"11. At least one machine readable storage medium comprising instructions that, when executed, cause at least one processor of a diagnostic analyzer to at least:\ncontrol a first carrier shuttle to transport a first carrier from a first area adjacent a first side of a base of the diagnostic analyzer to a second area adjacent a second side of the base, the first carrier shuttle having a first end at the first area and a second end, opposite the first end, at the second area, the second side of the base opposite the first side of the base, the diagnostic analyzer having a loading bay disposed along the first side of the base;\ncontrol a pipetting mechanism coupled to the base adjacent the second side to:\naspirate a first sample from the first carrier while the first carrier is at the second area; and\ndispense the first sample into a first vessel on the diagnostic analyzer;\ncontrol a second carrier shuttle disposed adjacent the first carrier shuttle to transport a second carrier from the first area to the second area, the second carrier shuttle having a third end at the first area and a fourth end, opposite the third end, at the second area; and\ncontrol the pipetting mechanism to:\naspirate a second sample from the second carrier while the second carrier is at the second area; and\ndispense the second sample into a second vessel on the diagnostic analyzer.",
"12. The at least one machine readable storage medium of claim 11, wherein the diagnostic analyzer includes a positioner moveable along the first side of the base, and wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the at least one processor to control the positioner to transport the first carrier from a slot in the loading bay to the first carrier shuttle.",
"13. The at least one machine readable storage medium of claim 12, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the at least one processor to:\nafter the first sample is aspirated, control the first carrier shuttle to transport the first carrier from the second area to the first area; and\ncontrol the positioner to transfer the first carrier from the first carrier shuttle to a slot in the loading bay.",
"14. The at least one machine readable storage medium of claim 12, wherein the positioner includes a label reader, and wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the at least one processor to control the label reader to read a label on the first carrier.",
"15. The at least one machine readable storage medium of claim 11, wherein the first vessel and the second vessel are to be carried on a carousel of the diagnostic analyzer, and wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the at least one processor to control the carousel to rotate the carousel to move reaction vessels.",
"16. The diagnostic analyzer of claim 3, wherein the positioner includes a reader to detect labels on the first and second carriers.",
"17. The diagnostic analyzer of claim 10, wherein the pipetting mechanism is rotatable about an axis disposed outside of the processing carousel.",
"18. The diagnostic analyzer of claim 1, wherein the pipetting mechanism includes an arm that is rotatable about an axis of rotation and a pipette at a distal end of the arm.",
"19. The diagnostic analyzer of claim 1, wherein the loading bay includes a plurality of slots arranged in a horizontal array along the first side of the base.",
"20. The diagnostic analyzer of claim 1, further including a first carousel to support a plurality of reagent containers and a second carousel to support a plurality of reaction vessels.",
"21. A diagnostic analyzer comprising:\na base having a first side and a second side opposite the first side;\na loading bay disposed along the first side of the base;\na first carrier shuttle on the base, the first carrier shuttle extending in a linear direction that is perpendicular to the first side and the second side, the first carrier shuttle to transport a first carrier from a first area adjacent the loading bay to a second area adjacent the second side of the base;\na second carrier shuttle on the base, the second carrier shuttle disposed adjacent the first carrier shuttle, the first and second carrier shuttles being independently operable, the second carrier shuttle extending in a linear direction that is perpendicular to the first side and the second side, the second carrier shuttle to transport a second carrier from the first area adjacent the loading bay to the second area adjacent the second side of the base; and\na pipetting mechanism coupled to the base and disposed adjacent the second side of the base, the pipetting mechanism to:\naspirate a first sample from the first carrier while the first carrier is on the first carrier shuttle at the second area;\ndispense the first sample into a first reaction vessel;\naspirate a second sample from the second carrier while the second carrier is on the second carrier shuttle at the second area; and\ndispense the second sample into a second reaction vessel."
],
[
"1. A method of nucleic acid analysis, comprising:\n(a) providing a cell or nucleus comprising:\n(1) genomic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA),\n(2) a protein, and\n(3) a complex comprising:\n(i) a labeling agent configured to couple to the protein, and\n(ii) a transposase complex comprising (A) a transposase and (B) a nucleic acid molecule, wherein the nucleic acid molecule comprises (I) an adapter sequence and (II) a reporter barcode sequence, wherein the labeling agent is coupled to the transposase complex;\n(b) using the transposase, the nucleic acid molecule, and the genomic DNA to generate a DNA fragment comprising a sequence of the genomic DNA, the adapter sequence, and the reporter barcode sequence; and\n(c) using a barcode nucleic acid molecule comprising a barcode sequence and the DNA fragment to generate a barcoded nucleic acid molecule comprising (1) the sequence of the genomic DNA or reverse complement thereof, (2) the reporter barcode sequence or reverse complement thereof, and (3) the barcode sequence or reverse complement thereof.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the reporter barcode sequence identifies the labeling agent.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein the nucleic acid molecule further comprises a transposon end sequence.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein the labeling agent is coupled to the protein.",
"5. The method of claim 1, further comprising (d) sequencing the barcoded nucleic acid molecule to identify (1) the sequence of the genomic DNA or reverse complement thereof, (2) the reporter barcode sequence or reverse complement thereof, and (3) the barcode sequence or reverse complement thereof.",
"6. The method of claim 5, further comprising subsequent to (d), (e) using the barcode sequence or reverse complement thereof to identify (1) the sequence of the genomic DNA or reverse complement thereof and (2) the reporter barcode sequence or reverse complement thereof as originating from the cell or nucleus.",
"7. The method of claim 6, wherein (e) further identifies the protein as being associated with the sequence of the genomic DNA.",
"8. The method of claim 1, wherein (c) comprises coupling the DNA fragment to the barcode nucleic acid molecule.",
"9. The method of claim 8, wherein the coupling comprises hybridizing the adapter sequence to at least a portion of the barcode nucleic acid molecule.",
"10. The method of claim 8, wherein the coupling comprises ligating the adapter sequence to at least a portion of the barcode nucleic acid molecule.",
"11. The method of claim 1, wherein the cell or nucleus further comprises:\n(4) a second protein, and (5) a second complex comprising (i) a second labeling agent configured to couple to the second protein, and (ii) a second transposase complex comprising (A) a second transposase and (B) a second nucleic acid molecule, wherein the second nucleic acid molecule comprises (I) a second adapter sequence and (II) a second reporter barcode sequence, and wherein the second labeling agent is coupled to the second transposase complex; and wherein the method further comprises\n(d) using the second transposase, the second nucleic acid molecule, and the genomic DNA to generate a second DNA fragment comprising a second sequence of the genomic DNA, the second adapter sequence, and the second reporter barcode sequence; and\n(e) using a second barcode nucleic acid molecule comprising the barcode sequence and the second DNA fragment to generate a second barcoded nucleic acid molecule comprising (1) the second sequence of the genomic DNA or reverse complement thereof, (2) the second reporter barcode sequence or reverse complement thereof, and (3) the barcode sequence or reverse complement thereof.",
"12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:\n(f) sequencing at least a portion of the barcoded nucleic acid molecule to identify (1) the sequence of the genomic DNA or reverse complement thereof, (2) the reporter barcode sequence or reverse complement thereof, and (3) the barcode sequence or reverse complement thereof; and\n(g) sequencing at least a portion of the second barcoded nucleic acid molecule to identify (1) the second sequence of the genomic DNA or reverse complement thereof, (2) the second reporter barcode sequence or reverse complement thereof, and (3) the barcode sequence or reverse complement thereof.",
"13. The method of claim 12, further comprising subsequent to (f) and (g),\nusing the barcode sequence or reverse complement thereof to identify (1) the sequence of the genomic DNA or reverse complement thereof and (2) the reporter barcode sequence or reverse complement thereof as originating from the cell or nucleus; and,\nusing the barcode sequence or reverse complement thereof to identify (1) the second sequence of the genomic DNA or reverse complement thereof and (2) the second reporter barcode sequence or reverse complement thereof as originating from the cell or nucleus.",
"14. The method of claim 1, wherein the labeling agent is an antibody or a fragment thereof.",
"15. The method of claim 1, further comprising prior to (a), (b), or (c), partitioning the cell or nucleus into a partition.",
"16. The method of claim 15, wherein (c) is performed in the partition.",
"17. The method of claim 15, wherein (b) is performed prior to the partitioning.",
"18. The method of claim 15, wherein the partition is an aqueous droplet in an emulsion.",
"19. The method of claim 15, wherein the partition is a well.",
"20. The method of claim 15, wherein the partition comprises a support.",
"21. The method of claim 20, wherein the support comprises a plurality of barcode nucleic acid molecules attached thereto.",
"22. The method of claim 21, wherein the plurality of barcode nucleic acid molecules comprises the barcode nucleic acid molecule.",
"23. The method of claim 21, wherein the support is a bead.",
"24. The method of claim 23, further comprising releasing the plurality of barcode nucleic acid molecules from the bead.",
"25. The method of claim 24, wherein the plurality of barcode nucleic acid molecules is releasably attached to the bead through a labile bond.",
"26. The method of claim 25, wherein the labile bond is selected from the group consisting of a thermally cleavable bond, a chemically labile bond, and a photo-sensitive bond.",
"27. The method of claim 23, wherein the bead is a gel bead.",
"28. The method of claim 27, further comprising degrading the gel bead by applying a stimulus.",
"29. The method of claim 28, wherein the stimulus is a chemical stimulus.",
"30. A method of nucleic acid analysis, comprising:\n(a) providing a cell or nucleus comprising:\n(1) genomic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA),\n(2) a protein, and\n(3) a complex comprising:\n(i) an antibody or a fragment thereof configured to couple to the protein and\n(ii) a transposase complex comprising (A) a transposase and (B) a nucleic acid molecule, wherein the nucleic acid molecule comprises (I) an adapter sequence and (II) a reporter barcode sequence that identifies the antibody or the fragment thereof, wherein the antibody or the fragment thereof is coupled to the transposase complex;\n(b) using the transposase, the nucleic acid molecule, and the genomic DNA to generate a DNA fragment comprising a sequence of the genomic DNA, the adapter sequence, and the reporter barcode sequence;\n(c) partitioning the cell or nucleus in a droplet with a bead comprising at least one barcode nucleic acid molecule comprising a barcode sequence; and\n(d) using the at least one barcode nucleic acid molecule and the DNA fragment to generate a barcoded nucleic acid molecule comprising (1) the sequence of the genomic DNA or reverse complement thereof, (2) the reporter barcode sequence or reverse complement thereof, and (3) the barcode sequence or reverse complement thereof."
],
[
"1. A fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer, comprising:\na sample and reagent receiving device for receiving a sample and a reagent, wherein the sample and reagent receiving device comprises a sample receiving mechanism for receiving the sample and a reagent receiving mechanism for receiving the reagent, the sample receiving mechanism is sleeved outside the reagent receiving mechanism, and the sample receiving mechanism and the reagent receiving mechanism are capable of rotating independently of each other;\na dispensing device for aspirating and discharging the sample and the reagent, wherein the dispensing device is located above the sample and reagent receiving device, and respectively transfers the sample and the reagent into a reaction vessel in a mixing device;\nthe mixing device for mixing the sample and the reagent in the reaction vessel;\nan incubation and luminescence detection device for incubation and luminescence detection;\na magnetic separation cleaning device for separation cleaning an analyte and impurities in the reaction vessel;\na reaction vessel grasping device for transferring the reaction vessel, wherein the reaction vessel grasping device transfers the reaction vessel into the mixing device, transfers the reaction vessel from the mixing device to the incubation and luminescence detection device to perform the incubation, transfers the reaction vessel to the magnetic separation cleaning device to perform the separation cleaning after the incubation, and transfers the reaction vessel into the incubation and luminescence detection device to perform the luminescence detection after the separation cleaning; and\na liquid path device respectively connected to the dispensing device and the magnetic separation cleaning device, wherein the liquid path device is configured to inject or discharge a cleaning liquid into or from the magnetic separation cleaning device,\nwherein the incubation and luminescence detection device comprises a sample incubation mechanism and a sample detection mechanism, wherein the sample detection mechanism detects the reaction vessel;\nthe sample incubation mechanism comprises an incubation block and a heating component configured to heat the incubation block, the incubation block is provided with a plurality of incubation holes arranged in an array, and each of the incubation holes is configured to receive the reaction vessel; and\nthe sample detection mechanism is disposed on the sample incubation mechanism, and located at a side face of the incubation block,\nwherein the incubation block is provided with a luminescence detection hole arranged corresponding to the sample detection mechanism, wherein the luminescence detection hole is within the incubation block, and wherein the luminescence detection hole is configured to accommodate the reaction vessel, the reaction vessel after the incubation is transferred from one of the incubation holes into the luminescence detection hole, and the reaction vessel accommodated in the luminescence detection hole is detected by the sample detection mechanism.",
"2. The fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer of claim 1, wherein the sample receiving mechanism comprises a plurality of sample holders arranged in an arc shape, a sample receiving driving structure, and a chassis, wherein each of the sample holders is configured to carry sample vessels with samples, the sample holders are sequentially installed on the chassis, and the sample receiving driving structure drives the chassis to rotate, so as to drive the sample holders on the chassis to rotate.",
"3. The fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer of claim 1, wherein the reagent receiving mechanism comprises a reagent housing, a reagent disc, and a reagent disc driving structure, wherein the reagent disc is accommodated in the reagent housing, the reagent disc is configured to store reagent vessels with reagents, and the reagent disc driving structure drives the reagent disc to rotate.",
"4. The fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer of claim 3, wherein the reagent receiving mechanism further comprises a cooling structure having a cooling component and a cold-end spreader, wherein the cooling component is located below the reagent disc and offset from a center of the reagent housing for cooling an interior of the reagent housing, and the cold-end spreader is connected to a cold end of the cooling component and located below the reagent disc.",
"5. The fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer of claim 4, wherein the reagent receiving mechanism further comprises a hot-end radiator having a heat-conducting component, wherein the hot-end radiator is connected to a hot end of the cooling component and located on an outer side of the reagent housing.",
"6. The fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer of claim 3, wherein the reagent receiving mechanism further comprises a reagent housing lid that covers the reagent housing; and\nthe reagent housing lid is provided with a plurality of reagent aspiration holes that are arranged in a radial direction of the reagent disc and located on a straight line, and the dispensing device is capable of entering into any one of the reagent aspiration holes to aspirate the reagent; and\nwherein the reagent housing lid comprises a condensation structure that is provided on the reagent housing lid, the reagent aspiration holes are located in the condensation structure, and the condensation structure is configured to receive condensed water generated at the reagent aspiration holes.",
"7. The fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer of claim 6, wherein the condensation structure comprises a condensation plate and a water receiving tray arranged opposite each other, the condensation plate is detachably connected to the water receiving tray, an airflow channel is formed between the condensation plate and the water receiving tray, and cold air in the reagent housing is capable of entering into the airflow channel;\neach of the reagent aspiration holes comprises a first reagent aspiration hole located in the condensation plate and a second reagent aspiration hole located in the water receiving tray; and the first reagent aspiration hole and the second reagent aspiration hole are arranged opposite each other, an outline of the first reagent aspiration hole covers an outline of the second reagent aspiration hole, and the first reagent aspiration hole is respectively in communication with the airflow channel and an outside environment.",
"8. The fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer of claim 3, wherein the sample and reagent receiving device further comprises an identification code scanner for scanning an identification code, and the sample receiving mechanism is provided with a scanning notch; and\nthe identification code scanner is capable of scanned identification codes of the sample vessels on sample receiving mechanism through the scanning notch, and the identification code scanner is further capable of scanning identification codes of the reagent vessels on the reagent receiving mechanism through the scanning notch;\nthe reagent housing is provided with a scanning window, and the scanning window, the scanning notch and the identification code scanner correspond to one another, the reagent disc drives the reagent vessels to rotate, such that the reagent vessels are sequentially moved to the scanning window, and the identification code scanner scans the identification codes of the reagent vessels.",
"9. The fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer of claim 1, wherein the mixing device comprises two mixing mechanisms, a mixing driving structure and a mixing seat, and the mixing driving structure drives each of the mixing mechanisms to move, so as to mix the sample and the reagent in the reaction vessel on the mixing device;\nthe mixing seat comprises a reagent and sample mixing seat and a substrate mixing seat, the reagent and sample mixing seat is configured to carry the reaction vessel with the sample and the reagent and to mix the sample and the reagent in the reaction vessel, the substrate mixing seat is configured to carry the reaction vessel or another reaction vessel with a substrate and to mix the analyte and the substrate in the reaction vessel, and the mixing driving structure respectively drives, via the two mixing mechanisms, the reagent and sample mixing seat and the substrate mixing seat to perform mixing operations simultaneously.",
"10. The fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer of claim 1, wherein the dispensing device comprises a dispensing needle, a horizontal movement mechanism and a vertical movement mechanism, wherein the vertical movement mechanism is provided on the horizontal movement mechanism, the dispensing needle is provided on the vertical movement mechanism and is in communication with the liquid path device, and movements of the vertical movement mechanism and the horizontal movement mechanism cause the dispensing needle to transfer the sample and the reagent between the sample and reagent receiving device and the mixing device;\nthe dispensing device further comprises a first cleaning mechanism connected to the horizontal movement mechanism, wherein the first cleaning mechanism is in communication with the liquid path device, the horizontal movement mechanism drives the first cleaning mechanism to move, and when the vertical movement mechanism drives the dispensing needle to ascend or descend, the first cleaning mechanism cleans an outer wall of the dispensing needle.",
"11. The fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer of claim 10, wherein the dispensing device comprises a second cleaning mechanism, wherein the second cleaning mechanism is connected to the liquid path device, and the second cleaning mechanism is configured to receive a waste cleaning liquid after an inner wall of the dispensing needle is cleaned, and the waste cleaning liquid is discharged by the liquid path device.",
"12. The fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer of claim 1, wherein the incubation block is further provided with a waste liquid discharge hole arranged adjacent to the luminescence detection hole, the reaction vessel is transferred from the luminescence detection hole into the waste liquid discharge hole, and a waste liquid in the reaction vessel is discharged by the liquid path device.",
"13. The fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer of claim 1, wherein the sample incubation mechanism further comprises a substrate heat-conducting structure having a substrate tube and a substrate heat-conducting block, wherein the substrate tube and the substrate heat-conducting block are both disposed in the incubation block, and the substrate heat-conducting block is configured to heat a substrate in the substrate tube.",
"14. The fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer of claim 1, wherein the sample incubation mechanism further comprises a cleaning liquid heat-conducting container, which is disposed in the incubation block for heating the cleaning liquid, and is capable of delivering the heated cleaning liquid into the reaction vessel.",
"15. The fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer of claim 1, further comprising a waste liquid discharge device, which is connected to the liquid path device and configured to discharge a waste liquid from the reaction vessel after being detected by the incubation and luminescence detection device; and\nwhile discharging the waste liquid, the waste liquid discharge device is further capable of shielding the reaction vessel from light, when the reaction vessel is being subjected to the luminescence detection in the incubation and luminescence detection device.",
"16. The fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer of claim 1, wherein the magnetic separation cleaning device comprises a magnetic separation base, a cleaning liquid injection mechanism, a cleaning liquid discharge mechanism and a magnetic separation attraction mechanism, wherein\nthe magnetic separation base is provided with an access hole, at least one cleaning liquid intake hole and at least one cleaning liquid discharge hole provided in sequence, the access hole being configured to receive or remove the reaction vessel to be separated and cleaned; the magnetic separation base drives the reaction vessel to rotate such that the reaction vessel sequentially corresponds to the cleaning liquid intake hole, the cleaning liquid discharge hole and the access hole; the cleaning liquid injection mechanism is connected to the liquid path device and provided in the cleaning liquid intake hole for adding the cleaning liquid into the reaction vessel; the cleaning liquid discharge mechanism is connected to the liquid path device and arranged in a liftable manner corresponding to the cleaning liquid discharge hole, for discharging the waste cleaning liquid from the reaction vessel; and\nthe magnetic separation attraction mechanism is provided in the magnetic separation base and located on two sides of a rotation path of the reaction vessel.",
"17. The fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer of claim 16, wherein the magnetic separation cleaning device further comprises a separation cleaning mechanism, and a liquid discharge ascending/descending mechanism located in a liftable manner on the magnetic separation base; the cleaning liquid discharge mechanism comprises a cleaning liquid discharge needle provided on the liquid discharge ascending/descending mechanism, the separation cleaning mechanism is provided in the cleaning liquid discharge hole, and when the liquid discharge ascending/descending mechanism drives the liquid discharge needle to ascend or descend, the separation cleaning mechanism cleans an outer wall of the liquid discharge needle.",
"18. The fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer of claim 16, wherein the at least one cleaning liquid intake hole comprises three cleaning liquid intake holes and the at least one cleaning liquid discharge hole comprises three cleaning discharge holes, and each of the three cleaning liquid intake holes and each of the three cleaning liquid discharge holes are alternately placed in a circumferential direction of the magnetic separation base.",
"19. The fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer of claim 16, wherein the magnetic separation cleaning device further comprises a magnetic shielding component, the magnetic shielding component being sleeved outside the magnetic separation base for shielding a magnetic field generated by the magnetic separation attraction mechanism.",
"20. The fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer of claim 1, further comprising: a carrying platform, a reaction vessel receiving device, a waste box, a main control device, and a power supply device, wherein\nthe sample and reagent receiving device is located at one side edge of the carrying platform and provided on a side of the incubation and luminescence detection device away from the magnetic separation cleaning device, for carrying and automatically delivering the reaction vessel;\nthe incubation and luminescence detection device, the magnetic separation cleaning device and the reaction vessel receiving device are located at the other side edge of the carrying platform;\nthe mixing device is located between the incubation and luminescence detection device and the sample and reagent receiving device;\nthe liquid path device is located below the carrying platform; the reaction vessel grasping device is located at an edge of the carrying platform and above the reaction vessel receiving device; and\nthe dispensing device is located above the sample and reagent receiving device;\nthe power supply device is electrically connected to the main control device;\nthe main control device is electrically connected to the sample and reagent receiving device, the dispensing device, the incubation and luminescence detection device, the magnetic separation cleaning device, the reaction vessel grasping device, the reaction vessel receiving device and the liquid path device respectively; and\nthe main control device and the power supply device are located below the carrying platform.",
"21. The fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer of claim 1, wherein the liquid path device further comprises a magnetic separation cleaning liquid path system, and the magnetic separation cleaning device is provided with a liquid injection needle; the magnetic separation cleaning liquid path system comprises a magnetic separation power source, a magnetic separation liquid aspiration pipeline, a magnetic separation liquid injection pipeline and a first magnetic separation control valve;\nthe magnetic separation power source is respectively connected to the magnetic separation liquid aspiration pipeline and the magnetic separation liquid injection pipeline via the first magnetic separation control valve; the magnetic separation liquid aspiration pipeline is in communication with a cleaning liquid container with the cleaning liquid, and the magnetic separation liquid injection pipeline is connected to the liquid injection needle;\nthe first magnetic separation control valve connects the magnetic separation power source with the magnetic separation liquid aspiration pipeline and disconnects the magnetic separation power source from the magnetic separation liquid injection pipeline, so that the cleaning liquid is capable of being aspirated from the cleaning liquid container; and the first magnetic separation control valve connects the magnetic separation power source with the magnetic separation liquid injection pipeline and disconnects the magnetic separation power source from the magnetic separation liquid aspiration pipeline, so that the cleaning liquid is capable of being injected into the reaction vessel;\nthe magnetic separation cleaning device is provided with a separation cleaning mechanism and a cleaning liquid discharge needle; the magnetic separation cleaning liquid path system further comprises a first magnetic separation cleaning pipeline, a third magnetic separation control valve and a fourth magnetic separation control valve;\nthe first magnetic separation cleaning pipeline connects the magnetic separation liquid injection pipeline to the separation cleaning mechanism, and the third magnetic separation control valve is provided on the first magnetic separation cleaning pipeline for controlling opening and closing of the first magnetic separation cleaning pipeline; the fourth magnetic separation control valve is provided on the magnetic separation liquid injection pipeline; and\nthe magnetic separation power source is in communication with the first magnetic separation cleaning pipeline via the magnetic separation liquid injection pipeline, and the fourth magnetic separation control valve closes the magnetic separation liquid injection pipeline to clean an outer wall of the liquid injection needle.",
"22. The fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer of claim 21, wherein the magnetic separation cleaning liquid path system further comprises a magnetic separation liquid discharge pipeline, a second magnetic separation control valve, a magnetic separation drive source, and a recovery pipeline;\nthe magnetic separation liquid discharge pipeline connects the magnetic separation drive source to the liquid discharge needle, and the second magnetic separation control valve is provided on the magnetic separation liquid discharge pipeline for discharging waste cleaning liquid from the reaction vessel; and the magnetic separation drive source is further connected to the recovery pipeline, and the waste cleaning liquid in the reaction vessel is discharged into a waste liquid bucket through the recovery pipeline;\nthe magnetic separation cleaning liquid path system further comprises a second magnetic separation cleaning pipeline and a fifth magnetic separation control valve; the second magnetic separation cleaning pipeline connects the separation cleaning mechanism to the magnetic separation drive source, the fifth magnetic separation control valve is provided on the second magnetic separation cleaning pipeline for controlling opening and closing of the second magnetic separation cleaning pipeline, and the waste cleaning liquid is discharged into the waste liquid bucket by the magnetic separation drive source;\nthe magnetic separation drive source comprises a negative pressure chamber, a vacuum pump, and a negative pressure sensor, wherein the negative pressure chamber connects the magnetic separation liquid discharge pipeline to the recovery pipeline, the vacuum pump is provided on the recovery pipeline, the negative pressure sensor is configured to detect a pressure of the negative pressure chamber, and the pressure is adjusted by the vacuum pump."
],
[
"1. A valveless, single use, microfluidic cartridge for performing an assay, the cartridge comprising:\na sealable sample chamber;\na first microfluidic blister comprising a first reagent;\noptionally a second blister comprising a second reagent;\noptionally a third blister comprising a third reagent;\na first mixing chamber;\na second mixing chamber;\na first bellows;\na second bellows;\na reading cuvette connected to the first mixing chamber;\nwherein\nthe sample chamber, first blister and optionally the second blister are each connected to the first mixing chamber;\nthe first mixing chamber is connected to the second mixing chamber via a tortuous channel;\nthe first bellows is connected to the second mixing chamber;\nthe second bellows is adapted to force liquids from the first mixing chamber towards the reading cuvette;\nand wherein the cartridge is being adapted to:\nreceive a sample into said sample chamber and to seal said sample chamber such that said cartridge is a closed system after sealing said sample chamber;\npass a predetermined quantity of said sample into said first mixing chamber;\ntransfer said first reagent from said first blister into said first mixing chamber;\noperate said first bellows to transfer liquid back and forth between said first and said second mixing chambers, to mix said sample and said first reagent;\noptionally transfer said second reagent from said second blister into said first mixing chamber and optionally operate said first bellows to transfer liquid back and forth between said first and said second mixing chambers;\noptionally transfer said third reagent from said third blister into said second mixing chamber and optionally operate said first bellows to transfer liquid back and forth between said first and said second mixing chambers;\noperate said second bellows to transfer liquid from said first mixing chamber, toward said reading cuvette.",
"2. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein said first mixing chamber is of a volume of 200 to 10000 microliters.",
"3. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein a volume of any of the blisters is from about 1 microliter to 1000 microliters.",
"4. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein a volume of the sample is about 10 microliters.",
"5. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein said cartridge has a shelf-life of 6 to 24 months.",
"6. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein said first bellows and/or said second bellows comprises an inflatable deformable elastic chamber adapted to apply at least one of a negative pressure and a positive pressure to said mixing chamber(s).",
"7. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein:\nsaid first reagent comprises antibodies;\nsaid second reagent or said third reagent comprises a diluent and/or a cell lysis reagent;\nsaid second reagent or said third reagent comprise fluorescently tagged beads.",
"8. The cartridge of claim 7, wherein said antibodies comprise an antibody mixture comprising fluorescently tagged CD64 and fluorescently tagged CD163 antibodies.",
"9. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein said reagent(s) comprises at least one of:\ni. at least one target antibody;\nii. at least one positive control identifying antibody; and\niii. at least one negative control identifying detection moiety.",
"10. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein said reagent(s) comprises at least one reference composition comprising at least one of:\ni. a target signal reference composition; and\nii. a reference identifier composition.",
"11. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein said first reagent comprise at least one sepsis biomarker.",
"12. The cartridge of claim 11, wherein said at least one biomarker comprises at least one of CD64 and CD163 biomarkers.",
"13. The cartridge of claim 8, wherein the fluorescent tags of said beads comprising two fluorescent tags, wherein at least one of the two fluorescent tags on said beads is different from the fluorescently tagged CD64 and fluorescently tagged CD163 antibodies.",
"14. The cartridge of claim 7, wherein said antibodies are murine monoclonal antibodies.",
"15. The cartridge of claim 7, wherein the fluorescently tagged beads comprise Starfire Red.",
"16. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the cell lysis reagent comprises ammonium chloride.",
"17. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein said sample comprises cells.",
"18. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein said sample is a blood sample.",
"19. The cartridge of claim 18, wherein said blood sample is whole blood.",
"20. The cartridge of claim 18, wherein the blood sample comprises erythrocytes and/or leukocytes, and wherein the leukocytes comprise lymphocytes and neutrophils.",
"21. The cartridge of claim 20, wherein the blood sample comprises leukocytes."
],
[
"1. An analyte detection device, comprising:\na first substrate and a second substrate aligned to define a gap therebetween;\nan array of wells disposed in the second substrate, wherein:\neach well is of the array of wells is dimensioned to hold a single solid support of a plurality of solid supports, the plurality of solid supports being configured to bind to an analyte of interest;\neach well of the array of wells comprises a first sidewall and a bottom surface; and\nat least a top portion of the first sidewall is oriented at an obtuse angle with reference to the bottom surface; and\nan actuation component configured to facilitate movement of the plurality of solid supports to the array of wells.",
"2. The analyte detection device of claim 1, wherein a bottom portion of the first sidewall is oriented at the obtuse angle with reference to the bottom surface.",
"3. The analyte detection device of claim 1, wherein each well comprises a second sidewall that is perpendicular to the bottom surface.",
"4. The analyte detection device of claim 1, wherein each well comprises a second sidewall that is oriented at an acute angle with reference to the bottom portion.",
"5. The analyte detection device of claim 1, wherein each well has a frustoconical shape.",
"6. The analyte detection device of claim 1, wherein each well has an inverted frustoconical shape.",
"7. The analyte detection device of claim 1, wherein the first substrate comprises a first portion at which a liquid containing the analyte of interest is introduced and a second portion toward which the liquid is moved, wherein the array of wells is disposed proximate the second portion.",
"8. The analyte detection device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second substrates is substantially transparent to facilitate optical interrogation of the wells.",
"9. The analyte detection device of claim 8, further comprising an optical imaging component configured to determine a number of the solid supports disposed in a well and bound to the analyte of interest.",
"10. The analyte detection device of claim 1, wherein a plurality of the plurality of solid supports are magnetic solid supports.",
"11. The analyte detection device of claim 10, wherein a magnetic field is used to facilitate loading the magnetic solid supports into respective wells.",
"12. The analyte detection device of claim 1, further comprising a reagent reservoir disposed on the first substrate.",
"13. The analyte detection device of claim 12, wherein at least one reagent disposed in the reagent reservoir comprises a detectable label, a binding member, a dye, or a surfactant.",
"14. The analyte detection device of claim 12, wherein at least one reagent is disposed in the reagent reservoir in a printed or dried form.",
"15. The analyte detection device of claim 1, wherein each solid support comprises a passivating layer configured to minimize non-specific attachment of non-capture components to the solid support.",
"16. A method of detecting an analyte of interest, comprising:\nintroducing a liquid comprising an analyte of interest into an analyte detection device comprising:\na first substrate and a second substrate aligned to define a gap therebetween;\nan array of wells disposed in the second substrate, wherein:\neach well is of the array of wells is dimensioned to hold a single solid support of a plurality of solid supports, the plurality of solid supports being configured to bind to an analyte of interest;\neach well of the array of wells comprises a first sidewall and a bottom surface;\nat least a top portion of the first sidewall is oriented at an obtuse angle with reference to the bottom surface;\nthe first substrate comprises a first portion at which the liquid comprising the analyte of interest is introduced and a second portion toward which the liquid is moved, wherein the array of wells is disposed proximate the second portion; and\nan actuation component configured to facilitate movement of the plurality of solid supports to the array of wells;\nintroducing the solid supports to the liquid comprising the analyte of interest;\nmoving the plurality of solid supports bound to the analyte of interest towards the array of wells;\nloading the plurality of solid supports into respective wells of the array of wells; and\nimaging the array of wells to determine a number of the solid supports disposed in the array of wells and bound to the analyte of interest.",
"17. The method of claim 16, wherein at least one of the first and second substrates is substantially transparent to facilitate optical interrogation of the wells.",
"18. The method of claim 16, wherein a plurality of the plurality of solid supports are magnetic solid supports, the method further comprising:\nactuating a magnetic field to facilitate loading the magnetic solid supports into respective wells.",
"19. The method of claim 16, further comprising:\ncalculating a ratio of the solid supports bound to the analyte of interest to solid supports not bound to the analyte of interest.",
"20. The method of claim 19, wherein at least one of the first substrate and the second substrate is substantially transparent to facilitate optical interrogation of the wells."
],
[
"1. An apparatus for detecting an analyte in a biological fluid of a subject, comprising:\na) a sample collection unit for introducing a biological fluid in fluid communication with a plurality of reaction sites;\nb) a plurality of reactant chambers carrying a plurality of reactants in fluid communication with said reaction sites,\nwherein said plurality of reaction sites comprise a plurality of reactants bound thereto for detecting said analyte; and\nc) a system of fluidic channels to allow said biological fluid and said plurality of reactants to flow in said apparatus, wherein at least one channel located between said plurality of reaction sites comprises an optical barrier to reduce the amount of optical cross-talk between said plurality of said reaction sites during detection of said analyte.",
"2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of waste chambers in fluid communication with at least one of said reaction sites.",
"3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each channel located between said plurality of reaction sites comprises an optical barrier.",
"4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the biological fluid is less than about 500 microliters.",
"5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said optical barrier comprises a nonlinear fluidic channel.",
"6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the fluid is less than about 50 microliters.",
"7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reactants comprise immunoassay reagents.",
"8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said apparatus detects a plurality of analytes, wherein the analytes are identified by distinct signals detectable over a range of 3 orders of magnitude.",
"9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the immunoassay reagents detect a polypeptide glycoprotein, polysaccharide, lipid, nucleic acid, and a combination thereof.",
"10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the immunoassay reagents detect a member selected from the group consisting of drug, drug metabolite, biomarker indicative of a disease, tissue specific marker, and biomarker specific for a cell or cell type.",
"11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the detectable signal is a luminescent signal.",
"12. An apparatus for detecting an analyte in a biological fluid of a subject, comprising\na) a sample collection unit for introducing a biological fluid in fluid communication with a plurality of reaction sites, wherein said plurality of reaction sites comprise a plurality of bound reactants for detecting said analyte;\nb) a plurality of reactant chambers carrying a plurality of reactants in fluid communication with said reaction sites; and\nc) a system of fluidic channels to allow said biological fluid and said plurality of reactants to flow in said apparatus,\nwherein said bound reactants in at least one reaction site are unevenly distributed.",
"13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said bound reactants in the at least one reaction site are localized around the center of said reaction site.",
"14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein an outer edge of the at least one reaction site is at a distance sufficiently far from said bound reactants to reduce signals unrelated to the presence of said analyte.",
"15. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a waste chamber in fluid communication with said reaction sites.",
"16. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said unbound reactant is coupled to said edge of said reaction site.",
"17. A method of manufacturing a fluidic device for detecting an analyte in a biological fluid of a subject, comprising:\na) providing a plurality of layers of a fluidic device;\nb) ultrasonically welding said layers together such that a fluidic network exists between a sample collection unit, at least one reactant chamber, at least one reaction site, and at least one waste chamber.",
"18. The method of claim 17 wherein said at least one reaction chamber is vacuum sealed.",
"19. The method of claim 17, wherein said fluidic device comprises a system of fluidic channels to allow contact of said biological fluid with reactants in said at least one reaction site.",
"20. The method of claim 17, wherein said reaction site comprises an optical barrier to reduce the amount of optical cross-talk between another reaction site on the fluidic device."
],
[
"32. A method of amplifying and sequencing nucleic acid, comprising:\na) providing:\ni) a population of different nucleic acid template molecules,\nii) a plurality of single stranded oligonucleotides immobilized on a bead,\niii) amplification reagents,\niv) sequencing reagents, and\nv) a plurality of first and second sequencing primers;\nb) hybridizing at least a portion of said population of nucleic acid template molecules to said plurality of single stranded oligonucleotides immobilized on said bead;\nc) amplifying said nucleic acid template molecules so as to create a plurality of forward strands;\nd) sequencing said forward oligonucleotide strands with said first sequencing primers;\ne) amplifying said nucleic acid template molecules so as to create a plurality of reverse single stranded strands; and\nf) sequencing said reverse oligonucleotide strands with said second sequencing primers.",
"33. The method of claim 32, wherein said amplification reagents comprise polymerase and dNTPs.",
"34. The method of claim 32, wherein said sequencing reagents comprise reagents for sequencing by synthesis.",
"35. The method of claim 32, wherein the bead is enclosed in a chamber.",
"36. The method of claim 35, wherein the chamber is formed between i) a first surface having a plurality of indentations and ii) a second surface.",
"37. The method of claim 35, wherein the bead is located within a single indentation of the plurality of indentations.",
"38. The method of claim 36, wherein each indentation of the plurality of indentation comprises a bead.",
"39. The method of claim 36, wherein said chamber is sealed by an adhesive gasket between the first and second surfaces.",
"40. The method of claim 32, wherein said plurality of single stranded oligonucleotides are immobilized to said bead through a linker.",
"41. The method of claim 40, wherein said linker elevates said oligonucleotides away from said surface.",
"42. The method of claim 32, wherein when the first sequencing primers are used in step d), said second sequencing primers are not active.",
"43. A method of sequencing nucleic acid, comprising:\na) providing i) a plurality of different amplicons immobilized on a bead enclosed in a chamber, and ii) sequencing reagents;\nb) introducing said sequencing reagents into said chamber; and\nc) performing sequencing by synthesis.",
"44. The method of claim 43, wherein the chamber is formed between i) a first surface having a plurality of indentations and ii) a second surface.",
"45. The method of claim 43, wherein said chamber is sealed by an adhesive gasket, between the first and second surfaces.",
"46. The method of claim 45, wherein said adhesive gasket is sandwiched between said first and second surfaces.",
"47. The method of claim 43, wherein said sequencing reagents comprise polymerase and a plurality of sequencing primers.",
"48. The method of claim 43, wherein said amplicons are attached to the bead through extension of the primers which were attached to the bead prior to amplification.",
"49. The method of claim 48, wherein said amplification performed without the use of emulsions.",
"50. The method of claim 44, wherein the first surface comprises silicon.",
"51. The method of claim 50, where the first surface is a microchip."
],
[
"1. An application method for an automatic micro droplet array screening system with picoliter scale precision, wherein the system comprises a capillary, a fluid driving system in connection with the capillary, a microwell array chip, a sample/reagent storage tube and an automated translation stage, the application method comprising the following steps:\n(1) filling the fluid driving system and the capillary with a carrier fluid, and removing air bubbles inside the capillary, wherein thermal expansion coefficient of the carrier fluid ranges from 0.00001/° C to 0.0005/° C;\n(2) immersing a sampling end of the capillary into a first oil phase that is mutually immiscible with and above an aqueous sample in the sample/reagent storage tube, and aspirating a plug of the first oil phase into the capillary for separating the aqueous sample and the carrier fluid, wherein the carrier fluid and the first oil phase are mutually immiscible;\n(3) immersing the sampling end of the capillary into the sample/reagent storage tube and aspirating a predetermined volume of the aqueous sample into the capillary; and\n(4) moving the sampling end of the capillary to a location above a second oil phase in and above microwells on the microwell array chip, and pushing the aqueous sample in the capillary into the microwells to form droplets of the aqueous sample, wherein the carrier fluid and the second oil phase are mutually immiscible.",
"2. The application method for an automatic micro droplet array screening system with picoliter scale precision according to claim 1, wherein step (4) of the application method further comprises the following specific sub-steps:\nproducing droplets of multiple aqueous samples to be screened with different chemical compositions or concentrations on the microwell array chip;\naspirating a predetermined volume of a reagent at one time into the capillary, and respectively inserting the sampling end of the capillary into each aqueous sample droplet; respectively injecting a further predetermined volume of the aspirated reagent to form a droplet reactor, and complete mixing, reaction, testing and screening of the aqueous sample and the reagent.",
"3. The application method for an automatic micro droplet array screening system with picoliter scale precision according to claim 1, wherein characterized in that step (4) also comprises the following specific sub-steps:\nproducing a predetermined number of droplets of a reagent on the microwell array chip;\nrespectively injecting the aqueous sample to be screened into each droplet of the reagent to form a droplet reactor, and complete mixing, reaction, testing and screening of the reagent and aqueous sample.",
"4. The application method for an automatic micro droplet array screening system with picoliter scale precision according to claim 1, wherein the fluid driving system is configured to drive fluid at a flow rate of 1 nanoliter/min to 500 nanoliters/min.",
"5. The application method for an automatic micro droplet array screening system with picoliter scale precision according to claim 1, wherein an additional volume of the first oil phase is aspirated into the capillary before aspiration of the aqueous sample or a reagent; the first oil phase is also pushed out of the capillary together with the aqueous sample or the reagent.",
"6. The application method for an automatic micro droplet array screening system with picoliter scale precision according to claim 1, wherein wall thickness of the capillary ranges from 1 micron to 100 microns.",
"7. The application method for an automatic micro droplet array screening system with picoliter scale precision according to claim 1, wherein the carrier fluid and the first and second oil phases are degassed before step (1).",
"8. The application method for an automatic micro droplet array screening system with picoliter scale precision according to claim 1, wherein a layer of the second oil phase covers the microwells on the microwell array chip and a layer of the first oil phase covers the aqueous sample in the sample/reagent storage tube; and thickness of the first and second oil phases ranges from 0.1 mm to 10 mm.",
"9. The application method for an automatic micro droplet array screening system with picoliter scale precision according to claim 1, wherein a biologically compatible surfactant is added into the first and second oil phases; and concentration of the surfactant ranges from 0.01% to 10%."
],
[
"1. A method for identifying a transcriptome change in a cell induced by a compound, the method comprising:\na) generating an assay array wherein said array comprises:\ni) a plurality of confined volumes wherein each confined volume is separated from the other confined volumes and wherein each confined volume comprises at least one cell;\nii) a plurality of beads where each bead comprises the compound and a plurality of first functionalized oligonucleotides, wherein each first functionalized oligonucleotide comprises a capture sequence and an oligonucleotide portion that encodes a structure of the compound or the synthetic steps used to make said compound, wherein a single bead is disposed in each confined volume;\nb) contacting the at least one cell in each confined volume with the compound released into the confined volume from the bead; and\nc) capturing RNA from the at least one cell in each confined volume by lysing the at least one cell and contacting the RNA with the capture sequence on said bead or with a second functionalized oligonucleotide.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the RNA is contacted with the second functionalized oligonucleotide, and the method further comprises:\ncausing a poly-A tail located 3′ with respect to the capture sequence to hybridize to a poly-T region of a different second functionalized oligonucleotide, wherein the second functionalized oligonucleotide encodes a structure of the captured RNA.",
"3. The method of claim 2, wherein second functionalized oligonucleotides each comprise a unique molecular identifier (UMI) distinct from UMIs of other second functionalized oligonucleotides, and the method further comprises:\nquantifying RNA that has been captured based on a number of UMIs bound to RNA.",
"4. The method of claim 2, wherein the second functionalized oligonucleotide is hybridized to the RNA from the at least one cell, and the method further comprises:\ncausing the different second functionalized oligonucleotide to hybridize to the poly-A tail.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein the compound is selected as a drug candidate from a combinatorial library.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein the capturing of the RNA comprises contacting a membrane of the at least one cell to the capture sequence.",
"7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\ncausing a first end of a first functionalized oligonucleotide to hybridize to a second end of the second functionalized oligonucleotide, wherein the first end is located 3′ with respect to the capture sequence and the second end comprises a 5′ end of the second functionalized oligonucleotide.",
"8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first functionalized oligonucleotides encode a date that the compound was synthesized, a disease that the compound is intended to treat, or a cellular event that the compound is intended to stimulate or inhibit.",
"9. The method of claim 1, further comprising maintaining said contact for a period sufficient to generate a transcriptome change in the RNA expressed by the at least one cell in response to said contacting.",
"10. The method of claim 1, further comprising applying the second functionalized oligonucleotide to the at least one cell while lysing the at least one cell.",
"11. An assay device comprising:\na plurality of confined volumes wherein each confined volume is separated from the other confined volumes and wherein each confined volume comprises at least one cell;\na plurality of beads, wherein:\neach bead comprises a compound and a plurality of first functionalized oligonucleotides;\nthe compound is released into the confined volume from the bead;\neach first functionalized oligonucleotide comprises a capture sequence and an oligonucleotide portion that encodes a structure of the compound or the synthetic steps used to make said compound;\na single bead is disposed in each confined volume; and\nat least one of the first functionalized oligonucleotides or a second functionalized oligonucleotide captures RNA from the cell in each confined volume following lysing of the at least one cell.",
"12. The assay device of claim 11, further comprising the second functionalized oligonucleotide and a different second functionalized oligonucleotide, wherein:\nthe first functionalized oligonucleotides each comprise a poly-A tail located 3′ with respect to the capture sequence;\nthe second functionalized oligonucleotide and the different second functionalized oligonucleotide each comprise a poly-T region; and\nthe poly-A tail of one of the first functionalized oligonucleotides hybridizes to the poly-T region of the different second functionalized oligonucleotide.",
"13. The assay device of claim 12, further comprising second functionalized oligonucleotides, wherein the second functionalized oligonucleotides each comprise a unique molecular identifier (UMI) distinct from UMIs of other second functionalized oligonucleotides, wherein RNA that has been captured is quantified based on a number of UMIs bound to RNA.",
"14. The assay device of claim 12, wherein the second functionalized oligonucleotide is hybridized to the RNA from the at least one cell, and the second functionalized oligonucleotide and the different second functionalized oligonucleotide are within a same confined volume and comprise a common promoter region to indicate that the compound was contacted with the at least one cell.",
"15. The assay device of claim 12, wherein the second functionalized oligonucleotide and the different second functionalized oligonucleotide each comprise a sequence that is identical, wherein the sequence is different from other sequences belonging to other second functionalized oligonucleotides in different confined volumes.",
"16. The assay device of claim 11, wherein the compound is selected as a drug candidate from a combinatorial library.",
"17. The assay device of claim 11, wherein the capture sequence contacts a membrane of the at least one cell.",
"18. The assay device of claim 11, wherein a first functionalized oligonucleotide of the first functionalized oligonucleotides hybridizes to a second end of the second functionalized oligonucleotide, wherein the first end is located 3′ with respect to the capture sequence and the second end comprises a 5′ end of the second functionalized oligonucleotide.",
"19. The assay device of claim 11, wherein the first functionalized oligonucleotides encode a date that the compound was synthesized, a disease that the compound is intended to treat, or a cellular event that the compound is intended to stimulate or inhibit.",
"20. The assay device of claim 11, further comprising the second functionalized oligonucleotide which contacts the at least one cell, and wherein the at least one cell is lysed."
],
[
"1. An assay system configured to use an assay consumable for conducting an assay, said assay consumable associated with a consumable identifier wherein said assay system comprises:\n(a) a storage medium configured to store data describing a plurality of steps of a generic assay protocol applicable to a plurality of assays, and configured to store a data deployable bundle (DDB) associated with the consumable identifier, wherein the DDB includes information describing a specific assay protocol to be performed, the specific assay protocol including all or a portion of the plurality of steps of the generic assay protocol;\n(b) a controller adapted to:\nread the information in the DDB to determine the specific assay protocol to be performed when conducting the assay; and\ncause all or a portion of the steps of the generic assay protocol to be performed based on the specific assay protocol associated with the DDB.",
"2. The assay system of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to persist one or more data files of the DDB to the storage medium.",
"3. The assay system of claim 2, wherein the one or more data files comprise a DDB unique identifier, a DDB version, consumable static information, consumable processing information, and combinations thereof.",
"4. The assay system of claim 3, wherein the consumable static information comprises consumable type information.",
"5. The assay system of claim 4, wherein the assay consumable is a multi-well assay plate and the consumable type information includes a number of columns of wells; a number of rows of wells; a number of binding domains per well; and combinations thereof.",
"6. The assay system of claim 3, wherein the assay consumable is a multi-well assay plate and the consumable processing information comprises data used by the assay system in the conduct of the assay using the multi-well assay plate and/or the processing of assay data resulting from the conduct of the assay using the multi-well assay plate.",
"7. The assay system of claim 6, wherein the consumable processing information comprises the number of sectors per multi-well assay plate, the number of circuits per multi-well assay plate, detection parameters used by the assay system to read the multi-well assay plate; image processing properties use to produce ECL results; plate type gain; binding domain gain; optical cross talk matrix; and combinations thereof.",
"8. The assay system of claim 3, wherein the assay consumable is a kit comprising a multi-well assay plate and one or more reagents used in the conduct of the assay using the multi-well assay plate and the DDB further comprises assay binding domain information, assay protocol, data analysis parameters, a product insert, and combinations thereof.",
"9. The assay system of claim 2, wherein the one or more data files comprise a DDB unique identifier, a DDB version, and consumable static information.",
"10. The assay system of claim 1, wherein the assay system further comprises a DDB version compatibility processor configured to downgrade and/or upgrade incompatible DDB software.",
"11. The assay system of claim 1, wherein the assay system further comprises a DDB factory adapted to transform raw classified data into assay system configured data suitable for use by the assay system in the conduct of the assay.",
"12. The assay system of claim 1, wherein the DDB comprises a DDB xml file including data description information and data processing information.",
"13. The assay system of claim 1, wherein the specific assay protocol includes only a portion of the plurality of steps of the generic assay protocol.",
"14. A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon a computer program which, when executed by a computer system operatively connected to an assay system, causes the assay system to perform all or some of the steps of a method of conducting an assay on said assay system, wherein said assay system is configured to use an assay consumable in the conduct of said assay, said assay consumable comprising an assay consumable identifier including a data deployable bundle (DDB), and said assay system comprises:\n(a) a storage medium including a consumable data repository comprising local consumable data, a data registry, and data describing a plurality of steps of a generic assay protocol applicable to a plurality of assays;\n(b) a consumable identifier controller adapted to read and install said DDB to said storage medium; and\n(c) a consumable data service processor adapted to query said data registry and one or more remote consumable data databases to identify and download the local consumable data required for the conduct of the assay by the assay system using said assay consumable;\nsaid method comprising the steps of:\n(a) causing the DDB to be read from said assay consumable identifier to determine a specific assay protocol to be performed when conducting the assay;\n(b) causing the DDB to be stored to said consumable data repository;\n(c) causing the local consumable data to be identified from said consumable data repository and\noptionally, causing the local consumable data to be downloaded from one or more remote consumable data databases;\n(d) causing all or a portion of the plurality of steps of the generic assay protocol to be selected to be performed based on the specific assay protocol associated with the DDB; and\n(e) conducting said assay using said assay consumable.",
"15. The computer readable medium of claim 14, wherein the method further comprises the step of persisting one or more data files of the DDB to the storage medium.",
"16. The assay system of claim 15, wherein the one or more data files comprise a DDB unique identifier, a DDB version, consumable static information, consumable processing information, and combinations thereof.",
"17. The assay system of claim 16, wherein the consumable processing information comprises data used by the assay system in the conduct of the assay using a multi-well assay plate or the processing of assay data resulting from the conduct of the assay using the multi-well assay plate.",
"18. The assay system of claim 17, wherein the consumable processing information comprises the number of sectors per multi-well assay plate, the number of circuits per multi-well assay plate, detection parameters used by the assay system to read the multi-well assay plate; image processing properties use to produce ECL results; plate type gain; binding domain gain; optical cross talk matrix; and combinations thereof.",
"19. The assay system of claim 15, wherein the one or more data files comprise a DDB unique identifier, a DDB version, and consumable static information.",
"20. The assay system of claim 19, wherein the consumable static information comprises consumable type information.",
"21. The assay system of claim 14, wherein selecting all or a portion of a plurality of steps of the generic assay protocol includes selecting only a portion of the plurality of steps.",
"22. The assay system of any of claim 14, wherein the DDB comprises a DDB xml file including data description information and data processing information.",
"23. An automated assay system configured to use assay consumables in the conduct of an assay, said assay system comprises at least one processor and at least one storage medium,\nwherein said storage medium stores instructions to conduct said assay by said at least one processor,\nwherein said instructions are separated into a plurality of components, said plurality of components comprises:\na security component,\na user interface component,\nan instrument control component, and\na data services component,\nwherein each component operates substantially independently of each other and has substantially no interaction with each other,\nwherein said plurality of components are connected to a master organizer and the master organizer instructs each component when to operate.",
"24. The assay system of claim 23, wherein the system comprises more than one component and an update to one component does not require a revalidation of all the components.",
"25. The assay system of claim 23, wherein the master organizer serves as a conduit to pass information among the plurality of components.",
"26. The assay system of any of claim 23, wherein at least one of said components is further separated into sub-components, wherein each sub-component operates substantially independently of each other and has substantially no interaction with each other, and wherein a sub-master organizer is connected to the sub-components and the sub-master organizer instructs each sub-component when to operate.",
"27. The assay system of claim 26, wherein an update to one sub-component does not require a revalidation of all the sub-components.",
"28. An assay system configured to use assay consumables in the conduct of a first assay, wherein the first assay comprises a unique assay identifier, said assay system comprises:\na reader adapted to read the unique assay identifier, and\na processor that accesses a general protocol file and an instrument parameter file,\nwherein the general protocol file contains a general assay protocol comprising assaying steps that are applicable to a plurality of assays including the first assay,\nwherein the instrument parameter file contains a plurality of flags that are either ON or OFF, and\nwherein the processor turns the assaying steps in the general assay protocol either ON or OFF according to said plurality of flags to conduct the first assay.",
"29. The assay system of claim 28, wherein the general assay protocol contains assaying steps for a V-PLEX assay.",
"30. The assay system of claim 28, wherein the general assay protocol contains assaying steps for a U-PLEX assay.",
"31. The assay system of claim 28, wherein the general assay protocol contains assaying steps for an immunogenicity assay.",
"32. The assay system of claim 28, wherein the general assay protocol contains assaying steps for a pharmacokinetic assay.",
"33. The assay system of claim 28, wherein the general assay protocol contains assaying steps for a custom sandwich assay."
],
[
"1. A method of performing a nucleic acid sequencing reaction, comprising:\n(a) coupling a reagent cartridge to a detection apparatus;\nwherein the reagent cartridge comprises a plurality of reagent reservoirs and a main channel;\n(b) coupling the reagent cartridge to a pump;\n(c) delivering sequencing reagents from the reagent cartridge to a flow cell, wherein the plurality of reagent reservoirs contains the sequencing reagents, and wherein the sequencing reagents comprise a nucleic acid sample for the sequencing reaction; and\n(d) detecting the sequencing reaction in the flow cell using the detection apparatus,\nwherein the pump is coupled to the reagent cartridge separately from the detection apparatus;\nwherein the pump is a separate component from the reagent cartridge and the detection apparatus;\nwherein the reagent cartridge interacts transiently with the detection apparatus; and\nwherein the flow cell is an integral component of the detection apparatus such that the flow cell is coupled to the reagent cartridge during coupling of the reagent cartridge to the detection apparatus.",
"2. A sequencing system, comprising:\n(a) a reagent cartridge coupled to a detection apparatus;\nwherein the reagent cartridge comprises a plurality of reagent reservoirs and a main channel, and wherein the plurality of reagent reservoirs contain sequencing reagents; and\n(b) a pump coupled to the reagent cartridge;\nwherein the pump is fluidically coupled to the reagent cartridge separately from the detection apparatus;\nwherein the pump is a separate component from the reagent cartridge and the detection apparatus;\nwherein the reagent cartridge interacts transiently with the detection apparatus; and\nwherein a flow cell is an integral component of the detection apparatus such that the flow cell is coupled to the reagent cartridge during coupling of the reagent cartridge to the detection apparatus;\nwherein the system is configured to deliver sequencing reagents from the reagent cartridge to the flow cell.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein at least in step (c), each reagent reservoir of the plurality of reagent reservoirs is connected to the main channel of the reagent cartridge via an individual valve such that each reagent reservoir fluidically communicates with the flow cell.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein at least in step (c), the flow cell is connected to the main channel via a first passage at a first end of the main channel and a second passage at a second end of the main channel.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein at least in step (c), the pump applies pressure to the main channel at a region that is between a first master valve and a second master valve, thereby allowing fluids to move through the main channel.",
"6. The method of claim 5, wherein the delivering sequencing reagents from the reagent cartridge to the flow cell comprises opening a first reagent valve of a first reagent reservoir and the first master valve, thereby delivering a first sequencing reagent in the first reagent reservoir to the flow cell in a first direction.",
"7. The method of claim 6, wherein the delivering sequencing reagents from the reagent cartridge to the flow cell further comprises opening a second reagent valve of a second reagent reservoir and the second master valve and closing the first reagent valve and the first master valve, thereby delivering a second sequencing reagent in the second reagent reservoir to the flow cell in a second direction that is opposite the first direction.",
"8. The method of claim 1, wherein the flow cell of step (c) and (d) comprises a solid support having an array of features.",
"9. The method of claim 1, further comprising (e) regulating flow of the sequencing reagents from the flow cell to a waste reservoir, wherein the regulating comprises opening a waste valve, and wherein the reagent cartridge comprises a waste reservoir and a waste valve in the main channel.",
"10. The method of claim 1, wherein at least in step (c), the pump alternatively applies positive and negative pressure to the main channel.",
"11. The method of claim 1, wherein the pump is a syringe pump.",
"12. The method of claim 1, further comprising real-time monitoring of DNA polymerase activity with zeromode waveguides.",
"13. The system of claim 2, wherein each reagent reservoir of the plurality of reagent reservoirs is connected to the main channel of the reagent cartridge via an individual valve such that each reagent reservoir fluidically communicates with the flow cell.",
"14. The system of claim 2, wherein the flow cell is connected to the main channel via a first passage at a first end of the main channel and a second passage at a second end of the main channel.",
"15. The system of claim 2, wherein the pump applies pressure to the main channel at a region that is between a first master valve and a second master valve, thereby allowing fluids to move through the main channel.",
"16. The system of claim 15, wherein a first reagent reservoir of the plurality of reagent reservoirs comprises a first reagent valve, and when the first reagent valve and the first master valve are open a first sequencing reagent in the first reagent reservoir is delivered to the flow cell in a first direction.",
"17. The system of claim 16, wherein a second reagent reservoir of the plurality of reagent reservoirs comprises a second reagent valve, and when the second reagent valve and the second master valve are open and the first reagent valve and the first master valve are closed, a second sequencing reagent in the second reagent reservoir is delivered to the flow cell in a second direction that is opposite the first direction.",
"18. The system of claim 2, wherein the reagent cartridge comprises a waste reservoir and a waste valve in the main channel.",
"19. The system of claim 18, wherein the system is configured to regulate flow of the sequencing reagents from the flow cell to the waste reservoir by opening the waste valve.",
"20. The system of claim 2, wherein the pump alternatively applies positive and negative pressure to the main channel.",
"21. The system of claim 2, wherein the pump is a syringe pump.",
"22. The system of claim 2, wherein the flow cell comprises a solid support having an array of features."
],
[
"1. An assembly for storing sample processing consumables, comprising:\na cover comprising a flexible panel and a cover wall extending downwardly from the perimeter of the panel, wherein the panel and the cover wall define a cover cavity; and\na tray having a top surface defining a plurality of wells and a side surface extending downwardly from the perimeter of the top surface, wherein the panel is situated adjacent the top surface of the tray, wherein a first portion of the tray is received within the cover cavity such that a press fit is formed between the side surface of the tray and an inner surface of the cover wall, thereby releasably coupling the cover to the tray, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of wells contain a sample processing consumable,\nwherein the cover wall defines a hollow protrusion configured to prevent a vacuum from forming in the cover cavity when the first portion of the tray is received therein, and\nwherein the cover is configured to be decoupled from the tray by applying a force to the panel to overcome the press fit.",
"2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the cover is configured such that the cover wall remains stationary as the cover is decoupled from the tray by applying the force to the panel.",
"3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the cover further comprises a flange extending outward from the cover wall.",
"4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the flange extends from a distal end of the cover wall.",
"5. The assembly of claim 3, wherein:\nthe cover wall has a cover dimension between the panel and the flange; and\nthe tray has a tray dimension between a bottom surface of the tray and the top surface of the tray, the tray dimension being greater than the cover dimension such that a second portion of the tray extends beyond the flange in a direction away from the panel.",
"6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of wells comprise first and second subsets of wells, the first and second subsets of wells defining alternating, linear rows of wells, wherein the first subset of wells contains receptacles for performing nucleic acid-based assays, and wherein the second subset of wells contains caps for closing openings of the receptacles.",
"7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the panel defines a plurality of protrusions, each of the protrusions defining a trough that extends into a portion of a corresponding well of the first subset of wells, and wherein the trough is situated adjacent a top portion of the receptacle in the corresponding well, thereby substantially preventing movement of the cap within the well.",
"8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the cover is thermoformed.",
"9. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the cover can be decoupled from the tray by applying a force to the center of the panel in the range of about 3 N to about 11 N.",
"10. The assembly of claim 1, wherein a magnitude of the force applied to the panel to overcome the press fit is at least greater than a weight of the tray.",
"11. An assembly for storing sample processing consumables, comprising:\na cover comprising:\na flexible panel,\na cover wall extending downwardly from a perimeter of the panel, wherein the panel and the cover wall define a cover cavity, and\na flange extending outward from a distal end of the cover wall,\nwherein the cover wall has a cover dimension defined between the panel and the flange; and\na tray comprising:\na top surface defining a plurality of wells, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of wells contain a sample processing consumable,\na side surface extending downwardly from a perimeter of the top surface, and\na bottom surface, wherein the tray has a tray dimension defined between the bottom surface and the top surface,\nwherein a first portion of the tray is received within the cover cavity such that a press fit is formed between the side surface of the tray and an inner surface of the cover wall, thereby releasably coupling the cover to the tray and such that the panel is situated adjacent the top surface of the tray,\nwherein the tray dimension is greater than the cover dimension such that a second portion of the tray extends beyond the flange in a direction away from the panel, and\nwherein the cover is configured to be decoupled from the tray by applying a force to the panel to overcome the press fit.",
"12. The assembly of claim 11, wherein a magnitude of the force applied to the panel to overcome the press fit is at least greater than a weight of the tray.",
"13. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the panel and cover wall of the cover have a thickness in a range from 10 mil to 20 mil.",
"14. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the cover dimension is in a range from 20 mm to 40 mm.",
"15. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the cover wall defines a hollow protrusion configured to prevent a vacuum from forming in the cover cavity when the first portion of the tray is received therein.",
"16. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the second portion of the tray is configured to be received within a support cavity defined by a support of a sample processing instrument, and the flange of the cover is configured to contact a wall of the support when the second portion of the tray is received within the support cavity of the support.",
"17. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the tray comprises a plastic-based material.",
"18. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the tray comprises a stainless steel.",
"19. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the cover is thermoformed."
],
[
"1. A lid apparatus for sealing atop a fluid sample container, the lid apparatus comprising:\na top lid having a major opening and a plurality of openings disposed about the major opening, wherein the top lid includes a hinged end and a snap-fit end; and\na bottom-cap hingedly attached to the top lid, the bottom-cap comprising an upper side and a lower side, wherein the upper side comprises a plurality of openings that include a surrounding lip or plateau that protrudes from the upper side, wherein each of the plurality of openings defines a through passage such that the plurality of openings correspond to a plurality of passages,\nwherein the lower side of the bottom-cap comprises:\na lower side main surface;\nan outermost edge extending downward from the lower side main surface; and\na continuous outer ridge extending downward from the lower side along the outermost edge for sealingly securing to the fluid sample container.",
"2. The lid apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:\na multi-chambered fluid sample container connected to the bottom-cap, wherein a continuous outer top edge of the multi-chambered fluid sample container is sealingly secured to the outermost ridge by a gasket or an adhesive.",
"3. The lid apparatus of claim 1, wherein in an open configuration the top lid is hinged away from the bottom-cap, and wherein in a closed configuration the top lid is engaged with the bottom-cap, wherein in the closed configuration the snap-fit end of the top lid engages a snap portion of the outermost edge of the lower side of the bottom-cap and the plurality of openings align with the plurality of openings in the top lid.",
"4. The lid apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an inner ridge pattern extending from the lower side main surface, the inner ridge pattern being patterned such that the inner ridge pattern extends adjacent the plurality of passages in the lower side main surface.",
"5. The lid apparatus of claim 4, further comprising:\na multi-chambered fluid sample container connected to the bottom-cap, wherein corresponding edges of the multi-chambered fluid sample container are sealingly secured to the outermost ridge and inner ridge pattern such that the chambers of the multi-chambered fluid sample container are fluidically sealed from one another at the connection between the multi-chambered fluid sample container and the bottom-cap.",
"6. The lid apparatus of claim 5, wherein the continuous outer ridge and the inner ridge pattern are sealingly secured to the corresponding edges of the multi-chambered fluid sample container by a gasket or an adhesive.",
"7. The lid apparatus of claim 1, wherein the major opening of the top lid comprises a circular opening.",
"8. The lid apparatus of claim 1, wherein the top lid comprises a first lateral side and a second lateral side extending between the hinged end and the snap-fit end.",
"9. The lid apparatus of claim 8, wherein the hinged end of the top lid comprises a first hinge and a second hinge, each being laterally displaced from the first and second lateral sides.",
"10. The lid apparatus of claim 1, wherein the snap-fit end is displaced off of a curved portion.",
"11. The lid apparatus of claim 1, wherein the top lid comprises an annular recess surrounding the major opening, the plurality of opening being defined within the annular recess.",
"12. The lid apparatus of claim 11, wherein the top lid comprises a cylindrical wall extending downward from an upper-most top lid surface, the cylindrical wall defining the major opening.",
"13. The lid apparatus of claim 12, wherein the top lid comprises a bottom top lid surface opposite to the upper-most top lid surface, the cylindrical wall extending past the bottom top lid surface.",
"14. The lid apparatus of claim 13, wherein the top lid includes a plurality of cylindrical walls extending from the bottom top lid surface.",
"15. The lid apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bottom-cap further comprises a central opening surrounded by the plurality of openings.",
"16. The lid apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of openings is circular.",
"17. The lid apparatus of claim 1, wherein the upper side of the bottom-cap includes at least one additional passage separate from the plurality of passages that is larger than each of the plurality of passages.",
"18. The lid apparatus of claim 1, wherein the outermost edge comprises an edge alignment feature.",
"19. The lid apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:\na plurality of walls defining separate cavities for each opening of the plurality of passages of the bottom-cap, the plurality of walls extending from the lower side main surface of the bottom-cap.",
"20. The lid apparatus of claim 19, wherein the plurality of walls defining separate cavities further form a plurality of wedge shaped cavities.",
"21. The lid apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bottom-cap includes an additional hole that is separate from the plurality of openings and has a key-hole shape.",
"22. The lid apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lid apparatus is constructed of plastic and/or metal.",
"23. A lid apparatus for sealing atop a fluid sample container, the lid apparatus comprising:\na top lid having a plurality of openings, wherein the top lid includes a hinged end and a snap-fit end; and\na bottom-cap hingedly attached to the top lid, the bottom-cap comprising an upper side and a lower side, wherein the upper side comprises a plurality of openings that include a surrounding lip or plateau that extends upwardly from a lower surface of the upper side, wherein each opening aligns with a corresponding opening of the top lid,\nwherein the lower side of the bottom-cap comprises:\na lower side main surface;\nan outermost edge extending downward from the lower side main surface;\na continuous outer ridge extending downward from the lower side along the outermost edge; and\nan inner ridge pattern extending from the lower side main surface, the inner ridge pattern being non-coextensive with any walls that extend from the lower side main surface,\nwherein in an open configuration the top lid is hinged away from the bottom-cap, and wherein in a closed configuration the top lid is engaged with the bottom-cap, wherein in the closed configuration the snap-fit end of the top lid engages a snap portion of the outermost edge of the lower side of the bottom-cap.",
"24. The lid apparatus of claim 23, wherein the continuous outer ridge and the inner ridge pattern are sealingly secured to the corresponding edges of a multi-chambered fluid sample container by a gasket or an adhesive.",
"25. The lid apparatus of claim 23, wherein the lid apparatus is constructed of plastic and/or metal."
],
[
"1. A method of processing a polynucleotide from a tissue section, the method comprising:\nretaining a first solid support on a first member of a support device, the first solid support comprising the tissue section mounted on a surface of the first solid support;\nretaining a second solid support on a second member of the support device, wherein a surface of the second solid support comprises a plurality of capture oligonucleotides, wherein a capture oligonucleotide of the plurality of capture oligonucleotides comprises (i) a positional domain nucleic acid sequence that identifies a distinct position of the surface of the second solid support and (ii) a capture domain sequence complementary to a portion of the polynucleotide;\nadding a reagent solution to the first solid support and/or the second solid support;\noperating an alignment mechanism connected to the first and second members of the support device to move the first member and/or the second member such that a portion of the tissue section comprising the polynucleotide is brought into contact with the plurality of capture oligonucleotides via the reagent solution;\nhybridizing the polynucleotide to the capture domain sequence of the capture oligonucleotide; and\nperforming an extension reaction to generate a barcoded nucleic acid comprising (i) the positional domain nucleic acid sequence or a reverse complement thereof and (ii) a sequence of the polynucleotide or a reverse complement thereof.",
"2. The method of claim 1, further comprising using the barcoded nucleic acid in a nucleic acid amplification reaction to generate a barcoded amplification product.",
"3. The method of claim 2, further comprising sequencing the barcoded amplification product to determine the positional domain nucleic acid sequence or reverse complement thereof and the sequence of the polynucleotide or reverse complement thereof in the barcoded amplification product.",
"4. The method of claim 3, further comprising using the determined positional domain nucleic acid sequence or reverse complement thereof and the determined sequence of the polynucleotide or reverse complement thereof to determine a spatial position and identity of the polynucleotide in the tissue section.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein the polynucleotide is an mRNA molecule of the tissue section.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein the polynucleotide is a DNA molecule of the tissue section.",
"7. The method of claim 1, wherein the polynucleotide is a ligation product comprising a first probe and a second probe, wherein the first probe and the second probe each comprise a sequence that is substantially complementary to sequences of a nucleic acid analyte of the tissue section, wherein the second probe comprises a capture probe binding domain, and wherein the first probe and the second probe are coupled to generate the ligation product.",
"8. The method of claim 1, wherein the polynucleotide is linked to an antibody bound to a protein of the tissue section.",
"9. The method of claim 1, wherein the polynucleotide is selected from:\n(i) a DNA molecule of the tissue section;\n(ii) an mRNA molecule of the tissue section;\n(iii) a ligation product comprising a first probe and a second probe, wherein the first probe and the second probe each comprise a sequence that is substantially complementary to a sequence of a nucleic acid analyte of the tissue section, wherein the second probe comprises a capture probe binding domain, and wherein the first probe and the second probe are coupled to generate the ligation product; or\n(iv) an oligonucleotide from an analyte capture agent comprising:\n(A) an analyte binding moiety that binds to a protein of the tissue section,\n(B) an analyte binding moiety barcode, and\n(C) the oligonucleotide.",
"10. The method of claim 1, wherein operating the alignment mechanism comprises:\nrotating the first member and/or the second member relative to an axis such that the portion of the tissue section is brought into contact with the plurality of capture oligonucleotides via the reagent solution.",
"11. The method of claim 10, wherein rotating the first member and/or the second member relative to the axis comprises:\nrotating the first member and/or the second member relative to a hinge defining the axis.",
"12. The method of claim 1, wherein operating the alignment mechanism comprises:\nmaintaining the first solid support and the second solid support in an approximately parallel relationship when the portion of the tissue section is in contact with the plurality of capture oligonucleotides via the reagent solution.",
"13. The method of claim 12, wherein maintaining the first solid support and the second solid support in the approximately parallel relationship comprises:\nmaintaining an angle between the first solid support and the second solid support that is no more than 2 degrees.",
"14. The method of claim 13, wherein the angle is no more than 0.5 degrees.",
"15. The method of claim 1, wherein operating the alignment mechanism comprises:\nmaintaining, using a spacing member, a spacing between the first solid support and the second solid support when the portion of the tissue section is brought into contact with the plurality of capture oligonucleotides via the reagent solution.",
"16. The method of claim 15, wherein the spacing member is positioned between the first member and the second member.",
"17. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nadjusting, using an adjustment mechanism, a distance of a separation between the first solid support and the second solid support after operating the alignment mechanism.",
"18. The method of claim 17, wherein the distance of the separation is between 50 microns and 1 mm.",
"19. The method of claim 18, wherein the distance of the separation is between 50 microns and 500 microns.",
"20. The method of claim 17, wherein adjusting, using the adjustment mechanism, the distance of the separation between the first solid support and the second solid support comprises:\nusing a linear actuator of the adjustment mechanism.",
"21. The method of claim 17, wherein adjusting, using the adjustment mechanism, the distance of the separation between the first solid support and the second solid support comprises:\nadjusting the distance of the separation in a direction orthogonal to a surface of the first solid support.",
"22. The method of claim 1, wherein operating the alignment mechanism comprises:\noperating a rotating actuator of the alignment mechanism.",
"23. The method of claim 22, wherein the rotating actuator comprises at least one of a hinge, a folding member, or an arm.",
"24. The method of claim 1, wherein retaining the first solid support on the first member comprises:\nretaining the first solid support in a recess of the first member.",
"25. The method of claim 24, wherein retaining the first solid support on the first member comprises:\nmaintaining an interference fit between the recess and the first solid support with a gasket positioned within the recess",
"26. The method of claim 1, wherein retaining the second solid support on the second member comprises:\nretaining the second solid support in a recess of the second member.",
"27. The method of claim 1, wherein retaining the first solid support on the first member comprises:\naligning an aperture of the first member with a region of the first solid support where the tissue section is positioned.",
"28. The method of claim 1, wherein operating the alignment mechanism comprises:\naligning an aperture of the second member with a region of the first solid support where the tissue section is positioned.",
"29. The method of claim 1, wherein:\nretaining the first solid support on the first member comprises:\ncausing a first retaining mechanism to apply a force to the first solid support to maintain contact between the first solid support and the first member; and\nretaining the second solid support on the second member comprises:\ncausing a second retaining mechanism to apply a force to the second solid support to maintain contact between the second solid support and the second member.",
"30. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\ntranslating the first solid support relative to the second solid support in a direction parallel to a surface of the first solid support."
],
[
"1. A cap comprising:\na lower portion;\nan upper portion having an opening formed therein; and\na plurality of longitudinally oriented ribs disposed on an inner surface of the cap, the inner surface of the cap being defined by the opening formed in the upper portion of the cap, wherein each rib is associated with a concave recess disposed directly opposite the rib on an outer surface of the upper portion of the cap, and wherein the recess extends along at least part of the length of the rib.",
"2. The cap of claim 1, further comprising locking arms for securing the cap to the receptacle when the lower portion of the cap is inserted into an open top end of the receptacle, wherein the locking arms do not comprise the ribs.",
"3. The cap of claim 1, further comprising one or more annular ribs disposed on an outer surface of the lower portion of the cap, wherein the annular ribs are configured to provide a sealing engagement between the outer surface of the lower portion of the cap and an inner surface in the opening at the top end of the receptacle.",
"4. The cap of claim 1, wherein the ribs are spaced equidistantly apart.",
"5. The cap of claim 1, wherein each rib includes an enlarged portion proximate a distal end thereof, and wherein the enlarged portion has a greater radius than the remainder of the rib.",
"6. The cap of claim 5, wherein the enlarged portion of each rib includes an inwardly tapered portion proximate the distal end thereof.",
"7. The cap of claim 6, wherein the opening formed in the upper portion of the cap defines an upper, generally cylindrical portion and a lower, inwardly tapered portion, and wherein the enlarged portion of each rib traverses a transition between the cylindrical and inwardly tapered portions of the opening.",
"8. The cap of claim 1, wherein the concave recess is a groove formed in the outer surface of the upper portion of the cap.",
"9. The cap of claim 1, wherein each recess is constructed to flex radially outwardly when a tubular probe of a receptacle transport mechanism is inserted into the opening formed in the upper portion of the cap.",
"10. The cap of claim 9, wherein each recess extends along the entire length of the associated rib.",
"11. The cap of claim 1, further comprising an opening formed in the lower portion of the cap and a bottom wall separating the opening formed in the upper portion of the cap from the opening formed in the lower portion of the cap.",
"12. The cap of claim 11, wherein the bottom wall includes score lines formed therein to facilitate piercing of the bottom wall by a mechanism configured to dispense reagents.",
"13. The cap of claim 1, wherein the cap is a unitary plastic structure.",
"14. A tray comprising a plurality of wells formed in a base thereof, wherein a first well of the tray contains a receptacle and a second well of the tray contains the cap of claim 1, wherein the receptacle is configured for engagement by the cap and comprises a generally cylindrical portion having an opening formed therein that is configured to receive the lower portion of the cap so as to provide a sealing engagement between an outer surface of the lower portion of the cap and an inner surface of the opening formed in the cylindrical portion of the receptacle.",
"15. The tray of claim 14, wherein the cap further comprises locking arms for securing the cap to the receptacle when the lower portion of the cap is inserted into the opening of the receptacle, wherein the locking arms do not comprise the ribs.",
"16. The tray of claim 14, wherein the cap further comprises an opening formed in the lower portion and a bottom wall separating the opening formed in the upper portion from the opening formed in the lower portion.",
"17. The tray of claim 16, wherein the cap further comprises one or more annular ribs disposed on an outer surface of the lower portion of the cap, wherein the annular ribs are configured to provide a sealing engagement between the outer surface of the lower portion of the cap and the inner surface of the receptacle.",
"18. The tray of claim 14, wherein the receptacle further comprises a plurality of longitudinally oriented grooves formed in the inner surface of the opening.",
"19. The tray of claim 14, wherein each of the cap and the receptacle is a unitary plastic structure.",
"20. An assembly comprising a cap secured to a receptacle,\nwherein the receptacle comprises:\na generally cylindrical portion having an opening formed therein; and\na radially projecting lip circumscribing the opening; and\nwherein the cap comprises:\na lower portion inserted into the opening of the receptacle and providing a sealing engagement between an outer surface of the lower portion of the cap and an inner surface of the opening of the receptacle;\nan upper portion having an opening formed therein, the opening defining an open end that is configured for engagement by a receptacle transport mechanism; and\na plurality of longitudinally oriented ribs disposed on an inner surface of the cap, the inner surface of the cap being defined by the opening formed in the upper portion of the cap, wherein each rib is associated with a concave recess disposed directly opposite the rib on an outer surface of the upper portion of the cap, and wherein the recess extends along at least part of the length of the rib.",
"21. The assembly of claim 20, wherein the lower portion of the cap has an outer surface defining one or more annular ribs that provide a sealing engagement between the outer surface of the cap and the inner surface of the opening of the receptacle.",
"22. The assembly of claim 20, wherein the ribs are spaced equidistantly apart.",
"23. The assembly of claim 20, wherein each rib includes an enlarged portion proximate a distal end thereof, and wherein the enlarged portion has a greater radius than the remainder of the rib.",
"24. The assembly of claim 23, wherein the enlarged portion of each rib includes an inwardly tapered portion proximate the distal end thereof.",
"25. The assembly of claim 24, wherein the opening formed in the upper portion of the cap defines an upper, generally cylindrical portion and a lower, inwardly tapered portion, and wherein the enlarged portion of each rib traverses a transition between the cylindrical and inwardly tapered portions of the opening.",
"26. The assembly of claim 20, wherein the concave recess is a groove formed in the outer surface of the upper portion of the cap.",
"27. The assembly of claim 20, wherein each recess is constructed to flex radially outwardly when a tubular probe of a receptacle transport mechanism is inserted into the opening formed in the upper portion of the cap.",
"28. The assembly of claim 27, wherein each recess extends along the entire length of the associated rib.",
"29. The assembly of claim 20, wherein the cap further comprises an opening formed in the lower portion of the cap and a bottom wall separating the opening formed in the upper portion of the cap from the opening formed in the lower portion of the cap.",
"30. The assembly of claim 29, wherein the bottom wall includes score lines formed therein to facilitate piercing of the bottom wall by a mechanism configured to dispense reagents to a test sample contained within the receptacle.",
"31. The assembly of claim 20, wherein the cap is secured to the receptacle in a snap-fit relationship.",
"32. The assembly of claim 20, wherein the receptacle further comprises a conical portion depending from the cylindrical portion, wherein the opening extends into the conical portion.",
"33. The assembly of claim 20, wherein the receptacle further comprises a plurality of longitudinally oriented grooves formed on the inner surface of the opening of the receptacle.",
"34. The assembly of claim 20, wherein each of the cap and the receptacle is a unitary plastic structure."
],
[
"1. A printed microarray of unknown cell-derived products, each position of said array comprising a deposit corresponding to a composition of a single cell, said deposit being less than 100 micrometers in diameter.",
"2. The microarray of claim 1, wherein said deposit is a secreted cell-derived product selected from the group consisting of an antibody, cytokine, chemokine, and inflammatory mediator.",
"3. The microarray of claim 1, wherein said microarray comprises a capture ligand for a class of secreted products.",
"4. The microarray of claim 3, wherein said capture ligand binds to a single immunoglobulin isotype."
]
] |
the following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 u.s.c. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this office action:
a person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
claims 20-24, 27, 29, 31, 33 and 34 are rejected under 35 u.s.c. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by neilson et al. (us 2007/0087401).
with respect to claim 20, the reference of neilson et al. discloses:
an apparatus (fig. 1 and 4-6b) for measuring one or more physiological properties of a biological sample, the apparatus comprising:
a lid (110) having a first surface and a second surface;
a plurality of spines (170) connected to and extending from the first surface of the lid, each of the plurality of spines comprising a body (240) having a distal end (fig. 4-6b),
wherein at least one spine (170) of the plurality of spines comprises at least two sensors (250); and wherein the at least two sensors are disposed on at least one spine of the plurality of spines, wherein the at least two sensors engage and provide a signal responsive to at least one or more analytes.
with respect to claim 21, the reference of neilson et al. discloses the use of fluorescent indicators (¶[0074]-[0075] of neilson et al.).
with respect to claim 22, the references of neilson et al. discloses the use of providing the indicator embedded in a permeable medium (¶[0074]-[0075] of neilson et al.).
with respect to claim 23, the reference of neilson et al. discloses the use of a capture agent (a boronic probe the complexes with glucose) (¶[0075]).
with respect to claim 24, the reference of neilson et al. discloses a conventional well plate format (fig. 2a).
with respect to claim 27, the spines (170) of neilson et al. are considered to be removably connected to the lid since they pass through apertures (230) in the lid.
with respect to claim 29, the reference of neilson et al. discloses the use of a well plate (120) which includes a plurality of wells having an open end and a closed end (fig. 1).
with respect to claims 31 and 33, the reference of neilson et al. discloses the use of a signal detector (300) and processor (175).
with respect to claim 34, the reference of neilson et al. discloses:
a method for manufacturing an apparatus for measuring one or more physiological properties of a biological sample, the apparatus comprising:
providing a lid (110) having a first surface and a second surface and a plurality of spines (170) connected to and extending from the first surface of the lid, each of the plurality of spines comprising a body (240) having a distal end (figs. 4-6b); and
applying at least two sensors (250) to the distal end of at least one of the plurality of spines, wherein the at least two sensors engage and provide a signal responsive to one or more analytes (¶[0070]-[0075).
|
[
"1. A frame for a foldable playard, the frame having a compact folded configuration for storage of the frame and a deployed unfolded configuration to support the foldable playard, in an upright position on a ground surface, the frame comprising:\na plurality of leg support assemblies extending upward from the ground surface when the frame is in the deployed unfolded configuration, each leg support assembly of the plurality of leg support assemblies comprising a bottom end supported by the ground surface and a top portion opposite to the bottom end; and\na plurality of X-frame assemblies coupled to the plurality of leg support assemblies, each X-frame assembly of the plurality of X-frame assemblies being coupled to respective top portions of adjacent leg support assemblies of the plurality of leg support assemblies when the frame is in the deployed unfolded configuration such that, in the deployed unfolded configuration of the frame the plurality of X-frame assemblies form a top perimeter structure of the frame outlining an interior space of the foldable playard;\nwherein the plurality of X-frame assemblies each comprise a first X-tube and a second X-tube movably coupled to each other; and\neach of the plurality of leg assemblies comprising:\na corner disposed on the top end of the leg tube, the corner including a base that defines an opening in which the top end of the leg tube is received, and\na slider slidably coupled to the leg tube such that the slider is disposed proximate to the corner when the foldable playard is in the deployed unfolded configuration,\nwherein each of the plurality of X-frame assemblies comprises a pair of X-tubes pivotally coupled together at a pivot, the pair of X-tubes in near parallel alignment with one another with the pivot at or above a height of the base of the corner in the deployed unfolded configuration.",
"2. The frame of claim 1, wherein the top portion of each leg tube comprises 20 percent or less of an overall length of the leg tube.",
"3. The frame of claim 1, wherein the plurality of X-frame assemblies comprises:\na first X-frame assembly, disposed between and coupled to a first leg support assembly and a second leg support assembly in the plurality of leg support assemblies, the first X-frame assembly forming a single X-frame structure; and\na second X-frame assembly, disposed between and coupled to the second leg support assembly and a third leg support assembly in the plurality of leg support assemblies, the second X-frame assembly forming a double X-frame structure.",
"4. The frame of claim 1, wherein, in the deployed unfolded configuration, each X-frame assembly of the plurality of X-frame assemblies is located proximate to a top end of a respective leg assembly of the plurality of leg support assemblies.",
"5. The frame of claim 1, each of the plurality of leg support assemblies comprising a leg tube, the frame further comprising a top portion defined by 30% or less of the total length of a leg tube,\nwherein the deployed unfolded configuration provides the X-tubes within the top portion.",
"6. The frame of claim 5, each of the plurality of leg support assemblies further comprising a corner within the top portion, each corner configured to couple to soft goods.",
"7. The frame of claim 1, at least one X-frame assembly of the plurality of X-frame assemblies comprising a topper support disposed thereon, the topper support configured to mount one or more of a changing table, a bassinet, and a bouncer.",
"8. A foldable playard, comprising:\na frame having a compact folded configuration for storage of the frame and a deployed unfolded configuration to support the foldable playard, in an upright position on a ground surface, the frame comprising:\na plurality of leg support assemblies extending upward from the ground surface when the frame is in the deployed unfolded configuration, each leg support assembly of the plurality of leg support assemblies comprising a bottom end supported by the ground surface and a top portion opposite to the bottom end; and\na plurality of X-frame assemblies coupled to the plurality of leg support assemblies, each X-frame assembly of the plurality of X-frame assemblies being coupled to respective top portions of adjacent leg support assemblies of the plurality of leg support assemblies when the frame is in the deployed unfolded configuration such that, in the deployed unfolded configuration of the frame the plurality of X-frame assemblies form a top perimeter structure of the frame outlining an interior space of the foldable playard,\nwherein the plurality of X-frame assemblies each comprise a first X-tube and a second X-tube movably coupled to each other by a pivot;\neach of the plurality of leg assemblies comprising:\na leg tube and a corner disposed on the top end of the leg tube, the corner including a base that defines an opening in which the top end of the leg tube is received, and\na slider slidably coupled to the leg tube such that the slider is disposed proximate to the corner when the foldable playard is in the deployed unfolded configuration,\nwherein the first X-tube and the second X-tube are in near parallel alignment with one another with the pivot at or above a height of a bottom of the corner in the deployed unfolded configuration.",
"9. The foldable playard of claim 8, further comprising soft goods coupled to the frame to completely cover the X-frame assemblies in the deployed unfolded configuration.",
"10. The foldable playard of claim 8, further comprising soft goods coupled to respective corners of the plurality of leg support assemblies to at least partially cover the X-frame assemblies and to partially enclose the interior space.",
"11. The foldable playard of claim 10, wherein the soft goods are coupled to respective corners of the plurality of leg support assemblies.",
"12. The foldable playard of claim 10, the soft goods further comprising a floor portion and a see-through portion, the see-through portion disposed along one or more sides of the interior space when the foldable playard is in the unfolded configuration,\nwherein each X-frame assembly of the plurality of X-frame assemblies is positioned sufficiently proximate to respective top ends of the leg tubes of the plurality of leg support assemblies so as not to block the see-through portion of the soft goods when the foldable playard is in the unfolded configuration.",
"13. The foldable playard of claim 12, wherein the floor portion of the soft goods directly contacts a ground supporting the foldable playard.",
"14. The foldable playard of claim 8, wherein, in the deployed unfolded configuration, each X-frame assembly of the plurality of X-frame assemblies is located proximate to a top end of a respective leg assembly of the plurality of leg support assemblies.",
"15. The foldable playard of claim 8, the frame further comprising a top portion defined by 30% or less of the total length of a leg tube,\nwherein the deployed unfolded configuration provides the X-tubes within the top portion.",
"16. The foldable playard of claim 15, each of the plurality of leg support assemblies further comprising a corner within the top portion, each corner configured to couple to soft goods.",
"17. The foldable playard of claim 8, at least one X-frame assembly of the plurality of X-frame assemblies comprising a topper support disposed thereon, the topper support configured to mount one or more of a changing table, a bassinet, and a bouncer."
] |
US12295503B2
|
US20080289103A1
|
[
"1. A playard, comprising:\na frame structure movable between an open arrangement and a folded arrangement, the frame structure comprising:\na plurality of pivot joints arranged in an upper set and a lower set; and\na plurality of cross members connected to the upper and lower sets of pivot joints; and\na plurality of top rails, each top rail being attached to adjacent pivot joints in the upper set;\nwherein the plurality of cross members are arranged on respective slants as booms to support the upper set of pivot joints at an elevation above the lower set of pivot joints, the elevation decreasing as the frame structure moves from the folded arrangement to the open arrangement until the top rails are under tension.",
"2. A playard according to claim 1, wherein each top rail is flexible.",
"3. A playard according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of cross members are arranged in pairs arranged in an X-shape to define respective sides of the frame structure, and wherein the frame structure lacks any components within an interior space of the frame structure defined by the sides.",
"4. A playard according to claim 1, wherein each pivot joint in the upper set is disposed over a respective pivot joint in the lower set.",
"5. A playard according to claim 4, wherein the frame structure lacks legs to support the upper set of pivot joints above the lower set of pivot joints.",
"6. A playard according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of bottom rails, each bottom rail being attached to two adjacent lower pivot joints.",
"7. A playard according to claim 1, wherein each pivot joint in the lower set comprises a foot configured to engage a surface upon which the frame structure rests.",
"8. A playard according to claim 1, wherein each top rail comprises a fabric webbing.",
"9. A playard according to claim 1, wherein each top rail comprises a fold mechanism and a pair of stiff sections coupled via the fold mechanism.",
"10. A playard according to claim 1, further comprising a fabric enclosure supported by the frame structure, the fabric enclosure having a base portion suspended from the plurality of top rails such that weight of a child upon the base portion produces additional tension in each top rail.",
"11. A playard, comprising:\na frame structure movable between an open arrangement and a folded arrangement, the frame structure comprising:\na plurality of pivot joints arranged in an upper set and a lower set, each pivot joint in the upper set being positioned over a corresponding pivot joint in the lower set; and\na plurality of cross members connected at respective slants to the upper and lower sets of pivot joints; and\na plurality of top rails, each top rail being attached to adjacent pivot joints in the upper set;\nwherein the frame structure lacks legs to support the upper set of pivot joints at an elevation above the lower set of pivot joints, the elevation decreasing as the respective slants of the cross members change to move the frame structure from the folded arrangement to the open arrangement until the top rails are under tension.",
"12. A playard according to claim 11, wherein each top rail is flexible.",
"13. A playard according to claim 11, wherein the plurality of cross members are arranged in pairs arranged in an X-shape to define respective sides of the frame structure, and wherein the frame structure lacks any components within an interior space of the frame structure defined by the sides.",
"14. A playard according to claim 11, wherein the plurality of cross members are arranged on the respective slants as booms to support the upper set of pivot joints above the lower set of pivot joints.",
"15. A playard according to claim 11, further comprising a plurality of bottom rails, each bottom rail being attached to two adjacent pivot joints in the lower set.",
"16. A playard according to claim 11, wherein each pivot joint in the lower set comprises a foot configured to engage a surface upon which the frame structure rests.",
"17. A playard according to claim 11, wherein each top rail comprises a fabric webbing.",
"18. A playard according to claim 11, wherein each top rail comprises a fold mechanism and a pair of stiff sections coupled via the fold mechanism.",
"19. A playard according to claim 11, further comprising a fabric enclosure supported by the frame structure, the fabric enclosure having a base portion suspended from the plurality of top rails such that weight of a child upon the base portion produces additional tension in each top rail."
] |
[
[
"1. An infant playpen comprising:\nan upper frame portion including a pivot joint and a first and a second side segment, the first and second side segments being rotatable relative to each other between an unfolded state and a folded state;\na latching device disposed adjacent to the pivot joint, the latching device being switchable between a locking state for locking the first and the second side segments in the unfolded state, and an unlocking state for rotation of the first and the second side segments between the unfolded state and the folded state, wherein the latching device includes a first and a second latch, the first latch being engaged with the first side segment and the second latch engaged with the second side segment in the locking state, the first latch being disengaged from the first side segment and the second latch disengaged from the second side segment in the unlocking state;\na standing post connected with the upper frame portion and having a foot portion, the standing post carrying a cable actuator and a resilient part, the resilient part applying a biasing force on the cable actuator for biasing the cable actuator toward an initial position;\na cable assembly respectively connected with the latching device and the cable actuator, wherein the cable assembly includes a conduit, and a cable extending through an interior of the conduit, the cable having two opposite ends respectively anchored to the first latch and the cable actuator, and the conduit having two opposite ends respectively anchored to the second latch and the standing post; and\na bottom linkage portion including a bar segment pivotally connected with the foot portion of the standing post, the bar segment being rotatable relative to the foot portion to urge the cable actuator in movement away from the initial position and thereby cause the latching device to switch from the locking state to the unlocking state.",
"2. The infant playpen according to claim 1, wherein the pivot joint has a bracket that is respectively connected pivotally with the first and second side segments, the first and second side segments being respectively rotatable relative to the bracket between the unfolded state and the folded state.",
"3. The infant playpen according to claim 2, wherein the first and the second latch are carried with the bracket.",
"4. The infant playpen according to claim 3, wherein the bar segment is movable to urge the cable actuator in movement and thereby cause a relative movement between the cable and the conduit, which causes the first latch to disengage from the first side segment and the second latch to disengage from the second side segment.",
"5. The infant playpen according to claim 4, wherein the second side segment and the standing post are respectively connected with a corner bracket, and the cable and the conduit extend along the second side segment and the standing post.",
"6. The infant playpen according to claim 3, wherein the first latch and the second latch are respectively connected pivotally with the bracket, and the latching device further includes a spring having two ends respectively connected with the first latch and the second latch, the spring biasing the first latch and the second latch to respectively engage with the first side segment and the second side segment.",
"7. The infant playpen according to claim 1, wherein the cable actuator is slidably connected with the standing post or the foot portion.",
"8. The infant playpen according to claim 1, wherein an end of the bar segment is provided with a retractable part that is connected with a spring, the retractable part being movable relative to the bar segment to retract toward the bar segment or extend outward from the bar segment, the bar segment being rotatable relative to the foot portion so that the retractable part contacts and urges the cable actuator in movement away from the initial position and thereby cause the latching device to switch from the locking state to the unlocking state.",
"9. The infant playpen according to claim 8, wherein the retractable part is slidably connected with the bar segment.",
"10. The infant playpen according to claim 8, wherein the retractable part is out of contact with the cable actuator when the infant playpen is fully folded.",
"11. The infant playpen according to claim 1, wherein the bottom linkage portion includes a central hub pivotally connected with the bar segment.",
"12. An infant playpen comprising:\nan upper frame portion including a pivot joint, and a first and a second side segment respectively connected pivotally with the pivot joint, the first and second side segments being rotatable relative to each other between an unfolded state and a folded state;\na latching device including a first and a second latch disposed adjacent to the pivot joint, the first latch being engaged with the first side segment and the second latch engaged with the second side segment for locking the first and second side segments in the unfolded state, and the first latch being disengaged from the first side segment and the second latch disengaged from the second side segment for rotation of the first and the second side segments between the unfolded state and the folded state;\na standing post connected with the upper frame portion and having a foot portion, the standing post carrying a cable actuator;\na cable assembly respectively connected with the cable actuator, the first latch and the second latch, the cable assembly extending along the second side segment and the standing post, wherein the cable assembly includes a conduit, and a cable extending through an interior of the conduit, the cable having two opposite ends respectively anchored to the first latch and the cable actuator, and the conduit having two opposite ends respectively anchored to the second latch and the standing post; and\na bottom linkage portion including a bar segment pivotally connected with the foot portion of the standing post, the bar segment being rotatable relative to the foot portion to urge the cable actuator in movement and thereby cause the first latch and the second latch to respectively disengage from the first side segment and the second side segment.",
"13. The infant playpen according to claim 12, wherein the cable actuator is connected with a resilient part, the resilient part applying a biasing force on the cable actuator for biasing the cable actuator toward an initial position, and the bar segment being rotatable relative to the foot portion to urge the cable actuator in movement away from the initial position and thereby cause the first latch and the second latch to respectively disengage from the first side segment and the second side segment.",
"14. The infant playpen according to claim 12 wherein the bottom linkage portion includes a central hub pivotally connected with the bar segment.",
"15. The infant playpen according to claim 12, wherein an end of the bar segment is provided with a retractable part that is connected with a spring, the retractable part being movable relative to the bar segment to retract toward the bar segment or extend outward from the bar segment, the bar segment being rotatable relative to the foot portion so that the retractable part contacts and urges the cable actuator in movement and thereby cause the first latch and the second latch to respectively disengage from the first side segment and the second side segment."
],
[
"1. A child play yard including a frame comprising:\nlegs;\nlower cross bars having first ends pivotally coupled to lower ends of the legs;\na hub pivotally coupled to second ends of the lower cross bars, the hub including a hub mechanical central tube, a column slidably disposed within the hub mechanical central tube, a hub mechanical spindle disposed within the column, and hub lock fingers pivotally coupled to a lower portion of the column and including lower feet portions, the hub mechanical spindle having an enlarged diameter lower end portion that engages lower inner sidewalls of the hub lock fingers and maintains the lower feet portions of the hub lock fingers outside a perimeter of a lower opening of the hub mechanical central tube when the hub is disposed in a lowermost position in the frame; and\na hub cover and a middle central piece slidably disposed within a recess defined in the hub cover, an upper end of the hub mechanical spindle being secured to the middle central piece, mechanical stops extending from a lower surface of the middle central piece that limit relative displacement between the hub cover and middle central piece.",
"2. The child play yard of claim 1, wherein the enlarged diameter lower end portion of the hub mechanical spindle engages internal angled sidewalls of the hub lock fingers and displaces the lower feet portions of the hub lock fingers to a position below and within the perimeter of the lower opening of the hub mechanical central tube when the hub is displaced a first distance above the lowermost position in the frame.",
"3. The child play yard of claim 2, wherein the column is displaced upward through the hub mechanical central tube when the hub is displaced the first distance above the lowermost position in the frame.",
"4. The child play yard of claim 3, wherein the column is displaced further upward through the hub mechanical central tube and the hub lock fingers are drawn into the hub mechanical central tube when the hub is displaced a second distance greater than the first distance above the lowermost position in the frame.",
"5. The child play yard of claim 1, wherein the lower cross bars include lower fourbar tops and lower fourbar bottoms.",
"6. The child play yard of claim 5, wherein the hub further includes a base, second ends of the lower fourbar bottoms being pivotally coupled to the hub with pivot pins fixedly coupled to lower internal walls of the base of the hub.",
"7. The child play yard of claim 6, wherein the hub further includes linkage interfaces disposed within the base, second ends of the lower fourbar tops being pivotally coupled to the hub with first pivot pins fixedly secured to upper internal walls of the base of the hub and by second pins that slide through slots defined in the linkage interfaces.",
"8. The child play yard of claim 7, further comprising upper cross bars extending between respective pairs of the legs, the upper cross bars including first portions and second portions, the first and second portions being locked in alignment with one another when the hub is disposed in the lowermost position in the frame.",
"9. The child play yard of claim 8, wherein the first and second portions are locked in alignment with one another when the hub is disposed in the lowermost position in the frame by plungers internal to the first and second portions that are biased by springs into contact with surfaces of strike plates disposed between ends of the first and second portions.",
"10. The child play yard of claim 9, wherein displacement of the hub to a position above the lowermost position in the frame causes the first ends of the lower fourbar tops to pull on foot linkages disposed on lower portions of the legs that in turn pull indirectly on cables that pass into the first and second portions of each upper cross bar and pull the plungers out of engagement with the strike plates.",
"11. The child play yard of claim 1, further comprising a spring disposed about an upper portion of the hub mechanical spindle and biasing the hub mechanical spindle downward through the column.",
"12. The child play yard of claim 1, wherein an upper end of the column is secured to a bottom surface of the hub cover.",
"13. A child play yard including a frame comprising:\nlegs;\nlower cross bars having first ends pivotally coupled to lower ends of the legs and second ends pivotally coupled to a hub disposed substantially centrally within a periphery of the frame, the hub including hub lock fingers pivotally coupled to the hub and including lower feet portions, and a hub mechanical spindle having an enlarged diameter lower end portion that engages lower inner sidewalls of the hub lock fingers and maintains the lower feet portions of the hub lock fingers outside a perimeter of a lower opening of the hub when the hub is disposed in a lowermost position in the frame;\nupper cross bars extending between respective pairs of the legs, the upper cross bars including first and second sections with ends disposed proximate midpoints of the upper cross bars, the first and second sections being locked into alignment with one another when the hub is disposed in the lowermost position; and\na hub cover and a middle central piece slidably disposed within a recess defined in the hub cover, an upper end of the hub mechanical spindle being secured to the middle central piece, mechanical stops extending from a lower surface of the middle central piece that limit relative displacement between the hub cover and middle central piece,\ndisplacement of the hub upward from the lowermost position causing the hub mechanical spindle to engage internal angled sidewalls of the hub lock fingers and cause the hub lock fingers to pivot and the lower feet portions to be drawn into the lower opening of the hub, the lower cross bars to pivot relative to the hub and the legs and to draw the legs inward toward the hub, the first ends of the lower cross bars to pull indirectly on cables passing into the upper cross bars, the cables disengaging plungers from strike plates in the upper cross bars and unlocking the first and second sections of the upper cross bars from each other, and the upper cross bars to fold and the ends of the first and second sections of the upper cross bars to be drawn downward.",
"14. The child play yard of claim 13, wherein the hub further comprises a hub mechanical central tube, a column slidably disposed within the hub mechanical central tube, the hub mechanical spindle disposed within the column, the hub lock fingers pivotally coupled to a lower portion of the column, the displacement of the hub upward from the lowermost position further causing the column to be displaced upward through the hub mechanical central tube.",
"15. The child play yard of claim 13, further comprising a linkage interface to which the second ends of the lower cross bars are pivotally coupled, the displacement of the hub upward from the lowermost position further causing the linkage interface to be displaced upward through the hub."
],
[
"1. An infant playpen comprising:\na plurality of upright legs; and\na first and a second upper side rail assembly supported by the upright legs, wherein each of the first and second upper side rail assemblies includes at least one elongated segment having an outer surface, and a plurality of positioning regions are defined on the outer surfaces of the elongated segments, each of the positioning regions being configured to locate a connection of a removable accessory on the infant playpen, and at least one of the positioning regions including two slots that are formed on the outer surface of the corresponding segment and are spaced apart from each other along a length of the corresponding segment.",
"2. The infant playpen according to claim 1, wherein the first upper side rail assembly includes a first and a second segment pivotally connected with a first joint, the second upper side rail assembly includes a third segment and a fourth segment pivotally connected with a second joint, and the positioning regions include four positioning regions respectively distributed on the first, second, third and fourth segments.",
"3. The infant playpen according to claim 1, wherein the positioning regions are respectively formed with the outer surfaces of the elongated segments.",
"4. The infant playpen according to claim 1, wherein the positioning regions are identical in construction.",
"5. The infant playpen according to claim 1, wherein each of the slots is being configured to engage with a protrusion provided on a removable accessory.",
"6. The infant playpen according to claim 1, wherein the infant playpen has a central axis extending centrally between the first and second upper side rail assemblies, and the positioning regions include four positioning regions arranged in a distribution that is symmetrical with respect to the central axis.",
"7. The infant playpen according to claim 1, wherein the infant playpen has a transversal axis that intersects respective centers of the first and second upper side rail assemblies, and the positioning regions include four positioning regions arranged in a distribution that is symmetrical with respect to the transversal axis.",
"8. The infant playpen according to claim 1, further including an enclosure stretched between the upright legs, the enclosure being comprised of a cloth material that wraps at least partially around the elongated segments, the cloth material respectively covering the positioning regions on the elongated segments.",
"9. The infant playpen according to claim 1, further including an enclosure stretched between the upright legs, the enclosure being comprised of a cloth material that wraps at least partially around the elongated segments, the cloth material having openings for respectively exposing the positioning regions on the elongated segments.",
"10. The infant playpen according to claim 1, wherein each of the positioning regions is configured to engage with any of a changing station, a napper device, a bassinet, a canopy, a toy bar and a storage tray.",
"11. An infant care system comprising:\nthe infant playpen according to claim 1; and\na removable accessory installable on the infant playpen in one or more configurations by selectively registering with one or more of the positioning regions.",
"12. The infant care system according to claim 11, wherein the positioning regions include four positioning regions, and the removable accessory when installed on the infant playpen attaches to the four positioning regions.",
"13. The infant care system according to claim 11, wherein the removable accessory includes:\na housing having a saddle portion and a coupling portion; and\na locking part connected with the housing;\nwherein when the removable accessory is installed on the infant playpen, one selected positioning region on the elongated segment of the first upper side rail assembly is received in the saddle portion, the coupling portion engages with the selected positioning region to prevent displacement of the housing along the elongated segment, and the locking part is displaced to a locked position that retains the selected positioning region in the saddle portion.",
"14. The infant care system according to claim 13, wherein the housing has a resilient portion, and a retaining rib formed on an inner sidewall of the resilient portion, the locking part when in the locked position being engaged with the retaining rib, and the resilient portion being deflectable to disengage the retaining rib from the locking part.",
"15. The infant care system according to claim 13, wherein the housing is assembled with a release button having an inner sidewall and a retaining rib formed on the inner sidewall, the locking part when in the locked position being engaged with the retaining rib, and the release button being operable to disengage the retaining rib from the locking part.",
"16. The infant care system according to claim 13, wherein the coupling portion includes a protrusion configured to engage with at least one of the slots of one selected positioning region.",
"17. The infant care system according to claim 16, wherein the protrusion vertically slides through the slot of one selected positioning region to register the removable accessory with the selected positioning region.",
"18. An infant care system comprising:\nan infant playpen including:\na plurality of upright legs; and\na first and a second upper side rail assembly supported by the upright legs, wherein each of the first and second upper side rail assemblies includes at least one elongated segment having an outer surface, and a plurality of positioning regions are defined on the outer surfaces of the elongated segments;\na removable accessory installed on the infant playpen, the removable accessory including:\na housing having a saddle portion and a coupling portion; and\na locking part connected with the housing;\nwherein one selected positioning region on the first upper side rail assembly is received in the saddle portion, the coupling portion engages with the selected positioning region to prevent displacement of the housing along the first upper side rail assembly, and the locking part is displaced to a locked position that retains the selected positioning region in the saddle portion.",
"19. The infant care system according to claim 18, wherein the first upper side rail assembly includes a first and a second segment pivotally connected with a first joint, the second upper side rail assembly includes a third segment and a fourth segment pivotally connected with a second joint, and the positioning regions are respectively defined on the first, second, third and fourth segments.",
"20. The infant care system according to claim 19, wherein the first, second, third and fourth segments are respectively formed to include the positioning regions.",
"21. The infant care system according to claim 18, wherein all of the positioning regions are identical in construction.",
"22. The infant care system according to claim 18, wherein the housing has a resilient portion, and a retaining rib formed on an inner sidewall of the resilient portion, the locking part when in the locked position being engaged with the retaining rib, and the resilient portion being deflectable to disengage the retaining rib from the locking part.",
"23. The infant care system according to claim 18, wherein the housing is assembled with a release button having an inner sidewall and a retaining rib formed on the inner sidewall, the locking part when in the locked position being engaged with the retaining rib, and the release button being operable to disengage the retaining rib from the locking part.",
"24. The infant care system according to claim 18, wherein the coupling portion includes a protrusion, and each of the positioning regions includes a slot configured to receive the protrusion.",
"25. The infant care system according to claim 24, wherein the protrusion vertically slides through the slot of the selected positioning region to engage the removable accessory with the selected positioning region.",
"26. The infant care system according to claim 18, wherein the infant playpen has a central axis extending between the first and second upper rail assemblies, and the positioning regions are arranged in a distribution that is symmetrical with respect to the central axis.",
"27. The infant care system according to claim 18, wherein the infant playpen has a transversal axis that intersects respective centers of the first and second upper side rail assemblies, and the positioning regions are arranged in a distribution that is symmetrical with respect to the transversal axis.",
"28. The infant care system according to claim 18, wherein the infant playpen further includes an enclosure stretched between the upright legs, the enclosure being comprised of a cloth material that wraps at least partially around the first and second upper rail assemblies, and covers the positioning regions thereon.",
"29. The infant care system according to claim 18, wherein the infant playpen further includes an enclosure stretched between the upright legs, the enclosure being comprised of a cloth material that that have openings for respectively exposing the positioning regions on the first and second upper rail assemblies.",
"30. The infant care system according to claim 18, wherein the removable accessory is selectively installable on the infant playpen in a first position in which the removable accessory respectively engages with two first ones of the four positioning regions respectively provided on the first and second upper side rail assemblies, and in a second position in which the removable accessory respectively engages with two second ones of the positioning regions respectively provided on the first and second upper side rail assemblies.",
"31. The infant care system according to claim 18, wherein the positioning regions include four positioning regions, and the removable accessory when installed on the infant playpen engages with the four positioning regions.",
"32. An infant playpen comprising:\na plurality of upright legs; and\na first and a second upper side rail assembly supported by the upright legs, wherein each of the first and second upper side rail assemblies includes at least one elongated segment having an outer surface, and a plurality of positioning regions are defined on the outer surfaces of the elongated segments, each of the positioning regions being configured to locate a connection of a removable accessory on the infant playpen, and each of the positioning regions being defined from a distinctive geometrical shape formed by the corresponding segment.",
"33. The infant playpen according to claim 32, wherein the distinctive geometrical shape includes one or more slots, each of the slots being configured to respectively engage with a protrusion provided on a removable accessory.",
"34. The infant playpen according to claim 32, wherein the first upper side rail assembly includes a first and a second segment pivotally connected with a first joint, the second upper side rail assembly includes a third segment and a fourth segment pivotally connected with a second joint, and the positioning regions include four positioning regions respectively distributed on the first, second, third and fourth segments.",
"35. The infant playpen according to claim 32, wherein the positioning regions are identical in construction.",
"36. The infant playpen according to claim 32, wherein the infant playpen has a central axis extending centrally between the first and second upper side rail assemblies, and the positioning regions include four positioning regions arranged in a distribution that is symmetrical with respect to the central axis.",
"37. The infant playpen according to claim 32, wherein the infant playpen has a transversal axis that intersects respective centers of the first and second upper side rail assemblies, and the positioning regions include four positioning regions arranged in a distribution that is symmetrical with respect to the transversal axis.",
"38. The infant playpen according to claim 32, further including an enclosure stretched between the upright legs, the enclosure being comprised of a cloth material that wraps at least partially around the elongated segments, the cloth material respectively covering the positioning regions on the elongated segments.",
"39. The infant playpen according to claim 32, further including an enclosure stretched between the upright legs, the enclosure being comprised of a cloth material that wraps at least partially around the elongated segments, the cloth material having openings for respectively exposing the positioning regions on the elongated segments.",
"40. The infant playpen according to claim 32, wherein each of the positioning regions is configured to engage with any of a changing station, a napper device, a bassinet, a canopy, a toy bar and a storage tray.",
"41. An infant care system comprising:\nthe infant playpen according to claim 32; and\na removable accessory installable on the infant playpen in one or more configurations by selectively registering with one or more of the positioning regions.",
"42. The infant care system according to claim 41, wherein the removable accessory includes:\na housing having a saddle portion and a coupling portion; and\na locking part connected with the housing;\nwherein when the removable accessory is installed on the infant playpen, one selected positioning region on the elongated segment of the first upper side rail assembly is received in the saddle portion, the coupling portion engages with the selected positioning region to prevent displacement of the housing along the elongated segment, and the locking part is displaced to a locked position that retains the selected positioning region in the saddle portion.",
"43. The infant care system according to claim 42, wherein the housing is assembled with a release button having an inner sidewall and a retaining rib formed on the inner sidewall, the locking part when in the locked position being engaged with the retaining rib, and the release button being operable to disengage the retaining rib from the locking part.",
"44. The infant care system according to claim 42, wherein the coupling portion includes a protrusion, and each of the positioning regions includes a slot configured to receive the protrusion.",
"45. The infant care system according to claim 44, wherein the protrusion vertically slides through the slot of the selected positioning region to engage the removable accessory with the selected positioning region."
],
[
"1. A foldable frame for play pen and cot, comprising:\na top frame comprising a pair of parallel top frame bars and a pair of parallel top frame units to form a rectangular structure, wherein each of said top frame units has an affixing end and a locking end;\na supporting frame comprising four supporting posts;\na base frame;\na pair of first top joints, each having a transverse tubular sleeve, connecting two ends of said two top frame bars with upper ends of said two supporting posts respectively;\na pair of second top joints, each having a transverse locking slot, connecting the other two of said ends of two said top frame bars with upper ends of the other two of said supporting posts respectively, wherein each of said top frame units is detachably connected between said first top joint and said second top joint;\nfour base joints connecting bottom ends of said four supporting posts with said base frame respectively; and\na rotatable locker affixed to each of said locking ends of said top frame units and arranged in such a manner that each said top frame unit is slidably penetrated through said locking slot of said second top joint until said affixing end of said top frame unit is inserted into said tubular sleeve of said first top joint and said rotatable locker is adjustably locked up with said second top joint, so as to securely lock up said top frame unit between said first and second top joints.",
"2. The foldable frame, as recited in claim 1, wherein said rotatable locker comprises a threaded shank firmly attached to said locking end of a respective said top frame unit and an enlarged rotating bottom arranged to drive said thread shank to rotate, wherein said threaded shank is rotatably and fittedly engaged with an inner thread portion of said locking slot when said top frame unit is slidably passing therethrough.",
"3. The foldable frame, as recited in claim 2, wherein each said top frame unit is constructed by first and second tubular frame posts detachably connected each other wherein each said first frame post has a receiving end portion and each said second frame post has a connecting end portion, having a diameter slightly smaller than said receiving end portion of said first frame post into said receiving end portion of said first frame post so as to connect said first frame post with said second frame post to form said top frame unit.",
"4. The foldable frame, as recited in claim 3, wherein said top frame further comprises a blocking element movable and transversely penetrated through said connecting end portion of said second frame post and a resilient element disposed in said connecting end portion of said second frame post for applying an urging pressure on said blocking element so as to normally maintain a head portion of said blocking element exposed to an exterior of said second frame post in such a manner that when said connecting end portion of said second frame post is inserted into said receiving end portion of said first frame post, said head portion of said blocking element is inserted into a locker hole formed on said receiving end portion of said first frame post, so as to securely lock up said first frame post with said second frame post.",
"5. The foldable frame, as recited in claim 3, wherein said base frame comprises a pair of base support apparatus each comprising a pair of identical base support arms wherein an inward end of each base support arm is pivotally connected to a respective said base joint, and two coupling joints each for pivotally connecting an inward end of said base support arm of one said base support apparatus with an inward end of said base support arm of another said base supporting apparatus.",
"6. The foldable frame, as recited in claim 5, wherein each said coupling joint comprises a standing leg having a predetermined height extended downwardly adapted for steadily sitting on ground when said foldable frame is unfolded.",
"7. The foldable frame, as recited in claim 6, wherein each said base support apparatus further comprises an inner pillar firmly affixed between said two coupling joints and an outer pillar firmly affixed between two outward end portions of said base support arms wherein said two inner pillars and said two outer pillars are capable of retaining a shape of said foldable frame.",
"8. The foldable frame, as recited in claim 7, further comprising a boundary shelter supported by said foldable frame wherein said base joint further comprises an elongated element having an affixing end portion affixed to said two inner pillars and a pulling end portion extended through at least a slit formed on a bottom panel of said boundary shelter in such a manner that when said elongated element is pulled upwardly, said inward ends of said base support arms are arranged to pivotally move upward in opposite directions, so as to fold up said base frame in half.",
"9. The foldable frame, as recited in claim 2, wherein said base frame comprises a pair of base support apparatus each comprising a pair of identical base support arms wherein an inward end of each base support arm is pivotally connected to said respective base joint, and two coupling joints each for pivotally connecting an inward end of said base support arm of one said base support apparatus with an inward end of said base support arm of another said base supporting apparatus.",
"10. The foldable frame, as recited in claim 9, wherein each said coupling joint comprises a standing leg having a predetermined height extended downwardly adapted for steadily sitting on ground when said foldable frame is unfolded.",
"11. The foldable frame, as recited in claim 10, wherein each said base support apparatus further comprises an inner pillar firmly affixed between said two coupling joints and an outer pillar firmly affixed between two outward end portions of said base support arms wherein said two inner pillars and said two outer pillars are capable of retaining a shape of said foldable frame.",
"12. The foldable frame, as recited in claim 11, further comprising a boundary shelter supported by said foldable frame, wherein each said base joint further comprises an elongated element having an affixing end portion affixed to said two inner pillars and a pulling end portion extended through at least a slit formed on a bottom panel of said boundary shelter in such a manner that when said elongated element is pulled upwardly, said inward ends of said base support arms are arranged to pivotally move upward in opposite directions, so as to fold up said base frame in half.",
"13. The foldable frame, as recited in claim 1, wherein each said top frame unit is constructed by first and second tubular frame posts detachably connected to each other wherein each said first frame post has a receiving end portion and each said second frame post has a connecting end portion, having a diameter slightly smaller than said receiving end portion of said first frame post, fittedly inserted into said receiving end portion of said first frame post so as to connect said first frame post with said second frame post to form said top frame unit.",
"14. The foldable frame, as recited in claim 13, wherein said top frame further comprises a blocking element movable and transversely penetrated through said connecting end portion of said second frame post and a resilient element disposed in said connecting end portion of said second frame post for applying an urging pressure on said blocking element so as to normally maintain a head portion of said blocking element exposed to an exterior of said second frame post in such a manner that when said connecting end portion of said second frame post is inserted into said receiving end portion of said first frame post, said head portion of said blocking element is inserted into a locker hole formed on said receiving end portion of said first frame post, so as to securely lock up said first frame post with said second frame post.",
"15. The foldable frame, as recited in claim 1, wherein said base frame comprises a pair of base support apparatus each comprising a pair of identical base support arms wherein an inward end of each base support arm is pivotally connected to a respective said base joint, and two coupling joints each for pivotally connecting an inward end of said base support arm of one said base support apparatus with an inward end of said base support arm of another said base supporting apparatus.",
"16. The foldable frame as recited in claim 15, wherein each said coupling joint comprises a standing leg having a predetermined height extended downwardly adapted for steadily sitting on ground when said foldable frame is unfolded.",
"17. The foldable frame, as recited in claim 16, wherein each said base support apparatus further comprises an inner pillar firmly affixed between said two coupling joints and an outer pillar firmly affixed between two outward end portions of said base support arms wherein said two inner pillars and said two outer pillars are capable of retaining a shape of said foldable frame.",
"18. The foldable frame as recited in claim 17, further comprising a boundary shelter supported by said foldable frame, wherein each said base joint further comprises an elongated element having an affixing end portion affixed to said two inner pillars and a pulling end portion extended through at least a slit formed on a bottom panel of said boundary shelter in such a manner that when said elongated element is pulled upwardly, said inward ends of said base support arms are arranged to pivotally move upward in opposite directions, so as to fold up said base frame in half.",
"19. The foldable frame, as recited in claim 15, wherein each said base support apparatus further comprises an inner pillar firmly affixed between said two coupling joints and an outer pillar firmly affixed between two outward end portions of said base support arms wherein said two inner pillars and said two outer pillars are capable of retaining a sharp of said foldable frame.",
"20. The foldable frame, as recited in claim 19, further comprising a boundary shelter supported by said foldable frame wherein each said base joint further comprises an elongated element having an affixing end portion affixed to said two inner pillars and a pulling end portion extended through at least a slit formed on a bottom panel of said boundary shelter in such a manner that when said elongated element is pulled upwardly, said inward ends of said base support arms are arranged to pivotally move upward in opposite directions so as to fold up said base frame in half."
],
[
"1. A collapsible device, comprising:\na collapsible frame body including:\na continuous rail having at least first and second corner continuous rail joints that segment the continuous rail into segments, the continuous rail comprising at least first and second corners, wherein the first corner continuous rail joint is located at the first corner and the second corner continuous rail joint is located at a position offset and adjacent to the second corner, thereby allowing the continuous rail to transition between a first extended configuration in which the first and second corner continuous rail joints are in a plane and a first collapsed configuration in which the first and second corner continuous rail joints have folded in the plane such that the segments of the continuous rail are positioned adjacent each other;\na first extension extending from the continuous rail, the first extension including a first proximal part and a first distal part with a first extension joint positioned a first distance from the continuous rail and between the first proximal part and the first distal part, the first extension joint allowing the first extension to transition between a second collapsed configuration and a second extended configuration, wherein the second extended configuration includes the first proximal part being collinear with the first distal part, and wherein the second collapsed configuration includes the first proximal part being angled relative to the first distal part;\na second extension extending from the continuous rail, the second extension including a second proximal part and a second distal part with having a second extension joint positioned a second distance from the continuous rail and between the second proximal part and the second distal part, the first extension joint allowing the second extension to transition between a third collapsed configuration and a third extended configuration, wherein the third extended configuration includes the second proximal part being collinear with the second distal part, and wherein the third collapsed configuration includes the second proximal part being angled relative to the second distal part, and wherein the first distance is shorter than the second distance;\na flexible material component configured to reversibly secure to at least a part of the collapsible frame body and provide the at least partial containment; and\na foldable base configured to reversibly mate with the flexible material.",
"2. The device of claim 1, wherein the continuous rail is rectangular in shape with two opposing first rails and two opposing second rails with the first rails having a length that is longer than the second rails.",
"3. The device of claim 2, wherein each of the first rails include a first continuous rail joint which segment the first rails and allow the first rails to transition between a third collapsed configuration and a third extended configuration.",
"4. The device of claim 3, wherein the first continuous rail joints include a locking mechanism configured to be activated by a user and allow the user to lock and unlock the first continuous rail joints.",
"5. The device of claim 1, wherein a third corner includes a third corner continuous rail joint located at the third corner and a fourth corner includes a fourth corner continuous rail joint located at a position offset and adjacent to the fourth corner of the continuous rail.",
"6. The device of claim 1, wherein a distal end of the first extension and/or the second extension is configured to couple to a rocker adapter or an adaptable foot.",
"7. A method comprising;\nproviding a collapsible device that provides at least partial containment, wherein the collapsible device includes a collapsible frame body including:\na continuous rail having at least first and second corner continuous rail joints that segment the continuous rail into segments, the continuous rail comprising at least first and second corners, wherein the first corner continuous rail joint is located at the first corner, the second corner continuous rail joint is located at a position offset and adjacent to the second corner thereby allowing the continuous rail to transition between a first extended configuration in which the first and second corner continuous rail joints are in a plane and a first collapsed configuration in which the first and second corner continuous rail joints have folded in the plane such that the segments of the continuous rail are positioned adjacent to each other;\na first extension extending from the continuous rail, the first extension including a first proximal part and a first distal part with a first extension joint positioned a first distance from the continuous rail and between the first proximal part and the first distal part, the first extension joint allowing the first extension to transition between a second collapsed configuration and a second extended configuration, wherein the second extended configuration includes the first proximal part being collinear with the first distal part, and wherein the second collapsed configuration includes the first proximal part being angled relative to the first distal part;\na second extension extending from the continuous rail, the second extension including a second proximal part and a second distal part with having a second extension joint positioned a second distance from the continuous rail and between the second proximal part and the second distal part, the first extension joint allowing the second extension to transition between a third collapsed configuration and a third extended configuration, wherein the third extended configuration includes the second proximal part being collinear with the second distal part, and wherein the third collapsed configuration includes the second proximal part being angled relative to the second distal part, the first distance being shorter than the second distance;\na flexible material component configured to reversibly secure to at least a part of the collapsible frame body and provide the at least partial containment; and\na foldable base configured to reversibly mate with the flexible material.",
"8. The method of claim 7, wherein the continuous rail is rectangular in shape with two opposing first rails and two opposing second rails with the first rails having a length that is longer than the second rails.",
"9. The method of claim 8, wherein each of the first rails include a first continuous rail joint which segment the first rails and allow the first rails to transition between a third collapsed configuration and a third extended configuration.",
"10. The method of claim 9, wherein the first continuous rail joints include a locking mechanism configured to be activated by a user and allow the user to lock and unlock the first continuous rail joints.",
"11. The method of claim 7, wherein a third corner includes a third corner continuous rail joint located at the third corner and a fourth corner includes a fourth corner continuous rail joint located at a position offset and adjacent to the fourth corner of the continuous rail.",
"12. The method of claim 7, wherein a distal end of the first extension and/or the second extension is configured to couple to a rocker adapter or an adaptable foot."
],
[
"1. A foldable crib comprising a pair of U-shaped rim frame members; a pair of connecting means each pivoted at the two ends thereof to ends of different ones of said frame members; a pair of base members each having a shape conforming to the area enclosed by a respective one of said frame members; a pair of legs associated with each of said frame members; means for pivoting the upper end of each of said legs to a respective side of the associated frame member; link means associated with each of said legs; first means for pivoting one end of each link means to the associated leg and second means for pivoting the other end of each link means to the respective side of the associated frame member; means for coupling each of said base members to a pair of respective legs at points below the respective first pivoting means along said legs; flexible fabric means for providing end and side walls for the crib between said frame members and said base members; and hinge joint means positioned along each of said legs between the upper end thereof and the respective first pivoting means for allowing said legs to be selectively set in extended and folded positions; the lengths of said link means and the positions of said hinge joint means being such that (1) when said legs are in their extended positions each of said legs extends downwardly from said frame membeRs and outwardly from said connecting means, each of said link means extends upwardly and outwardly from the associated leg, and said frame members are substantially coplanar, and (2) when said legs are in their folded positions said frame members extend downwardly from said connecting means and are substantially parallel, and each of said link means is disposed below the respective hinge joint means and extends downwardly and outwardly from the respective leg to the respective side of the associated frame member.",
"2. A foldable crib in accordance with claim 1 wherein each of said hinge joint means is operative to allow the two parts of the respective leg on either side thereof to be rotated relative to each other through an angle of approximately 180 degrees.",
"3. A foldable crib in accordance with claim 1 further including means for hinging said base members together along facing edges thereof to permit said base members to be folded inwardly to face each other with said hinging means being raised when said legs are in their folded positions.",
"4. A foldable crib in accordance with claim 1 further including two cross-strut means each extended between the lower portions of the legs in a respective one of said pairs, and means for locking said cross-strut means adjacent to and parallel to each other when said legs are in their folded positions.",
"5. A foldable crib in accordance with claim 1 wherein each of said legs includes a pair of telescoping leg sections and means for locking said leg sections in at least two discrete telescoping positions.",
"6. A foldable crib in accordance with claim 1 wherein each of the coupling means for one of said base members includes a pair of links each pivoted at one end thereof to a respective side of said base member and pivoted at the other end thereof to one of the respective legs, and means fixed to each of said links at a point intermediate the ends thereof for gripping the respective leg at two separate positions therealong for two extreme rotated positions of said link relative to said leg whereby said base members may be maintained coplanar in two separate positions below said frame members when said legs are in their open positions.",
"7. A foldable crib in accordance with claim 1 wherein the coupling means for said base members include means for positioning said base members coplanar in two separate switchable positions below said frame members when said legs are in their open positions.",
"8. A foldable crib in accordance with claim 7 further including means for hinging said base members together along facing edges thereof to permit said base members to be folded inwardly to face each other with said hinging means being raised when said legs are in their folded positions.",
"9. A foldable crib in accordance with claim 7 wherein each of said hinge joint means is operative to allow the two parts of the respective leg on either side thereof to be rotated relative to each other through an angle of approximately 180 degrees.",
"10. A foldable crib in accordance with claim 7 wherein each of said legs includes a pair of telescoping leg sections and means for locking said leg sections in at least two discrete telescoping positions.",
"11. A foldable crib comprising a pair of rim frame members; means for joining said frame members in the configuration of a rim for the crib; a pair of base members each having a shape conforming to the area enclosed by a respective one of said frame members; a pair of legs associated with each of said frame members; means for pivoting the upper end of each of said legs to a respective side of the associated frame member; a pair of means for coupling each of said base members to a pair of respective legs; flexible fabric means for providing end and side walls for the crib between said frame members and said base members; hinge joint means positioned along each of said legs between the upper end thereof and the respective coupling means for allowing said legs to be selectively set in extended and Folded conditions; and means for maintaining said legs when they are in their extended conditions in positions which extend downwardly from said frame members and outwardly therefrom such that said frame members are substantially coplanar; said hinge joint means being operative when said legs are in their folded conditions to allow both of said frame members to extend downwardly with said base members being maintained vertically therebetween.",
"12. A foldable crib in accordance with claim 11 wherein each of said hinge joint means is operative to allow the two parts of the respective leg on either side thereof to be rotated relative to each other through an angle of approximately 180 degrees.",
"13. A foldable crib in accordance with claim 11 further including means for hinging said base members together along facing edges thereof to permit said base members to be folded inwardly to face each other with said hinging means being raised when said legs are in their folded conditions.",
"14. A foldable crib in accordance with claim 11 further including two cross-strut means each extended between the lower portions of the legs in a respective one of said parts, and means for locking said cross-strut means adjacent to and parallel to each other when said legs are in their folded conditions.",
"15. A foldable crib in accordance with claim 11 wherein each of said legs includes a pair of telescoping leg sections and means for locking said leg sections in at least two discrete telescoping positions.",
"16. A foldable crib in accordance with claim 11 wherein each of said coupling means for one of said base members includes a pair of links each pivoted at one end thereof to a respective side of said base member and pivoted at the other end thereof to one of the respective legs, and means fixed to each of said links at a point intermediate the ends thereof for gripping the respective leg at two separate positions therealong for two extreme rotated positions of said link relative to said leg whereby said base members may be maintained coplanar in two separate positions below said frame members when said legs are in their open conditions.",
"17. A foldable crib in accordance with claim 11 wherein the coupling means for said base members include means for positioning said base members coplanar in two separate switchable positions below said frame members when said legs are in their open conditions.",
"18. A foldable crib in accordance with claim 17 further including means for hinging said base members together along facing edges thereof to permit said base members to be folded inwardly to face each other with said hinging means being raised when said legs are in their folded conditions.",
"19. A foldable crib in accordance with claim 17 wherein each of said hinge joint means is operative to allow the two parts of the respective leg on either side thereof to be rotated relative to each other through an angle of approximately 180*.",
"20. A foldable crib in accordance with claim 17 wherein each of said legs includes a pair of telescoping leg sections and means for locking said leg sections in at least two discrete telescoping positions.",
"21. An adjustable crib comprising a pair of U-shaped rim frame members; means for connecting respective ends of different ones of said frame members; a pair of base members each having a shape conforming to the area enclosed by a respective one of said frame members; a pair of legs associated with each of said frame members; means for connecting each of said legs to a respective side of the associated frame member; means for maintaining each of said legs in a position extending downward from the associated frame member and outward from said connecting means; flexible fabric means for providing end and side walls for the crib between said frame members and said base members; and means for coupling each of said base members to a pair of respective legs; each of said coupling means including a pair of links each pivoted at one end thereof to a respectiVe side of said base member and pivoted at the other end thereof to one of the respective legs, and means fixed to each of said links at a point intermediate the ends thereof for engaging the respective leg at two separate positions therealong for two extreme rotated positions of said link relative to said leg whereby said base members may be maintained coplanar in two separate positions below said frame members.",
"22. An adjustable crib in accordance with claim 21 further including means for hinging said base members together along facing edges thereof.",
"23. An adjustable crib in accordance with claim 21 wherein each of said legs includes a pair of telescoping leg sections and means for locking said leg sections in at least two discrete telescoping positions.",
"24. An adjustable crib comprising a frame rim; floorboard means having a shape conforming to the area enclosed by said frame rim; a pair of legs associated with each end of said frame rim; means for connecting each of said legs to a respective side of the associated frame rim; means for maintaining each of said legs in a position extending downward from said frame rim and outward from the center thereof; flexible fabric means for providing end and side walls for the crib between said frame rim and said floorboard means; means for coupling each end of said floorboard means to a pair of respective legs; each of said coupling means including a pair of links each pivoted at a first end thereof to a respective side of said floorboard means at one end thereof and pivoted at a second end thereof to one of the respective legs, and means fixed to each of said links at a point intermediate the ends thereof for engaging the respective leg at two separate positions therealong for two extreme rotated positions of said link relative to said leg whereby said floorboard means may be set in two separate positions below said frame members; and means for permitting said floorboard means to be moved manually between said two positions but to be maintained fixed in each of said positions after being set therein.",
"25. An adjustable crib in accordance with claim 24 wherein each of said legs includes a pair of telescoping leg sections and means for locking said leg sections in at least two discrete telescoping positions."
],
[
"1. A collapsible playpen comprising:\nan upper frame assembly having four sides, the four sides including a first and a second side opposite to each other that respectively have a first and a second coupling bracket, and a third and a fourth side opposite to each other that are respectively contiguous to the first and second sides;\nfour standing legs having lower end portions respectively provided a plurality of foot members, the four standing legs including a first and a second standing leg respectively coupled with the upper frame assembly via a first and a second leg linkage that are assembled with the first coupling bracket, and a third and a fourth standing leg respectively coupled with the upper frame assembly via a third and a fourth leg linkage that are assembled with the second coupling bracket; and\na bottom linkage assembly connected with the foot members of the four standing legs.",
"2. The playpen according to claim 1, wherein the third and fourth sides of the upper frame assembly are free of leg linkages.",
"3. The playpen according to claim 1, wherein the first and second coupling brackets are respectively disposed at a middle of the first and second side of the upper frame assembly.",
"4. The playpen according to claim 1, wherein the upper frame assembly includes a first and a second frame subassembly each of which having two opposite ends respectively connected with the first and second coupling brackets, each of the first and second frame subassemblies forming a cantilever projecting from the first and second coupling brackets when the playpen is in an unfolded state.",
"5. The playpen according to claim 4, wherein at least one of the first and second frame subassemblies includes two side segments coupled with each other via a hinge, and two end segments respectively coupled with the two side segments via two corner brackets, the two end segments being further respectively coupled with the first and second coupling brackets.",
"6. The playpen according to claim 4, wherein the first and second leg linkages respectively include a plurality of first and second linking members that are assembled according to a cross-shaped geometry, the first leg linkage coupling the first frame subassembly with the first standing leg, and the second leg linkage coupling the second frame subassembly with the second standing leg.",
"7. The playpen according to claim 4, wherein the first coupling bracket includes a guide slot and is respectively connected with the first frame subassembly and the first standing leg via a first and a second pivot connection, and the first leg linkage includes:\na first linking member affixed with the first frame subassembly;\na second linking member connected with the first linking member via a third pivot connection; and\na third linking member affixed with the first standing leg and connected with the second linking member via a fourth pivot connection, the fourth pivot connection being guided for sliding movement along the guide slot of the first coupling bracket.",
"8. The playpen according to claim 7, wherein when the playpen is in an unfolded state, the third and fourth pivot connections are located at two sides of a vertical axis intersecting the first pivot connection.",
"9. The playpen according to claim 7, wherein when the playpen is in an unfolded state, the second, third and fourth pivot connections define three distinct apexes of a triangle, the apex of the fourth pivot connection being located at an underside of a line joining the respective apexes of the second and third pivot connections.",
"10. The playpen according to claim 1, wherein the lower end portions of the four standing legs are respectively connected pivotally with the foot members.",
"11. The playpen according to claim 10, wherein the bottom linkage assembly includes a central hub, and four bar segments that are coupled with the central hub and are respectively connected pivotally with the foot members of the four standing legs.",
"12. The playpen according to claim 11, wherein at least one of the four bar segments that is coupled with the first standing leg has an impeding protrusion, the impeding protrusion being movable along with the bar segment between a locking position engaged with the first standing leg and a release position disengaged from the first standing leg, the impeding protrusion being in the locking position for preventing relative rotation between the first standing leg and the foot member coupled therewith when the playpen is in an unfolded state.",
"13. The playpen according to claim 11, wherein each of the four bar segments has an end portion, and the central hub includes:\na hub housing respectively connected pivotally with the four bar segments, the end portions of the bar segments being received at least partially in the hub housing;\na handle having a guide slot and pivotally connected with the hub housing via a fifth pivot connection;\na latch assembled with the hub housing for sliding movement along a displacement axis, the latch contacting with the end portions of the bar segments at an upper side thereof to keep the bar segments in an unfolded state; and\na lever in sliding contact with the latch, the lever being respectively connected pivotally with the hub housing and the handle via a sixth and a seventh pivot connection, the seventh pivot connection being guided for sliding displacement along the guide slot of the handle.",
"14. The playpen according to claim 13, wherein the handle closes an upper opening of the hub housing when the playpen is in an unfolded state.",
"15. The playpen according to claim 13, wherein the hub housing is affixed with a shaft portion, and the latch is guided for sliding displacement along the shaft portion.",
"16. The playpen according to claim 15, wherein the lever is pivotally connected with the shaft portion.",
"17. The playpen according to claim 13, wherein when the playpen is in an unfolded state, the fifth, sixth and seventh pivot connections define three distinct apexes of a triangle, the apex of the sixth pivot connection being located above a line joining the respective apexes of the fifth and seventh pivot connections.",
"18. The playpen according to claim 17, wherein the latch is connected with a spring, the lever being rotated by the latch biased by an action of the spring in a direction for keeping the apex of the sixth pivot connection above the line joining the respective apexes of the fifth and seventh pivot connections when the playpen is in the unfolded state, whereby locking the four bar segments in a substantially horizontal configuration.",
"19. A playpen comprising:\nan upper frame assembly including a first and a second frame subassembly that are respectively connected with a first and a second coupling bracket, the first frame subassembly having a first and a second end opposite to each other, and the second frame subassembly having a third and a fourth end opposite to each other;\nfour standing legs having lower ends respectively provided with foot members, the four standing legs including a first and a second standing leg respectively coupled with the first end of the first frame subassembly and the third end of the second frame subassembly via a first and a second leg linkage that are assembled with the first coupling bracket, and a third and a fourth standing leg respectively coupled with the second end of the first frame subassembly and the fourth end of the second frame subassembly via a third and a fourth leg linkage that are assembled with the second coupling bracket; and\na bottom linkage assembly respectively connected with the foot members of the four standing legs;\nwherein when the playpen is in an unfolded state, the first and second frame subassemblies form two cantilevers oppositely projecting from the first and second coupling brackets so as to respectively bias each of the first through fourth leg linkages to a geometric configuration for maintaining the unfolded state.",
"20. The playpen according to claim 19, wherein the first frame subassembly includes two side segments coupled with each other via a hinge, and two end segments respectively coupled with the two side segments via two corner brackets, the two end segments being further respectively coupled with the first and third leg linkages.",
"21. The playpen according to claim 19, wherein the first and second leg linkages respectively include a plurality of first linking members and a plurality of second linking members that are assembled according to a cross-shaped geometry, the first leg linkage coupling the first frame subassembly with the first standing leg, and the second leg linkage coupling the second frame subassembly with the second standing leg.",
"22. The playpen according to claim 19, wherein the first coupling bracket includes a guide slot and is respectively connected with the first frame subassembly and the first standing leg via a first and a second pivot connection, and the first leg linkage includes:\na first linking member affixed with the first frame subassembly;\na second linking member connected with the first linking member via a third pivot connection; and\na third linking member affixed with the first standing leg and connected with the second linking member via a fourth pivot connection, the fourth pivot connection being guided for sliding movement along the guide slot of the first coupling bracket.",
"23. The playpen according to claim 22, wherein the second frame subassembly and the second standing leg are respectively connected pivotally with the first coupling bracket, the second frame subassembly and the second standing leg being coupled with each other via three other linking members that are assembled symmetrically to the first through third linking members.",
"24. The playpen according to claim 22, wherein when the playpen is in an unfolded state, the second, third and fourth pivot connections define three distinct apexes of a triangle, the apex of the fourth pivot connection being located at an underside of a line joining the respective apexes of the second and third pivot connections.",
"25. A playpen comprising:\na plurality of standing legs coupled with an upper frame assembly via a plurality of leg linkage assemblies; and\na bottom linkage assembly connected with a plurality of foot members respectively provided at lower ends of the standing legs, wherein the bottom linkage assembly includes:\na plurality of bar segments respectively connected pivotally with the foot members of the standing legs;\na hub housing respectively connected pivotally with the bar segments, the bar segments having end portions received at least partially in the hub housing, the bar segments being rotatable relative to the hub housing between a folded and an unfolded configuration;\na handle having a guide slot and pivotally connected with the hub housing via a first pivot connection;\na latch assembled with the hub housing for sliding movement, the latch contacting with the end portions of the bar segments at an upper side thereof to maintain the bar segments in the unfolded state; and\na lever connected with the latch, the lever further being respectively connected pivotally with the hub housing and the handle via a second and a third pivot connection, the third pivot connection being guided for sliding displacement along the guide slot of the handle.",
"26. The playpen according to claim 25, wherein when the playpen is unfolded for use, the first through third pivot connections define three distinct apexes of a triangle, the apex of the second pivot connection being located above a line joining the respective apexes of the first and third pivot connections.",
"27. The playpen according to claim 26, wherein when the playpen is unfolded for use, the lever contacts with the latch at a location below the line joining the respective apexes of the first and third pivot connections.",
"28. The playpen according to claim 27, wherein the latch is connected with a spring, and when the playpen is unfolded, the lever is rotationally biased by an action of the spring in a direction for keeping the apex of the second pivot connection above the line joining the respective apexes of the first and third pivot connections.",
"29. The playpen according to claim 25, wherein the handle closes an upper opening of the hub housing when the bar segments are in the unfolded configuration.",
"30. The playpen according to claim 25, wherein the hub housing is affixed with a shaft portion, and the latch is guided for sliding displacement along the shaft portion.",
"31. The playpen according to claim 30, wherein the lever is pivotally connected with the shaft portion."
],
[
"1. A play yard for holding an infant or child, comprising:\nan upper rail assembly comprising a plurality of upper rails;\na base assembly;\na side structure connecting said upper rail assembly and said base assembly; and\na mattress positioned above and separated from the base assembly, the mattress comprising a substantially planar surface comprising a breathable material, wherein an interior space is formed between the mattress and at least part of the base assembly, said mattress comprising the top of said interior space, said interior space configured to be substantially void;\nwherein said upper rail assembly, said side structure, said mattress, and said base assembly define a substantially rectangular enclosure.",
"2. The play yard of claim 1, wherein said base assembly further comprises at least one base arm connected to said side structure, said at least one base arm extending internally from said side structure and positioned below and at least partially separated from said mattress to form said interior space.",
"3. The play yard of claim 1, wherein said base assembly further comprises a plurality of base arms and a hub assembly, said hub assembly positioned within said play yard, said plurality of base arms connected to said side structure and said hub assembly, said hub assembly and said plurality of base arms positioned below said mattress to form said interior space.",
"4. The play yard of claim 1, wherein said upper rail assembly is configured to collapse said play yard to a collapsed state, and further comprises a plurality of lower rails positioned beneath and substantially parallel to the plurality of upper rails, wherein as the play yard is collapsed the plurality of lower rails remain substantially parallel to the plurality of upper rails.",
"5. The play yard of claim 4, wherein said upper rail assembly further comprises at least one lateral connector and at least two corner connectors, wherein said plurality of upper rails further comprises a left upper rail and a right upper rail each pivotally coupled to said at least one lateral connector, said left upper rail and said right upper rail each pivotally coupled to a corner connector of said at least two corner connectors;\nwherein said upper rail assembly is configured such that as the at least one lateral connector is urged downwards, the at least one lateral connector and the at least two corner connectors remain substantially parallel to a plane, and said left upper rail and said right upper rail move symmetrically.",
"6. The play yard of claim 1, wherein the base assembly further comprises a hub assembly, the hub assembly comprising:\na release button;\nat least one sliding pin in communication with at least one of said plurality of base arms and said release button;\nwherein manipulating said release button creates a space within said hub assembly for said at least one sliding pin to enter, allowing said plurality of base arms to pivot with respect to said hub assembly and said side structure.",
"7. The play yard of claim 1, wherein the breathable material comprises mesh.",
"8. The play yard of claim 1, further comprising a base fabric positioned above the base assembly and configured to receive the mattress.",
"9. The play yard of claim 8, wherein the base fabric comprises a pocket sized to accommodate a structural component of the mattress.",
"10. A collapsible mattress for a play yard, comprising:\na mattress frame, said mattress frame comprising a plurality of mattress arms pivotally connected to one another to form a rectangular shape;\na fabric bedding connected to said mattress frame to define a substantially planar surface for placing an infant or child; and\na tensioner in communication with said mattress frame, said tensioner positioned below and substantially not in contact with said fabric bedding, said tensioner configured to provide a sufficient force against the interior of said mattress frame to prevent said mattress frame from collapsing and to support an infant or child placed thereon.",
"11. The collapsible mattress for a play yard of claim 10, further comprising a plurality of modular legs in communication with the mattress frame to allow for usage of the mattress as a cot.",
"12. The collapsible mattress for a play yard of claim 10, further comprising a first lateral connector linearly connecting at least two of said plurality of mattress arms, wherein said tensioner is in communication with said first lateral connector to provide outward force against the interior of said mattress frame.",
"13. The collapsible mattress for a play yard of claim 12, wherein said tensioner comprises a tube having an end connected to said first lateral connector.",
"14. The collapsible mattress for a play yard of claim 13, further comprising a second lateral connector spaced opposite from said first lateral connector, said second lateral connector linearly connecting at least two of said plurality of mattress arms, wherein an opposite end of said tube is connected to said second lateral connector, wherein said tube is configured to extend between said first lateral connector and said second lateral connector to provide outward force against the interior of said mattress frame.",
"15. A collapsible play yard for receiving an infant or child, comprising:\nan upper rail assembly, said upper rail assembly comprising a plurality of horizontal upper rails;\na side structure connected to said upper rail assembly, said side structure comprising a plurality of vertical posts; and\na mattress positioned on the interior of said side structure, said mattress and said side structure configured such that said mattress provides outward force against the interior of said side structure to prevent said play yard from collapsing.",
"16. The collapsible play yard of claim 15, further comprising a base assembly in communication with said side structure, said base assembly further comprising a hub assembly.",
"17. The collapsible play yard of claim 15, wherein said plurality of vertical posts are positioned at corners of said play yard, wherein said mattress and said plurality of vertical posts are configured such that the corners of said mattress provides sufficient outward force against said plurality of vertical posts to prevent said play yard from collapsing.",
"18. The collapsible play yard of claim 16, further comprising at least one mattress connector, said at least one mattress connector connected to at least one post of said plurality of vertical posts and configured to receive a corner of said mattress.",
"19. The collapsible play yard of claim 15, wherein said upper rail assembly further comprises at least one lateral connector and at least two corner connectors, wherein said plurality of horizontal upper rails further comprises a left upper rail and a right upper rail each pivotally coupled to said at least one lateral connector, said left upper rail and said right upper rail each pivotally coupled to a corner connector of said at least two corner connectors;\nwherein said upper rail assembly is configured such that as the at least one lateral connector is urged downwards, the at least one lateral connector and the at least two corner connectors remain substantially parallel to a plane, and said left upper rail and said right upper rail move symmetrically.",
"20. The collapsible play yard of claim 15, wherein said side structure comprises a relaxed position in which each of said plurality of vertical posts are angled inwards towards a center of said play yard;\nwherein said mattress positioned on the interior of said side structure urges said plurality of vertical posts away from said relaxed position, causing the plurality of vertical posts to become substantially perpendicular to said upper rail assembly."
],
[
"1. A multi-purpose convertible play yard convertibly adapted for use as a bassinet, changing table or bedside co-sleeper comprising:\na rigid first enclosure having an open top, a floor, a front wall, a back wall, a first side wall and a second side wall, said first side wall having a top edge; said first enclosure having a first height, said first height established by the top edge of said first side wall;\na second enclosure, said second enclosure being sized to fit substantially within the first enclosure and having an open top, a back wall, a front wall, first and second side walls and a bottom;\nmeans for removably supporting said second enclosure within the first enclosure;\na rigid frame, said rigid frame supporting the floor, the front wall, the back wall, the first side wall and the second side wall of said first enclosure, said frame being formed adjacent the top by a rear upper horizontal rail orthogonally connected to first and second upper side horizontal rails, and being formed adjacent the floor by front and rear lower parallel horizontal rails orthogonally connected to first side and second side lower parallel horizontal rails, said upper and lower horizontal rails being orthogonally connected by first and second front vertical rails and a pair of rear vertical rails disposed at ends of said horizontal rails, said front vertical rails having an upper end and a lower end;\na rigid panel, said rigid panel having upper and lower edges, first and second side edges and extending from said first front vertical rail to said second front vertical rail and extending downwardly from the upper end of said front vertical rails for a second predetermined distance; said rigid panel being hingedly attached at its lower edge to said first and second front vertical rails;\nmeans for removably securing the first and second side edges of said rigid panel in a closed position, wherein said closed position, said first and second side edges of said rigid panel substantially parallel to said first and second front vertical rails;\na securing strap assembly for securing the play yard to a parental bed;\nwherein said front wall is formed of flexible material and extends from a point below the lower edge of said rigid panel to said front lower horizontal rail and from said first front vertical rail to said second front vertical rail;\nwhereby, when the rigid panel is in the closed position and the second enclosure is supported by the supporting means, the play yard is usable as a bassinet; and wherein, when the rigid panel is not in the closed position, the play yard is usable as a changing table; and further, when the securing strap assembly is properly positioned and the play yard is secured to the parental bed the play yard may serve as a co-sleeper.",
"2. A multi-purpose convertible play yard adapted for use as a bassinet, changing table or bedside co-sleeper as described in claim 1, wherein the means for removably securing the first and second side edges of said rigid panel adjacent the upper ends of said front vertical rails further comprises: first and second threaded orifices, said threaded orifices being disposed adjacent the upper ends of the first and second front vertical rails and facing toward said rigid panel; first and second threaded fasteners, said threaded fasteners being sized and shaped to threadedly engage said threaded orifices and being rotatably mounted to holes adjacent the upper edge and first and second side edges of said rigid panel, said holes disposed to allow said threaded fasteners to removably engage said threaded orifices; and whereby, when said threaded fasteners are rotated to engage said threaded orifices, said rigid panel will be secured to said front vertical rails thereby forming a rigid enclosure with walls of equal height and when said threaded fasteners are rotated to disengage from said threaded orifices, said rigid panel will be lowered to provide a rigid enclosure having one lowered wall.",
"3. A multi-purpose convertible play yard adapted for use as a bassinet, changing table or bedside co-sleeper as described in claim 1, wherein the means for removably securing the rigid panel to the front vertical rails further comprises: at least two threaded orifices, said threaded orifices being disposed upon the first and second front vertical rails and facing toward said rigid panel; at least two threaded fasteners, said threaded fasteners being sized and shaped to threadedly engage said threaded orifices and being rotatably mounted to holes adjacent the first and second side edges of said rigid panel, said holes disposed to allow said threaded fasteners to removably engage said threaded orifices; and whereby, when said threaded fasteners are rotated to engage said threaded orifices, said rigid panel will be secured to said front vertical rails thereby forming a rigid enclosure with walls of equal height and when said threaded fasteners are rotated to disengage from said threaded orifices, said rigid panel will be removed to provide a first enclosure having one lowered wall.",
"4. A multi-purpose convertible play yard adapted for use as a bassinet, changing table or bedside co-sleeper as described in claim 1, further comprising:\nfirst and second receiving tracks, said receiving tracks being disposed upon said first and second front vertical rails and facing inwardly toward each other; said receiving tracks extending downwardly from the upper ends of said front vertical rails;\nwherein said rigid panel is sized and shaped to fit slidably between said first and second receiving tracks.",
"5. A multi-purpose convertible play yard adapted for use as a bassinet, changing table or bedside co-sleeper as described in claim 4, wherein the means for maintaining said rigid panel at the first upper position, with the upper edge of said panel adjacent the upper ends of said front vertical rails further comprises: a pair of retaining holes, said retaining holes penetrating said first and second side edges of said rigid panel;\na pair of clearance holes, said clearance holes penetrating said receiving tracks so as to align with said retaining holes in said rigid panel when said panel is disposed in a first upper position with its upper edge adjacent the upper ends of said front vertical rails;\na pair of spring-loaded pins, said pins disposed upon said first and second receiving tracks so that said pins will engage said retaining holes when the rigid panel is in the first upper position; and\nwhereby, when the spring-loaded pins are retracted, the rigid panel will fall in said receiving tracks to a second, lowered position.",
"6. A multi-purpose convertible play yard adapted for use as a bassinet, changing table or bedside co-sleeper as described in claim 1, further comprising means for removably securing the rigid panel to the first enclosure.",
"7. A multi-purpose convertible play yard adapted for use as a bassinet, changing table or bedside co-sleeper as described in claim 6, wherein the means for removably securing the rigid panel to the first enclosure further comprises:\nat least two threaded orifices, said threaded orifices being disposed upon the first and second front vertical rails and facing toward said rigid panel;\nat least two threaded fasteners, said threaded fasteners being sized and shaped to threadedly engage said threaded orifices and being rotatably mounted to holes adjacent the first and second side edges of said rigid panel, said holes disposed to allow said threaded fasteners to removably engage said threaded orifices; and\nwhereby, when said threaded fasteners are rotated to engage said threaded orifices, said rigid panel will be secured to said front vertical rails thereby forming a rigid first enclosure with walls of equal height and when said threaded fasteners are rotated to disengage from said threaded orifices, said rigid panel will be removed to provide a first enclosure having one lowered wall.",
"8. A multi-purpose convertible play yard adapted for use as a bassinet, changing table or bedside co-sleeper as described in claim 1, further comprising first and second positioning arms, said positioning arms having first and second ends, being pivotally mounted at their first ends to said first and second upper side horizontal rails and being pivotally mounted at their second ends to said first and second side edges of said rigid panel; said rigid panel being movable from a first, lowered position wherein the upper edge of the rigid panel is disposed adjacent the upper ends of said front vertical rails, to a second, raised position wherein the upper edge of the rigid panel is disposed adjacent the rear upper horizontal rail;\nmeans for securing said rigid panel in either of said first and second positions;\nwhereby, when said rigid panel is secured in said closed position, all of the walls of the play yard will be of similar height and when said rigid panel is secured in said second, raised position, the play yard will have a lowered front wall and be suitable for use as either of a changing table and a co-sleeper.",
"9. A multi-purpose convertible play yard adapted for use as a bassinet, changing table or bedside co-sleeper as described in claim 8, wherein the means for securing the rigid panel in either of the first and second positions further comprises: first and second threaded orifices, said first and second threaded orifices being disposed upon the first and second front vertical rails and facing toward said rigid panel when said rigid panel is disposed in said first, lowered position;\nthird and fourth threaded orifices, said third and fourth threaded orifices being disposed upon the first and second rear vertical rails and facing toward said rigid panel when said rigid panel is disposed in said second, raised position; at least two threaded fasteners, said threaded fasteners being sized and shaped to threadedly engage said threaded orifices and being rotatably mounted to holes adjacent the first and second side edges of said rigid panel, said holes disposed to allow said threaded fasteners to removably engage said threaded orifices; and\nwhereby, when said threaded fasteners are rotated to engage said first and second threaded orifices, said rigid panel will be secured to said front vertical rails in the closed position and when said threaded fasteners are rotated to engage said third and fourth threaded orifices, said rigid panel may be secured to the rear vertical rails.",
"10. A multi-purpose convertible play yard convertibly adapted for use as a bassinet, changing table or bedside co-sleeper comprising:\na first enclosure having an open top, a floor, a front wall, and a first side wall and a second side wall, said first side wall and said second side wall each having a front edge and a top edge, said front edge connecting said first side wall and said second side wall to said front wall;\na rigid frame, said rigid frame supporting the first enclosure and having a lower front rail, a first vertical rail and a second vertical rail, said first and second vertical rails each having an upper end and a lower end, said first vertical rail being positioned adjacent said front edge of said first side wall and said second vertical rail being positioned adjacent to said front edges of said second side wall, a rigid panel, said rigid panel said rigid panel being selectively positionable between said first and said second vertical rails to form a closed position, said rigid panel having an upper and a lower edge and first and second side edges, said rigid panel extending from said first front vertical rail to said second front vertical rail and extending downwardly from the upper ends of said front vertical rails for a first distance when in said closed position;\nrigid panel retainers for selectively securing said rigid panel to said frame in said closed position;\na second enclosure, said second enclosure being sized to fit substantially within the first enclosure and having an open top and a bottom;\nan inner support, said inner support supporting the bottom of the second enclosure at a height above the height of the floor of the first enclosure; and\na securing strap assembly for securing the play yard to a parental bed;\nwherein said front wall extends upward from said front lower rail to at least a point adjacent the lower edge of said rigid panel when said rigid panel is in said closed position, and further extending from said first front vertical rail to said second front vertical rail;\nwhereby, when the second enclosure is supported by the inner support and the rigid panel is in a closed position and the second enclosure is supported by the inner support, the play yard is usable as a bassinet; and\nwherein, when the rigid panel is moved from the closed position, the play yard is usable as a changing table; and further, when the securing strap assembly is properly positioned and the play yard is secured to the parental bed the play yard may serve as a co-sleeper.",
"11. A multi-purpose convertible play yard convertibly adapted for use as a bassinet, changing table or bedside co-sleeper according to claim 10, wherein said rigid panel is hingedly attached to said rigid frame, said hinged attachment allowing said rigid panel to rotate about an axis parallel and adjacent to said lower edge of said rigid panel; said first enclosure further comprising rigid panel attachments selectively securing said first and second side edges of said rigid panel adjacent the first and second vertical rails to retain said rigid panel in said closed position.",
"12. A multi-purpose convertible play yard adapted for use as a bassinet, changing table or bedside co-sleeper as described in claim 11, wherein the rigid panel attachments comprises:\nfirst and second threaded orifices, said threaded orifices being disposed adjacent the upper ends of the first and second front vertical rails and facing toward said rigid panel;\nfirst and second threaded fasteners, said threaded fasteners being sized and shaped to threadedly engage said threaded orifices and being rotatably mounted to holes adjacent the upper edge and first and second side edges of said rigid panel, said holes disposed to allow said threaded fasteners to removably engage said threaded orifices; and\nwhereby, when said threaded fasteners are rotated to engage said threaded orifices, said rigid panel will be secured to said front vertical rails in a closed position.",
"13. A multi-purpose convertible play yard adapted for use as a bassinet, changing table or bedside co-sleeper as described in claim 10, further comprising:\nfirst and second receiving tracks, said receiving tracks being disposed upon said first and second vertical rails and facing inwardly toward each other;\nsaid receiving tracks extending from the upper ends of said front vertical rails downwardly;\nwherein said rigid panel is sized and shaped to fit slidably between said first and second receiving tracks; and\nwherein when said rigid panel is disposed between said first and second receiving tracks, said rigid panel may be positioned at an upper extent of said receiving tracks to be disposed in said closed position.",
"14. A multi-purpose convertible play yard adapted for use as a bassinet, changing table or bedside co-sleeper as described in claim 13, wherein the rigid panel retainers for maintaining said rigid panel at said closed position comprise:\na pair of retaining holes, said retaining holes penetrating said first and second side edges of said rigid panel;\na pair of clearance holes, said clearance holes penetrating said receiving tracks so as to align with said retaining holes in said rigid panel when said panel is in said closed position;\na pair of spring-loaded pins, said pins disposed upon said first and second receiving tracks so that said pins will engage said retaining holes when the rigid panel is in said closed position; and\nwhereby, when the spring-loaded pins are retracted, the rigid panel may be translated within said receiving tracks to an open position.",
"15. A multi-purpose convertible play yard adapted for use as a bassinet, changing table or bedside co-sleeper as described in claim 12, further comprising a rigid panel attachment, said rigid panel attachment comprising:\nat least two threaded orifices, said threaded orifices being disposed upon the first and second front vertical rails and facing toward said rigid panel;\nat least two threaded fasteners, said threaded fasteners being sized and shaped to threadedly engage said threaded orifices and being rotatably mounted to holes adjacent the first and second side edges of said rigid panel, said holes disposed to allow said threaded fasteners to removably engage said threaded orifices; and\nwhereby, when said threaded fasteners are rotated to engage said threaded orifices, said rigid panel will be secured to said front vertical rails thereby forming a rigid first enclosure with walls of equal height and when said threaded fasteners are rotated to disengage from said threaded orifices, said rigid panel may be removed to provide a rigid first enclosure having one lowered wall.",
"16. A multi-purpose convertible play yard adapted for use as a bassinet, changing table or bedside co-sleeper as described in claim 10, further comprising:\nfirst and second positioning arms, said positioning arms having first and second ends, being pivotally mounted at their first ends to said first and second upper side horizontal rails and being pivotally mounted at their second ends to said first and second side edges of said rigid panel;\nwherein said rigid panel being is movable from a closed position, to an open position wherein the upper edge of the rigid panel is disposed adjacent the rear upper horizontal rail;\nwhereby, when said rigid panel is in said closed position, all of the walls of the play yard will be of similar height."
],
[
"1. A combination crib comprising:\na cabinet panel;\nan end panel;\na vertically adjustable, removable board for supporting a mattress, the board being horizontally secured between the cabinet panel and the end panel;\na bottom panel for supporting the board being horizontally secured between the cabinet panel and the end panel;\na pair of opposed confronting side rails having a plurality of slats arranged in a row, each slat being different in size than the size of the adjacent slat, each pair of slats having different spacing between the slats than the spacing of the slats in the adjacent pair of slats;\na changing table being hidden inside the cabinet panel being connected to a damper assembly, the damper assembly adapted for opening the changing table with a damped motion; and\na control mechanism being adapted for actuating the changing table and being located on one outer surface of the cabinet panel.",
"2. A combination crib comprising:\na cabinet;\na changing table being hidden inside the cabinet, the changing table being adapted to be opened and closed with a damped motion; and\na plurality of rails having a plurality of slats, each slat being variedly sized and variedly spaced from each other.",
"3. A combination crib comprising:\na cabinet;\na changing table being hidden inside the cabinet, the changing table being adapted to be opened and closed with a damped motion;\nthe cabinet panel having irregularly shaped lateral sides that are adapted to complement the shape of the changing table in a closed position wherein the lateral sides of the changing table are significantly open; and\na plurality of rails having a plurality of slats, each slat being variedly sized and variedly spaced from each other.",
"4. A combination crib according to claim 1, comprising:\na cabinet;\na hidden changing table being hidden inside the cabinet, the table being adapted to be actuated using a button.",
"5. A crib according to claim 1, wherein the end panel comprises:\na cabinet;\na changing table being hidden inside the cabinet being connected to a damper assembly, the damper assembly being adapted for opening the changing table with a damped motion; and\na control mechanism being hidden inside the cabinet adapted for actuating the changing table being located on one outer surface of the cabinet.",
"6. A combination crib according to claim 1, comprising:\na cabinet panel;\nan end rail and a pair of opposed confronting side rails having a plurality of slats arranged in a row, each slat being different in size than the size of the adjacent slat, each pair of slats having different spacing between the slats than the spacing of the slats in the adjacent pair of slats;\na vertically adjustable, removable board for supporting a mattress, the board being horizontally secured between the cabinet panel and the end panel;\na bottom panel for supporting the board being horizontally secured between the cabinet panel and the end panel;\na changing table being hidden inside the cabinet panel being connected to a damper assembly, the damper assembly adapted for opening the changing table with a damped motion; and\na control mechanism hidden inside the cabinet panel adapted for actuating the changing table being located on an outer surface of the cabinet panel.",
"7. A crib according to claim 1, wherein the damper assembly comprises an elastomeric damper.",
"8. A crib according to claims 1 and 5, where in the damper assembly comprises an electronically activated damper.",
"9. A crib according to claims 1 and 5, wherein the control mechanism is a button activatable in response to pressure.",
"10. A crib according to claim 1, wherein crib is readily convertible into a desk when the side rails, the bottom panel, the end panel are removed.",
"11. A crib according to claim 1, wherein crib is readily convertible into a desk when the side rails, the bottom panel, the end rail are removed.",
"12. A crib according to claim 1, wherein the cabinet panel comprises at least a door and a shelf.",
"13. A crib according to claim 1 that further comprises at least a drawer adapted to be slid underneath the bottom panel.",
"14. A crib according to claim 1, wherein the crib is convertible to at least one other article of furniture selected from the group consisting of a day bed, a playing table, a bedside sleeper and a dressing table."
],
[
"1. A child bassinet comprising:\na support frame supporting an enclosure, the support frame and the enclosure delimiting at least partially an interior space for receiving a child; and\na playpen coupling mechanism provided on the support frame and operable to engage with and disengage from a playpen for installation and removal of the child bassinet on the playpen, the playpen coupling mechanism including a first catching part and a second catching part respectively connected with the support frame at two vertically spaced-apart locations, the first catching part being engageable with a playpen for installing the child bassinet on the playpen at a first height above a bottom of the playpen, and the second catching part being engageable with the playpen for installing the child bassinet on the playpen at a second height above the bottom of the playpen that is different from the first height, wherein the second catching part is movable relative to the support frame between a first position and a second position, the first position disabling engagement of the second catching part with a playpen, and the second position allowing engagement of the second catching part with a playpen.",
"2. The child bassinet according to claim 1, wherein the first catching part is disposed at a first location on the support frame, and the second catching part is disposed at a second location on the support frame below the first catching part.",
"3. The child bassinet according to claim 1, wherein the first catching part is fixedly connected with the support frame.",
"4. The child bassinet according to claim 3, wherein the first catching part and the second catching part protrude from the support frame in a same direction when the second catching part is in the second position.",
"5. The child bassinet according to claim 3, wherein the first catching part and the second catching part respectively protrude from the support frame in two different directions when the second catching part is in the first position.",
"6. The child bassinet according to claim 1, wherein the second catching part is connected with an upright frame portion of the support frame, and is movable substantially perpendicular to the upright frame portion between the first and second position.",
"7. The child bassinet according to claim 1, wherein the second catching part is pivotally connected with an upright frame portion of the support frame.",
"8. The child bassinet according to claim 7, wherein the second catching part is rotatable relative to the upright frame portion about a pivot axis that is substantially vertical, and has a downwardly facing surface between the pivot axis and a distal end of the second catching part, the second catching part being engageable with a playpen with the downwardly facing surface in contact with the playpen.",
"9. The child bassinet according to claim 7, wherein the second catching part is rotatable relative to the upright frame portion about a pivot axis that is substantially horizontal, and has a distal end distant from the pivot axis, the second catching part being engageable with a playpen with the distal end in contact with the playpen.",
"10. The child bassinet according to claim 9, wherein the upright frame portion includes a recess, the distal end of the second catching part being received in the recess in the first position and protruding outside the recess in the second position.",
"11. The child bassinet according to claim 1, wherein the support frame includes an upright frame portion, and the first and second catching parts are respectively connected with the upright frame portion.",
"12. A child care apparatus comprising:\na playpen having an upper frame portion; and\nthe child bassinet according to claim 1, installable on the upper frame portion of the playpen.",
"13. A child bassinet comprising:\na support frame supporting an enclosure, the support frame and the enclosure delimiting at least partially an interior space for receiving a child, the support frame including a rigid post disposed at a corner of the child bassinet; and\na playpen coupling mechanism provided on the support frame and operable to engage with and disengage from a playpen for installation and removal of the child bassinet on the playpen, the playpen coupling mechanism including a first catching part and a second catching part that are respectively connected with the rigid post at two vertically spaced-apart locations and are configurable to protrude outside the interior space of the child bassinet, the first catching part being engageable with a playpen while the second catching part remains disengaged from the playpen for installing the child bassinet on the playpen at a first height above a bottom of the playpen, and the second catching part being engageable with the playpen while the first catching part remains disengaged from the playpen for installing the child bassinet on the playpen at a second height above the bottom of the playpen that is different from the first height.",
"14. The child bassinet according to claim 13, wherein the second catching part is movable relative to the rigid post between a first position and a second position, the first position disabling engagement of the second catching part with a playpen, and the second position allowing engagement of the second catching part with a playpen.",
"15. The child bassinet according to claim 14, wherein the first catching part is disposed at a first location on the rigid post, and the second catching part is disposed at a second location on the rigid post below the first catching part.",
"16. The child bassinet according to claim 14, wherein the first catching part is fixedly connected with the rigid post.",
"17. The child bassinet according to claim 16, wherein the first catching part and the second catching part protrude from the rigid post in a same direction when the second catching part is in the second position.",
"18. The child bassinet according to claim 16, wherein the first catching part and the second catching part respectively protrude from the rigid post in two different directions when the second catching part is in the first position.",
"19. The child bassinet according to claim 14, wherein the second catching part is movable substantially perpendicular to the rigid post between the first and second position.",
"20. The child bassinet according to claim 14, wherein the second catching part is pivotally connected with the rigid post.",
"21. The child bassinet according to claim 20, wherein the second catching part is rotatable relative to the rigid post about a pivot axis that is substantially vertical, and has a downwardly facing surface between the pivot axis and a distal end of the second catching part, the second catching part being engageable with a playpen with the downwardly facing surface in contact with the playpen.",
"22. The child bassinet according to claim 20, wherein the second catching part is rotatable relative to the rigid post about a pivot axis that is substantially horizontal, and has a distal end distant from the pivot axis, the second catching part being engageable with a playpen with the distal end in contact with the playpen.",
"23. The child bassinet according to claim 22, wherein the rigid post includes a recess, the distal end of the second catching part being received in the recess in the first position and protruding outside the recess in the second position.",
"24. A child care apparatus comprising:\na playpen having an upper frame portion; and\nthe child bassinet according to claim 13, installable on the upper frame portion of the playpen."
],
[
"1. An infant calming/sleep-aid device, comprising:\na rigid base;\na movement linkage or bearing extending from the rigid base;\na platform mounted on the movement linkage or bearing; and\nan actuation assembly that controls movement of the platform about the movement linkage or bearing relative to the rigid base to rotate the platform in an reciprocating manner, the actuation assembly including a drive motor, wherein the reciprocating rotation is on an axis of rotation that intersects the platform and extends orthogonal to a major plane of the platform, and\na control system operable to control operations of the actuation assembly,\nwherein the control system is configured to receive data signals from one or more sensors comprising at least a sound sensing device configured to detect sounds of an infant supported on the platform, wherein, if the control system determines that the infant is in a first crying state, utilizing one or more first data signals comprising at least sound data detected by the sound sensing device, the control system is configured to initiate a calming reflex operational mode in which the control system causes the actuation assembly to move the platform in a reciprocating rotation within a frequency range of between 2 and 4.5 cycles per second and an amplitude range corresponding to a circumferential distance of between 0.2 inches and 1.0 inches taken at a radial distance from the axis of rotation configured to correspond to a center of a head of the infant.",
"2. The infant calming/sleep-aid device of claim 1, further comprising:\na second platform comprising a moving head platform; and\na second movement linkage comprising a head movement linkage or bearing mounted to the platform linking the moving platform to the second platform.",
"3. The infant calming/sleep-aid device of claim 1, further comprising a sound generating device that includes a speaker for generating sound directed to the infant, wherein, in the calming reflex operational mode, the control system further causes the sound generating device to direct sound to the infant.",
"4. The infant calming/sleep-aid device of claim 1, wherein the sound sensing device comprises at least one microphone.",
"5. The infant calming/sleep-aid device of claim 1, further comprising a head rest positioned above the platform, wherein the head rest includes a gel.",
"6. The infant calming/sleep-aid device of claim 1, further comprising a secure swaddling sack within which to swaddle an infant, and wherein the secure swaddling sack is securable to the platform to secure a position of the infant when swaddled within the secure swaddling sack with respect to the platform.",
"7. The infant calming/sleep-aid device of claim 1, wherein the one or more sensors further comprise a motion sensing device that detects motion of the infant when supported on the platform, and wherein the first data signals further comprise motion corresponding to perturbations of the platform detected by the motion sensing device caused by the infant during a reciprocating rotation of the platform prior to initiation of the calming reflex operational mode.",
"8. The infant calming/sleep aid device of claim 1, wherein the control system is configured to reduce the reciprocating rotation in a stepwise fashion if the control system determines, utilizing data signals received from the one or more sensors, that the infant is being soothed by the reciprocating rotation of the platform.",
"9. The infant calming/sleep-aid device of claim 1, wherein the control system is further configured to control the reciprocating rotation of the platform utilizing age of the infant as variable, and wherein at a predetermined age of the infant, the control system is configured to reduce intensity of the reciprocating rotation to wean the infant off the reciprocating rotation of the device.",
"10. The infant calming/sleep-aid device of claim 1, wherein the control system controls the reciprocating rotation utilizing at least one variable selected from weight of the infant, age of the infant, a duration of detected sound made by the infant, and a duration of detected motion of the infant.",
"11. The infant calming/sleep-aid device of claim 1, wherein the actuation assembly is configured to reciprocally rotate the platform on the axis of rotation that is configured to be positioned to intersect an infant when supported on the platform.",
"12. The infant calming/sleep-aid device of claim 1, wherein in a soothing operational mode, the control system controls the frequency of reciprocating rotation within a range of between 0.5 and 1.5 cycles per second with a corresponding amplitude of the reciprocating rotation at a location corresponding to the center of the head of the infant when positioned on the platform that is in a range of between 0.5 inches and 1.5 inches.",
"13. The infant calming/sleep-aid device of claim 12, further comprising a sound generation device comprising a speaker to generate sound directed to the infant, wherein, in the soothing mode, the control system is further configured to cause the sound generation device to output a low pitch rumbling sound directed to the infant.",
"14. The infant calming/sleep aid device of claim 13, wherein the control system is configured to reduce the volume of the generated sound in a stepwise fashion if the control system detects that an infant is being soothed.",
"15. The infant calming/sleep-aid device of claim 13, wherein the low pitched rumbling sound is output within a range between 65 dB and 75 dB.",
"16. The infant calming/sleep-aid device of claim 13, wherein if the control system determines, utilizing second data signals received from the one or more sensors, that the infant is not being soothed by the sound directed to the infant and reciprocating rotation of the soothing mode, the control system is configured to initiate an enhanced soothing mode comprising causing the sound generation device to direct a higher pitched sound with greater volume to the infant.",
"17. The infant calming/sleep-aid device of claim 16, wherein the higher pitched sound has a volume between 75 dB and 80 dB.",
"18. The infant calming/sleep-aid device of claim 16, wherein the second data signals comprise sound detected by the sound sensing device from which the control system determines that the infant is in a second crying state.",
"19. The infant calming/sleep-aid device of claim 17, wherein the one or more sensors further comprise a motion sensing device that detects motion of the infant when supported on the platform, wherein the second data signals further comprise data signals corresponding to perturbations of the platform detected by the motion sensing device caused by the infant during a reciprocating rotation of the platform in the soothing operational mode.",
"20. The infant calming/sleep-aid device of claim 18, wherein the control system is configured to initiate the calming reflex operational mode to transition the device from the enhanced soothing operational mode to the calming reflex operational mode if the control system receives the first data signals from which it determines that the infant is in the first crying state."
],
[
"1. A child holding accessory installable on a rigid support frame, comprising:\na reversible resting support having a first and a second bearing surface facing opposite directions, the first and second bearing surfaces respectively having substantially different profiles, and each of the first and second bearing surfaces being positionable to be upwardly facing to receive a child thereon; and\nat least one fixture for attaching the resting support with a rigid support frame, the fixture being rotatably assembled with the resting support via a connection that allows rotation of the resting support relative to the fixture between a first position where the first bearing surface faces upward and a second position where the second bearing surface faces upward.",
"2. The child holding accessory according to claim 1, wherein the resting support includes a surrounding frame connected with the fixture, and a bearing platform assembled with the surrounding frame and having the first and second bearing surfaces.",
"3. The child holding accessory according to claim 2, wherein the surrounding frame has a first frame portion, and a second frame portion vertically raised relative to the first frame portion.",
"4. The child holding accessory according to claim 2, wherein the bearing platform comprises a cushion element including a first layer where is arranged the first bearing surface, and a second layer where is arranged the second bearing surface .",
"5. The child holding accessory according to claim 4, wherein the first layer includes one of a polyvinyl chloride (PVC)-based fabric, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA)-based polymer fabric, and any water-proof and easy to wipe-off fabrics, and the second layer includes one of a cotton cloth, flannelette, and any soft and comfortable fabric.",
"6. The child holding accessory according to claim 2, wherein the at least one fixture includes a first and a second fixture and the resting support is attachable to a rigid support frame via the first fixture and the second fixture, the surrounding frame has a head-side frame segment and a foot-side frame segment that are respectively connected with the first and second fixture, and one of the first and second fixture has a pivot connection with the resting support that defines a rotation axis of the resting support, a first distance between the head-side frame segment and the rotation axis being smaller than a second distance between the foot-side frame segment and the rotation axis.",
"7. The child holding accessory according to claim 1, wherein the first bearing surface when facing upward is generally flat, and the second bearing surface when facing upward has a portion recessing downward.",
"8. The child holding accessory according to claim 1, wherein the first bearing surface is configured as a changing table, and the second bearing surface is configured as a sleeping bed.",
"9. The child holding accessory according to claim 1, wherein the resting support includes a support board having a first side associated with the first bearing surface, and a second side associated with the second bearing surface, the support board being deformable differently depending on whether the child is placed on the first or second bearing surface.",
"10. An infant support apparatus comprising:\na rigid support frame;\na reversible resting support having a first and a second bearing surface facing opposite directions, each of the first and second bearing surfaces being positionable to be upwardly facing to receive a child thereon, wherein the first bearing surface when upwardly facing is configured to support the child with a first bearing profile, and the second bearing surface when upwardly facing is configured to support the child with a second bearing profile different from the first bearing profile; and\nat least one fixture rotatably connected with the resting support, the fixture being configured to attach the resting support with the rigid support frame at an elevated position above a floor, and the fixture being rotatably assembled with the resting support via a connection that allows rotation of the resting support relative to the fixture and the rigid support frame to position either of the first and second bearing surfaces upwardly facing.",
"11. The infant support apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the first and second bearing surfaces bend to different depths when the child is respectively placed thereon.",
"12. The infant support apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the resting support includes a surrounding frame connected with the fixture, and a bearing platform assembled with the surrounding frame and having the first and second bearing surfaces.",
"13. The infant support apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the surrounding frame has a first frame portion, and a second frame portion vertically raised relative to the first frame portion.",
"14. The infant support apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the bearing platform comprises a cushion element including a first layer where is arranged the first bearing surface, and a second layer where is arranged the second bearing surface .",
"15. The infant support apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the first layer includes one of a polyvinyl chloride (PVC)-based fabric, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA)-based polymer fabric, and any water-proof and easy to wipe-off fabrics, and the second layer includes one of a cotton cloth, flannelette, and any soft and comfortable fabric.",
"16. The infant support apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the at least one fixture includes a first and a second fixture and the resting support is attachable to the rigid support frame via the first fixture and the second fixture, the surrounding frame has a head-side frame segment and a foot-side frame segment that are respectively connected with the first and second fixture, and one of the first and second fixture has a pivot connection with the resting support that defines a rotation axis of the resting support, a first distance between the head-side frame segment and the rotation axis being smaller than a second distance between the foot-side frame segment and the rotation axis.",
"17. The infant support apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the first bearing surface when facing upward is generally flat, and the second bearing surface when facing upward has a portion recessing downward.",
"18. The infant support apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the first bearing surface is configured as a changing table, and the second bearing surface is configured as a sleeping bed."
],
[
"1. A bassinet assembly having an inclinable floor, said bassinet assembly comprising:\na floor comprising an upper surface and an inclinable flap, said inclinable flap comprising an upper surface; and\none or more rods, each of said one or more rods comprising a static portion having a first longitudinal axis and an inclined portion having a second longitudinal axis, wherein said first longitudinal axis and said second longitudinal axis intersect at an angle greater than 0° and less than about 90°, said static portion being disposed below said upper surface of said floor and said inclined portion being disposed below said upper surface of said inclinable flap, and wherein when said inclinable flap is raised above said floor, said rods rotate about said first longitudinal axis such that said first and second longitudinal axes are in a plane substantially perpendicular to said support surface, and wherein when said inclinable flap is allowed to lay substantially flat against said floor, said rods rotate about said first longitudinal axis such that said first and second longitudinal axes are in a plane substantially parallel to said support surface.",
"2. The bassinet assembly of claim 1 wherein said longitudinal axes intersect at an angle of about 10°.",
"3. The bassinet assembly of claim 1 wherein:\nsaid inclinable flap comprises a first set of fasteners disposed along at least a portion of an outer perimeter of said inclinable flap; and\nsaid bassinet assembly further comprises:\none or more side walls that extend upwardly from a perimeter of said floor and at least partially surround said floor, said side walls having an upper perimeter and a lower perimeter, said lower perimeter being adjacent said floor;\na second set of mating fasteners for engaging said first set of fasteners, said second set of mating fasteners being disposed on at least a portion of said one or more side walls between said upper perimeter and said lower perimeter, wherein a first portion and a second portion of said second set of mating fasteners are disposed along an inclined path at an angle greater than 0° to said floor substantially equal to said angle of intersection of said first and second longitudinal axes of said rods and a third portion of said second set of mating fasteners is disposed along a path that is substantially parallel to said floor, the third portion being intermediate the first and second portions, and\nwherein said first set of fasteners is engageable with said second set of mating fasteners to secure said inclinable flap at said angle of said inclined path and said first set of fasteners is disengagable with said second set of mating fasteners to allow said inclinable flap to lay substantially flat against said floor.",
"4. The bassinet assembly of claim 3 wherein said inclinable flap comprises a first edge and a second edge, wherein said first edge is attached to said floor and said second edge comprises at least a portion of said first set of fasteners for engaging said second set of mating fasteners.",
"5. The bassinet assembly of claim 3 wherein said inclinable flap comprises a first edge and a second edge, wherein said first edge is integrally formed with said floor and said second edge comprises at least a portion of said first set of fasteners for engaging said second set of mating fasteners.",
"6. The bassinet assembly of claim 3 wherein said one or more side walls comprises four walls, and said first portion and said second portion of said second set of mating fasteners are disposed along a first wall and a second wall, respectively, wherein said first wall and said second wall substantially face each other, and said third portion of said second set of mating fasteners is disposed along a third wall, wherein said third wall is intermediate said first wall and said second wall.",
"7. The bassinet assembly of claim 3 wherein said angle to said floor of said inclined path is about 10°.",
"8. The bassinet assembly of claim 3 wherein said first set of fasteners comprises a first row of zipper teeth and said second set of fasteners comprises a second set of zipper teeth, said first row of zipper teeth and said second row of zipper teeth being engaged or disengaged with one or more zippers.",
"9. The bassinet assembly of claim 3 wherein said first set of fasteners comprises a first set of snap fasteners and said second set of fasteners comprises a second set of mating snap fasteners.",
"10. The bassinet assembly of claim 3 wherein said first set of fasteners comprises a one or more buckles and said second set of fasteners comprises one or more mating buckles.",
"11. The bassinet assembly of claim 1 wherein two or more pockets are attached to a lower surface of said floor and a lower surface of said inclinable flap, and said rods are disposed within said pockets.",
"12. The bassinet assembly of claim 1 wherein:\nsaid inclinable flap comprises a first set of fasteners disposed along a first edge of said inclinable flap;\nsaid inclinable flap being disposed adjacent said floor along a second edge of said inclinable flap , said first edge being spaced apart from said second edge; and\nsaid bassinet assembly further comprises:\none or more side walls that extend upwardly from a perimeter of said floor and surround said floor, said side walls having an upper perimeter and a lower perimeter, said lower perimeter being adjacent said floor;\na second set of mating fasteners for engaging said first set of fasteners, said second set of mating fasteners being disposed on at least a portion of a first side wall between said upper perimeter and said lower perimeter of said first side wall, wherein said second set of mating fasteners are disposed along a path that is substantially parallel to said floor and spaced above said floor, and said first side wall is spaced apart from said second edge of said inclinable flap, and\nwherein said first set of fasteners are engagable with said second set of mating fasteners to secure said inclinable flap at an angle greater than 0° relative to said floor, and said first set of fasteners are disengagable with said second set of mating fasteners to allow said inclinable flap to lay substantially flat against said floor.",
"13. The bassinet assembly of claim 12 wherein said second edge of said inclinable flap is attached to said floor.",
"14. The bassinet assembly of claim 12 wherein said second edge of said inclinable flap is integrally formed with said floor.",
"15. The bassinet assembly of claim 12 wherein said first set of fasteners comprises a first row of zipper teeth and said second set of fasteners comprises a second set of zipper teeth, said first row of zipper teeth and said second row of zipper teeth being engaged or disengaged with one or more zippers.",
"16. The bassinet assembly of claim 12 wherein said first set of fasteners comprises a first set of snap fasteners and said second set of fasteners comprises a second set of mating snap fasteners.",
"17. The bassinet assembly of claim 12 wherein said first set of fasteners comprises a one or more buckles and said second set of fasteners comprises one or more mating buckles.",
"18. A bassinet assembly having an inclinable floor, said bassinet assembly comprising:\na floor comprising an upper surface and an inclinable flap, said inclinable flap comprising an upper surface; and\none or more substantially rigid panels, each of said one or more panels comprising a first portion and a second portion, said first portion having a first longitudinal axis and said second portion having a second longitudinal axis, and said first longitudinal axis and said second longitudinal axis intersecting at an angle greater than 0° and less than about 90°,\nwherein said first portion of each of said one or more panels is disposed below said upper surface of said floor and second portion of each of said one or more panels is disposed below said upper surface of said inclinable flap to support said inclinable flap at said angle with respect to said floor.",
"19. The bassinet assembly of claim 18 wherein said one or more substantially rigid panels is removable from said bassinet assembly.",
"20. A bassinet assembly having an inclinable floor, said bassinet assembly comprising:\na floor comprising an upper surface and a lower surface; and\none or more rods, each of said one or more rods comprising a static portion having a first longitudinal axis and an inclined portion having a second longitudinal axis, wherein said first longitudinal axis and said second longitudinal axis intersect at an angle greater than 0° and less than about 90°, said static portion being disposed below a first portion of said floor adjacent said lower surface of said floor and said inclined portion being disposed below a second portion of said floor adjacent said lower surface of said floor, and wherein when said second portion of said floor raised at said angle relative to said first portion of said floor, said rods rotate about said first longitudinal axis such that said first and second longitudinal axes are in a plane substantially perpendicular to said support surface, and wherein when said second portion of said floor is allowed to lay at an angle substantially equal to 0° with respect to said first portion of said floor, said rods rotate about said first longitudinal axis such that said first and second longitudinal axes are in a plane substantially parallel to said support surface."
],
[
"1. A changing table for use with a playard comprising:\na flexible platform that is sized to support a child;\na plurality of panels joined to edges of the platform at a plurality of joints; and\na changing table mount arranged to releasably engage the platform to the playard including a plurality of straps located at edges of the panels, each strap having a fastener, and a plurality of c-clips located on an underside of the platform at the joints,\nwherein the platform is adapted to be suspended by the changing table mount above a floor area of the playard, and\nwherein each strap is adapted to be removably received in corresponding slots of the playard and the plurality of c-clips are adapted to releasably engage side rails and an end rail of the playard.",
"2. The changing table according to claim 1, further comprising a support structure, wherein the platform is coupled to the support structure, and wherein the changing table mount is coupled to or part of the support structure.",
"3. The changing table according to claim 2, wherein the support structure further comprises a beam adapted to extend between the side rails of the playard spanning an open top of the playard, and wherein the beam is received within a pocket of the platform.",
"4. The changing table according to claim 1, wherein the corresponding slots are formed in, or on, corresponding sidewalls and an endwall of the playard.",
"5. The changing table according to claim 1, wherein the straps each fasten to themselves with the fastener.",
"6. The changing table according to claim 5, wherein each fastener includes at least one of a male snap fastener and a female snap fastener, and wherein the straps are folded onto themselves such that the female snap members of the straps align with the corresponding male snap members.",
"7. The changing table according to claim 1, wherein the platform is formed of a fabric material, such as vinyl or polyester, or other material or combination of materials that is strong enough to support a child's weight, and wherein the platform forms a concave child changing area.",
"8. A playard and changing table combination comprising:\na playard having an enclosure with a floor area;\na changing table with a flexible platform sized to support a child and a plurality of panels joined to the platform at a plurality of seams; and\na changing table mount that suspends the platform above the floor area of the playard thereby forming a child changing area and to releasably engage the platform to the playard, the changing table mount including a plurality of straps attached to edges of the plurality of panels and a plurality of c-clips positioned on an underside of the changing table at the seams,\nwherein each strap has a fastener and is removably received in a corresponding slot of the playard and each c-clip releasably engages top rails of the playard.",
"9. A juvenile product comprising:\na playard having a fabric body forming walls and a floor; and\na changing table with a flexible platform that is sized to support a child and having at least one panel coupled to the platform at a joint, the changing table including at least one changing table mount adapted to suspend the platform above the floor of the playard and to releasably engage the platform to the playard,\nwherein, the at least one changing table mount includes at least one c-clip on an underside of the changing table at the joint and at least one strap at a free edge of the panel, the strap having at least one fastener adapted to removably connect the strap to the playard, and\nwherein the strap is removably received in a corresponding slot of the playard.",
"10. The juvenile product according to claim 9, wherein the changing table mount comprises a plurality of straps which engage corresponding slots on the playard and wherein the straps fasten to themselves with the fastener.",
"11. The juvenile product according to claim 9, wherein the fastener comprises a male snap fastener and a female snap fastener.",
"12. The juvenile product according to claim 9, wherein the c-clip is configured to engage a top rail of the playard."
],
[
"1. An infant seat, comprising:\na seat back member comprising at least one outer huh, the at least one outer hub having a first gear tooth structure;\na seat support member comprising an inner hub corresponding to the at least one outer hub, the inner hub being pivotably connected to the at least one outer hub to make the seat back member rotatably connected to the seat support member for forming a cross bar structure, the inner hub having a second gear tooth structure;\na seat structure connected to the seat back member and forming a seating space; and\na locking mechanism operably disposed between the seat back member and the seat support member, the locking mechanism comprising a slide gear slidable within the at least one outer hub and the inner hub for engaging with the first gear tooth structure and the second gear tooth structure at a locked position to stop the inner hub of the seat support member from rotating relative to the at least one outer hub of the seat back member, the locking mechanism translating the slide gear to the locked position or an unlocked position, the locking mechanism including an actuator having a pivot huh pivoted relative to the at least one outer hub and having at least one ramped surface structure;\nwherein when the locking mechanism translates the slide gear to slide to the unlocked position, the slide gear is disengaged from the first gear tooth structure and engaged with the second gear tooth structure, to make the seat back member rotatable relative to the seat support member by a rotation of the inner hub on the at least one outer huh for adjusting a tilt angle of the seat structure, the actuator being coupled to the pivot hub so that, when actuated, the ramped surface structure drives the slide gear to the unlocked position.",
"2. The infant seat of claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism further comprises:\na gear pusher slidable between the at least one outer hub and the slide gear; and\nwherein when the actuator is configured so that, when actuated, the actuator rotates the pivot hub so that the gear pusher is pressed against the slide gear by leaning on the ramped surface structure to drive, for driving the slide gear to the unlocked position.",
"3. The infant seat of claim 2, wherein the locking mechanism further comprises:\na spring respectively connected to the slide gear and the inner hub, for biasing the slide gear to the locked position.",
"4. The infant seat of claim 1, wherein the at least one outer hub has at least one ramped surface structure formed therein, and the locking mechanism further comprises:\na gear pusher slidable between the at least one outer hub and the slide gear, wherein the actuator is pivotally connected to the seat back member; and\nan actuator link respectively pivoted to the actuator and the gear pusher;\nwherein when the actuator is operated to rotate the gear pusher via the actuator link, the gear pusher slides to the unlocked position along the ramped surface structure disengaging the slide gear from the first gear tooth structure.",
"5. The infant seat of claim 4, wherein the locking mechanism further comprises:\na spring respectively connected to the slide gear and the inner hub, for biasing the slide gear to the locked position.",
"6. The infant seat of claim 1, wherein the infant seat further comprises a base member, the seat back member further comprises a seatback tube portion and a front connection portion, the at least one outer hub is connected between the front connection portion and the seatback tube portion, the seat support member further comprises a seat front portion and a support strut portion, the inner hub is connected between the seat front portion and the support strut portion, and the base member is respectively connected to the support strut portion and the front connection portion.",
"7. The infant seat of claim 6 further comprising:\na pivot rod pivoted to the base member and detachably connected to the seat back member, for supporting the seat back member at a sitting position when the seat back member is rotated to the sitting position."
],
[
"1. A modular organizer adapted to be attached to a rod of a playpen, said organizer comprising:\na row of storage members, each adjacent pair of said storage members defining a gap therebetween;\nfirst and second positioning elements disposed respectively on two of said storage members, each of said first and second positioning elements having a retaining hook portion at an upper end thereof, which is adapted to be removably connected with the rod, and a third one of said storage members being positioned between said two of said storage members; and\na plurality of joining mechanisms disposed respectively within said gaps, each of said joining mechanisms including first and second joining units that are disposed respectively at a corresponding adjacent pair of said storage members and that engage each other so as to interconnect the corresponding adjacent pair of said storage members removably;\nwherein a first storage member of said two of said storage members has a first extension extending there from and a second storage member of said two of said storage members has a first groove formed therein, said first extension being sized to engage said first groove to removably connect said first and second storage members;\nwherein said third storage member has a second extension extending there from and a second groove formed therein, said first extension being sized to engage said second groove to removably connect said first and third storage members, and said second extension being sized to engage said first groove to removably connect said second and third storage members;\nwherein said first joining unit of each of said joining mechanisms includes a corresponding one of said first and second extensions;\nwherein said second joining unit of each of said joining mechanisms includes a corresponding one of said first and second grooves;\nwherein each of said first and second extensions is a dovetail tongue extending from a corresponding one of said storage members, and each of said first and second grooves is a dovetail groove formed in a corresponding one of said storage members and engaging fittingly a corresponding one of said dovetail tongues; and\nwherein each of said dovetail grooves is defined by an inverted U-shaped plate portion and a groove bottom-defining wall of the corresponding one of said storage members, between which an inverted U-shaped accommodating space is formed, each of said inverted U-shaped accommodating spaces being adapted to be disposed respectively around a corresponding one of said dovetail tongues, each of said dovetail tongues having an inverted U-shaped outer peripheral portion fitted within a corresponding one of said inverted U-shaped accommodating spaces.",
"2. The modular organizer as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said dovetail tongues has a T-shaped cross section so as to define an inverted U-shaped groove between a corresponding one of said storage members and a corresponding one of said dovetail tongues.",
"3. The modular organizer as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said first joining units further includes a positioning tongue extending from a corresponding one of said storage members and disposed under a corresponding one of said dovetail tongues; each of said second joining units further including a resilient plate extending downwardly from said groove bottom-defining wall and formed with a hole therethrough, said positioning tongues engaging respectively said holes in said resilient plates.",
"4. The modular organizer as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of said dovetail tongues is formed integrally with a corresponding one of said storage members.",
"5. The modular organizer as claimed in claim 3, wherein said resilient plates are formed respectively and integrally with said groove bottom-defining walls.",
"6. The modular organizer as claimed in claim 3, wherein each of said resilient plates has a hole-defining wall defining a corresponding one of said holes in said resilient plates; and each of said positioning tongues has a horizontal first contact surface abutting against a lower end of a corresponding one of said hole-defining walls of said resilient plates, and an inclined second contact surface abutting against an upper end of the corresponding one of said hole-defining walls of said resilient plates.",
"7. The modular organizer as claimed in claim 3, wherein each of said two of said storage members has a sleeve portion, said first and second positioning elements extending respectively through said sleeve portions of a corresponding one of said two of said storage members.",
"8. The modular organizer as claimed in claim 7, wherein each of said first and second positioning elements has a lower end formed with two resilient arms, each of which has a retaining portion that is shaped so as to prevent movement of a corresponding one of said first and second positioning elements through said sleeve portion of a corresponding one of said two of said storage members.",
"9. The modular organizer as claimed in claim 7, wherein\nsaid first storage member includes a bowl-shaped container body defining an accommodating chamber therein, and an openable top cover disposed pivotally on said container body for covering said accommodating chamber; and\nsaid second storage member having a top surface that is formed with a blind hole.",
"10. The modular organizer as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said two of said storage members has a sleeve portion, said first and second positioning elements extending respectively through said sleeve portions of a corresponding one of said two of said storage members.",
"11. The modular organizer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second positioning elements extend above the row of storage members such that the row of storage members are separated from the rod when the retaining hook portion engages the rod."
],
[
"1. A crib comprising a first and a second sidewall;\na first and a second end wall operably connected to the first and second sidewalls to form a frame; and\na separate sleeping platform configured to be positioned within a cavity defined by the frame where the frame substantially surrounds the sleeping platform, the sleeping platform comprising\na sleeping surface formed of a mesh material;\na base frame supporting the sleeping surface; and\na plurality of legs configured to support the base frame above a support surface of the crib; wherein\nthe base frame is positioned adjacent an inner surface of each the first and second sidewalls and the first and second end walls.",
"2. The crib of claim 1, wherein\nthe plurality of legs are rotatable between a first position and a second position;\nin the first position the legs are positioned substantially along a portion of the base frame and a bottom surface of the base rests on the support surface, and\nin the second position the legs extend below the base frame to rest on the support surface.",
"3. The crib of claim 1, further comprising an elevated platform spanning between and selectively secured to each of the first and second sidewalls.",
"4. The crib of claim 3, wherein the elevated platform further comprises\na cradle member; and\na pair of braces operably connected to opposite longitudinal edges of the cradle member.",
"5. The crib of claim 1, wherein\nthe first and second sidewalls each comprise\na sidewall top rail defining a first sidewall receiving notch and a second sidewall receiving notch;\na first sidewall side member and a second sidewall side member extending from a bottom surface of the sidewall top rail where the first sidewall side member extends from a first end of the sidewall top rail and the second sidewall side member extends from a second end of the sidewall top rail, a bottom surface of each the first sidewall side member and the second sidewall side members each defining a third sidewall receiving notch and a second sidewall receiving notch; and\nat least one cross member operably connected to each of the first and second sidewall side members.",
"6. The crib of claim 5, further comprising a sidewall mesh material spanning between the sidewall top rail, the first and second sidewall side members, and the at least one cross member.",
"7. The crib of claim 5, wherein the first sidewall side member and the second sidewall side member taper from the support surface towards the top rail.",
"8. The crib of claim 7, wherein the first sidewall side member and the second sidewall side member are trapezoidal shaped.",
"9. The crib of claim 5, wherein the end walls further comprise\nan end wall top rail comprising a first end wall receiving notch and a second end wall receiving notch defined on a bottom surface of the end wall top rail;\na first end wall side member extending from the bottom surface of the end wall top rail adjacent the first end wall receiving notch; and\na second end wall side member extending from the bottom surface of the end wall top rail adjacent the second end wall receiving notch; wherein\nthe first end wall receiving notch is configured to be received within the first sidewall receiving notch and the second end wall receiving notch is configured to be received within the second sidewall receiving notch.",
"10. The crib of claim 9, further comprising a base member operably connected to a bottom surface of the first and second end wall side members, the base member defining a first base receiving notch configured to be received within the third sidewall receiving notch and a second base receiving notch configured to be received within the fourth sidewall receiving notch.",
"11. The crib of claim 9, wherein the end walls further comprise one or more shelves operably connected to each of the first and second end wall side members.",
"12. The crib of claim 1, further comprising a rocker member having an arcuate bottom surface selectively attachable to a bottom end of each of the end wall.",
"13. The crib of claim 1, wherein\nthe first sidewall further comprises a top rail; and\nthe second sidewall further comprises a first cross member; wherein\nthe top rail is positioned higher above the support surface than the first cross member.",
"14. A kit for a reconfigurable crib, comprising\na frame comprising\na pair of sidewalls; and\na pair of end walls configured to operably connect to the pair of sidewalls;\na sleeping platform configured to be positioned within but not attached to, the frame; and\nat least one shelf configured to be operably connected to the pair of sidewalls or to the pair of end walls.",
"15. The kit of claim 14, further comprising an elevated platform selectively attachable to a top surface of the pair of sidewalls.",
"16. The kit of claim 15, wherein the elevated platform comprises\na cradle member; and\na pair of braces operably connected to opposite longitudinal edges of the cradle member.",
"17. The kit of claim 16, wherein the cradle member is a mesh material.",
"18. The kit of claim 17, wherein\nthe at least one shelf comprises a first shelf and a second shelf; wherein\nthe first shelf is configured to be operably connected to one to the end walls and the second shelf is configured to be operably connected to a each of the sidewalls.",
"19. The kit of claim 19, wherein each of the sidewalls in the pair of sidewalls comprises a panel defining one or more receiving apertures configured to receive the second shelf.",
"20. The kit of claim 14, further comprising a rocker member having an arcuate surface configured to be selectively attachable to a bottom end of each of the end walls."
],
[
"1. A collapsible structure, comprising:\na base panel comprising separate first and second sides, a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, and a fabric material covering portions of the frame member to form the base panel when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation, with the fabric assuming the unfolded orientation of its frame member; and\nfirst and second loops, each loop having a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation;\nwherein the first side of the base panel is coupled to the first loop, and the second side of the base panel is coupled to the second loop.",
"2. The structure of claim 1, further including a second panel having a first side coupled to the first loop, and a second side coupled to the second loop, with the base panel and the second panel spaced-apart from each other, the second panel also having a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, and a fabric material covering portions of the frame member of the second panel to form the second panel when the frame member of the second panel is in the unfolded orientation.",
"3. The structure of claim 2, wherein the base panel and the second panel are generally parallel to each other.",
"4. The structure of claim 1, wherein the first and second loops are spaced apart and generally parallel to each other.",
"5. The structure of claim 1, further including a side fabric that is coupled to the base panel and the first and second loops.",
"6. The structure of claim 1, wherein the base panel is a first base panel, the structure further including:\na third loop having a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, the third loop spaced apart from the second loop;\na second base panel comprising separate first and second sides, a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, and a fabric material covering portions of the frame member to form the second base panel when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation, with the fabric assuming the unfolded orientation of its frame member; and\nwherein the first side of the second base panel is coupled to the second loop, and the second side of the second base panel is coupled to the third loop.",
"7. The structure of claim 6, further including:\na third panel having a first side coupled to the first loop, and a second side coupled to the second loop, with the first base panel and the third panel spaced-apart from each other; and\na fourth panel having a first side coupled to the second loop, and a second side coupled to the third loop, with the second base panel and the fourth panel spaced-apart from each other; and\nwherein the third and fourth panel each has a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, and a fabric material covering portions of the frame member of the corresponding panel.",
"8. The structure of claim 1, wherein the first loop includes a fabric that covers a portion of the first loop.",
"9. The structure of claim 7, further including a side fabric that is coupled to the first and second base panels, the third and fourth panels, and the first, second and third loops.",
"10. The structure of claim 7, wherein the second base panel and the fourth panel are disposed out of phase with the first base panel and the third panel.",
"11. The structure of claim 1, wherein the structure is a first structure, and further including a second identical structure, with the first loop of each of the first and second structures coupled together.",
"12. The structure of claim 1, wherein the structure is an exercise apparatus.",
"13. The structure of claim 1, wherein the structure defines a passageway.",
"14. The structure of claim 1, wherein the structure is a display.",
"15. The structure of claim 1, wherein the structure is a partition."
],
[
"1. A method of displaying images or messages, comprising:\nproviding a support frame having a foldable frame member that has a folded and an unfolded orientation, the frame member defining a periphery for the support frame, wherein the frame member is collapsible to the folded position by twisting and folding to form a plurality of concentric rings to substantially reduce the size of the support frame in the folded position;\ncoupling a first covering to the support frame, the first covering having a first image;\nremoving the first covering from the support frame; and\ncoupling a second covering to the support frame, the second covering having a second image.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein coupling the first covering to the support frame comprises:\nplacing the first covering over but not enclosing the support frame, the covering having the same configuration as the frame member in the unfolded orientation.",
"3. The method of claim 1, further including retaining the frame member inside a frame retaining sleeve.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein the support frame is a first support frame, further including:\nproviding a second support frame having a foldable frame member that has a folded and an unfolded orientation, the frame member of the second support frame defining a periphery for the second support frame; and\nhingedly connecting the first and second support frames each other.",
"5. The method of claim 4, further including:\nhingedly connecting the top edges of the first and second support frames each other.",
"6. The method of claim 4, further including:\ncoupling a third covering to the second support frame, the third covering having a third image."
],
[
"1. A collapsible play structure adapted to be supported on a surface and comprising:\nat least three foldable frame members, each having a folded and an unfolded orientation;\na fabric material substantially covering each frame member to form a side panel for each frame member when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation, the fabric assuming the unfolded orientation of its associated frame member;\neach side panel further comprising at least a left side, a bottom side and a right side;\nwherein the left side of each side panel is connected and hinged to the right side of an adjacent side panel, and the right side of each side panel is connected and hinged to the left side of another adjacent side panel; and\nwherein the bottom side of each side panel is adapted to rest on the surface to support the play structure.",
"2. The collapsible play structure of claim 1, wherein the collapsible play structure comprises four side panels and frame members, each side panel and its frame member having four sides, including a top side.",
"3. The collapsible play structure of claim 2, further comprising a fabric connected to the top sides of the four side panels and extending therebetween.",
"4. The collapsible play structure of claim 3, further comprising an opening provided within the fabric connected to the top sides of the four side panels.",
"5. The collapsible play structure of claim 4, wherein at least one of the four side panels comprises an opening.",
"6. The collapsible play structure of claim 1 wherein each side panel comprises a frame retaining sleeve for retaining one of the frame members, and the frame retaining sleeves of adjacent side panels are stitched together to form a hinged connection.",
"7. The collapsible play structure of claim 1 wherein each side panel comprises a frame retaining sleeve for holding a portion of one of the frame members, the frame retaining sleeves of adjacent side panels converging to form a singular retaining sleeve which retains the adjacent sides of the adjacent frame members of the corresponding adjacent side panels.",
"8. A collapsible play structure, comprising:\na plurality of collapsible play modules connected to each other, each play module supported on a surface and comprising:\nat least three foldable frame members, each having a folded and an unfolded orientation;\na fabric material substantially covering each frame member to form a side panel for each frame member when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation, the fabric assuming the unfolded orientation of its associated frame member;\neach side panel further comprising at least a left side, a bottom side and a right side;\nwherein the left side of each side panel is connected and hinged to the right side of an adjacent side panel, and the right side of each side panel is connected and hinged to the left side of another adjacent side panel; and\nwherein the bottom side of each side panel is adapted to rest on the surface to support the play module.",
"9. The collapsible play structure of claim 8, wherein each play module comprises four side panels and frame members, each side panel and its frame member having four sides, including a top side.",
"10. The collapsible play structure of claim 9, wherein each play module further comprises a fabric connected to the top sides of the four side panels and extending therebetween.",
"11. The collapsible play structure of claim 10, wherein each play module further comprises an opening provided within the fabric connected to the top sides of the four side panels.",
"12. The collapsible play structure of claim 11, wherein at least one of the four side panels of each play module comprises an opening.",
"13. The collapsible play structure of claim 8 wherein each side panel of each play module comprises a frame retaining sleeve for retaining one of the frame members, and the frame retaining sleeves of adjacent side panels are stitched together to form a hinged connection.",
"14. The collapsible play structure of claim 8 wherein each side panel of each play module comprises a frame retaining sleeve for holding one of the frame members, the frame retaining sleeves of adjacent side panels converging to form a singular retaining sleeve which retains the adjacent sides of the adjacent frame members of the corresponding adjacent side panels.",
"15. The collapsible play structure of claim 8, further comprising three play modules, each comprising attachment mechanisms for connecting each play module to at least one other play module.",
"16. The collapsible play structure of claim 9, further comprising one larger play module, and four identical play modules each having a size that is smaller than the larger play module, each of the four identical play modules comprising attachment mechanisms for connecting one of its side panels to one side panel of the larger play module.",
"17. The collapsible play structure of claim 16, wherein each of the four identical play modules comprises at least one opening provided on one side panel, and wherein each side panel of the larger play module is provided with at least one opening, wherein each of the at least one opening of the four identical play modules is aligned with the opening provided in a corresponding side panel of the larger play module."
],
[
"1. A collapsible structure comprising:\na first frame member defining a base of the structure;\na second frame member defining a top of the structure;\na piece of foldable material attached to and extending between said first and second frame members; and\na plurality of foldable frame supporters connected to said first and second frame members and to said piece of foldable material, said frame supporters being foldable to move said first and second frame members towards one another to a superimposed and collapsed position, and being unfolded to move said first and second frame members away from one another to a spaced and expanded position.",
"2. A collapsible structure according to claim 1, comprising hinges in said foldable frame supporters which enable the frame supporters to move the first and second frame members between said collapsed and expanded positions.",
"3. A collapsible structure according to claim 2, where in said hinges include projections to serve as stops to limit movement of the frame members to said expanded position and provide a lock engagement of the hinges.",
"4. A collapsible structure according to claim 3, wherein said foldable frame supporters each comprises a first segment having one end fixed to said first frame member and a second segment having one end fixed to said second frame member, and a link hingeably connected to said first and second segments at ends thereof opposite said ends fixed to the frame members.",
"5. A collapsible structure according to claim 4, wherein said segments are adjacent to one another in said collapsed position and are colinear in said expanded position.",
"6. The collapsible structure according to claim 1, wherein said first and second frame members include respective hinges which enable the first and second frame members to be jointly folded when in said superposed and collapsed position to reduce size of the structure in said collapsed position.",
"7. A collapsible structure according to claim 1, wherein said frame members define a circumferentially enclosed space with an open top in said expanded position to enable the structure to serve as a baby bed.",
"8. A collapsible structure according to claim 7, wherein said foldable frame supporters are spaced circumferentially around the structure.",
"9. A collapsible structure according to claim 1, wherein said first and second frame members are annular and said frame supporters have a length to define an interior space within the foldable material to serve as a play area for a child.",
"10. A collapsible structure according to claim 9, wherein said play area comprises a cylindrical volume.",
"11. A collapsible structure according to claim 9, wherein said frame supporters are arranged to fold inwardly to permit the frame members to move to the collapsed position.",
"12. A collapsible child play enclosure comprising:\na plurality of frame assemblies\neach frame assembly including a plurality of frame segments and a plurality of hinges connecting adjoining frame segments, said hinges being constructed and arranged to provide movement between assembled and collapsed positions;\na piece of foldable material secured to said frame members to enclosed an interior space within the frame assemblies when in said assembled position, said frame segments of said frame assemblies being superimposed on one another in said collapsed position.",
"13. The collapsible child play enclosure according to claim 12, wherein said frame segments include curved segments to confer a rounded shape to said enclosure which simulates an igloo.",
"14. The collapsible child play enclosure according to claim 13, wherein said frame segments of said frame assemblies include lower frame segments having lower ends adapted for supporting the play enclosure on the ground in the assembled position.",
"15. The collapsible child play enclosure according to claim 13, wherein said hinges include projections to serve as stops to limit movement of the frame segments in said assembled position and provide a lock engagement of the hinges.",
"16. The collapsible child play enclosure according to claim 13, wherein the frame segments of each frame member confer a substantially semi-circular shape to the frame member.",
"17. The collapsible child play enclosure according to claim 16, wherein each frame member has a peak with a said hinge thereat and the frame member extends in opposite directions from said peak along curved paths, each of which includes two said hinges connecting adjoining frame segments.",
"18. The collapsible child play enclosure according to claim 12, further comprising a ground engaging frame structure including a plurality of ground engaging members said frame assemblies being connected to said ground engaging frame structure to provide a pyramidal shape for the child play enclosure to simulate a teepee.",
"19. The collapsible child play enclosure to claim 18, wherein said ground engaging frame structure has corners at adjoining ground engaging members at which a respective said frame segment is disposed, a first of said hinges pivotably connects the adjoining ground engaging members to one another and said respective frame segment to said adjoining ground engaging members.",
"20. The collapsible child play enclosure according to claim 19, wherein a second of said hinges is provided in each ground engaging member to form ground segments which are pivotable between collapsed and extended positions.",
"21. The collapsible child play enclosure according to claim 20, wherein each said frame assembly includes a plurality of said second hinges.",
"22. The collapsible child play enclosure according to claim 21, wherein said ground members are inwardly foldable at said second hinges and said frame assemblies are superimposable on one another and capable of being folded around said second hinges to collapse the child play enclosure.",
"23. A method for expanding and collapsing a structure intended for use by a child, said method comprising:\nassembling a structure having an enclosure for a child;\nforming said structure with a plurality of segments incorporating hinges movable between folded and unfolded positions;\nproviding a flexible fabric cover on the structure; and\nselectively expanding and collapsing the structure by unfolding and folding the hinges,\nwherein said hinges are selectively unfolded and folded by (1) aligning segments of the structure connected by the hinges and (2) by pivotably moving the segments out of alignment, and\nwherein when said segments are in the folded condition, the segments are superimposed on one another to provide a flat, collapsed condition for the structure.",
"24. The method according to claim 23, wherein in the expanded condition, the structure forms a baby bed.",
"25. The method according to claim 23, wherein in the expanded condition, the structure forms a play pen.",
"26. The method according to claim 23, wherein in the expanded condition, the structure forms an igloo.",
"27. The method according to claim 23, wherein in the expanded condition, the structure forms a teepee.",
"28. The method according to claim 23, comprising folding the segments in the collapsed condition of the structure to reduce size of the structure and make it more compact."
],
[
"1. A collapsible structure, comprising:\na first vertical panel having a top edge and a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, with a fabric material covering portions of the frame member to form the first panel when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation;\na second vertical panel having a top edge and a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, with a fabric material covering portions of the frame member of the second panel to form the second panel when the frame member of the second panel is in the unfolded orientation; and\na connecting member having opposing edges that are coupled to the top edges of the first and second panels in a manner such that the first and second panels are positioned spaced from each other, and the connecting member including means for supporting the first and second panels in an upright position that is parallel to each other;\nwherein each of the frame members of the first and second panels is twisted and folded to form a plurality of concentric rings when the frame member is in the folded orientation.",
"2. The structure of claim 1, wherein the connecting member includes a third horizontal panel having a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, with a fabric material covering portions of the frame member of the third panel to form the third panel when the frame member of the third panel is in the unfolded orientation, the third panel having opposing first and second sides that are coupled to the top edges of the first and second panels, respectively.",
"3. The structure of claim 2, wherein the connecting member is a fabric piece.",
"4. The structure of claim 2, wherein the fabric extends across the entire panel of at least one of the panels.",
"5. The structure of claim 2, wherein the entire connecting member extends between the top edges of the first and second panels.",
"6. A collapsible structure, comprising:\na first vertical panel having a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, with a fabric material covering portions of the frame member to form the first panel when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation;\na second vertical panel having a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, with a fabric material covering portions of the frame member of the second panel to form the second panel when the frame member of the second panel is in the unfolded orientation; and\na connecting member coupled to, and extending between, the first and second panels in a manner such that the first and second panels are positioned parallel to each other;\nwherein each of the frame members of the first and second panels is twisted and folded to form a plurality of concentric rings when the frame member is in the folded orientation;\nwherein each of the first and second panels has a top side, and wherein the connecting member includes a third horizontal panel having a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, with a fabric material covering portions of the frame member of the third panel to form the third panel when the frame member of the third panel is in the unfolded orientation, the third panel having opposing first and second sides that are coupled to the top sides of the first and second panels, respectively; and\nwherein each of the first and second panels has a bottom side, and wherein the connecting member includes a fourth horizontal panel having a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, with a fabric material covering portions of the frame member of the fourth panel to form the fourth panel when the frame member of the fourth panel is in the unfolded orientation, the fourth panel having opposing first and second sides that are coupled to the bottom sides of the first and second panels, respectively."
],
[
"1. A collapsible play structure adapted to be supported on a surface and comprising:\nat least three foldable frame members, each having a folded and an unfolded orientation;\na fabric material substantially covering each frame member to form a side panel for each frame member when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation, the fabric assuming the unfolded orientation of its associated frame member;\neach side panel and its frame member having a square configuration and comprising four sides, including a left side, a right side, a bottom side connecting the left side and the right side, and a top side connecting the left side and the right side, with the left side and the right side vertical and the top side and the bottom side horizontal when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation;\nwherein the left side of each side panel is hingedly connected to the right side of an adjacent side panel, and the right side of each side panel is hingedly connected to the left side of another adjacent side panel; and\nwherein the bottom side of each side panel is adapted to rest on the surface to support the play structure.",
"2. The structure of claim 1, further comprising a top fabric connected to the top sides of the side panels and frame members and extending therebetween, the top fabric comprising an opening provided therewithin and adapted for a child to crawl therethrough.",
"3. The structure of claim 2, wherein at least one of the side panels comprises an opening.",
"4. The structure of claim 2, wherein the structure comprises four side panels.",
"5. The structure of claim 2, wherein each side panel comprises a frame retaining sleeve for retaining one of the frame members, and the frame retaining sleeves of adjacent side panels are stitched together to form a hinged connection."
],
[
"1. A modular tent system, comprising:\nat least two interconnectable tent modules, with each at least two interconnectable tent modules having a plurality of side panels, wherein each of said at least two interconnectable tent modules have at least one of said plurality of side panels with a first interconnecting section that is removably interconnecting with a second interconnecting section on a separate interconnectable tent module.",
"2. The modular tent system, as described in claim 1, wherein at least one of said at least two interconnectable tent modules further comprises a top cover attachable to said plurality of side panels of said at least one of said at least two interconnectable tent modules to form a roof cover for said tent module.",
"3. The modular tent system, as described in claim 1, wherein each of said at least two interconnectable tent modules are a similar size and shape.",
"4. The modular tent system, as described in claim 1, wherein at least two of said at least two interconnectable tent modules are a dissimilar size or dissimilar shape from each other.",
"5. The modular tent system, as described in claim 1, wherein said first and second interconnecting sections are at least one of a hook and loop textile tape, a zipper, a plurality of snaps, a plurality of buttons, a pair of attracting magnets, a pole and loop, a pole and sleeve.",
"6. The modular tent system, as described in claim 1, wherein each of said at least two interconnectable tent modules are a polygon shape.",
"7. The modular tent system, as described in claim 1, wherein at least one of said at least two interconnectable tent modules has at least one integral openable door.",
"8. The modular tent system, as described in claim 1, wherein at least one of said at least two interconnectable tent modules has at least one integral openable window.",
"9. The modular tent system, as described in claim 1, wherein said side panel with said first or second interconnecting section has an openable door allowing internal access between the two interconnected tent modules.",
"10. The modular tent system, as described in claim 1, wherein said side panel with said first or second interconnecting section is detachable on at least one vertical edge to allow said first or second interconnecting section to be hinged and overlay an adjacent side panel.",
"11. The modular tent system, as provided in claim 1, wherein said at least two interconnecting tent modules are at least partially manufactured from a synthetic plastic polymer including at least one of a polyethylene material and a polyvinyl chloride material.",
"12. An expandable modular tent system, comprising:\na plurality of interconnectable modules, with each of said plurality of interconnectable modules having a plurality of side panels, and wherein each of said plurality of interconnectable modules have at least one of said plurality of side panels with an interconnecting element that is removably interconnecting with an interconnecting element and side panel on a separate interconnectable module.",
"13. The expandable modular tent system, as described in claim 12, wherein at least one of said plurality of interconnectable modules, further comprising a top cover.",
"14. The expandable modular tent system, as described in claim 12, wherein said interconnecting elements are at least one of a hook and loop textile tape, a zipper, a plurality of snaps, a plurality of buttons, a pair of attracting magnets, a pole and loop, a pole and sleeve.",
"15. The expandable modular tent system, as described in claim 12, wherein each of said plurality of interconnectable modules are a polygon shape.",
"16. The expandable modular tent system, as described in claim 12, wherein at least two of said at least two interconnectable modules are a dissimilar size or dissimilar shape from each other.",
"17. The expandable modular tent system, as described in claim 12, wherein at least one of said plurality of interconnectable modules has at least one integral openable door.",
"18. The expandable modular tent system, as described in claim 12, wherein at least one of said plurality of interconnectable modules has at least one integral openable window.",
"19. The expandable modular tent system, as described in claim 12, wherein said side panel with an interconnecting element has an openable door allowing access between two attached interconnected modules.",
"20. The expandable modular tent system, as described in claim 12, wherein said side panel with said interconnecting section is detachable on at least one vertical edge to allow said interconnecting section to be hinged and overlay an adjacent side panel.",
"21. The expandable modular tent system, as described in claim 12, wherein said plurality of interconnecting modules are at least partially manufactured from a synthetic plastic polymer including at least one of a polyethylene material and a polyvinyl chloride material."
],
[
"1. A collapsible structure comprising:\na first panel, a second panel, and a third panel, each panel having a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, with a fabric material covering internal portions of the frame member to form the panel when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation, with each panel being collapsed to a smaller size by twisting and folding its respective frame member, each of the panels further including a side;\nwherein the side of the first panel is coupled to the side of the second panel; and\nwherein the side of the third panel is coupled to the fabric material of the second panel internal of the frame member of the second panel; and\nwherein each of the first and second panels having a flat configuration when the frame members for the first and second panels are in the unfolded orientation and coupled together to form the structure.",
"2. The structure of claim 1, wherein the side of the first panel is hingedly coupled to the side of the second panel.",
"3. The structure of claim 1, wherein the side of the third panel is hingedly coupled to the fabric of the second panel.",
"4. The structure of claim 1, wherein the third panel is coupled to the first panel.",
"5. The structure of claim 1, further including an amusement feature provided on the fabric material of the second panel.",
"6. The structure of claim 1, wherein the third panel extends parallel to a horizontal surface.",
"7. The structure of claim 1, wherein the side of the third panel is removably coupled to the fabric material of the second panel.",
"8. A collapsible structure comprising:\na first panel, a second panel, and a third panel, each panel having a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, with a fabric material covering portions of the frame member to form the panel when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation, each panel being collapsed to a smaller size by twisting and folding its respective frame member, each of the panels further including a side;\nwherein the side of the first panel is coupled to the side of the second panel;\nwherein the side of the third panel is coupled to the fabric material of the second panel; and\na fourth panel having a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, with a fabric material covering portions of the frame member of the fourth panel to form the fourth panel when the frame member of the fourth panel is in the unfolded orientation, with the fourth panel further including a side, and the second panel further including a second side, wherein the side of the fourth panel is coupled to the second side of the second panel.",
"9. The structure of claim 8, wherein the third panel is coupled to the first panel and the fourth panel.",
"10. A collapsible structure comprising:\na first panel, a second panel, and a third panel, each panel having a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, with a fabric material covering portions of the frame member to form the panel when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation, each panel being collapsed to a smaller size by twisting and folding its respective frame member, each of the panels further including a side;\nwherein the side of the first panel is coupled to the side of the second panel;\nwherein the side of the third panel is coupled to the fabric material of the second panel; and\nwherein the third panel extends at an angle from a horizontal surface, with the first and second panels extending vertically from the horizontal surface."
],
[
"1. A collapsible portable structure having side walling comprising at least one continuous loop of a flexible coilable rod supporting a flexible fabric panel and an integrated canopy formed by a flexible fabric material which is attached to the side walling and which is supported by at least one separate pole, wherein the side walling is configured to define an upright corner region and to have a free side edge.",
"2. A structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the side walling is configured to be curved or angular to define the upright corner region and to have the free side edge.",
"3. A structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the side walling is configured to comprises two or more adjoining walls or wall sections to define the upright corner region and to have the free side edge.",
"4. A structure as claimed in claim 2, wherein the canopy straddles the upright corner region.",
"5. A structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the canopy is attached to the side walling at a location spaced inwards from an upper edge of the side wailing.",
"6. A structure as claimed in claim 2, wherein the canopy is attached to the side walling at a location spaced inwards from the free side edge.",
"7. A structure as claimed in claim 2, wherein the continuous loop of a flexible coilable rod provides a frame at the periphery of the fabric panel.",
"8. A structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the side walling is formed by two continuous loops of the coilable rod, each loop supporting a respective flexible fabric panel.",
"9. A structure as claimed in claim 8, wherein the side walling comprises two distinct side walls, each formed by a respective continuous loop of a coilable flexible rod supporting a respective flexible fabric panel.",
"10. A structure as claimed in claim 9, wherein the side walling comprises two distinct side walls, each formed by a respective coilable flexible rod supporting a respective flexible fabric panel.",
"11. A structure as claimed in claim 9, wherein the side walls are arranged to extend substantially perpendicular to each other.",
"12. A structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the canopy is stitched to the side walling.",
"13. A structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the canopy includes wall and roof sections.",
"14. A structure as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an integrated mat or ground sheet attached to the side walling.",
"15. A structure as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of poles to support the canopy, the poles being attached to each other by means of connectors.",
"16. A structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the side walling is collapsible by twisting each of the flexible coilable rods."
],
[
"1. A collapsible structure adapted to be supported on a surface and comprising:\na pair of side panel frame members, each side panel frame member forming a continuous loop that has a folded and unfolded orientation, with each loop collapsible to the folded position by twisting and folding to form a plurality of concentric rings;\na fabric material covering portions of each side panel loop frame member to form a side panel with each side panel frame member when the side panel frame members are in the unfolded orientation, the fabric material also extending from one of the side panel loop frame members to another of the side panel loop frame members;\na further frame structure coupled to the pair of side panel frame members;\na base coupled to each side panel;\nwherein when the pair of side panel frame members are in the unfolded orientation, each side panel is supported upright with a lower portion of the side panel oriented to rest on the surface and an upper portion of the side panel supported above the surface to define an interior space partially bordered by the side panel; wherein the pair of side panels are generally parallel to, and spaced apart from, each other; and\nwherein each side panel has a respective fabric sleeve permanently secured to the fabric material, with each side panel frame member located inside a respective fabric sleeve.",
"2. A collapsible structure as recited in claim 1, wherein the further frame structure is connected to the upper portions of the side panels.",
"3. A collapsible structure as recited in claim 2, wherein the further frame structure comprises a further frame member forming a continuous loop that has a folded and unfolded orientation.",
"4. A collapsible structure as recited in claim 1, wherein each fabric sleeve has a continuous annular shape.",
"5. A collapsible structure as recited in claim 1, wherein each fabric sleeve traverses all sides of its respective side panel.",
"6. A collapsible structure adapted to be supported on a surface and comprising:\nfirst and second continuous loop frame members, each having a folded and an unfolded orientation, and with each continuous loop frame member collapsible to the folded position by twisting and folding to form a plurality of concentric rings; and\na further frame structure connecting the first and second continuous loop frame members in a spaced relation relative to each other and defining an interior space between the first and second continuous loop frame members when the first and second continuous loop members are in the unfolded orientation;\na base coupled to each side panel;\na fabric material and first and second fabric sleeves permanently secured to the fabric material, wherein:\nthe first continuous loop frame member is located inside the first fabric sleeve and together with the fabric material defines a first panel;\nthe second continuous loop frame member is located inside the second fabric sleeve and together with the fabric material defines a second panel; and\nthe first and second panels are substantially parallel to each other.",
"7. A collapsible structure as recited in claim 6, wherein:\nthe further frame structure comprises a third continuous loop frame member.",
"8. A collapsible structure as recited in claim 6, wherein each fabric sleeve has a continuous annular shape.",
"9. A collapsible structure as recited in claim 6, wherein each fabric sleeve traverses all sides of its respective side panel.",
"10. A collapsible structure adapted to be supported on a surface and comprising:\nfabric material and a plurality of fabric sleeves permanently secured to the fabric material;\na pair of side panels, each side panel having a continuous loop frame member positioned in a respective one of the fabric sleeves, each continuous loop frame member having a folded and unfolded orientation, with each continuous loop frame member collapsible to the folded position by twisting and folding to form a plurality of concentric rings, and each side panel having a bottom portion adapted to be supported on the surface and an upper portion adapted to be supported above the surface when the continuous loop frame members are in the unfolded orientation; and\na further frame structure coupling the upper portions of the pair of side panels in a spaced relation to define an interior space partially bordered by each side panel when the continuous loop frame members are in the unfolded orientation;\na base coupled to each side panel;\nwherein the pair of side panels are generally parallel to, and spaced apart from, each other.",
"11. A collapsible structure as recited in claim 10, wherein the further frame structure comprises a further frame member forming a continuous loop that has a folded and unfolded orientation.",
"12. A collapsible structure as recited in claim 10, wherein each fabric sleeve has a continuous annular shape.",
"13. A collapsible structure as recited in claim 10, wherein each fabric sleeve traverses all sides of its respective side panel.",
"14. A collapsible structure as recited in claim 10, wherein the fabric material extends across each of the parallel side panels and from one of the parallel side panels to the other parallel side panel.",
"15. A collapsible structure comprising:\na plurality of side panels, each side panel having a continuous loop frame member that has a folded and an unfolded orientation, a fabric material and a fabric sleeve that is permanently secured to the fabric material and which contains the respective continuous loop frame member such that the fabric material defines a generally planar surface when the continuous loop frame member is in the unfolded orientation, with each continuous loop frame member collapsible to the folded position by twisting and folding to form a plurality of concentric rings; and\na further frame structure coupling the plural side panels together to define an interior space partially bordered by each side panel when the continuous loop frame members are in the unfolded orientation;\na base coupled to each side panel; and\nwherein the plurality of side panels comprise at least one pair of side panels that are generally parallel to, and spaced apart from, each other.",
"16. A collapsible structure as recited in claim 15, wherein the further frame structure is connected to the upper portions of the side panels.",
"17. A collapsible structure as recited in claim 15, wherein the further frame structure comprises a further frame member forming a continuous loop that has a folded and unfolded orientation.",
"18. A collapsible structure as recited in claim 15, wherein each fabric sleeve has a continuous annular shape.",
"19. A collapsible structure as recited in claim 15, wherein each fabric sleeve traverses all sides of its respective side panel.",
"20. A collapsible structure as recited in claim 15, wherein the fabric material extends across each of the parallel side panels and from one of the parallel side panels to the other parallel side panel."
]
] |
the following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 u.s.c. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this office action:
a person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
claim(s) 1 is/are rejected under 35 u.s.c. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by gehr et al. 2008/0289103 to gehr et al.
claim 1, gehr discloses, figs. 1, 2, 8, 9, 23 and 24 for example, a frame for a foldable playyard, the frame having a compact folded configuration for storage of the frame and a deployed unfolded configuration to support the foldable playyard, in an upright position on a ground surface, the frame comprising a plurality of leg support assemblies 18 extending upward from the ground surface when the frame is in the deployed unfolded configuration, each leg support assembly of the plurality of leg support assemblies comprising a bottom end supported by the ground surface and a top portion opposite to the bottom end; and a plurality of x-frame assemblies defined by cross members 22 coupled to the plurality of leg support assemblies, each cross member being coupled to respective top portions of adjacent leg support assemblies of the plurality of leg support assemblies, (fig. 2 and 23), when the frame is in the deployed unfolded configuration such that, in the deployed unfolded configuration of the frame the cross members form a top perimeter structure, (fig. 2), of the frame outlining an interior space of the foldable playyard; wherein the plurality of cross members each comprise a first tube 22 and a second tube 22 movably coupled to each at pivot (p).
|
[
"1. A cast-in-place anchor assembly for anchoring objects to a concrete structure after concrete pouring and concrete setting, the objects fastened to an elongated load bearing member which is connected to the anchor assembly, the cast-in-place anchor assembly comprising:\nan anchor housing including an outwardly extending radial flange for casting in the concrete, the anchor housing including an opening therein along a longitudinal axis thereof for receiving the elongate load bearing member, the anchor housing also including a jaw assembly housed in the anchor housing, the jaw assembly for lockingly engaging and axially constraining the elongate load bearing member relative to the anchor housing,\nthe jaw assembly including separable jaws and a bias member for biasing the jaws toward each other and downward away from the outwardly extending radial flange, the jaw assembly including a reconfigurable lock,\nwherein, in a first anchor assembly configuration, the reconfigurable lock has a first configuration that allows the jaws to move axially relative to the anchor housing and in a second anchor assembly configuration the reconfigurable lock reconfigures axially to limit the relative upward axial movement of the jaws compared to the axial relative movement of the jaws in the first configuration.",
"2. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 1, wherein the jaw assembly further includes a compressible member between the jaws and the anchor housing.",
"3. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 1, wherein the reconfigurable lock is a flexible member and the elongated load bearing member is threaded.",
"4. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 1, wherein the reconfigurable lock is an expandable member.",
"5. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 1, wherein the reconfigurable lock structure is a metal member.",
"6. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 1, wherein the reconfigurable lock structure is a contractible member.",
"7. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 2, wherein the lock is between the bias member and the separable jaws.",
"8. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 2, wherein the limiting of relative axial movement of the jaws is a result of trapping the jaws between the reconfigurable lock structure and the compressible member.",
"9. A cast-in-place anchor assembly for anchoring objects to a concrete structure after concrete pouring and concrete setting, the objects fastened to an elongated load bearing member which is connected to the anchor assembly, the cast-in-place anchor assembly comprising:\nan anchor housing, the anchor housing including an opening therein along a longitudinal axis thereof for receiving the elongate load bearing member, the anchor housing also including a jaw assembly housed in the anchor housing, the jaw assembly for lockingly engaging and axially constraining the elongate load bearing member relative to the anchor housing,\nthe jaw assembly including separable jaws and a bias member for biasing the jaws toward each other and downward away from the outwardly extending radial flange, the jaws including a reconfigurable lock structure,\nwherein, in a first anchor assembly configuration, the reconfigurable lock structure has a first configuration that allows the jaws to move axially relative to the anchor housing and in a second anchor assembly configuration the reconfigurable lock structure reconfigures by compression of the compressible member to further limit the relative axial movement of the jaws,\nwherein the reconfigurable lock is ring-shaped flexible member.",
"10. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 9, wherein the jaw assembly further includes a compressible member between the jaws and the anchor housing.",
"11. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 9, wherein the separable jaws include threaded interior surfaces.",
"12. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 9, wherein the separable jaws include a separator projection thereon, and wherein the separator projection includes an inclined surface.",
"13. A cast-in-place anchor assembly for anchoring objects to a concrete structure after concrete pouring and concrete setting, the objects fastened to an elongated load bearing member which is connected to the anchor assembly, the cast-in-place anchor assembly comprising:\nan anchor housing, the anchor housing including an opening therein along a longitudinal axis thereof for receiving the elongate load bearing member, the anchor housing also including a jaw assembly housed in an anchor assembly, the anchor assembly for lockingly engaging and axially constraining the elongate load bearing member relative to the anchor housing,\nthe jaw assembly including separable jaws and the anchor assembly including a bias member for biasing the separable jaws toward each other and downward away from the outwardly extending radial flange, the anchor assembly further including a reconfigurable lock and wherein,\nin a first configuration the reconfigurable lock is able to move axially within the anchor housing, and in a second configuration the lock is constrained axially within the anchor housing to limit upward axial movement of the separable jaws.",
"14. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 13, wherein the reconfigurable lock is disposed above the separable jaws.",
"15. The case-in-place anchor assembly of claim 14, wherein the limiting axial movement of the separable jaws is a result of trapping the jaws between the reconfigurable lock and the compressible member.",
"16. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 14, wherein the separable jaws include a separator projection thereon, and wherein the separator projection includes an inclined surface.",
"17. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 16, wherein the inclined surface has a decreasing radius moving axially away from a bottom of the separable jaws.",
"18. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 17, wherein a threaded rod inserted into the opening along the longitudinal axis engages the inclined surface to urge lower ends of the jaws radially outward.",
"19. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 17, wherein the inclined surface is positioned on the separable jaws distal from a separation plane of the jaws so that a force caused by the elongate load bearing member against the inclined surface acts generally perpendicular to the separation plane."
] |
US12116772B2
|
US20150275505A1
|
[
"1. A quick-connect anchor for accepting threaded rod of different diameters once encapsulated by concrete poured over a metal deck, at about a thickness of 3 to 3¼ inches, the anchor comprising:\na casing attachable to the metal deck, the casing sized to allow at least a 1 inch concrete layer on top of the encapsulated anchor, the casing having a first end and a second end with a head at the closed first end and an opening of a predetermined diameter at the second end, a cavity in the casing extending from the first end to the second end, the casing having a diameter larger than the diameter of the opening at the second end of the casing;\na plurality of arcuate internally threaded segments captured in the cavity of the casing, each segment adapted for axial movement with other segments in the casing, each segment having a first end and a second end, the second end of each segment located closest to the open second end of the casing, each segment having the same, at least two different diameter thread portions along its length, a larger diameter thread portion at the second end of each segment, and a smaller diameter thread portion at the first end of each segment;\na spring in the cavity of the casing between the head at the closed first end of the casing and the first end of the plurality of arcuate internally threaded segments; and\na plate located on the cylindrical casing for holding the casing to the metal deck before concrete is poured, with the open second end of the casing adjacent to an aperture in the metal deck.",
"2. The quick-connect anchor of claim 1 wherein the closed first end of the casing comprises an opening having a diameter larger than the diameter of all the internally threaded segments in the cavity; and\na plate sized to fit within the opening, permanently attached thereto after the internally threaded segments are placed inside the cavity.",
"3. The quick-connect anchor of claim 1 wherein each arcuate internally threaded segment has an annular head portion at the first end, a frustoconical surface underneath the head portion, and a frustoconical surface at the second end.",
"4. The quick-connect anchor of claim 3 wherein each arcuate internally threaded segment has a tab extending from the annular head portion.",
"5. The quick-connect anchor of claim 3 wherein each arcuate internally threaded segment has teeth in the frustoconical surface at the second end.",
"6. The quick-connect anchor of claim 4 or 5 wherein the cavity in the casing has a first diameter at the first end of the casing, a second diameter at the second end of the casing different from the first diameter, and a third diameter between the first and second diameter of the casing, different from the first and second diameter.",
"7. The quick-connect anchor of claim 6 wherein a first frustoconical surface transitions the first diameter to the third diameter of the cavity, and a second frustoconical surface transitions the third diameter to the second diameter of the cavity in the casing.",
"8. The quick-connect anchor of claim 7 wherein each arcuate internally threaded segment has an annular head portion at the first end, with the frustoconical surface underneath the head portion engaging the first frustoconical surface in the cavity, and the frustoconical surface at the second end of the internally threaded segment engaging the second frustoconical surface in the cavity.",
"9. The quick-connect anchor of claim 7 further comprising slots in the cavity wall of the casing between the first end and the first frustoconical surface to receive respective tabs from the internally threaded segments.",
"10. The quick-connect anchor of claim 7 further comprising at least one tab on the second frustoconical surface of the cavity to engage the teeth in the internally threaded segment.",
"11. A quick-connect anchor for accepting threaded rod of different diameters, once encapsulated by concrete poured over a wood deck at about a thickness of 3 to 3¼ inches, the anchor comprising:\na casing attachable to the wood deck, the casing sized to allow at least about a 1 inch concrete layer on top of the encapsulated anchor, the casing having a first end and a second end with a head at the closed first end and an opening of a predetermined diameter at the second end, a cavity in the casing extending from the first end to the second end, the casing having a diameter larger than the diameter of opening at the second end of the casing;\na plurality of arcuate internally threaded segments captured in the cavity of the casing, each segment capable of axial movement with other segments in the casing, each segment having a first end and a second end, the second end of each segment located closest to the open second end of the casing, each segment having the same, at least two different diameter thread portions along its length, a larger diameter thread portion at the second end of each segment and a smaller diameter thread portion at the first end of each segment;\na spring in the cavity of the casing between the head at the closed first end of the casing and the first end of the plurality of arcuate internally threaded segments;\na sleeve with a boss attached to the exterior of the casing at the open second end; and\na plurality of nails held by the boss with the heads of the nails located underneath the head at the closed first end, the nails adapted for holding the casing to the wood deck before concrete is poured.",
"12. The quick-connect anchor of claim 11 wherein the closed first end of the casing comprises an opening having a diameter larger than the diameter of all the internally threaded segments in the cavity; and\na plate sized to fit within the opening, permanently attached thereto after the internally threaded segments are placed inside the cavity.",
"13. The quick-connect anchor of claim 11 wherein each arcuate internally threaded segment has an annular head portion at the first end, a frustoconical surface underneath the head portion, and a frustoconical surface at the second end.",
"14. The quick-connect anchor of claim 13 wherein each arcuate internally threaded segment has a tab extending from the annular head portion.",
"15. The quick-connect anchor of claim 13 wherein each arcuate internally threaded segment has teeth in the frustoconical surface of the second end.",
"16. The quick-connect anchor of claim 14 or 15 wherein the cavity in the casing has a first diameter at the first end of the casing, a second diameter at the second end of the casing different from the first diameter, and a third diameter between the first and second diameter in the casing, different from the first and second diameter.",
"17. The quick-connect anchor of claim 16 wherein a first frustoconical surface transitions the first diameter to the third diameter of the cavity, and a second frustoconical surface transitions the third diameter to the second diameter of the cavity in the casing.",
"18. The quick-connect anchor of claim 17 wherein each arcuate internally threaded segment has an annular head portion at the first end, with the frustoconical surface underneath the head portion engaging the first frustoconical surface in the cavity, and the frustoconical surface at the second end of the internally threaded segment engaging the second frustoconical surface in the cavity.",
"19. The quick-connect anchor of claim 17 further comprising slots in the cavity wall of the casing between the first end and the first frustoconical surface to receive the respective tabs from the internally threaded segments.",
"20. The quick-connect anchor of claim 17 further comprising at least one tab on the second frustoconical surface of the cavity to engage the teeth in the internally threaded segments.",
"21. An anchor kit for a concrete slab poured over a deck containing a quick-connect anchor for accepting threaded rod of different diameters, once encapsulated by concrete poured on the deck at about a thickness of 3 to 3¼ inches, the kit comprising:\na quick connect anchor having:\na casing adaptable for attachment to the deck, the casing sized to allow at least about a 1 inch concrete layer on top of the encapsulated anchor, the casing having a first end and a second end with a head at the closed first end and an opening of a predetermined diameter at the second end, a cavity in the casing extending from the first end to the second end, the casing having a diameter larger that the diameter of the opening at the second end of the casing;\na plurality of arcuate internally threaded segments captured in the cavity of the casing, each segment adapted for axial movement with other segments in the casing, each segment having a first end and a second end, the second end of each segment located closest to the open second end of the casing, each segment having the same, at least two, different diameter thread portions along its length, a larger diameter thread portion at the second end of each segment and a smaller diameter thread portion at the first end of each segment;\na spring in the cavity of the casing between the head at the closed first end of the casing and the first end of the plurality of arcuate internally threaded segments; and\na threaded rod of a predetermined length having a first end and a second end and a diameter smaller than the diameter of the opening in the second end of the anchor casing, the diameter of the rod matching the diameter of one of the thread portions of the segments in the casing, the threaded rod visually marked at a predetermined distance from the first end, the marked distance being equal to the distance from the first end of the threaded rod to the second end of the anchor casing when the end is fully inserted into the casing and engaged by the thread portions of the arcuate segments.",
"22. The quick-connect anchor kit of claim 21 wherein the visually marked threaded rod further includes an authentication tag associated with the marked end of the rod, the authentication tag extending beyond the marked predetermined distance on the rod, whereby on full insertion into the casing, the visually marked portion of the rod disappears from view into the casing and only the authentication tag is still visible.",
"23. The quick-connect anchor kit of claim 21 further comprising:\nthe anchor having a plate located on the casing of the anchor for holding the anchor to a metal deck before concrete is poured, with the second open end of the anchor casing located at an aperture in the metal deck, and a plastic sleeve located on the anchor casing below the plate, having a first end and a second end with collapsible fingers at an open first end and an aperture at the second end; and\nwherein the visually marked threaded rod is marked from the first end for a predetermined distance along the length of the rod, the distance being equal to the distance from the first end of the threaded rod to the first end of the plastic sleeve, when the rod is fully inserted into the anchor through the collapsible fingers in the plastic sleeve and engaged by the thread portions of the arcuate segments in the anchor.",
"24. The quick-connect anchor kit of claim 23 wherein the visually marked threaded rod further includes an authentication tag associated with the marked end of the rod, the authentication tag extending beyond the marked predetermined distance on the rod, whereby on full insertion into the casing, the visually marked portion of the rod disappears from view into the casing and only the authentication tag is still viewable.",
"25. The quick-connect anchor kit of claim 21 further comprising:\nthe anchor having a sleeve with a boss attached to the exterior of the anchor casing at the second end, the sleeve having an opening at the second end of the anchor casing, and a plurality of nails, held by the boss on the sleeve with the heads of the nails located underneath the head of the anchor casing at the closed first end, the nails attaching the second end of the anchor casing to a wood deck; and\nwherein the visually marked threaded rod is marked from the first end for a predetermined distance along the length of the rod, the marked distance being equal to the distance from the first end of the threaded rod to the second end of the anchor casing at the opening in the sleeve, when the rod is fully inserted into the anchor casing through the sleeve and engaged by the thread portions of the arcuate segments in the anchor.",
"26. The quick-connect anchor kit of claim 25 wherein the visually marked threaded rod further includes an authentication tag associated with the marked end of the rod, the authentication tag extending beyond the marked predetermined distance on the rod, whereby on full insertion into the casing, the visually marked portion of the rod disappears from view into the casing and only the authentication tag is still visible.",
"27. A suspension kit for utilities or conduit for use with a concrete slab poured over a deck containing quick-connect anchors for accepting threaded rod of different diameters once the anchors are encapsulated by concrete poured on the deck at about a thickness of 3 to 3¼ inches, the kit comprising:\nA. a plurality of quick-connect anchors, each anchor having:\n(a) a casing adaptable for attachment to the deck, the casing sized to allow at least about a 1 inch concrete layer on top of the encapsulated anchor, the casing having a first end and a second end with a head at the closed first end and an opening of a predetermined diameter at the second end, a cavity in the casing extending from the first end to the second end, the casing having a diameter larger that the diameter of the opening at the second end of the casing;\n(b) a plurality of arcuate internally threaded segments captured in the cavity of the casing, each segment adapted for axial movement with other segments in the casing, each segment having a first end and a second end, the second end of each segment located closest to the open second end of the casing, each segment having the same, at least two, different diameter thread portions along its length, a larger diameter thread portion at the second end of each segment and a smaller diameter thread portion at the first end of each segment;\n(c) a spring in the cavity of the casing between the head at the closed first end of the casing and the first end of the plurality of arcuate internally threaded segments; and\nB. a suspension assembly having:\n(a) at least two threaded rods of a predetermined length, each rod having a first end and a second end and a diameter smaller than the diameter of the opening in the second end of the casing of the quick-connect anchor, the diameter of the rod matching the diameter of one of the thread portions of the segments in the casing, the threaded rod visually marked at a predetermined distance from the first end, the marked distance being equal to the distance from the first end of the threaded rod to the second end of the casing when the rod is fully inserted into the casing and engaged by the thread portion of the arcuate segments in the anchor; and\n(b) at least one support bracket fastened to the at least two threaded rods at their respective second ends to form a support platform for utilities or conduit,\nwhereby the support bracket is suspended from the concrete slab by inserting the first ends of the threaded rods into respective quick-connect anchors in the concrete slab and pushing vertically upward to obtain full engagement of all the threaded rods, as indicated by disappearance of the visually marked distance at the first end of each threaded rod.",
"28. The suspension kit of claim 27 wherein the at least two visually marked threaded rods further include an authentication tag associated with the marked end of each rod, the authentication tag extending beyond the marked predetermined distance on the rod.",
"29. The suspension kit of claim 24 further comprising:\neach anchor in the kit having a plate located on the casing of the anchor for holding the anchor to a metal deck before concrete is poured, with the second end of the anchor casing located at an aperture in the metal deck, and a plastic sleeve located on the anchor casing below the plate, having a first end and a second end with collapsible fingers at an open first end and an aperture at the second end; and\nwherein the visually marked threaded rods are marked from the first end for a predetermined distance along the length of the rod, the marked distance being equal to the distance from the first end of the threaded rod to the first end of the plastic sleeve, when the rod is fully inserted into the anchor casing through the collapsible fingers of the plastic sleeve and engaged by the thread portions of the arcuate segment in the anchor.",
"30. The suspension kit of claim 29 wherein the at least two visually marked threaded rods further include an authentication tag associated with the marked end of each rod, the authentication tag extending beyond the marked predetermined distance on the rod.",
"31. The suspension kit of claim 24, further comprising:\neach anchor in the kit having a sleeve with a boss attached to the exterior of the anchor casing at the second end, the sleeve having an opening at the second end of the anchor casing, and a plurality of nails, held by the boss on the sleeve, with the heads of the nails located underneath the head of the anchor casing at the closed end, the nails adapted for attaching the second end of the anchor casing to a wood deck; and wherein the visually marked threaded rods are marked from the first end for a predetermined distance along the length of the rod, the marked distance being equal to the distance from the first end of the threaded rod to the second end of the anchor casing at the opening in the sleeve, when the rod is fully inserted into the anchor casing through the sleeve and engaged by the thread portions of the arcuate segments in the anchor.",
"32. The suspension kit of claim 31 wherein the at least two visually marked threaded rods further include an authentication tag associated with the marked end of each rod, the authentication tag extending beyond the marked predetermined distance on the rod."
] |
[
[
"1. An anchor rod support, comprising:\na) a support having a floor and at least three legs extending downwardly from the floor with openings between the legs, the floor including a through opening, the support is embedded in concrete; and\nb) the support including threads for attaching thereto an anchor rod.",
"2. An anchor embedded in concrete for supporting a load, comprising:\na) a rod having a first threaded end portion embedded in concrete;\nb) a support embedded in the concrete, the support having a floor and legs;\nc) the support including threads for attaching the first threaded end portion to the support; and\nd) the legs are wedge-shaped, extending wide to narrow from the floor.",
"3. An anchor as in claim 2, wherein the support is molded.",
"4. A holder for an anchor rod, comprising:\na) a support without legs, the support including a floor portion, the support including a plurality of openings for receiving respective nails for attaching the support to a concrete form;\nb) the support including a central threaded opening in the floor portion for threadedly receiving an end portion of an anchor rod; and\nc) the floor portion including a top surface and a bottom surface, the bottom surface is flat across the floor portion so as to lay on a surface of a concrete form prior to the support being embedded in concrete in the concrete form.",
"5. An anchor embedded in concrete for supporting a load, comprising:\na) a rod having a first end portion embedded in concrete and a second end portion for attachment to a load;\nb) an anchor body threaded to the first end portion, the anchor body being embedded in concrete, the anchor body including a through opening;\nc) the anchor body including a first cylindrical portion; and\nd) the anchor body includes a second cylindrical portion, the first cylindrical portion including a larger diameter than the second cylindrical portion, the second cylindrical portion being disposed closer to the second end portion than the first cylindrical portion.",
"6. An anchor embedded in concrete for supporting a load, comprising:\na) a rod having a first end portion embedded in concrete and a second end portion for attachment to a load;\nb) an anchor body threaded to the first end portion, the anchor body being embedded in concrete;\nc) the anchor body including a cylindrical portion, the cylindrical portion including a bottom end portion;\nd) a circumferential groove disposed at the bottom end portion; and\ne) a split ring is disposed in the circumferential groove, the split ring including a portion extending beyond a surface of the cylindrical portion."
],
[
"1. A curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor assembly comprising:\na curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor array including:\n(a) a plurality of curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchors, each curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor including an anchor body including:\n(i) a threaded leveler receiver having a first inner diameter, and\n(ii) a threaded fastener receiver connected to and extending from the leveler receiver, wherein the fastener receiver has a second inner diameter different than the first inner diameter;\n(b) for each curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor, a leveler threadably receivable by the leveler receiver of said curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor such that, when the leveler is threadably received by the leveler receiver, the leveler is rotatable relative to the anchor body of said curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor, wherein the leveler defines an opening therethrough and the opening is sized such that, when the leveler is threadably received by the leveler receiver, a fastener can extend through the opening and be threadably received by the fastener receiver, wherein the leveler includes a leveler head and a coaxial leveler body connected to and extending from the leveler head; and\n(c) an anchor connector connecting the plurality of curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchors; and\na protective cover removably attachable to the curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor array, wherein the protective cover includes, for each leveler, a leveler head engager configured to engage and removably attach to the leveler head of said leveler.",
"2. The curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor assembly of claim 1, wherein, for each curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor, the first inner diameter is greater than the second inner diameter.",
"3. The curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor assembly of claim 1, wherein, for each curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor, the leveler receiver of said curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor and the fastener receiver of said curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor are coaxial.",
"4. The curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor assembly of claim 1, wherein, for each leveler, the opening has a hexagonal profile.",
"5. The curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor assembly of claim 1, wherein, for each leveler, the leveler body of said leveler is being-threadably receivable by the leveler receiver of the corresponding curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor such that, when the leveler body is threadably received by the leveler receiver, the leveler head of said leveler is exterior to the leveler receiver and the leveler is rotatable relative to the anchor body of said curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor.",
"6. A curtain wall panel bracket leveling system comprising:\na curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor array including:\n(a) a plurality of curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchors, each curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor including an anchor body including:\n(i) a threaded leveler receiver, and\n(ii) a threaded fastener receiver connected to and extending from the leveler receiver;\n(b) for each curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor, a leveler threadably receivable by the leveler receiver of said curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor and rotatable relative to the anchor body, wherein the leveler defines an opening therethrough and the opening is sized such that, when the leveler is threadably received by the leveler receiver, a fastener can extend through the opening and be threadably received by the fastener receiver; and\n(c) an anchor connector connecting the plurality of curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchors;\na panel bracket mountable to the plurality of curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchors, said panel bracket defining a plurality of mounting openings therethrough; and\na plurality of leveler rotation preventers, each leveler rotation preventer including one or more locking tabs, each locking tab configured to extend through one of the plurality of mounting openings of the panel bracket and engage one of the levelers to prevent the leveler from rotating relative to the anchor body of the corresponding curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor.",
"7. The curtain wall panel bracket leveling system of claim 6, wherein, for each curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor, the leveler receiver and the fastener receiver of said curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor are coaxial.",
"8. The curtain wall panel bracket leveling system of claim 7, wherein, for each curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor, the panel bracket is mountable to said curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor via a threaded fastener inserted through an opening through one of the leveler rotation preventers, inserted through the opening defined through one of the threaded levelers, and threadably received by the fastener receiver.",
"9. The curtain wall panel bracket leveling system of claim 6, wherein an upper surface of the panel bracket includes a plurality of first teeth and a lower surface of each of the plurality of leveler rotation preventers includes a plurality of corresponding second teeth configured to engage and interlock with the first teeth of the panel bracket.",
"10. A curtain wall panel bracket leveling system comprising:\n(a) a curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor including an anchor body including:\n(i) a threaded leveler receiver, and\n(ii) a threaded fastener receiver connected to and extending from the leveler receiver;\n(b) a leveler threadably receivable by the leveler receiver of the curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor and rotatable relative to the anchor body, wherein the leveler defines an opening therethrough and the opening is sized such that, when the leveler is threadably received by the leveler receiver, a fastener can extend through the opening and be threadably received by the fastener receiver; and\n(c) a leveler rotation preventer including one or more locking tabs, each locking tab configured to engage the leveler to prevent the leveler from rotating relative to the anchor body.",
"11. The curtain wall panel bracket panel bracket leveling system of claim 10, which includes the fastener that can be threadably received by the fastener receiver.",
"12. A curtain wall panel bracket leveling system comprising:\na curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor array including:\n(a) a plurality of curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchors, each curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor including an anchor body including:\n(i) a leveler receiver, and\n(ii) a fastener receiver coaxial with and extending from the leveler receiver;\n(b) for each curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor, a leveler threadably received by the leveler receiver of said curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor and rotatable relative to the anchor body, the leveler defining an opening therethrough; and\n(c) an anchor connector connecting the plurality of curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchors;\na panel bracket mountable to the plurality of curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchors, said panel bracket defining a plurality of mounting openings therethrough; and\na plurality of leveler rotation preventers, each leveler rotation preventer defining an opening therethrough and including one or more locking tabs, each locking tab configured to engage one of the levelers to prevent the leveler from rotating relative to the corresponding curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor,\nwherein the panel bracket is mountable to each curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor via a threaded fastener inserted through the opening through one of the leveler rotation preventers, inserted through the opening defined through one of the threaded levelers, and threadably received by the fastener receiver.",
"13. A curtain wall panel bracket leveling system comprising:\na curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor array including:\n(a) a plurality of curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchors, each curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor including an anchor body including:\n(i) a leveler receiver, and\n(ii) a fastener receiver extending from the leveler receiver;\n(b) for each curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor, a leveler threadably received by the leveler receiver of said curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor and rotatable relative to the anchor body; and\n(c) an anchor connector connecting the plurality of curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchors;\na panel bracket mountable to the plurality of curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchors, said panel bracket defining a plurality of mounting openings therethrough and having an upper surface including a plurality of first teeth; and\na plurality of leveler rotation preventers, each leveler rotation preventer including:\n(a) a lower surface including a plurality of second teeth configured to engage and interlock with the first teeth of the panel bracket; and\n(b) one or more locking tabs, each locking tab configured to engage one of the levelers to prevent the leveler from rotating relative to the corresponding curtain wall panel bracket leveling anchor."
],
[
"1. A concrete anchor assembly, comprising:\na) an anchor body including a rod portion and a head portion;\nb) the head portion extending laterally from the rod portion, the head portion including a threaded bore;\nc) the rod portion including an internally threaded bore, the rod body portion including an outside thread; and\nd) a holder for the anchor body, the holder including an opening opposite the head portion configured to receive a fastener to attach to the anchor body.",
"2. A concrete anchor assembly as in claim 1, wherein the internally threaded bore includes multiple diameters.",
"3. A concrete anchor assembly as in claim 1, and further comprising a nut threaded to the outside thread of the rod portion.",
"4. A concrete anchor assembly as in claim 1, wherein the holder includes a sleeve portion threaded to the rod portion.",
"5. A concrete anchor assembly as in claim 4, wherein:\na) the holder includes a base portion; and\nb) the sleeve portion extends to the base portion.",
"6. A concrete anchor assembly as in claim 3, wherein:\na) the nut includes a first thread and a second thread; and\nb) the first thread for threading to the rod portion.",
"7. A concrete anchor assembly as in claim 6, wherein:\na) the second thread includes a major diameter larger than a major diameter of the internally threaded bore; and\nb) the second thread includes a major diameter less than a major diameter of the outside thread.",
"8. A concrete anchor assembly, comprising:\na) a holder;\nb) an anchor body attached to the holder;\nc) the holder including an opening for providing an access opening for a threaded portion of a fastener to attach to the anchor body;\nd) the anchor body including a bottom opening; and\ne) a split body disposed inside the anchor body, the split body including a threaded opening disposed over the bottom opening.",
"9. A concrete anchor assembly as in claim 8, wherein the anchor body includes a flange portion.",
"10. A concrete anchor assembly as in claim 8, wherein the anchor body is threaded to the holder.",
"11. A concrete anchor assembly as in claim 8, wherein:\na) the anchor body includes a head portion and a body portion; and\nb) the body portion includes outside thread.",
"12. A concrete anchor assembly as in claim 11, wherein the body portion is threaded to the holder.",
"13. A concrete anchor assembly as in claim 8, and further comprising nails attached to the holder.",
"14. A concrete anchor assembly as in claim 8, and further comprising nails attached to the anchor body.",
"15. A concrete anchor assembly as in claim 9, and further comprising nail shafts attached to the flange portion.",
"16. A concrete anchor assembly as in claim 11, wherein the head portion includes threaded bore.",
"17. A concrete anchor assembly as in claim 8, wherein the holder includes a plug portion with the opening.",
"18. A concrete anchor assembly as in claim 8, wherein the bottom opening communicates with the opening of the holder."
],
[
"1. A coupling assembly, comprising:\na) a body for being embedded in concrete, the body including a first end and an opposite second end, the body including a threaded opening;\nb) a first rod and a second rod threaded to the first end and the second end, respectively;\nc) the first rod for being embedded in concrete and the second rod for being attached to a load;\nd) the body including a sight hole communicating with the threaded opening to provide a check on depth of penetration of the first rod in the threaded opening;\ne) the threaded opening including a first portion at the first end and a second portion at the second end; and\nf) the first portion and the second portion have unequal diameters.",
"2. The coupling assembly as in claim 1, wherein the body includes a longitudinal axis.",
"3. The coupling assembly as in claim 2, wherein the body includes shoulder portion extending transversely from the longitudinal axis.",
"4. The coupling assembly as in claim 1, wherein the body is cylindrical.",
"5. The coupling assembly as in claim 1, wherein the sight hole is disposed at a juncture inside the body between the first portion and the second portion.",
"6. The coupling assembly as in claim 1, wherein a nut locks the first rod to the body.",
"7. The coupling assembly as in claim 1, wherein the first rod is operably attached to a holder.",
"8. The coupling assembly as in claim 7, wherein:\na) the holder includes a base portion with a central portion; and\nb) the central portion includes a base opening for receiving an end portion of the first rod.",
"9. The coupling assembly as in claim 8, wherein the base opening is threaded.",
"10. The coupling assembly as in claim 8, wherein the base opening includes a through opening.",
"11. The coupling assembly as in claim 8, wherein the base opening includes a stop member.",
"12. The coupling assembly as in claim 8, wherein the base portion is circular in plan view.",
"13. The coupling assembly as in claim 8, wherein a plurality of arm portions extend outwardly from the base portion.",
"14. The coupling assembly as in claim 8, wherein leg portions extend downwardly from the base portion.",
"15. The coupling assembly as in claim 1, wherein the first rod has a smaller diameter than the second rod.",
"16. A coupling assembly, comprising:\na) a body including a first end and an opposite second end, the body including a threaded opening;\nb) a first rod and a second rod threaded to the first end and the second end, respectively;\nc) the first rod for being anchored in concrete and the second rod for being attached to a load;\nd) the body including a sight hole communicating with the threaded opening to provide a check on depth of penetration of the first rod in the threaded opening; and\ne) a nut locks the first rod to the body.",
"17. A coupling assembly, comprising:\na) a body including a first end and an opposite second end, the body including a threaded opening;\nb) a first rod and a second rod threaded to the first end and the second end, respectively;\nc) the first rod for being anchored in concrete and the second rod for being attached to a load;\nd) the body including a sight hole communicating with the threaded opening to provide a check on depth of penetration of the first rod in the threaded opening;\ne) the first rod is operably attached to a holder; and\nf) the holder including a base portion with a central portion, the central portion including a base opening for receiving an end portion of the first rod.",
"18. The coupling assembly as in claim 17, wherein the base opening is threaded.",
"19. The coupling assembly as in claim 17, wherein the base opening includes a through opening.",
"20. The coupling assembly as in claim 17, wherein:\na) a plurality of arm portions extend outwardly from the base portion; and\nb) leg portions extend downwardly from the base portion."
],
[
"1. An anchor embedded in concrete for supporting a load, comprising:\na) a one-piece anchor body including an opening;\nb) a rod attached to the opening, the anchor body and the rod being embedded in concrete with a portion of the rod extending outside the concrete;\nc) the anchor body including a top surface and a bottom surface and a side surface between the top surface and the bottom surface, the top surface being disposed below a surface of the concrete to generate a first shear cone when load is applied to the portion in a direction away from the surface of the concrete; and\nd) the anchor body including a bearing surface extending outwardly from the side surface, the bearing surface intersecting the side surface uninterrupted in a complete loop around the side surface, the bearing surface being disposed below the top surface such that the bearing surface is disposed in the concrete deeper than the top surface to generate a second shear cone larger than the first shear cone when the load is applied to the portion of the rod.",
"2. The anchor as in claim 1, wherein:\na) the anchor body includes a circular cross-section; and\nb) the bearing surface is circumferentially disposed around the anchor body.",
"3. The anchor as in claim 1, wherein the side surface is cylindrical.",
"4. The anchor as in claim 1, wherein the opening is threaded.",
"5. The anchor as in claim 1, wherein the side surface includes a conical surface.",
"6. The anchor as in claim 1, wherein the side surface includes a convex surface.",
"7. The anchor as in claim 1, wherein the anchor body is wedge-shaped.",
"8. The anchor as in claim 1, wherein the side surface includes thread.",
"9. The anchor as in claim 1, wherein the anchor body includes a rectangular cross-section above the bearing surface.",
"10. The anchor as in claim 1, wherein the side surface proceeds downwardly and inwardly toward the bearing surface.",
"11. The anchor as in claim 10, wherein the anchor body includes a plurality of the bearing surface arranged vertically in series between the top surface and the bottom surface.",
"12. The anchor as in claim 1, wherein the bearing surface is attached to the side surface with a curved surface.",
"13. The anchor as in claim 1, wherein the bottom surface includes a recess.",
"14. The anchor as in claim 1, wherein the top surface forms an edge surface around the opening.",
"15. The anchor as in claim 1, wherein the bottom surface and the bearing surface form a shoulder.",
"16. The anchor as in claim 1, wherein the bearing surface extends uniformly with respect to the side surface around the anchor body.",
"17. The anchor as in claim 1, wherein the top surface and the bottom surface are rectangular.",
"18. The anchor as in claim 1, wherein the anchor body is tubular."
],
[
"1. An anchor assembly for attaching to a metal deck, comprising:\na) a body for being inserted into an opening in a metal deck, the body including an outside vertical wall, the body including an opening;\nb) the body including arms extending outwardly from the vertical wall, the arms being collapsible toward the body when the body is inserted into the opening in the metal deck and expanding outwardly after passing the opening to be disposed below the metal deck;\nc) a support attached to the body to keep the body fastened to the metal deck;\nd) an anchor received within the opening of the body, the anchor including a bottom end disposed above the metal deck; and\ne) the body including a projection inside the opening of the body to prevent the bottom end of the anchor from extending below the metal deck.",
"2. An anchor assembly as in claim 1, wherein the bottom end of the anchor includes a threaded bore.",
"3. An anchor assembly as in claim 1, wherein the bottom end of the anchor includes multiple diameter threaded bores.",
"4. An anchor assembly as in claim 2, wherein a cap is attached to the bottom end to cover the threaded bore.",
"5. An anchor assembly as in claim 1, and further comprising:\na) a coupling disposed within the opening of the body; and\nb) the bottom end of the anchor is attached to the coupling.",
"6. An anchor assembly for attaching to a metal deck, comprising:\na) a body for being inserted into an opening in a metal deck, the body including an outside vertical wall, the body including an opening;\nb) the body including arms extending outwardly from the vertical wall, the arms being collapsible toward the body when the body is inserted into the opening in the metal deck and expanding outwardly after passing the opening to be disposed below the metal deck;\nc) a support attached to the body to keep the body fastened to the metal deck;\nd) an anchor including a bottom end extending completely through the opening of the body below the metal deck; and\ne) the bottom end including a threaded bore.",
"7. The anchor assembly as in claim 6, wherein the anchor includes a head portion.",
"8. The anchor assembly as in claim 6, wherein the anchor is a bolt.",
"9. The anchor assembly as in claim 6, and further comprising a cap attached to the bottom end."
],
[
"1. A plug for creating a passageway in concrete, comprising:\na) a main body portion extending upwardly from a base portion, the plug for being attached to a form board with a nail or screw prior to pouring of concrete;\nb) the main body portion including a central opening for providing access into the concrete;\nc) the main body including an end portion disposed a distance from the base portion, the end portion for supporting a first anchor body such that a bottom portion of the first anchor body is exposed to direct contact with the concrete; and\nd) a cap for being disposed over the first anchor body.",
"2. The plug as in claim 1, wherein:\na) the base portion includes an edge portion with a base opening for receiving the nail or screw; and\nb) the base opening is configured to allow the nail or screw to separate from the base portion and remain attached to the form board when the form board is removed.",
"3. The plug as in claim 2, wherein the base opening includes a peripheral edge portion with a circumferential slit partway into a thickness of the base portion.",
"4. The plug as in claim 1, wherein:\na) the base portion includes a base opening within the central opening, the base opening for receiving the nail or screw; and\nb) the base opening is configured to allow the nail or screw to separate from the base portion and remain attached to the form board when the form board is removed.",
"5. The plug as in claim 4, wherein the base opening includes a peripheral edge portion with a circumferential slit partway into a thickness of the base portion.",
"6. The plug as in claim 1, wherein:\na) the base portion includes a central portion disposed at a bottom portion of the central opening;\nb) the central portion is for being attached to the form board with the nail or screw; and\nc) the central portion is configured to separate from the central opening and remain attached to the form board when the form board is removed.",
"7. The plug as in claim 6, wherein:\na) the central portion includes a thickness; and\nb) the central portion includes a circular slit partway into the thickness around the base opening.",
"8. The plug as in claim 1, wherein:\na) the base portion includes a base opening for receiving the nail or screw within the central opening; and\nb) the base portion is configured to separate from the main body portion and remain attached to the form board when the form board is removed.",
"9. The plug as in claim 8, wherein the base portion is attached to the main body portion with breakable members.",
"10. The plug as in claim 1, wherein:\na) the base portion includes an edge portion with a base opening for receiving the nail or screw; and\nb) the base portion is configured to separate from the main body portion and remain attached to the form board when the form board is removed.",
"11. The plug as in claim 10, wherein:\na) base portion includes a thickness; and\nb) the base portion includes a circumferential slit partway into the thickness adjacent a bottom portion of the main body portion.",
"12. The plug as in claim 1, wherein:\na) the base portion includes a central portion removably received within the central opening;\nb) the central portion includes a base opening for receiving the nail or screw.",
"13. The plug as in claim 1, wherein the main body portion is separable from the concrete when the form board is removed.",
"14. The plug as in claim 1, and further comprising a first anchor body supported by the end portion.",
"15. The plug as in claim 14, wherein a first opening of the first anchor body is sealed by the end portion.",
"16. The plug as in claim 14, and further comprising a second anchor body operably supported by the end portion.",
"17. The plug as in claim 16, wherein:\na) the second anchor body includes a second threaded opening with a second diameter; and\nb) the second anchor body is disposed above the first anchor body.",
"18. The plug as in claim 17, wherein the cap is disposed over the second anchor body.",
"19. The plug as in claim 18, wherein the cap provides a space above the second anchor body.",
"20. The plug as in claim 14, wherein the first anchor body includes a threaded opening with a first diameter and a second diameter.",
"21. The plug as in claim 1, wherein the end portion of the main body portion is threaded.",
"22. The plug as in claim 1, wherein the base portion remains attached to the form board when the form board is removed.",
"23. The plug as in claim 1, wherein:\na) the base portion includes a central portion disposed at a bottom portion of the central opening; and\nb) the central portion remains attached to the form board when the form board is removed.",
"24. The plug as in claim 14, wherein the cap includes a marking indicating the diameter and thread size of the first anchor body.",
"25. The plug as in claim 14, wherein the end portion includes outwardly extending arms for supporting the anchor body.",
"26. The plug as in claim 25, wherein:\na) partly circular members are attached to adjacent arms; and\nb) the cap is threaded to the partly circular members."
],
[
"1. A product comprising:\na concrete panel having a first primary surface, an opposite second primary surface, and four peripheral edges and having a first reinforcing rib, a second reinforcing rib, a third reinforcing rib, a fourth reinforcing rib and a plurality of intersecting reinforcing rib all extending outwardly from the first primary surface, wherein the first, second, third and fourth reinforcing ribs form the peripheral edge of the concrete panel and the plurality of intersecting reinforcing ribs being disposed so as to form a waffle grid on the first primary surface, wherein the second primary surface of the concrete panel is substantially a continuous plane;\na layer of insulating material having a first primary surface and an opposite second primary surface, wherein the first primary surface of the layer of insulating material is disposed on the first, second, third and fourth reinforcing ribs and the plurality of intersecting reinforcing ribs and on the first primary surface of the concrete panel and wherein the second primary surface of the layer of insulating material is substantially a continuous plane;\na layer of reinforcing material disposed on, substantially covering and adhered to the second primary surface of the layer of insulating material, wherein the layer of reinforcing material is made from a fabric, a web or a mesh; and\na roofing membrane disposed on and attached to the layer of reinforcing material.",
"2. The product of claim 1, wherein the layer of insulating material comprises expanded polystyrene foam, polyisocyanurate foam or polyurethane foam.",
"3. The product of claim 1 further comprising a layer of mortar on the layer of reinforcing material.",
"4. The product of claim 3, wherein the mortar is a polymer modified mortar.",
"5. The roofing system of claim 1 further comprising the concrete panel attached to a pair of horizontally disposed steel roof joists such that the concrete panel is disposed horizontally.",
"6. A product comprising:\na concrete panel having a first primary surface, an opposite second primary surface, and four peripheral edges and having a first reinforcing rib, a second reinforcing rib, a third reinforcing rib, a fourth reinforcing rib and a plurality of intersecting reinforcing rib all extending outwardly from the first primary surface, wherein the first, second, third and fourth reinforcing ribs form the peripheral edge of the concrete panel and the plurality of intersecting reinforcing ribs being disposed so as to form a waffle grid on the first primary surface, wherein the second primary surface of the concrete panel is substantially a continuous plane;\nan insulating panel, the panel having a first primary surface and an opposite second primary surface, wherein the first primary surface of the insulating panel is disposed on the first, second, third and fourth reinforcing ribs and the plurality of intersecting reinforcing ribs and on the first primary surface of the concrete panel and wherein the second primary surface of the insulating panel is substantially flat;\na layer of reinforcing material disposed on, substantially covering and adhered to the second primary surface of the insulating panel, wherein the layer of reinforcing material is made from a fabric, a web or a mesh;\na layer of mortar on the layer of reinforcing material, and\na roofing membrane disposed on and attached to the layer of mortar.",
"7. The product of claim 6, wherein the fabric, web or mesh comprises fiberglass, basalt fibers, aramid fibers or carbon fibers.",
"8. The product of claim 7, wherein the mortar is a polymer modified mortar.",
"9. The product of claim 1, wherein the fabric, web or mesh comprises fiberglass, basalt fibers, aramid fibers or carbon fibers."
],
[
"1. An assembling structure of prefabricated concrete component, comprising a half-grout sleeve and an alignment device; wherein\nthe half-grout sleeve comprises a sleeve, a steel tube transition section, and a self-locking steel frame; wherein\nthe sleeve comprises a non-grout connection section and a grout connection section; wherein a first section of tube body of the steel tube transition section is fixed in the non-grout connection section, and a second section of tube body of the steel tube transition section extends out of the non-grout connection section to form a rolling section connected to a first to-be-connceted steel bar by a rolling connection;\nthe self-locking steel frame comprises a plurality of longitudinal guide steel bars, a plurality of tilted steel branches, and a plurality of annular fixing steel rings; wherein the plurality of longitudinal guide steel bars and the plurality of annular fixing steel rings form a cylindrical keel; the plurality of tilted steel branches are circumferentially and radially arranged in the cylindrical keel and fixed slantwise; a first end of each of the plurality of tilted steel branches is located in the cylindrical keel to form an inner barbed structure; a plurality of inner barbed structures surround to form a channel for a second to-be-connceted steel bar to pass; a diameter of the channel is smaller than a diameter of the second to-be-connceted steel bar; a second end of each of the plurality of tilted steel branches is located outside the cylindrical keel to form an outer barbed structure; a diameter of a contour surrounded by the outer barbed structure is larger than a diameter of an inner chamber of the grout connection section;\nwhen the self-locking steel frame is inserted into the grout connection section, the outer barbed structure closely contact an inner wall of the grout connection section; the channel is coaxial with the steel tube transition section;\nthe alignment device comprises a control mechanism, at least two sets of bearing mechanisms, and a positioning mechanism; wherein the bearing mechanism comprises a lower bearer and an upper bearer; both of the upper bearer and the lower bearer are electromagnets; the positioning mechanism comprises a first mark and a second mark respectively arranged at a corresponding position of an assembly surface between an upper concrete component and a lower concrete component; the lower bearer is placed at the first mark, and the upper bearer is placed at the second mark; same magnetic poles of the upper bearer and the lower bearer are oppositely arranged to generate a repulsive force;\nthe upper bearer and the lower bearer are connected in series on a same circuit;\nthe control mechanism controls a magnitude of the repulsive force between the upper bearer and the lower bearer by controlling the magnitude of the current of the circuit.",
"2. The assembling structure of the prefabricated concrete component according to claim 1, wherein\nthe non-grout connection section is a truncated cone structure; the grout connection section is a cylindrical structure; a small diameter end of the non-grout connection section is connected to an end of the grout connection section, and a junction thereof has a fillet transition.",
"3. The assembling structure of the prefabricated concrete component according to claim 1, wherein\na section of tube body of the steel tube transition section is connected and fixed with the non-grout connection section by the thread connection.",
"4. The assembling structure of the prefabricated concrete component according to claim 1, wherein\nan end of the grout connection section away from the non-grout connection section is provided with a grouting hole; the non-grout connection section is provided an exhaust hole (5110) connected to an inner chamber of the grout connection section.",
"5. The assembling structure of the prefabricated concrete component according to claim 1, wherein\nthe inner wall of the grout connection section is provided with a spiral raised rib the spiral raised rib tilts from bottom to top toward a side away from the non-grout connection section a first side of the spiral raised rib away from the non-grout connection section is a concave arc surface, and a second side is a convex arc surface; a junction between the first side and the second side of the spiral raised rib and the inner wall of the grout connection section has a fillet transition.",
"6. The assembling structure of the prefabricated concrete component according to claim 1, wherein\na plurality of anti-shear components are fixed in a cylinder wall of the grout connection section; the plurality of anti-shear components are simultaneously cured and fixed with the grouting material inside the grout connection section and concrete outside the grout connection section.",
"7. The assembling structure of the prefabricated concrete component according to claim 1, wherein\nthe upper bearer comprises a support plate and a limit plate; the limit plate is vertically fixed at an end part of the support plate and forms an L-shaped structure with the support plate; the support plate is located on an assembly surface of the upper concrete component; and the limit plate is located on a side surface of the upper concrete component.",
"8. The assembling structure of the prefabricated concrete component according to claim 7, wherein\nthe support plate and the lower bearer both have a hollow structure; an interior of the hollow structure is provided with a coil and an iron core passing through the coil; both of the support plate and the lower bearer are provided with an incoming line port and an outgoing line port; an input end and an output end of the coil are respectively connected to an external circuit through the incoming line port and the outgoing line port.",
"9. The assembling structure of the prefabricated concrete component according to claim 7, wherein\ntwo adjacent upper bearers and/or two adjacent lower bearers are connected to each other by a connection rod; and the connection rod is a retractable rod.",
"10. The assembling structure of the prefabricated concrete component according to claim 6, wherein\nopposite sides of two adjacent limit plates are respectively provided with an engaging slot; opposite sides of two adjacent lower bearers are respectively provided with an engaging slot; and two ends of the connection rod are respectively provided with an engaging key matched with the engaging slot.",
"11. The assembling structure of the prefabricated concrete component according to claim 2, wherein\na section of tube body of the steel tube transition section is connected and fixed with the non-grout connection section by the thread connection.",
"12. The assembling structure of the prefabricated concrete component according to claim 2, wherein\nthe end of the grout connection section away from the non-grout connection section is provided with a grouting hole; the non-grout connection section is provided an exhaust hole connected to an inner chamber of the grout connection section.",
"13. The assembling structure of the prefabricated concrete component according to claim 2, wherein\nthe inner wall of the grout connection section is provided with a spiral raised rib;\nthe spiral raised rib tilts from bottom to top toward a side away from the non-grout connection section; a first side of the spiral raised rib away from the non-grout connection section is a concave arc surface, and a second side is a convex arc surface; a junction between the first side and the second side of the spiral raised rib and the inner wall of the grout connection section has a fillet transition.",
"14. The assembling structure of the prefabricated concrete component according to claim 2, wherein\na plurality of anti-shear components are fixed in a cylinder wall of the grout connection section; the plurality of anti-shear components are simultaneously cured and fixed with the grouting material inside the grout connection section and concrete outside the grout connection section."
],
[
"37. A hold down system for a building wall, comprising:\na) a rigid member for being supported on a horizontal member of a stud wall, the rigid member including an opening;\nb) an inner cylindrical body disposed inside an outer cylindrical body, the inner cylindrical body being threaded to the outer cylindrical body, a torsional spring disposed around the outer cylindrical body, the torsional spring being operably attached to the inner cylindrical body and the outer cylindrical body to cause rotation of the outer cylindrical body relative to the inner cylindrical body;\nc) a tie-rod with a lower end portion for being operably anchored to a foundation, the tie-rod extending transversely through the opening and the inner cylindrical body, the inner cylindrical body being operably attached to the tie-rod, the outer cylindrical body bearing on the rigid member; and\nd) first and second vertical studs with respective bottom ends bearing on the rigid member.",
"38. The hold down system as in claim 37, wherein the rigid member is metal.",
"39. A reinforced building wall, comprising:\na) a first stud wall having a first top plate;\nb) a second stud wall above the first stud wall, the second stud wall having a second bottom plate disposed on a subfloor;\nc) a rigid member disposed on the second bottom plate;\nd) a tie-rod with a lower end portion for being operably anchored to a foundation, the tie-rod extending through the first top plate, the second bottom plate, and the rigid member;\ne) a fastener attached to the tie-rod and bearing on the rigid member;\nf) a first blocking and a second blocking disposed between the first top plate and the subfloor, the tie-rod extending between first blocking and the second blocking.",
"40. The reinforced building wall as in claim 39, wherein the first stud wall includes a first stud with a top end bearing on an underside of the first top plate below the first blocking.",
"41. The reinforced building wall as in claim 39, wherein the second stud wall includes a second stud with a bottom end bearing on the rigid member.",
"42. The reinforced building wall as in claim 39, wherein the fastener includes a nut attached to the tie-rod a spring between the nut and the rigid member.",
"43. The reinforced building wall as in claim 42, wherein:\na) the spring is associated with a first cylindrical member disposed within a second cylindrical member;\nb) one of the first and second cylindrical members being movable relative to another one of the first cylindrical member and the second cylindrical member in a first direction; and\nc) the spring is operably attached to the first cylindrical member and the second cylindrical member to urge the one of the first cylindrical member and the second cylindrical member in the first direction.",
"44. A reinforced building wall, comprising:\na) a first stud wall having a first top plate;\nb) a second stud wall above the first stud wall, the second stud wall having a second bottom plate disposed on a subfloor;\nc) a rigid member disposed on the first top plate;\nd) a tie-rod with a lower end portion for being operably anchored to a foundation, the tie-rod extending through the first top plate, the second bottom plate, and the rigid member;\ne) a fastener attached to the tie-rod and bearing on the rigid member.",
"45. The reinforced building wall as in claim 44, wherein a first blocking and a second blocking are disposed between the first top plate and the subfloor, the tie-rod extending between first blocking and the second blocking."
],
[
"1. A connection between a rod, an anchor, and a first structural member, the connection comprising:\na. the first structural member;\nb. the rod, having a thread with a thread angle; and\nc. the anchor, connecting the first structural member to the rod, the anchor including a housing, the housing having a bottom and a top, and the anchor having a longitudinal central axis extending through the bottom and the top of the housing, the housing having an insert receiving bore that opens through the bottom of the housing, the insert receiving bore having a narrowing lower portion closer to the bottom than the top of the housing; and wherein a plurality of inserts are disposed in the insert receiving bore and contained securely within the housing, each of the inserts has a base bore interfacing surface that interfaces with the narrowing lower portion of the insert receiving bore of the housing, wherein each insert has a concave inner surface and the plurality of concave inner surfaces form a generally tubular interior rod receiving bore that receives a portion of the rod, and the inserts are sized with respect to the housing such that when the rod is received in the interior rod receiving bore and engages the inserts and moves toward the bottom of the housing, the inserts will be pulled toward the bottom of the housing, and the narrowing in the lower portion of the insert receiving bore causes a constriction of the inserts about the rod forcing them to grasp and hold the rod, the lower portion of the insert receiving bore of the housing has a base-bore first sliding surface disposed at an angle to the longitudinal, central axis of the anchor and when the rod is inserted into the interior rod receiving bore and moves toward the top of the housing, the inserts can be moved away from each other and from the longitudinal, central axis of the housing, allowing the rod to be inserted farther into the housing and towards the top of the housing; and wherein\nd. the first sliding surface of the housing is set at the same angle as the thread angle of the rod.",
"2. The connection of claim 1, wherein:\nthe interior rod receiving bore is formed with multiple diameters such that anchors of different diameters can be received by the inserts.",
"3. The connection of claim 1 wherein:\nthe first structural member is a hardened concrete member, and the anchor is embedded the hardened concrete member.",
"4. A method of forming the connection of claim 1 comprising the steps of:\na. embedding the anchor in the first structural member; and\nb. inserting the rod into the interior rod receiving bore of the anchor.",
"5. A connection between a rod, an anchor, and a first structural member, the connection comprising:\na. the first structural member;\nb. the rod; and\nc. the anchor, connecting the first structural member to the rod, the anchor including a housing, the housing having a bottom and a top, and the anchor having a longitudinal central axis extending through the bottom and the top of the housing, the housing having an insert receiving bore that opens through the bottom of the housing, the insert receiving bore having a narrowing lower portion closer to the bottom than the top of the housing; and wherein a plurality of inserts are disposed in the insert receiving bore and contained securely within the housing, each of the inserts has a base bore interfacing surface that interfaces with the narrowing lower portion of the insert receiving bore of the housing, wherein each insert has a concave inner surface and the plurality of concave inner surfaces form a generally tubular interior rod receiving bore that receives a portion of the rod, and the inserts are sized with respect to the housing such that when the rod is received in the interior rod receiving bore and engages the inserts and moves toward the bottom of the housing, the inserts will be pulled toward the bottom of the housing, and the narrowing in the lower portion of the insert receiving bore causes a constriction of the inserts about the rod forcing them to grasp and hold the rod, the lower portion of the insert receiving bore of the housing has a base-bore first sliding surface disposed at an angle to the longitudinal, central axis of the anchor, and above the base first sliding surface is a middle housing wall, and when the rod is inserted into the interior rod receiving bore and moves toward the top of the housing, the inserts can be moved away from each other and from the longitudinal, central axis of the housing, allowing the rod to be inserted farther into the housing and towards the top of the housing;\nd. the inserts are formed with lower portions where the shape of the base bore interfacing surface causes the insert to taper to a bottom edge of the insert; and\ne. the middle housing wall has a diameter large enough to contain the lower portions of the inserts when there is a constriction of the inserts about the rod and the inserts grasp and hold the rod;\nf. the base-bore first sliding surface is frusto-conical in shape; and\ng. the base bore interfacing surface is frusto-spherical where the base bore interfacing surface makes contact with the base-bore first sliding surface.",
"6. The connection of claim 1, wherein:\nthe interior rod receiving bore is formed with multiple diameters such that anchors of different diameters can be received by the inserts.",
"7. The connection of claim 1 wherein:\nthe first structural member is a hardened concrete member, and the anchor is embedded the hardened concrete member.",
"8. A method of forming the connection of claim 1 comprising the steps of:\na. embedding the anchor in the first structural member; and\nb. inserting the rod into the interior rod receiving bore of the anchor."
],
[
"1. A threaded rod connector comprising:\na housing having a cavity for receiving a threaded rod therein, the cavity having a mouth for inserting the threaded rod into the cavity; and\nan insert including a plurality of rod engagement segments arranged within the cavity, each of the rod engagement segments has a mating thread structure for engaging the thread of the threaded rod,\nthe cavity having a tapered zone tapering towards the mouth of the cavity for wedging the rod engagement segments against the threaded rod, the insert further including a plurality of segment carrying arms, each of the segment carrying arms carrying at least one of the rod engagement segments,\nthe segment carrying arms forming a cage for accommodating the threaded rod,\nthe insert further includes a collar connected to the segment carrying arms, and interconnecting the segment carrying arms,\nthe cavity having a collar locking zone, the collar being, at least partly, arranged, in the collar locking zone,\nthe housing rotationally locking the collar arranged in the collar locking zone to the housing to prevent spinning of the insert within the cavity;\nthe rod engagement segments being unbiased within the housing when the threaded rod is not inserted.",
"2. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein an engagement surface is provided on the collar, and within the collar locking zone, the cavity mates with the engagement surface to rotationally lock the collar arranged in the collar locking zone to the housing.",
"3. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein the segment carrying arms project from the collar towards the mouth of the cavity.",
"4. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein the collar has a rod accommodation hole for accommodating the threaded rod.",
"5. The connector as recited in claim 4 wherein the rod accommodation hole is a through hole.",
"6. The connector as recited in claim 5 wherein the rod accommodation hole is axially aligned with the cage of the segment carrying arms and with a receiving space located between the rod engagement segments.",
"7. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein the collar radially projects over the cage.",
"8. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein the insert is rotationally locked to the housing only at the collar.",
"9. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein the collar has axial play within the collar locking zone.",
"10. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein the insert has spring-tensionless axial play within the cavity.",
"11. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein the insert is monolithic.",
"12. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein the collar is C-shaped or a closed ring.",
"13. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein the rod engagement segments are shell shaped and surround a receiving space for the threaded rod.",
"14. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein the mating thread structure is a continuous cut-out of an internal thread.",
"15. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein each of the segment carrying arms includes a segment connection end and an interconnection end, wherein the segment connection end and the interconnection end are located on opposite ends of the segment carrying arm.",
"16. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein the segment carrying arms are parallel to each other and parallel to a longitudinal axis of the insert.",
"17. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein the collar interconnects the rod engagement segments indirectly via the segment carrying arms.",
"18. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein the insert is elastic.",
"19. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein the collar further comprises an engagement surface.",
"20. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein the rod engagement segments have a chamfered tip on free ends located remote from the segment carrying arms and facing away from the collar."
],
[
"1. A mounting device, comprising:\na treaded stud;\na body portion defining a cavity oriented along a longitudinal axis of the treaded stud having an opening in which the threaded stud is received, wherein the cavity defines a flexible pawl engaging a thread of the plurality of helical threads of the treaded stud, thereby securing the mounting device to the threaded stud;\nan elongate element;\na flexible cable tie separate from the body portion having a cable tie strap and a cable tie head;\na support portion arranged on a distal end of the body portion opposite the opening having a support surface engaging the elongate element and a first enclosed channel extending along a lateral axis generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, wherein the flexible cable tie is received within the first channel and extends along the lateral axis as the flexible cable tie is wrapped about the elongate element and the cable tie strap is inserted within the cable tie head, thereby securing the elongate element to the body portion.",
"2. A mounting device configured to secure an elongate element to a threaded stud using a flexible cable tie, said mounting device comprising:\na body portion defining a cavity oriented along a longitudinal axis having an opening configured to receive the stud, wherein the cavity defines a flexible pawl configured to engage a thread of the plurality of helical threads, thereby securing the mounting device to the threaded stud;\na support portion arranged on a distal end of the body portion opposite the opening having a support surface configured to engage the elongate element and a first enclosed channel arranged along a lateral axis generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, wherein the first channel defines a first pair of cable tie apertures configured to receive the flexible cable tie as it is wrapped about the elongate element, thereby securing the elongate element to the mounting device, wherein the support portion has a side support surface configured to engage the elongate element and wherein the support portion defines a fourth enclosed channel having an axis that is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis and generally parallel to the lateral axis and wherein the fourth channel defines a fourth pair of cable tie apertures configured to receive the flexible cable tie as it is wrapped about the elongate element, thereby securing the elongate element to the mounting device.",
"3. The mounting device according to claim 2, wherein each flexible pawl in the plurality of flexible pawls is arranged opposite another flexible pawl in the plurality of flexible pawls.",
"4. The mounting device according to claim 2, wherein the support portion has a side support surface configured to engage the elongate element, wherein the support portion defines a second enclosed channel having an axis that is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and generally parallel to the lateral axis, and wherein the second channel defines a second pair of cable tie apertures configured to receive the flexible cable tie as it is wrapped about the elongate element, thereby securing the elongate element to the mounting device.",
"5. A mounting device configured to secure an elongate element to a threaded stud using a flexible cable tie, said mounting device comprising:\na body portion defining a cavity oriented along a longitudinal axis having an opening configured to receive the stud, wherein the cavity defines a flexible pawl configured to engage a thread of the plurality of helical threads, thereby securing the mounting device to the threaded stud;\na support portion arranged on a distal end of the body portion opposite the opening having a support surface configured to engage the elongate element and a first enclosed channel arranged along a lateral axis generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, wherein the first channel defines a first pair of cable tie apertures configured to receive the flexible cable tie as it is wrapped about the elongate element, thereby securing the elongate element to the mounting device, wherein the support portion has a side support surface configured to engage the elongate element, wherein the support portion defines a second enclosed channel having an axis that is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and generally parallel to the lateral axis, and wherein the second channel defines a second pair of cable tie apertures configured to receive the flexible cable tie as it is wrapped about the elongate element, thereby securing the elongate element to the mounting device, wherein the support portion has another side support surface opposite the side support surface that is configured to engage the elongate element, wherein the support portion defines a third enclosed channel having an axis that is generally parallel to the second enclosed channel and wherein the third channel defines a third pair of cable tie apertures configured to receive the flexible cable tie as it is wrapped about the elongate element, thereby securing the elongate element to the mounting device.",
"6. The mounting device according to claim 2, wherein the cavity defines a plurality of flexible pawls configured to engage the thread of the plurality of helical threads.",
"7. The mounting device according to claim 2, wherein the support portion has another side support surface opposite the side support surface that is configured to engage the elongate element, wherein the support portion defines a fifth enclosed channel having an axis that is generally parallel to the fourth enclosed channel and wherein the fifth channel defines a fifth pair of cable tie apertures configured to receive the flexible cable tie as it is wrapped about the elongate element, thereby securing the elongate element to the mounting device.",
"8. The mounting device according to claim 2, wherein the side support surface is characterized as having a generally concave shape.",
"9. The mounting device according to claim 2, wherein the body portion is characterized as having a generally cylindrical shape.",
"10. The mounting device according to claim 2, wherein the body portion and the cavity is characterized as having an X-shaped cross section, wherein the cavity defines four flexible pawls configured to engage the thread of the plurality of helical threads, and wherein each leg of the X-shaped cavity defines one of the flexible pawls.",
"11. The mounting device according to claim 2, wherein the flexible pawl defines a plurality of teeth configured to engage the plurality of helical threads.",
"12. The mounting device according to claim 2, wherein the support surface is characterized as having a generally circular shape.",
"13. The mounting device according to claim 12, wherein the cavity defines another flexible pawl configured to engage a thread of the plurality of helical threads located opposite the flexible pawl and wherein the flexible pawl and the another flexible pawl are offset by 45 degrees from the lateral axis of the first channel.",
"14. The mounting device according to claim 5, wherein the cavity defines a plurality of flexible pawls configured to engage the thread of the plurality of helical threads.",
"15. The mounting device according to claim 5, wherein each flexible pawl in the plurality of flexible pawls is arranged opposite another flexible pawl in the plurality of flexible pawls.",
"16. The mounting device according to claim 5, wherein the body portion is characterized as having a generally cylindrical shape.",
"17. The mounting device according to claim 5, wherein the body portion and the cavity is characterized as having an X-shaped cross section, wherein the cavity defines four flexible pawls configured to engage the thread of the plurality of helical threads, and wherein each leg of the X-shaped cavity defines one of the flexible pawls.",
"18. The mounting device according to claim 5, wherein the flexible pawl defines a plurality of teeth configured to engage the plurality of helical threads.",
"19. The mounting device according to claim 5, wherein the support surface is characterized as having a generally circular shape.",
"20. The mounting device according to claim 19, wherein the cavity defines another flexible pawl configured to engage a thread of the plurality of helical threads located opposite the flexible pawl and wherein the flexible pawl and the another flexible pawl are offset by 45 degrees from the lateral axis of the first channel."
],
[
"1. A support member of an anchor assembly, the support member for receiving and securing a threaded shaft thereto, the support member comprising:\nan outer housing, the outer housing being defined by a longitudinal axis (A-A), the outer housing including a wall, the outer housing also including a connector opening at a first end thereof for receiving the threaded shaft, the housing wall including an inner surface defining a bore space,\na bore assembly disposed in the bore space, the bore assembly including at least two female threaded bore portions the threads of which selectively engage threads of the shaft, the bore assembly further including a flexible bias member for generating a biasing force to bias the at least one female thread bore portion toward the longitudinal axis (A-A),\na first of the at least two female thread bores including a projection extending therefrom and toward a second of the at least two female thread bores, the second of the at least two female thread bores including a track, the projection slidingly engaging the track to promote alignment between the first and second of the at least two female thread bores as the first and second of the at least two female thread bores move toward and away from the longitudinal axis (A-A), wherein\nthe projection is tapered away from the first of the at least two female threaded bores and the track of the second of the at least two female threaded bores is complementarily tapered to promote compliance between the projection and the track.",
"2. The support member of claim 1, wherein the first of the two female thread bores includes at least one first projection and at least one first track and the second of the at least two female thread bores includes at least one second projection and at least one second track.",
"3. The support member of claim 2, wherein the first projection is slidingly received in the second track and the second projection is received in the first track.",
"4. The support member of claim 1, wherein the at least two female threaded bores include an outer surface and the projection and track are within the outer surface.",
"5. The support member of claim 1, wherein the at least two female threaded bores include an outer surface and the projection and track are along the outer surface.",
"6. The support member of claim 1, wherein the projection includes an upper engagement surface and a lower engagement surface for slidingly engaging respectively with upper and lower engagement surfaces of the track.",
"7. The support member of claim 1, wherein biasing is toward the central axis A-A is due to a biasing against a tapered conical surface.",
"8. The support member of claim 1, wherein the projection includes a radially inner surface for slidingly engaging a radially outer surface of the track.",
"9. The support member of claim 1, wherein multiple projections project from the first of the two threaded female bores and multiple tracks of the second of the two threaded female bores receive the projections.",
"10. The support member of claim 1, wherein the at least two threaded female bores become more aligned as the tapered projection and the complementarily tapered track translate toward the central axis A-A.",
"11. The support member of claim 1, wherein the projection and the track slidingly engage toward central axis A-A to align the at least two threaded female bores with a threaded rod along central axis A-A.",
"12. The support member of claim 1, wherein the at least two threaded female bores include grooves for receiving the bias member.",
"13. The support member of claim 1, wherein at least one of the at least two female threaded bore portions is biased toward the central axis A-A due to a biasing of the threaded bore portion between the flexible bias member and a tapered conical surface.",
"14. The support member of claim 1, wherein the outer housing further includes an assembly opening at a second end opposite the first end thereof to facilitate assembly of the bore assembly into the bore space."
],
[
"1. A rebar coupler comprising:\na housing which is a cylindrical hollow body having at one end a first opening for receiving a first rebar, at the other end a second opening for receiving a second rebar, to connect the first rebar and the second rebar, and a partition disposed at a center thereof to divide the ends having the first and second openings;\na mounting member inserted in each end of the housing and receiving the corresponding first and second rebars therein;\na plurality of coupling members slidably disposed on the corresponding mounting member and being brought into contact with an outer peripheral surface of the corresponding inserted first and second rebars to prevent the first and second rebars from moving out from the rebar coupler;\na resilient member configured to apply a restoring force to the coupling members so that the coupling members slid by the first and second rebars inserted in the corresponding mounting member are returned to an original position; and\na cover fastened to both ends of the housing to prevent the mounting member and the coupling members from moving out from the housing due to a tensile force of the first and second rebars,\neach mounting members having a plurality of guide portions for guiding sliding movement of the coupling members along an inserting direction of the corresponding first and second rebars, a flange connecting ends of the guide portions, and a contact portion protruding from the flange towards the coupling members.",
"2. The rebar coupler according to claim 1, wherein the contact portion is integrally formed with the flange, but is made from a material different from that of the flange.",
"3. The rebar coupler according to claim 2, wherein the contact portion has first surfaces protruding from areas between the guide portions to be brought into contact with the coupling members, second surfaces disposed between the flange and the contact portion to be opposite to the first surfaces, and third surfaces for connecting both ends of the first surface and the second surface and deformed to correspond to a width of deformations of the corresponding first and second rebars if the first surfaces are pressed.",
"4. The rebar coupler according to claim 3, wherein the third surface is formed in a shape of a slope or an arc.",
"5. The rebar coupler according to claim 3, wherein each mounting member is provided with a spacing between the coupling members and the flange or between the contact portion and the guide portions in order to correspond to elastic deformation of a shape of the contact portions.",
"6. The rebar coupler according to claim 2, wherein the contact portion contains at least one of rubber, silicon and a synthetic resin having elasticity.",
"7. The rebar coupler according to claim 1, wherein an inner peripheral surface of the coupling members is provided with a threaded portion of a desired pattern which is brought into contact with an outer peripheral surface of the corresponding first and second rebars.",
"8. The rebar coupler according to claim 7, wherein a tooth angle of the threaded portion of the coupling members is set in the range of 50 to 75°.",
"9. The rebar coupler according to claim 7, wherein a tooth pitch of the threaded portion of the coupling members is set in the range of 0.4 to 1.3 mm.",
"10. The rebar coupler according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the housing, the mounting member, the coupling members, the resilient member and the cover is made from a composite material containing at least one of glass fiber and a carbon fiber."
],
[
"1. A faucet fixation system, comprising:\na fastener configured to couple to a faucet; and\na connector comprising:\na base including a bore;\na nut assembly disposed in the bore around a portion of the fastener, wherein the nut assembly includes a first locking member, which has a first threaded portion and a first actuating portion, and a second locking member, which has a second threaded portion and a second actuating portion; and\na clip comprising an annular base disposed around a portion of the fastener and at least one finger extending from the annular base;\nwherein in a locking position of the connector, the first and second threaded portions engage threads of the fastener to prohibit relative translational movement between the connector and the fastener while allowing the connector to rotate along the threads of the fastener;\nwherein in a non-locking position of the connector, the first and second threaded portions disengage the threads of the fastener to allow translational movement of the connector relative to the fastener; and\nwherein in the locking position, threaded rotation of the nut assembly along the threads of the fastener causes the at least one finger to engage a gap in the nut assembly, thereby blocking the connector from moving out of the locking position.",
"2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second threaded portions are biased toward the fastener by a biasing force in the locking position, and wherein the first and second actuating portions are configured to be pressed toward each other to overcome the biasing force in the non-locking position.",
"3. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second locking members move independently of the other.",
"4. The system of claim 3, wherein the first and second locking members move in opposite directions in moving from the locking position to the non-locking position.",
"5. The system of claim 3, wherein the first and second threaded portions move toward one another in moving from the non-locking position to the locking position.",
"6. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second locking members translate in a common plane.",
"7. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second locking members are nested such that a portion of at least one of the first and second locking members engages the other of the first and second locking members.",
"8. The system of claim 7, wherein the first threaded portion nests with a second projection of the second locking member and the second threaded portion nests with a first projection of the first locking member.",
"9. The system of claim 1, wherein the connector further comprises a first spring coupled to the first locking member and a second spring coupled to the second locking member.",
"10. The system of claim 9, wherein the first spring is positioned adjacent to the second spring, proximate to the nut assembly.",
"11. The system of claim 10, wherein the first spring is configured to bias the first locking member into the locking position; and\nwherein the second spring is configured to bias the second locking member into the locking position.",
"12. The system of claim 11, wherein the bias on the first locking member actuates the first threaded portion away from the second actuating portion.",
"13. The system of claim 11, wherein the bias on the second locking member actuates the second threaded portion away from the first actuating portion."
],
[
"1. A rebar coupler that connects rebars with each other and fixes the rebars in a longitudinal direction, comprising:\na pair of coupler bodies each having a cylindrical shape through which an inside is penetrated to have a passage, each including an inlet in one side through which one of the rebars is inserted, and each having a fixing piece contact surface inclined toward the inlet inside the penetrated passage;\na connector disposed between the pair of coupler bodies to couple opposite ends of the inlets of the respective pair of coupler bodies with each other;\na plurality of fixing pieces arranged radially inside each coupler body, wherein a plurality of inclined surfaces inclined toward the inlet are formed on a circumference of an outer surface at an interval so that the outer surface is installed to be in surface contact with the plurality of fixing pieces, wherein a plurality of axially-extending horizontal locking protrusions which line contact an outer circumferential surface of the rebar in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the inserted rebar are formed in one side of an inner surface of each fixing piece so that the rebar coupler can prevent relative rotation of the rebar when fixed therein and a plurality of circumferentially-extending vertical locking protrusions which line contact the outer circumferential surface of the rebar in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the inserted rebar are formed in another side of the inner surface of each fixing piece so that the rebar coupler can prevent axial separation of the rebar when fixed therein, while fixing the rebar inserted into the inside through the inlet; and\nan elastic member provided inside each coupler body to press the plurality of fixing pieces toward the inlet,\nwherein the plurality of fixing pieces arranged in each coupler body comprise at least two fixing pieces forming one group, the at least two fixing pieces form four inclined surfaces inclined toward the inlet at an interval on a circumference of the outer surface, and one end of the outer surface is formed in a rectangular shape and another end thereof is formed in a circular shape, and wherein the fixing piece contact surface inside each coupler body is formed to correspond to the outer surface of the at least two fixing pieces.",
"2. The rebar coupler of claim 1, wherein an inlet passage with a length is formed in the penetrated passage between the inlet and the fixing piece contact surface inside each coupler body, and wherein a rib insertion groove into which a rib formed on the outer circumferential surface of the rebar is inserted is formed in the inlet and the inlet passage.",
"3. The rebar coupler of claim 1, wherein the elastic member comprises a pair of springs which are coaxially and doubly arranged.",
"4. The rebar coupler of claim 3, wherein the pair of springs comprises:\na first spring configured to press the plurality of fixing pieces; and\na second spring arranged inside the first spring and configured to buffer the rebar, while elastically supporting the rebar inserted and passing through the inlet of each coupler body and the plurality of fixing pieces.",
"5. The rebar coupler of claim 1, wherein a node and a rib are formed on the outer surface of each coupler body.",
"6. The rebar coupler of claim 1, wherein each coupler body is formed in one of a cylindrical shape, an elliptic cylindrical shape or a polygonal prism shape.",
"7. The rebar coupler of claim 1, wherein a support plate which supports the elastic members provided inside the pair of coupler bodies is formed in the connector, and wherein a pin hole is formed in the support plate at an interval.",
"8. The rebar coupler of claim 1, wherein a circumference of the inlet of each coupler body is tapered at an angle of 20° to 45°."
],
[
"1. A nut assembly arranged for mounting on a threaded member, the nut assembly comprising:\na. an axially oriented capture nut comprising:\ni. an outer, wrench-engaging surface, a top surface and a bottom surface;\nii. a bowl defining a plurality of slanted, entirely flat, planar surfaces slanting downwardly and inwardly from the capture nut top surface toward the capture nut bottom surface to a depth D, each flat planar surface having opposed vertical edges, each flat planar surface being aligned about such axis and sharing such opposed vertical edges with an adjacent of such flat planar surfaces; and\niii. a bore through the bowl on the axis of the capture nut for passing a threaded member through the capture nut; and\nb. a nut comprising:\ni. a top surface, a bottom surface, and an outer surface comprising a corresponding plurality of slanted, entirely flat, planar surfaces extending downwardly and inwardly from the nut top surface to a depth D′ for mating engagement with the bowl of the capture nut; and\nii. an internally threaded bore, coaxial with the bore of the capture nut, for engagement with the threaded member;\nwherein the nut is divided vertically along the axis into two separate, opposed nut halves each having a complementary vertical face facing the complementary face of the opposing nut half.",
"2. The nut assembly of claim 1, further comprising a membrane which joins the nut halves.",
"3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the nut halves are magnetized to retain the nut halves releasably together.",
"4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the nut halves are different from one another.",
"5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein the different nut halves are color coded different from one another.",
"6. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a radial groove around the nut halves.",
"7. The assembly of claim 6, further comprising an elastic band arranged to releasably fit into the groove.",
"8. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a registration element to align the nut halves together.",
"9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the registration element comprises a conical protrusion on the surface of one nut half and a mating detent on the other nut half.",
"10. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the each opposed nut half comprises three slanted, flat planar surfaces and the bowl comprises six slanted, flat, planar surfaces.",
"11. The assembly of claim 1 wherein depth D and depth D′ are different.",
"12. The assembly of claim 1 wherein depth D and depth D′ are the same.",
"13. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the tapered bowl defines a hexagon in cross section, and wherein the opposed nut halves, when placed together vertical face to vertical face also defines a hexagon in cross section.",
"14. A nut assembly arranged for mounting on a threaded member, the nut assembly comprising:\na. an axially oriented capture nut comprising:\ni. an outer, wrench-engaging surface;\nii. a bowl defining a plurality of slanted surfaces; and\niii. a bore through the bowl on the axis of the capture nut for passing a threaded member through the capture nut; and\nb. a pair of opposed nut halves comprising:\ni. a bottom surface for mating engagement with the bowl of the capture nut; and\nii. an internally threaded bore, coaxial with the bore of the capture nut, for engagement with the threaded member;\nwherein the nut halves are magnetized to retain the nut halves releasably together.",
"15. The assembly of claim 14, wherein the nut halves are different from one another.",
"16. The assembly of claim 15, wherein the different nut halves are color coded different from one another.",
"17. The assembly of claim 14, further comprising a radial groove around the nut halves.",
"18. The assembly of claim 17, further comprising an elastic band arranged to releasably fit into the groove.",
"19. The assembly of claim 14, wherein each of the nut halves defines a surface facing the complementary face of the opposing nut half, and further comprising a registration element to align the nut halves together.",
"20. The assembly of claim 19, wherein the registration element comprises a conical protrusion on the surface of one nut half and a mating detent on the other nut half."
],
[
"1. A clamp tie comprising:\na locking head including first and second spaced apertures, a third aperture for receiving a mounting element therethrough and an upper surface, a lower surface comprising a lower surface counterbore surrounding said third aperture and a plurality of channels, a plurality of side surfaces coupled to and disposed between said upper surface and said lower surface,\na first strap extending from said locking head, said first strap having a first strap thickness and a first strap width, said first strap width disposed between first strap first and second sides,\na second strap extending from said locking head, said second strap having a second strap thickness and a second strap width, said second strap width disposed between second strap first and second sides,\na first arcuate rail extending from said locking head substantially parallel to and spaced from said first strap first side,\na second arcuate rail extending from said locking head substantially parallel to and spaced from said first strap second side,\na first pawl mechanism cooperating with said first aperture for engaging and retaining said first strap,\na second pawl mechanism cooperating with said second aperture for engaging and retaining said second strap, and\nsaid first strap and said first and second arcuate rails extending from a first side surface and said second strap extending from a second side surface.",
"2. A clamp tie according to claim 1 wherein said first and second apertures each have an entrance and an exit, each entrance aperture having a strap side and a body side, said first pawl mechanism further comprising a first reinforcement rib disposed at least partially along said first aperture entrance strap side, said second pawl mechanism further comprising a second reinforcement rib disposed at least partially along said second aperture entrance strap side.",
"3. A clamp tie according to claim 1, said clamp tie comprising a unitary member.",
"4. A clamp tie according to claim 1 wherein the first strap width and second strap width are equal.",
"5. A clamp tie according to claim 1 wherein said first strap thickness and second strap thickness are equal.",
"6. A clamp tie according to claim 1 further comprising:\na third arcuate rail extending from said locking head substantially parallel to and spaced from said second strap first side, and\na fourth arcuate rail extending from said locking head substantially parallel to and spaced from said second strap second side.",
"7. A clamp tie according to claim 1 wherein said first arcuate rail has a radius and said upper surface and said lower surface are spaced a distance, said distance being greater than said radius of said first arcuate rail.",
"8. A clamp tie according to claim 7 wherein said distance is greater than twice said radius of said first arcuate rail.",
"9. A clamp tie according to claim 1 wherein said first and second side surfaces are disposed substantially 180 angular degrees about said locking head.",
"10. A clamp tie according to claim 1 wherein said upper surface comprises an upper surface counterbore surrounding said third aperture.",
"11. A clamp tie according to claim 10 wherein said upper surface counterbore comprises a plurality of channels.",
"12. A clamp tie according to claim 1 wherein one of said channels is mateable with a surface on or near said mounting element to prevent rotation of the tie about said mounting element.",
"13. A clamp tie according to claim 1 further comprising a third pawl mechanism, said third pawl mechanism located within said third aperture.",
"14. A clamp tie comprising\na unitary member including;\na single locking head including a pair of laterally spaced apertures, a third aperture for receiving a mounting element therethrough, said third aperture located between said pair of laterally spaced apertures, an upper surface, a lower surface comprising a lower surface counterbore surrounding said third aperture and a plurality of channels, a plurality of side surfaces coupled to and disposed between said upper surface and said lower surface,\na pair of straps extending in opposite directions from the locking head,\na first saddle structure coupled to and extending from said locking head adjacent one of the straps,\na second saddle structure coupled to and extending from said locking head adjacent the other of the straps, said first and second saddle structures each comprising two arcuate rail members, one disposed on each side of said first and second straps, respectively,\na first pawl mechanism contained within one of said locking head apertures for engaging and retaining one of the straps,\na second pawl mechanism contained within the other of said locking head apertures for engaging and retaining the other of the straps, and\nsaid first strap and said first and second arcuate rails extending from a first side surface and said second strap extending from a second side surface.",
"15. A clamp tie according to claim 14 further comprising a third pawl mechanism, said third pawl mechanism located within said third aperture.",
"16. A clamp tie according to claim 15 wherein said third pawl mechanism includes a pair of opposed pawls located substantially opposite one another within said aperture.",
"17. A clamp tie according to claim 14 wherein the diameter of the third aperture is smaller than the diameter of a predetermined mounting element.",
"18. A clamp tie for securing elongate items adjacent a mounting surface in spaced, substantially parallel relationship to each other, comprising:\na locking head having an aperture for receiving therethrough a mounting element and an upper surface, a lower surface comprising a lower surface counterbore surrounding said third aperture and a plurality of channels, a plurality of side surfaces coupled to and disposed between said upper surface and said lower surface,\na pair of straps extending in opposite directions from said locking head and insertable through said locking head to form a loop,\ntwo pairs of arcuate rails extending from said locking head, one pair being adjacent to but separate from each of said straps,\na first pawl mechanism within said locking head for engaging and retaining one of said straps in looped relationship with said locking head and one said pair of arcuate rails,\na second pawl mechanism within said locking head for engaging and retaining the other of said straps in looped relationship with said locking head and the other of said pair of arcuate rails,\na third pawl mechanism within said aperture for engaging and retaining said locking head proximate said mounting surface, and\nsaid first strap and said first and second arcuate rails extending from a first side surface and said second strap extending from a second side surface.",
"19. A clamp tie according to claim 18 wherein said third pawl mechanism permits movement of said mounting element through said aperture in a first direction but resists movement of said mounting element through said aperture in a second direction.",
"20. A clamp tie according to claim 19 wherein said third pawl mechanism includes a pair of substantially diametrically opposed pawls, each pawl carried by an elongate hinge within said aperture.",
"21. A clamp tie according to claim 20 wherein said tie comprises a single unitary structure."
],
[
"1. A stud locking device, operable when in an assembled condition for securing a target member to a support member, the target member including an upper surface and a lower surface and partially defining a through mounting hole, and the support member including a stud projecting axially toward the lower surface of the target member and the stud including an engageable surface; the stud locking device comprising:\na first clip including:\na hollow inner cylindrical portion defining a central axis and partially defining a central bore operable for receiving the stud, the first cylindrical portion insertable at a base end into the mounting hole of the target member;\nan annular first flange located at a target end of the first cylindrical portion and projecting radially outward from the first cylindrical portion;\na guide wall located in the base end of the inner cylindrical portion and tapering radially inward toward the flange of the inner cylindrical portion, and operable to guide the stud into the central bore as the stud locking device is placed into the assembled condition;\na tapered bore partially defined by and coaxial with the flange and first cylindrical portion, the tapered bore open at a first end in an upper surface of the flange, narrowing with increasing axial distance from the first end, and connected to the central bore at a second end;\na locking pawl projecting radially inward into the central bore from the first cylindrical portion and operable to engage the stud when the stud locking device is in the assembled condition;\na locking shoulder; and\na second clip including:\na hollow outer cylindrical portion capable of receiving coaxially therein the first cylindrical portion of the first clip;\na second flange provided at a target end of the outer cylindrical portion; and\na locking tab engageable with the locking shoulder when the stud locking device is in the assembled condition.",
"2. The stud locking device as defined in claim 1, and when in the assembled condition the inner cylindrical portion of the first clip is inserted through the mounting hole of the target member, the first flange of the first clip contacts the upper surface of the target member, and, when the inner cylindrical portion of the first clip is received in the outer cylindrical portion of the second clip, the second flange of the second clip contacts the lower surface of the target member.",
"3. The stud locking device as defined in claim 1, wherein the taper angle Δ of the guide wall is in the range of 115 to 135°.",
"4. The stud locking device as defined in claim 1, wherein the second flange includes an elastic edge portion extending obliquely radially and axially, and in the assembled condition the elastic edge portion is operable of elastically pressing the target member toward the first flange of the first clip.",
"5. The stud locking device as defined in claim 4, wherein the second flange of the second clip includes a flange hole, the flange hole radially located outward of the outer cylinder and elongated in the circumferential direction, which makes the elastic edge portion adjacent to and radially outward of the flange hole more flexible.",
"6. The stud locking device as defined in claim 1, wherein the locking pawl is an upper pair of locking pawls and the inner cylindrical portion further includes a lower pair of locking pawls axial separated from the upper pair in the direction away from the target end; and the inner cylindrical portion further includes a first rib and second rib extending along the axial direction and projecting into the central bore from radially opposite directions."
],
[
"1. A fastener assembly comprising:\na nut having an internally threaded portion;\nan annulus extending from the nut and defining an annular end distal from the nut, wherein the annulus defines a radial cutout section along a length thereof for providing a flex point; and\na compression collar configured for radially compressing the annular end upon tightening of the nut.",
"2. The fastener assembly of claim 1, wherein the annulus end defines a shoulder that catches on an internally circumferentially extending rim of the compression collar.",
"3. The fastener assembly of claim 1, wherein the annulus is free of threads on an inner facing surface thereof.",
"4. The fastener assembly according to claim 1, wherein the compression collar defines a taper for applying progressively increasing compression of the annulus end.",
"5. The fastener assembly according to claim 1, wherein the annulus defines a taper from the nut to the annulus end.",
"6. The fastener assembly of claim 1, wherein the annulus and nut are coaxially aligned.",
"7. The fastener assembly of claim 1, wherein the compression collar is configured for being compressed between the nut and a working surface.",
"8. The fastener assembly of claim 1, wherein the annulus consists of two cutout sections positioned opposite of each other.",
"9. A fastener assembly comprising:\na nut having an internally threaded portion;\nan annulus extending from the nut at an angle, wherein the annulus defines a radial cutout section along a length thereof for providing a flex point; and\na compression collar configured for compressing the annulus upon tightening of the nut, such that the angle becomes inwardly more acute.",
"10. The fastener assembly of claim 9, wherein the annulus defines a shoulder that catches on an internally circumferentially extending rim of the compression collar.",
"11. The fastener assembly of claim 9, wherein the annulus defines an internally threaded portion.",
"12. The fastener assembly according to claim 9, wherein the compression collar defines a taper for applying progressively increasing compression of the annulus.",
"13. The fastener assembly according to claim 9, wherein the annulus defines a taper.",
"14. The fastener assembly of claim 9, wherein the annulus and nut are coaxially aligned.",
"15. The fastener assembly of claim 9, wherein the compression collar is configured for being compressed between the nut and a working surface.",
"16. The fastener assembly of claim 9, wherein the annulus consists of two cutout sections positioned opposite of each other."
],
[
"1. Bolt (1) comprising a screw (3) and an insert (2) which can be inserted in the opening in a wall (5), said insert (2) comprising an insert head (6) and a shaft (7) comprising a recess (8), said insert head (6) and said recess (8) being configured such as, after deformation of the recess (8), to ensure the crimping of said insert (2) on said wall (5), wherein said screw (3) comprises a break ring (14), which, by being supported on said insert head (6) directly or indirectly, is designed to immobilize said screw (3) relative to said insert head (6), in order to create the deformation of the recess (8) by rotation of the screw and obtain said crimping, and, once the crimping has been carried out, it is designed to give rise to breakage, such as to release the screw (3) from said insert head (6), thus permitting the tightening of an accessory (4) on the wall (5),\nwherein the break ring (14) is supported indirectly against the insert head (6) by means of bracing means (22), and\nwherein the bracing means (22) comprise a washer (16) which is provided between said break ring (14) and the insert head (6).",
"2. Bolt (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said breakage takes place in the break ring (14).",
"3. Bolt (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said breakage takes place in the bracing means (22).",
"4. Bolt (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the insert (2) comprises a means for blocking said insert (2) in rotation, preferably by an external form with a non-circular transverse cross-section.",
"5. Bolt (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said screw (3) comprises a screw head (10) comprising a base (11) which is designed to be supported on the accessory (4), a cavity (12) preferably being provided below said base (11) in order to accommodate in it at least partially said break ring (14) and/or said bracing means (22).",
"6. Bolt (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said insert head (6), said break ring (14) and, if applicable, said bracing means (22) are configured such that, in the assembled position, the screw head (10) is supported on the insert (2) by means of the break ring (14) and/or bracing means (22), without being supported on said accessory (4), such as to constitute an attachment which allows said accessory (4) to be mobile in rotation and/or translation relative to the wall (5).",
"7. Bolt (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said screw (3) comprises a non-threaded part, contained between the screw head (10) and the threaded part (13), which does not cooperate with the tapped part (9) of the insert (2), such as to provide resilience necessary to create the tension of the screw (3) on said bolt in the tightened situation, even when the thicknesses of the accessories and walls are very slight.",
"8. Bolt (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said insert (2) has weakening of the recess (8), such as to facilitate its deformation during the crimping, this weakening preferably taking the form of undercuts.",
"9. Bolt (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said screw (3) comprises a non-threaded part, contained between a screw head (10) and a threaded part (13), which does not cooperate with a tapped part (9) of the insert (2), said non-threaded part being provided with a widened part (17) which is designed to make it possible to fix the broken part of the break ring (14) by forcing it to slide towards said widened part (17) during the screwing phase which follows its breakage.",
"10. Bolt (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the insert (2) contains a lubricant (25), preferably grease.",
"11. Bolt (1) comprising a screw (3) and an insert (2) which can be inserted in the opening in a wall (5), said insert (2) comprising an insert head (6) and a shaft (7) comprising a recess (8), said insert head (6) and said recess (8) being configured such as, after deformation of the recess (8), to ensure the crimping of said insert (2) on said wall (5), wherein said screw (3) comprises a break ring (14), which, by being supported on said insert head (6) directly or indirectly, is designed to immobilize said screw (3) relative to said insert head (6), in order to create the deformation of the recess (8) by rotation of the screw and obtain said crimping, and, once the crimping has been carried out, it is designed to give rise to breakage, such as to release the screw (3) from said insert head (6), thus permitting the tightening of an accessory (4) on the wall (5),\nwherein the break ring (14) is supported indirectly against the insert head (6) by means of bracing means (22), and\nwherein the bracing means (22) comprise a tubular element (23) provided with a radial spreaded part (24) which can be supported against the insert head (6).",
"12. Bolt (1) as claimed in claim 11, wherein said breakage takes place in the bracing means (22).",
"13. Bolt (1) as claimed in claim 11, wherein the insert (2) comprises a means for blocking said insert (2) in rotation, preferably by an external form with a non-circular transverse cross-section.",
"14. Bolt (1) as claimed in claim 11, wherein said screw (3) comprises a screw head (10) comprising a base (11) which is designed to be supported on the accessory (4), a cavity (12) preferably being provided below said base (11) in order to accommodate in it at least partially said break ring (14) and/or said bracing means (22).",
"15. Bolt (1) as claimed in claim 11, wherein said insert head (6), said break ring (14) and, if applicable, said bracing means (22) are configured such that, in the assembled position, the screw head (10) is supported on the insert (2) by means of the break ring (14) and/or bracing means (22), without being supported on said accessory (4), such as to constitute an attachment which allows said accessory (4) to be mobile in rotation and/or translation relative to the wall (5).",
"16. Bolt (1) as claimed in claim 11, wherein said screw (3) comprises a non-threaded part, contained between the screw head (10) and the threaded part (13), which does not cooperate with the tapped part (9) of the insert (2), such as to provide resilience necessary to create the tension of the screw (3) on said bolt in the tightened situation, even when the thicknesses of the accessories and walls are very slight.",
"17. Bolt (1) as claimed in claim 11, wherein said insert (2) has weakening of the recess (8), such as to facilitate its deformation during the crimping, this weakening preferably taking the form of undercuts.",
"18. Bolt (1) as claimed in claim 11, wherein the insert (2) contains a lubricant (25), preferably grease.",
"19. Bolt (1) comprising a screw (3) and an insert (2) which can be inserted in the opening in a wall (5), said insert (2) comprising an insert head (6) and a shaft (7) comprising a recess (8), said insert head (6) and said recess (8) being configured such as, after deformation of the recess (8), to ensure the crimping of said insert (2) on said wall (5), wherein said screw (3) comprises a break ring (14), which, by being supported on said insert head (6) directly or indirectly, is designed to immobilize said screw (3) relative to said insert head (6), in order to create the deformation of the recess (8) by rotation of the screw and obtain said crimping, and, once the crimping has been carried out, it is designed to give rise to breakage, such as to release the screw (3) from said insert head (6), thus permitting the tightening of an accessory (4) on the wall (5),\nwherein the break ring (14) is supported indirectly against the insert head (6) by means of bracing means (22),\nwherein the bracing means (22) comprise a tubular element (23) provided with a radial spreaded part (24) which can be supported against the insert head (6), and\nwherein said break ring (14) is constituted by the screw head (10).",
"20. Bolt (1) comprising a screw (3) and an insert (2) which can be inserted in the opening in a wall (5), said insert (2) comprising an insert head (6) and a shaft (7) comprising a recess (8), said insert head (6) and said recess (8) being configured such as, after deformation of the recess (8), to ensure the crimping of said insert (2) on said wall (5), wherein said screw (3) comprises a break ring (14), which, by being supported on said insert head (6) directly or indirectly, is designed to immobilize said screw (3) relative to said insert head (6), in order to create the deformation of the recess (8) by rotation of the screw and obtain said crimping, and, once the crimping has been carried out, it is designed to give rise to breakage, such as to release the screw (3) from said insert head (6), thus permitting the tightening of an accessory (4) on the wall (5),\nwherein said breakage takes place in the break ring (14),\nwherein the screw (3) comprises a screw head (10) and a threaded part (13),\nwherein the screw head (10) comprises a male indentation (18) having external dimensions which are greater than an external diameter of the threaded part (13),\nwherein the screw head (10), the male indentation (18), and the threaded part (13) are formed in one piece, and\nwherein the break ring (14) is provided between the screw head (10) and the threaded part (13) of the screw (3), the break ring (14) being spaced apart from the screw head (10).",
"21. Bolt (1) as claimed in claim 20, wherein the break ring (14) is supported directly against the insert head (6).",
"22. Bolt (1) as claimed in claim 20, wherein the insert (2) comprises a means for blocking said insert (2) in rotation, preferably by an external form with a non-circular transverse cross-section.",
"23. Bolt (1) as claimed in claim 20, wherein said screw (3) comprises a screw head (10) comprising a base (11) which is designed to be supported on the accessory (4), a cavity (12) preferably being provided below said base (11) in order to accommodate in it at least partially said break ring (14) and/or said bracing means (22).",
"24. Bolt (1) as claimed in claim 20, wherein said insert head (6), said break ring (14) and, if applicable, said bracing means (22) are configured such that, in the assembled position, the screw head (10) is supported on the insert (2) by means of the break ring (14) and/or bracing means (22), without being supported on said accessory (4), such as to constitute an attachment which allows said accessory (4) to be mobile in rotation and/or translation relative to the wall (5).",
"25. Bolt (1) as claimed in claim 20, wherein said screw (3) comprises a non-threaded part, contained between the screw head (10) and the threaded part (13), which does not cooperate with the tapped part (9) of the insert (2), such as to provide resilience necessary to create the tension of the screw (3) on said bolt in the tightened situation, even when the thicknesses of the accessories and walls are very slight.",
"26. Bolt (1) as claimed in claim 20, wherein said insert (2) has weakening of the recess (8), such as to facilitate its deformation during the crimping, this weakening preferably taking the form of undercuts.",
"27. Bolt (1) as claimed in claim 20, wherein said screw (3) comprises a non-threaded part, contained between the screw head (10) and the threaded part (13), which does not cooperate with the tapped part (9) of the insert (2), said non-threaded part being provided with a widened part (17) which is designed to make it possible to fix the broken part of the break ring (14) by forcing it to slide towards said widened part (17) during the screwing phase which follows its breakage.",
"28. Bolt (1) as claimed in claim 20, wherein the insert (2) contains a lubricant (25), preferably grease.",
"29. Method for securing an accessory (4) on a wall (5) by means of a bolt (1), the bolt comprising a screw (3) and an insert (2) which can be inserted in the opening in a wall (5), said insert (2) comprising an insert head (6) and a shaft (7) comprising a recess (8), said insert head (6) and said recess (8) being configured such as, after deformation of the recess (8), to ensure the crimping of said insert (2) on said wall (5), wherein said screw (3) comprises a break ring (14), which, by being supported on said insert head (6) directly or indirectly, is designed to immobilize said screw (3) relative to said insert head (6), in order to create the deformation of the recess (8) by rotation of the screw and obtain said crimping, and, once the crimping has been carried out, it is designed to give rise to breakage, such as to release the screw (3) from said insert head (6), thus permitting the tightening of an accessory (4) on the wall (5),\nwherein said accessory (4) comprises an accessory opening (20) designed to allow the insert head (6) to pass through, and said wall (5) comprises a wall opening (19) designed to allow the shaft (7) of the insert (2) to pass through,\nthe method comprising the steps of:\na) arranging the accessory (4) on the wall (5), such as to align the accessory (20) and wall (19) openings,\nb) introducing the bolt (1) into the openings thus aligned, in the direction from the accessory (4) towards the wall (5), until the insert head (6) is applied on the wall (5),\nc) rotating the screw (3), with a thread (13) of the screw (3) cooperating with a tapping (9) of the insert (2), the break ring (14) being supported on the insert head (6), if applicable by means of bracing means (22), thus creating deformation of the recess (8) below the wall (5), and consequently carrying out the crimping of the insert (2) on the wall (5),\nd) increasing the torque until breakage is obtained, thus releasing the screw (3) from the insert head (6), and\ne) continuing rotation of the screw (3) until the accessory (4) is tightened on the wall (5)."
],
[
"1. An apparatus for coupling a shank of a threaded fastener and a torque device including:—\na first coupling member having an external surface portion defined by more than two steps that forms a taper;\na second coupling member having an inversely tapered internal surface portion non-rotatably engagable with the tapered external surface of the first coupling member;\nwherein the steps of the first coupling member and the second coupling member are shaped either as angled cylinders, frustums of an angled stepped cone or frustums of an angled curved solid; and\nwherein the diameters of the steps of the first coupling member and the second coupling member are less than the diameter of the shank.",
"2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the steps of the first coupling member and the second coupling member are shaped as solids not limited to particular step quantities, dimensions, geometries, angles and/or intervals.",
"3. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the internal surface portion of the second coupling member substantially surrounds the external surface portion of the first coupling member.",
"4. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first coupling member is non-rotatably engagable with an action portion of the torque device.",
"5. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the second coupling member, when rotated by an action portion of the torque device, applies a load to the threaded fastener.",
"6. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first coupling member is formed on a reaction shaft of the torque device and wherein the second coupling member is formed on the shank of the threaded fastener.",
"7. An apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the first coupling member is formed as an axial protrusion and wherein the second coupling member is formed as an axial bore.",
"8. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first coupling member is formed on a shank of the threaded fastener and wherein the second coupling member is formed on a reaction shaft of the torque device.",
"9. An apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the first coupling member is formed as an axial bore and wherein the second coupling member is formed as an axial protrusion.",
"10. An apparatus according to claim 1 having an infinite number of steps such that the external surface portion of the first coupling member is smoothly tapered and the inversely tapered internal surface portion of the second coupling member is smoothly tapered.",
"11. A system for fastening objects including a combination of a torque power tool either pneumatically, electrically, hydraulically or manually driven and a threaded fastener having an apparatus according to either claim 1-10."
],
[
"1. A fastener kit for fastening a workpiece using a specified threaded rod, the fastener kit comprising:\na first nut and a second nut, both the first nut and second nut having a tapered cavity extending axially inward to a predetermined depth from a face of the first nut and second nut and tapering from a larger opening down to the diameter of a threaded portion of the first nut and second nut; which threaded portion of the first nut and second nut has threads that mate with threads of the specified threaded rod;\na ferrule having an inside diameter defined by a lengthwise bore of a predetermined length that permits the ferrule to be positioned on a threaded lengthwise portion of the specified threaded rod, the ferrule being a non-resilient continuous ring having a profile with a middle collar portion and distal first and second tapered ends tapering down from the collar portion to distal thin edges; and\ninstructions for use of the fastener kit, the instructions comprising:\ninstruction for positioning the first nut on the specified threaded rod;\ninstruction for positioning the ferrule on the threaded lengthwise portion of the specified threaded rod such that the tapered cavity of the first nut engages the first tapered end of the ferrule;\ninstruction for positioning the second nut on the specified threaded rod such that the tapered cavity of the second nut engages the second tapered end of the ferrule, wherein the predetermined ferrule length and the predetermined tapered cavity depths place the inside face of the first nut at a predetermined distance from the inside face of the second nut; and\ninstructions for forcibly torquing the first nut towards the second nut by a specified force that is predetermined to permanently crimp and deform the material of the ferrule into the threads of the specified threaded rod, thereby providing a predetermined locknut holding force for the fastener kit.",
"2. The fastener kit of claim 1 wherein:\nthe larger opening of the tapered cavity of the nut has a diameter that is greater than or equal to a maximum outside diameter of the ferrule.",
"3. The fastener kit of claim 2 wherein the ferrule has a flange that extends radially outward.",
"4. The fastener kit of claim 3 wherein the flange has a high friction surface on at least one of an axially front face and an axially back face.",
"5. The fastener kit of claim 1 wherein the ferrule bore has threads mated to the threads of the rod.",
"6. The fastener kit of claim 1 further comprising the specified threaded rod.",
"7. The fastener kit of claim 1 wherein the specified threaded rod is a bolt.",
"8. The fastener kit of claim 1 wherein, according to design, the amount of force that is sufficient to crimp the ferrule into the threads of the specified threaded rod is an amount that achieves a stated fraction of a turn after the first and second nuts contact the first and second ferrule ends, respectively.",
"9. The fastener kit of claim 1 wherein a Fastener Standard strength specification for a nut is achieved by the nut with the tapered cavity by having an extended axial thickness sufficient to maintain a threaded portion of the nut that is in accord with requirements of the Fastener Standard strength specification.",
"10. The fastener kit of claim 1 wherein the nut has a tapered cavity on both axial faces of the nut.",
"11. The fastener kit of claim 1 wherein the ferrule has a lesser outside diameter at either or both of the ends than it does between the ends.",
"12. The fastener kit of claim 1 wherein the ferrule has one or more weakened portions for reducing the amount of force that is sufficient to crimp the ferrule against the threads of the specified threaded rod.",
"13. The fastener kit of claim 12 wherein the ferrule is weakened by one or more radially open slots.",
"14. The fastener kit of claim 12 wherein a portion of the ferrule is weakened by reduced thickness.",
"15. The fastener kit of claim 1 wherein a wall of the cavity in the nut has a radially extending groove or ridge feature.",
"16. The fastener kit of claim 1 wherein the nut face with the tapered cavity has a high friction surface feature.",
"17. The fastener kit of claim 16 wherein the high friction surface feature comprises radial serrations.",
"18. The fastener kit of claim 17 wherein the radial serrations have a ramped sawtooth shape for interlocking with complementary mating ramps on an adjacent surface."
],
[
"1. A cast-in-place anchor assembly for anchoring objects to a concrete structure after concrete pouring and concrete setting, the objects fastened to an elongated load bearing member which is connected to the anchor assembly, the cast-in-place anchor assembly comprising:\nan anchor housing, the anchor housing including an opening therein along a longitudinal axis thereof for receiving the elongate load bearing member, the anchor housing also including a jaw assembly housed in the anchor housing, the jaw assembly for lockingly engaging and axially constraining the elongate load bearing member relative to the anchor housing,\nthe jaw assembly including separable jaws and a bias member for biasing the jaws toward each other, the jaw assembly including a reconfigurable lock,\nwherein, in a first anchor assembly configuration, the reconfigurable lock has a first configuration that allows the jaws to move axially relative to the anchor housing and in a second anchor assembly configuration the reconfigurable lock reconfigures axially to limit the relative axial movement of the jaws.",
"2. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 1, wherein the jaw assembly further includes a compressible member between the jaws and the anchor housing.",
"3. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 1, wherein the reconfigurable lock is a flexible member and the elongated load bearing member is threaded.",
"4. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 1, wherein the reconfigurable lock is an expandable member.",
"5. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 1, wherein the reconfigurable lock structure is a metal member.",
"6. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 1, wherein the reconfigurable lock structure is a contractible member.",
"7. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 2, wherein the lock is between the bias member and the separable jaws.",
"8. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 2, wherein the limiting of relative axial movement of the jaws is a result of trapping the jaws between the reconfigurable lock structure and the compressible member.",
"9. A cast-in-place anchor assembly for anchoring objects to a concrete structure after concrete pouring and concrete setting, the objects fastened to an elongated load bearing member which is connected to the anchor assembly, the cast-in-place anchor assembly comprising:\nan anchor housing, the anchor housing including an opening therein along a longitudinal axis thereof for receiving the elongate load bearing member, the anchor housing also including a jaw assembly housed in the anchor housing, the jaw assembly for lockingly engaging and axially constraining the elongate load bearing member relative to the anchor housing,\nthe jaw assembly including separable jaws and a bias member for biasing the jaws toward each other, the jaws including a reconfigurable lock structure,\nwherein, in a first anchor assembly configuration, the reconfigurable lock structure has a first configuration that allows the jaws to move axially relative to the anchor housing and in a second anchor assembly configuration the reconfigurable lock structure reconfigures by compression of the compressible member to further limit the relative axial movement of the jaws,\nwherein the reconfigurable lock is ring-shaped flexible member.",
"10. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 9, wherein the jaw assembly further includes a compressible member between the jaws and the anchor housing.",
"11. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 9, wherein the separable jaws include threaded interior surfaces.",
"12. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 9, wherein the separable jaws include a separator projection thereon, and wherein the separator projection includes an inclined surface.",
"13. A cast-in-place anchor assembly for anchoring objects to a concrete structure after concrete pouring and concrete setting, the objects fastened to an elongated load bearing member which is connected to the anchor assembly, the cast-in-place anchor assembly comprising:\nan anchor housing, the anchor housing including an opening therein along a longitudinal axis thereof for receiving the elongate load bearing member, the anchor housing also including a jaw assembly housed in an anchor assembly, the anchor assembly for lockingly engaging and axially constraining the elongate load bearing member relative to the anchor housing,\nthe jaw assembly including separable jaws and the anchor assembly including a bias member for biasing the separable jaws toward each other, the anchor assembly further including a reconfigurable lock and wherein,\nin a first configuration the reconfigurable lock is able to move axially within the anchor housing, and in a second configuration the lock is constrained axially within the anchor housing to limit axial movement of the separable jaws.",
"14. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 13, wherein the reconfigurable lock is disposed above the separable jaws and wherein.",
"15. The case-in-place anchor assembly of claim 14, wherein the limiting axial movement of the separable jaws is a result of trapping the jaws between the reconfigurable lock and the compressible member.",
"16. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 14, wherein the separable jaws include a separator projection thereon, and wherein the separator projection includes an inclined surface.",
"17. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 16, wherein the inclined surface has a decreasing radius moving axially away from a bottom of the separable jaws.",
"18. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 17, wherein a threaded rod inserted into the opening along the longitudinal axis engages the inclined surface to urge lower ends of the jaws radially outward.",
"19. The cast-in-place anchor assembly of claim 17, wherein the inclined surface is positioned on the separable jaws distal from a separation plane of the jaws so that a force caused by the elongate load bearing member against the inclined surface acts generally perpendicular to the separation plane."
],
[
"1. An apparatus comprising:\na hollow rod including an inner portion, a first outer portion, and a second outer portion between the first outer portion and the inner portion, the inner portion including a first thickness, the second outer portion including a second thickness less than the first thickness, wherein the second thickness is a uniform thickness extending between the inner portion and the first outer portion, and the first outer portion including a conical thickness that varies from the second thickness to a third thickness less than the second thickness, the first outer portion and the second outer portion including first threads;\na threadless rod partially positioned in the hollow rod; and\na conical nut including second threads to engage the first threads, the conical nut to couple the hollow rod and the threadless rod.",
"2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first outer portion and the second outer portion of the hollow rod are defined by intermittent tabs extending from a body of the hollow rod defined by the inner portion.",
"3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second outer portion includes a first section and a second section, and wherein the second section is threadless.",
"4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the threadless rod includes a bearing.",
"5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the inner portion is a first inner portion, wherein the hollow rod includes a second inner portion between the first inner portion and the second outer portion, wherein the second inner portion includes a fourth thickness greater than the first thickness.",
"6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first inner portion and the second inner portion include a same inner diameter.",
"7. An apparatus comprising:\na first rod including a body and tabs extending from a longitudinal end of the body, the tabs positioned around an opening at the longitudinal end, the tabs including a first portion in connection with the longitudinal end and a second portion in connection with the first portion, the first portion including a non-conical thickness, the second portion including a conical thickness, the first portion and the second portion including first threads;\na second rod to be positioned in the opening; and\na conical nut including second threads complementary to the first threads.",
"8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the second rod is threadless.",
"9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the body of the first rod includes a first portion and a second portion positioned between the tabs and the first portion, wherein the first portion includes a first thickness, and wherein the second portion includes a second thickness different from the first thickness.",
"10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first portion and the second portion of the body of the first rod include an inner diameter that corresponds with the opening.",
"11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the second threads engage the first threads of the first portion without engaging the first threads of the second portion when the conical nut is a first distance from the longitudinal end, and wherein the second threads engage the first threads of the first portion and the first threads of the second portion when the conical nut is a second distance from the longitudinal end, the second distance smaller than the first distance.",
"12. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the non-conical thickness includes a first thickness size, and wherein the conical thickness defines an adjustment from the first thickness size to a second thickness size smaller than the first thickness size.",
"13. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein an end of the second rod includes a bearing.",
"14. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the non-conical thickness defines a uniform thickness between an inner surface of the first portion and an inner edge of the first threads of the first portion.",
"15. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the first portion of the tabs includes a first section and a second section, and wherein the second section is threadless.",
"16. An apparatus comprising:\nfirst means for bearing to couple to a first structure;\nsecond means for bearing to couple to a second structure;\nmeans for containing at least a portion of the first means for bearing and at least a portion of the second means for bearing, wherein the portion of the first means for bearing and the portion of the second means for bearing contained by the means for containing is adjustable independent of an orientation of the first means for bearing or the second means for bearing;\nfirst means for coupling the means for containing to the first means for bearing, the first means for coupling including means for constricting the means for containing around the first means for bearing and means for engaging without constricting the means for containing; and\nsecond means for coupling the means for containing to the second means for bearing.",
"17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein a position of the first means for bearing is translatably and rotatably adjustable relative to the means for containing when the means for engaging without constricting of the first means for coupling is engaged with the means for containing.",
"18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein a rotational adjustment of the first means for bearing is independent of a translational adjustment of the first means for bearing."
],
[
"1. A shockproof nut kit comprising an upper nut (1) and a lower nut (2), wherein an end surface of the upper nut (1) is provided with an elliptic cylinder boss (12); the upper nut is provided with a circular threaded through-hole I (11), and a central axis of the elliptic cylinder boss coincides with a central axis of the threaded through-hole I; on an upper end surface of the elliptic cylinder at a longer planar extension side is provided an unfilled corner (13); a cylindrical groove (22) aligned with the boss of elliptic cylinder shape is concavely formed in an end surface of the lower nut (2); inside the lower nut is provided a circular threaded through-hole II (21), a central axis of the cylindrical groove coincides with a central axis of the threaded through-hole II, and a bore diameter of the threaded through-hole I (11) is the same as a bore diameter of the threaded through-hole II (21); and after being assembled together, the elliptic cylinder boss (12) on the upper nut is in clearance fit with the cylindrical groove (22) in the lower nut.",
"2. The shockproof nut kit in accordance with claim 1, wherein a maximum opening position of the unfilled corner (13) is located at one third of a diameter of the threaded through-hole I (11).",
"3. The shockproof nut kit in accordance with claim 1, wherein both an external shape of the upper nut (1) and an external shape of the lower nut (2) are hexagonal."
],
[
"1. A locking system for a connection between two parts, comprising:\na first part;\na second part for connection with the first part; and\nan interfering member, the member constructed and arranged to permit connection and thereafter, to prevent separation of the parts.",
"2. The system of claim 1, wherein the interfering member is a resilient member.",
"3. The system of claim 2, wherein the first part has male threads and the second part has female threads and the connection is a threaded connection.",
"4. The system of claim 3, wherein the resilient member is a compressible snap ring having a variable circumference.",
"5. The system of claim 4, wherein, prior to the connection being made, the snap ring is at least partially housed in an outer surface of the first part.",
"6. The system of claim 5, wherein the snap ring is at least partially housed in a groove formed in the outer surface.",
"7. The system of claim 6, wherein when the threaded connection is made, the snap ring is partially housed in the groove in the outer surface and partially housed in a grooved formed in an inner surface of the second part.",
"8. The system of claim 7, wherein when the threaded connection is made, interference between parts and the snap ring prevents axial movement of one part relative to the other part.",
"9. The system of claim 8, wherein the inner surface of the second part includes a tapered surface constructed and arranged to reduce the circumference of the snap ring as the parts are threaded together.",
"10. The system of claim 9, further including a second snap ring adjacent the snap ring wherein both snap rings are housed in the grooves.",
"11. The system of claim 9, further including a preloading member installed between the first and second parts for placing a preload on the threaded connection after the connection is made.",
"12. The system of claim 11, wherein the preload member is a spring located in a distal end of the second part, the spring compressible by the first part when the connection is made.",
"13. A method of locking two parts together, comprising:\nproviding a first part having male threads, a second part having female threads, a snap ring housed in a groove on the outer surface of the first part and a groove formed on an inner surface of the second part;\nconnecting the parts together by threading; and\nlocking the parts together by causing the snap ring to be housed in both grooves, thereby creating interference between the threaded members."
],
[
"1. A lock nut assembly configured to couple to a threaded bolt, the lock nut assembly comprising:\na base nut having a bore with an angled inner wall defining an angled ramp portion, the base nut bore configured to receive the threaded bolt; and\na lock nut having an angled outer wall defining a wedge portion, the lock nut configured to threadably engage the threaded bolt such that the wedge portion is driven into the angled ramp portion, the angled inner wall configured to force the wedge portion to exert a clamping force against the threaded bolt to lock the base nut in place.",
"2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the base nut further includes a threaded inner bore configured to threadably engage the threaded bolt.",
"3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein a plurality of slits is formed in the lock nut wedge portion to define at least one tab.",
"4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein six slits are formed in the lock nut wedge portion to define six tabs, wherein the angled inner wall is configured to facilitate movement of the tabs inwardly to exert the clamping force against the threaded bolt.",
"5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the threaded bolt defines a bolt axis, the angled inner wall oriented at a first angle relative to the bolt axis, and the angled outer wall oriented at a second angle relative to the bolt axis, wherein the second angle is less than the first angle.",
"6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the base nut is hexagonal.",
"7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the lock nut is hexagonal.",
"8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the lock nut includes a threaded inner bore configured to threadably engage the threaded bolt.",
"9. A lock nut assembly configured to couple to a threaded bolt, the lock nut assembly comprising:\na base nut having a threaded first bore and a second bore with an angled inner wall defining an angled ramp portion, the base nut threaded bore configured to receive and threadably engage the threaded bolt; and\na lock nut having an angled outer wall defining a wedge portion, a plurality of slits formed in the wedge portion and extending from a first end of the lock nut, the plurality of slits defining a plurality of tabs of the wedge portion,\nwherein the lock nut includes a threaded third bore configured to threadably engage the threaded bolt such that the wedge portion is driven into the angled ramp portion, the angled inner wall configured to force the plurality of tabs to exert a clamping force against the threaded bolt to lock the base nut in place.",
"10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the base nut and the lock nut are hexagonal.",
"11. The assembly of claim 10, wherein the threaded bolt defines a bolt axis, the angled inner wall oriented at a first angle relative to the bolt axis, and the angled outer wall oriented at a second angle relative to the bolt axis, wherein the second angle is less than the first angle.",
"12. A method of fabricating a lock nut assembly configured to couple to a threaded bolt, the method comprising:\nforming a base nut having a bore with an angled inner wall defining an angled ramp portion, the base nut bore configured to receive the threaded bolt; and\nforming a lock nut having an angled outer wall defining a wedge portion, the lock nut configured to threadably engage the threaded bolt such that the wedge portion is driven into the angled ramp portion, the angled inner wall configured to force the wedge portion to exert a clamping force against the threaded bolt to lock the base nut in place."
]
] |
the following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 u.s.c. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this office action:
a person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
claim(s) 1-2, 5, 13-14 are rejected under 35 u.s.c. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by thompson (us2015/0275505).
for claim 1, thompson discloses a cast-in-place anchor assembly (figs. 4-5) for anchoring objects to a concrete structure after concrete pouring and concrete setting, the objects fastened to an elongated load bearing member (19) which is connected to the anchor assembly, the cast-in-place anchor assembly comprising: an anchor housing (13, 17) including an outwardly extending radial flange for casting in the concrete (fig. 5, 15), the anchor housing including an opening therein along a longitudinal axis thereof for receiving the elongate load bearing member, the anchor housing also including a jaw assembly (29, 31) housed in the anchor housing, the jaw assembly for lockingly engaging and axially constraining the elongate load bearing member (19) relative to the anchor housing, the jaw assembly including separable jaws and a bias member (fig. 5, 63) for biasing the jaws toward each other, the jaws including a reconfigurable lock (fig. 4, 35, 39, 23, 25), wherein, in a first anchor assembly configuration, the reconfigurable lock has a first configuration that allows the jaws to move axially relative to the anchor housing (when the tabs (35, 39) are within the cavity (16) and can move freely [0052]) and in a second anchor assembly configuration the reconfigurable lock member reconfigures axially to limit the relative upward axial movement of the jaws (when the tabs (35, 39) are within the cavity (16) and are not aligned with the notches (23, 25)) compared to the axial relative movement of the jaws in the first configuration [0052].
for claim 2, thompson discloses that the jaw assembly further includes a compressible member (fig. 5, 41) between the jaws and the anchor housing (17).
for claim 5, thompson discloses that the reconfigurable lock structure is a metal member ([0034] inherent).
for claim 13, thompson discloses a cast-in-place anchor assembly (figs. 4-5) for anchoring objects to a concrete structure after concrete pouring and concrete setting, the objects fastened to an elongated load bearing member which is connected to the anchor assembly, the cast-in-place anchor assembly comprising: an anchor housing (13, 17), the anchor housing including an opening therein along a longitudinal axis thereof for receiving the elongate load bearing member (19), the anchor housing also including a jaw assembly (29, 31) housed in an anchor assembly, the anchor assembly for lockingly engaging and axially constraining the elongate load bearing member relative to the anchor housing, the jaw assembly including separable jaws and the anchor assembly including a bias member (63) for biasing the separable jaws toward each other, the anchor assembly further including a reconfigurable lock (fig. 4, 35, 39, 23, 25) and wherein, in a first configuration the reconfigurable lock is able to move axially within the anchor housing (when the tabs (35, 39) are within the cavity (16) and can move freely [0052]), and in a second configuration the lock is constrained axially within the anchor housing to limit upward axial movement of the separable jaws (when the tabs (35, 39) are within the cavity (16) and are not aligned with the notches (23, 25)) [0052].
for claim 14, thompson discloses that the reconfigurable lock (fig. 4, 35, 39, 23, 25) is disposed above the separable jaws (29, 31).
|
[
"1. A mid-infrared photothermal microscopy system for imaging a sample comprising:\na mid-infrared optical source configured to generate a mid-infrared beam, the mid-infrared beam being directed along a first optical path towards the sample to heat the sample;\na probe light source configured to generate a probe light, the probe light being directed along a second optical path towards the sample, the second optical path overlapping and counter-propagating with the first optical path at the sample;\na first laser scanner comprising at least one movable mirror, positioned along the first optical path and configured to rotate to redirect light and scan the sample with the mid-infrared beam;\na second laser scanner comprising at least one movable mirror, positioned along the second optical path and configured to rotate to redirect light and scan the sample with the probe light,\na reflective objective lens arranged along the first optical path between the mid-infrared optical source and the sample; and\na second objective lens arranged along the second optical path between the probe light source and the sample,\nwherein the laser scanners are driven to rotate such that the mid-infrared beam and the probe light scan the sample synchronously.",
"2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a photodiode configured to detect probe light from the sample to generate a reconstructed image of the sample.",
"3. The system of claim 2, wherein the mid-infrared beam is a pulsed beam and wherein the MIP system further comprises single pulse photothermal detection.",
"4. The system of claim 1, wherein:\nthe first laser scanner comprises a first pair of scanning mirrors, including a first mirror and a second mirror; and\nthe second laser scanner comprises a second pair of scanning mirrors, including a third mirror and a fourth mirror.",
"5. The system of claim 4, wherein the first pair of scanning mirrors have orthogonal scanning axes; and\nthe second pair of scanning mirrors have orthogonal scanning axes.",
"6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a digital-to-analog device configured to generate four control signals to drive the laser scanners for synchronous scanning of the mid-infrared beam and probe lights.",
"7. The system of claim 6, wherein at least one of the four control signals is adjusted by an angle scaling factor based on the focal lengths of probe light and mid-infrared objectives and the beam expansion ratio of relay systems, the angle scaling factor determining relative angular motion for the laser scanners for the probe light and the mid-infrared beam.",
"8. The system of claim 1, wherein a relative scaling of motion for the mid-infrared and probe light laser scanning mechanisms is configured such that the probe light and mid-infrared beam are focused to overlapping locations on the sample during scanning.",
"9. The system of claim 1, further comprising:\na first photodiode positioned along the first optical path and configured to detect the probe light passing through the sample; and\na second photodiode positioned along the second optical path and configured to detect the probe light returning after reflecting off the sample.",
"10. The system of claim 1, wherein the mid-infrared beam is pulsed with a repetition rate between 500 kHz to 1 MHz and a duty cycle of less than 30%.",
"11. The system of claim 1, wherein the pairs of laser scanners are configured to cause the sample to be scanned at a frequency of substantially 3 kHz.",
"12. The system of claim 1, further comprising a scan lens positioned on the second optical path between the second pair of laser scanners and the substrate, wherein the probe light is conjugated to a back pupil of the second objective lens with the scan lens.",
"13. The system of claim 12, further comprising a tube lens positioned on the second optical path between the second objective lens and the scan lens, wherein the tube lens introduces a beam expansion to substantially fill the back pupil of the objective lens.",
"14. The system of claim 1, wherein a focus of the mid-infrared beam is aligned to overlap with a focus of the probe light.",
"15. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the laser scanners comprises at least one galvo mirror.",
"16. The system of claim 1, wherein the probe light and mid-infrared beam are scanned across a shared focal spot of the sample as each of the laser scanners rotates in both a forward direction and a backward direction, the backward direction being opposite the forward direction.",
"17. The system of claim 16, wherein rotational movement of the laser scanners follows a sinusoidal pattern.",
"18. The system of claim 1, further comprising a laser scanning position sensor configured to measure a position of at least one of the laser scanners during scanning, wherein a reconstructed image of the sample is adjusted based on feedback from the galvo position sensor.",
"19. The system of claim 1, wherein the laser scanners provide an effective scan area of the mid-IR and probe lights of at least 100 micrometers on a side.",
"20. The system of claim 1, wherein the laser scanners provide an effective scan area of the mid-IR and probe lights of at least 200 micrometers on a side.",
"21. A method of operating a photothermal infrared microscope to image a sample, the method comprising:\nilluminating the sample with a beam of mid-infrared light to heat the sample by directing the beam of infrared light along a first optical path towards the sample;\nilluminating the sample with a beam of probe light by directing the probe light along a second optical path towards the sample, the second optical path overlapping and counter-propagating with the first optical path at the sample;\nproviding a first laser scanner comprising at least one movable mirror, positioned along the first optical path and configured to rotate to redirect light and scan the sample with the mid-infrared beam;\nproviding a second laser scanner comprising at least one movable mirror, positioned along the second optical path and configured to rotate to redirect light and scan the sample with the probe light;\nproviding a reflective objective lens arranged along the first optical path between the mid-infrared optical source and the sample; and\nproviding a second objective lens arranged along the second optical path between the probe light source and the sample;\nwherein the laser scanners are driven to rotate such that the mid-infrared beam and the probe light scan the sample synchronously.",
"22. The method of claim 21, further comprising collecting an image of mid-infrared absorption by the sample covering an area at least 10 microns on a side in a time of 0.1 seconds or less.",
"23. The method of claim 21, further comprising measuring cellular dynamics within a biological cell.",
"24. The method of claim 21, further comprising:\ncollecting probe light from the sample; and\ndetecting a change in probe light collected from the sample at the plurality of locations on the sample in response to radiation from the mid-infrared light absorbed by the sample.",
"25. The method of claim 24, further comprising extracting a signal from the detected change in collected probe light to produce an image that is indicative of infrared absorption by the sample.",
"26. The method of claim 25, further comprising collecting a plurality of images at a plurality of mid-infrared wavelengths.",
"27. The method of claim 25, further comprising measuring a plurality of images at different times to record dynamic changes in the sample.",
"28. The method of claim 25, wherein the image indicative of infrared absorption by the sample has a signal to noise ratio of greater than 50."
] |
US12298238B2
|
US10942116B2
|
[
"1. A method for analyzing a sample with a photothermal microscope, the method comprising:\n(a) illuminating a region of the sample in the photothermal microscope with a light beam of infrared radiation;\n(b) illuminating at least a sub-region of the region of the sample in the photothermal microscope with a probe light beam, the probe light beam having a shorter wavelength than the light beam of infrared radiation;\n(c) analyzing probe light collected from the sample to obtain measurements indicative of infrared absorption of the sub-region of the sample; and\n(d) analyzing probe light collected from the sample to obtain measurements indicative of Raman scattering of the sub-region of the sample.",
"2. The method of claim 1 wherein (c) and (d) are performed substantially simultaneously.",
"3. The method of claim 1 wherein (a)-(d) are repeated at a plurality of wavelengths of the beam of infrared radiation.",
"4. The method of claim 3 further comprising generating a spectrum of infrared absorption by the sub-region of the sample.",
"5. The method of claim 1 further comprising analyzing probe light collected from the sample to construct a signal indicative of fluorescent response of the sub-region of the sample.",
"6. The method of claim 1 wherein the probe light is collected with an optical detector.",
"7. The method of claim 1 wherein the probe light is collected with at least one of (i) an array detector and (ii) a video camera.",
"8. The method of claim 1 wherein the probe light is collected in a transmission configuration in which a detector collects probe light that has passed through the sample.",
"9. The method of claim 1 wherein the probe light is collected in a reflection configuration in which a detector collects probe light that is reflected and/or backscattered from the sample.",
"10. The method of claim 1 wherein measurements of IR absorption and Raman scattering are performed on substantially the same region of the sample.",
"11. A method for analyzing a sample with a photothermal microscope, the method comprising:\n(a) illuminating a region of the sample with a light beam of infrared radiation;\n(b) illuminating at least a sub-region of the region of the sample with a probe light beam having a shorter wavelength than the light beam of infrared radiation;\n(c) analyzing probe light collected from the sample to obtain measurements indicative of infrared absorption of the sub-region of the sample;\n(d) analyzing probe light collected from the sample to obtain measurements indicative of Raman scattering of the sub-region of the sample; and\n(e) repeating (a)-(d) at a plurality of locations on the sample.",
"12. The method of claim 11 wherein (c) and (d) are performed substantially simultaneously.",
"13. The method of claim 12 further comprising creating a map of infrared absorption of at least a portion of the region of the sample and a map of Raman scattering of at least a portion of the region of the sample that is overlapping with the map of infrared absorption.",
"14. The method of claim 11 further comprising generating a map of infrared absorption of a plurality of locations on the sample.",
"15. The method of claim 11 wherein (a)-(d) are repeated at a plurality of wavelengths of the beam of infrared radiation to generate a spectrum of infrared absorption by the sub-region of the sample.",
"16. The method of claim 11 further comprising analyzing probe light collected from the sample to construct a signal indicative of fluorescent response of the sub-region of the sample.",
"17. The method of claim 11 wherein the probe light is collected with at least one of (i) an optical detector, (ii) an array detector and (iii) a video camera.",
"18. The method of claim 11 wherein the probe light is collected in one of a transmission configuration in which a detector collects probe light that has passed through the sample or a reflection configuration in which a detector collects probe light that is reflected and/or backscattered from the sample.",
"19. The method of claim 11 wherein measurements of IR absorption and Raman scattering are performed on substantially the same region of the sample.",
"20. A method for analyzing a sample with a photothermal microscope, the method comprising:\n(a) illuminating a region of the sample with a light beam of infrared radiation;\n(b) illuminating at least a sub-region of the region of the sample with a probe light beam having a shorter wavelength than the light beam of infrared radiation;\n(c) analyzing probe light collected from the sample to obtain measurements indicative of infrared absorption of the sub-region of the sample; and\n(d) analyzing probe light collected from the sample to obtain measurements indicative of Raman scattering of the sub-region of the sample,\nwherein the light beam of infrared radiation comprises mid-IR radiation within the wavelength range of 2.5-25 microns.",
"21. The method of claim 20 wherein (a)-(d) are repeated at a plurality of wavelengths of the beam of infrared radiation to generate a spectrum of infrared absorption by the sub-region of the sample.",
"22. The method of claim 20 further comprising analyzing probe light collected from the sample to construct a signal indicative of fluorescent response of the sub-region of the sample.",
"23. The method of claim 20 wherein the probe light is collected with at least one of (i) an optical detector, (ii) an array detector and (iii) a video camera.",
"24. The method of claim 20 wherein the probe light is collected in one of a transmission configuration in which a detector collects probe light that has passed through the sample or a reflection configuration in which a detector collects probe light that is reflected and/or backscattered from the sample.",
"25. The method of claim 20 wherein measurements of IR absorption and Raman scattering are performed on substantially the same region of the sample.",
"26. A method for analyzing a sample with a photothermal microscope, the method comprising:\n(a) illuminating a region of the sample with a light beam of infrared radiation;\n(b) illuminating at least a sub-region of the region of the sample with a probe light beam having a shorter wavelength than the light beam of infrared radiation;\n(c) adjusting an overlap between a focused spot of the light beam of infrared radiation and a focused spot of the probe light beam on the sample;\n(d) analyzing probe light collected from the sample to obtain measurements indicative of infrared absorption of the sub-region of the sample; and\n(e) analyzing probe light collected from the sample to obtain measurements indicative of Raman scattering of the sub-region of the sample.",
"27. The method of claim 26 wherein adjusting the overlap adjusts the overlap between the focused spots to substantially maximize the measurements indicative of infrared absorption of the sample.",
"28. The method of claim 26 wherein adjusting the overlap adjusts the overlap between the focused spots to arrange an overlap that is smaller than a diameter of the focused spot of the probe light beam.",
"29. The method of claim 26 wherein adjusting the overlap adjusts the overlap between the focused spots to achieve a spatial resolution of less than 100 nm for the measurements indicative of the infrared absorption of the sample.",
"30. The method of claim 26 wherein (a)-(d) are repeated at a plurality of wavelengths of the beam of infrared radiation to generate a spectrum of infrared absorption by the sub-region of the sample.",
"31. The method of claim 26 further comprising analyzing probe light collected from the sample to construct a signal indicative of fluorescent response of the sub-region of the sample.",
"32. The method of claim 26 wherein the probe light is collected with at least one of (i) an optical detector, (ii) an array detector and (iii) a video camera.",
"33. The method of claim 26 wherein the probe light is collected in one of a transmission configuration in which a detector collects probe light that has passed through the sample or a reflection configuration in which a detector collects probe light that is reflected and/or backscattered from the sample.",
"34. The method of claim 26 wherein measurements of IR absorption and Raman scattering are performed on substantially the same region of the sample.",
"35. A method for analyzing a sample immersed in a liquid, the method comprising:\n(a) illuminating a region of the sample immersed in the liquid with a light beam of infrared radiation;\n(b) illuminating at least a sub-region of the region of the sample with a probe light beam having a shorter wavelength than the light beam of infrared radiation;\n(c) analyzing probe light collected from the sample to obtain measurements indicative of infrared absorption of the sub-region of the sample; and\n(d) analyzing probe light collected from the sample to obtain measurements indicative of Raman scattering of the sub-region of the sample.",
"36. The method of claim 35 wherein (a)-(d) are repeated at a plurality of wavelengths of the beam of infrared radiation to generate a spectrum of infrared absorption by the sub-region of the sample.",
"37. The method of claim 35 further comprising analyzing probe light collected from the sample to construct a signal indicative of fluorescent response of the sub-region of the sample.",
"38. The method of claim 35 wherein the probe light is collected with at least one of (i) an optical detector, (ii) an array detector and (iii) a video camera.",
"39. The method of claim 35 wherein the probe light is collected in one of a transmission configuration in which a detector collects probe light that has passed through the sample or a reflection configuration in which a detector collects probe light that is reflected and/or backscattered from the sample.",
"40. The method of claim 35 wherein measurements of IR absorption and Raman scattering are performed on substantially the same region of the sample.",
"41. A method for analyzing a sample, the method comprising:\n(a) illuminating a region of the sample with a light beam of infrared radiation;\n(b) illuminating at least a sub-region of the region of the sample with a probe light beam having a shorter wavelength than the light beam of infrared radiation;\n(c) analyzing probe light collected from the sample to obtain measurements indicative of infrared absorption of the sub-region of the sample; and\n(d) analyzing probe light collected from the sample to obtain measurements indicative of Raman scattering of the sub-region of the sample,\nwherein at least one focusing optic is used to focus the light beam of infrared radiation and the probe light beam illuminating the sample and further comprising adjusting a relative separation between the at least one focusing optic and the sample to perform depth-resolved measurements of sub-surface features of a sample.",
"42. The method of claim 41 wherein (a)-(d) are repeated at a plurality of wavelengths of the beam of infrared radiation to generate a spectrum of infrared absorption by the sub-region of the sample.",
"43. The method of claim 41 further comprising analyzing probe light collected from the sample to construct a signal indicative of fluorescent response of the sub-region of the sample.",
"44. The method of claim 41 wherein the probe light is collected with at least one of (i) an optical detector, (ii) an array detector and (iii) a video camera.",
"45. The method of claim 41 wherein the probe light is collected in one of a transmission configuration in which a detector collects probe light that has passed through the sample or a reflection configuration in which a detector collects probe light that is reflected and/or backscattered from the sample.",
"46. The method of claim 41 wherein measurements of IR absorption and Raman scattering are performed on substantially the same region of the sample."
] |
[
[
"1. A method of photo thermal nanocalorimetry on a sample using an AFM operating in Peak Force Tapping mode, the method including:\npositioning a tip at a region of interest of the sample;\ndirecting IR electromagnetic energy having a selected frequency, ω, towards the tip;\ndetermining a mass of the region by obtaining 3D topography data corresponding to the region in response to the directing step; and\ndetermining a ΔT in response to the directing step.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the tip has an apex with a radius between about 10 nm and 100 nm.",
"3. The method of claim 2, wherein the tip is made so as to concentrate IR fields along a length of the tip in response to the directing step.",
"4. The method of claim 3, wherein an IR conductivity of the distal 10 nm to 100 nm of the tip is higher than the remainder of the tip.",
"5. The method of claim 4, wherein the tip is silicon and is metalized with a Platinum Iridium or Platinum Silicide coating.",
"6. The method of claim 3, wherein the tip is one of a solid metal probe and a probe made of a heavily doped material.",
"7. The method of claim 1, further comprising calculating a heat capacity, [C], of the region according to [C]=Q/mΔT.",
"8. The method of claim 7, further comprising repeating each of the previous steps at a plurality of regions of interest.",
"9. The method of claim 7, further comprising repeating each of the previous steps at a plurality of selected frequencies, ω, at the regions of interest.",
"10. The method of claim 1, wherein the directing step includes using an IR source that is monochromatic with a line width below 1 cm−1 and a peak power greater than 1 mW.",
"11. The method of claim 10, wherein the monochromatic source is a tunable Quantum Cascade Laser (QCL).",
"12. The method of claim 1, wherein ΔT is measured using Peak Force QNM mode."
],
[
"1. A gas measuring method based on photothermal effect in hollow-core optical fiber, comprising the following steps:\nfilling a target gas into the core of a hollow-core optical fiber;\ncoupling a probe light and a periodically modulated pump light into the hollow-core optical fiber;\nabsorbing the modulated pump light by the target gas to generate a photothermal excitation effect resulting in the periodic modulation of the phase of the probe light;\ndemodulating the phase modulation information of the probe light to obtain the concentration of the target gas;\nwherein the periodic modulation of the pump laser is wavelength and/or amplitude modulation,\nwherein the probe light is a pulsed light,\nwherein the obtained concentration of the target gas is a distributed gas concentration along the length of the hollow-core optical fiber, and\nwherein demodulating the phase modulation information of the probe light comprises demodulating the phase modulation information of the back scattered pulsed probe light in the hollow-core optical fiber.",
"2. The gas measuring method based on photothermal effect in hollow-core optical fiber of claim 1, wherein demodulating the phase modulation information of a back scattered pulsed probe light in the hollow-core optical fiber comprises the steps of:\ncombining the phase-modulated back scattered probe light with the unmodulated probe light to obtain an interference light, and\nobtaining phase changes of the back scattered light distributed along the length of the hollow-core optical fiber by demodulating the signal generated by a beat frequency of the interference light, to obtain the distributed concentration information of the target gas along the length of the optical fiber.",
"3. The gas measuring method based on photothermal effect in hollow-core optical fiber of claim 2, wherein the probe light comprises a first part and a second part;\nwherein the first part is a frequency-shifted pulsed light generated by an acousto-optic modulator, and\nwherein the second part serves as an unmodulated probe light which interferes with the phase-modulated back scattered probe light."
],
[
"1. A device for microscopic analysis of a sample, comprising:\na) a mid-IR optical source that generates an infrared beam;\nb) an optical source that generates a probe beam;\nc) beam combining optics configured to combine the infrared beam and the probe beam as combined beams;\nd) an objective configured to focus the combined beams on to the sample;\ne) a detector to detect probe light from at least one of: the probe beam transmitted through the sample and the probe beam returning from the sample; and\nf) a data acquisition and processing system configured to acquire and process the detected probe light from the detector to generate a signal indicative of IR absorption by the sample, wherein the signal indicative of IR absorption has a spatial resolution of less than 1 micrometer,\nwherein the data acquisition and processing system is configured to obtain measurements at different depths within the sample and generate a plurality of signals indicative of IR absorption each at the different depths for use in generating a set of depth-resolved maps of IR absorption of the sample.",
"2. The device of claim 1 wherein the each of the set of depth-resolved maps have a spatial resolution in an axial direction of less than 4 micrometers.",
"3. The device of claim 1 wherein the signal indicative of IR absorption has a molecular concentration detection sensitivity of less than 10 millimolar.",
"4. The device of claim 1 wherein the signal indicative of IR absorption has a molecular concentration detection sensitivity of less than 1 millimolar.",
"5. The device of claim 1 wherein the signal indicative of IR absorption has a molecular concentration detection sensitivity of less than 100 micromolar.",
"6. The device of claim 1 wherein the signal indicative of IR absorption has a molecular concentration detection sensitivity of less than 10 micromolar.",
"7. The device of claim 1 wherein the measurements corresponding to IR absorption at a location on a sample are acquired with a pixel dwell time of less than or equal to 500 microseconds.",
"8. The device of claim 1 wherein the mid-IR optical source comprises an electronically pulsed laser source.",
"9. The device of claim 8 wherein the electronically pulsed laser source operates at a pulse rate of greater than or equal to 100 kHz.",
"10. The device of claim 1 wherein the spatial resolution is 0.63 micrometers or better.",
"11. The device of claim 1 further comprising a variable iris in an optical path between the sample and the detector to block at least a portion of probe light that is transmitted, reflected and/or scattered from the sample.",
"12. The device of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of probe light is deflected due to absorption of the infrared beam by the sample.",
"13. A system for microscopic analysis of a sample, comprising:\na) a mid-IR optical source (MIR Source) that generates an infrared beam;\nb) an optical source that generates a probe beam;\nc) beam combining optics configured to combine the infrared beam and the probe beam as combined beams;\nd) an objective configured to focus the combined beams on to the sample;\ne) a detector to detect at least one of: probe light transmitted through the sample and probe light returning from the sample;\nf) a focus stage to generate relative motion between the sample and the focused combined beams to enable measurements of IR absorption at a plurality of depths within the sample; and\ng) a data acquisition and processing system for acquiring and processing a signal indicative of IR absorption by the sample at the plurality of depths, wherein IR absorption signals are acquired at a plurality of locations of the focus stage to generate depth resolved maps of IR absorption of the sample.",
"14. The device of claim 13 wherein the depth resolved maps have a spatial resolution in an axial direction of less than 4 micrometers."
],
[
"1. A method for detecting infrared light absorption in a sample, the method comprising:\na) illuminating a region of the sample with a pump beam generated by a first light source, wherein at least a portion of the pump beam is absorbed by the region of the sample;\nb) illuminating the region of the sample with a probe beam generated by a second light source, wherein the probe beam has a wavelength shorter than the pump beam and a Gaussian beam width of less than 2.33 micrometers;\nc) collecting, by a detector, a portion of the probe beam coming from the region of the sample as collected light; and\nd) analyzing the collected light to construct a signal indicative of infrared absorption by the region of the sample.",
"2. The method according to claim 1, wherein analyzing the collected light comprises generating, based on the collected light and a wavelength of the first light source, a signal indicative of the portion of the pump beam absorbed by the region of the sample, wherein the signal represents an amount of infrared light absorbed by the region of the sample.",
"3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising repeating (a)-(d) at a plurality of regions on the sample to construct a map of the signal indicative of infrared absorption with a spatial resolution of less than 1 micron.",
"4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the probe beam has a Gaussian beam width of less than 0.7 micrometers.",
"5. The method according to claim 1,\nwherein the pump beam travels along a first pathway toward the region of the sample,\nwherein the probe beam travels along a second pathway toward the region of the sample, and\nwherein the first pathway does not intersect with the second pathway.",
"6. The method according to claim 1,\nwherein the pump beam is directed toward a first sample surface,\nwherein the probe beam is directed toward a second sample surface, and\nwherein the first sample surface is adjacent to the second sample surface.",
"7. The method according to claim 1,\nwherein the pump beam is directed toward a first sample surface,\nwherein the probe beam is directed toward a second sample surface, and\nwherein the first sample surface is the same as the second sample surface.",
"8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising modulating the pump beam according to a first modulation frequency.",
"9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the first modulation frequency is greater than or equal to 100 kHz.",
"10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first light source is a mid-infrared laser having at least one emission wavelength within the range of 3 to 25 micrometers.",
"11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second light source is a visible light laser having at least one emission wavelength that is less than or equal to 800 nanometers.",
"12. The method according to claim 1, further comprising focusing, by a reflective objective, the pump beam onto the region of the sample.",
"13. The method according to claim 1, further comprising focusing, by a refractive objective, the probe beam onto the region of the sample.",
"14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the analyzing comprises:\nsending a signal from the detector to a lock-in amplifier configured to determine at least one of an amplitude and a phase of the probe beam collected from the region of the sample; and\nusing the at least one of the amplitude and the phase of the probe beam to construct the signal indicative of infrared absorption by the region of the sample.",
"15. The method according to claim 1, wherein the sample is held by a cell adapted for high infrared transmission, wherein the cell includes sapphire windows.",
"16. The method according to claim 1, wherein absorption of infrared radiation from the pump beam by the sample results in a temperature increase of the region of the sample and wherein propagation of the probe beam is affected by a thermal lens formed by the temperature increase.",
"17. The method according to claim 1, wherein the analyzing comprises sending a signal from the detector to a lock-in amplifier configured to determine at least one modulation property of the collected light.",
"18. The method of claim 17 wherein the at least one modulation property comprises at least one of frequency, shift in frequency, phase, phase shift, and modulation intensity.",
"19. The method of claim 18 wherein a determined modulation frequency is used to construct the signal indicative of infrared absorption by the region of the sample.",
"20. The method of claim 1 where the sample is immersed in a liquid.",
"21. The method of claim 20 where the liquid comprises water.",
"22. The method of claim 20 wherein the liquid is chosen to enhance a photothermal detection of IR absorption by the sample.",
"23. A method for detecting infrared light absorption in a sample, the method comprising:\na) illuminating a region of the sample with a pump beam generated by a tunable source of mid-infrared radiation, wherein at least a portion of the pump beam is absorbed by the region of the sample at least one wavelength generated by the tunable source of mid-infrared radiation;\nb) illuminating the region of the sample with a probe beam generated by a second light source, wherein the probe beam has a wavelength shorter than the pump beam and a Gaussian beam width of less than 2.33 micrometers;\nc) collecting by a detector at least of a portion of the probe beam coming from the region of the sample;\nd) generating, based on a portion of the probe beam collected by the detector, a signal indicative of an amount of infrared light absorbed by the region of the sample; and\ne) repeating (a)-(d) at a plurality of wavelengths of the tunable source of mid-infrared radiation.",
"24. The method according to claim 23, further comprising:\ngenerating a signal indicative of an absorption spectrum of the region of the sample; and\nbased on the signal indicative of the amount of infrared light absorbed by the region of the sample, determining one or more chemical compounds present in the sample.",
"25. The method of claim 20 wherein the liquid is at least one of the group consisting of carbon disulfide, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, hexane, decane, ethanol, and glycerin.",
"26. The method according to claim 23, further comprising:\ngenerating a signal indicative of an absorption spectrum of the region of the sample; and\ncomparing the signal indicative of the amount of infrared light absorbed by the region of the sample to a database to identify a chemical composition of the sample.",
"27. The method according to claim 23, wherein the probe beam has a Gaussian beam width of less than 0.7 micrometers.",
"28. A system for detecting infrared light absorption in a sample, the system comprising:\na first light source operable to illuminate a region of the sample with a pump beam generated by a tunable mid-infrared light source operable to generate radiation at a plurality of wavelengths; and wherein the sample absorbs at least a portion of the pump beam at least one wavelength of a tunable light source;\na second light source operable to illuminate the region of the sample with a probe beam generated by a second light source, wherein the probe beam has a shorter wavelength than that of the pump beam and also has a Gaussian beam width of less than 2.33 micrometers;\na detector operable to collect at least a portion of the probe beam from the region of the sample; and\na signal processing device configured to generate a signal indicative of an amount of mid-infrared light absorbed by the region of the sample with at the plurality of wavelengths of the tunable IR pump beam.",
"29. The system according to claim 28, wherein the system is further configured to:\ngenerate a signal indicative of an absorption spectrum of the sample based on the signal indicative of the absorption of the region of the sample at the plurality of wavelengths of the tunable IR pump beam; and\nbased on the signal indicative of the absorption spectrum, determine one or more chemical compounds present in the sample.",
"30. The system according to claim 28, wherein the probe beam has a Gaussian beam width of less than 0.7 micrometers."
],
[
"1. A method for determining a blood sugar level of a patient, comprising the following steps:\narranging an optical medium on a surface of the skin of said patient, so that at least a portion of the surface of the optical medium is in contact with the substance surface;\nemitting an excitation light beam with an excitation wavelength through the region of the surface of the optical medium in contact with the skin surface onto the skin surface;\nemitting a probe light beam through the optical medium onto the region of the surface of the optical medium which is in contact with the skin surface, in such a way that the probe light beam is reflected at an interface of the optical medium and the skin surface;\ndirectly or indirectly detecting a deflection of the reflected probe light beam as a function of the wavelength of the excitation light beam; and\ndetermining the blood sugar level on the basis of the detected deflection of the probe light beam as a function of the wavelength of the excitation light beam,\nwherein the excitation light beam is intensity-modulated at a modulation frequency between 5 and 2000 Hz, and\nthe excitation wavelength is selected from a range of 6 μm to 13 μm.",
"2. The method according to claim 1, comprising the further step of:\naligning the probe light beam such that the probe light beam undergoes total internal reflection at the interface between the optical medium and the substance surface.",
"3. The method according to claim 1, in which the excitation light beam is a pulsed excitation light beam.",
"4. The method according to claim 3, in which the pulse rate is between 20 and 700 Hz.",
"5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of emitting the excitation light beam is repeated for different modulation frequencies and the step of analyzing the substance comprises the analysis of the substance on the basis of the detected deflections of the measurement beam as a function of the wavelength and the modulation frequency of the excitation light beam.",
"6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the step of determining said blood sugar level comprises one of\na subtraction of a value which is based on a deflection of the probe light beam that was detected at a first modulation frequency, from a value which is based on a deflection of the probe light beam that was detected at a second modulation frequency; and\na division of a value which is based on a deflection of the probe light beam that was detected at a first modulation frequency, by a value which is based on a deflection of the probe light beam that was detected at a second modulation frequency.",
"7. The method according to claim 5, wherein the step of determining said blood sugar level comprises a subtraction of values based on deflections of the probe light beam that were detected at a first modulation frequency for different wavelengths of the excitation light beam, from values based on deflections of the probe light beam that were detected at a second modulation frequency for different wavelengths of the excitation light beam.",
"8. The method of claim 7, wherein said values are spectral absorption intensity values.",
"9. The method of claim 5, wherein the step of determining said blood sugar level comprises a division of values based on deflections of the probe light beam, which were detected at a first modulation frequency for different wavelengths of the excitation light beam, by values based on deflections of the probe light beam, which were detected at a second modulation frequency for different wavelengths of the excitation light beam.",
"10. The method of claim 9, wherein the values are spectral absorption intensity values.",
"11. The method according to claim 5, wherein the step of determining said blood sugar level comprises associating values based on deflections of the probe light beam, which were detected at different modulation frequencies, with regions in said skin of said patient located at different depths.",
"12. The method according to claim 1, in which the detection of the deflection of the probe light beam comprises amplification of an associated measurement signal with a lock-in amplifier.",
"13. The method according to claim 1, in which the wavelength of the excitation light beam is varied, in one of the following ways:\nthe wavelength is cyclically tuned within a predetermined wavelength range, or characteristic wavelengths are selectively set.",
"14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the excitation light beam is an excitation laser beam, and wherein the probe light beam is a probe laser beam.",
"15. The method according to claim 1, wherein a polarization of the probe light beam is set such that the deflection of the reflected probe light beam is a maximum.",
"16. The method according to claim 1, in which the excitation light beam is generated by means of a quantum cascade laser.",
"17. The method according to claim 1, in which the excitation wavelength is selected from a range of 8 μm to 11 μm.",
"18. The method according to claim 1, in which the excitation light beam is focused on the said surface of the optical medium by means of an optical device.",
"19. The method according to claim 1, in which the wavelength of the probe light beam is in the visible range.",
"20. The method according to claim 1, in which the deflection of the probe light beam\nis determined by means of a photo-detector, in particular a photodiode, which is arranged behind an iris diaphragm, or\nis determined by means of a PSD.",
"21. The method of claim 1, wherein the probe light beam and the excitation light beam overlap at said interface of the optical medium and the skin surface.",
"22. The method according to claim 21, in which before the detection of the deflection the probe light beam is reflected back into an overlap region with the excitation light beam on the interface at least one additional time.",
"23. The method according to claim 1, the method comprising the additional step of:\npreparing the surface of the skin by attaching and removing a fabric strip to remove dead skin cells,\nwherein the fabric strip comprises a material which adheres to the surface of the skin.",
"24. The method according to claim 1, in which, based on the detected deflection of the probe light beam an absorption intensity value is associated with the wavelength of the excitation light beam.",
"25. The method according to claim 24, wherein the absorption intensity value is compared with a calibration absorption intensity value, which represents the absorption intensity value of the skin of said patient at a known blood sugar level and at this exact wavelength of the excitation light beam.",
"26. The method according to claim 25, wherein the current blood sugar level of the patient is determined on the basis of the comparison, wherein the determined blood sugar level deviates the more from the blood sugar level during calibration, the more the absorption intensity value deviates from the calibration absorption intensity value.",
"27. An apparatus for determining the blood sugar level of a patient, which comprises the following:\nan optical medium;\na device for emitting an excitation light beam with an excitation wavelength, wherein the excitation wavelength is selected from a range of 6 μm to 13 μm, wherein the device for emitting the excitation light beam is arranged such that the emitted excitation light beam enters the optical medium and exits the same again at a predetermined point on the surface of the optical medium;\na measurement device, wherein the measurement device comprises a device for emitting a probe light beam, which is arranged such that an emitted probe light beam enters the optical medium, and during operation the probe light beam is reflected at an interface of the optical medium and a surface of the skin of said patient, wherein the measurement device comprises a device for receiving the reflected probe light beam and for directly or indirectly detecting a deflection of the reflected probe light beam;\na controller for setting different wavelengths of the excitation light beam; and\na logic unit or calculating unit, which is configured to determine blood sugar levels in the skin of a patient from detected deflections of the probe light beam as a function of the excitation wavelength, when the optical medium is brought into contact with the skin of the patient in such a way that the excitation light beam emerging from the optical medium at the said predetermined point enters into the skin.",
"28. The apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the probe light beam in operation undergoes total internal reflection at the interface between the optical medium and the substance surface.",
"29. The apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the probe light beam is an intensity-modulated, in particular pulsed, probe light beam.",
"30. The apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the device for receiving the reflected probe light beam and for directly or indirectly detecting a deflection of the reflected probe light beam preferably comprises a lock-in amplifier.",
"31. The apparatus according to claim 29, in which the modulation frequency is between 5 and 2000 Hz.",
"32. The apparatus according to claim 29, further comprising an optical chopper, wherein the optical chopper is positioned in the beam path of the excitation light beam and is suitable for modulating the intensity of the excitation light beam.",
"33. The apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the excitation light beam is an excitation laser beam and the device for emitting the excitation light beam is configured for emitting excitation laser beams of different excitation frequencies.",
"34. The apparatus according to claim 27, having an optical device which is suitable for focusing the excitation light beam on a predetermined point.",
"35. The apparatus according to claim 34, further comprising an alignment laser for aligning the optical device.",
"36. The apparatus according to claim 27, in which the device for emitting the excitation light beam is a quantum cascade laser.",
"37. The apparatus according to claim 27, in which the device for emitting the excitation light beam is tunable in an excitation wavelength range of 8 μm to 11 μm.",
"38. The apparatus according to claim 27, in which the wavelength of the probe light beam is in the visible range.",
"39. The apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the device for receiving the reflected probe light beam and for directly or indirectly detecting a deflection of the reflected probe light beam comprises one of\na photo-detector and an iris diaphragm, wherein the photo-detector is arranged behind the iris diaphragm, and\na PSD.",
"40. The apparatus according to claim 27, in which before the detection of the deflection, the probe light beam is reflected back into a region of overlap with the excitation light beam on the interface at least one additional time."
],
[
"1. A method of thermo-optically measuring characteristics of a biological cell in a solution comprising:\nproviding a sample comprising a marked biological cell in a solution;\nexciting fluorescently said marked biological cell and firstly detecting fluorescence of said excited biological cell;\nirradiating a laser light beam into the solution to obtain a spatial temperature distribution in the solution around the irradiated laser light beam;\ndetecting secondly a fluorescence of the biological cell in the solution at a predetermined time within the range of 1 ms to 250 ms after irradiation of the laser into the solution has been started, and characterizing the biological cell based on said two detections.",
"2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined time is in the range of 1 ms to 50 ms.",
"3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the laser beam is defocused such that a temperature gradient within the temperature distribution is in the range of from 0.0 to 2K/μm.",
"4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the laser beam is irradiated through an optical element into the solution.",
"5. The method according to claim 3, wherein the optical element is a single lens.",
"6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising measuring the temperature distribution in said solution around the irradiated beam with a temperature sensitive dye.",
"7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the temperature distribution is determined based on detected fluorescence of the temperature sensitive dye, wherein the solution comprising said temperature sensitive dye is heated by the irradiated laser beam and the fluorescence spatial fluorescence intensity is measured substantially perpendicular around the laser beam.",
"8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined time is within the range of 0.5 s to 250 s.",
"9. The method according to claim 8, wherein in said predetermined time, concentration change(s) within the spatial temperature distribution in the solution due to thermophoretic effects and such (an) concentration change(s) is(are) detected by a change of the distribution of fluorescence.",
"10. The method according to claim 8, wherein the laser beam is focused such that a temperature gradient within the temperature distribution is achieved in the range of from 0.001 to 10K/μm.",
"11. The method according to claim 8, wherein said fluorescence is detected with a CCD camera.",
"12. The method according to claim 8, wherein the brightness of said fluorescence is detected with a photodiode or a single pixel with the CCD in the centre of the laser beam.",
"13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the laser light is within the range of from 1200 nm to 2000 nm.",
"14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the laser is a high power laser within the range of from 0.1 W to 10 W.",
"15. The method according to claim 1, wherein the solution is a saline solution with concentrations in the range of from 0 to 1M.",
"16. The method according to claim 15, wherein said temperature gradient is created within 0.1 μm to 500 μm in diameter around the laser beam.",
"17. The method according to claim 1, wherein the spatial temperature distribution is between 0.1° C. and 100° C.",
"18. The method according to claim 1, wherein the irradiation of the laser and the detection of the fluorescence is conducted from the same side with respect to the sample.",
"19. The method according to claim 1, wherein the solution is provided with a thickness in direction of the laser light beam from 1 μm to 500 μm.",
"20. The method according to claim 1, wherein the detection of the fluorescence is detected within a range of from 1 nm to 500 μm in direction of the laser beam.",
"21. The method according to claim 1, wherein the fluorescence is detected substantially perpendicular with respect to the laser light beam with a CCD camera.",
"22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the second fluorescence detection is spatial measurement of the fluorescence in dependence of the temperature distribution substantially perpendicular with respect to the laser light beam.",
"23. The method according to claim 1, wherein the laser beam is defocused such that a temperature gradient within the temperature distribution is in the range of from 0.0 to 5K/μm.",
"24. The method according to claim 1, wherein the laser is a high power laser within the range of from 4 W to 6 W."
],
[
"1. A method for microscopic analysis of a sample to provide improved characterization of infrared absorption of the sample, the method comprising:\nilluminating the sample with a beam of mid-infrared radiation to create an infrared illuminated spot on the sample;\nilluminating the sample with a beam of probe radiation at least partially overlapping the infrared illuminated spot;\ncollecting probe light from the sample,\ninterfering, with an asymmetric interferometer, the collected probe light with a reference beam to create interfering radiation,\ncollecting the interfering radiation at at least one detector,\nanalyzing the detected interfering radiation to produce a signal indicative of mid-infrared absorption of the sample.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the reference beam has an intensity of at least 10× an intensity of the probe light collected from the sample.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein the interfering radiation is detected at at least two detectors.",
"4. The method of claim 3, wherein the at least two detectors are operated at two different phases.",
"5. The method of claim 3, wherein the at least two detectors are operated at substantially orthogonal phases relative to one another.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one detector comprises a first detector and a second detector, the method further comprising:\nseparating the interfering radiation into a first portion having a first polarization and a second portion having a second polarizing at a polarizing beam splitter;\nreceiving the first portion at the first detector to create a first signal;\nreceiving the second portion at the second detector to create a second signal; and\ncombining the first signal and the second signal at a phase computation module to produce a third signal that is indicative of the relative optical phase of the first portion and the second portion.",
"7. A method of performing photothermal infrared imaging, the method comprising:\nilluminating a sample with a beam of infrared radiation to induce a transient temperature change in the sample due to absorption of the infrared radiation;\nilluminating at least a portion of the sample that is illuminated with the beam of infrared radiation with a beam of probe radiation;\ndetecting, with at least one detector, at least a portion of the probe radiation scattered from a region of the sample that is illuminated with the beam of infrared radiation;\nprocessing, using one or more computing device processors, the portion of the probe radiation detected by the photodiode to produce a signal indicative of infrared absorption of the sample; and\ninterfering the portion of the probe radiation scattered from the region of the sample with a reference beam to create interfering radiation.",
"8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:\ndigitizing an intensity of the portion of the probe radiation detected by the photodiode to produce a photothermal response signal.",
"9. The method of claim 7, wherein the at least one detector is a photodiode.",
"10. The method of claim 7, wherein the infrared radiation is a pulsed infrared radiation.",
"11. The method of claim 7, wherein the beam of probe radiation is generated by a UV/VIS source that generates light in an ultraviolet and visible wavelength range.",
"12. The method of claim 7, wherein the beam of probe radiation has a shorter wavelength than the beam of infrared radiation.",
"13. The method of claim 7, wherein a beam splitter is configured to divide the beam of probe radiation into two paths, a first path that is directed towards illuminating at least the portion of the sample and a second path that is directed towards a reference reflector.",
"14. The method of claim 13, wherein the reference reflector returns the beam of probe radiation as the reference beam.",
"15. The method of claim 7, wherein the reference beam has an intensity of at least 10× an intensity of the portion of the probe radiation scattered from the region of the sample.",
"16. The method of claim 7, wherein the interfering radiation is detected at at least two detectors.",
"17. The method of claim 16, wherein the at least two detectors are operated at two different phases.",
"18. The method of claim 16, wherein the at least two detectors are operated at substantially orthogonal phases relative to one another.",
"19. The method of claim 16, wherein the at least two detectors comprise a first detector and a second detector, the method further comprising:\nseparating the interfering radiation into a first portion having a first polarization and a second portion having a second polarization at a polarizing beam splitter;\nreceiving the first portion at the first detector to create a first signal;\nreceiving the second portion at the second detector to create a second signal; and\ncombining the first signal and the second signal at a phase computation module to produce a third signal that is indicative of the relative optical phase of the first portion and the second portion."
],
[
"1. An apparatus for measuring infrared absorption of a sample being analyzed during operation, the apparatus comprising:\na first radiation source configured to emit at least one infrared radiation pulse;\na second radiation source configured to emit pulses of shorter wavelength than wavelengths of infrared radiation, the pulses comprising (i) at least one first radiation pulse and (ii) at least one second radiation pulse emitted at a first delay time after triggering the first radiation source to emit the at least one infrared radiation pulse;\none or more optical elements configured to deliver the at least one infrared radiation pulse to a region of the sample, deliver the at least one first radiation pulse and the at least one second radiation pulse to one or more sub-regions within the region;\nan ultrasonic transducer acoustically coupled to the sample to detect photoacoustic signals induced by the at least one first radiation pulse and the at least one second radiation pulse; and\none or more processors and memory configured to analyze the photoacoustic signals to determine an indication of infrared absorption of the one or more sub-regions of the region of the sample.",
"2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors and memory are further configured to generate an infrared image of the sample at least in part using the photoacoustic signals.",
"3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one first radiation pulse and/or the at least one second radiation pulse have a wavelength between about 100 nm and about 2000 nm.",
"4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one first radiation pulse and the at least one second radiation pulse comprise ultraviolet radiation pulses.",
"5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the least one infrared radiation pulse comprises a mid-infrared radiation pulse.",
"6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:\n(i) the second radiation source is configured to emit a first ultraviolet radiation pulse that is delivered to the one or more sub-regions of the region of the sample, the first ultraviolet radiation pulse configured to induce a first photoacoustic signal;\n(ii) the first radiation source is configured to emit a mid-infrared radiation pulse that is delivered to the region of the sample; and\n(iii) the second radiation source is also configured to emit a second ultraviolet radiation pulse that is delivered to the one or more sub-regions of the region of the sample, the second ultraviolet radiation pulse configured to induce a second photoacoustic signal.",
"7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the one or more processors and memory are further configured to calculate a difference between the first and second photoacoustic signals, said difference being indicative of the infrared absorption of the one or more sub-regions of the region of the sample.",
"8. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a scanning mechanism configured to move at least one of the sample and the one or more of the optical elements such that the at least one infrared radiation pulse is scanned to a plurality of regions in a field-of-view of the sample and the first and second ultraviolet radiation pulses are scanned to one or more sub-regions within each region of the plurality of regions.",
"9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the one or more processors and the memory are further configured to use the indication of infrared absorption of one or more sub-regions in each of the plurality of regions to determine an infrared image of the sample.",
"10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the infrared image is a photoacoustic image.",
"11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first radiation source comprises a tunable infrared radiation source.",
"12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the tunable infrared radiation source comprises at least one of an optical parametric oscillator and a quantum cascade laser.",
"13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first radiation source comprises a broadband infrared radiation source or a fixed wavelength radiation source optically coupled to the one or more optical elements and configured to emit the at least one infrared radiation pulse.",
"14. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a pulser configured to generate trigger pulses, at least one of which is configured to trigger the second radiation source to emit a first ultraviolet radiation pulse at a first time before or after the first radiation source is triggered to emit a first infrared radiation pulse, and wherein at least one of the trigger pulses is configured to trigger the second radiation source to emit a second ultraviolet radiation pulse at a second time after the first radiation source is triggered to emit the first infrared radiation pulse.",
"15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the one or more processors and memory are configured to determine the infrared absorption of the one or more sub-regions of the region of the sample by calculating a difference in amplitude between a first photoacoustic signal induced by the first ultraviolet radiation pulse and a second photoacoustic signal induced by the second ultraviolet radiation pulse.",
"16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors and memory are configured to determine the infrared absorption of the one or more sub-regions of the region of the sample at least in part by calculating a difference in amplitude between a first photoacoustic signal induced by a radiation pulse from the second radiation source and a second photoacoustic signal induced by another radiation pulse from the second radiation source.",
"17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors and memory are configured to determine the indication of infrared absorption of the one or more sub-regions with a spatial resolution of less than 1,000 nm.",
"18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors and memory are configured to determine the indication of infrared absorption of the one or more sub-regions with a spatial resolution of less than 500 nm.",
"19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors and memory are configured to determine the indication of infrared absorption of the one or more sub-regions based at least in part on a difference in amplitude between photoacoustic signals induced by the pulses from the second radiation source in response to absorption of infrared radiation by the one or more sub-regions from the first radiation source.",
"20. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a photodiode configured to take one or more intensity measurements of the pulses emitted from the second radiation source.",
"21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the one or more processors and memory are configured to normalize the photoacoustic signals by compensating for variations in pulse energy from the pulses emitted from the second radiation source using the one or more intensity measurements taken by the photodiode.",
"22. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first radiation source is configured to emit the at least one infrared radiation pulse at a plurality of infrared wavelengths, wherein the indication of infrared absorption is determined for the plurality of infrared wavelengths to construct a spectrum of infrared absorption of the one or more sub-regions of the region.",
"23. The apparatus of claim 1,\nfurther comprising a microlens array to generate an array of infrared radiation pulses and an array of additional radiation pulses,\nwherein the one or more optical elements further are configured to deliver the array of infrared radiation pulses and the array of additional radiation pulses to a plurality of regions of the sample.",
"24. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first radiation source is configured to emit the at least one infrared pulse of wavelengths between about 3,000 and about 8,000 nanometers or between about 5,800 and about 6,200 nanometers, and the second radiation source is configured to emit the pulses of wavelengths between about 200 and about 300 nanometers.",
"25. A method for measuring infrared absorption of a sample, the method comprising:\n(i) initiating delivery of at least one first radiation pulse of shorter wavelength than wavelengths of infrared radiation to one or more sub-regions of a region of the sample;\n(ii) initiating delivery of at least one infrared radiation pulse to the region of the sample;\n(iii) initiating delivery of at least one second radiation pulse of shorter wavelength than wavelengths of infrared radiation to the one or more sub-regions of the region of the sample, wherein the at least one second radiation pulse is initiated at a first delay time after (ii);\n(iv) receiving, from an ultrasonic transducer acoustically coupled to the sample, photoacoustic signals induced by the at least one first radiation pulse and the at least one second radiation pulse; and\n(v) analyzing the photoacoustic signals to determine an indication of infrared absorption of the one or more sub-regions of the region of the sample.",
"26. The method of claim 25, wherein the at least one first radiation pulse is initiated before (ii) or at a second delay time after (iii).",
"27. The method of claim 25, wherein in (v) the indication of infrared absorption of the one or more sub-regions of the region of the sample is determined at least in part by calculating a difference in amplitude between a first photoacoustic signal induced by the at least one first radiation pulse and a second photoacoustic signal induced by the at least one second radiation pulse.",
"28. The method of claim 25, further comprising scanning the at least one infrared radiation pulse to a plurality of regions of the sample, and scanning the at least one first radiation pulse and the at least one second radiation pulse to one or more sub-regions within each region of the plurality of regions of the sample.",
"29. The method of claim 25, wherein the at least one first radiation pulse and the at least one second radiation pulse are of a wavelength between about 100 nm and about 2000 nm.",
"30. The method of claim 25, wherein the at least one first radiation pulse and the at least one second radiation pulse are ultraviolet radiation pulses and the at least one infrared radiation pulse is a mid-infrared radiation pulse.",
"31. The method of claim 25, wherein the first delay time is less than about 1,000 nanoseconds.",
"32. The method of claim 25, wherein the first delay time is between about 100 nanoseconds and about 500 nanoseconds.",
"33. The method of claim 25, further comprising initiating delivery of one or more additional radiation pulses of shorter wavelength than wavelengths of infrared radiation to additional sub-regions of the region, wherein the one or more additional radiation pulses are initiated within the first delay time after (ii).",
"34. The method of claim 33, wherein the first delay time is less than or equal to, a thermal confinement time of the sample.",
"35. The method of claim 33, wherein the first delay time is between about 100 nanoseconds and about 500 nanoseconds.",
"36. The method of claim 25, wherein (ii) further comprises tuning a tunable infrared radiation source to generate the at least one infrared radiation of a plurality of infrared wavelengths.",
"37. The method of claim 25,\nwherein (i) comprises initiating delivery of a first ultraviolet radiation pulse to the one or more sub-regions, the first ultraviolet radiation pulse inducing a first photoacoustic signal;\nwherein (iii) comprises initiating delivery of a second ultraviolet radiation pulse to the one or more sub-regions at the first delay time after (ii), the second ultraviolet radiation pulse inducing a second photoacoustic signal.",
"38. The method of claim 37, further comprising:\nmeasuring, using a photosensor, an amplitude of the first ultraviolet radiation pulse;\nmeasuring, using the photosensor, an amplitude of the second ultraviolet radiation pulse; and\nnormalizing amplitudes of the first and second photoacoustic signals based at least in part on the measured amplitudes of the first and second ultraviolet radiation pulses.",
"39. The method of claim 25, further comprising generating an infrared image of the sample at least in part using the photoacoustic signals.",
"40. The method of claim 39, wherein the infrared image has a spatial resolution of less than 1,000 nm.",
"41. The method of claim 39, wherein the infrared image has a spatial resolution of less than 500 nm.",
"42. The method of claim 39, wherein the infrared image has a spatial resolution finer than one-tenth of a wavelength of the at least one infrared radiation pulse.",
"43. The method of claim 25, further comprising, before (v), normalizing the photoacoustic signals by compensating for variations in the at least one first radiation pulse and the at least one second radiation pulse using measured amplitudes of the at least one first radiation pulse and the at least one second radiation pulse.",
"44. The method of claim 25, wherein (ii) comprises generating the at least one infrared radiation pulse at a plurality of infrared wavelengths, wherein (v) comprises determining the indication of infrared absorption at the plurality of infrared wavelengths and constructing a spectrum of infrared absorption of the one or more sub-regions of the region based at least in part on the indication of infrared absorption.",
"45. The method of claim 25, wherein the first delay time is less than about 500 nanoseconds.",
"46. A method for measuring infrared absorption of a sample, the method comprising:\n(i) emitting at least one first radiation pulse of shorter wavelength than wavelengths of infrared radiation, wherein the at least one first radiation pulse is delivered to one or more sub-regions of a region of the sample;\n(ii) emitting at least one infrared radiation pulse, wherein the at least one infrared radiation pulse is delivered to the region of the sample;\n(iii) emitting at least one second radiation pulse of shorter wavelength than wavelengths of infrared radiation, wherein the at least one second radiation pulse is delivered to the one or more sub-regions of the region of the sample, and wherein the at least one second radiation pulse is initiated at a first delay time after (ii);\n(iv) detecting, by an ultrasonic transducer acoustically coupled to the sample, photoacoustic signals induced by the at least one first radiation pulse and the at least one second radiation pulse; and\n(v) analyzing the photoacoustic signals to determine an indication of infrared absorption of the one or more sub-regions of the region of the sample."
],
[
"1. A fluid sensor comprising:\na housing;\na first thermal emitter that is arranged in the housing and configured to:\nemit first thermal radiation into a detection volume of the housing, which contains a measurement gas, at a first power level during a measurement interval, and\nemit the first thermal radiation at a reduced first power level during an intermediate interval disposed outside of the measurement interval or not emit said first thermal radiation at all during the intermediate interval;\na measuring element that is arranged in the detection volume and configured to receive a radiation signal, which is based on the first thermal radiation, during the measurement interval; and\na second thermal emitter that is arranged in the housing and embodied to emit second thermal radiation at a second power level into the detection volume during the intermediate interval such that a thermal oscillation of thermal radiation in relation to an overall power level of the thermal radiation in the detection volume, which is based on a sum of the first power level and the second power level, is at most ±50% during a contiguous period of time comprising the measurement interval and the intermediate interval.",
"2. The fluid sensor as claimed in claim 1, configured to deactivate the first thermal emitter during the intermediate interval.",
"3. The fluid sensor as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an actuation device that is embodied to actuate the first thermal emitter in such a way that the latter:\nemits the first thermal radiation during the measurement interval at the first power level, and\nemits said first thermal radiation at the reduced first power level during the intermediate level or not at all during the intermediate interval,\nwherein the actuation device is further embodied to actuate the second thermal emitter in such a way that the latter;\nemits the second thermal radiation during the intermediate interval, and\nemits said second thermal radiation at a reduced second power level during the measurement interval or not at all during the measurement interval.",
"4. The fluid sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first thermal emitter is configured to emit the first thermal radiation in a multiplicity of measurement intervals that are respectively spaced apart in time by an intermediate interval.",
"5. The fluid sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the radiation signal is a first radiation signal and wherein the measuring element is configured to provide a first measurement signal on the basis of the first radiation signal and receive a second radiation signal during the intermediate interval, said second radiation signal being based on the second thermal radiation, and provide a second measurement signal on the basis of the second radiation signal.",
"6. The fluid sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the measuring element is embodied to capture an excitation of the measurement gas on the basis of the radiation signal, wherein the excitation is based on the first thermal radiation, wherein the fluid sensor comprises an optical filter that is arranged between the first thermal emitter and the detection volume, wherein the optical filter has a first pass range and is configured to filter the first thermal radiation in order to obtain filtered first thermal radiation,\nwherein the fluid sensor has an element that suppresses a measurement wavelength, said element being arranged between the second thermal emitter and the detection volume and being configured to at least partly suppress the second thermal radiation in the first pass range.",
"7. The fluid sensor as claimed in claim 6, wherein the radiation signal is a first radiation signal, wherein the optical filter is a first optical filter, wherein the element suppressing the measurement wavelength is a second optical filter with a second pass range such that filtered second thermal radiation is obtained on the basis of the second thermal radiation, wherein the first and the second pass range are disjoint,\nwherein the fluid sensor is embodied to output a first sensor signal, which is based on the first radiation signal and which has an information item in respect of a first fluid constituent, and\nwherein the fluid sensor is embodied to output a second sensor signal, which is based on a second radiation signal, wherein the second radiation signal is based on an excitation of the measurement gas by the filtered second thermal radiation during the intermediate interval, wherein the second sensor signal has an information item in respect of a second fluid constituent.",
"8. The fluid sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the measuring element is embodied to provide a first sensor signal on the basis of the radiation signal received during the measurement interval and to provide a second sensor signal on the basis of a second radiation signal received during the intermediate interval, said second radiation signal being based on an excitation of the measurement gas on the basis of the second thermal radiation, wherein the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal have information items about different constituents of the measurement gas.",
"9. The fluid sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first thermal radiation predominantly contributes to an operating temperature in the detection volume during the measurement interval and wherein predominantly the second thermal radiation contributes to the operating temperature during the intermediate interval, wherein the operating temperature remains the same within a temperature tolerance range of ±3° C. over a multiplicity of measurement intervals and intermediate intervals during operation of the fluid sensor.",
"10. The fluid sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first thermal emitter and the second thermal emitter are arranged symmetrically in the housing with respect to the measuring element.",
"11. The fluid sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first thermal emitter and the second thermal emitter are arranged in the housing in axisymmetric fashion with respect to the measuring element with respect to an axis of symmetry, wherein the axis of symmetry extends through the measuring element.",
"12. The fluid sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first power level and the second power level are equal within a tolerance range of 10%.",
"13. The fluid sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first thermal radiation and the second thermal radiation are partly absorbed by the housing and/or the detection volume and contribute to the thermal oscillation.",
"14. The fluid sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the measuring element has a MEMS microphone with a membrane element, wherein the membrane element is designed to be deflected on the basis of the radiation signal that is based on an excitation of the measurement gas on the basis of the first thermal radiation and provide a measurement signal that is based on the deflection of the membrane element.",
"15. The fluid sensor as claimed in claim 1, formed as a thermoacoustic fluid sensor.",
"16. The fluid sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first thermal emitter comprises a first membrane structure and a first electrical conductor structure arranged thereon such that the first electrical conductor structure partly covers the first membrane structure, wherein the first electrical conductor structure is embodied to provide heating of the first membrane structure on the basis of a current flow through the first electrical conductor structure and thus produce the first thermal radiation.",
"17. The fluid sensor as claimed in claim 16, wherein the second thermal emitter comprises a second electrical conductor structure, which is arranged adjacent to the first membrane structure on a membrane substrate of the first membrane structure, wherein the second electrical conductor structure is embodied to produce the second thermal radiation on the basis of a current flow through the second electrical conductor structure.",
"18. The fluid sensor as claimed in claim 17, wherein the second electrical conductor structure surrounds the first membrane structure.",
"19. The fluid sensor as claimed in claim 16, wherein the second thermal emitter comprises a second membrane structure and a second electrical conductor structure arranged thereon such that the second electrical conductor structure partly covers the second membrane structure, wherein the second electrical conductor structure is embodied to provide heating of the second membrane structure on the basis of a current flow through the second electrical conductor structure and thus produce the second thermal radiation.",
"20. The fluid sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first thermal emitter and/or the second thermal emitter are formed comprising a multiplicity of radiation elements.",
"21. A method for providing a fluid sensor, the method comprising:\nproviding a housing;\narranging a first thermal emitter in the housing such that the first thermal emitter is configured to:\nemit first thermal radiation into a detection volume of the housing, which contains a measurement gas, at a first power level during a measurement interval, and\nemit the first thermal radiation at a reduced first power level during an intermediate interval disposed outside of the measurement interval or not emit said first thermal radiation at all during the intermediate interval;\narranging a measuring element in the detection volume such that the measuring element is configured to receive a radiation signal, which is based on the first thermal radiation, during the measurement interval; and\narranging a second thermal emitter in the housing such that the second thermal emitter is embodied to emit second thermal radiation at a second power level into the detection volume during the intermediate interval such that a thermal oscillation of thermal radiation in relation to an overall power level of the thermal radiation in the detection volume, which is based on a sum of the first power level and the second power level, is at most ±50% during a contiguous period of time comprising the measurement interval and the intermediate interval."
],
[
"1. A process for the control of biodiesel content in a complex mixture comprising hydrocarbons and/or substituted hydrocarbons and at least one type of biodiesel material, by near infrared spectroscopy, comprising predicting said biodiesel content by:\na) measuring the near infrared absorbance of at least one wavelength in a portion of the range of 800-2500 nm; which are used to quantify the biodiesel content,\nb) outputting a periodic or continuous signal indicative of a derivative of said absorbance in said wavelength, or wavelengths in said one or more bands or a combination of mathematical functions comprising a derivative thereof,\nc) mathematically converting said signal to an output signal indicative of the biodiesel content of said mixture; and\nd) controlling a blending or other process which correlates with biodiesel content by apparatus responsive to said output signal;\nwherein said mathematically converting includes taking a first or higher derivative, and\nwherein said output signal is used to control proportioning pumps, automatic control valves, or other flow control means to control the addition rate of each of a series of components fed from different sources to provide a target biodiesel content in a finished blended mixture.",
"2. A process according to claim 1 wherein said mixture comprises diesel fuel and biodiesel material.",
"3. A process according to claim 1 wherein said statistical treatment comprises partial least squares analysis over the length of each band, of wavelengths, or of a portion thereof.",
"4. A process according to claim 1, wherein said mixture flows substantially intermittently or continuously past the point of measuring said absorbance.",
"5. A process according to claim 1 wherein a derivative of said absorbance is computed.",
"6. A process according to claim 1 wherein a second derivative of absorbances are measured.",
"7. A process according to claim 1 wherein said mathematical converting comprises a baseline off-set correction.",
"8. A process according to claim 1 wherein said mathematically converting or statistical treatment comprises partial least squares analyses, principle component regression, Gauss-Jordan Row reduction, multiple regression analysis, or multiple linear regression.",
"9. A process according to claim 1 wherein said signal controls a fuel blending system feeding blending components having different biodiesel compositions into a common zone, whereby a product having a desired biodiesel composition is produced.",
"10. A process according to claim 1 wherein the mixture is a stream and at least one further output signal is indicative of hydrocarbon content by measuring the near infrared absorbance of at least one wavelength, in two or more bands selected from the range of 800-2500 nm.",
"11. A process according to claim 1 wherein said composition comprises fatty acid methyl esters and or mixtures thereof.",
"12. A process according to claim 1 wherein said hydrocarbons comprise middle distillate fuels which include diesel fuels, kerosenes, jet fuels and other fuel oils.",
"13. A process according to claim 1 wherein the wavelengths is in the range of 1100 to 2500 nm.",
"14. A process for the control of hydrocarbons and substituted hydrocarbons and biodiesel material in a complex mixture to determine biodiesel content concentration, comprising, in combination:\na) measuring the near infrared absorbance of at least one wavelength in a portion of the range of 800-2500 nm; which are used to quantify the biodiesel content,\nb) taking each of the absorbances measured, or a mathematical function thereof,\nc) performing statistical treatment using said absorbances or functions as the individual independent variables,\nd) assigning and applying weighting constants or their equivalents to said independent variables,\ne) applying the above steps using known compositions in a calibration step to calibrate the instrument and determine said weighting constants or equivalents,\nf) repeating said steps a) and b) with unknown compositions, applying the weighting constants or equivalents determined during said calibration with known compositions to output a signal or signals indicative of a biodiesel component or biodiesel components concentration, and\ng) controlling blending, hydrocarbon refining or chemical process by means of apparatus responsive to said signal or signals;\nwherein said mathematically converting includes taking a first or higher derivative, and\nwherein said output signal is used to control proportioning pumps, automatic control valves, or other flow control means to control the addition rate of each of a series of components fed from different sources to provide a target biodiesel content in a finished blended mixture.",
"15. A process for the analysis and control of hydrocarbons and substituted hydrocarbons and at least one type of biodiesel material in complex mixtures to determine component concentration, the improvement comprising, in combination:\na) measuring the near infrared absorbance of at least one wavelength in a portion of the range of 800-2500 nm; which are used to quantify the biodiesel content,\nb) outputting a periodic or continuous signal indicative of a derivative of said absorbance in said wavelength or wavelengths in said band, or of a combination of mathematical functions thereof,\nc) performing statistical treatment using said signal derivative of said absorbance or functions as the individual independent variables,\nd) assigning and applying weighting constants or their equivalents to said independent variables,\ne) applying the above steps using known compositions in a calibration step to calibrate the instrument and determine said weighting constants or equivalents,\nf) repeating said steps a) and b) with unknown compositions, applying the weighting constants or equivalents determined during said calibration with known compositions to output a signal or signals indicative of a biodiesel component or biodiesel components concentration, and\ng) controlling a blending, hydrocarbon refining or chemical process by apparatus responsive to said output signal;\nwherein said mathematically converting includes taking a first or higher derivative, and\nwherein said output signal is used to control proportioning pumps, automatic control valves, or other flow control means to control the addition rate of each of a series of components fed from different sources to provide a target biodiesel content in a finished blended mixture.",
"16. A system for blending hydrocarbon and/or substituted hydrocarbon feeds and at least one type of biodiesel material, comprising, in combination:\na) NIR absorbance sensing means for emitting a signal indicative of absorbance in at least one band from a portion of the range of 800-2500 nm; selected from bands which are used to quantify biodiesel content\nb) computer means for mathematically converting said signal to an output indication of biodiesel content or other measure of fuel quality; and,\nc) flow control means responsive to said output, for controlling respective flows of said feeds to produce a blended mixture having substantially a preset value of said biodiesel.",
"17. A system according to claim 16, wherein said computer means take a first or higher derivative of said signal.",
"18. A system according to claim 16 wherein said mathematical converting comprises partial least squares analysis over the length of each band, of wavelengths, or of a portion thereof.",
"19. A system according to claim 16, wherein a derivative of said absorbance is computed.",
"20. A system according to claim 16, wherein a second derivative of absorbances are measured.",
"21. A system according to claim 16 wherein said mathematical converting comprises a baseline off-set correction.",
"22. A system according to claim 16, wherein said mathematically converting or statistical treatment comprises partial least squares analyses, principle component regression, Gauss-Jordan Row reduction, multiple regression analysis, or multiple linear regression.",
"23. A system according to claim 16 wherein said signal controls a fuel blending system feeding blending components having different biodiesel compositions into a common zone, whereby a product having a desired biodiesel composition is produced."
],
[
"1. A sampling chamber for performing optical measurements on a sample of a flowing fluid, said chamber comprising:\na flow conduit for the passage of fluid entering and exiting said sampling chamber;\na recessed cavity having an arc-shaped smooth profile in fluid contact along a side wall of said conduit, and disposed in a generally downward direction such that a sample of the fluid in said conduit enters and exits said cavity so as to repeatedly replace the sample contained therein; and\nan optical transmission source for projecting an optical beam into said cavity, along an optical transmission path disposed outside the confines of said conduit.",
"2. A sampling chamber according to claim 1 wherein said optical transmission path includes at least one of optic fibers and plastic optical guides.",
"3. A sampling chamber according to claim 1 and wherein said recessed cavity is formed and disposed such that the fluid sample is repeatedly changed by the effects of the flow of the fluid in said conduit.",
"4. A sampling chamber according to claim 1 and wherein said recessed cavity is formed such that the optical measurements are generally unaffected by flow turbulence in said conduit.",
"5. A sampling chamber according to claim 1 and wherein said recessed cavity is formed such that the optical measurements are generally unaffected by flow pulsation in said conduit.",
"6. A sampling chamber according to claim 1, and wherein said conduit is a milk conduit.",
"7. A sampling chamber according to claim 1, and wherein the optical measurements are utilized to determine a relative concentration of at least one component of the fluid.",
"8. A sampling chamber according to claim 1 and wherein said optical transmission path comprises an entry port for projecting the optical beam from the optical source into said cavity through the fluid sample contained therein, and at least one exit port for directing the optical beam from said cavity to at least one exit detector.",
"9. A sampling chamber according to claim 8 and wherein said entry port and said exit port are disposed such that the optical beam traverses said cavity linearly, such that said exit detector measures optical transmission through the fluid sample contained in said cavity.",
"10. A sampling chamber according to claim 8 and wherein said exit port is disposed at a predetermined angle to the direction of the entering optical beam, such that said exit detector measures optical scattering through the fluid sample contained in said cavity.",
"11. A sampling chamber according to claim 8 and wherein said exit port is disposed essentially co-positional with said entry port such that said sampling chamber measures optical back-scattering from the fluid contained in said cavity.",
"12. A system for determining a concentration of at least one component of a fluid, the fluid comprising at least two components having different optical properties, said system comprising:\na sampling chamber for performing optical measurements on a sample of a flowing fluid said chamber comprising:\na flow conduit for the passage of fluid entering and exiting said sampling chamber;\na recessed cavity having an arc-shaped smooth profile in contact along a side wall of said conduit, and disposed in a generally downward direction such that a sample of the fluid in said conduit enters and exits said cavity so as to repeatedly replace the sample contained therein; and\nan optical transmission path projecting an optical beam into said cavity, said optical transmission path disposed outside the confines of said conduit;\na plurality of optical beam sources, at least one of which, when excited, emits an optical beam in an essentially continuum of wavelengths, at least two of said sources having different spectral ranges of emission, said sources being disposed such that the optical beam from said sources is incident to the fluid sample contained in said cavity;\nat least one detector selected from the group including\na first detector disposed such that it measures the intensity of said optical beam transmitted through the fluid sample; and\nat least one second detector disposed such that it measures the intensity of said optical beam scattered by the fluid sample;\na control system which serially causes excitation of at least two of said optical beam sources, such that the fluid is separately scanned with wavelengths of said optical beams emanating from said at least two optical beam sources; and\na computing system operative to determine the concentration of the at least one component of the fluid from the intensity of at least one of the optical beams transmitted through the fluid and the optical beam scattered by the fluid sample.",
"13. A system according to claim 12, and wherein said plurality of optical beam sources is at least five sources.",
"14. A system according to claim 12, and wherein said plurality of optical beam sources is at least ten sources.",
"15. A system according to claim 12, and wherein said at least one second detector is disposed such that it measures the intensity of the optical beam reflected from the fluid sample.",
"16. A system according to claim 12, and wherein said sources are light emitting diodes.",
"17. A system according to claim 16 wherein the spectral half width of emission of at least one of said light emitting diodes is less than 40 nanometers.",
"18. A system according to claim 16, and wherein the spectral half width of emission of at least one of said light emitting diodes is less than 60 nanometers.",
"19. A system according to claim 12 and wherein said computing system is operative to determine the concentration of the at least one component by relating the intensity of said optical beam transmitted through the fluid sample and of said optical beam scattered by the fluid sample to an expression for the concentration in terms of the intensities.",
"20. A system according to claim 19 and wherein the expression is a polynomial expression of at least second order in the transmitted and scattered intensities.",
"21. A system according to claim 19 and wherein the transmitted and scattered intensities are related to the concentration of said at least one component by means of empirical coefficients, and wherein said empirical coefficients are determined by a statistical analysis of transmitted and scattered intensities obtained from a plurality of samples of the fluid having known concentrations of said at least one component.",
"22. A system according to claim 20, wherein the statistical analysis is a Partial Least Squares regression method.",
"23. The system of claim 21, wherein the statistical analysis is a Ridge Least Squares regression method.",
"24. The system of claim 21 wherein said empirical coefficients are stored in a database and the concentration is extracted from the transmitted and scattered intensities by means of statistical analysis methods operating on said database.",
"25. The system of claim 12 wherein said conduit is a milk conduit.",
"26. The system of claim 25, wherein said system determines the constitution of milk on-line during a milking process."
],
[
"1. A tunable diode laser absorption spectrometry system for fuel gas measurement, comprising:\nan off-axis integrated cavity output spectroscopy (ICOS) instrument comprising a first tunable laser diode with a first tunable wavelength range providing laser light coupled off-axis into a high-finesse optical cavity, a second tunable laser diode with a second tunable wavelength range providing laser light coupled off-axis into the cavity, a gas inlet and a gas outlet arranged to flow a fuel gas through the cavity, and an optical sensor arranged to measure intensity of laser light exiting the optical cavity, wherein the laser diodes are tuned over their respective wavelength ranges so that the sensor measurement provides a wavelength-dependent optical absorption spectrum; and\na computer processor to receive the sensor measurement from the optical sensor, access a database of basis spectra for fuel gas components, process the absorption spectrum with a chemometric fitting routine to determine concentrations of selected fuel gas components, and calculate at least a heating value (F) and an additional value (X) selected from relative density, compressibility, theoretical hydrocarbon liquid content, and Wobbe index from the determined fuel gas component concentrations on the basis of determined concentrations for methane (CCH 4 ) and ethane (CC 2 H 6 ) and the determined concentration (CBB) of an offset basis spectrum representing higher hydrocarbons such that:\n\nX=C CH 4 ·X CH 4 +C C 2 H 6 ·X C 2 H 6 +C BB ·E,\n where XCH 4 and XC 2 H 6 are respective coefficients for methane and ethane, and E is an empirical factor for a composite relative density, compressibility, theoretical hydrocarbon liquid content, or Wobbe index of all expected higher hydrocarbons in the fuel gas mixture.",
"2. The system as in claim 1, wherein the database includes basis spectra for at least methane, ethane, together with a broadband offset basis to represent the higher hydrocarbons.",
"3. The system as in claim 2, wherein the heating value (F) is calculated by the processor on the basis of the determined concentrations for methane and ethane and the determined concentration of the offset basis spectrum representing the higher hydrocarbons, such that:\n\nF=C CH 4 ·F CH 4 +C C 2 H 6 ·F C 2 H 6 +C BB ·E,\nwhere FCH 4 and FC 2 H 6 are respective heating values for methane and ethane, and E is an empirical factor for a composite heating value of all the expected higher hydrocarbons in the fuel gas mixture.",
"4. The system as in claim 1, wherein the Wobbe index (Iw) is calculated by the processor on the basis of the determined concentrations for methane and ethane and the determined concentration of the offset basis spectrum representing the higher hydrocarbons, such that:\n\nI w =C CH 4 ·I wCH 4 +C C 2 H 6 ·I wC 2 H 6 +C BB ·E,\nwhere IwCH 4 and IwC 2 H 6 are respective Wobbe indices for methane and ethane, and E is an empirical factor for a composite Wobbe index of all the expected higher hydrocarbons in the fuel gas mixture.",
"5. The system as in claim 1, wherein the relative density (G) is calculated by the processor on the basis of the determined concentrations for methane and ethane and the determined concentration of the offset basis spectrum representing the higher hydrocarbons, such that:\n\nG=C CH 4 ·G CH 4 +C C 2 H 6 ·G C 2 H 6 +C BB ·E,\nwhere GCH 4 and GC 2 H 6 are respective relative densities for methane and ethane, and E is an empirical factor for a composite relative density of all the expected higher hydrocarbons in the fuel gas mixture.",
"6. The system as in claim 1, wherein the compressibility (Z) is calculated by the processor on the basis of the determined concentrations for methane and ethane and the determined concentration of the offset basis spectrum representing the higher hydrocarbons, such that:\n\nX=C CH 4 ·Z CH 4 +C C 2 H 6 ·Z C 2 H 6 +C BB ·E,\nwhere ZCH 4 and ZC 2 H 6 are respective compressibility factors for methane and ethane, and E is an empirical factor for a composite compressibility of all expected higher hydrocarbons in the fuel gas mixture.",
"7. The system as in claim 1, wherein the theoretical hydrocarbon liquid content (L) is calculated by the processor on the basis of the determined concentrations for methane and the ethane and the determined concentration (CBB) of the offset basis spectrum representing the higher hydrocarbons, such that:\n\nL=C CH 4 ·L CH 4 +C C 2 H 6 ·L C 2 H 6 +C BB ·E,\nwhere LCH 4 and LC 2 H 6 are respective theoretical liquid content values for methane and ethane, and E is an empirical factor for a composite theoretical liquid content of all the expected higher hydrocarbons in the fuel gas mixture.",
"8. The system as in claim 1, wherein concentrations of the selected fuel gas components to be determined include specified fuel gas contaminant species.",
"9. The system as in claim 8, wherein specified fuel gas contaminant species are selected from any one or more of H2S, H2O, O2, CO2, or OCS.",
"10. The system as in claim 1, wherein the first wavelength range is a near-infrared wavelength range encompassing absorption bands of the selected fuel gas components with minimal cross-interference.",
"11. The system as in claim 10, wherein the first wavelength range is in a vicinity of 1.58 μm.",
"12. The system as in claim 11, wherein the second wavelength range is in a vicinity of 1.27 μm.",
"13. A method of measuring a heating value for a fuel gas, comprising:\ncoupling laser light from first and second tunable laser diodes off-axis into a high-finesse optical cavity of an off-axis integrated cavity output spectroscopy (ICOS) instrument, wherein the first and second laser diodes have respective tunable wavelength ranges,\nflowing a fuel gas from a gas inlet through the cavity to a gas outlet,\nmeasuring intensity of laser light exiting the optical cavity using an optical sensor while the laser diodes are tuned over their respective wavelength ranges so that the sensor measurement provides a wavelength-dependent optical absorption spectrum,\nreceiving, with a computer processor, the sensor measurement from the optical sensor,\naccessing, with the computer processor, a database of basis spectra for fuel gas components,\nemploying, with the computer processor, a chemometric fitting routine to process the absorption spectrum so as to determine concentrations of selected fuel gas components, and\ncalculating, with the computer processor, a heating value (F) and an additional value (X) selected from relative density, compressibility, theoretical hydrocarbon liquid content, and Wobbe index from the determined fuel gas component concentrations on the basis of determined concentrations for methane (CCH 4 ) and ethane (CC 2 H 6 ) and the determined concentration (CBB) of an offset basis spectrum representing higher hydrocarbons such that:\n\nX=C CH 4 ·X CH 4 +C C 2 H 6 ·X C 2 H 6 +C BB ·E,\n where XCH 4 and XC 2 H 6 are respective coefficients for methane and ethane, and E is an empirical factor for a composite relative density, compressibility, theoretical hydrocarbon liquid content, or Wobbe index of all expected higher hydrocarbons in the fuel gas mixture.",
"14. The method as in claim 13, wherein the database includes basis spectra for at least methane, ethane, together with a broadband offset basis to represent the higher hydrocarbons.",
"15. The method as in claim 14, wherein the heating value (F) is calculated by the processor on the basis of the determined concentrations for methane and ethane and the determined concentration of the offset basis spectrum representing the higher hydrocarbons, such that:\n\nF=C CH 4 ·F CH 4 +C C 2 H 6 ·F C 2 H 6 +C BB ·E,\nwhere FCH 4 and FC 2 H 6 are respective heating values for methane and ethane, and E is an empirical factor for a composite heating value of all the expected higher hydrocarbons in the fuel gas mixture.",
"16. The method as in claim 13, wherein the Wobbe index (Iw) is calculated by the processor on the basis of the determined concentrations for methane and ethane and the determined concentration of the offset basis spectrum representing the higher hydrocarbons, such that:\n\nI w =C CH 4 ·I wCH 4 +C C 2 H 6 ·I wC 2 H 6 +C BB ·E,\nwhere IwCH 4 and IwC 2 H 6 are respective Wobbe indices for methane and ethane, and E is an empirical factor for a composite Wobbe index of all the expected higher hydrocarbons in the fuel gas mixture.",
"17. The method as in claim 13, wherein the relative density (G) is calculated by the processor on the basis of the determined concentrations for the methane and ethane and the determined concentration of the offset basis spectrum representing the higher hydrocarbons, such that:\n\nG=C CH 4 ·G CH 4 +C C 2 H 6 ·G C 2 H 6 +C BB ·E,\nwhere GCH 4 and GC 2 H 6 are respective relative densities for the methane and ethane, and E is an empirical factor for a composite relative density of all the expected higher hydrocarbons in the fuel gas mixture.",
"18. The method as in claim 13, wherein the compressibility (Z) is calculated by the processor on the basis of the determined concentrations for the methane and ethane and the determined concentration of the offset basis spectrum representing the higher hydrocarbons, such that:\n\nZ=C CH 4 ·Z CH 4 +C C 2 H 6 ·Z C 2 H 6 +C BB ·E,\nwhere ZCH 4 and ZC 2 H 6 are respective compressibility factors for the methane and ethane, and E is an empirical factor for a composite compressibility of all the expected higher hydrocarbons in the fuel gas mixture.",
"19. The method as in claim 13, wherein the theoretical hydrocarbon liquid content (L) is calculated by the processor on the basis of the determined concentrations for the methane and ethane and the determined concentration of the offset basis spectrum representing the higher hydrocarbons, such that:\n\nL=C CH 4 ·L CH 4 +C C 2 H 6 ·L C 2 H 6 +C BB ·E,\nwhere LCH 4 and LC 2 H 6 are respective theoretical liquid content values for methane and ethane, and E is an empirical factor for a composite theoretical liquid content of all the expected higher hydrocarbons in the fuel gas mixture.",
"20. The method as in claim 13, wherein concentrations of the selected fuel gas components determined by the processor include specified fuel gas contaminant species.",
"21. The method as in claim 20, wherein specified fuel gas contaminant species are selected from any one or more of H2S, H2O, O2, CO2, or OCS.",
"22. The method as in claim 13, wherein the wavelength range of the first diode is a near-infrared wavelength range encompassing absorption bands of the selected fuel gas components with minimal cross-interference.",
"23. The method as in claim 22, wherein the wavelength range of the first diode is in a vicinity of 1.58 μm.",
"24. The method as in claim 23, wherein the wavelength range of the second laser diode is in a vicinity of 1.27 μm and is coupled into the optical cavity to obtain an absorption spectrum in a second wavelength range.",
"25. The system as in claim 1, wherein the first laser diode is tunable over a spectral range of at least 20 GHz, and wherein the second laser diode is tunable over a spectral range of 60-80 Ghz.",
"26. The method as in claim 13, wherein the first laser diode is tunable over a spectral range of at least 20 GHz, and wherein the second laser diode is tunable over a spectral range of 60-80 Ghz."
],
[
"1. A method of determining characteristics of samples comprising:\nA building algorithms of the relationship between sample characteristics and absorbed and scattered light from a sample having an interior;\nB illuminating the interior of a sample with a broadband frequency spectrum;\nC detecting the spectrum of absorbed and scattered light from the sample;\nD analyzing the detected spectrum of absorbed and scattered light from the sample with the algorithms; calculating the characteristics of the sample.",
"2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:\nA building the algorithms to generate a regression vector that relates the frequency spectrum, further comprised of VIS and NIR spectra, to brix, firmness, acidity, density, pH, color and external and internal defects and disorders;\nB storing the regression vector, in a CPU having a memory, as a prediction or classification calibration algorithm;\nC illuminating the sample interior with a spectrum of 250 to 1150 nm;\nD inputting the detected spectrum of absorbed and scattered light from the sample interior to a spectrometer;\nE converting the detected spectrum from analog to digital and inputting the converted spectrum to a CPU; combining the spectrum detected;\nF comparing the combined spectrum with a stored calibration algorithm;\nG predicting the characteristics of the sample.",
"3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:\nA the characteristics are chemical characteristics including acidity, pH and sugar content.",
"4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:\nA the characteristics are physical characteristics including firmness, density, color, appearance and internal and external defects and disorders.",
"5. The method of claim 1 further comprising:\nA the characteristics are consumer characteristics.",
"6. The method of claim 1 further comprising:\nA sampling is of samples from the group of C—H, N—H or O—H chemical groups;\nB illuminating of the interior of the sample is with a frequency spectrum including visible and near infrared light;\nC building algorithms for a correlation analysis separately of Brix, firmness, ph and acidity in relation to the light spectrum output from the illuminated sample;\nD detecting the spectrum of absorbed and scattered light from the sample with a light detector.",
"7. The method of claim 2 further comprising:\nA illuminating of the interior of the sample with a frequency spectrum of 250 to 1150 nm;\nB detecting the spectrum with a light detector fiber; shielding the light detector fiber from the illuminating spectrum;\nC measuring the spectrum for chlorophyl at around 680 nm;\nD correlating the characteristics of Brix, firmness, pH and acidity with the measured spectrum.",
"8. An apparatus for determining characteristics of samples comprising;\nA at least one broadband light source; a sample having an sample surface and an interior; input mechanism of positioning the at least one light source proximal the sample surface;\nB at least one light detector; output mechanism of positioning the at least one light detector proximal the sample surface;\nC at least one mechanism of measuring the illumination detected from the sample;\nD the at least one light source produces a spectrum within the range of 250 to 1150 nm;\nE the at least one mechanism of measuring the illumination is a spectrometer; the spectrometer has at least one input;\nF the at least one light detector is a light pickup fiber; the at least one light detector collects a spectrum which is received by the at least one spectrometer input;\nG the sample is from the chemical group consisting of C—H, N—O, and O—H.",
"9. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising:\nA the least one light source is a tungsten halogen lamp; the illumination is transmitted to the sample surface by fiber optics;\nB the at least one light detector is a fiber optics light pickup;\nC the at least one spectrometer comprises a 1026 linear array detector.",
"10. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising:\nA the at least one light source is an illumination fiber.",
"11. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising:\nA the at least one light source comprises a plurality of illumination fibers;\nB the plurality of illumination fibers are arrayed such that each illumination fiber is equidistant from adjoining illumination fibers; the at least one light detector is positioned centrally in the array of illumination fibers.",
"12. The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising:\nA the plurality of illumination fibers are comprised of 32 illumination fibers.",
"13. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising:\nA the light source is a 5 w tungsten halogen lamp.",
"14. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising:\nA the at least one light source comprises a plurality of light sources which is further comprised of two 50 w light sources;\nB the at least one light detector is comprised of a plurality of light detectors.",
"15. The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising:\nA the plurality of light detectors are arrayed such that each light detector is equidistant from adjoining light detectors.",
"16. The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising:\nA the plurality of light detectors comprise twenty-two light detectors.",
"17. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising:\nA the light source comprised of an ellipsoidal reflector with a 50 w bulb with cooling fan; the fiber optics is comprised of at least one fiber optic fiber for transmission of the light source to the sample surface.\nB the at least one fiber optic and the at least one light detector spring biased against the sample surface; the pressure exerted by the spring biasing limited by the character of the sample.",
"18. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising:\nA the at least one light source is a 5 w tungsten halogen lamp; the at least one light detector is a single fiber optic fiber; the illumination source is positioned against the sample surface 180 degrees distal to the detection fiber.",
"19. The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising:\nA a polarization filter is positioned between the at least one light source and the sample;\nB a matching polarization filter is positioned between the at least one light detector and the sample.",
"20. The apparatus of claim 19 further comprising:\nA the polarization filter is a linear polarization filter; the matching polarization filter is a linear polarization filter rotated 90 degrees in relation to the polarization filter."
],
[
"1. A method for developing a calibration model for use in a central processor configured to generate a predicted value of a property of interest based on an input from one or more data acquisition instruments, comprising:\nobtaining a set of samples having the property of interest;\ngenerating a first set of data by measuring the property of interest in the samples;\ngenerating a mathematical model of the property of interest using the first set of data;\ngenerating predicted values for the property of interest using the mathematical model;\ndetermining whether the predicted values for the property of interest correlate with the measured values of the property of interest to within a predetermined criterion;\nidentifying the type and range of a secondary variable that is potentially influential of the measurement of the property of interest;\ndetermining whether the secondary variable is actually influential of the measurement of the property of interest;\nadjusting the preliminary model to compensate for the secondary variable and/or identifying an appropriate method of treating responses of the one or more data acquisition instruments to compensate for the secondary variable;\ndetermining whether predicted values of the property of interest generated by the adjusted mathematical model and/or using the treatment method correlate with the measured values within another predetermined criterion when the secondary variable is varied;\ngenerating a second set of data by measuring the property of interest in the samples using the treatment method;\ngenerating a prediction of the property of interest using the second set of data and the revised property model;\ndetermining whether a probable outlier is present in the prediction of the property of interest;\ngenerating a third set of data using the pretreatment method while varying the influential factor;\ngenerating a prediction of the property of interest using the revised property model and the third set of data; and\ndetermining whether a probable outlier is present in the prediction of the property of interest generated using the revised property model.",
"2. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining whether the probable outlier is a good outlier in accordance with another predetermined criterion, and if so, adding the probable outlier to the second set of data, determining a method of treatment to compensate for the probable outlier, and revising the revised model to compensate for the probable outlier.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein the property of interest in the samples spans the range over which the property of interest is expected to vary during actual measurements in the future.",
"4. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining whether the property of interest is measurable in the presence of variations in the secondary variable to within another predetermined criterion.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein the predetermined criterion is a limit of desired precision.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether the secondary variable is actually influential of the measurement of the property of interest comprises varying the secondary variable and obtaining measurements of the property of interest.",
"7. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying an appropriate method of treating responses of the one or more data acquisition instruments to compensate for the secondary variable comprises determining mathematical operations that are used on responses of the data acquisition instrument to compensate for factors that influence the response of the instrument when measuring the property of interest.",
"8. The method of claim 1, further comprising installing the revised model in the central processor.",
"9. The method of claim 1, further comprising obtaining a measurement of the property of interest on site and determining whether any outliers exist in the measurement and adjusting the revised model and/or the method of treatment to compensate for the outliers.",
"10. The method of claim 6, wherein determining whether the secondary variable is actually influential of the measurement of the property of interest comprises determining whether the variation of the secondary variable produces a change in the measured value of the property of interest that is statistically significant to a limit of desired precision in the measured value.",
"11. The method of claim 1, further comprising notifying the user of the presence of the outliers."
],
[
"1. A method of analyzing spectral data for the selection of the best calibration model from a plurality of calibration models, relating spectra of a substance to a physical or a chemical parameter of the substance, over a predetermined range of the physical or chemical parameters,\ncomprising the steps of:\na) capturing spectral data of the substance with respective values of the physical or chemical parameter over the predetermined range;\nb) building a plurality of calibration models, using the captured spectral data from step a, in dependence upon the values of the physical or chemical parameter, said plurality of calibration models being based on said spectral data and physical or chemical parameter from step a and using statistical resampling methods to assess a predictive quality of the models;\nc) calculating tolerance intervals of the predicted results obtained using the models built in step b at reference level for each calibration model,\nd) displaying the tolerance intervals at each reference level for each calibration model; and\ne) selecting at least one of the calibration models upon a predefined criterion;\nwherein the calibration model comprises a data regression model and a data pretreatment;\nwherein the data regression model comprises any spectral data pretreatment followed by selecting at least one of the following available choices comprising a multiple linear regression model, a partial least squares model, a principal component regression model and an artificial neuronal network model;\nwherein the predefined criterion comprises at least one of the following available choices comprising a tolerance interval corresponding to a small relative error of the calibration model, an acceptance limit of the physical parameter corresponding to a small relative total error of the calibration model and a Fitting Model Index of the calibration model that is close to 1; and\nwherein the methodology to compute a tolerance interval is selected from the available choices of frequentist or Bayesian.",
"2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the spectral data comprise near infrared spectra data.",
"3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the data pretreatment comprises any one of a standard normal variate treatment, a Savitzky-Golay smoothing filter with no derivative and/or a first derivative and/or a second derivative operation, a multiplicative scatter correction, an orthogonal signal correction or raw data.",
"4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the tolerance interval corresponds to either a beta expectation tolerance interval or a beta-gamma content tolerance interval.",
"5. The method according to claim 1, wherein step d) comprises at least one of printing on a printer, plotting on a plotter, displaying on a video display unit and projecting onto a screen.",
"6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the reference level is the concentration or amount of the physical or chemical parameter determined by the reference analytical method.",
"7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the methodology to compute the Fitting Model Index corresponds to the geometric mean of the dosing range, precision and trueness indexes and its value range from 0 to 1 depending on the fit quality.",
"8. A non-transitory computer readable medium product comprising code segments that when implemented on a computing system implement the methods of claim 1.",
"9. The computer readable medium product of claim 8 stored on machine readable signal storage means.",
"10. A computer based system for analyzing spectral data for the selection of a calibration model, relating spectra of a substance to a physical or a chemical parameter of the substance, over a predetermined range of the physical or chemical parameter, comprising:\na) means for capturing spectral data of the substance with respective values of the physical or chemical parameter over the predetermined range,\nb) means for creating a plurality of calibration models using the captured spectral data in dependence upon the values of the physical or chemical parameter based on the calibration data using statistical resampling methods,\nc) means for calculating tolerance intervals of the results at each reference level for each calibration model,\nd) means for displaying the tolerance intervals at each reference level over the predetermined range for each calibration model, and\ne) means for selecting at least one of the calibration models upon a predefined criterion;\nwherein the calibration model comprises a data regression model and a data pretreatment;\nwherein the data regression model comprises any spectral data pretreatment followed by selecting at least one of the following available choices comprising a multiple linear regression model, a partial least squares model, a principal component regression model and an artificial neuronal network model;\nwherein the predefined criterion comprises at least one of the following available choices comprising a tolerance interval corresponding to a small relative error of the calibration model, an acceptance limit of the physical parameter corresponding to a small relative total error of the calibration model and a Fitting Model Index of the calibration model that is close to 1; and\nwherein the methodology to compute a tolerance interval is selected from the available choices of frequentist or Bayesian."
],
[
"1. A liquid inspection method for checking whether an explosive, a raw material for explosive, or an illicit drug is contained in a liquid with which an optically transparent container for a drink is filled, comprising:\na near-infrared irradiation step in which a substantially whole portion of the liquid is irradiated by an irradiation unit with near-infrared light having wavelengths of 650 to 1000 nm from outside the container;\na near-infrared light reception step in which the near-infrared light passed through the liquid or the near-infrared light scattered by the liquid is received by a light reception unit; and\nan absorption spectrum analysis step in which an absorption spectrum of the received near-infrared light is analyzed,\nwherein whether an explosive, a raw material for explosive, or an illicit material is contained in a liquid with which the container is filled is checked by analyzing the absorption spectrum,\nthe liquid is a drink which may contain the explosive, a raw material for an explosive or an illicit drug filled in the optically transparent container,\nthe irradiation unit and the light reception unit are integrated,\nthe near-infrared light is emitted by the irradiation unit into the container from a surface of the container to conduct the near-infrared irradiation step, and the near-infrared light scattered by the liquid is received through the surface of the container by the light reception unit to conduct the near-infrared light reception step.",
"2. The liquid inspection method according to claim 1, wherein identification of the kinds of the explosive, raw material for explosive, and/or illicit drug is conducted by analyzing the absorption spectrum.",
"3. The liquid inspection method according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein absorbance at the predetermined wavelengths of an absorption spectrum analyzed at the absorption spectrum analysis step is substituted into a concentration estimation equation formulated based on absorption spectra analyzed by using a plurality of liquids that contain the explosive, the raw material for explosive, and/or the illicit drug with preset concentrations\nto measure a concentration of the explosive, the raw material for explosive, and/or the illicit drug.",
"4. The liquid inspection method according to claim 3, wherein the concentration estimation equation is formulated by conducting multiple regression analyses by using the absorbances at the wavelengths of the absorption spectra analyzed by using the liquids containing the explosive, the raw material for explosive, and/or the illicit drug with the preset concentrations.",
"5. The liquid inspection method according to claim 3, wherein an absorbance quadratic differential value at the predetermined wavelengths which is obtained by a quadratic differentiation for the absorption spectra is used as the absorbance.",
"6. The liquid inspection method according to claim 1, wherein the raw material for explosive is hydrogen peroxide.",
"7. The liquid inspection method according to claim 3, wherein regular products are used as the liquids containing the explosive, the raw material for explosive, and/or the illicit drug with the preset concentrations,\na concentration estimation equation is previously formulated for each of the regular products,\na regular product corresponding to the inspection object is identified by reading the product labeling mark put on the inspection object, and\nthe concentration of liquid explosive, raw material for explosive, and/or illicit drug in the inspection objects is measured by using the concentration estimation equation corresponding to the identified regular product, wherein\nthe regular product is control of a sample type to be tested.",
"8. A liquid inspection device for inspecting whether an explosive, a raw material for explosive, or an illicit drug is contained in a liquid with which an optically transparent container for a drink is filled, comprising:\na near-infrared light irradiation means for irradiating a substantially whole portion of the liquid with near-infrared light having wavelengths of 650 to 1000 nm from outside the container;\na near-infrared light reception means for receiving the near-infrared light passed through the liquid or the near-infrared light scattered by the liquid; and\nan absorption spectrum analysis means for analyzing an absorption spectrum of the received near-infrared light,\nwherein whether an explosive, a raw material for explosive, or an illicit drug is contained in the liquid with which the container is filled is inspected by analyzing the absorption spectrum, and\nthe liquid is a drink which may contain the explosive, a raw material for an explosive or an illicit drug filled in the optically transparent container,\nthe near-infrared light irradiation means and the near-infrared light reception means are integrated, and\nthe unit is disponed under the container so that the near-infrared light is emitted by the near-infrared light irradiation means into the container from a surface thereof and the near-infrared light scattered by the liquid is received through the surface of the container by the near-infrared light reception means.",
"9. The liquid inspection device according to claim 8, which further comprising a product labeling mark reading means for reading a product labeling mark put on a regular product, wherein i) said product labeling mark reading means identifies the regular product and the device, ii) identifies a previously formulated concentration estimation equation, and iii) compares the previously formulated equation with a concentration of an explosive, a raw material for explosive or the illicit drug in the liquid to be inspected.",
"10. The liquid inspection method according to claim 1, wherein\nthe irradiation unit is a white lamp.",
"11. The liquid inspection method according to claim 1, wherein\nthe container is shield from an extraneous light other than the near-infrared light.",
"12. The liquid inspection device according to claim 8, wherein\nthe near-infrared light irradiation means is a white lamp.",
"13. The liquid inspection device according to claim 8, further comprising a shield so that the container is shield by the shield from an extraneous light other than the near-infrared light.",
"14. The liquid inspection method according to claim 1, wherein the surface is a bottom of the container.",
"15. The liquid inspection method according to claim 8, wherein the surface is a bottom of the container."
],
[
"1. An apparatus comprising:\na) a spectral imager that is configured to resolve light obtained from a region of interest of a subject into a plurality of component spectral bands, wherein the spectral imager comprises a lens in optical connection with an image sensor; and\nb) a computer system electrically coupled to the spectral imager and comprising a memory and a processor, wherein the memory stores instructions for\n(i) constructing a color photo image by concatenating three planes from a hyperspectral cube constructed from the plurality of component spectral bands;\n(ii) constructing a pseudo color image based on the plurality of component spectral bands; and\n(iii) combining the pseudo color image with the color photo image to form a composite image,\nwherein the constructing of the pseudo color image comprises:\ndefining a color hue plane that represents a first characteristic in the group consisting of (a) an oxyhemoglobin concentration, (b) a deoxyhemoglobin concentration and (c) a mathematical combination of the oxyhemoglobin concentration and the deoxyhemoglobin concentration;\ndefining a color saturation plane that represents a second characteristic in the group consisting of (a) the oxyhemoglobin concentration, (b) the deoxyhemoglobin concentration and (c) a mathematical combination of the oxyhemoglobin concentration and the deoxyhemoglobin concentration, wherein the second characteristic is different than the first characteristic; and\ndefining a color intensity plane that represents reflectance in a region that is about 450 nm to about 580 nm.",
"2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a wavelength range of each respective component spectral band in the plurality of component spectral bands is adjacent to the wavelength range of another component spectral band in the plurality of component spectral bands.",
"3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each respective component spectral band in the plurality of spectral bands has a bandwidth of less than 50 nm.",
"4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the memory further stores instructions for displaying the composite image on a computer screen.",
"5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the region of interest of the subject is a portion of the skin of the subject.",
"6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the light obtained from the region of interest is in the visible range.",
"7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the color photo image is constructed by concatenating a first resolved component spectral band, a second resolved component spectral band, and a third resolved component spectral band, wherein:\nthe first resolved component spectral band comprises a wavelength corresponding to red light;\nthe second resolved component spectral band comprises a wavelength corresponding to green light; and\nthe third resolved component spectral band comprises a wavelength corresponding to blue light.",
"8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the three planes concatenated from the hyperspectral cube consist of a first plane at a wavelength of 580 nm to 800 nm, a second plane at a wavelength of 480-580 nm, and a third plane at a wavelength of 350 nm to 490 nm.",
"9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the spectral imager further comprises one or more polarizers, wherein the one or more polarizers compile light entering the spectral imager into a plane of polarization before entering the image sensor.",
"10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lens comprises a lens assembly.",
"11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the lens assembly comprises a first stage imaging optic and a second stage imaging optic.",
"12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a display for displaying the composite image.",
"13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the computing system further comprises a storage device for storing the composite image.",
"14. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a printer for printing the composite image.",
"15. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a communication link for transferring the composite image to a remote device or computer.",
"16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each respective component spectral band in the plurality of component spectral bands has a bandwidth that is between 10 nm and 40 nm.",
"17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each respective component spectral band in the plurality of component spectral bands has a bandwidth that is between 10 nm and 15 nm.",
"18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each respective component spectral band in the plurality of component spectral bands has a bandwidth that is between 5 nm and 12 nm.",
"19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is a portable apparatus.",
"20. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the region of interest is a tissue of the subject.",
"21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the tissue comprises an ulcer, callus, intact skin, hematoma, or superficial blood vessel."
],
[
"1. A laser gas analyzer, comprising:\na MEMS-vertical cavity surface emitting laser;\na light-split module configured to split an output light of the MEMS-vertical cavity surface emitting laser into a measurement light and a reference light;\na measurement gas cell, which receives gasses to be measured, is configured such that the measurement light is made incident to the measurement gas cell;\na first receiver is configured such that the measurement light that passed through the measurement gas cell is made incident to the first receiver;\na second receiver is configured such that the reference light is made incident to the second receiver; and\na data processor configured to obtain concentrations of the gases to be measured based on an absorption signal of the gases to be measured obtained from the first receiver and a reference signal of the MEMS-vertical cavity surface emitting laser obtained from the second receiver.",
"2. The laser gas analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the gases to be measured are hydrocarbon gases.",
"3. The laser gas analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the light source can oscillate in a wavelength range of 1620 nm to 1750 nm.",
"4. The laser gas analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the light source can oscillate in a wavelength range of 1620 nm to 1640 nm.",
"5. The laser gas analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the light source can oscillate in a wavelength range of 1670 nm to 1700 nm."
],
[
"1. A plant analysis system, comprising:\na) a data acquisition component configured to:\nmeasure properties of a plant utilizing waveform light detection and ranging (LiDAR) to assemble point cloud data, wherein said point cloud data comprises a plurality of three dimensional vertices each of which represents an external surface associated with said plant;\ncollect photographic data of said plant;\ncollect spectral data for said plant; and\ngeo-register the point cloud data and photographic data;\nwherein the plurality of said three dimensional vertices of said point cloud data is associated with global positioning satellite (GPS) data, said photographic data, and said spectral data;\nb) a transport vehicle on which said data acquisition component is mounted and configured to assemble and geo-register said point cloud data, and collect said photographic data and said spectral data on said plant; and\nc) a processor configured to:\ndetermine a spectral signature of said plant based on said spectral data;\ndetermine plant color based on said photographic data and associate said point cloud data with said plant color; and\ngenerate morphological data of said plant based on said point cloud data, said morphological data comprising one or more of plant stem diameter, plant height, plant volume, and plant leaf density.",
"2. The plant analysis system of claim 1, wherein:\nthe processor generates said morphological data by segmenting said point cloud data to identify boundaries of said plant; or\nthe processor classifies said morphological data to identify a plant feature, said plant feature comprising a branching structure, trunk, biomass, canopy, fruit, blossom, fruit cluster, or blossom cluster.",
"3. The plant analysis system of claim 1, wherein the processor utilizes said point cloud data and said plant color to discriminate a fruit, blossom, fruit cluster, or blossom cluster from a shadow based, at least in part, on analyzing a variation of said plant color and a geometric shape defined by the three dimensional vertices of said point cloud data.",
"4. The plant analysis system of claim 1, wherein said data acquisition component is further configured to measure atmospheric conditions, and wherein said processor determines a phenotype of the plant based on said spectral signature, said morphological data, and said atmospheric conditions.",
"5. The plant analysis system of claim 1, wherein said processor is further configured to determine a vegetation index of one or more plants based on said spectral data.",
"6. The plant analysis system of claim 1, wherein said processor is further configured to determine a number and a size of fruits or blossoms on the plant, wherein the number and size of fruits or blossoms on the plant is based one or more of said point cloud data or said plant color data.",
"7. The plant analysis system of claim 6, wherein:\nsaid number and size of fruits or blossoms on the plant is determined by clustering said point cloud data and plant color data; and\na crop yield is estimated based, at least in part, on said number and size of fruits or blossoms on the plant.",
"8. The plant analysis system of claim 1, wherein said processor is further configured to compare the spectral signature of the plant with a second spectral signature from a library of plant records.",
"9. The plant analysis system of claim 8, wherein said processor is further configured to:\ndetect a presence of a plant disease based on said comparison of the spectral signature with the second spectral signature;\ndetect a presence of wilt or leaf drop caused by environmental stressors based on said comparison of the spectral signature with the second spectral signature; or\nidentify a pest, including a disease vector, and predict said pest's trajectory.",
"10. The plant analysis system of claim 1, wherein a library of plant records is further configured to store historical data associated with the plant, said historical data comprising one or more of date of planting, root stock, grating record, nutritional treatment, health treatment, yield, surrounding soil conditions, surrounding atmospheric conditions, and surrounding topography.",
"11. The plant analysis system of claim 1, further comprising an asset management dashboard for accessing, viewing, analyzing and controlling a library of plant records.",
"12. The plant analysis system of claim 11, wherein said asset management dashboard integrates spatial information of a subset of said plant records in a configurable display, said subset of said plant records correspond to a plot on an orchard, and wherein said asset management dashboard allows users to generate counting and statistical reports about said plant records.",
"13. The plant analysis system of claim 11, wherein the processor is further configured to create a record of said plant in a library of plant records, and the record of said plant associates said plant with said spectral signature, said plant color, said spectral data, said assembled point cloud data, and said morphological data.",
"14. A method for analyzing a plant, comprising:\nmeasure, using a data acquisition component coupled to a transport vehicle, properties of a plant utilizing waveform light detection and ranging (LiDAR) to assemble point cloud data, wherein said point cloud data comprises a plurality of three dimensional vertices each of which represents an external surface associated with said plant;\ncollect, using the data acquisition component, photographic data of said plant;\ncollect, using the data acquisition component, spectral data for said plant;\ngeo-register the point cloud data and photographic data;\nassociate a plurality of said three dimensional vertices of said point cloud data with global positioning satellite (GPS) data, said photographic data, and said spectral data;\ndetermine, using one or more processors, a spectral signature of said plant based on said spectral data;\ndetermine, using the one or more processors, plant color based on said photographic data;\nassociate said point cloud data with said plant color; and\ngenerate, using the one or more processors, morphological data of said plant based on said point cloud data, said morphological data comprising one or more of plant stem diameter, plant height, plant volume, and plant leaf density.",
"15. The method of claim 14, wherein:\nsaid morphological data is generated by segmenting said point cloud data to identify boundaries of said plant; or\nsaid morphological data is classified to identify a plant feature, said plant feature comprising a branching structure, trunk, biomass, canopy, fruit, blossom, fruit cluster, or blossom cluster.",
"16. The method of claim 14, wherein said point cloud data and said plant color is utilized to discriminate a fruit, blossom, fruit cluster, or blossom cluster from a shadow based, at least in part, on analyzing a variation of said plant color and a geometric shape defined by the three dimensional vertices of said point cloud data.",
"17. The method of claim 14, further comprising:\nmeasuring atmospheric conditions; and\ndetermining a phenotype of the plant based on said spectral signature, said morphological data, and said atmospheric conditions.",
"18. The method of claim 14, further comprising:\ndetermining a number and a size of fruits or blossoms on the plant based one or more of said point cloud data or said plant color data, wherein said number and size of fruits or blossoms on the plant is determined by clustering said point cloud data and plant color data, and a crop yield is estimated based, at least in part, on said number and size of fruits or blossoms on the plant.",
"19. The method of claim 14, wherein:\nthe spectral signature of the plant is compared with a second spectral signature from a library of plant records to:\ndetect a presence of a plant disease based on said comparison of the spectral signature with the second spectral signature; or\ndetect a presence of wilt or leaf drop caused by environmental stressors based on said comparison of the spectral signature with the second spectral signature.",
"20. The method of claim 14, further comprising:\ncreating a record of said plant in a library of plant records, wherein the record of said plant associates said plant with said spectral signature, said plant color, said spectral data, said assembled point cloud data, and said morphological data."
],
[
"1. An analysis device for analyzing a material having\nan excitation transmission device for generating at least one excitation light beam with at least one excitation wavelength, and radiating the at least one electromagnetic excitation beam into a material volume, which is located underneath a first region of the surface of the material,\nan optical medium, which in operation is in contact with said first region of the surface of the material,\na detection device for detecting a response signal, and\na device for analyzing the material on the basis of the detected response signal.",
"2. The analysis device according to claim 1, wherein\nthe device comprises a system for emitting a measurement beam, which is arranged so that the emitted measurement beam penetrates the optical medium and is reflected at an interface of the optical medium and the surface of the material, and\nthe detection device is a device for receiving the reflected measuring beam which forms the response signal and for directly or indirectly detecting a deflection of the reflected measuring beam.",
"3. The analysis device according to claim 1, wherein\nin order to detect a response signal, the detection device is configured to detect a parameter change of the optical medium in a region adjacent to the first region, as a result of the response signal, wherein said parameter change is one or both of a deformation and a density change of the optical medium.",
"4. The analysis device according to claim 3, wherein\nthe detection device comprises one of a piezo-element, which is connected to the optical medium or integrated therein, as a detector for detecting said deformation or density change and temperature sensors as detectors for detecting the response signal.",
"5. The analysis device according to claim 1, wherein\nthe device comprises a device for the intensity modulation of the excitation light beam, and\nthe detection device is suitable for detecting a time-dependent response signal as a function of one or both of the wavelength of the excitation light and the intensity modulation of the excitation light.",
"6. The analysis device according to claim 1, wherein\nthe excitation transmission device comprises two or more transmission elements in the form of a one-, two- or multi-dimensional transmission element array, wherein\nthe two or more transmission elements each generate their own electromagnetic excitation beam and radiate the same into the volume below the first region and\nthe wavelengths of the electromagnetic excitation beams of the two or more transmission elements are different.",
"7. The analysis device according to claim 1, wherein\nthe excitation transmission device is directly, or indirectly by means of an adjustment device, mechanically fixedly connected to said optical medium.",
"8. The analysis device according to claim 5, wherein\nthe device for the intensity modulation comprises or is formed by an electrical modulation device, which is electrically connected to the excitation transmission device and electrically controls it.",
"9. The analysis device according claim 5, wherein\nthe device for intensity modulation comprises one of a controlled mirror arranged in the beam path and a layer which is arranged in the beam path and is controllable with respect to its transparency, or is formed by such a layer.",
"10. The analysis device according to claim 1, wherein\none or more of a device for emitting a measuring beam, the detection device and the excitation transmission device is/are directly mechanically fixedly connected to the optical medium or coupled to the same by means of a fiber-optic cable.",
"11. The analysis device according to claim 1, wherein\nthe optical medium directly supports an imaging optics, or an imaging optics is integrated into the optical medium.",
"12. The analysis device according to claim 1, wherein\nthe surface of the optical medium has a plurality of partial faces inclined towards each other, at which the measuring beam is reflected multiple times.",
"13. The analysis device according to claim 1, wherein\none or more reflective surfaces are provided in or on the optical medium for reflecting the measuring beam.",
"14. The analysis device according to claim 1, wherein\none or more of the excitation transmission device, a device for the emission of a measuring beam and the detection device are directly attached to each other or to a common support.",
"15. The analysis device according to claim 1, wherein\nthe excitation transmission device has an integrated semiconductor component, which comprises one or more laser elements and at least one micro-optical component and an additional modulation element.",
"16. The analysis device according to claim 1, wherein the analysis device has a wearable housing which can be fastened to the body of a person, wherein the excitation transmission device and the detection device are arranged and configured in such a way that the material to be analyzed is measured on the side of the housing facing away from the body.",
"17. The analysis device according to claim 16, wherein the housing of the device has a window which is transparent for the excitation light beam on its side facing away from the body in the intended wearing position.",
"18. The analysis device according to claim 16, wherein the excitation transmission device has an integrated semiconductor component, which comprises a plurality of laser elements and a modulation element for modulating the intensity of excitation light beams generated by corresponding ones of said plurality of laser elements, wherein said modulation element is one of a mirror, which is movable relative to the rest of the semiconductor device and is controllable with respect to its position, a layer with controllable radiation permeability, and an electronic control circuit for the modulation of the plurality of laser elements.",
"19. The analysis device according to claim 16, wherein the excitation transmission device is directly, or indirectly by means of an adjustment device, mechanically fixedly connected to said optical medium.",
"20. The analysis device according to claim 16, wherein\none or more of the excitation transmission device, the device for the emission of the measuring beam and the detection device are directly attached to each other or to a common support.",
"21. The analysis device according to claim 16, wherein one or more of a device for emitting a measuring beam, the detection device and the excitation transmission device is/are directly mechanically fixedly connected to the optical medium or coupled to the same by means of a fiber-optic cable.",
"22. A method for analyzing a material, wherein in the method\nan optical medium is brought into contact with a surface of the material,\nwith an excitation transmission device, at least one electromagnetic excitation light beam with at least one excitation wavelength is generated by an at least partially simultaneous or consecutive operation of a plurality of laser emitters of a laser light source, and the at least one excitation light beam is radiated into a material volume, which is located underneath a first region of the surface of the material,\nwith a detection device a response signal is detected and\nthe material is analyzed on the basis of the detected response signal.",
"23. The method according to claim 22, wherein\nusing different modulation frequencies of the excitation transmission device, response signals, in particular temporal response signal waveforms or patterns, are successively determined and wherein a plurality of response signal waveforms or patterns at different modulation frequencies are combined with each other and that, in particular, specific information for a depth range under the surface is obtained from this.",
"24. The method according to claim 23, wherein\nresponse signal waveforms or patterns at different modulation frequencies are determined for different wavelengths of the excitation beam and from this, in particular specific information is obtained for each depth range under the surface.",
"25. The method according to claim 24, wherein\nwhen a plurality of modulation frequencies of the excitation light beam are used at the same time, the detected signal is resolved into its frequencies by means of an analytical procedure, and\nonly the partial signal that corresponds to the desired frequency is filtered out.",
"26. The method according to claim 22, wherein\nthe emitted excitation light beam is radiated in such a way that it penetrates the optical medium and exits the same at a predetermined point on the surface of the optical medium,\nwith a device for emitting a measuring beam, a measuring beam is generated in such a way that it penetrates the optical medium and is reflected at an interface of the optical medium and the surface of the material, and\na reflected measuring beam forming the response signal is measured with the detection device,\nand the deflection of the reflected beam is directly or indirectly detected.",
"27. The method according to claim 22, wherein\nsaid material is formed by a body part of a patient, and as a function of a material concentration identified in the material, a dosing device is activated for delivering a substance into the body of the patient, an acoustic or visual signal is output or a signal is delivered to a processing device via a wireless connection."
],
[
"1. A photothermal interferometry apparatus for detecting a molecule in a sample, comprising:\na Fabry-Perot interferometer with a first mirror, a second mirror and a first cavity for containing the sample extending between the first and the second mirror, a probe laser arrangement with at least one probe laser for providing a first probe laser beam and a second probe laser beam, an excitation laser for passing an excitation laser beam through the first cavity of the Fabry-Perot interferometer for exciting the molecule in the sample, the Fabry-Perot interferometer comprising a third mirror, a fourth mirror and a second cavity for containing the sample extending between the third and the fourth mirror, the first and the second cavity of the Fabry-Perot interferometer being arranged such that the first probe laser beam intersects with the excitation laser beam in the first cavity and the second probe laser beam does not intersect with the excitation laser beam in the second cavity, and a photodetector unit comprising a first photo detector for detecting the transmitted first probe laser beam and a second photo detector for detecting the transmitted second probe laser beam.",
"2. The photothermal interferometry apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the probe laser arrangement comprises a beam splitter for splitting a probe laser beam from the probe laser into the first and second probe laser beam.",
"3. The photothermal interferometry apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a subtractor for subtracting a second transmission signal corresponding to the transmitted second probe laser beam from a first transmission signal corresponding to the first transmitted probe laser beam.",
"4. The photothermal interferometry apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first and the third mirror are formed by a first and a second section of a first mirror element, the second and the fourth mirror are formed by a first and a second section of a second mirror element such that the first and the second cavity extend continuously between the first and second mirror element.",
"5. The photothermal interferometry apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a modulator for modulating the wavelength of the excitation laser beam, the photodetector unit being arranged for detecting a modulation of the transmitted probe laser beam passed through the first cavity of the Fabry-Perot interferometer.",
"6. The photothermal interferometry apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the photodetector unit communicates with a control unit arranged for determining a harmonic of the modulation of the probe laser beam passed through the first cavity of the Fabry-Perot interferometer.",
"7. The photothermal interferometry apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the control unit comprises a lock-in amplifier, and wherein the harmonic is a second harmonic.",
"8. The photothermal interferometry apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a first tuner for tuning the probe laser beam over a first given wavelength range.",
"9. The photothermal interferometry apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second tuner for tuning the excitation laser beam over a second given wavelength range.",
"10. The photothermal interferometry apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the Fabry-Perot interferometer comprises a sample cell for containing the sample, the first and the second mirror being fixed on a first and second side of the sample cell.",
"11. The photothermal interferometry apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the sample cell of the Fabry-Perot interferometer comprises a sample inlet and a sample outlet.",
"12. The photothermal interferometry apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a vacuum device connected to the sample outlet of the Fabry-Perot interferometer.",
"13. The photothermal interferometry apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a reference cell containing the sample, the reference cell being arranged in the path of the excitation laser beam such that the excitation laser beam is passed through the sample in the reference cell, and a photo diode for detecting the excitation laser beam passed through the reference cell.",
"14. The photothermal interferometry apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the excitation laser is a diode laser, or a continuous wave quantum cascade laser, or a continuous wave distributed feedback quantum cascade laser, or an external cavity quantum cascade laser, or an interband cascade laser, and/or wherein the probe laser is a diode laser, or a single mode diode laser, or a continuous wave distributed feedback diode laser or an external cavity quantum cascade laser.",
"15. A method for detecting a trace gas species in a sample using photothermal spectroscopy, comprising the steps of: providing a first and a second probe laser beam, directing the first probe laser beam through the sample in a first cavity of a Fabry-Perot interferometer, directing the second probe laser beam through the sample in a second cavity of the Fabry-Perot interferometer, providing an excitation laser beam for heating the sample in the first cavity of the Fabry-Perot interferometer, directing the excitation laser beam through the sample in the first cavity of the Fabry-Perot interferometer, detecting the transmitted first probe laser beam, and detecting the transmitted second probe laser beam.",
"16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of subtracting a second transmission signal corresponding to the transmitted second probe laser beam from a first transmission signal corresponding to the transmitted first probe laser beam.",
"17. The method of claim 15, further comprising the steps of detecting a thermal wave in the sample with the transmitted first probe laser beam and detecting an acoustic wave in the sample with the transmitted second probe laser beam.",
"18. The method of claim 15, further comprising the steps of—modulating the excitation laser beam wavelength, directing the modulated excitation laser beam through the sample in the first cavity of the Fabry-Perot interferometer, detecting a harmonic of a modulation of the transmitted first probe laser beam passed through the first cavity of the Fabry-Perot interferometer.",
"19. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of—tuning the probe laser beam in accordance with a predetermined value of a transmission function of the Fabry-Perot interferometer.",
"20. The photothermal interferometry apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is for detecting a trace gas species."
],
[
"1. A feedback control system for microfluidic droplet manipulation, the system comprising:\nat least one pump operable to pump a sample fluid from the pump through an inlet channel and into a junction with a main channel on a microfluidic device, thereby to cause the system to form microfluidic droplets of the sample fluid surrounded by a carrier fluid at the junction;\na flow rate sensor operable to measure a flow rate to the inlet channel; and\na feedback controller operable to receive a flow rate measurement from the flow rate sensor and adjust a flow rate of the at least one pump to cause the system to form the microfluidic droplets at a uniform size.",
"2. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one pump is a pressure-driven pump.",
"3. The system of claim 1, wherein the flow rate is measured using heat transfer.",
"4. The system of claim 1, wherein after the flow rate is adjusted, the droplets are formed with <1.5% polydispersity.",
"5. The system of claim 1, wherein the feedback controller transmits automated instructions to the at least one pump to control the production of the microfluidic droplets.",
"6. The system of claim 1, wherein the flow rate sensor is operable to measure flow rates between 10 to 104 μL/hour.",
"7. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one pump creates positive displacement pressure driven flow.",
"8. The system of claim 1, wherein the feedback controller is operable to adjust pressure on the main channel and the inlet channel.",
"9. The system of claim 1, wherein the sample fluid contains molecules or cells that are introduced into the droplets.",
"10. The system of claim 1, wherein the sample fluid is pressurized.",
"11. The system of claim 1, wherein feedback on the infusion rates of the carrier fluid and the sample fluid provides droplets that are uniform in size and generated at a fixed frequency over arbitrarily long periods of time.",
"12. The system of claim 1, wherein the feedback controller controls a pressure difference between the carrier fluid in the main channel and the sample fluid at the inlet channel to regulate size and periodicity of the droplets.",
"13. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one pump comprises a pressure head.",
"14. The system of claim 1, wherein the feedback controller controls droplet generation rate.",
"15. The system of claim 1, wherein the feedback controller controls droplet properties including one or more of droplet volume, droplet generation rate, droplet release rate, and the total number of droplets generated.",
"16. The system of claim 1, further comprising a second inlet channel to form a second species of aqueous droplet.",
"17. The system of claim 16, wherein the system is operable to flow the droplets and the second species of aqueous droplet into a merge zone."
],
[
"1. A method for analyzing a material, the method comprising:\nan optical medium is brought into direct contact with a first region of a surface of the material,\nwith an excitation transmission device, at least one excitation light beam with at least one excitation wavelength is generated by an at least partially simultaneous or consecutive operation of a plurality of laser emitters of a laser light source, and the at least one excitation light beam is radiated into a material volume, which is located underneath said first region of the surface of the material,\nwith a device for emitting a measuring beam, a measuring beam is emitted which penetrates the optical medium,\nwith a detection device a response signal is detected, wherein detecting said response signal (SR) comprises detecting said measuring beam as a time-dependent response signal, after this measuring beam has been reflected at least once at an interface of the optical medium, which is in contact with the first region of the surface of the material, and\nthe material is analyzed on the basis of the detected response signal (SR), wherein to control the excitation transmission device for generating the excitation light beam, a series of stored equidistant or non-equidistant settings can be adjusted successively, each of which determines an excitation wavelength of the laser source and among which at least 3 wavelengths of absorption maxima of a substance to be identified in the material are included.",
"2. The method according to claim 1, wherein\nusing different modulation frequencies of the excitation transmission device, response signals are successively determined and a plurality of response signal waveforms or patterns at different modulation frequencies are combined with each other and specific information for a depth range under the surface is obtained from this.",
"3. The method according to claim 1, wherein\na plurality of modulation frequencies of the excitation light beam are used at the same time, and the detected response signal is resolved into its frequencies by an analytical procedure, and\nonly a partial signal that corresponds to a desired frequency is filtered out.",
"4. The method according to claim 1, wherein\nsaid material is formed by a body part of a patient, and as a function of a material concentration identified in the body part, one or more of the following is carried out:\nan acoustic or visual signal is output, or a signal is delivered to a processing device via a wireless connection.",
"5. The method according to claim 1, wherein\nthe excitation light beam is modulated with between 1 and 3 modulation frequencies, and a time characteristic of the response signal is analyzed.",
"6. The method according to claim 1, wherein\nin operation the measuring beam and the excitation beam overlap at an interface of the optical medium and the surface of the material, at which the measuring beam is reflected, and\nthe detection device is a device for receiving the reflected measuring beam which forms the response signal (SR) and for directly or indirectly detecting a deflection of the reflected measuring beam.",
"7. The method according to claim 1, wherein\nthe detection device is suitable for detecting a time-dependent response signal (SR) as a function of the wavelength of the excitation light and an intensity modulation of the excitation light.",
"8. The method according to claim 1, wherein\nthe excitation transmission device comprises two or more transmission elements in the form of a one-, two- or multi-dimensional transmission element array.",
"9. The method according to claim 1, wherein\nthe excitation transmission device has an integrated semiconductor component, which comprises one or more laser elements and at least one micro-optical component and an additional modulation element.",
"10. The method according to claim 9, wherein\nthe modulation element comprises an electronic control circuit for the modulation of the one or the plurality of laser elements.",
"11. The method according to claim 1, wherein\nthe excitation transmission device is configured to radiate more than 80% of its transmission power in the medium infrared wavenumber range between 900/cm and 1650/cm.",
"12. The method according to claim 1, wherein\nthe excitation transmission device is configured to emit between 20 and 100 wavelengths individually, simultaneously or sequentially.",
"13. The method according to claim 1, wherein\nthe excitation transmission device is configured to modulate the excitation light beam with a frequency between 10 and 1000 Hertz.",
"14. The method according to claim 2, wherein\nthe response signal waveforms or patterns at different modulation frequencies are determined for different wavelengths of the excitation light beam and from this, specific information is obtained for each depth range under the surface.",
"15. The method according claim 1, wherein\nthe emitted excitation light beam is radiated in such a way that the excitation light beam penetrates the optical medium and exits the optical medium at a predetermined point on the surface of the optical medium, and\nthe deflection of the reflected measuring beam is directly or indirectly detected.",
"16. The method according to claim 1, wherein\nan excitation corresponding to more than 80% of the excitation light power takes place in the medium infra-red wavenumber range between 900/cm and 1650/cm.",
"17. The method according to claim 1, wherein\nbetween 20 and 100 excitation wavelengths are individually excited.",
"18. The method according to claim 1, wherein\nmore than 50% of the excitation wavelengths are located at absorption maxima of fundamental oscillations of a glucose molecule.",
"19. The method according to claim 1, wherein\nthe excitation is modulated with a frequency between 10 and 1000 Hertz.",
"20. The method according to claim 1, wherein\na temporal waveform of the response signal is detected and subjected to an integral transformation after an excitation pulse of between 10 ms and 1000 ms duration.",
"21. The method according to claim 20, wherein\na measurement of the temporal waveform of the response signal is repeated 2-10 times, and an averaged signal waveform or pattern is subject to said integral transformation.",
"22. The method according to claim 1, wherein\nin order to take account of the absorption behavior of the sample or tissue which is independent of a glucose concentration, at least one or two wavenumber ranges or wavelength ranges without a significant absorption by the glucose are provided, in which the absorption is measured.",
"23. The method according to claim 22, wherein\nat least one of the wavenumber ranges is between 1610 and 1695 cm−1.",
"24. The method according to claim 22, wherein\nat least one of the wavenumber ranges is between 1480 and 1575 cm−1.",
"25. The method according to claim 1, wherein said material is skin and the method further comprises a step of detecting water or a sweat on the skin surface by a test stimulus with an excitation radiation using the excitation transmission device with water-specific wavelengths, wherein said water-specific wavelengths are chosen from water-specific bands at 1640 cm−1 and 690 cm−1.",
"26. The method according to claim 1, wherein\nduring the analysis, a temperature of one or more of the laser emitters of the excitation transmission device, a temperature of the detection device, a temperature of said optical medium, a temperature of said device for emitting said measuring beam, or an a temperature of an optical sensor is detected and taken into account in the evaluation of the analysis by associating or combining the measurement results with temperature correction values.",
"27. The method according to claim 1, wherein\nsaid material is formed by a body part and is pressed against said optical medium, wherein the pressure exerted on the optical medium by means of the pressed-on body part is detected, and wherein the excitation transmission device is turned on depending on the detected pressure on the optical medium, or is turned off depending on a reduction in the pressure below a specific threshold.",
"28. The method according to claim 1, wherein\nthe material is formed by a body part and is pressed against said optical medium, wherein a moisture level of the optical medium in the area of the pressed-on body part is detected, and wherein the excitation transmission device is turned on upon reaching a specified moisture level on the optical medium or is turned off by a reduction in the moisture level below a certain threshold, or by an increase in the moisture level above a certain threshold.",
"29. The method according to claim 1, wherein\nduring the implementation of the method a body part forming said material is pressed onto the optical medium and is affixed to the optical medium by clamping the body part to the optical medium, gluing the body part to the optical medium, adhesion of the body part to the optical medium, or by vacuum suction of the body part.",
"30. The method according to claim 1, wherein\nthe excitation light beam is emitted with at least two excitation wavelengths or groups of excitation wavelengths, wherein a first excitation wavelength or group of excitation wavelengths enables the identification of a substance to be identified in the material, while at least one additional excitation wavelength or group of excitation wavelengths enables the identification of a reference substance, which is different from the substance to be identified, and that for at least two different substances profiles are determined with regard to their density distribution over the depth of the material and combined with each other, and wherein a depth profile, or at least one or more parameters of a depth profile, of the reference substance in the material is known.",
"31. The method according to claim 30, wherein the excitation light beam is successively modulated with different modulation frequencies, wherein response signals are detected for different modulation frequencies or a time characteristic of the response signal in the event of a change in intensity of the excitation light beam is analyzed.",
"32. The method according to claim 31, wherein\nthe excitation light beam is modulated by controlling said laser light source which generates the excitation light beam.",
"33. The method according to claim 1, wherein\na duty factor of the excitation light beam is between 3 and 10%.",
"34. The method according to claim 1, wherein\na power density of the excitation light beam on the surface of the material to be analyzed is less than 5 mW/mm2.",
"35. The method according to claim 1, wherein\nthe material is formed by a body part, a vessel carrying a dialysate or a vessel of a dialysis unit carrying blood.",
"36. The method according to claim 1, wherein before and/or during and/or after said measurement, a mechanical pressure is detected, with which the optical medium is pressed against the material, and wherein the effect of the pressure on the material or the optical medium is eliminated from the measurement results or taken into account during the analysis.",
"37. A method for analyzing a material, the method comprising:\nan optical medium is brought into direct contact with a first region of a surface of the material,\nwith an excitation transmission device, at least one excitation light beam with at least one excitation wavelength is generated by an at least partially simultaneous or consecutive operation of a plurality of laser emitters of a laser light source, and the at least one excitation light beam is radiated into a material volume, which is located underneath said first region of the surface of the material,\nwith a device for emitting a measuring beam, a measuring beam is emitted which penetrates the optical medium,\nwith a detection device a response signal is detected, wherein detecting said response signal (SR) comprises detecting said measuring beam as a time-dependent response signal, after this measuring beam has been reflected at least once at an interface of the optical medium, which is in contact with the first region of the surface of the material, and\nthe material is analyzed on the basis of the detected response signal (SR), wherein\na depth range to be investigated in the material is first selected, and the excitation light beam is controlled thereafter in such a way that between time intervals in which the excitation beam is emitted, at least one time period is provided which corresponds to the diffusion time required by a thermal wave to traverse the distance between the depth range to be investigated in the material and the material surface.",
"38. A method for analyzing a material, the method comprising:\nan optical medium is brought into direct contact with a first region of a surface of the material,\nwith an excitation transmission device, at least one excitation light beam with at least one excitation wavelength is generated by an at least partially simultaneous or consecutive operation of a plurality of laser emitters of a laser light source, and the at least one excitation light beam is radiated into a material volume, which is located underneath said first region of the surface of the material,\nwith a device for emitting a measuring beam, a measuring beam is emitted which penetrates the optical medium,\nwith a detection device a response signal is detected, wherein detecting said response signal (SR) comprises detecting said measuring beam as a time-dependent response signal, after this measuring beam has been reflected at least once at an interface of the optical medium, which is in contact with the first region of the surface of the material, and\nthe material is analyzed on the basis of the detected response signal (SR),\nwherein a moisture content of the material or a humidity of the upper layers or the surface of the material is determined, and wherein the effect of the moisture in the material is eliminated from the measurement results or taken into account during the analysis."
],
[
"1. An additive manufacturing method comprising:\nemitting a first energy beam to a material and solidifying the material to form a layer;\nprocessing a surface of a manufactured object including the layer by emission of a second energy beam to the surface, and propagating, in the manufactured object, an elastic wave generated by impact of the emission of the second energy beam;\ndetecting the elastic wave; and\ninspecting an abnormality in the manufactured object on the basis of a detection result about the elastic wave.",
"2. The additive manufacturing method according to claim 1, further comprising:\nmeasuring a shape of the layer; and\nprocessing the surface on the basis of a result of the measurement.",
"3. The additive manufacturing method according to claim 1, wherein the detecting includes detecting the elastic wave in an area of the manufactured object in which the surface is processed.",
"4. The additive manufacturing method according to claim 1, wherein\nthe second energy beam is a first laser beam for processing,\nthe additive manufacturing method further comprises emitting a second laser beam for detection to the surface and receiving reflected light of the second laser beam, including oscillation of the surface by the elastic wave, reflected from the surface to detect the elastic wave, and\nthe first laser beam and the second laser beam do not interfere with each other.",
"5. An additive manufacturing method comprising:\nemitting an energy beam to a material and solidifying the material to form a layer;\nemitting a laser beam for processing and detection;\ndividing the laser beam into a first laser beam for processing and a second laser beam for detection;\nprocessing a surface of a manufactured object including the layer by emission of the first laser beam to the surface, and propagating, in the manufactured object, an elastic wave generated by impact of the emission of the first laser beam;\nemitting the second laser beam to the surface and receiving reflected light of the second laser beam including oscillation of the surface by the elastic wave to detect the elastic wave; and\ninspecting an abnormality in the manufactured object on a basis of a detection result about the elastic wave.",
"6. The additive manufacturing method according to claim 1, further comprising\nwhen the abnormality in the manufactured object is detected, partially removing the manufactured object from the surface of the manufactured object to the abnormality to form an opening, and filling the material in the opening of the manufactured object formed after removal thereof and solidifying the material.",
"7. The additive manufacturing method according to claim 6, wherein when a protruding portion is formed above a upper boundary of the opening by filling the material in the opening, the partially removing includes removing at least part of the protruding portion of the manufactured object."
],
[
"1. A system for detecting an analyte in a solution, the system comprising:\na first magnet configured to generate a first magnetic field that forces a plurality of magnetic particles in the solution toward an optical sensor that comprises a capture probe; and\na detector configured to detect a change in an optical property of the optical sensor, the change in the optical property resulting from the binding of at least the analyte, a magnetic particle, and the capture probe at the optical sensor.",
"2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first magnet is located on the opposite side of the optical sensor from the solution.",
"3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a controller module configured to cycle the first magnetic field.",
"4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a second magnet configured to generate a second magnetic field that forces the magnetic particles away from the optical sensor.",
"5. The system of claim 4, wherein the second magnet is located on the same side of the optical sensor as the solution.",
"6. The system of claim 4, wherein the second magnet is tunable to provide a second magnetic field having a variable magnitude.",
"7. The system of claim 4, further comprising a controller module configured to activate the first magnetic field before activating the second magnetic field.",
"8. The system of claim 7, wherein the controller module is configured to cycle the first magnetic field and the second magnetic field.",
"9. The system of claim 4, wherein the second magnet is configured to provide a magnetic field with a spatially-varying gradient.",
"10. The system of claim 9, wherein the spatially-varying gradient of the second magnet is provided about a plurality of optical sensors, and wherein the detector is configured to detect changes in the optical property of each of the plurality of optical sensors.",
"11. The system of claim 1, wherein the optical sensor comprises a resonant optical sensor, and wherein the detected optical property comprises a shift in the resonant wavelength of the optical sensor.",
"12. The system of claim 11, wherein the resonant optical sensor comprises an optical waveguide.",
"13. The system of claim 12, wherein the optical waveguide comprises a ring.",
"14. The system of claim 13, wherein the optical sensor is formed at least partially of silicon.",
"15. The system of claim 1, wherein the optical sensor is integrated on an integrated optical chip comprising optical waveguides.",
"16. The system of claim 1, wherein the magnetic particles specifically bind to the analyte or to a complex that includes the analyte.",
"17. A method for detecting an analyte in a solution, the method comprising: providing the solution in proximity to an optical sensor, the solution\ncomprising an analyte and a plurality of magnetic particles, and the optical sensor comprising a capture probe;\nproviding a first magnetic field that interacts with the magnetic particles to force the magnetic particles toward the optical sensor; and\ndetecting the analyte based on the binding of at least the analyte, a magnetic particle, and the capture probe by determining a change in an optical property of the optical sensor.",
"18. The method of claim 17, further comprising, prior to detecting the analyte, decreasing or removing the first magnetic field to reduce or remove the force directing the magnetic particles toward the optical sensor.",
"19. The method of claim 17, wherein the first magnetic field is provided using a first magnet located on the opposite side of the optical sensor as the solution.",
"20. The method of claim 17, further comprising cycling the first magnetic field."
],
[
"1. A method of measuring thermal conductivity of a material, the method comprising:\nfocusing a modulated CW pump laser beam having a beam diameter and a power having an “on” and “off” state, and thereby providing an “on” and “off” cyclical heat flux at a spot of the material, a size of the spot being the beam diameter, the modulated CW pump laser beam having a modulation frequency low enough to induce a cyclical steady-state temperature rise on the spot of the material, the cyclical steady-state temperature rise having an “on” and “off” state corresponding to the cyclical heat flux;\nfocusing a CW probe laser beam at the spot of the material and generating a reflected probe beam reflected from the spot of the material, the reflected probe beam having a reflectance signal, a magnitude of the reflectance signal being a function of the temperature of the material, the magnitude of the reflectance signal being periodic corresponding to the cyclical steady-state temperature rise, the magnitude of the reflectance signal having an “on” and “off” state;\nmeasuring a difference of the power of the pump laser beam between the “on” and “off” states of the power of the pump laser beam;\nmeasuring a difference of the magnitude of the reflectance signals of the reflected probe beam between the “on” and “off” states; and\ncalculating the thermal conductivity by fitting the measured difference of the power and the measured difference of the magnitude of the reflectance signal to a thermal model, the thermal model being a function of a thermal conductivity of the material relating the heat flux to the temperature rise, the thermal model being a function of the modulation frequency and the spot size of the pump beam on the material.",
"2. The method of claim 1, the calculating step further comprising calibrating a proportionality constant encompassing a thermoreflectance coefficient and a conversion factor of change in reflectance to change in photodetector voltage, the calibration being done with a material having a known thermal conductivity.",
"3. The method of claim 2, wherein the material used for the calibration is single-crystal sapphire.",
"4. The method claim 1, wherein the magnitude of the reflectance signal of the reflected probe beam is measured using a periodic waveform analyzer via a digital boxcar average.",
"5. The method claim 1, wherein the magnitude of the reflectance signal of the reflected probe beam is measured using a lock-in amplifier to lock into the periodic signal produced by the reflected probe beam.",
"6. The method of claim 5, wherein the lock-in amplifier is synced to the modulation frequency.",
"7. The method of claim 1, wherein the modulation frequency defines a period longer than 95% rise time of the temperature rise.",
"8. The method of claim 1, wherein the pump beam diameter is lowered allowing for a steady-state temperature rise to be reached at a higher modulation frequency.",
"9. The method of claim 1, wherein the modulated pump laser beam is a continuous wave beam modulated by an arbitrary periodic waveform.",
"10. The method of claim 1, wherein the steady-state temperature rise is a quasi-steady-state temperature rise.",
"11. The method of claim 1, wherein a beam diameter of the probe beam is the same as or smaller than the beam diameter of the pump beam.",
"12. The method of claim 2, further comprising:\nmeasuring the difference of the magnitude of the reflectance signal as the pump power at the “on” state is varied;\ngenerating a dataset of the magnitude of the reflectance signal difference versus the pump power difference;\nperforming a linear fit on the dataset to determine a slope; and\ndetermining the thermal conductivity by comparing the slope to the thermal model after dividing by the proportionality constant.",
"13. The method of claim 12, wherein the pump power is increased linearly.",
"14. The method of claim 1, wherein the modulation frequency is a first modulation frequency, the method further comprising:\nmeasuring the magnitude of the reflectance signal difference as the pump power at the “on” state at the first modulation frequency is varied;\ngenerating a dataset of the magnitude of the reflectance signal difference versus the pump power difference;\nperforming a linear fit on the dataset to determine a first slope;\nsetting the modulation frequency to a second modulation frequency;\nmeasuring the magnitude of the reflectance signal difference as the pump power at the “on” state at the second modulation frequency is varied;\ngenerating a dataset of the magnitude of the reflectance signal difference versus the pump power difference;\nperforming a linear fit on the dataset to determine a second slope;\nfitting the first and second slopes to the thermal model for determining the thermal conductivity.",
"15. The method of claim 14, wherein the pump power is increased linearly.",
"16. The method of claim 1, wherein the pump power at the “on” state is kept constant, the method further comprising:\nsweeping the modulation frequency over a range of frequencies ranging from 1 Hz to 1 GHz,\nmapping out the frequency response of the steady state signal; and\nfitting the data to a frequency dependent steady-state thermoreflectance model.",
"17. A system for measuring thermal conductivity of a material, comprising:\na pump laser source for emitting a CW pump laser beam having a beam diameter and a power;\na modulator for modulating the CW pump laser beam, the modulated CW pump laser beam having a modulation frequency low enough to induce a cyclical steady-state temperature rise on a spot of the material, the spot having a size of the beam diameter;\na probe laser source for emitting a CW probe laser beam at the spot of the material and generating a reflected probe beam reflected from the spot of the material, the reflected probe beam having a reflectance signal, a magnitude of the reflectance signal being a function of the temperature of the material, the magnitude of the reflectance signal being periodic corresponding to the cyclical steady-state temperature rise, the magnitude of the reflectance signal having an “on” and “off” state;\ndetectors for measuring the waveform and power of the pump laser beam and the waveform and the magnitude of the reflectance signal of the reflected probe laser beam;\noptical components for directing and focusing the pump laser beam and probe laser beam onto a surface of the material; and\na processing unit for calculating the thermal conductivity by fitting the measured difference of the power and the measured difference of the magnitude of the reflectance signal to a thermal model, the thermal model being a function of a thermal conductivity of the material relating the heat flux to the temperature rise, the thermal model being a function of the modulation frequency and the spot size of the pump beam on the material.",
"18. The system of claim 17, wherein the detectors are power meters or photodetectors.",
"19. The system of claim 17, further comprising a lock-in amplifier for measuring the waveform and power of the pump laser beam and the waveform and the magnitude of the reflectance signal of the reflected probe laser beam."
],
[
"1. An arrangement comprising:\nat least one first arrangement configured to provide at least one first electro-magnetic radiation to a sample so as to interact with at least one acoustic wave in the sample, wherein at least one second electro-magnetic radiation is produced based on the at least one acoustic wave and the at least one acoustic wave is amplified as a result of an interaction with the second electro-magnetic radiation;\nat least one second arrangement configured to receive at least one portion of the at least one second electro-magnetic radiation; and\nat least one third arrangement configured to determine information associated with a mechanical property of at least one portion of the sample based on a measurement of at least one of a magnitude or frequency of a spectral peak in a spectrum of the at least one second electro-magnetic radiation.",
"2. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein the at least one first electromagnetic radiation has a form of a plurality of pulses.",
"3. The arrangement of claim 1, further comprising at least one fourth arrangement configured to image the at least one portion of the sample based on data associated with the at least one second electro-magnetic radiation.",
"4. The arrangement of claim 3, wherein the at least one first electro-magnetic radiation includes at least one first magnitude and at least one first frequency, wherein the at least one second electro-magnetic radiation includes at least one second magnitude and at least one second frequency, and wherein the data relates to at least one of a first difference between the first and second magnitudes or a second difference between the first and second frequencies.",
"5. The arrangement of claim 4, wherein the second difference is between −100 GHz and 100 GHz, excluding zero.",
"6. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein the at least one second arrangement includes a spectral filter which facilitates a determination of the spectrum of the at least one second electro-magnetic radiation.",
"7. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein the information is associated with a mechanical property of the sample.",
"8. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein the sample is a living subject.",
"9. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein the sample is at least one of an organ, a tissue, or a cell.",
"10. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein the at least one first electromagnetic radiation has a center wavelength which is between 0.5-1.8 μm.",
"11. A method for obtaining information associated with a sample, comprising:\nproviding at least one first electro-magnetic radiation to the sample so as to interact with at least one acoustic wave in the sample, wherein at least one second electro-magnetic radiation is produced based on the at least acoustic wave and the at least one acoustic wave is amplified as a result of an interaction with the second electro-magnetic radiation;\nreceiving at least one portion of at least one second electro-magnetic radiation; and\ndetermining information associated with a mechanical property of at least one portion of the sample based on a measurement of at least one of a magnitude or frequency of a spectral peak in a spectrum of the at least one second electro-magnetic radiation.",
"12. The method of claim 11, wherein the at least one first electromagnetic radiation has a form of a plurality of pulses.",
"13. The method of claim 11, further comprising imaging the at least one portion of the sample based on data associated with the at least one second electro-magnetic radiation.",
"14. The method of claim 13, wherein the at least one first electro-magnetic radiation includes at least one first magnitude and at least one first frequency, wherein the at least one second electro-magnetic radiation includes at least one second magnitude and at least one second frequency, and wherein the data relates to at least one of a first difference between the first and second magnitudes or a second difference between the first and second frequencies.",
"15. The method of claim 14, wherein the second difference is between −100 GHz and 100 GHz, excluding zero.",
"16. The method of claim 11, wherein receiving at least one portion of at least one second electro-magnetic radiation includes determining the spectrum of the at least one second electro-magnetic radiation using a spectral filter.",
"17. The method of claim 11, wherein the information is associated with a mechanical property of the sample.",
"18. The method of claim 11, wherein the sample is a living subject.",
"19. The method of claim 11, wherein the sample is at least one of an organ, a tissue, or a cell.",
"20. The method of claim 11, wherein the at least one first electromagnetic radiation has a center wavelength which is between 0.5-1.8 μm."
],
[
"1. A fluidic cell for use in analyzing a property of fluids, comprising:\na flow channel for conducting a fluid within the fluidic cell, the flow channel defined on one side by a cell window and on a second side by a cell back side surface, wherein the fluid is confined to flow substantially parallel to the surface of the cell window and cell back side surface;\nan interrogation region within the flow channel wherein the fluid interacts with an optical beam over a pathlength; and\nan inlet channel for flowing fluids into the flow channel and an outlet channel for flowing fluids out of the flow channel,\nwherein the cell window has a reflective surface in contact with the fluid and has a first port transmissive to an optical beam for entering the optical beam into the flow channel at an angle other than normal incidence,\nand wherein the cell back side surface is coated with a film semi-reflective to the optical beam, such that the optical beam is reflected back and forth in the flow channel and a portion of the optical beam is transmitted through the cell back side surface at each reflection, forming multiple optical beams exiting the fluidic cell through the cell back side surface for measurement by a detector.",
"2. The fluidic cell of claim 1, wherein the fluid flow within the fluid channel is substantially laminar.",
"3. The fluidic cell of claim 2, wherein the reflection is along the direction perpendicular to fluid flow.",
"4. The fluidic cell of claim 1, wherein one of the multiple optical beams is selected for measurement based on the optical beam power, detector performance or optical absorption of the optical beam in the fluid.",
"5. A fluidic cell for use in analyzing a property of fluids, comprising:\nfirst, second and third cell windows, the cell windows being transmissive to an optical beam generated by an optical source;\na first flow channel for conducting a fluid within the fluidic cell, the first flow channel defined on one side by the first cell window and on a second side by the second cell window;\na second flow channel for conducting a second fluid within the fluidic cell, the second flow channel defined on one side by the second cell window and on a second side by the third cell window; and\ninterrogation regions within the first flow channel and the second flow channel wherein the first and second fluids interact with the optical beam over a pathlength,\nwherein the optical beam passes first through the first flow channel and second through the second flow channel.",
"6. The fluidic cell of claim 5, wherein the first and second flow channels alternatively contain a fluid that interacts with the optical beam and a gas or fluid substantially optically transparent to the optical beam.",
"7. A fluidic cell for use in analyzing a property of fluids, comprising:\na first cell window and a back side surface, the first cell window being transmissive to an optical beam generated by an optical source;\nfirst and second flow channels for conducting a first fluid and second fluid respectively within the fluidic cell, the flow channels defined on one side by the first cell window and on a second side by the back side surface;\nan interrogation region within the first flow channel wherein the fluid interacts with the optical beam over a pathlength; and\na flow channel barrier separating the first and second fluids when flowing in the flow channel, the flow channel barrier moving in the flow channel in response to pressure changes in the first or second fluids.",
"8. The fluidic cell of claim 7, wherein the flow channel barrier separates the first and second fluids in the interrogation region.",
"9. The fluidic cell of claim 8, wherein the flow channel barrier does not contact one of the first cell window or the back side surface.",
"10. The fluidic cell of claim 8, wherein the flow channel barrier removes first or second fluids from a spatial region proximate to the first cell window or back side surface.",
"11. The fluidic cell of claim 7, wherein the moving of the flow channel barrier is a result of a pump injecting a fluid into the channel to create pressure variations.",
"12. The fluidic cell of claim 11, wherein the pump further includes a reservoir, the reservoir being replenished with fluids at a rate less than a rate of pressure variation.",
"13. The fluidic cell of claim 7, wherein the flow channel barrier is attached at one end and the first fluid and second fluid flow through a common outlet channel."
]
] |
the following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 u.s.c. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this office action:
a person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
claim(s) 1 - 4, 8, 9, 14 - 16, 20 - 23, 25, and 28 is/are rejected under 35 u.s.c. 102 (a)(1) as being anticipated by prater et al. (us 10,942,116 b2).
with regards to claim 1, photothermal discloses a mid-infrared ("mid-ir", col. 3, ln. 43) photothermal microscopy system for imaging (fig. 2; "...platform that combines the analytical and imaging techniques of dual-beam photo-thermal spectroscopy with confocal microscopy...”, col. 2, lines 44-46) a sample (fig. 2, "sample 125", col. 13, line 44) on a substrate ("stage 119", fig. 2, col. 21, line 36) comprising: a mid-infrared ("mid-ir", col. 3, line. 43) optical source ("infrared source 112", fig. 2, col. 12, line. 51) configured to generate a mid-infrared beam (“infrared radiation beam 114", col. 12, line. 52), the mid-infrared beam being directed along a first optical path (fig. 2, path of "ir heating beam 125", col. 8, line. 13) to reach the substrate on a first side (upper side in fig. 2) and heat the sample (...the sample will heat up.", col. 8, line. 17); a probe light source configured to generate a probe light (fig. 2, "probe beam source 126", col. 9, line. 4), the probe light being directed along a second optical path (fig. 2, path of “probe beam 127", col. 8, line. 28) to reach the substrate on a second side (lower side in fig. 2) and illuminate the sample (probe beam illuminates the "region of interest" at the upper side and also passes through the substrate to the lower side as seen in fig. 2), the second side opposite the first side (i.e. lower is opposite to upper); a first laser scanner comprising at least one movable mirror (fig. 2, "single or multi-axis galvo mirrors 200 and 202"), positioned along the first optical path (i.e. path of beam 125) and configured to rotate to redirect light and scan the sample with the mid-infrared beam ("scanning over a plurality of locations", col. 11, line. 55); and a second laser scanner comprising at least one movable mirror (fig. 2, "beam steering mirrors 204 and 206", col. 13, line. 6), positioned along the second optical path (i.e., path of "probe beam 127") and configured to rotate to redirect the light and scan the sample with the probe light ("...scanning...", col. 13, line. 14), wherein the laser scanners are driven to rotate such that the mid-infrared beam and the probe light scan the sample synchronously (fig. 4c, "ir and probe beams overlap", col. 19, lines 46-50).
with regards to claim 2, prater discloses the system of claim 1, further comprising a photodiode ("photodiode", col. 15, line 11) configured to detect probe light from the sample ("probe light detector", col. 15, line 8-9) to generate a reconstructed image of the sample ("chemical images 150", col. 11, line44).
with regards to claim 3, prater discloses the system of claim 2, wherein the mid-infrared beam is a pulsed beam ("the ir laser...is pulsed.”, col. 11, line 8) and wherein the mip system further comprises single pulse ("the ir laser pulse", col. 17, line 21) photothermal detection (fig. 4c, “each signa! collection pulse", col. 16, lines 17-18).
with regards to claim 4, prater discloses the system of claim 1, wherein the first laser scanner comprises a first pair of scanning mirrors (fig. 2, "steering mirrors 200 and 202", col. 12, line 59), including a first mirror (200) and a second mirror (202); and the second laser scanner comprises a second pair of scanning mirrors (fig. 2, "steering mirrors 204 and 206", col. 13, line 6), including a third mirror (204) and a fourth mirror (206).
with regards to claim 8, prater discloses the system of claim 1, wherein a relative scaling-of motion for the mid-infrared and probe light laser scanning ("scanning over a plurality of locations", col: 11, line 55) mechanisms ("steering mirrors") is configured such that the probe light and midinfrared beam are focused to overlapping locations on the sample during scanning (fig. 4c; "control overlap of ir beam and probe beam", col. 12, lines 36-37).
with regards to claim 9, prater discloses the system of claim 1, further comprising: a first photodiode ("photodiode", col. 5, line 65) positioned along the first optical path and configured to detect the probe light passing through the sample (fig. 2, detector labeled "receiver 140", col. 29, line 34); and a second photodiode positioned along the second optical path and configured to detect the probe light returning after reflecting off the sample (fig. 2, detector labeled "receiver module 142”, col. 10, line 31).
with regards to claim 14, prater discloses the system of claim 1, wherein a focus of the mid-infrared beam ("mid-ir", col. 3, line 43) is aligned to overlap with a focus of the probe light (fig. 4c; “the focused sensing beam overlaps with the focused ir beam", col. 9, lines 4-2).
with regards to claim 15, prater discloses the system of claim 1, further comprising a reflective objective lens ("dichroic lens 208 positioned on the first optical path between the first laser scanner and the substrate (fig. 2)).
with regards to claim 16, prater discloses the system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the laser scanners comprises at least one galvo mirror ("galvo mirrors” 202, 200, 204, 206 in fig. 2, col. 12, line 65).
with regards to claim 20, prater discloses the system of claim 1, wherein the laser scanners provide an effective scan area of the mid-ir and probe lights of at least 100 micrometers on a side ("areas greater than 1 square mm", col. 25, line 21).
with regards to claim 21, prater discloses the system of claim 1, wherein the laser scanners provide an effective scan area of the mid-ir and probe lights of at least 200 micrometers on a side ("areas greater than 1 square mm", col. 25, line 21).
with regards to claim 22, prater discloses a method ("method", title) of operating a photothermal infrared ("mid-ir", col. 3, line 43) microscope (fig. 2; "...platform that combines the analytical and imaging techniques of dual-beam photo-thermal spectroscopy with confocal microscopy...", col. 2, lines 44-46) comprising
a) illuminating a sample with a beam of mid-infrared light (‘infrared radiation beam 114", col. 12, line 52);
b) illuminating the sample with a beam of probe light at least partially overlapping the beam of mid-infrared light at the sample (fig. 4c, "probe beam 127" overlaps "ir heating beam 125");
c) synchronously scanning the beam of mid-infrared light and the beam of probe light over a plurality of locations ("scanning over a plurality of locations", col. 11, line 55) on the sample such that the two beams remain substantially overlapped during the scanning (fig. 4c, "ir and probe beams overlap", col. 19, lines 46-50);
d) collecting probe light from the sample (“probe light collected by the collection optic 134", col. 9, line 14);
e) detecting a change in probe light collected from the sample ("changes in probe beam", col. 9, line 35-36) at the plurality of locations ("scanning over a plurality of locations", col. 11, line 55) on the sample (fig. 2, "sample -125) in response to radiation from the mid-infrared light absorbed by the sample (change of probe beam is "associated with absorption of the heating radiation" of the ir beam, col. 9, lines 36-37).
with regards to claim 23, prater discloses the method of claim 22, further comprising extracting a signal ("probe beam signa!", col. 11, line 16) from the detected change in collected probe light to produce an image that is indicative of infrared absorption by the sample ("signal...indicative of...deviation of the probe beam", col. 11, line 18-20).
with regards to claim 25, prater discloses the method of claim 23, further comprising collecting a plurality of images ("chemical images" showing "distribution", col. 11, lines 44-45) at a plurality of mid-infrared ("mid-ir", col. 3, line 43) wavelengths ("...signal can be measured at a plurality of wavelengths", col. 11, lines 26-27).
with regards to claim 28, prater discloses the method of claim 23, wherein the image indicative of infrared absorption by the sample has a signal to noise ratio of greater than 50 ("...snr...is 76.", col. 41, line 41).
|
[
"1. A method, comprising:\ngenerating, at a sensor apparatus, sensor data indicating a flow rate of an instance of aerosol that is drawn through a conduit of the sensor apparatus from an external tobacco element coupled to the sensor apparatus and to an outlet opening of the conduit;\ncommunicating a data stream between the sensor apparatus and a computing device via a communication link, the data stream providing a real-time indication or near real-time indication of the flow rate of the instance of aerosol drawn through the conduit, the data stream including information associated with the sensor data; and\nprocessing the information associated with the sensor data to generate topography information associated with the sensor apparatus,\nwherein the topography information includes\nan aerosol draw pattern of the instance of aerosol drawn though the conduit over a period of time, the aerosol draw pattern associated with the sensor data, the aerosol draw pattern representing a time variation of a cumulative amount of aerosol in multiple instances of aerosol drawn through the conduit during the period of time, from a null value at a start of the period of time to a cumulative amount at an end of the period of time, and\na time variation of a threshold cumulative amount of aerosol drawn through the conduit during the period of time, the threshold cumulative amount of aerosol varying as a function of time over the period of time, wherein\nthe aerosol draw pattern includes a historical aerosol draw pattern generated based on an aggregate of multiple instances of aerosol drawn through the conduit, and\nthe aerosol draw pattern includes a projected aerosol draw pattern generated based on the historical aerosol draw pattern and an initial flow rate at a start of an ongoing instance of aerosol drawn through the conduit.",
"2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\ngenerating a feedback control signal from a comparison of a cumulative aerosol draw pattern including the cumulative amount of aerosol in the multiple instances of aerosol drawn through the conduit during the period of time, and a threshold cumulative aerosol draw pattern, including the threshold cumulative amount of aerosol drawn through the conduit during the period of time; and\ncontrolling flow control devices at the sensor apparatus based on the feedback control signal.",
"3. The method of claim 2, wherein the flow control devices include an adjustable valve device configured to adjustably control a cross-sectional flow area of a particular portion of the conduit.",
"4. The method of claim 2, wherein the flow control devices include an adjustable vent device configured to adjustably direct a separate portion of generated aerosol to flow to an ambient environment as a bypass aerosol.",
"5. The method of claim 2, wherein the flow control devices include an adjustable intake device configured to adjustably draw bypass air from an ambient environment into the conduit and to the outlet opening.",
"6. The method of claim 2, wherein the topography information further includes\na time variation of an amount of aerosol generated by the external tobacco element during the period of time,\na time variation of an amount of bypass aerosol drawn through an adjustable vent device during the period of time, and\na time variation of an amount of bypass air drawn through an adjustable intake device during the period of time.",
"7. The method of claim 2, wherein the feedback control signal is generated based on the projected aerosol draw pattern.",
"8. The method of claim 7, wherein the flow control devices are configured to cause the projected aerosol draw pattern to conform to the threshold cumulative amount of aerosol drawn through the conduit during the period of time.",
"9. The method of claim 2, further comprising:\ngenerating a visual, audio, or haptic response in the sensor apparatus upon reception of the feedback control signal by the sensor apparatus.",
"10. The method of claim 1, wherein the communication link is a wireless network communication link.",
"11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\ndisplaying the topography information to provide graphical representations of the time variation of the cumulative amount of aerosol in the multiple instances of aerosol drawn through the conduit during the period of time.",
"12. The method of claim 1,\nwherein the aerosol draw pattern is a remainder generated aerosol draw pattern drawn through the outlet opening of the sensor apparatus, and\nwherein the remainder generated aerosol draw pattern is based on an amount of aerosol generated by the external tobacco element during the period of time and an amount of bypass aerosol drawn through a bypass vent during the period of time.",
"13. A method, comprising:\ngenerating, at a sensor apparatus, sensor data indicating a flow rate of an instance of aerosol that is drawn through a conduit of the sensor apparatus from an external tobacco element coupled to the sensor apparatus and to an outlet opening of the conduit;\ncommunicating a data stream between the sensor apparatus and a computing device via a communication link, the data stream providing a real-time indication or near real-time indication of the flow rate of the instance of aerosol drawn through the conduit, the data stream including information associated with the sensor data;\nprocessing the information associated with the sensor data to generate topography information associated with the sensor apparatus,\nwherein the topography information includes\nan aerosol draw pattern of the instance of aerosol drawn though the conduit over a period of time, the aerosol draw pattern associated with the sensor data, the aerosol draw pattern representing a time variation of a cumulative amount of aerosol in one or more instances of aerosol drawn through the conduit during the period of time, from a null value at a start of the period of time to a cumulative amount at an end of the period of time, and\na time variation of a threshold cumulative amount of aerosol drawn through the conduit during the period of time, the threshold cumulative amount of aerosol varying with time over the period of time;\ngenerating a feedback control signal from a comparison of a cumulative aerosol draw pattern including the cumulative amount of aerosol in the one or more instances of aerosol drawn through the conduit during the period of time, and a threshold cumulative aerosol draw pattern, including the threshold cumulative amount of aerosol drawn through the conduit during the period of time; and\ncontrolling flow control devices at the sensor apparatus based on the feedback control signal, wherein\nthe aerosol draw pattern includes a historical aerosol draw pattern generated based on multiple prior instances of aerosol drawn through the conduit, and\nthe aerosol draw pattern includes a projected aerosol draw pattern generated based on the historical aerosol draw pattern and an initial flow rate at a start of an ongoing instance of aerosol drawn through the conduit.",
"14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:\ngenerating, at a temperature sensor, temperature data based on a temperature of the external tobacco element, the temperature data including a threshold temperature corresponding to a temperature at which the external tobacco element is depleted.",
"15. The method of claim 13,\nwherein the aerosol draw pattern is a remainder generated aerosol draw pattern drawn through the outlet opening of the sensor apparatus, and\nwherein the remainder generated aerosol draw pattern is based on an amount of aerosol generated by the external tobacco element during the period of time and an amount of bypass air drawn through an intake device during the period of time.",
"16. The method of claim 13, wherein the topography information includes an amount of the one or more instances of aerosol drawn through the conduit of the sensor apparatus during the period of time."
] |
US12250963B2
|
US20160157524A1
|
[
"1. A method of determining a dose of a vaporizable material delivered to a user of a vaporizing device over a time period, wherein the time period comprises a plurality of sequential time intervals, and wherein the vaporizing device includes a heater controller, a heater, a source of the vaporizable material and a vaporized dose predictor unit, the method comprising:\ncalculating, for each of the sequential time intervals, a partial dose, wherein the partial dose is calculated from a power delivered by the heater controller to the heater to vaporize the vaporizable material during a partial dose time interval, a temperature of the vaporizable material being vaporized during the partial dose time interval, and a temperature of the vaporizable material being vaporized before the partial dose time interval; and\nsumming the calculated partial doses in the vaporized dose predictor unit to determine a total dose of vapor delivered during the time period.",
"2. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining an amount of active ingredient delivered to the user based on the total dose of vapor delivered.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein calculating further comprises determining a change in temperature (ΔT) of the vaporizable material being vaporized for each of the sequential time intervals relative the temperature of the vaporizable material being vaporized.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein the sequential time intervals are between about 200 msec and about 10 msec.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein calculating, for each of the sequential time intervals, a partial dose is further based upon a latent heat and a specific heat of the material.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein calculating, for each of the sequential time intervals, a partial dose comprises subtracting from a first constant times the power delivered by the heater controller to the heater to vaporize the vaporizable material during the partial dose time interval, a second constant times the temperature of the vaporizable material being vaporized during the partial dose time interval and a third constant times the temperature of the vaporizable material being vaporized before the partial dose time interval.",
"7. The method of claim 1, wherein calculating the partial dose using the temperature of the vaporizable material being vaporized during the partial dose time interval and the temperature of the vaporizable material being vaporized before the partial dose time interval comprises using an electrical property of the heater that is proportional to the temperature of the heater as the temperature of the vaporizable material being vaporized during the partial dose time interval.",
"8. The method of claim 1, further comprising alerting the user when the total dose of vapor delivered during the time period meets or exceeds a preset threshold.",
"9. The method of claim 1, further comprising disabling the device when the total dose of vapor delivered during the time period meets or exceeds a preset threshold.",
"10. The method of claim 1, further comprising calculating and displaying a cumulative total dose of vapor delivered over a session period that includes the time period.",
"11. The method of claim 1, further comprising detecting a user's puff on the vaporizer device, wherein the time period corresponds to a duration of the detected user's puff.",
"12. The method of claim 1, wherein the vaporizable material is a liquid.",
"13. The method of claim 1, wherein the vaporizable material comprises a tobacco-based material.",
"14. The method of claim 1, wherein the vaporizable material comprises a botanical.",
"15. The method of claim 1, wherein the vaporizable material comprises a nicotine compound.",
"16. The method of claim 1, wherein the vaporizable material comprises a cannabinoid.",
"17. The method of claim 1, wherein the vaporizable material comprises one or more of: cetirizine, ibuprofen, naproxen, omeprazole, doxylamine, diphenhydramine, melatonin, or meclizine.",
"18. The method of claim 1, wherein the vaporizable material comprises one or more of: albuterol, levalbuterol, pirbuterol, salmeterol, formoterol, atropine sulfate, ipratropium bromide, fluticasone, budesonide, mometasone, montelukast, zafirlukast, theophylline, fluticasone and salmeterol, budesonide and formoterol, or mometasone and formoterol.",
"19. The method of claim 1, wherein the vaporizable material comprises one or more of: a polyphonel, a green tea catechin, caffeine, a phenol, a glycoside, a labdane diterpenoid, yohimbine, a proanthocyanidin, terpene glycoside, an omega fatty acid, echinacoside, an alkaloid, isovaleric acid, a terpene, gamma-aminobutyric acid, a senna glycoside, cinnamaldehyde, or Vitamin D.",
"20. The method of claim 1, wherein the vaporizable material comprises a nicotine salt, glycerin, and propylene glycol.",
"21. The method of claim 1, wherein the vaporized dose predictor unit is part of a controller.",
"22. The method of claim 1, wherein summing the calculated partial doses in the vaporized dose predictor unit comprises aggregating them as each partial dose is calculated.",
"23. A method of determining a dose of a vaporizable material delivered to a user of a vaporizing device over a time period, wherein the time period comprises a plurality of sequential time intervals, and wherein the vaporizing device includes a heater controller, a heater, a source of the vaporizable material and a vaporized dose predictor unit, the method comprising:\ntransmitting a power delivered by the heater controller to the heater at each of the plurality of sequential time intervals from the power controller to the vaporized dose predictor unit;\ncalculating, for each of the sequential time intervals, a partial dose, wherein the partial dose is calculated from the power delivered by the heater controller to the heater to vaporize the vaporizable material during each of the plurality of sequential time intervals, a temperature of the vaporizable material being vaporized during each of the plurality of sequential time intervals, and a temperature of the vaporizable material being vaporized before each of the plurality of sequential time intervals; and\nsumming the calculated partial doses in the vaporized dose predictor unit to determine a total dose of vapor delivered during the time period.",
"24. The method of claim 23, further comprising transmitting the temperature of the vaporizable materials being vaporized during each of the plurality of sequential time intervals from the power controller to the vaporized dose predictor unit.",
"25. A method of determining a dose of a vaporizable material delivered to a user of a vaporizing device over a time period, wherein the time period comprises a plurality of sequential time intervals, and wherein the vaporizing device includes a heater controller, a heater, a source of the vaporizable material including an active ingredient, and a vaporized dose predictor unit, the method comprising:\ncalculating, for each of the sequential time intervals, a partial dose, wherein the partial dose is calculated from a power delivered by the heater controller to the heater to vaporize the vaporizable material during a partial dose time interval, a temperature of the vaporizable material being vaporized during the partial dose time interval, and a temperature of the vaporizable material being vaporized immediately before the partial dose time interval;\nsumming the calculated partial doses in the vaporized dose predictor unit to determine a total dose of vapor delivered during the time period; and\ndetermining an amount of active ingredient delivered to the user based on the total dose of vapor delivered."
] |
[
[
"1. In a cigarette testing device for detecting flaws in the wrappers of filter-tipped cigarettes including means producing a pressure differential between the inside and outside of the wrapper of each cigarette in turn at a testing station to induce an air flow through the wrapper and means to detect any leaks in the wrapper produced by the said differential pressure, the improvement comprising means for applying a full pressure differential in the region of the joint between the filter and the smokable part of each cigarette, and reducing means for applying a reduced pressure differential in a selected region occupied substantially entirely by at least part of the smokable part of the cigarette.",
"2. A cigarette testing device according to claim 1 in which each cigarette is carried during testing by a fluted drum, and in which the means for reducing the pressure differential along part of the wrapper comprises a number of pressure-reducing members carried by a second drum arranged adjacent said fluted drum so that one of the pressure-reducing members lies adjacent to each cigarette during testing, said testing station being situated between the two drums.",
"3. A cigarette testing device according to claim 2 in which each pressure-reducing member forms part of an assembly which includes part of the fluted drum and which closely surrounds part of the cigarette at the testing station so as to reduce the flow of air through the part of the cigarette wrapper which is thus closely surrounded.",
"4. A cigarette testing device according to claim 2 in which the pressure differential is produced by means of suction in an annular chamber around the cigarette at the testing station, the annular chamber being defined by the two drums, and the suction being connected to each annular chamber at the testing station via a suction space in the second drum.",
"5. A cigarette testing device according to claim 4 in which each pressure-reducing member comprises a part which restricts free communication between the suction space and the annular space to a slot in the second drum in the region of the joint between the filter and the smokable part of the corresponding cigarette.",
"6. A method of testing filter-tipped cigarettes comprising the steps of producing a pressure differential between the inside and outside of the wrapper of each cigarette in turn to induce an air flow through the wrapper to detect leaks in the wrapper, selectively varying the pressure differential along the length of the wrapper so that the pressure differential is greatest in the region of the joint between the filter and the smokable part ofthe cigarette and is relatively less in other regions, whereby variations in the rate of air flow through the wrapper caused by variations in the porosity of the wrapper are minimized.",
"7. Apparatus for testing filter-tipped cigarettes each comprising a filter portion joined to one end of a tobacco portion including a wrapper, the apparatus comprising: a. means for carrying the cigarettes successively through a testing station; b. means for forming an enclosure around each cigarette in turn while at the testing station, whereby an annular space is formed between the cigarette and the enclosure, the annular space extending over the joint between the tobacco and filter portions and also over at least part of the tobacco portion; c. means for producing a pressure differential between the annular space and the interior of the cigarette to induce an air flow to test for the presence of any leaks; and d. means for varying the pressure at different points along the annular space whereby the said pressure differential is greater in the region of the joint than it is in the region of the tobacco portion.",
"8. Apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising means defining a slot for feeding suction to the annular space, the said means for varying the pressure comprising means for restricting the flow of air into the slot from the part of the annular space which extends over the tobacco portion of the cigarette."
],
[
"1. A method of making a continuous body of fibrous material, particularly for subdivision into rod-shaped articles of predetermined length, comprising the steps of advancing a continuous tow of fibrous material along a predetermined path including transporting the tow by an endless belt the thickness of which decreases as a result of wear; gradually condensing the running tow in a predetermined portion of said path to thus convert the tow into a rod-like filler; measuring a characteristic of the filler and generating first signals denoting the measured characteristic; monitoring the thickness of the belt and generating second signals denoting the monitored thickness; and modifying said first signals as a function of said second signals.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein said measuring step includes measuring a characteristic of the filler in said predetermined portion of said path.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein said measuring step includes ascertaining the resistance which the filler offers to the flow of a gaseous fluid therethrough.",
"4. The method of claim 3, wherein said modifying step includes correcting said first signals to denote a higher resistance to the flow of gaseous fluid in response to decreasing thickness of the belt.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein the tow contains filamentary filter material.",
"6. The method of claim 5, further comprising the step of draping the filler into a web of wrapping material to convert the web and the filler into a continuous filter rod.",
"7. The method of claim 6, wherein said draping step is carried out in said portion of said path.",
"8. Apparatus for making a continuous body of fibrous material, particularly for subdivision into rod-shaped articles of predetermined length, comprising means for advancing a continuous tow of fibrous material along a predetermined path, including an endless belt the thickness of which decreases as a result of wear; means for gradually condensing the tow in a predetermined portion of said path to thus convert the tow into a rod-like filler; means for measuring a characteristic of the filler, including means for generating first signals denoting the measured characteristic; means for monitoring the thickness of said belt, including means for generating second signals denoting the monitored thickness of the belt; and means for modifying said first signals as a function of said second signals.",
"9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said measuring means includes means for measuring said characteristic of the filler in said portion of said path.",
"10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said belt includes a portion which advances the fibrous material along said portion of said path.",
"11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said measuring means includes means for measuring the resistance which the filler offers to the flow of a gaseous fluid therethrough.",
"12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said modifying means includes means for correcting said first signals to denote a higher resistance to the flow of a gaseous fluid in response to decreasing thickness of the belt.",
"13. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said means for generating second signals includes a displacement measuring device.",
"14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said monitoring means further comprises a first guide at one side of said belt and a mobile second guide at the other side of said belt opposite said first guide, said second guide being arranged to move toward said first guide in response to decreasing thickness of the belt and said device being arranged to generate second signals which vary in response to movement of said second guide toward said first guide.",
"15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said monitoring means further comprises means for biasing said second guide toward said first guide.",
"16. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said measuring means includes means for measuring the resistance which the filler offers to the flow of a gaseous fluid and said resistance measuring means includes a source of pressurized fluid, said condensing means having an inlet connected with said source and arranged to direct a stream of fluid against fibrous material in said portion of said path.",
"17. The apparatus of claim 8, for making a continuous filter rod, further comprising means for draping the filler into a web of wrapping material.",
"18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said draping means includes said belt.",
"19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said draping means includes said condensing means."
],
[
"1. A filtered smoking article inspection system for a smoking article comprising a filter element having a mouth end terminus and a smokable rod having a lighting end terminus opposite from the filter element, the mouth end terminus and the lighting end terminus extending substantially perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of the smoking article, the smokable rod including a smokable material having a circumscribing outer layer of a wrapping material, the smokable rod and filter element being serially secured to each other by a tipping material circumscribing the filter element along a longitudinal periphery thereof and the smokable rod along a portion of a longitudinal periphery thereof adjacent to the filter element, said inspection system comprising:\na transport device configured to transport individual as-formed smoking articles from a first position to a second position such that the tipping material associated with each smoking article is accessible at least about the portion of the longitudinal periphery of the smoking article, the transport device configured to engage at least one of the mouth end terminus of the filter element and the lighting end terminus of the smokable rod of the smoking article to support the smoking article during movement from the first position to the second position without contacting any part of the longitudinal periphery of the smoking article; and\nan inspection device operably engaged with the transport device and configured to optically inspect each smoking article at least about the portion of the longitudinal periphery of the smoking article having the tipping material as the smoking article is transported between the first and second positions, the inspection device being configured to automatically determine from the optical inspection whether the inspected smoking article is defective;\nwherein the inspection device is further configured to determine whether a defect exists in the smoking articles from the optical inspection thereof, the defect being determined according to whether the tipping material is misaligned with respect to the smoking article, whether the wrapping material is misaligned with respect to the smokable material, whether one of the tipping material and the wrapping material is wrinkled, whether one of the tipping material and the wrapping material is visibly contaminated, whether one of the tipping material and the wrapping material corresponds to a specified material, whether multiple units of the tipping material have been applied to the smoking article, whether multiple units of the wrapping material have been applied to the smokable material, whether the tipping material is adhered as specified about the smoking article, whether the wrapping material is adhered as specified about the smokable material, whether the tipping material is rolled over itself along the portion of the longitudinal periphery of the smoking article, whether the tobacco rod is secured to the filter element by the tipping material, whether the tipping material extends at least along the portion of the longitudinal periphery of the smokable rod as specified, whether the wrapping material has been punctured to expose the smokable material, and whether adhesive securing one of the tipping material about the smoking article and the wrapping material about the smokable material is exposed.",
"2. A system according to claim 1, further comprising a rotation device operably engaged with the transport device, the rotation device being configured to rotate the smoking article about the longitudinal axis thereof so as to allow the inspection device to inspect the smoking article at least about the portion of the longitudinal periphery of the smoking article having the tipping material.",
"3. A system according to claim 1, wherein the inspection device comprises an imaging device configured to capture at least one image of each smoking article, at least about the portion of the longitudinal periphery of the smoking article having the tipping material, as the smoking article is transported between the first and second positions.",
"4. A system according to claim 3, further comprising a display terminal operably engaged with the imaging device and configured to display the at least one image of each smoking article.",
"5. A system according to claim 3, wherein the inspection device further comprises a computer device configured to automatically process the at least one image from the imaging device to determine whether the inspected smoking article is defective.",
"6. A system according to claim 1, further comprising a selection device operably engaged with the transport device, the selection device being responsive to the inspection device to remove any smoking article determined to be defective by the inspection device.",
"7. A system according to claim 1, wherein the smoking article is supported by engagement of the transport device with only the mouth end terminus.",
"8. A system according to claim 1, wherein the smoking article is supported by engagement of the transport device with only the lighting end terminus.",
"9. A system according to claim 1, wherein the transport device comprises one or more contact members configured to engage at least one of the mouth end terminus of the filter element and the lighting end terminus of the smokable rod of the smoking and respectively rotate about a rotational axis that is substantially coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the smoking article engaged therewith.",
"10. A system according to claim 1 wherein the inspection device is configured to determine, from the optical inspection of each smoking article, whether the smoking article corresponds to a non-defective smoking article.",
"11. A system according to claim 1, wherein the transport device includes a rotatable cylinder configured to retain an individual smoking article about an outer surface thereof as the smoking article is transported between the first and second positions.",
"12. A system according to claim 11, wherein the inspection device further comprises an imaging device disposed adjacent to the rotatable cylinder, and wherein the imaging device is configured to optically inspect each smoking article at least about the portion of the longitudinal periphery of the smoking article having the tipping material as the smoking article is transported therepast upon rotation of the cylinder.",
"13. A method of inspecting a smoking article comprising a filter element having a mouth end terminus and a smokable rod having a lighting end terminus opposite from the filter element, the mouth end terminus and the lighting end terminus extending substantially perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of the smoking article, the smokable rod including a smokable material having a circumscribing outer layer of a wrapping material, the smokable rod and filter element being serially secured to each other by a tipping material circumscribing the filter element along a longitudinal periphery thereof and the smokable rod along a portion of a longitudinal periphery thereof adjacent to the filter element, said method comprising:\ntransporting individual as-formed smoking articles from a first position to a second position with a transport device such that the tipping material associated with each smoking article is accessible at least about the portion of the longitudinal periphery of the smoking article by engaging at least one of the mouth end terminus of the filter element and the lighting end terminus of the smokable rod of the smoking article with the transport device to support the smoking article during movement from the first position to the second position without contacting any part of the longitudinal periphery of the smoking article;\noptically inspecting each smoking article with an inspection device, at least about the portion of the longitudinal periphery of the smoking article having the tipping material, as the smoking article is transported between the first and second positions, and automatically determining whether the inspected smoking article is defective, with the inspection device, from the optical inspection thereof; and\ndetermining whether a defect exists in the smoking articles from the optical inspection thereof, the defect being determined according to whether the tipping material is misaligned with respect to the smoking article, whether the wrapping material is misaligned with respect to the smokable material, whether one of the tipping material and the wrapping material is wrinkled, whether one of the tipping material and the wrapping material is visibly contaminated, whether one of the tipping material and the wrapping material corresponds to a specified material, whether multiple units of the tipping material have been applied to the smoking article, whether multiple units of the wrapping material have been applied to the smokable material, whether the tipping material is adhered as specified about the smoking article, whether the wrapping material is adhered as specified about the smokable material, whether the tipping material is rolled over itself along the portion of the longitudinal periphery of the smoking article, whether the tobacco rod is secured to the filter element by the tipping material, whether the tipping material extends at least along the portion of the longitudinal periphery of the smokable rod as specified, whether the wrapping material has been punctured to expose the smokable material, and whether adhesive securing one of the tipping material about the smoking article and the wrapping material about the smokable material is exposed.",
"14. A method according to claim 13, further comprising rotating the smoking article about the longitudinal axis thereof with a rotation device operably engaged with the transport device so as to allow the inspection device to inspect the smoking article at least about the portion of the longitudinal periphery of the smoking article having the tipping material.",
"15. A method according to claim 13, further comprising capturing at least one image of each smoking article with an imaging device, at least about the portion of the longitudinal periphery of the smoking article having the tipping material, as the smoking article is transported between the first and second positions.",
"16. A method according to claim 15, further comprising displaying the at least one image of each smoking article on a display terminal operably engaged with the imaging device.",
"17. A method according to claim 15, further comprising automatically processing the at least one image from the imaging device with a computer device to determine whether the inspected smoking article is defective.",
"18. A method according to claim 13, further comprising removing any smoking article determined to be defective with a selection device operably engaged with the transport device, in response to the determination thereof by the inspection device.",
"19. A method according to claim 13 further comprising determining, from the optical inspection of each smoking article, whether the smoking article corresponds to a non-defective smoking article.",
"20. A method according to claim 13, wherein the transport device includes a rotatable cylinder, and the method further comprises retaining an individual smoking article about an outer surface of the rotatable cylinder as the smoking article is transported between the first and second positions.",
"21. A method according to claim 20, wherein the inspection device further comprises an imaging device disposed adjacent to the rotatable cylinder, and the method further comprises optically inspecting each smoking article with the imaging device, at least about the portion of the longitudinal periphery of the smoking article having the tipping material, as the smoking article is transported therepast upon rotation of the cylinder.",
"22. A method according to claim 13, wherein engaging at least one of the mouth end terminus of the filter element and the lighting end terminus of the smokable rod of the smoking article comprises engaging only the mouth end terminus.",
"23. A method according to claim 13, wherein engaging at least one of the mouth end terminus of the filter element and the lighting end terminus of the smokable rod of the smoking article comprises engaging only the lighting end terminus.",
"24. A method according to claim 13, wherein engaging at least one of the mouth end terminus of the filter element and the lighting end terminus of the smokable rod of the smoking article comprises engaging at least one of the mouth end terminus of the filter element and the lighting end terminus of the smokable rod of the smoking article with one or more contact members and respectively rotating the contact members about a rotational axis that is substantially coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the smoking article engaged therewith."
],
[
"1. A method of ascertaining the density of at least one stream of fibrous material of the tobacco processing industry, which in addition to density exhibits at least one further variable characteristic including the color and composition of its constituents, comprising the steps of directing at the stream at least one beam of radiation which is capable of penetrating through the stream whereby the intensity of radiation which has penetrated through the stream denotes the density of the stream, said directing step comprising pointing at the stream at least one beam of a first radiation which is influenced by the at least one further characteristic in a first manner and pointing at the stream at least one beam of a second radiation which is influenced by the at least one further characteristic in a different second manner; and generating at least one density signal which is indicative of said intensity, said generating step including generating at least one first density signal indicative of the intensity of first radiation which has penetrated through the stream and generating at least one second density signal indicative of the intensity of second radiation which has penetrated through the stream.",
"2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of modifying one of said first and second density signals by the other of said first and second signals to at least substantially eliminate the influence of said further characteristic upon one of said modified signals.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein said first radiation is a nuclear radiation.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein said first radiation includes X-rays.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein said second radiation is an optical radiation.",
"6. The method of claim 5, wherein said optical radiation includes infrared radiation.",
"7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of forming the stream with a surplus of fibrous material, conveying the stream longitudinally in a predetermined direction along a predetermined path, modifying one of said first and second density signals by the other of said first and second density signals to at least substantially eliminate the influence of said further characteristic upon one of said modified signals, removing the surplus from the stream in a predetermined portion of said path at a rate which is a function of one of said modified signals, and draping the stream into a web of wrapping material in a second portion of said path downstream of said predetermined portion.",
"8. The method of claim 7, wherein said first radiation is nuclear radiation and said radiation is optical radiation, said second signal being one of said modified signals.",
"9. Apparatus for processing at least one stream of fibrous material of the tobacco processing industry, which in addition to density exhibits at least one further variable characteristic including the color and composition of its constituents, comprising density monitoring means including means for directing at the at least one stream at least one beam of radiation which is capable of penetrating through the stream whereby the intensity of radiation which has penetrated through the stream denotes the density of the stream, and means for generating at least one density signal which is indicative of said density, said directing means comprising means for pointing at the at least one stream at least one beam of a first radiation which is influenced by the at least one further characteristic in a first manner and means for pointing at the at least one stream at least one beam of a second radiation which is influenced by the at least one further characteristic in a different second manner, said signal generating means comprising a device for generating at least one first density signal indicative of the intensity of first radiation which has penetrated through the stream and a device for generating at least one second density signal indicative of the intensity of second radiation which has penetrated through the stream.",
"10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising means for evaluating said first and second density signals, said evaluating means including means for modifying one of said first and second density signals by the other of said first and second density signals to at least substantially eliminate the influence of said at least one further characteristic upon one of said modified signals.",
"11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein one of said pointing means includes a source of nuclear radiation.",
"12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein one of said pointing means includes a source of X-rays.",
"13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein at least one of said pointing means includes a source of optical radiation.",
"14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein at least one of said pointing means includes a source of infrared light.",
"15. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein one of said pointing means includes a source of nuclear radiation and another of said pointing means includes a source of optical radiation, and further comprising means for evaluating said first and second density signals including means for modifying the signal denoting the intensity of optical radiation by the signal denoting the intensity of nuclear radiation.",
"16. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein one of said pointing means includes a source of nuclear radiation and the other of said pointing means includes a source of optical radiation, and further comprising means for forming the at least one stream with a surplus of fibrous material, means for conveying the stream and its surplus in a predetermined direction along a predetermined path, adjustable trimming means including means for removing the surplus in a predetermined portion of said path, means for evaluating said first and second density signals including means for modifying the signal denoting the intensity of optical radiation by the signal denoting the intensity of nuclear radiation, and means for adjusting said trimming means by the modified signal.",
"17. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising means for adjusting said trimming means by the signal denoting the intensity of nuclear radiation so that the adjustment by said modified signal is superimposed upon adjustment by the signal denoting the intensity of nuclear radiation.",
"18. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising means for forming the at least one stream with a surplus of fibrous material, means for conveying the stream and its surplus in a predetermined direction along a predetermined path, and trimming means including means for removing the surplus in a predetermined portion of said path, one of said pointing means including a first source of optical radiation which is aimed at the stream upstream of said predetermined portion of the path and the other of said pointing means including a second source of optical radiation which is aimed at the stream downstream of said predetermined portion of the path, and further comprising means for evaluating the signals denoting the intensities of optical radiation from said first and second sources of optical radiation and for generating an additional signal denoting the quantity of surplus which is removed in said predetermined portion of the path.",
"19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said directing means further comprises means for pointing at the stream at least one beam of nuclear radiation and said signal generating means further comprises a device for generating at least one third density signal indicative of the intensity of nuclear radiation which has penetrated through the stream, said evaluating means further comprising means for modifying at least one of the signals denoting intensities of optical radiation by the signal denoting the intensity of nuclear radiation.",
"20. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising means for forming at least two discrete streams and means for conveying said streams longitudinally along separate paths, one of said pointing means including a source of nuclear radiation which is aimed at one of the streams and the other of said pointing means including a discrete source of optical radiation for each of said streams and each aimed at the respective stream, one of said devices for generating at least one density signal including means for generating at least one first density signal denoting the intensity of nuclear radiation which has penetrated through the one stream and the other of said devices for generating at least one density signal including means for generating said second density signals each denoting the intensity of optical radiation which has penetrated through the respective stream, and further comprising means for evaluating said first and second density signals including means for modifying the signals denoting the intensities of optical radiation by the signal denoting the intensity of nuclear radiation to at least substantially eliminate the influence of said at least one further characteristic upon the signals denoting the intensities of optical radiation.",
"21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein said forming means includes means for forming discrete streams each of which contains a surplus of fibrous material and further comprising adjustable trimming means for each of the streams, each of said trimming means including means for removing the surplus from the respective stream in a predetermined portion of the corresponding path and further comprising means for adjusting each of said trimming means by the respective modified signals.",
"22. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising means for forming at least two discrete streams, means for conveying the streams longitudinally in predetermined directions along predetermined paths, means for draping the streams into discrete webs of wrapping material in predetermined portions of the respective paths, and means for subdividing each of the draped streams into a series of rod-shaped articles downstream of the predetermined portions of the respective paths, one of said pointing means including means for aiming at least one beam of nuclear radiation upon successive articles which are obtained as a result of subdivision of at least one of the draped streams and the other of said pointing means including means for aiming at least one discrete beam of optical radiation at each of the streams, one of said devices for generating at least one density signal including means for generating first density signals denoting the intensity of nuclear radiation which has penetrated through the rod-shaped articles and the other of said, devices for generating at least one density signal including means for generating second density signal denoting the intensities of optical radiations which have passed through the stream, and further comprising means for evaluating said first and second density signals by said modifying at least one of said second density signals by said first density signals to at least substantially eliminate the influence of said at least one further characteristic upon one of said modified second density signals.",
"23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said evaluating means further comprises means for modifying the second density signals denoting the density of the stream yielding rod-shaped articles which are traversed by the beam of nuclear radiation.",
"24. A method of ascertaining the density of at least one stream of fibrous material of the tobacco processing industry, comprising the steps of forming the stream with a surplus of fibrous material; conveying the stream longitudinally in a predetermined direction along a predetermined path; directing at the stream at least one beam of radiation which is capable of penetrating through the stream whereby the intensity of radiation which has penetrated through the stream denotes the density of the stream, said directing step including pointing at least one first beam of optical radiation at the stream in a first portion of said path and pointing at least one second beam of optical radiation at the stream in a second portion of said path; generating at least one density signal which is indicative of said intensity, including generating at least one first density signal indicative of optical radiation which has penetrated across said first portion of said path and at least one second density signal indicative of optical radiation which has penetrated across the second portion of said path; removing the surplus from the stream in a third portion of said path between said first and second portions of said path; and processing said first and second density signals to form an additional signal denoting the quantity of removed surplus.",
"25. The method of claim 24, wherein said directing step further includes pointing at the stream in said path at least one beam of nuclear radiation which is influenced by at least one further characteristic of the stream in a way other than the said first and second beams of optical radiation, said generating step including generating at least one third density signal indicative of nuclear radiation which has penetrated across said path, and further comprising the step of correcting at least one of said first and second density signals to at least substantially eliminate the influence of said at least one further characteristic upon at least one of said first and second density signals.",
"26. A method of ascertaining the density of plural streams of fibrous material of the tobacco processing industry, which in addition to density exhibit at least one further variable characteristic including the color and composition of their constituents, comprising the steps of conveying at least one first stream longitudinally along a first predetermined path; forming at least one second stream of fibrous material; conveying the second stream longitudinally along a second predetermined path; directing at said streams beams of radiation which is capable of penetrating through the streams whereby the intensity of radiation which has penetrated through the streams denotes the density of the respective streams, said directing step comprising pointing at the stream in at least one of said paths at least one beam of nuclear radiation which is influenced by the at least one further characteristic in a first manner and pointing against each of said streams at least one beam of optical radiation which is influenced by the at least one further characteristic in a different second manner; generating density signals which are indicative of the density of said streams, including generating a first density signal indicative of the intensity of nuclear radiation which has penetrated through the stream in said at least one path, generating a first second density signal indicative of the intensity of optical radiation which has penetrated through said at least one first stream and generating a second second density signal indicative of the intensity of optical radiation which has penetrated through said at least one second stream; and modifying said first and second second density signals by said first density signal to at least substantially eliminate the influence of said at least one further characteristic upon said first and second second density signals.",
"27. The method of claim 26, further comprising the step of draping the streams into discrete strips of wrapping material.",
"28. A method of ascertaining the density of plural streams of fibrous material of the tobacco processing industry, which in addition to density exhibit at least one further variable characteristic including the color and composition of their constituents, comprising the steps of conveying at least one first stream longitudinally along a first predetermined path; forming at least one second stream of fibrous material; conveying the second stream longitudinally along a second predetermined path; draping the streams into discrete strips of wrapping material; subdividing at least one of the draped streams into a succession of discrete rod-shaped articles; directing at said streams beams of radiation which is capable of penetrating through the streams whereby the intensity of radiation which has penetrated through the streams denotes the density of the respective streams, including pointing at the discrete articles at least one beam of nuclear radiation which is influenced by said at least one further characteristic in a first manner and pointing at each of said streams at least one beam of optical radiation which is influenced by said at least one further characteristic in a different second manner; generating density signals which are indicative of the density of said streams, including generating a first density signal indicative of the intensity of nuclear radiation which has penetrated through the discrete articles, generating a first second density signal indicative of the intensity of optical radiation which has penetrated through said at least one first stream and generating a second second density signal indicative of the intensity of optical radiation which has penetrated through said at least one second stream; and modifying at least one of said first and second density second signals by said first density signals to at least substantially eliminate the influence of said at least one further characteristic upon said at least one second density signal.",
"29. The method of claim 28, further comprising the step of transporting said discrete articles substantially at right angles to their respective longitudinal axes.",
"30. The method of claim 28, wherein aid modified step includes correcting said second signals denoting the density of the stream, said stream is subdivided into rod-shaped articles.",
"31. The method of claim 30, wherein subdividing step includes severing said at least one draped stream in a predetermined portion of the respective path so that the severed stream yields a file of successive rod-shaped articles, and further comprising the step of transporting successive rod-shaped articles of the file transversely of their respective longitudinal axes in the form of a row of at least substantially parallel rod-shaped articles.",
"32. A method of ascertaining the density of at least one stream of fibrous material of the tobacco processing industry, stream, which in addition to density exhibits a variable color, comprising the steps of directing at the stream at least one beam of radiation which is capable of penetrating through the stream whereby the intensity of radiation which has penetrated through the stream denotes the density of the stream, including pointing at the stream at least one beam of a first radiation which is influenced by color changes of the stream in a first manner and pointing at the stream at least one beam of second radiation which is influenced by color changes of the stream in a different second manner; generating at least one density signal which is indicative of said intensity, including generating at least one first density signal indicative of the intensity of first radiation which has penetrated through the stream and generating at least one second density signal indicative of the intensity of second radiation which has penetrated through the stream; and modifying one of said first and second density signals by the other of said first and second density signals to at least substantially eliminate the influence of color changes upon one of said modified signals.",
"33. A method of ascertaining the density of at least one stream of fibrous material of the tobacco processing industry, which in addition to density exhibits a variable composition including different blends of fibrous material, comprising the steps of directing at the stream at least one beam of radiation which is capable of penetrating through the stream whereby the intensity of radiation which has penetrated through the stream denotes the density of the stream, including pointing at the stream at least one beam of a first radiation which is influenced by composition changes of the stream in a first manner and pointing at the stream at least one beam of a second radiation which is influenced by composition changes of the stream in a different second manner; generating at least one density signal which is indicative of said density, including generating at least one first density signal indicative of the intensity of first radiation which has penetrated through the stream and generating at least one second density signal indicative of the intensity of second radiation which has penetrated through the stream; and modifying one of said first and second density signals to at least substantially eliminate the influence of composition changes upon one of said modified signals.",
"34. A method of ascertaining the density of at least one stream of fibrous material of the tobacco processing industry, which in addition to density exhibits at least one further variable characteristic including color and composition of its constituents, comprising the steps of continuously building at least one stream in a first portion of a predetermined path so that the stream contains a surplus of fibrous material; conveying the at least one stream longitudinally in a predetermined direction along said path; directing at the at least one stream at least one beam of radiation which is capable of penetrating through the at least one stream whereby the intensity of radiation which has penetrated through the at least one stream denotes the density of the at least one stream, including pointing at the at least one stream at least one beam of nuclear radiation which is influenced by the at least one further characteristic in a first manner and pointing at the at least one stream a beam of optical radiation which is influenced by the at least one further characteristic in a different second manner; generating at least one density signal which is indicative of said intensity, including generating at least one first density signal indicative of the intensity of nuclear radiation which has penetrated through the at least one stream and generating at least one second density signal indicative of the intensity of optical radiation which has penetrated through the at least one stream; removing the surplus in a second portion of said path downstream of said first portion in dependency upon said first density signal; and modifying said second density signal by said first density signal to at least substantially eliminate the influence of the at least one further characteristic from the modified second density signal, said surplus removing step further including regulating the rate of surplus removal in dependency upon the modified second density signal.",
"35. A method of ascertaining the density of at least one stream of fibrous material of the tobacco processing industry, comprising the steps of forming at least one stream with a surplus of fibrous material; conveying the at least one stream longitudinally in a predetermined direction along a predetermined path; removing the surplus from the at least one stream in a first portion of said path; draping the at least one stream into a strip of wrapping material in a second portion of said path downstream of said first portion; subdividing the draped at least one stream into rod-shaped articles; directing at the at least one stream at least one beam of radiation which is capable of penetrating through the at least one stream whereby the intensity of radiation which has penetrated through the at least one stream denotes the density of the at least one stream, including pointing at successive increments of the at least one stream in said path at least one beam of optical radiation; generating at least one density signal which is indicative of said intensity, including gene rating a series of signals denoting the densities of successive increments of the at least one stream; comparing the signals of said series with a reference signal denoting a predetermined range of acceptable densities; and utilizing the signals which are outside of said range to segregate the respective rod-shaped articles from the remaining rod-shaped articles.",
"36. Apparatus for processing at least one stream of the tobacco processing industry, comprising means for conveying the at least one stream along a predetermined path; and density monitoring means including means for directing at the at least one stream at least one beam of radiation which is capable of penetrating through the at least one stream whereby the intensity of radiation which has penetrated through the at least one stream denotes the density of the at least one stream, and means for generating at least one density signal which is indicative of said intensity, said directing means including at least one source of optical radiation which is aimed at the at least one stream at one side of said path so that the radiation penetrates through the at least one stream and through the conveying means, said signal generating means including a device for generating at least one density signal indicative of optical radiation which has penetrated through the at least one stream and through said conveying means, said device being disposed at the other side of said path.",
"37. Apparatus for processing at least one stream of fibrous material of the tobacco processing industry, comprising density monitoring means including means for directing at the at least one stream at least one beam of radiation which is capable of penetrating through the at least one stream whereby the intensity of radiation which has penetrated through the at least one stream denotes the density of the at least one stream, and means for generating at least one density signal which is indicative of said intensity, said signal generating means including an optoelectronic transducer and said directing means including several sources of radiation each arranged to point a beam of radiation at the at least one stream so that the radiation which has penetrated through the at least one stream impinges upon said transducer.",
"38. Apparatus for processing at least one stream of fibrous material of the tobacco processing industry, comprising means for forming the at least one stream with a surplus of fibrous material; means for conveying the at least one stream and its surplus in a predetermined direction along a predetermined path; adjustable means for removing the surplus in a predetermined portion of said path; means for subdividing the stream into rod-shaped articles downstream of the predetermined portion of said path; density monitoring means including means for directing at the at least one stream at least one beam of radiation which is capable of penetrating through the at least one stream whereby the intensity of radiation which has penetrated through the at least one stream denotes the density of the at least one stream, and means for generating at least one density signal which is indicative of said intensity, said directing means including means for pointing at least one beam of optical radiation at the at least one stream in said path and means for pointing at the at least one stream at least one beam of nuclear radiation, said signal generating means including a device for generating first signals denoting the intensity of optical radiation which has penetrated through successive increments of the conveyed at least one stream so that the generated first signals denote the density of successive increments of the at least one stream, said signal generating means further comprising a device for generating second signals denoting the intensity of nuclear radiation which has penetrated through the as least one stream; means for evaluating said first signals including a source of reference signals denoting the range of acceptable densities and means for comparing said first articles containing stream increments whose densities are outside of said range from the remaining articles; and means for adjusting said surplus removing means by said second signals."
],
[
"1. A method of ascertaining the density of a body of fibrous material, particularly a wrapped rod-like filler which contains particles of tobacco, comprising a first step of directing at least one beam of electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength in one of the ultraviolet, visible and infrared ranges of the spectrum into the body of fibrous material so that the beam penetrates through at least a portion of the body and at least one of its characteristics is influenced by the density of such body, said first step including directing radiation in at least one predetermined direction whereby at least some radiation is reflected and scattered by the fibrous material of the body and such radiation emerges from the body in at least one second direction at an angle to the predetermined direction; a second step of monitoring the one characteristic of the beam subsequent to its penetration through at least a portion of the body of fibrous material, said second step comprising monitoring at least one characteristic of at least some of the scattered and reflected radiation subsequent to its emergence from the body; and a third step of generating a signal which is indicative of the monitored characteristic of the beam.",
"2. The method of claim, wherein said first step includes directing against the body of fibrous material several mutually inclined beams of radiation, said second step including individually monitoring the one characteristic of each of said beams subsequent to penetration of the beams through a portion at least of the body of fibrous material, said third step including generating discrete signals each of which is indicative of the monitored characteristic of a different beam and further comprising the step of converting said discrete signals into a single signal.",
"3. The method of claim 2, wherein said converting step comprises totalizing said discrete signals into a combined signal and dividing the combined signal by the total number of beams.",
"4. The method of claim 2, wherein the number of discrete beams exceeds two.",
"5. The method of claim 4, wherein said body has a substantially circular outline and said first step includes directing the beams substantially radially of the body at angles of substantially 120 degrees to each other.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein the body is elongated and said first step includes directing a plurality of discrete beams of radiation substantially radially against longitudinally spaced apart portions of the body, said second step including individually monitoring the one characteristic of each of said beams subsequent to its penetration through a portion of or the entire body, said third step including generating discrete signals each of which is indicative of the monitored characteristic of a different beam.",
"7. The method of claim 1, wherein said body is elongated and said second step includes monitoring the scattered and reflected radiation at a plurality of locations which are spaced apart from each other circumferentially of the elongated body.",
"8. The method of claim 1, wherein the wavelength of the radiation is between approximately 150 and 15,000 nm.",
"9. The method of claim 8, wherein the radiation is infrared radiation with a wavelength of approximately 900 nm.",
"10. Apparatus for ascertaining the density of a body including a stream of fibrous material, particularly a wrapped rod-like filler which contains particles of tobacco, comprising means for transporting the stream along a predetermined path; means for guiding the stream in a portion of said path; a source of electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength in one of the ultraviolet, visible and infrared ranges of the spectrum including means for directing a plurality of discrete beams of such radiation into the stream of fibrous material so that the beams penetrate through at least a portion of the stream and at least one of their characteristics is influenced by the density of the stream, said directing means including means for directing the beams substantially transversely of said portion of said path; and means for monitoring the one characteristic of the beams subsequent to their emergence from the stream of fibrous material, including means for generating at least one signal which is indicative of the monitored characteristic of the beams.",
"11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein some of the radiation is reflected by the exterior of the stream of fibrous material, said monitoring means being located outside of the path of reflected radiation.",
"12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said directing means includes means for directing a plurality of mutually inclined discrete beams against said portion of said path.",
"13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the stream has a substantially circular cross-sectional outline and said beams are directed toward said portion of said path substantially radially of the stream within the confines of said guiding means.",
"14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said monitoring means includes means for generating discrete signals each of which is indicative of the monitored characteristic of a different beams, and further comprising means for evaluating said discrete signals.",
"15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said path is elongated and said portions of the stream are spaced apart from each other as considered in the longitudinal direction of said path, said transporting means comprising means for conveying the stream in a predetermined direction at a predetermined speed, said signal generating means including a series of optoelectronic transducers, one for each of said beams, and the transducers of said series being arranged to transmit to said evaluating means signals one after the other at intervals whose duration is a function of said speed.",
"16. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising means for influencing said source including means for generating reference signals denoting at least one characteristic of radiation at least a portion of which does not penetrate through said stream and means for transmitting such reference signals to said source.",
"17. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the wavelength of said electromagnetic radiation is between about 150 and 15,000 nm.",
"18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said source includes at least one diode arranged to emit infrared light having a wavelength of approximately 900 nm.",
"19. Apparatus for ascertaining the density of a body including a stream of fibrous material, particularly a wrapped rod-like filler which contains particles of tobacco, comprising means for transporting the stream along a predetermined path; means for guiding the stream in a portion of said path; a source of electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength in one of the ultraviolet, visible and infrared ranges of the spectrum including means for directing a plurality of discrete beams of such radiation substantially transversely of said portion of said path and toward successive increments of the stream of fibrous material so that the beams penetrate through at least a portion of the stream and at least one of their characteristics is influenced by the density of the stream; means for monitoring the one characteristic of the beams subsequent to their emergence from the stream of fibrous material, including means for generating discrete signals each of which is indicative of the monitored characteristic of a different beam; and means for evaluating said discrete signals including means for totalizing said discrete signals and for dividing the thus obtained signal by the number of discrete beams.",
"20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said evaluating means comprises means for logarithmizing said signals.",
"21. Apparatus for ascertaining the density of a body of fibrous material, particularly a wrapped rod-like filler which contains particles of tobacco, comprising a source of electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength in one of the ultraviolet, visible and infrared ranges of the spectrum including means for directing at least one beam of such radiation into the body of fibrous material so that the beam penetrates through at least a portion of the body and at least one of its characteristics is influenced by the density of the body; means for monitoring the one characteristic of the beam subsequent to its emergence from the body of fibrous material, including means for generating a signal which is indicative of the monitored characteristic of the beam; and means for influencing said source including means for generating reference signals denoting at least one characteristic of radiation at least a portion of which does not penetrate through said body and means for transmitting such reference signals to said source.",
"22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said reference signals are utilized to regulate the intensity of radiation issuing from said source.",
"23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said influencing means includes a discrete source arranged to direct an additional beam of radiation along a path which bypasses the body of fibrous material and said means for generating reference signals includes a photoelectronic transducer which monitors the one characteristic of said additional beam.",
"24. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said source includes means for directing an additional beam of radiation against the body of fibrous material so that the body reflects at least a portion of such additional beam and said means for generating reference signals includes a photoelectronic transducer which generates signals denoting at least one characteristic of the reflected portion of said additional beam.",
"25. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said influencing means includes means for maintaining the intensity of radiation issuing from said source at a predetermined value.",
"26. The apparatus of claim 21, further comprising means for modifying the at least one signal which is indicative of the monitored characteristic of said beams in response to deviation of of the one characteristic of said reference signals from a predetermined value denoting a predetermined intensity of radiation issuing from said source.",
"27. Apparatus for ascertaining the density of a body including a stream of fibrous material whose exterior reflects some electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength in one of the ultraviolet, visible and infrared ranges of the spectrum, particularly a wrapped rod-like filler which contains particles of tobacco, comprising means for transporting the stream along a predetermined path; means for guiding the stream in a portion of said path; a source of said radiation including means for directing a plurality of discrete beams against said portion of said path so that the beams penetrate through at least a portion of the stream and at least one of their characteristics is influence by the density of the stream, said directing means including a pair of radiation sources disposed substantially diametrically opposite each other with reference to said predetermined path; and means for monitoring the one characteristic of said beams subsequent to their emergence from the stream of fibrous material, including a plurality of means for generating discrete signals each of which is indicative of the monitored characteristics of radiation that has passed through a portion at least of the stream, said signal generating means being located outside of the path of propagation of radiation which is reflected by the exterior of the stream.",
"28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein said means for generating discrete signals includes a pair of signal generators which alternate with said pair of radiation sources and are disposed substantially diametrically opposite each other with reference to said predetermined path.",
"29. Apparatus for ascertaining the density of a body including a stream of fibrous material whose exterior reflects some electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength in one of the ultraviolet, visible and infrared ranges of the spectrum, particularly a wrapped rod-like filler which contains particles of tobacco, comprising means for transporting the stream along a predetermined path; means for guiding the stream in a portion of said path; a source of said radiation including means for directing at least one beam against said portion of said path so that the beam penetrates through at least a portion of the stream and at least one of its characteristics is influenced by the density of the stream; means for monitoring the one characteristic of the beam subsequent to its emergence from the stream of fibrous material, including at least one means for generating signals indicative of the monitored characteristic of radiation that has passed through a portion at least of the stream; and means for intercepting radiation which is reflected by the exterior of the stream so that such radiation does not reach the signal generating means.",
"30. Apparatus for ascertaining the density of a body including a stream of fibrous material whose exterior reflects some electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength in one of the ultraviolet, visible and infrared ranges of the spectrum, particularly a wrapped rod-like filler which contains particles of tobacco, comprising a source of said radiation including means for directing at least one beam of such radiation toward the stream at an oblique angle with reference to the longitudinal direction of the stream so that the beam penetrates through at least a portion of the stream and at least one of its characteristics is influenced by the density of the stream; and means for monitoring the one characteristic of the beam subsequent to its emergence from the stream of fibrous material, including means for generating a signal which is indicative of the monitored characteristic of the beam, said signal generating means including at least one optoelectronic transducer disposed in the path of radiation which has penetrated through a portion at least of the stream and outside of the path of propagation of reflected radiation.",
"31. The apparatus of claim 30, further comprising means for intercepting reflected radiation between said directing means and said monitoring means.",
"32. Apparatus for ascertaining the density of a body including an unwrapped stream of fibrous material, comprising means for transporting the stream along a predetermined path in a cigarette maker; means for guiding the stream in a portion of said path including a channel having a bottom wall and sidewalls and being open between said sidewalls, at least one of said walls being permeable to electromagnetic radiation in one of the ultraviolet, visible and infrared ranges of the spectrum; a source of said radiation including means for directing at least one beam of such radiation into the stream of fibrous material so that the beam penetrates through at least a portion of the stream and at least one of its characteristics is influenced by the density of the stream, said directing means being arranged to direct said at least one beam of radiation through said at least one wall; and means for monitoring the one characteristic of the beam subsequent to its emergence from the body of fibrous material, including means for generating a signal which is indicative of the monitored characteristic of the beam.",
"33. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the beam of radiation is partly reflected and partly scattered by the fibrous material of the stream and said monitoring means includes means for monitoring the one characteristic of scattered and reflected radiation.",
"34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein said directing means includes a plurality of radiation sources spaced apart from one another transversely of the stream, said monitoring means including a plurality of photoelectronic transducers spaced apart from one another transversely of the stream."
],
[
"1. Apparatus for ascertaining the density of an elongated body of fibrous material, comprising a source of electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength in one of the ultraviolet, visible and infrared ranges of the spectrum including means for directing at least one beam of such radiation into the body of fibrous material in at least on predetermined direction at least substantially at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the elongated body so that the beam penetrates through at least a portion of the body and at least one of its characteristics is influenced by the density of the body, at least some of the radiation being reflected and scattered by the fibrous material of the body so that the direction of propagation of reflected and scattered radiation departs form said at least one predetermined direction and such reflected and scattered radiation emerges from the body in at least one second direction other than said at least one predetermined direction; and means for monitoring the characteristic of at least some of the scattered and reflected radiation subsequent to its emergence from the body of fibrous material in said at least one second direction, said monitoring means being oriented to monitor radiation which is scattered and reflected substantially transversely of said at least one predetermined direction and substantially at right angles to the longitudinal direction of said elongated body, said monitoring means including means for generating a signal which is indicative of the monitored characteristic of the radiation.",
"2. A method of ascertaining the density of an unwrapped stream which contains particles of tobacco, comprising the steps of transporting the stream along a predetermined path in a cigarette maker; guiding the stream in a portion of said path within an open-sided channel; directing at least one beam of electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength in one of the visible and infrared ranges of the spectrum into the stream of fibrous material so that the beam penetrates through the channel and through at least a portion of the stream and at least one of its characteristics is influenced by the density of such stream; monitoring the one characteristic of the beam subsequent to its penetration through at least a portion of the stream of fibrous material; and generating a signal which is indicative of the monitored characteristic of the beam."
],
[
"1. A method of testing the wrappers of cigarettes, cigars, filter rods, analogous rod-shaped smokers' products, components thereof, and the like, comprising the steps of generating pneumatic test signals indicative of the extent to which imperfections are present in the wrappers of such rod-shaped articles and converting the pneumatic test signals into electrical test signals; conveying said test signals along a first path; generating a pneumatic comparison signal and converting said pneumatic comparison signal into an electrical comparison signal; conveying said comparison signals along a second path, at least a portion of one of said paths being common to at least a portion of the other of said paths so that drift phenomena, if any, and not ascertained, which influence the characteristics of said test signals in each common portion of said paths also influence the characteristics of said comparison signals; deriving from the electrical comparison and test signals derived signals dependent upon the difference between the electrical comparison and test signals but uninfluenced by drift phenomena; and determining whether the wrappers are defective or non-defective by comparing the derived signals against a reference value.",
"2. The method defined in claim 1, wherein the generating of the test signals comprises generating successive test signals corresponding to successive articles, and wherein the generating of the comparison signal comprises generating a comparison signal intermediate the generation of each two successive test signals.",
"3. The method defined in claim 1, wherein the generating of the comparison signal comprises generating the comparison signal in dependence upon atmospheric pressure.",
"4. The method defined in claim 1, wherein the step of deriving signals comprises generating difference signals corresponding to the difference between the electrical comparison and test signals, continually forming an average value from the difference signals, and generating as the derived signals signals indicative of the deviations of the difference signals from the average value.",
"5. The method defined in claim 4, wherein the forming of the average value from the difference signals comprises forming the average value from only those difference signals derived from articles having non-defective wrappers.",
"6. The method defined in claim 4, wherein the formation of the average value comprises generating a signal indicative of the average value, the signal having a duration independent of its generation.",
"7. The method defined in claim 4, wherein the step of determining whether the wrappers are defective or non-defective further comprises comparing the average value against a second reference value.",
"8. The method defined in claim 4, wherein the step of continually forming an average value from the difference signals comprises transmitting the difference signals to an averaging device substantially without any delay, and wherein the step of generating as the derived signals signals indicative of the deviations of the difference signals from the average value comprises comparing each difference signal against the average value only after the elapse of a time delay corresponding to the time required for testing a plurality of successive articles.",
"9. The method defined in claim 1, the method including transporting the rod-shaped articles in a direction transverse to their elongation during the testing of the articles.",
"10. The method defined in claim 1, and in dependence upon the comparison of the derived signals against the reference value generating defect signals indicative of which rod-shaped articles have defective wrappers, and using the defect signals to control the operation of a discarding device so as to discard the articles having defective wrappers.",
"11. A method of testing the wrappers of cigarettes, cigars, filter rods, analogous rod-shaped smokers' products, components thereof and the like, comprising the steps of generating pneumatic test signals indicative of the extent to which imperfections are present in the wrappers of such rod-shaped articles and converting said pneumatic test signals into electrical test signals; conveying said test signals along a first path; generating a pneumatic comparison signal and converting said pneumatic comparison signal into an electrical comparison signal; conveying said comparison signals along a second path, at least a portion of one of said paths being common to at least a portion of the other of said paths so that drift phenomena, if any, which influence the characteristics of said test signals in each common portion of said paths also influence the characteristics of said comparison signals, said generating steps including generating said test and comparison signals as the components of a signal flow in which test and comparison signals form extreme values; deriving from said electrical comparison and test signals derived signals dependent upon the difference between said electrical comparison and test signals, comprising processing said comparison and test signals including detecting the moment at which one of the signals reaches an extreme value and at that moment initiating the processing of the one signal; and determining whether the wrappers are defective or non-defective by comparing said derived signals with a reference value.",
"12. The method defined in claim 11, wherein the detecting of the moment at which one of the signals reaches an extreme value comprises forming the first time derivative of the signal flow and detecting the moment at which the first time derivative reaches a predetermined value.",
"13. A method of testing the wrappers of cigarettes, cigars, filter rods, analogous rod-shaped smokers' products, components thereof and the like, comprising the steps of generating pneumatic test signals indicative of the extent to which imperfections are present in the wrappers of such rod-shaped articles and converting said pneumatic test signals into electrical test signals; conveying said test signals along a first path; generating a pneumatic comparison signal and converting said pneumatic comparison signal into an electrical comparison signal; conveying said comparison signals along a second path, at least a portion of one of said paths being common to at least a portion of the other of said paths so that drift phenomena, if any, which influence the characteristics of said test signals in each common portion of said paths also influence the characteristics of said comparison signals; deriving from said electrical comparison signals and said electrical test signals derived signals dependent upon the difference between said electrical comparison and test signals, comprising processing said comparison and test signals including detecting the moment at which the comparison signal reaches an extreme value and at that moment initiating the processing of the comparison signal; and determining whether the wrappers are defective or non-defective by comparing said derived signals with a reference value.",
"14. A method of testing the wrappers of cigarettes, cigars, filter rods, analogous rod-shaped smokers' products, components thereof and the like, comprising the steps of generating pneumatic test signals indicative of the extent to which imperfections are present in the wrappers of such rod-shaped articles and converting said pneumatic test signals into electrical test signals; conveying said test signals along a first path; generating a pneumatic comparison signal and converting said pneumatic comparison signal into an electrical comparison signal; conveying said comparison signals along a second path, at least a portion of one of said paths being common to at least a portion of the other of said paths so that drift phenomena, if any, which influence the characteristics of said test signals in each common portion of said paths also influence the characteristics of said comparison signals; deriving from said electrical comparison and test signals derived signals dependent upon the difference between said electrical comparison and test signals, comprising processing said comparison and test signals including detecting the moment at which the test signal reaches an extreme value and at that moment initiating the processing of the test signal; and determining whether the wrappers are defective or non-defective by comparing said derived signals with a reference value.",
"15. A method of testing the wrappers of cigarettes, cigars, filter rods, analogous rod-shaped smokers' products, components thereof and the like, comprising the steps of generating pneumatic test signals indicative of the extent to which imperfections are present in the wrappers of such rod-shaped articles and converting said pneumatic test signals into electrical test signals; conveying said test signals along a first path; generating a pneumatic comparison signal and converting said pneumatic comparison signal into an electrical comparison signal; conveying said comparison signals along a second path, at least a portion of one of said paths being common to at least a portion of the other of said paths so that drift phenomena, if any, which influence the characteristics of said test signals in each common portion of said paths also influence the characteristics of said comparison signals, said generating steps comprising generating said test and comparison signals as the components of a signal flow in which said test and comparison signals form respective distinguishable extreme values; and determining whether the wrappers are defective or non-defective by comparing said derived signals with a reference value.",
"16. An apparatus for testing the wrappers of cigarettes, cigars, filter rods, analogous rod-shaped smokers' products, components of such articles, and the like, comprising, in combination, measurement transducer means for generating pressure-dependent signals, test pressure generating means for generating test pressures dependent upon the permeability of the wrappers of such articles and applying the test pressure to the measurement transducer means, comparison pressure furnishing means for effecting the application of a comparison pressure to the measurement transducer means, and comparing means for generating a pressure-difference-dependent signal dependent upon the difference between the signals denoting the test and comparison pressures, the test pressures and the respective signals being transmitted to said comparing means along a first path and the comparison pressure and the respective signal being transmitted to said comparing means along a second path, said paths having common portions at least in said transducer means so that drift phenomena, if any, and not ascertained, in each common portion of said paths which influence the characteristics of signals denoting said test pressures also influence the characteristics of signal denoting said comparison pressure and said pressure-difference-dependent signal is uninfluenced by drift phenomena.",
"17. The apparatus defined in claim 16, further including control means operative for causing the test pressure generating means and the comparison pressure furnishing means to alternately effect the application of test and comparison pressures to the measurement transducer means.",
"18. The apparatus defined in claim 16, wherein the comparison pressure furnishing means is a structure having a controllable opening leading from the ambient atmosphere to the measurement transducer means.",
"19. The apparatus defined in claim 16, wherein the measurement transducer means is a pressure-to-voltage converter.",
"20. The apparatus defined in claim 16, wherein the comparing means constitutes first comparing means, and further including second comparing means having an input connected to the first comparing means for receiving the pressure-difference-dependent signal and operative for generating an output signal dependent upon the difference between the pressure-difference-dependent signal and a predetermined compensation signal, and means for generating and applying the predetermined compensation signal to the second comparing means including averaging means for deriving an average value from the output signals of one of the comparing means.",
"21. The apparatus defined in claim 20, wherein the means for applying the predetermined compensation signal to the second comparing means includes means for deriving the predetermined compensation signal from the output of the averaging means.",
"22. The apparatus defined in claim 20, further including signal transmission control means connected between the output of the second comparing means and the input of the averaging means and operative for permitting and preventing transmission of the output signals of the second comparing means to the input of the averaging means in dependence upon the difference between the output signals of the second comparing means and a predetermined reference value.",
"23. The apparatus defined in claim 20, further including means operative for receiving the predetermined compensation signal and comparing it against a reference value and generating defect signals in dependence upon that comparison.",
"24. The apparatus defined in claim 20, wherein the means for generating and applying the predetermined compensation signal to the second comparing means further includes adjustable signal generating means operative for generating a persisting output signal.",
"25. The apparatus defined in claim 24, wherein the means for generating and applying the predetermined compensation signal to the second comparing means further includes evaluating means connected to the output of the averaging means for evaluating the output signal of the averaging means and adjusting means connected to the output of the evaluating means and to the adjustable signal generating means for automatically adjusting the latter in dependence upon the output signal of the evaluating means.",
"26. The apparatus defined in claim 20, and further including time-delay means connecting the output of the first comparing means to the input of the second comparing means for transmitting to the latter the pressure-difference-dependent signal with a predetermined time delay.",
"27. Apparatus for testing the wrappers of cigarettes, cigars, filter rods, analogous rod-shaped smokers' products, components of such articles and the like, comprising measurement transducer means for generating pressure-dependent signals; test pressure generating means for generating test pressures dependent upon the permeability of the wrappers of such articles and applying said test pressures to said transducer means; comparison pressure furnishing means for effecting the application of a comparison pressure to said transducer means; control means operative for causing said test pressure generating means and said comparison pressure furnishing means to alternately effect the application of test and comparison pressures to said transducer means to cause the latter to generate a signal flow in which test and comparison signals form extreme values; extreme-value-detecting means connected to said transducer means to receive the signal flow and operative for detecting when one of the signals in the signal flow reaches an extreme value; comparing means for generating a pressure-difference-dependent signal dependent upon the difference between the signals denoting the test and comparison pressures, the test pressures and the respective signals being transmitted to said comparing means along a first path and the comparison pressure and the respective signal being transmitted to said comparing means along a second path, said paths having common portions at least in said transducer means so that drift phenomena, if any, in each common portion of said paths which influence the characteristics of signals denoting said test pressures also influence the characteristics of signal denoting said comparison pressure; and signal transfer means connected to said extreme-value-detecting means and to said transducer means and operative in response to the extreme-value-detection for transmitting to said comparing means the signal reaching the detected extreme value.",
"28. The apparatus defined in claim 27, wherein the extreme-value-detecting means comprises differentiating means for differentiating the signal flow and threshold-detecting means for determining when the differentiated signal flow reaches a value corresponding to the extreme value of a signal in the undifferentiated signal flow.",
"29. Apparatus for testing the wrappers of cigarettes, cigars, filter rods, analogous rod-shaped smokers' products, components of such articles and the like, comprising measurement transducer means for generating pressure-dependent signals; test pressure generating means for generating test pressures dependent upon the permeability of the wrappers of such articles and applying said test pressures to said transducer means; comparison pressure furnishing means for effecting the application of a comparison pressure to said transducer means; control means operative for causing said test pressure generating means and said comparison pressure furnishing means to alternately effect the application of test and comparison pressures to said transducer means to cause the latter to generate a signal flow in which test and comparison signals form extreme values; extreme-value-detecting means connected to said transducer means to receive the signal flow and operative for detecting when the comparison signal reaches an extreme value; comparing means for generating a pressure-difference-dependent signal dependent upon the difference between the signals denoting the test and comparison pressures, the test pressures and the respective signals being transmitted to said comparing means along a first path and the comparison pressure and the respective signal being transmitted to said comparing means along a second path, said paths having common portions at least in said transducer means so that drift phenomena, if any, in each common portion of said paths which influence the characteristics of signals denoting said test pressures also influence the characteristics of signal denoting said comparison pressure; and signal transfer means connected to said extreme-value-detecting means and to said transducer means and operative in response to the extreme-value detection for transmitting to said comparing means the comparison signal as it reaches the detected extreme value.",
"30. Apparatus for testing the wrappers of cigarettes, cigars, filter rods, analogous rod-shaped smokers' products, components of such articles and the like, comprising measurement transducer means for generating pressure-dependent signals; test pressure generating means for generating test pressures dependent upon the permeability of the wrappers of such articles and applying said test pressures to said transducer means; comparison pressure furnishing means for effecting the application of a comparison pressure to said transducer means; control means operative for causing said test pressure generating means and said comparison pressure furnishing means to alternately effect the application of test and comparison pressures to said transducer means to cause the latter to generate a signal flow in which test and comparison pressures form extreme values; extreme-value-detecting means connected to said transducer means to receive the signal flow and operative for detecting when the test signal reaches an extreme value; comparing means for generating a pressure-difference-dependent signal dependent upon the difference between the signals denoting the test and comparison pressures, the test pressures and the respective signals being transmitted to said comparing means along a first path and the comparison pressure and the respective signal being transmitted to said comparing means along a second path, said paths having common portions at least in said transducer means so that drift phenomena, if any, in each common portion of said paths which influence the characteristics of signals denoting said test pressures also influence the characteristics of signal denoting said comparison pressure; and signal transfer means connected to said extreme-value-detecting means and said transducer means and operative in response to the extreme-value-detection for transmitting to said comparing means the test signal as it reaches the detected extreme value.",
"31. A method of testing the wrappers of cigarettes, cigars, filter rods, analogous rod-shaped smokers' products, components thereof and the like, comprising the steps of generating pneumatic test signals indicative of the extent to which imperfections are present in the wrappers of such rod-shaped articles and converting said pneumatic test signals into electrical test signals; generating a pneumatic comparison signal and converting said pneumatic comparison signal into an electrical comparison signal, said generating steps including generating said test and comparison signals as the components of a signal flow in which test and comparison signals form extreme values; deriving from said electrical comparison and test signals derived signals dependent upon the difference between said electrical comparison and test signals, comprising processing said comparison and test signals including detecting the moment at which one of the signals reaches an extreme value and at the moment initiating the processing of the one signal; and determining whether the wrappers are defective or non-defective by comparing said derived signals with a reference value.",
"32. The method of claim 31, wherein the detecing of the moment at which one of the signals reaches an extreme value comprises forming the first time derivative of the signal flow and detecting the moment at which the first time derivative reaches a predetermined value.",
"33. A method of testing the wrappers of cigarettes, cigars, filter rods, analogous rod-shaped smokers' products, components thereof and the like, comprising the steps of generating pneumatic test signals indicative of the extent to which imperfections are present in the wrappers of such rod-shaped articles and converting said pneumatic test signals into electrical test signals; generating a pneumatic comparison signal and converting said pneumatic comparison signal into an electrical comparison signal; deriving from said electrical comparison and test signals derived signals dependent upon the difference between said electrical comparison and test signals, comprising processing said comparison and test signals including detecting the moment at which the comparison signal reaches an extreme value and at that moment initiating the processing of the comparison signal; and determining whether the wrappers are defective or non-defective by comparing said derived signals with a reference value.",
"34. A method of testing the wrappers of cigarettes, cigars, filter rods, analogous rod-shaped smokers' products, components thereof and the like, comprising the steps of generating pneumatic test signals indicative of the extent to which imperfections are present in the wrappers of such rod-shaped articles and converting said pneumatic test signals into electrical test signals; generating a pneumatic comparison signal and converting said pneumatic comparison signal into an electrical comparison signal; deriving from said electrical comparison and test signals derived signals dependent upon the difference between said electrical comparison and test signals, comprising processing said comparison and test signals including detecting the moment at which the test signal reaches an extreme value and at the moment initiating the processing of the test signal; and determining whether the wrappers are defective or non-defective by comparing said derived signals with a reference value.",
"35. A method of testing the wrappers of cigarettes, cigars, filter rods, analogous rod-shaped smokers' products, components thereof and the like, comprising the steps of generating pneumatic test signals indicative of the extent to which imperfections are present in the wrappers of such rod-shaped articles and converting said pneumatic test signals into electrical test signals; generating a pneumatic comparison signal and converting said pneumatic comparison signal into an electrical comparison signal, said generating steps comprising generating said test and comparison signals as the components of a signal flow in which said test and comparison signals form respective distinguishable extreme values; and determining whether the wrappers are defective or non-defective by comparing said derived signals with a reference value.",
"36. Apparatus for testing the wrappers of cigarettes, cigars, filter rods, analogous rod-shaped smokers' products, components of such articles and the like, comprising measurement transducer means for generating pressure-dependent signals; test pressure generating means for generating test pressures dependent upon the permeability of the wrappers of such articles and applying said test pressures to said transducer means; comparison pressure furnishing means for effecting the application of a comparison pressure to said transducer means; control means operative for causing said test pressure generating means and said comparison pressure furnishing means to alternately effect the application of test and comparison pressures to said transducer means to cause the latter to generate a signal flow in which test and comparison signals form extreme values; extreme-value-detecting means connected to said transducer means to receive the signal flow and operative for detecting when one of the signals in the signal flow reaches an extreme value; comparing means for generating a pressure-difference-dependent signal dependent upon the difference between said test and comparison pressures; and signal transfer means connected to said extreme-value-detecting means and to said transducer means and operative in response to the extreme-value-detection for transmitting to said comparing means the signal reaching the detected extreme value.",
"37. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein said extreme-value-detecting means comprises differentiating means for differentiating the signal flow and threshold-detecting means for determining when the differentiated signal flow reaches a value corresponding to the extreme value of a signal in the undifferentiated signal flow.",
"38. Apparatus for testing the wrappers of cigarettes, cigars, filter rods, analogous rod-shaped smokers' products, components of such articles and the like, comprising measurement transducer means for generating pressure-dependent signals; test pressure generating means for generating test pressures dependent upon the permeability of the wrappers of such articles and applying said test pressures to said transducer means; comparison pressure furnishing means for effecting the application of a comparison pressure to said transducer means; control means operative for causing said test pressure generating means and said comparison pressure furnishing means to alternately effect the application of test and comparison pressures to said transducer means to cause the latter to generate a signal flow in which test and comparison signals form extreme values; extreme-value-detecting means connected to said transducer means to receive the signal flow and operative for detecting when the comparison signal reaches an extreme value; comparing means for generating a pressure-difference-dependent signal dependent upon the difference between said test and comparison pressures; and signal transfer means connected to said extreme-value-detecting means and to said transducer means and operative in response to the extreme-value detection for transmitting to said comparing means the comparison signal as it reaches the detected extreme value.",
"39. Apparatus for testing the wrappers of cigarettes, cigars, filter rods, analogous rod-shaped smokers' products, components of such articles and the like, comprising measurement transducer means for generating pressure-dependent signals; test pressure generating means for generating test pressures dependent upon the permeability of the wrappers of such articles and applying said test pressures to said transducer means; comparison pressure furnishing means for effecting the application of a comparison pressure to said transducer means; control means operative for causing said test pressure generating means and said comparison pressure furnishing means to alternately effect the application of test and comparison pressures to said transducer means to cause the latter to generate a signal flow in which test and comparison signals form extreme values; extreme-value-detecting means connected to said transducer means to receive the signal flow and operative for detecting when the test signal reaches an extreme value; comparing means for generating a pressure-difference-dependent signal dependent upon the difference between said test and comparison pressures; and signal transfer means connected to said extreme-value-detecting means and said transducer means and operative in response to the extreme-value-detection for transmitting to said comparing means the test signal as it reaches the detected extreme value."
],
[
"1. An apparatus for identifying cigarettes having loose ends comprising:\nconveyor means for serially conveying a plurality of cigarettes along a path of travel with the cigarettes being oriented transversely to the direction of travel so that tobacco filled ends of the cigarettes pass serially along one side of the conveying means; and\ninspection means fixedly positioned along the path of travel adjacent the one side of the conveyor and comprising an infrared emitter and an infrared receiver, the emitter and receiver being aligned with each other on opposite sides of, and spaced from, the path of travel so that tobacco filled end portions of the cigarettes serially pass between the emitter and the receiver.",
"2. The apparatus of claim 1 additionally comprising a rejection means responsive to the inspection means for rejecting cigarettes having loose ends.",
"3. The apparatus of claim 1 additionally comprising a signal receiving means for receiving signals from the infrared detector and a comparator means for comparing the value of the signals to a predetermined value.",
"4. The apparatus of claim 3 additionally comprising converting means for converting received signals from the infrared receiver into digital signals, and wherein said comparator means comprises digital comparator means for comparing the converted digital signals to a predetermined digital value.",
"5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the emitter and receiver are each spaced from the path of travel at a distance of between about 0.1 and 2.0 millimeters.",
"6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the receiver and the emitter are each spaced a distance of from about 0.25 to about 1.5 millimeters from the path of travel.",
"7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the conveyor means comprises a rotary drum conveyor.",
"8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the emitter and the receiver are in substantial alignment along a diameter of the rotary conveyor so that the cigarette end portion passes through a beam of infrared radiation which is substantially perpendicular to the tangential path of the cigarette.",
"9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the infrared emitter emits infrared radiation within a narrow spectral region of between about 860-900 nanometers.",
"10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said infrared receiver comprises an infrared detector having an active surface area of less than about 10 square millimeters.",
"11. A method for inspecting the end portions of cigarettes comprising:\nconveying a plurality of cigarettes serially along a predetermined path of travel comprising an inspection zone, the cigarettes being oriented transversely to the path of travel and so that the tobacco filled ends of the cigarettes are on one side of the path of travel, the inspection zone being on the one side of the path of travel and comprising an infrared emitter and an infrared receiver in alignment on opposite sides of the path of travel;\npassing a beam of infrared radiation transversely through an end portion of each cigarette adjacent the tobacco filled end thereof as the cigarettes are serially conveyed through the inspection zone and between the aligned infrared emitter and receiver; and\nsensing the intensity of infrared radiation passing through the end portion adjacent the end of each of the plurality of cigarettes.",
"12. The method of claim 11 additionally comprising the step of comparing a value representative of the sensed amount of infrared radiation to a predetermined value.",
"13. The method of claim 12 additionally comprising the step of rejecting the cigarette hen the value representative of the sensed amount of infrared radiation is greater than the predetermined value.",
"14. The method of claim 11, 12 or 13 wherein the method is conducted during the cigarette manufacturing process.",
"15. The method of claim 14 wherein the cigarette manufacturing process is operated at a speed greater than about 7,000 cigarettes per minute.",
"16. The method of claim 11 wherein the beam of infrared radiation is passed through a portion of the tobacco filled end of the cigarette located at a distance of from about 1 to about 5 millimeters from the end of the cigarette.",
"17. The method of claim 11 wherein the conveying step comprises conveying cigarettes along a curved path.",
"18. The method of claim 11 wherein the beam of infrared radiation has a narrow spectral width of between about 860-900 nanometers.",
"19. The method of claim 17 wherein the conveying step comprises conveying the cigarettes along a linear path of travel.",
"20. An inspection system for identifying cigarettes having loose ends comprising:\nconveying means for conveying cigarettes serially through an inspection zone, the inspection zone comprising an infrared emitter oriented to pass infrared radiation transversely through an end portion of each cigarette and an infrared detector aligned with the emitter and oriented to receive the infrared light passing transversely through the end portion of each cigarette; control means for the inspection system comprising:\nreceiving means for receiving an inspection signal representative of the intensity of infrared radiation being received by the infrared detector;\nfirst comparator means for comparing the inspection signal to a first predetermined value;\ngenerating means responsive to the first comparator means for generating an initiation signal if the inspection signal is less than the first predetermined value;\nsampling means responsive to the generating means for obtaining a sample signal from the receiving means at a predetermined time after the inspection signal, the sample signal being representative of the intensity of infrared radiation passing through a cigarette; and\nsecond comparator means for comparing the sample signal to a second predetermined value.",
"21. The inspection system of claim 20 wherein the control means additionally comprises a reject signal generating means for generating a reject signal when the sample signal is greater than the second predetermined value.",
"22. The inspection system of claim 20 wherein the first predetermined value is representative of the average value of a plurality of prior inspection signals.",
"23. The inspection system of claim 20 wherein the inspection signal compared in the first comparator means is representative of an average of a plurality of inspection signals from the receiving means.",
"24. The inspection system of claim 20 wherein the predetermined time after the inspection signal is determined based on the speed of the conveying means.",
"25. The inspection system of claim 20 wherein the sample signal obtained in the sampling means is representative of the average of a plurality of inspection signals from the receiving means.",
"26. The inspection system of claim 20 wherein the cigarettes are conveyed on said conveying means at a speed in excess of 7,000 cigarettes per minute.",
"27. The inspection system of claim 20 wherein the control means comprises a microcomputer system.",
"28. An inspection system for identifying cigarettes having loose ends comprising:\nconveying means for conveying cigarettes serially through an inspection zone, the inspection zone comprising an infrared emitter oriented to pass infrared radiation transversely through an end portion of each cigarette and an infrared detector aligned with the emitter and oriented to receive the infrared light passing transversely through the end portion of each cigarette; control means for the inspection system comprising:\nreceiving means for receiving an inspection signal representative of the intensity of infrared radiation being received by the infrared detector;\nlocal minimum detecting means for detecting a local minimum value of the inspection signal; and\ncomparator means for comparing the local minimum value of the inspection signal to a predetermined value.",
"29. The inspection system of claim 28 wherein said local minimum detecting means and said comparator means comprise digital local minimum detecting means and digital comparator means, respectively.",
"30. The inspection system of claim 28 wherein said local minimum detecting means and said comparator means comprise analog local minimum detecting means and first analog comparator means, respectively.",
"31. The inspection system of claim 28 wherein the control means additionally comprises a reject signal generating means for generating a reject signal when the sample signal is greater than the second predetermined value.",
"32. The inspection system of claim 28 wherein the cigarettes are conveyed on said conveying means at a speed in excess of 7,000 cigarettes per minute.",
"33. The inspection system of claim 28 wherein the control means comprises a microcomputer system.",
"34. An apparatus for manufacturing cigarettes at a speed in excess of 7000 cigarettes per minute comprising\nmeans for receiving tobacco rods of double unit length;\nmeans for cutting each double unit length rod into two axially aligned single unit length tobacco rods;\nmeans for inserting a double unit length filter between the two axially aligned, single unit length tobacco rods;\nmeans for joining the double unit filter to the two single unit tobacco rods to thereby form a double unit length cigarette;\nmeans for cutting each double unit cigarette at its center to form single unit length cigarettes;\nmeans for orienting the single unit length cigarettes in a like direction so that the tobacco filled ends of the cigarettes face in the same direction;\nconveying means for conveying the like oriented cigarettes at a speed in excess of 7000 cigarettes per minute; and\ninspection means positioned adjacent the conveying means and comprising an infrared emitter oriented to pass infrared radiation transversely through an end portion of each cigarette on the conveying means and an infrared receiver aligned with the emitter and oriented to receive the infrared light passing transversely through the end portion of each cigarette.",
"35. The apparatus of claim 34 additionally comprising a rejection means responsive to the inspection means for rejecting cigarettes having loose ends.",
"36. The apparatus of claim 34 additionally comprising a signal receiving means for receiving signals from the infrared detector and a comparator means for comparing the value of the signals to a predetermined value.",
"37. The apparatus of claim 34 additionally comprising converting means for converting received signals from the infrared receiver into digital signals, and wherein said comparator means comprises digital comparator means for comparing the converted digital signals to a predetermined digital value.",
"38. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein the emitter and receiver are each spaced from the path of travel at a distance of between about 0.1 and 2.0 millimeters.",
"39. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein the conveyor means comprises a rotary drum conveyor.",
"40. The apparatus of claim 39 wherein the emitter and the receiver are in substantial alignment along a diameter of the rotary conveyor so that the cigarette end portion passes through a beam of infrared radiation which is substantially perpendicular to the tangential path of the cigarette.",
"41. A method for manufacturing cigarettes at a speed in excess of 7000 cigarettes per minute comprising the steps:\nconveying double unit length tobacco rods at a speed in excess of 3500 rods per minute;\ncutting the double unit length tobacco rods into pairs of axially aligned single unit length tobacco rods;\ninserting a double unit length filter between each pair of axially aligned single unit length tobacco rods;\njoining each double unit filter to each pair of single unit tobacco rods to thereby form double unit length cigarettes;\ncutting each double length cigarette at its center to form single unit length cigarettes;\norienting the single unit length cigarettes in a like direction so that the tobacco filled ends of the cigarettes face in the same direction;\nconveying the like oriented cigarettes at a speed in excess of 7000 cigarettes per minute along a predetermined path of travel through an inspection zone comprising an infrared emitter and an infrared receiver in alignment on opposite sides of the path of travel so that the tobacco filled ends of the cigarettes serially pass between the aligned infrared emitter and receiver;\npassing a beam of infrared radiation transversely through the end portion of each cigarette adjacent the tobacco filled end thereof as the cigarette is conveyed through the inspection zone and between the aligned infrared emitter and receiver; and\nsensing the intensity of infrared radiation passing transversely through each cigarette.",
"42. The method of claim 41 additionally comprising the step of comparing a value representative of the sensed amount of infrared radiation to a predetermined value.",
"43. The method of claim 42 additionally comprising the step of rejecting the cigarette when the value representative of the sensed amount of infrared radiation is greater than the predetermined value.",
"44. The method of claim 41 wherein the beam of infrared radiation is passed through a portion of the tobacco filled end of the cigarette located at a distance of from about 1 to about 5 millimeters from the end of the cigarette."
],
[
"17. A method for inspecting filter rods used to form cigarette filter elements, each filter rod defining a longitudinal axis extending between opposed ends, each end extending substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis, and including a filter material having an axially-extending strand disposed therein, the method comprising:\nreceiving at least one filter rod in a filter rod support device such that one end of the at least one filter rod is exposed;\nanalyzing the one end of the at least one filter rod using an analysis unit; determining a status of the at least one filter rod from the analysis of the one end; and\nproviding a signal in response to and corresponding to the determined status.",
"18. A method according to claim 17 wherein receiving the at least one filter rod further comprises receiving the at least one filter rod such that both ends are exposed, and the analyzing step further comprises analyzing at least one of the ends of the at least one filter rod to determine the status of the at least one filter rod.",
"19. A method according to claim 17 wherein the analyzing step further comprises analyzing an image of the one end of the at least one filter rod using an image analysis unit.",
"20. A method according to claim 19 further comprising capturing the image of the at least one filter rod using an image acquisition device.",
"21. A method according to claim 19 further comprising displaying, in response to the signal, an indicia corresponding to the determined status on a display unit in communication with the analysis unit.",
"22. A method according to claim 17 wherein determining a status of the at least one filter rod further comprises determining at least one of a strand presence within the filter rod, a strand absence from the filter rod, an acceptable strand presence in the filter rod, and an unacceptable strand presence in the filter rod.",
"23. A method according to claim 22 wherein determining a status of the at least one filter rod further comprises determining one of an acceptable strand presence in the filter rod and an unacceptable strand presence in the filter rod with respect to a characteristic selected from the group consisting of strand disposition within the filter material, strand alignment within the filter material, strand configuration, strand type, strand color, strand size, strand condition, and combinations thereof.",
"24. A system according to claim 22 further comprising removing, in response to the signal, the at least one filter rod from the filter rod support device using a filter rod removal device operably engaged with the analysis unit and the filter rod support device, and discarding the at least one filter rod, when the status corresponds to one of the strand absence from the filter rod and the unacceptable strand presence in the filter rod."
],
[
"1. A system, comprising:\na sensor apparatus, the sensor apparatus including\na channel structure including an inlet, an outlet, and an inner surface defining a fluid conduit extending from the inlet to the outlet through an interior of the channel structure, the fluid conduit not including a restriction in a diameter of the fluid conduit, the channel structure configured to couple with an external element, such that the channel structure is configured to\nreceive a fluid drawn through the external element at the inlet, the fluid at least partially drawn through the external element from an ambient environment that is external to the fluid conduit, and\ndirect the fluid through the fluid conduit,\na single, individual sensor device in hydrodynamic contact with the fluid conduit, wherein the single, individual sensor device is configured to measure a value of a local pressure at a single location in hydrodynamic contact with the fluid conduit at separate points in time over at least a period of time, the single, individual sensor device further configured to generate sensor data associated with one or more values of the local pressure measured by the single, individual sensor device over the period of time, and\na communication interface configured to communicate the sensor data to a separately-located device external to the sensor apparatus; and\na computing device communicatively linked to the sensor apparatus,\nwherein the sensor apparatus is configured to communicate the sensor data to the computing device,\nwherein the computing device is further configured to process the sensor data to generate topography information associated with at least one of the sensor apparatus and the external element, based on\nprocessing the sensor data to\ndetermine a value of an ambient pressure P0 of the ambient environment based on a plurality of values of the local pressure measured by the single, individual sensor device over the period of time as indicated by the sensor data, and\ndetermine a flow rate of the fluid through the fluid conduit at a first point in time based on determining a pressure differential ΔP between the determined value of the ambient pressure P0 and a first value of the local pressure P measured by the single, individual sensor device at the first point in time.",
"2. The system of claim 1, wherein the communication interface is a wireless network communication transceiver, such that the communication interface is configured to communicate the sensor data to the separately-located device via a wireless network communication link.",
"3. The system of claim 2, wherein the sensor apparatus is further configured to communicate a sensor data stream providing a real-time indication of a value of the local pressure measured by the single, individual sensor device.",
"4. The system of claim 1, wherein the single, individual sensor device is incorporated into the inner surface defining the fluid conduit, such that a fluid conduit-proximate surface of the single, individual sensor device is substantially coplanar with the inner surface without reducing the diameter of the fluid conduit.",
"5. The system of claim 1, wherein\nthe external element is an e-vaping device configured to generate a vapor and direct the vapor through an outlet end of the e-vaping device, and\nthe inlet includes an interface configured to couple with the outlet end of the e-vaping device, such that\nthe interface establishes a substantially airtight seal between the inlet of the channel structure and the outlet end of the e-vaping device, and\nthe channel structure is configured to receive the vapor at the inlet and direct the vapor through the fluid conduit to the outlet.",
"6. The system of claim 5, wherein the interface is configured to detachably couple with the outlet end of the e-vaping device.",
"7. The system of claim 1, wherein the computing device is configured to determine that an instance of fluid is passing through the channel structure, based on monitoring a variation in the measured value of the local pressure, measured by the single, individual sensor device at the single location, over a particular period of time.",
"8. The system of claim 7, wherein the computing device is configured to determine a volume and/or mass of the instance of fluid based on monitoring the variation in the measured value of the local pressure, measured by the single, individual sensor device at the single location, over the particular period of time."
],
[
"1. An apparatus for assessing hot coal fallout propensity of burning cigarettes based on human behavior features of ash-tapping action, comprising:\na holding unit for holding a cigarette;\na suction unit connected to one end of the cigarette to suck the cigarette;\na tapping unit disposed adjacent to the holding unit, and the tapping unit being capable of tapping the cigarette; and\na control unit coupled with the suction unit and the tapping unit, respectively, to control suction and tapping actions,\nwherein the tapping unit comprises: a tapping arm; and a tapping hammer disposed at one end of the tapping arm to slap the cigarette under driving of the tapping arm, and\nwherein a width or diameter of the tapping hammer is between 9.5 mm-10.5 mm, and a distance between a tapping point and the one end is between 33 mm-38 mm.",
"2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the holding unit is disposed at a filter tip of the cigarette, and the one end is a free end of the filter tip.",
"3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the tapping hammer is made of a material with a Shore hardness in a range of 0.4HA-5HA.",
"4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a tapping strength of the tapping hammer applied on the cigarette is between 10gf-30gf.",
"5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:\nif the cigarette is a Superslim cigarette with a small diameter, duration for every tapping action applied by the tapping hammer is between 0.095-0.105 seconds; and\nif the cigarette is a King Size cigarette with a large diameter, duration for every tapping action applied by the tapping hammer is between 0.115-0.125 seconds.",
"6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the holding unit is made of a material with Shore hardness in a range of 0.4HA-5.0HA.",
"7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a holding width of the holding unit holding the cigarette is between 9.5 mm-10.5 mm, a holding strength of the holding unit is between 16gf-18gf, and a distance from a holding point of the holding unit to the one end is between 19 mm-22 mm.",
"8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is used to control a holding strength of the holding unit, a suction strength and a suction frequency of the suction unit, and a tapping cycle, a position of a tapping point and a tapping strength of the tapping unit.",
"9. A method for assessing hot coal fallout propensity of burning cigarettes by using the apparatus for assessing hot coal fallout propensity of burning cigarettes according to claim 1, comprising:\nstep A: using the holding unit to hold the cigarette and ignite the cigarette; step B: activating the suction unit by the control unit to suck the cigarette, so as to simulate smoking action of human;\nstep C: taking k times suction by the suction unit as a cycle, and activating the tapping unit by the control unit to perform a round of tapping actions on the cigarette to simulate human's tapping actions;\nstep D: stopping detection by the control unit when the cigarette has fallout or the cigarette is burned to a predetermined test termination mark; and\nstep E: repeating the step B, the step C and the step D for 40 cigarettes, and recording an occurrence number n of fallout so as to calculate hot coal fallout propensity (HCFP) of burning cigarettes by using the following formula:\n\nHCFP=n/40×100%.",
"10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the step A, the step B, the step C, the step D, and the step E are performed in a constant temperature and humidity environment.",
"11. The method according to claim 9, wherein a holding width of the holding unit holding the cigarette is between 9.5mm-10.5mm, a holding strength of the holding unit is between 16gf-18gf, and a distance from a holding point of the holding unit to the one end is between 18mm-20mm.",
"12. The method according to claim 9, wherein in the step C, the one round of tapping actions comprise performing 2-4 times of tapping actions on the cigarette by using the tapping unit, and an interval time between adjacent two tapping actions is no longer than 1 second.",
"13. The method according to claim 9, wherein the tapping unit comprises a tapping arm and a tapping hammer, an angle between the tapping arm and the cigarette is between 30-60 degrees when the tapping hammer is in contact with the cigarette.",
"14. The method according to claim 13, wherein in said step C, a tapping strength of the tapping hammer applied on the cigarette is between 20gf-60gf.",
"15. The method according to claim 13, wherein in said step C, a width of a tapping point, where the tapping hammer slaps at the cigarette, is between 9.5mm-10.5mm, and a distance between the tapping point and the one end is between 30mm-32mm.",
"16. The method according to claim 9, wherein two sets of tests are applied to each cigarette sample, a final HCFP of the cigarette is represented by an average value of the two sets of detection results after the step E, and the detection is performed again when an absolute difference of two sets of detection results is greater than 20%."
],
[
"1. A smoking machine for an electronic cigarette, comprising: a housing (100); a rotary disc (200) installed on the housing (100), the rotary disc (200) rotates relative to the housing (100) with a central axis of the rotary disc as a center; at least one disc-body smoking through hole (210) is disposed on an end face of the rotary disc (200); a housing sealing member (120) is disposed on the housing (100), a sealing ventilation hole (121) penetrating into an inner portion of the housing (100) is provided in the housing sealing member (120), and when the sealing ventilation hole (121) is in communication with one end of a catcher (2), the other end of the catcher (2) is in communication with a smoking apparatus (440);\nwherein\nthe central axis of the rotary disc (200) is parallel to a horizontal plane; and\nthe smoking machine for an electronic cigarette comprising at least one cigarette clamping mechanism, the cigarette clamping mechanism comprising a clamping mechanism body (310) and a cigarette clamp (320) disposed on the clamping mechanism body (310), wherein the cigarette clamp (320) is installed on the disc-body smoking through hole (210) of the rotary disc (200); one end of the cigarette clamp (320) is a cigarette clamping end (321) for inserting therein an electronic cigarette (1) in a horizontal direction, the cigarette clamp (320) is provided with an axial through hole (322) penetrating in a horizontal direction for smoke to pass through, and the rotary disc (200) is able to rotate to a position to make the axial through hole (322) in communication with the sealing ventilation hole (121) of the housing sealing member (120).",
"2. The smoking machine for an electronic cigarette as in claim 1, wherein when two or more disc-body smoking through holes (210) exist, the two or more disc-body smoking through holes (210) are evenly arranged on the rotary disc (200), and distances between central axes of the disc-body smoking through holes (210) and the central axis of the rotary disc (200) are the same.",
"3. The smoking machine for an electronic cigarette as in claim 2, wherein the housing sealing member (120) is disposed on an upper portion of a side surface of the housing (100), a central axis of the sealing ventilation hole (121) and the central axis of the rotary disc (200) both pass through a vertical plane perpendicular to the horizontal plane.",
"4. The smoking machine for an electronic cigarette as in claim 1, wherein an end face of the housing sealing member (120) is in contact with the end face of the rotary disc (200), and the end face of the rotary disc (200) in contact with the housing sealing member (120) is a plane.",
"5. The smoking machine for an electronic cigarette as in claim 1, wherein further comprising an automatic loading and weighing system of a catcher, the automatic loading and weighing system of a catcher comprises:\na temporary feeding storage store (510) and a temporary discharge storage store (520), which are disposed on the housing (100) of the smoking machine for an electronic cigarette and in communication with an inner portion of the housing (100);\na transmission mechanism (600), a balance (700), an ejector pin assembly (400), and a discharge transferring mechanism (800), which are disposed inside the housing (100); and\na main control circuit board (300) electrically connected to the ejector pin assembly (400), the transmission mechanism (600), the temporary feeding storage store (510), the temporary discharge storage store (520), and the discharge transferring mechanism (800);\nthe temporary feeding storage store (510) receives the catcher (2) disposed from an outer portion of the smoking machine for an electronic cigarette, and the catcher (2) is taken out from the temporary discharge storage store (520);\na robotic arm (610) is installed on the transmission mechanism (600), the robotic arm (610) obtains the catcher (2), the transmission mechanism (600) drives the robotic arm (610) to move, so that the catcher (2) reaches a preparation position and a weighing position, and during moving of the catcher (2), a central axis of the catcher (2) remains in parallel to a central axis of the sealing ventilation hole (121);\nthe balance (700) weighs the catcher (2) reaching the weighing position;\nthe ejector pin assembly (400) pushes the catcher (2) to horizontally move to a smoking position, and the ejector pin assembly (400) is provided with a vapor channel (421) for sucking vapor; and\nthe discharge transferring mechanism (800) transfers the catcher (2) to the temporary discharge storage store (520).",
"6. The smoking machine for an electronic cigarette as in claim 5, wherein the discharge transferring mechanism (800) comprises an inclined slideway (810) for the catcher (2) to slide and a discharge pushing cylinder (820), a horizontal height of an end of the inclined slideway (810) close to the temporary discharge storage store (520) is less than a horizontal height of an end of the inclined slideway (810) far away from the temporary discharge storage store (520), the discharge pushing cylinder (820) is disposed below the end of the inclined slideway (810) close to the temporary discharge storage store (520), and a piston rod of the discharge pushing cylinder (820) is located exactly below the temporary discharge storage store (520).",
"7. The smoking machine for an electronic cigarette as in claim 5, wherein the catcher (2) comprises a catching body (21) and a vapor guiding head (22) disposed on each of two axial end faces of the catching body (21); the robotic arm (610) is formed by two grippers (611) with a V-shaped groove at an end portion; and the V-shaped groove supports the corresponding vapor guiding head (22).",
"8. The smoking machine for an electronic cigarette as in claim 5, wherein the ejector pin assembly (400) comprises an ejector pin cylinder (410) and an adapter sealing member (420), the adapter sealing member (420) is connected to a piston rod of the ejector pin cylinder (410), the vapor channel (421) is disposed on the adapter sealing member (420), and when the catcher (2) is located at the smoking position, the adapter sealing member (420) is in sealing connection to a vapor outlet end of the catcher (2), and the vapor channel (421) communicates the catcher (2) with the smoking apparatus (440).",
"9. The smoking machine for an electronic cigarette as in claim 1, wherein further comprising an electronic cigarette triggering system, the electronic cigarette triggering system comprises a cigarette triggering portion (3) and a triggering control cylinder (4) connected to the cigarette triggering portion (3), the cigarette triggering portion (3) is able to come into contact with the electronic cigarette (1) under control of the triggering control cylinder (4), the triggering control cylinder (4) is fixed on a connection block (5), and the connection block (5) is connected to the housing (100) by using a connection structure (6).",
"10. The smoking machine for an electronic cigarette as in claim 9, wherein the cigarette triggering portion (3) comprises a negative contact terminal (31) and a positive contact terminal (32), the negative contact terminal (31) corresponds to a position of a negative electrode (11) of the electronic cigarette (1), the positive contact terminal (32) corresponds to a position of a positive electrode (12) of the electronic cigarette (1), and the negative contact terminal (31) and the positive contact terminal (32) are connected to a current control apparatus.",
"11. The smoking machine for an electronic cigarette as in claim 9, wherein the cigarette triggering portion (3) comprises a cigarette pressing terminal (33), and the cigarette pressing terminal (33) corresponds to a position of a power-on button (13) of the electronic cigarette (1).",
"12. The smoking machine for an electronic cigarette as in claim 1, wherein\nthe clamping mechanism body (310) comprises a horizontal base plate (311) and a vertical supporting plate (314), an upper surface of the horizontal base plate (311) is provided with a guiding groove (312), the guiding groove (312) is disposed in a direction of the length of the horizontal base plate (311); and a bottom portion of the vertical supporting plate (314) is connected to a rear end of the horizontal base plate (311), and the vertical supporting plate (314) is provided with a base through hole (315) penetrating in a horizontal direction;\nthe other end of the cigarette clamp (320) is a disc body connection end (324), and the disc body connection end (324) penetrates into the base through hole (315) of the vertical supporting plate (314); and\nthe cigarette clamping mechanism further comprises a cigarette gripper (330), and the cigarette gripper (330) comprises a gripper base plate (331) and two side surface clamping portions (334) disposed opposite to each other provided on the gripper base plate (331), the gripper base plate (331) is installed on the guiding groove (312) of the horizontal base plate (311) and is movable in a direction of the length of the guiding groove (312), and the two side surface clamping portions (334) are symmetrically disposed by using a vertical plane of a central axis of the axial through hole (322) as a central axial plane."
],
[
"1. A testing apparatus for testing vaporizers of electronic cigarettes, each vaporizer comprising a heating element, and electric terminals connected to the heating element for electrically powering the heating element, the testing apparatus comprising:\na holding construction part provided with multiple holding units each for holding a vaporizer, wherein the holding construction part is movable whereby the holding units are moved along a holding unit trajectory;\na contact construction part provided with multiple electric contact members, wherein each electric contact member of the multiple electric contact members is associated with a respective different holding unit of the multiple holding units, and is configured to electrically contact at least one electric terminal of a vaporizer in the associated respective different holding unit;\na supply construction part configured to conduct electric power to each electric contact member; and\na measuring part configured to measure at least one electric quantity representative of an electric resistance and/or inductance of the heating element.",
"2. The testing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the measuring part is configured for:\nmeasuring a DC current flowing through the heating element while applying a predetermined DC voltage to the electric terminals of the heating element, or\nmeasuring a DC voltage at the electric terminals of the heating element while supplying a predetermined DC current flowing through the heating element, or\nmeasuring a DC voltage at the electric terminals of the heating element and measuring a DC current flowing through the heating element, or\nmeasuring an AC current flowing through the heating element while applying a predetermined AC voltage to the electric terminals of the heating element, or\nmeasuring an AC voltage at the electric terminals of the heating element while supplying a predetermined AC current flowing through the heating element, or\nmeasuring an AC voltage at the electric terminals of the heating element and measuring an AC current flowing through the heating element.",
"3. The testing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the measuring part further is configured to measure:\na frequency of the AC voltage or the AC current; and/or\na phase shift between the AC voltage and the AC current; and/or\na time constant of the DC current or the DC voltage.",
"4. The testing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the measuring part further is configured to:\ncompare the measured quantity with a predetermined range and, if the measured quantity is outside the predetermined range, output a rejection signal.",
"5. The testing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the supply construction part comprises:\nmultiple electric slip contacts, wherein each slip contact is associated with, and electrically connected to, a respective electric contact member, and wherein the supply construction part is adapted to be moved in synchronism with the contact construction part; and\nat least one power electric terminal configured to electrically contact slip contacts for conducting electric power to the slip contacts, wherein the slip contacts are adapted to move relative to the power electric terminal.",
"6. The testing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the power electric terminal is stationary.",
"7. The testing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each electric contact member is configured to be displaced between a first position in which the electric contact member contacts at least one electric terminal of a vaporizer in the associated holding unit, and a second position in which the electric contact member does not contact an electric terminal of the vaporizer in the associated holding unit, wherein two or more electric contact members of the multiple electric contact members are each configured to electrically contact a single respective different vaporizer at the same time.",
"8. The testing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein each electric contact member comprises a cam track follower, and wherein upon movement of the contact construction part the electric contact members are positioned in and between the first position and the second position by a cam track engaging the cam track followers of the electric contact members, wherein the cam track followers are moved relative to the cam track while moving along a part of the cam track.",
"9. The testing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the cam track is stationary.",
"10. The testing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the holding units form a circular configuration, and wherein the holding construction part is movable in rotation whereby the holding units are moved in a rotation direction.",
"11. The testing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the contact construction part is fixed to the holding construction part to be moved in rotation therewith.",
"12. The testing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:\na supply unit configured to place the vaporizers in the holding units of the holding construction part at a receiving location along the holding unit trajectory so that the vaporizers are transported along at least part of the holding unit trajectory; and\na discharge unit configured to remove the vaporizers from the holding units at a discharge location along the holding unit trajectory.",
"13. The testing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the contact construction part is adapted to move in synchronism with the holding construction part.",
"14. The testing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the contact construction part is fixed to the holding construction part.",
"15. The testing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:\nthe contact construction part and the holding construction part are each part of a rotary wheel;\nthe multiple holding units comprise a plurality of recesses formed in a peripheral surface of the rotary wheel; and\neach electric contact member of the multiple electric contact members is disposed at least partially through a respective different channel of multiple channels formed in the rotary wheel.",
"16. The testing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each respective different channel of the multiple channels is disposed below the respective different holding unit of the multiple holding units.",
"17. A method of testing vaporizers for electronic cigarettes, each vaporizer comprising a heating element, and electric terminals connected to the heating element for electrically powering the heating element, the method comprising:\nelectrically powering a plurality of heating elements of a plurality of vaporizers at the same time;\nmeasuring at least one electric quantity representative of an electric resistance and/or inductance of each of the plurality of heating elements at the same time; and\ncomparing the measured quantity with a predetermined range for each of the plurality of heating elements and, if the measured quantity is outside the predetermined range for a vaporizer, then rejecting the vaporizer, the rejecting the vaporizer comprising removing the vaporizer from a production process."
],
[
"1. An automatic multichannel apparatus for assessing hot coal fallout propensity of burning cigarettes, comprising: a main frame, a control unit, and a multichannel rotary plate unit, an automatic supplying unit for cigarette samples, an automatic ignition and burning line detection unit for cigarette samples, a suction unit, a cigarette holding and force applying unit and an automatic hot coal fallout detection and removal unit, which are disposed inside the main frame and connected with the control unit respectively, wherein:\nthe multichannel rotary plate unit has a plurality of sample insertion holes for holding cigarettes;\nthe automatic supplying unit for cigarette samples is connected with the multichannel rotary plate unit and disposed on an enter side of the plurality of sample insertion holes so as to load a cigarette to one of the plurality of sample insertion holes;\nthe automatic ignition and burning line detection unit for cigarette samples is disposed on an exit side of the plurality of sample insertion holes and located closer to the plurality of sample insertion holes, to ignite the cigarette samples each held in relative one of the plurality of sample insertion holes and detect the burning line of the cigarette samples;\nthe suction unit is connected with one of the plurality of sample insertion holes to simulate a cigarette smoking action after igniting the cigarette;\nthe cigarette holding and force applying unit is disposed closer to the enter side of the plurality of sample insertion holes to simulate cigarette holding and flicking actions; and\nthe automatic hot coal fallout detection and removal unit is disposed closer to one of the plurality of sample insertion holes to detect whether the cigarette has hot coal fallout and the cigarette is removed from a channel.",
"2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the multichannel rotary plate unit comprises:\na transmission seat base disposed inside the main frame;\na transmission seat vertically disposed on the transmission seat base and connected with a rotation driving device;\na rotary plate disposed on a rotary surface of the transmission seat and including the plurality of sample insertion holes;\na securing plate disposed on a securing surface of the transmission seat, and a sealing device being provided between the securing plate and the rotary plate; and\na first pneumatic joint disposed on the securing plate and connected with the suction unit, and the first pneumatic joint being capable of be in communication with one of the plurality of sample insertion holes so as to suck the cigarette held in the one of the plurality of sample insertion holes to perform suction.",
"3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the rotary surface of the transmission seat is provided with a rotary plate flange that is mounted on the rotary plate flange by pressing a knob.",
"4. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the rotary plate is sealed with the securing plate by a Variseal.",
"5. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of sample insertion holes comprises:\na labyrinth ring connection seat, the sealing device between the rotary plate and the securing plate being disposed at one end of the labyrinth ring connection seat closer to the securing plate;\na labyrinth ring sleeve disposed at another end of the labyrinth ring connection seat away from the securing plate via the sealing device; and\na plurality of labyrinth rings disposed inside the labyrinth ring sleeve to hold cigarette samples.",
"6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of labyrinth rings include four labyrinth rings.",
"7. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein at least two handles are disposed on one side of the rotary plate facing away from the securing plate.",
"8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the automatic supplying unit for cigarette samples comprises a cigarette supplying module and a cigarette pushing module connected to the cigarette supplying module by a cigarette sliding slot, and the cigarette supplying module and the cigarette pushing module are both mounted on the main body by a cigarette loading base, wherein the cigarette supplying module is configured to supply a cigarette into the cigarette sliding slot, and the cigarette pushing module pushes the cigarette within the cigarette sliding slot into one of the plurality of sample insertion holes.",
"9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the cigarette supplying module comprises:\na cigarette collection box mounted on the cigarette loading base by a cigarette collection box bracket to contain the cigarette; and\na roller disposed at an exit end of the cigarette collection box and connected with the cigarette sliding slot, so as to supply the cigarette within the cigarette collection box into the cigarette sliding slot under drive of a roller driving device.",
"10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the cigarette supplying module further comprises a cigarette supplying guide plate disposed on a lower side of the roller and overlapped with the cigarette sliding slot, so as to guide the cigarette to roll from the roller to the cigarette sliding slot.",
"11. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the cigarette supplying module further comprises correlation photoelectric switches, the correlation photoelectric switches are disposed opposite to each other in a direction perpendicular to a length direction of the cigarette sliding slot to detect whether the cigarette is located in the cigarette sliding slot.",
"12. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the cigarette supplying module further comprises:\na roller photoelectric switch disposed on the cigarette collecting box bracket to determine an initial position of the roller.",
"13. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the cigarette supplying module further comprises a coding plate of a cigarette loading roller and a roller coupler, wherein one end of the roller coupler is connected with the roller driving device and another end thereof is connected to the roller by the coding plate for the cigarette loading roller.",
"14. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the cigarette pushing module comprises:\na sample bracket disposed at one end of the cigarette sliding slot closer to one of the plurality of sample insertion holes;\na pushing rod disposed above the cigarette sliding slot to push the cigarette within the cigarette sliding slot to the sample bracket under action of a pushing rod driving device; and\na cigarette loading claw disposed above the sample bracket and connected with a claw driving device, to clamp the cigarette sample on the sample bracket under drive of the claw driving device and transmit the cigarette sample to one of the plurality of sample insertion holes.",
"15. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the cigarette pushing driving device comprises:\na cigarette pushing motor;\na cigarette pushing lead screw platform connected with the cigarette pushing motor by a coupler; and\na cigarette pushing baffle installed on the cigarette pushing lead screw platform and connected with one end of the pushing rod.",
"16. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the cigarette pushing module further comprises a cigarette pushing photoelectric switch disposed on a cigarette pushing lead screw platform installation seat to determine an initial position of the pushing rod.",
"17. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the claw driving device comprises:\na transverse cylinder disposed in parallel with the cigarette pushing lead screw platform;\na claw cylinder mounted at a piston end of the transverse cylinder by a claw cylinder installation seat; and\nthe cigarette loading claw connected with the claw cylinder to clamp the cigarette held on the sample bracket.",
"18. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the automatic ignition and burning line detection unit for cigarette samples comprises:\nan igniter disposed closer to one of the plurality of sample insertion holes to ignite the cigarette sample held within the one of the plurality of sample insertion holes;\nan igniter electric platform installed on a base of the automatic ignition and burning line detection unit for cigarette samples and connected with the igniter to drive the igniter to move under drive of a cigarette ignition electric platform driving device; and\na burning line detection device disposed on an ignition base closer to one of the plurality of sample insertion holes, to detect a burning line of the cigarette held within the one of the plurality of sample insertion holes.",
"19. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the burning line detection device comprises:\na burning line detection movable platform disposed on the base of the automatic ignition and burning line detection unit for cigarette samples, the burning line detection movable platform being capable of moving;\na probe shaft disposed on a burning line detection adaptor closer to one of the plurality of sample insertion holes; and\na burning line detection temperature sensor installed inside the burning line detection line detection adaptor.",
"20. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein an end of the probe shaft has a probe piece.",
"21. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein an axis of the probe shaft and an axis of the igniter are located in the same plane and perpendicular to each other.",
"22. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the igniter includes an igniter head, an igniter rod and an igniter handle, wherein the igniter head is disposed at one end of the igniter rod by an igniter fixing sleeve, the igniter handle is disposed at the other end of the igniter rod, and the igniter rod is connected with the igniter electric platform to move under drive of the igniter electric platform.",
"23. The apparatus according to 22, wherein the automatic ignition and burning line detection unit for cigarette samples further comprises:\nan upper igniter support seat and a lower igniter support seat cooperated with the upper igniter support seat, wherein the igniter rod is held between the upper igniter support seat and the lower igniter support seat, and the lower igniter support seat is connected with the igniter electric platform.",
"24. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the igniter electric platform driving device includes a platform driving motor connected to the igniter electric platform by a coupler.",
"25. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the automatic ignition and burning line detection unit for cigarette samples further comprises:\ntwo ignition photoelectric switches oppositely disposed on an installation seat of the automatic ignition and burning line detecting unit for cigarette samples; and\nan igniter photoelectric switch baffle disposed on a slider located on the igniter electric platform,\nwherein, an initial position of the igniter electric platform is a position, to which the igniter photoelectric switch baffle moves between the two igniter photoelectric switches.",
"26. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the suction unit comprises:\na suction unit installation seat disposed on a vertical support in the main frame;\na slide rail disposed on the suction unit installation seat along a length direction of the suction unit installation seat;\na suction motor, wherein a motor shaft of the suction motor is connected with a slider on the slide rail; and\na suction cylinder, wherein one end of the suction cylinder is connected with the suction motor by a motor connection plate and the other end thereof is closed by a cover, a suction piston is disposed in the suction cylinder and an end face of the suction piston is the same as a radial section of the suction cylinder, and the cover is provided with an opening to be connected with a suction air pipe, and the suction air pipe is connected with one of the plurality of sample insertion holes.",
"27. The apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the suction unit further comprises:\na suction motor bracket connected with the vertical support to fix the suction motor;\na suction cylinder base disposed at a bottom of the suction cylinder to support the suction cylinder; and\na tension rod, both ends of the tensioning rod being respectively connected with the suction motor bracket and the suction cylinder base.",
"28. The apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the suction cylinder is a cylindrical glass cylinder with openings at both ends.",
"29. The apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the suction unit further comprises a suction null photoelectric switch that is disposed on the suction unit installation seat and connected with the control unit, to determine an initial position of the suction motor.",
"30. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cigarette holding and force applying unit comprises a flicking module and a holding module, wherein:\nthe flicking module includes:\na flicking sheet;\na rotary cylinder, a cylinder shaft of the rotary cylinder being connected with one end of the flicking sheet to drive the flicking sheet to rotate upwardly and downwardly; and\na pneumatic sliding table of the flicking module disposed on the base of the cigarette holding and force applying unit, and one end of the pneumatic sliding table of the flicking module being connected with the rotary cylinder to drive the flicking sheet to move horizontally, and the holding module includes:\na flicking claw;\na one-dimensional motor platform disposed on the pneumatic sliding table of the flicking module by a motor sliding table installation plate, and the one-dimensional motor platform is connected with the flicking claw to drive action of the flicking claw.",
"31. The apparatus according to claim 30, wherein one end of the flicking sheet for flicking the cigarette is provided with a flicking head having a larger sectional area than a wide of the flicking sheet to increase a flicking area.",
"32. The apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the flicking sheet is mounted on the rotary cylinder by a flicking sheet installation seat, and the rotary cylinder is mounted on the pneumatic sliding table of the flicking module by a rotary cylinder installation seat,\nwherein the flicking module further includes an upper vibration-damping sheet mounted on the flicking sheet installation seat and a lower vibration-damping sheet mounted on the rotary cylinder installation seat to limit a range, in which the flicking sheet rotates up and down.",
"33. The apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the flicking module further comprises:\na lead screw sliding table of the flicking module disposed on the pneumatic sliding table of the flicking assembly, and the pneumatic sliding table of the flicking module is disposed on the lead screw sliding table of the flicking module to install the rotary cylinder.",
"34. The apparatus according to claim 33, where the flicking module further comprises:\na null photoelectric switch disposed on the motor sliding stable installation plate and connected with the control unit; and\na null switch baffle disposed on the base of the cigarette holding and force applying unit, wherein a position of the null switch baffle is detected by the null photoelectric switch to determine stroke of the base of the cigarette holding and force applying unit.",
"35. The apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the flicking claw comprises:\na cigarette flicking pneumatic claw connected with the one-dimensional motor platform;\nan upper flicking claw mounted on an upper jaw of the cigarette flicking pneumatic claw; and\na lower flicking claw mounted on a lower jaw of the cigarette flicking pneumatic claw by a lower jaw installation seat.",
"36. The apparatus according to claim 35, wherein the holding module further comprises:\na cigarette flicking claw support seat mounted on the one-dimensional motor platform and mounted on the cigarette flicking claw support seat by one end of a flicking claw installation seat;\na claw limit baffle mounted on the cigarette flicking claw support seat; and\na limit photoelectric switch mounted on a motor sliding table base, the motor sliding table base being disposed on the motor sliding table installation plate to mount the one-dimensional motor platform, and the limit photoelectric switch being capable of detecting a stroke of the claw limit baffle to determine a stroke of the cigarette flicking claw support seat.",
"37. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the automatic hot coal fallout detection and removal unit comprises:\na hot coal fallout unit base connected with the main frame;\na hot coal fallout detection temperature sensor disposed inside the hot coal fallout unit base by an adapter and connected with the control unit to detect a temperature of a burning end of the cigarette and transmit the temperature data to the control unit, so that the control unit determines whether hot coal fallout of the cigarette occurs;\na cigarette pull cylinder mounted on the hot coal fallout unit base by a cigarette pull cylinder installation seat;\na pneumatic finger connection plate, one end of the pneumatic finger connection plate being connected with the cigarette pull cylinder installation seat; and\na cigarette pull claw disposed at the other end of the pneumatic finger connection plate to move under drive of the cigarette pull cylinder and pull out the cigarette from one of the plurality of sample insertion holes.",
"38. The apparatus according to claim 37, wherein the automatic hot coal fallout detection and removal unit further comprises at least one linear bearing disposed on the cigarette pull cylinder installation seat, and a guide shaft positioned in parallel to a direction of pulling the cigarette is provided in the at least one linear bearing.",
"39. The apparatus according to claim 37, wherein the at least one linear bearing comprises two linear bearings.",
"40. The apparatus according to claim 37, wherein the automatic hot coal fallout detection and removal unit further comprises:\na probe guide tube mounted on the adapter by a probe seat and being coaxial with a probe head of the hot coal fallout detection temperature sensor, the probe guide tube facing one of the plurality of sample insertion holes so that the hot coal fallout detection temperature sensor is capable of receiving burning temperature of a cigarettes sample held in the one of the plurality of sample insertion holes.",
"41. The apparatus according to claim 37, wherein the hot coal fallout detection temperature sensor is an infrared temperature sensor.",
"42. The apparatus according to claim 37, wherein the automatic hot coal fallout detection and removal unit further comprises a cigarette pull pneumatic finger connected with the cigarette pull claw to perform grasping and releasing actions of the cigarette pull claw.",
"43. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a smoke collecting unit, said smoke collecting unit comprising:\na gas filtering device disposed in the main frame by a smoke collecting unit installation sat and including a second pneumatic joint and a gas discharge joint, wherein the second pneumatic joint communicates with one of the plurality of sample insertion holes, and the gas discharge joint communicates with the suction unit.",
"44. The apparatus according to claim 43, wherein the gas filtering device further comprises:\na compression cylinder mounted on the smoke collecting unit installation seat;\na pressing opening disposed at a piston end of the compression cylinder, and the second pneumatic joint being in communication with the pressing opening to transfer the suction gas through the pressing opening; and\na filter plate, an upper end of the filter plate being in communication with the pressing opening and a lower end of the filter plate being in communication with the gas discharge joint, so as to filter the suction gas and transfer the filtered gas to the suction unit.",
"45. The apparatus according to claim 44, wherein the filter plate comprises:\na trap tray disposed on the smoke collecting unit by a shaft rod;\na filter disposed inside the trap tray;\na triangle clip disposed above the filter to compress the filter inside the trap tray, and the pressing opening being disposed above the triangle clip to compress the triangle clip under action of the compression cylinder; and\na trap adaptor in communication with a bottom of the trap tray and the gas discharge joint, respectively, to transfer the filtered gas to the gas discharge joint.",
"46. The apparatus according claim 45, wherein the filter further comprises:\na filter seat disposed in the trap tray to accommodate the filter, and a plurality of through holes being provided at a bottom of the filter seat to permit gas flow; and\na filter cover fitted with the filter seat to seal the filter, and a top portion of the filter cover having a hole for communicating the filter seat with the pressing opening, wherein the triangle clip is disposed on an upper surface of the filter cover.",
"47. The apparatus according claim 1, further comprising an ash hopper disposed below the multichannel rotary plate unit to collect ash of burning cigarettes and the remaining portion of the cigarettes.",
"48. The apparatus according claim 1, further comprising a smoke exhaust unit having one end connected with the main frame and another end connected with an external smoke collecting device to discharge smoke within the main frame.",
"49. A method for assessing hot coal fallout propensity of burning cigarettes by using the apparatus according to claim 1. the method comprising:\nstep A: starting the automatic supplying unit for cigarette samples to supply a cigarette to each of the plurality of sample insertion holes;\nstep B: starting the automatic ignition and burning line detection unit for cigarette samples to ignite the cigarette held in each of the plurality of sample insertion holes while starting the suction unit to simulate smoking action on the cigarette;\nstep C: starting the cigarette holding and force applying unit to simulate flicking action on the cigarette held within each of the plurality of sample insertion holes;\nstep D: starting the automatic hot coal fallout detection and removal unit to detect whether hot coal fallout occurs and using the automatic ignition and burning line detection unit for cigarette samples to detect whether the burning cigarette has reached to a predetermined burning line; and\nstep E: pulling out the cigarette from the channel, in which the cigarette is held, by the automatic hot coal fallout detection and removal unit, when the cigarette having hot coal fallout or burning to said predetermined burning line is detected.",
"50. The method according to claim 49, wherein said step A comprises:\nstep A1: supplying the cigarette to one of the plurality of sample insertion holes by the automatic supplying unit for cigarette samples;\nstep A2: rotating the multichannel rotary plate unit and repeating the step A to supply a cigarette to another hole adjacent the one hole completing cigarette supplying action; and\nstep A3: comparing a rotating number n of the multichannel rotary plate unit and a number N of the plurality of sample insertion holes, repeating the step A1 and the step A2 if n<N-1, and performing the step B if n=N.",
"51. The method according claim 49, wherein said step B comprises:\nstep B1: starting the automatic ignition and burning line detection unit for cigarette samples to ignite the cigarette held in one channel in communication with the suction unit;\nstep B2: starting the suction unit to suck the cigarette held in the one channel in communication with the suction unit;\nstep B3: rotating the multichannel rotary plate unit to allow another channel adjacent to the one channel, in which the ignited cigarette is held, to be in communication with the suction unit and repeating the step B1 and the step B2; and\nstep B4: comparing the rotating number n of the multichannel rotary plate unit and the number N of the plurality of sample insertion holes, repeating the step B1 and the step B2 if n<N-1, and performing the step C if n=N.",
"52. The method according to claim 49, wherein the holding unit includes a holding module and a flicking module, the step C comprises:\nstep C1:: starting the holding module to hold the cigarette held in one of the plurality of sample insertion holes; and\nstep C2: starting the flicking module to flick the held cigarette.",
"53. The method according claim 49, wherein the automatic hot coal fallout detection and removal unit includes a hot coal fallout unit base and a temperature sensor, said step D comprises:\nstep D1: staring the temperature sensor to measure a temperature of a burning end of the cigarette and transferring the temperature data to the control unit;\nstep D2: assessing whether hot coal fallout occurs by the control unit:\nturning to said step E if hot coal fallout occurs; and\nif hot coal fallout does not occurs, then assessing whether the detected cigarette is burned to a predetermined burning line by using the automatic ignition and burning line detection unit for cigarette samples, if the predetermined burning line is reached, then turning into step E, if the predetermined burning line is not reached, then repeating said step D1.",
"54. The method according claim 53, wherein said step D2 further comprising:\nif the burning cigarettes does not occur hot coal fallout, then the suction unit is activated to perform smoking action for the cigarette."
],
[
"1. A colorimetric aerosol detection device adapted for engagement with an aerosol delivery device having a mouthpiece, comprising:\na tubular housing having a first open end and a second open end such that a stream of vapor can pass through the tubular housing in a direction from the first open end to the second open end, wherein the first open end is configured to engage the mouthpiece of the aerosol delivery device such that vapor produced in the aerosol delivery device is in fluid communication with the first open end, and the second open end is configured as a mouthpiece through which a user can draw the stream of vapor into the tubular housing by suction, and wherein at least a portion of the tubular housing is transparent or translucent; and\na colorimetric indicator material disposed inside the tubular housing between the first end and the second end, wherein the colorimetric indicator material is configured to signal detection of a target compound in the stream of vapor passing through the tubular housing by a change in color visible to the user through the transparent or translucent portion of the tubular housing.",
"2. The colorimetric aerosol detection device of claim 1, wherein the tubular housing is made of polypropylene, polycarbonate, glass, stainless steel, or combinations thereof.",
"3. The colorimetric aerosol detection device of claim 1, wherein the transparent or translucent portion of the tubular housing has a length that is at least 50% of the longitudinal length of the tubular housing showing the colorimetric indicator material disposed inside the housing.",
"4. The colorimetric aerosol detection device of claim 1, wherein the transparent or translucent portion of the tubular housing has a concentration scale.",
"5. The colorimetric aerosol detection device of claim 1, wherein the aerosol delivery device is an electronic cigarette.",
"6. The colorimetric aerosol detection device of claim 1, further comprising a sealing element located at the first end inside the tubular housing upstream of the colorimetric indicator material.",
"7. The colorimetric aerosol detection device of claim 6, wherein the sealing element is made of silicon or rubber.",
"8. The colorimetric aerosol detection device of claim 7, wherein the sealing element is a gasket.",
"9. The colorimetric aerosol detection device of claim 6, wherein the sealing element is configured to form a tight seal between the aerosol detection device and an aerosol delivery device attached thereto to prevent portions of the stream of vapor produced from the aerosol delivery device to escape from the colorimetric aerosol device into the atmosphere.",
"10. The colorimetric aerosol detection device of claim 1, wherein the colorimetric indicator material is organic, inorganic, organometallic, transition metal complexes or a combination thereof.",
"11. The colorimetric aerosol detection device of claim 1, wherein the colorimetric indicator material is present in an amount to detect a predetermined amount of a target compound.",
"12. The colorimetric aerosol detection device of claim 1, wherein the colorimetric indicator material detects a target compound comprising an electrophilic, nucleophilic, or metal-containing functional group.",
"13. The colorimetric aerosol detection device of claim 1, wherein the colorimetric indicator material is disposed on a porous support material.",
"14. The colorimetric aerosol detection device of claim 13, wherein the porous support material is selected from the group consisting of porous particles, particle beads, fibrous materials and combinations thereof.",
"15. The colorimetric aerosol detection device of claim 14, wherein the porous support material is selected from molecular sieves, silica gels, clays, glass beads, silica glass beads, silica sands, glass fibers, plastic fibers, polymer fibers, cellulose fibers, papers, membranes, organic cottons, wools, regenerated celluloses, and combinations thereof.",
"16. The colorimetric aerosol detection device of claim 1, wherein the colorimetric indicator material inside the tubular housing occupies at least about 50% of the total inside volume of the tubular housing.",
"17. The colorimetric aerosol detection device of claim 1, further comprising an adsorbent material disposed inside the tubular housing located downstream of the chemical indicator material.",
"18. The colorimetric aerosol detection device of claim 17, wherein the adsorbent material is selected from activated carbon, molecular sieves, clays, activated aluminas, silica gels, ion exchange resins, polyester resins, polymers, and glass fibers.",
"19. The colorimetric aerosol detection device of claim 17, wherein the adsorbent material inside the tubular housing occupies no more than about 50% of the total inside volume of the tubular housing.",
"20. A method for detecting a target compound in a stream of vapor, the method comprising:\nconfiguring a colorimetric aerosol detection device according to claim 1 to an aerosol device such that aerosol formed in the aerosol device is passed through the colorimetric aerosol detection device as a stream of vapor and one or more target compounds in the stream of vapor is detected by the colorimetric aerosol detection device.",
"21. The method of claim 20, wherein the aerosol device is attached to the first open end of the tubular housing of the colorimetric aerosol detection device and a mouthpiece is attached to the second open end of the tubular housing of the colorimetric aerosol detection device.",
"22. The method of claim 21, wherein the aerosol is forced through the colorimetric aerosol detection device by the consumer drawing on the mouthpiece.",
"23. The method of claim 22, wherein the amount of aerosol passing though the colorimetric aerosol detection device is about 2 to about 4 puffs.",
"24. The method of claim 20, wherein the aerosol passing through the colorimetric aerosol detection device is in an amount ranging from about 100 to about 200 mL volume.",
"25. The method of claim 20, wherein the indicator material undergoes a change in color from one color to a different color when a predetermined amount of the one or more target compounds is detected.",
"26. The method of claim 20, wherein the one or more target compounds comprises an electrophilic functional group or a nucleophilic functional group.",
"27. The method of claim 26, wherein the electrophilic functional group comprises a carbonyl group or olefin group.",
"28. The method of claim 27, wherein the one or more target compounds comprise 1,3-butadiene, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acrolein, crotonaldehyde, methyl ethyl ketone, furfural, diacetyl, acetone, 2,3-pentanedione, or combinations thereof.",
"29. The method of claim 26, wherein the nucleophilic functional group comprises a carboxyl group or a hydroxy group.",
"30. The method of claim 29, wherein the one or more target compounds comprise butyric acid, cresol, propylene glycol, or combinations thereof."
],
[
"30. A smoking machine arranged to smoke a smoking article, the smoking machine comprising an electrochemical cell arranged to analyze the composition of a smoke stream from the smoking article.",
"31. A smoking machine according to claim 30, wherein the electrochemical cell is arranged to detect a gas in the smoke stream.",
"32. A smoking machine according to claim 31, wherein the electrochemical cell is arranged to oxidize the gas to be detected.",
"33. A smoking machine according to claim 31, wherein the electrochemical cell is arranged to reduce the gas to be detected.",
"34. A smoking machine according to claim 31, wherein the electrochemical cell is arranged to output an electrical signal indicative of one of the presence and the amount of the gas to be detected.",
"35. A smoking machine according to claim 34, further comprising an amplifier arranged to amplify the output of the electromagnetic cell.",
"36. A smoking machine according to claim 34, further comprising a processor arranged to process the output of the electrochemical cell.",
"37. A smoking machine according to claim 36, wherein the processor is arranged to log an amount of a detected gas over time as the smoking article is smoked.",
"38. A smoking machine according to claim 30, wherein the electrochemical cell is located in a chamber which is in communication with the smoke stream.",
"39. A smoking machine according to claim 38, wherein the chamber is a dedicated analysis chamber located in the path of the smoke stream.",
"40. A smoking machine according to claim 38, wherein the chamber is a filter pad chamber.",
"41. A smoking machine according to claim 38, wherein the chamber comprises a sub-chamber which accommodates the electrochemical cell.",
"42. A smoking machine according to claim 30, comprising a plurality of electrochemical cells.",
"43. A smoking machine according to claim 42, wherein at least two electrochemical cells are sensitive to different gases.",
"44. A smoking machine according to claim 42, wherein each of the electrochemical cells is located in a separate sub-chamber.",
"45. A smoking machine according to claim 44, wherein two or more sub-chambers are arranged to dilute the smoke stream by a different amount.",
"46. A smoking machine according to claim 42, further comprising a processor arranged to determine a cross interference between different gases based on an output of two or more electrochemical cells.",
"47. A smoking machine according to claim 46, wherein the processor is arranged to solve a set of at least two simultaneous equations involving at least two measurements and at least two unknowns.",
"48. A smoking machine according to claim 42, wherein two electrochemical cells which are both sensitive to the same gas are located one on either side of a filter pad.",
"49. A smoking machine according to claim 48, further comprising a processor arranged to compare a concentration of a gas detected before the filter pad with a concentration of the gas detected after the filter pad.",
"50. A smoking machine according to claim 30, further comprising a gas permeable membrane located between the smoking article and the electrochemical cell.",
"51. A smoking machine according to claim 50, wherein the membrane is removable.",
"52. A smoking machine according to claim 30, arranged to analyze main stream smoke.",
"53. A smoking machine according to claim 30, arranged to analyze side stream smoke.",
"54. A method of analyzing the composition of a smoke stream from a smoking article, the method comprising the following steps:\nsmoking the smoking article; and\ndetecting one of the presence and quantity of a gas in the smoke stream using an electrochemical cell."
],
[
"1. An apparatus for assessing hot coal fallout propensity of burning cigarettes based on human behavior features of ash-flicking action, comprising:\na holding unit for holding a cigarette;\na suction unit connected to one end of the cigarette to suck the cigarette;\na flicking unit disposed adjacent to the holding unit, and the flicking unit being capable of flicking the cigarette; and\na control unit coupled with the suction unit and the flicking unit, respectively, to control suction and flicking actions,\nwherein the flicking unit comprises:\na flicking arm; and\na flicking hammer disposed at one end of the flicking arm to flick the cigarette under driving of the flicking arm, and an angle between the flicking arm and the cigarette being between 30°-60° when the flicking hammer is in contact with the cigarette.",
"2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the holding unit is disposed at a filter tip of the cigarette, and the one end of the cigarette is a free end of the filter tip.",
"3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the flicking hammer is made of a material with a Mohs hardness in a range of 1-3.",
"4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a flicking strength of the flicking hammer applied on the cigarette is between 20 gf-60 gf.",
"5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein duration for every flicking action applied by the flicking hammer is between 0.025 seconds-0.035 seconds.",
"6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a width of a flicking point, where the flicking hammer flicks at the cigarette, is between 9.5 mm-10.5 mm, and a distance between the flicking point and the one end of the cigarette is between 30 mm-32 mm.",
"7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the holding unit is made of a material with a Shore hardness in a range of 0.4 HA-5.0 HA.",
"8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a holding width of the holding unit holding the cigarette is between 9.5 mm-10.5 mm, a holding strength of the holding unit is between 16 gf-18 gf, and a distance from a holding point of the holding unit to the one end of the cigarette is between 18 mm-20 mm.",
"9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is used to control a holding strength of the holding unit, a suction strength and a suction frequency of the suction unit, and a flicking cycle, a position of a flicking point and a flicking strength of the flicking unit.",
"10. A method for assessing hot coal fallout propensity of burning cigarettes by using the apparatus for assessing hot coal fallout propensity of burning cigarettes according to claim 1, comprising:\nstep A: using the holding unit to hold the cigarette and ignite the cigarette;\nstep B: activating the suction unit by the control unit to suck the cigarette, so as to simulate smoking action of human;\nstep C: taking k times suction by the suction unit as a cycle, and activating the flicking unit by the control unit to perform a round of flicking actions on the cigarette to simulate human's flicking actions;\nstep D: stopping detection by the control unit when the cigarette has fallout or the cigarette is burned to a predetermined test termination mark; and\nstep E: repeating the step B, the step C and the step D for 40 cigarettes, and recording an occurrence number n of fallout so as to calculate hot coal fallout propensity (HCFP) of burning cigarettes by using the following formula:\n\nHCFP=n/40×100%.",
"11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the step A, the step B, the step C, the step D, and the step E are performed in a constant temperature and humidity environment.",
"12. The method according to claim 10, wherein a holding width of the holding unit holding the cigarette is between 9.5 mm-10.5 mm, and a holding strength of the holding unit is between 16 gf-18 gf, and a distance from a holding point of the holding unit to the one end of the cigarette is between 18 mm-20 mm.",
"13. The method according to claim 10, wherein in the step C, the round of flicking actions comprise performing 1-4 times of flicking actions on the cigarette by using the flicking unit, and an interval time between adjacent two flicking actions is no longer than 1 second.",
"14. The method according to claim 10, wherein in the step C, a flicking strength of the flicking hammer applied on the cigarette is between 20 gf-60 gf.",
"15. The method according to claim 10, wherein in the step C, a width of a flicking point, where the flicking hammer flicks at the cigarette, is between 9.5 mm-10.5 mm, and a distance between the flicking point and the one end of the cigarette is between 30 mm-32 mm.",
"16. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein two sets of tests are applied to each cigarette sample, a final HCFP of the cigarette is represented by an average value of the two sets of detection results after the step E, and the detection is performed again when an absolute difference of two sets of detection results is greater than 20%."
],
[
"7. A smoking path simulation system based on a robotic arm, comprising\na case,\nthe robotic arm fixedly provided in the case,\na cigarette holder mounted at a working end of the robotic arm,\na feeding device, a cigarette tapping device, a cigarette lighting device that are provided in the case and located at a periphery of the robotic arm, and\nan image acquisition device mounted at the working end of the robotic arm;\nwherein the cigarette tapping device comprises\na cigarette tapping bracket located at the periphery of the robotic arm,\na driving motor mounted at the cigarette tapping bracket,\na pull rod provided at an output end of the driving motor, and\na supporting plate mounted at the cigarette tapping bracket, configured to right a cigarette and provided with a groove;\nthe cigarette lighting device comprises\na cigarette lighting bracket located at the periphery of the robotic arm and\na cigarette lighter mounted at the cigarette lighting bracket;\nthe image acquisition device comprises\na frame fixedly connected to the working end of the robotic arm and provided with N supporting rods,\nN cameras fixedly connected to different supporting rods respectively and having lenses facing the working end of the robotic arm, and\nN filling lights fixedly connected to the different supporting rods respectively and having light source surfaces facing the working end of the robotic arm, wherein N≥2;\nthe feeding device comprises\na complete machine frame located at the periphery of the robotic arm,\na hopper,\na hopper driving motor,\na cigarette steering mechanism and\na guide tube, and the hopper, wherein\nthe hopper driving motor and the cigarette steering mechanism are mounted at the complete machine frame;\na through groove for a single cigarette in a horizontal state to pass through is provided at an upper portion of the hopper, and a mounting panel is mounted on a front side of the hopper;\nthe hopper driving motor is connected to the hopper and configured to drive the hopper to rotate, and under gravity, the single cigarette is obtained from untested cigarettes in the hopper through the through groove and falls into the cigarette steering mechanism;\nthe cigarette steering mechanism is provided under the hopper, has an open upper end, and is provided therein with a slope configured to convert an axis of the single cigarette from a horizontal direction to a vertical direction;\nthe slope in the cigarette steering mechanism has a lower end communicated with an inlet at a top end of the guide tube; and\nthe guide tube is provided vertically.",
"9. A smoking path simulation system based on a robotic arm, comprising\na case,\nthe robotic arm fixedly provided in the case,\na cigarette holder mounted at a working end of the robotic arm,\na feeding device, a cigarette tapping device, a cigarette lighting device that are provided in the case and located at a periphery of the robotic arm, and\nan image acquisition device mounted at the working end of the robotic arm;\nwherein the cigarette tapping device comprises\na cigarette tapping bracket located at the periphery of the robotic arm,\na driving motor mounted at the cigarette tapping bracket,\na pull rod provided at an output end of the driving motor, and\na supporting plate mounted at the cigarette tapping bracket, configured to right a cigarette and provided with a groove;\nthe cigarette lighting device comprises\na cigarette lighting bracket located at the periphery of the robotic arm and\na cigarette lighter mounted at the cigarette lighting bracket;\nthe image acquisition device comprises\na frame fixedly connected to the working end of the robotic arm and provided with N supporting rods,\nN cameras fixedly connected to different supporting rods respectively and having lenses facing the working end of the robotic arm, and\nN filling lights fixedly connected to the different supporting rods respectively and having light source surfaces facing the working end of the robotic arm, wherein N≥2;\nwherein the robotic arm carries the cigarette holder fixedly connected thereto to move from an initial position to a position under an outlet of the guide device, an axis of the cigarette holder is superposed with an axis of the guide device, the cigarette enters the cigarette holder through the guide device, and after the cigarette holder clamps the cigarette, the robotic arm simulates spatial smoking actions of a consumer; and\nthe axis of the cigarette holder and an axis of the working end of the robotic arm are kept consistent."
],
[
"1. A system for determining the interaction between a test atmosphere and a simulated respiratory tract, said system comprising:\n(a) a first pump comprising:\n(i) a chamber configured for containing a first volume of gas comprising a test atmosphere;\n(ii) a first port adapted for receiving and outputting gas and comprising a valve for regulating the flow of gas through the first port, said valve being moveable between open and closed positions, wherein in the open position said valve is openable towards a test atmosphere or surrounding air;\n(iii) a second port adapted for outputting and receiving gas and comprising a valve for regulating the flow of gas through the second port, said valve being moveable between open and closed positions;\n(iv) a piston plate in the chamber, said piston plate comprising one or more apertures for the uptake or inflow of gas into the chamber wherein one or more, or each, of the apertures include a valve that is movable between open and closed positions and is capable of regulating the uptake or inflow of gas; and\n(v) a motor for controlling the operation of the first pump;\n(b) a second pump comprising:\n(i) a chamber configured for containing a second volume of gas, wherein the first and second volumes of gas are different;\n(ii) a port adapted for receiving and outputting gas; and\n(iii) a motor for controlling the operation of the second pump;\n(c) a connecting structure operable to transmit the gas from the first pump into the second pump; and\n(d) one or more openings in the first pump or the second pump or the walls of the connecting structure or a combination of two or more thereof, said one or more openings being capable of receiving a module for containing a cell culture medium or for monitoring conditions in the chamber or for gas sampling or for gas characterization.",
"2. Use of the system according to claim 1 for simulating the interaction between a test atmosphere and a simulated respiratory tract.",
"3. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more openings in the first pump or the second pump are located on a base of the chamber of the pump.",
"4. The system of claim 1, wherein the first pump and/or second pump is a piston pump comprising the piston plate and a base.",
"5. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is contained in a housing.",
"6. The system of claim 5, wherein the housing is a temperature-controlled housing.",
"7. The system of claim 1, wherein the chamber of the first pump has a smaller volume than the chamber of the second pump.",
"8. The system of claim 1, wherein the system further comprises a computer controller configured to synchronize operation of the system.",
"9. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more openings contain a module.",
"10. The system of claim 9, wherein the module is located on a base of the piston plate of the first and/or second pump."
],
[
"1. A tester for smoke amount of electronic cigarette, comprising a collect device, a testing device, a control device, and an input and output device,\nwherein the collect device is connected to a test port of an electronic cigarette through an air tube; the control device is electrically connected to the collect device, the testing device, and the input and output device;\nwherein the control device, according to control parameters inputted, controls the collect device to pump a smoke amount from an electronic cigarette, receives a test result from the testing device, analyzes the test result and obtains a value of the pumped smoke amount, further compares the value of the pumped smoke amount with a value of minimum smoke amount, and controls display and/or an alarm according to a comparison result;\nwherein the collect device is used to collect a smoke amount from an electronic cigarette; and\nwherein the testing device, used to test a transparency of a transparent test chamber of the collect device, comprises a light emitter and a light receiver, and the light emitter and the light receiver are correspondingly set in sides or top and bottom of the transparent test chamber of the collect device.",
"2. The tester for smoke amount of claim 1, wherein the collect device further comprises a step motor, a piston assembly and the transparent test chamber; the piston assembly is driven by the step motor, and the piston assembly is inside the transparent test chamber and moves along an axis direction of the transparent test chamber to pump smoke from electronic cigarettes into the transparent test chamber.",
"3. The tester for smoke amount of claim 1, wherein light from the light emitter to the light receiver can be infrared light, visible light or laser.",
"4. The tester for smoke amount of claim 1, wherein the input and output device further comprises a touch screen, a displayer and an alarm system; the touch screen is used to set control parameters and a value of minimum smoke amount, and shows whether a comparison result is qualified; the displayer shows a value of pumped smoke amount; the alarm system alarms by displaying and/or sounding.",
"5. The tester for smoke amount of claim 4, wherein the control device further comprises a control unit, an analysis unit and a processing unit,\nwherein the control unit receives control parameters inputted through the touch screen, controls the collect device to pump a smoke amount, and simultaneously controls the light emitter to emit light and the light receiver to collect the light;\nwherein the analysis unit receives a light intensity signal as the test result from the light receiver to analyze the test result and to obtain a value of the pumped smoke amount, compares the value of the pumped smoke amount with a value of minimum smoke amount and generates a comparison result; and\nwherein the processing unit outputs a first signal of the value of the pumped smoke amount and a second signal of whether the comparison result is qualified to the input and output device so as to display the first and second signals, and/or sends an alarm signal to the input and output device so that the input and output device alarms if the comparison result is not qualified.",
"6. The tester for smoke amount of claim 1, wherein the input and output device further comprises a touch screen and an alarm system, the touch screen is used to set control parameters and a value of minimum smoke amount, and displays a value of pumped smoke amount and whether a comparison result is qualified; the alarm system alarms by displaying and/or sounding.",
"7. The tester for smoke amount of claim 1, wherein the control device is configured as PLC controller or microcontroller.",
"8. The tester for smoke amount of claim 7, wherein a structure of the tester is an inner hollow cavity,\nwherein the collect device, the testing device and the control device are all fixedly disposed inside the cavity;\nwherein the input and output device, a power supply switch, and the test port are respectively fixedly disposed on walls of the cavity; and\nwherein a size and a shape of an opening of the test port fit a size and a shape of an outer periphery of a suction nozzle of the electronic cigarette.",
"9. A test method for smoke amount of electronic cigarettes, comprising following steps:\nS1: presetting control parameters and a value of minimum smoke amount;\nS2: according to the control parameters, pumping a smoke amount from an electronic cigarette;\nS3: testing the pumped smoke amount and receiving a test result, and analyzing the test result and obtaining a value of the pumped smoke amount, then comparing the value of the pumped smoke amount with the value of minimum smoke amount and generating a comparison result; and\nS4: displaying the value of the pumped smoke amount and whether the comparison result is qualified, and alarming if the comparison result is not qualified.",
"10. The test method of claim 9, wherein the control parameters comprise a smoking time and a smoking capacity, and the value of minimum smoke amount is a value of minimum smoke amount satisfying a qualifying condition within the smoking time and the smoking capacity.",
"11. The test method of claim 9, wherein the step S2 further comprises following steps:\nS21: a control unit of a control device controls a step motor of a collect device to run according to the control parameters; and\nS22: the step motor drives a piston assembly inside a transparent test chamber of the collect device, and the piston assembly moves along an axis direction of the transparent test chamber to pump a smoke amount into the transparent test chamber.",
"12. The test method of claim 9, wherein the step S3 further comprises following steps:\nS31: a control unit of a control device controls a light emitter in a testing device to emit light and a light receiver in the testing device to collect the light, and controls a test result signal to be sent from the light receiver to an analysis unit of the control device; and\nS32: the analysis unit analyzes the test result and obtains a value of the pumped smoke amount, then compares the value of the pumped smoke amount with the value of the minimum smoke amount to generate a comparison result.",
"13. The test method of claim 9, wherein the step S4 further comprises:\na processing unit of a control device outputs a signal of the value of the pumped smoke amount and a signal of whether the comparison result is qualified to an input and output device;\na touch screen or a displayer of the input and output device displays the value of the pumped smoke amount, and displays a comparison result as qualified when the value of the pumped smoke amount is greater than the value of the minimum smoke amount, or displays a comparison result as not qualified when the value of the pumped smoke amount is equal to or smaller than the value of the minimum smoke amount; and\nthe processing unit triggers an alarm system of the input and output device when a comparison result is not qualified."
],
[
"1. A method of visualization between an electronic vapor provision system and a visualization device, comprising:\nobtaining from the electronic vapor provision system notification that an inhalation on the electronic vapor provision system by a user has occurred;\nestimating a time of exhalation by the user responsive to a time of the notification; and\ninitiating a display of a computer graphic by the visualization device responsive to the estimated time of exhalation.",
"2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the estimating a time of exhalation comprises adding a delay to the time of the notification, the delay being a predetermined average delay between inhalation and exhalation.",
"3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the estimating a time of exhalation comprises adding a delay to the time of the notification, the delay being estimated as a function of one or more biometric factors of the user.",
"4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the estimating a time of exhalation comprises adding a delay to the time of the notification, the delay being based upon delay calibration data obtained during a calibration phase.",
"5. A method according to claim 2, in which the delay is estimated as a function of inhalation size.",
"6. A method according to claim 2, in which the delay is estimated as a function of vapor provision level.",
"7. A method according to claim 2, in which the delay is estimated responsive to a type of liquid being vaporized.",
"8. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:\nsetting a detection period responsive to the estimated time of exhalation; and\nestimating the time of exhalation by the user by detecting an exhalation of the user within the detection period.",
"9. A method according to claim 8, wherein the detecting comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of:\ndetecting loss of contact of the electronic vapor provision system with a mouth of the user;\ndetecting a characteristic motion of the electronic vapor provision system;\ndetecting a sound indicative of exhalation; and\ndetecting a visual indication of exhalation.",
"10. A method according to claim 1, wherein:\nnotification that inhalation on an electronic vapor provision system of a first user has occurred is obtained by a visualization device of a second user.",
"11. A method according to claim 1, wherein: .\na visualization device of a first user transmits an exhalation timing signal to a visualization device of a second user.",
"12. A method of visualization between an electronic vapor provision system and a visualization device, comprising:\ndetecting an exhalation of vapor by a user; and\ninitiating a display of a computer graphic by the visualization device responsive to the detected exhalation.",
"13. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program for implementing the method of claim 1.",
"14. An electronic vapor provision system, comprising:\nan inhalation detection means adapted to detect when inhalation has occurred; and\na wireless transmission means,\nwherein the electronic vapor provision system is adapted to transmit a notification that an inhalation on the electronic vapor provision system by a user has occurred.",
"15. A visualization device, comprising:\nwireless reception means adapted to receive from an electronic vapor provision system notification that an inhalation on the electronic vapor provision system by a user has occurred;\ntime estimation processing means adapted to estimate a time of exhalation by the user responsive to a time of the notification; and\ndisplay means adapted to display a computer graphic responsive to the estimated time of exhalation.",
"16. A visualization device, comprising\nan exhalation detection means adapted to detect exhalation of vapor by a user; and\ndisplay means adapted to display a computer graphic responsive to the detected exhalation.",
"17. A visualization visualisation system, comprising:\nan electronic vapor provision system comprising:\nan inhalation detection means adapted to detect when inhalation has occurred, and\na wireless transmission means,\nwherein the electronic vapor provision system is adapted to transmit a notification that an inhalation on the electronic vapor provision system by a user has occurred; and\na visualization device comprising:\nwireless reception means adapted to receive from the electronic vapor provision system the notification that an inhalation on the electronic vapor provision system by a user has occurred;\ntime estimation processing means adapted to estimate a time of exhalation by the user responsive to a time of the notification; and\ndisplay means adapted to display a computer graphic responsive to the estimated time of exhalation."
],
[
"1. An aerosol provision system for generating an aerosol from a source liquid, the aerosol provision system comprising:\na reservoir of source liquid;\na planar vaporizer comprising a planar heating element, wherein the vaporizer is configured to draw source liquid from the reservoir to a vicinity of a vaporizing surface of the vaporizer through capillary action; and\nan induction heater coil operable to induce current flow in the heating element to inductively heat the heating element and so vaporize a portion of the source liquid in the vicinity of the vaporizing surface of the vaporizer,\nwherein at least one of the vaporizer or the heating element comprising the vaporizer is in the form of a planar annulus.",
"2. The aerosol provision system of claim 1, wherein the vaporizer further comprises porous material at least partially surrounding the heating element.",
"3. The aerosol provision system of claim 2, wherein the porous material comprises a fibrous material.",
"4. The aerosol provision system of claim 2, wherein the porous material is arranged to draw the source liquid from the reservoir to the vicinity of the vaporizing surface of the vaporizer through capillary action.",
"5. The aerosol provision system of claim 2, wherein the porous material is arranged to absorb the source liquid that has been drawn from the reservoir to the vicinity of the vaporizing surface of the vaporizer so as to store the source liquid in the vicinity of the vaporizing surface of the vaporizer for subsequent vaporization.",
"6. The aerosol provision system of claim 1, wherein the heating element comprises a porous electrically conductive material, and wherein the heating element is arranged to draw the source liquid from the reservoir to the vicinity of the vaporizing surface of the vaporizer through capillary action.",
"7. The aerosol provision system of claim 1, wherein the vaporizer comprises first and second opposing faces connected by a peripheral edge, and wherein the vaporizing surface of the vaporizer comprises at least a portion of at least one of the first and second faces.",
"8. The aerosol provision system of claim 7, wherein the vaporizing surface of the vaporizer comprises at least a portion of the first face of the vaporizer, and wherein the source liquid is drawn from the reservoir to the vicinity of the vaporizing surface through contact with the second face of the vaporizer.",
"9. The aerosol provision system of claim 7, wherein the vaporizing surface of the vaporizer comprises at least a portion of each of the first and second faces of the vaporizer, and wherein the source liquid is drawn from the reservoir to the vicinity of the vaporizing surface through contact with at least a portion of the peripheral edge of the vaporizer.",
"10. The aerosol provision system of claim 1, wherein the vaporizer defines a wall of the reservoir of the source liquid.",
"11. The aerosol provision system of claim 10, wherein the vaporizing surface of the vaporizer is on a side of the vaporizer facing away from the reservoir of the source liquid.",
"12. The aerosol provision system of claim 1, wherein the aerosol provision system comprises an airflow path along which air is drawn when a user inhales on the aerosol provision system, and wherein the airflow path passes through a passageway through the vaporizer.",
"13. The aerosol provision system of claim 1, further comprising a further planar vaporizer comprising a further planar heating element, wherein the further vaporizer is configured to draw the source liquid from the reservoir to the vicinity of a vaporizing surface of the further vaporizer through capillary action.",
"14. The aerosol provision system of claim 13, wherein the induction heater coil is further operable to induce current flow in the further heating element to inductively heat the further heating element and so vaporize a portion of the source liquid in the vicinity of the vaporizing surface of the further vaporizer, or, wherein the aerosol provision system comprises a further induction heater coil operable independently of a first-mentioned induction heater coil to induce current flow in the further heating element to inductively heat the further heating element and so vaporize the portion of the source liquid in the vicinity of the vaporizing surface of the further vaporizer.",
"15. The aerosol provision system of claim 13, wherein the vaporizer and the further vaporizer are separated along a longitudinal axis of the aerosol provision system.",
"16. The aerosol provision system of claim 13, wherein the vaporizer defines a wall of the reservoir of source liquid and the further vaporizer defines a further wall of the reservoir of the source liquid.",
"17. The aerosol provision system of claim 16, wherein the vaporizer and the further vaporizer respectively define walls at opposing ends of the reservoir.",
"18. A cartridge for use in an aerosol provision system for generating an aerosol from a source liquid, the cartridge comprising:\na reservoir of source liquid;\na planar vaporizer comprising a planar heating element, wherein the vaporizer is configured to draw source liquid from the reservoir to the vicinity of a vaporizing surface of the vaporizer through capillary action, and\nwherein the heating element is susceptible to induced current flow from an induction heater coil of the aerosol provision system to inductively heat the heating element and so vaporize a portion of the source liquid in the vicinity of the vaporizing surface of the vaporizer,\nwherein at least one of the vaporizer or the heating element comprising the vaporizer is in the form of a planar annulus.",
"19. A method of generating an aerosol from a source liquid, the method comprising:\nproviding a reservoir of source liquid and a planar vaporizer comprising a planar heating element, wherein the vaporizer draws source liquid from the reservoir to the vicinity of a vaporizing surface of the vaporizer by capillary action; and\ndriving an induction heater coil to induce current flow in the heating element to inductively heat the heating element and so vaporize a portion of the source liquid in the vicinity of the vaporizing surface of the vaporizer,\nwherein at least one of the vaporizer or the heating element is in the form of a planar annulus."
],
[
"1. A method for supplying products for electrically operated smoking systems, comprising:\ndelivering to a remote user device from a central server over a network connection order option information associated with a vending machine;\nreceiving an order from the remote user device, wherein the order includes an indication of a product available from the vending machine, and user identification information;\nretrieving registered user information, including user authentication information associated with user identification information;\nreceiving user authentication information from a user;\nif the received user authentication information matches the retrieved user authentication information, delivering the product to the user at the vending machine; and\nreceiving a product for an electrically operated smoking system from the user at the vending machine together with authentication or identification information associated with the user.",
"2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of performing an authentication check to determine if the received user authentication information matches the retrieved user authentication information, wherein the authentication check is performed remote from the vending machine, and if the received user authentication information matches the retrieved user authentication information, further comprising the step of instructing the vending machine to deliver the product to the user at the vending machine.",
"3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of performing an authentication check to determine if the received user authentication information matches the retrieved user authentication information, wherein the authentication check is performed at the vending machine.",
"4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising sending the order from a remote device, together with the user authentication information associated with user identification information, to the vending machine.",
"5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the order option information is associated with a plurality of vending machines and the order from the remote user device includes selection of a particular vending machine.",
"6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of receiving user authentication information comprises one or more of scanning an image, receiving a short range communication protocol wireless signal, receiving data entered through a user interface on the vending machine, reading a chip card, and making a biometric measurement.",
"7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising receiving a location from the remote user device before delivering the order option information.",
"8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the order option information comprises the location of vending machines near to the location from the remote user device.",
"9. The method according to claim 7, wherein when the location from the remote user device is within a first distance of one of the vending machines, the order option information includes only products available from that vending machine.",
"10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising identifying the product and sending an indication of the product to the central server together with the authentication or identification information."
],
[
"48. A method for assembling a cartridge for an aerosol delivery device, comprising:\nloading a base onto a carriage;\nproviding a plurality of components configured to engage the base, the components being provided at one or more assembly substations;\ntransporting the base to a first assembly substation configured to hold at least one component of the plurality of components;\ngrasping the base with a gripper to remove the base from the carriage;\nengaging the base with the at least one component provided at the first assembly substation;\ntransporting the base to a second assembly substation configured to hold at least one other component of the plurality of components;\ngrasping the base with a second gripper to orient the base relative to the second substation; and\nengaging the base with the at least one other component of the plurality of components.",
"49. The method of claim 48, wherein loading the base onto a carriage comprises clamping the base to the carriage.",
"50. The method of claim 48, wherein grasping the base comprises engaging an attachment end of the base, wherein the attachment end is configured to engage a control body.",
"51. The method of claim 48, wherein engaging the base with the at least one component comprises directing the base downwardly into contact with the at least one component provided in a first respective stationary position to couple the base thereto.",
"52. The method of claim 48, wherein engaging the base with the at least one component comprises directing the base into contact with the at least one component provided in a first respective stationary position to couple the base thereto.",
"53. The method of claim 52, wherein directing the base into contact with the at least one component provided in a first respective stationary position comprises coupling first and second heating terminals to the base.",
"54. The method of claim 53 further comprising sealing the first and second heating terminals with respect to the base to prevent fluid ingress or egress between the base and the first and second heating terminals.",
"55. The method of claim 54, wherein sealing the first and second heating terminals with respect to the base comprises applying a liquid sealant to least one of the base or the first and second heating terminals.",
"56. The method of claim 53, wherein directing the base into contact with the at least one component provided in a first respective stationary position comprises coupling a control component terminal to the base and coupling a control component to the control component terminal.",
"57. The method of claim 56, wherein directing the base into contact with the at least one component provided in a first respective stationary position comprises coupling a flow tube to the control component or the first and second heating terminals.",
"58. The method of claim 53, wherein directing the base into contact with the at least one component provided in a first respective stationary position comprises coupling a heating element to the first and second heating terminals.",
"59. The method of claim 53, wherein directing the base into contact with the at least one component provided in a first respective stationary position comprises bending a liquid transport element about the first and second heating terminals.",
"60. The method of claim 59, wherein directing the base into contact with the at least one component provided in a first respective stationary position comprises coupling a reservoir substrate to the liquid transport element.",
"61. The method of claim 48 further comprising providing a controller having a processor and memory device, the controller including program code instructions that are configured to execute the steps of claim 48.",
"62. The method of claim 53, wherein directing the base into contact with the at least one component provided in a first respective stationary position comprises coupling an outer body to the base.",
"63. The method of claim 62, wherein coupling the outer body to the base comprises:\nholding a reservoir substrate in a wrapped configuration about the plurality of components via a plurality of fingers;\nholding the outer body with a coupling tool;\npressing the outer body onto the reservoir substrate;\nsliding the outer body along a longitudinal axis of the reservoir substrate until the outer body coupling tool engages the plurality of fingers, thereby deflecting at least one of the plurality of fingers and releasing the reservoir substrate; and\ncontinuing to slide the outer body along the reservoir substrate until the outer body engages the base.",
"64. The method of claim 48, wherein the at least one component comprises a heating element and the method further comprises:\ninserting the base into a fixture;\ncapturing an image of the heating element;\ntransmitting the image to a controller; and\nanalyzing the image via the controller to at least one of identify a position of a continuous feed of the heating element, inspect a position of a heating terminal coupled to the base, or detect features of the heating element."
],
[
"29. A vaporization device for use with a vaporizable material, comprising:\na device body;\na microcontroller within the device body; and\na measurement circuit within the device body and configured to measure a resistance of a resistive heater and to output a signal to the microcontroller,\nwherein the microcontroller is configured to calculate a target resistance of the resistive heater based on the signal, and\nthe microcontroller is further configured to determine that the measured resistance is a baseline resistance after a period of time has passed since power from a power source was last applied to the resistive heater.",
"30. The vaporization device of claim 29, further comprising:\na first switch, the first switch configured to supply power from the power source to the resistive heater, wherein the first switch is off when the resistance of the resistive heater is measured.",
"31. The vaporization device of claim 30, further comprising:\na second switch, the second switch configured to supply power from the power source to the measurement circuit in response to a power signal received from the microcontroller.",
"32. The vaporization device of claim 29, wherein the microcontroller is configured to determine that the measured resistance is the baseline resistance after a change in the measured resistance with time is at a rate that is below a stability threshold.",
"33. The vaporization device of claim 32, wherein the stability threshold is a 1% change in resistance per millisecond or less.",
"34. The vaporization device of claim 29, wherein the microcontroller is configured to calculate the target resistance for the resistive heater based on a percentage change of the baseline resistance.",
"35. The vaporization device of claim 29, wherein the period of time when power is not applied to the resistive heater is 10 seconds or more.",
"36. The vaporization device of claim 29, wherein the measurement circuit comprises a Wheatstone bridge, the Wheatstone bridge configured to measure the resistance of the resistive heater.",
"37. The vaporization device of claim 36, further comprising:\none or more resistors connected to an output of the microcontroller and connected in parallel with a resistor of the Wheatstone bridge, the one or more resistors configured to tune the Wheatstone bridge.",
"38. The vaporization device of claim 36, wherein the measurement circuit comprises an operational amplifier, the operational amplifier configured to receive an input from the Wheatstone bridge and output the signal.",
"39. The vaporization device of claim 29, further comprising:\na temperature input configured to provide an actual temperature of the resistive heater to the microcontroller.",
"40. The vaporization device of claim 29, further comprising:\na memory, the memory configured for storing the baseline resistance of the resistive heater.",
"41. The vaporization device of claim 40, wherein the memory is further configured for storing an updated baseline resistance in response to the microcontroller determining the updated baseline resistance.",
"42. The vaporization device of claim 29, further comprising:\na pressure sensor, wherein the microcontroller is configured to apply power to the resistive heater when the pressure sensor detects a change in pressure.",
"43. The vaporization device of claim 42, wherein the microcontroller is configured to adjust the power applied to the resistive heater based on a difference between a current resistance of the resistive heater and the target resistance of the resistive heater.",
"44. The vaporization device of claim 42, wherein the microcontroller is configured to apply power to the resistive heater at an applied power duty cycle.",
"45. The vaporization device of claim 44, wherein the applied power duty cycle is based on the difference between a current resistance of the resistive heater and the target resistance of the resistive heater.",
"46. The vaporization device of claim 45, wherein the microcontroller is further configured to determine a maximum average power of the resistive heater based on a battery voltage measurement and the current resistance of the resistive heater, wherein a maximum duty cycle corresponds to the maximum average power.",
"47. The vaporization device of claim 29, further comprising:\na reservoir configured to hold a vaporizable material; and\na wick in communication with the reservoir and adjacent to the resistive heater.",
"48. The vaporization device of claim 47, further comprising:\na separable cartridge that includes the reservoir, the wick, and the resistive heater.",
"49. The vaporization device of claim 48, further comprising:\na vaporizable material in the reservoir, wherein the vaporizable material comprises a nicotine formulation.",
"50. A vaporization device for use with a vaporizable material, comprising:\na device body comprising\na microcontroller;\na measurement circuit comprising a Wheatstone bridge configured to measure a resistance of a resistive heater and to output a signal to the microcontroller;\na pressure sensor,\na first switch, the first switch configured to supply power from the power source to the resistive heater in response to the pressure sensor detecting a change in pressure;\na second switch, the second switch configured to supply power to the measurement circuit in response to a power signal received from the microcontroller;\nwherein the microcontroller is configured to calculate a target resistance of the resistive heater based on the signal, and the microcontroller is further configured to determine that the measured resistance is a baseline resistance after a period of time has passed since power was last applied to the resistive heater and after a change in the measured resistance with time is at a rate that is below a stability threshold; and\na memory, the memory configured for storing the baseline resistance of the resistive heater.",
"51. The vaporization device of claim 50, wherein the memory is further configured for storing an updated baseline resistance in response to the microcontroller determining the updated baseline resistance."
],
[
"16. An electronic smoking device comprising:\nan airflow sensor configured to sense airflow through the electronic smoking device and output a first signal indicative of the sensed airflow;\na temperature sensor configured to sense a temperature and output a second signal indicative of the sensed temperature; and\ncontrol electronics communicatively coupled to the airflow sensor and the temperature sensor, the control electronics configured to\nreceive the first and second signals,\ndetermine a temperature-induced airflow sensor signal error from the second signal\ncompensate the first signal from the temperature-induced airflow sensor signal error, and\noperate the electronic smoking device based on the compensated first signal.",
"17. The electronic smoking device of claim 16, further comprising\na central passage configured to facilitate airflow through the electronic smoking device,\na liquid reservoir configured to store an electronic cigarette liquid,\na heating coil communicatively coupled with the control electronics and\npositioned within the central passage, and\na wick placed in fluid communication between the liquid reservoir and the heating coil.",
"18. The electronic smoking device of claim 17, wherein the control electronics are further configured to drive the heating coil with a current that causes the electronic cigarette liquid on the heating coil to vaporize into the airflow in response to the compensated first signal being indicative of the airflow through the electronic smoking device.",
"19. The electronic smoking device of claim 18, wherein the control electronics are further configured to maintain a constant density of vapor per unit volume of airflow in response to a change in the volumetric flow rate by varying the current to the heating coil based on the compensated first signal.",
"20. The electronic smoking device of claim 16, wherein the second signal is indicative of an ambient temperature around the electronic smoking device.",
"21. The electronic smoking device of claim 16, wherein the control electronics are further configured to associate the second signal from the temperature sensor with the ambient temperature when a standby time of the electronic smoking device exceeds a threshold time.",
"22. The electronic smoking device of claim 21, wherein the control electronics are further configured to correct a base-line of the first signal to compensate for a temperature-induced, base-line signal error associated with an elevated ambient temperature.",
"23. The electronic smoking device of claim 16, wherein the control electronics are further configured to associate the second signal from the temperature sensor with an elevated temperature of the electronic smoking device when a standby time of the electronic smoking device is below a threshold time.",
"24. The electronic smoking device of claim 23, wherein the control electronics are further configured to correct the base-line signal of the first signal to compensate for the temperature-induced, base-line signal error associated with the elevated electronic smoking device temperature.",
"25. The electronic smoking device of claim 16, wherein the airflow sensor is a membrane-type mass airflow sensor.",
"26. The electronic smoking device of claim 25, wherein the membrane-type mass airflow sensor further comprises a first thin film temperature sensor printed on an upstream side of the mass airflow sensor, a second thin film temperature sensor printed on a downstream side of the mass airflow sensor, and a heater positioned between the first and the second thin film temperature sensors.",
"27. The electronic smoking device of claim 26, wherein the heater is configured to maintain a constant mass airflow sensor temperature.",
"28. The electronic smoking device of claim 27, wherein the airflow sensor is configured to produce a temperature profile across the sensor membrane that is substantially uniform when no airflow is present.",
"29. The electronic smoking device of claim 27, wherein the airflow sensor is configured to cool the first thin film temperature sensor more than the second thin film temperature sensor which is downstream of the heater when an airflow is present.",
"30. The electronic smoking device of claim 29, wherein the extent of the temperature differential being indicative of the airflow velocity across the sensor membrane."
],
[
"1. An inhalation component generation device, comprising:\na load configured to vaporize or atomize an inhalation component source with electric power from a power supply;\na user interface; and\na circuitry configured to\nacquire a value indicating a remaining amount of the power supply and acquire an operation request signal to the load to generate a command for operating the load;\ncause the user interface to perform first notification in a case that the value indicating the remaining amount of the power supply is less than a first threshold and equal to or more than a second threshold smaller than the first threshold;\ncause the user interface to perform second notification in a case that the value indicating the remaining amount of the power supply is less than the second threshold, wherein\nthe first threshold is changeable based on an algorithm, wherein the algorithm is performed i) in response to the voltage of the power supply being equal to or lower than a discharge termination voltage of the power supply or ii) in response to the state of charge of the power supply becoming equal to or less than the state of charge or remaining amount corresponding to the discharge termination voltage, and\nthe circuitry is configured to perform a smoothing process by which a primary first threshold derived by the algorithm approaches at least one of a plurality of the first thresholds that are previously changed and set the first threshold based on a value derived by the smoothing process.",
"2. The inhalation component generation device of claim 1, wherein\nan intensity of the smoothing process is changed based on the number of the first thresholds that are previously changed.",
"3. The inhalation component generation device of claim 1, wherein\nthe number of the first thresholds used for the smoothing process is changed based on the number of the first thresholds that are previously changed.",
"4. The inhalation component generation device of claim 1, wherein\nthe circuitry is configured to acquire a state of health of the power supply, and the intensity of the smoothing process is changed based on the state of health.",
"5. The inhalation component generation device of claim 4, wherein\nthe number of the first thresholds used for the smoothing process is changer based on the state of health.",
"6. The inhalation component generation device of claim 4, wherein\nthe intensity of the smoothing process is weakened as the state of health progresses.",
"7. The inhalation component generation device of claim 4, wherein\nthe circuitry is configured to set the first threshold to a primary first threshold derived by the predetermined algorithm in a case that the state of health has progressed beyond a predetermined determination state.",
"8. The inhalation component generation device of claim 4, wherein\nthe circuitry is configured to acquire a stale of health of the power supply, and the intensity of the smoothing process is changed based on the number of the first thresholds that are previously changed and the state of health weighted by the number of the first thresholds.",
"9. The inhalation component generation device of claim 8, wherein\nthe number of the first thresholds used in the smoothing process is changed based on the number of the first thresholds that are previously changed and the state of health weighted by the number of the first thresholds.",
"10. The inhalation component generation device of claim 1, wherein\nthe circuitry is configured to detect degradation or abnormalities of the power supply in a case that the set first threshold is equal to or more than a predetermined determination value.",
"11. The inhalation component generation device of claim 10, wherein\nthe circuitry is configured to control the user interface to perform a third notification in a case that the degradation or abnormality of the power supply has been detected.",
"12. The inhalation component generation device of claim 1, further comprising:\na connector configured to electrically disconnect and connect the load from/to the power supply, wherein\nthe circuitry is configured to use only the first threshold obtained after the load is attached to the connector in the smoothing process.",
"13. The inhalation component generation device of claim 1, further comprising:\na memory configured to store a history of the first threshold; and\na connector configured to electrically disconnect and connect the load from/to the power supply, wherein\nthe circuitry is configured to disable or delete at least a part of the first thresholds stored in the memory based on attachment and detachment of the load to and from the connector.",
"14. The inhalation component generation device of claim 1, wherein\nthe circuitry is configured to change the first threshold in a case that a value indicating a remaining amount of the power supply is equal to or less than the second threshold or the power supply is charged."
],
[
"1. A system for manufacturing of e-vapor devices, comprising:\na feed source of cartridge units of the e-vapor devices;\nan assembly path in communication with the feed source, the assembly path including at least a plurality of fluted surfaces, the plurality of fluted surfaces configured to receive the cartridge units and produce a procession of the cartridge units along the assembly path;\na filling station downstream from the feed source on the assembly path, the filling station configured to supply the procession of the cartridge units with a liquid;\na sealing station downstream from the filling station on the assembly path, the sealing station configured to insert a sealing element into each of the cartridge units to seal the liquid therein; and\nan inspection station downstream from the feed source on the assembly path, the inspection station configured to detect and eject non-compliant units from the procession of the cartridge units.",
"2. The system of claim 1, wherein the feed source is configured to orient the cartridge units in a same direction.",
"3. The system of claim 1, wherein the assembly path includes a plurality of drums including the plurality of fluted surfaces, the plurality of drums configured to perform a drum-to-drum transfer of the cartridge units to advance the procession.",
"4. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of fluted surfaces is in a form of a groove having a shape configured to correspond to an outer surface of a corresponding one of the cartridge units.",
"5. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of fluted surfaces includes a port opening extending therethrough, the port opening configured to draw a vacuum to hold a corresponding one of the cartridge units against a receiving one of the plurality of fluted surfaces.",
"6. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of fluted surfaces are covered with a resilient material, the resilient material being more yielding than a constituent material of the plurality of fluted surfaces.",
"7. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of fluted surfaces are arranged in parallel and define at least one of a first fluted transport section and a second fluted transport section of the assembly path.",
"8. The system of claim 1, wherein the sealing station is configured to insert at least one of a gasket and a mouthpiece as the sealing element.",
"9. The system of claim 1, wherein the inspection station is configured to eject the non-compliant units with a jet of air through a corresponding one or more of the plurality of fluted surfaces of the assembly path.",
"10. The system of claim 1, further comprising:\nan accumulator configured to accrue the cartridge units as a buffer that compensates for at least one of empty slots in the procession and different operating speeds of the filling station and the sealing station.",
"11. The system of claim 10, wherein the accumulator includes a zig-zag or S-shaped pathway through which the cartridge units travel between an accumulator inlet and an accumulator outlet.",
"12. The system of claim 10, wherein the accumulator is configured to receive the cartridge units at an accumulator inlet at a higher rate than the cartridge units are released at an accumulator outlet.",
"13. The system of claim 10, further comprising:\na sensor arranged at the accumulator, the sensor configured to determine whether a number of the cartridge units in the accumulator exceeds a threshold, and\ncontrol drums downstream of the accumulator to allow the cartridge units to accumulate in the accumulator based on the determination."
],
[
"1. A connector for push-connecting a cartridge containing vaporizable material to a power-supplying device, the connector comprising:\na. a housing having electrical contacts and a cartridge-receiving end for receiving a conductive end of the cartridge; and\nb. a flexible ring connected to the cartridge-receiving end of the housing for retaining the conductive end of the cartridge against the electrical contacts.",
"2. The connector of claim 1, wherein the electrical contacts include:\na. a positive electrical contact disposed in and through the housing having a first end and a second end that electrically connects to a positive contact within the conductive end of the cartridge; and\nb. a ground contact disposed in and through the housing, the ground contact having a first end and a second end that connects to a grounding area on the conductive end of the cartridge.",
"3. The connector of claim 2, wherein the second end of the positive electrical contact comprises spring steel and is shaped to flexibly compress when a force is applied against the second end by the positive contact of the cartridge and substantially return to the second end's original shape when the cartridge is removed from the power-supplying device.",
"4. The connector of claim 2, wherein the housing is installed in a cartridge-receiving compartment of the power supplying device.",
"5. The connector of claim 2, further including a non-conductive, flexible silicone boot having a first open end, a second open end and a cavity that houses the housing, and wherein the flexible ring is integral with the boot at its second end.",
"6. The connector of claim 5, wherein the first open end of the boot comprises an air inlet port for drawing air in and through the housing.",
"7. The connector of claim 6, wherein the boot further includes a sensor-receiving opening adapted to receive a sensor that senses the air flow passing from the air inlet port to the second open end.",
"8. The connector of claim 7, wherein the sensor is a pressure sensor.",
"9. The connector of claim 2, wherein the second end of the positive electrical contact terminates in an electrically conductive dome that contacts the positive contact of the cartridge.",
"10. The connector of claim 9, wherein the dome has a central hole for allowing air flow passing through the housing to flow therethrough.",
"11. The connector of claim 7, wherein the boot further includes a first slit for extending the first end of the positive electrical contact therethrough and a second slit for extending the first end of the ground electrical contact therethrough.",
"12. The connector of claim 2, wherein the cartridge is a 510 cartridge and the second end of the ground contact is adapted to contact the threading of the 510 cartridge.",
"13. A power supplying system for a cartridge containing vaporizable material, the system comprising:\na. circuit board containing a heater circuit;\nb. a power source electrically connected to the circuit board;\nc. an activator that activate the heater circuit; and\nd. a push-connect connector for removably connecting the cartridge thereto, the connector comprising\ni. a housing having a positive electrical contact and a ground electrical contact, both electrically-connected to the circuit board, and a cartridge-receiving end for receiving a conductive end of the cartridge; and\nii. a non-conductive, flexible silicone boot having a first open end, a second open end and a cavity that houses the housing, the boot including a flexible ring at the second open end for retaining the conductive end of the cartridge inserted therein against the electrical contacts.",
"14. The system of claim 13, wherein the positive electrical contact of the housing comprises spring steel and terminates in an electrically-conductive dome for contacting the positive pin of the cartridge when the cartridge is inserted in the second open end, and the ground electrical contact of the housing terminates in a nub for electrically contacting the threads of the cartridge when the cartridge is inserted in the second open end.",
"15. The system of claim 14, wherein the first open end of the boot comprises an air inlet port for drawing air in and through the housing and the dome includes a central hole for providing a path for the air to be drawn into the cartridge when the cartridge is inserted in the second open end and a user draws on the cartridge.",
"16. A method for removably connecting a 510 cartridge containing vaporizable material to a power-supplying device, the method comprising:\na. sliding the threaded end of the 510 cartridge into a chamber of the power-supplying device; and\nb. pushing the threaded end of the 510 cartridge through a silicone ring opening, creating a firm inward retention force."
]
] |
the following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 u.s.c. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this office action:
a person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
(a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
claim(s) 1 & 13-14 is/are rejected under 35 u.s.c. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by bowen et al. (us 20160157524 a1).
regarding claim 1, bowen teaches a method, comprising: ([007]);
generating, at a sensor apparatus [“electronic vaporizers” shown in fig. 1b -1c], sensor data [“measuring a temperature of a material being vaporized” and “an amount of power delivered” indicate flow rate. this is because the tobacco burns with higher temperature and generates vapor to flow in vaping device, which known to phosita] indicating a flow rate of an instance of aerosol [“dose of vapor delivered”, wherein “the vaporizable material may comprise a tobacco-based material… nicotine salt, glycerin, and propylene glycol”] that is drawn through a conduit of the sensor apparatus from an external tobacco element coupled to the sensor apparatus and to an outlet opening of the conduit ([014, 024, 029-030]);
communicating a data stream between the sensor apparatus and a computing
device [remote device having “dose predictor unit” or a controller, like server or smartphone-- “the device… performed remotely, e.g., in a processor that receives, such as wirelessly, the power, temperature(s) and/or partial dose information”] via a communication link, the data stream providing a real-time indication or near real-time indication of the flow rate of the instance of aerosol drawn through the conduit, the data stream including information associated with the sensor data ([014-015, 022]); and
processing the information associated with the sensor data to generate topography information [processed data about “vapor delivered” at the remote computing device after interpretating the sensor data of the vaporizer] associated with the sensor apparatus, wherein the topography information includes
an aerosol draw pattern of the instance of aerosol drawn though the conduit over a period of time [“dose of vapor delivered over a 1session period that includes the time period” that includes “multiple on periods until reset by the user”, see para. 022 and “the time period comprises a plurality of sequential time intervals” of para. 026], the aerosol draw pattern associated with the sensor data, the aerosol draw pattern representing (1) a time variation of a cumulative amount [“calculating and displaying a cumulative total dose of vapor delivered over a session period that includes the time period”] of aerosol in multiple instances [“multiple puffs” means multiple instances] of aerosol drawn through the conduit during the period of time, from a null value [phosita knows that the “cumulative total dose” at the start of the session after reset will be at zero and continue to increase over time until another reset] at a start of the period of time to a cumulative amount at an end of the period of time, and (2) a time variation of a threshold cumulative amount [“adjusting the preset vapor amount threshold”] of aerosol drawn through the conduit during the period of time, the threshold cumulative amount of aerosol varying2 [“adjusting the preset vapor amount threshold”] with time over the period of time ([022, 048-051, 3081], fig. 9b).
regarding claim 13, bowen teaches the method of claim 1, wherein the communication link is a wireless [“performed remotely,”] network communication link ([015, 025]).
regarding claim 14, bowen teaches the method of claim 1, further comprising:
displaying the topography information to provide graphical representations of the time variation of the cumulative amount of aerosol in the multiple instances of aerosol drawn through the conduit during the period of time ([0129, 0167], fig. 9b).
|
[
"1. A wireless communication method, comprising:\nreceiving, by a terminal device, first information sent by a network device, wherein the first information indicates a reference point; and\ndetermining, by the terminal device, a frequency domain resource and a bandwidth part configured by the network device for the terminal device, wherein the frequency domain resource and the bandwidth part are configured by the network device according to the reference point, wherein the reference point is used for configuring the bandwidth part and the frequency domain resource within the bandwidth part for the terminal device;\nwherein the first information indicates an offset between a first synchronization signal block and the reference point.",
"2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:\nreceiving, by the terminal device, third information sent by the network device, wherein the third information indicates an offset between the bandwidth part configured for the terminal device and the reference point,\nwherein the offset between the bandwidth part and the reference point is an offset between a lowest frequency point of the bandwidth part and the reference point.",
"3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the reference point comprises a first reference point and a second reference point, the first reference point is used for configuring the bandwidth part for the terminal device, and the second reference point is used for configuring the frequency domain resource within the bandwidth part for the terminal device,\nwherein the first information indicates the first reference point;\nthe bandwidth part is configured by the first reference point;\nthe second reference point is determined according to the configured bandwidth part; and\nthe frequency domain resource within the bandwidth part is configured according to the second reference point,\nwherein the first reference point is different from the second reference point.",
"4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:\nreceiving, by the terminal device, a part of a complete reference signal in a configured bandwidth range from the network device, wherein the complete reference signal is determined by the reference point.",
"5. The method according to claim 3, further comprising:\nreceiving, by the terminal device, a reference signal sent by the network device according to a third reference point;\nwherein the third reference point and the first reference point are the same reference point.",
"6. The method according to claim 5, wherein receiving, by the terminal device, the reference signal sent by the network device according to the third reference point, comprises:\nreceiving, by the terminal device, the reference signal sent by the network device by taking the third reference point as a starting point.",
"7. The method according to claim 6, wherein receiving, by the terminal device, the reference signal sent by the network device by taking the third reference point as the starting point, comprises:\nreceiving, by the terminal device, the reference signal sent by the network device by taking the third reference point as the starting point within a frequency range allocated for the terminal device.",
"8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the reference signal is not sent by the network device to the terminal device outside the frequency range allocated for the terminal device.",
"9. The method according to claim 5, wherein a first frequency range starting from the third reference point is not allocated to the terminal device.",
"10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first information is carried in a system broadcast message or an RRC dedicated signaling.",
"11. A terminal device, comprising:\na processor;\na memory; and\na transceiver,\nwherein the processor, the memory and the transceiver communicate with each other through an internal connection, transmission control and/or data signals, such that the terminal device performs:\nreceiving first information sent by a network device, wherein the first information indicates a reference point; and\ndetermining a frequency domain resource and a bandwidth part configured by the network device for the terminal device, wherein the frequency domain resource and the bandwidth part are configured by the network device according to the reference point, wherein the reference point is used for configuring the bandwidth part and the frequency domain resource within the bandwidth part for the terminal device;\nwherein the first information indicates an offset between a first synchronization signal block and the reference point.",
"12. The terminal device according to claim 11, wherein the processor is further configured to:\nreceive third information sent by the network device, wherein the third information indicates an offset between the bandwidth part configured for the terminal device and the reference point,\nwherein the offset between the bandwidth part and the reference point is an offset between a lowest frequency point of the bandwidth part and the reference point.",
"13. The terminal device according to claim 11, wherein the reference point comprises a first reference point and a second reference point, the first reference point is used for configuring the bandwidth part for the terminal device, and the second reference point is used for configuring the frequency domain resource within the bandwidth part for the terminal device,\nwherein the first information indicates the first reference point;\nthe bandwidth part is configured by the first reference point;\nthe second reference point is determined according to the configured bandwidth part; and\nthe frequency domain resource within the bandwidth part is configured according to the second reference point,\nwherein the first reference point is different from the second reference point.",
"14. The terminal device according to claim 11, wherein the processor is further configured to:\nreceive a part of a complete reference signal in a configured bandwidth range from the network device, wherein the complete reference signal is determined by the reference point.",
"15. The terminal device according to claim 13, wherein the processor is further configured to:\nreceive a reference signal sent by the network device according to a third reference point;\nwherein the third reference point and the first reference point are the same reference point.",
"16. The terminal device according to claim 15, wherein the processor is further configured to:\nreceive the reference signal sent by the network device by taking the third reference point as a starting point.",
"17. The terminal device according to claim 16, wherein the processor is further configured to:\nreceive the reference signal sent by the network device by taking the third reference point as the starting point within a frequency range allocated for the terminal device.",
"18. The terminal device according to claim 17, wherein the reference signal is not sent by the network device to the terminal device outside the frequency range allocated for the terminal device.",
"19. A network device, comprising:\na processor;\na memory; and\na transceiver,\nwherein the processor, the memory and the transceiver communicate with each other through an internal connection, transmission control and/or data signals, such that the network device performs:\nconfiguring a frequency domain resource and a bandwidth part for a terminal device according to a reference point, wherein the reference point is used for configuring the bandwidth part and the frequency domain resource within the bandwidth part for the terminal device; and\nsending first information to the terminal device, wherein the first information indicates the reference point,\nwherein the first information indicates an offset between a first synchronization signal block and the reference point.",
"20. The network device according to claim 19, wherein the reference point comprises a first reference point and a second reference point, the first reference point is used for configuring the bandwidth part for the terminal device, and the second reference point is used for configuring the frequency domain resource within the bandwidth part for the terminal device,\nwherein the first information indicates the first reference point;\nthe bandwidth part is configured by the first reference point;\nthe second reference point is determined according to the configured bandwidth part; and\nthe frequency domain resource within the bandwidth part is configured according to the second reference point,\nwherein the first reference point is different from the second reference point."
] |
US12185324B2
|
US20200084773A1
|
[
"1. A method, comprising:\nreceiving a first offset, wherein the first offset is between a first location of a frequency domain resource of a synchronization signal block and a second location of a common bandwidth part; and\nreceiving a second offset, wherein the second offset is between the second location of the common bandwidth part and a third location of a bandwidth part for a terminal, and the common bandwidth part comprises the bandwidth part for the terminal; and\nwherein the bandwidth part for the terminal is usable for receiving or sending information, and the information comprises physical signal information, physical control channel information, or physical shared channel information.",
"2. The method according to claim 1, wherein:\nthe first location is a start location of the frequency domain resource of the synchronization signal block;\nthe second location is a start location of the common bandwidth part; and\nthe third location is a start location of the bandwidth part for the terminal.",
"3. The method according to claim 1, wherein receiving the first offset comprises:\nreceiving the first offset from a network device, wherein the first offset is received using:\na system information block;\na master information block; or\nradio resource control signaling.",
"4. The method according to claim 1, wherein receiving the second offset comprises:\nreceiving radio resource control signaling from a network device, wherein the radio resource control signaling comprises the second offset.",
"5. The method according to claim 1, wherein:\na granularity of the first offset is a resource block, and the granularity of the first offset is an offset unit value based on an offset value or an offset direction; and\na granularity of the second offset is a resource block, and the granularity of the second offset is an offset unit value based on an offset value or an offset direction.",
"6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the common bandwidth part is one resource block.",
"7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the bandwidth part for the terminal is one resource block.",
"8. A method, comprising:\nsending a first offset, wherein the first offset is between a second location of a common bandwidth part and a first location of a frequency domain resource of a synchronization signal block; and\nsending a second offset, wherein the second offset is between a third location of a bandwidth part for a terminal and the second location of the common bandwidth part; and\nwherein the bandwidth part for the terminal is usable for receiving or sending information, and the information comprises physical signal information, physical control channel information, or physical shared channel information.",
"9. The method according to claim 8, wherein:\nthe first location is a start location of the frequency domain resource of the synchronization signal block;\nthe second location is a start location of the common bandwidth part; and\nthe third location is a start location of the bandwidth part for the terminal.",
"10. The method according to claim 8, wherein sending the first offset comprises:\nsending the first offset to the terminal, wherein the first offset is sent using:\na system information block;\na master information block; or\nradio resource control signaling.",
"11. The method according to claim 8, wherein sending the second offset comprises:\nsending radio resource control signaling to the terminal, wherein the radio resource control signaling comprises the second offset.",
"12. The method according to claim 8, wherein:\na granularity of the first offset is a resource block, and the granularity of the first offset is an offset unit value based on an offset value or an offset direction; and\na granularity of the second offset is a resource block, and the granularity of the second offset is an offset unit value based on an offset value or an offset direction.",
"13. The method according to claim 8, wherein the common bandwidth part is one resource block.",
"14. The method according to claim 8, wherein the bandwidth part for the terminal is one resource block.",
"15. An apparatus, comprising:\na processor; and\na non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program to be executed by the processor, the program including instructions for:\nreceiving a first offset, wherein the first offset is between a first location of a frequency domain resource of a synchronization signal block and a second location of a common bandwidth part; and\nreceive a second offset, wherein the second offset is between the second location of the common bandwidth part and a third location of a bandwidth part for the apparatus, and the common bandwidth part comprises the bandwidth part for the apparatus; and\nwherein the bandwidth part for the apparatus is usable for sending or receiving information, and the information comprises physical signal information, physical control channel information, or physical shared channel information.",
"16. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein:\nthe first location is a start location of the frequency domain resource of the synchronization signal block;\nthe second location is a start location of the common bandwidth part; and\nthe third location is a start location of the bandwidth part for the apparatus.",
"17. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the first offset is received using:\na system information block;\na master information block; or\nradio resource control signaling.",
"18. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the second offset is received using radio resource control signaling.",
"19. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein\na granularity of the first offset is a resource block, and the granularity of the first offset is an offset unit value based on an offset value or an offset direction; and\na granularity of the second offset is a resource block, and the granularity of the second offset is an offset unit value based on an offset value or an offset direction.",
"20. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the common bandwidth part is one resource block.",
"21. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the bandwidth part for the apparatus is one resource block.",
"22. An apparatus, comprising:\na processor; and\na non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program to be executed by the processor, the program including instructions for:\nsending a first offset, wherein the first offset is between a second location of a common bandwidth part and a first location of a frequency domain resource of a synchronization signal block; and\nsend a second offset, wherein the second offset is between a third location of a bandwidth part for a terminal and the second location of the common bandwidth part; and\nwherein the bandwidth part for the terminal is usable for sending or receiving information, and the information comprises physical signal information, physical control channel information, or physical shared channel information.",
"23. The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein:\nthe first location is a start location of the frequency domain resource of the synchronization signal block;\nthe second location is a start location of the common bandwidth part; and\nthe third location is a start location of the bandwidth part for the terminal.",
"24. The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the first offset is sent from the apparatus to the terminal using:\na system information block;\na master information block; or\nradio resource control signaling.",
"25. The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the second offset is sent from the apparatus to the terminal using radio resource control signaling.",
"26. The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein\na granularity of the first offset is a resource block, and the granularity of the first offset is an offset unit value based on an offset value or an offset direction; and\na granularity of the second offset is a resource block, and the granularity of the second offset is an offset unit value based on an offset value or an offset direction.",
"27. The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the common bandwidth part is one resource block.",
"28. The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the bandwidth part for the terminal is one resource block."
] |
[
[
"1. A method for receiving an allocation within downlink bandwidth part(s) configured in a system bandwidth, the method comprising:\nreceiving, by a user equipment (UE), a downlink control information (DCI) message from a network, the DCI message including a bandwidth portion field and a resource block allocation field, the bandwidth portion field indicating one of the downlink bandwidth part(s) configured to the UE in the system bandwidth, the resource block allocation field allocating frequency resource blocks to the UE from the indicated downlink bandwidth part, a number of bits in the bandwidth portion field varying based on the number of downlink bandwidth part(s) configured in the system bandwidth such that fewer bits are included in the bandwidth portion field when a lower number of downlink bandwidth part(s) are configured in the system bandwidth than when a higher number of downlink bandwidth part(s) are configured in the system bandwidth, wherein the bandwidth of the frequency resource blocks allocated to the UE by the resource block allocation field is smaller than the system bandwidth; and\nreceiving, by the UE, a downlink signal over the downlink bandwidth part indicated by the bandwidth portion field in accordance with the frequency resource blocks allocated to the UE in the resource block allocation field.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein all of the downlink bandwidth parts configured in the system bandwidth are contiguous in the frequency domain.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the downlink bandwidth parts configured in the system bandwidth is dis-contiguous in the frequency domain with the other downlink bandwidth parts configured in the system bandwidth.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein the downlink bandwidth part allocated to the UE by the resource block allocation field is dis-contiguous in the frequency domain with the other downlink bandwidth parts configured in the system bandwidth.",
"5. A user equipment (UE) comprising:\na processor; and\na non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing programming for execution by the processor, the programming when executed by the processor causing the UE including instructions to:\nreceive a downlink control information (DCI) message from a network, the DCI message including a bandwidth portion field and a resource block allocation field, the bandwidth portion field indicating a downlink bandwidth part(s) configured to the UE in the system bandwidth, the resource block allocation field allocating frequency resource blocks to the UE from the indicated downlink bandwidth part, a number of bits in the bandwidth portion field varying based on the number of downlink bandwidth part(s) configured in the system bandwidth such that fewer bits are included in the bandwidth portion field when a lower number of downlink bandwidth part(s) are configured in the system bandwidth than when a higher number of downlink bandwidth part(s) are configured in the system bandwidth, wherein the bandwidth of the frequency resource blocks allocated to the UE by the resource block allocation field is smaller than the system bandwidth; and\nreceiving a downlink signal over the downlink bandwidth part indicated by the bandwidth portion field in accordance with the frequency resource blocks allocated to the UE in the resource block allocation field.",
"6. The UE of claim 5, wherein all of the downlink bandwidth parts configured in the system bandwidth are contiguous in the frequency domain.",
"7. The UE of claim 5, wherein at least one of the downlink bandwidth parts configured in the system bandwidth is dis-contiguous in the frequency domain with the other downlink bandwidth parts configured in the system bandwidth.",
"8. The UE of claim 5, wherein the downlink bandwidth part allocated to the UE by the resource block allocation field is dis-contiguous in the frequency domain with the other downlink bandwidth parts configured in the system bandwidth.",
"9. A method for allocating downlink bandwidth part(s) configured in a system bandwidth, the method comprising:\ntransmitting, by an access point, a downlink control information (DCI) message to a user equipment (UE), the DCI message including a bandwidth portion field and a resource block allocation field, the bandwidth portion field indicating one of the downlink bandwidth part(s) configured to the UE in the system bandwidth, the resource block allocation field allocating frequency resource blocks to the UE from the indicated downlink bandwidth part, a number of bits in the bandwidth portion field varying based on the number of downlink bandwidth part(s) configured in the system bandwidth such that fewer bits are included in the bandwidth portion field when a lower number of downlink bandwidth part(s) are configured in the system bandwidth than when a higher number of downlink bandwidth part(s) are configured in the system bandwidth, wherein the bandwidth of the frequency resource blocks allocated to the UE by the resource block allocation field is smaller than the system bandwidth; and\ntransmitting, by the access point, a downlink signal over the downlink bandwidth part indicated by the bandwidth portion field in accordance with the frequency resource blocks allocated to the UE in the resource block allocation field.",
"10. The method of claim 9, wherein all of the downlink bandwidth parts configured in the system bandwidth are contiguous in the frequency domain.",
"11. The method of claim 9, wherein at least one of the downlink bandwidth parts configured in the system bandwidth is dis-contiguous in the frequency domain with the other downlink bandwidth parts configured in the system bandwidth.",
"12. The method of claim 9, wherein the downlink bandwidth part allocated to the UE by the resource block allocation field is dis-contiguous in the frequency domain with the other downlink bandwidth parts configured in the system bandwidth.",
"13. An access point comprising:\na processor; and\na non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing programming for execution by the processor, the programming when executed by the processor causing the access point to:\ntransmit a downlink control information (DCI) message to a user equipment (UE), the DCI message including a bandwidth portion field and a resource block allocation field, the bandwidth portion field indicating a downlink bandwidth part(s) configured to the UE in the system bandwidth, the resource block allocation field allocating frequency resource blocks to the UE from the indicated downlink bandwidth part, a number of bits in the bandwidth portion field varying based on the number of downlink bandwidth part(s) configured in the system bandwidth such that fewer bits are included in the bandwidth portion field when a lower number of downlink bandwidth part(s) are configured in the system bandwidth than when a higher number of downlink bandwidth part(s) are configured in the system bandwidth, wherein the bandwidth of the frequency resource blocks allocated to the UE by the resource block allocation field is smaller than the system bandwidth; and\ntransmit a downlink signal over the downlink bandwidth part indicated by the bandwidth portion field in accordance with the frequency resource blocks allocated to the UE in the resource block allocation field.",
"14. The access point of claim 13, wherein all of the downlink bandwidth parts configured in the system bandwidth are contiguous in the frequency domain.",
"15. The access point of claim 13, wherein at least one of the downlink bandwidth parts configured in the system bandwidth is dis-contiguous in the frequency domain with the other downlink bandwidth parts configured in the system bandwidth.",
"16. The access point of claim 13, wherein the downlink bandwidth part allocated to the UE by the resource block allocation field is dis-contiguous in the frequency domain with the other downlink bandwidth parts configured in the system bandwidth."
],
[
"1. A method of operation by a wireless communication device, the method comprising:\nreceiving a resource identifier from a network node in a wireless communication network; and\ndetermining numbered radio resources to use for transmitting, the determining based on using the resource identifier or a translated resource identifier obtained via translation of the resource identifier, in dependence on which one of two message spaces in which the resource identifier was received.",
"2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising transmitting on the numbered radio resources.",
"3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the two message spaces are a common message space that is not specific to the wireless communication device and a dedicated message space specific to the wireless communication device.",
"4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the resource identifier indicates a value that either maps directly to the numbered radio resources or maps indirectly to the numbered radio resources, in dependence on whether the resource identifier is received in a first of the two message spaces or a second one of the two message spaces.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein a defined portion of radio spectrum used by the wireless communication network spans a subset of physical resource blocks within an overall set of physical resource blocks spanned by an overall bandwidth, and wherein the numbered radio resources are included in the subset of physical resource blocks.",
"6. A wireless communication device comprising:\ncommunication circuitry configured for wireless communication in a wireless communication network; and\nprocessing circuitry operatively associated with the communication circuitry and configured to:\nreceive a resource identifier from a network node in a wireless communication network; and\ndetermine numbered radio resources to use for transmitting, the determining based on using the resource identifier or a translated resource identifier obtained via translation of the resource identifier, in dependence on which one of two message spaces in which the resource identifier was received.",
"7. The wireless communication device according to claim 6, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to control the wireless communication device to transmit on the numbered radio resources.",
"8. The wireless communication device according to claim 6, wherein the two message spaces are a common message space that is not specific to the wireless communication device and a dedicated message space specific to the wireless communication device.",
"9. The wireless communication device according to claim 6, wherein the resource identifier indicates a value that either maps directly to the numbered radio resources or maps indirectly to the numbered radio resources, in dependence on whether the resource identifier is received in a first of the two message spaces or a second one of the two message spaces.",
"10. The wireless communication device of claim 6, wherein a defined portion of radio spectrum used by the wireless communication network spans a subset of physical resource blocks within an overall set of physical resource blocks spanned by an overall bandwidth, and wherein the numbered radio resources are included in the subset of physical resource blocks."
],
[
"1. A network message server adapted to communicate with a mobile end-user device having a plurality of applications, the network message server comprising:\none or more processors configured to:\nprovide a Internet data connection with the mobile end-user device via a device data connection to a wireless network;\nreceive a request to transmit application data, the received request corresponding to a first application of the plurality of applications;\ngenerate an Internet data message based on the received request, the generated Internet data message including the application data and a first application identifier identifying the first application; and\ntransmit, over the Internet data connection, the generated Internet data message to the mobile end-user device for mapping the first application identifier included in the transmitted Internet data message to the first application corresponding to the first application identifier, and for forwarding the application data in the transmitted Internet data message to the first application mapped by the mobile end-user device to the first application identifier.",
"2. The network message server of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:\nprior to transmitting, encrypt the generated Internet data message to generate encrypted Internet data message.",
"3. The network message server of claim 1, wherein the generated Internet data message is transmitted using one or more of encryption on a transport services stack, Internet Protocol (IP) layer encryption, or tunneling.",
"4. The network message server of claim 1, wherein the mobile end-user device initiates the Internet data connection to the network message server.",
"5. The network message server of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:\nauthenticate the first application prior to transmitting the generated Internet data message to the mobile end-user device.",
"6. A method for use by a network message server adapted to communicate with a mobile end-user device having a plurality of applications, the method comprising:\nproviding a Internet data connection with the mobile end-user device via a device data connection to a wireless network;\nreceiving a request to transmit application data, the received request corresponding to a first application of the plurality of applications;\ngenerating an Internet data message based on the received request, the generated Internet data message including the application data and a first application identifier identifying the first application; and\ntransmitting, over the Internet data connection, the generated Internet data message to the mobile end-user device for mapping the first application identifier included in the transmitted Internet data message to the first application corresponding to the first application identifier, and for forwarding the application data in the transmitted Internet data message to the first application mapped by the mobile end-user device to the first application identifier.",
"7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:\nprior to transmitting, encrypting the generated Internet data message to generate encrypted Internet data message.",
"8. The method of claim 6, wherein the generated Internet data message is transmitted using one or more of encryption on a transport services stack, Internet Protocol (IP) layer encryption, or tunneling.",
"9. The method of claim 6, wherein the mobile end-user device initiates the Internet data connection to the network message server.",
"10. The method of claim 6, further comprising:\nauthenticating the first application prior to transmitting the generated Internet data message to the mobile end-user device.",
"11. A network system comprising:\na mobile end-user device having a plurality of applications;\na network message server adapted to communicate with the mobile end-user device, the network message server configured to:\nprovide a Internet data connection with the mobile end-user device via a device data connection to a wireless network;\nreceive a request to transmit application data, the received request corresponding to a first application of the plurality of applications;\ngenerate an Internet data message based on the received request, the generated Internet data message including the application data and a first application identifier identifying the first application; and\ntransmit, over the Internet data connection, the generated Internet data message to the mobile end-user device;\nthe mobile end-user device configured to:\nreceive the transmitted Internet data message from the network message server;\nmap the first application identifier included in the received Internet data message to the first application corresponding to the first application identifier; and\nforward the application data in the received Internet data message to the first application mapped by the mobile end-user device to the first application identifier.",
"12. The network system of claim 11, wherein the network message server is further configured to:\nprior to transmitting, encrypt the generated Internet data message to generate encrypted Internet data message.",
"13. The network system of claim 11, wherein the generated Internet data message is transmitted using one or more of encryption on a transport services stack, Internet Protocol (IP) layer encryption, or tunneling.",
"14. The network system of claim 11, wherein the mobile end-user device initiates the Internet data connection to the network message server.",
"15. The network system of claim 11, wherein the network message server is further configured to:\nauthenticate the first application prior to transmitting the generated Internet data message to the mobile end-user device."
],
[
"1. A wireless communication device within a first wireless system, comprising:\nat least one receiver configured to receive a level of interference to the first wireless system caused by a second wireless system on a first frequency within a frequency spectrum, wherein:\nthe first wireless system shares the frequency spectrum with the second wireless system,\nthe second wireless system is a non-cellular wireless system, and\nthe level of interference having been detected by at least one sensor whose location is known;\nat least one processor configured to:\nreceive the level of interference,\ndetermine if transmission on the first frequency in the first wireless system should be restricted based on the level of interference, and\ngenerate at least one instruction for restricting transmissions on the first frequency in the first wireless system if it was determined that transmission on the first frequency should be restricted.",
"2. The device of claim 1, further comprising at least one transmitter configured to transmit the instruction in the first wireless system.",
"3. The device of claim 1, wherein the wireless communication device further comprises at least one of a user equipment (UE) or a base station.",
"4. The device of claim 1, wherein the first wireless system schedules signal transmissions by allocating scheduling units, where a scheduling unit is a frequency-time resource.",
"5. The device of claim 4, wherein restricting transmission on the first frequency comprises restricting transmission on the corresponding scheduling units.",
"6. The device of claim 1, wherein the first wireless system is an LTE wireless system, the frequency spectrum is divided into a plurality of orthogonal subcarriers, wherein the first wireless system schedules signal transmissions based on physical resource blocks (PRB), each PRB being a frequency-time resource containing one or more subcarriers over a time period, and wherein the first frequency corresponds to one or more PRBs.",
"7. The device of claim 6, wherein the one or more PRBs corresponding to the first frequency carry physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) transmissions.",
"8. The device of claim 6, wherein the one or more PRBs corresponding to the first frequency carry physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) transmissions.",
"9. The device of claim 1, wherein the instruction for the first wireless system to restrict transmission on the first frequency comprises an instruction to block transmission on the first frequency.",
"10. The device of claim 1, wherein the instruction for the first wireless system to restrict transmission on the first frequency comprises an instruction for one or more devices in the first wireless system to reduce the power of the transmissions on the first frequency.",
"11. The device of claim 1, wherein the instruction for the first wireless system to restrict transmission on the first frequency comprises an instruction to restrict the transmission for a limited period of time.",
"12. The device of claim 1, wherein the second wireless system is an incumbent military use network.",
"13. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one receiver is further configured to receive from the at least one sensor frequency use by the second wireless system over the frequency spectrum prior to receiving the level of interference to the second wireless system.",
"14. The device of claim 13, wherein:\nthe at least one receiver is further configured to repeat the reception of frequency use and of the level of interference, wherein the first frequency may vary between repetitions; and\nthe at least one processor is further configured to repeat the determination and repeat the generation of the at least one instruction, wherein the first frequency may vary between repetitions.",
"15. The device of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to perform a determination of whether transmission on the first frequency should be restricted, wherein the determination is based on whether the level of interference exceeds a threshold."
],
[
"1. A method of operating a radio access node, comprising:\nallocating resources of a multi-subcarrier system using a first numerology and a second numerology within a radio-frequency carrier supported within a channel bandwidth of the radio access node, wherein:\nthe first numerology has resource blocks (RBs) with a first bandwidth and a first subcarrier spacing (Δf1), the RBs of the first numerology starting at a frequency relative to a frequency reference (Fref) according to m*Δf1+Fref, m being an integer,\nthe second numerology has RBs with a second bandwidth and a second subcarrier spacing (Δf2), the RBs of the second numerology starting at a frequency relative to Fref according to n*Δf2+Fref, n being an integer, and\ntransmitting and/or receiving information within the single carrier according to the first and second numerologies.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein:\nsubcarriers of the first numerology are separated from subcarriers of the second numerology by a frequency gap; and\nthe frequency gap is inserted between the subcarriers of the first numerology and the subcarriers of the second numerology such the subcarriers of the first and second numerologies are aligned on their respective natural subcarrier grids.",
"3. The method of claim 2, wherein the frequency gap is a function of Δf1.",
"4. The method of claim 2, wherein the frequency gap is a function of Δf2.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first subcarrier spacing, Δf1, is related to the second subcarrier spacing Δf2 by an integer scaling factor N such that Δf2=N*Δf1.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein the multi-subcarrier system is an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) system.",
"7. The method of claim 6, wherein the multi-subcarrier system is a pre-coded multi-subcarrier system.",
"8. The method of claim 7, wherein the pre-coded multi-subcarrier system is a discrete Fourier transform (DFT) spread OFDM system.",
"9. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting first and second integers B and D indicating a start frequency relative to a frequency reference and width of the first numerology, wherein the start frequency is defined according to B*K1*Δf, and the bandwidth of the first numerology is defined according to D*K1*Δf, wherein K1 denotes a bandwidth of a smallest addressable unit of the first numerology, expressed in units of a smallest subcarrier spacing of numerologies of the single carrier, and wherein Δf denotes the smallest subcarrier spacing.",
"10. The method of claim 9, further comprising transmitting third and fourth integers A and C indicating a start frequency relative to a frequency reference and width of the second numerology, wherein the start frequency of the second numerology is defined according to A*K2*Δf, and the bandwidth of the second numerology is defined according to C*K2*Δf, wherein K2 denotes a bandwidth of a smallest addressable unit of the second numerology, expressed in units of the smallest subcarrier spacing of numerologies of the single carrier.",
"11. A radio access node, comprising:\nprocessing circuitry in communication with memory having executable instructions thereon; and\nat least one transmitter and/or receiver in communication with the processing circuitry and memory and collectively configured to:\nallocate multi-subcarrier system resources using a first numerology and a second numerology within a radio-frequency carrier supported within a channel bandwidth of the radio access node, wherein:\nthe first numerology has resource blocks (RBs) with a first bandwidth and a first subcarrier spacing (Δf1), the RBs of the first numerology starting at a frequency relative to a frequency reference (Fref) according to m*Δf1+Fref, m being an integer,\nthe second numerology has RBs with a second bandwidth and a second subcarrier spacing (Δf2), the RBs of the second numerology starting at a frequency relative to Fref according to n*Δf2+Fref, n being an integer, and\ntransmit information within the single carrier according to the first and second numerologies.",
"12. The radio access node of claim 11, wherein:\nsubcarriers of the first numerology are separated from subcarriers of the second numerology by a frequency gap; and\nthe frequency gap is inserted between the subcarriers of the first numerology and the subcarriers of the second numerology such the subcarriers of the first and second numerologies are aligned on their respective natural subcarrier grids.",
"13. The radio access node of claim 12, wherein the frequency gap is a function of Δf1.",
"14. The radio access node of claim 12, wherein the frequency gap is a function of Δf2.",
"15. A user equipment, comprising:\nprocessing circuitry in communication with memory having executable instructions thereon; and\nat least one transmitter and/or receiver in communication with the processing circuitry and memory and collectively configured to:\nindexing resources of multi-subcarrier system using at least one of a first numerology and a second numerology available within a single RF carrier, wherein:\nthe first numerology has resource blocks (RBs) with a first bandwidth and a first subcarrier spacing (Δf1), the RBs of the first numerology starting at a frequency relative to a frequency reference (Fref) according to m*Δf1+Fref, m being an integer,\nthe second numerology has RBs with a second bandwidth and a second subcarrier spacing (Δf2), the RBs of the second numerology starting at a frequency relative to Fref according to n*Δf2+Fref, n being an integer, and\ntransmitting and/or receiving information within the single carrier according to the at least one of the first and second numerologies.",
"16. The user equipment of claim 15, wherein subcarriers of the first numerology are separated from subcarriers of the second numerology by a frequency gap and the frequency gap is a function of Δf1.",
"17. The user equipment of claim 15, wherein subcarriers of the first numerology are separated from subcarriers of the second numerology by a frequency gap and the frequency gap is a function of Δf2.",
"18. The user equipment of claim 15, wherein subcarriers of indexed RBs of the first numerology are separated from subcarriers of indexed RBs of the second numerology by a frequency gap having a size that is a function of Δf1 or Δf2.",
"19. The user equipment of claim 15, wherein Δf1 is related to the Δf2 by an integer scaling factor N such that Δf2=N*Δf1.",
"20. The user equipment of claim 15, wherein the multi-subcarrier system is an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) system."
],
[
"1. A wireless communication device comprising:\nat least one modem;\nat least one processor; and\nat least one memory communicatively coupled with the at least one processor and storing processor-readable code that, when executed by the at least one processor in conjunction with the at least one modem, is configured to:\ndetermine a distributed resource unit that comprises a set of tones associated with a first resource unit size, the set of tones distributed across a channel bandwidth associated with a second resource unit size greater than the first resource unit size, the set of tones comprising a set of pilot tones and a set of data tones, the set of data tones comprising a plurality of distributed groups of data tones, each group of data tones comprising two or more data tones of the set of data tones, each group of data tones being spaced apart from each other group of data tones within the channel bandwidth by at least one tone;\ncommunicate data over the set of data tones; and\ncommunicate pilot symbols over the set of pilot tones.",
"2. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the processor-readable code is executable by the at least one processor to cause the wireless communication device to:\ncommunicate first respective 4x long training fields in each of the set of data tones; and\ncommunicate second respective 4x long training fields in each of the set of pilot tones.",
"3. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the processor-readable code is executable by the at least one processor to cause the wireless communication device to:\ncommunicate a 20 megahertz short training field via the set of data tones.",
"4. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the processor-readable code is executable by the at least one processor to cause the wireless communication device to:\ncommunicate a respective 20 megahertz short training field for each 20 megahertz bandwidth of the distributed resource unit.",
"5. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the processor-readable code to communicate the data over the set of data tones is executable by the at least one processor to cause the wireless communication device to:\ncommunicate the data over the set of data tones without interleaving the set of data tones with a second set of data tones of a second distributed resource unit, wherein the second set of data tones are distributed across the channel bandwidth.",
"6. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the processor-readable code to determine the distributed resource unit is executable by the at least one processor to cause the wireless communication device to:\ndetermine which tones of the set of tones comprise the set of data tones; and\ndetermine which tones of the set of tones comprise the set of pilot tones.",
"7. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein a subset of the channel bandwidth comprises one tone or two tones of the set of tones.",
"8. The wireless communication device of claim 7, wherein the subset of the channel bandwidth comprises one megahertz of the channel bandwidth.",
"9. The wireless communication device of claim 7, wherein:\nthe processor-readable code to communicate the data is executable by the at least one processor to cause the wireless communication device to communicate on each data tone of the set of tones at a maximum communication power, and\nthe processor-readable code to communicate the pilot symbols is executable by the at least one processor to cause the wireless communication device to communicate on each pilot tone of the set of tones at the maximum communication power.",
"10. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the processor-readable code to determine the distributed resource unit is executable by the at least one processor to cause the wireless communication device to:\ndetermine the set of tones based at least in part on one or more sets of defined tone indices, the one or more sets of defined tone indices associated with determining tone positions for one or more non-distributed resource units.",
"11. The wireless communication device of claim 10, wherein the processor-readable code to determine the set of tones is executable by the at least one processor to cause the wireless communication device to:\nshift the one or more sets of defined tone indices, wherein shifting the one or more sets of defined tone indices comprises shifting tones associated with the one or more sets of defined tone indices in a frequency domain; and\ndetermine the set of data tones and the set of pilot tones based at least in part on shifting the one or more sets of defined tone indices.",
"12. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the processor-readable code to communicate the data is executable by the at least one processor to cause the wireless communication device to:\ntransmitting or receiving the data over one data tone in each distributed group of data tones of the plurality of distributed groups of data tones.",
"13. The wireless communication device of claim 2, wherein:\nthe channel bandwidth comprises:\none or more leading unallocated edge tones;\na first contiguous set of useful tones;\none or more unallocated direct current tones;\na second contiguous set of useful tones;\none or more following unallocated edge tones; and\nthe set of tones comprising tones from the first contiguous set of useful tones and the second contiguous set of useful tones.",
"14. The wireless communication device of claim 13, wherein:\nthe first contiguous set of useful tones comprises:\na first contiguous set of pilot tones;\na first contiguous set of data tones; and\na second contiguous set of pilot tones;\nthe second contiguous set of useful tones comprises:\na third contiguous set of pilot tones;\na second contiguous set of data tones; and\na fourth contiguous set of pilot tones;\nthe set of data tones comprises tones from the first contiguous set of data tones and the second contiguous set of data tones; and\nthe set of pilot tones comprises tones from one or more of the first contiguous set of pilot tones, the second contiguous set of pilot tones, the third contiguous set of pilot tones, or the fourth contiguous set of pilot tones.",
"15. The wireless communication device of claim 14, wherein the processor-readable code is executable by the at least one processor to cause the wireless communication device to:\nallocate the channel bandwidth for a plurality of logic distributed resource units, each logic distributed resource unit comprising the set of pilot tones and the set of data tones, wherein pilot tones for the plurality of logic distributed resource units form contiguous portions of pilot tones.",
"16. The wireless communication device of claim 15, wherein the distributed resource unit comprises a single logic distributed resource unit of the plurality of logic distributed resource units.",
"17. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein a system bandwidth comprises a plurality of dedicated channel bandwidths associated with distributed resource units, the plurality of dedicated channel bandwidths comprising the channel bandwidth.",
"18. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein each pilot tone or distributed group of data tones is at least 11 tones apart from other tones of the set of tones.",
"19. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein each group of data tones consists of a pair of contiguous data tones.",
"20. A method for wireless communication by a wireless communication device, comprising:\ndetermining a distributed resource unit that comprises a set of tones associated with a first resource unit size, the set of tones distributed across a channel bandwidth associated with a second resource unit size greater than the first resource unit size, the set of tones comprising a set of pilot tones and a set of data tones, the set of data tones comprising a plurality of distributed groups of data tones, each group of data tones comprising two or more data tones of the set of data tones, each group of data tones being spaced apart from each other group of data tones within the channel bandwidth by at least one tone;\ncommunicating data over the set of data tones; and\ncommunicating pilot symbols over the set of pilot tones."
],
[
"1. A method for wireless communications, comprising:\nassigning a first resource unit (RU) to a first wireless node and a second RU to a second wireless node, wherein the first RU comprises a first non-contiguous set of tones of a channel and the second RU comprises a second non-contiguous set of tones of the channel, the first non-contiguous set of tones comprising at least a first subset of tones and a second subset of tones non-contiguous with the first subset of tones, and the second non-contiguous set of tones comprising at least a third subset of tones and a fourth subset of tones non-contiguous with the third subset of tones;\ngenerating a first indicator indicating the first RU and a second indicator indicating the second RU;\ngenerating one or more trigger frames comprising at least the first indicator and the second indicator;\noutputting the one or more trigger frames for transmission; and\nobtaining concurrently data from the first wireless node via the first RU and data from the second wireless node via the second RU.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first non-contiguous set of tones is interspersed with the second non-contiguous set of tones in a frequency range of the channel.",
"3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\ngenerating an indication of a mapping from the first indicator to the first non-contiguous set of tones; and\noutputting the indication of the mapping for transmission.",
"4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nchanging the first non-contiguous set of tones on a periodic basis according to a pattern;\ngenerating an indication of the pattern; and\noutputting the indication of the pattern for transmission.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first non-contiguous set of tones is defined at least in part by a function, the method further comprising:\ngenerating one or both of an indication of the function or one or more parameter values for the function; and\noutputting, for transmission, one or both of the indication of the function or the one or more parameter values.",
"6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\ndetermining, for the channel, one or more tones experiencing interference; and\nselecting tones for the first non-contiguous set of tones such that they do not include the one or more tones experiencing interference.",
"7. The method of claim 6, further comprising obtaining a message from the first wireless node or another wireless node indicating the one or more tones experiencing the interference, wherein determining the one or more tones comprises determining the one or more tones according to the message.",
"8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nallocating a transmission time interval for the first wireless node to transmit the data from the first wireless node;\ngenerating an indication of the transmission time interval, wherein the transmission time interval comprises a plurality of time slots and the first non-contiguous set of tones is different in at least one time slot of the plurality of time slots than at least one other time slot of the plurality of time slots; and\noutputting the indication of the transmission time interval for transmission.",
"9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\ndetermining the first non-contiguous set of tones distributed across a channel bandwidth, wherein a majority of the first non-contiguous set of tones comprises distributed pairs of adjacent tones and the channel bandwidth comprises one or more leading unused edge tones, a first contiguous portion of useful tones, one or more unused direct current (DC) tones, a second contiguous portion of useful tones, and one or more following unused edge tones, the first contiguous portion of useful tones and the second contiguous portion of useful tones comprising the determined first non-contiguous set of tones;\nobtaining the data from the first wireless node over a set of data tones of the determined first non-contiguous set of tones; and\nobtaining one or more pilot signals over a set of pilot tones of the determined first non-contiguous set of tones.",
"10. The method of claim 9, further comprising allocating the channel bandwidth for a plurality of logic RUs comprising at least the first RU, wherein pilot tones for the plurality of logic RUs form one or more contiguous sets of pilot tones, and each set of the one or more contiguous sets of pilot tones borders the one or more leading unused edge tones, the one or more unused DC tones, or the one or more following unused edge tones.",
"11. The method of claim 9, further comprising allocating the channel bandwidth for a plurality of logic RUs comprising at least the first RU, wherein pilot tones for the plurality of logic RUs form one or more contiguous sets of pilot tones, and each set of the one or more contiguous sets of pilot tones is allocated to central tones in the first contiguous portion of useful tones or to central tones in the second contiguous portion of useful tones.",
"12. The method of claim 9, wherein each pilot tone of the set of pilot tones is contiguous to two data tones of the set of data tones.",
"13. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more trigger frames comprise the first indicator, the second indicator, an indication of a mapping of the first indicator and the second indicator to respective non-contiguous sets of tones, an indication of a pattern for changing the respective non-contiguous sets of tones on a periodic basis, an indication of a function defining the respective non-contiguous sets of tones, one or more parameters for the function, or a combination thereof, wherein the respective non-contiguous sets of tones for the first RU and the second RU are determined according to the one or more trigger frames, the mapping, the pattern, the function, the one or parameters for the function, or a combination thereof.",
"14. A method for wireless communications at a wireless node, comprising:\nobtaining one or more trigger frames comprising at least a first indicator indicating a first resource unit (RU) and an indication of a mapping from the first indicator to a first non-contiguous set of tones, the first non-contiguous set of tones comprising at least a first subset of tones and a second subset of tones non-contiguous with the first subset of tones;\ndetermining the first non-contiguous set of tones of a channel for the first RU based at least in part on the obtained one or more trigger frames and the mapping; and\noutputting data for transmission over the first non-contiguous set of tones for the first RU.",
"15. The method of claim 14, wherein the one or more trigger frames further comprise an indication of a pattern for changing the first non-contiguous set of tones on a periodic basis, an indication of a function defining the first non-contiguous set of tones, one or more parameters for the function, or a combination thereof, wherein the first non-contiguous set of tones for the first RU is determined according to the one or more trigger frames, the mapping, the pattern, the function, the one or more parameters for the function, or a combination thereof.",
"16. The method of claim 14, further comprising outputting, for transmission, one or both of a request requesting an RU or a message indicating that the wireless node is experiencing interference, wherein the first indicator indicating the first RU is obtained in response to one or both of the request or the message.",
"17. The method of claim 14, wherein a majority of the first non-contiguous set of tones comprises distributed pairs of adjacent tones across a channel bandwidth and the channel bandwidth comprises one or more leading unused edge tones, a first contiguous portion of useful tones, one or more unused direct current (DC) tones, a second contiguous portion of useful tones, and one or more following unused edge tones, the first contiguous portion of useful tones and the second contiguous portion of useful tones comprising the determined first non-contiguous set of tones, wherein the method further comprises:\noutputting, for transmission, one or more pilot signals over a set of pilot tones of the first non-contiguous set of tones, wherein the data is output for transmission over a set of data tones of the first non-contiguous set of tones.",
"18. The method of claim 14, further comprising determining that the first RU is additionally assigned to a second wireless node different than the wireless node, wherein the outputting the data for transmission further comprises:\noutputting the data for transmission over a first subset of the first non-contiguous set of tones for the first RU.",
"19. An apparatus for wireless communications, comprising:\na processor;\nmemory coupled with the processor; and\ninstructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:\nassign a first resource unit (RU) to a first wireless node and a second RU to a second wireless node, wherein the first RU comprises a first non-contiguous set of tones of a channel and the second RU comprises a second non-contiguous set of tones of the channel, the first non-contiguous set of tones comprising at least a first subset of tones and a second subset of tones non-contiguous with the first subset of tones, and the second non-contiguous set of tones comprising at least a third subset of tones and a fourth subset of tones non-contiguous with the third subset of tones;\ngenerate a first indicator indicating the first RU and a second indicator indicating the second RU;\ngenerate one or more trigger frames comprising at least the first indicator and the second indicator;\noutput the one or more trigger frames for transmission; and\nobtain concurrently data from the first wireless node via the first RU and data from the second wireless node via the second RU.",
"20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:\ngenerate an indication of a mapping from the first indicator to the first non-contiguous set of tones; and\noutput the indication of the mapping for transmission.",
"21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:\nchange the first non-contiguous set of tones on a periodic basis according to a pattern;\ngenerate an indication of the pattern; and\noutput the indication of the pattern for transmission.",
"22. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the first non-contiguous set of tones is defined at least in part by a function, the instructions further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:\ngenerate one or both of an indication of the function or one or more parameter values for the function; and\noutput, for transmission, one or both of the indication of the function or the one or more parameter values.",
"23. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:\ndetermine, for the channel, one or more tones experiencing interference; and\nselect tones for the first non-contiguous set of tones such that they do not include the one or more tones experiencing interference.",
"24. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:\nallocate a transmission time interval for the first wireless node to transmit the data from the first wireless node;\ngenerate an indication of the transmission time interval, wherein the transmission time interval comprises a plurality of time slots and the first non-contiguous set of tones is different in at least one time slot of the plurality of time slots than at least one other time slot of the plurality of time slots; and\noutput the indication of the transmission time interval for transmission.",
"25. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:\ndetermine the first non-contiguous set of tones distributed across a channel bandwidth, wherein a majority of the first non-contiguous set of tones comprises distributed pairs of adjacent tones and the channel bandwidth comprises one or more leading unused edge tones, a first contiguous portion of useful tones, one or more unused direct current (DC) tones, a second contiguous portion of useful tones, and one or more following unused edge tones, the first contiguous portion of useful tones and the second contiguous portion of useful tones comprising the determined first non-contiguous set of tones;\nobtain the data from the first wireless node over a set of data tones of the determined first non-contiguous set of tones; and\nobtain one or more pilot signals over a set of pilot tones of the determined first non-contiguous set of tones.",
"26. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the one or more trigger frames comprise the first indicator, the second indicator, an indication of a mapping of the first indicator and the second indicator to respective non-contiguous sets of tones, an indication of a pattern for changing the respective non-contiguous sets of tones on a periodic basis, an indication of a function defining the respective non-contiguous sets of tones, one or more parameters for the function, or a combination thereof, wherein the respective non-contiguous sets of tones for the first RU and the second RU are determined according to the one or more trigger frames, the mapping, the pattern, the function, the one or parameters for the function, or a combination thereof.",
"27. An apparatus for wireless communications at a wireless node, comprising:\na processor;\nmemory coupled with the processor; and\ninstructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:\nobtain one or more trigger frames comprising at least a first indicator indicating a first resource unit (RU) and an indication of a mapping from the first indicator to a first non-contiguous set of tones, the first non-contiguous set of tones comprising at least a first subset of tones and a second subset of tones non-contiguous with the first subset of tones;\ndetermine the first non-contiguous set of tones of a channel for the first RU based at least in part on the obtained one or more trigger frames and the mapping; and\noutput data for transmission over the first non-contiguous set of tones for the first RU.",
"28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the one or more trigger frames further comprise an indication of a pattern for changing the first non-contiguous set of tones on a periodic basis, an indication of a function defining the first non-contiguous set of tones, one or more parameters for the function, or a combination thereof, wherein the first non-contiguous set of tones for the first RU is determined according to the one or more trigger frames, the mapping, the pattern, the function, the one or more parameters for the function, or a combination thereof.",
"29. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein a majority of the first non-contiguous set of tones comprises distributed pairs of adjacent tones across a channel bandwidth and the channel bandwidth comprises one or more leading unused edge tones, a first contiguous portion of useful tones, one or more unused direct current (DC) tones, a second contiguous portion of useful tones, and one or more following unused edge tones, the first contiguous portion of useful tones and the second contiguous portion of useful tones comprising the determined first non-contiguous set of tones, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:\noutput, for transmission, one or more pilot signals over a set of pilot tones of the first non-contiguous set of tones, wherein the data is output for transmission over a set of data tones of the first non-contiguous set of tones."
],
[
"1. A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) comprising:\na processor configured at least to:\ndetermine a first set of resources to be used for sending a physical random access channel (PRACH) preamble to a base station;\ndetermine a second set of resources to be used for sending a random access channel (RACH) payload to the base station, wherein the second set of resources to be used for sending the RACH payload is associated with the PRACH preamble;\nsend the PRACH preamble and the RACH payload to the base station, wherein the PRACH preamble is sent using the first set of resources and the RACH payload is sent using the second set of resources, wherein the second set of resources occur in time after the first set of resources;\nmonitor, based on the PRACH preamble and the RACH payload being sent, a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) for a random access response (RAR); and\nreceive the RAR based on downlink control information associated with the RAR, wherein the downlink control information is received via the PDCCH, wherein the RAR comprises an identity associated with the WTRU, and wherein the processor is configured to receive the RAR in response to the PRACH preamble and the RACH payload being sent.",
"2. The WTRU of claim 1, wherein the first set of resources are indicated via a broadcast message or a dedicated signaling message.",
"3. The WTRU of claim 1, wherein the first set of resources comprises a first set of time and frequency resources and the second set of resources comprises a second set of time and frequency resources, and wherein the second set of time and frequency resources is determined based on the first set of time and frequency resources.",
"4. The WTRU of claim 1, wherein the RACH payload comprises one or more of a scheduling request (SR) or a radio resource control (RRC) request message.",
"5. The WTRU of claim 1, wherein the RACH payload is sent over a common control channel (CCCH).",
"6. The WTRU of claim 1, wherein the RACH payload comprises the identity associated with the WTRU.",
"7. The WTRU of claim 1, wherein the RAR comprises at least one of a cell radio network temporary ID (C-RNTI) or a contention resolution identity.",
"8. The WTRU of claim 1, wherein the PRACH preamble and the RACH payload are sent in a single transmission.",
"9. The WTRU of claim 1, wherein the RAR comprises one or more of a preamble ID, a timing alignment, or an uplink (UL) grant.",
"10. A random access method implemented by a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), the method comprising:\ndetermining a first set of resources to be used for sending a physical random access channel (PRACH) preamble to a base station;\ndetermining a second set of resources to be used for sending a random access channel (RACH) payload to the base station, wherein the second set of resources to be used for sending the RACH payload is associated with the PRACH preamble;\nsending the PRACH preamble and the RACH payload to the base station, wherein the PRACH preamble is sent using the first set of resources and the RACH payload is sent using the second set of resources, wherein the second set of resources occur in time after the first set of resources;\nmonitoring, based on the PRACH preamble and the RACH payload being sent, a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) for a random access response (RAR); and\nreceiving the RAR based on downlink control information associated with the RAR, wherein the downlink control information is received via the PDCCH, wherein the RAR comprises an identity associated with the WTRU, and wherein the RAR is received in response to sending the PRACH preamble and the RACH payload.",
"11. The method of claim 10, wherein the first set of resources are indicated via a broadcast message or a dedicated signaling message.",
"12. The method of claim 10, wherein the first set of resources comprises a first set of time and frequency resources and the second set of resources comprises a second set of time and frequency resources, and wherein the second set of time and frequency resources is determined based on the first set of time and frequency resources.",
"13. The method of claim 10, wherein the RACH payload comprises one or more of a scheduling request (SR) or a radio resource control (RRC) request message.",
"14. The method of claim 10, wherein the RACH payload is sent over a common control channel (CCCH).",
"15. The method of claim 10, wherein the RACH payload comprises the identity associated with the WTRU.",
"16. The method of claim 10, wherein the RAR comprises at least one of a cell radio network temporary ID (C-RNTI) or a contention resolution identity.",
"17. The method of claim 10, wherein the PRACH preamble and the RACH payload are sent in a single transmission.",
"18. The method of claim 10, wherein the RAR comprises one or more of a preamble ID, a timing alignment, or an uplink (UL) grant."
],
[
"1. A method comprising:\nreceiving, by a first wireless device from a base station, one or more configuration parameters indicating:\na first search space of a first cell for scheduling resources of a sidelink carrier; and\na second search space of a second cell for scheduling resources of the sidelink carrier;\nmonitoring the first search space and the second search space;\ndetermining a cell among the first cell and the second cell to be a scheduling cell of the sidelink carrier, wherein the scheduling cell is based on a lowest cell index among the first and second cell;\nreceiving, based on the monitoring, sidelink downlink control information (DCI) scheduling a sidelink resource of the sidelink carrier; and\ntransmitting, by the first wireless device to a second wireless device, a sidelink transmission via the sidelink resource.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the second search space overlaps with the first search space in time domain.",
"3. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving a command, via one or more medium access control control elements (MAC CEs) or DCIs, indicating a cell among the first cell and the second cell, wherein the first wireless device receives, from the base station, the sidelink DCI via the cell indicated by the command.",
"4. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting a message indicating the cell via a medium access control control element (MAC CE) or a scheduling request (SR).",
"5. The method of claim 1, further comprising monitoring at least one of:\nthe first search space, for the sidelink DCI, of the first cell in response to the cell being the first cell; or\nthe second search space, for DCIs, of the second cell in response to the cell being the first cell.",
"6. The method of claim 1, further comprising monitoring at least one of:\nthe second search space, for the sidelink DCI, of the second cell in response to the cell being the second cell; or\nthe first search space, for DCIs, of the first cell in response to the cell being the second cell.",
"7. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining a first DCI size of a first sidelink DCI, via the first search space, based on a second DCI size of a first DCI via the first search space.",
"8. The method of claim 7, further comprising adding zeros to the first sidelink DCI in response to a size of the first sidelink DCI being smaller than the second DCI size before adding the zeros.",
"9. A first wireless device comprising:\none or more processors; and\nmemory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the first wireless device to:\nreceive, from a base station, one or more configuration parameters indicating:\na first search space of a first cell for scheduling resources of a sidelink carrier; and\na second search space of a second cell for scheduling resources of the sidelink carrier;\nmonitor the first search space and the second search space;\ndetermine a cell among the first cell and the second cell to be a scheduling cell of the sidelink carrier, wherein the scheduling cell is based on a lowest cell index among the first and second cell;\nreceive, based on the monitoring, sidelink downlink control information (DCI) scheduling a sidelink resource of the sidelink carrier; and\ntransmit, by the first wireless device to a second wireless device, a sidelink transmission via the sidelink resource.",
"10. The first wireless device of claim 9, wherein the second search space overlaps with the first search space in time domain.",
"11. The first wireless device of claim 9, wherein the instructions further cause the first wireless device to receive a command, via one or more medium access control control elements (MAC CEs) or DCIs, indicating a cell among the first cell and the second cell, wherein the first wireless device receives, from the base station, the sidelink DCI via the cell indicated by the command.",
"12. The first wireless device of claim 9, wherein the instructions further cause the first wireless device to transmit a message indicating the cell via a medium access control control element (MAC CE) or a scheduling request (SR).",
"13. The first wireless device of claim 9, wherein the instructions further cause the first wireless device to monitor at least one of:\nthe first search space, for the sidelink DCI, of the first cell in response to the cell being the first cell;\nthe second search space, for DCIs, of the second cell in response to the cell being the first cell;\nthe second search space, for the sidelink DCI, of the second cell in response to the cell being the second cell; or\nthe first search space, for DCIs, of the first cell in response to the cell being the second cell.",
"14. The first wireless device of claim 9, wherein the instructions further cause the first wireless device to determine a first DCI size of a first sidelink DCI, via the first search space, based on a second DCI size of a first DCI via the first search space.",
"15. The first wireless device of claim 14, wherein the instructions further cause the first wireless device to add zeros to the first sidelink DCI in response to a size of the first sidelink DCI being smaller than the second DCI size before adding the zeros.",
"16. A system comprising:\na base station comprising one or more first processors and memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more first processors, cause the base station to:\ntransmit one or more configuration parameters indicating:\na first search space of a first cell for scheduling resources of a sidelink carrier; and\na second search space of a second cell for scheduling resources of the sidelink carrier;\na first wireless device comprising one or more second processors and second memory storing second instructions that, when executed by the one or more second processors, cause the first wireless device to:\nreceive, from the base station, the one or more configuration parameters;\nmonitor the first search space and the second search space;\ndetermine a cell among the first cell and the second cell to be a scheduling cell of the sidelink carrier, wherein the scheduling cell is based on a lowest cell index among the first and second cell;\nreceive, based on the monitoring, sidelink downlink control information (DCI)\nscheduling a sidelink resource of the sidelink carrier; and\ntransmit a sidelink transmission via the sidelink resource; and\na second wireless device comprising one or more third processors and third memory storing third instructions that, when executed by the one or more third processors, cause the second wireless device to:\nreceive, from the first wireless device, the sidelink transmission via the sidelink resource."
],
[
"1. A communication system, comprising:\na base station, which, in operation, generates and transmits sidelink grants; and\na user equipment including:\na receiver, which, in operation, receives the sidelink grants from the base station;\ncircuitry, which is coupled to the receiver and which, in operation:\nassociates the sidelink grants with sidelink processes, which are respectively associated with identifications (IDs);\ndetermines radio resources allocated to the sidelink grants;\nuses a logical channel prioritization (LCP) procedure in common for all the sidelink grants to select one sidelink destination group including a logical channel associated with a highest priority, out of a plurality of sidelink destination groups including logical channels having data available for transmission and not previously selected within one transmission control period, as a destination of one of a plurality of direct communication transmissions; and\ngenerates sidelink control information that identifies the selected destination group and that identifies the radio resource allocated to the corresponding sidelink grant; and\na transmitter, which is coupled to the circuitry and which, in operation, performs the plurality of direct communication transmissions including the direct communication transmission destined to the selected sidelink destination group, wherein the plurality of direct communication transmissions of sidelink control information and data over a plurality of direct sidelink connections use the sidelink grants for the sidelink processes, respectively, within said one transmission control period, wherein a maximum number of the sidelink processes executable in parallel is configured for the user equipment by the base station;\nwherein the sidelink grants indicate time resource patterns, which define radio resources in a time domain, with different bitmap patterns between the plurality of direct communication transmissions.",
"2. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the transmitter of the user equipment, in operation, transmits the data using a next uplink subframe after an uplink subframe used to transmit the sidelink control information.",
"3. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the maximum number of the sidelink processes executable in parallel is 8.",
"4. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the identification (ID) is a destination group ID that identifies a sidelink destination group of a corresponding one of the plurality of direct communication transmissions.",
"5. A method performed by a communication system including at least a user equipment and a base station, the method comprising:\ngenerating, by the base station, sidelink grants;\ntransmitting, by the base station, the sidelink grants;\nreceiving, by the user equipment, the sidelink grants;\nassociating, by the user equipment, the sidelink grants with sidelink processes, which are respectively associated with identifications (IDs);\ndetermining, by the user equipment, radio resources allocated to the sidelink grants;\nusing, by the user equipment, a logical channel prioritization (LCP) procedure in common for all the sidelink grants to select one sidelink destination group including a logical channel associated with a highest priority, out of a plurality of sidelink destination groups including logical channels having data available for transmission and not previously selected within one transmission control period, as a destination of one of a plurality of direct communication transmissions;\ngenerating, by the user equipment, sidelink control information that identifies the selected destination group and that identifies the radio resource allocated to the corresponding sidelink grant; and\nperforming, by the user equipment, the plurality of direct communication transmissions including the direct communication transmission destined to the selected sidelink destination group, wherein the plurality of direct communication transmissions of sidelink control information and data over a plurality of direct sidelink connections use the sidelink grants for the sidelink processes, respectively, within one transmission control period, wherein a maximum number of the sidelink processes executable in parallel is configured for the user equipment by the base station;\nwherein the sidelink grants indicate time resource patterns, which define radio resources in a time domain, with different bitmap patterns between the plurality of direct communication transmissions.",
"6. The method according to claim 5, comprising:\ntransmitting, by the user equipment, the data using a next uplink subframe after an uplink subframe used to transmit the sidelink control information.",
"7. The method according to claim 5, wherein the maximum number of the sidelink processes executable in parallel is 8.",
"8. The method according to claim 5, wherein the identification (ID) is a destination group ID that identifies a sidelink destination group of a corresponding one of the plurality of direct communication transmissions."
],
[
"1. A wireless transmit receive unit (WTRU), the WTRU comprising:\na receiver; and\na processor;\nthe processor and receiver configured to:\nreceive an indication of one or more search spaces for one or more physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) candidates and an indication of at least one downlink control information (DCI) format of a plurality of DCI formats for each search space of the one or more search spaces;\nmonitor, in the one or more search spaces, the one or more PDCCH candidates having a DCI format of the at least one DCI format indicated; and\nreceive DCI associated with a user identity of the WTRU via at least one PDCCH transmission; and\nreceive data via at least one physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) transmission indicated by the at least one PDCCH transmission.",
"2. The WTRU of claim 1, wherein orthogonal frequency division multiplexing subcarriers via which to receive the data are indicated by the at least one PDCCH transmission.",
"3. The WTRU of claim 1, wherein a first DCI format of the plurality of DCI formats includes a carrier indicator that indicates a carrier via which a PDSCH transmission is to be received.",
"4. The WTRU of claim 3, wherein a second DCI format of the plurality of DCI formats does not include a carrier indicator.",
"5. The WTRU of claim 4, wherein the second DCI format has fewer bits that the first DCI format.",
"6. The WTRU of claim 4, wherein the first DCI format is associated with a first search space and the second DCI format is associated with a second search space.",
"7. The WTRU of claim 1, wherein the processor and receiver are further configured to receive a first PDCCH transmission via a first carrier and to receive a second PDCCH transmission via a second carrier.",
"8. The WTRU of claim 1, wherein the one or more search spaces includes a user specific search space.",
"9. A method performed by a wireless transmit receive unit (WTRU), the method comprising:\nreceiving an indication of one or more search spaces for one or more physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) candidates and an indication of at least one downlink control information (DCI) format of a plurality of DCI formats for each search space of the one or more search spaces;\nmonitoring, in the one or more search spaces, the one or more PDCCH candidates having a DCI format of the at least one DCI format indicated;\nreceiving DCI associated with a user identity of the WTRU via at least one PDCCH transmission; and\nreceiving data via at least one physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) transmission indicated by the at least one PDCCH transmission.",
"10. The method of claim 9, wherein orthogonal frequency division multiplexing subcarriers via which to receive the data are indicated by the at least one PDCCH transmission.",
"11. The method of claim 9, wherein a first DCI format of the plurality of DCI formats includes a carrier indicator that indicates a carrier via which a PDSCH transmission is to be received.",
"12. The method of claim 11, wherein a second DCI format of the plurality of DCI formats does not include a carrier indicator.",
"13. The method of claim 12, wherein the second DCI format has fewer bits that the first DCI format.",
"14. The method of claim 12, wherein the first DCI format is associated with a first search space and the second DCI format is associated with a second search space.",
"15. The method of claim 9, further comprising receiving a first PDCCH transmission via a first carrier and receiving a second PDCCH transmission via a second carrier.",
"16. The method of claim 9, wherein the one or more search spaces includes a user specific search space.",
"17. The WTRU of claim 4, wherein the at least one PDCCH transmission is received with the second DCI format.",
"18. The method of claim 12, wherein the at least one PDCCH transmission is received with the second DCI format."
],
[
"1. A method for operating a base station (BS) in a wireless communication system, the method comprising:\ntransmitting a higher layer signal indicating a carrier index field (CIF) value, wherein the CIF value is used in a scheduling cell to indicate scheduling information applicable for a serving cell; and\ntransmitting downlink control information (DCI) through a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) for the serving cell based on the CIF value indicated by the higher layer signal,\nwherein a number of candidates of the CIF value is smaller than a number of candidates of a serving cell index of the serving cell.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein a carrier index field (CIF) included in the DCI comprises 3 bits.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein the higher layer signal is a radio resource control (RRC) message.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein the scheduling information is a grant or assignment applicable for the serving cell.",
"5. A method for operating a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system, the method comprising:\nreceiving a higher layer signal indicating a carrier index field (CIF) value, wherein the CIF value is used in a scheduling cell to indicate scheduling information applicable for a serving cell; and\nreceiving downlink control information (DCI) through a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) for the serving cell based on the CIF value indicated by the higher layer signal,\nwherein a number of candidates of the CIF value is smaller than a number of candidates of a serving cell index of the serving cell.",
"6. The method of claim 5, wherein a carrier index field (CIF) included in the DCI comprises 3 bits.",
"7. The method of claim 5, wherein the higher layer signal is a radio resource control (RRC) message.",
"8. The method of claim 5, wherein the scheduling information is a grant or assignment applicable for the serving cell.",
"9. A user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system, the UE comprising:\na transceiver; and\na processor operatively connected to the transceiver and adapted to:\nreceive a higher layer signal indicating a carrier index field (CIF) value, wherein the CIF value is used in a scheduling cell to indicate scheduling information applicable for a serving cell; and\nreceive downlink control information (DCI) through a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) for the serving cell based on the CIF value indicated by the higher layer signal,\nwherein a number of candidates of the CIF value is smaller than a number of candidates of a serving cell index of the serving cell.",
"10. The UE of claim 9, wherein a carrier index field (CIF) included in the DCI comprises 3 bits.",
"11. The UE of claim 9, wherein the higher layer signal is a radio resource control (RRC) message.",
"12. The UE of claim 9, wherein the scheduling information is a grant or assignment applicable for the serving cell."
],
[
"1. A method performed by a wireless device configured to operate in a wireless communication system, the method comprising:\nreceiving, from a network, a configuration of one or more data subbands, wherein each data subband among the one or more data subbands consists of contiguous physical resource blocks (PRBs);\nactivating a first data subband among the one or more data subbands;\ncommunicating with the network in the first data subband;\nreceiving, from the network, downlink control information (DCI) which includes information regarding a second data subband, different from the first data subband, among the one or more data subbands;\nperforming a bandwidth adaptation from the first data subband to the second data subband based on the information regarding the second data subband;\nactivating the second data subband; and\ncommunicating with the network in the second data subband.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first data subband and/or the second data subband is configured in a wireless device specific carrier.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein a numerology used for data transmission is defined per data subband among the one or more data subbands.",
"4. The method of claim 1, further comprising performing a channel state information (CSI) measurement within at least one of the first data subband and/or the second data subband.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first data subband and/or the second data subband includes a common data subband for common data.",
"6. The method of claim 5, wherein at most one common data subband is configured for the common data.",
"7. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first data subband and/or the second data subband is scheduled by a control subband.",
"8. The method of claim 7, wherein at least one of 1) a numerology used for control transmission, 2) a monitoring interval, and/or 3) a resource element group (REG) or control channel element (CCE) index within the control subband is defined per control subband.",
"9. The method of claim 7, wherein the control subband is configured in an anchor subband.",
"10. The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless device is in communication with at least one of a mobile device, a network, and/or autonomous vehicles other than the wireless device.",
"11. A wireless device configured to operate in a wireless communication system, the wireless device comprising:\nat least one transceiver;\nat least one processor; and\nat least one computer memory operably coupled to the at least one processor and storing instructions that, based on being executed by the at least one processor, perform operations comprising:\nreceiving, from a network via the at least one transceiver, a configuration of one or more data subbands, wherein any data subband among the one or more data subbands consists of contiguous physical resource blocks (PRBs);\nactivating a first data subband among the one or more data subbands;\ncommunicating with the network in the first data subband;\nreceiving, from the network via the at least one transceiver, downlink control information (DCI) which includes information regarding a second data subband, different from the first data subband, among the one or more data subbands;\nperforming a bandwidth adaptation from the first data subband to the second data subband based on the information regarding the second data subband;\nactivating the second data subband; and\ncommunicating with the network in the second data subband.",
"12. The wireless device of claim 11, wherein at least one of the first data subband and/or the second data subband is configured in a wireless device specific carrier.",
"13. The wireless device of claim 11, wherein a numerology used for data transmission is defined per data subband among the one or more data subbands.",
"14. The wireless device of claim 11, wherein the operations further comprises performing a channel state information (CSI) measurement within at least one of the first data subband and/or the second data subband.",
"15. An apparatus configured to operate in a wireless communication system, the apparatus comprising:\nat least one processor; and\nat least one memory coupled to the at least one processor,\nwherein the at least one processor is configured to:\nobtain a configuration of one or more data subbands, wherein any data subband among the one or more data subbands consists of contiguous physical resource blocks (PRBs);\nactivate a first data subband among the one or more data subbands;\ncontrol the apparatus to communicate with a network in the first data subband;\nobtain downlink control information (DCI) which includes information regarding a second data subband, different from the first data subband, among the one or more data subbands;\nperform a bandwidth adaptation from the first data subband to the second data subband based on the information regarding the second data subband;\nactivate the second data subband; and\ncontrol the apparatus to communicate with the network in the second data subband.",
"16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein at least one of the first data subband and/or the second data subband is configured in a wireless device specific carrier.",
"17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein a numerology used for data transmission is defined per data subband among the one or more data subbands.",
"18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to perform a channel state information (CSI) measurement within at least one of the first data subband and/or the second data subband."
],
[
"1. A method performed by a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system, the method comprising:\nreceiving channel state information (CSI) configuration information for a plurality of cells; and\ntransmitting, based on the CSI configuration information, a periodic CSI report through a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH),\nwherein based on a collision of a first CSI report, comprising a wideband channel quality indicator (CQI) of a first cell among the plurality of cells, with a second CSI report, comprising a subband CQI of a second cell among the plurality of cells, occurring in one subframe: (i) the first CSI report is transmitted in the periodic CSI report and (ii) the second CSI report is dropped,\nwherein the first cell and the second cell are different from each other,\nwherein the wideband CQI is a CQI obtained based on a set of subbands in a system bandwidth,\nwherein the subband CQI is a CQI obtained based on a subband within the set of subbands, and\nwherein based on a collision between a plurality of CSI reports for the plurality of cells occurring in one subframe: (i) a CSI report of a cell with a lowest cell index among the plurality of cells is transmitted in the periodic CSI report and (ii) remaining CSI reports except for the CSI report of the cell with the lowest cell index are dropped.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the CSI configuration information comprises configuration information regarding the periodic CSI report.",
"3. The method of claim 2, wherein configuration information regarding the periodic CSI report comprises information regarding a reporting period.",
"4. A user equipment (UE) configured to operate in a wireless communication system, the UE comprising:\nat least one transceiver;\nat least one processor; and\nat least one computer memory operably connectable to the at least one processor and storing instructions that, when executed, cause the at least one processor to perform operations comprising:\nreceiving channel state information (CSI) configuration information for a plurality of cells; and\ntransmitting, based on the CSI configuration information, a periodic CSI report through a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH),\nwherein based on a collision of a first CSI report, comprising a wideband channel quality indicator (CQI) of a first cell among the plurality of cells, with a second CSI report, comprising a subband CQI of a second cell among the plurality of cells, occurring in one subframe: (i) the first CSI report is transmitted in the periodic CSI report and (ii) the second CSI report is dropped,\nwherein the first cell and the second cell are different from each other,\nwherein the wideband CQI is a CQI obtained based on a set of subbands in a system bandwidth,\nwherein the subband CQI is a CQI obtained based on a subband within the set of subbands, and\nwherein based on a collision between a plurality of CSI reports for the plurality of cells occurring in one subframe: (i) a CSI report of a cell with a lowest cell index among the plurality of cells is transmitted in the periodic CSI report and (ii) remaining CSI reports except for the CSI report of the cell with the lowest cell index are dropped.",
"5. The UE of claim 4, wherein the CSI configuration information comprises configuration information regarding the periodic CSI report.",
"6. The UE of claim 5, wherein configuration information regarding the periodic CSI report comprises information regarding a reporting period.",
"7. An apparatus configured to operate in a wireless communication system, the apparatus comprising:\nat least one transceiver;\nat least one processor; and\nat least one computer memory operably connectable to the at least one processor and storing instructions that, when executed, cause the at least one processor to perform operations comprising:\nreceiving channel state information (CSI) configuration information for a plurality of cells; and\ntransmitting, based on the CSI configuration information, a periodic CSI report through a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH),\nwherein based on a collision of a first CSI report, comprising a wideband channel quality indicator (CQI) of a first cell among the plurality of cells, with a second CSI report, comprising a subband CQI of a second cell among the plurality of cells, occurring in one subframe: (i) the first CSI report is transmitted in the periodic CSI report and (ii) the second CSI report is dropped,\nwherein the first cell and the second cell are different from each other,\nwherein the wideband CQI is a CQI obtained based on a set of subbands in a system bandwidth,\nwherein the subband CQI is a CQI obtained based on a subband within the set of subbands, and\nwherein based on a collision between a plurality of CSI reports for the plurality of cells occurring in one subframe: (i) a CSI report of a cell with a lowest cell index among the plurality of cells is transmitted in the periodic CSI report and (ii) remaining CSI reports except for the CSI report of the cell with the lowest cell index are dropped.",
"8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the CSI configuration information comprises configuration information regarding the periodic CSI report."
],
[
"1. A method for supporting activation/deactivation of serving cells by a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system, the method comprising:\nreceiving serving cell configuration information transmitted from a base station (eNB) through radio resource control (RRC) signaling, the serving cell configuration information indicates one or more serving cells to be configured in the UE;\nconfiguring the indicated one or more serving cells based on the received serving cell configuration information;\nreceiving a medium access control (MAC) message comprising a logical channel identifier (LCID) and a MAC control element (MAC CE);\ndetermining, based on the LCID, whether the MAC CE includes activation information on the one or more serving cells configured in the UE;\nin response to determining that the MAC CE includes the activation information, determining an activation group of serving cell for the UE, wherein the activation group of serving cell consists of one or more cells, among the one or more serving cells, indicated as a value of “1” by corresponding bits in the activation information;\nactivating the one or more cells included in the activation group of serving cell; and\nreceiving a downlink control channel or a downlink data channel from the eNB or transmitting an uplink data channel to the eNB by using the activated cells,\nwherein the activation information included in the MAC CE has a length corresponding to an integer multiple of 8 bits,\nwherein the least significant bit (LSB) of the activation information is set as a reserved bit,\nwherein the other bits of the activation information indicate the one or more cells included in the activation group of serving cell, and\nwherein indices of the one or more cells included in the activation group of serving cell are identified based on an order starting from the LSB of the other bits of the activation information.",
"2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\ndetermining a deactivation group of serving cell for the UE, wherein the deactivation group of serving cell consists of one or more cells, among the one or more serving cells, indicated as a value of “0” by corresponding bits in the activation information; and\ndeactivating the one or more cells included in the deactivation group of serving cell;\nwherein monitoring a downlink control channel and/or a downlink data channel from the eNB is stopped on the deactivated cells, and\nwherein transmitting an uplink data channel to the eNB by using the deactivated cells is stopped.",
"3. A user equipment (UE) to support activation/deactivation of serving cells in a wireless communication system, the UE comprising:\na communication processor configured to:\nreceive serving cell configuration information transmitted from a base station (eNB) through radio resource control (RRC) signaling, the serving cell configuration information indicates one or more serving cells to be configured in the UE;\nreceive a medium access control (MAC) message comprising a logical channel identifier (LCID) and a MAC control element (MAC CE);\nconfigure the indicated one or more serving cells based on the received serving cell configuration information;\ndetermine, based on the LCID, whether the MAC CE includes activation information on the one or more serving cells configured in the UE;\ndetermine, in response to determining that the MAC CE includes the activation information an activation group of serving cell for the UE, wherein the activation group of serving cell consists of one or more cells, among the one or more serving cells, indicated as a value of “1” by corresponding bits in the activation information;\nactivate the one or more cells included in the activation group of serving cell; and\nreceive a downlink control channel or a downlink data channel from the eNB or transmit an uplink data channel to the eNB by using the activated cells,\nwherein the activation information included in the MAC CE has a length corresponding to an integer multiple of 8 bits,\nwherein the least significant bit (LSB) of the activation information is set as a reserved bit,\nwherein the other bits of the activation information indicate the one or more cells included in the activation group of serving cell, and\nwherein indices of the one or more cells included in the activation group of serving cell are identified based on an order starting from the LSB of the other bits of the activation information.",
"4. The UE of claim 3,\nwherein the communication processor further configured to:\ndetermine a deactivation group of serving cell for the UE, wherein the deactivation group of serving cell consists of one or more cells, among the one or more serving cells, indicated as a value of “0” by corresponding bits in the activation information;\ndeactivate the one or more cells included in the deactivation group of serving cell;\nstop monitoring a downlink control channel and/or a downlink data channel from the eNB on the deactivated cells; and\nstop transmitting an uplink data channel to the eNB by using the deactivated cells.",
"5. A method for supporting activation/deactivation of serving cells by a base station (eNB) in a wireless communication system, the method comprising:\ntransmitting serving cell configuration information to a user equipment (UE) through radio resource control (RRC) signaling, the serving cell configuration information indicates one or more serving cells to be configured in the UE;\ndetermining an activation group of serving cell for the UE, wherein the activation group of serving cell consists of one or more cells among the one or more serving cells configured in the UE;\ngenerating, based on the determined activation group of serving cell, activation information on the one or more serving cells configured in the UE, the activation information indicating the one or more cells included in the activation group of serving cell as a value of “1” by corresponding bits in the activation information;\ntransmitting a medium access control (MAC) message comprising a logical channel identifier (LCID) and a MAC control element (MAC CE), the LCID having a value that indicating the MAC CE includes the activation information; and\ntransmitting a downlink control channel or a downlink data channel to the UE or receiving an uplink data channel from the UE by using the one or more cells in the activation group,\nwherein the activation information included in the MAC CE has a length corresponding to an integer multiple of 8 bits,\nwherein the least significant bit (LSB) of the activation information is set as a reserved bit,\nwherein the other bits of the activation information indicate the one or more cells included in the activation group of serving cell, and\nwherein indices of the one or more cells included in the activation group of serving cell are identified based on an order starting from the LSB of the other bits of the activation information.",
"6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:\ndetermining a deactivation group of serving cell for the UE, the deactivation group of serving cell consisting of one or more cells among the one or more serving cells configured in the UE,\nwherein the activation information further indicates the one or more cells included in the deactivation group of serving cell as a value of “0” by corresponding bits in the activation information,\nwherein transmitting a downlink control channel or a downlink data channel to the UE by using the one or more cells in the deactivation group is stopped, and\nwherein monitoring an uplink data channel from the UE on the one or more cells in the deactivation group is stopped.",
"7. A base station (eNB) to support activation/deactivation of serving cells in a wireless communication system, the eNB comprising:\na communication processor configured to:\ntransmit serving cell configuration information to a user equipment (UE) through radio resource control (RRC) signaling, the serving cell configuration information indicates one or more serving cells to be configured in the UE;\ndetermine an activation group of serving cell for the UE, wherein the activation group of serving cell consists of one or more cells among the one or more serving cells configured in the UE;\ngenerate, based on the determined activation group of serving cell, activation information on the one or more serving cells configured in the UE, the activation information indicating the one or more cells included in the activation group of serving cell as a value of “1” by corresponding bits in the activation information;\ntransmit a medium access control (MAC) message comprising a logical channel identifier (LCID) and a MAC control element (MAC CE), the LCID having a value that indicating the MAC CE includes activation information on the one or more serving cells configured in the UE; and\ntransmit a downlink control channel or a downlink data channel to the UE or to receive an uplink data channel from the UE by using the one or more cells in the activation group,\nwherein the activation information included in the MAC CE has a length corresponding to an integer multiple of 8 bits,\nwherein the least significant bit (LSB) of the activation information is set as a reserved bit,\nwherein the other bits of the activation information indicate the one or more cells included in the activation group of serving cell, and\nwherein indices of the one or more cells included in the activation group of serving cell are identified based on an order starting from the LSB of the other bits of the activation information.",
"8. The eNB of claim 7,\nwherein the communication processor further configured to:\ndetermine a deactivation group of serving cell for the UE, the deactivation group of serving cell consisting of one or more cells among the one or more serving cells configured in the UE,\nwherein the activation information further indicates the one or more cells included in the deactivation group of serving cell as a value of “0” by corresponding bits in the activation information,\nwherein the communication processor is configured to stop transmitting a downlink control channel or a downlink data channel to the UE by using the one or more cells in the deactivation group, and\nwherein the communication processor is configured to stop monitoring an uplink data channel from the UE on the one or more cells in the deactivation group."
],
[
"1. A method performed by a communication device in a wireless communication system, the method comprising:\nreceiving information associated with a plurality of physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) resources through a higher layer signaling;\nmodulating control information including acknowledgement/negative acknowledgement (ACK/NACK) to provide N modulation symbols;\nspreading a block of modulation symbols using an orthogonal sequence with a spreading factor M to provide a length-L spread modulation symbol sequence,\nwherein the block of modulation symbols includes L/M modulation symbols among the N modulation symbols, and L is a number of subcarriers in a resource block (RB);\ndiscrete fourier transforming the length-L spread modulation symbol sequence to provide a length-L complex-valued symbol sequence;\nmapping the length-L complex-valued symbol sequence to resource elements of an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM)-based symbol for PUCCH; and\ntransmitting the mapped length-L complex-valued symbol sequence through the OFDM-based symbol for the PUCCH,\nwherein a resource for the PUCCH is indicated by PUCCH resource information in a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) associated with the ACK/NACK from among the plurality of PUCCH resources.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein M is 2.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein L is 12.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein the control information includes multiple ACK/NACKs for a plurality of data.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein the PUCCH resource includes at least one of a physical resource block index and an orthogonal sequence index.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein the PUCCH resource information is composed of 2 bits and indicates one of up to 4 PUCCH resources configured by a higher layer.",
"7. A communication device configured to operate in a wireless communication system, the communication device comprising:\na transmitter and a receiver; and\na processor operatively connectable to the transmitter and the receiver,\nwherein the processor is configured to perform operations comprising:\nreceiving information associated with a plurality of physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) resources through a higher layer signaling;\nmodulating control information including acknowledgement/negative acknowledgement (ACK/NACK) to provide N modulation symbols,\nspreading a block of modulation symbols using an orthogonal sequence with a spreading factor M to provide a length-L spread modulation symbol sequence,\nwherein the block of modulation symbols includes L/M modulation symbols among the N modulation symbols, and L is a number of subcarriers in a resource block (RB),\ndiscrete fourier transforming the length-L spread modulation symbol sequence to provide a length-L complex-valued symbol sequence,\nmapping the length-L complex-valued symbol sequence to resource elements of an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM)-based symbol for PUCCH, and\ntransmitting the mapped length-L complex-valued symbol sequence through the OFDM-based symbol for the PUCCH,\nwherein a resource for the PUCCH is indicated by PUCCH resource information in a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) associated with the ACK/NACK from among the plurality of PUCCH resources.",
"8. The UE of claim 7, wherein M is 2.",
"9. The UE of claim 7, wherein L is 12.",
"10. The UE of claim 7, wherein the control information includes multiple ACK/NACKs for a plurality of data.",
"11. The UE of claim 7, wherein the PUCCH resource includes at least one of a physical resource block index and an orthogonal sequence index.",
"12. The UE of claim 7, wherein the PUCCH resource information is composed of 2 bits and indicates one of up to 4 PUCCH resources configured by a higher layer.",
"13. A communication device configured to operate in a wireless communication system, the communication device comprising:\nat least one processor; and\nat least one memory operably connectable to the at least one processor and storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, perform operations comprising:\nreceiving information associated with a plurality of physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) resources through a higher layer signaling;\nmodulating control information including acknowledgement/negative acknowledgement (ACK/NACK) to provide N modulation symbols;\nspreading a block of modulation symbols using an orthogonal sequence with a spreading factor M to provide a length-L spread modulation symbol sequence,\nwherein the block of modulation symbols includes L/M modulation symbols among the N modulation symbols, and L is a number of subcarriers in a resource block (RB);\ndiscrete fourier transforming the length-L spread modulation symbol sequence to provide a length-L complex-valued symbol sequence;\nmapping the length-L complex-valued symbol sequence to resource elements of an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM)-based symbol for PUCCH; and\ntransmitting the mapped length-L complex-valued symbol sequence through the OFDM-based symbol for the PUCCH,\nwherein a resource for the PUCCH is indicated by PUCCH resource information in a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) associated with the ACK/NACK from among the plurality of PUCCH resources.",
"14. The communication device of claim 13, wherein M is 2.",
"15. The communication device of claim 13, wherein L is 12.",
"16. The communication device of claim 13, wherein the control information includes multiple ACK/NACKs for a plurality of data.",
"17. The communication device of claim 13, wherein the PUCCH resource includes at least one of a physical resource block index and an orthogonal sequence index.",
"18. The communication device of claim 13, wherein the PUCCH resource information is composed of 2 bits and indicates one of up to 4 PUCCH resources configured by a higher layer."
],
[
"1. A method of a User Equipment (UE), the method comprising:\nmonitoring a first Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH), via a first spatial Quasi-Colocation (QCL) assumption associated with a first Transmission Configuration Indicator (TCI) state, on a first monitoring occasion of a first Control Resource Set (CORESET);\nmonitoring a second PDCCH, via a second spatial QCL assumption associated with a second TCI state, on a second monitoring occasion of a second CORESET;\ndetermining an interval between a last orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol of a reference monitoring occasion and a starting OFDM symbol of a scheduled Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH), wherein the reference monitoring occasion is a last monitoring occasion of the first monitoring occasion and the second monitoring occasion, and wherein the scheduled PDSCH is scheduled by the first PDCCH and the second PDCCH; and\nbased on the interval being larger than or equal to a threshold, receiving the scheduled PDSCH via a third spatial QCL assumption associated with a third TCI state, wherein the third TCI state is determined based on a lowest CORESET identity of a first CORESET identity of the first CORESET and a second CORESET identity of the second CORESET.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of:\nthe threshold is associated with determining whether or not to use a default beam of a default TCI state for reception of a PDSCH; or\nthe threshold is timeDurationForQCL.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of:\nthe first TCI state is activated for receiving the first CORESET and the first PDCCH does not comprise a TCI field;\nthe first CORESET is not configured with tci-PresentInDCI;\ntci-PresentInDCI is not enabled for the first CORESET;\nthe second TCI state is activated for receiving the second CORESET and the second PDCCH does not comprise a TCI field;\nthe second CORESET is not configured with tci-PresentInDCI; or\ntci-PresentInDCI is not enabled for the second CORESET.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of:\nthe third TCI state is the first TCI state or the second TCI state;\nthe third TCI state is the first TCI state if the first CORESET identity of the first CORESET is lower than the second CORESET identity of the second CORESET; or\nthe third TCI state is the second TCI state if the second CORESET identity is lower than the first CORESET identity of the first CORESET.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of:\nthe method comprises receiving a signal indicative of a first search space, comprising the first PDCCH, and a second search space comprising the second PDCCH; or\nbased on an association of the first search space and the second search space, the first PDCCH and the second PDCCH are associated with scheduling the scheduled PDSCH.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein:\nthe first monitoring occasion and the second monitoring occasion are in a first slot.",
"7. The method of claim 6, comprising:\nmonitoring one or more PDCCHs, associated with one or more CORESETs, in a second slot, wherein the second slot is different than the first slot and the second slot is a most recent slot in which the UE monitors PDCCH before receiving the scheduled PDSCH.",
"8. The method of claim 7, wherein:\nthe one or more CORESETs comprise a third CORESET with a lowest CORESET identity among one or more CORESET identities of the one or more CORESETs.",
"9. The method of claim 8, wherein:\nthe one or more CORESETs comprise one or more second CORESETs other than the first CORESET and the second CORESET.",
"10. The method of claim 1, wherein:\nthe first monitoring occasion of the first CORESET is in a downlink Bandwidth Part (BWP) on a serving cell; and\nthe second monitoring occasion of the second CORESET is in the downlink BWP on the serving cell.",
"11. The method of claim 10, wherein at least one of:\nthe UE is configured with a first search space and a second search space in the downlink BWP;\nthe first monitoring occasion of the first CORESET is associated with the first search space; or\nthe second monitoring occasion of the second CORESET is associated with the second search space.",
"12. A method of a User Equipment (UE), the method comprising:\nmonitoring a first Control Resource Set (CORESET), via a first spatial Quasi-Colocation (QCL) assumption associated with a first Transmission Configuration Indicator (TCI) state, on a first monitoring occasion, wherein a first Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) is associated with the first CORESET;\nmonitoring a second CORESET, via a second spatial QCL assumption associated with a second TCI state, on a second monitoring occasion, wherein:\na second PDCCH is associated with the second CORESET;\nthe first PDCCH schedules a Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH); and\nthe second PDCCH schedules the PDSCH;\ndetermining an interval between a last orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol of a reference monitoring occasion and a starting OFDM symbol of the PDSCH, wherein the reference monitoring occasion is a last monitoring occasion of the first monitoring occasion and the second monitoring occasion; and\nbased on the interval being larger than or equal to a threshold, receiving the PDSCH via a third spatial QCL assumption associated with a third TCI state, wherein the third TCI state is determined based on a lowest CORESET identity of a first CORESET identity of the first CORESET and a second CORESET identity of the second CORESET.",
"13. The method of claim 12, wherein at least one of:\nthe first TCI state is activated for receiving the first CORESET and the first PDCCH does not comprise a TCI field;\nthe first CORESET is not configured with tci-PresentInDCI;\ntci-PresentInDCI is not enabled for the first CORESET;\nthe second TCI state is activated for receiving the second CORESET and the second PDCCH does not comprise a TCI field;\nthe second CORESET is not configured with tci-PresentInDCI; or\ntci-PresentInDCI is not enabled for the second CORESET.",
"14. The method of claim 12, wherein at least one of:\nthe third TCI state is the first TCI state or the second TCI state;\nthe third TCI state is the first TCI state if the first CORESET identity of the first CORESET is lower than the second CORESET identity of the second CORESET; or\nthe third TCI state is the second TCI state if the second CORESET identity is lower than the first CORESET identity of the first CORESET.",
"15. The method of claim 12, wherein:\nthe first monitoring occasion and the second monitoring occasion are in a first slot.",
"16. The method of claim 15, comprising:\nmonitoring one or more PDCCHs, associated with one or more CORESETs, in a second slot, wherein the second slot is different than the first slot and the second slot is a most recent slot in which the UE monitors PDCCH before receiving the PDSCH.",
"17. The method of claim 16, wherein:\nthe one or more CORESETs comprise a third CORESET with a lowest CORESET identity among one or more CORESET identities of the one or more CORESETs.",
"18. The method of claim 17, wherein:\nthe one or more CORESETs comprise one or more second CORESETs other than the first CORESET and the second CORESET.",
"19. The method of claim 12, wherein:\nthe first monitoring occasion is in a downlink Bandwidth Part (BWP) on a serving cell; and\nthe second monitoring occasion is in the downlink BWP on the serving cell.",
"20. A User Equipment (UE), comprising:\na control circuit;\na processor installed in the control circuit; and\na memory installed in the control circuit and operatively coupled to the processor, wherein the processor is configured to execute a program code stored in the memory to perform operations, the operations comprising:\nmonitoring a first Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH), via a first spatial Quasi-Colocation (QCL) assumption associated with a first Transmission Configuration Indicator (TCI) state, on a first monitoring occasion of a first Control Resource Set (CORESET);\nmonitoring a second PDCCH, via a second spatial QCL assumption associated with a second TCI state, on a second monitoring occasion of a second CORESET;\ndetermining an interval between a last orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol of a reference monitoring occasion and a starting OFDM symbol of a scheduled Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH), wherein the reference monitoring occasion is a last monitoring occasion of the first monitoring occasion and the second monitoring occasion, and wherein the scheduled PDSCH is scheduled by the first PDCCH and the second PDCCH; and\nbased on the interval being larger than or equal to a threshold, receiving the scheduled PDSCH via a third spatial QCL assumption associated with a third TCI state, wherein the third TCI state is determined based on a lowest CORESET identity of a first CORESET identity of the first CORESET and a second CORESET identity of the second CORESET."
],
[
"1. A method for receiving a downlink signal by a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system, the method comprising:\nreceiving, by the UE from a base station, a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) on a carrier; and\nreceiving, by the UE from the base station, a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) related to the PDCCH on a carrier different from the carrier receiving the PDCCH,\nwherein a starting orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol of the PDSCH is indicated by information received through the PDCCH.",
"2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the carrier receiving the PDSCH is indicated by a carrier indicator field (CIF) received through the PDCCH.",
"3. The method according to claim 1, wherein an index of the starting OFDM symbol of the PDSCH is indicated by the information received through the PDCCH.",
"4. The method according to claim 1, wherein downlink control information (DCI) received through the PDCCH includes a field for the information indicating the starting OFDM symbol of the PDSCH.",
"5. A user equipment (UE) for receiving a downlink signal in a wireless communication system, the UE comprising:\na receiver; and\na processor configured to control the receiver to:\nreceive, from a base station, a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) on a carrier, and\nreceive, from the base station, a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) related to the PDCCH on a carrier different from the carrier receiving the PDCCH,\nwherein a starting orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol of the PDSCH is indicated by information received through the PDCCH.",
"6. The UE according to claim 5, wherein the carrier receiving the PDSCH is indicated by a carrier indicator field (CIF) received through the PDCCH.",
"7. The UE according to claim 5, wherein an index of the starting OFDM symbol of the PDSCH is indicated by the information received through the PDCCH.",
"8. The UE according to claim 5, wherein downlink control information (DCI) received through the PDCCH includes a field for the information indicating the starting OFDM symbol of the PDSCH.",
"9. A method for transmitting a downlink signal by a base station (BS) in a wireless communication system, the method comprising:\ntransmitting, by the BS to a user equipment, a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) on a carrier; and\ntransmitting, by the BS to the user equipment, a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) related to the PDCCH on a carrier different from the carrier transmitting the PDCCH,\nwherein a starting orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol of the PDSCH is indicated by information transmitted through the PDCCH.",
"10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the carrier transmitting the PDSCH is indicated by a carrier indicator field (CIF) transmitted through the PDCCH.",
"11. The method according to claim 9, wherein an index of the starting OFDM symbol of the PDSCH is indicated by the information transmitted through the PDCCH.",
"12. The method according to claim 9, wherein downlink control information (DCI) transmitted through the PDCCH includes a field for the information indicating the starting OFDM symbol of the PDSCH.",
"13. A base station (BS) for transmitting a downlink signal in a wireless communication system, the BS comprising:\na transmitter; and\na processor configured to control the transmitter to:\ntransmit, to a user equipment, a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) on a carrier; and\ntransmit, to the user equipment, a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) related to the PDCCH on a carrier different from the carrier transmitting the PDCCH,\nwherein a starting orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol of the PDSCH is indicated by information transmitted through the PDCCH.",
"14. The BS according to claim 13, wherein the carrier transmitting the PDSCH is indicated by a carrier indicator field (CIF) transmitted through the PDCCH.",
"15. The BS according to claim 13, wherein an index of the starting OFDM symbol of the PDSCH is indicated by the information transmitted through the PDCCH.",
"16. The BS according to claim 13, wherein downlink control information (DCI) transmitted through the PDCCH includes a field for the information indicating the starting OFDM symbol of the PDSCH."
],
[
"1. A base station apparatus comprising:\ntransmitting circuitry configured to transmit, to a user equipment, a radio resource control signal including first information used for configuring more than one sets of one or more downlink component carriers, wherein\nthe transmitting circuitry is further configured to transmit using a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) in a user equipment specific search space, to the user equipment, a downlink control information (DCI) format including a channel state information (CSI) request field set to a value for triggering a transmission of the CSI, the value for triggering the transmission of the CSI being corresponding to one set of the more than one sets of the one or more downlink component carriers, the DCI format being used for scheduling of a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) in one uplink component carrier; and\nreceiving circuitry configured to receive using the PUSCH, from the user equipment, the CSI for the one set of the more than one sets of the one or more downlink component carriers, based on the first information and the value for triggering the transmission of the CSI.",
"2. A user equipment comprising:\nreceiving circuitry configured to receive, from a base station apparatus, a radio resource control signal including first information used for configuring more than one sets of one or more downlink component carriers, wherein\nthe receiving circuitry is further configured to receive using a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) in a user equipment specific search space, from the base station apparatus, a downlink control information (DCI) format including a channel state information (CSI) request field set to a value for triggering a transmission of the CSI, the value for triggering the transmission of the CSI being corresponding to one set of the more than one sets of the one or more downlink component carriers, the DCI format being used for scheduling of a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) in one uplink component carrier; and\ntransmitting circuitry configured to transmit using the PUSCH, to the base station apparatus, the CSI for the one set of the more than one sets of the one or more downlink component carriers, based on the first information and the value set to the CSI request field.",
"3. A communication method of a base station apparatus comprising:\ntransmitting, to a user equipment, a radio resource control signal including first information used for configuring more than one sets of one or more downlink component carriers;\ntransmitting using a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) in a user equipment specific search space, to the user equipment, a downlink control information (DCI) format including a channel state information (CSI) request field set to a value for triggering a transmission of the CSI, the value for triggering the transmission of the CSI being corresponding to one set of the more than one sets of the one or more downlink component carriers, the DCI format being used for scheduling of a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) in one uplink component carrier; and\nreceiving using the PUSCH, from the user equipment, the CSI for the one set of the more than one sets of the one or more downlink component carriers, based on the first information and the value for triggering the transmission of the CSI.",
"4. A communication method of a user equipment comprising:\nreceiving, from a base station apparatus, a radio resource control signal including first information used for configuring more than one sets of one or more downlink component carriers;\nreceiving using a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) in a user equipment specific search space, from the base station apparatus, a downlink control information (DCI) format including a channel state information (CST) request field set to a value for triggering a transmission of the CSI, the value for triggering the transmission of the CSI being corresponding to one set of the more than one sets of the one or more downlink component carriers, the DCI format being used for scheduling of a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) in one uplink component carrier; and\ntransmitting using the PUSCH, to the base station apparatus, the CSI for the one set of the more than one sets of the one or more downlink component carriers, based on the first information and the value set to the CSI request field."
],
[
"1. A method performed by a device operating in a wireless communication system, the method comprising:\nmonitoring a plurality of User Equipment (UE)-specific search spaces, wherein each UE-specific search space comprises control channel candidates for a respective carrier; and\ndetecting a control channel related to a first carrier,\nwherein, based on control channel candidates for a second carrier having a same Downlink Control Information (DCI) size as control channel candidates for the first carrier, the control channel related to the first carrier can be received through the control channel candidates for the second carrier, and\nwherein the DCI size of the control channel candidates for each carrier is determined based on a frequency bandwidth in a respective carrier.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the control channel related to the first carrier includes a Carrier Indicator Field (CIF) for indicating the first carrier.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of UE-specific search spaces are configured in a slot.",
"4. The method of claim 3, wherein the plurality of UE-specific search spaces are configured in a control region of a carrier.",
"5. A method of transmitting a control channel by a device in a wireless communication system using multiple component carriers, the method comprising:\nconfiguring a plurality of User Equipment (UE)-specific search spaces, wherein each UE-specific search space comprises control channel candidates for a respective carrier; and\ntransmitting a control channel related to a first carrier,\nwherein, based on control channel candidates for a second carrier having a same Downlink Control Information (DCI) size as control channel candidates for the first carrier, the control channel related to the first carrier can be received through the control channel candidates for the second carrier, and\nwherein the DCI size of the control channel candidates for each carrier is determined based on a frequency bandwidth in a respective carrier.",
"6. The method of claim 5, wherein the control channel related to the first carrier includes a Carrier Indicator Field (CIF) for indicating the first carrier.",
"7. The method of claim 5, wherein the plurality of UE-specific search spaces are configured in a slot.",
"8. The method of claim 7, wherein the plurality of UE-specific search spaces are configured in a control region of a carrier.",
"9. A device configured to operate in a wireless communication system with multiple component carriers, the device comprising:\na memory; and\na processor, wherein the processor is configured to:\nmonitor a plurality of User Equipment (UE)-specific search spaces, wherein each UE-specific search space comprises control channel candidates for a respective carrier, and\ndetect a control channel related to a first carrier,\nwherein, based on control channel candidates for a second carrier having a same Downlink Control Information (DCI) size as control channel candidates for the first carrier, the control channel related to the first carrier can be received through the control channel candidates for the second carrier, and\nwherein the DCI size of the control channel candidates for each carrier is determined based on a frequency bandwidth in a respective carrier.",
"10. The device of claim 9, wherein the control channel related to the first carrier includes a Carrier Indicator Field (CIF) for indicating the first carrier.",
"11. The device of claim 9, wherein the plurality of UE-specific search spaces are configured in a slot.",
"12. The device of claim 11, wherein the plurality of UE-specific search spaces are configured in a control region of a carrier.",
"13. A device configured to operate in a wireless communication system with multiple component carriers, the device comprising:\na memory; and\na processor, wherein the processor is configured to:\nconfigure a plurality of User Equipment (UE)-specific search spaces, wherein each UE-specific search space comprises control channel candidates for a respective carrier; and\ntransmit a control channel related to a first carrier,\nwherein, based on control channel candidates for a second carrier having a same Downlink Control Information (DCI) size as control channel candidates for the first carrier, the control channel related to the first carrier can be received through the control channel candidates for the second carrier, and\nwherein the DCI size of the control channel candidates for each carrier is determined based on a frequency bandwidth in a respective carrier.",
"14. The device of claim 13, wherein the control channel related to the first carrier includes a Carrier Indicator Field (CIF) for indicating the first carrier.",
"15. The device of claim 13, wherein the plurality of UE-specific search spaces are configured in a slot.",
"16. The device of claim 15, wherein the plurality of UE-specific search spaces are configured in a control region of a carrier."
],
[
"1. A method in a wireless terminal for receiving user data in a wireless communication system enabling coordinated multipoint transmission of the user data on a Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) from a first cell site serving the wireless terminal and a second cell site neighboring the first cell site, wherein the first cell site maps control signals and user data to a plurality of time-frequency resources according to a first mapping pattern and the second cell site maps control signals and user data to the plurality of time-frequency resources according to a second mapping pattern, the method comprising:\nextracting user data, according to the first mapping pattern, from time-frequency resources of a first transmission for the wireless terminal transmitted from the first cell site;\ndetecting a control element transmitted by the first cell site, the control element comprising a bit field indicating that user data associated with the control element is mapped to the time-frequency resources according to the second mapping pattern, wherein the bit field further indicates reference-signal frequency shift information of the second cell site and/or a number of Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbols explicitly signaled for a control region of the second cell site; and\nresponsive to said detecting, extracting user data according to the second mapping pattern from time-frequency resources of a second transmission for the wireless terminal transmitted from the second cell site.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the control signals comprise one or more of control-channel data, cell-specific reference signals, user-equipment-specific reference signals, and synchronization signals.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting the control element comprises decoding one or more bits of a received downlink resource-allocation message.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein the control element indicates one of a plurality of pre-determined shift patterns for common reference signals interspersed among the time-frequency resources mapped to user data.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein the control element further indicates that the second mapping pattern maps user data to one or more fewer OFDM symbols than the first mapping pattern.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second transmissions occur during first and second non-coincident transmission time intervals.",
"7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second transmissions at least partially overlap in time, and wherein the method further comprises separating the first and second transmissions using one of space-time diversity processing and spatial de-multiplexing processing.",
"8. The method of claim 1, wherein the control signals comprise user-equipment-specific reference signals interspersed among the time-frequency resources mapped to user data according to the second mapping pattern, and wherein the method further comprises extracting the user-equipment-specific reference signals from the second transmission according to the second mapping pattern.",
"9. A wireless terminal for use in a wireless communication system enabling coordinated multipoint transmission of user data on a Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) from a first cell site serving the wireless terminal and a second cell site neighboring the first cell site, wherein the first cell site maps control signals and user data to a plurality of time-frequency resources according to a first mapping pattern and the second cell site maps control signals and user data to the plurality of time-frequency resources according to a second mapping pattern, the wireless terminal comprising a receiver circuit configured to:\nextract user data according to the first mapping pattern from time-frequency resources of a first transmission for the wireless terminal transmitted from the first cell site;\ndetect a control element transmitted by the first cell site, the control element comprising a bit field indicating that user data associated with the control element is mapped to the time-frequency resources according to the second mapping pattern, wherein the bit field further indicates reference-signal frequency shift information of the second cell site and/or a number of Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbols explicitly signaled for a control region of the second cell site; and\nin response to detecting the control element, extract user data according to the second mapping pattern from time-frequency resources of a second transmission for the wireless terminal transmitted from the second cell site.",
"10. The wireless terminal of claim 9, wherein the control signals comprise one or more of control-channel data, cell-specific reference signals, user-equipment-specific reference signals, and synchronization signals.",
"11. The wireless terminal of claim 9, wherein the receiver circuit detects the control element by decoding one or more bits of a received downlink resource-allocation message.",
"12. The wireless terminal of claim 9, wherein the control element indicates one of a plurality of pre-determined shift patterns for cell-specific reference signals interspersed among the time-frequency resources mapped to user data.",
"13. The wireless terminal of claim 9, wherein the control element further indicates that the second mapping pattern maps user data to one or more fewer OFDM symbols than the first mapping pattern.",
"14. The wireless terminal of claim 9, wherein the first and second transmissions occur during first and second non-coincident transmission time intervals.",
"15. The wireless terminal of claim 9, wherein the first and second transmissions at least partially overlap in time, and wherein the receiver circuit is further configured to separate the first and second transmissions using one of space-time diversity processing and spatial de-multiplexing processing.",
"16. The wireless terminal of claim 9, wherein the control signals comprise user-equipment-specific reference signals interspersed among the time-frequency resources mapped to user data according to the second mapping pattern, and wherein the receiver circuit is further configured to extract the user-equipment-specific reference signals from the second transmission according to the second mapping pattern.",
"17. A method for transmitting user data, in a transmitter node of a first cell site in a wireless communication system enabling coordinated multipoint transmission of user data on a Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) from the first cell site and a second cell site serving a wireless terminal and neighboring the first cell site, the method comprising:\nmapping user data, according to a first mapping pattern, to time-frequency resources of a first transmission for the wireless terminal transmitted from the first cell site; and\ntransmitting a control element comprising a bit field indicating that user data associated with the control element is mapped to the time-frequency resources according to a second mapping pattern, wherein the bit field further indicates reference-signal frequency shift information of the second cell site and/or a number of Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbols explicitly signaled for a control region of the second cell site.",
"18. The method of claim 17, further comprising including the control element in a downlink resource allocation message, wherein transmitting the control element comprises transmitting the downlink resource-allocation message.",
"19. A transmitting node for use in a first cell site in a wireless communication system, the wireless communication system enabling coordinated multipoint transmission of user data on a Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) from the first cell site and a second cell site serving a wireless terminal and neighboring the first cell site, the transmitting node comprising a transmitter circuit configured to:\nmap user data, according to a first mapping pattern, to time-frequency resources of a first transmission for the wireless terminal transmitted from the first cell site; and\ntransmit a control element comprising a bit field indicating that user data associated with the control element is mapped to the time-frequency resources according to a second mapping pattern, wherein the bit field further indicates reference-signal frequency shift information of the second cell site and/or a number of Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbols explicitly signaled for a control region of the second cell site.",
"20. The transmitting node of claim 19, wherein the transmitter circuit is further configured to include the control element in a downlink resource allocation message and to transmit the control element by transmitting the downlink resource-allocation message."
],
[
"1. A method for wireless communication by a terminal, the method comprising:\nreceiving, from a base station, first information related to a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) and second information related to a muted resource element, the second information indicating a periodicity, an offset within a resource block, and a position within a resource block of the muted resource element;\nidentifying, based on the second information, resource blocks each including at least one muted resource element, the identified resource blocks being either even indexed resource blocks or odd indexed resource blocks; and\nreceiving and processing data based on positions of muted resource elements in the identified resource blocks.",
"2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\nidentifying resource blocks each including at least one resource element associated with the CSI-RS, based on the first information,\nwherein the resource blocks each including the at least one resource element associated with the CSI-RS are either even indexed resource blocks or odd indexed resource blocks.",
"3. The method of claim 2, wherein the CSI-RS is a non-zero power CSI-RS and the muted resource element is associated with a zero-power CSI-RS.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first information indicates a periodicity and an offset within a resource block of a resource element associated with the CSI-RS.",
"5. A method for mobile communication by a base station, the method comprising:\ngenerating first information related to a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) and second information related to a muted resource element, the second information indicating a periodicity, an offset within a resource block, and a position within a resource block of the muted resource element;\ntransmitting, to a terminal, the first information and the second information; and\ntransmitting data based on positions of muted resource elements in resource blocks, wherein the resource blocks are identified at the terminal based on the second information,\nwherein the resource blocks are either even indexed resource blocks or odd indexed resource blocks.",
"6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:\ntransmitting the CSI-RS based on the first information, and\nwherein the CSI-RS is transmitted in either even indexed resource blocks or odd indexed resource blocks.",
"7. The method of claim 6, wherein the CSI-RS is a non-zero power CSI-RS and the muted resource element is associated with a zero-power CSI-RS.",
"8. The method of claim 5, wherein the first information indicates a periodicity and an offset within a resource block of a resource element associated with the CSI-RS.",
"9. A terminal for mobile communication, the terminal comprising:\na transceiver; and\na controller configured to:\nreceive, from a base station via the transceiver, first information related to a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) and second information related to a muted resource element, the second information indicating a periodicity, an offset within a resource block, and a position within a resource block of the muted resource element,\nidentify, based on the second information, resource blocks each including at least one muted resource element, the resource blocks being either even indexed resource blocks or odd indexed resource blocks, and\nreceive, via the transceiver, and process data based on positions of muted resource elements in the identified resource blocks.",
"10. The terminal of claim 9, wherein the controller is further configured to:\nidentify resource blocks each including at least one resource element associated with the CSI-RS, based on the first information,\nwherein the resource blocks each including the at least one resource element associated with the CSI-RS are either even indexed resource blocks or odd indexed resource blocks.",
"11. The terminal of claim 10, wherein the CSI-RS is a non-zero power CSI-RS and the muted resource element is associated with a zero-power CSI-RS.",
"12. The terminal of claim 9, wherein the first information indicates a periodicity and an offset within a resource block of a resource element associated with the CSI-RS.",
"13. A base station for mobile communication, the base station comprising:\na transceiver; and\na controller configured to:\ngenerate first information related to a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) and second information related to a muted resource element, the second information indicating a periodicity, an offset within a resource block, and a position within a resource block of the muted resource element,\ntransmit, to a terminal via the transceiver, the first information and the second information, and\ntransmit, via the transceiver, data based on positions of muted resource elements in resource blocks,\nwherein the resource blocks are identified at the terminal based on the second information, and\nwherein the resource blocks are either even indexed resource blocks or odd indexed resource blocks.",
"14. The base station of claim 13,\nwherein the controller is further configured to transmit the CSI-RS based on the first information,\nwherein the CSI-RS is transmitted in either even indexed resource blocks or odd indexed resource blocks.",
"15. The base station of claim 14, wherein the CSI-RS is a non-zero power CSI-RS and the muted resource element is associated with a zero-power CSI-RS.",
"16. The base station of claim 13, wherein the first information indicates a periodicity and an offset within a resource block of a resource element associated with the CSI-RS."
],
[
"1. A method in a user equipment (UE), the method comprising:\nreceiving a first reference signal of a first type from a first antenna port;\nreceiving a second reference signal of a second type from a second antenna port; and\ndetermining, based at least on an indication received in Downlink Control Information, that one or more channel properties of the second antenna port can be inferred from the first reference signal received from the first antenna port.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first type of reference signal is a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) or a cell-specific reference signal, and the second type of reference signal is a demodulation reference signal (DM-RS).",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein the UE is enabled to perform channel estimation based on the second reference signal using at least one or more channel properties estimated using the first reference signal.",
"4. The method of claim 1, the UE determining which one or more channel properties of the second antenna port that can be inferred from the first reference signal received from the first antenna port.",
"5. The method of claim 1, the UE determining, based at least on the received indication, that the first and second antenna ports are co-located.",
"6. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more channel properties are one or more of: signal-to-noise ratio, delay spread, Doppler spread, received timing, and number of significant channel taps.",
"7. The method of claim 1, the UE performing channel estimation based on the second reference signal using at least one or more channel properties estimated using the first reference signal.",
"8. The method of claim 1, wherein the received indication further indicates a plurality of resource blocks or resource block groups across which the first and second antenna ports share one or more channel properties, and wherein the UE receives signals corresponding to the first and the second antenna ports from the same transmission point or set of transmission points over the indicated plurality of resource blocks or resource block groups.",
"9. A method in a network node, the method comprising:\nobtaining an indication that a first antenna port and a second antenna port share one or more channel properties;\ntransmitting, to a user equipment (UE), a first reference signal of a first type from the first antenna port;\ntransmitting, to the UE, a second reference signal of a second type from the second antenna port; and\ntransmitting, to the UE, an indication in Downlink Control Information of the first and second antenna ports.",
"10. The method of claim 9, wherein the first type of reference signal is a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) or a cell-specific reference signal, and the second type of reference signal is a demodulation reference signal (DM-RS).",
"11. The method of claim 9, wherein the indication enables the UE to perform channel estimation based on the second reference signal using at least one or more channel properties estimated using the first reference signal.",
"12. The method of claim 9, wherein the indication enables the UE to determine which one or more channel properties of the second antenna port that can be inferred from the first reference signal transmitted from the first antenna port.",
"13. The method of claim 9, wherein the indication enables the UE to determine, based at least on the transmitted indication, that the first and second antenna ports are co-located.",
"14. The method of claim 9, wherein the one or more channel properties are one or more of: signal-to-noise ratio, delay spread, Doppler spread, received timing, and number of significant channel taps.",
"15. The method of claim 9, wherein the indication enables the UE to perform channel estimation based on the second reference signal using at least one or more channel properties estimated using the first reference signal.",
"16. The method of claim 9, wherein the transmitted indication further indicates a plurality of resource blocks or resource block groups across which the first and second antenna ports share one or more channel properties, and wherein the network node transmits signals corresponding to the first and the second antenna ports from the same transmission point or set of transmission points over the indicated plurality of resource blocks or resource block groups.",
"17. A user equipment (UE), wherein the UE is configured to:\nreceive a first reference signal of a first type from a first antenna port;\nreceive a second reference signal of a second type from a second antenna port; and\ndetermine, based at least on an indication received in Downlink Control Information, that one or more channel properties of the second antenna port can be inferred from the first reference signal received from the first antenna port.",
"18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the first type of reference signal is a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) or a cell-specific reference signal, and the second type of reference signal is a demodulation reference signal (DM-RS).",
"19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the UE is configured to perform channel estimation based on the second reference signal using at least one or more channel properties estimated using the first reference signal.",
"20. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the UE is configured to determine which one or more channel properties of the second antenna port that can be inferred from the first reference signal received from the first antenna port.",
"21. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the UE is configured to determine, based at least on the received indication, that the first and second antenna ports are co-located.",
"22. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the one or more channel properties are one or more of: signal-to-noise ratio, delay spread, Doppler spread, received timing, and number of significant channel taps.",
"23. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the UE is configured to perform channel estimation based on the second reference signal using at least one or more channel properties estimated using the first reference signal.",
"24. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the received indication further indicates a plurality of resource blocks or resource block groups across which the first and second antenna ports share one or more channel properties, and wherein the UE receives signals corresponding to the first and the second antenna ports from the same transmission point or set of transmission points over the indicated plurality of resource blocks or resource block groups."
],
[
"1. An apparatus comprising:\none or more antennas;\none or more processors;\nmemory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to:\nfor a first code division multiplexing (CDM) group and based on a plurality of first orthogonal cover code values, map a demodulation reference signal (DM-RS), associated with at least one antenna port of a first set of antenna ports, to first adjacent resource elements corresponding to two adjacent symbols in a time axis and corresponding to first two adjacent subcarriers in a frequency axis, wherein the plurality of first orthogonal cover code values comprise:\northogonal cover code values associated with a first subcarrier of the first two adjacent subcarriers; and\northogonal cover code values associated with a second subcarrier of the first two adjacent subcarriers;\nfor a second CDM group and based on a plurality of second orthogonal cover code values, map a DM-RS, associated with at least one antenna port of a second set of antenna ports, to second adjacent resource elements corresponding to the two adjacent symbols in the time axis and corresponding to second two adjacent subcarriers in the frequency axis, wherein the plurality of second orthogonal cover code values comprise:\northogonal cover code values associated with a first subcarrier of the second two adjacent subcarriers; and\northogonal cover code values associated with a second subcarrier of the second two adjacent subcarriers; and\nfor a third CDM group and based on a plurality of third orthogonal cover code values, map a DM-RS, associated with at least one antenna port of a third set of antenna ports, to third adjacent resource elements corresponding to the two adjacent symbols in the time axis and corresponding to third two adjacent subcarriers in the frequency axis, wherein the plurality of third orthogonal cover code values comprise:\northogonal cover code values associated with a first subcarrier of the third two adjacent subcarriers; and\northogonal cover code values associated with a second subcarrier of the third two adjacent subcarriers; and\na wireless transceiver to communicate, via the one or more antennas, at least one of:\nthe DM-RS associated with at least one antenna port of the first set;\nthe DM-RS associated with at least one antenna port of the second set; or\nthe DM-RS associated with at least one antenna port of the third set.",
"2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the first CDM group, the second CDM group, and the third CDM group is associated with four different antenna ports.",
"3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first adjacent resource elements comprise a first resource element having a symbol index x and a subcarrier index y, a second resource element having a symbol index x and a subcarrier index (y+1), a third resource element having a symbol index (x+1) and a subcarrier index y, and a fourth resource element having a symbol index (x+1) and a subcarrier index (y+1) where x and y are positive integers, and\nwherein a sequence of four orthogonal cover code values for the first resource element, the second resource element, the third resource element, and the fourth resource element is differently determined for each antenna port in the first set.",
"4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to:\nfor the first CDM group and based on the plurality of first orthogonal cover code values, map the DM-RS associated with at least one antenna port of the first set to fourth adjacent resource elements corresponding to additional two adjacent symbols in the time axis and corresponding to the first two adjacent subcarriers in the frequency axis,\nwherein at least one symbol exists between the two adjacent symbols and the additional two adjacent symbols, and\nwherein the two adjacent symbols and the additional two adjacent symbols are comprised in one slot.",
"5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the DM-RS associated with at least one antenna port of the first set comprises a DM-RS for a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), and\nwherein communicating the DM-RS associated with at least one antenna port of the first set comprises communicating, from a base station and to a wireless user device, the DM-RS associated with at least one antenna port of the first set.",
"6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the DM-RS associated with at least one antenna port of the first set comprises a DM-RS for a physical sidelink shared channel (PSSCH), and\nwherein communicating the DM-RS associated with at least one antenna port of the first set comprises communicating, from a wireless user device and to another wireless user device, the DM-RS associated with at least one antenna port of the first set.",
"7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the DM-RS associated with at least one antenna port of the first set comprises a DM-RS for a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), and\nwherein communicating the DM-RS associated with at least one antenna port of the first set comprises communicating, from a wireless user device and to a base station, the DM-RS associated with at least one antenna port of the first set.",
"8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first adjacent resource elements is adjacent to at least one of the second adjacent resource elements, and\nwherein at least one of the second adjacent resource elements is adjacent to at least one of the third adjacent resource elements.",
"9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one orthogonal cover code comprises a length-2 orthogonal cover code associated with:\nthe first two adjacent subcarriers;\nthe second two adjacent subcarriers; and\nthe third two adjacent subcarriers.",
"10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the orthogonal cover code values associated with the first subcarrier of the first two adjacent subcarriers comprise at least one of:\n[+1, +1] associated with a first antenna port of the first set;\n[+1, +1] associated with a second antenna port of the first set;\n[+1, −1] associated with a third antenna port of the first set; or\n[+1, −1] associated with a fourth antenna port of the first set.",
"11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the orthogonal cover code values associated with the second subcarrier of the first two adjacent subcarriers comprise at least one of:\n[+1, +1] associated with a first antenna port of the first set;\n[−1, −1] associated with a second antenna port of the first set;\n[+1, −1] associated with a third antenna port of the first set; or\n[−1, +1] associated with a fourth antenna port of the first set.",
"12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a base station or a wireless user device.",
"13. An apparatus comprising:\none or more antennas;\none or more processors;\nmemory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to:\nfor a first code division multiplexing (CDM) group and based on at least one first orthogonal cover code, map a first demodulation reference signal (DM-RS), associated with at least one antenna port of a first set of antenna ports, to first four adjacent resource elements corresponding to two adjacent orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols in a time axis and corresponding to first two adjacent subcarriers in a frequency axis, wherein the at least one first orthogonal cover code is associated with the first two adjacent subcarriers;\nfor a second CDM group and based on at least one second orthogonal cover code, map a second DM-RS, associated with at least one antenna port of a second set of antenna ports, to second four adjacent resource elements corresponding to the two adjacent OFDM symbols in the time axis and corresponding to second two adjacent subcarriers in the frequency axis, wherein the at least one second orthogonal cover code is associated with the second two adjacent subcarriers; and\nfor a third CDM group and based on at least one third orthogonal cover code, map a third DM-RS, associated with at least one antenna port of a third set of antenna ports, to third four adjacent resource elements corresponding to the two adjacent OFDM symbols in the time axis and corresponding to third two adjacent subcarriers in the frequency axis, wherein the at least one third orthogonal cover code is associated with the third two adjacent subcarriers; and\na wireless transceiver to communicate, via the one or more antennas, at least one of:\nthe first DM-RS associated with at least one antenna port of the first set;\nthe second DM-RS associated with at least one antenna port of the second set; or\nthe third DM-RS associated with at least one antenna port of the third set.",
"14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein:\nthe at least one first orthogonal cover code is associated with four orthogonal cover code values corresponding to the first four adjacent resource elements;\nthe at least one second orthogonal cover code is associated with four orthogonal cover code values corresponding to the second four adjacent resource elements; and\nthe at least one third orthogonal cover code is associated with four orthogonal cover code values corresponding to the third four adjacent resource elements.",
"15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the four orthogonal cover code values corresponding to the first four adjacent resource elements comprise at least one of:\n[+1, +1, +1, +1] associated with a first antenna port of the first set;\n[+1, −1, +1, −1] associated with a second antenna port of the first set;\n[+1, +1, −1, −1] associated with a third antenna port of the first set; or\n[+1, −1, −1, +1] associated with a fourth antenna port of the first set.",
"16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the apparatus comprises a base station or a wireless user device.",
"17. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein antenna ports associated with the second CDM group are configured to be selected for DM-RS transmission after selecting at least one antenna port, associated with the first CDM group, for DM-RS transmission, and\nwherein antenna ports associated with the third CDM group are configured to be selected for DM-RS transmission after selecting at least one antenna port, associated with the second CDM group, for DM-RS transmission."
],
[
"1. A communication apparatus comprising:\na receiver, which, in operation, receives a Demodulation Reference Signal (DMRS) and receives downlink control information indicating a mapping pattern of the DMRS from a plurality of mapping patterns; and\ncircuitry, which, in operation, determines the mapping pattern based on the downlink control information,\nwherein the plurality of mapping patterns includes a first mapping pattern and a second mapping pattern,\nwherein resource elements used for the DMRS of the second mapping pattern are same as a part of resource elements used for the DMRS of the first mapping pattern, and\nwherein a number of the resource elements used for the DMRS of the first mapping pattern is larger than a number of the resource elements used for the DMRS of the second mapping pattern,\nwherein a density of the DMRS of the first mapping pattern is larger than a density of the DMRS of the second mapping pattern in a time domain.",
"2. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein resource elements, which are used for the DMRS of the first mapping pattern and which are not used for the DMRS of the second mapping pattern, are used for a transmission of data in the second mapping pattern.",
"3. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, the resource elements used for the DMRS is non-consecutive in a frequency domain of the first mapping pattern and in the second mapping pattern.",
"4. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein resource elements, which are used for the DMRS of the first mapping pattern and which are not used for the DMRS of the second mapping pattern, are used for a transmission of data in the second mapping pattern, and the resource elements used for the DMRS is non-consecutive in a frequency domain of the first mapping pattern and in the second mapping pattern.",
"5. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first mapping pattern and the second mapping pattern have a resource element used for the DMRS in a first half of a time unit and in a second half of the time unit, the time unit being configured of 14 Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbols.",
"6. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the downlink control information includes a plurality of bits that indicate the mapping pattern from the plurality of mapping patterns.",
"7. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein two adjacent Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbols are used for a DMRS transmission for at least one of the plurality of mapping patterns.",
"8. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of mapping patterns is indicated by a higher layer signaling.",
"9. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the downlink control information is transmitted on a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) or an Enhanced Physical Downlink Control Channel (EPDCCH).",
"10. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of mapping patterns has a different density of DMRS in a frequency domain.",
"11. A communication method comprising:\nReceiving a Demodulation Reference Signal (DMRS) and receiving downlink control information indicating a mapping pattern of the DMRS from a plurality of mapping patterns; and\ndetermining the mapping pattern based on the downlink control information,\nwherein the plurality of mapping patterns includes a first mapping pattern and a second mapping pattern,\nwherein resource elements used for the DMRS of the second mapping pattern are same as a part of resource elements used for the DMRS of the first mapping pattern, and\nwherein a number of the resource elements used for the DMRS of the first mapping pattern is larger than a number of the resource elements used for the DMRS of the second mapping pattern,\nwherein a density of the DMRS of the first mapping pattern is larger than a density of the DMRS of the second mapping pattern in a time domain.",
"12. The communication method according to claim 11, wherein resource elements, which are used for the DMRS of the first mapping pattern and which are not used for the DMRS of the second mapping pattern, are used for a transmission of data in the second mapping pattern.",
"13. The communication method according to claim 11, the resource elements used for the DMRS is non-consecutive in a frequency domain of the first mapping pattern and in the second mapping pattern.",
"14. The communication method according to claim 11, wherein resource elements, which are used for the DMRS of the first mapping pattern and which are not used for the DMRS of the second mapping pattern, are used for a transmission of data in the second mapping pattern, and the resource elements used for the DMRS is non-consecutive in a frequency domain of the first mapping pattern and in the second mapping pattern.",
"15. The communication method according to claim 11, wherein the first mapping pattern and the second mapping pattern have a resource element used for the DMRS in a first half of a time unit and in a second half of the time unit, the time unit being configured of 14 Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbols.",
"16. The communication method according to claim 11, wherein the downlink control information includes a plurality of bits that indicate the mapping pattern from the plurality of mapping patterns.",
"17. The communication method according to claim 11, wherein two adjacent Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbols are used for a DMRS transmission for at least one of the plurality of mapping patterns.",
"18. The communication method according to claim 11, wherein the plurality of mapping patterns is indicated by a higher layer signaling.",
"19. The communication method according to claim 11, wherein the downlink control information is transmitted on a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) or an Enhanced Physical Downlink Control Channel (EPDCCH).",
"20. The communication method according to claim 11, wherein each of the plurality of mapping patterns has a different density of DMRS in a frequency domain."
],
[
"1. A method of transmitting an uplink sounding reference signal (SRS) in user equipment (UE) in a coordinated multi-point transmission/reception system (CoMP system), the method comprising:\nreceiving, by the user equipment, UE-specific configuration information including an uplink reference signal identity associated with an uplink channel, from a first transmission/reception point of a plurality of different transmission/reception points, wherein the uplink reference signal identity is independent of a physical cell identity of the first transmission/reception point and indicates a second transmission/reception point as a reception entity of the uplink channel; and\nperforming, by the user equipment, an independent transmission of the uplink channel and an SRS to different transmission/reception points, using the uplink reference signal identity or the physical cell identity according to a type of an uplink transmission,\nwherein when the type of the uplink transmission is an uplink channel transmission,\nthe performing includes:\nobtaining the uplink reference signal identity from the received UE-specific configuration information;\ndetermining the second transmission/reception point indicated by the uplink reference signal identity, as an uplink channel reception entity, wherein the second transmission/reception point is different from the first transmission/reception point; and\ntransmitting, by the user equipment, the uplink channel to the determined second transmission/reception point, using the uplink reference signal identity;\nwherein when the type of the uplink transmission is an SRS transmission,\nthe performing includes:\ngenerating, by the user equipment, an SRS independent of the uplink channel, using the physical cell identity of the first transmission/reception point;\ndetermining the first transmission/reception point which has transmitted the UE-specific configuration information to the user equipment, as an SRS reception entity; and\ntransmitting, by the user equipment, the generated SRS to the determined first transmission/reception point;\nwherein:\nthe SRS includes at least one of a periodic SRS and an aperiodic SRS,\nthe generating an SRS includes generating both the periodic SRS and the aperiodic SRS using the physical cell identity of the first transmission/reception point, and\nthe transmitting the generated SRS includes transmitting one of the periodic SRS and the aperiodic SRS to the first transmission/reception point indicated by the physical cell identity;\nwherein the uplink channel is at least one of a physical uplink shared channel and a physical uplink control channel; and\nwherein the receiving UE-specific configuration information includes receiving, from the first transmission/reception point, the UE-specific configuration information including the uplink reference signal identity, either through a UE-specific parameter, or dynamically through at least one of a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) and an enhanced physical downlink control channel (EPDCCH).",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein:\nthe generating an SRS includes generating one of the periodic SRS and the aperiodic SRS using the physical cell identity of the first transmission/reception point, and the other SRS using the uplink reference signal identity; and\nthe transmitting the generated SRS includes transmitting one of the periodic SRS and the aperiodic SRS to the first transmission/reception point, and the other SRS to the second transmission/reception point indicated by the uplink reference signal identity.",
"3. User equipment in a coordinated multi-point transmission/reception system (CoMP system), the user equipment comprising:\na receiver configured to receive UE-specific configuration information including an uplink reference signal identity associated with an uplink channel, from a first transmission/reception point of a plurality of different transmission/reception points, wherein the uplink reference signal identity is independent of a physical cell identity of the first transmission/reception point and indicates a second transmission/reception point as a reception entity of the uplink channel; and\na transmitter configured to perform an independent transmission of the uplink channel and a sounding reference signal (SRS) to different transmission/reception points, using the uplink reference signal identity or the physical cell identity according to whether a type of an uplink transmission is an uplink channel transmission or an SRS transmission,\nwherein the transmitter includes:\nan uplink channel transmission unit configured to obtain the uplink reference signal identity from the received UE-specific configuration information; to determine the second transmission/reception point indicated by the uplink reference signal identity, as an uplink channel reception entity; and to transmit the uplink channel to the determined second transmission/reception point, using the uplink reference signal identity, wherein the second transmission/reception point is different from the first transmission/reception point;\nan SRS generating unit configured to generate an SRS being independent of the uplink channel, using the physical cell identity of the first transmission/reception point; and\nan SRS transmitting unit configured to determine the first transmission/reception point which has transmitted the UE-specific configuration information to the user equipment, as an SRS reception entity, and to transmit the generated SRS to the determined first transmission/reception point;\nwherein:\nthe SRS includes at least one of a periodic SRS and an aperiodic SRS,\nthe SRS generating unit is configured to generate both the periodic SRS and the aperiodic SRS using the physical cell identity of the first transmission/reception point, and\nthe SRS transmitting unit is configured to transmit one of the periodic SRS and the aperiodic SRS to the first transmission/reception point indicated by the physical cell identity;\nwherein the uplink channel is at least one of a physical uplink shared channel and a physical uplink control channel; and\nwherein the receiver is configured to receive, from the first transmission/reception point, the UE-specific configuration information including the uplink reference signal identity, either through a UE-specific parameter, or dynamically through at least one of a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) and an enhanced physical downlink control channel (EPDCCH).",
"4. The user equipment of claim 3, wherein:\nthe SRS generating unit is configured to generate one of the periodic SRS and the aperiodic SRS using the physical cell identity of the first transmission/reception point, and to generate the other SRS using the uplink reference signal identity; and\nthe SRS transmitting unit is configured to transmit one of the periodic SRS and the aperiodic SRS to the first transmission/reception point, and to transmit the other SRS to the second transmission/reception point indicated by the uplink reference signal identity.",
"5. A method of transmitting an uplink sounding reference signal (SRS) in user equipment (UE) in a coordinated multi-point transmission/reception system (CoMP system), the method comprising:\nreceiving, by the user equipment, UE-specific configuration information including a sounding reference signal (SRS) identity from a first transmission/reception point of a plurality of different transmission/reception points, wherein the SRS identity is independently determined to be distinguished from an uplink reference signal identity for an uplink channel and indicates a second transmission/reception point as a reception entity of an SRS; and\nperforming, by the user equipment, an independent transmission of the uplink channel and the SRS to different transmission/reception points, using the uplink reference signal identity or the SRS identity according to a type of an uplink transmission,\nwherein when the type of the uplink transmission is an SRS transmission,\nthe performing includes:\nobtaining, by the user equipment, the SRS identity from the received UE-specific configuration information;\ngenerating, by the user equipment, an SRS using the SRS identity;\ndetermining the second transmission/reception point UE-specifically indicated by the SRS identity, as an SRS reception entity, wherein the second transmission/reception point is different from the first transmission/reception point which has transmitted the UE-specific configuration information to the user equipment; and\ntransmitting, by the user equipment, the generated SRS to the determined second transmission/reception point;\nwherein the SRS includes at least one of a periodic SRS and an aperiodic SRS;\nwherein the generating an SRS includes generating both the periodic SRS and the aperiodic SRS using the SRS identity; and\nwherein the receiving UE-specific configuration information includes receiving, from the first transmission/reception point, the UE-specific configuration information including the SRS identity, either through a UE-specific parameter, or dynamically through at least one of a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) and an enhanced physical downlink control channel (EPDCCH).",
"6. The method of claim 5, wherein:\nthe UE-specific configuration information includes a same reference signal identity for the periodic SRS and the aperiodic SRS.",
"7. The method of claim 5, wherein:\nthe UE-specific configuration information includes a different reference signal identity for each of the periodic SRS and the aperiodic SRS.",
"8. The method of claim 5, wherein:\nthe generating an SRS includes generating one of the periodic SRS and the aperiodic SRS using the SRS identity, and the other SRS using a physical cell identity of the first transmission/reception point; and\nthe transmitting the generated SRS includes transmitting one of the periodic SRS and the aperiodic SRS to the second transmission/reception point indicated by the SRS identity, and the other SRS to the first transmission/reception point.",
"9. A method of transmitting an uplink sounding reference signal (SRS) in user equipment (UE) in a coordinated multi-point transmission/reception system (CoMP system) including a first transmission/reception point and a second transmission/reception point, the method comprising:\nreceiving, by the user equipment, UE-specific configuration information including an uplink reference signal identity which is an independent identity distinguished from a physical cell identity of the first transmission/reception point and indicates the second transmission/reception point as a reception entity of the uplink channel from the first transmission/reception point through either a UE-specific parameter or dynamically through at least one of a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) and an enhanced physical downlink control channel (EPDCCH);\ndetermining, by the user equipment, the second transmission/reception point indicated by the uplink reference signal identity included in the received UE-specific configuration information as an uplink channel reception entity, and transmitting the uplink channel to the determined second transmission/reception point, using the uplink reference signal identity; and\ngenerating, by the user equipment, both a periodic SRS and an aperiodic SRS, using the physical cell identity of the first transmission/reception point, determining the first transmission/reception point as an SRS reception entity, and transmitting the generated periodic SRS and aperiodic SRS to the determined first transmission/reception point indicated by the physical cell identity through the uplink channels.",
"10. The method of claim 9, wherein the second transmission/reception point is different from the first transmission/reception point.",
"11. The method of the claim 9, wherein the uplink channel includes a PUCCH and a PUSCH.",
"12. User equipment in a coordinated multi-point transmission/reception system (CoMP system) including a first transmission/reception point and a second transmission/reception point, the user equipment comprising:\na receiver configured to receive UE-specific configuration information including an uplink reference signal identity which is an independent identify distinguished from of a physical cell identity of the first transmission/reception point and indicates the second transmission/reception point as a reception entity of the uplink channel from the first transmission/reception point through either a UE-specific parameter or dynamically through at least one of a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) and an enhanced physical downlink control channel (EPDCCH); and\na transmitter configured to determine the second transmission/reception point indicated by the uplink reference signal identity included in the received UE-specific configuration information as an uplink channel reception entity and transmit the uplink channel to the determined second transmission/reception point, using the uplink reference signal identity, and generate both a periodic SRS and an aperiodic SRS, using the physical cell identity of the first transmission/reception point, determine the first transmission/reception point as an SRS reception entity and transmit the generated periodic SRS and aperiodic SRS to the determined first transmission/reception point indicated by the physical cell identity through the uplink channel.",
"13. The user equipment of claim 12, wherein the second transmission/reception point is different from the first transmission/reception point.",
"14. The user equipment of claim 13, wherein the uplink channel includes a PUCCH and a PUSCH.",
"15. A method of transmitting an uplink sounding reference signal (SRS) in user equipment (UE) in a coordinated multi-point transmission/reception system (CoMP system), the method comprising:\nreceiving, by the user equipment, UE-specific configuration information including a sounding reference signal (SRS) identity from a first transmission/reception point among a plurality of different transmission/reception points, wherein the SRS identity is independently determined to be distinguished from an uplink reference signal identity for an uplink channel and indicates a second transmission/reception point as a reception entity of an SRS; and\nperforming, by the user equipment, an independent transmission of the uplink channel and the SRS to different transmission/reception points, using the uplink reference signal identity or the SRS identity according to a type of an uplink transmission,\nwherein when the type of the uplink transmission is an SRS transmission, the performing includes:\ngenerating, by the user equipment, an SRS using the SRS identity included in the received UE-specific configuration information;\ndetermining the second transmission/reception point UE-specifically indicated by the SRS identity, as an SRS reception entity, wherein the second transmission/reception point is different from the first transmission/reception point which has transmitted the UE-specific configuration information to the user equipment; and\ntransmitting, by the user equipment, the generated SRS to the determined second transmission/reception point;\nwherein the SRS includes a periodic SRS and an aperiodic SRS;\nwherein the generating an SRS includes generating both the periodic SRS and the aperiodic SRS using the SRS identity; and\nwherein the receiving UE-specific configuration information includes receiving, from the first transmission/reception point, the UE-specific configuration information including the SRS identity, either through a UE-specific parameter, or dynamically through at least one of a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) and an enhanced physical downlink control channel (EPDCCH).",
"16. The method of claim 15, wherein:\nthe UE-specific configuration information includes the sounding reference signal identity which is the same for the periodic SRS and the aperiodic SRS.",
"17. The method of claim 15, wherein:\nthe UE-specific configuration information includes the sounding reference signal identity which is different for the periodic SRS and the aperiodic SRS."
],
[
"1. A method for an apparatus comprising a processor for allocating Channel State Information-Reference Signals (CSI-RSs) for at least two pairs of antenna ports in a wireless communication system that supports an extended Cyclic Prefix (CP) and a Time Division Duplex (TDD) mode, the method comprising:\nallocating, by the processor, CSI-RSs for a first pair of antenna ports and CSI- RSs for a second pair of antenna ports, wherein a CSI-RS for a first antenna port and a CSI-RS for a second antenna port in one of the two pairs of antenna ports are discriminated from each other by orthogonal codes,\nwherein CSI-RSs for the first pair of antenna ports are allocated to a first two consecutive REs in a time-frequency resource area determined by one subframe and 12 subcarriers, the first two consecutive REs corresponding to one subcarrier in a frequency axis and 8th and 9th symbols in a time axis, and the one subframe having 12 symbols for the extended CP,\nwherein CSI-RSs for the second pair of antenna ports are allocated to a second two consecutive REs in a time-frequency resource area determined by one subframe and 12 subcarriers, the second two consecutive REs corresponding to one subcarrier in a frequency axis and 8th and 9th symbols in a time axis, and the one subframe having 12 symbols for the extended CP, and\nwherein the first two consecutive REs and the second two consecutive REs are spaced apart from each other along the frequency axis by having two subcarriers between the first two consecutive REs and the second two consecutive REs.",
"2. The method of claim 1, wherein CSI-RSs of the (7th, 8th), (5th, 6th), (3rd, 4th), (1st, 2nd) antenna ports are allocated to two consecutive REs having subcarrier indexes having 0, 3, 6, and 9 (1st, 4th, 7th and 10th subcarriers within a Resource Block respectively), respectively.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein the (7th, 8th) antenna ports have higher antenna port numbers than antenna port numbers of the (5th, 6th) antenna ports,\nwherein the (5th, 6th) antenna ports have higher antenna port numbers than antenna port numbers of the (3rd, 4th) antenna ports, and\nwherein the (3rd, 4th) antenna ports have higher antenna port numbers than antenna port numbers of the (1st, 2nd) antenna ports.",
"4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first antenna port and the second antenna port in each of the two pairs of antenna ports have consecutive antenna port numbers.",
"5. The method of claim 1, wherein the orthogonal codes include two orthogonal cover codes (OCCs), and\nwherein a first OCC has a value of 1 mapped to the 8th symbol and a value of 1 mapped to the 9th symbol, and a second OCC has a value of 1 mapped to the 8th symbol and a value of −1 mapped to the 9th symbol.",
"6. A method for an apparatus comprising a signal receiver to receive Channel State Information-Reference Signals (CSI-RSs), the method comprising:\nreceiving, by the signal receiver, Channel State Information-Reference Signals (CSI-RSs) for at least two pairs of antenna ports in a wireless communication system that supports an extended Cyclic Prefix (CP) and a Time Division Duplex (TDD) mode;\nextracting, CSI-RSs for a first pair of antenna ports and CSI-RSs for a second pair of antenna ports, wherein a CSI-RS for a first antenna port and a CSI-RS for a second antenna port in one of the two pairs of antenna ports are discriminated from each other by orthogonal codes,\nacquiring, Channel State Information (CSI) based on the extracted CSI-RSs,\nwherein CSI-RSs for the first pair of antenna ports are allocated to a first two consecutive REs in a time-frequency resource area determined by one subframe and 12 subcarriers, the first two consecutive REs corresponding to one subcarrier in a frequency axis and 8th and 9th symbols in a time axis, and the one subframe having 12 symbols for the extended CP,\nwherein CSI-RSs for the second pair of antenna ports are allocated to a second two consecutive REs in a time-frequency resource area determined by one subframe and 12 subcarriers, the second two consecutive REs corresponding to one subcarrier in a frequency axis and 8th and 9th symbols in a time axis, and the one subframe having 12 symbols for the extended CP, and\nwherein the first two consecutive REs and the second two consecutive REs are spaced apart from each other along the frequency axis by having two subcarriers between the first two consecutive REs and the second two consecutive REs.",
"7. The method of claim 6, wherein CSI-RSs of the (7th, 8th), (5th, 6th), (3rd, 4th), (1st, 2nd) antenna ports are allocated to two consecutive REs having subcarrier indexes having 0, 3, 6, and 9 (1st, 4th, 7th and 10th subcarriers within a Resource Block respectively), respectively.",
"8. The method of claim 6, wherein the (7th, 8th) antenna ports have higher antenna port numbers than antenna port numbers of the (5th, 6th) antenna ports,\nwherein the (5th, 6th) antenna ports have higher antenna port numbers than antenna port numbers of the (3rd, 4th) antenna ports, and\nwherein the (3rd, 4th) antenna ports have higher antenna port numbers than antenna port numbers of the (1st,2nd) antenna ports.",
"9. The method of claim 6, wherein the first antenna port and the second antenna port in the first pair of antenna ports have consecutive antenna port numbers.",
"10. The method of claim 6, wherein the orthogonal codes include two orthogonal cover codes (OCCs), and\nwherein a first OCC has a value of 1 mapped to the 8th symbol and a value of 1 mapped to the 9th symbol, and a second OCC has a value of 1 mapped to the 8th symbol and a value of −1 mapped to the 9th symbol.",
"11. An apparatus, comprising:\na processor configured to allocate Channel State Information-Reference Signals (CSI-RSs) for at least two pairs of antenna ports in a wireless communication system that supports an extended Cyclic Prefix (CP) and a Time Division Duplex (TDD) mode,\nwherein a CSI-RS for a first antenna port and a CSI-RS for a second antenna port in one of the two pairs of antenna ports are discriminated from each other by orthogonal codes,\nwherein CSI-RSs for the first pair of antenna ports are allocated to a first two consecutive REs in a time-frequency resource area determined by one subframe and 12 subcarriers, the first two consecutive REs corresponding to one subcarrier in a frequency axis and 8th and 9th symbols in a time axis, and the one subframe having 12symbols for the extended CP,\nwherein CSI-RSs for the second pair of antenna ports are allocated to a second two consecutive REs in a time-frequency resource area determined by one subframe and 12 subcarriers, the second two consecutive REs corresponding to one subcarrier in a frequency axis and 8th and 9th symbols in a time axis, and the one subframe having 12 symbols for the extended CP, and\nwherein the first two consecutive REs and the second two consecutive REs are spaced apart from each other along the frequency axis by having two subcarriers between the first two consecutive REs and the second two consecutive REs.",
"12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein CSI-RSs of the (7th, 8th), (5th, 6th), (3rd, 4th), (1st, 2nd) antenna ports are allocated to two consecutive REs having subcarrier indexes having 0, 3, 6, and 9 (1st, 4th, 7th and 10th subcarriers within a Resource Block respectively), respectively.",
"13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the (7th, 8th) antenna ports have higher antenna port numbers than antenna port numbers of the (5th, 6th) antenna ports,\nwherein the (5th, 6th) antenna ports have higher antenna port numbers than antenna port numbers of the (3rd, 4th) antenna ports, and\nwherein the (3rd, 4th) antenna ports have higher antenna port numbers than antenna port numbers of the (1st, 2nd) antenna ports.",
"14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first antenna port and the second antenna port in the first pair of antenna ports have consecutive antenna port numbers.",
"15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the orthogonal codes include two orthogonal cover codes (OCCs), and\nwherein a first OCC has a value of 1 mapped to the 8th symbol and a value of 1 mapped to the 9th symbol, and a second OCC has a value of 1 mapped to the 8th symbol and a value of −1 mapped to the 9th symbol.",
"16. An apparatus to receive Channel State Information-Reference Signals (CSI-RSs), the apparatus comprising:\na signal receiver to receive Channel State Information-Reference Signals (CSI-RSs) for at least two pairs of antenna ports in a wireless communication system that supports an extended Cyclic Prefix (CP) and a Time Division Duplex (TDD) mode;\na CSI-RSs extractor to extract CSI-RSs for a first pair of antenna ports and CSI-RSs for a second pair of antenna ports, wherein a CSI-RS for a first antenna port and a CSI-RS for a second antenna port in one of the two pairs of antenna ports are discriminated from each other by orthogonal codes; and\na channel state measurer to acquire Channel State Information (CSI) based on the obtained CSI-RSs,\nwherein CSI-RSs for the first pair of antenna ports are allocated to a first two consecutive REs in a time-frequency resource area determined by one subframe and 12 subcarriers, the first two consecutive REs corresponding to one subcarrier in a frequency axis and 8th and 9th symbols in a time axis, and the one subframe having 12 symbols for the extended CP,\nwherein CSI-RSs for the second pair of antenna ports are allocated to a second two consecutive REs in a time-frequency resource area determined by one subframe and 12 subcarriers, the second two consecutive REs corresponding to one subcarrier in a frequency axis and 8th and 9th symbols in a time axis, and the one subframe having 12 symbols for the extended CP, and\nwherein the first two consecutive REs and the second two consecutive REs are spaced apart from each other along the frequency axis by having two subcarriers between the first two consecutive REs and the second two consecutive REs.",
"17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein CSI-RSs of the (7th, 8th), (5th,6th), (3rd, 4th), (1st, 2nd) antenna ports are allocated to two consecutive REs having subcarrier indexes having 0, 3, 6, and 9 (1st, 4th, 7th and 10th subcarriers within a Resource Block respectively), respectively.",
"18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the (7th, 8th) antenna ports have higher antenna port numbers than antenna port numbers of the (5th, 6th) antenna ports,\nwherein the (5th, 6th) antenna ports have higher antenna port numbers than antenna port numbers of the (3rd, 4th) antenna ports, and\nwherein the (3rd, 4th) antenna ports have higher antenna port numbers than antenna port numbers of the (1st, 2nd) antenna ports.",
"19. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the first antenna port and the second antenna port in the first pair of antenna ports have consecutive antenna port numbers.",
"20. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the orthogonal codes include two orthogonal cover codes (OCCs), and\nwherein a first OCC has a value of 1 mapped to the 8th symbol and a value of 1 mapped to the 9th symbol, and a second OCC has a value of 1 mapped to the 8th symbol and a value of −1 mapped to the 9th symbol."
],
[
"1. A base station to transmit Channel State Information-Reference Signal (CSI-RS) information, comprising:\na processor configured to generate CSI-RS information including a CSI-RS zero power configuration associated with a cycle and an offset of zero power transmission subframes and a CSI-RS zero power configuration list having an n-bit bitmap, the n being an integer among 12 to 28, and each bit of the n-bit bitmap indicating whether to apply zero power transmission for resource elements corresponding to a CSI-RS pattern for a specific number of antenna ports; and\na transmitter configured to transmit the CSI-RS information to a user equipment,\nwherein the processor is configured to map data to the resource elements using the CSI-RS information, and\nwherein the transmitter is configured to transmit a signal including the mapped data to the user equipment.",
"2. The base station as claimed in claim 1, wherein a mapping process includes a muting for zero power transmission.",
"3. The base station as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:\na receiver to receive CSI-RS information of a neighboring cell, the CSI-RS information of the neighboring cell including at least one of a CSI-RS pattern of the neighboring cell, a number of CSI-RS antenna ports of the neighboring cell, a CSI-RS transmission cycle (duty cycle) of the neighboring cell, CSI-RS transmission subframe offset information of the neighboring cell,\nwherein the processor is configured to determine a zero power transmission region based on the CSI-RS information of the neighboring cell, the zero power transmission region configured to mute the CSI-RS pattern of the neighboring cell.",
"4. The base station as claimed in claim 1, wherein the CSI-RS zero power configuration is configured based on locations of the zero power transmission subframes to which the zero power transmission is applied and a relation between CSI-RS transmission cycles and CSI-RS transmission offset of a specific cell or the neighboring cell.",
"5. The base station as claimed in claim 1, wherein the CSI-RS zero power configuration list is configured as a 16-bit bitmap, each bit of the 16-bit bitmap indicating a CSI-RS pattern to be muted based on the specific number of antenna ports.",
"6. A method for receiving Channel State Information-Reference Signal (CSI-RS) information, the method comprising:\nreceiving CSI-RS information including a CSI-RS zero power configuration associated with a cycle and an offset of zero power transmission subframes and a CSI-RS zero power configuration list having an n-bit bitmap, the n being an integer among 12 to 28, and each bit of the n-bit bitmap indicating whether to apply zero power transmission for resource elements corresponding to a CSI-RS pattern for a specific number of antenna ports; and\nreceiving a signal including data, mapped to the resource elements using the CSI-RS information.",
"7. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein a mapping process includes a muting for zero power transmission.",
"8. The method as claimed in claim 6, further comprising:\nreceiving CSI-RSs of a neighboring cell transmitted from a resource region of the neighboring cell corresponding to a partial region muted based on the zero power transmission information in a resource space for transmitting CSI-RSs of the serving cell and data of the serving cell;\nidentifying a zero power transmission region in a resource space for transmitting data of the serving cell using the zero power transmission information and identifying a region for transmitting the CSI-RSs of the neighboring cell corresponding thereto; and\nacquiring a channel state by decoding the CSI-RSs of the serving cell and the neighboring cell considering the zero power transmission region.",
"9. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the CSI-RS zero power configuration is configured based on locations of the zero power transmission subframes to which the zero power transmission is applied and a relation between CSI-RS transmission cycles and CSI-RS transmission offset of the serving cell or the neighboring cell.",
"10. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the CSI-RS zero power configuration list is configured as a 16-bit bitmap, each bit of the 16-bit bitmap indicating a CSI-RS pattern to be muted based on the specific number of antenna ports.",
"11. A user equipment to receive Channel State Information-Reference Signal (CSI-RS) information, the user equipment comprising:\na processor configured to receive and determine CSI-RS information including a CSI-RS zero power configuration associated with a cycle and an offset of zero power transmission subframes and a CSI-RS zero power configuration list having an n-bit bitmap, the n being an integer among 12 to 28, each bit of the n-bit bitmap indicating whether to apply zero power transmission for resource elements corresponding to a CSI-RS pattern for a specific number of antenna ports; and\na receiver to receive a signal including data, mapped to the resource elements using the CSI-RS information.",
"12. The user equipment as claimed in claim 11, wherein a mapping process includes a muting for zero power transmission.",
"13. The user equipment as claimed in claim 11, wherein the receiver receives CSI-RSs of a neighboring cell transmitted from a resource region of the neighboring cell corresponding to a partial region muted based on the zero power transmission information in a resource space for transmitting CSI-RSs of the serving cell and data of the serving cell, and\nwherein the processor is configured to identify a zero power transmission region in a resource space for transmitting data of the serving cell using the zero power transmission information and to identify a region for transmitting the CSI-RSs of the neighboring cell corresponding thereto, and to acquire a channel state by decoding the CSI-RSs of the serving cell and the neighboring cell considering the zero power transmission region.",
"14. The user equipment as claimed in claim 11, wherein the CSI-RS zero power configuration is configured based on locations of the zero power transmission subframes to which the zero power transmission is applied and a relation between CSI-RS transmission cycles and CSI-RS transmission offset of the serving cell or the neighboring cell.",
"15. The user equipment as claimed in claim 11, wherein the CSI-RS zero power configuration list is configured as a 16-bit bitmap, each bit of the 16-bit bitmap indicating a CSI-RS pattern to be muted based on the specific number of antenna ports."
],
[
"1. A method performed by a base station operating in a wireless communication system, the method comprising:\ntransmitting cell-specific reference signals (RSs) on two or fewer antenna ports in a downlink subframe including a first slot and a second slot and having a normal cyclic prefix (CP), wherein the downlink subframe has 14 orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols, and each of the first slot and the second slot has 7 OFDM symbols that are indexed starting from 0 in each slot; and\ntransmitting channel measurement RSs on eight or fewer antenna ports in the downlink subframe, wherein, based on the downlink subframe having the normal CP, the channel measurement RSs are mapped to the downlink subframe according to a predetermined pattern in which the channel measurement RSs are mapped to only two OFDM symbols in the downlink subframe,\nwherein for each antenna port which is used for a channel measurement RS that is mapped to one of the two OFDM symbols, the each antenna port is also used for a channel measurement RS that is mapped to another of the two OFDM symbols,\nwherein the two OFDM symbols are at OFDM symbol indices 1 and 3 of the second slot in the downlink subframe, and\nwherein the channel measurement RSs on the eight or fewer antenna ports are not mapped to any OFDM symbols in the first slot in the downlink subframe.",
"2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the cell-specific RSs on the two or fewer antenna ports are mapped to OFDM symbol indices 0 and 4 of the first slot and to OFDM symbol indices 0 and 4 of the second slot.",
"3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the channel measurement RSs, which are mapped to the downlink subframe according to the predetermined pattern, do not overlap with the cell-specific RSs.",
"4. The method according to claim 1, wherein based on a demodulation reference signal (DRS) being transmitted by the base station, the channel measurement RSs, which are mapped to the downlink subframe according to the predetermined pattern, do not overlap with the DRS.",
"5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined pattern defines the channel measurement RSs for the eight or fewer antenna ports to be mapped to one or more of four resource element (RE) locations in each of the two OFDM symbols, and wherein the four RE locations defined in the predetermined pattern are separated from each other by two REs in a frequency domain.",
"6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the channel measurement RSs for the eight or fewer antenna ports are multiplexed at same resource element (RE) locations of the two OFDM symbols using code division multiplexing (CDM).",
"7. A method performed by a user equipment (UE) operating in a wireless communication system, the method comprising:\nreceiving cell-specific reference signals (RSs) transmitted from a base station on two or fewer antenna ports in a downlink subframe including a first slot and a second slot and having a normal cyclic prefix (CP), wherein the downlink subframe has 14 orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols, and each of the first slot and the second slot has 7 OFDM symbols that are indexed starting from 0 in each slot; and\nreceiving channel measurement RSs transmitted from the base station on eight or fewer antenna ports in the downlink subframe,\nwherein, based on the downlink subframe having the normal CP, the channel measurement RSs are mapped to the downlink subframe according to a predetermined pattern in which the channel measurement RSs are mapped to only two OFDM symbols in the downlink subframe,\nwherein for each antenna port which is used for a channel measurement RS that is mapped to one of the two OFDM symbols, the each antenna port is also used for a channel measurement RS that is mapped to another of the two OFDM symbols,\nwherein the two OFDM symbols are at OFDM symbol indices 1 and 3 of the second slot in the downlink subframe, and\nwherein the channel measurement RSs on the eight or fewer antenna ports are not mapped to any OFDM symbols in the first slot in the downlink subframe.",
"8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the cell-specific RSs on the two or fewer antenna ports are mapped to OFDM symbol indices 0 and 4 of the first slot and to OFDM symbol indices 0 and 4 of the second slot.",
"9. The method according to claim 7, wherein the channel measurement RSs, which are mapped to the downlink subframe according to the predetermined pattern, do not overlap with the cell-specific RSs.",
"10. The method according to claim 7, wherein based on a demodulation reference signal (DRS) being received by the UE from the base station, the channel measurement RSs, which are mapped to the downlink subframe according to the predetermined pattern, do not overlap with the DRS.",
"11. The method according to claim 7, wherein the predetermined pattern defines the channel measurement RSs for the eight or fewer antenna ports to be mapped to one or more of four resource element (RE) locations in each of the two OFDM symbols, and wherein the four RE locations defined in the predetermined pattern are separated from each other by two REs in a frequency domain.",
"12. The method according to claim 7, wherein the channel measurement RSs for the eight or fewer antenna ports are multiplexed at same resource element (RE) locations of the two OFDM symbols using code division multiplexing (CDM).",
"13. A base station configured to operate in a wireless communication system, the base station comprising:\nat least one transmitter and at least one receiver;\nat least one processor; and\nat least one memory storing instructions that, based on being executed by the at least one processor, perform operations comprising:\ntransmitting, via the at least one transmitter, cell-specific reference signals (RSs) on two or fewer antenna ports in a downlink subframe including a first slot and a second slot and having a normal cyclic prefix (CP), wherein the downlink subframe has 14 orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols, and each of the first slot and the second slot has 7 OFDM symbols that are indexed starting from 0 in each slot; and\ntransmitting, via the at least one transmitter, channel measurement RSs on eight or fewer antenna ports in the downlink subframe,\nwherein, based on the downlink subframe having the normal CP, the channel measurement RSs are mapped to the downlink subframe according to a predetermined pattern in which the channel measurement RSs are mapped to only two OFDM symbols in the downlink subframe,\nwherein for each antenna port which is used for a channel measurement RS that is mapped to one of the two OFDM symbols, the each antenna port is also used for a channel measurement RS that is mapped to another of the two OFDM symbols,\nwherein the two OFDM symbols are at OFDM symbol indices 1 and 3 of the second slot in the downlink subframe, and\nwherein the channel measurement RSs on the eight or fewer antenna ports are not mapped to any OFDM symbols in the first slot in the downlink subframe.",
"14. The base station according to claim 13, wherein the cell-specific RSs on the two or fewer antenna ports are mapped to OFDM symbol indices 0 and 4 of the first slot and to OFDM symbol indices 0 and 4 of the second slot.",
"15. The base station according to claim 13, wherein the channel measurement RSs, which are mapped to the downlink subframe according to the predetermined pattern, do not overlap with the cell-specific RSs.",
"16. The base station according to claim 13, wherein based on a demodulation reference signal (DRS) being transmitted by the base station, the channel measurement RSs, which are mapped to the downlink subframe according to the predetermined pattern, do not overlap with the DRS.",
"17. The base station according to claim 13, wherein the predetermined pattern defines the channel measurement RSs for the eight or fewer antenna ports to be mapped to one or more of four resource element (RE) locations in each of the two OFDM symbols, and wherein the four RE locations defined in the predetermined pattern are separated from each other by two REs in a frequency domain.",
"18. The base station according to claim 13, wherein the channel measurement RSs for the eight or fewer antenna ports are multiplexed at same resource element (RE) locations of the two OFDM symbols using code division multiplexing (CDM).",
"19. A user equipment (UE) configured to operate in a wireless communication system, the UE comprising:\nat least one transmitter and at least one receiver;\nat least one processor; and\nat least one memory storing instructions that, based on being executed by the at least one processor, perform operations comprising:\nreceiving, via the at least one receiver, cell-specific reference signals (RSs) transmitted from a base station on two or fewer antenna ports in a downlink subframe including a first slot and a second slot and having a normal cyclic prefix (CP), wherein the downlink subframe has 14 orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols, and each of the first slot and the second slot has 7 OFDM symbols that are indexed starting from 0 in each slot; and\nreceiving, via the at least one receiver, channel measurement RSs transmitted from the base station on eight or fewer antenna ports in the downlink subframe,\nwherein, based on the downlink subframe having the normal CP, the channel measurement RSs are mapped to the downlink subframe according to a predetermined pattern in which the channel measurement RSs are mapped to only two OFDM symbols in the downlink subframe,\nwherein for each antenna port which is used for a channel measurement RS that is mapped to one of the two OFDM symbols, the each antenna port is also used for a channel measurement RS that is mapped to another of the two OFDM symbols,\nwherein the two OFDM symbols are at OFDM symbol indices 1 and 3 of the second slot in the downlink subframe, and\nwherein the channel measurement RSs on the eight or fewer antenna ports are not mapped to any OFDM symbols in the first slot in the downlink subframe.",
"20. The UE according to claim 19, wherein the cell-specific RSs on the two or fewer antenna ports are mapped to OFDM symbol indices 0 and 4 of the first slot and to OFDM symbol indices 0 and 4 of the second slot.",
"21. The UE according to claim 19, wherein the channel measurement RSs, which are mapped to the downlink subframe according to the predetermined pattern, do not overlap with the cell-specific RSs.",
"22. The UE according to claim 19, wherein based on a demodulation reference signal (DRS) being received by the UE from base station, the channel measurement RSs, which are mapped to the downlink subframe according to the predetermined pattern, do not overlap with the DRS.",
"23. The UE according to claim 19, wherein the predetermined pattern defines the channel measurement RSs for the eight or fewer antenna ports to be mapped to one or more of four resource element (RE) locations in each of the two OFDM symbols, and wherein the four RE locations defined in the predetermined pattern are separated from each other by two REs in a frequency domain.",
"24. The UE according to claim 19, wherein the channel measurement RSs for the eight or fewer antenna ports are multiplexed at same resource element (RE) locations of the two OFDM symbols using code division multiplexing (CDM)."
],
[
"1. A method of transmitting a reference signal by a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system, the method comprising:\nreceiving a cyclic shift hopping (CSH) initial value parameter and a virtual cell identifier (ID) parameter respectively configured by one of integer values in a range of 0 to 509 through a higher layer signaling, wherein the higher layer signaling is independently configured for each of the CSH initial value parameter and the virtual cell ID parameter;\ngenerating a reference signal sequence based on the CSH initial value parameter and the virtual cell ID parameter; and\ntransmitting the reference signal based on the reference signal sequence,\nwherein the generating the reference signal sequence further comprises:\ndetermining an initial value of a pseudo random sequence relating to a cyclic shift hopping based on the received CSH initial value parameter;\ndetermining a cyclic shift value for the reference signal sequence based on the determined initial value of the pseudo random sequence relating to the cyclic shift hopping; and\ngenerating the reference signal sequence based on the determined cyclic shift value,\nwherein the initial value cinit of the pseudo random sequence relating to the cyclic shift hopping is determined by using the received CSH initial value parameter cinit CSH by\n𝑐\ninit\n=\n⌊\n𝑐\ninit\nCSH\n3\n\n0\n⌋\n·\n2\n5\n+\n(\n𝑐\ninit\nCSH\n\nmod\n\n30\n)\n.",
"2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:\ndetermining a base sequence of the reference signal sequence based on the received virtual cell ID parameter, and\nwherein the reference signal sequence is generated based both on the determined cyclic shift value and the determined base sequence of the reference signal.",
"3. The method of claim 1, wherein the higher layer signaling is a radio resource control (RRC) signaling.",
"4. A user equipment (UE) to transmit a reference signal in a wireless communication system, the UE comprising:\na processor configured to:\nreceive a cyclic shift hopping (CSH) initial value parameter and a virtual cell identifier (ID) parameter respectively configured by one of integer values in a range of 0 to 509 through a higher layer signaling, wherein the higher layer signaling is independently configured for each of the CSH initial value parameter and the virtual cell ID parameter;\ngenerate a reference signal sequence based on the CSH initial value parameter and the virtual cell ID parameter; and\ntransmit the reference signal based on the reference signal sequence,\nwherein, in generating the reference signal sequence, the processor is further configured to:\ndetermine an initial value of a pseudo random sequence relating to a cyclic shift hopping based on the received CSH initial value parameter;\ndetermine a cyclic shift value for the reference signal sequence based on the determined initial value of the pseudo random sequence relating to the cyclic shift hopping; and\ngenerate the reference signal sequence based on the determined cyclic shift value,\nwherein the initial value cinit of the pseudo random sequence relating to the cyclic shift hopping is determined by using the received CSH initial value parameter cinit CSH by\n𝑐\ninit\n=\n⌊\n𝑐\ninit\nCSH\n3\n\n0\n⌋\n·\n2\n5\n+\n(\n𝑐\ninit\nCSH\n\nmod\n\n30\n)\n.",
"5. The user equipment of claim 4, the processor is further configured to:\ndetermine a base sequence of the reference signal sequence based on the received virtual cell ID parameter, and\nwherein the reference signal sequence is generated based both on the determined cyclic shift value and the determined base sequence of the reference signal.",
"6. The user equipment of claim 4, wherein the higher layer signaling is a radio resource control (RRC) signaling."
]
] |
in the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to aia 35 u.s.c. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-aia 35 u.s.c. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from aia to pre-aia ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
the following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 u.s.c. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this office action:
a person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
claims 1, 3-5, 11-12, 14-16, and 21-22 are rejected under 35 u.s.c. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by li et al. (us 2020/0084773 a1; hereinafter referred to as “li”).
regarding claim 12, li discloses a terminal device, comprising:
a processor (¶172 & fig. 6, li discloses a terminal device comprising processor 620);
a memory (¶172 & fig. 6, li discloses the terminal device further comprising memory 630); and
a transceiver (¶172 & fig. 6, li discloses the terminal device further comprising transceiver 610), wherein the processor, the memory and the transceiver communicate with each other through an internal connection, transmission control and/or data signals, such that the terminal device (¶172 & fig. 6, li discloses the processor, the memory, and the transceiver 610 are coupled by a bus) performs:
receiving first information sent by a network device (¶112 & fig. 2 (201) & fig. 4, li discloses receiving, by the ue from the network device, synchronization signal block (ssb) comprising a master information block (mib)), wherein the first information indicates a reference point (¶97 & fig. 3 (301) & fig. 4, li discloses that the mib of the ssb indicates a first location); and
determining a frequency domain resource and/or a bandwidth part configured by the network device for the terminal device (¶141 & fig. 3 (303) & ¶112-115 & fig. 2 & fig. 4, li discloses determining a location of a bandwidth part based in part upon the first location, the offset, and the bandwidth value/length), wherein the frequency domain resource and/or the bandwidth part are configured by the network device according to the reference point (¶141 & fig. 3 (303) & ¶112-115 & fig. 2 & fig. 4, li discloses the bandwidth part is configured based in part upon the first location), wherein the reference point is used for configuring the frequency domain resource and/or the bandwidth part for the terminal device (¶141 & fig. 3 (303) & ¶112-115 & fig. 2 & fig. 4, li discloses the first location is used to determining the location of the bandwidth part);
wherein the first information indicates a frequency domain relationship between a first synchronization signal block and the reference point (¶113-114 & fig. 4, li discloses that the first location, the offset, and the bandwidth value indicate a frequency offset relative to the lowest frequency position of the synchronization signal block).
regarding claim 1, claim 1 is rejected on the same basis as claim 12.
regarding claim 14, li discloses the terminal device according to claim 12.
li further discloses the processor is further configured to:
receive third information sent by the network device (¶115 & fig. 2 & fig. 4, li discloses receiving, by the ue from the network device, the offset and the bandwidth value of the bandwidth part via the master information block (mib) or radio resource control (rrc) signaling), wherein the third information indicates an offset between the bandwidth part configured for the terminal device and the reference point (¶115 & fig. 2 & fig. 4, li discloses that the offset is a frequency bandwidth from a first location of a synchronization signal block and a second location corresponding to the bandwidth part), wherein the offset between the bandwidth part and the reference point is an offset between a lowest frequency point of the bandwidth part and the reference point (¶115 & fig. 2 & fig. 4, li discloses that the offset is a frequency bandwidth from a first location of a synchronization signal block and a second location corresponding to the bandwidth part. fig. 4, li discloses that the second location is a lowest frequency point of the bandwidth part).
regarding claim 3, claim 3 is rejected on the same basis as claim 14.
regarding claim 15, li discloses the terminal device according to claim 12.
li further discloses the reference point comprises a first reference point and a second reference point (¶141 & fig. 3 (303) & ¶112-115 & fig. 2 & fig. 4, li discloses information indicating a first location, an offset, and a bandwidth value/length. examiner correlates a first location to "a first reference point". examiner correlates the sum of the first location, the offset, and the bandwidth length (or a second location) to "a second reference point". fig. 4, li discloses that the second location is the highest frequency location of the second common bandwidth part), the first reference point is used for configuring the bandwidth part for the terminal device (¶141 & fig. 3 (303) & ¶112-115 & fig. 2 & fig. 4, li discloses that the sum of the first location and the offset indicates a lowest frequency value of a second common operating bandwidth. examiner correlates the second common operating bandwidth to a "bandwidth part for the terminal device"), and the second reference point is used for configuring the frequency domain resource for the terminal device (¶141 & fig. 3 (303) & ¶112-115 & fig. 2 & fig. 4, li discloses that the highest frequency value of the second common operating bandwidth (or second location) is used to configure and allocate the second common operating bandwidth in conjunction with the bandwidth length. examiner correlates the bandwidth resources of the second common operating bandwidth to "frequency domain resource for the terminal device"), wherein the first information indicates the first reference point (¶112 & fig. 2 (201) & ¶97 & fig. 3 (301) &fig. 4, li discloses receiving, by the ue from the network device, synchronization signal block (ssb) comprising a master information block (mib), which further indicates a first location. examiner correlates a first location to a "first reference point"); the bandwidth part is configured by the first reference point (¶141 & fig. 3 (303) & ¶112-115 & fig. 2 & fig. 4, li discloses the bandwidth part is configured based in part upon the first location); the second reference point is determined according to the configured bandwidth part (¶141 & fig. 3 (303) & ¶112-115 & fig. 2 & fig. 4, li discloses that the highest frequency value of the second common operating bandwidth (or second location) is located at the highest frequency position of the second common operating bandwidth); and the frequency domain resource is configured according to the second reference point (¶141 & fig. 3 (303) & ¶112-115 & fig. 2 & fig. 4, li discloses that the bandwidth of the second common operating bandwidth (or second location) is configured using the highest frequency value), wherein the first reference point is different from the second reference point (¶141 & fig. 3 (303) & ¶112-115 & fig. 2 & fig. 4, li discloses that the first location and the highest frequency position of the second common operating bandwidth are different).
regarding claim 4, claim 4 is rejected on the same basis as claim 15.
regarding claim 16, li discloses the terminal device according to claim 12.
receive a complete reference signal in a configured bandwidth range from the network device (¶128, li discloses receiving, by the ue from the network device, a ue specific demodulation signal within the bandwidth part), wherein the complete reference signal is determined by the reference point (¶128, li discloses the ue specific demodulation signal is received within the bandwidth part based upon the first location and an offset).
regarding claim 5, claim 5 is rejected on the same basis as claim 16.
regarding claim 11, li discloses the method according to claim 1.
li further discloses the first information is carried in a system broadcast message or an rrc dedicated signaling (¶115 & ¶85 & fig. 2 & fig. 4, li discloses sending, by the network device to the ue, information via a master information block (mib) where the mib is a broadcasted signal).
regarding claim 22, li discloses a network device, comprising:
a processor (¶172 & fig. 6, li discloses a device comprising processor 620);
a memory (¶172 & fig. 6, li discloses the device further comprising memory 630); and
configuring a frequency domain resource and/or a bandwidth part configured by the network device for the terminal device according to a reference point (¶141 & fig. 3 (303) & ¶112-115 & fig. 2 & fig. 4, li discloses determining a location of a bandwidth part based in part upon the first location, the offset, and the bandwidth value/length. examiner correlates a first location to “a reference point”), wherein the reference point is used for configuring the frequency domain resource and/or the bandwidth part for the terminal device (¶141 & fig. 3 (303) & ¶112-115 & fig. 2 & fig. 4, li discloses the first location is used to determining the location of the bandwidth part);
sending first information to the terminal device (¶112 & fig. 2 (201) & fig. 4, li discloses transmitting, to the ue by the network device, synchronization signal block (ssb) comprising a master information block (mib)), wherein the first information indicates the reference point (¶97 & fig. 3 (301) & fig. 4, li discloses that the mib of the ssb indicates a first location),
regarding claim 22, claim 22 is rejected on the same basis as claim 15.
|
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